News

Rochester Police Department (RPD) is releasing information pursuant to Minnesota Statute 253D.32 regarding individuals committed to the Department of Human Services (DHS) Minnesota Sex Offender Program (MSOP) who have been provisionally discharged by judicial order.

Applications are due Monday, August 17, 2026, by 4:30 p.m.

Riverside Music Series is scheduled to continue as planned.

As of 1:30 p.m., July 19, 2026, Rochester Public Music is monitoring air quality and sharing parking and wayfinding information to help guests plan for tonight’s event at Mayo Park.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an air quality alert for Rochester and other areas of Minnesota due to wildfire smoke. Air quality is expected to reach the red, or unhealthy, category. The alert is currently in effect until 11 a.m. Monday, July 20.

Everyone should consider current air quality and their individual health needs when deciding whether to attend. Guests are encouraged to limit prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity. Children, older adults, pregnant people, and people with asthma, heart or lung conditions, or other air-quality sensitivities should take additional precautions.

Review the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency air quality alert and current air quality conditions before heading to the event.

Parking and Wayfinding

Construction near the Mayo Civic Center may affect some streets, sidewalks, and usual routes. Guests are encouraged to allow extra time and review the City’s live Downtown Construction Navigation map before heading downtown. The map opens in the “Pedestrian” view, showing sidewalk and crosswalk impacts near Mayo Park and the Mayo Civic Center.

Free evening and weekend parking is available in nearby City-owned ramps, surface lots, and metered street spaces. Guests may also walk, bike, roll, carpool, or use downtown parking options within walking distance of Mayo Park.

For additional parking information, visit the Mayo Civic Center parking page.

If the event schedule changes, an update will be posted on this page.

Last updated: 1:30 p.m., July 19, 2026.

The City of Rochester invites the community back to Soldiers Field Memorial Park on Friday, Sept. 4, for the full fireworks show residents were expecting on July 4. In the event of inclement weather, the rain date is Saturday, Sept. 5. Additional event details, including the start time, will be shared as they become available. 

The City of Rochester has received more than $928,000 in grant funding from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to support tree planting and maintenance projects that will strengthen Rochester's urban forest, improve neighborhood resilience and expand access to the benefits trees provide throughout the community. 

The City of Rochester is aware of a recent social media video posted by the owner of Townies regarding the air conditioning system at the Soldiers Field Golf Course clubhouse. City staff had been actively working to address issues with the aging air conditioning system and coordinating repairs to keep it operational. Early last week, the system experienced a major failure, and it was determined that the system must be replaced rather than repaired.

Construction to repair or replace defective sidewalks and pedestrian ramps in Sidewalk Improvement District (SID) 2 – NC is underway. 

The City of Rochester has launched the first phase of the 2026 National Community Survey (NCS), with approximately 4,500 randomly selected households receiving mailed invitations to participate. The survey will be open to all Rochester residents from August 17 through September 7.

In effect Monday, July 13 through Thursday, July 16