Watch CBS News
An effort to prevent people from drowning due to dangerous currents along the Great Lakes will include installing kits with life-saving aids such as ring buoys and youth life jackets at 10 public beaches along Lake Michigan, officials announced Monday.
A report by the National Climate Assessment says a warming planet will worsen a series of weather trends already showing up across the Midwest. Look for more extremes: searing heat, late-spring freezes, floods and droughts across a region that includes Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Missouri.
Excited shipwreck hunters and scientists assembled in a Lake Michigan fishing village last June, hoping to solve a mystery dating back more than three centuries: the fate of a ship sailed by the 17th century French explorer René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, during a voyage of discovery extending from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico.
Vacationers might be interested in visiting one of these under-the-radar national parks to get away from the large crowds and heavy traffic in the most popular parks, like Yosemite, Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon.
Members of Congress from the Great Lakes region are lobbying colleagues to continue funding a cleanup program for the inland seas.
Michigan Sen. Carl Levin and some fellow Great Lakes lawmakers are asking their congressional colleagues to fund programs designed to preserve and protect the lakes. Levin is co-chair of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force.
This year's shipping season is getting off to a slow start due to record levels of ice on the Great Lakes after an extremely cold winter. Some ice on Lake Superior is still several feet thick, and ice breakers are working to carve paths for ships. Jim Sharrow with the Duluth Seaway Port Authority says that even with the help, several fleets have delayed their first sailing until early April.
Lake Michigan's ice cover has set a record. The federal government's Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory in Ann Arbor reports that ice spread across 93.29 percent of the lake's surface area on Saturday.
On March 6, 2014 we received word from NOAA's Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory that the Great Lakes were 92.2% covered by ice -- the second-highest ice cover on record.
A newly released scientific paper raises fresh concerns about the potential for grass carp to invade the Great Lakes and do significant damage. The fight to prevent Asian carp from reaching the lakes has focused mostly on bighead and silver carp, which could unravel food chains because they gobble huge amounts of plankton.
Water levels in the Great Lakes are expected to continue a steady recovery this year, courtesy of widespread ice cover that is slowing evaporation and snowfall that has approached record amounts in some cities, federal experts said Wednesday.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says Great Lakes water levels rebounded sharply last year after a prolonged low period dating from the late 1990s. A report issued Tuesday says Lake Superior rose early two feet, almost twice as much ground as it usually gains during its seasonal rise
Great Lakes advocates are meeting in Washington, D.C., this week to lobby for funding of environmental projects and to discuss strategies for dealing with challenges such as invasive species. More than 100 people from the eight-state region are attending the Great Lakes Commission's semiannual meeting and other activities.
Abundant rain and snowfall have given the Great Lakes a boost this year, but it's too early to declare an end to slumping water levels that have plagued the inland seas since the late 1990s and made life miserable for cargo shippers and marina operators, federal scientists said Wednesday.
A government report says the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency should do more to make sure a Great Lakes cleanup program is meeting its goals. Congress has spent about $1.3 billion on the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative over the past four years.
If you live in one of the Great Lakes states or Ontario, Wayne State University says you can pay only a bit more than the undergraduate tuition for Michigan residents.
A small number of Asian carp might be enough to establish a population in the Great Lakes that eventually could pose a serious threat to other fish species and the region's economy, a Canadian scientist said Monday.
Placing water retention structures in the St. Clair River may not be enough to counteract the effects of a warming climate and raise Lakes Huron and Michigan to their normal levels, experts said Monday.
The 2013 Tall Ships Festival is underway in Duluth. Nine tall ships sailed into Duluth harbor on Tuesday to open the four-day festival. Two U.S. Coast Guard cutters led the ships in. About 250,000 tourists are expected to travel to Duluth.
Fifteen teachers from five states are spending the week on Lake Ontario as part of a research program. The teachers, from elementary to high school, are aboard the Lake Guardian, a research vessel operated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
A wooden beam embedded at the bottom of northern Lake Michigan appears to have been there for centuries, underwater archaeologists announced Tuesday, a crucial finding as crews dig toward what they hope is the carcass of a French ship that disappeared while exploring the Great Lakes in the 17th century.
Commercial fisherman Larry Barbeau's comings and goings usually don't create much of a stir in this wind-swept Lake Michigan outpost, but in the past few days, his phone jangles the minute he arrives home.
Despite an unresolved dispute over Asian carp, states that surround the Great Lakes hope to develop a common strategy for battling invasive species during a meeting of governors and other top officials that began Friday.
A century ago, the seven-story brick building a few blocks from downtown was a factory — a symbol of an era when Milwaukee and other cities ringing the Great Lakes were industrial powerhouses churning out steel, automobiles and appliances.
The Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee outlined a $6.5 million plan on Thursday that includes expanding efforts to remove the invasive fish from the Upper Illinois River below a set of electrical barriers meant to keep them from reaching Lake Michigan.
Ryan Hartman scored twice to lead the Minnesota Wild to a 4-1 win over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday.
Kelly Pannek had two goals and two assists to pad her league-leading points total and help the Minnesota Frost hold off the Vancouver Goldeneyes 6-5, snapping a three-match losing streak and clinching a spot in the postseason for the two-time defending champions.
In a viral video, a Minneapolis mom says kids here "are not doing okay." This comes after she heard a conversation between two sixth graders about some of Minnesota's more recent traumas.
Amid ongoing toilet trouble, the Artemis II astronauts reflected on the wonder of sailing through deep space to the moon.
The changes were likely to affect Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward, the No. 3 official at the Justice Department and Harmeet Dhillon, the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division.
In a viral video, a Minneapolis mom says kids here "are not doing okay." This comes after she heard a conversation between two sixth graders about some of Minnesota's more recent traumas.
Saturday's temperatures drop back into the 30s, with a high of 38 in the metro and 32 in northern Minnesota.
What do you get when you combine holistic wellness, relaxation, and economic mobility? A space in North Minneapolis is bringing it together under one roof.
Security footage shows thieves fleeing after discovering a 3-month-old in the backseat of a stolen SUV, leaving the infant alone in an alley for more than an hour before police arrived.
On this Good Friday, dozens of people in Minneapolis marched in the rain to acknowledge a connection they feel exists between how Jesus was crucified and the trauma community members experienced in recent years.
Everyone is safe after a house fire in Mt. Iron, Minnesota, according to the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office.
Saturday's temperatures drop back into the 30s, with a high of 38 in the metro and 32 in northern Minnesota.
A 28-year-old man is in the hospital after a crash involving a plow truck and a pickup truck in Fredenberg Township, Minnesota, on Friday morning.
Julie Le, who was removed from her post after telling a judge "this job sucks," is now challenging Rep. Ilhan Omar in Minnesota's 5th District.
Shattuck-St. Mary's is more than a hockey school, but hockey has helped put the school on the map. They have banners and big names to prove it, though the real evidence lies with a man called Rooster.
Owen Hailey was the second oldest of four siblings, and was known to be everyone's best bud.
Efforts to quickly and quietly oust the president of the University of Wisconsin system are drawing fire from a Republican legislative leader.
The president of Wisconsin's largest mosque was detained by federal immigration agents, drawing accusations from local officials and religious leaders that the arrest was motivated by his statements against Israel.
Some schools in Minnesota have already announced closings or shifts to virtual learning on Thursday as another round of winter weather threatens parts of the state.
A suspect is in custody after a "written threat" led to the brief evacuation of a church in Hudson, Wisconsin, Tuesday morning.
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.
Deputy Fire Marshal Shawn Johnson, 61, died March 5 after a two-year battle with job-related cancer, the Minnetonka Fire Department announced.
The Minnesota Department of Corrections says 95% of all incarcerated individuals will eventually be released from prison. The DOC says it does all it can to help people transition back into the community as productive citizens.
The changes were likely to affect Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward, the No. 3 official at the Justice Department and Harmeet Dhillon, the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division.
Officials from 23 states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit seeking to block President Trump's executive order that aims to restrict mail voting.
The executive order is designed to increase the NCAA's control over college sports, and threatens to remove federal funding for colleges and universities that don't comply with NCAA rules.
The president of Wisconsin's largest mosque was detained by federal immigration agents, drawing accusations from local officials and religious leaders that the arrest was motivated by his statements against Israel.
The search for the second crew member, a weapons system officer, is continuing, two U.S. officials said.
Minnesota continues to beat the national gas price average, but there are still ways to save in the metro area.
A passenger on an American Airlines flight from New York to Chicago has been charged with making a false bomb threat that forced an emergency landing at Detroit Metro Airport last month, according to a federal criminal complaint.
Your car isn't the only vehicle that needs gas. It's a huge budget item for Minnesota fire departments, police and mass transit.
As we all pay more to fuel our cars, drivers might miss the savings hidden right at the pump. It comes down to timing, then adjusting your routine.
With the national average for gas prices around $4, the timing is especially concerning for the floral industry amid the height of Easter and Passover preparations.
Security footage shows thieves fleeing after discovering a 3-month-old in the backseat of a stolen SUV, leaving the infant alone in an alley for more than an hour before police arrived.
A Burnsville, Minnesota, paraprofessional is facing seven charges in an undercover child solicitation operation that was carried out by a detective in Carver County last month, according to court records.
Police are investigating after dozens were smashed and at least three people fled officers in Robbinsdale, Minnesota, on Wednesday morning, according to law enforcement.
The president of Wisconsin's largest mosque was detained by federal immigration agents, drawing accusations from local officials and religious leaders that the arrest was motivated by his statements against Israel.
The complaint says the woman admitted to an officer over the phone that she went home and consumed alcohol during her lunch break.
Nurses and physicians at Hennepin Healthcare in downtown Minneapolis, home to the first level-one and busiest trauma center in Minnesota, on Wednesday urged the state Legislature to throw the hospital a lifeline — and fast.
Ramsey County, Minnesota, health officials say the county had its first case of mumps reported in about five years.
The Supreme Court's 8-1 ruling siding with a Colorado counselor who claimed the state's restriction unconstitutionally censored her conversations with young patients does not immediately strike down Minnesota's law.
The produce section at grocery stores is packed with nutrient-dense foods. Certain fruits and vegetables, in particular, are packed with fiber, and a new diet trend has people "maxxing" out on it.
Deputy Fire Marshal Shawn Johnson, 61, died March 5 after a two-year battle with job-related cancer, the Minnetonka Fire Department announced.
A federal judge in New York has tossed out actor Blake Lively's sexual harassment claims against actor Justin Baldoni over their roles in the movie "It Ends With Us," but left intact a claim for retaliation.
Atlanta rapper Gucci Mane was lured to a Dallas studio for a meeting, then allegedly kidnapped and robbed by a group including rappers Pooh Shiesty and Big30.
A Las Vegas performer has sued Taylor Swift over the title of her hit album "The Life of a Showgirl," alleging it violates the performer's trademark.
A Minnesota singer has made the big time, signing his first record deal after 43 years in the music business.
The price hike raises the cost of the standard plan with ads by $1 per month and the cost of the standard and premium plans by $2.
Ryan Hartman scored twice to lead the Minnesota Wild to a 4-1 win over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday.
Kelly Pannek had two goals and two assists to pad her league-leading points total and help the Minnesota Frost hold off the Vancouver Goldeneyes 6-5, snapping a three-match losing streak and clinching a spot in the postseason for the two-time defending champions.
Paul George scored 23 points, Tyrese Maxey and Kelly Oubre Jr. each had 21 as the 76ers defeat the Timberwolves.
Tristan Gray hit his first career grand slam to cap a seven-run seventh inning for the Minnesota Twins in a 10-4 home-opener victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.
Target Field in downtown Minneapolis lost power for around an hour ahead of the Minnesota Twins' home opener on Friday afternoon.
Julie Le, who was removed from her post after telling a judge "this job sucks," is now challenging Rep. Ilhan Omar in Minnesota's 5th District.
In 2025, the entire U.S. Attorney's office had 77 immigration detention cases, she said. In January 2026, she alone was assigned 88 cases.
One of the most heated issues remains immigration, where Craig has walked back her support for the Laken Riley Act.
With the DFL nominating convention just eight weeks away, polls that have come out show Peggy Flanagan in the lead for U.S. Senate over Angie Craig.
A DFL senator argues that President Donald Trump's decision to allow prediction market sites in all 50 states means Minnesota should regulate sports betting rather than leave it uncontrolled.
Shattuck-St. Mary's is more than a hockey school, but hockey has helped put the school on the map. They have banners and big names to prove it, though the real evidence lies with a man called Rooster.
Opening Day for the Minnesota Twins is almost here. And across town, the St. Paul Saints are getting ready for their season, too, with some added history.
The Nuss Collection is home to a lot of vintage trucks.
Denis Doyle was born in Kilkenny, Ireland. He emigrated to the U.S. and in 1856, Doyle traveled to Le Sueur County. Other Irish immigrants joined Doyle and the town was born.
One of the oldest operating theaters in the Midwest is in danger of closing its doors for good.
It's estimated that children playing with fire set more than 20,000 fires every year. On average, the fires they start cause nearly 1,000 injuries and 150 deaths each year.
As we all pay more to fuel our cars, drivers might miss the savings hidden right at the pump. It comes down to timing, then adjusting your routine.
The produce section at grocery stores is packed with nutrient-dense foods. Certain fruits and vegetables, in particular, are packed with fiber, and a new diet trend has people "maxxing" out on it.
Minnesota's recent swing from heavy snow to record heat is a recipe for rocky roads.
Heavy snow followed by bitter cold hit Minnesotans with a double whammy of winter. The good news is spring-like weather is right around the corner, but its quick arrival could spell trouble for homeowners.
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.
Sunday will start off sunny but chances for rain does move in by Sunday afternoon. Temperatures on Sunday will be slightly warmer with highs in the 50s. Things calm down as the work week starts. Wednesday will be in the upper 60s. Meteorologist Lisa Meadows shares the timing of it all and shares just how long our nice weather lasts.
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.
Sunday will start dry however clouds and chances for rain return late Sunday afternoon. The start of the work week will remain dry and warmer than the past few days. Meteorologist Lisa Meadows shares the timing and when we start to warm back up.
Saturday's temperatures drop back into the 30s, with a high of 38 in the metro and 32 in northern Minnesota.
Snow continues to fall in northern Minnesota. The metro area could see a few scattered showers. Highs are expected to be in the upper 30s to low 40s. Meteorologist Adam Del Rosso breaks it all down and shares what you can expect weather-wise for the Twins game.
Sunday will start off sunny but chances for rain does move in by Sunday afternoon. Temperatures on Sunday will be slightly warmer with highs in the 50s. Things calm down as the work week starts. Wednesday will be in the upper 60s. Meteorologist Lisa Meadows shares the timing of it all and shares just how long our nice weather lasts.
A Minneapolis mother's viral video discusses the well-being of Minneapolis kids in the wake of ICE operations and the Annunciation shooting.
Sunday will start dry however clouds and chances for rain return late Sunday afternoon. The start of the work week will remain dry and warmer than the past few days. Meteorologist Lisa Meadows shares the timing and when we start to warm back up.
Kingdom Embassy helped hundreds of Minnesotans by giving away thousands in gas.
The People of Color Career Fair is helping to connect top employers with fast growing talent