WCCO Saturday Morning Links & Recap (March 14, 2015)
It's another jam-packed episode of WCCO Saturday Morning. It's the weekend before St. Patrick's Day, and Natalie Nyhus and Mike Augustyniak were getting into the spirit of things.
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It's another jam-packed episode of WCCO Saturday Morning. It's the weekend before St. Patrick's Day, and Natalie Nyhus and Mike Augustyniak were getting into the spirit of things.
It started as a joke, an offhanded remark about granola between an Ely man and his wife. Eight years later, that joke has turned into a full time job and a company with a name you won't forget: Crapola.
Every Friday, Mike Augustyniak picks up a new cocktail recipe from a local mixologist. This week, he headed over to The Liffey for a couple drinks that will definitely get you in the St. Patrick's Day spirit.
Bald eagles are migrating back to Minnesota, and the Department of Natural Resources says they may be seen in large numbers across parts of the state over the next few weeks. A DNR official says eagles typically come through the area in mid-to-late March, as waters begin to open up and the snow melts.
This year's St. Patrick's Day parade is Tuesday, and WCCO's own Jamie Yuccas will be the celebrity grand marshal. Festivities will include floats, bands, walking units, and several new entries. The parade starts at 6:30 p.m. on Nicollet Mall, between 11th Street and 5th Street.
Late winter days like Thursday aren't just good for morale. For some locals, the early arrival of spring means more money. For instance, on Marquette Ave. and 7th Street, light jacket weather equals heavy foot traffic in the food truck lines.
Minnesota Food Share is working to restock food shelves across the state for the Minnesota Food Share March Campaign. It's the largest food and fund drive in the state of Minnesota. They're hoping to raise more than half the food distributed by 300 food shelves throughout the year.
St. Olaf College in Northfield is celebrating the life and death of one of its most famous alums. Reverend James Reeb was a member of the class of 1950 and one of several icons of the civil rights movement. Reeb answered the call for clergy to join civil rights marchers in Selma in March of 1965.
It takes quite the process to get local maple syrup from the tree to your table. The biggest indicator of how much we'll get to enjoy is determined by Mother Nature.
"nto the Woods is an epic musical that incorporates the classic Brothers Grimm fairytales of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel—all tied together by an original story involving a baker, his wife and the witch who has cursed them. In this contemporary twist on the beloved classics, Director Peter Rothstein sets Sondheim's fairytale mashup in a Bavarian beer garden with ten actors who take on more than two-dozen characters in this highly theatrical tour-de-force!"
Feeling witty? Metro Transit needs help naming its new mascot. It's the easily recognizable transit symbol, complete with arms and legs!
Toyota is recalling more than 112,000 cars. That includes 2015 Camrys and Highlanders, as well as certain 2012 to 2015 RAV4 vehicles.
A Minnesota family is suing a restaurant for what they consider a fatal mistake. Scott Johnson died last summer after eating pancakes at a Bemidji restaurant. He suffered from a severe dairy allergy since birth. The Johnson's said they were told the restaurant's gluten-free pancakes were also dairy-free.
Investigators are asking for help finding the people who intentionally started a fire over the weekend. They now believe a three-alarm fire at a northeast Minneapolis lumber yard is arson.
Minnesotans are bringing out their motorcycles for the first time this season. While the weather is perfect for riding, other factors make this time of year especially dangerous for bikers.
Outside the Minnesota Capitol on Saturday, there was chanting and passion in a symbol known worldwide.
Postal workers across Minnesota and the United States are both delivering mail and receiving donations Saturday.
Saturday will be a little cooler than Friday, with temperatures in the low-to-mid 60s.
It's been a few years now since Anoka's Downtown Social District first started in 2023. It gives residents and visitors the chance to sip and stroll while supporting other local businesses.
Data from the Minneapolis Police Department on Friday showed there were 2,086 stolen vehicles so far in 2026, which is about 400 more than this time in 2025. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty believes the solution to stop the thefts is prevention, diversion and prosecution to slow this surge.
A man was found dead in a wooded area around 2:30 p.m. Friday, after a short pursuit on an ATV, according to the Becker County Sheriff's Office.
Postal workers across Minnesota and the United States are both delivering mail and receiving donations Saturday.
The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office is investigating after a car hit a cyclist early Saturday morning.
Two canoers were rescued after a water emergency at the Island Lake Dam north of Duluth, Minnesota, Saturday morning.
According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and their outlook for this year, smoky skies just may be our new normal.
A 100-mile stretch of Mississippi River towns is hosting its annual 100 Mile Garage Sale this weekend, drawing shoppers and sellers from across the region and beyond.
Minnesota animal rescues are stepping up to take in dogs from a Wisconsin research facility accused of animal abuse.
You may have heard of Give to the Max Day, where people donate millions of dollars to hundreds of nonprofits and organizations across Minnesota on a single day. That idea has spread to western Wisconsin, called Give Big Valleys.
Federal prosecutors say a small-town Wisconsin police chief tried to help California gun dealers import illegal armor-piercing rounds from Europe.
Local and federal law enforcement are investigating after nearly 50 firearms and "a large quantity of ammunition" were stolen from a sporting goods store in St. Croix County, Wisconsin, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said Friday.
Somali and Muslim leaders in Minnesota played a threatening voicemail at a public gathering Friday, saying businesses in their community are being targeted with messages warning of death.
The Black homeownership rate in the Twin Cities dropped to 29% in 2024, and the region had the largest gap between Black and White homeownership rates of any comparable metro in the country.
Bobby Rogers once came to the Minneapolis Institute of Art to sketch and study; now he leads its design and editorial work, shaping what visitors see and experience.
Moses Cooper, who has cerebral palsy, met running partner Mark Hulsey through My Team Triumph Minnesota two years ago and the pair qualified for the Boston Marathon at Grandma's Marathon last summer.
Mackenzie Reed, head custodian at Shakopee East Middle School, has painted large-scale murals throughout the building she once attended as a student, creating a more welcoming space for current students.
The Trump administration announced a major expansion of its denaturalization campaign targeting foreign-born American citizens accused of fraudulently obtaining U.S. citizenship.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a statement that the documents "have long fueled justified speculation — and it's time the American people see it for themselves."
President Trump says the ceasefire with Iran is still intact despite an escalation in tensions, plus more of the day’s top stories.
The Bloomington Police Department created a new executive protection unit amid rising political violence and increasing threats to Minnesota lawmakers.
After months of back and forth, Republicans and Democrats in both chambers of the Minnesota Legislature found a way forward to establish a new Office of Inspector General to fight fraud and prevent the theft of taxpayer money in the first place.
A 100-mile stretch of Mississippi River towns is hosting its annual 100 Mile Garage Sale this weekend, drawing shoppers and sellers from across the region and beyond.
The Black homeownership rate in the Twin Cities dropped to 29% in 2024, and the region had the largest gap between Black and White homeownership rates of any comparable metro in the country.
The Minnesota Senate passed a bill with mandatory requirements for homeowners associations aimed at improving transparency and preventing disputes, after two years of legislative work driven by public complaints.
Gas in the Twin Cities can be up to $4.20 a gallon these days, and it's happening as Minnesota is revving up for summer.
According to the letter, enforcement will be done by police and plainclothes officers, with businesses themselves being held accountable for repeat violations.
Somali and Muslim leaders in Minnesota played a threatening voicemail at a public gathering Friday, saying businesses in their community are being targeted with messages warning of death.
The co-owner of Lush Bar and Theatre said employees feel targeted after 3 people broke in and stole a safe containing cash and tips, with the bar now relying on a patron fundraiser to recover.
A former Minnetonka, Minnesota, school employee accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a 15-year-old girl has pleaded guilty, according to court documents filed Thursday.
Police in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, are searching for a suspect after an individual was injured in a shooting following an altercation on Friday morning.
Police in Bemidji, Minnesota, are investigating after a shooting that left three adults with critical injuries, according to officials.
Minnesota-based North Memorial Health and South Dakota-based Sanford Health have signed a "definitive agreement" to merge into a single nonprofit health system, according to both organizations.
The Minnesota House approved a pilot program that would legalize psychedelic mushrooms in the state for therapeutic use.
The FDA announced its first authorization of fruit-flavored electronic cigarettes intended for adult smokers, a major policy shift after months of appeals to President Trump from the vaping industry.
A deadly virus that's killed cruise ship passengers can be traced to small critters found hiding in homes.
When a loved one starts to lose their memory, it creates new challenges for family members. But in a western Minnesota town, they're battling Alzheimer's disease and dementia with music.
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis are calling their Aug. 29 show "Homecoming: A Celebration of the Minneapolis Sound."
A trial in the lawsuit between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni was set to begin later in May.
The Minnesota Star Tribune was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for breaking news for its coverage of a mass shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic school that killed two children and injured more than a dozen others.
Mononymous country music star Hardy is set to kick off the final weekend of the 2026 Minnesota State Fair.
Jake was at the funeral for one of his closest friends when he learned of his parents' deaths, he said.
Victor Wembanyama delivered another masterpiece with 39 points, 15 rebounds and more game-wrecking defense as the San Antonio Spurs took a 2-1 lead in the second-round NBA playoff series with a 115-108 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Defender Sidney Morin scored two goals in the third period, Kelly Pannek added an empty-netter with 1:07 left, and the Minnesota Frost beat the Montreal Victoire 3-1 to force a winner-take-all Game 5 in the PWHL playoffs.
The Minnesota Twins on Friday night were defeated 6-4 by the Cleveland Guardians, who won their third straight game. Byron Buxton had three hits and homered for the 12th time in his last 22 games for Minnesota.
Jauan Jennings agreed to one-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings to give the team a needed third option at receiver.
Maggie Flaherty and Hayley Scamurra scored 24 seconds apart early in the second period, Ann-Renée Desbiens made 27 saves, and the Montreal Victoire beat the Minnesota Frost 2-1 in the PWHL playoffs.
The legislation establishes a list of requirements aimed at improving transparency and reducing conflicts within HOAs. Minnesota estimates that 25% of its residents live in an HOA, and 82% of new homes are built within one.
The Minnesota Senate passed a bill with mandatory requirements for homeowners associations aimed at improving transparency and preventing disputes, after two years of legislative work driven by public complaints.
The Minnesota Senate passed a bill with mandatory requirements for homeowners associations aimed at improving transparency and preventing disputes, after two years of legislative work driven by public complaints. In Talking Points, Esme Murphy spoke with Dana Ohman, an attorney who handles HOA disputes, about some of the most common questions homeowners have.
Sen. Tina Smith is using her last months in office to vocally campaign for progressive and environmental causes. She hopes that a progressive will succeed her when Minnesotans go to the polls next November.
Sen. Tina Smith, who is retiring from the U.S. Senate, is a major presence in the race to succeed her.
For nearly 50 years, Farmamerica has been sowing agricultural knowledge near Waseca, Minnesota.
The carillon has 56 bells, and the Mayo Clinic said that makes it one of the largest instruments in the world and the largest instrument in Minnesota.
When you think of masterful, memorable works of art, grain elevators don't typically come to mind. But in towns across the country, including in Minnesota, they're becoming an unlikely canvas for creativity.
At Arnie Lillo's Creations in Blue Earth County, you can visit a metal-scaled version of the Eiffel Tower and the Golden Gate Bridge. The works of art have taken on a shape of their own.
It's one of the largest musky hatcheries in the entire world. John Lauritsen shows us how the Spooner hatchery keeps fish healthy and anglers happy.
A deadly virus that's killed cruise ship passengers can be traced to small critters found hiding in homes.
So far this decade, the Twin Cities metro has, on average, added about 17,000 housing units per year, according to data from the Metropolitan Council.
A symbolic change is bothering some Minnesotans. Now their local leaders are listening; several cities are voting to fly the old state flag instead of the new one. While it was a drastic redesign, it wasn't the first.
Construction season has arrived, potentially adding several minutes to your daily drive to work. So, how bad is the commute in the Twin Cities? Good Question.
The media we consume and how long we spend consuming it can impact our mental health. In a world where screens are scrutinized, what is the worst kind of screen time?
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.
The Minnesota State Fair has unveiled its new food, drinks and vendors for 2025.
Mother's day will be pleasant with less wind and temperatures in the low 60s. Monday will be even warmer with temperatures in the high 60s. Rain does return next week. Meteorologist Katie Steiner shares when we could see those rain chances.
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.
Our overnight temperatures dip back down to the 40s. Sunday will be similar to Saturday, but there will be less wind. Temperatures on Sunday will be in the low 60s. Monday will see another increase in temperature. Meteorologist Katie Steiner breaks down the next few days and shares when we could see some rain.
Saturday will be a little cooler than Friday, with temperatures in the low-to-mid 60s.
Slightly cooler Saturday with temperatures in the 60s. Sunshine throughout the day. Meteorologist Adam Del Rosso shares our weekend weather forecast and shares when we could see a shower or two.
Mother's day will be pleasant with less wind and temperatures in the low 60s. Monday will be even warmer with temperatures in the high 60s. Rain does return next week. Meteorologist Katie Steiner shares when we could see those rain chances.
Activists rally at Minnesota's State Capitol demanding justice for families harmed by ICE.
Our overnight temperatures dip back down to the 40s. Sunday will be similar to Saturday, but there will be less wind. Temperatures on Sunday will be in the low 60s. Monday will see another increase in temperature. Meteorologist Katie Steiner breaks down the next few days and shares when we could see some rain.
Postal workers across Minnesota and the United States are both delivering mail and receiving donations Saturday.
It's a gorgeous weekend to check out the annual art fair at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.