DENNIS: I AM DENNIS ANDERSON.

HERE IS WHAT IS COMING UP ON ALMANAC NORTH!

WITH MILLIONS STILL WAITING FOR A COVID VACCINE, WE'’LL TALK ABOUT A TREATMENT LOCAL HOSPITALS ARE USING THAT IS HELPING PATIENTS IN DANGER OVERCOME THE VIRUS.

A PROPOSAL TO BRING SO-CALLED "TINY HOMES" TO DULUTH IS MAKING PROGRESS AND COULD HELP SOLVE THE CITY'’S HOUSING SHORTAGE.

AND THE "MASK UP, MASK OUT MINNESOTA" CAMPAIGN IS ENCOURAGING FOLKS TO GET OUTDOORS DURING THE CHILLY WINTER MONTHS.

THESE STORIES AND "VOICES OF THE REGION" COMING UP ON ALMANAC NORTH!

DENNIS: HELLO AND WELCOME TO ALMANAC NORTH.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

I AM DENNIS ANDERSON.

JULIE IS OFF THIS WEEK, AS WE ROTATE HOSTING, DURING THE PANDEMIC.

MINNESOTA GOVERNOR TIM WALZ RELEASED HIS "DUE NORTH" EDUCATION PLAN TO LAWMAKERS THIS WEEK THE PLAN IS DESIGNED TO ADDRESS THE IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC ON K-12 STUDENTS, AND ELIMINATE DISPARITIES IN THE CURRENT SYSTEM.

DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATORS MOSTLY EMBRACED THE PLAN, WHILE REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS SAY IT LACKS MEANINGFUL REFORMS, DULUTH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT SAW OVER 130,000 PASSENGERS PASS THROUGH ITS GATES IN 2020.

THAT'’S A NEARLY 60% DROP FROM 2019, AND WAS HEAVILY IMPACTED BY THE PANDEMIC.

HOWEVER, AIRPORT OFFICIALS SAY DULUTH RETAINED 20% MORE PASSENGERS THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE, ACCORDING TO TSA REPORTING.

DULUTH WAS NAMED ONE OF THE TOP TEN "REMOTE READY" CITIES IN THE U.S. TO LIVE AND WORK REMOTELY.

THE RANKINGS RATED DULUTH HIGHLY FOR "UNPARALLELED ACCESS TO NATURE AND OUTDOOR RECREATION" OPTIONS DURING ALL SEASONS.

THE RANKINGS ALSO TOUTED THE CITY'’S HIGH SPEED INTERNET CONNECTIONS AND OPTIONS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION.

THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ANNOUNCED THURSDAY, THE STATE HAS SURPASSED ONE MILLION COVID-19 TESTS AT COMMUNITY TESTING SITES.

THERE ARE 29 SITES IN THE STATE, INCLUDING PIONEER HALL AT DULUTH'’S DECC AND THE ARMORY IN HIBBING.

WHEN YOU INCLUDE TESTS AT HEALTH CARE FACILITIES, MORE THAN 6.4 MILLION TESTS HAVE BEEN CONDUCTED IN MINNESOTA SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN.

THE PROSPECT OF RECEIVING A COVID VACCINE HAS MANY OPTIMISTIC THAT THE PANDEMIC WILL SOON END.

BUT, IT COULD BE MONTHS BEFORE EVERYONE WHO WANTS A SHOT CAN GET ONE, AND MEAN WHILE PEOPLE ARE STILL GETTING SICK, AND SOME WILL SUCCUMB TO THE DISEASE.

NOW, LOCAL HOSPITALS ARE OFFERING A TREATMENT FOR PATIENTS IN THE EARLY STAGES OF A COVID INFECTION WHO MAY BE AT RISK FOR A SERIOUS BATTLE WITH COVID-19.

HERE WITH MORE ON THAT TREATMENT IS DR. ANDREW THOMPSON WITH ST. LUKE'’S INFECTIOUS DISEASE ASSOCIATES.

THANKS FOR BEING HERE, DR. THOMPSON.

TELL US ABOUT THE TREATMENT.

DR. THOMPSON: AT FIRST WE WERE IN THE LOWER TIER THAT IS IMPROVING.

DENNIS: SOME LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL.

WHAT MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES?

DR. THOMPSON: THEY ARE AN ARTIFICIAL WAY OF CRATING ANTIBODIES.

IT IS A -- CREATING ANTIBODIES.

IT IS A WAY OF ADMINISTERING ANTIBODIES WHICH OUR BODIES MAKE A RESPONSE TO AN INFECTION.

DENNIS: YOU DO NOT GO TO THE HOSPITAL FOR A SHOT, THAT IS AN INFUSION?

DR. THOMPSON: THESE ARE GIVEN BY INFUSION.

IT IS A BIOLOGICAL PROJECT THAT YOU CANNOT GET IN A PILL AND YOU HAVE TO GET IT THROUGH AN IV.

DENNIS: HOW LONG WOULD THAT TAKE?

DR. THOMPSON: ABOUT AN HOUR TO ADMINISTER.

WE OBSERVE PEOPLE FOR AN HOUR AFTERWARD TO MAKE SURE THEY DO NOT HAVE SIDE EFFECTS, AND THEY TOLERATE IT WELL.

DENNIS: WHAT A PERSON HAVE TO HAVE COVID-19 THEN, THE ELEMENT?

DR. THOMPSON: RIGHT, WE KNOW THE BEST USE OF THIS TREATMENT IS FOR SOMEONE WHO IS EARLY ON IN THEIR INFECTION, RECENTLY DIAGNOSED.

THEY HAVE TO TEST POSITIVE.

AS WELL AS HAVE SOME UNDERLYING RISK FACTOR, THAT MAKES THEM AT HIGHER RISK OF COMPLICATIONS.

DENNIS: I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU, WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HAVING IT DONE THIS WAY?

THE TREATMENT YOU MENTIONED, A GOOD ONE.

DR. THOMPSON: REALLY, STUDIES DONE ON THIS HAVE SHOWN THAT IF PEOPLE GET TREATED EARLY, SHORTLY AFTER THEY HAVE THE ONSET OF SYMPTOMS, THIS CAN PREVENT HOSPITALIZATION.

IT SIGNIFICANT A BRINGS DOWN THE RISK THEY WILL HAVE TO GO INTO THE HOSPITAL, OR THEIR DISEASE WILL BECOME MORE SEVERE.

DENNIS: IT BRINGS DOWN THE RISK OF DEATH AS WELL?

DR. THOMPSON: YEAH, WE DO NOT HAVE GREAT DATA SHOWING THAT, BUT THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING YOU COULD INFER.

DENNIS: HOW IS THE VACCINATION PROCESS GOING, DR.?

- DOCTOR?

DR. THOMPSON: THAT IS GOOD QUESTION.

WE HAVE A GREAT PROCESS SET UP.

AT ST. LUKE'’S WE VACCINATED A LOT OF EMPLOYEES WHO FIT INTO THE FIRST PRIORITY CATEGORIES.

WE HAVE STARTED TO VACCINATE SOME PATIENTS.

BUT THE SUPPLY OF VACCINE IS REALLY LIMITED.

THAT IS WHAT IS LIMITING US NOW.

IT IS NOT UNIQUE TO WHERE I WORK AT ST. LUKE'’S, IT IS ALL ACROSS THE REGION.

DENNIS: IT SOUNDS LIKE THE VACCINES ARE WORKING.

IT IS SHORTAGE OF SUPPLY, IS THE BIG ISSUE?

DR. THOMPSON: EXACTLY, YUP.

DENNIS: DO YOU SEE THAT CHANGING SOON?

DR. THOMPSON: I AM OPTIMISTIC.

I THINK THE COMPANIES THAT CURRENTLY HAVE APPROVED VACCINES ARE TRYING TO PUMP OUT AS MUCH AS THEY CAN, PFIZER AND MADONNA.

TODAY-- MODERNA.

TODAY WE NEWS FROM JOHNSON & JOHNSON AND NOVAVAX.

THEY HAVE NOT RELEASED FINDINGS BUT PUT OUT PRESS RELEASES, WHICH IS HOW WE LEARN SOME THINGS THESE DAYS.

THAT THERE IS GOOD EFFICACY OF THEIR VACCINES AND TRIALS.

DENNIS: MANY OF US GET FLU SHOTS EVERY YEAR.

I HAVE HAD MINE FOR DECADES.

IS THIS SOMETHING THAT WILL HAPPEN WITH COVID, WILL THERE BE AN ANNUAL SHOT, DO YOU THINK?

DR. THOMPSON: GOOD QUESTION, WE DO NOT YET KNOW.

WE DO NOT KNOW HOW LONG THE VACCINES WILL LAST, HOW EFFECTIVE THEY WILL BE IN THE LONG-TERM.

AND HOW LONG COVID WILL BE AROUND.

WE DO KNOW THAT THESE VACCINES ARE MORE EFFECTIVE AT PREVENTING COVID THAN THE FLU VACCINE IS AT PREVENTING FLU.

DENNIS: REALLY?

DR. THOMPSON: MUCH BETTER.

DENNIS: I ALSO WANT TO KNOW, WE HAVE STRONGER FORMS OF COVID COMING IN FROM AFRICA, BRAZIL, HOW CONCERNED SHOULD WE BE ABOUT THAT?

IS IT STARTING TO SPREAD?

DR. THOMPSON: YES, THESE ARE VARIANTS, MUTATIONS IN COVID.

WHEN COVID MUTATES SOMETIMES IT GETS MORE CONTAGIOUS, SOMETIMES LESS CONTAGIOUS, MAYBE IT CAUSES WORSE DISEASE OR LESS SEVERE DISEASE.

WE STILL HAVE A LOT TO LEARN ABOUT THESE.

THERE IS CONCERN THEY COULD BE MORE CONTAGIOUS.

WE DO NOT HAVE A LOT OF SOLID EVIDENCE OF THAT BUT THERE IS CONCERN OF THAT.

ESPECIALLY WITH ALL THE INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL GOING ON.

WE ARE WORRIED ONE OF THE WORST MUTATIONS COULD TAKE OVER AND CAUSE A LOT MORE DISEASE HERE.

DENNIS: SURE, ONE OTHER QUESTION IS WE ARE WRAPPING UP HERE.

WEARING MASKS, STILL HIGHLY RECOMMENDED?

DR. THOMPSON: ABSOLUTELY.

MASKS WILL WORK AGAINST ANY NEW VARIANT.

IT DOES NOT MATTER IF THE VACCINE IS EFFECTIVE.

YOU CAN PREVENT THAT WITH A MASK.

YOU CAN PROTECT YOUR NEIGHBORS BY WEARING A MASK.

THAT IS REALLY THE WAY TO GET THIS PANDEMIC UNDER CONTROL.

DENNIS: DR. ANDREW THOMPSON, INFECTIOUS DISEASE CONTROL WITH ST. LUKE'’S HOSPITAL HERE IN DULUTH, WE APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE.

♪ DENNIS: IT IS TIME NOW FOR "VOICES OF THE REGION."

EACH WEEK, WE HEAR FROM A JOURNALIST IN OUR BROADCAST AREA, AND THE STORIES THEY ARE REPORTING.

THIS WEEK HEIDI HOLTAN, NEWS DIRECTOR AT KAXE - KXBE RADIO IN GRAND RAPIDS IS OUR GUEST.

♪ HEIDI: THERE IS A NEW PIPELINE GOING IN FROM INBRED TO ENERGY THROUGHOUT NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

WE TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO RECOVER THIS.

WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE WHO, NOW THEY HAVE REALLY GOOD JOBS, 4000 NEW PEOPLE HAVE GREAT JOBS GOING ON NOW, WE ALSO HAVE PEOPLE REALLY COMMITTED TO THE LAND WHO WANT TO WORK TOWARD A FOSSIL FREE FUTURE, AND ARE COMMITTED TO THE WATER AND KEEPING WATER CLEAN.

WATER PROTECTORS HAVE BEEN ON-SITE IN BACCHUS, PALISADE, THERE A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON IN FLOODWOOD AS WELL AND THEY HAVE BEEN HAVING REGULAR, I THINK DAILY PROTESTS, AND CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING.

IN OUR STRONG WOMEN'’S SERIES, WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO LISTENTO WOMEN, ESPECIALLY, WHO ARE THERE.

WOMEN FEEL A KINSHIP TO THE WATER AND TO PROTECT IT.

WE ARE ALSO TALKING WITH FOLKS AT ENBRIDGE, AND WORKERS AT ENBRIDGE, NOT TO TAKE A SIDE ON THIS BUT TO PRESENT THE COMPLEXITY OF LIFE IN MINNESOTA.

DON GOODWIN IS A COFOUNDER OF RISE AND HAD THIS TO SAY.

>> BEING UP FOR THE NEXT GENERATIONS.

LEARN ABOUT YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.

WE ARE ALL TREATY PEOPLE.

IN THE 1855 TREATY SIGNING THERE WAS AGREEMENT FOR SETTLERS TO COME AND MOVE INTO THIS AREA, AND LIVE ON THESE LANDS.

WE AGREED TO LIVE IN PEACE.

IT IS OFTEN MISUNDERSTOOD, THAT THE OJIBWAY PEOPLE, THAT WE WERE GIVEN RIGHTS BUT THAT IS NOT TRUE.

WE RETAIN OUR INHERENT RIGHTS.

AND WE GAVE SETTLERS THE RIGHT TO COME HERE, AND LIVE ON THIS LAND.

♪ HEIDI: WE CONTINUE TO BRING UPDATES ON COVID-19 IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, DAILY UPDATES ON THE CHANGES AND WHAT IS GOING ON, AND THEN HOSTING A WEEKLY STATEWIDE CONVERSATION, MOSTLY WITH THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR PEGGY FLANAGAN.

ALSO PEOPLE LIKE THE GOVERNOR AND STATE EPIDEMIOLOGIST.

IT IS A CHANCE FOR PEOPLE TO ASK A QUESTION INSTEAD OF JUST THE MEDIA.

THEY SEND IN QUESTIONS DURING THE WEEK TO ASK OFFICIALS.

LAST WEEK WAS INFORMATIVE, PEOPLE WERE UPSET ABOUT THIS VACCINE ROLLOUT, 465 AND OLDER THAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK, WHERE THE PHONE LINES WENT DOWN AND EVERYTHING GOT JAMMED UP.

SHE EXPLAINED THIS IS A PILOT PROJECT, THAT THERE IS STILL SO MUCH THAT IS NOT KNOWN ABOUT THE BEST WAY TO DISTRIBUTE THIS VACCINE.

THERE IS NOT ENOUGH IN A STATE YET -- IN THE STATE YET, THEY ARE TRYING WITHOUT.

THIS WEEK, INSTEAD -- THIS WEEK THEY ARE TRYING THIS OUT.

FIRST-SERVED, IT WENT INTO A LOTTERY SYSTEM.

PEOPLE ARE READY FOR THE VACCINE BUT THE STATE JUST DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH YET FOR EVERYBODY.

♪ WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO COVER THE ECONOMY OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA, AND NEW THINGS OUT THERE.

INVENTIONS AND INGENUITY.

WE TALKED FOR THE NATURAL RESOURCES RESEARCH INSTITUTE IN COLERAINE, AFFILIATED WITH UMD, ABOUT ADDITIONAL NEW USES FOR THE TREES WE THAT DO NOT HAVE A LOT OF VALUE.

THOSE ARE TRAYS IN OUR BOGGS THAT HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY INVASIVE SPECIES LIKE THE LARGE BEETLE AND CATERPILLARS AND OTHER INVASIVE SPECIES.

SO THEY HAVE DIED.

IT IS NOT A KIND OF TREE USING HER HOUSE TO MAKE A TABLE OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN PLAYING AROUND WITH IS HEATING UP THIS WOULD.

THIS WOOD, MAKES UP, IF YOU GO TO THE SAX SIM BOX, YOU CAN SEE ABOARD ROCK THEY MADE OUT OF THIS TAMARACK WOULD.

THERE HOPING -- WOOD.

THERE HOPING ARE MY ABUSES, FOR DECKING OR DIFFER IN KINDS OF THINGS WITH THIS WOOD, THAT HAS BEEN HEATED UP AND HAS A DIFFERENT USE AFTER IT HAS BEEN KIND OF INVADED BY THE SPECIES.

THEY HAVE ALSO USED CHAR FROM THIS WHAT IN PLACES LIKE BOULEVARD, IN URBAN AREAS, WHERE THERE IS TREES DIE BECAUSE OF ROAD SALT.

IT HAS A CLEANSING PROPERTY TO THE SOIL.

♪ FOR ANALOGY -- PHENOLOGY IS A WEEKLY SEGMENT WE DO, IT HAS BEEN 30 YEARS.

THAT WAS STARTED BY OUR CURRENT HOST, RETIRED RURAL POSTAL CARRIER NOTICING CHANGES ON THE ROUTE.

HE HAS A DATABASE OF 30 YEARS OF INFORMATION, THAT TELLS US A LOT ABOUT CLIMATE.

NOT CLIMATE AS A POLITICAL STATEMENT, BUT CLIMATE AS IN, WE SEEK CARDINALS HERE NOW.

WE SEE TURKEYS HERE NOW THAT WE DO NOT USED TO IN YEARS PAST.

PEOPLE FELT REALLY CONNECTED TO IT.

BECAUSE YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE AN EXPERT.

THIS WEEK, A CLASS AT THE NORTH SHORE COMMUNITY SCHOOL, THEY WERE REMINDING US, THEY WERE TELLING US MAKE SURE TO GET OUTSIDE AND BE OBSERVANT.

THEY WERE TELLING US ABOUT HOW THE SNOW CHANGES.

THE TEXTURE.

YOU START TO HEAR A SQUEAK IN THIS NOTE WHEN IT IS LESS THAN 16 DEGREES.

AND TO BE A DETECTIVE, AND FOLLOW THOSE TRACKS YOU ARE SEEING IN THE SNOW.

TRY TO FIGURE OUT, IS THAT OF FLOCKS?

-- FOX?

IT IS A GREAT WAY FOR PEOPLE TO KIND OF FEEL MORE CONNECTED TO THE LAND WE LIVE IN.

ESPECIALLY DURING THE PANDEMIC, WE HEAR FROM A LOT OF PEOPLE.

IT HAS INSPIRED THEM TO GET OUTSIDE.

I THINK WE ALL NEED THAT RIGHT NOW.

♪ ♪ DENNIS: THE CITY OF DULUTH IS POSITIONED TO LEAD THE STATE IN SO-CALLED "TINY HOMES" FOLLOWING ACTION TAKEN BY THE CITY'’S DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY THIS WEEK.

DEDA GAVE PRELIMINARY APPROVAL TO TRANSFER PARCELS OF LAND TO POTENTIAL TINY HOUSE DEVELOPERS.

ALMANAC NORTH PRODUCER GREG GRELL SPOKE EARLIER TODAY WITH DULUTH HOUSING OFFICIAL JASON HALE ABOUT THE PLAN.

>> THE AGREEMENT SIMILAR TO IF YOU ARE PURCHASING A HOME FOR EXAMPLE.

YOU HAVE A PURCHASE AGREEMENT CONTACT -- CONTRACT, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BEGINNING OF THE CONTRACT.

NOW THEY WILL GO INTO INSPECT YOUR DUE DILIGENCE, TO DO THE INVESTIGATIVE WORK AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THEIR PROPOSALS WILL WORK ON THE SITES THEY PITCHED.

SO, THIS IS WHERE THEY GET SERIOUS ABOUT LOOKING AT THOSE SITES.

THAT IS WHAT WE APPROVED WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO FOR ME CLOSE, CONVEY THE PROPERTY AND ULTIMATELY THEY BUILD NEW UNITS.

>> FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, DULUTH IS ONE OF THE FIRST CITIES TO EMBRACE THIS IDEA, OF DEVELOPMENT CONSISTING OF TINY HOMES.

CAN YOU TALK MORE ABOUT WHAT THOSE HOUSES ARE ALL ABOUT?

>> SURE.

YES, TO MY KNOWLEDGE, AND I COULD BE MISSING SOMETHING, I DO NOT THINK ARE ANY TINY HOME DEVELOPMENTS IN THE STATE QUITE LIKE THIS.

BY THAT I MEAN, SEVERAL OF THEM CONCENTRATED TOGETHER IN A POCKET THAT INCLUDES COMMUNITY SPACE POTENTIAL COMMUNITY GARDENS, COMMUNITY SELLER.

THAT IS NEW, ASH COMMUNITY -- C OMMUNITY SOLAR.

TINY HOMES, A TREND THAT HAS CRATED TV SHOWS AND REALITY SHOWS -- HAS CREATED TV SHOWS AND REALITY SHOWS AND ALL THOSE ENTERTAINING THINGS.

ONE THING WE HAVE HEARD A LOT AS WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS, THERE ARE TWO CAMPS IT SEEMS.

THERE OBVIOUSLY ARE MORE.

BUT THERE IS THE, THAT IT WILL NEVER WORK IN MINNESOTA CAP, IT IS TOO COLD AND IT IS TOO LONG, THERE'’S NOT ENOUGH SPACE.

AND THERE IS ALSO THE, WE WANT TO TRY THAT LIFESTYLE AND WANT TO EMBRACE SMALL LIVING AND MINIMALISM, AND ERASE MORE OUTSIDE TIME AND OUTSIDE SPACES.

-- AND BRACE MORE OUTSIDE TIME IT OUTSIDE SPACES.

INTO LIVES I THINK THERE'’S A STRONG NARRATIVE ABOUT DULUTH BEING JUST TOO COLD.

I AM FROM SOUTHERN MINNESOTA AND MY FOLKS STILL LIVE THERE AND WE HAVE DEBATES TO THIS DAY.

I HAVE BEEN HERE FOR 11 YEARS AND THEY SAY IT IS TOO COLD IN DULUTH.

LIVING IN SOUTHERN MINNESOTA, IT IS NOT WARMER THERE.

I THINK THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW THIS COULD WORK HERE.

THERE HAS TO BE A FIRST.

I LOVE THE IDEA OF IT BEING IN DULUTH.

IF IT IS NOT DECEIVED AS WELL AS WE THINK AND HOPE, THAT IS OK. WE ARE TRYING SOMETHING OUT, TO BE INNOVATIVE, LOOKING AT ALTERNATE HOUSING TYPES AND LIFESTYLES FOR FOLKS.

THIS IS JUST ONE OF THEM.

THE BEAUTIFUL THING ABOUT REBUILD DULUTH, GREG, IS THE CITY'’S PARTNER SING -- PARTNERING TO PROVIDE THE SPACE AND GROUNDWORK, RIGHT?

WE HAVE LAND AVAILABLE FOR INFILL BY UTILITIES.

SODAS MAXIMIZING THAT OPPORTUNITY THROUGHOUT THE CITY.

THE REAL RISK IS ON DEVELOPERS WHO WANT TO TRY INNOVATIVE IDEAS.

IF THE PROJECTS DO NOT GO WELL OR THEY DO NOT GET THE RENT THEY WANT, OR ANY OF THAT, THAN THAT IS UP TO THEM TO FIGURE OUT.

WE ARE AT LEAST PROVIDING THAT CHANCE.

GREG: HOW DOES THIS FIT INTO THE OVERALL PLAN, TO BRING MORE HOUSING TO DULUTH?

THE HOUSING SHORTAGE HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE HERE.

WE HAVE A COMMUNITY WHERE PEOPLE ARE LOOKING TO MOVE, BUT OFTEN HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME FINDING A PLACE TO LIVE.

>> ONE THING WE LEARNED THAT HAS BEEN CONFIRMED.

WE SUSPECTED AND IT HAS BEEN CONFIRMED THROUGH THE REBUILD PROGRAM IS THAT, IN TODAY'’S MARKET, WHERE HOUSING IS SO EXPENSIVE, NOT ONLY TO READ BUT REALLY EXPENSIVE TO CONSTRUCT, IN THE LIVES ESPECIALLY -- IN DULUTH ESPECIALLY.

WE HAVE LEARNED THAT AFFORDABLE HAS OFTEN EQUATED TO SMALL.

SO, THE COST OF CAN -- TO CONSTRUCT SMALLER STRUCTURES FROM 200-5 HUNDRED SQUARE FEET IS STILL HIGH, ESPECIALLY PER SQUARE FOOT BECAUSE YOU NEED BATHS, A SHOWER, SINKS, STOOL, KITCHEN, ALL THOSE SAME LIVING AMENITIES YOU NEED.

THEY ARE STILL IN A TINY HOME.

IT IS REALLY JUST ABOUT THE EXTRA SPACE YOU ARE SACRIFICING.

SO, WHAT I SEEK IS INTRIGUING ABOUT THIS IS THAT WE CAN CREATIVELY UTILIZE PARCELS AROUND TOWN, TO CREATE MORE DENSITY, OFFER A DIFFERENT TYPE OF HOUSING AND LIFESTYLE PRODUCT.

IT IS, AGAIN, ONE MORE THING THAT WE CAN TRY.

IF IT IS NOT OVERWHELMINGLY SUCCESSFUL, THAT IS FINE.

BUT IT IS AN OPTION FOR PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY THERE SEEMS TO BE A LARGE DEMAND AND GROWING DEMAND IN DULUTH FOR OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL LIFESTYLE AND SMALLER LIVING, AND BRACING THE OUTDOORS -- EMBRACING THE OUTDOORS MORE.

GREG: WHAT IS THE TIMEFRAME AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS APPROVAL, JASON?

>> THE LAND SALE AGREEMENTS THAT WERE APPROVED ON WEDNESDAY AT DEDA, LAY OUT AN INSPECTION TIMELINE.

THERE IS A TITLE COMMITMENT WORK IN THE GOAL IS TO HAVE THESE PROPERTIES CLOSED ON AND CONVEYED BY JUNE 1.

I SAY GOAL, BECAUSE, ONE THING LAST YEAR TAUGHT US IS FLEXIBILITY IS A VIRTUE.

[LAUGHTER] WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE HELPING SUPPORT THESE PROJECTS AND DEVELOPERS IN BEING ADAPTABLE IF WE NEED TO.

BIGS COME UP WE CANNOT ANTICIPATE, LIKE ANY PROJECT, ANY DEVELOPMENT.

THAT IS THE GOAL IN THE AGREEMENTS AND FROM THERE, AGAIN, THE NEXT GOAL IS TO HAVE THEM COMPLETED WITH A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY, BY THE END OF 2020 TO.

-0- -THE END OF- 2022.

GREG: THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

DENNIS: THE COLD WINTER MONTHS CAN BE A BARRIER TO GETTING OUTSIDE AND ENJOYING NATURE.

COMBINE THAT WITH THE ISOLATION BROUGHT ON BY THE PANDEMIC, AND WE COULD ALL USE A CHANGE OF SCENERY.

THIS WEEK, STATE RECREATION LEADERS ARE INVITING RESIDENTS TO GET OUTSIDE AND "MASK UP" WITH WINTER FACEMASKS.

>> MASK UP MINNESOTA AS A REMINDER TO ENJOY THE GREAT OUTDOORS, GET OUT OF YOUR FOUR WALLS, GET INTO THE PARKS AND TRAILS WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AND CONTINUE ENJOYING THE SEASONS.

WINTER BEING ONE OF THE BIG ONES, NO REASON NOT TO ENJOY IT.

>> WHY DO YOU THINK IT IS SO IMPORTANT FOR FOLKS TO GET OUT DURING THE PANDEMIC?

A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE ARE INSIDE DURING THE WINTER AND THIS YEAR IS NO DIFFERENT.

>> THINK ABOUT WHAT A LOVELY YEAR WE HAVE HAD.

IF WE HAD TO HAVE A PANDEMIC, AT LEAST HERE IN DULUTH, WE HAD A LOVELY SUMMER.

AND SLID RIGHT INTO WHAT HAS BEEN A BEAUTIFUL, GORGEOUS WINTER.

TEMPERATURES HAVE BEEN PHENOMENAL.

GREATER MINNESOTA REGIONAL PARK CENTRAL'’S COMMISSION IS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE 80 COUNTIES IN GREATER MINNESOTA AND THE PARK CENTRAL'’S SYSTEMS WITHIN THAT.

WE SAW INCREDIBLE USER NUBBERS THIS SUMMER.

AS YOU CAN IMAGINE -- USER NUMBERS THIS SUMMER, PEOPLE WANTING TO ESCAPE FOUR WALLS.

THEY MADE GREAT USE OF PARKS AND TRAILS THROUGHOUT THE STATE INCLUDING NEW USERS WHO ARE NOT AWARE OF WHAT WAS OUTSIDE THEIR BACKDOOR.

SO THIS IS A REMINDER OF JUST BECAUSE IT IS WINTER AND COLDER, THERE ARE STILL PLENTY OF WONDERFUL PARKS AND TRAILS TO EXPLORE.

A GOOD WAY TO LEAVE THOSE FOUR WALLS AND CONTINUE COMMUNING WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

BUNDLE UP.

MASK UP, MASK OUT.

AND HAVE FUN, A LOT OF GREAT PLACES TO EXPLORE.

DENNIS: TELL US MORE ABOUT THE MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT?

>> IN 2008, MINNESOTANS TOOK THE WISE AND BOLD ENTER TO TAX THEMSELVES FIVE EIGHTS OF AN ADDITIONAL PERCENT OF SALES TAX AND THAT WENT INTO FOUR FUNDS.

AMONG THEM IS THE PARKS AND TRAILS FUND.

AMONG THOSE MINNESOTA DNR AND THE PARKS COUNCIL.

AMONG THE SLICE OF FUND OF TAX, 20% IN THE PARKS AND TRAILS FUND WAS TO GREATER MINNESOTA.

40% GOES TO METROPOLITAN COUNCIL AND THE NR.

THAT ENABLES US TO WORK WITH DESIGNATED FACILITIES IN GREATER MINNESOTA.

THEY HAVE AVAILABLE TO THEM, ONCE A FACILITY IS DESIGNATED AND THAT IS A PROCESS, A HIGH BAR TO REACH.

IT ALLOWS THEM TO GET INTO A FUNDING POOL EXCLUSIVE TO THOSE DESIGNATED FACILITIES.

RIGHT NOW IN GREATER MINNESOTA, THERE ARE 64 PARKS AND TRAILS ESTIMATED AS SIGNIFICANT.

DENNIS: IF YOU ARE NEW TO THE AREA, DO YOU HAVE A WEBSITE OR PLACE PEOPLE CAN GO TO FIND OUT WHERE PARKS AND TRAILS ARE THEY MAY WANT TO CHECK OUT?

>> THAT'’S A GREAT QUESTION.

THERE IS A WEBSITE UNIQUE TO THAT THREE FUNDS, GREATER MINNESOTA METROPOLITAN COUNCIL, GREATER MINNESOTA.

AS SOMEONE WANTS YOU FIND PARKS AND TRAILS THEY MAY NOT BE AWARE THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

IT ISMN.GOV/GREAT OUTDOORS AND YOU CAN GO THERE AND PLUG IN WHATEVER PARAMETERS YOU'’RE LOOKING FOR IN THE SITE WILL FIND SOMETHING FOR YOU.

DENNIS: IT SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT IDEA AND GREAT FOR FOLKS TO DO.

RENE MATTSON, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO TALK ABOUT THE WORK OF THE GREATER MINNESOTA REGIONAL PARKS AND TRAILS COMMISSION.

DENNIS: KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST FROM ALMANAC NORTH BY FOLLOWING US ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

KEEP IN MIND, WE ARE ON FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE AND TWITTER.

AND VISIT THE WDSE WEBSITE FOR UPDATES ON PROGRAMMING, NEWS ABOUT THE STATION AND UPCOMING EVENTS.

AND YOU CAN ALSO DOWNLOAD THE PBS VIDEO APP FOR ON-DEMAND VIEWING OF YOUR FAVORITE PROGRAMS.

FINALLY TONIGHT WE WANT TO RECOGNIZE OUR FLOOR DIRECTOR AND CAMERA OPERATOR, JOEL MANN, CELEBRATING 25 YEARS ON OUR STUDIO CREW THIS WEEK.

CONGRATULATIONS, JOE!

TO OUR GUESTS, CREW HERE IN THE STUDIO, I'’M DENNIS ANDERSON.

STAY HEALTHY EVERYONE, AND BE KIND!

♪