>> I'M DENNIS ANDERSON, JULIE HAS THE NIGHT OFF.

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

DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH, WE HIGHLIGHT THE WORK OF THE AFRICAN HERITAGE GROUP LEADING THE DULUTH SUPERIOR AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION'S "UNITY FUND".

WE'LL TALK WITH THE LEADER OF "MENTOR NORTH" ABOUT THE VALUE OF MENTORS TO YOUNG PEOPLE IN OUR REGION.

AND WE'LL HAVE A VIDEO REPORT WRAPPING UP AN UPREDICTABLE BEARGREASE SLED DOG MARATHON.

THESE STORIES AND "VOICES OF THE REGION" COMING UP ON ALMANAC ♪ HELLO AND WELCOME TO ALMANAC NORTH, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

JULIE IS OFF THIS WEEK AS WE TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS AGAINST COVID AND PROVIDE A LITTLE MORE SPACING IN THE STUDIO.

LET'S BEGIN WITH THE HEADLINES.

THE MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE BEGAN ITS 2022 SESSION THIS WEEK, CONVENING AT THE STATE CAPITOL IN ST. PAUL.

HIGH ON THE PRIORITY LIST WILL BE HOW TO SPEND A PROJECTED $7.75 BILLION DOLLAR BUDGET SURPLUS.

YOU CAN FOLLOW THE LEGISLATURE BY TUNING IN TO THE MINNESOTA CHANNEL WEEKDAYS ON YOUR PUBLIC TV STATION.

WISCONSIN STATE SENATOR JANET BEWLEY, A DEMOCRAT FROM DELTA, ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK SHE WILL NOT SEEK RE-ELECTION THIS FALL.

BEWLEY IS THE CURRENT SENATE MINORITY LEADER AND HAS SPENT 8-YEARS IN THE SENATE AND FOUR YEARS BEFORE THAT IN THE STATE ASSEMBLY.

BEWLEY SAID SHE LOOKS FORWARD TO SPENDING MORE TIME WITH HER FAMILY AND HER HUSBAND, WHO RETIRED RECENTLY.

THE DULUTH SEAWAY PORT AUTHORITY REPORTED THIS WEEK THAT SHIPPING TONNAGE IN THE TWIN PORTS HAS BOUNCED-BACK FROM PANDEMIC-INDUCED LOWS.

NEARLY 33-MILLION "SHORT TONS" PASSED THROUGH THE PORT IN 2021, A 27% INCREASE OVER THE PREVIOUS SEASON AND MORE THAN 2%HIGHER THAN THE 5-YEAR AVERAGE.

IRON ORE WAS THE TOP CARGO IN 2021, WITH JUST OVER 20-MILLION TONS SHIPPED FROM THE TWIN PORTS.

AND WHILE THE WINTER OLYMPICS TAKE PLACE HALFWAY AROUND THE WORLD IN CHINA, DULUTH IS HOSTING SKIERS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY THIS WEEKEND AT SPIRIT MOUNTAIN.

THE FOURTY-FOURTH ANNUAL "ATMORE MEMORIAL" MID-AMERICA SLALOM RACE FEATURES SOME OF THE TOP U-S SKIERS.

THE EVENT BEGAN TODAY AND WILL RUN THROUGH SUNDAY, WITH RACING BEGINNING AT 8:30 A.M. EACH DAY.

FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH, AND A LOCAL GROUP IS LEADING AN EFFORT TO BUILD AND STRENGTHEN THE LOCAL AFRICAN HERITAGE COMMUNITY.

LEADERS OF THE UNITY FUND, A PART OF THE DULUTH SUPERIOR AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, ARE GATHERING HISTORY AND DOCUMENTING THE IMPORTANCE OF GENERATIONS OF AFRICAN HERITAGE PEOPLE WHO SHAPPED THE COMMUNITY.

HERE TO TELL US MORE IS SALAAM WITHERSPOON, THE CHAIR OF THE UNITY FUND COMMITTEE.

AND JANET KENNEDY IS A MEMBER OF THE UNITY FUND COMMITTEE.

WELCOME, THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH A HISTORY THAT IS BEING GATHERED?

>> SHAPE AT.

-- SHAPE AT.

WE DON'T KNOW THE DETAILS OF EVERYTHING, BUT HOPEFULLY, WE WILL SHAPE HISTORY AND START RIGHT.

>> YOU ARE COLLECTING FOR MANY YEARS EXPERIENCE, HOPING THE PEOPLE WILL COME TALK TO YOU?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> WHAT IS THE GOAL OF THE UNITY FUND?

>> TO REDUCE GENERATIONAL BARRIERS.

TO HELP FAMILIES WHO HAVE NOT HAD OPPORTUNITIES.

>> I NOW -- I KNOW THE UNITY FUND IS FAIRLY NEW.

TELL US ABOUT ITS BEGINNINGS.

>> WE HAD BEEN HAVING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT INEQUITIES FOR OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND I KNOW SEVERAL THINGS HAVE HAPPENED TO THE AFRICAN HERITAGE COMMUNITY HISTORICALLY.

EVEN IN DULUTH, THERE HAD BEEN SOME REDLINING.

WE TALKED ABOUT A HUB.

RECOGNIZING THAT IT WAS GOING TO TAKE TIME, AND WE NEEDED TO SOMEHOW HAVE SOME FUNDS TO TAKE CARE OF THE DISPARITIES THAT ARE HAPPENING NOW WHILE WE BUILD MORE INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> WHEN YOU SAY REDLINING, AFRICAN-AMERICAN INDIVIDUALS WERE NOT ABLE TO GET FUNDING FOR HOMES.

>> IN DULUTH AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY, REDLINING HAS HURT THE COMMUNITY.

I WOULD BELIEVE A COMMUNITY WILL ONLY PROSPER WHEN WE ARE ALL WALKING ON EVEN GROUND.

>> TO WHOM WILL THE FUNDING BE DISPERSED?

>> IT'S FOR AFRICAN HERITAGE, AFRICAN-AMERICAN ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS WORKING TOWARD BUILDING MORE SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCY.

>> YOU CREATED A NARRATIVE TO EXPLORE THE VOICES OF AFRICAN HERITAGE WOMEN.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THAT?

>> A FEW YEARS AGO WHEN I WAS RUNNING AND WORKING ON WHO I WAS AS SOMEONE RUNNING FOR OFFICE, MY VOICE WASN'T AT THE TABLE, BUT FOLKS WERE TAKING ME SERIOUSLY.

-- THEY WERE NOT TAKING ME SERIOUSLY.

I MESHED TOGETHER THE STORY OF SOJOURNER TRUTH AND OTHERS INTO A CONSTRUCT.

I RECORDED AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN AND OTHERS INTERGENERATIONAL SAYING AIN'T I A WOMAN TOO.

IT'S POWERFUL TO VISUALIZE AND UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE A VOICE THAT HAVE SUSTAINED COMMUNITIES FOR MANY YEARS.

>> WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BARRIERS THAT WOMEN HAVE FACED OVER THE YEARS?

>> LACK OF TRANSPORTATION, EDUCATION, CHILDCARE.

>> THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF THEM.

>> YES, COUNTLESS.

>> YOU ARE GETTING SUPPORT FROM A FEW FOUNDATIONS.

TO WHAT DEGREE IS THAT HELPING?

>> IT HAS GIVEN US A START.

WE ARE ETCHING -- WE ARE ASKING FOR MATCHING FUNDS.

ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THERE IS A NEED TO PROMOTE AND RESTORE, RACIAL EQUITY.

TO RESTART RACIAL JUSTICE.

THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT PIECE IS A LOT.

>> SHE JUST MENTIONED RACIAL INEQUITIES.

I WONDER, HOW HAS YOUR CULTURAL HISTORY BEEN LARGELY IGNORED BY MUCH OF SOCIETY?

>> WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE TRUE STORIES HAVE NOT BEEN TOLD.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS WE NEED TO LOOK AT OUR WHAT ARE THE GENERATIONAL BARRIERS?

HOW ARE WE BUILDING WEALTH THAN THE AFRICAN HERITAGE COMMUNITY?

THAT IS SO IMPORTANT TO OUR ECONOMY AS A WHOLE.

WE NEED EVERYBODY TO BE ABLE TO DO WELL FOR OUR COMMUNITY, FOR OUR COUNTRY.

>> HOW ARE YOU COLLECTING STORIES?

HOW ARE YOU DOCUMENTING THE HISTORY?

>> MY PROJECT AIN'T I A WOMAN TOO WE ARE CREATING A VIDEO.

THAT WILL TELL OTHER STORIES ABOUT SOJOURNER TRUTH AND OTHERS AS WELL AS LOCAL COMMUNITY VOICES.

I KNOW THERE'S ANOTHER PROJECT SHE IS WORKING ON.

>> I AM REACHING OUT TO FAMILIES WHO HAVE BEEN HERE FOR GENERATIONS AND ASKING A MEMBER OF EACH GENERATION TO COME AND SHARE WHAT IT HAS BEEN LIKE LIVING IN A TOWN WITH A LACK OF OPPORTUNITIES.

A VISION OF WHAT THEY IMAGINE IT COULD BE LIKE IF WE HAD EQUITABLE TRENDS.

>> TIME GOES FAST ON THE AIR.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING WITH US.

♪ THE THIRTY-EIGHTH ANNUAL JOHN BEARGREASE SLED DOG MARATHON IS IN THE BOOKS, WITH PLENTY OF TWISTS AND TURNS ALONG THE WAY.

WDSE HAD A TEAM FOLLOWING THE RACE FROM START TO FINISH, AND PRODUCER MEGAN MGARVEY BRINGS US THIS FRESH LOOK FROM THE TRAIL.

>> WELCOME TO THE MARATHON.

WE'RE HERE COVERING THE MARATHON AND ALL OF ITS DISTANCES.

WE'RE ALSO TALKING TO VETERINARIANS AND ALL THE VOLUNTEERS THAT MAKE THE RACE POSSIBLE.

>> SUNDAY MORNING JANUARY 30, THE 30TH ANNUAL BEARGREASE SLED DOG MERIT ON -- MARATHON WAS UNDERWAY.

AT THE CHECKPOINT, OUR TEAM CAUGHT UP WITH ONE OF THE MUSHERS.

>> OUR FIRST LEG WAS SO FAST, I THINK WE'RE GOING TO KEEP THE DOGS CLOSE TO 10 MILES PER HOUR.

>> OUR TEAM SPOKE WITH THE HEAD VETERINARIAN ABOUT HOW VITAL THE VOLUNTEERS ARE FOR THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF THE RACERS.

>> THE WELFARE OF THE DOGS IS OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE HANDLING THE MILEAGE WELL, THEY ARE RECOVERING WELL, AND THEY ARE SAFE TO GO DOWN THE TRAIL.

ANY CHECKPOINT THAT HAS DOGS, WE WANT TO HELP EACH OTHER UP THE TRAIL.

THERE'S ALWAYS OF THAT AT A CHECKPOINT.

WE HAVE FIRST IN AND SWEEP.

THERE ARE MANDATORY CHECKS THROUGHOUT THE RACE.

IT'S WONDERFUL TO GET THESE DOGS CARE.

>> IN THE MEANTIME, WE TOOK THE TIME TO GO TO ONE OF THE MOST SERENE PARTS OF THIS RACE.

IT IS ALSO ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS WHY IT IS AN IDITAROD QUALIFIER.

>> AT 5 A.M. MONDAY MORNING, MUSH OR ARRIVING TO THIS SECLUDED CHECKPOINT WHERE THEY WILL NOT BE ASSISTED EITHER DOG HANDLERS.

THEY WILL GIVE THEIR DOG'S FOOD, WATER, AND RACE -- REST BEFORE HEADING BACK ONTO THE TRAIL.

AFTER THEY HAVE FINISHED THEIR MANDATORY FOR OUR REST, THEY WILL HIT THE TRAIL TO THE NEXT CHECKPOINT.

THEY WILL HAVE THE ASSISTANCE OF THEIR HANDLERS.

WE SPOKE TO WON ABOUT THIS UNIQUE JOB.

>> NORMALLY, THERE WITH THE TEAM THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE YEAR.

WHETHER THEY WORK FOR THEM, FAMILY, FRIENDS, THEY WANT SOMEONE WHO KNOWS THEIR DOGS, KNOWS THEM, KNOWS WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO.

WHEN A MUSH OR PULLS, THEY DON'T WANT TO DO A LOT OF TALKING.

THEY HAVE THE ROUTINE DOWN AND WE CAN GET THESE GUYS SLEEPING.

REST IS CRUCIAL.

THEY NEED TO BE HERE RIGHT AWAY SO WE CAN GET EVERYTHING SET UP, WE CAN DOUBLE CHECK WE HAVE THE CORRECT FOOD, THEY HAVE OUR STRAW, WATER, SO WE CAN GET SOME REST ALSO.

SOMETIMES OUR REST IS CUT SHORT.

THE MORE REST YOUR WHOLE TEAM GETS THE BETTER OFF EVERYONE IS.

IT'S CRUCIAL THAT THE HANDLERS GET TO THEIR CHECKPOINTS, GET SET UP AND SETTLED IN AND THEY KNOW WHERE THINGS ARE BEFORE THE TEAM COMES IN.

>> THIS YEAR'S RACE HAS PROVEN TO BE INCREDIBLY CHALLENGING.

WITH WARMER TEMPERATURES IMPACTING TRAIL CONDITIONS AND THE CONDITIONS OF THE DOGS.

WE CAUGHT UP WITH RYAN ABOUT HIS EXPERIENCE AND WHAT HE IS LOOKING FORWARD TO IN THE SEASON AHEAD.

>> WE WERE HAVING A LOT OF FUN, BUT UNFORTUNATELY OUR RACE ENDED AT TRIAL CENTER.

WE WILL BE BACK AT THIS RACE NEXT YEAR.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO IT.

THURSDAY, WE WILL START DRIVING TO ALASKA.

WE WILL BE THERE RUNNING SOME RACES AND BEING BACK HOME IN MY HOMETOWN WHERE I GREW UP.

>> WE ARE HERE THE FINISH LINE OF THE MARATHON.

WE HAVE SEEN RYAN TAKE FIRST, WAIT A SECOND, CALLING TAKING THIRD AND FOURTH.

WE WERE ABLE TO CATCH UP WITH TWO OF THEM ABOUT THEIR RACE.

>> IT WAS A TOUGH TRAIL THIS YEAR.

THERE WERE PARTS THAT WERE NICE, BUT MOST OF THE TRAIL WAS TOUGH.

>> I TRIED TO PLAY WITH THE HEAT OF THE DAY AND THAT GOT ME A LITTLE BIT.

THEY'RE GETTING MORE USED TO THE HEAT BEING DOWN HERE.

>> IT'S REWARDING TO MAKE IT TO A FINISH LINE.

IT'S AN ACCOMPLISHMENT TO FINISH.

>> IT HAS BEEN ONE HECK OF A RACE THIS YEAR.

IT IS TRULY AMAZING TO SEE ALL OF THE BEHIND-THE-SCENES VETERINARIANS AND ALL THE VOLUNTEERS TO MAKE THIS POSSIBLE.

>> OUR VOLUNTEERS MAKE THIS RACE.

WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO GIVE UP SIX OR SEVEN DAYS OF VACATION.

THEY COME TO WORK WITH US.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR YOUNGER FOLKS TO COME UP THROUGH THE RANKS AND LEARN FROM THESE FOLKS WHO HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR 30 YEARS.

HOPEFULLY, CONTINUE THE TRADITION.

>> IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BECOMING ONE OF THOSE VITAL VOLUNTEERS GO TO BEARGREASE.COM TO LEARN MORE.

A POSITIVE ADULT ROLE MODEL CAN MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT IN A YOUNG PERSON'S LIFE.

"MENTOR NORTH" PROVIDES A CONDUIT BETWEEN ADULTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE LOOKING FOR A LITTLE GUIDANCE.

THEY OFFER COMMUNITY-BASED MENTORING RELTIONSHIPS FOLLOWING THE BEST PRACTICES.

HERE TO TELL US MORE IS BETH BURT, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MENTOR NORTH.

WELCOME, THANKS FOR BEING HERE!

WHAT IS MENTOR NORTH?

>> IT'S A ONE-TO-ONE MENTORING ORGANIZATION.

WE'RE THE ONLY ONE THAT PAIRS ADULTS WITH YOUTH FOR A ONE-TO-ONE MENTORING RELATIONSHIP.

>> HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO HAVE THE ONE ON ONE BETWEEN ADULTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE?

>> IT IS SO VITAL.

IF YOU THINK ABOUT GOING BACK TO OUR YOUTH OR OUR ADULT LIVES, THE MENTORS OR TEACHERS WE HAVE HAD WHO WE LOOKED UP TO TWO ASKED ABOUT US OR DO SOMETHING NICE FOR US.

>> WE DIDN'T EVEN REALIZE THEY WERE MENTORS.

>> WE DIDN'T CALL THEM THAT, BUT THERE WERE PEOPLE WHO DID THAT.

NO ONE GETS THROUGH THIS LIFE ALONE.

EVERYONE HAS TO DO IT TOGETHER WITH OTHER PEOPLE.

>> WHAT DOES THE MENTOR DO?

>> THE ROLE IS TO BE THERE FOR THAT ONE YOUTH AND TO SPEND ONE-ON-ONE TIME WITH THEM.

THEY GET TOGETHER AND THEY DO FUN THINGS.

THEY DO ACTIVITIES THAT THEY ENJOY.

THEY EXPLORE NEW ACTIVITIES MAYBE THEY WANT TO TRY.

THEY CHAT AND TALK ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON AND THAT PERSON'S LIFE.

SOMETIMES IT'S DATED DAY AND SOMETIMES SERIOUS QUESTIONS.

>> IF SOMEONE IS INTERESTED IN BECOMING A MENTOR, HOW DO THEY GET IN CONTACT WITH THE YOUTH AND HOW ARE THEY PAIRED UP?

>> THEY CONTACT MENTOR NORTH AND THEY GO THROUGH SCREENING PROCESS.

WE DO AN INTERVIEW, THE HAVE AN APPLICATION, WE DO BACKGROUND CHECKS, THEY GO THROUGH TRAINING.

AT THAT POINT, WE HAVE LEARNED ENOUGH ABOUT THEM AND WE HAVE INSURED SAFETY AND AVAILABILITY.

THEN WE LOOK AT INTERESTS.

CHARACTERISTICS, PERSONALITIES.

WE DIVE IN DEEP TO THAT.

WE PAIR PEOPLE KNOWING THAT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO FORM A RELATIONSHIP AND THEY WILL HAVE THINGS THEY LIKE TO DO TOGETHER.

>> DO YOU FIND THAT MOST MENTORS HOOK UP WELL?

WHAT YOU DON'T?

WHAT IF YOU FIND OUT A FEW WEEKS INTO IT THAT IT'S NOT WORKING?

>> WE HAVE PROGRAM ADVOCATES ON STAFF SUPPORT THE MENTORS AND THE YOUTH IN FORMING A RELATIONSHIP.

YOU CAN IMAGINE IT CAN BE AWKWARD.

THEY SUPPORT THEM AND HELP THEM TO FIND WAYS TO GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER.

IF SOMETHING DOESN'T WORK OUT, WE CAN ALWAYS FORM A DIFFERENT RELATIONSHIP AND THE CHILD CAN GET A DIFFERENT MENTOR, BUT THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN VERY OFTEN.

>> HOW DO YOU MATCH THEM?

DO YOU ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS?

>> TONS.

WE DO A 90 MINUTE INTERVIEW.

WE ASK ALL KINDS OF QUESTIONS ABOUT INTERESTS, PERSONALITIES, VALUES.

WE DO THE SAME WITH THE FAMILY AND WE ALWAYS TALK TO THE YOUTH.

WE MAKE SURE THAT THEIR VOICE IS CONSIDERED AND THEY ARE SPEAKING TO WHAT THEY NEED AND WANT.

>> WHAT IS THE COMMITMENT OF A MENTOR?

HOW MUCH TIME AND ENERGY?

>> WE ASK THEM TO COMMIT TO AT LEAST FOUR HOURS PER MONTH.

TO COMMIT TO ONE YEAR.

WHAT WE FIND IS THAT PEOPLE TEND TO DO A LITTLE BIT MORE AND THEY STAY A LITTLE BIT LONGER.

THAT'S THE COMMITMENT.

>> WHAT IS THE PROCESS OF BECOMING A MENTOR?

>> REACH OUT TO MENTOR NORTH.

THE TO OUR WEBSITE, WE HAVE AN APPLICATION.

THERE IS AN EMAIL AND YOU CAN ASK FOR APPLICATION.

FROM THERE, WE WILL TALK ABOUT THE WHOLE PROCESS.

WE HAVE A GREAT TRAINING PROGRAM AND LOTS OF SUPPORT.

>> IS THERE A NEED FOR MENTORS NOW?

>> THERE IS AN INCREDIBLE NEED.

WE HAVE ALL SEEN WHAT IS GOING ON WITH OUR YOUTH WITH COVID AND ACT OF BEING IN SCHOOL AND MORE ISOLATION AND LESS TIME WITH THEIR FRIENDS.

IT IS CAUSING SOME DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY IN OUR YOUTH.

TO ME RIGHT NOW, IT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT TIME.

IF YOU EVER THOUGHT ABOUT IT, NOW IS THE MOST IMPORTANT TIME.

THEY ARE DYING TO HAVE SOMEONE TO TALK TO, COOK WITH, PLAY WITH YOUR DOG.

>> WHAT DO MENTORS GET OUT OF IT?

>> MENTORS HAVE TOLD ME, I JUST BECAME ONE MYSELF SO I CAN TELL YOU WHAT IT'S LIKE FOR ME, IT'S REALLY A RELATIONSHIP THAT GOES BOTH WAYS.

THERE IS A LOT TO BE LEARNED FROM YOUTH.

I JUST WENT SLEDDING FOR THE FIRST TIME AND IT WAS FUN.

I HAD A REALLY FUN TIME.

IT'S NOT SOMETHING I GET TO DO ALL THE TIME, SO I WOULD SAY MENTORS GET TO HAVE SOME FUN.

>> IT SOUNDS VERY ENDURABLE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING WITH US.

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

EACH WEEK WE HEAR FROM A JOURNALIST COVERING STORIES OF INTEREST IN THE NORTHLAND.

THIS WEEK OUR REPORTER IS HEIDI HOLTAN FROM KAXE COMMUNITY RADIO IN GRAND RAPIDS.

♪ >> RECENTLY, A GROUP OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN QUESTIONING THE OUTCOME OF THE 2020 ELECTION.

THEY HAVE CLAIMED FRAUD AND ASKED REPEATEDLY FOR AUDITS OF WHAT HAPPENED.

FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP ONE BY A LARGE MARGIN.

WE WANTED TO UNDERSTAND MORE ABOUT THE PROCESSES THAT ARE IN PLACE IF THERE IS FRAUD.

WE REACHED OUT TO THE MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED.

>> OUR PROCESS IN MINNESOTA, WE HAVE REALLY GOOD LAWS IN MINNESOTA TO GIVE EVERY OPPORTUNITY FOR OVERSIGHT, REVIEW, CHECKS AND BALANCES.

EVEN NOW, IF SOMEONE HAS EVIDENCE OF SUSPECTED MISCONDUCT OR WRONGDOING, THEY CAN GO TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THAT CLOCK NEVER RUNS OUT.

ELECTION WAS HELD GOING ON 15 MONTHS AGO.

THERE IS NO LEGITIMATE REASON TO SECOND-GUESS THE INTEGRITY OF THE 2020 ELECTION.

PART OF THE REASON IS, CREDIT TO THE COUNTY.

THEY RAN A TOP-NOTCH ELECTION.

THEY HAVE ONE OF THE BEST ELECTION ADMINISTRATORS AROUND.

THEIR WORK WAS REVIEWED, THEY DID A POSTELECTION AUDIT.

IT WAS DONE VERY PROFESSIONALLY AND ETHICALLY.

NON-POLITICALLY.

>> HE WENT ON TO REITERATE HOW MINNESOTA AND THE PROCESS IS NOT DONE BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE.

IT'S LOCAL, BUT PEOPLE OF ALL POLITICAL PERSUASIONS WHO WERE TRAINED TO HOLD BALANCED AND FAIR -- FAIR ELECTIONS.

>> WE ARE ON THE BANKS OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER IN GRAND RAPIDS.

BIG WINDOWS, WATCHING THE BIRDS ALL THE TIME.

ALTHOUGH WE GET A CHANCE TO HEAR LAURA REGULARLY WITH HER SEGMENTS ON FOR THE BIRDS, WE DECIDED WE SHOULD DO A DEEP DIVE ON CHICKADEES.

WE HAD QUESTIONS LIKE HOW THEY HANDLE THE COLD?

SHE TOLD US CHICKADEES SLEEP ALONE.

>> EACH ONE HAS ITS OWN LITTLE TINY CAVITY.

WE USED TO THINK THEY BUNCHED TOGETHER THE WAY OTHER SPECIES DO.

THEY CAN TURN A THERMOSTAT DOWN AT NIGHT SO THEIR BODY TEMPERATURE GOES DOWN FROM ABOUT 105 IN THE DAYTIME LIKE WHEN IT WAS 20 DEGREES BELOW, THEIR BODIES WERE 128 DEGREES WARMER THAN THAT MILLIMETERS FROM THE ICY AIR.

AT NIGHTTIME, THEY CAN TURN IT DOWN TO THE UPPER 60'S.

THEY DON'T NEED AS MANY CALORIES OVERNIGHT.

WHEN THEY WAKE UP IN THE MORNING, THEIR BODIES START VIOLENTLY SHIVERING AND THAT RAISES THEIR BODY TEMPERATURE QUICKLY.

>> EACH AND EVERY TUESDAY, WE GET A CHANCE TO LISTEN TO STUDENTS WHO REMIND US TO PAY ATTENTION, EVEN IN THE WINTERTIME.

>> THIS IS NOAH FROM THE SECOND-GRADE CLASS AT HILL CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WE HAVE BEEN RECORDING OBSERVATIONS ALL YEAR.

THIS IS OUR FIRST REPORT.

YOU MIGHT THINK THERE ISN'T MUCH TO SEE OUTSIDE IN THE WINTER, BUT IF YOU LOOK CAREFULLY, YOU WILL BE SURPRISED.

WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OF DEER THIS WINTER.

THEY DON'T SEEM TO MIND THE COLD AND THE SNOW.

CARSON SAW A DEAD DEER ALONG THE ROAD.

IT WAS COVERED WITH CROWS AND EAGLES.

WE HAVE BEEN LEARNING ABOUT ANIMAL TRACKS.

IT IS FUN TO TRY THAT, TO FIGURE OUT WHICH ANIMAL HAS BEEN WALKING THROUGH THE SNOW.

IT IS KIND OF LIKE BEING A DETECTIVE.

A LOT OF MY CLASSMATES HAVE SEEN TURKEYS THIS WINTER.

HOW DO THEY KEEP THEIR FEET WARM IN THE SNOW?

I SAW AN ASTEROID SHOOTING ACROSS THE NIGHT SKY.

IT WAS COOL.

THEY ARE STILL NOTICING LADYBUGS AT THEIR HOUSE.

I GUESS THEY FOUND A NICE WARM PLACE TO SPEND THE WINTER.

THAT'S OUR REPORT FOR THIS WEEK.

WORK HARD AND BE KIND.

♪ >> I'VE HEARD THAT BEFORE.

THAT'S OUR TIME.

YOU CAN FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.

BOOKMARK THE WDSE WEBSITE FOR PROGRAM UPDATES, NEWS ABOUT THE STATION AND UPCOMING EVENTS.

AND DOWNLOAD THE PBS VIDEO APP TO WATCH YOUR FAVORITE PBS PROGRAMS ANY TIME YOU'D LIKE.

AND FINALLY, IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A FUN EVENT THIS WEEKEND, THE DULUTH ENTERTAINMENT AND CONVENTION CENTER HAS SOMETHING NEW.

"NORTH OF NASHVILLE" IS THIS SATURDAY AND IS A FREE EVENT THAT OFFERS AN INSIDE LOOK INTO SONG WRITING FROM PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS.

THERE'S A SONG WRITING CONTEST, FOOD, DRINKS AND MUSIC STARTING AT 6 PM SATURDAY.

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

I'M DENNIS ANDERSON, GOOD NIGHT EVERYBODY, AND BE KIND!

♪