Breaking News

New Ulm

Reflection on NUPS literacy plan

New Ulm - Amanda Thorson, the Director of Curriculum and Instruction, presented New Ulm Public Schools’ 2025-2026 Local Literacy Plan at Thursday’s school board meeting.  As part of the READ Act, the literacy plan aims to enhance literacy outcomes for all students that are data-driven, measurable, and continuous. Additionally, the plan stresses the importance of communication between teachers, parents, and students.  “We use multiple methods… everything from in-depth conferences, phone calls, emails, progress monitoring updates,” Thorson said,  “[Whichever] way that ...

River Valley BMX back is back in action

NEW ULM – BMX is back in New Ulm following the reconstruction of the River Valley track at 316 S. Third Street. Mayor Kathleen Backer, with the assistance of some BMX riders, held a special ribbon-cutting for the revamped course. Reconstruction of the BMX started in Sept. 2025 and was ...

NU school board cuts nine staff

New Ulm - Thursday’s school board meeting confirmed the termination of nine New Ulm Public Schools’ staff members.  ISD 88’s school board room was silent following the reading of the action item confirming the termination of nine New Ulm Public School staff members. Board member Amanda Groebner eventually made the motion with a second from board member Melissa Sunderman, which passed as a unanimous decision.  “It’s never fun,” Groebner said. Terminations included six paraprofessionals, Mackenzie Kjelshus, Kevin Maudal, and Megan Williams from Washington Learning ...

A ‘beautiful and vibrant’ downtown

NEW ULM – If it seems flowers sprang up in downtown New Ulm overnight, that is because of the work of dozens of volunteers and sponsors. Between Tuesday and Thursday, 37 planters, 97 pots and 125 hanging baskets along Minnesota Street and Broadway were filled with flowers for the ...

Timeless in Brick

NEW ULM — Local historian Lisa Besemer presented “Timeless in Brick: Discovering the Stories of Four Historic Homes” at the Brown County Historical Society’s annual event at Turner Hall on Thursday. Besemer discussed the construction, ownership history and architectural details of ...

ISD 88 Foundation launches community endowment drive

NEW ULM - Independent School District (ISD) 88 Foundation is calling on the New Ulm community to invest in the future of local education through its growing Endowment Fund — a long-term financial resource designed to sustain support for New Ulm Public Schools for generations to come. Currently valued at approximately $650,000, the ISD 88 Foundation Endowment serves as a permanent investment fund that generates annual earnings to support the mission to “enhance education” for all New Ulm Public Schools students and staff. Recently, The ISD 88 Foundation Board of Directors voted ...