Minnesota

‘If the Dress Fits’ Gives Away Prom Dresses in Barnum

Non-profit has given away close to a thousand dresses over the last five years

BARNUM, Minn. – Prom dresses can be a huge expense for families, but the local non-profit ‘If the Dress Fits’ is here to help. The organization has given away close to a thousand dresses to local families over the last five years. This prom season, they’re taking the donated dresses on the road to small towns across the Northland. “I…

Old and New Snowmobiles Ride at Vintage Classic Snowmobile Party

Snowmobiles from as far back as the 1970s were present.

DULUTH, Minn.- Duluthians were finding all kinds of ways to get outside, including on vintage snowmobiles at Blue Max Restaurant on Lavaque Road. The Vintage Classic Snowmobile Party was full of classic and new snowmobiles tearing it up on the frozen lake. The Party featured from snowmobiles from as far back as the 1970s, giving their owners a chance to…

Warm Temps Bring Dogs out to Dog Park

Jean Duluth Dog Park filled with happy canines.

DULUTH, Minn.- The weather Saturday was perfect for some pups and their people to hit the Jean Duluth Dog Park. The park was filled with furry four-legged friends frolicking in the sun, enjoying temperatures that reached the low 40s. One dog, a Newfoundland puppy named Boris, was the biggest kid on the playground. He’s 130 lbs now, and will grow…

Carlton And Wrenshall School Districts Vote to Move Forward With Consolidating

NORTHLAND – The Carlton and Wrenshall School Boards recently passed resolutions to begin planning the consolidation of two schools. The proposed consolidation plan would mean South Terrace school in Carlton becomes pre-k through sixth grade, and Wrenshall would have grades seven through twelve. The next step in the process is to work with local representatives to make the consolidation eligible…

Canal Park Brewing Brings Home The Gold And Bronze From Best Of Craft Beer Awards

This is the eighth award Canal Park Brewing has won within the last year.

DULUTH, Minn. – Canal Park Brewing in Duluth is toasting after getting some major recognition for their beer. The brewery recently took home the gold and bronze from the Best of Craft Beer Awards, which was held in Oregon. The competition is the third largest of its kind and recognizes breweries from around the world. Staff at Canal Park Brewing…

Noah Hobbs Announces Run for St. Louis County Commissioner

DULUTH, Minn. – Former Duluth City Councilor Noah Hobbs announced Friday afternoon that he will be running for St. Louis County Commissioner in District 3. Hobbs had been city council president since 2018 and filled the seat of “At Large City Councilor” before losing the position in the November 2019 election. In a Friday press release, Hobbs said, “I’m engaged…

Ellison: Mille Lacs Band Still has 61K-Acre Reservation

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota’s attorney general contends the Mille Lacs Indian Reservation still exists. In a legal filing this week, Attorney General Keith Ellison backed the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe’s assertion that the band has 61,000 acres across the south shore of Mille Lacs Lake. The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports Gov. Tim Walz supports fellow Democrat Ellison’s…

Midday Update 2-21-20

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Friday, February 21, 2020

Join FOX 21’s Arman Rahman and Meteorologist Brittney Merlot for a local look at news and weather making headlines Friday, February 21, 2020. Categories: Community, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News

Nurse Sentenced to 13 Years in Prison for Harming Infants

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A nurse convicted of injuring nine infants at a Wisconsin hospital has been sentenced to 13 years in prison. Christopher Kaphaem pleaded guilty in September to 19 felony counts, including child abuse, for injuries to the babies in the newborn intensive care unit at UnityPoint Health-Meriter hospital in Madison. Injuries ranged from bruises to broken bones…

Finnish ‘Kalevala Day’ Celebrated in Duluth

Admission is free, free will offering accepted.

DULUTH, Minn.- Rita Perttula Wiegel and Arlene Putikka Tucker stop by to talk the big Kalevala day celebration at the Kenwood Lutheran Church this Sunday. Categories: Community, Entertainment, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News Tags: Arlene Putikka Tucker, Kalevala, Kenwood Lutheran church, Rita Perttula Wiegel

“Sunscriptions” Filled on the SunSpot Bus

ACTIVE ADVENTURES: Mobile Unit Geared to Help Vitamin D Deficiency, SAD and Winter Blues

DULUTH, Minn. — In this weeks Active Adventures Fox 21’s Brittney Merlot takes on the SUNSPOT BUS! If you are battling the winter blues, cabin fever, vitamin D deficiency and finding yourself not being very active, light therapy can help you! ABOUT: The further one lives north of the equator, the less sunshine hits the surface of the earth or…

Morning Update 2-21-20

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Friday, February 21, 2020

Join FOX 21’s Arman Rahman and Meteorologist Brittney Merlot for a local look at news and weather making headlines Friday, February 21, 2020. Categories: Community, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News

Chief Tusken Reflects On Police Department Assessment Report

DULUTH, Minn. – A top to bottom outside assessment of the Duluth Police Department is now complete. And Chief Mike Tusken says he’s pleased that the recommendations for improvements were nothing overly unexpected. Tusken says one of the strengths highlighted in the report applauds the department’s mental health unit as innovative and progressive. On the flip side, the report concluded…

Husky Energy Evacuated Due to Infrastructure Concerns

Stinson Avenue blocked in front of refinery; officials say there's no risk of fire, explosion, or chemical release

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Tonight, an investigation is underway at the Husky Energy Refinery in Superior after a swaying stack caused an evacuation. The stack could be seen swaying back and forth. Wind gusts at the nearby Bong Airport were reported at twenty-five miles per hour. The Superior Police Department tells us refinery crews heard a “pop” and noticed a problem…

The Lake Superior Zoo Hosts Annual “Community Day”

The Duluth "Community Days" are celebrated by other tourist attractions such as the Great Lakes Aquarium and the Duluth Depot.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Lake Superior Zoo hosted it’s annual Community Day to say thank you to Duluthians and other supporters of the popular tourist attraction. Visitors received the great perk of free admission to explore the zoo. They had the chance to learn more about their nearly 150 species of animals and also a few new additions like Taj…

Congressman Pete Stauber Meets With Duluth School Board To Discuss Special Education Challenges

DULUTH, Minn. – Special education needs in public schools have risen drastically over the years, not just in Minnesota, but nationally. Congressman Pete Stauber sat down with the Duluth School Board to hear some of the special education challenges impacting our schools. Funding to support special education needs was promised long ago by the federal government to help offset costs,…

NorShor Theatre Board Discussing Upcoming Garrison Keillor Performance Amid Backlash

DULUTH, Minn. – Just hours after the NorShor Theatre posted on its Facebook page Thursday about the April performance by former MPR “A Prairie Home Companion” host Garrison Keillor, the post was pulled down and the show’s ticket information was removed from the NorShor’s website amid backlash on social media. There was no official word of the show being canceled,…

Essentia Health Purchases Former Miller Hill Mall Sears Location

DULUTH, Minn. – Essentia Health announced Thursday afternoon that they have purchased the former Sears location at Miller Hill Mall. Essentia Health made the announcement Thursday afternoon in a press release saying, “The acquisition will allow the Northland’s largest health care provider to offer a variety of services to its patients at a convenient location. Several options are being considered…

Shrimp Scampi Roma A Favorite At Valentini’s

COOKING CONNECTION: Valentini's Hermantown

HERMANTOWN, Minn. — In this week’s Cooking Connection Fox 21’s Brittney Merlot heads up the hill to Valentini’s newest location. Their kitchen manager has been there for years and shows us how to make their popular and loved Italian menu item, Shrimp Scampi Roma! ABOUT: Authentic Italian food, memorable events, and exceptional service have defined Valentini’s for over 80 years….

Roger Stone Sentenced to 40 Months in Prison

WASHINGTON (AP) – Roger Stone, a staunch ally of President Donald Trump, has been sentenced to 40 months in prison on his convictions for witness tampering and lying to Congress. Thursday’s action in federal court comes amid Trump’s unrelenting defense of his longtime confidant that has led to a mini-revolt inside the Justice Department and allegations the president has interfered…

Midday Update 2-20-20

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Thursday, February 20, 2020

Join FOX 21’s Arman Rahman and Meteorologist Brittney Merlot for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, February 20, 2020. Categories: Community, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News

Recycling Plant Fire Burns for 3rd Day in Minnesota

(courtesy: Fox 9) BECKER, Minn. (AP) – Firefighters are battling a stubborn fire at a metal recycling plant in a small Minnesota community for a third consecutive day. The fire at the Northern Metals plant in Becker is unleashing noxious, billowing smoke. Firefighters on Thursday worked to extinguish the blaze in the Sherburne County city about 50 miles northwest of…

Morning Update 2-20-20

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Thursday, February 20, 2020

Join FOX 21’s Arman Rahman and Meteorologist Brittney Merlot for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, February 20, 2020. Categories: Community, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News

St. Paul Man Dies on Lutsen Ski Hill

LUTSEN, Minn. (AP) – Sheriff’s officials say a St. Paul man has died on a ski hill in northeastern Minnesota. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office says 70-year-old David Skog was found unresponsive and bleeding from the face on a ski hill at Lutsen Mountains ski area Wednesday afternoon. It wasn’t immediately clear how Skog was fatally injured. The ski patrol…

Surf’s Up On A Wintry Lake Superior

DULUTH, Minn. – Who needs to go to California, Florida, or Hawaii to surf when you can jump in Lake Superior in the middle of the winter? Some brave souls wet-suited up and rode the big lake’s waves near Brighton Beach recently. FOX 21 photojournalist Nathaniel LeCapitaine takes us there in this week’s Great Outdoors. Categories: Great Outdoors, Minnesota, News,…

Longtime Duluth City Attorney Suspended; No Comment From Mayor Larson’s Office

DULUTH, Minn. – Longtime Duluth City Attorney Gunnar Johnson confirmed to FOX 21 Wednesday that he’s been placed on administrative suspension. Johnson said he was “shocked” to learn about his suspension last Wednesday and never saw anything of this magnitude coming from Mayor Emily Larson and her administration. Johnson said it’s his understanding a Twin Cities law firm has been…

Birkie Preps Are Well Underway For This Weekend

HAYWARD, Wis. – The town of Hayward is already beginning to transform and the excitement is building as everyone gets ready for the 46th Annual American Birkebeiner The cross-country ski race is one of the largest of its kind in North America. It typically draws tens of thousands of people including spectators and experienced skiers from around the world to…

2nd Annual “Superior Sinker” Event Underway

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – One group of young professionals over in Superior is putting on a unique fundraiser. After its success last year, the organization Superior Jaycees is underway with its second annual “Superior Sinker” event. For the fundraiser, the group put a car out in the middle of the frozen pond on Barker’s Island. The public can now guess the…

Minnesota Task Force Takes Aim at Prescription Drug Prices

ST. PAUL, Minn.-Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has unveiled a task force report that makes 14 separate recommendations for lowering prescription drug prices. They range from new legislation to stronger enforcement action. Ellison said at a news conference Wednesday that the pharmaceutical market is “opaque and dysfunctional.” And he says the confusion has been a barrier to fixing the problem….

Midday Update 2-19-20

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Join FOX 21’s Andrew Kirov and Meteorologist Brittney Merlot for a local look at news and weather making headlines Wednesday, February 19, 2020. Categories: Community, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News

Fire at Minnesota Recycling Plant Possibly Affecting Air Quality

(courtesy: Bill Keller/FOX 9) BECKER, Minn. – Officials are monitoring the air quality in a small Minnesota community where a fire at a metal recycling plant has burned for more than 24 hours. Firefighters in the Sherburne County community of Becker continued to fight the stubborn blaze Wednesday after working all day and through the night Tuesday at Northern Metal…

No Injuries Reported in I-35 Logging Truck Spill

DULUTH, Minn. – Authorities say a semi-truck with the Claw Trucking Group delayed traffic Tuesday evening after the truck spilled its load of logs onto the southbound Hwy 53 ramp. The truck was exiting the ramp onto I-35 south when it lost its load of logs around 4:15 p.m. Tuesday which caused a significant backup of traffic. Authorities say there…

Morning Update 2-19-20

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Join FOX 21’s Andrew Kirov and Meteorologist Brittney Merlot for a local look at news and weather making headlines Wednesday, February 19, 2020. Categories: Community, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News

Park Officials Remind Pet Owners to “Pick Up Poop”

Piles of Poop Left Behind Causes Concerns from Park Officials, City Staff

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s warm, squishy, and it stinks. We’re talking poop. Chances are you’re guilty once or twice of watching your pet poo, and walking away in a public place. But it’s now becoming a problem within the Twin Ports, one pile leading to hundreds if not thousands left unattended. “No one wants to walk in poop when they’re…

It’s National Drink Wine Day!

DULUTH, Minn – Here’s a reminder to grab yourself a glass of your favorite wine today. It’s National Drink Wine Day. It’s not to be confused with National Wine Day which is celebrated in May. Today’s unofficial holiday celebrates those who just like to enjoy a glass of wine. But those lovers can take it a step further by making…

HealthPartners Union Workers Reach Tentative Contract Deal

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The union representing 1,800 HealthPartners workers in Minnesota says it has reached a tentative labor agreement and averted a strike that was scheduled to begin Wednesday. The Service Employees International Union says the agreement was reached early Tuesday after 17 hours of negotiations. Union members will vote on it next week. Members include nurses, physicians assistants, dental…

Polls Open for Wisconsin Spring Primary Election

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Polls are now open for the Wisconsin spring primary election. Two Republican candidates and two Democratic candidates are running to replace former Congressman Sean Duffy’s seat in District 7. The Democratic candidates are Lawrence Dale and Tricia Zunker, and the Republican candidates are Jason Church and Tom Tiffany with only one to advance. Running for justice of…

Suspect Sought in Fatal Bemidji Shooting

Authorities are Still Searching for the Suspect

BEMIDJI, Minn. – Authorities in northern Minnesota are searching for a suspect in a fatal shooting. Beltrami County sheriff’s dispatchers got a call about a man who had been shot outside a residence Monday night. Police officers and sheriff’s deputies arrived and found the body of a 20-year-old man. According to reports, another victim in the shooting, a 17-year-old male,…

Special Report: Suicidal Thoughts Resulting in “The Final Journey”

Contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK)

LAKE COUNTY, Minn. – It’s one word surrounded by stigma and often never discussed — Suicide. Nationally, the number of people taking their lives continues to dramatically rise year-after-year. So how do the numbers break down locally? The number of suicides reported along the North Shore of Minnesota have spiked over the past ten years. Many people have come from…

The Number Of Flu Cases In Northland Jump From Last Year

Experts say flu cases are up by 15% for this season.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Northland is really taking a hit with the influenza virus. Schools and senior living facilities are some of the places that are experiencing a widespread outbreak. Healthcare providers say the number of cases is up by 15% from last year. There are three strains of the Influenza Virus, but most commonly people get the “A” or…

At Sara’s Table Reopens After Week Long Renovations

DULUTH, Minn – The popular restaurant At Sara’s Table in Duluth has reopened after closing for more than a week while undergoing renovations. The restaurant added a few new bathrooms and an upstairs conference space, which can hold up to 30 people. Most notably, there is a new re-designed french-inspired professional kitchen. The new set up is more open giving…

Midday Update 2-17-20

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Monday, February 17, 2020

Join FOX 21’s Arman Rahman and Meteorologist Ryan Johnson for a local look at news and weather making headlines Monday, February 17, 2020. Categories: Community, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News