Reporter | Politics and Government

Rochelle Olson is a reporter on the politics and government team.

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.


Justice Sarah Hennesy formally sworn in as the newest member of the Minnesota Supreme Court

The former Stearns County district judge is Gov. Tim Walz's third appointee to the high court, with another coming next week.


Minnesota delegates, voters shift concerns about Israel, Gaza from Joe Biden to Kamala Harris

Minnesota delegates to the upcoming Democratic National Convention say they are hoping to hear Harris call for a cease-fire and aid embargo on Israel.


Minn. Supreme Court upholds conviction of shooter in 2021 road rage death

The Jamal Smith ruling also props open the door to future consideration of jury diversity concerns.


Trump, Vance will make first joint Minnesota appearance Saturday night in St. Cloud

Former president, Ohio senator plan evening rally at hockey arena.


Regan Smith's rivalry with Australian swimming star peaks at Paris Olympics

Lakeville's Regan Smith and Australia's Kaylee McKeown have dominated the backstroke events in swimming in recent years. Who will come out on top during the Paris Games?


Purple reign: Being a legislator in a swing district means frequent voter contact

First-term Sen. Heather Gustafson says she door-knocks nonstop in her northeast suburban district.


Hot Dish 7.12.24

Plus: Legislative Auditor calls out Walz administration's "shoot-the-messenger" approach to fraud concerns.


Hot Dish 7.12.24

Legislative Auditor calls out Walz administration's "shoot-the-messenger" approach to fraud concerns


She wrote about Taylor Swift and Don Lemon. Her 'Long Island Compromise' could be the book of summer

FICTION: A New York family endures more than its share of trials in Taffy Brodesser-Akner's satiric successor to "Fleishman Is in Trouble."


Sen. Nicole Mitchell's court hearing pushed back as she challenges arrest on burglary charge

Her defense attorneys seek medical records from Mitchell's stepmother.