Good morning, Mankato.

The 166th Blue Earth County Fair runs today through Sunday in Garden City with designated days for seniors, kids, and families.

The fair features live music, rides, contests, and a historic exhibit plus free entry with $5 parking — fair board president Robin Tietz says final touches are nearly complete.

Mankato residents visited Blue Bricks after social media rumors claimed the longstanding bar would close permanently on Tuesday evening + owner Marty Lewis later confirmed the closure is only temporary.

Aktion Club Theatre will present its evolving play 'The Mystical Cats of the Monroe' Friday and Saturday as it draws on members' shared love of cats and their advocacy for disability rights.

The 20th-anniversary production sends a message of friendship, care & compassion in local theater.

The Blue Earth Area Schools district will hold a referendum on Aug.

11 to fund $63 million for a new K-6 building + $10 million for high school upgrades. The vote comes as the nearly 100-year-old facilities face frequent issues, with details shared at the Fair booth from July 22 to 25.

Veterans Memorial Bridge and Highway 22 projects in Mankato and St. Peter are on pace to open in November.

Road crews plan to pave Highway 22 in October and begin detouring Riverfront Drive on Monday (which may last one to three weeks) as final work continues.

Phase 3 of Main Street construction begins Monday, July 27 along E.

Main Street from Clover Lane to Victory Drive, with asphalt replacement, drainage upgrades, & ADA curb and sidewalk installations planned. Officials say the project will last about one month, weather permitting.

A Le Sueur family is using experimental daily therapies to help daughter Sofia after she suffered an anoxic brain injury from an allergic reaction, and they are now in Monterey, Mexico.

They plan to return home in August and seek FDA-approved clinical trials if the treatment shows continued progress (experimental treatment).