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Bipartisan legislation to crack down on human trafficking turned unexpectedly controversial Tuesday because of a Republican-backed provision relating to abortion that Democrats said they failed to notice. Democrats privately conceded they lack the votes to strip out the abortion provision, and some lawmakers suggested they would attempt to prevent a final vote on the entire measure instead.
Gov. Mark Dayton says majority House Republicans are getting a "free ride" when it comes to the state's budget planning. Speaker Kurt Daudt says the House GOP will devote at least half of the state's $1.8 billion surplus to tax relief while also boosting spending for education and nursing homes. Other Republicans have called to return the entire surplus to taxpayers.
Republicans are continuing their focus on school choice with a pair of proposals to help more families afford private school. Sen. David Senjem wants the state to set aside $80 million in tax credits for people and corporations that donate to scholarship funds.
Wisconsin lawmakers voted Friday to make their state the 25th to enact right-to-work legislation, pushing a fast-tracked bill through the Assembly after an overnight debate and sending it on to Gov. Scott Walker for his promised signature.
The Minnesota House has passed a divisive Republican bill that would minimize the role of seniority in teacher layoff decisions statewide. School boards would be required to include evaluations of teachers in layoff decisions under the proposal.
Republican control of the Minnesota House is helping abortion opponents make their case this year. A House health committee on Wednesday passed a bill to end state funding for abortions. Another bill passed would require licensure for abortion clinics.
A projected $1.87 billion budget surplus puts majority House Republicans in a game of tug-of-war — not just with Democrats who control the rest of state government, but within their own party's competing and sometimes conflicting priorities over how much should be spent versus returned to taxpayers.
A group of Republican state senators wants Minnesota to shift its primary election up from August to March in time for next year's presidential race.
Republicans in the Minnesota Senate want to spend more money on education than the state's Democratic governor does. Sen. Sean Nienow says the Republican proposal would total around $450 million in extra school funding over the next two years.
House Republicans are reigniting a debate over the minimum wage with a move to exempt some servers, bartenders and other tipped workers from future hikes. Legislators passed a law last year bumping the state's minimum wage up to $9.50 hourly by 2016.
In a surprise announcement, the Republican leader of the state Senate says he will schedule a vote for next week on a yet-to-be-introduced bill that would make Wisconsin a right-to-work state.
Minnesota's Democratic and Republican parties have scheduled next year's precinct caucuses for March 1, which is when party activists will be able to cast their 2016 presidential preference votes. The parties jointly informed the Minnesota secretary of state of their plans Monday.
It ought to be the friendliest of soil for White House hopefuls looking to pad the resume with a little foreign policy experience: a trip to the United Kingdom. So far, however, the trips to England have been anything but merry for several prospective GOP candidates.
As vaccine skeptics fight laws that would force more parents to inoculate their kids, they are finding unexpected allies in conservative Republicans. Though the stereotype of a vaccine skeptic is a coastal, back-to-the-land type, it's generally been Democratic-controlled states that have tightened vaccination laws.
Gov. Mark Dayton's proposed funding package for children and education could see some pushback from House Republicans this year.
Gov. Mark Dayton's proposed funding package for children and education could see some pushback from House Republicans this year. They signaled as much in a joint House hearing on finance for education and health and human services Wednesday.
Democrats in the Minnesota Senate are expanding their focus on education. They want to increase school funding for counselors and programs that let high school students earn college credit.
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says he sees gaps in the potential field of Republican presidential candidates in 2016.
Abortion opponents say a new Republican majority in the Minnesota House could help them out this year. They're undeterred by a governor who says he doesn't see himself signing any new abortion restrictions. Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life has three legislative priorities this year.
senate Republicans want to ditch Minnesota's tax on Social Security checks. Minnesota is one of just seven states that apply an income tax to Social Security. Seniors who make less than $25,000 a year are exempt.
The top Minnesota House Democrat says it will take a long-term transportation funding plan with new revenue to win support from his side of the political aisle. Rep. Paul Thissen told reporters Friday that an initial proposal majority House Republicans have put on the table is "not adequate" for addressing the state's road, bridge and mass transit needs.
Gov. Mark Dayton blasted the new Republican Majority in the Minnesota House Friday for what he calls a "phony" transportation plan. Republicans yesterday unveiled a "no new taxes" plan to fix roads and bridges, but Dayton called it "fantasy."
Free vocational college tuition for Minnesota high school graduates? Student-loan forgiveness for working in specialized fields or rural communities? Tax breaks for the mining and timber industries? A prohibition on performance bonuses for Minnesota health exchange executives?
An alliance of various political groups are speaking out against Minnesota's long-standing ban on Sunday liquor sales. The coalition announced their collaboration prior to the start of another legislative session, which begins on Tuesday.
Newly powerful House Republicans are sure to make moves to cut taxes when the Minnesota Legislature convenes next week. The big questions are what kind, how much and whether they can get Democrats to agree.
Michael Coffey, a Cottage Grove officer who has worked as the assistant police chief of the fair since 2022, filed the whistleblower lawsuit last week.
Vonn, who suffered a complex tibia fracture at the Milan Cortina Games that nearly led to amputation, is among 48 athletes nominated to the U.S. Alpine ski team for the upcoming season.
The woman believed to be the biological mother of "Baby Angel," a newborn found dead in the Mississippi River in southern Minnesota in 2011, pleaded guilty to a gross misdemeanor on Tuesday.
The Minnesota DNR is keeping a three-walleye daily limit in place for Mille Lacs Lake starting with the May 9 fishing opener, with harvested fish required to be at least 17 inches and only one allowed over 20 inches.
Ted Turner built a media empire that included cable channels CNN, TBS and TNT, and he owned the Atlanta Braves for 20 years.
Michael Coffey, a Cottage Grove officer who has worked as the assistant police chief of the fair since 2022, filed the whistleblower lawsuit last week.
Two new bills signed by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz could help families going through a traumatic time.
A popular restaurant near Lake Minnetonka is a "complete and total disaster" after an overnight fire, the owner said.
The lawsuit says some of those funds were spent at Michael Kors, Louis Vuitton, at a hotel in London and to pay the Cooks' homeowners association for parking fines and late fees.
Raul Gutierrez, of Inver Grove Heights, pleaded guilty to one count of felon in possession of a firearm, according to court documents filed Tuesday.
The woman believed to be the biological mother of "Baby Angel," a newborn found dead in the Mississippi River in southern Minnesota in 2011, pleaded guilty to a gross misdemeanor on Tuesday.
The Minnesota DNR is keeping a three-walleye daily limit in place for Mille Lacs Lake starting with the May 9 fishing opener, with harvested fish required to be at least 17 inches and only one allowed over 20 inches.
When a loved one starts to lose their memory, it creates new challenges for family members. But in a western Minnesota town, they're battling Alzheimer's disease and dementia with music.
After a long negotiation period, nearly 170 employees in Chisago County, Minnesota, went on strike Friday.
Gas in the Twin Cities can be up to $4.20 a gallon these days, and it's happening as Minnesota is revving up for summer.
Minnesota animal rescues are stepping up to take in dogs from a Wisconsin research facility accused of animal abuse.
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.
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.
Two new bills signed by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz could help families going through a traumatic time.
Two new bills signed by the governor could help families going through a traumatic time.
The campaign to move ships through the Strait of Hormuz is now on hold.
A family on the long road to healing after the tragic shooting at Annunciation is reflecting on the emotional toll. Derek James has more on a grassroots organization helping families heal from the trauma of gun violence.
Both sides of the aisle in Minnesota agree the collapse of HCMC would be catastrophic. However, they do not agree on the prescription to save it.
Gas in the Twin Cities can be up to $4.20 a gallon these days, and it's happening as Minnesota is revving up for summer.
According to the letter, enforcement will be done by police and plainclothes officers, with businesses themselves being held accountable for repeat violations.
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 woman believed to be the biological mother of "Baby Angel," a newborn found dead in the Mississippi River in southern Minnesota in 2011, pleaded guilty to a gross misdemeanor on Tuesday.
Raul Gutierrez, of Inver Grove Heights, pleaded guilty to one count of felon in possession of a firearm, according to court documents filed Tuesday.
Brittany Haeg is living with the deep scars of gun violence. Her three children attend Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, and her 6-year-old son David was hurt during the deadly mass shooting on Aug. 27, 2025.
St. Paul Automotive says it is working on four vehicles, all with the same problem: someone drilled a hole in the gas tank and took the gas.
A 47-year-old Minneapolis Public Schools employee is accused of posting online ads for prostitution, and threatening an undercover agent with blackmail.
A deadly virus that's killed cruise ship passengers can be traced to small critters found hiding in homes.
When a loved one starts to lose their memory, it creates new challenges for family members. But in a western Minnesota town, they're battling Alzheimer's disease and dementia with music.
Brittany Haeg is living with the deep scars of gun violence. Her three children attend Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, and her 6-year-old son David was hurt during the deadly mass shooting on Aug. 27, 2025.
The largest U.S. health insurer said it will eliminate approval requirements for some treatments, including select outpatient surgeries and other procedures.
The past couple years have been challenging for Minnesota farmers, prompting many to seek help navigating their mental health.
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis are calling their Aug. 29 show "Homecoming: A Celebration of the Minneapolis Sound."
A trial in the lawsuit between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni was set to begin later in May.
The Minnesota Star Tribune was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for breaking news for its coverage of a mass shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic school that killed two children and injured more than a dozen others.
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.
Vonn, who suffered a complex tibia fracture at the Milan Cortina Games that nearly led to amputation, is among 48 athletes nominated to the U.S. Alpine ski team for the upcoming season.
The Minnesota DNR is keeping a three-walleye daily limit in place for Mille Lacs Lake starting with the May 9 fishing opener, with harvested fish required to be at least 17 inches and only one allowed over 20 inches.
Marie-Philip Poulin scored at 4:02 of the third overtime period and Ann-Renee Desbiens made 38 saves to record the shutout as the Montreal Victoire defeated the Minnesota Frost 1-0 in Game 2 of the Professional Women's Hockey League semifinal series on Tuesday.
Nathan MacKinnon scored a goal and assisted on two more as the Colorado Avalanche rolled through Minnesota's newest netminder, Filip Gustavsson, on their way to a 5-2 win over the Wild to grab a 2-0 lead in the second-round playoff series.
Byron Buxton hit a three-run home run, Brooks Lee drove in three runs, and Taj Bradley struck out eight to help the Minnesota Twins beat the Washington Nationals 11-3.
Sen. Tina Smith is using her last months in office to vocally campaign for progressive and environmental causes. She hopes that a progressive will succeed her when Minnesotans go to the polls next November.
Sen. Tina Smith, who is retiring from the U.S. Senate, is a major presence in the race to succeed her.
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.
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 deadly virus that's killed cruise ship passengers can be traced to small critters found hiding in homes.
So far this decade, the Twin Cities metro has, on average, added about 17,000 housing units per year, according to data from the Metropolitan Council.
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?
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.
It'll be another chilly evening Wednesday, though temps are expected to warm before the weekend.
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.
Frost and/or a freeze remain possible for part of the state again Wednesday night as lows drop to the 30s, WCCO meteorologist Joseph Dames reports.
Highs in the Twin Cities will reach the 40s and 50s on Wednesday, with skies clearing late.
Wednesday will be cold and breezy in Minnesota, with frost and freeze alerts in place for parts of the state in the morning.
It'll be another chilly evening Wednesday, though temps are expected to warm before the weekend.
A popular restaurant near Lake Minnetonka is a "complete and total disaster" after an overnight fire, the owner said.
Lisa Houdek, with Birch’s on the Lake, shares a preview of the upcoming holiday event.
"Kitchen Pantry Scientist" Liz Heinecke shares the science behind chocolate mousse.
As we move through life, relationships are not just something we experience, they are one of the primary ways we grow, explains Dr. Michael Walker.