Minnesota veterans attend ceremony for 80th anniversary of D-Day
The ceremony caps off several days of remembrance and reflection at Normandy. Minnesotans have been a big part of it — that includes 100-year-old Jim Rasmussen of East Bethel.
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The ceremony caps off several days of remembrance and reflection at Normandy. Minnesotans have been a big part of it — that includes 100-year-old Jim Rasmussen of East Bethel.
People from around the world gathered today in Normandy for the 80th Anniversary of D-Day. That invasion put America on the path to victory in the second World War and changed the course of history. WCCO's John Lauritsen and photojournalist Tom Aviles joined Minnesota veterans, and active service members, for the ceremony to mark this milestone.
French authorities say a 26-year-old Russian-Ukrainian national was arrested after an explosion Monday night at a hotel near Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport.
All week on WCCO, we'll be sharing stories from that day as reporter John Lauritsen and photojournalist Tom Aviles make their way through France, experiencing history along the way.
One-hundred-year-old Les Schrenk doesn't have time for his usual morning water aerobics or afternoon bike rides this week. That's because the World War II veteran is more than 4,000 miles from his Bloomington home, making his first-ever visit to Normandy.
All week, WCCO's John Lauritsen and photojournalist Tom Aviles are in Normandy, France for the 80th anniversary of D-Day. They’ve been talking with World War II veterans from Minnesota who made the trip overseas. Among them is 100-year-old Les Schrenk from Bloomington. We caught up with him at Omaha Beach where the former POW honored the sacrifice of so many American soldiers who never made it home.
Virgil survived the Allied invasion, but just eight days after arriving in France, he was killed by Germans while trying to rescue a fellow soldier from a burning truck.
Virgil Tangborn is a soldier from northern Minnesota who never made it home. But as John Lauritsen and photojournalist Tom Aviles share, he left a lasting impression on the people he helped liberate.
This week marks 80 years since the D-Day invasion. It's a day many Minnesota World War II veterans will never forget. To share their stories, WCCO's John Lauritsen and photojournalist Tom Aviles traveled to France to meet up with some local veterans making the trip to Normandy 80 years later.
This week marks the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion, a turning point in World War II that helped bring victory to the allies in Europe. All week, reporter John Lauritsen and photojournalist Tom Aviles will share stories from that day as they make their way through France, experiencing history along the way.
Three C-47 transport planes, a workhorse of World War II, dropped three long strings of jumpers, their round chutes mushrooming open in the blue skies with puffy white clouds.
All this week, John Lauritsen and photojournalist Tom Aviles will be in France, bringing us stories of Minnesota veterans who took part in World War II. Some of those veterans will be taking part in the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion on June 6. John Lauritsen gives us a preview of the type of stories we can expect.
College campus protests in solidarity with Palestinians amid Israel's war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip are spreading far beyond the U.S.
French screen actor Gerard Depardieu was reportedly detained for questioning and released Monday after two women accused him of sexual assault.
The bill would allow a terminally ill person to self-administer a lethal substance under certain conditions.
French lawmakers approved a bill that will enshrine a woman's right to an abortion in the French Constitution during a historic joint session of parliament.
Alex Batty was found six years after he, his mother and grandfather disappeared.
Marina Ovsiannikova reportedly told police that she felt unwell when she opened the door to her Paris apartment and noticed a powder substance.
Bedbugs are popping up in Paris hotels, homes, and even public transport, and with the Olympics just 10 months away, that has city officials' skin crawling.
Viral incidents in Rome, Paris, Venice and other cities has garnered negative attention and expensive fines for tourists.
Overall leader Jonas Vingegaard asks fans to behave after a mass crash brought some two dozen riders down in the 15th stage of the iconic race.
Amid the rioting, French President Emmanuel Macron postponed what would have been the first state visit to Germany by a French president in 23 years.
Family and friends were viewing the open coffin before it will be taken to a mosque for a ceremony and later burial in a town cemetery.
It was the third straight night of fiery protests over the deadly police shooting of a teenager that revived grievances about policing in France.
Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert appears to be in for France in this year's FIBA World Cup.
There is a large police presence in the Highland Park neighborhood of St. Paul, Minnesota, on Monday evening.
The effects of Minnesota's prolonged heat wave are becoming impossible to miss with several reports of fish kills.
Two-time Olympian and gold medal winner Suni Lee recently announced her return to gymnastics with an eye on the L.A. Summer Olympics in 2028, and Monday was her first day back training at the Twin Cities gym where it all began.
This weekend, a Twin Cities theater company will be performing "Dear Evan Hansen," a musical that deals with themes of anxiety, depression and isolation. But they also feel it relates to what Minneapolis went through during Operation Metro Surge.
Two mass shootings in Minneapolis over the weekend have residents, business owners and community advocates calling for solutions, as concerns about public safety have grown across the city.
There is a large police presence in the Highland Park neighborhood of St. Paul, Minnesota, on Monday evening.
The effects of Minnesota's prolonged heat wave are becoming impossible to miss with several reports of fish kills.
Two-time Olympian and gold medal winner Suni Lee recently announced her return to gymnastics with an eye on the L.A. Summer Olympics in 2028, and Monday was her first day back training at the Twin Cities gym where it all began.
This weekend, a Twin Cities theater company will be performing "Dear Evan Hansen," a musical that deals with themes of anxiety, depression and isolation. But they also feel it relates to what Minneapolis went through during Operation Metro Surge.
Two mass shootings in Minneapolis over the weekend have residents, business owners and community advocates calling for solutions, as concerns about public safety have grown across the city.
The effects of Minnesota's prolonged heat wave are becoming impossible to miss with several reports of fish kills.
Minnesota officials said Monday in a news conference in Ely that nearly 25 wildfires are active in the Superior National Forest, with three detected on Sunday alone.
A roadway south of the Twin Cities is expected to be closed for several hours after a truck carrying hundreds of turkeys rolled over, officials said.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation says it is installing speed safety cameras at two construction sites in late July.
A 39-year-old man died on Friday afternoon after it appears he was electrocuted by a docked boat in northern Minnesota, authorities say.
The effects of Minnesota's prolonged heat wave are becoming impossible to miss with several reports of fish kills.
Three new women's world records have been set at the Lumberjack World Championships in Hayward, Wisconsin.
For 66 years, the Lumberjack World Championships have brought the world's best to Hayward, Wisconsin.
Three people who died after a pontoon overturned on Lake Pepin over the weekend have been identified.
Two of the decedents were members of the Wabasha Fire Department, the chief confirmed.
The city of St. Paul, Minnesota, is taking a stand and closing encampments amid growing concerns.
Baseball fans might remember the Metrodome's iconic blue seats, and now in Atwater, Minnesota, spectators can once again grab a blue seat and watch a game.
Tucked away in the Midway neighborhood in St. Paul is a community treasure many have come to love and respect.
What started as a small fundraiser following one of Joe's surgeries at Gillette Children's has grown into a community tradition that has raised nearly $100,000 for the hospital.
A trip to the video store was once a weekly ritual, and now one Minnesota movie lover is trying to bring that experience back.
This weekend, a Twin Cities theater company will be performing "Dear Evan Hansen," a musical that deals with themes of anxiety, depression and isolation. But they also feel it relates to what Minneapolis went through during Operation Metro Surge.
This weekend, a Twin Cities theater company will be performing "Dear Evan Hansen,” a musical that deals with themes of anxiety, depression and isolation. But they also feel it relates to what Minneapolis went through during Operation Metro Surge.
President Trump is imposing 50% tariffs on a range of Canadian goods, from hockey equipment to alcoholic beverages, escalating the trade dispute between the two countries.
The investigations into the ICE killings of Renee Good, Alex Pretti and the shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celishave entered a critical stage.
HSI is an arm of ICE, meaning the immigration enforcement agency would effectively be investigating incidents involving its own agents.
A lottery player in Minnesota won a jackpot of more than $34 million last week, a record for the Lotto America game in the state.
The lawsuit accuses Loon of using "kid-friendly characters" to promote its vapes in flavors such as Cotton Candy, Strawberry Popsicle, Banana Taffy and Blue Razz Slushy.
A Wisconsin family lost their ten-month-old daughter after she swallowed a water bead. They blame Target and the water bead manufacturer for her death.
For many Minnesotans, the road to the Fourth of July starts with a short drive across the St. Croix River to Wisconsin to stock up on fireworks. The kinds of pyrotechnics that can be legally ignited in Minnesota might be surprising.
Insurance experts say hail damage claims that once averaged $10,000–$15,000 now routinely reach $40,000–$60,000, even as many policies have shifted away from full replacement coverage.
A St. Paul, Minnesota, man charged with murder in a shooting in the city's Frogtown neighborhood Saturday morning was celebrating the second anniversary of his release from prison before the incident, according to a court document filed Monday.
A Maplewood, Minnesota man has been charged for the fourth time for allegedly stealing wire from streetlights, according to a criminal complaint filed on Monday.
A Minneapolis man is accused of sexually assaulting a woman in 2012 when he was working as a cab driver and a similar crime 10 years later when driving an Uber.
A Minnesota business owner and his wife are accused of failing to file their taxes for several years, costing the state more than $2 million.
One man was killed and four others were hurt in the second mass shooting in Minneapolis in less than 24 hours, police said.
Taylor Farms said none of its branded salads or kits contain the iceberg lettuce associated with the outbreak.
The advice is to stay inside when air quality turns hazardous, but that's not an option for many outdoor workers.
A lettuce supplier to fast-food giant Taco Bell has been linked to a nationwide cyclosporiasis outbreak that has sickened thousands of people, the CDC said.
The Target USA Cup, the largest youth soccer tournament in the Western Hemisphere, is suspended Thursday in the Twin Cities due to hazardous air quality from northern wildfires.
A state law passed last year directed the state Department of Health to create materials on "recognizing the signs of physical abuse in infants and how to report suspected physical abuse of infants" and make them available online.
This weekend, a Twin Cities theater company will be performing "Dear Evan Hansen," a musical that deals with themes of anxiety, depression and isolation. But they also feel it relates to what Minneapolis went through during Operation Metro Surge.
The ruling comes after a coalition of 12 states sued to block the deal, arguing it would harm consumers and the entertainment industry.
The Minnesota Yacht Club Festival is expected to bring thousands upon thousands each day to Harriet Island Regional Park in St. Paul between Friday and Sunday.
There's so much to do this weekend in Minnesota, from festivals to art fairs.
Three Minnesota ice cream shops are in the running for a national title this summer.
Two-time Olympian and gold medal winner Suni Lee recently announced her return to gymnastics with an eye on the L.A. Summer Olympics in 2028, and Monday was her first day back training at the Twin Cities gym where it all began.
Alex Bregman hit a two-run homer in the first and Imanaga (6-8) took over from there, allowing six hits with one walk before leaving after 99 pitches.
Kayla McBride scored 24 points to move into the top 20 on the WNBA career scoring list and the Minnesota Lynx beat the Portland Fire 101-93 on Saturday night for their fifth straight victory.
Spain dominated the match, outshooting Argentina 20-3, but couldn't manage a goal in regulation — finally scoring in the second period of extra time.
As the world's best soccer-playing adults battle it out in New York for the World Cup, the juniors are slugging it out in Minnesota for the USA Cup.
The investigations into the ICE killings of Renee Good, Alex Pretti and the shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celishave entered a critical stage.
The investigations into the ICE killings of Renee Good, Alex Pretti and the shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis have entered a critical stage.
There's less than a month to go before the Aug. 11 primary, and one of the most watched and competitive races is the DFL race for the nomination for U.S. Senate between Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and Rep. Angie Craig.
New campaign finance numbers are expected out later this week in federal races, including Minnesota's U.S. Senate race, where a flood of ads is evidence of a highly competitive race.
Minnesota Republicans head into an August primary shaped by a president who has lost the state three times but still commands outsized loyalty from its conservative base.
There's a scenic, nearly century-old spot in St. Cloud, Minnesota, where right now you'll find thousands of flowers in bloom.
Baseball fans might remember the Metrodome's iconic blue seats, and now in Atwater, Minnesota, spectators can once again grab a blue seat and watch a game.
It's a lake cruise in the middle of town, and there's more than pelicans on the Pelican Breeze tour in Albert Lea, Minnesota.
Currie, Minnesota, is truly small-town America. The population hovers at just over 200. But on the northern outskirts, you'll happen upon a place with plenty of bells and whistles: End-O-Line Railroad Park and Museum
School's out, summer's here, and if you're heading to the lake on Highway 10, you may just stumble upon hidden treasure.
When you get home from work in the evening, your first thought may be dinner. You might fire up the stove or oven, you could also start a load of laundry. Not long after that, you're running the dishwasher. You may think you're being efficient, but your house during this heat wave disagrees.
It's one of Minnesota's rules of the road in which two is better than one. But Jodi from Lakeville emailed WCCO saying a lot of drivers don't seem to care about the law.
Catching a flight with just a carry-on can make travel feel easy. No need to check a bag and all your belongings stay with you. But quite often, that suddenly changes before boarding.
Skip the latest fad diet. The best way to manage your weight might already be sitting on your plate.
There's no doubt your air conditioning unit is working overtime this week as oppressive heat blankets Minnesota.
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.
High temperatures in the Twin Cities will be in the 80s between Tuesday and Friday, according to 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.
The effects of Minnesota's prolonged heat wave are becoming impossible to miss with several reports of fish kills.
The Twin Cities is about to get some badly needed heat relief, says meteorologist Chris Shaffer.
It will get much cooler in the near future, with the possibility for highs below average for this time of year, WCCO meteorologist Mike Augustyinak reports.
The PGA Tour is back in Blaine, and the Minnesota section qualifier in the field has a connection with Sunday's Open Championship winner. Ren Clayton spoke with local pro Thomas Campbell ahead of the 3M Open.
High temperatures in the Twin Cities will be in the 80s between Tuesday and Friday, according to NEXT Weather meteorologist Chris Shaffer.
Drivers traveling through some Minnesota construction zones will soon notice something new. The Minnesota Department of Transportation is launching a pilot program using speed safety cameras in two work zones. Photojournalist Nick Lunemann and Jeff Wagner show what to expect.
WCCO is working to learn why there's a large police presence in the Highland Park neighborhood of St. Paul on Monday evening. There are several law enforcement vehicles outside a building on St. Paul Avenue, near Davern Street.
Fourteen people were shot in two separate shootings in Minneapolis on Sunday. A 28-year-old man was killed in one of the incidents. Esme Murphy attended a roundtable today focused on preventing gun violence. She also spoke with city leaders about next steps.