Rochelle Olson

Saint Paul

Reporter at The Minnesota Star Tribune

Reporter

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Articles

Where leadership is and isn't

6 days ago | startribune.com | Rochelle Olson

Opinion editor's note: Strib Voices publishes a mix of commentary online and in print each day. To contribute, click here. Cheers to the Minnesota Supreme Court, especially Justices Sarah Hennesy and Karl Procaccini for the overdue recognition that women's breasts aren't inherently lewd, so merely exposing them isn't indecent behavior. Hennesy and Procaccini wanted to go further by spelling out that under the law, breasts aren't private parts.
Rep. Angie Craig enters U.S. Senate race ready to upset seniority, decorum

1 week ago | startribune.com | Rochelle Olson

By Rochelle Olson Craig's speech quoted Wellstone, but mercifully she didn't use the most famous quote about how we all do better when we all do better. Instead, she said, "politics doesn't have anything to do with left, right or center. It has to do with trying to do right by people."As she concluded, the gun-owning grandmother of three smiled, grabbed the pint of beer by her side and said, "Cheers, everybody, I'm taking a drink."
Olson: It's closing time

1 week ago | startribune.com | Rochelle Olson

Rochelle Olson is a columnist on the Minnesota Star Tribune Editorial Board focused on politics and governance.
Former Walz rival fights for service dogs

1 week ago | startribune.com | Rochelle Olson

Opinion editor's note: Strib Voices publishes a mix of commentary online and in print each day. To contribute, click here. Cheers to two-time Republican GOP gubernatorial candidate, former legislator and Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson, who continues to engage in important work after leaving public office. Since 2020, Johnson's been executive director of Can Do Canines, which trains and provides free assistance dogs to the disabled.
International Falls City Council wisely changes course

2 weeks ago | startribune.com | Rochelle Olson

Opinion editor's note: Strib Voices publishes a mix of commentary online and in print each day. To contribute, click here. Cheers to the International Falls City Council for settling on a course of action after weeks of nasty meetings that included vulgarities directed at residents who opposed a multimillion-dollar renovation for a new police headquarters.
Pete Hegseth has no business at the Pentagon

3 weeks ago | startribune.com | Rochelle Olson

Opinion editor's note: Strib Voices publishes a mix of commentary online and in print each day. To contribute, click here. Why is Pete Hegseth still secretary of defense? The Minnesota native has shown himself breathtakingly unprepared to lead, unwilling to admit mistakes and adamant that no course correction is needed. The political divide in this country is great, but on this we can agree: The lives of our troops abroad matter more than partisan differences at home.
Meet politics opinion columnist Rochelle Olson

3 weeks ago | startribune.com | Rochelle Olson

Opinion editor's note: Strib Voices publishes a mix of commentary online and in print each day. To contribute, click here. I'm a 25-year of employee of the Minnesota Star Tribune in an entirely new role for the past two months. In early February, I joined the Opinion pages as a columnist to write about Minnesota politics and government, an area that has been a focus of my work since I moved to St. Paul in 1996 for a job with the Associated Press.
Champion's lack of clarity shows need for immediate ethics change at the Legislature

1 month ago | startribune.com | Rochelle Olson

Who will step up and build a bipartisan coalition dedicated to advancing long overdue reforms?
Why Steve Simon stands above

1 month ago | startribune.com | Rochelle Olson

Opinion editor's note: Strib Voices publishes a mix of commentary online and in print each day. To contribute, click here. Cheers to Secretary of State Steve Simon, whose knowledge, integrity and commitment are a continuing inspiration.
You carry keys (probably). Are you a criminal?

1 month ago | startribune.com | Rochelle Olson

At a committee hearing recently, Todd Johnson, the lobbyist for the MPCA, said the agency has tested keys and found examples of lead-free alternatives, but he was unable to provide test results. He said the agency is "engaging with the industry" that claims there aren't great alternatives. As an alternative to lead remains elusive, Justen worries about his business that has operated in Minneapolis since 1921. He's aware that by speaking out, he may become a target.