Good morning, Rochester.

Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will visit communities across Minnesota from Dec.

11 to 18 for festive performances and donation collection — with Allen Stone leading southern and Twin Cities stops and Shawnee Kish with Jamie Fine entertaining in central and northwestern areas.

Saints on Second has reopened inside the Courtyard by Marriott across from Mayo Clinic’s Saint Marys Campus with a new modern design — the work of Minneapolis-based Shea Design — and offers an updated menu of made-from-scratch options alongside complimentary parking.

Uni Uni will open a seasonal shop at Apache Mall on Nov.

1, offering dirty sodas + desserts instead of bubble tea. The temporary location will run through December and is still finalizing details.

Ghost tours in Rochester and Mantorville have sparked a community buzz as residents embrace local legends—tours will continue through the month to share the area's mysterious history.

A University of Minnesota report (released Oct.

14) shows tourism generated $1.1 billion in revenue for Rochester, underscoring the key role of local tourism in boosting the economy.

U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon visited RCTC yesterday as part of her Returning Education to the States Tour to discuss federal education priorities in Rochester.

Local educators and community leaders engaged with the visit to promote upcoming education initiatives.

Enrollment for the Minnesota State system reached 172,879 students for the fall 2026-2027 academic year, with 26 colleges adding 1.5 percent more students while seven universities saw a 2.1 percent decline.

Notable gains occurred at Normandale Community College—while Minnesota West Community and Technical College dropped, reflecting shifts among statewide public institutions.