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

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

JULIE: STATE REPRESENTATIVE NATALIE ZELEZNIKAR IS HERE TO TALK ABOUT DEVELOPMENTS AT THE MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET PROPOSAL.

DENNIS: THE FINAL 2022 SHIPPING SEASON NUMBERS WERE RELEASED TODAY.

WE WILL TALK WITH PORT DIRECTOR DEB DELUCA.

JULIE: AND WE WILL TAKE YOU ON THE TRAIL WITH A MUSHER AND HER DOGS PREPARING FOR THIS WEEKEND'S BEARGREASE SLED DOG MARATHON.

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

♪ DENNIS: HELLO AND WELCOME TO ALMANAC NORTH.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR WATCHING.

JULIE, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN AWHILE, WE ARE GOING TO DROP INTO THE DEEP FREEZE THIS WEEKEND.

JULIE: IT SEEMS FITTING BEFORE JANUARY ENDS.

DENNIS: FEBRUARY IS JUST AS COLD.

JULIE: WE GOT BY PRETTY EASILY.

DENNIS: LET'S BEGIN WITH THE WEEK'S HEADLINES.

JULIE: THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION THIS WEEK ANNOUNCED A 20-YEAR MORATORIUM ON MINING ON 225,000 ACRES OF THE SUPERIOR NATIONAL FOREST.

THE LAND BORDERS THE BOUNDARY WATERS CANOE AREA WILDERNESS, WHERE TWIN METALS HAS BEEN PLANNING TO MINE.

THE MOVE WAS QUICKLY CRITICIZED BY CONGRESSMAN PETE STAUBER AND MINNESOTA MINING AND BUSINESS GROUPS.

DENNIS: WISCONSIN GOVERNOR TONY EVERS GAVE HIS FIFTH STATE OF THE STATE SPEECH THIS WEEK BEFORE LAWMAKERS AND GUESTS AT THE STATE CAPITOL IN MADISON.

THE GOVERNOR EMPHASIZED THE NEED TO IMPROVE EDUCATION IN WISCONSIN AND ANNOUNCED FUNDING FOR NEW EDUCATION INITIATIVES INCLUDING RECRUITING AND TRAINING MORE TEACHERS.

2023 WILL ALSO MARK THE 175TH ANNIVERSARY OF WISCONSIN BECOMING A STATE.

JULIE: UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SUPERIOR ART PROFESSOR TIM CLEARY RECENTLY COMPLETED A STATUE OF A LABOR RIGHTS LEADER DISPLAYED AT THE MINNESOTA STATE CAPITOL.

THE BRONZE STATUE OF NELLIE STONE JOHNSON IS BELIEVED TO BE THE FIRST OF A BLACK WOMAN AT NATIONWIDE.

CLEARY ALSO SCULPTED STATUES OF TUSKEGEE AIRMAN JOE GOMER AND FORMER DULUTH PRISONER OF WAR DAVID WHEAT, BOTH ON DISPLAY AT THE DULUTH AIRPORT.

DENNIS: WINTER LOVERS CAN GET OUT AND ENJOY THE SEASON THIS WEEKEND AT THE LAKE SUPERIOR ICE FESTIVAL ON BARKER'S ISLAND.

THE EVENT RUNS TONIGHT UNTIL 9:00 P.M. AND ON SATURDAY FROM 11:00 A.M. UNTIL 9:00.

THERE WILL BE ICE SCULPTURES, SNOWSHOEING, SLIDING, FOOD AND BEVERAGES, AND MANY OTHER ACTIVITIES, CULMINATING WITH A FIREWORKS DISPLAY SATURDAY NIGHT.

JULIE: MINNESOTA GOVERNOR TIM WALZ UNVEILED HIS STATE BUDGET PROPOSAL THIS WEEK, INCLUDING A PLAN TO RETURN A PORTION OF THE STATE'S RECORD BUDGET SURPLUS TO CITIZENS.

BUT LAWMAKERS WILL HAVE A LOT TO SAY ABOUT THE BUDGET BEFORE IT IS ENACTED.

HERE TO TALK BUDGET AND MORE IS REPRESENTATIVE NATALIE ZELEZNIKAR, A REPUBLICAN FROM FREDENBERG TOWNSHIP REPRESENTING HOUSE DISTRICT 3-B.

WELCOME BACK, GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

>> GOOD FOR HAVING ME.

JULIE: YOU HAVE NOT COMPLETED YOUR FIRST MONTH OF THE SESSION BUT HOW ARE THINGS GOING SO FAR?

>> AFTER RUNNING A 24 HOUR BUSINESS AND HAVING TWO KIDS IN COMPETITIVE HOCKEY I HAVE GOOD TRAINING.

DENNIS: WHAT ARE THE MAJOR BILLS YOU ARE WORKING ON?

>> I AM WORKING ON HEALTH CARE.

I SPEND A LOT OF TIME EATING WITH PROVIDERS, HOSPITALS CANNOT DISCHARGE, GETTING WAGES INCREASED FOR NURSING HOME, ASSISTED LIVING.

MAKING SURE WE HAVE TRANSPORTATION, NON-EMERGENCY AND EMS FOR AMBULANCE SERVICES.

MAKING SURE ALL OF THE SPOKES AND THE WILL ARE THERE.

IT IS ONE OF MY NUMBER ONE PRIORITIES AND SORT SECURITY CUTS.

JULIE: DO YOU FIND THAT ALIGNS WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES IN ST. PAUL?

YOU THINK PROGRESS WILL BE MADE IN TERMS OF THOSE ISSUES?

>> ON THE HEALTH CARE PIECES INTERESTING.

WE HAVE THE LARGEST GROUP OF PEOPLE AGING AND IT HAS BEEN A TOPIC PLACED ON THE ROAD FAR TOO LONG.

WE HAVE A LOT OF CARE NEEDS, WE HAVE A WORKER SHORTAGE.

I WILL BE PUSHING TO GET US TO GET THIS DONE THIS SESSION.

WE CANNOT WAIT ANY LONGER OR WE WILL HAVE CLOSURES.

DENNIS: YOUR THOUGHTS ON REBATE CHECKS?

>> ABSOLUTELY, 100% YES.

A $17 BILLION SURPLUS.

DENNIS: THAT IS LARGE.

>> IT IS MONUMENTAL.

JULIE: ANOTHER THING THE GOVERNOR IS SUGGESTING IS REDUCING TAXES ON SOCIAL SECURITY.

IS THAT SOMETHING ELSE YOU WOULD BE WILLING TO GET BOND?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

JULIE: ARE THERE THINGS OF THE PROPOSAL YOU ARE NOT EXCITED ABOUT?

>> ANY TIME WE CAN GIVE MONEY BACK AND MAKE SURE WE ARE SUPPORTING JOB CREATORS, MAKING IT A BUSINESS FRIENDLY STATE AND MAKING SURE MIDDLE INCOME FAMILIES ARE NOT GETTING SQUEEZED.

THE COST OF LIVING IS COMING UP FOR EVERYBODY.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE LOOKING AT PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR PEOPLE BECAUSE HOUSE VALUES HAVE GONE UP.

SO THOSE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS I WANT TO SEE DONE FOR OUR CITIZENS.

DENNIS: I KNOW YOU ARE AN ADVOCATE FOR GUN OWNERSHIP IN MINNESOTA.

TO FEEL IT IS PART OF OUR CULTURE?

>> IT IS AN AMENDMENT RIGHT.

IT IS A RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS.

IT IS CLEARLY STATED.

I THINK, YES, LAW ABIDING CITIZENS SHOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE A GUN.

JULIE: THE MINNESOTA HAS ADVANCED A BILL REQUIRING STATE UTILITIES TO ACHIEVE 100% CARBON FREE ELECTRICITY BY 2040.

REALISTIC?

GOOD FOR THE STATE AS YOU MOVE AHEAD?

>> I THINK CLEAN ENERGY IS GOOD FOR THE STATE.

IT IS NOT A GOOD PLAN.

I AM FOR HAVING A DIVERSIFIED ENERGY PORTFOLIO, WHICH WOULD INCLUDE HYDRO, FOSSIL FUELS, WIND, SOLAR, AND ALL OF IT.

IF WE HAVE A BLACKOUT, LIKE CALIFORNIA OR OTHER PLACES WE DO NOT HAVE A BACKUP PLAN.

DENNIS: HOW CAN ACCESS FOR CHILDCARE SERVICES BE APPROVED HERE IN MINNESOTA?

>> I WAS TODAY IN HERMANTOWN AND SEEING THE EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM.

I THINK HAVING ACCESS, HAVING TEACHERS.

WE NEED TO HAVE CHILD CARE TEACHER SO WE COULD HAVE THE CLASSES.

GETTING PATHWAYS FOR HEALTH CARE EDUCATION IN HIGH SCHOOLS, HEALTH OCCUPATION CLASSES WERE NURSING ASSISTANTS, EMS AND CHILDCARE PROVIDERS I THINK IS HUGE, AND GETTING THE PROGRAMS TO THE FAMILIES.

JULIE: I WANT TO GO BACK TO THE CARBON FREE ELECTRICITY FOR A MOMENT.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AS WE MENTIONED AS PLACE THE MORATORIUM ON NEW MINING NEAR THE WATERS.

>> I THINK IT IS TRAGIC.

IT REQUIRES THE VERY MINERALS WE HAVE, AND RIGHT HERE IN OUR BACKYARD, AND WE ARE GOING TO GET IT FROM CHINA.

I THINK IT IS SHORTSIGHTED AND UNFORTUNATE.

JULIE: COULD THAT POTENTIALLY SLOW DOWN THE CLEAN ENERGY IN MINNESOTA?

>> WE ARE GOING TO GET ALL OF OUR PRODUCTS FROM CHINA INSTEAD OF BEING ABLE TO GET THINGS HERE.

WE COULD HAVE BEEN CREATING JOBS WERE IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, AND THAT DOES NOT LOOK LIKE IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

DENNIS: REGARDING THE ECONOMY, I KNOW YOU SAID YOU HAVE A STRONG COMMITMENT TO THE TRADES.

HOW CAN WE CONTINUE TO DEVELOP THAT?

JULIE: I JUST MEANT WITH SUPERINTENDENTS FROM SCHOOLS, I THINK WE HAVE GOT TO GET EQUIPMENT INTO THE HIGH SCHOOLS THAT MATCH WHAT WE ARE DOING SO THAT THE KIDS HAVE ACCESS TO WELDING AND ALL OF THE DIFFERENT THINGS, SHOT GLASSES.

KIDS KNOW THAT THERE IS MORE THAN ONE PLAN.

THE TRADES NEED PEOPLE, A LOT OF ENTREPENUERS START AND TRADES AND THEY RUN SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSES AND THEY NEED HELP.

DENNIS: IS IT HARD TO GET THE TRADES IN SCHOOLS?

>> I DO NOT THINK SO.

THE BUSINESSES WILL PARTNER TOGETHER AND THEY WANT TO DO THAT.

THAT IS ONE THING THAT IS A PRIORITY FOR FUNDING FOR POSTSECONDARY, TWO YOUR PROGRAMS, WHEN YOU'RE PROGRAMS AND CERTIFICATES.

JULIE: LAST YEAR THE NO BONDING BILL PASSED.

THE GOVERNOR IS CALLING FOR MORE THAN $3 BILLION IN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS.

ARE THERE LOCAL PROJECTS YOU SEE COMING FORWARD?

>> SEWER WATER EXTENSION IS ON THEIR.

AND THERE ARE OTHER ONES TOO.

HERMANTOWN HAS COMMUNITY ICE ARENA CENTER THAT HAS BEEN ON THE LIST, AND THERE ARE OTHER THINGS IN TWO HARBORS, GETTING LAND TRANSFERRED, AND ALSO THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION HAS HIGHWAY 61, GAP FUNDING THERE.

JULIE: ARE YOU FINDING IT IS TOUGH TO BE A REPUBLICAN WITH BOTH HOUSES AND THE GOVERNOR'S SEAT AND DEMOCRATS HANDS RIGHT NOW OR ARE THINGS PRETTY CIVIL?

>> I DO NOT KNOW.

HERE IS MY THOUGHT.

LEADERSHIP REQUIRES PEOPLE TO BE COLLABORATIVE.

YOU ARE NOT GOING TO GET THINGS DONE ACROSS THE AISLE WHATEVER TITLES YOU HAVE.

MY STYLE IS TO BE COLLABORATIVE, LET PEOPLE KNOW.

IT IS A TRIFECTA.

THEY HAVE THE BULLETS TO DO 100% NO COLLABORATIVE, BUT THAT IS NOT TRUE LEADERS.

BUSINESSES WORK COLLABORATIVELY TO FIND THE BEST SOLUTIONS.

JULIE: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING IN.

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.

DENNIS: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

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

THIS WEEK WE TALKED WITH MARSHALL HELMBERGER, PUBLISHER OF THE TIMBERJAY NEWS IN TOWER.

♪ >> THIS WEEK ON FINANCIAL RELIEF, FINALLY ON THE WAY FOR THE NEARLY 500 LAID OFF NORTHWARD WHEN WORKERS AFTER GOVERNOR WALZ SIGNED THE $10 MILLION UNEMPLOYMENT EXTENSION PACKAGE ON WEDNESDAY.

THE BILL PROVIDES 26 WEEKS OF ADDITIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE FOR WORKERS OF THE MIND AND THE PROCESSING -- THE MINE AND PROCESSING FACILITY.

THEIR BENEFITS ORIGINALLY RAN OUT LAST NOVEMBER.

WORKERS WERE LAID OFF IN MAY OF LAST YEAR.

THE EXTENDED BENEFITS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE USED UP THEIR ORIGINAL BENEFITS AND ART RETROACTIVE.

ABOUT 490 MINING EMPLOYEES AND FIVE EMPLOYEES OF AN EXPLOSIVE'S COMPANY ARE EXPECTED TO BENEFIT.

WORKERS HAVE BEEN IN LIMBO SINCE LAST MAY.

AND AN ONGOING DISPUTE WITH A TRUST.

A COMPROMISE WITH REPUBLICANS, IT WOULD PAY A FUTURE AMOUNT INTO THE EMPLOYMENT FUND BASED UPON ADDITIONAL BENEFITS IN THE BILL.

AN ADDITIONAL VERSION WOULD'VE EXEMPTED THEM FROM THE ADDITIONAL TAX.

BASED ON OUR STATEMENTS THE EARLIEST THAT OUR WORKERS COULD EXPECT TO RETURN TO WORK AS APRIL.

THEY ALREADY EXTENDED THE SHUTDOWN MONTHS BEFORE, AND THE COMPANY CEO HAS BEGUN REFERRING TO THE FACILITY AS A SWING PLANT THAT WILL BE RUN OCCASIONALLY AS THE MARKET REQUIRES.

WE HAVE ALSO BEEN REPORTING RECENTLY ON A NURSING HOME, A CARE CENTER EXPERIENCING A CASH FLOW CRUNCH AND IS REACHING OUT TO THE COMMUNITY LOOKING FOR DONATIONS TO SEE THEM THROUGH UNTIL LATER THIS YEAR WHEN THEY SEE AN INFLUX OF STATE FUNDS THAT CAN HOPEFULLY HELP RESOLVE THE SITUATION.

OUR NURSING HOME DIRECTOR IS CONCERNED THEY MAY NOT SURVIVE TO THAT POINT, WHICH IS WHY THEY REACHED OUT TO THE NEWS MEDIA AND HAVE SENT OUT TO RESIDENTS IN THE AREA ASKING FOR A CASH DONATION.

THEY SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN SOME OF THAT LAST YEAR BUT THE LEGISLATURE ADJOURNED WITHOUT REACHING A DEAL ON ADDITIONAL FUNDING.

SO THAT HAS ADDED TO THE PROBLEM.

A NUMBER OF FACTORS HAVE CONTRIBUTED AS WELL, INCLUDING NO VACANCIES IN TERMS OF BED, AND ALL OF THAT IS RELATED TO COVID.

IT HAS FORCED THEM TO USE EXPENSIVE TRAVELING NURSES TO MEET STAFFING NEEDS, AND THAT HAS INCREASED PAYROLL COSTS EVEN AS THE NUMBER OF RESIDENTS HAS DECLINED.

♪ WE ARE ALSO FOLLOWING A NEW STUDY BASED ON DATA THAT WAS GATHERED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY IN WHICH THEY TESTED FISH THAT ARE CAUGHT IN LAKES AND RIVERS IN THE U.S., AND THEY FOUND THEY CONTAIN DANGEROUSLY HIGH LEVELS OF TOXIC SYNTHETIC CHEMICALS KNOWN AS PFA'S.

IT IS PART OF A FAMILY OF SYNTHETIC CHEMICALS KNOWN TO BRING A WIDE RANGE OF HEALTH CONCERNS.

THESE ARE WIDELY KNOWN AS FOREVER CHEMICALS.

THEY ARE KNOWN TO BE PERSISTENT AND DEFINITELY IN THE ENVIRONMENT.

THE CHEMICALS SEEM TO CONCENTRATE IN FISH TISSUE AMONG OTHER PLACES, AND THEY HAVE BECOME INCREASINGLY COMMON SINCE THEIR USE IN THE PRODUCTION OF FIREFIGHTING FOAM AND MANY OTHER PRODUCTS BECAME MORE COMMONPLACE BEGINNING IN THE 1950'S.

EPA TESTING SHOWED THAT EVEN INFREQUENT CONSUMPTION OF FRESHWATER FISH IS LINKED TO HIGHER LEVELS OF THESE TOXIC CHEMICALS IN HUMAN BLOOD.

THE MEDIAN LEVELS OF THE CHEMICAL DETECTED IN FRESHWATER FISH WAS 278 TIMES HIGHER THAN LEVELS FOUND IN A MOST COMMERCIALLY HARVESTED FISH.

THE RESEARCH SUGGESTS LEVELS OF PFA'S MAY SUPPRESS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM.

IN ADDITION EXPOSURE HAS BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH MANY OTHER OUTCOMES INCLUDING AN INCREASED RISK OF CANCER, EYE CHOLESTEROL, THYROID DISEASE AND REPRODUCTIVE AND DEVELOPMENTAL HARMS.

THE STUDY ALSO CITES DATA THAT INDICATES THOSE WHO REGULARLY CATCH AND EAT FISH HAVE LEVELS OF THESE CHEMICALS IN THE BLOOD RANGING FROM 9.5 TO 27 TIMES THAT OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

A SIGNIFICANT PERCENTAGE OF THE POPULATION REGULARLY EATS CAUGHT FISH.

♪ DENNIS: THE DULUTH SEAWAY PORT AUTHORITY RELEASED THE FINAL NUMBERS OF THE TWIN PORTS SHIPPING SEASON TODAY.

THE SEASON WAS MARKED BY A STRONG JANUARY PUSH TO THE FINISH BUT STILL FOUND THE OVERALL SEASON DOWN A BIT FROM PAST YEARS.

SO HERE TO TELL US MORE IS DEB DELUCA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DULUTH SEAWAY PORT AUTHORITY.

WELCOME, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.

AS THE SHIPPING SEASON WINDS UP WHAT WAS 2022 LIKE FOR THE TWIN PORTS?

>> IT WAS A REALLY INTERESTING YEAR.

THERE ARE LOTS OF LITTLE BITS TO THAT STORY.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE.

DENNIS: YOU ARE VERY WELCOME.

>> YOU HAVE TO GO BACK TO MARCH OF 2022 WHERE WE HAD A VERY LATE PEAK ICE.

IT WAS 80% ICE COVER, AND THAT IS THE LATEST PEAK ICE WE HAVE HAD SINCE THE EARLY 2000.

THE LOCKS OPENED 10 DAYS LATER AND THOSE SHIPS WERE FACING TOUGH, HEAVY ICE CONDITIONS, AND THAT WAS EXACERBATED BY THE FACT THAT THE COAST GUARD ASSETS, THAT IS A SHRINKING AND AGING FLEET, AND THEY HAD A NUMBER OF CASUALTIES.

A VERY SLOW START, THAT JUST MADE IT SLOWER.

WE SORT OF NEVER REALLY CAUGHT UP, SO WE FAST-FORWARD TO JANUARY 15, 2023 WHEN THE LOCKS CLOSED, WE FINISHED WITH 30.4 MILLION TONS OF CARGO.

DENNIS: IS THERE ANY ICE OUT THERE AT ALL THIS YEAR?

>> I DO NOT HAVE THE CURRENT ICE COVER.

I SAY AGAIN -- ICE AGAIN IT WAS VERY CHALLENGING AROUND CHRISTMAS, DECEMBER BUT I DO NOT HAVE THE CURRENT ICE COVER.

JULIE: YOU SAID THE COVERAGE IS OFF BY 7%.

WHAT WERE THE STRONG CARGOES AND MAY BE WHERE WERE THEY SOFT?

>> IRON ORE, WHICH CAME TO REPORT.

SHY OF 19 MILLION TONS.

A COUPLE OF PERCENTAGE POINTS OFF THE FIVE SEASON AVERAGE.

JANUARY FINISH WITH A STRONG FLOURISH, AND THAT WAS ESPECIALLY TRUE FOR IRON ORE. WE FINISHED UP WITH 970,000 TONS IN JANUARY ALONE, AND THAT WAS THE STRONGEST JANUARY SINCE THE EARLY 2000'S.

SO THAT WAS VERY POSITIVE.

GOODYEAR.

YOU COURT POSITIVE CARGOES.

COAL CONTINUES ITS PRECIPITOUS DECLINES WITH ENERGY DEMAND CHANGES WORLDWIDE.

THAT IS GONE FROM 20 MILLION TONS IN THE EARLY 2000'S TO 7 MILLION TONS.

THE BIG DISAPPOINTMENT WAS GRAIN.

DENNIS: WE SAW A PASSENGER SHIP TRAFFIC RETURNED TO THE TWIN PORTS THIS SUMMER.

COULD THAT BE A POSSIBILITY IN 2023 AS WELL?

>> ABSOLUTELY, YOU SHOULD SEE THE VIKING RETURN TO THE DECK.

YOU WILL SEE A COUPLE OF ADDITIONAL CRUISE LINES COMING TO THE BOARD AS WELL.

DENNIS: WONDERFUL.

>> AN EXCITING DEVELOPMENT.

JULIE: LET'S TALK ABOUT GENERAL CARGO.

I UNDERSTAND THAT WAS A BRIGHT SPOT.

YOU HAVE THE DULUTH TERMINAL RUNNING.

TALK ABOUT HOW THINGS ARE EVOLVING AT THE PORT?

>> IT WAS A POSITIVE YEAR FOR GENERAL CARGO.

THOSE HUGE PIECES OF EQUIPMENT THAT HAVE TO GET LIFTED WITH A CRANE SUPPORT OUR REGIONAL INDUSTRY.

MINING, MANUFACTURING, WIND AND POWER GENERATION.

THIS YEAR WE QUADRUPLED OUR FIVE SEASON AVERAGE.

127,000 TONS.

IT IS A VERY HIGH VALUE PER TON CARGO, THE GENERAL CARGO IS.

EXAMPLES WE HAD COMING TO THE PORT THIS YEAR WERE THE 260 FOOT WIND TURBINE BLADES AND THE 125 DRYER THAT HELPED TO FACILITY REOPEN.

THESE GENERAL CARGO SUPPORT REGIONAL INDUSTRY, CLEAN ENERGY, THEY ARE GOOD FOR OUR BOARD.

DENNIS: HOW MANY JOBS CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE PORT OF DULUTH SUPERIOR?

>> WE HAVE ABOUT 8000 JOBS.

DENNIS: HOW MUCH ANNUAL INCOME?

>> $1.4 BILLION IN ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE REGION.

THAT IS BASED ON A STUDY THAT WE ARE REDOING CURRENTLY.

JULIE: TALK ABOUT INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS THAT YOU HAVE, AND IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING ON THE WISH LIST FOR THE LEGISLATURE?

>> FUNNY THAT YOU ASKED.

IN THAT LAST SECTION YOU MENTIONED THE BONDING BILL DID NOT PASS.

CURRENTLY WE ARE BUILDING -- IF YOU DRIVE OVER THE BRIDGE AND LOOKED DOWN AT THE PORT AUTHORITY'S FACILITY YOU WILL LOOK AT WHAT LOOKS LIKE AN ERECTOR SET.

WE ARE ADDING 56,000 SQUARE FEET OF WAREHOUSE SPACE.

DENNIS: WITH THAT WE HAVE TO CALL IT QUITS.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SEAWAY PORT AUTHORITY.

JULIE: THE JOHN BEARGREASE SLED DOG MARATHON BEGINS THIS SUNDAY.

OUR TEAM HERE AT PBS NORTH HAS BEEN HITTING THE TRAILS WITH LOCAL MUSHERS AS THEY TRAIN FOR THIS WEEKEND'S FESTIVITIES.

PRODUCER MEGAN MCGARVEY TRAVELED UP THE NORTH SHORE TO CATCH UP WITH JENNIFER FREKING AND HER TEAM.

♪ >> IT IS HARD TO DESCRIBE BEING WITH THE DOGS ON THE TRAIL.

RUNNING THE DOGS -- YOU JUST FEEL FREE AND TRAVELING THE COUNTRY.

YOU SEE THE WORLD TO THE DOG'S EYES.

THEY ARE FULL OF INNOVATION AND ENTHUSIASM.

THE DOGS LOVE WHAT WE DO AND IT MAKES US EXCITED TO GO OUT WITH THEM.

♪ EVERY DOG HAS THEIR OWN QUALITIES.

THE TEAM THIS YEAR IS SO FUN.

SOME OF MY THINGS THAT MAKE ME SO HAPPY WITH MY TEAM IS HOW CONNECTED THEY ARE WITH ME.

WHEN I SEE MOOSE TRACKS COME OUT THEY COULD PUT THEIR LEG INTO EMOTIONAL AND HURT THEIR LEG -- INTO A MOOSE HOLE IN HER DEMO.

I TOLD HIM TO SLOW DOWN.

AS SOON AS I SAY ALL RIGHT THEY TAKE OFF.

IT IS REALLY COOL.

I REALLY APPRECIATE HOW THEY GO SLOW AND WATCH ME UNTIL I AM READY TO GO.

IT IS VERY RARE FOR SLED DOGS BECAUSE THEY KEEP TRYING TO DIG YOU -- DITCH YOU.

THEY ARE A REALLY SWEET TEAM.

WE ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT OUR SIBERIAN HUSKY'S.

THEY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN BRED TO BE SLED DOGS.

THEY ARE NOT BREAD AS WORKING DOGS ANYMORE, THEY ARE SOCIAL DOGS.

YOU LOSE SOME OF THOSE RATES NEEDED TO DO SLED WORK.

IN 2019 WE HAVE THE POLAR VORTEX , I CAME IN SECOND PLACE.

MY TEAM WAS SO HAPPY.

I HAD ALL 12 DOGS IN SECOND PLACE.

THEY RUN WELL AND ALL THE CONDITIONS, BUT ALL TEAMS LIKE THE COLD.

SOMETIMES WHEN IT IS COLDER BUT DOGS ARE IN THEIR ELEMENT.

FOR ME IT WOULD BE REALLY SAID TO NOT SEE A SIBERIAN TEAM.

I AM A PRESERVATIONIST.

I TAKE PRIDE IN THOSE DOGS.

♪ [DOGS BARKING] >> IT IS HARD TO RE-CREATE THE ENTHUSIASM OF BEING IN A RACE.

SOMETIMES YOU ARE SO PUMPED UP TO BE THERE.

I SPENT THE ENTIRE RACE TRYING TO RUN SLOWER.

I WANTED THEM TO PACE THEMSELVES.

THERE THEY ARE TRYING TO GO 12 MILES AN HOUR AND I KNOW THEY WILL RUN THEMSELVES OUT OF STEAM .

NOT DRIVE THAT HARD.

IT IS HARD TO KEEP ON THE TEAM AND NOT TO RUN, WHICH IS A GOOD PROBLEM TO HAVE.

I AM JUST REALLY EXCITED TO GET OUT ON THE TRAIL AND ENJOY THESE BEAUTIFUL CONDITIONS.

IT HAS BEEN A NICE SNOW SEASON SO THE TRAIL SHOULD BE GORGEOUS.

I LOVE THE OTHER TEAMS, THE COMPETITORS.

THESE ARE PEOPLE WE HAVE BEEN RUNNING RACES WITH A LONG TIME AND IT IS ALWAYS GREAT TO GET BACK OUT THERE AND RUN THE TRAIL WITH EVERYBODY.

>> THIS YEAR YOUR DAUGHTER IS ALSO RUNNING?

TO HAVE THAT FAMILY CONTINUATION.

>> IT IS WILD, IT IS FUN.

WE GET OUT.

IT WILL BE HER FIRST TIME TO SEE A SEGMENT OF THE TRAIL.

MOST OF THE TRAIL IT WAS BLAKE AND I RUNNING TOGETHER.

IT IS WILD TO THINK ABOUT I WILL BE RUNNING THAT TRAIL WITH ELLENA.

♪ JULIE: TO FOLLOW THIS WEEKEND'S RACE, JOIN THE PBS NORTH TEAM ON THE TRAIL BY VISITING OUR FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, AND YOUTUBE CHANNELS FOR RACE UPDATES.

DENNIS: AND YOU CAN KEEP UP WITH ALMANAC NORTH BY FOLLOWING US ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.

HEAD TO THE PBS NORTH WEBSITE FOR PROGRAM UPDATES AND UPCOMING EVENTS.

AND DON'T FORGET TO DOWNLOAD THE PBS VIDEO APP TO WATCH YOUR FAVORITE PBS PROGRAMS ON DEMAND.

HOPE YOU ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND, JULIE.

JULIE: I WILL, IT IS GOING TO BE A COLD ONE.

DENNIS: BUNDLE UP, I GUESS.

WITH JULIE ZENNER, I'M DENNIS ANDERSON.

GOOD NIGHT EVERYONE, AND BE KIND!

♪