JULIE: I AM JULIE ZENNER IN THIS IS WHAT YOU WILL SEE NEXT.

SUPERIOR MAYOR JIM PAYNE IS HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE CITY'’S MASS MANDATE AND THE POLITICS BEING PLAYED IN MADISON.

THE DULUTH BRANCH OF THE NAACP HEAD COMES TO A GREAT CHALLENGE.

WE TALK ABOUT THE PROPOSAL TO REVITALIZE FORESTS IN THE CITY OF DULUTH.

THESE TOPICS AND VOICES OF THE REGION, NEXT ON "ALMANAC NORTH."

♪ JULIE: HELLO AND WELCOME TO ALMANAC NORTH.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

DENNIS IS OFF THIS WEEK AS WE ALTERNATE HOSTING DURING THE PANDEMIC.

THE MINNESOTA COURT OF APPEALS WILL NOT HOLD CONSTRUCTION OF ENBRIDGE LINE THREE PIPELINE THROUGH NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

THE RULING DISAPPOINTED LOCAL TRIBES WHICH ASKED THE COURT TO PAUSE PERMITS FOR THE PIPELINE.

PROTESTS CONTINUE ON THE FOND DU LAC RESERVATION AND ELSEWHERE ALONG THE PIPELINE ROUTE.

THE COMMISSIONING OF THE U.S. NAVY'’S MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL SHIP IN DULUTH HAS BEEN PUT ON HOLD.

IT WAS SCHEDULED TO BE COMMISSIONED IN MAY.

THE NAVY PLANS TO RESCHEDULE AT A LATER DATE ONCE A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE SHIP'’S HIGH-SPEED CLUTCH CAN BE FIXED.

DANGEROUSLY COLD TEMPERATURES INVADING THE REGION THIS WEEKEND HAVE PROMPTED EXTENDED HOURS AT THE DULUTH WARMING SHELTER.

IT WILL OPEN AT 6 P.M. TONIGHT AND SATURDAY AND BE OPEN 24 HOURS ON SUNDAY.

THE WARMING SHELTER IS LOCATED AT THE RAINBOW CENTER AT NORTH 3RD AVENUE EAST.

THE CENTER IN DOWNTOWN DULUTH HAS AN OVERNIGHT SHELTER FOR THE HOMELESS AND THEY RECEIVED A MAJOR FOOD DONATION.

THE DULUTH ENTERTAINMENT CONVENTION CENTER DONATED OVER 4100 POUNDS OF FRUITS AND FOOD, WITH FEW EVENTS DUE TO COVID, THE FOOD WAS NEARING ITS EXPIRATION DATE AND WILL HAVE A GREAT IMPACT ON THE HOMELESS COMMUNITY.

THE SUPERIOR CITY COUNCIL VOTED TO READ AN A CITY MASK MANDATE.

SUPERIOR'’S MAYOR PROPOSED THE RESOLUTION AS REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS VOTED TO ELIMINATE THE STATE MANDATE.

GOVERNOR EITHEVER HAS ISSUED A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY AND REINSTATED THE STATE MASK MANDATE.

JOINING US IS JIM PAYNE, THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF DULUTH.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> GOOD EVENING.

JULIE: ALL OF THIS BACK-AND-FORTH AND DRAMA IN MADISON, WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE THIS WAS THE TIME TO REENACT THE CITY MASK MANDATE?

OR IS THAT AN OBVIOUS QUESTION?

>> A LITTLE OBVIOUS, YEAH.

THE BACK-AND-FORTH DRAMA IN MADISON.

WE HAD A MASK MANDATE BACK IN THE FALL AND WE ALLOWED THAT TO EXPIRE.

OUR EMERGENCY RESOLUTION AND MANDATE HAD DEFINITE EXPIRATION DATES.

WHILE WE HAVE BEEN EXTENDING TH E STATE OF EMERGENCY, WE ALLOWED IT TO EXPIRE BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR HAD A STRONG MASK MANDATE FOR THE ENTIRE STATE AND WITHOUT CONSISTENCY WAS BETTER.

WHEN CONSISTENCY BECAME UNCERTAINTY, IT MADE MORE SENSE TO PROTECT OUR BUSINESSES AND PUBLIC BY MAKING SURE WE HAD ONE MANDATE THAT WOULD ALWAYS BE IN PLACE FOR THE LIFE OF THIS PANDEMIC.

JULIE: NOW THAT THE ON-AGAIN, OFF-AGAIN MASK MANDATE AT THE STATE LEVEL IS APPARENTLY ON-AGAIN, DOES THAT SUPERSEDE WHAT YOU DO IN SUPERIOR?

>> IN A LOT OF WAYS, YES.

ULTIMATELY, I DON'’T THINK IT ENDS UP BEING THAT MUCH OF A DIFFERENCE.

THAT'’S THE BENEFIT OF WHAT WE DID ON TUESDAY.

THERE'’S A LOT OF PLACES WHERE THE GOVERNOR'’S MANDATE IS MORE STRICT THAN OURS, INCLUDING ENFORCEMENT.

WE ARE CAPABLE OF ENFORCING THAT AS LONG AS IT IS LAWFULLY IN PLACE.

IF IT DISAPPEARS FOR A MOMENT, OURS KICKS IN AND BECOMES THE RULE.

THERE JUST IS A RULE BECAUSE MOST OF THE PUBLIC IS NOT FOLLOWING THE BACK-AND-FORTH OF MADISON VERSUS THE CITY'’S MANDATE.

SHOULD WE BE WEARING MASKS?

THE ANSWER IS YES.

JULIE: GENERALLY SPEAKING, HAVE SUPERIOR BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS BEEN PRETTY GOOD WITH COMPLYING WITH THE MANDATES?

>> VERY MUCH.

WHEN WE PASSED IT IN THE FALL, IT WAS AT THE REQUEST OF A NUMBER OF BUSINESSES LOOKING FOR THAT SUPPORT FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENTS SO THEY CAN IMPOSE MASK MANDATE IN THEIR OWN STORES AND SHOPS.

THOSE MANDATES HAVE STAYED IN THE PUBLIC AT LARGE HAS GOTTEN USED TO WEARING MASKS.

EVEN THOSE COUPLE OF PLACES THAT WERE RESISTANT AT FIRST HAVE BEEN VERY RESPONSIVE EVEN TO JUST PHONE CALLS.

JULIE: IS IT WORKING?

WHAT ARE THE NUMBERS LOOKING LIKE IN SUPERIOR?

>> THE NUMBERS ARE LOOKING VERY GOOD.

I WOULD ATTRIBUTE THAT TO A SLOW BUT PERSISTENT VACCINE ROLLOUT.

SO, MASK MANDATES ARE WORKING BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE WEARING MASKS.

WE WILL NEVER KNOW THE TRUE EFFICACY OF THEM BECAUSE WE DON'’T KNOW HOW BAD IT COULD HAVE BEEN IF MOST OF THE PUBLIC HADN'’T BEEN TAKING THESE BASIC PRECAUTIONS.

RIGHT NOW, I AM STARTING TO FEEL PRETTY OPTIMISTIC FOR SPRINGTIME.

JULIE: YOU MENTIONED THE VACCINES.

TALK ABOUT THE PROCESS FOR VACCINATIONS IN SUPERIOR.

ARE THE VACCINES BEING DISTRIBUTED PRETTY REGULARLY AND MOST PEOPLE GET THEM?

>> YES.

THERE'’S NOT AS MANY AS WE WOULD LIKE, BUT WE ARE FOLLOWING THE STATE'’S GUIDELINES.

THEY ARE DRIVING THE BUS ON WHO GETS THE VACCINES AND WHEN.

THEY DISTRIBUTE DIFFERENT AMOUNTS EVERY WEEK.

DOUGLAS COUNTY IS LARGELY PROVIDING GUIDANCE TO A LOT OF PROVIDERS, BUT WE ARE GETTING THROUGH IT.

I JUST CHECKED IN A BID THAT SHOWED OVER 5000 PEOPLE HAVE HAD AT LEAST ONE OF THE SHOTS ALREADY IN DOUGLAS COUNTY.

MY FAVORITE FACT OF TODAY'’S UPDATE IS IT SEEMS MOST PEOPLE HAVE BEEN VACCINATED THAN EVER TESTED POSITIVE IN DOUGLAS COUNTY AT THIS POINT.

JULIE: WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN IN SUPERIOR BEFORE YOU LIFTED THAT STATE OF EMERGENCY AND SAY THAT PEOPLE CAN GO BACK TO WHAT WE USED TO CONSIDER NORMAL?

>> LETS A REALLY GREAT QUESTION AND I DON'’T KNOW IF WE HAVE THE ANSWER TO IT.

I DON'’T THINK THERE'’S GOING TO BE A MOMENT WHERE WE ARE POPPING CHAMPAGNE CORKS IN THIS PANDEMIC BECAUSE IT WILL BE VERY PROGRESSIVE AND THERE COULD BE RISKS FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

THAT SAID, WHEN WE GO SEVERAL WEEKS WITHOUT ANY DEATHS, WHERE OUR NEW CASE RATE REALLY STARTS TO DROP TO INSIGNIFICANT NUMBERS, O ESPECIALLYR, I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT MILESTONE FOR ME IS GOING TO BE WHEN THE VACCINE IS EASILY ACCESSIBLE TO ANYBODY THAT WANTS IT.

BY THAT POINT, WE WILL HAVE LARGELY APPROACHED HERD IMMUNITY.

JULIE: ANY POSITIVES COMING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC EXPERIENCE THAT YOU THINK WE'’LL HAVE A LASTING IMPACT ON SUPERIOR?

>> I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF POSITIVES.

WE HAVE ALL LEARNED NEW WAYS OF DOING BUSINESS AND INTERACTING WITH EACH OTHER.

WHILE WE REALLY WANT TO GET BACK TO NORMAL, I THINK WE PICKED UP A COUPLE OF POSITIVE CHANGES, PARTICULARLY AROUND THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY.

BUT, OVER ALL, IT HAS BEEN A TOUGH YEAR.

JULIE: WELL, MAYOR, THANK YOU FOR COMING IN AND SHARING INFORMATION WITH US.

CONGRATULATIONS ON THE DOWNWARD TREND AND I HOPE THAT EVERYONE COMPLIES WITH THE MANDATES.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

JULIE: IN SOME SMALLER NORTHERN MINNESOTA TOWNS, COVID RATES ARE LOW ENOUGH TO ALLOW STUDENTS TO GO BACK TO THE CLASSROOM FULL-TIME.

ON THURSDAY, THE CASKET COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT HEARD A VIRTUAL CONFERENCE AND DISCUSSED OPTIMISM WITH THE POSITIVE TRENDS IN THE COVID RATES.

>> BY THE WEEKEND, WE WILL HAVE 100% OF OUR STAFF THAT ARE WILLING PARTICIPANTS IN VACCINATION AND HAVE RECEIVED THEIR FIRST DOSE.

IT IS ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING THINGS THAT HAS HAPPENED IN A WHILE.

WITH THAT, OUR SCHOOL BOARD HAD A WORK SESSION LAST NIGHT.

I DON'’T WANT TO PUT THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE BUT MONDAY AT THE REGULAR MEETING, I ANTICIPATE THEY WILL PASS A RESOLUTION TO SHIFT OUR LEARNING MODEL.

WE HAVE BEEN IN HYBRID FOR 91 STRAIGHT DAYS AS OF TOMORROW.

AND WE WILL BE LOOKING AT FEBRUARY 22 THAT WE WILL HAVE -- BE OFFERING EVERY DAY, IN PERSON INSTRUCTION FOR OUR STUDENTS IN GRADES K-5.

WE'’VE ALREADY HAD SIX TRADERS BACK EVERY DAY SINCE JANUARY 26.

WE BE LOOKING AT MARCH 8 BEING ABLE TO OFFER DAILY IN PERSON INSTRUCTION TO STUDENTS IN GRADES SEVEN THROUGH 12.

>> ONE OF THE UNIQUE THINGS ABOUT SPORTS, IT OFFERS A CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT WITH REGARD TO COVID AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES.

JUST LIKE WE KNOW FROM YEARS PAST WHERE FLUS AND SICKNESSES CAN GO THROUGH TEAMS PRETTY QUICKLY.

THAT IS OBVIOUSLY AND ALTERING THAT ALL COACHES HAVE HAD TO MAKE TO ADAPT AND MAKE SURE WE ARE ABLE TO HAVE SUPPORT SUCCESSFULLY.

JUST LOOKING ACROSS THE STATE, ALL SPORTS, NOT JUST HOCKEY -- BOYS AND GIRLS, HOCKEY AND SWIMMING, ACROSS-THE-BOARD, SO FAR, SO GOOD.

WE'’VE SEEN THE PROGRESS OF THE STATE LEVEL WITH REGARD TO WHERE COVID IS AN VACCINES ROLLING OUT.

FEWER DISRUPTIONS.

♪ ♪ JULIE: THERE IS A NEW YOUNG LEADER HEADING UP THE DULUTH BRANCH OF THE NAACP.

SHE TAKES OVER AS PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL BRANCH AT A TIME OF GREAT GROWTH FOR THE ORGANIZATION, BUT THERE'’S ALSO A CHALLENGE WITH THE PANDEMIC RAGING THROUGH THE COMMUNITY AND THE ONGOING STRUGGLE FOR RACIAL JUSTICE IN OUR NATION.

TURNING TO US NOW IS CLASSY DUDLEY.

THANK YOU FOR COMING IN.

WELCOME.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

JULIE: AS A YOUNG WOMAN WHO GREW UP IN DULUTH, GRADUATED FROM DULUTH CENTRAL, WHAT DO YOU BRING TO THE ORGANIZATION IN TERMS OF A FRESH PERSPECTIVE?

>> WELL, MY PERSPECTIVE COMES FROM MANY DIFFERENT AREAS.

I ALSO LIVED IN DALLAS, TEXAS.

I LIVED IN KANSAS CITY FOR A BIT.

I GOT TO EXPERIENCE THE NAACP NATIONALLY AS WELL.

SO, I KIND OF BRING A DIFFERENT SENSE OF THE LOCAL JUSTICE THAT WE NEED HERE IN TERMS OF HOW WE CAN ACHIEVE IT FROM A NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE.

JULIE: ARE A LOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE SEEING THE VALUE IN JOINING THE NAACP AS MEMBERS THESE DAYS?

>> I BELIEVE SO.

THE NATIONAL NAACP HAS AN OBJECTIVE DOING NEXT GEN WHICH IS BRINGING ON YOUNGER GENERATIONS TO BECOME LEADERSHIP ROLES, TO HAVING LEADERSHIP ROLES WITHIN THE NAACP.

I AM SEEING A LOT OF THAT.

OUR BOARD IS BRAND-NEW AND WE ARE A YOUNGER BOARD.

WE ARE READY.

JULIE: HOW MUCH INTEREST IN THE ORGANIZATION DO YOU THINK IS DRIVEN BY EVENTS LIKE THE DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD?

>> AENORMOUS.

OUR MEMBERSHIP JUMPED AND WE ARE NOW ONE OF THE BIGGEST NAACP'’S IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

THAT WAS A GREAT IMPACT NOT ONLY NATIONALLY BUT LOCALLY AS WELL.

JULIE: WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE LOCAL ORGANIZATION?

WHAT DO YOU SEE YOURSELF WANTING TO ACCOMPLISH AS YOUR TIME?

>> I THINK ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS IS WE ARE GOING TO BRING A NEW ERA INTO DULUTH.

THE TWIN PORTS IS GOING TO CHANGE IN THE WAY THEY DEAL WITH EQUITY AND INCLUSION AND HOW WE OPERATE.

WE ARE GOING TO HIT SYSTEMIC ISSUES THAT WE SEE NEED TO BE CHANGED INTO LIVE.

JULIE: THAT SEEMS TO BE A REAL LANGUAGE CHANGE.

PEOPLE ALWAYS USED TO TALK ABOUT THE NEED FOR RACIAL EQUALITY AND THE TERMINOLOGY HAS CHANGED TO RACIAL EQUITY.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THAT AND IS THAT DISTINCTION IMPORTANT?

>> YES, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT.

WHEN WE ARE LOOKING AT EQUALITY, WE ARE LOOKING AT SOMETHING THAT WE ARE GIVING YOU THE SAME THING.

WHAT WE ARE NOT UNDERSTANDING HIS PEOPLE OF COLOR HAVE BEEN DISENFRANCHISED FOR OVER 400 YEARS NOW IN THIS STATE, AND IN THIS COUNTRY NATIONALLY.

WHEN WE BRING EQUITY, WE ARE GIVING EVERYONE THE SAME CHANCES, WE ARE GIVING SOMETHING NEW TO PEOPLE BEFORE.

IT IS NOT JUST GIVING EVERYBODY THE SAME THINGS, WE ARE GIVING EVERYONE THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES TO LIVE THEIR BEST LIVES.

JULIE: COVID-19 SEVERELY HAS IMPACTED OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

ANY SPECIFIC IMPACTS THAT CONCERN YOU MOST OR MOST DIRECTLY AFFECT THOSE THAT YOU REPRESENT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

COVID-19 HAS DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED PEOPLE OF COLOR ACROSS THE NATION.

WE HAVE LOST OVER 500,000 LIVES IN THE UNITED STATES ALONE IF YOU TAKE THAT INTO TERMS OF HOW MANY PEOPLE OF COLOR HAVE DIED OR HAVE SUFFERED AND SOME WAY OR FORM, WHETHER IT BE LOST A LOVED ONE OR A JOB, IT IS DEFINITELY DISENFRANCHISING A LOT OF FOLKS.

IT IS IMPORTANT THE NAACP TACKLES THE ISSUE AS WELL.

JULIE: THE COUNTRY RECENTLY CELEBRATED MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY IN YOUR LOCAL THEME WAS RISING VOICES, WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE, CHAOS OR COMMUNITY?

THE SECOND HALF WAS THE TITLE OF DR. KING'’S LAST BOOK WRITTEN IN 1967.

IT HAS BEEN OVER 50 YEARS.

AS A COUNTRY, DO YOU THINK WE ARE COMING CLOSER TO COMMUNITY OR ARE WE GOING INTO CHAOS RIGHT NOW?

IT SEEMS LIKE THERE'’S A LOT OF TENSIONS RIGHT NOW NATIONALLY AND LOCALLY.

>> YES, I DON'’T THINK ANY OF THESE TENSIONS ARE NEW.

I THINK THESE ARE TENSIONS THAT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TO THE FOREFRONT.

THINGS THAT ARE NOW ON MAINSTREAM NEWS MEDIA THAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR DECADES NOW.

I THINK WE ARE JUST GETTING OUR VOICES HEARD.

THAT IS WHERE WE BRING THE COMMUNITY INTO IT.

NOW THAT WE ARE BEING HEARD, WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE TO MAKE THE CHANGES TO BUILD AN EQUITABLE ENVIRONMENT?

JULIE: FEBRUARY, BLACK HISTORY MONTH.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

>> BLACK HISTORY MONTH -- I LOOK AT BLACK HISTORY MONTH -- IT IS LOOKING BACK AT OUR PAST TO REALLY SHAPE OUR FUTURE.

THAT IS SO IMPORTANT FOR US TO KNOW OUR HISTORY.

IT IS SO IMPORTANT FOR US TO BUILD UPON THAT AND SHAPE WHERE WE ARE GOING IN THE FUTURE.

JULIE: DOES THE DULUTH NAACP HAVE ANY SPECIAL EVENTS PLANNED OR WAYS TO ACKNOWLEDGE BLACK HISTORY MONTH?

>> YES, WE ARE GOING TO BE LAUNCHING THE ONLINE SERIES FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH COMING OUT NEXT WEEK.

WE ARE STILL IN THE TRANSITION PHASE.

WE HAVE A BRAND-NEW BOARD AND I LOVE WORKING WITH THEM.

THEY ARE AMAZING.

I'’M EXCITED TO PUSH THIS OUT TO OUR MEMBERSHIP AND COMMUNITY AS WELL.

LOOK OUT ON HER FACEBOOK PAGE.

WE WILL BE SENDING EMAILS OUT.

WE WANT TO KEEP EVERYBODY SAFE BUT WE WANT TO KEEP EVERYBODY ENGAGED.

JULIE: CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW POSITION AND THANK YOU FOR VISITING WITH US.

WE WILL HAVE YOU BACK AGAIN.

>> THANK YOU.

JULIE: THANKS.

♪ ♪ JULIE: IT IS TIME NOW FOR THE VOICES OF THE REGION SEGMENT.

WE ASKED A JOURNALIST ABOUT THE STORIES THEY ARE COVERING.

THIS WEEK, WE HEAR FROM AARON BROWN ON MINNESOTA'’S IRON RANGE.

♪ >> THE GOVERNOR HAS ASKED CLEVELAND CLIFFS, WHICH IS THE MAJORITY OWNER, TO WORK WITH U.S. STEEL WHICH OWNS THE BIGGEST PLANT ON THE RANGE BUT ALSO ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE HE WANTS THEM TO WORK TOGETHER, HELP THEM WORK TOGETHER TO GET TO A SOLUTION WHERE HE COULD ACCESS SOME WAR BETWEEN THE TWO MINING PROPERTIES.

CLEVELAND CLIFFS WOULD PERVERT TOGETHER IRON ORE FROM THE NASHUA FORMER BUTLER SITE, NOW CONTROLLED PARTIALLY.

THEY WOULD LIKE TO SHIP IT OVER BUT THERE'’S A LOT MORE AT STAKE AND DOES A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE INVOLVED IN PROPRIETARY ISSUES.

THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLICATED POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS AND THE GOVERNOR IS TRYING TO MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN.

I DON'’T LOCAL LEGISLATORS HAVE MADE IT A PRIORITY BECAUSE LOSING A PLANT LIKE THAT WOULD BE A MAJOR DEVASTATING BLOW, PARTICULARLY LOCALLY.

♪ >> WHAT'’S HAPPENING WITH RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA IS THE CULTURE IS FINALLY CATCHING UP WITH AND OVERTAKING THE POLITICS .

THERE WERE VARIOUS INTERESTS FIGHTING THIS OUT OVER RECREATIONAL -- EVEN MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN YEARS PAST.

FIGHTING IT OUT.

A LOT OF STEREOTYPES AND IDEAS ABOUT WHAT MARIJUANA IS OR ISN'’T.

TAKING A BIG ROLE IN THE POLITICAL DEBATE.

NOW THE REALITY IS YOUNGER PEOPLE IN PARTICULAR ARE MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE WITH RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA USE PERHAPS THAN THEIR PARENTS OR GRANDPARENTS.

THE MAIN ARGUMENT AGAINST IT, I THINK, COMES FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE DESIRE TO NOT HAVE A COMPLICATED SYSTEM OF ENFORCEMENT WHEN IT COMES TO DRUGS.

UNDERSTANDING WHO IS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS, WHAT ARE OUR LAWS REGARDING DRIVING AND OPERATING VEHICLES?

THERE'’S A COMPLEX SET OF SITE ISSUES THAT COME WITH THE LEGALIZATION BUT WE HAVE ALCOHOL, WE HAVE TOBACCO, WE HAVE OTHER THINGS THAT ARE LEGAL AND WE REGULATE THOSE AND MAKE A TAX PROFIT OFF OF THEM.

I THINK AS THE STATE FACES A BUDGET CRUNCH, AS IT ALWAYS SEEMS TO, IT WILL BE VERY TEMPTING TO LEGALIZE AND REGULATE AND TAX MARIJUANA.

♪ I MADE THE ARGUMENT IN MY COLUMN THAT REALLY COME IF YOU LOOK AT OUR SENSES ESTIMATES THAT ARE BEING DEVELOPED, IF YOU LOOK AT REDISTRICTING COMING NEXT YEAR, WE ARE LOOKING AT A LOSS OF CLOUT AND POPULATION IN NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA AND WITH THAT, COMES THE QUESTION WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

THE ONLY ONE THING WE CAN DO ABOUT IT IS ATTRACT PEOPLE TO LIVE AND WORK HERE.

I THINK WE ARE WELL SITUATED TO DO THAT.

NOT ONLY DO WE HAVE THE BEAUTIFUL NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND THE REASONS YOU OR I MIGHT ENJOY LIVING IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

TO BUSIER CITY FOR A MORE DESOLATE LOCATION.

THERE IS ALL OF THAT, BUT ALSO AFFORDABLE REAL ESTATE.

YOU'’VE GOT AFFORDABLE COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE.

YOU LOOK AT THE TOWNS OF THE IRON RANGE, THE DOWNTOWNS THAT MIGHT LOOK LIKE THEY NEED A LITTLE HELP BUT AN INVESTMENT ON WHAT IS INVESTED IN LARGE CITIES AND REVITALIZING OLD BUILDINGS WOULD QUICKLY TURN THESE TOWNS INTO VERY ATTRACTIVE RACES THAT CAN BE ATTRACTIVE TO OUTSIDE CAPITAL.

AS WE MAKE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO LIVE HERE AND MOVE HERE, CRITICAL MOMENTUM COULD BE ACHIEVED.

THAT'’S A FUTURE WE CAN EXPLORE WITH EVERY BIT AS MUCH ENERGY, IF NOT MORE ENERGY THAN OUR EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES WHICH WE UNDERSTAND HAVE A REASON TO EXIST.

AS WE LOOK AT OUR STRATEGIES FOR THE FUTURE, ATTRACTION IS AS MUCH A GOAL AS ANYTHING ELSE.

♪ JULIE: THE CITY OF DULUTH HAS SCHEDULED A VIRTUAL PUBLIC MEETING NEXT WEEK TO DISCUSS PROPOSED FOREST REVITALIZATION PRODUCTS.

IT TARGETS SPECIFIC AREA THROUGHOUT THE CITY TO REJUVENATE FORESTS.

TO TELL US MORE IS CLARK, DULUTH'’S CITY FORRESTER.

THANK YOU FOR COMING IN.

WELCOME.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

GREAT TO BE HERE.

JULIE: MANY PEOPLE MIGHT BE SURPRISED TO LEARN THAT DULUTH HAS A CITY FORRESTER.

WHAT IS THE JOB?

>> MOST OF MY JOB IS SPENT WORKING ON BOULEVARD TREES, SUPPLANTING THEM, PRUNING THEM, REMOVING THEM.

INJECTING THEM.

TRYING TO KEEP A HEALTHY POPULATION OF TREES THAT BRINGS ALL THE BENEFITS THAT THEY WILL BRING TO THEIR CITIZENS, WHETHER IT IS HELPFUL OR REAL ESTATE VALUES.

JULIE: HOW MUCH LAND AS THE CITY ACTUALLY OWN OR MANAGE?

>> ABOUT 10,000 ACRES IS HOW MUCH GREEN SPACE AND PARK LAND THAT THE CITY OWNS.

JULIE: THE CITY HAS IDENTIFIED 108 ACRES FOR FOREST REVITALIZATION PROJECTS.

TALK ABOUT THOSE SITES IN THE WORK IS BEING PROPOSED.

>> THESE SITES WERE PICKED OUT DUE TO THE PRESENCE OF PLANTATIONS, RED PINE PLANTATIONS MOSTLY.

THESE AREAS ARE ALL THE WAY FROM AMITY CREEK DOWN TO VISIT, AND SPIRIT MOUNTAIN ON THE WEST SIDE.

THEY HAVE PINE PLANTATIONS THAT WERE TYPICALLY NOT ON SITES BEST SUITED FOR RED PINE.

WE WANT TO THIN THOSE OUT, INTRODUCED SPECIES THAT ARE BETTER ADAPTED.

JULIE: WHAT DOES THAT WORK ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE?

>> WE ARE IN THE VERY BEGINNING STAGES.

THE ON THE GROUNDWORK WILL BE HIRING, GETTING A LONG -- LOGGING CONTRACTOR.

THINNING OUT THOSE PLANTATIONS, SIMILAR TO WHAT WAS DONE IN HARTLEY THREE OR FOUR YEARS AGO.

AFTER THAT, WE ARE GOING TO INTRODUCE THOSE SPECIES WHETHER THROUGH PLANTING OR CEDING THEM AND REALLY STARTING THE NEXT FOREST.

JULIE: YOU MENTIONED CONTRACTORS.

WILL SOME OF THE WORK BE DONE BY CITY EMPLOYEES?

>> THERE'’S A FAIR AMOUNT.

THE ADMINISTRATION OF THIS IS ALL CITY EMPLOYEES AND THE FOLLOW-UP WILL ALSO BE A LOT OF CITY WORK.

JULIE: WILL THE PROJECTS DRAMATICALLY CHANGE THE WAY THAT THE FORCE LOOKS AND FEELS FOR PEOPLE WHO MIGHT VISIT THOSE AREAS?

>> THAT'’S A GREAT QUESTION.

JULIE: I THINK WE HAVE A PHOTO THAT ACTUALLY SHOWS IT.

>> THIS IS THE DESIRED OUTCOME.

THE DESIRED OUTCOME IS OFTEN IN THE FUTURE 10 OR 20 YEARS.

IT IS NOT AN INSTANT CHANGE.

THERE WILL BE CHANGES THAT PEOPLE DON'’T CARE FOR AND I UNDERSTAND.

LOOKING AT A TIMBER SALE IS USUALLY NOT -- USUALLY NOT AN EASY SITE TO DIGEST.

WE HAVE TO GIVE AT THAT TIME TO ALLOW THESE PROCESSES TO OCCUR AND ALLOW IT TO RECOVER.

JULIE: WILL THERE BE OPPORTUNITIES TO UTILIZE SOME OF THE TIMBER TAKEN FROM THESE SITES OR TO USE ANY OF THE WOOD WASTE FOR FUEL LOCALLY?

>> YEAH, I WAS JUST TALKING TO MINNESOTA POWER TODAY ABOUT POSSIBLY USING SOME OF THE LEFTOVER AFTER THE LOGGING, BRINGING THAT TO HIBBERT POSSIBLY FOR ENERGY USE.

THE REST OF THE WOOD WOULD PROBABLY GO FOR DIMENSIONAL LUMBER OR UTILITY POLES.

JULIE: WITH THIS BE AN EXTRA REVENUE SOURCE FOR THE CITY?

>> POTENTIALLY.

THE GOAL IS NOT TO PRODUCE REVENUE.

THE GOAL IS HEALTHY FOREST.

JULIE: BUT IF YOU CAN GET MONEY PAID >> IF WE CAN GET MONEY AND USE THIS FOR THE PROJECTS IN THE FUTURE, THAT IS A GREAT WAY TO MANAGE OUR FOREST AND A GREAT WAY FOR US TO CONTINUE THIS WORK.

JULIE: I UNDERSTAND YOU ARE HAVING A VIRTUAL PUBLIC MEETING ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11 AT 5:00.

TALK ABOUT THAT.

WHAT IS THE GOAL OF THAT MEETING AND WHO SHOULD TUNE IN?

>> OBVIOUSLY COME ANYONE IN DULUTH IS WELCOME TO TUNE IN.

YOU CAN FIND THE LINKS TO THAT ON THE PARKS AND RECREATION WEBSITE IF YOU FOLLOW THEIR PRESS RELEASE LINKS.

YOU WILL SEE THIS PROJECT LISTED THERE.

THIS IS REALLY TO GET FEEDBACK FROM THE PUBLIC.

SOME PEOPLE, THIS IS GOING TO BE IN THEIR FIGURATIVE BACKYARD.

WHAT QUESTIONS DO YOU HAVE?

WE WANT TO BOTH PRESENT WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO AND LISTEN TO THEIR CONCERNS AND HOPEFULLY ANSWER THOSE AND LET THEM KNOW WHAT WE PLAN ON DOING.

JULIE: CAN PEOPLE PREREGISTER TO SPEAK DURING THIS OR WHAT IS THE PROCESS?

>> I DON'’T THINK YOU HAVE TO PREREGISTER.

WHEN YOU FOLLOW THOSE LINKS, THERE WILL BE A PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.

JULIE: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I HOPE YOU GET A LOT OF INTEREST IN IT.

CLARK CHRISTIANSEN, THANK YOU FOR COMING.

THAT WILL DO IT FOR US THIS WEEK BUT YOU CAN STAY UP-TO-DATE WITH ALMANAC NORTH BY FOLLOWING US ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

YOU CAN FIND US ON FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE AND TWITTER.

IN THE WDSE WEBSITE IS A GREAT PLACE TO LOOK FOR UPCOMING EVENTS AND NEWS ABOUT YOUR FAVORITE PBS PROGRAMS.

YOU CAN TAKE PUBLIC TELEVISION WHEREVER YOU GO BY DOWNLOADING THE PBS VIDEO APPP ON YOUR PHONE OR TABLET.

THANKS TO ALL OF OUR GUESTS AND THE CREW IN THE STUDIO.

I'’M JULIE ZENNER.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

WE WILL SEE YOU NEXT TIME.

♪ ♪