MANKATO — This week’s round of Community Response Fund grants awarded $3,000 to one community organization.

ST. PETER — A vigil and rally beginning at 4 p.m. today in Minnesota Square Park is planned in response to the death of George Floyd, a black man from St. Louis Park who died after taken into custody by Minneapolis police Monday night.

MANKATO — Mankato is one of several Greater Minnesota communities taking part in a University of Minnesota — Duluth study testing the prevalence of COVID-19 in wastewater.

As area graduates have had to forgo traditional commencement ceremonies, community groups and businesses have stepped up to help give special forms of recognition.

NORTH MANKATO — Expanded testing at North Mankato’s Oak Terrace Assisted Living recently identified COVID-19 in 27 residents and 20 staff members — including the facility’s administrator.

A Democratic challenger has stepped up to vie for control of Republican Rep. Jeremy Munson’s seat in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

Travis John Stancer, 44, who has two criminal sexual conduct convictions and another charge pending, moved to New Ulm last week.

Jonathan Michael Rink is charged with assault and threats. 

The Free Press

MANKATO — Even though area fourth graders are not in school this spring, they still are the fourth class to be gifted a poetry book.

Mankato City Manager Pat Hentges gave updated 2020 budget forecasts at Tuesday's City Council meeting.

NORTH MANKATO — Blues on Belgrade is the latest community celebration to be called off due to the pandemic.

ST. JAMES — A steady weekend of COVID-19 testing at the St. James Armory was the latest sign of ramped-up efforts to identify the illness in south-central Minnesota.

The Free Press

The Free Press

MANKATO — No one was injured in a house fire late Monday night, but the structure was heavily damaged.

MANKATO — The explosive growth of the Mankato area is not just bringing more development but also is bringing more diverse architectural influences.

The Free Press

WATERVILLE — A section of the Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail will close Tuesday.

After her shifts helping care for residents at Vista Prairie at Monarch Meadows in North Mankato, Ashley Schmitz often found herself drawn back to Kären Madsen room.

MANKATO — The Minnesota Legislature adjourned its regular legislative session Monday with a host of smaller accomplishments done, but several major policy items waiting for action.

Mankato’s premier brainpower industry might be facing a significant downsizing when it comes to Minnesota State University and others opening next fall.

Q: Why do most restroom doors — particularly in restaurants — always open inward and you have to touch a dirty door handle when maybe half the people don’t even wash their hands? The obvious answer is, ‘Well, use a paper towel (to open the door).’ First of all, most of the paper towels aren’…

MANKATO — For the various city-run entertainment venues, 2019 was a banner year.

MANKATO — A patient is accused of attacking a Mankato hospital employee after he masturbated in front of her.

Mankato Clinic

MADELIA — A Madelia couple allegedly did not report their income on government medical assistance forms.

Sean Colin Webster-Mulcahey, 29, of Mankato, is charged with felony counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and threats of violence.

ST. PETER — William Carey Brown’s long and eventful life included service as a general in the U.S. Army.

James Orlando Alexander, 41, was charged with felony assault with a dangerous weapon and gross misdemeanor malicious punishment of a child.

Jonathan Lane Knaak, 27, was charged with felony counts of fleeing police and drug possession.

MANKATO — With a return date for MRCI’s day programming still unclear, the nonprofit began cutting staff Friday.

The Free Press

• Mail: The Mankato and North Mankato post offices and the Madison East branch will be closed Monday in observance of Memorial Day. Residential mail will not be delivered. Service windows will be closed and mail will not be sorted to lock boxes.