News - Hastings Journal

Sports Recap: Boys Tennis

The 2025 season for Hastings High School’s varsity boys tennis team opened with energy, optimism, and a sharp test right out of the gate. Hosting Woodbury on April 8, the Raiders came close to … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/10/25

Sophomore David Bauer was Hastings lone golfer to play on the links for the MSHSL State Tournament. Bauer finished tied for 37th with a two-day score of 153, 19 strokes short of first place.

Raiders Boys Golf close: Bauer bound for State

Hastings varsity boys golf wrapped its 2025 season on a high note, delivering a balanced blend of senior leadership, depth across the lineup, and a standout individual performance. From chilly … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/10/25

Congress must act to help the new postmaster general pull USPS back from the brink

The United States Postal Service is on the brink of a self-induced collapse. The failed policies of the Delivering for America Plan have driven away customers through a combination of sky-high rate … more

By Martha Diaz Aszkenazy Chair, National Newspaper Association Publisher, The San Fernando Valley (California) Sun/El Sol Newspapers | 7/9/25

Kelin Rasmussen has been a big contributor this season for the Hawks on both sides of the ball. He has been a key defensive piece at third base and one of the more consistent hitters in the lineup.

Hawks win big over Dundas

The Hawks have had a tough stretch of away games after starting the season 6-3, a seven-game losing streak dropped them to 6-10 and with the last four straight losses by just one run, brought about … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/9/25

Dakota County residents continue to rate quality of life high, according to new survey

Dakota County residents continue to rate the overall quality of life in the county highly, while citing affordable housing as the most serious issue, according to a new survey from Polco. Erin … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 7/4/25

These two graphics illustrate where Motorcycles can execute either lane splitting or lane filtering on the roadways.

Effective July 1, motorcycles can legally lane split/filter

Lane splitting is when a motorcycle operator uses the space between two cars moving in the same direction to pass those cars. Lane filtering is when the motorcycle operator does the same move when … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/4/25

ISD 200 says farewell to Superintendent Champa

At the second annual Native Graduate Honoring Ceremony held in May, five students were recognized for their achievement in graduating. At that same time, American Indian Education Program Director … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 7/3/25

ISD 200 School Board adopts strategic plan, reviews Fastbridge test results

The ISD 200 School Board unanimously adopted the new 2025-2027 strategic plan, the overarching guideline for the district over the next three years and replacement for Policy 100 which was sunset in … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 7/3/25

Air Force veteran Loren Mollet, of Hastings, gave his granddaughter, Courtney Mulhern, her first salute in a ceremony recently.

All in the family

“Every time he would ask me, ‘When are you gonna go officer? When are you gonna go officer?’ And I kept saying, ‘You know, I'm working on my clinical hours, Grandpa. I'm … more

By Melanie Nelson, Public Affairs Officer | 7/3/25

Fourth of July Happenings

Independence Day, 2025 edition is here and there while there are only two main events going on in town, they are big events. Both are organized by the Hastings Golf Club and Public House, a parade … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/3/25

The Hastings Chevy Dealership at the intersection of Highway 316 and Spiral Blvd has been recently purchased and is now operating as Tri Rivers Chevrolet. The new ownership is already working to bring back the community involvement and trust of the Joe O’Brien Chevrolet days.

Hastings Chevrolet Dealer under new ownership

Hastings’ longtime Chevrolet dealership has entered a new chapter, bringing with it fresh energy, a customer-first philosophy, and local ties. The dealership, now operating as Tri River … more

By Bruce Karnick | 7/3/25

For yet another year, Hastings Police Department raised more donations for United Way of Hastings, meaning Sheriff Joe Leko got a pie to the face at the end of the fifth annual Sound the Siren food drive.

Fifth annual Sound the Siren food drive raises over $3,800 for Hastings United Way

“I’d gladly take a pie to the face for this cause,” said Dakota County Sherrif Joe Leko at the launch of the fifth annual Sound the Siren food drive in April. On Wednesday, … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 7/3/25

School Board finalize strategic plan, discusses MSHSL contract

The ISD 200 School Board met on Wednesday, June 18 for a work session, discussing the possibility of opting out of the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL), legislative updates after the … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 6/25/25

The muralists have been working to paint top-to-bottom in order to avoid streaking due to recent heavy rains.

‘There is a real sense of home here;’ New Hastings mural takes shape

The weight of replacing the 26-year-old mural that has welcomed visitors downtown for a generation was not lost on muralists Dena Young and Kada Groalen. The final design that passersby can see … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 6/25/25

Representing Hastings at the Nike Outdoor Nationals, from left to right: Carlee Kordosky, Ellie Magnus, Johnathan Vickney, Jack Cloutier, Gunner Hanstad, Sebastian Strauss, Lane Hoffman, Cole Zeien, Jersey Appert and Olyvia Erickson.

Hastings Track wins National Title at Nike Outdoor National Meet

The Nike Outdoor Nationals (NON) is a high school and middle school track and field championship held in Eugene, Oregon for the nation’s top track and field athletes. Athletes across the U.S. … more

By Bruce Karnick | 6/25/25

The 2025 Legislative Session: a conversation with Hastings’ legislators

Minnesota’s 2025 legislative session will go down as abnormal in nearly every way. From the late start in the House of Representatives and the accompanying case before the Minnesota Supreme … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 6/25/25

Ryan Klingaman tees off at Hastings Golf Club for the first hole of the tournament.

Hastings Family Service raises $17,000 in 5th annual Drive Out Hunger Golf Tournament

Despite dark clouds, golfers lined up in carts for the fifth annual Drive Out Hunger Golf Tournament fundraiser for Hastings Family Service, raising $17,000. The fundraiser started during the … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 6/25/25

Brio Brass was the final act of six performances at the Rotary Pavilion at Levee Park in Hastings. Brio Brass played several different genres of music, Classic Rock, Pop, R&B and Jazz.

Make Music Day 2025 a success despite near record high temperatures

World Music Day 2025 was scheduled for June 21, 2025, and this is Hastings ninth annual year hosting, so they were not going to let the threat of some heat change their minds. Little did the event … more

By Bruce Karnick | 6/25/25

A Center Point Energy crew assessed the damage and found a gas bubble under the 1320 Vermillion Street building that changed the initial low risk threat to the public. Hastings Police evacuated the surrounding buildings until it was safe to reenter.

Gas main ruptured

A ruptured gas main shut down part of Vermillion Street in Hastings Tuesday, June 19, and prompted an evacuation order after a construction crew struck a three-inch plastic gas line during … more

By Bruce Karnick | 6/25/25

Blake Beissel paid a visit to the Hastings Area Rotary Club’s Thursday breakfast meeting at the Second Street Depot where he talked about wrestling, the transition from high school to college and inspiration.

Former HHS wrestling star visits with Rotary

Members of the Hastings Area Rotary Club were treated to a special guest on Thursday morning as Blake Beissel, a former Hastings High School wrestling standout and current University of Minnesota … more

By Bruce Karnick | 6/25/25