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.
At a downtown Minneapolis watch party, fans cheered on Mexico in the tournament's opening match on Thursday. 48 teams will face off in over 100 matches for the World Cup title.
Could baby owls and eagles be the key to stopping the spread of bird flu? The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul is hoping their research can help turkey farmers.
A plea agreement in the killing of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman is bringing a mix of relief and emotion to the community she helped build.
Ahead of the 2026 Special Olympics games, some young Special Olympians had an awesome Thursday on the court with the Minnesota Lynx.
Hundreds of concessions workers at Target Field say they're planning a strike starting next week, when the Los Angeles Dodgers come to play the Minnesota Twins.
At a downtown Minneapolis watch party, fans cheered on Mexico in the tournament's opening match on Thursday. 48 teams will face off in over 100 matches for the World Cup title.
Could baby owls and eagles be the key to stopping the spread of bird flu? The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul is hoping their research can help turkey farmers.
A plea agreement in the killing of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman is bringing a mix of relief and emotion to the community she helped build.
Ahead of the 2026 Special Olympics games, some young Special Olympians had an awesome Thursday on the court with the Minnesota Lynx.
Hundreds of concessions workers at Target Field say they're planning a strike starting next week, when the Los Angeles Dodgers come to play the Minnesota Twins.
Two men on a Minnesota trail helped rescue a missing woman who had been stuck in the mud for three days.
School's out, summer's here, and if you're heading to the lake on Highway 10, you may just stumble upon hidden treasure.
Two women were involved in a deadly head-on crash Tuesday night in Chisago City, Minnesota.
On Saturday, the landscape of the park will become part of the art itself during "Prairie Dreams: A Trail of Quilts." Over 120 quilts will be displayed along a trail through the park.
A man drowned in a northern Minnesota lake Sunday while trying to save a dog, officials said.
Two women were involved in a deadly head-on crash Tuesday night in Chisago City, Minnesota.
Attorneys for Salah Sarsour, president of Wisconsin's largest mosque, told a federal judge he has lost 30 pounds and is not receiving consistent medical care for Type 2 diabetes while held in an Indiana jail.
President Trump was in western Wisconsin Friday afternoon to host a roundtable on farming at Custer Farms in Chippewa Falls.
A federal judge heard arguments Wednesday on whether to throw out former Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan's felony obstruction conviction, postponing her sentencing indefinitely while he considers the matter.
A Minnesota man was arrested in Wisconsin Saturday afternoon for allegedly driving under the influence with four children inside his car, officials say.
On the Lake Harriet shoreline in Minneapolis Saturday evening, dozens of children picked up a fishing rod for the first time.
Hours after the announcement, community members were eager to learn more about the one challenged with leading the most scrutinized police department in the country.
Created by Freedom Reads, a nonprofit organization in Connecticut, the Inside Literary Prize is the first major U.S. book award decided exclusively by incarcerated readers.
A 23-year-old man from Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, faces a criminal vehicular homicide charge after prosecutors say he hit and killed a person on a highway, then fled.
Quincy Street isn't just at the center of Art-A-Whirl, it's at the heart of the Arts District in northeast Minneapolis. The road itself, however, is falling apart. And the only thing bumpier than the exposed brick is the reaction to the city's plans to fix it.
A plea agreement in the killing of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman is bringing a mix of relief and emotion to the community she helped build.
Vance Boelter pleaded guilty to the shootings of two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses on Thursday as part of an agreement with federal prosecutors.
The fragile U.S. ceasefire with Iran is on shaky ground after both nations traded another round of airstrikes.
It's been four months since the end of Operation Metro Surge, which took an enormous toll on many Twin Cities residents and businesses. Conor Wight shows us what that looks like as another business owner announces he's closing up shop.
Days after the Department of Justice said it wouldn't seek the death penalty for Vance Boelter, the man accused of attacks on Minnesota lawmakers, it now appears he's poised to plead guilty
Target is voluntarily recalling two types of baby wipes due to concerns that the products may be contaminated with bacteria that may cause "serious and life-threatening infections," the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Friday.
The dream of a woman in Minnesota started with excitement, but quickly unraveled into loss after she said she fell victim to a scheme that targeted more than 30 Spanish speakers.
For years, it was all hands on deck; a business model buoyed by a bevy of free time that sent sales surging in a way never before seen. But as Minnesota enters lake season, outdoor sales for boats, jet skis and more have almost dropped anchor.
Jester Concepts' Monday announcement noted that Borough will mark its remaining five weeks of service through June 27 with events celebrating the restaurant's history, and it encouraged customers to reserve tables during the final weeks.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has issued a consumer advisory for four products produced by Milkjam Creamery, an ice cream shop in Minneapolis, due to "the potential presence of metal fragments," the state agency said.
Minnesota Sen. John Hoffman's family released a statement Thursday afternoon addressing Vance Boelter's change of plea in federal court, saying that "there is not justice when our family and our state will never truly heal."
The state-level case against Vance Boelter — the man who pleaded guilty in federal court to shooting two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses — will continue, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced Thursday afternoon.
Eat Street businesses in south Minneapolis are back open Wednesday after several had to shelter in place during Tuesday's standoff.
Vance Boelter pleaded guilty to the shootings of two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses on Thursday as part of an agreement with federal prosecutors.
Officers with the Third Precinct responded to a reported shooting on the 1900 block of Chicago Avenue around 11 a.m.
Minnesotans weathered the third air quality alert triggered by ozone of the year Monday. If two more happen, it will tie the yearly record.
HCMC in Minneapolis got what they wanted, a large financial boost from lawmakers, and now the leaders of Minnesota's busiest trauma hospital say they'll put their money where their mouths are and get to work restructuring finances.
The studio also incorporates balance and cognitive training to help clients maintain stability and coordination as they age.
Minnesota officials say they have completed a review of almost 5,600 "high-risk Medicaid providers," part of an effort to stave off the federal government's freezing of $2 billion in funding.
Minnesota state officials are feeling pressure from the federal government, working to revalidate thousands of Medicaid providers who operate in programs that are at high-risk for fraud.
There's plenty to do in Minnesota this weekend, including some major anniversary parties, Maple Grove's ever-popular Chalkfest and much more!
Anthony Head played librarian and mentor Rupert Giles in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and recently appeared in "Ted Lasso."
Everywhere you look in downtown Minneapolis, people are sporting purple in honor of Prince.
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is on the cover of Madden NFL 27, the first Bear ever to grace the primary cover of the massively popular video game.
Wednesday is the beginning of a five-day celebration of the icon we know, love and miss: Prince.
Ahead of the 2026 Special Olympics games, some young Special Olympians had an awesome Thursday on the court with the Minnesota Lynx.
Hundreds of concessions workers at Target Field say they're planning a strike starting next week, when the Los Angeles Dodgers come to play the Minnesota Twins.
Spencer Torkelson hit one of Detroit's six homers and the Tigers rolled to an 11-0 win over the Minnesota Twins.
Byron Buxton hit his 20th home run of the season, Royce Lewis also connected and the Minnesota Twins beat the Detroit Tigers 6-4 on Wednesday night.
Brian Flores is back for a fourth season as defensive coordinator of the Minnesota Vikings.
After disputes about ballots and concerns about voting totals, businessman Kendall Qualls won the endorsement.
Minnesota's endorsing conventions are over, and the story of the weekend is the upset of House Speaker Lisa Demuth in the GOP governor's race.
Minnesota's election season officially kicks off this week as both major parties hold conventions to endorse candidates for governor and U.S. Senate, with competitive battles on the Republican side and clearer paths for Democrats.
Both parties begin the endorsement process today in Rochester and Duluth, with the August primary just two months away.
Friday, the Democratic and Republican parties begin the process of endorsing nominees for statewide offices.
School's out, summer's here, and if you're heading to the lake on Highway 10, you may just stumble upon hidden treasure.
Nearly 40 years ago, a building was sent over piece by piece from Norway to a farm in Chippewa County, Minnesota. It's one of the only stabburs in the United States.
Minneiska, Minnesota, is a small river town on Highway 61 near the Mississippi River, but at one point it was home to a castle.
The sign is 51 feet tall and 63 feet wide. And when it was built 85 years ago it was one of the largest neon signs in the entire country.
There's a place in Wabasha County, Minnesota, where people go wild for wildflowers.
Minnesotans weathered the third air quality alert triggered by ozone of the year Monday. If two more happen, it will tie the yearly record.
Milder winters mean more ticks survive to the following spring, and a southern species that can trigger a red meat allergy is now gaining ground in Minnesota as a result.
She didn't win her party's endorsement, but Republican Lisa Demuth plans to keep running for governor anyway. History shows that might actually work in her favor.
Cops are cracking down on a popular way to pedal around town.
If you're holding back on spending or worried about losing your job, you are not alone. U.S. consumer sentiment just hit an all-time low this month.
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.
Tomorrow will be pleasant with highs in the 80s. Cooler weather on the way.
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.
Humidity levels will drop Friday as highs settle in the 70s, says NEXT Weather meteorologist Chris Shaffer.
Sunshine returns Friday with some light breezes, ahead of cooler, more comfortable temperatures over the weekend, says NEXT Weather meteorologist Mike Augustyniak.
Some showers are moving through Minnesota on Thursday, though they're not expected to be severe.
State of Minnesota still wants to press charges against Vance Boelter.
Tomorrow will be pleasant with highs in the 80s. Cooler weather on the way.
Could baby owls and eagles be the key to stopping the spread of bird flu? The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul is hoping their research can help turkey farmers.
The biggest sporting event on Planet Earth just kicked off Thursday, and it's not just Team USA that's looking for a win.
Vance Boelter pleaded guilty to the shootings of two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses on Thursday as part of an agreement with federal prosecutors.