Wright Here Right Now, Discover Austin Minnesota 's Podcast

In this episode I’ll visit with Lisa Deyo at Sweet Reads Bookstore and her special guest Wayne Goodnature. Many people remember Wayne as the Mower County Sheriff. He has just released his first book, a memoir. We’ll talk about the book and tell you about a special meet and greet event taking place this weekend.

Then I talk with Julie Clinefelter at the Austin Public Library. There’s a lot going on at the library, we’ll fill you in on some upgrades to the new computer system and also tell you how you can take a s...

In this episode I recap some news from the past week

Then I sit down with Deputy Mower County Administrator Val Sheedy, City of Austin Planning and Zoning Administrator Holly Wallace, And Impact Austin Director of Community Engagement and Enhancement Nick Novotny to talk about Comp Plan 2045. There will be an open house later this week for you to get a first hand look at the plan and to provide input. We’ll tell you all about it in a few moments.

And I wrap things up with some events on the Community Calendar.

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In this episode I’ll be at Discover Austin visiting with Nancy Schnable. We fill you in on Merry Tuba Christmas and some of the other special events coming up the holiday season.

Then I’ll visit with Luke Reese at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. This week we talk about the amazing display of Northern Lights that took place this past week and what causes them to appear.

And I will also visit with Steve Barrett at the Austin Area Foundation. We talk about the respect that we all owe our veterans and also...

In this episode I’ll visit with Lisa Deyo at Sweet Reads Bookstore and her Special Guest Katie Stromlund, who will fill us in on all the details around the next Downtown Art Wander.

Then I talk with Julie Clinefelter at the Austin Public Library. There’s a lot going on at the library, we’ll fill you in on some special presentations including the next Austin Page Turners event.

And I’ll be at Austin Utilities to talk with Melissa Swenson and Rob Gleason about taking care of your heating system as we head into win...

In this episode I'll take a look at some news items from the past week.

Then in the Mower County Government segment I’ll be talking with Derr Ehmke, Public Health Nurse with Mower County Health and Human Services. We talk about drinking water and the importance of maintaining your well and water testing.

And in the weekly City of Austin segment I’ll be talking with City of Austin Fire Department Engineer Ian Caruso. As we rapidly approach the holiday season, we share reminders to keep your home and your families safe,

Than...

In this episode I’ll be at Discover Austin visiting with Nancy Schnable and her special guest, Randy Forster from the Mower County Historical Society. The window to pre-order items from the Christmas in the County Bake Sale is now open. We’ll let you know how to order and more about this year’s Christmas in the County.

Then I’ll visit with Luke Reease at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. This week we talk about the practice of “forest Bathing”.  Now before you grab a towel and head off into the woods, learn about the act of fo...

In this episode I’ll visit with Lisa Deyo at Sweet Reads Bookstore about the latest collection in the display cases in the back of the store. DedaRay Graber will talk about how she started collecting Peanuts characters, specifically Snoopy.

Then I talk with Julie Clinefelter at the Austin Public Library. We talk about the winners of the staff pumpkin decorating contest, some special events, and the library schedule over the Veteran’s Day Holiday.

I would like to take a quick moment to thank you for being a large part of the success of the...

In this episode I'll take a look at a couple of news items for the week.

Then in the Mower County Government segment I’ll be talking with Kris Kohn, Mower County Human Resources Director, about the County’s Health Program that is beneficial to employees and saves county taxpayers money at the same time.

And then in the weekly City of Austin segment I’ll be talking with City of Austin Engineer Steven Lang. Early next year a point-of-sale ordinance will be going into effect for properties in the city. We’ll talk about the ordi...

In this episode I’ll be at Discover Austin visiting with Nancy Schnable and her special guest, Nathan Annis from the Mower County Curling Club. This Sunday, November 2nd, is a free learn to curl event. We’ll tell you more about this event and how you can get involved in just a few moments.

Then I’ll visit with Luke Reese at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. Hundreds of years ago there were some very different creatures that roamed this area. Luke will tell us about a few of them.

And I will also v...

In this episode I’ll visit with Lisa Deyo at Sweet Reads Bookstore and her special guest author Loretta Ellsworth   We’ll We’ll talk about a number of her books including a new project set to be released early next year.

Then I talk with Julie Clinefelter at the Austin Public Library. We talk about a number of things including a storyteller who was set to appear at the library this weekend. Unfortunately, after we recorded our conversation,  the storyteller program needed to be postponed until January 10th. You can still call the library and get register...

In this episode I'll take a look at some news items from the past week.

And in the Mower County Government segment I’ll be talking with Crystal Peterson and Jennie Crews from Mower County Health and Human Services about the impacts that will be soon felt by participants in the SNAP program in Mower County if the Federal Government shutdown continues much longer.

And then in the weekly City of Austin segment I’ll be talking with City of Austin Council member Mike Postma. We’ll talk about what brought Mike to Austin and what i...

In this episode I’ll be at Discover Austin visiting with Stacy Sizemore, Office Manager and Case Worker at the Austin Salvation Army. As we get deeper into the fall season, the Salvation Army becomes a very busy place. It’s time to sign-up for the Thanksgiving Supplemental Food Bag, Christmas Meal, and Angel Tree for those in need of assistance this holiday season. Then there is also a need for bell ringers to go to registertoring.com to get signed up for your preferred bell ringing day and location. We’ll get into all of that in this episod...

In this episode I’ll visit with Lisa Deyo at Sweet Reads Bookstore and her special guest author Susan Joyce  We’ll discuss a special event taking place next week where Susan will talk with Seniors about protecting your financial portfolio from the upcoming tariffs. If you are at or near retirement you’ll definitely want to attend her talk.

Then I talk with Julie Clinefelter at the Austin Public Library. We will recap the celebration for Milly, the Mill Pond Monster and also update you on some of the inner works of the new library book reserva...

In this episode I'll start a look at a couple of news stories.

Then in the weekly City of Austin segment I’ll be talking with City of Austin Assistant Engineer Andy Sorenson. With all the leaves changing colors and starting to fall, the leaf collection site north of town is now open. We’ll talk about the site and how you can access it .

And I will also share some community events that you might want to check out.

I would like to take a quick moment to thank you for being a la...

In this episode I’ll be at Discover Austin visiting with Nancy Schnable and the owners of Gypsy K Consignment and Ice Cream in Downtown Austin.

Then I’ll visit with Director Luke Reese at the Jay. C. Hormel Nature Center. We’ll talk about some interesting things you’ll soon be able to spot in the night sky.

And I’ll visit with Steve Barrett at the Austin Area Foundation. We’ll talk about a couple of major events coming up on the foundation’s calendar. 

As always, thank you for being a large part of...

In this episode I’ll visit with Lisa Deyo at Sweet Reads Bookstore and her special guest poet Tim Brennan We’ll discuss Tim’s poetry and an upcoming visit to Austin.

Then I talk with Julie Clinefelter at the Austin Public Library. This Thursday, October 16th from 4 until 6, there will be a celebration for Milly The Mill Pond Monster. We’ll share all the details about that event and more. 

And then it’s time for a visit from the Austin Symphony Orchestra. The 2025-26 season kicks off on Sunday October 26th at 2:00 with the Heroes...

Coming up in this episode in my weekly Mower County Government segment I once get the chance to talk with Mower County Auditor/Treasurer Scott Felten. And we’ll be joined by Val Sheedy, Deputy County Administrator. We talk about a possible change coming to the how the Auditor/Treasurer position in the county will be filled in the future. The plan is to make the position appointed rather than elected.

Then in this week’s City of Austin segment I’ll be talking with City Councilor Jason Baskin. We talk about what goes into being a City C...

In this episode I’ll be at Discover Austin visiting with David Koier; Director of Broadcasting and Media and Peter Theodos; Director of Business Development for the Austin Bruins. We’ll talk about the new season for the Bruins and tell you about some of the special events coming up throughout the home schedule.

Then I’ll visit with Director Luke Reese at the Jay. C. Hormel Nature Center. We’ll talk about how the Nature Center plays an important role in many peoples’ lives and how having a Friends of the Nature Center Membership helps support activities...

In this episode I’ll visit with Lisa Deyo at Sweet Reads Bookstore and her special guest author Jeff Ollman We’ll discuss Jeff’s book Impious: Thoughts on growing up atheist in a judeo christian culture.

Then I talk with Courtney Wyant Schmitt from the Austin Public Library. We finally are able to reveal the identity of the creature coming to the area between the Austin Public Library and Mill Pond.

And then it’s time for a Service Above Self segment. I visit with Austin Rotary Member Alice Holst and the featured non-profit this mon...

In this episode I'll take a look at a couple of news stories from the past week.

Then in my weekly Mower County Government segment I get the chance to talk with Mower County Auditor/Treasurer Scott Felten. We talk about the differences between foreclosure and forfeiture as it applies to properties in Mower County and also the process once a property does go into forfeiture.

Then in this week’s City of Austin segment I’ll be at Riverside Arena talking with Aaron Heimer about what it takes to keep Riverside and Packers Arenas in t...

In this episode I’ll be at Discover Austin visiting with Director Nancy Schnable along with Heather Bose from Austin’s own Superfresh. We’ll talk about plans for special events at Superfresh throughout the fall season.

Then I visit with Naturalist Meredith Meloney at the Jay. C. Hormel Nature Center. We’ll talk about the fall curriculum at the Nature Center that teaches all about stream health and how a healthy watershed is important to all of us.

And then I talk with Steve Barrett, Executive Director of the Austin Area Foundation about the upcoming...

In this episode I’ll visit with Lisa Deyo at Sweet Reads Bookstore and her special guest author Lydia Emme Niebuhr. We’ll discuss Lydia’s book Under The Daytime Moon and why it is an important read for those interested in Minnesota history.

Then I talk with Courtney Wyant Schmitt from the Austin Public Library. We finally are able to reveal the special surprise event coming to the area between the Austin Public Library and Mill Pond.

I would like to take a quick moment to thank you for being a large part of the su...

In this episode I take a look at a couple of news items from last week.

In my weekly Mower County Government segment I get the chance to talk with Mower County Engineer Mitch Wenum. He talks about the many projects completed this year and also some interesting use of technology used to keep the county roads safe and in good condition.

Then in this week’s City of Austin segment I’ll be talking with Austin Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Director Jason Sehon and Recreation Supervisor Riley Donovan. As we head into “indoor activities” season...

In this episode I’ll be at Discover Austin visiting with Director Nancy Schnable along with Cindy Meany; Executive Director at the Hormel Historic Home. The Hormel Home has long been known for wonderful events to celebrate the holidays. We’ll let you know about some of them and let you know how to purchase tickets.

Then I visit with Director Luke Reese at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. Trial reconstruction work continues to move along and also plans for the annual Halloween Warm-up are coming together as well. We’ll update everything happening at the Nature...

In this episode I’ll visit with Lisa Deyo at Sweet Reads Bookstore and her special guest author Cary Griffith. We’ll discuss his new book, Rattlesnake Bluff, and learn what is coming next for the Sam Rivers Mystery series.

Then I talk with Julie Clinefelter from the Austin Public Library. We talk a little about the mystery item that has been hinted at for the last couple of weeks. The reveal is coming soon and we’ll share some of the details.

I’ll also talk with Professor George Aslanidi at the Hormel Institute. I learn...

In this episode I'll recap some of the news from the past week.

Then in this week’s City of Austin segment I’ll be talking with Austin City Engineer Steven Lang about not only the large street projects that have been underway this summer but also about quite a few smaller projects the have been completed this year.

And later, in the weekly Mower County Government segment, I get the chance to talk with Mower County Jail Administrator James Brown and Assistant Jail Administrator Greg Hartquist about what all is involved in keeping the jail...

In this special episode I had the honor of sitting down and talking with Dr. Sharon Adams (Class of 1972) and Thomas Herrera (Class of 2011), the 2025 Distinguished Alumni. We talk about their lives and careers since graduating from Austin High School and the messages that they hope to impart on the students currently enrolled at the high school.

I would like to thank the Austin, MN High School Alumni and Friends Association and especially Jeni Lindberg for arranging time in the busy schedule of the Distinguished Alumni to allow me to visit with each year's honorees and share...

In this episode I’ll be at Discover Austin visiting with Director Nancy Schnable along with Jamie Helgeson from Life Mower County. The annual Taste of Mower County event is coming up in a few weeks. We let you know how you can support this fundraiser and buy tickets.

Then I visit with Director Luke Reese at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. The annual 8k race at the Nature Center is taking place this weekend along with the Statewide Star Party. After the race there will be events throughout the remainder of the day including an op...

In this episode I’ll visit with Lisa Deyo at Sweet Reads Bookstore talking about the upcoming author visit. 

Then I visit the Austin Public Library to talk with Julie Clinefelter. We talk a little about the Mammoth tooth one on display at the library and the impact it has had on the number of visitors to the library.

I’ll also talk with Austin Utilities Customer Service Supervisor Michelle Orosco. October first the Cold weather protection rules will go into effect for the colder winter months. We’ll talk about what consumers need to know if...

In this episode I'll take a look at some news items and then in this week’s City of Austin segment I’ll be talking with Josh Kunze, Shift B Commander with the Austin Fire Department. Battery powered CO2 detectors have been available since the early 1990’s however many homes still don’t have a CO2 detector. There will soon be a program started in Austin that will get more detectors into more homes. We’ll talk about the importance of detectors and this new program.

I would like to take a quick moment to thank you for being...