Elk River farm using Christmas trees to feed goats, shelter animals
As Christmas trees across the nation come down, a farm in Elk River, Minnesota, is finding a new purpose for the pines.
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As Christmas trees across the nation come down, a farm in Elk River, Minnesota, is finding a new purpose for the pines.
Minnesota is fifth in the nation for producing honey, with more than 100,000 bee colonies in the state. A new effort in Congress would compensate beekeepers for unfair trade practices. WCCO photojournalist Tony Peterson spoke with a beekeeper who is hoping for some sweet support.
The new financial aid package is expected to shore up the U.S. agricultural sector, which has been hurt by tariffs and a trade war with China.
It's not even Thanksgiving yet, but as soon as Kavan Christmas Tree Farm in Lino Lakes opened Friday morning, customers were ready.
Minnesota is home to 26,000 soybean farmers and 60% of their crop is sent overseas. Now, experts say top competitors, like Brazil and Argentina, are capitalizing on the U.S. loss.
Soybeans are Minnesota's top agricultural export, but the largest buyer of U.S. beans isn't buying — and Gov. Tim Walz is placing blame squarely on President Trump's tariffs.
Minnesota's top agriculture export is soybeans — but recent tariffs on China are causing purchases to plummet, plus more of the day’s top stories.
In New Prague, 91-year-old Leonard Shambour was in danger of missing his first harvest in 85 years due to a health issue. But Leonard's son and fellow farmers weren't about to leave him behind.
In New Prague, 91-year-old Leonard Shambour was in danger of missing his first harvest in 85 years due to a health issue. But Leonard's son and fellow farmers weren't about to leave him behind.
Avian influenza has been found in flocks at four more turkey farms in Minnesota, according to animal health officials. This comes mere weeks after officials last reported the spread of the disease.
Last year, China purchased $12.6 billion worth of soybeans from the U.S., federal data from the agriculture department shows. As harvest season gets underway this year, the country's orders are $0.
One of the big buyers of Minnesota soybeans isn’t paying up this year. In fact, China isn’t purchasing any of the crop grown in the U.S. right now. Caroline Cummings takes us to a farm in Faribault to see the real-world impact.
It's been a long road to get here, but Farm Aid 40 is underway in Minneapolis. The effort behind the show, and what it took to make it happen, was a labor of love.
Minnesota music icon Bob Dylan will take the stage on Saturday at Minneapolis' Huntington Bank Stadium for the 40th year of Farm Aid, the festival he helped inspire.
A Minnesota icon will take the stage at the major music festival he helped inspire.
The financial impacts of moving or canceling the event scheduled for Sept. 20 at the Huntington Bank Stadium "could be devastating," Farm Aid organizers said.
The show will go on for Farm Aid 40 in Minneapolis after a tentative deal was reached between the University of Minnesota and members of Teamsters Local 320.
Georgia is known for growing peaches, Florida for oranges. But what about Minnesota?
The tax and spending package includes $66.4 billion in new money for programs assisting farmers, strengthening the safety net if there is significant volatility in crop prices and revenues.
Farmers will see a boost from the so-called "one big, beautiful bill" that Congress cleared last week. Included in that tax and spending package is $66.4 billion for agriculture programs over a decade. Caroline Cummings reports on the impact.
Not only is June Dairy Month, but Wednesday is National Cheese Day! Minnesota dairy farmer Emily Zweber, who's also involved with the Organic Valley cooperative, visits WCCO with some tasty treats.
Willie Nelson will be joined by Neil Young, John Mellencamp and more for the 40th anniversary of Farm Aid.
An annual benefit concert for family farmers — featuring performances from Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and others — is coming to Minnesota for the first time ever.
The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management is launching a new program to provide funds to organizations helping farmers navigate the cannabis business.
The president of the Minnesota Farmers Union says members are hurting due to the president’s actions.
An arrest has been made in connection with an infant's death at a child care facility in Savage, Minnesota, last fall, police said.
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.
A sharp cooldown will take hold in the Twin Cities on Wednesday.
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.
An arrest has been made in connection with an infant's death at a child care facility in Savage, Minnesota, last fall, police said.
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.
Prosecutors claim Mohamed Omarxeyd billed for daily services at times when clients were in jail or hospitalized and couldn't have received care.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara says that following federal agents is not unlawful unless you're committing some separate act that is illegal.
Michael Bruce Gillis, of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, pleaded guilty to one count of enticement of a minor in federal court last September.
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.
With all the ICE activity happening in Minnesota, people are asking: Where are federal agents taking the people they detain? WCCO Investigates is digging in to share who's working with ICE and what we've learned.
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.
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.
Prosecutors claim Mohamed Omarxeyd billed for daily services at times when clients were in jail or hospitalized and couldn't have received care.
We're hearing from a Minnesotan who says he was detained for following and recording ICE agents in Woodbury. Ryan Ecklund shot video of agents warning him not to follow them on Monday morning. He did keep following them and they eventually boxed him in and removed him from his vehicle. Frank Vascellaro talked to him about the experience.
A caravan of cars following federal agents as they move through the metro. It's a tactic some Minnesotans are using to intervene, but is it safe?
WCCO has documented multiple instances where ICE has detained and, at times, physically harmed American citizens in Minnesota since Operation Metro Surge began.
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.
An arrest has been made in connection with an infant's death at a child care facility in Savage, Minnesota, last fall, police said.
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.
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.
Prosecutors claim Mohamed Omarxeyd billed for daily services at times when clients were in jail or hospitalized and couldn't have received care.
Michael Bruce Gillis, of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, pleaded guilty to one count of enticement of a minor in federal court last September.
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.
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.
Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert has received a one-game suspension due to the number of flagrant fouls he has accumulated this season.
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.
A cold snap will settle in on Wednesday in the Twin Cities.
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.
A sharp cooldown will take hold in the Twin Cities on Wednesday.
A sharp cooldown will take hold in the Twin Cities on Wednesday.
WCCO meteorologist Chris Shaffer says tomorrow will look nice with a mostly sunny sky, but we chill below average with a high near 20.
A prayer vigil for Renee Good is planned for Wednesday morning, Gov. Tim Walz will address cuts to federal funding in Minnesota and more.
A cold snap will settle in on Wednesday in the Twin Cities.
The first hearing for the lawsuit Minnesota's attorney general and the mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul filed against the Trump administration takes place Wednesday, and more headlines.
An arrest has been made after an infant became unresponsive and later died in Savage last September.
A sharp cooldown will take hold in the Twin Cities on Wednesday.