KMSU Community Stories: Recent Episodes
KMSU
Photographer Josh Madson stopped by the Shuffle Function Morning Show to talk about The Mankato Community Collage Project. Josh took over 25,000 photographs to capture the faces of the community, and the end results will be on display at the Coffee Hag through September.
Aug. 25, 2023 President Edward Inch talks about Destination 2030, the strategic plan of Minnesota State University, Mankato and more.
Aug. 23, 2023 Mental health struggles by students have increased significantly since the pandemic. Mankato Area Public Schools Superintendent Paul Peterson and MAPS Director of Student Support Services, Scott Hare, talk about efforts the district is taking to address mental health concerns for the upcoming year.
Aug. 18, 2023 Travis Gustavson, age 21, of Mankato lost his life to fentanyl poisoning. His mother ,Kim Gustavson, and Grandmother, Nancy Sack, are speaking out to let others know a senseless loss like this can happen to anyone. The two talk about the 2nd National Fentanyl Poisoning and Substance Abuse Awareness and Education Event in Mankato, Aug. 20, noon - 3 p.m. at Ray Erlandson Park.
August 2, 2023 Vets for Music is a non-profit organization whose mission is to bring joy to the five veterans homes across Minnesota through music. Pat McGlauglin is one of the musicians who helps coordinate the shows, including an upcoming one at the VA in North Mankato on Aug. 12, 2023.
August, 3, 2023 Blue Earth County Sheriff Jeff Wersal talks about how the legalization of marijuana use will impact law enforcement and the public. Wersal fears the law was pushed through too quickly and lacks what it takes to make it enforceable. He also says it will create additional problems in society. (Wersal is the former head of the Minnesota River Valley Drug Task Force before he was elected Sheriff last year).
July 26, 2023 Mankato Area Public Schools Superintendent Paul Peterson talks about what's happening in District #77 - enrollment, budgets, projects and more.
July 26, 2023 Greater Mankato Area United Way President Barb Kaus discusses the 2024 United Way’s annual campaign seeks to raise essential funding for programs in our four-county region.
Eli Hoehn stopped by the Shuffle Function Morning Show to talk about the 2nd annual Minnesota Original Music Festival.
Parker Skophammer from the City of Mankato stops by to invite everyone to grand re-opening celebration of Thomas Park. It recently received a $6 million renovation. He also talks about other projects the city is working on to help improve the regional hub nature of the area.
June 28, 2023 Mankato Area Public Schools Superintendent Paul Peterson talks about a potential $110 million referendum the district may be facing at election time this fall and what it means for southern Minnesota and for taxpayers.
June 28, 2023 The Blue Earth County History Center announces the opening of the "Music & Memories: A Look Back at the Mankato Music Scene" on July 1 - December 2023. BECHS Collections Curator, Shelley Harrison, talks about the recent donation from Greg Duffy which helped kick off the exhibit and talks about how others are welcome to contribute to the BECHS to tell the story of the Mankato Music Scene.
Josh Madson stopped by the Shuffle Function Morning Show on Friday, June 16th to talk about Mankato Community Collage, a photography project spotlighting the faces and diversity in our community.
June 14, 2023 Juneteenth Foundation CEO, Destiny Owens, and Asst. Coordinator, Christine Schaeffel, talked about a Juneteenth celebration in St. Peter and what it is like being black and living in Southern Minnesota.
Nov. 30, 2022 Minnesota State University Mankato professor of creative writing, Rachael Hanel tells the story of he mystery of how an ordinary Minnesota girl came to be, briefly, one of the most wanted domestic terrorists in the United States Behind every act of domestic terrorism there is someone’s child, an average American whose life took a radical turn for reasons that often remain mysterious. The book, "Not the Camilla We Knew: One Woman’s Path from Small-town America to the Symbionese Liberation Army" by University of Minnesota Press is out Dec. 13, 2022.
Nov. 23, 2022 Mankato Area Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Paul Peterson, discusses the challenges facing the school system including mental health, lack of qualified employees to fill positions, and the upcoming legislative session.
Nov. 23, 2022 Mankato Area Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Paul Peterson, discusses the challenges facing the school system including mental health, lack of qualified employees to fill positions, and the upcoming legislative session.
Nov. 16, 2022 Learn about the band with roots in Minnesota - Good Morning Bedlam. Husband and wife team, Issac and Tori Elker talk about their inspirations and aspirations, as well as their upcoming visit to Mankato.
Nov. 7, 2022 Curtis & Loretta Simonet will be performing at the Princess Theater in St. James on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022, 7 p.m. The duo share stories on KMSU's Minnesota Morning with host Karen Wright.
November 9, 2022 November is Men's Heath Awareness Month and the Mankato area is celebrating "Movember" with a number of health awareness events. Maureen Gustafson with the JZ Cancer Fund talks about the efforts taking place and how you can get involved.
Oct. 19, 2022 In 2019, the Minnesota Student Survey asked 9th and 11th graders: “Have you ever traded sex or sexual activity to receive money, food, drugs, alcohol, a place to stay or anything else?” About 5,000 youth in Minnesota answered yes. Approximately 1.3% of youth in our area answered yes. The Mankato Area United way has teamed up with Lutheran Social Services for an event about Sex Trafficking Prevention Awareness. United Way's Elizabeth Harstead talks about the event taking place on Oct. 25, 11 a,m - 1:00 p.m. at South Central College.
October 7, 2022 Minnesota State Mankato is celebrating Indigenous People's Day 2022 with a number of events, including keynote speaker, Diane Wilson, author of "The Seedkeeper." Megan Heutmaker, the Director for American Indian & Multi-cultural Affairs at MNSU.
Oct. 12, 2022 Mankato's Carnegie Art Center is opening a new show this October. Board Member, Craig Groe talks about the art of Charlie Putnam and Ben Determan (Oct. 13 - Nov. 13, 2022).
Oct. 12, 2022 The Minneapolis brother's duo, known as the Cactus Blossoms, talk about their history, their music and their upcoming show in Mankato.
Oct. 5, 2022 John Gorka will be in concert at Minnesota State on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022. KMSU Minnesota Morning host, Karen Wright, and KMSU Day Sponsor (and John Gorka fan), Kathy Kaliski, talked with the award-winning folk musician.
September 28, 2022 Mankato Area Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Paul Peterson, talks about the difficult issues the school district has faced recently surrounding suicide and an active school shooting hoax. He also describes how the district is struggling to come back from what was lost during the pandemic in education.
Sept. 28, 2022 The 7th annual Deep Valley Book Festival is taking place at the WOW! Zone in Mankato on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. Author and MNSU Professor, Rachael Hanel says the public is welcome to attend the event which features many authors from all genres and for all ages. Meet the author, have a book signed, listen to keynote speaker, Curtis Sittenfeld and more. https://www.deepvalleybookfestival.com/
Sept. 22, 2022 The Scottie Miller Band returns to Mankato on Sat. Oct. 1, 7 p.m. at Hooligan's in Mankato. The Minneapolis-born singer-songwriter talks about how he got his start in the blues biz , describes his latest book/poetry/album project and talks about finding hope through recovery. Brought to you by the MNSU Music Dept and KMSU radio through the MN Arts & Cultural Heritage Legacy Fund.
Sept. 21, 2022 Minnesota Brain Injury Force in hosting a "Brain Bash" on Sept. 22, 2022, 6 - 8 p.m. at Jake's Stadium Pizza, Mankato. MNBIF founder and CEO, Sharon Gieske talks about brain injuries and resources available to help those in need.
Sept. 19, 2022 The City of Mankato is seeking input from the public as it puts together its budget for 2023 and beyond. City of Mankato staff, Parker Skophammer explains how the public is invited to an open house to help the city prioritize its "roadmap to the future"
Sept. 14, 2022 Affordable housing has been a long-time concern in the Mankato Area. The City of Mankato is reaching out to the public for input on creating an Affordable Housing Plan. Associate Director of Housing and Economic Development, Nancy Bokelmann, talks about upcoming sessions on Sept. 27 and Oct. 1 where the public can provide input.
September 13, 2022 Mankato marks the 50th Mahkato Wacipi Pow-Wow Sept. 16, - 18, 2022 at Land of Memories Park. Dan ZIelske talks about the Pow Wow's history and Alice DeYoung discusses educational and volunteer opportunities.
https://www.mahkatowacipi.org/powwow-details
Aug.24, 2022 Open Arts Director, Wilbur Neushwander-Frink talks about the Aktion Theater's latest production:
"Turning Towards Each Other - A Kaleidoscope of Community"
Saturday, August 27th at 7:00 PM and Sunday, August 28th at 2:00 PM at Mankato West Hight School Auditorium.
Aug. 30, 2022 MNSU President Edward Inch talks about what's in store for the 2022-23 school year, including the upcoming inauguration, new faces and focuses, Community Collaborations, and his vision for the university.
August 17, 2022 If you think Fentanyl is a big city problem, think again. Someone dies every six minutes from a fentanyl overdose, and the drug can be found everywhere. The 1st National Fentanyl Poisoning & Awareness Day is happening Sunday, Aug. 21, 202 in Mankato, thanks to the leadership of Nancy Sack, who lost her grandson, Travis Gustavson, from an overdose in 2021. She is joined by Minnesota River Valley Drug Task Force agent, Lt. Jeff Wersal, and Recovery Specialist, Kara Richardson, who talk on how to save our young people from this poison.
July 20, 2022 The Carnegie Art Center in Mankato is re-opening after a shut down from COVID and the passing of its long-time director. New board member Craig Groe talks about the center and how it is re-creating itself after a time of uncertainty.
June 27, 2022 "And the Band Played On", a book written by Bryce O. Stenzel tells the history of the Mankato Area Community Band, celebrating its 100th Birthday with a summer concert this week. Bryce talks about the band's history through the years.
June 22, 2022 "Mary's Fairy Tale" is a play written and narrated by Mary Templin. It details her life from childhood to being sent to the Faribault State Hospital in 1959 until her release to Harry Meyering Center in 1974 and having to ask the state for permission (three times) to be married. Co-directed by Wilbur Neuschwander-Frink (Open Arts MN) and Doug Foust (Social Justice Theater, the play is born out of Minnesota State University, Mankato's LitReach program, coordinated by English Professor Diana Joseph.
Aired: June 23, 2022
Minnesota musician, roper and wrangler, Pop Wagner, talks about his time on "A Prairie Home Companion", and about his upcoming visit to play for the Bothy Folk Club in Mankato on June 25, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. Blue Earth County Library.
June 15, 2022 The Jefferson Limestone Quarry has been mined since the late 1800's in Mankato. While mining ceased in 2017, new owners are looking to develop the 50-acre site and are seeking public input into possibilities. City of Mankato Finance Development Specialist, Courtney Kramingler explains.
Dwayne Megaw chats with City of Mankato Associate Director of Transportation Planning Services, Shawn Schloesser. Hear all about the City's new bus routes named "Kato Go Play" and "River Valley Ride". They also touch on the Riverfront Drive Demonstration going on now in Old Town, and a bit about Shawn's time as a helicopter pilot in the Army.
Jenn Melby-Kelley stopped by the Shuffle Function Morning Show to talk about the 2022 Riverfront Art Fair.
May 4, 2022 You will hear bells ringing at noon on the second Monday of each month in Kato Towns. It's an effort by NicBluCares to create awareness of the compassionate communities of Mankato/North Mankato where there is a community-based safety network. NicBluCares Advisory members Lynn Kuechle and Diane Witt describe how we can care for each other.
April 22, 2022 The band Pert' Near Sandstone kicks off it's 2022 tour tonight at the Mankato Brewery -- "Road to Blue Ox Tour". Karen Wright talks with band members Justin Bruhn and Nate Sipe who describe to road to the 2022 Blue Ox Music Festival in Eau Claire, WI in June.
April 12, 2022 Dr. Paul Peterson, Superintendent of Mankato Area Public Schools updates listeners on what's happening in District #77.
April 12, 2022 Project Community Connect is a collaborative, one-stop resource expo to help reduce barriers and connect people to essential resources and services for a healthier, safer and more stable community. Kate Hengy-Gretz and Laura Murray describe this free event raises awareness of hunger, homelessness and poverty in our region.
April 7, 2022 Dick Kimmel talks about his upcoming Bothy Folk Club gig in Mankato on Saturday, April 9, 2022 at 2:30 p.m. at the Emmy Frentz Art Center.
Patti Ruskey stopped by the Shuffle Function Morning Show to talk about Sidetracked, an art supply store and open workspace in Mankato, MN.
March 21, 2022 Conflict in the Ukraine discussion with Dr. Jameel Haque, Director of the Kessel Peace Institute at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Dr. Haque talks about a Round table discussion the public is invited to on this subject, on Wed. March 23, 4:00 p.m. in the MSU Centennial Student Union, room #253 or available live on the Kessel Peace Institute FB.
March 18, 2022 Minnesota State University, Mankato President, Edward Inch, discusses the latest happenings at MSU, including the school's winning teams, enrollment projections, TEDxmnsu, on-campus research, graduation and more.
March 17, 2022 Singer/Songwriter Marienne Kreitlow talks about her musical roots in Minnesota -- from the dairy farm to California and back to Minnesota where she and her husband founded the Minnesota Garlic Festival. She is the guest artist for the Bothy Folk Club, Saturday, March 19, 2022 at the Emy Frentz Art Center in Mankato.
Through the Years at the Nicollet County Fair and 4-H with Joni Anderson and Ruth Klossner.