Contributed photos Henning eighth (above) and fourth grade students (right) wore matching shirts in honor of their classmates who Down Syndrome last Monday in celebration of World Down Syndrome Day. Down Syndrome Day is celebrated each March 21, but school was canceled due to the state basketball tournament. 

New bill would require school districts to report when students miss several consecutive days Yvette Higgins Report for Minnesota Lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle are pushing for improved attendance reporting in schools to address frequent absences among Minnesota students.  A bill by Rep. Heather Keeler, DFL-Moorhead, and Rep. Ben Bakeberg, R-Jordan, would require schools… Read More

City seeks input what residents would like to see in town By Chad Koenen Publisher A wall in the Henning City Hall has been transformed into a giant list of possibilities for the future of Henning. The wall is covered with paper and notes about what residents and staff members want to see for the future… Read More

By Chad Koenen Publisher The Henning School District could be looking to develop a new strategic plan for the future. During its regularly scheduled meeting last Tuesday night, the Henning School Board discussed the potential of developing a new strategic plan for the school district. The previous strategic plan expired in 2020 and can help the school… Read More

By Tom Hintgen Otter Tail County Correspondent The Center of the American Experiment, a Twins Cities-based think tank, heard from U.S. Rep. Michelle Fischbach Thursday evening, March 20, at Thumper Pond in Ottertail. Topics included the rural economy, agriculture and government regulation. Fischbach also talked about her priorities for the 119th Congress.  Several Fischbach supporters were in attendance…. Read More

Concert to be held March 28 in New York Mills The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center will host the Jesse Anderson Band as part of its 2025 Spring Concert Series. The concert will take place on Friday, March 28, at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m., and all are welcome to attend this… Read More

By Lisa Peterson Special to the Dispatch In Otter Tail County, it’s time to rev up Relay For Life preparations for 2025. The Relay For Life kick off took place last Sunday, March 23, at 4 p.m. at the Perham Sportsman’s Club. The kickoff built excitement for the 2025 Relay For Life and got team captains the materials they… Read More

Yvette Higgins Report for Minnesota As Minnesota appears poised to issue licenses to retailers to legally sell marijuana, some lawmakers are proposing changing cannabis regulations to improve access to medical marijuana and strengthen communication with Native American tribes.  A bill by Sen. Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis, to increase patient access to medical marijuana cleared the Commerce and Consumer… Read More

Record pancake breakfast raises over $4,100 for food shelf On March 21, 2025, the Henning Lions Club presented funds to the Henning Community Food Shelf. This generous donation was the result of a successful pancake breakfast held on March 9 at the Henning Community Center. Lion Doug Trana, the pancake event coordinator and head chef, along with… Read More

A “sweet tribute to the Midwest and the summer family road trip,” is how Stefanie Gerhardson describes “Leaving Iowa,” this year’s spring play at M State. Gerhardson is an M State Theatre faculty member and the play’s director. “It’s a comedy about family vacations,” she adds. “The wood-paneled station wagon, mom and dad in the front,… Read More