Good morning, St. Cloud.

Linda Midas will be honored with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Monday, Feb.

2 at St. Stephen Catholic Church in St. Stephen (visitation is on Feb. 1 from 4–7 p.m. with burial to follow at the parish cemetery).

Joan Marie Pickard (age 90) passed away Monday and will be honored at funeral services at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb.

4 at Joy Christian Center; visitation is from 10 to 11 a.m. and burial will follow at North Star Cemetery.

Amazon is cutting 16,000 corporate jobs worldwide to focus on AI, with local effects yet unknown, while UPS is restructuring by closing its Morris package center and reducing jobs at its Minneapolis hub (and other facilities) as part of a multi-year plan.

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development reported that Q3 exports dropped 14% to $5.7 billion because of weaker agricultural, mining & manufacturing sales.

Exports to Canada, Mexico, China, and Japan declined while shipments to Europe, the Middle East, and Africa increased.

St. Cloud State University's Applied Behavior Analysis program earned a seven-year accreditation from the ABAI, making it one of only 11 master’s programs globally with the top distinction.

The program, which began in 1982, trains students to serve people with developmental disabilities using evidence-based methods.

The St. Cloud Area School District announced Triple A Award winners: Lucy Herringlake and Nathan Lam from Apollo High, and Lauren Gazdik and Marcus Wade from Tech High.

The awards honor students excelling in academics, arts, and athletics (Gazdik is a scholarship finalist to be recognized at a March banquet).

The St. Cloud Police Department will add two mental health professionals to its staff on Feb.

1, expanding a six-year co-responder program that averages 200 emergency responses per year. The positions receive $667,000 from a multi-state settlement to boost on-scene crisis intervention.

Stearns County has accepted nearly 18,000 pounds of e-waste since Jan.

5 at its Waite Park facility where items with screens cost $10, is asking residents to share ideas for Quarry Park improvements until Feb. 16, and is inviting local bids for a new Justice Center with groundbreaking planned for May.

Ice on area lakes has reached 15-20 inches, so anglers must use smaller jigs and spoons to fish safely.

Glen Schmitt advises fishing during lower light periods and cautions that ice activity is expected to improve when temperatures climb into the teens and 20s this weekend.

FREE! Winter Chill Festival

1-4 p.m. — Riverside Park — Free entry — Bundle up for outdoor winter fun with sledding, snowshoeing, and Nordic ski activities for the whole family.

2026 St. Cloud Sportsmen’s Show

10 AM – 3 PM — St. Cloud River’s Edge Convention Center — Entry fee varies — Explore the best in outdoor gear and family-friendly activities at this beloved local event.

Snowshoeing for Beginners Class

1-2:30 p.m. — Riverside Park — Free entry — Experience winter magic with expert-guided snowshoeing and hot chocolate by the fire.

Machine Knitting Camp 2026 - February Session

10 a.m. – 6 p.m. — Rocking Horse Farm — Registration required — Engage in a knitting machine retreat for all skill levels with hands-on learning and community fellowship.