Community

Bentleyville Brings in New Attractions

This year Northlanders are encouraged to use their cameras and capture moments at Bentleyville.

DULUTH, Minn.- Volunteers are working on the final preparations for Bentleyville, before the holiday season kicks off Saturday. Final touches are being perfected, before Santa parachutes in Saturday night. This year families and friends can cherish Bentleyville memories for years to come. The light festival has a variety of new photo spots set up as you walk through the Winter Wonderland….

Fighting Domestic Violence in the Northland

One local organization gives locals an opportunity to make a direct impact on abuse within the community.

DULUTH, Minn.- The organization Men as Peacemakers, aims to make a  direct impact on the domestic violence within our community. The organization is hosting domestic violence restorative circles, which rely on community support. The classes needed to be a volunteer are currently underway this weekend. Around four to six community members are needed during each circle meeting. This weekend the training…

Give to the Max Day Raises $20.6 Million for Minnesota Organizations

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota set a new record during the state’s annual giving holiday. Roughly 5,400 nonprofits and schools across the state raised $20.6 million during the ninth annual Give to the Max Day. The day’s total was approximately $500,000 higher than the previous record set in 2016. Donations were made from 87 Minnesota counties, all 50 states, and…

Local Farmers Prepare for Holiday Decor Sales

DULUTH, Minn. – With Thanksgiving just next week, many Northlanders are close to purchasing their fresh Christmas tree. Derek Hoffbauer, Owner of the Duluth Flower Farm, says they have been busy preparing for the holiday season. Already they’ve received several orders online for wreaths, garland and more. Their products can be picked up in person at Dan’s Feed Bin in…

Working Out with Kettlebells

Active Adventures: Duluth YMCA

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth YMCA in downtown offers several options for exercise. They have offerings from group classes, rock climbing, racquetball, to swimming lessons, pickleball, basketball, and much more. For this week’s Active Adventures, FOX 21’s William Seay learned how to work with kettlebells. Alisha Bradley, Director of Healthy Living for the YMCA, says it’s a strength training device…

Duluth Organizations Take Advantage of Give To the Max Day

Most of the Organizations Set A Goal and Donors Can Match It

DULUTH, Minn. – When you add thousands of people and they give millions of dollars in donations that equals to Give To the Max Day in Minnesota. It’s the ninth year for the campaign where anyone can donate to causes they support. More than $14 million have been raised so far and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime…

Northlanders raise money for hurricane victims in the Virgin Islands

The benifit was held to raise funds and awareness of the rebuilding efforts in the Virgin Islands

DULUTH, Minn. – A couple of Northlanders with ties to the virgin islands are hosting a fundraiser for hurricane victims there. It featured many live musical acts, as well as a silent auction. Organizers hope that this event can bring awareness to the recovering efforts that are still going on in those heavily affected areas. “The U.S. Virgin Islands is…

City of Duluth hosts open house to discuss Superior Street reconstruction

The Superior Street reconstruction project is set to begin in early 2018

DULUTH, Minn. -Plans for the major Superior Street reconstruction project in the Duluth is one step closer to being finalized. The city held an open house on Thursday for the public to see the plans for the downtown project. Residents, Superior Street business owners were on hand to share their input about the upcoming transformation. “This is the transition from…

Lincoln Park Business Business Group hosts annual Turkey Bingo

It was the 69th annual Turkey Bingo

DULUTH, Minn. – The Lincoln Park community came together a the VFW for the annual Turkey Bingo. It was the 69th year for the Turkey Bingo. The event is put on by the Lincoln Park Business Group as a way to bring people together, share some laughs, and hear about all the ways Lincoln Park is growing. “We got some…

Workforce Housing Project Coming To Duluth

The Property Is An Energy Star Rated Apartment Building

DULUTH, Minn – Imagine coming home after a long day of work to your 50 inch Smart TV or cooking on stainless steel appliances. Those are some of the several amenities you can expect at the District Flats at Miller Hill. “Think about all the retail and all the businesses that have been built that need housing as well,” said…

The Great American Smokeout Reaches Out to Northlanders

The American Lung Association shows Northlanders options to use while quitting smoking.

DULUTH, Minn.-  The American Lung Association has been helping smokers put down cigarettes for over 35 years. The Great American Smokeout offers Northlanders looking to quit smoking cigarettes, many suggestions. The Minnesota Medicaid program covers; NRT Gum, NRT Patches, counseling, and other options to make the process a little easier. “I did the lozenges, I did the patch, and made…

Northlanders Renovate Old Buildings

Old abandoned buildings in Two Harbors are being restored and filled.

TWO HARBORS, Minn.- Two Northland sisters are fixing up abandoned buildings, with hopes a small business will move in. Sharon Erickson Ropes and her sister are doing their part to clean up Two Harbors. The sisters purchased a small building and are in the process of flipping it. Ropes told FOX21 it’s exciting being on the first floor of restoration. “I think…

Creating Chicken Saltimbocca

Cooking Connection: JJ Astor

DULUTH, Minn. – A Duluth restaurant is cooking up a new menu. JJ Astor has hired a new Food and Beverage Director, Bob Boyd, who is working on spicing up the menu. For this week’s Cooking Connection, Boyd showed FOX 21’s William Seay how to create Chicken Saltimbocca. CHICKEN SALTIMBOCCA: Place chicken breast skin side down on plastic wrap Place…

Johnson’s Bakery Prepares for Busy Holiday Season

Manager Megan Spitzley says Orders Should be Placed This Week or Early Next Week

DULUTH, Minn. – Northlanders looking for fresh bakery items are being advised by Johnson’s Bakery in Duluth to pre-order bakery items now before the big Thanksgiving meal on Thursday. Megan Spitzley, Manager Johnson’s Lakeside Bakery, stopped by FOX 21 Local News at 7 Thursday morning to chat about how busy the business gets once the holidays arrive. Spitzley says Wednesday before Thanksgiving is…

St. Luke’s Plastic Surgery Associates Hosts Black Friday Sale

Discount on Make Up and Skin Care Products

DULUTH, Minn. – Thanksgiving is a week away meaning Black Friday sales are also right around the corner. St. Luke’s Plastic Surgery Associates is hosting another Black Friday sale. All make up, skin care and injectables gift certificates will be 25 percent off on Friday, November 24. Also, if a customer spends $30, they’ll receive a $15 coupon for future…

Special Report: Finding Pet Friendly Housing in the Northland

Landlords and Pet Owners Open Up Regarding Pet Friendly Rules and Regulations When it Comes to Renting in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – According to the American Pet Products Association, nearly 85 million families in the United States own a pet. As more and more people are purchasing animals, many are also deeming it difficult to find their family a forever home. Every year, thousands are descending on Duluth; human beings constantly on the move in today’s ever changing world….

Kids Skate at the Turkey Bowl on Ice

Skaters Bowled Frozen Turkeys Into Pins

DULUTH, Minn. – Kids were getting their skate on Wednesday night at the Turkey Bowl on Ice at the Duluth Heritage Sports Center. Skaters bowled frozen turkeys into pins, trying to knock them all down. Families wrote holiday cards for military members overseas, and kids had a ball practicing their skating skills. “We want to skate!” said Jaidy and Jake,…

Thanksgiving Burrito Returns to Burrito Union

Seasonal Meal Takes a Thanksgiving Dinner and Wraps It in a Tortilla

DULUTH, Minn. – November is here and that means the Thanksgiving Burrito is back at Burrito Union. It’s packed full of all your favorite Thanksgiving dinner favorites: Turkey, mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes, stuffing, corn, and a cranberry salsa. The ten dollar burrito is served with chips and a side of gravy. Burrito Union staff say it’s their most popular…

11th Annual ‘Christmas By the Lake’ CD Released

Local Music Album's Sales Benefit Bluebird Foundation

DULUTH, Minn. – The eleventh annual ‘Christmas By The Lake’ CD was released. The holiday-themed album includes music by a lot of local artists. It also has an original song mastered at Abbey Road Studios in London. “Everybody in Duluth and the surrounding area have all this music from area musicians for years,” said Kim Olson, a singer/songwriter featured on…

Holiday Tree Lights Up Superior

Santa Claus Attended the Event, Handing Out Candy

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Superior Holiday Tree was lit tonight at City Center Park just outside the Superior Public Library. Mayor Jim Paine was joined by Santa Claus and a bunch of kids to count down the tree lighting. Families at the event could sing Christmas carols and enjoy holiday themed refreshments. “Just watching everybody come join in,” said Kathy…

Marine General Helping Provide Bikes For Kids With Fried Turkeys

The turkey flavors were: creole garlic, creole butter, lemon butter pepper and barbecue mesquite.

DULUTH, Minn. – The folks over at Marine General in Duluth were up at 5:30 a.m. dropping 60 turkeys in the fryer for their annual Turkey Fry. In it’s 18th year, Marine General partnered up with Bob’s Bike Drive to raise money and donate Huffy bikes to kids in the Northland. “It’s just one of those things getting kids outside,…

Duluth Fire Department To Receive Emergency Response Boat

The boat can hold up to eight firefighters in a remote area and four if it's for a common response and not a firefighting need.

DULUTH, Minn. – The U.S. Coast Guard recently identified several gaps in resources in the port of Duluth and Superior. But now both fire departments will have an extra boost. “We will train with Superior Fire Department at some point, so they get an understanding of what the vessel’s capability is and where it’d be most useful in their area,…

Duluth Beach Clean Up Scheduled for Nov. 19 Canceled

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Parks and Rec division tentatively rescheduled a beach clean up at four locations for Nov. 19 from 10-11:30 a.m. but has canceled due to predicted weather conditions. The first clean up event had been scheduled for Nov. 12, but was canceled due to snowfall. Despite the cancellation, over 50 volunteers showed up and collected over…

Shelters Team Up For Annual “Love A Pet” Adoption Event

The Adoption Event is Happening Saturday, November 18 and Sunday, November 19

DULUTH, Minn. – Northlanders have the chance to “Love a Pet” this weekend at Miller Hill Subaru. Happening Saturday, November 18 from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, November 19 from 11:00 a.m. until 3 p.m., three local shelters will come together for the Northland’s biggest adoption event of the year. Star of the North Shelter in Grand Rapids,…

Gingerbread City Offers Nordic Experience for Northlanders

6th Annual Pepperkakebyen Gingerbread City

DULUTH, Minn. – This weekend the holiday spirit will be in full swing at the Nordic Center in Duluth. The 6th Annual Pepperkakebyen Gingerbread City opens to the public on Saturday, November 18. A gingerbread village will fill the Nordic Center and there will also be a chance for families to make some traditional Nordic-Minnesota crafts. The event is free,…

Police: Firearm Recovered In Morgan Park Believed To Be Connected To Weekend Shootings

Woman Shows Up In Hospital Reported Being Shot

DULUTH, Minn- Duluth Police investigators told Fox 21 that two separate shooting incidents over the weekend are connected to a gun incident in Morgan Park on Tuesday night. Police responded this evening to the area of 89th Ave W and Edward St. on reports of people in the neighborhood with guns. Lt. Robert Shene said his officers did recover a…

UMD Hosts 24th Annual Undergraduate Research & Artistic Showcase

Some students will have their work published in Civil Engineering's Hydraulics Engineering Magazine.

DULUTH, Minn. – After months and long hours of research more than 40 University of Minnesota of  Duluth students had their projects on display. It’s all a part of the 24th Annual Undergraduate Research & Artistic Showcase. Students work alongside a faculty member and conduct research outside of their regular courses. The showcase featured topics ranging from long-term effects to…

State Legislators Visit Lake Superior College

Lawmakers also had lunch with students and spoke to a political science class.

DULUTH, Minn. – Students at Lake Superior College in Duluth want to bring politicians to a local level, so they hosted A Know Your Legislators forum today. It’s the first time LSC has done something like this on campus. Members of the Student Senate were behind the idea. “This was a really awesome opportunity and I think that some of…

Helpful Hands Prepare for ‘A Glensheen Christmas’

A Glensheen Christmas will Open Saturday, November 18 for Tours at the Historic Estate

DULUTH, Minn. – A crew of roughly 20 students and staff are working to deck the halls of the Glensheen Mansion in Duluth this week. When touring through “A Glensheen Christmas,” guests will be able to experience 25 Christmas trees and hundreds of feet of garland. Visitors will have the chance to find dozens of hidden elves during holiday tours. Many decorations…

Christmas Charity Drive Gives Gifts to Third World Countries

DULUTH, Minn. — One church in Duluth is spreading the love for the holiday season. Mount of Olives Baptist Church is a collection site for “Operation Christmas Child.” It’s a nationwide effort to send Christmas gifts to children in third world countries. Central Collection Point Manager Jack Burklund says cardboard boxes can be stuffed with anything from toys and dolls…

Christmas by the Lake XI to be Released Wednesday

Local and Homegrown Musicians Create Christmas Music for Bluebird Foundation

DULUTH, Minn. – For months local and homegrown musicians have been working to produce a Christmas album that spreads cheer and supports aspiring artists. All of this work is for Christmas by the Lake Volume XI. The album features more than 200 musicians. The CD release party is being held on Wednesday, November 15 from 5-9 p.m. at Clyde Iron…

Spirit of Duluth Dinner and Film Series hosts A Taste of Russia

The event included a Russian dinner and a screening of a Russian film

DULUTH, Minn. – Northlanders had the chance to enjoy a taste of another culture at the Zeitgeist Arts Building on Monday. The Spirit of Duluth Dinner and Film Series, hosted by Zeitgeist held “A Taste of Russia,” where community members enjoyed an authentic Russian dinner, followed by a Russian film screening. The series is meant to showcase some of Duluth’s…

Newer, bigger coffee roaster arrives at Duluth Coffee Company

Duluth Coffee Company's new roaster will substantially increase output

DULUTH, Minn. –  It was an exciting day for Duluth Coffee Company on Monday. A custom built coffee roaster arrived at the Duluth Coffee Company’s new second location on Superior Street. Owner Eric Faust said the big new roaster is in response to the community embracing the local coffee company, and this new addition is going to expand their reach…

UWS Faculty Hold Teach In

Instructors are Protesting the University's Decision to Suspend Academic Programs

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Superior are holding a teach in on Monday and Tuesday to protest the University’s recent decision to suspend 25 academic programs. The teach in is an open public classroom taught by faculty members from many different programs. It’s a discussion about why the suspensions happened and it’s designed to help the campus…

Property Owners Patching-Up after Winter Storm

One local city is slowly recovering from Lake Superior's furious waves

ASHLAND, Wis.- Weather in the Northland has been relatively calm recently, but some Northlanders are still trying to catch–up after the impacts of the season’s first big storm. The furious storm that tore through the Northland on October 27th left significant damage in Ashland. Lake Superior waves reached 15 feet high, with winds 35 to 40 mph. “It was not pretty,…

Local Women’s Organization Making Community Impact for Nearly 100 Years

Northland Uncovered; Junior League of Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – An organization in Duluth has been giving back to the community for nearly 100 years. The Junior League of Duluth is celebrating 96 years in December. The national organization was actually founded in 1901, beginning a chapter in Duluth in 1921. It’s a women’s volunteer organization with more than 150,000 members. Their goal is to invest in…

Duluth Superior Community Foundation Seeks to Close Opportunity Gap for Children

There are more than 1,000 children living in poverty in Superior, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – Community members in Superior gathered on Monday to talk about the opportunity gap that underprivileged children face in the Twin Ports. The Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation hosted the Opportunity Rising dinner, and discussed ways to better help children in poverty have the same chances in life as their peers. “Every child deserves to have opportunities that…

New Escape Room Coming to Zero Hour

Enchanted Forest: A Fairytale Adventure Expected to Open in December

DULUTH, Minn. – A brand new escape room experience is coming to Zero Hour Escape Rooms. Enchanted Forest: A Fairytale Adventure is the new family friendly game. Players will figure out how to lift a curse on a forest using clues and puzzles and their knowledge of classic fairytales. Zero Hour will still offer their other escape rooms; Prison Break,…

Wizard of Oz Auditions Bringing Play To Life

It's Been 20 Years Since Duluth Playhouse Has Done The Play

DULUTH, Minn- The cast is beginning to come together for one of the most renounced plays to hit the stage, the Wizard of Oz! For the first time in 20 years the Duluth Playhouse is hosting auditions for the play. Kids ranging from 10 to 18 came out to show their talents to the casting director. After auditions wrap up…

MnDOT Discusses Plans for Can of Worms Overhaul

MnDOT Request Public's Input

DULUTH, Minn- The Minnesota Department of Transportation continues to push forward with a future overhaul of what’s commonly known as the “can of worms” interchange in Duluth. The update comes after another open house tonight where MnDOT is looking for public input on redevelopment plans. People got to look over several different ideas created by MnDOT to completely reconstruct the…

Downtown Duluth Businesses Compete In Holiday Window Display Contest

The displays are revealed before the Christmas City of The North Parade.

DULUTH, Minn. – A big competition is underway in downtown Duluth. The goal is to find which business has the best holiday window display. Twenty-four downtown businesses will participate in the contest. One of them is the 2016 winner, CSL Plasma. It takes them two to three months to come up with an idea and gather supplies. “People of the…

Duluth Police Search for Robbery Suspect

The Robbery Happened in the Parking Lot in the 600 Block of West Central Entrance

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Police continue to search for a robbery suspect Monday afternoon. Shortly before 11:00 a.m., police responded to Cub Foods located in the 600 Block of West Central Entrance on reports of a robbery in their parking lot. It has been reported by police that the victim was making a deposit for his employer when he was…

Bentleyville Remains Nation’s Largest Free Lighting Display

Coffee Conversation: Bentleyville Tour of Lights

DULUTH, Minn. – With the holidays right around the corner, giant lighting displays are beginning to take over Bayfront Festival Park in Duluth. This is for Bentelyville Tour of Lights. Nearly four million lights fill the nation’s largest free walk through lighting display. Through the walk, there are stops for complimentary hot cocoa, cookies, popcorn and roasted marshmallows. Children will…

Wisconsin Muskies Bring Hockey Back to Spooner

Junior League Team Playing Inaugural Season in Front of Thousands of Fans

SPOONER, Wis. – A new junior hockey team is playing their first season on the ice in Spooner, and the Wisconsin Muskies have proven that hockey means a lot to Northern Wisconsin. After four long years without a team or an arena, hockey is back in Spooner, Wisconsin. It was once a hockey town with a youth program and a…

Local Workshop Highlights Effective Communication Skills

A workshop held in the Northland aims to help improve communication.

DULUTH, Minn.- Explaining your stance in politics issues can sometimes be frustrating when speaking to individuals with opposing views. Connection Labs came to Duluth helping Northlanders more effectively frame messages. According to research presented Sunday, responding re-actively during a conversation, creates a smaller chance of being heard. “We want to fight that, instead of stepping back and saying ‘what is…

‘Music With Robots’ Workshop Inspires Northland Kids

The unique instruments show their full potential at the kid friendly workshop.

DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth is known for its local musicians, Sunday Blacklist Brewery allowed kids to tap into their creative side with a special set of instruments. “Making Music with Robots” is a hands–on educational workshop. Creator Troy Rogers started making the instruments 14 years ago. Rogers told FOX21 sometimes the creator isn’t always the best musician, to actually use the instruments. “The…

Local Craft Festival Gives Back to Northland

The Festival of Trees gives Northland shoppers an opportunity to donate.

DULUTH, Minn.-  The Festival of Trees offers something for everyone. It has become a staple holiday event in the Northland. The event gives many local artists a place to show off and sell crafts. The Festival of Trees is the largest fundraiser for a local non–profit, the Junior League of Duluth. Fox21 spoke to one vendor, with a similar business plan…

Veterans Voiced Concerns to Senator Amy Klobuchar

Northland veterans discussed local issues with Senator Amy Klobuchar.

CLOQUET, Minn.- Senator Amy Klobuchar listened to Northland’s rural veterans speak out on concerns. Senator Klobuchar said there are some serious problems with veterans’ health benefits. Ensuring the Guard and the Reserve recieve the same health benefits other branches are given, is the biggest issue currently being worked on. One of the main issues addressed today, the long drive rural…