Wednesday, November 5th — Minneapolis voters re-elect Mayor Jacob Frey after a record-breaking turnout and a second round of ranked-choice counting. Across the river, Kaohly Her is poised to make history as Saint Paul’s first woman and first Asian American mayor. A new legislative audit reveals widespread financial mismanagement inside Governor Tim Walz’s office. And hundreds of Allina Health doctors, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners walk off the job in what’s believed to be the largest strike of its kind.Plus: The nation’s longest government shutdown stretches into day 36, “Purple Rain” the musical makes its official debut in Prince’s hometown, Minnesota hunters prepare for the firearm deer opener, and a Rosemount woman wins big on Wheel of Fortune.Join Maria Lisignoli and Johnny Kahner for this episode of 4 Things To Know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tuesday, November 4th — It’s Election Day in Minnesota, with voters deciding key mayoral, city council, and school board races across the state. Ramsey County announces $450,000 in emergency food funding as the federal shutdown continues to impact SNAP benefits. Hundreds of Allina Health doctors and clinicians prepare to strike after contract talks end without a deal. And the Minnesota Twins introduce new manager Derek Shelton, returning to the organization after the Pittsburgh Pirates fired him in May. Plus: A downtown favorite, Keys Café, prepares to close its Foshay Tower location, the Ikebana Flower Show brings fall color and Japanese tradition to Como Park Zoo, and a Minnesotan takes the stage on Wheel of Fortune.Join Maria Lisignoli and Johnny Kahner for this episode of 4 Things To Know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Monday, November 3rd — On the eve of Election Day, we’re breaking down the biggest races and ballot questions across Minnesota with political reporter Esme Murphy. The Minneapolis mayoral race between frontrunners Jacob Frey and Omar Fateh heats up as all 13 city council seats are also on the ballot. In St. Paul, Mayor Melvin Carter faces a strong challenge from State Representative Kaohly Her. Two special elections could determine control of the Minnesota Senate, and Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth officially launches her 2026 run for governor.Plus: A boy is killed during a North Minneapolis birthday party, former officer Tou Thao is released from prison, Attorney General Keith Ellison condemns SNAP benefit cuts, and Minneapolis announces a new “Winterapolis” campaign to celebrate the season.Join Maria Lisignoli and Johnny Kahner for this episode of 4 Things To Know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Friday, October 31st — Two men are dead after an early morning shooting in St. Paul that police say appears to be domestic in nature. The federal shutdown hits day 31, putting more than 440,000 Minnesotans at risk of losing access to food assistance. Democratic leaders, including Minnesota Rep. Dr. Kelly Morrison, accuse Republicans of driving up health care costs ahead of open enrollment. And Minnesota farmers celebrate a new soybean deal with China that could bring trade levels back to pre-trade war highs.Plus: What you need to know about Minnesota’s new paid family leave law, a longtime Minneapolis ramen spot closes its doors, Hennepin Avenue reopens after two years of construction, and why “6-7” is Dictionary.com's Word of the Year.Join Maria Lisignoli and Johnny Kahner for this episode of 4 Things To Know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thursday, October 30th — A worker is shot and killed in South Minneapolis after confronting a suspected thief outside his job. A longtime Minnesota business, Minnesota Rusco, suddenly shuts down after 70 years, leaving employees and customers searching for answers. Residents of manufactured home parks rally at the Capitol for a “bill of rights” to combat skyrocketing rents and unsafe conditions. And the University of Minnesota says it will no longer host high school graduations, forcing districts to find new venues.Plus: DHS faces a new fraud audit amid a “crisis of trust,” Mayor Frey joins a national call to protect SNAP benefits, Hennepin Avenue finally reopens after two years of construction, and Minneapolis climbs into the top 10 of Orkin’s “rattiest cities” list.Join Maria Lisignoli and Johnny Kahner for this episode of 4 Things to Know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wednesday, October 29th — The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office asks for help finding a man accused of sexually assaulting a woman in Vadnais Heights. Minneapolis mayoral candidates face off in a live debate moderated by WCCO’s Frank Vascellaro. One hot button issue involved their plans to revitalize downtown. St. Paul voters prepare to weigh in on two key ballot questions, one on civil fines and another on school funding. And as the federal shutdown stretches into day 29, Minnesota nonprofits step up to feed TSA workers going without pay.Plus: New details in the assault of a Gopher hockey player, state monitoring for Osseo Area Schools after a sexual harassment settlement, and expert advice for navigating layoffs as job cuts hit Target, Amazon, and even WCCO.Join Maria Lisignoli and Johnny Kahner for this episode of 4 Things To Know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tuesday, October 28th — Minneapolis educators move one step closer to the picket line as union members overwhelmingly vote to authorize a strike. Target announces major layoffs affecting more than 800 corporate employees across the Twin Cities. A new “Housing for Heroes” home opens in St. Paul to help veterans find stability and a fresh start. And the race for Minneapolis mayor heats up ahead of tonight’s live debate on CBS News Minnesota.Plus: Attorney General Keith Ellison sues the Trump administration over SNAP benefit cuts, Hurricane Melissa makes landfall in Jamaica as a Minneapolis restaurant rallies relief efforts, and former Minneapolis Police Officer Tou Thao, one of the officer's found guilty in the murder of George Floyd, is set to be released from prison next week.Join Maria Lisignoli and Johnny Kahner for this episode of 4 Things To Know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Monday, October 27th — A St. Paul man is arrested after allegedly posting a “murder-for-hire” threat targeting U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi on TikTok. The federal shutdown hits Day 27, prompting Governor Tim Walz to announce $4 million in emergency food funding as thousands of Minnesotans risk losing SNAP benefits. Hundreds are displaced after a weekend fire at the Skyline Tower apartments in St. Paul, and former Viking Adrian Peterson is arrested again on suspicion of DWI in Texas. Plus: Minneapolis teachers vote on whether to authorize a strike, Starbucks workers rally in Roseville, Target cuts 1,800 jobs, and police link Red Wing “swatting” calls to an organized crime network.Join Maria Lisignoli and Johnny Kahner for this episode of 4 Things To Know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Friday, October 24th — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visits Minneapolis to discuss immigration enforcement, drawing protests and a call for mass demonstrations at the Capitol this weekend. A Minneapolis business owner at the center of the city’s homeless encampment debate opens a new hygiene center on East Lake Street. “Bows of Love” organizers ask volunteers to help collect ribbons before winter to preserve the memorial honoring lives lost in the Annunciation tragedy. And Target announces nearly 2,000 corporate layoffs as part of a major restructuring.Plus: Allina Health doctors plan a one-day strike, Minneapolis educators vote on a possible strike authorization, major I-94 closures begin tonight, and “Love Your Melon” reopens at the Mall of America.Join Maria Lisignoli and Johnny Kahner for this episode of 4 Things To Know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thursday, October 23rd — The last hospitalized Annunciation shooting victim is finally home from the hospital. Hear about her upcoming birthday celebration. Then, dozens of current and former NBA players and coaches, including former Timberwolf Chauncey Billups, are charged in two massive gambling and racketeering cases tied to organized crime. Plus, the Vikings take on the Chargers tonight on Thursday Night Football, and Minneapolis teachers begin voting on whether to authorize a strike.Plus: SNAP benefits in Minnesota are halted amid the government shutdown, fallen Minneapolis officer Jamal Mitchell receives international honors, test trains roll on the nearly complete Green Line Extension, and a 102-year-old tennis player proves it’s never too late to play.Join Johnny Kahner for this episode of 4 Things To Know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wednesday, October 22nd — The Minnesota Supreme Court rules that USA Powerlifting violated the state’s Human Rights Act when it barred a transgender woman from competing in the women’s division. Minneapolis teachers prepare to vote on whether to strike after contract negotiations stall again. And four years after Bemidji teen Nevaeh Kingbird went missing, police renew the search with a new $10,000 reward.Plus: St. Paul introduces a new gun violence prevention ordinance, a Fridley man is charged in a Minneapolis arson case, health insurance premiums are set to rise for millions, and we’re counting down to Halloween with 2025’s most popular costumes.Join Maria Lisignoli and Johnny Kahner for this episode of 4 Things To Know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tuesday, October 21st — New details emerge from the night Senator John Hoffman and his wife were shot in their Champlin home, including a chilling 911 transcript from their daughter describing a gunman disguised as police. Minneapolis teachers prepare for a possible strike as mediation continues, and Attorney General Keith Ellison announces his bid for re-election. Plus, the ongoing federal government shutdown hits Minnesota in surprising ways.Also: the Twin Cities see a drop in shootings, an ice cream shop targeted with Molotov cocktails, Grand Avenue reopens in Saint Paul, and it’s National Apple Day. We’ll tell you where to get your fall fix.Join Maria Lisignoli and Johnny Kahner for this episode of 4 Things To Know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Monday, October 20th — Boston Scientific celebrates a major milestone in Maple Grove with the grand opening of its new facility, a move that signals growth for Minnesota’s medical technology industry. Plus, Minneapolis mayoral candidates take the stage in a key forum less than three weeks from Election Day. The federal government shutdown hits day 20, with TSA agents feeling the strain. And the Timberwolves drop a purple surprise, unveiling their new Prince-inspired City Edition jerseys.Also today: A police standoff in Brooklyn Park, a heroic woman saves students from a burning school bus, and MSP Airport unveils a massive new art installation. And we’re celebrating a big Emmy win for WCCO’s “Home for the Holidays” project.Join Maria Lisignoli and Johnny Kahner for this episode of 4 Things To Know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Friday, October 17th — Organizers are preparing for the “No Kings” protest at The Commons near U.S. Bank Stadium,  one of more than a thousand rallies planned nationwide this weekend. A Minneapolis man tracks down his stolen car using an Apple AirTag, and police find the suspect asleep inside. A student survivor of the Annunciation Church shooting shares her inspiring recovery story after returning to school. And a new housing project breaks ground in southeast Minneapolis as city leaders push to add more affordable homes. Plus, the state braces for a colder, snowier winter, Paul McCartney takes the stage tonight at U.S. Bank Stadium, and Gopher fans are ready to pack Huntington Bank Stadium for a Friday night showdown.Join Maria Lisignoli and Johnny Kahner for this episode of 4 Things To Know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thursday, October 16th — A southern Minnesota woman faces sentencing for a crash that killed two Amish children, an alleged black-market Botox spa in Prior Lake is under investigation for using unauthorized drugs and operating without medical oversight. Minneapolis police are tracking down suspects after more than 120 cars were damaged in just one week. And Hennepin EMS welcomes a new four-legged teammate, Rigsby, a therapy pup bringing comfort to first responders after months of tragedy. Plus, the government shutdown deepens with thousands of federal workers at risk of layoffs, and Prince’s Purple Rain makes its pre-Broadway debut at the State Theatre. Join Maria Lisignoli and Johnny Kahner for this episode of 4 Things To Know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wednesday, October 15th — A violent overnight crash in northeast Minneapolis leaves two people hurt after their cars slam into a train. KMOJ Radio, the “Voice of the Black Community," is being forced to move ahead of light rail construction, launching a campaign to fund a new home. Lawmakers debate rising health insurance costs as premiums spike across Minnesota, and travelers pack MSP Airport for MEA weekend, with a few new changes to help with the rush.Plus, the government shutdown is now in its second week, threatening food assistance for Minnesotans. And in today’s Bright Spot: the “Tulip House”, a beloved Minneapolis landmark, is for sale, but one big question remains: will the new owners keep its blooming tradition alive?Join Maria Lisignoli and Johnny Kahner for this episode of 4 Things To Know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tuesday, October 14th – Mayors from across Minnesota unite at the Capitol, urging lawmakers to give cities more power over gun safety. In Wisconsin, the Hudson School Board votes to close two elementary schools despite emotional pleas from the community. A former Saint Paul Police employee is arrested after a massive drug bust involving meth, fentanyl, and firearms. And in southern Minnesota, a $25,000 AI scam is stopped just in time, thanks to a suspicious courier and alert investigators.Plus, White Bear Lake parents demand accountability after an adult enrolled as a teen in high school, and the Green Line Extension finally begins testing trains.Join Johnny Kahner for this episode of 4 Things To Know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Monday, October 13th — Faulty DWI tests may have led to inaccurate convictions across Minnesota, prompting an immediate statewide inspection of all testing instruments. A Douglas County couple survives a carbon monoxide scare as fire officials launch a new campaign to prevent similar tragedies. Sioux descendants file a historic lawsuit against the United States, on Indigenous Peoples Day, seeking recognition and the return of ancestral land near Lake Pepin. And fall travel takes off as MSP braces for a busy MEA break week.Plus — President Trump signs a ceasefire deal in Gaza, Minneapolis’ mayoral race heats up with new endorsements and DFL controversy, and the FBI issues a warning about a billion-dollar “phantom hacker” scam.Join Maria Lisignoli and Johnny Kahner for this episode of 4 Things To Know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Friday, October 10th — Three new measles cases are confirmed in Dakota County, bringing Minnesota’s total to 20. Health officials say the outbreak is tied to unvaccinated individuals, and we hear from the state’s director of infectious disease. Then, a woman is brutally attacked at a St. Paul train platform — with witnesses nearby — and now the male suspect is linked to another violent assault.Plus, Minnesota faces a federal ultimatum over transgender athlete policies, and hundreds of millions in school funding could be at risk. And finally, there’s a new polar bear at Como Zoo — meet Astra, a 700-pound addition.Also: a ceasefire takes hold in Gaza, a wildfire spreads near Crosby-Manitou State Park, Gophers football prepares for homecoming, and the Savannah Bananas are bringing their baseball circus to Target Field next summer.Join Johnny Kahner for 4 Things to Know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thursday, October 9th – Firefighters are battling a wildfire near Crosby Manitou State Park in Minnesota’s Northland that has now grown to 50 acres. At the same time, new AI technology is being tested to help detect wildfires sooner. A standoff in Royalton forces a nearby elementary school into lockdown after a man with multiple warrants climbs onto his roof and refuses to come down for hours. Anoka County sues MnDOT over $6.2 million redirected to a proposed whitewater surf park on the Rum River, calling it a waste of taxpayer dollars. And the Minnesota Wild kick off their 25th anniversary season tonight in St. Louis with high hopes and a historic new contract for Kirill Kaprizov.Plus: National Guard troops deploy to a Chicago suburb as a federal judge has yet to decide if that's legal. Two northern Minnesota companies settle workplace sex discrimination claims. Anders Folk launches his campaign for Hennepin County Attorney. Minneapolis Fire Chief Bryan Tyner announces his retirement. CHS Field transforms into a haunted attraction. And Rolling Stone stirs debate with its new list of the 250 greatest songs of the 21st century.Join Maria Lisignoli and Johnny Kahner for this episode of 4 Things To Know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices