Minnesota

Former Duluth Advocate, City Councilor Barb Russ Remembered As ‘Exemplary Public Servant’

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth City Councilor Arik Forsman is one of many city leaders reflecting on the life of Barb Russ, a longtime Duluth advocate and former city councilor. “She didn’t get high or low, and she wasn’t going to be baited by sort of the circus element of it. I always enjoyed it, especially out of certain other councilors…

West Duluth Dairy Queen Opens for Season

DULUTH, Minn. — There’s finally a sign of Spring! The West Duluth Dairy Queen has opened for the season after a long snowy Winter. It opened up on Friday, and even with the fresh snow that fell overnight there was a line outside Monday. From blizzards to sundaes there is plenty of cold treats for people to enjoy. Coming up…

Food Farm Planting Seeds as Ground Thaws

WRENSHALL, Minn. — After a few dry years, the Food Farm in Wrenshall is hoping for a great growing season as the snow starts to melt and their greenhouse opens. Lots of snow means plenty of moisture to grow the more than 150 varieties of crops that they produce. The farm recently planted their first batch of seeds and are…

Shamrock Shake Fundraiser For Ronald McDonald House

St. Patrick’s Day is less than 2 weeks away leading McDonald’s to bring back its Shamrock Shake, for a good cause. Starting March 6 through March 16 select McDonald’s locations in Minnesota, Western Wisconsin, and Michigan will donate 25 cents from every Shamrock Shake and Oreo Shamrock McFlurry purchased. This will be to support Ronald McDonald House Charities in Minnesota….

DXC Hosts Youth Ski Festival

DULUTH, Minn. — The recent snowfall and winter temperatures are giving skiers the chance to get some final runs in before Spirit Mountain expects to close later this month. Sunday, Feb. 5, Duluth’s Cross Country Ski Club had its annual Youth Ski Festival at Spirit Mountain Chalet.  Kids had the chance to participate in a “Fish Scale Frenzy” to see…

Bloody Mary Festival Raises Money for Life House

DULUTH, Minn. — People are gathered here Sunday at Clyde Iron Works for a Bloody Mary Festival where all moneys for the festival will benefit Life House and their mission to support at-risk teens and young adults in the twin ports Life House has provided mental health and substance abuse services in the Twin Ports for 30 years now. They…

Tour Duluth Candlelight Ski

DULUTH, Minn.– At the Lester- Amity Chalet the Duluth Cross Country Ski Club hosted Tour Duluth Ski Festival, giving people a chance to ski surrounded by candlelight. There was a raffle raising money for DXC, including a ski package worth 700 dollars. Ski Hut and Continental Ski and Bike were lending equipment to demo on the lit trials. The Duluth…

Tweed Museum Family Day

DULUTH, Minn.– The Tweed Museum of Arts at UMD hosted a family day event with guided tours and plenty of fun activities. The museums current exhibition is by the Duluth Fiber Guild created by founder Janet Meany and other artisits of the guild. People could try their hand in creating art based on the current artwork in the gallery. The…

Adaptive Skiing at Spirit Mountain

DULUTH, Minn.– Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute has partnered with Spirt Mountain to bring adaptive skiing programs to the Northland since 1979. Saturday was the first time that kids from Gillette Children’s Clinic were able to participate in the program in Duluth. A couple of kids were able to go down the snowy hills with big smiles while riding on sleds…

Tourism in Minnesota Coming Back

Duluth, Minn — After taking a step back for a couple of years, the tourism industry is starting to rebound again. In 2022, Minnesota had over 77 million people visit the state, bringing in over 13 billion dollars to the economy.  To keep the tourism momentum going, governor Walz recommended increase covers all industries including the outdoors, parks, attractions, and…

Robotics Tournament at the DECC

Duluth, Minn. – More than 4,000 high school students with more than 100 robots were at the DECC for two different tournaments this week. Both the Northern Lights Regional and the Lake Superior Regional Tournament were held at the same time. Photojournalist Adam Jagunich visited the tournaments and filed this report. Categories: Education, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News

Singing with the Stars Raises Money for Duluth Playhouse

DULUTH, Minn. — The NorShor Theatre held its “Singing with the Stars” event. Ten local celebrities’ sang their hearts out on stage for entertainment and a good cause. All money raised went toward the Duluth Playhouse. Songs like Frank Sinatra’s “Something Stupid” and “Popular” from the Broadway musical Wicked were performed. FOX 21’s Dan Hanger sang his own version of…

One Dead After Snowmobile, Groomer Crash In Grand Rapids

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. — A man is dead after crashing his snowmobile into a groomer Thursday in Grand Rapids. The Itasca County Sheriff’s Office says it happened just before 5:30 p.m. on the Driftskipper/Blandin Snowmobile Trail. The snowmobiler was passing around a corner when he crashed into an oncoming groomer, resulting in the man to be pinned under the groomer….

Singing With The Stars: Ness, Hanger Are Nervous But Excited

DULUTH, Minn. — FOX 21’s Dan Hanger and former Duluth Mayor Don Ness discussed their nerves Thursday night about the Duluth Playhouses’ ‘Singing With The Stars’ event happening Friday night at the NorShor Theatre. Needless to say, they are both nervous but excited to help raise money for the Playhouse.  Click the video for a listen. For tickets, click here. …

Robotics and the Brains Behind Them at the DECC

Multi-State High School Competition Brings Out the Best

If you’ve ever wondered who all the smart people are who design the machines around us…they are at the DECC for the next two days. One hundred and twenty teams have gathered for an electronic gladiator competition of sorts. It is called the FIRST Robotics Regional Competition and it is part of an international program involving high school students. This…

Hyundai, Kia Thefts: Twin Cities Mayors, AG Call For Safety Recall

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – The mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison are calling on Kia and Hyundai to issue a recall and outfit all vehicles with industry-standard anti-theft technology to curb the spike in vehicle thefts in the Twin Cities metro. In a joint letter to the North American CEOs of Kia and Hyundai dated March 2,…

Coffee Conversation: DPD to hold Women in Law Enforcement Open House

DULUTH, Minn. — In efforts to draw in more women to the workforce, the Duluth Police Department is holding a Women in Law Enforcement Open House event on Saturday, March 18. DPD Public Information Officer Mattie Hjelseth joined FOX21 on the morning show to talk about the event and its purpose. The event is taking place Saturday, March 18 from…

Special Report: Heart And Hope, From Ukraine To Duluth

Russia continues to destroy parts of Ukraine, killing innocent men, women and children. In a special report – Heart And Hope – we’re bringing you the story of a Ukrainian family that found refuge in Duluth. Kupriichuk and Gasele families The family arrived this summer, and a Northland couple opened their home and hearts – offering hope when it was…

City Of Duluth Issues Storm Update On Snow Plow Operations

DULUTH, Minn. — The city of Duluth issued a storm update Wednesday afternoon about its snow plow operations..  See the full release below. City of Duluth plow operators have been out all day keeping main roads clear for access to hospitals, schools, for emergency vehicles, buses, etc. Due to the storm system shifting, lingering longer than forecasted, and an increased…

BCA Releases Name Of Man Fatally Shot By Duluth Police

DULUTH, Minn. — The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension released the name of the man shot and killed by Duluth police last week. He’s Zachary Shogren, 34, of Duluth. The BCA said Shogren died from “multiple” gunshot wounds. They said one officer fired their handgun, another fired less-lethal rounds and Officer Jared Blomdahl, a 24-year veteran of the department, used his…

$32-Million Referendum Clears Way For Education Overhaul At Chisholm Public Schools

CHISHOLM, Minn. — School will be out in a few months, but in Chisholm, a lot of people are already thinking about the fall of 2025. If all goes as planned, that is when a new elementary school will open. There will also be extensive renovations of the current facilities, including the high school. Inside the bowels of the 100-year-old…

Minnesota GOP Minority Lawmakers Roll Out $13B Tax Cut Plan

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Leaders of the Republican minority at the Minnesota Legislature rolled out a $13 billion “Give It Back” plan Tuesday to tap most of the state’s $17.5 billion budget surplus for one-time and permanent tax cuts, including rebate checks and fully eliminating taxes on Social Security. The GOP plan would use one-time money for rebate checks of $1,250…

Yung Gravy To Play At The Minnesota State Fair This Summer

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Yung Gravy, with special guest bbno$, will play at the Minnesota State Fair 2023 Grand Stand Concert Series this summer. The Minnesota native sold out three tours in North America, two tours in Europe, and performed in Australia and New Zealand. He will now perform at the Minnesota State Fair on Wednesday, Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. Tickets go…

Northern Waters Smokehaus To Move Into Former Amazing Grace Café Space

DULUTH, Minn. – Northern Waters Smokehaus announced Tuesday it will be moving the business within the DeWitt-Seitz building and into the former Amazing Grace Café location. This announcement comes just one day after Amazing Grace closed its doors after nearly 30 years.  The decision to close, according to the owner Connor Riley, was very difficult to make but the right…

Knowing Your Neighbors: David Austin Gallery

DULUTH, Minn.–“It was the next day,” said Marketing Director for David Austin Gallery and wife, Kristen Austin. “Was it the nest day? We’re coming across the bridge from Wisconsin and I think we look at each other and said we’re going to move here,” said Artist David Austin. Originally from Boyne City, David Austin didn’t feel like Michigan fit into…

Minnesota FoodShare Month Kicks Off

DULUTH, Minn. – CHUM along with more than 300 other food shelves across Minnesota are asking for your help with donations of both food and money during a time of year when it may be needed the most. “In the coming months, the need will increase, and we’ll see an incredible demand for supply in a normal time of year…

Minnesota State Fair Names New CEO

FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. (FOX 9) – The Minnesota State Fair announced Monday that Renee Alexander has been named the new CEO of the fair. This is Alexander’s second stint with the Fair. She worked in entertainment and marketing from 1989 to 1994 before leaving and returning in 2005. For the past 13 years, she had the role of deputy general manager where she…

Minnesota’s Budget Surplus Stable At $17.5 Billion

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Minnesota’s budget surplus was stable at a projected $17.5 billion, according to the latest numbers released on Monday. This projection includes more than $12 billion left over from the current two-year budget cycle because the state Legislature failed to agree on a grand bargain to spend much of it in 2022. Monday’s budget projection comes after…

Coffee Conversation: Singing With The Stars Happening Friday

DULUTH, Minn. — A one-night event is happening this Friday at the NorShor Theatre to raise money for the Duluth Playhouse. It’s called “Singing with the Stars” and Wes Drummond, Executive Director of the Duluth Playhouse came on the morning show to talk about it. FOX 21’s Dan Hanger will be kicking off the show with a song from Disney’s…

International Fly-Fishing Film Festival Gathered Anglers To Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — The film industry in Duluth has been growing in recent years, but one winter festival in particular looks to reel in some action. Over at Clyde Iron Works, more than a dozen films directed by fly fishermen were shown in the International Fly-Fishing Festival. This year’s event was hosted by Gitchee Gumee Trout Unlimited in partnership with…

Monday School Closings, Delays, E-Learning

The following schools are closed, delayed or operating as e-learning for Monday, Feb. 27: Cloquet School Dist.: E-learning Barnum School Dist.: Closed Birchwood School Dist.: E-learning Esko School Dist.: E-learning Hayward School Dist.: Closed Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe School: Closed Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University: Closed McGregor School Dist.: 2-hour delay Moose Lake School Dist.: E-learning Northwoods School Dist.: Closed…

Pilot Who Crashed Into St. Louis River Was Cirrus Design Engineer

2/25/23: DULUTH, Minn. – The pilot who died after the plane he was operating crashed into the St. Louis River Friday has been identified as David Rathbun, of Hermantown, according to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office. Courtesy: Daniel Rathbun According to David’s brother, Daniel, he was a “brilliant” design engineer for Cirrus Aircraft in Duluth. “David was instrumental in…

Attempted Felony Arrest Ends In Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting In Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth police confirmed Friday evening that a man shot by a Duluth police officer during an attempted felony arrest has died. The shooting happened around 2:20 p.m. on the 1500 block of East Third Street. The 34-year-old suspect, who was not identified Friday, was taken to a hospital where he later died. Duluth Police Chief Mike Ceynowa…

Pedestrian Killed By Snowplow In Rochester

ROCHESTER, Minn. (FOX 9) – A pedestrian was killed in a crash with a snowplow in Rochester Friday morning. The incident, which involved a City of Rochester plow, happened at 8:54 a.m. Friday on Pinewood Road Southeast, the city said. Police responded to the incident and confirmed the pedestrian was dead. The Minnesota State Patrol is investigating the crash. “The City of Rochester…

148th Fighter Wing Members Return From Norway

Duluth, Minn. — They’re back, Airmen from the 148th Fighter Wing, are back after taking part in the 50th exchange of military personnel between Norway and Minnesota. Two of the nearly 100 National Guard members who took part in the training talked with Fox 21 about their experience. “Sometimes you think you know everything but you don’t until you’re taught…

Lone Movie Theatre in International Falls to Close

INT’L FALLS, Minn. — The only movie Theatre within a 60-mile radius of International Falls, Cine 5, announced plans to shut down due to a pipe issue following Tuesday, Feb. 28. The announcement came as multiple Facebook posts on Thursday. Owners stated that an ongoing pipe problem has prompted the closure. “Yes we are closing due to the pipe issue….

Future Of Bergquist Imports In Cloquet ‘Uncertain’ After Fire

CLOQUET, Minn. – The future of Bergquist Imports in Cloquet is uncertain after fire ripped through a large portion of the business Wednesday night. While most of the warehouse houses Bergquist Imports, part of the building also housing Erbert and Gerbert’s as a storefront along the 1400 block of Highway 33. Alan Kurtz, owner of the sandwich shop, told FOX…

Duluth Public Library Partnership in Remodel Plans

DULUTH, Minn.– The Duluth Public Library will soon upgrade their community service center. Mayor Emily Larson revealed a partnership with the Library Foundation at a press conference on Wednesday. Redesign on the facility is expected to start late 2024, with construction hoping to start soon after. The extent of the remodel has not be determined yet, but will be centered…

Minnesota Legislature Making Progress On Bill To Discourage Catalytic Converter Thefts

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota is one of the top states for catalytic converter thefts, and after years of roadblocks, the state legislature is now making some progress on a bill that would discourage it. On Monday, the state House passed a bill that would make it illegal for scrap metal buyers to accept catalytic converters cut off of vehicles….

MSP Airport Flight Cancellations Top 200 So Far Thursday

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – After hundreds of cancellations at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on Wednesday, another 200 flights have already been canceled on Thursday morning. According to MSP Airport’s website, as of 8:50 a.m., 238 flights have been canceled, 10 have been delayed and zero have been diverted. That’s about 30% of outgoing flights and 20% of incoming flights. However, some flights have…