Good morning, St. Cloud.

Rox Community Foundation’s fourth annual Central MN Challenge Cup Mini Golf tournament took place at Summerland Family Fun Park in Sauk Rapids and attracted 112 players, raising a record $17,458 for high school seniors’ scholarships in career and technical education—mainly automotive repair. The foundation will continue the momentum with a Sporting Clays Shootout at Rice Creek Hunting Club on September 18th.

Jeff Boike was named 2025 Changemaker at a ceremony on August 26th at Riverside Terrace in Sauk Rapids—he received a trophy and $3,000 for his work on Charlie's Corner Community Sports Court honoring his late son.

The court is nearing completion and will feature areas for pickleball, hockey target shooting and wall ball for local use.

A new Wyndham Garden Hotel will open in Sartell at LeSauk Drive and Evergreen Drive — it will offer 90 rooms to serve healthcare visitors and boost local dining and retail.

Mayor Ryan Fitzthum said the four-story hotel is a sign of growing business and will help connect visitors to the city’s healthcare and business corridors.

St. Cloud State University faces a $14.5 million budget gap over the next two years because it has fewer students and rising costs, and Interim President Larry Dietz said the school will cut about 90 jobs and merge five colleges into three larger ones.

The university will move some classes from Plymouth to North Hennepin Community College—on-campus child care may also be suspended by fall.

Stearns County Emergency Management is partnering with the Public Safety Foundation to install ten new weather stations and equip safety departments with anemometers that track wind, temperature, humidity, air pressure, and rainfall.

The $2,000 project is fully funded by the foundation and will add new stations in places including Albany and Belgrade—helping first responders make fast decisions during dangerous weather.

Quiet Oaks Hospice in St. Cloud has raised $175,000 for its Veterans Compassionate Care Fund—reaching 70% of its $250,000 goal—and will host its Autumn Reflections event on September 25 at the Park Event Center to support veterans.

Labor Day weekend offers a busy slate of events across Minnesota as summer comes to a close.

In St. Cloud, Iron Street Distillery hosts free Jingo Music Bingo Friday from 7:30—9:30 p.m., while other areas feature a half marathon in Paynesville, dog races in Shakopee at 1:00 p.m. Sunday, and a British car show in Chanhassen Saturday from 9:00—1:00 p.m.

The St. Cloud State volleyball team is ranked third nationally and will begin its season with a trip to Burnaby, British Columbia and Bellingham, Washington from September 4th to 6th—NSIC games start on September 19th as coach Chad Braegelmann leads four returning starters including senior Ella Thompson.

Movie Under the Stars

6:30-9 p.m. — St Cloud City Offices — Free entry — Enjoy a family-friendly film under the stars with fun activities and treats!

Everybody Loves Dean

1:30-2:30 p.m. — Paramount Center for the Arts — $ — Experience timeless classics by Dean Martin with Mick Sterling and The Amore’ Orchestra.

PMP Certification Classroom Training

9 AM - 5 PM — St. Cloud, Minnesota — Contact for fees — Comprehensive 4-day training to earn your CAPM certification with expert-led sessions.

Stars & S’mores

8:30-10 p.m. — Wilson Park — $5/Participant — Explore the night sky and celestial wonders with expert guidance and telescopes.