Almost half of the people in Cloquet and Carlton County haven't had dental care in the last year.

A third of the people in those areas say they've put off a visit to the dentist because of the cost.

Growing up in Milwaukee, Derek Nicholas wasn't really plugged into either his cultural heritage or the great outdoors.

But when he arrived in rural west-central Minnesota to study at the University of Minnesota-Morris, the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa member found two new passions: sustainable food systems and his Anishinaabeg culture.

Animal Allies Humane Society is temporarily closed to visitors. Interested adopters are encouraged to make an appointment to visit the pet of their interest if they would like to adopt.

Caboose

With the help of researchers at NRRI, ash trees killed by the emerald ash borer are being repurposed in pilot projects in Minnesota as biochar.  This material can filter harmful chemicals from storm water runoff, enhance soil microbial health, increase soil drought resistance and store carbon in soils to mitigate climate change.

The memes about introverts and extroverts navigating quarantine and social distancing are funny - and sometimes, really resonate - but Dr. Mallory McCord warns that stereotyping people is a bad idea - and introverts - seriously - are frequently seen as not as valuable as their more extroverted counterparts.

Gardening is not only a wonderful activity that can be enjoyed along or at a social distance ... it turns out so is garden appreciation.

The Western Garden Tour is going on on Saturday, August 8 and a garden tour benefitting CHUM is slated for next Tuesday.

You can contact CHUM for more information.

(This episode originally aired March 31, 2020)

Maybe you want to use this time at home to learn a new skill.

Maybe you want to use this time at home to start healthier habits.

Maybe you want to use this time at home to figure out how to keep your family out of your hair.

Whatever your plan, Arlene Coco has a suggestion for that.

The Kenspeckle Letterpress and Warrior Printress are closing their brick-and-mortar store in Canal Park.  Rick Allen and Marion Lansky are downsizing themselves back to their original printshop studio, and Warrior Printress will be relocating to Lincoln Park.

At his 70th birthday party, he took me aside and it was like a little ceremony with just me and him in the corner.

“Arne, you need to write. I know you have at least one book in you and maybe more. The only way you’re going to find out is by writing and I want to write the forward to your first book.
He went on, “I’ve been writing all these years and I’m always looking for the next writer among us, Arne. Telling our stories is important and I want to pass something formally to you right now.
“Believe that what you have to say is important. The commas and the punctuation will take care of themselves. You need to write.’”

Much cooler weather seemed strange and remarkable this past week, but Larry Weber says, that's because temperatures dropped down to "normal" from nasty hot.