Pat Kessler discusses polling and Scott Jensen’s campaign
WCCO political contributor Pat Kessler talks about “wishcasting” polling, and how controversial statements from Dr. Scott Jensen and Matt Birk may have impacted their gubernatorial campaign.
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WCCO political contributor Pat Kessler talks about “wishcasting” polling, and how controversial statements from Dr. Scott Jensen and Matt Birk may have impacted their gubernatorial campaign.
Polls have closed in Minnesota, and political contributor Pat Kessler has the latest on what to expect.
More than 160,000 Minnesotans have cast their ballots early for the midterms elections. With every day closer to Election Day, several races are getting tighter. Pat Kessler has the latest.
As we approach a year of life in quarantine, special correspondent and former WCCO senior political reporter Pat Kessler reflects on his last handshake before the pandemic.
Thursday is National Toast Day, and special correspondent and former WCCO senior political reporter Pat Kessler has a personal essay to share on the topic of toast.
On Wednesday afternoon, a raucous protest turned into a violent and destructive riot at the U.S. Capitol.
What don't you know about Pat Kessler? We dig in for this special Reality Check.
WCCO is celebrating our friend and colleague Pat Kessler as he begins his retirement.
Pat Kessler is known for his tough questions. He's covered Minnesota politics for decades, but now he's retiring. So, we wanted to do a Reality Check on his career with WCCO.
"They want to find out how many votes they need and then they seem to be able to find them. They wait and wait and then they find them," President Donald Trump said.
The decision is likely to create voter confusion, with people who haven't returned their absentee ballots scrambling to make sure their votes count.
Ahead of the polls, Biden campaigned in Georgia, a southern state Democrats never thought they could win. Trump is holding three events in three states he won back in 2016: Michigan, Nebraska, and Wisconsin.
Thirteen days until Election Day, and the number of early voters is exploding across the country.
Kessler dedicated 36 years to covering Minnesota politics and local government here. Kessler has reported on the administrations of eight Minnesota governors, dozens of legislative sessions and political conventions.
Because of President Trump's restrictions on new refugees, Minnesota refugee resettlement numbers are down 90% -- the fewest refugees in at least 15 years.
There's a very good chance America won't know who wins the presidential election -- on election night. Not because of fraud, because of COVID.
Both President Trump and Democratic Presidential candidate Joe Biden are visiting "swing state" Minnesota on Friday. Now, a couple of Biden TV ads say President Trump is planning to end Social Security, but that's a stretch.
The Minnesota Trump campaign says the president is "building back the economy" for women, and the millions of jobs added back as the economy recovers is "shattering expectations."
The country's biggest cities saw violent unrest this summer, including Minneapolis. Since June 23, the president has repeatedly linked violence to cities run by Democrats.
Congresswoman Ilhan Omar is facing a challenge from fellow Democrat Antone Melton-Meaux in one of the most closely-watched congressional primaries in the country -- and a new TV ad making serious claims against her.
The state of South Dakota has launched a major marketing campaign-- in Minnesota. It's unusual not just because it's targeting Minnesota businesses, but because it's asking them to re-locate due to Minnesota's pandemic shut down.
President Trump is airing television campaign ads in Minnesota and Wisconsin linking Joe Biden to a controversial "defund the police" movement.
That's an average of $6,362 per lawmaker, or $449 extra per week on the paycheck -- for a session in which some of the biggest items were left undone.
President Donald Trump claims he sent National Guard troops to Minneapolis to restore order after the death of George Floyd. That never happened.
Minneapolis has one of the lowest numbers in the country for police residents. In fact, the four ex-Minneapolis police officers charged in Floyd killing don't live in the city.
American skier Lindsey Vonn, who crashed seconds into her downhill race at the 2026 Winter Olympics, said she is finally out of the hospital as she recovers.
The director of Minnesota's nascent fraud prevention program will lay out his plans for addressing the issue Monday morning.
Andrea Shapiro, a Minnesotan, spoke with WCCO from a hotel looking over the city of Puerto Vallarta on Sunday.
The Twin Cities metro is in for some late-winter temperature whiplash this week.
Tyrese Maxey had 39 points and eight assists, VJ Edgecombe made a career-high six 3-pointers and finished with 24 points, and the Sixers beat the Timberwolves 135-108 to snap a four-game losing streak.
As federal officials have announced a drawdown of federal agents, those on the streets said they still have plenty of sightings.
Police are looking for a suspect after a man was injured in a shooting at the Maplewood Mall in Maplewood, Minnesota, on Sunday afternoon.
A southern Minnesota man has been sentenced to more than 16 years in prison for producing child sexual abuse material.
Como Park Zoo and Conservatory announced its male Sumatran orangutan, Jambu, died Thursday at the age of 40.
Musicians across the Twin Cities Metro area have released a protest song to raise money for the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota.
A Duluth, Minnesota, police officer is recovering at home after authorities say a man stabbed the officer in the leg early Saturday morning.
The Faribault, Minnesota, fire department and police department responded to a house fire around 12 a.m. on Wednesday, on reports of people trapped inside the home.
A 15-year-old boy is in the hospital after the car he was driving, which was reportedly stolen, rolled at the end of a pursuit by a deputy in Becker Township Friday morning, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.
A trial date has been set for a former Minnesota state senator charged in connection with an underage prostitution sting.
Two New London, Minnesota, brothers, who died when their UTV collided with a pick-up truck, are being honored in a special way.
Excitement is in the air in northern Wisconsin with the 52nd annual American Birkebeiner underway.
The longest-serving Assembly speaker in Wisconsin history, who acted as a block on the battleground state's Democratic governor and also drew the ire of President Donald Trump, isn't running again.
Wisconsin Republicans who long blocked a bipartisan measure to expand postpartum Medicaid coverage plan to pass the measure following pressure from Democrats.
Three people are dead after a house fire in a small western Wisconsin town early Saturday.
John Lauritsen shares the story behind a massive snow sculpture that's now become a winter destination.
The Edina wife and mother of three said she felt called to go and protest in south Minneapolis after learning that Alex Pretti had been shot and killed by two Border Patrol agents.
Tuesday afternoon, more than 20 people gathered on the Highway 62 bridge between Minneapolis and Richfield after a small protest sparked a confrontation there last week.
Karmel Mall has been mostly silent, with shops closed at the building on East Lake Street. Operation Metro Surge has caused many Somalis to stay home.
The ongoing presence of ICE and federal law enforcement in the Minneapolis area has kept many immigrants at home for fear of being arrested. Now, their neighbors are crowdsourcing to cover their rent.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations aren't only happening in the Twin Cities. Federal agents are also working in smaller towns, and in some, seeing similar resistance from the community.
The director of Minnesota's nascent fraud prevention program will lay out his plans for addressing the issue Monday morning.
Two major priorities are on a collision course in the Minnesota Legislature.
The GOP is promoting an aggressive anti-fraud agenda while the DFL is hammering hard on the immigration crackdown and the continuing fallout.
Officers shot and killed a man at President Trump's Mar-A-Lago estate after officials say he pointed a shotgun at them. CBS' Cristian Benavides reports the man tried to enter the building with a shotgun and a gas canister.
Heading into week two of a partial government shutdown, lawmakers remain divided over immigration policy. Ashley Grams takes a closer look at how this funding holdup could impact Minnesota.
On Friday morning, workers held a press conference to reflect on how the Immigration and Customs Enforcement surge has impacted the food industry.
January is typically a slow month at Frontiersman Sports, but employees at the St. Louis Park, Minnesota, gun shop said sales spiked 30% above normal for the month.
Amid ongoing immigration operations in Minnesota, a local company is filling a desperate need for on-demand legal help.
Outside the governor's mansion in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Friday, demonstrators, including many students and teachers, pleaded for Gov. Tim Walz to enact an immediate eviction moratorium to help families impacted by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement surge.
It's part of broader protests calling on the Minneapolis-based retailer to respond more directly to immigration enforcement.
Andrea Shapiro, a Minnesotan, spoke with WCCO from a hotel looking over the city of Puerto Vallarta on Sunday.
A Duluth, Minnesota, police officer is recovering at home after authorities say a man stabbed the officer in the leg early Saturday morning.
A southern Minnesota man has been sentenced to more than 16 years in prison for producing child sexual abuse material.
Crystal, Minnesota, police are investigating a shooting that happened around 12:30 a.m. Saturday morning.
A 15-year-old boy is in the hospital after the car he was driving, which was reportedly stolen, rolled at the end of a pursuit by a deputy in Becker Township Friday morning, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.
Measles cases in the U.S. are rising at the fastest rate in a generation, and the trend now includes five cases in Minnesota since the start of the new year.
It's a place that sees patients in the worst of times. And now, Hennepin Healthcare in downtown Minneapolis is in the worst of ways.
From the flu to the common cold, viruses keep knocking out Minnesotans this winter. A physician with Hennepin Healthcare breaks down how long an individual may be contagious after they start to feel better.
North Minneapolis resident Kate Varns is a bonafide Ironman, meaning she's finished the toughest of toughest triathlons. But after surviving a stroke several years ago, that accomplishment paled in comparison to what laid ahead.
Dr. Michael Osterholm and Dr. Emil Lou, faculty members with the University of Minnesota, have been recognized by TIME as two of the 100 most influential people in health in 2026.
In April 2025, Eric Dane announced he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.
The EP, released on Ash Wednesday and called "Days of Ash" is "of the moment we wish we weren't in . . . but are," Bono said.
"The Late Show" host Stephen Colbert criticized CBS on Monday night, saying the network blocked his interview with U.S. Senate hopeful James Talarico from airing.
Anderson Cooper will report multiple stories for "60 Minutes" before the end of the television season in May.
Springsteen's Land Of Hope And Dreams tour will start March 31 at Target Center. Tickets will go on sale Friday at noon.
Tyrese Maxey had 39 points and eight assists, VJ Edgecombe made a career-high six 3-pointers and finished with 24 points, and the Sixers beat the Timberwolves 135-108 to snap a four-game losing streak.
Minnesota Twins right-hander Joe Ryan is expected to be available for the start of the season after an MRI revealed only inflammation in his lower back.
Kelvin Yeboah scored in the 90th minute to rally Minnesota United to a 2-2 draw with Austin FC in a season opener.
Through a sudden death overtime goal, the U.S. men's hockey team is golden over Canada.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Rondale Moore was found dead at the age of 25 at a residence in New Albany, Indiana, authorities reported Saturday.
Two major priorities are on a collision course in the Minnesota Legislature.
The GOP is promoting an aggressive anti-fraud agenda while the DFL is hammering hard on the immigration crackdown and the continuing fallout.
The political fallout of Operation Metro Surge is expected to be long lasting not just in Minnesota, but across the country.
The political fallout of Operation Metro Surge is expected to be long lasting not just in Minnesota, but across the country. In Talking Points, Esme Murphy spoke with Abou Amara, a Democratic analyst, and Amy Frederiksen, a Republican analyst, about the political impact.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty will send a letter this week, demanding DHS and DOJ turn over evidence in the shooting death of Alex Pretti.
One of the best views in Minnesota is at the top of a Bloomington hill. But 15-year-old Jacob Larson isn't here for the scenery. He's here for the jump.
Pine trees are a common sight up north. But on a Carlton, Minnesota, road, they're joined by giant lollipops. They serve as the welcoming committee for Sweetly Kismet, one of the largest candy stores in the state.
John Lauritsen shares the story behind a massive snow sculpture that's now become a winter destination.
Northland Arboretum was built half a century ago on top of what was once a city dump. But over time, nature carved its own path with a little help from a Zamboni.
St. James is a smaller town with a main street and a railroad running though. But inside a local building, the main street and the railroad are even smaller.
On the first day of the Minnesota Legislature, artificial intelligence is giving visitors and lawmakers at the State Capitol a new sense of security.
From the flu to the common cold, viruses keep knocking out Minnesotans this winter. A physician with Hennepin Healthcare breaks down how long an individual may be contagious after they start to feel better.
White House border czar Tom Homan, without offering further explanation, claimed the federal immigration operation in Minnesota uncovered thousands of missing children in the state, but it's likely related to a much larger number the administration has been touting for a few years.
As our weather warms, love is also in the air. Valentine's Day is this Saturday, and while we know many of the traditions, Jeff Wagner wanted to get to the heart of the holiday.
The monthslong Immigration and Customs Enforcement surge in Minnesota has sparked ongoing protests, some measured tens of thousands of demonstrators, others just a few dozen.
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.
Monday starts sunny with clouds eventually rolling in through mid-day. A warmer overnight is coming, WCCO meteorologist Joseph Dames reports.
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 will be chilly, with highs pushing the lower 20s after a very cold morning.
The Twin Cities metro is in for some late-winter temperature whiplash this week.
The Twin Cities metro is in for some late-winter temperature whiplash this week.
Monday starts sunny with clouds eventually rolling in through mid-day. A warmer overnight is coming, WCCO meteorologist Joseph Dames reports.
The drawdown of ice agents in Minnesota continues, violence has erupted in parts of western Mexico after the army killed the leader of a powerful drug cartel and more.
Monday will be chilly, with highs pushing the lower 20s after a very cold morning.
The ICE surge drawdown continues in Minnesota, plus more of the day’s top stories.
Two major priorities are on a collision course in the Minnesota Legislature.