Author: Dan Hanger

DECC’s ‘Taco Fest’ Faces Criticism For Not Including Local Mexican Restaurants

DECC officials said its kitchen-prepared event will break even and support staff during slow summer months.

DULUTH, Minn. – The DECC’s first-ever Taco Festival is drawing some criticism because the event does not include any local Mexican restaurants. The DECC describes the event as “a festival-style taco extravaganza,” “a street party with tacos,” and “signature margaritas.” The Taco Fest is happening outside Pioneer Hall Saturday, July 6, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.  The DECC’s kitchen…

Hibbing Police Make Big Break In 2017 Unsolved Murder Of Businessman

HIBBING, Minn. — The 2017 murder of Hibbing business owner Brian Nelson remains unsolved, as the 7th anniversary of his death approaches next week. But Monday night, FOX 21 confirmed Hibbing police investigators are closing in on the case. After seven years of investigating every lead possible, new forensic technology has created the most credible lead yet into finding out…

Diver Drowns In Crane Lake While Trying To Recover Sunken Machinery

CRANE LAKE, Minn. – A scuba diver from Embarrass drowned Sunday while trying to recover a piece of sunken machinery on Crane Lake, according to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office. The 50-year-old, William Rebarich was in 70 feet of water when he failed to resurface during the attempt to recover the sunken equipment. Crane Lake is just outside Voyageurs…

Cook Community Leans On Each Other As Swollen River Takes Over Downtown

Gov. Walz will visit Cook and Biwabik on Thursday to survey the flood damage.

COOK, Minn. – The small, close-knit city of Cook is dealing with a big problem.  The swollen Littlefork River has sent feet of water into the low-lying downtown. Homes and businesses are surrounded by water.  Some basements have feet of water, according to locals. There was a slight sign of relief Thursday because forecasters believe the river has hit its…

UPDATE: Two Juveniles Arrested in Robbery and Assault of 75-year-old Man

DULUTH, Minn. — Two male juveniles, a 14-year-old and 16-year-old, were arrested Wednesday, June 19 in the assault and robbery of a 75-year-old man in the DECC parking ramp. UPDATE (6/20): The juveniles are facing pending charges of Aid and Abet 1st Aggravated Robbery and 3rd Degree Riot charges. They were detained at about 10:30 pm on Wednesday, June 19…

FOX 21 Local News At 9: Tuesday’s Severe Weather Coverage

NORTHLAND — Video from viewers from around the Northland shows manholes unable to hold all the rain water in Bovey. The streets were comparable to small riverways. A similar story comes out of McKinley, as the heavy rainfall sends water down the streets and around homes. Video from viewers in Hibbing shows parking lots flooded. With vehicle owners moving cars…

Fire Breaks Out At Uptown Mall In Virginia

Credit: Northland Fire Wire VIRGINIA, Minn. – Fire broke out at the Uptown Mall in Virginia Thursday afternoon. Credit: Northland Fire Wire Pictures from the Northland Fire Wire showed dark, black smoke coming from the building. The Fire Wire reported that the flames were contained to a storage area thanks to the mall’s sprinkler system. Multiple area fire departments responded….

Crow Wing County Reports Significant Storm Damage

We are getting new images of significant damage in Crow Wing County from Wednesday’s severe storms. The Sheriff’s Office posted photos late Wednesday showing a camper flipped over, trees down, and pieces of debris, like a 2X4 through a home’s roof. The pictures were taken off Highway 6 just north of Crosby. This is the same area where storm chasers…

Female Exits Residence Peacefully After Crisis Team Response In Lincoln Park

UPDATE: 10:30 p.m.: After making contact with the female, she exited the residence peacefully and was transported to a local hospital for a mental health evaluation. There were no injuries during this incident and the area is now clear. BREAKING: Officers are on scene of a welfare check in the 3000 block of Restormel Street in Duluth’s Lincoln Park that…

Duluth Settles With Victim Of Officer-Involved Shooting For $600,000

Jared Fyle’s door showing damage from bullets: Photo credit: Robins Kaplan LLP DULUTH, Minn. – The city of Duluth has awarded a $600,000 civil suit settlement to a man who was shot by a police officer in 2020. Officer Tyler Leibfried was responding to a domestic assault call at a downtown apartment building when he mistakenly thought he heard two…

Michipicoten Emergency: U.S. Coast Guard Was Ready For ‘Worst Case Scenario’

The Coast Guard said the ship struck something underwater in Lake Superior.

The 689-foot Michipicoten safely arrived in the harbor of Thunder Bay Saturday afternoon after the ship starting taking on water 35 miles southwest of Isle Royale Saturday morning. The U.S. Coast Guard said the ship struck something underwater just before 7 a.m. Saturday near Isle Royale Pumps were used to displace “some water entering spaces,” according to the USCG. The…

Motorcyclist Killed After Crash With SUV In Hermantown

HERMANTOWN, Minn. — A motorcyclist was killed Wednesday at a busy intersection in Hermantown on Miller Trunk Highway. Hermantown police said a 71-year-old man from Hermantown was riding his Harley Davidson northbound on Stebner Road when it was struck by an SUV traveling westbound on Miller Trunk Highway. The crash happened around 11 a.m. The 63-year-old female driver who is…

Pro-Palestine March In Duluth, Rally Outside DFL Convention

DULUTH, Minn. – A pro-Palestine march started at Duluth City Hall Saturday and ended in a rally outside the door of the DECC where the DFL Convention was being held. The Twin Ports Democratic Socialists of America organized the protest. The group spoke on the following demands:  A ceasefire now, repeal the Minnesota Anti-Boycott, Divest and Sanction Law, end all…

DFL Convention In Duluth: Delegates Endorse Sen. Klobuchar For Reelection

DULUTH, Minn. – The DECC Arena was full of the DFL party this weekend for the Minnesota State Convention. Delegates endorsed Sen. Amy Klobuchar for re-election, selected final delegates to the Democratic National Convention in August and heard from Gov. Tim Walz, Sen. Tina Smith, Jen Schultz, among other DFL candidates and elected officials. As for Klobuchar, she was in…

Minneapolis Police Officer Among 4 Dead In Mass Shooting: KMSP-TV

(FOX 9) MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – A Minneapolis police officer and the suspected shooter were killed in a mass shooting in the city on Thursday. According to officials, the shooting at an apartment building Thursday afternoon along Blaisdell Avenue near 22nd Street left six people shot, including two police officers and four civilians. In an update at 8:30 p.m., city officials said the suspected gunman and…

Superior Police: Speed, Alcohol Likely Factors In Fatal Rollover

Viewer photo of crash scene SUPERIOR, Wis. —  Superior police are investigating a fatal one-vehicle rollover that they believe involved excessive speed and alcohol. The accident was reported around 10 p.m. Sunday on Hwy 105 and Logan Avenue in the South Superior neighborhood. The 25-year-old male driver from Superior was ejected and later died at a hospital. The 24-year-old male…

Ice Is Gone, Rivers Are Flowing For Whitewater Rafting Season

The ice is gone, the temps are rising and the rivers are ready for rafting. Minnesota Whitewater Rafting are ready to get people out on the St. Louis River this Memorial Day weekend and the rest of the summer for wild adventures on the rapids. “You’re gonna to get wet. That’s the biggest thing. People always ask, is someone gonna…

Day 22: Duluth Civic Center Pro-Palestine Encampment

DULUTH, Minn. – Wednesday, May 22, marked exactly three weeks since pro-Palestinian protesters set up an encampment in Duluth’s Civic Center. There were around 10 tents set up Wednesday evening. One protester, who did not want to be named, has been at the encampment since the beginning. He said Homeland Security asked the group to move off federal land near…

Duluth Girl Dies After Side-By-Side Crash; Criminal Investigation Underway

Authorities said the driver is 18 years old and alcohol is believed to be involved.

Crash scene CANOSIA TOWNSHIP, Minn. — A Duluth girl has died after a UTV side-by-side she was riding in rolled into some trees earlier this month in Canosia Township, according to Sgt. Eric Sathers. Meanwhile, the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office says criminal charges could soon be filed against the driver. The crash happened around 10:15 p.m. May 6 near…

Duluth’s ‘Substance Use Response Team’ Coordinator Talks Opioid Crisis

DULUTH, Minn. —  Last year in Duluth, a record number of opioid-related overdoses were recorded. There were a total of 480 opioid-related overdoses, including 46 deaths. In 2013, there were 42 opioid-related overdoses and one death. Jessica Nickila, coordinator of the Duluth Police Department’s Substance Use Response Team (SURT), said the over prescribing of opioids decades ago in our area…

Voters Reject Duluth School District’s Technology Referendum For Second Time

DULUTH, Minn. — For a second time, voters have rejected a proposed technology referendum Tuesday for the Duluth School District. The levy would have provided $5.2 million annually over the next decade for learning technology, digital curriculum and security, according to the district. Below is a press release sent out by the district Tuesday night: Residents of Duluth Public Schools…

Driver Arrested After Hitting Utility Pole, Vehicle On Garfield Ave.

DULUTH, Minn. — A driver is facing serious charges after Duluth police said he slammed into a utility pole and a vehicle. The crash happened around 10:45 a.m. Saturday in the 500 block of Garfield Avenue. The Blatnik Bridge and Garfield Avenue were closed until Minnesota Power could stabilize powerlines and install a new power pole. Police said the 36-year-old…

Hermantown Firefighters Tackle ‘Significant Training Opportunity’

HERMANTOWN, Minn. — Hermantown firefighters battled a house fire Saturday as part of a “significant training opportunity.” The structure was donated by local developers from Platinum Properties and Patriot Properties of Hermantown. The day-long event featured a variety of training exercises within and around the house on the 4700-block of Lindgren Road. Categories: Minnesota, News, News – Latest News, Public…

Prescribed Burns Begin In Superior National Forest

Prescribed burning began Sunday in the Superior National Forest, north of Ely. Officials said the burning helps reduce hazardous fuel build-up and lowers the risk of intense wildfires. The process helps forest health and wildlife habitat, and is culturally significant to indigenous people in the area, according to the DNR. Categories: Environment, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News, Public Safety

Duluth’s ‘Tourism Marketing Working Group’ To Hold Listening Sessions In May

DULUTH, Minn. — The future of Duluth’s multi-million dollar tourism marketing contract is being guided by a working group at the request of Mayor Roger Reinert.  And later in May, there are opportunities for businesses and the public to weigh in. This comes after Reinert’s announcement in March that he believes next year’s marketing contract should be awarded to local…

Minnesota’s April Distracted Driving Citations ‘Extremely Frustrating’

Disturbing, unacceptable and extremely frustrating — those are the words from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety when describing the number of distracted driving citations in April. “The number of citations issued is disturbing, unacceptable and extremely frustrating,” said Mike Hanson, DPS Office of Traffic Safety director. “Getting distracted behind the wheel for even a couple seconds can end with…

Wildfire Burns Dozens Of Acres Near Cotton

Courtesy: Northland Fire Wire KELSEY TOWNSHIP, Minn. — A wildfire ignited Thursday afternoon near Cotton that burned up dozens of acres. Kelsey and Cotton firefighters, along with the Minnesota DNR, were called in around 1p.m. along Kacer Road in Kelsey Township, according to the Northland Fire Wire. The Cotton Fire Department said the fire burned at least 80 acres, according…

Pro-Palestine Encampment Grows In Duluth Civic Center; Police Monitoring

DULUTH, Minn. — A few more tents have arrived at the pro-Palestine encampment in Duluth’s Civic Center courtyard six days after police said it was illegal to set up tents on the property. On Tuesday, May 7, there were at least five tents, instead of the original two, outside the Federal Building, St. Louis County Courthouse and City Hall. A…

Day 2: Pro-Palestine Demonstrations At Rose Garden, Civic Center

DULUTH, Minn. — At least 50 people arrived at the Duluth Rose Garden during the 7 o’clock hour Thursday evening. The pro-Palestine protesters were making their voices heard for the second day in a row there. The crowd Thursday was much larger than last night’s demonstration. Earlier in the day Thursday, the city of Duluth put out a warning that…

Duluth Police Ask Pro-Palestine Encampment To Leave Civic Center

DULUTH, Minn. — A small encampment In the Duluth Civic Center courtyard got a visit from the Duluth Police Department Wednesday evening. The two officers told the pro-Palestinian protesters that it’s against the law to set up camps sites on the property. Wednesday marked the first time protesters have taken to the streets of Duluth to set up an encampment…

‘Duluth Palestine Solidarity Camp’ Forms At Rose Garden

Courtesy: The Duluth Palestine Solidarity Camp DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Palestine Solidarity Camp, as the group is calling themselves, set up an encampment at the Rose Garden Wednesday evening.   This encampment followed another encampment within the Duluth Civic Center, which police said was not legal. Duluth Palestine Solidarity Camp’s purpose is to “demand city and state divestment and boycott…

Sexually Explicit Video Involving Minors Circulates Lincoln Park Middle School

DULUTH, Minn. – Lincoln Park Middle School alerted parents Wednesday about a sexually explicit video involving minors that was circulating among students. In an email to parents, the principal said the video originated outside of school but was still a serious situation because of the content and the “legal implications associated with distributing or possessing such material.” The school is…

Endion Station Inn Hosts ‘The Great Duluth Sweat Together’

DULUTH, Minn. – Hearty Duluthians came out Saturday for The Great Duluth Sweat Together at the Endion Station Inn in Canal Park. The fun included around a dozen mobile Wood Fire Saunas and an Endion Deck Sauna. People also got their cold plunge into Lake Superior or use cold plunge tubs. The event was described as a day full of…

Iron County Sheriff’s Office Considers 2 Horse Deaths ‘Suspicious’

Two horse fatalities are under investigation in Iron County. The Sheriff’s Office posted on Facebook to say investigators consider the deaths “suspicious.” The deaths happened Wednesday night into early Thursday on a property off of County Highway C in South Carey. Anyone with information is asked to contact Lt, Foryan or Sgt. Wozniak of the Iron County Sheriff’s Office at…