KMSU Community Stories

Nov. 16, 2022 Learn about the band with roots in Minnesota - Good Morning Bedlam. Husband and wife team, Issac and Tori Elker talk about their inspirations and aspirations, as well as their upcoming visit to Mankato.

Nov. 7, 2022 Curtis & Loretta Simonet will be performing at the Princess Theater in St. James on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022, 7 p.m. The duo share stories on KMSU's Minnesota Morning with host Karen Wright.

November 9, 2022 November is Men's Heath Awareness Month and the Mankato area is celebrating "Movember" with a number of health awareness events. Maureen Gustafson with the JZ Cancer Fund talks about the efforts taking place and how you can get involved.

Oct. 19, 2022  In 2019, the Minnesota Student Survey asked 9th and 11th graders: “Have you ever traded sex or sexual activity to receive money, food, drugs, alcohol, a place to stay or anything else?” About 5,000 youth in Minnesota answered yes. Approximately 1.3% of youth in our area answered yes. The Mankato Area United way has teamed up with Lutheran Social Services for an event about Sex Traff...

October 7, 2022 Minnesota State Mankato is celebrating Indigenous People's Day 2022 with  a number of events, including keynote speaker, Diane Wilson, author of "The Seedkeeper." Megan Heutmaker, the Director for American Indian & Multi-cultural Affairs at MNSU.

Oct. 12, 2022 Mankato's Carnegie Art Center is opening a new show this October. Board Member, Craig Groe talks about the art of Charlie Putnam and Ben Determan (Oct. 13 - Nov. 13, 2022).

Oct. 12, 2022 The Minneapolis brother's duo, known as the Cactus Blossoms, talk about their history, their music and their upcoming show in Mankato.

Oct. 5, 2022 John Gorka will be in concert at Minnesota State on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022. KMSU Minnesota Morning host, Karen Wright, and KMSU Day Sponsor (and John Gorka fan), Kathy Kaliski, talked with the award-winning folk musician.

September 28, 2022 Mankato Area Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Paul Peterson, talks about the difficult issues the school district has faced recently surrounding suicide and an active school shooting hoax. He also describes how the district is struggling to come back from what was lost during the pandemic in education.

Sept. 28, 2022 The 7th annual Deep Valley Book Festival is taking place at the WOW! Zone in Mankato on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. Author and MNSU Professor, Rachael Hanel says the public is welcome to attend the event which features many authors from all genres and for all ages. Meet the author, have a book signed, listen to keynote speaker, Curtis Sittenfeld and more. https://www.deepvalleybookfesti...

Sept. 22, 2022 The Scottie Miller Band returns to Mankato on Sat. Oct. 1, 7 p.m. at Hooligan's in Mankato. The Minneapolis-born singer-songwriter talks about how he got his start in the blues biz , describes his latest book/poetry/album project and talks about finding hope through recovery. Brought to you by the MNSU Music Dept and KMSU radio through the MN Arts & Cultural Heritage Legacy Fund...

Sept. 21, 2022 Minnesota Brain Injury Force in hosting a "Brain Bash" on Sept. 22, 2022, 6 - 8 p.m. at Jake's Stadium Pizza, Mankato. MNBIF founder and CEO, Sharon Gieske talks about brain injuries  and resources available to help those in need.

Sept. 19, 2022 The City of Mankato is seeking input from the public as it puts together its budget for 2023 and beyond. City of Mankato staff, Parker Skophammer explains how the public is invited to an open house to help the city prioritize its "roadmap to the future"

Sept. 14, 2022 Affordable  housing has been a long-time concern in the  Mankato Area. The City of Mankato is reaching out to the public for input on creating an Affordable Housing Plan. Associate Director of Housing and Economic Development, Nancy Bokelmann, talks about upcoming sessions on Sept. 27 and Oct. 1 where the public can provide input.

September 13, 2022 Mankato marks the 50th Mahkato Wacipi Pow-Wow Sept. 16, - 18, 2022 at Land of Memories Park. Dan ZIelske talks about the Pow Wow's history and Alice DeYoung discusses educational and volunteer opportunities.  https://www.mahkatowacipi.org/powwow-details

Aug.24, 2022  Open Arts Director, Wilbur Neushwander-Frink talks about the Aktion Theater's latest production: "Turning Towards Each Other - A Kaleidoscope of Community" Saturday, August 27th at 7:00 PM and Sunday, August 28th at 2:00 PM at Mankato West Hight School Auditorium.

Aug. 30, 2022 MNSU President Edward Inch talks about what's in store for the 2022-23 school year, including the upcoming inauguration, new faces and focuses, Community Collaborations, and his vision for the university.

August 17, 2022 If you think Fentanyl is a big city problem, think again. Someone dies every six minutes from a fentanyl overdose, and the drug can be found everywhere. The 1st National Fentanyl Poisoning & Awareness Day is happening Sunday, Aug. 21, 202 in Mankato, thanks to the leadership of Nancy Sack, who lost her grandson, Travis Gustavson, from an overdose in 2021. She is joined by Minne...

July 20, 2022 The Carnegie Art Center in Mankato is re-opening after a shut down from COVID and the passing of its long-time director. New board member Craig Groe talks about the center and how it is re-creating itself after a time of uncertainty.

June 27, 2022 "And the Band Played On", a book written by Bryce O. Stenzel tells the history of the Mankato Area Community Band, celebrating its 100th Birthday with a summer concert this week. Bryce talks about the band's history through the years.

June 22, 2022 "Mary's Fairy Tale" is a  play written and narrated by Mary Templin. It details her life from childhood to being sent to the Faribault State Hospital in 1959 until her release to Harry Meyering Center in 1974 and having to ask the state for permission (three times) to be married. Co-directed by Wilbur Neuschwander-Frink (Open Arts MN) and Doug Foust (Social Justice Theater, the play...

Aired: June 23, 2022  Minnesota musician, roper and wrangler, Pop Wagner, talks about his time on "A Prairie Home Companion", and about his upcoming visit to play for the Bothy Folk Club in Mankato on June 25, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. Blue Earth County Library.

June 15, 2022 The Jefferson Limestone Quarry has been mined since the late 1800's in Mankato. While mining ceased in 2017, new owners are looking to develop the 50-acre site and are seeking public input into possibilities. City of Mankato Finance Development Specialist, Courtney Kramingler explains.

Dwayne Megaw chats with City of Mankato Associate Director of Transportation Planning Services, Shawn Schloesser.  Hear all about the City's new bus routes named "Kato Go Play" and "River Valley Ride".  They also touch on the Riverfront Drive Demonstration going on now in Old Town, and a bit about Shawn's time as a helicopter pilot in the Army.

Jenn Melby-Kelley stopped by the Shuffle Function Morning Show to talk about the 2022 Riverfront Art Fair.