Minnesota

Death in St. Louis County Jail

  DULUTH, Minn. – The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office has announced an inmate has died in their custody. The inmate was discovered unresponsive in their cell. At 9:35 AM on Tuesday, June 24th, 2025 jailers called 911 for medial assistance. Life saving measures were immediately taken by jail staff and later by first responders. Those attempts were unsuccessful, and the…

Aspirus St. Luke’s responds to Minnesota Nurses Association strike vote

DULUTH, Minn. – Aspirus St. Luke’s released a statement following Minnesota Nurses Association announcing the union had authorized a strike. They have not declared a strike, but the vote authorizes leadership to trigger a strike if they wish. The statement reads: Unfortunately, it appears that the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) has authorization to call a strike against Aspirus St. Luke’s…

Sheriff’s Office: Convincing phone scam going around

  ITASCA COUNTY, Minn. – The Itasca County Sheriff’s Office is warning people about a very convincing phone scam. They said there a “dangerous new scam going around”. The caller is pretending to represent a collection agency. They say the caller knows your name, Social Security number, current and past addresses, and even details about vehicles you’ve owned. The Sheriff’s…

Coffee Conversation: Zenith City Radio Gears Up for Annual Business Gal

DULUTH, Minn. — Zenith City Radio is set to host its Annual Business Gala this Sunday, June 29, from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Clyde Iron Works Event Center. The free, public event celebrates local businesses and honors community leaders. Creative Director and CEO Victor Martinez, along with President Solomon Witherspoon, joined FOX 21’s morning newscast on Tuesday to…

Minnesota Nurses Association Votes on Strike Authorization

DULUTH, Minn. – Members of the Minnesota Nurses Association vote for whether or not to authorize a strike. Members of the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) voted Monday over whether or not to authorize the union to strike. A vote ‘to authorize’ would allow the union to strike after giving a 10-day notice to hospital employers. Local members could cast their…

Emerald Ash Borer found in new areas of Carlton County; Emergency quarantines enacted

CARLTON COUNTY, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has confirmed Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has been found in new areas of Carlton County. Emerald Ash Borer in hand It was discovered near Holyoke, Sawyer, and Wrenshall. The MDA is enacting emergency quarantines in Carlton. The quarantine excludes the Fond du Lac Reservation. The quarantine limits the movement of…

Damage Assessment Begins on Properties Affected by Brimson Fire Complex

Photo CourtesyMinnesota National Guard BRIMSON, Minn. — St. Louis County Assessors are going to start apprising property damage from the Jenkins Creek and Camp House fires. Staff are beginning the process in Brimson and Fairbanks Township today. They will be assessing and documenting the level of damage, which will be used to determine the percentage of value lost. Owners could…

Severe Storms Bring Damage Across Northern Minnesota

Storm damage in Kelsey, Minnesota DULUTH, Minn. – More than 5,600 residents in Cohasset, Minnesota were affected by power outages around 4:30 this morning. Meanwhile over in Kelsey, Minnesota some trees were downed by high winds. Similar reports of downed trees and powerlines have been reported across Itasca, Aitkin, and St. Louis Counties. Sawyer and Aitkin have also had reports…

Coffee Conversation: Midweek Mindfulness Launches Free Meditation Series in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — Generations Health Care Initiatives and Mindfulness Works are inviting community members to Midweek Mindfulness—a free guided meditation series on Wednesday’s at Gichi-ode’ Akiing Park in Duluth. Local yoga and meditation instructor Katrina Pierson, along with Jessie Peterson from Generations Health Care, appeared on Fox 21’s Monday morning newscast to discuss the importance of mindfulness and share details…

Severe Overnight Storms Light Up Northland Skies

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Severe storms rolled through the Northland overnight, painting a dramatic picture across the sky. One particularly striking moment was captured around 3:45 a.m. in Hermantown, where a powerful lightning bolt lit up the early morning darkness. Thanks to viewer Todd Carlin for sharing this incredible image of the lightning strike caught in action. Categories: Minnesota, News, News…

Eastern Half of U.S. Sweltering, With Dangerous Heat Wave expected To Last Until Midweek

Courtesy: Associated Press MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Tens of millions of people across the Midwest and East endured dangerously hot temperatures again on Sunday as a rare June heat wave that gripped much of the U.S. was expected to last well into this week. Most of the northeastern quadrant of the country from Minnesota to Maine was under some type…

Medical Tents Gearing Up Ahead of Grandma’s Marathon

DULUTH, Minn.– All volunteers for the big race are preparing for everything. And with the medical tents set up, they are no exception. Over 250 medical volunteers will participate for Grandma’s Marathon. Essentia Health is stocked up with cots, wheelchairs, air conditioning, and hydration stations. The ski patrol from Giant’s Ridge will also be stationed throughout the course to aid…

Mesabi Metallic’s Welcomes Community to Tour New Facility

NASHWAUK, Minn. — On Thursday night, Mesabi Metallic’s welcomed more than 3-hundred 70 people to tour the progress on their new state-of-the-art mine and pellet plant in Nashwauk. Both community members and state lawmakers were invite to Mesabi Metallic’s open house and town hall. The new facility is Minnesota’s newest mine in nearly 50 years and the company has visions…

Camp House & Jenkins Creek Wildfire Inspections Start Next Week

Burned area of Forest with smoking hot spots on the Camp House Fire. BRIMSON/FAIRBANKS TOWNSHIPS, Minn. — Next week the St. Louis County Assessor’s Department will start inspections of wildfire damaged properties by the Camp House and Jenkins Creek fires. Staff will begin their inspections to home and property owners in Brimson and Fairbanks Township to determine the estimated market…

MNA Claims Aspirus-St. Luke’s Walked Away from Negotiations

DULUTH, Minn. — Negotiations between the Minnesota Nurses Association and Aspirus-St. Luke’s have stalled, after MNA claims of Aspirus walking away from the bargaining table. At their final scheduled bargaining session, MNA claims their nurses were met, “not with compromise, but with cuts.” The nurses association then said Aspirus’ proposal would limit sick time, vacation, dental, and health coverage for…

Two People Inducted into Grandmas Marathon Hall of Fame

DULUTH, Minn. — A longtime board member and a men’s event record holder are both receiving the honor of being two of this year’s Grandmas Marathon Hall of Fame inductees. Dave Malban, a founding board member, and Dominic Ondoro, a 2014 men’s record holder are this year’s Grandmas Hall of Famers. Malban was responsible for making Grandmas Marathon into the…

Benedictine Living Community Hosts Juneteenth Celebration

DULUTH, Minn. — In honor of Juneteenth, Benedictine Living Community held their first ever Juneteenth Chapel Service and Soul Food Celebration. Juneteenth is recognized as the day that ended slavery in the United States two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued which freed black people throughout the country. Guest speakers with the NAACP spoke in front of seniors and…

Popular ‘Hairball’ Rock Cover Band Celebrates 25 Years

DULUTH, Minn.– In a few short weeks, a longtime performer at Bayfront Park is gearing up to ‘Party in the Park’ once more. Alongside celebrating rock and roll, ‘Hairball’ is hitting a major milestone. For a quarter of a century, ‘Hairball’ has been rocking the nation. Getting their start at small bars, their band covers favorites such as ‘Motley Crue’…

Coffee Conversation: A Runner’s Journey of Hope Through Cancer

DULUTH, Minn. — Tomorrow morning, thousands of runners will gather at the starting line for Grandma’s Marathon. Among them is Tony Loyd—a familiar face at the race—returning to the course with a new lung cancer diagnosis and a renewed perspective. On Friday morning, Tony was on the Fox 21 morning newscast to share his story of hope, resilience, and the…

Chicken Hat Plays Return: 8 Plays Written, Directed, Performed In 24 Hours

DULUTH, Minn. – Eight writers, eight directors and 40 actors got together last Friday to create eight different sketches with Rubber Chicken Theater that were performed in front of a live audience within 24 hours. Common Cameo Dan Hanger FOX 21’s Dan Hanger was the common cameo for all sketches. It was a lot of dedication and a lot of…

Official: 2 Dead, 1 Injured In Domestic-Related Shooting in Chisholm

CHISHOLM, Minn. — A law enforcement source with close knowledge of the investigation told FOX 21 on Wednesday that a fatal domestic-related shooting in Chisholm Tuesday night was a result of murder-suicide. The shooting happened in the 100 block of 5th Street Northwest. The official said the killer shot the two victims before turning the gun on themselves. One victim…

Volunteers Prepping for CHUM’s 20th ‘Rhubarb Festival’

  Duluth, Minn.– The 20-yearlong beloved rhubarb tradition for Duluth is right around the corner. And CHUM is excited to continue the traditions, both new and old. For this year’s ‘Rhubarb Festival’ celebration, it will take place at the Asbury United Methodist Church in West Duluth. Before the festival on June 28th, an official told FOX 21 an impressive 1,000…

Lake Superior Zoo bear will become first to have a metal crown

DULUTH, Minn. – A Lake Superior Zoo Alaskan Coastal Brown Bear will become a ground breaker. Tundra, an Alaskan Coastal brown bear, will become the first bear in the world to have a metal crown placement. Dr. Grace Brown, board certified veterinary dentist, recently repaired a tooth for Tundra. Dr. Brown will be installing a talladium crown made by Scott…

Minnesota cannabis tax rising to 15% in 2025 to support regulation rollout

  ST. PAUL, Minn. – Cannabis Taxes in Minnesota are on the rise. They’re sitting at 10-percent now, but will go up to 15-percent on July 1, 2025. The 10-percent rate was from July 1. 2023 to June 30. 2025. All sales and purchases of taxable cannabis products are subject to the new tax rate. RELATED: Minnesota issues first cannabis…

Patty Salo Downs retiring from Alworth Memorial Fund

DULUTH, Minn. – Patty Salo Downs is retiring as executive director of the Marshall H. and Nellie Alworth Memorial Fund. She had held the role for nearly 19 years. Salo Downs helped the organization grant more than $26 million in scholarships to over 1,400 northern Minnesota high school students. She said, “Whether they’re participating in study abroad, installing a water distribution…

Minnesota issues first cannabis business license

Issued for Herb-Quest LLC ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has issued the first cannabis business license in the state of Minnesota. It is going to Herb-Quest, LLC. Herb-Quest is a microbusiness located in Brook Park in Pine County. Its initial primary business activity will be outdoor cultivation of cannabis plants. OCM Interim Director Eric Taubel…

Coffee Conversation: Local Author’s New Novel Inspired by APD

DULUTH, Minn. — On Wednesday morning’s Fox 21 newscast, local author Erika Lynn Adams joined the show to introduce her new young adult novel, Allie’s Adventure on the Wonder. Inspired by Alice in Wonderland, the book follows Allie, a young girl with Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), as she navigates a world that often misunderstands her. The story is semi-autobiographical, drawing…

Church’s Natural Burial Cemetery Idea Causes Controversy

BARNUM, Minn.– There is controversy tonight involving a church in Barnum and its plan to open a natural burial site. The site’s planner says natural burials are better for the environment without embalming chemical used in traditional burials. Matt Connell, cemetarian at Loving Earth Memorial Gardens, and a member of the Steelmantown Church has a passion for the outdoors and preserving…

Shelter-in-Place Lifted Following Shooting in Chisholm, MN

Chisholm, MN – A shelter-in-place order issued during an active law enforcement incident in Chisholm has been lifted. The response followed a shooting near the 100 block of 5th Street NW, prompting a large police presence and safety precautions for nearby residents. According to the Chisholm Police Department, there is no longer a threat to public safety. The Minnesota Bureau…

People impacted by Wildfires access multiple resources in one Place

HOYT LAKES, Minn. – People impacted by recent wildfires access multiple resources at an event organized by United Way of Northeastern Minnesota. The Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) established at the Hoyt Lakes Arena provides those impacted by recent wildfires with a single place to access governmental and non-government organizations. Hosted by the United Way of Northeastern Minnesota, organizations at the…

Coffee Conversation: Make Music Day Returns to Superior with New Energy

Superior, WI – Get ready to turn up the volume! Make Music Day returns to Superior this weekend on June 21, bringing a fresh wave of local energy and global spirit. This year’s celebration is led by new event director Traxx Nelson-Kavajecz, who aims to make the event louder and livelier than ever. Traxx and his sister, rokkyn, are members…

Hermantown Police identify deceased couple found in Midway Road Home

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Officials identify a married couple as the two people found deceased from gunshot wounds in their home on Friday. Hermantown officials identified the two people who police found deceased from gunshot wounds in a Midway Road home on Friday. Lissette Joy Nelson, 62, was shot by her husband Bradley Duane Nelson, 63, before he took his own…

Traffic Advisories and Road Closures for 49th Annual Grandmas Marathon Weekend

  DULUTH, Minn. — With Grandmas Marathon just days away, detours and delays are expected across the city. Canal Park and the Downtown area east of Lake Avenue will see the heaviest impact within the city. Watch for No Parking signs, temporary signage, officials directing traffic, and barriers. For other race information visit GrandmasMarathon.com WEEKDAY PREPARATION ADVISORIES: Tuesday, the Northwest…