AM Radio on the chopping block
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By SENATOR AMY KLOBUCHAR
There are 4,000 AM radio stations across the country – and over 300 of those stations are right here in Minnesota. Listeners turn to AM radio for everything from high school scores to crop reports to news and weather. In fact, during a weather emergency like a wildfire or a tornado, AM radio can serve as a lifeline, sharing critical and sometimes lifesaving information.
Despite this, AM radio is on the chopping block. Auto executives have threatened to pull AM radio out of newer models of some of their vehicles. Maybe from their headquarters it doesn’t seem like people care about AM radio anymore, but I bet if they took a drive through rural Minnesota, they would take a different view. I was at Farmfest in Redwood County earlier this month, and the people I talked to agreed: AM radio is critical for rural communities.
AM radio is also critical for public safety. Seven former FEMA administrators from the Clinton, Bush, Obama, and Trump administrations have spoken out about the safety risks of eliminating AM radio from cars. They explained that the National Public Warning System relies on AM radio to deliver emergency messages to the entire country at once. In times of emergency or severe climate conditions, the car is sometimes the only source of power and news for many. Phasing AM radio out of cars would mean this public safety system will no longer function as intended.
Secondary site off to fresh start
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Cell phone policy under development, new staff in place
By DEB BENTLY
Staff Writer
“This is not a ‘me’ thing,” says NRHEG Secondary Principal Grant Berg. “It’s a ‘we’ thing.”
After serving as the secondary principal for a few months last spring following the resignation of David Bunn, Berg has spent the summer assuring the secondary site will be operational.
Significant turnover in staff has occurred, with new teachers in the social studies, math, language arts and music departments; ensuring those positions were filled was an ongoing task. New teachers spent two days in orientation on August 21 and 22; all teachers began their 2023-24 school year on August 28.
Students, families and members of the community had the opportunity to meet teachers and tour the school during an open house on Wednesday evening.
Blashack day in Waldorf
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COURTESY OF THE
JANESVILLE JOURNAL
It was a fantastic homecoming for Lieutenant Colonel Catherine Blashack.
She had no clue that when she flew from Texas to her hometown of Waldorf for two weeks that she would receive the warm welcome she did along with a custom award recognizing her achievements in the military.
“I seriously was not expecting this,” she told the crowd of over fifty people at the Waldorf Community Center on Thursday, August 17. That day was known as “Catherine Blashack Day.”
Blashack originally came from Waldorf and was a graduate of Waldorf-Pemberton High School in 1974. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Theater with a Minor in Textiles from St. Benedict University in St. Joseph, MN. She has been recognized in her current home state of Texas for her artwork, and before being surprised with a potluck and an award, she was originally home to help paint and finish the mural on the old Eisen building across the street from the community center.
Elementary site growing, vibrant
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Principal anticipates the arrival more than 30 new students
By DEB BENTLY
Staff Writer
NRHEG Elementary Principal Craig Kopetzki has had enough of summer.
“I want to be greeting students as they arrive. I want to be walking the halls and stepping into classrooms to see the activities there.
“The building has seemed very empty these past few months.”
Electric time at Trinity church
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By MELANIE PILTINGSRUD
Copy Editor
The sanctuary of Trinity Lutheran Church in New Richland witnessed a rare performance of Latin music on Sunday, August 13 from 3:30 – 5 p.m. when the Twin Cities based group Salsa del Soul performed there as part of the Summer Burst Concert Series. Although the concert was originally scheduled to take place at the New Richland City Park, the rainy weather chased the music indoors.
Five of the nine-piece orchestra performed on Sunday, including Bryan Rossi on keyboard, David Martin on bass and guitar, Frank Rivery on vocals and congas, Shai Hayo on timbales, and Leann Lingren on saxophone and flute.