KMSU Community Stories

Oct. 4, 2023 Rene Maes, Director of Camp Sweet Life and a member of the Mankato area Lions Club, talks about an upcoming event to raise funds to fight Type 1 Diabetes and to support kids who have the disease. The Diabetes Rally is scheduled for Oct. 14, at the WOW! Zone in Mankato.

Sept. 28, 2023 Mankato's own Singing Cowgirl, Lisa Murphy, talks about her upcoming John Denver Tribute which will take place Saturday, Oct. 7, 7:00 p.m. at the St. Peter, Minn. American Legion Post 37.

Sept. 27, 2023 Mankato Area Public Schools Superintendent Paul Peterson, and MAPS School Board Vice Chair Kristi Shuck talk school issues including the controversy over school resources officers, the upcoming referendum and changes in the district through the years.

Sept. 27, 2023 One of the biggest biking events in southern Minnesota is taking place on Saturday, October 8, 2023 Greater Mankato Bike and Walk Advocates Chris Corley and Jodi Erickson talk about the upcoming event as well as other opportunities to stay active in our community. More than 1200 bike enthusiasts are expected to turn out to enjoy the fall colors.

Sept. 27, 2023  The Mankato Area United Way needs YOU to help make a stronger community.  Barb Kaus talks about the October Combined Charities outreach to Minnesota State University and others to raise much-needed funds. She also talks about collaborations the United Way has with MNSU which are enhancing the quality of life for many in southern Minnesota.

Sept. 28, 2023 MNSU Professor Rachel Hanel talks about the 8th annual Deep Valley Book Festival coming up on Oct. 7th 2023 which celebrates Minnesota Authors and Books. Hanel helps coordinate this event which is free and open to the public.

September 6, 2023 The Mahkato 51st Annual Traditional Powwow takes place Sept. 15-15, 2023. Powwow chairperson Dan Zelski, and Volunteer Service-learning coordinator, Alice DeYonge talk about the event and how the public can take part.

Photographer Josh Madson stopped by the Shuffle Function Morning Show to talk about The Mankato Community Collage Project. Josh took over 25,000 photographs to capture the faces of the community, and the end results will be on display at the Coffee Hag through September.

Aug. 25, 2023 President Edward Inch talks about Destination 2030, the strategic plan of Minnesota State University, Mankato and more.

Aug. 23, 2023 Mental health struggles by students have increased significantly since the pandemic. Mankato Area Public Schools Superintendent Paul Peterson and MAPS Director of Student Support Services, Scott Hare, talk about efforts the district is taking to address mental health concerns for the upcoming year.

Aug. 18, 2023 Travis Gustavson, age 21, of Mankato lost his life to fentanyl poisoning. His mother ,Kim Gustavson, and Grandmother, Nancy Sack, are speaking out to let others know a senseless loss like this can happen to anyone. The two talk about the 2nd National Fentanyl Poisoning and Substance Abuse Awareness and Education Event in Mankato, Aug. 20, noon - 3 p.m. at Ray Erlandson Park.

August 2, 2023 Vets for Music is a non-profit organization whose mission is to bring joy to the five veterans homes across Minnesota through music. Pat McGlauglin is one of the musicians who helps coordinate the shows, including an upcoming one at the VA in North Mankato on Aug. 12, 2023.

August, 3, 2023 Blue Earth County Sheriff Jeff Wersal talks about how the legalization of marijuana use will impact law enforcement and the public. Wersal fears the law was pushed through too quickly and lacks what it takes to make it enforceable. He also says it will create additional problems in society. (Wersal is the former head of the Minnesota River Valley Drug Task Force before he was elect...

July 26, 2023 Mankato Area Public Schools Superintendent Paul Peterson talks about what's happening in District #77 - enrollment, budgets, projects and more.

July 26, 2023 Greater Mankato Area United Way President Barb Kaus discusses the 2024 United Way’s annual campaign seeks to raise essential funding for programs in our four-county region.

Eli Hoehn stopped by the Shuffle Function Morning Show to talk about the 2nd annual Minnesota Original Music Festival.

Parker Skophammer from the City of Mankato stops by to invite everyone to grand re-opening celebration of Thomas Park.  It recently received a $6 million renovation.  He also talks about other projects the city is working on to help improve the regional hub nature of the area.

June 28, 2023 Mankato Area Public Schools Superintendent Paul Peterson talks about a potential $110 million referendum the district may be facing at election time this fall and what it means for southern Minnesota and for taxpayers.

June 28, 2023 The Blue Earth County History Center announces the opening of the "Music & Memories: A Look Back at the Mankato Music Scene" on July 1 - December 2023. BECHS Collections Curator, Shelley Harrison, talks about the recent donation from Greg Duffy which helped kick off the exhibit and talks about how others are welcome to contribute to the BECHS to tell the story of the Mankato Musi...

Josh Madson stopped by the Shuffle Function Morning Show on Friday, June 16th to talk about Mankato Community Collage, a photography project spotlighting the faces and diversity in our community.

June 14, 2023 Juneteenth Foundation CEO, Destiny Owens, and Asst. Coordinator, Christine Schaeffel, talked about a Juneteenth celebration in St. Peter and what it is like being black and living in Southern Minnesota.

June 5, 2023 The Mankato Area Community Band celebrated its 100th birthday last year.  Local historian and long-time band member and president, Bryce O. Stenzel talks about how the group marched in its first parade in bathing suits! Stenzel just released a book - And the Band Played On - about the group. He talks about how you can become a member of the band and about the upcoming 101st concert se...

May 24, 2024 Mankato Area Public Schools Superintendent Paul Peterson talks about how the recent legislative funding bill will help Dist. #77 and also about the district's strategic planning process.

May 24, 2023 Minnesota State Mankato's English Learning Center is seeking host families for Japanese students coming to MNSU for ESL classes Aug. 19 - Sept. 9, 2023. ESL Instructor, Dan Greenwood provides details for this opportunity.

May 17, 2023 Greater Mankato welcomes the newest installation for the 2023 CityArt Walking Sculpture Tour with a public kick-off on Saturday, May 20, 2023. Greater Mankato Growth Program & Events Manager, Crystal Olson talks about the latest works and how to be a part of the tour.