Happy weekend, Mankato! In today’s happening-today edition: Main street roadwork, a summer solstice celebration, and rescue network meet and greet + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.
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01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Roadwork progresses downtown: Main Street’s second construction phase will begin Monday, June 22, replacing asphalt, improving drainage, and installing new manhole frames, with work expected to last about a month depending on weather -- see the Main Street timeline.
Affordable housing expands ahead: Mankato plans to expand land trust to nearly 40 homes over two years, pending a $2 million state allocation. City Council pledged $300,000, and Blue Earth County may add $100,000 -- check the housing plan details.
Bridge repairs continue: MnDOT will close Riverfront Drive between East Main and Plum streets July 1-2 for Veterans Memorial Bridge work. No additional detours are expected as crews improve Belgrade Avenue Bridge -- follow the bridge closure plan.
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The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest -- this one's $150 off right now.* Highlights this week: |
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03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Quick nature reset: Swing by Minneopa State Park Ranger Station for a quick map and the inside scoop, then wander to the double waterfalls and cruise the Bison Drive for prairie cameos. An easy, low-planning reset when you want fresh air, a leg stretch, and a safe bison sighting from your car.
A better dinner plan: Craving something better than bar food? Nolabelle Kitchen + Bar keeps it local with scratch-made, farm-to-table plates, cocktails, and a weekly mimosa flight of four mini pours. Perfect for a low-key date or catching up with friends when you want dinner to feel like a treat.
Indoor golf, leveled up: Whether you’re dodging wind or just craving legit reps after work, The Course is Mankato’s members-only indoor golf club with private suites and GolfZon simulators that tilt, track, and analyze every swing, plus on-site coaching from the Caleb Christensen Golf Academy to get dialed this week.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Around town today & tomorrowOur favorite events going on the rest of this weekend. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🍎 Tree Ripe Fruit Co. @ Fleet Farm | Saturday (6/20) at 9:00 AM – If your backyard peaches never make it past golf ball status, the Tree Ripe Fruit Co. truck is hitting Fleet Farm in Mankato with real-deal Georgia peaches, and more. Pick your favorites, enjoy fruit that smells like summer, and pretend your produce aisle never happened.
☕ Coffee with the Council @ Beans Coffee Company (North Mankato) | Saturday (6/20) at 10:00 AM – Nothing beats hot coffee with the folks who decide where the budget goes. Beans Coffee House hosts a low-key chat with the North Mankato Mayor and Council, no podiums, just caffeine and a chance to trade gripes, praise, and ideas, then leave feeling listened to.
☀ Summer Solstice Celebration @ Living Earth Center Community Gardens | Saturday (6/20) at 6:00 PM – If you needed an excuse to stretch the longest day, this solstice hang has you covered. Pack a picnic, catch Kara Karels, try community yoga with Carly, then slide into seasonal reflection, crafts, games, and neighborly chatter. Free, donations welcome.
📚 Summer Reading Celebration @ Barnes & Noble | Saturday (6/20) – Summer Reading Celebration is taking over, and yes, your mini bookworms are the guests of honor. Bring the grown-ups, claim some crafts, and call it culture. It’s wholesome chaos, faintly smells like crayons, and beats refereeing another pool noodle duel.
🛍 $1-5 Village FLEA @ Vagabond Village | Sunday (6/21) at 1:00 AM – Bring small bills and your best barter face to the Village FLEA, where every find is $5 or less. A neighborly traders market with no pretense, perfect for shedding ‘what was I thinking’ clutter, snagging useful gems, and swapping stories with folks you recognize.
🤝 Rescue Network Meet & Greet @ Pet Expo | Sunday (6/21) at 12:00 PM – Pet Expo turns into a meet and greet with the Rescue Network’s adoptable dogs and puppies, equal parts sniff tests and soul-melting eye contact. Think community therapy you can pet, fewer awkward icebreakers, more tail wags, and a chance you leave with a couch supervisor.
🎤 MCQC Concert @ Centenary United Methodist Church | Sunday (6/21) at 2:00 PM – Nothing beats live harmonies on a hometown stage, especially when the Mankato Community Queer Choir is back, Taking the Stage. Expect anthems, ballads, and that goosebump moment, real voices over algorithms, all in an inclusive room. Fifteen bucks at the door, cash, PayPal, or Venmo. Live music & entertainment:
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — The Mankato report Weather forecastToday — High: 79°F — Low: 57°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 79. Northwest wind around 5 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 74°F — Low: 55°F — Precip: 33%
A chance of rain showers after 7am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. East northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: A chance of rain showers before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. North northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. This house is wildThis spacious Mankato rambler blends everyday convenience with a rare wooded backyard retreat. Vaulted ceilings and an open-concept main level set the stage, while the kitchen brings granite countertops, a large island, coffee bar, and walk-in pantry. A 3-stall garage with 220V EV charging, plus a lower-level guest suite with soaking tub, keeps it wonderfully functional.
Take a peek inside → |
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