KMSU Community Stories

Sept. 24, 2025 - Mankato Area Public Schools Superintendent Paul Peterson and Washington Elementary School Principal, Ann Haggerty visit with KMSU's Karen Wright about school safety and security, especially in the wake of recent school shootings, as well as discussing the recent honor bestowed upon Washington Elementary. 

Sept. 17, 2025 - Photographer extraordinaire, Josh Madson, talks about his involvement in the upcoming St. Peter Arts Stroll. He also describes how he wanted to become a rockstar, but instead, became a photographer of tens or thousands of people through his Community Collage project.

Sept. 12, 2025 - Brian Schwingle, Forestry Expert with the MN DNR discusses how and where to see the best color in Minnesota. He also talks about the science behind the color change and how weather impacts its brilliance and longevity.

Sept. 11, 2025 - The Mahkato Wacipi Powow will take place Sept. 19-21 at Land of Memories Park, Mankato. Powwow Chairman, Dan Zielske, and Volunteer Coordinator, Alice DeYoung, talk about the history of the event and the need for volunteers.

Sept. 10, 2025 - Mankato Zero Waste is hosting its second "Mankato Zero Waste in the Park" on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025 from noon to 3 p.m. at Sibley Park, Mankato. Jane Dow and Sue Hytjan discuss what you can learn at the event and activities you can participate in such as the clothing swap, have your clothes repaired by volunteer seamstresses, bring food for the food shelf, and activities for the k...

Aug. 20, 2025 - Mankato is hosting its 4th annual Fentanyl Poisoning and Overdose Awareness day, Sun. Aug. 24 at Erlandson Park, noon - 3:00 p.m. KMSU's Karen Wright talked with Kim Gustavson Lang and Nancy Sack, mother and grandmother of Travis Gustavson who died at age 21 from accidental Fentanyl overdose. Chad Rush, with the Minnesota River Valley Drug Task Force also discussed the prevalence o...

July 23, 2025 - Minnesota Star Tribune CEO and Publisher Steve Grove talked with KMSU's Karen Wright about the changing news media and how the publication is adapting to changes in technology and funding.  Groves also discussed his recently published memoir, "How I Found Myself in the Midwest: a Memoir of Reinvention.

June 25, 2025 -The 33rd Kiwanis Thunder of Drums event is happening in Mankato on July 8, 2025. Doug Faust describes the event and explains what drum corps are all about.

June 18, 2025 - What is Juneteenth? How and why do we celebrate It? And what's happening locally on June 19th? Greater Mankato Diversity Council director, Mohammed Alsadig explains.

June 4, 2025 - Mankato Area Public Schools offers education to adults. Adult Basic Education Coordinator, Karen Wolters, talks about the various programs which are offered throughout the summer beyond GED.

May 28, 2025 - Mankato Area Public School Superintendent, Paul Peterson, discusses what makes students successful in the MAPS district, the new "focus" schools which will be available this fall, graduation, and the legislative session.

May 21, 2025 - What does it take to create an "Age-Friendly" community? VINE CEO, Melinda Wedzina describes an age-friendly initiative coming to the Mankato/North Mankato area with input from residents.

May 21, 2025 - The Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota is opening a new exhibit next week. Jaci Sprague talks about the Power Zone which will provide kids with an interactive experience thanks to a donation from Nidec Corp.

May 7, 2025 - Singing Hills Chorus is a Mankato & North Mankato ACT on Alzheimer's program. Program Director, Sandi Lubrant and volunteer Alysha Kruger, describe this joyful chorus, designed for people living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias to enjoy with a family member or friend. The group's upcoming "Grooveberry Jams" concert is May 10, 1 pm at Hosanna Lutheran Church.

May 7 2025 - National Ag Education Day will be celebrated May 17, 9 am to 4 pm at the South Central Children's Museum in Mankato. VP for development, Jaci Sprague, describes the free event for families to experience hands-on learning.

April 23, 2025  - Mankato Schools Superintendent Paul Peterson talks about changes in the District 77 calendar and how it will impact families; the progress of referendum projects; the challenges of budgeting in inflationary times; and Dist. #77 participation in an upcoming "School Choice" event.  

April 23, 2025 - Alison Trodahl, Community Engagement Coordinator with Mankato Area Public Schools talks about volunteer opportunities in Dist #77. Currently, the school has about 300 volunteers and are seeking more.

April 16, 2025 - Project Community Connect is a one-stop shop of resources available to those in need, and it's happening Tues. April 22,  2025 at the Downtown Civic Center, Mankato. Organizers Kate Hengy-Gretz and Laura Murray say over 90 service organizations will be at this free community event to help reduce barriers and connect people to essential resources and services for a healthier, safer...

April 16, 2025 - The NintenTones area a video game Jazz Orchestra created by local artist Ryan Rader. Learn about how this unique group comes up with an extraordinary sound for all ages and will be performing a free concert at the St. Peter Community Center, Room 219 on April 26 at 10 a.m. The performance will also feature live drawing tutorials of video game characters from Mankato-area artists A...

March 10, 2025 - Registered Dietitian April Graff is well-known around southern Minnesota as one of the helpful smiles at HyVee in Mankato who helps people eat healthier. She has added author to her list of accomplishments with "Uncomplicate Your Plate: A Busy Family's Guide to Meal Planning." She shares some tips with Karen Wright on KMSU's Minnesota Morning show.

Enjoy the Mankato Symphony Performance from 03-15-25 broadcast on KMSU on 03-30-24.  Please note we were only able to broadcast the Mozart Requiem portion of the performance due to technical difficulties.

March 28, 2025 - The Minnesota State Mankato Performance Series is hosting a concert by singer/songwriter Madeleine Roger on Tues. April 1, 2025. Roger is based in Winnipeg, Canada and will share her artistry as a songwriter and singer, as well as speak with students in the Music Industry class at MSU.

March 26, 2025 - Mankato Area Public School Superintendent Paul Peterson talks about how the dismantling of the Dept. of Education could impact the school district. He also discusses Artificial Intelligence and how the district is educating and implementing it in schools. Plus Peterson describes on-going mental health needs of students. 

March 25, 2025 - As a 22-year-old intern, Andrew Herr asked Glen Taylor for a million dollars. And he got it! Herr talks about how Taylor let him make mistakes as an intern which resulted in him becoming the CEO of Rembrandt Foods,  a leading egg company. Herr was the guest speaker at Minnesota State Mankato's "Richard Schmitz Food Entrepreneurship Series" for The Center for Innovation and Entrepr...

March 19, 2025- Katti Leuken, Early Childhood Family Education Program Supervisor in the Mankato Area Public School System describes the  many classes and services offered to parents of children ages 0 -5 years old.