Thousands flock to Great Minnesota Get-Together on first day of State Fair
When the gates opened at 7 a.m. Thursday, it was off to the races for dozens who waited to be among the first to experience the Minnesota State Fair.
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When the gates opened at 7 a.m. Thursday, it was off to the races for dozens who waited to be among the first to experience the Minnesota State Fair.
When the gates opened at 7 a.m. Thursday, it was off to the races for dozens who waited to be among the first to experience the Minnesota State Fair.
Gov. Tim Walz was among the first people to pass through the gates of the Minnesota State Fair on its opening day Thursday, where he spoke to WCCO's Heather Brown and A.J. Hilton about when he'll make a decision on running for a third term in 2026.
Gov. Tim Walz was among the first people to pass through the gates of the Minnesota State Fair on its opening day Thursday, where he spoke to WCCO's Heather Brown and A.J. Hilton about when he'll make a decision on running for a third term in 2026.
Malorie Thorson became the 72nd Princess Kay of the Milky Way on Wednesday, the eve of the 2025 Minnesota State Fair.
It's been 50 years since WCCO has been at its current location at the "Great Minnesota Get-Together."
On the eve of the Minnesota State Fair, we are fortunate to be celebrating a milestone of our own. This year, WCCO-TV is being recognized for its 50-plus years at the Great Minnesota Get-Together. In this week’s Finding Minnesota, John Lauritsen takes a trip down memory lane to show us how it all began, what’s changed, and what traditions have stood the test of time.
For 71 years, the State Fair has chosen a Princess Kay of the Milky Way. That young woman serves as the official goodwill ambassador for the Minnesota dairy industry and her coronation serves as the kick-off to the State Fair.
The sun is shining bright over the fairgrounds for all the finishing touches ahead of the "Great Minnesota Get-Together." But Mother Nature isn't always this cooperative.
The forecast is looking great for the first half of the fair *this year, but we know that hasn't always been the case. NEXT Weather Meteorologist Adam Del Rosso has the fair history of storms, and what you should do if you're caught in one when you're out there.
Have questions about tickets, transportation or how to save a few bucks at the Great Minnesota Get-Together? Here's your complete guide to the 2025 Minnesota State Fair.
Jeff Wagner looks at the winding road it took for the Minnesota State Fair to find its permanent home 140 years ago.
Visitors to this year's Minnesota State Fair might get sticker shock when buying some of their favorite foods.
With the Minnesota State Fair just a week away, organizers are urging visitors to plan ahead for traffic, parking and travel options.
We're less than one week away from the opening of the Minnesota State Fair. That means people from all around the state and country will be making their way to the fairgrounds for 12 days of fun. But getting there can be tricky. Here's Ubah Ali and photojournalist Joe Van Ryn with some tips.
Rachel Visser from Hutchinson has spent the last year talking all things dairy as a goodwill ambassador for Minnesota’s dairy farms.
With less than two weeks to go until the Minnesota State Fair opens its gates, residents in Falcon Heights are bracing for crowds and, new this year, a pay-by-mobile parking program.
For the first time, paid parking will be in Falcon Heights during the Great Minnesota Get-Together. Ubah Ali explains why some neighbors are calling it a safety concern, while others are open to the city cashing in.
Anna Bailey and her husband own Bailey Builds and create wood mosaics in Duluth. She took to Facebook on Thursday to share that the building they use for the Minnesota State Fair had been sold.
A pair of wood-working artists who sell pieces at the Minnesota State Fair were on a frantic search after their building was accidentally sold. Ashley Grams speaks to one of the facility's owners.
It's crunch time at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.
We are less than two weeks away from the Great Minnesota Get Together and preparations are underway. Photojournalist Joe Van Ryn takes us to the state fairgrounds to show us.
Turman is a popular artist with a booth at the Grandstand filled with colorful characters and settings.
It will be getting "Hot in Herre" at the Minnesota State Fair when Nelly takes the Grandstand stage to perform.
The Minnesota State Fair has unveiled its new foods for 2025, including chicken-fried bacon fries, dill pickle iced tea and more.
Saturday will see temperatures in the 40s before a major drop off comes on Sunday.
Hill-Murray is again one of the best girls hockey teams in Minnesota. This season, at any given time, there could be five Pohls on the Pioneers bench.
Many Minnesotans would describe the past few days as fairly warm, given the time of year. That didn't stop the Ice Castles from making its earliest start to the season ever in Minnesota, officially opening on Friday.
A man and a woman are dead, and two others, including a 1-year-old boy, are injured after a crash in Thompson Township, Minnesota, on Friday morning.
Jalen Smith scored his second touchdown a diving 12-yard catch in the first overtime and Minnesota extended its postseason winning streak to nine straight games with a 20-17 win over New Mexico in Rate Bowl.
Saturday will see temperatures in the 40s before a major drop off comes on Sunday.
Many Minnesotans would describe the past few days as fairly warm, given the time of year. That didn't stop the Ice Castles from making its earliest start to the season ever in Minnesota, officially opening on Friday.
The weeklong festival of Kwanzaa began on Friday with much fanfare at Lake Street's Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis.
Gov. Tim Walz has ordered U.S. and Minnesota flags at all state buildings to fly at half-staff on Monday to honor and remember St. Paul firefighter Timothy Bertz, who officials said died after suffering a "serious medical event."
Minneapolis officials have banned government officials, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, from using city lots and ramps as a staging area to enforce federal immigration laws, according to an updated city ordinance.
Saturday will see temperatures in the 40s before a major drop off comes on Sunday.
A man and a woman are dead, and two others, including a 1-year-old boy, are injured after a crash in Thompson Township, Minnesota, on Friday morning.
As Christmas trees across the nation come down, a farm in Elk River, Minnesota, is finding a new purpose for the pines.
Gov. Tim Walz has ordered U.S. and Minnesota flags at all state buildings to fly at half-staff on Monday to honor and remember St. Paul firefighter Timothy Bertz, who officials said died after suffering a "serious medical event."
An ER patient is accused of attacking a security guard inside a Wyoming, Minnesota, hospital on Christmas evening, leading to a confrontation with a police officer outside the facility.
A Wisconsin woman who almost killed her sixth-grade classmate to please the fictional Slender Man has been ordered back to a state psychiatric hospital after she escaped from her group home last month.
Several schools in Minnesota and Wisconsin are reporting delayed starts on Monday amid a messy morning commute.
The U.S. Justice Department has sued three states, including Illinois and Wisconsin, and D.C. for not turning over requested voter information to the Trump administration.
Defenders of a Wisconsin judge found guilty of felony obstruction for helping a Mexican immigrant evade federal officers are raising alarms about judicial independence and say they hope the conviction will be overturned on appeal.
The Minnesota Attorney General's Office says Menards, the Wisconsin-based home improvement retailer, has reached a $4.25 million settlement with several states to "resolve claims" of deceptive marketing practices in its popular "11% Rebate Program," and pandemic-era price gouging.
Many people who serve in the U.S. military find it hard to ask for assistance when they've been trained to help and serve others.
Food Bank Eatery in North Minneapolis provides free meals for children, who may have little to eat after the pause of SNAP benefits for many in the community.
Firefighters are continuing a 44-year tradition that happens every year north of the Twin Cities.
It was a scary moment in the Twin Cities over the weekend, as a trailer hauling sled dogs turned over on Interstate 494 in Minnetonka.
On Sunday, members of Minnesota's Somali community spoke out against President Trump's social media post calling for an end to temporary protected status.
Minneapolis officials have banned government officials, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, from using city lots and ramps as a staging area to enforce federal immigration laws, according to an updated city ordinance.
The Veterans Affairs Department is reimposing a near total ban on abortions for veterans and their families that was modified in 2022.
President Trump says the U.S. launched powerful and deadly strikes against Islamic state forces in Nigeria, plus more of the day’s top stories.
Strikes against ISIS targets in Nigeria come after President Trump spent weeks accusing the West African country's government of failing to rein in the persecution of Christians.
The message, aired on Channel 4 on Christmas Day, reflected on the impact of President Trump's second term in office thus far.
This season of giving can really do a number on our recycling systems. But we can all be part of the solution.
With the time-honored tradition of gift giving comes gift concealing.
Twin Cities shoppers were out and about on Super Saturday, the second-busiest shopping day of the year. The day lands on the final Saturday before Christmas annually.
Buy now, pay later plans are becoming more popular for shoppers this holiday season.
The Minnesota Attorney General's Office says Menards, the Wisconsin-based home improvement retailer, has reached a $4.25 million settlement with several states to "resolve claims" of deceptive marketing practices in its popular "11% Rebate Program," and pandemic-era price gouging.
Police in Roseville, Minnesota, are investigating after they said officers found a man injured at the scene of a reported shooting on Friday morning.
Minneapolis police say they're investigating a "suspicious death" after a woman's body was discovered inside a vehicle Tuesday morning.
An ER patient is accused of attacking a security guard inside a Wyoming, Minnesota, hospital on Christmas evening, leading to a confrontation with a police officer outside the facility.
A 63-year-old West St. Paul, Minnesota, man accused of pointing a gun at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent says the agent also pointed a gun at him, according to court documents filed on Thursday.
Minneapolis police are investigating after they say a man suffered "potentially life-threatening injuries" in a stabbing on Thursday morning.
The clock is ticking to snag a few more gifts and prepare for that holiday trip to visit family. As the pressure builds, so does the stress.
The Minnesota Athletic Trainers Association says of the middle and high schools they know of, only 49% have an athletic trainer providing some level of service.
From 2021 to 2025, Smart Therapy Center submitted claims totaling $31.8 million across all Minnesota Department of Human Services programs, according to that data. But the provider was only approved for a fraction of those payments.
The family of a Minnesota Vikings player who died at training camp from heat exhaustion in 2001 is still fighting to protect others.
A Twin Cities metro area school shifted to e-learning after a flu outbreak impacted nearly a quarter of its students. A senior epidemiologist with the Minnesota Department of Health said flu season is "definitely picking up."
The band announced Perry Bamonte's death on their official website on Friday.
The message, aired on Channel 4 on Christmas Day, reflected on the impact of President Trump's second term in office thus far.
Feeding America's CEO said the organization is "incredibly grateful" for Taylor Swift's large donation.
The singer said an MRI showed a cancerous spot on one of his lungs after he recovered from a lengthy bout of bronchitis.
The special features interviews with Kathy Bates, Annette Bening, Albert Brooks, Michael Douglas, Kiefer Sutherland, Jerry O'Connell and Mandy Patinkin.
Hill-Murray is again one of the best girls hockey teams in Minnesota. This season, at any given time, there could be five Pohls on the Pioneers bench.
Jalen Smith scored his second touchdown a diving 12-yard catch in the first overtime and Minnesota extended its postseason winning streak to nine straight games with a 20-17 win over New Mexico in Rate Bowl.
The World Junior Championship tournament kicked off in Minnesota on Friday. For those eager to check it out, there's a free fan experience called the Bold North Breakaway.
The Minnesota Vikings are trying to practice the process of winning in December despite being eliminated from contention for the playoffs.
Hockey moms are a community, one that Jacqueline Nowakowski had no idea she'd need as much as she does.
Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar is calling for answers about the immigration crackdown in the Twin Cities. She is also denouncing the president's attacks on the Somali community and herself. In Talking Points, Esme Murphy shows us how, for Omar, this is a familiar position to be in.
Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar is calling for clarity about the immigration crackdown in the Twin Cities.
Fear and uncertainty continue in Minnesota's Somali communities as ICE continues its intensified focus on the Twin Cities.
Opposition to ICE actions is widespread among Democratic elected officials throughout the state, though nowhere more than in Minneapolis, home to the state's largest Somali population.
Minnesotans who welcomed a child this year were able to start applying this week to the state's new paid family and medical leave program to take time off in 2026.
On Dec. 9, 1965, "A Charlie Brown Christmas" debuted on CBS, and it became an instant classic. Lee Jenkins' home is proof that the show is still a hit six decades later.
Holiday lights are on full display across the state right now, and just south of the Twin Cities you'll find a Christmas light show that's been around for more than half a century.
The story begins years ago when the city acquired one of the T-38 Talon Thunderbird jets from the Air Force.
The holidays are upon us, and in the town of Kellogg, Minnesota, you'll find a toy store unlike any other.
With the holidays fast approaching, and lutefisk on the menu for many families, one Minnesota town has the distinction of being called the "Lutefisk Capital of the Country."
According to the Smithsonian Magazine and Britannica, eggnog has British roots.
With the time-honored tradition of gift giving comes gift concealing.
The story of "The Wizard of Oz " is 125 years old, yet still reinventing itself in all kinds of forms.
It's the time of year when we accumulate the most stuff. When we do, people often throw around the word "hoarding." But it turns out it's a frequently misunderstood term.
Why do we have oily or dry skin? A dermatologist explains the root cause and how it can change over time.
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.
A suspect was taken into custody after an attack on Pearl Street Mall in Boulder on June 1 in which there were 15 people and a dog who were victims. The suspect threw Molotov cocktails that burned some of the victims, who were part of a march for Israeli hostages.
Saturday will see temperatures in the 40s before a major drop off comes on Sunday.
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.
Saturday will be gloomy but mild temperatures before a major change comes Sunday.
A large area of northern Minnesota is under a winter weather advisory until 5 a.m. on Saturday due to the potential for freezing rain, NEXT Weather meteorologist Lisa Meadows says. Temperatures in the Twin Cities that day will reach the low 40s.
After struggling during a warm winter last year, the Ice Castles are making a triumphant return to Minnesota. And they’re opening their doors earlier than usual. Conor Wight reports from Falcon Heights.
Saturday will be gloomy but mild temperatures before a major change comes Sunday.
Jonah Kaplan shares headlines for Dec. 27, 2025
Emily Pohl, one of the top girls hockey players in Minnesota, is chasing another state title. She comes from a pair of iconic Minnesota hockey names and is breaking with tradition. Ren Clayton explains.
Jax Taylor was a freshman hockey player in Minnesota in 2024. At that time, he was hoping to play for his father, the head coach at Lakeville North. As Mike Max reports, an incident involving a tipped four-wheeler nearly prevented that from happening. Plus, Eagan and St. Louis Park were two of several basketball squads to compete on the day after Christmas. We have highlights.
A large area of northern Minnesota is under a winter weather advisory until 5 a.m. on Saturday due to the potential for freezing rain, NEXT Weather meteorologist Lisa Meadows says. Temperatures in the Twin Cities that day will reach the low 40s.