Good Questions: State Fair Edition
Every year this time, you start filling our inbox with your State Fair questions -- on everything from the finances to fish. Heather Brown went to the fair to answer a few of them.
Watch CBS News
Every year this time, you start filling our inbox with your State Fair questions -- on everything from the finances to fish. Heather Brown went to the fair to answer a few of them.
A new report out says pregnant women should avoid all canned tuna. Consumer Reports said on Thursday it's concerned about the mercury levels in some kinds of tuna.
On Wednesday morning, prosecutors in St. Louis presented evidence to a grand jury in the case of Ferguson police officer who shot and killed 18-year-old Michael Brown. It could be weeks before the grand jurors decide whether officer Darren Wilson will go to trial.
As we live longer, more and more of us are having to take care of our aging parents. The National Alliance for Caregivers estimates that 21 percent of people provide elder care in the United States.
Nine days after their son was killed by a Ferguson police officer, Michael Brown's family now says they are convinced the officer who shot him should be punished.
Cheri from Marshall wants to know: How much do you have to clean something you recycle? Hennepin County spokesperson Angie Timmons says recyclables don't require scrubbing or dishwasher treatment, but you should give it a quick rinse.
If you've been on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter in the past few weeks, you've likely seen a friend or two voluntarily pouring an ice-cold bucket of water over their heads.
Returning to work after having a child can be a stressful time for many parents – from worrying to about childcare to simply worrying about their child. According to Child Care Aware, almost 11 million children under the age of 5 are in some type of child care.
His closest friends say Robin Williams would often use humor to hide his depression, which made it harder to detect. Unfortunately, a lot of people are very good at hiding what they're feeling inside. Nearly 60 million people experience a mental health condition every year. But only a fraction of those conditions are ever detected.
The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, better known as ISIS, has already taken over several key cities. This is a militant group that's so extreme that traditional Al Qaeda has disavowed it. The ISIS jihadists move quickly and brutally.
With the Timberwolves likely to trade Kevin Love in a couple weeks, Minnesota sports fans are getting a sense of deja vu. Love is the latest in a long list of Minnesota superstars to be traded, or to leave through free agency.
As many as 3 million people a year visit Mount Rushmore. It's become a summer vacation destination for a lot of families in Minnesota and nationwide. And it has quite a history.
It's Friday, so we're answering some of the Good Questions you've e-mailed us this summer. Chris from Hopkins wants to know: what makes cell phones vibrate? Employees from Sprint said there is a circuit board inside your phone with a ringer attached, and a vibration motor attached.
The list is out for popular restaurant dishes with the worst calorie counts. The Center for Science in the Public Interest reviewed menus at chains across the country.
A new study out Tuesday showed that more than 35 percent of Americans owe money to collections agencies. In most cases, it's from falling behind on credit cards, medical bills, or student loans.
Jason Philip Filas entered a Norgaard plea, which means he admits to the crime and acknowledges he is not innocent, but does not remember the incident.
Officials say that anyone who touched the bat should call 911 and ask to be connected to Animal Care and Control and contact their healthcare provider.
One More Story was started by Harper's parents and the parents of Harper's best friend. It's a space to record and remember what happened on the morning of Aug. 27, 2025, and the days, weeks and months that followed.
A newly renovated wiffle ball field at Annunciation Catholic Church and School was unveiled Saturday and renamed Hope Field in honor of Harper Moyski and Fletcher Merkel, two children killed in last year's church shooting.
An online petition in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, has nearly 800 signatures after neighbors say a city project is threatening to remove historical trees on their street.
Dozens of homes in the city of about 1,200 people were impacted as floodwaters surged through neighborhoods, filled basements and forced evacuations on Saturday.
The long journey from a marked common grave with other POWs in the Philippines to home soil in Minnesota came to an end for Pvt. Wallace Goodrich.
The DNR says the color shows up statewide, not just up north. Prairie parks out west, Mississippi River bluffs down south, and no overnight bag required.
Some families have reported that their kids have waited more than two hours to get on a bus, only to have the bus drive past them.
"We see over $82.5 million visitors throughout the state a year, and a large portion of that are coming through the fall," said Chris Morgan with Explore Minnesota.
In downtown Hudson, Wisconsin, a small gallery is making room for a lot of creativity.
A $1.8 billion project to replace the Blatnik Bridge, which links Duluth, Minnesota, and Superior, Wisconsin, is now underway.
An 18-year-old man has pleaded guilty to killing 10-year-old Lily Peters in Wisconsin four years ago. He was then given a life sentence with the possibility of extended supervision after 25 years.
A Wisconsin prosecutor says he will not file election bribery charges against billionaire Elon Musk even though the state's bipartisan elections commission said he likely broke state law.
A Wisconsin high school football player has died from injuries sustained during a game on Thursday night.
In downtown Hudson, Wisconsin, a small gallery is making room for a lot of creativity.
The nonprofit opened its Twin Cities doors in 2010 and now runs a seven-woman operation out of a warehouse stocked entirely with what other Minnesotans gave away.
An Annandale, Minnesota, boy who survived overwhelming odds as a baby is once again facing a serious heart battle.
Zy'ire was diagnosed with bone cancer in his tibia, and throughout treatment, his love of the game helped keep his spirits up. Make-A-Wish Minnesota granted his wish by putting him on the sideline in Vikings gear.
Lt. Ryan Kelly, the first Minneapolis officer to arrive at Church of the Annunciation on Aug. 27, 2025, described walking in to find dozens of children hiding in the pews — and locating 2 who had already died.
The constitutional amendment would raise the contribution to schools by $33 per pupil for each school. That would take the fund's current contribution of $68 per pupil to $101 per pupil.
Voting in Minnesota started Friday, with 44 days now until the Nov. 3 election. The only open Congressional seat in Minnesota is the second district, now held by DFL Rep. Angie Craig, who chose to run for Senate this year. The district south of the metro is home to major suburbs like Burnsville and part of Woodbury as well as farmland. The major candidates are the DFL nominee, former state Sen. Matt Little and current Republican state Sen. Eric Pratt. Pratt joined Esme Murphy on WCCO Sunday Morning at 10:30 a.m.
When voters go to the polls or get their early ballots, they will be asked to vote on a constitutional amendment to provide more money for Minnesota K-12 schools. If passed, the amendment would raise the contribution to schools by $33 per pupil. Leading the charge on this issue is DFL State Sen. Mary Kunesh from New Brighton.
President Trump said that he has agreed to convert plans for a massive triumphal arch into a "top grade Military Complex," equipped with snipers and drone storage.
In a Truth Social post, Mr. Trump called fears around artificial intelligence possibly becoming a superintelligence that could pose a threat to human existence a hoax.
Every grain and ingredient that comes through the door is certified gluten-free, co-owner Kasey Pate says, a dedicated facility for a community that lost its taproom when Burning Brothers closed last year.
Sunset to sunrise. Any rain, snow, sleet or hail. And any time you can't clearly make out people and vehicles 500 feet ahead. Three triggers in one statute, and most drivers only know the first one.
The Minnesota Department of Human Services is working with a contractor to correct an autism treatment plan backlog that is frustrating both parents and providers.
You've probably seen THC drinks at Minnesota bars and liquor stores, but those made-in-Minnesota drinks could disappear this winter if new federal rules take effect.
The 2026 Minnesota State Fair is rolling out more than three dozen new food items this year, on top of all the returning favorites — which makes putting together a game plan for your visit no small task.
Jason Philip Filas entered a Norgaard plea, which means he admits to the crime and acknowledges he is not innocent, but does not remember the incident.
Minneapolis police are asking for the public's help to find a vehicle they believe is connected to July's mass shooting outside the Reign Event Center.
Ashley Berry told jurors her son had been staying with his father in Columbia Heights because he was struggling at school. Jordan Dupree Collins Sr., who is representing himself, asked her nothing.
Sunset to sunrise. Any rain, snow, sleet or hail. And any time you can't clearly make out people and vehicles 500 feet ahead. Three triggers in one statute, and most drivers only know the first one.
A federal immigration officer is pleading not guilty to federal charges that he lied to the FBI about being attacked before he shot and wounded a Venezuelan man during the immigration crackdown in Minneapolis.
Officials say that anyone who touched the bat should call 911 and ask to be connected to Animal Care and Control and contact their healthcare provider.
Every grain and ingredient that comes through the door is certified gluten-free, co-owner Kasey Pate says, a dedicated facility for a community that lost its taproom when Burning Brothers closed last year.
Nearly half of Americans with medical debt owe at least $2,000, forcing them to make tough choices, new research shows.
The strike will include OBGYNs, psychiatrists and critical care physicians at Mercy Hospital's Coon Rapids campus and Allina Unity's campus in Fridley.
After 334 days in a neonatal intensive care unit in Maple Grove, Minnesota, North Memorial Health's "miracle baby" is finally home.
Duncan Sheik died on Thursday night, his family said.
John Malkovich took the Volpi Cup at Venice this month for Martin McDonagh's CIA drama. Minnesota audiences get it Oct. 15, three weeks before it reaches theaters.
Country music star Kenny Chesney is returning to Minneapolis next year.
WCCO is tracking everything you can go out and do 4 Your Weekend, including at the Minnesota State Fair.
While performing in St. Louis on Saturday night, Lionel Richie appeared at one point to lean on a piano for support, according to video from the show.
Alan Roden hit a three-run homer and drove in a career-high four runs, and Dean Kremer yielded one hit over six stellar innings in the Minnesota Twins' 8-0 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.
Williams departed with a right hamstring injury midway through the fourth quarter.
Williams got hurt while scrambling toward the sideline deep in Vikings territory with about 7 1/2 minutes left.
Napheesa Collier scored 23 points, Olivia Miles added 21 and the Minnesota Lynx beat the Connecticut Sun 101-89 to get closer to clinching the top seed in the WNBA playoffs.
Marco Reus had a goal and an assists, João Klauss and Pablo Ruiz also scored a goal, and the LA Galaxy beat Minnesota United 3-2.
The constitutional amendment would raise the contribution to schools by $33 per pupil for each school. That would take the fund's current contribution of $68 per pupil to $101 per pupil.
In August, a law changing the age for criminal prosecutions in Minnesota went into effect. The law bars children under 13, no matter how serious the crime, from being prosecuted. It's unclear what will happen to kids now accused of these crimes.
Maryland and New Hampshire have similar laws but carve out exceptions for serious violent crimes like murder and rape; Minnesota's version, effective August 1, 2026, has none.
Demuth has been running ads focusing on a million-dollar funding proposal that Klobuchar supported that was stripped out of a funding bill.
She has won four races for U.S. Senate by double digits, and now Sen. Amy Klobuchar is campaigning to become Minnesota's next governor.
From making the paper for Crayola crayons to getting a visit from Mr. Rogers. John Lauritsen shares the history behind a Little Falls paper mill, and how its ruins have become its future, in this week's Finding Minnesota.
Built in 1886, the Prospect House was once a resort hotel. The third floor is preserved to show what the hotel looked like back then, but for Jay Johnson, the real history is in the basement.
For nearly a half century, the Haunted Mansion at the Minnesota State Fair has been scaring people silly.
It is one of the most uniquely shaped buildings at the Minnesota State Fair, and it holds nearly 80 years of history.
For five generations, one family has run the Taylors Falls Scenic Boat Tours along the St. Croix River.
If you're buying ground beef at the grocery store, there's a good chance that part of it came from a country outside the United States.
It's the fifth time in six years that Minnesotans are approaching fall during a drought. The time of year is right when homeowners typically start repairing their yards. Is it worth fighting back now or simply waiting until spring?
The first days of school can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. New teachers, new classes, maybe even a new building. It can be a lot to manage without a plan.
A school night usually means earlier bedtimes and setting multiple alarms. WCCO spoke with a sleep medicine physician about how many alarms you should set to wake up.
Behind the fried foods and thrilling rides, farming remains at the heart of the Minnesota State Fair, where farm families work around the clock to get their animals ribbon-ready.
The Minnesota State Fair has unveiled its new foods for 2026.
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
Minnesotans got a great view of the northern lights Tuesday night.
A look at the newest addition to the polar bear population at St. Paul, Minnesota's Como Zoo.
From food shelves to school programs, our team is proud to serve where it matters most.
Dozens of homes in the city of about 1,200 people were impacted as floodwaters surged through neighborhoods, filled basements and forced evacuations on Saturday.
In Minnesota, weather can be all over the place. Here at WCCO, we want to give you what you need to prepare for what's happening next.
WCCO meteorologist Lisa Meadows has the latest forecast.
The city of New Richland, Minnesota, received upwards of nine inches of rainfall over the weekend, with dozens of homes in the town of 1,200 impacted by flooding. Jason Rantala spoke with residents who say this is by far the worst flooding they've ever seen.
Sunday will be mostly cloudy and cool, with a little afternoon sunshine and highs in the mid-60s.
WCCO meteorologist Lisa Meadows has the latest forecast.
The city of New Richland, Minnesota, received upwards of nine inches of rainfall over the weekend, with dozens of homes in the town of 1,200 impacted by flooding. Jason Rantala spoke with residents who say this is by far the worst flooding they've ever seen.
Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield spoke with Diego Menendez, the president of the Paisley Foundation, to talk about how the organization helps families of children with thanatophoric dysplasia
According to Feeding America, 48 million people live with the reality that they don't know if they are going to have enough to eat. But there are ways to help.
There's one condition that people often turn into a joke: OCD. In reality, it's a serious condition that's often misunderstood. So what is OCD? Erin Venker, the organizer of this year's Minnesota OCD Conference, joins Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield on WCCO Sunday Morning at 7 a.m.