Westonka caps regular season with loss to Hutchinson

Westonka faced its fifth top-10 Class 4A opponent of the season Oct. 21 but couldn’t keep pace with Hutchinson, falling 49-15 at Rostberg Stadium in its regular-season finale. Hutchinson quarterback Graydon Rostberg threw for 152 yards and two touchdowns, while running back Hanley Neumann rushed for 120 yards and two scores to lead the Tigers (6-2). Westonka has faced arguably the toughest schedule in Class 4A this season, taking on Orono, the top-ranked team in the latest Star Tribune poll, third-ranked Willmar, ninth-ranked Marshall and Delano, which was tied with Hutchinson for 10th. “It really has been a gauntlet for us almost each week this year,” Westonka coach Nick David said. The Tigers wasted little time establishing control Wednesday, covering 58 yards in four plays on their opening possession. Neumann capped the drive with a 16-yard touchdown run, and Maddox Schumacher added the extra point for a 7-0 lead. Westonka struggled offensively on its first possession. Sophomore quarterback Nolan Pease was sacked for a 6-yard loss before an incomplete pass forced the White Hawks to punt. Gavin Johnson’s 35-yard kick was returned to the Westonka 43-yard line. Rostberg capitalized, connecting with Jones Thode on a 27-yard pass to the Westonka

Hmong College Prep Academy Bass Fishing Team Reels In Success During 2026 Season

With their tournament championships, biggest fish tallies, a South Metro Conference title, and six Minnesota State Bass Fishing Tournament invites, Hmong College Prep Academy’s, HCPA’s, bass fishing team had a season to remember. A member of Minnesota Junior BASS Nation, HCPA anglers compete in the South Metro Conference....

Community mourning after unexpected death of Apple Valley school speech coach

Tributes are being paid to a respected Apple Valley High School speech and debate coach who has died unexpectedly at the age of 39. Family members have confirmed the death of Daniel Hodges, with a GoFundMe campaign set up on behalf of his family saying: "Last week, we experienced the unexpected and tragic loss of Daniel Hodges.

Mankato Area Public Schools names Jeff Dahline interim principal at East High School

MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) - Mankato Area Public Schools announced on Friday that Jeff Dahline will be the interim principal at East High School. Dahline succeeds Akram Osman, who recently accepted a position as Director of Achievement, Equity and Multilingual Learner Programming with Edina Public Schools. The district says Dahline will...

Mankato Teachers Association Names Amanda Kozitza Teacher of the Year

Mankato Area Public Schools (MAPS) is proud to celebrate Amanda Kozitza, a seventh-grade U.S. Studies teacher at Prairie Winds Middle School, who has been named the Mankato Teachers Association Teacher of the Year. Kozitza is being recognized for her dedication to students, creative teaching practices and leadership within the school...

Mankato East High School Counselor Named Minnesota School Counselor of the Year

Mankato Area Public Schools (MAPS) is proud to announce that Heather Krause, school counselor at Mankato East High School, has been named the Minnesota School Counselor of the Year by the Minnesota School Counselors Association (MSCA). Krause, who has served as a school counselor in MAPS for 24 years, was...

School board looks at child care, trimester changes

October is National Principals’ Month, recognizing the important role school leaders play in supporting students, staff and school communities. At its Oct. 22 meeting, the Waseca School Board received updates from Superintendent Eric Hudspith on the district’s developing childcare plan and the possibility of transitioning from semesters to trimesters.

Somali students work to find belonging in Edina amidst community unrest

“People assume stuff about you like that you might not be as smart, that you’re not as American, or more socially awkward, or that you’re not willing to integrate,” senior Samira Khadar said. “Or [you’re] excluded in groups and classrooms when you have to partner up and people just ignore you.”

Westonka tops state districts in reading, math

Westonka Public Schools ranked first in Minnesota in overall reading and math proficiency, according to 2026 state assessment results released by the Minnesota Department of Education on Sept. 30. Mark Femrite, assistant superintendent for Teaching and Learning, presented the results to the Westonka School Board at its Oct. 12 meeting. The rankings include districts that tested at least 100 students per grade level. The results reflect the percentage of students scoring proficient or above on Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments and Minnesota Test of Academic Skills assessments. Westonka ranked first statewide in reading for grades three, four, five and seven and in math for grades four, five and seven. The district also ranked fifth statewide in science proficiency and placed in the top five on 13 of 17 state assessments. Femrite attributed the results to strong classroom instruction and teachers’ efforts to engage students and address individual needs. The district also hosted community roundtables Oct. 27 and 28 focused on construction, machining and health care careers. The discussions brought together educators, industry professionals and community members to learn about the courses, tour Westonka High School’s new lab spaces and discuss ways to support students. Audit In other business, the board reviewed the

Jake Johnson visits MSU Mankato and Gustavus Adolphus College

MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) - With less than a week to go until Election Day, Democratic House of Representatives candidate Jake Johnson visited local colleges Wednesday. Johnson visited MSU in Mankato and Gustavus in St. Peter to meet with students and bring the campaign trail to local campuses. Johnson said that...

Event gives high schoolers a glimpse of the future

About 140 Waseca area high school students had a look at various options for the future during the Waseca College and Career Fair held at the Mill the morning of Tuesday, Oct. 20. The event was organized by the Workforce Development Committee of the Waseca Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Waseca Public Schools. Business owners, agencies, and representatives from area technical and traditional colleges–about 40 experts altogether–, shared options and possibilities in a wide variety of fields. Though similar events in the past have brought students in from around the area, Robin Dulas, Chamber Executive Director, clarified “They were all Waseca this time.”

Fairmont high school student honored with lifesaving award for saving brother from choking

FAIRMONT, Minn. (KEYC) -The City of Fairmont honored a high school student on Monday, Oct. 26, for jumping into action to save his twin brother who was choking in the cafeteria of Fairmont Senior High School. On Oct. 8, Carter Simmering, a 9th grader, said he rushed into action to...

ISD 111 board chair represents state board in D.C. trip

Watertown-Mayer School Board Chair Hunter Feldt traveled to Washington, D.C., in late September to represent the Minnesota School Boards Association at the Consortium of State School Boards Associations’ Federal Advocacy Conference. The trip included meetings with Minnesota’s congressional delegation. Feldt and fellow school board members from across the state urged lawmakers to address federal issues affecting public schools, students, families and staff. “One of my biggest points of pride was talking about Watertown-Mayer,” Feldt said. “I wanted to make sure our legislators understand how federal decisions show up in our classrooms every single day.” The conversations focused on three issues affecting Watertown-Mayer: internet access, special education funding and student mental health. Internet access through E-Rate Advocates discussed how cuts to the federal E-Rate program, administered by the Federal Communications Commission, would affect local schools. E-Rate helps districts provide students and staff with reliable, affordable and safe internet access. Special education funding When Congress passed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, it pledged to cover 40 percent of the additional cost of special education. Fifty years later, that commitment has never been met. Federal funding covers about 12 pct. of those costs in Watertown-Mayer, leaving the district to cover the difference

Teacher of Teachers: MSU Professor wins the Golden Apple Award

Providence Lions finish 3-5 for regular season

The Providence Academy Lions had high hopes going into the 2026 football season with 1,000-yard passer JJ Rooney returning as the senior quarterback. When a broken collar bone sent Rooney to the sidelines, he continued to help the team by mentoring sophomore understudy Tommy Willihnganz. With the younger QB in charge, the Lions finished the regular season with a 3-5 record. While that was a good mark, all things considered, Providence players wondered what might have happened if JJ Rooney was in the lineup. Providence Academy’s regular-season finale Oct. 21 was a 47-14 loss to undefeated Orono, the defending district champion. The Spartans passed for 223 yards and ran for 224 in a perfectly balanced offense. The score at halftime was 34-0 before the Spartans eased off a bit in the second half. Willihnganz had 99 passing yards, but Providence Academy’s rushing attack was stopped cold with only 33 yards on 19 carries. Providence Academy’s touchdown came via a 60-yard kick-off return by Zach Roles to open the third quarter and a 7-yard run by Noah Boro in the fourth quarter. Boro kicked both extra points. Two Providence pass catchers made their presence known against Orono. Roles had six receptions

Little Lakers Child Care Center celebrates five-year anniversary

Lake Crystal, Minn. (KEYC) - Little Lakers Child Care Center in Lake Crystal is celebrating five years of operation. “We are celebrating the five-year anniversary of opening our daycare,” said preschool teacher Nevaeh Tracy. As the only child care center in town, Little Lakers has filled a need for...

High School Results & Schedule 10/23/26

Orono 3, New Prague 0 (25-18, 25-23, 29-27) *Trojans finish 1-6 in Metro West Conference. Watertown-Mayer 3, Jordan 2 (20-25, 25-22, 12-25, 25-18, 15-12) Boys: 1. Mankato Loyola-Cleveland-St. Clair 49, 2. Madelia 59, 3. Sleepy Eye United 68. Girls: 1. Mankato Loyola-Cleveland-St. Clair 22 (1. Charlotte Meyer 19:28.4), 2. Springfield/Cedar...

School board candidates disagree on test scores, district quality

John Bellingham, a former teacher, believes the school district is doing a job with its kids, he supports looking beyond a single test score. Mike Cross says he’s tired of excuses, he wants the district to adopt cursive writing to…

Albert Lea Area Schools considers elementary school closure

Albert Lea Area Schools is considering closing one of its elementary schools as the district works to address declining enrollment and budget challenges.