Minnesota

City of Duluth: Flooded Roads Continue As Creeks, Streams, Sewers Overflow

DULUTH, Minn. — The city of Duluth continues to feel the effects of heavy rainfall over the last 24 hours that has caused creeks, streams and some sanitary sewers to overflow.  The information below is a news release from the city about road closures, as of 5:30 p.m. Sunday.   Chester Creek: -Niagara Street -Norton Road at the crossing nearest…

Two Harbors Fall Art Fair Returns for 7th Year

TWO HARBORS, Minn. — The Two Harbors fall art fair returns this weekend for its 7th year and it’s packed with talented artists. Over 30 artists are showing off and selling their fine art. From jewelry, paintings, pottery and a whole lot more. One artist will even be hosting an interactive activity Sunday where people can create their own art….

POLICE: Shots Fired in Superior, No Threat To Public

UPDATE (September 22, 9:10 a.m.) — The Superior Police Department says they do not believe there is an ongoing threat to the public. At 6 a.m. Friday the Emergency Response Team completed their tasks and cleared the area. Authorities say there will be a police presence in the area Friday as the incident is investigated. Superior Police ask anyone with…

‘Chester Park Playground Celebration’ Set For Late Barry Family

Barry family DULUTH, Minn. — It’s been about a year and a half since the Barry family was killed in their Duluth home by a relative. And now, the community is close to celebrating improvements at Chester Park in the name of the Barry’s daughters – Shiway and Sadie. The community helped raise $22,000 to install a new spinner element,…

Duluth Developer To Transform Downtown Building Into Workforce Housing

DULUTH, Minn. – New workforce housing is coming to a prominent location in downtown Duluth.  But it won’t be in the form of a new building. Duluth-based Titanium Partners will soon be transforming the historic Ordean Building across from Maurices on West Superior Street into 35 new apartments, according to Brian Forcier, owner of Titanium Partners. The units will be…

Minnesota’s First Office Of Cannabis Management Director Is Named

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Minnesota’s first Office of Cannabis Management director has been appointed. Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan announced Erin DuPree has been appointed the state’s first director of the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). Starting Oct. 2, DuPree will start building the new state agency and will have a leadership role in establishing and regulating the adult-use…

Coffee Conversation: Duluth Playhouse Kicks Off New Season with ‘Young Frankenstein’

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Playhouse is launching its 2023 – 2024 season with the musical comedy Young Frankenstein, running September 15 to October 1 at the historic NorShor Theatre. Duluth Playhouse Executive Director Wes Drummond joined FOX21 on the morning newscast Thursday to talk about the spooky, funny show and the rest of the season. Young Frankenstein is filled with…

Cloquet Police to Get Body Cams and Updated Tasers

  CLOQUET, Minn. –The Cloquet City Council approved the purchase of body-worn cameras and new Tasers for its Police Department. The 24 cameras cost slightly more than 159 thousand dollars, while the 24 Tasers were slightly more than 101 Thousand Dollars. These prices include service through December 2028. Because the two items were bundled together, Cloquet was able to receive a…

GO Pack GO Bill Re-introduced

  Courtesy: Green Bay Packers WASHINGTON D.C. — Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin wants Television viewers in all of Wisconsin to be able to watch Green Bay Packers games. She has re-introduced the GO Pack GO legislation that would require cable and satellite providers to air the Packers game, no matter what the local station is running. If this passes, it…

Coffee Conversation: Local Authors to Participate in Discussions at Twin Ports Libraries

DULUTH, Minn. — The Twin Ports Perceptions project will host panel discussions with six local authors at Superior Public Library on September 26 and Duluth Public Library on October 10. Superior Public Library Programming and Partnerships Manager Leslie Mehle and Featured Author Jayson Iwen joined FOX21 on the morning newscast Wednesday, September 20 to talk about the upcoming events and their…

Advocates Honored For Efforts Surrounding Homelessness In Minnesota

DULUTH, Minn. — The annual conference focusing on the issue of homelessness and housing continued Tuesday at the DECC with an awards ceremony. Each year the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless recognizes efforts made by groups or individuals for their commitment to end homelessness across the state. Awards were presented to 6 recipients. The American Indian Community Housing Organization, or…

Downtown Duluth Study: 2,500 New Housing Units Possible Within 5 Years

DULUTH, Minn. – A downtown Duluth housing study shows the potential for as many as 2,500 new housing units within the next five years. It’s a welcomed projection for a downtown that’s seen undesirable vacancy rates since the pandemic, like other cities have experienced across the country. The outside firm, Zimmerman-Volk Associates, presented its findings publicly Tuesday, which shows downtown…

Duluth Playhouse Now Owns The Historic NorShor Theatre

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Playhouse — one of the nation’s oldest non-profit theatres — has officially been handed the key to the historic NorShor Theatre as the new owners of the state-of-the-art facility. Sherman Associates, the developer that took on the $29.5 million overhaul of the theatre in 2017, officially closed its chapter on the project Tuesday with a…

Volunteers Needed: ‘Bentleyville Tour Of Lights’ Setup Begins Saturday

DULUTH, Minn. — Believe it or not, it’s time to talk Christmas and Bentleyville Tour of Lights! On Tuesday, some of the storage trucks and equipment – even some decorations — were already in the parking lot at Bayfront Festival Park. The first day of volunteering starts this Saturday from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.  That schedule will continue every…

Moose Lake Correctional Facility Prepares Inmates to Rejoin Society

MOOSE LAKE, Minn. –The Moose Lake Correctional Facility held a Transitions Resource Fair today to help its inmates prepare for life on the outside and the challenges they will face. According to the Facility’s Warden, this program has been ongoing for more than two decades and has proved to be successful. Bringing experts into the prison to talk with inmates…

Fond Du Lac Tribal And Community College Holds Inauguration Ceremony For New President

CLOQUET, Minn. — An inauguration ceremony was held Monday for the 5th president of Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College. Anita Hanson was named president by the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities in June. Hanson has been with the college since 1994. She has served as the Vice President of Student Services and Enrollment…

Klobuchar, Stauber Call On FAA To ‘Expedite’ Approvals For New DLH Air Traffic Control Tower

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar and U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber have joined forces to help rebuild Duluth’s aging air traffic control tower. The two have sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and his team to urge the FAA to expedite any reviews and approvals necessary for the Duluth International Airport to pursue a federal grant to help get a…

Homeless Advocates Convene At DECC As Another Duluth Encampment Is Pushed Out

DULUTH, Minn. — Another growing homeless encampment in Duluth got torn down and moved out Monday. It comes as local and state leaders try to strike a balance between public health and safety, and caring for those facing their worst days without a roof over their heads. The lack of affordable housing in Duluth continues to be highlighted by the…

Shots Fired Investigation Underway In Two Harbors

TWO HARBORS, Minn. — Two Harbors police are investigating a “shots fired” incident near townhomes. Police responded to the Rustic Creek Townhomes around 7 p.m. Sunday for the report of gunshots. Police called in assistance from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota State Patrol and the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office to conduct a search of the immediate and surrounding…

Duluth Police: Bar Fight Between 2 Women Ended In Assault By 2 Men

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Police Department issued an update Monday involving an assault of a woman at the Rustic Bar in West Duluth. Investigators reviewed surveillance video from inside the bar, which they say shows two females getting into a physical fight with each other before two men get involved by assaulting the 39-year-old female victim. The woman went…

Sheriff: Darkness, Speed, Alcohol Factors In Lake Vermilion Boating Accident

LAKE VERMILION, Minn. — Nighttime darkness, speed and alcohol are believed to be contributing factors in a boating accident on Lake Vermilion over the weekend, according to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office. Officials said two people from the Twin Cities were vacationing on Lake Vermilion when their pontoon slammed into Rainbow Island. The female passenger was thrown from the…

State Patrol Asks For Public’s Help In Itasca Co. Fatal Hit-And-Run

The Minnesota State Patrol is investigating a hit-and-run in Itasca County that killed a pedestrian. The incident happened between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. Sunday on Highway 6 between Highway 2 and County Road 19 near Deer River Township. The State Patrol is asking anyone with information about the incident to call the Virginia District Investigator at (218) 735-3729. Officials…

Women’s Course Record Broken At 2023 NorthShore Inline Marathon

DULUTH, Minn. — The weather was perfect for this weekend’s NorthShore Inline Marathon — the largest of its kind in North America. Tone Coughlin Photography The 26.2-mile course is much like the course for Grandma’s Marathon, starting in Two Harbors and taking racers along the Scenic North Shore before entering the tunnels of I-35 and ending by the DECC. The…

Uncovering The History Behind Some Of Duluth’s Historic Properties

DULUTH, Minn. — Several of Duluth’s historic buildings opened up for self-guided tours on Sunday. Within all six locations, people had the chance to explore the nooks and crannies of some of Duluth’s most elegant architecture. One stop was the Anton C. & Mary Weiss house in the Congdon Park neighborhood. The house was originally built in 1927, and housed…

Duluth Artist Creates Ship Drawings

  DULUTH, Minn. — Ships in the shipping canal in Duluth have always gotten Jim Mattson’s attention, ever since he was a boy. “From the back window of our house, you could see the land and the bridge, and the ships would go in and out all the time. I would get my binoculars and just watch them all the…

Model Railroad Returns to the Duluth Depot

DULUTH, Minn. — All aboard!!! The Minnesota Free-Mo Modelers brought back the annual model train event to the Duluth Depot this weekend. Dozens of builders created their own designs to connect together to make a model railroad track that was 1:87 scale. From city-scapes to the country side the model had detail you could only see close up, from stop…

Ground Breaking for New Senior Apartment Complex in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — The Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Duluth broke ground on a new senior apartment project Friday. Skyridge Flats will be a 70 unit apartment complex for seniors 55 and up. The project will cost around 19 million dollars, with 14 million coming from Housing Infrastructure Bonds from Minnesota Housing. The rest is funded through the Duluth HRA…

Coffee Conversation: Brain Injury Survivor Shares Story in Honor of ‘Walk for Thought’

DULUTH, Minn. — The Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance will host its annual Walk for Thought event on Saturday, Sept. 16 in Duluth and in the Twin Cities/New Brighton. Brain Injury Survivor and Walk for Thought Honoree Jon Wiggins shared his story of recovery on the FOX21 morning newscast. St. Luke’s Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit Admissions Coordinator Amanda Johnson also weighed in…

Hibbing Man Sentenced To 8.5 Years For Girlfriend’s Death

A Hibbing man who admitted to killing his girlfriend in 2022 will spend the next 8.5 years in prison for the crime In August, Eric James Jarvis, 47, pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in connection to the death of 43-year-old Kari Jo Petrich. Police arrested Jarvis in June of 2022 after he called 911 about the woman’s death. When police…

Senator Tina Smith Talks Housing

DULUTH, Minn. — Minnesota Senator Tina Smith held a hearing this week on the lack of housing nationwide and ways the housing situation could be improved. Smith is the Chair of the Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development. She says the housing shortage is not a new issue, it’s been happening and growing for the past 30 years. Smith…

Why No Vikings vs Eagles Over-The-Air Broadcast in the Northland?

League rules don't allow it. FOX21 cannot carry the game.

Many excited Minnesota Vikings fans are making plans to watch Thursday night’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles. And, because FOX21 broadcasts so many football games all season, we are being asked if we are going to air the Vikings/Eagles game. Unfortunately, the answer is no. But it’s not our choice! We are not allowed to broadcast the game. The NFL’s…

Love Gala to be Held Thursday

DULUTH, Minn. — Being a foster parent can be difficult. Oftentimes, the caregivers need support, a break, or even just someone to talk with. That’s where Duluth-based “New Hope for Families” steps in to help. The non-profit started in 2019. It’s all about creating a supportive community for all adoptive and foster children and families. Thursday night, New Hope for…

Larson, Reinert Square Off In First Public Mayoral Debate Ahead Of Nov. Election

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth’s mayoral candidates were side-by-side Wednesday for their first candidate forum ahead of the general election Nov. 7. The Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce and the Duluth News Tribune are behind the forum. The mayoral race between incumbent Emily Larson and Roger Reinert is clearly the top of the closely watched races in Duluth, among council and…

Duluth School Board Candidates on the Issues

Referendum and School Resource Officers are election issues.

Wednesday, the public had a chance to hear from Duluth School Board candidates in their own forum. In the city-wide At-Large race, incumbent Alanna Oswald and challenger Stephanie Williams discussed their views. Both candidates said they support the school referendum directed toward technology investment as pandemic relief funds end. However, they disagreed on the use of School Resource Officers. Oswald…

Helping Teachers With Free Supplies

DULUTH, Minn. — Teachers go above and beyond to ensure their students get the best education possible. In many cases, this means teachers spend their own money on supplies or additional teaching aids for their classroom and this can add up. Amanda Techek has been teaching for 14 years in a variety of roles and schools. On Tuesday, she picked…

Defense Department Awards $20.6 Million To Support Nickel Prospecting In Minnesota And Michigan

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Department of Defense on Tuesday awarded $20.6 million to developers of the proposed Talon nickel mine in Minnesota under a program to strengthen domestic supply chains for critical minerals. The defense funds will support prospecting work in Michigan and Minnesota, and follow a $114 million grant by the Department of Energy last year to help build Talon Metals’…