Minnesota

Name A Snowplow Contest Is Back

MINNESOTA — Looking for a way to make a creative impact this winter? The fourth annual MnDOT Name a Snowplow Contest is now open. Submit you most witty Minnesota- or winter-themed snowplow name ideas on mndot.gov now through Friday, December 15. A lucky snowplow in all eight districts will receive a new name voted on by the public. Previous winning…

Finally: Fall Graduation at Lake Superior College!

Many students with some fall classes remaining didn't have to wait for spring to celebrate.

When it comes to graduation, many of us think of spring and the end of the school year. But for some college students, it’s the fall when they finally take that last class. Celebrating that is what brought students and faculty together at Lake Superior College Monday afternoon. Although there was a spring graduation ceremony, many students still had a…

Coffee Conversation: Night Riders Snowmobile Club Fundraiser Dinner

HERMANTOWN, Minn. — The Night Riders Snowmobile Club is preparing to host its annual fundraising dinner and silent auction. Chris Jacobson joined FOX21 on the morning newscast Monday to talk about the event and its purpose. The dinner is taking place on Thursday, December 14 at the Buffalo House Event Center. Tickets are $40 person. Click here for more information. Categories: Coffee…

Julebyen, Centuries Old Traditions Still Celebrated

KNIFE RIVER, Minn. — “It’s a small community. It started off as a fishing village. A lot of Scandinavian residents got it started and that trend has continued,” said Chair of Julebyen Helene Hedlund. Knife River celebrated ten years of Julebyen, an event which translate to “Christmas Village.” Both Scandinavian and German traditions kept alive in the community through the…

Chickens Killed In Barn Fire

FLOODWOOD TOWNSHIP, Minn. — A barn fire killed several chickens in Floodwood Township Saturday evening. St. Louis County Sheriff Office deputies and area fire departments responded around 6:15 p.m. The barn is a total loss. No people were injured. The cause is under investigation, but authorities do not suspect foul play. Categories: Minnesota, News, News – Latest News, Public Safety

Man Dies In Landslide at Minnesota State Park

Courtesy: Associated Press File MANKATO, Minn. — A 19-year-old man became trapped and died as a result of a landslide at a state park in southern Minnesota. The Blue Earth County Sheriff’s Office received a call Saturday afternoon of a landslide trapping someone under collapsed earth at the falls area of Minneopa State Park, near Mankato. Emergency workers recovered the…

Duluth Library Kicking Off Winter Fun

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Public Library is kicking off it’s winter fun with various events and a reading program. Saturday the library hosted an event based off an Icelandic tradition, where kids and family could enjoy crafts, gift wrapping and of course book reading. The winter reading program also kicked off. The program promotes reading by letting anyone track…

Hmong New Year Celebrated in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. –Duluth community members gathered Saturday to celebrate the Hmong New Year at Coppertop Church. It has been nearly 50 years since Hmong in Minnesota began resettling in the United States after being refugees from the Vietnam War. Now a Hmong New Year celebration is hosted each year in Duluth. The event was free and open to the public….

Bentleyville Stays Open Late for Special “After Hours” Event

DULUTH, Minn. — For its 20th season, Bentleyville is changing things up to celebrate the holidays. For the first time ever, Bentleyville is hosted a special “After Hours” event Friday night. Everyone ages 21 and older could purchase a wristband and take a walk through the “Tour of Lights” while enjoying an alcoholic beverage. Different artists will be taking stage…

Duluth Police Department Welcomes Nine New Officers

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Police Department welcomed nine new police officers, aiding the departments current officer shortage. The recruits were sworn in during a ceremony this afternoon. Family and friends pinned each new officers badge onto their uniforms. Duluth Chief of Police, Mike Ceynowa says since Fall of 2022, the department has added 18 officers to its staff, which…

Floating Sauna to Open Saturday in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — You may have taken a sauna before, but have you experienced one from on top of Lake Superior? Well, you can do just that beginning on Saturday, December 2. Cedar and Stone Nordic Sauna presents a 10 person floating sauna experience located on the harbor at Pier B. While enjoying the sauna, you’ll see a view of…

Agreement Reached For Sale of KQDS-TV, FOX21

Duluth, MN – The owners of KQDS-TV, FOX21, have entered into an agreement for the sale of the station. Red River Broadcast Co., LLC has signed an asset purchase agreement with Coastal Television. Coastal Television operates ten television stations in seven states; Alaska, Wyoming, New York, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas and Indiana. “We think Coastal will be a good fit for…

YWCA Young Mothers Program Receives Grant

DULUTH, Minn. — The YWCA Duluth’s Spirit Valley Young Mothers Program works with homeless mothers who are between the ages of 16 and 21. Each at-risk mother and their child who are a part of the program live at the YWCA for a year to a year and a half. While in the mentoring program mothers receive stable housing and…

4 People Arrested On Drug Charges In Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — 4 people have been arrested in Duluth Thursday afternoon on drug charges. According to the Duluth Police Department, the Lake Superior Violent Offender Task Force, along with other agencies executed search warrants at two different houses in Duluth. Police say during the search, 864.4 grams of fentanyl, 858.3 grams of methamphetamine, a little over 100 fentanyl pills,…

Duluth Firefighters Tackle Downtown Garage Fire

DULUTH, Minn. – Northland firefighters have been busy lately responding to structure fires. In Duluth Thursday, firefighters tackled a garage fire on the 100 block of East Third Street. No injuries were reported. Damage is estimated around $10,000. The Duluth Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a cause. Categories: Minnesota, News, News – Latest News, Public Safety

An Infectious Canine Respiratory Illness Spreads Throughout The Country

DULUTH, Min. –Dr. Scott Beeman, a veterinarian at Duluth Veterinary Hospital, has devoted his life to working with animals. He says it is important to remember that during this time of year any respiratory illness is common. However, he noted there is an increase in cases, along with some that are significantly more severe and long lasting. “This has been…

‘Essentia East Market’ Healthcare Workers Want To Unionize

DULUTH, Minn. – Essentia healthcare workers have announced their filing to join the Minnesota Nurses Association. The healthcare workers wanting to unionize include nurse practitioners, physician associates, nurse midwives, and clinical nurse specialists. They’re part of what’s called the Essentia East Market, which extends from Brainerd north to International Falls and Duluth, and east to Ashland and Hayworth, Wisconsin. The…

Hermantown Fire Evolves Past Volunteer Model

The Department continued growth by hiring a fire inspector and training officer

HERMANTOWN, Minn. — The Hermantown Fire Department is expanding its efforts to better serve the community. Over the past year, the City has been making changes to the volunteer firefighting model. That system has been in place for more than 70 years. But as Hermantown grows, the Fire Department is looking to not only increase efficiency, but support their firefighters….

Minnesota Duluth Mourns Death of Football Player Reed Ryan

In celebration of Reed's life, a memorial wake will be held on Friday, December 1 followed by a funeral service on Saturday, December 2.

DULUTH, Minn. — University of Minnesota Duluth football senior defensive lineman Reed Ryan passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 28 at Essentia Health in Duluth at the age of 22. Ryan collapsed in the team’s weight room back on November 21st. He would fight for his life for a week before passing just short of midnight on Tuesday. Photo Courtesy: University…

Coffee Conversation: DSA Community Foundation Scholarship Opportunities

TWIN PORTS — Beginning on December 1, the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation will have $800,000 available for scholarships across the Northland. Community Impact Specialist Amber Burns joined FOX21 on the morning newscast Wednesday to talk about scholarship opportunities and the application process. Scholarships support students and job seekers who are pursuing post-secondary education throughout the region. High school seniors…

Construction Returns To Duluth Housing Project With ‘Cash,’ No Financing

DULUTH, Minn. – FOX 21 learned Tuesday that construction crews are back on site of a delayed housing development (Urbane 218) in Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. But the final piece of funding from LISC, which halted the project in August, is still not in the developer’s hands. Merge Urban Development told FOX 21 Tuesday the company is “currently paying for…

Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank Plays Critical Role in Helping Feed Those in Need

DULUTH, Minn. –The nationwide Giving Tuesday event took place on Tuesday, one week after the Minnesota version, Give to the Max, fundraiser took place. Shaye Moris, the Executive Director of Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank, says the Give to the Max fundraiser went well. “Give to the Max Day was really successful. We had a five percent increase over…

Twin Ports Grad Sharing Naval Academy Experience

Talks to students about his desire to serve his country, as well as the opportunities.

Rising global tension has put a spotlight on armed forces around the world. Some of those currently training to serve were among college students who were home for the Thanksgiving weekend. Kai Braaten grew up in the Twin Ports and is now a Midshipman Third Class at the United States Naval Academy. He said a primary goal for him was…

Spirit Mountain, Mont du Lac Open Slopes for Winter Season

TWIN PORTS– “The fact that we’re open today is exciting and we’re looking forward to the winter,” said Director of Resort Services at Spirit Mountain, Jon Regenold. “Opening’s been great. We got a lot of people out here yesterday. We started off with the kids hill,” said Hills Manager at Mount du Lac Resort, Mike Ohara. The recent cold blast…

‘Steam-Powered Christmas Tree Train’ Chugs Through Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — An old-fashioned, steam-powered Christmas Tree Train departed the Duluth Depot for Knife River over the weekend. When the locomotive arrived to its destination at the train station in Knife River, riders could pick out a tree, wreaths and garland, which was hauled back to the Depot by train car. The unique ride is made possible because the…

Derek Chauvin’s Family Has Received No Updates After Prison Stabbing, Attorney Says

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — An attorney for Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted of murdering George Floyd, said Saturday that Chauvin’s family has been kept in the dark by federal prison officials after he was stabbed in prison. The lawyer, Gregory M. Erickson, slammed the lack of transparency by the Federal Bureau of Prisons a day after his client…

A Chat/GPT And AI Discussion

  DULUTH, Minn. –Chat/GPT and AI are some things we are hearing more about every day, but what is it in a nutshell? To get a better understanding, earlier this week FOX 21 talked with Thomas Fellows, an expert in the field. Here’s what he had to say about Chat/GPT and AI.   Categories: Business, Minnesota, News, News – Latest…

MN State Patrol: Driver Of I35 Rollover In Duluth Arrested For DWI

DULUTH, Minn. (Thursday) — The Minnesota State Patrol told FOX 21 on Thursday that the driver who rolled his vehicle on I-35 in downtown Duluth last week was arrested for DWI. Video from a MnDOT camera on Southbound I-35 near the Lake Avenue exit shows a 2022 Dodge Charger rolling multiple times. A public information officer for the Minnesota State…

Mayor-Elect Roger Reinert Visits Duluth Police, Fire on Thanksgiving

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth firefighters and police officers got a visit this Thanksgiving from Duluth Mayor-elect Roger Reinert. The Duluth Fire Union and the Duluth Police Department posted pictures on social media Thursday of Reinert’s visits. Both agencies thanked Reinert visiting them on Thanksgiving. The fire and police unions endorsed Reinert for mayor this past election. Categories: Minnesota, News, Political,…

Man Seriously Injured In Garage Fire

BREVATOR TOWNSHIP, Minn. — A structure fire in Brevator Township seriously injured a man. The fire broke out around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday on the 3500 block of Nelson Road. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office said the 64-year-old man was injured while trying to save items in a burning garage. The man was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital in serious…

A Population Of Hard-To-Eradicate ‘Super Pigs’ In Canada Is Threatening To Invade The US

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — An exploding population of hard-to-eradicate “super pigs” in Canada is threatening to spill south of the border, and northern states like Minnesota, North Dakota and Montana are taking steps to stop the invasion. In Canada, the wild pigs roaming Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba pose a new threat. They are often crossbreeds that combine the survival skills of…

Gift Card Fraud Alert Ahead of Holidays

DULUTH, Minn. — It’s the holiday gift-buying season, and one gift that stands above the rest is a gift card. They have become one of the most popular gifts. But you may not realize that gift cards can be vulnerable to scammers. The National Retail Federation says gift cards are among the most requested gifts. Like most people, I appreciate…

Coffee Conversation: AICHO’s Upcoming Biboon Bimaadizimin (Winter Good Life) Market

DULUTH, Minn. — AICHO’s Biboon Bimaadizimin (Winter Good Life) Market will return on Saturday, November 25 (10 am – 2 pm) at 212 W. 2nd Street in Duluth.  Indigenous First Coordinator Khayman Goodsky joined FOX21 on the morning newscast Wednesday to talk about the event. The event feature over 30 vendors (artists, authors, entrepreneurs) – most come from Indigenous, BIPOC backgrounds…

Three-Vehicle Crash on the Corner of 21st Ave. E and London Rd

DULUTH,  Minn. — A three-vehicle accident took place on the corner of 21st Ave. E and London Rd in the early morning hours Wednesday, November 22. No injuries reported. According to the Duluth Police Department, officers responded at approximately 5:20 am to the report of a three-vehicle pileup crash. Initial investigation showed an individual failed to stop at a traffic…

Glensheen Mansion Flips For Christmas; Santa, Reindeer Arrive At Fitger’s Friday

DULUTH, Minn. – Christmas has arrived at the historic Glensheen Mansion with candlelight tours! Marketing Manager Mike Mayou said visitors will experience the magic of Christmas and be taken back to the early 1900s when Glensheen was built. The rooms and hallways are full of Christmas lights, 27 trees and hundreds of feet of garland. There are even 25 elves…

Coast Guard Fries Turkeys For St. Scholastica’s Free Thanksgiving Buffet At DECC

DULUTH, Minn. — Thanksgiving may be two days away, but a massive cooking operation is well underway at the DECC for the annual St. Scholastica free Thanksgiving Buffet. Volunteers from Minnesota Power took over the DECC’s big kitchen Tuesday to help prepare more than 6,000 cups of cranberry and help peel 1,800 pounds of potatoes. The turkeys weight in at…

Snowmaking Begins At Spirit Mountain, Mont Du Lac

DULUTH, Minn. — Snowmaking season began at Spirit Mountain Tuesday evening.   This comes after frustrations from staff because of the unseasonably warm weather for much of November.  Usually the ski hill opens on Black Friday, but that won’t be happening this season.  None the less, opening day will arrive soon, as temperatures are forecast to continue to be well below…

Final Report Issued In Outside Investigation of Sexual Abuse Allegations at Duluth’s Vineyard Church

Report said church had a "dismissive response to concerns"; church moving toward a culture "more resistant to abuse and toxicity."

Duluth’s Vineyard Church says it fully accepts the findings of an investigation done by an outside organization, after sexual abuse allegations emerged at the church. The church says it vows to heal wounds, regain trust and make changes. Former youth leader, 35-year-old Jackson Gatlin, has been charged with ten criminal counts involving five females at the church. For its own…