MINNEAPOLIS — One pill can kill — that was the message federal and state partners stressed as illicit fentanyl continues to circulate. The DEA took about 2.5 million lethal doses of fentanyl off Minnesota streets last year alone. Despite that eye-popping number, it's not enough. Fentanyl is a dangerous synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin and responsible for ripping families apart, including Michelle Loberg's. RELATED: WCCO investigates the fentanyl crisis in Minnesota Oct. 12, 2020, will always be a dark day for Loberg. "I just really wanted to say goodnight and tell ..read more

WATERVILLE, Minn. — A community tour Wednesday highlighted a massive investment to one of Minnesota's 15 fish hatcheries – a $20 million makeover, nearly 70 years in the making. "This is generational. We've not had an investment to this level in many, many years, and it's needed," said Craig Soupir, who serves as the site's supervisor. "A lot of our hatcheries are kind of in this state, where they need some upgrades. This kind of investment is huge for Waterville." The site raises more than 10,000 walleyes, muskies and more each year – from egg to fry – that are eventually stocked in Minn ..read more

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota Senate Republicans on Wednesday filed an ethics complaint against DFL Sen. Nicole Mitchell, who was charged Tuesday with first-degree burglary in connection to a home break-in.  In charging documents, police said Mitchell broke into her stepmother's home in Detroit Lakes early Monday morning to retrieve some of her late father's items, including his ashes. Mitchell in a Facebook post disputes that account, saying she went to check on a family member who has Alzheimer's disease and startled her. The first-term senator denied stealing.  Calls ..read more

MINNEAPOLIS — The Hennepin County attorney rolled out an expansion of an existing violence intervention program on Wednesday. The goal is to give kids access to mentors and resources before they get involved in the criminal justice system. Hennepin County is working with community partners to address violence committed by young people Together, they are rolling out Youth Group Violence Intervention. It's an expansion of a program focusing on adult crime intervention. "This expansion pilot meets a critical need for services at an earlier point by creating a pathway to intervention from law enfo ..read more

MINNEAPOLIS — Like Mother Nature's magnet, a sea of spring colors outside a corner house is drawing people in. "I mean look at it. It's just beautiful," said Bernadette as she looked out over a huge garden of tulips. "I had an appointment over at Abbott (Northwestern Hospital) and we were driving by and I'm like, 'Oh my gosh, look at all these beautiful flowers'." "I saw it online, and I've always loved little tulip patches, but I've never seen anything quite this large," said Drew Kincade. The tulips are truly photo-worthy. Drivers rolled down their windows for a quick cell phone shot. O ..read more

ST. CLOUD, Minn. — Steve Little has been collecting Timberwolves memorabilia inside his St. Cloud home for 18 years as a season ticket holder. In those nearly two decades, his love for the Wolves never wavered. "I always remember looking at the stadium sometimes in our down years, and not seeing many fans in the stadium, and I always wondered what it'd be like if this place was packed, everyone standing and going crazy," said Little. Well, his patience paid off and that day is here. Game 1 and 2 at the Target Center were packed with fans who all wore white. Little was court side in his season ..read more

MINNEAPOLIS — More and more Minnesotans need help putting food on the table. The nation's third-largest food bank is using a 24-hour fundraiser to fight food insecurity. "Borderline tough because I'm on disability and my income is limited every month," explained Stephen, a food shelf user. Stephen finds it difficult to have enough to pay for basic necessities.          He has been visiting the food shelf at Community Emergency Service in the Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis for two years now. "We have more and more people coming every single day. A lot of people th ..read more

ST. PAUL, Minn. — A jury found a 28-year-old Hastings woman guilty in connection to a drive-by shooting in St. Paul that critically injured a 10-year-old boy on New Year's Eve. On Wednesday, Kelci Meyers was convicted of aiding and abetting attempted second-degree murder, aiding and abetting first-degree assault and aiding and abetting drive-by shooting. All of the charges are felonies. Last month, Meyers pleaded not guilty to all charges.  Morris Ryan, a 27-year-old man from New Hope, also faces similar charges. He is scheduled to appear in court in May. According to the crimin ..read more

MINNEAPOLIS — Allen Shaver, the play-by-play announcer of the Minnesota North Stars for over 20 years, has died at 96 years old.  According to an obituary from the Minnesota Wild, Shaver died on Monday in Canada on Vancouver Island, British Columbia following a brief illness.  For 26 years, Shaver was the radio play-by-play broadcaster for the North Stars. When the team moved to Dallas in 1993, Shaver chose to stay in Minnesota.  Shaver then called games for the University of Minnesota men's hockey for three seasons until his retirement in 1996.  "Rest in peace to a le ..read more

MINNEAPOLIS — A Minneapolis gang member has been sentenced on federal firearm charges.  Kaprice Richards was sentenced to two years in prison and three years of supervised release Tuesday for being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to court records. A second charge, unlawful possession of a machinegun, was dropped, according to a plea deal. Richards was one of 14 alleged gang members charged last summer in a crackdown that was a collaboration between local and federal authorities. "We will not allow a small group of violent gang members to continue to terrorize our neighbors ..read more