Calm before the storm at Minnesota State Fair
Pauleen Le is out at the fairgrounds ahead of the first day.
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Pauleen Le is out at the fairgrounds ahead of the first day.
Outside the Minnesota State Fair's gates, a group of neighbors is getting ready to help. People who live around here love the fair, and that means wanting it to be as safe as possible.
Waterville's Emma Kuball, 19, will kick off the Minnesota State Fair by having her likeness in sculpted in butter.
Nineteen-year-old Emma Kuball, of Waterville, will serve as a goodwill ambassador for dairy farms and families for the next year.
Fairgoers aren't strangers to all the animals and attractions, the food and the fun. But tucked away, far on the north side of the fairgrounds, is an inconspicuous, little house that's chock-full of history.
Safety at the Minnesota State Fair spans on and off the grounds. Outside the gates, a group of neighbors is getting ready to help. People who live around here love the fair, and that means wanting it to be as safe as possible.
Fairgoers aren't strangers to all the animals and attractions, the food and the fun. But tucked away, far on the north side of the fairgrounds, is an inconspicuous, little house that's chock-full of history.
Opening day could be the first 90-degree day at the Minnesota State Fair in a decade, but there are ways to stay cool and hydrated if you don’t want to miss it.
For the next 12 days, hundreds of thousands of people will come through the Minnesota State Fair's gates. In Talking Points, Esme Murphy finds out what it takes to get ready if you're one of their 300 food vendors.
Thursday kicks off the annual Great Minnesota Get-Together. Before we jump into this year's fun, David Schuman took a look back at some past years.
Fairgoers aren't strangers to all the animals and attractions, the food and the fun. But tucked away, far on the north side of the fairgrounds, is an inconspicuous, little house that's chock-full of history.
For the next 12 days, hundreds of thousands of people will come through the State Fair's gates. What does it take to get ready if you're one of their 300 food vendors? Esme Murphy talks with two of the most successful vendors, as well as a new vendor.
The 2023 Minnesota State Fair will mark its opening day on Aug. 24 and end on Labor Day, Sept. 4. Here's what you need to know about getting to the fair, how to get around, and how to make sure you get the most bang for your buck.
The Minnesota State Fair opens Thursday, and crews are working hard in the heat to make sure everything is ready.
Time is winding down to set up the Minnesota State Fair, and workers are feeling the heat.
Hours spent digging 30 years back through the WCCO archives give a special, nostalgic look at the Great Minnesota Get-Together from 1993.
On top of a grueling schedule, vendors setting up for the Minnesota State Fair are also dealing with brutal heat Tuesday.
From the Ferris wheel to the food to the newly-stocked fish at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources pavilion, things are heating up at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.
Planning ahead can save you some cash on transportation.
Planning ahead can save you some cash as you're planning your trip to the fair.
As much as you might look forward to it, getting to the Minnesota State Fair can be stressful. It's why fair organizers say sharing a ride might be your best bet.
The gates are quiet now, but in six short days, thousands of fairgoers will make their way inside. And when they do, vendors of all kinds will be waiting.
The gates are quiet now, but in six short days, thousands of fairgoers will make their way inside. And when they do, vendors of all kinds will be waiting.
We are less than a week away from the start on the Minnesota State Fair. The new chief in charge says your safety and security will be his top priority. Our Reg Chapman talked to the chief about what else is new and different.
The gates at the Minnesota State Fair open in seven days, and this year, it will cost more to get in.
The NBA fined Timberwolves big man Naz Reid $50,000 "for questioning the integrity of game officials" in Minnesota's 110-108 victory over the Houston Rockets 110-108 on Wednesday.
A federal judge says Minnesota public universities can keep offering in-state tuition and some scholarships to certain students without legal status.
Kiki Rice scored 21 points and Lauren Betts added 16 to help No. 1 seed UCLA beat fourth-seeded Minnesota 80-56 in the Sweet 16 of the women's NCAA Tournament.
A Bloomington, Minnesota, man accused of giving a 15-year-old girl alcohol and having sex with her after meeting her on Snapchat is charged with two counts of criminal sexual conduct, court records filed Wednesday said.
Video shows Liam Ramos and his father escorted by ICE agents as they caught a commercial flight on Delta Air Lines last month. They were taken to a detention center in Texas.
A Bloomington, Minnesota, man accused of giving a 15-year-old girl alcohol and having sex with her after meeting her on Snapchat is charged with two counts of criminal sexual conduct, court records filed Wednesday said.
This winter has been especially hard for gas station owners. One Minnesota woman who owns five stations is trying to help commuters by selling gas almost at cost.
A man who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the shooting death of a teenage girl in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, was given a sentence of just over 10 years on Thursday, according to court documents.
A Gustavus Adolphus College professor is facing two charges after being accused of stealing two gun triggers and several boxes of ammunition from Scheels in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, according to court documents.
Organizers expect more than 100,000 people to flood St. Paul, Minnesota, on Saturday for the No Kings rally — an all-hands-on deck situation for law enforcement and public transit officials.
A young lion cub is now back with his family in Minnesota after being separated for nearly two years.
A DFL senator argues that President Donald Trump's decision to allow prediction market sites in all 50 states means Minnesota should regulate sports betting rather than leave it uncontrolled.
A former teacher at Shattuck St. Mary's in Faribault, Minnesota, is charged with criminal sexual conduct after allegedly sexually assaulting a 14-year-old boy he met on a dating app.
The Minnesota Senate on Wednesday approved a new rule allowing members' children to be on the chamber floor with them, which is a first in the institution's nearly 170-year history.
A 45-year-old St. Paul man was convicted Wednesday of killing a man during an Isanti County, Minnesota, robbery that went wrong in December 2023.
Wisconsin lawmakers are taking a shot at expanding sports betting in the state.
A Wisconsin legislator has pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct in connection with a bitter feud with her caucus over resolutions honoring Hispanics.
As the war in Iran evolves, National Guardsmen from Wisconsin are being recognized for what they are doing in the Middle East.
It's the season for booking those spring break getaways, and if you're looking to skip the airport this year, take a page out of the Condé Nast Traveler.
A judge has sentenced a Wisconsin man who forged threats against President Donald Trump as part of a deportation scheme to 16½ years in prison.
Mackenzie Reed, head custodian at Shakopee East Middle School, has painted large-scale murals throughout the building she once attended as a student, creating a more welcoming space for current students.
Kristi comes to the Salvation Army not only to get food, but to shine her light. She talks with and encourages people waiting in line.
The way Mary Hernandez describes it, the effort to keep families off the street in Shakopee, Minnesota, is like trying to keep your head above water.
Deputy Fire Marshal Shawn Johnson, 61, died March 5 after a two-year battle with job-related cancer, the Minnetonka Fire Department announced.
The Minnesota Department of Corrections says 95% of all incarcerated individuals will eventually be released from prison. The DOC says it does all it can to help people transition back into the community as productive citizens.
Ten U.S. service members were injured in an attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, according to multiple U.S. officials.
Republican Minnesota Rep. Elliott Engen spent Friday morning in jail after being booked on suspicion of driving drunk in White Bear Lake, according to police. Engen says he's sorry for his actions. Caroline Cummings reports from the State Capitol.
Organizers expect more than 100,000 people to flood St. Paul, Minnesota, on Saturday for the No Kings rally — an all-hands-on deck situation for law enforcement and public transit officials.
Delta Air Lines is currently at the center of a growing debate over immigration enforcement.
Vice President JD Vance hosted the first meeting of the Task Force to eliminate fraud Friday morning at the White House.
A DFL senator argues that President Donald Trump's decision to allow prediction market sites in all 50 states means Minnesota should regulate sports betting rather than leave it uncontrolled.
Minnesota lawmakers and grocery store workers are joining forces to push for legislation to tackle surveillance pricing.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security says more than 3,200 officers with the Transportation Safety Administration missed work on Monday. More than 450 have quit altogether since the government shutdown began.
Minnesota's recent swing from heavy snow to record heat is a recipe for rocky roads.
If you have a newer car, you may be in for some sticker shock when you renew your Minnesota license tabs. That's because the formula for calculating license tab fees has changed because of a 2023 bill.
A Bloomington, Minnesota, man accused of giving a 15-year-old girl alcohol and having sex with her after meeting her on Snapchat is charged with two counts of criminal sexual conduct, court records filed Wednesday said.
A man who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the shooting death of a teenage girl in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, was given a sentence of just over 10 years on Thursday, according to court documents.
A Gustavus Adolphus College professor is facing two charges after being accused of stealing two gun triggers and several boxes of ammunition from Scheels in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, according to court documents.
State GOP Rep. Elliott Engen, who represents Lino Lakes, Minnesota, and is running for State Auditor, was arrested early Friday morning for suspicion of driving while impaired.
Police said a Secret Service agent assigned to Jill Biden accidentally shot and injured himself at Philadelphia International Airport.
The produce section at grocery stores is packed with nutrient-dense foods. Certain fruits and vegetables, in particular, are packed with fiber, and a new diet trend has people "maxxing" out on it.
Deputy Fire Marshal Shawn Johnson, 61, died March 5 after a two-year battle with job-related cancer, the Minnetonka Fire Department announced.
Sacramento-based Sutter Health announced plans to acquire Minneapolis-based Allina Health, promising a $2 billion investment in Minnesota and Wisconsin, but healthcare unions say workers weren't consulted.
Hennepin County lawmakers plan to urge state legislators Wednesday morning to save Hennepin Healthcare, the state's busiest Level 1 trauma center, which officials say could close this year without immediate action.
Hennepin County lawmakers plan to urge state legislators Wednesday morning to save Hennepin Healthcare, the state's busiest Level 1 trauma center, which officials say could close this year without immediate action.
The price hike raises the cost of the standard plan with ads by $1 per month and the cost of the standard and premium plans by $2.
Three of the most iconic '90s music groups are joining forces at this year's Minnesota State Fair.
Afroman spoke to CBS News after he won the case, which tested the limits of parody and the license artists can take in social commentary directed at public figures.
Spring break does not have to mean big travel plans or big spending for families who head to the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, where a new exhibit invites children to climb, crawl and create as part of the art experience.
Comedian Bert Kreischer is without a tour bus after his caught fire in Minnesota.
The NBA fined Timberwolves big man Naz Reid $50,000 "for questioning the integrity of game officials" in Minnesota's 110-108 victory over the Houston Rockets 110-108 on Wednesday.
Kiki Rice scored 21 points and Lauren Betts added 16 to help No. 1 seed UCLA beat fourth-seeded Minnesota 80-56 in the Sweet 16 of the women's NCAA Tournament.
Nate Heise is normally the first guy off the bench, but the product of Lake City, Minnesota, rose to the occasion, making a bigger impact as the Cyclones advanced to Friday's Sweet 16 game versus Tennessee.
Joel Eriksson Ek scored the winning goal with 4.4 seconds left to lift the Minnesota Wild past the Florida Panthers 3-2.
Trevor Rogers pitched seven shutout innings and Colton Cowser and Blaze Alexander had seventh-inning RBIs to give the Baltimore Orioles a 2-1 win over the Minnesota Twins on opening day Thursday.
A DFL senator argues that President Donald Trump's decision to allow prediction market sites in all 50 states means Minnesota should regulate sports betting rather than leave it uncontrolled.
A DFL senator argues that President Donald Trump's decision to allow prediction market sites in all 50 states means Minnesota should regulate sports betting rather than leave it uncontrolled.
Young mothers working as Minnesota state senators are trying to change a system that was never designed to include them, saying their workplace is not allowing them time and space to breastfeed their infants.
Unlike the Minnesota House, which does allow children on the House floor, the Minnesota Senate bars children from being on the floor.
President Donald Trump has called the bill his number one priority and says it would prevent non-citizens from voting in the 2026 midterm elections.
Opening Day for the Minnesota Twins is almost here. And across town, the St. Paul Saints are getting ready for their season, too, with some added history.
The Nuss Collection is home to a lot of vintage trucks.
Denis Doyle was born in Kilkenny, Ireland. He emigrated to the U.S. and in 1856, Doyle traveled to Le Sueur County. Other Irish immigrants joined Doyle and the town was born.
One of the oldest operating theaters in the Midwest is in danger of closing its doors for good.
In St. Louis Park, Minnesota, there's a place where you can find radio and television technology that's nearly a century old — and it still works.
The produce section at grocery stores is packed with nutrient-dense foods. Certain fruits and vegetables, in particular, are packed with fiber, and a new diet trend has people "maxxing" out on it.
Minnesota's recent swing from heavy snow to record heat is a recipe for rocky roads.
Heavy snow followed by bitter cold hit Minnesotans with a double whammy of winter. The good news is spring-like weather is right around the corner, but its quick arrival could spell trouble for homeowners.
Minnesota lakes remain frozen. The people walking on trails around them remain bundled up. After a warm start to March, the seasonal shift is sputtering as it often tends to do.
Drivers are bracing themselves for higher prices when they pull up to gas stations. But the pump isn't the only place you can expect to pay more in the weeks ahead.
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.
NEXT Weather meteorologist Chris Shaffer says conditions will be windy and dry in a large portion of Minnesota on Saturday, which will lead to a sharp rise in fire danger across the state.
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.
Windy conditions across much of Minnesota on Saturday has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a red flag warning, according to NEXT Weather meteorologist Chris Shaffer.
People near the Mississippi River in Minneapolis on Thursday may have noticed an oily sheen on the water. Adam Del Rosso shows what it could be and looks at the health of the water.
Saturday will be windy and warmer, but Sunday will be the jewel of the weekend.
NEXT Weather meteorologist Chris Shaffer says conditions will be windy and dry in a large portion of Minnesota on Saturday, which will lead to a sharp rise in fire danger across the state.
Windy conditions across much of Minnesota on Saturday has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a red flag warning, according to NEXT Weather meteorologist Chris Shaffer.
People near the Mississippi River in Minneapolis on Thursday may have noticed an oily sheen on the water. Adam Del Rosso shows what it could be and looks at the health of the water.
Activists are raising questions after video showed 5-year-old Liam Ramos, who was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and his father escorted by agents as they caught a flight on Delta Air Lines last month. Reg Chapman reports.
The No Kings rally in St. Paul on Saturday could be one of the largest demonstrations in Minnesota history. As Conor Wight shows, it’s all-hands-on-deck as officials prepare for up to 150,000 people.