JULIE: I'M JULIE ZENNER ALONG WITH DENNIS ANDERSON.

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

DENNIS: THE HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF DULUTH BROKE GROUND THIS WEEK ON A PROJECT THAT WILL HELP EASE THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING SHORTAGE.

JULIE: WE WILL TALK WITH A LABOR RELATIONS EXPERT ABOUT THIS WEEK'S NURSES STRIKE AND WHAT'S NEXT.

DENNIS: AND WE'LL HAVE A REPORT ON A DULUTH-BASED COMPANY THAT IS TAKING DEER STAND TECHNOLOGY TO NEW HEIGHTS.

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

♪ HELLO AND WELCOME TO ALMANAC NORTH.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

DENNY, THE RAIN AND COOL TEMPS CAN ONLY MEAN ONE THING.

FALL IS HEADING OUR WAY QUICKLY.

DENNIS: IT CERTAINLY IS.

THAT RAIN REALLY CAME DOWN.

WE HAD QUITE A BIT OF RAIN.

JULIE: LET'S ONE THINGS WITH THE HEADLINES.

DENNIS: THANKS, JULIE.

WEDNESDAY WAS THE UNVEILING FOR THE CHIEF BUFFALO MEMORIAL MURAL PROJECT IN DULUTH.

WITH THE HELP OF CHIEF BUFFALO'S DESCENDANTS, THE MURALS DEPICT CHIEF BUFFALO'S TRAVELS, THE SANDY LAKE TRAGEDY, OJIBWE FLORALS, FOLKLORE, AND COSMOLOGY.

THE FISH ON THE MURAL WERE CREATED THROUGH COMMUNITY PAINTING SESSIONS.

THE UNVEILING CONSISTED OF A FEAST IN A FORUM -- AND A FORUM WHERE COMMUNITY MEMBERS COULD ASK QUESTIONS AND TOUR THE MURAL.

>> THE PROJECT HAS BEEN GUIDED BY DESCENDANTS OF CHIEF BUFFALO.

WE HAVE AN ELDER ON THE INDIGENOUS COMMISSION WHO SAYS WE DON'T GO TO GOOGLE.

WE GO TO OUR COMMUNITY.

THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE BEEN LIVING BY.

IT IS COOL TO HAVE AN INTER-TRIBAL EXPERIENCE WITH OUR ARTISTS, LIKE ONE FROM REDCLIFF WHICH IS WHERE CHIEF BUFFALO IS FROM.

I AM A DESCENDANT AND TWO OTHER ARTIST ARE A PEOPLE.

SO VERY DIFFERENT PEOPLE COMING TOGETHER AND ADDING TO THIS.

SO RECOGNIZING THIS LEADER BEYOND THAT AREA AND WHAT HE HAS CONTRIBUTED HERE.

JULIE: 15,000 NURSES IN MINNESOTA WALKED OUT ON A THREE-DAY STRIKE ON MONDAY IN WHAT SOME ARE CALLING THE LARGEST PRIVATE SECTOR NURSING STRIKE IN U.S. HISTORY.

NURSES WERE BACK ON THE JOB THURSDAY, WITH FUTURE BARGAINING SESSIONS TO COME.

WE WILL HAVE MORE ON THE STRIKE LATER IN OUR SHOW.

DENNIS: CLOQUET'S CHURCHILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HAS BEEN NAMED A NATIONAL BLUE-RIBBON SCHOOL BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

THE CLOQUET SCHOOL IS ONE OF JUST EIGHT AWARDED THE HONOR IN MINNESOTA.

BLUE RIBBON SCHOOLS ARE SELECTED BASED ON OVERALL ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OR PROGRESS IN CLOSING ACHIEVEMENT GAPS BETWEEN STUDENT GROUPS.

JULIE: AND SUPERIOR MAYOR JIM PAINE ANNOUNCED THURSDAY HE PLANS TO RUN FOR REELECTION.

PAINE HAS BEEN MAYOR SINCE 2017, WHEN HE WAS ELECTED TO SERVE OUT THE REMAINING TWO YEARS OF BRUCE HAGEN'S TERM, WHO RESIGNED.

PAINE IS THE FIRST CANDIDATE TO DECLARE FOR THE MAYOR'S RACE.

A PRIMARY WOULD BE HELD FEBRUARY 21, WITH THE GENERAL ELECTION SLATED FOR APRIL 4, 2023.

DENNIS: AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES FACING DULUTH AND BEYOND.

OLDER HOUSING STOCK AND RISING RENTS ARE PUTTING A DAMPER ON GROWTH IN THE REGION.

WHILE THE HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF DULUTH BROKE GROUND THIS WEEK ON A PROJECT THAT WILL HELP ALLEVIATE THAT HOUSING SHORTAGE.

AND SO, JOINING US WITH MORE IS JILL KEPPERS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF DULUTH.

THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

WELCOME.

JILL: THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

DENNIS: WHAT IS THAT ALL ABOUT.

JILL: 18 UNITS OF SMALL COTTAGES .

THEY WILL BE AFFORDABLE FOR THE WORKFORCE IN DULUTH.

THE RENT WILL BE SET SO THEY ARE AFFORDABLE AT 50%, 80%, 90%, AND 100% OF THE AREA MEDIAN INCOME.

DENNIS: WHERE?

JILL: 70 1ST AVENUE WEST.

JULIE: HOW CRITICAL IS THE HOUSING SHORTAGE?

JILL: VERY CRITICAL.

OUR LIST FOR PEOPLE EXPENSING HOMELESSNESS CONTINUES TO GROW.

OUR HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHERS ARE MORE AND MORE DIFFICULT, FINDING PLACES TO LIVE BECAUSE RENTS CONTINUE TO CLIMB.

JULIE: ARE THERE SPECIFIC TYPES OF HOUSING THAT ARE MOST NEEDED?

WOULD RENTAL FALL INTO THAT?

ARE THEIR NEEDS AT ALL LEVELS?

JILL: THERE ARE NEEDS AT ALL LEVELS.

WE HAVE PROGRAMS THAT ADDRESS THOSE NEEDS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

DENNIS: WHEN WILL THE PROJECT BE COMPLETED?

JILL: THEY'RE HOPING TO HAVE THESE LABS POURED BEFORE -- THE SLABS POURED BEFORE WINTER.

JULIE: I WAS LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS FOR THE COTTAGES.

THE PROJECT ITSELF IS $5 MILLION FOR 18 UNITS, WHICH AVERAGES OUT TO $286,000 APIECE.

THEY SOUND LIKE PRETTY MODEST UNITS.

IS THERE A WAY TO MAKE AFFORDABLE HOUSING ATTRACTIVE TO PRIVATE DEVELOPERS, OR IS IT ALWAYS SOMETHING WHERE THE COST IS TOO HIGH AND IT WOULD HAVE TO BE SUBSIDIZED?

JILL: THESE WILL NOT BE SUBSIDIZED UNITS.

THAT IS NICE.

IF YOU'RE GOING TO BUILD STRAIGHT, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, OFTEN YOU HAVE TO USE THE LOW INCOME TAX CREDIT PROGRAM, A COMPETITIVE APPLICATION PROCESS WITH THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

THESE COTTAGES ARE PAID FOR WITH FUNDING FROM THE DULUTH --, THE AMERICAN RESCUE ACT FUNDING, AND A MORTGAGE FROM A BANK.

IT IS ABOUT $5 MILLION FOR THE WHOLE PROJECT, INCLUDING THE WHOLE SITE DEVELOPMENT.

WE HAVE TO REPAVE ROADS.

ALL THE UTILITY HOOKUPS.

TRAIL LIGHTING.

THIS IS A NICE COMMUNITY.

THERE WILL BE INTERNET DID -- INTERCONNECTED TRAILS WITHIN THE COTTAGES.

DENNIS: YOU'RE ALSO WORKING ON SKYBRIDGE FLATS?

JILL: THAT IS OUR 70-UNIT SENIOR PROJECT.

BY SENIOR, 55 PLUS, WHICH GETS CLOSE TO HOME.

IT IS WHAT IT IS.

THAT IS A HOUSING INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT, SO THAT AUTHORITY WAS AWARDED THE LARGEST BOND AWARD IN THE STATE LAST YEAR OF $14 MILLION.

THERE ARE $3 MILLION OF HRA MONEY THAT WILL GO INTO THAT PROJECT TO BUILD 70 UNITS, PEOPLE AGE 55 PLUS, ONE-BEDROOM UNITS.

JULIE: IS THE SENIOR POPULATION PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE?

ARE THEY HAVING A PARTICULAR TROUBLE FINDING AFFORDABLE HOMES?

JILL: IT IS INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT BECAUSE THE HOUSES IN DULUTH, OFTEN TIMES THE BEDROOMS AND BATHROOMS ARE UPSTAIRS AND YOUR LIVING SPACES DOWNSTAIRS, SO FINDING A WAY FOR PEOPLE THAT CAN AGE IN PLACE AND STAY IN THEIR COMMUNITY IS WHAT WERE LOOKING FOR HERE.

JULIE: HAS THE COMMUNITY MADE SIGNIFICANT STRIDES OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS FOR 15 YEARS IN TERMS OF TRYING TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE HOUSING NEED, AND BE DOING SO SUCCESSFULLY?

JILL: WE TRY TO BE CREATED.

WE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE SENIOR HOUSING AND ANOTHER HOUSING DEVELOPMENT WITH DEVELOPERS WHO APPLY FOR FUNDING TO BUILD MORE AFFORDABLE UNITS IN TOWN.

WE HAVE HAD OTHER DEVELOPERS IN RECENT YEARS A REAL INTEREST IN BUILDING AND DULUTH, SO WE TRIED TO ENCOURAGED OTHER DEVELOPERS TO COME TO TOWN AND SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO.

THE MORE, THE BETTER.

DENNIS: YOU HAVE APPLIED FOR HARBOR HIGHLANDS TOWNHOMES.

TELL US ABOUT THAT.

JILL: IT WILL BE 40 UNITS OF FAMILY HOUSING AT THE HARBOR HIGHLANDS SIDE, JUST BELOW SKYBRIDGE FLATS.

WE WILL FIND OUT IN DECEMBER IF THE PROJECT IS FUNDED.

JULIE: FOR PEOPLE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE HRA AND WHAT YOU DO, GIVE AN OVERVIEW OF SOME OF THE THINGS YOU HAVE YOUR FINGERS IN AND THE PROJECTS YOU ARE WORK ON IN THE SERVICES YOU'RE PROVIDING.

JILL: THE HRA HAS A VARIETY OF DEPARTMENTS.

WE HAVE A HOUSING DEPARTMENT, PUBLIC HOUSING, ASSISTANCE, AND PROJECT VOUCHERS IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

WE HAVE RENT SUBSIDY DEPARTMENT, WHICH HAS 1500 UNTIL VOUCHERS FOR PEOPLE TO USE TO HELP PAY FOR RENT AND MANAGES OTHER SMALL PROGRAMS FOR SPECIALTY POPULATIONS AS WELL.

OUR REHABBED AND REAL ESTATE DEPARTMENT HAS HOMEOWNERSHIP.

WE DO ZERO ENTRIES DEFERRED CONTRACT FOR DEEDS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE AT THE LOWER INCOME LEVEL TO GET THEM INTO INITIAL HOMEOWNERSHIP.

WE HAVE A CONSTRUCTION TRAINING PROGRAM.

DENNIS: WHAT IS THAT ALL ABOUT?

JILL: IT IS THIS GREAT LITTLE PROGRAM THAT SEEMS TO CHECK A LOT OF BOXES.

WE ARE ABLE TO WORK AND PARTNER WITH THE COMMUNITY IN DULUTH TO RECRUIT PEOPLE WHO MAY HAVE BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT, MAYBE HISTORICALLY DISADVANTAGED POPULATIONS, AND BRING THEM IN AND SET UP A CREW WHERE THE HR I A BUY A HOME IN THE CRUEL WORK AND GET HANDS-ON TRAINING AND THEY ARE PAID TO DO IT TO GET HANDS ON TRAIN REMODELING THE HOUSE AND THEN THEY TAKE CLASSES AT LAKE SAPIR COLLEGE AS WELL.

DENNIS: VERY GOOD.

WE HAVE TO RUN.

THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

JILL: THANK YOU.

JULIE: THANK YOU.

GOOD JOB.

♪ IT'S TIME NOW FOR VOICES OF THE REGION.

IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT STORIES BEING COVERED BY AREA JOURNALISTS.

THIS WEEK OUR GUEST IS DANIELLE KAEDING WITH WISCONSIN PUBLIC RADIO.

♪ DANIELLE: FOR MORE THAN 120 YEARS, A PAPER MILL HAS OPERATED THE RIVER IN NORTHERN WISCONSIN, NEAR THE CITY OF PARK FALLS.

NOW THAT IT IS CLOSE, THE CITY IS TRYING TO DEFINE ITSELF AND IT HAS BEEN LEASING THE SPACE TO A CRYPTO MINING OPERATION.

THE MAYOR SAYS THE CITY HAS ALWAYS HAD A MILL SINCE THE LATE 1890'S, THAT IS UNTIL IT SHUT DOWN LAST YEAR, AND THAT PUT AROUND 100 PEOPLE IN THE CITY OUT OF WORK, AND THEY ALREADY HAVE FOUR CONTAINERS UP AND RUNNING AT THAT MILL SITE THAT HOLD COMPUTERS THAT ESSENTIALLY USING ENERGY TO MINE BITCOIN ANOTHER CRYPTOCURRENCIES, AND THIS TYPE OF MINING RELIES ON A GLOBAL NETWORK OF COMM COMPUTERO VERIFY ONLINE TRANSACTIONS AND CREATE NEW DIGITAL CURRENCIES LIKE BITCOIN.

THE CHINESE COMPANY SAID THEY SPENT AROUND $27 MILLION ON A WISCONSIN SUPERCOMPUTER CENTER LAST YEAR TO BUILD UP ITS HOSTING SERVICE IN NORTH AMERICA BECAUSE THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAD BANNED CERTAIN TYPES OF CRYPTOCURRENCY MINING, SO THEY ARE SHIFTING INTO NORTH AMERICA, AND THE COMPANY IS CURRENTLY LOOKING TO GROW ITS OPERATION AT THE FORMER MILL SITE IN PARK FALLS.

THE SITES OWNER SAYS THEY HOPED THAT THESE SPACE TO OTHER BUSINESSES AS WELL.

♪ A FEDERAL JUDGE RULED THAT A CANADIAN ENERGY FIRM AMBRIDGE TRESPASSED ON LANDS OWNED BY THE TRIBE AND PROFITED AT THE EXPENSE OF THE TRIBE, BUT THE FEDERAL JUDGES STOP SHORT OF SHUTTING DOWN THE COMPANY'S OIL AND GAS PIPELINE RUNNING ACROSS THE BAD RIVER RESERVATION.

THE TRIBE HAD SUED AMBRIDGE AND 2019 TO SHUT DOWN AND REMOVE LINE FIVE FROM TRIBAL LANDS OVER THE THREAT OF A SPILL, AND DESPITE THE COMPANY'S TRESPASS ON PRIVATE LANDS, A FEDERAL JUDGE WILLIAM CONNOLLY RULED THE PIPELINE MAY CONTINUE TO OPERATE BECAUSE IT SHUT THAT WOULD AFFECT THE REGIONAL ECONOMY, ENERGY SUPPLIES, AND TRADE WITH CANADA.

BAD REVOLT TRIBAL CHAIRMAN'S MIKE WIGGINS JUNIOR SAYS THE RULING RECOGNIZE THE TRIBE'S TREATY RIGHTS.

IT IS A STEP FORWARD.

HE SAID IT MADE CLEAR THAT AMBRIDGE IS NOT ABOVE THE LAW.

AMBRIDGE FOR ITS PART THROUGH A SPOKESPERSON SAYS THE RULING UPHOLDS THE IMPORTANCE OF LINE FIVE AND RECOGNIZES ITS PROPOSAL TO REROUTE THE PIPELINE SHOULD MOVE FORWARD IN A TIMELY MANNER, BUT BAD RIVERS CHAIRMAN MIKE WIGGINS SAYS THE CURRENT PROPOSAL IS PROBLEMATIC BECAUSE IT RUNS THROUGH SENSITIVE AREAS THAT COULD IMPACT THE TRIBE'S WATER RESOURCES.

AMBRIDGE FOR ITS PARTS IS THE PIPELINE IS A VITAL ENERGY LINK TO THE REGION, AND ITS EXPERTS HAVE ARGUED THOUSANDS OF JOBS AND BILLIONS IN ECONOMIC OUTPUT COULD BE LOST IN THE UPPER MIDWEST DUE TO A SHUTDOWN OF LINE FIVE, BUT THE TRIBE'S EXPERTS DISPUTE THAT AND SAY THE COMPANY IS VASTLY OVERESTIMATING THE IMPACTS OF THE SHUTDOWN.

♪ THE WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES IS USING GOATS TO CONTROL INVASIVE PLANS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE STATE FOREST ON THE RIVER.

THE AGENCY IS PARTNERING ON THIS $7,500 PROJECT WITH MR. WILLIAMS AND HIS WIFE, AND BAYONNE -- THEY OWN A COMPANY AND THEY BEEN BRINGING IN 35 GOATS TO WORK FIVE ACRES OF THE FOREST THIS YEAR.

THE DNR FOREST MANAGER SAYS THEY HAVE HAD A PROBLEM FOR A LONG TIME.

THIS WOODY, INVASIVE SHRUB CAN CROWD OUT OTHER TREES LIKE WHITE PINE, ASH, AND BALSAM.

IN THE PAST THEY HAVE USED HERBICIDES AND MOWING TO CONTROL THE INVASIVE PLANT, BUT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THEY HAVE USED GOATS, AND THEY ARE PRETTY GOOD AT EATING EVERYTHING WITHIN REACH, ACCORDING TO THEIR OWNERS , SO DID DNR WILL BRING BACK THE GOATS IN THE SPRING, AND THEN THEY WILL EVALUATE THE SITE OVER TIME TO DETERMINE WHETHER IT IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE METHOD FOR REDUCING INVASIVE SPECIES THERE.

♪ ♪ DENNIS: AS WE MENTIONED EARLIER, ABOUT 15,000 NURSES IN MINNESOTA WENT ON A THREE-DAY STRIKE THIS WEEK.

THE STRIKE INCLUDED NURSES AT ST. LUKE'S IN DULUTH AND ESSENTIA HEALTH IN DULUTH AND SUPERIOR.

AT ISSUE ARE WAGES AND STAFFING LEVELS AT LOCAL HOSPITALS.

JOINING US NOW IS LABOR RELATIONS EXPERT JANNIFER DAVID, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AT UMD'S LABOVITZ SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS.

WELCOME.

THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

THE STRIKE IN THE TWIN CITIES CERTAINLY GOT A LOT OF MEDIA ATTENTION.

WHAT DID THAT STRIKE SIGNAL TO THE HOSPITALS?

JANNIFER: WELL, THE CONTRACT HAS EXPIRED, SO THERE ARE 15 CONTRACT IN PLAY ACROSS THE STATE.

THEY ALL EXPIRED AT THE END OF JUNE IN THE BEGINNING OF JULY, SO IT WAS A SIGNAL TO ALL HOSPITALS THAT THE NURSES ARE SERIOUS ABOUT WHAT THEY WANT.

THEY RECOGNIZE, NURSES RECOGNIZE THE COSTS TO THEIR PATIENTS FOR THIS KIND OF THING, SO IT WAS NOT MEANT TO BE SOME SORT OF LONG-TERM EXTENDED EVENT.

IT WAS MEANT TO SEND A SIGNAL THEY HAVE BEEN NEGOTIATING NOW SINCE APRIL, AND WE HAVE NOT REACHED A CONCLUSION YET.

JULIE: WHAT KIND OF IMPACT DO YOU THINK COVID-19 HAD ON WHERE THIS SITUATION IS TODAY?

JANNIFER: THAT IS ONE OF THE INTERESTING PIECES OF THIS, THAT STAFFING SEEMS TO BE THE BIGGEST ISSUE HERE, AND LARGE PROBLEMS WITH STAFFING IS NOT THE FAULT OF THE HOSPITALS OR NURSES, RIGHT?

WHAT HAPPENED WITH COVID-19 IS A LOT OF NURSES HAVE REACHED A HIGH LEVEL OF BURNOUT, SO THERE HAS BEEN TURNED OVER IN THE NURSING PROFESSION SINCE THE PANDEMIC STARTED, AND COUPLED WITH A HIGHER NEED FOR HOSPITAL CARE, SO YOU HAVE THIS GROWING GAP.

TO BE FAIR, THE TRUTH IS WE EXPECTED A SHORTING AND NURSES BEFORE THE PANDEMIC BECAUSE THERE WERE LOTS OF NURSES WHO WERE REACHING RETIREMENT AGE BEFORE THE PANDEMIC HIT, AND SO LOTS OF THOSE FOLKS HAVE CHOSEN TO RETIRE EARLIER.

DENNIS: WHY WAS THE STRIKE LIMITED IN SCOPE, JUST THREE DAYS?

JANNIFER: BECAUSE NURSES COME AT THE CORE OF THEIR BEING, THEY WANT TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR PATIENTS.

THREE DAYS IS ENOUGH TO SICKNESS AND ALL -- TO SEND A SIGNAL.

IT IS PAINFUL FOR NURSES TO BE ON THAT LINE AND KNOW THAT THEIR PATIENTS ARE IN THE HOSPITAL.

RIGHT?

THEY DON'T WANT TO CREATE THOSE DISRUPTIONS FOR THEM.

JULIE: YOU MENTIONED THE STAFFING SHORTAGES WERE ON THE TABLE EVEN BEFORE COVID-19, SO CAN THIS STRIKE MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE IN TERMS OF HOW HOSPITALS ARE STAFFED IF THEY DON'T HAVE THE PERSONNEL NEEDED TO STAFF THE WEIGHT THE NURSES WOULD LIKE IT TO BE?

JANNIFER: THAT IS A STRUGGLE, RIGHT?

ONE OF THE MESSAGES THE NURSES WERE TRYING TO SEND WAS THERE HAS TO BE, WE HAVE TO GET MORE CREATIVE ABOUT THE SOLUTIONS.

I THINK SOME OF THE HOSPITALS IN THIS GROUP OF HOSPITALS, I THINK ALL AGREE THAT WE NEED TO COME UP WITH CREATIVE WAYS TO GET MORE NURSES TO COME TO WORK.

THESE ARE DIFFICULT JOBS.

YOU'RE LOOKING AT ACUTE CARE NURSING WORK PEOPLE ARE VERY SICK.

THESE ARE HARD JOBS TO DO.

DENNIS: WAS THERE A HIGHER RISK TO PATIENT SAFETY DURING THE STRIKE?

JANNIFER: NOPE, ALL THE HOSPITALS HAD TIME AHEAD OF THE STRIKE TO BE PREPARED, SO THE REQUIRED TO GIVE 10 DAYS NOTICE.

ALL HOSPITALS HAVE TRAVELING NURSES WHO CAME IN AND FULFILLED THE NEEDS OF PATIENTS, SO I WOULD NOT EXPECT SO, NO.

JULIE: HOW PATIENT IS THE PUBLIC WITH LABOR STRIKES TODAY, PARTICULARLY WHEN THEY INVOLVE FOLKS WHO ARE IN SOME OF THESE CRITICAL POSITIONS LIKE NURSES, LIKE TEACHERS, LIKE POLICE OFFICERS?

JANNIFER: UM, MY SENSE IS THEY ARE MORE PATIENT TODAY THAN THEY WERE A DECADE AGO.

I THINK THAT THERE HAS BEEN SLOWLY A SHIFT IN THE RECOGNITION THAT THERE IS MAY BE MORE NEED FOR SOME OF THESE ACTIONS SOMETIMES TO GET A LITTLE BIT OF A SHAKEUP IN THE SYSTEM.

WE HAVE SEEN REAL WAGES DECREASE OVER TIME, AND WITH THE CURRENT INFLATION RATE, THAT HITS SOME GROUPS PARTICULARLY HARD.

DENNIS: DO YOU THINK DOWN THE ROAD THERE COULD BE ANOTHER WALKOUT?

JANNIFER: I SURE HOPE NOT.

[LAUGHTER] I DON'T KNOW, RIGHT?

I THINK MANY OF THE HOSPITALS INVOLVED IN THOSE INVOLVED IN THIS, THERE ARE DATES BEING SAID TO HAVE NEGOTIATION STARTING NEXT WEEK, SO HOPEFULLY THOSE THINGS WILL RESOLVE THEMSELVES, BUT I CANNOT SAY HOW THAT WILL PLAY OUT.

JULIE: I UNDERSTAND THE HOSPITALS ARE ASKING ABOUT MEDIATION, BUT NURSES DON'T SEEM TO WANT IT, WHY?

JANNIFER: I THINK THE NURSES FEEL MEDIATION IS NOT USEFUL AT THIS TIME BECAUSE THEY ARE TOO FAR APART RIGHT?

I DON'T KNOW IF THEY ARE RIGHT OR NOT, BUT RIGHT NOW THEY WANT THE HOSPITALS TO MOVE A LITTLE BIT MORE BEFORE THEY MIGHT WANT TO CONSIDER IT.

DENNIS: HOW DID THE HOSPITALS RESPOND TO THE STRIKE?

JANNIFER: MOSTLY BY TAKING CARE OF PATIENTS.

THEY WERE SUPER BUSY.

THERE WERE NO NEGOTIATIONS BECAUSE EVERYONE IN THE HOSPITAL WAS BUSY TAKING CARE OF PATIENTS.

JULIE: YOU SPECIALIZE IN LABOR RELATIONS.

DOES THE UNION STILL PROVIDE A VALUABLE SERVICE TODAY, WHEN IN TODAY'S WORLD THERE ARE SO MANY RULES GOVERNING HOW EMPLOYERS TREAT EMPLOYEES, AND IT IS ALL CODIFIED INTO LAW?

JANNIFER: I THINK THAT IS A GOOD QUESTION.

YES, I WOULD SAY THEY DO PROVIDE A BALANCE.

THERE IS AN INHERENT DIFFERENCE IN POWER BETWEEN COMPANIES AND EMPLOYEES.

IF AN EMPLOYEE LEAVES A JOB, THAT IS A LIFE-CHANGING EVENT FOR THAT EMPLOYEE.

IF AN EMPLOYEE LEAVES A JOB, THE COMPANY HAS A WHOLE SYSTEM SET UP TO REPLACE THEM.

IT IS NOT A CATASTROPHIC EVENT FOR THEM, AS IT WOULD BE FOR AN EMPLOYEE POTENTIALLY, SO THAT IMBALANCE PUTS MANAGEMENT IN A POSITION TO MAKE DEMANDS.

DENNIS: SURE.

JANNIFER: OVER TIME, WE HAVE SEEN PIECES AND PARTS OF OUR WORKING CONDITIONS ARE ROAD.

DENNIS: WITH THAT WE HAVE TO CLOSE IT.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

JANNIFER: THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

JULIE: WELL, THE MINNESOTA AND WISCONSIN ARCHERY DEER SEASON BEGINS THIS WEEKEND.

FOR THOSE WHO HUNT FROM TREE STANDS, FINDING THE RIGHT PLATFORM TO STAND ON FOR HOURS CAN BE A CHALLENGE.

TONIGHT, WE HAVE THE STORY OF A COUPLE OF HUNTING BUDDIES WHO CAME UP WITH A NEW CONCEPT WHEN THEY COULDN'T FIND A PLATFORM THEY LIKED.

♪ >> SO SADDLE HUNTING IS PRIMARILY FOR WHITETAIL DEER, EVEN USING A CLIMBER STAND, IT IS TRULY THE ULTIMATE MOBILE SETUP.

YOU WILL BE ABLE TO CLIMB IN A TREE AS FAR AS YOU WANT WITH FIVE POUNDS OF GEAR OR LESS.

IT IS THE FIRST INJECTION MOLDED PLASTIC PLATFORM.

IT IS REVERSIBLE DESIGN.

IT HAS A 15 DEGREES SLOPE AND A 30 DEGREES SLOPE THAT GIVES YOU THE OPTION TO FLIP IT WHICHEVER WAY IS MORE COMFORTABLE FOR YOU.

IF YOU'RE ON A FLAT PLATFORM, YOUR ANKLES START TO HURT AFTER A WHILE THEN YOU FIND YOURSELF PUTTING YOUR FEET ON THE EDGE OF THE PLATFORM ANYWAYS, THEN YOUR FEET GET FATIGUE, SO IF YOU HAVE AN ANGLED SURFACE, THEN YOU CAN SORT OF ALLEVIATE BOTH OF THOSE.

THE OTHER THING WE DID IS WE CHANGED THE TYPICAL CAST ALUMINUM TO AN INJECTION MOLDED PLASTIC.

IT IS A FIBERGLASS REINFORCED NYLON, AND THAT BASICALLY GIVES IT THE SAME OR SIMILAR STRENGTH TO CAST ALUMINUM, JUST WITH DIFFERENT PROPERTIES.

IT IS QUIETER, SOFTER ON YOUR FEET.

A LOT OF WHAT WE DID IS WE KEPT THESE HEAVY ANGLES ON THE SIDES FROM THE BASICALLY SO WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO PUSH AROUND TO SHOOT 360 DEGREES YOU HAVE LEVERAGE TO PUT YOUR FOOT ON AND PUSH YOURSELF AROUND.

ONE OF OUR PARTNERS STARTED A 3D PRINTING COMPANY FOR HUNTING FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF HOOKS, LIKE BOW HANGERS AND DEER HOOKS, AND WE WERE PASSING AROUND THE IDEA FOR A FEW SEASONS, WE SHOULD JUST DESIGN A PLATFORM OR I WOULD ASK HIM TO DESIGN A PLATFORM, SO WE WENT BACK AND FORTH A LITTLE BIT.

>> THEN WE PUT BOTH TOGETHER.

I WAS THE ONLY ONE WITH THE 3D PRINTER BACK THEN.

THAT IS HOW WE STARTED.

BASICALLY, THEY AND MYSELF, WE KEPT ITERATING ON DIFFERENT IDEAS OF HOW TO MAKE THE PLATFORM BETTER.

MORE RIGID.

ALSO START CUTTING DOWN WEIGHT.

>> TWO HUNTING SEASONS AGO WE ENDED UP TO GET TO TEST OUR 3D PRINTING PROTOTYPES AT THE END OF THE SEASON, SO GETTING INTO DECEMBER, JANUARY, AND BASICALLY THE DESIGN AND A LOT OF THE GROUP TESTING WAS DONE HERE IN DULUTH AT MY HOUSE, AND WE GOT UP AND GOT A COUPLE OF SADDLES ON AND HAD A COUPLE OF PEOPLE STANDING ON IT, BOUNCING ON IT, TRYING TO BREAK AS MANY AS WE COULD COME AND TAKE NOTES ON WHAT WE SHOULD CHANGE.

IT IS SLIPPERY, SO LET'S ADD THAT NUBS AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

>> DURING COVID, IT IS SLOW, AND MANY COMPANIES SAID THEY COULD NOT MAKE THE PRODUCT BECAUSE IT IS COMPLEX, SO WE HAD TO PUSH BACK THE RELEASE DATE UNTIL THIS YEAR, BECAUSE WE COULD NOT FIND ANYBODY TO MAKE IT FOR US LAST YEAR.

>> WE ENDED UP FINDING ONE COMPANY THAT FINALLY SAID, YEAH, WE CAN DO THAT.

ALL RIGHT.

LET'S GO WITH THAT.

IT IS BASICALLY A GARAGE THING RIGHT NOW.

THEY ARE MADE IN CALIFORNIA, SHIPPED TO DULUTH, AND MYSELF OR OUR PARTNER IN VIRGINIA/MINNESOTA WORSHIP THEM OUT.

AS WE WERE TESTING IT AND TRYING TO BREAK IT AND TRYING TO MAKE IT FAIL, WE SORT OF ALL REALIZE THAT WE COULD PROBABLY SELL THIS AND HAVE A DECENT COMPETITIVE PRODUCT.

♪ JULIE: WE ARE OUT OF TIME, BUT YOU CAN KEEP UP WITH OUR SHOW BY FOLLOWING ALMANAC NORTH ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.

VISIT THE WDSE WEBSITE FOR PROGRAM UPDATES AND NEWS ABOUT THE STATION AND UPCOMING EVENTS.

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

DENNY, HARD TO BELIEVE BOW HUNTING SEASON IS HERE ALREADY.

FALL CAN'T BE FAR BEHIND.

DENNIS: IT SEEMS WE JUMP FROM JUNE TO DEER SEASON.

JULIE: YEAH.

DENNIS: WHERE DID THAT TIME GO?

JULIE: I DON'T KNOW, BUT I THINK I HAVE TO CLEAN UP MY FREEZER.

[LAUGHTER] THANKS TO OUR GUESTS AND THE CREW HERE IN THE STUDIO.

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

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT TIME.

♪