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THUMBS UP Impact of Oktoberfest remains positive It is the second weekend of Oktoberfest in New Ulm. This weekend festivities will shift from downtown to Schell’s Brewery. The celebration is expected to bring thousands to New Ulm. In fact, it is one of the weekends that consistently fills up local lodging places. The demand for rental rooms is so high, some rooms are booked a year in advance. It is a good problem to have. The influx of tourism brings extra money into the community. In addition, New Ulm typically survives the two Oktoberfest weekends without an uptick in crime. New ...

National Newspaper Week a time to reflect on the role journalism plays in our communities

This year marks the 85th celebration of National Newspaper Week. Local journalism is the heartbeat of informed communities. It brings stories to light that national outlets often overlook — stories about school board decisions, city council debates, neighborhood events, and local heroes. In a world increasingly shaped by global headlines and social media noise, reconnecting with local news is vital for civic engagement, accountability, and community resilience. To build a better future, you can support local journalism through subscriptions, donations, sharing stories, and ...

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THUMBS DOWN Federal government shutdown risky business The federal government shutdown Wednesday after Congress was unable to make a funding deal. The sticking point is over enhanced Obamacare subsidies. It is not clear how long the shutdown will last. Hopefully some agreement can be made relatively quick to avoid extended furloughs for federal employees. With this shutdown, there is also the risk of a permanent shutdown for certain departments. The Trump administration is threatening to use the shutdown as a way to layoff thousands of government employees. The last federal ...

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THUMBS UP Capt. Willibald Bianchi comes home Eighty years after his death, Congressional Medal of Honor winner Capt. Willibald Bianchi is coming home to New Ulm. Bianchi received the Medal of Honor for actions taken Feb. 3, 1942, in the Philippines. Before he could receive the medal, he was captured by the Japanese and was a POW for two years. On Jan. 9, 1945, Bianchi was transported on a prison ship called the Enoura Maru that was mistakenly sunk by the United States Army Air Force, resulting in the deaths of several hundred Allied POWs, including Bianchi. Following the war, his ...

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THUMBS UP New equipment at Washington Park celebrated On Thursday Mayor Kathleen Backer and elementary students at St. Anthony’s celebrated the new playground equipment at Washington Park during a ribbon cutting ceremony. The school’s 1st and third-grade students had a hand in selecting the new equipment. The Park and Recreation Department showed the students three design concepts and had them vote on their favorite. This means the equipment would be popular with the kids most likely to use it. The St. Anthony students were pleased with the new equipment, but it was popular with ...

Use caution when approaching farm equipment on the road

Harvest season has arrived in southern Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Transportation is reminding motorists to look out for farm equipment on our rural roads and highways. MnDOT, in a Monday news release, reported there were 455 crashes involving farm equipment from 2022 to 2024, resulting in eight deaths and 180 injuries. “Fall harvest season brings more farm equipment to Minnesota highways as farmers move their crops from field to market. We’re all safer when we work together and watch out for one another. Motorists should always scan the road ahead and slow down as ...