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Kessler dedicated 36 years to covering Minnesota politics and local government here. Kessler has reported on the administrations of eight Minnesota governors, dozens of legislative sessions and political conventions.
Minnesota's Eighth Congressional District is the only one visited by both Presidential candidates in 2020.
It's less than two weeks until Election Day, but many Minnesotans have already voted absentee and mail-in. Sixty percent of all requested absentee ballots in Ramsey County have already been returned.
Governor Tim Walz on Wednesday signed the largest bonding bill in state history.
More than 75,000 people in Wisconsin cast ballots on the first day of early in-person voting in the presidential battleground state, the state elections commission reported.
The Minnesota Secretary of State is reporting that more than 900,000 Minnesotans have already cast their ballots.
One of Minnesota's most competitive congressional districts for the last few years has been the second. It stretches south from the suburbs of Eagan and Prior Lake to the farmlands of Goodhue and Wabasha counties.
The window to vote early and in-person will remain open for 11 days, until Nov. 1, and none of the ballots can be counted until after polls open at 7 a.m. on Election Day, which is Nov. 3.
With two weeks to go before Election Day, Minneapolis city officials say over 100,000 absentee ballots have been returned to election officials.
The mayor of North Dakota's largest city said Monday he'd like to see a statewide mask mandate as the coronavirus spins out of control and in the meantime invoked emergency powers to require face coverings in most settings that don't involve family members.
Changes are coming to law enforcement in Minneapolis.
After enduring months of bitter and polarizing political campaigning, Minnesotans eager for the finish line with next month's election may have to wait just a few days more.
Jason Lewis, Sen. Tina Smith's challenger, said there's a double-standard for Republicans and Democrats over COVID-19 rules.
Minnesota Republicans say now is the time to open up Minnesota, despite rising numbers of COVID-19 cases.
"Every single night on any block in this neighborhood you can hear gunshots!" Cathy Spann said. "Every single freaking night!"
Chief Brian O'Hara has amassed 30 conduct complaints in his tenure, while his predecessor had just two.
Police in St. Paul, Minnesota, say officers arrested a woman who was "disrupting" Easter Sunday services at Cities Church, the site where an anti-immigration enforcement protest in January led to federal prosecutors charging dozens of demonstrators and some journalists.
In a viral video, a Minneapolis mom says kids here "are not doing okay." This comes after she heard a conversation between two sixth graders about some of Minnesota's more recent traumas.
Since 1913, St. Clement Catholic Church has stood the test of time in northeast Minneapolis. But a piece of equipment as old as the church itself may lead to its closure.
The Trump administration's positions on a number of issues is prompting debate on constitutional powers versus executive orders. WCCO spoke with David Schultz, a congressional law professor at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, to get some clarity.
A teenage boy was hurt in a shooting on Minneapolis' east side Friday night, according to police.
Liam Conejo Ramos, the 5-year-old whose detention by ICE sparked global outrage, constantly worries about being detained again, his parents told CBS News in an exclusive interview.
Owen Hailey was the second oldest of four siblings, and was known to be everyone's best bud.
It's a bittersweet changing of kegs and hands in northeast Minneapolis as HeadFlyer Brewing issued a permanent last call on Sunday.
A teenage boy was hurt in a shooting on Minneapolis' east side Friday night, according to police.
It's a bittersweet changing of kegs and hands in northeast Minneapolis as HeadFlyer Brewing issued a permanent last call on Sunday.
Since 1913, St. Clement Catholic Church has stood the test of time in northeast Minneapolis. But a piece of equipment as old as the church itself may lead to its closure.
At least a third of older adults in the U.S. experience loneliness, which is linked to a 50% higher dementia risk. With that in mind, two Minnesota high schoolers are launching a nonprofit called Blossom of Blessings.
Police in St. Paul, Minnesota, say officers arrested a woman who was "disrupting" Easter Sunday services at Cities Church, the site where an anti-immigration enforcement protest in January led to federal prosecutors charging dozens of demonstrators and some journalists.
Everyone is safe after a house fire in Mt. Iron, Minnesota, according to the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office.
Saturday's temperatures drop back into the 30s, with a high of 38 in the metro and 32 in northern Minnesota.
A 28-year-old man is in the hospital after a crash involving a plow truck and a pickup truck in Fredenberg Township, Minnesota, on Friday morning.
Julie Le, who was removed from her post after telling a judge "this job sucks," is now challenging Rep. Ilhan Omar in Minnesota's 5th District.
Shattuck-St. Mary's is more than a hockey school, but hockey has helped put the school on the map. They have banners and big names to prove it, though the real evidence lies with a man called Rooster.
Owen Hailey was the second oldest of four siblings, and was known to be everyone's best bud.
Efforts to quickly and quietly oust the president of the University of Wisconsin system are drawing fire from a Republican legislative leader.
The president of Wisconsin's largest mosque was detained by federal immigration agents, drawing accusations from local officials and religious leaders that the arrest was motivated by his statements against Israel.
Some schools in Minnesota have already announced closings or shifts to virtual learning on Thursday as another round of winter weather threatens parts of the state.
A suspect is in custody after a "written threat" led to the brief evacuation of a church in Hudson, Wisconsin, Tuesday morning.
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.
Kristi comes to the Salvation Army not only to get food, but to shine her light. She talks with and encourages people waiting in line.
The way Mary Hernandez describes it, the effort to keep families off the street in Shakopee, Minnesota, is like trying to keep your head above water.
Deputy Fire Marshal Shawn Johnson, 61, died March 5 after a two-year battle with job-related cancer, the Minnetonka Fire Department announced.
The Minnesota Department of Corrections says 95% of all incarcerated individuals will eventually be released from prison. The DOC says it does all it can to help people transition back into the community as productive citizens.
On Easter Sunday, President Trump escalated his threats and taunts to leaders of the Islamic Republic.
Liam Conejo Ramos, the 5-year-old whose detention by ICE sparked global outrage, constantly worries about being detained again, his parents told CBS News in an exclusive interview.
The Trump administration's positions on a number of issues is prompting debate on constitutional powers versus executive orders.
The Trump administration's positions on a number of issues is prompting debate on constitutional powers versus executive orders. WCCO spoke with David Schultz, a congressional law professor at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, to get some clarity.
Police in St. Paul, Minnesota, say officers arrested a woman who was "disrupting" Easter Sunday services at Cities Church, the site where an anti-immigration enforcement protest in January led to federal prosecutors charging dozens of demonstrators and some journalists.
It's a bittersweet changing of kegs and hands in northeast Minneapolis as HeadFlyer Brewing issued a permanent last call on Sunday.
Minnesota continues to beat the national gas price average, but there are still ways to save in the metro area.
A passenger on an American Airlines flight from New York to Chicago has been charged with making a false bomb threat that forced an emergency landing at Detroit Metro Airport last month, according to a federal criminal complaint.
Your car isn't the only vehicle that needs gas. It's a huge budget item for Minnesota fire departments, police and mass transit.
As we all pay more to fuel our cars, drivers might miss the savings hidden right at the pump. It comes down to timing, then adjusting your routine.
A teenage boy was hurt in a shooting on Minneapolis' east side Friday night, according to police.
The Trump administration's positions on a number of issues is prompting debate on constitutional powers versus executive orders. WCCO spoke with David Schultz, a congressional law professor at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, to get some clarity.
Police in St. Paul, Minnesota, say officers arrested a woman who was "disrupting" Easter Sunday services at Cities Church, the site where an anti-immigration enforcement protest in January led to federal prosecutors charging dozens of demonstrators and some journalists.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara is facing a newer batch of conduct complaints, and he believes many of them are directly related to Operation Metro Surge.
Security footage shows thieves fleeing after discovering a 3-month-old in the backseat of a stolen SUV, leaving the infant alone in an alley for more than an hour before police arrived.
Nurses and physicians at Hennepin Healthcare in downtown Minneapolis, home to the first level-one and busiest trauma center in Minnesota, on Wednesday urged the state Legislature to throw the hospital a lifeline — and fast.
Ramsey County, Minnesota, health officials say the county had its first case of mumps reported in about five years.
The Supreme Court's 8-1 ruling siding with a Colorado counselor who claimed the state's restriction unconstitutionally censored her conversations with young patients does not immediately strike down Minnesota's law.
The produce section at grocery stores is packed with nutrient-dense foods. Certain fruits and vegetables, in particular, are packed with fiber, and a new diet trend has people "maxxing" out on it.
Deputy Fire Marshal Shawn Johnson, 61, died March 5 after a two-year battle with job-related cancer, the Minnetonka Fire Department announced.
A federal judge in New York has tossed out actor Blake Lively's sexual harassment claims against actor Justin Baldoni over their roles in the movie "It Ends With Us," but left intact a claim for retaliation.
Atlanta rapper Gucci Mane was lured to a Dallas studio for a meeting, then allegedly kidnapped and robbed by a group including rappers Pooh Shiesty and Big30.
A Las Vegas performer has sued Taylor Swift over the title of her hit album "The Life of a Showgirl," alleging it violates the performer's trademark.
A Minnesota singer has made the big time, signing his first record deal after 43 years in the music business.
The price hike raises the cost of the standard plan with ads by $1 per month and the cost of the standard and premium plans by $2.
LaMelo Ball scored 35 points and Miles Bridges added 25 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the surging Charlotte Hornets in a 122-108 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Richie Palacios hit a two-run homer in a three-run 10th inning, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Minnesota Twins 4-1.
UCLA finished the season 37-1 by defeating the three-time national champion South Carolina Gamecocks.
The Detroit Red Wings were defeated 5-4 by the Wild on Sunday. Kirill Kaprizov completed the sixth hat trick of his NHL career on the power play with 1:51 remaining to lead Minnesota to victory.
Ryan Hartman scored twice to lead the Minnesota Wild to a 4-1 win over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday.
The Trump administration's positions on a number of issues is prompting debate on constitutional powers versus executive orders.
The Trump administration's positions on a number of issues is prompting debate on constitutional powers versus executive orders. WCCO spoke with David Schultz, a congressional law professor at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, to get some clarity.
Julie Le, who was removed from her post after telling a judge "this job sucks," is now challenging Rep. Ilhan Omar in Minnesota's 5th District.
In 2025, the entire U.S. Attorney's office had 77 immigration detention cases, she said. In January 2026, she alone was assigned 88 cases.
One of the most heated issues remains immigration, where Craig has walked back her support for the Laken Riley Act.
Shattuck-St. Mary's is more than a hockey school, but hockey has helped put the school on the map. They have banners and big names to prove it, though the real evidence lies with a man called Rooster.
Opening Day for the Minnesota Twins is almost here. And across town, the St. Paul Saints are getting ready for their season, too, with some added history.
The Nuss Collection is home to a lot of vintage trucks.
Denis Doyle was born in Kilkenny, Ireland. He emigrated to the U.S. and in 1856, Doyle traveled to Le Sueur County. Other Irish immigrants joined Doyle and the town was born.
One of the oldest operating theaters in the Midwest is in danger of closing its doors for good.
It's estimated that children playing with fire set more than 20,000 fires every year. On average, the fires they start cause nearly 1,000 injuries and 150 deaths each year.
As we all pay more to fuel our cars, drivers might miss the savings hidden right at the pump. It comes down to timing, then adjusting your routine.
The produce section at grocery stores is packed with nutrient-dense foods. Certain fruits and vegetables, in particular, are packed with fiber, and a new diet trend has people "maxxing" out on it.
Minnesota's recent swing from heavy snow to record heat is a recipe for rocky roads.
Heavy snow followed by bitter cold hit Minnesotans with a double whammy of winter. The good news is spring-like weather is right around the corner, but its quick arrival could spell trouble for homeowners.
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.
Monday is set to be the coldest day of the week in the Twin Cities.
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 is set to be the coldest day of the week in the Twin Cities.
The Twin Cities are in for a cold and gusty start to the workweek, says NEXT Weather meteorologist Lisa Meadows.
Minnesota Twins and St. Paul Saints fans might get a bit damp Easter Sunday afternoon.
We are hearing from a family directly impacted by the ICE surge in Minnesota, plus more of the day’s top stories.
On Easter Sunday, President Trump escalated his threats and taunts to leaders of the Islamic Republic.
Another taproom is closing in Minneapolis, but this time, owners say it’s by choice.
The Trump administration's positions on a number of issues is prompting debate on constitutional powers versus executive orders.
Monday is set to be the coldest day of the week in the Twin Cities.