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As of Monday, 330 intensive care unit beds were occupied by COVID-19 patients, along with 1,018 non-ICU beds. More than 8.66 million vaccine doses have been administered in the state, including 1.67 million boosters.
"We've been operating at our maximum capacity for quite some time now," John Smyrski said. "We're a year more experienced, but we're also a year more exhausted."
The Centers for Disease Control is cutting its COVID isolation guidance by half if you're positive. If you test positive, regardless of vaccination status, you only have to stay home for five days instead of 10.
Ahead of the next big holiday weekend, venues around the Twin Cities are adjusting their plans.
A day after federal health officials loosened the isolation guidelines for asymptomatic people with COVID-19, Minnesota reported 9,873 new cases and 40 more deaths.
Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 only needs to isolate for five days if they have no symptoms, according to updated guidelines for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Two Minnesota hospitals still dealing with an influx in patients with COVID-19 and other needs say assistance from military medical teams has been critical over last month's surge. St. Cloud Hospital and Hennepin County Medical Center welcome a 30-day extension of that aid.
The Golden Gophers women's basketball team won't play its New Year's Eve home game due to apparent issues with the opponent's COVID-19 protocols.
Following Monday night's loss to the Rams, the Vikings placed offensive lineman Olisaemeka Udoh on the COVID-19 reserve list.
Officials with the Guthrie Theater in downtown Minneapolis announced Sunday afternoon that the remaining scheduled performances of "A Christmas Carol" have been canceled due to "multiple COVID-19 cases within vaccinated members of our cast and staff."
"The minute that I saw my test result in my email I was devastated that I was going to have to miss the holidays," Ashley Lawson said.
Health care workers continue to treat an influx of patients in Minnesota hospitals that's overwhelming the health care system, with more than 1,400 having COVID and thousands more seeking other care.
A judge temporarily halted Thursday a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for St. Paul city employees.
As the Omicron variant sweeps across the country, more Minnesotans are rushing to get tested. On Thursday, a second COVID-19 pill was approved as a take-at-home treatment option. Now many are wondering if their families should gather around the tree.
Minnesota hospitals continue to be crunched for space. Hospitals are out of rooms and other health emergencies have been put on hold.
There were long lines at the Minneapolis Convention Center Thursday to get last-minute tests before the Christmas weekend—a key step to take, public health experts say, should Minnesotans gather with family and friends.
The Minnesota Department has announced that the 11th school staff worker has died of COVID-19 this school year.
As the Christmas holiday approaches and Minnesotans scramble to get tested before gathering with family, the state health department recorded 3,378 new COVID-19 cases and 52 deaths.
Businesses and public gathering spots in Minnesota are reacting to the Omicron surge. With no mandates being enacted, it's up to them to decide if changes are needed.
Minnesota is preparing for a jump in COVID cases, with one ofthe most recent to be infected is the governor himself.
On Wednesday, WCCO's Kate Raddatz held a virtual roundtable with six Minnesota mothers. The discussion included moms with kids ranging in age from six months to 10 years old.
If you're flying and want to change or cancel a flight things are more complicated now compared to last year. Before had a lot of flexibility. Now, it really depends on what kind of ticket you bought.
The latest figures from the Minnesota Department of Health bring the total case count to 992,851, which includes 12,451 reinfections. So far, 10,254 deaths have been attributed to the virus.
The governor said he is fully vaccinated and boosted and has no symptoms so far.
If it isn't already, state health leaders anticipate that the Omicron variant of COVID-19 will be the most dominant strain in Minnesota by the end of the week.
President Donald Trump's idea to save drivers a few dollars at the pump could cost them in the long run.
The boat belonged to Gary Schoeder Jr., who spent years serving as a police officer and firefighter in Zumbrota. Schroeder medically retired in 2020 while battling PTSD. He later died by suicide in 2023.
Victor Wembanyama atoned for his first career ejection with another huge performance, finishing with 27 points, 17 rebounds and three blocks as the San Antonio Spurs beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 126-97 on Tuesday night to take a 3-2 lead in their second-round series.
The Montreal Victoire are heading to their first Walter Cup final as they defeated the two-time defending champion Minnesota Frost 2-1 at Place Bell on Tuesday night in the fifth and deciding game of their Professional Women's Hockey League semifinal.
Bailey Ober threw a two-hitter for his first career shutout, leading the Minnesota Twins to a 3-0 victory over the Miami Marlins on Tuesday night in their series opener.
The criminal complaint says the man had been following three girls, ages 12 and 13, inside the Target located at 7000 York Avenue South in Edina, Minnesota.
Jerrad Moening was not expected to make it through the first night at HCMC after he was crushed by his own tractor nearly a year ago. Now, he's sharing his story.
Twin Cities emergency room physicians, nurses and technicians made an emotional plea Tuesday for lawmakers to do something about Minnesota's gun laws.
Retirement, like everything else, is getting more expensive. And more Minnesotans are worried they could outlive their savings.
A Coon Rapids, Minnesota, man pleaded guilty in federal court on Monday to unlawfully possessing a machine gun outside a high school graduation ceremony at the University of Minnesota last spring.
The boat belonged to Gary Schoeder Jr., who spent years serving as a police officer and firefighter in Zumbrota. Schroeder medically retired in 2020 while battling PTSD. He later died by suicide in 2023.
The Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office says dispatchers received a 911 call around 12:31 p.m. from a 19-year-old man reporting a paddle boat he was on had capsized on Little Emily Lake.
Rio is currently the oldest ocelot in human care — a remarkable achievement for a species that typically lives far shorter lives in captivity. Now living at The Wildcat Sanctuary in Minnesota, Rio spends her days enjoying hammocks, enrichment, sunny platforms, and the peaceful retirement every wild cat deserves.
A 16-year-old boy from Bemidji, Minnesota, is accused of shooting three people — including his parents — because they took away his cellphone privileges.
With energy prices putting pressure on families, one Minnesota company is utilizing the power of the sun to help ease the pain.
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.
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.
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.
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.
President Donald Trump's idea to save drivers a few dollars at the pump could cost them in the long run.
The measure would require parental consent for someone 15 or younger to make an account and limit features bill authors say are addictive, like infinite scrolling, autoplay of videos and push notifications for those users.
The bill to make grooming a crime in Minnesota is headed to the Senate floor for a vote. The legislation follows a WCCO investigative series on grooming in schools.
Twin Cities emergency room physicians, nurses and technicians made an emotional plea Tuesday for lawmakers to do something about Minnesota's gun laws.
The bill to make grooming a crime in Minnesota is headed to the Senate floor for a vote. The legislation follows a WCCO investigative series on grooming in schools.
President Donald 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.
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.
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.
Gas in the Twin Cities can be up to $4.20 a gallon these days, and it's happening as Minnesota is revving up for summer.
The boat belonged to Gary Schoeder Jr., who spent years serving as a police officer and firefighter in Zumbrota. Schroeder medically retired in 2020 while battling PTSD. He later died by suicide in 2023.
The criminal complaint says the man had been following three girls, ages 12 and 13, inside the Target located at 7000 York Avenue South in Edina, Minnesota.
The bill to make grooming a crime in Minnesota is headed to the Senate floor for a vote. The legislation follows a WCCO investigative series on grooming in schools.
Twin Cities emergency room physicians, nurses and technicians made an emotional plea Tuesday for lawmakers to do something about Minnesota's gun laws.
A Coon Rapids, Minnesota, man pleaded guilty in federal court on Monday to unlawfully possessing a machine gun outside a high school graduation ceremony at the University of Minnesota last spring.
Twin Cities emergency room physicians, nurses and technicians made an emotional plea Tuesday for lawmakers to do something about Minnesota's gun laws.
The Minnesota Department of Health said Tuesday afternoon that it is monitoring a person who was potentially exposed to someone who tested positive for hantavirus aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship.
Hundreds of nurses at North Memorial Health's Maple Grove Hospital have voted to approve an unfair labor practice strike, their union announced Tuesday.
A Texas couple is filing a lawsuit accusing the AI company of guiding their teenage son in using drugs, resulting in a fatal overdose.
If it feels like your health insurance premiums are going up, there's a good chance you're right.
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.
The Minnesota Star Tribune was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for breaking news for its coverage of a mass shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic school that killed two children and injured more than a dozen others.
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.
Victor Wembanyama atoned for his first career ejection with another huge performance, finishing with 27 points, 17 rebounds and three blocks as the San Antonio Spurs beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 126-97 on Tuesday night to take a 3-2 lead in their second-round series.
The Montreal Victoire are heading to their first Walter Cup final as they defeated the two-time defending champion Minnesota Frost 2-1 at Place Bell on Tuesday night in the fifth and deciding game of their Professional Women's Hockey League semifinal.
Bailey Ober threw a two-hitter for his first career shutout, leading the Minnesota Twins to a 3-0 victory over the Miami Marlins on Tuesday night in their series opener.
Jason Collins, the NBA's first openly gay player, who went on to become a pioneer for inclusion and an ambassador for the league, has died, his family announced Tuesday.
San Antonio's Victor Wembanyama is playing in Game 5 of the Spurs' Western Conference semifinal series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, after getting ejected early in Game 4 for throwing an elbow.
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.
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.
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.
President Donald 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.
WCCO meteorologist Chris Shaffer says tomorrow will be a #Top10WxDay with sunshine and highs in the lower 70s.
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.
WCCO meteorologist Chris Shaffer says the sky clears out and the wind drops tonight as we cool back to the upper-40s.
The sky clears out and the wind drops Tuesday night as the metro cools back to the upper-40s, says NEXT Weather meteorologist Chris Shaffer.
Temperatures are expected to climb into the 80s Friday and near 80 Saturday before a soaking rain becomes possible Sunday into Monday, WCCO meteorologist Mike Augustyniak reports.
WCCO meteorologist Chris Shaffer says tomorrow will be a #Top10WxDay with sunshine and highs in the lower 70s.
President Trump's idea to save you a few dollars at the pump could cost drivers in the long run. In Good Question, Jeff Wagner explores how the federal gas tax works
A family in southern Minnesota is asking for your help to find a stolen boat you can't put a price on. The boat is tied to memories of a brother and father who passed three years ago. Now, his family say communities across the state are rallying around them.
Minnesota health leaders are monitoring someone for potential exposure to the virus behind a deadly cruise ship outbreak. Today, the health department said that person "may have been briefly exposed overseas" to someone who was on the cruise and tested positive for hantavirus. Ubah Ali explains how this outbreak is different than COVID-19 and the risk to Minnesotans.
WCCO meteorologist Chris Shaffer says the sky clears out and the wind drops tonight as we cool back to the upper-40s.