Rochester’s ready to grow. But will it have enough child care?
A population boom is expected for Minnesota’s third-largest city, but providers say there’s too little money to keep expanding the local day care industry.
April 12, 2025
In Minnesota’s soybean country, trade war with China hits hard
Soybeans are the state’s largest export to China, and southern Minnesota farmers are worried about the effect of skyrocketing tariffs.
April 11, 2025
Rochester aims to rein in e-scooter clutter downtown
Last year, more than 6,100 warnings were issued to Lime users in Rochester; the vast majority were parking violations.
April 11, 2025
Second union at Mayo Clinic votes for right to strike
About 87% of union members at Rochester’s Mayo Clinic Hospital Methodist Campus this week approved doing away with arbitration agreements in future contract negotiations.
April 10, 2025
Tolkkinen: Rural Minnesota showed up for Hands Off protests on Saturday. What does it mean?
Some research shows that protests can be powerful, depending on their size, and can help predict voting behavior. 
AuthoredKaren Tolkkinen
AuthoredKaren TolkkinenApril 9, 2025
Small Minnesota company is leaving goods in China because it can’t afford tariffs
As President Donald Trump readies to enact another tariff round Wednesday, the reality of costs is hitting businesses, including Busy Baby.
April 8, 2025
Rochester puts $4.4 million toward 219-home development
The city has approved a second housing project to use funding for its homeownership-creation program.
April 8, 2025
Here’s special elections results for nearly $200 million in school bonds
Mixed results in votes in Nevis, Osakis, Pequot Lakes and Pine River-Backus and St. Cloud.
April 7, 2025
Olmsted County talks low-dose hemp sales compliance, cannabis lottery
County officials are setting age-compliance rules for businesses selling THC-infused edibles and beverages.
April 6, 2025
Thousands of Minnesotans rally against Trump in nationwide ‘Hands Off!’ protest
Protesters mobilized in St. Paul, Duluth, Rochester and dozens of other locations to oppose “assault on our freedoms.”
April 5, 2025
Housing proposal tests limits of Rochester’s downtown historic district
City’s preservation commission denies a recommendation of the proposal despite concessions by the developer to maintain the original facade.
April 4, 2025
Trump’s order to gut community-building program ‘existential threat’ to Minnesota lenders
A March 14 executive order halts spending to a Treasury Department program supported by Republicans and Democrats.
April 4, 2025
