Chatabout!

On today's Chatpod, Chief Justin Sherwood is in with the latest from the Fire Hall. Then, we hear from Pete & Donna on the return of Loop The Lake.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We get the latest on School District 31 from Superintendent Jeremy Olson. School's out on May 29th but a lot has happened recently and a lot more to come as well.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Beltrami County Sheriff Jason Riggs is in to discuss the latest issues in law enforcement, including a Dept of Corrections inspection, watercraft safety, new potential costly jail rules being challenged and on going searches for missing people.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bemidji Planning & Zoning Director Jamin Carlson previews the Planning Board Meeting while House 2A Representative Bidal Duran previews the final week of the Minnesota Legislative session.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lake Bemidji State Park Assistant Park Manager Shannon Bungart and Itasca State Park Naturalist Connie Cox are in to discuss what's happening with animals and plants in May. Then they talk about the many activities they've got going on this month and in the summer.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bemidji Ward 5 City Councilor Lynn Eaton is in to recap Monday's City Council meeting and discuss summer projects in Bemidji. Then, Beltrami County Administrator Tom Barry was in to recap Tuesday's Beltrami County Board meeting, discuss the challenges in the upcoming year and the day to day world of a county administrator.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lee the Exec, Devin The Exhibitor and Howie The Ferret are in to talk about all the cool new things going on at the HSCSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Adult Day Service's Duck Race is being reimagined. This year it's called "Quack For A Cause" and will be held in June at Adult Day Services. Then, George Olson is back to preview the Bemidji Sons of Norway's annual Syttende Mai (17th of May) celebration.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mailman Jay Tody joins Denae & Kev to talk about Saturday's "Stamp Out Hunger" Food Drive , a joint nationwide effort of the United Way and the National Association of Letter Carriers. Then, Susie Boelter of North Country Food Bank is in to discuss summer food drops at Sanford Center and their never ending quest to keep the North Country fed.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Greater Bemidji's Dave Hengel and YMCA of the Northern Sky CEO Steve Smith are in to discuss all things YMCA. Ground breaking is coming in the near future and we discuss timelines, what a YMCA will bring to our community, the purpose and goals of YMCA and how you can be a part of it all.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ethan Larson of the Bemidji Lions Club is in to talk about the Lions 45th Annual Flapjack Fundraiser coming to First Lutheran Church on Tuesday. Plus, he previews other big Lions events on the way.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dave Bretschneider and Joy Barclay of Bemidji's Take A Kid Fishing Committee are in to preview this year's 40th Annual event coming up Wednesday, June 10th.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

TJ Melcher of MN DOT and Scott Turn of the Bemidji Chamber discuss the Highway 197 project which begins Monday. They discuss the impacts of the construction the next two summers, the finished product, why it needed to be done and how decisions are made on roads with multijurisdictions.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Angela Lyseng and Pete Harrison discuss the Green Touch State Park Clean up coming May 14th, then Angela sticks around to preview Saturday's BIG United Way Garage Sale.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bidal Duran is in for another update from the legislative session. He discusses a bill that he thinks is misunderstood, the status of a bill he put forward to help the county with storm recovery costs, the concerns he's hearing from constituents and if he thinks the session will end when scheduled.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lisa Hofstad and Sarah Ek are in to talk about the fifth 100+ Women Who Care event coming Thursday, April 30th and Todd Glen of Sanford Health and Kevin Williamson of the Bemidji Rotary check in to preview mid-May's annual Rotary Blood Screening .See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Beltrami County Commissioner Craig Gaasvig recapped the most recent Beltrami County Board Meeting and the First City Lions Crew was in to preview the Minnesota Lions Hearing Foundation Annual Walk To D-Feet Hearing Loss coming June 6th. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Bemidji Area Schools Board Of Education met Monday night and Superintendent Jeremy Olson and Board Member Ann Long Voelkner recapped the meeting, discussed the quest to balance the budget and changes to future district calendars.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Beltrami County Solid Waste Director Brian Olson is in for some Trash Talk, including batteries and organics. Then Stephanie Anderson of Fosston is in to preview her presentation on Viking graves and her recent trip to Sweden to be part of a Viking grave excavation. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We're waiting for the weather to heat up...but things are hopping in the city. Mayor Jorge Prince discusses it on today's showSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Another key aspect of the Bemidji Regional Airport is that it's HQ for one of the state's DNR Tanker Bases. Manager Keith Riedel discusses what the Tanker Base is responsible for, how it works with other fire fighting agencies, how they respond to fires and more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bemidji Fire Chief Justin Sherwood discusses concerns about spring fire season, the recent Conservation Corps efforts in Bemidji, and the key issues he and fire departments throughout Minnesota are dealing with. Then Doreen is in to talk about Saturday's Breakfast, Bake Sale, Garage Sale fundraiser for the Eckles Community CenterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Denae & Kev discuss the many things going on with the United Way. Storm recovery continues, the Investment Cabinet has begun the process of allocating funds raised during this year's campaign, we have fishing tournaments and Denae is sharing her wisdom throughtout the state...See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A Ministry of Caring's Annual Caregiver one day retreat returns to SouthShore Hotel on April 23rd. Event Chair Mary Eaton has the details on the event and discusses the challenges and blessings of caregiving.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bemidji's Planning & Zoning Director Jamin Carlson is in to talk all things P&Z with the Planning Board Monthly Meeting set for tonight. Road construction, new business construction, prepping for summer projects...and what is zoning for? We discuss it all today.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Beltrami County Sheriff Jason Riggs discusses potential state jail regulations that could cost the county a large amount of dollars, updates jail construction and previews spring stuff.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Addiction Medicine Specialist Dr. Vic Vines is in to discuss addiction recovery. April is Alcohol Awareness Month and he discusses the treatments and programs available to those with addiction issues at Sanford Health.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Beltrami County Commissioner John Carlson is in to recap the latest County Board meeting, discuss jail progress, and the continuing challenges of budgeting. Then Shari Linke of the Bemidi Senior Center updates their summer events and tripsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bemidji City Councilor Josh Peterson was in to recap last night's Bemidji City Council meeting. Then we had him put on his Visit Bemidji Executive Director Hat and First City Of Lights Executive Director Hat to find out what's happening with those organizations, too.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bemidji Fire Fighter Alexis Joyce previews Bemidji's first ever "Women Explore Fire Day" on May 2nd and Mary Knox Johnson along with Victoria Wood preview Bemidji Community Theatre's production of "The Sword & The Stone" opening FridaySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The School Board voted earlier this week to keep JW Smith Elementary open for another year. Plus, there's a new contract agreement with the BEA, and with it...school's out a little sooner this year and going forward. Superintendent Jeremy Olson has all the details.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Springtime is coming to the parks...soon we hope. Lake Bemidji State Park & Bib Bog State Recreation Area Naturalist Christa Drake, and Itasca State Park Naturalist Sandra Lichter are in to talk about what the seasonal change means for park activities and how you better make your camping reservations!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On a very special APRIL 1ST edition of Chatpod, Nell takes over as the new host, since Kev won't ask the HARD questions. She puts the mayor's, sheriff's and fire chief's feet to the fire!!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lee Furuseth of the Headwaters Science Center is in to recap e-Cubed, discuss the people they are reaching by going on the road...and all the buses on the road coming to the Headwaters Science Center.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Minnesota House 2A State Representative Bidal Duran is back to get us caught up with what's happening at the legislature and his opinions of the good, the bad and the ugly.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ashlea McMartin & Sarah Zachow discuss Sanford's Behavioral Health Crisis Service EmPATH, along with signs of mental health issues, insurance and other financial support and several other behavioral health issues and challenges.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Northern Township will soon be The City of Northern. Township Administrator Chris Lahn and Board Chair Jess Frenzel discuss the process of becoming a new city.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Greg Roberts & Brian Hemmelman of the Bemidji Sunrise Rotary discuss a couple of fundraisers they have for the new YMCA Indoor Playground and Leslie Seitz of MnDOT has the details on this (and next) summer's Highway 197 project.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

With school registrations underway, St. Philip's Catholic School Principal Casey Reierson, Middle School Language Arts Teacher Shannon Hundsberger and School Council (and parent) Sarah Martinka are in to put the spotlight on the school. Then, DNR Forester Ben Lang is in to talk fire safety in the dryer spring months.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Brian Olson is in to talk all things Solid Waste, including Beltrami County's new organics program and Alethea Kenney has another presentation at the Son Of Norway meeting this Sunday, this time on Medicinal Plant Use in Norway's history.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In Part One, Mayor Jorge Prince is in to discuss what's happening in city business and in Part Two, Sarah Haman, Izzy Vaughn and Kady St. Peter talk all things Figure SkatingSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Beltrami County Administrator Tom Barry is in to recap the latest Beltrami County Board meeting and update key issues in the county. Then Lydia Pietruszewski and Crystal Noble discuss Sunday's upcoming Childcare Panel Discussion at Northwest Tech CollegeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jeremy Olson and Todd Haugen recap Monday's Board Meeting, discuss district financing and contract negotiations with the BEA.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Andrea Kent of the Boys & Girls Club updates all things Club, as well as discusses employment opportunities and her concern about the potential closure of JW Smith. Then Eve Lavrenz of BECC previews the Tiny Tots Expo and discusses the challenges in the early childhood world.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Minnesota House 2A Rep Bidal Duran is in to discuss the latest work in St. Paul and what he's hearing from constituents.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alot to cover with the Sheriff this month. He's just back from a Sheriff's Wellness Seminar, he discusses ice safety, and an in depth discussion on the department's continuing efforts to find missing persons and solve cold cases...including the nearly 40 year old Anita Carlson murder.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Village of Hope Board President Dee Sweeney discusses Village of Hope's mission and other shelter providers in the area, along with Saturday's March to Support Shelter Care. Then, Sanford Center's Dynamic Duo, Lexi & Ethan, are back to preview some big events coming to Sanford Center.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Headwaters Music & Art's Gala is coming up March 21st. Executive Director Tricia Andrews & Arts Program Manager Angela Marie are in with all the details on WHY you should be there. Plus we preview the Spring Open House and Monroe Crossing is back in May!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bemidji Fire Chief Justin Sherwood brought in Shannon Murray of Lead For Inclusion and two members of the new Inclusive Fire Brigade, Daniel Norton and Asher Geller, to discuss the Brigade and Lead For Inclusion's mission to expand opportunities and experiences for ALL. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bemidji's Planning & Zoning Director previews this month's Monday meeting and discusses what we'll see develop over the course of this construction season.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.