Schools and universities across the country are setttling into a new normal of a sustained, distance learning situation. We spoke with Central Lakes College President Hara Charlier about how her staff and students are facing the challenge.

On our extended hour of the Morning Show Heidi talks with Annie Olson-Reiners, Principal at the Nashwauk-Keewatin Elementary School. Annie gives encouragement to parents and cargivers who are now thrust into the roll of being the teacher in these trying times. She also shares Shel Silverstein's poem "Helping" with us.

We're all in this together and that was evident by the emails, texts, messages and phone calls we received from listeners this week... Thank you, thank you, thank you for reaching out to us! We LOVE serving you! Keep touching base! Send an email or leave a message at 218-999-9876. Here are some of the messages that came our way this week:

Marshall Helmberger is our regular guest on the Friday Morning Show. Marshall is editor and publisher of the Timberjay newspaper, serving northestern Minnesota. This morning he talked with Northern Community Radio's News and Public Affairs Director, Heidi Holtan, about this incredible week in Minnesota and World History. In this episode, Marshall and Heidi discuss the gravity of Covid-19 , its developments and projections. Marshall considers health and economic impacts as well as the importance

Golf courses in Minnesota are currently closed due to concerns related to Covid-19. But golf associations and pros like Bob Cahill are working together to plan how they might open safely and give golfers the option to get outside and play their sport. There is still a foot of snow on the city-owned Pokegama Golf Course in Grand Rapids, so it isn't time to open yet! Northern Community Radio's John Bauer, himself an avid golfer, talked with "Bogey" Bob about the possibilities. Pokegama Golf Course

Andy Tri is a bear biologist with the Minnesota DNR. We caught up with him this morning and talked about dens, cubs, what's happening with bears now, what to do if you accidentally flush a bear off a nest, and what happens when bear cubs are orphaned. This past fall, several bears denned in cornfields left standing because of a particularly wet season. Farmers are connecting with local conservation officers to handle the situation when they come across a den. Andy told us about that process as

We caught up with our Early Bird Fishing Guide Jeff Sundin this morning! According to MN Governor Tim Walz's website, FISHING is specifically listed as one of the permissible activities during the stay at home order, so find some bait - many bait shops will still be open for business tomorrow - and get out fishing... at least six feet from your buddies of course. Jeff discussed fishing safely, fishing on lakes near the Canadian border and much more, including a fishing report from his friend

See John's list in our Season Watch group on Facebook! You can also email us to get the Phenology curriculum used in schools across Minnesota and the list!

Today on our extra hour of the Morning Show we talked with Aaron Brown. Aaron is an instructor at Hibbing Community College, he writes the blog Minnesota Brown, is a cohost of Dig Deep on KAXE/KBXE as well as being a dad and all around good guy. We covered a lot - from school to kids to sisters to iron mining to restaurants and a whole lot more. Stay connected with us - COVID-19 is a whole new world and connection thru radio and online media can help. Email us!

Cre Larson is the Executive Director of First Call For Help and is part of the crisis response team in the Itasca County area. She talked with us this morning about how they have been inundated with phone calls during the COVID-19 pandemic and how we might help our loved ones who live with mental illness. One of the things Cre told us was that addiction groups like AA and NA are now online to keep connected to people that need community interaction. Contact first call for help for information on