Educators have a lot of planning and stress on them during this pandemic of COVID-19. Bart Johnson is provost at Itasca Community College. He told us about the plans and work going into planning for a future that is unknown. We also heard about how his family and farm are faring right now.

We continue to gather the stories of the people who live in northern Minnesota. On our extra hour of the Morning Show we hear from callers and local people. Aaron Jordan Peterson, like so many people, lost his job in a restaurant this week. He told us how he's feeling so far, gave us some ideas for binge-watching, and how creativity through arts and conversation are keeping him going. He produces a podcast available on Spotify called To Be Fair that you can check out here on Facebook .

Schools are closed, kids are home and parents need a break. Physical distancing is good for keeping us away from Covid-19, but it's also a little boring and most of us are left looking for positive things to fill our days. KAXE/KBXE Staff Phenologist John Latimer recommends getting outside! Each day we are checking in with John about cool things to do outdoors - for kids, adults, everyone! It's Phenology at Home. Today he told us how to make a "sit spot." At your sit spot you sit still, let

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 "head spinning" week. In this episode, Marshall and Heidi discuss the end of sports, the unprecedented economic impacts of Covid-19, Twin Metals, and the Ely City Council's response to the boycott of Fortune Bay Casino and

This week Walker Orenstein joined us to talk about unemployment insurance. His latest article is "What Workers Need To Know About Unemployment Benefits During the COVID-19 Emergency". Gov. Tim Walz signed an executive order on Monday to tweak Minnesota’s unemployment insurance program in an effort to help people struggling with the closure of schools and businesses because of the novel coronavirus. Apply for unemployment insurance in Minnesota here.

As we continue our conversations with the people on the front lines of COVID-19 we had a chance to talk with Susie Loeffler today. She teaches 4th grade at Deer River Elementary. Our heartfelt thanks to all health care workers, those in education and so many more making this difficult time we are all living through better and safe. Please stay home if you can and wash, wash and wash your hands.

11 year old Escher made up a new song to remind himself to wash his hands. He's got his own words to Lizzo's "Good As Hell". I use my hand towel, wash my hands, baby how you feeling it's an epidemic! We're working hard to stay safe, but feel socially connected to our community. Tune in to KAXE/KXE for news, conversations, music, trivia and a lot more. And send us your thoughts or songs to sing while washing your hands. He also recommends Quarantime by Science Mom.

All this week and into the days and weeks ahead we are working hard to bring you local conversations about preparing for and living with the pandemic COVID-19. Schools are closed and leaders are scrambling to find a new normal in a not-normal time. In an executive order Governor Tim Walz called off schools until March 27th. That is most likely NOT the date they will reopen, it's the date when schools need to have their plans in place for long-term distance learning. This is a huge change to not

Each weekday morning now we're adding an hour to our Morning Show - opening up our phone lines and reading stories submitted by listeners about life now with the new norm. None of us have experienced this before, but if we keep connected - through radio or online media or calling/texting/facetiming friends and neighbors, it'll be a little easier. What are you doing to stay sane? Job loss? Tell us your stories.

This week, a daily conversation with John Latimer became part of the Morning Show at 9:30. "Go outside," is the recommendation from Staff Phenologist John Latimer. John suggested some common plants to look for in spring, including Speckled Alders, Hazelbrush, Red Elderberry, and Fly Honeysuckle Today John offered up a twig experiment for parents and kids to do together during this time when kids are at home every day. It involves observation and documentation in a fun and interesting way for