Phenology is the rhythmic biological nature of events as they relate to climate. Several school groups reached out to our phenologist John Latimer this week with reports of all kinds of natural wonders including king fishers, eggs hatching and even snakes. There is so much going on out in the natural world this time of year. It's a fantastic time to be out and about taking note of all the changes going on! If you have comments or questions related to phenology, send an email or call and leave a

Award-winning Minn Post reporter Sam Brodey helped us understand what happened last week on the federal level with the American Health Care Act in the House . 20 Republicans joined Democrats in voting no on the bill but MN's Republicans Reps Erik Paulsen and Tom Emmer supported the bill at the 11th hour. There is what Sam describes as "considerable skepticism" in the U.S. Senate on the bill. Sam explains the ins and outs of health care legislation on a federal level. What are your thoughts? Send

Craig Minozzi grew up in the Nashwauk schools and went on to become a superintendent in both Minnesota and Iowa. He sat down with us today to give us an overview of the things he follows in the education world.

Patty Holycross joined us in the studios today to talk about Mental Health awareness. She's part of the Grand Rapids chapter of NAMI - the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Along with the recent Stomp on Stigma walk/run that was a huge success, there are other events in the community including the May 25th one-woman show by actress Mary Pat Gleason called "Stopping Traffic". Tune in Friday May 19th at 8:40am for a conversation with Mary Pat Gleason .

Program 17: The History of Papermaking A radio series produced by historian Don Boese. Don is the author of eight books dealing with local history in Itasca County, including "John C. Greenway and the Opening of the Western Mesabi", and the main source for this series, "Papermakers: the Blandin Paper Company and Grand Rapids, Minnesota". The series begins with the arrival of the first Euro-Americans to the forested wilderness of Itasca County in the 1870s. In those early days the site that

This week on our political conversation Making Sausage DFL Commentator Colleen Nardone and I had the chance to talk about the end of the MN Legislative Session with the House Minority Leader Representative Melissa Hortman. She gave us the inside scoop and we also talked with her about the speech she gave on the floor of the MN House that got her national recognition. Contact your legislators if you want to let them know how you think!

Tuesdays are special around Northern Community Radio. During our morning show which is a mix of national news and local features, Tuesdays our local features are dedicated to nature. Resident phenologist John Latimer shares phenology reports from classrooms across the listening area and shares his own insights as well. This week we heard from a fantastic group of kiddos as you'll learn by listening to their reports. Thanks to the kids and the adults who contacted us with their observations! If

The topic of summer camp conjures up all kinds of memories for anyone who has gone. Author Eric Dregni started attending summer camps at age 6. He's never quit. Dregni has now spent more than a decade as Director of Concordia Language Villages ' Italian camp. He's written several books about the Minnesota experience. His newest memoir You're Sending Me Where? Dispatches from Summer Camp is a compilation of stories from his youth and adult camp experiences. In this Area Voices segment, he talks

Program 16: Building the Dam and Paper Mill, 1901 - 02 A radio series produced by historian Don Boese. Don is the author of eight books dealing with local history in Itasca County, including "John C. Greenway and the Opening of the Western Mesabi", and the main source for this series, "Papermakers: the Blandin Paper Company and Grand Rapids, Minnesota". The series begins with the arrival of the first Euro-Americans to the forested wilderness of Itasca County in the 1870s. In those early days the

Joel Rosen lives at Park Lake Farm in Mahtowa MN, in Carlton County. When we talked to him (on April 26th) freezing drizzle had put down a quarter inch of ice at the farm. "Whether weather like this is a setback to planting depends on your soil," Joel observed. "Light soil dries faster than heavy soil." In the 20 years Joel Rosen operated Park Lake Farm he kept records about the growing season. Those records are the basis for a spreadsheet he originally developed for the Duluth Community Garden