DENNIS: I'M DENNIS ANDERSON ALONG WITH JULIE ZENNER.

HERE'S WHAT'S COMING UP ON "ALMANAC NORTH."

JULIE: VOTERS IN DULUTH WILL HAVE A PARKS FUND LEVY REFERENDUM ON THE BALLOT IN NOVEMBER.

WE'LL FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE LEVY QUESTION.

DENNIS: WE'LL HAVE EXCERPTS FROM A WISCONSIN U.S. SENATE DEBATE BETWEEN REPUBLICAN INCUMBENT RON JOHNSON AND DEMOCRAT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MANDELA BARNES.

JULIE: AND PRODUCER MEGAN MCGARVEY BRINGS US THE STORY OF A MINNESOTAN PLAYING PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY IN SWEDEN.

DENNIS: THOSE STORIES AND VOICES OF THE REGION, COMING UP NEXT ON "ALMANAC NORTH."

♪ DENNIS: HELLO AND WELCOME TO "ALMANAC NORTH."

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

JULIE, MOST OF US WOKE UP TO SNOW ON THE GROUND THIS MORNING.

A LITTLE TOO EARLY FOR ME.

JULIE: IT IS A LITTLE EARLY FOR YOU BUT IT IS PRETTY SEASONAL.

DENNIS: IT TRULY IS.

I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE LOVE WINTER AND ANXIOUS TO GET SOME SNOW.

LET'S BEGIN NOW WITH THE HEADLINES.

JULIE: THANKS, DENNY.

WITH LESS THAN A MONTH TO GO UNTIL ELECTION DAY, CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES ARE REACHING FULL GEAR.

MOST OF OUR MAILBOXES ARE OVER-FLOWING WITH CAMPAIGN LITERATURE AND THE AIRWAVES ARE PACKED WITH POLITICAL ADVERTISING.

IF YOU ARE WATCHING THE POLITICAL CALENDAR, ELECTION DAY IS 25 DAYS AWAY ON NOVEMBER 8.

WE WILL HAVE MORE POLITICAL NEWS LATER IN OUR SHOW.

DENNIS: THE WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE STATE FINISHED THE 2022 FISCAL YEAR WITH ITS HIGHEST-EVER SURPLUS.

THE STATE FISCAL YEAR CLOSED WITH A SURPLUS OF $4.3 BILLION.

WISCONSIN'S RAINY DAY FUND IS ALSO AT ITS ALL-TIME HIGH AT $1.73 BILLION.

JULIE: MINNESOTA HAS A ROYAL VISITOR THIS WEEK, AS QUEEN SONJA OF NORWAY ARRIVED IN THE STATE THURSDAY, MEETING WITH GOVERNOR TIM WALZ.

THE QUEEN IS IN MINNESOTA THROUGH SUNDAY, HIGHLIGHTING LONG-STANDING SOCIAL AND CULTURAL CONNECTIONS.

THE STATE HAS CONDUCTED A NATIONAL GUARD EXCHANGE PROGRAM WITH NORWAY FOR THE PAST 49 YEARS.

DENNIS: AND MOTORISTS HEADING TO THE EASTERN PART OF DULUTH FROM THE UMD AND WOODLAND NEIGHBORHOODS WILL HAVE EASIER ACCESS BEGINNING THIS WEEKEND.

THE ROUND-ABOUT UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT THE INTERSECTION OF GLENWOOD STREET AND SNIVELY ROAD IS SCHEDULED TO OPEN LATE SATURDAY.

THE JOINT PROJECT OF THE CITY AND ST. LOUIS COUNTY IS DESIGNED TO BE SAFER AND IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW.

JULIE: WHEN DULUTHIANS VOTE THIS FALL, BESIDES CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR VARIOUS OFFICES, THEY WILL ALSO FIND A PARK FUND LEVY ON THE BALLOT.

THE LEVY WOULD PROVIDE AN INCREASE IN FUNDING FOR PARK MAINTENANCE.

HERE TO EXPLAIN HOW IT WOULD WORK AND HOW THE MONEY WOULD BE SPENT IS JIM FILBY WILLIAMS, DIRECTOR OF PROPERTY, PARKS AND LIBRARIES FOR THE CITY OF DULUTH.

WELCOME.

THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

ALWAYS GOOD TO HAVE YOU.

MAYBE YOU CAN START BY LAYING IT OUT, WHAT EXACTLY ARE VOTERS BEING ASKED CONSIDER THIS FALL?

JIM: BACK IN 2011, VOTERS APPROVED A FLAT PARKS LEVY OF $2.6 MILLION PER YEAR AND THAT LEVY SAVED DULUTH PARKS.

AND WITH HINDSIGHT BEING 2020, THERE IS A SERIOUS FLAW BUILT INTO THE LEVY WHICH IS THAT THE PROCEEDS OF THE LEVY CAN NEVER GROW.

COSTS OF COURSE ALWAYS GROW.

AS A RESULT, THERE IS A GROWING GAP BETWEEN THE COST TO TAKE CARE OF OUR PARK FACILITIES AND THE REVENUE AVAILABLE TO DO IT.

COUNSEL AUTHORIZED A NOVEMBER 8 VOTER REFERENDUM IN WHICH VOTERS WILL BE ASKED TO CONSIDER WHETHER THEY WISH TO CONVERT THE EXISTING LEVY FROM A FLAT DOLLAR AMOUNT, $2.6 MILLION TO A SET PERCENTAGE OF PROPERTY VALUE.

.047% WHICH IS EXACTLY THE SAME PERCENTAGE THEY PAID IN 2012, THE FIRST YEAR OF THE LEVY.

DENNIS: HAS THE CITY FALLEN BEHIND ON PARK MAINTENANCE?

JIM: THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

HONESTLY, YES.

I THINK WE ARE EXCEPTIONALLY GOOD AT TAPPING INTO FEDERAL AND STATE DOLLARS.

WE HAVE BROUGHT IN NEARLY 100 MILLION DOLLARS OF FEDERAL AND STATE GRANTS OVER THE LAST 11 YEARS.

ALMOST $10 FOR EVERY ONE DOLLAR OF PARK FUND WE INVEST.

OVER TIME, THE FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR PARKS CAPITAL MAINTENANCE IS SHRINKING AND SHRINKING.

WE HAVE REACHED A POINT WHERE WE CANNOT EVEN MEET THE LOCAL REQUIREMENTS TO GET THOSE FEDERAL AND STATE DOLLARS.

WE'VE GOT OPPORTUNITIES TO INVEST $20,000 TO GET $400,000 OF STATE SUPPORT FOR OUR PARKS AND WE COULD NO LONGER COME UP WITH THE 20.

JULIE: MANY RESIDENTS ARE STRUGGLING JUST TO MAKE ENDS MEET RIGHT NOW WITH INFLATION, TRYING TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE, PAY THEIR ENERGY BILLS.

WHAT IS THE IMPACT FINANCIALLY ON RESIDENTS OF THE CITY IF THEY WERE TO APPROVE THIS?

JIM: INTERESTINGLY, BECAUSE OF THE UNUSUAL STRUCTURE OF THE ORIGINAL LEVY, THE TAX ASSOCIATED WITH A HOME VALUED AT $200,000 HAS STEADILY BEEN DECREASING EVERY YEAR SINCE THE LEVY WAS PASSED.

A $200,000 HOME IN 2011 WOULD HAVE PAID $94.

THIS YEAR, A HOME AT $200,000 WOULD PAY $67.

THE PROPOSED CHANGE WOULD HAVE THE EFFECT OF RETURNING, RESTORING THE LEVY ANNUAL PAYMENT TO $94 WHERE IT WOULD THEN STAY EVER AFTER.

IT IS A YEAR-OVER-YEAR INCREASE OF $27 THAT EFFECTIVELY RESTORES WITH THE PERSON IN THAT HOME WOULD HAVE PAID IN 2012.

JULIE: IF THAT $200,000 HOME GOES UP IN VALUE, THEN THAT PARTICULAR HOUSEHOLD WOULD ALSO BE PAYING MORE IN AN UPCOMING YEAR.

JIM: CORRECT.

DENNIS: THE CITY WILL BE HOSTING THREE DIFFERENT INFORMATION SESSIONS.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE THOSE SESSIONS ACCOMPLISH?

JIM: AS YOU NOTED, IT IS A CHALLENGING TIME FOR ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS.

THIS IS AN IMPORTANT AND DIFFICULT PERSONAL AND COMMUNITY DECISION.

WE REALLY WANT TO ARM PEOPLE WITH THE FACTS THEY NEED TO INFORM THEIR CHOICES.

JULIE: THE CITY COUNCIL HAS APPROVED A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE OF 8.9% FOR 2023, ALTHOUGH IT COULD BE LOWER.

WOULD THIS BE WRAPPED INTO THAT OR ON TOP OF THAT?

JIM: IT IS SEPARATE FROM AND IN ADDITION TO THE INCREASE IN THE GENERAL FUND.

THE GENERAL FUND IS A LEVY, THE 8.9% YOU WOULD NOTED, APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL.

THE PARK FUND LEVY CAN ONLY BE APPROVED BY VOTERS DIRECTLY.

DENNIS: WHY IS IT PROPOSING THAT THE PARK LEVY WILL ONLY BE FOR 25 YEARS?

JIM: I THINK THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO ANTICIPATE THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF 2048.

I THINK THE COUNCIL WISELY SAID LET'S PUT A SUNSET ON IT AND I WILL GIVE DULUTH OF 2048 AND THE COUNSELORS AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT STEP BACK.

JULIE: YOU ARE HERE TO MAKE THE CASE FOR IT.

TALK ABOUT WHY PARKS ARE SO IMPORTANT AND WHY MAINTAINING THEM AND UPGRADING THEM PERIODICALLY IS A VALUE TO THE CITY.

JIM: WHAT WE HEAR FROM OUR RESIDENTS IS THAT PARKS IN DULUTH ARE CONSIDERABLY MORE IMPORTANT TO OUR COMMUNITY THAN PARKS AND OTHER COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

IT IS ONE OF THE PRIMARY REASONS WHY PEOPLE SAY THEY LOVE BEING HERE.

IT IS ONE OF THE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES.

OUR EMPLOYERS HAVE IN ATTRACTING AND RETAINING EMPLOYEES.

JUST A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED APPEAL OF SOME OF OUR PARK AND TRAIL FACILITIES.

IT IS ALSO THE PRIMARY ENGINE OF OUR CONSIDERABLE TOURISM ECONOMY.

DENNIS: DON'T MY PROPERTY TAXES ALREADY PAID FOR THIS?

JIM: THEY DON'T.

BACK IN 2012, THE COMMUNITY DECIDED THAT RATHER THAN HAVING ALL OF THE EXPENSES OF OPERATING A PARK SYSTEM COVERED BY THE MAIN PORTION OF THE CITY BUDGET, THAT THERE WOULD BE THIS SPECIAL LEVY THAT WOULD PROVIDE DEDICATED FUNDING.

JULIE: IF PARKS ARE HUGE PRIORITY WITHIN THE CITY AND FOR THE RESIDENTS AND LEADERS, WHAT IT MAKES SENSE PERHAPS TO ALSO REALLOCATE SOME OF THOSE GENERAL FUNDS TOWARDS PARK AND REC?

JIM: PERHAPS.

COUNSEL'S CHOICE WAS TO PUT THIS QUESTION TO THE VOTERS.

JULIE: YOU ALSO MENTIONED THE IMPORTANCE TO TOURISM AND THERE IS A TOURISM TAX IN THE CITY.

COULD POTENTIALLY ANY OF THAT MONEY BE DIRECTED TOWARDS THE PARKS?

JIM: THE TOURISM TAX PROCEEDS MAY ONLY UNDER STATE LAW BE USED FOR TOURISM SUPPORTING FACILITIES AND WE DO HAVE SOME PARK FACILITIES THAT ARE ESSENTIAL TO THE TOURISM ECONOMY, AND IN THOSE CASES, WE DO.

HOWEVER, THE NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS THAT MOST NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS, MANY OF OUR COMMUNITY ATHLETIC FACILITIES ARE NOT ELIGIBLE, DON'T HAVE THAT VALID CONNECTION TO TOURISM.

IT IS THOSE THAT CANNOT RECEIVE THAT TEXT SUPPORT AND THOSE THAT ARE DETERIORATING.

DENNIS: WILL ANY OF THIS FUNDING ADD ADDITIONAL STAFF?

JIM: THE PRIORITY FOR ALL OF THE ADDITIONAL FUNDS IS TO IMPROVE ROUTINE PARK MAINTENANCE AND TO REPAIR, RENEW, AND REPLACE PARK FACILITIES THAT HAVE REACHED THE END OF THEIR LIFESPAN.

THERE MAY BE ONE OR TWO POSITIONS LIKE PARK JANITORS TO RESPOND TO WHAT WE'VE HEARD FROM THE COMMUNITY WHICH IS WE WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE BETTER MOWING AND GARBAGE COLLECTION AND REPAIR OF FAILING EQUIPMENT.

JULIE: AS YOU LOOK ACROSS THE CITY, ARE THERE CERTAIN NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE YOU THINK DEFINITELY MORE PARK RESOURCES NEED TO BE DIRECTED?

JIM: I THINK SO.

OVER THE LAST DECADE, WHAT WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED WAS REINVESTED IN WESTERN DULUTH PARKS WHICH WERE IN POOR CONDITION THAN THE REST OF THE CITY.

WE BROUGHT THEM UP TO THE SAME STANDARD.

IT DOES NOT MEAN THEY ARE IN FANTASTIC SHAPE BUT THEY ARE ON PAR WITH THE REST OF THE CITY.

WE HAVE LIST -- A LOT OF SUCCESS IN RESTORING THE DESTINATION PARKS AND CEMENTING OUR REPUTATION.

IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS, FUNDING PERMITTED, IS WHAT WE DO WITH DESTINATION PARKS AND DO FOR THE COMMUNITY ATHLETICS INFRASTRUCTURE WHAT WE DID FOR THE OUTDOOR RECREATION INFRASTRUCTURE.

AND FOR THE HILLSIDE NEIGHBORHOOD IN PARTICULAR, WHAT WE DID FOR WEST DULUTH.

DENNIS: THIS IS A CITY OF PARKS.

WILL ALL THE PARKS GET ATTENTION SHOULD THIS LEVY PASS?

JIM: THERE'S NEVER ENOUGH MONEY TO COVER EVERY SINGLE NEED.

THERE'S ALWAYS THE NECESSITY TO PRIORITIZE.

WE WILL PRIORITIZE WITH AN EMPHASIS ON NEIGHBORHOOD PARK, COMMUNITY ATHLETIC FACILITIES.

WE WILL FOCUS ON SYSTEMATIC ASSESSMENT OF THE CONDITION OF THOSE FACILITIES, FOCUSING ON THE FACILITIES THAT NEED INVESTMENT.

WE WILL FOCUS ON THOSE FACILITIES WHERE THE INVESTMENT WILL HAVE THE GREATEST COMMUNITY IMPACTS.

JULIE: HE STARTED HOLDING SOME INFORMATIONAL SESSIONS.

FIRST, WHAT ARE YOU HEARING SO FAR FROM PEOPLE WHO WERE SHOWING UP?

SECOND, WHERE ARE THE UPCOMING SESSIONS GOING TO BE HELD?

JIM: ONE THING IS THAT PEOPLE ARE SURPRISED TO HEAR THAT THE TAX, EXISTING TAX IS STRUCTURED SO THAT IN ESSENCE, THERE IS AN AUTOMATIC ANNUAL CUT TO THE PARKS BUDGET WHICH IS UNLIKE ANY OTHER CITY FUNCTION.

THERE IS NO OTHER CITY FUNCTION IT IS TRUE OF.

THE STATUS QUO IS A BUDGETARY STRUCTURE THAT AUTOMATICALLY TREATS PARKS AS THE CITY'S VERY LOWEST PRIORITY.

THEY ARE SURPRISED ABOUT THAT.

THEY ARE ALSO SURPRISED THE STRUCTURE OF THE CURRENT TAX MEANS THAT NO AMOUNT OF NEW CONSTRUCTION CAN INCREASE FUNDING AT ALL.

WE'VE GOT THE HILLSIDE NEIGHBORHOOD.

WE'VE GOT $70 MILLION OF MULTIFAMILY CONSTRUCTION.

A COUPLE HUNDRED NEW UNITS AROUND CENTRAL HILLSIDE PARK.

NONE OF THAT NEW DEVELOPMENT ADDS EVEN A PENNY TO THE PARK FUND.

JULIE: REAL QUICKLY, WHERE CAN PEOPLE FIND INFORMATION?

JIM: THEY ARE FAQ'S ON THE CITY OF DULUTH WEBSITE.

JULIE: JIM, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING IN.

DENNIS: THANK YOU.

♪ DENNIS: IT'S TIME NOW FOR OUR WEEKLY SEGMENT, VOICES OF THE REGION, WHEN WE HEAR FROM AN AREA JOURNALIST ABOUT STORIES IN THE NEWS.

TONIGHT, OUR GUEST IS TIMBERJAY PUBLISHER MARSHALL HELMBERGER IN TOWER, MINNESOTA.

♪ MARSHALL: WHEN REPORTING THIS WEEK AGAIN ON THE LATEST BATTLE IN THE TOWNSHIP, THIS TIME OVER THE RECENT DECISION BY THE TOWN BOARD'TO DISMISS THE TOWNSHIPS FIRE CHIEF, ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF AND TRAINING OFFICER.

THE TROUBLE TOWNSHIP WHICH ENCOMPASSES A WIDE SWATH OF LAKE VERMILION HAS NEARLY 1000 YEAR-ROUND RESIDENTS AND INTERNAL STRIFE BETWEEN THE TWO FACTIONS FOR YEARS OVER ANY OF A NUMBER OF ISSUES.

BUT MOST RECENTLY, THE DIFFERENCES HAVE CENTERED ON THE TOWNSHIP FIRE DEPARTMENT.

ONE OF THE FACTIONS HAS LONG GIVEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FREE REIN TO EASE FIRE TRAINING RESTRICTIONS OR TRAINING REQUIREMENTS AND BOOST PAY AND PENSIONS FOR THE TOWNSHIP'S FIREFIGHTERS.

THEY HAVE MAINTAINED A NARROW MINORITY ON THE TOWN BOARD UNTIL THIS PAST MARCH WHEN THE OTHER FACTION TOOK CONTROL.

THE CURRENT TOWN BOARD MAJORITY ALLEGES THAT THE TOP OFFICIALS HAVE FAILED TO FOLLOW DIRECTIVES IN TERMS OF VEHICLE AND EQUIPMENT AND ITS WHICH HAS LED TO A HISTORY OF MECHANICAL BREAKDOWNS.

ABOUT A DOZEN FIREFIGHTERS TURNED OUT TUESDAY NIGHT TO PICK AT THE TOWN BOARD MEETING.

THEY WERE HOLDING SIGNS DEMANDING THAT THE OFFICERS BE REINSTATED AND THAT THE TOWN BOARD ITSELF BE FIRED, AMONG OTHER THINGS.

WE ARE ALSO REPORTING ON A RECENT PRESENTATION BY JEFFREY HANSEN OF THE BABBITT-BASED CLEARWATER BIOLOGICS.

SPOKE TO A CLIMATE GROUP RECENTLY.

THAT GROUP IS FOCUSED ON SOLUTIONS TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

HANSEN WAS THERE TO TALK ABOUT HOW RECENT TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGES AND TAX INCENTIVES INITIATED BY THE NEW INFLATION REDUCTION ACT PROVIDES OPPORTUNITY FOR MAJOR GROWTH AND DIVERSIFICATION OF THE ECONOMY.

HANSEN WAS TALKING ABOUT THE SO-CALLED GREENING OF THE STEEL INDUSTRY WHICH IS UNDER PRESSURE TO REDUCE ITS EMISSIONS OF GREENHOUSE GASES.

THE PRODUCTION OF STEEL IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ABOUT 9% OF TOTAL GREENHOUSE EMISSIONS.

ALTHOUGH THERE ARE SOME PILOT PRODUCTS IN DEVELOPING THAT ARE SEEKING TO PRODUCE STEEL WITHOUT THOSE EMISSIONS.

THE RUSSIAN OF SO-CALLED CLEAN HYDROGEN COULD MAKE -- THE PRODUCTION OF SO-CALLED CLEAN HYDROGEN COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE BECAUSE IT WOULD ALLOW STEEL PRODUCTION POTENTIALLY TO SHIFT CLOSER TO IRON, SUCH AS THE IRON RANGE.

MOST STEEL PRODUCTION IN THE U.S. IS FOUND IN THE LOWER MIDWEST WHERE THERE IS ACCESS TO SOURCES OF COAL AND NATURAL GAS WHICH ARE ENERGY SOURCES THAT ARE STILL NEEDED WITH TODAY'S TECHNOLOGY TO FUEL STEEL PRODUCTION.

HANSEN AND MANY OTHERS BELIEVE THE HYDROGEN TAX CREDITS INCLUDED IN THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT WILL PUSH HYDROGEN PRODUCTION INTO OVERDRIVE IN THE U.S. THAT MEANS THE IRON RANGE WITH THE RIGHT COMBINATION OF LONG-TERM VISION AND INVESTMENT COULD BECOME THE LOCATION FOR THE PRODUCTION OF IRON AND STEEL.

FINALLY, WE ARE LOOKING AT SOME OF THE CAMPAIGN CLAIMS GOING OUT ON TELEVISION, RADIO AND ON FLYERS IN MAILBOXES AND THE RAMP UP TO THE ELECTION.

RECENT GOP ATTACKS ON IRON RANGE LAWMAKERS CLAIMING THEY VOTED TO GIVE THEMSELVES A $15,000 PAY RAISE IN 2019 HAVE RAISED THE IRE OF DFL OFFICIALS WHO SAY SUCH ATTACKS ARE FALSE AND UNFAIR.

IT TURNS OUT LEGISLATORS ARE NO LONGER ABLE TO VOTE THEMSELVES A PAY INCREASE FOLLOWING THE ADOPTION OF A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT IN 2016 THAT HANDED THAT RESPONSE ABILITY OVER TO A 16 MEMBER LEGISLATIVE SALARY COMMISSION COMPOSED OF EIGHT DF L'ERS AND EIGHT REPUBLICANS.

IT WAS HARDLY CONTROVERSIAL.

WE TALKED WITH SENATOR TOM BOCK WHO PUSHED FOR THE AMENDMENT IN HOPES IT WOULD TAKE THE POLITICS OUT OF PAY RAISES.

WHEN THE AMENDMENT WAS ADDED TO THE BALLOT IN 2016, IT HAD BEEN 17 YEARS SINCE LAWMAKERS HAD A PAY RAISE AND BOCK SAID IT BECAME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO ATTRACT QUALITY CANDIDATES FOR THE LEGISLATURE BECAUSE OF THE PAY.

SINCE PAY WAS HANDED OVER TO THE COMMISSION, LAWMAKERS HAVE SEEN THREE PAY INCREASES, OVER SIX YEARS BUT NONE OF THE LAWMAKERS EVER HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACTUALLY VOTE ON IT.

IT IS WORTH NOTING THAT REPUBLICANS WERE NOT THE ONLY ONES TO USE.

THE DFL IN 2018 AND GOP OFFICIALS POUNCED ON THAT AT THE TIME, CALLING IT FALSE AND DESPERATE AND PREDICTED THE CLAIMS WOULD ACT FIRE.

-- BACKFIRE.

WE WILL SEE IF THOSE CLAIMS HAVE THE SAME EFFECT THIS TIME AROUND.

♪ DENNIS: RECENT POLLS IN WISCONSIN'S UNITED STATES SENATE RACE SHOW A NEAR DEAD HEAT BETWEEN REPUBLICAN INCUMBENT RON JOHNSON AND HIS DEMOCRATIC CHALLENGER MANDELA BARNES.

THE WISCONSIN ASSOCIATION OF BROADCASTERS HELD THE FIRST DEBATE OF THE CAMPAIGN IN MILWAUKEE.

WE HAVE SOME EXCERPTS TONIGHT, BEGINNING WITH A QUESTION ABOUT RAISING THE FEDERAL MINIMUM WAGE.

>> I SAID I WOULD CONSIDER POSSIBLY INCREASING IT.

THEY MAY BE INDEXING TOWARDS INFLATION.

YOU HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL BECAUSE WHEN YOU INCREASE THE MINIMUM WAGE, YOU COULD ALSO ELIMINATE JOBS CREATED I THINK A STRONG ECONOMY IS THE BEST APPROACH.

I REALLY DON'T LIKE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BEING INVOLVED IN PRICE-FIXING AND THAT INCLUDES WAGES.

IF YOU HAVE A STRONG ECONOMY LIKE WE HAD OVER THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION, YOU HAD PLENTY OF JOBS AND RISING WAGES.

SOMETHING LIKE $2000 TO $4000 A YEAR IS WHAT THE AVERAGE FAMILY INCREASED THEIR WAGE BY.

THAT IS THE BEST THING, TO HAVE THE MARKETPLACE TAKE CARE OF IT RATHER THAN THE GOVERNMENT SET A MINIMUM WAGE.

IT DOES NOT DO YOU MUCH GOOD IF YOU HAVE A HIGHER MINIMUM WAGE AND YOU DON'T HAVE A JOB WITH A ZERO WAGE.

>> THE SENATOR THROUGHOUT A FIGURE WITH A NEST EGG AND INFLATION.

LET'S SAY HE WAS RIGHT.

THE REALITY IS PEOPLE HAVE BEEN MAKING $7.25 SINCE 2009.

THAT IS LESS THAN THE FEDERAL MINIMUM WAGE HAS GONE UP.

WISCONSIN STILL HAS THAT MINIMUM WAGE.

I HAVE LONG BEEN A PROPONENT OF A $15 MINIMUM WAGE.

SINCE 2014 WHERE THE ADVOCATES AND HARD-WORKING PEOPLE STARTED CALLING FOR IT.

WE SHOULD ABSOLUTELY BE AT A $15 MINIMUM WAGE.

PEOPLE ARE WORKING HARDER THAN THEY'VE EVER DONE BEFORE BUT THEY ARE NOT MAKING THE MONEY THEY USE TO.

IS SENATOR JOHNSON SERIOUS ABOUT FIXING INFLATION?

THERE'S NO REASON THE PEOPLE WHO WORK FULL-TIME SHOULD STRUGGLE TO PAY THE BILLS BUT THAT IS THE REALITY RIGHT NOW.

IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE REALITY IF WE HAVE PEOPLE IN OFFICE THAT ARE ONLY GOING TO PRIORITIZE THE RICHEST PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY AND LEAVE HARD-WORKING PEOPLE BEHIND.

>> LET'S TALK SPECIFICALLY ABOUT WHAT YOU WOULD DO AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL REGARDING ABORTION.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> I AM AN ONLY CHILD BUT I AM NOT MY MOTHER'S ONLY PREGNANCY.

BEFORE I WAS BORN, MY MOTHER HAD A COMPLICATED PREGNANCY AND SHE HAD AN ABORTION.

SHE SHARED HER STORY TO LET PEOPLE IT WAS HER DECISION TO MAKE, NOT SOME POLITICIAN'S.

DOCTORS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO LIVE UNDER THE THREAT OF BEING METALLIZED FOR HELPING WOMEN THROUGH THE MOST DIFFICULT DECISIONS.

THE SENATOR CALLED THE OVERTURNING OF ROE V. WADE A VICTORY.

HE CELEBRATED THE DECISION.

HE SAID IF WOMEN DO NOT LIKE THE LAWS OF THEIR STATE LIKELY 1849 CRIMINAL ABORTION BAN, HE SAYS THEY CAN MOVE.

I CANNOT THINK OF A MORE CALLOUS OR EXTREME POSITION TO TAKE.

IF I WERE IN THE SENATE, I WOULD VOTE TO CODIFY ROE V. WADE TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF AN ABORTION AND THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE INTO LAW TO PROTECT WOMEN'S RIGHTS.

>> AS JUSTICE ALITO SAID, THIS IS A PROFOUND MORAL ISSUE AND IT SHOULD NOT BE DECIDED BY NINE JUSTICE, NOT CONGRESS, NOT EVEN THE WISCONSIN STATE LEGISLATURE.

WHAT WE SHOULD DO -- THE MOSTLY STREAM POSITION HERE WOULD BE NO LIMITS ON ABORTIONS WHATSOEVER.

ALLOWING ABORTION RIGHT FROM THE MOMENT OF BIRTH WHICH IS WHAT THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SUPPORTS.

WHAT I'VE RECOMMENDED IS LET WE THE PEOPLE DECIDE WITH A ONE TIME SINGLE ISSUE REFERENDUM THAT ASKS THE DECISION -- WE NEED TO COME TO A DECISION ON WHICH IS AT WHAT POINT DOES SOCIETY HAVE THE RESPONSE ABILITY TO PROTECT LIFE IN THE WOMB?

WE ALL AGREE SOCIETY HAS THE RESPONSIBLY TO PROTECT LIFE.

BUT AT WHAT POINT DO THEY HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT LIFE AND THE WOMB?

I WOULD HAVE ONE VOTE LIKE JUST EVERY OTHER CITIZEN.

>> THERE HAS BEEN PROPOSAL OF BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION CALLED THE RESPECT FOR MARRIAGE ACT WHICH MAKES IT THE LAW OF THE LAND AND PROTECTS IT FROM BEING OVERTURNED.

HOW WOULD YOU VOTE, SENATOR JOHNSON?

>> I HAVE ALWAYS SUPPORTED CIVIL UNIONS.

WHEN THE SUPREME COURT RULED FOR GAY MARRIAGE, THOUGHT, OK, THERE IS AN ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN SETTLED.

LET'S MOVE ON.

THAT SUPREME COURT DECISION WILL NEVER BE OVERTURNED.

ANOTHER SCARE TACTIC BY THE LEFT.

I KNOW JUSTICE THOMAS OPENED UP THE DOOR.

YOU'RE NOT GOING TO DISRUPT MILLIONS OF LIVES.

I DON'T WANT MILLIONS OF LIVES DISRUPTED.

THERE'S ANOTHER ELEMENT TO THIS THING.

THE WAY THE LAW IS WRITTEN RIGHT NOW, IT THREATENS RELIGIOUS LIBERTY.

BEFORE I WOULD EVER CONSIDER VOTING FOR THAT BILL, I WOULD WANT TO SEE VERY STRONG PROTECTIONS FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY.

WE HAVE SEEN WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THE DECISION.

WHEN PEOPLE STARTING TO SUE BAKERS.

WON IN THE SUPREME COURT BUT WENT RIGHT BACK AND HARASSING THAT GUY.

I WOULD NEED VERY STRONG RELIGIOUS PROTECTIONS.

>> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT CIVIL-RIGHTS.

THE RIGHT FOR A PERSON TO MARRY WHO THEY LOVE.

NORMALLY, THIS WOULD BE A NO-BRAINER.

THIS IS SOMETHING I'VE SUPPORTED AS A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATURE AND SOMETHING I WOULD BE PROUD TO SUPPORT AS A MEMBER OF THE U.S. SENATE.

HE SAID THAT THE SUPREME COURT DECISION WILL NOT BE OVERTURNED.

A LOT OF PEOPLE THOUGHT THAT ROE WOULDN'T BE OVERTURNED BUT LOOK AT US NOW.

WE ARE IN A POSITION WHERE WE ARE LOSING RIGHTS.

PEOPLE HAVE FEWER RIGHTS THAN THEY HAD 50 YEARS AGO.

THAT'S EXACTLY ON THE LINE WITH THIS ELECTION.

WE NEED PEOPLE WHO WILL FIGHT FOR OUR FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS.

TO BE ABLE TO MARRY WHO YOU LOVE, THAT SHOULD BE A NO-BRAINER.

IT IS A SHAME WE ARE IN THIS PLACE HAVING THE SAME OLD ARGUMENT, BUT HERE WE ARE.

WE NEED PEOPLE WHO WILL FIGHT TO MAKE SURE YOU CAN LOVE WHO YOU LOVE AND ALSO MAKE YOUR OWN HEALTH CARE DECISIONS WITHOUT INTERFERENCE FROM POLITICIANS.

JULIE: WITH THE HOCKEY SEASON UNDERWAY, FANS ARE READY TO CHEER FOR THEIR FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL, COLLEGE, AND PROFESSIONAL TEAMS.

BUT THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THESE PLAYERS DO NOT STOP AT THE NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE.

WHILE IN SWEDEN, PRODUCER MEGAN MCGARVEY TALKED WITH A MINNESOTA NATIVE WHO HAS MADE A DECADE LONG CAREER PLAYING HOCKEY OVERSEAS.

♪ >> FIRST YEAR PLAYING IN SWEDEN BUT I GREW UP IN APPLE VALLEY, PLAYED HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY THERE.

PLAYED HIGH SCHOOL THERE AND WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL ALL THE WAY FROM FIVE YEARS OLD 218.

I HAVE BEEN TRAVELING AROUND THE U.S. AND RUSSIA AND EUROPE U.S. AND RUSSIA AND EUROPE PLAYING HOCKEY EVER SINCE.

THE TEAM HERE, IT IS THE TOP SWEDISH LEAGUE AND THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST TEAMS IN THE LEAGUE SO IT IS A GREAT PLACE TO BE.

A GREAT PLACE TO PLAY FROM WHAT I'VE EXPERIENCED.

I WAS PLAYING IN THE NHL, WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY THE TOP LEAGUE IN HOCKEY.

WHEN I STARTED TO NOT GET AS MUCH PLAYING TIME, I WANTED TO LOOK FOR OTHER OPTIONS.

GOING OVERSEAS TO RUSSIA OR EUROPE WAS THE NEXT BEST OPTION.

I DID THAT.

I HAVE BEEN HERE FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS BECAUSE OF ENJOYING IT AND HAVING SUCCESS HERE AND JUST BEING COMFORTABLE OVERSEAS AND PLAYING AT BEING ABLE TO EXTEND MY CAREER BY QUITE A BIT BECAUSE OF THAT.

HOCKEY IS STILL VERY MUCH JUST THE SAME BUT THE RAKE SIZES CAN BE DIFFERENT.

-- RINK SIZES CAN BE DIFFERENT.

SPEAKING DIFFERENT LANGUAGES, AROUND THE LOCKER ROOM, THERE ARE DIFFERENT LANGUAGES WHICH MAKES IT A LOT MORE DIFFERENT THAN A LOCKER ROOM IN NORTH AMERICA.

THE CULTURE IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT WHEREVER YOU GO.

JUST DIFFERENT THINGS ARE EXPECTED AND DIFFERENT THINGS ARE VALUED AROUND THE TEAM AND AROUND YOURSELF WHEN YOU ARE WALKING AROUND.

YOU CAN SEE THAT THINGS ARE JUST DIFFERENT.

THAT IS THE COOL PART OF TRAVELING AND SEEING DIFFERENT COUNTRIES, HOW THEY LOOK AT THE WORLD.

SOMETIMES YOU AGREE WITH IT, SOMETIMES YOU DON'T BUT YOU HAVE TO MAKE IT WORK AND DO THE BEST YOU CAN.

AND RUSSIA, IT WAS A HUGE CHALLENGE FOR ME NOT JUST PLAYING HOCKEY BUT KIND OF LIVING AND SURVIVING THAT LIFESTYLE.

AND THEN YOU COME HERE, IT IS A DIFFERENT SORT OF CHALLENGE BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IT IS THE CHALLENGE OF LEAVING HOME AND MAKING YOURSELF HAVE TO GO SOMEPLACE NEW AND SEE HOW BEST CAN DO IN A DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENT IS PROBABLY THE MOST REWARDING PART ABOUT IT.

A THIRD OF US ARE NOT FROM HERE WHICH IS A LOT FOR THIS LEAGUE.

SOMETIMES YOU ONLY HAVE TWO OR SOMETIMES YOU ONLY HAVE TWO OR THREE SO IT IS A COOL ASPECT HOW THEY DO THINGS HERE AND WE DO THINGS IN ENGLISH SO WE CAN UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING.

THE PLAYERS SPEAK GREAT ENGLISH.

THAT MAKES IT SO EASY FOR US COMPARED TO OTHER PLACES I HAVE BEEN WHERE YOU'RE ALWAYS WONDERING WHAT'S HAPPENING OR HAVING THINGS BE TRANSLATED FOR YOU.

DENNIS: THAT IS OUR BROADCAST.

THANKS TO OUR GUESTS AND OUR CREW IN THE STUDIO.

WITH JULIE ZENNER, I'M DENNIS ANDERSON.

GOOD NIGHT, EVERYONE, AND BE KIND.

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