Tougher punishments for straw purchasers under consideration at Minnesota State Legislature
It's a crime that can have killer consequences, but some lawmakers say current laws aren't tough enough to stop it.
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It's a crime that can have killer consequences, but some lawmakers say current laws aren't tough enough to stop it.
Republicans want Democrats, who hold the majority, to do more.
Minnesota's minimum wage statewide would bump to $15 an hour starting this summer and increase each year until it reaches $20 under a plan that advanced in the state Senate on Tuesday.
A new bill that would increase Minnesota's minimum wage is making its way through the state legislature.
Rep. Elliott Engen of White Bear Lake is introducing a bill that would essentially override Minneapolis' ordinance and prevent any city or municipality from setting their own rules for rideshare driver pay.
Minnesota House Republicans plan to introduce a bill to help keep Uber and Lyft operating in the Twin Cities.
A proposal that advanced out of the House education committee on Wednesday would prohibit public schools and libraries from removing or restricting access to a book or other material "based on its viewpoint or the message, ideas, or opinions it conveys."
Supporters say this could be the year medically assisted dying becomes Minnesota law. Opponents say not so fast — the danger of abuse will cost unwilling patients their lives.
Some places around the country are pushing certain books out of public schools and libraries. WCCO's Caroline Cummings is live at the State Capitol with the Democrats' plan to ban the book bans.
The bill's author says she introduced it after the Ticketmaster meltdown for Taylor Swift's "Eras Tour" tickets.
Some lawmakers at the Capitol say they want to shine a light on big businesses, their bottom lines and what they pay in taxes.
In a little over two months, on May 11, there will be a new Minnesota state flag. That is unless Republicans at the capitol have their way. Today, they launched efforts to stop all the design and debate of the last year and potentially start over from scratch. WCCO's Allen Henry is at the capitol with more.
Are police officers getting ready to return to schools? The Minnesota House just passed a fix to the law that caused some departments to leave. Caroline Cummings joins us live from the Capitol with the update.
In the aftermath of the tragic killing of three first responders last week in Burnsville, proposed gun control bills are getting a second look at the Minnesota Legislature.
Many Minnesota families are struggling to pay for child care, but are priced out of state assistance to ease that financial burden.
Gun safety advocates are urging the state legislature to pass two measures this year that would implement new rules for firearms owners on how to secure their guns and what to do if they go missing.
Thousands of Minnesota parents struggle with the soaring cost of child care. Many of them are priced out of the programs designed to make it more affordable. A new proposal at the capitol aims to bridge that gap.
A bill that advanced in the Minnesota Legislature Tuesday aims to boost consumer protections for music and sports fans by setting new rules for companies that sell tickets.
A bill providing clarification on controversial legislation for student resource officers gets its first hearing Tuesday.
There are currently two different bills that would both make betting on your phone and at local betting parlors legal, and it’s just a question of which one can get to the finish line.
Lawmakers were back in St. Paul Monday afternoon for the start of the 2024 legislative session.
Gov. Tim Walz said he thinks it will be a "pretty low key session."
Lawmakers will be back in St. Paul Monday afternoon for the start of the 2024 legislative session.
It's the second year of total democratic control of the state capitol and leaders say expect a scaled-back priority list this go-round.
Minnesota might be on the verge of a normal legislative session.
The Minnesota United have one more game left before the hiatus starts.
Several students were injured Monday afternoon after a school bus crashed in central Minnesota.
The state's busiest trauma hospital was on the brink of financial ruin, and still faces major challenges with leadership projecting $50 million in losses this year.
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.
The state's busiest trauma hospital was on the brink of financial ruin, and still faces major challenges with leadership projecting $50 million in losses this year.
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.
Several students were injured Monday afternoon after a school bus crashed in central Minnesota.
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 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.
The state's busiest trauma hospital was on the brink of financial ruin, and still faces major challenges with leadership projecting $50 million in losses this year.
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 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.
A security guard who was among the victims killed in a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego is being hailed for his heroism and bravery during the attack.
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.
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 United have one more game left before the hiatus starts.
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.
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.
WCCO meteorologist Chris Shaffer says tomorrow will be sunny with highs that are below average.
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.
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.
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.
More than $700 million of your tax dollars will be used to help prop up Minnesota's hospitals. As our Conor Wight shows us, one hospital will likely get most of that money, while some are worried it won't be enough.
WCCO meteorologist Chris Shaffer says tomorrow will be sunny with highs that are below average.
One of Earth's brightest lights is gone. Kenny Jary, better known as Patriotic Kenny, passed away at the age of 84. Born in Willernie, Minnesota the Navy Veteran used his platform of more than 4 million social media followers to help veterans across the country. Here's Reg Chapman.
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.