Simply Superior

On this week’s “Simply Superior” program, we take a look at the impact on our region from smoke coming from the wildfires across the continent. We pick up a discussion between WPR's J. Carlisle Larson and Jeffrey Pierce, associate professor in the Department of Atmospheric Science at Colorado State University, and Jonathan Erdman, senior meteorologist at weather.com. Also, WPR reporter Danielle Kaeding and host Robin Washington review the current situation. And for some weekend fun, WPR's Al Ross chats with comedian Paula Poundstone, who will be appearing at Big Top Chautauqua in Bayfield on Saturday, Aug. 14. Robin then speaks with planners of the Great Twin Ports Get Together, a free event at Duluth's Wade Stadium on Sunday, Aug. 15. The event features five bands, comedian Danny Friedman, bouncy houses and other fun.

A look back at the week’s news highlights with The Star Tribune’s Brooks Johnson and Wisconsin Public Radio reporter Danielle Kaeding.

Today on "Simply Superior," host Robin Washington speaks with the Northwood Technical College president about the institution’s recent name change from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College to Northwood Technical College. We are then joined by guests who discuss proposals for other official name changes, from renaming a county in honor of David Douglas, the early 19 th Century botanist, to renaming a city park in honor of abolitionists Frederick and Anna Douglass. Both had originally been named after pro-slavery Illinois senator Stephen A. Douglas. Though these name changes from Douglas to Douglas(s) have been in other states, what could this mean for our own Douglas County here in Wisconsin? Musical guests include performing duo Moors and McCumber, half of which is longtime resident of Superior James Moors. They talk about their longtime career singing together and the multitude of instruments they’ve added to their repertoire, from the accordion to the bouzouki.

A look back at the week’s news highlights with The Star Tribune’s Brooks Johnson and Wisconsin Public Radio reporter Danielle Kaeding.

This week on “Simply Superior,” we hear from James Paruk, author of a new book “Loon Lessons: Uncommon Encounters With the Great Northern Diver.” Paruk discusses the evolution of the common loon and his experiences studying them for several decades. We then extend well wishes and a radio goodbye to local music and arts producer and frequent show guest Daniel Oyinloye, who is moving to the Twin Cities. We end the program with a regional news in review, with WPR reporter Daniele Kaeding and Brooks Johnson of the Minnesota Star Tribune.

A look back at the week’s news highlights with The Star Tribune’s Brooks Johnson and Wisconsin Public Radio reporter Danielle Kaeding.

Concertmasters Erin Aldridge, of the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra, and De Ann Letourneau, of the Las Vegas Philharmonic, join host Robin Washington on the eve of their Saturday, July 24 performance at Lucius Woods in Solon Springs. The two violinists discuss their Superior connections plus the program's eclectic repertoire, their shared techniques, and their uncanny ability to play amazingly in sync as violin "twins." The pair will be joined at Lucius Woods by pianist Alexander Sandor. Also on this week's show, Duluthian and pod-caster Jim Richardson.

WPR’s “Spectrum West” host Al Ross will talk about exciting events planned for the 2021 season of Big Top Chautauqua. General Manager Kristen Walczak of Big Top Chautauqua visits with Ross along with Ed Willett, writer and performer of Dear Earth: A Love Song/Letter of Hope, one of the performances taking place this August. This season is the tent’s 35 th and is being called 35 Years of Love. A Wisconsin Public Radio sponsored event Anishinaabe Dibaajimowin: An Ojibwe Story, to be performed on July 30-31, will also be highlighted by Walczak. Also on this week's Show, “Simply Superior” presents an encore airing of the documentary special: "Hear the Drumming: The music of the Kent State and Jackson State tragedies" hosted and produced by Simply Superior's Robin Washington.

An article in the Superior Telegram from November 1918 announces the lifting of the city's ban on gatherings in public places during the 1918 flu pandemic. Author and historian Tony Dierckin s explains how the Twin Ports coped with that outbreak and parallels to today on Simply Superior this week. Plus, musical guest Breanne Marie & The Front Porch Sinners.

Post-pandemic preparations are underway for Independence Day celebrations in the Twin Ports. The Cities of Duluth and Superior both plan to bring back fireworks displays after canceling last year’s events. Host Robin Washington talks with Nikky Farmakes of the Superior-Douglas County Chamber of Commerce and Linda Nervick of Twinports.com about celebrations throughout the area over the long holiday weekend. Plus, famed conductor Kieth Lockhart on why the "1812 Overture" is played on July 4th, and musical guests Pippi Ardennia and Danielle Leahy.