Recent content from Trey Mewes
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.
Albert Lea passes $10M referendum to fund hockey, swimming and the arts
Residents voted 3-to-1 in favor of infrastructure improvements.
Dog breeders accused of starving German shepherds won't get them back
A Fillmore County judge on Monday ruled against returning the dogs to the LeRoy breeders
Southeast Minnesotans worry over state water pollution response
Four months after promises to help, Minnesota has yet to deliver clean drinking water to people most in danger. Moreover, some residents worry about how seriously the state will treat nitrate pollution in the future.
How did Faribault become home to Minnesota's deaf and blind academies?
These southeast Minnesota institutions date back to the earliest days of statehood.
President of divided Rochester council won't run for re-election
After one term, Brooke Carlson declines to run again.
Wisconsin man's body pulled from Zumbro River near Rochester
James Steiner, 62, was found in a submerged truck in the river.
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Pigs' blood leaked from Hormel plant into storm water system in Austin, Minn.
Officials say the debris, released by faulty equipment at a pork processing plant, overwhelmed the city's system for several days.
Rochester to get new $5M swim park
New pool, splash pad and bathhouse will be coming to Silver Lake Park.
Olmsted County has a new plan to address homelessness. Some officials are skeptical.
Area housing staff plan to use the national Built for Zero program to better connect services and become more efficient.
Rochester author Harriet Hodgson on grief: 'Death will be the loser. Life will be the winner.'
The 88-year-old shares her wisdom as an "experienced griever."
Rochester paves way for Mayo to demolish old Lourdes High School building
The City Council rescinded landmark status for the former Catholic high school near downtown, which allows for its demolition to make way for a Mayo Clinic expansion.
Minnesota dog breeders charged with starving German shepherds
15 dogs were taken from a farm outside LeRoy last month after deputies and veterinarians found kennels covered in feces and urine.
Rochester council dives headfirst into its shortage of swimming pools
The City Council put a plan to replace one of two city pools with a splash pad on hold.
Private investment in downtown Rochester fell in 2023
Non-Mayo Clinic development is at its lowest point since the DMC initiative began tracking investment.
It's Amish vs. animal lovers as Winona County cracks down on dog breeding
County officials seek to ban future dog breeding kennels and enact stricter regulations on mostly Amish breeders.
Controversial Rochester council member to face primary for her seat
Molly Dennis faces two challengers for her Ward 6 seat; more are expected over the next few months.
Minnesota sculptor's will in question after appeals court finds fraud evidence
Court records indicate a Good Thunder city official lied about being present when Arnold Lillo signed his will, casting suspicions his signature was forged.
Demolish or preserve: Mayo Clinic's plans for Catholic school building called into question
Some residents oppose tearing down the old Lourdes High School as the city debates its status as a landmark.
After nearly three years, small-town newspaper fight in southeast Minnesota appears finished
The owner of the Fillmore County Journal must pay nearly $80,000 to the man he bought six newspapers from — and closed — in 2020.
From bison to stars: Rochester schools seek mascot approval after forced change
District to ask permission from Minnesota's Tribal Nations Education Committee to use the stars mascot.
Rochester has a housing problem. Mayo Clinic may be the answer.
Officials say Mayo has to play a part in housing the workers it will draw with an upcoming $5 billion expansion.
Has Rochester added workers of color in its busy building industry? It's still working on it
A workforce program starts marketing efforts this month to increase awareness.
Rochester middle school must change mascots after failed appeal to tribes
Dakota Middle School chose the bison as its mascot just two years ago.
