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One person is dead and another was seriously hurt in a head-on crash near Kimball Thursday morning. Authorities were called to the area of Highway 15 and 150th Street, just north of Kimball, at about 5:54 a.m. on a report of a head-on crash.
An unusual call to the Stearns County Sheriff's Department Thursday led to a surprise discovery. The caller was out mowing a lawn near a wetland area and spotted a two-foot alligator in the grass.
The former mayor of the small Stearns County city of Richmond has been arrested and released. Scott Kron is under investigation for allegedly stealing thousands of dollars from the town's baseball association. Kron resigned his office earlier this summer citing health and personal reasons.
One person is dead and another is injured after a car accident in Stearns County Thursday morning. According to the Stearns County Sheriff's Office, police responded to a call around 6:15 a.m. of a two motor vehicle accident at County Road 35 and County Road 37 in Millwood Township.
A Stearns County man is hospitalized after being shot in the stomach early Saturday morning. Deputies responded to a report of a shooting at about 2:17 a.m. on the 200 block of 3rd Street in Holdingford, according to the Stearns County Sheriff's Office.
An Albany man has been charged with second degree murder in connection with the death of his infant son. Robert John Kaiser, 32, has been charged with one count of murder in the second degree.
Stearns County Sheriff John Sanner says they will never stop trying to get the case of Jacob Wetterling resolved. He says he hopes by being featured on CNN's "The Hunt", new information will be uncovered.
Officers in Stearns County are searching for a male who allegedly robbed a woman's home Monday afternoon. According to the Stearns County Sheriff's Office, the homeowner returned around 12:32 p.m. Monday and saw an adult male in her home.
The 911 emergency line is back up and running after an outage Saturday afternoon affected multiple counties in the metro area. According to officials, a routing outage is affected 911 calls that were made from landline phones. According to Century Link, the 911 line was down in Sherburne, Stearns, Wright and Benton counties.
Authorities in Stearns County say used fireworks may have sparked a fire that destroyed a trailer and all-terrain vehicle. No one was hurt. The sheriff's office says the fire was reported late Friday night in North Branch.
A 45-year-old St. Cloud man is dead after a disabled semi-sized tow truck rolled over him in St. Joseph Tuesday, according to the Stearns County Sheriff's Office.
A 13-year-old boy from central Minnesota was hospitalized Tuesday after being run over by a tractor. The incident happened shortly after 2:30 p.m. on a farm along the 27000 block of County Road 17 in Millwood Township, the Stearns County Sheriff's Office said.
Officials around the state are reminding people to be careful in recreational waters as heavy rains have caused high water and rapid current. In Fillmore County, seven people were rescued from the Root River on Sunday after they experienced trouble while tubing.
A Minnesota inmate, investigated in the disappearance of Jacob Wetterling, says he had nothing to do with the boy's kidnapping nearly 25 years ago.
The Stearns County Sheriff's Office is investigating whether two men in prison for murder may have been involved with the abduction of Jacob Wetterling. Delbert and Tim Huber of Paynesville - who are father and son - murdered Albertville teacher Tim Larson in a dispute over $50 in 2011.
A St. Cloud man faces felony charges after attacking a nurse and two security guards at St. Cloud Hospital on Tuesday afternoon. According to St. Cloud Police, the assaults occurred just before 3 p.m. Joseph Charles Karnik, 24, is facing three felony-assault charges because of his history of violence towards law enforcement.
A Sauk Rapids man fought police officers, deputies and staff at St. Cloud Hospital after being arrested Saturday afternoon. Shawn Thomas Iees, 26, was spotted by Stearns County deputies and St. Cloud Police officers just before 2 p.m. while walking on Veteran's Drive near 24th Avenue North in St. Cloud, according to the Stearns County Sheriff's office. Officers attempted to stop Iees, who has three outstanding warrants, but he fled, leading to a brief foot chase.
Authorities are investigating a shooting incident in Sartell on Thursday afternoon. The incident occurred at about noon at a strip mall on the 1700 block of Pine Cone Rd. N., according to Lt. Jon Lentz of the Stearns County Sheriff's office. Police were also called to CentraCare Health Plaza in St. Cloud, which is about five miles away from the scene of the shooting.
The University of Minnesota Duluth Department of Intercollegiate Athletics has set up a fund in memory of former Bulldog softball player Mandy Matula. The UMD Softball 1 Four Mandy Matula Fund was established in partnership with Matula's family. The fund will provide financial support for the Bulldog softball program. Matula was a starting pitcher and utility player with the Bulldogs from the 2007 through 2010 seasons.
After 17 months of waiting, a family finally learned how much time the man who killed their son will be in prison. A Stearns County judge sentenced 18-year-old Jesse Smithers to 10 years on Thursday. Smithers admitted to delivering the deadly punch in a St. Cloud alley almost a year and a half ago. On Sept. 21, 2012, Colton Gleason was walking with friends when a car pulled up, and Smithers got out and punched him. Colton died after falling and hitting his head.
Two Minnesotans are holding raffle tickets worth a million dollars Thursday morning. A total of 150 gamblers tickets won prizes in the Minnesota Millionaire New Year's drawing.
An 18-year-old Sauk Rapids man accused of a deadly assault has changed his originally plea of not guilty to 2nd-degree murder in a Stearns County court Friday morning. According to the Stearns County Attorney's office, Jesse Smithers amended his plea to 2nd-degree unintentional murder. In Sept. 2012, Smithers was riding in a car driving down a St. Cloud alley when he asked the driver to stop. He got out of the vehicle and approached three men nearby, including Colton Gleason. Smithers punched Gleason with a closed fist. He later died at St. Cloud Hospital from his injuries. Smithers was 17 at the time of the crime, and was charged as an adult.
The family of Mandy Matula is spending Monday balancing a sense of closure with unspeakable grief. After months of wondering what happened to her, they're spending the day visiting the site where her body was found.
Human remains were found in a Stearns County park on Saturday afternoon. According to authorities, the remains were found in a shallow grave by a hiker shortly after 1 p.m. at Mississippi County Park. The identity and gender of the remains are unclear. The Stearns County Sheriff's office is working with Eden Prairie Police and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to determine if the remains are those of 24-year-old Mandy Matula, who went missing back in May.
A Sauk Centre teenager was taken to the hospital after being shot in the back by another teen while duck hunting Sunday afternoon, according to the Stearns County Sheriff's Office.
The PGA Tour Americas is back in Brainerd. With some big Minnesota sports names changing sports for the week.
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.
The Rosemount Marching Band was the first to perform on the first day of the State Fair.
Just one year ago, a Minneapolis community was changed forever when a shooting at a church filled with children on their first day of Mass for the school year killed two students and injured several others. Third grader Fletcher Merkel was just 8 years old. Harper Moyski was 10.
Annunciation Creative Arts Director Kristin Stang says August brings everything back to the surface.
The PGA Tour Americas is back in Brainerd. With some big Minnesota sports names changing sports for the week.
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.
The Rosemount Marching Band was the first to perform on the first day of the State Fair.
Just one year ago, a Minneapolis community was changed forever when a shooting at a church filled with children on their first day of Mass for the school year killed two students and injured several others. Third grader Fletcher Merkel was just 8 years old. Harper Moyski was 10.
Annunciation Creative Arts Director Kristin Stang says August brings everything back to the surface.
Jena Hanson, a 20-year-old from Owatonna, will serve as the official goodwill ambassador for the Minnesota dairy industry and families for the next year.
A Minnesota college professor has been sentenced to three years' probation for stealing gun parts and ammunition from a Twin Cities store, according to court records.
Minnesota is facing its worst drought conditions in five years, experts say. About 88% of the state is either experiencing abnormally dry or drought conditions.
Minnesota's Iron Range has a history of iron ore mining dating back to the 1880s. But renewed conversations about copper-nickel mining in the area are fueling debate up north and beyond. Neighbors in the Ely area are navigating the divisive issue while staying largely united.
A Michigan child is in the hospital after being run over by a lawn mower in central Minnesota Friday afternoon.
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.
The Franklin County Coroner's Office says Jack Pugh died March 30 from acute bronchopneumonia caused by cardiomyopathy, a disease that weakens the heart's ability to pump blood.
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.
The city of St. Paul, Minnesota, is taking a stand and closing encampments amid growing concerns.
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.
After the Annunciation Catholic Church mass shooting in Minneapolis, there were loud calls for action on guns.
With the fall campaign season approaching, candidates for governor and other offices spent Thursday working the fairgrounds, shaking hands and making the rounds among fairgoers.
The executive order directs the Interior Department to update the Geographic Names Information System, changing the name of Lake Ontario to Lake America.
Lisa Demuth, the Republican Minnesota House speaker and state gubernatorial candidate, chats with Beret Leone outside the gates of the Minnesota State Fair on opening day.
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.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison released nearly 700 documents Wednesday in his office's investigation into Fleet Farm, alleging the company "ignored an internal warning" about selling firearms to a "straw buyer."
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.
A part of the healing journey at Annunciation Catholic School and Church in Minneapolis has been working with Washburn Center for Children.
Two Minneapolis men face murder and attempted murder charges in connection to a gang-related double shooting this spring that killed a 16-year-old boy.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent charged in a Minneapolis shooting during Operation Metro Surge has been released from a Texas jail, the Associated Press reports.
Ahmed Ghedi was sentenced to more than five years in prison, while Abdihakim Ahmed was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison, according to court documents.
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.
Minnesota will receive between $214 million to $307 million after tech giant Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, settled a landmark social media addiction lawsuit Wednesday.
While our summer has been dry, many can't say the same for their nose or eyes. Ragweed allergies are picking up steam.
The "We Give Blood" drive will kick off this week. It's a competition between the 18 Big Ten Schools to see who can donate the most blood.
Hospice nurses who work for Minnesota-based Allina Health have voted to authorize a seven-day unfair labor practice strike, the union representing them said on Monday.
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."
Audience members at a stage performance of "9 to 5: The Musical" in the U.K. were heard gasping aloud at the news of Dolly Parton's death Tuesday.
Mann said the Plymouth location will be the only family-owned, locally based Minnesota theater company operating an IMAX and will bring the format to an area where moviegoers have previously had to travel farther to find one.
President Trump said that he would be "lowering the American flag" throughout the nation for one week in Dolly Parton's honor.
Dolly Parton became an icon over her six-decade career as a Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, movie and TV star and theme park owner who donated millions to help others.
The PGA Tour Americas is back in Brainerd. With some big Minnesota sports names changing sports for the week.
Lawrence Butler homered, Alika Williams hit a two-run triple and the Athletics beat the Minnesota Twins 7-4 to win the three-game series.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have agreed to terms with power forward Jonathan Kuminga on a two-year, $12.4 million contract, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.
Carlos Cortes homered and Gage Jump struck out nine in 6 1/3 innings as the Athletics beat the Minnesota Twins 4-2.
The 6-foot-10, 250-pound former NBA player was removed from Sunday's game after he was confronted by Sky guard Natasha Cloud.
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.
The candidates for the Minnesota general election are all set, and the campaigns are shifting into a higher gear.
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.
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.
There's a certain elegance to the common loon. Its black and white plumage carries a gentle sheen of green as though dressed for a formal affair. Subtle colors that allow its piercing red eyes to steal your gaze.
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.
Summer ain't quite over yet. We have a slew of days in the 80s ahead, and the humidity returns. Chief meteorologist Chris Shaffer shares just how long our hot streak will last and when we could see some rain.
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.
WCCO meteorologist Chris Shaffer has the latest forecast.
Things turn active Saturday morning with a round of showers and storms, WCCO meteorologist Mike Augustyniak reports.
Not many changes for Friday aside from temps being a touch warmer in the mid 80s, WCCO meteorologist Adam Del Rosso reports.
The PGA Tour Americas is back in Brainerd. With some big Minnesota sports names changing sports for the week.
Summer ain't quite over yet. We have a slew of days in the 80s ahead, and the humidity returns. Chief meteorologist Chris Shaffer shares just how long our hot streak will last and when we could see some rain.
More and more are working hard to be the best at the Minnesota State Fair. Conor Wight takes a look at why.
One year after the shooting at the Church of the Annunciation, members of the community spent the day helping others.
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.