>> I'M DENNIS ANDERSON AND HERE'S WHAT'S COMING UP ON ALL PANETTA NORTH.

>> A NEW HOSPITAL BUILDING IS SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETE AND GAVE IT TOUR TO MEDIA TODAY.

>> WE WILL TALK WITH LEADERS OF UMD'S COLLEGE OF PHARMACY MEDICAL SCHOOL ABOUT PLANS TO COAL OK AND DILUTES DOWNTOWN MEDICAL DISTRICT.

>> WE WILL TAKE YOU TO IRON RIVER, WISCONSIN FOR THE SLED DOG RACE.

>> THOSE STORIES AND VOICES OF THE REGION COMING UP NEXT ON ALMANAC NORTH.

>> HELLO AND WELCOME THE ALMANAC.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR WATCHING.

FILLING IN FOR JULIA THIS WEEK.

WELCOME.

QUAKES IT IS GREAT TO BE HERE AND IT'S AN ABSOLUTE PRIVILEGE TO SIT NEXT YEAR.

>> IT'S GREAT TO HAVE YOU WITH US.

LET'S BEGIN WITH THE HEADLINES.

>> -- WAS GRANTED NEW MINERAL LEASES BY THE MINNESOTA EXECUTIVE COUNCIL THIS WEEK, EXTENDING THE LIFE OF THE MINING OPERATION.

IT HAS NEARLY EXHAUSTED ITS RESERVES OF MINEABLE OR IN WAS EXPECTED TO RUN OUT OF -- BY 2025.

THE ADDITIONAL 120 ACRES GRANTED THIS WEEK SHOULD EXTEND MINING TO 2026 WHILE CLEVELAND CLIFFS SEEKS MINERAL RIGHTS TO LAND NEAR NASHUA THAT COULD EXPEND -- EXTEND NIGHT -- MINING FOR DECADES.

DENNIS: MINNESOTA TOURISM RELEASES 2020 TRAVEL TOURISM REPORT SHOWING THE STATE HAD MORE THAN 77 MILLION VISITORS LAST YEAR.

THE AGENCY ESTIMATES THOSE VISITORS HAD A $13 BILLION DIRECT IMPACT ON MINNESOTA'S ECONOMY.

THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE SAYS LEISURE AND HOSPITALITY SALES CONTRIBUTED NEARLY $1 BILLION IN STATE SALES TAX IN 2020 TWO.

>> OF WISCONSIN GOVERNOR RELEASED HIS PROPOSED CAPITAL INVESTMENT BUDGET THIS WEEK WITH A $3.8 BILLION PLAN TO IMPROVE THE STATE'S INFRASTRUCTURE.

1.8 BILLION DOLLARS WOULD GO TO THE UW SYSTEM CAMPUSES.

REPUBLICANS CONTROL THE WISCONSIN HOUSE AND SENATE AND WILL HAVE THE FINAL SAY ON THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL.

>> THE BILL -- THE DULUTH PORT AUTHORITY KICKED OFF A RIGHT OF SPRING WITH THE 40TH ANNUAL FIRST SHIP CONTEST.

ENTRANTS TRIED TO GUESS WHEN THE FIRST SALTWATER SHIP OF THE SEASON WILL ARRIVE HERE AT THE TWIN PORTS WHEN A NICE PRICE PACKAGE.

IT OPENED ON MARCH 25, KICKING OFF THE GREAT LAKES SHIPPING SEASON IN FULL.

LAST YEAR THE FIRST SALTY ARRIVE JUST AFTER 6:30 P.M. ON APRIL 13.

>> ESSENTIA HEALTH ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT ITS NEW HOSPITAL BUILDING IS SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETE, MARKING A MAJOR MILESTONE FOR THE PROJECT.

CONTRACTOR MCDUFF CONSTRUCTION WILL TRANSFER CONTROL OF THE BUILDING AS IT WAITS FOR A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPATION FROM THE CITY.

LOCAL MEDIA WERE GIVEN A TOUR OF THE BUILDING THIS MORNING.

>> WE ARE REALLY EXCITED TO HAVE THIS PROJECT REACH COMPLETION.

WE ARE REALLY PROUD OF ALL THE TEAMS, OUR TRADE PARTNERS, OUR INTERNAL STAFF, THE COMMUNITY, TO BRING THIS PROJECT AND ON TIME AND ON BUDGET IS A GREAT FEAT, ESPECIALLY THROUGH A PANDEMIC, SO WE'VE REACHED SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION ON THE PROJECT, WHICH MEANS IT DOESN'T MEAN THE CONTRACTORS ARE 100% DONE YET, BUT WE ARE VERY CLOSE, WE ARE GETTING EVERYTHING WRAPPED UP, OUR PUNCHLIST ITEMS AND A FEW MINOR OTHER PARTS AND PIECES PUT TOGETHER UNTIL WE GET OUR CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY.

WE ARE REUSING A LOT OF THINGS FROM THE LEGACY SAINT MARY'S.

THOSE WILL COME OVER CLOSER TO -- OR DURING THE MOVE.

SO ALL THE THINGS COMING IN TODAY ARE MENIAL ITEMS.

>> HOSPITALS ARE AMONG THE HARDEST TYPES OF BUILDINGS TO BUILD.

YOU LOOK AMONG SEA SPACES AND WHAT YOU SEE IS THE FINISHES ON THE WALL.

MOST COMPLEXITY UNIVERSITY AND THE PUBLIC.

MOST OF THAT HAPPENS IN MECHANICAL ROOMS AND ALL THE SYSTEMS THAT GO IN, HUNDREDS OF SYSTEMS THAT GO INTO THESE BUILDINGS TO MAKE THEM SAFE.

SO AS OF THIS WEEK WE ARE NO MORE HARDHATS IN A BUILDING AT THE END OF MARCH WE ARE GOING TO BE PULLING SOME OF THE BARRIERS AND AROUND THE PERIMETER OF THE BUILDING.

SO 4TH AVENUE WILL REOPEN, SOME OF THE LANES ON THE STREET WILL OPEN AS WELL.

RIGHT NOW WE STILL HAVE A LOT OF TRUCK TRAFFIC, EVEN WITH THE LOADING OF THE BUILDING.

IF YOU HAPPEN AT DRIVE-BY FIRST, YOU WILL SEE THERE'S A TEMPORARY LOADING DOCK ON 1ST STREET.

FIRST STREET WILL REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL JUNE, AND OF JUNE.

THAT'S BECAUSE TRUCKS ARE COMING THROUGH IN TRUCK TRAFFIC.

WE STILL NEED TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE IN THOSE ZONES AND STILL GET A LOT OF TRAFFIC WITH UNLOADING OF EVERYTHING THAT HAS TO COME INTO THE BUILDING.

>> WE'VE BEEN IN OPERATIONAL READINESS THINKING ABOUT THESE WORKFORCES AND WE ARE IN THE ACTIVATION PHASE.

SO THE BUILDING GETS LOADED WITH FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT AND AS JAN CAN SPEAK TO IT MORE THAN I CAN, BUT A LOT OF THAT EQUIPMENT NEEDS TO BE CALIBRATED, SO IT'S READY ON DAY ONE, THAN THIS DOUBTFUL, AND GET NOT ONLY TOURS, BUT BE ABLE TO WORK ON THE FLOOR, I WOULD SAY, HOW DO I ENTER THE ROOM, WHERE DO I FOR MY HANDS, HOW DO I CARE FOR THE PATIENT IN THE ROOM, CLEANED MY HANDS?

IT'S REALLY NEW AND EXCITING WAY OF WORKING.

WE ARE WORKING WITH A COMPANY CALLED HEALTH CARE RELOCATIONS, AND THEY'VE MOVED OVER 500 HOSPITALS AND THEY BEEN CONSULTING WITH US IN ALL THIS TRANSITION TIME IN THE MOVE PROCESS IS A TWO WEEK PROCESS IN OUR CONSULTANT LIKES TO SAY THAT THE PATIENT HAS BREAKFASTS IN THE LEGACY HOSPITAL AND LUNCH IN NEW HOSPITAL.

WELL ORCHESTRATED, SAFE, HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS WITH THE PATIENT WHEN THEY ARE TRANSFERRED OVER, SO IT'S WELL THOUGHT OUT BEFORE WE GO INTO THE NEW BUILDING.

>> IS A LOT OF WORK LEFT TO DO, IT'S NOT OVER YET BUT NOW IT'S THE EXCITING TIME.

>> QUITE THE BUILDING.

MEANWHILE THE COLLEGE OF PHARMACY OF THE MEDICAL SCHOOL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, DULUTH COULD SOON BE PART OF DILUTES GROWING MEDICAL DISTRICT.

THE UNIVERSITY HAS PROPOSED: LOCATING THE PROGRAMS DOWNTOWN AND IS HOPING FOR APPROVAL FROM THE STATE LEGISLATOR.

HERE WITH MORE ON THAT PROPOSAL IS DIRECTOR -- DR. KEVIN DIEBEL, THE INTERIM REGIONAL CAMPUS DEAN AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA SCHOOL OF DULUTH CAMPUS IN DR. GRANT ANDERSON IS ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AND ENVIRONMENT HEAD WITH THE PHARMACY PROGRAM.

THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN.

BOTH OF YOU BEING HERE TONIGHT.

DR., WHAT'S THE VISION FOR THIS FACILITY NOW THAT YOU ARE GOING TO GO INTO IT?

>> THE VISION FOR THIS FACILITY FOR THE MEDICAL DISTRICT AND DULUTH IS TO HAVE A SHARED SPACE FOR THEIR COLLEGE OF PHARMACY AND SCHOOL OF MEDICINE TO SHARE PROGRAMMING AS FAR AS HIGH FIDELITY SIMULATION, TEACHING FOR PHARMACY STUDENTS, MEDICAL STUDENTS IN A SIMULATED ENVIRONMENT.

IT'S ALSO A SPACE FOR US TO HAVE FINICAL RESEARCH TAKING PLACE IN APPROXIMATELY EIGHT AND THE HOSPITAL SYSTEM AND IT'S ALSO A PLACE FOR US TO EXPAND OUR VISION AND FOOTPRINT OF WHAT MEDICAL TRAINING WOULD BE IN DULUTH WHERE WE CONTINUE TO OCCUPY OUR SPACE OF THE CAMPUS THAT EXTEND INTO THE MEDICAL DISTRICT FOR TRAINING THAT COULD INCLUDE THE YEARS THREE, FOUR, WHICH IS A HISTORICALLY PROVED PART OF THE PROGRAM.

>> SO YEARS THREE AND FOUR WILL BE PART OF THE PROGRAM.

>> THAT'S PART OF IT.

>> PREVIOUSLY AND MOVED OUT OF THE TWIN CITIES CAMPUS?

>> DULUTH WAS ESTABLISHED AS A YEAR ONE TO BASIC SCIENCE CAMPUS FOR PARTNERSHIP AND TRAINING IN OTHER LOCATIONS IN RIGHT NOW THAT'S IN THE TWIN CITIES.

>> DR. ANDERSON, MAYBE YOU CAN SPEAK A LITTLE BIT MORE BECAUSE PRIOR TO THIS EXPANSION OF THE MEDICAL DISTRICT DOWNTOWN, WE'VE ALWAYS HAD A THRIVING MEDICAL COMMUNITY, WHAT HAS THE RELATIONSHIP CURRENTLY BEEN FOR A FIRM RECEIVES SCHOOL, MEDICAL SCHOOL WITH ST. LUKE'S ESSENTIA?

>> WE'VE HAD AN ABSOLUTELY GREAT PARTNERSHIP WITH ST. LUKE'S ESSENTIA, OTHER CRITICAL ACCESS HOSPITALS IN THE AREA.

IF IT WASN'T FOR ST. LUKE'S AND ESSENTIA WANTING PHARMACY TO BE HERE IN THE FIRST PLACE BACK IN THE EARLY TO THOUSANDS, WE WOULD HAVE BEEN HERE.

THIS IS IN RESPONSE TO THEIR WORKFORCE NEEDS THAT WERE ARTICULATED BACK IN THE EARLY TO THOUSANDS THAT ARE STILL THERE.

SO OUR JOB IS TO PROVIDE -- WELL TRAINED PHARMACIST THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AND LOCALLY HERE IN OUR OWN HOME AND DULUTH.

>> DR. DIEBEL HEALTH CARE LOCALLY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR 30% OF TOTAL LOCAL EMPLOYMENT IN THE CITY OF DULUTH.

EVEN SO, THERE SEEMS TO BE A SHORTAGE OF NURSES.

IS THAT TRUE ACROSS THE ENTIRE STATE OR THE LARGEST SPECTRUM?

>> THAT IS TRUE.

A SHORT TERM OF NURSES CAN BE FELT THROUGHOUT THE IMPACT OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA LOCALLY AND DULUTH.

>> WHAT HE THAT IS?

>> THE SHORTAGE OF NURSES COULD BE DUE TO A LOT OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF DEMANDS AND WHERE NURSES DO THEIR PRACTICE, WHERE THEY DO THEIR TRAINING, HOW MANY INDIVIDUALS WANT TO GO INTO THAT PARTICULAR PROFESSION, PLUS THE BURNOUT ASSOCIATED WITH THE PANDEMIC THAT WAS JUST RECENTLY UPON US.

QUITE SWEAR WERE -- WHERE ARE WE IN THIS PROPOSAL TO COAL OK?

YOU HAVE AN IDEA OF WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE OR WHAT WAS A PROGRESS REPORT?

>> WE HAVE DONE A SPACE NEEDS ASSESSMENT BACK IN 2018, AND THE UNIVERSITY DOES THIS TO DETERMINE IF THERE'S A NEED FOR NEW INFRASTRUCTURE, AND IT WAS DETERMINED FOR PHARMACY AND MEDICINE IN THIS CAMPUS WE NEED NEW INFRASTRUCTURE.

SO WE HAVE A BILL THAT HAS BEEN PUT FORWARD BY THE REPRESENTATIVE AND SENATOR MCEWAN FROM HERE AND DULUTH HAVE PUT THESE BILLS FORWARD.

THEY BEEN ENTERED INTO THE PROCESS.

WE WILL SEE WHERE IT GOES FROM THERE.

THE LEGISLATOR HAS A LOT OF THINGS THEY ARE TRYING TO CONSIDER FUNDING AND THE UNIVERSITY HAS A LOT OF PROJECTS -- A LOT OF PROJECTS THEY PUT FORWARD.

WE HAVE THE LOCAL HEALTH SYSTEMS FROM THE CITY OF DULUTH, THE MAYOR, THIS IS REALLY A STRONG PROJECT, IT'S IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE HERE IN THE NORTHLAND TO KNOW THAT THE UNIVERSITY HAS FIVE CAMPUSES, THEY HAVE LOTS OF ASKS AND RIGHT NOW THERE'S ONLY FIVE ASKS OF INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE ENTIRE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM FOR THE LEGISLATION TO TRY TO FIND.

BUT WE ARE LOOKING FOR IS PLANNING MANY AND WE ARE ONE OF THE FIVE THAT SHOWS THE UNIVERSITY IS REALLY BEHIND THIS PROJECT AND HOPEFULLY WE GET THE FINAL ONE.

>> WERE KIND OF IMPACT WILL THIS HAVE STATEWIDE, FOR EXAMPLE?

>> A LARGE IMPACT.

IN THE COLLEGE AND PHARMACY, WE ARE THE ONLY COLLEGE IN PHARMACY.

SO WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR TRAINING PHARMACIST THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

WE HAVE A TRACK RECORD FOR HAVING PHARMACIST FROM UMD THAT ARE PRACTICING FROM ALL COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING RURAL COMMUNITIES.

SAME IS TRUE FOR MADISON.

THAT'S WHY WE ARE HERE BECAUSE MADISON IS HERE BEFORE ESAN HAS HAD THIS SAME IMPACT OVER THE MANY YEARS.

SO HAVING THIS NEW BUILDING WILL ALLOW US TO HAVE MORE EDUCATION TOGETHER FOR PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION, THIS IS HOW HEALTH CARE WORKS OUT.

IT'S IN TEAMS.

IT'S JUST SO COMPLICATED THAT PHARMACISTS POSITION -- PHYSICIAN OR NURSE WORKING IN ISOLATION IS NOT AS EFFECTIVE AS WORKING AS A TEAM.

>> 20 HOPE TO HAVE THIS UP AND RUNNING?

>> RIGHT NOW WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING THE MONEY FOR THE PREPLANNING AND PRECONSTRUCTION.

>> YOU THINK A LEGISLATOR WILL FUND WHAT YOU NEED?

>> WE ARE VERY HOPEFUL THAT IT WILL COME THROUGH AND THIS WILL TAKE ABOUT A YEAR TO DO THEIR PROJECT AND THEN WE WILL COME BACK WITH A SECOND ASK FOR THE ACTUAL MONEY FOR THE BUILDING ITSELF IN THE CONSTRUCTION COULD TAKE YEARS.

>> OUT WITH THIS IMPACT THE CURRENT BUILDINGS ON THE CAMPUS OR THE CURRENT PROGRAMMING ON THE CAMPUS?

>> WE PLAN AT THE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE TO RETAIN AND CONTINUE TO DO THE BASIC SCIENCE RESEARCH THAT WE HAVE ASSOCIATED WITH OUR CAMPUS ANSWER PROBABLY CONTINUE THE BASIC SCIENCE TRAINING AS WELL.

SO WE LOOK TO RETAIN THAT FOOTPRINT AT THE DULUTH CAMPUS AND EXPANDED TO THE MEDICAL DISTRICT.

>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE PLANNING MONEY IS REALLY HELPFUL FOR US TO PLAN.

WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO BE DOWNTOWN IS PROBABLY A QUESTION YOU HAVE.

WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO OR WE CURRENTLY RESIDE.

WE WILL FIGURE THAT OUT WE GET THIS MONEY.

BUT OUR PARTNERSHIP IS CRITICAL AND HAS BEEN TO WAY, WE REALLY BENEFIT BY BEING HERE ON THE CAMPUS.

IN THE CAMPUS BENEFITS ABOUT HAVING THE SCHOOL AND PHARMACY, AND WE ARE CERTAINLY NOT GOING TO BE LEAVING ENTIRELY THIS CAMPUS.

>> HAVE YOU SEEN THE GROWING RESPONSE OF STUDENTS WHO WANTED PHARMACY?

>> FOR PHARMACY ITS OPPOSITE.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS OF CONCERN ACROSS THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

WE HAVE 13,000 SEATS FOR PHARMACY STUDENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

142 SCHOOLS AND REALLY HAVE ABOUT 11,000 APPLICANTS AND WE ARE STARTING TO FEEL THAT I MINNESOTA.

WE ARE THE NUMBER THREE RING SCHOOL FOR PHARMACY AND THE ENTIRE COUNTRY AND WE ARE STARTING TO STRUGGLE AND WE ARE REALLY CONCERNED THAT IF WE DON'T TRAIN ENOUGH, WHAT WE WILL SEE IN THE FUTURE DOWN THE ROAD IN A FEW YEARS, WE NEED TO ADJUST THAT.

>> I WISH WE HAD MORE TIME TO TALK, WE SIMPLY DON'T.

DR. KEVIN FROM DULUTH MEDICAL SCHOOL AND DR. GRANT ANDERSON FROM THE PHARMACY PROGRAM.

PEOPLE FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING US.

♪ >> IT'S TIME NOW FOR VOICES OF THE REGION WHEN WE HEAR FROM AN AREA JOURNALIST ABOUT STORIES THEY ARE COVERING.

THIS WEEK OUR GUEST IS MARSHALL, PUBLISHER OF THE NEWS.

>> WE'VE BEEN REPORTING FOR THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS ON A SHOCKING CASE OF ABUSE OF OFFICIAL AUTHORITY IN VOYAGERS NATIONAL PARK, IN THE PARK SERVICES ABSOLUTE REFUSAL TO ADDRESS CONCERNS RAISED BY LOCAL RESIDENTS, AS WELL AS THE TEMPERATURE CHANGE.

THERE -- TO PARK RANGERS TASED A LOCAL BUSINESS OWNER TWICE ON HIS OWN BOAT WHILE HE WAS ASSISTING AN ELDERLY COUPLE WHO HAD PUT THEIR HOUSEBOAT ON ROCKS.

THE HOUSEBOAT WAS A RENTAL AND IT'S A LOCALLY OWNED BUSINESS THAT SERVED VISITORS IN THE PARK FOR DECADES.

WHEN THE HOUSEBOAT GROUND THE GROUND THEY CALL THE COMPANY OWNER FOR ASSISTANCE.

HE ARRIVES SOMETIME LATER AND MANAGED TO FREE THE HOUSEBOAT FROM THE ROCKS AND THEN HE DIRECTED THE COUPLE TO PILOT THE HOUSEBOAT INTO A NEARBY NARROWS THAT LEADS INTO A PROTECTED BAY SO HE COULD EXPECT -- INSPECT FOR ANY DAMAGE TO THE BOAT BEFORE LETTING THEM RESUME THEIR EXCURSION.

WAS A VERY WINDY DAY AT THE TIME, AND IT MADE IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE HOUSEBOAT, WHICH IS WHY HE WANTED TO GET THE BOAT MOVED TO A MORE PROTECTED LOCATION.

TWO PARK RANGERS HAD BEEN HANGING AROUND FOR SOME TIME WATCHING IT ALL.

AT ONE POINT BEFORE HE ARRIVED, THEY PULLED UP AND ASKED THE COUPLE ON THE HOUSEBOAT IF THEY WERE OK AND NEEDED ANY ASSISTANCE.

THE COUPLE SAID THEY WERE FINE AND THAT HELP WAS ON THE WAY.

SO THE PARK RANGERS PULLED AWAY BUT REMAINED IN THE GENERAL VICINITY.

EVERYTHING SEEMED TO BE GOING AS PLANNED UNTIL THE PARK RANGERS SUDDENLY ROARED UP TO THE HOUSEBOAT AS THE COUPLE WAS MANEUVERING INTO THE NARROWS AND DEMANDED THAT THEY PULL BACK AND HEAD INTO THE MAIN PART OF THE LAKE SO THEY COULD SPEAK TO THEM.

WE INTERVIEWED THE ELDERLY COUPLE WHO WERE FROM SOUTH DAKOTA, AND THEY SAID THE RANGERS OWNER -- WAS INEXPLICABLE GIVEN THE HIGH WINDS AND PROXIMITY TO THE SHORE AT THE TIME.

THEY RADIOED HIM AND TOLD THEM WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND HE TOLD THEM TO CONTINUE WITH THE PLAN AND THAT HE WOULD SPEAK TO THE RANGERS.

BUT THE RANGERS WEREN'T INTERESTED IN TALKING, INSTEAD WHEN HE RESISTED THEIR DEMANDS AND SUGGESTED THAT THEY TALK TO HIS CLIENTS ONCE THEY WERE IN A MORE PROTECTED LOCATION, THE TWO RANGERS BOARDED HIS BOAT AND TASED HIM TWICE, RENDERING HIM TEMPORARILY PARALYZED.

SINCE WE LEARNED OF THIS INCIDENT LAST SUMMER, THEY HAVE REPEATEDLY REQUESTED INFORMATION FROM THE NATIONAL GUARD SERVICE.

WE HAVE FORWARDED NUMEROUS QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BASIS FOR THE RANGERS ACTIONS IN LAST AUGUST WE FILED A FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST SEEKING THE CRIMINAL COMPLAINT THAT THE PARK SERVICE FILED AGAINST HIM ALONG WITH OTHER RECORDS, INCLUDING BODYCAM FOOTAGE.

TODAY, THE PARK SERVICE AS PROVIDED EXACTLY NOTHING.

NO RELEVANT RESPONSE TO THE THAT AND NO ANSWERS TO ANY QUESTIONS PERTAINING BOB.

I HAVE TO SAY IN MY 35 YEARS AS A REPORTER, I HAVE NEVER SEEN A PUBLIC INTERVIEW THAT HAS BEEN SO RESISTANT TO BASIC COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW IN THEIR OWN MEDIA GUIDELINES.

WE DON'T KNOW THE STATUS OF THE PARK RANGERS WHO ASSAULTED HIM OR WHETHER THEIR ACTIONS ARE UNDER ANY KIND OF INVESTIGATION.

THE ONLY WAY WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO GATHER INFORMATION IS THROUGH INTERVIEWS WITH HIM AT THE COUPLE WHO HAD RENTED THE HOUSEBOAT.

THAT COUPLE SAY THEY LOVE AMERICA'S NATIONAL PARKS BUT SAY THEY WILL NEVER VISIT THAT ONE AFTER THEIR EXPERIENCE.

AND THAT'S A CONCERN THAT MANY RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS AROUND THE PARK HAVE EXPRESSED IN RECENT MONTHS.

AND FINALLY, WE ARE REPORTING ON PLANS FOR SO-CALLED SECOND AMENDMENT TOWN HALL.

SAID TO BE HELD SATURDAY.

IT IS SPONSORED BY THE STATE GOP AND FEATURES LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE ROGER SCRUBBER AND SENATOR NATHAN WESTON BERG, A NEWLY ELECTED CONSERVATIVE FIREBRAND FROM DASH WHO AT A RALLY IN JANUARY SUGGESTED HIS SUPPORT FOR THE ARREST OF GOVERNOR TIM WALZ FOR HIS EMERGENCY ORDERS DURING THE COVERT PANDEMIC.

HE'S ALSO REFERRED TO THE COVID VACCINES AS DEATH SHOTS.

THE REPRESENTATIVE SAID HE HOPES TO HEAR FROM CONSTITUENTS ON A WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES, BUT IT'S LIKELY THAT GUN SAFETY LEGISLATION CURRENTLY MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE LEGISLATOR IS SPARKING SOME OF THE CONCERNS FROM GUN ADVOCATES.

THE TIMING OF THE EVENT HAS RAINCOAT -- RAISE CONCERNS OF GUN SAFETY REGULATIONS THAT IT'S PART OF AN EFFORT TO GET MINNESOTA COUNTIES TO REFUSE TO ENFORCE ANY STATE OR FEDERAL LAW THAT SOME VIEW AS RESTRICTING SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS.

THE NEIGHBORING COUNTY PASSED A RESOLUTION LAST MONTH AND THAT DECISION CAME UNDER CRITICISM OF THE COUNTY BOARD MEETING IN GRAND RAPIDS THIS WEEK ON TUESDAY.

NOT ONLY FOR THE WISDOM OF THE RESOLUTION BUT ALSO FOR THE WAY IT WAS HANDLED.

IT WAS A LAST-MINUTE ADDITION TO THE COUNTY BOARD, SO THERE WAS NO PUBLIC NOTICE THAT THE BOARD WOULD EVEN TAKE UP THE RESOLUTION.

AND SUPPORTERS OF THE RESOLUTION APPEARED TO HAVE HAD ADVANCE KNOWLEDGE THAT THE ITEM WOULD BE ADDED TO THE AGENDA AND THEY SHOWED UP TRYING TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF THE IDEAS.

MANY OF THOSE THAT APPEARED AT THIS WEEK'S MEETING ARE SUPPORTED TO REPEAL THE MEETING OR BRING IT FOR CONSIDERATION.

THE REPRESENTATIVE SAID THERE'S NO CONNECTION BETWEEN HIS TOWN HALL AND ANY OTHER PAST SIMILAR RESOLUTIONS.

BUT NOT EVERYONE IS CONVINCED.

>> AS THE SLED DOG RACING SEASON BEGINS TO WRAP UP IN OUR REGION, THE NORTHERN PINE SLED DOG RACE HAS WIDENED ITS PARAMETERS TO INCLUDE A DIVERSE FIELD OF RACERS.

PRODUCER MAKE MCGARVEY TRAVELED TO IRON RIVER, WISCONSIN TO BRING US BACK THIS REPORT.

CLICK WE ARE IN IRON RIVER, WISCONSIN AND THIS IS THE ANNUAL RUNNING OF THE NORTHERN PINES SLED DOG RACE, WHICH IS JUST A ONE DAY RACE.

>> THIS IS THE FIFTH YEAR, WE STARTED WITH 20 RACERS THE FIRST YEAR AND THIS YEAR WE HAVE 100 TEAMS THIS YEAR.

WE HAVE A 32 MILE MITT DISTANCE RACE, A 16 MILE SPRINT RACE, OUR FIRST TIME IN WISCONSIN WORLDWIDE WEIGHT PULL.

WE HAVE A FOUR DOG FOUR MILE RACE IN A SIX DOG EIGHT MILE RACE.

RACES GO THROUGH THE FOREST IN THE COUNTY FOR US AROUND HERE AND THEY ARE SHROUDED BY PETER FOR WHITE PINES, IT'S A WONDERFUL TRAIL.

>> ON THIS BEAUTIFUL CHORUS, ONE OF THE UNUSUAL COURSES WHERE YOU CAN SEE SO MUCH OF THE RACE WHERE THE DOGS GO OUT AND YOU WATCH THEM, AT LEAST AT THE START.

A LOT OF RACES THEY GO OUT INTO THE WOODS AND THEY'RE GONE.

BUT THAT'S ONE OF THE REAL NICE THINGS ABOUT THIS RACE.

QUICK STARTED WITH THE MITT DISTANCE RACE, HE SENT THEM OUT AND THERE'S ABOUT 20 OF THOSE, THEN THERE'S THE SPRINT RACE, AND I BELIEVE THERE'S 11 TEAMS IN THE SPRINT RACE.

THEY GO ABOUT 16 TO 20 MILES PER HOUR FOR 16 MILES, AND THOSE ARE MORE LIKE HOUND DOGS.

THAT'S AS OPPOSED TO THE HUSKY DOGS, LIKE ALASKAN HUSKIES AND SIBERIANS THAT ARE IN THE MID-DISTANCE.

WE TRIED REALLY HARD TO INCLUDE DIFFERENT MARCHING DISCIPLINE SO THAT WE BRING TOGETHER THE DIFFERENT GROUPS OF DOG PEOPLE AND WE LIKE TO DO PUBLIC EDUCATION ON MUSHING.

WE LIKE TO SUPPORT THE SPORT THIS WAY SO THAT WE BRING IN ALL THESE UNIQUE PEOPLE AND THEIR DOGS.

>> HISTORICALLY, WEIGHT PULL DOGS WERE USED TO DELIVER GROCERIES BEFORE CARS, LIKE HEARSES -- HORSES, THEY WERE WORK ANIMALS, SO PEOPLE WOULD GO TO THE STORE AND THEY WOULD PICK UP THEIR GEAR AND THEIR FOOD ON THE DOGS WOULD PULL THE SLED BACK HOME, SO THEY WERE CARGO ANIMALS.

SO THIS IS TO SORT OF REENACT THAT TIME WHERE PEOPLE TRAIN THEIR DOGS FOR STRENGTH AND ENDURANCE TO PULL HEAVY ITEMS.

AND PEOPLE CAN TRAIN THEIR OWN HOUSE PET TO DO THIS IF THEY WANT.

THEY'LL HAVE TO BE PROFESSIONAL TO COMPETE IN THIS RACE.

THIS IS A PRETTY IMPRESSIVE TYPE OF RACE WE HAVE HERE, BEING THAT IT'S THE FIRST IN WISCONSIN.

WE HAVE ABOUT 70 OR 80 VOLUNTEERS THAT HELP WITH THIS RACE ON.

IT'S PEOPLE WHO ARE MORE AND MORE INTERESTED COMING EVERY YEAR TO HELP US OUT.

>> I TALKED TO ONE PERSON LAST NIGHT WHO FILL VERY FORTUNATE THAT THEY COULD FIND A PLACE TO STAY.

I THINK IT FILLS UP THE AREA HOTELS, AND THERE'S JUST A LOT OF BUSINESS -- THE LOCAL BUSINESSES GET A LOT OF REVENUE, AND ADJUSTS ADD SOME ENTHUSIASM INTO THE LOCAL CULTURE.

>> IT'S GOOD TO HAVE A RACE IN THE COMMUNITY LIKE THIS THAT INVOLVE SOME NEW BUSINESSES AND ENCOURAGES PEOPLE OF ALL AGES TO GET INVOLVED.

A LOT OF THE OTHER RACES ARE VERY NARROW IN THEIR PERSPECTIVE, BUT WE BROADENED OUR PERSPECTIVE TO INCLUDE ALL ENDS OF THE RAINBOW AND HOPE THAT IT CONTINUES TO GROW.

GREG THANK YOU FOR THAT REPORT.

>> THANK YOU, IT HAS BEEN UP PLEASURE.

EXIT WAS VERY ENJOYABLE.

>> I'M DENNIS ANDERSON, HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND, GOOD NIGHT, EVERYBODY AND BE KIND.

♪ ONE