Remains of Minnesota WWII soldier found 80+ years after he went missing
More than eight decades after a Minnesota soldier went missing during World War II, his remains have been found.
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More than eight decades after a Minnesota soldier went missing during World War II, his remains have been found.
More than 80 years after a Minnesota soldier went missing during World War II, his remains have been found. Only on WCCO, John Lauritsen shows us how a farmer in Italy helped make it happen.
Gary Marquardt spent Memorial Day on Monday traveling from cemetery to cemetery across the western Twin Cities metro, playing "Taps" for veterans and their families.
On Thursday, friends and fellow veterans said goodbye to Les Schrenk.
A Minnesota family is finally welcoming home U.S Army Captain Willibald C. Bianchi, a war hero they waited more than 80 years to find.
After 80 years, a war hero is finally back home. U.S. Army Captain Willibald “Bill” Bianchi, a Bataan Death March survivor and Medal of Honor recipient, returned to Minnesota on Friday. Ubah Ali was there for this long-awaited homecoming and dignified return.
Minnesota native and World War II veteran Les Schrenk died earlier this week. He was 102 years old.
Minnesota native and World War II veteran Les Schrenk, passed away earlier this week. He was 102. WCCO Reporter John Lauritsen and photojournalist Tom Aviles got to know Les over the years doing several stories with him. They even caught up with him in Normandy, France to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of D-Day. Today, John and Tom do their best to share how much Les meant to his close friends and fellow veterans.
Southern Minnesota's Lois Widmark, 104, played a key role in helping the Allies gain victory in World War II.
Don Halverson's fellow members of the Minnesota National Guard's Red Bull 34th Infantry Division threw him an early celebration in Arden Hills, Minnesota.
Don Halverson's fellow members of the Minnesota National Guard's Red Bull 34th Infantry Division threw him an early celebration in Arden Hills, Minnesota.
Nadia Pishko was born in Ukraine and fled her home country as child during World War II, eventually building a life in Minneapolis. Despite the current war in Ukraine, she asked to return to her home country — and that dream came true last week.
A U.S. Army soldier who earned the prestigious Medal of Honor during World War II has been accounted for more than eight decades after he disappeared.
Out of the 1,500 men on his ship, Del Thielke was the only one selected to be aboard the USS Missouri when the peace treaty was signed.
It was 80 years ago that Japan surrendered, essentially marking the end of World War II. A man from Dawson, Minnesota, was there when the peace treaty was signed aboard the USS Missouri. John Lauritsen shares what Del Thielke remembers about that historic day.
Both men were staff sergeants during World War II, both were gunners on B-17s and both their planes were shot down on Feb. 22, 1944.
For many veterans, experiencing a war together creates a special bond, but eight decades after World War II, two veterans are just starting to form their own. WCCO's John Lauritsen shares the story of a friendship 81 years in the making.
At 108, he was the oldest living Merchant Marine in the world.
World War II Veteran Reynolds Tomter, 100 of Pigeon Falls, Wisconsin, died peacefully on Sunday night. He was one of the oldest World War II veterans in the U.S. John Lauritsen talked with one of Reynolds' close friends about the legacy he leaves behind.
Families in Normandy, France, are getting ready to celebrate the life of "Papa Jake" Larson — a Minnesota native and war hero.
Families in Normandy, France are getting ready to celebrate the life of Papa Jake Larson, a Minnesota native and war hero. He helped plan the D-Day invasion at Omaha Beach and later became a TikTok sensation. He passed away last week at the age of 102. WCCO's John Lauritsen talked with Papa Jake's son about his father's incredible legacy.
World War II veteran and social media star Jake Larson, also known as Papa Jake, has died.
Minnesota World War II veteran Les Schrenk recently got a chance to visit the former POW camp in Poland where he was held captive for 15 months. WCCO spoke with Schrenk about the emotions of returning to the place that nearly took his life.
World War II veteran Les Schrenk recently had the chance to visit the former POW camp in Poland where he was held captive for more than a year. WCCO's John Lauritsen spoke with Schrenk about the emotions of returning to the place that nearly took his life.
It's proof you can make friends at any age: A couple of World War II veterans from Minnesota and Wisconsin struck up a friendship well after they turned 100.
In the aftermath of the primary, Republicans in Minnesota are more optimistic about their November chances than they ever have been.
Family and friends are remembering a Twin Cities teenager killed following a crash on a Minneapolis highway last weekend.
Bryan De La Cruz hit a two-run single in the eighth inning and the Philadelphia Philles overcame a five-run deficit to beat the Minnesota Twins 7-5 and sweep the three-game series.
The Chisago County Attorney's Office filed a juvenile delinquency petition in connection with the Oct. 25, 2025, crash that happened near the intersection of Stacy and Ivywood trails in Chisago City.
Drought conditions have spread across much of Minnesota, with some of the state's driest conditions in central and northern Minnesota.
Family and friends are remembering a Twin Cities teenager killed following a crash on a Minneapolis highway last weekend.
The Chisago County Attorney's Office filed a juvenile delinquency petition in connection with the Oct. 25, 2025, crash that happened near the intersection of Stacy and Ivywood trails in Chisago City.
The Fridley Police Department says Corinthyan Leyon Dancy was last seen leaving on foot from a family member's residence on the 8400 block of Regent Avenue North in Brooklyn Park at 7 a.m. Friday.
Police in Minneapolis say a man suffered serious injuries in a shooting early Sunday morning on the city's south side.
As alcohol consumption drops, a beloved northeast Minneapolis brewery reopened Saturday under new ownership and a new vision.
More than six fire departments responded in the middle of the night to Kingsway Senior Living, and staff say it took a village to relocate everyone to Belle Plaine High School for temporary shelter.
An individual is dead after a police officer shot at them with their service weapon on the Red Lake Nation Thursday, according to a special agent with the FBI.
Families heading west to the Black Hills this summer might make a stop at the Crazy Horse Memorial near Mount Rushmore. The memorial has a Minnesota connection that tells the story of the site.
More Minnesota communities are parting ways with Flock Safety and dropping the automatic license plate-reading cameras. On Thursday, the Sherburne County Sheriff's Office joined the list and announced they will no longer use the cameras.
WCCO is tracking everything you can go out and do 4 Your Weekend, including a slate of county fairs.
The crash happened at approximately 7:12 a.m. on westbound I-94 at milepost 13 in St. Croix County near Roberts, Wisconsin, according to the State Patrol.
Wisconsin residents headed to the polls Tuesday — or voted early — to have their say in the 2026 primary. Here are live results.
Progressive candidates for governor in Wisconsin and U.S. Senate in Minnesota are making their final pushes ahead of Tuesday's election.
Authorities have released the name of the Madison police officer who shot and killed a 38-year-old Black man last month in Wisconsin's capital city, Madison.
David Crowley, backed by Gov. Tony Evers, faces democratic socialist Francesca Hong in a Wisconsin primary that could signal how far left the Democratic Party is willing to go.
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.
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.
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 Minnesota Primary, Republicans are more optimistic about their November chances than they ever have been. GOP nominee Michele Tafoya joined Esme Murphy on WCCO Sunday Morning at 10:30 a.m.
The U.S. Army said Friday it is temporarily halting Apache helicopter training flights after two soldiers were killed earlier this week in a crash near Fort Hood, Texas.
The USS George Washington aircraft carrier departed Vietnam last week and is headed to the Middle East to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln, according to a U.S. official.
The Pentagon is pushing back against reports of poor conditions on the USS Abraham Lincoln.
A Minnesota woman says she fainted, spiked a 102-degree fever, and was hospitalized with sepsis three days after eating a chicken burrito bowl at a Chipotle in Roseville, and genetic testing connected her case to a multistate outbreak, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday.
Parents will be digging deeper into their wallets this back-to-school season.
Get ready to watch movies and television with clarity like never before. That's how industry experts are describing the latest TV technology now on sale exclusively at Best Buy.
A lottery player in Minnesota won a jackpot of more than $34 million last week, a record for the Lotto America game in the state.
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.
The Chisago County Attorney's Office filed a juvenile delinquency petition in connection with the Oct. 25, 2025, crash that happened near the intersection of Stacy and Ivywood trails in Chisago City.
Police in Minneapolis say a man suffered serious injuries in a shooting early Sunday morning on the city's south side.
The family of Kristen and Evie Brown, the victims in Wednesday's double murder-suicide in Hopkins, Minnesota, has released a statement through the Hopkins Police Department.
A man is in custody after shooting at Eagan, Minnesota, police officers early Saturday morning.
Five people were injured in the shooting involving multiple suspects. One person is currently listed in critical condition, the university said.
In a wide-ranging interview with the CBS News partner BBC News, Hunter Biden grew emotional as he discussed his father's condition, describing it as very sad to watch.
Back-to-back tainted food outbreaks have a lot of people asking what's safe to bring home from the grocery store.
A Minnesota woman says she fainted, spiked a 102-degree fever, and was hospitalized with sepsis three days after eating a chicken burrito bowl at a Chipotle in Roseville, and genetic testing connected her case to a multistate outbreak, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday.
The system uses light tracing and more than 1,500 data points to create a personalized treatment plan.
Two Michigan residents who had "significant underlying health conditions" have died after contracting cyclosporiasis, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said.
WCCO is tracking everything you can go out and do 4 Your Weekend, including a slate of county fairs.
Rod Stewart, who is 81, is recovering from a "routine coronary stent procedure," according to his team. He had been scheduled to perform at the Grandstand on Sept. 1 alongside Richard Marx.
Singers at Eastview High School in Apple Valley, Minnesota, are warming up for their performance on stage with Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band Foreigner.
The Uptown Art Fair kicked off in Minneapolis on Friday afternoon. The event is now closer to Uptown for the first time in two years.
USA TODAY has confirmed what Minnesotans already know well: our state fair is the best in the nation.
Bryan De La Cruz hit a two-run single in the eighth inning and the Philadelphia Philles overcame a five-run deficit to beat the Minnesota Twins 7-5 and sweep the three-game series.
One of Tommy John's biggest legacies to MLB was his comeback elbow reconstruction surgery that now bears his name.
Joaquín Pereyra scored in the 89th minute and Drake Callender had six saves for Minnesota United in a 1-1 tie with Real Salt Lake.
Olivia Miles had 23 points and eight assists, Napheesa Collier added 19 points and the WNBA-leading Minnesota Lynx beat the Las Vegas Aces 92-87 on Saturday night.
Alec Bohm had five hits, Jesús Luzardo pitched 6 2/3 dominant innings and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Minnesota Twins 9-1 on Saturday night.
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.
The Minnesota primary is Tuesday, with the final barrage of political ads in overdrive and candidates making their final pitches.
The Minnesota primary is Tuesday, with the final barrage of political ads in overdrive and candidates making their final pitches.
The polls close on Minnesota's high-stakes primary in a little more than five days, with new figures from the Secretary of State's Office showing more than 157,000 people have already voted.
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 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.
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.
Parents will be digging deeper into their wallets this back-to-school season.
Minnesotans have become quite familiar with drought in recent years. Not only how it affects the water supply, but also the rules that can come with it.
The issue is a major talking point ahead of the midterm elections. Do gas prices actually impact elections?
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.
Drought conditions have spread across much of Minnesota, with some of the state's driest conditions in central and northern Minnesota.
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 Adam Del Rosso says Sunday will be pleasant and sunny.
Expect lots of sun by Sunday afternoon and Monday, with seasonable highs near 80.
WCCO meteorologist Adam Del Rosso has the latest forecast.
A rollover caused a backup on I-94 between Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Loved ones are mourning the loss of a Twin Cities teen who died just days before his birthday. One week ago, state patrol says 18-year-old Drew Fisher hit a highway divider on I-94 and was struck and killed after exiting his vehicle. Jason Rantala spoke with his mother about how she wants her son to be remembered.
Fridley police are looking for a 15-year-old boy who hasn't been seen since Friday morning.
WCCO meteorologist Lisa Meadows has the latest forecast.
A Minnesota girl is in the running for Toddler of the Year presented by Hasbro! Sarah, who has a rare form of dwarfism and lives in the St. Cloud area, made the top 14.