Assign a story

[Free Press Editor Joe Spear]

We in the Ivory towers of the news media often think we know what readers want to know about, read about. If it's interesting to us, we think it's interesting to others. But we could be wrong. Give us your story ideas. Only guideline is that is should have some affect on some part of our 66,000 print readers and 150,000 monthly unique viewers online. Assign us a story.

[Howard Dittrich]

OK and because you asked here is one (it just happens to be totally self serving). In the sports section how about an article about this year’s high school wrestlers that made all conference and the all city team? Have not seen one yet (and if the article is done you will see why it is self serving).

Howard

[Bob Jentges]

OK and because you asked here is one (it just happens to be totally self serving). In the sports section how about an article about this year’s high school wrestlers that made all conference and the all city team? Have not seen one yet (and if the article is done you will see why it is self serving).

Howard

Holy Cow, Howard! Your post with the suggestion is dated late last night and the article was in the print copy delivered to our home early this morning.

Congratulations to you, and especially to Alex.

[Howard Dittrich]

Thanks much, it was borderline inappropriate for me to ask for the article (have not seen it yet), but I’m glad it was in the works. A proud Papa moment for me.

[Free Press Editor Joe Spear]

Ha! We aim to please:) Other story ideas?

[Bob Jentges]

Ha! We aim to please:) Other story ideas?

Joe, I made a brief "Comment" after Mark's federal budget article this morning. But after thinking about it more, maybe someone on your staff could do an article on the non-partisan CBO analysis of the budget. Sometimes boring stuff, but in the present economy maybe The Free Press readers would be interested in the plans our federal government has for spending our tax dollars over the next few years.

[Free Press Editor Joe Spear]

I have planned an editorial on just that subject for Sunday edition.

[Bob Jentges]

I have planned an editorial on just that subject for Sunday edition.

Joe, I could say that you are difficult to get ahead of on story ideas, or I could say that great minds think alike. Take your choice.

[Dan Conner]

We in the Ivory towers of the news media often think we know what readers want to know about, read about. If it's interesting to us, we think it's interesting to others. But we could be wrong. Give us your story ideas. Only guideline is that is should have some affect on some part of our 66,000 print readers and 150,000 monthly unique viewers online. Assign us a story.

I visited the St. Peter Community Center today for scheduling a meeting and noted how beautiful and functional it was. It had a huge gymnasium, numerous meeting rooms and public areas for people to gather. There were quite a few people using the facility.

I wondered why mankato had no such facility. While the civic center attracts large number of people for events, these events are sometimes infrequent and certainly irregular. I think the draw of people to a beautiful and functional community center would be continuous.

Why doesn't the City of Mankato consider using the incremental sales tax increase to build a community center downtown. It would offer lots of activities for everyone and would be a major attractant of people for downtown Mankato. Then, downtown Mankato would truly be the center for the community. This expense would seem to be a lot more prudent than the extension of 2nd street.

What about The Free Press reporting on the St. Petter Community Center and research the the positive impacts on the St. Peter community?

[Steven Schmidt]

Joe, being a farmer I have been busy lately, so if you have covered this story let me apologize in advance. I was listening to Garage Logic the other day and they were discussing the Smiley Face Killers. There is still a link on their website. If you have not been following the story, there are serial killers running around drugging college males at parties and bars, killing them, then dumping them in rivers(not always). I was recalling a story fox 9 did probably a year or two ago. A college student had drowned at the University of Wisconsin(I think), so fox 9 did a two night expo in Mankato pointing out that the Barmuda triangle was so close to the river. I was wondering if the deaths that started that story were actually murders. Anyway, I assume you've been reporting on the story, but if you haven't, I hope you warn your college age readers.

[Jeff Brand]

How about featuring a story or two from the 1909 Mankato Free Press in each edition? History is fascinating and I could read those old papers all day long. What happened on this day in 1909, right here in Mankato? You could even broaden it to South Central Minnesota!

[Free Press Editor Joe Spear]

Good idea Jeff. We've actually been kicking that idea around. The "Places in the past" history feature in our Mankato Magazine has been very popular.

[Reporter Dan Linehan]

That is a good idea. I was going through some really old papers recently, and found a hilarious story about a professor visiting Mankato in about 1900 who had what he thought was conclusive evidence that Mars was occupied by intelligent life forms. Something about ditches visible from Earth.

Disclaimer: My endorsement of this idea does not in any way constitute a desire to re-type these old stories myself. Editors don't actually do any work, so you have lots of free time for this kind of thing, right?

[Jeff Brand]

I'm glad my idea had some support - I used to pour over old Mankato Free Press editions at the Blue Earth Co. Historical Society and found some real gems. I always enjoy the Mankato Magazine section too!