KMSU Community Stories

March 13, 2025 - In June 2024, the Rapidan Dam suffered catastrophic failure when floodwaters tore around the west end of the dam, eating away the shoreline and sending a century's worth of sediment stored behind the structure down the river. Dr. Phil Larsen, co-director of Minnesota State Mankato's Earth Systems Laboratory and MSU alum Zach Hilgendorf received a National Science Foundation grant...

March 12, 2025 - A permit application to mine sand and gravel on land immediately adjacent to one of the Mankato area's newest and largest parks has been withdrawn following a flood of opposition. Community effort, led by Charles Eltonga, who started a petition which helped to save the park from mining was a success.

Feb. 26, 2025 KMSU's Karen Wright talked with Mankato Area Public School Superintendent Paul Peterson about recent policy changes for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and what that might mean for District #77.  Peterson also provided updates on what's going on in the district. 

Feb. 19, 2025 Mankato Area Public Schools provides community education for all ages and reaches out to communities beyond Mankato. Melanie Schmidt, Enrichment Coordinator, and Tia DuPont, Recreation Specialist talk about the many opportunities open to participants.

Jan. 22, 2025 Mankato Area Public Schools Superintendent, Paul Peterson, and MAPS Principal on Special Assignment, Tabitha Miller, discussed the new FOCUS schools which are being developed in the district and how they work to serve students. Peterson also discussed how the U.S. election of a new administration may impact education.

Jan. 8, 2025 The Crossroads Campus Ministry serves many with their food outreach program that includes "Campus Kitchen". Pastor Jenna Couch talks about the organization's fundraiser called, "A Day in the Life of Crossroads", with the aim to keep up with the growing food insecurity faced on the campus at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Dec. 18, 2024 Local musician, Hanna Cesario, talks about her upcoming "Tribute to Patsy Cline" show on Jan. 4 in New Ulm, and on Feb. 7 in Mankato. Cesario discusses the legendary singer as well has her own musical journey. 

December 4, 2024 Greater Mankato United Way Director, Barb Kaus, talks about the organization signature event, Fire & Ice, to raise funds for those in need.

Nov. 26, 2024 Mankato Area Public Schools Superintendent Paul Peterson provides an update on construction projects; discusses how the recent election may impact education and highlights happenings in the school district.

Nov. 26, 2024 KMSU's Dwayne Megaw talks with Tom Bierer, founder of the Minnesota Riverbend Brass Choir, and Cindy Braam-Gawdrych, Conductor, about their upcoming Holiday performances and about the origins of the group.

Oct. 23, 2024 Mankato Area Public Schools Superintendent Paul Peterson talks about the upcoming school board election and discusses the new magnet schools which are being developed in the district.

Oct. 22, 2024 Mankato Native and MNSU Alum, Maha Abouelenein, is now recognized as a global communications expert, entrepreneur, and author of "7 Rules of Self-Reliance" and is the MNSU College of Business keynote speaker on Tues. Oct. 22, 3:30-5 p.m. at the Ostrander Auditorium. She shares her secrets to success. (The event is free and open to the public.)

Oct. 16, 2024 United Way Executive Director Barb Kaus provides an update on the Mankato Area United Way's campaign and how you can become involved with the organization which benefits thousands in Southern Minnesota. 

Oct. 16, 2024 The Mankato YWCA is hosting its 2024 Women's Leadership Conference on Oct. 25, 2024. Learn more from YWCA Director Ceceli Polzin about the organization and how to be a part of the conference. 

Arts Center of Saint Peter director Ann Rosenquist Fee stopped by the Shuffle Function Morning Show on 10-16-2024 to talk about Pageant & Singalong Nation's upcoming production of Stevie: the music of Stevie Wonder and Stevie Nicks. She also discussed the upcoming Arts Center Clothing Swap at the Capitol Room this Sunday.

October 11, 2024 The Broken Ladder: How Inequality Affects the Way We Think, Live and Die by author Keith Payne is the "Common Read" book at Minnesota State Mankato. KMSU's Karen Wright talked with Payne and Dean of Library Services, Chris Corley, about the book and its relevance to today's world.

Oct. 9, 2024 Cold and flu season is here! Dr. Amy Jo Sorensen, North Mankato Family Medicine Clinic, discusses how to prepare yourself - from which vaccines to get, to what to keep in your medicine cabinet for managing the season, and when you should go in to see a physician. Mankato Clinic Communications manager, Marie Wood, provides options for where to get your vaccinations and information abou...

Oct. 2, 2024 Gustavus Adolphus College is hosting the 60th annual Nobel conference. This year's topic is Sleep, Unraveled, and Tane Danger talks about some fascinating findings from the scientists' research.

Sept. 25, 2024 School is back in session and Mankato Area Public Schools Superintendent Paul Peterson talks about the start of the school year, challenges and triumphs.

Sept. 25, 2024 Rachel Hanel talks about the upcoming Deep Valley Book Festival scheduled for Sat. Oct. 5, 2024.

Ben Cosgrove, Liz Draper and Charlie Leftridge stop by the Shuffle Function Morning Show to talk about Ben's performance at the Carnegie Art Center in Mankato on Saturday, September 21.

September 18, 2024 Mankato Area United Way Director Barb Kaus talks with KMSU's Karen Wright about the latest happenings with the UW Campaign and upcoming events.

Aug. 28, 2024 Meet Josh Madson. From Fargo, ND, he started out as a hopeful musician, decided to move to L.A. and took any available job before he became an assistant photographer for Annie Leibovitz. He's rubbed elbows with the likes of Bruce Willis, Halle Berry, Sandra Bullock, and more. He's now in Mankato where he's photographed 5,000+ people who you can meet at his upcoming Community Collage...

Aug. 27, 2024 Minnesota State Mankato President Edward Inch sat down with KMSU's Karen Wright to talk about the upcoming school year - budget cuts, student enrollment, new programs, the use of A.I. in the classroom and more.

August 21,, 2021 Fentanyl is a killer. Nobody knows that better than Kim Gustavson-Lang and Nancy Sack, Mother and Grandmother to Travis Gustavson, who passed away of an overdose at age 21. want to erase the stigma of talking about this killer. MN River Valley Drug Task Force Commander, Chad Rush, joined KMSU's Karen Wright to discuss what we all can do. A special event is taking place Sun. Aug. 2...