Austin, MN Municipal and More

The latest on MN data centers: Pine Island and Hermantown

Data centers are top of mind for Minnesotans, and two proposed projects from Google continue to cause controversy: the Pine Island data center and the Hermantown data center. Just this month, Google has made its projected energy use public. Minnesotans finally have a sense of how much electricity these two projects will need to operate, and it’s a massive amount.

Pine Island, MN · 10d

cannonfallsbeacon.com

Cannon Falls City Council approves final plat for data center development

The Cannon Falls City Council approved the final plat for the data center development as part of its consent agenda during its Oct. 6 meeting. Then at the Oct. 20 meeting, the council approved upgrades for Cannon Falls TV Cable Access’ Cablecast system despite opposition from council member Lisa Zimmerman.

Cannon Falls, MN · 11d

KAAL ABC 6 NEWS Minnesota Iowa

Pine Island City Council holding special meeting on data center lawsuit Wednesday

(ABC 6 News) The Pine Island City Council is holding a special meeting Wednesday evening to discuss the ongoing lawsuit around the city’s proposed Google data center. The meeting will start in a closed session to discuss the lawsuit involving the city. After the closed session concludes, the council is scheduled to move into an […]

Pine Island, MN · 10d

winonapost.com

partner publisher · 24.1K followers

Commission passes solar farm moratorium to County Board

Following residents' concerns from earlier this year about a series of solar arrays installed along Apple Blossom Drive Scenic Byway impacting the area's natural beauty, the Winona County Planning Commission considered an interim ordinance this month that would ban new solar projects, or expansions, for up to one year. During that time, staff would study potential impacts of solar, wind turbines, and cell tower development county-wide and develop some regulations to protect scenic byways and scenic resources. Planning Commission members questioned how something would be designated “scenic,” but voted to pass the interim ordinance to the County Board with some changes. A solar developer with farms on Apple Blossom Drive said the ban feels targeted, and an apple orchard owner in the same area defended solar farms, saying it helps make his businesses possible.

Winona County, MN · 10d

AM 1390 KRFO

Rochester’s Halloween Weekend: Tattoos, Witches Brew, and a Blackout Scare

Rocky Horror, a Witches Brew Trail, flash tattoos, and a lights-out scare. Here’s every Halloween event in Rochester this weekend.

partner publisher · 26.3K followers

KDHL AM 920

One-Day Closure of Busy Downtown Rochester Intersection Set for Tuesday, October 27

A busy intersection in downtown Rochester will be closed for one day on Tuesday, October 27.

winonapost.com

Winona County Attorney: Rebecca Church

Please tell us about yourself and your background. My husband and I were both born and raised in Winona County, where we raised our two daughters, now 20 and 26, and recently built our forever home. I have spent nearly 20 years working in County Attorney’s Offices, primarily serving Winona...

Winona County, MN · 12d

cannonfallsbeacon.com

Kelly faces challenger Stehr in Goodhue County sheriff race

The race for the next term as Goodhue County's sheriff is a two-man battle between Marty Kelly, who currently holds the office, and challenger Josh Stehr, a now-retired former deputy sheriff with the county. The Republican Eagle recently caught up with both to find out what their priorities are, or...

Goodhue County, MN · 12d

KAAL ABC 6 NEWS Minnesota Iowa

Early voting surges in Olmsted County ahead of midterms

(ABC 6 News) — With Election Day just a week away, thousands of voters across southeast Minnesota have already cast their ballots. As of Monday, more than 6000 people voted early in-person in Olmsted County, where election officials say turnout is ahead of the pace set during the 2024 presidential election. “I expect this to […]

Olmsted County, MN · 10d

blandinonbroadband.org

A town hall meeting in Preston (MN) leads to questions about Minnesota power transmission around Fillmore and Houston Counties

A town hall meeting hosted by NO765MN on October 21 at the Preston Riverfront Center drew a full house. Concerned citizens gathered to learn more about the proposed 765 kV transmission line. The transmission line is to extend from the South Dakota border and run all across the southern edge of Minnesota to Wisconsin. The proposal includes a 139-mile electric transmission line (the proposed Gopher-Badger Link) extending from the North Rochester Substation near Pine Island through Marion area to Bell Center, Wisconsin. Opponents believe this transmission line is being planned to power a proposed Google data center near Pine Island. The Gopher to Badger Link includes the Minnesota segment of the Maribell transmission line.

Houston County, MN · 12d

KIMT

$5M Murphy Creek Substation now online in Austin

AUSTIN, Minn. — Austin Utilities (AU)has put a new substation into service, marking the first one built by the utility in 30 years. AU says the Murphy Creek Substation cost nearly $5 million and will improve electric service reliability across southwest and northern Austin. The project was the first major initiative identified in Austin Utilities' 10-year capital improvement plan following a comprehensive engineering study of the electrical distribution system completed in 2021.

Austin, MN · 12d

KAAL ABC 6 NEWS Minnesota Iowa

Olmsted County aims to open mental health clubhouse by 2027

(ABC 6 News) – Olmsted County leaders are working to open a new clubhouse where people facing mental health challenges can connect and support each other. A new facility called an International Clubhouse would give people with mental health difficulties a place to meet and provide each other with daily support. The National Alliance on […]

Olmsted County, MN · 10d

KAAL ABC 6 NEWS Minnesota Iowa

Early voting at Rochester city hall starts Tuesday

(ABC 6 News) – Rochester will open early voting at city hall on Tuesday for the upcoming midterm election. City officials said early voting at Rochester City Hall begins at 8 a.m. on Oct. 27 and runs through Nov. 2. Early voting is already underway at the Olmsted County Elections Office. During early voting, eligible […]

Rochester, MN · 11d

KAAL ABC 6 NEWS Minnesota Iowa

Broadway Avenue North at Civic Center Drive in Rochester closed on Tuesday

(ABC 6 News) — Broadway Avenue North at Civic Center Drive in Rochester will be closed on Tuesday for routine maintenance work by the Canadian Pacific Railroad. During the single-day closure, traffic will be detoured around the intersection. At least one sidewalk on each side of Broadway is expected to remain open for pedestrians. More […]

Rochester, MN · 11d

KAAL ABC 6 NEWS Minnesota Iowa

partner publisher · 17.1K followers

RPU expecting smaller electrical rate increase for 2027

(ABC 6 News)–During a Tuesday meeting Rochester Public Utilities announced they expect the rate increase to be 4% for 2027 rather than the projected 6%. RPU’s Assistant General Manager Peter Hogan said its due to a variety of factors including the organization taking on less debt next year. Hogan noted it had a lot to […]

Rochester, MN · 10d

KFIL Radio

Rochester's Silver Lake Dam: A Look Back at Its History

Rochester Public Utilities General Manager Tim McCollough delivers a history lesson about the Silver Lake Dam while discussing the project to replace it.

Rochester, MN · 13d

KIMT

Wienermobile rolls into Rochester for Halloween events

ROCHESTER, Minn. — The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile is rolling into Rochester week with Halloween-themed appearances across the area. Ketchup Kampbell and Lunchmeat Luke, drivers of the 27-foot vehicle, will make three stops between Oct. 28 and Oct. 31. The first stop is at the Boyer Halloween House at 5348...

Rochester, MN · 13d

KIMT

Rochester winter parking rules start Nov. 1

ROCHESTER, Minn. — The City of Rochester's seasonal parking requirements start November 1 and will run through April 1. The ordinance requires alternate side parking for cars parked on city streets and in cul-de-sacs. The requirements are in effect regardless of the weather forecast or if there is snow and ice on the roadways.

familydestinationsguide.com

partner publisher · 19.3K followers

Move To This Minnesota Town Where Retirees Say Social Security Stretches Surprisingly Far

Somewhere in southern Minnesota, there’s a town that’s been quietly winning at life while the rest of the country stresses about rent prices and grocery bills. Austin, Minnesota is that town, and once you hear what it’s offering, you might start wondering why you haven’t already packed your bags.

Austin, MN · 13d

Minnesota Now

Rochester’s Halloween Weekend: Tattoos, Witches Brew, and a Blackout Scare

Rocky Horror, a Witches Brew Trail, flash tattoos, and a lights-out scare. Here’s every Halloween event in Rochester this weekend.