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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.
Gov. Mark Dayton says majority House Republicans are getting a "free ride" when it comes to the state's budget planning. Speaker Kurt Daudt says the House GOP will devote at least half of the state's $1.8 billion surplus to tax relief while also boosting spending for education and nursing homes. Other Republicans have called to return the entire surplus to taxpayers.
Call it Gun Day at the Minnesota Legislature. A House panel is planning to discuss a handful of firearm-related proposals Thursday.
Minnesota legislators want to set up an online service to link young businesses with capital. MNvest would work like the crowdfunding website Kickstarter. But instead of getting a CD or T-shirt for donating to a project, investors would own a piece of the company they support.
Minnesota's bank account is projected to run up a $1.87 billion surplus over the next two years, which will drive calls for new spending, tax cuts or most likely a mix. The Department of Minnesota Management and Budget provided the figure Friday in an updated economic forecast that shows stronger-than-expected growth projections, rising worker wages and surging consumer confidence.
The budget-setting preseason at Minnesota's Capitol is about to give way to the session's full-blown debate, helped along by an economic forecast that guides tax-and-spending parameters. Friday's release of the comprehensive report will determine whether Gov. Mark Dayton and the Legislature still have a projected $1 billion surplus at their disposal — or if it's gone up or down since the last look in December.
Behind a bill to add a scant three lines to Minnesota's hunting laws is a story of an aging man. George Krog served in the military, first in Cuba and then in the Philippines. He made a career out of working with steel, retired, paid his taxes and bought a deer hunting license every year. Now 84, Krog is afraid he won't get a shot at a buck again.
As lawmakers are trying to make changes to the state's lottery, Gov. Mark Dayton is celebrating it. At a news conference Friday morning, the Governor said the lottery has generated $2.4 billion for public projects since its inception 25 years ago.
A Minnesota state senator resigned Friday from an outside job leading a municipal association that lobbies at the Capitol, despite a ruling from ethics regulators that it wouldn't constitute a conflict of interest.
New campaign reports are about to shed more light on the price of political power. Reports being made public Tuesday contain details on financial activity for candidates, parties and political groups involved in last year's campaigns for Minnesota offices.
Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk is cranking up the pressure to pass a major transportation package this year. The Cook Democrat said Thursday he thinks the Legislature will punt until at least 2017 if lawmakers fail this session to pass new funding for roads and bridges.
Gov. Mark Dayton is holding up his focus on education in his new budget as an investment in Minnesota's future. Schools and early learning programs make out well in the Dayton plan announced Tuesday.
The short week at the Minnesota Legislature means less time to complete work on some time-sensitive matters. Legislators were returning to St. Paul on Tuesday. By week's end, they hope to send Gov. Mark Dayton a bill containing about $20 million in tax deductions and credits.
Minnesota lawmakers moved Tuesday to set up swift approval of tax deductions and credits affecting thousands of people and business owners getting ready to file 2014 forms. Tax committees in the House and Senate advanced legislation that lines Minnesota's code up with some recent federal changes. Final votes in each chamber could come later this week, sending the bill to a supportive Gov. Mark Dayton before personal income tax filing season begins next week.
Minnesota's state band rehearses in a basement cafeteria, stores its music in a hard-to-reach closet and can't afford a marimba. But it could get some official appreciation if a pair of state House bills quietly introduced Thursday become law. A group of DFL lawmakers wants to throw the band $50,000 over the next two years and guarantee free rehearsal space.
Minnesota lawmakers dangled the possibility of free vocational college tuition, student-loan forgiveness in certain career fields and tax breaks for the agriculture, mining and timber industries as potential uses for a $1 billion projected surplus.
Free vocational college tuition for Minnesota high school graduates? Student-loan forgiveness for working in specialized fields or rural communities? Tax breaks for the mining and timber industries? A prohibition on performance bonuses for Minnesota health exchange executives?
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray will start against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday after clearing concussion protocol, head coach Kevin O'Connell said on Monday.
A 47-year-old man who swung at a St. Cloud, Minnesota, police officer with a knife before he was shot by law enforcement last year has been sentenced, according to court records filed on Monday.
Paramount's agreement with 12 state attorneys general paves the way for the company to complete its $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.
CNN was set to provide pool coverage on Monday and accompany President Trump on a trip to New York City, but there will not be a network TV pool team traveling with him.
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson says quarterback Caleb Williams "will likely miss some time," but is considered "week to week" after injuring his hamstring in Sunday's 9-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
Police in St. Paul Park, Minnesota, say they're investigating after a man died at a refinery Sunday afternoon.
The Hennepin County Attorney's Office is asking for a sentencing reduction for a man convicted for his role in the 2011 drive-by shooting death of a 13-year-old boy.
Monday is expected to be mostly dry and cool, with a few scattered showers in southern Minnesota amid a cool stretch.
Jason Philip Filas entered a Norgaard plea, which means he admits to the crime and acknowledges he is not innocent, but does not remember the incident.
Officials say that anyone who touched the bat should call 911 and ask to be connected to Animal Care and Control and contact their healthcare provider.
A 47-year-old man who swung at a St. Cloud, Minnesota, police officer with a knife before he was shot by law enforcement last year has been sentenced, according to court records filed on Monday.
Monday is expected to be mostly dry and cool, with a few scattered showers in southern Minnesota amid a cool stretch.
Dozens of homes in the city of about 1,200 people were impacted as floodwaters surged through neighborhoods, filled basements and forced evacuations on Saturday.
The long journey from a marked common grave with other POWs in the Philippines to home soil in Minnesota came to an end for Pvt. Wallace Goodrich.
The DNR says the color shows up statewide, not just up north. Prairie parks out west, Mississippi River bluffs down south, and no overnight bag required.
In downtown Hudson, Wisconsin, a small gallery is making room for a lot of creativity.
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.
Natalie Flaherty started I Stand With Anne when she was 10. She's now one of this year's Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes winners, an award for people ages 8 to 18 who are making a positive difference.
In downtown Hudson, Wisconsin, a small gallery is making room for a lot of creativity.
The nonprofit opened its Twin Cities doors in 2010 and now runs a seven-woman operation out of a warehouse stocked entirely with what other Minnesotans gave away.
An Annandale, Minnesota, boy who survived overwhelming odds as a baby is once again facing a serious heart battle.
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.
The news organizations CNN, MS NOW and Politico are suing the Trump administration after they were banned from the White House. Natalie Brand shares the details of the legal move.
CNN was set to provide pool coverage on Monday and accompany President Trump on a trip to New York City, but there will not be a network TV pool team traveling with him.
The three news organizations, which were banned from White House grounds by President Trump, are arguing that the ban is unconstitutional.
When Minnesota voters go to the polls, in addition to local and statewide races, they will be asked to vote on a constitutional amendment to provide millions more dollars for Minnesota K-12 schools.
The constitutional amendment would raise the contribution to schools by $33 per pupil for each school. That would take the fund's current contribution of $68 per pupil to $101 per pupil.
Every grain and ingredient that comes through the door is certified gluten-free, co-owner Kasey Pate says, a dedicated facility for a community that lost its taproom when Burning Brothers closed last year.
Sunset to sunrise. Any rain, snow, sleet or hail. And any time you can't clearly make out people and vehicles 500 feet ahead. Three triggers in one statute, and most drivers only know the first one.
The Minnesota Department of Human Services is working with a contractor to correct an autism treatment plan backlog that is frustrating both parents and providers.
You've probably seen THC drinks at Minnesota bars and liquor stores, but those made-in-Minnesota drinks could disappear this winter if new federal rules take effect.
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.
A 47-year-old man who swung at a St. Cloud, Minnesota, police officer with a knife before he was shot by law enforcement last year has been sentenced, according to court records filed on Monday.
The Hennepin County Attorney's Office is asking for a sentencing reduction for a man convicted for his role in the 2011 drive-by shooting death of a 13-year-old boy.
Jason Philip Filas entered a Norgaard plea, which means he admits to the crime and acknowledges he is not innocent, but does not remember the incident.
Minneapolis police are asking for the public's help to find a vehicle they believe is connected to July's mass shooting outside the Reign Event Center.
Ashley Berry told jurors her son had been staying with his father in Columbia Heights because he was struggling at school. Jordan Dupree Collins Sr., who is representing himself, asked her nothing.
Officials say that anyone who touched the bat should call 911 and ask to be connected to Animal Care and Control and contact their healthcare provider.
Every grain and ingredient that comes through the door is certified gluten-free, co-owner Kasey Pate says, a dedicated facility for a community that lost its taproom when Burning Brothers closed last year.
Nearly half of Americans with medical debt owe at least $2,000, forcing them to make tough choices, new research shows.
The strike will include OBGYNs, psychiatrists and critical care physicians at Mercy Hospital's Coon Rapids campus and Allina Unity's campus in Fridley.
After 334 days in a neonatal intensive care unit in Maple Grove, Minnesota, North Memorial Health's "miracle baby" is finally home.
Presley Gerber, the son of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, has died at 27, a family spokesperson has confirmed.
Duncan Sheik died on Thursday night, his family said.
John Malkovich took the Volpi Cup at Venice this month for Martin McDonagh's CIA drama. Minnesota audiences get it Oct. 15, three weeks before it reaches theaters.
Country music star Kenny Chesney is returning to Minneapolis next year.
WCCO is tracking everything you can go out and do 4 Your Weekend, including at the Minnesota State Fair.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray will start against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday after clearing concussion protocol, head coach Kevin O'Connell said on Monday.
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson says quarterback Caleb Williams "will likely miss some time," but is considered "week to week" after injuring his hamstring in Sunday's 9-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
Alan Roden hit a three-run homer and drove in a career-high four runs, and Dean Kremer yielded one hit over six stellar innings in the Minnesota Twins' 8-0 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.
Williams departed with a right hamstring injury midway through the fourth quarter.
While how long Williams will be out remains unknown, fans were nevertheless alarmed to see him carted away with a towel over his head during the fourth quarter.
The constitutional amendment would raise the contribution to schools by $33 per pupil for each school. That would take the fund's current contribution of $68 per pupil to $101 per pupil.
In August, a law changing the age for criminal prosecutions in Minnesota went into effect. The law bars children under 13, no matter how serious the crime, from being prosecuted. It's unclear what will happen to kids now accused of these crimes.
Maryland and New Hampshire have similar laws but carve out exceptions for serious violent crimes like murder and rape; Minnesota's version, effective August 1, 2026, has none.
Demuth has been running ads focusing on a million-dollar funding proposal that Klobuchar supported that was stripped out of a funding bill.
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.
From making the paper for Crayola crayons to getting a visit from Mr. Rogers. John Lauritsen shares the history behind a Little Falls paper mill, and how its ruins have become its future, in this week's Finding Minnesota.
Built in 1886, the Prospect House was once a resort hotel. The third floor is preserved to show what the hotel looked like back then, but for Jay Johnson, the real history is in the basement.
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.
If you're buying ground beef at the grocery store, there's a good chance that part of it came from a country outside the United States.
It's the fifth time in six years that Minnesotans are approaching fall during a drought. The time of year is right when homeowners typically start repairing their yards. Is it worth fighting back now or simply waiting until spring?
The first days of school can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. New teachers, new classes, maybe even a new building. It can be a lot to manage without a plan.
A school night usually means earlier bedtimes and setting multiple alarms. WCCO spoke with a sleep medicine physician about how many alarms you should set to wake up.
Behind the fried foods and thrilling rides, farming remains at the heart of the Minnesota State Fair, where farm families work around the clock to get their animals ribbon-ready.
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.
Temperatures aren't expected to rise above the high 50s in the Twin Cities on Monday, according to NEXT Weather meteorologist Lisa Meadows.
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.
Monday brings a few scattered showers, mainly south, but mostly just clouds and cool temps, WCCO meteorologist Joseph Dames reports.
Monday is expected to be mostly dry and cool, with a few scattered showers in southern Minnesota amid a cool stretch.
Some spotty showers are expected to move through southern Minnesota, and there could be some drops in the Twin Cities too.
Temperatures aren't expected to rise above the high 50s in the Twin Cities on Monday, according to NEXT Weather meteorologist Lisa Meadows.
The news organizations CNN, MS NOW and Politico are suing the Trump administration after they were banned from the White House. Natalie Brand shares the details of the legal move.
Testimony continues in Anoka County court today for the man accused of killing Jordan "Manny" Collins Jr., his 16-year-old son. The boy's dismembered remains were found in a garbage bag at a landfill in Elk River last year.
Natalie Flaherty of Fairmount, Minnesota, was named one of 25 winners of the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes for her Stand With Anne initiative, which has distributed more than 100,000 bracelets across all 50 states and more than 50 countries.
Jordan Collins, accused of killing his son, is representing himself in court.