Minnesota

Minnesota To Continue Quirky Safety Signs Despite Federal Ban

MINNESOTA — Despite a recent ruling by the feds to ban quirky messages on overhead electronic signs, the Minnesota Dept. of Transportation says, their creative messages are here to stay. Starting in 2026, a newly-released federal rulebook will ban funny or obscure messages on roadside signs. The feds say those signs can be distracting or even misunderstood. Anne Meyer with…

How do you use Road Salt in the Winter?– First-Ever Nationwide Winter Salt Awareness Week to take Place

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Next week, the first-ever nationwide Winter Salt Awareness Week will be taking place. The awareness effort originally began in Wisconsin and gained popularity. The week is dedicated to spreading knowledge on issues caused by road salt, and how the salt can significantly impact lakes, streams and vegetation. Throughout the week, professionals will be sharing tips and practices…

Management of Bayfront Festival Park to Change

DULUTH, Minn. — At the end of December, the contract for the DECC to manage the Bayfront Festival Park had expired. For new mayor Roger Reinert this meant he had to immediately focus on that issue to ensure there would be entertainment this summer. Reinert decided there was not time for the normal Request for Proposal process. He had the…

Search Warrants Reveal New Details About Cloquet Hotel Shooting Suspect

CLOQUET, Minn. – Search warrant documents reveal new details about the suspect accused of fatally shooting two people at a hotel in Cloquet before turning the gun on himself. Cloquet police were dispatched at 6:33 p.m. Jan. 8 to the Super 8 hotel for a report of an “attack.” The search warrants say the suspect, Nicholas Lenius, 32, of Ramsey,…

Dog Lost In New Mexico Reunited With Owner In Duluth

After nearly two months and over 1,000 miles, Poppy and her family were reunited

DULUTH, Minn. — A Texas family was left heartbroken when their dog, Poppy, escaped while staying with a family friend in New Mexico. Nearly two months later, she showed up across the country in Duluth. Poppy is a Southern dog at heart, but she found herself in snow and frigid temperatures. While Poppy was trying to stay warm early in the…

Popular Lakeside Restaurant Closing

DULUTH, Minn. — New London Café posted the announcement on it’s Facebook page Thursday morning that it was closing. Since then more than 100 people have posted messages. Erin Golden said “Well, I have to say that everyone in the area is going to be EXTREMELY  DISAPPOINTED AND SADDENED !!!! –  You’re always busy! I don’t understand.” New London Café’s…

148th Fighter Wing Hosts Cold Weather Operations Training At Camp Ripley

LITTLE FALLS, Minn. — The 148th Fighter Wing is hosting airmen from across the U.S. for a special training at Camp Ripley this week. The training is all about teaching skills needed for operating in extreme cold weather. The first day pictured here, showcases the airmen doing a 7-mile ruck march, building fire with matches and materials found in nature…

Hope Is Free Bus Rides Give All Students A Chance

Duluth schools join with DTA to give high school students more access to classes and jobs.

This week Duluth schools kicked off a new partnership with the DTA. It will allow for free bus rides for high school students. Under the pilot program, the student will simply show the driver their current ID. School officials are calling it a game-changer, because not all students have their own car or easy access to one. The goal is…

Citizens Gather for March on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Even the cold temperatures could not keep away the passion and excitement of supporters at the Martin Luther King, Jr. march Monday. Monday’s gathering actually got started with a worship service Sunday night. St. Mark AME and other churches provided volunteers. For Reverand Galloway, the future cannot be taken for granted. Reverend Anthony Galloway at St. Mark AME Church said,…

Duluth Police Respond To Armed Robbery At Kenwood Walgreens

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth police responded to a report of an armed robbery around 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Kenwood neighborhood Walgreens. When officers arrived to the store in the 1600 block of Kenwood Avenue, employees told police an individual “brandished a firearm and demanded money,” according to a news release. Police said an employee gave an “undetermined amount of…

Organized Labor Calls On Superior Mayor, Council To Support NTEC

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Organized labor came together inside Superior City Hall Tuesday to debunk what they call false information from Mayor Jim Paine and some city councilors involving the proposed Nemadji Trail Energy Center (NTEC). Members of the Northern Wisconsin Buildings Trades took to the podium for a press conference Tuesday night.  They’re calling on the community to educate themselves…

Hang In There On Those New Year’s Resolutions!

Duluth store trying to help people reach their goals.

DULUTH, Minn. — The holidays are over, and all those parties and plates of cookies are in the rearview mirror. Those with resolutions for the new year are sixteen days into 2024. Many people looking for added motivation were making their way into All-Star Nutrition in Duluth, Tuesday. Everyone had their own goals and benchmarks for reshaping themselves a bit…

Give a Gift of Warmth

  DULUTH, Minn. — Having and wearing a hat and gloves when you’re outside this time of year is a given for most people. But that’s not the case for many of the city’s homeless. At the warming center and other shelters around the city, those who need the shelter often don’t have even the basics. “People are showing up…

Superior Mayor Determined To Stop NTEC As Labor Ramps Up Support

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Billboards and yard signs are beginning to pop up in Superior in support of building the Nemadji Trail Energy Center (NTEC). This comes as Mayor Jim Paine says he’s continuing to do whatever he can to derail the natural gas power plant for good. Mayor Paine is banking on Wisconsin state regulators to change their approval of…

Icebox Days Winter Festival in the “Icebox of the Nation”

INTERNATIONAL FALLS, Minn. — Just in time for the coldest temperatures of the season, the 44th annual Icebox Days returns on Friday to the “Icebox of the Nation.” The annual event in International Falls will stretch ten days in length, featuring everything from boot hockey and cribbage tournaments to wacky winter festivities like smoosh races and turkey bowling. Additionally, the…

Coffee Conversation: 15th Annual Fishin’ Chicks Fundraiser & Ice Fishing Tournament

IRON RIVER, WI. — The 2024 Laurie Soderlund Memorial Fishin’ Chicks Fundraiser and Ice Fishing Tournament will take place Saturday, January 20 in Iron River. The event was started in 2010 by Laurie and Jeff Soderlund. Laurie had been diagnosed with breast cancer and they wanted to become advocates for breast health. Laurie passed away in 2020, but her legacy…

Hundreds Gather for MLK Event at DECC

DULUTH, Minn. –“Leading Onward “was the theme for this year’s Martin Luther King Jr. program in Duluth. Hundreds of people of many different backgrounds and nationalities gathered at the DECC, to hear, learn, and get motivated to continue the work that began in earnest seven decades ago. Kim Green says she comes each year so that her children and grandchildren…

Duluth Police Investigate Robbery At Knifepoint

Victim gave suspect $2.

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth police are investigating an armed robbery involving a knife. The call for help came in around 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the Walgreens on the 1100 block of East Superior Street. The victim told police the male suspect approached him with a knife, took $2 and then fled the area before police arrived. Police say investigators will…

Duluth Playhouse’s ‘Singing With The Stars’ Fundraiser Returns March 1

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Playhouse is getting ready for its 2nd annual “Singing with the Stars” fundraiser. The contestants with familiar faces perform a piece of musical theatre using their own vocals. FOX 21’s Dan Hanger will be one of three judges on stage giving some flare. But the real judges are people in the audience. Donations to each…

Pilgrim Congregational Church Holds Special Service to Honor MLK’s Legacy

DULUTH, Minn. — On Sunday, the Pilgrim Congregational Church of Duluth held a special service honoring Martin Luther King Jr. ahead of Monday’s holiday. The Central Hillside Gospel Choir opened the ceremony in style. Sunday’s worship focused on MLK’s message of how love and acceptance can drive away hate.  “The civil rights movement, while centering the injustice against African Americans,…

Councilor Arik Forsman Launches ‘Duluth Download’

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth City Councilor Arik Forsman has launched what he’s calling the Duluth Download. It’s a bi-monthly newsletter emailed to whoever signs up. Forman said he’ll be talking all things council and politics within the city, allowing him to dive deeper into topics that people may not see on the news or on social media. “Just this last…

Ashley Grimm Announces Reelection Bid For St. Louis County Board

DULUTH, Minn. – St. Louis County Commissioner Ashley Grimm has announced her reelection campaign. Grimm made the announcement Sunday afternoon on the steps of the County Courthouse in Duluth. Grimm said she’s proud of investments made into Duluth’s western neighborhoods since she was elected to the county board in 2020, like repairing the YWCA Young Mom’s Program building and parking…

Iron Range Firefighters Battle Dangerously Cold Air During House Fire

Courtesy: Northland Fire Wire HIBBING, Minn. — The dangerously cold air gave firefighters a battle during a house fire in Hibbing over the weekend. The fire was reported around 7:45 p.m. Saturday at the Birchlane Trailer Court, just off of 41st Street East, according to the Northland Fire Wire. Courtesy: Northland Fire Wire Firefighters were faced with strong winds and…

Surfers Catch a Wave Near Brighton Beach

DULUTH, Minn. — When there’s wind– there are waves, and on Lake Superior this weekend, surfers took the wind as an opportunity to make a splash. Multiple people got in the water near Brighton Beach and Lester River to catch a wave. With low water temps, the surfers geared up in wetsuits to stay warm. With high wind gusts, waves…

Anglers Hit the Ice in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn.– On one side of Lake Superior there’s open water, but in the Duluth Harbor anglers are taking advantage of the newly made ice. Around a dozen ice shacks were set up off of Park Point Saturday morning. Saturday also kicked off Take a Kid Ice Fishing Weekend in Minnesota, where residents can fish for free when accompanied by…

Portman Youth Hockey Hosts 2nd Annual Great Skate Event

DULUTH, Minn. — Portman Youth Hockey was finally able to hit the ice for their 2nd annual Great Skate Event. Skaters and parents gathered at the Portman Community Center for the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year. Last year the Great Skate raised over $10,000, helping fund the costs of equipment, facility management and tournaments. The lack of cold temps…

Hold The Presses! Lincoln Park Gets New Vacation Rentals

Eight suites going into historic press building.

There will soon be some new places for out-of-town visitors to stay in Duluth. Eight of them to be exact. Or, at least eight suites. There was a good-old-fashioned ribbon-cutting Friday in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. It was next to the outdoor seating area of the OMC Smokehouse. That’s not a coincidence, because the restaurant owners bought the long-standing Duluth…

Cirrus Aircraft Unveils New ‘SR Series G7’

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth’s largest employer, Cirrus Aircraft, unveiled its newest aircraft Thursday night in multi-state live production broadcast on YouTube. Cirrus says the SR Series G7 features touchscreen interfaces, large high-resolution displays, advanced safety systems and increased legroom. Cirrus Aircraft was founded in 1984. The company has six locations in the United States, including Duluth, Grand Forks, Knoxville, Greater…

Remembering Veterans All Year Long

Gifts during the holidays a symbol of a year-round need.

Special efforts continue with a commitment to remember veterans at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Silver Bay. Gifts were delivered there Wednesday by the Bong Veterans Historical Center after their holiday collection drive. American Legion Bong Post 435 played an active role in the effort. Commander Butch Liebaert said it is the culmination of a year-round attempt to help all…

Trump Returns to Court after Judge Receives Bomb Threat

NEW YORK (AP) — Barred from giving his own closing argument, Donald Trump took in his lawyer’s summation as a glowering, arms-folded spectator at the end of his New York civil fraud trial Thursday, hours after authorities responded to a bomb threat at the judge’s house. Police checked out the threat at Judge Arthur Engoron’s Long Island home, which came a day…

Coffee Conversation: Impact of Dry January on Local Booze Industry

DULUTH, Minn. — “Dry January” is the latest trend taking the nation by storm in 2024, leaving businesses in the booze industry dry of sales in an already slow season. However, many have adapted their menus to include mocktails, or zero-proof cocktails, like Vikre Distillery. Emily Vikre of Vikre Distillery joined FOX21 on the morning newscast Thursday to talk about…

Duluth Man Arrested In Seizure Of 1K-Plus Fentanyl Pills, Multiple Firearms

DULUTH, Minn. –  Four firearms are more than 1,200 fentanyl pills are off the streets of Duluth after a successful arrest by the Lake Superior Violent Offender task Force. The search warrant and arrest happened around 2 p.m. Tuesday on the 800 block of North 11th Avenue East. A 21-year-old was arrested while in the process of delivering fentanyl pills…

Duluth “Acting Mayor” Plan Made Official

Mayor Reinert tabs At-Large Councilor Arik Forsman--just in case.

If there’s ever a time when Duluth’s new mayor is not available, he now has an official back up. In a formal proclamation Wednesday, Mayor Roger Reinert named At-Large City Councilor Arik Forsman as acting mayor whenever necessary. Reinert is still an active Navy Reservist and says at times he will be called away. For example, next week he will…

Police Identify Victims, Suspect In Cloquet Super 8 Shooting

CLOQUET, Minn. — The Cloquet Police Department has released the names of the victims and suspect in the Cloquet shooting that happened Monday night. Authorities say the suspect who was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound has been identified as 32-year-old Nicholas Elliot Lenius of Ramsey, Minnesota. The victim found inside a car in the parking lot of…

Father Mourns Daughter Killed In Cloquet Hotel Shooting

CLOQUET, Minn. – We are learning more about the life of a young woman who was one of two people shot to death Monday night at the Super 8 hotel in Cloquet. The father of 22-year-old victim Shellby Trettel calls his daughter’s death a “senseless act of violence.” Tuesday: (Cloquet Police Chief Provides Update On Super 8 Shooting Fatalities) Shellby…

Cloquet Police Chief Provides Update On Super 8 Shooting Fatalities

The unthinkable happened in Cloquet Monday night. Two victims were shot and the suspect was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gun wound, according to police. The Mayor of Cloquet, Roger Maki, held a press conference Tuesday morning. “I’d like to share my heartfelt sympathies to the victims of this horrible incident 0:41 Mayor Maki asked the public to give…

Barnum H.S. Student Accused Of Injuring Another Student With Box Cutter

BARNUM, Minn. — A Barnum High School student is facing serious charges after police say she cut another student with a box cutter. The suspect is a 14-year-old girl.  The victim is a 16-year-old boy. The incident was reported around 9 a.m. Tuesday. The school was placed on lockdown during the incident. The Carlton County Sheriff’s Office said the boy…

Police: Parent Causes ‘Soft Lockdown’ At Piedmont Elementary

DULUTH, Minn. — Piedmont Elementary School went into a soft lockdown Tuesday. The lockdown happened around 12:15 p.m. Duluth police told FOX 21 that a parent was causing a disturbance at the school. Police requested a soft lockdown as a precaution. The parent was trespassed from school property. Nobody was injured. Below is the full e-mail alert to parents: Dear…

Duluth Public Library Looks to Provide Fun, Safe Place for Teens

Expanding Teen Space and Events to Thank for Increased Interest

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Public Library is encouraging teens to come and hang out through programs like today’s Gaming Event. The library invited students from sixth to twelfth grade to hang out, play board games, try out the Nintendo Switch, and enjoy some snacks. According to Senior Library Technician Heidi Harrison, many of the teenagers came from Harbor City…

Some Information Emerging in Cloquet Shooting Deaths, But Most Questions Remain

At Tuesday morning's press conference, the Chief said they still don't know if there were any connections between two victims and shooter.

Law enforcement investigators spent the night at the crime scene in Cloquet. Investigators say a man shot and killed a female desk clerk, and then shot another man who was sitting in a car.  The gunman then shot himself. Tuesday morning, Chief Derek Randall said investigators were still looking for answers for what happened at the Super 8 motel. He…

Coffee Conversation: Scholarship Deadlines Fast Approaching in the Northland

DULUTH, Minn. — Scholarship deadlines are fast approaching for students looking to get their hands on “free money.” Marshall H. and Nellie Alworth Memorial Fund Executive Director Patty Salo Downs and Duluth Superior Community Area Foundation Community (DSCAF) Impact Specialist Amber Burns joined FOX21 on the morning newscast Tuesday to talk about $2 million in scholarships available to students in…