Community Conversations

The moose population in Northeastern Minnesota is in trouble. Researchers are not sure why.

WTIP’s Jay Andersen hosted a discussion with three moose experts Oct. 6 on First Thursday Community Conversation at 6 p.m.

On the program were Dr. Ron Moen, Research Associate with the Natural Resources Research Institute at the University of Minnesota, Duluth; Dr. Seth Moore, Director of the Departments of Biology and Environment for the Grand Portage Trust Lands and the Minnesota DNR Big Game Program Coordinator, Lou Cornicelli.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Sexual assault, domestic violence and abuse of children and seniors are uncomfortable facts of life throughout the country as well as here in Cook County.

Join WTIP’s Jay Andersen for Third Thursday Community Conversation with Violence Prevention Center Director Jodi Yuhasey broadcast on Sept. 15.

There are four school districts in the county and on Sept. 1 we talked with administrators about what’s new or the same at their schools. How are they similar or different from each other? How do issues like “No Child Left Behind” or the state’s aid money shifts affect our local schools?

“Back to School in Cook County” -- this month’s First Thursday Community Conversation.

Joining host Jay Andersen in the studio were:
•    Peter James, Director of Great Expectations Charter School in Grand Marais,
•    Fred Kasianov, Director of Education at Oshki Ogimaag Community School, Grand Portage,
•    Beth Schwarz, Superintendent of Cook County Schools ISD166.

He’s lived rustic at the top of the Arrowhead Trail, he served a time as the county attorney, he’s been active in community affairs for years, especially the Grand Marais Playhouse, and the Ski and Run. The versatile Dick Swanson has been involved with Cook County on many levels for many years. Jay Andersen sat down with him for an hour on WTIP’s Third Thursday Community Conversation, aired August 18.

The conversation ranged from leaving a university setting to becomming an attorney in a small community, his experiments with living in the woods, his passion for theatre and much more.

A Conversation with Dick Swanson – the August installment of Third Thursday Community Conversation -- only on WTIP, North Shore Community Radio.

She’s been an active businesswoman for decades -- both in Cook County and Duluth. She’s currently on the Grand Marais City Council.  Listen as  WTIP’s Jay Andersen talks with local business leader Jan Sivertson, on the July 21 edition of Third Thursday Community Conversation.

Each month we sit down with an interesting guest for an in-depth exchange of thoughts and ideas, opinions and points of view – professional and personal. Jan Sivertson brings a unique perspective to our local economy -- past, present and in the future. The wide-ranging discussion covered a take on the local economy in a bumpy national recovery, the role of local government in business as well as local challenges and opportunities for small businesses.

The July 7 First Thursday Community Conversation broadcast featured information, questions and comments on the proposed community center project. Joining host Jay Andersen were Auditor-Treasurer Braidy Powers, Tom Wacholz, president of the construction management team ORB Management, Community Center Steering Committee chair and county commissioner Sue Hakes and Paul Nelson with the county Local Energy Project.

“Putting ‘Community’ in the Community Center,” the July First Thursday Community Conversation.

The Superior National Forest covers three million acres, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness alone is a million acres – much of the land and lakes are in Cook County. Gunflint District Ranger Dennis Neitzke oversees a good share of this federal land.

We talked about our woods, waters and wildlife as well as the future challenges and current controversies that surround our corner of the Superior National Forest.

A Conversation with Gunflint District Ranger Dennis Neitzke -- the June 16 Third Thursday Community Conversation.

After 42 years in the ministry and 13 years leading First Congregational United Church of Christ in Grand Marais, Peter Monkres is retiring.

Peter joined Jay Andersen for WTIP’s Third Thursday Community Conversation, May 19 for a wide-ranging discussion that covered everything from theology and philosophy to pressing social and political issues locally, nationally and in the rest of the world.

He grew up in a fishing family on Isle Royale. He’s made a study of voyageur history and the Lake Superior fur trade. He’s also written a number of books on Isle Royal and the North Shore. But Howard Sivertson is best known for his paintings. Howard was the April 21 guest on Third Thursday Community Conversation.

Are we a healthy county? What needs to be done to ensure we stay healthy and keep a community clinic close to home? Drs. Jenny Delfs and Sandy Stover, clinic executive committee member Nancy Burns and outreach nurse Teresa Borak join Jay Andersen for “Sawtooth Mountain Clinic: the future for community health care” – the April 7 broadcast of  First Thursday Community Conversation. Only on WTIP North Shore Community Radio.