Prepare for another summer of poor air quality, forecasters say
According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and their outlook for this year, smoky skies just may be our new normal.
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According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and their outlook for this year, smoky skies just may be our new normal.
Air quality forecasters say drought conditions similar to last year mean Minnesotans need to prepare for another summer of smoke. NEXT Weather meteorologist Adam Del Rosso breaks down the latest outlook.
State air quality experts expect about two weeks of wildfire smoke impact in Minnesota this summer, and several days of unhealthy ozone levels.
Across the country, more than 152 million Americans — or 45% — are living with unhealthy levels of air pollution.
Smoke billowed over the Minneapolis skyline on Sunday after an early morning fire destroyed several warehouses in the city's Northeast neighborhood. Jason Rantala shows the extent of the massive flames.
"Some of the worst I've ever seen by the sheer size of the fires," Joe Meyer, an advanced fire training specialist with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, recalled to WCCO. "Just to see the walls of fire that were 100 feet over the treetops and a mile long and tearing through the forest up there. It was amazing to see it actually."
Temperatures on Tuesday and Wednesday are expected to be between the 70s and 80s, according to Next Weather meteorologist Chris Shaffer.
Homeowners know the saying, "water finds a way." Add wildfire smoke to that distinction, another savvy invader harming indoor quality, where people should feel protected from it.
Minnesotans will once again experience hazy conditions and poor air quality this weekend, as wildfires continue to burn across Canada, sending smoke south with the change in wind direction.
The storms may be moving out, but more wildfire smoke is headed to Minnesota and Wisconsin this weekend.
You might want to get used to that smoke, at least for the rest of the summer.
Smoke from Canadian wildfires is causing air quality concerns for millions of Americans in the Midwest and Northeast.
As the air quality in Minnesota remains dangerous, experts are giving advice.
There have been more than 3,700 wildfires in Canada this season, plus more of the day’s top stories.
Low temperatures will be in the 40s and 50s tonight, according to meteorologist Lisa Meadows, and poor air quality will plague the state through the weekend.
Meteorologist Lisa Meadows says air quality will continue to remain poor through the weekend. High temperatures tomorrow will be around 80 degrees.
As wildfire smoke clouds Minnesota skies, the air quality alert is extended into Monday.
The air quality alert in effect for all of Minnesota has been extended to noon on Monday, according to Next Weather meteorologist Mike Augustyniak.
More days of wildfire smoke may mean more trouble for your pets, as veterinarians say they're seeing an increase in respiratory illness in dogs, cats and even birds.
More days of wildfire smoke may mean more trouble for your pets, as veterinarians say they're seeing an increase in respiratory illness in dogs, cats and even birds.
The poor air quality was definitely noticeable in Minneapolis on Wednesday. WCCO's Jason Rantala looks at if, and when, residents can catch a breath of fresh air.
An air quality alert is in effect across Minnesota through Saturday, and the state is on course to break 2023's record of 21 alert days in a single year.
The worst of the flames are in the provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, just to the northwest of Minnesota
The MPCA says air quality will start improving in the Twin Cities on Friday afternoon, plus more of the day’s top stories.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued a statewide air quality alert through 9 a.m. Monday because of Canadian wildfire smoke.
A federal officer faces charges in connection with a shooting in north Minneapolis that left a man wounded, and that two agents were caught lying about under oath.
Minneapolis is expected to play host to the 2028 NFL draft, according to multiple reports.
The Trump administration announced it's restricting people who don't have U.S. passports from entering the country if they have been in Congo, South Sudan or Uganda amid the Ebola outbreak.
Authorities arrested a 48-year-old man they believe is responsible for shooting at a fire suppression aircraft in northern Minnesota on Friday.
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.
A federal officer faces charges in connection with a shooting in north Minneapolis that left a man wounded, and that two agents were caught lying about under oath.
Minneapolis is expected to play host to the 2028 NFL draft, according to multiple reports.
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.
While the St. Paul Saints faced off against Columbus on Sunday, Seigo Masubuchi was running a marathon on the concourse inside CHS Field.
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.
Authorities arrested a 48-year-old man they believe is responsible for shooting at a fire suppression aircraft in northern Minnesota on Friday.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is touring Two Harbors on Monday afternoon as wildfires rip through the area.
A Minnesota motorist was shot in the face Friday by "an errant round" fired by someone on a family's nearby target shooting range.
The Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office says the crash occurred on County Road 18, 3.5 miles north of Lake Lillian, around 7:17 p.m. Saturday.
David Storbakken's story is one of the many Minnesota Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives cases.
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.
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.
The Trump administration announced it's restricting people who don't have U.S. passports from entering the country if they have been in Congo, South Sudan or Uganda amid the Ebola outbreak.
According to a new CBS News poll, many Americans don't believe the war with Iran is helping U.S. economic and strategic interests.
The 2026 Minnesota legislative session is over and finished on time — just barely
The legislation, which passed in the state Senate, was also supported by healthcare professionals. It would have banned semiautomatic rifles and high-capacity magazines.
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.
A federal officer faces charges in connection with a shooting in north Minneapolis that left a man wounded, and that two agents were caught lying about under oath.
Authorities arrested a 48-year-old man they believe is responsible for shooting at a fire suppression aircraft in northern Minnesota on Friday.
A New York judge ruled Monday on whether evidence found in Luigi Mangione's backpack during his arrest can be used during his state trial.
A 72-year-old Minnesota man allegedly told police he tried to kill his wife so she would not have to "deal with" living off significantly reduced Social Security benefits.
Charges say two women had been arguing over $50 when one of them fatally shot the other at a Minneapolis apartment earlier this month.
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.
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."
A trial in the lawsuit between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni was set to begin later in May.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
NEXT Weather meteorologist Lisa Meadows says there's a marginal risk of flash flooding and severe weather in parts of central and southern Minnesota on Monday.
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 morning starts with rain early and then dries out. Highs in the upper 50s, WCCO meteorologist Lisa Meadows reports.
More severe weather is possible on Monday in parts of Minnesota.
Monday will be dry during the day in Minnesota, but another round of possibly severe storms could arrive in the evening.
Minneapolis is expected to play host to the 2028 NFL draft, according to multiple reports.
NEXT Weather meteorologist Lisa Meadows says there's a marginal risk of flash flooding and severe weather in parts of central and southern Minnesota on Monday.
Gov. Tim Walz has declared an emergency and mobilized the Minnesota National Guard to battle wildfires in parts of northern Minnesota.
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.
Convention Grill chef Elliott Jones shares a preview of the breakfast offerings.