A big announcement was made Tuesday night involving the 40th annual John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon. Officials told FOX 21 the race will not go on as planned because of a serious lack of snow. The Beargrease board members voted on the decision late Tuesday to put on the 40th annual Beargrease on Jan. 26, 2025. The Beargrease was originally…
The Duluth School Board kicked off its first meeting of the year Tuesday night by swearing in the three most recently elected members. The room was energetic and positive as family, friends and supporters watched Stephanie Williams, Henry Banks and Sarah Mikesell affirm their pledge to serve the residents of Duluth. After the stress of campaigning, we discussed what it…
DULUTH, Minn. — It’s been slightly less than a year since Roger Reinert announced that he was running for mayor. And on Tuesday, it was the culmination as he was sworn in as Duluth’s 40th mayor. In the rotunda area of City Hall, with other elected officials, including former mayor Emily Larson, city council members, and the general public in…
WILLOW RIVER, Minn. — The Pine County Sheriff’s Office has identified the driver of a truck that almost hit two kids exiting a school bus. FOX21 reported on the incident last week after a Facebook post by the Sheriff’s Office. It happened on December 21 around 3:22 pm on County Road 41 in Willow River. The trucked veered into the…
DULUTH, Minn. — “Duluth for Mandela: A Northland Celebration” is a locally produced documentary that will be premiering Saturday, January 6 at Zeitgeist Zinema at 2:00 pm. Producer and Director Gerri Williams joined FOX21 on the morning newscast to talk about the film and its purpose. The film is based on community events that took place during 2018, commemorating the…
DULUTH, Minn. — Have you ever considered what a new year’s malt would taste like? Celebrating the new year a diner looks to shake things up with a new malt. At Bridgeman’s for a limited time you can get a taste of the new year with their “Happy New Year” mega malt. Since COVID, staff have been creating new mega…
DULUTH, Minn. — Essentia health-St. Mary’s Medical Center welcomed a set of twins for the first born in 2024. Elle Ustipak and Jason Traver of Duluth welcomed Addison Evonne Traver at 11:22 a.m. Addison’s twin sister, Brinley Eve Traver, arrived shortly after. Addison weighed 5 pounds, 4.3 ounces, while Brinley weighed at 4 pounds, 3.7 ounces. The twins became the…
DULUTH, Minn. — The American Legion Post in West Duluth is typically closed on New Year’s Day, but this afternoon they opened their doors to the public for some drinks and fun. Everyone was invited to enjoy Bloody Mary’s and Walking Tacos, but the main draw was the Pull Tab Racing, according to House Chairman Bob Stephens. People lined up…
DULUTH, Minn. — For the last 62 years now, the Blatnik Bridge helped the Twin Ports to stay connected. Most recently, both Minnesota and Wisconsin submitted their second application for federal funding to replace the bridge. Their first, being back in August. Sunday, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar spoke alongside the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce and the Duluth Building and…
Upper Red Lake, Beltrami County, Minn. — According to a press release from Beltrami County, vehicle access will be restricted on Upper Red Lake effective at sunset on December 30. The lake has seen continued incidents of fishermen being stranded on and breaking through the ice. Including Friday, December 29, when The Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office rescued 122 fisherman after…
DULUTH, Minn. — After already being rescheduled once already, the 2nd Annual Portman Great Skate is being postponed again due to lack of ice. The Portman Great Skate, put on by the Portman Amateur Hockey Association, was originally set for December 16th. After warm temps halted ice making for the rinks, it was postponed to a later date, and now…
DULUTH, Minn. — For the kids who don’t make it to midnight to welcome in the New Year, the Duluth Public Library hosted “Noon” Year’s to celebrate early. Kids 2nd grade and younger joined in on the fun Saturday for the early New Year’s celebration. The library had various craft stations set up and a space for a dance party….
BALKAN TOWNSHIP, Minn. — Saturday, December 30, St. Louis County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a two-vehicle head-on crash around 6:00 a.m. in Balkan Township. The Sheriff’s Office reports that one vehicle was traveling northbound on Hwy 5 and lost control on the ice-covered road. The northbound vehicle struck an oncoming vehicle. The northbound vehicle rolled and ejected the driver, who…
Upper Red Lake, Beltrami County, MN – Over 100 fishermen were stranded and needed to be evacuated from an ice floe on the southeastern area of Upper Red Lake Friday evening that detached from the main shoreline. PRESS RELEASE: At 4:57pm on December 29, 2023 the Beltrami County Emergency Communications Center received a call that around 100 people were stranded…
DULUTH, Minn. — The holidays are a time to travel and gather with family and friends, but with that also comes an increase in the spread of seasonal sickness. Recently, there’s been a rise in RSV, influenza and covid cases nationwide and right here in the northland. St. Luke’s Infectious Disease Doctor Andrew Thompson said, they’re expecting influenza rates to…
Those who want to get outside and enjoy a real winter, don’t know how long they will have to wait. And there is a different kind of waiting going on for those who sell winter gear. Superior’s outdoors gear store, Northwest Outlet, has decided it can’t wait forever for cold and snow, so they’re putting out the sale sign for…
The cautionary tone about being careful on lake and river ice was echoed this week as outdoor enthusiasts get antsy. At Duluth’s Marine General, this month they had customers torn between both ice and open-water fishing. Some anglers were rigging up their boats and heading out on the lake. But with the weather now turning back to a little bit…
While the weather has forced many businesses to adjust, others keep on trucking. Or maybe swimming? The Great Lakes Aquarium is finishing the year in record-breaking fashion. In fact, they’ve broken their attendance record for the second year in a row. In 2023 they had ten thousand more visitors than last year—hitting the 210,000 mark. Aquarium leaders say the holiday…
BAUDETTE, Minn. — An investigation is under way of an apparent drowning on Lake of the Woods after the body of a man was recovered Thursday afternoon. The Lake of the Woods County Sheriff’s office said it was notified around 8 am Thursday morning of a possible drowning at the Northwest Angle near Flag Island on Lake of the Woods….
MINNESOTA — The week between Christmas and New Year’s has become a popular time for ice fishing, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources but that doesn’t mean ice conditions are safe. The DNR and county sheriffs are warning Minnesotans of poor ice conditions across the state. The recent rain, wind, and unseasonably warm weather has caused ice to…
FOX21 reported earlier this week that an anonymous Santa stepped in to help the Duluth Salvation Army this year. Today we all learned who that special Santa is. The Salvation Army says it was Hartel’s Disposal that disposed of the donation shortage. It did so in the form of a check for $25,000 that the company delivered Thursday. The contribution…
While no snow and a lot of rain may have driven people inside to do things like check out Duluth’s trains and railroad museum, there are also those who think winter is going to come–eventually. There were still plenty of snowblowers lined up at Northern Tool and Equipment in Hermantown on Thursday. Store manager Mike Surface said it’s been quiet…
UPPER RED LAKE, Minn. — Two men are safe after the all-terrain vehicle they were on broke through ice on Upper Red Lake Thursday morning. This is the fourth incident like this on Upper Red Lake in just two weeks. According to the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office, it happened on December 28th around 7:30 am just north of the Southern…
Former U.S. Senator and Milwaukee Bucks Owner Herb Kohl has died. Kohl, who was also known as a retail shopping magnate, died Wednesday (12/27) after a brief illness. The son of Jewish immigrants from Russia and Poland, Kohl entered politics in 1988 at the age of 53 after becoming a household name with his family’s chain of Kohl supermarkets and…
WILLOW RIVER, Minn. — The Pine County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the publics help in identifying the driver of a truck that nearly hit two kids exiting a school bus. The vehicle in the video almost hit a couple of kids as they were exiting the School Bus. The incident happened on 12/21/23 at about 3:22PM on County Road…
DULUTH, Minn. — Whether you run a Twin Cities downhill ski facility, or your winter fun is here in the Northland, humans and businesses are all adapting to two different weather worlds. At outdoors gear shop Marine General, they’re already putting out the summer fishing gear. They are trying to keep two seasons satisfied at the same time. That includes…
DULUTH, Minn. — Volunteers gathered Wednesday to assist with day one of tearing down Bentleyville “Tour of Lights.” Roughly 30 to 40 people came together to help tear down five million lights and many displays. The no snow is actually helping the process move fast and efficiently, according to Mayor of Bentleyville Nathan Bentley. Further stating, they’re on track to…
DULUTH, Minn. — If you’re looking for a good chuckle to ring in the New Year, Renegade Comedy is hosting a holiday show at Zeitgeist. The 3rd annual comedy show will have all kinds of laughs, as comedians perform sketches, stand up comedy and even take audience suggestions for improv. The show is for adults only and afterwards, you can…
CLOQUET, Minn. — A Cloquet couple held a grand opening Wednesday for their new business venture– 218 TapHouse, which is now open and ready for customers. After 14 months of planning and construction, the taphouse is finally open in Cloquet. The owners also own Cold One Liquor which is a few doors down from their new business. The taphouse has…
DULUTH, Minn. — It may be the day after Christmas, but the holiday magic stuck around for one last night at the Bentleyville Tour of Lights. Despite spitting rain and winds, crowds gathered for Bentleyville’s final lights of the year. The conditions didn’t stop people from enjoying the display. In fact, this year’s warmer weather brought in potentially record-breaking attendance,…
It was a long, steady march, but the Duluth Salvation Army says they had another Christmas miracle. The organization said Tuesday that it had reached their kettle goal for this holiday season. During the past couple of weeks, they were far behind their goal as the end of the campaign approached. But the day before Christmas Eve, they heard from…
DULUTH, Minn. — When you think of the holiday season, there’s some classic drinks that come to mind: spiked eggnog, festive cocktails, champagne. At Fitger’s Wine Cellar, however, they make sure to have options for anyone of legal drinking age. This year, store manager David Anderson said bourbon has been flying off the shelves, even with increasing prices. “A lot…
DULUTH, Minn. — Christmas shopping might be over, but there’s still plenty of reasons to head to your favorite stores. After spending the holiday weekend indoors, shopping offers a way to get your steps in — without the rain and fog. Visitors from across Minnesota were enjoying Fitger’s Shopping Mall today, including Heidi Hilderth and her family from St. Paul….
DULUTH, Minn, — One person was hospitalized Tuesday morning after a car crashed head on with a Duluth Transit Authority (DTA) bus. According to Duluth Police Department Public Information Officer Mattie Hjelseth, the accident happened around 10:30 am on the ramp over Mesaba Avenue near Michigan Street and the M&H gas station. The initial investigation shows a vehicle was traveling…
The rain has forced a change in plans for Chester Bowl in Duluth. The ski hill was going to start its annual Holiday Ski and Snowboard lessons Tuesday. But the endless rain has changed that, and the hill was closed. Chester Bowl says it is disappointed to be closing, but felt that the best chance to preserve the snow they…
DULUTH, Minn. — On Christmas Eve, churches across the Northland got together. For many, Christmas Eve Services are the largest for people to attend each year. At St. Paul Episcopal Church, a children were invited to take part in the annual Christmas Pageant, which tells the story of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. Following the pageant, the regular church service was…
DULUTH, Minn. — In the spirit of giving, one high school student is doing her part to spread some cheer to kids who are having difficult times during the holidays. Sophie Roazen, a high school freshman, is leading her second annual stuffed animal donation drive. Sophie’s mother, is an ER Doctor at St. Luke’s hospital, and found herself working during…
COHASSET, Minn. — A Cohasset Man wants to remind people to check the ice more frequently after he went under on Friday. Through a phone call, John Anderson described that he was following another driver’s four wheeler’s tracks on Bass Lake, just north of Cohasset. Near the Narrows, the ice underneath Anderson gave out, causing himself, his ice house,…
HERMANTOWN, Minn. — Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas! Saturday those at AAD Shriners were getting in some last minute holiday cheer by having breakfast with Santa himself! AAD Shriners had a day filled with Christmas fun, starting with a breakfast with Santa, then private photography sessions and even hot cocoa with Santa. Families were able to visit with Saint Nick…
CHERRY, Minn. — A vacant home went up in flames Friday Night. Around 8:30 P.M. a house fire was reported just North of Cherry. The house was on the 9700 block of Iron Junction Road. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office responded to the fire. The house was empty at the time, and deemed a total loss. There were no…
GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. — Two people were hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries in Grand Rapids after crashing due to dense fog. According to Minnesota State Patrol, it happened around 5:00 pm Friday evening. A pickup truck was traveling westbound on Highway 169 on Harristown Road when it couldn’t negotiate a stop sign due to fog. The driver passed the stop…
DULUTH, Minn. — A local restaurant is spicing things up for the holidays with a brand-new hot sauce. Although Chachos Taqueria in Canal Park is closed for the season, they are excited to say their new Bandito Sauce is available for the community to try. The sauce is made by roasting vegetables, peppers and habaneros and then soaking golden raisins…
DULUTH, Minn. — Despite it being the end of the shipping season, the Duluth Seaway Port Authority is cruising along with it’s latest closure date since it opened in 1959. It’s been a good year for the seaway with total tonnage running about 4% ahead of last years pace. Iron ore, cement and salt have continued to be strong all…
During the holidays there are many people who are surrounded by friends and family members. But there are also those who may not be remembered by a lot of people. That’s why the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center in Superior has had a gift drive every year since 2012 to remember veterans during this season. They collect and accept…
DULUTH, Minn. — Spirit Mountain’s Board has officially named Ann Glumac as the attraction’s new executive director. This comes after Glumac served as interim executive director since 2020 after the previous husband-and-wife leadership team resigned. Glumac is a former deputy commissioner of the MPCA, IRRB, and former president of the Great Lakes Aquarium. Under her first season at Spirit Mountain,…
DULUTH, Minn. — Thousands came out tonight to celebrate the Winter Solstice. Duluth Parks and Recreation hosted their third annual Solstice Luminary Hike. Everyone was invited to walk the candle-lit half mile loop at Enger Park Golf Course. Plus, with the milder weather, people of all ages and abilities were able to enjoy said Duluth Recreation Specialist Megan Lidd. “We…
DULUTH, Minn. — The wait is over! Duluth might not be a winter wonderland, but there was plenty of snow at Chester Bowl for the ski and snowboard season opener today. The chairlift took up the first excited kids of the season. The volunteer-driven program offers families with an affordable ski hill in town. Chester Bowl provides a positive and…
DULUTH, Minn. — If you’re making a push to the Christmas finish line, you are not alone. For some it means serious shopping down the stretch. For others it means serious giving. The kettles were ready for every sixpence they could get Thursday. To reach its funding goal, the Salvation Army needs $22,000 a day through Saturday. It is a…
DULUTH, Minn. –The Duluth Economic Development Authority, DEDA, voted unanimously to approve an option agreement to sell a part of the Lester Park Golf Property to Oppidan Investment Company, a developer based in Excelsior. The option, which begins January 1, gives the developer the right to purchase nearly 37 acres of the Lester Park property. However, DEDA is requiring certain…
DULUTH, Minn. — When you’re doing your last-minute Christmas shopping, don’t forget to grab something for your furry friend! Duluth’s A Place for Fido is has something for every dogs, says co-owner Jamie Parent. Some of the most popular gifts for dogs this season include holiday-themed treats, plush toys, and puzzles. “Our puzzles have been going out of here like…
