Daily
Mankato
Friday, February 20th, 2026
Good morning, Mankato. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 20th of February.
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Wingstop and Chick-fil-A are moving ahead with plans for new restaurants in Mankato (Wingstop is remodeling a strip mall space on Adams Street and Chick-fil-A is preparing to demolish the former Party City building near River Hills Mall); other fast-food outlets filed permits for interior upgrades to remain competitive. Mankato Free Press
- ➤ Healing Harvest began selling recreational cannabis in St. Peter in December and has seen its customer base triple as it now offers a wider range of products. The business expects supply to expand once local cultivators open up—adding urgency as a new hemp-derived product ban takes effect this November. KEYC
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Starting Friday, the Carnegie Art Center is hosting a week-long art event at 120 S. Broad St. that features a 4 p.m. talk by Arnold J. Dahl-Wooley on Two Spirit community inclusion and an opening reception from 5-7 p.m., showcasing local and emerging artists (including indigenous voices) until March 7. Mankato Free Press
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Students in the GFW district started classes in a new preK-12 building nearly three years after a $70-million referendum consolidated three separate sites. The high school moved in this week, while work continues on the auditorium + finishing touches throughout the building. KEYC
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ The Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership will build three affordable homes near the old Jefferson Quarry in the Germania Park area. Construction crews are preparing the site (including tree removal and new pavement) and the homes will be available by this fall. KEYC
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ The Mankato East gymnastics team is set to compete in the state tournament team event today while other local gymnasts will participate in individual competitions. KEYC
- ➤ On Feb. 19, Mankato's East & West boys hockey teams won their Section 3A tournament games, building momentum for their playoff hopes at local venues. KEYC
- ➤ Shari Dickerman (formerly Shari Vogt), an MSU alumna and longtime hockey goaltender, won a gold medal by helping coach the women’s team to an overtime win over Team Canada at the Olympic Games. Mankato-area fans celebrate her historic achievement today. Mankato Free Press
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Who is Jesus? Mankato
6-9 p.m. — Ostrander Auditorium — Free entry — Explore the life and teachings of Jesus Christ during an unforgettable night.
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Mankato East Indoor Quad Invite
March 19th — Myers Field House — Registration required — Compete in an indoor track and field meet bringing together local athletes in Mankato.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
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Reveal the authorAbout Daily Mankato
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