KMSU COVID-19 Interviews and Reporting
Regular reports with officials and community members regarding the Coronavirus pandemic
KMSU Radio is working with community members and officials to bring you the latest in news regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. We will be updating this page regularly for the duration of this crisis with interviews and media to help you navigate these uncertain times. For any official precautions and preparations regarding Minnesota State University, Mankato, please visit www.mnsu.edu.
For the most up to date information regarding the State of Minnesota's response to Covid-19, visit the dashboard page on the state website. It has the latest in county by county infection figures, information about the state response, and direct links to help residents prepare and protect.
Healthcare systems in Southern Minnesota are becoming overwhelmed with the surge in COVID 19 cases. The South Central Healthcare Coalition held a news conference today to talk about the challenges facing our frontline healthcare workers, clinics and hospitals and how the community can slow the spread of the virus.
Oct. 21, 2020
Dr. John Benson, physician with the Mankato Clinic talks about the TOP 8 THINGS DOCTORS WANT YOU TO KNOW ABOUT COVID19. Dr. Benson provides science-based info on what is important related to the pandemic - how to protect yourself and others.
Thursday, April 16th, 2020
Another update on what's happening at Minnesota State University, Mankato in terms of its Covid 19 response -- how it impacts students and faculty. Provost Matt Cecil discusses that the International student population at mnsu is one of the high risk groups at MSU.
Thursday, April 8th, 2020
Minnesota State Mankato Provost Dr. Matt Cecil updates us on the latest changes at the University regarding online learning and new jobs available for students to document the age of Covid 19.
Minnesota Morning host Karen Wright spoke with Mankato Parks Superintendent Ashley Stevens about the efforts of the city to curb the spread of Covid 19 - including closing playgrounds, basketball, pickleball, tennis and other facilities in the area. She discusses how we can all be safe in the area's parks.
Monday, April 6th, 2020
Don't get scammed! Criminals are taking advantage of people's fears during the Covid 19 pandemic and scamming people out of their money, information, and more. KMSU's Karen Wright talked with the Federal Trade Commission on what's out there and how you can help yourself not become a victim.
Nurse Molly Lixey made this informative video to explain cross contamination, and why washing your hands and following proper cleaning procedures is the best practice right now.
Sunday, April 5th, 2020
Governor Tim Walz gave the State of the State address from the Governor's residence, sharing stories of kindness and bravery from across the state.
Thursday, April 2nd, 2020
Erik Borchert interviews an expert on social distancing vs. social isolation, especially as it affects the elderly during the Covid 19 pandemic.
Erik Borchert reports on the impact of Covid 19 with online learning for Minnesota State
Tuesday, March 31st, 2020
Minnesota State University, Mankato Provost, Matt Cecil provides the latest update on the University's response to the pandemic, including a decision to offer Pass/No Credit options for grades, and how the University is reimbursing students for their unused room and board, plus more.
Student workers of KMSU radio react to how the Covid 19 outbreak has impacted their time at Minnesota State University, Mankato, how they are coping, and words of wisdom. Featuring students Olivia Daniels, June Somsanith, and German Orrego.
Monday, March 30th, 2020
Governor Tim Walz mentioned his concern of increased domestic violence during the "stay at home" order due to Covid-19. Minnesota Morning host Karen Wright talked with CADA's Kristen Walters about those concerns in our community.
Friday, March 27th, 2020
Blue Earth County Commissioners President, Vance Stuehrenberg, talked with Minnesota Morning's Karen Wright about what the county is doing during the Covid 19 outbreak and important messages citizens need to know about services.
Thursday, March 26th, 2020
Minnesota Morning Host Karen Wright talks with Patrick Baker, President of Greater Mankato Growth (GMG) about how the Covid 19 Pandemic is affecting our area's small businesses, what is available to them, and how we can all play a part in keeping the community stronger.
Governor Walz has issued a stay-in-place order that will begin on Friday, March 27th at 11:59 p.m. and run for at least two weeks. The State of Minnesota has issued these helpful infographics to explain what you can and cannot do for the duration of the stay-in-home order, as well as which businesses will be open and closed during it.
Wednesday, March 25th, 2020
Governor Walz has issued a stay-in-place order that will begin on Friday, March 27th at 11:59 p.m. and run for at least two weeks. People will still be allowed to buy groceries, get gas, and visit the doctor, as well as exercise outside while maintaining a minimum distance from others. The bar and restaurant closure order will remain in place until May 1st.
Minnesota State University Provost, Matt Cecil, provides an update on what is new, what is the same and what you should know about the University's response to the Covid19 Pandemic.
Tuesday, March 24th, 2020
Dr. Claudia Pragman, Professor of Management in the College of Business at Minnesota State University talks about how the Covid19 pandemic is impacting the supply and demand chain. And she answers the question: Will there be enough toilet paper?
Minnesota Morning host Karen Wright talks with Greater Mankato Area United Way CEO Barb Kaus about how her organization is responding to the Covid19 pandemic and helping the community in ways never seen before.
Monday, March 23rd, 2020
Ann Rosenquist Fee, director of the Art Center of St. Peter chats with Dwayne Megaw about what the Art Center is doing to support artists in this uncertain COVID-19 environment.
Paige Schuette and Dwayne Megaw talk about changes that Vine has made in response to COVID-19 and how you find out more about "Virtual Vine".
Friday, March 20th, 2020
Governor Tim Walz participated in a daily briefing by the Minnesota Department of Health on COVID-19.
Karen Wright talks with Minnesota State Mankato students about how the Coronavirus has impacted them and what they are doing since they can't return to campus.
Can the Coronavirus affect your pet? Julie Berndt, DVM of the Minnesota Valley Pet Hospital, Mankato talks about how Covid 19 has changed the veterinary business and what you should know to take care of your pet, and take care of yourself and others.
The Covid 19 pandemic is affecting nearly every aspect of our lives, including those involved with the funeral home business. Minnesota Morning host, Karen Wright, talks with Mankato Mortuary Director, Gayla Satre about how things have changed in the business.
Dwayne Megaw talks with Mass Media Professor, Dr. Jen Tiernan about how professors are making rapid changes to they way they teach classes as a result of COVID-19.
Thursday, March 19th, 2020
Minnesota State University, Mankato Chief Information Security Officer, Michael Menne, discusses how hackers are taking advantage of people's fears over Coronavirus to steal cyber information and what to watch for.
Wednesday, March 18th, 2020
Governor Tim Walz updates the state on COVID-19 response.
Dr. Robert Olson, Psychiatrist from the Mankato Clinic talks about ways to cope with the constant news of Coronavirus, how to talk to your children about what's going on, and when to seek mental health care.
Tuesday, March 17th, 2020
Provost Matt Cecil talks about the University's response on how education will continue to be delivered, and how faculty and staff are working to ensure students' needs are met.
Mankato Clinic Nurse Practitioner Susan Peller, talks about drive through testing sites for Covid 19. She also talks about symptoms, and what to do if you think you may have been infected. The Mankato Clininc Covid19 hotline is: 507-389-8548.
WalletHub reports Minnesota as the 8th most aggressive state in handling the spread of Covid 19 compared with other states. Analyst Jill Gonzolez of WalletHub praised Minnesota's health system and said the state is generally doing a good job.
Monday, May 16th, 2020
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz held a press conference to announce that restaurants and bars will be prohibited from any indoor dining, though drive-thru and take out orders are still allowed.
Dwayne Megaw talks to Joe Togas about options available for students who are living on campus during this COVID-19 Pandemic.
Dwayne Megaw talks with Sara Diel from the ECHO Food Shelf about how COVID-19 is affecting their services to those in need.
Dwayne Megaw talks with Paige Schuette about what changes have been made at VINE to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
In the midst of the Covid-19 Pandemic, Joe Flannery talks about easy to prepare, and long-keeping foods to make if you are stuck at home. With Joe Flannery and Minnesota Morning host, Karen Wright.
March 15th, 2020
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz held a press conference to announce that public and charter schools will be closed by Wednesday, March 18th, and that online instruction for students will resume on Monday, March 30th.
March 13th, 2020
Southern Minnesota Healthcare Coalition News Conference updating the Covid19 situation in Southern Minnesota. Featuring representatives from Mankato Clinic, Mayo Clinic Health System, Public Health nurse, Minnesota State University, Mankato, South Central College and the Mankato School District.
Coronavirus update for Southern Minnesota: Representatives of the Southern Minnesota Healthcare Coalition held a news conference to discuss the state of the coronavirus (Covid 19) in Southern Minnesota. In addition, Governor Tim Walz declared a "peacetime state of emergency" in Minnesota.
Gov. Tim Walz, Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm and Attorney General Keith Ellison address the media regarding the governor's executive order declaring a state of peactime emergency in an effort to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus in Minnesota.
