Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Why Rochester schools insist this $253,750 leadership program is conflict-free

Happening soon: Cowboy church on the Rochester Patch calendar

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Friday December 12th Patch AM
Friday December 12th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Good morning Rochester! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why Rochester schools insist this $253,750 leadership program is conflict-free
  • What Mayo’s CEO’s new AI role means for patient safety
  • Why Rochester’s Somali community is watching Minnesota ICE actions closely

Also on today's calendar: Cowboy church .

Find out what's happening in Rochester-Mason Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: I once read a book about anti-gravity. 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
Today's Rochester Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. Everyone deserves to be connected. That's why T-Mobile and UScellular have joined forces to connect people from big cities to small towns and everywhere in between. UScellular is now a part of T-Mobile. Find out more at T-Mobile.com/Better-Together.
Find a T-Mobile store near Rochester.AdvertisementAdvertisement

Find out what's happening in Rochester-Mason Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: A.M. flurries; cloudy, colder, with a high of 21 and low of -8 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
  • Saturday: Cloudy and bitterly cold, temps: high: -4, low: -16.
  • Sunday: Mostly sunny and frigid, with a high of 1 and low of -3 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Rochester Public Schools asserts no conflict of interest with the Minnesota Principals Academy (postbulletin.com) — Rochester Public Schools is defending its $253,750 investment in the Minnesota Principals Academy, saying there’s no conflict of interest despite the program being directed by Superintendent Kent Pekel’s wife. District leaders stress that principals’ participation is voluntary, costs are comparable to similar programs, and neither Pekel receives financial benefits, while Rochester cohorts have already completed and hosted academy sessions locally.
   

• Farrugia named co-chair for national steering group on AI, patient safety (postbulletin.com) — Mayo Clinic president and CEO Dr. Gianrico Farrugia, based in Rochester, has been named one of three co-chairs for a new National Academy of Medicine steering group on AI and patient safety. The 19-member group will shape a national strategy launching in 2026, highlighting Rochester’s influence in how artificial intelligence is used to keep patients safe.
   

• Governor Tim Walz expresses concern with ICE operation in Minnesota (kaaltv.com) — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is pressing federal officials over recent ICE operations in Minneapolis after reports that U.S. citizens were detained, a move that has already raised alarms within Rochester’s Somali community. Walz’s letter to Homeland Security urges a review of arrests, clearer rules for citizen observers, and better civil-rights training for agents to rebuild public trust.
   

📸 Around Rochester

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Rochester

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

    Sunday December 14
  • Cowboy church
    901 8th Ave NW , Kasson
    5:30 pm
    • Monday December 15
  • Mayo High School Choir Concert
    MHS Auditorium , 1420 11th Ave SE , Rochester
    7:00 pm

📣 Rochester Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Woke up this morning to find someone had cleared and salted the sidewalks for my corner lot!
    Whomever you are, I am so grateful! It is extremely kind of you! Thank you so very much! I keep weird hours so I am rarely up in time to catch the… (Nextdoor Slatterly Park)
  • Best sledding hills in Rochester, from one of Rochester's Real Estate Agents
    https://www.schwirtzteam.com/blog/best-sledding-hills-in-Rochester-MN (Nextdoor Glendale Hills)
  • Molly Maid posted a job opening for House Cleaner / Housekeeper / Maid in Rochester. Apply here.
  • Savers Thrifts Stores posted a job opening for Savers / Value Village Careers - Merchandise Processing Associate in Rochester. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Rochester here.

🗞 Nearby News

Byron

  • Byron City Council approves 2026 final tax levy (kaaltv.com)
  • 12 standout performances by local girls basketball players so far in 2025-26 (postbulletin.com)
  • Weather Closings & Delays for Wednesday, December 10th, 2025 (krocnews.com)

Kasson

  • Wednesday, December 10 snowfall summary (kaaltv.com)
  • Michigan man charged with sale of stolen vehicle in Rochester (kaaltv.com)
  • Burcum: Years after losing Main Street landmarks, small towns like Northfield see no easy fix (startribune.com)

Ok Rochester! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I couldn’t put it down.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Rochester-Mason City