4 Things To Know from WCCO

Thursday, March 26 — St. Paul is preparing for what could be its largest protest in years, with organizers expecting more than 100,000 people at a “No Kings” rally this weekend. City leaders are planning major road closures and a coordinated safety response as crowds gather and march to the Capitol. Today at the State Capitol, lawmakers take aim at social media companies, talking through a bill th...

Wednesday, March 25 — For the first time, we hear from the husband of a Minnesota Army Reservist killed in an Iranian drone strike overseas. He shares the moment he learned of the tragedy, and how he’s remembering his wife. At the Minnesota Capitol, senators discuss a rule change that would allow babies on the Senate floor, including breastfeeding, following a recent controversy that sparked natio...

Tuesday, March 24 — Minnesota is suing the Trump administration, accusing federal agencies of withholding key evidence in three Minneapolis shootings. State leaders say the lack of transparency has blocked their ability to investigate and pursue justice. At the state capitol, a long-stalled effort to crack down on fraud is gaining new momentum. Lawmakers are moving forward with a plan to create an...

Monday, March 23 — A government funding stand-off is creating major disruptions at airports nationwide, with TSA agents working without pay and long security lines stretching for hours. Now, a new move to deploy ICE agents at some airports is raising fresh concerns among travelers. The Minnesota hockey community is mourning the loss of a beloved writer and mother, Jessi Pierce, and her three child...

Friday, March 20 — A man accused of killing a mother and her 5-year-old son appeared in an Anoka County courtroom, where a judge set bail at $5 million and called his record one of the most dangerous she’s seen in decades. Prosecutors say the case involves a history of domestic violence, and family members believe the tragedy could have been prevented. The son of a former Minnesota lawmaker is now...

Thursday, March 19 — A 5-year-old boy whose arrest sparked national outrage is now facing deportation. A judge has denied asylum for Liam Ramos and his father, months after that viral image of him in a bunny hat and Spider-Man backpack drew global attention. The family is appealing, as their attorney argues the emotional toll has been severe. A Minnesota family prepares to say goodbye to one of th...

Wednesday, March 18 — A quiet North Metro community is reeling after a woman and young boy were shot and killed inside a Lexington home early this morning. Police say a massive, multi-agency manhunt led to the suspect’s arrest, as neighbors struggle to process the violence in their tight-knit town. For the second straight day, school threats are disrupting districts across the metro. South St. Pau...

Tuesday, March 17 — Schools across the south metro are closed after multiple threatening voicemails overnight forced leaders in Rosemount, Apple Valley, and Eagan’s District 196 to cancel classes out of an abundance of caution. Police are now working to trace the source of the threats, calling the investigation ongoing as more than 30 school buildings remain shut down for the day. A new state audi...

Monday, March 16 — Southern Minnesota is digging out after a powerful late-season snowstorm that shut down part of Interstate 35 for more than 20 hours near Albert Lea. State Patrol officials say troopers responded to 464 crashes statewide over the weekend, including 40 that caused injuries. More than 650 vehicles spun off the road and nearly 20 semis jackknifed as blowing and drifting snow made t...

Friday, March 13 — Powerful winds knocked out power for more than 20,000 Xcel Energy customers across the Twin Cities overnight, and another round of winter weather is already on the way. Meteorologists say a new snowstorm is expected this weekend, and state leaders are preparing for possible impacts across Minnesota. At the State Capitol, lawmakers heard emotional testimony during a hearing on se...

Thursday, March 12 — A federal judge heard arguments today in Minnesota’s lawsuit against the federal government over $243 million in withheld Medicaid payments. State leaders say they’ve already taken corrective action after acknowledging fraud in the program but claim federal officials haven’t made clear what additional steps are needed to restore the funding. The judge says a decision will come...

Wednesday, March 11 — Minnesota officials have reached a legal settlement with Lyft after the rideshare company repeatedly denied rides to a blind college student traveling with her service dog. The state says the cancellations violated the Minnesota Human Rights Act. The agreement includes a monetary settlement and new in-app warnings for drivers about service animal protections. At the State Cap...

Tuesday, March 10 — Governor Tim Walz is proposing a major overhaul of Minnesota’s Department of Human Services as the state faces a federal deadline to address fraud in public programs. The plan would shift eligibility decisions from counties to the state and eliminate managed care organizations as leaders try to strengthen oversight and protect Medicaid funding. At the State Capitol, lawmakers a...

Monday, March 9 — Minnesota's long running fraud problem is back in the spotlight at the State Capitol. The governor's new Director of Program Integrity testified before lawmakers about a report tracing the issue back decades and outlining a plan to stop fraud before it happens. Lawmakers are also considering new proposals to regulate artificial intelligence. Senator Erin Maye Quade introduced sev...

Friday, March 6 - WCCO's Beret Leone fills in for Maria Lisignoli and Johnny Kahner today as they enjoy a much needed break. Minnesota may have had a role to play in the major shakeup at the Department of Homeland Security. Kristi Noem is out, and Senator Amy Klobuchar says questions raised during a recent Senate hearing helped bring big problems to light. The U.S.-Israeli war with Iran enters its...

Thursday, March 5 - WCCO's Beret Leone fills in for Maria Lisignoli and Johnny Kahner today as they enjoy a much needed break. One man is dead and four others, including a child, are hurt, after a crash that involved a sheriff's deputy. New details from the Ramsey County Sheriffs department says a deputy was responding to assist State Patrol in a stolen car chase. The deputy's squad crashed into a...

Wednesday, March 4 — A Minnesota family is mourning the loss of Sergeant First Class Nicole Amor of White Bear Lake, killed in a drone attack in Kuwait just days before she was set to return home. We look back at her two decades of service in the Army Reserve and what we’re learning about the six soldiers killed. In St. Paul, one person is dead and another seriously hurt after a crash involving a...

Tuesday, March 3 — A federal judge in St. Paul says he’s not ruling out jail time for Minnesota’s U.S. Attorney over missing detainee property tied to Operation Metro Surge. We break down the tense courtroom exchange and what we’re learning about the 28 disputed cases. At the Capitol, Senator Amy Klobuchar presses DHS Secretary Kristi Noem during a heated hearing on immigration enforcement, includ...

Monday, March 2 — The war launched by the U.S. and Israel on Iran enters its third day as Donald Trump says he’s not ruling out sending American troops. We break down the latest headlines from the region, including rising casualties, Iran’s retaliation, and new details from the Pentagon. Plus, what it means for Minnesota and Wisconsin National Guard troops currently deployed in the Middle East. Ba...

Friday, Feb. 27 — Minnesota’s latest economic forecast shows a brighter short-term picture, with a $3.7 billion projected surplus for the next budget cycle. But state leaders warn that federal policy shifts and economic uncertainty could cloud the road ahead. We’re also at the “Make Hunger History” summit in Brooklyn Center, where food banks and advocates say one in five Minnesota households is st...

Thursday, February 26 — Vice President J.D. Vance is in Wisconsin as the Trump administration withholds more than $259 million in Medicaid funding from Minnesota, citing fraud concerns. Tim Walz fires back, calling the move political retaliation as he unveils a sweeping anti-fraud legislative package at the Capitol. We also break down a federal lawsuit tied to a disruptive church protest in St. Pa...

Wednesday, February 25th — Federal prosecutors have announced charges against members and associates of what they call a violent Minneapolis street gang, following a joint investigation across the Twin Cities. The FBI says agents executed search and arrest warrants tied to a large-scale drug trafficking organization, but there is no known threat to public safety. We hear from U.S. Attorney Daniel...

Tuesday, February 24th — Two deadly shootings that are now believed to be connected are rocking the metro. Brooklyn Center police shot and killed an armed man suspected of killing two people earlier in the day at an IHOP. We have the latest from investigators, hear from Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara, and from Katie Bryant, the mother of Daunte Wright, as the community once again grapples w...

Monday, February 23rd — Minnesota’s fraud crisis takes center stage as Director of Program Integrity Tim O’Malley unveils a sweeping 56-page “roadmap” aimed at fixing what he calls decades of ignored warnings and systemic failures. The plan calls for tougher oversight, unannounced site visits, retired investigators to recover stolen funds, and an independent monitor to ensure reforms actually stic...

Friday, February 20th — The man accused of killing former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, appears in federal court, as prosecutors weigh whether to pursue the death penalty. We break down what happened inside the courtroom and what comes next. Meanwhile, protesters prepare to march in Minneapolis marking nearly one month since federal agents shot and killed Alex Pret...