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Top hospital and long-term care industry leaders say that workers are exhausted and leaving the profession at record-levels, creating a staffing shortage of caregivers as cases increase and hospital beds fill up.
WCCO shares the tribute to two trailblazers honored for their remarkable bond and bravery.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, 11 school staff members have died due to COVID-19, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
Since Minnesota students returned to in-person classes last month, there have been nearly 7,000 COVID-19 cases detected in schools across the state.
Thirteen of those deaths occurred in September, and one in March. The other 18 happened in October.
"The vaccine is like a great umbrella, but it is raining COVID outside and you might still get wet, and so that's why we're saying test as well," MDH's Dan Huff said.
"At our facility, we currently have a 40% to 45% vaccination rate for staff," certified nursing assistant Abbie Tiemann said. "We've come to the point where no one else is willing to take that vaccine. I am one of them."
A political standstill is preventing a special legislative session at the Minnesota State Capitol, putting the fate of bonus pay for frontline workers and drought relief for farmers in limbo.
Starting on Oct. 15, the Mankato and St. Cloud testing sites will be open on Friday, and starting Oct. 17, Sunday testing will be offered at Moorhead and Winona.
Minnesota health officials on Wednesday reported 3,886 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 40 new deaths.
New data is out on how well COVID-19 vaccines work in those who've already been infected, and that cutting-edge research is coming from Minnesota.
On Wednesday, everyone returns to the classroom in person, but while students were at home, staff members were busy making some safety changes.
The Democratic governor detailed his proposal in a letter to lawmakers that he released after meeting privately with legislative leaders.
A new clinic has opened in St. Paul to expand access to monoclonal antibody COVID-19 treatment in the metro area.
The additional figures bring the state's total case count to 725,451 and 8,203 deaths. The seven-day average positivity rate has climbed up to 7.2%.
"It's really about how do we make people feel safe and more about how do we decrease our risk as we go about gathering together," Dr. George Morris said.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and since the pandemic began there's been a sharp decline in breast cancer screening according to the CDC.
Time is up for some Minnesota health care workers to get their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Many health systems are requiring them, and Friday is the deadline for employees at Hennepin Health care, Essentia and Allina Health.
A day before the Gopher men's hockey team was slated to play their season opener, the series against Alaska was postponed until January over health and safety concerns.
There have now been 233 grade schools that have had five or more confirmed cases of COVID-19 in students or staff since the start of the school year, according to the latest figures from the Minnesota Department of Health.
As of Thursday afternoon, there were 799 people in Minnesota hospitals with the virus, of which 209 were in intensive care.
Minnesota Republican lawmakers say that pandemic bonus pay should go to workers whom they say were most at risk.
Testing for COVID-19 is up dramatically this month, as Minnesotans comply with requirements for work, school and travel and cases have been on the rise. But where people choose to get tested is creating some problems.
Health officials on Thursday reported an additional 2,874 virus cases and 13 more deaths due to COVID-19. Meanwhile, there have been 72,221 vaccine booster shots given to eligible Minnesotans.
Gov. Tim Walz announced Wednesday that $15 million more in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan will go toward helping emergency shelters in Minnesota, specifically for upgrades to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks in the homeless population.
There's a place in Wabasha County, Minnesota, where people go wild for wildflowers.
The owners of Dirty Blonde Bar and Grill in Bock say they now face thousands in lost revenue, a repair bill approaching $100,000 and what they describe as a lack of answers.
Rafael Navarro scored a goal, Nico Hansen had his first shutout this season, and the Colorado Rapids beat Minnesota United 1-0 to snap a three-game losing streak.
Leo Jiménez had three hits and Xavier Edwards doubled, tripled and scored three runs as the Miami Marlins beat the Minnesota Twins 9-5 on Wednesday night.
The tennis court is where Jaime Gaard Chapman belongs.
With just days left until the Minnesota Legislature must adjourn for the year, DFL Gov. Tim Walz and legislative leaders in a politically divided Capitol reached a deal Wednesday night that includes funding to shore up Hennepin County Medical Center and one-time relief to taxpayers struggling with the high cost of living.
Charges say survelliance cameras caught the stabbing on video.
A St. Paul, Minnesota, man is facing charges after a toddler in his care pulled a gun from a diaper bag during a traffic stop Monday afternoon, court documents show.
Several surrounding fire departments responded to smoke and fire coming from a home in Savage, Minnesota, Tuesday afternoon. The damaged roof is now covered in a blue tarp contains solar panels.
According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, there were seven boating fatalities in the state last year and 35 recorded nonfatal incidents.
There's a place in Wabasha County, Minnesota, where people go wild for wildflowers.
The owners of Dirty Blonde Bar and Grill in Bock say they now face thousands in lost revenue, a repair bill approaching $100,000 and what they describe as a lack of answers.
The Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office says it responded to a reported structure fire on the 6600 block of County Road 18 in Lake Edward Township around 5:22 p.m. Tuesday.
According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, there were seven boating fatalities in the state last year and 35 recorded nonfatal incidents.
Minnesotans will soon face tougher consequences if they disguise themselves as law enforcement to deceive the public in response to the lawmaker shooting attacks last summer.
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.
Tim Walz and legislative leaders have reached a deal to end the session in the next few days.
With just days left until the Minnesota Legislature must adjourn for the year, DFL Gov. Tim Walz and legislative leaders in a politically divided Capitol reached a deal Wednesday night that includes funding to shore up Hennepin County Medical Center and one-time relief to taxpayers struggling with the high cost of living.
Countless hearings with dozens of witnesses and whistleblowers detailing Minnesota's fraud crisis are now summed up in an 80+ page report by the state's GOP-led Fraud Prevention and Oversight Committee.
Two years of digging into Minnesota's fraud crisis revealed a multi billion dollar problem. The state Republican-led Fraud Committee released its final report Wednesday. As Jeff Wagner reports, not everyone agrees with its findings.
Minnesotans will soon face tougher consequences if they disguise themselves as law enforcement to deceive the public in response to the lawmaker shooting attacks last summer.
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.
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.
Charges say survelliance cameras caught the stabbing on video.
A St. Paul, Minnesota, man is facing charges after a toddler in his care pulled a gun from a diaper bag during a traffic stop Monday afternoon, court documents show.
Minnesotans will soon face tougher consequences if they disguise themselves as law enforcement to deceive the public in response to the lawmaker shooting attacks last summer.
A Minneapolis man who owned a grocery store is accused in a $1.14 million scheme in which he would allegedly make purchases using other people's EBT cards and sell the products on his shelves.
Nine central Minnesota men were arrested Monday and are facing drug conspiracy charges following a monthslong cocaine distribution investigation.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Rafael Navarro scored a goal, Nico Hansen had his first shutout this season, and the Colorado Rapids beat Minnesota United 1-0 to snap a three-game losing streak.
Leo Jiménez had three hits and Xavier Edwards doubled, tripled and scored three runs as the Miami Marlins beat the Minnesota Twins 9-5 on Wednesday night.
The tennis court is where Jaime Gaard Chapman belongs.
The Colorado Avalanche are headed to the Western Conference finals for the first time in four years.
The San Francisco 49ers will host the Minnesota Vikings for a game in Mexico City this fall, National Football League officials confirmed Wednesday.
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.
WCCO meteorologist Chris Shaffer says there's a chance of rain showers tomorrow afternoon into evening.
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 it'll be warm again tomorrow but the wind will pick up.
A passing cold front could bring showers and a few thunderstorms to the metro Thursday, says NEXT Weather meteorologist Chris Shaffer.
Temperatures are expected to reach the 80s Friday and possibly again Saturday, WCCO meteorologist Mike Augustyniak reports.
WCCO meteorologist Chris Shaffer says there's a chance of rain showers tomorrow afternoon into evening.
There’s a place near Rochester where visitors go wild for wildflowers. In this week’s Finding Minnesota, WCCO's John Lauritsen shows us why Carley State Park draws thousands of flower-seeking guests every spring.
A small-town Minnesota bar is shut down because it's sitting on top of a massive underground hole. The owners say a state-led water testing project triggered a terrible chain reaction. Ubah Ali shows us what happened.
Six firefighters were inside when this happened Monday night and say it sounded like a shotgun.
Tim Walz and legislative leaders have reached a deal to end the session in the next few days.