Hortman family dog's legacy lives on through Helping Paws
Over the past year, many people have found ways to honor Mark and Melissa Hortman's dog, Gilbert. He, too, was shot on June 14, 2025, and had to be put down.
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Over the past year, many people have found ways to honor Mark and Melissa Hortman's dog, Gilbert. He, too, was shot on June 14, 2025, and had to be put down.
A plea agreement in the killing of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman is bringing a mix of relief and emotion to the community she helped build.
U.S. Army National Guard Veteran Levi Anderson-Knutson doesn't go far without his black lab, Judy. She's his constant companion and trained service dog through America's Vet Dogs.
In Minnesota, 3M is helping raise the next generation of service dogs through a partnership with America's Vet Dogs.
Can Do Canines announced a new celebrity partnership Wednesday and showed off their latest certified team.
The nonprofit on Monday announced the Hortman Heroes Fund.
There is a new way to honor the legacy of the fallen Minnesota house speaker, her husband, and their beloved dog. After learning how Melissa and Mark Hortman adopted Gilbert from a group that trains service dogs, donations poured in. Photojournalist Nick Lunemann and Jeff Wagner share how that's changing the lives of those with PTSD.
Since the spring, Helping Paws volunteers have been bringing dogs to the Twin Cities senior care homes once a month.
Helping Paws has been in the spotlight since a moment of tragedy. Late House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman fostered for the nonprofit. Volunteering to train these dogs to work with people with disabilities and Veterans with PTSD. New this year, Helping Paws began a partnership with English Rose senior homes. As WCCO's Marielle Mohs shows us, it goes beyond therapy - it's a mutually beneficial relationship.
A dog named Nova is suiting up for a very special purpose: keeping a close eye on her human, University of Minnesota medical student Wesley Flint.
A sign outside the main gate of the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Faribault warns of security dogs, but a special litter of Labrador puppies inside the fences that are providing inmates with a different kind of personal safety.
Some prisons in Wisconsin and Minnesota are welcoming some new Labrador puppies. As Jonah Kaplan reports, the dogs are there to help with a different kind of personal security.
The veterinarian who worked on the Hortmans' dog recalls those moments he was first rushed to the emergency vet.
The Hortmans ended up keeping the last dog they trained, Gilbert, after he flunked out because he was too friendly.
Melissa and Mark Hortman served their community in many ways, including training dogs to be service animals for people in need.
Melissa and Mark Hortman served their community in many ways, including training dogs to be service animals for people in need. WCCO's Marielle Mohs spoke with the volunteer group and a veteran who has benefited from their efforts.
The Minnesota Legislature finalized the next two-year state budget and wrapped up all of its work on Monday in a short special session, after lawmakers failed to make the deadline last month and were forced into overtime.
Gov. Tim Walz Thursday morning signed a bill granting trainers of service dogs the same housing protections as people who rely on the animals to navigate daily life.
Duke, a 2-year-old lab, is a critical incident response dog with the Burnsville Police Department, specially trained to detect cortisol — a stress hormone — in people.
We know dogs can sense our emotions, but did you know they can actually smell it, too? Kirsten Mitchell introduces us to Duke, a first-of-his-kind K-9 in Minnesota, who’s is helping sniff out stress.
A new puppy enrichment center in Eden Prairie is like a preschool for puppies. Designed to promote healthy development, this new facility aims to specifically prepare dogs who hope to one day become service animals. WCCO's Reg Chapman and Adam Del Rosso stopped by to visit some furry friends.
A Minneapolis family fundraising to train an Alert Seizure Dog for toddler reached their goal of $25,000.
Several service dogs went through an intense 12 weeks of training, and are now ready to work in the city of Minneapolis.
It can take two to three years to be paired with a service dog, and Helping Paws is always in need of donations and volunteers to be service dog trainers.
On this Veteran's Day weekend, local nonprofit Helping Paws says it's seeing a growing need for their invaluable support for our service members who struggle with PTSD after they come home.
The corn goes from a farm field west of the Twin Cities to the busy ovens on the fairgrounds.
Ryan Jeffers had two homers, Walker Jenkins went deep for the first time in his major league career, and the Minnesota Twins beat the Detroit Tigers 11-1.
A $1.8 billion project to replace the Blatnik Bridge, which links Duluth, Minnesota, and Superior, Wisconsin, is now underway.
The Tilt-A-Whirl turned 100 years old, and longtime fairgoer Bill Homan is also turning 100.
Vance Boelter, the man sentenced by a federal court to two life terms and an additional 40 years for killing a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband, is planning to rely upon the defenses of "justifiable taking of life" and "double jeopardy" in the state case against him, court documents filed on Friday said.
Vance Boelter, the man sentenced by a federal court to two life terms and an additional 40 years for killing a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband, is planning to rely upon the defenses of "justifiable taking of life" and "double jeopardy" in the state case against him, court documents filed on Friday said.
A day after three people were found dead in an Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, townhome, a nearby coffee shop is offering cups of comfort.
A Twin Cities-based used car company accused of deceptive sales and targeting Spanish speakers agreed to pay a $100,000 settlement and reform their business practices after they were sued by the Minnesota Attorney General's Office.
A 36-year-old Twin Cities man is now in custody after two days on the run in connection with a double stabbing that occurred early Thursday morning in Coon Rapids, Minnesota.
A family living in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, who fled Ukraine amid the war with Russia, is self-deporting on Monday.
The corn goes from a farm field west of the Twin Cities to the busy ovens on the fairgrounds.
A $1.8 billion project to replace the Blatnik Bridge, which links Duluth, Minnesota, and Superior, Wisconsin, is now underway.
The Tilt-A-Whirl turned 100 years old, and longtime fairgoer Bill Homan is also turning 100.
Five of St. Louis County's 10 Flock Safety license plate reader cameras were stolen this summer, a factor Sheriff Gordon Ramsay cited in the decision to end the contract.
Organizers of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon, which takes place along Minnesota's North Shore every winter, say they're changing the format of the race in 2027 to create a more challenging course for mushers.
A $1.8 billion project to replace the Blatnik Bridge, which links Duluth, Minnesota, and Superior, Wisconsin, is now underway.
An 18-year-old man has pleaded guilty to killing 10-year-old Lily Peters in Wisconsin four years ago. He was then given a life sentence with the possibility of extended supervision after 25 years.
A Wisconsin prosecutor says he will not file election bribery charges against billionaire Elon Musk even though the state's bipartisan elections commission said he likely broke state law.
A Wisconsin high school football player has died from injuries sustained during a game on Thursday night.
Dozens of cases of E. coli and salmonella in multiple states are linked to an alfalfa grower in Minnesota, health officials say.
Zy'ire was diagnosed with bone cancer in his tibia, and throughout treatment, his love of the game helped keep his spirits up. Make-A-Wish Minnesota granted his wish by putting him on the sideline in Vikings gear.
Lt. Ryan Kelly, the first Minneapolis officer to arrive at Church of the Annunciation on Aug. 27, 2025, described walking in to find dozens of children hiding in the pews — and locating 2 who had already died.
After the Annunciation Catholic Church mass shooting in Minneapolis, there were loud calls for action on guns.
Crews in St. Paul, Minnesota, are clearing out the city's largest encampment on Wednesday.
After officials in Minnesota's capital city announced they would shut down encampments for those experiencing homelessness, the City Council approved more than $1 million to expand capacity at local shelters.
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is resigning, the White House confirmed.
The Supreme Court divided 5-4 in allowing construction of the new White House ballroom to continue.
A family living in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, who fled Ukraine amid the war with Russia, is self-deporting on Monday.
A family living in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, who fled Ukraine amid Russian attacks is preparing to self deport, plus more of the day’s top stories.
A family living in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, were among the more than 200,000 Ukrainians who came to the U.S. through the United For Ukraine humanitarian program, which was recently ended by the Trump administration.
The 2026 Minnesota State Fair is rolling out more than three dozen new food items this year, on top of all the returning favorites — which makes putting together a game plan for your visit no small task.
President Trump said Friday that the U.S. will waive higher tariffs on ground beef imports, which he says will reduce beef prices by 25%. Some cattle ranchers, including those in Minnesota and Wisconsin, worry the plan will hurt them financially.
An outbreak of E. coli and salmonella is linked to an alfalfa grower in Minnesota, health officials say. WCCO speaks with a food safety expert about the risks associated with alfalfa sprouts.
Dozens of cases of E. coli and salmonella in multiple states are linked to an alfalfa grower in Minnesota, health officials say.
Twin Metals says a copper-nickel mine near the Boundary Waters would bring hundreds of union jobs and 1,400 additional positions. Still, opponents say the environmental risks to the watershed are not worth the trade-offs.
Duane "Keffe D" Davis, 63, was charged with murder with a deadly weapon with the intent to promote, further or assist a criminal gang in Shakur's death.
A 24-year-old Minneapolis man who pleaded guilty for his role in the Boom Island Park mass shooting last summer that killed a woman and injured five men was sentenced Monday to 30 years.
A 36-year-old Twin Cities man is now in custody after two days on the run in connection with a double stabbing that occurred early Thursday morning in Coon Rapids, Minnesota.
Police in Maple Grove, Minnesota, are looking for a suspect after a woman says she was assaulted at the Elm Creek Park Reserve on Sunday morning.
Officers were called to the 4200 block of Portland Avenue at approximately 6:45 a.m. on a report of a man down in a yard.
This year, your kid may be more likely to catch a back-to-school bug, as fewer students are getting their shots than at any time in the past decade.
Zy'ire was diagnosed with bone cancer in his tibia, and throughout treatment, his love of the game helped keep his spirits up. Make-A-Wish Minnesota granted his wish by putting him on the sideline in Vikings gear.
Juul plans to market the new device under the brand name Juul2, along with updated versions of its tobacco- and menthol-flavored cartridges.
A major merger between Minnesota-based North Memorial Health and South Dakota-based Sanford Health was announced Friday morning, and is set to close in a matter of days.
Minnesota joined 23 states in suing the Trump administration Thursday, trying to stop new rules that could cut off federal funding for birth control clinics and other family planning services.
Louis Lee came to Minnesota decades ago from Hong Kong to become a student at the University of Minnesota. He says listening to comedy helped him learn English.
The vault is open. Recordings no one's ever heard, spanning 40 years of Prince's musical career, are now available on a new album called "Timeless."
The community is mourning the loss of Charles Dillon, also known as Chaz Millionaire, a longtime voice on the Twin Cities airwaves.
The legendary Minneapolis duo looks back on the Fair, a friendship that began as teenagers, the origin of "Jimmy Jam," and the challenge of turning more than 500 recordings into one homecoming show.
Tim Curry was known for his iconic performances in cult classics like "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" and the original screen adaptation of Stephen King's "It."
Ryan Jeffers had two homers, Walker Jenkins went deep for the first time in his major league career, and the Minnesota Twins beat the Detroit Tigers 11-1.
The Minnesota Frost re-signed captain Kendall Coyne Schofield to a two-year contract, ending any concerns the 34-year-old may take a year off after helping the United States win an Olympic gold medal in February.
Zy'ire was diagnosed with bone cancer in his tibia, and throughout treatment, his love of the game helped keep his spirits up. Make-A-Wish Minnesota granted his wish by putting him on the sideline in Vikings gear.
Angel Reese broke a WNBA record with her 29th double-double this season, Allisha Gray made six 3-pointers and finished with 23 points and 11 rebounds, and the Atlanta Dream beat the league-leading Minnesota Lynx 89-81 in their last game before the FIBA World Cup break.
The White Sox will move to begin a four-game series in Houston on Monday.
She has won four races for U.S. Senate by double digits, and now Sen. Amy Klobuchar is campaigning to become Minnesota's next governor.
The DFL primary in Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District was supposed to be close, but it wasn't. Former Lakeville Mayor and state Sen. Matt Little beat two well-known opponents by double digits.
Democrat Jake Johnson, a high school math teacher, is running a competitive race against Republican Rep. Brad Finstad, prompting analysts to downgrade Finstad's reelection outlook.
In the aftermath of the primary, Republicans in Minnesota are more optimistic about their November chances than they ever have been.
In the aftermath of the primary, Republicans in Minnesota are more optimistic about their November chances than they ever have been.
It is one of the most uniquely shaped buildings at the Minnesota State Fair, and it holds nearly 80 years of history.
For five generations, one family has run the Taylors Falls Scenic Boat Tours along the St. Croix River.
Keith Richardson is a home brewer and beer memorabilia collector. His collection got so big that, two years ago, he moved everything into an old toy store near downtown Lanesboro and opened the Hammarama Museum and Gift Shop.
Passing trains and scenic bluffs are a big part of Buffalo County, Wisconsin, but in the middle of it all is a garden where creativity and flowers grow together, all courtesy of a man named Herman Rusch.
Thousands of pictures of Split Rock Lighthouse are taken each year. And oftentimes a little island appears in those photos. Ellingsen Island has developed a following of its own.
The corn goes from a farm field west of the Twin Cities to the busy ovens on the fairgrounds.
There's a buzz at the fairgrounds as vendors, exhibitors and 4-H families get ready to welcome millions of people across a very specific stretch of time. Why is the Minnesota State Fair 12 days? Good Question.
While our summer has been dry, many can't say the same for their nose or eyes. Ragweed allergies are picking up steam.
Maybe you've experienced the "Sunday scaries" which is when you worry about the looming work week or wish you could have accomplished more over the weekend. The "August blues" create similar feelings, one being regret.
As if the constant barrage of political ads wasn't enough, some WCCO viewers are particularly bothered by the language candidates are using.
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.
High temperatures on Tuesday will be in the 80s and 90s across much of Minnesota, according to NEXT Weather meteorologist Chris Shaffer.
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.
Tuesday and Wednesday will be muggy in Twin Cities, according to NEXT Weather meteorologist Chris Shaffer.
The heat isn't going to let up, though it's starting to get less humid, according to NEXT Weather Meteorologist Chris Shaffer.
Upper 80s again Tuesday with less humidity and a chance of a storm overnight. Highs will be in the mid 80s through the weekend, WCCO meteorologist Mike Augustyniak reports.
High temperatures on Tuesday will be in the 80s and 90s across much of Minnesota, according to NEXT Weather meteorologist Chris Shaffer.
The Corn Roast at the Minnesota State Fair attracts thousands of customers each day. In this Good Question, Jeff Wagner shows how the corn goes from a farm field west of the Twin Cities to the busy ovens on the fairgrounds.
An alarming attack that happened Sunday at Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove is creating some uneasy feelings. Ubah Ali shares how police say you can help.
Tuesday and Wednesday will be muggy in Twin Cities, according to NEXT Weather meteorologist Chris Shaffer.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers and other state leaders broke ground on the Blatnik Bridge reconstruction project on Monday. The bridge between the two states serves as one of the largest links for U.S. trade with Canada.