Friends remember 102-year-old WWII veteran Les Schrenk at funeral
On Thursday, friends and fellow veterans said goodbye to Les Schrenk.
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On Thursday, friends and fellow veterans said goodbye to Les Schrenk.
A Minnesota family is finally welcoming home U.S Army Captain Willibald C. Bianchi, a war hero they waited more than 80 years to find.
After 80 years, a war hero is finally back home. U.S. Army Captain Willibald “Bill” Bianchi, a Bataan Death March survivor and Medal of Honor recipient, returned to Minnesota on Friday. Ubah Ali was there for this long-awaited homecoming and dignified return.
Minnesota native and World War II veteran Les Schrenk died earlier this week. He was 102 years old.
Minnesota native and World War II veteran Les Schrenk, passed away earlier this week. He was 102. WCCO Reporter John Lauritsen and photojournalist Tom Aviles got to know Les over the years doing several stories with him. They even caught up with him in Normandy, France to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of D-Day. Today, John and Tom do their best to share how much Les meant to his close friends and fellow veterans.
Southern Minnesota's Lois Widmark, 104, played a key role in helping the Allies gain victory in World War II.
Don Halverson's fellow members of the Minnesota National Guard's Red Bull 34th Infantry Division threw him an early celebration in Arden Hills, Minnesota.
Don Halverson's fellow members of the Minnesota National Guard's Red Bull 34th Infantry Division threw him an early celebration in Arden Hills, Minnesota.
Nadia Pishko was born in Ukraine and fled her home country as child during World War II, eventually building a life in Minneapolis. Despite the current war in Ukraine, she asked to return to her home country — and that dream came true last week.
A U.S. Army soldier who earned the prestigious Medal of Honor during World War II has been accounted for more than eight decades after he disappeared.
Out of the 1,500 men on his ship, Del Thielke was the only one selected to be aboard the USS Missouri when the peace treaty was signed.
It was 80 years ago that Japan surrendered, essentially marking the end of World War II. A man from Dawson, Minnesota, was there when the peace treaty was signed aboard the USS Missouri. John Lauritsen shares what Del Thielke remembers about that historic day.
Both men were staff sergeants during World War II, both were gunners on B-17s and both their planes were shot down on Feb. 22, 1944.
For many veterans, experiencing a war together creates a special bond, but eight decades after World War II, two veterans are just starting to form their own. WCCO's John Lauritsen shares the story of a friendship 81 years in the making.
At 108, he was the oldest living Merchant Marine in the world.
World War II Veteran Reynolds Tomter, 100 of Pigeon Falls, Wisconsin, died peacefully on Sunday night. He was one of the oldest World War II veterans in the U.S. John Lauritsen talked with one of Reynolds' close friends about the legacy he leaves behind.
Families in Normandy, France, are getting ready to celebrate the life of "Papa Jake" Larson — a Minnesota native and war hero.
Families in Normandy, France are getting ready to celebrate the life of Papa Jake Larson, a Minnesota native and war hero. He helped plan the D-Day invasion at Omaha Beach and later became a TikTok sensation. He passed away last week at the age of 102. WCCO's John Lauritsen talked with Papa Jake's son about his father's incredible legacy.
World War II veteran and social media star Jake Larson, also known as Papa Jake, has died.
Minnesota World War II veteran Les Schrenk recently got a chance to visit the former POW camp in Poland where he was held captive for 15 months. WCCO spoke with Schrenk about the emotions of returning to the place that nearly took his life.
World War II veteran Les Schrenk recently had the chance to visit the former POW camp in Poland where he was held captive for more than a year. WCCO's John Lauritsen spoke with Schrenk about the emotions of returning to the place that nearly took his life.
It's proof you can make friends at any age: A couple of World War II veterans from Minnesota and Wisconsin struck up a friendship well after they turned 100.
Drafted during World War II, Don Tietz found himself a long way from his hometown farm.
Many of the soldiers on the front lines in World War II are no longer with us. But one of those veterans, born and raised in south Minneapolis, turned 102 on Feb. 24.
Technical Sergeant Don Halverson celebrated 102 years of life with his fellow soldiers on Monday.
The sign is 51 feet tall and 63 feet wide. And when it was built 85 years ago it was one of the largest neon signs in the entire country.
The crew says specialized equipment and training completed last fall enabled them to pull off the nighttime rescue.
Joe Ryan matched his career high with 12 strikeouts over six innings, Ryan Kreidler hit a three-run home run against his former team and the Minnesota Twins beat the Houston Astros 4-1.
New fraud charges were unsealed Wednesday against a Minnesota daycare owner who federal prosecutors allege tried to flee the country just two days after shutting the center down.
Outside the Bell Museum on the University of Minnesota's St. Paul campus, honey bee researcher Isabell Dyrbye-Wright kept busy on World Bee Day.
The sign is 51 feet tall and 63 feet wide. And when it was built 85 years ago it was one of the largest neon signs in the entire country.
New fraud charges were unsealed Wednesday against a Minnesota daycare owner who federal prosecutors allege tried to flee the country just two days after shutting the center down.
Outside the Bell Museum on the University of Minnesota's St. Paul campus, honey bee researcher Isabell Dyrbye-Wright kept busy on World Bee Day.
Waymo already operates in cities like Phoenix, Miami and San Francisco and started testing their cars with drivers behind the wheel in the Twin Cities late last year.
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent facing assault charges for allegedly pointing a gun at two people on a Twin Cities highway is going to turn himself in to authorities, according to his attorney.
The crew says specialized equipment and training completed last fall enabled them to pull off the nighttime rescue.
Outside the Bell Museum on the University of Minnesota's St. Paul campus, honey bee researcher Isabell Dyrbye-Wright kept busy on World Bee Day.
The money will go toward finding and replacing lead pipes that deliver water to homes, also known as service lines.
Wildfire-hit residents of Minnesota's North Shore can now return home to assess damage, according to the Minnesota Incident Command System.
Several students were injured Monday afternoon after a school bus crashed in central Minnesota.
A driver went airborne during a high-speed police chase in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, after fleeing a traffic stop.
Fifty beagles rescued from animal testing in Wisconsin are set to arrive in Minnesota Thursday.
A 100-mile stretch of Mississippi River towns is hosting its annual 100 Mile Garage Sale this weekend, drawing shoppers and sellers from across the region and beyond.
Minnesota animal rescues are stepping up to take in dogs from a Wisconsin research facility accused of animal abuse.
You may have heard of Give to the Max Day, where people donate millions of dollars to hundreds of nonprofits and organizations across Minnesota on a single day. That idea has spread to western Wisconsin, called Give Big Valleys.
Quincy Street isn't just at the center of Art-A-Whirl, it's at the heart of the Arts District in northeast Minneapolis. The road itself, however, is falling apart. And the only thing bumpier than the exposed brick is the reaction to the city's plans to fix it.
Somali and Muslim leaders in Minnesota played a threatening voicemail at a public gathering Friday, saying businesses in their community are being targeted with messages warning of death.
The Black homeownership rate in the Twin Cities dropped to 29% in 2024, and the region had the largest gap between Black and White homeownership rates of any comparable metro in the country.
Bobby Rogers once came to the Minneapolis Institute of Art to sketch and study; now he leads its design and editorial work, shaping what visitors see and experience.
Moses Cooper, who has cerebral palsy, met running partner Mark Hulsey through My Team Triumph Minnesota two years ago and the pair qualified for the Boston Marathon at Grandma's Marathon last summer.
Waymo already operates in cities like Phoenix, Miami and San Francisco and started testing their cars with drivers behind the wheel in the Twin Cities late last year.
The U.S. Department of Justice and other federal officials will announce a "major law enforcement action involving fraud" in the state on Thursday.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz went to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis Wednesday to talk about how the state is going to help the hospital financially.
Gov. Tim Walz went to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis Wednesday to talk about how the state is going to help that hospital financially.
Former Cuban leader Raúl Castro was indicted by a U.S. grand jury in connection with the Cuban military's fatal downing of two planes in 1996 — an escalation in the U.S. pressure campaign against the Cuban government.
Target, which embarked on a turnaround plan under its new CEO earlier this year, reported an increase in first-quarter sales Wednesday.
The federal commodities regulator filed suit against Minnesota to stop a new state law, signed by Gov. Tim Walz, that would criminalize operating or participating in prediction markets starting Aug. 1.
Part of the end-of-session deal in the Minnesota Legislature rolls back skyrocketing tab renewal fees. Those fees have electric vehicle owners especially revved up.
In Minnesota, you'll be able to try one at St. Paul's CHS Field.
With more Americans opting to drive rather than fly amid higher costs, South Dakota tourism officials say the state is well-positioned as a regional road trip destination.
New fraud charges were unsealed Wednesday against a Minnesota daycare owner who federal prosecutors allege tried to flee the country just two days after shutting the center down.
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent facing assault charges for allegedly pointing a gun at two people on a Twin Cities highway is going to turn himself in to authorities, according to his attorney.
Police think popular spots like Elsie's and The Northeast Yacht Club have been hit by the trio of burglars.
So far this year, the Minneapolis Police Department has seen about 2,300 motor vehicle thefts.
A man accused of impersonating a high school student in the Twin Cities has been arrested after failing to show up to a court appearance late last month.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz went to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis Wednesday to talk about how the state is going to help the hospital financially.
Minnesota has legalized marijuana. Could magic mushrooms be next?
At least 80 deaths have been reported in a new Ebola disease outbreak in Congo and Uganda, authorities said.
It comes after insurers stopped paying for their kids' daily care, which they argue was covered as part of a 15-year-old state law. As the end of the Minnesota session nears, lawmakers have four days to make a change.
A Twin Cities teenager is facing an unimaginable battle: terminal cancer. She's fortunate enough to have family by her side through her fearless fight as they all hope for a miracle.
Dave Ryan has been a pillar of Minnesota radio for over three decades who last week made the surprise announcement that he would retire from his morning show at KDWB.
If you're a Smashing Pumpkins fan in Minnesota, today may be the greatest day you've ever known. Billy Corgan and his band are bringing their next tour to Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul.
The Library of Congress revealed this year's list of 25 recordings to be preserved for future generations on the National Recording Registry.
Dave Ryan announced Wednesday that May 22 will be his last day at KDWB, ending a 33-year run at the Twin Cities station.
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis are calling their Aug. 29 show "Homecoming: A Celebration of the Minneapolis Sound."
Joe Ryan matched his career high with 12 strikeouts over six innings, Ryan Kreidler hit a three-run home run against his former team and the Minnesota Twins beat the Houston Astros 4-1.
While Tim Connelly doesn't see this season as a total failure, he knows the team needs to evolve, whether by internal or external means, to compete for a championship.
The joint filing from attorneys on both sides also said Flores' team has made more than 1,000 document requests, which, along with the subpoenas, seek "wide-ranging information related to distinct hiring and employment practices."
Isaac Paredes hit a two-run homer in the first inning, Jason Alexander scattered four hits over six scoreless innings and the Houston Astros beat the Minnesota Twins 2-1.
The Minnesota United have one more game left before the hiatus starts.
Amy Klobuchar is putting her gubernatorial campaign into high gear. She faces no significant opposition in the race for the DFL endorsement and her existing record of statewide wins is formidable.
The legislation establishes a list of requirements aimed at improving transparency and reducing conflicts within HOAs. Minnesota estimates that 25% of its residents live in an HOA, and 82% of new homes are built within one.
The Minnesota Senate passed a bill with mandatory requirements for homeowners associations aimed at improving transparency and preventing disputes, after two years of legislative work driven by public complaints.
The Minnesota Senate passed a bill with mandatory requirements for homeowners associations aimed at improving transparency and preventing disputes, after two years of legislative work driven by public complaints. In Talking Points, Esme Murphy spoke with Dana Ohman, an attorney who handles HOA disputes, about some of the most common questions homeowners have.
Sen. Tina Smith is using her last months in office to vocally campaign for progressive and environmental causes. She hopes that a progressive will succeed her when Minnesotans go to the polls next November.
The sign is 51 feet tall and 63 feet wide. And when it was built 85 years ago it was one of the largest neon signs in the entire country.
There's a place in Wabasha County, Minnesota, where people go wild for wildflowers.
For nearly 50 years, Farmamerica has been sowing agricultural knowledge near Waseca, Minnesota.
The carillon has 56 bells, and the Mayo Clinic said that makes it one of the largest instruments in the world and the largest instrument in Minnesota.
When you think of masterful, memorable works of art, grain elevators don't typically come to mind. But in towns across the country, including in Minnesota, they're becoming an unlikely canvas for creativity.
If Minnesota lawmakers won't vote on a bill, why can't the people? That's what Carol from Stillwater wants to know after the gun reform bill never made it to the House floor. In Good Question, Jeff Wagner explains how statewide ballot measures are created.
Dozens of recreational marijuana dispensaries can now be found across Minnesota. Many of them opened last year, but it's still relatively new. And if you've visited dispensaries in other states, the rules can be different.
President Trump's idea to save drivers a few dollars at the pump could cost them in the long run.
More people than the entire population of Minneapolis, or half a million, were estimated to go fishing in Minnesota this past weekend. WCCO looks at how the tradition stacks up with other outdoor events that keep the state's economy running.
A deadly virus that's killed cruise ship passengers can be traced to small critters found hiding in homes.
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
Minnesotans got a great view of the northern lights Tuesday night.
A look at the newest addition to the polar bear population at St. Paul, Minnesota's Como Zoo.
From food shelves to school programs, our team is proud to serve where it matters most.
The Minnesota State Fair has unveiled its new food, drinks and vendors for 2025.
WCCO meteorologist Chris Shaffer says it won't be as cold overnight, but it will still be cool.
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 says it will be a bit warmer tomorrow with highs in the mid-60s.
It will be a few degrees milder Thursday in the metro ahead of increasing clouds and shower chances Friday, says NEXT Weather meteorologist Chris Shaffer.
Wednesday brings the best weather of the workweek, but a rainy Saturday is expected before warmer, sunnier conditions return for the rest of the holiday weekend, WCCO meteorologist Mike Augustyniak reports.
WCCO meteorologist Chris Shaffer says it won't be as cold overnight, but it will still be cool.
It's featured in pictures, puzzles, books, and even movies. The Grain Belt sign has been a part of the Minneapolis skyline for more than 80 years. In this week’s Finding Minnesota, John Lauritsen shares why it remains a cool and refreshing part of city history.
Federal prosecutors filed the first charges related to daycares after raiding more than a dozen facilities in the Twin Cities last month. Ubah Ali is here to explain how the woman charged is connected to not just one, but two fraud schemes.
Investigators say in February, Gregory Morgan Jr. drove illegally on the shoulder of Highway 62, rolled down his window, and pointed a gun at people in another car who had tried to cut him off.
A story of survival in the Boundary Waters marks a new milestone for a Minnesota rescue team. Two people were airlifted to safety last week after their canoe capsized and sunk in the remote wilderness near Canada. Ashley Grams is here to explain why this mission was so meaningful.