Good morning, St. Cloud.

The Tri-County Humane Society is hosting Paws & Pumpkins, a pet-friendly open house with shelter tours, vendors, a pet photo booth, and a Tribute Wall—where donors can memorialize a pet or person for $250.

The event runs Friday from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.—providing a long-awaited chance to visit the new facility.

Anna Marie's Alliance in St. Cloud will host an open house on Oct.

23 to show its newly renovated domestic abuse shelter that now offers 36 apartment-style units for more privacy and independence—the event runs from 3 to 6 p.m. at 505 10th Ave. N.

The Kids and Parents Expo will take place Saturday, October 25 at the River’s Edge Convention Center from 9:00 to noon.

The family-friendly event features laser tag, a costume contest, bounce houses, and a Play-Doh station — tickets are $10 for adults and free for kids.

Minnesota Paving and Materials announced it will close permanently on December 19 with its offices in Waite Park and St. Cloud shutting down — 297 union employees will be let go.

The company, which has operated since 1861 and specialized in supplying asphalt and paving materials, said its decision is final.

Niron Magnetics got a $10 million grant from the Minnesota Forward Fund to build a 190,000 square foot plant in Sartell + the project will create 175 jobs by 2027.

The company broke ground on the facility on September 26th + it will also offer job training programs to help local workers gain new skills.

Gas prices in Minnesota now average $2.84 per gallon after falling 5.3 cents from last week—compared to a national average of $2.98 helped by increased oil production from OPEC—while 35 states show prices below $2.99 per gallon.

St. Cloud State University is preparing for Homecoming 2025 with events beginning October 22 and running through October 25.

The festivities include campfires, a downtown mascot hunt, athletic competitions and a fireworks display — some activities require registration.

Carl Wilkens, the only American who stayed during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, will speak tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. in the Cascade Room at SCSU’s Atwood Memorial Center—he will share his firsthand experiences from his book 'I'm Not Leaving' and the event is free and open to the public.

Utility work near the former church being changed into a drug rehab has closed two blocks of 5th Avenue South—from 3rd to 4th Street and the 3rd Street segment between 4th and 5th Avenues, with traffic detoured onto 6th Avenue through Wednesday as weather allows.

The College of St. Benedict will launch its inaugural flag football team this spring — it will join the Midwest College Women’s Flag Football League in 2026 and is partnering with the Minnesota Vikings, which has invested more than $1 million in growing women’s football.

The new program is set to expand opportunities for female athletes in our region.

Cathedral’s boys soccer team, led by record-breaking Mr. Soccer Jacob Oliver, will play Cristo Rey Jesuit on Thursday at Spring Lake Park High School at 5:30 p.m.—while the girls team, seeded third in Class A, will face St. Paul Academy and Summit School at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday in the state tournament.

Today, central Minnesota prep football playoffs start with quarterfinal games as Sauk Rapids-Rice, coming off a 49-14 win last week, faces Brainerd at 7 p.m. in Class AAAAA—winners in other divisions meet Saturday to advance in the tournament.

The Phantom of the Opera (1925) Live Score by Quarkestra

7:30-9:30 p.m. — Gnarly Bard Theater — Ticketed event — Experience the haunting romance of a silent classic with an original live score.

A Tribute to 90's Alternative Rock

7:30-9 p.m. — Pioneer Place On Fifth — Cost info not provided — Relive the iconic sounds of the 90's with hits from your favorite bands in a nostalgic celebration.

A Choral Community Celebration

4-6 p.m. — Stewart Hall — $5 max for parking — Experience a celebratory concert showcasing the choral talents from Central Minnesota's finest ensembles.

Project Connect

10 AM – 3 PM — St. Cloud River’s Edge Convention Center — Free entry — Access community services from local agencies at this beneficial event.

Mall-O-Ween Spooktacular

4-7 p.m. — Crossroads Center — Free entry — Enjoy a fun-filled evening of Halloween activities with trick-or-treating, pumpkin painting, and more.

Born On The Bayou: The Music of John Fogerty & Creedence Clearwater Revival

7:30-9 p.m. — Pioneer Place On Fifth — Ticketed — Experience the classic hits of CCR and John Fogerty performed by Mason Dixon in a rocking tribute.

Granite City Train Show 2025

9 a.m. – 3 p.m. — St. Cloud River’s Edge Convention Center — Admission details not specified — Explore model trains, interactive exhibits, and family fun activities.

Stained Glass & Agate Mosaic Workshop

6-8 p.m. — Rock and Art Shop — Cost varies — Create your own beautiful glass and agate mosaic in a fun, colorful evening.