Good morning, Mankato.

Small communities in the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation’s 20-county region can apply for grants up to $30,000 to improve services such as food, shelter, and transportation.

Applications are due by Oct. 15 and awardees will be notified by Nov. 14—this program is supported by a donation from Taylor Family Farms Foundation.

A longtime southern Minnesota contractor — Boelter Roofing, Siding and Windows, owned by Jaime Taylor — abruptly shut down in late August after filing for bankruptcy, leaving customers with lost deposits and workers without final pay.

Homeowners and employees have filed legal claims for over $90K and are seeking help from the Minnesota Contractor Recovery Fund.

The City of Mankato and MAPO will host an open house for the Balcerzak Drive Corridor Study on Tuesday, Sept.

30 from 4-6:30 p.m. at Fire Station #3 (1230 Pohl Road) so community members can review draft street design options and share feedback to improve safety, efficiency, and accessibility along Balcerzak Drive between Warren Street and Victory Drive.

Blue Earth County has planned roughly $126M in road, bridge, and trail projects over the next five years in Mankato and nearby towns—public comment on the draft Transportation Improvement plan is open until Sept 24 and the County Board will finalize it on Oct 7.

At Tuesday’s Blue Earth County board meeting, officials said the cost to remove Rapidan Dam has dropped to about $35 million from an initial $88 million while replacing the bridge now costs an extra $9 million, bringing the total to roughly $62 million—county planners expect to start bridge work by 2026 or 2027.

North Mankato said there is no project to review because no official data center plan exists and its Environmental Review modeled broad growth scenarios to cover water and energy impacts — officials argue the review met state law.

The city also asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit filed by MCEA and make the group pay its legal fees.

On Tuesday, county officials presented a revised plan for the Rapidan Dam project that could save $30-million by allowing the river channel to follow its natural course—federal aid from FEMA is expected to offset costs as the board adjusts plans for the recently demolished bridge.

The proposal avoids expensive reinforcement of the riverbed while guiding future infrastructure actions.

Blue Earth County officials discussed options for a new RDF facility on Tuesday—Xcel Energy will end its lease in 2027, and the county plans to keep its waste-to-fuel program running by exploring private-public partnerships and setting a universal tipping fee.

The board seeks to reduce landfill use by diverting waste from Ponderosa and ensuring cost recovery through an enterprise fund.

A bridge replacement project 4 miles southeast of Mapleton will begin today as Blue Earth County Road 156—closed between Blue Earth County Road 154 and 108th Street—is temporarily shut with reopening expected in about two weeks.

The Minnesota State volleyball team is 4-0 to start the season and is preparing for the Maverick Invite on Thursday—players were interviewed ahead of the event.

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.

Mavericks vs. Tommies College Football Showdown

12:00 PM – 5:02 PM — Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center — VIP ticket options available — Experience elite seating and a vibrant tailgate at the Mavericks' face-off against the Tommies.