Cities Speak

In this episode of Cities Speak, Dana is joined by Jonathan Weinhagen, Chair of the School Board for Mounds View School District. They discuss the demographic changes that are being seen in school as well as the escalated discourse directed at school board members and the negative impact that it's presently having.

In this episode of Cities Speak, Dana is joined by Mounds View City Administrator, Nyle Zikmund.

In this episode of Cities Speak, Dana is joined by Mark Doneux, Administrator at Capitol Regional Watershed District. They discuss what CRWD is doing to combat climate change and how their efforts are keeping our environment healthier.

In this episode of Cities Speak, Dana is joined by Alex Carlson, the Public Affairs Coordinator for the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District. They discuss the different types of mosquitos and measures you can take to keep them away.

Dana sits down with Peg Thomas, Executive Director of the Sundance Family Foundation to discuss the work they've been doing with regards to alleviating the unemployment crisis for youths from low-income families and people of color.

Dana interviews Duane Pulford about what it's like being a newly elected city council member for the city of Lauderdale.

In this episode of Cities Speak, Dana talks with Janice Gundlach, the Community Development Director for the city of Roseville. They discuss new developments going on as well as plans for future developments and the importance of continuing to build on what the city already has.

Dana is joined by Jeanne Parsons, President of the Canadian Days Parade in Little Canada. Jeanne discusses the different events and activities happening at this year's Parade and what value such community activities bring to the city.

Dana is joined by Tony Paetznick, Director of Public Safety and Police Chief in New Brighton. They discuss Tony's long history in the department and relationship with the community as well as the efforts being made to update the police department's policies in the wake of recent unrest.

In this episode of Cities Speak, Dana is joined by Interim Environmental Health Director of Ramsey County, Rae Eden Frank, to discuss the new initiatives in waste management as well as additional programs aimed at significantly improving and maintaining the quality of the environment in Ramsey County.

In this episode, Dana speaks with Pang Yang, Deputy Director at Ramsey County Libraries. Pang describes how her experience has been in her first two months in the position and how she's directing her focus toward the issues of equity and inclusion.

Dana is joined by North Oaks Mayor Kara Ries to discuss the important changes coming to North Oaks including new legislation aimed at improving the environment and natural resources.

Dana is joined by Sean McDonagh, the Superintendent at Cedar Home Golf Course. Sean discusses the newly built golf course and why it's beneficial to the community.

PANELISTS Kim Young – Foster Care & Kinship Specialist, MNAdopt Deirdre Otis – Shelter and Emergency Foster Care Provider, Ramsey County Dana Healy – Moderator, NineNorth Executive Director

Dana is joined by Dr. Steven Jorrisen to discuss climate change in MN and why it's important that people take action on it now.

Cities Speak Ep. 72 - Joe Adams & Sean Johnson by NineNorth

Dana is joined by Karen Saltis, the interim Library Director at Ramsey County Libraries. Karen discusses the large impact the pandemic has had on local libraries and the changes they've had to make as a result.

Dana is joined by Ramsey County Commissioner for District 2, Mary Jo McGuire. They discuss the most recent legislation and the work going on at the city government to benefit the county's future.

Dana is joined by State Senator of District 66 John Marty to discuss the rise in catalytic converter thefts and his new proposed legislation to combat it.

PANELISTS Darian Leddy – Production Assistant, Gopher Digital Productions Alicia Tipcke – Sports Anchor/Reporter, WDIO-TV Andrea Mayeux – Freelance Multimedia Storyteller Maureen Anderson – Moderator, NineNorth

TERRI THAO – Program Director at Nexus Community Partners CAMERAN BAILEY – Senior Planner at the Met Council MARY WYNNE – Moderator, Fusion Learning Partners

PANELISTS LONI AADALEN – Continuum Care Coordinator, Heading Home Ramsey (unable to appear due to conflict) MICHELLE GERRARD – Senior Research Mgr. & Dir. MN Homeless Study, Wilder Research MICHAEL STANEFSKI – Lead Social Worker, Roseville School District 623 KATHY RAMUNDT – Moderator, Do Good Roseville

Dana is joined by Roseville Middle School teacher and coach of the Future City Competition winners, Ursala Pankonin. Ursula discusses the process of the competition, how her team won, and the lessons that the students were able to learn along the way.

Dana talks with Rachel Walstad, Executive Director of MN Adopt in this episode of Cities Speak. Rachel discusses the organization's goals and their work to continue helping foster kids find families. Rachel also addresses some of the misconceptions that she sees with regards to adoption and foster care.

Join NineNorth Executive Director, Dana Healy and her guest Katie Jamieson, President of Engage.

Dana is joined by Nicole Joy Frethem, the Ramsey County Commissioner for District 1. They discuss the new economic and inclusion legislation coming through and why it's so important to get it passed.

Host Dana Healy is joined by District 3 Ramsey County Commissioner, Trista Matascastillo. She serves residents of the following communities: Falcon Heights and Saint Paul neighborhoods of Payne/Phalen, North End/South Como, Como Park, Frogtown and Hamline-Midway.

In this episode of Cities Speak, Dana is joined by Dr. Lynne Ogawa, the Medical Director for Saint Paul – Ramsey County Public Health Department. Dr. Ogawa discusses the process of getting the vaccine, why it's important that people do, and shares some of the heartwarming stories she's witnessed through the rollout.

Dana is joined by Gina Jacobson, Director of Success Beyond the Classroom, a non-profit that offers programs to students that will help them gain opportunities and learning experiences for what they are passionate about. Gina details the individuals programs they have and the impact she feels the organization is having on students in the area

Jacob Loesch is the Director of Communications and Public Engagement at the MN Department of Transportation. He recently partook in some great community initiatives including a contest for naming the snow plows. The winners of the contest would be able to have their winning names put on the plows. He discusses how it was a unifying and fun contest for the community as well as other plans he has for future initiatives.

NineNorth's own Production Assistant Darian Leddy joins NineNorth's Digital Media Producer Alex Suszko to discuss the new show that they co-created that involves profiling local, family-owned restaurants in the north suburbs and, of course, trying all of the food.

North Oaks City Council member Rich Dujmovic discusses with Dana what issues are important to him including environment preservation, infrastructure, and forming a relationship with the community, emphasizing that residents should be active in their city government and reach out so the council can stay in tune with what the residents are looking for.

Dana speaks with Roseville City Council Member Wayne Groff in this episode of Cities Speak. He discusses the changes he would like to see and the issues that are important to him as well as his plans going forward with the council.

NineNorth presents the Compass Program Series: The Expanding News Desert: When Local Newspapers Disappear Local newspapers have been going out of business. Hear from a panel of experts on the negative impacts of this expanding news desert and what happens when community members are unable to find a source for local news. PANELISTS MIKE MUNZENRIDER – Managing Editor, Tiger Oak Media MARGO ASHMORE – Owner/Publisher, Northeaster Newspaper ZAC FARBER – Writer/Editor MAUREEN ANDERSON – Moderator, NineNorth

In this Compass program, a panel of experts dissects the issue of human trafficking, a problem that is surprisingly very present in MN. With such an impactful and tough issue, it's important for people to understand the nuances of the issue and learn how they can help. PANELISTS Crystal Jones, Roseville Police Dept. – Sex Crimes Investigator; Julie Wearn, CEO Roseville Visitors Association; Peter Wohler, Source MN Dana Healy, Moderator, Executive Director, NineNorth

Food insecurity in the North Suburbs has been an issue that's been highly intensified since the start of Covid. Many families, often times with children, have found access to affordable, healthy food challenging. Our great panel of guests shine light on how serious the problem really is as well as what many organizations are doing to help. PANELISTS CHRISTINE WEBER – Summer Program Manager, Every Meal THERESA McCORMICK – Director of Programs & Healthcare Partnerships, Second Harvest Heartland KRIS ROSSOW – Roseville Area Senior Program Coordinator, Meals on Wheels KATHY RAMUNDT – Moderator, Do Good Roseville

In March of 2020, many of us migrated into our homes, turned on our laptop and began working remotely. Schooling migrated online, business meetings online, our social lives online. What about people who don't have access to internet, specifically broadband access? How has the pandemic effected their ability to work and connect? What can our communities and agencies do to include our distant neighbors into the social circles of an online community? This program will be speaking to a panel of policy and broadband professional to provide us insight to broadband build outs in rural areas, or lack of, and why. PANELISTS ANNA BOROFF – Executive Director, Minnesota Cable Communications Association BERNADINE JOSELYN – Director of Public Policy and Engagement, Blandin Foundation NATHAN ZACHARIAS – President, Zacharias Government Relations DANA HEALY – Moderator (Executive Director, NineNorth)

Julie Strahan is a newly elected City Council member for the city of Roseville and joined Dana on Cities Speak to deliver her message to the residents of Roseville as well as discuss what issues prompted her to run for the position.

Newly appointed police chief Erika Scheider has some important plans for the Roseville police department and shares her opinions on the national conversation surrounding police and public safety in this episode of Cities Speak.

Dana is joined by the newly elected Mayor of New Brighton, Kari Niedfeldt-Thomas to discuss her plans for the future of New Brighton and what issues are important to her.

Rick Montour was a long-time member of the Little Canada City Council and is no stranger to the community, overseeing in his tenure significant local changes and developments. He chats with Dana about his memories of the City Council, what he'll miss about it, and his plans going forward.

The tables are reversed as Dana Healy, Executive Director at NineNorth and the host of Cities Speak, is questioned on the new direction NineNorth is heading in since changing their name from CTV North Suburbs and what this new direction means for future programming and community engagement.

B Kyle is the CEO and President of the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce. Her high reputation in the community comes from her patriotic service in the military and her leadership in the positions she currently holds. She talks with Dana about how her past experiences have shaped her as a person and leader and her big plans for the future.

Scott Davis is an entrepreneur and volunteer coach of the Irondale Robotics team. He chats with Dana about how he became interested in robotics and his decision to take a leadership role on the team.

Teresa Miller is a newly elected council member for the city of Little Canada and has gained experience in a variety of different fields prior to her election. She discusses her motivations for running and why she feels she can be an important part of instituting change in Little Canada.

Abdullahi Abdulle is a newly elected city council member for the city of New Brighton. Abdulle brings fresh new diversity to the city council as the first black city council member in New Brighton city council's history. Abdullahi discusses the changes that are important to him and how he hopes to be a leading voice in the discussions that are occurring in the New Brighton community.

Connie Bernardy is the recently re-elected State Representative for district 41A and she joins Dana to discuss her thoughts on her re-election and what work she's going to continue fighting for in her new term.

Asha Thao has been a volunteer first responder and continues her passion for such work by volunteering for the Falcon Heights fire department as a firefighter. She joins Dana to elaborate on her passion for that work and the importance of having different voices being active in the community.

Beverly Xie has been a strong Youth Advocate in the community and shares her thoughts with Dana about why it's important and rewarding for young people to get involved in activism and how her and her family's history has given her perspective on different issues and causes.

Katie McMahon is the Director of Marketing for MN Computers for Schools. Her passion for providing under-resourced institutions with necessary technology and equipment to benefit students lacking availability to important tools that can assist with their learning is explored further with Dana in this episode of Cities Speak.

Emily Jorgensen works on many transportation and transit legislation and is dedicated to improving Minnesota's infrastructure. She joins Dana to update her on what developments are currently in place and what positive changes she hopes to create for the people in the community.