Morning Newswatch with Jay Caldwell

Alicia Mages from Tri County Crimestoppers joined me on WJON today. She says she is receiving numerous tips from people in the area that they have been or have seen others approached by people in parking lots asking for money for gas and for various other reasons.

Explore Minnesota's Alyssa Hayes joined me on WJON today. She highlighted some indoor and outdoor winter activities to take part in the state. This includes this weekend's Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza.

Sartell Mayor Ryan Fitzthum says the enforcement of a mask mandate was a big deterrent in instituting a mask mandate in his community. He says if an ordinance for a mask mandate were in place it would be hard to enforce.

The Vikings now have a General Manger with the hiring Wednesday of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah who had been the vice president of football operations for the Cleveland Browns. Star Tribune Sports Columnist Jim Souhan joined me on WJON today.

During last Wednesday's school board meeting for District 742 the board decided to continue with the policy to not allow for the wearing of hats, hoods, and other head coverings in class through the rest of the school year.

The St. Cloud Police Department is reporting a hit and run on the 2500 block of Division Street West. Alicia Mages from Tri-County Crimestoppers joined me on WJON. She says the vehicle is a black Hyundai Santa Fe driven by a black female who is 25 to 35 years old with braided hair.

January in Minnesota is cold but there are parts of the United States that experience 80 degrees and sunny almost every day. The pictures below are from come of the top destinations on the Big Island in Hawaii.

The cold weather we are experiencing this week could help to a school closure, delay or a flexible learning day for St. Cloud area schools. St. Cloud School Superintendent Willie Jett joined me on WJON today. He says he is having conversations today with other St. Cloud area Superintendents about how they may handle the cold weather that is expected Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Vikings are ramping up their search for a new General Manager. Star Tribune Sports Columnist Jim Souhan joined me on WJON today. He says two candidates are emerging among the group.

Bird watching is gaining in popularity in Central Minnesota. Jerry Carlson is a longtime fan of the outdoors and that includes bird watching. He joined me on WJON to get into detail on the dos and don'ts when it comes to bird watching. Carlson says the types of birds we see in Central Minnesota varies greatly depending on the time of year.