Public Safety

1 injured in Central Hillside shooting

DULUTH, Minn. —  One person is injured after a shooting in Duluth. According to officials,  at around 12:55 a.m. Thursday, police responded to a report of shots fired in the 600 block of North 3rd Avenue East. When they arrived, they found a 47-year-old man with gunshot wounds. The man was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Officials…

Normanna Volunteer Fire Dept. Fundraising Event Returns Oct. 11

DULUTH, Minn. – The Normanna Volunteer Fire Department is getting ready for its third-annual Normanna Fire Squatch 5K fundraising event this Saturday, Oct. 11. 2024 Squatch 5K The fun starts at 9 a.m. with a pancake breakfast, followed by the 5K race and a baby Squatch 1K for the kids. Vendors will be on hand, a silent auction and activities…

Duluth Fire Department “Charges into Safety”

DULUTH, Minn. — For this year’s Fire Safety Week, the Duluth Fire Department has chosen the theme, “Charging into Safety.” The Department is emphasizing the importance of properly caring for lithium-ion batteries. These batteries power everything from power tools to cell phones, and with so many around us, it’s important to handle them safely to prevent fires. To help prevent…

Semi rolls over on Hibbing roundabout

  (Credit: Northland Firewire) HIBBING, Minn —  A semi-truck rolled over on a roundabout in Hibbing Wednesday morning. According to Friends of the Northland Fire Wire, authorities responded around 10 a.m. to a report of a semi-truck hauling demolition materials that had tipped on its side. The rollover happened at the  Highway 37/169 roundabout in Hibbing. No injuries have been…

Hidden Camera Found In Bathroom At Duluth Senior Living Facility

Bathroom where the camera was found DULUTH, Minn. – FOX 21 has learned a small camera was recently discovered in a bathroom at Viewcrest Health Center. A Certified Nurses Assistant (CNA) found the small pen-style camera on Friday, Oct. 3, and called the Duluth Police Department. Sources tell FOX 21 the device was taped under the lip of a wooden…

Small Plane Crashes Near McGregor Airport, 3 Injured

MCGREGOR, Minn. — A small plane crashed Sunday after taking off from the McGregor Airport, injuring the three people inside. The crash was reported around 4:30 p.m. Missing dog The Piper PA-28-140 was located about a half-mile short of the runway. The Aitkin County Sheriff’s Office told FOX 21 the aircraft lost power shortly after takeoff and was attempted to…

Man charged after West Skyline Parkway hit-and-run

DULUTH, Minn. — A man has been charged after a hit-and-run on West Skyline Parkway last week. According to court documents, 68-year-old Jeffry Luck has been charged with two counts of criminal vehicular operation, bodily harm, and leaving the scene. SEE PREVIOUS: Man Arrested After West Skyline Hit-And-Run In a statement to officials, the victims say that around 4 pm,…

Northland lawmakers react to Social Security breach

SUPERIOR, Wis. — In the wake of the accidental release of thousands of social security numbers by the Wisconsin State Public Defenders Office, two Wisconsin lawmakers have responded. SEE PREVIOUS: Superior resident receives thousands of Social Security Numbers from Wisconsin State Public Defender’s Office Wisconsin representative Angela Stroud of the state’s 73rd district released the following statement to FOX21: “We…

Man Arrested After West Skyline Hit-And-Run

DULUTH, Minn. — A man is now under arrest after a hit-and-run incident on West Skyline Parkway last week. The 68-year-old suspect is being held on multiple pending charges, including criminal vehicular operation and bodily harm. The incident happened during the daylight hours of Sept. 23 on the 3800 block of West Skyline. Two pedestrians were struck by the vehicle….

MnDOT Issues First-Ever ‘Stand Down’ After 2 Recent Construction Deaths

Two recent construction zone deaths on Minnesota roads caused the Department of Transporation to issue its first-ever stand down in recognition of the two lives lost on the job. This meant all MnDOT workers paused work in construction zones across the state, including Duluth. MnDOT said the pause was not only to honor the contractors who died last week on…

Duluth Police: Fight Ends With Man Shot By ‘Fearful’ Woman

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth police are investigating a shooting in the city’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. The call for help came in around 4 a.m. Sunday in the 2300 block of West 7th Street. Police attend to man shot in the leg Sunday morning “Initial information is a physical alteration occurred between a 39-year-old female and a 38-year-old male inside a…

Man found on Moccasin Mike Road in Superior identified

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Superior Police Department has identified the person found deceased in the area of Moccasin Mike Road and Wisconsin Point Road on September 24, 2025. He was identified as Superior resident, 53-year-old Tracy Alan Woodhull. The Superior Police Department is still investigate this incident. On September 24, 2025, at approximately 1:39am officer got the report of a man…

Congdon Park neighborhood under boil alert

DULUTH, Minn. — A boil water notice is in effect for residents in the Congdon Park neighborhood. The boil alert is in place for those living on the 3300 to 3800 blocks of Greysolon Road, Greysolon Place, East Superior Street, and 36th Avenue East from London Road to Superior Street. Officials say during a hydrant replacement on London Road, a…

Cook County Land Services Scam Alert

COOK COUNTY, Minn. — Cook County is warning residents of a scam involving Land Services. Scammers are targeting people who apply to or contact the Cook County Land services department. They are impersonating staff by email and asking for $7,000 via wire transfer. Land services will never contact you by email requesting payment via wire transfer. Emails from government officials…

Duluth ski coach sentenced for creating child pornography of the kids he coached

John Degelau DULUTH, Minn. & MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – John David Degelau, 28, has been sentenced to 6.5 years in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release. He was found guilty on federal charges of Possession of Child Pornography. Degelau, a former youth ski coach, created child pornography by imposing the faces of children he coached onto the bodies of…

Search for missing man underway in Cook County

COOK COUNTY, Minn. — A search is underway for a missing man in Cook County. Authorities say Wayne Stortch, a 74-year-old man from New Richmond, has been missing since September 18. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office discovered Stortch’s vehicle parked on the side of the Gunflint Trail at the Pine Mountain Lake trailhead access on September 24. Officials believe he…

Stabbing at a Sunday wedding

Nathan John Polzin ANGORA TOWNSHIP, Min. – A man is accused of getting into a fight at a wedding and stabbing an attendee. Court documents allege Nathan John Polzin got into a disagreement at wedding in Angora Township the evening of September 21, 2025. A witness told deputies Polzin pulled a knife on the victim and began fighting. The witness…

Minnesota Board of Pardons commutes sentence from 1998 Aitkin County murder

SAINT PAUL, Min. – Minnesota Board of Pardons voted to commute the sentence of Brian Pippitt, who spent over two decades in prison following a conviction of first-degree murder in 2001. The Board voted to commute Pippitt’s sentence based on good behavior in prison and the length of time Pippitt served in prison compared to his codefendants. In 2024 there…

Injured Man Rescued in Boundary Waters

BOUNDARY WATERS, Minn. — A man has been rescued from the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness after suffering an injury to the leg from an axe. Around 6:30 p.m. on September 23, the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office received an SOS notification regarding the injured man. A tourniquet and bandaging had been used to stop the bleeding. The injured man…

Inmate escapes from Northeast Regional Corrections Center

  SAGINAW, Minn. — An inmate has escaped from the Northeast Regional Corrections Center (NERCC). Officials say that on Tuesday evening, Michael Todd Hart escaped from custody at the NERCC. According to officials, Hart is a white male, 5’10” tall, 169 lbs with brown hair and blue eyes, and was last seen wearing a yellow sweatshirt, grey T-shirt, and blue…

St. Louis County Gathers Input for West Arrowhead Road Safety

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – People gathering at the Hermantown YMCA to give the St. Louis County Public Works community input regarding the Active Transportation Plan for West Arrowhead Road. The project’s main focus is the stretch between Haines Road and Rice Lake Road, where heavy traffic and limited pedestrian or bike accommodations can make travel for non-motorized users difficult. The overall…

Duluth man arrested for threatening to shoot elementary school released on bail

Richard Neault DULUTH, Minn. — A Duluth man who was arrested for threatening an elementary School has been released on a $100,000 bail. Richard Neault was arrested on September 11 for threatening to shoot the windows of Laura MacArthur Elementary School. 72-year-old Neault is being charged with felony threats of violence and is facing a maximum sentence of 5 years…

Ex-Lawmaker Nicole Mitchell sentenced for burglary

Nicole Mitchell DULUTH, Min. & DETROIT LAKES, Min. – Former Minnesota State Senator Nicole Mitchell has been sentenced to 5-years probation, plus 180-days in jail with work release. She was convicted of burglary for breaking into her estranged stepmother’s house. Mitchell said during her sentencing, “Your Honor, I, I deserve to be here today. The things said and the harm I…

Minnesota Power Reminds Customers of “Cold Weather Rule”

DULUTH, Minn. — With the seasons changing and cold air on the way, Minnesota Power is reminding customers about the state’s “Cold Weather Rule.” The rule prevents residential customers from getting their natural gas or electric service shut off for non-payment between Oct. 1, and Apr. 30. Minnesota Power encourages customers, who believe the higher winter bills will be too…

Suspects named in Fredenberg Township burglary

  Damian Lyle Coon(left) and Cayden John Pappas(right) FREDENBURG TOWNSHIP, Minn —  Suspects have been named after a home was ransacked in an alleged planned burglary in Fredenberg Township. 26-year-old Damian Lyle Coon of Duluth and 18-year-old Cayden John Pappas of Cloquet are being charged with felony 2nd-degree burglary and felony theft. SEE PREVIOUS: 2 Arrested After Home Burglary In…

Charges: Duluth Man Filmed Under Skirts At Mariucci Arena Graduations, 144 victims

Benjamin Goldsmith of Duluth MINNEAPOLIS. Minn. (FOX 9) — A Duluth man is accused of taking inappropriate images of more than 100 female students at high school graduation ceremonies at Mariucci Arena in Minneapolis. Benjamin Thomas Goldsmith, 32, of Duluth is accused of getting closely behind girls while taking pictures and videos under their skirts, according to charges. 144 victims…

Outage leaves over 800 people without power

Minn. — 825 Minnesota power customers across the northland are without power Thursday morning. According to officials, the outage began at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday night, impacting Skelton Township, Moose Lake Township, and Barnum. Minnesota Power released a statement regarding the outage: “The outage is the result of a small, contained fire at our substation last night, which was caused by…

Charges: Homeless Man Shot Out Door Of Downtown Duluth Business During Burglary

DULUTH, Minn. – Serious felony charges have been filed against a man after a burglary and shooting of a downtown Duluth business. James Eugene Ferry, 36 According to the criminal complaint, James Eugene Ferry, 36, whose address is listed in Duluth as “homeless” on the court records, shot out the front door of Namaste Gifts and Healing at 4th Avenue…

Democrat wins Minnesota House special election to replace assassinated leader

XP Lee MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota House will soon return to full strength under an unusual power-sharing agreement that forces both parties to work together, following a special election to fill the seat left vacant when the chamber’s top Democrat was assassinated. Democrat Xp Lee won Tuesday’s special election with 61% of the vote, according to unofficial results. After…

12 Injured In Minneapolis Shootings At Homeless Camp, Near Transit Station

Courtesy: FOX 9 MINNEAPOLIS (AP/FOX9) — Seven people have been wounded, including four with critical injuries, in a shooting at a homeless camp on private property in Minneapolis, police said. The shooting happened just hours after and blocks away from another shooting that left five injured near a transit station as city officials acknowledge a spate of recent violent crime…

Georgia Teen Wanted For Homicide, Kidnapping Arrested In Duluth

Monday: 1200 block of East 4th Street DULUTH, Minn. – A 16-year-old boy wanted in the state of Georgia for homicide, armed robbery and kidnapping, among other charges, was arrested by Duluth police Monday while officers were responding to a “possible burglary in progress,” according to a news release Tuesday. The possibly burglary call came in around 2:40 p.m. Monday…

2 Arrested After Home Burglary In Fredenberg Township

FREDENBERG TOWNSHIP, Minn. – Burglary suspects are under arrest after a home in Fredenberg Township was ransacked over the weekend and firearms were stolen. The discovery happened Saturday in the 6000 block of Olson Drive. The property owner found the doors to the home and barn were kicked in. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office said there was significant damage…

Man arrested accused of hitting acquaintance with vehicle leaving him to die

Alexander Logan Keller DULUTH, Min & SUPERIOR, Wis. – A Superior man is accused of fighting with an acquaintance leading to his death. Charging documents say Alexander Logan Keller of Superior was fighting with Mathias Turbes at a residence in Gary New Duluth. The documents say Keller and Turbes arrived at the Gary New Duluth residence to split property between…

Wife of alleged Melissa Hortman assassin files for divorce

Courtesy: Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office DULUTH, Min. & GAYLORD, Min. – The wife of Vance Bolter has filed for divorce from him. Paperwork filed in Sibley County on September 2, 2025 shows Jenny Boelter is starting the divorce process. Vance Boelter, 58, of Green Isle, Minnesota, was indicted in Federal Court on July 15 on six counts of murder, stalking…

Student Dies After Shooting 2 Peers, Himself At Colorado High School: Officials

Associated Press DENVER (AP) — A student shot two of his peers Wednesday at a suburban Denver high school before shooting himself and later dying, authorities said. The handgun shooting was reported around 12:30 p.m. at Evergreen High School in Evergreen, Colorado, about 30 miles west of Denver in the Rocky Mountain foothills. Shots were fired both inside and outside…

Superior Police: Armed Intruder Found By Homeowner

As of 9 p.m. Tuesday, the suspect was on the run.

SUPERIOR, Wis. — An armed intruder in Superior caused an hours-long standoff at a home Tuesday evening, according to police. Authorities said a man came home to find another man armed with a gun inside his home.  The homeowner fled the house safely, but the homeowner did not know if the suspect fled the home, too. The scene unfolded in…

Police Investigate Robbery, Assault In Canal Park

DULUTH, Minn. — A case of robbery and assault in Duluth’s Canal Park is being investigated by the Duluth Police Department. After FOX 21 received a news tip about this crime, we reached out to police. A public information officer said the crime happened behind Caribou Coffee around 8:30 p.m. Monday. A 29-year-old male victim suffered minor injuries, according the…

Duluth City Council Approves Transportation Commission

DULUTH, Minn. — After much waiting, the Duluth City Council has officially established its 34th commission. The Council voted unanimously on Sep. 8. to establish the Duluth Transportation Commission. The ordinance for the commission was first read back on Jun. 16, before being tabled until September. Members off the commission will be appointed by the mayor with approval from the…

Garmin Device Helps Save Man In Boundary Waters

BOUNDARY WATERS, Minn. – A rescue in the Boundary Waters (BWCAW) happened Sunday afternoon northwest of Ely. A 70-year-old man from Colorado got injured in the area of Stuart River with a possible broken leg, according to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office. The man’s Garmin safety device notified 911. Rescue crews responded, including a LifeLink helicopter. The man was…

Man cited for starting Camp House Fire

Camp House Fire (May 15, 2025) DULUTH, Min. – A Duluth man has been cited in connection with the Camp House Fire. It is believed the fire started from an unattended campfire. The fire started May 11, 2025, near Brimson. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources tells FOX21, “The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), in coordination with the St….

Superior Woman Accused Of Stabbing Man Multiple Times

Dana Wood SUPERIOR, Wis. — The Superior Police Department on Thursday night said they are investigating a stabbing that happened on Saturday, Aug. 30. Dana Wood, 35, of Superior is accused of stabbing a 38-year-old Michigan man multiple times, according to the Superior Police Department. The stabbing was reported around 9:15 p.m. in the 1600 block of Oakes Avenue. The…

Superior Fire Department Hosts Car Seat Safety Clinic

SUPERIOR, Wis. – When a parent is driving, the most precious cargo is their children, and keeping them safe starts with proper car seats. The Superior Fire Department and Safe Kids Northeast Minnesota held their monthly car seat safety clinic earlier this evening. The program aims to teach parents and caregivers how to properly install car seats and learn what…

Gov. Walz To Call Special Session On Gun Laws After Minneapolis School Shooting

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz plans to call a special legislative session to consider tougher gun laws following a shooting last week at a Catholic school in Minneapolis that left two children dead and 21 people injured. The Democrat told reporters Tuesday, after welcoming children back to a public school in the Minneapolis suburb of Eagan, that he’ll…