Watch CBS News
With a steady cadence of drumming setting the tone, Chippewa tribal members set off in canoes into a rich sea of wild rice. They'd gathered on the shores of Hole In The Day Lake, north of Brainerd, in an intended show of civil disobedience. What they wanted to show was the free harvest of native rice without a state required license.
Minnesota's wildlife officials are making sweeping changes at Mille Lacs Lake to restore trust with locals after shutting down the lake's walleye fishing season. The Department of Natural Resources is setting up a new outpost on the central Minnesota lake with more staff to monitor its walleye population.
Minnesota's bear hunting season starts next week, and the state's Department of Natural Resources is asking hunters to avoid shooting radio-collared research bears.
Minnesota is dispatching two Blackhawk helicopters and 14 associated personnel to help fight the wildfires in Washington state. Gov. Mark Dayton issued an executive order Friday to provide the assistance in a state dealing with widespread fires that are chewing up hundreds of thousands of acres.
Wild rice is, without question, the most culturally-important food to Minnesota's Native American people. Wild Rice that is growing on pristine northern lakes is now in season. It is an annual activity that can be harvested by anyone, assuming they purchase the $15-per-day or $25-per-season license.
Rain would be very much appreciated in the western United States where dozens of wildfires are burning. And several crews from Minnesota have been deployed to help. A crew out of Grand Rapids just left for Montana. They are the eighth Minnesota group deployed to help battle the fires.
Minnesota's fall duck and goose seasons will open Sept. 26 with bag limits and season dates similar to last year's.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says the state's wolf population has declined slightly from last year, but not enough to be statistically significant.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources shut down walleye fishing on Lake Mille Lacs Monday night for the first time in history. The decision was made because of the record-low walleye population on the lake, and because the quota was met for how many walleyes could be harvested this year.
Lawmakers are studying the fallout of the declining walleye population on Mille Lacs Lake. A group of legislators and state officials studying the issue met for the first time Tuesday, the day after the state closed the lake for walleye fishing.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources announced a change in fishing regulations on Mille Lacs Lake Tuesday in hopes that it will bring more bass fishing tournaments to the area. The rule change will allow anglers to sort bass that are shorter than 18 inches and keep the largest fish.
The Department of Natural Resources is closing Mille Lacs Lake for walleye fishing at 10 p.m. on Monday. Minnesota natural resources officials said Sunday that anglers had exceeded the central Minnesota lake's walleye quota by 2,000 pounds.
With the Minnesota state fish in crisis, a Native American tribe Friday said it would not net walleye on Lake Mille Lacs next year.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is holding its annual "Think Zero" weekend to raise awareness of aquatic invasive species. The campaign aims to reduce the spread of invasive species via a weekend with zero violations.
Some commercial fishing operations have been temporarily halted on Lake Pepin following the discovery of nearly four dozen dead paddlefish and lake sturgeon. Both the Minnesota and Wisconsin Departments of Natural Resources took the action, announced Tuesday.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said that hunters this year will get another "conservative" deer season this year. The DNR said that means hunters can expect a likely one-deer limit in most areas of the state.
Two brothers living on Lake Minnetonka have a big fish story to tell. James and Johnny Range Jr. are part of a fishing league on the lake, and they reeled in a huge muskie Tuesday night.
Officials with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said Tuesday that Mille Lacs Lake is approaching its catch quota for walleye. Officials said new data shows the lake is approaching the quota of 28,600 pounds due to a strong catch and warm weather conditions.
Minnesota state parks drew record crowds on the Fourth of July holiday weekend, and park officials say there are still great recreational opportunities ahead for the rest of the summer. Department of Natural Resources figures show occupancy at state parks hit 84 percent.
This winter, live video feeds will once again broadcast from inside bear dens in Minnesota. On Monday, an appeals court ruled that the founder of the North American Bear Center and Wildlife Research Institute near Ely, Lynn Rogers, does not need a permit to place cameras in bear dens.
Attaching a radio collar to a bear so it can be remotely tracked requires a permit because it amounts to possession under Minnesota's fish and game laws, the state Court of Appeals ruled Monday.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is concerned about a rare turtle that may soon find itself on the list of endangered species. The Blanding's turtle lives in a small number of states and provinces in the Midwest, New England, and southeastern Canada.
The federal government is considering adding the Blanding's turtle to the endangered species list, as the yellow-throated reptile that once thrived throughout the Upper Midwest can now only be found in large numbers in parts of Minnesota and Nebraska.
The Fourth of July is the busiest day out on metro area lakes. And it makes for a hectic weekend for water patrols. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office have extra patrols out on Lake Minnetonka this weekend.
It's time to celebrate our independence in the best way we Americans know how: lighting fireworks! Ahead of the July 4 weekend, it's important to keep in mind a few safety tips and legal restrictions on fireworks in Minnesota.
Taylor Heise scored her first goal of the season 2:57 into overtime Saturday to give the Minnesota Frost a 2-1 victory over the Vancouver Goldeneyes as the Professional Women's Hockey League Takeover Tour hit Edmonton's Rogers Place.
On Saturday, cross-country skiers raced in Maple Grove, Minnesota, in an event that happened earlier than the normal.
Saturday will see temperatures in the 40s before a major drop off comes on Sunday.
Hill-Murray is again one of the best girls hockey teams in Minnesota. This season, at any given time, there could be five Pohls on the Pioneers bench.
Many Minnesotans would describe the past few days as fairly warm, given the time of year. That didn't stop the Ice Castles from making its earliest start to the season ever in Minnesota, officially opening on Friday.
On Saturday, cross-country skiers raced in Maple Grove, Minnesota, in an event that happened earlier than the normal.
Saturday will see temperatures in the 40s before a major drop off comes on Sunday.
Many Minnesotans would describe the past few days as fairly warm, given the time of year. That didn't stop the Ice Castles from making its earliest start to the season ever in Minnesota, officially opening on Friday.
The weeklong festival of Kwanzaa began on Friday with much fanfare at Lake Street's Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis.
Gov. Tim Walz has ordered U.S. and Minnesota flags at all state buildings to fly at half-staff on Monday to honor and remember St. Paul firefighter Timothy Bertz, who officials said died after suffering a "serious medical event."
Saturday will see temperatures in the 40s before a major drop off comes on Sunday.
A man and a woman are dead, and two others, including a 1-year-old boy, are injured after a crash in Thompson Township, Minnesota, on Friday morning.
As Christmas trees across the nation come down, a farm in Elk River, Minnesota, is finding a new purpose for the pines.
Gov. Tim Walz has ordered U.S. and Minnesota flags at all state buildings to fly at half-staff on Monday to honor and remember St. Paul firefighter Timothy Bertz, who officials said died after suffering a "serious medical event."
An ER patient is accused of attacking a security guard inside a Wyoming, Minnesota, hospital on Christmas evening, leading to a confrontation with a police officer outside the facility.
A Wisconsin woman who almost killed her sixth-grade classmate to please the fictional Slender Man has been ordered back to a state psychiatric hospital after she escaped from her group home last month.
Several schools in Minnesota and Wisconsin are reporting delayed starts on Monday amid a messy morning commute.
The U.S. Justice Department has sued three states, including Illinois and Wisconsin, and D.C. for not turning over requested voter information to the Trump administration.
Defenders of a Wisconsin judge found guilty of felony obstruction for helping a Mexican immigrant evade federal officers are raising alarms about judicial independence and say they hope the conviction will be overturned on appeal.
The Minnesota Attorney General's Office says Menards, the Wisconsin-based home improvement retailer, has reached a $4.25 million settlement with several states to "resolve claims" of deceptive marketing practices in its popular "11% Rebate Program," and pandemic-era price gouging.
Many people who serve in the U.S. military find it hard to ask for assistance when they've been trained to help and serve others.
Food Bank Eatery in North Minneapolis provides free meals for children, who may have little to eat after the pause of SNAP benefits for many in the community.
Firefighters are continuing a 44-year tradition that happens every year north of the Twin Cities.
It was a scary moment in the Twin Cities over the weekend, as a trailer hauling sled dogs turned over on Interstate 494 in Minnetonka.
On Sunday, members of Minnesota's Somali community spoke out against President Trump's social media post calling for an end to temporary protected status.
Minneapolis officials have banned government officials, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, from using city lots and ramps as a staging area to enforce federal immigration laws, according to an updated city ordinance.
The Veterans Affairs Department is reimposing a near total ban on abortions for veterans and their families that was modified in 2022.
President Trump says the U.S. launched powerful and deadly strikes against Islamic state forces in Nigeria, plus more of the day’s top stories.
Strikes against ISIS targets in Nigeria come after President Trump spent weeks accusing the West African country's government of failing to rein in the persecution of Christians.
The message, aired on Channel 4 on Christmas Day, reflected on the impact of President Trump's second term in office thus far.
This season of giving can really do a number on our recycling systems. But we can all be part of the solution.
With the time-honored tradition of gift giving comes gift concealing.
Twin Cities shoppers were out and about on Super Saturday, the second-busiest shopping day of the year. The day lands on the final Saturday before Christmas annually.
Buy now, pay later plans are becoming more popular for shoppers this holiday season.
The Minnesota Attorney General's Office says Menards, the Wisconsin-based home improvement retailer, has reached a $4.25 million settlement with several states to "resolve claims" of deceptive marketing practices in its popular "11% Rebate Program," and pandemic-era price gouging.
Police in Roseville, Minnesota, are investigating after they said officers found a man injured at the scene of a reported shooting on Friday morning.
Minneapolis police say they're investigating a "suspicious death" after a woman's body was discovered inside a vehicle Tuesday morning.
An ER patient is accused of attacking a security guard inside a Wyoming, Minnesota, hospital on Christmas evening, leading to a confrontation with a police officer outside the facility.
A 63-year-old West St. Paul, Minnesota, man accused of pointing a gun at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent says the agent also pointed a gun at him, according to court documents filed on Thursday.
Minneapolis police are investigating after they say a man suffered "potentially life-threatening injuries" in a stabbing on Thursday morning.
The clock is ticking to snag a few more gifts and prepare for that holiday trip to visit family. As the pressure builds, so does the stress.
The Minnesota Athletic Trainers Association says of the middle and high schools they know of, only 49% have an athletic trainer providing some level of service.
From 2021 to 2025, Smart Therapy Center submitted claims totaling $31.8 million across all Minnesota Department of Human Services programs, according to that data. But the provider was only approved for a fraction of those payments.
The family of a Minnesota Vikings player who died at training camp from heat exhaustion in 2001 is still fighting to protect others.
A Twin Cities metro area school shifted to e-learning after a flu outbreak impacted nearly a quarter of its students. A senior epidemiologist with the Minnesota Department of Health said flu season is "definitely picking up."
The band announced Perry Bamonte's death on their official website on Friday.
The message, aired on Channel 4 on Christmas Day, reflected on the impact of President Trump's second term in office thus far.
Feeding America's CEO said the organization is "incredibly grateful" for Taylor Swift's large donation.
The singer said an MRI showed a cancerous spot on one of his lungs after he recovered from a lengthy bout of bronchitis.
The special features interviews with Kathy Bates, Annette Bening, Albert Brooks, Michael Douglas, Kiefer Sutherland, Jerry O'Connell and Mandy Patinkin.
Taylor Heise scored her first goal of the season 2:57 into overtime Saturday to give the Minnesota Frost a 2-1 victory over the Vancouver Goldeneyes as the Professional Women's Hockey League Takeover Tour hit Edmonton's Rogers Place.
Hill-Murray is again one of the best girls hockey teams in Minnesota. This season, at any given time, there could be five Pohls on the Pioneers bench.
Jalen Smith scored his second touchdown a diving 12-yard catch in the first overtime and Minnesota extended its postseason winning streak to nine straight games with a 20-17 win over New Mexico in Rate Bowl.
The World Junior Championship tournament kicked off in Minnesota on Friday. For those eager to check it out, there's a free fan experience called the Bold North Breakaway.
The Minnesota Vikings are trying to practice the process of winning in December despite being eliminated from contention for the playoffs.
Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar is calling for answers about the immigration crackdown in the Twin Cities. She is also denouncing the president's attacks on the Somali community and herself. In Talking Points, Esme Murphy shows us how, for Omar, this is a familiar position to be in.
Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar is calling for clarity about the immigration crackdown in the Twin Cities.
Fear and uncertainty continue in Minnesota's Somali communities as ICE continues its intensified focus on the Twin Cities.
Opposition to ICE actions is widespread among Democratic elected officials throughout the state, though nowhere more than in Minneapolis, home to the state's largest Somali population.
Minnesotans who welcomed a child this year were able to start applying this week to the state's new paid family and medical leave program to take time off in 2026.
On Dec. 9, 1965, "A Charlie Brown Christmas" debuted on CBS, and it became an instant classic. Lee Jenkins' home is proof that the show is still a hit six decades later.
Holiday lights are on full display across the state right now, and just south of the Twin Cities you'll find a Christmas light show that's been around for more than half a century.
The story begins years ago when the city acquired one of the T-38 Talon Thunderbird jets from the Air Force.
The holidays are upon us, and in the town of Kellogg, Minnesota, you'll find a toy store unlike any other.
With the holidays fast approaching, and lutefisk on the menu for many families, one Minnesota town has the distinction of being called the "Lutefisk Capital of the Country."
According to the Smithsonian Magazine and Britannica, eggnog has British roots.
With the time-honored tradition of gift giving comes gift concealing.
The story of "The Wizard of Oz " is 125 years old, yet still reinventing itself in all kinds of forms.
It's the time of year when we accumulate the most stuff. When we do, people often throw around the word "hoarding." But it turns out it's a frequently misunderstood term.
Why do we have oily or dry skin? A dermatologist explains the root cause and how it can change over time.
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 suspect was taken into custody after an attack on Pearl Street Mall in Boulder on June 1 in which there were 15 people and a dog who were victims. The suspect threw Molotov cocktails that burned some of the victims, who were part of a march for Israeli hostages.
On Saturday, cross-country skiers raced in Maple Grove, Minnesota, in an event that happened earlier than the normal.
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.
Dense fog advisory in place starting at 8 p.m. Saturday night. Sunday will see a big change as heavy snow and strong winds move across the state. Sunday night is expected to be the worst of the conditions. WCCO has issued a NEXT WEATHER ALERT for Sunday. Meteorologist Lisa Meadows breaks everything down to keep you weather aware.
We will have a dense fog advisory starting at 8 p.m. Saturday night. Sunday morning a winter storm watch goes into effect, lasting until Monday morning. The worst conditions are expected Sunday night with strong winds and potentially heavy snow. Lisa Meadows breaks down the important information you need to know to stay safe.
Saturday will see temperatures in the 40s before a major drop off comes on Sunday.
Dense fog advisory in place starting at 8 p.m. Saturday night. Sunday will see a big change as heavy snow and strong winds move across the state. Sunday night is expected to be the worst of the conditions. WCCO has issued a NEXT WEATHER ALERT for Sunday. Meteorologist Lisa Meadows breaks everything down to keep you weather aware.
The last two years haven't seen a lot of snow. This year is expected to be different.
We will have a dense fog advisory starting at 8 p.m. Saturday night. Sunday morning a winter storm watch goes into effect, lasting until Monday morning. The worst conditions are expected Sunday night with strong winds and potentially heavy snow. Lisa Meadows breaks down the important information you need to know to stay safe.
A Wyoming, Minnesota, hospital security guard who was involved in a confrontation on Christmas has passed away from her injuries.
Saturday will be gloomy but mild temperatures before a major change comes Sunday.