2015 In Review: The Year In Local Sports
Minnesota doesn't seem to lack anything in having big sports stories over the course of a year, and 2015 was no exception. Here's a look back at the crazy year that was Minnesota sports.
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Minnesota doesn't seem to lack anything in having big sports stories over the course of a year, and 2015 was no exception. Here's a look back at the crazy year that was Minnesota sports.
It was a celebration fit for champions. The Minnesota Lynx held their victory parade Friday after winning the WNBA title Wednesday night for the first time on their home court. Lynx fans lined Hennepin Avenue for a chance to celebrate with the champs.
Minnesota Lynx fans can honor the 2015 WNBA champions Friday morning in downtown Minneapolis. A parade for the Lynx starts at 11:30 a.m. on 12th Street and Hennepin Avenue, and ends at Target Center for a celebration shortly after noon.
Rock legend and noted basketball enthusiast Prince was in a "party like it's 1999" mood following the Minnesota Lynx's WNBA Championship win Wednesday evening. The Lynx captured their third title in five years with a 69-52 victory over the Indiana Fever in Game 5, and it was their first time clinching the championship on their home turf.
For Lynx fans, this Is the moment they've been waiting for -- a chance to capture a WNBA championship at home.
Sylvia Fowles had 20 points and 11 rebounds, and the Minnesota Lynx captured their third championship in five years with a 69-52 victory over the Indiana Fever in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals on Wednesday night. Seimone Augustus added 16 points and Rebekkah Brunson grabbed 14 rebounds for the Lynx, who also won it all in 2011 and 2013.
So it's all come down to one night. The Minnesota Lynx and Indiana Fever meet Wednesday night in a winner-take-all scenario. It's Game 5 of the WNBA Finals at Target Center.
Target Center is celebrating 25 years in downtown Minneapolis by giving the city a taste of what's shortly to come. As the venue marked the 25th anniversary of its grand opening, plans were unveiled detailing a planned $129 million renovation project that will include new gathering spaces, clubs, and exteriors.
Tamika Catchings and Lindsay Whalen have been butting heads in the playoffs for 10 years now, dating back to the 2005 Eastern Conference finals.
Shenise Johnson scored 15 points and Marissa Coleman added 14 to help the Indiana Fever beat the Minnesota Lynx 75-69 on Sunday night, forcing a decisive Game 5 in the WNBA Finals.
Tamika Catchings and her Indiana Fever teammates have almost always found a way to win when facing elimination. Now, the Fever and their star forward find themselves in that exact situation: another must-win game.
Maya Moore made a 3-pointer at the buzzer from the top of the key to give the Minnesota Lynx an 80-77 victory over the Indiana Fever on Friday night in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals.
Tamika Catchings didn't get much sleep after her Indiana Fever lost Game 2 of the WNBA Finals to Minnesota. It wasn't just because of the foul trouble that saddled her all game. It was the lack of execution she and her teammates had down the stretch in Minnesota's 77-71 win.
For the last three years, Minnesota Lynx forward Maya Moore has been one of the top players in the WNBA. She was recognized by the league for it on Thursday. The WNBA announced Thursday that for the third straight year, Moore was named to the league's All-First Team.
Sylvia Fowles had 21 points and nine rebounds and the Minnesota Lynx evened the best-of-five WNBA Finals at one game apiece with a 77-71 victory over the Indiana Fever on Tuesday night. Fowles made 10 of 13 shots and Maya Moore added 19 points and eight boards for the Lynx, who are looking for their third championship in the last five years.
Quinn Hughes scored 2 goals in Game 6 as the Minnesota Wild defeated the Dallas Stars 5-2, clinching the franchise's first playoff series win in 11 years.
Next up, Minnesota has a date with MVP candidate and Defensive Player of the Year Victor Wembanyama's San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs beat the Portland Trail Blazers in five games in round one.
The Kentucky Derby will see a full field of 20 horses in the first leg of the 2026 competition for horse racing's Triple Crown.
Jaden McDaniels had 32 points and 10 rebounds and Terrence Shannon Jr. scored 24 points in a surprise start for the injury-ravaged Minnesota Timberwolves in a 110-98 victory over the Denver Nuggets in Game 6 that finished off another tense NBA playoff series between the rivals.
Two teams, two game sixes and the high stakes drove fans to hit the town on a school night.
Quinn Hughes led Minnesota to its first playoff series victory in 11 years, scoring twice in the Wild's 5-2 victory over the Dallas Stars in Game 6 on Thursday night.
Byron Buxton homered for the third time in four games and Ryan Jeffers hit a go-ahead, two-run drive that led the Minnesota Twins over the Toronto Blue Jays 7- 1 in the opener of a four-game series.
Nate Prosser explains how his upbringing and faith influenced his path from Elk River to the NHL.
Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn has been fined by the NHL for cross-checking Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman after a heated exchange between the players during Game 5 of the first-round playoff series.
Police are still investigating what led to the shooting, but said there is no threat to the public.
Two teams, two game sixes and the high stakes drove fans to hit the town on a school night.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey vetoed an effort to extend the pre-eviction filing notice period by 15 days, weeks after shooting down a similar measure that would have extended the period by 30 days.
A mother, father and daughter have all been indicted for allegedly assaulting a TurningPoint USA contributor.
No children were on the school bus at the time of the incident.
Video captured in the woods near Minnesota's Voyageurs National Park shows the first documented evidence of cougar reproduction in the state in more than a century.
The research adds to the understanding of the species and how populations adapt and survive in a landscape heavily influenced by humans.
With the Midterm Elections just six months away, will historic support from minority voters hold strong for Republican candidates.
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.
Across the country, more than 152 million Americans — or 45% — are living with unhealthy levels of air pollution.
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.
Two Minnesotans were killed in a motorcycle crash Wednesday evening in western Wisconsin.
Matthew Keirans used William Woods's identity for decades, then manipulated police into prosecuting Woods, who spent 428 days in jail and 147 days in a mental hospital before DNA evidence proved his innocence.
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.
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.
The New York governor wants confirmation that ICE agent Jonathan Ross was not moved to New York after the Minneapolis killing of Renee Good.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey vetoed an effort to extend the pre-eviction filing notice period by 15 days, weeks after shooting down a similar measure that would have extended the period by 30 days.
Nurses and faith leaders rallied around Minnesota's busiest trauma hospital. Leaders warn HCMC is just months away from closing.
The federal government is putting another funding freeze on Minnesota.
In the last election, President Trump saw record support from Black and Latino voters. But will those new supporters stick with the President’s party in the upcoming midterm?
Some Twin Cities rideshare drivers say they may have to leave the road as gas prices continue to increase.
A large investment company is warning anyone with stocks to hold on to your hats. Information from JP Morgan says uncertainty is fueling inflation, but so far the market has been more resilient than expected.
Some Trader Joe's shoppers will get a payout after a lawsuit alleged that the retailer's customer receipts put shoppers at risk of ID theft.
The bill would provide an average refund increase of $171 to homeowners after sharp property tax increases across the state this year.
The bills aim to close what supporters call a gambling law loophole, allowing for these prediction markets to flourish with no regulations.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating a use-of-force incident in Virginia, Minnesota, after what appears to have been an officer shooting Friday morning.
The New York governor wants confirmation that ICE agent Jonathan Ross was not moved to New York after the Minneapolis killing of Renee Good.
Police are still investigating what led to the shooting, but said there is no threat to the public.
A mother, father and daughter have all been indicted for allegedly assaulting a TurningPoint USA contributor.
One person was gravely injured and another arrested after a crash that also damaged an iconic Minneapolis dive bar on Thursday.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services head Dr. Mehmet Oz notified Minnesota that the department is deferring $91 million in Medicaid payments, citing systemic fraud risks and ongoing audits.
HCMC is on life support, as leaders warn the state's busiest trauma hospital could be just months away from closing without an infusion of cash. Two demonstrations in downtown Minneapolis tried to spotlight the problem on Thursday.
There is bipartisan support to help save the hospital, but the state Senate is proposing less money than the House. One former patient has something to say to those lawmakers.
Hold Your Horses is a local nonprofit that provides therapy alongside horses and the natural world for people of all ages and abilities.
Minnesota lawmakers are calling for the humanitarian release of a woman detained earlier this year amid Operation Metro Surge who is suffering from a tennis ball-sized ovarian cyst.
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.
A previously unreleased song is one of many ways Prince is being honored a decade after his death.
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.
A video game is helping people experience the Ojibwe culture in a new way.
Quinn Hughes scored 2 goals in Game 6 as the Minnesota Wild defeated the Dallas Stars 5-2, clinching the franchise's first playoff series win in 11 years.
Next up, Minnesota has a date with MVP candidate and Defensive Player of the Year Victor Wembanyama's San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs beat the Portland Trail Blazers in five games in round one.
The Kentucky Derby will see a full field of 20 horses in the first leg of the 2026 competition for horse racing's Triple Crown.
Jaden McDaniels had 32 points and 10 rebounds and Terrence Shannon Jr. scored 24 points in a surprise start for the injury-ravaged Minnesota Timberwolves in a 110-98 victory over the Denver Nuggets in Game 6 that finished off another tense NBA playoff series between the rivals.
Two teams, two game sixes and the high stakes drove fans to hit the town on a school night.
In the last election, President Trump saw record support from Black and Latino voters. But will those new supporters stick with the President’s party in the upcoming midterm?
With the Midterm Elections just six months away, will historic support from minority voters hold strong for Republican candidates.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services head Dr. Mehmet Oz notified Minnesota that the department is deferring $91 million in Medicaid payments, citing systemic fraud risks and ongoing audits.
With the Midterm Elections just six months away, will historic support from minority voters hold strong for Republican candidates. In Talking Points, Esme Murphy asked University of Minnesota Professor Michael Minta if that momentum will hold strong through the midterm elections.
The only open Congressional race in Minnesota is in the state's 2nd Congressional District, where the incumbent Rep. Angie Craig is not running for reelection but running for U.S. Senate.
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.
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.
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?
The pet insurance industry is relatively new, and experts say that's partly why there's a low number of policies, but it is growing.
The popular afternoon pick-me-up in a cup is like a super food, supplement and medicine cure-all.
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.
Temperatures jump a bit into the weekend with the trough in the jet stream lifting northward, 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 cool and mostly dry, with highs in the 50s.
Friday will see frost early and then again late, ahead of a mild weekend in Minnesota with spotty rain chances.
Friday will see frost early and then again late, ahead of a mild weekend in Minnesota with spotty rain chances.
Video captured in the woods near Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota shows a rare sighting of three cougar kittens and their mother.
Circus Juventas is welcoming guests of all ages this Sunday as the circus celebrates its annual Community Day at its big top home in St. Paul. Rob Dawson, Circus Executive director, and performer Izzy Lavan share a preview.
Phil Thompson, "Man About Town," shares his picks for the best upcoming shows in the Twin Cities.
Jan Hagerman, from the Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity ReStore, shares some ideas.
For awhile now, we've been hearing calls for a four day work week, but are we any closer to cutting one day off your work schedule?
