This was my favorite story in this week’s paper. Becka and Marianna gave me such great quotes and were very open about the highs and lows of tackling a climb like this. Fortitude and friendship – Pair of local alumnae climb Mount Whitney together | decorahleader.com/articles/d…

This week’s edition is full of political coverage both inside and out. So, rather than bombard anyone’s feed with each Q&A or the latest bylines about campaign visits, I’ll just say you should pick up a copy to be as informed as possible as Election Day nears.

I wasn’t sure what to expect during this hearing, but I got a tip from some folks who let us k ow the victims probably had more to say. And one did, so an update we did print. Court denies Bachelder’s request to modify protective orders | decorahleader.com/articles/d…

This will be my last city council story for a while, as I pass the baton to our new best reporter Drew Chamberlain, who will be covering this Monday’s meeting. Decorah City Council gives nod to proposed housing development | decorahleader.com/articles/d…

UPDATE: Court records have now been filed with additional details. decorahleader.com/articles/d…

Usual soap box: We’ll be the only outlet with actual photos of our own to use as this story develops. Remember that free news sites don’t necessarily provide quality news coverage. #NationalNewspaperWeek 🗞️ Decorah man charged with attempted murder | decorahleader.com/articles/d…

I truly didn’t expect a new plea to come in *after* the jury pool had viewed its orientation video. Looks like sentencing has now been scheduled for next week. Kidnapping, burglary trial cancelled as Delagarza pleads guilty | decorahleader.com/articles/d…

Hinson didn’t take questions after the round table, but there was plenty of material to work with from the discussion. Hinson hears from area’s first responders during Protivin roundtable | decorahleader.com/articles/d…

I had a feeling I’d be doing a second church’s 175th story after writing the first one a couple weeks ago. Lot of shared history. Fruit of the spirit – Washington Prairie Church to highlight apple orchard during 175th anniversary | decorahleader.com/articles/d…

We haven’t made it to the Rendezvous Days 5K since I started here in Decorah, so I figured the 50th annual rendezvous was a good time to go. GALLERY: Fort Atkinson marks five decades of preserving local history | decorahleader.com/articles/d…

Really appreciated everyone who provided comment for localized context. The hardest part though? Finding the dang camera! They told me where it is, and I still looked in the wrong spot. Proposed state bill aims to put guardrails on ALPR cameras in Iowa | decorahleader.com/articles/d…

So, I haven’t read “Range,” so a lot of these ideas were new to me, but I think I could see how some concepts played out in my own life and career path. ‘Somebody has to put the world back together again to solve problems’ | decorahleader.com/articles/d…

This is the third inclusive football game they’ve had, and there’s something special about seeing this new tradition pass from one class to the next. ‘Our school does it right’ – DHS cheers on Special Olympians during unified football game | decorahleader.com/articles/d…

Turns out the dash camera of the recovered stolen vehicle captured images of two suspects. Third suspect arrested in rural burglary case | decorahleader.com/articles/d…

It’s been really fun learning the little traditions at Decorah High School but by bit these last couple years. Learned a few more covering homecoming on Friday. GALLERY: Homecoming hullabaloo for the red and blue | decorahleader.com/articles/d…

And election season rolls on. Fun aside, we pretty much achieved equal placement in this week’s edition. My story was side by side with Zach’s coverage of his opponent. Naig seeks input on future of ag during visit to Iowa Dairy and Ag Foundation | decorahleader.com/articles/d…

More homecoming coverage in next week’s paper. But for now, did you know students from each grade level at Decorah High School team up each year for the school’s Viking Olympics? I didn’t. But now I do. It was pretty great. GALLERY: Viking Olympics | decorahleader.com/articles/d…

They showed us the airport’s old hangar and lounge during the tour…honestly, I’d have felt bad printing the comparison photos. It’s that big of an improvement. ‘We finally got the front door to the city done’ | decorahleader.com/articles/d…

Some earlier court documents mentioned firefighters finding cocaine inside the vehicle, but no charges were filed until after toxicology tests were officially completed. Decorah driver faces multiple charges after investigation of July collision | decorahleader.com/articles/d…

The city may allow data centers in Decorah’s M3 industrial zones, as long as they’re 1,000 feet from a waterway — the city’s only M3 zone runs along Upper Iowa River. Decorah City Council passes zoning updates for data centers, last-mile delivery hubs | decorahleader.com/articles/d…