
Lawn care, pool companies are staffing up to keep up with demand amid summer heat
The state's drought is causing increased demand for people looking to protect and water their landscape.
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Derek James anchors Saturday and Sunday evening newscasts and contributes stories during the week on "The 4."
Before joining WCCO, Derek spent almost 18 years at WCCB-TV in Charlotte, North Carolina. For more than a decade he worked as a morning co-anchor and is excited to no longer have a 1:30am wake-up call.
This is a return to the Midwest for the Wisconsin native. The move brings Derek closer to his family and friends in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Wisconsin is where Derek developed his passion for news and broadcasting. Derek began his broadcasting career at the age of 15 as host and executive producer of "Video News Live," a live weekly cable access program. Shortly thereafter, he was hired as a radio news anchor for WDUX AM/FM. While a sophomore in high school Derek gained national exposure for his coverage of a propane train tanker derailment/fire and 18 day evacuation of residents in Weyauwega, Wisconsin in 1996. He also hosted morning radio shows in Green Bay & Wausau before moving to Charlotte in 2000.
Derek has a certificate of Meteorology from Mississippi State University. Derek has received a Best Weathercast Award by the Radio and Television News Directors Association of the Carolinas (RTNDAC) and a Best Sports Reporting Award for a story on how weather impacts NASCAR teams. While in Charlotte, he was also regularly voted "Favorite Anchor" by magazine readers.
Derek enjoys volunteering and hosting events for charities, especially those that support children and animals. He also enjoys coaching youth running and flag football.
Derek, his wife Kristen and their teenage sons live in Maple Grove with their rescue dog, McGregor, a Staffordshire Terrier.
The state's drought is causing increased demand for people looking to protect and water their landscape.
Christine Beaupre's special needs son has needed an extensive amount of dental work. But Medicare and state medical assistance couldn't cover the cost of repairs and maintenance on his teeth.
Sophia Nohre, of Alexandria, was born with osteogenesis imperfecta, or brittle bone disease. And even though she's broken over 100 bones, she says nothing could stop her from pursuing her passion.
Summer is in full swing, but some young people in the Twin Cities are learning visual storytelling, filmmaking, and editing through week-long camps.
The nonprofit provides personal care, trust, and a sense of community to about 350 clients each day, many of whom they hope to move from long-term homelessness into stable lives.
The one poor-performing spot in Minnesota is effective tax rates; the state ranks 39th in that department. By the way, North Dakota topped the list, and Wisconsin tied with Minnesota for fifth place.
Frogs and toads face threats in rural areas, but there's a long-running volunteer program giving Wisconsin residents a first-hand experience in noticing and documenting changes to the amphibian population.
The job site also served as a perfect place to cast future contestants, people like journeyman carpenter Jim Luebke, who has worked at Mortenson for over 25 years and shared what he does to honor his family on every project.
The Somali Museum of Minnesota is hosting this eight-week-long exhibit at the Oren Gateway Center at Augsburg University.
The small Minnesota town of Delano is known for its big spirit.
A "first-of-its-kind" study is giving a dozen Minnesotans relief from debilitating leg and back pain.
A Minnesota firefighter and jack-of-all-trades is among the contestants on the new season of "Tough as Nails" premiering this Sunday night on CBS.
An Albertville woman inspired by passion and community took over a long-time local butcher shop.
Air quality and air pollution have never been more top of mind as we deal with the impacts of far-away fires.
As the firefighter shortage continues across the state, departments that rely on volunteers are having to get creative to recruit. The Spring Lake Park-Blaine-Mounds View Fire Department is making changes to put more feet in boots.