As growing tensions in the Twin Cities, Mankato and across the nation are seen, we understand concerns people may have. Many are aware that a number of rallies were held over the weekend as a result of George Floyd's death and subsequent events. Most people peacefully voiced their concerns; it's unfortunate that some destructive behavior occurred and some businesses were damaged. Thank you to residents who followed the curfew. It takes a team to provide services, so I want to commend public works and facilities, who assisted with road closures and secured damaged buildings; public information and communication, who helped keep [...]

Updated March 28, 2020 Total positive: 441 Patients who no longer need to be isolated: 220 Total approximate number of completed tests: 16,129 Approximate number of completed tests from the MDH Public Health Lab: 7,290 Approximate number of completed tests from external laboratories: 8,839 Deaths: 5 Total cases requiring hospitalization: 57 Hospitalized as of today: 30 Deaths: 5 Total cases requiring hospitalization: 57 Hospitalized as of today: 30 Numbers are cumulative since Jan. 20, 2020. Number of Positive Results by County County of residence is confirmed during the case interview. At the time of this posting not all interviews have been [...]

The Minnesota Department of Health says there are now 115 positive cases of COVID-19. Kris Ehresman is the infectious disease director of the Minnesota Department of Health. She emphasizes the numbers only say so much. "While we want to be transparent about data on counties where cases reside, " said Ehresman. "This should not be construed to mean that counties that do not have cases are safe or that the 115 cases reported represent the absolute number of cases in our state. Since we have evidence of community spread, it means the virus is circulating in all of our communities." There [...]

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has not considered a shelter in place order for Minnesota residents……………yet. "At this point in time, I'm prepared to do that," said Walz. "But if it becomes necessary with the data and where we're at, I am prepared to do that." Walz says determining whether or not to do so will be based on the best data available at that time. "Do I wish there was a checklist which said if this, this and this happens, we shelter in place? Yes," said Walz. "But we don't have that. We're not in the business of hoping, we're in [...]

No new confirmed cases of covid 19 in the area as the total number in Minnesota rises to 115. It was at 89 yesterday. The Minnesota Department of Health says not all cases of COVID-19 are tested, so it is not a representative of the total number of people in Minnesota who have or had COVID-19. All data are preliminary and may change as we investigate the cases. There have been 3,856 total tests taken. Counties with cases: Anoka, Benton, Blue Earth, Carver, Chisago, Clay, Dakota, Filmore, Hennepin, Martin, Mower, Nicollet, Olmsted, Ramsey, Renville, Rice, Scott, Stearns, Waseca, Washington, Wright

A top Minnesota political analyst warns economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic could turn the state budget surplus into a sea of red ink. Hamline University's David Schultz says the latest forecast which came out in late February predicted a 1.5-billion-dollar budget surplus, assuming no major changes in the economy -- but now... "We're seeing Minnesota as well as the rest of the country facing major economic changes. I would bet at this point that we are already in a deficit or very close to running a deficit now, because of the way the economy is shifting." Schultz says the legislature [...]

SAN DIEGO (AP) — U.S. officials are expected to announce new restrictions on the southern border Friday as they try to halt the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. The U.S. and Mexico have been working on plans to halt much of the cross-border travel without disrupting trade. Officials on both sides of the border say the plan is expected to look much like restrictions already announced on all-but-essential travel and trade between the U.S. and Canada. Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf says, “We want to make sure that cargo continues, trade continues, heath care workers continue to be able to [...]

In response to COVID-19’s impact on regional nonprofits, the Greater Mankato Area United Way (GMAUW) and Mankato Area Foundation (MAF) have come together to create a Community Response Fund to assist in their joint efforts to address emerging needs in the communities they serve. The initial goal of the Community Response Fund is to address short-term emergency nonprofit needs throughout our region. MAF will administer grants from this fund in partnership with GMAUW. Funds will be released on a rolling basis as fundraising continues throughout the outbreak and recovery phases of the crisis, making it possible to move resources quickly and [...]

The Hong Kong low-cost airline HK Express, part of the Cathay Pacific Group, is suspending all flights through the end of April due to falling demand from the coronavirus outbreak. The airline said it tentatively plans to resume flying May 1. HK Express normally flies 25 routes throughout Asia. Walmart plans to hire 150,000 U.S. hourly workers for its stores and distribution centers through the end of May. The roles will be temporary at first but many will convert to permanent jobs, said Walmart spokesman Dan Bartlett.