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THUMBS UP NU schools teaming up with St. James, Madelia on gymnastics Thursday, the New Ulm School board approved an application for cooperative sponsorship that would join New Ulm’s gymnastics program with St. James and Madelia’s program. Superintendent Sean Koster explained that New Ulm Public Schools already partners with Minnesota Valley Lutheran and Cathedral High School on gymnastics; however participation levels are low. The three New Ulm schools have 13 participants. St. James and Madelia are in a similar situation with nine participants total. For this reason it makes ...

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THUMBS UP NU Emergency Food Shelf prepared to help The New Ulm Emergency Food Shelf is prepared to handle an influx of new clients. Executive Director Brad Kirk confirmed that the food shelf is well-stocked, thanks to the support of donors and the help of volunteers. Currently, the food shelter assists around 160 families each month. Kirk is confident that it could be expanded if other food assistance programs are impacted by the government shutdown. Recently, it was reported that funding for SNAP would only last through the end of October. If the government does not reopen by ...

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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 ...