Staff Directory 7367899

Jenny Berg

St. Cloud Reporter | St. Cloud

Jenny Berg covers St. Cloud for the Star Tribune. Sign up to receive the new St. Cloud Today newsletter.


Jenny Berg has spent the last decade covering central Minnesota news for various publications, including the Litchfield Independent Review — where she was named Minnesota Newspaper Association's New Journalist of the Year for weeklies — and the St. Cloud Times. She studied journalism and political science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Outside of work, she spends much of her time with her dogs, Juniper and August.
Recent content from Jenny Berg
Gov. Tim Walz listens as St. Cloud Public Services Director Tracy Hodel describes the city’s process of turning liquid waste into fuel and fertilize

Walz visits St. Cloud on statewide tour highlighting infrastructure needs

Several cities are requesting money for water and wastewater projects as part of the state's bonding bill.
St. Cloud school district’s Discovery elementary in Waite Park will be one of two new “full-service” community schools next year paid for by a

Two St. Cloud schools to become full-service hubs for learning, family health

The central Minnesota school district was awarded a $2.5 million federal grant to fund full-service community schools.
Recent St. John’s University graduate Jervon Sands will head to Oxford next year.

St. John's University alum named Rhodes scholar, only 2nd time in school history

Jervon Sands plans to study environmental change at Oxford and then tackle the climate crisis in his native Bahamas.
Avon woman dies in rural Stearns County crash

Avon woman dies in rural Stearns County crash

Officials said Susan Lemke lost control of her vehicle on frost-covered roads and hit a truck head-on.
St. Cloud State President Robbyn Wacker, shown on campus in March 2022.

St. Cloud State president to step down amid friction over budget cuts, layoffs

Robbyn Wacker, the university's first female president, will step down in June.
A man attending the Great River Regional Library board meeting Tuesday, Nov. 21, holds a sign while Avon resident Sandy Klocker speaks at the open for

St. Cloud library system tackles record number of requests to ban, move books

The board approved an updated policy after challenges over "obscene" books.
A young moose stands near a road southwest of Grove City, Minn., on Oct. 29. Fans have been following the moose’s movements through a “Central MN

A 'moose on the loose' in central Minnesota draws thousands of fans

A Facebook group has been following the young male, hoping he would successfully make it across I-94.
The administration at St. Cloud State plans to add “accelerated online programs” with seven-week classes for students with some college credits bu

Minnesota State system demands cautious approach for St. Cloud State online programs

The system will allow the university to launch three of 11 programs through a controversial for-profit company.
Dahir Gaban, right, stood in the mosque office where two people broke into the Islamic Center of St. Cloud and broke this ceiling panel in September 2

Twin Cities woman sentenced to probation for vandalizing St. Cloud mosque

The 26-year-old told police she and a man found a 'spooky' building and decided to go inside, court documents say.
Woman sentenced to 7 years for role in 2021 murder of central Minnesota woman

Woman sentenced to 7 years for role in 2021 murder of central Minnesota woman

The 38-year-old was in the vehicle when 25-year-old Keisa Lange was shot and left on the side of the road.
Mary Ebenezer (left, played by Patricia Soltis) argues with Lizzie (Stephanie Netko) about Mary’s use of laudanum during rehearsal of “Ebenezer’

In St. Cloud, a new take on 'A Christmas Carol' tackles addiction

"Ebenezer's Dry Goods & Pharmaceuticals" is being performed through Sunday and Nov. 17-19.
Man sentenced almost 6 years for shooting teen during gun sale in central Minnesota

Man sentenced almost 6 years for shooting teen during gun sale in central Minnesota

The 22-year-old St. Paul man pleaded guilty to a felony charge in October.
St. Cloud Police Department squads are parked outside the community outpost in August 2022.

St. Cloud school resource officers will return amid 'clarification and legal support'

The St. Cloud Police Department will resume its school resource officer program after a pause amid uncertainty over a new law.
Mark Knutson

Fargo Marathon to feature 5K in memory of late race director

Mark Knutson died in July after being hit by a vehicle while biking in Detroit Lakes.
Nurses from St. Cloud Hospital compiled a book of stories and vignettes written during the darkest days of the pandemic. It’s available on Amazon.

St. Cloud nurses' book chronicles lives lost and hope found during early days of COVID-19

Nurses from St. Cloud Hospital organized stories in a book published this fall.
Members of law enforcement gathered outside of the Karl Holmberg residence during a standoff after multiple officers were shot on Oct. 12 near Princet

Authorities find meth in home of Princeton man accused of shooting five officers

Officers were executing a search warrant for drugs when five were shot on Oct. 12.
St. Cloud State University this fall saw the first increase in student head count since 2015 — but the full-time equivalent count for undergraduate

St. Cloud State enrollment ticks up slightly

Even with the increase, budget concerns persist and will likely lead to more cuts to faculty and other operational expenses, leaders say.
Buffalo man, 34, identified as victim in fatal St. Cloud shooting

Buffalo man, 34, identified as victim in fatal St. Cloud shooting

The two other men shot early Sunday morning were treated and released from the hospital, officials say.
Law enforcement set up a command post at Glendorado Lutheran Church on Oct. 12 after Karl Holmberg shot five officers at his home near Princeton.

Authorities ID two officers who used force during Thursday's shootout near Princeton

Three officers shot at 64-year-old Karl Holmberg but the BCA is not publicly identifying one who works undercover.
Law enforcement outside of the Karl Holmberg residence during a standoff after multiple officers were shot near Princeton, Minn., on Thursday.

Search warrant for meth led to the shooting of five officers in Benton County

A judge on Friday set Holmberg's bail at $6 million.
A BNSF train carrying ethanol and corn syrup derailed and caught fire in the town of Raymond, Minn., early on March 30, 2023.

Broken rail caused central Minnesota derailment, NTSB says

A report released Monday states the train "worsened a rail head surface condition" at the Raymond elevator track switch.
St. Cloud-based CentraCare and the University of Minnesota are partnering on a new medical school campus in St. Cloud.

U Regents approve St. Cloud medical school campus agreement, launch $50M campaign

The agreement lays out plans for the partnership with CentraCare but is contingent on final business plans, expected to be presented later this year.
Whit’s Craft in downtown St. Cloud has 40 self-serve taps with Minnesota beers, seltzers, ciders and wine.

New spots to eat and drink your way through downtown St. Cloud

A moody coffee shop, a swanky speakeasy and a seafood boil restaurant have sprung up in recent months; the area's first tap wall opened Friday.
Stearns County woman dies in crash near Lake Wobegon Trail

Stearns County woman dies in crash near Lake Wobegon Trail

The 38-year-old crashed into trees at the end of a dead end road, according to Stearns County Sheriff's Office.
A lawsuit says owners of Crossroads Center, the largest mall in Minnesota outside of the Twin Cities, haven’t made mortgage payments since 2020.

Third party will manage St. Cloud mall while foreclosure lawsuit plays out

A subsidiary of U.S. Bancorp is suing the owners of Crossroads Center for unpaid mortgage payments.
The administration at St. Cloud State is proposing adding “accelerated online programs” with seven-week classes for students with some college cre

St. Cloud State hopes an online program will boost enrollment. Critics say it's a scam.

St. Cloud State University wants to be the first in the Minnesota State system to launch 7-week online programs for nontraditional students in partnership with a for-profit company — if the system allows it.
Electrolux workers finished their last day of work on Oct. 31, 2019, a day before Electrolux officially shut down its St. Cloud freezer factory. The b

Wisconsin investment firm buys former Electrolux site in St. Cloud

The 922,000-square-foot building has been vacant since 2019.
Man on supervised release shot by officers in Granite Falls, Minn., now listed in critical condition

Man on supervised release shot by officers in Granite Falls, Minn., now listed in critical condition

The 23-year-old was shot by drug task force officers Wednesday after they say he refused to drop his weapon.
The invasive emerald ash borer was first found in Minnesota in 2009.

Emerald ash borer found in Benton, Mille Lacs counties

The invasive insect is now in more than half of Minnesota's counties.
A sign blocks off a road Tuesday, Sept. 19 in St. Cloud, where city staff are proposing changes to how the city assesses residents for road projects.

After years of complaints, St. Cloud to change how it assesses residents for street projects

The proposed policy has an appraiser provide an estimated market value increase for properties in a project area.
Former presidents of the College of Saint Benedict present the Presidential Medal to Brian Bruess as the first joint president of St. Ben’s and St.

Belated inauguration for joint CSB/SJU president celebrates 'integrated, enduring' campuses

Brian Bruess is the first in Minnesota to serve simultaneously as president of two four-year private colleges.
St. Cloud leaders plan to ask the Legislature for $100 million to revamp and spur redevelopment in downtown St. Cloud, pictured Sept. 19, 2023.

St. Cloud outlines plan to remake downtown — if it gets $100M from the state

Proposed projects include a new riverwalk along the Mississippi River, bridge improvements and more.
Former Mille Lacs Band police chief gets 28 years in prison for sexually assaulting child

Former Mille Lacs Band police chief gets 28 years in prison for sexually assaulting child

An aggravating factor led to an upward departure from sentencing guidelines for 75-year-old Russell Bankey.
A house fire north of Freeport in central Minnesota on April 6 left the home a total loss. No one was inside at the time.

Woman sentenced to three years in prison for burning down man's Stearns County home

The woman reportedly told police she started a pile of clothes on fire with a propane torch.
Ominous skies in Kandiyohi County were captured by Brian Punt in May 2022.

Your weather app may be missing critical details. This group is trying to fix that.

In a large swath of Minnesota, radar doesn't reach below 6,000 feet where severe weather often crops up.
Dr. Jacquelyn Harman and registered nurse Leah Wallen train using the telehealth services now provided for NICU patients at CentraCare’s birthing ce

CentraCare adds NICU telehealth services in Monticello birth center

The health care system plans to implement the services at all its regional birth centers.
St. Cloud man dies after being rescued from water at Quarry Park

St. Cloud man dies after being rescued from water at Quarry Park

The 23-year-old was pulled from about 40 feet of water at the popular summer swimming spot.
A lone flag was posted in a field near the crash site of the National Guard helicopter in December 2019.

Avon post office renamed to honor Guardsman killed in 2019 helicopter crash

Plantenberg was one of three Guardsmen who died in a crash during a routine maintenance flight in December 2019.
Minnesota man facing homicide charges after crash launched passenger into traffic

Minnesota man facing homicide charges after crash launched passenger into traffic

The 27-year-old Rockville, Minn., man's preliminary breath test showed a blood alcohol concentration at more than twice the legal limit.
Marita Schmitz works with kindergartners on a reading assignment in the Spanish immersion program at St. Cloud school district’s Clearview Elementar

St. Cloud schools ask state to re-examine charter school system

The district, losing students and money to St. Cloud's charter schools, is questioning whether they are living up to their promise.
Charges: 66-year-old's BAC was 3 times the legal limit in crash near St. Cloud that fatally injured man

Charges: 66-year-old's BAC was 3 times the legal limit in crash near St. Cloud that fatally injured man

The victim, a 65-year-old visiting his cabin, died from injuries a week later.
Rosella Decker, the mother of Tommy Decker, who was shot to death while working as a Cold Spring police officer in November 2012, puts a hand on his g

Memorial for slain Cold Spring officer to be dedicated Sunday

Tommy Decker was killed in the line of duty 10 years ago.
St. Cloud City Hall, shown in August 2022, inhabits the former Technical High School.

St. Cloud mayor proposes 7% budget increase with bumps to police salaries, parks

The mayor's proposed 2024 budget also includes a 30% increase in the park and recreation budget.
After Appeals Court ruled probation too lenient, central Minnesota man resentenced to 5 years in prison

After Appeals Court ruled probation too lenient, central Minnesota man resentenced to 5 years in prison

The Sherburne County judge resentenced the Zimmerman man Tuesday to minimum sentence recommended under state law.
Former police chief of central Minnesota town sentenced to probation for stealing herbal substance

Former police chief of central Minnesota town sentenced to probation for stealing herbal substance

With no chief at the helm, the city of Emily had to deactivate its police department.
A memorial sits at the site in south St. Cloud where Keisa Lange’s body was found in June 2021.

St. Cloud man gets life sentence for shooting central Minnesota woman, leaving her body on side of road

Judge also orders him to pay restitution to the woman's family from future prison earnings.
Jo McMullen-Boyer

Jo McMullen-Boyer, cheerful and steadfast leader at SCSU's KVSC, dies at 54

She led the radio station, a training ground for students and a welcome connection to the community, for more than 30 years.
Man gets 30 years for trying to steal guns from pawn shop, attacking bystanders with machete

Man gets 30 years for trying to steal guns from pawn shop, attacking bystanders with machete

The Zimmerman, Minn., man was known to the FBI and admitted to planning a mass shooting at the Mall of America, documents state.
A Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office squad car started on fire after the deputy rear-ended a vehicle Monday, July 24, 2023, north of Brainerd.

Squad car erupts into flames after deputy rear-ends vehicle stopped on highway

The impact pushed the car into another stopped car, injuring three others in addition to the deputy.
16-year-old Albany boy dies after 15-year-old driver crashes car

16-year-old Albany boy dies after 15-year-old driver crashes car

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, according to the Stearns County Sheriff's Office.
North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley, Fargo Police Chief David Zibolski, Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney and Assistant Chief Travis Stefonowicz exited t

Officials: Fargo gunman searched online for 'kill fast' and 'mass shooting events'

Mohamed Barakat had an "absolute arsenal" including guns and homemade bombs, officials said.
Authorities shared a photo Wednesday, July 19, of the weapons and equipment allegedly found in Mohamad Barakat’s car after a shootout Friday, July 1

Fargo assailant who shot officers planning 'pretty horrific acts,' officials say

Mohamad Barakat was found with 1,800 rounds, multiple guns and a hand grenade in his vehicle.
Man sentenced to 270 days in jail for I-94 road rage shooting

Man sentenced to 270 days in jail for I-94 road rage shooting

A Michigan man shot a handgun at the vehicle driven by a man from Avon, Minn., injuring the driver.
St. Cloud police investigate possible murder-suicide after couple found dead in home

St. Cloud police investigate possible murder-suicide after couple found dead in home

Both individuals appeared to have died from gunshot wounds, police say.
Crossroads Center mall in St. Cloud is facing a lawsuit for falling behind on mortgage payments.

Lawsuit: St. Cloud mall owners haven't paid loan in nearly three years, owe $84 million

A subsidiary of U.S. Bancorp initiated foreclosure proceedings against the owners of Crossroads Center mall.
CentraCare announced Thursday it will sell the St. Benedict’s Community facilities in St. Cloud, Sartell and Monticello to Ecumen.

St. Cloud-based CentraCare selling 3 senior living facilities to Ecumen

CentraCare's president said the sale allows the organization to focus more on primary and specialty care at its hospitals and clinics.
Charges: Husband of Fort Ripley woman hit her with car, left her on road to die

Charges: Husband of Fort Ripley woman hit her with car, left her on road to die

Data from the vehicle shows it stopped, reversed to the location McClelland's body was found and then sped off, court documents state.
Mark Knutson

Police chief: Video shows Fargo Marathon director lose control of bike, fall into traffic

Mark Knutson died Sunday after being hit by a pickup towing a boat in Detroit Lakes.
Sauk Centre man sentenced to 210 days in jail for fatal ATV crash on Wobegon Trail

Sauk Centre man sentenced to 210 days in jail for fatal ATV crash on Wobegon Trail

A 50-year-old man died after being struck by the ATV on the trail, which doesn't allow motorized vehicles.
Stearns County man charged in tubing incident that injured two boys, one critically

Stearns County man charged in tubing incident that injured two boys, one critically

He admitted to drinking before driving a water scooter and pulling two 9-year-olds on a tube; the boys hit a neighbor's dock.
Mark Knutson

Fargo Marathon director dies after being struck by vehicle while biking

Mark Knutson, an avid outdoorsman and well-known recreation director, died Sunday after being struck by a vehicle while bicycling in Detroit Lakes.
An early morning fire on the roof of River’s Edge Convention Center in downtown St. Cloud on Tuesday caused about $200,000 in damage.

Rooftop fire at St. Cloud's convention center causes at least $200,000 in damage

Although fireworks debris was found on the roof, officials haven't yet determined the cause of the fire.
A group of friends toast during dinner at Crescendo in Albert Lea shortly after the restaurant opened in 2001.

Popular Albert Lea restaurant closing at end of July, and more restaurant updates

Plus: Justin Sutherland food at MSP, restaurant openings and rebrandings and more.
A two-story building formerly used by CentraCare administrative staff is slated to become the new University of Minnesota Medical School campus in St.

CentraCare to request $13 million from state for St. Cloud medical school campus

The money would go toward an $18 million project to repurpose a building for a planned U of M campus.
Former Mille Lacs Band police chief convicted of sexually assaulting a child

Former Mille Lacs Band police chief convicted of sexually assaulting a child

Russell J. Bankey also worked for the Mille Lacs County Sheriff's Office.
The city of St. Cloud plans to ask the Legislature for $100 million in bonding dollars to jump-start redevelopment of downtown St. Cloud.

St. Cloud to ask Legislature for $100 million to jump-start downtown redevelopment

St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis says the public investment should help spur over $1 billion in private dollars.
Former Sherburne County Commissioner Timothy J. Dolan.

Former Sherburne Co. commissioner accused of embezzling nearly $800K

Dolan also faces criminal charges for reportedly taking thousands of photos of his ex without her permission.
St. Cloud Orthopedics, which has clinics in Sartell and St. Cloud, provided orthopedic trauma care at St. Cloud Hospital’s emergency room until Cent

St. Cloud specialty clinic says CentraCare trying to strongarm them out of business

Until January, St. Cloud Orthopedics had provided on-call trauma care at St. Cloud Hospital for decades.
Buffalo man gets probation for providing heroin in death of South Haven 18-year-old

Buffalo man gets probation for providing heroin in death of South Haven 18-year-old

The sentence is a downward departure from sentencing guidelines.
St. Cloud City Council members on June 12 voted down a proposal to build a gas station at a vacant site along Hwy. 23, just north of City Hall and wes

St. Cloud City Council votes against highest bidder — a gas station — near City Hall

"I don't know that it's the smartest long-term goal, especially when we are working to reinvent our downtown."
St. Cloud woman pleads guilty in two homicide cases

St. Cloud woman pleads guilty in two homicide cases

The 35-year-old also pleaded guilty to promoting prostitution from behind bars.
Chase on the Lake is a historic resort in Walker, Minnesota.

Historic Leech Lake resort gets new owners

A Miami-based investment firm sold to local owners for $5.7 million.
Dahir Gaban, right, stood in the mosque office where two people broke into the Islamic Center of St. Cloud and broke this ceiling panel in September 2

Rogers man sentenced to 180 days in jail for vandalizing St. Cloud mosque

His lawyer said the break-in was fueled by "the fog of drugs and immature narcissism," and not hatred of Muslims.
Sherburne County must resentence Zimmerman man following Appeals Court decision

Sherburne County must resentence Zimmerman man following Appeals Court decision

The Appeals Court ruled the lower court erred when it sentenced Eric Haskins to probation instead of prison time.
The “Old Sartell Bridge” opened in 1914 and closed in the mid 1980s when a new bridge was built just south of it. It will reopen for pedestrians o

Sartell to reopen historic bridge as walkway

City officials will celebrate the bridge's reopening Jun 9 during its Summerfest festival.