St. Cloud - Project Optimist

How do you get a rural doc? Launch a rural med school

The Medical College of Wisconsin launched a central Wisconsin campus 10 years ago. The effort offers lessons for University of Minnesota officials to consider as they prepare to open a new medical school campus in St. Cloud in 2025.

Woman uses her hands to sculpt a piece of pottery in her studio.

Art

Artist spotlight: Behind-the-scenes of Tech High School's new pottery installation

How Desi Murphy created a large ceramic art installation for St. Cloud's Tech High School.

Illustration of a resilient nurse who's able to fend off burnout. (Ginny McClure for Project Optimist)

Business

Care for the caregivers: Reflective consultation can help therapists serving children and families

This practice is helping some frontline workers manage burnout. Here's how it works

Business

How culture helped 2 St. Cloud manufacturers grow despite the tight labor market

So what does a good, intentional culture look like? Experts agree it's responsive to employees and treats them with respect

Aaron and Janelle Bradley pose on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, at their Albertville, Minn., home, where they raise their two childr

Community voices

Community Voices ⎸ I lost a veteran to suicide, so I went on a search for preventions that work

Our series on veteran suicide prevention starts with a deeply personal story.

A bright green generator shown on Monday, June 13, 2022, is one of two that burn biogas at the St. Cloud Nutrient, Energy and

Environment

Waste not: How the St. Cloud recovery facility turns wastewater into green products

Large methane digesters, like the one in St. Cloud, could make a significant contribution in the fight against global warming.

Volunteers planted more than 400 plants and roughly 18 different species across 15 acres in late May of 2022 to maintain rest

Environment

How a small church prairie helps habitat and biodiversity in the middle of Minnesota

'15 acres in the grand scheme can be quite a bit,' says Wildlife Habitat Specialist Ryan Rothstein with the Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District.