Good morning, Mankato.

Connections Shelter on Hickory Street has seen high summer demand by keeping 48 beds open for individuals and families amid hazardous heat.

The shelter raised $140,000 of its $200,000 goal with state grants and community donations to help maintain its year-round service.

Cyclists from the Midwest will ride daily routes through southern Minnesota during the five-day Bike.

Build. Home 500 event from July 14 to 19 to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity, with lodging at Bethany Lutheran College and extra volunteer and veteran days planned.

The Animal Humane Society rescued over 70 cats and kittens from an abandoned home in Sibley County after a neighbor reported unsanitary conditions & high ammonia inside a decaying building.

The animals are held at their Golden Valley location and many may be open to adoption in the coming weeks.

The Fun Days Special Needs Carnival has returned to North Mankato with free rides and food provided by local groups.

The event, celebrating 30 years of community support, features a parade taking place today.

On July 10, VA Secretary Doug Collins and Congressman Brad Finstad held a roundtable at Bridge Plaza with local veteran organizations to improve care and benefits.

The meeting focused on streamlining exam wait times and gathering insight from local service providers (the discussion will guide future changes).

Third Avenue & Pine Street will close at 7 a.m. Monday for utility work on the Third Avenue project and should reopen in two weeks if weather holds.

Drivers accessing the west side may use Chestnut Street, while Fourth Avenue remains the only route to Pine Street during the closure.

Tourtellotte Pool remains closed due to mechanical issues and city crews are working on repairs + updates will be posted on social media to inform residents when it reopens.

Developers of the 10-story Hotel Mankato project have yet to restart construction despite completing demolition of the old Holiday Inn and Landmark Building last fall; work will resume in the spring with a target opening in the third quarter, 2027 (pending final design approval) and an update is expected soon.

MSU men’s hockey players in Mankato are ramping up summer training for the upcoming season.

Defenseman Will Skahan, a former Boston College star, along with teammates Daimon Gardner and Reid Morich attended NHL Developmental Camps, and more updates will follow next week.

Lee Brice Concert

7:30 p.m. — Vetter Stone Amphitheater — Ticket prices vary — Country music superstar Lee Brice brings his hit-making voice to Mankato with new singles and fan favorites.