Good morning, St. Cloud.

Today, the City of St. Cloud and the Tri-County Humane Society will offer a low-cost microchip clinic as part of National Night Out at the new Southeast Side COP House — the event invites community members to join the St. Cloud Police Department for an evening of fun.

Eighteen years ago on August 1, the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis collapsed during rush hour, leaving 13 dead and 145 injured—an investigation blamed undersized gusset plates—and the event led to nationwide bridge safety reviews and the later demolition and replacement of St. Cloud’s Highway 23/DeSoto Crossing as Granite City Crossing.

Julie Lunning, president of the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce, was chosen for the Business Leads Fellowship by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

The six-month program will help her learn techniques to boost local workforce skills and join a network of over 400 chambers and associations.

The Minnesota State Fair’s Brewed in Minnesota exhibit will return to the Agriculture-Horticulture building with over 200 craft beers from 85 Minnesota breweries including local favorites — Lupulin Brewing in Big Lake, Goat Ridge Brewing in New London and Intuition Brewing in Willmar. Guests will also sample the Award Winners Flight that features top brews from past blind taste tests and will enjoy special discounts on Opening Day, Seniors Day and Military Appreciation Day during the fair from August 21 through September 1.

Beginning Friday, Minnesota hunters were able to purchase deer hunting licenses after the DNR combined the A and B licenses into one for statewide firearms and the late southeast season — electronic copies of the 2025 regulations remain online while print copies will be provided later this month.

The Minnesota Department of Human Services announced Friday it will shut down the Housing Stabilization Services Program after fraud caused its cost to jump from a planned $2.6 million a year to over $100 million—lawmakers said the move, though necessary, leaves vulnerable participants without needed services.

A Holiday Vacations tour took 32 travelers, including several from St. Cloud, on an adventure through Western Canada that stopped in Calgary for the Stampede, in Banff for a gondola ride, and at Lake Louise for scenic views.

The trip moved on to Vancouver and Victoria, where visitors saw Butchart Gardens — plans for an Alaska cruise are in the works for next year.

Butterfly Release Event

2:30–3:00 PM — Munsinger Gardens — Donations appreciated — Watch the beauty of butterflies take flight in a serene garden setting while supporting a great cause.

KC & the Sunshine Band with The Village People

7-8:30 p.m. — The Ledge Amphitheater — Ticket information available — Dance the night away to the infectious grooves of two legendary bands.

Summertime by George!

5:30-9 p.m. — Lake George Municipal Complex — Free entry — A festive evening featuring live country music and family-friendly activities.

I Am He Said - A Celebration Of The Music Of Neil Diamond

1:30-4:30 p.m. — Paramount Center for the Arts — Ticket prices vary — Celebrate the timeless classics of Neil Diamond with The Killer Vees, featuring beloved hits spanning five decades.