Good morning, St. Cloud.

The Pack the Porches food drive will kick off on Friday to support Catholic Charities Emergency Food Shelf in St. Cloud.

Donations will be accepted from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Pioneer Place, St. Cloud Hyundai, and the St. Cloud Financial Credit Union in Sartell.

Registration is open for the Strides for Care 5K at the College of Saint Benedict grounds on Saturday, April 11 at 10:00 a.m. The event, hosted by the CSB/SJU Nursing Club, will raise funds for the free Salem Community Outpost and Clinic for $15.

A new bill in the House may change meat raffles by raising ticket prices from $2 to $5 and prizes from $70 to $200 to help local charities.

The changes could take effect this fall if the bill passes this session.

St. Cloud author Ben Westlie’s debut poetry collection Run From Your Now became a Minnesota Book of the Year finalist in 2025, and he is now writing his second book after receiving a new publishing contract.

The book is available at Barnes & Noble and on Amazon.

Three central Minnesota high school seniors have received a $2,000 agricultural scholarship each from Compeer Financial’s *philanthropic arm* as one of 35 statewide recipients helping them prepare to start college this fall.

Construction began Wednesday to fix persistent lighting issues on the Sartell pedestrian bridge—workers will close it to pedestrians during weekday repairs while reopening it on weekends.

Residents should plan alternate routes during work zones.

Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach was recognized as a Small Business Deduction Champion — she supported a permanent 20% deduction that benefits 33 million small business owners.

The NFIB said the award will help local businesses grow and hire.

The Minnesota Department of Health released updated fish consumption guidelines to lower mercury and PFAS risks.

Anglers in Northeast Minnesota should catch fish under 17 inches + those in other lakes should be under 20 inches, and sensitive groups must avoid fish from the Vermillion River.

Starting in April, Grand Casino Hinckley will serve a classic buffet on Friday and Saturday from 3-9 p.m. while Grand Casino Mille Lacs offers a seafood buffet on Friday from 4 p.m., prime rib on Saturday starting at 11 a.m., and a brunch buffet on Sunday beginning at 10 a.m.

Sartell’s boys team lost 72-62 to Richfield in the state tournament on Wednesday at Williams Arena in Minneapolis and will play Grand Rapids at 4 p.m. today on Granite City Sports (view on AM 1390 and FM 93.9).

Longtime Twins fans are uneasy about the season as questions arise over the pitching lineup and team identity.

Concerns center on an uncertain bullpen after a major 2025 cut & a below average defense that may challenge the team.

Late Nite Catechism

9 a.m. - 12 p.m. — Paramount Center for the Arts — Tickets required — Experience an uproariously funny play that revisits youth with interactive lessons and prizes from the irrepressible Sister.

St. Cloud – Minnesota Writers Off the Page: Joyce Sutphen

6-7:30 p.m. — Paramount Center for the Arts — Free registration — Celebrate National Poetry Month with readings and discussions from Minnesota Poet Laureates Joyce Sutphen and Gwen Nell Westerman.

Machine Knitting Camp 2026 - April Session

10 AM – 6 PM — Rocking Horse Farm — Registration required — Enjoy hands-on machine knitting with fellow enthusiasts and expert instruction.

The Crown Jewels - A Tribute to Queen

7:30-10:30 p.m. — Pioneer Place On Fifth — Tickets available — Celebrate all the hits of Queen in this vibrant tribute performance.