Pat Kessler discusses polling and Scott Jensen’s campaign
WCCO political contributor Pat Kessler talks about “wishcasting” polling, and how controversial statements from Dr. Scott Jensen and Matt Birk may have impacted their gubernatorial campaign.
WCCO political contributor Pat Kessler talks about “wishcasting” polling, and how controversial statements from Dr. Scott Jensen and Matt Birk may have impacted their gubernatorial campaign.
Polls have closed in Minnesota, and political contributor Pat Kessler has the latest on what to expect.
More than 160,000 Minnesotans have cast their ballots early for the midterms elections. With every day closer to Election Day, several races are getting tighter. Pat Kessler has the latest.
As we approach a year of life in quarantine, special correspondent and former WCCO senior political reporter Pat Kessler reflects on his last handshake before the pandemic.
Thursday is National Toast Day, and special correspondent and former WCCO senior political reporter Pat Kessler has a personal essay to share on the topic of toast.
On Wednesday afternoon, a raucous protest turned into a violent and destructive riot at the U.S. Capitol.
What don't you know about Pat Kessler? We dig in for this special Reality Check.
WCCO is celebrating our friend and colleague Pat Kessler as he begins his retirement.
Pat Kessler is known for his tough questions. He's covered Minnesota politics for decades, but now he's retiring. So, we wanted to do a Reality Check on his career with WCCO.
"They want to find out how many votes they need and then they seem to be able to find them. They wait and wait and then they find them," President Donald Trump said.
The decision is likely to create voter confusion, with people who haven't returned their absentee ballots scrambling to make sure their votes count.
Ahead of the polls, Biden campaigned in Georgia, a southern state Democrats never thought they could win. Trump is holding three events in three states he won back in 2016: Michigan, Nebraska, and Wisconsin.
Thirteen days until Election Day, and the number of early voters is exploding across the country.
Kessler dedicated 36 years to covering Minnesota politics and local government here. Kessler has reported on the administrations of eight Minnesota governors, dozens of legislative sessions and political conventions.
Because of President Trump's restrictions on new refugees, Minnesota refugee resettlement numbers are down 90% -- the fewest refugees in at least 15 years.
There's a very good chance America won't know who wins the presidential election -- on election night. Not because of fraud, because of COVID.
Both President Trump and Democratic Presidential candidate Joe Biden are visiting "swing state" Minnesota on Friday. Now, a couple of Biden TV ads say President Trump is planning to end Social Security, but that's a stretch.
The Minnesota Trump campaign says the president is "building back the economy" for women, and the millions of jobs added back as the economy recovers is "shattering expectations."
The country's biggest cities saw violent unrest this summer, including Minneapolis. Since June 23, the president has repeatedly linked violence to cities run by Democrats.
Congresswoman Ilhan Omar is facing a challenge from fellow Democrat Antone Melton-Meaux in one of the most closely-watched congressional primaries in the country -- and a new TV ad making serious claims against her.
The state of South Dakota has launched a major marketing campaign-- in Minnesota. It's unusual not just because it's targeting Minnesota businesses, but because it's asking them to re-locate due to Minnesota's pandemic shut down.
President Trump is airing television campaign ads in Minnesota and Wisconsin linking Joe Biden to a controversial "defund the police" movement.
That's an average of $6,362 per lawmaker, or $449 extra per week on the paycheck -- for a session in which some of the biggest items were left undone.
President Donald Trump claims he sent National Guard troops to Minneapolis to restore order after the death of George Floyd. That never happened.
Minneapolis has one of the lowest numbers in the country for police residents. In fact, the four ex-Minneapolis police officers charged in Floyd killing don't live in the city.
The MLB season is just a couple of weeks away, and the Minnesota Twins have revealed the festivities planned for their home opener.
Anthony Edwards threw down a thunderous dunk over John Collins of the Utah Jazz on Monday night, helping the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 114-104 victory but leaving both players banged up after a play that immediately went viral on social media.
The St. Louis Park Public School Board on Monday announced Carla Hines as the next superintendent after an extensive search.
Nearly 2 million farmworkers help put food on American tables today, but modern machines powered by AI could eventually replace many of them.
A description of missing toddler Elijah Vue said he might have been carrying the blanket, which was found miles from where he was last seen.
The St. Louis Park Public School Board on Monday announced Carla Hines as the next superintendent after an extensive search.
The crash occurred on Interstate 94 westbound just before Interstate 494 in Maple Grove.
A man was gravely injured in a shooting near a light rail station in south Minneapolis Monday night, police said.
St. Paul city leaders are fed up with thieves stealing copper from streetlights.
A section of Lake Street near the old K-mart has become a symbol of what experts say is an overwhelmed immigration system.
A Red Lake woman has been charged in connection to the Friday abduction of a 3-year-old boy, according to Todd County Attorney's Office.
Police in Moorhead are investigating the death of a child that they called "suspicious."
A crash on Highway 22 in southern Minnesota Sunday evening killed both drivers involved, authorities said.
The FBI returned a pair of ruby slippers from the 1939 film classic "The Wizard of Oz" to a man nearly 20 years after the iconic shoes were stolen from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids.
An investigation is underway after a fatal crash between two semis in western Minnesota over the weekend.
Since 2020, Republicans in at least 27 states have outlawed or restricted private elections grants.
Alcohol was likely involved in the crash, according to the sheriff's office, which is investigating along with the Wisconsin State Patrol.
A ruling by the Wisconsin Supreme Court is raising the bar for religions to show that their charity arms deserve tax exemptions.
Republicans who control the state Senate have fired eight more of Democratic Gov. Tony Evers' appointees, including two Universities of Wisconsin regents who voted against a deal that limited campus diversity efforts.
Authorities have released the names of seven Virginia residents who were killed when the van they were in collided with a semi-trailer in western Wisconsin, leaving a 2-year-old as the only survivor.
A section of Lake Street near the old K-mart has become a symbol of what experts say is an overwhelmed immigration system.
Almost a decade after his murder, a permanent memorial will be dedicated to Barway Collins.
Officials are investigating a fire up on the Red Lake Reservation, two people were found dead.
Saturday was the annual St. Patrick's day parade.
Minneapolis Police are investigating after a man was shot.
The U.S. Supreme Court has again issued a temporary pause on a Texas immigration law.
A new bill that would increase Minnesota's minimum wage is making its way through the state legislature.
A new bill that would increase Minnesota's minimum wage is making its way through the state legislature.
The clock is ticking and Minnesota lawmakers are scrambling to keep Uber and Lyft operating in Minneapolis.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz waded on Monday into the controversy surrounding criminal charges filed against a Minnesota state trooper who fatally shot a motorist last summer on a Minneapolis freeway.
A new bill that would increase Minnesota's minimum wage is making its way through the state legislature.
Rep. Elliott Engen of White Bear Lake is introducing a bill that would essentially override Minneapolis' ordinance and prevent any city or municipality from setting their own rules for rideshare driver pay.
Experts say home prices could come down since commissions are often baked into the price. Others are skeptical of the impact — saying if the sellers aren't paying the buyer's agents, the buyer would still have to.
Whether they were first time visitors or returning home from a long work trip, Uber and Lyft's threats to leave Minneapolis have left some travelers' future up in the air.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook announced plans to build a new data center in Rosemount, Minnesota.
A man was gravely injured in a shooting near a light rail station in south Minneapolis Monday night, police said.
St. Paul city leaders are fed up with thieves stealing copper from streetlights.
The Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District says that staff immediately intervened in the altercation.
The man accused of causing a fatal crash on a northeastern Twin Cities highway last month pleaded not guilty to all charges on Monday.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz waded on Monday into the controversy surrounding criminal charges filed against a Minnesota state trooper who fatally shot a motorist last summer on a Minneapolis freeway.
Both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have had very public memory lapses.
Infections of the highly contagious measles virus have been reported in 17 states in the first three months of 2024.
As Congress debates a bill to potentially ban TikTok, Minnesota lawmakers are considering proposals to crack down on social media companies and make platforms safer for children.
Jennifer Cramer-Miller, board chair of the National Kidney Foundation Minnesota, spends her time supporting kidney patients and sharing her story.
Vice President Kamala Harris is touring a clinic in Minnesota that performs abortions and provides other reproductive care.
In an interview last week, Dr. Dre said he endured three strokes while he was hospitalized for a brain aneurysm in January 2021.
Keith, a hit country crafter of pro-American anthems who was loved by millions of fans, died Feb. 5. His posthumous induction did not violate the rules against inducting an artist in the year of their death because he was selected before he died.
The FBI returned a pair of ruby slippers from the 1939 film classic "The Wizard of Oz" to a man nearly 20 years after the iconic shoes were stolen from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids.
A second man is charged in connection with the 2005 theft of ruby slippers worn by Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz".
Jurassic Quest, dubbed North America's most popular interactive dinosaur experience, returns to the Minneapolis Convention Center this weekend.
The MLB season is just a couple of weeks away, and the Minnesota Twins have revealed the festivities planned for their home opener.
Anthony Edwards threw down a thunderous dunk over John Collins of the Utah Jazz on Monday night, helping the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 114-104 victory but leaving both players banged up after a play that immediately went viral on social media.
Anthony Edwards had 32 points, eight assists and seven rebounds to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves over the Utah Jazz 114-104.
The Minnesota Court of Appeals has sent a transgender athlete's lawsuit back to a trial court to determine whether she was illegally denied entry into women's competitions because of her gender identity.
The Totino-Grace boy's basketball team captured the 3A crown in 2022 and 2023. As this year's state tournament arrives, the three-peat is next on the list.
Both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have had very public memory lapses.
Among all the issues being debated in the 2024 presidential race, there is one issue that is especially personal. The issue is memory. Both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have had very public memory lapses. In Talking Points, Esme Murphy looks at the issue of memory and when experts say we all should be concerned.
Supporters say this could be the year medically assisted dying becomes Minnesota law. Opponents say not so fast — the danger of abuse will cost unwilling patients their lives.
If you have kids in youth sports, you have seen it: parents and fans behaving badly when they don't like a call by a referee.
If you have kids in youth sports you've seen it: parents and fans behaving badly when they don't like a call by a referee. In Talking Points, Esme Murphy takes a look at a bill that would make those kinds of behaviors rather costly.
You've heard of St. Patrick driving the snakes out of Ireland, but how about St. Urho driving the grasshoppers out of Finland?
In this week's Finding Minnesota, John Lauritsen explains how the idea behind Blondie's Butcher Shop began in the mountains out west.
As a kid, Derek Otteson loved hot rods and race cars, and he always thought his career would involve working with his hands. He never imagined that food trucks would be his focus.
Some of the artifacts at the Becker County Museum are so odd that they were featured in "Ripley's Believe It or Not."
The inconspicuous little building on East 25th Street was once a famous studio called Sound 80.
Soon homeowners and gardeners will be getting their hands dirty. Growing flowers, plants, and grass requires a dark and seemingly plentiful ingredient.
This time of year, many gas stations switch from winter to summer blend gas. So what's the difference? Good Question.
Maple syrup is getting bottled up, and it can pack a sweet punch. What's the healthiest way to consume sugar? And how does maple syrup fit into that equation? Good Question.
The sounds of spring are singing across trees and lakes. Some birds are returning to Minnesota as others are just passing through. How do birds know when to migrate? And will our record-warm winter impact their schedule? Good Question.
This weekend we lose an hour of sleep as we spring forward into daylight saving time. The twice-a-year clock change has long been debated, and that might have you wondering: What would happen if daylight saving time was year-round?
State fire officials say a grass fire near Waseca is contained Monday morning after burning more than 1,000 acres.
The three Burnsville first responders who were killed in a shooting earlier this month were honored in a large public memorial on Wednesday.
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
The SF 49ers faced off against the Kansas City Chiefts in Super Bowl LVIII. Here are some of the top shots.
Even a potentially historic storm bearing down on California couldn't keep the stars away from the red carpet ahead of the 66th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.
We're looking ahead to a potentially significant system set to arrive later in the week.
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.
Highs in the Twin Cities will push 50 degrees Tuesday as stronger winds escort in warmer air, just in time for the official start of spring.
Spring begins Tuesday with warmer air and stronger winds, but winter will make a comeback later in the week.
WCCO meteorologist Chris Shaffer says there are Possible NEXT Weather Alerts later this week due to snow.
The St. Louis Park Public School Board has announced Dr. Carla Hines as the next superintendent after an extensive search.
A crash in the northwest metro is causing major backups during the morning commute Tuesday.
Minnesota lawmakers are considering a new bill to raise the state's minimum wage, Gov. Tim Walz has revealed his supplemental budget proposal and more.
We're looking ahead to a potentially significant system set to arrive later in the week.
A frightful ride shows the scary side of Minneapolis.