Sunday, April 26, 2026

Heads up for pet parents: An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.*

Major redevelopment moves forward: On April 13, Mankato City Council approved zoning and design for Front Street Place, clearing the vacant downtown Walgreens for a 60 million project with a grocery and 160 apartments -- get all the project details.

Major corridor upgrades ahead: A Highway 22 detour between Mankato and St. Peter began April 15 as MnDOT launches a multiyear project adding turn lanes, repairing bridges, improving lighting, and designing a future trail -- see what's planned for Highway 22.

Fried chicken chain expands: Dave's Hot Chicken opened in Edina on April 17 at the former Wendy's at Yorktown Mall, and the chain plans more Minnesota spots this year, including one in Mankato -- check out the full lineup.

The bill everyone over 50 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.*

Retirees are making moves: After gold's best year in nearly five decades, more folks than ever are moving part of their savings into precious metals. Not all of it... just enough to hedge against inflation. AHG put together a free guide that explains how it works -- grab your copy here.*

Local pint adventure: Pub 500 keeps Downtown Mankato’s Entertainment District lively with hearty American fare, craft beers, and a calendar that swings from live bands to trivia. Feeling adventurous? The World Beer Cruise turns exploring the tap list into a low pressure quest that beats the usual “what should we order” debate.

Burger night, solved: When the group chat needs a low-stress plan, Boulder Tap House delivers craft burgers, legendary wings, and a tap list with something for the IPA diehard and the "just give me crisp" crowd. Sign up for their Drink Beer, Get Stuff rewards, then call a flight research.

Local slice legend: Since 1969, Pagliai's Pizza has been the Mankato standby and the city's oldest pizzeria, serving pies, sandwiches, and spaghetti, all made with daily-prepped dough, hand-cut toppings, and a custom Wisconsin mozzarella blend. When your week needs a sure thing, the Palace or a Taco Pizza will absolutely set it right.

That patch of scalp that wasn't there a year ago: It's more common than most folks talk about. Especially in your 50s... hormones, stress, and nutrition all start pulling at hair density at once. Nutrafol is a drug-free daily supplement designed to work on those causes together — and in clinical studies, 93% of women said their hair looked healthier after six months. *Take a look →

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 →

For women who've been feeling off for years: The fatigue, the weight creeping up, the mood swings, the sleep that won't hold. Turns out most of those "it's just aging" problems are actually caused by hormones, and proper HRT can get you back to feeling like yourself. The catch? You can't get it without a full hormone panel and a doctor who understands what those numbers mean. Most women never get either, but Hone Health gives you both. *See how it works →

Two sprays before bed, no more snoring? It really is that simple. No mouthpiece to wrestle with, no CPAP mask, no nose strips that peel off at 2am. This doctor-developed throat spray has been keeping sleepers quiet for 30 years, and first-time orders are 40% off right now. *See how it works →

Your homeowners insurance has a blind spot: It covers your house if a tree falls on it. It doesn’t cover your furnace when it quits in January, your AC when it dies in July, or your water heater when it starts leaking on a Tuesday. Those are all classified as "normal wear and tear," and they're 100% on you. American Home Shield can help fill that gap for ~$1/day (even if your appliances and systems are really old).*See what it covers →

🍕 Sunrise Kids Fundraiser @ Pizza Ranch | Wednesday (4/29) at 4:30 PM – If you've been waiting for a sign to justify stretchy pants, this is it. Pizza Ranch is hosting a Sunrise Kids fundraiser, so grab a plate, catch up with neighbors, and help send the kids to camp. Want to help fundraise? Sign up here: https://sunrisechurch-mn.subspla.sh/hvp7ssy

💉 American Red Cross Blood Drive @ Community Room at River Hills Mall | Thursday (4/30) at 12:00 PM – The Red Cross is setting up at River Hills Mall for a community blood drive, and yes, the cookies are still included. Roll up your sleeve, kick back for a few minutes, and leave a quiet hero, with bragging rights and a guilt-free pretzel.

🎈 Kids May Day @ Little Roots Flower Farm | Friday (5/1) at 2:00 PM – Let the kids make a May Day basket at Little Roots Flower Farm, complete with a pot they decorate, a plant to take home, and seeds they choose. It is rain or shine, because spring has commitment issues. Register at littlerootsflowerfarm.com, enjoy the dirt therapy.

🎨 Pinot & Paint @ Carnegie Art Center | Friday (5/1) at 7:00 PM – Pinot & Paint with teaching artist Geoffrey Tollefson is a laidback night of brushstrokes and a proper pour, no experience required. Finally, a class where coloring outside the lines earns you a refill. Bring a friend, a date, or fly gloriously solo.

🚶 Saturday Stride & Stroll @ River Valley Running | Saturday (5/2) at 8:15 AM – Saturday mornings call for a friendly lap around town, not a PR, so bring the stroller, the leash, and your least competitive spirit. This free, all-abilities 3-ish mile Stride & Stroll rolls every Saturday, rain or shine, with coffee, snacks, hot chocolate, and tea.

🕯 Make Your Own Mother's Day Candle @ C & S Supply | Saturday (5/2) at 9:00 AM – Out of ideas that are not a last-minute grocery bouquet? Bring the kids, or your inner craft champ, and pour a custom candle, then color a gift bag, all for $9.99, perfect for Mother’s Day or Nurse’s Week. Easy, fun, and actually thoughtful.

📚 Free Comic Book Day @ Pulp Comics and Games | Saturday (5/2) at 11:00 AM – Relive your spinner-rack days at Pulp Comics and Games, 731 S Front St, for Free Comic Book Day, where the comics are actually free, and the only workout is flipping pages. Superheroes, indie gems, and all-ages picks, while supplies last.

Set on 2.3 acres minutes from downtown Mankato, this versatile compound shines with a 28x50 heated four-stall garage and shop crowned by a stylish two-bedroom suite. The four-bedroom main home features 2023 LVP and carpet, an open kitchen with a 2022 range, and a maintenance-free deck. Updates include a 2024 septic, natural gas, and a blacktop drive.