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Rochester Today

News & Politics Podcasts

This lively hour features guests and issues of interest to Rochester, MN residents with monthly visits by Mayor Kim Norton, Olmsted County Sheriff Torgerson, and a rotating panel of other local experts. Conservative commentator and author Tom Ostrom is a regular and helps Andy dissect the issues of the day on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

This lively hour features guests and issues of interest to Rochester, MN residents with monthly visits by Mayor Kim Norton, Olmsted County Sheriff Torgerson, and a rotating panel of other local experts. Conservative commentator and author Tom Ostrom is a regular and helps Andy dissect the issues of the day on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Location:

United States

Description:

This lively hour features guests and issues of interest to Rochester, MN residents with monthly visits by Mayor Kim Norton, Olmsted County Sheriff Torgerson, and a rotating panel of other local experts. Conservative commentator and author Tom Ostrom is a regular and helps Andy dissect the issues of the day on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Language:

English

Episodes

When Will the COVID Restrictions be Lifted?

3/5/2021
Bill Werner from the Minnesota News Network talks with Andy and James about the building pressure to ease COVID restrictions and the ongoing fight over how to pay for the massive security ordered for the Derek Chauvin trial.

Duration:00:36:20

Does Biden's Immigration Program Pose a COVID Risk?

3/4/2021
Tom and Andy discuss the criticism being leveled against the Biden administration over the potential COVID risk posed by people crossing the southern border and being released without testing.

Duration:00:38:41

Naming MnDOT Snowplows

3/3/2021
Hear from the guy who came up with the idea of naming Minnesota Department of Transportation snowplows and the resulting statewide contest.

Duration:00:34:33

Rochester's Seasonal Parking Restrictions

3/2/2021
Former State Representative Fran Bradley talks about his push to change the city's current seasonal parking ordinance.

Duration:00:38:28

Rochester Discovery Walk and Autonomous Vehicles

3/1/2021
The Rochester Mayor joined Andy and James to talk about a range of city issues, including plans for Discovery Walk and autonomous vehicles.

Duration:00:39:01

A Critical Thinking Curriculum?

2/26/2021
Jim Walters from the Power of Learning discusses a Minnesota charter school's push to emphasize critical thinking.

Duration:00:40:43

Preparations for the Chauvin Trial in Minneapolis and Minnesota's COVID response

2/25/2021
Tom and Andy comment on the security measures being implemented ahead of the trial and plans for expanding the state's vaccination program.

Duration:00:38:48

Close Encounters With Famous People

2/24/2021
One listener shared his story about a chance meeting with Clint Eastwood AND a later encounter with Johnny Carson in Rochester.

Duration:00:37:01

COVID School Closings and the Supreme Court Refuses to Hear Election Lawsuits

2/23/2021
Tom and Andy talk about the impact of continued school closings as COVID cases decline and the Supreme Court's refusal to hear the Trump camp's lawsuits over absentee and mailed in ballot rules.

Duration:00:37:47

A New Perspective of the Brom Family Murders and Gridlock at the State Capitol

2/22/2021
A Rochester woman who was best friends with one of the victims speaks out over 3 decades later and Bill Werner with the Minnesota News Network has the latest on the happenings in St. Paul.

Duration:00:39:56

The Med City Movie Guy

2/19/2021
Chris Miksanek, aka The Med City Movie Guy, talks about the upcoming awards programs in our pandemic world and some great movies you might not know about.

Duration:00:37:39

Gov. Walz's plan to reopen Minnesota's secondary schools and the New York governor's troubles.

2/18/2021
Tom and Andy discuss the death of Rush, plans to bring middle and high school students in Minnesota back to class and New York Governor Coumo's woes.

Duration:00:38:26

SE Minnesota Rape Survivor Speaks Out

2/17/2021
St. Charles, MN resident Danielle Leukam tells her incredible story of survival 2 years after being held captive and raped while her son slept in the next room.

Duration:00:21:24

Upcoming Road Projects and Alternatives to Using Salt to Treat Icy Roads

2/17/2021
Mike Dougherty with the Minnesota Department of Transportation joins Andy and James to talk about upcoming road projects and alternatives to using salt to treat icy roads.

Duration:00:42:07

Former Congressman Tim Penny

2/16/2021
Penny, the current head of the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, provided an update on the organization's activities across the region before commenting on our nation's toxic political climate and opportunities for change.

Duration:00:40:06

Rochester City Council Hot Button Issues + Local Rape Survivor Speaks Out

2/15/2021
Rochester City Council President, Brooke Carlson, discusses hiring a consultant for the Rochester City Council and one more hot button issue for Wednesday's meeting. Also, St. Charles, MN resident Danielle Leukam speaks out 2 years after being held captive and raped while her son slept in the next room.

Duration:00:42:15

Rochester Police Chief Jim Franklin

2/12/2021
The Rochester Police Chief talks about his "blueprint" for the future of the Police Department and the Minnesota News Network's Bill Werner updates us on the latest adjustments to the state's COVID restrictions.

Duration:00:36:25

Republican Efforts to Chip Away at Governor's Emergency Powers

2/11/2021
Tom and Andy talk about proposals in the State Legislature to override the governor's pandemic orders.

Duration:00:38:34

The Rochester Epidemiology Project

2/10/2021
Steve Lange from Rochester Magazine discusses this month's feature article on an over 50-year-old project that has created one of the world's most useful medical research tools.

Duration:00:34:20

Impeachment Trial Begins

2/9/2021
Tom and Andy talk about the impact of the second impeachment trail and a Minnesota Congresswoman's disparaging comments about Minneapolis Police.

Duration:00:38:14

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