Local news translated - Sept. 15, 2025

Graphic by USAG Stuttgart Public Affairs

Host Nation Update, Sept. 15, 2025

Throwing plastic away in the organic trash can could soon get expensive

SWR 09.15.2025

Starting immediately, several municipalities in Baden-Württemberg are stepping up enforcement: anyone disposing of plastic in the organic waste bin risks having their bin left unemptied—and facing additional costs. Residents in the Alb-Donau district, Böblingen, Ulm, and 37 other municipalities across Germany should expect stricter inspections of their organic waste bins over the next four weeks. If a bin contains excessive plastic or other contaminants, it will not be emptied, according to the organization wirfuerbio.

Members of wirfuerbio are municipal waste management companies, and they are now participating in a four-week campaign. Their waste collectors are instructed to inspect bins carefully and, if necessary, issue a “red card.” This is either attached as a tag or affixed as a sticker to the bin.

If residents do not remove the contaminants, the contents of the bin will later be treated as residual waste. According to the organization, this could cost up to €40.

In some areas, such inspections are already taking place—such as in Reutlingen, where cutting-edge technology is used. Detection systems on Reutlingen’s waste collection vehicles are equipped with AI-powered cameras that can identify foreign materials either before or during the emptying process. These include plastic and wood. Properly filled bins receive a green tag confirming correct sorting; incorrectly filled bins receive a yellow tag.

Organic waste is used in biogas plants to generate energy and is also processed into compost for agricultural and gardening use. The presence of plastic in organic waste is problematic, as it can lead to microplastics entering the environment.

Since May, strict government regulations have been in place. According to these rules, the proportion of plastic in organic waste must not exceed one percent of the total weight. Overall, foreign materials must not exceed three percent of the total weight. This includes diapers, cat litter, painted wood, and leather—all of which are prohibited.

Compliance with these regulations is typically checked only when waste trucks unload at disposal facilities. If the waste contains too much plastic, glass, or canned goods, the collection service must take the organic waste back. Consumers are therefore urged to be more mindful and only place appropriate items—such as garden clippings and plant-based kitchen waste—into the brown bin.

German Soccer: DBB Team Wins Dramatic Final Thriller Against Turkey As of: September 15, 2025, 09:02 AM

SWR Julie Bärthel 09.15.2025

Gold for Germany! Led by an outstanding Franz Wagner (18 points) and tournament MVP Dennis Schröder, the German national basketball team (DBB) triumphed in a thrilling final against Turkey and has become European Champion once again—its first title since 1993.

Germany Now Both World and European Champion The golden era of German basketball continues: following their World Cup victory in 2023, the DBB team has now also won the European Championship in Riga, Latvia. For the first time ever, Germany holds both titles simultaneously. Turkey, after a narrow defeat, continues to wait for its first European Championship title. The top scorer of the match was Alperen Sengün with 28 points; on the German side, Isaac Bonga added 20 points alongside Wagner.

Franz Wagner: “A Special Team” “I already knew beforehand that we had a special team. Amazing game and amazing how we won,” Wagner said enthusiastically, wearing the customary net around his neck and the jersey of his injured brother Moritz. “It’s meant to show that he’s always with us. Moritz is one of us.” “It just meant to be,” said the beaming 25-year-old in an interview with Sportschau. His teammates also had high praise for Bonga’s performance. “He was so cool. He made such big plays, so relaxed, so effortless. Just pure ‘Bonga swag,’” said teammate Andi Obst admiringly.

Dennis Schröder Named Tournament MVP Isaac Bonga, currently signed with KK Partizan Belgrade, was honored as the Final's Most Valuable Player after an outstanding performance. Two German players—Dennis Schröder and Franz Wagner—were selected for the Tournament Starting Five, alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece), Alperen Sengün (Turkey), and Luka Dončić (Slovenia). Schröder’s recognition as Tournament MVP capped off a remarkable run for the German team.

After the award ceremony, team captain Schröder celebrated exuberantly with his family amid a shower of golden confetti. Injured co-captain Johannes Voigtmann praised Schröder’s leadership: “We all have complete trust in Dennis to make the right plays when it counts.” Assistant coach Alan Ibrahimagic echoed that confidence: “We knew after the first half that he wouldn’t let it stand and would show how good he really is.”

Turkey Starts Strong Germany’s starting lineup featured Wagner, Schröder, Theis, Bonga, and Obst. The arena in Riga was dominated by Turkish fans, which seemed to energize the 27th-ranked Turkish team. Cedi Osman opened the scoring with a three-pointer, and Turkey’s defense initially caused major problems for Germany. Coach Ibrahimagic called a timeout just three minutes in, with Germany trailing 2–13.

Bonga Sparks German Comeback The timeout proved effective. Bonga caught fire and led a 12–1 run for Germany. Tristan da Silva hit a three-pointer to give Germany its first lead at 19–16. On defense, Wagner made smart fouls to disrupt Turkey’s rhythm. However, early foul trouble affected both Bonga and Theis, as well as Turkish star Sengün.

Germany Recovers After Tough Start Despite early struggles, Germany led 24–22 after the first quarter, thanks in part to dominance on the boards. Da Silva grabbed a rebound from Justus Hollatz and extended the lead to 28–22. Turkey responded with a strong phase, aided by Germany’s fourth technical foul. Wagner stopped the momentum with two quick baskets, bringing his total to 14 points.

In the 16th minute, Schröder appeared to score his first points, but referees reviewed the play and ruled it invalid due to a questionable defensive move by Turkey’s Adem Bona. Turkey regained the lead at 44–38. Schröder’s lack of offensive impact was largely due to tight defense from Sehmus Hazer.

Wagner Shines, Schröder Injured Wagner delivered a standout first half, including a spectacular block against Shane Larkin. Germany trailed by six at halftime. Fans were concerned about Schröder’s elbow after a fall, but he returned strong in the second half, hitting a three-pointer to reassert himself.

Osman and Sengün Challenge Germany In the third quarter, neither team could pull away. Turkey’s Osman and Sengün took charge, scoring over half of their team’s points. Wagner received strong support from Bonga, who contributed on both ends. Two three-pointers and a key play by Johannes Thiemann gave Germany a 65–53 lead, despite Turkey dominating the quarter.

Turkey opened the final quarter strongly. Osman, tightly guarded by Wagner, hit another three-pointer to take a 72–66 lead. The matchup between the two unbeaten teams was worthy of a final. Sengün’s performance was historic: 28 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks. Bonga kept Germany in the game with a clutch three-pointer (69–72).

Schröder Delivers in the Final Minutes In the closing moments, Germany relied on Bonga’s consistency. With two minutes left, Theis—quiet until then—scored to give Germany an 82–81 lead. Schröder followed with a strong two-pointer to make it 86–83. Sengün missed a crucial three-pointer in the final seconds, and Schröder sealed the win with two free throws.

German Teacher Warns: English Words Have “Dramatically Increased” in German

SWR Aktuell Michelle Kochno

English words have long shaped our everyday lives—especially among younger generations. Grammatically, they don’t always fit. So what does this mean for the future of the German language? Words like shopping, mailing, and chilling have quietly crept into daily German usage. Young people in particular are increasingly using Anglicisms, and grammar and sentence structure are adapting accordingly. While some warn of linguistic decay, linguists like Daniel Rellstab take a more relaxed view: language has always been in flux.

German Teacher: “Anglicisms Play a Major Role” Christopher Häufele, a German teacher at the Werkgymnasium in Heidenheim, has been observing the evolution of the German language for some time—especially among his students. In his view, Anglicisms have dramatically increased in German, particularly among the younger generation. What stands out most, he says, is not just the adoption of individual words, but also the influence on grammar. This leads to sentences like “Ich bin fine damit” (“I’m fine with that”), which make little sense in proper German.

“The youth slang of recent years has almost always been English,” Häufele notes. Terms like goofy, slay, or lost are now firmly embedded in young people’s everyday speech.

He attributes this trend to the growing use of social media. Many young people also spend significant time playing video games or watching series and films in their original language—usually English. English-language books are also gaining popularity, with major bookstores now offering a wide selection. Social media “bookfluencers” further reinforce the trend.

Linguist: Language Is in Constant Transformation Does this mean the German language is slowly disappearing? Not according to Daniel Rellstab, a linguist and professor at the University of Education in Schwäbisch Gmünd.

“Hardly anyone is truly monolingual. Multilingualism is part of our lives—and it always has been.” —Prof. Dr. Daniel Rellstab

For Rellstab, it’s clear: language is constantly evolving. It’s not a fixed system. In the past, people feared the influence of French or Latin. Today, it’s English. But the actual impact of English on German is smaller than many assume. “Only about three percent of the words in the Duden—around 3,000—are of English origin,” he explains. In contrast, more than 4,000 words come from Latin. “Such developments have always existed and will continue to do so.”

Häufele: “I Wouldn’t Say the German Language Is Lost” Even Christopher Häufele takes a nuanced view: “If you look at literature and what’s in textbooks, I wouldn’t say the German language is lost. But in everyday speech, it does seem to be somewhat diminished.”

This shift may seem concerning to some. Yet ultimately, it’s important to recognize that language is not a rigid construct—it adapts to societal changes. As linguist Daniel Rellstab emphasizes, it’s precisely this ability to evolve that gives language its strength.

Local news translated – Sept. 15, 2025

Local Baden-Württemberg news translated and summarized as a courtesy by USAG Stuttgart Public Affairs staff. Read More

Traffic alert for Sunday Sept. 14

The Brezel Bike Race & Women’s Cycling Grand Prix will cause some road closures and traffic disruptions around Stuttgart Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 13 – 14.Read More

Graphic by USAG Stuttgart Passport Office

USAG Stuttgart Passport Office hosting Passport Outreach Day on Oct. 30

The USAG Stuttgart Passport Office and the U.S. Consulate in Frankfurt will host a Passport Outreach Day on Thursday, Oct. 30 from 9:30 a.m. to noon.Read More

Traffic Alert Viereichenhautunnel on B14 Closed Due to Construction

Viereichenhautunnel on B14 Closed Due to ConstructionRead More

Nationwide Emergency Alert Test – Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025

Germany will carry out a nationwide test of its emergency alert systems during Warntag (Alarm Day) on Thursday, Sept. 11, at 11 a.m. Organized by the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK), this test ensures warning systems function properly in real emergencies.Read More

Local news translated – Sept. 9, 2025

Local Baden-Württemberg news translated and summarized as a courtesy by USAG Stuttgart Public Affairs staff. Read More

Half road closure on Leutenbacher Strasse; Grenadier duty bus stop closed

Through Sept. 19, please allow a little extra time to drive through construction traffic on Leutenbacher Strasse near the elementary school construction site on Robinson BarracksRead More

Community Town Hall to be held at Patch Chapel on Sept. 16

The garrison command team and representatives from all directorates will be at the Patch Chapel on Sept. 16 at 6 p.m. for an open community discussion. Please submit your questions by Sept. 8 using the link in the article.Read More

The Jungjäger celebrate their success with family and friends at the Panzer Range Complex on June 1, 2025. Courtesy photo by Kreisjägervereinigung Böblingen

At USAG Stuttgart, German-American hunting partnership leads to lasting friendships and new opportunities

A hunting club ceremony in Böblingen marks a clear example of cross-cultural German-American friendship. Read more from our USAG Stuttgart Public Affairs intern.Read More

The new My Army Post App (MAPA) is now available for download in the Apple App or Google Play stores. Photo by Bardia Khajenoori, USAG Stuttgart Public Affairs.

USAG Stuttgart builds a resilient, ready community with the help of My Army Post App

At U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart, building a resilient and ready community is a fundamental part of the garrison’s mission to provide facility support services and quality-of-life programs to a community of more than 24,000 service members, civilians, retirees and their family members. Being geographically spread out across five installations can sometimes make finding resources and guidance challenging, but USAG Stuttgart is committed to making support easily accessible for everyone with the My Army Post App.Read More

Many garrison services closed for Labor Day holiday on Monday

This coming Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, is Labor Day. Many services around the garrison will be closed for the holiday. Read More

Patch Elementary School kindergarteners celebrate Einschulung tradition with community leaders

Last week at Patch Elementary School, some of our newest students celebrated a long-held German tradition known as Einschulung. This milestone marks the beginning of a child’s formal education, where each student is presented with a Schultüte, a school cone filled with treats and supplies.Read More

Gas Prices

10 Sept 2025

Germany
Fuel Type	Per Gallon	Per Liter	+/-
Super E10	$3.607	$.0953	+
Super	$4.174	$1.103	+
Super Plus	$4.530	$1.197	+
Diesel	$4.164	$1.1000	-

Currency Exchange Rates

10 Sept 2025

One Dollar buys:

Euro: € 0.8294

Pound: £ 0.7194

Other currency rates, not available at the Community Bank:

Czech Krone:	Kč 20.74
Egyptian Pound:	E£ 48.70
Hungarian Forint:	Hf 335.14
Israeli Shekel:	₪ 3.34
Polish Zloty:	zł 3.63
Turkish Lira:	₵ 41.2753

Rates provided courtesy Community Bank

Local news translated - Sept. 15, 2025

Host Nation Update, Sept. 15, 2025

Local news translated – Sept. 15, 2025

Traffic alert for Sunday Sept. 14

USAG Stuttgart Passport Office hosting Passport Outreach Day on Oct. 30

Traffic Alert Viereichenhautunnel on B14 Closed Due to Construction

Nationwide Emergency Alert Test – Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025

Local news translated – Sept. 9, 2025

Half road closure on Leutenbacher Strasse; Grenadier duty bus stop closed

Community Town Hall to be held at Patch Chapel on Sept. 16

At USAG Stuttgart, German-American hunting partnership leads to lasting friendships and new opportunities

USAG Stuttgart builds a resilient, ready community with the help of My Army Post App

Many garrison services closed for Labor Day holiday on Monday

Patch Elementary School kindergarteners celebrate Einschulung tradition with community leaders

No impact on mailing items from your APO to the US

Local news translated – Aug. 22, 2025

USAG Stuttgart recognizes Antiterrorism Awareness Month with reminder to stay vigilant

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Local news translated - Sept. 15, 2025

Host Nation Update, Sept. 15, 2025