🌱 Patch AM: Which icy attractions are coming to Viking Lakes this January?

Hello again Eagan! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Which icy attractions are coming to Viking Lakes this January?
• How Eagan-based punter Ryan Wright quietly became an NFL standout
• How could Minnesota’s childcare funding freeze impact Eagan families?

Also on today's calendar: Eagan Female Entrepreneur Happy Hour.

Today's riddle: I think I’ll wear only one boot today. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: Colder with a little snow, with a high of 27 and low of -1 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Thursday: Colder with clouds and sun, temps: high: 13, low: 7.
• Friday: Cold with clouds and sun, with a high of 11 and low of 8 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Viking Lakes Ice Festival in Eagan (thriftyminnesota.com) — Bundle up, Eagan—Viking Lakes Ice Festival is back in town January 16–25, 2026, with skating, an illuminated ice maze, sculptures, and a cozy Warming Haus. With affordable day tickets, free admission for kids 5 and under, and special shows like lumberjack performances and pond hockey, it’s a packed winter outing just minutes from home.
   

• Ryan Wright's Successful 2025 Hinged on Right Approach (statenews.net) — From his practice base in Eagan, Vikings punter Ryan Wright is wrapping up a standout 2025 season built on preparation, consistency, and a calmer mental approach. He details how golf analogies, yoga, and meticulous daily drills have helped him boost hang time, pin opponents deep, and become one of the NFL’s top specialists while keeping a humble, team-first mindset.
   

• Trump admin halts Minnesota childcare payments amid fraud claims: 'We have turned off money spigot' (meaww.com) — Federal health officials have frozen all childcare subsidy payments to Minnesota while they investigate what they describe as widespread daycare fraud, a move that could affect families and providers in Eagan as well as statewide. The Trump administration is demanding a comprehensive audit from Gov. Tim Walz and has set up new reporting tools after a viral video alleged some funded centers weren’t actually caring for children.
   

📸 Around Eagan

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 Eagan

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Thursday January 8

• Coffee Break - Drake Bank
  Drake Bank , 60 East Plato Blvd. , St. Paul
  8:00 am

Tuesday January 13

• Eagan Female Entrepreneur Happy Hour
  Greg & Lisa's Hidden Treasure , 4185 S Robert Trail , Eagan
  5:30 pm
• Break the Glass Ceilinig Book Club
  Greg & Lisa's Hidden Treasure , 4185 S Robert Trail , Eagan
  6:00 pm

📣 Eagan Shout Outs!

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

🗓 Events Nearby

Wednesday December 31

• Coffee & Cribbage
  Mendota Heights, MN Calendar , 1695 Dodd Road , Mendota Heights
  9:00 am
• Noon Years Eve 2025-2026
  Veterans Memorial Community Center , 8055 Barbara Ave , Inver Grove Heights
  10:00 am
• Winter Break Open Play
  Pleasant Hill Library , Large Meeting Room , Apple Valley
  10:00 am
• Book Bingo for Kids
  Galaxie Library , Galaxie Large Meeting Room L139 , Coates
  10:30 am
• Noon Year's Eve Party
  Heritage Library (Lakeville),
  11:00 am
• Noon Year's Eve
  Washburn Community Library , 5244 Lyndale Avenue South , Minneapolis
  11:00 am
• Stick and Puck
  Burnsville Calendar , 251 Civic Center Parkway , Burnsville
  11:00 am
• Public Skating
  Burnsville Calendar , 251 Civic Center Parkway , Burnsville
  11:00 am
• Countdown to Noon Dance Party
  Wescott Library , Wescott Large Meeting Room , Inver Grove Heights
  11:30 am

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

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Eagan PatchAM possible:

• The Cabinet Store + Culina Design — (952) 208-6268
  Free In-Home Expert Kitchen Design Consult – Book Today
• Panoramic Perspectives Therapy and Training PA — (952) 600-8191
  Inquire today- currently no waitlist!
• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
• The Cabinet Store + Culina Design — (952) 208-6268
  Custom Kitchen Cabinets & Remodeling in Apple Valley, MN

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• We are away and our cat may have gotten out.
  Our cat sitter last saw her on Saturday afternoon in our house. If anyone sees her please call 651-442-1590. Her name is Gretel and is an indoor only… (Nextdoor Burr Oaks)
• It’s me again.
  Warrior Dog gal. I don’t think I’ve posted for a whole two days about dogs. I need my fix! So, another adoption event. Yes, again! Another… (Nextdoor Lebanon Hill)

🗞 Nearby News

Burnsville

• Rodent, Bird Contamination Prompts Recall Affecting Twin Cities Grocery Stores (patch.com)
• Dennis John Kaderlik, 85 (montgomerymnnews.com)
• Graduation, school names, facilities made news in District 191 (hometownsource.com)

Rosemount

• 2025 in review: News takes place on and off the field (hometownsource.com)

St. Paul

Ok Eagan! 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: I heard there’s only a 50 percent chance of snow.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

• Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
• Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
• List items for sale or services offered

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

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook