DENNIS: I'M DENNIS ANDERSON ALONG WITH JULIE ZENNER, HERE'S WHAT'S COMING UP ON "ALMANAC NORTH" -- JULIE: SOARING COVID CASES IN MINNESOTA ARE TAXING THE MEDICAL SYSTEM, ESPECIALLY IN RURAL AREAS OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

WE WILL HEAR FROM HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS ON THE FRONT LINES.

DENNIS: SEVERAL HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATIONS IN THE REGION HAVE COLLABORATED ON THE RESOURCEFUL WEBSITE, WHERE FOLKS CAN FIND FREE OR REDUCED COST SOCIAL SERVICES.

JULIE: AND WE'LL HAVE A SNEAK-PREVIEW OF WDSE'S NEW DOCUMENTARY "IRON OPERA."

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

♪ ♪ DENNIS: HELLO AND WELCOME TO "ALMANAC NORTH," THANKS FOR WATCHING.

THIS IS OUR FINAL SHOW OF NOVEMBER, JULIE.

WE'LL HAVE NEXT WEEK OFF FOR THANKSGIVING.

JULIE: WE HAVE IT AS STUFFED AS A TURKEY TONIGHT.

[LAUGHTER] DENNIS: YES, WE WILL BE BUSY.

LET'S START WITH THE HEADLINES.

JULIE: THANKS, DENNY.

IN PREPARATION FOR ITS OPENING ON SATURDAY, DULUTH'S POPULAR BENTLEYVILLE NOW HAS ADDED SECURITY.

A VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM DONATED BY DOWNTOWN COMPUTER WAS INSTALLED THIS WEEK.

THOUSANDS ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND OPENING NIGHT OF THE ATTRACTION AT BAYFRONT PARK IN DULUTH.

DENNIS: GOVERNOR TONY EVERS THIS WEEK VETOED VOTING MAPS PASSED BY THE REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED LEGISLATURE.

EVERS SLAMMED THE MAPS AS "GERRYMANDERING 2.0" AND POINTED TO AN "F" RATING GIVEN THE MAPS BY THE PRINCETON GERRYMANDERING PROJECT.

WISCONSIN'S STATE SUPREME COURT WILL NOW LIKELY DECIDE ON THE VOTING DISTRICT MAPS.

JULIE: THE ST. LOUIS COUNTY BOARD HAS SET TWO MEETINGS FOR THE PUBLIC TO WEIGH IN ON ITS PROPOSED 2022 TAX LEVY AND BUDGET.

THE FIRST MEETING WILL BE MONDAY EVENING AT THE COUNTY COURTHOUSE IN VIRGINIA.

THE SECOND MEETING WILL BE NOVEMBER 29 AT THE GOVERNMENT SERVICES BUILDING IN DULUTH.

THE COUNTY BOARD HAS PROPOSED A $487 MILLION BUDGET FOR 2022, THAT WOULD MEAN A LEVY INCREASE OF ABOUT $18 ANNUALLY ON A HOME VALUED AT $200,000.

DENNIS: AND WISCONSIN'S NINE-DAY DEER SEASON OPENS SATURDAY.

IT IS THE 179TH SEASON IN THE BADGER STATE, AN ANNUAL RITUAL FOR MANY.

AS OF 10:00 THIS MORNING, NEARLY 700,000 DEER HUNTING LICENSES HAD BEEN SOLD IN THE STATE.

JULIE: MINNESOTA IS OFTEN TOUTED AS A LEADER IN EDUCATION AND HEALTH CARE.

BUT THIS WEEK, THE GOPHER STATE WAS TOP RANKED IN A CATEGORY IT WOULD RATHER NOT BE -- COVID CASES.

WITH THE DELTA VARIANT ON THE RISE, MINNESOTA HAS SEEN A SURGE IN SICKNESS AND HOSPITALIZATIONS.

IN A VIRTUAL NEWS CONFERENCE HOSTED BY ITASCA COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH, MEDICAL OFFICIALS TALKED ABOUT THE STRAIN ON RURAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS.

>> IF THIS IS A TEST OF OUR INDEPENDENCE AND RESILIENCE, WE ARE NOT DOING SO GREAT IN ITASCA.

WE HAVE A RECORD NUMBER OF FAMILY AND MEMBERS -- NEIGHBORHOOD MEMBERS AND DYING.

THE CASE RATE IS THE HIGHEST, HIGHER THAN OUR 2020 RATE, WHICH WE HIT AROUND THANKSGIVING.

BEFORE GOING INTO THANKSGIVING, OUR CASE RATE IS 143.7.

THAT IS 273 NEW CASES IN THE LAST SEVEN DAYS, 612 IN THE LAST 14 DAYS, AND THERE IS NO AREA OF OUR COUNTY THAT IS IMMUNE TO THIS VIRUS.

WE HAD 93 DEATHS, 22 IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS.

>> I WORKED A SHIFT ON SUNDAY AT THE HOSPITAL.

IN 20 YEARS I HAVE NEVER LEFT A SHIFT THAT HAUNTED AND UNNERVED.

JUST BRIEFLY WE HAD FOUR PATIENTS IN-HOUSE, COVID PATIENTS, WE WERE UNABLE TO TRANSFER ABSOLUTE ICU QUALITY PATIENTS.

THE PHYSICIANS WORKED FOR HOURS AND DAYS DEFINED BEDS TO SECURE TRANSFER FOR THESE PATIENTS.

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN DID NOT HAVE AN OPEN BED.

I HEARD PROVIDERS HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH PATIENTS THAT GOES SOMETHING LIKE, IF YOU CODE, AND WE NEED TO INTUBATE YOU, WE CAN'T, BECAUSE THERE IS NO WHERE SEND YOU RIGHT NOW, AND WE DON'T HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO REMAIN -- MAINTAIN A PATIENT ON LIFE SUPPORT FOR VERY LONG.

THEY ARE HAVING TO HAVE HARD CONVERSATIONS WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

>> WHAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN FEELING AND HEALTH CARE, THERE CONTINUES TO BE A DISCONNECT BETWEEN WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH ACUTELY SICK PATIENTS, AND WHAT IS HAPPENING OUTSIDE OF THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NOW AND A YEAR AGO IS THAT MITIGATION STRATEGIES WERE AT THEIR PEAK.

PEOPLE WERE MASKING, WAITING FOR VACCINES, SOCIALLY DISTANCING.

THAT HAS CHANGED A LOT AND THERE ARE A LOT OF REASONS FOR THAT.

ONE THING WE NEED TO FOCUS ON, THINGS THAT MAKE SENSE THAT ARE FACTUAL.

THE BIG HELP IS LETTING PEOPLE KNOW THIS IS REAL, AND THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IS UNDER A LOT OF STRAIN RIGHT NOW.

JULIE: HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE URGING PEOPLE TO USE COMMON SENSE -- AVOID CROWDS, WEAR A MASK, KEEP YOUR DISTANCE, AND ABOVE ALL, TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE COVID-19 VACCINE AND BOOSTERS WHEN AVAILABLE.

DENNIS: GOOD ADVICE.

A GROUP OF REGIONAL HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATIONS HAS JOINED FORCES TO HELP PEOPLE FIND FREE AND REDUCED-COST SERVICES.

THEY'VE LAUNCHED A WEBSITE CALLED "RESOURCEFUL" TO CONNECT FOLKS WITH RESOURCES FOR FOOD, SHELTER, HEALTH CARE AND MORE.

HERE TO TELL US ABOUT IT IS JILL DOBERSTEIN, COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM MANAGER WITH ESSENTIA HEALTH.

AND JOSH GORHAM IS A PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE WITH ST. LOUIS COUNTY.

WELCOME, THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

INTERESTING SUBJECTS.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS WEBSITE?

JILL: TO HELP PEOPLE IN NEED OR THOSE HELPING PEOPLE IN NEED FIND FREE AND REDUCED COST PROGRAMS IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT ARE RELEVANT AND CONNECTED THEM TO THOSE WITH EASE AND DIGNITY.

JULIE: JOSH, MAYBE YOU CAN GIVE US A SENSE OF WHAT KINDS OF PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE ON HERE IF PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR SPECIFIC SERVICES.

JOSH: RESOURCEFUL MAKES IT EASY FOR PEOPLE FACING CHALLENGES TO ACCESS PROGRAMS, SHELTER, ATTAIN FOOD, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, SUPPORT, MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES AND MORE.

I URGE PEOPLE TO CHECK OUT RESOURCEFUL.ORG.

DENNIS: THERE ARE SEVERAL PARTNERS WORKING TOGETHER ON THIS WEBSITE.

HOW DID THEY COME TOGETHER, RECOGNIZING THERE MIGHT BE A NEED FOR THIS, AND HOW OLD IS THE WEBSITE?

JILL: THE WEBSITE LAUNCHED SIX MONTHS AGO.

JOSH AND I WORKED WITH 20 COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS IN DULUTH.

FROM PUBLIC HEALTH TO HEALTH SYSTEMS TO LOCAL PROGRAMS LIKE COMMUNITY ACTION DULUTH AND OTHERS TO FORM A TEAM WORKING TO ENGAGE OUR COMMUNITY IN THIS LAUNCH.

MAKING SURE PEOPLE LOOKING FOR SERVICES KNOW IT IS AVAILABLE, MAKING SURE HELPERS IN THE COMMUNITY KNOW HOW TO NAVIGATE THE WEBSITE AND CONNECT TO PEOPLE THEY ARE HELPING, AND ENGAGE OUR COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS TO LIST THEIR PROGRAMS, MAKE SURE THE HOURS OF OPERATION ARE LISTED, THAT EVERYTHING IS LIVE ON THE WEBSITE.

JULIE: THAT SOUNDS LIKE A HUGE TASK TO KEEP IT UP-TO-DATE BECAUSE PROGRAMS AND MONEY CHANGES PERIODICALLY, I IMAGINE.

JILL: MANY ORGANIZATIONS KEEP RESOURCE GUIDES ON THE WEBSITE.

AS SOON AS WE UPDATE IT, IT MAY BE OUTDATED.

WHETHER SOMEONE IN THE ORGANIZATION WHO FIELDS THE REQUEST CHANGES, OR THEIR ELIGIBILITY CHANGES.

THIS EMPOWERS EACH SERVICE TO UPDATE THEIR OWN INFORMATION AS IT CHANGES.

DENNIS: WHAT SUCCESS IS THE PROGRAM HAVING?

JOSH: SO FAR, THERE ARE OVER 3000 DIFFERENT TYPES OF SERVICES LISTED ON THE WEBSITE.

IN THE PAST COUPLE MONTHS THERE HAVE BEEN 700 REFERRALS.

VERY SUCCESSFUL THUS FAR.

WE HAVE HEARD SUCCESS STORIES ABOUT THE IMPACT.

DENNIS: CAN YOU SHARE A STORY OR TWO?

JILL: I AM HAPPY TO FROM ESSENTIA.

WE EMBEDDED RESOURCEFUL INTO OUR MEDICAL RECORDS.

WHETHER IT BE A PROVIDER, NURSE, SOCIAL WORKER OR IN GRIEF SUPPORT SERVICES, IF THEY ARE MEETING WITH A PATIENT AND IDENTIFY ANY SOCIAL NEED, THEY CAN CONNECT THEM TO RESOURCES THROUGH THAT ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORD.

IN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF WE HAVE BEEN SCREENING PATIENTS FOR SOCIAL NEEDS SUCH AS TRANSPORTATION AND SECURITY, FINANCIAL STRAIN, FOOD INSECURITY, AND IF THEY SCREEN POSITIVE, WE HAVE A COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER THAT REACHES OUT TO THE PATIENT TO CONNECT THEM WITH SERVICES.

IT HAS GOTTEN EASIER WITH RESOURCEFUL.

A PATIENT STORY SHARED WITH ME BY A COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE WORKER RECENTLY, A PATIENT WHO WORK -- WHO LIVES 60 MILES FROM DULUTH, AND HAS MULTIPLE MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS A MONTH, HIS PARTNER NO LONGER DRIVES AND HE HAS NO FAMILY MEMBERS CLOSE BY.

THE COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER WAS ABLE TO IDENTIFY THAT HE IS A VETERAN.

HE SEARCHED THE RESOURCEFUL WEBSITE FOR TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FILTERED BY PROGRAMS FOR VETERANS, WHICH YOU CAN DO ON THE RESOURCEFUL WEBSITE, AND FOUND A PROGRAM CALLED ANGEL WINGS PROVIDED BY MERCY MEDICAL, THAT WOULD TRANSPORT ANY VETERAN THAT NEEDS TO TRAVEL MORE THAN 50 MILES.

IT RELIEVED A LOT OF STRAIN AND STRESS, GAVE THE PATIENT THE CARE THEY NEEDED WITHOUT THE FINANCIAL BURDEN.

HE QUOTED ABOUT $150 FOR A ONE-WAY TRIP.

OUR COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE WORKER WAS ABLE TO IDENTIFY THAT RESOURCE.

JULIE: DO YOU SEE THIS AS A RESOURCE FOR THE INDIVIDUAL PATIENT WHO IS WATCHING TONIGHT, OR IS THIS A RESOURCE FOR THE CASEWORKERS WHO HAVE SOMEBODY COME IN TO SEE WHAT OTHER SERVICES MIGHT BE AVAILABLE TO THEM?

JOSH: RESOURCEFUL IS FOR ANYBODY.

WE TALKED ABOUT HEALTH CARE, PUBLIC HEALTH, DIFFERENT COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS THAT SERVE PEOPLE.

ANYONE WATCHING THIS NOW CAN OPEN UP THEIR INTERNET BROWSER, GO TO WEARE.RESOURCEFULORG.

THEY CAN SEARCH FOR MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES, I WOULD GET A LIST AND I COULD TEXT OR EMAIL THAT TO A FAMILY MEMBER.

IT IS A RESOURCE FOR ANYBODY.

DENNIS: ONCE PEOPLE FIND WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR, DOES THE WEBSITE TELL THEM WHO TO CONTACT?

JILL: IT DOES, EACH WEBSITE HAS ITS OWN ANONYMITY WHETHER THEY WANT A PERSON TO CALL THEM.

MANY HAVE ELECTRONIC REFERRALS, SO YOU SEND INFORMATION AND THEY WILL CONTACT YOU.

SOME HAVE A SCREENING TOOL.

ARE YOU A VETERAN, YES OR NO?

IF YOU SAY NO, THEY MAY SAY YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE.

THERE ARE DIFFERENT WAYS THEY ENGAGE WITH PEOPLE, IN HOW TO CONNECT WITH PROGRAMS AND SERVICES.

JULIE: JOSH, DO YOU HAVE ANY FIRST-PERSON STORIES WITH HOW THIS HELPS?

JOSH: I OPERATE WITHIN THE SYSTEM OF PUBLIC HEALTH.

IN MY ROLE I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH COMMUNITY HEALTH ASSESSMENTS, DOING PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCH, UNDERSTANDING OUR COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS AND BARRIERS.

BEING ABLE TO ACCESS RESOURCES LIKE SHELTER, FOOD, FINANCIAL ASSETS -- THE STRESS OF NOT BEING ABLE TO ACCESS THOSE THINGS HAS A DETRIMENTAL IMPACT ON OUR HEALTH, JUST LIKE THE STORY JILL SHARED.

IF THE PERSON COULD NOT GET TO THE HEALTH CARE APPOINTMENT, THOSE ARE THINGS WE NEED TO PRIORITIZE AND RESOURCEFUL HELPS US DO THAT.

IT IS A GREAT TOOL FROM THE LENS OF PUBLIC HEALTH.

JULIE: WHAT ARE BARRIERS PEOPLE EXPERIENCE IN REAL LIFE THAT THIS COULD HELP THEM GET OVER?

JILL: SOME OF THE MOST UTILIZED PROGRAMS, 700 REFERRALS IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS.

SOME OF THE MOST REFERRED-TO OUR FOOD RESOURCES, WHETHER SNAP BENEFITS OR A LOCAL FOOD SHELF, THOSE ARE SOME OF THE MOST COMMONLY SEARCHED AND REFERRED TO PROGRAMS.

JULIE: ARE THERE A LOT OF PROGRAMS THAT IN THE PAST HAVE BEEN UNDERUTILIZED, OR POTS OF MONEY THAT HAVE JUST SAT, NOT BEING TAPPED, BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE NOT KNOWN HOW TO GET IN TOUCH OR DID NOT KNOW THEY EXIST?

JULIE: GREAT QUESTION.

THIS WILL BOOST THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PROGRAMS TO GET THEIR INFORMATION OUT THERE TO PEOPLE IN NEED.

SECONDARILY THOSE PROGRAMS CAN TRACK REFERRALS AND THEIR OWN ANALYTICS TO USE THAT DATA TO APPLY FOR FUNDING TO SUPPORT THEIR PROGRAMS.

HEY, WE HAD AN INCREASE IN REFERRALS AND NEED ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO STAFF UP TO MEET THE NEED.

DENNIS: ARE THERE COSTS INVOLVED TO USE THE REFERRAL SERVICE?

JOSH: IT IS 100% FREE TO USE.

IF YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW TO USE IT AS AN ORGANIZATION, THERE'LL WILL BE A TRAINING ON DECEMBER 7 FROM 10:00 TO 11:00.

YOU CAN GET MORE DETAILS ON WEARERESOURCEFUL.ORG.

DENNIS: ANY COSTS WOULD BE THE SERVICES THEY ARE LETTING YOU BE INFORMED ABOUT ON THE WEBSITE, MEDICAL COSTS.

JULIE: ALL THE PROGRAMS THAT ARE LISTED ON WEARERESOURCEFUL.ORG ARE FREE OR REDUCED COST.

THIS IS NOT NECESSARILY A WEBSITE FOR YOGA STUDIOS OR CHIROPRACTIC CARE.

IT IS ABOUT THE FREE AND REDUCED COST PROGRAMS AND SERVICES.

SOMEONE ON OUR ACTION TEAM SAID THEY CONNECTED SOMEONE TO A FREE CELL PHONE RECENTLY.

ALL KINDS OF DIFFERENT PROGRAMS.

JULIE: IT IS SUPER DEEP.

I STARTED POKING AROUND AND EVERY CATEGORY YOU KEEP DRILLING DOWN AND DOWN.

DID IT SURPRISE YOU WHEN THIS WAS PUT TOGETHER HOW MUCH IS AVAILABLE IN OUR REGION?

JILL: I WOULD SAY YES, FOR ME.

I DID NOT REALIZE HOW MANY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES WERE AVAILABLE, AND I AM SURE MOST PEOPLE DO NOT.

THAT IS THE BENEFIT OF THIS ONE STOP SHOP OF RESOURCES IN ONE PLACE.

JULIE: CAN ORGANIZATIONS STILL GET HOOKED INTO IT?

JILL: YES, IT IS EVER EVOLVING.

DENNIS: THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.

JILL: THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

JOSH: THANKS.

♪ ♪ ♪ DENNIS: IT'S TIME NOW FOR "VOICES OF THE REGION."

EACH WEEK WE HEAR FROM AN AREA JOURNALIST ABOUT THE STORIES THEY ARE COVERING.

OUR GUEST THIS TIME IS NORTHERN MINNESOTA AUTHOR AND COLUMNIST AARON BROWN.

♪ ♪ AARON: WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DEER HUNTING SEASON IN MINNESOTA.

THE SECOND WEEKEND IS IN AND THERE IS ONE MORE WEEKEND TO GO.

THE NUMBERS HAVE BEEN SLIGHTLY DOWN, ACCORDING TO LOCAL REPORTS.

DOWN IN TERMS OF THE HARVEST.

I THINK BIGGER OBSERVATION IN THE COUNTY RECENTLY IS THAT THERE MIGHT BE FEWER HUNTERS OUT.

THERE IS LESS TRAFFIC ON THE BACK ROADS.

I LIVE IN ITASKA COUNTY.

THERE ARE NOT AS MANY TRUCKS PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD OR THE TOWNSHIP ROADS AS YOU WOULD NORMALLY SEE OR WOULD HAVE SEEN 10 YEARS AGO.

THIS IS PART OF A LARGER, MORE CONCERNING TREND FOR A LOT OF HUNTERS AND OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS.

WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO HUNTING OVER TIME?

WHAT KIND OF TRADITION WILL BE LEFT IF MORE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE NOT TAKING IT UP?

I HAVE A COUPLE YOUNG PEOPLE IN MY FAMILY WHO HAVE TAKEN IT UP, AND I KNOW THERE ARE MANY OUT THERE.

IT IS CHANGING AND MIGHT NOT BE AS PREVALENT AS IT ONCE WAS, BUT THERE ARE STILL HUNTING SHACKS AND TRADITIONS IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

♪ AARON: YOU HEAR A LOT ABOUT THIS.

YOU GET THE IMAGE OF GIANT, SUPER CARGO SHIPS COMING FROM CHINA OR THE PANAMA CANAL, STACKED UP WITH BIG CONTAINER UNITS.

THERE ARE ENORMOUS BACKLOGS OF THESE SHIPS, FULL OF ALL KINDS OF GOODS, TRYING TO GET IN THE WEST COAST PORTS.

THE ISSUE OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS AND MONTHS, AND MUCH OF THIS YEAR IN SOME SECTORS, HAS BEEN THAT WE HAD THIS ENORMOUS EVENT OF COVID-19 IN 2020 THAT STOPPED PRODUCTION FOR A TEMPORARY PERIOD.

THEN EVERYTHING CAME BACK TO NORMAL.

ONE THING THAT CAME BACK WAS CONSUMER DEMAND.

ALL OF THE GOODS WERE BACKLOGGED.

THEY WENT BACK INTO PRODUCTION AND NOW ARE BEING ORDERED IN GREAT NUMBERS BACK TO THE AMERICAN ECONOMY.

THERE IS A CLOG IN THE PIPE.

IT DOES RAISE THE ISSUE OF, WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT THIS?

WE SAW IN THE LAST MONTH THE PORT OF DULUTH SUPERIOR GOT INVOLVED.

THEY ARE TRYING TO TELL THEMSELVES AS AN INTERNATIONAL PORT IN THE HEART OF THE NORTH AMERICAN CONTINENT, A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN SHIP BOTH OUT AND IN, IF YOU CAN GET THROUGH THE ST. LAWRENCE SEAWAY.

THAT IS NOT THE SOLUTION FOR EVERYTHING.

NOT ALL THE GOODS COMING FROM CHINA CAN COME IN THAT WAY, BUT OTHER GOODS COULD.

IF YOU PRODUCE GOODS IN THE U.S. OR CANADA, YOU CAN SHIP OUT OF DULUTH.

THIS IS SOMETHING WE MIGHT SEE.

♪ AARON: WE HAVE SEEN GREAT PROJECTIONS FOR WHAT HOME HEATING WILL COST THIS YEAR.

MINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO HAD A REPORT QUOTING EXPERT SAYING BETWEEN 30% AND 50% INCREASES ON PRICE, DEPENDING ON THE SOURCE.

WHETHER IT IS OIL OR NATURAL GAS OR AN ELECTRIC SOURCE FOR YOUR HEAT, IT IS ALL GOING UP.

WE ARE LOOKING AT A STANDARD WINTER, THAT IS TO SAY A COLD WINTER, SO WE ARE NOT GOING TO GET A LOT OF RELIEF FROM NATURE THIS YEAR.

THAT, COUPLED WITH RISING COSTS, FUEL PRICES HAVE COME BACK WITH THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY.

PEOPLE DON'T LIKE GAS PRICES GOING UP, BUT THEY DO GO UP WHEN THE ECONOMY IS BETTER AND PEOPLE ARE TRAVELING MORE.

THAT AFFECTS FUEL OIL COSTS AND OTHER PETROLEUM PRODUCTS ARE AFFECTED AND CONTRACT BASED ON THAT INCREASE.

THE THINGS WE USED TO HEAT OUR HOME WILL COST UP TO 50% MORE THIS YEAR.

SOME PEOPLE CAN HANDLE THAT AND SOME CAN'T.

THE ONLY THING TO POINT OUT IS THAT MINNESOTA HAS A SERIES OF LAWS REGARDING YOUR HOME HEATING SITUATION, ESPECIALLY IF YOU LIVE IN A TOWN OR HAVE A UTILITY CONNECTION, YOU CAN PETITION FOR HELP TO KEEP YOUR HEAT ON.

FOR THOSE WHO CAN AFFORD THE HEAT, AND INCONVENIENCED BY THE INCREASE IN COSTS, YOU MAY BE INVESTING IN SWEATERS OR LAWYERS -- LAYERS TO KEEP THE COST DOWN.

YOU MAY BE SETTING THE THERMOSTAT LOWER THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF THE COST.

♪ ♪ ♪ JULIE: DID YOU KNOW A SMALL TOWN ON THE IRON RANGE OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA HOSTED A WORLD-CLASS OPERA?

A RENOWNED CONCERT PIANIST TEAMED UP WITH LOCAL AND IMPORTED TALENT FROM AROUND THE WORLD TO PULL OFF WHAT MIGHT SEEM IMPOSSIBLE.

HERE'S A PREVIEW OF WDSE'S NEW DOCUMENTARY "IRON OPERA."

[INDISCERNIBLE] >> WE ARE OK ON THAT.

LET'S TOUCH ON A LITTLE BIT OF THE FINALE.

>> EMO MOZART.

>> I AM WORRIED BECAUSE I FORGET, AFTER SHE GOES COMPADRE COSA AMICO, THEN, DING.

THAT IS RIGHT.

HERE IS THE KEY.

♪ YES.

ONE AND TWO.

♪ [SINGING] >> IT IS DIFFICULT TO DESCRIBE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS MUSIC FESTIVAL, BUT IT BEGAN AS A SIMPLE IDEA, HOW CAN WE DO SOMETHING KIND OF FUN AND BENEFIT THE LITTLE TOWN?

THEY HAD FALLEN ON HARDER TIMES.

IT HAS GROWN BIGGER AND ENCOMPASSES THE ENTIRE IRON RANGE.

>> I HAVE BEEN A PART OF THIS OPERA FOR YEARS AND STILL RUN INTO PEOPLE, YOU ARE DOING OPERA?

HERE?

IT IS CRAZY.

>> IT IS AN ITALIAN OPERA IN THE MIDDLE OF MINNESOTA.

IT IS A LITTLE WEIRD, BUT ALSO FASCINATING AND FUN.

>> BIG DREAMS, SMALL TOWN.

>> THIS IS A VERY INTERESTING QUESTION.

HIGH ART IN SMALL PLACES.

WITHOUT QUESTION, THERE SHOULD BE.

♪ [APPLAUSE] JULIE: IT'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF FUN.

"IRON OPERA" WAS CO-DIRECTED BY MIKE SCHOLTZ AND MARIUS ANDERSON AND WILL HAVE ITS BROADCAST PREMIERE THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2 AT 7:30 P.M. ON PBS NORTH.

DENNIS: THAT'S OUR TIME THIS WEEK BUT KEEP UP WITH OUR LATEST POSTS BY FOLLOWING "ALMANAC NORTH" ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.

OR VISIT THE WDSE WEBSITE FOR PROGRAM UPDATES, UPCOMING EVENTS AND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE STATION.

YOU CAN ALSO DOWNLOAD THE PBS VIDEO APP FOR ON-DEMAND VIEWING OF "ALMANAC NORTH" AND YOUR FAVORITE PBS PROGRAMS.

A REMINDER, JULIE, "ALMANAC NORTH" WILL BE OFF NEXT WEEK DUE TO THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY, AND WE WILL RETURN WITH A NEW SHOW ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3.

JULIE: I LOVE THANKSGIVING.

DENNIS: ME TOO.

JULIE: MY FAVORITE HOLIDAY.

DENNIS: WE WISH ALL OF YOU A HEALTHY AND HAPPY HOLIDAY WEEK.

THANKS TO OUR GUESTS AND THE CREW HERE IN THE STUDIO.

WITH JULIE ZENNER, I'M DENNIS ANDERSON.

GOOD NIGHT, EVERYBODY, AND BE KIND.

♪