Birthday celebration for WWII vet came with big surprise
Technical Sergeant Don Halverson celebrated 102 years of life with his fellow soldiers on Monday.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ahead of Memorial Day weekend, a ceremony was held honoring Robert Hanley at his hospice facility, sharing cake and stories with friends and family.
June 6 will be the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion. Some Americans who took part in the liberation of Europe will be going back to Normandy for the last time.
WCCO Investigates has learned a state watchdog is taking a closer look at the community's concerns surrounding pollution problems at a battery recycling plant and the state agency that oversees it.
Minneapolis police are investigating after a man was shot and killed in Minneapolis on Thursday afternoon.
In this week's Talking Points, some warn that this endorsement could destroy the GOP's chances of winning up and down the ballot, including among Republicans.
An Isanti, Minnesota, tattoo artist was reunited with her cat weeks after she was lost in the Colorado wilderness.
It's Tyler Larson's first year running a spray drone. On Thursday morning, he was applying fungicide to a soybean field near Owatonna, Minnesota.
WCCO Investigates has learned a state watchdog is taking a closer look at the community's concerns surrounding pollution problems at a battery recycling plant and the state agency that oversees it.
Minneapolis police are investigating after a man was shot and killed in Minneapolis on Thursday afternoon.
In this week's Talking Points, some warn that this endorsement could destroy the GOP's chances of winning up and down the ballot, including among Republicans.
The advice is to stay inside when air quality turns hazardous, but that's not an option for many outdoor workers.
The Minneapolis City Council approved a major redesign of Lyndale Avenue South on Thursday.
In this week's Talking Points, some warn that this endorsement could destroy the GOP's chances of winning up and down the ballot, including among Republicans.
It's Tyler Larson's first year running a spray drone. On Thursday morning, he was applying fungicide to a soybean field near Owatonna, Minnesota.
The advice is to stay inside when air quality turns hazardous, but that's not an option for many outdoor workers.
Events and other scheduled outdoor activities are being canceled across Minnesota Thursday as hazardous wildfire smoke continues to pour down from the north amid an extreme heat warning.
With air quality in the Twin Cities hitting historically hazardous levels, the Animal Humane Society is reminding residents to keep an eye on their pets.
For 66 years, the Lumberjack World Championships have brought the world's best to Hayward, Wisconsin.
Three people who died after a pontoon overturned on Lake Pepin over the weekend have been identified.
Two of the decedents were members of the Wabasha Fire Department, the chief confirmed.
A Wisconsin family lost their ten-month-old daughter after she swallowed a water bead. They blame Target and the water bead manufacturer for her death.
Francesca Hong has not backed away from calls to defund and abolish the police, raise taxes on the wealthy, and create a state-owned bank — positions now facing voters in a state Trump has carried twice.
The city of St. Paul, Minnesota, is taking a stand and closing encampments amid growing concerns.
Baseball fans might remember the Metrodome's iconic blue seats, and now in Atwater, Minnesota, spectators can once again grab a blue seat and watch a game.
Tucked away in the Midway neighborhood in St. Paul is a community treasure many have come to love and respect.
What started as a small fundraiser following one of Joe's surgeries at Gillette Children's has grown into a community tradition that has raised nearly $100,000 for the hospital.
A trip to the video store was once a weekly ritual, and now one Minnesota movie lover is trying to bring that experience back.
In this week's Talking Points, some warn that this endorsement could destroy the GOP's chances of winning up and down the ballot, including among Republicans.
The Minneapolis City Council approved a major redesign of Lyndale Avenue South on Thursday.
The Minneapolis City Council on Thursday rejected a contract that would allow the police department to use drones to respond to emergencies.
President Donald Trump’s endorsement of GOP candidate for governor Mike Lindell is turning some heads within the Republican Party
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche testified Wednesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee for his confirmation hearing to lead the Justice Department in a permanent capacity, where he faced tough questions from Democrats and some Republicans about his tenure so far.
The lawsuit accuses Loon of using "kid-friendly characters" to promote its vapes in flavors such as Cotton Candy, Strawberry Popsicle, Banana Taffy and Blue Razz Slushy.
A Wisconsin family lost their ten-month-old daughter after she swallowed a water bead. They blame Target and the water bead manufacturer for her death.
For many Minnesotans, the road to the Fourth of July starts with a short drive across the St. Croix River to Wisconsin to stock up on fireworks. The kinds of pyrotechnics that can be legally ignited in Minnesota might be surprising.
Insurance experts say hail damage claims that once averaged $10,000–$15,000 now routinely reach $40,000–$60,000, even as many policies have shifted away from full replacement coverage.
Hundreds of workers, employed by Delaware North Company to serve food and drinks, say they are fighting for livable wages and healthcare benefits.
Minneapolis police are investigating after a man was shot and killed in Minneapolis on Thursday afternoon.
The Minneapolis City Council on Thursday rejected a contract that would allow the police department to use drones to respond to emergencies.
Court documents show Kendra Johnson was sentenced to more than 5 years in prison and Erling Holdahl was sentenced to more than 12 years in prison.
A man pleaded guilty Wednesday to wire fraud in a scheme prosecutors said bilked a now-defunct Minnesota housing program out of millions of dollars.
A federal agent in Minnesota who pleaded guilty to transporting child sexual abuse material was sentenced Wednesday to seven years in prison.
The advice is to stay inside when air quality turns hazardous, but that's not an option for many outdoor workers.
The Target USA Cup, the largest youth soccer tournament in the Western Hemisphere, is suspended Thursday in the Twin Cities due to hazardous air quality from northern wildfires.
A state law passed last year directed the state Department of Health to create materials on "recognizing the signs of physical abuse in infants and how to report suspected physical abuse of infants" and make them available online.
Officials are still searching for the source of the outbreak, prompting consumers to seek advice on social media about which foods to avoid.
The air quality in Minneapolis was ranked the worst among major cities globally Thursday afternoon as smoke from northern wildfires cloaks the region.
There's so much to do this weekend in Minnesota, from festivals to art fairs.
Three Minnesota ice cream shops are in the running for a national title this summer.
New Zealand actor Sam Neill, known for "Jurassic Park" and "The Piano," died Monday at 78, his family says.
A St. Paul, Minnesota, neighborhood that has struggled to keep businesses might be turning a corner.
It's another action-packed weekend here in Minnesota, featuring hot dogs, book fairs, community celebrations and more.
The Target USA Cup, the largest youth soccer tournament in the Western Hemisphere, is suspended Thursday in the Twin Cities due to hazardous air quality from northern wildfires.
Kayla McBride scored 24 for her fifth straight 20-point performance, Courtney Williams added 19 points, and the Minnesota Lynx beat the Los Angeles Sparks 96-87 for their fourth straight victory.
Defending World Cup champion Argentina rallied to edge England 2-1 to advance to Sunday's final at MetLife Stadium, where they will face Spain.
In a match Tuesday featuring two of soccer's biggest heavyweights, Spain put in a masterful performance, frustrating France to the tune of a 2-0 win to advance to Sunday's World Cup final.
Suni Lee is making a run at a third Olympics.
There's less than a month to go before the Aug. 11 primary, and one of the most watched and competitive races is the DFL race for the nomination for U.S. Senate between Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and Rep. Angie Craig.
New campaign finance numbers are expected out later this week in federal races, including Minnesota's U.S. Senate race, where a flood of ads is evidence of a highly competitive race.
Minnesota Republicans head into an August primary shaped by a president who has lost the state three times but still commands outsized loyalty from its conservative base.
Minnesota Republicans head into an August primary shaped by a president who has lost the state three times but still commands outsized loyalty from its conservative base.
Mike Lindell, who leads the Minnesota Republican gubernatorial primary at 27%, is proposing conditional non-resident visas for undocumented immigrants with no criminal record — a position that differs from the Trump administration's approach.
There's a scenic, nearly century-old spot in St. Cloud, Minnesota, where right now you'll find thousands of flowers in bloom.
Baseball fans might remember the Metrodome's iconic blue seats, and now in Atwater, Minnesota, spectators can once again grab a blue seat and watch a game.
It's a lake cruise in the middle of town, and there's more than pelicans on the Pelican Breeze tour in Albert Lea, Minnesota.
Currie, Minnesota, is truly small-town America. The population hovers at just over 200. But on the northern outskirts, you'll happen upon a place with plenty of bells and whistles: End-O-Line Railroad Park and Museum
School's out, summer's here, and if you're heading to the lake on Highway 10, you may just stumble upon hidden treasure.
When you get home from work in the evening, your first thought may be dinner. You might fire up the stove or oven, you could also start a load of laundry. Not long after that, you're running the dishwasher. You may think you're being efficient, but your house during this heat wave disagrees.
It's one of Minnesota's rules of the road in which two is better than one. But Jodi from Lakeville emailed WCCO saying a lot of drivers don't seem to care about the law.
Catching a flight with just a carry-on can make travel feel easy. No need to check a bag and all your belongings stay with you. But quite often, that suddenly changes before boarding.
Skip the latest fad diet. The best way to manage your weight might already be sitting on your plate.
There's no doubt your air conditioning unit is working overtime this week as oppressive heat blankets Minnesota.
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.
The air quality improves by Friday morning, but temperatures will remain hot with a feels-like temperature pushing 100 degrees. Chief meteorologist Chris Shaffer shares how hot the next few days will be and when we could see a slight dip in temps.
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 advice is to stay inside when air quality turns hazardous, but that's not an option for many outdoor workers.
Air quality is expected to clear up slightly on Friday, while extreme heat persists into the evening, says meteorologist Chris Shaffer.
Air quality is expected to clear up slightly on Friday, while extreme heat persists into the evening, says meteorologist Chris Shaffer.
The air quality improves by Friday morning, but temperatures will remain hot with a feels-like temperature pushing 100 degrees. Chief meteorologist Chris Shaffer shares how hot the next few days will be and when we could see a slight dip in temps.
Independent review of Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's pollution notification in Eagan.
Some Minnesotans are still working outside despite the terrible air quality.
Minnesota is in an air quality alert due to smoke. The hazardous air has forced many events to cancel.
An Isanti, Minnesota, tattoo artist was reunited with her cat weeks after she was lost in the Colorado wilderness.