Good morning, Mankato.

The Blue Earth Nicollet County Humane Society will host a rummage sale at the Mankato Curling Club from May 7 to May 9, with donations accepted May 4-6 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. and a special kids+corner to help fund shelter services.

MSU announced that in three weeks, eight retrenched professors, including Michael Rutkowski (an associate professor of astronomy), will lose their positions.

Rutkowski said retrenchments do not account for research grants, yet the university provided no further comments.

Tri-City United School District holds a spring special election on May 12 to seek taxpayer support for a $39.9-million upgrade of school facilities in Le Center, Lonsdale & Montgomery.

The plan, which reallocates HVAC work costs, slightly lowers the monthly tax increase for a $300K home from $5.85 to $5.69.

At the SCC Creative Exchange in North Mankato on Thursday afternoon, design student Damariz Carlos and her peers showcased their graphic work at the SCC Convention Center to community members.

Local musician Nate Boots provided acoustic music while students received feedback and exposure to future employers (supporting creative growth).

River's Edge Hospital offers hands-on clinical training to local healthcare students from regional colleges — with three to four nurse rotations each semester.

One student, Mercedes Phillips, was hired full-time as a nurse on Monday, April 20 after gaining valuable experience as a PCA.

Mankato finalized its $8.727 million bill for Tourtellotte Pool renovations that added a towering water slide, zero-depth entry, and modern facilities.

The updated pool will open May 28 for families while North Mankato’s Spring Lake Park undergoes a $5.8 million overhaul.

Mapleton officials received a $100,000 MnDOT grant to improve safety for walkers and cyclists through a new Community-wide Active Transportation Plan.

The plan, with community input, is expected to be ready by December to encourage more walking and biking in Mapleton.

River Bluff Cottages will add 20 three-story single-family homes along Sibley Parkway near Sibley Park, construction expected to begin late May or early June.

The project is part of a larger plan to provide more than 320 housing units on a former industrial site (once home to North Star Concrete).