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There was something a little different going on at the State Capitol Tuesday: A major bill that everyone appears to agree on. It means a second round of tax cuts could be heading your way. State lawmakers already passed income tax relief on the way to hundreds of thousands of middle income Minnesotans. Now, homeowners and renters are getting a break.
Minnesota lawmakers face a shrinking pile of unfinished business as they sprint this week toward the end of the legislative session and the campaign season just beyond.
Minnesota lawmakers are running out of time to pass a bill that could protect citizens from snooping in their private data by public employees. The sticking point is how to do it without making it too difficult for state agencies to do their jobs.
Minnesota lawmakers are ready to deliver $100 million more in tax relief, including extra refunds and credits for homeowners, renters and farmers.
Dozens of firefighters from across Minnesota arrived at the State Capitol on Wednesday to talk about the importance of fire sprinklers. According to fire crews, a deadly fire last weekend could have been prevented if the home had fire sprinklers.
Leading lawmakers have announced how they will dispense with what remains of Minnesota's $1.2 billion budget surplus, a framework that suggests the election-year legislative session is moving toward conclusion. The agreement released Friday by Democratic leaders would allow for $103 million more in tax breaks on top of the $447 million already enacted this year.
Top Minnesota lawmakers are working to set the terms of a deal on tax cuts, new state spending and borrowing for construction that would enable them to end their session. Democratic leaders of the House and Senate said Thursday that they were closing in on a framework.
Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson is advising the Legislature to forge ahead with a bill making clear that lawmakers can't avoid arrest for drunken driving or other crimes during the months of session. But Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Ron Latz responded Thursday that he's not convinced that a new law is required to resolve what he sees as a misunderstanding of current law.
Top Minnesota lawmakers are making a major push to expand high-speed internet to regions of the state that still don't have it. Minnesota House Democrats are proposing big internet upgrades they say will improve rural schools and businesses.
Minnesota lawmakers haven't had a pay hike since 1999. But they can boost their take-home pay with per diem -- up to $76 per day in the Minnesota House, and up to $86 a day in the Minnesota Senate.
Lawmakers will be less than a month from the mandatory session finish line when they return to the Capitol after Easter, but don't be surprised if they make an earlier break for it. Much of the heavy lifting of the election-year session is done. Negotiators from the House, Senate and Gov. Mark Dayton's administration forecast more ease than usual buttoning up remaining tax and budget bills.
Minnesota lawmakers' immunity to drunken driving arrests would end under a bill that passed a House committee on Friday, a day after the Senate's version was tabled by lawmakers who see it as unnecessary. The archaic provision in the state constitution dates to 1858, when the state's founding fathers wanted to protect legislators from being arrested and detained from votes on important measures.
An expensive office building for lawmakers at the Capitol is facing new scrutiny. The four-story glass, steel and stone complex would sit across the street from the Capitol, and include offices for 45 of Minnesota's 67 state senators. But the cost and design are raising eyebrows, even from supporters like Gov. Mark Dayton, who called the project "overly lavish."
The up-and-down medical marijuana bill at the Capitol may be down again. Top lawmakers in the House and Senate say it's not likely to pass this year. Advocates of legalizing medical marijuana are hoping to make Minnesota the 20th state in the country to do so. Thursday, the advocates said it's possible to pass it this year. But it's not about medicine at this point at the Capitol; it's about math.
Minnesota state lawmakers are trying to slow down a plan from the Department of Public Safety that would restrict public access to driver's license data, including the bulk sale of data to insurance companies and car dealers. DPS officials say they made the change after thousands of snooping incidents into personal driver's license records. But insurance industry executives, and Insurance Federation of Minnesota Vice President Mark Kulda, say it could add money to your insurance bill.
Minnesota lawmakers have a difficult job ahead. They must decide what to do about the Minnesota Sex Offender Program, now that a federal judge has ruled that it is broken and in need of repair.
As the boys state hockey tournament skates into the Xcel Energy Center, it's another showdown in St. Paul that some high school athletes are fighting to win. Lawmakers are wondering if some students and their parents are going too far to gain a competitive edge.
A group of health experts and faith leaders were at the state capitol Monday to ask lawmakers to raise wages to improve the health of workers. Statistics show that low-income workers die eight-years earlier than other workers. Shaquonica Johnson, 37, has been a personal care attendant for 15 years. She works several different jobs at $8.50 an hour to care for her two children.
Minnesota Department of Administration officials estimate it would cost at least $2.4 million to rent temporary space for state senators and staff during the ongoing Capitol renovation.
Minnesota lawmakers have been told that a final decision on a new Senate Office Building must be made within weeks or a related renovation of the state Capitol will cost more and take longer.
Fears of prying from the sky have some Minnesota lawmakers seeking clamps on law enforcement's use of unmanned aerial drones to gather evidence.
Students at Concordia University are attempting something not a lot of college students try to do. They're going to the Minnesota Legislature to get some laws changed, including one controversial loophole for the lawmakers themselves.
Salaries of the top-paid employees in Minnesota city and county government have risen sharply since the state peeled back a restriction that made it rare for local personnel to earn more than the governor.
Lawmakers weighing where to send public construction aid are touring several Minnesota cities with projects in the 2014 mix. Members of the Senate Capital Investment Committee are headed to eight cities this week after spending three days on the road earlier in the month.
In Minnesota, veterans rallied at the Vietnam Memorial in St. Paul to show their support of the national movement. They talked about the closing of the national war memorials and the suspension of death benefits to military families.
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.
Until 2018, for more than five decades, drivers on Highway 10 got glimpses of the 30-foot statue standing high above the city of Mounds View. Seven years later, it's out of storage.
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?
Dozens of people gathered at the Market Square of Mendota Village to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah by lighting the first candle.
St. Paul police say narcotics may have played a role in the death of a toddler on Christmas.
Until 2018, for more than five decades, drivers on Highway 10 got glimpses of the 30-foot statue standing high above the city of Mounds View. Seven years later, it's out of storage.
Dozens of people gathered at the Market Square of Mendota Village to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah by lighting the first candle.
St. Paul police say narcotics may have played a role in the death of a toddler on Christmas.
The LGBTQ+ bar located in the Loring Park neighborhood closed on March 23 after a garbage truck hit a power pole that landed on the building, sparking flames.
Going to the movies has become a Christmas Day tradition for some Minnesotans.
A great gray owl and a snowy owl are being treated by experts after being rescued by a northern Minnesota woman.
Here's a look at the most clicked WCCO.com stories from each month in 2024.
An 18-year-old man is facing a second-degree murder charge after a fatal shooting in Mankato Saturday.
It's been a weather year of extremes in Minnesota, with a warm winter, floods and a drought to cap off the summer.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says Breana Sandoval was last seen in the area of 1800 Park Avenue Northwest in Bemidji around 3:10 p.m. on Dec. 13.
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.
Xcel says the project is intended to replace the energy that will be lost when its coal-fueled power plant near Stillwater closes in 2028.
Minnesota and Wisconsin leaders are responding to the school shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin.
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.
It looks like any other grocery store, but when you check out at Today's Harvest in Maplewood, shoppers aren't spending a dime.
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.
The House Ethics Committee released its highly anticipated report on former Rep. Matt Gaetz, detailing allegations of sexual misconduct, drug use and obstruction. He denies wrongdoing.
From Gov. Tim Walz becoming the Democratic nominee for vice president to the whirlwind conclusion of Minnesota's legislative session, 2024 was packed with political highlights in the state.
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.
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.
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.
Under the new law, aerosol dusters will need to be kept behind store counters, and can only sold to people 21 or older starting Jan. 1, 2025.
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.
The appeal had asked the court to reinstate charges, including involuntary manslaughter, against Alec Baldwin.
The lawsuit lays out Blake Lively's allegations against Justin Baldoni during their time working on "It Ends with Us."
Holidazzle is a free event with lights, stage performances, Santa, nearly 200 vendors and more. It runs Wednesday through Sunday.
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.
Anthony Edwards scored 26 points, and the Minnesota Timberwolves held on for a 105-99 Christmas Day victory over Dallas after Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic left the game with a strained left calf.
From deep playoff runs to disappointing seasons and superstar contracts to broken business deals, it's been a noisy, chaotic and occasionally celebratory year for Minnesota sports.
The Boston Red Sox continued to rebuild their pitching staff, acquiring left-hander Jovani Morán from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for catcher and infielder Mickey Gasper.
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.
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 Lisa Meadows says rain will move in late Thursday and stick around into the weekend.
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 Lisa Meadows says tomorrow will be even warmer with highs in the upper 30s.
WCCO meteorologist Lisa Meadows says freezing fog is possible tonight and could create some slick roads in parts of the state.
Meteorologist Adam Del Rosso says some precipitation is in the forecast.
WCCO meteorologist Lisa Meadows says rain will move in late Thursday and stick around into the weekend.
Over the years, presidents and famous musicians have stayed at the St. James Hotel in Red Wing. In this week’s Finding Minnesota, John Lauritsen shows us how the historic hotel is getting ready to celebrate 150 years in business.
A north metro icon is preparing for her return after being removed nearly a decade ago. WCCO's Kirsten Mitchell and Photojournalist Nick Lunemann share how the city of Mounds View is trying to restore the famous mermaid.
Owners had hoped to reopen for New Year's Eve but said construction and inspections are taking a bit longer than anticipated.
St. Paul police say narcotics may have played a role in the death of a toddler on Christmas.