Minnesota

Vandals Strike Superior Home’s Halloween Display

SUPERIOR, Wis. – A homeowner in Superior said vandals destroyed about $300 worth of his Halloween decorations Tuesday night. Surveillance video shows at least two males tackling inflatable characters and running a bicycle through the set-up. Homeowner Aaron Bourdon said the inflatables aren’t fixable because they either have big holes or exploded. Bourdon told FOX 21 he starts putting up…

Update on Interchange Project

DULUTH, Minn. — There’s some good news and some bad news for motorists traveling on Interstate 35 through the interchange project. Many people may already be aware that traveling north on 35 through the construction areas there are now two lanes fully open. Work crews are doing their best to get two lanes open on the south side of the…

‘Godfather’s Pizza Express’ Opens in Gary-New Duluth KornerStore

The fan-favorite pizza place makes its return to Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — A favorite local pizza place made its return to Duluth Wednesday. We’re talking about Godfather’s Pizza Express. FOX 21 was there as the first pizzas came out of the oven. The new location is inside the Gary-New Duluth KornerStore. Derek Medved, who owns the local convenience store company, announced in December it would be bringing back the…

Man Charged With Murder in Babbitt Double Homicide

Criminal complaint says man told police he killed the victims, and where they would find their bodies.

  Updated November 1, 2023: Babbitt, Minn.  — A man has been charged with two counts of 2nd degree murder in the deaths of a Babbitt couple. A criminal complaint filed Wednesday identifies the man as Roger Allen Beldo. He is 53 years old. The complaint says Beldo told police he killed the couple at their home. A relative said…

Adam Johnson’s Death: Neck Guard Sales Rise; NHL Tribute Video; Panthers Set Up GoFundMe

WARROAD, Minn. — Neck guards for hockey players are selling out in some Minnesota stores after the death of professional hockey player and Hibbing native Adam Johnson over the weekend. Video of the game in Sheffield, England showed Johnson suffering a serious neck injury from a skate after colliding with another player. After Johnson’s death, British hockey officials announced neck…

Duluth City Councilors ‘Unequivocally Condemn’ Hate Speech During Monday’s Public Comments

DULUTH, Minn. — Racist and anti-Semitic remarks took taking the Duluth city council off guard Monday night during the public comment period of the council meeting.  “The Jews are parasites and they’re taking over our country,” said one man who called in. He went on to say, “Diversity means fear of white people, inclusion means the exclusion of white people,…

Child, 5, Dies In Rollover Accident On Vermilion Trail

A 5-year-old child died Tuesday in a weather-related rollover accident in St. Louis County. The accident was reported around 4 p.m. near Vermilion Trail and Harris Bay Road. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office said the vehicle ended on its side with the child stuck underneath. Officials said the roads were packed with ice after recent snow and freezing temperatures….

Man Charged in Coleraine Stabbing

Victim treated at hospital; Criminal complaint says suspect has 10 previous convictions.

A Coleraine man has been charged in a stabbing at a local bar over the weekend. The victim was stabbed in the face, and was treated at the hospital for his injuries. A criminal complaint charges Lawrence Jarmaine Daniels with a second-degree felony. The complaint says Daniels is 45 years old and lives in Coleraine. The incident happened about 1:30…

Man Stabbed In Coleraine Bar Fight

A man was stabbed in a bar fight in Coleraine early Saturday. The crime was reported around 1:30 a.m. at the Locker Room Bar, according to the Itasca County Sheriff’s office. The victim was stabbed in the face. The suspect is from Coleraine.  He was arrested at his residence after police said he left the scene. Formal charges were pending…

Welder Generator Helps Northwood Technical College Hit the Road

Joint effort made it possible.

SUPERIOR, Wisc. — In March, Northwood Technical College unveiled its 53-foot mobile welding lab that has eight individual welding booths. However, to make the lab work anywhere other than on campus, a generator was needed. And, it had to be a large generator–one that costs $90,000. The college didn’t have the money and needed help from others. So, two local…

Coffee Conversation: 40 Years of Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation

TWIN PORTS — As the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation begins it’s 40th year of existence, it also looks to shift and expand its focus. Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation CEO Shaun Floerke joined FOX21 on the morning newscast Monday to talk about the future vision of the foundation. Floerke also emphasized the importance of upstream work in ensuring opportunities,…

Reinert Endorsed, Larson Accepted For Duluth Mayor In 2015; Both Candidates Respond

DULUTH, Minn. – The last live Duluth mayoral debate before the Nov. 7 election was last week on PBS North.  The gloves came off in that debate between incumbent Mayor Emily Larson and opponent Roger Reinert.  But the tension between the candidates, as seen in the PBS debate, was the complete opposite in 2015 when Reinert, a state senator then, endorsed…

Barges, Equipment Move In On $18M DECC Seawall Reconstruction Project

DULUTH, Minn. – The $18 million reconstruction of the seawall behind the DECC is officially underway. Rendering of what the reconstruction project will look like when complete Construction crews have moved in on land and by barge. The rebuilding will happen throughout the winter. The new seawall is expected to be complete by the end of next year 2024. The…

Naked Man Shuts Down Traffic On I-35

DULUTH, Minn. — A naked man caused a big backup on  I-35 in Duluth Sunday. Video from a driver showed a man running onto I-35 without any clothes near 27th Avenue West. Traffic was blocked off for some time until the man could be detained and transported to a local hospital for an evaluation. Nobody was hurt. Categories: Minnesota, News,…

Man, 25, Dead In Single-Vehicle Crash In Meadowlands Township

MEADOWLANDS TOWNSHIP, Minn. — One man was pronounced dead after his car flipped over in a water-filled ditch in the Meadowlands Township. The incident happened early Sunday morning. According to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, a vehicle was driving on Highway 7 just south of Highway 133 in Meadowlands Township.  First responders pulled out one male who was pronounced…

Fitger’s Celebrates Halloween

DULUTH, Minn. — It’s definitely ‘Spooky Season’ at Fitger’s as decorations fill the halls and shops are geared up with candy. Saturday Fitger’s celebrated an early Halloween with different activities and of course, trick or treating. Facing painting, pumpkin decorating and story time were just some of the fun activities. Every year the hotel, shops and restaurants decorate for the…

Apple Fest and Craft Fair Celebrates the Fall

HERMANTOWN, Minn. — Thousands of people were in the fall spirit Saturday as Salem Lutheran Church held its 9th annual Apple Fest and Craft Fair. The Hermantown church picked 1,700 pounds of apples last weekend to prepare for the festival. Those apples were turned into cider, pies and other treats  There was also dozens of vendors selling items such as…

Maine Mass Killing Suspect Found Dead, Associated Press Reports

LEWISTON, Maine (AP) — The man suspected of fatally shooting 18 people and wounding 13 in Maine has been found dead, authorities said Friday. Robert Card, who was wanted in connection with the shootings at Schemengees Bar and Grille and at Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley in Lewiston, is believed to have died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, a law enforcement…

Falls Elementary School Community Service Learning Day

INTERNATIONAL FALLS, Minn. — Students at Falls Elementary School spent the day on Thursday giving back to the local community. It was community service learning day Thursday (10/27) at the elementary school in International Falls. Each grade was involved in a different volunteering project. Third grade students were at the Borderland Humane Society. They made pet toys and baked homemade treats…

Rep. Dean Phillips Announces Primary Challenge To Biden, He Says Democrats Need To Focus On Future

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — For months, Dean Phillips has been calling for a Democratic primary challenge to President Joe Biden. He’s drawn no public interest from governors, lawmakers, and other would-be alternatives. The 54-year-old Minnesota congressman is finally entering the race himself, telling a Friday event outside New Hampshire’s statehouse, “I am today announcing my candidacy for the presidency of the…

Attorney General’s Office Holds Roundtable On Proposed Duluth Hospital Mergers

DULUTH, Minn.–Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison’s Office held a community roundtable Wednesday evening at UMD about two separate hospital mergers in Duluth. Earlier this month Ellison announced it’s his responsibility to consider whether a healthcare transaction is in the public interest and seek court intervention if he finds that it is not.  Essentia Health plans to merge with Marshfield Clinic…

“Bridging” Health in Duluth

Goal is to bring everyone together for healthiest community possible.

If it takes a village to raise a child, then there are those who feel the same about what it takes for a community’s health care. That is what brought over one hundred and thirty people together in Duluth Wednesday. It was titled “Bridging Health Care,” and the goal is just that: bringing like-minded people and organizations together to make…

Coffee Conversation: Duluth Chamber 153rd Annual Meeting & Dinner Celebration

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce is preparing to host its 153rd Annual Meeting & Dinner Celebration on November 2. Vice President of Strategy & Policy Dan Fanning joined FOX21 on the morning newscast Wednesday to talk about the annual event and its purpose. This year’s event will be a celebration of membership, leadership and community progress….

Patty Wetterling Talks About Her Book and Her Journey

DULUTH, Minn. –It was October 22, 1989, when the world was turned upside down for Patty Wetterling when her son Jacob was kidnapped at gunpoint. It wasn’t until 27 years later that the answer to what had happened to Jacob was learned when Danny Heinrich confessed in open court to abusing, murdering and burying Jacob. On Tuesday evening Patty Wetterling…

Enger Golf Course Closes After Good Season

DULUTH, Minn. –Golfers have just one more day to get out and play this season at the Enger Course in Duluth. The course closes on Wednesday afternoon at Five. Tomorrow will be the end of what has been a very good season according to the Enger Course General Manager Craig Smith. Despite the dry summer, golfers continued to play and…

Duluth Airport Prepares For Fort Myers Return, Control Tower Replacement

DULUTH, Minn. — This has already been a record-breaking year for the Duluth International Airport. In each month of 2023, the number of take-offs and landings exceeded last year’s numbers. The number of flyers has also increased, and that’s one measure an airline looks at in deciding whether to enter or expand in a city.  One reason for the increase…

Coffee Conversation: Getting to Know FOX21 Sports Anchor/Reporter Ben Burns

DULUTH, Minn. — Ben Burns joined the FOX21 team in August 2023 as a Weekend Anchor / Sports Reporter. Burns came on the morning newscast Tuesday to talk about how he got his start in Wisconsin, his role in sports broadcasting today, and the latest headlines in Northland athletics. If you have a sports inquiry, email bburns@kqdsfox21.tv. Categories: Coffee Conversation,…

Coffee Conversation: Family Freedom Center/NYS Annual Trunk-Or-Treat Event

DULUTH, Minn. — With Halloween just around the corner, the Family Freedom Center: Neighborhood Youth Services is preparing to host its fourth annual Trunk-Or-Treat event. Operations Director Pez Davila joined FOX21 on the morning newscast to talk about this years event and how its grown. Trunk-Or-Treat is taking place on October 28 from 12-4 pm at the Lake City Parking…

Former Duluth Mayor Don Ness Endorses Larson For Reelection; Larson, Reinert Respond

DULUTH, Minn. — Former two-term Duluth Mayor Don Ness publicly endorsed Emily Larson for a third term Monday. Ness posted on social media saying Duluth is lucky to have “two good candidates” to choose from Nov. 7.   He called Larson’s opponent, Roger Reinert, a friend but said Larson has a better understanding of the city’s operational realities and knows how…

Longtime Duluth Prosecutor Jon Holets Named St. Louis County Deputy Attorney

DULUTH, Minn. — St. Louis County Attorney Kim Maki has named her first-ever Deputy County Attorney to help manage all operations of her office in four locations. Veteran prosecutor Jon Holets has prosecuted high-profile cases for the county, like former Last Place on Earth owner Jim Carlson. Holets will now oversee personnel actions, coordination with law enforcement, the courts, and…

Canadian Labor Strike Halts Duluth-Superior Port, Seaway Operations

DULUTH, Minn. — A historic halt in seaway operations has sent a ripple effect throughout the system, including the Duluth-Superior Port. “Definitely a cascading series of effects throughout the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway system. It’s a system that it prides itself on reliability. And right now that reliability is being impaired by this unfortunate issue,” said Jayson Hron, communications…

Coffee Conversation: Duluth Public Schools Future Forward Referendum Vote

DULUTH, Minn. — On Monday, Duluth Public Schools Superintendent John Magas joined FOX21 on the morning newscast ahead of the Future Forward 709 Referendum vote on 11/7. The referendum vote is in regards to a $7.9 million plan to protect and progress mental and academic support for students, the ability to offer a diverse range of class options and access…

Coffee Conversation: Northern Spotlight Theatre Presents “Zombies from the Beyond”

DULUTH, Minn. — The Northern Spotlight Theatre presents musical comedy “Zombies from the Beyond” at the Denfeld High School Lecture Hall, October 26-28. Music Director Steve Solkela, Director Miranda Stachowtcz and Performer Keely Waechter joined FOX21 live on the morning newscast ahead of the showcase. Zombies from the Beyond is a tribute to the cheap, 1950s sci-fi movies with tongue-in-cheek…

Harbor Drive Temporarily Closes For DECC Seawall-Waterfront Reconstruction

DULUTH, Minn. — Harbor Drive behind the DECC is temporarily closing for the next 12 months. It’s all part of the seawall-waterfront reconstruction project. Crews will work through the winter to build the new seawall. When all is said and done in early 2025, the public space between the wall and the DECC will be transformed into a new plaza…

Patty Wetterling Releases Book About Son Jacob’s Kidnapping, Death; Book Event At Fitger’s Tuesday

(FOX 21/FOX 9) – It’s been more than three decades since 11-year-old Jacob Wetterling was kidnapped at gunpoint while riding his bike home from a Minnesota convenience store. And now, Jacob’s mother, Patty, is putting pen to paper to honor her son’s life. Patty will make a stop at Fitger’s Tuesday, Oct. 24, as part of her book release, “Dear…

DLH: Direct Flights To Phoenix Not Returning, But Nonstop To Fort Myers Will

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth International Airport has announced direct flights from Duluth to Phoenix are not returning this winter. But Sun Country service is returning with direct service to Fort Myers, Florida. The non-stop flights will start back up Feb. 2 and end April 24. Sun Country service to Fort Myers will operate twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays….

Subaru Love-A-Pet Helps Animals Find Homes

DULUTH, Minn. — One day dedicated to cats, one day dedicated to dogs. The annual Subaru Love-a-Pet adoption event introduced people to their new family members. “We always love this event because it’s so successful and we see a lot of animals that have been long term find homes in Duluth,” said Isabel Glover, Babinski Foundation Marketing Coordinator. Multiple animal…

UMD Students Enjoy Day at the Farm

DULUTH, Minn. — UMD students got outside Saturday to plant 1000 bulbs of garlic on the school farm. The UMD Land Lab is just north of campus and has 10 acres of farmland. The farm helps educate students about food and agriculture, while giving them hands on experience. Produce such as carrots, cabbage and broccoli are grown at the Land…

Public Invited to Assist in Rose Tipping

DULUTH, Minn. — One of Duluth’s most popular destinations is preparing for the cold months ahead. Roses in the Rose Garden in Leif Erikson Park need to go through a process called rose tipping, which protects the flowers during winter conditions. The public is invited to assist in rose tipping Monday, October 23,  from noon to 3 P.M. No experience…

The Great Pumpkin Train Returns to Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — Nothing says fall quite like a pumpkin patch, and for some people in Duluth Friday, they had quite the ride to the field of picking. The Great Pumpkin Train is back in Duluth for this weekend only. The fall tradition, put on by the North Shore Scenic Railroad, features a 90-minute ride from the depot to and…

Essentia Health Donates Medical Equipment to University of Minnesota Medical School

DULUTH, Minn. — Essentia Health is helping further the education of medical students. The hospital is donating medical equipment to UMD’s Medical School for students to use in simulation labs. All the equipment was used at the old St. Mary’s and will give the students access to the latest technology helping them further their education. “It is up to date,…