Republicans Propose $1,200 Bonus Payments To Frontline Workers; Critics Says The Plan Overlooks Those Deemed Essential
Minnesota Republican lawmakers say that pandemic bonus pay should go to workers whom they say were most at risk.
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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.
Nearly 200 health care workers are suing their employers and the federal government over imminent vaccine mandates that they claim violate their rights.
The Minnesota Department of Health on Wednesday reported 2,077 new cases of COVID-19 and 31 deaths, as over 62,000 people have received their booster shot.
The city of Minneapolis is using trusted messengers and culturally-specific organizations and media as part of its strategy to reach communities of color with COVID-19 vaccine information.
Nearly 200 Minnesota health care workers are suing their employers to block an impeding requirement to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or risk getting fired.
A tense Eastern Carver County School Board meeting over a mask mandate Monday culminated with a physical altercation, the latest flashpoint in a bitter nationwide battle over COVID-19 policies in schools.
A few men got physical over what appeared to be a disagreement about someone taking a photo during the debate in Chaska.
Union teachers in Minneapolis are calling on the district to make spending changes in order to improve safety and keep students in the classroom as COVID-19 is already forcing many to stay home.
The state of Minnesota is on the verge of selling off a refrigerated warehouse it bought in the early days of the pandemic as a potential backup morgue.
Meanwhile, the latest rolling seven-day average positivity rate has notched down to 6.6%, as reported Tuesday. The positivity rate, which went as far down as 1.1% in the middle of summer, remains in the "caution" status.
A Ramsey County judge has dismissed a lawsuit brought against the Minnesota Department of Corrections that alleged the state failed to properly protect prisoners from COVID-19.
Three weeks after a self-imposed deadline, state lawmakers still haven't reached an agreement on the details of the $250 million for frontline worker bonuses, leaving some frustrated.
Some parents say the issue of mask or no mask is causing bullying concerns on both sides of the issue.
The curtain will soon rise again at a renowned Minnesota theater. Performances have been waiting in the wings at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis for 18 months, and that's cost it around $28 million in lost revenue.
Hy-Vee and Thrifty White pharmacies are starting to administer Pfizer booster shots for COVID-19, after they were endorsed by the FDA and CDC earlier this week.
The additional figures bring the state's total to 697,182 cases since March of 2020 and 8,076 deaths.
Since Labor Day, Minnesota has added nearly 2,200 COVID-19 cases associated with schools. There have also been 11 more hospitalizations, including two students.
A well-known bluegrass band from Duluth is pleading with fans to adhere to COVID-19 requirements at venues or stay home.
Meanwhile, the latest rolling seven-day average positivity rate remains at 6.8%, as reported Thursday. The positivity rate, which went as far down as 1.1% in late June, remains in the "caution" status; the line for high risk is drawn at 10%.
The second-year cornerback has only played on special teams for the Vikings this season.
Child care providers in Minnesota can now apply for grants to get direct monthly payments to help stabilize their businesses as the economy recovers amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In order for there to be blanket mask mandates impacting schools or businesses, or capacity limits once again inside businesses, that would have to come from an executive order by Gov. Tim Walz under a peacetime emergency, and those powers have expired. Walz's administration says they have no intention of reinstating a state of emergency at this point.
A man is dead and another is in custody after a shooting in St. Paul, Minnesota, late Saturday morning.
After months of hard work and preparation, hundreds of 4-H students got their chance to shine at the Minnesota State Fair Saturday.
Charges have been filed after the stolen Suni Lee statue was recovered Friday.
Andrew Benintendi had all three of his team's hits with his sixth-inning home run being the difference as the Chicago White Sox beat the Minnesota Twins 3-2.
Sam Ehlinger shined with a three-touchdown performance in the Denver Broncos' 34-6 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Friday night.
A man is dead and another is in custody after a shooting in St. Paul, Minnesota, late Saturday morning.
After months of hard work and preparation, hundreds of 4-H students got their chance to shine at the Minnesota State Fair Saturday.
Charges have been filed after the stolen Suni Lee statue was recovered Friday.
Carol Sawyer lived to 100, only missing the Minnesota State Fair two times in her life. Now, her legacy lives on through a bench dedicated in her honor. Fairgoers can be part of that legacy by stopping by it, snapping a photo and sharing it on social media.
The community is mourning the loss of Charles Dillon, also known as Chaz Millionaire, a longtime voice on the Twin Cities airwaves.
A major merger between Minnesota-based North Memorial Health and South Dakota-based Sanford Health was announced Friday morning, and is set to close in a matter of days.
Jena Hanson, a 20-year-old from Owatonna, will serve as the official goodwill ambassador for the Minnesota dairy industry and families for the next year.
A Minnesota college professor has been sentenced to three years' probation for stealing gun parts and ammunition from a Twin Cities store, according to court records.
Minnesota is facing its worst drought conditions in five years, experts say. About 88% of the state is either experiencing abnormally dry or drought conditions.
Minnesota's Iron Range has a history of iron ore mining dating back to the 1880s. But renewed conversations about copper-nickel mining in the area are fueling debate up north and beyond. Neighbors in the Ely area are navigating the divisive issue while staying largely united.
An 18-year-old man has pleaded guilty to killing 10-year-old Lily Peters in Wisconsin four years ago. He was then given a life sentence with the possibility of extended supervision after 25 years.
A Wisconsin prosecutor says he will not file election bribery charges against billionaire Elon Musk even though the state's bipartisan elections commission said he likely broke state law.
A Wisconsin high school football player has died from injuries sustained during a game on Thursday night.
Dozens of cases of E. coli and salmonella in multiple states are linked to an alfalfa grower in Minnesota, health officials say.
The Franklin County Coroner's Office says Jack Pugh died March 30 from acute bronchopneumonia caused by cardiomyopathy, a disease that weakens the heart's ability to pump blood.
Lt. Ryan Kelly, the first Minneapolis officer to arrive at Church of the Annunciation on Aug. 27, 2025, described walking in to find dozens of children hiding in the pews — and locating 2 who had already died.
After the Annunciation Catholic Church mass shooting in Minneapolis, there were loud calls for action on guns.
Crews in St. Paul, Minnesota, are clearing out the city's largest encampment on Wednesday.
After officials in Minnesota's capital city announced they would shut down encampments for those experiencing homelessness, the City Council approved more than $1 million to expand capacity at local shelters.
The city of St. Paul, Minnesota, is taking a stand and closing encampments amid growing concerns.
Minnesota GOP State Rep. Elliott Engen has pleaded guilty to DWI in connection with a March traffic incident that led to his arrest, according to court records filed on Thursday.
The ruling marks a blow to the federal government's long-delayed effort to prosecute Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who is accused of developing the plot to crash planes into the Pentagon and World Trade Center.
President Trump announced a deal to grant the U.S. control of more than 60 billion barrels of proven Venezuelan oil reserves.
"Space is the hot thing," President Trump said at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent charged in a Minneapolis shooting during Operation Metro Surge has been released from a Texas jail, the Associated Press reports.
The 2026 Minnesota State Fair is rolling out more than three dozen new food items this year, on top of all the returning favorites — which makes putting together a game plan for your visit no small task.
President Trump said Friday that the U.S. will waive higher tariffs on ground beef imports, which he says will reduce beef prices by 25%. Some cattle ranchers, including those in Minnesota and Wisconsin, worry the plan will hurt them financially.
An outbreak of E. coli and salmonella is linked to an alfalfa grower in Minnesota, health officials say. WCCO speaks with a food safety expert about the risks associated with alfalfa sprouts.
Dozens of cases of E. coli and salmonella in multiple states are linked to an alfalfa grower in Minnesota, health officials say.
Twin Metals says a copper-nickel mine near the Boundary Waters would bring hundreds of union jobs and 1,400 additional positions. Still, opponents say the environmental risks to the watershed are not worth the trade-offs.
Minnesota GOP State Rep. Elliott Engen has pleaded guilty to DWI in connection with a March traffic incident that led to his arrest, according to court records filed on Thursday.
Police say the statue of Olympic champion and Minnesota native Suni Lee has been recovered more than a year after it was stolen.
A teenager and two children were detained early Tuesday morning in connection to vehicle break-ins in south Minneapolis, according to police.
Minnesota officials say Christian Castro, charged in a January Minneapolis shooting, could cross into Mexico now that Texas has released him without honoring the state's extradition request.
Minneapolis police say a man was killed in a shooting early Friday morning in the East Phillips neighborhood.
Juul plans to market the new device under the brand name Juul2, along with updated versions of its tobacco- and menthol-flavored cartridges.
A major merger between Minnesota-based North Memorial Health and South Dakota-based Sanford Health was announced Friday morning, and is set to close in a matter of days.
Minnesota joined 23 states in suing the Trump administration Thursday, trying to stop new rules that could cut off federal funding for birth control clinics and other family planning services.
Minnesota will receive between $214 million to $307 million after tech giant Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, settled a landmark social media addiction lawsuit Wednesday.
While our summer has been dry, many can't say the same for their nose or eyes. Ragweed allergies are picking up steam.
The vault is open. Recordings no one's ever heard, spanning 40 years of Prince's musical career, are now available on a new album called "Timeless."
The community is mourning the loss of Charles Dillon, also known as Chaz Millionaire, a longtime voice on the Twin Cities airwaves.
The legendary Minneapolis duo looks back on the Fair, a friendship that began as teenagers, the origin of "Jimmy Jam," and the challenge of turning more than 500 recordings into one homecoming show.
Tim Curry was known for his iconic performances in cult classics like "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" and the original screen adaptation of Stephen King's "It."
Audience members at a stage performance of "9 to 5: The Musical" in the U.K. were heard gasping aloud at the news of Dolly Parton's death Tuesday.
Andrew Benintendi had all three of his team's hits with his sixth-inning home run being the difference as the Chicago White Sox beat the Minnesota Twins 3-2.
Sam Ehlinger shined with a three-touchdown performance in the Denver Broncos' 34-6 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Friday night.
Colson Montgomery hit his 28th homer and Andrew Benintendi drove in two runs to help the AL Central-leading Chicago White Sox beat the Minnesota Twins 7-4 on Friday night.
The Minnesota Twins have called up top prospect Walker Jenkins with the status of All-Star center fielder Byron Buxton unclear.
Dallas Turner's performance for the Minnesota Vikings during training camp after a strong finish last season has underscored why they were so happy to get him in the first round of the 2024 draft.
The DFL primary in Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District was supposed to be close, but it wasn't. Former Lakeville Mayor and state Sen. Matt Little beat two well-known opponents by double digits.
Democrat Jake Johnson, a high school math teacher, is running a competitive race against Republican Rep. Brad Finstad, prompting analysts to downgrade Finstad's reelection outlook.
In the aftermath of the primary, Republicans in Minnesota are more optimistic about their November chances than they ever have been.
In the aftermath of the primary, Republicans in Minnesota are more optimistic about their November chances than they ever have been.
The candidates for the Minnesota general election are all set, and the campaigns are shifting into a higher gear.
It is one of the most uniquely shaped buildings at the Minnesota State Fair, and it holds nearly 80 years of history.
For five generations, one family has run the Taylors Falls Scenic Boat Tours along the St. Croix River.
Keith Richardson is a home brewer and beer memorabilia collector. His collection got so big that, two years ago, he moved everything into an old toy store near downtown Lanesboro and opened the Hammarama Museum and Gift Shop.
Passing trains and scenic bluffs are a big part of Buffalo County, Wisconsin, but in the middle of it all is a garden where creativity and flowers grow together, all courtesy of a man named Herman Rusch.
Thousands of pictures of Split Rock Lighthouse are taken each year. And oftentimes a little island appears in those photos. Ellingsen Island has developed a following of its own.
There's a buzz at the fairgrounds as vendors, exhibitors and 4-H families get ready to welcome millions of people across a very specific stretch of time. Why is the Minnesota State Fair 12 days? Good Question.
While our summer has been dry, many can't say the same for their nose or eyes. Ragweed allergies are picking up steam.
Maybe you've experienced the "Sunday scaries" which is when you worry about the looming work week or wish you could have accomplished more over the weekend. The "August blues" create similar feelings, one being regret.
As if the constant barrage of political ads wasn't enough, some WCCO viewers are particularly bothered by the language candidates are using.
There's a certain elegance to the common loon. Its black and white plumage carries a gentle sheen of green as though dressed for a formal affair. Subtle colors that allow its piercing red eyes to steal your gaze.
The Minnesota State Fair has unveiled its new foods for 2026.
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 humidity returns, with temps in the 80s and it'll linger into Sunday. Meteorologist Lisa Meadows has more.
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.
The weekend is starting off with some showers and storms in the Twin Cities.
Saturday morning rain gives way to mostly cloudy, muggy afternoon, says meteorologist Adam Del Rosso.
Some Minnesotans may wake up to a rumble of thunder on Saturday morning before feeling humid conditions in the afternoon, NEXT Weather meteorologist Chris Shaffer says.
The humidity returns, with temps in the 80s and it'll linger into Sunday. Meteorologist Lisa Meadows has more.
After months of hard work and preparation, hundreds of 4-H students got their chance to shine at the Minnesota State Fair Saturday.
WCCO's Reg Chapman updates on the news of the day.
If you're looking for some Minnesota-made and inspired art, apparel and more, the Minnesota State Fair has got a vendor you'll want to check out.
Minnesota GOP State Rep. Elliott Engen has pleaded guilty to DWI in connection with a March traffic incident that led to his arrest, according to court records filed on Thursday.