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THUMBS DOWN Sleepy Eye school year starts with a lockdown The soft lockdown at Sleepy Eye Public and Catholic Schools on Sept. 1 is a frustrating start to the school year. The reason for the lockdown was a social media post involving images of Sleepy Eye Public and St. Mary’s combined with threatening language. Sleepy Eye Police investigated and took an adult male student into custody, but based on information obtained in the investigation, there never was a threat to the public or the school. The whole thing was part of a nationwide social media prank trend that can be adapted to ...

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THUMBS UP New Ulm named Minnesota Retail Community of the Year Back in July, New Ulm was named the 2026-27 Minnesota Retail Community of the Year by the Minnesota Retailer Association. This is an impressive achievement that deserves to be recognized. New Ulm received the award in part thanks to a submitted nomination that described New Ulm as a community that intentionally invests in retail success through collaboration, promotion and year-round community engagement. This is an accurate description of the New Ulm community. It does seem like every other weekend New Ulm is hosting some ...

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THUMBS UP Hanska celebrates quasquicentennial The town of Hanska was founded in 1901, making this year its quasquicentennial, or 125th anniversary. The celebration will include the unveiling of new historical displays at Hanska’s community center, which is the first step in the community establishing its own museum. The exhibit opened Friday, but will be open throughout the weekend. Other special events are planned throughout the weekend including a community parade at 5 p.m. Saturday with a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. Special driving history tours will be held Sunday from noon ...

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THUMBS UP Volunteers make the Brown County Fair happen The Brown County Fair is in full swing again and has returned with dozens of exciting events and exhibits. The fair has something for everyone, whether they come for the rides, entertainment, 4-H and FFA exhibits or even the fair food. Since the fair happens every year, it is easy to take it for granted, but the work to put on the fair takes the work of many volunteers working long hours. The effort is worth it, as it is a rare event that brings all of Brown County together.  THUMBS UP Historic voter turnout in 2026 ...

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THUMBS UP NU plays in 3rd consecutive Jr. Legion State Baseball tournament The New Ulm Junior Legion Gold defeated Marshall Thursday to win the Division 1 Junior Legion Sub-State G Baseball Tournament. The win moves Junior Gold to next week’s state tournament, in Alexandria. The win over Marshall was impressive in itself, but it also meant that New Ulm will be playing in its third consecutive Junior Legion State Baseball Tournament. Also for New Ulm, the New Ulm Legion Gold baseball team already has a state berth in the D1 Senior Legion State Baseball Tournament since New Ulm hosts ...

License To Lie: In Trump’s America, You Just Say Anything

License To Lie: In Trump's America, You Just Say Anything "I cannot tell a lie," young George Washington supposedly told his father when asked if he'd cut down a cherry tree. That there was no tree and George never said those words hasn't impeded the myth that holds otherwise, popularized by ...