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THUMBS UP Spotlight on banning books Last week, the American Library Association (ALA) celebrated banned book week. It is an annual tradition designed to put a spotlight on attempts to censor or restrict reading material in the United States. Every year the ALA tracks book challenges initiated in the county. Challenges are formal requests from individuals or groups to remove a book from a library or school curriculum. According to the ALA, few of last year’s challenges came from individuals but rather came from pressure groups and even government officials. Challenges among pressure ...

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THUMBS UP Oktoberfest starts in New Ulm It is the first weekend of Oktoberfest in New Ulm. The celebration began Friday with musical entertainment on Minnesota Street and at the Best Western. The traditional Oktoberfest Keg Tapping was held at the Best Western on Friday. At the same time, the US Steinholding Association State Championship Qualifying was held on Minnesota Street ahead of the State Finals Tournament held on Saturday. Both locations will be filled with music and other activities on Saturday. In addition to the Oktoberfest events, Brown County Fairgrounds will be hosting ...

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THUMBS UP NUMAS Haus fundraiser well attended New Ulm Ministerial Association (NUMAS) Haus held its annual fundraiser Thursday night. The fundraiser was designed to help cover the operating costs for the shelter. For nearly a decade, NUMAS Haus has provided shelter and support services to homeless women and children in the Brown County Area. It is a 90-day program that provides shelter in a home setting that also gives clients access to resources and services to help them get back on their feet. Currently, NUMAS Haus is working to expand its shelter space into the former First United ...

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THUMBS DOWN Brown County cow confirmed for rabies The Minnesota Board of Animal Health confirmed a Brown County Hereford heifer tested positive for rabies earlier this month. The cow’s owner noticed odd behavior on Sept. 1, including lying flat with its head down. By Sept 3. The animal began showing other symptoms including uncoordinated hind legs, was high-stepping, vocalizing, hyper-salivating, and had a high temperature. The animal was euthanized and tested for rabies, which came back positive. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recommended nine people obtain rabies ...

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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 ...