News – Latest News

Fire Deaths in Minnesota Drop to Second-Lowest Level Ever

Fire marshal urges Minnesotans to keep taking fire prevention seriously

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Authorities report that one person died in the morning hours of January 12, at an apartment fire in Mound. This is the first fire fatality of 2017 for the state of Minnesota, and it comes on the heels of a near record-setting year for fire deaths in the state. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety released…

Man Paroled in Minnesota Charged in Fatal Nebraska Shooting

Released less than two years ago in Minnesota

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – A man released on parole less than two years ago for a Minnesota slaying has been charged with fatally shooting an Omaha woman and injuring her fiance last fall. Omaha police say 31-year-old Tyeric Lessley was arrested Tuesday in Omaha and is shceduled to appear before a judge Thursday afternoon. Court records say he’s charged with…

Trial Set for Ex-Milwaukee Officer Charged in Fatal Shooting

Start date for the trial is set for June 2017

MILWAUKEE (AP) – Attorneys in the case of a former Milwaukee police officer accused of fatally shooting a black man have told a judge there will be a June trial. The agreement between District Attorney John Chisholm and defense attorney Richard Kohn came during a hearing Thursday. It indicates a plea deal is not in the works. Former officer Dominique…

Essentia Helps Provide New Service at Chester Bowl

Snowboards Are Now Available for Rent at Chester Bowl, Thanks to a Generous Grant

  DULUTH, Minn. – The Chester Bowl Ski Hill in Duluth is now home to a brand new service this season, thanks to a generous grant from the Essentia Health Community Contributions Fund. Fifty new snowboards and seventy-five sets of boots are now available to be rented out for those looking to hit the slopes. The snowboard rental program goes along…

Driver of Stolen Vehicle in Labor, 7 Children Inside

Children found with packaging tape over their mouths

RAMSEY, Minn. (AP) – Police in a Twin Cities suburb say they found a driver of a minivan in labor and seven children, some with mouths taped shut, in a vehicle officers suspected was stolen. Authorities say an officer stopped the vehicle in Ramsey just after midnight, Tuesday, for a traffic violation and learned it had been stolen out of…

Hockey Night in Superior

Hockey Night in Superior lets players enjoy pick-up games outside under the lights.

SUPERIOR, WIS.- After being postponed last week because of severe cold, hockey players of all ages braved the temps for the first ever Hockey Night in Superior. Skaters hit the ice at Superior’s outdoor rinks for pick-up games throughout the city for a chance to play under the lights. “The best part about it is seeing so many kids outside…

Duluth Sees Increase in Tourism Tax Dollars

Events like Tall Ships and more hotel rooms in the city helped bring more money into the area in 2016.

Once again, the city of Duluth saw an increase in their tourism tax dollars. Receipts from the hotel/motel tax are up over 10% for January through November of 2016. The food and beverage tax is up over 4%. The city credits marquee events like Grandma’s marathon, the Tall Ships festival, and Hockey Day Minnesota for the big gains. They also…

Snowshoers Hike Glensheen Under the Moonlight

The group is hosting the hiking tours every Wednesday night in January

DULUTH, Minn. – Despite the below zero temperatures, a large group of snowshoers hiked the grounds at Glensheen Mansion tonight. Guides with Day Tripper of Duluth led the group on a tour of the area under the light of the moon. Organizers say this event is a great way to get people outdoors in the winter and learn something about…

Preparations Begins at Lake Superior Ice Festival

A large half pipe slide will be built for kids to sled on throughout the weekend

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – The Lake Superior Ice Festival is starting to take shape at Barkers Island. Crews have already started clearing the ice for the Great Lakes Pond Hockey Tournament. This year, the festival will feature some new events. Stock car, dirt bike, motorcycle, and ATV races will all happen right on the Lake Superior ice. Enbridge is also building…

Rick Nolan Considering Running for Governor in 2018

Currently representing the 8th Congressional District

ST. PAUL – Representative Rick Nolan’s spokesperson confirmed on Wednesday, that he is considering entering the race for Minnesota governor in 2018. Others who have entered the race include St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman, Representative Erin Murphy, and State Auditor Rebecca Otto, who just recently announced her candidacy on January 9. Nolan, 73, currently represents the 8th Congressional District in…

Lucky’s 13 Pub to Open in Duluth

Twin Cities Based Restaurant Chain to Open Store at Miller Hill Mall

DULUTH, Minn. – The new Lucky’s 13 Restaurant is close to opening at the Miller Hill Mall in Duluth. This will be the seventh Lucky’s 13 location, and the second one outside of the Twin Cities area. The menu is described as feel–good cooking, is all made from scratch, and will feature some local food and beer choices. “We’re glad…

Nettleton Elementary School to Be Sold

Duluth School District Has Entered Into an Agreement to Sell School to Developer

DULUTH, Minn. – There are new developments tonight involving the sale of the vacant Nettleton Elementary School. The Duluth School District has entered into an agreement with a property developer. Meanwhile, Many Rivers Montessori School sits on the sideline with an offer on Nettleton as well. The Duluth School District now says it intends to move forward with the sale…

Snowmobile Season in Wisconsin

Riders Finally Head Out and Hit The Trails

IRON RIVER, Wis. – The rain and ice of 2016 is finally behind us and it’s been a snowy start to 2017. With a solid layer of snow finally sticking around snowmobilers in Wisconsin are firing up their sleds. Now that the trails are groomed and ready its not just the riders who are happy snowmobile season is finally here….

DWI Campaign a Success

More Than 70 Arrested in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn.-The results are in after an extra DWI enforcement campaign was held during November and December in Minnesota. More than 300 law enforcement groups took part in the event, which resulted in 2,400 arrests for DWI. That’s down about 100 from last year’s event. The Minnesota State Patrol in the Duluth area arrested 38 people for DWI while the…

Northlanders Busy Shoveling After Snowfall

Shoveling Gives a Chance to Get Outside and Exercise in Winter

DULUTH, Minn. -Snowfall across the Northland over the last couple days means a lot of people are busy shoveling today. In Duluth, sidewalks have to be shoveled in front of homes and businesses within 24 hours of snowfall. But not all Duluthians dread going into the cold to shovel as it gives them a chance to be outside and get…

MnDOT Asks Motorists’ Help for Safer Driving Around Snowplows

More than 30 crashes involving vehicles and snowplows have been reported

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation reports that there have been more than 30 crashes this season involving vehicle sand snow plows, and they are urging motorists to use extra caution during plowing and snowing operations. “Crashes typically happen because of inattentive drivers, motorists driving too close to the plow, or motorists driivng too fast for conditions,”…

Broadband Projects Announced Across Greater Minnesota

New state grant funding will leverage an additional $40 million in private and local funding

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Lt. Governor Tina Smith and the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced, today, grants totaling $34 million for 42 broadband infrastructure projects that will provide 16,627 households, 2,240 businesses, and 71 community institutions across Minnesota access to reliable, affordable high-speeds internet. Smith and Gov. Dayton first proposed a $100 million investment during the 2016…

Trump Holds First News Conference Since Winning the Election

Plans for the wall were announced and a promise to keep jobs in the United States

WASHINGTON (AP) – President-elect Donald Trump held his first full news conference on Wednesday, since winning the 2016 presidential election. The last time Trump held a news conference, he was plunging into a heated general election campaign with Hillary Clinton and suggested Russia could help dig up some of his rival’s emails. At the news conference, Trump beamed over plans by…

Study: Some Bats Showing Resistance to White-Nose Syndrome

First tentative steps to recovery?

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) – The little brown bat, a species that has been decimated by a deadly fungus, could be taking its first tentative steps to recovery. Researchers for the first time are finding the bats showing some resistance to white-nose syndrome – the fungus that has been killing millions of them across North America. White-nose syndrome was first discovered…

Two Arrested in Connection with Business Burglaries

Businesses involved were located in Deer River and Grand Rapids

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – Law enforcement reports that two individuals were arrested and taken into custody on January 9, 2017, in connection with burglaries in Deer River and Grand Rapids. Michael Hanson According to Grand Rapids Police Investigator, Kevin Ott, on the morning of January 7, a burglary was reported as a flower shop in Deer River. During the investigation,…

Level III Predatory Offender Released

Lives on 22nd Avenue West

DULUTH, Minn.-Anthony Chacon, 27, a level III predatory offender has been released and is living at the 200 North block of 22nd Avenue West in Duluth. The offender has a history of sexual contact with minor girls and boys between the ages of 6 and 15. Contact has included penetration and gained compliance through physical force. The victims knew their…

Connection to Superior Murder Case to be Extradited

Person of Interest from Duluth

SUPERIOR, Wis.-Jamar Smith, 25, of Duluth, has been charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and misdemeanor bail jumping in connection with a murder that took place behind the Third Base Bar in Superior New Year’s Day. Currently Smith is being held on a probation hold in Minnesota after being arrested in St. Louis County Jan. 4…

Relocation of Level III Predatory Offender

Living at 100 Block of North First Avenue West

DULUTH, Minn.-Level III predatory offender Jason Koehler, 41, is currently living in the vicinity of the 100 North block of 1st Avenue West in Duluth. The offender has a history of conduct and contact with minor girls between the ages of 7 and 16. The offender engaged in a sexually explicit conversation with a 16-year-old victim and touched a 7-year-old….

Animal Answers: Concern With Cold Weather

Dangerous Cold Temperatures Can Cause Extreme Harm to Animal's Bodies

DULUTH, Minn. – Many of you have pups at home just waiting for the dog days of summer to return to the Northland. During extreme cold snaps, it can be hard to remember how brutal below temperatures are on our pets. “Obviously your dogs are going to need to go,” said Adeline Green with Animal Allies in Duluth. Winter weather…

Fire Blazes Through Duluth Duplex, Causing $25,000 in Damages

No Injuries Were Reported, the Cause of the Fire Remains Under Investigation

DULUTH, Minn. – Happening early Wednesday morning, $25,000 worth of damage blazed through a Duluth duplex. Duluth Fire Officials responded to a fire located at 219 East Third Street, where smoke could be seen billowing out from the back end of the structures first floor. The flames were quickly knocked down and contained. One resident was home at the time…

Brickyard Fire Likely Caused By Lightning

HIBBING, Minn.-The cause of an August fire that burned down the Brickyard Sports Bar and Grill in Hibbing has come forward. The Hibbing fire marshal told Fox 21 that the most likely cause was a lightning strike. The marshal said he couldn’t rule out an extension cord as the source of blaze, but lightning was more likely. There was an…

Zero Hour Escape Rooms Unveils “Lake Superior” Themed Challenge

Players take the role of an engineering team trapped aboard a sinking cargo vessel

DULUTH, Minn. – Zero Hour Escape Rooms unveiled a new challenge today called “The Wheelhouse”. Players take the role of an engineering team trapped aboard the sinking “Bill E. Irvin” Lake Superior cargo vessel. The room took about a couple months to build and test out before it was ready for the public to take on. “We thought it would…

Photographer’s Work Lives on at Denfeld High School

Susan Menz was killed in a car crash in October 2015. Some of her photographs will be displayed at Denfeld as a memorial.

Duluth, Minn.-In October of 2015, Susan Menz died as the result of a hit and run car crash near the area known as the Twin Ponds. She was an avid photographer and died doing what she loved the most. Menz enjoyed taking photographs around Duluth and now some of her work will be donated to her alma mater, Denfeld High…

Duluth Gas Station Will Now Pump Your Gas

The ICO on London Road is offering the free service Monday through Friday from 12 to 3 p.m.

DULUTH, Minn. – If the cold, snowy conditions outside have kept you from filling up your gas tank this winter, a Duluth business is offering a new service to help its customers. The ICO gas station at the corner of London Road and 21st Ave. East will now pump your gas for you. They’re offering the free service Monday through…

Lake Assault Boats Signs Multi-Million Dollar Contract

The Company is Building Barges for the City of San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio is shelling out 6.2 million dollars to Lake Assault Boats to build 43 new barges for the city’s iconic River Walk. The All Aluminum barges will replace the current fleet of tourist and commuter barges used on the San Antonio River. The barges will be 27.5 feet long and 9.5 feet wide, and hold 40 passengers and a…

School Bus Crash in Hibbing

The incident occurred at 3:54 p.m. on Tuesday, January 10

HIBBING, Minn. – The Hibbing Fire Department responded to the report of a vehicle crash involving a school bus and a passenger car around 3:54 p.m. on Tuesday, January 10, according to Hibbing Fire Marshal, Bryan Fagerstrom. The incident occurred at the intersection of 6th Avenue East and 27th Street. The bus was transporting 18 kids of varying ages. A…

Dylann Roof Sentenced to Death by Federal Jury

Convicted of Slaying Nine Black Parishioners

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) _ The Latest on the federal sentencing trial of convicted Charleston church shooter Dylann Roof (all times local): 5:45 p.m. The brother of a woman slain by Dylann Roof at Emanuel AME Church says jurors made the right decision in sentencing him to death. Malcolm Graham told The Associated Press by phone the death sentence for Roof…

Environmentalists Sue to Block Land Swap for PolyMet Mine

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Two environmental groups are suing to block a land exchange for the planned PolyMet copper-nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota, saying the project would destroy important habitat for the gray wolf and Canada lynx. The Center for Biological Diversity and Earthworks on Tuesday filed the legally required 60-day notice of intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife…

Governor Walker Delivers 2017 State of the State Address

Joined by First Lady Tonette Walker, in addressing joint session, people of Wisconsin

MADISON – Governor Scott Walker delivered his 2017 State of the State Address at the Wisconsin State Capital, today, January 10, 2017. One of his many topics included jobs creation and a drop in the unemployment rate. He noted “during the four years before we took office, Wisconsin had lost more than 133,000 jobs and the unemployment rate peaked at…

Bill Would Take Midwest, Wyoming Wolves Off Endangered List

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Some members of Congress are making another run at taking gray wolves in the upper Midwest and Wyoming off the endangered list. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service had tried to take wolves in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Wyoming off the list, saying those populations had recovered sufficiently to allow resumed hunting under state management plans….

Greenway H.S. Student Killed In Crash With Patrol Vehicle

Sierra Matthews Was 16 Years Old

GREENWAY TOWNSHIP, Minn. – At the request of the Itasca County Sheriff’s Office, the Minnesota State Patrol is investigating a fatal crash that involved an Itasca County deputy on Highway 169 at County Road 69 around 7:45 a.m. Tuesday. An Itasca County Sheriff’s Deputy was responding to a medical call with emergency lights activated when he was involved in a…

Rusty Patched Bumblebee Declared Endangered

The first time any bee species has made the endangered list

This 2012 photo provided by The Xerces Society shows a rusty patched bumblebee in Minnesota. Federal officials said Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017, that the rusty patched bumblebee has become the first bee species in the continental U.S. to be declared endangered after suffering a dramatic population decline over the past 20 years. (Sarina Jepsen/The Xerces Society via AP)TRAVERSE CITY, Mich….

More Chronic Wasting Disease Found in Minnesota Deer

Up to Five CWD Cases Now

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -Wildlife managers have found two more deer suspected of being infected with chronic wasting disease near the southeastern Minnesota town of Preston, raising the number of confirmed and presumptive infected deer found in the area to five. The does were killed within a mile of where the first two deer that tested positive were shot in…

Knowing Your Neighbors: Cooking With Culbert’s Café

Culbert's Offers a Wide Variety of Homemade Items, Always Fresh and Never Frozen

CLOQUET, Minn. – Many of you are trying hard to keep resolutions as we head further into the New Year. For some, fresh, never frozen foods might be on the list. In this week’s Knowing Your Neighbors, we’re trying out a few tasty options. If you’re motoring down Cloquet Avenue, the smell of quality cooking creates big smiles. “It’s all…

Snowmobile Safety Concerns

Recent snowmobile fatalities have Northlanders concerned for safety.

Duluth, Minn. – With recent snowmobile fatalities in the Northland, experts are warning people to keep an eye on safety precautions. Alcohol and snowmobiling are a major cause of accidents on the trails. Speed is another factor. Experts caution riders to stay on their side of the trail, and abide by posted speed limits. As of right now, trail conditions…

Duluth Cross Country Ski Club Needs Your Help

Their Goal is to Make Duluth the Best Cross Country Skiing City it Can Be

DULUTH, Minn – The Duluth Cross Country Ski Club, also known as DXC, is working to help make Duluth the best cross country skiing city it can be, for both locals and visitors. A large part of this effort is building the Grand Avenue Nordic Center, and more ski trails. DXC is working to raise $500,000 to put toward these…

Missing Woman’s Body Found Off WI Point

SUPERIOR, Wis. – FOX 21 learned Monday a missing Fridley, Minnesota woman has been found dead. According to the Superior Police Department, the woman’s body was found in the waters off Wisconsin Point on Sunday. This discovery came after the woman’s vehicle was found on the point on Friday. The cause of death is under investigation. Categories: News, News –…

Duluth City Council Elects New President

Joel Sipress was voted as city council president for 2017.

Duluth, Minn.-The Duluth city council voted Joel Sipress as their president for 2017. The selection usually comes without a lot of fanfare, but this year brought some added interest to the council chambers. Councilor Noah Hobbs is on his first term on the council and was also vying for the seat. The city council was clearly divided on the issue,…

Tips on How to Fix Your Frozen Pipes

Frozen Pipes Stop Working, and Can Even Crack if Left Frozen

When temperatures drop low, frozen pipes can cause big problems, because pipes especially water lines, stop working altogether when they’re frozen. Experts say it’s crucial to keep pipes warm so they don’t freeze. You can do this by circulating air around the pipes with a fan, or keeping cabinet doors under the sink open so the pipes can get warm…

Warm Areas Popular Travel Destinations for Duluthians

January and February are Some of the Busiest Times for Travel Agents

DULUTH, Minn. – With people looking to get out of the cold for a few days, January and February are some of the busiest times of the year for travel agents. Popular destinations for Duluthians include cruises to the Caribbean, Mexico, Jamaica, and Punta Cana. These destinations are favored by Northlanders because of their (to no one’s surprise) warm temperatures,…

Becoming City Council President Unusually Competitive

Political Expert Says City Council Presidents are Usually Almost Predetermined

As a tradition, the Duluth City council votes on a new president each year. Political expert Cindy Rugeley says in Duluth, the city council president is usually almost pre-determined, with the person with the most experience taking on the leadership role. “In this instance, a new council member is saying, I want to change this.  I want to be the…

Tips for Keeping Skin from Drying Out During the Winter

Cold, dry temperatures along with running the heat in your home can be a recipe for dry skin

DULUTH, Minn. – If you’ve noticed your skin drying out more lately, you’re probably not alone. Twin Ports Dermatology in Duluth has seen a lot of patients with dry skin and rashes this winter. Heather Smith, a physician assistant at Twin Ports Dermatology, says mixing the cold, dry temperatures along with running the heat in your home can be a…