Mankato, Minn., Sept. 29, 2022—In recognition of the global agribusiness and nutrition company’s 120th anniversary, Major Najwa Massad has formally declared this Sept. 30 "ADM Day" in Mankato. ADM — previously known as Archer Daniels Midland Company — has long been a valued business presence in the Mankato community, contributing significantly to the area's employment base, local-business spending, community-development efforts and more. "ADM has played such an important and active role in Mankato, and we are very proud to celebrate this momentous occasion with our valued community members. After many years, ADM and Mankato continue to have a successful foundation that [...]

Motorists traveling on the Highway 99 Minnesota River bridge at St. Peter should be alert for lane restrictions Oct. 4-5 as crews make repairs to the bridge, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Traffic will be reduced to one lane across the bridge with a flagging operation in place. Crews are expected to complete the repairs by Oct. 5, weather permitting. Repairs to the historic bridge are necessary after it was struck by a vehicle earlier this summer causing damage to overhead steel beams. MnDOT encourages motorists to check the height of their vehicles and loads before traveling, especially equipment [...]

Drought stress is evident as an organic farmer in southwest Minnesota begins soybean harvest. Carolyn Olson of Cottonwood says her area has been in moderate to severe drought all summer and crops reflect that. "We don’t have an accurate (yield) number to give right now, but it is probably on par or maybe just a little under last year on this variety." Olson says harvest moisture is in the 10 to 12 percent range: "Which for us is pretty ideal. But the next two fields that we tried were still way too wet (and) had some pretty green soybeans in them [...]

Local author, Allen Eskens, will present at the VINE Adult Community Center on Thursday, October 6 from 11:30 am – 12:30 pm. Eskens is the bestselling author of “The Life We Bury,” “The Guise of Another,” “The Heavens May Fall,” “The Deep Dark Descending,” “The Shadows We Hide” and “Nothing More Dangerous.” 

(Minneapolis, MN)  --  With the Vikings in London, an NFL game may still play at U.S. Bank Stadium.  The Buccaneers-Chiefs game may move to Minneapolis pending the damage Hurricane Ian may cause Tampa Bay. No final decision will be made on the game until later this week, but Minneapolis will be the contingency site.

(Faribault Co., MN)  --  A southern Minnesota man is dead after a tractor crash in Faribault County.  Police say Michael Wegner of Wells was hit by an SUV while driving his tractor on Highway 22 last night.  Police say Wegner died in the crash and three people in the SUV suffered non-life threatening injuries.

Mankato’s Indigenous People’s Day Committee is hosting a weekend full of events October 6-10th. This year’s theme is “Keeping Indigenous History: Growing our Seeds.”  All events are free and open to the public.   Thurs Oct 6, 2022 Film showing at MSU Campus - Ostrander Auditorium - 4:00pm to 6:00pm - Film Showing: Gather   Fri Oct 7, 2022 “Food and a Band” at The HUB Food Park - 4:00pm - 8:00pm Main band - Bluedog Blues Band Drum group and dancers - Upstream Singers Food trucks Vendors - Local, Indigenous *bring chair or blanket   Saturday Oct 8, 2022 Film [...]

(Rochester, MN)  --  A Pine Island man is serving four years in prison after kidnapping a woman in Rochester and setting her house on fire.  Michael Drury was sentenced last week for the incident that took place in October of 2021.  The defendant pleaded guilty in June to felony arson.  Other charges including kidnapping and assault with a deadly weapon have been dismissed.  Drury will receive 11 months credit for time spent in jail and also must register as a predatory offender.

(North Mankato, MN)  --  North Mankato's yearly fall festival takes place this weekend.  The Party on the Prairie Fall Festival takes place at Benson Park Saturday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.  There will be several events for families including a corn pit, face painting, hayrides, live music, food and drinks, and more.  More information is available on the Party on the Prairie Facebook page.

(Minneapolis, MN)  --  Residence Hall students at the University of Minnesota are getting a dining fee credit.  Residential students have been impacted by shortened hours and limited menu options as a result of staffing shortages.  The university is refunding 50-percent of residential students' September meal fees.  Officials say dining operations will continue to be evaluated to determine if future credits are appropriate.