Good morning, Rochester.

A light rain did not stop local kids from joining MLB Play Ball Camp on Thursday at Mayo Field — they received free t-shirts and three hours of baseball lessons from Honkers players and coaches as part of a program with the mayor’s office.

The campers also got tickets for the game when the Honkers hosted the Eau Claire Express on dog night — an event that allowed pets to join in the fun.

A Minneapolis truck driver faces two felony charges—he allegedly did not brake at the intersection of Hwy.

63 and Olmsted County Rd. 12—after his truck hit a car on August 13, 2024 and severely injured a Rochester man and woman.

A Minneapolis truck driver faces two felony charges after a crash on August 13 that severely injured a Rochester man and woman at the intersection of Hwy.

63 and Olmsted County Rd. 12/Hwy. 247 — a witness said the truck’s brake lights did not come on even though state patrol found the brakes worked — and his first court appearance is set for next year.

Destination Medical Center collected feedback when it had its booth at Thursdays Downtown along 1st Ave SW to review its $250 million past investment and plan nearly $250 million more for downtown Rochester.

The process, open to patients, visitors and residents, will resume in the first week of August — a move aimed at attracting private funding that multiplies every dollar by 10.

On July 7, UMN Extension laid off all 60 SNAP—Ed educators after federal funding was cut by the Big Beautiful Bill Act; the decision ended 35 years of free nutrition education for SNAP recipients in 42 counties.

The layoffs leave an estimated 57,000 program beneficiaries without in-person support.

The City of Rochester and The Trust for Public Land received a $26,500 Pollinator Pathways Grant to turn four acres of turf into native pollinator habitats in four parks (Joyce Park, McQuillan Park, Meadow Park, Meadow Park Estates Park).

Preparation will start summer 2025 and seeding will run from fall 2025 to early 2026 (maintenance will continue through 2027 and beyond) while residents can still access the parks.

At a roundtable at the Rochester Area Foundation, experts said Minnesota’s red flag law has helped reduce gun violence since it took effect in January 2024—reporting 135 ERPO orders filed to help prevent firearm suicides and related tragedies.

The Food and Drug Administration issued a recall for vitamin B12 products made by Vita Warehouse Corporation sold at ALDI—this recall is due to an undeclared peanut allergen that could cause serious health issues.

Customers with items such as the Aldi Welby clear bottle, marked with an expiration date of 10/2026, should return them for a refund or discard them.

Mayo Clinic researchers led by Mark Stegall reported that a phase 3 trial using kidney and stem cell transplants from siblings allowed 75% of the patients to stop taking immunosuppressive medications for over two years — two out of three patients have been off the drugs for more than three years. The study is part of the Transforming Transplant Initiative — a program that will guide future research to further improve transplant outcomes.

Annual Insidewalk Sale Clearance Event

10 AM – 4 PM — Galleria At University Square — Visit our biggest sale of the year with incredible deals on amazing products!

Pairs and Team Jigsaw Puzzle Contests

1-6 p.m. — Thesis Beer Project — $40 entry — Compete in pairs and teams to see who can solve puzzles the fastest and enjoy the chance to win prizes.

Docker with Kubernetes Administration Training

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Northrop Community Education — $2490 — Gain essential skills in container management and orchestration with Docker and Kubernetes over five days.

I.M.P. Motorsports Autocross Day 1

5-10:30 p.m. — Graham Park - Olmsted County — $22 Adults, $15 Preteens — Experience thrilling motorsports action at the autocross event.

German Language Meetup

4-6 p.m. — Define Conference Room — Free entry — Practice your German with speakers of all skill levels in a welcoming environment.

Enterprise Linux System Administration Training

July 28 to August 1 — Northrop Community Education — $2190 — Enhance your Linux skills with in-depth system administration training and hands-on labs.

Myron Elkins Concert

7-8:30 p.m. — Mayo Civic Center — Tickets available — Enjoy a night of country music with rising star Myron Elkins as he headlines a charitable concert.

P’tit Café in Rochester

2-3:30 p.m. — Café Aquí — Free entry — Engage in French conversation while enjoying coffee and delicious treats with fellow enthusiasts.

August Rochester Minnesota Female Entrepreneurs Meet-Up

2:30-3:30 p.m. — Collider Foundation — Free entry — Collaborate on content creation while connecting with fellow female entrepreneurs in Rochester.

Let's Speak German

4-6 p.m. — Define Conference Room — Free entry — Practice your German in a friendly atmosphere with coffee and snacks available.