MIDWEST ACCESS: June 3, 2026

ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – Happy hump day! Here’s what’s coming up on your Wednesday Midwest Access.

SEGMENT 1: The V Gees

Bee Gees tribute band bringing disco fever to Rochester this month

ROCHESTER, Minn. — A Bee Gees tribute band is bringing the sounds of the 1970s to Rochester this month with two performances that celebrate the resurgence of disco music.

The VGees, a primarily female tribute act, will headline the Kahler Grand Hotel stage at Thursdays Downtown on June 11 at 7:00 p.m. The group will return to Rochester on June 23 for Rochester Fest, performing at 5:00 p.m.

Tuney, one of the band members, said the group formed in response to a renewed interest in disco music, particularly on social media platforms like TikTok. The Bee Gees songs have been hitting the charts again, especially during the Beetlejuice movie release.

Tuney said she had been wanting to start a Bee Gees tribute for years, but the timing finally felt right. She contacted PJ and Doll, and the three women formed the group with a unique twist: women taking the lead vocals on the iconic Bee Gees catalog.

The group offers three different show experiences. One features the full Bee Gees catalog spanning the band’s career. Another is a disco party show that combines Bee Gees hits with other popular disco songs from the era. The third blends songs from the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack with additional disco classics.

For the Rochester performances, audiences will get two different experiences. The Thursdays Downtown show will feature what the band calls their Saturday Night Fever Roller Boogie set, a dance-forward performance. The RochesterFest show will focus more on the Bee Gees catalog with some disco songs at the end.

When asked about her favorite Bee Gees song, Tony said “Tragedy” is the reason the group exists. She listened to the song on a vintage 45 record until she wore it out. She learned every single part, which sparked the idea for the tribute band. The song now serves as the show opener.

The group performs at city summer events, dinner clubs, supper clubs and theaters throughout Minnesota.

People interested in booking the band can find them on Facebook and Instagram, or visit their website at www.thevgees.com

SEGMENT 2: Companion Homestead Dog Sanctuary

New dog sanctuary coming to Rochester to help hard-to-place animals

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Minnesota currently has only one dedicated dog sanctuary, leaving many wonderful dogs without a place they can comfortably call home. Companion Homestead is looking to change that by forming a dedicated dog sanctuary in southeast Rochester, putting an end to lifelong shelter stays or worse for animals that deserve so much better.

Co-founders Laura Martin and Izzy Waite appeared on Midwest Access with host Viv Williams to talk about their dream becoming a reality. They brought along Wrigley, a gentle giant who has won the hearts of everybody in the building. Wrigley is Martin’s dog, but he serves as a volunteer big brother to foster dogs, helping them feel safe.

Martin said they’ve made a lot of headway in the last six months. The organization acquired land in southeast Rochester in February and is currently working with developers to figure out exactly where to put the sanctuary on the property and everything that goes into building from the ground up.

The sanctuary will work mostly with dogs that are difficult to place in other homes for a variety of reasons. With the help of Wrigley and the team’s expertise, these animals will have a chance to adjust and thrive.

Williams asked whether the dogs would eventually be adopted out or stay at the sanctuary forever. Martin explained it’s a forever home, though they’ve been talking about potentially doing a rehab program where dogs would come and stay for several months. If it still isn’t in their future to be in a home after that time, they would become an official resident of the sanctuary.

The organization has been working with local shelters, particularly focusing on dogs that have been returned time and time again. The sanctuary offers a different avenue versus euthanization or sitting in a shelter for the rest of their life. The sanctuary is going to give them that home forever.

Martin said they’re starting with 12 suites. If dogs get along with other dogs, they can have more in a suite, but 12 is the starting point. With 80 acres of land, they would love to expand in the future and make tiny homes and other additions.

When asked about the need, Martin said from 2020 to 2025, there have been over 300 returns at local shelters. For dogs that can’t live comfortably in a foster home or in a shelter, there’s really no place to send them. Something like this sanctuary is going to be really helpful.

Right now, they’re building and raising the funds for the building. The organization hosts Barks and Bingo, a dog-friendly bingo event. They’re also doing a bracelet and matching collar event. All the proceeds from these events go to raising funds for the sanctuary.

People can learn more and donate at www.companionhomestead.com

SEGMENT 3: Girl Scouts River Valleys CEO

Girl Scouts CEO on building the next generation of leaders

Marissa Williams says Girl Scouts focuses on leadership development and workforce readiness, not just cookies and camps

Marissa Williams has been CEO of Girl Scouts River Valleys for three years, and she’s on a mission to change how people think about the organization.

Williams said she’s focused on creating opportunities for young people to see themselves in the future, especially girls who didn’t know Girl Scouts was for them. Coming to a brand new city gave her the chance to reimagine what the Girl Scouts experience can be and introduce girls to something that absolutely belongs to them.

Williams said people still think Girl Scouts might just sell cookies, but the organization is doing more than ever before. She wants to make one statement clear: Girl Scouts are so much more than cookies, camps and crafts.

“We are focused on leadership development, workforce development, and college and career readiness because whether employers today know it or not, we are helping to build and support the next workforce generation,” Williams said.

She encouraged people to join Girl Scouts and help build the core competencies young people need, because sooner rather than later, they’re going to be showing up in application pools. Williams said Girl Scouts wants to make sure girls are ready and employers are ready to receive them.

One skill Alison hears about frequently when talking to different organizations is communication. In the post-Covid era, she said Girl Scouts is a place where communication skills can really be cultivated.

Williams pointed out that when she was in college, people talked about soft skills as something you didn’t really need, focusing instead on technical skills. Now the flip has happened. Young people have the technical skills but need to know how to communicate in person, how to communicate via email, and understand professional etiquette.

She tells young Girl Scouts, even as young as daisies, that they have to say their name with power because it is the most important thing that will ever come out of their mouth. If girls can have that confidence at five years old, they’re going to be unstoppable by 21.

Williams said Girl Scouts also teaches advocacy, which doesn’t just start and end with ideas and politics. Girls learn how to advocate for themselves and their voice, then turn around and advocate for their friends appropriately as well.

She emphasized that building coalitions with each other is about collaboration, not competition. There’s enough space for all of us, Williams said.

Williams shared that at a recent highest awards ceremony in Mankato, she told the silver and gold awardees that validation is for parking, not for people. She wants young people to feel secure and appreciated, to feel seen for the work they’re doing, but they don’t need a validation stamp on it.

“If you feel good about it, it’s good enough. And that is what matters at the end of the day, isn’t it?” Williams said.

Williams said Girl Scouts teaches girls to recognize their own strengths while appreciating what others bring to the table.

You can find out more at www.girlscoutsrv.org

SEGMENT 4: PCHS Pet of the Week - Penny, Presented by VCA Animal Hospitals

This week’s Paws and Claws Humane Society Pet of the Week is the prettiest Penny ever saved. This sweet little girl was discovered by students and staff at the SE Rochester Alternative Learning Cetner.

From the moment she was welcomed into PCHS, she was sweet and friendly to everyone she met. This is not a wild and crazy cat; she prefers chill cuddle session to playing chase. One look into her giant gold eyes will surely be love at first sight.

Penny is around 8 months old, has been spayed and is current on her vaccinations.

Click here to fill out an application.