Good morning, Rochester.

Downtown Rochester will see major construction in 2026 as Mayo Clinic reopens 2nd Street Southwest and launches new building entrances and parking ramps, while Link Bus Rapid Transit is set to start by 2027 - local businesses are adapting to detours.

Experience Rochester hosts the fourth annual Celebrate Rochester!

New Year's Eve Event at the Mayo Civic Center today from 11am to 7pm, with family-friendly inflatables, arcade games, roller skating, live music, and a balloon drop at 6pm (setup began Tuesday) and food and drinks for purchase (expecting 6,000 people).

Starting January 1, Minnesota workers will receive an increase in the state minimum wage to $11.41 per hour, with the 90-day training wage rising to $9.31; local rules in Minneapolis and St. Paul apply (these cities set their own standards).

After a Sunday night storm, Rochester International Airport used plows and sweeper trucks through Monday afternoon on Dec.

29 to clear runways — even though American Airlines and Delta cancelled flights, citing reasons other than runway conditions. The airport now expects to maintain clear runways for future flights.

Ice rinks have returned to Soldiers Field Park with an oval track and hockey rinks lit for evening skating, though Tuesday night's snowfall required shoveling before play.

The rinks remain free (weather permitting) for Rochester residents.

Castle Con

12 PM - 6 PM — Historic Chateau Theatre — Check event page for details — Immerse yourself in a weekend-long tabletop gaming extravaganza with tournaments and family-friendly fun.

The Lewy Convergence: Clinical Wisdom and Historical Reflection

11:30 a.m. — Leighton Auditorium — $25 Registration — A landmark CME event honoring Dr. Friedrich Lewy's legacy while advancing knowledge on Lewy Body Dementia care.