Watch CBS News
Sensing an imminent finish to their legislative session, Minnesota lawmakers took stock Friday of accomplishments and potential campaign liabilities in a year marked by Democratic drives to boost the minimum wage and target school bullying as well as bipartisan efforts to legalize medical marijuana, fix public infrastructure and deliver tax cuts using surplus money.
Minnesota lawmakers have a deal on a medical marijuana bill that would set up eight distribution sites and allow qualified patients to access the drug in oil, pill and vapor form. The agreement announced Thursday was crafted to suit concerns of Gov. Mark Dayton, who backs it.
Gov. Mark Dayton signed a bill into law Wednesday making it easier to erase the criminal records of some offenders. The law could affect thousands of Minnesotans.
There was something a little different going on at the State Capitol Tuesday: A major bill that everyone appears to agree on. It means a second round of tax cuts could be heading your way. State lawmakers already passed income tax relief on the way to hundreds of thousands of middle income Minnesotans. Now, homeowners and renters are getting a break.
The Minnesota on Wednesday overwhelmingly passed a bill to try to slow down a surge in state heroin deaths on Wednesday. The bill, called "Steve's Law," makes it easier to call 911 without penalty if there's a heroin overdose. And it distributes a heroin antidote for overdose emergencies.
The Minnesota Senate's proposal for publicly backed construction projects totals more than $1.1 billion in combined borrowing and cash-financed projects. The proposal released Monday calls for borrowing of $846 million and about $200 million in cash from the state's surplus.
Innocent people who are wrongfully convicted could get as much as $100,000 for each year of imprisonment under a bill passed by the Minnesota House.
With just three weeks left in this year's session, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee passed a new version of the bill that includes a state study on how medical marijuana availability would impact Minnesota.
Hundreds of people rallied at the State Capitol Wednesday to legalize marijuana in Minnesota. Supporters say it's less dangerous than beer, cigarettes, or even peanuts. Only one Minnesota lawmaker, Rep. Rena Moran, publicly expressed support for legal pot -- noting that blacks in her Ramsey County district are eight times more likely to be arrested for possession.
In St. Paul Tuesday, Gov. Mark Dayton said he doesn't have the legal authority to declare a moratorium on frac sand mining in southeastern Minnesota. This announcement comes after dozens of residents delivered a petition to his office asking for one. Both sides of the Mississippi River bluffs are home to a special kind of sand that's used in frac mining for oil and gas.
Top Minnesota lawmakers are making a major push to expand high-speed internet to regions of the state that still don't have it. Minnesota House Democrats are proposing big internet upgrades they say will improve rural schools and businesses.
Say goodbye to "More to Explore." Minnesota tourism promoters are ushering in a new slogan that focuses on "Only in Minnesota" experiences as part of their largest-ever advertising campaign.
Minnesota lawmakers haven't had a pay hike since 1999. But they can boost their take-home pay with per diem -- up to $76 per day in the Minnesota House, and up to $86 a day in the Minnesota Senate.
Other people might call April 15 "Tax Day," but Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton has another name for it.
Gov. Mark Dayton is capping a push to raise Minnesota's minimum wage with a ceremony to sign the bill doing just that. Dayton planned to turn the bill into law Monday afternoon in the Capitol Rotunda.
Lawmakers entered a 10-day Easter/Passover break on Friday. Next week, House Democrats will hit the road to talk about what they've done so far, and Republicans will be sharpening their election year message.
The Minnesota House was in an emotional debate Tuesday over a bullying bill that would toughen the state's laws, following a rash of student suicides linked to bullying.
Minnesota legislative leaders appear to have reached a deal to raise the state's minimum wage. No details have been announced, but top lawmakers called a news conference for Monday morning to discuss an agreement.
Top Democrats in the State House Friday approved a scaled-back version of a major new office building next to the Capitol, dedicated to the Minnesota Senate. The building's original design had a soaring glass front, with a fitness center and reflecting pool. The scaled back version is slightly more modest, but no less controversial.
The Minnesota Senate passed a bill Thursday to prevent bullying in Minnesota schools. But even though lawmakers support the idea of the Safe and Supportive Schools Act, it is still among the most controversial bills of the year at the Capitol. Minnesota has been in the national spotlight because of a rash of students committing suicides because of bullying.
Advocates of medical marijuana aren't giving up at the State Capitol, despite opposition from Gov. Mark Dayton. A bill to legalize medical marijuana is stalled at the legislature, but supporters -- including mothers of sick children -- are asking the governor to reconsider.
In Minnesota, at least one group opposed to Obamacare encouraged Minnesotans not to enroll and encouraged them to refuse to sign up on any website. Gov. Mark Dayton calls it inexplicable. "It's been a barrage of criticism all the way. It's been people cheering when it has problems. It's been telling people not to enroll, which i think was very ill-advised," Dayton said.
Minnesota Department of Revenue officials have a message for taxpayers who haven't filed their returns. The department says the new tax cuts are good to go, and taxpayers should file now. Those cuts were passed just a couple of weeks ago by lawmakers, and thousands of Minnesotans could benefit. A couple of weeks ago, the revenue department made a very unusual appeal, urging Minnesotans to wait to file their tax returns so it could re-calibrate its computers and re-write tax forms for the new cuts.
A total of 169,251 Minnesota residents signed up for health insurance coverage by the end of the first open enrollment period, state officials said Tuesday, exceeding the goal set after the troubled launch of the website in October.
The new federal health care law says everyone must be signed up by midnight Monday, or face a penalty. In Minnesota, MNsure is moving quickly to enroll as many people as possible over the weekend. Already this week, MNsure ramped up recruiting at more than 1,000 signup events.
While some wounds from the mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church are physical, others are invisible. Doctors who rushed to help say what they saw that day will stay with them for a lifetime.
Logan-Redding wants to build his hobby into a production business after college. He's not alone. Many athletes are becoming content creators, if they can find time to shoot, edit, and hit publish.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is making calls to lawmakers in an effort to push for a special session on gun control this fall, according to a senior administrative official familiar with the matter.
The deadly and senseless attack on students praying in mass at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis came at a uniquely desperate time for Minnesota hospitals. A blood shortage was declared earlier this month.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey on Friday praised city staff from multiple departments for the immediate and ongoing response to the mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church.
While some wounds from the mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church are physical, others are invisible. Doctors who rushed to help say what they saw that day will stay with them for a lifetime.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is making calls to lawmakers in an effort to push for a special session on gun control this fall, according to a senior administrative official familiar with the matter.
The deadly and senseless attack on students praying in mass at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis came at a uniquely desperate time for Minnesota hospitals. A blood shortage was declared earlier this month.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey on Friday praised city staff from multiple departments for the immediate and ongoing response to the mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church.
The shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis on Wednesday killed two children, and injured 15 other kids and three adults. Here's what we know about the victims.
Police in St. Cloud, Minnesota, are asking for the public's assistance to find 15-year-old Amarion Dwayne Easley, who has been missing since late July.
A man charged with more than a dozen felonies in Benton County, Minnesota, including seven counts of first-degree attempted murder of a police officer, following a shooting that left multiple members of a task force hurt in 2023, will now face a judge for sentencing.
According to Gov. Tim Walz's office, 14 troopers and six DNR enforcement officers will coordinate with police to help with patrol coverage and visibility.
Minnesotans are looking to answer the call for help following Wednesday's mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis. Events and efforts are underway to help victims, their families and healthcare workers.
President Trump has issued a proclamation ordering the U.S. flag be flown at half-staff following a shooting in Minneapolis early Wednesday during a school Mass that left two students dead and 17 other people hurt.
A conservative justice on the Wisconsin Supreme Court says she will not seek reelection, creating an open race for a seat on the court that's controlled 4-3 by liberals.
The Wisconsin Historical Society says the Frank D. Barker was sailing for Escanaba, Michigan in 1887 when it hit bad weather and ran off course.
A restraining order filed by a western Wisconsin teacher against her former school district's superintendent has been lifted, court documents show.
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.
Minnesotans are looking to answer the call for help following Wednesday's mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis. Events and efforts are underway to help victims, their families and healthcare workers.
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.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is making calls to lawmakers in an effort to push for a special session on gun control this fall, according to a senior administrative official familiar with the matter.
A conservative justice on the Wisconsin Supreme Court says she will not seek reelection, creating an open race for a seat on the court that's controlled 4-3 by liberals.
GOP Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa is expected to announce next week she's not running for reelection in 2026.
The mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis is again sparking a push for something to change.
The tragedy at a Minneapolis church is again sparking a push for something to change.
A salmonella outbreak linked to eggs has sickened nearly 100 people in 14 states, including four cases in Minnesota, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
A walk down a grocery aisle can be a bit unpredictable these days after years of rising prices.
In a ruling earlier this month, the judge dismissed the suit by the Cookware Sustainability Alliance, which was filed days after the ban took effect in January.
For some Minnesota State Fairgoers, it's the deals that drive where they eat, shop, and have fun. At least 100 of those discounts can be found in a little-but-mighty booklet, usually procured at one of the first stops visitors make just beyond the gates.
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.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is making calls to lawmakers in an effort to push for a special session on gun control this fall, according to a senior administrative official familiar with the matter.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey on Friday praised city staff from multiple departments for the immediate and ongoing response to the mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church.
A member of the Lows street gang in Minneapolis will be spending time in federal prison after being convicted of all charges filed against him.
One of the dozens of alleged gang members arrested and charged in federal court for their suspected involvement in gun violence across Minneapolis has been sentenced, court documents show.
The typical excitement surrounding the start of the season at Minnesota was tempered this week, the heaviness of a too-close-to-home tragedy making it harder to fully escape from the outside world at a football game.
While some wounds from the mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church are physical, others are invisible. Doctors who rushed to help say what they saw that day will stay with them for a lifetime.
A salmonella outbreak linked to eggs has sickened nearly 100 people in 14 states, including four cases in Minnesota, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Health leaders are urging Minnesotans to get proactive in preventing the West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne illnesses as summer winds down.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education at the University of Minnesota is looking elsewhere for financial help after new federal spending cuts.
Minnesota health officials say the state's blood supply is critically low and are calling for action to address the problem.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce announced the news of their engagement with photos on Instagram.
The Minnesota State Fair is a chance for artists and athletes to connect with the community and show off all their hard work.
Jerry Adler's acting credits include "The Sopranos" and "The Good Wife." He also had 53 Broadway productions to his name, all behind the scenes.
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.
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.
Logan-Redding wants to build his hobby into a production business after college. He's not alone. Many athletes are becoming content creators, if they can find time to shoot, edit, and hit publish.
The typical excitement surrounding the start of the season at Minnesota was tempered this week, the heaviness of a too-close-to-home tragedy making it harder to fully escape from the outside world at a football game.
Drake Lindsey passed for 290 yards and two touchdowns in his debut, helping Minnesota beat Buffalo 23-10 in their season opener.
St. Thomas combined for 447 yards of total offense and five touchdowns as the Tommies beat Lindenwood 35-13 on Thursday night.
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.
Gov. Walz's approval rating in the latest Minnesota poll sits at 49%.
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.
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.
Dominated by foot traffic, it's easy to forget the Minnesota State Fairgrounds is paved to handle vehicle traffic, complete with street names.
For some Minnesota State Fairgoers, it's the deals that drive where they eat, shop, and have fun. At least 100 of those discounts can be found in a little-but-mighty booklet, usually procured at one of the first stops visitors make just beyond the gates.
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.
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.
The final weekend of the State Fair will continue the trend of fantastic weather.
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 Mike Augustyniak says you can expect a reasonably calm final stretch of the Minnesota State Fair, weather-wise.
Afternoon highs will stay seasonable Friday and through the weekend.
WCCO meteorologist Joseph Dames says an early fall cold front moves through Tuesday night into Wednesday.
The final weekend of the State Fair will continue the trend of fantastic weather.
What started as a few flowers has transformed into hundreds of them and so much more as Minnesota mourns for and with the Annunciation community.
Young lives were forever changed this week. Their stories of heroism and bravery are coming to light, two days after a mass shooting at a church.
It was just a few minutes, but it changed countless families forever. And looking closely at those few minutes tells a story of how a rapid response likely saved lives.
The shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis on Wednesday killed two children, and injured 15 other kids and three adults. Here's what we know about the victims.