Capitol weapons screening: More than a dozen guns found, multiple turned away with knives The Minnesota State Patrol considers the first day of weapons screening a success, as thousands of people entered the Capitol with more than a dozen of them carrying a gun. 

The Minnesota State Patrol considers the first day of weapons screening a success, as thousands of people entered the Capitol with more than a dozen of them carrying a gun. 

As the 2026 legislative session is set to kick off Tuesday at noon, echoes of last year's session ring out, particularly with how little time legislators have to get things done.

Donkey Basketball fundraiser draws crowds in Grand Meadow Instead of fast breaks and jump shots, players aimed to dribble and score while riding donkeys across the court.

Instead of fast breaks and jump shots, players aimed to dribble and score while riding donkeys across the court.

Single vehicle crash on Highway 52 in Rochester A 1990 Honda Accord was traveling southbound on Highway 52 in Rochester, when it crashed into the median barrier, leaving one man injured, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.

A 1990 Honda Accord was traveling southbound on Highway 52 in Rochester, when it crashed into the median barrier, leaving one man injured, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.

Rochester firefighters respond to structure fire Rochester firefighters battled a structure fire on Saturday. It happened at 515 8th St. NW around 5:40 p.m.

Rochester firefighters battled a structure fire on Saturday. It happened at 515 8th St. NW around 5:40 p.m.

Government moves to dismiss charges against men in ICE-involved shooting, citing ‘newly discovered evidence’ Attorneys for the federal government filed to dismiss the charges against two men who were involved in an altercation with ICE agents, in which one of the men was shot, according to court records.

Attorneys for the federal government filed to dismiss the charges against two men who were involved in an altercation with ICE agents, in which one of the men was shot, according to court records.

Federal authorities announce an end to the immigration crackdown in Minnesota Federal authorities announce an end to the immigration crackdown in Minnesota border czar Tom Homan said Thursday.

Federal authorities announce an end to the immigration crackdown in Minnesota border czar Tom Homan said Thursday.

Austin responders at scene of early-morning mobile home fire Austin firefighters responded to a fire at a mobile home park off West Oakland Avenue Wednesday morning, Feb. 11.

Austin firefighters responded to a fire at a mobile home park off West Oakland Avenue Wednesday morning, Feb. 11.

LIVE VIDEO: Oversight committee hears testimony on ICE, immigration activities A House Committee on Homeland Security hearing on ICE activities since the beginning of the year began Tuesday, Feb. 10.

A House Committee on Homeland Security hearing on ICE activities since the beginning of the year began Tuesday, Feb. 10.

Scott Jensen drops out of Minnesota governor race, launches campaign for auditor The Minnesota Republican nominee for governor in 2022 has ended his bid for the 2026 nomination and is instead entering a new race.

The Minnesota Republican nominee for governor in 2022 has ended his bid for the 2026 nomination and is instead entering a new race.

Minnesota farmers urge action on trade during visit with Sen. Amy Klobuchar As farmers face rising costs and uncertainty tied to federal trade policy, Senator Amy Klobuchar spent Saturday morning in Mower County speaking with local farmers about their concerns over tariffs and trade tensions.

As farmers face rising costs and uncertainty tied to federal trade policy, Senator Amy Klobuchar spent Saturday morning in Mower County speaking with local farmers about their concerns over tariffs and trade tensions.

Local lawmakers hope to address transgender girls in school sports during legislative session Minnesota’s legislative session begins in less than two weeks, and state lawmakers are preparing to address the issue of transgender girls participating in girls’ sports.

Minnesota’s legislative session begins in less than two weeks, and state lawmakers are preparing to address the issue of transgender girls participating in girls’ sports.

What the Tech? How to report spam calls and texts We all get spam calls and texts every day, but there's a way to block all this spam that works better than just marking it as spam.

We all get spam calls and texts every day, but there's a way to block all this spam that works better than just marking it as spam.

Mayo Clinic receives $100 million donation from Marriott foundations A massive donation announced Friday morning will help Mayo Clinic fund an expansive project in downtown Rochester.

A massive donation announced Friday morning will help Mayo Clinic fund an expansive project in downtown Rochester.

Mayor Norton to hold press conference discussing Rochesterfest 2026 On Friday, Rochester Mayor Kim Norton and Rochesterfest Executive Director Randy Stocker will be holding a press conference to discuss several major announcements related to this year's Rochesterfest celebration.

On Friday, Rochester Mayor Kim Norton and Rochesterfest Executive Director Randy Stocker will be holding a press conference to discuss several major announcements related to this year's Rochesterfest celebration.

Consumer Confidence: What's on sale in February From Presidents' Day sales to post-holiday price drops, Consumer Reports says there are several smart buys worth your attention right now.

From Presidents' Day sales to post-holiday price drops, Consumer Reports says there are several smart buys worth your attention right now.

Minnesota BCA seeking information on man charged with kidnapping Investigators are seeking information in relation to a child's kidnapping. Joseph Andrew Bragg, 28, has been charged in connection with the abduction and sexual assault of a 7-year-old girl. He faces one count of kidnapping and one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Investigators are seeking information in relation to a child's kidnapping. Joseph Andrew Bragg, 28, has been charged in connection with the abduction and sexual assault of a 7-year-old girl. He faces one count of kidnapping and one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Stewartville Winterfest kicks off with Blizzard Bingo Stewartville Winterfest kicked off on February 4 by hosting Blizzard Bingo. It's just one of many fun activities planned from Feb. 4-8. There will be Ladies Night on Feb. 5 and a fish dinner special at Adamson's Tavern on the Greens on Feb. 6.

Stewartville Winterfest kicked off on February 4 by hosting Blizzard Bingo. It's just one of many fun activities planned from Feb. 4-8. There will be Ladies Night on Feb. 5 and a fish dinner special at Adamson's Tavern on the Greens on Feb. 6.

Sen. Ernst creates act on Fraud Prevention, as fraud takes center stage in U.S. Senate As Minnesota lawmakers are testifying in the U.S. Senate over fraud that happened in State programs, Iowa Senator Joni Ernst wrote an act aimed at preventing fraud nationwide.

As Minnesota lawmakers are testifying in the U.S. Senate over fraud that happened in State programs, Iowa Senator Joni Ernst wrote an act aimed at preventing fraud nationwide.

Minnesota caucus attendees polled on governor candidate preference At caucuses across Olmsted County, Minnesotans were asked who they would prefer to represent their party in the Minnesota Governors race.

At caucuses across Olmsted County, Minnesotans were asked who they would prefer to represent their party in the Minnesota Governors race.

Gov. Walz, school leaders to address impact of federal detention of children on MN families Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison and school leaders plan to address the impact of federal detention of children on Minnesota families in a conference on Thursday.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison and school leaders plan to address the impact of federal detention of children on Minnesota families in a conference on Thursday.

Peak energy alert issued for Dual Fuel Energy Management Program members beginning Monday morning Freeborn Mower Electric Cooperative, MiEnergy Cooperative and People's Energy Cooperative issued a peak energy alert set to begin Monday, Feb. 2 at 7 a.m.

Freeborn Mower Electric Cooperative, MiEnergy Cooperative and People's Energy Cooperative issued a peak energy alert set to begin Monday, Feb. 2 at 7 a.m.

"Coldest Day of the Year Walk" highlights housing insecurity facing Rochester families Family Promise Rochester, a nonprofit serving individuals and families across 13 counties, hosted their first-ever "Coldest Day of the Year Walk" at Cascade Lake Park, where around 150 participants bundled up and took to the trails.

Family Promise Rochester, a nonprofit serving individuals and families across 13 counties, hosted their first-ever "Coldest Day of the Year Walk" at Cascade Lake Park, where around 150 participants bundled up and took to the trails.

Video shows federal agents outside Olmsted County Government Center Federal agents were spotted outside the Olmsted County Government Center conducting an operation on Jan. 31.

Federal agents were spotted outside the Olmsted County Government Center conducting an operation on Jan. 31.

Crews respond to vehicle fire in Rochester The Rochester Fire Department responded to a vehicle fire in Rochester on January 31.

Crews respond to vehicle fire in Rochester.

Local Rochester businesses close down due to redevelopment Several local businesses located near downtown in the Med City are shutting their doors this weekend after the owner of the building decided to redevelop the site.

Several local businesses located near downtown in the Med City are shutting their doors this weekend after the owner of the building decided to redevelop the site.

"We bring that level of entertainment closer to home": Monster truck show set to take over Med City Monster trucks are coming to the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester Saturday with demolition, freestyle tricks, races and more.

Monster trucks are coming to the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester Saturday with demolition, freestyle tricks, races and more.

Surf Ballroom's 2026 Winter Dance Party offers historic Fox House tours The 2026 Winter Dance Party at the Surf Ballroom is giving guests a chance to tour the historic Fox House this week.

The 2026 Winter Dance Party at the Surf Ballroom is giving guests a chance to tour the historic Fox House this week.

City of Rochester seeks community input on proposed natural gas franchise fee The Rochester City Council is considering a new fee that if approved would be added on to everyone's natural gas bill, but first, the city is looking for public input to decide if and how it should be implemented.

The Rochester City Council is considering a new fee that if approved would be added on to everyone's natural gas bill, but first, the city is looking for public input to decide if and how it should be implemented.

Man sprays unknown substance on Rep. Ilhan Omar and is tackled at Minneapolis town hall A man wearing a black jacket was tackled to the ground after spraying an unknown substance on U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar at a town hall she was hosting in Minneapolis on Tuesday.

A man wearing a black jacket was tackled to the ground after spraying an unknown substance on U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar at a town hall she was hosting in Minneapolis on Tuesday.