South Central College (SCC) will host Information Sessions next week on the Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program, which provides an opportunity to earn college credit while still in high school. The sessions will give high school sophomores, juniors, seniors and their parents/guardians an opportunity to meet with the SCC admissions team and learn about taking college-level classes in high school. PSEO Information Sessions will be held from 7 – 8 p.m. on the following days and locations: Tuesday, October 4:  SCC Faribault Campus, 1225 Third Street SW Wednesday, October 5:  Virtual (Zoom) Thursday, October 6:  SCC North Mankato Campus, 1920 Lee [...]

(Blue Earth Co., MN)  --  People living in Blue Earth County should start getting their absentee ballots soon.  The county says ballots are in the mail and should start arriving by Tuesday.  You can still request an absentee ballot online but you must be registered to vote.  Election Day is November 8th.

(St. Paul, MN)  --  A state health alert is being issued after over a dozen measles cases have popped up in Minnesota.  The state Department of Health issued the alert yesterday concerning an outbreak among unvaccinated children ages two to early teens.  A dozen of the cases involved recent travel to countries where measles is prevalent, and seven required hospitalization.  Health officials say fewer kids have gotten the MMR vaccination during the pandemic, setting up conditions for an outbreak.

(St. Paul, MN)  --  Minnesota is set to receive federal funds to help improve the health and safety of school environments.  The state will get ten-and-a-half million dollars to go toward improvements in high-need school districts.  The funds are part of a one-billion dollar package agreed on by Congress following the school shooting in Uvalde [[yoo-VAHL-day]], Texas in May.  U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona announced the funding yesterday and cited measures taken by St. Paul Public Schools as examples of how to create safe and supportive schools.

Republican candidate Scott Jensen says, if elected governor, he'll appoint an independent inspector-general as a watchdog for fraud and abuse in all areas of state government.  Jensen says there's no question that the "Feeding Our Future" scandal would not have happened, if Minnesota had an inspector general: "I think this person would have been going to (Attorney General) Keith Ellison and (Governor) Tim Walz saying, we've got a major problem and we need to sue Feeding Our Future.  We need to play offense, not just be on our heels playing defense." Attorney General Ellison and Governor Walz say the state identified [...]

Volunteers from Minnesota and around the country continue to mobilize to help to people in areas impacted by Hurricane Ian. The American Red Cross's Sue Thesenga  says for Minnesotans who want to chip in... "You can help by visiting redcross.org calling one 800 Red Cross or texting the word Ian to 90999 to make a $10 donation." Thesenga says more than 60 volunteers and four vehicles from the Minnesota and Dakotas are being deployed to help provide aid.

(St. Paul, MN)  --  Governor Tim Walz is urging Minnesotans to get their flu shots as the cold and flu season approaches.  He received his vaccination yesterday during a public event at the State Capitol in St. Paul.  Walz received his second COVID-19 booster earlier this month.  Minnesota health officials believe that steps such as mask-wearing and social distancing helped reduce influenza during the last two winters, but people are not using them as frequently right now.

Community members and businesses are invited to Greater Mankato Area United Way’s 2023 Campaign Kickoff in Madison Lake from 12 to 1 p.m. Wednesday, October 5 at Madison Lake City Hall. Sponsored by Latitude 44 Plumbing & Heating, the event includes complimentary lunch provided by The Anchor Bar & Grill, The Landing on Madison, and The Lucky Lure.   United Way CEO Barb Kaus will share a brief update on United Way’s work.   About the 2023 Campaign: Greater Mankato Area United Way’s 2023 campaign goal is $2,150,000 to support 55 essential programs serving people in Blue Earth, Le Sueur, Nicollet and Waseca [...]

Mankato-Traffic disruptions are expected to be minimal for the Mankato Marathon on Friday, October 14 and Saturday, October 15. During this event some Mankato streets will be closed, and traffic will be redirected for the safety of runners and drivers. It is recommended to plan ahead if driving in these areas is necessary. View marathon maps and schedule. Friday, October 14  Road Closures 2 p.m. to midnight Poplar Street (from A Street to Sibley Parkway) will be closed from 2 p.m., Friday, October 14 to Saturday, October 15. 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sibley Parkway (Rogers Street to Mound Avenue, through the park) Expected Traffic Delays  [...]

Motorists traveling on the Highway 99 Minnesota River bridge at St. Peter should be alert for lane restrictions Oct. 4-5 as crews make repairs to the bridge, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Traffic will be reduced to one lane across the bridge with a flagging operation in place. Crews are expected to complete the repairs by Oct. 5, weather permitting. Repairs to the historic bridge are necessary after it was struck by a vehicle earlier this summer causing damage to overhead steel beams.