Good morning, Mankato.

LifeWorks Services opened the new Lifeworks Center for Disability Inclusion in Mankato today to offer in-home, day, and employment support for nearly 150 clients from 75 counties (a hub set to transform local service delivery) and will host a reverse job fair in November.

Local musicians are organizing a benefit concert for Friends of the Boundary Waters on Friday, Aug.

14 from 2:00 to 9:00 p.m. in Mankato; the free event features a silent auction, bake sale + outdoor games and popsicles to raise funds for conservation.

Menards is hosting a pet supplies drive for BENCHS at its Mankato store at 1771 Premier Dr. Donated items help the shelter care for over 1,000 pets annually — contributions are accepted until Sept.

30.

Twin Rivers Council for the Arts will welcome award-winning journalist and author Laurie Hertzel as the featured guest for its Writers Series event on Tuesday, Aug.

18 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Shared Spaces at Emy Frentz (523 S. Second Street), where she will discuss her latest memoir Ghosts of Fourth Street.

MSU in Mankato announced on Wednesday a plan to address a $22 million budget gap ahead of the 2026-2027 school year by implementing a 6.37% tuition hike & workforce cuts estimated to affect about 60 jobs, despite record enrollment of over 18,000 students.