Wright Here Right Now, Discover Austin Minnesota 's Podcast

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 Al...

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 th...

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....

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 h...

In this episode I’ll be at Discover Austin visiting with Director Nancy Schnable along with Melinda Cowell from the North Central Highland Cattle Association. The Highland Cattle Show is this weekend at the Mower County Fairgrounds. The Junior Show is today Friday September 12th and the open show will take place on Saturday. The public is welcome to attend and see these beautiful animals. We get a...

In this episode I’ll visit with Lisa Deyo at Sweet Reads Bookstore talking about the upcoming Music Meander that will take place tomorrow evening, September 11th. Then I visit the Austin Public Library to talk with Technology Coordinator Eric Christians. There are many opportunities for adults and youth to get some assistance with their knowledge of their computers and tech devices. We’ll tell you...

In this episode I recap some of the news from last week. Then in this week’s Mower County Government segment I’ll be visiting with Mower County’s Sheriff Steve Sandvik. We talk about how the fall season is a time of transition and how drivers need to be more vigilant on the roads. And for this week’s City of Austin segment I’ll be talking with Austin Human Rights Commission member Vicky Spyhalski....

In this episode I’ll be at Discover Austin visiting with Director Nancy Schnable along with President Kat Linaker of Riverland Community College. We’ll talk about the incredible number of different programs available to students and how the campus community continues to grow. Then I visit with Meredith Maloney, Office Manager and Naturalist at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. We’ll talk about cica...

In this episode I’ll visit with Lisa Deyo at Sweet Reads Bookstore talking about the upcoming Books and Bikes event this Saturday at the Hormel Historic Home and also the Music Meander that will take place on September 11th. Then I visit the Austin Public Library to talk with Julie Clinefelter to talk the Mammoth Tooth that is on display at the library and also some exciting classes coming up in t...

In this episode I recap some news from this past week. In this week’s Mower County Government segment I’ll be visiting with Mower County’s Deputy County Administrator Val Sheedy. We talk about the Ramsey Property, located just above the Ramsey dam and runs along the Cedar river to the old railroad trestle. What is the future for this area and what steps are being taken to improve this stretch of l...

 I wanted to share with you some conversations that I had at the 2025 Mower County Free Fair. This year after a year's absence I was back at the little “cabin”, as we call it, to both talk about the podcast with folks who might not be familiar with our program and to also record some interviews with people whom without their efforts, the fair would be a very different event. You'll hear...

In this episode I’ll be at Discover Austin visiting with Director Nancy Schnable along with Katie Carter and Emily Hovland from Austin High School. We’ll learn all about the exciting plans that are in place for Homecoming Week, September 15th - 19th. Then I visit with Luke Reese at the J. C. Hormel Nature Center. We’ll talk about honey harvest weekend, the Hormel Nature Center 8k and visit a littl...

In this episode I’ll visit with Lisa Deyo at Sweet Reads Bookstore, and author AJ Sullivan, about the Bob B. Bear series of books. We’ll also get into what made AJ want to become an author. Then I visit the Austin Public Library to talk with Julie Clinefelter to talk about the series of clues being revealed weekly hinting at something big that will be arriving later this fall. And in the monthly H...

In this episode I will recap some news from this past week. Then in this week’s Mower County Government segment I’ll be visiting with Mower County Public Health Nurses Jenny Evenson and Jenni Duholm. This is a very busy time of year for back to school vaccinations. We’ll talk about the role that Mower County Public Health plays in making sure everyone has access to vaccinations and the role that p...

In this episode I’ll be at Discover Austin visiting with Director Nancy Schnable and Martin Burnham from Hot Off The Press Comics and Coffee about the business and events like the next music meander that is scheduled to take place in Downtown Austin in just a few weeks. Then I visit with Luke Reese at the J. C. Hormel Nature Center as he introduces us to Emily Hagen, the newest Intern Naturalist a...

In this episode I’ll visit with Lisa Deyo at Sweet Reads Bookstore to talk about all the opportunities to hear from different groups of  authors and other writers at the 14th Annual Artworks Festival. And we’ll talk about an event coming up on September 6th which will feature William Kent Krueger and motorcycles! Then I visit the Austin Public Library to talk with Julie Clinefelter to talk about a...

In this episode I take a look at some news items and then in this week’s Mower County Government segment I’ll be visiting with Mower County Administrator Matt Verdick and County Finance Manager Loni Swenson. We’ll discuss how the county budget comes together and how they are already preparing for 2027’s budget. Then for this week’s City of Austin segment I’ll be talking with Austin’s Parks, Recrea...

In this episode, available beginning at 6:00 Friday morning, I’ll be at Discover Austin visiting with Director Nancy Schnable and some guests from Recovery is Happening. They’ll be filling us in on their 3rd Annual Walk for Recovery that will be taking place September 20th around Mill Pond.   Then I visit with Meredith  Maloney, a naturalist at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. This week we talk ab...

 In this episode I’ll visit with Lisa Deyo at Sweet Reads Bookstore and her guest Mary Holtorf from Leadership Reads. We’ll talk about Leadership Reads and learn about this year’s kickoff event. Then I visit the Austin Public Library to talk with Julie Clinefelter about the personal care closet that is being sponsored by the library. We also talk about displays that you see around the library and...

In this episode for this week’s Mower County Government segment I’ll be visiting with Mower County Attorney Kristen Nelson. We talk about what the County Attorney’s Office does and some of the challenges that they face. Then for this week’s City of Austin segment I’ll be talking with City Administrator Craig Clark and Administrative Services Director Tom Dankert. Discussions are being held through...

 In this episode I’ll be at Discover Austin visiting with Director Nancy Schnable and Emily Good with the Minnesota Cycling Association.  Then I visit with Luke Reese, Director at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. We talk about the 3rd Annual Hormel Nature Center 8k that’s coming up on September 20th. Before we talk to our guests I would like to take a quick moment to thank you for being a large pa...

In this episode I’ll visit with Lisa Deyo at Sweet Reads Bookstore and her guest, author Jeff Ollman. We talk about his books and the many connections to Northern Minnesota Then I visit the Austin Public Library to talk with Julie Clinefelter about the Friends of the Library and the new book walk that has just been installed around Austin’s Mill Pond. I would like to take a quick moment to thank y...

 In this episode I'll take a look at some news items from this past week. Then in this week’s Mower County Government segment I’ll be visiting with the Mower County Corrections. Tracy Bachman and Kelley Lang with the schools to make sure students are where they should be. Truancy might not be not be a huge problem in Mower County, Tracy and Kelley work to keep it that way Then for this week’s...

In this episode I’ll be at Discover Austin visiting with John DeVries and Mike Huffman of the River Rats Car Club. The 10th Annual River Rats Car Club Show is coming up on August 16th will fill us in on all the details. Then I visit with Luke Reese, Director at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. We talk about the annual City Deer Hunt. There are a couple of informational meetings coming up to let yo...

In this episode I’ll visit with Lisa Deyo at Sweet Reads Bookstore and her guest Anna Worth, a small town romance author. We’ll find out about small town romance and talk about her first two books. Then I visit the Austin Public Library to talk with Julie Clinefelter and Courtney Schmitt. We talk about the final days of the summer reading program, digital trivia, and seed art. I also talk with the...