Good morning, St. Cloud.

Therapy dogs Laker and River work with the St. Cloud Police Department to calm students at the education center and ease barriers during homeless outreach — both dogs have served for about six months and are certified through the United States Police K9 Association.

With Minnesota's firearms deer season underway, hunters can donate whole, hide-on deer to McDonald’s Meats in Clear Lake—one of the few central Minnesota processors in the state-run venison donation program that supplies local food shelves.

Shop manager Jennifer Dierkes said the strict processing and inspection requirements help ensure the donated meat is safe for all ages.

Reader’s Digest ranked the best burger chains in America and local options include Culver’s on Highway 10, Freddy’s on W Division, and Five Guys on 2nd St. Top chains like In-N-Out, The Habit Burger Grill, and Shake Shack are not in Central Minnesota — leaving residents with a mix of popular choices nearby.

St. Cloud’s Bold and Bright winter festival will be held from January 30 to February 1, 2026, across venues including Lake George and downtown.

The festival will feature a pond hockey tournament, a comedy crawl with free hourly shows, a winter market, a mac and cheese crawl, and a toboggan derby + a parade and fireworks at 8:30 p.m.

Part-time jobs and gig work are rising in Central Minnesota as workers seek extra income to meet higher living costs.

Talent Director Gail Cruikshank of the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation said recent data shows nearly half of U.S. workers hold a secondary income job—this trend is also growing self-employment in professional and creative sectors.

The St. Cloud Public Safety Foundation announced the Chief Matt Love Scholarship for Women in Public Safety using $67,440 raised when Chief Love took part in Dancing with Our Stars—its committee is forming to define application procedures with awards expected to begin next year.

St. Cloud Area School District 742’s Local Education and Activities Foundation announced that its fall Adopt-a-Classroom project raised $52,000 to support 202 classrooms—teachers spend $610 to $895 of their own money for supplies, and 58 classrooms still need support with a $14,500 donation to fully fund them.

St. Cloud State University launched a new stipend program to support students in unpaid internships by awarding $1,200 stipends to seven students through its Career Center, Financial Aid, Advancement and Alumni Engagement offices — recipients work at local nonprofits and businesses including the YMCA. The program received 37 applications — offering hands-on experience in fields such as event planning and biomechanical analysis.

Beginning Monday, November 17, planned utility work on 5th Avenue South will force a lane shift from 3rd Street South to Ramsey Place—no parking is allowed in the work zone and traffic will run in both directions.

If weather holds, the shift will last through Wednesday, November 26.

Central Minnesota swimmers will compete in the State Swimming and Diving meet from November 13 to 15 at the Jean K.

Freeman Aquatic Center at the University of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis. Local teams aim to set records and show their skills as the meet presents high-level competition plus promising performances.

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.