DispatchCast

Progress. Movement forward. Development.

The Brainerd lakes area has undergone changes in the past year -- changes in the economy, the landscape, the business environment, the housing market and elected representation. In our once-a-year Progress Edition, released on Labor Day, the Brainerd Dispatch explores economic progress and takes a closer look at some of the small businesses and local entrepreneurs doing extraordinary things in the lakes area.

In this special Progress Edition of the DispatchCast -- the first in a series commemorating the section -- we explore some of the broader themes of progress emerging in the lakes area: a retail building boom in Baxter unlike the city's seen in a decade, renewed optimism and investment in downtown Brainerd and the tenacious spirit of the people who call north-central Minnesota home.

Host/Producer: Chelsey Perkins

Contributors: Editor Matt Erickson, managing editor Renee Richardson

Progress. Movement forward. Development.

The Brainerd lakes area has undergone changes in the past year -- changes in the economy, the landscape, the business environment, the housing market and elected representation. In our once-a-year Progress Edition, released on Labor Day, the Brainerd Dispatch explores economic progress and takes a closer look at some of the small businesses and local entrepreneurs doing extraordinary things in the lakes area.

In this special Progress Edition of the DispatchCast -- the first in a series commemorating the section -- we explore some of the broader themes of progress emerging in the lakes area: a retail building boom in Baxter unlike the city's seen in a decade, renewed optimism and investment in downtown Brainerd and the tenacious spirit of the people who call north-central Minnesota home.

Host/Producer: Chelsey Perkins

Contributors: Editor Matt Erickson, managing editor Renee Richardson

Fantasy football draft coming up? Who better to help you make your team the best it can be than Brainerd Dispatch sports writers Mike Bialka and Jeremy Millsop, joined by former sports writer and fantasy sports enthusiast, publisher Pete Mohs?

Listen in as these great minds of sports give up their drafting strategies, discuss who looks good this season and offer their Super Bowl predictions. Before you draft, listen to the DispatchCast!

Host/Producer: Chelsey Perkins

Contributors: Sports editor Mike Bialka, sports writer Jeremy Millsop, publisher Pete Mohs

Fantasy football draft coming up? Who better to help you make your team the best it can be than Brainerd Dispatch sports writers Mike Bialka and Jeremy Millsop, joined by former sports writer and fantasy sports enthusiast, publisher Pete Mohs?

Listen in as these great minds of sports give up their drafting strategies, discuss who looks good this season and offer their Super Bowl predictions. Before you draft, listen to the DispatchCast!

Host/Producer: Chelsey Perkins

Contributors: Sports editor Mike Bialka, sports writer Jeremy Millsop, publisher Pete Mohs

Every August, Brainerd, Minn., bursts into the national spotlight as some of the top drag racers in the United States descend on Brainerd International Raceway for the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals.

Back in his reporter days, Brainerd Dispatch publisher Pete Mohs covered the event close up and personal, and staff photographer Steve Kohls has been documenting Nationals, road races and more out at the track for more than 40 years. In this episode of the DispatchCast, the two reminisce about the good old days at BIR, share some favorite memories and give a sneak peek into their favorites for this year's races. A Paul Newman story or two might even make an appearance.

Start your engines, Brainerd, it's race weekend!

Host/Producer: Chelsey Perkins

Guests: Publisher Pete Mohs, staff photographer Steve Kohls

What would the world be like without local news?

Readers of the Brainerd Dispatch received a newspaper with a blank front page Wednesday morning. The Dispatch was one of 220 newspapers across the state signing on to the Whiteout event, which sought to bring attention to the importance of local news. Publisher Pete Mohs and Editor Matt Erickson join DispatchCast host Chelsey Perkins to discuss the message the blank page is sending and why local news matters.

Host/Producer: Chelsey Perkins

Guests: Pete Mohs, Matt Erickson

Every August, Brainerd, Minn., bursts into the national spotlight as some of the top drag racers in the United States descend on Brainerd International Raceway for the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals.

Back in his reporter days, Brainerd Dispatch publisher Pete Mohs covered the event close up and personal, and staff photographer Steve Kohls has been documenting Nationals, road races and more out at the track for more than 40 years. In this episode of the DispatchCast, the two reminisce about the good old days at BIR, share some favorite memories and give a sneak peek into their favorites for this year's races. A Paul Newman story or two might even make an appearance.

Start your engines, Brainerd, it's race weekend!

Host/Producer: Chelsey Perkins

Guests: Publisher Pete Mohs, staff photographer Steve Kohls