The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is looking for proposals for two new Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) grants that aim to increase local purchasing in Farm to School programs. School districts across Minnesota could receive a total of $374,000 for purchasing Minnesota-grown and -raised foods used in school meal programs, through the MDA’s next round of AGRI Farm to School grants. School districts may apply for one of two grants: Farm to School Full Tray Grant: Grants are intended for school districts that have some Farm to School procurement experience. Farm to School First Bite Mini-Grant: Grants are intended [...]

Republican U.S. Senate Candidate Jason Lewis says he's excited about things in agriculture. He credits the President for being tough on China. He says after seeing some push back, he says it is paying off in the long run.

Republican U.S. Senate Candidate Jason Lewis says he is adamantly against packing the Supreme Court. "We will turn from a constitutional republic to a Banana Republic." He says he also fears post-birth abortion becoming the law of the land if Democrats pack the court.

Daily Update: Because all data is preliminary, the change in number of cumulative positive cases and deaths from one day to the next may not equal the newly reported cases or deaths. Total positive cases (cumulative) 128,152 Total confirmed cases (PCR positive) (cumulative) 127,828 Total probable cases (Antigen positive) (cumulative) 324 Newly reported cases 1,574 Newly reported confirmed cases 1,574 Newly reported probable cases 0 Newly reported cases detail County Newly reported confirmed cases Newly reported probable cases Aitkin 2 0 Anoka 105 0 Becker 14 0 Beltrami 26 0 Benton 21 0 Big Stone 2 0 Blue Earth 21 0 [...]

The American Red Cross is urging healthy donors of all blood types to give blood to ensure a strong blood supply for patients as the U.S. braces for flu season while in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Flu shot doesn’t affect blood donation eligibility Medical experts are urging people to get the flu shot to avoid a flu epidemic on top of the current COVID-19 pandemic. Because blood can only be given by those who are feeling well, a severe flu season could create additional challenges to maintaining a sufficient blood supply for hospital patients in need. Get the flu vaccine this [...]

The Mankato Symphony will launch its Music on the Hill series on Sunday, November 1st, 2:15pm as a virtual event. Watch the virtual Music on the Hill concert free of charge on the symphony’s website MankatoSymphony.org, on its YouTube channel, or on Mankato Symphony’s Facebook page.  The concert, titled Big Sky, features the unbridled joy of classical works by Franz Schubert and Felix Mendelssohn, along with contemporary chamber works by French composer Nadia Boulanger and American composer Joan Tower. The title for the program, Big Sky, is also the title of the piece by Joan Tower. According to Joan Tower, Big [...]

Greater Mankato Area United Way is now accepting applications for its Board of Directors for the next term beginning February 2021.  The application can be found on the United Way website: www.MankatoUnitedWay.org/board.     Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 25 to Laura Murray, Communications & Marketing Director, at [email protected]

Blue Earth County currently has three people hospitalized with COVID 19. According to its website, there have been a total of 1,970 cases of covid in the county.   A total of seven people have died.

Minnesota State University, Mankato will host an online Zoom webinar Tuesday, Oct. 27 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. that will explore what may happen on election day. The educational webinar, titled “Election Day 2020: What Can You Expect?” is free and open to the public. To attend the event, go to https://minnstate.zoom.us/j/91873622191.   Kevin Parsneau, professor of political science, and Fred Slocum, professor and director of the political science program in Minnesota State Mankato’s Department of Government, will speak at the event. The webinar will explore four main topics. It will describe the difference between the electoral college and the popular vote; explain [...]

Over the next week, volunteers are helping ensure Greater Mankato Area United Way can deliver books to children through its Books for Kids program. The Books for Kids program normally ships free Capstone books to children in the four-county region every other month. The program’s recent mailings have been delayed due to COVID. Volunteers will be at the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center Grand Hall this Thursday and Wednesday/Thursday next week to prepare mailings with children’s remaining 2020 books.