Minnesota

One-On-One: Reinert Talks First Month As Duluth Mayor; ‘The Time Is Now’

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert is closing in on his first 30 days in office. And in his first sit-down interview since Inauguration Day, 53-year-old Reinert shares how the jobs is going so far, his management style and his lack of patience when it comes to the status quo. “You know, we need ‘the time is now’. Most…

Enbridge Energy Announces 650 Layoffs By March

(AP Photo/Jim Mone, File) Enbridge Energy has announced it is reducing its force by 650 people, according to an internal email sent to all employees. The Calgary, Albert-based company says the cuts will be completed by March 1. Enbridge has offices and operations in Minnesota and Wisconsin, including Duluth and Superior. Enbridge says the reduction will not impact safety within…

88-Year-Old Duluth Man Charged in Hit and Run

Criminal complaint says his vehicle lights were off, heard a "thump" and kept driving.

A man has been charged in the crash that severely injured a Duluth firefighter who was jogging. The criminal complaint filed Monday identifies the driver as 88-year-old Ronald Gene Myrdahl of Duluth. Myrdahl is charged with “Criminal Vehicular Operation–Great Bodily Harm–Driver Who Causes Collision Leaves Scene.” The complaint says Myrdahl was driving his minivan on Grand Avenue in Duluth about…

St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office Celebrates New Hires and Promotions

County goes from understaffed to hiring 49 new employees

DULUTH, Minn. — Nearly 50 St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office employees were recognized today as new hires or for recent promotions. The ceremony celebrated all different roles in public safety, including communications, court security, janitorial staff, and cooks. Sheriff Gordon Ramsey says they went from understaffed to recruiting what’s likely the most hires in a year. He said those honored…

Section Chief’s Academy Creates Leaders in Incident Management

The week of workshops teaches about leading during disaster

DULUTH, Minn. — This week, a hundred people from across North America gathered to become leaders in of incident management. The Incident Command System Section Chief’s Academy trains students in logistics, operations, planning, and more. And while event was put on by the Great Lakes Forest Fire Compact, it didn’t limit its focus to just fires, according to Minnesota Department…

UMD Police Department Adds New Officers

DULUTH, Minn. — The University of Minnesota Duluth Police Department is now back to full strength as two officers were sworn in Wednesday afternoon. Police Chief Sean Huls says the UMD police force has eight officers. Wednesday’s addition was one brand-new officer and the other is a replacement for an officer who left. The new officers are Timothy Battaglia and…

Changes Coming to Weekend Bus Service

  DULUTH, Minn. — Last August the Duluth Transit Authority introduced its Better Bus Blueprint program. Since then the DTA has made some adjustments to its routes, especially on weekends. Wednesday it was announced there will be additional weekend service changes beginning Sunday, February 18th. The General Manager of the DTA Rod Fournier says, overall the new bus plans are…

YWCA Duluth Looking for More Members in New Program

DULUTH, Minn. — YWCA Duluth is looking for more participants in a new program that’s dedicated to making changes. The Young Women’s Initiative of Minnesota is a statewide program for young women and gender-expansive youth. YWCA introduced the program in Duluth and provides members with the tools and skills needed to make change. The program has kicked off, but the…

Coffee Conversation: New Series Highlights the Impact of Aging Loved Ones on Duluth Families

DULUTH, Minn. — Local families in Duluth are the subject of a new television series, Inside Senior Living, taking viewers on an intimate journey into the lives of seniors and their loves ones as they navigate the process of aging and make decisions about living arrangements. Creator and Executive Director Melissa Fritz joined FOX21 on the morning newscast to talk…

Palestinian Cafe, Market To Open In Former ‘New London Cafe’ Building

DULUTH, Minn. – A Palestinian cafe and market is opening in Duluth, replacing a longtime restaurant that recently closed. That longtime favorite is New London Café in the 4700 block of East Superior Street. The new restaurant that’s moving in is called Falastin. For the past year and a half, Lyla Abukhodair, has operated Falastin as a pop-up restaurant to…

‘Nautical Bowls’ Coming To Duluth’s London Road

DULUTH, Minn. —  So-called “superfood bowls” are coming to Duluth as a fresh alternative to your meal choices. The company, Nautical Bowls, will be located in the area of 21st Avenue East and London Road. Company officials tell FOX 21 they are “currently in final site selection for this location.” Nautical Bowls is located throughout the Twin Cities and in…

Republican Joe Fraser Announces Campaign for U.S. Senate Seat

Fraser spoke at city hall today about his campaign and facing a three-term incumbent

DULUTH, Minn. — Navy veteran Joe Fraser has announced his campaign for Senate. The Republican candidate began his two-day press tour of Minnesota at Duluth City Hall this morning. He said his campaign will focus on border security and national debt. Fraser also criticized incumbent Democrat Amy Klobuchar. “It drives me nuts when people just assume that the incumbent is…

MnDOT’s Name A Snowplow Contest Winners Announced

MINNESOTA — The winners of the 2023-24 Name a Snowplow contest have been revealed. Governor Tim Walz, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, and MnDOT announcing this Tuesday. The newly named snowplows will be assigned to one of MnDOT’s 8 districts. More than 32,500 voters participated in the contest. There were 49 finalists to choose from. The winning names, in order of…

25th Anniversary ALS Circle Tour Postponed To Winter Of 2024-2025

DULUTH, Minn. — The 25th Anniversary ALS Circle Tour has been postponed. Event organizers announced this Tuesday due to record low snowfall the expedition will be pushed back to the winter of 2024-2025. The group of 6 would have been departing Duluth January 31st, going counterclockwise around Lake Superior and ending February 7th at the Black Bear Casino. All to…

Man Who Stole ‘Wizard of Oz’ Ruby Slippers Allowed to Die at Home

Judge's sentence is time-served and restitution for man with months to live.

The man who stole the ruby slippers of Wizard of Oz fame, now moves only by wheelchair and is on oxygen 24/7. Doctors give him only months to live. His attorney said Monday’s sentencing gives at least partial closure to investigators, the museum, and Terry Jon Martin himself–the man who confessed to stealing the slippers. “At the end of your…

Man Who Stole ‘Wizard of Oz’ Ruby Slippers Allowed to Die at Home

Federal judge agrees to sentence of "time served."

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) — A dying thief who confessed to stealing a pair of ruby slippers that Judy Garland wore in “The Wizard of Oz” because he wanted to pull off “one last score” was given no additional prison time at his sentencing hearing Monday. Terry Jon Martin, 76, stole the slippers in 2005 from the Judy Garland Museum in…

Cloquet Police Release Update On Super 8 Motel Shooting Investigation

CLOQUET, Minn. — The Cloquet Police Department has released an update regarding the Super 8 Motel shooting incident that happened earlier this month. The shooting occurred January 8 with the shooter taking the life of 2 victims, 22-year-old Shellby Trettel of Cloquet and 35-year-old Patrick Jeffrey Roers of Deer River before taking his own life. The suspect is Nicholas Lenius,…

Bulldog Rocketry Puts Physics Into Action with Static Motor Test

DULUTH, Minn. — After a loss last year, UMD’s Bulldog Rocketry club is looking forward to competing in their third Spaceport American Cup since COVID. The event is hosted every year in Las Cruces, New Mexico, in June. Sunday, Bulldog Rocketry tested out a motor that they believe will help them place top in the competition.  “We’re going to do…

Amazon Distribution Center to Bring Economic Growth to Area

DULUTH, Minn. — Amazon is coming to Duluth– in the form of a distribution center. County records show the two large parcels of land purchased by Amazon are at Atlas Industrial Park. That’s where Ikonics’ former building is located and now houses Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank, located along Commonwealth Avenue, between Morgan Park and Gary New Duluth. The…

Actor Timothée Chalamet Visits Drama Students in Hibbing

HIBBING, Minn.– About 20 Hibbing Drama students were preparing for their drama competition on Thursday afternoon when they received a surprise visitor from a noted actor. None other than Timothee Chalmet. Megan Reynolds, the Drama Coach at Hibbing High School learned just a day earlier that he wanted to visit. Chalamet stopped by Hibbing as he prepares to take on…

A Hockey Lovers Dream

  SUPERIOR, Wisc. –If you’re a Hockey Fan, especially a pro hockey fan, there will be an auction Saturday in Superior that could land you a piece of history. The personal collection of Jim Finley, the former president of the Hockey Hall of Fame will be offered for sale at Savings Auction in Superior beginning at 11 AM. Mickey Greene,…

Pedestrian Critically Injured In Hit-And-Run Is Duluth Firefighter; Driver, 88, Arrested

Raymond Skoglund DULUTH, Minn. –  FOX 21 has learned a pedestrian critically injured in a hit-and-run incident is a Duluth firefighter who joined the department in July of 2021. Raymond Skoglund Raymond Skoglund, 24, was struck by a vehicle Thursday around 5:45 p.m. on the 9500 block of Grand Avenue, according to Duluth police. Caleb Kittleson, a fellow Duluth firefighter,…

“Restore the Vote” Encourages Felons No Longer Incarcerated to Exercise Ballot Box Rights

Minnesota Secretary of State was in Duluth Friday to get the word out.

With another election season upon us, some will be voting for the first time, while others will have a chance to vote again—after a long time. Minnesota’s Secretary of State was in Duluth Friday for several Restore the Vote events, including at city hall. Steve Simon said one goal is to work with community leaders and citizens to get the…

Delayed Lincoln Park Housing Project Finds New Lender

Merge Development now plans to complete the apartment building this summer.

DULUTH, Minn. – The developer of a delayed housing project in Duluth told FOX 21 on Friday that he has found a new lender to get the job done this summer after significant delays. Urbane 218, as it is being dubbed, is located at 2011 W. Superior Street in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Rendering of Urbane 218 The site, which…

Congressman Stauber Releases “Fact Check” On Blatnik Bridge

TWIN PORTS — Republican Pete Stauber of Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District was not at President Biden’s visit to the Twin Ports Thursday. Biden and democrats including Governor Walz have called Stauber a hypocrite for voting against Biden’s infrastructure bill, but taking credit, they say for the Blatnik funding in that bill. Congressman Stauber snapping back in a video online saying…

Amazon To Build Distribution Center In Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — Big development news out of Duluth.  Amazon is building a distribution center in the city. Location of Amazon site County records show the two large parcels of land purchased by Amazon are at the Atlas Industrial Park, between Morgan Park and Gary-New Duluth, along Commonwealth Avenue. Amazon will join Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank, which recently…

President Biden’s Visit to Superior Highlights $1 Billion to Replace Blatnik Bridge

SUPERIOR, WI. — President Joe Biden gave a speech Thursday on Bidenomics and infrastructure investments, including plans to replace the aging Blatnik Bridge, at Earth Rider Brewery. President Biden arrived to a room filled with both Minnesota and Wisconsin residents. With the president came his campaign message, “investing in America.” “So I’m here to announce more progress that shows that…

FOX 21 Live Coverage Thursday Of President Biden’s Visit To Twin Ports

DULUTH, Minn. — FOX 21 will break into programming within the 11 a.m. hour Thursday, as President Joe Biden lands in Duluth and heads over to Earth Rider Brewery in Superior around 1 p.m. to deliver remarks on “Investing in America and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” according to the White House.   FOX 21 will then have team coverage on the…

Duluth-Based Developer Bringing New Life To Former Bank Building In Lincoln Park

DULUTH, Minn. – Titanium Partners’ Brian Forcier, one of downtown Duluth’s leading developers, has begun his first investment into the resurging Lincoln Park Craft District. It’s not in the form of housing or another eatery. But Forcier told says the space he’s creating is all part of what’s needed to make a neighborhood tick, as FOX 21’s Dan Hanger reports….

Spirit Mountain After-School Program Makes Winter Sports ‘Fun and Affordable’

Kids from 3rd to 12th grade had the chance to ski and snowboard

DULUTH, Minn. — The Snow Club Program is officially underway at Spirit Mountain! The after-school program is designed to make skiing and snowboarding fun, safe, and affordable. Kids from the ages of seven to twelve are invited to take part in the three-week program, regardless of ability on the slopes. “My favorite part: going outside skiing or snowboarding with them,”…

Duluth Public Schools to Hold Technology Referendum May 14

DULUTH, Minn.– The Duluth School Board is asking voters to approve a $5.2 million referendum to invest in technology needs. It’s the same amount requested in November’s referendum question which was defeated by fewer than 300 votes. Duluth School Superintendent John Magas said the term “technology” might not adequately explain the broad range of what the school district needs. “It’s…

Minnesota Trooper Is Charged With Murder In Shooting Of Motorist Ricky Cobb II During A Traffic Stop

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Minnesota State Patrol trooper was charged with murder Wednesday in the shooting of motorist Ricky Cobb II after he refused to get out of his car during a July traffic stop. Trooper Ryan Londregan is charged with second-degree unintentional murder, first-degree assault and second degree manslaughter in the death of Cobb, a 33-year-old Black man, Hennepin County Attorney…

Victim Of Duluth Trailhead Vehicle Break-Ins: ‘Enough Is Enough’

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Police Department responded to six vehicle break-ins between Sunday and Monday. Duluth police said the incident happened in the Ely’s Peak Superior Hiking Trail parking area off of Becks Road. Authorities said the suspect or suspects broke into vehicles by breaking windows. Police said “nothing of significant value was taken” as all reporting parties didn’t…

DFL: Stauber “Hypocrite” Over Blatnik Money; Once Law, Congressman Says He Pushed For Funding

Back and forth over federal funding vote.

On Monday, many Minnesota and Wisconsin lawmakers lauded the announced federal funding that will help with the replacement of the Blatnik Bridge. Among those was Minnesota’s 8th District Congressman Pete Stauber. State DFL leaders said the republican lawmaker was a “hypocrite” because he voted against the law that provided the funding. Tuesday, Stauber responded and said that after the bill…

Governor Walz Tours WLSSD

Promoting Infrastructure Plan

DULUTH, Minn. –Governor Tim Walz was at WLSSD Tuesday morning to highlight a project that was already funded in part by the state and keeps our water clean. He is working to gather support from legislators to pass the $982 million-dollar infrastructure plan he recently introduced. The governor was at WLSSD to show how they have used state infrastructure money…

Jen Schultz Announces Congressional Campaign Against Incumbent Pete Stauber

Schultz Begins Fight to Flip 8th Congressional District

DULUTH, Minn. — Today, Democrat Jen Schultz launched her campaign for Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District. Schultz is running against Republican incumbent Pete Stauber, who took office in 2019. In her speech today, Schultz emphasized achieving bipartisan results, as well as supporting the middle class, labor rights, and retirement security. “The 8th is worth fighting for. America is worth fighting for,”…

Voting Begins For MnDOT’s Name A Snowplow Contest

MINNESOTA — Voting has begun for the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s fourth annual Name a Snowplow contest. MnDOT says out of the 8,000 submissions there are 50 finalists to choose from. The top 8 will then become snowplow names. A new name for each district. Names to choose from include Barbie’s Dream Plow, Just Scraping By and Oh Snow You…

Two Northern Minnesota Food Banks Merge

DULUTH, Minn.. –The Executive Director of the Second Harvest North Central Food Bank in Grand Rapids, Sue Estee, has served as its leader for more than 20 years.  As she considered retiring, Estee began thinking about how the food bank could move forward.  She wondered if combining the Grand Rapids organization with Second Harvest Northern Lakes in Duluth would make…

$1 Billion Dollars From Federal Government Committed to Blatnik Bridge Replacement

DULUTH, Minn.  — There was very exciting news from Washington on Monday. The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded the cities of Duluth and Superior one billion dollars to replace the Blatnik Bridge. Senators from both Minnesota and Wisconsin, along with the governors and state transportation departments have been working to have the federal government commit the money to rebuild…

Scholarship For Those Remembering and Honoring Veterans

Iron Range student now at UWS wrote about his grandfather.

The sacrifices people make often have an impact for generations. An example is a scholarship awarded Monday to a student from the Iron Range. Patrick Douglas wrote an essay about his grandfather who served during the Vietnam War on the USS Duluth. Patrick received the $1500 Mike Colalillo Medal of Honor scholarship at the Veterans Memorial Hall at the Depot….

Council To Vote Monday On Mayor Reinert’s 2024 Legislative Bonding Priorities

DULUTH, Minn. – Mayor Roger Reinert has released his top legislative priorities for 2024, which the city council will vote on Monday night, Jan. 22.  Below is a news release sent out Monday afternoon by Mayor Reinert’s office: Mayor Roger J. Reinert has proposed the City of Duluth’s top legislative bonding priorities for 2024. The priorities, which are outlined as…

Loll Designs Donates $20,000 to Chester Bowl

DULUTH, Minn. — Chester Bowl is walking away with a big donation Monday all thanks to Loll Designs in Duluth. The donation was presented in the form of a $20,000 check as part of Loll Designs 1% for the Planet Pledge, which donates a portion of sales from their Lollygagger collection to help support outdoor recreation. President of Loll Designs…

One Killed in Snowmobile Accident on Poplar Lake

MINNESOTA. — One man is dead after a fatal snowmobile accident on Poplar Lake. According to the Cook County Sheriff’s office, the victim was discovered by another snowmobiler and believed to have hit a rock and was thrown from the snowmobile. When authorities arrived on scene, it appeared the crash happened sometime Thursday night. The deceased has been identified as…