Fish get early entry into the 2026 Minnesota State Fair
The Minnesota State Fairgrounds are buzzing Tuesday with just 48 hours left until opening day.
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The Minnesota State Fairgrounds are buzzing Tuesday with just 48 hours left until opening day.
Minnesota is facing its worst drought conditions in five years, experts say. About 88% of the state is either experiencing abnormally dry or drought conditions.
Virgil Winds, chief executive of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, says he's worried the mining operation could harm the land so closely tied to generations of people.
Forty miles west of Minneapolis, Howard Lake mixes water recreation with country living. But a couple weeks ago, the small town got a visit from an unexpected feline guest.
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.
Invasive species like zebra mussels or Eurasian watermilfoil are at a much higher risk of spreading this time of year from used boating equipment.
A super El Niño could be taking shape in the coming months. While you may be wondering what that means for this summer, it's the winter where we could see the biggest impact. NEXT Weather Meteorologist Lisa Meadows explains.
For more than 25 years, Minnesota hunters and anglers have relied on the same licensing system, but starting Tuesday, they can buy and store licenses digitally through a new app.
Meteorological summer kicks off June 1 and lasts through August. So, is the heat here to stay in Minnesota?
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says its new "modern and secure" licensing system will launch next month, with fishing and hunting licenses first up.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says its new "modern and secure" licensing system will launch next month, with fishing and hunting licenses first up.
Boats are back out across Minnesota, but along with people on the water comes a growing concern: zebra mussels.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is proposing to change the statewide walleye bag limit from six fish to four.
Ospreys near are slowing down part of a construction project in the west metro. Ashley Grams introduces a nesting pair who firmly believe there's no place like home.
Anglers are just days away from the 2026 Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener, and you can bet lakes and rivers are going to be busy.
The Minnesota DNR is keeping a three-walleye daily limit in place for Mille Lacs Lake starting with the May 9 fishing opener, with harvested fish required to be at least 17 inches and only one allowed over 20 inches.
If you heard the audio of St. Paul Fire Captain Brian Buxton introducing himself to Department of Natural Resources Officer Annette Schlag, you'd think the pair had just met for coffee.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has again set up a livestream of a peregrine falcon nest in downtown St. Paul in an effort to monitor and protect the species.
Minnesota lakes remain frozen. The people walking on trails around them remain bundled up. After a warm start to March, the seasonal shift is sputtering as it often tends to do.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' popular EagleCam is now live, with a better view to boot.
St. Louis County deputies rescued a 55-year-old man Thursday afternoon after his snowmobile got stuck in a swamp.
An Elk River, Minnesota, woman got quite the surprise when she saw not one, but several bears in her backyard.
Things are looking up for Minnesota's nascent helium industry, because miners keep going down to find more of it.
Firefighters and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources continue to battle a wildfire in a remote area of the Arrowhead.
For nearly a half century, the Haunted Mansion at the Minnesota State Fair has been scaring people silly.
Visitors are spending tens of millions of dollars to experience all there is at the Minnesota State Fair. It's a 12-day production that costs tens of millions of dollars to put on.
An extensive effort to shield the Minnesota State Fair from threats of violence has paid off as the fair reaches the midway point.
Two people are dead and at least five others are injured, including three officers, after a shooting near 15 East Grant Street Wednesday afternoon in downtown Minneapolis, according to police. The suspected shooter is also dead.
A Minnesota swim coach accused of grooming-type behavior toward a student's sister, including sending explicit text messages and a nude photo to the 15-year-old girl has pleaded guilty.
An extensive effort to shield the Minnesota State Fair from threats of violence has paid off as the fair reaches the midway point.
Two people are dead and at least five others are injured, including three officers, after a shooting near 15 East Grant Street Wednesday afternoon in downtown Minneapolis, according to police. The suspected shooter is also dead.
The Minnesota Lynx's Olivia Miles has been named the WBNA's August Rookie of the Month.
New details have emerged in the investigation into last week's fatal crash that killed a girl and critically injured another child in Brooklyn Center.
The attorney for Julio Sosa-Celis, the Venezuelan national who was shot by federal immigration officer Christian Castro earlier this year in north Minneapolis during Operation Metro Surge, says her client is devastated by his release from a Texas jail.
Police in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, have an adult man in custody after social media threats were made towards both schools in the area on Tuesday.
Officials in northern Minnesota say a 43-year-old man drowned while paddleboarding with his daughter Tuesday.
A woman tried mailing a package through Graphic Mailbox in Northfield last week when a staff member noticed something strange.
A Minnesota teenager is being recognized for helping stop an alleged school shooting plot in Pennsylvania.
Sanford Health and North Memorial Health announced Tuesday that they completed the merger.
A $1.8 billion project to replace the Blatnik Bridge, which links Duluth, Minnesota, and Superior, Wisconsin, is now underway.
An 18-year-old man has pleaded guilty to killing 10-year-old Lily Peters in Wisconsin four years ago. He was then given a life sentence with the possibility of extended supervision after 25 years.
A Wisconsin prosecutor says he will not file election bribery charges against billionaire Elon Musk even though the state's bipartisan elections commission said he likely broke state law.
A Wisconsin high school football player has died from injuries sustained during a game on Thursday night.
Dozens of cases of E. coli and salmonella in multiple states are linked to an alfalfa grower in Minnesota, health officials say.
Zy'ire was diagnosed with bone cancer in his tibia, and throughout treatment, his love of the game helped keep his spirits up. Make-A-Wish Minnesota granted his wish by putting him on the sideline in Vikings gear.
Lt. Ryan Kelly, the first Minneapolis officer to arrive at Church of the Annunciation on Aug. 27, 2025, described walking in to find dozens of children hiding in the pews — and locating 2 who had already died.
After the Annunciation Catholic Church mass shooting in Minneapolis, there were loud calls for action on guns.
Crews in St. Paul, Minnesota, are clearing out the city's largest encampment on Wednesday.
After officials in Minnesota's capital city announced they would shut down encampments for those experiencing homelessness, the City Council approved more than $1 million to expand capacity at local shelters.
The attorney for Julio Sosa-Celis, the Venezuelan national who was shot by federal immigration officer Christian Castro earlier this year in north Minneapolis during Operation Metro Surge, says her client is devastated by his release from a Texas jail.
A delay to a federal law that would bring major changes to the hemp industry is a step closer to becoming a reality.
Days after Christian Castro was released from Texas custody, the lawyer for Julio Sosa-Celis tells WCCO she's worried the ICE agent will fill to Mexico.
Vance Boelter, who was federally sentenced to two life terms for killing a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband in what officials say was a politically motivated attack, will make his second appearance in state court Wednesday.
A delay to a federal law that would bring major changes to the hemp industry is a step closer to becoming a reality.
The 2026 Minnesota State Fair is rolling out more than three dozen new food items this year, on top of all the returning favorites — which makes putting together a game plan for your visit no small task.
President Trump said Friday that the U.S. will waive higher tariffs on ground beef imports, which he says will reduce beef prices by 25%. Some cattle ranchers, including those in Minnesota and Wisconsin, worry the plan will hurt them financially.
An outbreak of E. coli and salmonella is linked to an alfalfa grower in Minnesota, health officials say. WCCO speaks with a food safety expert about the risks associated with alfalfa sprouts.
Dozens of cases of E. coli and salmonella in multiple states are linked to an alfalfa grower in Minnesota, health officials say.
Twin Metals says a copper-nickel mine near the Boundary Waters would bring hundreds of union jobs and 1,400 additional positions. Still, opponents say the environmental risks to the watershed are not worth the trade-offs.
Two people are dead and at least five others are injured, including three officers, after a shooting near 15 East Grant Street Wednesday afternoon in downtown Minneapolis, according to police. The suspected shooter is also dead.
A Minnesota swim coach accused of grooming-type behavior toward a student's sister, including sending explicit text messages and a nude photo to the 15-year-old girl has pleaded guilty.
Law enforcement in Apple Valley, Minnesota, is investigating after two school buses collided at a busy intersection Wednesday morning.
New details have emerged in the investigation into last week's fatal crash that killed a girl and critically injured another child in Brooklyn Center.
The attorney for Julio Sosa-Celis, the Venezuelan national who was shot by federal immigration officer Christian Castro earlier this year in north Minneapolis during Operation Metro Surge, says her client is devastated by his release from a Texas jail.
Sanford Health and North Memorial Health announced Tuesday that they completed the merger.
This year, your kid may be more likely to catch a back-to-school bug, as fewer students are getting their shots than at any time in the past decade.
Zy'ire was diagnosed with bone cancer in his tibia, and throughout treatment, his love of the game helped keep his spirits up. Make-A-Wish Minnesota granted his wish by putting him on the sideline in Vikings gear.
Juul plans to market the new device under the brand name Juul2, along with updated versions of its tobacco- and menthol-flavored cartridges.
A major merger between Minnesota-based North Memorial Health and South Dakota-based Sanford Health was announced Friday morning, and is set to close in a matter of days.
While performing in St. Louis on Saturday night, Lionel Richie appeared at one point to lean on a piano for support, according to video from the show.
Louis Lee came to Minnesota decades ago from Hong Kong to become a student at the University of Minnesota. He says listening to comedy helped him learn English.
The vault is open. Recordings no one's ever heard, spanning 40 years of Prince's musical career, are now available on a new album called "Timeless."
The community is mourning the loss of Charles Dillon, also known as Chaz Millionaire, a longtime voice on the Twin Cities airwaves.
The legendary Minneapolis duo looks back on the Fair, a friendship that began as teenagers, the origin of "Jimmy Jam," and the challenge of turning more than 500 recordings into one homecoming show.
The Minnesota Lynx's Olivia Miles has been named the WBNA's August Rookie of the Month.
The Minnesota Vikings have agreed to sign 13-year veteran outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy.
Royce Lewis and Ryan Jeffers hit three-run homers during a 10-run sixth inning for the Minnesota Twins to highlight a 15-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers.
The NFL's thin line between success and failure figures to challenge the Chicago Bears in their bid to repeat as NFC North champions.
The longtime Dallas Cowboys quarterback and CBS Sports football analyst said he came to rely on alcohol to get off pain medications after multiple back surgeries.
She has won four races for U.S. Senate by double digits, and now Sen. Amy Klobuchar is campaigning to become Minnesota's next governor.
The DFL primary in Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District was supposed to be close, but it wasn't. Former Lakeville Mayor and state Sen. Matt Little beat two well-known opponents by double digits.
Democrat Jake Johnson, a high school math teacher, is running a competitive race against Republican Rep. Brad Finstad, prompting analysts to downgrade Finstad's reelection outlook.
In the aftermath of the primary, Republicans in Minnesota are more optimistic about their November chances than they ever have been.
In the aftermath of the primary, Republicans in Minnesota are more optimistic about their November chances than they ever have been.
For nearly a half century, the Haunted Mansion at the Minnesota State Fair has been scaring people silly.
It is one of the most uniquely shaped buildings at the Minnesota State Fair, and it holds nearly 80 years of history.
For five generations, one family has run the Taylors Falls Scenic Boat Tours along the St. Croix River.
Keith Richardson is a home brewer and beer memorabilia collector. His collection got so big that, two years ago, he moved everything into an old toy store near downtown Lanesboro and opened the Hammarama Museum and Gift Shop.
Passing trains and scenic bluffs are a big part of Buffalo County, Wisconsin, but in the middle of it all is a garden where creativity and flowers grow together, all courtesy of a man named Herman Rusch.
Visitors are spending tens of millions of dollars to experience all there is at the Minnesota State Fair. It's a 12-day production that costs tens of millions of dollars to put on.
There's more than 300 vendors keeping people fed at the Minnesota State Fair. That's a lot of competition for your cash and the limited space in your stomach.
The corn goes from a farm field west of the Twin Cities to the busy ovens on the fairgrounds.
There's a buzz at the fairgrounds as vendors, exhibitors and 4-H families get ready to welcome millions of people across a very specific stretch of time. Why is the Minnesota State Fair 12 days? Good Question.
While our summer has been dry, many can't say the same for their nose or eyes. Ragweed allergies are picking up steam.
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.
WCCO meteorologist Chris Shaffer says it is going to get even more humid with rounds of thunderstorms possible overnight.
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.
WCCO meteorologist Chris Shaffer has the latest forecast.
Meteorologist Lisa Meadows has the latest forecast.
Wednesday will top out in the mid 80s with sun and more stickiness, says meteorologist Joseph Dames.
WCCO meteorologist Chris Shaffer says it is going to get even more humid with rounds of thunderstorms possible overnight.
For nearly a half century, the Haunted Mansion at the Minnesota State Fair has been scaring visitors silly. In this week’s Finding Minnesota, John Lauritsen show us how dozens of monsters bring fright to the fair.
From entry tickets to food sales to Grandstand concerts, there's a constant flow of cash running through the Minnesota State Fair. In Good Question, Jeff Wagner explores how the 12-day event makes money and how it's spent.
The shooting happened in the southwest part of downtown Minneapolis. The ShoreLine Plaza apartment building is between Loring Park and the Minneapolis Convention Center. Our team has the latest from people who live there and the status of those wounded police officers.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Interim Police Chief Bill Peterson gave an update Wednesday night on a mass shooting that killed two people and injured at least five others earlier in the day.