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It seems like it wasn't that long ago they added it, but now Delta Airlines says it's pulling the plug on another direct flight out of Rochester.

Travel is likely one of the industries most immediately affected by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Just when we thought we were in the clear and travel started taking off again earlier this year, we're now mired in high cases counts due to the Delta variant here in Minnesota.

Plus, now the new Omicron variant is poised to invade the Land of 10,000 Lakes as well. Which is partly to blame, apparently, for the reason behind why Delta Airlines announced that they're ending daily direct flights from Rochester International Airport (RST) to Atlanta.

The national travel site The Points Guy first included the Rochester news Monday in a list of other flights Delta is also ending (including three other flights to Tulsa, Oklahoma and to Lansing and Freeland, Michigan from MSP Airport in Minneapolis as well.)

If you're curious, Delta added a second daily direct flight from Rochester to Atlanta back in July. And now, they're set to stop that route completely in January. But, it might just a temporary cancellation.

The Post Bulletin's Jeff Kiger noted that RST Airport Director John Reed confirmed the  Delta cancelation, due in part to uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus and also the ongoing reduction in travel by Mayo Clinic staff.

However, the story also said Reed is hopeful Delta might do what it's historically done in other years and add those direct routes to Atlanta back again when demand increases, hopefully in the spring of 2022.

This isn't the first time RST has had direct flights canceled. Earlier this fall, in September, after less than a year, United canceled its direct flights from RST to Chicago, as well.

Speaking of traveling, though, while we have one less option to fly out of Rochester, there are still some way-cool things to see right here in our own backyard. Like the 60 Small Town Restaurants You Have To Visit in Southeast Minnesota. Keep scrolling to check 'em out!

Listen to Curt St. John in the Morning
weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m. on Quick Country 96.5

ROAD TRIP! 60 SMALL TOWN RESTAURANTS YOU HAVE TO VISIT IN SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA

Our listeners chimed in with their favorite small-town restaurants and even told us what to order when we visit. Below you'll see 60 great restaurants that you should try as you travel around southeast Minnesota.

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