Despite Early Voting, Minnesotans Head To Polls In Big Numbers
Minnesotans are proud to say they lead the nation in turnout, and a change in state law meant some people voted early instead of waiting for Election Day.
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Minnesotans are proud to say they lead the nation in turnout, and a change in state law meant some people voted early instead of waiting for Election Day.
Minnesota's secretary of state is projecting voter turnout of 55 to 60 percent in this midterm election. Mark Ritchie's projection would be right in line with recent history. Nearly 56 percent of eligible voters cast a ballot four years ago.
The Minnesota secretary of state's office says more than 189,000 absentee ballots were returned by Tuesday morning. The office says that's up nearly 50 percent from the absentees accepted in the 2010 election.
For Minnesota's Independence and Green parties, the goal this Election Day isn't so much winning. It's nailing down major-party status. The IP wants to keep it. The Green Party wants to get it back.
Democratic Sen. Al Franken hoped to win a second term in the U.S. Senate on Tuesday more comfortably than he won his first. Franken's victory by a mere 312 votes in a 2008 recount made him an alluring target for Republicans, who hoped to seize control of the Senate.
Democrat Mark Dayton waited Tuesday to learn if Minnesota voters would rehire him as governor, the first time the veteran politician has asked to keep an elected job. His Republican opponent, Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson, looked to vault past the incumbent after playing catch-up the entire campaign.
Fears that a Packers-tainted beam would end up in the new Vikings stadium have been alleviated, according to the construction firm working on the project. Over the weekend, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker reportedly wrote "Go Packers" on a steel beam at a Wisconsin shop that's helping build the new $1 billion stadium.
The polls are open and ballots are being cast across the state Tuesday as political candidates wait to see if they'll be voted into office. According to the Pew Research Center, voter turnout is typically lower for the midterm elections, but Minneapolis election official Anissa Hollingshead said that's not always the case here.
Do you have some last minute questions before heading to the polls? Here are four things you need to know before heading out the door.
We're a year into MNsure. The largest and cheapest carrier is out, the rates are going up and critics continue to call it a failure. What could this mean for the midterm elections? No matter how you feel about MNSure, it has provided for a lot of back and forth between the candidates this election season.
We all watched as dozens of people signed up to become mayor of Minneapolis in 2013. Now, Minneapolis voters are faced with the question on Tuesday's ballot of whether the Minneapolis Charter Commission should increase its filing fee.
In a busy Minneapolis skyway Monday, Republican Jeff Johnson is working the lunchtime crowd. With public polls showing a tighter-than-expected race, Johnson is sprinting for last-minute votes. "Literally [in] the last couple of weeks, people have started paying attention, and I think there's a lot of people who will decide today and tomorrow," Johnson said. "So I'm just trying to introduce myself to anyone who is willing to talk. It's been great."
The latest poll in the U.S. Senate race shows the gap has not tightened between the leading candidates in Minnesota.
In this "Behind the Ballot" report, we take a look at how one group of voters is proving quite challenging for the candidates trying to reach them -- the Millennials.
Minneapolis restaurant owners hope voters will get rid of a law they say is keeping them from moving forward. The 70/30 Law is affecting restaurant owners like Molly Broder. "I have Broders' Cucina Italiana, that's our deli, I have Broders' Pasta Bar and Terzo Vino Bar," Broder said.
The NHL journalist, her three young children and their family dog all died in the fire on March 21.
Chief Axel Henry says he reported Mayor Kaohly Her's conduct, then was cut out of decisions and had records withheld, according to his new lawsuit.
Authorities are investigating after a woman and child died during a school trip to an Iowa state park on Tuesday.
An Iowa judge dismissed President Trump's lawsuit accusing pollster J. Ann Selzer of fraud over her 2024 Iowa poll, ruling the coverage was protected political speech. Trump's team says he'll appeal to the Iowa Supreme Court.
Taylor Swift announced her new single "Patient Zero" earlier this week, saying she has been "impatiently waiting" to announce that it will be out on Friday.
Former Republican Minnesota state senator Justin Eichorn was sentenced Wednesday to 16 months in prison after pleading guilty to attempted possession of child pornography following a 2025 child sex sting arrest.
WCCO is tracking everything you can go out and do 4 Your Weekend, including local festivals and the start of some fall activities.
A weakening boundary will continue to shift east and bring a few showers to the Twin Cities starting Thursday afternoon.
A beaver dam near one of Scandia's most historic sites is raising concerns about what higher water levels could mean for buildings that have stood for more than 150 years.
The Minnesota State Fire Marshal's Office is set to release its preliminary findings Thursday in the investigation into the White Bear Lake house fire that killed NHL journalist Jessi Pierce and her three young children earlier this year.
WCCO is tracking everything you can go out and do 4 Your Weekend, including local festivals and the start of some fall activities.
Doctors Council SEIU and Allina Health have been working toward an agreement for three years.
Some Twin Cities homeowners could soon see a big jump in their property taxes.
At nearly 36 years old, Target Center in Minneapolis stands as the second-oldest arena to host an NBA team.
WCCO is tracking everything you can go out and do 4 Your Weekend, including local festivals and the start of some fall activities.
The town of Lindstrom, Minnesota, is known for its unique water tower, but an unlikely discovery is bringing back memories of another landmark.
The 1,200 residents who call New Richland, Minnesota, home won't forget Saturday, when nine inches of pouring rain led to flooding in town.
The Invisible Wounds Project, located in Forest Lake, Minnesota, is dedicated to supporting the mental health and wellness of military, veterans and first responders.
Authorities are investigating after a 34-year-old man died was found unresponsive in his cell at the Stearns County Jail in St. Cloud, Minnesota earlier this month.
The Wisconsin State Patrol says a trooper is in the hospital with severe injuries after falling off a bridge while attempting to end a pursuit.
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.
Automotive collision and refinishing students at Dunwoody College in Minneapolis rebuilt a Hyundai Elantra and gave it to Robert Hanson, a U.S. Navy veteran, through the National Auto Body Council's Recycled Rides program.
For years, Keiona Cook has been weaving communities together, teaching kids from North Minneapolis and Edina to sew together. Now she's taking her work to New York for the city's iconic fashion week.
Natalie Flaherty started I Stand With Anne when she was 10. She's now one of this year's Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes winners, an award for people ages 8 to 18 who are making a positive difference.
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 Iowa judge dismissed President Trump's lawsuit accusing pollster J. Ann Selzer of fraud over her 2024 Iowa poll, ruling the coverage was protected political speech. Trump's team says he'll appeal to the Iowa Supreme Court.
St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry is suing Mayor Kaohly Her and the city, alleging she sexually harassed him for months and that city officials retaliated against him after he reported it, plus more of the day’s top stories.
President Trump is hosting Chinese President Xi Jinping for meetings and a state dinner on Thursday, as the world's two most powerful countries try to extend a tariff truce and grapple with a rivalry on advanced AI.
A federal judge temporarily blocked President Trump's ban of CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House, but access has not yet been restored.
Explosive sexual harassment allegations, a lawsuit and now changes in daily operations. The strained relationship between St. Paul's police chief and mayor is now heading to court. Ashley Grams has the allegations in a new lawsuit and a change in the mayor's security detail.
Tim Wertish and his son drove out to the lot every morning before school. This weekend, nearly 400 classic trucks, pickups and cars go to the highest bidder in Redwood Falls.
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 81-page guide gives officers tools and best practices for handling these cases, including how officers interact with victim survivors, collect samples, and collect and handle evidence.
While investigations are ongoing, Drew Evans, superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said that the evidence points to swatting.
Chief Axel Henry says he reported Mayor Kaohly Her's conduct, then was cut out of decisions and had records withheld, according to his new lawsuit.
Former Republican Minnesota state senator Justin Eichorn was sentenced Wednesday to 16 months in prison after pleading guilty to attempted possession of child pornography following a 2025 child sex sting arrest.
Harvey Weinstein, the disgraced movie mogul, was sentenced to 15 years in prison Wednesday morning for sexually assaulting Miriam Haley at his Manhattan apartment in 2006.
Doctors Council SEIU and Allina Health have been working toward an agreement for three years.
The headlines surrounding Artificial Intelligence's rapid advancement have been tough to digest recently. WCCO wanted to know how to manage anxiety caused by AI.
The virus has struck poultry producers in at least five counties in a single month. Nationally, nearly 23 million turkeys have been put down since 2022 — even as U.S. farmers raise 45 million fewer birds than they did a decade ago.
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.
Taylor Swift announced her new single "Patient Zero" earlier this week, saying she has been "impatiently waiting" to announce that it will be out on Friday.
A Tennessee judge granted Dolly Parton's estate a temporary restraining order Wednesday against the late singer's nephew Bryan Seaver and his private security company.
An autopsy by the Greenville County Coroner's Office determined Hayden Panettiere's death was due to an accidental overdose of several drugs, including fentanyl.
Nike-owned Converse acknowledged that an ad for its Chuck Taylor sneaker is "deeply upsetting."
Presley Gerber, the son of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, has died at 27, a family spokesperson has confirmed.
The Minnesota State Fire Marshal's Office is set to release its preliminary findings Thursday in the investigation into the White Bear Lake house fire that killed NHL journalist Jessi Pierce and her three young children earlier this year.
Pinch-hitter Walker Jenkins hit an RBI single in the seventh inning that put Minnesota ahead and the Twins won their second straight over the San Francisco Giants with a 4-2 victory.
Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin has signed a contract extension in another sign of the organization's all-in pursuit of a Stanley Cup title.
The productivity Aaron Jones gave the Minnesota Vikings last week has come with a price with a knee injury.
At nearly 36 years old, Target Center in Minneapolis stands as the second-oldest arena to host an NBA team.
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.
The town of Lindstrom, Minnesota, is known for its unique water tower, but an unlikely discovery is bringing back memories of another landmark.
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.
The leaves have been changing, the temperature has been dropping, and the pumpkin flavored coffee drinks are flowing.
The headlines surrounding Artificial Intelligence's rapid advancement have been tough to digest recently. WCCO wanted to know how to manage anxiety caused by AI.
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.
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.
A weakening boundary will continue to shift east and bring a few showers to the metro into this afternoon, 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.
Expect some morning sun in the metro Thursday before rain rolls in, says meteorologist Joseph Dames.
A weakening boundary will continue to shift east and bring a few showers to the Twin Cities starting Thursday afternoon.
WCCO meteorologist Chris Shaffer says it will be cooler tomorrow with the shower chances.
Heather Petri of Tubman says the Minneapolis organization supports people experiencing relationship violence, trafficking, homelessness and other trauma — not just emergency shelter, but housing, legal help and mental health support.
Every Sip founder Stephanie Payne brings a fall lineup built around a clear grape spirit, a Rainy Lake distillery's gin, a maple-and-rum cocktail, a canned drink and a THC beverage.
A weakening boundary will continue to shift east and bring a few showers to the metro into this afternoon, WCCO meteorologist Joseph Dames reports.
Fall is officially here this week, and festivals are kicking off this weekend throughout Minnesota.
St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry is suing Mayor Kaohly Her and the city, alleging she sexually harassed him for months and that city officials retaliated against him after he reported it, plus more of the day’s top stories.