ALONG WITH JULIE ZENNER, HERE'S WHAT'S COMING UP ON ALMANAC NORTH!

JULIE: THE HOMEGROWN MUSIC FESTIVAL IS BACK AFTER TWO YEARS OF MOSTLY VIRTUAL EVENTS, AND THE TWIN PORTS IS READY TO CELEBRATE.

DENNIS: WE'LL HAVE A REPORT ON WHAT THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN MISSING THESE PAST TWO YEARS, AND TALK WITH CHRISTINE DEAN FROM THE NORTH 103.3 FM ABOUT THIS YEAR'S EVENT.

JULIE: AND WE WILL HAVE LIVE MUSIC IN THE STUDIO WITH DULUTH'S OWN DANCE ATTIC.

DENNIS: ALL THAT AND VOICES OF THE REGION, COMING UP ON ALMANAC NORTH!

♪ HELLO AND WELCOME TO ALMANAC NORTH, THANKS FOR WATCHING!

JULIE, THOUGH THE WEATHER ISN'T COOPERATING THERE ARE PLENTY OF SPRING ACTIVITIES COMING UP OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

JULIE: THERE CERTAINLY ARE.

WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT THOSE TONIGHT.

DENNIS: LET'S BEGIN WITH THE TOP STORIES.

JULIE: THANKS DENNY!

THERE WAS PROGRESS THIS WEEK AT THE STATE CAPITOL AS REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS CAME TO AGREEMENT ON SOME KEY ISSUES.

THE LEGISLATURE WILL REPLENISH MINNESOTA'S UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TRUST FUND TO THE TUNE OF $2.7 BILLION.

AND THEY AGREED TO A PLAN TO PAY BONUSES OF $750-DOLLARS TO WORKERS ON THE FRONTLINES DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC.

DENNIS: HIGH WATER LEVELS DUE TO SPRING RAINS AND SNOW RUN-OFF HAVE LED TO SOME ROAD AND BRIDGE CLOSINGS IN ST. LOUIS COUNTY.

A CRESTING STURGEON RIVER HAS FORCED A BRIDGE ON MURRAY ROAD NEAR LINDEN GROVE TO BE CLOSED.

AND WASH OUTS ON ROADS NEAR ORR AND GREANEY ARE UNDER REPAIR BY ST. LOUIS COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS CREWS.

JULIE: ELISE LARSON HAS BEEN APPOINTED TO REPLACE THE HONORABLE JUDGE JAMES FLOREY ON THE MINNESOTA COURT OF APPEALS.

GOVERNOR TIM WALZ MADE THE APPOINTMENT FOR THE SEAT DESIGNATED FOR A RESIDENT OF THE EIGHTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

LARSON IS A GRADUATE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA LAW SCHOOL AND IS THE SENIOR ATTORNEY AT THE MINNESOTA CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY.

DENNIS: AND THE DULUTH CITY COUNCIL THIS WEEK OKAYED A NEW THREE-YEAR CONTRACT WITH THE CITY'S LARGEST UNION.

AFSCME LOCAL 66 REPRESENTING ABOUT 450 CITY EMPLOYEES WILL GET A 3% WAGE HIKE THIS YEAR, 2% NEXT YEAR, AND ANOTHER 3% IN THE THIRD YEAR OF THE CONTRACT.

HEALTH CARE COVERAGE IS NOT COVERED IN THE NEW CONTRACT AND IS THE SUBJECT OF SEPARATE NEGOTIATIONS WITH CITY UNIONS.

JULIE: AFTER A ROUGH COUPLE OF YEARS FOR LIVE MUSIC HERE IN THE TWIN PORTS, IT WILL BE BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER WITH THIS YEAR'S HOMEGROWN MUSIC FESTIVAL.

THE EIGHT-DAY LOCAL MUSIC EXTRAVAGANZA HAS BEEN GROWING SINCE IT FIRST STARTED BACK IN 1999.

BUT THE PANDEMIC PUT A HALT TO THAT GROWTH UNTIL THIS YEAR.

PRODUCER MEGAN MCGARVEY SPOKE WITH THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ABOUT THE FESTIVAL, AND TO A MUSICIAN PLAYING HIS FIRST HOMEGROWN THIS YEAR.

♪ >> IT STARTED WITH DJ STAR FIRE WHO IS SCOTLAND.

IT WAS AN ORIGINAL BIRTHDAY PARTY.

THERE'S A POSTER HERE THAT TALKS ABOUT THE FIRST EVENT.

IT IS SUPER POPULAR.

ALTHOUGH LOCAL MUSICIANS APPLY TO PLAY.

WE HAVE 200 OF THEM PERFORMING THIS YEAR.

OVER 40 VENUES THROUGH H DAYS.

THE FESTIVAL IS DIFFERENT.

WE CAN LAST FOR EIGHT DAYS ON LOCAL MUSIC.

WE DON'T DO A LOT OF OUTREACH TO REGIONAL OR NATIONAL ACT THAT AREN'T FROM HERE.

WE GET A LOT OF APPLICATIONS FOR PEOPLE OUTSIDE.

THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER FESTIVALS IN THE AREA IS FARTHER AWAY THAT HAVE REACHED OUT AND ASKED FOR SUGGESTIONS OF ARTISTS THAT THEY COULD REACH OUT TO.

♪ >> ♪ JUST A LITTLE BIT JUST A LITTLE BIT LONGER JUST A LITTLE BIT JUST A LITTLE MORE DISTILLED MORE TIME ♪ >> THIS IS OUR FIRST YEAR AT HOMEGROWN.

MY FIRST YEAR AT HOMEGROWN.

WE WERE SUPPOSED TO PLAY BACK IN 2020 BUT THAT OBVIOUSLY FELL BY THE WAYSIDE.

THIS IS A PROJECT THAT I STARTED DOING ON MY OWN BACK IN 2014.

AT THE END OF 2018, ME AND SOME FRIENDS GOT TOGETHER AND ULTIMATELY STARTED PLAYING.

DECIDED TO GO THAT DIRECTION.

GLAD WE DID.

DULUTH AND SUPERIOR SEEMS LIKE THIS KIND OF WORLD INTO ITSELF.

ESPECIALLY IN THE MUSIC SCENE.

WHERE IT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER IF YOU ARE ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE OR NOT.

PEOPLE ARE STILL EXCITED TO COME AND SEE YOU.

♪ >> I THINK DULUTH SUPERIOR, THE TWIN PORTS REGION HAS BEEN SUCH AN INTEGRAL PART OF SUPPORTING LOCAL ARTISTS.

IT'S THE FAVORITE THING THAT PEOPLE SEEK OUT.

WHEN YOU GO TO VENUES, THE TRICK IS GETTING THE ATTENDANCE TO STAY YEAR ROUND.

YOU DO SEE THESE VENUES CONTINUING TO SUPPORT THE ARTISTS AND THE ARTISTS WANTING TO GET UP THERE AND PLAY.

ESPECIALLY WITH THE PANDEMIC IN A BETTER SITUATION THEN IT WAS AND PEOPLE GETTING BACK TO LIVE MUSIC.

A LOT OF LOCAL VENUES HAVE EXPANDED THEIR OUTDOOR SEATING AREA.

THAT HAS BEEN AN AMAZING THING.

WE ARE EXCITED FOR THAT.

THERE'S AN OPTION AT MANY VENUES TO BE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE.

♪ >> IF YOU ARE A LOCAL ARTIST, THERE IS FUNDING.

HOMEGROWN IS HELPING TO PROMOTE A GRANT.

INFORMATION FOR THAT CAN BE FOUND ON THE WEBSITE.

THERE'S AN APPLICATION LINK.

IT'S A GREAT GRAND.

THERE'S A FIRST AND SECOND PRIZE.

THERE'S ALSO A DENTAL PACKAGE FOR THE GRAND PRIZE WINNER.

IT'S A PRETTY FLUID USE OF THE MONEY AS WELL.

TRAMPLED BY TURTLES SUPPORTING LOCAL ARTISTS.

THEY GOT THEIR START IN DULUTH AND PLAYED MANY HOMEGROWN'S OVER THE YEARS.

WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

>> A GREAT COUPLE YEARS WITH NO SHOWS.

REALLY NICE TO BE BACK DOING THAT.

>> ♪ >> I'M EXCITED TO SEE THE COMMUNITY OUT IN PERSON AGAIN, SUPPORTING THE LOCAL MUSIC AND ART SCENE.

♪ JULIE: IT'S GOING TO BE A BIG JULIE: IT'S GOING TO BE A BIG WEEK FOR MUSIC!

JOINING US NOW TO TELL US MORE ABOUT THIS YEAR'S FESTIVAL IS CHRISTINE DEAN, THE NORTH 103.3'S MUSIC DIRECTOR.

WELCOME CHRISTINE, THANKS FOR BEING HERE!

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

JULIE: IT HAS TO BE EXCITING.

EXCITING TO BE BACK LIVE THIS YEAR.

CHRISTINE: IT REALLY IS.

THE THINGS THAT HAPPENED, HOMEGROWN DID A NICE JOB OF PUTTING TOGETHER VIRTUAL THINGS BUT IT WASN'T THE SAME.

SITTING ON YOUR COUCH WATCHING A VIDEO ISN'T THE SAME AS BEING OUT THERE.

THERE ARE SO MONEY THINGS FOR PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN GOING TO HOMEGROWN FOR A LONG TIME.

MAKING SURE THAT YOU SEE THOSE PEOPLE THAT YOU SEE OUT AT HOMEGROWN, EVERYBODY WISHES EACH OTHER HAPPY HOMEGROWN.

TO BE ABLE TO BE OUT THERE, WALKING DOWN THE STREET, PASSING OTHER PEOPLE.

IT WILL BE SO FUN.

DENNIS: EACH CITY SEEMS TO HAVE ITS OWN MUSIC.

DULUTH HAS ITS MUSIC.

HOW DOES LOCAL MUSIC KEEP PEOPLE GROUNDED IN THEIR COMMUNITIES?

CHRISTINE: ESPECIALLY HERE IN DULUTH WHERE WE HAVE SOME LONG WINTERS, WE NEED THINGS TO BRING US TOGETHER.

MUSIC IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT GIVES PEOPLE AN OPPORTUNITY TO COME TOGETHER.

JUST TO BE ABLE TO CELEBRATE THE MUSIC OF YOUR HOMETOWN, THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

THERE IS SO MUCH COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE VARIOUS BANDS.

I HAD SOMEBODY AT THE STUDIO TODAY WHO IS IN SIX BANDS.

JIMMY AND SUSIE ARE COLLABORATING IN SEVERAL BANDS.

THEY HAVE THREE BANDS FOR HOMEGROWN.

IT'S JUST A REALLY INTERCONNECTED AND VERY SOCIAL AND NICE COMMUNITY FEELING.

JULIE: WHAT DOES THE LINEUP LOOK LIKE THIS YEAR IN TERMS OF THE DIVERSITY OF THE MUSICIANS, MUSIC, MAY BE SOME OF YOUR PERSONAL FAVORITES?

CHRISTINE: ONE THING I REALLY THINK THAT HOMEGROWN DOES WELL IS THAT THEY TRY TO PICK A WIDE VARIETY OF MUSIC.

YOU COULD BE SEEING A HIP-HOP ARTIST IN ONE VENUE AND THEN YOU COULD BE SEEING CLOG OR OR FIDDLERS IN THE NEXT VENUE.

THERE'S JUST SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY.

SOME OF THE THINGS THAT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO.

COMING UP ON TUESDAY, THERE WAS A SHOW THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A SECRET SHOW BUT THEY UNVEILED THE SECRET.

IT'S A BAND CALLED CARS AND TRUCKS.

THEY HAVEN'T PLAYED IN SEVEN YEARS.

EVERYONE IS EXCITED AROUND THAT.

I'M EXCITED FOR WEDNESDAY.

SHE HAS BEEN PLAYING ACOUSTICALLY FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS.

SHE'S BEEN DOING SOME REGULAR ACOUSTIC DISC -- GUITAR STUFF.

WHEN SHE REALLY PULLS OUT THE STOPS AND PERFORMS, SHE HAS THESE STACKED KEYBOARDS AND STREAMERS.

SHE DRESSES VERY DRAMATICALLY.

I'VE HEARD THAT SHE HAS SOME NEW SONGS.

I THINK WE ARE ALL EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

I'M VERY MUCH LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING HER BREAK OUT THE KEYBOARD FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A FEW YEARS.

SUPERIOR SIREN IS A WONDERFUL BAND.

IT'S ALWAYS WONDERFUL TO SEE THEM.

I THINK THAT THEY ARE A BAND THAT IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THEM, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THEM.

DENNIS: THE RADIO STATION YOU'RE WORKING FOR IS HOSTING SEVERAL LIVE SESSIONS THIS WEEK.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THAT?

CHRISTINE: WE'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR YEARS.

WE CALL IT HOMEGROWN WEEK.

WE HAVE A DIFFERENT BAND EVERY DAY.

WE DID ONE EARLIER TODAY THAT WAS A LOT OF FUN.

THAT WILL BE ON OUR WEBSITE.

I TRIED TO PICK BANDS THAT PERHAPS HAVEN'T BEEN IN OUR STUDIO BEFORE AND MIGHT BE NEW PEOPLE.

WE HAVE A WHOLE SELECTION THIS WEEK OF BANDS THAT WE HAVEN'T HAD BEFORE.

ROBIN WRIGHT WILL BE WITH US ON MONDAY.

TUESDAY, ALBERTO DEL TORO.

YOU CAN FIND THE REST OF THEM ONLINE.

WE WILL HAVE A LIST OF WHO IS COMING UP.

IT IS FUN AND WE SHARED THEM ON OUR WEBSITE.

GET TO KNOW NEW MUSIC.

THERE'S ALWAYS NEW MUSIC AND NEW ENERGY COMING UP IN THE MUSIC SCENE AND THAT IS REALLY FUN.

JULIE: DO YOU USE HOMEGROWN AS A WAY TO SCOUT THE NEW TALENT IN TOWN?

CHRISTINE: YOU KNOW, THAT'S ONE OF THE FUN THINGS ABOUT IT.

THERE'S ALWAYS MY FAVORITES THAT I WANT TO GO SEE.

THE BAND THAT STARTED IT ALL.

I LIKE TO SEE THEM.

JIMMY AND SUSIE ARE IN THAT BAND AS WELL.

THEY ARE PLAYING MONDAY AT DULUTH CIDER.

THERE'S THOSE OLD FAVORITES BUT YOU CAN GO DOWN THE STREET AND SEE SOMEBODY NEW.

CHECKING OUT ALL THESE PEOPLE THAT YOU WOULD NOT HAVE SEEN OTHERWISE.

DISCOVERING THINGS THAT YOU GROW TO LOVE IS PART OF THE FUN OF HOMEGROWN.

IF YOU STICK TO THE THINGS THAT YOU ALREADY KNOW AND LOVE, YOU ARE NOT HAVING THE FULL HOMEGROWN EXPERIENCE.

I JUST NEED YOU TO KNOW THAT.

DENNIS: HOW DIVERSE IS THE MUSIC IN THE HOMELAND?

CHRISTINE: THERE ARE METAL BANDS, HIP-HOP PEOPLE, PERFORMERS, SOUL BANDS, COUNTRY BANDS.

THERE'S A WIDE VARIETY OF MUSIC FOR SURE.

JULIE: WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO EXPERIENCE HOMEGROWN?

CHRISTINE: I THINK IT VARIES FOR EVERYONE.

I HAVE SOMETHING THAT I'VE ALWAYS DONE CALLED THE THREE SONG RULE.

IF I WANT TO MAKE SURE I SEE A LOT OF BANDS, I MAKE SURE I STAY FOR THREE SONGS.

YOU CAN'T GET A FEEL FOR A BAND IF YOU JUST GO FOR ONE.

IF IT'S A PUNK BAND, THOSE THREE SONGS COULD BE FIVE-MINUTE LONG.

THEIR SONGS ARE SO SHORT.

JUST A SAMPLE A LOT OF DIFFERENT STUFF.

THAT'S ONE WAY TO DO IT.

ANOTHER WAY IS, MAYBE WOULD NEVER -- RATHER NOT RUSH AROUND HAD YOU WOULD LIKE TO FIND A FEW THINGS THAT YOU KNOW YOU WILL ENJOY.

PLAN TO BE THERE WITH FRIENDS FOR THE NIGHT.

THAT'S PERFECTLY LEGITIMATE AS WELL.

WHATEVER WORKS FOR PEOPLE.

DENNIS: MANY PEOPLE MIGHT BE ASKING, WHERE CAN I GET THIS MUSIC?

CHRISTINE: IT IS HELD ALL OVER TOWN.

EACH NIGHT HAS A DIFFERENT PART OF TOWN.

FOR EXAMPLE, MONDAY NIGHT HAS BEEN ADDED IN THE MOST RECENT HOMEGROWN SETTLING CAN PARK NIGHT.

YOU WILL FIND BANDS ALL UP AND DOWN THE STREET ON LINCOLN PARK.

DENNIS: HOW CAN THE PLUG -- PUBLIC PLUG INTO IT?

CHRISTINE: YOU CAN PICK UP ONE OF THESE GUIDES.

THE COVER ON THIS WAS DONE BY EMILY COOK.

SHE DEAD SUCH A BEAUTIFUL JOB.

THE GUYS ARE AROUND TOWN AND ALL SORTS OF VENUES.

YOU CAN ALSO GO TO DULUTH HOMEGROWN.ORG AND YOU SHOULD KNOW, THE GUYS -- GUIDES WERE PRINTED A LITTLE BIT AGO.

IF THERE ARE CHANGES, THEY WILL SHOW UP ON THE WEBSITE.

IF YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS SOMETHING, DOUBLE CHECK ON THE WEBSITE.

YOU CAN HAVE THAT ON YOUR PHONE AND KEEP UP WITH WHERE THINGS ARE HAPPENING FOR THE NIGHT.

JULIE: YOU'VE BEEN WATCHING THIS FOR A LOT OF YEARS.

WHAT YOU THINK OF THE WAY THE FESTIVAL HAS EVOLVED?

CHRISTINE: YEAH.

THE FIRST YEAR, IT WAS TWO NIGHTS.

NOT VERY MANY PEOPLE.

NOW IT'S 200 BANDS.

I'M NOT SURE HOW MANY THERE ARE THIS YEAR.

IT'S EXCITING.

IT'S A FUN THING.

TO SEE PEOPLE -- LUISA MENTIONED IN THE VIDEO THAT THE TRICK IS TO GET PEOPLE TO COME OUT ALL YEAR LONG.

THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE THAT COME OUT FROM HOMEGROWN.

I'VE WATCH THAT GROW AND PEOPLE COME FROM OUT OF TOWN TO GO TO IT.

WATCHING PEOPLE GET THAT EXCITED ABOUT LOCAL MUSIC IS REALLY FUN FOR ME.

I'M EXCITED ABOUT LOCAL MUSIC AND I WANT OTHER PEOPLE TO BE.

JULIE: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

HAVE FUN AT HOMEGROWN.

AND WE JUST CAN'T END THIS DISCUSSION WITHOUT A LITTLE LIVE MUSIC IN THE STUDIO!

HERE TO GET US READY FOR HOMEGROWN IS SUZI LUDWIG ON THE ACCORDION AND JIMI COOPER ON GUITAR.

TOGETHER, THEY ARE DANCE ATTIC.

TAKE IT AWAY.

♪ [UNINTELLIGIBLE HE WRECKS] --/-- [UNINTELLIGIBLE LYRICS] >> ♪ MOVED ON MY OWN GOT A GROWN-UP JOB AND A FAMILY THEN ONE DAY I NEARLY JUMPED OUT OF BED IT WAS A SHOCK FOR ME TO SEE I'M LIVING WITH A BEAR I'M LIVING WITH A COUNTRY BEAR SIX FEET TALL WITH A REAL MEAN AND HE NEVER COMBS HIS HAIR HE WAKES UP WITH A GRUMBLE AND HE'LL IMPOSE EVERYWHERE.

I CARE ABOUT LIVING WITH A BEAR YOU MIGHT SEE ME IN A SHOP DOWNTOWN OR A GROCERY STORE AND THINK I LOOK SO CIVILIZED I'M TELLING YOU WHAT THERE'S MORE NONE OF MY FRIENDS COULD HAVE A CLUE SO NORMAL I APPEAR TO BE I MIGHT AS WELL FLY IN A UFO LIKE A STRANGER WHEN YOU ARE LIVING WITH A BEAR I'M LIVING WITH A MEAN COUNTRY BEAR SIX FEET TALL WITH A MEAN GROWL AND HE NEVER COMES HIS HAIR HE WAKES UP WITH A GRUMBLE AND HE LUMBERS EVERYWHERE I DON'T CARE ABOUT LIVING WITH A BEAR ♪ FIRST I THOUGHT I MIGHT SOMEHOW GET USED TO HIM ASK MYSELF HOW HARD IT COULD BE THEN HE GROWLS THAT EVERYTHING LIFE HAS BECOME UNBEARABLE TO ME BECAUSE I'M LIVING WITH A BEAR I'M LIVING WITH A MEAN COUNTRY BEAR SIX FEET TALL WITH A MEAN GROWL AND HE NEVER COMES HIS HAIR HE WAKES UP WITH A GRUMBLE AND HE LUMBERS EVERYWHERE AND I CARE ABOUT LIVING WITH A BEAR I CAN'T SEEM TO TAME HIM NOW HE'S OWNER RIAZ CAN BE AIN'T NO ROOM FOR THE TWO OF US IN HOME WITH THE FAMILY I TOLD THE BEAR HE DIDN'T BELONG AND HE SHOULD CLIMB A TREE HE BETTER GET LOST AND FIND HIS WAY IN THE FOREST AS THE PACE TO BE AND I'M LIVING WITH A BEAR I MEAN COUNTRY BEAR SIX WE TELL WITH A MEAN GROWL AND HE NEVER COMES HIS HAIR HE WAKES UP WITH A GRUMBLE AND HE LUMBERS EVERYWHERE AND I DON'T CARE BUT I'M LIVING WITH A BEAR YOU MIGHT NOT CARE BUT I'M LIVING WITH A BEAR ♪ ♪ DENNIS: IT'S TIME NOW FOR VOICES OF THE REGION.

EACH WEEK WE TALK WITH AN AREA JOURNALIST ABOUT THE STORIES THEY ARE COVERING.

OUR GUEST TODAY IS HEIDO HOLTAN WITH KAXE COMMUNITY RADIO FROM GRAND RAPIDS.

♪ HEIDO: WE RECENTLY SET ASIDE A WEEK TO TALK ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY AND THE FUTURE OF OUR REGION.

ONE OF OUR GUESTS WAS BOB BLAKE, THE OWNER OF SOLAR BEAR.

HE SPOKE AT THE IRON RANGER FEST ABOUT HOW NATIVE NATIONS ARE LEADING THE WAY IN RENEWABLE ENERGY.

HE WAS PASSIONATE ABOUT HOW EACH DAY, 100,000 TERAWATTS OF ENERGY COME FROM THE SUN WHILE HUMAN BEINGS ON THE PLANET USE ONLY 17 TERAWATTS.

BOB IS ALSO A PARTNER IN THE NONPROFIT NATIVE SON COMMUNITY POWER DEVELOPMENT.

>> WE RECEIVED A $7 MILLION GRANT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, THE HIGHEST AWARD HE AROUND THE COUNTRY.

WE ARE BUILDING AN ELECTRICAL VEHICLE CHARGING NETWORK AND BACK TO THE TWIN CITY.

WE HOPE TO DO SOME TRAINING.

WE WILL BE BUYING A BUNCH OF VEHICLES TO PUT INTO THESE COMMUNITIES.

IT'S EXCITING AND WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.

IT'S ABOUT CREATING JOBS AND OPPORTUNITIES.

THIS IS THE ECONOMIC DRIVER FOR THE FUTURE.

FOR THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, I THINK MINNESOTA COULD BE A LEADER IN THE RENEWABLE ENERGY FUTURE.

♪ HEIDO: ANOTHER STORY THAT WE COVERED RECENTLY WAS ABOUT THE BUSINESS OF LOCAL HONEY.

EILEEN MENEFEE OPERATES A RANCH AND WAS RECENTLY OUT IN CALIFORNIA GETTING A BATCH OF BEES FOR THIS SEASONS HONEY.

pTHEY AREN'T SURE HOW THE WARM WEATHER LOVING CALIFORNIA BEES ARE GOING TO FAIR IN THIS YEAR'S LATE SPRING IN THE NORTH LAND.

EILEEN TOLD US MORE ABOUT SELLING HONEY TO LOCAL BUSINESSES.

>> ALL YEAR ROUND, WHEN YOU BOTTLE HONEY OR STORE IT, WE ARE DELIVERING.

WE DELIVERED THREE 50 GALLON BARRELS TO 1ST STREET BAKERY.

THEY'VE BEEN GETTING HONEY SINCE THEY OPENED.

WE HAVE A BARREL OF HONEY THAT'S LIKE 800 POUNDS.

THEY GO THROUGH THOSE PER MONTH.

♪ HEIDO: WE JUST ANNOUNCED THE SECOND ANNUAL RAND RAPIDS RIVERFEST ON SEPTEMBER 10.

IT'S A BIG DEAL FOR A SMALL TOWN LIKE GRAND RAPIDS TO HOST THE CALIBER OF FARMERS THAT HAVE BEEN SET UP.

THE HEADLINER IS WILCO.

TOM PAGEL IS THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR AND HE TALKED ABOUT HOW THE FESTIVAL IS REALLY ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

HE TOLD US THAT GRAND RAPIDS NEEDS PEOPLE FOR JOBS.

THERE ARE NEW JOBS COMING INTO THE REGION LIKE EXPANSION OF ASP MYANMAR WHICH IS EXPECTED TO CREATE 300 NEW JOBS THANKS TO ASSISTANCE FROM THE IRON RANGE RESOURCES AND REHABILITATION BOARDS.

LOANS AND GRANTS FROM THE MINUTE -- MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT.

THERE IS SLATED TO BE $6.7 MILLION IN PRIVATE FUNDING FOR THIS PROJECT AS WELL.

ALSO ON THE HORIZON IN TERMS OF JOBS IS THE NEW PROJECT.

TOSHA CONNOLLY IS THE CITY COUNSELOR AND LAST WEEK, SHE HAD THIS TO SAY.

>> WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL IS THAT IT SHOWCASES VALUE WHICH IS PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESIDENTS AND ALL PEOPLE.

THEY WILL BE ABLE TO SHARE THAT VISION AND VALUES.

IT'S GOING TO BE FANTASTIC.

HEIDO: TICKETS GO ON SALE ON SATURDAY.

THE FIRST 500 TICKETS THAT ARE SOLD, YOU GET IN AN HOUR EARLY SO YOU CAN PUT DOWN YOUR BLANKET OR YOUR TARP TO BE CLOSE TO THE STAGE.

♪ JULIE: WE'RE ALMOST OUT OF TIME, BUT YOU CAN KEEP UP WITH OUR LATEST UPDATES BY FOLLOWING ALMANAC NORTH ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.

VISIT THE WDSE WEBSITE FOR PROGRAM UPDATES AND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE STATION.

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

IT WILL BE GOOD TO SEE PEOPLE GATHERING AGAIN FOR LIVE MUSIC DENNY!

DENNIS: THERE IS SO MUCH GOING ON HERE IN TOWN THIS WEEK.

JUST GET OUT AND ENJOY.

JULIE: LOTS OF CREATIVITY AND ENERGY.

THANKS TO OUR GUESTS AND OUR CREW IN THE STUDIO.

WE'LL LEAVE YOU WITH MORE LIVE MUSIC FROM DANCE ATTIC.

WITH DENNIS ANDERSON, I'M JULIE ZENNER, WE WILL SEE YOU NEXT TIME!

♪ >> ♪ SINCE I'VE BEEN SEEING YOU THE WHOLE WORLD SEEMS TO BE BRAND-NEW HARDLY TOUCH THE GROUND EVERY TIME YOU COME AROUND I'M HAPPY AS A FULL NOW THAT I'VE BEEN LOVING YOU I DON'T WANT TO BE WITHOUT YOU NO WAY ♪ MY FRIENDS KEEP TELLING ME I'M LUCKY AS A GUY CAN BE FEEL LIKE A LUCKY CHARM WHEN I HOLD YOU IN MY ARMS LIFE WAS A MYSTERY UNTIL I FOUND THAT YOUR FOR ME I DON'T WANT TO BE WITHOUT YOU NO WAY I DON'T WANT TO BE WITHOUT YOU BEFORE I MET YOU LOVE I GOT PUSHED AROUND TO THE GROUND IA SEEM TO BE SO UNFAIR NO GIRL WOULD TREAT ME RIGHT NIGHT AFTER NIGHT JUST CRYING THINGS WOULD GO NOWHERE ♪ NOW I'M FEELING FINE HOLDING YOU AND SHARING LINE YOU MEAN THE WORLD TO ME AND I'M LUCKY AS A CHI CAN BE WE ALWAYS GET ALONG SO I WROTE THIS LITTLE SONG I DON'T WANT TO BE WITHOUT YOU NO WAY I DON'T WANT TO BE WITHOUT YOU HERE WE GO ♪