Minnesota

Ely Celebrates 30th Annual Winter Festival Event

ELY, Minn. — Just in time for the ice cold weather, Ely’s 10-day Winter Festival is kicking off this week. The Winter Festival has been taking place for the past 30 years, featuring all things snow and ice. A few things festival goers might find, include; Giant snow sculptures in Whiteside Park Local creations in the Ely ArtWalk End of…

Coffee Conversation: Duluth Fat-Tire Bicyclist to Tackle Alaskan Iditarod

DULUTH, Minn. — Local fat-tire bicyclist Leah Gruhn gears up for Alaskan Iditarod 1,000-mile race, becoming the first person from Minnesota to do so on the Southern Route. Gruhn joined FOX21 on the morning show to talk about race preparations and prior success. The Iditarod Trail Invitational will feature qualified athletes and adventurers from around the world in late February….

Hobbs, Anderson Won’t Seek Reelection To Duluth City Council

DULUTH, Minn. — Two Duluth city councilors are not running for reelection in 2023. First District Councilor Gary Anderson announced Tuesday he is proud of the work he’s been able to accomplish over the past eight years. At one point, Anderson served as council president. He started in politics in 2012 as an organizer for the Minnesotans United For All…

Feb. 1, 2018: Historic NorShor Theatre Reopens With ‘Mamma Mia!’

DULUTH, Minn. – Tuesday marked the historic NorShor Theatre’s five-year anniversary since its $30 million re-opening in downtown Duluth. Opening night was Feb. 1, 2018 with the popular musical “Mamma Mia!” It was a special moment after 19 months of construction and renovations. The NorShor first opened as the Orpheum Theatre in 1910. The building ran into trouble in the…

Brutal Wind Chills Mean Brutal Firefighting Conditions

SUPERIOR, Wis. – With wind chill temperatures at 30, 40 or 50 below zero, it’s probably safe to say nobody likes that type of weather, especially firefighters. The dangerous conditions happened just two days ago for Superior firefighters who were fighting brutally cold air during the Wasabi restaurant fire on Tower Avenue. Battalion Chief Steve Miner described what it’s like…

Fate Of Last Ex-Cop Charged In Floyd Murder Lies With Judge

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The attorney for a former Minneapolis police officer who held back bystanders while his colleagues restrained a dying George Floyd said in court filings Tuesday that his client is innocent of criminal wrongdoing and should be acquitted on state charges of aiding and abetting murder and manslaughter. But prosecutors argued in their filings that Tou Thao “acted…

Spirit Mountain Now Open 6 Days A Week

Spirit Mountain had been open 5 days a week since November 25.

DULUTH, Minn. — After only being open 5 days a week since November, Spirit Mountain has added another day of operations. According to a press release, Spirit Mountain had been struggling with staffing shortages and after an aggressive recruitment and retention effort, now have enough staff to keep the hill open longer. The slopes will now be open Tuesdays starting…

Duluth Police Department Releases First-Ever ‘Stop Data Report’

DULUTH, Minn. — For the first time, the Duluth Police Department released a stop data report for 2022 Tuesday. The report shows 5,944 traffic and subject stops were conducted between January and December last year. Of that number, 61 percent were moving violations, 36 percent were equipment violations, and 3 percent were suspicious activity. 4,686 of those stops ended in warnings….

Will Northern Lights Express Receive Funding this Legislative Session?

Duluth, Minn. –Duluth Senator Jennifer McEwen is leading the effort in the State Senate to get funding in the budget for Northern Lights Express (NLX).   McEwen stressed the point that the project has broad support from a variety of people and places. “We have broad, bi-partisan support for this project and we have for some time,” said McEwen. “Some of us…

Progress Made For St. Louis River Area Of Concern

MINNESOTA — Well things are looking up for the St. Louis River Area of Concern as they recently checked off a crucial item on their list to make the river cleaner and healthier. This accomplishment was the Degraded Fish and Wildlife Populations Beneficial Use Impairment, which they achieved by habitat restoration to improve healthy wildlife and fish populations. According to…

Abortion In Minnesota: Walz Signs ‘Fundamental Right’ To Abortion Into State Law

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed legislation Tuesday guaranteeing abortion access in state law, which puts Minnesota among the first states to implement new abortion protections since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year. The law creating a “fundamental right” to abortion takes effect Wednesday, making it harder for a court to roll back Minnesota’s existing abortion protections. Abortion…

Unarmed Man Arrested After Making Threats To Shoot Up Duluth Airport

DULUTH, Minn. — A man is behind bars after making threats to shoot while at the Duluth International Airport Tuesday morning. The Duluth Police Department says the incident happened at 8:30 a.m. when a 51-year-old man from Virginia was supposedly suffering from a mental health issue and making threats to shoot. Police set up a perimeter when they got there,…

Durenberger, Former US Senator From Minnesota, Dies At 88

(AP) — Former U.S. Senator David Durenberger, a Minnesota Republican who espoused a progressive brand of politics and criticized the GOP after his political career, died Tuesday at age 88. Durenberger’s health had declined in recent months, his longtime spokesperson Tom Horner said. Horner told The Associated Press that Durenberger died Tuesday morning of natural causes. He was at his…

Knowing Your Neighbors: Haulin’ Hotdish Food Truck

DULUTH, Minn. — “Hotdish has everything that you need as far as hitting all the food groups and also like I feel like hotdish is so Minnesota. And it’s cold and it’s comforting,” said Rachael Morris, customer of Haulin’ Hotdish. The Haulin’ Hotdish Food Truck is officially in business after deciding winter would be the perfect time to open. Haulin’…

Duluth Highway 53 Interchange Project

DULUTH, Minn.– The Minnesota Department of Transportation continues to try and keep drivers and the community up-to-date on what’s going on. Another camera has been added to the project site, and is available on the DOT website. During an online briefing today, the department said the project has also been fairly safe so far, with injuries to workers kept to…

Coffee Conversation: AICHO to Host Concert Fundraiser For DV Shelter Expansion

DULUTH, Minn. — The American Indian Community Housing Organization (AICHO) presents concert fundraiser for its domestic violence shelter expansion project. AICHO is expanding its DV shelter Dabinoo’Igan to increase resources and capacity to help more victims of domestic and sexual violence. A fundraiser concert will take place on April 6 at the NorShore Theater. AICHO Legal Advocate, Deanna Reder joined…

Duluth Mayor and Police Chief React to Memphis Police Beating Death

Duluth, Minn. – -Duluth’s Mayor and Police Chief posted statements on Social media Saturday regarding the release of the video which showed Tyre Nichols being beaten to death at the hands of five Memphis police offiicers. Duluth Mayor Emily Larson said in a statment, “It’s an absolutely tragic and terrible death. I remain committed to the work ahead to listen…

Abortion Bill Passes Minnesota Senate

Duluth, Minn. —  After 15 hours of debate, the Minnesota Senate passed the Protect Reproduction Options bill, known as the PRO bill. It wasn’t until about 3 AM Saturday morning that the Senate voted. The vote went straight along party lines, DFLers 34, Republicans 33. Democrats had fast tracked the bill to codify the abortion rights in the state. Proponents…

Cutest Puppy Contest held at Fitgers

DULUTH, Minn. — Walking through a hallway of Duluth’s most adorable puppies may sound like a dream, but it came true once again as 40 puppies, from the ages of 4 to 9 months, got a chance to prove that they are the cutest of them all. The event was free and open to the public with ballots being handed…

Police Chief Thankful For Community’s Support After Deaths Of Superior Officer’s Daughter, Retired K-9

K-9 Marik died one day after Hailey Eastman's unexpected death from an undiagnosed cardiac condition

SUPERIOR, Wis. – It has been a painful and challenging time over the past couple of weeks for the Superior Police Department with the unexpected losses of Sgt. Nick Eastman’s teenage daughter and his retired K-9 Marik. Late Friday, Police Chief Nicholas Alexander expressed his thanks to everyone who has helped his department through this difficult time. Hailey Eastman In…

New Billy’s Bar Owner Excited, Ready For Beargrease Sunday

DULUTH, Minn. – Excitement is building for Sunday’s John Beargrease Sled Dog marathon. And that’s especially true for the new owner of Billy’s Bar. Billy’s is the starting line for Beargrease. It’s the prime spot to see all the dogs and mushers getting ready for the big race. For owner Brian Larson, he’s beyond ready to experience his first-ever Beargrease….

Lake Superior Ice Festival Kicks Off

SUPERIOR, Wisc.– The Lake Superior Ice Festival kicked off this evening in preparations for the main events tomorrow. It’s the 7th annual year for this event at Barkers Island. Tonight, there were yard games set up. Superior police officers and firefighters continued playing their traditional Kubb match. Visitors also got a chance to play some disc golf on the ice…

EMTs Meet in Duluth

Duluth, Minn. — Emergency Medical personnel, fire fighters and law enforcement professionals are meeting in Duluth. Attendees come from throughout the state and Wisconsin to learn more about new and different ways to deal with traumatic events. The job can be stressful, sometimes very stressful, but there ae many people who want to get into the field, generally known as…

Minnesota Senate Debates More Protection For Abortion Rights

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Senate began debate Friday on a bill to write broad protections for abortion rights into state statutes, which would make it difficult for future courts to roll back. Democratic legislative leaders have fast-tracked the bill as one of their top priorities for the 2023 session — in reaction to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision last summer to reverse Roe…

Damiano Center Hosts Community Event For Those In Need

DULUTH, Minn. — Every October and January a community event is held as a one-stop-shop service for Northland members in need. Thursday, the Damiano Center hosted the Donna Howard Community Connect that involved local organizations such as Safe Haven, Life House, and the Salvation Army. They provided various free resources such as haircuts, hot meals, and help with getting warrants…

Minnesota Boundary Waters: US Moves To Protect Area From Planned Mine

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – The Biden administration moved Thursday to protect northeastern Minnesota’s pristine Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness from future mining, dealing a potentially fatal blow to a copper-nickel project. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland signed an order closing over 350 square miles (900 square kilometers) of the Superior National Forest, in the Rainy River Watershed around the town of Ely, to…

St. Luke’s Volunteer Receives State Award

DULUTH, Minn. — One community member now holds a commendable state award for more than 25 years spent volunteering at St. Luke’s. Wednesday, Linda Tezak was granted the “Presidents Award” from Minnesota Association of Healthcare Volunteers. Tezak is currently the MAHV Membership Chair and Interim District B Chair. She’s been volunteering with St. Luke’s for more than 25 years completing…

Gooseberry Falls Park in the Winter

Duluth, Minn. — It’s been a very snowy winter, and now the deep cold is moving in.  This could mean that Cabin Fever is at your doorstep and it’s time to begin to fight that feeling. Ted Kent, who was at Gooseberry Falls Park said, “So beautiful, especially when it’s snowing.” As he was talking you could hear the birds…

Walz Extends Unemployment Pay For Northeast Minnesota Miners

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz signed his second bill of the young 2023 legislative session Wednesday, extending unemployment benefits for six months for more than 400 laid-off workers at Northshore Mining. Northshore Mining shut down May 1, and about 450 workers out of around 580 workers there and at an associated contractor have been laid off. Unemployment…

Faculty Calls On Embattled Minnesota College Head To Resign

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Faculty leaders at a Minnesota college that dismissed an art history instructor who showed depictions of the Prophet Muhammad in a course have overwhelmingly called for the university president to resign. Faculty leaders at Hamline University said 71 of 92 members who attended a meeting Tuesday voted to call on President Fayneese Miller to resign immediately. They…

Minnesota ‘Name A Snowplow’ Finalists Announced

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – The finalists for MnDOT’s 2022-2023 “Name a Snowplow” are in and the voting is open. MnDOT announced the 60 finalists Wednesday morning, which include “Miracle on Ice,” “Taylor Drift” and “Camp Scoopy”. The finalists were selected from over 10,000 submissions. According to MnDOT, the finalists were selected based on “including uniqueness, frequency of submissions, Minnesota-specific ideas, and names…

Chum Food Shelf Program In Need Of Drivers

DULUTH, Minn. — If you need food, just head to the grocery store. For some people it is not that easy. Chum’s food shelf is looking for volunteer drivers to make deliveries every other Thursday between 9.30 am and 12. “The people who get the deliveries are people with disabilities, seniors, families who don’t have transportation, and it’s also designed…

Coffee Conversation: Two Harbors Musher Gears Up for Beargrease Race

DULUTH, Minn. — Two Harbors Musher Colleen Wallin and sled dog Maple joined FOX21 on the morning show ahead of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon this weekend. The Beargrease Marathon starts at 10:00 am Sunday, Jan. 29 at Billy’s Bar in Duluth and will finish around 5:00 pm Tuesday, Jan. 31 at the Grand Portage Lodge and Casino. This…

St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office Launches Crime-Mapping Tool

DULUTH, Minn. — The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office officially launched its new crime-mapping tool online Tuesday for residents to view. The crime map shows all types of crimes pinpointed to the street where they occurred. People can filter the results by date, location and type of incident, like arson, burglary, sex offenses, assault and homicide, among others. Information is…