Public Safety

Man charged with stalking, accused of sending Wisconsin’s chief justice intimidating emails

Jill Karofsky MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Prosecutors have charged a Wisconsin man with stalking after he allegedly sent liberal state Supreme Court Justice Jill Karofsky a series of intimidating emails. Ryan Thornton, 37, of Racine was charged Monday with one felony count of stalking. He faces up to 3 1/2 years in prison if convicted. His attorney, listed in court…

Truck collides with school bus in Hermantown

HERMANTOWN, Minn. — A truck collided with a school bus Tuesday morning in Hermantown. According to officials, at 8:15 a.m., they responded to the crash at the intersection of Stebner Road and Mpale Grove Road. A pickup truck traveling North on Stebner Road rear-ended the bus while they were approaching a red light at the intersection. Officials say the driver…

Business dealings listed within Hog Wild BBQ and Smokehouse Restaurant arson case

Steven W Kastern Covering Surveillance Camera SUPERIOR, Wis. & SOLON SPRINGS, Wis. – In the indictment of Steven and Kimberly Kastern for the fire at Hog Wild BBQ and Smokehouse Restaurant, there were a number of business dealings mentioned.  The was a fire at the establishment on June 10, 2025. The couple were arrested on October 17, 2025 and were…

Owner of Hog Wild BBQ covered surveillance camera prior to fire at the business: Indictment

  SUPERIOR, Wis. & SOLON SPRINGS, Wis. – Surveillance video allegedly shows Steven W. Kastern taking steps to cover-up the alleged arson of the Hog Wild BBQ and Smokehouse Restaurant on June 10, 2025. A DVR system in the office stored surveillance recordings from, “approximately 14 cameras throughout the establishment” was key in the indictment. The indictment claims, “DVR footage showed…

Pumpkin Train Forced to Strike Vehicle at Duluth Crossing

DULUTH, Minn. — The North Shore Scenic Railroad’s (NSSR) last Pumpkin Train of the season got an unexpected delay Sunday after a driver ignored safety signals and ultimately got clipped by the train in Duluth’s Lakeside neighborhood, according to train officials. “Always assume that there is a train coming. Stop fully. Don’t go to a soft stop, stop fully. Look…

Trump says he has commuted sentence of former US Rep. George Santos in federal fraud case

George Santos WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Friday he had commuted the sentence of former U.S. Rep. George Santos, who is serving more than seven years in federal prison after pleading guilty to fraud and identity theft charges. The New York Republican was sentenced in April after admitting last year to deceiving donors and stealing the identities of…

Expect delays on Lift Bridge next week

Aerial Lift Bridge DULUTH, Min. – Both drivers and pedestrians could be facing minor delays with bridge inspections. Starting on Monday, October 20, 2025 the Aerial Lift Bridge and Minnesota Slip Bridge will undergo inspections. The inspection work is expect to last throughout the week. The inspections will require frequent and slow lifts of the bridge Aerial Lift Bridge to allow…

Man accused of assaulting Essentia nurses has history of nurse assault

Joseph Minowanigogezhig Legarde DULUTH, Min. – The man accused of assaulting two nurses at Essentia’s St. Mary’s Emergency Department had previously been convicted of assaulting Emergency Department staff. The recent assault allegedly happened at approximately 3a.m on Thursday, October 16, 2025. Duluth Police tell FOX21 he is accused of assaulting two female nurses. In November of 2017, Legarde was arrested…

New information on assault in Essentia Emergency Department

Joseph Minowanigogezhig Legarde DULUTH, Min. – Joseph Minowanigogezhig Legarde has officially been charged with two counts of assault from his alleged action in the Essentia St. Mary’s Emergency Department.  It happened on October 16, 2025. According to charging documents Legarde was in a emergency room and activated his call light. When a nurse responded to the call light, Legarde allegedly…

New District Court Judge named for Duluth

Nathan Lacoursiere DULUTH, Min. – Governor Tim Walz has announced the appointment of Nathan LaCoursiere as District Court Judge in Minnesota’s Sixth Judicial District. LaCoursiere will replace the Honorable Eric L. Hylden and will be chambered in Duluth in St. Louis County. In making the announcement Gov. Walz said, “Nathan LaCoursiere will be a remarkable judge… What makes him so…

Crosby Fire nearly fully contained, Superior Hiking Trail set to reopen

Crosby Fire 10/11/2025 TOFTE, Minn. — In an update Wednesday, fire officials said the Crosby Fire is nearly fully contained. According to officials, the fire in the area of George H. Crosby Manitou State Park remains at 300 acres and is now 95% contained. SEE PREVIOUS: Crosby Fire now 85% contained The portion of the Superior Hiking Trail that was…

Fire Chief, Neighbors React To Hibbing House Explosion

HIBBING, Minn. – A house explosion in Hibbing Sunday night sent flames into the air and injured one person.  One day later, heavy equipment moved in, as the investigation into a cause of the blast continued. “All the neighbors were out, pajamas, bathrobes, whatever. People just came out. Everybody was chasing dogs every which way trying to, I suppose, when…

Lake Nebagamon man charged with possession of child pornography

Jackson Dallas Rabold SUPERIOR, Wis. – A Lake Nebagamon man is facing five counts of Possession of Child Pornography. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has arrested 19-year-old Jackson Dallas Rabold. The charging documents say investigators were initially tipped off to Rebold when Google detected, “258 files of suspected child pornography, stored on the google photos infrastructure.”  The indictment continues to…

Man taunts Troopers after 100-mile-per-hour chase, later leaving note calling self ‘Undefeated driver #1’

Matthew Dean Irgang NEAR CHISHOLM, Min. – Charging documents say a man drove from Minnesota Highway Patrol Trooper at more than 100-miles per hour leading them on a chase, and later left a note taunting them. The report alleges a Trooper clocked Matthew Irgang, 43, Eveleth driving 101-miles per hour the evening of December 8, 2024. He was allegedly driving…

Crosby Fire now 85% contained

Crosby Fire 10/11/2025 TOFTE, Minn. — Officials released an update regarding the status of The Crosby Fire on Tuesday morning According to officials, the fire remains at around 300 acres and has been 85% contained. A portion of the Superior Hiking Trail remains closed. SEE PREVIOUS: Trail Access Restricted Due to Crosby Fire SEE PREVIOUS: Crosby Fire grows to 300…

Cellphones, Facebook Chats & A Tip: How deputies found the escaped NERCC prisoner

Michael Todd Hart DULUTH, Min. – Court documents are showing how deputies say they tracked down Michael Hart after he escaped from from Northeast Regional Corrections Center (NERCC) and stayed on the run for about 2-weeks. The information was found in the charging documents for Devone Shackelton, Michael Hart’s girlfriend. Shackelton was charged with one count of Felony Aiding an…

Investigator suing the City of Superior resigns

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Mikayla LeRette, the Investigator suing the city of Superior, has resigned. She resigned in good standing about the same time both LeRette’s legal team and the City of Superior’s legal team agreed to some confidentiality terms in her federal lawsuit. On October 2, 2025 an agreement was made to keep some parts of evidence in the lawsuit…

Minnesota Nurses Association members created “hostile environment” at DECC

  DULUTH, Min. – The Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) says Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) members created a “hostile environment” in the facility where security had to be called. A statement from the DECC says an incident happened on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, around noon at its Harbor Side Convention facility. The DECC statement says, “Reports from DECC staff and…

Crews to teardown the remainder of home that exploded in Hibbing

UPDATE: The Minnesota Department of Public Safety tells FOX21 the State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the explosion. HIBBING, Min. – Crews are beginning to teardown the remainder of home a that exploded in Hibbing the evening of October 12, 2025. The house exploded in Hibbing around 6:30 p.m. Crews beginning to tear down remainder of house that exploded in…

Threat against Proctor school was made by students but not credible

UPDATE: The Proctor Police Department tells FOX21 the threat was made via a phone call. PROCTOR, Min. – In the late morning of October 13, 2025 the Proctor School District Superintendent said a recent threat against the school was not credible. Proctor High School In a statement Superintendent of Schools Tim Rohweder said, “The Proctor Police Department was made aware of…

Fire Departments Respond To House Explosion In Hibbing

HIBBING, Minn. — A house exploded in Hibbing around 6:30 p.m. Sunday, injuring at least one person. At least six departments from the Iron Range immediately responded to the scene in the 2200 block of 9th Avenue East, according to the Hibbing Fire Department. The two-story house was engulfed in flames with officials arrived, which is located across the street…

Threat To Proctor Middle And High Schools; Increased Patrols This Week

PROCTOR, Minn. — The Proctor  School District and the Proctor Police Department are investigating a threat to the middle and high schools, which officials do not believe is credible. Supt. Tim Rohweder sent a lengthy email to families and staff Sunday about the threat, which referenced Oct. 13. Rohweder acknowledged how these situations can be “unsettling,” but he said it…

Crosby Fire cause determined; Containment grows

Crosby Fire 10/11/2025 TOFTE, Min. – The Crosby Fire burning near Tofte has reached 50% containment on Sunday, Oct. 12. It has burned 300 acres. Investigators say the cause of the Crosby Fire has been determined to be a result of a lightning strike. Firefighters are making progress establishing a handline along the west and east sides of the fire’s…

1 dead in overnight Duluth shooting

DULUTH, Minn. — One person is dead after a shooting in Duluth early Friday morning. According to officials, at 12:25 a.m., they responded to reports of a shooting in the 200 block of West 3rd Street. When they arrived, they found a man dead from an apparent gunshot wound. Officials are asking people in the area to check their surveillance…

Crosby Fire grows to 50 acres

TOFTE, Minn. — Overnight, the Crosby Fire has grown to 50 acres. Officials say that the fire in the area of  George H. Crosby Manitou State Park has almost doubled in size. SEE PREVIOUS: Crews respond to fire near Crosby Manitou State Park The Park and the Superior Hiking Trail remain open to the public, but visitors are advised to…

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…