North Shore Morning

Human trafficking is the second largest criminal industry in the world, and it is a crime that happens everywhere – even here in northeastern Minnesota. In this edition of the Lake Superior Project, we begin a five-part look at the issue of sex trafficking on Lake Superior and its surrounding area.

The "Night of the Notable & Notorious" is the culmination of a semester-long project for the annual College in the Schools Composition class at Cook County High School. This year's event takes place on Monday, January 13. WTIP's Cathy Quinn speaks with a few of the students who are taking part this year to learn more about it.

WTIP volunteer Mark Abrahamson had a chance to visit with Cook County skiers, coaches and parents at the Varsity Alpine Ski Meet at Lutsen Mountains on Friday, January 10, 2014. 

Mark also captured video from Friday's meet as well as a ride on the Caribou Express, a new high speed chair lift on Moose Mountain!

The 2014 Gichigami Express Sled Dog Race is currently underway.  WTIP’s Cathy Quinn made a trip to Grand Portage on Saturday morning to watch the start of the race and to visit with a few of the folks involved with this year’s event.  Cathy first spoke with the President of the Gichigami Express, Jack Stone about trail conditions after receiving 8 inches of new snow on Friday.

WTIP volunteer Mark Abrahamson spoke with Emily Marshall and Colette Mueller of the Cook County Community YMCA on North Shore Morning about this weekend's Grand Opening festivities and more.

A BRAND
NEW DAY
Grand Opening ¦ Ribbon Cutting
COOK COUNTY COMMUNITY YMCA
105 W 5th Street, Grand Marais, MN 55604
 January 3-4, 2014
 
CHARTER MEMBER CELEBRATION
January 3, 2014 ¦ 6:00-8:00pm
. Last chance to join as a charter member!
. Open Game Center and Kid’s Club
. Live music, great food and fabulous prizes!
. Presentation and toast
. Games in the gym
. Open Swim and Swim Lesson Assessments
. Sample Group Exercise Classes
 
SENIOR SOCIAL
January 4, 2014 ¦ 9:30-11:00am
. Open Game Center and Wii Bowling Tournament
. Live Music, Scones, Muffins, Fruit, and Coffee
. Sample senior fitness classes
. Pickleball
 
 
GRAND OPENING ¦RIBBON CUTTING
January 4, 2014 ¦ 1:00-4:00pm
. Open Game Center
. Carnival games in Kid’s Club
. Group Exercise Sampler
. Gym games and youth program sampler
. Formal ribbon cutting ceremony and presentation
. Healthy Snacks
. Open swim, swim lesson assessments, and pool games
. Door prizes
. Live music
. Program registration
. Tours

"Bringing Out the Best of Ourselves" launches in January of 2014. In this interview, Marcia Hyatt, the show's producer, introduces and explains the series and what she will be discussing during the four-part program.

It’s not too late to find affordable health care coverage for the New Year.  And help is available here in the community.  WTIP volunteer Marnie McMillan spoke with MNsure navigator Rachelle Christianson on North Shore Morning.

Rachelle Christianson is a patient support/enrollment specialist at the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic in Grand Marais.  She's available to help individuals & families make informed decisions with the MNsure Marketplace.

218-387-2330 ext. 153
r[email protected]
http://www.sawtoothmountainclinic.org

Looking for a pet?  Consider contacting Arrowhead Animal Rescue (https://www.facebook.com/arrowheadanimalrescue) to see who might be waiting for a home.  
 
WTIP volunteer Mary Manning spoke with Gay O’Donnell of Arrowhead Animal Rescue on North Shore Morning.

{photo from Arrowhead Animal Rescue}

On November 19th, almost 80 percent of the voting members of the White Earth Nation, part of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, approved a new White Earth constitution. The new constitution, among other things, establishes a new rule for determining tribal membership. The White Earth Nation would be the first band in Minnesota to do away with the so-called “blood quantum” law for tribal membership. WTIP’s Kelly Schoenfelder recently spoke with Grand Portage Tribal Council Vice Chairman John Morrin about the implications of the decision.

On Friday, December 6, Polymet released their Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS) for public comment. Duluth News Tribune reporter John Myers has been following the Polymet story for several years, and he joined WTIP's Jay Andersen on Daybreak to tell us more about Polymet's plans and what's next for the project.