World War II veteran shares stories from the frontlines
Drafted during World War II, Don Tietz found himself a long way from his hometown farm.
Watch CBS News
Drafted during World War II, Don Tietz found himself a long way from his hometown farm.
Many of the soldiers on the front lines in World War II are no longer with us. But one of those veterans, born and raised in south Minneapolis, turned 102 on Feb. 24.
Technical Sergeant Don Halverson celebrated 102 years of life with his fellow soldiers on Monday.
Feb. 10 marked a huge and happy milestone for one veteran in Excelsior.
A special birthday was held in Excelsior for World War II veteran and Twin Cities native Ralph Peebles.
It is believed the area where the playground was initially built was used as a Home Guard training ground and the bombs were buried at the end of the war.
Survivors of the Nazi's notorious Auschwitz death camp are taking center stage at the memorial service to mark 80 years since its liberation by Soviet troops.
Reynolds Tomter recalled spending the 80th anniversary of D-Day in France.
On this Veterans Day, we're sharing the story of the oldest World War II veteran to spend the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France. Reynolds Tomter lives in western Wisconsin and as John Lauritsen found, the 107-year-old couldn't wait to get back to France.
A few months ago, Les Schrenk, a 100-year-old World War II veteran, made his first trip to Normandy, France in June. Earlier this month, he shared his thoughts on what he's calling a "once in a lifetime" experience.
A 101-year-old soldier helped win World War II, but more recently he's taken his talents to the internet.
The ceremony caps off several days of remembrance and reflection at Normandy. Minnesotans have been a big part of it — that includes 100-year-old Jim Rasmussen of East Bethel.
People from around the world gathered today in Normandy for the 80th Anniversary of D-Day. That invasion put America on the path to victory in the second World War and changed the course of history. WCCO's John Lauritsen and photojournalist Tom Aviles joined Minnesota veterans, and active service members, for the ceremony to mark this milestone.
After training at Fort Des Moines, Florence Cecere became a nurse's aide at Northington General Hospital in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, taking care of the men severely injured on the front lines.
One-hundred-year-old Les Schrenk doesn't have time for his usual morning water aerobics or afternoon bike rides this week. That's because the World War II veteran is more than 4,000 miles from his Bloomington home, making his first-ever visit to Normandy.
All week, WCCO's John Lauritsen and photojournalist Tom Aviles are in Normandy, France for the 80th anniversary of D-Day. They’ve been talking with World War II veterans from Minnesota who made the trip overseas. Among them is 100-year-old Les Schrenk from Bloomington. We caught up with him at Omaha Beach where the former POW honored the sacrifice of so many American soldiers who never made it home.
Virgil survived the Allied invasion, but just eight days after arriving in France, he was killed by Germans while trying to rescue a fellow soldier from a burning truck.
Virgil Tangborn is a soldier from northern Minnesota who never made it home. But as John Lauritsen and photojournalist Tom Aviles share, he left a lasting impression on the people he helped liberate.
This week marks 80 years since the D-Day invasion. It's a day many Minnesota World War II veterans will never forget. To share their stories, WCCO's John Lauritsen and photojournalist Tom Aviles traveled to France to meet up with some local veterans making the trip to Normandy 80 years later.
All week on WCCO, we'll be sharing stories from that day as reporter John Lauritsen and photojournalist Tom Aviles make their way through France, experiencing history along the way.
American paratroopers played a key role in the D-Day assault 80 years ago. Now, some U.S. congressmen are preparing to honor their sacrifice in a high-flying way.
This week marks the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion, a turning point in World War II that helped bring victory to the allies in Europe. All week, reporter John Lauritsen and photojournalist Tom Aviles will share stories from that day as they make their way through France, experiencing history along the way.
All this week, John Lauritsen and photojournalist Tom Aviles will be in France, bringing us stories of Minnesota veterans who took part in World War II. Some of those veterans will be taking part in the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion on June 6. John Lauritsen gives us a preview of the type of stories we can expect.
Three C-47 transport planes, a workhorse of World War II, dropped three long strings of jumpers, their round chutes mushrooming open in the blue skies with puffy white clouds.
A group of World War II veterans flew out of Wisconsin this week on their way Normandy, France for the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
State troopers say they arrested a 47-year-old woman from Minneapolis on Saturday after the driver showed "signs of impairment" and detected the odor of marijuana during a traffic stop.
A 46-year-old man is dead after he was struck by a car in St. Paul on Saturday morning.
The National Weather Service issued multiple tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings early Saturday.
Anthony Edwards scored 28 points and the Minnesota Timberwolves rallied to beat the Orlando Magic 118-111 on Friday night for their seventh straight victory.
A man died Friday after being stabbed Thursday night.
A 46-year-old man is dead after he was struck by a car in St. Paul on Saturday morning.
There is new proposed legislation to reform Minnesota's DWI rules.
St. Paul is gearing up for a weekend full of St. Patrick's Day festivities.
Friday, Minnesota veterans protested outside GOP offices ahead of a potential federal government shutdown.
The University of Minnesota is among dozens of schools facing an investigation by the U.S. Department of Education over alleged racial discrimination of students.
A man died Friday after being stabbed Thursday night.
A storm system moving through western Minnesota could bring several inches of snow on Saturday.
Despite a forecast that includes cloudy skies in Minnesota, you still may be able to see the total lunar eclipse in the overnight hours.
Anglers on one of Minnesota's largest lakes will be able to keep two walleye daily starting this spring, wildlife officials said Thursday.
As Trump threatens to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, Walz will outline the impacts of such cuts to Minnesota families and students.
State troopers say they arrested a 47-year-old woman from Minneapolis on Saturday after the driver showed "signs of impairment" and detected the odor of marijuana during a traffic stop.
University of Wisconsin-River Falls debuts it a cheesemaking course at its on-campus dairy plant.
Four Wisconsin voters whose ballots were not counted in the November presidential election have initiated a class action lawsuit seeking $175,000 in damages each.
Police in Hudson, Wisconsin, say they made a shocking discovery following an hourslong standoff overnight Thursday.
More girls and women will soon be able to show their skills on the football field.
Five years ago this week, our world shut down as COVID-19 swept the country. It was a time of loss and change that hit all of us — and all of us have memories of how the virus upended our lives.
Decades of militant rule and ongoing conflict in Burma have sent nearly 20,000 Karen people to resettle in the Twin Cities since the early 2000s. It's conflict the four students were able to experience up close once again with a month-long trip to Southeast Asia.
Giacomo Naylor gave everything to his loved ones — his mom, younger siblings Lukas and Isadora — up until Jan. 25 at 2:28 a.m. while on "G's Last Stand" — a coast-to-coast road trip they took because he did not want to die in a hospital.
Drafted during World War II, Don Tietz found himself a long way from his hometown farm.
Two men accused of sexually assaulting a central Minnesota college student have been arrested.
There is new proposed legislation to reform Minnesota's DWI rules.
As the federal government ramps up deportation efforts, an area organization says those efforts are striking fear into the wrong hearts.
Friday, Minnesota veterans protested outside GOP offices ahead of a potential federal government shutdown.
As the federal government ramps up deportation efforts, an area organization says it’s striking fear into the wrong hearts
Minnesota veterans were in Edina on Friday voicing their concerns about potential changes to veterans’ health care.
For nearly 10 years, Iron Door Pub has stood at Lyndale Avenue and Lake Street. But now, it's shutting it's doors for good.
A group of south Minneapolis renters are demanding action from their building's management company, alleging major maintenance issues are being ignored and tenants are being threatened with eviction.
Food insecurity is at an all-time high in Minnesota. As that need continues to grow, lawmakers are pushing for more support.
It's a label that can instill confidence and patriotism. Some shoppers even seek out products that say "Made in America."
Minnesota is a target in President Trump's trade war. On Monday, Ontario, Canada slapped a 25% surcharge on all electricity exports to our state and two others.
State troopers say they arrested a 47-year-old woman from Minneapolis on Saturday after the driver showed "signs of impairment" and detected the odor of marijuana during a traffic stop.
A man died Friday after being stabbed Thursday night.
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety is warning people to prepare a sober ride if they plan to drink this St. Patrick's Day weekend.
The chaotic car chase caught on camera started in Minneapolis and ended about 30 miles away in St. Michael, Minnesota.
The target of a manhunt in the Twin Cities after a Thursday afternoon shooting is now in custody, police said.
As the federal government ramps up deportation efforts, an area organization says those efforts are striking fear into the wrong hearts.
Five years ago this week, our world shut down as COVID-19 swept the country. It was a time of loss and change that hit all of us — and all of us have memories of how the virus upended our lives.
After dozens of overdoses in just four days, Minnesota's biggest county is racing to reverse the troubling trend.
Sleep is the rest and recovery bodies and brains need to be at our best once our eyes open again. Achieving that is easier said than done.
The Minnesota Department of Health has officially added two more diseases to the list of conditions for which newborns are typically screened.
Lovers of old-school records in the Twin Cities, listen up: you can get a record made in your own backyard.
Bidding is underway for dozens of Bob Dylan memorabilia items, including his earliest-known demo recording described as "a revelation."
Country music star Keith Urban will make a stop at St. Paul's Xcel Energy Center in September.
In the world of alpine skiing, few have been more decorated. Fast, fearless and resilient, Lindsey Vonn fought her way back after every crash, until she retired at 34. But now, with a titanium knee replacement, she is eyeing one more trip to the Olympics.
One of the Twin Cities is welcoming dozens of sporting events, shows and St. Patrick's Day celebration.
Anthony Edwards scored 28 points and the Minnesota Timberwolves rallied to beat the Orlando Magic 118-111 on Friday night for their seventh straight victory.
Braden Schneider scored at 1:51 of overtime to give the New York Rangers a 3-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Thursday night.
Hear from Tartan men's basketball coach Mark Klingsporn, who just won his 700th career game. Plus, see which boys hockey teams from Class AA have stamped their ticket to the state tournament.
The Minnesota Vikings have already been active in NFL free agency, but a key position is still left potentially unaddressed. Who will start under center Week 1?
After making a big-money guard signing in free agency, the Minnesota Vikings are trading a former starter at the position.
Esme Murphy takes a look at why the government could shut down and what it could mean for Minnesotans.
A looming government shutdown amid cuts and layoffs at the federal level. In Talking Points, Esme Murphy spoke with University of Minnesota Professor Larry Jacobs about how a government shutdown will impact you, and if a Minnesota government shutdown is on the horizon. CLICK HERE for more.
Republicans have put forward a budget proposal that would keep the federal government from shutting down this Sunday, but Democrats are opposed because of sharp budget cuts. Esme Murphy looks at how a shutdown would affect Minnesotans.
Republicans have put forward a budget proposal that would keep the federal government from shutting down. Democrats are opposed because of sharp budget cuts.
COPAL is one of hundreds of groups across the U.S. forming a modern-day underground railroad network of support.
Lovers of old-school records in the Twin Cities, listen up: you can get a record made in your own backyard.
A partnership between the American Legion and a horseshoe club is putting Becker, Minnesota, on the map.
If you've been to the University of Minnesota, you can't miss the Weisman Art Museum. It stands out in more ways than one.
How about spending Valentine's Day, in a dome? You can do it in Pine City. The Sweetbriar Ridge offers couples a unique glamping getaway.
If you've been to southeastern Minnesota, you've likely come across Sugar Loaf Bluff.
As the days get longer and warmer, it's also a reminder for parents to get ready: Their kids are about to be home for a week straight.
It's a label that can instill confidence and patriotism. Some shoppers even seek out products that say "Made in America."
Sleep is the rest and recovery bodies and brains need to be at our best once our eyes open again. Achieving that is easier said than done.
Outside of learning what new foods will end up a stick, there might not be greater anticipation from Minnesota State Fairgoers than finding out who will headline at the Grandstand.
Why do we get bored? How should we overcome it? Good Question.
A spring snowstorm dropped several inches of plowable snow overnight in the Twin Cities and other parts of Minnesota.
Six Minnesota Vikings made the initial roster for the 2025 Pro Bowl Games, the most in 15 years.
Regions Hospital and Children's Minnesota share photos of their tiniest patients dressed to the nines for Halloween.
Minnesotans got a great view of the northern lights Thursday night due to the arrival of a severe geomagnetic storm.
Minnesotans got a great view of the northern lights Monday night.
A NEXT Weather Alert is still in place for parts of western Minnesota as blizzard conditions continue. For the rest of us, Friday night's rain will turn to snow as temperatures take a dip.
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.
The rain continues to push north from Iowa through the Twin Cities and into parts of northern Minnesota. The system that brings the rain will meet with a cold weather front turning it into snow overnight. Chief meteorologist Chris Shaffer breaks down the timing and which parts of Minnesota could see blizzard conditions.
We are in the first of two back-to-back NEXT Weather Alert days. Tonight we could see severe thunderstorms, mostly impacting western Minnesota. Overnight that storm could change from rain to snow. Chief meteorologist Chris Shaffer breaks down the timing of it all.
A line of severe storms could hit southern Minnesota Friday evening, bringing hail and strong winds.
Here's a look at your top local digital headlines.
From $5 pints at Fulton Taproom, to celebrating Taiwanese culture at the Mall of America, here's a look at the 4 Things to Do Today.
The Midtown Global Market is hosting a Holi Celebration that you won't want to miss. x and x joined WCCO Saturday Mornings to preview this festival full of color, music and dance.
The Trump administration announced that they're launching probes for possible discrimination into more than 50 schools across the country, with the University of Minnesota being one of them.
Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Here's a look at this weekend's Saturdates.