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.
Two teams, two game sixes and the high stakes drove fans to hit the town on a school night.
The research adds to the understanding of the species and how populations adapt and survive in a landscape heavily influenced by humans.
Quinn Hughes led Minnesota to its first playoff series victory in 11 years, scoring twice in the Wild's 5-2 victory over the Dallas Stars in Game 6 on Thursday night.
Byron Buxton homered for the third time in four games and Ryan Jeffers hit a go-ahead, two-run drive that led the Minnesota Twins over the Toronto Blue Jays 7- 1 in the opener of a four-game series.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey vetoed an effort to extend the pre-eviction filing notice period by 15 days, weeks after shooting down a similar measure that would have extended the period by 30 days.
Two teams, two game sixes and the high stakes drove fans to hit the town on a school night.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey vetoed an effort to extend the pre-eviction filing notice period by 15 days, weeks after shooting down a similar measure that would have extended the period by 30 days.
A mother, father and daughter have all been indicted for allegedly assaulting a TurningPoint USA contributor.
No children were on the school bus at the time of the incident.
The Shakopee Police Department says the vehicle caused a gas meter to break off when it hit All Saints Senior Living, located at 1880 Independence Drive, just after 4 p.m.
The research adds to the understanding of the species and how populations adapt and survive in a landscape heavily influenced by humans.
With the Midterm Elections just six months away, will historic support from minority voters hold strong for Republican candidates.
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.
Across the country, more than 152 million Americans — or 45% — are living with unhealthy levels of air pollution.
The Minnesota Supreme Court on Wednesday affirmed the conviction against Adam Fravel, who killed Madeline Kingsbury in 2023 and was sentenced to life in prison.
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.
Federal prosecutors say a small-town Wisconsin police chief tried to help California gun dealers import illegal armor-piercing rounds from Europe.
Local and federal law enforcement are investigating after nearly 50 firearms and "a large quantity of ammunition" were stolen from a sporting goods store in St. Croix County, Wisconsin, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said Friday.
Two Minnesotans were killed in a motorcycle crash Wednesday evening in western Wisconsin.
Matthew Keirans used William Woods's identity for decades, then manipulated police into prosecuting Woods, who spent 428 days in jail and 147 days in a mental hospital before DNA evidence proved his innocence.
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.
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.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey vetoed an effort to extend the pre-eviction filing notice period by 15 days, weeks after shooting down a similar measure that would have extended the period by 30 days.
Nurses and faith leaders rallied around Minnesota's busiest trauma hospital. Leaders warn HCMC is just months away from closing.
The federal government is putting another funding freeze on Minnesota.
In the last election, President Trump saw record support from Black and Latino voters. But will those new supporters stick with the President’s party in the upcoming midterm?
With the Midterm Elections just six months away, will historic support from minority voters hold strong for Republican candidates.
Some Twin Cities rideshare drivers say they may have to leave the road as gas prices continue to increase.
A large investment company is warning anyone with stocks to hold on to your hats. Information from JP Morgan says uncertainty is fueling inflation, but so far the market has been more resilient than expected.
Some Trader Joe's shoppers will get a payout after a lawsuit alleged that the retailer's customer receipts put shoppers at risk of ID theft.
The bill would provide an average refund increase of $171 to homeowners after sharp property tax increases across the state this year.
The bills aim to close what supporters call a gambling law loophole, allowing for these prediction markets to flourish with no regulations.
A mother, father and daughter have all been indicted for allegedly assaulting a TurningPoint USA contributor.
One person was gravely injured and another arrested after a crash that also damaged an iconic Minneapolis dive bar on Thursday.
A man found guilty of charges connected to a federal gang crackdown in Minneapolis has been sentenced to nearly eight years in prison.
The Minneapolis Police Department said "a domestic altercation between brothers" led to the stabbing on the 3000 block of Girard Avenue North.
A 19-year-old man is back in a Dakota County, Minnesota, jail after he allegedly stole a car from the parking lot after getting released Wednesday afternoon.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services head Dr. Mehmet Oz notified Minnesota that the department is deferring $91 million in Medicaid payments, citing systemic fraud risks and ongoing audits.
HCMC is on life support, as leaders warn the state's busiest trauma hospital could be just months away from closing without an infusion of cash. Two demonstrations in downtown Minneapolis tried to spotlight the problem on Thursday.
There is bipartisan support to help save the hospital, but the state Senate is proposing less money than the House. One former patient has something to say to those lawmakers.
Hold Your Horses is a local nonprofit that provides therapy alongside horses and the natural world for people of all ages and abilities.
Minnesota lawmakers are calling for the humanitarian release of a woman detained earlier this year amid Operation Metro Surge who is suffering from a tennis ball-sized ovarian cyst.
Mononymous country music star Hardy is set to kick off the final weekend of the 2026 Minnesota State Fair.
Jake was at the funeral for one of his closest friends when he learned of his parents' deaths, he said.
A previously unreleased song is one of many ways Prince is being honored a decade after his death.
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.
A video game is helping people experience the Ojibwe culture in a new way.
Two teams, two game sixes and the high stakes drove fans to hit the town on a school night.
Quinn Hughes led Minnesota to its first playoff series victory in 11 years, scoring twice in the Wild's 5-2 victory over the Dallas Stars in Game 6 on Thursday night.
Byron Buxton homered for the third time in four games and Ryan Jeffers hit a go-ahead, two-run drive that led the Minnesota Twins over the Toronto Blue Jays 7- 1 in the opener of a four-game series.
Nate Prosser explains how his upbringing and faith influenced his path from Elk River to the NHL.
Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn has been fined by the NHL for cross-checking Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman after a heated exchange between the players during Game 5 of the first-round playoff series.
In the last election, President Trump saw record support from Black and Latino voters. But will those new supporters stick with the President’s party in the upcoming midterm?
With the Midterm Elections just six months away, will historic support from minority voters hold strong for Republican candidates.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services head Dr. Mehmet Oz notified Minnesota that the department is deferring $91 million in Medicaid payments, citing systemic fraud risks and ongoing audits.
With the Midterm Elections just six months away, will historic support from minority voters hold strong for Republican candidates. In Talking Points, Esme Murphy asked University of Minnesota Professor Michael Minta if that momentum will hold strong through the midterm elections.
The only open Congressional race in Minnesota is in the state's 2nd Congressional District, where the incumbent Rep. Angie Craig is not running for reelection but running for U.S. Senate.
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.
It's one of the largest musky hatcheries in the entire world. John Lauritsen shows us how the Spooner hatchery keeps fish healthy and anglers happy.
Shattuck-St. Mary's is more than a hockey school, but hockey has helped put the school on the map. They have banners and big names to prove it, though the real evidence lies with a man called Rooster.
A symbolic change is bothering some Minnesotans. Now their local leaders are listening; several cities are voting to fly the old state flag instead of the new one. While it was a drastic redesign, it wasn't the first.
Construction season has arrived, potentially adding several minutes to your daily drive to work. So, how bad is the commute in the Twin Cities? Good Question.
The media we consume and how long we spend consuming it can impact our mental health. In a world where screens are scrutinized, what is the worst kind of screen time?
The pet insurance industry is relatively new, and experts say that's partly why there's a low number of policies, but it is growing.
The popular afternoon pick-me-up in a cup is like a super food, supplement and medicine cure-all.
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.
WCCO meteorologist Chris Shaffer says it will get frosty overnight.
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.
WCCO meteorologist Chris Shaffer says tomorrow will be cool and partly cloudy.
Frost is possible again Thursday night, and more of the same, temperature-wise, is expected on Friday.
It’ll be another chilly night with near-freezing temperatures before some clouds move in on Friday.
WCCO meteorologist Chris Shaffer says it will get frosty overnight.
The playoff push is happening on both sides of the river tonight and we're bringing you live team coverage of it all.
WCCO meteorologist Chris Shaffer says tomorrow will be cool and partly cloudy.
If you’ve ever been to the Mississippi River and thought, “Nice view, but could use some more bubbles,” well, your moment has arrived. Photojournalist Ray Campos and Adam Duxter take us to Boom Island Park to talk about a new floating attraction.
Push came to shove during an anti-ICE protest and now, federal prosecutors have indicted three members of the same family for assaulting a right-wing reporter. As Jason Rantala reports, both that family and the reporter wishes things had gone differently.