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’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
Olson’s Cheers & Jeers: Brava to a gifted dancer and her long legacy
Plus: Minneapolis Chamber embezzlement case, rescuing food waste, SilverSneakers fitness program cuts and more.
December 5, 2025
Olson: GOP’s Chris Madel will need more than snark to win the governor’s race
The political newcomer’s my-way-or-the-highway approach won’t work at the State Capitol.
December 4, 2025
Olson: Trump’s 'piggy' insult is yet another stain on his record with women
Outrage over his use of the barnyard nickname shows the president’s dangerous disparagement of his foes faces limits.
December 1, 2025
Olson’s Cheers & Jeers: Here come Diggins and Vonn whizzing by for the coming season
Plus: Rising property taxes, Lake Superior’s silly social media, Pete Stauber’s resistance to in-person town halls, and more.
November 28, 2025
Olson’s Cheers & Jeers: From 9/11 to Annunciation, cheers to this family’s legacy of heroism
Plus: U.S. strikes on Venezuelan boats, U-Fairview drama, votes on the Epstein files and more.
November 21, 2025
Olson: Ramsey County Attorney is a model progressive prosecutor
He’s built a mountain of goodwill and found an improbable ally in Sheriff Bob Fletcher.
November 18, 2025
