Rochelle Olson
Editorial Columnist
Minnesota PoliticsRochelle switched to the Opinion pages in February 2025 after 25 years of covering various beats at the paper. She began her Minnesota Star Tribune tenure in March 2025 covering Minneapolis City Hall. From 2007-2011, she covered the Hennepin County District Court as well as the state's appellate courts. From there she covered St. Paul City Hall and the Ramsey County and Hennepin County boards. She's also been a general assignment reporter. She reported on both the federal and state trials of the former Minneapolis police officers convicted in the murder of George Floyd. She's also written innumerable stories about efforts to rebuild and refurbish sports stadiums, ballparks and arenas across the Twin Cities. She spent the first eight years of her journalism career with the Associated Press in Kansas City, Mo., 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 east Bloomington and graduated from John F. Kennedy High School. She still loves to swim laps in the southern suburb's outdoor 50-meter pool formerly known as Valley View.
Latest from Rochelle Olson
Olson: Walz and other leaders just showed us who they are
And it was impressive, in some cases.
January 11, 2026
Olson’s Cheers & Jeers: Finally, Minnesota gets a real winter
Plus: Hope Walz does her family and hometown proud, Pete Hegseth doesn’t — and more.
January 9, 2026
Olson: Walz did the right thing
It’s not easy for anyone to step away from power, but the governor’s decision was a wise one.
January 6, 2026
Olson: Top 10 political stories to watch for in 2026
A sneak peek at the issues sure to define the new year.
January 3, 2026
Olson’s Cheers & Jeers: High school senior turns personal tragedy into action on mental health
Plus: Twin Cities immigration enforcement, Brainerd’s ice skating trail, the viral fraud video and more.
January 2, 2026
Olson: Want new gun restrictions? Turn the suburbs blue.
Republicans continue to say no to new gun laws in Minnesota despite violence and months of anguish.
December 29, 2025
Olson’s Cheers & Jeers: A life turned around in service after decades in prison
Plus: “Fraud tourism,” a shooting tragedy in Stewartville, the Democrats’ 2024 election campaign and more.
December 26, 2025
Olson’s Cheers & Jeers: In bad news for car thieves, Ellison wins Kia-Hyundai lawsuit
Plus: ICE flights at MSP, the hunter accused of bagging a bull moose, upheaval at the U and more.
December 19, 2025
Olson: Whose model is better for Minnesota, Trump or Walz?
Voters must weigh the governor’s fraud response against how MAGA tactics affect our state.
December 16, 2025
Olson’s Cheers & Jeers: St. Paul grocer helps families too frightened by ICE to shop
Plus: Met Council members shunning public transit, the race to succeed Tina Smith, slurs against Tim Walz and more.
December 12, 2025
Olson: As ICE sows chaos on Minnesota streets, protesters must keep safety in mind
Prepare for the long haul — courtroom battles, not street fighting.
December 11, 2025
Olson: A GOP senator broke ranks to defend Somali Minnesotans. Will anyone join him?
Why can’t other Republicans find their voices against Trump’s hate speech?
December 9, 2025
