4 Things To Know from WCCO

Monday, August 11th. A rare mechanical failure nearly drains Lake Alice at William O’Brien State Park, and the DNR is working to fix it. Then, a deputy is still recovering months after a squad car crash — and now the driver is facing criminal charges. Plus, the search intensifies for a missing 85-year-old Pine County woman, and the Mall of America celebrates 33 years.
Also in this episode: a shooting at a Cub Foods entrance, a correctional officer stabbed in Rush City, and a new resource center helping teachers get free school supplies. Twins' rookie Luke Keaschall extends his hitting streak, and Duluth welcomes its first set of quadruplets in more than 20 years.
Join Maria Lisignoli and Johnny Kahner for 4 Things to Know.

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Friday, August 8th. WNBA coaches call for action after sex toys are repeatedly thrown onto the court. The Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve speaks out. Then, a Duluth man is recovering after being shot while driving on I-35, with police saying stray target practice bullets may be to blame. Plus, a new wave of car break-ins hits Minneapolis neighborhoods, and Minnesota’s Irish Fair kicks off under a sweltering heat advisory.
Also in this episode: Canada warns wildfire smoke could linger until fall, St. Paul honors the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Japan, and a new ranking names Minnesota’s top public and private high schools. The historic Stone Arch Bridge reopens with a weekend celebration, the Vikings gear up for preseason kickoff, and Joey Chestnut tackles a six-foot “Land of 10,000 Calories” hot dog at CHS Field.
Join Maria Lisignoli and Johnny Kahner for 4 Things to Know.

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Thursday, August 7th. The man accused of assassinating former Speaker Melissa Hortman pleads not guilty in court, while hundreds call for a government building to be renamed in her honor. Then, a major sex trafficking sting leads to 10 arrests and rescues three women. Plus, thousands of volunteers pack tens of thousands of backpacks for kids ahead of back-to-school season.
Also in this episode: WCCO’s Mike Max drops in for 20 minutes to preview his new football TV and podcast show that launches tonight.
Join Maria Lisignoli and Johnny Kahner for 4 Things to Know.

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Tuesday, August 5th. The search intensifies for a missing 12-year-old girl in Minneapolis — and the urgency is high because she’s a type 1 diabetic. Then, a Wisconsin-born climate journalist disappears while hiking alone in Norway. We hear from one of his colleagues as a massive search effort continues. Plus, new criticism of Capitol security after the deadly attacks on lawmakers in June, and members of Congress debate ag policy at Farmfest.
Also in this episode: A Minnesota father appears in court after allegedly murdering his 16-year-old son, the U.S. Coast Guard releases its final report on the fatal Titan submersible implosion, and Hennepin County weighs a public takeover of HCMC. Plus, another possible healthcare strike in Stillwater, National Night Out for veterans in St. Paul, and a Danish zoo sparks controversy by asking for pet donations — to feed to predators.
Join Maria Lisignoli and Johnny Kahner for 4 Things to Know.

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Monday, August 4 — Police departments in Minnesota and across the country are struggling to hire — and now, one local lawmaker is asking for a federal solution to help fill the ranks. We'll tell you what it could mean for metro-area agencies. Then, an update on the cyber-attack that hit St. Paul — Capitol reporter Caroline Cummings has the latest.
Also in this episode: A big night under the lights at Vikings training camp (though Justin Jefferson still isn’t suiting up), and finally some relief from the wildfire smoke that’s been choking the region. Plus, a shooter is still on the run after a deadly mass shooting in Montana, a woman is seriously hurt after a motorcycle crash in St. Paul Park, and State Rep. Kaohly Her announces a mayoral run against Melvin Carter.
And: Actress and Minnesota native Loni Anderson has died, Regan Smith sets a world record in the pool, and the Lynx dominate the WNBA standings.
Join Johnny Kahner for 4 Things to Know.

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Friday, August 1st. Air quality remains a concern across Minnesota as wildfire smoke settles in — but it’s not just humans being affected. We look at how the haze is impacting pets, from coughing to pale gums. Then, Suni Lee’s stolen statue sparks outrage in St. Paul, and the Minnesota Twins trade nearly half their roster in a dramatic deadline overhaul. Plus, new Minnesota laws take effect today — including housing protections for service dog trainers and tougher penalties for repeat DWIs.
Also in this episode: Families begin receiving advance child tax credit payments, missing a driver’s test now comes with a fee, and student loan interest returns for many. In Texas, officials face backlash over their response to deadly July floods, and Kamala Harris speaks out in her first post-election interview.
Join Maria Lisignoli and Johnny Kahner for 4 Things to Know.

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Thursday, July 31st. Severe turbulence forces a Delta flight to make an emergency landing at MSP, sending more than 20 people to the hospital. Then, much of Minnesota remains under an air quality alert due to Canadian wildfires — we dig into how that smoke impacts your lungs. Plus, thousands of Minnesota renters could get money back from a $5 million settlement, and AI at Mayo Clinic leads to a breakthrough in diagnosing pancreatic cancer.
Also in this episode: Former officer J. Alexander Kueng petitions to end probation early, a civic pledge follows the political assassinations of the Hortmans, and Governor Walz endorses Mayor Jacob Frey. Celsius drinks recalled due to booze mishap, new attractions are coming to the State Fair, and downtown Minneapolis hosts a “Big Honking Truck Parade.”
Join Maria Lisignoli and Johnny Kahner for 4 Things to Know.

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Wednesday, July 30th. A five-day air quality alert blankets Minnesota — tying the state record — with unhealthy conditions forecast through Saturday. Then, the former wife of Minnesota’s Corrections Commissioner pleads guilty to trying to kill their adult son by poisoning his feeding bag. Plus, Governor Tim Walz declares “Medicaid and Medicare Day” while warning about what he calls devastating cuts in the Trump administration’s proposed budget. And Minnesota’s cannabis rollout hits another snag as Albert Lea blocks the state’s first non-tribal dispensary.
Also in this episode: A man accused of stabbing a homeless woman 20 times in Brooklyn Center, sentencing for a Dassel man who killed his wife while their kids were home, and a former Como Park coach heading to prison for abusing a student. We also cover the St. Paul cyberattack investigation, a special election that could flip the state Senate, Minnesota’s new e-bike rebate lottery, early fall colors showing up in the metro, and the latest on the Vikings and Lynx.
Join Maria Lisignoli and Johnny Kahner for 4 Things to Know.

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Tuesday, July 29th. A major cyberattack hits the City of St. Paul, impacting 911 and city services — prompting the governor to call in the Minnesota National Guard. Then, Capitol security is under review after a man broke into the Senate chamber naked and returned two more times. Plus, a man convicted of killing his family with an axe in the 1980s is released under a new Minnesota parole law. And strong storms bring widespread damage and power outages across the metro.
Also in this episode: A deadly Midtown Manhattan shooting possibly tied to the NFL, a drunk driver sentenced in the Park Tavern crash, Mayo Clinic named one of the nation’s best hospitals, and why back-to-school shopping may be more frugal this year. We also cover Daryl Hall’s new State Fair gig, a new Twins trade, and Beauty and the Beast returning to Minneapolis.
Join Maria Lisignoli and Johnny Kahner for 4 Things to Know. 

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