Good morning, Mankato.

Separate Highway 14 crashes near Mankato on Wednesday injured several drivers when a Chevrolet Camaro hit a Mazda at 12:53 p.m. in Le Ray Township and an eastbound Ram truck struck a Honda Accord at 6:17 p.m. at the Highway 14 and Parkway Avenue intersection—injured parties received non-life-threatening treatment at Mayo Clinic Health System or on scene, the State Patrol reported.

North Mankato’s RDO Equipment Co. reopened its newly remodeled shop on April 24th, tripling its space and adding three employees to boost service and parts capacity.

Local officials and contractors attended to see the upgrade that now supports most John Deere and Wirtgen product lines — a major investment in the area.

Extra law enforcement was deployed around Franklin Elementary School after a student reported a stranger approached her on her way to school Thursday morning—officials are investigating the incident within a one-mile area.

At an event on Thursday, Alejandra Bejarano from the Region Nine Development Commission said international students helped fill workforce gaps and many want to work and live here — a survey showed 81% would accept local jobs.

Organized by GreenSeam, the event featured talks by local higher education and business experts and promoted a $1,000 global workforce grant program for companies.

Gustavus Adolphus College has named Dr. John C.

Volin as its new president, and he will begin on Aug. 15 while Dr. Rebecca M. Bergman retires after serving since 2015. He was chosen unanimously from over 60 applicants by the Board of Trustees in St. Peter — and he plans to build on the college’s strengths for the future.

Sen. Nick Frentz introduced a bill today to name St. Peter Minnesota’s honorary capital—this comes after records show the town nearly became the state capital in 1857 when lawmaker Joe Rolette hid a crucial bill.

Historians say the episode marks an important moment that shaped the power balance in early Minnesota.

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.

Southern Minnesota Real Big Band and Nintentones Concert

7-9 p.m. — Bethany Lutheran College Theatre — $10 Adult, $5 Student — Experience an evening of jazz with the Southern Minnesota Real Big Band and featured artist Hanna Cesario.