DENNIS: I'M DENNIS ANDERSON ALONG WITH JULIE ZENNER, HERE'S WHAT'S COMING UP ON ALMANAC NORTH!

JULIE: IT'S COMMUNITY ACTION DULUTH MONTH, WE'LL FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS IMPORTANT LOCAL AGENCY AND THE WORK IT IS DOING.

>> THE DEPOT FOUNDATION HELD ITS "CIRCLE OF FRIENDS" ARTS AND CULTURE AWARDS CELEBRATION THIS WEEK, WE'LL HEAR FROM SOME OF THOSE HONORED.

>> AND PRESERVATIONISTS ARE RAISING MONEY TO MARK THE ROUTE OF DULUTH'S FAMED INCLINE RAILWAY.

>> THOSE STORIES AND VOICES OF THE REGION, UP NEXT ON ALMANAC NORTH!

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

JULIE, A LOT OF ANGLERS ARE GETTING READY TO HIT THE WATER FOR THE MINNESOTA FISHING OPENER SATURDAY!

>> IT LOOKS LIKE THE ICE IS OUT ON MOST OF THE AREA.

THAT WAS A CONCERN.

>> MORE ON FISHING LATER IN THE SHOW, LET'S GET TO THE HEADLINES: JULIE: THANKS DENNY!

SUPERIOR-BASED AMSOIL ANNOUNCED TODAY IT HAS ACQUIRED MILWAUKEE'S "BENZ OIL" AND ITS LINE OF COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL FLUIDS.

THE 125-YEAR OLD BENZ OIL MANUFACTURES INDUSTRIAL SPECIALTY FLUIDS AND METAL WORKING FLUIDS.

AMSOIL PIONEERED SYNTHETIC LUBRICATION TECHNOLOGY AND IS A LEADER IN THE INDUSTRY.

DENNIS: ROAD CONSTRUCTION BEGINS MONDAY ON A NEW ROUNDABOUT AT THE INTERSECTION OF HIGHWAY 2 AND HIGHWAY 194.

WORK WILL INCLUDE REPAVING HIGHWAY 2 FROM INDEPENDENCE ROAD TO HIGHWAY 194.

MOTORISTS CAN EXPECT LANE AND SHOULDER CLOSURES IN THE WORK AREA, WITH A DETOUR SET UP EARLY IN JUNE.

>> THE CITY OF DULUTH IS ONE OF ELEVEN COMMUNITIES IN THE NATION SELECTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY TO CONSTRUCT A GEOTHERMAL HEATING DISTRICT.

THE $700-THOUSAND DOLLAR AWARD WILL ALLOW DULUTH, ECOLIBRIUM 3 AND EVERGREEN ENERGY TO PLAN A GEOTHERMAL SYSTEM IN LINCOLN PARK USING WASTE HEAT FROM WLSSD.

IF THE ENERGY DEPARTMENT APPROVES DULUTH'S PLAN, THE SECOND PHASE OF FUNDING WOULD ALLOW CONSTRUCTION OF THE GEOTHERMAL HEATING DISTRICT.

>> MAY IS "COMMUNITY ACTION DULUTH" MONTH, WITH A NUMBER OF SPECIAL EVENTS PLANNED TO CELEBRATE AND RAISE MONEY FOR THE ORGANIZATION.

COMMUNITY ACTION'S MISSION IS TO ELIMINATE POVERTY IN THE CITY, THROUGH A SERIES OF COORDINATED COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS.

HERE TO TELL US MORE IS CLASSIE DUDLEY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ACTION DULUTH.

WELCOME, THANKS FOR BEING HERE!

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME BACK.

COMMUNITY ACTION DULUTH IS EXACTLY THAT.

IT IS MERELY ACTION IN DULUTH, WE ARE HERE TO FIGHT POVERTY.

>> TALKED US ABOUT SOME OF THE WAYS IN WHICH MERELY ACTION HELPS BREAK DOWN BARRIERS THAT KEEP PEOPLE IN POVERTY.

>> IS DEFINITELY A TWO-PRONGED APPROACH DOING UPSTREAM INITIATIVES AND ON THE PEOPLE MEETING THEM WHERE THEY'RE AT, RADICAL HOSPITALITY, BITING THE BARRIERS THAT CREATE POVERTY.

WE FOCUS ON A HOLISTIC APPROACH HELPING PEOPLE WITH HOUSING, FINANCIAL COACHING, GETTING JOBS, AND MAINTAINING THEM STATE OUT OF POVERTY.

DENNIS: HOW TO COMMUNITY ACTION GET START?

>> IT STARTED WAY BACK WITH PRESIDENT JACKSON WHO STARTED COMMUNITY ACTION.

THERE ARE 24 IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AND WE HAVE A FEW IN THE TRIBAL RESERVATIONS AS WELL.

JULIE: I WAS READING ON COMMUNITY ACTION MONTH.

PART OF IT IS FOR EVERY ONE DOLLAR INVESTED, $14 IS RETURNED.

TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT AND WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE IN REAL LIFE.

HOW DOES THAT ONE DOLLAR INVESTMENT GENERATE $14?

GUEST: IF YOU DON'T KNOW, POVERTY INCREASES OUR TAXES.

THE SYSTEMS OF POVERTY CREATES OR POVERTY AND THAT'S THE WAY WE ARE WRITING CAPITALISM AS IT STANDS RIGHT NOW.

WE TOTALLY DON'T HAVE TO.

THE INCOME THAT COMES INTO OUR POCKETS IN COMMUNITY ACTION GOES BACK TO OUR PROGRAMMING, THE COMMUNITY, PARTICIPANTS TO KEEP THEM OUT OF THAT CYCLE WHICH LOWERS OUR TAXES SO WE AREN'T PAYING OUT ON THE COMMUNITY POT TO ELIMINATE POVERTY.

SEATS ASSIST DUTCH SEEDS OF SUCCESS, WE DO A COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT TO GARNER WHAT THE NEEDS ARE TO ELIMINATE POVERTY WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.

IT WAS CREATED BECAUSE THERE ARE FOOD DESERTS IN OUR COMMUNITY ESPECIALLY IN THE WEST.

THERE IS NOT AN AFFORDABLE GROCERY STORE IN THAT AREA AND NOT A WAY TO GET HEALTHY FOOD AND GROCERIES.

THE SEEDS OF SUCCESS PROGRAM HAS A LOT OF DIFFERENT PROGRAMMING UNDERNEATH IT, BUT IT WAS CREATED TO GET RID OF THAT FOOD ACCESS ISSUE THAT WE HAVE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THAT PROGRAM IS GROWING RAPIDLY.

WE NEED A LOT MORE SUPPORT TO MAINTAIN THE NEED WE ARE SEEING IN OUR COMMUNITY.

JULIE: SEEDS OF SUCCESS GROWS FOOD.

YOU ALSO HAVE A MOBILE MARKET.

YES, THAT WHOLE PROGRAM IS GARNERED TO ELIMINATE FOOD ACCESS.

WE DRIVE AROUND WITH THE MOBILE MARKET TO PEOPLE WHO CAN'T ACCESS A GROCERY STORE THAT IS AFFORDABLE.

WE ARE LITERALLY THAT, A MOBILE MARKET A MOBILE GROCERY STORE.

WE ALSO HAVE THE DEEP WINTER GREENHOUSE.

WE PARTNER WITH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND TEACH THEM ABOUT GARDENING AND MAINTAINING AND ACCESS, ALL THAT GOOD STUFF.

DENNIS: TELL US ABOUT THE UPCOMING TREEPLANTING.

OUR STREAM CORE OPERATION, WE DO A LOT OF INVASIVE SPECIES AND THAT'S A TRANSITIONAL WORKFORCE PROGRAM.

WE ARE GETTING PEOPLE IN THE DOOR, LEARNING ABOUT THE SPECIES, LEARNING ABOUT HOW TO PREVENT THESE TYPES OF THINGS FROM HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY THAN SENDING THEM OFF TO HIGHER-PAYING JOBS AND ELIMINATING THAT BAY AREA FOR EDUCATION THAT THEY MIGHT NOT GET -- ELIMINATING THE BARRIER FOR EDUCATION.

THIS IS IN SUPPORT FOR THAT PROGRAM AND TREEPLANTING IS WHERE IT IS.

WE NEED TREES TO SURVIVE, WE NEED PLANTS, COME HELP US.

[LAUGHTER] WE HAVE HUNDREDS OF TREES TO PLANT.

DENNIS: NO KIDDING.

JULIE: COMMUNITY ACTION DULUTH ALSO ADMINISTERS THE FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITY CENTER.

WHAT CAN PEOPLE FIND AND HOW CAN THAT RESOURCE AND THE COMMUNITY HELP PEOPLE?

GUEST: ANYBODY CAN WALK THROUGH THE DOOR, BUT WHAT WE ARE SEEING IS IF YOU ARE COMING IN BECAUSE YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A JOB, YOU ALSO GET FINANCIAL COACHING.

IF YOU'RE COMING IN TO DO YOUR TAXES, YOU WILL GET FINANCIAL COACHING.

IF YOU'RE COMING IN FOR HELP WITH TRANSPORTATION, YOU ARE GOING TO GET FINANCIAL COACHING BECAUSE WE ARE TRYING TO GET PEOPLE OUT OF POVERTY.

ONCE YOU GET MONEY, YOU MIGHT NEED TO KNOW HOW TO SPEND IT, INVESTED IT, MAINTAIN IT.

THAT'S WHAT THE CENTER IS ALL ABOUT.

JULIE: TALK ABOUT THE EVENTS COMING UP THIS MONTH SPECIFICALLY TO MARK COMMUNITY ACTION DULUTH MONTH.

GUEST: WE HAVE AROUND UP.

I HOPE YOU JOIN MEET TONIGHT, THEY JUST WON A FANCY AWARD FOR THEIR BEER.

OTHER COOL EVENTS WE ARE HAVING, GRADUATION.

OUR CNA'S, GED PEOPLE THAT GRADUATED, PEOPLE WHO HAVE A BIG SUCCESS STORY COMING OUT OF COMMUNITY ACTION, WE ARE HAVING A GRADUATION PARTY FOR THEM AND OUR SPECIAL GUEST IS THE STATE AUDITOR.

THAT'S WHEN TO BE A FUN EVENT.

OUR TREEPLANTING YOU MENTIONED AND SOMETHING I AM REALLY EXCITED FOR IS THE POVERTY SIMULATION.

WE INVITED ALL SORTS OF STAKEHOLDERS ACROSS THE COMMUNITY.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE MEDIA SIMULATE WHAT IS TO BE IN POVERTY IN OUR COMMUNITY SPECIFICALLY.

WE ARE PAYING VOLUNTEERS TO HELP DO THE PROGRAM.

WE ARE HOPING THAT WE GET PEOPLE TO SHOW UP AND UNDERSTAND WHAT WE ARE FACING IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WE INVITED THE CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES.

THE SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES.

WE REALLY WANTED THE PEOPLE IN POWER TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IT'S LIKE AUNT TO SEE ALL THE BARRIERS.

DENNIS: IT SEEMS LIKE COMMUNITY ACTION IS WANT TO BE AROUND FOR A LONG TIME.

GUEST: I HOPE NOT, I WANT TO WORK MYSELF OUT OF A JOB.

TO ELIMINATE POVERTY IS THE GOAL.

THE MORE THAT COMMUNITY ACTION CAN ELIMINATE THAT, THE LESS YOU NEED TO SEE ME HERE.

JULIE: IF PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO LEARN MORE, MAYBE LIKE TO FIND OUT WHAT THE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES ARE OR HOW TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROGRAM.

GUEST: THEY CAN ALWAYS VISIT OUR WEBSITE, FACEBOOK, THEY CAN CALL ME.

WE HAVE TONS OF STUFF TO EDUCATE PEOPLE ON OUR WEBSITE.

I THINK THAT'S THE BEST POINT OF ACTION AND TO DONATE.

WE OBVIOUSLY, ALL OF THESE AMAZING PROGRAMS WE HAVE AND NEED, THEY NEED MONEY.

DENNIS: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ACTION DULUTH.

JULIE: HAVE FUN TONIGHT.

♪ JULIE: FOLLOWING A COUPLE OF YEARS OFF DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, THE DULUTH DEPOT FOUNDATION HELD ITS "CIRCLE OF FRIENDS" ARTS AND CULTURE AWARDS THIS WEEK.

THE AWARDS ARE GIVEN TO THOSE WHO HAVE MADE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE AREA ARTS SCENE.

ALMANAC NORTH VIDEOGRAPHER AJ LARSON SPOKE WITH SOME OF THE HONOREES AT TUESDAY'S CEREMONY: >> WE ARE HAVING AN AWARD CEREMONY SPONSORED BY THE CIRCLE OF FRIENDS AT THE DEPOT FOUNDATION.

I BELIEVE THERE ARE SIX AWARDS BEING GIVEN OUT AND I AM ONE OF THE LUCKY HONOREES.

THEY SAY A PROPHET IS NOT RECOGNIZED IN ITS OWN COUNTRY SO I'M I GUESS I'M NOT A PROPHET.

THAT'S SWEET TO BE HONORED IN YOUR OWN REGION.

>> THE DEPOT FOUNDATION SURPRISED ME WHEN THEY SAID WE WON THE INNOVATION AWARD.

I'M VERY GRATEFUL, IT WAS A GOOD SURPRISE TO HAVE.

IT'S ABOUT THE INNOVATING WE DID IN THE COMMUNITY TO HELP THE ARTS INDUSTRY GROW.

DULUTH HAS A TON OF LOCAL RAW TALENT.

ALL THE RESOURCES IT NEEDS TO BE A PRODUCTION HUB FOR INDEPENDENT TV AND FILM PRODUCTION IN THE COUNTRY.

WE HELPED PUT THE PIECES TOGETHER THAT MADE THAT HAPPEN.

THEY ARE PRODUCTION SHOOTING IN TOWN THAT CAME THROUGH A CATALYST AND THERE WILL BE SOMETHING SHOOTING HERE NEXT WEEK.

IT HAS BEEN QUITE THE JOURNEY.

THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF CHALLENGES ALONG THE WAY.

DULUTH IS AN INTERESTING CHARACTER THAT YOU HAVE TO LEARN HOW TO NAVIGATE.

I THINK THAT'S WHY WE ARE HERE TONIGHT AND THEY ASKED ME TO BE HERE BECAUSE OF THE RESULTS THAT HAVE HAPPENED FROM THE WORK WE HAVE DONE.

I'VE BEEN A PHOTOGRAPHER FOR MANY YEARS IN DULUTH.

A LOT OF WHAT I HAVE TAKEN PICTURES OF OUR HISTORICAL BUILDINGS.

EVERYTHING FROM THE LIGHTHOUSES TO THE BRIDGES TO THE DEPOT AND TRAINS.

I HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR QUITE A WHILE AND ENJOY TAKING PICTURES AND PART OF THAT.

PART OF DULUTH IS THE HISTORICAL BUILDINGS.

>> BACK IN 2019, I HAD A PARTNERSHIP WITH ZEITGEIST TO DO A COLLABORATIVE FISH IN CANAL PARK.

HAD A SESSION WHERE PEOPLE CAME AND PAINTED THINGS THAT WERE SIGNIFICANT TO THEM ABOUT THE WATER IN THE REGION THEN AFTER THAT, I GOT ANOTHER GRANT TO DO CROSSWALK URALS.

MY BEGINNING WAS DOING TEMPORARY STUFF WHICH LED TO DOING ACTUAL PERMANENT WORK.

I HAVE A MURAL IN LINCOLN PARK OF HAND OFFERING TOBACCO.

VERY PUBLIC ART PIECES AROUND TOWN.

>> IT WAS THRILLING TO WATCH THINGS COME ALONG AND ESPECIALLY IN ARTS.

ESPECIALLY IN THE LAST 10-15 YEARS, THEY HAVE REALLY DEVELOPED AND COME TO A RIGHTNESS.

ALL THE WAY FROM WHEN THE DEPOT WAS FOUNDED TO THE LIFT BRIDGE AND LIGHTHOUSES AND THE CIVIC CENTER, IT'S ALL A STORY OF THE PEOPLE OF THIS AREA.

>> MOST LOCATIONS HAVE ONE OR TWO GREAT FEATURES.

DULUTH IS NOTHING BUT NATURAL BEAUTY.

YOU HAVE THE LAKE, FORESTS, DOWNTOWN, NEIGHBORHOODS.

THE VARIETY OF PLACES WHERE YOU CAN BE INTENT OR 15 MINUTES IS SOMETHING THAT FILM PRODUCERS GET EXCITED ABOUT.

>> IT TAKES A LITTLE BIT OF CREATIVITY NOT JUST BEING CREATIVE AND SKILLS TO MAKE ART, BUT CREATIVITY FOR DIFFERENT MEDIUM.

I WORK IN MURALS, ANIMATION, GRAPHIC DESIGN, UNITY ORGANIZING GENERALLY.

THAT'S ONE THING THAT DOES TAKE TO BE AN ARTIST.

ALSO TO KNOW THE ADMINISTRATIVE SIDE, ORGANIZING AND ALL OF THE BORING THINGS THAT NOBODY TELLS YOU AS PART OF BEING AN ARTIST.

♪ JULIE: DULUTH'S FAMOUS INCLINE RAILWAY HAS BEEN GONE SINCE 1939, BUT IF YOU KNOW WHERE TO LOOK, THERE ARE STILL SIGNS OF IT ALONG VACATED SEVENTH AVENUE EAST.

DULUTH HISTORY LOVERS ARE RAISING MONEY TO HELP PRESERVE AND MARK THE INCLINE SITE.

HERE TO TELL US MORE IS DOUG STEVENS, WHO IS WORKING WITH DULUTH PRESERVATION AND THE ECO ROTARY CLUB ON THE PROJECT.

AND BOB BERG IS A BOARD MEMBER WITH THE DULUTH PERSERVATION ALLIANCE.

WELCOME, WHAT A GREAT PROJECT!

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

FOR PEOPLE WHO MAY NOT BE FAMILIAR WITH THE DULUTH INCLINE RAILROAD, TALK ABOUT WHY IT WAS SUCH AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF DULUTH HISTORY.

>> I WOULD HAVE TO SAY IT WAS A VISION OF WILLIAM KING ROGERS.

HE CAME TO DULUTH AND HE GOT RUTHERFORD B HAYES INTERESTED IN INVESTING IN DULUTH ALSO.

HE WAS OUR 19TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

THEY BOUGHT LAND FROM THE BAY ALL THE WAY UP TO DULUTH HEIGHTS PARK AT THEIR PURPOSE WAS TO GET PEOPLE TO BUY LAND IN THE DULUTH HEIGHTS MALL ONLY WAY TO DO THAT WAS TO BUILD AND INCLINE, TO GET UP THE HILLSIDE.

IT GOT BUILT, THEY STARTED THE HIGHLAND IMPROVEMENT COMPANY AND THEY WORKED WITH THE DULUTH RAIL COMPANY.

THEY BUILT IT AND IT WENT UP 500 FEET.

IT WAS 2975 FOOT STRUCTURE THAT HAD TWO LARGE GARAGE SIZED CARS THAT WEIGHED 29 TONS EACH.

THEY WERE POWERED BY SEVERAL STEAM ENGINES AT THE VERY TOP IN THE POWERHOUSE.

>> TALK TO US ABOUT THE EFFORT TO PRESERVE THE -- OLD RAILWAY SIDEWALK AND STEPS ALONG VACATED ROUTE.

>> DOUG HAS BEEN SPEARHEADING THAT FOR QUITE SOME TIME, BUT WE BOTH LED HIKES ALONG THEIR TO SHOW PEOPLE WHERE IT HAD BEEN.

WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING ONE THIS COMING TUESDAY AT 6:00.

WE WILL BE MEETING AT 6:30 ON WEST SKYLINE PARKWAY.

COME AND JOIN US AND WE WILL SHOW YOU WHERE THAT USED TO BE.

I THINK IT'S AN IMPORTANT PART OF DULUTH HISTORY.

JULIE: WE SHOWED A LITTLE BIT OF VIDEO OF PEOPLE WALKING UP THOSE STAIRS.

TALK ABOUT WHAT KIND OF CONDITION IT IS IN.

IS IT PRETTY WELL-PRESERVED?

>> YES, I WOULD HAVE TO SAY IT'S VERY WELL-PRESERVED.

THE STEPS AND THE SIDEWALKS ARE 132 YEARS OLD.

IT WAS MADE WITH AGGREGATED CONCRETE WHICH IS A LITTLE STRONGER THAN THE CONCRETE THEY MAKE TODAY.

OTHER THAN A LOT OF THE RAILINGS ARE MISSING, THERE ARE VERY FEW CROCS IN THE SIDEWALKS.

MOST OF THE STEPS ARE IN VERY GOOD SHAPE.

THERE DOESN'T NEED TO BE A LOT DONE.

DENNIS: WHY WAS INCLINE ABANDONED?

>> I THINK IT WASN'T PROFITABLE ANYMORE.

THEY TOOK IT APART AND I UNDERSTOOD THEY SCRAPPED IT IN 1939.

THEN I HEARD THEY SOLD IT TO THE JAPANESE.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S TRUE OR NOT.

I HEARD IT WAS FOR THE WAR EFFORT, BUT THEN I HEARD THEY SOLD TO THE JAPANESE.

JULIE: PART OF THE EFFORT RIGHT NOW IS TO NOT ONLY MAKE SURE THE STRUCTURES REMAIN SOLID, BUT ALSO TO MAKE SURE THE PEOPLE KNOW THE STORY.

GOOD SIGNAGE IS NEEDED.

WHO IS SPEARHEADING THAT AND WHAT KIND OF MONEY ARE YOU LOOKING AT TO GET THAT PROJECT UP?

>> I WAS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE COULD DO THIS.

I HAD BEEN WORKING WITH THE PARKS DEPARTMENT.

THERE WERE SEVERAL THINGS I HAD TO COME UP WITH FIRST BEFORE IT COULD BECOME RECREATIONAL HIKING TRAIL.

ONCE THEY ALLOWED THAT, I HAD TO PUT IN A PROPOSAL TO THE PARKS DEPARTMENT FOR SIGNAGE.

IT WAS 60 DAY APPROVAL, IT TOOK 90 DAYS TO APPROVE.

IT HAS BEEN APPROVED SO WE ARE HOPING TO GET AT LEAST FOUR SIGNS WITH INFORMATION AND PICTURES OF WHAT THE RAIL SYSTEM LOOK LIKE.

DENNIS: WHY DOES THE PAST NEED TO BE PROTECTED AND REMEMBERED?

>> THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF DULUTH HISTORY.

IT RAN FOR 48 YEARS.

IT WAS BEFORE CARS, BEFORE BUSES.

IT WAS ONE OF THE ONLY WAYS OF TRANSPORTATION TO GET YOU UP ABOVE THE HILLSIDE.

JULIE: HOW WOULD YOU RATE DULUTH IN TERMS OF ITS COMMITMENT TO PRESERVE HISTORIC STRUCTURES AND THE LEGACY GOES ALONG WITH THEM?

>> SOMETIMES IT HAS BEEN GOOD AND SOMETIMES NOT SO GOOD.

WE LOST THE ASTORIA HOTEL RECENTLY AND NOW I UNDERSTAND THE GARRICK BUILDING, THE PINEAPPLE BUILDING ON 1ST STREET IS THREATENED WITH DEMOLITION.

SOMETIMES, OUR CITY HAS BEEN DOING A GOOD JOB OF PRESERVING IT AND RESTORATION, BUT IT COULD BE BETTER.

ON WEDNESDAY MAY 31, WE WILL BE HOLDING OUR ANNUAL AWARD CEREMONY IN THE WEST THEATER AND WE WILL BE PRESENTING I THINK IT IS OVER 20 BUILDINGS IN DULUTH THAT HAVE BEEN RESTORED WE WILL RECOGNIZE SOME OF THEM.

THE JAIL FOR INSTANCE.

THE APARTMENT ON 1ST STREET AND VARIOUS HOUSES OF DULUTH THAT HAVE BEEN RESTORED.

THAT IS GOOD NEWS.

JULIE: WE ONLY HAVE ABOUT 10 SECONDS LEFT, BUT IF PEOPLE WANT TO GET ON BOARD AND DONATE, WHAT SHOULD THEY DO?

>> THE BEST THING TO DO IS GO BUY SOME BEER.

THEY ARE HOLDING AROUND UP EVENT FOR US AND THEY WILL ASK YOU IF YOU WANT TO ROUND UP YOUR BILL TO THE NEXT DOLLAR AMOUNT OR WHATEVER.

IT WILL GO TO THE INCLINE SIGNAGE.

JULIE: GOOD LUCK ON YOUR EFFORT.

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

THIS WEEK OUR GUEST IS AUTHOR AND COLUMNIST AARON BROWN IN ITASCA COUNTY.

♪ >> I THINK THE BIG NEWS RECENTLY WAS THE NEWS THAT THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES INTENDS TO ISSUE THE MINERAL LEASES FOR PROPERTIES ONCE THE SITE OF BUTLER AND RECENTLY HAS BEEN PART OF THE STEEL AND METALLICS PROJECT.

THEY WOULD LIKE TO ISSUE THOSE MINERAL LEASES TO CLEVELAND CLIFFS, ONE OF THE THREE COMPANIES THAT HAD BID FOR THE MINERAL LEASES AFTER THE DEMISE OF THE METALLICS PROJECT.

THIS IS BIG NEWS FOR ESPECIALLY THE WORKERS AND FAMILIES AT THE COMPANY BECAUSE IT WAS ENDING ITS NATURAL LIFE AND THE QUESTION WAS WHERE WERE THEY GOING TO GET MORE AND IF THEY COULDN'T, DO THEY HAVE TO CLOSE?

THAT'S BIG NEWS.

ALSO, IT MARKS THE END OF THIS STEEL PROJECT.

THE 20 YEAR HOLD THAT WE HAVE BEEN MAKING STEEL ON THE IRON RANGE IN THE AREA.

I REMARK ON IT'S GOOD THAT IT STAYS OPEN, BUT IT'S A REAL PROBLEM IN THE WAY THAT WE SPENT SO MUCH TIME AND MONEY FOR SOMETHING THAT DIDN'T COME TOGETHER SO IT'S A LESSON FOR THE FUTURE AS WELL.

THE CLEVELAND CLIFFS BLAST FURNACES AT MIDDLETOWN FACILITY SUCCESSFULLY MADE STEEL USING HYDROGEN.

WHEN YOU HEAR ABOUT GREEN STEEL OR CARBON NEUTRAL STEEL WHERE THAT SOUNDS LIKE AN OXYMORON BECAUSE STEEL IS MADE OUT OF CARBON, WHAT THAT MEANS IS THEY REPLACE A LOT OF THE COKE THAT GOES INTO STEEL WITH HYDROGEN IN A CHEMICAL PROCESS THAT TURNS THE IRON ORE INTO STEEL THROUGH ANOTHER CHEMICAL MEANS.

IT SUCCESSFULLY DONE THIS IN ONE OF THEIR TRADITIONAL BLAST FURNACES WHICH MEANS THERE IS SOME HOPE OF THESE BLAST FURNACE FACILITIES BEING RETROFITTED INTO A CLEANER STEELMAKING PROCESS WHICH IS A BIG PART OF AMERICA AND THE WORLD'S EFFORTS TO REDUCE CARBON EMISSIONS IN THE ATMOSPHERE WHICH WILL ADDRESS CHANGE AND SOME OF THE RISING TEMPERATURES THAT WE HAVE EXPERIENCED AROUND THE WORLD.

♪ THE GOODMAN AUDITORIUM IN VIRGINIA, THE VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL.

ONE OF THESE CLASSIC RANGE AUDITORIUMS IN THE EARLY 1900S WITH MINING TAX DOLLARS WHEN COMMUNITIES COULD ACCESS MORE OF THE VALUE OF IRON ORE AT THE MINDS FROM THE TAX LAWS OF THE TIME.

THIS ALLOWS VIRGINIA AND THE HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUMS ALL OF THESE SCHOOLS HAVE THESE BEAUTIFUL AUDITORIUMS BECAUSE THEY COULD TAX FOR.

NOW, THE GOODMAN IS GOING TO BE CLOSING.

THEY ARE HAVING A SPECIAL SHOW ON MAY 20, SATURDAY.

THEY WILL UNVEIL A NEW SYMPHONIC CONCERT ABOUT THE IRON RANGE.

THE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND SEVERAL LOCAL CHOIR AND GROUPS FROM THE SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY ARE COLLABORATING FOR THE SPECIAL SHOW AND THEY WILL CLOSE THE AUDITORIUM IN STYLE.

♪ JULIE: THOUSANDS OF ANGLERS WILL HEAD TO THEIR FAVORITE FISHING SPOTS THIS WEEKEND FOR THE START OF THE MINNESOTA FISHING SEASON.

A COLD SPRING HAD MANY WORRIED ABOUT ICE BEING OUT IN TIME FOR THE SEASON, BUT WARMER TEMPS THIS WEEK HAVE HELPEDR.

THE MINNESOTA DNR HAS SOME TIPS FOR FOLKS HEADED OUT FOR THE OPENER: >> WITH A LATE SPRING, IT'S HARD TO TELL.

THE WALLEYE OPENER, WHO KNOWS HOW THE FISH ARE GOING TO BEHAVE.

WE AS PEOPLE TO BE ADAPTIVE AND READY TO TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

IF THE WALLEYES ARE BITING, CHASE SOME PIKE OR BASS OR ENJOY WARM WATER ON A SUNNY DAY.

WE HOPE THAT MOST LAKES WILL BE ICE FREE.

PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO GET TO THEM.

WE HAVE SEVERAL WALLEYE SPAWNING TANKS IN THE NORTHWEST.

THE FISH ARE MOVING.

THINGS ARE ACTIVE, WE ARE A LITTLE BEHIND BUT NOT THAT FAR.

BE CERTAIN IF YOU HAVE A LAKE THAT MAYBE YOU HAVE HAD ICE ISSUES IN THE PAST, TALK TO OUR LOCAL OFFICE OR CALL YOUR FAVORITE BAKESHOP, THEY WILL GIVE YOU THIS GROUP.

WALLEYE DON'T ALWAYS COOPERATE.

BASS ARE ALWAYS OPEN, BUT IT SKETCH AND RELEASED.

THEN THE NATIVE FISH THAT PEOPLE ARE GAINING MORE RESPECT FOR, THAT HAS BEEN ONE OF MY GOALS ALL ALONG.

I DON'T CARE WHAT I CATCH AS LONG AS SOMETHING IS PULLING.

HAVE FUN WITH THAT AS WELL.

DENNIS: A BIG WEEKEND FOR MANY!

BE SURE TO 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.

JULIE, WE'D LIKE TO WISH TWIN CITIES PBS ALMANAC PRODUCER BRENDAN HENAHAN WELL AS HE RETIRES TODAY AFTER NEARLY 40-YEARS AT THE HELM OF OUR SISTER PROGRAM.

DENNIS: THAT'S A VERY IMPRESSIVE CAREER.

CONGRATULATIONS BRENDAN!

WITH JULIE ZENNER I'M DENNIS ANDERSON, HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

GOOD NIGHT EVERYONE, AND BE KIND!

♪