Good morning, Rochester.

Taco Jed announced on its Facebook page that it will close on October 18—after seven years in business—to focus on family priorities while offering live music and special menu items until then.

Riverland Community College in Austin went into lockdown yesterday morning at 8:45 a.m.—a member of the college's communication team confirmed the security measure while officials work to gather more details.

Today Longfellow Elementary hosted an Ice Bucket Challenge to raise money for first grade teacher Kristie Beck who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease—teachers and students doused themselves with ice water and raised $2,000 that will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Association.

This past summer at Rochester International Airport was warmer and wetter than normal, with an average temperature of 69.2°F and 14.63 inches of rain recorded from June 20th to September 21st—data that confirms a trend seen in 16 of the past 24 summers being warmer and nine of the last 12 being wetter. The findings indicate that local climate patterns are steadily shifting compared to long-term averages.

The Destination Medical Center Board met Thursday and approved an $85.6M two-year capital improvement plan—almost half of which will fund Mayo Clinic’s expansion and upgrades to streets, sidewalks, transit, and downtown areas.

The board’s plan will go to the Rochester City Council next month—where council members will decide on projects for better roads, safety, and building facades.

A new Minnesota Senate subcommittee visited Channel One Regional Food Bank on Sept.

25 in Rochester to learn how federal cuts have increased hunger and raised grocery prices—Senators Lindsey Port, Carla Nelson and other members saw local food programs under strain. They will review their findings at a meeting in St. Paul on Oct. 1.

The U.S. Justice Department filed a lawsuit against Secretary of State Steve Simon for not providing Minnesota’s voter registration list—his office said it will fight the suit after seeking extra safeguards for Minnesotans' personal data.

Over 100 Mayo Clinic nurses gathered in downtown Rochester yesterday for the second annual Nursing Nexus—where they discussed how an AI-powered Nurse Virtual Assistant may free up more time for patient care.

The meeting produced actionable ideas and continues today as nurses explore new ways to improve care.

Union members, retired physicians and community advocates held a protest at Mayo Clinic's Saint Marys campus on Sept.

25 to oppose planned closures at rural clinics in Belle Plaine, Caledonia, North Mankato, St. Peter and Wells — the changes are set to take effect on Dec. 10 and include reduced services at the Albert Lea campus.

Champions of Wellness Healthcare Summit 2025

10 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Mayo Civic Center — Special hotel rates apply — Leaders in healthcare explore systemic well-being and clinician wellness.

October Rochester Minnesota Female Entrepreneurs Meet-Up

2:30-3:30 p.m. — Collider Foundation — Free entry — Join fellow female entrepreneurs for bookkeeping tips and valuable networking.

OpenShift Fundamentals Training

Oct 6-8 — Huntington Learning Center Rochester — Check online for pricing — Dive into the essentials of OpenShift with hands-on Linux training for software development.

World Ballet Company - The Great Gatsby

7:00-8:30 p.m. — Mayo Civic Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience the glitz and glamor of the Roaring Twenties through a Broadway-style ballet adaptation of Fitzgerald’s classic.

Blippi: Join the Band Tour

2-3:30 p.m. — Mayo Civic Center — Ticket required for entry — Experience a lively music performance with Blippi, Meekah, and friends for the whole family.

Fall Ball Family Festival

2-6 p.m. — Camp Victory — $5 per person or $25 per family — Enjoy activities like pumpkin painting, mini ziplining, and apple cider at this family-friendly festival.

Girl Named Tom Concert

7-9:30 p.m. — Mayo Civic Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience the award-winning harmony of the sibling trio who captured hearts on The Voice.

Cans for Kids

8 AM – 12 PM — Ronald McDonald House Charities Midwest MN, WI, IA — Donations accepted — Bring aluminum cans for recycling to support children and families in need.

Rochester Hot Cider Hustle

Half Marathon, 10K, & 5K — — Rochester, Minnesota — — Participate in a festive race with sweet swag and hot cider at the finish.

Floral Shadow Box Workshop

6:30-8:30 p.m. — Art Heads Emporium — All materials included — Create your own floral arrangements in shadow boxes while enjoying time with friends.