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Gov. Mark Dayton is ordering flags at all state of Minnesota buildings to be flown at half-staff between now and sunset on Sunday in remembrance of Nelson Mandela. Dayton's proclamation, issued Friday, accompanies a similar order from President Barack Obama that the U.S. flag be flown at half-staff at all public buildings.
Minnesota U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum says the world "has lost an icon for justice and a true freedom fighter" with the death of Nelson Mandela. McCollum issued a statement Thursday on the death of Mandela. South Africa's first black president died at age 95.
Gov. Mark Dayton says Minnesota's newly announced $1 billion budget surplus should be used to repeal three controversial planned sales tax increases and for middle class tax relief. The first $246 million of the budget surplus that state officials announced Thursday goes to settling remaining IOUs to schools.
Minnesota finance officials are predicting a state budget surplus of more than $1 billion. That estimate released Thursday means the state can fully pay the remaining IOUs to public schools that piled up during tougher budget times.
Republican state Sen. Torrey Westrom plans to announce his bid for the U.S. House on Thursday. Westrom has scheduled appearances in Moorhead and his hometown of Elbow Lake.
A lawsuit contesting a new, Internet-based system for voter registration should be dismissed because plaintiffs lack standing to sue, attorneys for Secretary of State Mark Ritchie argued Wednesday.
The pace of signups for health insurance through MNsure increased by nearly 50 percent from its first month to its second, according to figures released Wednesday. With the Jan. 1 start of coverage under the federal health law now less than a month away, MNsure officials said 24,586 individual Minnesotans have completed the enrollment process.
Forget the return of deep snow and cold temperatures. The forecast Minnesota's political class is watching this week has to do with the state budget.
Gov. Mark Dayton is getting ready to field questions from Minnesota college students as he offers his take on the state's future. Dayton planned a forum Wednesday at Winona State University that is also expected to attract students from St. Mary's University.
The Minnesota Vikings have broken ground on their new stadium. Team owners and officials were joined by hundreds of local politicians, business leaders and purple-clad fans Tuesday morning to commemorate the start of construction on the billion-dollar project.
Minnesota's governor is losing his office — literally. Gov. Mark Dayton and his staff have about six months left in their two-floor suite before a massive renovation to the century-old Capitol displaces them.
Politicians, Vikings executives and possibly a few notable former players will be on hand at the groundbreaking ceremony for the team's new, $1 billion stadium. The Tuesday morning program inside the soon-to-be-demolished Metrodome is open to the public, but there are only a few hundred seats available.
The deputy chairwoman of the Minnesota Republican Party is stepping down to devote herself full time to her state House campaign. Kelly Fenton says Monday that she'll stay with the state GOP through the end of the year.
Black Friday is the busiest day of the holiday shopping season, with an estimated 97 million Americans expected to search for the best deals. However, not everyone was celebrating the nation's hunt for great deals. A number of cleaning workers for retail outlets walked off the job on Friday to protest unfair labor practices.
The mayor of Duluth is turning down a nearly $20,000 pay raise, saying he has enough to be thankful for and doesn't feel comfortable accepting a salary bump right now.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is assisting with the investigation, police say.
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.
Monday is the first day of school for more than a dozen Minnesota districts after a temporary state law change allowed them to start before Labor Day this year and next.
Nearly 170 employees of Chisago County returned to work after several months on strike.
Minnesota's highest court on Saturday denied Mike Lindell's request for a recount in the Aug. 11 Republican primary for governor after the MyPillow founder said he would personally pay for a hand recount and audit of every paper ballot cast in the race.
Police in Maple Grove, Minnesota, are looking for a suspect after a woman says she was assaulted at the Elm Creek Park Reserve on Sunday morning.
A 3-year-old in St. Paul, Minnesota, has a fighting chance to survive thanks to her mother's heroics in a devastating house fire.
Tourism leaders say an earlier school start could impact Minnesota's already fragile hospitality industry.
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.
Police in Maple Grove, Minnesota, are looking for a suspect after a woman says she was assaulted at the Elm Creek Park Reserve on Sunday morning.
Tourism leaders say an earlier school start could impact Minnesota's already fragile hospitality industry.
Monday is the first day of school for more than a dozen Minnesota districts after a temporary state law change allowed them to start before Labor Day this year and next.
Barrel Theory co-owner Tim Johnson told WCCO that plans are in place for a light opening by late September, with a full opening by the first week of October.
Authorities in the southeastern Twin Cities are investigating after three people were found dead inside a residence Sunday.
Tourism leaders say an earlier school start could impact Minnesota's already fragile hospitality industry.
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.
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.
A family living in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, who fled Ukraine amid Russian attacks is preparing to self deport, plus more of the day’s top stories.
A family living in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, were among the more than 200,000 Ukrainians who came to the U.S. through the United For Ukraine humanitarian program, which was recently ended by the Trump administration.
In part one of this Talking Points series, Esme Murphy takes a look at the candidacy of DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar.
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.
DFL nominee for Minnesota governor Amy Klobuchar talks about the race with WCCO's Esme Murphy live at the State Fair.
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.
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.
Police in Maple Grove, Minnesota, are looking for a suspect after a woman says she was assaulted at the Elm Creek Park Reserve on Sunday morning.
Officers were called to the 4200 block of Portland Avenue at approximately 6:45 a.m. on a report of a man down in a yard.
Minnesota GOP State Rep. Elliott Engen has pleaded guilty to DWI in connection with a March traffic incident that led to his arrest, according to court records filed on Thursday.
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.
Juul plans to market the new device under the brand name Juul2, along with updated versions of its tobacco- and menthol-flavored cartridges.
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.
Louis Lee came to Minnesota decades ago from Hong Kong to become a student at the University of Minnesota. He says listening to comedy helped him learn English.
The vault is open. Recordings no one's ever heard, spanning 40 years of Prince's musical career, are now available on a new album called "Timeless."
The community is mourning the loss of Charles Dillon, also known as Chaz Millionaire, a longtime voice on the Twin Cities airwaves.
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."
Angel Reese broke a WNBA record with her 29th double-double this season, Allisha Gray made six 3-pointers and finished with 23 points and 11 rebounds, and the Atlanta Dream beat the league-leading Minnesota Lynx 89-81 in their last game before the FIBA World Cup break.
The White Sox will move to begin a four-game series in Houston on Monday.
Tyrese Spicer scored three minutes into second-half stoppage time and Orlando City salvaged a 3-3 draw with Minnesota United after blowing a two-goal lead.
The Minnesota Twins placed outfielder Byron Buxton on the 10-day injured list with a right hip impingement, a lingering injury that has affected the All-Star for much of the season.
Andrew Benintendi had all three of his team's hits with his sixth-inning home run being the difference as the Chicago White Sox beat the Minnesota Twins 3-2.
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 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.
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.
It will be a hot and humid Monday in the Twin Cities to close out August, says meteorologist Joseph Dames.
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.
Monday stays warm and humid, especially across eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin, with a few spots feeling like the low 90s.
It will be a hot and humid Monday in the Twin Cities to close out August, says meteorologist Joseph Dames.
WCCO meteorologist Lisa Meadows says tomorrow will be hot and humid with a high in the upper 80s and a heat index around 90.
A family living in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, who fled Ukraine amid Russian attacks is preparing to self deport, plus more of the day’s top stories.
It will be a hot and humid Monday in the Twin Cities to close out August, says meteorologist Joseph Dames.
New food and drinks are all over the place for people to try at the Minnesota State Fair, and the Urban Growler Brewing Company has both a drink and an interesting new food for fairgoers.
This year comes with a lot of change for Robbinsdale Area Schools families as several schools won't be bringing students back due to budget cuts.
WCCO's AJ Hilton talks about his incredible experience at the Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis show Saturday night at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand.