Good morning, Mankato.

The Blue Earth Nicollet County Humane Society at BENCHS now has 64 cats and 45 extra surrenders, nearly reaching its legal capacity of 80 cats—up from 30 on this date last year.

Executive director Dede Barton is working to secure an in-house veterinarian and corporate sponsorship to cut costs while quickly placing cats in new homes—hoping the community will support the shelter’s efforts.

Walter DTJ Green, 26, of Chaska, was charged after a traffic stop in Le Sueur County led officers to find bags of marijuana, a pill bottle with cocaine and a handgun modified with a switch to work fully-automatic; he now faces felonies for machine gun possession, ineligible firearm possession and controlled substance possession.

Programs focusing on Indigenous astronomy will be offered tomorrow as part of Earth Month at Minnesota State University in Mankato.

A traveling planetarium show will run from noon to 3 p.m. at Schellberg gymnasium and Bell Museum will host free activities at Jeffers Petroglyphs near Comfrey from 4 to 10 p.m.—a guided tour of Native American rock carvings is planned from 7 to 9 p.m. if weather permits.

Mankato East High School Planetarium will host a free show on April 23 and April 25—offering visitors a look at the Lyrid meteor shower and cosmic connections between Orion and ancient Egyptian pyramids.

Students at Bridges Community School in North Mankato created a mural for Autism Acceptance Month by decorating slips of paper that were joined into one artwork representing the entire student body.

School staff said the project focused on including every student—especially those in special education—to show that working together makes a stronger community.

Ritu Raju was named the next president at South Central College in North Mankato by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees, replacing Annette Parker.

She will begin her term on July 1 — and she brings over 20 years of higher education experience including her role as president of Gateway Technical College.

Minnesota State University will host historian Jonathan Soucek for the William E.

Lass Memorial Lecture at 4 p.m. Monday in Ostrander Auditorium—located in the Centennial Student Union—where he will discuss connections between the Minnesota DFL Party and the civil rights movement; a reception will follow the free lecture.

The Mankato West boys tennis team defeated Mankato East 7-0 Wednesday night in a shutout match.

The win gave West a strong finish in the game as both teams look to build momentum for upcoming contests.

Mankato East senior Jackson Henkels signed his National Letter of Intent on April 16th to join Minnesota State's track and field program—he will now begin his collegiate career.

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.

Women of Kato Series 4 Featuring Local Musicians

5-8 p.m. — NaKato Bar & Grill — Free entry — Enjoy acoustic performances from four talented women artists in a collaborative music series.