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Kids took over ringing bells at red kettles across the Twin Cities Saturday. The Salvation Army teamed up with Thrivent Financial for "Kids at the Kettle Day." For every coin dropped into a red kettle Saturday, Thrivent will double it up to $25,000.
It isn't Santa's workshop and the volunteers aren't his elves. But at the Salvation Army, the work is underway to make sure more than 800 kids have gifts on Christmas Day.
'Tis the season to hop in the car with the family and take an evening drive to see all the Christmas lights in the neighborhood. Some houses have a string or two, while others go all out. So we asked where to find the best Christmas lights in Minnesota, and you picked a spectacular display in Willmar that took 900 hours to put up. And this isn't a city display -- it's just one family's house and yard.
It's clothing donations all year long that help support important Salvation Army programs.
It's the 12th consecutive year someone has gifted gold coins in the Fargo-Moorhead area during its holiday season bell-ringing campaign.
With Thanksgiving in our rear-view mirror, we've entered the holiday season and with it comes a drive to give to charity. For the fourth straight year, anonymous donor "Saint Grand" made their first donation of the season over the weekend.
In the spirit of the holiday, hundreds of volunteers are making the day a little brighter for those in need. About 500 people gathered at the Salvation Army Harbor Light Center in Minneapolis Thursday afternoon for a Thanksgiving meal.
The Salvation Army kicked off the giving season with its "Rock the Red Kettle" Campaign Saturday. Hundreds of bell ringers set up throughout the Twin Cities Saturday afternoon.
For the next six hours, every child in the Twin Cities is entitled to a free coat, hats and gloves. It's because of Coats for Kids, a Salvation Army program going on all day Thursday in 11 locations.
Going to the dentist can be both expensive and scary. That's why a group of doctors are helping thousands get free dental care Saturday. Around two dozen patients received free teeth cleanings, extractions and other procedures they may not otherwise be able to afford.
Housing nearly 600 people a night is typical for the Salvation Army Harbor Light Center. But those numbers remain steady with the hot weather, barely giving staff a break to prepare adequate room.
With warm weather and clear skies, heading out for a camping trip is one of America's most popular excursions. Here are some of the best money-saving tips while camping.
The Salvation Army's Harbor Light Center in downtown Minneapolis is packed with people seeking refuge from the extreme cold.
The Salvation Army is welcoming people without shelter to use its eight Twin Cities worship and service centers, as well as its Harbor Light shelter in downtown Minneapolis during the dangerous cold snap. Staff at Harbor Light are planning for people to be inside for the next 48 hours or more, beginning on Saturday night. Staff say they have plenty of blankets, extra food and warm beverages on hand.
With historic cold temperatures and dangerous wind chills expected to start next week, the Twin Cities Salvation Army said it's opening nine additional shelters as warming stations for those needing to get out of the extreme cold.
A group of anonymous Santas are helping the Salvation Army fill its red kettles this holiday season in Minnesota and North Dakota.
Derek Lilyquist and Jeremy Gilbert spent 30 hours ringing bells for the Salvation Army in front of the County Market in Hudson, Wis. Their goal was to raise $50,000 for a homeless shelter in nearby New Richmond. Friday night, about an hour before the end of their marathon, Lilyquist and Gilbert topped their goal, raising nearly $52,000.
Two years ago, I headed north to find an entire Christmas village twinkling on the shores of Lake Superior. And as Mike Waldren told me on Twitter, it was 100 percent worth the drive.
Minnesota Timberwolves star forward Kevin Love brought a Range Rover full of coats to the Salvation Army in Northeast Minneapolis on Tuesday as part of his sixth annual winter coat drive.
The Salvation Army is equipped to help the hundreds of homeless men and women who come to them for shelter a night, but since the cold snap hit, their space has become crowded.
After five days of non-stop bell ringing, the three contenders working towards the Salvation Army World Bell Ringing record have decided to walk away. The three agreed on the tie record, ending the hunt at 8 p.m. on Saturday.
Tuesday is the day for a Minnesota man who has set his sights on a world record with a holiday twist. Jim Brickson, captain of the Albert Lea Salvation Army, plans to be bell-ringing for no less than 80 consecutive hours at the Northbridge Mall in Albert Lea.
Just as the charity was announcing a downturn in donations, the mysterious "St. Grand" is once again leaving generous donations in the Salvation Army's red kettles. A donation of $1,000 -- in the form of a bundle of 10 $100 bills -- showed up in a red kettle in Roseville on Black Friday.
Thanksgiving came early for folks at the Salvation Army in St. Paul. They put out the traditional turkey and stuffing spread with a fine dining feel, complete with a wait staff and white table cloths. To top it off, their special meal was cooked-up by a chef with a five-star background.
Jeff Ansorge once commanded a staff of 17 and made around $80,000 a year as executive chef at a posh downtown Minneapolis restaurant where a 24-ounce dry aged Porterhouse steak goes for $48. But he gave it all up to become the head cook of a Salvation Army soup kitchen, where the meals are free.
A Burnsville, Minnesota, paraprofessional is facing seven charges in an undercover child solicitation operation that was carried out by a detective in Carver County last month, according to court records.
From the initial concept 10 years ago to the opening of two stores in the Twin Cities on Friday, Erin Pash and Shayna Hoechst have reached new highs with Pot Mama's.
Officials from 23 states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit seeking to block President Trump's executive order that aims to restrict mail voting.
Target Field in downtown Minneapolis lost power for around an hour ahead of the Minnesota Twins' home opener on Friday afternoon.
Efforts to quickly and quietly oust the president of the University of Wisconsin system are drawing fire from a Republican legislative leader.
From the initial concept 10 years ago to the opening of two stores in the Twin Cities on Friday, Erin Pash and Shayna Hoechst have reached new highs with Pot Mama's.
Target Field in downtown Minneapolis lost power for around an hour ahead of the Minnesota Twins' home opener on Friday afternoon.
Police are investigating after dozens were smashed and at least three people fled officers in Robbinsdale, Minnesota, on Wednesday morning, according to law enforcement.
The dogsled race, which started in downtown Excelsior, Minnesota, and ran 40 miles on Lake Minnetonka, was axed in 2024, 2025 and this year, with organizers citing unsafe conditions each time.
The Metropolitan Mosquito Control District released its latest forecast for the mosquito season, predicting a slow start before a spike in early July.
A 28-year-old man is in the hospital after a crash involving a plow truck and a pickup truck in Fredenberg Township, Minnesota, on Friday morning.
Julie Le, who was removed from her post after telling a judge "this job sucks," is now challenging Rep. Ilhan Omar in Minnesota's 5th District.
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.
Some schools in Minnesota have already announced closings or shifts to virtual learning on Thursday as another round of winter weather threatens parts of the state.
A South Dakota man was killed in a crash south of the Twin Cities Tuesday morning, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.
Efforts to quickly and quietly oust the president of the University of Wisconsin system are drawing fire from a Republican legislative leader.
The president of Wisconsin's largest mosque was detained by federal immigration agents, drawing accusations from local officials and religious leaders that the arrest was motivated by his statements against Israel.
Some schools in Minnesota have already announced closings or shifts to virtual learning on Thursday as another round of winter weather threatens parts of the state.
A suspect is in custody after a "written threat" led to the brief evacuation of a church in Hudson, Wisconsin, Tuesday morning.
Chesney the kangaroo jumped an eight-foot fence to escape his petting zoo in Wisconsin, spending three days on the lam.
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.
Deputy Fire Marshal Shawn Johnson, 61, died March 5 after a two-year battle with job-related cancer, the Minnetonka Fire Department announced.
The Minnesota Department of Corrections says 95% of all incarcerated individuals will eventually be released from prison. The DOC says it does all it can to help people transition back into the community as productive citizens.
Officials from 23 states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit seeking to block President Trump's executive order that aims to restrict mail voting.
The president of Wisconsin's largest mosque was detained by federal immigration agents, drawing accusations from local officials and religious leaders that the arrest was motivated by his statements against Israel.
The search for the second crew member, a weapons system officer, is continuing, two U.S. officials said.
A former Trump defense attorney will take over, at least temporarily.
Archbishop Timothy Broglio, who heads the Catholic Archdiocese for the Military Services USA, told CBS' Ed O'Keefe that the war is likely not justified under the Just War Theory.
Minnesota continues to beat the national gas price average, but there are still ways to save in the metro area.
A passenger on an American Airlines flight from New York to Chicago has been charged with making a false bomb threat that forced an emergency landing at Detroit Metro Airport last month, according to a federal criminal complaint.
Your car isn't the only vehicle that needs gas. It's a huge budget item for Minnesota fire departments, police and mass transit.
As we all pay more to fuel our cars, drivers might miss the savings hidden right at the pump. It comes down to timing, then adjusting your routine.
With the national average for gas prices around $4, the timing is especially concerning for the floral industry amid the height of Easter and Passover preparations.
A Burnsville, Minnesota, paraprofessional is facing seven charges in an undercover child solicitation operation that was carried out by a detective in Carver County last month, according to court records.
Police are investigating after dozens were smashed and at least three people fled officers in Robbinsdale, Minnesota, on Wednesday morning, according to law enforcement.
The president of Wisconsin's largest mosque was detained by federal immigration agents, drawing accusations from local officials and religious leaders that the arrest was motivated by his statements against Israel.
The complaint says the woman admitted to an officer over the phone that she went home and consumed alcohol during her lunch break.
A man who claimed to run a food distribution business in Minneapolis that served meals to hungry children pleaded guilty to wire fraud on Thursday.
Nurses and physicians at Hennepin Healthcare in downtown Minneapolis, home to the first level-one and busiest trauma center in Minnesota, on Wednesday urged the state Legislature to throw the hospital a lifeline — and fast.
Ramsey County, Minnesota, health officials say the county had its first case of mumps reported in about five years.
The Supreme Court's 8-1 ruling siding with a Colorado counselor who claimed the state's restriction unconstitutionally censored her conversations with young patients does not immediately strike down Minnesota's law.
The produce section at grocery stores is packed with nutrient-dense foods. Certain fruits and vegetables, in particular, are packed with fiber, and a new diet trend has people "maxxing" out on it.
Deputy Fire Marshal Shawn Johnson, 61, died March 5 after a two-year battle with job-related cancer, the Minnetonka Fire Department announced.
A federal judge in New York has tossed out actor Blake Lively's sexual harassment claims against actor Justin Baldoni over their roles in the movie "It Ends With Us," but left intact a claim for retaliation.
Atlanta rapper Gucci Mane was lured to a Dallas studio for a meeting, then allegedly kidnapped and robbed by a group including rappers Pooh Shiesty and Big30.
A Las Vegas performer has sued Taylor Swift over the title of her hit album "The Life of a Showgirl," alleging it violates the performer's trademark.
A Minnesota singer has made the big time, signing his first record deal after 43 years in the music business.
The price hike raises the cost of the standard plan with ads by $1 per month and the cost of the standard and premium plans by $2.
Target Field in downtown Minneapolis lost power for around an hour ahead of the Minnesota Twins' home opener on Friday afternoon.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have announced franchise legend Kevin Garnett's long-awaited return to Target Center, though fans will have to wait a little longer for his well-deserved jersey retirement.
The Minnesota Wild have clinched a spot in the NHL playoffs, giving them another chance to advance in the postseason for the first time since 2015.
Matt Boldy scored his 39th and 40th goals, Kirill Kaprizov added his 40th and the Minnesota Wild wrapped up a playoff spot with a 5-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday night.
Jalen Duren had 22 points and 14 rebounds, Daniss Jenkins scored 26 and the Detroit Pistons beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 113-108 on Thursday night as both teams were without a superstar.
Julie Le, who was removed from her post after telling a judge "this job sucks," is now challenging Rep. Ilhan Omar in Minnesota's 5th District.
In 2025, the entire U.S. Attorney's office had 77 immigration detention cases, she said. In January 2026, she alone was assigned 88 cases.
One of the most heated issues remains immigration, where Craig has walked back her support for the Laken Riley Act.
With the DFL nominating convention just eight weeks away, polls that have come out show Peggy Flanagan in the lead for U.S. Senate over Angie Craig.
A DFL senator argues that President Donald Trump's decision to allow prediction market sites in all 50 states means Minnesota should regulate sports betting rather than leave it uncontrolled.
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.
Opening Day for the Minnesota Twins is almost here. And across town, the St. Paul Saints are getting ready for their season, too, with some added history.
The Nuss Collection is home to a lot of vintage trucks.
Denis Doyle was born in Kilkenny, Ireland. He emigrated to the U.S. and in 1856, Doyle traveled to Le Sueur County. Other Irish immigrants joined Doyle and the town was born.
One of the oldest operating theaters in the Midwest is in danger of closing its doors for good.
It's estimated that children playing with fire set more than 20,000 fires every year. On average, the fires they start cause nearly 1,000 injuries and 150 deaths each year.
As we all pay more to fuel our cars, drivers might miss the savings hidden right at the pump. It comes down to timing, then adjusting your routine.
The produce section at grocery stores is packed with nutrient-dense foods. Certain fruits and vegetables, in particular, are packed with fiber, and a new diet trend has people "maxxing" out on it.
Minnesota's recent swing from heavy snow to record heat is a recipe for rocky roads.
Heavy snow followed by bitter cold hit Minnesotans with a double whammy of winter. The good news is spring-like weather is right around the corner, but its quick arrival could spell trouble for homeowners.
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.
High pressure brings back some sunshine for Easter Sunday with a quieter pattern into early next week, WCCO meteorologist Chris Shaffer reports.
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.
Northern Minnesota could see a few inches of snow as another storm pushes through, and though the Twin Cities will see some flakes, NEXT Weather Meteorologist Mike Augustyniak says there won't be much accumulation.
Our second winter storm of the week is set to hit on Friday.
The dogsled race, which started in downtown Excelsior, Minnesota, and ran 40 miles on Lake Minnetonka, was axed in 2024, 2025 and this year, with organizers citing unsafe conditions each time.
Video obtained by WCCO shows the moments a group of people accused of stealing an SUV in Minneapolis discover a 3-month-old baby was inside the backseat. Conor Wight shows how long the baby was left alone.
Johan Van Parys, director of liturgy for the Basilica of Saint Mary, explains the significance of the Easter weekend holiday weekend.
High pressure brings back some sunshine for Easter Sunday with a quieter pattern into early next week, WCCO meteorologist Chris Shaffer reports.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have announced franchise legend Kevin Garnett's long-awaited return to Target Center, though fans will have to wait a little longer for his well-deserved jersey retirement.
The dogsled race, which started in downtown Excelsior, Minnesota, and ran 40 miles on Lake Minnetonka, was axed in 2024, 2025 and this year, with organizers citing unsafe conditions each time.