Unpaid Bills From Flooding, Ebola May Cost State $29M
Minnesota lawmakers are looking to spend $29 million to cover cost overruns at state agencies.
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Minnesota lawmakers are looking to spend $29 million to cover cost overruns at state agencies.
Maple Grove High School has two good basketball teams, and both are state tournament contenders. But last Saturday, their schedule changed because they don't have a home court. Their gymnasium was flooded due to a pipe burst, leaving it unplayable.
Gov. Mark Dayton says his administration needs Minnesota legislators to quickly approve a relief package for recovery costs related to last summer's severe flooding.
Fargo, North Dakota, Mayor Dennis Walaker, the man known as the "flood mayor" for leading the state's largest city through several successful fights against the Red River, died Tuesday at his home, city officials said. He was 73. Walaker had been battling kidney cancer for several months. Deputy Mayor Tim Mahoney said Walaker was hospitalized over the weekend from a reaction to his chemotherapy.
With 2014 starting to wind down and a whole new set of Top 10 Weather Days just around the corner, it's a perfect time to take a trip down memory lane. The past year was full of weather extremes. On the cusp of the change from fall to winter, Kylie Bearse sat down with the rest of the WCCO weather team to look back at all Minnesota has endured this past year.
The historic June floods left a permanent mark on a well-known high school basketball coach and his family. The record rainfall sent a mudslide cascading into the Carlson's Le Sueur, Minn. home, making it unlivable.
Less than a year after the state struggled through a severe propane shortage, another vital commodity is in short supply.
Although the federal government said no, Dakota County will get disaster aid to help with severe storms and flooding earlier this year. Gov. Mark Dayton on Tuesday directed Minnesota emergency management director Kris Eide (EYE'-dee) to provide state aid to Dakota County under the State Public Disaster Assistance Fund.
The U.S. Department has designated 18 more Minnesota counties as primary natural disaster areas due to heavy rain, flooding and cold temperatures from May 1 through July 1. The designation makes farmers and ranchers in those counties eligible for low-interest emergency loans if they meet the eligibility requirements.
Existing emergency accounts are probably sufficient to cover state costs related to severe June flooding and avoid the need for a special session of the Minnesota Legislature. That message was delivered Tuesday by Gov. Mark Dayton's administration.
Organizers say hundreds of volunteers have collected about three tons of trash during a cleanup of Minnehaha Creek near the Twin Cities following heavy summer floods. The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District says volunteers and park workers spent most of Sunday cleaning up and assessing damage along Hiawatha and Nokomisthe lakes and the creek, which branches off the Mississippi River.
The summer was going just great until June 15 for many golf course owners in the Twin Cities. Then the rain started falling, and it flooded two of the five public courses in the city.
Thunderstorms have swept across western and central Minnesota, causing street flooding and wiping out an orchard's apple crop the day before it was to be picked. The National Weather Service reports 2.7 inches of rain fell at the St. Cloud Regional Airport on Wednesday.
The federal government has denied Minnesota's request to add Dakota County to a disaster declaration for recent severe storms and flooding. The Federal Emergency Management Agency notified the state about the rejection late Tuesday.
Hennepin and Ramsey counties have now been added to a presidential disaster declaration for damage from flooding and severe storms this summer. Gov. Mark Dayton's office says adding the two counties means 37 counties and three tribal governments are now eligible to receive federal and state aid to recover from damage to public infrastructure. Dakota County is still assessing its damages.
Months after the floods, one of the communities that saw some of the worst damage has a lot of cleanup and repairs to do. Heavy rain washed out major roads, triggered mudslides and flooded homes in the town of Blakeley, which is about an hour southwest of the Twin Cities.
A federal judge has ruled that a state lawsuit filed by upstream opponents of a Red River flood control project duplicates a federal complaint. U.S. District Judge John Tunheim on Thursday issued a preliminary injunction that prohibits the lawsuit from moving forward in Minnesota state court.
Another $5 million in federal assistance is bound for Minnesota to help repair roads and bridges damaged by severe flooding in June. Gov. Mark Dayton's administration said Thursday that the emergency repair money is on top of $5 million previously released by the Federal Highway Administration.
The federal government has expanded Minnesota's flood disaster declaration to 24 more counties and two tribal governments. Last month President Barack Obama declared a disaster in eight Minnesota counties damaged by flooding, unleashing federal funds to help repair millions in damages.
Minnesota officials have hired a contractor to start stabilizing a highway closed by flood and mudslide damage. The Minnesota Department of Transportation tells the Mankato Free Press that GeoStabilization International of Grand Junction, Colorado, has begun work on Highway 19.
Commercial barge traffic should fully resume on the Mississippi River as early as next Tuesday. Parts of the heavily used upper Mississippi River were left impassible to barge and tug traffic after recent flooding left behind an unwanted surprise.
Golfers like Roosevelt Elliott are returning to tee it up on Hiawatha Golf Course in Minneapolis. "Really, really excited," Elliot said. "I couldn't wait to get out here because I wanted to get some exercise. I've been chipping and putting, you know, for the past month or so."
President Obama has declared a disaster in eight Minnesota counties damaged by flooding, unleashing federal funds to help repair millions in damages. June and July storms hit more than 50 of the state's 87 counties, costing Minnesota an estimated $55 million for flood response and repairs.
The suburban city of Farmington is offering itself up as a temporary fill-in for the state Capitol. State Rep. Pat Garofalo says his city would be perfect to host a special legislative session to address spring flooding damage.
Residents in Prior Lake have been dealing with flooding for weeks now. Neighbors have already used a record number of sandbags, but water levels are just not receding fast enough.
The leader of Minnesota's Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives office is no longer in that role.
A man is set to be sentenced Thursday in the killing of a beloved Twin Cities DJ last summer in Minneapolis.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is expected to make an announcement Thursday morning involving Police Chief Brian O'Hara amid questions over whether or not he will keep his position.
Victor Wembanyama had 19 points and 15 rebounds, and the San Antonio Spurs handed Minnesota the worst postseason loss in franchise history, beating the Timberwolves 133-95 to even their Western Conference semifinal series at one game apiece.
Thursday gets off to a cold start in the Twin Cities with patchy frost possible, then highs will reach to near 60 degrees by the afternoon.
The leader of Minnesota's Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives office is no longer in that role.
A man is set to be sentenced Thursday in the killing of a beloved Twin Cities DJ last summer in Minneapolis.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is expected to make an announcement Thursday morning involving Police Chief Brian O'Hara amid questions over whether or not he will keep his position.
The Minneapolis City Council is poised to pass a gun control ordinance on Thursday, which includes a ban on assault-style weapons, large-capacity magazines, ghost guns and would restrict firearms in some public places.
The bill, which passed 92-42, earmarks $24 million in extra funding in the current two-year budget to support ongoing weapons screenings at the Capitol and the State Patrol staff needed to keep that operating.
The leader of Minnesota's Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives office is no longer in that role.
For nearly 50 years, Farmamerica has been sowing agricultural knowledge near Waseca, Minnesota.
United Kingdom native Nahla Summers has biked across America before, but this time is different. Now in Minnesota, she's doing it this time on a quadcycle she bought off Facebook Marketplace.
Anglers are just days away from the 2026 Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener, and you can bet lakes and rivers are going to be busy.
The woman believed to be the biological mother of "Baby Angel," a newborn found dead in the Mississippi River in southern Minnesota in 2011, pleaded guilty to a gross misdemeanor on Tuesday.
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.
Two Minnesotans were killed in a motorcycle crash Wednesday evening in western Wisconsin.
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.
Kristi comes to the Salvation Army not only to get food, but to shine her light. She talks with and encourages people waiting in line.
The way Mary Hernandez describes it, the effort to keep families off the street in Shakopee, Minnesota, is like trying to keep your head above water.
The leader of Minnesota's Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives office is no longer in that role.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is expected to make an announcement Thursday morning involving Police Chief Brian O'Hara amid questions over whether or not he will keep his position.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is expected to make an announcement Thursday morning involving Police Chief Brian O'Hara amid questions over whether or not he will keep his position.
Since his second term started, President Trump has introduced a flurry of initiatives aimed at taming the excesses of the pharmaceutical industry.
The Minneapolis City Council is poised to pass a gun control ordinance on Thursday, which includes a ban on assault-style weapons, large-capacity magazines, ghost guns and would restrict firearms in some public places.
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.
According to the letter, enforcement will be done by police and plainclothes officers, with businesses themselves being held accountable for repeat violations.
Some Twin Cities rideshare drivers say they may have to leave the road as gas prices continue to increase.
A large investment company is warning anyone with stocks to hold on to your hats. Information from JP Morgan says uncertainty is fueling inflation, but so far the market has been more resilient than expected.
Some Trader Joe's shoppers will get a payout after a lawsuit alleged that the retailer's customer receipts put shoppers at risk of ID theft.
The leader of Minnesota's Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives office is no longer in that role.
A man is set to be sentenced Thursday in the killing of a beloved Twin Cities DJ last summer in Minneapolis.
The 80 mph collision severely injured the trooper and two passengers in the back of the stolen car.
Renee Devereux valued the loss at over $1,000. Hundreds of hours of work, gone in an instant.
The woman believed to be the biological mother of "Baby Angel," a newborn found dead in the Mississippi River in southern Minnesota in 2011, pleaded guilty to a gross misdemeanor on Tuesday.
The FDA announced its first authorization of fruit-flavored electronic cigarettes intended for adult smokers, a major policy shift after months of appeals to President Trump from the vaping industry.
A deadly virus that's killed cruise ship passengers can be traced to small critters found hiding in homes.
When a loved one starts to lose their memory, it creates new challenges for family members. But in a western Minnesota town, they're battling Alzheimer's disease and dementia with music.
Brittany Haeg is living with the deep scars of gun violence. Her three children attend Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, and her 6-year-old son David was hurt during the deadly mass shooting on Aug. 27, 2025.
The largest U.S. health insurer said it will eliminate approval requirements for some treatments, including select outpatient surgeries and other procedures.
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 had 19 points and 15 rebounds, and the San Antonio Spurs handed Minnesota the worst postseason loss in franchise history, beating the Timberwolves 133-95 to even their Western Conference semifinal series at one game apiece.
CJ Abrams hit a grand slam with a career-high five RBIs, Drew Millas, Brady House and José Tena also homered and the Washington Nationals set their season high for runs in a 15-2 rout of the Minnesota Twins.
A defenseman for the Avalanche, 27-year-old Sam Malinski scored his first career playoff goal in Game 1 against the Wild.
Anglers are just days away from the 2026 Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener, and you can bet lakes and rivers are going to be busy.
Before Cheryl Reeve became the winningest coach in the WNBA, she got her first job in the league in 2001, making $5,000.
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.
Sen. Tina Smith, who is retiring from the U.S. Senate, is a major presence in the race to succeed her.
In the last election, President Trump saw record support from Black and Latino voters. But will those new supporters stick with the President’s party in the upcoming midterm?
With the Midterm Elections just six months away, will historic support from minority voters hold strong for Republican candidates.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services head Dr. Mehmet Oz notified Minnesota that the department is deferring $91 million in Medicaid payments, citing systemic fraud risks and ongoing audits.
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.
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.
Construction season has arrived, potentially adding several minutes to your daily drive to work. So, how bad is the commute in the Twin Cities? Good Question.
The media we consume and how long we spend consuming it can impact our mental health. In a world where screens are scrutinized, what is the worst kind of screen time?
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.
Thursday gets off to a cold start in the Twin Cities with patchy frost possible, then highs will reach to near 60 degrees by the afternoon.
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.
Thursday gets off to a cold start in the Twin Cities before sunshine returns, says NEXT Weather meteorologist Joseph Dames.
WCCO meteorologist Chris Shaffer says we being to warm up again tomorrow, with highs near 70 expected by the weekend.
WCCO meteorologist Chris Shaffer says we will warm back into the 60s tomorrow.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is expected to make an announcement Thursday morning involving Police Chief Brian O'Hara amid questions over whether or not he will keep his position.
The federal government has turned over evidence in the shooting death of Renee Good by ICE agent Jonathan Ross earlier this year in Minneapolis, plus more of the day’s top stories.
Thursday gets off to a cold start in the Twin Cities before sunshine returns, says NEXT Weather meteorologist Joseph Dames.
WCCO meteorologist Chris Shaffer says we being to warm up again tomorrow, with highs near 70 expected by the weekend.
For nearly 50 years, Farmamerica has been sowing agricultural knowledge near Waseca. In this week’s Finding Minnesota, John Lauritsen shows us how visitors can take a journey from pioneer life to present day.