Recent content from Trey Mewes
Murder some crows? Rochester seeks remedy for downtown menace
City officials plan to cull the crow population after more than a decade of nonlethal attempts to disperse them from downtown.
A Winona professor dreams of new ways to observe the stars
Astronomer Adam Beardsley recently received $500,000 to design a radio observatory in the Winona area.
Oronoco, Minn., delays, then certifies election results after tension and distrust
The Oronoco City Council certified local election winners Friday after council members recessed on Wednesday over when an incoming candidate could start his term.
Late gun safety activist's message lives on in billboard in southern Minnesota
Jon Frasz died in January, but his friends honored his dedication with a billboard in Faribault.
Ex-boyfriend guilty on all four counts in murder of Madeline Kingsbury of Winona
After 10 hours of deliberations, a jury found Adam Fravel guilty of killing the 26-year-old mother of two, whose disappearance sparked nationwide interest.
Emotional day in court as murder trial over Madeline Kingsbury goes to jury
Deliberations began Wednesday afternoon on whether Adam Fravel is guilty of killing his ex-girlfriend.
Randy Schubring wins Rochester City Council president seat
Schubring defeated Ward 5′s Shaun Palmer to take the council's only at-large seat.
GOP's Finstad wins another term representing southern Minnesota's First District
Finstad fended off a challenge from Rochester lawyer Bohman if he wants a second term in Congress.
Defense rests in Madeline Kingsbury murder trial; Adam Fravel declines to testify
Closing arguments will be made next week in the killing of the young mother from Winona.
Friends of slain Winona woman detail alleged abuse at murder trial
Several friends and sorority sisters of Madeline Kingsbury say they saw bruises on her body and incidents where her ex-boyfriend hit or pushed her.
Madeline Kingsbury was frantic after alleged choking by her ex, her parents testify
They said she often complained about ex-boyfriend Adam Fravel.
Rochester's Mayo Civic Center switches operators, affecting almost 150 jobs
The switch will happen in January, though Experience Rochester promises "a seamless transition" as staff remain in place.
Winona-area House seat — one of the last DFL rural holdouts — could be key to legislative control
Rep. Gene Pelowski retired from the Legislature earlier this year, creating a must-win seat for DFLer Sarah Kruger and Republican Aaron Repinski.
Spurned lover or 'revisionist history'? Trial starts in Madeline Kingsbury's killing.
The Winona woman's ex-boyfriend and the father of her children, Adam Fravel, faces four murder charges in a Mankato courtroom.
Red Wing School Board member accused of shoplifting from Target
Rachel Marshall Schoenfelder allegedly stole just over $500 in goods from March to July 2024.
Rochester punts cannabis business regulation to Olmsted County
The city is taking advantage of a recent ruling allowing communities to delegate local authority over the cannabis industry to counties.
Murder trial for ex-boyfriend of Madeline Kingsbury starts this week
Adam Fravel faces first-degree murder charges in the death of Winona woman Madeline Kingsbury.
Rochester man dies in SE. Minnesota after motorcycle veers off road
The State Patrol says alcohol was a factor in Ross Anthony Stensrud's death
In Tim Walz's home city, opposing groups watch him debate on the national stage
Parties in Mankato highlight chasm over how Minnesotans view Walz.
What's in Rochester's Destination Medical Center budget for 2025?
A bus rapid transit line and sewer work for several projects takes up most of the group's annual funding.
Rochester's Destination Medical Center rejects funding for proposed apartment projects
Developer R&R Properties of Mankato plans to rework project to meet DMC guidelines.
Mayo Clinic's $5B Rochester expansion clears first major hurdle with city
The Rochester City Council on Monday signed off on the 363-page environmental review while Mayo plans to begin demolishing buildings this fall.
For small Minnesota cities, embracing Pride celebrations can come with tough community conversations
Plainview held its first Pride event in mid-September even as organizers faced online threats and criticism from some in the community who disagree with LGBTQ displays.
Olmsted County looks at $7 million levy increase for 2025
The county has yet to calculate specific impacts to homeowners.
Southern Minnesota city's souped up food project aims to end hunger in the area
Austin nonprofits are teaming up with Hormel to improve food access and create a blueprint for other communities.
Rochester could get new 14-story building that includes student housing downtown
The proposed 175,000-square foot building could provide more than 200 housing units for area college students.
An Owatonna librarian's mission: Documenting the history of the Ku Klux Klan in Minnesota
"People don't want to believe that it happened here," Nancy Vaillancourt says. "I want people to know the truth. I want them to know it did happen."
A Rochester man threatened to kill people online. An appeals court overturned his conviction.
Kyle Ketterling made social media posts threatening to kill Muslims, Democrats, government officials and police.
Blue Earth County to remove Rapidan Dam
County commissioners vote to tear down the dam near Mankato that failed during major flooding in June.
Rochester proposes a 21% increase in city spending next year, major tax hike
City officials say the $120M in increased spending comes from more staffing needs, larger contract gains for police and firefighters.
Ex-boyfriend's trial in Madeline Kingsbury killing gets new venue, start date
Adam Fravel is charged in Winona County with the murder of Madeline Kingsbury, with whom he shared two children. A judge ruled on Wednesday that the trial will start Oct. 7 in Blue Earth County.
Rochester to allow golf carts on city streets
Golf carts will be permitted on roadways with speed limits of 25 mph or less.
Rochester's controversial council member faces 3 challengers in primary next week
Molly Dennis seeks re-election while suing the city of Rochester amid continuing tensions with her colleagues.
'Just got the tingles': Mankato, where Tim Walz taught and coached, reacts to his political ascent
"We in Mankato knew he was a good guy, because our kids told us."
Austin pushes to create whitewater rapids in the middle of town on the Cedar River
"Everybody couldn't understand how we could do this in a flat county, but some city officials got it."
YMCA closing Rochester child care center at the end of August
Local YMCA officials say rising costs, staffing issues led to center's shuttering.
Rochester tween training for Pokemon World Championships in Honolulu
Elliot McPike heads back to the Pokemon World Championships in the next few weeks to challenge the video game's elite players.
Rochester leans toward limiting cannabis business licenses
Council members say Minnesota's third-largest city should set license limits at state minimum
Years in the making, Rochester closing in on site for $65M regional sports complex
City officials expect to finalize a location for the complex by the end of summer.
After months of turmoil, Rochester schools adopt guidelines supporting trans students
District officials came under fire for a rule requiring staff to report students' transgender identity to parents, but only if they asked.
Rochester wants to use $4M in sales taxes on major housing development
City looks to boost Prairie Ridge housing project in NW Rochester
Winona auto parts plant starts to close later this month; 117 employees to be laid off
BCS Access Business Systems will start the first round of layoffs July 26.
High-speed chase in southern Minnesota leads to 10-hour standoff, recovery of child in Austin
Austin police persuaded the suspect to surrender.
Damage leaves Minnesotans without flood insurance hoping for aid
Home and business owners are left reeling as they also await federal and state disaster dollars.
Olmsted County history center raising $3M to save 1800s farmstead
Local officials say it's the first step toward a larger campus dedicated to area history
With no bonding bill in 3 of last 4 years, flood funding unreliable
With growing costs and growing needs, cities across Minnesota are waiting for state funds.
Minnesota National Guard, inmates arrive in Waterville to fight flooding
'This is the worst flooding I can remember. Ever.'
In Minnesota township, one of the longest-running festivals in the U.S. celebrates a rodent
The Viola Gopher Count has its 150th anniversary this year.
Rochester council signs off on demolishing a block of houses
Developers will raze nine homes in Lowertown neighborhood near Silver Lake Park.
Rochester day-care worker accused of slashing infant's face with pizza cutter
Court records show Andrianna Newburn told police she intentionally went after a co-worker's child.
Spectrum to close Rochester call center; 300 employees affected
The company has offered to relocate staff affected by the August closing.
Trial in Madeline Kingsbury murder case moved out of Winona County
A judge on Wednesday granted Adam Fravel's attorneys' request to move the trial.
From medicine garden to language classes, Native education is growing in Rochester schools
The district's Native American education programs will soon include Dakota language classes.
Mayo Clinic faces worker distress as employees bargain, unionize
Nurses are considering unionizing at Mayo's Rochester location, while hospital support staff picket and bargain for higher wages and workplace improvements.
No charges for teens accused of putting racial slur on Rochester bridge
NAACP of Rochester calls Olmsted County Attorney Mark Ostrem's decision a "dangerous message."
Rochester snags perhaps its most expensive restaurant: Ruth's Chris Steak House
The high-end restaurant opens in the Kahler Grand Hotel on June 17.
Four teens accused of putting racist slur up on Rochester bridge
Rochester police say they're forwarding the case to the Olmsted County Attorney's Office for potential charges.
Lawmakers direct $16 million to clean up polluted wells, change farming practices in southeastern Minnesota
The Legislature declined to impose a fertilizer tax, which would have made farmers help pay to clean up runoff.
Another 106 workers laid off at Alumacraft in St. Peter in second round of job cuts within a year
Canada-based parent company BRP cut 68 workers in St. Peter last fall as demand for boats declined.
Rochester's population boom is coming. But is the area ready?
Community leaders strategize how to address the expected influx of new residents over the next 20 years.
Rochester council member suing the city kicked out of council meeting
"You are interrupting me again. Enough!" Council President Brooke Carlson told Molly Dennis before ejecting her.
New 'rare' 400-acre wildlife preserve opens near Rochester
The Moon Valley Wilderness Management Area is ready for hikers and hunters.
A $10M referendum failed last fall; now Rochester schools are doubling their request
District officials warn that school closures are likely if voters reject the proposal.
Owatonna opens time capsule tucked in the high school a century ago
The rusty metal box was filled with newspapers, city history and lots of telling financial statements.
Albert Lea Pride drag show draws controversy after venue pulls out
Venue change comes amid planning for city's second-ever Pride celebration.
New sober house for veterans in southern Minnesota wants to treat the real issue: PTSD
Organizers say the Bravo Zulu House in Winnebago could kickstart a new nationwide model for recovery.
Austin man sentenced to 32 years for killing woman who was playing with a stun gun
Me'darian L. Mcgruder received 386 months in prison during a sentencing hearing Friday.
Mankato-area sirens working again; faulty phone line caused failed test
Blue Earth County is working on a backup system in case the sirens fail in the future.
Mankato area schedules new siren test Friday after malfunction
Blue Earth County officials say they think they've worked out the problem.
'I'm not going to walk away from this': Rochester council member wants her day in court
Molly Dennis and attorneys for the city argued whether her lawsuit against the city should be dismissed in federal court Tuesday.
Winona says it needs a new police station. Some residents (and officials) aren't so sure.
City officials are looking to partner with Winona County on a new law enforcement center.
Neighbors, city officials at odds over Rochester lake dam
Critics planning a rally to protest a city plan to make changes to the Silver Lake area.
At St. Olaf College, talking about death is on this 'cafe' menu
College officials are embracing a student-led effort to ponder one of life's biggest mysteries.
This retired journalist changed professional wrestling from Mankato
Norm Kietzer was a pioneer in professional wrestling journalism for 40 years.
These Rochester teens wanted to help families like theirs. Now Congress is recognizing their new app.
Century and John Marshall high schoolers created a resources app for area Muslims.
