Interviews | Podcast | Blog
The Little Mic That Brings a Town Together
Soundbites is Hastings’ voice-first bulletin board—say it once and reach your town. Leave a 10-second update, and it appears on HastingsNow plus partner sites, with transcripts, up-votes, and Verified badges for city, schools, and businesses. It’s fast, friendly, and local: lost & founds, event changes, last-minute deals, road alerts—real neighbors helping neighbors in Hastings, Minnesota.
The Writing on the Wall: Murals from Cave Paintings to Street Art in Hastings
From prehistoric cave art to modern street murals in downtown Hastings, Minnesota, walls have always told our stories. Explore the epic global history, cultural significance, and digital future of murals — with a local twist that brings it all home.
The Many Faces of the Landlord: A Journey from Ancient Times to Tomorrow
From ancient Babylonian lease tablets to tomorrow’s AI-powered property bots, landlords have shaped where—and how—we live for 4,000 years. This deep-dive traces the global rise of landlordism, dissects the psychology of good (and bad) owners, and forecasts how automation could upend renting in Hastings, Minnesota and beyond. Whether you’re a tenant, investor, or curious historian, discover the surprising twists behind the people who hold the keys to our homes.
Unpacking Imagine Hastings: When a Bar’s Philanthropy Meets Our Schools
In Hastings, Minnesota, a new nonprofit called Imagine Hastings is funneling bar-room dollars into field trips, mini-grants, and more—sparking cheers and questions in equal measure. Dive into our independent investigation of how Dugarel’s charitable arm reshapes school funding, youth alcohol norms, and community ethics, and discover what’s at stake for local families.
When Reality Melts: Truth, Trickery, and Hope in the Age of Deepfakes in Hastings
In an age where AI blurs the lines between fact and fiction, how will Hastings, Minnesota, cope when deepfakes erode trust in our courts, classrooms, and community? Explore practical tips, thoughtful insights, and local initiatives for staying grounded in truth—even as reality itself seems to melt.
When Hastings Roared: Daily Life in 1925
Step onto the planked Spiral Bridge, breathe the scent of fresh‐baked bread downtown, and feel the jazz-age optimism that pulsed through Hastings in 1925. Our immersive feature paints a vivid, fact-rich portrait of faith, schooldays, river commerce, and community spirit that still echoes along the Mississippi today.
Loneliness in America, 2025: An Odyssey of Isolation and Connection
In 2025, America faces a loneliness crisis—affecting young men, middle-aged adults, and entire communities. This epic deep-dive traces the origins of loneliness from ancient philosophy to modern neuroscience. We explore how loneliness manifests in Hastings, Minnesota, unpack cutting-edge global studies, and look ahead to a future shaped by AI companions, hybrid work, and cultural change. With warmth, wit, and rigorous research, this is your guide to understanding—and healing—loneliness in our time.
Pente: The Classic Game of Five Stones – Now Bringing Hastings Together Online
Pente, the classic strategy board game of five-in-a-row, has arrived in Hastings – and it’s bringing our community together in a whole new way! 🎲 Born in an Oklahoma pizza parlor and now reborn online, Pente blends ancient game roots with modern fun. Discover the game’s fascinating origin story, its rise to 1980s fame (even President Reagan had a set!), and the brain-tickling strategy and philosophy behind each move. Whether you’re a puzzle lover, a competitive spirit, or just looking for a new family game night favorite, Pente has something for you. HastingsNow.com is proud to launch Pente online – challenge your friends and neighbors, sharpen your wits, and see who can connect five first. Ready to play? It’s your move, Hastings! 🔵⚪🔵⚪🔵
Hastings Meets AI: Neighbors in a High-Tech Future
Hastings is embracing the age of AI with open arms and common-sense caution. From classrooms where teachers use ChatGPT as a creative teaching tool to local farms and businesses leveraging smart tech, our community is learning to work with AI, not against it. Discover how educators, healthcare workers, farmers, and shop owners in Hastings, MN are using artificial intelligence to enhance (not replace) what they do best – all while keeping our famous small-town heart and humanity at the center. This in-depth guide shares local voices, practical examples, and hopeful tips for thriving alongside our new high-tech helpers.
Co-Intelligence in Hastings: What Ethan Mollick Can Teach Us About AI (And Why It’s Not Just Sci-Fi Stuff)
Discover how Ethan Mollick’s groundbreaking insights on AI and entrepreneurship can help local businesses in Hastings, Minnesota thrive. Learn practical AI strategies that level the playing field for small businesses, streamline operations, and drive innovation.
Hastings, Meet Ruth Kastner: The Woman Who Might Just Prove the Future is Talking to Us
Is the future already influencing your decisions? Quantum physicist Ruth Kastner’s Transactional Interpretation (TI) suggests that reality is a two-way street, where the past and future communicate through quantum transactions. Discover how her groundbreaking theory could transform Hastings, Minnesota, from local business strategies to everyday life. Could HastingsNow.com’s LOCAL 10 be a quantum matchmaking service for success? Read on and find out.
Hastings City Council: From Public Art to Public Safety, a Busy Start to February!
The Hastings City Council had a busy start to February, tackling a range of important topics from public art to public safety at their meeting on Monday, February 3rd. The meeting included updates on the Arts & Culture Commission's 2025 work plan, a discussion on the Gores Pool #3 Wildlife Management Area, and progress on funding for the city's water treatment plants.
Man for Sale (or Free): The Hastings Breakup That Shook Facebook
When a frustrated Hastings local posted about her unwilling-to-leave ex, Facebook went full Thunderdome. From legal advice to true crime references, the comments section turned into a must-read saga. Is this the craziest breakup post in Hastings history? You decide.