Good morning, Rochester.

Family Service Rochester provides a daily Meals on Wheels program that delivers hot, fresh meals at lunch across 11 weekday and nine weekend routes for seniors and adults with disabilities—its fresh food program offers fruits and vegetables to help stretch food budgets during rising demand amid the government shutdown. The organization is also seeking additional volunteers.

Catholic Charities has renamed the Rochester Community Warming Center as Catholic Charities Overnight Shelter — Rochester to better match its service and mission for those in need.

The shelter will hold an open house on November 13 from 1 to 3 p.m. at 200 4th Street SE and a Winter Wear & Supplies Drive on November 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

McAlister's Deli will soon open two new locations in Rochester—one at The Shoppes on Second Center near Saint Mary's Hospital and the other at West Circle Retail Plaza just south of the Hy-Vee, with both set to open in the spring.

After seven years of service, Pondy Restaurant & Bar on Lake Zumbro announced that it will close in October 2026 after one final season.

Owners Steve and Devra will celebrate with customers every Friday & Saturday as they mark the restaurant's farewell.

Austin Ferguson plays the 56-bell carillon on top of the Plummer Building at Mayo Clinic and gives ten half-hour recitals each week (at 3 p.m. on weekdays, 7 p.m. on Monday, and noon Tuesday through Friday) while launching a program to train future carillonneurs.

Historic Mayowood is hosting guided Christmas tours from November 1 through December 18 that let visitors step back in time to experience the Mayo family's holiday traditions with historic stories and a taste of Emma’s Cookies—tickets cost $30 for adults and $15 for kids.

Rochester has been chosen as one of six cities nationwide to join the Regulatory Justice Initiative — a project aimed at easing small business regulations — led by Mayor Kim Norton and local officials Irene Woodward, Amanda Leightner, and Shawn Fagan.

The initiative will run through 2026 to help remove barriers for entrepreneurs.

Minnesota voters approved about 62.5% of nearly 100 school ballot measures on Nov.

4th, with operating levies passing at nearly 70%, building bonds just over 50%, and capital project levies around 64%—showing improvement from previous cycles. In southeastern Minnesota, local school measures passed at about a 67% rate.

The City of Rochester reported progress on the North Broadway reconstruction project today as the northbound lanes between the Silver Lake Bridge and Elton Hills Drive reopened to normal traffic.

Southbound traffic is now shifted to the inside lanes while work on sidewalks, curbs, and gutters continues, with landscaping and other features planned for later.

Haley Comfort Systems will host a check presentation today at 9 a.m. at the Haley Center to distribute over $151,000 raised at its 5th annual Oktoberfest for Suicide Prevention—funds that will go to AFSP, NAMI Southeast Minnesota, and Aidan’s Light.

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.

Here Comes Santa Claus

2:30-7 p.m. — Historic Chateau Theatre — Free entry — Celebrate the holiday season with festive activities, Santa's rescue, and tree lighting.

Work of eARTh Teen Art Club

1-4 p.m. — Rochester Art Center — Free entry — A collective of teen artists focused on sustainability and community action through creativity.