The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota plans to build a permanent home in downtown Mankato, but still needs to raise more than $2 million. So far, the Mankato Free Press reports nearly $1.7 million has been pledged for the $4 million structure. Executive Director Peter Olson has asked the City Council for $250,000 to buy a piece of property next to the Blue Earth County Library. Olson claims the museum would have an annual economic impact of $5 million.

It's still unclear when Wal-Mart will build a proposed Midwest distribution center in Mankato, the Free Press reports. City Manager Pat Hentges told the newspaper nine Wal-Mart executives visited the site this fall, but couldn't "release any specific start date or project date information."

The Free Press reports authorities cleared Mankato East Junior and Senior High School after someone found a threatening note on a bathroom floor.

Two Minneapolis City Council committees were to discuss how to improve the city's fire department Monday. Independent consultants found the department "consistently provides excellent service" but they also flagged some areas that need improvement. The report found eight of the city's 19 fire stations are in poor condition. It also found that Minneapolis has fewer firefighters per capita than other comparable cities.

Jeremy Peterson claims the city broke a long-standing "practice and/or policy" by not allowing him to return to his community service officer position after he didn't complete the requirements of his 12-month probationary period as a police officer, the Post Bulletin reports. He also accuses two members of the Rochester Police Civil Service Commission of violating Minnesota's open meeting law. Peterson is seeking more than $50,000 in damages. He's the son of Police Chief Roger Peterson.