JULIE: I AM JULIE ZENNER, HERE'S WHAT'S COMING UP ON ALMANAC NORTH!

THE SECOND ANNUAL ME-NO BIM-AH-DIZZY COMMUNITY SCIENCE AND MEDICINE FAIR RETURNS THIS MONTH TO PARK POINT.

WISCONSIN'S STORM WATER WEEK WRAPPED UP ON BARKER'S ISLAND IN SUPERIOR, WE'LL HAVE A SPECIAL REPORT.

THE DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL RETURNS TO LAKE SUPERIOR THIS MONTH.

LEARN HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED IN ONE OF SUPERIOR'S BIGGEST EVENTS.

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

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

DENNIS ANDERSON HAS THE NIGHT OFF.

THIS WEEK DULUTHIANS TOOK TO THE POLLS FOR A MAYORAL PRIMARY ELECTION.

IN A PACKED FIELD OF FIVE POTENTIAL CANDIDATES, INCUMBENT MAYOR EMILY LARSON AND FORMER STATE SENATOR ROGER REINERT WILL MOVE FORWARD TO SQUARE OFF IN THE NOVEMBER ELECTION.

OVER 13,000 BALLOTS WERE CAST IN THE PRIMARY WITH LARSON RECIEVING THIRTY FIVE -- 35% OF THE VOTE AND REINERT 63% 30 BOTH CANDIDATES WILL CONTINUE TO CAMPAIGN UNTIL THE GENERAL ELECTION ON NOVEMBER SEVENTH.

THIS MONDAY'S SUPERIOR SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEE MEETING CENTERED AROUND BOARD MEMBER STEVEN STUPAK, WHO IS FACING TWO FELONY COUNTS OF ELECTION FRAUD IN DOUGLAS COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT.

THE CRIMINAL COMPLAINT FILED ON JULY 21ST ALLEGES THAT STUPAK ALTERED HIS NOMINATION PAPERS FOR THE 2021 SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION BY LISTING AN ADDRESS WHERE HE DID NOT LIVE.

THIS CRIMINAL COMPLAINT SPURRED COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO REQUEST STUPAK STEP DOWN FROM THE BOARD.

STUPAK'S INITIAL APPEARANCE IN COURT IS SET FOR AUG. 23.

THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION WILL IMPLEMENT A TWO-WAY, SINGLE LANE CONFIGURATION ON THE NORTHBOUND SIDE OF I-35 BEGINNING MONDAY AUGUST 14.

THESE RESTRICTIONS WILL OCCUR BETWEEN GARFIELD AVENUE AND TWENTY SEVENTH AVENUE WEST AND REMAIN IN PLACE THROUGH SATURDAY AUGUST NINTEENTH.

IN ADDITION, THE SOUTHBOUND OFF- RAMP TO 20 7TH AVENUE WEST WILL BE CLOSED DURING THIS TIME.

THE AMERICAN INDIAN COMMUNITY HOUSING ORGANIZATION AND THE CENTER OF AMERICAN INDIAN & MINORITY HEALTH ARE PARTNERING FOR THE SECOND ANNUAL ME-NO BIM-AH-DIZZY COMMUNITY SCIENCE AND MEDICINE FAIR EVENT ON AUGUST 27TH!

TONIGHT, WE ARE JOINED BY DR. MARY OWEN FROM THE CENTER OF AMERICAN INDIAN AND MINORITY HEALTH AND SASHEEN GOSLIN, HEALTH AND EQUITY DIRECTOR FOR THE AMERICAN INDIAN COMMUNITY HOUSING ORGANIZATION.

LADIES, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING IN TONIGHT.

MAYBE YOU CAN START BY TELLING US WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS EVENT.

DR. OWEN: IT CAME OUT OF COVID, THERE WAS SO MUCH MISTRUST AROUND THE VACCINE.

WE ENDED UP SEEING MORE MISTRUST IN GENERAL OF PHYSICIANS AND OF THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY AND SCIENCE.

THE COMMUNITY HOUSING ORGANIZATION TRY TO ADDRESS THE VACCINE HESITANCY, THEY ASKED US AT THE CENTER SINCE WE WORK AT THE MEDICAL SCHOOL AND WE HELP TRAIN DOCTORS TO COME UP WITH AN IDEA TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.

SO, I CAME OUT WITH THE IDEA OF HAVING A MISTRUST FAIR, TO ADDRESS MISTRUST IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WE THOUGHT, WOULDN'T IT BE COOL IF WE DID NOT DO ANY VACCINES, WE HAVE A FAIR WHERE WE DID NOT DO ANYTHING BUT WE HAVE DOCTORS AND SCIENTISTS, AND EXPLAIN WHY THEY LOVE THEIR WORK.

THAT WAS THE FOCUS OF IT HAS BEEN.

WE HAVE EXPANDED BECAUSE WE HAVE THE BRILLIANT IDEA, IT DOES SO MUCH WORK IN THE AREA AROUND CELEBRATING WHO WE ARE AS NATIVE PEOPLE.

WE DO TWO BUT WE DO IT EVEN MORE.

WE HAVE JOINED FORCES AND HAVE DONE IT MORE ABOUT WHY DOCTORS IN TIME JUST LOVE THEIR WORK -- WHY DOCTORS AND SCIENTISTS LOVE THEIR WORK.

PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE WE HAVE A MEDICAL SCHOOL IN THIS TOWN, THEY DON'T REALIZE WE HAVE SCIENTISTS IN THE SCHOOLS.

AND THEN OUR PARTNERS WILL DO SO MUCH MORE WITH THIS EVENT.

JULIE: THE NAME OF THE EVENT, TRANSLATES TO BE WELL, DOES THE NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITY HAVE A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE OR SET OF BELIEFS IN TERMS OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE WELL?

SASHEEN: WE ALL WANT TO LIVE OUR BEST LIFE.

WE WANT TO INTEGRATE OUR BEAUTIFUL CULTURE INTO EVERYTHING WE DO.

THIS EVENT, WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT.

WE WANT TO WELCOME OUR NATIVE COMMUNITY, OUR BY POK COMMUNITY -- BIPOC COMMUNITY TO NOT JUST CELEBRATE OUR CULTURE BUT BEING WELL.

DENNIS: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST COMMON HEALTH ISSUES AND CONCERNS IN THE NATIVE COMMUNITY LOCALLY?

DR. OWEN: WE DON'T LIKE TO ALWAYS TALK ABOUT THE NEGATIVES BUT I WILL REMIND PEOPLE THAT THE STRUGGLE, THERE ARE -- WE STRUGGLE WITH EVERY SINGLE HEALTH DISPARITY, HAVING WORST NUMBERS.

WE ALSO HAVE TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE, THE 10,000-YEAR-OLD KNOWLEDGE IN SCIENCE THAT HAS NOT BEEN EXPANDED UPON.

WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO USE IT IN OUR -- FOR OUR HEALING.

WE'RE STARTING THAT PROCESS.

IT IS A COMBINATION.

WE ARE GETTING OUR FEET UP UNDER US AFTER 500 YEARS OF OPPRESSION AND RUNNING OUR OWN WAYS OF HEALING.

AS WE GET BETTER, AS WE SHOWCASE SOME OF THE THINGS YOU WILL SEE AT THIS FAIR, WE'LL DO BETTER.

RIGHT NOW OUR HEALTH DISPARITIES ARE GREAT IN EVERY AREA.

THEY ARE NOT JUST SOME, AS PEOPLE -- THEY OFTEN CITE DIABETES, IT IS MORE.

WE HAVE THE HIGHEST RATES OF CANCER AND HEART DISEASE.

JULIE: YOU TALKED ABOUT MISTRUST, ARE THERE OTHER BARRIERS THAT NATIVE AMERICAN PEOPLE FACE WHEN IT COMES TO SECURING HEALTH CARE FOR THEMSELVES?

DR. OWEN: LET ME CLARIFY, THAT NATIVE AMERICANS BUT OUR ENTIRE SOCIETY.

JULIE: ARE THERE OTHER BARRIERS SPECIFIC TO NATIVE AMERICANS WHEN IT COMES TO HEALTH CARE?

DR. OWEN: WELL, PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS BUT NATIVE AMERICAN HEALTH CARE NOT FREE.

IT WAS PROMISED TO US THROUGH THOSE TREATIES.

THE U.S. SUPREME COURT RULED AND HAS BEEN BACKED UP BY CONGRESS, AND PRESIDENTIAL ACTION, OR EXECUTIVE ORDER, THAT FOR ALL THE LAND WE GAVE UP WE WERE PROMISED HEALTH CARE INDEFINITELY, AS WELL AS EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES.

THAT HEALTH CARE FUNDED, IT TAKES THE FORM OF THE INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE IS, IS FUNDED AT ONE THIRD OF THE FUNDING FOR THE V.A.

OR WHAT EVERYBODY ELSE HAS FOR FUNDING OR THEIR HEALTH CARE IN THE COUNTRY, EVEN THOUGH WE KNOW IT IS HORRENDOUS IN GENERAL IN GETTING HEALTH CARE.

THE PER CAPITA SPENDING FOR EVERY HUMAN, IS ABOUT 9000 FOR THE INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE IS IT IS ABOUT 3000.

IT IS NOT FUNDED WHERE IT SHOULD BE.

OUR HEALTH IS EXTREMELY UNDERFUNDED.

IN ADDITION WE ARE DEALING WITH STEREOTYPES, RACISM IN MEDICINE, AND ALL KINDS OF OTHER PROBLEMS THAT END UP GIVING US LESS ACCESS TO ADEQUATE HEALTH CARE.

JULIE: THE GOAL IS TO GET FOLKS OUT.

DR. OWEN: AND INTERESTED IN SCIENCE AND MEDICINE.

BUT ALSO IN HEALTHY EVENTS.

WE WILL HAVE A TRADITIONAL MEDICINE PERSON, SOMEONE DOING LANGUAGE TABLE, WE WILL HAVE A TRADITIONAL LACROSSE GAME.

WE'LL START THE DAY WITH A FUN RUN.

JULIE: ARE THERE OTHER EVENTS GOING ON?

BESIDES THOSE MENTIONED?

SASHEEN: WE HAVE A BACKPACK DRIVE.

WE ARE EXCITED TO HOST AT PARK POINT TWO.

WE GET HELP FROM THE SHELTER, IT IS RUNNING A BACKPACK DRIVE, TOWARDS THE END OF THE DAY.

WE ARE EXCITED TO AROUND THAT OUT.

WE ARE BRINGING IN ISAIAH, WHO WAS AN INDIGENOUS COMEDIAN.

DR. OWEN: PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THIS, PEOPLE THINK NATIVES ARE STOIC.

WE ARE ANYTHING BUT.

WE ARE GOING TO HELP PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT BY HAVING THIS COMEDIAN.

JULIE: NOW, IS IT FREE, OPEN TO THE WHOLE PUBLIC OR IS THIS SOMETHING YOU ARE SPECIFICALLY TRYING TO ATTRACT NATIVE PEOPLE TO?

SASHEEN: THIS IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

WE ARE SO EXCITED TO HAVE IT LIKE THIS.

IT IS FREE.

THE ENTIRE DAY IS FREE.

EVEN THE FIVE -- 5K.

WE WANT TO INVITE EVERYONE.

DR. OWEN: WE WANT TO BRING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER, TO UNDERSTAND ONE ANOTHER.

EVERYBODY CAN COME.

FREE LUNCHES.

[LAUGHTER] WE HAVE INVITED EVERYONE ON PUBLIC TELEVISION.

THERE WILL BE FREE FOOD, BACKPACKS.

JULIE: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I HOPE THIS IS HELPED PEOPLE UNDERSTAND A BIT MORE.

DR. OWEN: THANKS FOR INVITING US.

♪ JULIE: IN HONOR OF STORM WATER WEEK, THE CITY OF SUPERIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DIVISION HOSTED THE BARKER'S ISLAND IMPROVEMENT PROJECT WALKING TOUR FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

PRODUCER ISAAC QUICK JOINED THE TOUR TO BRING US THIS REPORT.

>> IN CELEBRATION OF WISCONSIN STORM WATER WEEK THE CITY OF SUPERIOR IS PUTTING ON A BARKER'S ISLAND IMPROVEMENT WALKING TOUR.

IN 2019 WE WERE AWARDED A NATIONAL FISHING WILDLIFE FOUNDATION GRANT.

BACKGROUND HELP YOU INSTALL THE PROJECT HERE.

WE HAVE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT HELP TO REDUCE IMPERVIOUS SURFACES AND INCREASE VEGETATION.

THOSE ARE KIND OF THE TWO MAIN GOALS OF THE GRANT.

WHEN WE THINK ABOUT BARKER'S ISLAND, IT IS SURROUNDED BY WATER.

SO, WHEN WE HAVE A LOT OF PARKING LOTS AND ROADS AND SIDEWALKS, THAT IS BRINGING IN PREVIOUS -- IMPERVIOUS SURFACE WATERS WITH WATER, IT BRINGS THE WATER INTO THE SERVICES RATHER THAN IN THE SOIL.

SO THE ST. LOUIS RIVER ESTUARY.

STORM WATER POLLUTION WAS THE BIGGEST THREAT TO OUR WATERWAYS.

THE PROJECT REDUCED THE IMPERVIOUS SURFACES AND THAT RUNOFF THAT CAN HAPPEN.

ALLOWING FOR TREATMENT AND SETTLING BEFORE THAT WATER REACHED OUR ESTUARY.

SOME IMPERVIOUS SURFACES ARE NOT NECESSARILY BAD.

WHEN WE WANT WATER TO SOAK INTO THE SOIL THEY DON'T HELP WITH THAT.

THE TRAIL BEHIND ME IS CALLED THE POOREST ASPHALT TRAIL.

WHAT IT DOES IS, IT ALLOWS FOR WATER TO SOAK INTO IT.

UNLIKE THE SIDEWALK NEXT TO IT, THE WATER WILL RUN OFF WITH IT.

PART OF THE GRANT'S REQUIREMENT WAS TO DECREASE IMPERVIOUS SURFACES.

WE DECIDED TO PUT IT IN THE POROUS ASPHALT TRAIL TO HELP WITH THE GOAL.

IT'S A GREAT DEMO THAT TRADITIONAL SIDEWALKS ARE NOT NECESSARILY WHAT -- NECESSARY.

WHAT IS GREAT IS WE CANNOT SEE THE STATE BOUNDARIES HERE.

THE RIVER AND ESTUARIES ARE OUR STATE BOUNDARY.

THE WATER THAT LEAVES THE ISLAND CAN DIRECTLY, NEGATIVELY OR POSITIVELY, IMPACTED TWIN PORTS WATERSHED, AND EVENTUALLY LAKE SUPERIOR.

WE CALL THIS AN ESTUARY BECAUSE IT IS CONSTANTLY MIXING WITH LAKE SUPERIOR.

LAKE SUPERIOR IS OUR DRINKING WATER SOURCE.

WE ARE HELPING PROTECT OUR FRESHWATER LAKE, THAT IS ONE OF THE LARGEST FRESHWATER LAKES IN THE WORLD, HOLDING 10% OF OUR FRESHWATER IN THE WORLD.

IT IS VERY VITAL.

WE NEED TO PROTECT IT.

WISCONSIN STORM WATER WEEK STARTED WITH ORGANIZATIONS AND MINISTER POLITIES ACROSS THE CITY OF WISCONSIN, WHO ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT STORMWATER, AND UNDERSTAND THAT MAYBE IT IS NOT A CONVERSATION A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE, AND MAYBE RESIDENTS DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT STORMWATER.

IT'S A WAY TO REACH OUT TO COMMUNITIES IN WISCONSIN, THROUGH EDUCATIONAL WEBINARS, SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGNS TO HELP REACH MORE PEOPLE, THEN THINGS LIKE THIS.

WE ARE POSTING LOCAL EVENTS TO BRING COMMUNITY LEADERS TO LEARN ABOUT THESE PROJECTS AND HOPEFULLY BRING THAT TO OUR COMMUNITY AS WELL.

WE WOULD LIKE TO DO ORGANIZATIONS AND CITY GROUPS OUT HERE TO TALK ABOUT PLANS, AND BRING IN BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES WITH STUDENTS AS WELL.

IT'S A GREAT AGE, AGE FIFTH-GRADER HIGH SCHOOL, TO HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS.

THE CITY IS HEADING IN A GREAT DIRECTION.

IT WOULD BE GOOD TO DO MORE STORMWATER BEST PRACTICES PROJECTS TO HELP REDUCE THAT RUNOFF INTO OUR WATERWAYS.

SO, FOLKS CAN GET INVOLVED WITH A RESOURCE CALLED THE REGIONAL STORMWATER PROTECTION TEAM.

WE HAVE A RESOURCE ONLINE.

IT PROVIDES LESSONS AND EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS ON DIFFERENT SEASONAL TIPS AND TRICKS ON HOW TO ESSENTIALLY PROTECT OUR STORMWATER AND WATERWAYS.

OTHERWISE, THE CITY OF SUPERIOR HAS GREAT RESOURCES TO CONNECT WITH US AND WE CAN GET THOSE RESOURCES.

♪ JULIE: PREPARATION FOR THE LAKE SUPERIOR DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL IS UNDERWAY AS ORGANIZERS READY VOLUNTEERS AND ROWERS FOR THIS YEAR'S EVENT.

HERE TO SPEAK WITH US ABOUT THE FESTIVAL THIS YEAR ARE SCOTT SODERBERG AND BOB MCCLELLAN FROM THE ROTARY CLUB OF SUPERIOR.

THANKS FOR BEING HERE!

>> THANKS FOR HAVING US.

JULIE: FOR FOLKS WHO MAY BE UNFAMILIAR WITH THE DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL, GIVE US THE CLIFF NOTES.

BOB: DRAGON BOATS HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR A LONG TIME.

THEY A CHINESE TRADITION THAT, I DON'T KNOW, PROBABLY 20 YEARS AGO, THEY STARTED FOR US.

WE GOT INTERESTED IN DOING THIS, MODELED AFTER THE THUNDER MAY FESTIVAL.

BASICALLY, IT IS NOT A CANOE, BUT A LARGE BOAT.

THERE ARE 10 SEATS.

20 PADDLERS.

A STEERS PERSON.

AND A DRUMMER TO KEEP TIME.

THEY ARE FAIRLY LARGE VESSELS.

JULIE: SCOTT, DO TEAMS HAVE A CHANCE TO PRACTICE ON THE DRAGON BOATS?

SCOTT: ABSOLUTELY.

WE INSIST THAT THEY PADDLE ONCE.

IF THEY WANT MORE THEY CAN MAKE ARRANGEMENTS.

BUT A TEAM OF 20 IS LIKE HERDING CATS.

IN THE BEGINNING WE INSISTED ON TWO PRACTICES BEFORE GETTING ON THE WATER, NOW WE GOT IT TO ONE AND NOW EVERYONE IS HAPPIER FOR IT.

JULIE: IT MIGHT BE A LITTLE INTIMIDATING.

BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE TO GET OUT THERE AND PADDLE.

SCOTT: WE HAVE GREAT TRAINERS.

BOB: THE STEERING IS ACTUALLY A SKILLED PHYSICIAN.

THE TEAMS DON'T HAVE TO TO HAVE EXPERIENCE.

BUT THERE IS A PRACTICE AND IT IS ALL ABOUT TIMING.

AN TECHNIQUE, TIMING, BREATHING.

THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS.

IF YOU LISTEN TO THE TRAINERS, THE TEAMS CAN DO VERY, VERY WELL.

JULIE: THIS IS MORE THAN JUST FUN AND GAMES.

THIS IS REALLY A MAJOR FUNDRAISER THAT THE ROTARY PUTS ON FOR NONPROFITS AROUND THE REGION.

SPEAK TO THAT.

SCOTT: ABSOLUTELY.

EVERYBODY INVOLVED IS A VOLUNTEER.

ALL THE MONEY RAISED GOES TO THE NONPROFITS.

WE SUPPORT, LIKE LIFE HOUSE, WE SUPPORT, I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY OTHERS WE CAN SAY, WE ADDED IT UP ONCE AND THERE WERE OVER 200 ORGANIZATIONS THAT BENEFIT.

WE HAVE THE HOCKEY TEAM THAT HELPS US WITH TEARDOWN.

WE HAVE THE BOY SCOUTS HELPING US WITH TRASH AND RECYCLING.

THAT GOES DIRECTLY TO THEM FOR THE FESTIVAL AS WELL.

JULIE: IS THERE ONE PRIMARY CHARITY THAT HAS BEEN A BENEFIT FROM THIS YEAR'S RACE?

SCOTT: WE ALWAYS HAVE A CHARITABLE PARTNER.

BOB: IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.

THIS YEAR AND LAST YEAR IT HAS BEEN THE 23RD VETERAN.

IT'S A GREAT ORGANIZATION, THAT SUPPORTS MENTAL HEALTH WITH VETERANS.

IT'S A LOCAL ORGANIZATION, THE MONEY RAISED, IT STAYS LOCAL WITHOUT ORGANIZATION.

JULIE: MANY PEOPLE MIGHT NOT KNOW WHAT THE ROTARY DOES.

EXPLAIN THAT, A BIT IN TERMS OF BEING A SERVICE CLUB AND HOW LONG IT HAS BEEN AROUND.

SCOTT: ROTARY BEGAN IN 1905.

IN CHICAGO, A GROUP DECIDED -- THEY WERE ALL FROM OUT OF TOWN -- THEY DECIDED TO MEET TOGETHER.

AFTER A FEW WEEKS OR MONTHS THEY DECIDED IF WE DON'T HAVE A PURPOSE TO THIS, IT IS GOING TO GO AWAY.

SO,, THE ROTARY I HEARD TWO VERSIONS, THEIR FIRST CHARITABLE PROJECT WAS REPLACING THE HORSE FROM A PREACHER OR THEY BUILT THE FIRST PUBLIC RESTROOM IN DOWNTOWN CHICAGO.

IT WAS ONE OF THOSE TWO, BUT THEY RAISED THE FUNDS FOR THAT.

AFTER THAT THEY WENT TO TOWN.

WE HAVE GREAT HISTORY IN THE CITY OF DULUTH.

BOB'S CLUB IS THE 40TH ROTARY CLUB IN THE WORLD.

THE FIRST ONE IN WISCONSIN.

WE HAVE CLUB 25 WHICH WAS THE 25TH ROTARY CLUB IN THE WORLD IN DULUTH.

DULUTH AND ST. PAUL COMBINED TO SPONSOR WINNIPEG.

THAT'S WHAT MADE ROTARY INTERNATIONAL.

WE'VE GOT A HUGE ROTARY HISTORY IN DULUTH AND SUPERIOR.

JULIE: OUR SERVICE CLUBS, LIKE THE ROTARY, ATTRACTING A NEW GENERATION OF PEOPLE?

BOB: FOR SURE.

ALL SERVICE CLUBS HAVE BEEN CHALLENGED BY MEMBERSHIP THINGS.

BUT, ROTARY HAS DONE VERY WELL AT ATTRACTING YOUNGER GROUPS.

EACH CLUB IS KIND OF SEPARATE.

THEY HAVE THEIR OWN UNIQUE FLARE.

AND EVERY ROTARIAN IS WELCOME TO ATTEND ANY OTHER CLUB MEETING.

IT'S SUPER OPEN THAT WAY.

A LOT OF OUR TWIN PARKS CLUBS, COMBINE AND JOIN FORCES ON DIFFERENT PROJECTS.

AND THINGS.

WE END UP KNOWING EACH OTHER, AND WORKING WELL WITH EACH OTHER.

THIS YEAR, THE DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL IS SKYLINE ROTARY AND THE ROTARY CLUB OF SUPERIOR.

JULIE: I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE STILL SOME OPENINGS FOR TEAMS, OR AT LEAST FOR INDIVIDUALS?

BOB: FOR INDIVIDUAL PADDLERS THERE'S OPPORTUNITIES TO JOIN IN.

THEY JUST NEED TO REACH OUT TO THE WEBSITE SUPERIORDRAGONS.ORG.

THEY CAN SIGN UP AS AN INDIVIDUAL PADDLER.

THE PRACTICES ARE THE WEEK AFTER NEXT.

THE LEADING UP TO THE EVENT.

WE HAVE TO GET THINGS SCHEDULED HERE.

THERE'S ALSO OPPORTUNITIES TO VOLUNTEER.

SAME THING.

THEY CAN REACH OUT THROUGH THE WEBSITE.

JULIE: WHAT KIND OF VOLUNTEER VOTE -- OPPORTUNITIES WILL THERE BE?

SCOTT: ANYTHING FROM THE BEER TENT TO THE DOCK, WHICH IS ACTUALLY -- IS INTERESTING, YOU HAVE LIFEJACKETS AND PADDLES YET TO PASS OUT AND COLLECT.

WE ARE TRYING TO RUN EVERY 10 MINUTES.

WE WILL SWITCH AND RUN ANOTHER.

THAT IS A BUSY PLACE.

WE ALSO HAVE, JUST BASICALLY A TEAM WRANGLER.

WE MIGHT HAVE THAT FILLED.

WE PARADE TEAMS AT THE BEGINNING.

THEY TELL US ABOUT THEIR BEST DRAGON BOAT EXPERIENCE.

THE OPENING AND CLOSING CEREMONY IS FUN.

WE HAVE GREAT MUSIC.

THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS.

SET UP IS A BIG DEAL, SO ALL DAY FRIDAY WE CAN USE HANDS TO SET UP.

JULIE: IT SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT EVENT.

I HAVE BEEN THERE A COUPLE OF TIMES IN THE PAST.

IT IS VERY FUN.

LOTS OF HIGH ENERGY.

I HOPE FOLKS COME OUT.

SCOTT: SO DO WE.

JULIE: IT IS 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.

AARON: THE HISTORIC CITY HALL IS REALLY PART OF THE LANDSCAPE.

IT WAS BUILT IN 1922 IN COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE MINING COMPANY OF U.S. STEEL AND THE VILLAGE AT THE TIME.

THE CITY IS FACING FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES IN MAINTAINING CITY HALL, IT IS NEGLECTED ON A COUPLE OF THINGS, NEEDS UPGRADES PARTICULARLY FOR IT ADA COMPLIANCE FOR DISABILITY ACCESS .

IT IS FACING A BILL ACCORDING TO ONE ESTIMATE OF A $214 MILLION TO GET CITY HALL BACK INTO THE CONDITION AND NEEDS TO BE IN.

THAT IS A LOT OF MONEY FOR ANY CITY, CERTAINLY FOR AN IRON RANGER CITY THAT HAS HAD BUDGET CHALLENGES.

THERE WAS A PROPOSAL TO CLOSE CITY HALL AND EVENTUALLY TEAR IT DOWN AND BUILD ANYONE.

A REPORT THAT SHOWED THAT THAT MIGHT BE THE CHEAPER OPTION, NOW A WIDE VARIETY OF PEOPLE ARE SAYING THE CITY HALL, MODELED AFTER INDEPENDENCE HALL IN PHILADELPHIA, IT IS ON THE BILLBOARDS OF THE TOWN AND ON THE TRUCKS OF THE CITY.

IT'S ONE OF THE MOST ICONIC IMAGES ON THE IRON RANGES IN CITY HALL.

THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY, MANY IN THE CITY, ARE NOW SPEAKING UP, TRYING TO SAVE CITY HALL.

THE RETAIL SECTOR HAS BEEN CHALLENGING.

WE KNOW THAT MALLS HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING, EVEN BIG-BOX STORES HAVE STRUGGLED THESE PAST FEW YEARS.

MALLS HAVE CLOSED AND CHANGED THEIR PURPOSE.

THERE IS A NORTHERN MINNESOTA RETAIL BUSINESS THAT IS EXPANDING, BASED IN GRAND RAPIDS.

IT HAS STORES THROUGHOUT NORTHERN MINNESOTA, NORTHERN WISCONSIN IN THE FAR EASTERN END OF THE PENINSULA -- FAR WESTERN END OF THE PENINSULA OF MICHIGAN.

THEY ARE BUILDING A $56 MILLION FACILITY IN GRAND RAPIDS, A WAREHOUSE FACILITY THAT WILL BEEF UP THEIR ABILITY TO SERVE ALL THEIR MARKETS, MAYBE EXPAND IN THE FUTURE.

ACCORDING TO DATA FROM THE RESOURCE AGENCY, WHICH RECENTLY GRANTED A $2.5 MILLION GRANT TO THE PROJECT, THERE IS AS MANY AS 35 NEW JOBS THAT MAY BE CREATED AS A RESULT, BOOSTING THE WORKFORCE PAST 80 AT THIS FACILITY.

THAT'S A LOT OF JOBS.

WE THINK ABOUT THE JOB PROJECTS WE HEAR ABOUT, I THINK IF A COMPANY WAS PROMISING 35 JOBS, PEOPLE WOULD BE PRETTY EXCITED TO GET THAT IN THEIR SMALL TOWN.

HERE'S A LOCAL BUSINESS EXPANDING.

IT'S A SIGN THAT PERHAPS THERE ARE MODELS FOR SMALL REGIONAL RETAIL COMPANIES TO BUILD AND THRIVE, AND SURVIVE IN THE MARKET.

THERE IS AN EXAMPLE BEING PLAYED UP IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

LATEBREAKING NEWS THIS WEEK, THE WORKERS AT LANDON PAPER MEAL IN GRAND RAPIDS -- MALE IN GRAND RAPIDS, SAID THEY REACHED A TENTATIVE AGREEMENT OVER A LABOR CONTRACT, REPRESENTED BY THE TEAMSTERS.

THIS STRIKE ENDURED FOR SEVERAL WEEKS, MORE THAN A MONTH, THROUGH THE LATE PART OF THE SUMMER.

IT WAS PUTTING A LOT OF PEOPLE ON EDGE.

THIS IS AN INDUSTRY WHERE THERE'S A LOT OF CHANGE HAPPENING AND DOWNSIZING, AND A LOT OF WORKERS AND COMPANY OFFICIALS AND COMMUNITY OFFICIALS WERE WORRIED THIS THING WOULD DRAG OUT LONGER, PERHAPS PUTTING THE FUTURE OF THE PLANT AT RISK.

WORKERS WHO DID HAVE SOME COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE WAY THEY WERE BEING STAFFED AND PAID APPARENTLY REACHED SOME KIND OF AGREEMENT.

THIS MEETING THAT THE WORKERS ARE HAVING TO VOTE ON RATIFYING THE AGREEMENT IS HAPPENING TODAY, FRIDAY.

WE DON'T HAVE THE RESULTS OF THAT MEETING AT THIS HOUR, BUT USUALLY WHEN THERE IS A TENTATIVE AGREEMENT THE LEADERSHIP GOES IN STRONGLY ADVOCATING FOR THE AGREEMENT.

WE WILL SEE HOW THAT TURNS OUT.

I WOULD EXPECT WE ARE CLOSER TO THE RESOLUTION OF THE STRIKE THAN EVER BEFORE.

JULIE: BEFORE WE GO, I WANT TO REMIND YOU THAT WE ARE IN OUR AUGUST MEMBERSHIP DRIVE WHERE YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO SUPPORT WHAT HAPPENS HERE AT PBS NORTH.

PUBLIC MEDIA ALLOWS US TO CREATE PROGRAMS THAT ARE EDUCATIONAL, ENTERTAINING AND ENGAGING.

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THANK YOU.

THAT'S ALL FOR THIS WEEK!

I'M JULIE ZENNER.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND AND GOOD NIGHT!