Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 18th of March.
Good morning, Rochester.
🏘️ Community
Families can join ImaginationFest, a free event with interactive stations where kids visiting every station get a book from the Imagination Library; it takes place Saturday, Mar.
21 at Pipsqueaks Indoor Play Zone (903 West Center Street) from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
💼 Business
North Broadway Dairy Queen is open for the 2026 season (despite a heavy snowstorm blanketing the area).
Locals can visit the shop at 538 N Broadway to enjoy its ice cream treats.
📰 Economy
Diesel fuel prices surged past $5 nationwide on Tuesday while Rochester’s average held near $4.71, with some pumps reaching almost $4.84.
Global supply disruptions are pushing costs higher, which may raise fuel expenses for area farmers ahead of spring planting.
🏛️ Government
The Olmsted County Board voted 4-3 Tuesday evening to allow rifle deer hunting this fall after a public hearing on the state law that offers an opt-out for shotgun-only rules.
Nearby counties will also permit rifles under the new law.
Sunday night, high winds snapped a pine branch that blew into a power line — causing a flash many saw as a fireball — and left 5,000 people without power for nearly two hours in Rochester.
RPU crews restored electricity piece by piece after receiving public alerts.
Rochester Public Transit resumed service on Mar.
16 amid winter weather that led to detours on Routes 101, 102 and 306 — Route 204 detours around Felty Avenue SE and Towne Club Parkway SE while RCTC remains accessible via Route 203.
Rochester Fire Department is asking residents living near hydrants to remove three feet of snow and create a clear path to the street – a measure to help fire engines access water quickly.
The request comes after heavy snowfall has limited emergency response access.
🏥 Health
Rochester-based Mayo Clinic researchers found that Brigatinib — a lung cancer drug — combined with PARP inhibitors can block a survival pathway in aggressive ovarian cancer cells.
The pre-clinical study will lead to clinical trials to test the treatment's safety and effectiveness.
📰 Lifestyle
Minnesotans debate whether to keep windshield wipers up or down during snowy weather.
An insurance expert and a Farmer's Almanac survey show that holding wipers up may help prevent wiper-blade damage by easing ice removal for cars parked outdoors.
On March 17, locals shared their favorite Rochester bars serving green beer for St. Patrick’s Day, including Beetle's Bar & Grill, Bull’s Bierhaus, and more.
The guide noted food specials, live music and bagpipe performances at several venues.
🏈 Sports
After the Paralympics ended Sunday, Mar.
15 in Italy, Minnesota athletes returned with medals as Sydney Peterson earned gold in the 10km Classic sprint plus Mike Schultz took bronze in snowboarding while Landon Uthke helped his sled hockey team secure gold.
🎉 Rochester Events
Submit an event →
Highland Romance: A Kid's Concert Experience
3-9:30 p.m. — Mayo Civic Center — Ticket required for entry — A vibrant concert journey through art and classical storytelling for children.
World Ballet Company: Cinderella
7-9 p.m. — Mayo Civic Center — Cost details not provided — Experience a magical Broadway-style ballet adaptation of Cinderella featuring a cast of 40 international dancers.
The Glenn Miller Orchestra Concert
7-9 p.m. — Historic Chateau Theatre — Ticketed event — Experience the enchanting jazz sounds of The Glenn Miller Orchestra live with classic hits.
🏠 Rochester Real Estate
Submit a listing →
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
💼 Rochester Job Board
Submit a job →
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
📣 Rochester Announcements
Submit an announcement →
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
Stay in the know, Rochester.
Free, always. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.