KMSU Community Stories

March 26, 2025 - Mankato Area Public School Superintendent Paul Peterson talks about how the dismantling of the Dept. of Education could impact the school district. He also discusses Artificial Intelligence and how the district is educating and implementing it in schools. Plus Peterson describes on-going mental health needs of students. 

March 25, 2025 - As a 22-year-old intern, Andrew Herr asked Glen Taylor for a million dollars. And he got it! Herr talks about how Taylor let him make mistakes as an intern which resulted in him becoming the CEO of Rembrandt Foods,  a leading egg company. Herr was the guest speaker at Minnesota State Mankato's "Richard Schmitz Food Entrepreneurship Series" for The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and shared his success story.

March 19, 2025- Katti Leuken, Early Childhood Family Education Program Supervisor in the Mankato Area Public School System describes the  many classes and services offered to parents of children ages 0 -5 years old. 

March 13, 2025 - In June 2024, the Rapidan Dam suffered catastrophic failure when floodwaters tore around the west end of the dam, eating away the shoreline and sending a century's worth of sediment stored behind the structure down the river. Dr. Phil Larsen, co-director of Minnesota State Mankato's Earth Systems Laboratory and MSU alum Zach Hilgendorf received a National Science Foundation grant to study how the river has altered the environment, and provide information to communities across the nation about what to expect in future dam failures.

March 12, 2025 - A permit application to mine sand and gravel on land immediately adjacent to one of the Mankato area's newest and largest parks has been withdrawn following a flood of opposition. Community effort, led by Charles Eltonga, who started a petition which helped to save the park from mining was a success.

Feb. 26, 2025 KMSU's Karen Wright talked with Mankato Area Public School Superintendent Paul Peterson about recent policy changes for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and what that might mean for District #77.  Peterson also provided updates on what's going on in the district. 

Feb. 19, 2025 Mankato Area Public Schools provides community education for all ages and reaches out to communities beyond Mankato. Melanie Schmidt, Enrichment Coordinator, and Tia DuPont, Recreation Specialist talk about the many opportunities open to participants.

Jan. 22, 2025 Mankato Area Public Schools Superintendent, Paul Peterson, and MAPS Principal on Special Assignment, Tabitha Miller, discussed the new FOCUS schools which are being developed in the district and how they work to serve students. Peterson also discussed how the U.S. election of a new administration may impact education.

Jan. 8, 2025 The Crossroads Campus Ministry serves many with their food outreach program that includes "Campus Kitchen". Pastor Jenna Couch talks about the organization's fundraiser called, "A Day in the Life of Crossroads", with the aim to keep up with the growing food insecurity faced on the campus at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Dec. 18, 2024 Local musician, Hanna Cesario, talks about her upcoming "Tribute to Patsy Cline" show on Jan. 4 in New Ulm, and on Feb. 7 in Mankato. Cesario discusses the legendary singer as well has her own musical journey.