DNA analysis at Hennepin County forensic lab stopped after finding contamination
At least 75 DNA samples at the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office Forensic Science Laboratory have potentially been contaminated.
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At least 75 DNA samples at the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office Forensic Science Laboratory have potentially been contaminated.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty is joining the call to vacate the 2009 murder conviction of Edgar Barrientos-Quintana.
When it came to politics, Marvin Johnson was not given much of a choice. In the late 70s, the city council appointed him to one of their open seats.
One of the longest-serving mayors in the entire country can be found right here in Minnesota. Marvin Johnson has run the town of Independence, Minnesota for 45 consecutive years. He's finally set to retire at the end of this term. John Lauritsen has Mayor Johnson's advice for others in politics.
A Minnesota man has spent nearly 16 years behind bars for a murder state and county leaders now say he didn't commit. A jury convicted Edgar Barrientos-Quintana for the murder of 18-year-old Jesse Mickelson in 2008. Monday, the Hennepin County Attorney joined the call to vacate the conviction. Kirsten Mitchell breaks down the latest on the case and why even the victim's family wants him released.
The Hennepin County Attorney's Office on Wednesday afternoon is announcing a "new non-public safety traffic stop policy."
Hennepin County deputies were looking for someone else when they say 28-year-old Clint Hoyhtya opened fire.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced Thursday that deputies were justified in using deadly force during a shootout in Minnetonka earlier this year.
Three children under 16 were arrested in the west metro after leading police on a chase in a stolen luxury car Tuesday morning.
Moriarty mentioned several times the biggest challenge is how young some of the children involved are.
We're reporting on kids stealing cars a couple of times a week. But we're also searching for solutions. Ubah Ali sat down with the county's top prosecutor for a story you'll see only on WCCO.
In the first six months of the year, the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office says there were more than 4,000 reports of stolen vehicles in the county.
There are new details about a wild video of kids in stolen rides ripping by law enforcement. Thursday, police say they found one of those vehicles, but the case won't make it from the police to prosecutors. As Ubah Ali explains, that's part of the challenge when comes to cracking down on car crimes.
Weeks after the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners proposed a 49% pay hike for themselves, then walked it back, members have adopted a much lower raise.
In Hennepin County so far this year, there have been 475 cases of vehicle theft. More than half — 247 — were committed by juveniles.
The program is a new pathway for referral and intervention when police do not have sufficient evidence to submit a case for charging.
Stunning new video shows brazen kids in stolen cars speeding right past police. Officers say they're seeing that every day in cities across the metro. The troubling trend took a tragic turn when four kids were shot this weekend. So how can we pump the brakes on these dangerous drives? Our Ubah Ali sat down with a half dozen police chiefs and hit the streets for a story you'll see only on WCCO.
The Hennepin County Attorney's Office says it has a response to the crisis of kids, gun violence, and stolen vehicles. But after four kids were shot in a stolen car on the city's north side this weekend, the Minneapolis police chief says the county attorney didn't charge, or divert, the kids involved in the shooting. They ended up back on the street. The chief wants to see more serious consequences. However, some say intervention is what gets results.
The Minneapolis police chief and Hennepin County Attorney's Office are pointing fingers at each other after four children were shot in a stolen vehicle on the city's north side over the weekend.
A bullet has left a man partially paralyzed. The victim says that bullet was fired by a 14-year-old boy. He's fed up and frustrated with how the case is being handled. Our David Schuman talked to him from his hospital bed.
The motion, which passed 4-2, would have increased the commissioners' salary from $122,225 to $182,141 a year.
There is some positive news on crime coming out of the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office. Car thefts have seen a big drop.
Some positive news from the Hennepin County Sheriff's Department on crime: car thefts have seen a big drop. In Talking Points, Esme Murphy takes a look at what's behind the trend.
Right now, Hennepin County Commissioners make $122,225 a year. It's been that way since 2016. But starting next year, it jumps to $182,141 a year. It's an increase of 49%.
If you could decide to boost your salary by nearly 50%, would you do it? That's what the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners did this week. The hefty hike equates to tens of thousands of dollars.
Shigeyuki Furukawa is the only person to bring home a nomination for the James Beard Award in Minnesota this year.
The news of the deadly shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego has mosques in the Twin Cities on alert.
Minnesota has legalized marijuana. Could magic mushrooms be next?
The federal commodities regulator filed suit against Minnesota to stop a new state law, signed by Gov. Tim Walz, that would criminalize operating or participating in prediction markets starting Aug. 1.
The Internal Revenue Service is permanently barred from pursuing claims against President Trump or his company based on prior tax returns, part of a controversial settlement deal between the Justice Department and Mr. Trump.
Shigeyuki Furukawa is the only person to bring home a nomination for the James Beard Award in Minnesota this year.
The news of the deadly shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego has mosques in the Twin Cities on alert.
A man accused of impersonating a high school student in the Twin Cities has been arrested after failing to show up to a court appearance late last month.
The Minneapolis City Council wants a change in how the state handles domestic violence cases.
Kenny Jary, known online as "Patriotic Kenny," built a following of more than 4 million across TikTok and Instagram by sharing positive messages and gifting mobility scooters to veterans across the country.
A wildfire roaring about 10 miles east of Breezy Point, Minnesota, has grown to over 1,600 acres, officials said in a Tuesday morning update.
At a hangar in St. Paul, Minnesota, engineers at Momentum Aeronautics are building Heatwave, a new generation scooping float system designed to make one of firefighting aviation's most dangerous jobs safer.
It's estimated that there are more than 15,000 black bears in Minnesota, with the majority of them in the northeastern part of the state.
Authorities arrested a 48-year-old man they believe is responsible for shooting at a fire suppression aircraft in northern Minnesota on Friday.
A wildfire in an area near Two Harbors, Minnesota, has been 100% contained, a federal interagency wildfire map showed Monday night.
A driver went airborne during a high-speed police chase in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, after fleeing a traffic stop.
Fifty beagles rescued from animal testing in Wisconsin are set to arrive in Minnesota Thursday.
A 100-mile stretch of Mississippi River towns is hosting its annual 100 Mile Garage Sale this weekend, drawing shoppers and sellers from across the region and beyond.
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.
Quincy Street isn't just at the center of Art-A-Whirl, it's at the heart of the Arts District in northeast Minneapolis. The road itself, however, is falling apart. And the only thing bumpier than the exposed brick is the reaction to the city's plans to fix it.
Somali and Muslim leaders in Minnesota played a threatening voicemail at a public gathering Friday, saying businesses in their community are being targeted with messages warning of death.
The Black homeownership rate in the Twin Cities dropped to 29% in 2024, and the region had the largest gap between Black and White homeownership rates of any comparable metro in the country.
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.
Minnesota has legalized marijuana. Could magic mushrooms be next?
Rochester Rep. Andy Smith, who sponsored the measure, said he expects a multi-million dollar magic mushroom pilot program to get legislative approval next session after this year's bill authorized only a research report.
President Trump said people convicted in connection with the January 6 Capitol attack may be eligible for compensation from the Justice Department's nearly $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund.
The federal commodities regulator filed suit against Minnesota to stop a new state law, signed by Gov. Tim Walz, that would criminalize operating or participating in prediction markets starting Aug. 1.
The Internal Revenue Service is permanently barred from pursuing claims against President Trump or his company based on prior tax returns, part of a controversial settlement deal between the Justice Department and Mr. Trump.
The federal commodities regulator filed suit against Minnesota to stop a new state law, signed by Gov. Tim Walz, that would criminalize operating or participating in prediction markets starting Aug. 1.
Part of the end-of-session deal in the Minnesota Legislature rolls back skyrocketing tab renewal fees. Those fees have electric vehicle owners especially revved up.
In Minnesota, you'll be able to try one at St. Paul's CHS Field.
With more Americans opting to drive rather than fly amid higher costs, South Dakota tourism officials say the state is well-positioned as a regional road trip destination.
President Trump's idea to save drivers a few dollars at the pump could cost them in the long run.
A man accused of impersonating a high school student in the Twin Cities has been arrested after failing to show up to a court appearance late last month.
The Minneapolis City Council wants a change in how the state handles domestic violence cases.
In a filing on Monday, prosecutors in Minnesota asked the court to sentence Feeding Our Future ringleader Aimee Bock to 50 years in prison.
A driver hit and killed a pedestrian in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, early Tuesday before leaving the scene, according to police.
A 38-year-old man is dead after he was thrown from a vehicle following an attempted auto theft in south Minneapolis on Friday, according to police.
Minnesota has legalized marijuana. Could magic mushrooms be next?
At least 80 deaths have been reported in a new Ebola disease outbreak in Congo and Uganda, authorities said.
It comes after insurers stopped paying for their kids' daily care, which they argue was covered as part of a 15-year-old state law. As the end of the Minnesota session nears, lawmakers have four days to make a change.
A Twin Cities teenager is facing an unimaginable battle: terminal cancer. She's fortunate enough to have family by her side through her fearless fight as they all hope for a miracle.
Dr. Gianrico Farrugia has led Mayo Clinic since 2019, and the organization said it was his decision to "complete his tenure at the end of this year."
Dave Ryan has been a pillar of Minnesota radio for over three decades who last week made the surprise announcement that he would retire from his morning show at KDWB.
If you're a Smashing Pumpkins fan in Minnesota, today may be the greatest day you've ever known. Billy Corgan and his band are bringing their next tour to Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul.
The Library of Congress revealed this year's list of 25 recordings to be preserved for future generations on the National Recording Registry.
Dave Ryan announced Wednesday that May 22 will be his last day at KDWB, ending a 33-year run at the Twin Cities station.
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis are calling their Aug. 29 show "Homecoming: A Celebration of the Minneapolis Sound."
The Minnesota Twins have demoted former No. 1 draft pick Royce Lewis to the minor leagues.
The Minnesota Wild have a new minor league affiliate, inking a deal with the Jacksonville Icemen of the ECHL.
Josh Bell homered twice and drove in four runs as the Minnesota Twins beat the Houston Astros 6-3.
The summer will be jam-packed for Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin. He made it abundantly clear on Monday that re-signing Quinn Hughes is at the top of the list.
A Minnesota dancer is breaking barriers everytime she competes on stage.
Amy Klobuchar is putting her gubernatorial campaign into high gear. She faces no significant opposition in the race for the DFL endorsement and her existing record of statewide wins is formidable.
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.
There's a place in Wabasha County, Minnesota, where people go wild for wildflowers.
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.
Dozens of recreational marijuana dispensaries can now be found across Minnesota. Many of them opened last year, but it's still relatively new. And if you've visited dispensaries in other states, the rules can be different.
President Trump's idea to save drivers a few dollars at the pump could cost them in the long run.
More people than the entire population of Minneapolis, or half a million, were estimated to go fishing in Minnesota this past weekend. WCCO looks at how the tradition stacks up with other outdoor events that keep the state's economy running.
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 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.
Temperatures drop tonight with frost and freeze concerns west and north of the metro, but a warm stretch is on the way with 70s expected this weekend and 80s by Monday, WCCO meteorologist Chris Shaffer reports.
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 sky clears out tonight and the temps drop. Sunny and still below average Wednesday, WCCO meteorologist Mike Augustyniak reports.
It'll be a slightly gloomy Tuesday with temps reaching the mid-50s.
Lingering light showers in the morning, clouds, strong winds and temps in the mid-50s, WCCO meteorologist Katie Steiner reports.
Police say a decorated Army veteran lost his life while confronting car thieves. He was also a father of two. As Jason Rantala shows us, the combat medic leaves behind a lasting legacy.
Rather than building new infrastructure, Stillwater crews connected to an abandoned 1920s sewer tunnel to permanently fix a failure caused by a pipe built in 1887, a move the city says will save money.
Temperatures drop tonight with frost and freeze concerns west and north of the metro, but a warm stretch is on the way with 70s expected this weekend and 80s by Monday, WCCO meteorologist Chris Shaffer reports.
Rochester Rep. Andy Smith, who sponsored the measure, said he expects a multi-million dollar magic mushroom pilot program to get legislative approval next session after this year's bill authorized only a research report.
President Trump said people convicted in connection with the January 6 Capitol attack may be eligible for compensation from the Justice Department's nearly $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund.