![snow_nov112014_connorandaveryhelpinggrandpashovelnearlakelillian.jpg](https://assets1.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2014/11/10/f68ac71f-9165-4ab2-93e2-bb062d131b1c/thumbnail/640x360/06431c8ab271cb514c5b4e82e169b708/snow_nov112014_connorandaveryhelpinggrandpashovelnearlakelillian.jpg?v=e2b758f558b9b19612f3e16bc7fd9fcc#)
Good Question: Does Early Snow Mean A Long Winter?
Could this year's early snowfall tell us anything about the rest of the winter?
Watch CBS News
Could this year's early snowfall tell us anything about the rest of the winter?
Craig from Richfield and Beverly from Prior Lake asked: Who is responsible for removing campaign yard signs after the election? State law says yard signs must be removed 10 days after the state's general election, but doesn't stipulate who is responsible for taking them down.
You may have noticed new blue lights popping up near traffic signals all over the metro. They are small, generally tucked out of the way so they don't distract drivers. Over the past two weeks, they've been going up all over Ramsey County.
When you voted Tuesday, you probably noticed a lot of judges on the ballot. This puzzled Kirk from Oak Park Heights because he knows the governor also appoints them. On Washington County's sample ballot, there were 28 judge seats. Twenty-four were unopposed.
Good Question: Can we get enough Vitamin D from the Minnesota sun?
Starting tomorrow, an 88-foot white spruce from the Chippewa National Forest will make stops in 30 cities over 19 days on its way to Washington, D.C. It's going to spend part of November and all of December as the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree.
Many of you have written us to share your, let's call it, distaste for all of the political ads on television. They're nothing new. So, Cheri from McGregor wanted to know: When did television political advertising start?
We know two bad things about candy for sure: it's basically sugar, which causes tooth decay, and its empty calories can lead to obesity. But really, how bad is it for kids to chow down on their bounty of Halloween candy? Deb Sheats is the director of the dietetic program at St. Catherine's University.
Brandon from Plymouth, Minn. has been thinking about the old Metrodome sign on Interstate 394. He wants to know: when are the signs coming down? The short answer is those signs will come down when they have new ones to put up.
At more than 5,500 miles, it's the longest-continuous international border. Three-hundred-thousand people cross it legally every day at more than 100 checkpoints. But just how secure is the border? Dr. William Beeman is a professor of Middle East anthropology at the University of Minnesota.
Starting next year, Social Security benefits will rise 1.7 percent -- or about $20 a month based on an average monthly Social Security payment of $1,192. That increase, or cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), has been pegged to the consumer price index (CPI) since 1975. It's one of several ways to measure inflation. So, how do we measure the CPI?
Ever get a prescription filled and find the bottle only half full? After that happened to WCCO viewer Angela a few times, she wrote to us wanting to know: Why is there so much extra space in pill bottles? "There are several reasons," said pharmacist John Hoeschen. He owns St. Paul Corner Drug on the corner of Snelling and St. Clair avenues.
The CDC reports the newest life expectancy numbers in the United States are at an all-time record high – 78.8 years. The authors of the study also found the life expectancy was 81.2 years for women but just 76.4 years for men – a gap of 4.8 years, the same as 2011.
Joann from Arden Hills asked: What's the difference between partly sunny and partly cloudy? "This is kind of a gray area," said WCCO-TV Meteorologist Matt Brickman. "I think meteorologists give themselves a little leeway. I always think in terms of percentages."
If you've been in the market for a new television, you've likely seen all of the new 4K displays at the stores. The major television manufacturers have come out with their own versions of the ultra-high definition sets even as the broadcast networks are still working to broadcast in 4K.
HBO just announced that, starting next year, it's cutting the cable cord. Fans of shows like "Veep" and "Game of Thrones" will no longer have to subscribe to the premium channel through their cable TV provider, but rather will be allowed to stream shows on the Internet.
If you've been listening to the political ads over the past few weeks, you've heard the term "middle class" mentioned over and over. This had Barbara from Mound wondering: Who's in the middle class? Pew Research says 44 percent of people identify as solidly middle class. That's down from 53 percent back in 2008.
Angela from Minneapolis asked: What is the most popular license plate for a cause in Minnesota? There are almost 4.5 million passenger license plates in Minnesota. According to the Department of Public Safety, the DNR Critical Habitat plates are the most popular at 101,412.
If you're feeling a little sluggish this time of year, you're not alone. Karina from St. Paul has been feeling more sleepy than usual. And when she's brought it up to her parents, they've always told her it's the change in the weather.
A 29-year-old woman with terminal brain cancer has decided to end her own life on Nov. 1, two days after her husband's birthday. Brittany Maynard's doctors told her she only has months to live and that her natural death would be very painful.
Ivy and Kelley in Mrs. Neppl's class at Tremont Elementary are learning about rivers. They want to know: What is the longest river in the U.S.? The Missouri River, at 2,541 miles, beats out the mighty Mississippi at 2,230 miles. But here's the thing: the Missouri is a tributary of the Mississippi.
This coming Monday, you might see a few of your co-workers limping around the office after almost 12,000 people lace up for this Sunday's Twin Cities Marathon -- 26.2 miles that circle around Minneapolis and St. Paul. As one marathoner who's competed in the past put it, "My muscles, my legs, my calves … felt like crap."
With all of the media available to us via television, smartphones and the Internet these days, reading books is still a favorite pastime. According to surveys, how much we read books has remained constant over the years and, in some cases, increased. In the 1950s, Gallup surveys show around 20 percent of Americans were presently reading a book. By the early 90s, the percentage jumped to 37 percent.
On Tuesday, California became the first state to ban single-use plastic bags like the ones used in Target and grocery stores across the country. The plastic bags will be phased out over the next two years, but people can still use them for vegetables and meats. Paper bags will cost 10 cents while reusable bags will be free to use.
Very few people say they like all the negative campaign commercials that hit the airways this past September. In fact, most people will tell you negative political ads turn them off. But, for decades, campaigns have spent millions using attack ads. Earlier this year, Kantar Media CMAG found spending on negative ads outpaced spending on positive ads 15-1 since 2010.
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.