From drought, to flooding, back to drought: Minnesota's wild weather year
Just months after portions of Minnesota dealt with the worst flood conditions in decades, the state is once again dealing with drought conditions.
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Just months after portions of Minnesota dealt with the worst flood conditions in decades, the state is once again dealing with drought conditions.
There are fresh concerns among farmers in Dakota County as Minnesota again experiences a prolonged period without rain.
There are fresh concerns among farmers in Dakota County as Minnesota again experiences a prolonged period without rain.
With additional snow melt and rain this spring, the watershed could reach a normal state by early June.
Six months after Minnehaha Falls was reduced to a dribble, the Twin Cities landmark is back flowing freely.
The war in Ukraine and a fight against domestic terrorists have worsened the nightmare in the east African nation, and the "crisis is far from over."
The DNR's Pete Boulay says without much deep frost, water's been able to get into the ground, which could be good news for your lawn.
This wet, snowy winter has been enough to finally cure the drought conditions in the Twin Cities. All that water is good news for farmers, gardeners and, of course, people who enjoy winter sports.
We have our first look at the spring flood forecast. The National Weather Service says the flood risk in Minnesota and western Wisconsin is slightly higher than normal.
Jeff Wagner explains why this warm and wet season is a solid start.
Despite recent snow, 45% of the state is still too dry. More than four million Minnesotans are living in drought conditions. Beavers are living in it too, and they don't deal with it as well as humans do.
Tree farmers say, depending on the type of tree and its height, you're likely to pay anywhere between $1 to $3 more per foot.
Even with rain in the forecast, farmers say that might not be enough to start next year on the right foot.
The latest map shows extreme drought conditions have spread since last week. It’s so bad, some parts of the state are now considered "natural disaster areas."
The all-time November high in the Twin Cities is 77 degrees. According to a log kept in the University of Minnesota’s climate library, which stores logs dating back to the late 1880s, it was on November 1, 1933.
Right now, most of Minnesota is in a “very high” fire risk. WCCO’s Allen Henry spent the day chasing the flames across the state
If you plan on getting a Christmas tree, drought and supply conditions could make things more complicated this year, similar to last.
If you plan on getting a Christmas tree, drought and supply conditions could make things more complicated. Kirsten Mitchell explains the growing pains, and what they mean for you.
The National Weather service says last month was the sixth driest October in Minnesota recorded history. WCCO’s Allen Henry talked to climatologists about when we might see relief.
While we’ve had plenty of beautiful days lately, rain has been hard to come by. The drought has lowered water levels across the state in our lakes and rivers.
Nations pledged to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, but three new U.N. reports show that the world is on track to hit nearly double that in less than 80 years.
For the past two years we’ve had drought conditions in Minnesota and Wisconsin. At the same time -- our falls are warming -- and so are our winters. How does that impact animal behavior and your next trip out to the deer stand?
Trace amounts of rain, along with wind, have led to combine fires in Minnesota. And in some cases, those fires have spread, destroying several acres of crops.
The warning means weather conditions are "ideal for wildfire," the DNR said. Those include strong winds and minimal humidity levels. Much of the state of Minnesota is under drought conditions.
Right now, parts of southern Minnesota need to see 11 to 15 inches of precipitation before the end of the year.
Minnesota lawmakers tried to end ICE contracts with counties a few years ago. A bill introduced in the House and Senate a half-decade ago aimed to prevent jails from entering into certain contracts with ICE.
WCCO is documenting other instances where ICE are detaining American citizens looking to act as legal observers.
Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will give a statewide address on Wednesday night on "the federal government's ongoing presence" in the state amid Operation Metro Surge.
Right on time, the January thaw has made it to Minnesota as high temperatures the last several days have climbed above freezing.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said the lawsuit is the department's "latest effort to bring Minnesota into compliance with federal law."
WCCO is documenting other instances where ICE are detaining American citizens looking to act as legal observers.
Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will give a statewide address on Wednesday night on "the federal government's ongoing presence" in the state amid Operation Metro Surge.
Right on time, the January thaw has made it to Minnesota as high temperatures the last several days have climbed above freezing.
A St. Paul, Minnesota, man who pleaded guilty to repeatedly assaulting a woman at his apartment last year had his prison sentence stayed earlier this month.
The employee is in custody and will face a second-degree murder charge, as well as additional charges, Savage Police Chief Brady Juell said.
Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will give a statewide address on Wednesday night on "the federal government's ongoing presence" in the state amid Operation Metro Surge.
President Trump is following through on a promise he made late last year to end deportation protections for some Somali immigrants in the country.
Faith leaders, union representatives and community members are calling for a Day of Truth and Freedom on Friday, Jan. 23 — urging all Minnesotans not to go to work, school or go shopping.
A 3-year-old boy was killed and his grandmother suffered "significant injuries" in a dog attack in Otter Tail County on Sunday, the sheriff's office said.
The state of Minnesota, along with the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, announced a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and other federal officials in an effort to stop the surge of ICE agents from coming to Minnesota.
A Wisconsin man accused of sending the state Supreme Court's chief justice intimidating emails has been sentenced to probation.
Some schools in Minnesota and Wisconsin are delayed or closed on Tuesday as early morning rain makes the roads slick.
A western Wisconsin town is reveling in the national spotlight.
When he's not playing zone or man, Hall is carving it up at local hills. He has qualified for multiple professional snowboard competitions.
Two people were killed and another hurt in a crash in western Wisconsin Tuesday afternoon.
Many people who serve in the U.S. military find it hard to ask for assistance when they've been trained to help and serve others.
Food Bank Eatery in North Minneapolis provides free meals for children, who may have little to eat after the pause of SNAP benefits for many in the community.
Firefighters are continuing a 44-year tradition that happens every year north of the Twin Cities.
It was a scary moment in the Twin Cities over the weekend, as a trailer hauling sled dogs turned over on Interstate 494 in Minnetonka.
On Sunday, members of Minnesota's Somali community spoke out against President Trump's social media post calling for an end to temporary protected status.
Minnesota lawmakers tried to end ICE contracts with counties a few years ago. A bill introduced in the House and Senate a half-decade ago aimed to prevent jails from entering into certain contracts with ICE.
WCCO is documenting other instances where ICE are detaining American citizens looking to act as legal observers.
Many in the community have been wondering what they can do to help immigrant families in the Twin Cities. As photojournalist Joe Van Ryn and Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield found out, there’s no shortage of people looking to step up and lend a helping hand.
A man in St. Paul, Minnesota, tells WCCO that ICE attempted to intimidate him and his wife on the road after they attempted to document their actions. It's one of the latest incidents involving ICE and American citizens here in Minnesota.
Minnesota lawmakers tried to end ICE contracts with counties a few years ago. A bill introduced in the House and Senate wanted to prevent jails from entering into certain contracts with ICE. Senior investigative reporter Jennifer Mayerle digs into what drove the bill and why the bill is coming back.
It's a business model picking up steam across the Twin Cities. For instance, all the major sports venues in town, like Target Field and U.S. Bank Stadium, no longer accept cash.
WCCO gathered data on core staple items from Aldi in Apple Valley, Target in Fridley and Cub Foods in north Minneapolis.
Minnesota drivers have something to celebrate this holiday — a price drop at the pump.
With costs still high and budgets stretched, getting smarter with money matters more than ever.
There were 584 vehicles towed during this week's snow emergency in Minneapolis. That number stands at 352 and counting in St. Paul, where parking restrictions are in place until 9 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 2.
WCCO is documenting other instances where ICE are detaining American citizens looking to act as legal observers.
The family of Renee Good, the woman who was fatally shot by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer one week ago, is now being represented by the firm that also represented George Floyd's family.
A judge on Wednesday morning declined to issue a temporary restraining order against ICE operations in Minnesota, seeking further evidence before issuing a ruling.
A St. Paul, Minnesota, man who pleaded guilty to repeatedly assaulting a woman at his apartment last year had his prison sentence stayed earlier this month.
The employee is in custody and will face a second-degree murder charge, as well as additional charges, Savage Police Chief Brady Juell said.
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development says it began distributing payments on Friday to over 2,600 Minnesotans.
Just one day after dropping his bid for reelection, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said the state's paid family leave program is one of the most transformational bills the state has ever passed.
Roughly 12,000 Minnesotans have already applied for the state's new paid family leave program, according to an update by the Department of Employment and Economic Development.
It's a beauty technique that's exploding. Depending on your age, you might not have heard of it. It's called micro-needling.
The clock is ticking to snag a few more gifts and prepare for that holiday trip to visit family. As the pressure builds, so does the stress.
Here is everything you need to know about how to watch and stream the 2026 Golden Globes.
Bob Weir wrote or co-wrote and sang lead vocals on Grateful Dead classics including "Sugar Magnolia," "One More Saturday Night" and "Mexicali Blues."
Here are the significant books, films and characters joining the list of works in the public domain on Jan. 1, 2026.
Isiah Whitlock Jr. is perhaps best known for his role as state Sen. R. Clayton "Clay" Davis on HBO's "The Wire."
The band announced Perry Bamonte's death on their official website on Friday.
The men leading the Minnesota Vikings' operations don't sound ready to give up on quarterback J.J. McCarthy, but neither are they speaking like they're satisfied at the position.
John Blackwell buried a 3-pointer at the buzzer and scored 27 points to help Wisconsin overcome an 11-point second-half deficit to beat Minnesota for a 10th straight time, 78-75.
Julius Randle scored 29 points and the hot-shooting Minnesota Timberwolves never trailed in a 139-106 blowout of the Milwaukee Bucks.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has informed the team that he is stepping down from his position.
Addison has not yet been charged and was released on bond Monday afternoon.
The shooting death of Renee Good by an ICE agent has raised several legal questions.
The fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent has raised many legal questions. Constitutional law professor David Schultz, who has taught a class on police, criminal and civil procedure, has some answers.
The DFL race pits two prominent party leaders, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and Rep. Angie Craig, against each other.
Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar is calling for answers about the immigration crackdown in the Twin Cities. She is also denouncing the president's attacks on the Somali community and herself. In Talking Points, Esme Murphy shows us how, for Omar, this is a familiar position to be in.
Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar is calling for clarity about the immigration crackdown in the Twin Cities.
On Dec. 9, 1965, "A Charlie Brown Christmas" debuted on CBS, and it became an instant classic. Lee Jenkins' home is proof that the show is still a hit six decades later.
Holiday lights are on full display across the state right now, and just south of the Twin Cities you'll find a Christmas light show that's been around for more than half a century.
The story begins years ago when the city acquired one of the T-38 Talon Thunderbird jets from the Air Force.
The holidays are upon us, and in the town of Kellogg, Minnesota, you'll find a toy store unlike any other.
With the holidays fast approaching, and lutefisk on the menu for many families, one Minnesota town has the distinction of being called the "Lutefisk Capital of the Country."
New polling shows most voters do not think last week's deadly ICE shooting was justified. But the Trump administration thinks so and suggested that Renee Good was a domestic terrorist. Experts say that's not a label to be taken lightly.
ICE is making arrests in Minnesota right next to shoppers grabbing groceries. The tense encounters are happening at places like Target, Walmart and other private businesses.
It's a question many people have been asking: What is the cost of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation in Minnesota? WCCO was able to get some numbers.
It's a business model picking up steam across the Twin Cities. For instance, all the major sports venues in town, like Target Field and U.S. Bank Stadium, no longer accept cash.
From the frozen ponds and lakes to the packed indoor rinks serving as community hubs, hockey is uniquely celebrated and cherished in Minnesota like no other state in the country.
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.
A suspect was taken into custody after an attack on Pearl Street Mall in Boulder on June 1 in which there were 15 people and a dog who were victims. The suspect threw Molotov cocktails that burned some of the victims, who were part of a march for Israeli hostages.
Periods of light snow will move through in waves on Thursday and Friday, says NEXT Weather meteorologist Chris Shaffer.
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.
Right on time, the January thaw has made it to Minnesota as high temperatures the last several days have climbed above freezing.
Temps will be in the low 30s to end the work week, then drop to single-digit highs for the weekend, WCCO meteorologist Mike Augustyniak reports.
Periods of light snow move through in waves over the coming days before a big chill-down into single-digit highs, WCCO meteorologist Joseph Dames reports.
Most good Minnesota high school hockey teams face the offseason reality that their best players may leave for juniors. This year, Rogers had three key players decide not to, which has benefited the roster.
Many in the community have been wondering what they can do to help immigrant families in the Twin Cities. As photojournalist Joe Van Ryn and Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield found out, there’s no shortage of people looking to step up and lend a helping hand.
A man in St. Paul, Minnesota, tells WCCO that ICE attempted to intimidate him and his wife on the road after they attempted to document their actions. It's one of the latest incidents involving ICE and American citizens here in Minnesota.
Minnesota lawmakers tried to end ICE contracts with counties a few years ago. A bill introduced in the House and Senate wanted to prevent jails from entering into certain contracts with ICE. Senior investigative reporter Jennifer Mayerle digs into what drove the bill and why the bill is coming back.
Periods of light snow will move through in waves on Thursday and Friday, says NEXT Weather meteorologist Chris Shaffer.