HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: United spoils RTR’s Homecoming

TYLER — Sleepy Eye United played the role of spoiler on Friday, Sept. 11, beating Russell-Tyler-Ruthton 36-6 in the Knights’ Homecoming game. Sleepy Eye didn’t allow a single RTR offensive TD, holding the Knights to 106 total yards. “They beat us up front on both sides of...

USC sets proposed levy at max amount

The United South Central School Board met on Sept. 15 with one of the items on their agenda being to set the preliminary 2026 payable 2027 levy. Following a review of the revised 2026-2027 budget by finance manager Stacie Whiteside, the board took up the matter of the proposed tax levy.

Faribault cancels varsity boys hockey season; ‘this is not the end,’ says director

For the first time in Faribault High School history, the Falcons will not field a varsity boys hockey team in the 2026-27 school year. Activities Director Shane Gunderson said the school was exploring options to return to varsity competition in the future. “We made the decision early because we did not want to enter the season with a roster that we did not believe was sustainable or put students in a situation where safety could become a concern,” Gunderson said. “Our goal is absolutely to field a Faribault boys hockey team again. We are currently working to determine whether we can maintain a junior varsity-level program this winter.” Gunderson said keeping a high school program available is important because the school has younger players in the Faribault Hockey Association, and it wants those students to be able to see a path to playing high school hockey in Faribault. Boys hockey was already participating in a cooperative agreement that included students from Bethlehem Academy, Medford and Randolph. Gunderson said even with those schools participating, the overall numbers were not sufficient to field a varsity team. While the school will continue to look for other cooperative opportunities for its hockey team, Gunderson

Explosive plays propel Crusaders past Martin County West

The Mayer Lutheran football team’s defense had a tough task on Friday night, facing a potent offense in Martin County West. But the Crusaders stood strong, limiting the opposition to 14 points in a 41-14 win. “Martin County West had size and a couple of fast receivers and running backs, but our defense played very well, bent a little but didn’t break,” said coach Dean Aurich. “MCW scored 60 points in their first game, so we knew our defense needed to step up and slow them down.” MCW nearly doubled up the Crusaders in plays run (51 to 29), but not for lack of offense from Mayer Lutheran. The Crusaders got numerous chunk plays, while limiting the opposition to small gains. “Big plays were popular on Friday night,” said Aurich. “Several runs and passes broke for 40 plus yard touchdowns. We thought we would need to pass more to move the ball, but our offensive line did their job and we moved the ball effectively, creating running lanes that gave us some really big plays.” Ben Lindesmith tallied 236 yards on just 18 carries, scoring three touchdowns while averaging 13.1 yards per carry. Lindesmith had running touchdowns for 67 and

Two Mankato Area Public Schools Seniors Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists

Two Mankato Area Public Schools seniors have been named semifinalists in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program. Kamryn Hoffman of Mankato East High School and Leila Pratt of Mankato West High School are among more than 16,000 semifinalists recognized nationwide for their academic achievement. “Kamryn’s recognition as a National Merit...

High School Results & Schedule 9/18/26

*BP-Boden Siegle 14 carries, 61 yards, 3 TD, Reed Creighton 15-20, 155 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT; TCU-Keagan O’Meara 11 carries, 102 yards, 2 TD & 4 receptions, 54 yards, TD. *Cleveland improves to 3-0. Volleyball. #7AAAA Chanhassen 3, New Prague 0 (25-15, 25-20, 25-14) *Chan-Ella Zieske 22 kills.

BEA Board Evaluated Superintendent Fletcher at Monday Night’s Meeting

The Blue Earth Area School Board held its regular September meeting Monday night. Superintendent Mandy Fletcher received a positive overall evaluation, with goals set for the coming year including the district’s strategic roadmap, school culture and climate and asset protection as bond and facility projects move forward. Fletcher also...

Walz to Carleton students: 'Welcome to the fight'

As Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz entered the Skinner Memorial Chapel alongside Carleton College President Alison Byerly, bubbles rained down from above as members of the senior class continued a opening-convocation tradition of blowing bubbles as the academic procession entered behind the governor. “All the big movements you go back and look, they’re never fueled by the elected officials. They’re never fueled by people who are in official positions. They’re fueled by the passion for people who know what’s right,” Walz said. “And this situation is no different than that.” Walz, a former high school social studies teacher and football coach, continued what Byerly said has been a 50-year tradition of Minnesota governors speaking at the ceremony marking the start of the academic year. The event was also where Byerly announced the college would no longer require loans as part of any student’s financial aid package. “What you’re going to find out here in Minnesota is we’re all immigrants that are on Indigenous land,” he said. “This is Dakota and Anishinaabe land. We’ve all made it by coming here. And what you’ll also find in Minnesota, we’re not America-first people. We’re humanity-first people. … Minnesota is on the front lines of

Faribault's valedictorian change could be rescinded

The valedictorian system meant to end this year may continue on after Superintendent Jamie Bente said he and school staff would consider expanding the honors system while maintaining its valedictorian-salutatorian system at a Monday evening school board work session. “I think we’ve heard loud and clear from at least some of our residents that this tradition of having a valedictorian is very important for Faribault,” Bente said. “I think there’s something that we can do that can accommodate both. There’s nothing that says you can’t have a valedictorian that is your highest GPA achieving student, and still recognize everyone else within that system down to a certain 3.0 GPA criteria.” Faribault Public Schools moved to sunset its valedictorian system back in 2024 in that year’s proposed student handbook. The 2027-28 senior class will be the first to have no valedictorian under this handbook. The new honors system will have students ranked as Honors with a 3.0-3.49 GPA, High Honors with a 3.5-4.0 GPA and Highest Honors with a 4.0 GPA or above. Faribault High School Principal Nate Molitor said the change was implemented to be more in line with Latin honors standards used by many colleges, decreasing academic stress and

2026 Queen and King crowned

Hazel Dauer is the daughter of Nick and Crystal Dauer and Leo Hovland the son of Chad and Tanya Hovland were crowned 2026 Springfield High School’s Homecoming King and Queen during Saturday’s coronation. Homecoming Court includes from L: Preston Anderson, Julie McCone, Ely Streich, Sophie Mude, King Leo...

High School Scores Wrapped – Tuesday, September 15th

(ABC 6 Sports) – Cooler tempuratures mean fall sports are officially in full swing with local matchups and rivalries getting chippy.

‘Dear Jacob’ Author Patty Wetterling to Speak at MSU Mankato on Advocacy and the Power of Education

MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) - Nationally recognized child advocate and author Patty Wetterling is returning to her alma mater, Minnesota State University, Mankato, to headline a special Homecoming week event. Speaking on In the Spotlight, MSU Director of Alumni Relations Brian Zins announced that Wetterling—a 1971 graduate alongside her husband, Jerry—will participate in a free, public fireside chat on Thursday, October 1, at Ostrander Auditorium.

Hayward schools add officers after threatening posts on social media

Rosemount sisters Amisha and Ashna Ramlall commit to Stanford

Two of Minnesota's top girls' high school basketball prospects are heading to Palo Alto.

School back in session, now with increased security

MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) - It’s the first day of school for many elementary schools. It’s a particularly big day for some Mankato schools that had an extended summer break due to construction ending the last school year early. “Super Summer is finally over and we are excited to...

Minnesota State University, Mankato holds first Stomper’s Closet event to provide professional clothing for students in need

MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) - Minnesota State University, Mankato held its first Stomper’s Closet Pop Up event at the Centennial Student Union this Thursday, on Sept. 10, to give out free professional clothing to any student who wanted it. Katie Jolicoeur, director of career services, said the hope is to...

Waseca looking at change to semester schedule

At the September 3 work session, Waseca school board members heard from Area Learning Center teacher Eric Mix about his work with the pilot robotics program XRP through MSU Mankato. Mix was eager to implement robotics back into the district as there has not been an advisor for the program since the retirement of teacher Bill Kuschel. Through XRP, students learn using various programs such as Blockley, a visual, logic-based introductory version of coding, then evolve to mini Python (precursor to Python).

Teaching 9/11 to a generation of students born after that tragic day

ListenTeaching 9/11 to a generation of students born after that tragic day. As the tragic events of 9/11 began to unfold 25 years ago, millions of teachers and students were just starting their school day. Among them was Waseca High School social studies teacher John Hanson and his students. They...