Minnesota

Coffee Conversation: Denfeld Theater Students’ Present “I Hate Valentine’s Day” Production

DULUTH, Minn. — Whether you love or hate Valentine’s Day, you’ll find comedic relief at Denfeld High School’s short production, “I hate Valentine’s Day,” this February. Cast members Madeline Juntunen and Reggie Frederick joined FOX21 on the morning newscast ahead of the show’s debut. “I Hate Valentine’s Day” will take place Feb. 10 at the Denfeld Auditorium, 7:00 pm. It’s…

One Man Dead After Snowmobile Crash In Pequot Lakes

PEQUOT LAKES, Minn. — A man is dead after a snowmobile crash that happened in Pequot Lakes Tuesday morning. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office says around 9:30 a.m. they received a call of a snowmobile crash on Maple Leaf Snowmobile Trail along County Road 1 in Maple Township. When they got on scene, authorities say they learned a 54-year-old man…

Minnesota Sets Goal Of Having 100% Carbon-Free Energy by 2040

Duluth, Minn. — Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed a bill into law on Tuesday that mandates Minnesota’s public power companies become 100% carbon-free by 2040. Power companies and political leaders are not sure how this will be accomplished. What is clear, is that there is a need for many more solar, wind and biomass facilities to be added to replace…

Coffee Conversation: 26th Annual Duluth and St. Louis County Days at the Capitol

DULUTH, Minn. —  The 26th Annual Duluth and St. Louis County Days at the Capitol will be held Wednesday, Feb. 8, and Thursday, Feb. 9, in Saint Paul. Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce Vice President Daniel Fanning joined FOX21 on the morning show on Tuesday to talk about the top priorities at hand. The 2023 legislative priorities of the chamber…

2 Seriously Injured In Stabbing, Virginia Man Arrested

VIRGINIA, Minn. — Virginia Police are investigating after a man stabbed two people who were seriously injured Monday evening. The incident occurred around 5:15 p.m. in the 300 block of 8th Street South in Virginia. The Virginia Police say a 59-year-old woman and 52-year-old man sustained serious injuries after being stabbed with a knife by a 63-year-old man. The 63-year-old…

‘Very Scary Stuff:’ Resident Describes Police Standoff At Greysolon Apartments

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DULUTH, Minn. – There were tense moments Monday at the Greysolon Apartments in downtown Duluth when a man with a sword caused an hours-long standoff with police. The incident ended safely after Duluth’s Tactical Response Team breached the apartment door, according to officials. While the alleged threats of violence from the man made residents feel uneasy, police said the end…

Don Ness, Dan Hanger Among ‘Singing With The Stars’ Contestants At NorShor Theatre

The competition is March 3!

DULUTH, Minn. — You’ve probably heard of “Dancing With The St’ars,” but what about “Singing With The Stars?” And what if some of the singing contestants included former mayor Don Ness and FOX 21’s Dan Hanger? Well, it’s happening March 3 at the NorShor Theatre! Tickets are on sale now. It’s a 100-percent fundraiser for the Duluth Playhouse. Tickets to…

Man With Sword Safely Detained After Standoff In Greysolon Apartment

UPDATE (February 6, 3:55 p.m.) — A man with a sword who barricaded himself in a Duluth apartment for more than four hours Monday surrendered to authorities without harming anyone. It happened in an apartment on the 8th floor of the Greysolon building. Authorities tried negotiating with the “agitated” man by phone for hours until the Tactical Response Team breached…

Coffee Conversation: 3rd Annual BIPOC Business Showcase Returns to Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — The 3rd Annual Northland BIPOC Business Showcase to take place Feb. 11 at the St. Louis County Depot on Michigan Street. Family Freedom Center Youth Services Operations Director Pez Davila joined FOX21 on the morning show to talk about the event and its purpose. The showcase is held to highlight local, diverse artists and business owners while…

Coffee Conversation: Shakespeare Production of Twelfth Night takes to UMD’s Stage

DULUTH, Minn. — The University of Minnesota Duluth Theatre Department presents “Twelfth Night,” a production by William Shakespeare at the Marshall Performing Arts Center. Cast member Mackenzie Ammon and Theatre Department Head Mark Harvey joined FOX21 on the morning newscast ahead of opening night. This Shakespeare comedy will take place from Feb. 7-12. For ticket information, click here. Free admission…

New Exhibit Opens at Great Lakes Aquarium.

DULUTH, Minn.– The well-loved American crow named Freeway is getting used to his new enclosure at the Great Lakes Aquarium after being out of sight for more than a year as his new home was being built. The newly constructed exhibit Wild Neighbors opened Saturday. And it is home to three non-releasable animals who would be neighbors in the wild….

Kids Race Down the Slopes at Chester Park

DULUTH, Minn. – “Today is the 1st race of our alpine race season for both skiers and snowboarders,” said Dave Schaeffer, the Chester Bowl director. “This race has been sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Duluth for 55 years, back to when it was first a ski jumping event.” Children between the ages of 3 and 16 were able to…

UMD Hosts STEM Discovery Day

Duluth, Minn. — Students from area middle and high schools were on the campus of the University of Minnesota Duluth this afternoon. The Swenson College of Science and Engineering held a STEM Discovery Day. 128 students from schools around the area were learning various ways that STEM, or Science, Technology, Engineering and Math are being used in a variety of…

Denfeld Robotics Team Building its Robot

Duluth, Minn. — Come early next month the DECC will be crawling with robots. These robots will be different from the robots you’ve seen in the movies and on TV …. And they all will have been built by high school students. One of the school’s building a robot is Denfeld. Robotics team 4009 has done very well in competition…

LSC Cleans Kids Smile’s for Free

DULUTH, Minn. — Looking for that little something to fix your smile? Well for kids, Lake Superior College united with local dentists for Give Kids a Smile Day. Anyone under the age of 18 from any background were able to get a free cleaning. Whenever it’s cleanings to fillings, and some hope not for the pullings, volunteer dental students and…

Coffee Conversation: Heart Health / National Wear Red Day

DULUTH, Minn. — Friday, Feb. 3 is National Wear Red Day, held to raise awareness of cardiovascular disease in women. More than 44% of women aged 20 and older are living with some form of cardiovascular disease, according to the American Heart Association. St. Luke’s Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr. Mary Boylan joined FOX21 on the morning show to talk heart health…

DTA Offers Free Rides On Transit Equity Day

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Transit Authority is taking on a new initiative, offering free rides to the community Friday and Saturday. Transit Equity Day is a national day to commemorate Civil Rights icons such as Rosa Parks during Black History month. The DTA is taking part in this by offering free fares on the Stride Paratransit and DTA Fixed-Route…

Family Dog, Daughter Credited For Saving Duluth Home From Fire

DULUTH, Minn. — A Duluth Heights man is crediting his 12-year-old daughter, Zoe, and the family’s 3-year-old lab, Dudley, for saving their home after the nearby garage went up in flames Wednesday night. 12-year-old Zoe Radzak “If she didn’t come down screaming, it would have definitely gotten to the house, and it would have been a different story. So Dudley…

Duluth Police Chief Meets With Downtown Businesses, Talks Increased Patrols In Parking Ramps

Duluth, Minn. — When downtown Duluth business leaders talk about safety issues in the downtown area, parking ramps top the list. Police Chief Mike Ceynowa addressed those concerns with a new plan Thursday during a luncheon with dozens of business owners. “Interstate Parking, beginning Monday, February 13 is going to bring an enhanced security presence to the Tech Ramp,” said…

School Closings and Delays February 3, 2023

School Closings & Delays Barnum Public Schools – Two-hour delay. Chisholm Public Schools – E-learning day February 3. Duluth Edison Charter Schools – Closed. Duluth Public Schools – Closed. Esko Schools – Two-hour delay. Hibbing Public and Private Schools – Closed, E-learning day February 3 for public schools. Hill City – Two-hour delay. Montessori School of Duluth – Closed. Stella Maris Academy…

Minnesota Moves Toward 100% Carbon-Free Electricity By 2040

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota utilities would be obligated to transition to 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040 to step up the fight against climate change under a bill speeding through the Legislature. The bill was slated for a final vote on the Senate floor Thursday night after passing the House 70-60 last week. It’s a top priority for Democrats, who control both chambers, and for…

Duluth’s Sustainability Officer Receives Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership Award

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth’s Sustainability Officer has received some special recognition for her leadership efforts. Mindy Granley was honored at the 2023 Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership Awards with the Individual Adaptation Award. She was recognized due to her work as she’s provided leadership, education, and implemented strategies at the City of Duluth. Granley’s work includes securing $32 million in grant…

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…