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 L…

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…

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 …

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.By KMSU

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.By KMSU

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.By KMSU

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.By KMSU

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/By KMSU

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.…

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.By KMSU

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.By KMSU

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 bec…

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 …

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 Weigh…

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.By KMSU

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.By KMSU

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 C…

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 vi…

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.By KMSU

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!By KMSU

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 wh…

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…

Feb. 7, 2024 Bryce Stenzel, (aka Abraham Lincoln, costumed historical interpreter) talks about an upcoming event to celebrate what would have been Abraham Lincoln's 215th birthday. The event takes place on Lincoln's birth date, Monday, Feb. 12, 2024, 7-9 p.m. at the Lincoln Community Center, Mankato. The event is free and open to the public, no reg…

January 24, 2024 Mankato Area Public Schools Superintendent Paul Peterson and Dist. 77 School Board Chair talk about what's happening in our area public schools.By KMSU

January 24, 2024 Laura Murray, with the Greater Mankato Area United Way, has just released a book, "The Kindness Booth" which will help raise funds for the United Way as well as serve to encourage literacy - an important tenet for the organization.By KMSU

Dec. 14, 2022 Winter is upon us and so is the cold weather. Managing heating bills can be a challenge for many. Minnesota Valley Action Council provides energy assistance and information about making your home more energy efficient. We talked with MVAC's Sheila Ous and Brianna Parr-Baker about the programs.…

December 24, 2023 3pm broadcast of Mankato Symphony Orchestra Messiah performance recorded December 13, 2023 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 a…

Dec. 6, 2023 Mankato Area United Way Executive Director Barb Kaus says the organization is nearing its campaign goal, but still need donations to reach it. She talks about some of the ways the UW has helped with mental health issues in our community as the need is greater than ever.By KMSU

Dec. 6, 2023 It's holiday season and shoppers are out in force. So are the fraud and scam artists! Kathy Stokes, with the AARP Fraud and Prevention Programs, talks about some of the common ways criminals try to take your money.By KMSU

Nov. 29. 2023 Christmas at Bethany Lutheran College is Nov. 30, Dec. 1, 2 and 3, 2023. Music professors/Directors Ben Faugstad and Ann Fredrickson talk about the music; and we hear a concert sample from the groups' 2022 season.By KMSU

Nov. 22, 2023 The Minnesota Riverbend Brass Choir was founded by local musician/band director Thomas Bierer last year and will be preforming a series of Advent/Christmas concerts starting next week through December. Thomas talks about the group and its upcoming performances.By KMSU

Nov. 23, 2023 Mankato Area Public schools voters passed question one of a referendum vote on Nov. 7. District #77 Superintendent Paul Peterson talks about what it means and how the failure of question 2 to pass will impact the district.By KMSU

Musician Liz Draper stopped by the Shuffle Function Morning Show to talk about the upcoming presentation and performance by Tim Eriksen. Tim is a world-renowned musician and ethnomusicologist, and he'll be at the Carnegie Art Center in Mankato this Saturday to give a lecture and perform.By KMSU

Nov. 20, 2023 Cooking with Joe is back! It's been several years since Joe Flannery IV has done his cooking show on KMSU's Minnesota Morning - but he is now a full-fledged chef at Hyacinth Restaurant on Grand Ave. in St. Paul! He talks about his experiences there and shares a signature Carbonara recipe.…

Nov. 15, 2023 Mark Bosacker from the Mankato Paddling and Outing Club talks about the group which has been in existence for 30+ years. Learn about the fun adventures and informational presentations the club sponsors.By KMSU

Ann Rosenquist Fee and Kat Baumann stopped by the Shuffle Function Morning Show to discuss the upcoming Pageant & Singalong Nation production of 'Under Pressure: the Music of David Bowie & Queen' that's taking place at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 18 at Patrick's on 3rd in Saint Peter.By KMSU

Nov. 8, 2023 Director of Camp Sweet Life, Rene Maas, talks about an upcoming event to "Strike Out Type 1 Diabetes" to raise funds for Camp Sweet Life, a special place for kids with the disease. The event is Sun. Nov. 12, 2023 at the Victory Bowl, Mankato 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. and includes an online auction campsweetlife.org…

Nov. 8, 2023 Dr. Jameel Haque directs the Kessel Peace Institute and was receiving many questions from other faculty about what is going on with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. His degree is in Modern Middle Eastern History, so to help others make an educated opinion about the war, Dr. Haque is holding a public presentation on Thurs. Nov. 9, 4:00…

The Tell Me A Story squad stopped by the Shuffle Function Morning Show on November 8th to talk about their upcoming community storytelling event at the Arts Center of Saint Peter. The theme of the event is 'Transitions'. Visit Tell Me A Story MN on Facebook for details.By KMSU

Nov. 1, 2023 Greater Mankato Area United Way Executive Director Barb Kaus updates us on the 2024 campaign, talks about a $35,000 matching grant, and explains some of the good works done by the organization.By KMSU

Oct. 25, 2023 Mankato Area Public Schools Superintendent Paul Petersen answers questions about the upcoming Dist. #77 Bond Referendum.By KMSU

Oct. 18, 2023 What is your ancestry? Heather Harren from the Blue Earth County Historical Society gives presentations about DNA testing and researching your family's history. The BECHS is hosting an upcoming presentation on Oct. 21, 2023.By KMSU

Oct. 18, 2023 Mankato Area United Way Executive Director, Barb Kaus, talks about the 2-1-1, a program to provide resources to help individuals with all kinds of concerns. She also updated us about the on-going UW campaign and how you can contribute.By KMSU

Dana Sikkila from the 410 Project stopped by the Shuffle Function Morning Show to talk about the 20th anniversary celebration for the 410 Project!By KMSU

Josh Madson stopped by the Shuffle Function Morning Show to talk about what's next for the popular Mankato Community Collage project.By KMSU

October 9, 2023 The local Veterans for Peace group is holding a Ceremony at Reconciliation Park in Mankato, Oct. 9, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. to recognize Indigenous People's Day. Dakota Elder, Dr. Chris Mato of SW State University will speak and there will be a 38 minute silent procession with a bell rung for each individual who lost their life. Vets for…

Oct. 4, 2023 The Mankato area is hosting a number of events to recognize Indigenous People's Day from Oct. 5th - 9th. Diane Dobitz, a member of the Indigenous People's Day Committee talks about the events as a way to strengthen relationships.By KMSU