Morning Newswatch with Jay Caldwell

The Minnesota deer harvest was down this year compared to last year by approximately 8%. Glen Schmitt from Outdoor News joined me on WJON. He explained the DNR released the final 2023 numbers and with all the seasons combined Minnesota had 158,746 deer harvested.

January is human trafficking awareness month and a local organization is working with trafficked individuals to help them get out of it. Kate Lepage is the East Central Safe Harbor Regional Navigator and Program Manager with Lutheran Social Services in St. Cloud and Brainerd.

Stolen cars are often reported in the St. Cloud area. Alicia Mages from Tri-County Crimestoppers indicates a reason for some of these involve cold weather. She says people leaving cars running and unlocked to warm them up in frigid weather makes owners vulnerable to potential theft.

The St. Cloud V.A. is offering some help for veterans wanting to improve their health in the new year. Dietician Anne Voigt and Public Affairs Officer Barry Venable joined me on WJON. Voigt says the V.A. is offering consultations 1 on 1 or in a group setting to aid veterans wanting to eat better and exercise more in 2024.

Minnesota is a great state to raise a family and the state also offers many family friendly activities to do year around including the winter months. Jake Juliot from Explore Minnesota joined me on WJON to highlight some activities.

This time of year weather related crashes happen often. MN-Dot wants you to be prepared and aware so you can avoid crashes and secondary crashes.

A St. Cloud business has won a national award. Proviant Group, a private wealth advisory practice with Ameriprise Financial in St. Cloud was named to the list of “Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams” published by Forbes.

Influenza, colds, Strep Throat, RSV and COVID are some examples of some of the viruses/illness many Central Minnesotans are dealing with this winter. Dr. David Smith from Sartell Pediatrics joined me on WJON to explain the differences between some of these ailments.

A "dream job" isn't always the job that is unattainable. Gail Cruikshank, Talent Director for the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation, joined me on WJON to talk about how someone can attain their dream job.

Clear Lake is a town of 641 people in Sherburne County located 13 miles southeast of St. Cloud at the intersection of Highway 10 and Highway 24. Clear Lake is the focus of this Small Town series on WJON. I talked with longtime Clear Lake resident and author Bud Stimler and Dave McDonald and Jennifer Dierkes from McDonalds Meats.