Daily
Rochester
Thursday, December 11th, 2025
Good morning, Rochester. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 11th of December.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ A Rochester family is asking for help finding their missing 3-year-old golden retriever Max, who lost his leash on Nov. 28. The family offers a $1,000 reward for anyone with useful information and hopes for his safe return soon. KTTC
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ The Shoe Beverage Bar will open on North Broadway near downtown at 908 N Broadway Ave next to Sacred Heart Studios. Owners Matt and Frankie Jewison, Jack Lester, and Eric Kramlinger are renovating the 120-year-old building (once a shoe repair shop) and plan to welcome customers by the end of January 2026. KROC-AM
- ➤ Eagle Rock Bank announced that President and co-CEO Brad Becker will retire at the end of 2025 and that Larry Schminski will become the sole CEO while Kelly Nelson is named president, effective Jan. 1, 2026. KIMT
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Lee Herold, a Rochester veteran, turned his belief in a unifying Minnesota flag into Herold Flags in 1992 to help local residents show their pride; his store was packed after 9/11 (a sign of the flag’s power during tough times). KTTC
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ University of Minnesota Extension held a road safety workshop for Byron area farmers on Wednesday, Dec. 10 to address concerns about distracted drivers during harvest season. Law enforcement, insurance, and state policy experts offered guidance on proper signage and documentation (steps aimed at protecting farmers against liability). KIMT
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ MnDOT's 2025 to 2026 Name a Snowplow contest invites Minnesotans to submit clever, clean names for eight snowplows with each entry limited to 30 characters (one submission per person). Submissions close at noon on Friday, Dec. 19. KROC-AM
- ➤ On Wednesday, the DMCC Board met in Rochester to set priorities for UMR's campus expansion and downtown stewardship — a plan that includes a 20-year update with more than $1.8 billion in private investment. KIMT
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Olmsted County Public Health Services led a regional effort that earned a County Achievement Award from the Association of Minnesota Counties for its real-time health data model funded by a 2022 grant. The project lets counties share trends in mental health & substance use. KIMT
-
The Nutcracker by World Ballet Company
3:00 – 8:30 p.m. — Mayo Civic Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience a magical holiday adventure in a heartwarming ballet filled with enchanting moments and delightful characters.
-
Travis Anderson Trio - Christmas Concert
7-8:30 p.m. — Mayo Civic Center — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy classic holiday tunes with a modern jazz twist from the acclaimed Travis Anderson Trio.
-
Rocky Mountain High Experience: A John Denver Christmas
7:30-9 p.m. — Mayo Civic Center — Tickets available — Experience the timeless music of John Denver performed live this holiday season.
-
Wee Wednesday - My Wee Christmas Tree
9:30-10:30 a.m. — Sargent's on 2nd — $15 class fee — Decorate a “wee” Christmas tree while enjoying a festive reading and treats.
-
WFPB Holiday Potluck
6-8 p.m. — 1800 High Pointe Ln NW, Rochester, MN — Cost info not listed — Celebrate the holidays with delicious whole food plant-based dishes and community connections.
-
World Juniors Hockey Pre-Tournament Series
7-10 p.m. — Rochester Recreation Center — Cost info not provided — Witness young hockey talents battle it out in exhibition games featuring Denmark, Switzerland, and Sweden.
-
New Year's Eve Celebration
5:30-7:30 p.m. & 8:00-10:00 p.m. — Bleu Duck Kitchen & Oyster Bar — $125 per person — Celebrate the arrival of 2026 with an elegant four-course dining experience.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Man is condemned to be free.
Know who said this? Send us an email!
Reveal the authorAbout Daily Rochester
Welcome to the Daily Rochester, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Rochester, Minnesota community. If you like the Daily Rochester, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Rochester.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Rochester and across Minnesota. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Daily Rochester
A free Rochester community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://dailyrochesternews.com/sitemap