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. 62,993 Total positive cases (cumulative) 697 Newly reported cases 7 Newly reported deaths Newly reported cases detail County Number of newly reported cases Aitkin 1 Anoka 47 Becker 1 Beltrami 16 Benton 2 Big Stone 3 Blue Earth 4 Brown 3 Carlton 2 Carver 9 Cass 4 Chippewa 10 Chisago 2 Clay 3 Cottonwood 1 Crow Wing 6 Dakota 54 Douglas 1 Faribault 3 Fillmore 1 Freeborn 1 Goodhue [...]

South Central College Receives $1.3 Million+ Grant to Support Student Success  The grant will allow SCC to offer individualized services that assist 140 underrepresented students each year. These underrepresented students include first-generation college students, those who meet certain income requirements, and students with a disability.  

Legislators met in special session to continue Gov. Walz’s ability to make timely COVID-19 decisions, approve funding for adult-disability services and pass a few housekeeping items. Here's Rep. Jeff Brand of St. Peter  

Nineteen candidates have filed to fill four spots for Mankato Area Public School Board. Christopher Kind, Joseph Janzen, Rajini Mysari, Christie Skilbred, Elizabeth Ratcliff, Erin Kenward, Michael Haskins, Erin Roberts, Kenneth Reid, Janet Meegan, Habiba Rashid, Jamie Aanenson, Jennifer Jacobs, Megan Dell, Jeremiah Myer, Shannon Sinning, Megan Schnitker, Chris Shearman and incumbent Abdi Sabrie.

Mankato Public Schools Superintendent Paul Peterson says a final decision for back-to-school learning this fall will be decided by August 21. "Things are getting more pointed now. If we are distance learning we know where kids will be, they'll be at home. And hybrid, that gets really challenging." He says there's an emphasis on the younger kids. He adds that the state has strict guidelines. But Peterson cautions how quickly things can change. One option is hybrid learning, which would also combat another challenge. Peterson says each scenario may be different for different ages. Peterson credits his entire staff for the [...]

USA TODAY is reporting President Trump is planning a visit to Mankato on Monday.  No other details have been released.

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. 62,303 Total positive cases (cumulative) 470 Newly reported cases 12 Newly reported deaths Newly reported cases detail Newly reported deaths detail County of residence Age group Number of newly reported deaths Douglas 50-59 years 1 Hennepin 60-69 years 1 Kanabec 90-99 years 1 Ramsey 80-89 years 1 Scott 80-89 years 1 Scott 90-99 years 1 Sherburne 80-89 years 2 St. Louis 70-79 years 1 Washington 70-79 years 1 Washington [...]

To provide the safest community garden experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, the New Ulm Community Garden was awarded a grant to install hand washing stations and signage. The grant was awarded by the Brown, Nicollet, Le Sueur, and Waseca Counties Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (BNLW SHIP).

Attend a live virtual open house at 5 p.m., Tuesday, August 18 to provide input and ask questions about developing a Regional Transportation Coordination Council (RTCC), which would help connect people to transportation services that offer improved access and efficiency throughout the system. A focus is on developing a system to best serve older adults, people with disabilities, people with low incomes, military veterans, and others who have critical transportation needs. Feedback is important to the planning process and can help improve the transportation system by filling transportation gaps, expanding access and making it more efficient.