Rochester Today

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.

As always, Tom and Andy cover a wide array of topics, but much of this program focused on the recent debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.

Tom and Andy talk about a recent poll of likely Minnesota voters and what a couple of analysts say about Kamala Harris's shrinking lead in the state. The program also includes a preview of the Presidential Debate and a lewd list of other topics.

Mike Dougherty (aka MnDOT Mike) talks about the major highway projects in the region that are finally finished, including the work on Highway 52 by Cannon Falls. Mike also previews some of the more disruptive projects that will take place next year and invites everyone to an upcoming meeting on reworking the busy South Broadway and Highway 14 intersection in Rochester.

Tom and Andy's topics for today include RFK Jr. and his endorsement of Donald Trump, criticisms of the education initiatives pushed by Governor Tim Walz, the upcoming presidential debate, in the ongoing issue of criminal defendants being routinely released without bail.

Tom and Andy discuss the possibility of former President Trump receiving a jail sentence within weeks of the election and Governor Tim Walz's political successes following the Minneapolis riots and COVID crackdowns.

Rochester Public Schools Superintendent Kent Pekel joins Andy and talks about the numerous significant changes being implemented for the new school year, including new start times and tougher restrictions on cell phones. Pekel also talks about the upcoming release of the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment test results and what kind of information can be gleaned from the standardized testing program.

Bill Werner with the Minnesota News Network talks about Governor Tim Walz entering the national political ring and the results of the recent primary elections in Minnesota.

Patrick Seeb with the Destination Medical Center joins Andy to talk about the recent completion of Discovery Walk in downtown Rochester and a new report showing job growth in the Rochester area has surpassed job growth in the Twin Cities for the first time.

Tom and Andy talk about Governor Tim Walz and his speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. The list of topics for the show also covered reports that RFK Jr. is ready to drop his presidential bid and throw his support behind Donald Trump.