The first explosives charge at the bridge rang out like a starting gun, followed by the ratatat drumbeat of smaller explosions. The smoke cleared, revealing the concrete and steel beams of County Road 9 Bridge now resting in the river valley below.

Faced with the task of replacing a flood-damaged bridge, and removing a breached dam, county officials face the prospect of more spring floods and an uncertain timeline.

The Bloomington-based engineering firm on Tuesday received a $1.47 million contract to draft plans for the removal of the dam, which spans the Blue Earth River west of Mankato. Th

In his first public visit to Mankato after his run for vice president, Gov. Tim Walz braved the afternoon cold on Thursday to return to Rapidan Dam and outline his