Sean Baker
Reporter
Baker joined the Star Tribune in June 2024. He previously spent eight years covering Rochester for Med City Beat, an independent news website he founded at the age of 25. Prior to moving to Southeast Minnesota, Baker worked as a news producer for WBAY-TV in Green Bay, Wis. Baker also served as news editor for the Fourth Estate, the student paper of UW-Green Bay, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism. Baker lives in Rochester with his wife, Sarah, and their two boys.
Latest from Sean Baker
Rochester nightlife will get a boost with the summer opening of downtown rooftop bar
Owners of a popular speakeasy are going above ground for swanky new rooftop lounge in downtown Rochester.
May 30, 2025
Judge denies ex-trooper’s motion to dismiss charges in fatal Rochester crash
The judge found Shane Roper’s requests for dismissal to be “unpersuasive.” Roper faces nine counts related to a May 2024 crash that killed Owatonna cheerleader Olivia Flores.
May 21, 2025
After 10 years and millions in state dollars, has Rochester’s Destination Medical Center plan lived up to the promise?
Minnesota’s largest public-private partnership has sparked billions of dollars in investment in downtown Rochester — but not without a few bumps along the way.
May 20, 2025
Amazon to build new distribution center south of Rochester
The online retail giant plans to build a nearly 84,000-square-foot “last-mile” facility in Stewartville.
May 16, 2025
Meet the trailblazing woman serving as Rochester’s first female police captain
Capt. Jennifer Hodgman says she hopes the promotion will pave the way for other women to get into law enforcement.
May 16, 2025
After a couple of false claims, child at center of racist video now identified, says Rochester NAACP
Three families came forward claiming to be associated with the child after a campaign raised $340,000. The claims of two were discredited.
May 13, 2025
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Rochester schools lose $1.9 million federal grant for mental health support
Staff already on campuses were sharpening their social work skills to better counsel students — but may have been seen as DEI.
May 7, 2025
How an industrial city along the Mississippi River transformed itself into an arts town
Once known primarily for manufacturing and shipping, Winona has emerged as a Midwest arts destination.
May 7, 2025
This Minnesota high school is stocking its salad bar with lettuce it grows on-site
Spearheaded by a 10th-grader, Winona High School is using hydroponic gardening techniques to grow and harvest about 50 pounds of lettuce a week.
April 24, 2025
Suspected mother charged in abandoned Minnesota newborn’s 2011 death
The community had dubbed the newborn “Baby Angel” after her body was found.
April 24, 2025
Defense seeks to block ex-state trooper’s driving record from court in crash that killed cheerleader
Prosecutors argue the evidence could demonstrate Shane Roper’s state of mind in the minutes leading up a fatal Rochester crash that killed Owatonna teenager Olivia Flores.
April 22, 2025
Mayo Clinic renaming its DEI office to the ‘Office of Belonging’
Citing “recent national events,” Mayo makes the change five years after its launch amid great fanfare and a $100 million pledge.
April 17, 2025
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