Good morning, Mankato.

KAVO Italian Eatery in St. Peter had a soft opening Friday and tonight and will open to the public Monday on Minnesota Avenue.

The restaurant is housed in a historic 1914 bank building that retains original woodwork and floors and will feature a boutique hotel upstairs opening in 6—8 weeks—partners worked with city and historical society officials to preserve its heritage.

At the Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota, children and adults watched as summer intern Sydney Payeur released a tagged monarch butterfly for a 1700 mile migration to a forest in Mexico on Saturday morning.

The event—part of the new Pollinators at Play exhibit funded by a CenterPoint grant—taught visitors about the butterfly's lifecycle and conservation efforts.

City Manager Susan Arntz said Mankato has met the four-applicant threshold required for recreational cannabis sales as four retailers received preliminary zoning approval and two are near completing the regulatory process.

The city will finalize its cannabis ordinance and fee changes at a Monday 6 p.m. council meeting tomorrow — additional applicants will be placed on a waiting list if one of the first four does not move forward.

Dana Lietzau, whose mother Barb Bruns was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s and passed away on Sept.

8, will lead her family in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Oct. 4 at Spring Lake Park in North Mankato—this walk will have check-in at 9 a.m. and an opening ceremony at 10 a.m. as it aims to raise $125,000 for dementia research and local support programs.

On September 6, the Minnesota State Mavericks defeated Minot State at Blakeslee Stadium—Sam Backer scored a first-quarter touchdown and Treshaun Watson returned a kick 95 yards to help the team pull away and keep their unbeaten record.

Mankato East Cougars girls soccer won a 1-0 match against Saint Peter on Saturday, September 6, which improved their record to 7-1 — Grace Campbell and Mia Graff led early plays while Saint Peter’s goalkeeper Morgan Rogers made key stops.

53rd Annual Traditional Mahkato Wacipi

7 p.m., 1 p.m. — Land of Memories Park — $8 general admission, free for children and seniors — Celebrate Dakota culture with dance, music, and traditional festivities at this vibrant powwow.

Sioux Falls Cougars vs. Minnesota State Mankato Mavericks Football

2:00 – 3:30 p.m. — Blakeslee Stadium — Ticket prices vary — Watch as the Cougars and Mavericks clash in a thrilling college football matchup.

Minnesota State Mankato Mavericks Football Game

12:00 p.m. — Blakeslee Stadium — Ticket prices vary — Cheer on the Mavericks as they take to the field in an exciting football showdown.