Baldwin moves to restore gay crisis line
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin wants to reverse an order by President Trump that terminated a Call 988 crisis line for gay and trans people needing help. Baldwin, a Democrat, is co-sponsoring legislation to fund the help line despite Trump. The line received 1.5 million calls the past three years, Baldwin said. She quoted a study that 40% of LGBTQ+ youth considered suicide last year.
Victim in fatal Wyatville crash from Lewiston
WYATTVILLE, Minn. — The victim of a fatal accident Wednesday at the Wyattville T-intersection was a 32-year-old man from nearby Lewiston: Christopher John Dvorak. He apparently died on impact when his 2013 Ford Econoline van went straight through the T and stuck a tree. The speed limit approaching the intersection is 55 mph. The Dvorak was driving alone. There was no evidence of alcohol or drugs as a factor, said Winona County deputies.
Earlier: Motorist killed at Wyattville T-junction
Fall brilliance: Report Number 2
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Most of Houston County and a sliver of Fillmore County are leadjng southeast Minnesota into fall. These townships have passed 25% of their color peak
Image: Minnesota Natural Resources Department
Earlier: Fall brilliance: Report Number 1
Fastenal curbs but doesn’t end China imports
WINONA, Minn. – The global industrial supplier Fastenal, based in Winona, has cut its imports from China in response of chaotic tariffs swings by President Trump. The company also has increased what it charges U.S. customers for remaining China-made products, thought to be by 3%, in an attempt to maintain profits. It’s tricky in the chaotic Trump environment. Since April the President has threatened new tariffs on imports from China ranging from 10% to a whopping 140% depending, it seems, on the day of the week and his mood. These fluctuations have disrupted supply chains significantly for U.S. companies. Trump’s unpredictability stalled most U.S. corporate expansion. Nobody knew what was next. There also has been distress at Trump bullying companies that import with threats of sanctions. Fastenal had imported 28% of its product from Asia through its subsidiary Fastco Trading Company in Shanghai. The current percentage, although reduced, hasn’t been reported. The Shanghai subsidiary also handles sourcing in Vietnam and Taiwan. Even with less importing from China. Fastenal noted it maintains “a strong sourcing presence in China” while also “increasing” sourcing from other countries.”
Fastenal databank
Fastenal, founded in Winona in 1968, has a local payroll of 1,800. Worldwide It’s 23,000. For the first half of 2025, through July, Fastenal reported sales of $4 billion, an increase 6% from a year earlier. The company’s publicly traded stock was buffeted badly in April when Trump launched his bewildering array of tariff hikes on imports from almost every U.S trading partner. Fastenal stock has since grown to $47 a share, compared to an adjusted $35 in the initial Trump turbulence.
News summary at mid-week: September 17, 2025
COMMERCE: Fastenal opens high-tech Utah transfer site
COMMERCE: Grocery giant Schnucks buys Festival Foods
POLITICS: Walz mum so far about running mate
POLITICS: Walz to seek third term as governor
POLITICS: Omar rebuts charge of fomenting violence
POLITICS: Democrat wins House seat from Brooklyn Park
SCHOOLS: Winona school numbers slip, notably in lower grades
SHELTER: Crisis looms No homeless winter place
CUISINE: Like dining at Piggy’s? Last chance Saturday
CUISINE: Report: Black-market meats in Winona pizza
SPORTS: WSU Hall of Famer to coach at Winona High
SPORTS: Sports memories: New Winona High honorees
CRIME: Bail at $200,000 in Austin child sex case
CRIME: Chiropractor’s license yanked for “touching”
CRIME: 11th drunk-driving stop: What’s a judge to do?
WRECK: Motorist killed at Wyattville T-junction
Hillside drama at Bluff Siding
Not quite scarlet. Sumac are starting to turn color at the traveler’s rest on U.S. Highway 35. Image: Steve Lunde
College scores
Soccer (men): Bethel 4, Saint Mary’s 3
Volleyball (women): UW-Platteville 3, UW-LaCrosse 2
Volleyball (women): Rochester Community, 3, Riverland Community 0
Minnesota prep
Soccer (boys): Rochester Marshall Rockets 1, Owatonna Huskies 0
Tennis (girls): Lake City Tigers 7, Rochester Lourdes Eagles 0
11th drunk-driving stop: What’s a judge to do?
ALMA CENTER, Wis. — It’s not that Charles Spangler likes orange jumpsuits, but he’s getting use to them. He’s back in jail after an 11th drunken driving arrest. Spangler, age 55, was arrested about 6:55 p.m. after a store clerk called police that a driver had smashed into a barrier and sped off. A Jackson Ckjnty deputy sheriff found the vehicle, its front end damaged, according to the police blotter. Worse for Spangler, the deputy said that:
> A firearm was in the vehicle even though Spangler as a felon under a judge’s not to have a gun.
> The vehicle had an anti-lock system, ordered by a judge, which had been tampered with.
> His driver’s license had bene revoked.
> He couldn’t see or talk straight and refused a roadside sobriety test.
> He threatened an officer.
Alma Center, population 480, is 11 miles north of the county seat — and the county jail — in Black River Falls.
Spangler. Already on parole for driving while intoxicated and possessing a firearm.
Kirk followers plan vigil in Rochester
ROCHESTER, Minn. — A vigil in memory of slain political orator Charlie Kirk will be Thursday at 6 p.m. at Soldiers Field. Organizers described their plans as “a moment for people to reflect and have conversations on ending violence through dialogue, compassion and love.” Kirk, age 31, was assassinated last week addressing a college crowd in Utah. He had a large following for his views and connections through three presidential campaigns for Donald Trump.
Omar rebuts charge of fomenting violence
WASHINGTON — The Minneapolis representative in Congress, Ilhan Omar, denied an accusation that she applauded the assassination of ultra-right activist Charlie Kirk last week in Utah. Omar, a Democrat, said in fact that she has routinely condemned political violence. The accusation against Omar originated with Nancy Mace, a North Carolina Republican. Mace drafted a resolution for Congress to censure Omar and strip her of all House committee assignments. Without evidence, Mace called Omar “someone who defends political violence” and called her “vile.” Mace’s resolution claims Omar went on the social media platform X and stated things like, “Charlie Kirk was Dr. Frankenstein, and his monster shot him through the neck.” Omar responded that Mace was trying to censure her for comments she never made. Mace’s resolution, Omar said, doesn’t have a single quote from her. Omar called Mace’s censure call an attempt to “push a false story.” There have been attempts among Trump supporters since Kirk’s death to blame Democrats and “leftist organizations.” It’s a campaign to divert attention from President Trump’s rhetoric demonizing his critics and encouraging political violence.
Political violence: Who’s to blame?
Right-wing extremists since 1990 have committed far more ideologically motivated homicides than leftists or radical Islamist extremists, according to a massive study by National Institute of Justice. The study concluded:
> Rightists committed 227 ideologically motivated acts that took 520 lives.
> Leftists committed 42 attacks that took 78 lives.
The study is the most comprehensive government assessment ever conducted on domestic terrorism patterns. It found that “militant, nationalistic, white supremacist violent extremism increased in the United States over the 30-year span: “The number of far-right attacks continues to outpace all other types of terrorism and domestic violent extremism.” The government-funded study had been posted for months on the U.S. Justice Department website. It was taken down without explanation September 12. This was as President Trump and his aides were devising a narrative that blamed a leftist conspiracy for the assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. Suddenly, said Trump critics, the National Institute of Justice study was an inconvenient truth.
Omar. A Democrat. Highly visible and outspoken U.S. House member from MN-5 since 2019.
Mace. A Republican. In U.S. congress from South Carolina since 2020. Inclined to conspiracy theories, among them that the government has hidden the “truth” for 75 years about flying saucers from Outer Space.
A busy afternoon at Watlow’s pond
Goose central. More than 50 geese out for sunny strolls, including this spring’s now grown-up goslings. In the Bundy Boulevard industrial park on Winona’s East End. Image: Steve Lunde
Emergency, fire crews make 58 calls
WINONA, Minn. – The Fire Department reported 40 emergency medical calls plus 18 fire calls in recent days:
> Tuesday, September 16: 6 medical calls plus no fire calls.
> Monday, September 15: 2 medical calls plus 3 fire calls.
> Sunday, September 14: 6 medical calls plus 2 fire calls.
> Saturday, September 13: 9 medical calls plus 1 fire call.
> Friday, September 12: 8 medical calls plus 8 fire calls
> Thursday, September 11: 5 medical calls plus 2 fire calls.
> Wednesday, September 10: 4 medical calls plus 2 fire calls.
Earlier: Emergency, fire crews make 56 calls
Motorist killed at Wyattville T-junction
WYATTVILLE, Minn. — One person was killed in a southbound vehicle that crashed through a 90-degree corner on County Road 25 in central Winona County. . Deputies asked news reporters not to release the victim’s name until the family could be reached. The crash was about 6:15 a.m. at the T-bone corner at which County Road 25 from Lewiston and Stockton intersects the County 12 service road along Interstate 90. The dead-end intersection is well marked although no rumble strips. A flashing red overhead warning signal was removed several years ago.
Motorcycle crash injures Lake City man
FRONTENAC, Minn, — A Lake City motorcyclist, Patrick Leroy Udenberg, age 50, was injured when he lost control of his 2007 Suzuki and crashed. He was taken back to the Lake City hospital with injuries that appeared sustainable, said Godhue County deputies. The accident was about 6 a.m. on U.S. Highway 61. Udenberg was helmeted, deputies said. He was northbound toward Red Wing.
Walz mum so far about running mate
ST. PAUL, Minn. — The halls of the state Capitol are abuzz about who will be the choice of Governor Tim Walz as a running mate for his bid for a third term. His lieutenant governor for two terms, Peggy Flanagan, has ruled herself out by running for the U.S. Senate. She pledged support to Walz: “Under his leadership, we worked to make Minnesota affordable, accessible, and equitable for everyone. He has my full support in his next chapter of leadership.” So far Walz hasn’t hinted at a choice. The short list of prospects in Capitol chatter:
> Melvin Carter, the first black mayor of St. Paul.
> Melisa López Franzen, the first woman of color to be the state Senate minority leader, who earlier dropped out of the U.S. Senate race.
> Roslyn Harmon, the first black mayor of Golden Valley.
> Hollies Winston, black mayor of Brooklyn Park.
> Dawanna Witt, black Hennepin County sheriff.
Democrats hold every statewide elected office, which itself makes for a strong bench of possibilities. All had been hinted for governor before Walz announced his candidacy:
> Julia Blaha, state auditor since 2019.
> Keith Ellison, attorney general since 2019 and earlier elected three times to the U.S House.
> Steve Simon, secretary of state since 2005.
Verbatim
Mike Erlandson, former said state Democratic chair: “Because Walz is running for this unprecedented third term, you want somebody who elevates or creates a new sense of excitement for the ticket. A balance is important. So it’s likely the candidate will be a different gender, likely be a different race.”
Earlier: Walz to seek third term as governor
Tawny quadruplets on birthday: 8 weeks
Adjusting to indoor life. They’ve seen Paree and not going back the farm. How to tell them apart? Impossible were it not for color-coded necklaces. Their interim names: Red, Blue, Green and Purple. Stay tuned. Image: Steve Lunde
College scores
Soccer (women): Saint Mary’s 1, Bethel 0
Minnesota prep
Soccer (boys): St. Charles/Lewiston 3, Plainview-Elgin-Millville Bulldogs 0
Volleyball (girls): Owatonna Huskies 3, Winona Winhawks 0
Volleyball (girls): Caledonia Warriors 3, Winona Cotter Ramblers 1
Volleyball (girls): Wabasha-Kellogg Falcons 3, St. Charles Saints 1
Democrat wins Houe seat from Brooklyn Park
BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. — The Minnesota House seat held by the late Melissa Hortman will remain in Democratic hands. Voters overwhelmingly chose former City Council member Xionpao Lee to represent District 34-B. The district encompasses parts of Anoka and Hennepin counties. “Xp,” as he prefers being called, defeated Republican Ruth Bittner of Coon Rapids 61% to 39%. Why his preference for going by “Xp”? Because his first name in Laotian doesn’t tipple easily off many Minnesota tongues. Lee’s victory evens the balance of power in the Minnesota House. Democrats and Republicans now both hold 67 seats.
Earlier: Democrats favor “XP” for Hortman House vacancy
Earlier: First candidate announces for “Melissa’s seat”
Lee. His priorities include diversity and community engagement.
LaCrosse ponders slap-on-wrist for marijuana
LACROSSE, Wis. — A LaCrose County committee voted 4-1 to drop the penalty for marijuana possession to $1. The nominal penalty would be for personal use quantities, defined as 25 grams or less. Current ordinances have a complex schedule of fines, starting at $100. The vote was by the County Board’s Judiciary and Law Committee. Final approval rests with the full Board.
Grocery giant Schnucks buys Festival Foods
ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Missouri-based Schnucks Markets has acquired all 51 stores in the Festival grocery chain in Wisconsin. The impact on Festival wasn’t clear immediately. The joint announcement of the deal said that both chains “share a strikingly similar set of core value.” Both operate upscale stores with delis and bakeries and extensive produce, cheese and butcher sections. With the acquisition Schnucks has a total of 164 locations in four Midwest states. Together Schnucks and Festival have 19,000 employees. Terms of the deal were not announced. Both companies are privately held. The majority of Festival shares are held by Mark Skogen, whose family has been in the grocery business in LaCrosse 79 years. The company does have an employee-owned component. The deal includes Festival’s nine Hometown Grocers, which operate as a separate brand name.
New mega-chain. A bold footprint in Illinois, Indiana, Missouri and Wisconsin.
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Corporate shuffle
Mark Skogen, age 61, outgoing Festival chief executive, said Festival Foods and its Hometown Grocers unit will maintain their existing corporate headquarters in LaCrosse and Green Bay. They will operate as separate companies under the 1939 Group that owns Schnucks. In charge of the umbrella company will be Todd Schnuck as chair and chief executive.
Merger trend
The Schnucks-Festival deal is the latest in recent mergers between regional grocers to expand and improve their economies of scale. Last year Hy-Vee acquired Strack & Van Til that brought the Iowa-based chain into Indiana. In 2021 Raley’s of California bought Arizona-based Basha’s. Also in 2021 Price Clipper of western New York acquired Tops Markets of upstate New York.
Schnucks profile: Erratic, a bit hep
Schnuck Markets Inc., which goes bv the brand name “Shnucks,” was founded in St. Louis in 1939. Its parent company, 1939 Group, bears the name of he founding year. In 1943 its first large-scale store was opened at 2,700 square feet. By 1952 the company expanded in St. Louis suburbs. Schnucks acquired the Bettendorf-Rapp chain, forming the Schnucks-Bettendorf’s. A couple of years later the “Bettendorf” was dropped. In 1995 when Schnucks purchased and renamed 57 stores of St. Louis-based National. Schnuck growth was bolstered when A&P and Kroger abandoned the St. Louis market. In 2002 Schnucks bought 12 Seesel’s locations in Memphis from Idaho-based Albertsons but sold hem later to Kroger. In 2008 Schnucks bought Hart Food and Drug near St. Louis in O’Fallon, Illinois. In 2009, Schnucks opened a 21,000-square foot store in downtown St. Louis. — “Culinaria – A Schnucks Market” —and was advertised as a “new urban prototype.” In 2018 Schnuks bought 19 of SuperValu’s 19 Shop’N Save locations. In 2020, Schnucks opened another prototype store, named “EatWell – A Natural Food Store by Schnucks” in a college suburb near Sy. Louis. In 2020 and 2021, Schnucks exited the Quad Citues market in Iowa. In 2022 Schnucks purchased the only two locations of Missouri based grocer Fricks Market.
Festival: Grew steadily
Paul and Jane Skogen founded Skogens IGA in Onalaska, a LaCrosse suburb, in 1946. It was a $500 investment. Their son son, Dave, took over in 1976. He acquired the Red Owl in nearby Holmen in 1991. The new Onalaska store took on the name Festival. In 2006 Mark Skogen. a third generation, became chief executive In 2021 Festival entered the Milwaukee market with two stores. The company prided itself as Wisconsin’s hometown grocer” with eventually 50 stores and headquarters in Onalaska and DePere. The Festival record has ben largely a path steady expansion and a deep brand identity. In contrast Schnucks has grown with unpredictable if not always adroit tactics. There has been experimenting with new concepts and a bit too clever brand names like “Culinaria” and the scrunched contrivance “EatWell.”
Biker dies after LaCrosse auto crash
LACROSSE, Wis. — A 20-year-old motorcyclist was injured fatally in a collision with a cr at an intersection on the Near South Side. Braeden C. Felber, of LaCrosse, died at a hospital soon after the crash. The accident was about 1:05 p.m. A nurse a few cars behind the collision attempted to revive Felber, but it was too late. The accident was at West Avenue and Farnham Street.
Felber. Died in emergency room.
Shoplifting haul: Tools and a Mountain Dew
WINONA, Minn. — A woman from two counties away, Misty Dawn Wenthold, age 37, of Kasson, skipped right by the check-out counters without paying at the Fleet Farm super-hardware, the store reported. Wenthold was caught with a cartload of power tools, hand tools, auto accessories, and a bottle of Mountain Dew, police were told. This was about 3:50 p.m. The value was $584, the store told police, who issued citation and informed Wenthold that she wasn’t welcome back.
Walz to seek third term as governor
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Governor Tim Walz ended months of speculation whether he would run for re-election. He will. The Democratic governor announced he will seek a third term in the November 2026 election. If successful, Walz would be the first governor in Minnesota history to be elected to three consecutive four-year terms. Walz made the announcement on the social media platform X: “We’ve made historic progress in our state, but we’re not done yet. I’m staying in the fight — and I need you with me.”
Earlier: Walz leaning toward re-election bid
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