ROCHESTER, Minn. (AP) — A Rochester golf club has paid a conservative think tank $5,300 to settle a lawsuit alleging the club improperly canceled the group’s luncheon this spring. The Center of the American Experiment said Friday that the Rochester Golf and Country Club paid the group earlier this week. The think tank had scheduled a luncheon on public safety at the club on March 15 but the club abruptly canceled it, leaving almost 50 attendees standing in the parking lot. The think tank filed a lawsuit accusing the club of breach of contract, alleging members demanded the club cancel the gath ..read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) — Pope Francis has appointed a Los Angeles bishop to lead a southern Minnesota diocese. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops announced Thursday that Francis has appointed Bishop Robert E. Barron to lead the Diocese of Winona-Rochester. Barron has served as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles for the last seven years and regularly posts YouTube videos. He will replace 76-year-old Bishop John Quinn, who has decided to resign. The Diocese of Winona-Rochester covers 12,282 square miles. Nearly 600,000 people reside in the diocese. About 134,000 of them are C ..read more

ROCHESTER, Minn. (WCCO) — Police in Rochester are asking for the public’s help after a teen with autism went missing earlier this week. According to police, 17-year-old Caden Olson left his home in southeast Rochester on Monday. He’s described as 5-foot-8 and 130 pounds. He might be wearing a purple hoodie, blue highwater jeans, Adidas shoes and thick-rimmed glasses. (credit: Rochester PD) Anyone with information is asked to call Investigator Gagnon at 507-259-7012 ..read more

ROCHESTER, Minn. (WCCO) — Police are investigating a stabbing in Rochester, in which both parties involved were said to be uncooperative. The stabbing happened at an apartment complex on the 1200 block of 4th Avenue Southwest, at approximately 2 a.m. Saturday. The victim was taken into surgery for wounds sustained to the upper abdomen. It was not immediately clear the extent or seriousness of his injuries. Police are calling this an active investigation ..read more

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — When Minnesota Democrats open their state convention in Rochester, drama won’t be on the agenda. The 1,200 delegates will endorse Gov. Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, Secretary of State Steve Simon and State Auditor Julie Blaha for reelection. They’re all running unopposed for the party’s backing. So the convention, which starts Friday, will be mostly a pep rally to fire up activists for the midterm election season and a campaign training session to help overcome the headwinds the party is facing . It’s likely to contrast with last weekend’s wild Republican sta ..read more

ROCHESTER, Minn. (WCCO) — A road construction project in Rochester will take a little longer than expected after a vehicle plowed through the newly poured concrete on Monday. It happened just north of downtown, close to where Broadway Avenue crosses Seventh Street. (credit: CBS) Police say the woman behind the wheel was driving erratically and was using a bullhorn to yell at people. An officer tried pulling the 53-year-old over, but she tried to get away and drove right into fresh concrete, getting stuck. She was taken to Saint Mary’s for a mental health evaluation, and will face multiple ch ..read more

ROCHESTER, Minn. (WCCO) — Minnesota Republicans are gathering in Rochester this weekend for their state convention to coalesce support among the party faithful for GOP candidates for statewide office. “Our path to electoral success in November begins with endorsements this weekend,” said David Hann, the GOP Party chairman. The task for the more than 2,000 delegates at the convention is endorsing candidates for governor, auditor, attorney general, and secretary of state. Each candidate needs to get 60% of the delegates’ support to win outright; If no one reaches that threshold, it triggers anot ..read more

ROCHESTER, Minn. (WCCO) — Rochester officials are seeking the public’s help with providing information in an arson investigation. According to city officials, an April 18 fire at the Peace United Church of Christ caused more than $2.5 million in damages. The investigation later indicated the fire was a result of arson. Rochester’s police and fire departments are seeking tips about the arson. Tips can be shared anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or the Arson Hotline at 1-800-723-2020. Tips can also be sent to Investigator Todd Schwanke at 507-328-2894 or tschwanke@rochestermn ..read more

Originally published on April 22, 2022 ROCHESTER, Minn. (WCCO) — Brad Burt has been a nurse for nearly a decade, now at the Mayo Clinic working with kids. But it was while he was out to lunch recently when he really had to put basic first aid training to the test. He was about to leave when someone was calling out for a nurse or doctor. An infant was choking. His instincts kicked in, he performed the Heimlich maneuver, and he saved her life. “I’ve never had to use these skills before,” Burt said. “I’ve always done the training for it, but it’s never come up that I’ve actually had to use it. So ..read more

ROCHESTER, Minn. (WCCO) — Brad Burt has been a nurse for nearly a decade, now at the Mayo Clinic working with kids. But it was while he was out to lunch recently when he really had to put basic first aid training to the test. He was about to leave when someone was calling out for a nurse or doctor. An infant was choking. His instincts kicked in, he performed the Heimlich maneuver, and he saved her life. “I’ve never had to use these skills before,” Burt said. “I’ve always done the training for it, but it’s never come up that I’ve actually had to use it. So I was a little nervous when it happene ..read more