Despite Early 'Ice-Out,' Twin Cities Lakes Remain Dangerously Cold
The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office says this year's minimal snowfall and mild winter made the "ice-out" come earlier this year, but they say the water is still dangerously cold.
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The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office says this year's minimal snowfall and mild winter made the "ice-out" come earlier this year, but they say the water is still dangerously cold.
Brush fires over the last two days have shown just how dry it is around Minnesota. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 90 percent of the state is under a moderate drought.
Great theater can be created anywhere. But something special happens when a theater house not only mirrors the feeling created by the show, but enhances it as well. This is exactly what happened with the rustic, warm Old Log Theatre's production of the silly, slap-stick comedy "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels."
Steamboats, like the Minnehaha that strolls along Lake Minnetonka, first departed on the beautiful lake back in 1906. They were an extension of the street car system here in the Twin Cities.
Our unseasonable March warmth is a cause for many Minnesotans to revel, but a serious cause for concern for the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office when it comes to ice safety.
A Wayzata man is back home after escaping the icy waters of Lake Minnetonka.
I have to admit, as a child of the eastern suburbs, I never ventured west of Minneapolis much, if at all, growing up. And now, as a member of the millennial generation, I spend a lot of time exploring the craft breweries of Northeast and the themed restaurants of downtown.
A 35-year-old man was rescued Wednesday night after going through the ice on Lake Minnetonka. According to police, crews responded to the call around 8:30 p.m. of a truck through the ice on Lafayette Bay.
There has been an outpouring of support for the family of a man who died recently while playing in a pond hockey tournament. Greg Riebe suffered a heart attack at 46. He collapsed after a game at the North American Pond Hockey Championships on Lake Minnetonka last month.
It's one of the strangest events on ice you'll ever see; a golf tournament on a frozen lake. Saturday marks the 31st annual Chilly Open on Lake Minnetonka. This year's theme is 'Gone Country,' so make sure to bring the cowboy hat and boots.
Two different vehicles broke through the ice on Lake Minnetonka Wednesday night. The Hennepin County Sheriff's office says the first vehicle -- an SUV with two teenage boys from Edina inside -- went through thin ice near the Gray's Bay channel in Wayzata Bay at about 5:40 p.m.
The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office is warning everyone to be cautious if they plan to go out on the ice. Thanks to our warmer weather, ice on a number of lakes has thinned considerably.
A fun day on the ice turned tragic during a pond hockey tournament on Lake Minnetonka on Friday.
It's cold outside. But, that means ice fishing season is heating up! It's one of the most popular sports in the state, and many look forward to the time of year when the ice is thick enough for it.
Frigid temperatures didn't keep hundreds of people from jumping into a very cold Lake Minnetonka this morning as part of a New Year's Day tradition called the ALARC Ice Dive. More than 700 people took park in Thursday morning's dive.
Having moved to Minnesota from Florida, my scariest aquatic experience involved a water temperature below 80 degrees, until Tuesday. I put on a protective "mustang" suit, ready for a mock water rescue in icy Lake Minnetonka with the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office Water Patrol. Not yet at ice's edge, I was already panic stricken. I can't imagine this as my job.
The boating season has pretty much ended on Lake Minnetonka, but to one group of anglers what they did Friday will pay off next summer. They're with the Westonka Walleye Program, a private effort to improve walleye fishing close to home.
State officials say they've confirmed the presence of zebra mussels in a west metro lake connected to Lake Minnetonka, which has been infested with the invasive species for years.
The first ever organized wakesurfing competition on Lake Minnetonka is wrapping up, despite a set-back earlier this summer.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the presence of an invasive aquatic species in another metro lake. Staff from the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District discovered eight zebra mussels on Christmas Lake in Shorewood, which is just south of Lake Minnetonka.
Businesses and boaters around one of Minnesota's most popular lakes say it's time to salvage summer. All wake restrictions have now been lifted for Lake Minnetonka. Boaters have been forced to slow down since early June when severe storms raised the lake to record levels. They're glad to be back to normal.
It's very likely that Lake Minnetonka will have a few more boats out on the water before Labor Day as we head into the home stretch of summer. The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office said Monday that the "High Water Declaration" has ended on one of the most popular lakes in the Twin Cities.
For many boaters on Lake Minnetonka, full speed never felt so good. "Everybody hasn't been burning much fuel this year, but they're burning a lot of fuel today," said boater Steve Leighton. "All the boats are running wide open out there today, a there's a lot of waves."
After seven weeks of slow going on Lake Minnetonka, the emergency no-wake restrictions will end at midnight on Thursday. Last month's heavy rain sent the lake to a record high, but it's fallen nearly a foot since June 5, when the emergency high-water declaration went into effect.
It's a calm morning at Gray's Bay on Lake Minnetonka Thursday, but that will change when no-wake restrictions are lifted. Keyon Cooley, who fishes on the lake, drags his fishing boat to a public access point at Grey's Bay at least twice a week.
Fire crews battled a blaze overnight Friday at a northeast Minneapolis apartment building.
A red flag warning will go into effect Friday afternoon in northwestern and central Minnesota due to extreme fire risk conditions, the state's Department of Natural Resources says.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a statement that the documents "have long fueled justified speculation — and it's time the American people see it for themselves."
Crews battled a late-night fire Friday at the old train depot office building in Maplewood, Minnesota.
Spring warmth takes over Friday in the Twin Cities, with a quiet and seasonable Mother's Day on tap.
Fire crews battled a blaze overnight Friday at a northeast Minneapolis apartment building.
Crews battled a late-night fire Friday at the old train depot office building in Maplewood, Minnesota.
Minnesota made school meals free for every child in 2023. Now, leaders of a Twin Cities school 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 Minnesota 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.
A red flag warning will go into effect Friday afternoon in northwestern and central Minnesota due to extreme fire risk conditions, the state's Department of Natural Resources says.
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.
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.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a statement that the documents "have long fueled justified speculation — and it's time the American people see it for themselves."
President Trump says the ceasefire with Iran is still intact despite an escalation in tensions, plus more of the day’s top stories.
The Bloomington Police Department created a new executive protection unit amid rising political violence and increasing threats to Minnesota lawmakers.
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.
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.
A red flag warning will go into effect Friday afternoon in northwestern and central Minnesota due to extreme fire risk conditions, the state's Department of Natural Resources says.
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.
Spring warmth takes over to finish the week, says NEXT Weather meteorologist Joseph Dames.
Spring warmth takes over Friday in the Twin Cities, with a quiet and seasonable Mother's Day on tap.
Spring warmth takes over to finish the week, says NEXT Weather meteorologist Joseph Dames.
President Trump says the ceasefire with Iran is still intact despite an escalation in tensions, plus more of the day’s top stories.
This weekend is the Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener, with Stillwater hosting the event for the first time.
No one was hurt in a fire overnight Friday at the old train depot office building in Maplewood, Minnesota.
Spring warmth takes over to finish the week, says NEXT Weather meteorologist Joseph Dames.
Police in Bemidji, Minnesota, are investigating after a shooting Thursday that left three adults with critical injuries, according to officials.