In our July series we'll take up the topic of immigration with our liberal commentator Aaron Brown and conservative Chuck Marohn . They look at their immigrant roots in MN. They reminded us that unless you are a Native American or an ancestor of a slave - you are an immigrant in America. What stories do you know from your family? What DIDN'T they tell you? We'll keep this conversation going all week and get into current immigration policies and politics.

Today we visited with Erik Elsea from Cape Coral, FL - he's paddling the length of the Mississippi River to raise money for ShelterBox USA. ShelterBox provides humanitarian aid in the form of family-sized tents and essential tools to start repairing and rebuilding homes. ShelterBox USA is a rotary club project. Find information at Mississippi Expedition .

World Cup coverage from our intrepid soccer reporter Dan Gannon. Who were you rooting for?

Marshall Helmberger talks Vacation Rentals by Owner on Vermilion, Spruce Grouse and the bounty of this year's berry season.

We continued our Making sausage candidate series with lawyer Matt Pelikan today. After a dramatic DFL convention, he was endorsed, but then the field became very crowded with candidates. Matt tells us what he thinks is important about the role of MN Attorney General.

Frank Gatusky of Grand Rapids joined Heidi and John to share a breakfast waffle from the toaster, smothered in syrup. He did seem intrigued about Heidi's suggestion to add fruit and whip before the gallons of syrup. Frank also admitted that the upcoming birth of twins at his house is a bit concerning. All in all, though, he seemed to have everything under control. Thanks to our sponsor Homestead Mills for their support of this program! Let us know if you want to be our guest on What's For

Aaron Brown, host of The Great Northern Radio Show , joined John and Heidi to talk about local talent, a little politics , and breakfast. Daisy (not heard in the interview) somehow intervened to remind everyone that she has a banana for breakfast every day, or there will be consequences. Aaron shared his prep breakfast for the radio show which includes a Lucky Charms kick that makes him feel alive, even though it will probably kill him early. Thanks to our sponsor Homestead Mills for their

Representative Debra Hilstrom is traveling the state talking with Minnesotans as she campaigns to become Minnesota's next Attorney General. She stopped by the KBXE studio in Bemidji to discuss why she's running.

It's Tuesday and that means it's time to talk nature. Each week, our resident Phenologist John Latimer puts together a report of the subtle and not so subtle changes he's noticed in the past week and he shares those observations with our listeners. Latimer is out of town this week, so Pam Perry is pinch hitting for him. Pam is a retired, non-game wildlife biologist with the Minneosta Department of Natural Resources. Among other things, they talk weather, birds, frogs, turtles and deerflies in

Brainerd native Lissa Carlino has written her first novel about an empowered young woman who struggles with addiction It's called Woman Enough . Lissa will be doing a book signing at Stonehouse Coffee in Nisswa on July15th at 1pm. Her books are also available at We Are Clinic in Brainerd - to raise money for confidential reproductive health.