Community Conversations

Join Jay Andersen and Barbara Jean Johnson from WTIP North Shore Community Radio for "Deconstructing Racism in the Community and the Culture." In this one hour program, they talk with in-studio guests Bob Carter, John Morrin and Bea Sorenson, participants in the "Undoing Racism" workshops, about the causes, history and ways to deconstruct racism in our culture.

Airdate: April 1, 2010

WTIP’s First Thursday Community Conversations program took a close look at the financial situation and future of the Cook County Independent School District 166. The district is moving ahead with an operating referendum to go before the voters this fall and is also facing declining enrollment, state-aid payment off-sets, staff reductions and program cuts, as well as a serious consideration of a four-day school week in 2011. Superintendent Beth Schwarz, parent and Academic Committee member Jeff Kern, and School Board Chair Bill Huggins were in the studio to talk about the issues and take questions from the community.

A new year and new decade is upon us. As Cook County businesses and institutions emerge from 2009, they face both major challenges and opportunities. Listen to January’s First Thursday Community Conversation program with special guests Beth Schwarz, superintendent for ISD 166, County Commissioner Bob Fenwick, Dr. Sandy Stover of the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic, Grand Marais Mayor Sue Hakes, Scott Harrison, owner of Lutsen Resort, and community members that called in to participate in a discussion about the future of our community.

Listen to the discussion from WTIP’s First Thursday program on the proposed county septic ordinance. Join Barbara Jean Johnson and Jay Andersen in a conversation with staff from the Cook County Planning and Zoning Department, Lending Officer Dale Klobuchar from the North Shore Credit Union, and the county’s former water plan coordinator and septic system expert Dave Stark. The program includes calls and emails from community members. 

The goal of the Cook County Broadband Initiative is to develop a fiber-optic network that would provide broadband services to all but the most remote areas of the county.

On Thursday, October 1,  2009, advocates for county-wide broadband, along with Cook County Information Systems Director Dana McKenzie, took questions from supporters and critics alike on WTIP’s First Thursday Community Conversations Program.

The July, 2009 First Thursday Community Conversation Program features a discussion on tourism in Cook County. Four people who know tourism and our all-important visitor industry were on hand to answer questions and discuss the prospects for the coming year.