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Wide spread flooding affected the northern and southern parts of the state after heavy rains on Monday and Tuesday. It led to a daring car rescue. Julisa Jones said she was terrified. She was on her way home to Anoka, Minn. from Sioux Falls, S.D. when the road she was on was covered with water that was rising fast.
More rain is the last thing many parts of Minnesota need, but flooding remains a major concern. In southwest Minnesota, several inches of rain forced the Rock River in Luverne to completely overflow its banks.
The Minnesota State Patrol says a state trooper plucked a woman from her car after rapidly rising water flooded Interstate 90 and stranded her car in the southwest corner of the state near the South Dakota border. The Patrol says the water was over the driver's seat when she called 911 around 9:15 p.m. Monday.
Our recent stretch of spring storms has toppled trees and brought down power lines across Minnesota, but the biggest threat of all with the rain has been flooding. Far northern Minnesota has been one of the spots hit hardest by the spring rain.
Southern Minnesota got hit the hardest Monday by severe thunderstorms as rains fell across the majority of the state. In Spicer, near Willmar, Minn., high winds tore docks on Green Lake apart. "Last couple of hours been pretty hectic. I mean there is a lot of lightning thunder," Trent Churchil, of Fairbault, said.
Hundreds of volunteers have been working to sandbag homes around International Falls, Minn., where Bob Anderson is mayor, to protect the homes from rising water. Anderson said the Rainy River and Rainy Lake are overflowing. "It's been about 85 years since the Rainy River has been this high," Anderson said.
Authorities have activated the State Emergency Operations Center to help communities in southwestern and northern Minnesota respond to damage from recent severe storms. The announcement says it's just a partial activation that requires officials from various agencies to determine whether state resources are needed for the recovery effort. It says no local officials have requested state resources so far.
The water has been going down in southwestern Minnesota, where officials closed all four lanes of Interstate 90 from Luverne to the South Dakota border.
Sandbagging is under way in the International Falls area of far northern Minnesota because of rising waters on Rainy Lake and the Rainy River. The Koochiching County sheriff's office says volunteers have filled about 50,000 sandbags to protect homes.
Heavy rains have caused massive flooding and major damage at a popular resort in International Falls. High water and intense winds ripped through the area near Rainy Lake. It's estimated at least 600 homes in that area are affected.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has lifted the swimming advisory on Lake Minnetonka and Dutch Lake. Residents of the city of Mound were warned to stay out of both lakes at the beginning of the month when heavy rains caused sewage water to be rerouted into drains.
Recent rains are causing problems throughout the Twin Cities. Groundwater levels are very high right now. The soft land is leading to small landslides in backyards. Tim Cowedry, a groundwater geologist with the U.S. Geographical Survey, says water is in great supply - but it's not just the water you can see.
The Twin Cities metro area was hit by so much rain over the weekend, the City of Mound is worried that sewage could back up into about 1,000 homes. So to try to keep that from happening, the city is pumping untreated sewage onto land.
One of the most popular creeks in the Twin Cities is at a major risk for flooding after heavy rain Saturday with more expected Sunday. The National Weather Service in the Twin Cities said Minnehaha Creek is at 16.88 feet, which is the highest it's been since 2011, when it was at 16.74 feet in the middle of July.
More rain on the way could create more problems for folks who live along Minnehaha Creek. One of the wettest springs on record in the Twin Cities has created dangerous conditions in the creek and an ongoing stressor for some homeowners like Chris Kellick.
Lillian Johnson has buried her husband and other family members in a tiny southeastern North Dakota cemetery that would be threatened by a flood protection project meant to save the state's largest city. The 90-year-old plans to join her loved ones someday, come hell or high water.
Lake residents in parts of east central Minnesota are hoping for drier weather soon as high water remains a big problem for many near Green Lake in Isanti County. High water is typical of many lakes in Isanti, Chisago and Anoka Counties. Heavy spring rains and snowmelt have swollen lake levels, putting a pinch in the start of the boating season.
Authorization for the Red River diversion will be included in a water projects bill negotiated between the U.S. House and Senate.
Homeowners who dealt with flooded basements from last week's wet weather may be in for it again. Carpet had to come up and furniture moved in homes across the state. The anticipated soaking can cause more problems for homeowners still trying to dry out.
Many areas of the Twin Cities have already seen several inches of rain, and with more in the forecast flooding is becoming a big concern in some areas. Some city streets are closed Tuesday morning because of flooding with the water not allowing traffic to pass through.
It's no secret, we're in the middle of a string of wet weather and in some cases it's causing headaches for homeowners in the Twin Cities. All this rain is putting many in a bad mood, but even worse, it's hitting some in the pocketbook with flooding.
Officials with the Lake Superior Zoo will seeking funding from the State Legislature after major flooding in 2012 caused significant damage to the area. Representatives from the zoo met with Duluth Mayor Don Ness and administrators late last week.
Fargo Mayor Dennis Walaker has sounded the all-clear for flood danger in the southern Red River Valley. Walaker made his annual pillgramage to the Red River headwaters in northeastern South Dakota and western Minnesota Thursday to gauge possible spring flooding. The longtime mayor and former city public works director has gained notoriety for making flood predictions that often trump the National Weather Service. Walaker tells The Associated Press there's nothing that alarms him about this year's melt and he has never seen the basin south of Fargo in such good shape.
Monday's warm weather caused big problems at a church and school in south Minneapolis. Snow dripped through the roof of Trinity First Lutheran on 11th Avenue South and East 19th Street due to ice clogged drains. Water ended up all over the school.
The heat is on. WCCO director of meteorology Mike Augustyniak says that high temperatures in the Twin Cities could top 50 degrees on Monday. On Sunday, temperatures reached into the 40s.
Jauan Jennings agreed to one-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings to give the team a needed third option at receiver.
Maggie Flaherty and Hayley Scamurra scored 24 seconds apart early in the second period, Ann-Renée Desbiens made 27 saves, and the Montreal Victoire beat the Minnesota Frost 2-1 in the PWHL playoffs.
Minnesota made school meals free for every child in 2023. Now, district leaders say an unintended consequence could cost them millions.
The Bloomington Police Department created a new executive protection unit amid rising political violence and increasing threats to lawmakers.
After more than four decades serving Minnesota's cycling community, Grand Performance—a longtime bike shop on St. Paul's Grand Avenue—is preparing to close.
Minnesota made school meals free for every child in 2023. Now, district leaders say an unintended consequence could cost them millions.
The Bloomington Police Department created a new executive protection unit amid rising political violence and increasing threats to lawmakers.
After more than four decades serving Minnesota's cycling community, Grand Performance—a longtime bike shop on St. Paul's Grand Avenue—is preparing to close.
After months of back and forth, Republicans and Democrats in both chambers of the Minnesota Legislature found a way forward to establish a new Office of Inspector General to fight fraud and prevent the theft of taxpayer money in the first place.
On Thursday, friends and fellow veterans said goodbye to Les Schrenk.
Police in Bemidji, Minnesota, are investigating after a shooting that left three adults with critical injuries, according to officials.
The man killed by police and the officer who shot him in Virginia, Minnesota, last week has been identified as Ethan Basche, 31, according to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
State air quality experts expect about two weeks of wildfire smoke impact in Minnesota this summer, and several days of unhealthy ozone levels.
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.
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.
After months of back and forth, Republicans and Democrats in both chambers of the Minnesota Legislature found a way forward to establish a new Office of Inspector General to fight fraud and prevent the theft of taxpayer money in the first place.
The Minnesota House approved a pilot program that would legalize psychedelic mushrooms in the state for therapeutic use.
Minnesota is now the first state in the country to enact a law that prohibits access to what's known as "nudification" technology.
First came cannabis. Now, there's a push to legalize psychedelic mushrooms in a pilot program.
A gun control ordinance has passed in the city of Minneapolis, but its enforcement is limited by law.
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.
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.
Police in Bemidji, Minnesota, are investigating after a shooting that left three adults with critical injuries, according to officials.
The man killed by police and the officer who shot him in Virginia, Minnesota, last week has been identified as Ethan Basche, 31, according to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
The man who charged at Rep. Ilhan Omar and sprayed her with apple cider vinegar during a town hall in Minneapolis in January pleaded guilty on Thursday.
Police are investigating after a man was found stabbed to death in downtown Minneapolis Thursday morning.
The leader of Minnesota's Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives office is no longer in that role.
The Minnesota House approved a pilot program that would legalize psychedelic mushrooms in the state for therapeutic use.
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.
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.
Jauan Jennings agreed to one-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings to give the team a needed third option at receiver.
Maggie Flaherty and Hayley Scamurra scored 24 seconds apart early in the second period, Ann-Renée Desbiens made 27 saves, and the Montreal Victoire beat the Minnesota Frost 2-1 in the PWHL playoffs.
Keibert Ruiz homered, doubled twice and drove in four runs to lift the Washington Nationals to a 7-5 victory over the Minnesota Twins.
Former Minnesota Vikings tight end Joe Senser, who also owned two popular Twin Cities sports bars, has died, according to the team.
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.
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.
Sen. Tina Smith, who is retiring from the U.S. Senate, is a major presence in the race to succeed her.
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.
Warmer weather is in our future. Friday temperatures are expected to hit the upper 60s to low 70s. The 60s will stick around through the weekend, but the start of next week looks to warm to the 70s. Chief meteorologist Chris Shaffer breaks down all the timing and shares when we could see a stray shower.
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.
Overnight temperatures will hit the 40s. Friday will be mostly pleasant with temperatures in the upper 60s and low 70s. Weekend will have comfortable temperatures. Chief meteorologist Chris Shaffer breaks it all down.
Friday will be the warmest day of the week, pushing 70, before a cooler weekend.
Friday will be our warmest day with a high near 70. We stay dry with a bit of a breeze in the afternoon, WCCO meteorologist Mike Augustyniak reports.
Warmer weather is in our future. Friday temperatures are expected to hit the upper 60s to low 70s. The 60s will stick around through the weekend, but the start of next week looks to warm to the 70s. Chief meteorologist Chris Shaffer breaks down all the timing and shares when we could see a stray shower.
Columbia Heights Public School District Superintendent Zena Stenvik says students and families are still recovering from months of uncertainty during Operation Metro Surge. Now another challenge is landing on the district's doorstep, a $3.6 million budget shortfall for 2026-2027 school year.
The Bloomington Department police create new executive protection unit amid rising political violence.
Overnight temperatures will hit the 40s. Friday will be mostly pleasant with temperatures in the upper 60s and low 70s. Weekend will have comfortable temperatures. Chief meteorologist Chris Shaffer breaks it all down.
The 102-year-old World War II veteran passed away in March and his funeral was held Thursday morning in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.