GHOST TOWNS BUS TOUR Sat., October 26 from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Leave from Patrick's on Third $10 non-members & $5 NCHS members Nicollet County is home to numerous former communities, many of which haven’t made the map for decades. Enjoy a guided tour of several Nicollet County ghost towns with local historian Bob Douglas. Bob will share his knowledge of lesser-known places in our midst, some which have completely vanished and left no trace of their history behind. The cost for this trip is $10.00 for the public and $5.00 for Nicollet County Historical Society members and is limited to 40 [...]

The Morson-Ario-Strand VFW Post 950 is hosting the Faces of Agent Orange from 1-5 p.m. at 1900 North Riverfront Drive in Mankato. The event takes place on Saturday, October 26.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The North Dakota Senate's top Republican says a fellow state senator is refusing to step down from a leadership position after posting on Facebook a long-debunked photo that claims to be Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar holding a weapon at an al-Qaida training camp. Majority Leader Rich Wardner and GOP Gov. Doug Burgum have called on state Sen. Oley Larsen to apologize and relinquish his position as president pro tempore. Wardner says he spoke with Larsen on Tuesday night. He says Larsen told him he would fight any attempt to be removed from the leadership position. Wardner says Larsen [...]

Stand Down for Veterans is taking place on Saturday, October 26 from 9:00-2:00 at the Mankato Civic Center. There will be free services and resources for veterans including meals, haircuts and employment opportunities. Veterans are invited to bring their families.

MANKATO (Oct. 17, 2019) — UCare held its 11th annual “A Salute to Excellence!” event on September 26 to recognize 22 clinics and care systems with top results in 2018 Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) measures. HEDIS includes preventive care, disease management, behavioral health, maternity care, care transitions and medication management. Mankato Clinic was honored for improving the health of UCare members enrolled in Medicare, Minnesota Senior Health Options and Special Needs Basic Care health plans.   A Salute to Excellence! at the University of Minnesota’s McNamara Alumni Center included a reception, dinner and awards program. In addition, leaders [...]

  Tricks and Treats on Commerce Drive Saturday, October 26th, 2pm – 4pm Commerce Drive, Upper North Mankato Trick or Treat at participating businesses on Commerce Dr. that have orange and black balloons! Try out Ignition Fitness’s Ninja Warrior course at 3pm and then stop for a bite to eat at a Commerce Drive restaurant! Contact: 507-625-4141   Dad’s Belgian Waffle Feed Sunday, October 27th, 8am – noon Fire Station #2, 1825 Howard Dr. W Come on out for the North Mankato Fire Department fundraiser! All you can eat waffles, scrambled eggs, and sausages! Carry outs available! Adults $9.00, Kids $7.00, [...]

HUTCHINSON, Minn. (AP) - A couple has been charged after authorities found what appears to be a functioning cannon during a drug bust on farmland west of Minneapolis. Fifty-nine-year-old Bret Wakefield and 56-year-old Ramona Wakefield were charged Tuesday with drug and firearms charges. They are accused of dealing methamphetamine out of their home north of Hutchinson. Authorities also recovered several shotguns, an AR-15 rifle, other guns, meth, marijuana and suspected LSD.

Minnesota State University, Mankato’s Environmental Committee has added two years of updates to a May 2017 study that showed the University reduced its carbon footprint over five years. The new report (dated Sept. 23, 2019) shows that the University’s efforts have resulted in a 15.6 percent decrease in carbon footprint over a seven-year period (from academic year 2011-12 through academic year 2017-18).

VINE Faith in Action in partnership with Hy-Vee dietitians, are offering free a1c blood sugar testing at the VINE Adult Community Center on Friday, November 1 from 1-5 pm.  Those interested can learn a lot about their health by getting their blood sugar tested and the dietitians present can offer insight into the significance of their results. The testing area is wheelchair accessible. The event is free and open to the public.  For more information or to register call (507) 386-5586.   Walk-ins are welcome, but priority is given to those who register.

The 2020 presidential election might be over a year away, but preparations for the event that is expected to draw a record-breaking number of voters have already begun. To help residents understand what goes on behind-the-scenes to get ready for the election, Blue Earth County will be hosting ‘Preparing for the Polls,’ a class taught by election leaders from the County. Classes will be held at the Mankato location of the Blue Earth County Library. Residents have three opportunities to attend: Monday, November 4, 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 12, 10:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.   Preparing for the Polls will improve [...]