MN-1 Democrat OK Johnson to take on Finstad
STEWARTVILLE, Minn. — As expected, math teacher and labor organizer Jake Johnson won the endorsement for Congress from Democrats in Minnesota’s First Congressional District. Barring a surprise challenger on the August primary ballot, the endorsement puts Johnson on the November general election against two-term Republican incumbent Brad Finstad. At their endorsement convention at Stewartville High School, Democrats waxed enthusiastically at Johnson’s prospects and also on Finstad’s liabilities. The consensus was that Finstad is finding it impossible to disentangle himself from his allegiance to President Trump, whose approval rating has dropped to historic lows in the 30% range across virtually all issues — the Iran war, affordability, healthcare, nutrition, inflation, a shift in tax policy in favor of wealthy people and to the disadvantage of everybody else, and ,especially in Minnesota, Trump’s Operation Metro Surge. About his prospects, however, Johnson acknowledged a lot of work ahead:
“This DFL endorsement is a big step forward, and while I’m grateful, I know it doesn’t win us the race. We’re still up against an incumbent backed by corporate PACs, outside money, and the political establishment. And now that this race is getting more attention, that money is only going to increase.”
At the convention Johnson claimed that record numbers of Republicans and Independents have joined the Democratic movement in southern Minnesota’s 20 county MN-1 district. The District, he said, had the most Republicans and Independents show up at earlier precinct caucuses than in any of the other seven Minnesota congressional districts: “It’s just more proof that our campaign is actually reaching the voters we need to bring back into the Democratic Party.”
Johnson. Background as leader in Rochester teachers’ union. At Mayo High School he teaches math. Yes, that’s an algebraic equations on his classroom whiteboard.
Campaign dollars
So far in primary season. From federally required campaign finance statements:
Finstad: Contributions: $1.3 million. Expenditures: $599,000.
Johnson. Contributions: $1.2 million. Expenditures: $541,000.
Near psychologically bleak point: $4 gas
Symbolically a giant wind turbine turns a couple blocks away Turbines generate low-cost energy, but there aren’t enough of them. Federal policy under Trump has thwarted growth of the wind, solar and nuclear alternatives.
At $3.999 in Lewiston, within one-10th of a penny of $4 at the only fueling station in the geographical center of Winona County. Stations elsewhere in the county are lagging a tad in $3.94 range but moving higher. National average: $4.44 varying largely because of state tax rates. Highest: $6-plus in California. Image: Steve Lunde
Analysis: Are we doom-bound? Data gloomy
Why are fuel prices at record highs? Where will this end?
> President Trump has been intent on protecting the 19th century fossil-fuel industry by discouraging expansion of alternative energy sources The result: Oil companies are swimming in profits. In its latest quarter ExxonMobil reported record revenue of $83 billion. Well-heeled investors in oil companies — the billionaire category — are major political donors.
> Recent negative effects of U.S oil-dependence include Spirit Airlines. The company has grounded its 125-plane fleet in bankruptcy because of fuel costs and laid off 17,000 employees.
> To pay for fuel, airlines have hiked fares substantially and suspended flying some routes entirely. This portends debilitating downward impact on the tourism industry and other sectors of the economy.
>Trump has ended tax incentives for people to buy electric-powered cars. Only 2% to 3% of U.S. cars are electric. In China, the world’s largest producer of electric cars, new car sales of electrics have passed 50%. Electric sales have swelled in Europe. Norway is at 50% plus.
> The Trump war against Iran has dislocated oil supplies globally with virtually no tanker ships in or out of the Hormuz Strait in and its Arabian refineries.
> Concomitant with the price of gasoline, diesel fuel reached $5.59 a gallon at the dominant Kwik Trip stations in Winona County. This is at a difficult point for mechanized farmers to find financing for their 2026 crops. The upshot: Inevitable hikes for already through-the-roof grocery prices.
> The outlook for many farmers is bleak. In heavily agricultural Iowa, bankruptcies by family farmers have tripled, up 229%.
> Also affecting the agricultural industry: A global shortage of essential ingredients for fertilizers from the Middle East. The Trump Iran war has blockaded nitrogen-carrying ships inside the Hormuz Strait.
Klobuchar details anti-fraud platform
ST. PAUL, Minn. — U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, who is running for governor, is putting some space between herself and incumbent Gover Tim Walz about fraud issues. Klobuchar said she would have been quicker to identify administrative lapses. At the same time, she noted that Walz has acknowledged wishing that he had caught the widespread fraud issues earlier. At a news conference, Klobuchar said:
“The minute I would have heard that this fraud was happening, if I was there and had access to the information, I would have looked at where are the programs where we’re starting to see ballooning budgets.”
A pattern of state agencies approving fraudulent claims for government reimbursement has blown up as a political issue against Walz. His opponents accuse him of negligence. Klobuchar had no role. For 19 years she’s been in Washington as a U.S. senator. Now running to succeed Walz, a fellow Democrat, Klobuchar finds Republicans casting blame widely. At her news conference in St. Paul, Klobuchar unveiled a plan to reduce frauds against the government. She pointed to her experience as the chief Hennepin County attorney from 1999 to 2007 evidence of a record prosecuting wrong-doing, fraud included. Her plan governor, she said, includes:
> An independent agency for “outside looks” at state agenc=ies to investigate fraud proactively.
> More oversight like in-person inspections.
> Tougher criminal penalties.
> Permanent bans on state grants and contracts for anyone convicted of fraud.
> Tightened the screening of people being considered to run state agencies.
“I don’t like the status quo,” Klobuchar said. “I wouldn’t be running for governor if I wanted to have things remain the same.” She also proposed making state services more accessible by cellphone. The state should make it easier for people to obtain permits and start businesses, she said. On other issues, Klobubar said that Minnesota needs to build more housing.
Klobuchar. Promises new office of inspector general o clamp down on fraudulent claims for
Lugar testimonial
Luger, the former U.S. attorney, who prosecuted fraud in the Feeding Our Future nutrition programs for children. Luger said that as soon as he announced indictments in the scandal, Klobuchar called and asked him if he had enough resources to address the issue. Luger said he needed more prosecutors but there was fierce competition for funds to hire them. “After she talked to me, Amy Klobuchar immediately used her influence as a U.S. senator to press leadership at the Department of Justice and argued for us,” Luger said. “Not one U.S. senator around the country did that for their U.S. Attorneys’ office.” Luger proceeded with a beefed- up staff —the largest number of new prosecutors in ge nation — and indicted more than 70 people in the Feeding Our Future scandal
R.I.P.: Shaton Behnke
WINONA, Minn. — Sharon G. Behnke, age 90, who worked many years in the business office at Winona State University, died at Sugar Loaf Senior Living. She retired in 1996.
Driver’s blood tests at 25% too much alcohol
WINONA, Minn. — A Winona man was arrested and booked for driving drunk. Gavin Jay Durnen, age 20, scored a blood-alcohol level of 0.10%, according to a breathalyzer. No more than 0.08% is allowed. The traffic stop was in 650 block of West Sarnia Street near the Edgewater Apartments. The arresting officer identified typical intoxication indicators: Bloodshot and watery eyes and slurred speech. Roadside sobriety were failed.
News summary at week’s end: May 2, 2026
POLITICS: District 26 Democrats: We’re energized to take over
POLITICS: GOP right-winger quits gubernatorial race
gov: No Kings organizers plan May Day event
TRIBAL: A tribute to Betsy Thunder on LaCrosse River
CRIME: Jury in Ettrick road-rage killing: Guilty
CRIME: Cops: Simmering grudge precedes shotgun threats
ARTS: Confederacy presence still on for Iowa fair
College scores
Baseball: Winona State 27, Northern State of South Dakota 8
Baseball: UW-LaCrosse 14, UW-Oshkosh 1
Baseball: UW-LaCrosse 3, UW-Oshkosh 1
Softball: Winona State 10, SMU-Morris 9
Softball: Winona State 4, SMU-Moorhead 0
Softball: UW-LaCrosse 2, UW-Stout 1
Softball: UW-LaCrosse 6, UW-Stout 1
Minnesota prep
Softball: Rochester Mayo Spartans 10, St. Charles Saints 4
Softball: Byron Bears 7, Winona Winhawks 5
Onalaska teacher dies in Eleva crash
ELEVA, Wis. — An Onalaska school teacher, Kimberly Clark, was killed in a two-vehicle collision north of Eleva. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Clark, age 56, was a passenger in a Subaru Forester heading south toward Eleva. This was on two-lane U.S. Highway 93 abut 5 p.m. Eau Claire County deputies said the Subaru driver was Stephanie K. Conwayy. The driver of the second vehicle, deputies said, was Kirk A. Johnson, age 46, of Eleva. He was driving a Chevrolet Silverado pickup that was entering U.S. 93 from Severson Road.
Clark. Since 2002 a teacher at Irving Pertzsch Elementary School in Onalaska.
Freight jumps rails in Minnesota River drainage
Along swamp. Accident on a straight stretch at Henderson Station, once a train stop east of Henderson. Henderson itself is home to 1,000 people. Image: Arielle Yahnke
No leak of methane, propane from damaged tankers
HENDERSON, Minn. — A freight train derailed on the single-track Union Pacific line connecting Mankato and Minneapolis. Nobody was injured although a few nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution, said LeSueur County Sheriff Brett Mason. Although tank cars carrying liquid methane and propane were on their sides, none leaked, the sheriff said. Some cars carrying grain, which is relatively benign to the environment, lost their loads. In all, left carsbleft the tracks. The cause of the accident was not determined immediately. Although along a swamp and only a few hundred feet from the Minnesota River, the roadbed didn’t appear soggy.
Golden Frog: Eatery to keep on croaking?
FOUNTAIN CITY, Wis. — The historic Golden Frog restaurant, now almost 150 years old, is on the real estate market. So too is the companion and trendier Lily Pad restaurant across the street on the Mississippi River. Owners Ross Patzner and Sarah Hemker said running both enterprises has been rewarding but now is time to spend more time with their 12-year-old son. The asking price: $299,000 for the combined properties, although they can be purchased separately. A walk-up apartment is included.
A rich history
Since 1878 the Golden Frog has been in business variously as a German beer parlor, a grill and a supper club. The building itself is even older, dating to 1850s when Fountain City was called Holmes’ Landing. Thimas Holmes had started the settlement in 1839 when Wisconsin was still a territory. Boats stopped at Holmes Landing to take on firewood, as well as water from nearby springs. The Golden Frog opened in 1878 as Zum Goldenen Frosch with a tin frog over the corner entrance. As the local German influence waned, the name became anglicized. Patzner and Hemke have owned the business since 2014, although Panzer also was involved earlier. In 2023 they bought an old lumber yard across the street and converted it into an open-air establishmen, he Lily Pad, t overlooking the Mississippi from the second floor.
Fountian City junction. On U.S. Highway 35, Wisconsin’s “Great River Road,” through Fountain City. At t the intersection up a dugway 10 miles to Arcadia. The companion al fresco venue Lily Pad across the street.
College scores
Baseball: Winona State 6, Northern State of South Dakota 3
Baseball: Northern State of South Dakota 12, Winona State 11
Baseball: Saint Mary’s 7, Carleton 4
Baseball: Saint Mary’s 14, Carleton 1
Minnesota prep
Baseball: Caledonia Warriors 8, Lewiston-Altura Cardinals 7
Baseball: St. Charles Saints 13, Rochester Lourdes Eagles 3
Tennis (boys): Winona Cotter Ramblers 5, Rochester Schaeffer Lions 2
Teen-age pedestrian dies after hit by car
TOMAH, Wis. — A 14-year-old boy walking with a friend along a county road was injured fatally when stuck from behind by a car. This was after dark, about 9:45 p.m. The boy was pronounced dead at the scene. The other boy was unhurt. Without explanation. Monroe County Sheriff Dennis Pederson declined to release the names of the victim or the driver. It was known, however, tat the driver was 38 years old. Deputies quoted the driver as being blinded by an oncoming car’s headlamps and not seeing rhe boys in time. The driver stopped and rendered aid until emergency responders arrived, deputies said. This was on County Road O.
District 26 Democrats: We’re energized to take over
200 delegates at Rushford confab. Their challenge: All three of District 26’s delegates in the Minnesota Legislature are Republicans.
Endorsements decided at Rushford confab
RUSHFORD, Minn. — Democrats emerged from their District 26 endorsement convention with confidence about the November election. “We have the momentum of three strong campaigns and we’re well-positioned to win back DFL control of our Legislature,” said Caitlin Nicholson, vice chair of the party’s southeast Minnesota District 26. Endorsed at last weekend’s convention were:
> Jack Hedin, of Winona, who operates Featherstone Farm near Rushford, for the State Senate seat being vacated by Republican Jeremy Miller, who isn’t seeking re-election.
> Dan Wilson, a Wiscoy farmer, for the 26-A House seat held by first-term incumbent Republican Aaron Repinski of Winona.
> Allie Wolf, of Spring Valley, a Marine veteran and mother of two, for the 26-B House seat held by 16-term Republican incumbent Greg Davids of Preston.
Senate District 26. Has 85,000 people, as does every Minnesota Senate district. Includes most of Winona County, all of Fillmore and Houston counties, and a silver of Mower County.
Said Nicholson: “With these endorsements, we are fielding candidates with deep roots in our area, who understand our region, and are ready to get to work.” The party’s endorsement usually is tantamount to prevailing in a primary election. Although unlikely, it’s possible for others to win the primary as outsiders.
Earlier: District 26 Democrats tap Hedin for State Senate
GOP right-winger quits gubernatorial race
MAPLE GROVE, Minn. — Four-term state legislator Kristin Robbins is shutting down her campaign for governor. Robbins’ campaign never gained traction in a crowded Republican field. Also, Robbins said, she won’t seek a fifth term from House District 37-A. She lives in the northwest Minneapolis suburb Maple Grove. About abandoning her gubernatorial bid, Robbins said she had been motivated at first to oust Democratic Governor Walz and end “Minnesota’s slide into socialism.” Now with Walz retiring, Robbins said she is comfortable working to end “the socialist woke agenda” as a private citizen.
Robbins. Age 57. reputation is at the rabid extreme right edge of the Republican Party.
GOP field for governor
Ranked by fund-raising in latest legally required quarterly report:
> Mike Lindell: $496,000
> Lisa Demuth: $226,000
> Chris Mandel: $163,000*
> Kendall Qualls: $125,000
> Peggy Bennett: $61,000
> Kristin Robbins: $61,000
> Patrick Knight: $46,000
> John Krhin: $39,000
> Scott Jensen: $17,000*
> PhillipParrish: $7,000
> Ross Nova: $6,000
> Paul Estrada: $4,000
> Jeff Johnson, $47*
*Candidacy withdrawn or papers not filed.
Jeep hits U.S. 52 guardrail; driver injured
STEWARTVILLE, Minn — A Montana motorist was injured when he ran into a guardrail on U.S. Highway 52 south of Rochester. Terri J Lautenschlager, 57, of Anaconda, was taken 12 miles to a Rochester hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Lautenschlager was driving south toward Chatfoldek in a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. This was about 5:05 a.m. between the Stewartville and Rochester-Austin exits.
Minnesota prep
Baseball: Winona Cotter Ramblers 6, Dover-Eyota Eagles 4
Softball: Caledonia Warriors 5, Lewiston-Altura Cardinals 1
Softball: Caledonia Warriors 12, Lewiston-Altura Cardinals 0
A tribute to Betsy Thunder on LaCrosse River
LACROSSE, Wis. — A kinder, gentler reminder of the place of Ho-Chunk presence in history is being installed in the Friendship Gardens in La Crosse’s Riverside Park — a bronze statue of tribal healer Betsy Thunder. Time: Monday at 7 a.m. The statue is a kind of numerical replacement for a Hiawatha statue that offended Ho-Chunks as stereotypical and locally irrelevant and has been removed. Betsy Thunder practiced her medicinal powers in the mid-1800s. She practiced her native-plant and herb remedies with Ho-Chunks as well as non-indigenous. us settlers. A formal dedication ceremony will be in July on United Nations International Day
In restful repose. Near confluence of LaCrosse and Mississippi rivers.
Betsy Thunder profile
Betsy Thunder learned her medicinal arts from her husband William Thunder and passed them on to one of their sons. She knew little English but treated white patients and Ho-Chunks alike. She was paid with food, clothing and blankets. Her birth year is not known because of the loss of spoken history. Known is that she was part of the bloodline. Pioneer white businessman Hugh Mills credited her with saving his son’s life and gave her lumber for a small cabin. Later he built a room in his Black River house for her to treat patients and included her in family dinners, weddings and other events. She was born up the Black River and saw herself as tied to the land. When the U.S. government forced-marched Ho-Chunks to barren lands in Nebraska Territory, Betsy Thunder refused. She remained in her ancestral Black River area in what had become Wisconsin’s Jackson County. She died in 1913.
Remembrance. From an era when photographers used flash powder.
Earlier: Petition goal: Save Hiawatha statue
Earlier: LaCrosse to remove Hiawatha statue
Three hurt in wreck between Rochester, Chatfield
EYOTA, Minn. — Three travelers were injured when their vehicles collided south of Interstate 90 on a gentle curve where U.S. Highway 52 and 90th Avenue intersect. Taken 14 miles to a Rochester with non-life threatening injuries were:
> Daryl Theodore Roney, 68, of Decorah, Iowa, driving a 2017 Ford F150 pickup.
> Wendy Marie Roney.64, of Decorah, a passenger.
> Julie Ann Schuchard, 62, of Rochester, driving a 2024 Ford Bronco.
This was about 8:15 p.m. First-responders arrived from Eyota and Chatfield.
Driver dead in crash into Army convoy
CASHTON Wis. — A Boscobel driver died, apparently instantly, when he veered into a military convoy southwest of Cashton. John Shimpach, age 82, was southbound toward Boscobel on U.S. Highway 27. Vernon County deputies said Shimpach crossed the. centerline on the two-lane highway. This was about 4:15 p.m. near Paulson Road. Two soldiers in the damaged military vehicle were taken to a LaCrosse hospital, 26 miles away, by a fellow soldier. Their injuries appeared non-life threatening.
Cops: Simmering grudge precedes shotgun threats
WINONA, Minn. — Police arrested a West End man after two threatening calls to a secretary at City Hall and a third to Police Chief Tom Williams, who was called a disparaging name in a voice message. Perry Scott Topness, age 43, was arrested outside his house on Marian Street when police arrived a couple hours after the calls. He offered no resistance. Apparently his beef was from a year or so ago when police called a tow truck to remove vehicles at his house in violation of the 20-hour limit for parking on a public street. One car had a flat tire. Anther was open with cobwebs inside. These were the calls logged by police Thursday:
> 10:44 a.m.: A City Hall secretary took a call about various complaints, ending with a threat to show up at City Hall to “kick ass.”
> 10:47 a.m.: To Chief Williams, the caller left a phone message that if anyone touched any of his cars, he would be “sitting there with a shotgun.”
> 10:49 a.m.: The same secretary took a second call, this time the caller saying he would shoot a shotgun at anyone who came to his place to take his car.
The arrest, at Topness’ house, was about 1:15 p.m. There was no resistance. Nor a shotgun.
No Kings organizers plan May Day event
WINONA, Minn. The grassroots organization Winona Indivisible has chosen a demonstration at Windom Park to coordinate with a general strike called tby he organization’s partners elsewhere for a general strike. The event: 6 p.m. on Friday under the banner “May Day Strong.” Participants were encouraged to bring food bank donations.
News summary at mid-week: April 29, 2026
POLITICS: Finstad still avoiding news reporters, townhalls
POLITICS: District 26 Democrats tap Hedin for State Senate
POLITICS: As Democrat for 26-B, Wolf sees age as plus
POLITICS: White nasty over call to quit U.S. Senate bid
POLITICS: GOP chief to troubled White candidacy: End It
GOVERNANCE: Walz finale to solons: Act on firearm limits
GOVERNANCE: Sanders in Rochester: An anti-oligarchy message
CRIME: Cops hunt driver in “rolling domestic” wreck
CAMPUS: Late night fire endangers SMU ice arena
CAMPUS: Rochester ponders beefed-up RCTC sports site
SCHOOLS: School bus in six-vehicle crash; no kids aboard
ARTS: Confederacy presence still on for Iowa fair
CRIME: Jury in Ettrick road-rage killing: Guilty
CRIME: Winona murderer Favel loses final appeal
CRIME: Air-gun shots hit windows at East End homes
CRIME: The accidental arrest of Jonathan David Jantzen
CRIME: Bad idea: Drugs in system at prisons office
CRIME: Bad idea: Taking drugs to a probation appointment
AVIATION: North Dakota legislator dead in plane crash
GOOD DEEDS: Gift site raises $130,000 for Beedle hospital costs
RESCUE: Lost hiker found up bluffs, helped down
College scores
Baseball: UM-Duluth 3, Winona State 2
Baseball: Winona State 17, UM-Duluth 12
Lacrosse (women): UW-LaCrosse 16, Hamline 8
Softball: UW-LaCrosse 4, UW-River Falls 0
Softball: UW-River Falls 8, UW-LaCrosse 0
Softball: Calumet 14, Viterbo 13
Softball: Olivet 4, Viterbo 0
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