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Cold Case: Kristin O'Connell
Kristin O'Connell was a college student when she was brutally murdered during a visit to upstate New York in the summer of 1985. She was studying hotel and restaurant management and hoped to someday work in Hawaii.
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Kristin O'Connell was a college student when she was brutally murdered during a visit to upstate New York in the summer of 1985. She was studying hotel and restaurant management and hoped to someday work in Hawaii.
UNSOLVED: It's been nine years since a 7-year-old St. Paul boy died in a hit-and-run sledding accident.
Susan Petersen (left) and Susan Rheineck (right) were both found strangled to death in Highland Park in St. Paul two years apart -- Peterson in 1983, Rheineck in 1985. Both cases are still unsolved.
It's been almost 32 years since since 17-year-old Jeanine Warden was found almost dead in a ditch near her home in Linwood Township in rural Anoka County.
After being convicted of first-degree murder for the stabbing death of 11-year-old Marcus Potts in North Minneapolis in 1990, Eugene Fort received a sentence of life in prison on Oct. 8, 2007.
It's been over 12 years since anchorwoman Jodi Huisentruit was abducted on her way to work at a Mason City, Iowa TV station. There has been no trace of the missing anchorwoman ever since.
Minnesota prisons will soon be flooded with 10,000 decks of playing cards. These are not typical cards but rather ones with the photos of 52 murder victims and missing persons printed on them, along with information about the crimes.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has a new, first-of-its-kind program to track down missing persons.
St. Paul Police will open a cold case unit this spring to review unsolved homicides. The 1990 murder of Magdaline George is one of the cases already getting a fresh look.
It's been almost 28 years since 24-year-old Suzanne Sayles was strangled and raped in her Minneapolis apartment. Minneapolis police agreed to take a fresh look at the case after her friends contacted WCCO-TV.
Police are trying to determine if Michael Jefferson or his identical twin committed murder in July 2002.
In 1963, it was called the "murder of the century" in Minnesota. In St. Paul, an intruder attacked a well-liked housewife and mother named Carol Thompson. A jury convicted her husband, T. Eugene, of hiring the killer.
One gun connects the random murders of two innocent young men in Golden Valley, Minn. six months apart in the mid-90s.
It's been more than 33 years since a young Minneapolis artist left her apartment to hitchhike to an art show in Chicago.
On Christmas Eve in 1998, 18-year-old Carrie Richter and her 20-year-old boyfriend Dustin Baity were found murdered in their Northeast Minneapolis apartment.
Trevor Wetterling was just 10 years old when his older brother Jacob was abducted at gunpoint in 1989 near the family's home in St. Joseph, Minn. The boys and a friend were on the way home from renting a video at a nearby convenience store. Jacob has not been seen since.
Fifteen-year-old Mark Strandberg said goodnight to his mother in November 1976. The next morning, his sister found him shot to death in his bedroom.
Criminal charges have been filed against a "John Doe" in connection with an abduction and sexual assault of a White Bear Lake girl.
Nineteen-year-old Linda Rousseau left her family's home in the Midway neighborhood to buy some fast food in May 1971. She never returned. About three months later, her remains were found in a shallow grave in Hidden Falls Park, just off Mississippi River Boulevard.
The last time most of us saw Donald Blom, he was being driven from a Virginia, Minnesota court house in August of 2000. Blom called WCCO-TV crime reporter Caroline Lowe that day, still insisting he was innocent in the 1999 abduction and murder of Katie Poirier.
Cindy Gerdes' unsolved killing in March 1984 was the one of the most horrific crimes I covered as a reporter. Cindy was a 28-year-old interior designer living near Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis when she was viciously stabbed and her body left in a pose to shock whoever found her.
It was a mystery that seemed to fit a movie plot. Diana Smith and Scott Jones were found murdered in Scott's St. Paul apartment in March 1981. Her dad had reported her missing when she failed to meet him for church services and called police. Police thought the crime scene seemed staged because of the way the bodies of the victims were positioned.
With advances in forensic science, more and more police departments are taking a fresh look at cold murder cases. That includes the Bloomington, Minn. Police Department, where detectives are taking a new look at the murder of 20-year-old Theresa Johnson.
Anne Barber Dunlap was brutally murdered on New Year's weekend in 1995. Her body was found in the trunk of her car. She had been repeatedly stabbed in the throat and neck.
Minnesota starter Bailey Ober rebounded from Bryce Harper's two-run homer for Philadelphia in the first to settle in for seven innings, and the Twins beat the Phillies 7-2.
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson was placed on the physically unable to perform list as expected on Monday for the beginning of training camp.
It's the height of July and primetime in America for swimming, fishing and, in some cases, sunburns. This is the time of year when it's easy to get too much sun.
A scientist warns that the effects of climate change could ultimately drive Minnesota's state bird out of the state entirely.
Troy Haro says he mostly feels in the dark about what investigators are up to in the disappearance of his sister, Nikki Anderson.
Troy Haro says he mostly feels in the dark about what investigators are up to in the disappearance of his sister, Nikki Anderson.
The possibility of Vice President Kamala Harris becoming the democratic nominee has energized some young voters in Minneapolis.
Summer Balfanz left her residence on foot in the area of 900 Burke Avenue West around 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., according to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says that 17-year-old Kaydence Johnson ran away from a residence in Sartell on June 22 with another girl.
City and community leaders in Minneapolis on Monday detailed an ordinance that they hope will reduce the amount of hazardous vacant buildings.
A scientist warns that the effects of climate change could ultimately drive Minnesota's state bird out of the state entirely.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says that 17-year-old Kaydence Johnson ran away from a residence in Sartell on June 22 with another girl.
County fair season is in full swing in Minnesota, but things are different this year for kids looking to show dairy cows.
Police are investigating after a driver in northern Minnesota hit two pedestrians who were walking on a highway early Monday morning.
A standoff with an allegedly armed suspect in southern Minnesota shut down traffic on Interstate 35 for hours Sunday afternoon.
A scientist warns that the effects of climate change could ultimately drive Minnesota's state bird out of the state entirely.
The Dunn County Sheriff's Office says the crash happened around 10:46 a.m. at 710th Street and 240th Avenue in Spring Brook.
A group of farmers is changing how they use their land by working with nature to improve their animal's health, along with the soil and water.
A faculty committee has recommended that a former chancellor of the University of Wisconsin at La Crosse be removed from his tenured position over his involvement in adult entertainment.
"I was like, okay we got to do something about this. We have to write a story that actually talks about what it's like to have a disability and that you are just a normal person," said writer Katie Mettner.
City and community leaders in Minneapolis on Monday detailed an ordinance that they hope will reduce the amount of hazardous vacant buildings.
Lisa Ishchenko is in the U.S. for the first time – away from her family, away from her life as a medical student, away from the war that still makes itself known daily in her home country of Ukraine.
The Minnesota Vikings are sponsoring girls flag football leagues across the state in an effort to give everyone a chance to play the game.
Spike Moss spent decades fighting for his community, much of that time along Plymouth Avenue.
Veterans who had been living on the street now have a new home in St. Paul as part of the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans' effort to end homelessness.
Vice President Kamala Harris continues to receive a wide range of support in the day since President Biden dropped out of the 2024 race.
The possibility of Vice President Kamala Harris becoming the democratic nominee has energized some young voters in Minneapolis.
Former President Donald Trump's lawyers called the $454 million judgment "draconian" and complained that the "case violates centuries of New York case law."
Many Democrats believe Biden's exit from the campaign will improve chances of beating Trump in November.
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle repeatedly refused to answer questions about the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, enraging lawmakers.
A North Carolina woman is still trying to get home after last week's CrowdStrike outage waylaid her at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
The global Microsoft outage is causing mass flight cancellations and delays nationwide Friday, including at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Whether you plan to hit the water, savor the treats or maybe just stay indoors, Minnesotans are in for a hot summer weekend.
A 2019 blue Hyundai Elantra has given Erin Walters the freedom to travel across the country. That all changed a week ago after she tried renewing her car insurance with State Farm and was denied.
A recent study shows that Minnesota is ranked sixth in the nation for business, with high marks coming from areas judging the state's competitiveness, workforce, infrastructure, economy, quality of life and business friendliness.
Bodycam video of the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey was released Monday afternoon. The video shows the chaotic scene after a sheriff's deputy shot Massey, who is Black, in the face during a tense moment over a pot of water in her home.
Police said they have "limited information" about what happened, but they are investigating.
Authorities suspect several garbage fires on Minneapolis' West Lake Street Monday morning were intentionally set.
A standoff with an allegedly armed suspect in southern Minnesota shut down traffic on Interstate 35 for hours Sunday afternoon.
Children's Hospital reported that a 5-month-old child had unexplained bruising and they believed the abuse occurred at Small World Daycare Center in Blaine.
It's the height of July and primetime in America for swimming, fishing and, in some cases, sunburns. This is the time of year when it's easy to get too much sun.
For two years, three simple numbers have helped countless people struggling with mental health: 988, the national suicide prevention lifeline abbreviated from its original 10 digits to three.
An anti-abortion group in South Dakota is appealing a judge's dismissal of its lawsuit to remove an abortion rights initiative from the November ballot.
Minnesota health care systems are working to recover after a technical outage overnight caused Microsoft systems to go down globally.
Energy drinks have been around since the 1940s, and in recent years, they've become all the buzz — especially with young people. But studies have shown they may not be as popular with our hearts.
Organizers were looking for a new location that had the infrastructure to host the festival and support its growth.
Bob Newhart, who starred in the long-running sitcoms "The Bob Newhart Show" and "Newhart," has died at age 94.
From major floods to a major festival — work is underway to transform St. Paul's Harriet Island into an oasis for festivalgoers.
Minnesota's largest Black-sponsored festival will ring in its 42nd year this weekend with performances from two of hip hop's most legendary artists.
Nominations for the 76th annual Emmy Awards were announced Wednesday, with "Shōgun," "The Bear," "Hacks," "Only Murders in the Building" and "Baby Reindeer" all earning multiple major nods. See the full list of nominees for the 2024 ceremony here.
Minnesota starter Bailey Ober rebounded from Bryce Harper's two-run homer for Philadelphia in the first to settle in for seven innings, and the Twins beat the Phillies 7-2.
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson was placed on the physically unable to perform list as expected on Monday for the beginning of training camp.
Joe Mauer has had just as big of an impact on the baseball diamond as he has off of it.
Training camp is typically a buzzy, hopeful time of year for an NFL team, but for the Minnesota Vikings, the kickoff to camp took a more somber tone Monday.
Adrian Beltré, Joe Mauer, Todd Helton and Jim Leyland have been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
There has been so much attention on the developments with the presidential candidates that some local races have not gotten as much attention.
There has been so much attention on the developments in the presidential candidates that some local races have not gotten as much attention. Sen. Amy Klobuchar is running for her fourth term in the US Senate. In Talking Points, Esme Murphy looks at the unusual journey Republicans are taking to find the opponent to run against her.
A presidential race like no other seems like a farfetched fiction novel after the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. In Talking Points, Esme Murphy explores the future of the race amid calls for unity and Trump's gaining momentum in Democratic stronghold states.
A presidential race like no other seems like a farfetched fiction novel after the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. In Talking Points, Esme Murphy explores the future of the race amid calls for unity and Trump's gaining momentum in Democratic stronghold states.
A presidential race like no other seems like a farfetched fiction novel after the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. In Talking Points, Esme Murphy explores the future of the race amid calls for unity and Trump's gaining momentum in Democratic stronghold states.
Instead of watching old, classic cars leave the state, a museum in Wright County is trying to keep them around at the Veit Museum near Buffalo.
When Belgian immigrants settled in Ghent, they brought along rolle bolle — a sport that's sort of a cross between curling and lawn bowling — but you don't play with a ball, you play with a bolle.
The town of Remer is surrounded by hundreds of acres of woods and marshes. A perfect place for squirrels, deer, bears and maybe even Bigfoot.
Native Americans, Swedish immigrants and even cattle thieves have all taken shelter in a little spot along the St. Croix River.
Claws, scales, teeth and tails: There's a place in Medford where alligators and snakes have taken over.
It's the height of July and primetime in America for swimming, fishing and, in some cases, sunburns. This is the time of year when it's easy to get too much sun.
Energy drinks have been around since the 1940s, and in recent years, they've become all the buzz — especially with young people. But studies have shown they may not be as popular with our hearts.
The sounds of summer wouldn't be complete without the familiar tune of mosquitoes buzzing. But did you ever wonder: Why do mosquitoes buzz? Good Question.
The funny bone is anything but funny. So why does it hurt so bad when it gets hit? It turns out there's a "humerus" answer.
It's an age-old question that's been studied for years: When is the best time to exercise? Good Question.
The Minnesota State Fair has announced its new offerings for 2024, and they include plenty of fried foods, plenty of dairy, and plenty of sweet corn. See the full roster of new items here.
Thousands lined the streets of Hennepin Avenue on Sunday for the Twin Cities Pride Parade.
Many Minnesotans will be cleaning up Thursday from a storm system that brought sizable hail, heavy winds and possible tornado touchdowns.
Minnesotans were delighted by an otherworldly light show Friday night that was on a level the state hadn't seen in nearly two decades.
Many Minnesotans were treated to a stunning double rainbow on Thursday.
WCCO meteorologist Chris Shaffer says there’s a chance of storms in the morning hours on Tuesday.
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 is tracking a severe storm as it moves through the Twin Cites metro.
WCCO meteorologist Chris Shaffer says pop-up storms are possible this evening.
WCCO meteorologist Mike Augustyniak is tracking the latest potential rounds of rain targeting parts of Minnesota.
WCCO meteorologist Chris Shaffer says there’s a chance of storms in the morning hours on Tuesday.
It's primetime in Minnesota and Wisconsin for swimming, fishing, and in some cases burning. This time of year it's easy to get too much sun. So what's the best way to treat sunburn? Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield has the answer to a burning Good Question.
They're icons of the Northwoods. Loons captivate our imaginations and steal our hearts, but they're literally shrinking. WCCO's Erin Hassanzadeh tagged along with researchers to understand what's happening, and what's at stake.
Two daycare workers are charged in a troubling case of child abuse.
Two weeks after a Dakota County woman disappeared, her family isn't giving up hope. David Schuman spoke to her brother about false starts in the search and what he thinks happened.