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Rochelle Olson

Editorial Columnist
Minn. Politics
Olson has covered St. Paul and Minneapolis City Halls, Ramsey and Hennepin county governments, as well as courts and state government. Before joining the Star Tribune in 2000, Olson worked for eight years with the Associated Press in Kansas City, Topeka, Charleston, W.Va. and St. Paul. She has a master's degree from the University of Kansas and a bachelor's from Hamline University. She grew up in Bloomington. She loves to swim and do yoga.

Latest from Rochelle Olson

Olson: Moriarty’s 'me-first' approach to Minnesota assassination prosecutions is another misstep

Hennepin County attorney should defer to feds, who say they will go first.
June 28, 2025
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty speaks during a news conference on Jan. 3, 2024, at the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis.

Olson’s Cheers & Jeers: Good Samaritan rushes to aid 11-year-old shot in Minneapolis

Plus: Road construction woes, Melissa Hortman memorial, summer heat wave and more.
June 26, 2025
Toshira Garraway Allen, left, and Princess Titus, right, hold hands during a June 25 press conference in Minneapolis to address violence by kids, two days after 11-year-old Amir Atkins was shot and killed at Folwell Park.

Olson: Civility is the bare minimum, Minnesota Republicans in D.C.

Republican state Sen. Zach Duckworth calls for common cause and a foundation for the future.
June 22, 2025

Olson’s Cheers & Jeers: Just cheers — no jeers — as a painful week in Minnesota comes to a close

Kudos to Gov. Tim Walz, Melissa Hortman’s staffers, U.S. Sen. Tina Smith, local law enforcement and others for their service to Minnesotans following last weekend’s shocking tragedy.
June 20, 2025
Arshia Hussain, of Brooklyn Park, places a flower on a memorial during a candlelight vigil on June 18 at the State Capitol for Melissa and Mark Hortman.

Olson: In Melissa Hortman, so soon after Kari Dziedzic, Minnesota politics loses another selfless leader

They both played fair and trusted that good policy would prevail.
June 15, 2025

Olson’s Cheers & Jeers: Walz skips the sweet stuff for law school grads

Gov Tim Walz’s speech at the U’s law school graduation ceremony was more political than is standard. Good.
May 22, 2025

Olson: Overtime at the Capitol: As stakes climb, talks get tougher

Voters should tune in now to see what’s happening on their behalf.
May 20, 2025

Olson’s Cheers & Jeers: Firefighters, a fraught fundraiser and a possible pardon

As temperatures climb, it’s important to heed the wisdom of Gov. Tim Walz — and Smokey Bear.
May 15, 2025

Olson: In Melissa Hortman, so soon after Kari Dziedzic, Minnesota politics loses another selfless leader

They both played fair and trusted that good policy would prevail.
June 15, 2025

Olson’s Cheers & Jeers: Walz skips the sweet stuff for law school grads

Gov Tim Walz’s speech at the U’s law school graduation ceremony was more political than is standard. Good.
May 22, 2025

Olson: Overtime at the Capitol: As stakes climb, talks get tougher

Voters should tune in now to see what’s happening on their behalf.
May 20, 2025

Olson’s Cheers & Jeers: Firefighters, a fraught fundraiser and a possible pardon

As temperatures climb, it’s important to heed the wisdom of Gov. Tim Walz — and Smokey Bear.
May 15, 2025
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