4 Things To Know from WCCO

One year ago today: two young lives were cut short in a shooting at a church attached to a school. 18 other students were hurt, along with three adults. The shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in South Minneapolis left the community shocked and heartbroken. We're remembering the victims.
The ICE agent charged with shooting a Venezuelan Immigrant through a closed door during Operation Metro Surge was released from jail this morning in Texas.
In Saint Paul, police won't have high-tech help from Flock cameras after residents shared their concerns with the surveillance tools.
The State Fair is underway! But its a lot more than just the Great Minnesota Get-Together. It's also a key stop on the campaign trail for many politicians pushing for votes this fall.
Join Johnny Kahner for this episode of 4 Things to Know.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The trial over teen addiction to social media is over. Meta has reached a settlement with nearly all 50 states, including Minnesota. Our state could see upwards of $300 Million.
Today, an 18-year-old man pleaded guilty to killing 10-year-old Lily Peters in Wisconsin. A judge sentenced Carson Peters-Berger to life in prison. Memorials, which included balloons, teddy bears and candles, were set up outside of Parkview Elementary, where Peters went to school. The décor was mostly purple, which her friends said was her favorite color.
After years of debate and drafting legislation.... a new state task force on Fraud is taking its first steps. The state's Office of Inspector General commission held its first meeting today at the state capitol.
Plus, the state fair is almost here! We are in year 2 of a new pay-by-mobile parking program in Falcon Heights.

0:00 Intro

04:19 Lily Peters

5:02 Fraud

7:33 State Fair

12:11 More to Know

18:12 Bright Spot

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WCCO is digging through an extensive report on the response and investigation into the deadly attack on a Minneapolis catholic church. The massive report is about 26-hundred pages long. It includes hundreds of pages of photographic evidence connected to the Annunciation Church Shooting. The report is broken into two: the first stemming from the Minneapolis Police Department, and the second mostly coming from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension along with other local departments that responded.
Former my Pillow CEO Mike Lindell and the State of Minnesota could be heading to court. This is after Lindell wanted a re-count in the GOP primary election for Minnesota's Governor.
The State Fair is just 2 days away! And right now the fairgrounds are buzzing with activity... as hundreds of vendors prepare to welcome Minnesotans opening day.
And in our Bright Spot: 29 toes on a cat? It's a new world record.
Join Maria Lisignoli and Johnny Kahner for this episode of 4 Things to Know.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A utility pole hit a vehicle and killed the person inside in Hopkins. Xcel Energy says their pole was inspected recently and was in compliance with safety standards.
The State Fair starts this week and everyone from law enforcement to organizers are making sure it is safe for attendees. This involves letters written to people who may be in connection with gangs.
Hospice nurses have voted to authorize a strike over what they say are unfair working conditions.
Senator Amy Klobuchar is rolling out a new proposal as she campaigns in the race for Governor. This proposal would ban cell phones in Minnesota schools.
WCCO's Erin Hassanzadeh joins the podcast to talk about her investigative series on the future of the Boundary Waters. Renewed conversations about copper nickel mining in the area are fueling debate up north and beyond.
Join Maria Lisignoli and Johnny Kahner for this episode of 4 Things to Know.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

August 21 — Today is the 5th annual National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day. The goal is to raise awareness about a drug epidemic that costs tens of thousands of lives each year. While progress has been made thanks to education and prevention efforts, there's more work to do.
A body was found during an overnight garage fire in North Minneapolis. The crime lab and police were there investigating early this morning.
We are less than a week away from the start of the Minnesota State Fair and we now know of some people who say they will not attend. Accused gang members are barred from going to the Great Minnesota Get Together.
A stretch of road reopened today to make it easier for you to get to the fair. Highway 280!
And in our Bright Spot.. kids getting paid to show up at school?
Join Maria Lisignoli and Johnny Kahner for this episode of 4 Things to Know.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

August 19 — There was no decision today on xAI's request for a judge to temporarily block Minnesota's ban on AI "nudification." At a hearing for Elon Musk's company and the state of Minnesota, the judge said he would expedite his review and will likely inform the parties of next steps on Monday. Today's hearing was about whether the judge should temporarily stop Minnesota from enforcing the law while the larger legal challenge moves through court.
Today, hundreds of documents from a lawsuit filed by the state of Minnesota related to straw purchasing were released. The State of Minnesota is continuing to push for accountability after a deadly shooting was linked to an illegally owned gun purchased from Fleet Farm.
We're following Gov. Tim Walz's executive order on Boundary Waters mining. What's really at stake? We speak with a couple people from northern Minnesota.
And thousands of pets will soon have more access to care. That's because the Animal Humane Society is building a brand new clinic.
Join Johnny Kahner for this episode of 4 Things to Know.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 General Keith Ellison is suing Texas Governor Greg Abbott to get that extradition.
Community leaders gathered today to condemn reports of federal surveillance during Operation Metro Surge. We hear from them.
Another update in Minnesota's fraud crisis. A Fridley man is accused of stealing over $300,000 thousand dollars by billing for Medicaid services that he allegedly did not provide.
Join Johnny Kahner for this episode of 4 Things to Know.

0:00 Intro

0:13 Walz and Boundary Waters

4:05 Ellison Sues Abbott

5:35 ICE Surge

6:36 Fraud Crisis

7:55 More to Know

12:02 Bright Spot

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 owner says burglars made off with $1,300 while workers were in the building. It happened at The Gnome on Selby Avenue early Sunday morning.

GOP Senate nominee Michele Tafoya sits down with WCCO. She's running against DFL Lt. Gov Peggy Flanagan.

Join Johnny Kahner for this episode of 4 Things to Know.

0:00 Intro

0:14 Sex Ring

2:31 Hopkins Vigil

3:35 Burglary

4:10 Michele Tafoya

6:30 More to Know

11:40 Bright Spot

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 the controversial Flock cameras. It comes as more Minnesota communities are parting ways with the automatic license plate reading cameras.

A big announcement from the Minnesota Timberwolves today. Franchise Icon Kevin Garnett will finally get his jersey retired. It's last step in healing the rift between the franchise and its greatest player.

Join Johnny Kahner for this episode of 4 Things to Know.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices