KMSU Community Stories

April 5, 2023 Local drummer Ryan Rader has played with at least 25 bands from around the area. He talked about becoming a drummer and an upcoming gig with The Hoppers on April 8, 2023 at Chankaska Winery.

April 3, 2023  MNSU's College of Humanities and Social Sciences welcomes rapper, writer and public speaker Dessa to the Minnesota Storyteller artist-in-residence and performance series. Dessa will be in residence at Minnesota State Mankato from Thursday, April 6 through Friday, April 7.

March 25, 2023 Bryce O. Stenzel, founder and president of the Friends of the Boy in Blue talks about the upcoming Civil War Symposium: The Tide Turns (1863) which will be held on Sat. March 25, 2023 at the Morson-Ario, 1900 N. Riverfront, Mankato from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Register at www.boyinblue.org or call 507-491-4171.

March 22, 2023 Mankato Area Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Paul Peterson talks about the budget cuts the school board is wrestling with, as well as the mental health issues faced by students.

March 27, 2023 George Packer, a journalist who has covered the Iraq war for the New Yorker, written several books, and is now on staff at The Atlantic is the keynote speaker for MNSU's Department of Government's Kessel Memorial Lecture on March 28, 2023. He discusses the realities of covering war and how being there impacts one's perceptions. He also discusses the dramatic shift in attitudes in foreign relations.

March 24, 2023 The St. Paul & Minnesota Foundation is a statewide community foundation that serves all of Minnesota. President & CEO, KMSU'S Karen Wright interviews Eric Jolly about how the non-profit provides grants to 8,500 communities across the state.

March 8, 2023  Mankato Public Schools have an after-school and summer child care program for elementary students. ACES Program Coordinator Sam Schirmers  talks about the program and need to recruit assistants for the summer program.

March 1, 2023 A Mankato couple with a background in tennis have opened the Pickle Barn -- a facility for others to play Pickle Ball, an up and coming sport. Mitch and Sidney Elofson opened the first Pickle Ball facility in Mankato and one of the first in the state. A Grand Opening will happen this weekend, March 4 and 5, 2023. The Pickle Barn is located at 90 Power Drive, Mankato. 

KMSU's Karen Wright knew nothing about Pickle Ball or the Pickle Barn and you can learn all about it in this podcast for yourself!

Feb. 15, 2023 One Bright Star organization is hosting a gala to raise funds to support families who have lost a child. Executive Director, Erica Fischer and gala coordinator, Suzie Hall talk about the organization and the upcoming event.

Feb. 2, 2023 Minnesota Singer-songwriter Sarah Morris talks with Minnesota Morning's Karen Wright about her upbringing in Minnesota to Nashville and back. Morris will sing as part of the  MNSU Music Performance Series on Feb. 7, 2023.