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Drivers do a lot of double takes along I-35 in the south metro, where a life-sized shark statue is on a hillside next to a replica submarine, rocket ship and something resembling a Martian vehicle. They're there to draw attention to Hot Sam's, an antique shop overlooking an eclectic salvage yard that's been nicknamed an "antique theme park."
Minnesotans love their four-wheel drive SUV's and pickup trucks. We often need them with all the snow we get each winter. The vast majority of owners rarely take them off the freeways and paved streets.
Sometimes people think they're witnessing disaster at a Minnesota lake when they see a classic car plunge into the water. But then, the car doesn't sink; it floats. Minnesota has several collectors of Amphicars, quirky vehicles that are part car, part boat.
From Shriners to baseball fans, we're seeing a lot of tourists in downtown Minneapolis this summer. They can get around quickly with taxis, light rail and shuttles. But for those who want a closer, more personal look at the city, there's Stephanie Croteau and her company, The Fit Tourist, offering biking and walking tours of the city.
Even with more than 90 losses for three straight seasons, the Minnesota Twins have averaged more than 30,000 fans a game since Target Field opened in 2010. The ballpark itself is clearly part of the draw. "I love the architecture," Jessi Oeltjen of Spring Valley said. "I'm a design buff, so just the architecture, the design, the layout. Once you get inside, there is not a bad seat in the house."
It's been 90 years since three pigs unwittingly discovered one of Minnesota's hidden treasures. The animals fell through a sinkhole in a pasture in 1924 and their squeals led searchers into a previously unseen series of underground tunnels, now known as Niagara Cave. For many centuries, water had slowly been chiseling, molding and sculpting through a half mile section of limestone beneath a Fillmore County farm field.
The people of Duluth are enjoying some national recognition. Readers of Outside Magazine voted online and declared Duluth the best town in the nation. It does offer plenty of ways to get people off the couch and out of the house, from hiking and biking to kayaking and climbing. And many people get started at a young age.
You can't fully appreciate the flush of a toilet unless you know what your ancestors dealt with. The outhouse they had was crude and nasty but it served an important purpose. That's why Nell Riccatone and Gary Hoover are working to preserve this rather unique symbol of human necessity.
Our long, harsh winter did nothing to control the tick population in Minnesota. In fact, the heavy snow insulated the ticks on all those days the temperatures dipped below zero. But as nasty as they are, Cuyuna has found one redeeming quality.
As we get into the warm summer months, many of us will head out for a lakeside getaway up north. But instead of booking a cabin next to the water, some people vacation on the water.
Memorial Day may be the only time of year that many of us will visit grave sites. Cemeteries, naturally, represent death to most people, but others are fascinated by the lives they represent and the stories of those who had a significant impact.
Of all the signs that our weather has been unusual, none is more unique than the sight of Scott Seekins -- and the fact it took him so long to change into white this year (May 10th).
This month, high school students in southern Minnesota will have a kangaroo, a fox and an armadillo in their classroom. In June, a nursing home will get a visit from a tortoise, a parrot and a dingo. It sounds strange, but it's possible because of one guy who's believed to be one of the youngest zookeepers in the country.
Minnesota has played a big role in the comeback story of the American eagle. Their numbers have increased dramatically here over the past few decades, especially along the Mississippi River.
Sturdy boots are usually considered key to a long, safe hiking trip. But some hikers strip off all the foot protection to fully appreciate the ground they walk on.
The Tommies are coming off their worst record, regardless of level, in 17 years. Still, they're not sneaking up on anybody.
A Seattle man pleaded guilty to his role in bribing a juror in the Feeding Our Future trial with a bag of hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash.
The sights and sounds of country band Old Dominion lit up the Grandstand at the Minnesota State Fair on Thursday ahead of the release of their latest album, "Barbara".
The recent closing of a St. Paul, Minnesota, pain clinic is causing both physical and emotional headaches for patients.
The milk stand has been around since Dwight D. Eisenhower was president.
Charges say when he was asked why he touches the children, the man said "he hasn't had sex in a long time," and he did it because he had "access."
Nineteen-year-old Owen Thurnau is being credited with saving a man's life after the Owatonna, Minnesota, Hy-Vee employee successfully gave the Heimlich maneuver to a choking man last month.
Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simons says Minnesota will join the fight if President Trump attempts to halt mail-in voting.
The Le Sueur Police Department on Monday announced the passing of Karl Haugen, 41, who the department said served the Le Sueur-Henderson community since 2008.
A grandma's quiet craft shop in Holdingford, Minnesota, got a big surprise thanks to her loving grandson and a viral Facebook post.
Officials say a traveler from out of state who visited two Wisconsin gas stations may have exposed others to measles.
A deer hunter has discovered a rare subtropical wood stork in the wilds of Wisconsin.
Wolfdogs in northern Wisconsin are helping war veterans deal with their post-traumatic stress disorder.
A motorcyclist from Minnesota was killed in a crash with a truck pulling a trailer in western Wisconsin on Sunday.
Flash flooding canceled the final day of the Wisconsin State Fair on Sunday as continued heavy rainfall in half a dozen Midwest states has led to water rescues, power outages and road closures.
A grandma's quiet craft shop in Holdingford, Minnesota, got a big surprise thanks to her loving grandson and a viral Facebook post.
The second annual Guns and Hoses event is being held to raise money for police officers, firefighters and paramedics across the state, including those who responded to the shootings that wounded Minnesota Sen. John Hoffman and his wife.
After a monthslong push for more transparency, a community exposed to elevated lead emissions earlier this year was able to get some answers from investigators.
Dozens of students will be looking their best when heading back to school, thanks to the annual Youth Appreciation Day in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Sometimes there are milestones so rare that they turn a care center into the most joyful place in town.
The Minnesota DFL has revoked the Minneapolis arm of the party's endorsement of Minnesota state Sen. Omar Fateh in the Minneapolis mayoral race.
Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simons says Minnesota will join the fight if President Trump attempts to halt mail-in voting.
The Minnesota DFL has revoked the Minneapolis arm of the party's endorsement of Minnesota state Sen. Omar Fateh in the Minneapolis mayoral race.
Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simons says Minnesota will join the fight if President Trump follows through with his call to end mail-in voting by the 2026 Midterm Elections. In Talking Points, Esme Murphy examines whether Trump has the authority to do so, as well as other election issues, including who should have access to voter information.
A New York appellate court threw out the $527 million penalty in the civil fraud case against President Trump and others on Thursday, ruling that the fine was "excessive."
While the first day of the Great Minnesota Get-Together brought in big bucks for vendors, some families say the price of participation is expensive.
With almost three dozen new foods to try at the 2025 Minnesota State Fair, it can be difficult to plan the menu for your visit. WCCO is here to help.
Visitors to this year's Minnesota State Fair might get sticker shock when buying some of their favorite foods.
Local organizations are stepping up to help families in need have a successful school year, from end-of-summer celebrations to free haircuts and full backpacks of essentials.
One Minnesota woman left the corporate world to run her own bakery in Saint Paul's Lowertown.
Charges say when he was asked why he touches the children, the man said "he hasn't had sex in a long time," and he did it because he had "access."
A Seattle man pleaded guilty to his role in bribing a juror in the Feeding Our Future trial with a bag of hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash.
A Champlin, Minnesota man is facing multiple charges for allegedly impersonating an officer - again.
An Olmsted County judge handed down a 75-month prison sentence, which will be stayed for five years, to Jose Gutierrez Ojeda on Tuesday.
The last suspect at large following a Twin Cities armed robbery spree that led to a countywide crime alert on Sunday is now in custody, according to the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office.
Officials say a traveler from out of state who visited two Wisconsin gas stations may have exposed others to measles.
Today, the program has nine helicopters, 45 pilots and it airlifts about 2,600 patients a year.
The southern Minnesota city of Waseca has closed several beaches, boat ramps and bodies of water due to possible water contamination.
One in every seven police officers worldwide suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder or depression, and one in every 10 struggles with other mental illnesses. Officers in Bloomington, Minnesota, are making sure to check in and take care of their fellow officers.
A dog named Nova is suiting up for a very special purpose: keeping a close eye on her human, University of Minnesota medical student Wesley Flint.
The sights and sounds of country band Old Dominion lit up the Grandstand at the Minnesota State Fair on Thursday ahead of the release of their latest album, "Barbara".
Around 5:50 a.m., LAPD officers responded to Ventura Boulevard and Vineland Avenue for a man walking in the street.
As the curtain prepares to rise for the stage adaptation of Prince's iconic film "Purple Rain", producers have released the names of those whose talents will be on display later this year at the State Theatre in Minneapolis.
Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota's senior U.S. senator, says someone used AI to simulate her voice, making a "vulgar and absurd" critique of the controversial American Eagle jeans ad featuring actress Sydney Sweeney.
A Maryland ticket broker is accused of illegally purchasing and reselling hundreds of thousands of tickets for profit, including thousands to Taylor Swift's highly-sought Eras Tour.
Julia Rodrigue attended Hudson High School in Wisconsin and was active in three sports. In college, she stumbled into a sport she had never tried. Three years later, she's a national champion and climbing.
Allisha Gray scored 27 points, Rhyne Howard added 16 and the Atlanta Dream held on for a 75-73 victory to hand the Minnesota Lynx consecutive losses for the first time this season.
The Tommies are coming off their worst record, regardless of level, in 17 years. Still, they're not sneaking up on anybody.
Tyler Soderstrom went 4 for 4 to extend his hitting streak to 19 games and the Athletics swept the Minnesota Twins with an 8-3 victory.
"The State of Hockey" got some big news on Thursday: plans are in the works for a $70 million Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame.
Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simons says Minnesota will join the fight if President Trump attempts to halt mail-in voting.
Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simons says Minnesota will join the fight if President Trump follows through with his call to end mail-in voting by the 2026 Midterm Elections. In Talking Points, Esme Murphy examines whether Trump has the authority to do so, as well as other election issues, including who should have access to voter information.
Fateh is a Democratic Socialist, part of a surging progressive wing of the Democratic Party both in Minnesota and nationwide.
Tuesday will mark one month until early voting begins in local municipal and school board elections around the state. That includes the Mayor's race in Minneapolis. In tonight's Talking Points, Esme Murphy looks at the candidacy of State Sen. Omar Fateh.
A new Minnesota law requires governments and public entities to report cyberattacks within 72 hours to the state and notify victims whose data has been breached. Starting next year, the law will require the state to issue an annual report on cyberattacks.
It's been 50 years since WCCO has been at its current location at the "Great Minnesota Get-Together."
Caves that were once used for making beer in the 1800s are now used for making cheese. In this week's Finding Minnesota, John Lauritsen looks into the history of the cheese caves in Faribault.
On his five-acre property in Blaine, Minnesota, Erik Lund has plenty of space to fine-tune his golf game and his guitar game.
This Friday, the town of Braham will reach a milestone as it celebrates its 35th "Pie Day." It's always the first Friday in August.
In the mid-90s, a group of Alexandria, Minnesota, residents wanted to highlight wooden boats and their craftsmanship, believing they were essentially works of art. So, they converted an old city garage into the Legacy of Lakes Museum.
Jeff Wagner looks at the winding road it took for the Minnesota State Fair to find its permanent home 140 years ago.
The first Tuesday of August is a unique night meant for nothing more than connection with those living on your street and the people tasked to protect it: National Night Out, which is now in its 42nd year.
Homeowners know the saying, "water finds a way." Add wildfire smoke to that distinction, another savvy invader harming indoor quality, where people should feel protected from it.
Be sure to turn your eyes to the night sky, as brief flashes of light will streak through outer space on Tuesday night.
From farmland to store shelves and, soon, your kitchen, produce is a healthy choice that sometimes needs a healthy rinse.
The Minnesota State Fair has unveiled its new food, drinks and vendors for 2025.
A suspect was taken into custody after an attack on Pearl Street Mall in Boulder on June 1 in which there were 15 people and a dog who were victims. The suspect threw Molotov cocktails that burned some of the victims, who were part of a march for Israeli hostages.
WCCO photojournalist Art Phillips shares some personal family photos taken by his father, Arthur Phillips Sr., in Vietnam during his time in service.
The new Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum is under construction just outside of Camp Ripley in Little Falls. Set to open in late 2026, the $40 million, first-of-its-kind project in the nation will be eight times the size of the existing museum. It will honor not only Minnesota's service members and their sacrifices, but the refugee experience as well. Watch and read more in Pauleen Le's series "Vietnam 50 Years Later: Reflections on a War that Changed Minnesota."
The National Weather Service has issued multiple tornado warnings and many more severe thunderstorm warnings throughout wide swaths of southern and central Minnesota Monday afternoon.
WCCO meteorologist Chris Shaffer says there will likely be some scattered showers impacting the Minnesota State Fair tomorrow, so come prepared.
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 says it'll continue to feel muggy before dew points drop for the weekend, making way for more fall-like weather.
Day one of the Minnesota State Fair may be the warmest we'll see during the entire run.
WCCO meteorologist Mike Augustyniak says that the first leg of the fair looks to mostly be dominated by sunny and mild, not hot, days.
The St. Thomas football team is entering a new era. Four years after their transition from Division III to Division I began, they are now postseason eligible for the first time. Ren Clayton has more.
Taking the edge off is part of sports. For the Gophers and all big-time football programs, it now means dealing with potentially big money deals. It can all fall under the umbrella of mental health, and that is a priority.
Vikings camp may be over, but the lessons learned by some fans and reporters will last forever. Marielle Mohs has that story.
Ben Williams played for the Vikings and the Gophers, survived a life-threatening scare and came back strong as a leader. So much so that President Biden's office called him and said he would be honored.
WCCO meteorologist Chris Shaffer says there will likely be some scattered showers impacting the Minnesota State Fair tomorrow, so come prepared.