Minnesota State Fair's Christmas exhibit gets you in the holiday spirit
The exhibit has been there for more than 50 years, and it's become very popular even without snow.
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The exhibit has been there for more than 50 years, and it's become very popular even without snow.
The Minnesota State Fair is a chance for artists and athletes to connect with the community and show off all their hard work.
Even in the summer, Minnesotans are thinking about the holidays. At the State Fair, there's no better place to get into the holiday spirit than at the Christmas tree exhibit in the Agriculture Horticulture Building. John Laurtisen shows just a few of the festive trees.
St. Paul ballet school performs for fairgoers for the first time
The Minnesota State Fairgrounds cover 322 acres. That's a lot of ground to maneuver, which can be especially tricky for people who have disabilities. Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield shows the creative ways organizers made this the most accessible fair yet.
Magdalena’s Chimney Cakes sell a rotisserie-baked Hungarian pastry shaped like a cone.
The Oink Booth's piglets are a fair favorite for families.
Gov. Tim Walz was out at the Minnesota State Fair talking to voters about issues and their concerns. It's as if he were running for office, but he insists he has not decided to run for a third term and his decision will come soon.
A new pay to park program is underway in Falcon Heights, Minnesota, just blocks away from the Minnesota State Fair.
A new beer at the Minnesota State Fair is making waves for more than just its taste.
Now that a cold front has moved through the area, breezy winds and cooler temperatures are here, bringing a taste of fall to Minnesota and western Wisconsin.
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.
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.
Coming together is what the Minnesota State Fair is all about, but meeting someone new is hard. WCCO’s Adam Duxter tried to make is easier for a few fairgoers.
Friday is Governor's Fire Prevention Day at the Great Minnesota Get-Together. WCCO's Shayla Reaves talks with Maple Grove Fire Chief Maddison Zikmund and State Fire Marshal Daniel Krier about fire safety.
Shayla Reaves visits a Minnesota State Fair newcomer that is blowing the minds of morning fairgoers.
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.
Day one of the Great Minnesota Get-Together was one for the books. Everyone we spoke with had a list of foods to eat or attractions to see. Another thing we heard a lot of was sticker shock. Ubah Ali joins us at the fairgrounds with a look at the rising cost of the Great Minnesota Get-Together.
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."
Greater Tater is serving up Tater Kegs to fairgoers.
The milk stand has been around since Dwight D. Eisenhower was president.
The milk stand has been around since Dwight D. Eisenhower was president.
When the gates opened at 7 a.m. Thursday, it was off to the races for dozens who waited to be among the first to experience the Minnesota State Fair.
When the gates opened at 7 a.m. Thursday, it was off to the races for dozens who waited to be among the first to experience the Minnesota State Fair.
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.
Eighty-seven-year-old Myrna MacKinnon proves there are no limits to doing what you love.
The International Ice Hockey Federation's World Junior Championships are coming to Minnesota, and a new pop-up at Mall of America is giving hockey fans a head start.
While Wisconsin's Northwoods struggled to find winter last year, one area made its own.
A mural honoring Minnesota hockey and Indigenous culture is set to be displayed in St. Paul during the 2026 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Hockey Championship.
Eighty-seven-year-old Myrna MacKinnon proves there are no limits to doing what you love.
The International Ice Hockey Federation's World Junior Championships are coming to Minnesota, and a new pop-up at Mall of America is giving hockey fans a head start.
A 36-year-old man has become the 78th person charged in the $250 million Feeding Our Future fraud scheme.
A winter storm is expected to move through Minnesota over the next two days, leaving behind what will likely be the Twin Cities' first measurable snowfall of the season.
A 75-year-old woman is in critical condition and a man is recovering after they were hit by a motorist while on a crosswalk in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Sunday morning, according to police.
The International Ice Hockey Federation's World Junior Championships are coming to Minnesota, and a new pop-up at Mall of America is giving hockey fans a head start.
A winter storm is expected to move through Minnesota over the next two days, leaving behind what will likely be the Twin Cities' first measurable snowfall of the season.
A man died Sunday afternoon after he was trapped by a skid steer loader in central Minnesota.
As snow starts to fall and the holiday season begins, there are plenty of opportunities across Minnesota to enjoy some twinkling light displays.
Legendary rock 'n roll band Guns N' Roses is hitting the road again next year and will make a stop in Shakopee, Minnesota.
While Wisconsin's Northwoods struggled to find winter last year, one area made its own.
According to YMCA leadership, this impacts around 7,800 seniors who use the locations in the Twin Cities metro. Blue Cross Blue Shield said that YMCA locations in Greater Minnesota will not be impacted.
Wisconsin election clerks have referred 46 instances of suspected fraud and voting irregularities to prosecutors related to the November 2024 presidential election.
Plea negotiations are underway for a Wisconsin judge accused of helping an immigrant evade federal agents.
The tug of war that puts Vikings and Packers fans on opposite ends of a rope is moving across the St. Croix River after Minnesota transportation officials rejected a request to use the Stillwater Lift Bridge again.
On Sunday, members of Minnesota's Somali community spoke out against President Trump's social media post calling for an end to temporary protected status.
Two hundred Thanksgiving meals were distributed to this community by Second Harvest Heartland and the Thielen Foundation.
A Minnesota nonprofit is getting a major boost this week as dozens of college students spend their morning sorting donated shoes to support families in need.
For a decade and a half, Tru Breed Motorcycle Club has held Thanksgiving turkey giveaways on Minneapolis' northside
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.
A rally for refugees filled the Minnesota State Capitol Rotunda on Monday. It comes after President Trump called for an end to legal protections for some Somali migrants in the country.
The rulings from U.S. District Judge Cameron Currie are a significant victory for former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
The Pentagon indicated that it's investigating Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, a former U.S. Navy Captain, for a video that said service members should "refuse illegal orders."
As the U.S. looks to wind down the Russia-Ukraine war, it's also ratcheting up the pressure on Venezuela.
On Sunday, members of Minnesota's Somali community spoke out against President Trump's social media post calling for an end to temporary protected status.
It's not even Thanksgiving yet, but as soon as Kavan Christmas Tree Farm in Lino Lakes opened Friday morning, customers were ready.
Over the past couple of years, a number of breweries across the state have announced closures.
Get ready to see self-driving vehicles cruising across Minneapolis.
The overall price of a Thanksgiving meal might be cheaper than last year. The American Farm Bureau Federation says the average cost this year for a 10-person meal is just over $55.
Holiday shopping is underway, and new numbers show how Minnesotans plan to spend, and save, this season.
A 36-year-old man has become the 78th person charged in the $250 million Feeding Our Future fraud scheme.
A judge sentenced a Minneapolis man to more than 25 years in prison on Monday for killing a man and injuring another during a high-speed police chase in central Minnesota.
NBA Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups appeared in court over allegations of cheating in high-stakes poker games that prosecutors say were operated by mafia figures.
In the aftermath of a summer of gun violence in Minnesota, the push to put limits on semi-automatic weapons has stalled — but one group has not given up.
Three teens were injured in a crash involving a stolen car late Friday night.
According to YMCA leadership, this impacts around 7,800 seniors who use the locations in the Twin Cities metro. Blue Cross Blue Shield said that YMCA locations in Greater Minnesota will not be impacted.
Health care for an estimated 1 million Minnesotans is what's at stake as leaders from the University of Minnesota attempt to reach an extended partnership agreement with Fairview Health Services.
On his CaringBridge page, Weston Paszkiewicz's mother said he "was surrounded by his family and passed peacefully while watching a hockey game" Tuesday night.
As we approach Thanksgiving, we wanted to do a deep dive into gratefulness, and why it makes us feel better.
Earlier this year, Twin Cities jazz singer Bernadette Spray received a Creative Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board with the aim of raising autism awareness.
Legendary rock 'n roll band Guns N' Roses is hitting the road again next year and will make a stop in Shakopee, Minnesota.
Jimmy Cliff, who famously sang about the "many rivers" we all must cross, has died after suffering a seizure and pneumonia, his family say.
More than 20 years after its theatrical release, the movie "The Notebook" is still stealing hearts with a romance for the ages. The classic love story is now a hit Broadway musical taking the stage in St. Paul.
Chef Sean Sherman, the James Beard Award-winning force behind Minneapolis' Owamni restaurant and the North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems, appeared Wednesday night on "The Daily Show" to discuss his new book, "Turtle Island."
One of the most successful comedy musicians of all time is coming to the Minnesota State Fair next year.
Eighty-seven-year-old Myrna MacKinnon proves there are no limits to doing what you love.
The International Ice Hockey Federation's World Junior Championships are coming to Minnesota, and a new pop-up at Mall of America is giving hockey fans a head start.
A mural honoring Minnesota hockey and Indigenous culture is set to be displayed in St. Paul during the 2026 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Hockey Championship.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy is going through the league's concussion protocol after reporting symptoms on the trip home from the team's loss to the Green Bay Packers, head coach Kevin O'Connell said Monday.
NBA Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups appeared in court over allegations of cheating in high-stakes poker games that prosecutors say were operated by mafia figures.
In the aftermath of a summer of gun violence, the push to put limits on semi-automatic weapons has stalled. One group has not given up, and those are the survivors and loved ones of those directly affected.
In the aftermath of a summer of gun violence in Minnesota, the push to put limits on semi-automatic weapons has stalled — but one group has not given up.
The Department of Justice now has 30 days to release the files, though legal experts say a new investigation could lead to delays. That's because President Trump instructed the DOJ to investigate links between prominent Democrats and Epstein.
President Trump appears to have had an eleventh-hour change of heart on the Epstein files release, but legal experts say a new investigation could lead to delays.
President Trump appears to have had an eleventh-hour change of heart on the Epstein files release, but legal experts say a new investigation could lead to delays. In Talking Points, Esme Murphy spoke with political analysts Amy Frederiksen, a Republican, and Abou Amara, a Democrat about the fight over the documents and Mr. Trump's varied positions regarding releasing the files.
How would you like to own a former Cold War missile site? In Dakota County, Minnesota, there's a one-of-a-kind property that could be yours for the right price.
It's a photograph found in homes across the country, and even overseas. The picture "Grace" shows a man bowing his head in prayer with food and what appears to be a Bible in front of him.
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.
As we approach Thanksgiving, we wanted to do a deep dive into gratefulness, and why it makes us feel better.
Many commuters know the Interstate 394 and Interstate 94 interchange seems to back up almost every afternoon. And you face the choice: should you wait in the back of the line or try to get closer and swoop in?
According to the Minnesota Christmas Tree Association, 50% of their farms open before Thanksgiving, which used to be unheard of.
We're past our prime when it comes to fall colors. But for many, it's peak time for yardwork.
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?
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.
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 meteorologist Chris Shaffer has the latest on what you need to know about a snow storm heading toward 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.
Now is the time to make sure all your snow gear is ready to roll. Rain showers are expected to shift to snow and it may happen right as Thanksgiving travel really takes off.
Minnesota is about to get its first real taste of winter this week, which could complicate Thanksgiving travel plans for some, said meteorologist Chris Shaffer.
Most of Tuesday will feature rain with temperatures in the 40s. By late afternoon into the evening, it changes over to wet snow, which should wrap up by Wednesday morning, WCCO meteorologist Mike Augustyniak reports.
WCCO meteorologist Chris Shaffer has the latest on what you need to know about a snow storm heading toward Minnesota.
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.
Several of Minnesota's most powerful politicians are vowing to fight to keep THC drinks on store shelves as the fallout from the surprise federal ban continues.
Now is the time to make sure all your snow gear is ready to roll. Rain showers are expected to shift to snow and it may happen right as Thanksgiving travel really takes off.
Minnesota is about to get its first real taste of winter this week, which could complicate Thanksgiving travel plans for some, said meteorologist Chris Shaffer.