Thousands flock to Great Minnesota Get-Together on first day of 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.
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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.
Gov. Tim Walz was among the first people to pass through the gates of the Minnesota State Fair on its opening day Thursday, where he spoke to WCCO's Heather Brown and A.J. Hilton about when he'll make a decision on running for a third term in 2026.
Gov. Tim Walz was among the first people to pass through the gates of the Minnesota State Fair on its opening day Thursday, where he spoke to WCCO's Heather Brown and A.J. Hilton about when he'll make a decision on running for a third term in 2026.
Malorie Thorson became the 72nd Princess Kay of the Milky Way on Wednesday, the eve of the 2025 Minnesota State Fair.
It's been 50 years since WCCO has been at its current location at the "Great Minnesota Get-Together."
On the eve of the Minnesota State Fair, we are fortunate to be celebrating a milestone of our own. This year, WCCO-TV is being recognized for its 50-plus years at the Great Minnesota Get-Together. In this week’s Finding Minnesota, John Lauritsen takes a trip down memory lane to show us how it all began, what’s changed, and what traditions have stood the test of time.
For 71 years, the State Fair has chosen a Princess Kay of the Milky Way. That young woman serves as the official goodwill ambassador for the Minnesota dairy industry and her coronation serves as the kick-off to the State Fair.
The sun is shining bright over the fairgrounds for all the finishing touches ahead of the "Great Minnesota Get-Together." But Mother Nature isn't always this cooperative.
The forecast is looking great for the first half of the fair *this year, but we know that hasn't always been the case. NEXT Weather Meteorologist Adam Del Rosso has the fair history of storms, and what you should do if you're caught in one when you're out there.
Have questions about tickets, transportation or how to save a few bucks at the Great Minnesota Get-Together? Here's your complete guide to the 2025 Minnesota State Fair.
Jeff Wagner looks at the winding road it took for the Minnesota State Fair to find its permanent home 140 years ago.
Visitors to this year's Minnesota State Fair might get sticker shock when buying some of their favorite foods.
With the Minnesota State Fair just a week away, organizers are urging visitors to plan ahead for traffic, parking and travel options.
We're less than one week away from the opening of the Minnesota State Fair. That means people from all around the state and country will be making their way to the fairgrounds for 12 days of fun. But getting there can be tricky. Here's Ubah Ali and photojournalist Joe Van Ryn with some tips.
Rachel Visser from Hutchinson has spent the last year talking all things dairy as a goodwill ambassador for Minnesota’s dairy farms.
With less than two weeks to go until the Minnesota State Fair opens its gates, residents in Falcon Heights are bracing for crowds and, new this year, a pay-by-mobile parking program.
For the first time, paid parking will be in Falcon Heights during the Great Minnesota Get-Together. Ubah Ali explains why some neighbors are calling it a safety concern, while others are open to the city cashing in.
Anna Bailey and her husband own Bailey Builds and create wood mosaics in Duluth. She took to Facebook on Thursday to share that the building they use for the Minnesota State Fair had been sold.
A pair of wood-working artists who sell pieces at the Minnesota State Fair were on a frantic search after their building was accidentally sold. Ashley Grams speaks to one of the facility's owners.
It's crunch time at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.
We are less than two weeks away from the Great Minnesota Get Together and preparations are underway. Photojournalist Joe Van Ryn takes us to the state fairgrounds to show us.
Turman is a popular artist with a booth at the Grandstand filled with colorful characters and settings.
It will be getting "Hot in Herre" at the Minnesota State Fair when Nelly takes the Grandstand stage to perform.
The Minnesota State Fair has unveiled its new foods for 2025, including chicken-fried bacon fries, dill pickle iced tea and more.
The Islanders beat the Wild 4-3 on Saturday night.
Bob Weir wrote or co-wrote and sang lead vocals on Grateful Dead classics including "Sugar Magnolia," "One More Saturday Night" and "Mexicali Blues."
Three Democratic lawmakers said they were denied access to the ICE facility at the Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis on Saturday.
The strikes were part of a retaliatory operation for the ISIS terrorist ambush in Palmyra, Syria, in December that killed two American soldiers and one U.S. civilian interpreter.
Authorities warn organized theft rings are going after high-end SUVs, pickups and performance cars in the U.S. and smuggling them into Mexico.
Minnesota's relatively mild run of weather will be briefly interrupted by some snow showers, gusty winds and frigid wind chills over the weekend.
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said on Friday that she is suspending payments on all active and future awards from the USDA to Minnesota amid the long-running fraud scandal in which the White House has alleged a misuse of federal funds.
Cellphone video taken by the ICE agent involved in Wednesday's fatal shooting in Minneapolis of Renee Good shows a different view of the incident and the moments leading up to it. WCCO spoke with a use-of-force expert and a defense attorney, who both analyzed the video.
Educators from across Minnesota on Friday demanded that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents stay away from school property.
The president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe said Thursday that he's been "made aware" that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained four of its members in Minneapolis.
Minnesota's relatively mild run of weather will be briefly interrupted by some snow showers, gusty winds and frigid wind chills over the weekend.
Police in Moorhead, Minnesota, are asking for the public's help to find 17-year-old Neeshka Lafromboise, who has been missing since Monday.
Brian Pippitt, who had his sentence commuted after two and a half decades in prison, has been released from prison.
Some schools in Minnesota and Wisconsin are delayed or closed on Tuesday as early morning rain makes the roads slick.
Leaders in Minnesota are reacting Monday morning to Gov. Tim Walz's announcement that he is dropping his reelection bid.
A Wisconsin man accused of sending the state Supreme Court's chief justice intimidating emails has been sentenced to probation.
Some schools in Minnesota and Wisconsin are delayed or closed on Tuesday as early morning rain makes the roads slick.
A western Wisconsin town is reveling in the national spotlight.
When he's not playing zone or man, Hall is carving it up at local hills. He has qualified for multiple professional snowboard competitions.
Two people were killed and another hurt in a crash in western Wisconsin Tuesday afternoon.
Many people who serve in the U.S. military find it hard to ask for assistance when they've been trained to help and serve others.
Food Bank Eatery in North Minneapolis provides free meals for children, who may have little to eat after the pause of SNAP benefits for many in the community.
Firefighters are continuing a 44-year tradition that happens every year north of the Twin Cities.
It was a scary moment in the Twin Cities over the weekend, as a trailer hauling sled dogs turned over on Interstate 494 in Minnetonka.
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.
Three Democratic lawmakers said they were denied access to the ICE facility at the Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis on Saturday.
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said on Friday that she is suspending payments on all active and future awards from the USDA to Minnesota amid the long-running fraud scandal in which the White House has alleged a misuse of federal funds.
Prosecutors in the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division were told they will not play a role in the investigation into a fatal shooting of a Minnesota woman by an ICE officer, two sources said.
A federal judge has temporarily blocked HHS from halting $10 billion in social services funding to five states, a move the agency argued was necessary to crack down on fraud — but the states called unconstitutional.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the creation of a new IRS task force and other measures to combat fraud, underscoring the Trump administration's focus on Minnesota amidst the immigration crackdown.
It's a business model picking up steam across the Twin Cities. For instance, all the major sports venues in town, like Target Field and U.S. Bank Stadium, no longer accept cash.
WCCO gathered data on core staple items from Aldi in Apple Valley, Target in Fridley and Cub Foods in north Minneapolis.
Minnesota drivers have something to celebrate this holiday — a price drop at the pump.
With costs still high and budgets stretched, getting smarter with money matters more than ever.
There were 584 vehicles towed during this week's snow emergency in Minneapolis. That number stands at 352 and counting in St. Paul, where parking restrictions are in place until 9 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 2.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the creation of a new IRS task force and other measures to combat fraud, underscoring the Trump administration's focus on Minnesota amidst the immigration crackdown.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz implored the federal authorities to allow state investigators to work alongside them as they launch a probe into the shooting death of a 37-year-old woman by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer on Wednesday.
CBS News watched bystander video of the deadly ICE shooting in Minneapolis frame-by-frame with retired ICE agent Eric Balliet to discuss the tactics used. He raised a few key points that dispute the DHS narrative of what happened.
As conflicting accounts about what happened in Minneapolis swirl, state and federal investigators are now taking a closer look at Wednesday's ICE-involved shooting. WCCO looked at the Department of Homeland Security policy on the use of force.
Officials in Burnsville, Minnesota, say a 23-year-old man is in custody and faces criminal charges in connection to a New Year's Day assault against a 74-year-old woman.
Just one day after dropping his bid for reelection, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said the state's paid family leave program is one of the most transformational bills the state has ever passed.
Roughly 12,000 Minnesotans have already applied for the state's new paid family leave program, according to an update by the Department of Employment and Economic Development.
It's a beauty technique that's exploding. Depending on your age, you might not have heard of it. It's called micro-needling.
The clock is ticking to snag a few more gifts and prepare for that holiday trip to visit family. As the pressure builds, so does the stress.
The Minnesota Athletic Trainers Association says of the middle and high schools they know of, only 49% have an athletic trainer providing some level of service.
Bob Weir wrote or co-wrote and sang lead vocals on Grateful Dead classics including "Sugar Magnolia," "One More Saturday Night" and "Mexicali Blues."
Here are the significant books, films and characters joining the list of works in the public domain on Jan. 1, 2026.
Isiah Whitlock Jr. is perhaps best known for his role as state Sen. R. Clayton "Clay" Davis on HBO's "The Wire."
The band announced Perry Bamonte's death on their official website on Friday.
The message, aired on Channel 4 on Christmas Day, reflected on the impact of President Trump's second term in office thus far.
The Islanders beat the Wild 4-3 on Saturday night.
Anthony Edwards became the third-youngest player in NBA history to reach 10,000 career points when the Minnesota Timberwolves star swished a 13-foot fadeaway jumper from the baseline in the fourth quarter against Cleveland.
Mats Zuccarello scored off a feed from Kirill Kaprizov on a rush at 2:09 of overtime, and the Minnesota Wild beat the Seattle Kraken 3-2 on Thursday night to finish a two-week, seven-game trip.
Julius Randle had 28 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists to help the Minnesota Timberwolves hang on to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 131-122 for their fourth consecutive victory.
Anthony Edwards scored 26 points and the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Miami Heat for the second time in four days, 122-94.
The DFL race pits two prominent party leaders, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and Rep. Angie Craig, against each other.
Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar is calling for answers about the immigration crackdown in the Twin Cities. She is also denouncing the president's attacks on the Somali community and herself. In Talking Points, Esme Murphy shows us how, for Omar, this is a familiar position to be in.
Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar is calling for clarity about the immigration crackdown in the Twin Cities.
Fear and uncertainty continue in Minnesota's Somali communities as ICE continues its intensified focus on the Twin Cities.
Opposition to ICE actions is widespread among Democratic elected officials throughout the state, though nowhere more than in Minneapolis, home to the state's largest Somali population.
On Dec. 9, 1965, "A Charlie Brown Christmas" debuted on CBS, and it became an instant classic. Lee Jenkins' home is proof that the show is still a hit six decades later.
Holiday lights are on full display across the state right now, and just south of the Twin Cities you'll find a Christmas light show that's been around for more than half a century.
The story begins years ago when the city acquired one of the T-38 Talon Thunderbird jets from the Air Force.
The holidays are upon us, and in the town of Kellogg, Minnesota, you'll find a toy store unlike any other.
With the holidays fast approaching, and lutefisk on the menu for many families, one Minnesota town has the distinction of being called the "Lutefisk Capital of the Country."
It's a business model picking up steam across the Twin Cities. For instance, all the major sports venues in town, like Target Field and U.S. Bank Stadium, no longer accept cash.
From the frozen ponds and lakes to the packed indoor rinks serving as community hubs, hockey is uniquely celebrated and cherished in Minnesota like no other state in the country.
Have you ever wondered how the actors memorize so many lines? A neurologist says everyone could strengthen their memories by taking cues from actors.
It's a beauty technique that's exploding. Depending on your age, you might not have heard of it. It's called micro-needling.
According to the Smithsonian Magazine and Britannica, eggnog has British roots.
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.
Overnight temps will be in the single digits to the teens for the state. Sunday will see temps in the 20s. Meteorologist Lisa Meadows shares when we could see temps that feel more like spring.
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.
Community members in Richfield Minnesota are calling on Target Corporate to do more after ICE detained two employees this week.
We have some light snow showers for part of the state. Overnight temps will drop back down to the teens. Sunday will start cool but warm up to the 20s. Meteorologist Lisa Meadows shares the rest of the weekend and when we could see temps in the 40s.
Minnesota's relatively mild run of weather will be briefly interrupted by some snow showers, gusty winds and frigid wind chills over the weekend.
Overnight temps will be in the single digits to the teens for the state. Sunday will see temps in the 20s. Meteorologist Lisa Meadows shares when we could see temps that feel more like spring.
Community members in Richfield Minnesota are calling on Target Corporate to do more after ICE detained two employees this week.
Rallies around the country denouncing ICE are taking place. Community members are upset over ICE arresting Target employees and the memorial site for Renee Good continues to grow.
We have some light snow showers for part of the state. Overnight temps will drop back down to the teens. Sunday will start cool but warm up to the 20s. Meteorologist Lisa Meadows shares the rest of the weekend and when we could see temps in the 40s.
Rep. Ilhan Omar, Rep. Angie Craig and Rep. Kelly Morrison were denied access to the ICE processing center at the Whipple Building on Saturday morning. DHS says the congresswomen did not follow the proper guidelines.