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.

Facing budget crisis, Rochester proposes closing some schools, moving others
Rochester Public Schools is announcing major changes to manage the district’s bloated budget, including closing some schools and eliminating transportation for districtwide schools. The changes will allow earlier start times for elementary students and later start times for middle and high school students.
Rochester bets on geothermal to power a green future
Since June, construction workers in Rochester, Minn., have been drilling deep wells that will eventually be part of a large geothermal network meant to heat and cool multiple buildings downtown. These systems aren’t an option for every city. But in locations that have the right geologic conditions, it’s a climate-friendly way to heat and cool.
In a statement to parents, the district confirmed that some district data was accessed by an “outside actor,” but stopped short of saying who is affected.