In fair Winona, where we lay our scene ... The state’s premier Shakespeare festival is back for its 16th season this week, with a full slate of performances for both Bard-lovers and those looking for something a bit different. Doug Scholz-Carlson, artistic director of the Great River Shakespeare Festival, was our guest on Inside Winona to share with our audience his favorite moments with the company, what not to miss from this year’s season and how Shakespeare manages to translate so well today.

Inside Winona

Secrets of Shakespeare with Doug Scholz-Carlson

Steamboat Days is just a few days away, and 2019 Harbormaster Dean Beckman is ready to get the festivities rolling full steam ahead. This week on Inside Winona, we sat down with Beckman to talk about what to expect from this year's Steamboat Day's celebration.

Getting in the Steamboat Days spirit with Habormaster Dean Beckman

Making sure the Winona Public Library is a destination for children of all ages is an important job, and one Tricia Wehrenberg takes very seriously. This week on Inside Winona, reporter Maddy Heim sat down with Wehrenberg, the youth services librarian for the Winona Public Library, to discuss some of the programs coming to the library this summer and why it’s so important to start reading to your kids right away.

Inside Winona With Tricia Wehrenberg

A Canadian Pacific Railroad train carrying a load of grain derailed near the Franklin Street crossing early Wednesday morning. Here’s everything you need to know. Read the full story and see our gallery of the damage online at https://www.winonadailynews.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/train-derails-near-franklin-street-crossing-in-winona/article_8fef27d4-d53f-5a10-931d-12eac9517061.html#1

A train derails in Winona: Here’s everything you need to know

The school year may be winding down, but just blink and it’ll be September again — which for some students means new clothes, new shoes, new notebooks and folders and freshly sharpened pencils. But for families who can’t always afford it, that time of year can be tough. This week on Inside Winona we sat down with Mandi Olson, director of Ready Set School, a local nonprofit that funds new school supplies for lower-income students in Winona County.

Worried about paying for school supplies? Mandi Olson is here to help.

At the dawn of the Civil War two escaped slaves made their way to Winona, one found success, the other destitution. In her latest play, “Mister James and Mister Jeff,” retired Third District Court judge and playwright Margaret Johnson explored the men’s lives and the impact Winona had on their fates. This week on Inside Winona we sat down to talk with Johnson to talk about her latest production which premier at the Masonic Temple Theater May, 16-19.

Play explores the disparate lives of two escaped slaves in Winona

Despite a rough start to the year, punctuated by bitter cold and record setting snowfall, Winona’s housing market remains as competitive as ever. This week on Inside Winona, we sat down with Winona County Recorder Bob Bambenek to talk about, among many things, what the recorder’s office does and the unique perspective it gives him on Winona’s often challenging housing market.

Breaking down Winona’s housing market with county recorder Bob Bambenek

Starting tomorrow night, Winona’s streets are set to come alive with the sound of music with the official kick off of the 10th annual Mid West Music Fest. In this episode of Inside Winona, Daily News editor John Casper Jr. breaks down this year’s must see acts, a few oddities including an Elvis Presley impersonating clown and a few tips for first time fest goers. Learn more about this year’s Mid West Music Fest at https://www.winonadailynews.com/news/local/mid-west-music-fest-returns-to-winona-this-weekend-here/article_248cb590-11e9-5c72-9cef-3eccf3ce2ab4.html

Your cheatsheet to Mid West Music Fest 2019

Dial just three numbers and help is only seconds away. In this week’s episode of Inside Winona, reporters Maddy Heim and Tobias Mann explore the lives of Winona’s own guardian angels, the dispatchers working behind the scene to keep the Island City safe and sound. Learn more about Winona's dispatchers and their day to day struggles online at https://www.winonadailynews.com/news/local/what-s-your-emergency-winona-s-guardian-angels-the-unsung/article_cf8e13e0-e83c-5e3f-b4a4-da78849ec553.html 

Inside Winona: Winona’s Guardian Angels

Cynthya Porter knows how to sell Winona. She can rattle off the festivals, the historic downtown sweet spots and the natural landmarks that residents love and visitors are awed by — like how on a clear day at the Garvin Heights outlook, you can see all the way to Alma. Winona was recently named one of the best five small-town destinations in the state by the Star Tribune, and best day trip by Twin Cities-based City Pages. But do those accolades play any role in getting people to move here? We asked Porter, the marketing specialist at Visit Winona, that question and more on this week's episode of Inside Winona. Take a listen to learn a lot, including why she finds our city "surprisingly weird, but incredibly entertaining."

Planning a trip to the Island City with Visit Winona’s Cynthya Porter

If you live in Winona, or even nearby, you've probably visited the cozy corner on Third Street that is Blooming Grounds Coffee House for a cup of joe — or perhaps you prefer its express location on Huff. The mind behind both operations is Amy Jo Marks, this week's guest on Inside Winona. Since opening Blooming Grounds downtown in 2003, and rehabbing it after a fire a decade later, she's cultivated a place to drink coffee and wine, share a slice of pizza or a treat from the bakery case, listen to local musicians and even hear your U.S. senator speak. We'd recommend sipping a spicy chai latte as you listen.

Building up Blooming Grounds with Amy Jo Marks

During his first visit to Winona since taking office in January, Gov. Tim Walz spoke before a small crowd of city officials, community leaders and local business owners Tuesday about his proposed biennial budget. During the stop, he stressed the importance of local government aid to ensuring the safety and quality of life Minnesotans have come to expect.  Wednesday, reporters Maddy Heim and Tobias Mann broke down the governors visit and what it could mean for Winonans. However, it remains unclear whether Walz will be able to garner the necessary support in the Minnesota Senate to make his vision a reality.

Gov. Walz's budget and what it means for Winonans

Mark Peterson is arguably best recognized as the mayor of Winona, but he's been living a double life. For the last 36 years he's worked to save and preserve Winona's history one document, photograph and building at a time. Last week the Winona Daily News sat down with Peterson to discuss his tenure with the Winona County Historical Society.

Renaissance Man — Preserving Winona’s past with Mayor Mark Peterson

After pulling two proposals to put apartments in the former Madison Elementary school, real estate developer Andrew Brenner, who purchased the building from Winona Area Public Schools in December, says he wants to turn the former school in to a child care facility. In this episode of Inside Winona reporters Tobias Mann and Maddy Heim dig into Brenner's new plan.

Third time's the charm? Exploring Andrew Brenner's plans for Madison school

On April 18, the Winona school board will be tasked with cutting over $2 million from the district’s 2019-20 budget. How might that play out, and how did they get to this point? Get your questions answered on this episode of Inside Winona.

What to know about WAPS’ budget cuts

Looking for the inside track on Winona's latest educational enigmas, county conundrum or criminal case? Never miss a beat as the Winona Daily News' terrific editorial team keeps you on the up and up on what's going down in the Island City.

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Inside Winona

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