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According to a petition to terminate the parental rights of the Dirks' four other children, police were called to the couple's Brooklyn Park home on Nov. 6 because the 3-year-old was not breathing.
A 21-year-old man is facing charges after his girlfriend's 2-year-old child was found to have several injuries consistent with assault.
Officers found standing water with live extension cords, "items and trash, soiled mattresses, unsanitary surfaces and conditions."
"There is a complete history of problems in this household going back almost 10 years. Child protection should have been involved and the kids should have been in a protective situation."
The victim, who is now 15, told her mother about the abuse last year. Officials say the child was told to forget about what happened and forgive Torgerson, because that's what good Christians do.
A western Wisconsin man is facing charges of child neglect for using methamphetamine around his children, two of which tested positive for meth and marijuana.
A Tulsa mother stabbed her eldest daughter 50 to 70 times, struck her head with a pickaxe then set their home on fire, before fleeing the scene with the youngest of her three daughters, according to police.
A Northern California woman denied that she or her husband abused their 10 children after authorities said the kids suffered puncture wounds, burns, bruising and injuries consistent with being shot with a pellet gun.
U.S. military officials have sought to ward off congressional efforts to address child-on-child sexual assaults on bases, even as they disclose that the problem is larger than previously acknowledged.
Investigators say the parents living in the South St. Paul home punished two of their children by withholding food from them, locking them in a room, or tying them to a pole or bed.
A 17-year-old girl called police after escaping from her family's home where she and her 12 brothers and sisters were locked up in filthy conditions, some so malnourished officers at first believed all were children even though seven are adults.
A judge on Tuesday dismissed the lawsuit brought by a choreographer who alleged Michael Jackson molested him as a child, resolving one of the last major claims against the late singer's holdings.
A north metro foster care provider is accused of breaking several bones of an infant boy in her custody.
A Moorhead man is accused of rubbing hot sauce and cayenne pepper in the eyes of his 2-month-old daughter and keeping her from breathing until she turned blue.
State health officials say reported child abuse and neglect numbers rose dramatically last year, by as much as 25 percent from 2015.
A 37-year-old Burnsville woman is accused of hitting her 16-month-old daughter on the head and swearing at her last week.
A St. John's priest accused of sexual abuse allegedly told his victim it was required as a part of the confirmation process.
A Minneapolis toddler is making a remarkable recovery in the hospital. Rae'Ana Hall, who is just 22 months old, suffered broken bones and severe damage to the right side of her brain in early January. Investigators believe her father beat her.
The Wisconsin Senate has passed a bill that makes repeated acts of child abuse a felony.
The United States Federal Government will now assume criminal jurisdiction over the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe's reservation in central Minnesota, according to the Department of Justice. The Mille Lacs Reservation becomes only the second in the U.S. to have had their request for concurrent jurisdiction granted by the DOJ -- the first being the White Earth Reservation in northeastern Minnesota.
A Minneapolis father has been charged in the severe beating of his 20-month-old daughter, which left her with brain injuries. Ticortier Collins is charged with first-degree assault. Investigators say he beat his daughter so badly that she also has a lacerated spleen, rib and pelvic fractures.
A 21-month-old girl is clinging to life after suffering injuries police say appear to be intentional. Rae'Ana Hall was left with her father while her mother went to work. Hours later, her mother says she got a call from the hospital saying her child was in critical condition.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's letter to Adrian Peterson last year spelled out the reasons for his suspension and the conditions for his reinstatement in cold, unsympathetic terms.
A Northwestern Wisconsin volunteer fire fighter is being accused of child abuse and sexual assault, according to criminal charges. According to the charges, Virgil A. Hansen, 65, has been charged with sexual assault and exploitation, physical abuse, trafficking and prostitution and enticement of a child.
It took a jury less than two hours Thursday to convict a two-time convicted sex offender of producing and distributing child pornography. The United States Attorney's Office says 52-year-old Rex Lee Furman, of Federal Dam, was convicted after a three-day trial of 13 counts of producing child porn, two counts of distributing it and one count each of receipt of child porn, possession of child porn and committing a felony while required to register as a sex offender.
Authorities in western Wisconsin say a correctional officer died after a suspected drunk driver struck his vehicle on Christmas Eve.
When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Svetlana Vold immediately thought of her mom's teachings and looked to give back to her old Ukrainian neighbors who were suffering.
Dr. Shirlee Xie and her husband went to Switzerland for a two-week hiking journey. There, she experienced a life-altering accident, falling about 300 feet down a mountain.
The Minnesota Vikings have obliterated even the most optimistic of external predictions for this transitional season with a 13-2 record entering their matchup against the Green Bay Packers that has made Kevin O'Connell the current favorite for the NFL Coach of the Year award.
Baltimore's victory over Houston averaged 24.3 million viewers, while Kansas City's win at Pittsburgh averaged 24.1 million, according to early viewer figures released by Nielsen.
When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Svetlana Vold immediately thought of her mom's teachings and looked to give back to her old Ukrainian neighbors who were suffering.
Dr. Shirlee Xie and her husband went to Switzerland for a two-week hiking journey. There, she experienced a life-altering accident, falling about 300 feet down a mountain.
![Holiday skating at the John Rose Oval Tuesday December 12, 2018 in Roseville, MN.] Jerry Holt • Jerry.holt@startribune.com](https://assets2.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2024/12/26/85f05540-792f-4701-b199-faa1612213ab/thumbnail/640x360/d33c330322de386170c855b5f7821ac4/gettyimages-1156602751.jpg?v=fa9977353833f46f40b07abcd9d5240b#)
This week has been warm, which isn't great for winter activities, but skaters and hockey players have been able to enjoy a refrigerated outdoor ice rink in Roseville.
Minnesotans don't have to drive far to visit two of the best bakeries in America, according to the New York Times.
In 2024, Minnesota was a hotbed of SPAM smuggling, golf-related helicopter attacks and genetically modified giant-sheep hunting.
An auto body shop in Waverly, Minnesota has been deemed a total loss after a fire broke out on Christmas Day.
Minnesotans don't have to drive far to visit two of the best bakeries in America, according to the New York Times.
In 2024, Minnesota was a hotbed of SPAM smuggling, golf-related helicopter attacks and genetically modified giant-sheep hunting.
Mary Murphy, the longest-serving woman and second-longest-serving member of the Minnesota House, died on Christmas Day at the age of 85, according to Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman.
A northern Minnesota woman is being praised for rescuing not one, but two owls in the same day and in two different locations.
Authorities in western Wisconsin say a correctional officer died after a suspected drunk driver struck his vehicle on Christmas Eve.
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection says it identified a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A, or H5N1, in Burnett County.
Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has finally selected a new leader for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
The Centers for Disease Control says no person-to-person transmission has been detected and the risk to the general public remains low.
The man was flown to a hospital in Minnesota, but the department gave no word on his condition. No one else was hurt.
When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Svetlana Vold immediately thought of her mom's teachings and looked to give back to her old Ukrainian neighbors who were suffering.
Volunteers at St. Paul's Union Gospel Mission served up hundreds of Christmas Day meals during a free lunch on Wednesday.
The Salvation Army says it's a proven fact that donations decline when the bells aren't ringing. Fewer volunteers mean fewer rings and fewer dollars raised.
Dan Reed is on a campaign to get more people to become donors. The more people he can register, the higher up he gets on the transplant list.
Army veteran Delphine Littlewolf and her 7-year-old son Curtis have been living in her compact car for six months.
Here's what to know about the United States' involvement with building and operating the Panama Canal.
Mary Murphy, the longest-serving woman and second-longest-serving member of the Minnesota House, died on Christmas Day at the age of 85, according to Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman.
President Biden signed legislation Christmas Eve to make the bald eagle officially the U.S. national bird.
Jason Rantala looks at the changes several Twin Cities restaurants are making in response to a new Minnesota law taking effect on New Year’s Day.
Former President Bill Clinton remains in "good spirits," a spokesman said.
Leftovers are in the fridge and the presents under the tree are unwrapped. But what if Santa didn't get your wish list just right?
The Mega Millions jackpot is valued at $1 billion for the drawing on Christmas Eve
The rush was on Tuesday as shoppers grabbed last-minute essentials at Mall of America, just hours before Christmas Day.
Twin Cities Starbucks baristas joined a nationwide strike Tuesday afternoon.
Most grocery stores will be open on Christmas Eve but will have reduced hours.
St. Paul police say narcotics may have played a role in the death of a toddler on Christmas Day.
Agents found 30 brick-like packages of cocaine inside the backpacks, located in a wooded area in Washington near the U.S. border with Canada.
An 18-year-old man is facing a second-degree murder charge after a fatal shooting in Mankato Saturday.
The appeal had asked the court to reinstate charges, including involuntary manslaughter, against Alec Baldwin.
A 40-year-old Sartell woman has pleaded guilty in connection with a fraud scheme that cost two loan companies over $9 million.
Minnesota health officials are warning of an outbreak of a highly contagious illness: norovirus.
According to the Minnesota Department of Education, only 46.5% of third graders in the state are reading proficiently.
Health experts are offering tips on creating a more nutritious diet as new year's resolutions are put into action.
Mental health is a topic that some might feel uncomfortable talking about. In St. Louis Park there's one event trying to change that.
Minneapolis has softened an ordinance that prohibited obstructing entrances and driveways to abortion clinics after anti-abortion activists sued to challenge it on free-speech grounds.
Baltimore's victory over Houston averaged 24.3 million viewers, while Kansas City's win at Pittsburgh averaged 24.1 million, according to early viewer figures released by Nielsen.
A judge ruled that a woman who says she was raped by Jay-Z and Sean "Diddy" Combs when she was 13 can proceed anonymously, for now, in her lawsuit against the rap moguls.
Hudson Meek, the 16-year-old actor known for his performance in the 2017 film "Baby Driver," died Dec. 21 in Alabama, authorities said.
Going to the movies has become a Christmas Day tradition for some Minnesotans.
Netflix will have one of its biggest days Wednesday since the site launched in 1998 when it airs two NFL games for the first time.
Watch an unforgettable moment during an Alexandria football game that brought the crowd to tears. Plus, a tough battle in boy’s basketball between Rockford and Zimmerman.
The Minnesota Vikings have obliterated even the most optimistic of external predictions for this transitional season with a 13-2 record entering their matchup against the Green Bay Packers that has made Kevin O'Connell the current favorite for the NFL Coach of the Year award.
Baltimore's victory over Houston averaged 24.3 million viewers, while Kansas City's win at Pittsburgh averaged 24.1 million, according to early viewer figures released by Nielsen.
Coach Dan Campbell said Thursday that the team signed Bridgewater as another backup with second-year player Hendon Hooker behind starter Jared Goff.
The Minnesota Vikings will look to keep the NFL's longest active winning streak alive on Sunday when they host the Green Bay Packers.
Esme Murphy talks with Congressman Pete Stauber, who hopes to see President Biden’s 20-year moratorium on new mining near the Boundary Waters reversed by President-elect Donald Trump.
President-elect Donald Trump said he plans to reverse President Biden's 20-year moratorium on new mining near Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness on his first day in office.
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.
The story behind the St. James Hotel is simple: 11 business owners needed a place for people to stay when they came to town. Likely none of them envisioned their establishment would one day end up on the National Register of Historic Places.
During the first week of December, Little Falls holds Christmas tours around town. It's a chance for historic buildings to deck their halls and spread their cheer.
Duluth is known for its scenic views across the city, but one location stands out from the rest.
One family's creative design in central Minnesota allows guests to sleep under the stars — at any time of year.
"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 reasons to get distracted this time of year and to procrastinate.
It's a term that's being thrown around a lot these days. Some think it's a social thing, others a medical thing.
Every home has a distinct smell, and chances are your home smells just as strong to other people. Why can't we notice our own home's smell but we can notice everyone else's?
An important deadline is approaching, and we're not talking about Christmas shopping. End of semester exams are coming up for students of all ages.
Jeff Wagner dives into the cold-weather dating trend that has singles looking for love with a time limit.
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.
WCCO meteorologist Chris Shaffer says temperatures are going to be quite mild for the next three days.
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 Chris Shaffer has your latest forecast and he says they'll be no more snow for 2024, despite a large system coming our way.
This week has been warm, which isn't great for winter activities, but skaters and hockey players have been able to enjoy a refrigerated outdoor ice rink in Roseville.
It's looking like it will be a very mild end to 2024, which could end up being the Twin Cities' warmest year on record.
WCCO meteorologist Chris Shaffer says temperatures are going to be quite mild for the next three days.
It's the second night of Hanukkah, a Jewish celebration marking the re-dedication of a holy temple. From the candles to the colors, WCCO's Kirsten Mitchell first answered your Good Questions about the "Festival of Lights" last winter.
As the war in Ukraine rages on, a local woman is doing all she can to help. Frankie McLister met a St. Paul firefighter making sure first responders in eastern Europe have what they need to help their own.
A woman trained to help others now needs some help herself. A hiking accident left a doctor paralyzed. As Ubah Ali shows us, her fight is personal with the goal of getting back to helping patients.
A familiar voice who gets NFL fans ready for the slate of games every Sunday is thrilled with what he's seeing in Minnesota. WCCO's Jeff Wagner talked with James Brown, the host of NFL Today on CBS, about the Vikings success this year and the team's future at the quarterback position.