A 17-year-old incest victim attended the hearing to press her complaint. Accompanying her were her mother and her therapist, Sandy Garry of Winona. Representing the Wabasha County Herald were Michael Smith, editor, and Gary Stumpf, publisher.
Representative Don Frerichs (District 32A) suggested that the News Council consider the handling of letters to the editor during election campaigns. Although Frerichs’ suggestion was not in the form of a grievance, the Council agreed that the subject deserved discussion. Present at the Council hearing were Representative Frerichs, Representative Jerry Schoenfield (District 30B), and Randy Carlsen, editor of the Dodge County Independent.
Representatives Peter Fugina and Douglas Johnson complained that three news stories and an editorial in the newspaper inaccurately accused them of questionable financial practices.