Twin Cities World War II veteran turns 100
A special birthday was held in Excelsior for World War II veteran and Twin Cities native Ralph Peebles.
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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.
A piece of aviation and medical history hidden for nearly 80 years has been unearthed in Rochester.
It was a day filled with laughs and gratitude in Bloomington as the community celebrated a big birthday. A World War II combat veteran from Minnesota turned 100 years old.
The man killed by police and the officer who shot him in Virginia, Minnesota, last week has been identified as Ethan Basche, 31, according to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
The Minnesota Senate passed a bill with mandatory requirements for homeowners associations aimed at improving transparency and preventing disputes, after two years of legislative work driven by public complaints.
The man who charged at Rep. Ilhan Omar and sprayed her with apple cider vinegar during a town hall in Minneapolis in January pleaded guilty on Thursday.
Police are investigating after a man was found stabbed to death in downtown Minneapolis Thursday morning.
A federal judge on Wednesday denied a request for a preliminary injunction that would have blocked immigration enforcement activity near public school grounds in Minnesota.
The Minnesota Senate passed a bill with mandatory requirements for homeowners associations aimed at improving transparency and preventing disputes, after two years of legislative work driven by public complaints.
Police are investigating after a man was found stabbed to death in downtown Minneapolis Thursday morning.
A federal judge on Wednesday denied a request for a preliminary injunction that would have blocked immigration enforcement activity near public school grounds in Minnesota.
State air quality experts expect about two weeks of wildfire smoke impact in Minnesota this summer, and several days of unhealthy ozone levels.
The leader of Minnesota's Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives office is no longer in that role.
The man killed by police and the officer who shot him in Virginia, Minnesota, last week has been identified as Ethan Basche, 31, according to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
State air quality experts expect about two weeks of wildfire smoke impact in Minnesota this summer, and several days of unhealthy ozone levels.
The leader of Minnesota's Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives office is no longer in that role.
For nearly 50 years, Farmamerica has been sowing agricultural knowledge near Waseca, Minnesota.
United Kingdom native Nahla Summers has biked across America before, but this time is different. Now in Minnesota, she's doing it this time on a quadcycle she bought off Facebook Marketplace.
Minnesota animal rescues are stepping up to take in dogs from a Wisconsin research facility accused of animal abuse.
You may have heard of Give to the Max Day, where people donate millions of dollars to hundreds of nonprofits and organizations across Minnesota on a single day. That idea has spread to western Wisconsin, called Give Big Valleys.
Federal prosecutors say a small-town Wisconsin police chief tried to help California gun dealers import illegal armor-piercing rounds from Europe.
Local and federal law enforcement are investigating after nearly 50 firearms and "a large quantity of ammunition" were stolen from a sporting goods store in St. Croix County, Wisconsin, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said Friday.
Two Minnesotans were killed in a motorcycle crash Wednesday evening in western Wisconsin.
Bobby Rogers once came to the Minneapolis Institute of Art to sketch and study; now he leads its design and editorial work, shaping what visitors see and experience.
Moses Cooper, who has cerebral palsy, met running partner Mark Hulsey through My Team Triumph Minnesota two years ago and the pair qualified for the Boston Marathon at Grandma's Marathon last summer.
Mackenzie Reed, head custodian at Shakopee East Middle School, has painted large-scale murals throughout the building she once attended as a student, creating a more welcoming space for current students.
Kristi comes to the Salvation Army not only to get food, but to shine her light. She talks with and encourages people waiting in line.
The way Mary Hernandez describes it, the effort to keep families off the street in Shakopee, Minnesota, is like trying to keep your head above water.
First came cannabis. Now, there's a push to legalize psychedelic mushrooms in a pilot program.
A gun control ordinance has passed in the city of Minneapolis, but its enforcement is limited by law.
The legislation establishes a list of requirements aimed at improving transparency and reducing conflicts within HOAs. Minnesota estimates that 25% of its residents live in an HOA, and 82% of new homes are built within one.
The Minnesota Senate passed a bill with mandatory requirements for homeowners associations aimed at improving transparency and preventing disputes, after two years of legislative work driven by public complaints.
The Minnesota Senate passed a bill with mandatory requirements for homeowners associations aimed at improving transparency and preventing disputes, after two years of legislative work driven by public complaints. In Talking Points, Esme Murphy spoke with Dana Ohman, an attorney who handles HOA disputes, about some of the most common questions homeowners have.
The Minnesota Senate passed a bill with mandatory requirements for homeowners associations aimed at improving transparency and preventing disputes, after two years of legislative work driven by public complaints.
Gas in the Twin Cities can be up to $4.20 a gallon these days, and it's happening as Minnesota is revving up for summer.
According to the letter, enforcement will be done by police and plainclothes officers, with businesses themselves being held accountable for repeat violations.
Some Twin Cities rideshare drivers say they may have to leave the road as gas prices continue to increase.
A large investment company is warning anyone with stocks to hold on to your hats. Information from JP Morgan says uncertainty is fueling inflation, but so far the market has been more resilient than expected.
The man killed by police and the officer who shot him in Virginia, Minnesota, last week has been identified as Ethan Basche, 31, according to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
The man who charged at Rep. Ilhan Omar and sprayed her with apple cider vinegar during a town hall in Minneapolis in January pleaded guilty on Thursday.
Police are investigating after a man was found stabbed to death in downtown Minneapolis Thursday morning.
The leader of Minnesota's Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives office is no longer in that role.
Dijon Davis, 19, will spend close to 22 years behind bars for the killing of a beloved Twin Cities DJ last summer in Minneapolis.
The FDA announced its first authorization of fruit-flavored electronic cigarettes intended for adult smokers, a major policy shift after months of appeals to President Trump from the vaping industry.
A deadly virus that's killed cruise ship passengers can be traced to small critters found hiding in homes.
When a loved one starts to lose their memory, it creates new challenges for family members. But in a western Minnesota town, they're battling Alzheimer's disease and dementia with music.
Brittany Haeg is living with the deep scars of gun violence. Her three children attend Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, and her 6-year-old son David was hurt during the deadly mass shooting on Aug. 27, 2025.
The largest U.S. health insurer said it will eliminate approval requirements for some treatments, including select outpatient surgeries and other procedures.
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis are calling their Aug. 29 show "Homecoming: A Celebration of the Minneapolis Sound."
A trial in the lawsuit between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni was set to begin later in May.
The Minnesota Star Tribune was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for breaking news for its coverage of a mass shooting at a Minneapolis Catholic school that killed two children and injured more than a dozen others.
Mononymous country music star Hardy is set to kick off the final weekend of the 2026 Minnesota State Fair.
Jake was at the funeral for one of his closest friends when he learned of his parents' deaths, he said.
Former Minnesota Vikings tight end Joe Senser, who also owned two popular Twin Cities sports bars, has died, according to the team.
Victor Wembanyama had 19 points and 15 rebounds, and the San Antonio Spurs handed Minnesota the worst postseason loss in franchise history, beating the Timberwolves 133-95 to even their Western Conference semifinal series at one game apiece.
CJ Abrams hit a grand slam with a career-high five RBIs, Drew Millas, Brady House and José Tena also homered and the Washington Nationals set their season high for runs in a 15-2 rout of the Minnesota Twins.
A defenseman for the Avalanche, 27-year-old Sam Malinski scored his first career playoff goal in Game 1 against the Wild.
Anglers are just days away from the 2026 Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener, and you can bet lakes and rivers are going to be busy.
The legislation establishes a list of requirements aimed at improving transparency and reducing conflicts within HOAs. Minnesota estimates that 25% of its residents live in an HOA, and 82% of new homes are built within one.
The Minnesota Senate passed a bill with mandatory requirements for homeowners associations aimed at improving transparency and preventing disputes, after two years of legislative work driven by public complaints.
The Minnesota Senate passed a bill with mandatory requirements for homeowners associations aimed at improving transparency and preventing disputes, after two years of legislative work driven by public complaints. In Talking Points, Esme Murphy spoke with Dana Ohman, an attorney who handles HOA disputes, about some of the most common questions homeowners have.
Sen. Tina Smith is using her last months in office to vocally campaign for progressive and environmental causes. She hopes that a progressive will succeed her when Minnesotans go to the polls next November.
Sen. Tina Smith, who is retiring from the U.S. Senate, is a major presence in the race to succeed her.
For nearly 50 years, Farmamerica has been sowing agricultural knowledge near Waseca, Minnesota.
The carillon has 56 bells, and the Mayo Clinic said that makes it one of the largest instruments in the world and the largest instrument in Minnesota.
When you think of masterful, memorable works of art, grain elevators don't typically come to mind. But in towns across the country, including in Minnesota, they're becoming an unlikely canvas for creativity.
At Arnie Lillo's Creations in Blue Earth County, you can visit a metal-scaled version of the Eiffel Tower and the Golden Gate Bridge. The works of art have taken on a shape of their own.
It's one of the largest musky hatcheries in the entire world. John Lauritsen shows us how the Spooner hatchery keeps fish healthy and anglers happy.
A deadly virus that's killed cruise ship passengers can be traced to small critters found hiding in homes.
So far this decade, the Twin Cities metro has, on average, added about 17,000 housing units per year, according to data from the Metropolitan Council.
A symbolic change is bothering some Minnesotans. Now their local leaders are listening; several cities are voting to fly the old state flag instead of the new one. While it was a drastic redesign, it wasn't the first.
Construction season has arrived, potentially adding several minutes to your daily drive to work. So, how bad is the commute in the Twin Cities? Good Question.
The media we consume and how long we spend consuming it can impact our mental health. In a world where screens are scrutinized, what is the worst kind of screen time?
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 Minnesota State Fair has unveiled its new food, drinks and vendors for 2025.
Friday will be the warmest day of the week, pushing 70, before a cooler weekend.
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.
Friday will be our warmest day with a high near 70. We stay dry with a bit of a breeze in the afternoon, WCCO meteorologist Mike Augustyniak reports.
Warmth arrives Thursday in the Twin Cities after the last few chilly days.
State air quality experts expect about two weeks of wildfire smoke impact in Minnesota this summer, and several days of unhealthy ozone levels.
Friday will be the warmest day of the week, pushing 70, before a cooler weekend.
Grand Performance has been part bike shop, part community center for more than 40 years.
First came cannabis. Now, there's a push to legalize psychedelic mushrooms in a pilot program.
A gun control ordinance has passed in the city of Minneapolis, but its enforcement is limited by law.
Angela Moore Smith, NAMI Minnesota's director of outreach and engagement, shares observations on the effects of the ICE surge on Twin Cities and Minnesota residents.