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Stay in the loop with what's happening in Brainerd

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.

🌱 How Baxter’s latest approvals will affect roads, jobs, and nearby Brainerd streets

Brainerd, Minnesota Patch AM: a 4 min read

What's up Brainerd! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How Baxter’s latest approvals will affect roads, jobs, and nearby Brainerd streets
  • How much did Brainerd students’ reading scores actually improve this year?
  • How Brainerd’s own Mrs. Minnesota is turning caregiving into advocacy

Also on today's calendar: Apple Valley July 4 Fireworks 2026: What To Know and 11 more events.

Today's riddle: When is a car not a car? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: Showers and a heavier t-storm, with a high of 76 and low of 57 degrees.
  • Sunday: Partly sunny, temps: high: 82, low: 59.
  • Monday: Plenty of sun, with a high of 84 and low of 65 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Baxter approves Chick-fil-A permit for restaurant off Excelsior Road (brainerddispatch.com) — Baxter has cleared the way for a new Chick-fil-A near Excelsior Road, with demolition in 2027 and up to 100 jobs expected. The council also approved a street project that includes a small segment inside Brainerd city limits, plus several infrastructure contracts, hunting rule clarifications, and a temporary liquor license for an Aug. 22 Northland Arboretum event.
   

2. Brainerd schools see bump in literacy rates (brainerddispatch.com) — Reading proficiency is on the rise in Brainerd Public Schools, with recent data showing notable gains from kindergarten through ninth grade. District leaders reviewed progress under Minnesota’s new READ Act and outlined next year’s goals, including full structured literacy implementation and stronger support systems to narrow gaps for special education and multilingual learners.
   

3. Meet Mrs. Minnesota — Brainerd's own Maren Martin (brainerddispatch.com) — Brainerd native and Brainerd High School graduate Maren Martin has been crowned Mrs. Minnesota and will represent the state at the Mrs. America pageant in Las Vegas this August. Living and working in the Brainerd lakes area, Martin balances caregiving for her mother with advocacy for Parkinson’s research and local community involvement, including her work in sports reporting for the Brainerd Dispatch.
   

4. Electrek American Solar Challenge 2026: About the race, full schedule, and teams competing (electrek.co) — Brainerd International Raceway will host the Electrek Formula Sun Grand Prix July 21-23, bringing 46 collegiate solar car teams to central Minnesota for free public viewing. Qualifying cars then launch a 1,500-mile American Solar Challenge from Minneapolis to Amarillo, showcasing cutting-edge student-built solar vehicles along a Route 66 centennial route.
   

📸 Around Brainerd

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Brainerd

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events
    Monday July 6
  • Personnel Committee →
    Crow Wing County, MN Calendar, 326 Laurel St, Brainerd
    9:00 am
    • Tuesday July 7
  • Evelyn Matthies: Joyful Expression Exhibition
    The Crossing Arts Alliance 711 Laurel St, Brainerd, MN 56401
  • Sheriff's Sale - 1805 Norwood Street, Brainerd →
    Crow Wing County, MN Calendar, 304 Laurel Street, Brainerd
    10:00 am
    • Wednesday July 8
  • Watercolor and Ink Workshop with Katy Yenter
    The Crossing Arts Alliance Brainerd Public Library, 416 S 5th St, Brainerd, MN 56401, USA
    4:00 pm
    • Thursday July 9
  • Budget Committee →
    Crow Wing County, MN Calendar, 326 Laurel St, Brainerd
    9:00 am
    • Friday July 10
  • Evelyn Matthies: Joyful Expression, Celebration and Reception
    The Crossing Arts Alliance 711 Laurel St, Brainerd, MN 56401
    5:00 pm
    • Saturday July 11
  • Mosaic Magic with Kathy Sanders
    The Crossing Arts Alliance 711 Laurel St, Brainerd, MN 56401
    10:00 am
    • Tuesday July 14
  • County Board Meeting →
    Crow Wing County, MN Calendar, 326 Laurel St, Brainerd
    9:00 am

📣 Brainerd Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Hello Brainerd lakes area!
    If you want your yard to look great this year for an affordable price we offer free estimates year round for all your landscaping needs. feel free to… (Nextdoor W Laurel St)
  • 4M Building Solutions posted a job opening for General Cleaner in Brainerd. Apply here.
  • Wendy's posted a job opening for Restaurant General Manager MN in Brainerd. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Brainerd here.

Ok Brainerd! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: When it is turning into a driveway! (Thank you Dana J. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

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Stay in the loop with what's happening in Brainerd

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.

Stay in the loop with what's happening in Brainerd

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.