News - Hastings Journal

Minnesota Caucus and you: Help set the direction of elections

Minnesota statewide caucuses are just a few weeks away on Feb. 3. These meetings are organized and run by major political parties and are the first step for choosing candidates and resolutions on … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 1/21/26

Raiders hockey has three sets of siblings taking center stage for Hockey Day MN

The Hastings Raiders have three brother/sister combos who skate for the varsity hockey teams. Left to right, Bentley and Charlie Stoffel, Sky and Jack Woodwick and Rylan and Mackenzie Krauth. All … more

Photo by Bruce Karnick | 1/21/26

At time of writing, Hastings Police Department has not received “any credible reports of ICE in the community and I hope it stays that way,” said Hastings Police Chief Dave Wilske.

‘No credible reports’ of ICE operations in Hastings

With the continued surge of federal immigration officers flooding into the state, rumors of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sitings have run rampant across social media and beyond. Often … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 1/21/26

‘History on every beam:’ A look into the Hastings Ardent Mill

There are a lot of numbers that showcase just how much flour comes out of the Hastings Ardent Mill. The mill’s main line can produce a pallet of 50 50-pound bags of flour every two minutes, which … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 1/21/26

A mockup of the proposed Mississippi River Landing site which was officially renamed to “Bud’s Landing,” in honor of Bud Joseph, a hunter who lived and hunted in the area. The new construction includes a non-motorized boat launch, pavilion, and outdoor education area.

Bud’s Landing to continue to allow waterfowl hunting

The backlash to the proposed “Mississippi River Landing Use Area and Access in Spring Lake Park Reserve,” a $4.6 million project which would add a pavilion, canoe and kayak launch and outdoor … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 1/14/26

The 2025 Gobble Gait raised a record-breaking $150,000 for Hastings Family Service. This record donation comes during a record-breaking time of need for the nonprofit. “We know in 2026 already that the need is going to continue to escalate,” said Executive Director at Hastings Family Service Amy Sutten.

Gobble Gait raises $150,000 for Hastings Family Service

The total of the 2025 Gobble Gait is in and the race raised a record-breaking $150,000 for Hastings Family Service. In the weeks following the race, a high total was expected due to a record number … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 1/14/26

Continuing our look back on 2025

Here’s part two of our look back at the news, issues and people that made an impact in 2025. July New Hastings School Superintendent Dr. Kristine Werkamp Herman officially started her new … more

1/14/26

Anglers spread out across the ice at Lake Rebecca Park during a free ice fishing event hosted by Hastings Parks and Recreation on Saturday, Jan. 10, with the Hastings Bridge visible in the background as dozens of participants tried their hand at the winter tradition.

Free ice fishing draws crowd to Lake Rebecca Park

A cold January morning did little to slow things down at Lake Rebecca Park on Saturday, Jan. 10, as families, friends, and first-time anglers bundled up for a free ice fishing event hosted by the … more

By Bruce Karnick | 1/14/26

Commissioner Laurie Halverson took over the role of Chair of the Dakota County Board of Commissioners from Commissioner Mike Slavik.

Halverson to chair Dakota County Board of Commissioners for 2026

Dakota County Commissioner Laurie Halverson, of District 3, will take over the role of chair for the Dakota County Board of Commissioners in 2026. Halverson takes the gavel from Commissioner Mike … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 1/14/26

Randolph man arrested after gun incident

A Randolph man was charged in Dakota County Court Friday with two felony counts of intents to terrorize. Joshua David Haro, 37, allegedly pointed a handgun at a man who he invited to his residence to … more

Staff Report | 1/14/26

The first Community Collaboration Committee meeting of 2026 saw a few dozen community members discuss the findings of the 2025 School Perception Survey.

Community Collaboration Committee showcases solutions and divisions

The first Community Collaboration Committee meeting of 2026 for the ISD 200 School Board was held earlier this week in the middle school cafeteria. Community members from parents, members of local … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 1/14/26

The insurance settlement has been reached for the Hastings Creamery Co-operative that closed in August of 2023 and burned that September. Little has happened at the site in the two years since.

Hastings Creamery Co-op insurance settles

A settlement has been reached between the Hastings Creamery Co-operative and its insurance, clearing the way for the site’s cleanup. The burnt husk of the creamery has sat on the corner of … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 1/13/26

Last week Dakota County unveiled designs for a new plaza in Jaycee Park that would incorporate the old Highway 61 bridge into a pedestrian plaza. The project would come at no cost to the city.

New riverside plaza to incorporate former bridge

The remnants of the former Highway 61 bridge can still be found along the Mississippi River Greenway in Jaycee Park. Since the new bridge was constructed in 2012, the span of blue bridge has lain in … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 1/13/26

Hockey Day Minnesota begins in Hastings Jan. 17 and will feature outdoors games at the United Heroes League stadium throughout the week.

‘Once in a lifetime opportunity’: Hockey Day Minnesota comes to Hastings

The 20th annual Hockey Day Minnesota is set to begin this Saturday with hockey events big and small, from area JV and varsity games, alumni games, and international games all culminating in the clash … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 1/13/26

Across our 53 editions in 2025, the Hastings Journal featured 604 byline articles, and 67 press releases and 23 letters to the editor.

Opinion: The Hastings Journal by the numbers

From their 2001 book “The Elements of Journalism,” Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel wrote, “Journalism is our modern cartography,” and I have always loved that quote. Kovach and Rosenstiel … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 1/7/26

Amrize has proposed a backwater mine for the area of Lower Grey Cloud Island, with alternate sites near Baldwin Lake and in Coates Township.

Dakota County files appeal for additional environmental review for proposed Nelson Mine Backwater project

When the Cottage Grove City Council unanimously passed the environmental impact study (EIS) for the Nelson Backwater Mine Project, a proposed riverbed mine off Lower Grey Cloud Island, Cottage Grove … more

By Joseph Back & Graham P. Johnson | 1/7/26

Laws coming into effect in 2026

A number of new state laws come into effect in the new year ranging from elections to minimum wage to the rollout of the state’s new paid family medical leave program. Elections Minnesotans … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 1/7/26

As respiratory disease activity increases, health officials recommend vaccination

With an uptick in respiratory disease activity in recent weeks health officials are reminding Minnesotans that vaccination is one of the best ways to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases. … more

1/7/26

Clean Cars MN rule to end after successfully increasing electric vehicles in the state

With the end of the 2025 model year in the automobile industry, so ends Minnesota's Clean Cars rule. The Clean Cars rule, adopted in 2020, had a goal of electric vehicles exceeding 6% of all new, … more

1/7/26

Council declares Jan. 10, 2026 Pastor Jim Bzoskie Day

The Hastings City Council Chambers were full of the family and those touched by Pastor Jim Bzoskie last Monday as the city council read a proclamation declaring Jan. 10, 2026 to be Jim Bzoskie Day … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 1/7/26