The Minnesota duo was the latest in a long line of lucky birds to be pardoned by the commander-in-chief in an annual Thanksgiving tradition.

Walz touts the state’s turkey industry, reflects on his political journey, and discusses future challenges for agriculture amid shifting trade policies

In Minnesota, they rank as one of the Department of Natural Resources’ best comeback stories. Turkeys from Missouri were brought to southeastern Minnesota in the 1970s, and they’ve been expanding west toward the Dakotas and north beyond Grand Rapids since then, said Nate Huck, a resident game bird specialist for the DNR.

As feathers flew, Tim Walz accepted the symbolic presentation of a turkey Tuesday as he eases back into his duties as Minnesota's governor following the Harris-Walz ticket's defeat in the presidential election.

A Minnesota turkey grower is experiencing a Thanksgiving of a lifetime. John Zimmerman has raised turkeys near Northfield for more than 20 years and currently serves as chairman of the National Turkey Federation.

Peach and Blossom are scheduled to be pardoned Monday by President Joe Biden. It is the second year in a row that the nation’s leading turkey-producing state will send birds to the White House.

DFL Gov. Tim Walz continued the tradition of celebrating Minnesota’s nation-leading position when it comes to turkey production. He also addressed preliminary concerns of tariffs promised by President-elect Donald Trump.