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.

Mayor Jorge Prince checks in to discuss the election results, preview Monday's work session and Cannabis public hearing, roundabouts and the tax levy.

Sanford Health's Ashley Gagoda discusses hospice care, myths and other aspects of home care during National Home Care Month.

Bemidji State's Track & Cross Country programs have traditionally had the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Morning. Last year, 218 Sports started the Raphael's Reindeer Run on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, and Bemidji Parks & Rec holds the Ugly Sweater 5K on the second Saturday in December. They've joined forces for the Bemidji Running Series and we'll get all the details with 218 Sports Tourism Coordinator Ryan Rude, Bemidji Parks & Rec Outreach Coordinator Emma Realing and BSU Head Track & Cross Country Coach Mike Lynch.

State Director Mary Knox-Johnson & Stage Manager Kris Cannon preview "Scrooge! The Musical" opening Friday at Bemidji Community Theatre. Plus, we preview the upcoming season and discuss how you can get involved in Community Theater.

The Bemidji Planning Board's monthly meeting is a day later due to Veteran's Day. But even though the meeting is tomorrow, Jamin Carlson is in today to get us ready for it. He also takes a look back on the status of a number of projects in the area.

Beltrami County Sheriff Jason Riggs is in to talk outdoors. Hunting & Fishing safety is a big issue for the Sheriff's Department. But we also discuss the latest on the new jail, preparing for 2025 and what's next for the county now that they have been designated a HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area).

District 31 Schools Superintendent Jeremy Olson was in to talk about the latest things goin on in Bemidji area schools, including a great fall sports season, the importance of extra-curricular activities, the recent School Board election and next steps and parent-teacher conferences.

On the latest Chatpod, we check in with Kay Mack & Courtney Aitken Gifford to preview next Thursday's second ever 100+ Women Who Care event at the new 4th Street Event Center and then we talk with Christa Drake & Sandra Lichter, naturalists at Lake Bemidji and Itasca State Parks about the many fall (and early winter) events coming up in the next couple months.

Susan Shelquist & Jim Aakhus of Hope House preview this week's fundraiser...the 44-44-44. Plus, they discuss all the great things Hope House provides for those who struggle with mental illness, and their families. Then, we hear from Chad Trapier, Executive Director of the Walker Area Community Center on their fund raising drive and an update of everything happening at the WACC.

Bemidji City Manager Rich Spiczka is in to preview tonight's City Council meeting and discuss key topics that need to be nailed down by the end of 2024.