Minnesota political reporter Gene Lahammer dies at 90
Longtime Minnesota political reporter Gene Lahammer died Monday at his home in Minnetonka from old age.
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Longtime Minnesota political reporter Gene Lahammer died Monday at his home in Minnetonka from old age.
The big picture is that K-12 test scores are still down about 10% since before the COVID-19 pandemic. Right now, only 45% of Minnesota students show proficiency in math, and only 50% show proficiency in reading.
After a three-year pandemic pause, Americans’ student loan bills are coming due again. Interest begins accruing today, with payments starting next month.
More than 50 years after a Vietnam War-era bombing on the University of Wisconsin campus that killed a researcher, the FBI has released age-processed photographs of a suspect who has evaded law enforcement for more than half a century and been referred to as "Wisconsin's state ghost.".
Many are saying the new law is vague and unclear, and puts students, staff and officers in potentially dangerous situations.
The report also noted a spike in chronic absenteeism since the pandemic. Only about 70% of students attended school at least 90% of the school year. Before the pandemic, that figure was closer to 85%.
The Minnesota Department of Education spoke about their findings from the 2023 Statewide Assessment and Accountability Data.
University of Wisconsin System leaders plan to ask Republican lawmakers this fall to release about half of the $32 million they withheld in hopes of defunding diversity initiatives.
Wisconsin Republicans are proposing a bill that would do away with work permit requirements for 14- and 15-year-olds in the state.
As Minnesota schools prepare for the return of students, police officers assigned to schools say new statewide restrictions on the use of physical holds will tie their hands.
After a summer with the kids around, the start of school can be a chance for parents to focus more on their own projects and work.
A college degree isn't the only path to success. We're seeing it as more Americans are skipping college.
Teachers from around the Twin Cities are getting ready for the upcoming school year at Teacher Resource Center in Roseville.
Ms. Neitasha Bullock and Ms. Marcy Cobb take us through their shopping carts.
These educators are prepping for the new school year at Roseville's Teacher Resource Center.
Teachers can pick up free supplies for the school year in Roseville.
School is just around the corner, and there's a special place for teachers to grab their supplies.
Jean Strait shares how shopping at the nonprofit in Roseville helps create an impactful learning environment.
Dr. Artika Tyner, founder of the Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute, talks about the organization's mission.
It's back to school season and some organizations are helping to make sure one school starts out on the right foot.
The program is called HCMC Talent Garden. The goal is to plant seed on interest in youth of color to pursue healthcare.
Cheered on by hundreds of friends and family, 224 soon-to-be seniors accepted their paid internship invitations for companies like Best Buy, General Mills, Target and many more.
Already at arms over the AP African American studies course, the College Board has accused Florida of having "effectively banned" the advanced placement psychology class.
Officials at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh plan to lay off scores of employees, offer early retirement deals and impose furloughs as they grapple with a projected $18 million deficit.
North Dakota lawmakers and higher education leaders are beginning to chart a path for how to respond to neighboring Minnesota's upcoming program that will offer income-based free tuition to thousands of students next year.
Anthony Edwards had 26 points, four rebounds, five assists, two steals and led the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 144-117 win over the Sacramento Kings.
Collecting food is a year-round effort at St. Joan of Arc, but the uncertainty around SNAP benefits is leading to more giving than usual.
Buried in a torrent of election stories on Tuesday was the announcement by the legislative auditor that there were noncompliance issues found in its audit of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's office.
Lamar Jackson played it patient and smart in his second game back from injury, and the Baltimore Ravens continued their defensive resurgence to beat the Minnesota Vikings 27-19 for their third straight victory.
Federal agents said they arrested Luis Leandro Ortiz Ribera in Boston Sunday and also revealed the indictment against Emmanuel Clase de la Cruz.
Collecting food is a year-round effort at St. Joan of Arc, but the uncertainty around SNAP benefits is leading to more giving than usual.
Minneapolis educators and Minneapolis Public Schools announced they have reached a tentative deal Saturday night, just days before educators planned to strike.
SNAP benefits for Minnesotans have come back, as the longest government shutdown in U.S. history continues. People in Minneapolis came together Saturday morning to support those who lost SNAP benefits for a week. Cyclists gathered at Angry Catfish bike shop for "Cranksgiving." They biked to collect food for those who need it most.
The cultural and social tradition of the Minnesota deer opener dates back generations, and a twist in one town is connecting generations in a whole new way.
A man from Burnsville, Minnesota, is accused of scamming thousands of dollar from more than a dozen Twin Cities residents who sought his tree care services.
The cultural and social tradition of the Minnesota deer opener dates back generations, and a twist in one town is connecting generations in a whole new way.
A Minnesota man has pleaded guilty to starting a major northland wildfire this spring.
The cool weather should help hunters, and deer numbers are high in most parts of the state.
The College of Saint Benedict has announced that it will introduce its first-ever women's flag football team this spring.
Sometimes signs aren't enough to keep trespassers away. For Julie and Del Spronk, it took dozens of calls to police and then the court system to get involved.
At 108, he was the oldest living Merchant Marine in the world.
A woman was found dead after a mobile home fire in western Wisconsin last week.
Minnesota was one of 25 states that sued the Trump administration in the fight for food assistance, as more than 440,000 residents rely on the program.
Some people were treated to an astral spectacle late Wednesday night, as a "fireball meteor" flashed across the night sky in parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Democratic Gov. Tony Evers' sweeping plan for overhauling the state's aging prison system is moving forward with bipartisan support despite complaints from Republican lawmakers that their concerns were not being addressed.
When you think of college roommates, you likely think of a couple of young adults making their way through school and fun. But there's a Twin Cities residence that's completely rethinking the concept of co-ed living, and it's turned into a life-giving project.
Activists joined the families of Mariah Samuels and Allison Lussier in front of the Hennepin County Government Center Thursday afternoon. They say Minneapolis police and others didn't do enough to keep their loved ones safe.
A Lakeville family has turned their driveway into a small, free food pantry. It's a place where anyone can stop by and grab fresh produce and staples with no questions asked.
At Lock and Dam Eatery, the restaurant will soon be serving a different kind of meal, meant to ease the burden of hunger.
"We're keeping it alive. We're speaking it with each other, and we're encouraging more families to come together," said Dakota language teacher Nichole Subola.
Buried in a torrent of election stories on Tuesday was the announcement by the legislative auditor that there were noncompliance issues found in its audit of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's office.
Britain's public broadcaster has been criticized for editing a speech President Trump made on Jan. 6, 2021, before protesters attacked the Capitol in Washington.
The Trump administration threatened to impose financial penalties on states that did not comply with the new orders.
Buried in a torrent of election stories last week was the announcement by the legislative auditor that there were non-compliance issues found in their audit of the Gov. Tim Walz's office. WCCO's Esme Murphy speaks about the routine audit's findings with auditor Lori Leysen.
There are conflicting orders on SNAP causing confusion Sunday morning. In a response to a federal court order, Minnesota officials issued SNAP benefits to 440,000 Minnesotans. But overnight an order from the White House says states should not release the benefits. Rep. Angie Craig from Minnesota talks about the USDA's decision with WCCO's Esme Murphy.
The cultural and social tradition of the Minnesota deer opener dates back generations, and a twist in one town is connecting generations in a whole new way.
A man from Burnsville, Minnesota, is accused of scamming thousands of dollar from more than a dozen Twin Cities residents who sought his tree care services.
When Charley Smith took a hard fall last year, robbing him of his ability to walk unassisted, his wife Kathy Smith made it a priority to make their Elk River, Minnesota, home safer.
Should you take benefits early at 62, wait for full retirement, or hold off until 70 to maximize the payout? That's the question wealth advisor Brian Muller hears every day. He's the founder of Momentous Wealth Advisors.
Hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans are facing sticker shock as the enrollment period for health insurance on the state marketplace opened Nov 1.
Federal agents said they arrested Luis Leandro Ortiz Ribera in Boston Sunday and also revealed the indictment against Emmanuel Clase de la Cruz.
A man from Burnsville, Minnesota, is accused of scamming thousands of dollar from more than a dozen Twin Cities residents who sought his tree care services.
Julie Myhre-Schnell, the ex-wife of Minnesota Department of Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell, was sentenced Friday to three years in prison after pleading guilty to trying to kill their vulnerable adult son.
Police in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, said a man was hurt in an attempted robbery late Friday night.
Police said a man was hospitalized after a shooting Friday night in downtown Minneapolis.
M Health Fairview says over 100,000 patients with commercial plans from UnitedHealthcare may find themselves out of network come Jan. 1, 2026.
Minnesota leaders confirmed Saturday the state will issue full SNAP benefits for November to the 440,000 Minnesotans enrolled in wake of a federal court ruling ordering existing federal funds to be directed to the program.
One of the earliest surprises in parenthood can be learning the sex of your baby. There are tests to determine gender, but can your belly reveal the sex of your baby?
Minnesota's health insurance marketplace, known as MNsure, is now open for 2026 enrollment, officials said on Monday.
While some in the Trump administration say food benefits could restart as soon as this Wednesday, the uncertainty is stressful for Minnesotans who rely on them and food shelves in the state.
The 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame class included Warren Zevon, Bad Company, Salt-N-Pepa, Outkast, Soundgarden, Cyndi Lauper and The White Stripes.
Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga and Bad Bunny are among the artists with the most Grammy nominations this year.
A seasonal celebration beginning in Minneapolis later this month aims to turn the town into "America's Winter City," organizers said.
"Wicked" star Jonathan Bailey has been named People magazine's 2025 Sexiest Man Alive.
Diane Ladd, the actor known for her Oscar-nominated roles in "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore," "Wild at Heart," and "Rambling Rose" has died.
Anthony Edwards had 26 points, four rebounds, five assists, two steals and led the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 144-117 win over the Sacramento Kings.
Lamar Jackson played it patient and smart in his second game back from injury, and the Baltimore Ravens continued their defensive resurgence to beat the Minnesota Vikings 27-19 for their third straight victory.
Federal agents said they arrested Luis Leandro Ortiz Ribera in Boston Sunday and also revealed the indictment against Emmanuel Clase de la Cruz.
During his tenure from 1989 to 2006, Paul Tagliabue oversaw the expansion of the NFL to 32 teams.
Dayne St. Clair scored and Andrew Thomas hit the crossbar in a penalty-kick shootout that was decided by the goalkeepers in the 11th round, and Minnesota United staged a short-handed rally to beat the Seattle Sounders on Saturday in the rubber match of the best-of-three first-round series for the MLS Cup after a 3-3 tie.
Buried in a torrent of election stories on Tuesday was the announcement by the legislative auditor that there were noncompliance issues found in its audit of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's office.
There was no outside polling during the election. So when state Rep. Kaohly Her defeated incumbent St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, for many, it was a shock.
Local election results are also making headlines, from an upset in St. Paul to another term for the Minneapolis mayor.
Hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans are facing sticker shock as the enrollment period for health insurance on the state marketplace opened Nov 1.
Starting January 1, 2026, Minnesota employers will expand paid family leave to nearly every employee.
Fall harvest means barns across the Midwest are a busy place — but for a central Minnesota woman, they aren't just farm buildings, they're works of art.
At one time, country schools were common in Minnesota. Over the decades, many were torn down as bigger schools were built — not in Otter Tail County.
Ramsey Park is so large some people call it "The Little Yellowstone of Minnesota." And it was actually a state park at one point. But in 1957, Redwood Falls acquired the land for $1 and then made a few changes.
In this edition of Finding Minnesota, John Lauritsen takes us to one of the last limestone kilns in the state.
Earlier this month, many students went back to school after summer vacation, but in the town of McGregor, Minnesota it's always the first day of school.
One of the earliest surprises in parenthood can be learning the sex of your baby. There are tests to determine gender, but can your belly reveal the sex of your baby?
It's a holiday enjoyed by many, but understood by few.
Anyone who has taken a walk lately may have noticed people wearing weighted vests.
Fall is known for its hues, but this season isn't typical; seeing marigolds and petunias is peculiar.
From eating lutefisk to cheering for the Vikings, Nordic culture is embedded in Minnesota.
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.
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.
WCCO meteorologist Lisa Meadows says it will start chilly tomorrow before a warming trend moves in.
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 some snow showers may pop up throughout the state on Sunday.
As winds pick up Sunday, feels-like temperatures stay in the teens all day after starting in single digits across greater Minnesota.
It is firmly feeling like winter this morning with temps in the teens and 20s and a few pockets of light snow. Adam Del Rosso breaks down the next 24 hours and when we could be above average again.
WCCO meteorologist Lisa Meadows says it will start chilly tomorrow before a warming trend moves in.
After robbing the driver, the suspect ran into an apartment.
This week, a court ordered President Trump to release full funding for SNAP. The Supreme Court paused the ruling, but only after states had started sending out SNAP benefits. Today, President Trump is ordering them to undo the benefits, and pay them back. Marielle Mohs learned about the community efforts happening across the Twin Cities to make sure people don't go hungry.
Buried in a torrent of election stories last week was the announcement by the legislative auditor that there were non-compliance issues found in their audit of the Gov. Tim Walz's office. WCCO's Esme Murphy speaks about the routine audit's findings with auditor Lori Leysen.
There are conflicting orders on SNAP causing confusion Sunday morning. In a response to a federal court order, Minnesota officials issued SNAP benefits to 440,000 Minnesotans. But overnight an order from the White House says states should not release the benefits. Rep. Angie Craig from Minnesota talks about the USDA's decision with WCCO's Esme Murphy.