Ponder Still Under Pressure, Beginning Season 3
The scrutiny Christian Ponder endured last season could pale next to what he'll encounter this year as Minnesota's quarterback.
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The scrutiny Christian Ponder endured last season could pale next to what he'll encounter this year as Minnesota's quarterback.
The Vikings continue their work in Mankato, and while most rookies fight for a spot on the team or for playing time, one already knows he's the man at his position. The question is, "Can he deliver?"
Harrison Smith's rookie season was marked by hard-hitting play, three interceptions and two defensive touchdowns. His intense style gave the secondary a big boost. It also yielded one ejection and a $21,000 fine. But Minnesota Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said he never saw his young safety back down from the pressure of being a starter on a playoff team.
The summer is officially over, at least for players and team officials with the Minnesota Vikings. The team reported to Minnesota State University, Mankato, for training camp on Thursday and held its first practice on Friday.
The first week of training camp is an adjustment for everybody, leaving that offseason mindset behind and focusing entirely on football. For the new guys on the team, that adjustment is even bigger. But two days in to training camp, Packer linebacker Desmond Bishop feels like he's off to a good start. "It feels good. I never thought I'd look so good in purple," Bishop said. "I think I look pretty handsome."
Desmond Bishop's first practice with the Minnesota Vikings was also his first in almost a year. The recently signed linebacker missed last season with Green Bay because of a torn right hamstring, an injury he suffered in an exhibition game. The Packers cut him last month, and he joined the rival Vikings soon after.
Everything on Friday was the usual for Adam Thielen. He donned purple football gear and went out to practice on the very field – the Minnesota State University, Mankato – where he'd spent the last five years solidifying himself as one of the best Maverick wideouts ever. The one difference on Friday was, this time he did it as a pro.
The Minnesota Vikings have placed wide receiver Greg Childs on the physically unable to perform list to start training camp.
Michael Rhey has two loves – Star Wars and the Minnesota Vikings. "I'm a die-hard fan of both," he said. "I wanted to put my two passions together." So what do you get with an $1,800 budget and eight months of customizing a costume?
Embracing the challenge has always been a part of Adrian Peterson's persona. Following his quick comeback from reconstructive knee surgery, surpassing the 2,000-yard mark and the league MVP award last season for the Minnesota Vikings, Peterson said Friday he'd eagerly accept another test: for human growth hormone. The NFL and the players union have been working on an agreement for HGH testing procedures.
For the Minnesota Vikings, bettering last season will be a challenge. Another seven-win improvement? That's impossible, since they went 10-6 last year and there are only 16 games to play. Yes, unpredictability abounds in the NFL, but on the surface their schedule has the potential to be more difficult.
People are already talking about the economic impact of the new Vikings stadium, as a $400 million development is in the works to tie the east end of downtown in with the new stadium. The project will include two office towers big enough for 6,000 workers.
As players report to training camp on Thursday, the Minnesota Vikings have announced they've signed all three of their first-round draft picks. The Vikings started by signing their top draft choice, defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd, Thursday morning.
Minnesota's football frenzy began Thursday as players and team officials with the Vikings reported to Mankato for training camp on Thursday. The team will hold its first practice of the 2013 training camp on Friday.
As NFL training camps begin, there's a forgotten delegation – the players still hoping for an invite. Former Gopher Michael Carter is in that camp, but he brought in a top-flight tutor to help him out. Carter's working on getting back to 100 percent after an injury in the Vikings mini-camp cut short his immediate goal.
Josh Bell homered twice and drove in four runs as the Minnesota Twins beat the Houston Astros 6-3.
The summer will be jam-packed for Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin. He made it abundantly clear on Monday that re-signing Quinn Hughes is at the top of the list.
A Minnesota dancer is breaking barriers everytime she competes on stage.
The Baltimore Ravens will participate in two joint practices during training camp this summer, including a home clash with the Washington Commanders.
Minneapolis is expected to play host to the 2028 NFL draft, according to multiple reports.
Rookie Gabriela Jaquez set career highs with 20 points and eight rebounds, Kamilla Cardoso had 11 points and 12 rebounds, and the Chicago Sky beat the Minnesota Lynx 86-79.
Sunday's win at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, is only his second PGA tour victory, after winning the 2024 Wyndham Championship.
Ryan Jeffers hit a tiebreaking homer and Kody Clemens had two doubles and two RBIs as the Minnesota Twins defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 5-4 to avoid a three-game sweep.
Luca Langoni scored the go-ahead goal early in the second half and the New England Revolution held on for a 2-1 victory over Minnesota United to close out a four-match homestand.
In a filing on Monday, prosecutors in Minnesota asked the court to sentence Feeding Our Future ringleader Aimee Bock to 50 years in prison.
A driver hit and killed a pedestrian in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, early Tuesday before leaving the scene, according to police.
Neighbors and business owners in the Minneapolis neighborhood of Uptown are concerned as businesses in the area continue to falter. Last month, The Lowry closed, citing changing consumer behavior, city-specific mandates and "disruptive Hennepin Avenue construction."
A 38-year-old man is dead after he was thrown from a vehicle following an attempted auto theft in south Minneapolis on Friday, according to police.
A 35-year-old man has been charged after being accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl during a time in which he was a police officer, according to court documents filed Monday.
At a hangar in St. Paul, Minnesota, engineers at Momentum Aeronautics are building Heatwave, a new generation scooping float system designed to make one of firefighting aviation's most dangerous jobs safer.
It's estimated that there are more than 15,000 black bears in Minnesota, with the majority of them in the northeastern part of the state.
Authorities arrested a 48-year-old man they believe is responsible for shooting at a fire suppression aircraft in northern Minnesota on Friday.
A wildfire in an area near Two Harbors, Minnesota, has been 100% contained, a federal interagency wildfire map showed Monday night.
A Minnesota motorist was shot in the face Friday by "an errant round" fired by someone on a family's nearby target shooting range.
A driver went airborne during a high-speed police chase in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, after fleeing a traffic stop.
Fifty beagles rescued from animal testing in Wisconsin are set to arrive in Minnesota Thursday.
A 100-mile stretch of Mississippi River towns is hosting its annual 100 Mile Garage Sale this weekend, drawing shoppers and sellers from across the region and beyond.
Minnesota animal rescues are stepping up to take in dogs from a Wisconsin research facility accused of animal abuse.
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.
Quincy Street isn't just at the center of Art-A-Whirl, it's at the heart of the Arts District in northeast Minneapolis. The road itself, however, is falling apart. And the only thing bumpier than the exposed brick is the reaction to the city's plans to fix it.
Somali and Muslim leaders in Minnesota played a threatening voicemail at a public gathering Friday, saying businesses in their community are being targeted with messages warning of death.
The Black homeownership rate in the Twin Cities dropped to 29% in 2024, and the region had the largest gap between Black and White homeownership rates of any comparable metro in the country.
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.
The Minneapolis City Council wants a change in how the state handles domestic violence cases.
Survivors say they'd asked for more medical support before the Iranian drone strike that killed six U.S. soldiers at their command post in Kuwait in the war's first 24 hours.
Both sides of the aisle are claiming wins following the end of the legislative session in Minnesota. They barely got everything done in time. Esme Murphy details bills that were approved by lawmakers.
It came right down to the wire, but the legislative session is over and finished on time. Most top priorities passed, including a bailout for HCMC and a hospital reserve fund, a one year roll-back of car tab fees, and property tax relief. But, the most emotionally-charged issue of the session never came up for a final vote, gun control. Esme Murphy is live at the Capitol with what happened.
Minnesota lawmakers crossed the finish line at the State Capitol just before midnight. But even with bipartisan agreements in place, the final hours were anything but smooth.
Part of the end-of-session deal in the Minnesota Legislature rolls back skyrocketing tab renewal fees. Those fees have electric vehicle owners especially revved up.
In Minnesota, you'll be able to try one at St. Paul's CHS Field.
With more Americans opting to drive rather than fly amid higher costs, South Dakota tourism officials say the state is well-positioned as a regional road trip destination.
President Trump's idea to save drivers a few dollars at the pump could cost them in the long run.
A 100-mile stretch of Mississippi River towns is hosting its annual 100 Mile Garage Sale this weekend, drawing shoppers and sellers from across the region and beyond.
In a filing on Monday, prosecutors in Minnesota asked the court to sentence Feeding Our Future ringleader Aimee Bock to 50 years in prison.
A driver hit and killed a pedestrian in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, early Tuesday before leaving the scene, according to police.
A 38-year-old man is dead after he was thrown from a vehicle following an attempted auto theft in south Minneapolis on Friday, according to police.
A 35-year-old man has been charged after being accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl during a time in which he was a police officer, according to court documents filed Monday.
The City of Minneapolis is trying a new approach when it comes to solving and preventing non-deadly shootings.
At least 80 deaths have been reported in a new Ebola disease outbreak in Congo and Uganda, authorities said.
It comes after insurers stopped paying for their kids' daily care, which they argue was covered as part of a 15-year-old state law. As the end of the Minnesota session nears, lawmakers have four days to make a change.
A Twin Cities teenager is facing an unimaginable battle: terminal cancer. She's fortunate enough to have family by her side through her fearless fight as they all hope for a miracle.
Dr. Gianrico Farrugia has led Mayo Clinic since 2019, and the organization said it was his decision to "complete his tenure at the end of this year."
Twin Cities emergency room physicians, nurses and technicians made an emotional plea Tuesday for lawmakers to do something about Minnesota's gun laws.
Dave Ryan has been a pillar of Minnesota radio for over three decades who last week made the surprise announcement that he would retire from his morning show at KDWB.
If you're a Smashing Pumpkins fan in Minnesota, today may be the greatest day you've ever known. Billy Corgan and his band are bringing their next tour to Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul.
The Library of Congress revealed this year's list of 25 recordings to be preserved for future generations on the National Recording Registry.
Dave Ryan announced Wednesday that May 22 will be his last day at KDWB, ending a 33-year run at the Twin Cities station.
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis are calling their Aug. 29 show "Homecoming: A Celebration of the Minneapolis Sound."
Josh Bell homered twice and drove in four runs as the Minnesota Twins beat the Houston Astros 6-3.
The summer will be jam-packed for Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin. He made it abundantly clear on Monday that re-signing Quinn Hughes is at the top of the list.
A Minnesota dancer is breaking barriers everytime she competes on stage.
The Baltimore Ravens will participate in two joint practices during training camp this summer, including a home clash with the Washington Commanders.
Minneapolis is expected to play host to the 2028 NFL draft, according to multiple reports.
Amy Klobuchar is putting her gubernatorial campaign into high gear. She faces no significant opposition in the race for the DFL endorsement and her existing record of statewide wins is formidable.
The legislation establishes a list of requirements aimed at improving transparency and reducing conflicts within HOAs. Minnesota estimates that 25% of its residents live in an HOA, and 82% of new homes are built within one.
The Minnesota Senate passed a bill with mandatory requirements for homeowners associations aimed at improving transparency and preventing disputes, after two years of legislative work driven by public complaints.
The Minnesota Senate passed a bill with mandatory requirements for homeowners associations aimed at improving transparency and preventing disputes, after two years of legislative work driven by public complaints. In Talking Points, Esme Murphy spoke with Dana Ohman, an attorney who handles HOA disputes, about some of the most common questions homeowners have.
Sen. Tina Smith is using her last months in office to vocally campaign for progressive and environmental causes. She hopes that a progressive will succeed her when Minnesotans go to the polls next November.
There's a place in Wabasha County, Minnesota, where people go wild for wildflowers.
For nearly 50 years, Farmamerica has been sowing agricultural knowledge near Waseca, Minnesota.
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.
Dozens of recreational marijuana dispensaries can now be found across Minnesota. Many of them opened last year, but it's still relatively new. And if you've visited dispensaries in other states, the rules can be different.
President Trump's idea to save drivers a few dollars at the pump could cost them in the long run.
More people than the entire population of Minneapolis, or half a million, were estimated to go fishing in Minnesota this past weekend. WCCO looks at how the tradition stacks up with other outdoor events that keep the state's economy running.
A deadly virus that's killed cruise ship passengers can be traced to small critters found hiding in homes.
So far this decade, the Twin Cities metro has, on average, added about 17,000 housing units per year, according to data from the Metropolitan Council.
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.
It’ll be a gloomy day in the Twin Cities, but better weather is not far off.
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.
Tuesday's going to be a gloomy day in the Twin Cities, with lingering light showers early, clouds, strong winds and highs in the mid-50s.
Tuesday's going to be a gloomy day in the Twin Cities, with lingering light showers early, clouds, strong winds and highs in the mid-50s.
NEXT Weather meteorologist Mike Augustyniak says wind gusts are expected to exceed 20 mph in the Twin Cities on Tuesday, when temperatures will reach the 50s.
One northern Minnesota wildfire is 100% contained, another stands at 60% containment and more.
It’ll be a gloomy day in the Twin Cities, but better weather is not far off.
The Minneapolis City Council wants a change in how the state handles domestic violence cases.
A Minnesota veteran and social media influencer has lost his fight against lung cancer and congestive heart failure.
Three people were killed in a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego on Monday, and two suspected shooters were found dead inside a vehicle nearby.