Good morning, Mankato.

Mankato's historic Kern Bridge, built in 1873, is set to open for pedestrians and cyclists on Oct.

27 (after a ribbon cutting ceremony) to reconnect Sibley and Land of Memories parks. Attendees should park at Sibley Park and follow the trail to the bridge.

Luke Frederick died after being hit by a car in July and his family will host a benefit this Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the WOW!

Zone where locals can enjoy burgers, brats, chips, bowling, and a silent auction in his honor.

The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train will visit southern Minnesota on Dec.

11 to bring its light and music show to Owatonna, Waseca, and Janesville. It returns after a break since 2023 (stopping at 3:45 p.m., 5:30 p.m., and 7:15 p.m.) to celebrate the season.

September job numbers from DEED revealed Minnesota lost about 4,600 jobs + added 843 new workers, with non-farm job growth up 1.2 percent over the past year, showing a mixed yet resilient labor market.

Experts said more data is needed to explain these shifting workforce trends.

The Greater Mankato CEO program launched this year to give local high school juniors and seniors hands-on business training; student Adisyn Manske made about $384 profit selling gluten-free cookies, and her cohort will team up soon to launch a group business.

NOAA released an outlook stating that this winter in southern Minnesota is expected to be warmer overall, yet temperatures may still drop below zero and heavy snowstorms are possible due to a strong El Niño.

The forecast covers December through February and will be updated in November.

Mankato officials announced traffic restrictions for the Marathon starting today at 4:30 p.m. at Kato Moving and Storage and continuing Saturday at Minnesota State University.

The plan includes road closures on Poplar, Sibley, and Warren and delays that will keep runners + motorists safe.

City officials issued a boil water advisory for the Highway 169 corridor from Pauley Way and Butterworth Street north to the Kiwanis Recreation Area due to a water main break this morning; the city switched to North Mankato water + is flushing the affected system and expects to resolve the issue within 30 hours.

CADA, which has served our area for almost 50 years, reminds residents this October that free confidential support for survivors is available 24/7 (across nine counties) via phone, chat, and in-person services.

MSU football coach Todd Hoffner said the team stayed focused during bye week as key player Antoine Johnson Jr. helped sharpen their defense, while men's hockey head coach Luke Strand said his squad will face Wisconsin later this week.

Mankato East girls soccer beat Marshall 10-0 in the Section 2AA semifinals on Oct.

15 + they will face rival Mankato West for the championship on Oct. 20.

Mankato West girls soccer clinched a 2-1 overtime win in New Ulm (Section 2AA semifinal) and will face crosstown rival Mankato East in the championship on Tuesday, Oct.

20 at New Prague High School.