4 Things To Know from WCCO

August 18 — Governor Tim Walz announced an executive order to prevent mining of copper, nickel, and other precious metals within the Rainy River Headwaters Watershed. This comes four months after Congress voted to overturn a 20-year federal ban on mining near Minnesota's Boundary Waters. Minnesota's Attorney General is trying legal action to get an ICE agent extradited to Minnesota. Attorney Gener...

August 17 — A former assistant Anoka County attorney is accused of helping run a sex trafficking organization in Hennepin County. Andrea Sampson was arrested Friday after a BCA investigation that began in 2021. A vigil is being held tonight for a mom and daughter killed at a daycare in Hopkins last week. All are invited to join, organizers say it will be a kid-friendly event. A St. Paul restaurant...

August 14 — Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty in federal court today. He's the man charged with shooting and killing United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York in 2024. He faces a potential life sentence. More than a dozen people are charged with interfering with agents during Minnesota's Ice Surge. But now new court documents claim the feds were spying on them. We're following some changes to t...

August 13 — A tragedy inside a local daycare has police searching for answers after a little girl was killed by her own father. A seven-year-old girl and a 41-year-old woman were found dead inside the daycare from apparent stab wounds. A 41-year-old man was also found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police say they are all family members. Police say that man also killed an olde...

August 12 — Today's top story: tragedy in Hopkins. Three people were found dead. Police believe a man took his own life after killing a woman and child inside a residential daycare center. The primary results are in, and Minnesota will face a historic election this November. The North Star state is all but guaranteed to have its first female governor in a race between Sen. Amy Klobuchar and House...

August 11 — The primaries are underway for several major elections in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Polls stay open until 8:00 tonight. We're following the race for governor between Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar, and Republicans: House Speaker Lisa Demuth, Mike Lindell and Kendall Qualls. Plus, the race for U.S. Senate: Democratic LT. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, Rep. Angie Craig and Republicans: Michelle Tafo...

August 10 — Minnesota and Wisconsin voters go to the polls tomorrow. It's time to decide which candidates will be on their November ballots. We're following a couple key races, including the race for governor: Sen. Amy Klobuchar, House Speaker Lisa Demuth, Mike Lindell and Kendall Qualls. Plus, in the race for U.S. Senate: LT. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, Rep. Angie Craig and Michelle Tafoya. Plus: A man...

Friday, August 7 — Some of Mark Hortman's family are trying to use their voices to have impacts on the nomination for the U.S. Attorney General. They believe the acting attorney general, Todd Blanche, failed them by not pursuing capital punishment against Vance Boelter. He's the man who killed Mark Hortman and his wife Melissa, the former Minnesota House Speaker. A teenager suffered major injuries...

Thursday, August 6 — Minneapolis city leaders gave an update on the police department's overtime pay. Mayor Jacob Frey said overtime spent during crisis events was unavoidable this past year. The Minnesota B-C-A is investigating a use of force incident during a standoff last night in Isanti. Nobody was hurt. Plus, a local sheriff says she is being threatened to be arrested for how her office handl...

Wednesday, August 5 — A St. Paul encampment is getting shut down. There are a lot of mixed feelings and were some tense moments today when city crews began working. The cooler weather today is good for firefighters in the northland fighting fires. Governor Tim Walz gave an update on the fires near and inside the Boundary Waters. Today, hundreds of concessions worker will walk off the job at Target...

Tuesday, August 4 — An 18-year-old is fighting for their life after falling 20 stories from an abandoned Minneapolis building. It happened at the decommissioned Checkerboard Grain Elevator off of Hiawatha. Neighbors say they've been trying to sound the alarm on this space for years. There's a little more than a week to the Minnesota primary. We're diving into new concerns over if the leading repub...

Monday, August 3 — Vance Boelter is back in court today. This time, in Hennepin County. Boelter is already sentenced in federal court for killing former House Speaker Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark and their dog, Gilbert. Despite his federal conviction -- state charges press on. We're following a court case today involving Minnesota Republican candidate for Governor and MyPillow CEO, Mike Linde...

Friday, July 31st — President Trump is downplaying reports that Iran could be responsible for the cyberattacks in Minnesota, while U.S. officials are investigating the possible link. A new voice is speaking out on the death of a Minneapolis man killed during Operation Metro Surge. The attorney representing Alex Pretti's parents sat-down with WCCO for the first time since the shooting. There are se...

Thursday, July 30 — The New York Times is reporting that the cyberattack on Minnesota's water systems this week was possibly the work of Iranian hackers. The Times says that's according to U-S and State Officials and others familiar with the matter. Minnesotans accused of assaulting ICE agents are now having their charges dropped. Judges have now dismissed 19 cases. We're also following a couple o...

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/F4D6ib2RxYs Wednesday, July 29 — The world's richest man is attempting to block Minnesota's newest law just days before it's set to take effect. We'll tell you about Elon Musk's lawsuit. An investigation of Saint Paul Mayor Kaohly Her is underway. This is after allegations of sexual harassment toward Saint Paul Police Chief Axel Henry and other city employees. Fi...

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ONjVm9n1v38 Tuesday, July 28 — A handful of Minnesota cities are working with state and federal leaders to get their water systems back online after hackers shut down controls. The Minnesota Vikings are checking into training camp today. Head Coach Kevin O'Connell spoke on the QB battle between Kyler Murray and JJ McCarthy ahead of the team's first practice. A ne...

Monday, July 27 — Beret Leone is in for Maria and Johnny today as they enjoy a well-deserved break. Officials say 53% of the wildfires are contained, and some evacuation orders are lifting with parts of the BWCA Wilderness reopening. The Eastern parts of the BWCA have reopened for day trips, while the western parts remain closed. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz was in Ely this morning to give an updat...

Friday, July 24 — A woman has been found guilty of disorderly conduct for directing racist slurs at an 8-year-old autistic Somali boy during a confrontation at a Rochester playground that was captured on video and sparked national attention. She was sentenced to probation, 200 hours of community service, and will avoid jail if she meets the terms of her sentence. The City of Shakopee has voted to...

Thursday, July 23 — Vance Boelter was sentenced to two consecutive life terms plus 40 years in federal prison for the murders of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and the shootings of Senator John Hoffman, his wife Yvette, and their daughter. Emotional victim impact statements from the Hortman and Hoffman families underscored the lasting impact of the attacks. F...

Wednesday, July 22 — The man accused of killing three employees at St. Paul’s Davern Park Apartments made his first court appearance today and remains jailed on $10 million bail. Prosecutors say the shootings stemmed from a dispute over a $65 monthly parking lease, while neighbors continue gathering to honor the victims. Minneapolis residents demanded answers from city leaders during a community m...

Tuesday, July 21 — A St. Paul man is in custody after three employees were shot and killed inside a Highland Park apartment leasing office, a tragedy that has left neighbors shaken and the community mourning. Police say the suspect was arrested in northern Minnesota less than 24 hours after the shootings. Minneapolis is also grappling with another wave of gun violence after two more shootings Mond...

Monday, July 20 — Minneapolis police are investigating two separate mass shootings that left 14 people shot and one person dead within 24 hours. Community leaders are calling for action as investigators work to determine who was responsible for the violence. Dozens of residents are displaced after a massive fire tore through the Helix Apartments in St. Louis Park, destroying about 90 units. As fam...

Friday, July 17 — Heather Brown is here filling in for Maria and Johnny with the 4 things you need to know today. Wildfires are still raging in the northlands, and the Minnesota National Guard is helping fight them. Hear from some of the servicemembers as they talk about their duty to protect our neighbors up north. Minneapolis' next major redevelopment got the green light by City Council on Thurs...

Thursday, July 16 — Heather Brown is here filling in for Maria and Johnny with the 4 things you need to know today. Wildfire smoke has led to the worst air quality ever recorded in the Twin Cities. The smoke has been hanging heavy over the metro since Wednesday, and is expected to clear out over the next few days. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency advises everyone to avoid outdoor activity as...

Wednesday, July 15 — Wildfire smoke is creating dangerous air quality across Minnesota as nearly 20 fires burn across the Boundary Waters and surrounding forests. Governor Tim Walz has extended a state emergency order as crews battle multiple active fires, and officials warn some remote blazes could continue burning until snowfall. President Trump has endorsed MyPillow founder Mike Lindell in Minn...