Good morning, Rochester.

Food shelves are preparing for a surge in demand as SNAP benefits will end November 1 due to the ongoing government shutdown.

Local pantries, including Eyota Food Pantry, plan to extend hours and seek more donations to help nearly 9,000 households in Olmsted County.

Feast! Local Foods Marketplace Festival returns to Rochester this weekend and will feature food from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 1 at the Mayo Civic Center (tickets cost $12, VIP $35, and children under 12 attend free) and offers cooking demos, family activities and shopping from 100 local makers.

A recent survey by FreeBets.com found Minnesotans choose Casey’s General Stores as their favorite gas station chain—its 190 locations are praised for offering tasty pizza, affordable fuel, and rewards.

Cirque Italia’s Water Circus is coming to Rochester this November with BMX stunts, trapeze artists, and a custom-built water stage that holds 35,000 gallons of water—offering a thrilling family event with acrobatics, comedy, and music.

The show will be held at the Apache Mall parking lot under the White & Blue Big Top Tent with several showtimes starting Nov. 14.

Three Rivers Community Action warned that 3,500 LIHEAP applicants across four counties may face delays in receiving energy assistance if the government shutdown continues—state funds from the federal government will not support the program going into November, leaving families to choose between paying bills and meeting other basic needs.

Rochester International Airport has secured more than $70 million in funding from the FAA and MnDOT to complete the Runway Safety Improvement Project and the General Aviation Ramp Reconstruction Project—funding that exceeds its usual annual allocation of $10-15 million.

Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services opened a new salvage vehicle inspection facility on Valleyhigh Drive NW in Rochester to check rebuilt vehicles for legal parts.

The facility, one of eight statewide, was built due to increasing inspections and operates Monday through Friday (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).

Rochester officials announced today that Civic Center Dr.—from 1st St. to 2nd St. Southeast—will be closed in both directions as part of a downtown energy transition project switching city buildings to geothermal power.

The closure will also affect the southbound section between Center St. and 1st St. Southeast and the adjacent sidewalk near Mayo Civic Center, potentially affecting travel for local fans.

Minnesota drivers are urged by the State Patrol to use the Three-Second Rule to maintain a safe following distance—this helps avoid tailgating.

If a driver does not count to three using a fixed reference point, they risk a ticket, a $1,000 fine, or jail time—especially when road conditions are poor.

The city will enforce alternate side parking starting November 1 on streets and cul-de-sacs from 2 a.m. to 3 p.m.—drivers must park on even-numbered sides on even dates and on odd-numbered sides on odd dates.

Metered spaces and one-sided streets remain exempt while evening parking is allowed for later compliance.

On Saturday, residents brought over 170 pounds of medicine to Drug Take Back Day as 126 cars participated—35% of which dropped off opiates, police said.

Officials stressed that the event aimed to safely remove unused medications from homes to prevent misuse.

A field of orange and white pumpkins is visible this fall near Rochester.

Residents can drive north on Broadway and turn left at 48th Street NE — passing Purple Goat — then left at East River Road NE — where the field appears on the left — to enjoy this unique seasonal display.

Kids Moonrise Paint Class

1-3 p.m. — Art Heads Emporium — All materials provided — Create a unique painting with customizable colors and stencils in this fun class for ages 6 and up.

Vintage Flea Market & Toy Show

9 AM – 2 PM — Graham Park — Admission varies — Discover vintage treasures, toys, and holiday décor at this charming local market.

Rochester Female Entrepreneurs Networking Meet-Up

2:30-3:30 p.m. — Collider Foundation — Free entry — Connect with local female entrepreneurs in a supportive, structured networking environment.

National Philanthropy Day Celebration

8 a.m. – 3 p.m. — Empire Event Center — Registration Fee Required — Celebrate philanthropy in the community with workshops and awards honoring outstanding contributions.

The Princess Bride: An Inconceivable Evening with Cary Elwes

7:30-9 p.m. — Mayo Civic Center — VIP packages available — Discover behind-the-scenes tales from the beloved film with Cary Elwes, featuring a screening and exclusive stories.

RHCSA Exam Preparation Training

8 a.m. — Huntington Learning Center Rochester — $2250 — Get ready for the RHCSA certification with this intensive five-day training course focusing on essential Linux system administration skills.

Spanish Conversation Meeting

6:30-7:30 p.m. — Rochester Public Library — Free entry — Engage in lively Spanish conversation in a friendly library setting.