Recent content from Sean Baker
Rochester's Pill Hill historic district wins OK from City Council
The designation seeks to limit redevelopment pressure in Rochester's most storied neighborhood.
Rochester wanted art, now opts for more walkability in central plaza
The raised pavers at the city's high-profile Peace Plaza have been the subject of safety and accessibility concerns.
Rochester Pride to host author whose book was removed from elementary school shelves
Emily Neilson will travel to Rochester from Portland, Ore., to discuss her LGBTQ-themed children's book, "The Rainbow Parade."
The city of Rochester and its school district reaffirm support for city's DEI programs
Mayo Clinic, which has received $550M in NIH funding over the last two years, continues to analyze the situation.
Two restaurant workers detained as ICE descends on Rochester
Nupa restaurant says it has closed one of its locations indefinitely after two of its workers were picked up by ICE agents on Wednesday.
Billionaire enlists Mayo Clinic to help build two new hospital campuses in India
Rochester-based health system will provide guidance on the development of "affordable" hospital sites in two of India's largest cities.
After criticism, Rochester's Peace Plaza will undergo safety improvements
Critics say raising letterings and shifting pavers have created a safety risk for people with mobility issues.
Former restaurant building will be razed in downtown Rochester
The site of Michaels restaurant has sat dormant since 2014 as efforts to redevelop the prominent property have stalled.
Kenyon-Wanamingo will close its elementary school, citing declining enrollment
The elementary program will be consolidated into the district's middle and high school building.
How a Rochester gymnast became one of the nation's best
A national champion in high school, Rochester's Abbi Ryssman has accepted a full scholarship to compete for 10-time NCAA champion Utah.
Rochester law enforcement switching to encrypted radio channels, preventing public from listening in
Police say the move will protect victim privacy and prevent investigations from being compromised. Press freedom groups worry it will make it harder to hold police accountable.
An oyster bar in landlocked Rochester? A chance encounter made it happen
Bleu Duck Kitchen is bringing Maine to Rochester for Restaurant Week.
Neighbors band together to preserve Rochester's most storied neighborhood
Amid a wave of redevelopment, residents are taking a stand to protect historic Pill Hill.
Don't blink or you'll miss it: Thieves get away with tiny Minnesota town's sign
The sign welcoming visitors to Millville was taken sometime between Sunday and Monday.
$25.5 million goes to Hwy. 19 reconstruction in Northfield
The grant is part of a $785 million package announced Friday by the Biden administration to advance transportation projects in rural areas.
Rochester police investigating discovery of two bodies
There were no obvious signs of trauma to the pair found dead outside a vehicle, police said.
Rochester schools remove LGBTQ-themed book over public nudity concerns
Despite the removal of the book, Rochester's superintendent says there will be "no backtracking on books that celebrate the lived experiences of LGBTQ students and families."
He's making history as Rochester's first openly gay City Council president
Randy Schubring, a former community relations executive at Mayo Clinic, was elected to the council's top job in November.
Red Wing school board member gets year of probation for shoplifting
Rachel Marshall Schoenfelder admitted to shoplifting at a local Target store — telling investigators she knew it was wrong but did it "because things were becoming more expensive."
Stewartville awarded $1 million state grant for planned pig-to-human transplant center
The specialized research farm, set to go live in 2027, will be the second of its kind for United Therapeutics.
Southern Minnesota mayor faces charges of child abuse
Joshua Nordsving, 34, mayor of Canton, admitted to striking his 9-year-old son in the face, investigators say.
At Mayo Clinic, soldiers urge 5-year-old cancer patient to keep up the fight
Gabe Downey, who was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in April, was presented with patches and coins from soldiers as they symbolically welcomed him into their unit.
Feds give tribe a lifeline with option for emergency casino near Rochester
Ruling would allow Prairie Island Indian Community to build an interim casino on site of failed Elk Run biotech development.
Rochester school district faces federal complaint over diversity hiring programs
Group says programs intended to recruit teachers of color are discriminatory.
With one last hymn, parishioners bid farewell to 150-year-old church in small Minnesota town
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church held what was likely its final mass on Dec. 8.
Family of Olivia Flores files wrongful-death suit against former state trooper
Shane Roper also faces nine criminal charges for his role in the May crash in Rochester that killed the 18-year-old Flores and injured five others.
Embattled Byron school superintendent to resign at the end of the school year
Superintendent Mike Neubeck faced calls for him to resign over handling of the district's finances.
Historic downtown Rochester properties getting restoration funds
Destination Medical Center initiative pledges $700,000 to help renovate some of the city's oldest structures.
For Byron standout, 'a dream come true' melds Gophers football and a University of Minnesota education
Defensive lineman Colin Hansen has two plans for college now that he's signed: Study kinesiology and gain some weight.
A four-day school week? More Minnesota school districts are giving it a look.
Proponents say the shortened week can lead to cost savings and make it easier to recruit teachers. But for some communities, concerns about childcare remain a barrier.
After COVID grounded flights, Rochester's airport has faced a slow recovery
Passenger volume at Rochester International Airport is down nearly 50% since the start of the pandemic as travelers migrate to MSP for cheaper flights without layovers.
Two horses, cat die in fire at an equestrian complex near Winona
Officials estimate about a quarter of the Minnesota Equestrian Center was destroyed in the dramatic fire that filled the sky with thick, black smoke.
Rochester City Council incumbent challenges winning opponent's residency
Ward 4 incumbent Kelly Rae Kirkpatrick has filed a complaint alleging Andy Friederichs misled voters about his residency. Friederichs denies the charge.
Loon Liquor Co. looks to scale up production with expanded distillery in Northfield
The Minnesota microdistillery has seen sales spike since the introduction of its premixed bottled cocktails.
Rochester voters approve $194M in new funding for public schools
The district says the funding will support services for struggling students, while also boosting programs for technical and career education.
Rochester man faces felony charge over threats made at polling location
Police say the 46-year-old man was intoxicated when he made threats to shoot people at the polling site.
Shawn Fagan tapped to lead Rochester Downtown Alliance
The organization is responsible for putting on popular events like Thursdays Downtown and Social-ICE.
Fired trooper Shane Roper asks court to dismiss eight of nine charges against him
Attorneys for the former Minnesota state trooper are also asking for the trial to moved outside of Olmsted County, citing extensive local and state media coverage of the case.
Rochester lands $85 million federal grant for rapid bus system
Planning for the Link system comes as downtown Rochester prepares to undergo a massive transformation as part of Mayo Clinic's $5 billion expansion.
Rochester outpaces rest of state in job growth — by a lot
Latest numbers from DEED show the Rochester region added 7,000 new jobs in the past year, largely driven by hiring in education and health services.
Rochester parent builds AI chatbot to answer questions about school district's $19M referendum
What's at stake in the referendum? This AI chatbot may provide the fastest answers.
'You cheer for all of Rochester': Swimmers put rivalries aside as they compete among the state's best
Sophie Blixt, Madeline Gau and Julia Ogren suit up for three different high schools only minutes apart. They also are the latest in a long line of college-bound student-athletes who have trained with the Rochester Swim Club.
VP Kamala Harris campaigns in La Crosse, Wis., as election nears
Harris campaign is pushing to shore up support in the "blue wall" states of Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania less than a month before the Nov. 5 election.
Are Rochester's nonpartisan elections becoming a battleground for party politics?
Advocacy group Faith in Minnesota has made inroads in Rochester elections, energizing progressive supporters while raising eyebrows of the city's political establishment.
Fired trooper Shane Roper booked three months after being charged with manslaughter in Rochester crash
Roper, who is free on bail, was ordered to report for fingerprinting after the court "inadvertently neglected" to do so following his initial appearance Aug. 29.
This small-town bakery draws crowds from across the Midwest, in just three hours a week
On Saturdays, the only day the shop in Newburg, Minn., is open, crowds of people — from as far as Chicago and Minneapolis — line up outside to get a taste of Irene Fishburn's made-from-scratch French baking.
Former pastor in Winona-Rochester diocese accused of swindling parishioners out of $72,000
The diocese says the Rev. Prince Raja was asked to resign after it was discovered that he was soliciting personal loans and gifts from parishioners.
Root River's most significant restoration project takes shape in the Driftless
After years of erosion caused by a defunct dam, engineers are working to move the Root River back to its original bed.
Lights, camera, worship: Church buys shuttered Rochester movie theater for $5 million
Echo Church marked its fifth anniversary by purchasing the former Cinemagic movie theater. It plans to begin holding services there Oct. 13.
Minnesota school district's finances under scrutiny ahead of referendum
Byron Public Schools faces uphill climb as it looks to convince voters its finances are in order following a $1.5 million budget miscalculation.
State Patrol: 'No justification' for fired trooper's reckless driving that killed Owatonna teenager
Former trooper Shane Roper was fired last week for his role in a crash that killed Olivia Flores.
Rochester voters to decide on $20 million school referendum
After failing to win approval for additional funding in 2023, Rochester Public Schools hopes bigger turnout this November will help the district avoid major spending cuts.
Trooper pleads not guilty to manslaughter in death of Owatonna teen
Minnesota state trooper Shane Roper was traveling 83 mph when he drove his squad car into a busy Rochester intersection, killing 18-year-old Olivia Flores.
Owatonna couple's daughter killed in crash with trooper: 'She was supposed to come back'
Shane Roper's charges include second-degree manslaughter and criminal vehicular homicide in the crash that left five others seriously injured.
University of Minnesota Rochester's education district plans remain years out
The Rochester campus is embracing a community campus model as it plans for the next decade of growth.
Huge housing, retail complex in the works for former IBM campus in Rochester
Site could also be used for planned $65 million regional sports complex.
Rochester food bank blames 'insurmountable need' as it discontinues service to 11 rural agencies
Channel One Regional Food Banks cites the need for more efficiency with resources as demand for food assistance continues to climb.
Demolition to begin this fall for Mayo's $5B Rochester buildout
Mayo Clinic's Ozmun complex will be torn down to make way for one of two new clinical buildings in downtown Rochester.
United Therapeutics to build $100M pig-to-human organ research center in southeast Minnesota
Announcement of the Minnesota facility comes as United seeks FDA clearance to begin clinical trials to prove the safety and effectiveness of pig-to-human organ transplants.
Embattled Rochester council member ousted in primary, blames local media
Ward 6′s Molly Dennis finished last in a four-way primary to hold onto her seat. Newcomers Dan Doering and Mark Schleusner advanced to November's general election.
With high ropes course, Winona State University adds adventure to campus life
Ropes course is latest recreational resource on campus as university positions itself as a leader in outdoor education.
Trying to reduce stigma, Mayo launches LGBTQ-focused breast cancer clinic
With Rainbows open in Rochester, Dr. Elizabeth Cathcart-Rake hopes to increase access to care and also improve care for the LGBTQ population.
Rochester's hot Marrow restaurant to reopen following crash
"Seeing those reservations coming in, with so many familiar names, we are just getting really excited to see our people again," said co-owner Sarah Schwenker.
Twin Cities' Mill Valley Kitchen expands to downtown Rochester
Restaurant will be Mike and Abby Rakun's second Mill Valley Kitchen location.
Dashcam video shows prior crashes of Minnesota trooper charged in Rochester fatal wreck
State Trooper Shane Roper faces charges of second-degree manslaughter and criminal vehicular homicide for his role in a May crash that killed Owatonna teen Olivia Flores.
Rochester blocks comments on city social media pages
City says the move "reduces the potential for harmful content and negative interactions" on social media.
Rochester's redesigned Peace Plaza raises accessibility concerns
Pavers on the plaza present safety risks for the city's most vulnerable visitors, disability advocates say.
Celebrity photographer and her famous actor husband call Minnesota home
Pat York's photos of Steve Martin, Liza Minnelli, Andy Warhol and other stars are on display at the Rochester Art Center.
Trooper charged in fatal Rochester crash had history of reckless driving on the job
State trooper Shane Roper was reprimanded four times in eight years for on-duty crashes before the collision that killed an Owatonna teen, records show.
Minnesota trooper charged in Rochester crash that killed 18-year-old student
Olmsted County Attorney's Office files second-degree manslaughter and criminal vehicular homicide charges against trooper Shane Roper.
Red Wing native donates $20 million to Mayo Clinic for use of AI in early cancer detection
"People need new therapies and cures now."
Mayo Clinic to use drones to deliver prescription drugs to patients' homes
The Rochester-based health care system inks agreement with Zipline to begin offering prescription deliveries by drone beginning in 2025.
Rochester writer to open city's first Black-owned art gallery, bookstore
"Black culture is essential to American culture," says Nicole Nfonoyim-Hara.
'Nothing but grateful': In Rochester, Organ Trail donors meet boy they helped save
Along a 1,173-mile bike ride through the Midwest, Mark and Lynn Scotch bring attention to the urgent need for living organ donors.
