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The new department would conduct inspections, evaluations and investigations of state agencies and programs to identify fraud, waste, abuse and inefficiencies in state government.
The proposal also came up in the 2022 legislative session. It didn't go anywhere that year, but it is a possibility this time around.
Minnesota lawmakers will get an update on the state's free school meals program Wednesday.
This proposal also came up in the 2022 legislative session.
Investigators say fraudsters have stolen hundreds of millions in taxpayer money across several state programs. Now, lawmakers across the political divide say they want to crack down on the crimes and prevent them from happening in the first place. As Caroline Cummings reports, that could mean a new watchdog agency in state government.
Fighting fraud will be front and center for lawmakers at the Minnesota State Capitol on Tuesday.
Fighting fraud will be front and center for lawmakers at the Minnesota Capitol.
A Senate proposal would ban all phones on school grounds for kids in Kindergarten through eighth grade, and ban phones for high school students in the classroom.
Minnesota State Sen. Nicole Mitchell is now facing a second charge in connection with a burglary at a Detroit Lakes home.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has a busy year ahead with the state legislature back in session, clashing with new federal policies ordered by President Trump and mulling over whether to run for a third term.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz speaks with WCCO’s Esme Murphy about the state legislature, a new fraud investigations unit and clashing with new federal policies ordered by President Trump.
The stalemate in the Minnesota House that has paralyzed the chamber for weeks is poised to end Thursday, after leaders in both parties said they reached an agreement on how they will move forward with the legislative session.
After more than three weeks of Democrats boycotting the session amid that conflict over who should be in charge of the chamber, both parties say they came to a deal that ensures they can govern the rest of session and get a state budget passed for their constituents who sent them to the capitol in the first place.
The three-week-long stalemate at the Minnesota State Capitol appears to be over. DFL and Republican House leaders struck a deal that could get them back to working together as soon as Thursday.
The election was originally scheduled for Jan. 28 after the DFL winner in November's election didn't appeal the judge's ruling that he didn't live there and couldn't serve.
One proposal would require 24-hour notification of any violence, harassment or bullying to both the parents of the student harmed and the student who instigated it.
The Minnesota Republican Party launched a recall election effort this week targeting all House Democrats who are continuing to boycott session, which is now in its fourth week.
Minnesota Republicans want to boot out every House Democrat who's boycotted the session — now in its fourth week. The state party launched an effort to have recall elections for all 66 Democrats in the chamber. But as Caroline Cummings reports, that process is long and difficult.
Supporters say sports betting has its best chance ever of passing the Minnesota Legislature this session, but there is a big if.
A week before the Super Bowl a lot of bets are being made, but in Minnesota, you can't place a sports bet on your phone. Amidst the chaos at the Capitol, there is a bi-partisan push to change that. Republican Senate Leader Jeremy Miller unveiled the "Minnesota Sports Betting Act 3.0" Esme Murphy spoke to him about it.
At issue is whether DFL Secretary of State Steve Simon — who's presided over the chamber every day this week since the session hit the reset button — has overstepped his authority and denied Republicans the ability to take action against absent Democrats
Republicans on Thursday filed a petition to the state's highest court arguing DFL Secretary of State Steve Simon has overstepped his authority in the days since the House hit the reset button late last week.
The power dispute in the state House is before the Minnesota Supreme Court again. House Republicans filed a lawsuit claiming Secretary of State Steve Simon is over-stepping his authority. He's the presiding officer in the House until they pick their own leaders. The GOP says his actions have kept them from compelling Democrats back to the House and fining them for their absence. As Caroline Cummings reports, they can't stop them from getting paid.
Doron Clark will replace the late Senator Kari Dziedzic. The DFLer won with 91% of the vote in the deep blue district. That gives his party a one-seat majority in the chamber.
A special election for a Minneapolis state Senate seat is set to break a tie in that chamber as the state House remains paralyzed due to a partisan impasse over power.
Minnesota health officials say the state's blood supply is critically low and are calling for action to address the problem.
The Justice Dept. released transcripts of Deputy AG Todd Blanche's two-day interview with convicted sex trafficker and Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
A tour bus with more than 50 passengers lost control and rolled over on the New York State Thruway near Pembroke, officials said.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada is dropping 25% tariffs on a long list of U.S. products to ease trade tensions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Iowa's state party officials say it was a mistake that the party's 2024 nominating calendar forced them to ditch the five-decade, first-in-the-nation caucus where community members publicly signal their support for a candidate.
The FBI confirmed it that it searched former national security adviser John Bolton's house early Friday morning.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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 Mike Augustyniak says things are looking rather cool for this time of year for much of the Minnesota State Fair.
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.
Fairgoers will likely feel the coolest temperatures in years this weekend at the Great Minnesota Get-Together, says NEXT Weather meteorologist Adam Del Rosso.
WCCO meteorologist Joseph Dames says we are looking at the possibility for some of our State Fair days to top out in the upper 60s next week.
Morning storms will exit Minnesota on Friday, but some lingering showers are possible into midday or even early afternoon, says NEXT Weather meteorologist Joseph Dames.
WCCO meteorologist Mike Augustyniak says things are looking rather cool for this time of year for much of the Minnesota State Fair.
There's a new food alert at the Minnesota Farmers Union Coffee Shop. There are two new pastries with two different flavors.
Shamus and Conor O'Meara share the story behind Highland Popcorn.
CEO Natalie Darwitz shares a preview of the plans for a new facility paying tribute to Minnesota ice hockey history.
WCCO's Jonah Kaplan shares the latest news headlines and updates.