Good morning, Mankato.

U.S. News and World Report's Best Places to Live rankings for 2025-26 showed that five Minnesota cities ranked in the top 100—Plymouth at No. 17, Maple Grove at No. 40, Eden Prairie at No. 46, Woodbury at No. 54 and Rochester at No. 72—while Mankato ranked No. 118 nationally.

Mankato residents met at open houses set by the Age-Friendly Mankato and North Mankato Coalition to share feedback on enhancing social participation, communication & inclusion based on surveys and focus groups since 2023.

The coalition will refine the action plan to address social isolation and will submit it to AARP for review in June.

Owner Daniel Lisu opened Best Thai Cuisine Tuesday at 11 a.m. after receiving final building inspector approval—30 minutes before the grand opening.

The family-run restaurant occupies a former Mexican restaurant at 115 North Main Street in downtown Janesville and fills a dining gap for the underserved community near Mankato.

Two men escaped from St. Peter’s Regional Treatment Center and have been charged with felony escape after Beau-Jacob Zimmer cut his ankle monitor with a kitchen knife to flee on a bicycle on May 9 and Steven Edwards used a dummy to mislead staff before traveling by car from a laundromat to Albert Lea on May 17+ both were arrested as investigations proceeded.

Bismarck Larks vs. Mankato MoonDogs

6:35 PM — ISG Field — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy a thrilling live baseball game under the stars.

Badlands Big Sticks vs Mankato MoonDogs

6:35 p.m. — ISG Field — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy a thrilling baseball matchup while supporting a great cause.

Cake Concert

8-11 p.m. — Vetter Stone Amphitheater — Tickets start at $43 — Alternative rock band CAKE promises a high-energy show that fans won’t want to miss.

Mankato MoonDogs vs St. Cloud Rox Baseball Game

6:35-10:35 p.m. — ISG Field — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy an evening of local baseball action while supporting a charitable cause.

St Cloud Rox vs Mankato MoonDogs Baseball Game

6:35-8:05 p.m. — ISG Field — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy an exciting baseball game between local teams under the summer sky.

Minnesota 52 Hike Challenge - National Trails Day Group Hike

10 AM – 1 PM — Minneopa State Park — $7 parking/admission — Celebrate National Trails Day with a fun group hike featuring bison education and trivia.

Alison Krauss & Union Station Concert

7:30-9:00 p.m. — Vetter Stone Amphitheater — Tickets available soon — Experience a special evening with twenty-seven-time Grammy winner Alison Krauss and her band on their first tour in a decade.

Minot Honeybees vs. Mankato Habaneros Doubleheader

5:05-8:05 p.m. — ISG Field — Ticket prices vary — Catch an exciting doubleheader featuring the Minot Honeybees taking on the Mankato Habaneros.

Badlands Big Sticks vs. Mankato MoonDogs

6:35-8:05 p.m. — ISG Field — Ticket prices vary — Catch the thrilling baseball showdown live in Mankato.

2025 American Indian Summer Camp

Jun 15-18 — Preska Residence Community — Free entry — Engage in cultural learning and college preparation activities designed for American Indian high school students.