Daily
Rochester
Saturday, October 4th, 2025
Good morning, Rochester. Here's your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 4th of October.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Rochester is hosting the Walk to End Alzheimer's today at Saint Mary’s University with 350 participants registered and a fundraising goal of $150,000. The event features a Promise Garden ceremony—participants carry flowers that show their personal connection to Alzheimer’s. KIMT
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Dave's Hot Chicken is expanding from 18 to 30 locations across Minnesota—now holding exclusive rights statewide—and will open a new restaurant in North Loop next month. The chain already serves Rochester, St. Paul, Apple Valley, Minnetonka, and Coon Rapids while new spots are planned in Mankato, Edina, Stillwater, Rogers, and Eden Prairie. KROC-AM
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The first-ever Heading Up North music festival will be held at the Chateau Theater in downtown Rochester on October 11th with doors opening at 4 p.m. and music starting at 5 p.m.—the event will feature seven performers including Clay Fulton and The Lost Forty—and offer food from a Bleu Duck food truck along with drinks from Little Thistle Brewing. KROC-AM
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Rochester Beacon Academy got the Milestone Award from the Minnesota Association of Charter Schools on Sept. 25 in St. Paul—marking 10 years since it opened in 2015. The school helps grades 6–12 with challenges in organization, social skills, and senses to get ready for adulthood. KIMT
- ➤ Rochester Public Schools reported a rise in enrollment this fall, which reached 17,441 students—an increase of 118 from last year and nearly 500 above forecast levels. The additional enrollment will add about $3.4 million in revenue to help counter budget cuts. KROC
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ RNeighbors and Rochester Parks & Recreation invite residents to join the Fall RNeighborWoods Community Tree Planting event on October 11 at 8:30 a.m. in Northgate Park 2107 24th Street Northwest—volunteers will receive a short training video and do not need to register, simply bringing a labeled shovel if possible. KIMT
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Kenneth Bush said his minority-owned company is working with Elcor Construction on the Link Bus Rapid Transit project and is fielding 10 to 15 local contractors — they handle signage, barriers and safety flagging to protect pedestrians. A state study found only 4 percent of city contracts go to minority and women-owned firms and Bush urged the city to boost local workforce training and support programs like the Diversity in Built Environment project with Destination Medical Center. KIMT
- ➤ The Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office held a news conference on Friday at 10 a.m. at the Freeborn County Governments center in Albert Lea—former ICE detainee Omar Jamal discussed his detention from August 29 to September 30 and answered media questions. KTTC
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Rochester Hot Cider Hustle
Half Marathon, 10K, & 5K — — Rochester, Minnesota — — Participate in a festive race with sweet swag and hot cider at the finish.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Help others achieve their dreams and you will achieve yours.
~ Les Brown
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