Community Focus

Sue Galligan from the Brainerd Lakes Chamber and Ashly Gilson of the Mid Minnesota Builders Association preview the upcoming Brainerd Lakes Home Show and Expo, March 20–21 at the Essentia Health Sports Center. They highlight over 180 vendors, home improvement ideas, live demos, and family-friendly fun, making it a must-attend event for homeowners and anyone looking for inspiration. See Privacy Pol...

Guests Taylor Demuth and Peter Grant stop by to talk about Future Warriors Night coming up March 25th. The event invites incoming kindergarten students and their families to get an early introduction to school by visiting classrooms, meeting teachers and staff, and learning more about what to expect in their first year. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice...

Guest is Chris Glassman, Member of Aurora Lodge See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Tony Housey and First Lieutenant Colton Rossow from Camp Ripley Public Affairs stop by to discuss the installation’s goals for 2026 and provide a look back at the first 75 days of the year at Camp Ripley. They talk about the increasingly busy training schedule as military units from across the region prepare for upcoming exercises, and also update the public on the installation’s planned controlle...

Kelly Pederson, a Ronald McDonald House Charities mom, joins to share her family’s emotional journey as her four-year-old daughter, Lacie, undergoes multiple heart surgeries. Kelly talks about how the Ronald McDonald House has become a vital home-away-from-home, giving their family a place to rest, recharge, and find support while focusing on Lacie’s recovery and growing strength each day. She als...

Guest is LeRoy Ailts, Brainerd Plunge Coordinator See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Guests are Nick Hiesserer, Dean of Career & Technical Programs and Jon Aga, Associate Vice President of Advancement See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Guest Jory Danielson, Administrative Services Director with Crow Wing County, joins to talk about several important updates for residents. He highlights Minnesota Township Day on March 10th, a chance for community members to participate in local township meetings, and reminds voters about upcoming mid-term elections and the importance of staying informed. Jory also discusses a new GIS mapping trai...

Guest is Faith Hamson with United Way, sharing info about their "Once Upon a Storytime" at the Brainerd Public Library. Also how to get involved in their Partner Program grants and how local organizations can apply for funding. Faith also explains how community members can get involved through the United Way Vision Council, which helps review grant requests and guide where those dollars go. Plus,...

Guests Jessy Eide from Moonlite Bay and Jared Griffin, Camp Director at Camp Knutson, stop by to preview the 25th Annual Ice Tee Open at Moonlite Bay. This winter tradition brings the community together for a one-of-a-kind day of golf on the ice, all while supporting the life-changing programs at Camp Knutson. They’ll share what makes this milestone 25th year extra special, from the family-friendl...

Justin Jerve, Board Member of the Brainerd Amateur Hockey Association, stops by to talk about their upcoming “Try Hockey For Free” event happening March 3rd at the Essentia Health Sports Center. Boys and girls ages 4–9 are invited to come out, try on full hockey gear, and get on the ice in a fun, welcoming environment designed especially for beginners. Justin shares what families can expect, how t...

Guests Patrick Spradlin, Co-Producer, Actor and Founder of Actors Repertory Theater and Cory Johnson, Co-Director and Actress about their upcoming production of "Three Viewings," a 3-person, monologue play that will be performed at the Dryden Theater at Central Lakes College in Brainerd. The guests also talked about the Actors Repertory Theater and how they are different from other theater co...

Sue Galligan, Director of Special Events with the Brainerd Lakes Chamber, joins to preview a busy stretch of networking and community events across the region. She highlights the upcoming Business After Hours at Central Lakes College, a great opportunity for local professionals to connect, followed by Eggs and Issues on Friday, March 6th, where timely topics take center stage. Sue also reminds lis...

Guests Michelle Gonska, Board President, and Laura Cook, Board Secretary and Show Chair, stop by to preview the 51st Annual Ice Show at the Essentia Health Sport Center. They’ll share what audiences can expect from this year’s performances, highlight special appearances by guest skater Sonja Hilmer at all three shows, and extend heartfelt thanks to the sponsors who make the event possible. Plus, t...

Guest is Executive Director, Sarah Smith See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Guests Kelli Johnson from Crow Wing County Public Health and Kara Schaefer, Community Health Specialist with Essentia Health, join to discuss the 8th Annual reThink Your Drink Water Challenge, encouraging residents to build healthier hydration habits. They also continue celebrating the carrot as the Vegetable of the Year, sharing simple ways to incorporate it into everyday meals. In addition, the...

Kennedy Niska, Executive Director of the Legacy Chorale of Greater Minnesota, joins to preview this weekend’s highly anticipated Disney Spectacular performances. He shares what audiences can expect from this family-friendly celebration filled with iconic Disney favorites, vibrant staging, and talented local voices bringing the magic to life. Kennedy also highlights the upcoming Youth Choral Festiv...

Mallory Goerges, Crosslake Parade Committee Chair, and committee member Alisha Novak join the show to preview the 52nd Annual Crosslake St. Patrick’s Day Parade, one of the region’s biggest spring celebrations. They discuss the new 1:15 p.m. parade start time, along with returning favorites like the Pot O’Gold Hunt, 5K Clover Dash, and the lively Yardi Pardi festivities happening throughout town....

Becca Rugemer, Director of Marketing for IceFest, joins the show to preview this year’s highly anticipated winter celebration. She shares details on the massive 714-foot Ice Carousel, how the team successfully brings the engineering feat to life, and whether organizers have their sights set on a future Guinness World Record attempt. Becca also highlights the many family-friendly activities planned...

Guest is CEO Shane Riffle See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Gary Hirsch, Director, Wendy DeGeest, Choreographer & Costumer, and Music Director Kennedy Niska from Stage North Theater stop by to preview their upcoming production of  Forbidden Broadway , running February 26th-March 1st at the Franklin Arts Center. The long-running revue, hilariously spoofs some of Broadway’s biggest musicals including Wicked , Les Misérables , The Lion King , Annie ,...

Brad Chapulis, Baxter City Administrator, joins to discuss the latest developments on the Highway 371/210 overpass project, including an important update from MN DOT. He also reflects on key accomplishments from 2025 and previews what’s shaping up to be a very busy 2026, with several new residential and commercial projects planned that will continue Baxter’s rapid growth. See Privacy Policy at htt...

Guests are Nick Broyles, City Administrator, and Jessie Dehn, Brainerd City Engineer, discussing the upcoming Highway 210/Washington Street Reconstruction project, which is scheduled to begin this spring and continue through fall of 2027. While the work is being led by MnDOT, the City of Brainerd will play an active role in keeping residents informed, sharing updates, and helping the public unders...

Ben Gordon, Director, Ally Hartwig, Stage Manager, and Amelia Heinecke, cast member and Master of Ceremonies, join the show to preview the upcoming performances of The Tim Woodman of Oz . They discuss the size of the cast, how Gordon adapted the production from the original book by L. Frank Baum, and share details on performance dates, showtimes, and ticket pricing. See Privacy Policy at https://a...

Dr. Hara Charlier, President of Central Lakes College – Brainerd Campus, joins to highlight February as Career and Technical Education Month and discusses the wide range of hands-on programs available at CLC for students who may not see a traditional college path as the right fit. She also shares details on the completion of CLC’s major renovation project, previews the upcoming ribbon-cutting cere...