Drawing from decades of hands-on experience, Fred shares how the loss of mature elms to Dutch elm disease in the 1970s led the golf course to replant hundreds of ash trees—only to face a new threat decades later with the arrival of the invasive emerald ash borer (EAB).

In this discussion:

History Repeating Itself: How Dutch elm disease devastated local canopies in the 1970s and the replanting decisions that followed.

Understanding Emerald Ash Borer (EAB): How EAB larvae disrupt a tree’s nutrient and water flow, key warning signs (including woodpecker activity and bark flecking), and the typical timeline of decline.

Saving vs. Removing Ash Trees: The "30% damage" rule of thumb for treatment viability, trunk injection costs, and what homeowners need to know about firewood quarantines.

Urban Forestry Lessons: Why species diversity (such as planting Kentucky coffeetrees and honeylocusts) is essential to protecting canopies from monoculture blights.

Emerging Threats: What to watch out for with oak wilt, how fungal spores spread via beetles and root grafts, and critical pruning precautions.

Guest Contact:
Fred Taylor – Woodland Enterprises (Ash tree treatment and consultation) at https://www.woodlandenterprisesllc.com

The Woven Record:
Website: https://thewovenrecord.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wovenrecordmedia
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/108436331
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This newsroom is built by a tiny team. Here's how we produce a week of local coverage using our own tool, Weftly (weftly.ai)

Contact us at journalist@wovenrecordmedia.com if you're interested in telling stories like this in your community.

Send us your story ideas to stories@wovenrecordmedia.com

CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
0:12 Voting early in person at the Blue Earth County Courthouse
1:37 Why vote early: fix registration problems before Election Day
2:28 Early voters stop getting campaign calls
3:12 Step-by-step voting guide and the waitress story
4:07 Make a plan to vote with family and friends
5:03 Get your sample ballot
5:53 League of Women Voters candidate forums and the school board
6:42 Resources and who is running
7:43 What's new at The Woven Record: Spotify, Apple, Substack
8:52 Mike on the Sunday multimedia newspaper
11:25 Send us your story ideas
11:51 Tell Me a Story and The Moth
12:58 Volunteering and localizing national news
14:23 Looking ahead to 2027
15:38 Wrap-up: get out and vote

GET READY TO VOTE
Your plan to vote, six steps with short videos and an add-to-calendar button:
https://thewovenrecord.com/posts/your-plan-to-vote-in-southern-minnesota/

How to vote early in Minnesota:
https://thewovenrecord.com/posts/how-to-vote-early-in-minnesota/

The Woven Record:
Website: https://thewovenrecord.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wovenrecordmedia
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/108436331
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thewovenrecord.com

This newsroom is built by a tiny team. Here's how we produce a week of local coverage using our own tool, Weftly (weftly.ai)

Contact us at journalist@wovenrecordmedia.com if you're interested in telling stories like this in your community.

Send us your story ideas to stories@wovenrecordmedia.com

The district. District 22B covers most of Le Sueur County and parts of Scott, Blue Earth and Rice counties.

Why she is running. After her husband died of cancer, Mary looked for a meaningful purpose. When she saw that no candidate had filed in 22B, she stepped up.

Health care and child care. Her own health insurance premium went from $490 to more than $1,300 a month. Drawing on 18 years as a single parent, she talks about the need for affordable child care so parents can work without daycare taking their whole paycheck.

ALICE families. She describes households that are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed: above the poverty line, not eligible for public assistance, and one emergency away from crisis.

Continue with the second half of the conversation.

Keep up with what's going on in the Mankato area by subscribing to our YouTube channel.

A drafted candidate. Mary stepped up because no one from her party had filed in 22B, and says she would have yielded to a stronger candidate.

Finding common ground. She focuses on goals people share, like safe neighborhoods and stable homes, and describes connecting across party lines while door-knocking.

Media and polarization. She contrasts the objective journalism of the Walter Cronkite era with outlets driven by corporate or political agendas, and says face-to-face conversation breaks down the hostility that social media builds.

Civic responsibility. She calls voting both a right and an obligation, urges younger voters to register, and talks about baking for local food shelves under her cottage kitchen license.

Keep up with what's going on in the Mankato area by subscribing to our YouTube channel.

Why he is running. Don has lived in Mankato for nearly 30 years and ran for the same seat four years ago. He wants to give back and represent everyone in the ward.

A non-partisan race in a polarized time. How national politics spills into local races, and why he puts practical solutions for the whole community first.

Housing and cost of living. Rising rents and property values, and home insurance costs driven by climate events. He discusses public-private partnerships, enforcing property standards and housing affordability.

Infrastructure and climate. A university professor who works on climate change, Don argues for heat-resilient roads, more storm sewer capacity, solar power on city buildings and gradually electrifying the city fleet.

Getting around. Paths for scooters, bikes and wheelchairs, and keeping them clear of snow all year.

Keep up with what's going on in the Mankato area by subscribing to our YouTube channel.

Key dates

• Fri, Oct 16: new Early Voting begins. You sign a certificate and put your ballot in the counter yourself.
• Tue, Oct 20: last recommended day to apply for a mailed ballot.
• Sat, Oct 24: early voting locations open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Tue, Oct 27: open until 7 p.m.
• Sat, Oct 31: open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Tue, Nov 3: Election Day. A mailed ballot must be received by today, not postmarked.

Read our guide, How to Vote Early in Minnesota, and check your registration with the Minnesota Secretary of State.

Keep up with what's going on in the Mankato area by subscribing to our YouTube channel.

Becki grew up near the bridge south of Mankato. It couldn't take the weight of a school bus, so hers turned around in the driveway. Her father and his friends, in high school in the late 1950s, used to drive at the approach ramp as fast as they could to see how far onto the wooden deck they could land.

Then they turn to this fall. In our Get Election Ready series, they make the case for making a plan now and voting early in person, because the rules on mail-in ballots are still unsettled 65 days before the midterms. Check your registration through the Minnesota Secretary of State, your county, or vote.org.

Last, they look at what tariffs and other pressure are doing to farmers:

• $624 billion in farm debt nationally, according to a USDA report
• Operating debt over 13 percent, so 13 cents of every dollar goes to interest before seed, fertilizer or fuel
• Imported beef undercutting the same producers that the Argentina soybean deal undercut last year
• About 30 percent of farm income now coming from the federal government
• Farmer suicide at an all-time high

They ask you to call your representative. In this area that is Brad Finstad, at his Washington or New Ulm office. As Luke Frederick told them, the fastest way to reach a desk is a personal story, so bring the facts but lead with someone you know who has been affected.

Contact your representative: find your member of Congress or Rep. Brad Finstad's office. Check your registration with the Minnesota Secretary of State or Vote.org. Read the USDA report.

If you or someone you know is struggling, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is free and confidential, 24 hours a day. Call or text 988. The Farm Aid hotline is 1-800-327-6243.

Two shorter clips from this video are also on our channel: 65 Days to the Midterms, and Mail-In Ballots Are Still an Open Question and Washington Now Pays 30% of Farm Income, and Farmers Are Still Behind.

Keep up with what's going on in the Mankato area by subscribing to our YouTube channel.

Hosts Mike Lagerquist and Becki True talk with both candidates about what "progressive" means at the local level, how policy gets made in Mankato, housing costs, and how community input gets onto a council agenda. This is part of our Get Election Ready series on how local elections work.

Topics include why Hamann, who works in social work and nonprofits, is running for mayor, Bases's time as an Army medic in Afghanistan and why he put down roots in the area, and what it is like to knock on doors in a college town in summer as the youngest candidates on the ballot.

We also posted short clips from the conversation:

• Why a 1982 homeowner thinks students are paying too much in Mankato
• The house he bought while deployed, and what it taught him about tenants rights
• Look at who is on the Mankato City Council, and what these two candidates would change
• A plastic bag debate, and what the city council actually spent its time on
• Two Mankato candidates define "progressive" without the coded language

Learn more about the candidates: Julia Hamann for mayor and Jacob Bases for Mankato City Council Ward 3.

Keep up with what's going on in the Mankato area by subscribing to our YouTube channel.

Then they give a plain guide to getting election-ready in Blue Earth County and Southern Minnesota. They cover what the SAVE Act could mean for voters, especially women whose names don't match their birth certificates, the fight over vote-by-mail and Minnesota's voter rolls, and the deadlines for the August primary. They also explain why gerrymandering and shifting court rulings are a reason to prepare now.

Becki then pulls out her pocket Constitution and Declaration of Independence, and the two connect 1776 to today: the 27 grievances, the "regular folks" who built the country, and how today's billionaires can look like the old aristocracy. Their takeaway is that a peaceful revolution means registering, showing up and voting.

Minnesota primary key dates

• Primary Election Day: Tuesday, August 11
• Early voting, by mail or in person: June 26 to August 10
• Register in advance by July 21 to save time on Election Day

Official information is at the Minnesota Secretary of State. The full text of the Declaration of Independence is at the National Archives.

The video reads one grievance exactly as written in 1776. It includes language that dehumanizes Native Americans, which we would never use or defend today. It is included so people can read the document as it was written, not to endorse it.

Keep up with what's going on in the Mankato area by subscribing to our YouTube channel.

Luke grew up in Mankato, spent 21 years working direct care at the St. Peter Regional Treatment Center, and got into politics through his union, AFSCME. He explains how legislation gets made, why bipartisanship is harder than ever, and why it still happens.

In this conversation:

• How a state hospital worker became a state representative
• What happens at caucuses, and why most people leave too early
• The steps from caucus to convention to endorsement
• Why stories have more power than data when you want to move legislators
• The toll of the Melissa Hortman assassination on the legislature
• The $260 million in Medicaid funding being withheld from Minnesota, and why the state can't get answers
• The contradiction Luke sees in colleagues who demand fraud reform while blocking guardrail legislation
• How to contact your representative and be heard
• What he means by "get curious, not furious"

Shorter clips from this conversation are on our channel, including why your story has power, how he went from politically clueless to the Capitol and grief, PTSD and governing under fire.

Have a topic you want us to cover? Tell us in the YouTube comments.

Keep up with what's going on in the Mankato area by subscribing to our YouTube channel.

Ben discusses the evolution of the printing industry over the past 25 years --from producing thousands of carbonless forms monthly to pivoting toward signage, banners, and custom solutions. He emphasizes the importance of saying 'yes' to new challenges and helping customers find solutions, even when you can't directly serve them. This customer-first approach transformed his print shop and continues to define his leadership style.

The conversation also dives into the brewery startup experience, which Ben describes as a completely different beast from running an established business. From navigating construction and city proposals to understanding diverse beer preferences (and admitting he doesn't actually like beer), Ben reveals the unexpected complexities of launching a new venture. He discusses brewery trends including mocktails and non-alcoholic alternatives, the importance of location clustering for brewery tourism, and how 'brewery folks' travel hours to hit multiple breweries in a region. After just one year in operation, Ben's brewery is already thriving, but he emphasizes there's still much to learn

Keep up with what's going on in the Mankato and St. Peter area by subscribing to our YouTube channel or our YouTube Podcast.

In this episode of The Woven Record's Get Election Ready series, Mike Lagerquist and Becki True break down the SAVE Act's potential impact on voter registration and what it means for you. Currently debated in the Senate after passing the House, this legislation could dramatically change voter registration requirements, potentially requiring voters to provide updated documentation including birth certificates, passports, and current ID with your correct address.

We emphasize the importance of checking your voter registration status NOW using resources like Vote.org, understanding your early voting and absentee ballot options, and taking action before potential new requirements take effect. Whether the SAVE Act passes or not, being election ready means verifying your registration, gathering necessary documents, and planning ahead to avoid the heartbreak of showing up to vote only to find you're not eligible.

Keep up with the Get Election Ready series by subscribing to our YouTube channel or our YouTube Podcast.

And let us know what topic you'd like us to cover and what questions you have.

On a scale of 1–10, how 'paperwork-ready' are you if the SAVE Act passes tomorrow? (1 = I have no idea where my birth certificate is; 10 = Passport and ID are updated and in my hand!) Leave us a comment in the video

Nothing stirs democratic passions like getting a practical lesson in our Constitutional rights. I bet more people know their 1st, 4th, 5th, 10th, and 14th amendments better than they did 3 months ago. I know many people were surprised to see even their 2nd amendment rights get side eye from the government.

To be clear, we here at The Woven Record are big fans of the Constitution. All of it.

This is your government, and you are paying for these people to treat you and your neighbors this way. The good news is there's a big job interview going on right now - it's an election campaign for local, state, and Congressional offices. You get to decide who should run, and who we should hire, but you have to be prepared.

To help you get prepared, we're going to run a series of "how-to" videos and articles on how to Get Election Ready. This is the introduction video, and we'll follow up with specific topics and timelines that you need to be aware of. And with the new SAVE act still being voted on in Congress, you'll need to make sure you have the documentation required to register and vote. If this law passes, it's going to put a burden on governments to get your documents on time, and if you're a person who does not have the same name as is on your birth certificate, you're going to have even more work to do. That includes an awful lot of women who changed their name when they got married.

It's your government, and you can help shape it with your participation even before the general election.

The SAVE Act:

• The bill not only requires proof of citizenship, but also proof of residence in order to register. This could block even more Americans from voting. Roughly 9 percent of the population has moved within a state in the past year, but many will not update their driver’s licenses until they expire.
• The bill would require photo ID to vote, providing a narrow list of acceptable IDs more restrictive than the voter ID laws in every state but Ohio. For example, the bill prohibits the use of student IDs (even those issued by state universities), and accepts tribal IDs only with an expiration date, even though many tribal IDs do not contain them.
• The legislation would mandate voter roll purges every 30 days, placing enormous burdens on election officials and ending the 90-day quiet period that protects voters from being mistakenly thrown off the rolls right before Election Day.
• The bill would prohibit universal mail voting, requiring all mail voters to submit an application in order to receive a mail ballot. This would end the longstanding principal method of voting in eight states and Washington, DC.

Brennan Center for Justice February 2026

Beyond voting, discover lesser-known ways to participate in democracy, including the poll observer (or 'poll challenger') role that allows you to monitor election integrity at polling places. Becki shares her personal experience as a poll challenger and explains how election officials work to ensure voting is above board with representation from both parties. The video covers essential pre-election planning, including voter registration verification, arranging transportation if you're housebound or without a vehicle, and understanding key dates for signing up for observer roles or other opportunities.

This video emphasizes that elections work as well as citizens make them work -- it's not just about voting on election day, but about getting involved in the infrastructure that makes democracy possible. You'll learn about important resources like Vote.org and the Minnesota Secretary of State's office that can help ensure you're registered, know your polling place, and have all the information needed to participate fully in the electoral process.

Subscribe to the Woven Record or our YouTube Podcast to keep up with the Get Election Ready series so you aren't disappointed on election day.

Election and Voting Resources:

Vote.org
Minnesota Secretary of State Election Administration
Blue Earth County Election Information
Nicollet County Election Information
Le Suer County Election Information
Become a candidate in Minnesota

Brian shares his farm-to-table philosophy, discussing how sourcing from local farmers like Cherokee Lakes and partnering with ethical butchers like Prolific Butcher keeps meals sustainable, affordable, and deeply nourishing. He explains why community starts at the farmers market and extends to intimate dinner experiences that celebrate local food culture.

Beyond private dining services and event catering for 20-70 guests, Brian manages Fort Worth's Clear Fork Farmers Market (open Saturdays, 8am-12pm year-round at Edward's Ranch) and leads innovative community initiatives. Learn about his butchery classes held during winter and spring, where students bond around campfires, and his 'Chaos to Confidence' personal development retreat -- a unique program created with life coach Jennifer Land that uses culinary challenges to build self-belief and break limiting cycles.

Brian also shares his Cajun heritage, generational cooking wisdom from New Orleans, and his vision for working with troubled youth ages 18-25. Discover how demystifying food, embracing seasonal menus, and creating spaces for authentic human connection can transform both individuals and communities. Whether you're interested in farm-to-table dining, local food sourcing, community building, or personal development through culinary arts, this interview offers practical insights and inspiring philosophy.

If you're passionate about community building, sustainable food systems, or personal development, subscribe to the Woven Record or our YouTube Podcast for more inspiring interviews with local leaders.

How food has connected you to your community? Who's story should we tell next?

Upcoming Retreat
Clear Fork Farmers Market
Cherokee Lakes Farm
Prolific Butcher Shop
Jennifer Land Coaching

Know your rights. The constitutional protections everyone should know, especially Fourth Amendment rights about warrants and entry into your home.

Documenting what happens. More than 100,000 trained citizen observers, the role of local journalism and video evidence against misinformation, and a county commissioner who challenged ICE agents by asking the right questions.

What you can do. Support local businesses, join mutual aid networks, organize through Discord and subreddits, attend a rally or stand with a sign. Volunteers at the Whipple Federal Building hand out coats and phones to released detainees.

Keep up with what's going on in the Mankato area by subscribing to our YouTube channel.

A community-wide crisis. Enforcement has closed schools, disrupted businesses and spread fear well beyond the people targeted, and it has affected U.S. citizens and legal residents too.

How to help. Mutual aid, community support resources and solidarity across political differences. standwithminnesota.org lists donation opportunities, mutual aid funds and community support initiatives.

Check before you share. Verify sources on social media before passing information along, whatever your politics.

Keep up with what's going on in the Mankato area by subscribing to our YouTube channel.

We also sit down with George, the third or fourth-generation owner of Mocols grocery store in Mankato, which has been serving the neighborhood for 108 years. George reveals how his family's Lebanese immigrant heritage shaped a business built on genuine human connection, fresh-cut meats, and the kind of personal relationships that have become increasingly rare in our digital age. From serving multiple generations of families to becoming a destination for visitors seeking authentic community experiences, Mocols represents the last of a dying breed—the neighborhood grocery store.

Both business owners emphasize a crucial truth: in an increasingly isolated world, these local gathering spaces provide more than products—they offer human connection, trust, and a sense of belonging. Whether it's the vault-turned-children's-section in the bookstore or the famous Mocols meat counter, these businesses prove that community thrives when we prioritize relationships over convenience. This is what The Woven Record is all about—rebuilding the connections that make neighborhoods feel like home.

Building the program. Melinda describes the planning and partnerships behind it, from working with dietitians on nutritious menus to deliveries that protect students' privacy.

No stigma. Volunteers, school staff and local organizations work together so no child goes hungry over the weekend.

Learn more: Feeding Our Communities Partners, ECHO Food Shelf and VINE Faith in Action.

Keep up with what's going on in the Mankato area by subscribing to our YouTube channel.

Then, discover the newly formed Mankato Community Queer Choir, bringing together LGBTQ+ community members and allies through music. With artistic co-directors bringing both classical and contemporary influences, this group exemplifies the power of creative expression in building inclusive communities.

The Woven Record shares the stories of everyday people in Southern Minnesota and beyond, from farmers and teachers to health care workers and artists. Weaving those stories together shows how connected our experiences and challenges are.

Share your story: stories@wovenrecordmedia.com. Journalists who want to contribute: journalist@wovenrecordmedia.com.

Keep up with what's going on in the Mankato area by subscribing to our YouTube channel.