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2026 National Blood Donor Month press conference highlights blood emergency

DULUTH, Minn. — The 2026 National Blood Donor Month press conference highlighted a critical blood shortage in Minnesota. Over the past few weeks, blood donations fell 40% below hospital needs, leaving less than a two day supply of blood available for patients across the state. Blood donations are typically down during the winter season, but this year’s donation rate is…

Healthcare provider shares cold weather safety tips

SUPERIOR, Wis. — With the recent and upcoming low temps, a health care provider with Essentia Health shares cold-weather health tips. Family Nurse Practitioner Julie Pearce encourages safety during cold temperatures. She emphasizes the importance of dressing in layers, avoiding extended exposure to cold and not getting wet to prevent heat loss. With the temps reaching into the negatives this…

Lifelong skier shares video of chair lift rescue at Lutsen Mountains

LUTSEN, Minn. – It was a wild ride, of sorts, in the stand-still position over the weekend for a few dozen skiers and snowboarders at Lutsen Mountains. The chair lift malfunctioned, leaving people stuck in the air for hours during dangerously cold air and wind. Courtesy: Andrew Schultz The Lutsen Fire Department said nobody was seriously injured as crews worked…

House Republicans vote to lift 20-year ban on mining near pristine Boundary Waters Canoe Area

  Congressional Republicans moved closer Wednesday to lifting a 20-year ban on mining near Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, pushing a resolution to end the moratorium through the House despite environmentalists’ warnings that it could devastate a premier destination for campers, kayakers and canoeists. The resolution now goes to the Senate, and approval there would send it to President…

Vice President Vance coming to Minnesota to meet with ICE agents

Vice President JD Vance (CNN) – Vice President JD Vance is planning to travel Minneapolis on Thursday where he will meet with ICE agents and give remarks defending their immigration operations, White House officials told CNN. Vance’s visit comes days after the Justice Department subpoenaed several high-profile Minnesota officials, including Democratic Gov. Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Attorney General…

Wisconsin man sentenced to 15 years for 12th DUI

  James Knuuttila Sr.(Bayfield County Sheriffs Office) BAYFIELD, Wis. — An Iron River man has been convicted to the maximum penalty for receiving his 12th DUI. 77-year-old  James Knuuttila Sr. was sentenced Wednesday to a 15-year prison sentence with 10 years initial confinement, and 5 years extended supervision. This sentencing comes after a 2024 rollover that Knuuttilas was involved in….

From the NFL sidelines to a US Senate race: Michele Tafoya’s new play

FILE – NBC Sports reporter Michele Tafoya is seen before an NFL football game between the New Orleans Saints and the Buffalo Bills, Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman, File) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Former NFL sideline reporter Michele Tafoya launched her campaign for the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, hoping to win the Republican nomination for the…

Coffee Conversation: 2026 Twins Winter Caravan stops through Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — Players and staff of the Minnesota Twins are making Duluth one of their stops along their 2026 Twins Winter Caravan. Bruce Ciskie of Midwest Communications, one of the presenters of the event, stopped by the morning show to preview what people can expect from the open-to-the-public event. The Twins Winter Caravan stops through the Elite Sports Complex…

Coffee Conversation: TEDxDuluth welcoming in Minnesotan speakers

DULUTH, Minn. — Speakers and presenters from across Minnesota are uniting in the Twin Ports for TEDxDuluth. The event’s organizer, Star Gump, sat down with Fox 21 to discuss why these types of events are important for continuing to expand the minds of audiences. TEDxDuluth will be taking over the Harborside Ballroom at the Duluth Entrainment Convention Center on Feb….

Trump in Davos says NATO should allow the US to take Greenland but he won’t use force

A North American Aerospace Defense Command F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft from the South Carolina ANG’s 169th FW takes off at Pituffik Space Force Base, Greenland, Oct. 9, 2025. Operating in the Arctic provides the flexibility and adaptability needed to overcome logistical hurdles in a dynamic and unforgiving environment. VOS, Switzerland (AP) — President Donald Trump insisted he wants to “get…

Free Wisconsin nonprofit’s reentry housing plan meets resistance

ASHLAND, Wis.– In Ashland, one resident has been making a difference in his community by giving back to released incarcerated individuals through his nonprofit. And now, he’s looking to expand his services. “We’re a newer nonprofit that actually works with criminal justice impacted people. We try and support them and meet them where they’re at. So, we focus on a…

DNR proposing reduction to Walleye limits

DULUTH, Minn. — The DNR is proposing dropping the Walleye limits from 6 fish to 4. The current limits were put into place in 1956, but much has changed leaving walleye populations being strained. By reducing the limit, the DNR is hoping to preserve walleye populations for generations to come. Climate changes, invasive species, and improvements to fish finding technology have…

Victim identified in fatal Gnesen Township fire

GNESEN TOWNSHIP, Minn. — The victim has been identified in a fatal fire in Gnesen Township. The victim was identified as 76-year-old Neil Gordon Hendrickson of Duluth. Crews arrived on the scene of a pole barn on the 6700 block of Rice Lake Road early Monday. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office said when emergency personnel arrived on scene, the…

Mexico sends 37 cartel members to US in latest offer to Trump administration

FILE – Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum speaks at the National Palace in Mexico City, Nov. 7, 2025. MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico’s security minister said Tuesday that it had sent another 37 members of Mexican drug cartels to the United States, as the Trump administration ratchets up pressure on governments to crack down on criminal networks it says are smuggling drugs across…

Justice Department subpoenas Walz and others in immigration enforcement obstruction probe

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Federal prosecutors served six grand jury subpoenas Tuesday to Minnesota officials as part of an investigation into whether they obstructed or impeded federal law enforcement during a sweeping immigration operation in Minneapolis-St. Paul area, a person familiar with the matter said. Demonstrators protest outside the White House in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, against the Immigration and…

Customers back to normal after gas pipeline explosion; temporary repairs on going

PINE COUNTY, Min. – Minnesota Energy Resources says all of their customers impacted by the recent pipeline explosion can get back to regular usage. Some customers in Willow River, Sturgeon Lake and Finlayson lost service on the afternoon of January 16, 2026. Willow River Pipeline Explosion(Carlton County Fire News) Customers were asked to reduce their heating levels now for four…

Coffee Conversation: Upper Midwest Ronald McDonald House hosts 5th annual “Brew Love North”

DULUTH, Minn. — An annual fundraising favorite is returning to the Northland, as the Upper Midwest Ronald McDonald House is bringing its “Brew Love North” event back for another year. Paula Broschofsky, a project manager with the house, stopped by the studio to talk about the fundraiser and what makes these types of events so important for families in need….

Superior law enforcement to hold Rescue Task Force training at local church

  SUPERIOR, Wis. — Law enforcement and emergency services in Superior are holding a training exercise on Tuesday. According to officials, the event will be held all day and take place at the Central Assembly of God church, where there will be a large presence of emergency vehicles. The Superior Police Department, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, and the Superior Fire…

Maria Vollom joining FOX 21 evening team

DULUTH, Minn. – An exciting new chapter has begun at FOX 21 Local News. Morning anchor Maria Vollom has been promoted to evening co-anchor with Dan Hanger, Rusty Mehlberg on weather and Neil Vierzba on sports at 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. on the evening newscasts. After waking-up early for FOX 21 Local News from 7 a.m. until 9 a.m….

Twin Ports reflect on public reading of the Constitution

DULUTH, Minn. — People gathered for a public reading of the United States Constitution at Northern Waters Smoke House. Everyone was handed pocket-sized copies of the Constitution, allowing people to follow along as it was read aloud. With the event taking place on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, it gave the community a chance to reflect on the Constitution, honor…

Update: Man found dead after fire in Gnesen Township

9:20 P.M. UPDATE: Investigators located the body of a 76-year-old Duluth man around 8 p.m. Monday after a pole building started on fire in Gnesen Township earlier in the day. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately release the identity of the man. The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Minnesota State Fire Marshals Office, the…

Judge refuses to block new DHS policy limiting Congress members’ access to ICE facilities

Minnesota lawmakers Rep. Angie Craig and Rep. Ilhan Omar say they were denied access to Bishop Whipple Federal Building, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Minneapolis WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge refused Monday to temporarily block the Trump administration from enforcing a new policy requiring a week’s notice before members of Congress can visit immigration detention facilities. U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb in…

Northland honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

DULUTH, Minn. — People across the Northland spent the day honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by continuing the long-standing tradition of marching, reflection, and celebration. The annual MLK Day celebration, organized by the Duluth NAACP, began with a community breakfast at the First United Methodist Church. Around noon, attendees marched through the DECC’s skywalk,…

Brimson Strong nonprofit featured in Castle Danger Brewing’s Pints for a Cause

TWO HARBORS, Minn.– After the massive Brimson Complex fire took out a large portion of northern St Louis County, efforts are still strong to help towns such as Brimson rebuild. Since then, a nonprofit called “Brimson Strong” lead by founder Mikala Schliep has dedicated time and effort to help her community. The fire also affected Schliep, as it took the…

Weather slowing installation of temporary pipeline after explosion; Still no cause

PINE COUNTY, Min. – It could take about two weeks to install a temporary natural gas pipeline for customers effected by a pipeline explosion in Pine County on January 16, 2025. That time is extended due to the weather conditions in the area. Willow River Pipeline Explosion(Carlton County Fire News) Northern Natural Gas Company tells FOX21 they are plugging in…

Partnership between Brule River Farm and Superior School District going strong

BRULE, Wis. — Even though it’s winter, Brule River Farm and the Superior School District are continuing their partnership to serve up healthy meals to students. Brule River Farm has been selling produce to the district for the past three years, ranging from onions, watermelon, potatoes and more. The farm delivers produce to the district every week throughout the school…

Pj’s Rescue hosts adoption event at Fleet Farm

HERMANTOWN, Minn. — PJ’s Rescue hosted a pet adoption event at Fleet Farm in Hermantown on Saturday. Pj’s Rescue is a non-profit organization that fosters animals until they find their forever home. Event coordinator Katerina Anderson said PJs doesn’t have a sheltered building, so the best way for people to see the pets is to hold adoption events all through…

Work continues to fix natural gas pipeline damaged from explosion

PINE COUNTY, Minn. – Crews with Northern Natural Gas Company on Monday (1/19/26) told FOX21 they are still working on the north and south ends of the pipeline segment that exploded on January 16, 2025. They did not give an estimated timeline for the repairs. Willow River Pipeline Explosion(Carlton County Fire News) Northern Natural Gas is supplying compressed natural gas…

Trump ties his stance on Greenland to not getting Nobel Peace Prize, European officials say

U.S. President Donald Trump linked his aggressive stance on Greenland to last year’s decision not to award him the Nobel Peace Prize, telling Norway’s prime minister that he no longer felt “an obligation to think purely of Peace,” in a text message released on Monday. A North American Aerospace Defense Command F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft from the South Carolina ANG’s 169th…

ICE says an immigrant picked-up in Minnesota sweep killed himself in detention facility

ERO El Paso Camp East Montana is inside Fort Bliss Texas EL PASO, Texas (AP) — An immigrant from Nicaragua was found dead at a Texas immigration detention facility last week, federal officials said. Victor Manuel Diaz appears to have killed himself Wednesday (January 14, 2026) at the sprawling tent complex at the U.S. Army’s Fort Bill base in El Paso, Immigration…

Sending soldiers to Minneapolis for immigration crackdown would be unconstitutional, mayor says

Courtesy: AP MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The mayor of Minneapolis said Sunday that sending active duty soldiers into Minnesota to help with an immigration crackdown is a ridiculous and unconstitutional idea as he urged protesters to remain peaceful so the president won’t see a need to send in the U.S. military. Daily protests have been ongoing throughout January since the Department…

DOJ vows to press charges after activists disrupt church where Minnesota ICE official is a pastor

Courtesy: Associated Press (file)   MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The U.S. Department of Justice said Sunday it is investigating a group of protesters in Minnesota who disrupted services at a church where a local official with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement apparently serves as a pastor. A livestreamed video posted on the Facebook page of Black Lives Matter Minnesota, one of…

Suspected drunken driver slams into home in Carlton County

Suspected drunk driver crashes into Mahtowa Township home (2/17/2026) MAHTOWA TOWNSHIP, Minn. – A suspected drunken driver slammed into a home in Carlton County over the weekend. The call for help came in around 8:30 p.m. Saturday on County Road 61 in Mahtowa Township. The Carlton County Sheriff’s Office said the driver is a 19-year-old man from the Carlton area…

Teen stabbed by man in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth police are investigating a stabbing of a juvenile male. The stabbing happened around 6 p.m. Saturday in the 400 block of n. 9th Avenue East. When police arrived, they found an “active fight,” according to a news release Sunday. Shortly after, police say they found a “juvenile male with possible stab wounds.” The juvenile was transported…

Loll Designs surpasses $100K in donations to Chester Bowl with check presentation

DULUTH, Minn. — Chester Bowl received a large donation, in the form of thousands of dollars from a local furniture company. Loll Designs donated the check of over $9,000 to Chester, as part of a six-year donation cycle from the furniture company, which surpassed $100,000 in 2025. The continued support from Loll has helped Chester get the point of renovating…

Justice Department investigating whether Minnesota’s Walz and Frey impeded immigration enforcement

Democratic Gov. Tim Walz, speaking at a news conference on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, in St. Paul, denounces President Donald Trump for calling Minnesota’s Somali community “garbage” and dismissing the state as a “hellhole.” WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department is investigating whether Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have impeded federal immigration enforcement through public statements…

Following explosion some customers could be without natural gas for days

Willow River Pipeline Explosion(Carlton County Fire News) PINE COUNTY, Min. – Minnesota Energy Resources says some of their customers in and around Willow River and Sturgeon Lake could be without natural gas for days following a pipeline explosion in Pine County.  Minnesota Energy Resources say about 500 customers will be affected by the outage. The explosion happened around 1:45pm on January…

Northern Waters Smokehaus appears on “Triple D Nation”

DULUTH, Minn. — Grab your popcorn, grab your snacks, and hunker down in front of the TV, because this local eatery is featured on a popular Food Network Show. In 2010, Northern Waters Smokehaus appeared on “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives,” hosted by food personality star, Guy Fieri. Recently, the restaurant returned for the spin-off series “Triple D Nation.” The show…

‘Sprint Medic Pilot Program’ set to hit the road in northern St Louis County

VIRGINIA, Minn.– The Sprint Medic Pilot program is hitting the road, in northern St Louis County, its main goal is to improve medical response times in rural areas. The Minnesota Legislature funded the Sprint Medic Pilot Program back in 2024, aiming to provide life-saving emergency care across northern St. Louis County. But now, starting Monday, the program will have an…

Wildwoods Wildlife Rehabilitation brings awareness to wildlife lead poisoning

DULUTH, Minn.– The Executive Director at Wildwoods Wildlife Rehabilitation, is urging hunters and fishers beware of lead, after dealing with a pattern of poisoned animals, at their doorstep. The Executive Director said this problem has been ongoing for years. Last year, out of 33 eagles rescued, only ten of them were treatable. We’re told lead poisoning affects gastrointestinal system, muscle…

Large explosion in Pine County; Natural gas affected in parts of Willow River and Sturgeon Lake

Willow River Explosion (Carlton County Fire News) Willow River Explosion (Carlton County Fire News) UPDATE: The Pine County Sheriff’s Office say, “On Friday, January 16th, 2026, at approximately 1:43 pm, Pine County Dispatch was inundated with 911 calls of explosions.” The calls were from a rural area west of Willow River. Multiple residences near the explosion were asked to evacuate. Several…

Police: Man who robbed Security Jewelers wanted to see most expensive watches

Jaquay Mckay Hassell DULUTH, Min. – Duluth Police say on January 13, 2026 Jaquay Mckay Hassell, 24, robbed Security Jewelers. Charging documents say just before 10am Hassell walked into Security Jewelers on Superior Street in Duluth. A clerk said Hassell asked to use the restroom.  When he left the restroom, he asked to see the most expensive watches. Hassell then…

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation awards $850,000 in Culture & Tourism grants

Minn.– Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation has awarded $850,000 in grants to 34 community projects. The Culture & Tourism grants will support community projects across the Iron Range. Many of the grants will be going towards trail maintenance, upgrading community parks or remodels to historic buildings. Some of the grant receivers include the International Wolf Center, snowmobile clubs and various…