Baseball: Stevens Point Panthers 5, LaCrosse Central RiverHawks 1

Baseball: UW-Oshkosh 15, UW-LaCrosse 4

Baseball: Stevens Point Panthers 5, LaCrosse Central RiverHawks 1

Baseball: Fall Creek Crickets 1, Osseo-Fairchild Thunder 0

Baseball: Fall Creek Crickets 3, Prescott Cardinals 0

Tennis (boys): Winona Cotter Ramblers 7, Holmen Vikings 0

ROME – The Winona-Rochester bishop, Robert Barron, expects the election of Cardinal Robert Prevost as pope twill nave a “vivifying effect” on the American church. Barron was in Rome for the selection of the new pope. He noted that the new pope, who has chosen the name Leo XIV, is not only the first American to lead the world’s Catholics but also, like himself, a fellow Chiago native. “No one was expecting an American, but what a marvelous surprise to see him emerge on the loggia,” Barron said. The bishop said he has spoken with the new pope a number of times over the years: “I know him as a man of great intelligence, experience, and prayerfulness.” The new pope has been in church service at the Vatican in recent years. Earlier he was a bishop in Peru. In his initial address to throngs packed into St. Peter’s Square the new pope suggested his papacy will continue the social justice emphasis of his predecessor Pope Francis. This includes global struggles with the environment, immigration and poverty.

Barron. In Rome for his “Word on Fire” broadcasts and podcasts. Also as a commentator for U.S. television networks.

High school design artist. A Winona High School senior, Zayah Wobig, has won the button design contest for Winona’s 2025 Steamboat Days. Her sister Jezabelle designed the 2021 button. Buttons go on sale Saturday for $5 at Kwik Trips, Hy-Vee, Midtown Foods and Bronk’s Gardens. Buttons are $5. The celebration is June 11 to 15.

Baseball: Rochester Century Panthers 8, Rochester Marshall Rockets 4

Softball: Lake City Tigers 9, Rochester Lourdes Eagles 6

Tennis (boys): Rochester Mayo Spartans 7, Mahtomedi Zephyrs 0

Lovely evening for spring ritual. The student president at the Winona High School, Sawyer Lepsch, was among speakers for candle-lighting National Honor Society ceremony. Sawyer was among inductees.

Superintendent applauds student accomplishments

WINONA, Minn. – The superintendent of Winna schools, Brad Berzinski, who knows what it’s like to be busy, empathized with the school’s best and brightest. Addressing inductees into the the school chapter of the National Honor Society, Berzinski said: “I’m amazed you can do it all.” These were students with at least a 3.6 grade average on a 4.0 scale.  This was no group if nerds nuy involved in multiple extracurricular activities. Some have jobs. All of them are committed to volunteer work, both in the high school and in the greater community. The chapter adviser, Sarah Dixen, also expressed amazemrnt that these teens continue to show up, whethernfor a 7:15 a.m. shift at an elementary school playground, a tutoring session for a ninth grader struggling with biology, or helping out a local organization in town. The inductees:

> Seniors: Alaina Bell, Brady Benedict, Tanner Benson, Mya Brand, Adriana Brenengen, Clay Cottrell, Alicia Dionysius, Alexia Ebertowski, Makayla Finnegan, Anna Gilmer, Chey Goettelman, Evelyn Gondola, Asta Griggs, Malia Indra, Ruby Kiesel, Velaina Kiesel, Boden Larsen, Jacob Larsen, Lenora Leger, Sawyer Lepsch, Jillian Macon, Keeli Meyer, Eric Pampuch, Hope Quinn, Makenna Schroeder, Joshua Sheridan, Myron St George, Lauren Steinfeldt, Brianna Styba, Morgan Tye.

> Juniors: Emily Benke, Elizabeth Graner, Riley Grinsteinner, Andrew Heltemes, Lucas Heltemes, Piper Jones, Adelaide Krase, Claire Lynch, Calla Pike, Kiley Pollock, Carson Prodzinski, Lucy Sanders, Eleanor Schantzen, Pippa Serleth, Elina Skranka, Rachel Spartz, Salome Tolvaisas, Avani Roka.

WINONA, Minn. – The bicyclist killed in a crosswalk accident Monday evening was Michael John Ryan, age 67, of Winona, a police spokesperson said.  Ryan was on an e-bike when struck by a car. Police had asked news reporters to delay reporting the victim’s name because of “unique challenges” in contacting the family. The driver of the car, Gregory Stephen Ferriss, 54, of Winona, told police that the sun had blinded him while westbound on Broadway and turning onto Liberty Street. Police and other first-responders found Ryan unconscious and face down in the street. Attempts to revive him were unsuccessful.

Earlier: Bicyclist dies on Broadway when hit by car

Mama robin chose an elbow in a house gutter as safe place to start her latest family. She’s keeping her eggs a warm under her feathery belly while the father is off foraging food. Afternoon temperatures were expected again in the low70s.  Image: Andy Frank

WASHNGTON – The staff of Congressman Derrick Van Orden reported receiving “a credible threat” against his wife, children and grandchildren.” As a result, the western Wisconsin Congressman’s staff, said in an online post that Van Orden would skip House debates and votes Wednesday. Van Orden apparently was still home in Prairie du Chien. The alleged threat reportedly was received by mail Tuesday at the congressman’s Capitol Hill office. The staff’s post said that “appropriate authorities” had been notified.

Loose ends in Van Orden messaging

The staff announcement did not include the text of the threat, which left unanswered questions. Was it a death threat? Was violence explicitly threatened? What made the threat “credible,” as characterized in the   staff message. It also was not clear why Van Orden would cancel his Capitol schedule. Threats to members of Congress are not unusual, although seldom are they aimed at junior members like Van Orden. Fact: Armed Capitol Police escorts are available on-site.  It isn’t believed that Van Orden has family in Washington. There was no confirmation from police in Prairie du Chien, his hometown, that they had been alerted to any threat.

New forum for political points

The staff post was laden with amateurish political rhetoric. The post blamed e far-left Democrats who “’encourage hatred rather than a healthy discourse.” No evidence was offered to support the allusion to authorship. Van Orden is a Republican who has relied on such political cliches to demonize his detractors. In that spirit, the staff’s post said:

“No elected official, regardless of political party affiliation, should have to worry about the safety of their family while serving the American people. Threats of political violence are not just dangerous — they are anti-American. This type of behavior is the direct result of increasingly radical and violent rhetoric fueled by far-left Democrats who encourage hatred rather than healthy discourse. It is a poison on our nation and every Member of Congress — Republican or Democrat — should fully condemn it when they see it. The Congressman looks forward to returning to D.C. to do the job the people of

The townhall factor

The staff oost announced that the threat had prompted Van Orden to cancel a virtual townhall meeting scheduled for Wednesday. VanOrden has not held any in- person townhalls with constituents for months. He claims that such traditional townhalls lend themselves to rancorous infiltration by anti-Trump agitators. Van Orden has a lengthy history of aligning mself with  Trump. Instead of traditional eyeball-to-eyeball townhalls, Van Orden opted for an online variation of townhalls, which allows hm to stack who attends attends and has microphone access. . Democrats seeking to replace Van Orden in the 2026 election have accused him of being afraid to meet constituents in person and risk unpleasantness, especially with Trump’s unveiling of has unpopular policies

Earlier: Van Orden sees “duty” to seek WI-3 re-election

Earlier: Van Orden on townhalls: hey’re all anti-GOP conspiracies

Earlier: Van Orden follows GOP playbook, skips townhall

Earier: Where’s Van Orden? Skips out on risky townhall

Earlier: WI-3 incumbent Van Orden may be in trouble

Earlier: No evidence seen for Van Orden attack claim

Earlier: Van Orden stirs scene with anti-war woman

Earlier: Democrats: Van Orden a disaster in Congress

Earlier: Van Orden on lone-wolf mission to Israel

WINONA, Minn. – The Fire Department reported 47 emergency medical calls plus 13 fire calls in recent days:

> Tuesday, May 6: 4 medical call plus no fire calls

> Monday, May 5: 14 medical calls plus 3 fire calls.

> Sunday, May 4: 5 medical calls plus 2 fire calls.

> Saturday, May 3: 5 medical calls plus 1

> Friday, May 2: 6 medical call plus 2 fire calls.

> Thursday, May 1: 6 medical calls plus 1 fire call.

> Wednesday, April 30: 4 medical calls plus 3 fire call.

> Tuesday, April 29: 3 medical call plus 1 fire call.

Earlier: Emergency, fire crews make 34 calls

MINNEISKA, Minn. – Deputies found a man drunk and asleep in his backseat in the Lock and Dam 5 parking lot – a couple hours after a hit-and run collision in Winona. Because of his heavy intoxication, the man was taken 10 miles to the Winona hospital. In the hit-and-run accident, a second car was struck. This was at U.S. Highway 61 and Vila Street on the Winona West End. There were no injuries.

CHICAGO – The aging Horizon coaches and café cars that were yanked from service on Amtrak’s Borealis are beyond repair, sources said. Corrosion had created significant structural issues. When Horizon-class  fleet was sidelined in March, Amtrak said that a routine inspection had found underbody corrosion in places not normally visible. As a precaution, 70 cars were pulled from service on several regional trains, These included the Chicago-to-St. Paul Borealis that serves Winona. At the time Amtrak didn’t elaborate on the corrosion. Sources now say water and ice accumulation and 35 years of de-icing treatments and also neglect had ended the useful lifetime of the cars. Some of the cars were built as early as 1990. Meanwhile, Amtrak has repurposed and repositioned newer cars to keep the Borealis and other regional trains rolling. The result: Less capacity, fewer onboard services, and a growing shortage of rolling stock nationwide.

Earlier: Borealis back on tracks, now odd-looking

Earlier: Daily Borealis trains sidetracked as unsafe

Just in time in the bluffs. Violets are a traditional choice for Mother’s Day, particularly in some religious contexts. Although a royal color en masse, they usually are given to moms as small posies. Image: Andy Frank

Baseball: St. Charles Saints 6, Lake City Tigers 0

Golf (boys): Golden Valley Breck Mustangs 295, Rochester Lourdes Eagles 303, Albert Lea Lions 303, Rochester Century Panthers 303, Stewartville Tigers 304, Lake City Tigers 310, Pine Island/Zumbrota-Mazeppa 317, Byron Bears 319, Rochester Mayo Spartans 319, Lake City Tigers 320, Kasson-Mantorville Komets 323, Austin Packers 324, Cannon Falls Bombers 338, Rochester Marshall 342, 16. Jordan Hubmen 350, Burnsville Blaze 369

Golf (girls): Rochester Marshall Rockets 342

Lacrosse (girls): Rochester Century Panthers 20, Rochester Marshall Rockets 6