Job marketThe Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development maintains wage information for a variety of geographies in the state. The most frequently updated and current data set is the Current Employment Statistics (CES).Because of the size of the Mankato-North Mankato Metropolitan area (comprised of Blue Earth and Nicollet Counties), some information is redacted for confidentiality purposes. The only wage data available within the CES data set is for the Private Business industry sector.What is seen in the data confirms what one would suspect in a tight labor market: laid-off workers are seeking the higher paying jobs...and they are finding them.

elephant in a roomToday’s workforce is facing rapid changes and increased competition across industries. Due to the higher pressure to perform and facing constant change, managers and employees are experiencing more conflict in the workplace than ever before. I like to consider myself an understanding person that values the opinions and feelings of others, however, conflict has the unique ability to insert itself into every aspect of my life.

road constructionGovernment agencies in the Greater Mankato area are ramping up for one of the largest road construction seasons in recent history in 2018. To help the public prepare, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) will host Mankato’s first ever multiagency construction showcase on Wednesday, February 21 from 4 - 6 pm at MnDOT District 7 Headquarters, 2151 Bassett Drive, Mankato.  The public is encouraged to stop by and plan for construction in 2018 on major corridors including Highways 14, 22 and 169.

caucusThe November 6 general election is still eight months away, but candidates have already been on the trail for months: meeting activists, scoring endorsements and raising money.

They’re preparing for a pivotal 2018 cycle in Minnesota, an election that will include both U.S. Senate seats, an open governor’s race, three other constitutional offices, eight congressional seats, and the entire 134-seat Minnesota House of Representatives. With so much at stake, it will be a hard-fought, high-dollar election, and the first major step is just around the corner: Precinct caucuses on February 6.

The precinct caucuses on February 6 are your chance to have a say in setting your party’s platform, select delegates who may eventually go on to the party’s endorsing conventions, and cast your preferential ballot for which candidate for governor you feel your party should support.Read on for a Q&A about how the precinct caucuses work and how you can participate.
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