Jay Caldwell

Jay Caldwell is the host of the WJON Morning News Watch, 5-10 weekday mornings. The program focuses on interaction with listeners both on air and online about what concerns them in Central Minnesota. Jay and his wife reside in St. Cloud and have since 1998. They raised their 2 boys who are now off to college starting their own adventures. Please tune in to the Morning News Watch for the latest news, sports, weather, entertainment and so much more.

A Series of Unsolved Thefts in St. Cloud Over the Weekend

The St. Cloud Police Department are reporting a theft on the 4100 block of Division Street. Alicia Mages of Tri County Crime Stoppers says a customer had their unattended wallet taken.

SCSU’s Banaian; Holiday Shopping and Gas Prices

The holiday shopping season is underway. St. Cloud State Economist King Banaian joined me on WJON. He says Central Minnesota shoppers are looking for savings and name brands are not as important to many.

This Central MN Small Town Was Once Called Two Rivers

Albany, Minnesota is a town with a population of 2,780 located approximately 25 miles west of St. Cloud on Interstate 94. The settlement of Albany wasn't always called that. Originally a settlement just 2 miles east of Albany was called Two Rivers.

St. Cloud Grocery Stores Revisted; Where was Goetten’s Market?

Grocery stores have changes dramatically over the years and where groceries can be purchased in the St. Cloud area has also changed. This is our 2nd installment of our St. Cloud area grocery store revisited feature. I am joined by St. Cloud area historians John Decker and Jim Grabinski.

This Central MN Small Town Was Once Named Frogtown

Roscoe is a small town in western Stearns County located along Highway 23 west of Richmond and east of Paynesville. To tell the story of Roscoe I was joined by longtime Roscoe residents Martha Schmitz, Sylvester Ludwig, Joann Ludwig, Mayor Don "Chopper" Albrecht, city clerk Marleen Philabaum, Jerry Muglee, Mary Vanderbeek, and Alan Flint.

Residential Growth Continued in Sartell in 2024

Sartell will finish 2024 with just under 40 new single family homes. That according to Sartell Mayor Ryan Fitzthum, who joined me on WJON today. He expects that type of growth in 2025, if not more.

St. Cloud School Superintendent Explains Ballot Questions

St. Cloud School District 742 will have 2 questions posed to voters on April 8, 2025. St. Cloud School Superintendent Laurie Putnam joined me on WJON. She says the 2 questions approved by the board last week are $50 Million to provide safety upgrades at Apollo High School and a multi purpose athletic facility on the Apollo campus.

This Central MN Small Town Was Named for a Bishop

The town of Marty is an unincorporated community in Maine Prairie Township in Stearns Count just north of Kimball. This time in WJON's "Small Town" feature Marty is in focus. I talked with lifelong Marty resident Roy Loesch.

The Oldest Slovenian Population in the U.S. is in This Central MN Town

St. Stephen is the oldest Slovenian population in the United States. The town was founded with the Church of St. Stephen in 1903 and incorporated in 1914. The town has a population of 851 and is located in northeast Stearns County.

Updated Deer Harvest Numbers in Minnesota Following 2nd Weekend

The 2nd weekend of the firearms deer hunting season completed Sunday. Glen Schmitt from Outdoor News joined me on WJON. He says approximately 112,000 deer have been shot during the firearms season so far.