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2015 In Review: Top Minnesota News Headlines

[Jan.-Feb.] | [March-April] | [May-June]
[July-Aug.] | [Sept.-Oct.] | [Nov.-Dec.]

There's no doubt 2015 was dark year in Minnesota. From the tragic death of a family near Lake Minnetonka to missing person cases with unimaginable endings, some of the year's local news was hard to stomach at times.

But for every dark headline that hit the screen at WCCO, there were stories of hope that brought us together -- two girls missing for years were finally found unharmed, a community that came together to help a child in need, and a decades-old cold case that had gripped Minnesotans saw its first break in years.

Through all of the year's events of joy and loss in Minnesota, the nation was watching. A beloved lion was killed on the other side of the globe by a man from Bloomington, attracting international attention. The story of a 24-year-old fatally shot by police left a community searching for answers, and sparked protests and outrage from a nationally-organized group.

From Barway Collins and Cecil the Lion to FBI drones and Danny Heinrich, here are some of the most-viewed local news stories on WCCO.com this year:

Top 2015 Headlines: January & February

Kendrea Johnson Brooklyn Park
(credit: Kendria Johnson Family)

January 15: Police: 6-Year-Old's Hanging Death Suicide Or Accident

"All of the evidence leads back to either suicide or accidental," Deputy Chief Mark Bruley said. "The reality is she was in the room by herself and we'll probably never know the answer to that."

Delta Air Lines Fleet
(credit: Delta Air Lines)

January 29: Delta: Pilot Locked Out Of Cockpit In Flight From MN To Las Vegas

The First Officer, or co-pilot, was able to then take control and land the aircraft safely without incident.

Turbo Tax
(credit: Tim Boyle/Getty Images)

February 5: Minn. Stops Accepting TurboTax Returns Due To Potential Fraud

The state heard from two Minnesota taxpayers who logged into Intuit's TurboTax and found that a return had already been filed in their name.

Faribault Dance
(credit: CBS)

February 15: Faribault Dance Team Wins Championship Amid Controversy

On Saturday night, five of the dance teams — Wayzata, Eastview, Chaska, Lakeville South, and Eden Prairie — ignored instruction to line up for the awards ceremony.

[Next]

[Jan.-Feb.] | [March-April] | [May-June]
[July-Aug.] | [Sept.-Oct.] | [Nov.-Dec.]

There's no doubt 2015 was dark year in Minnesota. From the tragic death of a family near Lake Minnetonka to missing person cases with unimaginable endings, some of the year's local news was hard to stomach at times.

But for every dark headline that hit the screen at WCCO, there were stories of hope that brought us together -- two girls missing for years were finally found unharmed, a community that came together to help a child in need, and a decades-old cold case that had gripped Minnesotans saw its first break in years.

Through all of the year's events of joy and loss in Minnesota, the nation was watching. A beloved lion was killed on the other side of the globe by a man from Bloomington, attracting international attention. The story of a 24-year-old fatally shot by police left a community searching for answers, and sparked protests and outrage from a nationally-organized group.

From Barway Collins and Cecil the Lion to FBI drones and Danny Heinrich, here are some of the most-viewed local news stories on WCCO.com this year:

Top 2015 Headlines: March & April

Crash Generic
(credit: Jupiter Images)

March 5: Charges: Wis. Woman Was Using Facebook Before Crash That Killed 3 Kids

Some 15 months after a Wisconsin mother crashed into an oncoming truck, the district attorney says it's a homicide case.

missing student jen houle poster
(credit: CBS)

March 30: Police: Video Shows Missing U Of M Student Going Into River

Police said they recovered video evidence Sunday night that indicates Jennifer Houle, 22, entered the Mississippi River from the 10th Avenue Bridge Friday morning. Houle had been out at Blarney's Pub in Dinkytown and was last seen leaving the area at about 1 a.m.

Barway Collins
Barway Collins (credit: CBS)

April 11: Sources: Body Found In Mississippi River Believed To Be Barway Collins

It was a group of boy scouts that spotted what they believed was a body by the banks of the river.

pierre collins
(credit: CBS)

April 13: Crystal Police: Pierre Collins Arrested In Son's Death

On March 25th he told WCCO, "I would do no harm to Barway, I'm not that type of person."

[Previous] | [Next]

[Jan.-Feb.] | [March-April] | [May-June]
[July-Aug.] | [Sept.-Oct.] | [Nov.-Dec.]

There's no doubt 2015 was dark year in Minnesota. From the tragic death of a family near Lake Minnetonka to missing person cases with unimaginable endings, some of the year's local news was hard to stomach at times.

But for every dark headline that hit the screen at WCCO, there were stories of hope that brought us together -- two girls missing for years were finally found unharmed, a community that came together to help a child in need, and a decades-old cold case that had gripped Minnesotans saw its first break in years.

Through all of the year's events of joy and loss in Minnesota, the nation was watching. A beloved lion was killed on the other side of the globe by a man from Bloomington, attracting international attention. The story of a 24-year-old fatally shot by police left a community searching for answers, and sparked protests and outrage from a nationally-organized group.

From Barway Collins and Cecil the Lion to FBI drones and Danny Heinrich, here are some of the most-viewed local news stories on WCCO.com this year:

Top 2015 Headlines: May & June

May 18: 4 'Ghost Hunters' Arrested In Litchfield Church Break-In

The Ness Church has been the target of vandals for years. Ghost hunters have posted YouTube videos of what they say are "confirmed sightings" of ghosts at the site.

May 24: 6 Arrested Following Attack On Pedal Pub

Wearing Mad Max costumes, a Facebook post called for a bicycle raid on the pedal pub with squirt guns and water balloons.

June 2: Secret Aerial FBI Program Uncovered By 23-Year-Old Journalist

His story featured screen grabs from FlightRadar24.com showing the circular routes the low-flying planes took over not just Minneapolis, but cities including New York, Chicago, Seattle, Phoenix and Dallas.

June 26: Sheriff: Ramsey Co. Deputy Caught On Camera Abusing K-9

He was seen on camera picking up the dog by the collar and throwing it to the ground.

[Previous] | [Next]

[Jan.-Feb.] | [March-April] | [May-June]
[July-Aug.] | [Sept.-Oct.] | [Nov.-Dec.]

There's no doubt 2015 was dark year in Minnesota. From the tragic death of a family near Lake Minnetonka to missing person cases with unimaginable endings, some of the year's local news was hard to stomach at times.

But for every dark headline that hit the screen at WCCO, there were stories of hope that brought us together -- two girls missing for years were finally found unharmed, a community that came together to help a child in need, and a decades-old cold case that had gripped Minnesotans saw its first break in years.

Through all of the year's events of joy and loss in Minnesota, the nation was watching. A beloved lion was killed on the other side of the globe by a man from Bloomington, attracting international attention. The story of a 24-year-old fatally shot by police left a community searching for answers, and sparked protests and outrage from a nationally-organized group.

From Barway Collins and Cecil the Lion to FBI drones and Danny Heinrich, here are some of the most-viewed local news stories on WCCO.com this year:

Top 2015 Headlines: July & August

July 15: Reality Check: Trip To Pluto Cost Less Than Vikings Stadium

The $1 billion Vikings stadium is an earthly structure that will stand for decades. New Horizons will be gone from the solar system soon.

July 30: US Fish & Wildlife Service Investigating Killing Of Cecil The Lion

The Eden Prairie Police Department said that, while they will be stepping up neighborhood monitoring, they will not be providing personal protection for the dentist who killed a protected lion in Zimbabwe.

August 9: Police Issue Warning After Cyclists Randomly Attacked In Minneapolis

Mackenzie Jensen has a fractured jaw after someone threw a chunk of concrete at his face from a passing vehicle.

August 30: Black Lives Matter Chant Called 'Disgusting' By Police Leader

"I don't think any cop cares if there's an apology – just knock it off," St. Paul Police Federation President Dave Titus said.

[Previous] | [Next]

[Jan.-Feb.] | [March-April] | [May-June]
[July-Aug.] | [Sept.-Oct.] | [Nov.-Dec.]

There's no doubt 2015 was dark year in Minnesota. From the tragic death of a family near Lake Minnetonka to missing person cases with unimaginable endings, some of the year's local news was hard to stomach at times.

But for every dark headline that hit the screen at WCCO, there were stories of hope that brought us together -- two girls missing for years were finally found unharmed, a community that came together to help a child in need, and a decades-old cold case that had gripped Minnesotans saw its first break in years.

Through all of the year's events of joy and loss in Minnesota, the nation was watching. A beloved lion was killed on the other side of the globe by a man from Bloomington, attracting international attention. The story of a 24-year-old fatally shot by police left a community searching for answers, and sparked protests and outrage from a nationally-organized group.

From Barway Collins and Cecil the Lion to FBI drones and Danny Heinrich, here are some of the most-viewed local news stories on WCCO.com this year:

Top 2015 Headlines: September & October

September 11: Sources: Father Killed Family, Himself In Greenwood

Sources say a shotgun was found near the father's body at the family's multi-million dollar home on Lake Minnetonka.

September 28: Marathon Organizers Respond To Black Lives Matter Plans

The St. Paul chapter of the group Black Lives Matter is planning a protest on Sunday, and leaders say they plan to block the finish line to prevent runners from completing their 26.2 miles.

October 25: Timberwolves Coach Flip Saunders Dies At 60

Saunders was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in June and doctors called it "treatable and curable."

October 29: Court Documents: Annandale Man, 52, Named Suspect In Wetterling Case

Almost 26 years to the day Jacob Wetterling disappeared, the FBI has named a person of interest in his disappearance.

[Previous] | [Next]

[Jan.-Feb.] | [March-April] | [May-June]
[July-Aug.] | [Sept.-Oct.] | [Nov.-Dec.]

There's no doubt 2015 was dark year in Minnesota. From the tragic death of a family near Lake Minnetonka to missing person cases with unimaginable endings, some of the year's local news was hard to stomach at times.

But for every dark headline that hit the screen at WCCO, there were stories of hope that brought us together -- two girls missing for years were finally found unharmed, a community that came together to help a child in need, and a decades-old cold case that had gripped Minnesotans saw its first break in years.

Through all of the year's events of joy and loss in Minnesota, the nation was watching. A beloved lion was killed on the other side of the globe by a man from Bloomington, attracting international attention. The story of a 24-year-old fatally shot by police left a community searching for answers, and sparked protests and outrage from a nationally-organized group.

From Barway Collins and Cecil the Lion to FBI drones and Danny Heinrich, here are some of the most-viewed local news stories on WCCO.com this year:

Top 2015 Headlines: November & December

officer involved shooting nov 15
(credit: CBS)

November 15: BCA Called To Investigate Officer-Involved Shooting In North Mpls.

Officers had responded to a help call in the area after paramedics on the scene said an assault suspect wasn't allowing them to treat a victim.

November 16: 51 Black Lives Matter Protesters Arrested After Shutting Down I-94 In Minneapolis

Around 6:45 p.m. Monday, protesters walked onto westbound lanes of I-94 near 7th Street and Broadway Avenue, just north of downtown Minneapolis.

November 18: 2 Lakeville Girls Missing Since 2013 Found At Farm

Gianna and Samantha Rucki hadn't been seen in public since April 2013 after disappearing in a custody dispute. They were 14 and 13 when they disappeared, and are now 16 and 17.

November 18: Police Remove Black Lives Matter Protesters From 4th Precinct; Standoff Ensues

Police also used chemical irritants on some of the crowd. WCCO's Reg Chapman was hit by the spray, but says he did not know where it came from. Chapman says protesters insisted that it came from police in the precinct's parking lot.

Body Found On I-94 Near Downtown Minneapolis
(credit: CBS)

December 8: Authorities: Body Found On Side Of I-94 Was HCMC's Chief Of Anesthesiology

Investigators haven't found anyone who witnessed the death, and believe it may be a suicide.

Facebook Lyrics2
(credit: Facebook)

December 17: Parents Question Choice To Sing 'Allahu Akbar' At Holiday Concert

"No child should be forced to sing a song about the Muslims and the religion of hatred," one person posted on Facebook.

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