DENNIS: I'M DENNIS ANDERSON ALONG WITH KELSEY ROSETH.

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

KELSEY: REFERENDUMS ON THE FALL BALLOT WOULD PAY FOR TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES FOR DULUTH PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND RESTRUCTURE THE DISTRICT'S DEBT.

FIND OUT MORE TONIGHT.

DENNIS: THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION'S NEWEST MEMBER IS FINLAND.

WE'LL EXPLAIN THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THAT INCLUSION.

KELSEY: AND A MAJOR STRIKE OF UPS WORKERS HAS BEEN AVERTED, PREVENTING WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN AN ECONOMIC MESS.

DENNIS: THOSE STORIES AND VOICES OF THE REGION, UP NEXT ON ALMANAC NORTH.

♪ DENNIS: HELLO AND WELCOME TO ALMANAC NORTH.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

KELSEY ROSETH IS HERE THIS WEEK, FILLING IN FOR JULIE.

WELCOME, KELSEY, GREAT TO SEE YOU.

KELSEY: IT'S GOOD TO BE BACK.

DENNIS: LET'S GET STARTED WITH THE HEADLINES.

KELSEY: THANKS, DENNY.

JUST ONE DAY AFTER A LIBERAL JUDGE REPLACED A CONSERVATIVE JUDGE ON THE WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT, A LAWSUIT WAS FILED TO REDRAW THE STATE'S LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS.

THE ORGANIZATION LAW FORWARD FILED THE LAWSUIT TO CHALLENGE THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF BADGER STATE ELECTION MAPS.

DEMOCRATS PRAISED THE LAWSUIT, CLAIMING THAT GERRYMANDERED DISTRICTS HAVE KEPT REPUBLICANS IN CONTROL OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

DENNIS: VOTERS IN MINNESOTA WILL HEAD TO THE POLLING BOOTH NEXT TUESDAY, AUGUST 8 FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTION.

IN DULUTH, CANDIDATES FOR SCHOOL BOARD, CITY COUNCIL AND MAYOR WILL BE ON THE BALLOT, DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU LIVE IN THE CITY.

THE TOP VOTE GETTERS WILL ADVANCE TO THE GENERAL ELECTION HELD ON NOVEMBER 7.

KELSEY: ESSENTIA HEALTH COMPLETED TRANSFER OF ALL PATIENTS TO ITS NEW ST. MARY'S REPLACEMENT HOSPITAL ON SUNDAY.

ALL APPOINTMENTS, SURGERIES AND OTHER PROCEDURES NOW HAPPEN IN THE NEW HOSPITAL.

IT TOOK ABOUT SEVEN HOURS TO MOVE 230 PATIENTS FROM THE OLD FACILITY TO THE NEW $900 MILLION ST. MARY'S HOSPITAL.

DENNIS: AND THE ST. LOUIS COUNTY BOARD THIS WEEK VOTED TO END THE DULUTH ART INSTITUTE'S LEASE AT THE DULUTH DEPOT.

THE ART INSTITUTE REVEALED THIS WEEK IT IS IN DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CITY OF SUPERIOR AND THE TWEED MUSEUM AT UMD TO HOST UPCOMING EXHIBITS.

THE INSTITUTE'S LINCOLN PARK BUILDING, WHICH HOSTS CLASSES AND OTHER ACTIVITIES, IS NOT IMPACTED BY THE BOARD'S DECISION.

KELSEY: LAST MONTH, THE DULUTH SCHOOL BOARD VOTED TO PUT TWO REFERENDUMS ON THE NOVEMBER ELECTION BALLOT.

VOTERS WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO VOTE ON A MEASURE TO UPGRADE TECHNOLOGY IN THE DISTRICT, AND A SEPARATE REFERENDUM TO RESTRUCTURE THE DISTRICT'S DEBT.

HERE TO TELL YOU ABOUT THE REFERENDUMS IS JOHN MAGAS, SUPERINTENDENT OF THE DULUTH PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT.

WELCOME.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

JOHN: THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

KELSEY: TELL US ABOUT THE DEBT RESTRUCTURING.

WHAT DO PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW?

JOHN: THERE ARE TWO INTERTWINED QUESTIONS THAT IMPACT EACH OTHER.

ONE IS A CAPITAL PROJECTS REFERENDUM FOR TECHNOLOGY AND ANOTHER IS A QUESTION ASKING TO REFINANCE OUR DEBT.

WE HAVE QUITE A BIT OF DEBT AS A DISTRICT THAT WILL FALL OFF IN THE YEAR 2028, AND WHAT WE ARE ASKING IS FOR THE PUBLIC TO REFINANCE THAT DEBT THROUGH BONDS.

IT WILL DELAY A LITTLE BIT AS FAR AS THE IMPACT IN SAVINGS TO THE TAXPAYER, BUT TWO YEARS LATER THAT TAXPAYER MONEY WOULD COME THROUGH.

IT FREES UP MONEY OUT OF OUR GENERAL FUND THAT COULD BE USED FOR KIDS AND REFINANCES IT SO IT IS PAID THROUGH BONDS INSTEAD.

DENNIS: WHAT IS THE OVERALL STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE SCHOOL SYSTEM?

JOHN: WE HAVE A GREAT'S TO TREAT A PLAN THAT WAS PUT TOGETHER PEOPLE -- GREAT STRATEGIC PLAN THAT WAS PUT TOGETHER.

WE ENGAGED THE PUBLIC AND STUDENTS AND STAFF TALKED ABOUT WHAT ARE THEIR DESIRED DAILY EXPERIENCES.

WE CAME WITH THREE MAIN STRATEGIES.

TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ABLE TO DO SO, WE NEED RESOURCES TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE RESOURCES TO PUT TOWARDS THAT NEW PLAN THAT THE COMMUNITY ASKED FOR.

THE REFERENDUM QUESTIONS ALLOW US TO HAVE THOSE RESOURCES TO DO WHAT WE NEED FOR OUR KIDS.

KELSEY: THAT MAKES SENSE.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE TECHNOLOGY?

IT WILL GO A LONG WAY TO PROVIDE STUDENTS, STAFF, AND TEACHERS ACCESS.

JOHN: A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO IN COVID, THE DISTRICT BEGAN WITH SCHOOL BUSES AND COPIES OF PACKETS BEING DELIVERED BY HAND TO STUDENTS SO THEY COULD CONTINUE THEIR LEARNING.

THAT'S PARTLY BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE ONE TO ONE DEVICES.

THROUGH THE FEDERAL FUNDS, WE WERE ABLE TO BUY, A ONE-TIME OPPORTUNITY TO BUY THOSE DEVICES FOR KIDS SO EVERYONE HAS A 121 DEVICE.

NOW THOSE FUNDS ARE ENDING AND WE HAVE NO ABILITY TO REPLACE THOSE SO A BIG ABILITY OF THE FUNDING WOULD BE TO REPLACE THOSE DEVICES THAT WE NEED FOR KIDS FOR 21ST CENTURY LEARNING.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT JUST PUTTING DEVICES IN KIDS HANDS BUT THAT THE TEACHERS ARE WELL TRAINED AND HAVE THE SUPPORTS TO USE THE DEVICES AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE USED APPROPRIATELY AND TO DEEPLY ENGAGE STUDENTS.

ALSO THINKING ABOUT COVID, WE ALL KNOW THERE WAS A PERIOD OF UNFINISHED LEARNING SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE ENGAGING STUDENTS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE TO HAVE THOSE STRATEGIES PAYOFF IN STUDENT OUTCOMES.

DENNIS: WITH COVID, HOW WELL DID THE SCHOOL SYSTEM NAVIGATE THE COVID PANDEMIC?

JOHN: I FEEL LIKE WE NAVIGATED IT TO THE BEST ABILITY POSSIBLE.

DENNIS: IT COST SOME MONEY.

JOHN: THERE WERE A LOT OF COSTS AND IMPACTS.

THE COSTS WERE NOT JUST FINANCIAL.

THE MPOX IT HAD ON STUDENTS, FAMILY, AND -- THE IMPACTS IT HAD ON STUDENTS, FAMILY, AND STAFF, WE ARE WORKING TO CATCH UP WE HAVE A BENEFICIAL TIME TO TRANSFORM EDUCATION AND MAKE IT BETTER THAN IT EVER HAS BEEN.

KELSEY: MY UNDERSTANDING WITH THE NEW TECHNOLOGY IS THERE WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY DO TO HELP INCREASE GRADUATION RATES AND THERE SOUNDS LIKE THERE MIGHT BE A HIGH SCHOOL MENTAL HEALTH IMPROVEMENT.

JOHN: ALIGNING WITH THE STRATEGIC PLAN, WE WANT TO HAVE THE BEST SCHEDULE POSSIBLE.

THERE'S OPPORTUNITY TO ADD MINUTES TO THE DAY, POSSIBLY LOOK AT AN ADDITIONAL PERIOD FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL TO ALLOW STUDENTS TO TAKE MORE ELECTIVE CHOICES AND HAVE MORE CHOICE, PERSONALIZING THEIR LEARNING.

IT WOULD MEAN IF A STUDENT WAS STRUGGLING, THEY COULD PERHAPS MAKE UP A CLASS SOONER RATHER THAN DO SUMMER SCHOOL OR FALL BEHIND AND NOT GRADUATE ON TIME.

THERE ARE A LOT OF MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS FOR STUDENTS AND WE'VE USED TEMPORARY FUNDING FOR COUNSELORS AND BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION AS WELL AS READING AND MATH INTERVENTION THAT ARE HELPING KIDS CATCH UP WITH OUR LEARNING.

IT IS IMPORTANT IF WE WANT TO CONTINUE CLOSING THE GAPS, TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THAT FUNDING AND THIS WILL ALLOW THAT.

DENNIS: THE SALE OF CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL BROUGHT IN $7.8 MILLION.

HOW WILL THAT BE USED?

JOHN: THAT IS PARTIALLY ALLOCATED FOR TECHNOLOGY REPLACEMENT BUT AGAIN, THE NEEDS OF A DISTRICT OF OUR SIZE, ROUGHLY $4 MILLION IS WHAT IT COSTS TO KEEP THE TECHNOLOGY ON A REGULAR REPLACEMENT CYCLE AND HAVE THE PERSONNEL TO TAKE CARE OF THAT.

IF YOU THINK ABOUT $7 MILLION, THAT HELPS FOR A SHORT PERIOD BUT NOT A LONG PERIOD.

BACK IN 2018, THERE WAS ANOTHER TECHNOLOGY REFERENDUM QUESTION THAT NARROWLY WAS DEFEATED BUT I THINK HAD WE KNOWN WHAT WE KNOW NOW RELATED TO OUR NEED FOR THOSE DEVICES AND ALSO THINKING ABOUT THE NEED FOR ENGAGEMENT, WE WOULD BE IN A MUCH BETTER PLACE IF WE CONTINUED YOU HAVE THOSE DEVICES.

KELSEY: CAN WE TALK ABOUT THE FINANCIAL IMPACT ON THE PEOPLE WHO WOULD BE VOTING ON THESE?

JOHN: I WANT TO BE FORTHRIGHT WITH THE AUDIENCE AND THE PEOPLE OF DULUTH.

THIS IS ASKING FOR A TAX INCREASE, HOWEVER WE KNOW THAT WE'VE HAD A LOT OF CHANGES WITH ASSESSMENTS OF PROPERTIES AND TAXES GOING UP.

WE ARE TRYING TO BE AS CAREFUL AS POSSIBLE.

IT WOULD HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE TO COME FORWARD WITH AN OPERATIONAL LEVY THAT WOULD BE A ONE QUESTION PIECE RELATED TO TECHNOLOGY THAT WOULD HAVE COST ABOUT 70% MORE TO THE TAXPAYERS.

SO RATHER THAN IT COSTING AROUND $200 A YEAR WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN THE OPERATIONAL PIECE PER AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD, IT'S GOING TO BE AROUND $93.

WE REALIZE THAT HAS AN IMPACT BUT IT'S UP TO THE VOTERS TO DECIDE WHAT DO THEY WANT TO DO, DO THEY WANT TO APPROVE THIS OR DO THEY CHOOSE NOT TO?

DENNIS: JOHN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

JOHN: IT'S ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

♪ KELSEY: THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION, ALSO KNOWN AS NATO, WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1949 AS A COLLECTIVE DEFENSE ALLIANCE TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE AND TERRITORY OF ITS MEMBERS.

AFTER A NEARLY YEAR LONG PROCESS, LAST WEEK FINLAND BECAME THE 31ST RATIFIED COUNTRY TO JOIN THE ORGANIZATION.

TO CELEBRATE THE MILESTONE, SENATOR AMY KLOBUCHAR AND FINNISH AMBASSADOR MIKKO HAUTALA STOPPED AT FINNFEST TO DISCUSS THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS ALLIANCE.

PRODUCER MEGAN MCGARVEY BRINGS US THIS REPORT.

MEGAN: THAT'S RIGHT, LAST WEEK FRIDAY, HALL WAS FILLED FROM WALL TO WALL WITH FOLKS EAGER TO LEARN MORE ABOUT NATO'S NEWEST MEMBER.

>> WE HAVE THE UTMOST PARTNER OF THE UNITED STATES ALREADY FOR A FEW DECADES, THREE DECADES AT LEAST.

WE HAVE BEEN CLOSE TO NATO FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS.

SO WE HAVEN'T BEEN TOO FAR AWAY.

BUT OF COURSE, IT WAS THE RUSSIAN ATTACK LAST YEAR FEBRUARY THAT CHANGED THE SITUATION.

IT LED TO THIS MOMENTOUS CHANGE IN OUR POSITION.

IT DROVE FINLAND AND SWEDEN TO APPLY FOR MEMBERSHIP AND ALSO IS NOW BRINGING MORE THAN NORDICS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY FOR A NUMBER OF CENTURY -- CENTURIES TO THE SAME ALLIANCE.

THIS WILL HAVE A PROFOUND MEANING NOT ONLY FOR FINLAND BUT ALL THE NORDICS AND NATO IN DEFENSE OF THE NATO'S NORTHERN FLAG.

>> WHEN YOU ARE NOT AN ALLY, YOU ARE LEFT OUT OF KEY PLANNING AND LOGISTICAL THINGS THAT MAKE YOU NOT ONLY A VIABLE PARTNER, BUT TO HELP YOU DEFEND YOURSELF.

AND SO THE BIGGEST CHANGE NOW IN THAT RESPECT IS FINLAND IS ON THE TEAM.

AND NOW WE PLAN TOGETHER, WE WORKED LOGISTICS TOGETHER, AND WE WILL ONLY BECOME EVEN MORE INTEROPERABLE INTO THE FUTURE.

MEGAN: WHEN ASKED WHAT BARRIERS WERE IN PLACE, THE AMBASSADOR HAD THIS TO SAY.

>> WE USED TWO HAVE I WOULD SAY FOUR BARRIERS.

ONE WAS THE NATIONAL OPINION.

MOST OF THE PEOPLE FELT THAT THE SITUATION IS IF NOT PERFECT, GOOD ENOUGH, WE DON'T NEED ABSOLUTELY TO MAKE THIS DECISION .

THERE WAS A DOMESTIC BARRIER.

SECONDLY, OUR CLOSE NEIGHBOR SWEDEN, WE DIDN'T WANT TO CHANGE THE TRADITIONAL ROLES AND LIKE ANYBODY WHO TAKES A LOOK AT THE MAP, FINLAND AND SWEDEN, THEY'VE GOT TO GO TOGETHER.

YOU CAN'T REALLY MEANINGFULLY TAKE THE OTHER ONE AND LEAVE THE OTHER ONE OUT.

THIRDLY, WE HAD WHAT WAS A SENSE ABOUT POSSIBLE RUSSIAN REACTIONS AND NOW THAT THEY ARE FIGHTING THE WAR IN UKRAINE, AND THEY ASSAULTED OUR STAFF, THAT FIGHT, WE CANNOT FOCUS ON MUCH ELSEWHERE.

THAT KIND OF GAVE US A CERTAIN ROOM TO MANEUVER.

THE FOURTH ONE IS THAT IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE ATTACK, THE WHOLE NATO WAS TAKING DEFENSE MORE SERIOUSLY.

NATO WAS REALLY LEADING ALL THESE ASPECTS AND WE COULD COUNT ON THEM TO GET ALL THE ALLIES INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES.

MEGAN: REGARDING HOW THIS ALLIANCE WILL IMPACT MINNESOTA, SENATOR AMY KLOBUCHAR HAD THIS TO SAY.

SENATOR KLOBUCHAR: LEADING WITH THE ECONOMICS OF THIS, IT DOES MATTER.

WHILE FINLAND HAS BEEN IN THE EU FOR QUITE A WHILE AND WE'VE HAD TRADE RELATIONS OF COURSE, THIS IS JUST GOING TO EVEN ENHANCE THOSE RELATIONS.

AND ESPECIALLY FOR MINNESOTA, IF I COULD PUT ON MY MINNESOTA HAT, THAT WILL BE GOOD BECAUSE WE ALREADY HAVE A FINNISH RESIDENCE WITH FINNISH AMERICANS AND TRADE.

THE GOVERNOR LED A TRADE MISSION TO FINLAND IN RECENT YEARS.

I THINK THAT'S AN EXAMPLE OF THAT.

I JUST SEE THIS AS NOTHING BUT A GOOD THING.

AND WE ARE VERY EXCITED THEY ARE PART OF NATO AND ALSO IN A SORT OF GOOD ALLY FASHION, THEY'VE BEEN WORKING REALLY HARD ON THE SWEDEN ISSUE BECAUSE AS YOU WELL KNOW, ERDOGAN PLEDGED, WHICH WAS A GOOD VICTORY FOR THE U.S., WILL SUPPORT SWEDEN'S ASCENSION INTO NATO.

WE STILL HAVE HUNGARY BUT THE BELIEF IS IN THE FALL, SWEDEN WILL BE PART OF NATO AS WELL.

I THINK IT IS ALL POSITIVE FOR MINNESOTA AND FOR OUR COUNTRY.

♪ DENNIS: A MAJOR STRIKE OF UNITED PARCEL SERVICE EMPLOYEES APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN AVERTED.

UPS WORKERS BEGAN VOTING ON A TENTATIVE DEAL TO END THE STRIKE THURSDAY, AFTER TEAMSTERS UNION LEADERS ENDORSED THE DEAL.

IF A DEAL HAD NOT BEEN REACHED, 340,000 WORKERS COULD HAVE HIT THE PICKET LINES, CAUSING A MAJOR DISRUPTION IN THE ECONOMY.

HERE WITH THE LATEST UPDATE IS ZAK RADZAK, SECRETARY-TREASURER OF TEAMSTERS LOCAL 346 HERE IN THE TWIN PORTS.

THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

MEMBERS WILL BE VOTING ON THE TENTATIVE AGREEMENT THROUGH AUGUST 22, I UNDERSTAND.

WILL IT BE A TOUGH SELL?

ZAK: IT SHOULDN'T BE.

THESE FOLKS HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR A LONG TIME FOR BETTER EQUALITY IN THE WORKPLACE ESPECIALLY FOR PART-TIME WORKERS THAT HAVE BEEN FORGOT ABOUT.

THIS WILL BRING THE PART-TIME WORKFORCE BACK TO WHERE THEY SHOULD BE IN 2023 WITH THE COSTS AND SUCH.

WITH A $21 AN HOUR BASE WAGE FOR PART-TIME AND $23 AND 8 -- AN HOUR FOR FULL-TIME, IT IS A GOOD WAGE.

IT IS A GOOD PACKAGE FOR THESE EMPLOYEES.

THEY HAVE GOOD PENSION, THEY HAVE WORKPLACE PROTECTIONS AND THEY WILL GET THEIR VACATIONS NOW WHICH WAS A STRUGGLE IN THE PAST.

IT ALLOWS THEM TO BE HOME WITH THEIR FAMILIES AND OPERATE AT A BETTER FAMILY LEVEL THAN IN YEARS PAST.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, SOCIAL MEDIA MAKES IT TOUGH.

KELSEY: HAVING THAT WORK-LIFE BALANCE IS IMPORTANT.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT HOW LONG NEGOTIATIONS HAVE BEEN UNDERWAY AND YOUR ROLE?

ZAK: FOREVER.

EVER SINCE SEAN 'BRIEN WAS ELECTED, OUR NEW SECRETARY GENERAL, HE IS YOUNGER AND WE HAVE HAD IN THE PAST.

WE HAD JAMES P HOFFA AND HE WASN'T A BAD UNION LEADER BUT HE PASSED HIS TIME.

WE HAVE A YOUNGER UNION LEADER WHO CAME IN WITH A POW ATTITUDE AND HE TOOK CONTROL OF THE SITUATION AND PUT UPS IN THE CORNER I RALLYING THE MEMBERS, PREPARING THEM FOR IT.

THAT IS WHY IT WAS SUCH A MEDIA PRESENCE THIS YEAR AS IT WAS IN THE YEARS PAST, WE MADE IT.

WE WANTED THE PUBLIC TO KNOW THIS COMPANY MADE $100 BILLION AND WE WANT A PIECE OF THAT PIE.

IN THE YEARS PAST IT WAS HANDLED DIFFERENTLY WITH NEW LEADERSHIP, NEGOTIATIONS STARTED IN JANUARY WITH SUPPLEMENT CONTRACTS FIRST.

UPS HAS A NATIONAL CONTRACT FROM EAST TO WEST AND SUPPLEMENT CONTRACTS WITHIN THAT AGREEMENT.

THAT COVERS 12 STATES.

THAT IS WHERE WE WERE ABLE TO GET MORE TIME OFF FOR FOLKS AND STUFF LIKE THAT, BUT THE ECONOMIC PART HAPPENS OUT EAST.

OVER THE LAST MONTH, IT GOT DOWN TO THE NITTY-GRITTY.

DENNIS: WHAT WILL THE NEW CONTRACT PROVIDE?

ZAK: $2.75 OFF THE BAT AN HOUR FOR EMPLOYEES AND IT WILL GET PART-TIME EMPLOYEES WHERE THEY NEED TO BE.

IT PROVIDES 100% HEALTH AND WELFARE COVERAGE, PENSION, WORKPLACE SAFETY, DRINKING FOUNTAINS, AIR CONDITIONING, WHICH ISN'T THE BIGGEST PRIORITY BUT IT IS DEFINITELY A PRIORITY.

IT CREATES A LOT OF SAFETIES FOR THE EMPLOYEES THAT WILL MAKE IT MORE COMFORTABLE FOR THEM TO WORK FOR THAT COMPANY.

KELSEY: CAN WE TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE ATTITUDE AND EXCITEMENT FROM DRIVERS.

IS THERE EXCITEMENT FROM DRIVERS AND A NEW ATTITUDE GOING ON?

ZAK: IF YOU READ THE SOCIAL MEDIA, IT SOMETIMES GETS CONSTRUED THAT FOLKS ARE NOT EXCITED BUT IF YOU GO TO THE BARS AND THE FOLKS THAT ARE EVERYDAY PEOPLE THAT ARE 90% OF THE WORKFORCE, THEY ARE ECSTATIC .

THIS IS THE BEST AGREEMENT THEY'VE HAD IN THE PAST 60 YEARS BUT EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE BEEN THERE FOR THE PAST 30 PLUS YEARS, THIS IS THE BEST THEY'VE SEEN.

ONLINE, SOMETIMES THE RADICALS YOU READ BUT WHEN YOU GET OUT AND TALK TO THEM, THE GROUP, THEY ARE EXCITED ABOUT THIS AGREEMENT.

DENNIS: A GROUP CALLED TEAMSTERS MOBILIZES RUNNING A VOTE NO CAMPAIGN SEEKING A BETTER DEAL FOR PART-TIME WORKERS.

ANY CHANCE THEY COULD SUCCEED?

ZAK: IT IS TOUGH.

SOCIAL MEDIA MAKES IT HARD TO UNDERSTAND WHAT'S REALITY OR FAKE BUT IF MEMBERS LISTEN TO WHAT THIS AGREEMENT IS, IT SHOULD PAST WITH 98% -- PASS WITH 98% YES.

DENNIS: HOW IS OUR LOCAL IN DULUTH?

ZAK: WE ARE NOT JUST LOCAL SO WE COVER PIPELINE, SCHOOL, HOSPITAL WORKERS, WE COVER UPS AND BRANDON.

WE COVER A LOT OF EMPLOYEES IN EVERY ASPECT OF THE ENVIRONMENT SO WE COVER A LOT.

THERE'S AROUND 2800, ANYWHERE FROM 1800 TO 2300.

KELSEY: CAN WE TALK ABOUT HOW THE LASTING EFFECTS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAVE PUT PRESSURE ON THE DRIVERS AS SHIPMENTS INTERNATIONALLY REALLY STARTED TO TAKE OFF?

IT SEEMS LIKE IT HAS CONTINUED.

ZAK: IT HASN'T EVERYWHERE.

IN THE NORTH LAND IT HAS BUT IN THE WESTERN PART OF MINNESOTA WE ARE SEEING A DECREASE IN PACKAGES.

IT IS STARTING TO SLOW DOWN BUT IN DULUTH, IT IS MORE OF A TOURIST AREA AND TORYISM DOESN'T SEE RECESSION UNTIL FIVE OR SIX YEARS LATER -- TOURISM DOESN'T SEE RECESSION UNTIL FIVE OR SIX YEARS LATER.

WE WILL BE GETTING 10 MORE DRIVERS IN DULUTH.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, YES.

DENNIS: WITH THAT, WE'VE RUN OUT OF TIME.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND EXPLAINING.

ZAK: THANK YOU.

KELSEY: 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 MARSHALL , HELMBERGER, THE PUBLISHER OF THE TIMBERJAY NEWS IN TOWER.

♪ MARSHALL: THIS WEEK, WE ARE REPORTING ON THE PROPOSED COPPER NICKEL MINE NEAR WHITE LAKES WHICH HAS SUFFERED ANOTHER BODY BLOW DELIVERED BY THE SUPREME COURT, WHICH HAS REVERSED THE WATER DISCHARGE PERMIT.

THE RULING ISSUED WEDNESDAY COMES ON TOP OF THE RECENT DECISIO BY THE U.. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS TO RESCIND THE PROPOSED WETLANDS PERMIT.

IT IS AMAZING HOW FAR THE FORTUNES OF THIS COMPANY HAVE FALLEN.

THE MINE HEAD APPEARED READY TO MOVE FORWARD IN 2018.

THEY RECEIVED THE LAST OF ITS OPERATING PERMITS BUT LEGAL CHALLENGES TO KEY PERMITS HAVE BEEN LARGELY SUCCESSFUL AND PUT THE FUTURE OF THE MINING OPERATION IN SERIOUS DOUBT.

THE COURTROOM DELIBERATIONS ALSO REVEALED QUESTIONABLE DECISION-MAKING BY THE POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY WHICH APPEARS TO HAVE BENT OVER BACKWARDS TO ACCOMMODATE THE OPPO-TACO -- PROPOSED MINE RATHER THAN SERVING AS A WATCHDOG AND REGULATOR.

THAT WAS A POINT MADE BY THE HIGH COURT IN ITS DECISION IN REVERSING THE PERMIT.

TO READ FROM THE DECISION -- "WE CONCLUDE THERE ARE DANGER SIGNAL SUGGESTING THE MPCA DID NOT TAKE A HARD LOOK AT WHETHER THE PERMIT COMPLIES WITH THE CLEAN WATER ACT AND THE MPCA DID NOT GENERALLY ENGAGE IN REASONABLE DECISION-MAKING IN DEALING WITH CONCERNS THAT WERE RAISED BY THE MPA.

THEREFORE CONCLUDE THE ACTION TAKEN BY THE MPCA AND INITIALLY THE PERMIT WAS ARBITRARY AND CAPRICIOUS, AND REMAND TO THE MPCA FOR FURTHER PROCEEDINGS ."

THOSE ARE PRETTY STERN WORDS.

♪ MARSHALL: WE ARE ALSO REPORTING ON THE DECISION BY -- TO DO A FEASIBILITY STUDY ON OPENING ITS OWN RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARY ON THE RESERVATION.

THE LANDMARK MARIJUANA LAW WHICH LEGALIZED USE AS OF TUESDAY GIVES TRIBES THE ABILITY TO SET THEIR OWN RULES WITH REGARDS TO MARIJUANA SALES AND USE ON RESERVATIONS WHICH COULD GIVE NATIVE BANS A SHORT ADVANTAGE.

WHILE IT IS NOW LEGAL TO SMOKE MARIJUANA IN MINNESOTA, THE ONLY PLACE MINNESOTANS CAN BUY IT CURRENTLY IS THAT RED WAKE.

THEY OPENED THEIR OWN DISPENSARY TUESDAY AND THERE WERE LONG LINES, AND THEY QUICKLY SOLD OUT OF AVAILABLE PRODUCT.

THE STATE IS BEING QUITE DELIBERATE SETTING THE RULES AND ESTABLISHING THE PROCESS FOR OPENING DISPENSARIES ELSEWHERE.

IT COULD BE MORE THAN A YEAR BEFORE THE FIRST SHOPS OPEN OFF RESERVATIONS.

LEADERS WILL BE REACHING OUT TO MEMBERS TO VIEW -- TO HEAR THEIR VIEWS ON THE SUBJECT BEFORE MAKING A DECISION.

THEY TYPICALLY SOUGHT THAT INPUT BEFORE UNDERTAKING ANY SIGNIFICANT COMMERCIAL VENTURE.

ASSUMING MEMBERS GIVE THE GREEN LIGHT, THEY COULD BE CONDUCTING THEIR OWN SALES OF MARIJUANA AS EARLY AS THE END OF THE YEAR.

FINALLY, WE ARE REPORTING ON THE LATEST ANTLER LISTS DEAR QUOTAS WHERE RECENT SNOWY WINTERS HIT THE DEER POPULATION HARD.

MOST DEER PERMIT AREAS WILL BE LIMITED TO BOX ONLY IN THOSE -- BUCKS ONLY AND THERE WILL BE SIGNIFICANTLY FEWER.

LICENSES ARE ON SALE THROUGH LICENSED VENDORS OR ONLINE THROUGH THE DNR.

HUNTERS HOPING TO RECEIVE A PERMIT NEED TO PURCHASE THEIR LICENSE BY THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 TO BE ENTERED IN THE LOTTERY.

HUNTERS IN ST. LOUIS, LAKE, AND COOK COUNTIES WILL NEED TO APPLY BECAUSE THERE ARE LIMITED BUCKS.

THAT SEASON GETS UNDERWAY SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4 THROUGH SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19.

DENNIS: REMEMBER, YOU CAN KEEP UP WITH ALMANAC NORTH BY FOLLOWING US ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.

LOOK TO THE PBS NORTH WEBSITE FOR PROGRAM UPDATES, NEWS ABOUT THE STATION AND OUR UPCOMING EVENTS.

AND DOWNLOAD THE PBS VIDEO APP TO WATCH YOUR FAVORITE PBS PROGRAMS ON DEMAND.

KELSEY, THANKS FOR HELPING US OUT THIS WEEK.

I CERTAINLY HOPE YOU'LL COME BACK AGAIN.

KELSEY: I HOPE I HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY.

DENNIS: THANK YOU.

WITH KELSEY ROSETH, I'M DENNIS ANDERSON.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

GOOD NIGHT, EVERYBODY AND BE , KIND.