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"If it mutates in a point where it may be more contagious but less severe, then it becomes a common cold, and that's what I think we'd like to see and what we hope for, but however right now, we don't know enough," Dr. George Morris said.
Five out of 12 California residents who attended a Wisconsin wedding in Milwaukee County have been infected with the Omicron variant.
The Omicron variant has created a renewed push for people to get their vaccinations. Additionally, more places are now requiring you to show proof you've gotten your shots.
Federal medical teams are at three Minnesota hospitals to help with the COVID-19 surge.
Minnesota's latest rolling seven-day average positivity rate has ticked down another notch, currently sitting at 10.3% from a recent peak of 11%. That's still, however, above the line considered "high risk," which is drawn at 10%.
Anoka-Hennepin says the time off will start one day earlier -- on Dec. 22 -- and students will return one day later. Classes will now resume Jan. 3. District officials say the extra time off will help address mental health needs.
The first case was found in California followed by Minnesota on Thursday. A Hennepin County man tested positive after traveling to New York for a convention November 19. He is vaccinated and experienced mild symptoms, the state's heath department said.
A group from the U.S. Air Force started their work this week at St. Cloud Hospital. WCCO went along for one of their shifts.
On the same day officials announced the Omicron variant of COVID-19 was detected in Minnesota for the first time, Gov. Tim Walz said more federal help is coming to the state's hospitals.
Scientists believe the fast-spreading Omicron variant could be the most contagious strain yet.
Gov. Tim Walz announced Wednesday the arrival of a federal medical team to increase the availability of the COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatments for Minnesotans and expand the Mall of America community vaccination location.
Amid concerns over the newly-discovered Omicron variant, health officials Wednesday reported 3,580 new COVID-19 cases and 100 more deaths. The high number of newly-reported deaths is due to a backlog over the holiday weekend.
When COVID-19 ravaged Nathan Foote's lungs, a double-lung transplant was his only hope.
"I chose to get vaccinated because it allows me to be with my friends and family without having to really worry about COVID as much as before," Kaitlyn Knutson said. "It also allows me to get to play the sport I love, hockey, while being safe."
Shakopee Public Schools also addressed challenges of the pandemic, calling off two days of classes to extend the Thanksgiving break in an effort to control the spread of COVID cases.
Minnesota's latest rolling seven-day average positivity rate has ticked down another notch, currently sitting at 10.6% from a recent peak of 11%.
Jeremy Voss spent more than two weeks at St. Cloud Hospital fighting for his life against COVID-19.
"It's highly infectious, likely is going to beat out Delta to become what I call basically the 'king of the virus hill,'' Dr. Michael Osterholm said.
Minnesota's latest rolling seven-day average positivity rate has ticked down a notch, currently sitting at 10.9% from a recent peak of 11%. That's still, however, above the line considered "high risk," which is drawn at 10%.
Stocks fell precipitously on Friday, rattled by news of a new coronavirus variant that led several countries to impose travel restrictions.
As post-Thanksgiving crowds hit stores for Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday deals, health officials in Minnesota report 4,131 new cases of COVID-19 and 56 deaths.
While many Minnesotans enjoy the comfort of family and friends this Thanksgiving, Dr. Jess Boland and nurse Mikayla Reimers are caring for people they barley know.
Some families in northern Minnesota will spend the holiday weekend trying to find new living arrangements for their loved ones.
Bonus checks were promised to frontline workers months ago. As they now deal with another COVID surge, they could use them more than ever.
Kayla McBride scored 29 points, Jessica Shepard got the second triple-double in franchise history, and the Minnesota Lynx beat the Indiana Fever 95-90.
A federal judge on Friday blocked the Trump administration from cutting off federal funding from dozens of "sanctuary" cities and counties — covering several of the largest cities in the U.S.
Federal prosecutors seek a 41-month sentence for the woman who pleaded guilty to illegally buying weapons for her children's father, who used them in the killing of three Burnsville first responders in 2024, according to court records.
Two men are recovering after they were shot in south Minneapolis on Friday afternoon.
Minnesota Vikings receiver Thayer Thomas is hoping to play well enough for a roster spot following two years on the team's practice squad.
Two men are recovering after they were shot in south Minneapolis on Friday afternoon.
Minnesota health officials say the state's blood supply is critically low and are calling for action to address the problem.
The Minnesota DFL's move to revoke the endorsement of Minnesota state Sen. Omar Fateh by the local Minneapolis party unit for the city's mayoral race has sparked backlash.
A man and a woman are expected to be in court on Friday for charges related to a Minneapolis drive-by shooting that left a 79-year-old woman who was inside her home at the time seriously hurt.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is asking for your help in finding a missing 35-year-old Maple Grove, Minnesota man.
A Northstar Commuter Rail train hit a truck "stopped on the tracks" Friday morning in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, according to Metro Transit police, halting service in both directions.
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.
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.
A federal judge on Friday blocked the Trump administration from cutting off federal funding from dozens of "sanctuary" cities and counties — covering several of the largest cities in the U.S.
Minnesota DFL officials have revoked their endorsement for Minneapolis mayor. State Sen. Omar Fateh, a Democratic Socialist, had secured the support of delegates over incumbent Mayor Jacob Frey in July, but the party said it found flaws in the voting system, prompting a decision that’s sparking backlash. Caroline Cummings explains.
The Justice Dept. released transcripts of Deputy AG Todd Blanche's two-day interview with convicted sex trafficker and Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
Caroline Cummings has the latest on the growing controversy in the Minneapolis mayoral race between incumbent Democrat Jacob Frey and state Sen. Omar Fateh, a democratic socialist.
The Minnesota DFL's move to revoke the endorsement of Minnesota state Sen. Omar Fateh by the local Minneapolis party unit for the city's mayoral race has sparked backlash.
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.
Federal prosecutors seek a 41-month sentence for the woman who pleaded guilty to illegally buying weapons for her children's father, who used them in the killing of three Burnsville first responders in 2024, according to court records.
Two men are recovering after they were shot in south Minneapolis on Friday afternoon.
A man and a woman are expected to be in court on Friday for charges related to a Minneapolis drive-by shooting that left a 79-year-old woman who was inside her home at the time seriously hurt.
A hit-and-run driver plowed into a 27-year-old woman pulling children in a wagon in a crosswalk on Thursday night in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, leaving one child in critical condition.
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."
Minnesota health officials say the state's blood supply is critically low and are calling for action to address the problem.
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.
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.
Kayla McBride scored 29 points, Jessica Shepard got the second triple-double in franchise history, and the Minnesota Lynx beat the Indiana Fever 95-90.
Minnesota Vikings receiver Thayer Thomas is hoping to play well enough for a roster spot following two years on the team's practice squad.
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.
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.
Meteorologist Chris Shaffer says Sunday could be one of the coldest days of the State Fair in years, with temperatures forecasted in the high 60s.
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.
High temperatures will be in the high 60s and low 70s across central Minnesota on Saturday, according to Next Weather meteorologist Chris Shaffer.
WCCO meteorologist Mike Augustyniak says things are looking rather cool for this time of year for much of the Minnesota State Fair.
Fairgoers will likely feel the coolest temperatures in years this weekend at the Great Minnesota Get-Together, says NEXT Weather meteorologist Adam Del Rosso.
No one understands the importance of a strong team like athletes. Bill Walsh's family has helped him take care of Walsh Field in Gaylord for decades. But this summer, life threw him a curveball. He lost his wife. Mike Max shares a story of love, loss and legacy.
The purple pride was on full display on Friday at the Minnesota State Fair. Ubah Ali asks Minnesota Vikings fans about their expectations for the season.
The Minnesota Vikings expect big things from former San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Javon Hargrave. Mike Max goes one-on-one with the two-time Pro-Bowler.
Meteorologist Chris Shaffer says Sunday could be one of the coldest days of the State Fair in years, with temperatures forecasted in the high 60s.
Grandma Doreen's Dessert Dog is a coffee cake made by Wrecktangle Pizza with sweet toppings. It's available at the West End Creamery.