Minn. Woman Sits With First Lady At State Of The Union
A Twin Cities woman was President Obama's guest at the State of the Union address Tuesday night. Rebekah Erler wrote the president last year about how tough the economy has been on her family.
Watch CBS News
A Twin Cities woman was President Obama's guest at the State of the Union address Tuesday night. Rebekah Erler wrote the president last year about how tough the economy has been on her family.
Since 1960, it's been an unstoppable population shift, and a new study from the Center for Rural Policy and Development shows a 50-year migration from rural Minnesota to the urban corridor stretching from St. Cloud through the Twin Cities and Rochester.
Minnesota lawmakers opened hearings Thursday on a bill to regulate how long police can keep computer images of your car and license plate. Police store tens of thousands of those images -- even if you haven't committed a crime.
Minnesota lawmakers are caught in a dust-up over office space at the State Capitol, and it's threatening to delay the massive Capitol restoration now underway. The three-year, $272 million project is on time and on budget. But the tenants in the new building -- including the governor, the Senate, the House and the attorney general -- cannot come to agreement over how much space they will control.
When Minnesota lawmakers returned to the State Capitol after the bruising 2014 election campaign, Tina Smith was outside their offices to greet them.
Minnesota lawmakers are moving quickly to overhaul the state's child protection system.
Minnesota lawmakers kicked off the new session Thursday with a sweeping package of unusual legislative priorities.
An interesting new idea from some Minnesota lawmakers this year: Cancel next year's legislative session. The "No Session 2016" movement began the first hour of the first day of the 2015 legislature, when top leaders revealed that they're talking about it.
Members of the newly-elected Minnesota House took the oath of office in a major construction zone Tuesday. The Capitol is shrouded in scaffolding. Lawmakers and their families navigated closed-off hallways and long elevator lines to open the session. The new Republican majority selected Rep. Kurt Daudt as the powerful house speaker.
The U.S. Government said Tuesday the nation's economy grew at a whopping 5 percent annual rate last summer. That's the fastest growth since 2003, including jobs coming back to the Midwest.
The widow of "American Sniper" Chris Kyle says she'll have to pay lawsuit damages to former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura out of her own pocket. Ventura won the lawsuit in July after he claimed he was defamed by Kyle's book. Taya Kyle says she's on the hook for most of the $1.8 million in damages awarded to the former Minnesota governor.
The Minnesota State Capitol restoration makes the building look the way it did more than 100 years ago, when Minnesota's best craftsmen built its most visible public landmark. But this project is repairing a century of cover-ups and patch-overs. Project Manager Jason McMillan showed us skylights hidden for decades above false ceilings.
The new Vikings stadium has 200,000 square feet of glass as part of its iconic design. Glass fabrication is well under way, with installation beginning in February. But officials overseeing construction of the billion-dollar facility met last week with bird advocates and the Vikings at 3M headquarters in Maplewood, telling lawmakers they asked the company if it could develop a new 3M adhesive film to cover the glass.
Minnesota joins 32 other states with policies for transgender athletes on high school sports teams. But that doesn't make it any less controversial. Minnesota transgender students can choose a sports team if parents and health care professionals can prove their gender-related identity. Students don't need proof of sex-change surgery or hormone therapy.
Talk of tax cuts has followed word that Minnesota's budget will run up a $1 billion surplus. Top Democrats and Republicans separately raised the prospect Thursday of giving tax breaks with a portion of the surplus. The first dose could come soon in the next session as lawmakers weigh whether to match up Minnesota's deductions and credits more closely with those at the federal level.
AAA is forecasting more travelers will hit the road this Thanksgiving than at any time since 2007.
The final election results are in: Minnesota had its lowest voter turnout since 1986. The state canvassing board officially certified the 2014 voter turnout at 50.5 percent. It's one of the last official acts for Secretary of State Mark Ritchie.
Shashi Chopra sat at her kitchen table, surrounded by her husband, and two children, and cried a little as she recalled that accident in March of 2013.
The Minnesota Vikings are putting more money into the new stadium under construction in downtown Minneapolis. The Vikes are adding another $647,000 for stadium extras, from sideline seating to food concessions. The latest upgrades include upgrading the team's locker room, expanding cooking and concession areas and adding end-zone seating areas it calls "Red Zone Mini-Suites."
The executive director of Minnesota's health insurance exchange says a mostly problem-free weekend rollout netted more than 500 enrollees.
Connie Grover has been in the bar-and-restaurant business for more than 30 years. So she's accustomed to sudden change. But she was stunned to get a letter from PreferredOne saying her monthly insurance rates are going up 160 percent. "I couldn't believe how high the rate went," Grover said. "I just couldn't believe it."
An audit of MNsure found Minnesota's Human Services Department made multiple mistakes verifying who's eligible for which public health program. Legislative Auditor James Nobles said human services got it wrong at least 17 percent of the time. "We spent a lot of money, taken quite a bit of time now and we ought to be at a point where they can get it right -- all the time, on every case," Nobles said.
Minnesota honored its veterans with a special state program Tuesday in Inver Grove Heights. State military leaders honored Minnesota's 370,000 veterans, including 26,000 who were deployed for extended periods of time after 9/11.
Six months after winning a bid to host the 2018 Super Bowl, Minnesota is making a bid for the NCAA Final four. Minnesota is one of eight locations competing for a Final Four between 2017 and 2020.
Minnesota lawmakers next year are preparing again to take up the issue of Sunday liquor sales. Minnesota is one of only 12 states that require liquor stores to be closed on Sundays. And many Minnesota consumers cross the border to Wisconsin, where Sunday sales are legal.
Firefighters are working to put out a massive blaze at an apartment complex in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, on Friday evening.
Forty-two-year-old Abdikerm Eidleh appeared in federal court in St. Paul on Friday, just weeks after he was arrested in Mogadishu.
Records have been broken in several Minnesota communities, including parts of the Twin Cities, for the worst wildfire smoke measured, according to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez ended her Democratic primary campaign for Wisconsin governor Friday, citing financial problems she said would distract from an election Democrats need to win.
Officials in northern Minnesota say the death of a woman whose body was found in a ditch Thursday is being investigated as suspicious.
Firefighters are working to put out a massive blaze at an apartment complex in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, on Friday evening.
An argument escalated into a shooting around 10:40 p.m. Thursday near Cedar and 17th avenues, the Minneapolis Police Department said.
Authorities say an armed home invasion in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, Friday morning prompted a "significant police presence" and "large-scale search," but the suspect was not found.
WCCO Investigates has learned a state watchdog is taking a closer look at the community's concerns surrounding pollution problems at a battery recycling plant and the state agency that oversees it.
Minneapolis police are investigating after a man was shot and killed in Minneapolis on Thursday afternoon.
Officials in northern Minnesota say the death of a woman whose body was found in a ditch Thursday is being investigated as suspicious.
A central Minnesota driver faces a felony charge after authorities allege she hit a man walking his dog, killing the animal and leaving the owner with multiple injuries.
Crews are working to keep wildfires burning across northern Minnesota from reaching public and private infrastructure, officials said in a news conference Friday afternoon.
In this week's Talking Points, some warn that this endorsement could destroy the GOP's chances of winning up and down the ballot, including among Republicans.
It's Tyler Larson's first year running a spray drone. On Thursday morning, he was applying fungicide to a soybean field near Owatonna, Minnesota.
For 66 years, the Lumberjack World Championships have brought the world's best to Hayward, Wisconsin.
Three people who died after a pontoon overturned on Lake Pepin over the weekend have been identified.
Two of the decedents were members of the Wabasha Fire Department, the chief confirmed.
A Wisconsin family lost their ten-month-old daughter after she swallowed a water bead. They blame Target and the water bead manufacturer for her death.
Francesca Hong has not backed away from calls to defund and abolish the police, raise taxes on the wealthy, and create a state-owned bank — positions now facing voters in a state Trump has carried twice.
The city of St. Paul, Minnesota, is taking a stand and closing encampments amid growing concerns.
Baseball fans might remember the Metrodome's iconic blue seats, and now in Atwater, Minnesota, spectators can once again grab a blue seat and watch a game.
Tucked away in the Midway neighborhood in St. Paul is a community treasure many have come to love and respect.
What started as a small fundraiser following one of Joe's surgeries at Gillette Children's has grown into a community tradition that has raised nearly $100,000 for the hospital.
A trip to the video store was once a weekly ritual, and now one Minnesota movie lover is trying to bring that experience back.
Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez ended her Democratic primary campaign for Wisconsin governor Friday, citing financial problems she said would distract from an election Democrats need to win.
In a primetime address, President Trump took to the airwaves to allege interference in the 2020 election from China — an accusation that Beijing and U.S. intelligence agencies have contradicted.
President Trump delivered a speech on election security Thursday night at the White House. Here are the facts behind some of his claims.
In this week's Talking Points, some warn that this endorsement could destroy the GOP's chances of winning up and down the ballot, including among Republicans.
The Minneapolis City Council approved a major redesign of Lyndale Avenue South on Thursday.
The lawsuit accuses Loon of using "kid-friendly characters" to promote its vapes in flavors such as Cotton Candy, Strawberry Popsicle, Banana Taffy and Blue Razz Slushy.
A Wisconsin family lost their ten-month-old daughter after she swallowed a water bead. They blame Target and the water bead manufacturer for her death.
For many Minnesotans, the road to the Fourth of July starts with a short drive across the St. Croix River to Wisconsin to stock up on fireworks. The kinds of pyrotechnics that can be legally ignited in Minnesota might be surprising.
Insurance experts say hail damage claims that once averaged $10,000–$15,000 now routinely reach $40,000–$60,000, even as many policies have shifted away from full replacement coverage.
Hundreds of workers, employed by Delaware North Company to serve food and drinks, say they are fighting for livable wages and healthcare benefits.
Forty-two-year-old Abdikerm Eidleh appeared in federal court in St. Paul on Friday, just weeks after he was arrested in Mogadishu.
A central Minnesota driver faces a felony charge after authorities allege she hit a man walking his dog, killing the animal and leaving the owner with multiple injuries.
An argument escalated into a shooting around 10:40 p.m. Thursday near Cedar and 17th avenues, the Minneapolis Police Department said.
Authorities say an armed home invasion in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, Friday morning prompted a "significant police presence" and "large-scale search," but the suspect was not found.
Minneapolis police are investigating after a man was shot and killed in Minneapolis on Thursday afternoon.
The advice is to stay inside when air quality turns hazardous, but that's not an option for many outdoor workers.
A lettuce supplier to fast-food giant Taco Bell has been linked to a nationwide cyclosporiasis outbreak that has sickened thousands of people, the CDC said.
The Target USA Cup, the largest youth soccer tournament in the Western Hemisphere, is suspended Thursday in the Twin Cities due to hazardous air quality from northern wildfires.
A state law passed last year directed the state Department of Health to create materials on "recognizing the signs of physical abuse in infants and how to report suspected physical abuse of infants" and make them available online.
Officials are still searching for the source of the outbreak, prompting consumers to seek advice on social media about which foods to avoid.
There's so much to do this weekend in Minnesota, from festivals to art fairs.
Three Minnesota ice cream shops are in the running for a national title this summer.
New Zealand actor Sam Neill, known for "Jurassic Park" and "The Piano," died Monday at 78, his family says.
A St. Paul, Minnesota, neighborhood that has struggled to keep businesses might be turning a corner.
It's another action-packed weekend here in Minnesota, featuring hot dogs, book fairs, community celebrations and more.
LeBron James, the NBA's career scoring king and current free agent, remains undecided about where he'll play this season.
The Target USA Cup, the largest youth soccer tournament in the Western Hemisphere, is suspended Thursday in the Twin Cities due to hazardous air quality from northern wildfires.
Kayla McBride scored 24 for her fifth straight 20-point performance, Courtney Williams added 19 points, and the Minnesota Lynx beat the Los Angeles Sparks 96-87 for their fourth straight victory.
Defending World Cup champion Argentina rallied to edge England 2-1 to advance to Sunday's final at MetLife Stadium, where they will face Spain.
In a match Tuesday featuring two of soccer's biggest heavyweights, Spain put in a masterful performance, frustrating France to the tune of a 2-0 win to advance to Sunday's World Cup final.
There's less than a month to go before the Aug. 11 primary, and one of the most watched and competitive races is the DFL race for the nomination for U.S. Senate between Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and Rep. Angie Craig.
New campaign finance numbers are expected out later this week in federal races, including Minnesota's U.S. Senate race, where a flood of ads is evidence of a highly competitive race.
Minnesota Republicans head into an August primary shaped by a president who has lost the state three times but still commands outsized loyalty from its conservative base.
Minnesota Republicans head into an August primary shaped by a president who has lost the state three times but still commands outsized loyalty from its conservative base.
Mike Lindell, who leads the Minnesota Republican gubernatorial primary at 27%, is proposing conditional non-resident visas for undocumented immigrants with no criminal record — a position that differs from the Trump administration's approach.
There's a scenic, nearly century-old spot in St. Cloud, Minnesota, where right now you'll find thousands of flowers in bloom.
Baseball fans might remember the Metrodome's iconic blue seats, and now in Atwater, Minnesota, spectators can once again grab a blue seat and watch a game.
It's a lake cruise in the middle of town, and there's more than pelicans on the Pelican Breeze tour in Albert Lea, Minnesota.
Currie, Minnesota, is truly small-town America. The population hovers at just over 200. But on the northern outskirts, you'll happen upon a place with plenty of bells and whistles: End-O-Line Railroad Park and Museum
School's out, summer's here, and if you're heading to the lake on Highway 10, you may just stumble upon hidden treasure.
When you get home from work in the evening, your first thought may be dinner. You might fire up the stove or oven, you could also start a load of laundry. Not long after that, you're running the dishwasher. You may think you're being efficient, but your house during this heat wave disagrees.
It's one of Minnesota's rules of the road in which two is better than one. But Jodi from Lakeville emailed WCCO saying a lot of drivers don't seem to care about the law.
Catching a flight with just a carry-on can make travel feel easy. No need to check a bag and all your belongings stay with you. But quite often, that suddenly changes before boarding.
Skip the latest fad diet. The best way to manage your weight might already be sitting on your plate.
There's no doubt your air conditioning unit is working overtime this week as oppressive heat blankets Minnesota.
The Minnesota State Fair has unveiled its new foods for 2026.
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.
Air quality will be a major issue in northeastern Minnesota on Saturday as wildfires continue to burn in the area, according to NEXT Weather meteorologist Mike Augustyniak.
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.
There's a chance that the wildfire smoke could return to parts of Wisconsin and Minnesota early next week, WCCO meteorologist Mike Augustyniak reports.
Records have been broken in several Minnesota communities, including parts of the Twin Cities, for the worst wildfire smoke measured, according to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
Friday is the sixth straight NEXT Weather Alert day in the Twin Cities.
Air quality will be a major issue in northeastern Minnesota on Saturday as wildfires continue to burn in the area, according to NEXT Weather meteorologist Mike Augustyniak.
The man federal prosecutors are calling "one of the biggest fish" in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme made his first court appearance on Friday. John Lauritsen was in the courtroom and shares more on the charges he's facing.
A Brooklyn Park mother woke up to a nightmare in her bedroom early Friday. Police said a man with a gun broke into her home, demanded money and then sexually assaulted her. WCCO's Jeff Wagner spoke with the woman, who's praying the man is caught.
The viral nun podcast taking the internet by storm is Dominican Sisters Open Mic. Hosted by Catholic sisters in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the show went viral on TikTok and Instagram.
Sarah Bhimani, with the Animal Humane Society, shares an introduction.