Good morning, St. Cloud.

Crossroads Center in St. Cloud invites families to reserve photo sessions with Santa, including pet pictures, sensory sessions, and cookie and storytime events, starting November 21st—with a discount for reserved times over walk-ups.

The St. Cloud Salvation Army will start its Red Kettle campaign this Friday at Coborn's in Sauk Rapids from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.—they plan to raise $150,000 to help local families and fund food shelves, shelters and other services as demand grows with SNAP benefits temporarily suspended.

Catholic Charities of St. Cloud launched Rally for Good to help local families get food, winter gear, and hygiene products amid SNAP cuts during the government shutdown and upcoming holidays — donations can be dropped off at Catholic Charities Emergency Services, St. Francis Xavier Church in Sartell, or the Newman Center in St. Cloud.

St. Cloud’s holiday season begins this November with events such as Bad Rabbits Cabaret at Gnarly Bard Theater on November 15 and Annie at the Paramount Center on November 21 — the Zonta Christmas House will bring festive cheer on November 21 and 22.

Other local attractions include the Water Circus at Crossroads Center and an advertising exhibit at the Stearns History Museum.

Today, St. Cloud Heritage Quilters will honor veterans by presenting about two dozen handcrafted quilts at Love of Christ Lutheran Church as veterans choose a quilt and share their service stories — a heartfelt tribute crafted with care and gratitude.

The ceremony is set to celebrate military service and the lasting connection between veteran experiences and community art.

The Stearns History Museum will host two gingerbread house workshops in St. Cloud so families can learn architecture using gingerbread, frosting and candy from Cold Spring Bakery.

The first class is on Saturday, November 22 at Granite Innovations with Project Architect Whitney Lougheed and a tour—while the second is on Saturday, December 6 at Harvest Church with Preservation Expert Miranda Stueckrath and an optional talk, with both sessions running from 11 a.m. to noon for $15 each.

A study from WalletHub shows Minnesota ranks third as a good state to find a job—thanks to a low unemployment rate and high household income.

The report shows the job market ranking of 8 and economic environment ranking of 4—factors that help job seekers.

The race for the School District 742 Board Member at Large remains too close to call as early returns show Al Dahlgren with 1,245 votes and Gina Acevedo with 1,243 votes — write-in candidates and Peter Hamerlinck have a combined 869 votes with less than 25% of precincts reporting.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources announced new license rules for this weekend’s firearms season that combine A and southeast licenses.

Hunters need to check deer permit areas and follow a 10-day ban on baiting—changes that will affect permit requirements and safety measures.

With Minnesota's deer hunting opener this weekend, hunters who secure their tag can use key cooking tips to keep venison tender—experts recommend searing in an oiled pan, marinating for moisture, and holding off on salt until after cooking.

The Minnesota State High School League State Girls Volleyball Tournament at Grand Casino Arena started Wednesday, and today Albany will face Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted at 3 p.m. in a Class AA match—local teams Sauk Rapids-Rice and Sartell played in earlier rounds.

Today the Eden Valley-Watkins Eagles play Moose Lake-Willow River in the state tournament Class AA Quarterfinal at Apollo High School at 7 p.m.—the 8-2 team, led by coach Adam Tri, returns to the tournament for the first time since 2023 and faces a 10-0 opponent that excels at running the ball.

The SCTCC Cyclones volleyball team is headed to the NJCAA Division III national tournament in Cedar Rapids, marking its first appearance since 2017.

The team—seeded #12—will face #5 Sandhills on November 13 at 3:00 p.m.

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.

Zonta Christmas House 2025

2-8 p.m. — 1408 Antler Creek Ct — Entry fee supports a good cause — Explore stunning holiday décor while supporting women’s education and empowerment.

Cathedral's Winter Gala 2025

5-10 p.m. — The Park Event Center — $115 individual tickets, $1,500 for a table — Experience a vibrant evening filled with dining, entertainment, and a live auction supporting student programs.

St. Cloud SCHEELS Holiday LEGO® Build Event

9 AM – 1 PM — Scheels — Free entry — Build a festive LEGO® Holiday Train and take it home while enjoying family fun.