Good morning, Mankato.

Today, Mankato City Council approved 10 community grants totaling $22,500 to fund art, music, and cultural projects for 2025.

The grants—approved after reviewing 17 applications—range from $2,000 for special events to $3,000 for performing arts while some applications did not receive funding.

Dylan Michael Smith, a 19-year-old St. Peter resident, lost control of his 2016 Chevy Sonic on Highway 169 early Friday morning a few miles south of St. Peter—he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato after his car hit a guardrail and went into a ditch.

Country music star Kip Moore will return to the Vetter Stone Amphitheater on Friday, Aug.

8 nearly two years after his last show. Tickets will go on sale March 28 at the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center ticket office + Ticketmaster.

Students from around the state competed in an Engineering Machine Design Contest at Minnesota State University—where teams used physics and engineering ideas to build chain reaction machines.

Southland Senior High seniors Ella Mensink and Micah Johnson built an ocean bottom-inspired machine to match the contest theme Current of Creativity.

At a special board meeting on Thursday, the St. Peter School Board unanimously selected Jon Graff as the new superintendent.

Graff, who has led St. Peter Middle School since 2015 after working in the Mankato school district, said he is honored by the appointment while contract negotiations continue and a final agreement is expected before the board meets on March 27.

South Central College named four finalists for its new president and will hold community forums Tuesday and Wednesday in Heritage Hall on the North Mankato campus—board members will choose a president mid-April to replace retiring Dr. Annette Parker, with candidates including Dr. Heather Bigard, Dr. Ritu Raju, Dr. Tia Robinson-Cooper and Dr. Lester Sandres Rápalo.

International students and one American at MSU formed an intramural soccer team in January that will play through April at the Maverick All-Sports Dome.

Players from countries including the Netherlands, South Korea, France and Palestine bond over soccer as they build an authentic college experience.

The Minnesota State men’s hockey team defeated St. Thomas 4-2 in the CCHA Mason Cup Championship game, earning their third Mason Cup in program history.

The NCAA Selection Show will air Sunday, March 23rd at 2:00 p.m.

Spring Fling Craft Show

10 AM – 8 PM — River Hills Mall — Free admission — Discover a variety of handmade products and unique gifts from local vendors at this vibrant spring shopping event.

Spring Fling Craft Show at River Hills Mall

The Spring Fling Craft Show showcases an array of handmade products and unique gifts from local vendors over a three-day period.

Real Estate Meetup in Mankato

6-8 p.m. — Crooked Pint Ale House — Free entry — Discuss real estate with local experts and network with fellow investors.

Dual-ing Pianos with Scottie Miller & Tom Hunter

11 AM – 3 PM — Centennial Student Union — Ticket prices vary — Experience the dueling talents of acclaimed pianists Scottie Miller and Tom Hunter in an entertaining musical showdown.

Spring Fling Craft Show

10 a.m. – 8 p.m. — River Hills Mall — Free admission — Explore a vibrant array of handmade products, unique gifts, and local vendors at this spring shopping event.

Natural Healing Expo

10 AM – 4 PM — Courtyard by Marriott Hotel & Event Center — Ticket required — Explore organic approaches to healing for body, mind, and spirit at this holistic conference.

Spring Fling Craft Show

10 a.m. - 8 p.m. — River Hills Mall — Free admission — Discover a vibrant marketplace filled with handmade goods and local treasures this spring.

Maverick Conference on Financial Success

11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. — Centennial Student Union — Free entry — Learn from experts in Agribusiness and personal finance education at this informative conference.

North Mankato Taylor Library Annual Egg Hunt

9-11 a.m. — North Mankato Taylor Library — Registration required — Enjoy an exciting egg hunt for kids and meet the Easter Bunny!

Cinderella

12:59 p.m. — Minnesota State University Theatre & Dance — Ticket prices vary — Experience the magic of Cinderella with beloved songs and a timeless story of hope.