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From a foster home to a doctors office, how a Minnesota man defied the odds

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From a foster home to a doctors office, how a Minnesota man defied the odds


Only 3-4% of former foster youth obtain a four-year college degree according to The National Foster Youth Institute.

When WCCO met Michael Kelly a few years ago, he was a young student bucking that trend. He had not only graduated but had started medical school. 

WCCO sat down with Kelly again, to reflect on his childhood growing up with Duluth, Minnesota where his life was forever changed by a court-assigned worker. 

Here’s the full story: 

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Life can change an in instant. 

For Michael Kelly, his life changed when a worried court-assigned worker found out he was living in a cold garage and eating out of a shoebox. 

“[the worker] said, “That’s not what life is supposed to be, we are gonna put you in a foster home,” Kelly recalls. 

Eventually at 17 and a half, Kelly moved out of that foster home and became homeless.

“I was a transient, couch surfer,” said Kelly. 

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Amidst the rockiness, he’d always found stability in school. Kelly got a scholarship to St. John’s University.  

“During college, I always had to find opportunities, during Spring break, winter break find places to stay.  I didn’t have a place, I didn’t have a bedroom, I didn’t have – the next day wasn’t planned out for me it was just surviving,” said Kelly.

Against all odds, he got in to Medical school at the University of Minnesota.

But things got rocky again…

“I actually failed my first medical school test, by one point, I was devastated by 69%, needed 70% to pass and I was like, ‘I am done,’” said Kelly. 

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But he didn’t let that derail him. 

Kelly didn’t just adjust, he thrived, helping launch a mentorship organization to support first generation students.

“I finally feel like I am in a position where I can give back. It took a lot of support from my village, but I am finally at the point I can give back and give to the community,” said Kelly. 

He explained the most emotional moment.

“Getting into Mayo was just something that blew my mind, extremely emotional for me,” said Kelly. 

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A surprise that was recently revealed on residency match day.

“It was trials and tribulations but focusing on the why got me to where I am today and I am going to Mayo in two months, to be a doctor,” said Kelly. 

Kelly walked, and the people who’ve walked beside him, cheered, including his wife, who he met in college, and her family.

Kelly’s mother-in-law said, “He’s just a good person and it comes through in everything that he does.”

Kelly’s oldest friend, Mona Zeidan said, “He was very much a people pleaser and I’m not surprised he became a doctor, I am really not. He used to say when we were kids that he was gonna be a doctor and we’d chuckle about it and he did it, he did it.”

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YES, he did.  

Kelly told WCCO, “I think at the end of the day I just want my patients to feel seen, valued and loved.”   

So after years of discomfort, this doctor is devoted to truly making make others feel good.

Kelly chose family medicine and wants to practice in a rural area. He says what he loves about that is that you can serve patients of all ages starting at birth and have long-term relationships.

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So Minnesota: Enchanted Fantasy Film Museum brings Hollywood magic to Twin Cities

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So Minnesota: Enchanted Fantasy Film Museum brings Hollywood magic to Twin Cities


So Minnesota: Enchanted Fantasy Film Museum brings Hollywood magic to Twin Cities

One museum in the Maplewood Mall brings a part of Hollywood glamour to the Twin Cities.

William Swift is the owner and curator of Enchanted Fantasy Film Museum.

“I own the largest display of film costumes in North America, which is crazy,” Swift said.

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There are more than 350 costumes and props on display from over 90 films and TV shows.

“I have stuff from Narnia, the Power Rangers, and have quite an extensive collection from Game of Thrones,” Swift said. “It’s just so cool and so fun to share with people such a grand collection. We never get anything like this in Minnesota or even really in the Midwest.”

Years ago, Swift, a longtime film buff, started collecting screen-used movie memorabilia in auctions. In 2024, he opened the museum with his massive collection.

“Eventually I ran out of room in my house, and I thought maybe it was time to take that leap of faith,” Swift said.

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MyPillow’s Mike Lindell announces he’s running for Minnesota governor as a Republican

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MyPillow’s Mike Lindell announces he’s running for Minnesota governor as a Republican


MyPillow founder and CEO Mike Lindell has announced he will run for Minnesota governor in 2026 against incumbent Gov. Tim Walz.

Lindell, 64, last week filed the paperwork to potentially run, but at the time said he hadn’t yet 100% decided on a gubernatorial run. On Thursday, he made it official.

“After prayerful consideration and hearing from so many of you across our great state, I’ve made the decision to enter the 2026 gubernatorial race,” Lindell posted on social media Thursday. “I’m still standing and I’ll stand for you.”

Lindell will run as a Republican and a noted ally of President Trump, and enters a crowded field of names who have already tossed their hats into the ring, as Walz, a Democrat, attempts to secure an unprecedented third consecutive four-year term as Minnesota’s governor.

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“We’ve seen what happens when we elect a con man to the highest office in America,” Walz said Thursday, responding to Lindell’s announcement. “We can’t let it happen here in Minnesota.”

In addition to Lindell, state House Republican speaker Lisa Demuth has already announced a run for governor, as well as Scott Jensen, the Republican candidate who lost to Walz in the 2022 midterms. Other Republican hopefuls include Minnesota Rep. Kristin RobbinsKendall Qualls and defense lawyer Chris Madel

Lindell launched a campaign website, listing his main campaign priorities as including stopping fraud, fixing “failing school systems,” stopping “exploding property taxes” and “send(ing) illegal immigrants back.” 

Lindell’s MyPillow has been at the center of a number of legal issues through the years, and earlier this year was ordered to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to shipping company DHL.

Also, a judge this year ruled that Lindell defamed election technology company Smartmatic after he alleged their voting machines rigged the 2020 presidential election in favor of former President Joe Biden. Lindell made similar unfounded claims against Dominion Voting Systems.

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Minnesota has a history of political outsiders overperforming in statewide races, most notably former Gov. Jesse Ventura’s surprising win in 1998, but also it’s been two decades since a Republican won a statewide race in the increasingly blue-tilting state. 

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Minnesota leaders criticize Gov. Tim Walz over alleged fraud scheme oversight | Fox News Video

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Minnesota leaders criticize Gov. Tim Walz over alleged fraud scheme oversight  | Fox News Video


Gen Z influencer Isabel Brown and political consultant Michelle Backus consider the potential of the alleged Minnesota fraud scandal to snowball further and praise I.C.E. operations amidst criticism from religious leaders on ‘Fox News @ Night.’



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