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Hey Mankato, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: New spending authority tested, Girl Scout cookie season, and raptors and a visiting eagle + lots of fun things to do for free.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Mankato protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

New spending authority tested: City Manager Susan Arntz approved $480,000 in added payments for Mankato’s sewage plant upgrade, using council authority. The $83.7 million contract grew slightly as design changes cut costs — see how the policy works.

Values shaping tomorrow’s leaders: Amanda Diehm, a Mankato Girl Scout leader, reflects on guiding girls as cookie season nears. Scouts will sell favorites like Thin Mints starting March 29 outside local businesses — see how girls gain skills.

City reports impact and plans: North Mankato plans expanded 2026 recreation, with weekly youth programs and outdoor camps. Spring Lake Swim Facility will not open this summer. Taylor Library logged 83,000 visits in 2025 — read the full story.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

Highlights this week:

• Book lovers mingle at 507 Poke Bowl
• Pop in for fresh spring arrivals
• Meet raptors and a visiting eagle

🫶 We got your back

Crave-worthy lunch move: From the Shortie French Dip to the Hamberry Grilled Cheese (gruyere + blueberry compote), Nolabelle Kitchen + Bar keeps lunch interesting, and the soup du jour seals the deal. When midweek needs an upgrade, this spot quietly delivers with craveable, well-made sandwiches and cozy bowls every time.

Stroll, picnic, repeat: Whether corralling kiddos at Sibley Farm, sneaking a quiet bench moment, or stretching your legs on river-view loops, Sibley Park delivers easygoing neighborhood joy. Find trails, gardens, and a proper hill for seasonal fun, and watch for the Kern Bridge project linking to Land of Memories soon.

Brick therapy, unlocked: At Bricks & Minifigs Mankato, buy, sell, or trade LEGO, dig through bulk brick tables, build your own minifigs, and hunt for rare pieces. Party space available for birthdays or team fun. The perfect midweek creative reset for kids and nostalgic adults.

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

📆 Free events worth checking out

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🃏 Sorcery Contested Realm Open Play @ Atlantis Hobby | Wednesday (3/11) at 6:00 PM – Craving some cardboard combat that is not poker night? Swing by the free weekly Sorcery trading card meetup, where the vibe is friendly, the rules are learnable, and preconstructed decks are ready so you can jump in, shuffle up, and flex those strategy muscles.

🎵 Music Bingo @ Rounders Sports Bar & Grill | Wednesday (3/11) at 6:45 PM – Wednesday nights mean Music Bingo, free to play, prizes every round, and sing-alongs you pretend you don’t love. Happy hour brings 2-for-1 drinks and $2 Ultra taps, so your lyric confidence gets a budget-friendly soundtrack. Bring the crew, and flex that car radio trivia.

📖 Community Storytime @ River Hills Mall | Thursday (3/12) at 10:30 AM – Thursday mornings call for a little sanity, so bring the little ones to Community Storytime at River Hills Mall by Barnes & Noble and Scheels. Librarians bring the books, songs, and hands-on fun, you bring the coffee, the stroller, and your patient voice. No shushing.

🏠 Mankato Home Show 2026 @ Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center | Friday (3/13) at 3:00 PM – Make your to-do list feel optimistic and hit the downtown Mankato home show at the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center. Dozens of local pros, fresh ideas for remodeling, landscaping, and décor, plus kid-friendly browsing. It’s free, which leaves more budget for that backsplash.

🧙 Friday Night Magic @ Pulp Comics and Games | Friday (3/13) at 6:30 PM – Swap the endless emails for cardboard combat at Pulp’s Free Friday Night Magic, all Commander, all chill. It’s free to enter, you get a pack just for playing, plus 10% off singles and supplies, and the banter’s half the fun.

🚶 Saturday Stride & Stroll @ River Valley Running | Saturday (3/14) at 8:15 AM – If your sneakers have been acting like closet decor, consider this your nudge. Every Saturday, join a free, family-friendly stroll or run on 3-mile routes, go shorter or longer, bring strollers and leashed dogs, then warm up with coffee, snacks, and cocoa, rain or shine.

🐦 Wings over West Skyline @ West Skyline Spring Count | Sunday (3/15) at 1:00 PM – Skip the yardwork and join the West Skyline Spring Count on Sundays for a free, 15-30 minute intro to migration. Learn why it’s west, not Hawk Ridge, which birds boom in spring, and check Hawk Ridge for the day’s spot.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Mankato report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 46°F – Low: 31°F – Precip: 21%

A slight chance of rain after 3pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A chance of rain before 11pm, then rain and snow. Cloudy, with a low around 31. North northeast wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 44°F – Low: 26°F – Precip: 84%

Snow before 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 44. North northwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 26. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across Minnesota but most folks won’t notice until they’re hit with a higher bill when it’s time to renew.

That’s exactly what happened to me. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, it was out of sight and out of mind. Turns out I was blindly paying way more than everyone else I knew.

If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too – here’s the comparison tool I used.

This house is wild

This fully remodeled 4-bed, 2-bath in a sought-after Mankato neighborhood blends space and style with two generous family rooms and a versatile bonus room. Modern finishes shine throughout. A two-car garage and extra driveway parking add convenience. Close to schools, parks, and shopping, it delivers flexible living in a polished, move-in-ready package.

Take a peek inside →