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Minnesota lawmakers dangled the possibility of free vocational college tuition, student-loan forgiveness in certain career fields and tax breaks for the agriculture, mining and timber industries as potential uses for a $1 billion projected surplus.
A Senate committee has taken up a bill approving the Keystone XL pipeline with plans to move it toward the full Senate, despite a veto threat from the White House. Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Lisa Murkowski says lawmakers shouldn't be deterred by President Barack Obama's threat. She notes the bill has Democratic supporters and came within one vote of passing last year.
A coalition of businesses, labor groups and others is calling for a new statewide sales tax on gas to pay for road and bridge repairs.
A former Minnesota Democratic congressman, a retired Republican legislator and the ex-state transportation commissioner are in the running to land coveted seats on the University of Minnesota Board of Regents. They and 16 other candidates learn Thursday who will stay in contention for five seats on the university's 12-member governing board.
Free vocational college tuition for Minnesota high school graduates? Student-loan forgiveness for working in specialized fields or rural communities? Tax breaks for the mining and timber industries? A prohibition on performance bonuses for Minnesota health exchange executives?
Home video shows the attack on the Charlie Hebdo headquarters in Paris Wednesday that left at least 12 dead, including four of the magazine's founding cartoonists and the editor in chief. As the gunmen got away, they killed a responding police officer who they had first shot on their way in the building. In Washington, President Obama expressed his sympathy and his support.
Gov. Mark Dayton is pleading with Minnesota business leaders to help him build support for a transportation funding plan with real money, not "phony solutions."
An interesting new idea from some Minnesota lawmakers this year: Cancel next year's legislative session. The "No Session 2016" movement began the first hour of the first day of the 2015 legislature, when top leaders revealed that they're talking about it.
A wave of senior citizens and slow growth in Minnesota's working-age population will force the state to focus on improving education and productivity in its workforce in the coming decades, state experts told lawmakers Wednesday. More collaboration between businesses and the public sector, especially in rural Minnesota, could help train and retain young workers to thrive in an aging state, speakers at the One Minnesota legislative conference said.
Minnesota's health insurance exchange is getting some extra cash from the federal government. MNsure CEO Scott Leitz says they'll use an additional $34 million to make website improvements and smooth the transfer of data to insurance companies. MNsure has now received almost $190 million from the federal government.
Former Speaker Kurt Zellers is out of the state House but not gone from politics. Zellers is starting a consulting firm with two longtime Republican political operatives.
Gov. Mark Dayton has appointed a new head of the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board. Mark Phillips will return to the board as commissioner after serving as its director of economic development in the 1980s. Phillips was also commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development from 2011 to 2012.
Minnesota lawmakers just got back to the Capitol, and now they're leaving to study up on state issues. Demographers, economists and business executives are scheduled to address legislators at One Minnesota, an annual conference at the University of Minnesota that focuses on the top issues of the time.
Members of the newly-elected Minnesota House took the oath of office in a major construction zone Tuesday. The Capitol is shrouded in scaffolding. Lawmakers and their families navigated closed-off hallways and long elevator lines to open the session. The new Republican majority selected Rep. Kurt Daudt as the powerful house speaker.
As congressional lawmakers return to Washington, President Barack Obama is focusing his attention on the nation's governors. Obama is meeting Tuesday with members of the National Governors Association executive committee. The president says governors don't have the luxury to operate "based on ideology" because their constituents expect them to get things done.
Police say the statue of Olympic champion and Minnesota native Suni Lee has been recovered more than a year after it was stolen.
A major merger between Minnesota-based North Memorial Health and South Dakota-based Sanford Health was announced Friday morning, and is set to close in a matter of days.
The legendary Minneapolis duo looks back on the Fair, a friendship that began as teenagers, the origin of "Jimmy Jam," and the challenge of turning more than 500 recordings into one homecoming show.
A teenager and two children were detained early Tuesday morning in connection to vehicle break-ins in south Minneapolis, according to police.
The Minnesota Twins have called up top prospect Walker Jenkins with the status of All-Star center fielder Byron Buxton unclear.
Minnesota officials say Christian Castro, charged in a January Minneapolis shooting, could cross into Mexico now that Texas has released him without honoring the state's extradition request.
Just one year ago, a Minneapolis community was changed forever when a shooting at a church filled with children on their first day of Mass for the school year killed two students and injured several others. Third grader Fletcher Merkel was just 8 years old. Harper Moyski was 10.
The Lindsay Clancy trial jury continued their deliberations Friday and it could be days before they reach a verdict, a legal expert says.
Here's everything you need to know about ticket prices, getting to the fair, saving money at the fair and the new State Fair foods.
A major merger between Minnesota-based North Memorial Health and South Dakota-based Sanford Health was announced Friday morning, and is set to close in a matter of days.
A 48-year-old Minneapolis man was killed in a crash overnight Friday on Highway 169 in Shakopee, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.
Minneapolis police say a man was killed in a shooting early Friday morning in the East Phillips neighborhood.
The PGA Tour Americas is back in Brainerd. With some big Minnesota sports names changing sports for the week.
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.
A major merger between Minnesota-based North Memorial Health and South Dakota-based Sanford Health was announced Friday morning, and is set to close in a matter of days.
Jena Hanson, a 20-year-old from Owatonna, will serve as the official goodwill ambassador for the Minnesota dairy industry and families for the next year.
A Minnesota college professor has been sentenced to three years' probation for stealing gun parts and ammunition from a Twin Cities store, according to court records.
Minnesota is facing its worst drought conditions in five years, experts say. About 88% of the state is either experiencing abnormally dry or drought conditions.
Minnesota's Iron Range has a history of iron ore mining dating back to the 1880s. But renewed conversations about copper-nickel mining in the area are fueling debate up north and beyond. Neighbors in the Ely area are navigating the divisive issue while staying largely united.
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.
Dozens of cases of E. coli and salmonella in multiple states are linked to an alfalfa grower in Minnesota, health officials say.
The Franklin County Coroner's Office says Jack Pugh died March 30 from acute bronchopneumonia caused by cardiomyopathy, a disease that weakens the heart's ability to pump blood.
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.
After the Annunciation Catholic Church mass shooting in Minneapolis, there were loud calls for action on guns.
Crews in St. Paul, Minnesota, are clearing out the city's largest encampment on Wednesday.
After officials in Minnesota's capital city announced they would shut down encampments for those experiencing homelessness, the City Council approved more than $1 million to expand capacity at local shelters.
The city of St. Paul, Minnesota, is taking a stand and closing encampments amid growing concerns.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent charged in a Minneapolis shooting during Operation Metro Surge has been released from a Texas jail, the Associated Press reports.
Minnesota joined 23 states in suing the Trump administration Thursday, trying to stop new rules that could cut off federal funding for birth control clinics and other family planning services.
A federal judge on Thursday temporarily blocked the U.S. Postal Service from enforcing its new requirements for mail voting for the November midterm elections.
Minnesota joined 23 states in suing the Trump administration Thursday, trying to stop new rules that could cut off federal funding for birth control clinics and other family planning services.
After the Annunciation Catholic Church mass shooting in Minneapolis, there were loud calls for action on guns.
President Trump said Friday that the U.S. will waive higher tariffs on ground beef imports, which he says will reduce beef prices by 25%. Some cattle ranchers, including those in Minnesota and Wisconsin, worry the plan will hurt them financially.
An outbreak of E. coli and salmonella is linked to an alfalfa grower in Minnesota, health officials say. WCCO speaks with a food safety expert about the risks associated with alfalfa sprouts.
Dozens of cases of E. coli and salmonella in multiple states are linked to an alfalfa grower in Minnesota, health officials say.
Twin Metals says a copper-nickel mine near the Boundary Waters would bring hundreds of union jobs and 1,400 additional positions. Still, opponents say the environmental risks to the watershed are not worth the trade-offs.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison released nearly 700 documents Wednesday in his office's investigation into Fleet Farm, alleging the company "ignored an internal warning" about selling firearms to a "straw buyer."
Police say the statue of Olympic champion and Minnesota native Suni Lee has been recovered more than a year after it was stolen.
A teenager and two children were detained early Tuesday morning in connection to vehicle break-ins in south Minneapolis, according to police.
Minnesota officials say Christian Castro, charged in a January Minneapolis shooting, could cross into Mexico now that Texas has released him without honoring the state's extradition request.
Minneapolis police say a man was killed in a shooting early Friday morning in the East Phillips neighborhood.
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.
A major merger between Minnesota-based North Memorial Health and South Dakota-based Sanford Health was announced Friday morning, and is set to close in a matter of days.
Minnesota joined 23 states in suing the Trump administration Thursday, trying to stop new rules that could cut off federal funding for birth control clinics and other family planning services.
Minnesota will receive between $214 million to $307 million after tech giant Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, settled a landmark social media addiction lawsuit Wednesday.
While our summer has been dry, many can't say the same for their nose or eyes. Ragweed allergies are picking up steam.
The "We Give Blood" drive will kick off this week. It's a competition between the 18 Big Ten Schools to see who can donate the most blood.
The legendary Minneapolis duo looks back on the Fair, a friendship that began as teenagers, the origin of "Jimmy Jam," and the challenge of turning more than 500 recordings into one homecoming show.
Tim Curry was known for his iconic performances in cult classics like "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" and the original screen adaptation of Stephen King's "It."
Audience members at a stage performance of "9 to 5: The Musical" in the U.K. were heard gasping aloud at the news of Dolly Parton's death Tuesday.
Mann said the Plymouth location will be the only family-owned, locally based Minnesota theater company operating an IMAX and will bring the format to an area where moviegoers have previously had to travel farther to find one.
President Trump said that he would be "lowering the American flag" throughout the nation for one week in Dolly Parton's honor.
The Minnesota Twins have called up top prospect Walker Jenkins with the status of All-Star center fielder Byron Buxton unclear.
Dallas Turner's performance for the Minnesota Vikings during training camp after a strong finish last season has underscored why they were so happy to get him in the first round of the 2024 draft.
The PGA Tour Americas is back in Brainerd. With some big Minnesota sports names changing sports for the week.
Lawrence Butler homered, Alika Williams hit a two-run triple and the Athletics beat the Minnesota Twins 7-4 to win the three-game series.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have agreed to terms with power forward Jonathan Kuminga on a two-year, $12.4 million contract, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.
The DFL primary in Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District was supposed to be close, but it wasn't. Former Lakeville Mayor and state Sen. Matt Little beat two well-known opponents by double digits.
Democrat Jake Johnson, a high school math teacher, is running a competitive race against Republican Rep. Brad Finstad, prompting analysts to downgrade Finstad's reelection outlook.
In the aftermath of the primary, Republicans in Minnesota are more optimistic about their November chances than they ever have been.
In the aftermath of the primary, Republicans in Minnesota are more optimistic about their November chances than they ever have been.
The candidates for the Minnesota general election are all set, and the campaigns are shifting into a higher gear.
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.
Keith Richardson is a home brewer and beer memorabilia collector. His collection got so big that, two years ago, he moved everything into an old toy store near downtown Lanesboro and opened the Hammarama Museum and Gift Shop.
Passing trains and scenic bluffs are a big part of Buffalo County, Wisconsin, but in the middle of it all is a garden where creativity and flowers grow together, all courtesy of a man named Herman Rusch.
Thousands of pictures of Split Rock Lighthouse are taken each year. And oftentimes a little island appears in those photos. Ellingsen Island has developed a following of its own.
There's a buzz at the fairgrounds as vendors, exhibitors and 4-H families get ready to welcome millions of people across a very specific stretch of time. Why is the Minnesota State Fair 12 days? Good Question.
While our summer has been dry, many can't say the same for their nose or eyes. Ragweed allergies are picking up steam.
Maybe you've experienced the "Sunday scaries" which is when you worry about the looming work week or wish you could have accomplished more over the weekend. The "August blues" create similar feelings, one being regret.
As if the constant barrage of political ads wasn't enough, some WCCO viewers are particularly bothered by the language candidates are using.
There's a certain elegance to the common loon. Its black and white plumage carries a gentle sheen of green as though dressed for a formal affair. Subtle colors that allow its piercing red eyes to steal your gaze.
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.
Showers move in late Friday night and slide through Saturday morning, WCCO meteorologist Joseph Dames reports.
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.
Friday will be dry in the Twin Cities, but some badly needed rain is possible at night, says meteorologist Joseph Dames.
Friday will start with sunshine in the Twin Cities before clouds arrive in the afternoon hours.
Summer ain't quite over yet. We have a slew of days in the 80s ahead, and the humidity returns. Chief meteorologist Chris Shaffer shares just how long our hot streak will last and when we could see some rain.
Minnesota AG Keith Ellison announces "groundbreaking" Sanford Health-North Memorial merger deal.
The fan named Bill handed Joseph a portrait of his likeness right at the fair on Thursday.
Urban Glow Mocktails is featuring a Two-Tone Bloody Mary Mocktail and a Dill With It Cookie as new menu additions at the Minnesota State Fair.
A school-based mental health therapist at St. David's Developmental & Therapeutic Services explains how parents can recognize the difference between normal nerves and clinical anxiety in kids.
What started as a custom cake business has grown into sold-out Cake & Sip Experiences, youth entrepreneurship programs, and national recognition for founder Alicia Glover.