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The Legislature wrapped up its 2015 work in a flurry, with lawmakers working nearly a month late to finalize a $42 billion budget. Here's a look at some of the state's new laws, some that failed, and what may be on the horizon.
Minnesota's Legislature will be down a member starting in July. Democratic Rep. Ryan Winkler has submitted his formal resignation that is effective on July 1. The fifth-term lawmaker previously said he would step down as his family relocates to Europe for his wife's career move.
Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton today signed into law the budget bills passed overnight by a Special Session of the Legislature, avoiding a partial state government shutdown.
Minnesota's path to a new state budget took another abrupt turn Friday when Democratic senators reworked a funding bill for agricultural and environmental programs instead of passing a plan negotiated between Gov. Mark Dayton and House Republicans.
Thousands of state workers will get layoff notices on Monday. It comes after another day of budget talks between Governor Mark Dayton and Speaker of the House Kurt Daudt.
Governor Mark Dayton will meet with House Speaker Kurt Daudt Tuesday to lay the groundwork for a special session. The two are trying to work things out to avoid a partial government shutdown.
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton said Wednesday he will not apologize for comments he made about Republicans after lawmakers did not pass his top priority: statewide pre-kindergarten programs. Dayton plans to veto the $17 billion education bill later this week and call a special session of the legislature to pass a new version instead.
On Tuesday, Gov. Mark Dayton sent a veto letter to House Speaker Kurt Daudt for what the governor called an "insufficient" $17 billion education budget bill.
Minnesota's Legislature finalized a two-year spending plan just before a midnight deadline struck, but they adjourned with a near-certain special session looming to solve an education budget standoff with Gov. Mark Dayton.
A midnight deadline to adopt a new two-year budget bore down Monday on the Minnesota Legislature, which could see its stay in St. Paul extended by a rift over preschool.
Minnesota's legislative leaders have promised they're making progress on a budget deal. Now they have something to show for it.
Legislative leaders say they're making slow but steady progress on hammering out a deal for the state's next budget. Top House and Senate lawmakers were expected to resume private negotiations at Gov. Mark Dayton's residence Thursday with the goal of passing a budget by Monday's deadline. The two sides have met for hours every day this week but said little about the content of those talks.
Minnesota budget negotiations entered a holding pattern Tuesday, with each side urging the other to take the first step to bridge an enormous divide over tax cuts and transportation funding that has narrowed little through days of private meetings.
Minnesota's legislative session is moving into its final, frantic week with the full outline of a new state budget still a blur but some potential elements of an agreement coming into focus. The few people in on private negotiations are saying almost nothing, but the Capitol has turned into its usual hothouse of rumors and compromise scenarios.
Some smaller measures in tax plans on the table in Minnesota's budget discussion aim to make a big impact on public health and child safety. They won't get the attention of business property tax breaks or across-the-board income exemptions causing clashes, but the measures stand a decent chance of happening.
Pieces of Minnesota's $40-billion budget are starting to move. The work starts first in the Senate Monday with bills that fund state agencies and Minnesota's public universities and colleges.
A handful of gun bills are ready for a final vote. The Minnesota House was expected to take up bills Thursday that would legalize gun silencers and remove a requirement that gun permit owners notify state officials before bringing a firearm onto Capitol grounds. Other measures were also set for a vote.
Twin Cities light-rail transit officials today defended themselves at the State Capitol against what some lawmakers say is an "epidemic" of fare jumpers.
The Legislature has reached its spring break before grinding its way to the May 18 mandatory adjournment. Once lawmakers return in early April they'll concentrate on shaping a new two-year budget, but there's much more hanging in the balance. Here's a look at where many issues stand.
Minnesota's top Republican leaders proposed Tuesday a budget that includes $2 billion in tax cuts.
Minnesota House and Senate Republicans are ready to release a transportation plan they'll push as an alternative to a hefty proposal offered by Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton.
It's time to talk about the minimum wage again. The Republican-controlled House was expected to take up a bill Monday afternoon that would allow employers to pay tipped staff $8 hourly if tips bring their pay above $12 an hour.
The Department of Natural Resources is asking the Minnesota Legislature to raise entrance fees at state parks so it can maintain services at existing levels. Gov. Mark Dayton's budget proposes to bump the current $5 daily vehicle fee by $1 to $6, and the current 12-month $25 vehicle fee by $5 to $30.
A bill that would allow silencers on guns is gaining support at the State Capitol. Currently, the devices are banned in Minnesota, but the House Public Safety and Crime Prevention Committee passed a measure legalizing them.
The prospect of legalizing silencers and removing disclosure to bring a firearm onto state Capitol grounds is heating up gun debate in Minnesota again. Gun rights advocates and gun control backers packed into a hearing room Thursday to testify on measures to expand firearm laws.
Trevor Larnach and Luke Keaschall both delivered two-out RBI singles in the 12th inning, giving the Minnesota Twins a 3-1 win over the Cleveland Guardians and a split of their four-game series.
The CDC will not renew a federal grant that provided the Aliveness Project roughly $450,000 a year for HIV testing, PrEP referrals and community outreach across Minnesota.
Charges have been filed against a man accused of committing two sexual assaults in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, a week apart.
Would you stay at a hotel with deadly drug overdoses and pool parties with strippers? After seeing a social media post advertising a 24-hour "lock-in" party at a hotel in Shakopee, Minnesota, the mayor decided to shut it down.
Thousands of fans descended Thursday on TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota, eager to see some of the world's best golfers up close at the 3M Open, including Scottie Scheffler — the world's top-ranked player.
The CDC will not renew a federal grant that provided the Aliveness Project roughly $450,000 a year for HIV testing, PrEP referrals and community outreach across Minnesota.
Would you stay at a hotel with deadly drug overdoses and pool parties with strippers? After seeing a social media post advertising a 24-hour "lock-in" party at a hotel in Shakopee, Minnesota, the mayor decided to shut it down.
Thousands of fans descended Thursday on TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota, eager to see some of the world's best golfers up close at the 3M Open, including Scottie Scheffler — the world's top-ranked player.
John, Yvette and Hope Hoffman addressed a federal court Thursday as Vance Boelter awaited sentencing for killing former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband and shooting the Hoffmans in their Champlin home.
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.
Portions of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness will reopen for day use starting Monday, after wildfires prompted a rare closure of the forest last week.
It's another action-packed weekend in Minnesota, with plenty of community celebrations.
Thousands of pictures of Split Rock Lighthouse are taken each year. And oftentimes a little island appears in those photos. Ellingsen Island has developed a following of its own.
A Lakeville, Minnesota man was killed after being struck by a cable while working on a cell tower last week near the state's North Shore.
Officials in northern Minnesota have extended a Boundary Waters closure order until Oct. 1 as wildfires have spread to cover more than 72,000 acres of land.
The state Democratic Party is asking Wisconsin's elections commission to allow voters who already returned absentee ballots to cast new ones, after Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez dropped out of the governor's race and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley rejoined it.
The effects of Minnesota's prolonged heat wave are becoming impossible to miss with several reports of fish kills.
Three new women's world records have been set at the Lumberjack World Championships in Hayward, Wisconsin.
For 66 years, the Lumberjack World Championships have brought the world's best to Hayward, Wisconsin.
Three people who died after a pontoon overturned on Lake Pepin over the weekend have been identified.
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 city of St. Paul, Minnesota, is taking a stand and closing encampments amid growing concerns.
Baseball fans might remember the Metrodome's iconic blue seats, and now in Atwater, Minnesota, spectators can once again grab a blue seat and watch a game.
Tucked away in the Midway neighborhood in St. Paul is a community treasure many have come to love and respect.
What started as a small fundraiser following one of Joe's surgeries at Gillette Children's has grown into a community tradition that has raised nearly $100,000 for the hospital.
The CDC will not renew a federal grant that provided the Aliveness Project roughly $450,000 a year for HIV testing, PrEP referrals and community outreach across Minnesota.
Would you stay at a hotel with deadly drug overdoses and pool parties with strippers? After seeing a social media post advertising a 24-hour "lock-in" party at a hotel in Shakopee, Minnesota, the mayor decided to shut it down.
Right now, the national average for a gallon of gas is sitting at $4.09, and some places in Minnesota are as high as $4.24.
Secretary of State Steve Simon says federal observers at the Aug. 11 primary will most likely be Justice Department attorneys, not immigration or border enforcement agents.
John, Yvette and Hope Hoffman addressed a federal court Thursday as Vance Boelter awaited sentencing for killing former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband and shooting the Hoffmans in their Champlin home.
Get ready to watch movies and television with clarity like never before. That's how industry experts are describing the latest TV technology now on sale exclusively at Best Buy.
A lottery player in Minnesota won a jackpot of more than $34 million last week, a record for the Lotto America game in the state.
The lawsuit accuses Loon of using "kid-friendly characters" to promote its vapes in flavors such as Cotton Candy, Strawberry Popsicle, Banana Taffy and Blue Razz Slushy.
A Wisconsin family lost their ten-month-old daughter after she swallowed a water bead. They blame Target and the water bead manufacturer for her death.
For many Minnesotans, the road to the Fourth of July starts with a short drive across the St. Croix River to Wisconsin to stock up on fireworks. The kinds of pyrotechnics that can be legally ignited in Minnesota might be surprising.
Charges have been filed against a man accused of committing two sexual assaults in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, a week apart.
Would you stay at a hotel with deadly drug overdoses and pool parties with strippers? After seeing a social media post advertising a 24-hour "lock-in" party at a hotel in Shakopee, Minnesota, the mayor decided to shut it down.
John, Yvette and Hope Hoffman addressed a federal court Thursday as Vance Boelter awaited sentencing for killing former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband and shooting the Hoffmans in their Champlin home.
Police in Farmington, Minnesota, arrested four people Wednesday in connection to a hit-and-run that killed a 13-year-old boy riding a bike.
Vance Boelter, the man who admitted in court to shooting two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses, was sentenced to two life terms in prison followed by 40 years Thursday morning.
The CDC will not renew a federal grant that provided the Aliveness Project roughly $450,000 a year for HIV testing, PrEP referrals and community outreach across Minnesota.
Here's how weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy could reduce worker illness and save companies money.
There are new accusations surrounding pollution problems at a battery recycling plant in Minnesota. An attorney says lead migration from Gopher Resource in Eagan poisoned some kids connected to workers.
Taylor Farms said none of its branded salads or kits contain the iceberg lettuce associated with the outbreak.
The advice is to stay inside when air quality turns hazardous, but that's not an option for many outdoor workers.
It's another action-packed weekend in Minnesota, with plenty of community celebrations.
This weekend, a Twin Cities theater company will be performing "Dear Evan Hansen," a musical that deals with themes of anxiety, depression and isolation. But they also feel it relates to what Minneapolis went through during Operation Metro Surge.
The ruling comes after a coalition of 12 states sued to block the deal, arguing it would harm consumers and the entertainment industry.
The Minnesota Yacht Club Festival is expected to bring thousands upon thousands each day to Harriet Island Regional Park in St. Paul between Friday and Sunday.
There's so much to do this weekend in Minnesota, from festivals to art fairs.
Trevor Larnach and Luke Keaschall both delivered two-out RBI singles in the 12th inning, giving the Minnesota Twins a 3-1 win over the Cleveland Guardians and a split of their four-game series.
Thousands of fans descended Thursday on TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota, eager to see some of the world's best golfers up close at the 3M Open, including Scottie Scheffler — the world's top-ranked player.
Dejan Joveljić scored in the first half, and Manu García found the net in the second to help Sporting Kansas City hold off Minnesota United 2-1.
Napheesa Collier had 24 points and 10 rebounds in her season debut, Kayla McBride added 20 points and the Minnesota Lynx headed into the WNBA All-Star break with the best record in the league after an 86-76 win over the Seattle Storm on Wednesday afternoon.
Brooks Lee hit a three-run homer, Trevor Larnach had three RBIs and the Minnesota Twins snapped a four-game losing streak with a 10-6 win over Cleveland to spoil star third baseman José Ramírez's return to the Guardians.
Secretary of State Steve Simon says federal observers at the Aug. 11 primary will most likely be Justice Department attorneys, not immigration or border enforcement agents.
The investigations into the ICE killings of Renee Good, Alex Pretti and the shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celishave entered a critical stage.
The investigations into the ICE killings of Renee Good, Alex Pretti and the shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis have entered a critical stage.
There's less than a month to go before the Aug. 11 primary, and one of the most watched and competitive races is the DFL race for the nomination for U.S. Senate between Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and Rep. Angie Craig.
New campaign finance numbers are expected out later this week in federal races, including Minnesota's U.S. Senate race, where a flood of ads is evidence of a highly competitive race.
Thousands of pictures of Split Rock Lighthouse are taken each year. And oftentimes a little island appears in those photos. Ellingsen Island has developed a following of its own.
There's a scenic, nearly century-old spot in St. Cloud, Minnesota, where right now you'll find thousands of flowers in bloom.
Baseball fans might remember the Metrodome's iconic blue seats, and now in Atwater, Minnesota, spectators can once again grab a blue seat and watch a game.
It's a lake cruise in the middle of town, and there's more than pelicans on the Pelican Breeze tour in Albert Lea, Minnesota.
Currie, Minnesota, is truly small-town America. The population hovers at just over 200. But on the northern outskirts, you'll happen upon a place with plenty of bells and whistles: End-O-Line Railroad Park and Museum
The U.S. House just voted to make daylight saving time permanent. In Good Question, Jeff Wagner explains how that could impact Minnesota and why our last attempt at getting rid of it failed.
Get ready to watch movies and television with clarity like never before. That's how industry experts are describing the latest TV technology now on sale exclusively at Best Buy.
When you get home from work in the evening, your first thought may be dinner. You might fire up the stove or oven, you could also start a load of laundry. Not long after that, you're running the dishwasher. You may think you're being efficient, but your house during this heat wave disagrees.
It's one of Minnesota's rules of the road in which two is better than one. But Jodi from Lakeville emailed WCCO saying a lot of drivers don't seem to care about the law.
Catching a flight with just a carry-on can make travel feel easy. No need to check a bag and all your belongings stay with you. But quite often, that suddenly changes before boarding.
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.
The heat returns this weekend, along with the humidity. Chief meteorologist Chris Shaffer shares just how long it's going to get.
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 heat returns! Friday will see temperatures in the 80s for most of the state. The humidity returns by the weekend, with highs in the 90s. Chief meteorologist Chris Shaffer breaks down the next few days.
Temps will start to creep up Friday before a hot and humid weekend, says meteorologist Chris Shaffer.
It will be breezy tomorrow, and we should warm back to average in the low- to mid-80s, WCCO meteorologist Chris Shaffer reports.
The heat returns this weekend, along with the humidity. Chief meteorologist Chris Shaffer shares just how long it's going to get.
The CDC will not renew a federal grant that provided the Aliveness Project roughly $450,000 a year for HIV testing, PrEP referrals and community outreach across Minnesota.
Brooklyn Park suspect accused of assault formally charged.
Parts of the Boundary Waters will reopen for day trips come Monday.
The heat returns! Friday will see temperatures in the 80s for most of the state. The humidity returns by the weekend, with highs in the 90s. Chief meteorologist Chris Shaffer breaks down the next few days.