Good morning, Mankato.

Connections Shelter will close for the season May 3 — financial realities forced the nonprofit to end its year-round goal after serving over 150 guests and providing 215 meals with help from more than 300 volunteers; it will keep its Drop-in Center open on Front Street weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Daniel Janke (54), a former New Ulm teacher from Mankato who taught until April 2024, was sentenced in federal court Wednesday to six years in prison and five years of supervised release for distributing explicit images of minors on Kik as Jack Frost.

North Mankato man Joseph James Wanous, 42, was charged with felony first-degree aggravated controlled substance crimes in Waseca County after a task force investigation linked him to selling over 150 grams of meth in three counties—officers searched his home near Spring Lake Park for evidence.

Mankato police looked for a burglary suspect reported in a home on the 500 block of South Second Street Monday morning, described as a Black male (about 50 to 60 years old and 5 feet 9 inches tall) wearing jeans and a dark shirt who fled on foot around 8:30 a.m.

The Free Press Knowledge and Lecture Series will host a free event on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the newspaper's building at 418 S.

Second St. — Guest lecturer Charlie Leftridge, executive director of the Carnegie Art Center and director of music at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, will speak about the state of the arts in the Mankato region.

MSU students felt scared and angry after ICE detained a student on March 28 as many international students worried they might be sent back or held in detention—some even changed social media settings and canceled travel plans to stay safe.

University groups are offering support and urging students to use campus resources while the situation continues to affect them.

North Mankato received $3.3 million from MnDOT to fund improvements on Highway 169 including a new roundabout (at the intersection of 169 and Webster Avenue) and a bike and pedestrian underpass (from Range Street to North River Drive) as part of a $70 million reconstruction project scheduled to start in 2027 and finish in 2028. The new funds cover most of the originally planned $4.8 million in local spending.

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.

Bunny Breakfast Buffet

7 a.m. – 2 p.m. — Hilltop Hy-Vee Grocery Store — Kids eat free with adult entree — Enjoy a themed breakfast with an egg hunt and crafts on Easter Saturday.

Bar Bingo

6 PM — Fraternal Order of Eagles — Free entry — Enjoy an evening of bingo with friends in a community atmosphere.

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare

Evening — Minnesota State University Theatre & Dance — Ticket prices Vary — Experience all 37 of Shakespeare's plays in a hilarious and fast-paced production.

Power to Choose: K-12 Education Expo

5-7:30 p.m. — Mankato Family YMCA — Free entry — Discover educational options in the greater Mankato area and engage with local representatives.

Loyola-Cleveland Invitational

Starting all day — Myers Field House — Check website for entry fees — Compete in a vibrant track and field atmosphere.

Trivia Night at Pub 500

7:30-10:00 p.m. — Pub 500 — $2 grab bottles and tap specials — Test your trivia skills while enjoying tasty deals on drinks.

Turn Turn Turn

8-9 p.m. — Hooligans — Ticket info not specified — Enjoy harmonies of 60s and 70s country, folk, and pop with this original Americana band.

AKDC Scorpio Rising Tour - Mankato Show

7-8 p.m. — Carnegie Art Center — Suggested donation — Experience a blend of heavy metal and jazz fusion with Aaron Kerr’s Dissonant Creatures' album release tour.