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.
A lawsuit accuses Minnesota's transgender athletes policy of violating Title IX and undermining fairness and safety for female athletes.
The St. Paul Saints say Thursday night's home game against the Norfolk Tides at St. Paul's CHS Field is dubbed "Plain Night," promising "it's going to be meh."
A Plymouth woman is suing over an alleged medical mistake that cost her a healthy left kidney.
FDA advisers are set to meet Thursday to decide on updates for this fall's COVID shots.
The St. Croix County Sheriff's Office says the woman's family member asked for a welfare check around 9 p.m.
The St. Paul Saints say Thursday night's home game against the Norfolk Tides at St. Paul's CHS Field is dubbed "Plain Night," promising "it's going to be meh."
A Plymouth woman is suing over an alleged medical mistake that cost her a healthy left kidney.
A woman who was caught on camera slamming and dragging children at a Blaine day care center was sentenced to 90 days in jail.
A 48-year-old man faces criminal vehicular homicide charges following a crash on Friday night in the Twin Cities that killed 74-year-old Alice Stack.
State charges against a man in connection with a drug cartel-related kidnapping in St. Paul have been dropped, clearing the way for a federal case against him to proceed.
A lawsuit accuses Minnesota's transgender athletes policy of violating Title IX and undermining fairness and safety for female athletes.
Cool weather has provided a boost to crews fighting the wildfires in northeastern Minnesota. But after more than a week since the fires began, the fight is far from over.
A 53-year-old man caught after escaping a Minnesota Sex Offender Program facility in St. Peter marks the second man in just over a week to break out of the same site.
Of the seven tornadoes, four were rated EF-0s, two were EF-1 and one in New Richmond, Wisconsin was rated an EF-2.
A 42-year-old man has pleaded guilty for his role in a staged robbery in Isanti County that ended in a shooting that killed another man.
The St. Croix County Sheriff's Office says the woman's family member asked for a welfare check around 9 p.m.
A Wisconsin appeals court judge who was an outspoken supporter of abortion rights in the state Legislature is running for the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Of the seven tornadoes, four were rated EF-0s, two were EF-1 and one in New Richmond, Wisconsin was rated an EF-2.
A boat that's been rusting away on an island in the St. Croix River for almost a year has been moved.
There were more than a dozen tornado warnings and multiple observed tornadoes across Minnesota and Wisconsin.
A Minnesota family is turning their unexpected cancer diagnosis into a way to support other families go through a similar situation.
A dream 62 years in the making, local artist Don Grandbois finally gets to show off his talents at an art show curated by his great niece.
From healthy to heart failure, Nancy Rajanen's thirst for life and travel helps get her through a difficult medical diagnosis.
The fishing opener is two days away, and a father and daughter in St. Cloud are doing what they can to make sure Minnesotans catch more fish.
A Minnetonka woman is on a mission to celebrate the everyday moments of motherhood: the sleepless nights, caring for a sick kiddo and the tantrum survival.
Over a dozen states sued the Trump administration earlier for laying off thousands of Health and Human Services staffers.
The remaining bills include taxes, health and human services, transportation, K-12 education spending and more. Those bills are often the largest and most contentious proposals to sort out.
A Wisconsin appeals court judge who was an outspoken supporter of abortion rights in the state Legislature is running for the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Minnesota lawmakers adjourned late Monday night with many budget bills still unfinished, plus more of the day’s top stories.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem moved to revoke the Temporary Protected Status program, or TPS, for Venezuelans in February.
More people than ever are shopping resale and that number is only expected to grow this year.
Import taxes on Chinese goods are up to 145%. As trade talks are on the horizon. Minnesota-made companies are feeling the pressure.
More changes are coming to St. Paul's rent control ordinance after a lengthy debate and divisive vote in the City Council.
"In January, when we were going to ship, all of a sudden the tariffs happened. I couldn't afford to have them shipped here — I wouldn't have any profit left," said Linda Dahlen.
After years of delays, the deadline to have a Real ID to fly arrives on Wednesday. But Minnesota officials say only 42% of Minnesotans have updated their driver's licenses.
A woman who was caught on camera slamming and dragging children at a Blaine day care center was sentenced to 90 days in jail.
A 48-year-old man faces criminal vehicular homicide charges following a crash on Friday night in the Twin Cities that killed 74-year-old Alice Stack.
State charges against a man in connection with a drug cartel-related kidnapping in St. Paul have been dropped, clearing the way for a federal case against him to proceed.
A 53-year-old man caught after escaping a Minnesota Sex Offender Program facility in St. Peter marks the second man in just over a week to break out of the same site.
A 42-year-old man has pleaded guilty for his role in a staged robbery in Isanti County that ended in a shooting that killed another man.
A Plymouth woman is suing over an alleged medical mistake that cost her a healthy left kidney.
FDA advisers are set to meet Thursday to decide on updates for this fall's COVID shots.
A Wisconsin appeals court judge who was an outspoken supporter of abortion rights in the state Legislature is running for the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Skin is the human body's largest organ, helping to protect against germs and regulating body temperature. As important as it is to use sunscreen, experts say it's also important to know how to apply it correctly.
While winning is always top of mind for this team, so is something even bigger than them.
The St. Paul Saints say Thursday night's home game against the Norfolk Tides at St. Paul's CHS Field is dubbed "Plain Night," promising "it's going to be meh."
When Annie Tammearu, also known as Mother Soki, created the song "Rivet Gun" in her humble apartment in Minneapolis, she never expected that Grammy award-winning pop star Ellie Goulding would take notice.
Netflix will stream a new season of Sesame Street, the beloved children's program, and make previous episodes available.
Jeffrey Zachmann and his son Carl are kinetic sculptors, building mesmerizing, moving works of art that blend engineering and creativity.
Los Lobos is among several big-name acts set to appear at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair.
A lawsuit accuses Minnesota's transgender athletes policy of violating Title IX and undermining fairness and safety for female athletes.
The St. Paul Saints say Thursday night's home game against the Norfolk Tides at St. Paul's CHS Field is dubbed "Plain Night," promising "it's going to be meh."
A Minneapolis teacher is helping high school basketball players get one more look from college coaches.
The fate of the tush push will be up for discussion again along with the NFL's history of giving division champions with mediocre records home field in the playoffs.
Napheesa Collier scored 23 points, Alanna Smith added 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting and the Minnesota Lynx beat the Los Angeles Sparks 89-75.
Esme Murphy speaks with both DFL and GOP House leaders on the issue of health insurance for the undocumented.
While outside this spring, it's easy to forget about a small biting inconvenience. But May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about Lyme disease, its symptoms and the importance of tick bite prevention.
A woman with Lyme disease went misdiagnosed for over a decade.
Former Rep. Dean Phillips reflects on his 2024 presidential run, and his frustrations with the Democratic party.
Esme Murphy talks with former Congressman Dean Phillips about his run for the presidency and whether he will return to politics.
There are more than 20,000 artifacts in the Minnesota Fishing Museum, from old-time rods and reels to vintage lures and motors. What's unique is that everything was donated.
Beth and Eric Engstrom always knew they wanted a farm, but they never dreamed they'd fill it with non-traditional farm critters.
Small towns can offer a variety of businesses, but rarely will you come across one with full-grown dinosaur fossils. That's now the case in Blue Earth, Minnesota.
Jay Cooke State Park in Carlton County, Minnesota, is turning 110 years old this year.
Easter is this weekend, and chances are a park in rural Redwood County will be a popular destination.
'Tis the season of giving to those who are receiving a diploma. Before the celebrations begin, experts weigh in on how much to gift a graduate.
Birthmarks are often harmless, but their origins have puzzled doctors for years.
Minnesota is in the midst of a sizzling stretch of summer-like weather. Something unique for this time of year.
Has this happened to you: You make a new password, but then you forget it. So, you reset it. But soon you forget that password as well, starting painful loop of repeatedly making new passwords that you struggle to remember.
If it's felt pretty breezy lately, you're not imagining it. Spring and fall tend to be Minnesota's windier seasons.
WCCO photojournalist Art Phillips shares some personal family photos taken by his father, Arthur Phillips Sr., in Vietnam during his time in service.
The new Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum is under construction just outside of Camp Ripley in Little Falls. Set to open in late 2026, the $40 million, first-of-its-kind project in the nation will be eight times the size of the existing museum. It will honor not only Minnesota's service members and their sacrifices, but the refugee experience as well. Watch and read more in Pauleen Le's series "Vietnam 50 Years Later: Reflections on a War that Changed Minnesota."
The National Weather Service has issued multiple tornado warnings and many more severe thunderstorm warnings throughout wide swaths of southern and central Minnesota Monday afternoon.
A spring snowstorm dropped several inches of plowable snow overnight in the Twin Cities and other parts of Minnesota.
Six Minnesota Vikings made the initial roster for the 2025 Pro Bowl Games, the most in 15 years.
WCCO meteorologist Lisa Meadows says the red flag warning up north is still in effect due to the wildfire risk. Meanwhile, the Twin Cities area is seeing a long-lasting dousing of rain that should continue through Wednesday.
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 Joseph Dames says widespread rain persists through Tuesday night, especially across southern and western Minnesota.
Cool weather has provided a boost to crews fighting the wildfires in northeastern Minnesota. But after more than a week since the fires began, the fight is far from over.
Widespread rain persists through Tuesday night, especially across southern and western Minnesota, says meteorologist Joseph Dames.
WCCO meteorologist Lisa Meadows says the red flag warning up north is still in effect due to the wildfire risk. Meanwhile, the Twin Cities area is seeing a long-lasting dousing of rain that should continue through Wednesday.
Over a dozen states sued the Trump administration earlier for laying off thousands of Health and Human Services staffers.
Three massive wildfires continue to rage north of Duluth in northeastern Minnesota. Crews are also battling colossal wildfires just north of Minnesota in Canada's Manitoba and Ontario provinces.
The remaining bills include taxes, health and human services, transportation, K-12 education spending and more. Those bills are often the largest and most contentious proposals to sort out.
Lifestyles contributor Jasmine Stringer shares her story of seizing the power of your secret dreams.