10 people charged in Minnesota sex trafficking investigation, and more headlines
Authorities say an investigation into human sex trafficking in the Twin Cities led to the rescue of three victims, plus more of the day’s top stories.
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Authorities say an investigation into human sex trafficking in the Twin Cities led to the rescue of three victims, plus more of the day’s top stories.
Sean "Diddy" Combs was found guilty Wednesday of transportation to engage in prostitution in his federal trial in New York City, but the music mogul was acquitted of the more severe charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking.
Jurors in the Sean "Diddy" Combs trial continued their deliberations Wednesday on a racketeering conspiracy charge that they weren't able to agree over.
The partial verdict in the Sean "Diddy" Combs trial came on the second day of deliberations. The jury will return to deliberate on the final count Wednesday.
Combs, 55, faces multiple charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. He has been jailed since September, when he was ordered held without bail.
Former Minnesota state senator Justin Eichorn, accused of attempting to pay a teenager for sex, pleaded not guilty on Monday in his federal arraignment hearing in St. Paul.
Five people are facing felony charges after alleged attempts to solicit minors for sex in Washington County, according to the sheriff's office.
The lawsuit claims that the Hotel Ivy made no effort to protect the teen girls who were sex trafficked by Lazzaro at his condo on the 19th floor.
Former Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries was arrested on charges of sex trafficking and engaging in interstate prostitution.
Sean "Diddy" Combs is facing three charges, including sex trafficking, stemming from an investigation by federal authorities.
Once afraid to tell her story, Natalee Cramer now wants her voice heard.
The list of names could include Epstein's accused co-conspirators and others named in a settled lawsuit against Ghislaine Maxwell.
The deal calls for the Montreal-based company to pay more than $1.8 million to the U.S. government, as well as make separate payments to the individual women harmed by the trafficking.
Anthony Bass met Stephanie Page's father at his church and found out he shared a vision with her — to help stop sex trafficking.
She read one book and she was changed forever. Her mission is to help change the state of sex trafficking in Minnesota. He is a former Minnesota Viking and had just started a church and saw what she was doing. Now they share a vision they hope leads to building a facility that builds better outcomes.
Bloomington police have arrested more than a dozen people in connection to a prostitution sting.
A 21-year-old woman who helped GOP donor Anton Lazzaro sex traffic underage girls at "every step of the way" was sentenced Tuesday to three years in prison.
Here's what you need to know about Anton "Tony" Lazzaro and why he was sentenced to 21-years in prison for sex trafficking on Wednesday.
Anton Lazzaro, a former GOP donor in Minnesota, has been sentenced to 21 years in prison in a sex trafficking case.
Anton Lazzaro, a former GOP operative in Minnesota, has been sentenced to 21 years in prison in a sex trafficking case.
Law enforcement officials say they recovered four trafficking victims and arrested 11 people as the result of a two-day operation in St. Paul.
Lazzaro was charged with seven counts involving “commercial sex acts” with five minors ages 15 and 16 in 2020, when he was 30 years old.
A GOP operative accused of sex trafficking underage girls returned to the witness stand today in his own defense.
Jury selection begins Tuesday for a former GOP strategist accused of sex trafficking minors. Anton Lazzaro is accused of recruiting 15- and 16-year-olds for sex in exchange for cash and other items.
Lazzaro is accused of recruiting 15- and 16-year-olds for sex in exchange for cash and other items. His co-conspirator Gisela Medina has pleaded guilty and is expected to testify against him. All five minors are also expected to take the stand.
A 25-year-old man reached a deal to plead guilty to first-degree manslaughter in the shooting death of a 17-year-old girl in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, last summer.
U.S. Central Command said Sunday that three American service members were killed and five others were seriously wounded as part of the military operation in Iran.
Sunday will see highs in the 20s, but more sunshine is expected. We start the week warmer, climbing back into the 30s.
Fourteen people were hospitalized, including three in critical condition, after the shooting at Buford's, a beer garden in Austin's entertainment district.
Bobby Durkin, Cade Tyson and Langston Reynolds combined to score 65 points to lead Minnesota past UCLA 78-73 on Saturday.
A 25-year-old man reached a deal to plead guilty to first-degree manslaughter in the shooting death of a 17-year-old girl in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, last summer.
The rotunda at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, has hosted nearly every type of event over the years, but celebrated a first-of-its-kind event on Saturday.
Minnesota's leaders are reacting to the news about the United States and Israel attacking Iran. A Minnesotan, who grew up in Iran, spoke with WCCO.
The U.S. and Israel announced a major military operation against Iran early Saturday. President Trump threatened the Iranian government for weeks over their nuclear program and Iran's violent crackdown on protesters in January.
The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder has been sharing stories and lifting the voices of the Black community that often go unheard.
The U.S. and Israel announced a major military operation against Iran early Saturday. President Trump threatened the Iranian government for weeks over their nuclear program and Iran's violent crackdown on protesters in January.
Wintery weather returns this weekend.
A 69-year-old man has been arrested after a Lakeville, Minnesota, woman's death was ruled a homicide, the Wabasha County Sheriff's Office said Friday.
Two women and a stroller carrying an infant were hit by a truck while in a crosswalk in Rochester, Minnesota, on Thursday afternoon, according to police.
Minnesota's state budget has improved in the few months since the last estimate from top officials, but there are still some warning signs in the future.
A judge has sentenced a Wisconsin man who forged threats against President Donald Trump as part of a deportation scheme to 16½ years in prison.
A fire at a hotel in Superior, Wisconsin, Monday night left one person hurt and forced guests to move to new lodgings.
Excitement is in the air in northern Wisconsin with the 52nd annual American Birkebeiner underway.
The longest-serving Assembly speaker in Wisconsin history, who acted as a block on the battleground state's Democratic governor and also drew the ire of President Donald Trump, isn't running again.
Wisconsin Republicans who long blocked a bipartisan measure to expand postpartum Medicaid coverage plan to pass the measure following pressure from Democrats.
People from across the nation are traveling to the Twin Cities, but not as tourists. Many want to learn in person from Minnesota protestors to bring that knowledge back to their own cities.
The Edina wife and mother of three said she felt called to go and protest in south Minneapolis after learning that Alex Pretti had been shot and killed by two Border Patrol agents.
Tuesday afternoon, more than 20 people gathered on the Highway 62 bridge between Minneapolis and Richfield after a small protest sparked a confrontation there last week.
Karmel Mall has been mostly silent, with shops closed at the building on East Lake Street. Operation Metro Surge has caused many Somalis to stay home.
The ongoing presence of ICE and federal law enforcement in the Minneapolis area has kept many immigrants at home for fear of being arrested. Now, their neighbors are crowdsourcing to cover their rent.
March will be pivotal as Minnesotans attempt to emerge from the shadow of massive fraud. The federal government says it is withholding $259 million in Medicaid funding and that the state has 60 days to prove that it has rooted out fraud in existing programs. The commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Shireen Gandhi, joins Esme Murphy on WCCO Sunday Morning at 10:30 a.m.
U.S. Central Command said Sunday that three American service members were killed and five others were seriously wounded as part of the military operation in Iran.
President Trump posted on social media that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been killed after a massive U.S. and Israeli military operation Saturday.
Trump ally Sen. Lindsey Graham said the operation would be "violent, extensive and I believe, at the end of the day, successful."
President Trump says his objective in attacking Iran "is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats" from the regime in Tehran. Read his full statement and watch the video here.
On Friday, hundreds of leaders from Minnesota food banks and food shelves came together in Brooklyn Center. Their goal is to find the best ways to help hungry families in the aftermath of Operation Metro Surge, and while food prices remain high.
Target will stop selling its entire assortment of cereal with certified synthetic colors by the end of May.
Consumers are urged to stop using the pressure cookers and dispose of them immediately.
The U.S. Supreme Court struck down a key part of President Trump's economic plan late last week: tariffs. But the president fought back, slapping a 15% global tariff on imported goods.
On Friday morning, workers held a press conference to reflect on how the Immigration and Customs Enforcement surge has impacted the food industry.
A 25-year-old man reached a deal to plead guilty to first-degree manslaughter in the shooting death of a 17-year-old girl in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, last summer.
Fourteen people were hospitalized, including three in critical condition, after the shooting at Buford's, a beer garden in Austin's entertainment district.
A teenager who has admitted to shooting and killing another teen in Minneapolis, for now, is not expected to spend any time in an adult prison. The family of the victim is distraught.
A judge has sentenced a Wisconsin man who forged threats against President Donald Trump as part of a deportation scheme to 16½ years in prison.
A 69-year-old man has been arrested after a Lakeville, Minnesota, woman's death was ruled a homicide, the Wabasha County Sheriff's Office said Friday.
Target will stop selling its entire assortment of cereal with certified synthetic colors by the end of May.
The Minnesota Department of Health said there have been 10 reported cases in the state so far this year. There were five cases as of the last update, which came on Feb. 19.
Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz laid out his anti-fraud legislative package on Thursday, one day after the White House paused $259 million in federal Medicaid payments to the state until a comprehensive action plan is laid out to fight fraud.
Vice President JD Vance says the Trump administration will "temporarily halt" some Medicaid funding to the state of Minnesota over fraud concerns.
Hennepin County leaders, along with top brass from Minneapolis' Hennepin County Medical Center, opened the books in front of a panel of Minnesota senators Wednesday.
As a musician and performer, Prince showed a generation that being different wasn't a liability. Now, an author and illustrator are telling the story of Prince's life in a new children's book.
A 19th-century George Méliès film, thought to be long lost, has been found among a box of brittle movie reels that a Michigan donor brought to the Library of Congress, officials said.
Bobby J. Brown's breakout role was as a police officer on HBO's "The Wire." He appeared in 12 episodes across four seasons.
Streaming giant Netflix declined to match Paramount Skydance's $31 per share offer for Warner Bros. Discovery.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has announced its 2026 list of nominees, including Phil Collins, Mariah Carey, Wu-Tang Clan and more.
Bobby Durkin, Cade Tyson and Langston Reynolds combined to score 65 points to lead Minnesota past UCLA 78-73 on Saturday.
Kelvin Yeboah's rebound goal and Drake Callender's four saves gave Minnesota United FC a 1-0 win over Cincinnati FC on Saturday.
The Wild were taken down by the Utah Mammoth 5-2 on Friday night to end Minnesota's winning streak at six games.
Sisters Mya and Ashlee Wilson lead the Hill-Murray girls basketball team in scoring, assists and rebounds. Head coach Betty Trull says they bring more than just strong statistics to the program.
Anthony Edwards scored 31 points, Donte DiVincenzo added 18 and the surging Minnesota Timberwolves beat Los Angeles Clippers 94-88 on Thursday night.
In the aftermath of Operation Metro Surge, a bill to make it easier for someone to sue the federal government is advancing at the Minnesota Capitol.
Two major priorities are on a collision course in the Minnesota Legislature.
The GOP is promoting an aggressive anti-fraud agenda while the DFL is hammering hard on the immigration crackdown and the continuing fallout.
The political fallout of Operation Metro Surge is expected to be long lasting not just in Minnesota, but across the country.
The political fallout of Operation Metro Surge is expected to be long lasting not just in Minnesota, but across the country. In Talking Points, Esme Murphy spoke with Abou Amara, a Democratic analyst, and Amy Frederiksen, a Republican analyst, about the political impact.
In St. Louis Park, Minnesota, there's a place where you can find radio and television technology that's nearly a century old — and it still works.
One of the best views in Minnesota is at the top of a Bloomington hill. But 15-year-old Jacob Larson isn't here for the scenery. He's here for the jump.
Pine trees are a common sight up north. But on a Carlton, Minnesota, road, they're joined by giant lollipops. They serve as the welcoming committee for Sweetly Kismet, one of the largest candy stores in the state.
John Lauritsen shares the story behind a massive snow sculpture that's now become a winter destination.
Northland Arboretum was built half a century ago on top of what was once a city dump. But over time, nature carved its own path with a little help from a Zamboni.
Traveling is already stressful, especially flying, but the deadly conflict south of the border might have some travelers second-guessing their upcoming trips.
Drivers beware. Cities are seeing an uptick in stolen cars this winter.
On the first day of the Minnesota Legislature, artificial intelligence is giving visitors and lawmakers at the State Capitol a new sense of security.
From the flu to the common cold, viruses keep knocking out Minnesotans this winter. A physician with Hennepin Healthcare breaks down how long an individual may be contagious after they start to feel better.
White House border czar Tom Homan, without offering further explanation, claimed the federal immigration operation in Minnesota uncovered thousands of missing children in the state, but it's likely related to a much larger number the administration has been touting for a few years.
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.
WCCO meteorologist Adam Del Rosso says to expect a quiet, but cold end to the weekend before a warmup tomorrow.
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.
Sunday will see highs in the 20s, but more sunshine is expected. We start the week warmer, climbing back into the 30s.
Sunday will feel similar to Saturday with highs in the 20s, but more sunshine is expected. We start the week warmer, climbing back into the 30s. Meteorologist Adam Del Rosso shares just how long we'll stay in the 30s and when we could see another storm.
Overnight temps will remain cool with highs in the single digits to low teens. Sunday will feel similar to Saturday with highs in the 20s, but more sunshine is expected. We start the week warmer, climbing back into the 30s. Meteorologist Lisa Meadows shares just how long we'll stay in the 30s and when we could see another storm.
WCCO meteorologist Adam Del Rosso says to expect a quiet, but cold end to the weekend before a warmup tomorrow.
March will be pivotal as Minnesotans attempt to emerge from the shadow of massive fraud. The federal government says it is withholding $259 million in Medicaid funding and that the state has 60 days to prove that it has rooted out fraud in existing programs. The commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Shireen Gandhi, joins Esme Murphy on WCCO Sunday Morning at 10:30 a.m.
For Iranians living in Minnesota, the common thread in their response is emotion. As our Conor Wight shows us, some hope this is the start of liberation. While others fear for the future.
Three U.S. service members have been killed and five wounded in the Iran operation. U.S. Central Command announced the news shortly before 9 a.m. Sunday.
Esme Murphy and Adam Del Rosso have the latest headlines from WCCO.com.