Sean Baker

3 weeks ago | telegraphherald.com | Sean Baker

NORTHFIELD, Minn. — For nearly six decades, KYMN Radio has weathered industry shifts — from the transition to FM to the rise of the internet and the emergence of streaming services. But Minnesota’s winters have proven to be a different kind of challenge. After a brutal cold spell earlier this year, the station found that one of the tension wires supporting its 300-foot broadcast tower had snapped. The discovery left the tower — and KYMN’s future — hanging in the balance.

1 month ago | startribune.com | Sean Baker

Rochester Public Schools is losing a $1.9 million federal grant intended to support mental health services in the district. The U.S. Department of Education notified the district on April 29 that the multi-year grant would be terminated at the end of this year. The grant was awarded to the district in 2023 as a way to train and license staff already working for the district to provide students with counseling and other forms of mental health services.

1 month ago | startribune.com | Sean Baker

Building an arts identity The roots of Winona's creative boom can be traced to the confluence of civic planning and philanthropy more than 20 years ago. First, it was the Shakespeare Festival in 2004. Then the Marine Art Museum in 2006. A year later, the city hosted its first Minnesota Beethoven Festival.

1 month ago | startribune.com | Sean Baker

WINONA - For the latest lessons on sustainable agriculture, high school students here are getting something to chew on. Since the start of the school year, students and staff at Winona Senior High School have operated six hydroponic gardens, known as "Flex Farms," right inside their cafeteria. While the soil-free gardens were rooted in the idea of providing a hands-on learning experience, they have since become a real source of nutrition for the school's more than 800 students.

1 month ago | startribune.com | Sean Baker

ROCHESTER - Lawyers for Shane Roper are asking the court to toss out evidence of the former trooper's prior driving history, arguing the disciplinary record is irrelevant and "would unfairly prejudice" Roper at trial. In a 29-page memorandum, the prosecution says the inclusion of Roper's driving record while on the patrol - including four disciplinary actions for reckless or careless driving - should be admissible to show Roper was aware of the dangers of inattentive driving and speeding.