Minnesota

Women in Black Hold Silent Vigil

DULUTH, Minn. — A silent vigil at the Minnesota Power Plaza this afternoon was held by the group ‘Women in Black’ in support of a ceasefire in Gaza. Dozens of people, the vast majority dressed in black, were there in support of a ceasefire in Israel and Gaza.  Additionally, they demand that humanitarian aid be allowed into Gaze to save…

Better Bus Blueprint at Two Months

DULUTH, Minn. –It’s been nearly two months since the Duluth Transit Authority made major changes to its system. It added two new “GO” routes and consolidated many of its local stops. On October 29 the DTA will announce updates to its system. But, it’s not been Easy Street. Detours and keeping track of where the detours are have been a…

Jordan Loses Third Vote For House Speaker; Stauber and Tiffany Differ

Wisconsin's Congressman sticks with Jordan; Minnesota's Stauber goes with Westerman again.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Rep. Jim Jordan failed badly Friday on a third ballot for the House speaker’s gavel, rejected by even more Republicans from the conservative mainstream who warned the hard-edged ally of Donald Trump that no threats or promises could win their support. The Republicans have no realistic or workable plan to unite the fractured GOP majority, elect a…

Steve Hanke Appointed New Minnesota Sixth District Judge

Duluth attorney will replace retiring Judge Michael Cuzzo in Northeastern corner of state.

Steve Hanke Northeastern Minnesota will be getting a new judge. Steve Hanke has been tapped by Governor Walz to fill a vacancy in the Sixth Judicial District. He will be replacing the retiring Judge Michael Cuzzo. Hanke has ties to both sides of the Blatnik Bridge. He is a lawyer for the City of Duluth and is also an adjunct…

Minnesota Firefighters Meet in Duluth

Annual Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association Kicks Off

DULUTH, Minn. — Hundreds of firefighters are in Duluth this weekend for the annual state fire chief conference. The event has firetrucks on display, as well as new firefighting technologies. They’re holding educational sessions on leadership, professional development, and safety measures. The fire conference is the largest of it’s kind in the Midwest. MnFIRE is a health and wellness advocacy…

Stauber Moves Away From Jordan In Speaker Vote; Tiffany Sticks With Jordan

Northland Congressmen split as Jordan loses second vote for speaker

One Northland lawmaker held firm in his support of Representative Jim Jordan for Speaker of the House Wednesday, but another moved away from Jordan. Jordan, a Republican lawmaker from Ohio, lost his second vote in his bid to become speaker. On Tuesday, both Minnesota 8th District Congressman Pete Stauber, and Wisconsin 7th District Congressman Tom Tiffany voted for Jordan. Wednesday,…

Partnership to Improve Career Readiness in Healthcare

Essentia Health and St. Scholastica Team Up

DULUTH, Minn. — St. Scholastica’s new School of Heath Professions received a significant gift from Essentia Health today. Essentia is donating $1.2 million dollars to fund a permanent dean position. Dr. Michael Wendinger started as the inaugural dean this past July. Over 1,000 St. Scholastica alumni work at Essentia. The new partnership’s goal is to prepare future healthcare workers and…

Tourism Tax to Last 30 More Years

DULUTH, Minn. — On Monday night the Duluth City Council voted unanimously to continue the tourism tax for another 30 years. The state legislature had given its okay for the city to continue collecting the tax for three decades. Because it is a tourism tax, the money raised must encourage tourists to come and recreate in Duluth, but the use…

Jordan Loses Second Vote For Speaker

House of Representatives still without permanent Speaker.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Rep. Jim Jordan was again short the votes he needed in a second round of balloting for speaker on Wednesday, failing to convince his Republican detractors to support him to replace the ousted Kevin McCarthy. Jordan lost 20 Republican votes in the first round of balloting Tuesday and lost more on Wednesday. Jim Jordan’s rapid rise has…

Lincoln Park Reopens

DULUTH, Minn.  — The actual Lincoln Park, which is in the Lincoln Park area, had a grand reopening Tuesday. Seven years after the city council adopted the Lincoln Park Mini-Master plan. The plan provided direction for the updating of the park. It was a celebration at the park, which has been referred to as a gem in the park system….

Coffee Conversation: North End Nightmare 5K Returns to Superior

SUPERIOR, WI. — The North End Nightmare 5K is set to take place on October 28 at 11:00 am in Superior. Grandma’s Marathon Marketing & Public Relations Director Zach Schneider joined FOX21 on the morning newscast Tuesday to talk about the event. In coordination with the annual Superior Spooktacular, this event offers participants a mix of scary surprises and haunted…

Seawall-Waterfront Reconstruction Behind DECC Officially Begins

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth city leaders, the Chamber, project managers and labor representatives were among the many taking the shovel to the dirt Monday for the official start of the seawall-waterfront reconstruction project behind the DECC. Mayor Emily Larson described the area behind the DECC “tired” and “old.”  But she said after years of planning, it’s now time for that…

Hermantown YMCA Hosts 3rd Annual Chuck-a-Puck

HERMANTOWN, Minn. —  The Hermantown YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center put a spin on a hockey classic to raise money for various programs. The YMCA hosted its 3rd annual Chuck-a-Puck event today. People could try their hand at winning prizes donated to the center. Including a mountain bike and many gift cards. Pucks were available for purchase and then…

Dropkick Murphys’ Lead Singer Talks First-Ever Duluth Concert At Amsoil Tuesday

You can’t turn around without hearing about Taylor Swift these days. But she’s not the only performer with hardcore fans. Duluth gets a visit Tuesday night from Dropkick Murphys. Some of you may be saying, “Who?”  But others know big songs like “Shipping up to Boston” or “The Boys Are Back.” The group has made quite the name for itself…

Boo at the Zoo Returns Ahead of Halloween

  DULUTH, Minn.– It’s that time of the year again, when the leaves are falling and the pumpkins are out, and that means that means that Boo at the Zoo returns to the Lake Superior Zoo ahead of Halloween. Saturday was the first day of Boo at the Zoo. Thousands of families got to trick-or-treat throughout the zoo, while surrounded…

Fall Craft Shows in Full Swing

PROCTOR, Minn. — It’s never to early for holiday shopping, and as the fall is now in full swing–fall craft shows are kicking off. The Proctor Autumn Days Craft Show was Saturday, and it is just one of the many craft shows and fairs that happens in the Fall. In Proctor, dozens of vendors showed off their carefully crafted art….

Taylor Swift Movie Opens in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. –After a sneak peek Thursday, the Taylor Swift movie, “Eras” played at the Marcus Duluth Theater Friday for its first of four weekends designed to attract Taylor Swift fans. The parking lot was full at the theater well before the movie was to begin. We talked with the manager and some Swifties who were looking forward to seeing…

Man Pleads Guilty To Stealing Garland’s Wizard of Oz Ruby Slippers

His attorney says Terry Jon Martin is in very poor health and wanted to get his "end-of-life affairs" in order.

  DULUTH, Minn.– The man who stole ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the Wizard of Oz, pleaded guilty Friday in a Duluth courtroom. It was part of a plea agreement that 76-year-old Terry Jon Martin hopes will result in a sentence that will keep him out of prison. Martin was in a wheelchair and using an oxygen bottle…

Marshall School Hosts Blood Drive

DULUTH, Minn. –Here’s a story that you’ve heard before, there is a significant blood shortage taking place locally and nationally. The Red Cross and Memorial Blood Bank are both looking for new and past donors to give blood to help alleviate the shortage. At Marshall School in Duluth, the Health and Wellness Club sponsored its first of three blood drives…

West Duluth Business Club Hosts Duluth Candidate Forum, Promotes Civility

DULUTH, Minn. – The November election is less than a month away in Duluth, and the president of the West Duluth Business Club, Susan Coen, is promoting civility over divisiveness. Coen hosted a public form Wednesday for the West Duluth community involving the mayoral race between incumbent Emily Larson and opponent Roger Reinert, and the council races. Coen said she…

WI Sen. Agard’s Cannabis Bill: Prohibition Not Working With Marijuana

Wisconsin State Sen. Melissa Agard is continuing her push to legalize recreational marijuana for adults through a bill in the state legislature. Sen. Agard (D-Madison) told FOX 21 Wisconsin is living on a disserting island when it comes to cannabis.  Minnesota, Illinois and Michigan have laws on the books allowing adult-use of cannabis. Agard said the state is losing out…

5 Officers Shot In Benton County, Minnesota

GLENDORADO TOWNSHIP, Minn. (FOX 9) – Five officers were shot in Glendorado Township, near Princeton, while serving a warrant Thursday morning, authorities tell FOX 9. A suspect has since been taken into custody. The officers, from different agencies, went to a house to serve a warrant before 8 a.m., authorities told FOX 9. While they were there, a man inside — the suspect — started…

Duluth Housing Development Stalled For 2nd Month At Former Seaway Hotel Site

DULUTH, Minn. – It was in the middle of August when FOX 21 broke the news about construction temporarily halted on a new housing development in Duluth’s Lincoln Park. Now two months later, the structure remains just a frame of wood. Merge Urban Development is behind the 45-unit apartment building (Urbane 218) on the former West Superior Street site of…

Alison Ward From ‘MANIA: The Abba Tribute’ Talks About Upcoming Show At DECC

DULUTH, Minn. — Do you like the musical “Mamma Mia”?  How about the 70s?  Well, in about a week, you can mix the two together for a two-hour concert called “MANIA – The ABBA Tribute!” The excitement takes the stage at the DECC’s Symphony Hall Friday, Oct. 20th. The show is a recreation of one of Abba’s most memorable concerts,…

Advocates Call Duluth’s Homeless Crisis An ‘Emergency,’ Ask For Public’s Help

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth’s homeless advocates and the non-profits they work for say chronic homelessness has hit crisis proportions, and they need help to turn the problem around. “Shelters are overrun and as a consequence people have to be outside,” said John Cole, executive director of CHUM. Cole said there’s not enough affordable housing in Duluth to meet the demand…

Duluth’s 148th Fighter Wing Makes A Twins Game Flyover

The Minnesota Twins unfortunately lost to the Houston Astros Tuesday, but either way, the Twins got one big salute during the National Anthem. As part of the pre-game ceremonies, the Minnesota National Guard’s 148th Fighter Wing conducted a flyover with two F-16 Fighting Falcons at Target Field. Click the video above to see the Falcons in action! Categories: Minnesota, News,…

Zeitgeist Halloween Movie Lineup May Make ZZZs Difficult To Find

Weeks of horror (and some laughs) will fill the Zinema screen during the runup to Halloween.

What do Poltergeist, The Wolf Man, Abbott and Costello, and Frankenstein have in common? It could be a love of movie theater popcorn, but it’s not. They are actually just part of the mixed bag of scary springing up at Zeitgeist Zinema. For the Halloween month of screams, in addition to a variety of frightening cinema, the theater will also…

Kwik Trip Experiencing “Disruption” to its Systems

Company says loyalty program among things affected.

The Kwik Trip stores have apparently been having some technology-related issues over the past two days. On Monday, Madison television station WKOW reported that some customers were posting on social media that they were having problems with the store’s app, rewards program, and telephone service. Tuesday, Kwik Trip issued a statement saying, “As you are aware, we are currently experiencing…

DECC Board Releases Detailed Statement: ‘We Need A New Model, We Will Get Through This’

DULUTH, Minn. – The board of directors at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center released an extensive public statement Monday on the DECC’s website explaining the entertainment venue’s financial situation, the responsibilities of the board and how they plan to move forward. The statement also provides a ‘question and answer’ section to help the public understand the challenges and successes at…

Time of Reflection and Inspiration on Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Generations united through song, words and determination.

Duluth commemorated Indigenous Peoples’ Day as a holiday Monday. The cold winds were swirling around City Hall, but they did not lessen the resolve of those in attendance. The group gathered with music and the spoken word to acknowledge the painful history indigenous people have had, and to celebrate the promise of the future. No one exemplifies that promise of…

Bentleyville Tree is Up!

Ironworkers donate their time every year to assemble and stack the sections.

It’s a sure sign that the holiday season–and Bentleyville–are nearly here! The Christmas tree at Bentleyville’s “Tour of Lights” went up Saturday morning. One hundred twenty-eight feet to the top, and for all the Northland to see in the months ahead. As always, Iron Workers Local 512 were the volunteers who used their skills to assemble the sections and connect…

‘Democratic Socialists Of America’ Backs Palestine Amid Gaza-Israel Conflict; Duluth DSA-Endorsed Candidates Respond

DULUTH, Minn. – The Twin Ports Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), which has endorsed three Duluth city council candidates for the upcoming November election, is calling for support to “take to the streets to join a protest for peace and against funding the Israeli state.” The DSA released the following statement Saturday: “DSA is steadfast in expressing our solidarity with…

City Of Duluth’s Largest Employee Union Passes On Mayoral Endorsement

DULUTH, Minn. – AFSCME Council 5, the city of Duluth’s largest bargaining unit representing employees like plow drivers, librarians and utility workers, has chosen not to endorse any mayoral candidate for the upcoming November election. In a statement to FOX 21, AFSCME said: “While our union members have endorsed in this race in previous election years, our members have decided…

DECC Board ‘Charged With Fiduciary Oversight And Governance’; Board Members Chosen By Mayor, Governor

DULUTH, Minn. — There’s been a lot of attention on the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center over the past couple weeks involving financial troubles and job eliminations, like 28-year employee Jeff Stark. DECC Exec. Dir. Dan Hartman, who has been on the job for 2.5 years, has said expenses are too high when it comes to increased wages and replacing failing…

ATV Passenger Killed By Tree Branch To The Chest

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Minn. – A woman was killed over the weekend after being struck by a tree branch while riding on a side-by-side ATV. The accident happened around 7:40 p.m. Saturday on an ATV trail located south of Hibbing, according to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office. The 38-year-old woman from Meadowlands was struck in the chest by the…

Essentia St. Mary’s Boosts Security

DULUTH, Minn. — Essentia St. Mary’s announced Friday that it is implementing visitor badges beginning next Tuesday When entering the new facility on Second Street, you will need to stop at the Reception Desk. There, you will need to present a photo ID in order to receive the visitor badge. The badge is good for that day only and needs…

Fall Brings Out Sport Card Collectors

Football of course, but playoff baseball brings an added interest.

Fall is in the air. That means football, and this fall–even the Twins! That is good news for people who are into collecting or selling sports cards. At the Miller Hill Mall Friday, it was “game on!” As in Game On Sportscard Collectors and Memorabilia show. Long time collector and dealer Austin Knute had a big selection on display, and…

Fatal Car Crash on Martin Road Near Duluth

Sheriff says car was making U-turn when it was hit by a truck.

RICE LAKE, Minn. — Authorities say a passenger in a van was killed Friday morning when the vehicle made a U-turn on Martin Road in Rice Lake. The fatal victim has been identified as 78-year-old Paul Larson of Duluth. The incident happened about 8:45 a.m. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s office said the van he was riding in was traveling…

Coffee Conversation: Chum’s Golden Gala Commemorating 50th Anniversary

DULUTH, Minn. — Chum will host a Golden Gala on Tuesday, October 17 at the DECC commemorating 50 years of assisting those experiencing homelessness. Chum Director of Communications and Marketing Bradley Zwagerman joined FOX21 live on the morning newscast to talk about the event and its purpose. There will be a gourmet dinner, silent and live auctions, inspiring stories, and…

Coffee Conversation: North of Nashville Fall Festival

SILVER BAY, Minn. — North of Nashville is coming to the Silver Bay Reunion Hall on Friday, October 13 for a Country Music Fall Festival. Musician Bo Allen joined FOX21 on the morning newscast Friday to talk about the event and play some tunes live in-studio. North of Nashville is the Midwest’s connection to premier country music, talent, and entertainment….

City To Break Ground On DECC Seawall-Waterfront Reconstruction

DULUTH, Minn. — The summer season has past and so has another delay in a major seawall-waterfront reconstruction project behind the DECC.  But, FOX 21 confirmed Thursday that construction is officially getting underway later this month. Rendering of what the area will look like come 2025 Jim Filby Williams, the city’s director of public administration, said all federal and state…

DECC Exec. Dir. Addresses Job Cuts At Struggling Entertainment Venue

DULUTH, Minn.– DECC Exec. Dir. Dan Hartman found himself in the spotlight Thursday after news broke Wednesday night that he was cutting DECC expenses in the hundreds of thousands, including layoffs and eliminating positions. “So, the DECC has been definitely between a rock and a hard place. I think I talked about this with the City Council a couple weeks…

28-Year DECC Employee Among Positions Eliminated Amid Financial Struggles

DULUTH, Minn. – FOX 21 has learned that multiple job eliminations have begun at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC), just one week since Executive Director Dan Hartman asked and received a $1 million emergency line of credit from the city council. DECC Exec. Dir. Dan Hartman during an interview with FOX 21 Sept. 24 Hartman said at the time…

UMD Faculty Union Rallies Amid Contract Negotiations

DULUTH, Minn. — Job security, research restrictions and increased teacher workload among concerns voiced Thursday (Oct 5) at a rally held by University of Minnesota Duluth union faculty members. This as contract negotiations continue with UMD administration. Duluth members of the University Education Association (UEA-Duluth) along with staff, students and a few city representatives rallied at UMD’s Kirby Plaza Bus…

Coffee Conversation: Bill Hinden Presents “The Great Jewish American Songbook” at Temple Israel

DULUTH, Minn. — Temple Israel will host a live presentation and performance by Bill Hindin of Songs and Stories of the Jewish Composers of Popular Music of the 20th Century. Temple Israel Board Member Jack Seiler joined FOX21 on the morning newscast Thursday to talk about the event and its purpose. Hindin uses multi-media, jokes, piano playing and song to…

Update on Lead Water Pipe Removal

DULUTH, Minn. –In May of his year the city began work on replacing all lead water pipes in the city. A pilot project was started on Eighth Street, running between 7th Avenue and 14th Avenue. An update on the pilot project was given on Wednesday. Jon Maruska, the Senior Engineering Specialist on the project, said so far, about 85 of…