2 years after Iron Range find, Minnesota's helium industry expanding
Things are looking up for Minnesota's nascent helium industry, because miners keep going down to find more of it.
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Things are looking up for Minnesota's nascent helium industry, because miners keep going down to find more of it.
Engineers on the Iron Range are launching new drills in an effort to look for helium gas thousands of feet underground. The discovery in Babbitt is already considered one of the largest in the country. As Jonah Kaplan reports, people who live there are eager to learn if, and when, a helium mine could lead to jobs.
One of the earliest surprises in parenthood can be learning the sex of your baby. There are tests to determine gender, but can your belly reveal the sex of your baby? Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield breaks down the science.
We know forever chemicals, known as PFAS, are a growing concern. That's why the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency wants to get a better idea of just how pervasive they are in our environment. Adam Del Rosso got to learn more this week about their newest way to track them.
One or more intruders broke into an Iowa mink farm and released 2,000 of the furbearing animals in what a trade group called a "terrorist act" under federal law.
The top 10 finalists from across the country of the 3M Young Scientists Challenge presented their projects on Monday at the 3M Innovation Center in St. Paul, Minnesota.
The top ten finalists from across the country presented their projects in the 3M Young Scientists Challenge in St. Paul on Monday. WCCO’s Lisa Meadows shares some of the innovations developed by young, brilliant minds.
There's a new bear in town, bringing the number of polar bears at the Como Zoo in St. Paul to four.
A look at the newest addition to the polar bear population at St. Paul, Minnesota's Como Zoo.
The first supermoon of 2025 will arrive soon. Here's what to know about the phenomenon.
A new exhibit at the Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul is putting skin under the spotlight.
Government scientists say infection rates from drug-resistant "nightmare bacteria" have been increasing dramatically.
Scientists have discovered prehistoric insects preserved in amber in South America for the first time.
A deer hunter has discovered a rare subtropical wood stork in the wilds of Wisconsin.
Scientists say they found more than a dozen different types of a mold that can infect your plants. Adam Del Rosso explains why our soggy summer isn't helping.
Flyers who faced the unthinkable are now on their way across the Atlantic. Passengers tell WCCO the turbulence that forced the emergency landing at MSP International left people with injuries ranging from whiplash to broken bones. We're learning rough flights like this could be a growing trend. Ubah Ali joins us to explain why climate scientists say turbulence could be increasing.
The University of Minnesota is known for making great strides in research. Dr. Branden Moriarity joins Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield on WCCO Sunday Morning at 7 a.m. to share a big announcement.
The employee's union said this is the third time the museum has cut jobs in the last three years and blasted the move by the museum, saying, “Workers and museum goers who bring the Science Museum to life every day deserve respect, stability, and a voice in this process."
Kitchen Pantry Scientist Liz Heinecke offers up some brain science.
The universe is poised to die much faster than previously thought, according to new research by Dutch scientists.
A Wisconsin man has been bitten by snakes hundreds of times, and scientists are studying his blood to treat snakebite.
This asteroid is bigger than scientists anticipated, about 5 miles long and 2 miles wide at its widest point — resembling a deformed peanut.
Thanks to a mouse watching clips from "The Matrix," scientists have created the largest functional map of a brain to date.
WCCO first learned about SynerFuse in 2023 after a patient shared her chronic pain journey and the successful results a year after the surgery.
The first day of spring, also known as the vernal equinox, has arrived in the Northern Hemisphere on March 20, 2025.
Former University of Minnesota Gopher kicker and punter Rob Gray is adjusting to life with a new kidney donated by his pickleball partner.
Players and coaches alike were flowing in and out of the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront hotel on Thursday, making final preparations ahead of the 2026 World Junior Championship. The tournament begins on Friday.
A stretch of a road in Minneapolis' Seward neighborhood was flooded with water on Thursday night.
Jordan Addison took a jet sweep handoff 65 yards for the game-sealing touchdown with 3:43 left after the Minnesota Vikings forced six turnovers and eliminated the Detroit Lions from contention for the playoffs with a 23-10 victory.
In an era of bowl opt outs, Minnesota still finds plenty of reasons to embrace the postseason experience, even when the chase for a national championship ended long ago.
Former University of Minnesota Gopher kicker and punter Rob Gray is adjusting to life with a new kidney donated by his pickleball partner.
Players and coaches alike were flowing in and out of the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront hotel on Thursday, making final preparations ahead of the 2026 World Junior Championship. The tournament begins on Friday.
A stretch of a road in Minneapolis' Seward neighborhood was flooded with water on Thursday night.
Christmas gives many a much needed break-including social services and shelters, but people who need those services don't get a break for the holidays.
A 63-year-old West St. Paul, Minnesota, man accused of pointing a gun at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent says the agent also pointed a gun at him, according to court documents filed on Thursday.
Two women are dead after a semitruck collided with a Chrysler minivan in Elmer Township, Minnesota, on Christmas Eve, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.
On Dec. 9, 1965, "A Charlie Brown Christmas" debuted on CBS, and it became an instant classic. Lee Jenkins' home is proof that the show is still a hit six decades later.
Sabrina Schnoor, 25, was found dead under an Interstate 35 overpass bridge in May 2023.
From a cat that accidentally made an 8,000-mile journey in a shipping container to a tunnel made just for turtles, all kinds of animals made the headlines in Minnesota this year.
There is no denying 2025 was a difficult year in Minnesota. A list of the biggest news stories is fraught with tragedy, attacks on the vulnerable and political division and dysfunction.
A Wisconsin woman who almost killed her sixth-grade classmate to please the fictional Slender Man has been ordered back to a state psychiatric hospital after she escaped from her group home last month.
Several schools in Minnesota and Wisconsin are reporting delayed starts on Monday amid a messy morning commute.
The U.S. Justice Department has sued three states, including Illinois and Wisconsin, and D.C. for not turning over requested voter information to the Trump administration.
Defenders of a Wisconsin judge found guilty of felony obstruction for helping a Mexican immigrant evade federal officers are raising alarms about judicial independence and say they hope the conviction will be overturned on appeal.
The Minnesota Attorney General's Office says Menards, the Wisconsin-based home improvement retailer, has reached a $4.25 million settlement with several states to "resolve claims" of deceptive marketing practices in its popular "11% Rebate Program," and pandemic-era price gouging.
Many people who serve in the U.S. military find it hard to ask for assistance when they've been trained to help and serve others.
Food Bank Eatery in North Minneapolis provides free meals for children, who may have little to eat after the pause of SNAP benefits for many in the community.
Firefighters are continuing a 44-year tradition that happens every year north of the Twin Cities.
It was a scary moment in the Twin Cities over the weekend, as a trailer hauling sled dogs turned over on Interstate 494 in Minnetonka.
On Sunday, members of Minnesota's Somali community spoke out against President Trump's social media post calling for an end to temporary protected status.
The strikes come after President Trump spent weeks accusing the West African country's government of failing to rein in the persecution of Christians.
The message, aired on Channel 4 on Christmas Day, reflected on the impact of President Trump's second term in office thus far.
Gama, originally from Mexico, has been operating the Pastaleria Gama bakery on Lake Street in Minneapolis for 10 years now. Her store was empty for long stretches of time on Christmas Eve, which she said has never been the case in the past.
President Trump spent part of Christmas Eve bantering with kids, updating families on NORAD's Santa tracker and reminding one child that the big guy has a "serious appetite."
President Trump said TV broadcast licenses should be revoked if newscasts and late-night shows are almost entirely negative about him and the GOP.
This season of giving can really do a number on our recycling systems. But we can all be part of the solution.
With the time-honored tradition of gift giving comes gift concealing.
Twin Cities shoppers were out and about on Super Saturday, the second-busiest shopping day of the year. The day lands on the final Saturday before Christmas annually.
Buy now, pay later plans are becoming more popular for shoppers this holiday season.
The Minnesota Attorney General's Office says Menards, the Wisconsin-based home improvement retailer, has reached a $4.25 million settlement with several states to "resolve claims" of deceptive marketing practices in its popular "11% Rebate Program," and pandemic-era price gouging.
A 63-year-old West St. Paul, Minnesota, man accused of pointing a gun at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent says the agent also pointed a gun at him, according to court documents filed on Thursday.
Minneapolis police are investigating after they say a man suffered "potentially life-threatening injuries" in a stabbing on Thursday morning.
In five years, Clinton Ward allegedly made millions by importing fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine to the Twin Cities via "an expansive net of distributors" in what officials call the most prolific drug operation in Minnesota history.
Court records say Eh Tha Blay, 26, pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting third-degree property damage.
Sabrina Schnoor, 25, was found dead under an Interstate 35 overpass bridge in May 2023.
The clock is ticking to snag a few more gifts and prepare for that holiday trip to visit family. As the pressure builds, so does the stress.
The Minnesota Athletic Trainers Association says of the middle and high schools they know of, only 49% have an athletic trainer providing some level of service.
From 2021 to 2025, Smart Therapy Center submitted claims totaling $31.8 million across all Minnesota Department of Human Services programs, according to that data. But the provider was only approved for a fraction of those payments.
The family of a Minnesota Vikings player who died at training camp from heat exhaustion in 2001 is still fighting to protect others.
A Twin Cities metro area school shifted to e-learning after a flu outbreak impacted nearly a quarter of its students. A senior epidemiologist with the Minnesota Department of Health said flu season is "definitely picking up."
The message, aired on Channel 4 on Christmas Day, reflected on the impact of President Trump's second term in office thus far.
Feeding America's CEO said the organization is "incredibly grateful" for Taylor Swift's large donation.
The singer said an MRI showed a cancerous spot on one of his lungs after he recovered from a lengthy bout of bronchitis.
The special features interviews with Kathy Bates, Annette Bening, Albert Brooks, Michael Douglas, Kiefer Sutherland, Jerry O'Connell and Mandy Patinkin.
The Oscars ceremony is moving to YouTube starting in 2029, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Wednesday.
Former University of Minnesota Gopher kicker and punter Rob Gray is adjusting to life with a new kidney donated by his pickleball partner.
Players and coaches alike were flowing in and out of the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront hotel on Thursday, making final preparations ahead of the 2026 World Junior Championship. The tournament begins on Friday.
Jordan Addison took a jet sweep handoff 65 yards for the game-sealing touchdown with 3:43 left after the Minnesota Vikings forced six turnovers and eliminated the Detroit Lions from contention for the playoffs with a 23-10 victory.
The junior cornerback transferred to Minnesota from Iowa this spring. He was a depth defensive back and special teamer for the Hawkeyes. But this year, with a larger role, he's had a breakout season.
The Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings have gone from 29 combined wins last season to just 15 this season entering their Week 17 matchup on Christmas Day.
Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar is calling for answers about the immigration crackdown in the Twin Cities. She is also denouncing the president's attacks on the Somali community and herself. In Talking Points, Esme Murphy shows us how, for Omar, this is a familiar position to be in.
Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar is calling for clarity about the immigration crackdown in the Twin Cities.
Fear and uncertainty continue in Minnesota's Somali communities as ICE continues its intensified focus on the Twin Cities.
Opposition to ICE actions is widespread among Democratic elected officials throughout the state, though nowhere more than in Minneapolis, home to the state's largest Somali population.
Minnesotans who welcomed a child this year were able to start applying this week to the state's new paid family and medical leave program to take time off in 2026.
On Dec. 9, 1965, "A Charlie Brown Christmas" debuted on CBS, and it became an instant classic. Lee Jenkins' home is proof that the show is still a hit six decades later.
Holiday lights are on full display across the state right now, and just south of the Twin Cities you'll find a Christmas light show that's been around for more than half a century.
The story begins years ago when the city acquired one of the T-38 Talon Thunderbird jets from the Air Force.
The holidays are upon us, and in the town of Kellogg, Minnesota, you'll find a toy store unlike any other.
With the holidays fast approaching, and lutefisk on the menu for many families, one Minnesota town has the distinction of being called the "Lutefisk Capital of the Country."
According to the Smithsonian Magazine and Britannica, eggnog has British roots.
With the time-honored tradition of gift giving comes gift concealing.
The story of "The Wizard of Oz " is 125 years old, yet still reinventing itself in all kinds of forms.
It's the time of year when we accumulate the most stuff. When we do, people often throw around the word "hoarding." But it turns out it's a frequently misunderstood term.
Why do we have oily or dry skin? A dermatologist explains the root cause and how it can change over time.
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.
A suspect was taken into custody after an attack on Pearl Street Mall in Boulder on June 1 in which there were 15 people and a dog who were victims. The suspect threw Molotov cocktails that burned some of the victims, who were part of a march for Israeli hostages.
A mix of fog and icy conditions are possible early on Friday, according to NEXT Weather meteorologist Lisa Meadows.
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.
Meteorologist Adam Del Rosso said there's a potential for freezing drizzle and icy roads in northern and central Minnesota from Thursday afternoon to Friday morning.
A NEXT Drive Alert is in effect due to the potential for icy roads with possible freezing drizzle in northern and central Minnesota.
WCCO meteorologist Adam Del Rosso says it could drizzle in the evening on Christmas.
A former University of Minnesota Gopher football player found a new way to feed his competitive itch in his older years. But he had no idea this sport would lead to a life-saving gift for him. WCCO’s Marielle Mohs explains.
Thursday was a perfect December day for tailgating outside U.S. Bank Stadium ahead of the matchup between the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions. Mike Max caught up with fans from both teams.
Anyone who goes to the pickleball courts at Life Time Bloomington North may run into Minnesota Vikings season ticket holder Dan Muraski. Mike Max explains how he uses this passion for the sport to cope with the loss of his wife of 47 years.
A mix of fog and icy conditions are possible early on Friday, according to NEXT Weather meteorologist Lisa Meadows.
Christmas gives many a much-needed break, including social service and shelter workers. But people who need those services don't get a break for the holidays. Our Frankie McLister shows how Catholic Charities Twin Cities is filling the gap.