Daily
Mankato
Saturday, April 4th, 2026
Good morning, Mankato. Here's your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 4th of April.
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Three Brothers Meat Market is holding its soft opening today on Mapleton’s Main Street after starting last weekend — the family-run business gathers feedback to refine its specialty meats before a grand opening next month. Mankato Free Press
- ➤ ARTifact - Paint Your Own Pottery Studio on Riverfront Drive in Mankato is set to close after 8½ years, with its final day for painting on Sunday, May 3 and reduced hours for pick-ups later in May. KEYC
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ New Horizon Academy opened its early learning center at 227 East Main St in downtown Mankato in February, preserving a vital child care option with 36 staff and updated facilities for kids aged 6 weeks to 5 years. Officials said more improvements such as playground updates will soon add to the enhanced learning environment. Mankato Free Press
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Mankato’s State of the City report for 2025 shows gains in single-family home construction, bus ridership, 311 calls, and events, while rental permits and recycling dropped and population grew slightly. However, violent crimes rose 17% (from 110 to 129), which city manager Susan Arntz finds concerning. Mankato Free Press
LIFESTYLE NEWS
- ➤ With planting season close, experts at Drummers Garden Center and Floral in Mankato share advice for garden starters (urging patience until soil temperatures rise above 40°) before transplanting cole crops. They suggest beginning cool-weather plants in mid-April and saving tomatoes and peppers for after Mother’s Day. Mankato Free Press
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ The Minnesota State football team is in the middle of its spring season with a scrimmage against Kearney on Apr. 11 + a purple and gold game scheduled for Apr. 18 as the team readies for competition. KEYC
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Free Oral Cancer Screenings in Mankato & Rochester
In honor of Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month, Southeastern Minnesota Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery will offer free oral cancer screenings on April 16 from 2 pm to 4 pm at: 2519 Commerce Drive NW, Suite 110, Rochester, Minn., 55901; and 1410 Madison Avenue, Mankato, Minn., 56001. To participate, arrive at one of the clinics during the designated times and ask for a free cancer screening.
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Toy Stories on Ice
7-9 p.m. — All Seasons Arena — $10 adult, $5 youth/senior/student — Experience a charming retelling of Toy Story featuring local skaters portraying beloved characters.
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Toy Stories on Ice – 51st Annual Ice Show
7-9 p.m. — All Seasons Arena — $10 adult, $5 youth/senior/student — Experience the beloved characters of Toy Story brought to life through local figure skating talents.
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Micro Wrestling Federation Show
7-10 p.m. — Kato Ballroom — All-ages show — Experience thrilling micro wrestling action with body slams, brawls, and the chance to meet the wrestlers post-event.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The first rule of any kind of progress: showing up.
~ Ryan Holiday
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