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Snowy owls are showing up in large numbers this winter, frequenting areas far from their normal arctic habitat. On a light pole in Ramsey Monday sat a snowy that has become somewhat of a star, posing for all kinds of incredible nature photographs.
Only months after Troy Lewis' family lost a wife and mother, a raging house fire in north Minneapolis claimed five more lives. Seven residents living on the main floor made it out alive, including Taleaha Cox. Seconds later, she heard Troy's screams coming from the second floor. "My little brother's like, 'I think the house is on fire.' And then all I heard was the man upstairs like, 'Help! Police! Fire, fire, fire! Police!'" Cox said. "He was hanging out the window."
An educator who was forced out as president of Totino-Grace High School because he is gay will now be the head of another Twin Cities private school. Dr. Bill Hudson resigned from Totino-Grace last June after revealing to board members that he had been in a committed same-sex relationship for 18 years. Hudson wasn't sure where he would end up, but on Monday night, Mounds Park Academy officially named him the new head of school.
He's served longer than any other horse on the Minneapolis Police mounted patrol. But after 13 years of working everything from violent protests to summer parades, Oliver the horse is heading to greener pastures.
When Cynthia Davis had her Buick backed into by a cab driver on Saturday, she did what anyone should. She called her insurance company to report the accident. That's when she discovered the problem with her coverage.
On the cold and snowy landscape of a wintry Saturday afternoon, bicyclists of all ages came to pay their respects. Marcus Nalls, 26, was one of them: a commuter on two wheels who used his bike to get around. Stefan Turner, a bicycle mechanic, had just worked on Nalls' bike, installing his rack and fenders. "Marcus was one of the … coolest guys we've had in our shop in a long time," Turner said.
What began as a routine morning commute Friday down Highway 212 to Chanhassen quickly turned into a bizarre and dangerous scene.
It is expected to take several days to clean up the mess caused by a leaking Canadian Pacific oil tanker train. The train left a 65-mile long oil spill from Red Wing to Winona on Monday morning before the leak was finally detected and stopped.
Seems anywhere you turn these days somebody is trying to sell you a security system. But for a Rochester bait store owner, it was an unlikely -- some might even say "obnoxious" -- alarm that saved the day.
Snowmobiling is a way of life for the Jenney family of Albertville, and the family cabin in Michigan's Upper Peninsula near White Pine is the perfect setting for winter recreation. Snowfall in that part of the country comes early and often, providing for wonderful trail riding.
The alternating pattern of extreme cold and fresh doses of snow that's held through much of January landed on snow during the worst possible time -- the morning commute. Twin Cities drivers found themselves at the mercy of the white stuff Thursday morning.
Boxes of junk can often reveal a piece of hidden treasure, but when that treasure turns out to be a war medal for a soldier killed in action, the discovery creates a whole new challenge. That's what an Otsego family recently faced when they turned over a Purple Heart awarded posthumously more than 63 years ago.
A lineup of some 700 boats threaded towards the Minneapolis Convention Center past huge piles of snow. On a sub-zero January day, it is a sight for sore eyes.
Tight supplies of propane and bitter temperatures across much of the nation are putting the squeeze on a number of rural communities. That's because rural residents rely on propane fuel to heat their homes and businesses. But a severe shortage of propane is forcing the price of LP to skyrocket.
It's a busy Friday afternoon at Parc Boutique in northeast Minneapolis. Racks full of women's fashions greet the customers. But Parc's owner, Thao Nguyen, says the recent cold snap has hurt her in-store sales. "It's harder for people to come into the shop," Nguyen said. Just like how tornadoes and hurricanes disrupt economic activity, there is also a steep cost to our cold weather. The lower the temperature drops, the fewer of us venture outside to shop, dine and recreate.
If you think your furnace has been running a lot this January, you're absolutely right. CenterPoint Energy said the first major cold snap in early January set a new daily record for natural gas consumption.
As cold as it might be, we're still a long way from joining the ranks of the coldest Minnesota winters.
A siren wails on a frozen Lake Nokomis, signaling the half-way point in a fast-paced game. Blue skies and bright sun greet nearly 2,000 pond hockey faithful. Over the next few days, they will play like they did as kids. According to tournament's co-commissioner Justin Kaufenberg, the competition is fast and, at times, furious on the lake's 25 rinks.
The act of embracing winter is what makes living in Minnesota bearable. And for many, it means standing alongside an outdoor hockey rink. Thousands of folks are doing just that in Elk River this week, site of the 2014 Hockey Day in Minnesota events. The city was chosen in large part due to the historic Handke Stadium, where organized hockey began in Elk River nearly 60 years ago.
In the hockey crazy city of Elk River, site of the 2014 Hockey Day Minnesota, stories and relics of the games' past are literally coming out of the woodwork. So, when an Otsego family discovered a handmade hockey stick hidden in the attic of an old farmhouse, the detective work began. The questions began: Who made it, where did he play and why did he love the game so much?
Eric Zajkowski's social studies class had a unique assignment on Thursday. The students spent their day outside on a cold parking lot in Arden Hills, which more closely resembled a Hollywood movie set. Sophomores, juniors and seniors in Zajkowski's class at Hmong College Prep Academy in St. Paul are making public service announcement videos, and a powerful statement that can save lives.
As bad as winter has been in the Twin Cities, conditions are apparently much worse up in Canada. At least that's one of the major factors that's pushing a beautiful boreal creature to fly south.
When it comes to Minnesota's weather extremes there are some things that just can't be put on hold. On Monday, that was the case at Fort Snelling National Cemetery where 16 of the nation's veterans were laid to rest.
As we get ready to head into a new year, it seems fitting to introduce you to a young woman ready for anything the future has to hold. Meet Tameka Cannon.
It was just around 4 a.m. when the SuperAmerica at 60th Street and Portland Avenue in Minneapolis became the first target. Police say a man, pointed a pistol at the clerk and demanded cash. From there, the robber headed into Uptown and hit a 24-hour Walgreens store.
Zoran Mojsilov's sculpture work of more than 40 years is renowned around the world, though many are so large a crane is required to move them.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that if President-elect Donald Trump follows through on this threat to impose tariffs on Canadian products, he would be raising prices and hurting American businesses.
Max Brosmer passed for two touchdowns and rushed for another to help Minnesota beat Wisconsin. Friday's game was the 134th meeting between the teams. The rivalry is the oldest rivalry in the nation among Football Bowl Division schools.
Wisconsin's election commission leader has quietly certified Donald Trump's victory in the battleground state, a departure from the chaos that surrounded the 2020 election results.
LGBTQ voters were among the only demographic groups that did not move more toward Trump in the 2024 election.
Zoran Mojsilov's sculpture work of more than 40 years is renowned around the world, though many are so large a crane is required to move them.
Private health information of over 600 veterans in Minnesota was obtained by in a nationwide cyberattack.
The mall is expecting tens of thousands of shoppers for Black Friday with plenty of deals.
A 21-year-old man was fatally shot inside an apartment on Thanksgiving, according to Minneapolis police.
Calvary Baptist Church has been a Minneapolis mainstay for 141 years. But the more than century-old structure needed a facelift to keep it going.
Private health information of over 600 veterans in Minnesota was obtained by in a nationwide cyberattack.
A 26-year-old man is in prison after driving the wrong way on Interstate 94 and having a breath alcohol content over three times the legal limit, sheriff says.
"Thomas Dambo, he believes the trolls really help us kind of shine a light on how we can take better care of the environment and be better to each other," said Stearns.
The preliminary investigation into what happened to 20 ballots unaccounted for in the closest state House race in Minnesota were likely thrown away and won't be recovered, the Scott County attorney said Wednesday.
A Red Lake Department of Public Safety officer was one of two people killed in a crash in the northern Minnesota community Wednesday morning.
Wisconsin's election commission leader has quietly certified Donald Trump's victory in the battleground state, a departure from the chaos that surrounded the 2020 election results.
A narrow band of snow quickly dropped three inches on drivers — even sending a semi sliding into a ditch.
The Sawyer County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help in identifying a serial arsonist, after they suspect the person set six fires in the span of ten days.
Xcel Energy is in the early stages of planning a 5,000-acre solar energy project in the eastern part of St. Croix County.
Authorities are urging a Wisconsin man accused of faking his death and fleeing to Europe to come home and spend the holidays with his wife and three children.
The Battis-Bohen bowl tradition is alive and well after 91 consecutive Thanksgivings.
A Red Lake Department of Public Safety officer was one of two people killed in a crash in the northern Minnesota community Wednesday morning.
The cost of Thanksgiving dinner is still nearly 20% higher than pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Union Gospel Mission is lightening the load by welcoming 10,000 families through their meal kit pick-up.
From the Twin Cities to the North Shore, here are the holiday tree lightings and parades in 2024 in the Twin Cities and in Greater Minnesota.
A group of young adults wants everyone, regardless of what suburb or rural area they live in, to know what it's really like to live in the heart of the city and to sometimes not have a place to live at all.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that if President-elect Donald Trump follows through on this threat to impose tariffs on Canadian products, he would be raising prices and hurting American businesses.
Wisconsin's election commission leader has quietly certified Donald Trump's victory in the battleground state, a departure from the chaos that surrounded the 2020 election results.
LGBTQ voters were among the only demographic groups that did not move more toward Trump in the 2024 election.
Rep. Dean Phillips pursued an unpopular challenge to President Joe Biden's nomination. Biden eventually did drop out, and the rest is history. So does Phillips feel like saying: "I told you so?"
The preliminary investigation into what happened to 20 ballots unaccounted for in the closest state House race in Minnesota were likely thrown away and won't be recovered, the Scott County attorney said Wednesday.
The mall is expecting tens of thousands of shoppers for Black Friday with plenty of deals.
Great deals means Minnesotans are camping out on Black Friday Eve
Are you running out to get a last-minute Thanksgiving dinner ingredient? Here's what's open and closed on Thanksgiving in Minnesota.
GasBuddy's Patrick De Haan says Canadian tariffs would mean Minnesotans will pay between 35 and 50 cents more per gallon for gas, depending on the season, because a majority of the state's crude oil comes from Canada.
Over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, the Sun Country is expecting to serve 82,000 passengers at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
A 21-year-old man was fatally shot inside an apartment on Thanksgiving, according to Minneapolis police.
Police have arrested a 32-year-old man after he collided with two parked cars before leading police on a pursuit.
The Sawyer County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help in identifying a serial arsonist, after they suspect the person set six fires in the span of ten days.
A Minnesota Court of Appeals judge has overturned the murder conviction of a man accused of fatally shooting another man at a vigil in north Minneapolis three years ago.
The head of Minneapolis police says one of his officers "put his life on the line" while taking an armed felon into custody over the weekend.
From turkey, to mashed potatoes, stuffing and pies, many are ending Thanksgiving with full stomachs and refrigerators.
A lawsuit filed in federal court last Friday seeks to nullify Minnesota's laws protecting access to abortion, arguing they violate the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
A case of active tuberculosis was confirmed at a high school south of the Twin Cities, but officials said there is "no further risk of exposure at the school."
Minnesota has completed its inventory of community water systems as part of its effort to eliminate lead pipes across the state.
Last year, Minnesota lawmakers passed new protections after a young woman testified about contamination in her community just before she died. Her sister is now carrying on the fight to protect other families.
Target is the only place you can buy the latest Taylor Swift merch, including a new book, vinyl and CD.
One of the most successful computer games of all time is currently being developed by Apple as a forthcoming movie.
Chuck Woolery was inducted into the American TV Game Show Hall of Fame in 2007 and earned a daytime Emmy nomination in 1978.
English hyperpop artist Charli XCX will be coming to Minneapolis on April 26, 2025.
After almost a decade of "Disney On Ice" performances, a Minnesota native is eagerly anticipating his first show at the Xcel Energy Center.
Meet a student athlete from Chisago Lakes with endless drive, despite a surprise diagnosis. Plus, Becker and Totino-Grace battled at U.S. Bank Stadium for the Class 4A championship.
Max Brosmer passed for two touchdowns and rushed for another to help Minnesota beat Wisconsin. Friday's game was the 134th meeting between the teams. The rivalry is the oldest rivalry in the nation among Football Bowl Division schools.
The decision comes after the Bears blew another potential victory against the Lions, 23-20.
Vito the pug beat over 1,900 other dogs to take home the top honor at the National Dog Show.
The Minnesota-Wisconsin series is the most-played FBS rivalry, and a Gophers victory would enable them to tie the all-time series at 63-63-8. Since 1948, the winner of this game has gained possession of Paul Bunyan's Axe.
In this election, Klobuchar faired much better than all other Senate Democrats — she won by a significantly larger margin.
For Democrats the postmortem continues on why Vice President Kamala Harris and her Running mate Governor Tim Walz performed more poorly with almost every demographic than Joe Biden did in 2020. In Minnesota, Senator Amy Klobuchar did much better than Harris with some of those same groups.
As Election Day nears, experts say voters in Wisconsin and other battleground states will decide the 2024 presidential election winner.
As Election Day nears, experts say voters in Wisconsin and other battleground states will decide the 2024 presidential election winner.
As Election Day nears, experts say voters in Wisconsin and other battleground states will decide the 2024 presidential election winner.
"Thomas Dambo, he believes the trolls really help us kind of shine a light on how we can take better care of the environment and be better to each other," said Stearns.
There are a lot of quirky town names in Minnesota: Embarrass, Nowthen, Clontarff, Kiester. But the people of Nimrod believe their name stands out from the rest.
Did you know that donkeys are fast, smart and can build life-long bonds with other animals and people? It's believed that donkeys are smarter than most dogs.
The Fitzgerald Theater is the oldest active theater in St. Paul — but is it also haunted?
Wisconsin bars are known for their pints and their patrons. About the last thing you'd expect to discover in such a place would be 55 feet of historic American artwork.
From turkey, to mashed potatoes, stuffing and pies, many are ending Thanksgiving with full stomachs and refrigerators.
We're just over two weeks since Minnesota's deer opener and already hunters have harvested more than 123,000 of them using firearms. That could equal huge dollars for the state if they all took one extra step.
This holiday season, you might pull out a Betty Crocker cookbook to find a tried and true recipe.
Krueger is the third-generation owner of Krueger's Christmas Tree Farm. While he finds joy in knowing the evergreens will make a family happy, they might not realize the effort it took to reach these towering heights.
As President-elect Donald Trump fills out his cabinet, there's one department for which he's yet to announce a leader. That could be because he promised it wouldn't exist after taking office.
Regions Hospital and Children's Minnesota share photos of their tiniest patients dressed to the nines for Halloween.
Minnesotans got a great view of the northern lights Thursday night due to the arrival of a severe geomagnetic storm.
Minnesotans got a great view of the northern lights Monday night.
Storms ripped through parts of Minnesota and western Wisconsin on Thursday evening. There were several reports of tornadoes and trees were downed in the metro and beyond, including in Cottage Grove, Anoka, Champlin and Fridley.
A powerful thunderstorm tore through the grounds of the Minnesota State Fair on Monday night, delaying Tuesday's opening.
Despite forecasted sunshine, Black Friday shoppers should bundle up with high temperatures in the teens across 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.
Despite sunshine in the forecast across Minnesota today, temperatures will be the coldest they've been in the last few days.
Friday will feel even cooler than Thursday. The sun will peak out over the weekend. Chris Shaffer breaks down the timing of everything for you.
A narrow band of snow quickly dropped three inches on drivers — even sending a semi sliding into a ditch.
A local Minnesotan is known for his sculptors, which can be seen both in Minnesota and other parts of the country.
Minneapolis police are looking for a suspect in a fatal shooting that left a man dead on Thanksgiving, plus more of the day's top stories.
There are more than 570 federally recognized tribes across the country, including several in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Dozens were lined up outside Mall of America Friday morning, ready to take advantage of Black Friday deals.
Mall of America in Bloomington is offering deals throughout the weekend, along with mystery gift cards to shoppers Friday morning.