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Twin Cities WWII pilot celebrates his 100th birthday
Feb. 10 marked a huge and happy milestone for one veteran in Excelsior.
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Feb. 10 marked a huge and happy milestone for one veteran in Excelsior.
A special birthday was held in Excelsior for World War II veteran and Twin Cities native Ralph Peebles.
It is believed the area where the playground was initially built was used as a Home Guard training ground and the bombs were buried at the end of the war.
Survivors of the Nazi's notorious Auschwitz death camp are taking center stage at the memorial service to mark 80 years since its liberation by Soviet troops.
Reynolds Tomter recalled spending the 80th anniversary of D-Day in France.
On this Veterans Day, we're sharing the story of the oldest World War II veteran to spend the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France. Reynolds Tomter lives in western Wisconsin and as John Lauritsen found, the 107-year-old couldn't wait to get back to France.
A few months ago, Les Schrenk, a 100-year-old World War II veteran, made his first trip to Normandy, France in June. Earlier this month, he shared his thoughts on what he's calling a "once in a lifetime" experience.
A 101-year-old soldier helped win World War II, but more recently he's taken his talents to the internet.
The ceremony caps off several days of remembrance and reflection at Normandy. Minnesotans have been a big part of it — that includes 100-year-old Jim Rasmussen of East Bethel.
People from around the world gathered today in Normandy for the 80th Anniversary of D-Day. That invasion put America on the path to victory in the second World War and changed the course of history. WCCO's John Lauritsen and photojournalist Tom Aviles joined Minnesota veterans, and active service members, for the ceremony to mark this milestone.
After training at Fort Des Moines, Florence Cecere became a nurse's aide at Northington General Hospital in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, taking care of the men severely injured on the front lines.
One-hundred-year-old Les Schrenk doesn't have time for his usual morning water aerobics or afternoon bike rides this week. That's because the World War II veteran is more than 4,000 miles from his Bloomington home, making his first-ever visit to Normandy.
All week, WCCO's John Lauritsen and photojournalist Tom Aviles are in Normandy, France for the 80th anniversary of D-Day. They’ve been talking with World War II veterans from Minnesota who made the trip overseas. Among them is 100-year-old Les Schrenk from Bloomington. We caught up with him at Omaha Beach where the former POW honored the sacrifice of so many American soldiers who never made it home.
Virgil survived the Allied invasion, but just eight days after arriving in France, he was killed by Germans while trying to rescue a fellow soldier from a burning truck.
Virgil Tangborn is a soldier from northern Minnesota who never made it home. But as John Lauritsen and photojournalist Tom Aviles share, he left a lasting impression on the people he helped liberate.
This week marks 80 years since the D-Day invasion. It's a day many Minnesota World War II veterans will never forget. To share their stories, WCCO's John Lauritsen and photojournalist Tom Aviles traveled to France to meet up with some local veterans making the trip to Normandy 80 years later.
All week on WCCO, we'll be sharing stories from that day as reporter John Lauritsen and photojournalist Tom Aviles make their way through France, experiencing history along the way.
American paratroopers played a key role in the D-Day assault 80 years ago. Now, some U.S. congressmen are preparing to honor their sacrifice in a high-flying way.
This week marks the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion, a turning point in World War II that helped bring victory to the allies in Europe. All week, reporter John Lauritsen and photojournalist Tom Aviles will share stories from that day as they make their way through France, experiencing history along the way.
All this week, John Lauritsen and photojournalist Tom Aviles will be in France, bringing us stories of Minnesota veterans who took part in World War II. Some of those veterans will be taking part in the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion on June 6. John Lauritsen gives us a preview of the type of stories we can expect.
Three C-47 transport planes, a workhorse of World War II, dropped three long strings of jumpers, their round chutes mushrooming open in the blue skies with puffy white clouds.
A group of World War II veterans flew out of Wisconsin this week on their way Normandy, France for the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
Ahead of Memorial Day weekend, a ceremony was held honoring Robert Hanley at his hospice facility, sharing cake and stories with friends and family.
June 6 will be the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion. Some Americans who took part in the liberation of Europe will be going back to Normandy for the last time.
A piece of aviation and medical history hidden for nearly 80 years has been unearthed in Rochester.
Two lottery players won big in Minnesota this weekend, and both lucky tickets were purchased in southern Minnesota cities along the Mississippi River.
A bill introduced in the state Senate last week would make Prince's "Purple Rain" and Bob Dylan's "Girl from the North Country" Minnesota's official state songs.
A federal judge in Maryland blocked the Trump administration from carrying out immigration enforcement actions at places of worship for three religious groups.
This year, Minnesota Sea Grant has added a feature to its Minnesota Lakes Ice-Out Clock allowing users to look up a forecast for specific lakes.
Stunning new video shows a Canada lynx prowling around off northern Minnesota's Gunflint Trail.
This year, Minnesota Sea Grant has added a feature to its Minnesota Lakes Ice-Out Clock allowing users to look up a forecast for specific lakes.
This will be the final season for the Ice Palace Minnesota in Delano, organizers announced Sunday.
From managing medication, movement, mental health and meals, patients attend a 12- to 18-week educational program. Unlike other heart rehabs, it includes a commercial kitchen and dietitian to help implement heart-healthy diet changes.
The suspect was arrested about 3.5 hours after neighbors say officers first showed up in the area.
Parishes in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis reserved time during Mass services to pray for Pope Francis.
Two lottery players won big in Minnesota this weekend, and both lucky tickets were purchased in southern Minnesota cities along the Mississippi River.
This year, Minnesota Sea Grant has added a feature to its Minnesota Lakes Ice-Out Clock allowing users to look up a forecast for specific lakes.
Stunning new video shows a Canada lynx prowling around off northern Minnesota's Gunflint Trail.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is urging you to start making plans to remove it before the deadline.
The Minnesota State Patrol is investigating a wrong-way crash that killed a woman from Texas late Saturday evening.
The college, which was founded in 1892 in Ashland, was struggling financially amidst declining enrollment and soaring costs.
Wisconsin's second-oldest prison that was built in the 1800s would finally be shuttered under a new plan from Gov. Tony Evers.
An extreme cold warning will be in effect from 9 p.m. Monday to 10 a.m. Tuesday. Temperatures will plummet to the double digits below zero and wind chills will be even worse.
With extreme cold continuing on Tuesday, hundreds of schools in Minnesota and Wisconsin have announced closures and delays.
As the largest race of its type, the Birkie brings 12,000 ski competitors and 25,000 spectators from all 50 states and two dozen countries.
A decades-long Minneapolis firefighter is now fighting another battle of his own. Six months ago, Mark Lakosky was diagnosed with multiple myeloma.
A central Minnesota deputy was unhurt when a man fired a shotgun at him during a standoff on Saturday, authorities said.
It's not harvest season in Minnesota, but a local organization is working to support and build up Black and Brown farmers across the state year-round.
There can be reasons to put off going to treatment, but two friends are removing one big barrier.
From keynote speakers and dedicated discussions to live performances and museum exhibits, the Twin Cities is providing many ways for everyone to celebrate Black History.
A bill introduced in the state Senate last week would make Prince's "Purple Rain" and Bob Dylan's "Girl from the North Country" Minnesota's official state songs.
A federal judge in Maryland blocked the Trump administration from carrying out immigration enforcement actions at places of worship for three religious groups.
Minnesota lawmakers have put forth a bill enshrining "Purple Rain" and "Girl from the North Country" as official state songs.
All USAID direct hires deemed non-essential will be placed on administrative leave at 11:59 p.m. ET Sunday.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday he would be ready to give up the presidency if it brought peace and NATO membership.
Two lottery players won big in Minnesota this weekend, and both lucky tickets were purchased in southern Minnesota cities along the Mississippi River.
Less than two days after Delta Air Lines offered $30,000 to each passenger on board the flight that crashed and flipped in Toronto on Monday afternoon, the company is facing its first two lawsuits in the incident — and they likely won't be the last.
Many miles away from Washington, the fate of the country's Consumer Financial Protection Bureau took center stage in a Minnesota Senate committee on Thursday.
Managing money can be a tricky task, whether you're just trying to set a budget or set yourself up for retirement.
A beloved local bookstore is facing an unimaginable loss after a water main break flooded their store.
The suspect was arrested about 3.5 hours after neighbors say officers first showed up in the area.
Kyaw Klay pleaded guilty to one count of damaging or theft of energy transmission/telecommunications equipment.
A 28-year-old Rochester man entered a guilty plea on Thursday for his role in a deadly road rage incident outside a Chick-fil-A last February.
A 23-year-old Minneapolis man pleaded guilty on Friday to second-degree murder in connection to a deadly Edina shooting in December 2023.
A 42-year-old Minneapolis man is accused of assaulting two men, one of whom died three days after the incident, according to charges filed in Hennepin County.
From managing medication, movement, mental health and meals, patients attend a 12- to 18-week educational program. Unlike other heart rehabs, it includes a commercial kitchen and dietitian to help implement heart-healthy diet changes.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, 25 million people in the U.S. have aerophobia, which often affects younger people from their late teens to mid-30s.
Minnesota health officials are warning health care facilities after a Twin Cities child with the flu developed a case of rare brain inflammation.
Around 100 were fired from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
There's a chance you've caught some sort of bug this season. So why do we sleep so much when we get sick? There's a possible link between rest and recovery.
A bill introduced in the state Senate last week would make Prince's "Purple Rain" and Bob Dylan's "Girl from the North Country" Minnesota's official state songs.
Longtime anchor Lester Holt is expected to continue at NBC News with a full-time role at "Dateline."
The actor who played Charlie's mother in "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" and starred in "Pee-wee's Playhouse" died at age 78 on Friday, a spokesperson for the actress confirmed to CBS News.
The lineup, announced Thursday, includes headliners John Summit, Tiesto and Alison Wonderland.
The Twin Cities-based group Sounds of Blackness is celebrating 54 years of performing this month.
Meet the Richfield basketball player who is thriving and honoring loved ones over a decade after a tragic car accident. Plus, a look at the Minnesota Gymnastics State Meet 2025.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 37 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and three steals to help the West-leading Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 130-123 on Sunday night to open a home-and-home set.
Bethany Mussell downhill skis with Special Olympics, and she's worked hard enough on the Minnesota hills to now have a chance to go for gold in the Italian Alps
Jesse Compher one-timed a shot from between the face-off circles to beat Minnesota's Maddie Rooney with the game-winning goal as the Toronto Sceptres beat the Frost 2-1 to take over sole possession of second place in the Professional Women's Hockey League.
Jeremy Ebobisse scored in the 78th minute of his first match with his new club, and Los Angeles FC remained perfect in eight Major League Soccer season openers with a 1-0 victory over Minnesota United FC.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture says it's trying to get clarity on the cuts.
Minnesota farmers say they are in a valley of uncertainty amid the layoffs and cost-cutting measures of the first few weeks of President Trump's second term.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture says it's trying to get clarity on the cuts to federal programs.
The Republicans have a trifecta with the presidency, the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House under their control. All Democrats can do is voice their opposition. One of those voices is Rep. Ilhan Omar.
As the Trump Administration continues cuts to the federal government, Republicans in Washington are limiting the ability to pushback.
How about spending Valentine's Day, in a dome? You can do it in Pine City. The Sweetbriar Ridge offers couples a unique glamping getaway.
If you've been to southeastern Minnesota, you've likely come across Sugar Loaf Bluff.
In the basement of the Minnesota History Center, you'll find corridors of giant blue cabinets that are guarded by lock and key.
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.
There's a chance you've caught some sort of bug this season. So why do we sleep so much when we get sick? There's a possible link between rest and recovery.
Winter is more than halfway over, and we've definitely had our share of cold weather, but so far this season, the Twin Cities have only seen 16 inches of snow.
Managing money can be a tricky task, whether you're just trying to set a budget or set yourself up for retirement.
Starting May 7, Minnesotans age 18 and older will no longer be able to use their standard driver's license to fly domestically or enter certain federal facilities.
The Agriculture Department predicts egg prices could rise another 20% this year. That might have some families rolling up their sleeves to go straight to the source.
Six Minnesota Vikings made the initial roster for the 2025 Pro Bowl Games, the most in 15 years.
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.
Meteorologist Lisa Meadows says there could be a mix of snow and rain on Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning.
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.
This year, Minnesota Sea Grant has added a feature to its Minnesota Lakes Ice-Out Clock allowing users to look up a forecast for specific lakes.
Highs will be well above average this week, with a couple of chances for rain ahead, too.
Expect highs in the 50s, wind gusts up to 30 mph, a cloudy afternoon and a drop of rain here or there, mainly in southwestern Minnesota.
Meteorologist Lisa Meadows says there could be a mix of snow and rain on Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning.
Two young German Shepherds found huddling under a porch in Cokato, Minnesota were rescued by a nonprofit during the frigid temperatures earlier this month.
The bill authored by state Sen. Erin Maye Quade would be required to turn off consumer access to use or request nudification technology.
The warm temperatures and shining sun across Minnesota on Monday are getting residents outside to soak up the warmth.
Minnesota lawmakers have put forth a bill enshrining "Purple Rain" and "Girl from the North Country" as official state songs.