DENNIS: HERE'S WHAT IS COMING UP ON ALMANAC NORTH.

JULIE: THIS WEEKEND'S JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION AND THE IMPORTANCE OF IT BEING A FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED HOLIDAY.

DENNIS: THE FORMER HOTEL IN DOWNTOWN DULUTH AND COMMUNITY EFFORTS TO SAVE IT FROM DEMOLITION.

JULIE: WE TALK WITH TWO UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-SUPERIOR PROFESSORS ABOUT THEIR PROPOSALS TO HELP BIPOC BUSINESSES THRIVE IN THE TWIN PORTS.

DENNIS: COMING UP ON ON THE NECK NORTH.

♪ HELLO AND WELCOME TO ALMANAC NORTH.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

IT IS GRAND WEST MARATHON WEEKEND AND THE WITH HER LOOKS PICTURE-PERFECT.

JULIE: THERE ARE LOTS OF FOLKS STARTING TO MOVE AROUND TOWN.

DENNIS: 20,000 OR SO.

JULIE: THE ENERGY IS THERE.

DENNIS: WHAT A WEEKEND.

JULIE: IT APPEARS A SPECIAL SESSION OF THE MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE IS DEAD WITH REPUBLICANS SAYING THE TWO SIDES ARE TOO FAR APART TO REAH AN AGREEMENT.

THE LEGISLATURE ADJOURNED IN MAY WITHOUT A DEAL TO RETURN A PORTION OF THE $10 BILLION BUDGET SURPLUS TO TAXPAYERS.

DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS FAILED TO PASS A BONDING BILL AND RISK LOSING MATCHING FUNDS FROM THE FEDERAL BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE ACT.

DENNIS: TUITION FOR THE 2022 SCHOOL YEAR WILL REMAIN FROZEN AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-SUPERIOR AND OTHER UW SYSTEM SCHOOLS.

OFFICIALS SAY THE TUITION FREEZE WILL KEEP UWS COMPETITIVE WHILE PROVIDING A HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATION TO STUDENTS.

UNDERGRADUATE TUITION HASN'T CHANGED AT UWS SINCE 2013.

JULIE: A NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR THIS WEEK, REPLACING THE RETIRED PAM KRAMER.

HE HAS A WEALTH OF COMMUNITY AND NONPROFIT EXPERIENCE INCLUDING TIME WITH EQUILIBRIUM THREE AND THE NORTH FOUNDATION.

DULUTH HAS INVESTED NEARLY $86 MILLION INTO HOUSING, SMALL BUSINESS, AND OTHER EFFORTS OVER THE PAST 25 YEARS.

DENNIS: THE MINNESOTA DNR CELEBRATED THE OPENING OF THE NEWEST NOTES FOR STATE PARK CAMPGROUND.

THE SHIPWRECK CREEK CAMPGROUND IS SPLITTING THE PARK, OFFERING 40 SIX DRIVE-IN ELECTRIC SITES.

THE CAMPGROUND WAS OFFICIALLY OPENED WITH SPEECHES FROM DNR COMMISSIONER SARAH STROMAN, THE STATE LEGISLATURE, AND OTHERS.

JULIE: THE TWIN PORTS ANNUAL JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION HAS EXTRA SIGNIFICANCE THIS YEAR SINCE, FOR THE FIRST TIME, IT IS A FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED HOLIDAY.

JUNE 19 MARKS THE DAY IN 1865 THAT SLAVES IN GALVESTON, TEXAS WERE TOLD THAT THEY WERE FREE.

MORE THAN TWO YEARS AFTER PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN PASSED THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION.

JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT THE WEEKEND'S JUNETEENTH EVENTS IS CLASSY DEADLY, PRESIDENT OF THE DULUTH BRANCH OF THE NAACP.

WELCOME.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU BACK IN THE STUDIO.

>> ALWAYS GLAD TO BE HERE.

JULIE: FOR THOSE THAT ARE MAY BE UNFAMILIAR WITH JUNETEENTH, TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ITS SIGNIFICANCE TO COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AND THE BLACK COMMUNITY IN PARTICULAR.

>> THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY'S HISTORY AND STILL TODAY, WE'VE BEEN FIGHTING FOR FREEDOM AND EQUITY.

JUNETEENTH MARKS THAT FREEDOM.

FOR IT TO BE RECOGNIZED AS A FEDERAL HOLIDAY IS NOT ONLY HONORING BUT IT BRINGS JOY TO OUR COMMUNITY, THAT WE GET TO CELEBRATE IT WITH EVERYBODY.

WE HAVE TO CONTINUE THAT FIGHT FOR FREEDOM AND THAT PUSH.

WHILE THE BUSINESS CELEBRATION, WE HAVE A LOT MORE WORK TO DO.

DENNIS: WHAT EVENTS ARE LINED UP FOR SUNDAY?

>> THE NAACP HAS A LONG HISTORY OF DOING JUNETEENTH EVERY YEAR ON SATURDAY.

THIS YEAR, WE SWITCHED IT UP SINCE IT IS A FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED HOLIDAY.

WE WILL BE HAVING OUR CELEBRATION FROM 1:00 TO 6:00 AT CENTRAL HILLSIDE JUST LIKE WE ALWAYS DO.

FOOD, BOUNCY HOUSES, ENTERTAINMENT, DJ.

WE WILL BE BRINGING ANIMALS.

IT WILL BE A GREAT TIME.

JULIE: HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO EMPHASIZE THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF JUNETEENTH ALONG WTH THE PICNICS AND CELEBRATIONS AND MUSIC?

DENNIS: IT'S IMPORTANT -- >> IT'S IMPORTANT TO SELL A GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND RECOGNIZE THAT WE STILL HAVE MORE WORK TO DO.

WHILE IT'S GREAT THAT PEOPLE ARE COMING AND SHOWING UP AND CELEBRATING WITH US, WE ALSO NEED THEM TO COME JUST AS HARD, JUST AS STRONG, JUST AS MANY WOMEN -- WHEN WE ARE FIGHTING FOR RIGHTS.

MANY OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT PEOPLE OF COLOR ARE FEELING AND EXPERIENCING IN DULUTH.

DENNIS: IS THIS OF THE RIGHTS MOVEMENT STILL UNDERWAY?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

DENNIS: UNPACK THAT A LITTLE BIT.

>> WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING IN TERMS OF PUBLIC SAFETY, WITH DISPARITIES IN SCHOOLS HERE, DISPARITIES THAT WE ARE SEEING IN HEALTH CARE, ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

ESPECIALLY IN DULUTH.

WE ARE STILL FIGHTING FOR CIVIL RIGHTS.

WE ARE FIGHTING FOR EQUITY, TRYING TO ELIMINATE BARRIERS.

THE PUSH IS HAPPENING.

WE ARE TRYING TO PUSH HIS HEART IS EVER -- AS HARD AS EVER TO CREATE A SOCIETY WHERE WE ARE ALL EQUAL.

JULIE: YOU HAVE A NEW JOB.

YOU ARE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ACTION DULUTH.

TALK ABOUT THAT AND THE SYNERGY THAT YOU SEE WITHIN THE ROLE THAT YOU HAVE WITH THE NAACP AND WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING WITH COMMUNITY ACTION.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I WOULD NOT PUT MYSELF IN A SITUATION THAT WASN'T WITH AN ORGANIZATION THAT SPEWS EQUITY IN THE FIGHT FOR JUSTICE, THE WAY THAT THE UN-AA CP DOES.

IT CITING -- EXCITING TO GET TO THROW MY ENERGY BEHIND AN ORGANIZATION THAT HAS BEEN GROUNDED IN EQUITY AND INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENTS, ELIMINATING POVERTY.

THAT'S WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO.

JULIE: WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR PLANS AND PRIORITIES AS YOU LOOK TO STEP INTO THAT POSITION?

I GUESS YOU NOW HAVE STEPPED INTO THAT POSITION ALREADY.

>> TODAY MARKS MY SECOND WEEK.

ELIMINATING POVERTY IS THE GOAL BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY.

I HAVE AN AMAZING BOARD THAT I'M WORKING WITH AND A FIERCE STAFF THAT IS WORKING AROUND-THE-CLOCK TO REALLY BREAK DOWN THOSE BARRIERS FOR PEOPLE.

WE ARE FIGHTING FOR EQUITABLE TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING, FAIR FOOD ACCESS.

IT IS EXCITING BECAUSE IT INTERSECTS SO CLOSELY WITH RACIAL JUSTICE AND OF THE OTHER ISMS WE ARE SEEING IN OUR COUNTRY AND DULUTH.

DENNIS: SOME OF THE SAME ISSUES THAT ARE BEING BROUGHT UP IN JUNETEENTH.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THESE BARRIERS DON'T JUST STOP AND THEY DON'T DISCRIMINATE.

WHEN WE CAN UPLIFT THE PEOPLE AT THE BOTTOM, TYPICALLY THE BIPOC PEOPLE, WE ARE UPLIFTING EVERYBODY.

THE MISSIONS THE NAACP HAS BEEN FIGHTING FOR.

ELIMINATE STUDENT DEBT, PUBLIC SAFETY INFRASTRUCTURE, MENTAL HEALTH CARE.

THAT HELPS EVERYBODY.

THAT'S WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO AND UPLIFT THAT DURING JUNETEENTH TO GET EVERYBODY TO VOLUNTEER FOR THE NAACP AND JOIN CAD AND PUSH TO CREATE A SOCIETY WHERE WE ARE ALL EQUAL.

JULIE: WE ARE OUT OF TIME.

HAPPY JUNETEENTH TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

DENNIS: THANK YOU FOR BEING ON THE PROGRAM TONIGHT.

>> APPRECIATE IT.

JOIN ME THIS SUNDAY.

JULIE: EVERYONE IS WELCOME.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

♪ DENNIS: DEMOLISH OR RESTORE, THAT HAS BEEN THE DEBATE CIRCLING THE HOTEL ASTORIA AND DULUTH'S HISTORIC HART DISTRICT.

MEGAN MCGARVEY SAT DOWN WITH PEOPLE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE DEBATE TO BRING US THIS REPORT.

>> ON JUNE 13, JUNE -- THE PRESERVATION COMMISSION BEGAN THE MEETING WITH A PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING DEMOLITION PERMITS FOR THE HOTEL ASTORIA BUILDING.

MANAGERS OF THE PROPERTY SPOKE ON BEHALF OF THE OWNERS WHO HAVE REASONS WHY THE BUILDING SHOULD COME DOWN.

BUSINESS OWNERS SPOKE OUT AGAINST THE DEMOLITION PERMITS.

BUILT IN 1905 BY A PROMINENT DULUTH ARCHITECT, THE HOTEL DEVELOPED A COLORFUL HISTORY AS A POPULAR RENDEZVOUS SPOT FOR UNMARRIED COUPLES GAMBLING, FIGHTS, AND DOMESTIC DISPUTES.

THE HOTEL CLOSED FOLLOWING A FIRE IN 1929 THAT DESTROYED MUCH OF THE ROOFLINE.

AFTER WHICH THE BUILDING WAS REMODELED.

TODAY, THE HOTEL IS DIFFERENT FROM WHAT IT ONCE WAS.

>> YOU CAN SEE A LOT OF THE BRICK IS FALLING OFF THE BUILDING.

THEY WERE BEAUTIFUL STONE AT ONE TIME BUT THEY ARE ALL CRACKED AND FALLING APART.

OUR FEAR HAS BEEN THAT ANY OF THOSE BRICKS COULD COME OUT AS SOON AS FRICTION LET'S LOSE.

WE HAD THAT HAPPEN A FEW WEEKS AGO.

I'VE BEEN WITH HIS EMC HOTELS FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS.

WE MANAGE HOTELS.

WE HAVE 43 HOTELS IN 16 STATES FOR ENTITIES SUCH AS THE ONE THAT OWNS THIS BUILDING.

THE BUYERS KNEW THAT IT WAS IN A HORSE TORIC DISTRICT.

THEY TOOK THE TIME TO TALK TO CITY PLANNING BEFORE BUYING IT.

CITY PLANNERS INDICATED THAT IT WOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE.

WE WERE FULL AND UPFRONT THAT OUR INTENTION WAS TO TAKE IT DOWN AND REBUILD AND HOSPITALITY OR MARKET RATE HOUSING.

WITH RETAIL AND ACCESS TO THE BEAUTIFUL LAKE MARK -- LAKEFRONT THAT WE HAVE OUTBACK.

THE PROCESS STARTED LAST YEAR.

WE WERE REQUIRED TO DISCONNECT UTILITIES.

WE HAD TO EVICT OUR TENANTS.

DURING THE PROCESS, WE WERE NOTIFIED THAT WE HAD TO WORK THROUGH THE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION AND THROUGH THEIR PROCESS AS OPPOSED TO THE CITY JUST BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE US A DEMOLITION PERMIT.

>> CALLS FOR DEMOLITION CAME FROM THE NEW OWNERS OF THE BUILDING, SAYING THAT WHAT -- IT WOULD COST TOO MUCH TO REHAB THE BUILDING TO ITS FORMER HOTEL DAYS.

WE HAVE COMMUNITY MEMBERS AT THE HEARING SAYING THAT A RENOVATION COULD BE DONE TO SAVE THE BUILDING AND MAINTAIN ITS HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE HERE IN DULUTH.

>> THIS BUILDING HAS BEEN THROUGH A LOT.

IT HAS A LOT OF HISTORY.

IT HAS BEEN PROGRESSING.

SOME PARTS WERE TAKEN OFF OR REMODELED.

THAT'S TOTALLY FINE.

WHEN THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT USING HISTORIC TAX CREDITS, WE FOLLOWED THE SECRETARY OF INTERIOR REHABILITATION STANDARDS.

IT DOES NEED NEW WINDOWS.

WHEN WE LOOK AT WINDOWS, WE ARE GOING TO LOOK AT ONES THAT MAY HAVE BEEN USED HISTORICALLY.

MAYBE WOULD, MAYBE NOT, MAYBE A LIGHT PAIN VERSUS ONE SHEET OF GLASS.

IT'S THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> THE STATE OF MINNESOTA PROTECTS HISTORIC STRUCTURES JUST AS MUCH AS THEY PROTECT WETLANDS.

THE SAME STATUTES ARE PROTECTING THEM.

IT'S A MINNESOTA REGULATION THAT REQUIRES THEM TO DO AN EA W, ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT WORKSHEET.

YOU GET THIS COMPREHENSIVE REPORT AND THEY PUBLISH THIS, THEY GET THE COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE TIME TO LOOK AT ALL OF THESE DETAILS.

THEN THEY HOLD THE PUBLIC COMMENT.

SO PEOPLE CAN REALLY ADDRESS THESE THINGS.

>> THERE'S LOTS OF OUTCRY TO SAVE THIS BUILDING.

WE ARE TRYING TO ORGANIZE THOSE VOICES TOGETHER TO CREATE A STRONGER PUBLIC COMMENT OF WHY THE ARGUMENT OF WHY THIS BUILDING SHOULD REMAIN STANDING.

LOTS OF THESE BUILDINGS HAVE BEEN COMING DOWN.

WE ARE STANDING FOR THIS ONE AS A LINCHPIN FOR KEEPING MORE FROM COMING DOWN, FURTHER DEGRADING THIS UNIQUE PIECE OF DULUTH.

>> ALL OF THE BUILDING IS DAMAGED.

WE THINK AT THIS POINT, YOU CAN REPAIR IT AT A COST.

IT IS TOO FAR GONE FOR US TO DO THIS.

>> THE BUILDING IS BEYOND REPAIR.

IT REALLY DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE.

I'M A FAN OF MOVING IT IN THE NEXT DIRECTION, TO GET THAT SPACE PERFORMING.

IN THE CASE OF THE ASTORIA BUILDING, IT'S A BIG PART OF THIS BLOCK.

IF YOU TAKE THAT HUGE SQUARE FOOTAGE OF BUILDING AWAY, YOU LOSE THE H IN THE HISTORIC ARTS AND THEATER DISTRICT.

AS AN ADVOCATE FOR THIS AREA, I WOULD HATE TO SEE THE HISTORIC PART GO AWAY ONE BUILDING AT A TIME.

WHEN YOU BUY A BUSINESS THAT HAS A LEGAL DESIGNATION TO IT, YOU HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THAT.

>> WE'VE ASKED FOR MORE FEASIBILITY PLANS, AN OUTLINE OF THE BUDGET FOR KEEPING IT AND DEMOLISHING IT.

THE STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE HELPS OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT A LOT WITH MAKING SURE WE ARE FOLLOWING THE RULES AND REGULATIONS AND WHAT OUR OPTIONS ARE.

WE JUST WANT TO HEAR FROM THAT OFFICE AS WELL, MAKING SURE WE ARE FOLLOWING THE LAWS AND PROCEDURES.

WORSE COMES TO WORSE IN THIS BUILDING HAS TO COME DOWN, WE WANT GREATER GOOD TO COME FROM IT.

>> OUR INTENTION IS TO DEMOLISH THE BUILDING.

FOR NOW, IT WILL BE AN EMPTY SPACE.

WE ARE REQUIRED TO SHORE UP THE WALL AGAIN SUPERIOR STREET.

WE HAVE AN ENGINEER WHO HAS GIVEN US PLANS ON WHAT WE NEED TO DO WITH THAT.

THE ECONOMIC CLIMATE IN THE CITY ISN'T CONDUCIVE TO BUILDING RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE NO PLANS TO ACTUALLY BUILD RIGHT NOW OR IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE.

IF A DEMOLITION PERMIT IS DENIED, WE WILL LET THE BUILDING STAY HERE AND WE WILL HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO BOARDED UP FOR SECURITY SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE ANYBODY BREAKING IN, STARTING FIRES WHICH HAS HAPPENED IN OTHER EMPTY BUILDINGS IN THE CITY.

DENNIS: FOLLOWING THE HEARING, THE CURRENT OWNERS OF THE HOTEL SAY THEY ARE NOT APPLYING FOR ANY HISTORIC PRESERVATION TAX CREDITS.

THE DEMOLITION PERMITS FOR THE BUILDING HAVE BEEN TABLED BY THE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION UNTIL THEIR MEETING NEXT MONTH.

♪ JULIE: RESEARCH BY TWO PROFESSORS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN AND SUPERIOR SHOWS HOW THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS IMPACTED BUSINESSES OWNED BY PERSONS OF COLOR.

THE REPORT OUTLINES STEPS THAT COULD HELP BIPOC OWNED BUSINESSES THRIVE.

HERE WITH MORE ON THAT RESEARCH ARE THE STUDY AUTHORS.

AN ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR IN THE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS AND AN ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR IN THE COMMUNICATING ARTS DEPARTMENT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING IN.

APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

JULIE: COVID-19 DISRUPTED MANY SMALL BUSINESSES IN OUR COMMUNITY AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

WOULD YOU SAY FROM YOUR RESEARCH THAT IMMIGRANT AND MINORITY OWNED BUSINESSES IN THE TWIN PORTS WERE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE OR MORE VULNERABLE THAN OTHER BUSINESSES?

>> YES.

WHAT WE FOUND OUT, THEY ARE VULNERABLE IN THAT SENSE.

THEY DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START SOMETIMES.

INFORMATION IS OUT THERE.

THE PROCESS IS THERE.

BUT NOT EDUCATED ENOUGH, NOT INFORMED ENOUGH.

I WOULD SAY THAT INFORMATION SOMETIMES IS NOT DIRECTED TOWARDS THESE COMMUNITIES.

THAT'S WHY THERE'S A BIT OF A STRUGGLE FROM THEIR END, ESPECIALLY THE BIPOC WHO ARE SELF PROPRIETORSHIP.

THEY HAVE DIFFICULTY, WHOM TO REACH OUT.

ESPECIALLY FOR THE CAPITAL IN ORDER TO DEVELOP THEIR BUSINESS PLAN.

DENNIS: WHAT CAUSED THE TWO OF YOU TO UNDERTAKE THIS RESEARCH?

WHY WAS IT DONE?

>> WHEN COVID HIT, WE ALL KNEW THAT IT WAS IMPACTING A LOT OF BUSINESSES.

THERE HAD BEEN SOME STUDIES WITH BIPOC BUSINESSES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

WE WANTED TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON IN OUR OWN BACKYARD, WANTED TO KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH BIPOC IN THE REGION.

WE HAD A CONVERSATION SAYING, YOU ARE IN ECONOMICS, I'M IN COMMUNICATION, LET'S COME TOGETHER.

LET'S DO RESEARCH AND FIND OUT WHAT IS GOING ON WITH OUR BIPOC ENTREPRENEURS.

WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THESE INDUSTRIES OR BUSINESSES.

WE ALSO WANT TO FIND OUT HOW WE CAN PROMOTE BIPOC BUSINESSES IN THE TWIN PORTS.

THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE CAME TOGETHER AND STARTED TO DO THIS RESEARCH.

JULIE: HOW DID YOU FIND THESE BUSINESSES?

HOW DID YOU COLLECT YOUR RESEARCH?

>> IT WAS A BIT OF A STRUGGLE ACTUALLY.

[LAUGHTER] THERE WAS NO COMPREHENSIVE DIRECTORY OF BIPOC BUSINESSES.

ONE OF OUR RECOMMENDATIONS IS DEVELOPING THIS DIRECTORY.

WE ARE GLAD TO SEE THAT THE DULUTH CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND THE DULUTH AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION LAUNCHED THIS BIPOC BUSINESS DIRECTORY EVENT LAST TUESDAY.

WE WERE BOTH INVITED.

WE WERE HAPPY TO SEE THAT.

THAT WAS ONE OF OUR FIRST RECOMMENDATIONS, DEVELOPING THIS BIPOC BUSINESS DIRECTORY.

WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE MORE PEOPLE ADDED.

SO THAT NEXT TIME, IT WILL BE EASIER NOT ONLY FOR US BUT ANYBODY.

THESE ARE THE BIPOC BUSINESSES IN OUR AREA.

>> STEPPING AWAY FROM HOW MUCH WORK WE HAVE TO DO.

[LAUGHTER] IT WAS QUITE AN EFFORT.

DENNIS: IN YOUR RESEARCH, HAS THERE BEEN AN ISSUE OF WHITE BUSINESS OWNERS FAILING TO REACH OUT TO BIPOC OWNERS?

>> IT IS NOT NECESSARILY A FAILURE TO REACH OUT.

YOU END UP WITH A LOT OF COMMUNITIES.

THAT'S WHAT WE NOTICE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF BIPOC BUSINESSES THAT WANT TO BE IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITY.

THEY SOMETIMES DON'T REACH OUT.

THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO REACH OUT.

WE TALK A LOT ABOUT SOCIAL AND CULTURAL CAPITAL.

HOW SOMETIMES IT IMPACTS BIPOC BUSINESSES.

WHAT I MEAN BY THAT, THE FACT THAT SOMETIMES IT DEPENDS ON WHO YOU KNOW.

HOW DO YOU REACH OUT?

HOW DO YOU GET TO KNOW THAT THERE ARE GRANTS AND LOANS?

IT'S NOT LIKE WHITE OWNED BUSINESSES AREN'T REACHING OUT.

IT'S THE FACT THAT WE HAVE TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR BIPOC TO -- BUSINESSES TO BE A PART OF THE ECONOMY INTHE TWIN PORTS.

JULIE: YOU MENTION THAT DIRECTORY OF BIPOC BUSINESSES AS ONE OF THE OTHER -- ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS.

WHAT ARE TANGIBLE THINGS I COULD REALLY HELP ENTREPRENEURS OF COLOR?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE NOTICED WAS THAT A LOT OF ENTREPRENEURS HAD GREAT IDEAS BUT WHEN THEY HAD TO IMPLEMENT THESE IDEAS, SOME OF THEM DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER PIECES TO IT.

FOR EXAMPLE, YOU HAVE TO HAVE LAWYERS.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE MARKETING.

THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT GO INTO BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE WANT TO SEE IS TO HAVE A ONE-SHOT PLACE.

IF I'M AN ENTREPRENEUR AND I WANT TO START A BUSINESS, I CAN GO IN THERE AND I WILL HAVE ACCESS TO BOOKKEEPERS, LAWYERS, MARKETING AND THAT WILL HELP MY BUSINESS TO GROW.

WE WANT TO HAVE MORE TOOLS THAT UNDER BURNERS CAN TAP INTO.

JULIE: IF PEOPLE WANT TO ACCEPT THEIR -- ACCESS THE RESEARCH, WHERE DO THEY GO?

>> OUR RECOMMENDATIONS IS HAVING A TWIN PORTS BIPOC CHAMBERS WHICH CAN WORK WITH THE DULUTH CHAMBERS AND SUPERIOR CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.

WE THINK THAT WOULD BE A GOOD START SO THAT THERE WOULD BE GOOD COMMUNICATION ABOUT THAT, THIS ONE-STOP CENTER.

MAKING SURE THAT THOSE ISSUES ARE ADDRESSED.

THAT THE SOCIAL CAPITAL, CULTURAL CAPITAL -- SOMETIMES PEOPLE STRUGGLE TO INITIATE THOSE CONVERSATIONS.

WE THINK IT WOULD BE A GOOD START.

JULIE: WE'VE ONLY INITIATED THE CONVERSATION.

HOPEFULLY WE WILL HAVE YOU BACK AND WE CAN FIND SOME PROGRESS.

THANK YOU.

DENNIS: THANK YOU BOTH VERY MUCH.

IT'S TIME NOW FOR VOICES OF THE REGION.

EACH WEEK, WE TALK WITH AN AREA JOURNALIST ABOUT THE STORIES THEY ARE COVERING.

OUR GUEST TODAY IS DANIEL KEENE FROM WISCONSIN PUBLIC RADIO.

♪ IT'S UP TO PIPELINE SAY THE CANADIAN ENERGY FIRM HAS BEEN CLICKING GAS PRICES WILL FURTHER SKYROCKET CONTENT AND MICHIGAN LINE PRIVATE SHUTDOWN.

THEY ARGUE THAT THE ECONOMIC IMPACTS GO BEYOND PRICES AT THE PUMP AND THAT'S A BIG CONFIRM FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE RIGHT NOW WITH INFLATION GOING UP AND PRICES APPROACHING OR PAST FIVE DOLLARS A GALLON.

LINE FIVE CARRIES UP TO 23 MILLION GALLONS OF OIL AND NATURAL GAS LIQUIDS PER DAY FROM SUPERIOR TO ONTARIO.

ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS SAID RECENTLY THAT THEIR EXPERT FOUND GAS PRICES IN MICHIGAN WOULD GO UP JUST A HALF CENT PER GALLON IF THE PIPELINE WERE SHUT DOWN.

THE COMPANY SAID THOSE PROJECTIONS WERE MADE PRIOR TO THE SPIKE IN GLOBAL ENERGY PRICES.

AMBRIDGE EXPERTS ALSO SAY THAT SHUTDOWN COULD LEAD TO THE LOSS OF HUNDREDS OF JOBS AT WISCONSIN AND MICHIGAN FACILITIES THAT PROCESS NATURAL GAS LIQUIDS INTO PROPANE.

THAT INCLUDES THE PLANES FACILITY IN SUPERIOR.

THEY CLAIM THE SHUTDOWN COULD LEAD TO BILLIONS IN LOSSES EACH YEAR IF REFINERIES IN THE UPPER MIDWEST HAVE TO CUT BACK OR EVEN CLOSE.

BUT THE TRIBES EXPERTS ARGUE AMBRIDGE IS VASTLY OVERSTATING THESE LOSSES, THAT THEY ARE BASED ON FAULTY ASSUMPTIONS AND WORST-CASE SCENARIO.

♪ FOR THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS, THE TWIN PORTS IS HANDLING CONTAINERS THAT WILL BE SHIPPED ACROSS THE GREAT LAKES AND BEYOND AS PART OF EXPANDING ITS SERVICE.

THE PORT OF DULUTH SUPERIOR HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN RESTRICTED TO JUST MOVING SHIPPING CONTAINERS OVERLAND.

NOW, IT'S THE ONLY U.S.

PORT BESIDES CLEVELAND THAT IS CAPABLE OF HANDLING MARITIME CONTAINER SHIPMENT ON THE GREAT LAKES SEAWAY.

THE SERVICES ARE BEING TOUTED AS A WAY TO AVOID THESE BOTTLENECKS AT OTHER COASTAL PORTS.

COMPANY OFFICIALS SAY THEY JUMPED AT THIS OPPORTUNITY TO BEGIN STRIPPING THEIR PRODUCT AND CARGO CONTAINERS FROM THE TWIN PORTS AND OFFICIALS WITH THE DULUTH SEAWAY PORT AUTHORITY AND LAKE SUPERIOR WAREHOUSING ARE HOPEFUL THEY WILL BE ABLE TO ATTRACT MORE BUSINESS USING THIS NEW SERVICE.

♪ THIS WEEK, THE DOUGLAS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY ANNOUNCED THAT A SUPERIOR POLICE OFFICER WHO UNKNOWINGLY RAN OVER A PERSON LYING ON THE ROAD BACK IN FEBRUARY WILL NOT FACE CRIMINAL CHARGES.

THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY SAID THE OFFICER WILL NOT FACE CHARGES BECAUSE HE DIDN'T KNOW OR HAVE ANY REASON TO KNOW THAT HE HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THAT INJURED SOMEONE.

SO HE JOINED THE DEPARTMENT ABOUT A YEAR AGO.

HE WAS INVESTIGATED BY THE WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IN THE INCIDENT.

THE DOUGLAS COUNTY DA SAID A REVIEW OF SQUAD DASHCAM FOOTAGE SHOWS THAT THE PERSON IN THE ROAD WASN'T VISIBLE UNTIL ABOUT A SECOND BEFORE THE OFFICER DROVE OVER THE INDIVIDUAL.

THE INVESTIGATION ALSO FOUND HE WASN'T DRIVING IMPAIRED OR USING HIS PHONE AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT.

THE OFFICER TOLD POLICE HE WAS UNABLE TO SEE ANYONE IN THE ROAD AND ASSUMED HE HAD DRIVEN OVER ICE OR SNOW SINCE IT WAS FEBRUARY.

THE DA SAYS THE OFFICER'S ACCOUNT LINES UP WITH EVIDENCE THAT WAS OBTAINED DURING THE INVESTIGATION.

HE WAS PLACED ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE BUT HAS SINCE RETURNED TO DUTY.

HE RETURNED IN MID-MARCH.

THE SUPERIOR POLICE CHIEF HAS PREVIOUSLY SAID THAT HE WOULD REVIEW THE DA'S DECISION BUT HE BELIEVES THE INCIDENT WAS A TRAGIC AND UNFORTUNATE ACCIDENT.

THE VICTIM'S NAME HASN'T BEEN RELEASED IN ACCORDANCE WITH MARCY'S LAW.

THE INDIVIDUAL HAS SINCE BEEN RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL AND IS RECOVERING, ACCORDING TO SUPERIOR POLICE.

♪ DENNIS: BEFORE WE LEAVE, A PROGRAM NOTE THAT WILL IMPACT ON THE NECK NORTH.

BEGINNING NEXT FRIDAY, THE PRIMETIME AIRING OF THIS PROGRAM WILL MOVE TO 9:00 P.M. EACH FRIDAY.

THAT CHANGES NECESSARY DUE TO THE AREA OF THE GREAT AMERICAN RECIPE EACH FRIDAY AT 8:00.

ALL OTHER BROADCAST TIMES OF ALMANAC NORTH WILL REMAIN THE SAME AND WE WILL RETURN TO OUR 8:00 TIME ON FRIDAYS AT THE END OF AUGUST.

GOOD LOOK TO ALL THE RUNNERS IN THE MARATHONS THIS SATURDAY.

JULIE: LOTS OF FOLKS IN TOWN INCLUDING THOUSANDS MORE FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO CHEER THEM ON.

HOPEFULLY EVERYONE HAS A GREAT WEEKEND.

DENNIS: THANKS TO ALL OF OUR GUESTS.

GOOD NIGHT EVERYBODY.

BE KIND.

♪