News

Crazy Days returns to New Ulm July 24-26

Mailbag July 18, 2026

NEW ULM – New Ulm has been selected as Minnesota's 2026 Retail Community of the Year by the Minnesota Retailers Association. The recognition celebrates communities that demonstrate exceptional support for local retailers and foster vibrant shopping districts through collaboration, community events, and economic development. Visitors will have the opportunity to experience Minnesota's Retail Community of the Year as Crazy Days returns Friday, July 24, through Sunday, July 26. One of New Ulm's largest shopping weekends of the year, Crazy Days features sidewalk sales, exclusive ...

Shunkle Fest 2026

Communities July 18, 2026

New Ulm — Dain’s Dutchmen performed polka music at the annual KNUJ Shunkle Fest at the Glockenspiel in downtown New Ulm on Friday morning. Shunkle Fest took place as part of activities tied to the Bavarian Blast festival weekend. Adam Munsterman, dressed in German lederhosen, played ...

Judge search opens in Lyon, Blue Earth Counties

Communities July 18, 2026

MARSHALL — A Minnesota commission has officially opened the application process to fill the vacancy left after the death of District Court Judge Tricia Zimmer. Interviews for new judicial candidates are expected to be held in early September, said an announcement by the office of Gov. Tim Walz. Zimmer was appointed as a judge in Minnesota’s Fifth Judicial District in 2018. Zimmer’s legal career started in Lyon County, and she served as an assistant Lyon County attorney before later becoming a judge. She died June 27 at the age of 54. On Friday, the Commission on Judicial ...

Big steps taken on tiny homes project

Communities July 17, 2026

NEW ULM – The groundwork has begun on New Ulm’s smallest housing division. Last week, the New Ulm Business Resource Innovation Center (NUBRIC) began foundation work at 418 and 424 S. 13th Street and 1305-1315 South Minnesota Street as part of the Tiny Homes projects, also known as ...

Sunderman refiles for Dist. 88 school board

Local News July 17, 2026

NEW ULM — Election filings continued to pick up in the region. New ULm District 88 School Board member Melissa Sunderman refiled for election Wednesday. School board chairman Steve Gag refiled on Tuesday. School board member Amanda Groebner's seat is also up for election this year, but Groebner announced she will not being running for another term. This means at least one seat of New Ulm's school board seats will be open to a new candidate. For the Redwood Area School Board, incumbent, Andrew Lueck, refiled for election on Tuesday. Also in Redwood Falls, mayoral challenger Dennie ...

How to bring rural DFL to St. Paul

Local News July 17, 2026

NEW ULM – The New Ulm League of Women Voters (LWV) held a candidate forum for Keith Klawitter of Morgan and Lydell Sik of Lamberton, both of whom are seeking the DFL nomination for the State House 15B seat in the Aug. 11 primary. Throughout the forum, the two candidates acknowledged the ...