The third-graders lay flat on the floor, looking up at the dome, 160 feet above. What did they see, the tour guide asked? “Stars” the children said as they examined the inner dome of the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing. The star-filled dome represents the vastness of the universe, encouraging us all to “reach for our stars,” the guide suggested
Primary endangers voter privacy, participation
With the New Hampshire primary and the Iowa caucuses finally counted, the 2020 presidential primary season is in full swing. The Democratic front-runners look to be Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg. Following closely behind is our state’s own Sen. Amy Klobuchar. Elizabeth Warren and Joe Biden trail farther behind. Donald Trump, with no major
College of St. Benedict president Hinton to step down
College of St. Benedict President Mary Dana Hinton will step down at the end of the academic year to become president of Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia, on Aug. 1. Hinton started as St. Ben’s 15th president in July 2014. In a statement, the college cited Hinton’s commitment to making St. Ben’s a more welcoming community for all people. Her
Budget surplus, worker shortage, health, child care on legislators’ agenda
by Mike Knaak editor@thenewsleaders.com What to do with the state budget surplus as well as decisions on a worker shortage, lack of affordable child care and urgent health needs await St. Joseph area legislators when they return to the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 11. How to manage the state’s expected $1.3-billion surplus will be on the agenda and Sen. Jeff
Buckvold plans to run for mayor
by Mike Knaak editor@thenewsleaders.com St. Joseph City Council Member Anne Buckvold says she plans to run for mayor in this fall’s election. Buckvold was re-elected to the council in 2018. She was appointed in May 2018 to fill out a vacancy created when Matt Killam resigned. Buckvold said her interest in being mayor is driven by a desire to form
Students use leadership skills to help fill area needs
by Cori Hilsgen news@thenewsleaders.com Kennedy Community School Student Council members and Ambassadors have been busy filling their leadership roles to organize projects to help fill area needs around St. Joseph. Activities these students have been busy organizing this year include competing to collect for a food drive where they donated 364 items to the St. Joseph Community Food Shelf, collecting
Students celebrate Catholic Schools Week
by Cori Hilsgen news@thenewsleaders.com Excitement was in the air as students, faculty and staff at St. Joseph Catholic School celebrated Catholic Schools Week Jan. 26-31 with a variety of activities. Once, again, the theme this year was “Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.” The week included themed days, fun activities, prayer and a service project. Fourth-grade teacher Theresa Fleege coordinated
Valentine’s card leads to love, marriage
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com In kindergarten in Albany, way back in 1986, a little girl named Stefanie Krebs received a whole bunch of cards on Valentine’s day from class chums, but she later threw them all away – all but one. The card showed cartoon character Garfield the cat next to a Teddy bear. On the back it was signed,