Pope Benedict is resigning. The Vatican says the pope will be stepping down at the end of February, making him the first pontiff to resign in nearly 600 years. The 85-year-old pope announced his decision during a meeting of Vatican cardinals Monday morning. Benedict says he's stepping down because of his advanced age and diminishing strength.
Education, school safety, and balancing the budget are among the topics two South Dakota lawmakers discussed with their Siouxland constituents over the weekend. State Senator Dan Lederman and Representative Jim Bolin held a legislative forum in Elk Point on Saturday. Both support a proposal to allow specially-trained staffers in schools to be armed. They also say the legislature will probably meet in special session to deal with federal spending cuts set to kick in March 1st.
Spirit Lake, Iowa is going blue. The community has been working for months on their blue print after being selected as a Blue Zone demonstration site. That's part of the public initiative to get Iowans to live longer and healthier. The Spirit Lake task force plans to implement the principals into six categories: schools, grocery stores, restaurants, work sites, community policy, and engagement.
Siouxlanders feasted on bagels and lox on Sunday. Green Gables restaurant was the site of a free banquet for anyone who wanted to come in and enjoy the east coast deli staple. The Siouxland International Messianic Fellowship wanted to introduce National Bagel and Lox day to Siouxland. About 100 people took them up on the offer.
