SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549



                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934



       Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported) - OCTOBER 28, 2004




                                  ALLETE, INC.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

        MINNESOTA                     1-3548                      41-0418150
(State of Incorporation)    (Commission File Number)            (IRS Employer
                                                             Identification No.)

                             30 WEST SUPERIOR STREET
                          DULUTH, MINNESOTA 55802-2093
          (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

                                 (218) 279-5000
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


Check  the  appropriate  box  below  if the  Form  8-K  filing  is  intended  to
simultaneously  satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions:

/ /  Written communications  pursuant to  Rule 425 under  the Securities Act (17
     CFR 230.425)
/ /  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the  Exchange Act (17 CFR
     240.14a-12)
/ /  Pre-commencement  communications   pursuant  to  Rule  14d-2(b)  under  the
     Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
/ /  Pre-commencement  communications   pursuant  to  Rule  13e-4(c)  under  the
     Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))



ITEM 7.01 REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE

ALLETE,  Inc.  (ALLETE or Company)  adjusted  its  interactive  graphic  website
financial  information to reflect the September 20, 2004 spin-off of ADESA, Inc.
(ADESA)  as  discontinued  operations  and  redefined  its  reportable  business
segments. In addition, all common share and per share amounts have been adjusted
for all periods to reflect  ALLETE's  September 20, 2004  one-for-three  reverse
stock split.

The  following  shall not be deemed  "filed"  for  purposes of Section 18 of the
Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  nor  shall  it be  deemed  incorporated  by
reference in any filing  under the  Securities  Act of 1933,  except as shall be
expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.




                                                                       FOR THE QUARTER ENDED
                                                           ----------------------------------------------
                                                                                                              FULL
                                                            MAR. 31     JUN. 30     SEPT. 30     DEC. 31      YEAR
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                            
Millions Except Per Share Amounts

Operating Revenue from Continuing Operations
         2004                                                $209.8      $189.7      $183.2           -      $582.7
         2003                                                $187.4      $172.8      $170.1      $167.6      $697.9
         2002                                                $153.0      $159.2      $175.4      $161.2      $648.8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Expenses from Continuing Operations
         2004                                                $167.7      $170.4      $159.9           -      $498.0
         2003                                                $160.7      $152.4      $139.9      $148.3      $601.3
         2002                                                $132.5      $139.4      $143.1      $156.9      $571.9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations
    Before Change in Accounting Principle
         2004                                                 $21.4        $2.4       $(0.6)          -       $23.2
         2003                                                 $11.3        $3.4       $10.9        $4.2       $29.8
         2002                                                  $8.3        $3.7       $13.9       $(1.2)      $24.7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income from Discontinued Operations
         2004                                                 $31.3       $34.3       $13.7           -       $79.3
         2003                                                 $33.0       $41.0       $36.7       $95.9      $206.6
         2002                                                 $26.9       $35.1       $31.2       $19.3      $112.5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income
         2004                                             $44.9       $36.7       $13.1           -       $94.7
         2003                                                 $44.3       $44.4       $47.6      $100.1      $236.4
         2002                                                 $35.2       $38.8       $45.1       $18.1      $137.2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings (Loss) Per Share Diluted - Continuing Operations
     Before Change in Accounting Principle
         2004                                                 $0.76       $0.08      $(0.02)          -       $0.82
         2003                                                 $0.41       $0.12       $0.40       $0.15       $1.08
         2002                                                 $0.31       $0.13       $0.51      $(0.04)      $0.91
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings Per Share Diluted - Discontinued Operations
         2004                                                 $1.10       $1.21       $0.47           -       $2.78
         2003                                                 $1.20       $1.49       $1.31       $3.44       $7.44
         2002                                                 $1.00       $1.29       $1.14       $0.70       $4.13
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings Per Share Diluted
         2004                                             $1.59       $1.29       $0.45           -       $3.33
         2003                                                 $1.61       $1.61       $1.71       $3.59       $8.52
         2002                                                 $1.31       $1.42       $1.65       $0.66       $5.04
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Shareholder's Equity
         2004                                              $1,504.2    $1,595.0      $662.4           -      $662.4
         2003                                              $1,279.0    $1,329.4    $1,365.8    $1,460.2    $1,460.2
         2002                                              $1,174.2    $1,210.2    $1,228.5    $1,232.4    $1,232.4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Included  the cumulative  effect of a  change in  accounting  principle. A  $7.8 million,  or $0.27 per  share,
     after-tax loss was reflected  in the  first  quarter of  2004 for  the cumulative  effect  on  prior  years (to
     December 31, 2003) of  changing to  the equity  method of  accounting  for  investments  in  limited  liability
     companies included in ALLETE's emerging technology portfolio.



                     ALLETE Form 8-K dated October 28, 2004                    1






                                                                       FOR THE QUARTER ENDED
                                                           ----------------------------------------------
                                                                                                              FULL
                                                            MAR. 31     JUN. 30     SEPT. 30     DEC. 31      YEAR
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                              
Millions Except Per Share Amounts

Common Shares Outstanding
         2004                                                  29.4        29.5        29.5           -        29.5
         2003                                                  28.7        28.8        28.9        29.1        29.1
         2002                                                  28.2        28.4        28.5        28.5        28.5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends Paid Per Share of Common Stock
         2004                                               $0.8475     $0.8475     $0.8475           -     $2.5425
         2003                                               $0.8475     $0.8475     $0.8475     $0.8475       $3.39
         2002                                                $0.825      $0.825      $0.825      $0.825       $3.30
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


As a  result  of the  spin-off  of  ADESA  (the  Company's  Automotive  Services
business) in September 2004,  ALLETE  redefined its business into four segments.
REGULATED UTILITY includes the Company's rate regulated electric,  water and gas
services in  northeastern  Minnesota and  northwestern  Wisconsin.  NONREGULATED
ENERGY OPERATIONS  includes the Company's coal mining activities in North Dakota
and  nonregulated   generation  consisting  primarily  of  generation  from  the
Company's  Taconite  Harbor Energy Center in northern  Minnesota and  generation
secured  through a 15-year power purchase  agreement.  REAL ESTATE  includes the
Company's  Florida  real  estate   operations.   OTHER  includes  the  Company's
telecommunications activities, investments in emerging technologies, and general
corporate  charges and  interest  not  specifically  related to any one business
segment.  General  corporate  charges include employee  salaries and benefits as
well as legal and other outside service fees.  DISCONTINUED  OPERATIONS includes
Automotive  Services  that was spun  off on  September 20, 2004, Water  Services
businesses, the majority of which were sold in 2003, and spin-off costs incurred
by ALLETE.




                                                                       FOR THE QUARTER ENDED
                                                           ----------------------------------------------
                                                                                                              FULL
                                                            MAR. 31     JUN. 30     SEPT. 30     DEC. 31      YEAR
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                              
Millions

2004

Net Income (Loss)
         Regulated Utility                                    $13.9       $ 8.7       $ 9.5           -       $32.1
         Nonregulated Energy Operations                         0.4         0.7         1.5           -         2.6
         Real Estate                                           11.0         2.2         1.6           -        14.8
         Other                                                 (3.9)       (9.2)      (13.2)          -       (26.3)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Continuing Operations                                 21.4         2.4        (0.6)          -        23.2
         Discontinued Operations                               31.3        34.3        13.7           -        79.3
         Change in Accounting Principle                        (7.8)          -           -           -        (7.8)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              $44.9       $36.7       $13.1           -       $94.7
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2003

Net Income (Loss)
         Regulated Utility                                    $11.4       $ 6.9       $12.2      $  7.4      $ 37.9
         Nonregulated Energy Operations                         0.8        (0.4)        2.8         0.5         3.7
         Real Estate                                            4.2         5.2         1.9         2.8        14.1
         Other                                                 (5.1)       (8.3)       (6.0)       (6.5)      (25.9)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Continuing Operations                                 11.3         3.4        10.9         4.2        29.8
         Discontinued Operations                               33.0        41.0        36.7        95.9       206.6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              $44.3       $44.4       $47.6      $100.1      $236.4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


2                    ALLETE Form 8-K dated October 28, 2004






                                                                                            NONREGULATED
BUSINESS SEGMENTS                                                          REGULATED           ENERGY         REAL
2004                                                      CONSOLIDATED      UTILITY          OPERATIONS      ESTATE     OTHER
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Millions
                                                                                                         

FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2004

Operating Revenue                                            $209.8          $141.4            $29.8         $27.6      $11.0
Fuel and Purchased Power                                       68.9            57.1             11.8             -          -
Operating and Other Expense                                    86.4            47.5             15.6           8.9       14.4
Depreciation Expense                                           12.4             9.9              1.8             -        0.7
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Income (Loss) from
    Continuing Operations                                      42.1            26.9              0.6          18.7       (4.1)
Interest Expense                                               (9.1)           (4.7)            (0.4)         (0.1)      (3.9)
Other Income (Expense)                                          1.0               -              0.1             -        0.9
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations
    Before Income Taxes                                        34.0            22.2              0.3          18.6       (7.1)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)                                   12.6             8.3             (0.1)          7.6       (3.2)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations
    Before Change in Accounting Principle                      21.4          $ 13.9            $ 0.4         $11.0      $(3.9)
                                                                         -----------------------------------------------------
Income from Discontinued Operations - Net of Tax               31.3
Change in Accounting Principle                                 (7.8)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income                                                   $ 44.9
--------------------------------------------------------------------


FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 2004

Operating Revenue                                            $189.7          $136.8            $30.1          $6.8      $16.0
Fuel and Purchased Power                                       77.2            65.9             11.3             -          -
Operating and Other Expense                                    80.7            42.8             16.6           2.9       18.4
Depreciation Expense                                           12.5             9.9              1.9             -        0.7
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Income (Loss) from
    Continuing Operations                                      19.3            18.2              0.3           3.9       (3.1)
Interest Expense                                               (9.1)           (4.6)            (0.4)            -       (4.1)
Other Income (Expense)                                         (4.0)            0.1              0.9             -       (5.0)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations
    Before Income Taxes                                         6.2            13.7              0.8           3.9      (12.2)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)                                    3.8             5.0              0.1           1.7       (3.0)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations                        2.4          $  8.7            $ 0.7          $2.2      $(9.2)
                                                                         -----------------------------------------------------
Income from Discontinued Operations - Net of Tax               34.3
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income                                                   $ 36.7
--------------------------------------------------------------------


                     ALLETE Form 8-K dated October 28, 2004                    3






                                                                                            NONREGULATED
BUSINESS SEGMENTS                                                          REGULATED           ENERGY         REAL
2003                                                      CONSOLIDATED      UTILITY          OPERATIONS      ESTATE     OTHER
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Millions
                                                                                                         

FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2003

Operating Revenue                                            $187.4          $133.7            $30.8         $12.6      $10.3
Fuel and Purchased Power                                       67.4            56.0             11.4             -          -
Operating and Other Expense                                    80.5            47.4             16.1           5.4       11.6
Depreciation Expense                                           12.8            10.3              1.9             -        0.6
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Income (Loss) from
    Continuing Operations                                      26.7            20.0              1.4           7.2       (1.9)
Interest Expense                                              (12.5)           (5.3)            (0.3)            -       (6.9)
Other Income (Expense)                                          4.0             4.3              0.1             -       (0.4)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations
    Before Income Taxes                                        18.2            19.0              1.2           7.2       (9.2)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)                                    6.9             7.6              0.4           3.0       (4.1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations                       11.3          $ 11.4            $ 0.8         $ 4.2      $(5.1)
                                                                         -----------------------------------------------------
Income from Discontinued Operations - Net of Tax               33.0
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income                                                   $ 44.3
--------------------------------------------------------------------


FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 2003

Operating Revenue                                            $172.8          $125.0            $24.1         $15.6      $ 8.1
Fuel and Purchased Power                                       64.9            56.8              8.1             -          -
Operating and Other Expense                                    74.5            42.2             14.9           6.4       11.0
Depreciation Expense                                           13.0            10.4              1.8           0.1        0.7
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Income (Loss) from
    Continuing Operations                                      20.4            15.6             (0.7)          9.1       (3.6)
Interest Expense                                              (12.3)           (4.9)            (0.7)         (0.1)      (6.6)
Other Income (Expense)                                         (2.1)            0.8              0.4             -       (3.3)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations
    Before Income Taxes                                         6.0            11.5             (1.0)          9.0      (13.5)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)                                    2.6             4.6             (0.6)          3.8       (5.2)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations                        3.4          $  6.9            $(0.4)        $ 5.2      $(8.3)
                                                                         -----------------------------------------------------
Income from Discontinued Operations - Net of Tax               41.0
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income                                                   $ 44.4
--------------------------------------------------------------------


4                    ALLETE Form 8-K dated October 28, 2004



                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



                                                 ALLETE, Inc.



October 28, 2004                               James K. Vizanko
                               -------------------------------------------------
                                               James K. Vizanko
                               Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer



                     ALLETE Form 8-K dated October 28, 2004                    5