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

DENNIS: WITH THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR HERE, WE'LL TALK ABOUT “SEIZURE SMART SCHOOLS ” AND THE ROLE OF THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF MINNESOTA.

JULIE: THE THIRTY-SIXTH ANNUAL PRIDE FESTIVAL IS THIS WEEKEND IN THE TWIN PORTS, WE'LL HAVE A REPORT ON ITS LONG HISTORY.

DENNIS: AND WE WILL TALK WITH KELLY WESTLUND, THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE RUNNING TO BE THE NEXT STATE SENATOR FROM NORTHWEST WISCONSIN.

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

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

DENNY, LABOR DAY WEEKEND IS HERE ALREADY!

DENNY: SUMMER HAS MOVED BY QUICK.

IT'S NOT OVER YET, BUT WE STILL HAVE NICE WEATHER AHEAD.

JULIE: I THINK MOST SCHOOLCHILDREN THINK SUMMER IS OVER.

LET'S BEGIN WITH THE HEADLINES.

DENNY: THANKS JULIE!

ON THURSDAY, 15000 NURSES IN THE TWIN PORTS AND THE TWIN CITIES ANNOUNCED PLANS TO STRIKE FOR THREE DAYS BEGINNING SEPTEMBER TWELFTH.

NURSES AT ST. LUKES AND ESSENTIA HEALTH ARE AMONG THOSE WORKING WITHOUT A CONTRACT.

IN A STATEMENT, ESSENTIA HEALTH EXPRESSED DISAPPOINTMENT IN THE PLAN TO STRIKE AND CALLED FOR MEDIATION TO END THE LABOR DISPUTE.

HOSPITALS IN DULUTH, SUPERIOR AND MOOSE LAKE WOULD BE AFFECTED BY THE STRIKE.

JULIE: THE ST. LOUIS COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HAS FOUND NO BASIS FOR CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST THREE LAW ENNFORCEMENT OFFICERS INVOLVED IN A SHOOTING IN CHISHOLM THIS PAST APRIL.

MICHAEL DAVID JOHNSON WAS SHOT BY OFFICERS AS HE EXITED A CHISHOLM HOME, REFUSING DEMANDS TO DROP TWO KNIFES HE WAS HOLDING.

AS HE CAME AT THE OFFICERS, HE WAS SHOT SEVERAL TIMES AND DIED AT THE SCENE.

DENNY: IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT ELECTRIC VEHICLES, BAYFRONT PARK IN DULUTH WILL BE THE PLACE TO BE NEXT THURSDAY.

GREAT RIVER ENERGY AND LOCAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES HAVE ORGANIZED THE NORTH COUNTRY E-V SHOW AND TELL, A FREE EVENT FROM 4:00P.M.

TO 7:30 P.M. THURSDAY.

THERE WILL BE FOOD AND BEVERAGE VENDORS, ELECTRIC VEHICLES, A DISCUSSION PANEL AND LIVE MUSIC.

JULIE: AND THE LAKE SUPERIOR ZOO ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK ITS ACCREDITATION HAS BEEN RENEWED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS.

THE A.Z.A ACCREDITATION IS A RIGOROUS PROCESS INCLUDING A DETAILED APPLICATION AND A MULTI-DAY ONSITE INSPECTION BY EXPERT ZOOLOGICAL PROFESSIONALS.

THE LAKE SUPERIOR ZOO HAS NOW BEEN CONTINUOSLY ACCREDITED FOR THE PAST ELEVEN YEARS.

DENNY: STARTING THIS FALL, SCHOOLS IN MINNESOTA WILL BE A SAFER PLACE FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE LIVING WITH EPILEPSY.

“SEIZURE SMART SCHOOLS ” LEGISLATION PASSED LAST YEAR REQUIRES SCHOOLS TO HAVE STAFF TRAINED IN SEIZURE CARE.

HERE TO TELL US MORE IS GLEN LLOYD, CEO OF THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF MINNESOTA.

AND LISA PETERSON IS THE FOUNDATION'S OUTREACH DIRECTOR FOR NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

WELCOME, THANKS FOR BEING HERE!

GLEN:: THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

OUR SEIZURE SMART SCHOOL PROGRAM HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR A DOZEN YEARS AND IS COMMITTED TO MAKING SURE THAT FAMILIES AND CHILDREN HAVE PEACE OF MIND HEADING TO THE CLASSROOM THAT PERSONNEL ARE TRAINED AND PREPARED TO RESPOND TO SEIZURES.

THIS MEANS FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, BECAUSE OF THIS LEGISLATION, FOLKS CAN HAVE PEACE OF MIND THERE SCHOOL PERSONNEL KNOWS HOW TO RESPOND.

DENNY: IT MUST BRING COMFORT TO PARENTS.

GLEN: IT IS ABSOLUTELY A COMFORT TO PARENTS BECAUSE WE HAVE CONNECTIONS LIKE LISA AND HER WORK.

IT'S ONE-ON-ONE ENGAGEMENT.

JULIE: DID SPECIFIC WORK HAVE TO BE DONE TO MAKE SURE SCHOOLS IN THIS REGION WERE READY TO GO?

LISA: THIS YEAR'S LEGISLATION REQUIRES SCHOOLS HAVE AT LEAST SOMEONE ON SITE ALL THE TIME READY AND PREPARED TO RESPOND TO A SEIZURE.

A LOT OF SCHOOLS ARE TAKING PART IN OUR SEIZURE SMART SCHOOL TRAININGS ACROSS THE AREA.

THIS WEEK I DID NINE SEIZURE TRAININGS FOR SCHOOL STAFF TO HELP THEM LEARN HOW TO RECOGNIZE AND RESPOND TO SEIZURES.

JULIE: WHAT DOES THE TRAINING LOOK LIKE?

LISA: THE TRAINING HELPS TEACHERS LEARN THAT SEIZURES DON'T ALWAYS LOOK THE WAY HOLLYWOOD PORTRAYS IT.

THEY LEARN MORE SUBTLE WAYS SEIZURES CAN APPEAR.

THEY LEARN ABOUT NOT JUST KIDS THAT COME IN WITH A DIAGNOSIS, BUT THEY MAY HAVE OTHER STUDENTS IN THE CLASSROOM WHO ARE NOT YET DIAGNOSED.

TEACHERS ARE OFTEN THE ONES TO RECOGNIZE POTENTIAL SEIZURES IN THE CLASSROOM.

IT EMPOWERS EDUCATORS TO SHARE WHAT THEY ARE NOTICING AND THAT MAY LEAD TO A DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT OR DIAGNOSIS.

DENNY: HOW COMMON IS EPILEPSY?

LISA: EPILEPSY IMPACTS ONE IN 26 PEOPLE AT SOME POINT IN THEIR LIFETIME.

IT COULD BE YOUR NEIGHBOR, YOUR FRIEND, THEIR COWORKER.

THEY MIGHT BE LIVING WITH WELL-CONTROLLED SEIZURES.

IT MIGHT BE SURPRISING HOW COMMON IT IS.

GLEN: ONE IN 10 PEOPLE WILL HAVE A SEIZURE IN THEIR LIFETIME.

THAT'S A CRITICAL POINT FOR US TO CONSIDER.

WHETHER IT IS FROM BIRTH TO END-OF-LIFE, EPILEPSY AND SEIZURES CAN IMPACT ANYONE IN OUR COMMUNITY, NO MATTER HOW IN THE TOWN, NO MATTER IF YOU ARE BLACK OR WHITE, RICH OR POOR.

EPILEPSY IS IN YOUR COMMUNITY.

IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT WE ARE CLEAR WITH PEOPLE THAT WE CAN TALK WITH YOU ONE-ON-ONE.

WE CAN GIVE YOU A PRIVATE CONSULTATION.

WE CAN GIVE YOU THE ENCOURAGEMENT, CARE, AND SUPPORT THAT YOU NEED SO YOU ARE CONFIDENT AS YOU HAVE A DIAGNOSIS THAT YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT WAYS YOUR LIFE CAN BE BETTER.

THAT'S WHY THE FOUNDATION EXISTS.

WHAT TRIGGERED THIS LEGISLATION?

GLEN: THE FOUNDATION HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE 1954.

THAT COMMITMENT, THAT MISSION BEHIND HELPING FOLKS OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES OF LIVING WITH EPILEPSY HAS BUILT OFF OF A LEGACY OF GOOD PUBLIC POLICY.

THE DRIVING LAWS HAVE BEEN CHANGED OVER THE PAST 12 YEARS.

THIS WAS THE NEXT STEP IN INFLUENCING THE DIRECTION OF PEOPLE'S LIVES IN A POSITIVE WAY.

MORE THAN 5000 SCHOOLS ARE NOW REQUIRED TO BE READY AND PREPARED TO SUPPORT FAMILIES AS THEY START THE SCHOOL YEAR.

JULIE: HOW SERIOUS IS IT WHEN SOMEBODY HAS A SEIZURE IN A SCHOOL SETTING?

SHOULD PARENTS, TEACHERS, AND OTHER STUDENTS AROUND BE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE PERSON HAVING ONE?

LISA: MOST SEIZURES WILL NOT BE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY BUT IT REALLY MATTERS THAT PEOPLE ARE THERE AND PREPARED.

IF SOMEBODY IS HAVING A CONVULSIVE SEIZURE, IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW TO TURN THEM ON THE SIDE, PROTECT THEIR HEAD, TIME THE SEIZURE.

THE TIMING IS CRITICAL.

IF THEY ARE HAVING A FOCAL IMPAIRED AWARENESS SEIZURE WHERE THEY ARE CONFUSED, THEY MIGHT WANDER INTO TRAFFIC AREA THEY MIGHT NOT SEE A FLIGHT OF STAIRS.

SOMEONE UNDERSTANDING IT WAS A SEIZURE COULD GUIDE THEM AWAY FROM THE HAZARD.

IF THEY ARE HAVING A SEIZURE THAT CHANGES HOW THEY FEEL IT MAY FEEL LIKE FEAR OR DEJA VU AND THEY MAY NEED COMFORT AND REASSURANCE.

IF THE TEACHERS UNDERSTAND THAT, THEY CAN PROVIDE SUPPORT.

IF THEY ARE HAVING A SEIZURE WHERE THEY LOOK LIKE THEY ARE STARING OFF, THAT MAY BE MISINTERPRETED AS ADHD AND THE STUDENT MAY BEGIN FALLING BEHIND ACADEMICALLY BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT HEARING CRITICAL INFORMATION.

THERE ARE ACADEMIC AND SAFETY IMPACTS.

I WAS THIS KID FROM KINDERGARTEN UNTIL 11TH GRADE WITHOUT A DIAGNOSIS, SO I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT THE NEED FOR TEACHERS TO RECOGNIZE IT.

DENNY: A NEW SCHOOL IS JUST -- SCHOOL YEAR IS JUST BEGINNING.

OUR SCHOOLS READY?

LISA: THEY ALREADY IN MINNESOTA.

WITH THIS LEGISLATION NOW SCHOOLS HAVE THE TOOLS NEEDED TO MAKE SURE SOMEBODY IS ON-SITE READY TO RESPOND TO SEIZURES.

JULIE: ONE PERSON AT A SCHOOL IS NOT ALWAYS ON LOCATION WHERE SOMETHING MIGHT HAPPEN.

DO YOU SEE A CHANCE THIS WILL BE EXPANDED IN THE FUTURE WHERE PERHAPS ALL TEACHERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE TRAINING MORE ALL-STAR FOR BEAVER -- THE TRAINING OR ALL STAFF WOULD BE REQUIRED?

GLEN: ABSOLUTELY.

WE BELIEVE EVERYBODY IN THE COMMUNITY SHOULD KNOW HOW TO RESPOND TO A SEIZURE.

OUR WEBSITE IT'S A GREAT PLACE TO LEARN THE BASICS.

MORE THAN ANYTHING WE WANT EVERYBODY CONCERNED ABOUT KNOWING HOW TO SUPPORT THEIR COMMUNITY, SEIZURE FIRST AID IS A GREAT STARTING POINT FOR YOU.

D WE EXPECT -- WE EXPECT AND HAVE SEEN THAT CLASSROOMS HAVE WANTED THIS LEARNING TO TAKE PLACE.

TEACHERS CAN REQUEST OUR FREE TRAINING TO COME INTO THE CLASSROOM, TO HAVE THEIR STUDENTS BE PREPARED TO RESPOND TO SEIZURES.

WE HAVE SEEN GREAT BENEFITS FROM LIFE-SAVING SITUATIONS OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM INFLUENCE BECAUSE YOU LEARNED ABOUT SEIZURES IN SCHOOL.

JULIE: WHAT ABOUT THE PERSON THAT HAS EPILEPSY THEMSELVES?

IS THIS SOMETHING THAT CAN BE MANAGED WITH DIET OR BEHAVIORS?

LISA: THERE ARE DIFFERENT WAYS TO TREAT EPILEPSY.

MEDICATION HELPS SEVEN OUT OF 10 PEOPLE BUT THREE OUT OF 10 CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE WITH SEIZURE CONTROL.

OTHER OPTIONS INCLUDE DEVICES.

KETOGENIC DIET.

ALSO, SURGICAL OPTIONS.

IT REALLY DEPENDS ON THE PERSON AND WHICH DEVICES OR SURGERIES THEY MIGHT BE A CANDIDATE FOR.

DENNY: I WISH WE HAD MORE TIME FOR THIS CONVERSATION.

WE DON'T.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

GLEN: THANK YOU.

LISA: THANK YOU.

♪ JULIE: “PRIDE ”, A CELEBRATION OF DIVERSITY IS GENERALLY CELEBRATED IN JUNE AROUND THE COUNTRY.

BUT THE TWIN PORTS ANNUAL PRIDE FESTIVAL IS DIFFERENT IN THAT IT HAS BEEN HELD OVER LABOR DAY WEEKEND FOR THE PAST 36 YEARS.

PRODUCER ISAAC QUICK SPOKE WITH AN ORGANIZER AND A PERFORMER TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS UNIQUE EVENT: -- EVENT.

>> PRIDE IS AN IMPORTANT TIME NO MATTER WHERE IT IS BECAUSE IT COMMEMORATES ALL OF THE WORK THAT OUR QUEER ELDERS HAVE DONE.

PRIDE WAS STARTED IN 1969 BY THE UPRISING AT STONEWALL LEAD BY DRAG QUEENS AND TRANS WOMEN.

WE CELEBRATE THAT UPRISING, THAT SPIRIT DURING PRIDE.

MY NAME IS PRINCESS BUTTERCREAM.

IF YOU HAVE NOT GUESSED YET, I AM A DRAG QUEEN.

>> ALL OF THIS FOOTAGE WILL JUST MEAN -- BE ME DOING ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

I AM JUST REPEATING.

>> THIS ORGANIZATION PLANS A WEEKEND FESTIVAL OVER THE COURSE OF THE LABOR DAY WEEKEND SOMETIMES CALLED GAYBORDAY WEEKEND.

WE PLAN EVENTS THAT CELEBRATE DIVERSITY IN OUR CITY.

BECAUSE OF OUR PROXIMITY TO THE TWIN CITIES, THAT HAS A PRIDE WEEKEND ON THE OFFICIAL PRIDE WEEKEND, THAT COMMEMORATES THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE STONEWALL RIOTS, OUR PRIDE 36 YEARS OR SO AGO WAS STARTED ON LABOR DAY WEEKEND AS AN ALTERNATE WEEKEND.

IT WAS A BIG TOURISM WEEKEND AND A GREAT TIME TO HAVE IT.

IT IS AN ALL-INCLUSIVE WEEKEND AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO CELEBRATE DIVERSITY AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

IT'S A CELEBRATION FIRST AND FOREMOST.

WE ARE HERE AND PART OF THE CITY.

YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL WALKS OF LIFE ARE REPRESENTED.

>> EVERY PRIDE FESTIVAL I HAVE EVER BEEN TO HAS BEEN FAMILY-FRIENDLY.

THERE HAS BEEN NO EVEN RISQU É OUTFITS.

I KNOW WHAT PEOPLE ARE THINKING.

IT COMES FROM LIKE TV SHOWS FROM THE 90'S WHERE CHARACTERS WOULD GO TO PRIDE IN ONE EPISODE OR SOMETHING.

THAT'S NOT WHAT PRIDE LOOKS LIKE IN 2022.

IT IS A FAMILY-FRIENDLY FESTIVAL.

THERE IS A CHILDREN'S AREA AT THE BAYFRONT PRIDE AS WELL AS AT MINNEAPOLIS PRIDE.

THERE ARE ALL SORTS OF DIFFERENT BUSINESSES THERE.

THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS AT PRIDE IN MINNEAPOLIS DOING THEIR THING.

[LAUGHTER] SO, IT'S A PLACE FOR EVERYONE TO GATHER AND I CAN ASSURE ANY CONCERNED PARENTS THAT THE BAYFRONT FESTIVAL IS 100% CHILD APPROPRIATE.

IT IS A VERY SAFE PLACE FOR EVERYONE, NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE.

EVERY YEAR, THE PRIDE FESTIVAL GROWS.

WE HAVE WATCHED IT GROW FROM SOME YEARS WHERE IT IS A SMALL LITTLE PICNIC, ONCE AT A PICNIC PAVILION.

NOW THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, 5000 TO 10,000 PEOPLE COME TO THE TWIN PORTS TO CELEBRATE THE PRIDE FESTIVAL.

WE HAVE EVENTS WHERE LOCAL LEADERS, AND HAVE A COCKTAIL PARTY.

WE HAVE A MAYORS RECEPTION.

SATURDAY WE TOOK OVER BAYFRONT FESTIVAL PARK, A HUGE CONCERT PARK IN THE CITY.

PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER COME TO ENJOY MUSIC AND ART AND I'LL -- AND ALL SORTS OF FUN STUFF AND THE GREAT VIEWS OF BAYFRONT.

THERE ARE OF COURSE EVENTS AT LOCAL BARS.

DRAG SHOWS, STUFF ALL OVER TOWN.

THERE ARE FAMILY-FRIENDLY PICNICS.

WE DO A TRAIN RIDE UP THE NOSE -- THE NORTH SHORE ON THE NORTH SHORE SCENIC RAILROAD.

WE THINK WE ARE THE ONLY PRIDE FESTIVAL THAT HAS A TRAIN EXCURSION.

WE HAVE DJS, DANCING, MUSIC, AND FOOD ON THE TRAIN AREA WE HAVE A GREAT TIME THAT -- ON THE TRAIN.

WE HAVE A GREAT TIME THERE.

ANOTHER REALLY IMPORTANT EVENT THAT WAS STARTED MANY YEARS AGO BY MAYOR HERBERT BERKSON AND NOW THREE MAYORS SINCE HAVE CONTINUED THEIR TRADITION OF THE MAYORS RECEPTION THAT KICKS OFF THE PRIDE FESTIVAL.

UNLIKE A LOT OF OTHER PRIDE FESTIVALS THAT JUST SORT OF GET GOING AND HAVE EVENTS IN THE FESTIVAL PARK, OURS IS OFFICIALLY STARTED AND KICKED OFF EVERY YEAR BY THE MAYORS OF THE TWIN PORTS.

>> TODAY, THIS 36 ANNIVERSARY OF DULUTH SUPERIOR PRIDE.

IT IS IMPORTANT FOR ME THAT YOU KNOW AND UNDERSTAND THIS IS NOT THE 36 ANNIVERSARY OF THE MAYORS PRIDE RECEPTION.

THAT TOOK TIME.

THAT TOOK EFFORT.

IT TOOK UNFORTUNATE COURAGEOUS NEST FOR MY CREDIT -- COURAGEOUS NESS FOR MY PREDECESSOR HERB BERKSON TO BE BOLD THAT ALL PEOPLE GET TO EXIST AND WE GET TO CELEBRATE ONE ANOTHER.

AT THE TIME HIS MAYORS RECEPTION WAS A REMARKABLE ACT.

THAT IS SOMETHING WE GET TO BUILD UPON.

THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL GATHERING TODAY OF HOPE AND IDENTITY.

I AND -- AND THE CITY OF DULUTH AND THE CITY OF SUPERIOR AND OUR COMMUNITIES AND OUR STAFF AND OUR OFFICES AND OUR WORK IN THE COMMUNITY IS HERE IN SUPPORT OF EXACTLY WHO YOU ARE AND WHO YOU ARE MEANT TO BE.

>> SOMEONE VERY WISE ONCE SAID, PRIDE IS MORE THAN GETTING DRUNK AND SPUN AROUND ON A LAZY SUSAN.

IT'S ABOUT REMEMBERING OUR HISTORY.

REMEMBERING PEOPLE WHO FOUGHT FOR WHERE WE ARE TODAY.

PEOPLE WE LOST, OUR ANCESTORS, AND WHERE WE ARE GOING.

>> PEOPLE SHOULD COME OUT TO CELEBRATE THE DULUTH SUPERIOR PRIDE FESTIVAL BECAUSE IT'S A GREAT WEEKEND OF EVENTS WITH SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY.

>> LET'S DO IT.

>>[APPLAUSE] DENNY: VOTERS IN NORTHWESTERN WISCONSIN WILL HAVE A NEW SENATOR REPRESENTING THEM NEXT YEAR.

SENATOR JANET BEWLEY IS STEPPING DOWN AT THE END OF THE YEAR, LEAVING THE TWENTY-FIFTH SENATE DISTRICT SEAT OPEN ON THE FALL BALLOT.

JOINING US NOW IS KELLY WESTLUND, THE DEMOCRAT FROM ASHLAND RUNNING FOR THE 25TH DISTRICT SEAT.

THANKS FOR BEING HERE!

IT IS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON THE AIR TONIGHT.

KELLY: THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

DENNY: SINCE 2015 YOU HAVE BEEN THE NORTHWEST REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR U.S.

SENATOR TAMMY BALDWIN.

WHY NOW DO YOU WANT TO BE A MEMBER OF THE WISCONSIN STATE SENATE?

KELLY: IT STARTED WHEN THE OPPORTUNITY PRESENTED ITSELF.

WHEN THE SENATOR ANNOUNCED SHE WAS PLANNING TO RETIRE, THE WORK I HAD BEEN DOING FOR SENATOR BALDWIN'S OFFICE OVER THE LAST SEVEN YEARS GAVE ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET TO KNOW THE ISSUES OF CONCERN IN ALL COMMUNITIES IN NORTHWEST WISCONSIN AND GET TO UNDERSTAND WHAT OPPORTUNITIES ARE.

HERE IS THIS A CHANCE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY I LOVE SO MUCH.

I THINK I HAVE THE SKILLS AFTER ALL THIS TIME HELPING CONSTITUENTS AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO MAKE POSITIVE CHANGE IN MEDICINE.

JULIE: MANY WISCONSINITES ARE STRUGGLING TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE AND GAS IN THEIR TANKS.

WHAT IS THE MAIN MESSAGE YOU WANT TO DELIVER TO THEM?

THAT MIGHT PERSUADE THEM TO PUT YOU IN OFFICE.

KELLY: SURE.

I KNOW INFLATION IS ABSOLUTELY A CONCERN FOR FOLKS EVERYWHERE.

I KNOW GOVERNOR RIVAS AND -- GOVERNOR EVERS AND MANY OTHERS IN GOVERNMENT HAVE BEEN TRYING TO IDENTIFY SOLUTIONS TO BRING THE COST OF LIVING DOWN.

AND WISCONSIN WE HAVE THE LARGEST BUDGET SURPLUS IN A LONG ABOUT OF TIME THAT WE CAN USE TO MAKE SURE HEALTH CARE IS MORE AFFORDABLE.

WE CAN WAIVE GAS TAXES AND TAKE AWAY REQUIREMENT FROM AN AMONG CHARGES.

THERE ARE WAYS WE CAN HELP FOLKS AFFORD CHILDCARE AND MAKE SURE PEOPLE CAN STAY IN THEIR HOMES AND MAKE THE PRICE OF HOUSING MORE AFFORDABLE.

LOTS OF POLICIES ARE WAITING.

BUT RIGHT NOW, THE CONTROLLER IN THE LEGISLATURE IS IN REPUBLICAN HANDS.

THE LAST TIME THEY MET WHAT THE FIRST WEEK OF MARCH.

-- WAS THE FIRST WEEK OF MARCH.

THERE ARE LOTS OF PROBLEMS WE NEED TO ADDRESS BUT WE NEED FOLKS WHO WILL PRIORITIZE THAT WITH URGENCY.

DENNY: WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST PRIORITY YOU WANT TO BRING TO MADISON?

KELLY: NAMELY, COMMON SENSE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION AS WELL.

MY DEGREE IS IN CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND I HOPE THOSE SKILLS WILL BE USEFUL.

BECAUSE THERE IS SO MUCH WE HAVE IN COMMON.

SO MANY THINGS CAN SERVE MORE PEOPLE THAN CULTURE WAR ISSUES WE ARE FOCUSED ON.

A LOT OF THAT FOR ME, AT LEAST IN A PLACE LIKE ASHLAND, RETURNK -- STARTS WITH THE RETURN OF LOCAL CONTROL.

OFTEN FOLKS AT A LOCAL LEVEL HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THEIR COMMUNITY NEEDS ARE, WHAT THEY WANT TO PRIORITIZE.

WHEN FOLKS IN MADISON TAKE AWAY THAT DECISION-MAKING POWER AND PUT IT BACK INTO THE HANDS OF THE LEGISLATURE, THAT IS NOT REALLY SERVE OUR COMMUNITIES WELL.

I'M NOT SURE IF THAT MAKES SENSE.

[LAUGHTER] EVEN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONS OR IF YOU WANT TO DECIDE ABOUT A NEW DEVELOP IT -- DEVELOPMENT IN YOUR BACKYARD, AT LEAST AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, THOSE DECISIONS HAVE DIRECT, OBVIOUS IMPACT ON THE PEOPLE IN THAT COMMUNITY.

IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, YOU HAVE AN ELECTION COMING UP WHERE YOU CAN HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY.

I DON'T LIKE WHEN COMMUNITIES SPEND YEARS BUILDING THESE PLANS AND MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT HOW THEY WANT THEIR COMMUNITY TO BE ONLY TO HAVE MADISON SAY, NO, HERE IS THE ROW FROM TOP DOWN.

JULIE: MANY BUSINESSES IN NORTHERN WISCONSIN CAN FIND WORKERS.

SOLUTIONS TO HELP DEVELOP AND RETAIN A STRONG WORKFORCE OF FOLKS WHO HAVE THE RIGHT SKILLS AND WHAT WORK?

-- AND WHO WANT TO WORK?

KELLY: THERE ARE A LOT OF FANTASTIC PROGRAMS IN DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES, WHETHER ON-THE-JOB TRAINING, APPRENTICESHIPS THROUGH UNION ORGANIZATIONS, CHANCES FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS OR PEOPLE LOOKING FOR RESCALING -- RE-SKILLING OPTIONS TO LEARN THE THINGS THEY NEED FOR TODAY'S ECONOMY.

PART OF THIS IS BROADBAND EXTRACTION -- EXPANSION TO REACH EVERY COMMUNITY, BECAUSE A LOT OF JOBS YOU CAN DO REMOTELY.

IT IS ALSO WORTHWHILE TO LOOK AT HOW WE MANAGE THINGS LIKE IMMIGRATION AND RESETTLEMENT OF REFUGEES.

THE FACT IS, NORTHERN WISCONSIN HAS BEEN AGING AND THE POPULATION HAS BEEN DECLINING FOR SOME TIME.

IF WE ARE GOING TO FIND ENOUGH WORKERS TO FILL THE JOBS AVAILABLE, WE WILL HAVE TO BRING MORE PEOPLE HERE INCLUDING YOUNG FAMILIES AND YOUNG PROFESSIONALS.

DENNY: YOU SAID YOU HAD A LOT ON THE PLATE TO GET ACCOMPLISHED.

WHAT ARE THE VOTERS ASKING OF YOU?

KELLY: AT THIS POINT, WE HAVE BEEN KNOCKING DOORS EVERY DAY THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT.

THE MOST COMMON ISSUES OF CONCERN ARE EITHER REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS AND THE PROTECTION OF THOSE GIVEN THE STATE OF AFFAIRS IN WISCONSIN, AND THE OTHER IS FAITH IN DEMOCRACY IN GENERAL.

WHAT WE HAVE SEEN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS IS A SHIFT TOWARDS PEOPLE NOT HAVING AS MUCH FAITH IN THE INSTITUTIONS LIKE OUR VOTING SYSTEMS.

THEN THERE IS A LOT AT STAKE.

WISCONSIN PLAYS A PRETTY BIG ROLE WHEN IT COMES TO NATIONAL ELECTIONS.

SO GETTING PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND BETTER HOW GOVERNMENT WORKS AND HOW TO HAVE FAITH IN ELECTIONS AGAIN AND MAKE SURE EVERYBODY FEELS LIKE THEY HAVE A SAY I THINK IT'S REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT.

PEOPLE EXPECT FREEDOM OVER THEIR OWN LIVES AND CHANCES TO MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS.

JULIE: I BELIEVE THIS IS THE LARGEST DISTRICT IN THE STATE.

KELLY: IF NOT THE LARGEST, ONE OF THE LARGEST.

JULIE: A LOT OF GROUND TO COVER, EITHER WAY.

ARE YOU FINDING A LOT OF DIVERSITY OF OPINIONS?

KELLY: YOU CAN DEFINITELY TELL WHAT CORNER OF THE DISTRICT YOU ARE IN AS YOU GO.

EVEN THE CULTURAL FABRIC OF A GIVEN COMMUNITY CHANGES FROM ONE END TO THE OTHER.

THERE MAY BE AREAS IN THE EAST MORE FOCUSED ON FORESTRY AND TIMBER AND THE HISTORY OF MINING.

ON THE LAKE SHORE, THERE IS A LOT OF FOCUS ON LAKE SUPERIOR, THE PORTS, AT ALL THE THINGS THAT COME WITH THAT.

IN THE SOUTHWEST THERE IS A LOT MORE AGRICULTURE AND MANUFACTURING.

YOU CAN DEFINITELY TELL WHICH AREAS ARE MORE RED OR BLUE.

BUT THE PEOPLE WE ARE TALKING TO IS A WIDE SWATH OF FOLKS IN THE MIDDLE.

AND PEOPLE ARE PAYING MORE ATTENTION NOW THEIR MINDS ARE CHANGING.

GLEN: THINK --DENNY: THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

KELLY: THANK YOU.

♪ JULIE: IT'S TIME NOW FOR OUR WEEKLY SEGMENT “VOICES OF THE REGION ”.

IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT STORIES BEING COVERED BY JOURNALISTS IN OUR REGION.

THIS WEEK OUR GUEST IS HEIDI HOLTAN FROM NORTHERN COMMUNITY RADIO IN GRAND RAPIDS.

♪ HEDI: THIS WEEK A NEW NOVEL CAME OUT FROM WILLIAM KENT KRUGER IN HIS CLARK O'CONNOR MYSTERY SERIES CALLED FOX CREEK.

HE'S A NEW YORK TIMES BEST-SELLING AUTHOR FROM MINNESOTA WHO CREATED A FICTIONAL TOWN CALLED AURORA WITH RESEMBLANCE TO REAL LIFE HERE ON THE IRON RANGE.

THERE IS A JETWAY CULTURE AND LANGUAGE AT THE CENTER AND HIS CHARACTERS CORK AND IHIS WIFE RAINEY ARE ON THE BOUNDARIES ON A QUEST WITH A HEALER, HENRY.

I ASKED HOW HE TWEAKED HIS STYLE FOR A NEW MYSTERY.

>> I HAVE WRITTEN 19 BOOKS IN THE TALK O'CONNOR SERIES.

IN ORDER TO KEEP MYSELF AND MY READERS INTERESTED I TRY TO DO A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

I MONKEYED WITH STRUCTURE AND USED DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW.

ANY FOX CREEK I DECIDED TO USE PRESENT TENSE RATHER THAN THE TYPICAL PAST TENSE IN STORYTELLING.

IT CAME TO ME IN PRESENT TENSE BUT I LIKED IT BECAUSE PRESENT TENSE IS SO IMMEDIATE.

IN PAST TENSE YOU KNOW EVERYTHING IS FINISHED.

IN PRESENT TENSE YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS AWAITING YOU EVEN IN THE NEXT SENTENCE.

I THINK IT'S A TERRIFIC WAY TO CREATE SUSPENSE.

HEDI: WE TALK A LOT ABOUT NATURE AND THE THINGS THAT CAN THREATEN OUR ENVIRONMENT LIKE INVASIVE SPECIES WHETHER IT IS PLANS LIKE CANDY OR BUCKTHORN.

OUR MORNING SHOW HOST RECENTLY SPOTLIGHTED TO BRAINERD COMMUNITY WHERE THEY ARE USING A NEW METHOD TO ERADICATE BUCKTHORN, GOATS.

ADAM IS WITH THE CONSERVATION DISTRICT.

>> WE GET THEM THROUGH A COMPANY CALLED MINNESOTA NATIVE LANDSCAPES OUT OF A SIEGEL, MINNESOTA.

THEY HAVE THEIR OWN GRAZING PROGRAM WITH BISON, GOATS, THINGS LIKE THAT.

I HAVE SHEEP FOR GRAZING IN BETWEEN SOLAR PANELS.

WE HAVE A NEW GUY IN THE AREA.

HE WORKS FOR A COMPANY CALLED BRAINERD LAKES GOATS.

HE HAS SEEN BUSINESS GO UP INCREDIBLY LAST FEW YEARS BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE BECOMING MORE AWARE OF BUCKTHORN IN THE FOREST AND REALIZING HOW THICK IT CAN GET.

HE HAS BEEN BUSIER THAN EVER.

A COUPLE PEOPLE DO IT.

WE ALWAYS ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE BECAUSE THERE IS UNLIMITED BUCKTHORN OUT THERE.

♪ HEDI:.

WE RECENTLY SPRANG -- SPOTLIGHTED SOME GRAND RAPIDS AREA MUSICIANS WITH A BAND NAME "WILD HORSES ."

JED'S GRANDFATHER IS A RENOWNED GUITAR MAKER AND BLUEGRASS MUSICIAN.

IN 2021 THEY PLAYED AT THE FIRST GRAND RAPIDS FESTIVAL.

THIS IS THE BAND PEOPLE WANTED TO HEAR MORE FROM AND THIS WAS THEIR FIRST TIME PERFORMING TOGETHER.

ONE YEAR LATER THEY HAVE PERFORMED A LOT.

THEY HAVE A BRAND-NEW ALBUM AND THEY WILL OPEN UP THE MAIN STAGE AT THE GRAND RAPIDS RIVER FESTIVAL SEPTEMBER 10 SHARING THE STAGE WITH WILCO, SHOVELS AND ROPE, AND CHASTITY BROWN.

>> WE HAD NO CLUE WHAT WE WERE DOING AND WHAT WE WANTED.

WE HAD A VISION AS A BAND BASED OFF OF OUR SOUND.

BUT AT THAT POINT, WE HAD NOT REALLY DEVELOPED OUR SOUND FULLY.

>> WE WERE DEVELOPING MORE SHOOTING FOR WHAT I COULD SEE IN MY HEAD.

I THINK THERE ARE LITTLE BITS BEYOND WHAT WE ALL EXPECTED.

>> UP UNTIL STUDIO TIME WE HAD ONLY BEEN PLAYING MUSIC TOGETHER IN BRICK BASEMENT.

WHEN YOU HEAR THE CLASHING OF DRUMS AND DISTORTED GUITARS AND A LITTLE -- IN A LITTLE WORK BASEMENT AS OPPOSED TO THROUGH BEAUTIFUL, POLISHED STUDIO SPEAKERS IT'S COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.

PROCESS IS EVERYTHING.

IT'S NOTHING LIKE YOU WOULD EXPECT.

IT'S LIKE, THAT'S WHAT WE SOUND LIKE?

♪ JULIE: WE'RE 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, NEWS ABOUT THE STATION AND UPCOMING EVENTS.

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

DENNY, LOOKS LIKE NICE WEATHER FOR THIS THREE-DAY LABOR DAY WEEKEND!

DENNY: IT LOOKS PERFECT.

I THINK THIS IS A GREAT CHANCE FOR PEOPLE TO ENJOY THE LAST HOLIDAY OF THE SUMMER.

GET OUT AND HAVE FUN.

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!