The Roundabout

Thursday, June 12, 2025

September 25, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes

Welcome to your weekly Roundabout!

Former state Sen. Nicole Mitchell was sentenced this week to six months in jail with work release, closing one chapter of her closely watched legal case.

We’re also following the race to fill her old Senate seat, where both Dwight Dorau and Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger are sharpening their messages ahead of November’s special election.

In schools, 20 local students earned recognition as National Merit semifinalists, and around town, Feast Buffet & Banquet opened its doors with a long-anticipated soft launch.

And with sunshine and terrific temps ahead, this might be the perfect week to catch up on the news outside.

Editor: Chuck Nowlen
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Top Story

Nicole Mitchell testifies at her burglary trial. Photo: Pool via The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead.

Mitchell Gets Six Months in Jail, Work Release

by Woodbury News Net Staff | Published on Sept. 24, 2025

Former state Sen. Nicole Mitchell, convicted of felony burglary in July, was sentenced Tuesday to six months in jail, to be served with work-release privileges in Ramsey County as long as she qualifies.

If she does not, Becker County District Chief Judge Michael Fritz ordered the remainder of her jail sentence to be served in Detroit Lakes’ Becker County Jail.

Fritz also sentenced Mitchell to 21 months in prison, but he stayed that order for five years while she is under supervised probation.

 

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Politics

Dorau Details Voter-Focused Strategy In State Senate Race

by Theo Franz | Staff Reporter

With only weeks between a primary and the November 4 general election, the retired Air Force colonel and current high school instructor is squeezing in campaign work around a full-time job, focusing on grassroots energy and the voters most likely to cast a ballot.

DFL's Hemmingsen-Jaeger Traces Her Path To State Senate Race

by Manali Shah | Staff Reporter

Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger recalls first getting involved in politics way back in eighth grade. 

“It started by being a student representative for a referendum that was going for our school,” Hemmingsen-Jaeger said in an Aug. 2 interview, “and then continuing some advocacy for many other issues.” 

Schools

Local High Schoolers Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists

by Woodbury News Net Staff

Twenty Woodbury high school students have been named semifinalists for about $26 million in National Merit Scholarships to be awarded this spring.

Out & About

Feast Buffet & Banquet makes Woodbury debut Sept. 23 with soft opening

by Theo Franz | Staff Reporter

Feast Buffet & Banquet will open its doors to the public on Tuesday, Sept. 23, beginning with a soft opening designed to ease the restaurant into full service.

More from Out & About

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