Amanda Schmidt knows all too well what it is like to call 911 on your worst day.
She was in sixth grade, and she had what she described as an “interesting medical issue” in her family.
She had to call for an ambulance, and that was the day she decided she wanted to become an EMT.

Saying they want to be ahead of any potential financial situations, the Kasson-Mantorville school board met Monday with consultants to discuss a possible operating levy referendum.

As part of the Dodge County Independent series “ICE impacts in Rural Minnesota,” we asked state and federal officials, along with known 2026 candidates, two questions regarding Operation Metro Surge, the name of the current federal immigration enforcement operation that has sent thousands of federal agents to Minnesota.

Congressional District 1
Congressman Brad Finstad:
Did not respond

Last year, Hayfield Elementary made changes to its math curriculum and began using a new program to chart student progress.
The new program, called iReady, is being used to collect data on the students’ math skills and see their growth in specific areas.
The students are tested three times a year, said teacher Derrick Thompson, once at the beginning of the year, once after the first semester, and again at the end of the year.

The Kasson City Council passed a pay increase for council members at their January 28 meeting.
Mayor Dan Eggler and council members Sheldon Torkelson, and Ryan Christensen voted yes. Paul Johnson voted no, and Melisa Ferris abstained because she is the only council member not up for reelection this November.

At least one local school district has had a drop in attendance since the beginning of Operation Metro Surge.
“Yes, our attendance initially declined, but since then, it has continued to improve,” Triton Superintendent Luke Lutterman wrote in an email to the DCI.
Operation Metro Surge is a federal immigration enforcement operation that has sent thousands of federal agents to Minnesota.