The founder of Palidium, Inc. told WCCO he promised Igor Vovkovinsky a brand new pair of "state-of-the-art" size 26 shoes. The Rochester man, who stands 7-feet, 8-inches tall, will be the first person in the state to wear the new ZeroTie technology shoes available this fall. (Photo courtesy: Greg Smith)

Igor Vovkivinskiy of Rochester stands 7 feet, 8 inches. The last time he bought shoes -- custom made by a German cobbler -- he wore size 26. But a series of foot surgeries in the past few years have changed the shape of his feet. He says he's down to his last pair and they're barely holding up. "Not having shoes has basically handicapped me, partially," he tells WCCO. Now some generous well-wishers are trying to help.

America's tallest man, 30-year-old Igor Vovkivinskiy of Rochester, received a much needed pair of shoes from Reebok Thursday. After 15 foot surgeries in the past few years, Vovkivinskiy was in a desperate need of custom-made shoes.

Rochester's Igor Vovkovinskiy has had 16 foot surgeries to fix problems caused by shoes that don't fit. A crew of technicians at Reebok headquarters in Massachusetts wants to design a pair that will fit the 7-foot-8-inch man. The custom-made shoes may wind up costing as much as $20,000.

Minnesota Public Radio takes an in-depth look at a Plymouth businessman who has given millions of dollars over the years to conservative candidates and causes. Robert Cummins keeps a low-profile, but party insiders know him well.

Rochester police say a man concocted a ruse to fool local airport officials in an effort to get to a charter flight this week. He wanted an autograph from a passenger: golf legend Arnold Palmer, the Rochester Post-Bulletin reports. The man escaped charges. Police don't know if he got the autograph.

Ralph's Shoe Service will move to a new home in Richfield. Southdale Center mall ousted Ralph's to make way for a food court expansion. Ralph's is the mall's oldest store.