Each week, our resident phenologist John Latimer provides listeners with a full report of what has been happening out in nature over the course of the week. This week the report includes an early thunderstorm, aspen buds, pussy willow flowers, butterfly watch, a robin clarification lesson, and what birds to watch for in the coming days. Bog walking, lakes melting, the end of the lake skating, and the sound of a saw whet owl... So much to learn in this phenology report! Even though it feels like

John Emery recently joined us on the Morning Show and spoke to the staff and board of directors of Northern Community Radio about what it means to be Muslim in Minnesota. John spoke on behalf of the Islamic Resource Center of MN . Check out their podcast here.

Singer songwriter and activist Annie Humphrey joined us to talk about an Honor the Earth event at the Macrostie Art Center on November 12th called "The End of Line 3 Protest". Also at the event will be Ojibwe storyteller Anne Dunn and from Honor the Earth Winona LaDuke. Annie Humphrey joined us in the studios to talk more about what Line 3 means to her.

Barry Simonson is the Director of Line 3 Pipeline Execution for Enbridge Energy. He talked with us about the replacement of line 3, why it's needed and where it is planned to go. The only public hearing with the State Department on the international crossing of tar sands oil through the Enbridge pipeline between Canada and the U.S., is Tuesday March 7th at 4:30pm at the Sanford Center. The Bemidji Pioneer reported that many groups are planning to attend, buses will be arriving from Minneapolis

There is no "off season" for farmers. That's the verdict from garlic grower and farm market advocate Jesse Davis. Jesse and his husband Warren planted over 30,000 garlic cloves last fall at their farm, Trout Lake Garlic . That's less than the 50,000 they had planned, but with last fall's rain and humidity some of the seed they were hoping to grow rotted. This winter there was record warm weather in January, and more freeze-thaw cycles are predicted. Jesse explained that garlic put down their

Each week we hear from students and people across the listening area as they share their phenology observations. This week, we hear about the surprising viewings of active moths and spiders outdoors as well as eagles mating, budding pussy willows, and a wooly bear caterpillar! Thanks to the kiddos from Roosevelt Elementary in Virginia, MN and Robert J. Elkington Middle School in Grand Rapids for their reports! Thanks also to Ruth in Grand Rapids, John the mail carrier, Harvey and Dallas for

This February we made a pact with each other. We would read more. And did we ever! The Northern Community Radio reading community is amazing - Tammy Bobrowsky will be adding up the totals and compiling the lists, but until then you can check out the What We're Reading facebook page and look at the bookshelf of these February reads on GoodReads . Listen to Tammy talk about the outcomes and surprises to our February challenge! And listen to Jim Gallagher on Paddle MN talking to authors about what

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 became the town of Grand Rapids was at the

The 4th annual Creative Spirit Fiber Festival kicks off tonight with classes offered in quilting, basketry and knitting. Tomorrow, educational opportunities include Anatomy of Selbu Mitten taught by Pam Madson, Beginner Crochet taught by Peggy Olson, Beginning Ojibwe Beading taught by Gwen Reid, Beginner Rug Hooking taught by Carol Edwards, Binding Techniques, Brazilian Embroidery, Felted Soap Making, Quilling, Felted Bowls, and much more. In addition to the lessons, a market consisting of fiber

On Making Sausage, our weekly political conversation we talked with Minn Post reporter Sam Brodey . Sam had a recent article "Democratic National Committee Chair Race: Could Ellison Win It?" Check out Sam's update on why Congressman Ellison did not win DNC chair.