KMSU Community Stories

July 25, 2024 - During the week of July 22-28, visit one of the participating restaurants to enjoy delicious food and celebrate the partnerships between Region Nine’s farmers and restaurants.  Sabri Fair, Reg. 9 Dev. Commission Environmental and Sustainability Planner talks about this event dedicated to highlighting the variety of products available from local farmers.

July 26, 2024 - Becky Buller talks about her new album, Jubilee, which chronicles her journey through depression in the form of a song cycle including instrumental interludes. This project was initially commissioned by the FreshGrass Foundation and was recorded almost entirely live with Buller’s band. She is performing at the Faribault County Fair (Blue Earth, MN) on Sat. July 27, 2024.

July 24, 2024 The Aktion Theater (directed by Wilbur Neushwander-Frink, (Exec. Director of Open Arts MN) is presenting, "The Welcoming Table: Relevance & Stories that Matter" on Fri. July 26, 7 p.m. and Sat. July 27 at 2 p.m. at the Centenary United Methodist Church, 501 S. 2nd St. Mankato.  KMSU's Karen Wright spoke with Frink and actors Kyle and Leona about the inclusive production.

July 17, 2024 The Lake Crystal Community Band is celebrating its 40th anniversary this weekend, Sun. July 21, 2024 at 2 p.m. at Sibley Park in Mankato. Band Director Sheldon Meyer talks about the group and its music.

June 26, 2024 The Mankato Kiwanis Club presents the 32nd Thunder of Drums on Tues. July 9, 2024, 6:45 p.m. at Blakeslee Stadium on the campus of Minnesota State University. Kiwanians Doug Faust and "Fuzzy" Fascnacht provide details.

The Mankato Area Community Band is holding An Evening of Patriotic Music called "Freedom's Beat" on Tues. July 2, 2024, 7:30 p.m. at Historic Lincoln Park. Band President, Bryce O. Stenzel, talks about the July 2nd date's significance.

June 13, 2024 The Living Earth Center is managing the Blue Earth County Community Farm and fulfilling a need to feed underserved residents. Laura Peterson and SkyAnne Walker talk about the work the organization is doing and how you can become involved.

June 12, 2024 Mankato is celebrating Juneteenth on June 19, 2024. Greater Mankato Diversity Council Director Mo Alsadig talks about the event with the theme "Black History = American History". For details, see www.mankatodiversity.org/

May 29, 2024 The NintenTones is the brainchild of drummer Ryan Rader who received a grant from the Minnesota State Arts board to create a jazz orchestra that plays video game songs. KMSU's Karen Wright talks with Rader about the idea and the upcoming tour of southern Minnesota. June 1-North Mankato, June 7-Sleepy Eye, June 15-St. Peter, June 18-St. James, June 22-New Ulm and August 16-St. Peter.

May 22, 2024 Mankato-area Historian Bryce Stenzel talks about this history of Decoration Day (aka Memorial Day) and local events for this important national holiday.

May 22, 2024 Mankato Area Public Schools Superintendent Paul Peterson talks about the end of the school year, the legislative session, and the upcoming School Board Elections in which there will be four openings.

May 22, 2024 Hosts are needed for a Fall semester Japanese Exchange program. Minnesota State University, Mankato is hosting a group of students from Chuo University-Tokyo from Aug. 24 - Sept. 14, 2024. MSU Center For English Language Programs, and Ben Robison, VP & Regional Director for USA Home Stays discuss the requirements and opportunity to become a host.

April 10, 2024 It's a one stop shop for resources in the Mankato Community according to Laura Murray, United Way and Kate Hengy-Gretz, Lutheran Social Services. Project Community Connections is a free event on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, 1 - 4 p.m., to connect those in need of services to resources. Free lunch, child care, hair cuts and more are also available at this event. https://www.mankatounited...

April 8, 2024 Some students at Minnesota State University are speaking up for peace and holding a demonstration on April 9, 2024, 3-5 p.m. at Erlandson Park in Mankato. KMSU's Karen Wright talked with Kessel Peace Institute Director Jameel Haque and student advisors, Cole Koets and Natalia Orocio about why they are peacefully protesting.

April 4, 2024 Dr. Neal Bernard is President of the Physicians Committee on Responsible Medicine, where he leads a research team investigating scientific issues in nutrition and health. KMSU's Karen Wright talked with him about his new book, The Power Foods Diet, The Breakthrough Plan that Traps, Tames and Burns Calories for Easy and Permanent Weight Loss.

March 27, 2024 Mankato Area Public Schools Superintendent, Paul Peterson, talked with Minnesota Morning host Karen Wright about what's happening in the schools -- legislative issues, test scores, referendum projects and more.

March 26, 2024 Minnesota State University College of Business hosts Jay Debertin, President and CEO of CHS, a global agriculture company, owned by farmers and ranchers across the U.S. He spoke as part of the annual Schmitz Lecture at Minnesota State Mankato.

March 24, 2024 3pm broadcast of Mankato Symphony Orchestra Prodigies performance recorded March 16, 2024 at St. Peter High School in St. Peter.  This recording was made possible with funding from the Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.  The broadcast also includes an interview with MSO Executive Director Bethel Balge and MSO Music Director and Conductor Ernesto Estigarribia, who set the s...

March 18, 2024 - The son of a small town farming community, Cody Diekhoff logged plenty of highway and stage time under the name Chicago Farmer before settling in the city in 2003. Profoundly inspired by fellow midwesterner John Prine, he’s a working-class folk musician to his core. KMSU's Karen Wright talks with Cody about his band and upcoming visit to Mankato.

March 20, 2024 Minnesota Morning Host, Karen Wright, talks with photographer Josh Madson about his "Community Collage" project. He has taken more than 2,000 photos of Mankato area community members and continues on the journey at Minnesota State Mankato on Fri. March 22 and Mon. March 25, 2024. https://blog.mnsu.edu/csu/get-your-free-photo/ 

Mar. 13, 2024 KMSU Minnesota Morning host Karen Wright talks with local musician and performer Hanna Cesario about her starring role in "A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline" at the Kato Ballroom on March 14, 15, and 16, 2024 at the Kato Ballroom.

Feb. 28, 2024 Wilbur Neuswander-Frink, Executive Director of Open Arts Minnesota talks about this year's theatrical production by the Aktion Club Theater. Watch for their upcoming shows!

March 6, 2024 Pasta with the Padres has become a tradition in Mankato to help raise funds for the ECHO food shelf. Scott Peterson and Adam DeLeon talk about the "secret sauce" that makes the event a success. The public is invited to attend the event on Sun. March 10, 2024, 4-7 p.m. at St. Joseph's the Worker church in Mankato. All are welcome.

Feb. 14, 2024 Be a part of the MSU Family Consumer Food Science's (FCS) "Clean Dishes Campaign" and get a free heart healthy cook book from author and dietitian, Linda Hachfeld, who is using her status as an alumnus of MSU to help raise funds for FCS to purchase an industrial dishwasher. Linda also discusses important info about heart health and why she became involved in this project.

Feb. 14, 2024  "War is Hell":Total War in '64 is the theme for the 11th Annual Civil War Symposium to be held Saturday, March 23, 2024 in Mankato,  and  features a full day of speakers, costumed interpreters, Civil War era music, exhibits, books and authors, panel discussions, and more. Historian Bryce Stenzel shares details and how to register at www.boyinblue.org