by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com Two women – one incumbent and a newcomer – are competing to represent the residents of Minnesota House District 13A starting in January of next year. That seat will be determined in the Nov. 3 general election. The two candidates are incumbent Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring) and Katy Westlund (DFL-Paynesville). District 13A includes the cities of
Podi: Community center would boost students’ success
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com Omar Abdullahi Podi, a candidate for the St. Cloud school board, believes a community center would provide after-school educational programs and skill learning to supplement what students learn in classrooms. Podi is one of seven candidates, including three incumbents, vying for four open seats on the school board in the Nov. 3 general election. Born in
The emergency is not over
How many deaths can we tolerate? Minnesota’s Covid-19 death toll will soon pass 2,000. Nationwide, we’ve tolerated 200,000 deaths and about 1,000 Americans continue to die each day. Imagine if a tornado wiped out one of the Minnesota cities with about 2,000 residents such as Nisswa, Hinckley or Aitkin. How would we react? Since the pandemic set in, an average
It’s never been about the pay
Why do people want these jobs? We’ll soon be voting for a long list of candidates, with the presidency at the top of the ballot. Our elected leaders have tough jobs – especially now with a raging pandemic, a sinking economy, renewed attention to systemic racism, the West Coast in flames and hurricanes threatening the Gulf Coast. The biggest threat
For human harmony, let’s all learn about racism
Two young men sat in the auditorium and snickered as they exchanged a series of nasty jibes against Blacks, peppering their remarks with the “n” word. They were students in the Alexandria Technical College Law Enforcement program. On that day, nearly four decades ago, they were there in a class to learn how to be sensitive toward people of color.
Absentee voting begins Sept. 18
by Mike Knaak editor@thenewsleaders.com Absentee voting begins Sept. 18 for the Nov. 3 general election. Because of the current pandemic, residents who wish to vote by absentee are encouraged to request an absentee ballot online at mnvotes.org, according to the Stearns County Auditor-Treasurer’s Office. To vote absentee by mail: Voters apply for an absentee ballot online at mnvotes.org or contact
Haffner appointed city administrator
by Mike Knaak editor@thenewsleaders.com Therese Haffner is St. Joseph’s new city administrator after the City Council approved her appointment at its Sept. 8 meeting. She replaces Kris Ambuehl who resigned to take a position in the private sector. Haffner has served as the city’s Community Development director for four-and-a-half years and she served as interim city administrator while a search
Property taxes could go down next year
by Mike Knaak editor@thenewsleaders.com The final numbers aren’t set yet, but St. Joseph residents could see a decrease in their property tax bills next year. Finance Director Lori Bartlett updated City Council members on preparations for the 2021 city budget at the Sept. 8 meeting. The council needs to set a preliminary levy by Sept. 30. Uncertainty over the impact