
Pat Kessler: 'Will We Ever Shake Hands Again?'
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.
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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.
Minnesota ranks near the top of many national lists as among the best places to live -- unless you are African American.
All 50 states are now taking the steps to reopen their economies, including Minnesota. Despite experts who worry it might be too much, too soon.
Gov. Walz has loosened some of the COVID-19 restrictions that have shut down businesses for months. That's some good news -- but it may not be enough to ease massive unemployment around the state.
The decision to undo nearly 50 years of precedent will have sweeping ramifications for tens of millions of women across the country as abortion rights are curtailed and lead to a patchwork of laws absent the constitutional protection.
Now that Roe v. Wade has been overturned, the Dakotas and Wisconsin, among others, are immediately banning the procedure. Planned Parenthood now projects the percentage of out-of-state patients seeking abortions in Minnesota could jump to 25% of all cases.
The president and CEO of Wisconsin's Planned Parenthood, Tanya Atkinson, says they will still help patients navigate to states where abortion remains legal.
Friday is a Next Weather Alert day in Minnesota, as severe thunderstorms threaten to sweep over the northern half of the state in the evening and overnight hours. Meanwhile, the additional rainfall could bring flooding to parts of of north-central Minnesota, where heavy downpours fell less than 24 hours ago.
A number of homes near the Little Elk River in the town of Randall had to be evacuated today, while a number of roads were closed off.
Damico Jamal-Tokyo High pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter. High shot and killed 15-year-old Derryanna Davis in March.
The Supreme Court issued its highly anticipated decision in a case involving a Mississippi law banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.
Many people with disabilities are not getting the adequate care they need as more than 170 group homes have closed across the state since October, ACR Group Homes said.
Chippewa County Circuit Judge Benjamin Lane on Friday scheduled a Sept. 1 preliminary hearing for the 14-year-old boy, identified in court documents as C.T.P.-B.
The decision to undo nearly 50 years of precedent will have sweeping ramifications for tens of millions of women across the country as abortion rights are curtailed and lead to a patchwork of laws absent the constitutional protection.
Now that Roe v. Wade has been overturned, the Dakotas and Wisconsin, among others, are immediately banning the procedure. Planned Parenthood now projects the percentage of out-of-state patients seeking abortions in Minnesota could jump to 25% of all cases.
The president and CEO of Wisconsin's Planned Parenthood, Tanya Atkinson, says they will still help patients navigate to states where abortion remains legal.
Friday is a Next Weather Alert day in Minnesota, as severe thunderstorms threaten to sweep over the northern half of the state in the evening and overnight hours. Meanwhile, the additional rainfall could bring flooding to parts of of north-central Minnesota, where heavy downpours fell less than 24 hours ago.
A number of homes near the Little Elk River in the town of Randall had to be evacuated today, while a number of roads were closed off.
Now that Roe v. Wade has been overturned, the Dakotas and Wisconsin, among others, are immediately banning the procedure. Planned Parenthood now projects the percentage of out-of-state patients seeking abortions in Minnesota could jump to 25% of all cases.
Damico Jamal-Tokyo High pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter. High shot and killed 15-year-old Derryanna Davis in March.
Many people with disabilities are not getting the adequate care they need as more than 170 group homes have closed across the state since October, ACR Group Homes said.
The Minneapolis Fire Department responded to a structure fire at approximately 3:03 a.m. on the 2500 block of Grand Avenue South.
The decision to undo nearly 50 years of precedent will have sweeping ramifications for tens of millions of women across the country as abortion rights are curtailed and lead to a patchwork of laws absent the constitutional protection.
Now that Roe v. Wade has been overturned, the Dakotas and Wisconsin, among others, are immediately banning the procedure. Planned Parenthood now projects the percentage of out-of-state patients seeking abortions in Minnesota could jump to 25% of all cases.
A number of homes near the Little Elk River in the town of Randall had to be evacuated today, while a number of roads were closed off.
Friday is a Next Weather Alert day in Minnesota, as severe thunderstorms are sweeping into northwestern Minnesota. Meanwhile, additional rainfall overnight could bring flooding to parts of of north-central Minnesota, where heavy downpours fell less than 24 hours ago.
Many people with disabilities are not getting the adequate care they need as more than 170 group homes have closed across the state since October, ACR Group Homes said.
Weather observers say more than 4 inches of rain fell overnight Thursday into Friday in St. Cloud where storm drains were unable to keep up with the downpour.
Chippewa County Circuit Judge Benjamin Lane on Friday scheduled a Sept. 1 preliminary hearing for the 14-year-old boy, identified in court documents as C.T.P.-B.
The president and CEO of Wisconsin's Planned Parenthood, Tanya Atkinson, says they will still help patients navigate to states where abortion remains legal.
The decision to undo nearly 50 years of precedent will have sweeping ramifications for tens of millions of women across the country as abortion rights are curtailed and lead to a patchwork of laws absent the constitutional protection.
The second of two Wisconsin women who were sent to a state mental health facility after a 2014 stabbing attack on a sixth-grade classmate that they claimed was to appease the horror character Slender Man is petitioning for her release.
The former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice hired to investigate Biden's victory in the battleground state testified Thursday that he routinely deleted records, even after receiving open records requests.
"Do not let the body frame fool you," Kendrick Perkins said after Holmgren was selected. "He's mean, he's aggressive, and he's about that life."
Sylvia Fowles had 14 points and 10 rebounds in her return from an injury and Moriah Jefferson scored 21 points as the Minnesota Lynx beat the Phoenix Mercury 100-88 on Thursday night.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have added a potential rim protector to complement star Karl-Anthony Towns, reportedly acquiring 7-foot-1 Auburn center Walker Kessler in a draft pick swap with the Memphis Grizzlies that netted them an additional first-rounder on Thursday night.
The Oklahoma City Thunder chose Gonzaga's Chet Holmgren with the No. 2 overall pick in the NBA draft on Thursday night.
The Cleveland Guardians came to Minnesota and won their seventh consecutive series, pulling ahead of the Twins in the AL Central with five more matchups looming next week.
The Supreme Court issued its highly anticipated decision in a case involving a Mississippi law banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.
Many people with disabilities are not getting the adequate care they need as more than 170 group homes have closed across the state since October, ACR Group Homes said.
The president and CEO of Wisconsin's Planned Parenthood, Tanya Atkinson, says they will still help patients navigate to states where abortion remains legal.
The decision to undo nearly 50 years of precedent will have sweeping ramifications for tens of millions of women across the country as abortion rights are curtailed and lead to a patchwork of laws absent the constitutional protection.
Installing Clark and the pressure campaign on the Justice Department was "essentially a political coup," committee chair Rep. Bennie Thompson said in his closing statement at Thursday's hearing.
Damico Jamal-Tokyo High pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter. High shot and killed 15-year-old Derryanna Davis in March.
Chippewa County Circuit Judge Benjamin Lane on Friday scheduled a Sept. 1 preliminary hearing for the 14-year-old boy, identified in court documents as C.T.P.-B.
Clayton Lauritsen, of Cumberland, had been charged with one count of first-degree intentional homicide in connection to the shooting.
If you think you can speed through Mendota Heights unnoticed, think again. You might even get a letter in the mail to prove it.
The second of two Wisconsin women who were sent to a state mental health facility after a 2014 stabbing attack on a sixth-grade classmate that they claimed was to appease the horror character Slender Man is petitioning for her release.
As Minnesota's average price for gasoline maintains a price near $4.75 a gallon heading into the heart of summer, marinas along the St. Croix River are averaging prices up to $2 more.
There are high expectations ahead as a new law will soon take effect that for the first time regulates the use of cannabinoids in food and beverages in Minnesota.
Sun Country Airlines recently announced their new flight to Vancouver from Minneapolis-St. Paul International airport. But the inaugural return flight didn't go as planned.
Travel group predicts 42 million Americans will take a road trip of 50 miles or more.
Getting a home energy audit is a great way to know where money is falling through the cracks in your home.
Many people with disabilities are not getting the adequate care they need as more than 170 group homes have closed across the state since October, ACR Group Homes said.
The president and CEO of Wisconsin's Planned Parenthood, Tanya Atkinson, says they will still help patients navigate to states where abortion remains legal.
"One thing that scientists have known for a long time is that mosquitoes are attracted to the odor of used gym socks," Dr. Jon Oliver said.
The Minnesota Department of Health's latest update includes data from the past weekend, which was delayed in reporting due to the Juneteenth holiday.
Expect a popular Minneapolis beach to be closed for several days due to excessive levels of E. coli in the water.
St. Paul Public Schools officials are drafting a new policy to allow and encourage the Native American practice of smudging at schools and events in Minnesota's second-largest district.
Several public schools in Minneapolis will move to distance learning on Tuesday due to a lack of air conditioning and impending extreme heat.
The House Democrats cited the recent teachers strike Minneapolis, and the threat of one in St. Paul, as prime examples of how schools do not have the funding they need to create stable learning environments for their students.
Byron Public Schools Superintendent Mike Neubeck says district lawyers are reviewing the school system's policy covering what can be displayed in classrooms. He said he's concerned that allowing the Ukrainian flag could lead to unwanted displays.
Munir Zukanovic made his way to Minnesota decades ago, and has been working to become a citizen ever since. He moved to the country in the wake of the Bosnian war. Zukanovic was beaten in a war camp and lost a 13-year-old son.
In a single uninterrupted battle for supremacy of the living room, the console wars have given gamers such legendary installments as the Nintendo 64 and the PlayStation 2 and such cautionary tales as the Nokia N-Gage and the Ouya.
In 1995, Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan and a handful of other wrestling superstars squared off in a ring just outside of Camp Snoopy for the first episode of "WCW Monday Nitro." In September, professional wrestling will return to the mall.
In 1995, Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan and a handful of other wrestling superstars squared off in a ring just outside of Camp Snoopy for the first episode of "WCW Monday Nitro."
The adaptation by playwright Kate Hamill honors the 1815 novel while using lots of humor, modern-day clothing, and pop music, similar to "Bridgerton."
The winners of the Jimmy Awards often punch their ticket to Broadway, and in some cases, Hollywood.
"One thing that scientists have known for a long time is that mosquitoes are attracted to the odor of used gym socks," Dr. Jon Oliver said.
"Just that slightest shift in an average puts us into a whole new climate, really upping those chances for all of the extremes that we have to deal with," said Climate Central Chief Meteorologist Bernadette Woods Placky.
If last weekend was any indication, prepare for a tumultuous summer travel season.
The S&P 500 tumbled even more Thursday, putting it firmly into a bear market.
According to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, there were 214,000 job openings in the state at the end of last year. At the same time, there were 93,000 unemployed people.
"They are pretty laid back and calm. They really are," said park manager Ashley Steevens. "They're managed as a wild herd, so this is their territory. This is their home."
In this week's Finding Minnesota, John Lauritsen shows us how a giant statue ended up in the city of Blue Earth.
In this week's Finding Minnesota, John Lauritsen takes us to the Rapidan Dam Store in Blue Earth County.
In this week's Finding Minnesota, John Lauritsen takes us on a tour of a treasured ghost town in Fillmore County, near the Iowa border.
There's a place in our state where you can "hit" a nice drive down the fairway, while surrounded by "hits" from the Beatles.
New information in a WCCO investigation: several families want to warn others after they say the same pool contractor took their savings and didn't do the job.
From county to county, family after family say Charles Workman left them without their money and without a pool. Some filed police reports; others sued.
The company has until the end of the month to file an appeal to the state Supreme Court.
More than 100 pages detail the early stages of the COVID-19 crisis hitting Minnesota.
We teamed up with Wilder Research to pinpoint the places Minnesotans could suffer the most serious consequences.
It's one of the oldest treatment centers in the world - and the Minneapolis AA house could have to close - unless something changes fast.
"We received over 2,800 complaints of missed pickups just in the first 10 days of this month alone, so clearly very unacceptable," said St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter.
Sunday's Juneteenth event in north Minneapolis celebrated multiple firsts.
A Maple Grove man is risking his life in Ukraine working to get refugees to safety.
Later this week, Minnesotans from all over will observe Juneteenth, a celebration of the day in 1865 when the last American slaves found out they were free after the Civil War.
A number of homes near the Little Elk River in the town of Randall had to be evacuated today, while a number of roads were closed off.
Meteorologist Lisa Meadows reports on the threat of severe weather Friday night in parts of northern Minnesota.
Weather observers say more than 4 inches of rain fell overnight Thursday into Friday in St. Cloud where storm drains were unable to keep up with the downpour.
"The elderly and the really young," said CentraCare sports medicine physician Dr. George Morris. "Those are the two populations that I would worry about most."
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.
In 1995, Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan and a handful of other wrestling superstars squared off in a ring just outside of Camp Snoopy for the first episode of "WCW Monday Nitro."
Stars of stage and screen hit the red carpet for the 75th Annual Tony Awards on Sunday night.
Opening Day is nearly here and the Minnesota Twins are unveiling new foods at Target Field, including Australian-inspired savory pies and an official grilled cheese sandwich of the ballpark.
A gallery of the beloved celebrities who have died in 2022.
It's Valentine's Day, and Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield asked WCCO viewers to share their stories of romance. Here are some of the best we got!
Reg Chapman reports on two supportive sisters in Robbinsdale.
While some gathered to protest the high court's ruling, others said they were glad that the landmark decision was overturned.
After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Wisconsin law defaulted back to an 1849 law banning abortions.
Experts say the decision from the high court will reverberate in ballot boxes across the country.
Parts of central Minnesota are experiencing flooding after heavy rain last night.