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Minnesota lawmakers worked right up to the end Monday before adjourning a session that produced $2.1 billion in tax hikes and a historic vote on gay marriage. The gavel fell after a frenetic final push to wrap up major issues.
A few final debates echoed through the state Capitol Monday, as lawmakers haggled over tax increases and union organizing in a session that's already seen a big spike in spending on schools and a landmark law legalizing gay marriage.
Extensive work on the 107-year-old state Capitol is getting the go-ahead from Minnesota lawmakers in a late financial rescue package. A borrowing proposal that came together on the Legislature's final day includes $109 million for the next phase of a renovation to the deteriorating building. The money was needed this year to keep underway construction from halting. A new parking ramp will be authorized, but paid for with fees from users.
Minnesota voters will decide in 2016 if the constitution should be changed to let an independent board set the pay of legislators. The state Senate voted 43-23 early Monday to put the proposed amendment on the statewide ballot. It follows a tighter House vote on the identical measure.
North Dakota is promoting its business climate at Minnesota's expense, and some politicians are not happy about it. The Greater North Dakota Chamber has created billboards that mock proposals in the Minnesota Legislature, including bills that would raise certain taxes.
Nearly 100 amendments await Minnesota House lawmakers if they move ahead as planned on a bill that could lead to unionization of in-home day care providers and personal care attendants. The volume foreshadows a long fight should the House brings the bill up on Saturday as planned.
With time running out in this year's session, Minnesota lawmakers appear to be close to a deal for the next state budget. It doesn't involve taxing clothing or any changes to the alcohol tax, but there will be some noticeable changes for some people.
A new plan for paying off Minnesota Vikings stadium debate is about to surface at the state Capitol as the legislative session nears its conclusion. Leaders of a House-Senate committee crafting a wider-ranging tax bill alluded to the new proposal while trading offers on Wednesday.
Pressed for time, the Minnesota Legislature faced increasing urgency Thursday to start sending Gov. Mark Dayton the bills that make up the two-year, $37 billion state budget. Democrats running the Capitol have a late Monday deadline to pass the budget and avoid a special session.
Minnesota's governor is set to sign a bill legalizing gay marriage that will let same-sex couples hold weddings starting Aug. 1. Gov. Mark Dayton has repeatedly promised to sign the bill. He's scheduled to do so during a ceremony at 5 p.m. Tuesday on the front steps of Minnesota's Capitol in St. Paul.
Minnesota lawmakers are bearing down for the legislative session's homestretch. Monday marks one week until the mandatory adjournment deadline. Much is left to do. The House and Senate still need to pass compromise bills to comprise the state's next two year budget.
A transportation finance bill that mostly keeps the status quo is rolling toward a vote in the Minnesota Senate.
A pay raise plan for Minnesota elected officials is a key point of difference as a House-Senate panel begins negotiations on a state agency budget bill.
Minnesota lawmakers have entered the waiting phase of the debate over a new two-year state budget.
Consumers may not like it, but a lot of small businesses say it will help them survive. We're talking about state sales tax being applied to online purchases.
A week of votes on a slate of budget bills is ahead in the Minnesota Legislature, which is braced for long hours.
The head of a transportation finance committee in the Minnesota Legislature doesn't expect to see a major infusion of money for roads, bridges and mass transit to come together this year.
Spring break starts today for Minnesota's House and Senate. The state Legislature typically takes the week off leading up to Easter Sunday.
A bill supporting universal background checks for Minnesota gun purchases is in trouble at the Capitol -- despite a new poll showing overwhelming statewide support.
A bipartisan group of Minnesota lawmakers want to eliminate a statute of limitations on the ability to file civil claims related to allegations of child sexual abuse.
Why is it, that some lawmakers repeatedly try to pass legislation despite all evidence saying it's destined to fail?
Carp, wolves, moose, copper and sand will be high on the agenda as the Minnesota Legislature tackles environmental and outdoor issues this session.
Minnesota House and Senate Democrats are laying down a few markers on the upcoming budget debate: Any deal must include spending cuts, a redesigned tax system that draws more from the state's wealthiest and an on-time, no government shutdown guarantee.
New numbers from the Minnesota legislature show state lawmakers paid themselves more than a $1 million last year in per diem payments -- out of the public eye.
A quarter of the Minnesota Legislature has submitted economic disclosure statements that offer the public few or no details about the source of their outside income.
Survivors say they'd asked for more medical support before the Iranian drone strike that killed six U.S. soldiers at their command post in Kuwait in the war's first 24 hours.
A driver hit and killed a pedestrian in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, early Tuesday before leaving the scene, according to police.
Tuesday's going to be a gloomy day in the Twin Cities, with lingering light showers early, clouds, strong winds and highs in the mid-50s.
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.
A driver hit and killed a pedestrian in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, early Tuesday before leaving the scene, according to police.
Neighbors and business owners in the Minneapolis neighborhood of Uptown are concerned as businesses in the area continue to falter. Last month, The Lowry closed, citing changing consumer behavior, city-specific mandates and "disruptive Hennepin Avenue construction."
A 38-year-old man is dead after he was thrown from a vehicle following an attempted auto theft in south Minneapolis on Friday, according to police.
A 35-year-old man has been charged after being accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl during a time in which he was a police officer, according to court documents filed Monday.
The City of Minneapolis is trying a new approach when it comes to solving and preventing non-deadly shootings.
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 wildfire in an area near Two Harbors, Minnesota, has been 100% contained, a federal interagency wildfire map showed Monday night.
A Minnesota motorist was shot in the face Friday by "an errant round" fired by someone on a family's nearby target shooting range.
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 Minneapolis City Council wants a change in how the state handles domestic violence cases.
Survivors say they'd asked for more medical support before the Iranian drone strike that killed six U.S. soldiers at their command post in Kuwait in the war's first 24 hours.
Both sides of the aisle are claiming wins following the end of the legislative session in Minnesota. They barely got everything done in time. Esme Murphy details bills that were approved by lawmakers.
It came right down to the wire, but the legislative session is over and finished on time. Most top priorities passed, including a bailout for HCMC and a hospital reserve fund, a one year roll-back of car tab fees, and property tax relief. But, the most emotionally-charged issue of the session never came up for a final vote, gun control. Esme Murphy is live at the Capitol with what happened.
Minnesota lawmakers crossed the finish line at the State Capitol just before midnight. But even with bipartisan agreements in place, the final hours were anything but smooth.
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 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.
A driver hit and killed a pedestrian in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, early Tuesday before leaving the scene, according to police.
A 38-year-old man is dead after he was thrown from a vehicle following an attempted auto theft in south Minneapolis on Friday, according to police.
A 35-year-old man has been charged after being accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl during a time in which he was a police officer, according to court documents filed Monday.
The City of Minneapolis is trying a new approach when it comes to solving and preventing non-deadly shootings.
Three people were killed in a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, and two suspected shooters were found dead inside a vehicle nearby, police said.
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."
Twin Cities emergency room physicians, nurses and technicians made an emotional plea Tuesday for lawmakers to do something about Minnesota's gun laws.
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."
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.
A Minnesota dancer is breaking barriers everytime she competes on stage.
The Baltimore Ravens will participate in two joint practices during training camp this summer, including a home clash with the Washington Commanders.
Minneapolis is expected to play host to the 2028 NFL draft, according to multiple reports.
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.
It’ll be a gloomy day in the Twin Cities, but better weather is not far off.
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.
Tuesday's going to be a gloomy day in the Twin Cities, with lingering light showers early, clouds, strong winds and highs in the mid-50s.
Tuesday's going to be a gloomy day in the Twin Cities, with lingering light showers early, clouds, strong winds and highs in the mid-50s.
NEXT Weather meteorologist Mike Augustyniak says wind gusts are expected to exceed 20 mph in the Twin Cities on Tuesday, when temperatures will reach the 50s.
One northern Minnesota wildfire is 100% contained, another stands at 60% containment and more.
It’ll be a gloomy day in the Twin Cities, but better weather is not far off.
The Minneapolis City Council wants a change in how the state handles domestic violence cases.
A Minnesota veteran and social media influencer has lost his fight against lung cancer and congestive heart failure.
Three people were killed in a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego on Monday, and two suspected shooters were found dead inside a vehicle nearby.