PRESS RELEASE

Minnesota Legislature

Rochester Delegation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 18, 2025  

HOUSE CONTACT:  Marlee Schlegel  

651-296-9873 or marlee.schlegel@house.mn.gov  

SENATE CONTACT: Jack Vinck

651-440-5056 or jack.vinck@mnsenate.gov 

Rochester DFL Legislators to Take Action on Rochester Sports Complex

Rochester, Minn – On Monday, Rochester Mayor Kim Norton vetoed the city council’s plan for a $65 million sports complex that is not reflective of the ballot initiative that funded the project in 2023. The city council is expected to overturn the Mayor’s veto at their December 22nd meeting. 

In response, the DFL Rochester delegation intends to introduce legislation to revoke authorization of the Local Option Sales Tax they previously passed into law to fund the project. The delegation released the following statement:

“Rochester residents deserve to get what they paid and voted for. The updated plan for the sports complex no longer serves the best interests of Rochester residents. Rather, it serves a narrow set of special interests and ignores the community’s need for indoor recreation space — the very reason voters approved the project in the first place.

“Both as legislators who passed the legislation that allows the complex to be funded by the Local Option Sales Tax, and as voters who were excited to support the community-oriented initiative, we feel deceived. The changes made to the project to eliminate the indoor portion of the complex also eliminates the reason that many Rochester residents supported the project.”

Not long after the ballot approval of the complex, a new cost assessment was completed. Updated estimates came back at $120 million, nearly twice the cost of the initial $65 million proposal approved by voters.

“It’s unclear to us how such an expensive oversight was made on cost — and it’s equally unclear why the city council has chosen to prioritize the outdoor complex over the part of the project that won community support in the first place. Whatever the reason, the city council should either find a way to deliver on what voters approved or bring these significant changes back to the ballot. 

“As legislators, we urge the Rochester council to change course and return to the original goal of meeting residents’ needs for indoor recreational space. After many conversations with stakeholders and community members, it is clear to us that as proposed, the project now falls outside of the parameters outlined in the original use of funds request. If the city council does not change course, we plan to introduce legislation to revoke authorization to use Local Option Sales Tax funds for the project. We remain committed to meeting the needs of our community and seeing that the residents of Rochester get what they’ve voted for, and we remain willing to work with the city council toward that goal.

“We want to see this project fully realized in a form that serves the entire community, as we were all assured it would.”

The DFL Rochester Delegation includes Senator Liz Boldon (DFL—Rochester), Representative Kim Hicks (DFL—Rochester), Representative Tina Liebling (DFL—Rochester) and Representative Andy Smith (DFL—Rochester).

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TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/Gray News) – Two children in Idaho are critically injured after a tree fell on them while they were waiting for the school bus.

The Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office said high winds caused rotten trees to fall on power lines before collapsing on the children.

The kids, both under the age of 10, and an older sibling were waiting outside for their bus when the tree collapsed. According to the sheriff’s office, the older sibling was not injured.

Aaron Hudson, the Twin Falls fire deputy chief, told KTVB first responders had to first get the kids out from the tree and downed power lines before they could prepare them for transport.

The sheriff’s office said one of the children was taken to the hospital by ambulance, while the other was airlifted.

According to Hudson, the weather conditions caused difficulties during transport. He said that it prevented the helicopter from going any further than the local hospital.

The family of the children has started a GoFundMe to help cover medical expenses.

Copyright 2025 KMVT via Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Athletic Director Troy Dannen reflected on another year of Nebraska Athletics, sharing highlights and achievements of the men’s and women’s sports teams and hinting at what’s to come.

In competition, Huskers excelled in multiple sports:

• Nebraska volleyball team just completed a remarkable 33-1 season
• Wrestling finished as the national runner-up as a team and two Husker wrestlers won individual national championships
• Softball made an NCAA Super Regional appearance
• Football earned a second straight bowl berth
• Both basketball teams are undefeated and ranked in the AP Top 25.

This year, student-athletes set a school record with a 3.464 GPA, led the Big Ten Conference with 117 fall Academic All-Conference selections and once again posted a Graduation Success Rate over 90%, among the best in the nation. Dannen said they also made a positive impact in Lincoln and surrounding communities through their volunteer work.

Alcohol and food sales at Husker venues

The start of alcohol sales at all on-campus venues and the addition of new food options resulted in an increase of 75% in total concession revenue compared to last year, Dannen said.

“More than 313,000 alcoholic beverages were served and new food options were added to the menu, resulting in an increase of 75% in total concession revenue compared to last year,” Dannen said.

The introduction of alcohol sales came with concerns about the impact on fan behavior, but Dannen said it remained consistent with the previous five years.

John Cook Arena reseating

The John Cook Arena reseating process planned for 2026 has drawn criticism from longtime season ticket holders.

Dannen said the athletic staff has developed a plan that ensures that season-ticket holders in 2025 will be guaranteed season-tickets next year.

Dannen said 10% of current season-ticket holders did not use their tickets this year but rather sold those tickets through secondary markets. Those tickets, originally purchased for a total of $600,000 by those ticket holders, were then resold for a total of $3.2 million on the secondary market. Ticket use for this purpose is strictly prohibited.

The accounts that resold the entirety of their tickets will be excluded from the ability to purchase season-tickets in 2026, Dannen said.

1890 Nebraska winding down operations

With the implementation of the House settlement, 1890 Nebraska, Husker Athletics’ NIL collective, has begun winding down its operations.

“Hundreds of Husker fans donated millions of dollars over the past 24 months to support NIL for our student-athletes, as the rules at the time permitted,” Dannen said the in the letter.

The House settlement now prohibits much of what 1890 Nebraska provided, but in turn allows the university to share $20.5 million directly with student-athletes as they pay to license their NIL rights.

The five sports primarily supported by the collective include the Nebraska wrestling team, football team, two basketball teams and the volleyball team.

Facility upgrades

Several Nebraska athletic facilities saw enhancements including the completion of the track and field complex, along with new facilities for golf, rifle, swimming and diving and bowling.

In 2026, the athletics department is planning to renovate the softball and baseball clubhouses. Dannen said they are also looking forward to expanding the Devaney Center.

Entertainment

Three shows have been scheduled to take place inside Memorial Stadium next year. Zach Bryan will perform on April 25, the Savannah Bananas on June 13 and The Boys from Oklahoma on Aug. 22.

“Our plan is to continue to utilize our facilities for outside events to bring new events to our spaces and to help drive entertainment options in Lincoln,” Dannen said.

Due to anticipated construction, Nebraska Athletics will hold off on booking events for Memorial Stadium in 2027.

The athletics department is expecting to make two “big announcements on the Husker women’s sports front” early next year that will have a tremendous impact on its female student-athletes.

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Copyright 2025 KOLN. All rights reserved.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBMA) — A Jefferson County Grand Jury has indicted a Birmingham man, who also served as president of a local youth sports organization, on multiple felony sex offenses in separate cases, according to newly filed court documents.

The records show Manuel Chaney III, 41, was indicted on first-degree sodomy and first-degree sexual abuse during the grand jury’s November 2025 session. A judge ordered no bond in that case. Chaney was also indicted in a second case on a separate charge of first-degree sexual abuse by forcible compulsion, with bail set at $15,000 under a different case number.

A warrant for his arrest was issued on November 24, 2025, and records show he was booked into the Jefferson County Jail on December 15. Chaney appeared before a judge on December 17, where he was advised of his rights. Bond was denied under Alabama’s Aniah’s Law, which allows judges to hold defendants without bail in certain violent crime cases. He remains in custody.

Court documents list the alleged offense date as March 8, 2024, and confirm that the charges stem from more than one case.

Following the indictment, ABC 33/40 News contacted youth sports officials in Irondale. Park Commissioner Robert Tripp said the allegations do not involve Irondale youth sports and are not connected to its football programs. Tripp said Chaney worked in an administrative, volunteer capacity, primarily assisting with fundraising efforts, and helped form the organization before serving as its president.

The City of Irondale also clarified that the Youth Mounties football league is an independent, volunteer-run group, not operated or overseen by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. The city said none of the league’s officers, board members, or leaders are appointed or governed by the city, and it does not supervise the league’s operations.

A lawyer for Chaney, John Lentine, provided the following statement:

We are waiting on the judge to determine if bail will be set and the amount of bail so Mr. Chaney can be released. Mr. Chaney has equivocally denied the charges. The cases will move forward and we will resolve them in court not the media.

The Sharper Ball, a fundraiser and gala benefiting The Healthy Youth USA Foundation, will take place Sunday, Dec. 21, at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center.

The ball has historically drawn strong support from local and state elected officials, professional athletes, and members of the Sandy Springs community.

The gala will feature a live band performance by The Tony Tatum Experience, a DJ, a red-carpet reception, and an auction that includes vacation packages, a visit to the High Museum of Art, portrait sessions in Miami, Florida and more.

The Healthy Youth USA Foundation is led by Executive Director Charles Sharper, who launched the organization’s afterschool program in 2005 with a mission to help children lead more active, healthy lives.

The afterschool program currently serves students from Ison Springs, Woodland, and Dunwoody Springs elementary schools. The nonprofit previously included Spalding Drive Elementary School before it closed earlier this year. About 120 students participate each weekday, Sharper said.

Students receive daily snacks, homework assistance, and opportunities for physical activity, including dance, athletics such as dodgeball, and arts and crafts. Last Friday, students staged a performance and fashion show for parents.

The program is housed at the Family Enrichment Center at North Atlanta Church of Christ.

Sharper said affordability has been a guiding principle.

“Our giveback is being the lowest-priced afterschool program,” Sharper said. The cost is $75 per week, with a one-time $50 registration fee per family.

A former adjunct physical education teacher, Sharper said he started the organization out of a desire to help children become more active after learning that a generation of youth was at risk of serious illness due to sedentary lifestyles.

“I always had a dream of opening an afterschool program or a recreation center,” he said. “Exercise builds confidence.”

Sharper also draws inspiration from his own life experience. He entered foster care as a child with his twin sister and older sister. The three were later adopted by their foster parents when he was 9. Before foster care, he said, he lived in poverty.

“This offers an opportunity to reach kids in a different way,” Sharper said of the youth program. “Everything I’m offering, someone once offered to me. Sports is what I leaned on to get through my own trauma. I understand the value of it. I know kids are going to grow and become better individuals as a result of this program.”

During the summer, students swim and skate weekly, he said, and the program expands to include middle school students. The organization also takes children on field trips during the summer months to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Truist Park and other destinations.

“We’re doing things in a light, fun way,” he said. “So when they get to high school, they already have a lot of skills.”

Healthy Youth USA also offers a contemporary and hip-hop dance program. And in the fall and spring, students can play in an eight-week basketball league, which has  games on Fridays and Saturdays.

The Sharper Ball is held every two years and has historically raised about $100,000 per event. This year’s fundraising goal is $75,000. Sharper said economic conditions may be affecting how much supporters are able to give.

While tickets ($150) are sold out, Sharper said that in years past, the event itself served as an opportunity to raise awareness and has resulted in grants from first-time supporters.

Sponsors include Topgolf, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Kaiser Permanente, Zoo Atlanta and Great Wolf Lodge, Sharper said. Harmony Nutrition and Sandy Springs Together, a nonprofit dedicated to affordable housing, are presenting sponsors.

“Healthy Youth USA has been offering affordable, quality afterschool programs for years,” said Melanie Couchman,  co-founder of Sandy Springs Together. “Affordable afterschool care goes hand-in-hand with the need for affordable housing and creating family stability. We are very pleased to be supporting this program.”

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