The Morning News with Vineeta Sawkar

You will her voice starting Monday morning on WCCO. Find out a little bit about her love of radio, and......cassette tapes!?? You betcha! She talked with Vineeta on the WCCO Morning News.

Danielle Hayden is Director of Early Education for the Minnesota Department of Education, joined Vineeta to discuss the new program on the WCCO Morning News.

After 10 straight days in the 90's, sunshine, low humidity and temps in the low 80's is just what the doctor ordered! Find out the details on a spectacular day to get outside from WCCO TV Chief Meteorologist Chris Shaffer.

Sawkar Salute: A very special coffee house. full 92 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 15:02:56 +0000 AEHPllu6Nsxi1dt6TfTREpoSRrThFyXE coffee,autism,sawkar salute,news The Morning News with Vineeta Sawkar coffee,autism,sawkar salute,news Sawkar Salute: A very special coffee house. Vineeta Sawkar brings you the day's most important and impactful news stories, talks with the news-makers and influencers we need to hear from, and brightens your day with fun anecdotes and stories along the way. Add in the latest weather, traffic, and sports…it's the best way to start the day! © 2026 Audacy, Inc. News https://player.amperwavepodcasting.com?feed-link=

The veteran Senator was in town on Monday to rally for Flanagan. Analysis on the Democratic Senate race from Blois Olson on The WCCO Morning News.

Our friend from ABC News talked with Susie Jones about the rise in Diesel prices and the trickle down effect to consumers.

They were thumped by the Cubbies on the North Side of Chicago. But the main focus of the team is their series that starts tonight in Cleveland. Star Tribune Beat Writer Bobby Nightengale joined Susie to recap the weekend and look ahead to the next few weeks for Twins fans as the trade deadline looms.

That's what it could amount to, as folks involved with the tourism end of the BWCA battle after Wildfires ravaged parts of the landmark. Dave Seaton of Hungry Jack Outfitters in Grand Marais joined Susie on the WCCO Morning News

The money to support the fund isn't keeping up with demand, and massive cuts could result. Former Congressman Tim Penny joined Susie Jones to discuss his work on this issue with the non partisan, Committee For A Responsible Budget.

Spain walks away with the title....thoughts on the match from Henry Lake on The WCCO Morning News with Susie Jones in for Vineeta.

10 straight days with 90 degrees in the Twin Cities. When will the heat wave end? WCCO TV Chief Meteorologist Chris Shaffer checked in on the WCCO Morning News

Susie Jones sat in for Vineeta and talked with the Mayor of Ely, Heidi Omerza on The WCCO Morning News. 30,000 people are out of luck for their annual Blueberry Arts Festival which has been scraped.

Blois Olson talked with the front runners on his "Sunday Take" program. He recapped the get together with Susie Jones on The WCCO Morning News

While we all battled the 90 degree heat last week - Pete Najarian took in the sights and sounds of beautiful Las Vegas and he recaps his trip there for a special NFL event - the SACK Summit and also we get into the Vikings QB situation and does Pete have optimism for PJ Fleck and company down the road in Dinkytown!

Before we get into the second half of the season - we reminisce on the first half of your Minnesota Twins and we cannot leave out the more viral moment of the season - from Spring Training with our First Pitch guest Glen Perkins who alongside Cory Provus will be back on TV this weekend to call the Cubs-Twins series and also we recap some of the injury struggles and players who have really stepped up!

While it probably wasn't what needed to be addressed last night - it was - President Donald Trump hosting an address regarding voter integrity, media under attack and more on the 2020 Election - meanwhile Iran and the U.S. are back at it and other issues lie ahead for the GOP to figure out ahead of midterms plus what does this address mean for the SAVE America Act - Lindsey Reiser of CBS News 24/7 joins to break it all down this morning!

It is almost that time of the year for the 2026 Twin Cities Marathon and before we even hit October - the Twin Cities Marathon is already sold out and we also chatted with Dean Orton, President of Twin Cities in Motion about how runners are preparing amid not just the hot temperatures but now the intense smoke accumilation to go along with it!

Well we finally can return to our regularly scheduled program and that of course is Twins baseball - we chat with Henry Lake about Twins-Cubs, the first half success and also dive into some Timberwolves talk as well!

It feels like forever since we have seen below 90 temperatures for the highs but we should see some “cooler” temperatures next week - that, the latest with some of the smoke blowing with the wind and even some old school rock and roll history with WCCO TV Chief Meteorologist Chris Shaffer!

You might see a familiar face or two as many are making the trek down to Chicago for this weekend's Cubs-Twins series and one face in particular used to play in this town and now calls games for the Chicago Cubs - former Minnesota Twins infielder - the legendary Ron Coomer who gets us up to speed on the Cubs first half and even shares his thoughts on the Twins exceeding expectations in the first half as well!

While the air seems somewhat more clear down in the Twin Cities metro it is still very heavy up in the northern parts of the state as the wildfires continue on but Kelsey Christensen with 5 Eyewitness News checks in with us again this morning from Ely, MN to provide the latest as they not only have wildfires but also rain and lightning have joined in on the mixture up there, as well as more on how widespread is the rain and the current status of evacuations up there!

With so many kids headed back to school, there is a need for shoes for children so in partnership with JD Finish Line, Metro Transit and DSW - Mall of America and Soles4Souls hopes to raise $150,000 in aim of helping 10,000 kids in need with new shoes for the school year! The campaign runs through this weekend and those shoes will be distributed in September. We give a Sawkar Salute to Soles4Souls!

Well, I think we kind of knew what to expect from the address from President Donald Trump and it did not come without controversy - we talked to Brian McDaniel of At Issue who joined his television cohost Tom Hauser this morning to recap the speech, what it means for voting integrity and even some of the networks that didn't carry the address came under attack - that and more on the Mike Lindell endorsement!

Code orange! It's a social media code that alerts users that Summerween has come to a particular store. Halloween. We also check in on the wildfires with a pair who narrowly escaped them in the Boundary Waters of Minnesota. And we check in on kid and mental health.

It is way too smokey outside and who would want to step out in this. Jordana Green shares her experiences with this smoke, people watching - even spotting many people masking up as this air gets even more gross!

It is not only the beginning of the second half for your Minnesota Twins, but also in today's First Pitch segment we were joined by Sean Aronson - the play by play voice of the Saints who talked about some of the cool giveaways coming up at CHS Field, some key names to be on the lookout for in AAA and next month the Field of Dreams Game where the Saints play the Iowa Cubs at the Field of Dreams stadium!

Hopefully the smoke clears in time for those attending this weekend's MN Yacht Club Festival at Harriet Island Park - Andy Rodriguez with the Saint Paul Parks and Recreation joins Tom Hauser to preview the food, the music, and the fun that will be had!

Coming to a theater near you this weekend - The Odyssey Christopher Nolan's film capturing the story of the post-Trojan War trek back to Ithaca starring Zendaya, Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway and more star studded names in this film - Rusty Gatenby shares his thoughts !

He is back fresh off the plane from NBA Summer League in Las Vegas and he joins Tom Hauser to talk about this, the scary Olivia Miles injury yesterday, and more World Cup drama as well!

It was 18 years ago yesterday that Chris Shaffer was given the title of WCCO TV Chief Meteorologist and we reflect on that and then try to see our way through not just the heat but this thick smoke consuming our lives and our lungs!

There is a massive shortage in blood donations in Minnesota and the surrounding states and Brice Johnson, Regional CEO for the Red Cross - Minnesota and Dakotas joins us to discuss the problems Red Cross is currently facing when it comes to the peak trauma season throughout summer and not enough blood to keep up and the need for donors to step forward, even offering up a movie incentive as a reward for donors in partnership with Fandango!

If you are stepping outside this morning you probably see a lot more smoke than yesterday - thats because the wildfires consuming the BWCA and surrounding areas are worsening at a rapid pace - Tom Hauser, in for Vineeta checks in with Kelsey Christensen of 5 Eyewitness News who is on site LIVE amid the chaotic wildfires up north in Ely, MN - she provides the latest on the fires, evacuations and the latest on just how long we could see these fires stick around!

We are just a week out from the biggest golf event of the summer - it is the 3M Open at TPC in Blaine - we talked to Jen Hines, 3M Open Assistant Tournament Director about some of the community involvement 3M Open provides, some of the big names coming to town including Scottie Scheffler as well as ticketing and volunteer opportunities as well!

One of many things people struggle with when it comes to daily life is job interviews and there is a coffee shop in Apple Valley that provides opportunities for those who struggle with Autism and more while creating a comfortable and safe space along the way - Constellation Coffee in Apple Valley started by Liza Robson in honor of her son who struggles with Autism - they get our Sawkar Salute!

No bigger story yesterday in Minnesota politics than the announcement of Mike Lindell receiving a surprise endorsement from Donald Trump for the GOP side of things in the Minnesota gubernatorial race!

What's causing the explosion of diarrhea across the U.S.? Bagged salad and Taco Bell are among the considerations, health department officials say. Plus, heat is breaking records and so are weather alerts tied to wildfires from Canada invading the U.S.

It is one of the biggest shows on Broadway and around the country - it is Wicked and pleased to be joined by Tom McCowan who portrays The Wizard in the production and shares his passion for on stage acting despite appearing on television shows over the years and how it has been as a part of this show!

While the Minnesota Twins gear up for the second half of the season - Rob Malec serves as the Senior Director, Ticket Strategy & Membership Development he joined us on First Pitch to discuss how he and his team are finding creative ways to get people out to Target Field such as the MyTwins Membership and the benefits that go along with that the Home Field Advantage Program.

Hear an inspirational story of former Mayor of Brooklyn Park, Lisa Jacobson who shares the backstory behind her nonprofit Surviving to Thriving, a Twin Cities nonprofit organization - she shares her story of resilience, motivation and reinvention for this week's Midweek Motivation!

So many cool things to do at the Minnesota Zoo - one new attraction is the Wander Light Trail, a Twilight Lantern Spectacular - we got more information on this illuminating new attraction with Diana Hein, Communications Manager, Minnesota Zoo and some of the other fun upcoming events at the Minnesota Zoo as well!

Plenty to get into with Steve Thomson with sports this morning - we have two new Timberwolves stars introduced to the masses yesterday over at Target Center, Joe Ryan was able to get in an inning of work yesterday in Philadelphia for the All-Star Game.

It's a little bit the same each day - WCCO TV Chief Meteorologist Chris Shaffer joins to preview more hot temps on the way and could we see some toning down in the heat anytime soon!