Compass investigates a controversial religious group in Murdock, the impact of county fair cancellations, a WWII veteran story and Welcoming Week
Download a photo of the Calvary Lutheran Church.
Download a photo of Collin Peterson.
Download a photo of Ryan Sleiter and Tanya Fischer.
Download a photo of David Jergenson.
Download a photo of the Welcoming Week event in Willmar.
GRANITE FALLS, Minn. — The November edition of Pioneer PBS’s reformatted public affairs program, Compass, features stories about the controversial Asatru Folk Assmembly’s move to Murdock, the impact of this year’s county fair cancellations, a WWII reflection story and a Welcoming Week event in Willmar. This program will air Thursday, November 5 at 9 p.m. and will be available for streaming at the same time at www.pioneer.org/compass or video.pioneer.org/show/compass. Viewers are encouraged to visit Compass on Facebook and on YouTube and give feedback on the stories.
On October 14, the Murdock City Council heard from the Asatru Folk Assembly—a whites only, ethnic-based religion—about a permit to gather in a church in a residential part of town. The public was also given the opportunity to speak on the issue and most spoke against the permit request. The City Council will decide to approve or deny the AFA's request at their November 4 meeting. Comment on the story on Facebook or YouTube.
County fairs are a major economic driver for towns, small businesses and nonprofits in Minnesota. All but one of Minnesota’s 94 county fairs were cancelled in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic and U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson wants Congress to approve stimulus dollars for county and agricultural fairs. Compass took a trip to the Stevens County Fairgrounds to talk with Steve Storck, the president of the Minnesota Federation of County Fairs; Ryan Sleiter, board chair of the Stevens County Fair; and Tanya Fischer, principal of St. Mary’s School in Morris. Comment on the story on Facebook or YouTube.
During a recent trip to Granite Falls, 102-year-old veteran David Jergenson of Cyrus, talked with Compass about his time in WWII where he worked on recovering damaged allied tanks with the tank corps in the North Africa and Italian theaters. Comment on the story on Facebook or YouTube.
In September, the Southwest Initiative Foundation, a Welcoming America member organization, hosted Welcoming Week events in Granite Falls, Willmar, Morton and Worthington in partnership with Pioneer PBS. Compass stopped by the event in Willmar where event attendees were asked about how communities can be more welcoming. Comment on the story on Facebook or YouTube.
Viewers with story ideas and issues they would like to see discussed on Compass are encouraged to contact Pioneer PBS via email at yourtv@pioneer.org or call the station at 1-800-726-3178.
About Pioneer PBS
Established in 1966, Pioneer PBS is an award-winning, viewer-supported television station dedicated to sharing local stories of the region with the world. For more information visit: www.pioneer.org.
