Thursday is Law Enforcement Appreciation Day and we are spending the week putting the spotlight on a number of officers throughout Paul Bunyan Country. Today, we meet DNR Conservation Officer Mark Mathy

A two parter today....We open up with Bemidji Sympony Orchestra Executive Director Katey Lutz and Board Member Tim Lutz to preview the Second Annual Bloody Mary Battle coming January 26th. Then it's Bemidji Fire Chief Justin Sherwood discussing the Bemidji Fire Department's 2024 and previews 2025.

Denae and Kev recap the many things the United Way was part of in 2024 including Backpack Buddies, Imagination Library, their Thanksgiving Meal Delivery with 209 & Turtle River Chophouse, Coats For the Community, Wheels To Work and Holiday Gifts For Kids. Plus, the latest on the campaign and what ALICE is all about.

Stellher Human Services Therapists Sarah Merritt and Jeff Meyer, Director Dave Erickson and CFO Dana Schnortz discuss Stellher's new Veteran's Support Group. They talk about the hard truth about PTSD, depression and suicide rates of veterans and their work to help veterans with their struggles.

Bemidji Schools Superintendent Jeremy Olson checks in to recap 2024, preview 2025, give us a "mid-season" school year report and preview the Board's Organizational meeting on Monday. Plus, we ask about the always hot (or is it cold?) topic of when weather warrants the cancellation or postponement of school.

Headwater Science Center Executive Director Lee Furuseth previews their signature event, e-Cubed. The 16th Annual Elevated Epicurean Experience is set for the last Saturday in February...February 22nd. Lee's got the details on that and the upcoming holiday schedule.

The City of Bemidji was able to get its tax levy down to 4.76%. The Roundabout project on Highway 197 has passed and the YMCA Railroad Corridor project is closer to reality. Mayor Jorge Prince discusses it all and previews the key items coming in 2025.

With Christmas coming, the transfer station crew is bracing for a lot of food waste, paper waste and batteries. Brian Olson has the details and some stats on recycling.

After 12 years as a Beltrami County Commissioner, Richard Anderson is calling it a day. He joins the show to preview the final meeting of 2024, recaps his career(s) and has some advice for the next Beltrami County Board.

ISD 31 Superintendent Jeremy Olson is in to preview the final meeting of 2024. It will include the Truth In Taxation hearing and a vote on the 2025 tax levy. Plus we discuss other items on the agenda and get a "state of the district" mid-year assessment from the superintendent.

Beltrami County Sheriff Jason Riggs & North Country First Responder Tara Hokuf join the show to discuss how the two organizations work together on emergencies and search and rescue operations. Plus, Tara discusses the process to become a first responder and The Sheriff updates us on the recent animal neglect case.

Dr. Mitch Wyffels, orthopedic surgeon and the Chair of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine for Sanford Health of Northern Minnesota, discusses everything orthopedics. He discusses their various departments, how to see an orthopedic doctor and the various specialties within orthopedics.

Mississippi Headwaters Audubon Society Outreach Coordinator Amelia Kaiser is in to preview the Great Winter Bird Count this weekend AND the Neilson Spearhead Center's 2nd Annual Winter Solstice Celebration

Last night, the 2024 Radiothon To End Child Abuse campaign ended with Giovanni's 11th Annual Celebrity Server Night. We get the final totals, discuss how the funds are used and preview what's yet to come in the United Way's annual campaign.

Bemidji Planning & Zoning Director Jamin Carlson previews tonight's relatively quiet meeting and discusses how quickly things get ramped back up in early 2025. Plus an update on current projects and a preview of the 197 project.

Tom Cain, Jr is back now that we've had our first snowfall of the year to tell us another legend. But in addition to that, he discusses his efforts to put Ojibwe culture and history front and center in Minnesota and nationally.

Lee Furuseth of the Headwaters Science Center talks about their member effort to distribute free friend or family passes to the community, e-cubed and holiday shopping at the HSC. Then, Beltrami County Commissioner John Carlson previews today's meeting which includes legislative goals for 2025, a public hearing on the county's cannabis ordinance and the budget meeting, which includes the adoption of the 2025 tax levy.

Bemidji City Councilor Ron Johnson will wrap up 24 years as the Ward 3 councilor this month and makes his final Chatpod appearance today. In his final month, the council will have to approve the 2025 levy, the cannabis ordinances and the Highway 197 project. And No Mow Forever? Well, maybe not quite, but we'll hear about it from a man who's wrapping up a long stretch of working for Bemidji locally...and statewide.

Clearwater County Veterans Services Officer Logan LeClair & Beltrami County VSA Shane Gustafson return to talk veterans issues, specifically navigating the VA to get due benefits, health and otherwise. In addition, they talk about misconceptions about VA and benefits and how Veterans Service Officers can help with denials and to get you increases in benefits.

Captain Christmas & Sgt Safety...Josh & Char...are back to preview The First City Of Light Festival which kicks off with the Night We Light. We find out about the over 800,000 lines spread throughout the town, the record Christmas Tree AND The Greatest Gift from Bemidji Steel. All the details on a full weekend, The Tour Of Homes AND The Downtown Window Display Contests.

Bemidji State University Athletic Director Britt Lauritsen joins us for San Angelo, TX where the BSU Beaver Football Team is gearing for the NCAA Playoffs. She recaps this season, discusses how she made her way to Bemidji, the importance of athletics to the college culture and the biggest challenges in collegiate athletics in 2024.

Beltrami County Solid Waste Director Brian Olson is back to discuss safety at the sites, holiday closures, composting and the latest on the state mandate for demolition landfills.

Bemidji Fire Chief Justin Sherwood discusses safety in the home during fireplace and heating season, the volume of activity the department handles, goals for the future, the need for a new main fire station and Bemidji's strong paid on call staff.

Commissioner Richard Anderson of the Beltrami County Board previews today's busy meeting. They'll discuss and vote on the final bid and guaranteed maximum price for the jail project, hear and vote on accepting the classification and compensation study, discuss the cannabis ordinances and hear from the Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force.