KTOE Noon News 5-8-25

Top Stories for Noon 5-8-25:

• United Way, Olseth Family Foundation Distribute Poetry Books to Fourth-Graders

• South Central College Commencement on Thursday, May 15

• Area schools saw an increase in graduation rate in 2024 according to the Minnesota Department of Education. St. Peter schools topped out at a graduation rate of 94.3%, their highest figure in the last 4 years. Mankato East saw a jump to 89.8%, their highest mark since 2022 when they had a 90.5% graduation rate. Mankato West had a graduation rate of 88.7%, which was the school’s highest figure since 2022 when they had a 91.9% graduation rate.

  As far as the percentage of students meeting standards in math, reading and science:

  Mankato East: 30.2% Math (lowest in the last 4 years) 57.9% reading (lowest in the last 4 years) 44.2% science (2^nd lowest figure since 2021)

  Mankato West: 48.6% (2^nd highest figure in the last 4 years) 70.7% reading (highest in the last 4 years) 54.4% science (2^nd lowest in the last 4 years)

  St. Peter: 25.7% math (lowest in the last 4 years) 60.5% reading (2^nd highest figure in the last 4 years) 42.7% science (lowest in the last 4 years)

• The Rochester branch of the NAACP and community members met in a town hall meeting last night to demand justice and repercussions for the woman at the center of a viral TikTok video. Shiloh Hendrix can be seen in the video calling a young Somalian child the n-word after he allegedly stole items from her diaper bag. The panel of activists and city leaders stated they’re in direct contact with the family of the child, and Rochester police/Olmsted County attorneys are looking into pressing criminal charges. A fundraiser for the family has over $350,000. Meanwhile, Hendrix’s own crowdfunding has raised nearly $750,000.