Strong Women

In May we celebrated Mother's Day with stories of the impact of grandmothers on our lives for our Strong Women series.  Originally a public event, COVID-19 had us come up with a new way of  presenting these stories with hopes of reviving it in the next year or so, when we can all safely come together. 

Nevada posted this on Facebook:

I live within walking distance of Minneapolis Police Precinct.

I have been onsite peacefully protesting everyday this week. I have been shot at with rubber bullets, tear gassed, hit with percussion bombs and watched people hit with “soft” bullets (see below). I’ve seen the police advance on citizens using violence and intimidation.

Experienced nurses that are able to deal with COVID, we're a finite resource and we're not to be taken lightly...This whole concept of any nurse being disciplined for merely fighting for the safety of their patients and themselves is unacceptable. - Mary Turner, President, MN Nurses Association

Nurses from Bemidji, Bagley and Thief River Falls joined forces (with safe social distancing of course) to express concern about working conditions yesterday. 

Molly posted the following on Facebook:  So I sit in a spot where I am the person who is directly affected by these decisions, these school district guidelines. A mom of a senior – and not just a senior, my first born. No graduation ceremony? Are you kidding? NO, not my kid – he deserves what everyone else deserves. This is a huge rite of passage. 13 years of school, 13 years of activities, 13 years of hard work, dedication and growth. The only 13 years a child has to be a child – they’ve done it. They are there. This celebration/rite of passage cannot be taken away.

A statewide conversation with Minnesota’s Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan.  It’s your opportunity to ask questions about Minnesota’s response and plans during this COVID-19 pandemic.   

This week the Lt Governor answered questions about the Minnesota State Fair, places of worship reopening, visiting grandchildren and graduation.
 

A statewide conversation with Minnesota’s Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan.  It’s your opportunity to ask questions about Minnesota’s response and plans during this COVID-19 pandemic.   

This week the Lt Governor answered questions about the expiring stay at home order and what the outlook going forward.
 

If you didn’t get a chance to send or call in your question this week email covid@ampers.org or call 612-562-9895. 

National Public Radio's Rachel Martin reported earlier this week how one rural area has more COVID-19 cases per capita than nearly any other place in the United States: the Navajo Nation.

Brandy Lindquist is an english instructor at Central Lakes College in Brainerd. She joined John and Heidi on the Thursday Morning Show.  Brandy is the advisor of the Bent Pine, a journal of art and writing by CLC’s students, faculty, and staff.  The 2020 spring journal is the first to be published since 1971.

John and Heidi also talk with Brandy about how teaching this last part of the  year on-line through Zoom has been challenging for both her and the students at CLC.

2020 is an extraordinary year, especially for local high school seniors.  They are experiencing something no one has gone through before:  celebrating and honoring their education in a world of social distancing.  Do you know a graduating senior?  We'd love to talk with them!  Email us. 

Cede Waldo graduates from Kelliher School this spring.  We caught up with Cede on the morning show and were thrilled with her positivity, selflessness, and can-do spirit.  

Wintergreen Northern Wear in Ely are manufacturers of outdoor clothing gear.  Aftering closing due to COVID-19 restrictions they have shifted their entire production to making masks and medical gowns for local and regional hospitals.  Bria Schurke, physican's assistant and daughter of the owners of Wintergreen Northern Wear, visits with Heidi Holtan on the Friday Morning Show.  They talk about how her medical expertise helped to guide the company in going forward during the pandemic.