Rochester News

Stay informed about Rochester MN news with local stories, breaking news and more from MPR News, your hub for the latest updates in Rochester, Austin, Winona and across southeast Minnesota.

More Minnesota communities consider banning fruity vapes as Trump’s FDA loosens restrictions
Over a quarter of Minnesotans live in cities or counties that have restricted the sale of some flavored tobacco and nicotine products. Communities are taking action, arguing cotton candy, mango and other sweet flavored vapes are targeting kids. Despite this push at the local level, the FDA announced this month that it will allow a vape company to sell new fruit-flavored e-cigarettes.
Rochester mayoral race getting crowded as NAACP’s Elegbede enters
The field of candidates vying for the top office in the city of Rochester is getting crowded. The latest to enter is the local NAACP president, bringing the number of announced candidates to seven.
Rochester's DMC gives UMR $3 million for new class and lab space to train future workforce
The University of Minnesota Rochester wants to build a new, $10 million lab and classroom space near Mayo Clinic to train Rochester's future workforce. The school says it would be a win for the growing university and the city. The board overseeing the Destination Medical Center project is committing $3 million to it.
Who gives a honk? As Rochester works to curb geese population, some residents push back
Rochester has a goose problem: There are way too many of them. The city is working to reduce the goose population, but the effort is getting some pushback, as many in Rochester see the waterfowl as a core part of the city’s identity.
Mayo Clinic CEO and president to step down at end of year
Mayo Clinic CEO Gianrico Farrugia announced he will step down at the end of the year after leading the world-renowned health system since 2019.
Poor sleep can cause or worsen mental illness. Which treatments work and what's just hype?
Sleep disorders can cause serious physical and mental health problems. Treatments are aplenty, from gummies, lotions and meditation to apps, sounds, C-PAPs and medications. There are so many medical, over the counter, and influencer-peddled ways to treat sleep problems. What’s hype? What works? And what’s it like when it seems all the remedies are failing?
City officials say Owatonna needs new police, fire stations. Distrustful residents are pushing back
City officials in Owatonna say their police and fire stations are out of date and in disrepair. But their $65 million proposal to build new ones is getting pushback from residents who want a say in the process.
Agriculture is changing. To protect farmers from stress, mental health support has to change, too
Studies show that rising costs and trade turmoil are leading to increased rates of stress, depression and suicide in farm country. Mental health providers say farmers are seeking help, but the healthcare system needs to rethink how care is delivered to be effective.
‘Houses are just gone’: Stewartville, Marion Township clean up after Friday’s tornadoes
Clean up efforts are underway in parts of Rochester, Stewartville and other communities in SE Minnesota after tornados swept through the region Friday afternoon. Olmsted County’s sheriff says at least 60 to 70 homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed.