Rochester Today

Steve Lange with Rochester Magazine joins Andy to talk about a fascinating Mayo Clinic researcher and her project.

Tom and Andy talk about recent criticism leveled at the Minnesota Department of Human Services over reports that it did not try to collect $40 million worth of overpayments. The list of topics also include the resignation of the FBI director and the roadblocks faced by President-elect Trump in getting his administration assembled.

Tom and Andy talk about the arrest of a suspect for the murder of a Minnesota business executive and the horrifying expressions of sympathy for Brian Thompson's killer. The issues talked about on the show also include a lawsuit against the Minnesota Department of Education and the fall of the brutal Syrian regime.

Olmsted County Sheriff Kevin Torgerson talks about the confusion surrounding Minnesota's "Clean Slate" law concerning convictions for marijuana offenses that are still illegal even though the state is legalizing recreational marijuana. He says it appears, in some circumstances, a new conviction could be expunged automatically almost as soon as it's entered into the court record.

Mike Dougherty of the Minnesota Department of Transportation, often known as MnDOT Mike, joins Andy to announce the state's soon to be launched annual Name a Snowplow contest. Mike also updates us on ongoing road projects and shares some wisdom about safe winter driving.

Tom and Andy talk about the new state revenue forecast the projects a more than $5 billion budget deficit and just a couple of years and how the expected gridlock at the State Capitol may make it very difficult to find a way to fix the problem.

Tom and Andy talk about the case of an expert used by Minnesota's Attorney General to defend a law being challenged as a violation of the First Amendment who is accused of citing research that allegedly doesn't exist. The show topics also include a lawsuit over the results of a State House election in southern Minnesota and Trump's choice for Attorney General.

Rochester Mayor Kim Norton talks about the new makeup of the City Council after the November election and a leadership post on the National League of Cities.

Rochester Public Schools Superintendent talks with Andy about a wide range of issues, from the decision by voters to raise their own taxes, a new way of setting school budgets, to making the decision to cancel classes when nasty weather is on its way.

Dan Fifield with The Landing MN joins Andy to talk about the ongoing homelessness problem in Rochester as the bitter cold of winter approaches.

Patrick Seeb with the Destination Medical Center talks about the recently approved vacation of some busy north and south traffic arteries in downtown Rochester as part of Mayo Clinic's $5 billion expansion plan, along with work that is taking place, and plans for additional work concerning the pavers installed at the Peace Plaza.

Tom and Andy continue discussions about President-Elect Trump's picks for his administration, and look at a recent Minnesota Chamber of Commerce report on the state's economy along with many other topics.

Tom and Andy talk about the many nominations that President-elect Trump has announced in the weeks following his election win. The show topics also include Governor Walz's political future in the aftermath of Harris-Walz ticket's defeat.

Rochester City Councilmember Shaun Palmer returns to Rochester Today and talks about some of the challenges presented by Mayo Clinic's massive Bold. Forward. Unbound expansion plans, including the expected closure of two of the main north and south traffic arteries in downtown Rochester. Councilmember Palmer also joined Andy in talking about the future of Silver Lake and the possible elimination of on street parking along East Center Street.

Chris Miksanek, the Med-City Movie Guy, joins Andy and talks about the impressive careers of two leading actors who are retiring from the silver screen. Chris also dives into some new robot-themed movies.

Tom and Andy continue to discuss the impacts of the 2024 election, particularly on the "Mainstream" or "Legacy" media outlets.

Tom and Andy continue to explore the results of last week's election and discuss questions being raised by Republicans about some late shifts in the results reported for two very close races in the Minnesota House. The show topics also include the announcement that a FEMA employee was fired for directing disaster relief workers to skip Trump supporters in Florida.

During his regular monthly visit, Olmsted County Sheriff Kevin Torgerson highlights the actions of a Detention Deputy who saved the life of a woman being held in the Olmsted County Adult Detention Center. The Sheriff also talks about some of the progress being made in addressing a huge backlog of arrest warrants.

Steve Lange from Rochester Magazine joins Andy and talks about a recent article concerning the gorgeous stained glass panels depicting the history of medical science that are part of Mayo Clinic's historic Foundation House atop "Pill Hill" in Southwest Rochester.

Tom and Andy discuss the election results at the local, state, and national levels.

Tom and Andy talk about some of the latest news involving the election as Americans go to the polls to select our future leaders.

Rochester Mayor Kim Norton talks about the recent award of federal funding for the city's planned Link Bus Rapid Transit System and some recent progress concerning affordable housing.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation's Mike Dougherty (MNDOT Mike) is joined by MNDOT snowplow operator Steve Kazeck to talk about his job and what motorists can do to make to make it safer for everyone.

Tom and Andy discuss the President's remark and the reactions to it with less than a week before the election. Today's topics also include a Minnesota Supreme Court ruling that went against the actions of election officials in Hennepin County.

Tom and Andy talk about the aftermath of Sunday's massive rally for Donald Trump in New York's famed Madison Square Garden, along with a lenient sentence in a Rochester murder case.

Rochester Public Schools Superintendent Kent Pekel joins Andy to talk about the school operating levy on next week's election ballot and other topics concerning the Rochester School District.

Tim McCollough, the General Manager of Rochester Public Utilities, joins Andy for an interesting discussion about the ongoing transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources and the steps being taken by the municipal utility to protect the reliability of the community's electrical power system.

Patrick Seeb with Rochester's Destination Medical Center shares the news of the federal government's approval of the city's request for federal funding to cover nearly 60% of the cost of developing the Link Bus Rapid Transit System through downtown Rochester. Seeb also discusses some of the planning taking place to help mitigate the major disruptions that will occur during its construction and work on Mayo Clinic's $5 billion expansion plan.

Tom and Andy talk about Donald Trump's highly successful day behind the counter at a McDonald's restaurant and the criticism he is facing from his political opponents. The list of topics for the show also includes the intelligence leak concerning Israel's plans for retaliating against Iran and reports about people moving away from Minnesota.

Tom and Andy talk about the significantly revised crime statistics issued by the FBI that now show an increase in violent crime nationwide rather than a modest decrease as was previously reported.

Tim Penny, the President and CEO of the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, joins Andy to talk about the upcoming FEAST Festival at the Mayo Civic Center and the other activities of the foundation. The former First District Congressman also chimed in a bit about this very unusual election cycle.

The Med-City Movie Guy, Chris Miksanic joins Andy and reviews a soon to be released documentary about the musicians behind the hit mellow rock songs of the mid and late 1970s. Chris also lists his favorite spooky movies for Halloween!

The list of topics and issues discussed by Tom and Andy today include a congressional investigation into Minnesota's "Feeding Our Future" scandal and the chair of the committee looking into it wants Governor Tim Walz to appear before the panel.

Tom and Andy talk about the back peddling that occurred after Governor Walz apparently discovered that his support for getting rid of the Electoral College ran counter to the official stance of the Harris presidential campaign.

Olmsted County Sheriff Kevin Torgerson joins Andy and talks about a technology upgrade for the Sheriff's Office, how the Sheriff's Office contracts with smaller communities in the county to provide law enforcement services, and the conundrum facing the law enforcement and judicial systems when it comes to young children committing serious violent crimes.

Steve Lange from Rochester Magazine shares the complicated story of David Kunst, who 50 years ago, attracted international attention after he departed from Waseca and walked around the world.

Tom and Andy talk about the criticism being leveled against FEMA and the Biden administration for its response to the Hurricane Helene devastation, youth crime in the Twin Cities, and the Republican challenging Ilhahn Omar.

Tom and Andy discuss a rather scathing news article concerning Minnesota's Governor that was published by CNN and the listener chimes in about a Twin Cities-based group's decision to campaign on behalf of some candidates for Rochester City Council.

Rochester Mayor Kim Norton discusses addressing housing and child care needs in the community using the local sales tax revenues that voters approved for "economic vitality." She also reminds citizens that the end of the month is the deadline for responding to the Rochester Vision 2050 initiative.

Mike Dougherty, a.k.a. MNDOT Mike, with love Minnesota Department of Transportation joins Andy to talk about the construction projects that are winding down or have been recently completed in southeastern Minnesota. Mike also shares what is already being done by MNDOT to keep our highways clear of snow and ice as the dreaded winter season rapidly approaches.

Tom and Andy review the debate between Walz-Vance debate and discuss recent data from the state that shows there has been nearly zero job growth across the Twin Cities, where the Democrats get most of their votes in Minnesota.

Tom and Andy respond to a listener's wish to get rid of the Electoral College, discuss the upcoming Vice Presidential Debate, and the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

Dan Fifield with The Landing MN talks about the plight of homeless individuals working to wrest themselves from the grasp of addiction.

Patrick Seeb with Destination Medical Center talks about the ways the DMC will be supporting and coordinating with Mayo Clinic as it moves forward with its massive expansion in Rochester.

Tom and Andy talk about some of the latest polling numbers, particularly in Minnesota and a number of battleground states. The program also features discussions about the Middle East conflicts and acts of heroism in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Rochester Public Schools Superintendent Kent Pekel discusses some transportation-related challenges associated with the start of the new school year, the upcoming Operating Levy Referendum, and efforts to address problems associated with students missing classes.

Chris Miksanek, the Mid-City Movie Guy, reviews a popular and somewhat controversial film by Matt Walsh and the sequel to the 1988 blockbuster Beetlejuice.

Tom and Andy continued discussing the most recent assassination attempt on Donald Trump, along with the decision by the Teamsters concerning the presidential endorsement, and downtown Rochester redevelopment.

Tom and Andy talk about the a second attempt to take the life of former President Donald Trump and the scorching rhetoric that may have contributed to the attempted assassination.

Olmsted County Sheriff Kevin Torgerson talks about the many successes, as well as some failures, of the county's drug court program. He also provides an update on the Southeastern Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial, and a reminder to be especially vigilant in watching out for children now that school is back in session.

Steve Lange from Rochester Magazine joins Andy to talk about a little-known Olmsted County Park just south of Rochester, Mayo Clinic's first-ever resident glassblower, and a story about a young woman from India who made Rochester her family's home and is leading some cutting-edge research at Mayo Clinic.