OF TWIN CITIES PBS FOR THE STATIONS OF MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION.

>> ERIC: COMING UP NEXT, MINNEAPOLIS HAS THREE FINALISTS FOR THE CITY'S NEXT POLICE CHIEF.

PAUL DOUGLAS LOOKS BACK AT OUR SUMMER WEATHER.

AND WE PREVIEW AN IMPORTANT PBS SPECIAL NEXT WEEK CALLED "FACING SUICIDE" PRODUCED HERE AT TWIN CITIES PBS.

ALL THAT AND A REPORT BY MARY LAHAMMER FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

>> Mary: THIS SOUTH SUBURBAN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WAS JUST NAMED ONE OF THE MOST COMPETITIVE IN THE OUNTRY THAT COULD DECIDE CONTROL OF CONGRESS.

WE'LL CATCH UP WITH THE CANDIDATES.

>> IF YOU REALLY PISS OFF THE SOCCER MOMS IN THIS DISTRICT, YOU'VE GOT A PROBLEM.

>> THIS IS A TIGHT RACE.

IT'S GOING TO BE DECIDED BY A FIELD GOAL, NOT A TOUCHDOWN.

>> Mary: THAT'S COMING UP ON "ALMANAC."

♪♪ >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY: GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 28 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

DELTA DENTAL OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION: IMPROVING ORAL HEALTH WHILE ADVANCING SOCIAL EQUITIES.

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

THE SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY: A TRIBAL NATION FOCUSED ON COMMUNITY AND COLLABORATION, ESPECIALLY IN TIMES LIKE TODAY.

AND EDUCATION MINNESOTA: THE VOICE FOR PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

"ONE GREATER MINNESOTA" REPORTING ON "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: THE OTTO BREMER TRUST, WHOSE MISSION IS INVESTING IN PEOPLE, PLACES, AND OPPORTUNITIES IN OUR REGION.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT IS PROVIDED BY: THE BLANDIN FOUNDATION, WORKING TO STRENGTHEN RURAL MINNESOTA.

>> ERIC: WE'LL GET TO THE STORY ABOUT THE HOTLY CONTESTED SECOND DISTRICT RACE FOR CONGRESS IN A FEW MINUTES, AND LATER IN THE HOUR WE'LL REMEMBER WRITER AND HUMORIST HOWARD MOHR.

BUT FIRST TONIGHT, A STEP CLOSER TO GETTING A NEW POLICE CHIEF IN MINNEAPOLIS.

>> Cathy: YOU ARE RIGHT.

THREE FINALISTS HAVE BEEN NAMED TO TAKE OVER THE HELM OF THE LARGEST POLICE FORCE IN MINNESOTA.

AND THE THREE FINALISTS HAVE LIVED AND WORKED OUTSIDE OF OUR STATE.

THEY HAIL FROM MICHIGAN, VIRGINIA AND NEW JERSEY.

THIS MEANS THAT MINNEAPOLIS IS POISED TO HIRE ITS FIRST CHIEF FROM OUTSIDE THE DEPARTMENT IN NEARLY TWO DECADES.

JOINING US TO TAKE A BROAD VIEW OF THIS DEVELOPMENT IS MICHAEL LANSING, HEAD OF THE HISTORY DEPARTMENT AT AUGSBURG UNIVERSITY.

LANSING IS WRITING A BOOK ON THE HISTORY OF POLICING IN MINNEAPOLIS FROM THE 19TH CENTURY TO THE PRESENT DAY.

PROFESSOR, IT'S GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

>> THANKS SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

>> Cathy: SO I'M THINKING IF YOU WANT TO MAKE CHANGES IN A DEPARTMENT, YOU PROBABLY GO TO THE OUTSIDE, RIGHT?

>> YEAH.

AND THAT'S WHAT'S BEEN DONE IN MINNEAPOLIS ONLY WHEN THE CITY AND THE DEPARTMENT ARE BOTH IN CRISIS.

THIS IS ONLY THE FOURTH TIME IN 50 YEARS THAT THE CITY LEADERSHIP HAS DECIDED TO GO IN THIS DIRECTION.

>> Cathy: I'M REMEMBERING TONY BOSA IN 1980, HE WAS ONE OF THE FIRST -- FIRST OF THE OUTSIDERS, I GUESS YOU COULD SAY.

HE WAS AN INTERESTING GUY.

WHAT WAS HE ABLE TO ACHIEVE?

>> SO BOSA HAD A REPUTATION AS A REFORMER, AND THAT'S WHAT CITY LEADERS WANTED.

MAYOR DONE FRASER WAS ANXIOUS TO BRING IN SOMEONE WHO COULD DO TWO THINGS.

ONE, IMPROVE POLICE/COMMUNITY RELATION, ESPECIALLY AROUND QUESTIONS OF POLICE MISCONDUCT, AS WELL AS THE FACT THAT THE DEPARTMENT WAS THEN KNOWN AS THE MOST POLITICIZED POLICE DEPARTMENT IN THE COUNTRY.

AND MANY OBSERVERS DECIDED BY THE END OF BOSA'S TERMS THAT HE HAD SUCCEEDED IN ENSURING THAT THERE WAS LESS POLITICS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT, BUT THE QUESTION OF POLICE/COMMUNITY RELATIONS REMAINED OPEN.

>> Eric: WHY IS THE CULTURE OR IS THE CULTURE OF THE St. PAUL P.D.

DIFFERENT THAN MINNEAPOLIS?

I KNOW WHEN YOU TALKED TO REPORTERS IN MINNEAPOLIS, THEY TALK ABOUT THE THUMPER CULTURE IN MINNEAPOLIS.

WHY THE DICHOTOMY THERE?

>> I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT BOTH CITIES ARE ACTUALLY REALLY DIFFERENT, AND, IN FACT, HISTORICALLY THEY USED TO BE MORE DIFFERENT THAN THEY ARE TODAY.

SO EVEN WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THE TWIN CITIES, ONLY RECENTLY WITHIN THE LAST 30 OR 40 YEARS HAVE THEY BEEN ON A SIMILAR TRAJECTORY.

AND THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT WHEN YOU WANT TO THINK ABOUT DEEP-SEEDED CULTURAL ISSUES N A MUNICIPAL POLICE DEPARTMENT.

THERE HAVE BEEN PLENTY OF ISSUES AND PROBLEMS IN THE ST. PAUL POLICE DEPARTMENT.

OF COURSE, FAMOUSLY IN THE EARLY 20th CENTURY IN St. PAUL WAS KNOWN AS A GANGSTER HANGOUT, LOTS OF CORRUPTION.

OF COURSE, THERE WERE PLENTY ISSUES WITH COMMUNITIES OF COLOR IN St. PAUL BECAUSE OF ISSUES WITHIN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

HOWEVER, MINNEAPOLIS DOES KIND OF STAND OUT AND HAS STOOD OUT FOR DECADES AS ESPECIALLY PROBLEMATIC, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO QUESTIONS OF POLICE BRUTALITY AND MISCONDUCT.

>> Cathy: SO ARE YOU SAYING THAT -- SO THE PROBLEMS IN THE MINNEAPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT ARE SYSTEMIC.

SO IT'S JUST NOT A FEW BAD APPLES.

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE LIKE TO USE THAT BAD APPLE IDEA, BUT AS A HISTORIAN, AS YOU LOOK BACK THROUGH THE HISTORY OF THE DEPARTMENT AND YOU SEE THESE SO-CALLED BAD APPLES, YEAR AFTER YEAR, DECADE AFTER DECADE AS YOU GO BACK AND BACK AND BACK, YOU AVE TO START WONDERING ABOUT THE BARREL.

>> Eric: YOU'VE GOT THE DEFUND THE POLICE SENTIMENT, I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S EBBING A LITTLE BIT, BUT YOU'VE ALSO GOT THIS NEW COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC SAFETY.

AND I WONDER, JUST INFORMED SPECULATION ON YOUR PART, WHAT'S GOING TO BE THE ROLE OF THE NEW CHIEF UNDER THIS NEW COORDINATED SYSTEM UNDER A COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC SAFETY?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK WE HAVE YET TO SEE EXACTLY.

THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MAKES 2022 DIFFERENT THAN PAST MOMENTS IN MINNEAPOLIS HISTORY.

YOU KNOW, HISTORY NEVER REPEATS ITSELF, BUT SOMETIMES IT RHYMES.

AND THIS IS ONE OF THOSE EXAMPLES WHERE WE'RE HEARING SOME RHYMING, THE CALL FOR OUTSIDERS, THE DESPERATE PLEAS FOR HELP TO CHANGE THE CULTURE THAT YOU FIND ACROSS THE CITY.

IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS, ON CITY COUNCIL AND IN THE MAYOR'S OFFICE.

AND, YET, WHAT'S DIFFERENT IS THAT YOU HAVE A REARRANGEMENT OF THE ACTUAL ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE, IT'S THE FIRST TIME WE'VE SEEN IT IN MINNEAPOLIS HISTORY, AND IT'S NOT CLEAR WHAT EXACTLY Dr. ALEXANDER'S ROLE WILL BE.

I THINK WE'RE GOING TO BE FINDING OUT SOON ENOUGH.

>> Eric: ONE OF THE CANDIDATES SAYS, MINNEAPOLIS IS THE CENTER OF THE PLANET IN TERMS OF POLICE REFORM.

IS THAT HYPE?

>> NO, I THINK IT'S VERY MUCH THE CASE.

IN THE WAKE OF THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD, THE UPRISING THAT FOLLOWED, AS WELL AS THE DEEP-SEEDED PUBLIC DEBATES IN THE CITY LAST YEAR OVER BOTH THE AMENDMENT TO CHANGE POLICING, AS WELL AS THE AMENDMENT TO ACTUALLY INCREASE THE MAYOR'S POWER.

I THINK THIS IS GROUND ZERO FOR POLICE REFORM IN THE UNITED STATES.

>> Cathy: ALL RIGHT.

SO, LET'S LOOK BACK AT SOME OF THE REFORMS THAT WE HAD.

I MENTIONED TONY BOSA.

REFORMERS.

ROBERT OLSON I THINK COULD ALSO BE INCLUDED IN -- UNDER THAT REFORMER UMBRELLA.

AND BILL McMANUS, BACK IN 2004.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THOSE INDIVIDUALS, WHAT KIND OF CHANGES DID THEY MAKE, REALLY?

>> REALLY, YOU CAN GO BACK, TONY BOSA, AS YOU SUGGESTED, THINK ABOUT THE FACT THAT HE TRITE TO -- TRIED TO INSTITUTE A WHOLE HOST OF REFORMS.

HE TRIED TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET MORE PEOPLE OF COLOR AND WOMEN ON THE POLICE FORCE.

HE HAD VERY KIND OF SMALL GAINS ON THAT COUNT.

HE WAS VERY GOOD AT STREAMLINING BUREAUCRACIES, CHANGING THE ADMINISTRATION.

AGAIN, POLICE/COMMUNITY RELATIONS WERE A DEEP-SEEDED PROBLEM.

WHEN ROBERT OLSON IS APPOINTED IN 1995, THIS IS COMING ON THE HEELS OF YEARS OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZING, ACTIVISM AROUND POLICE BRUTALITY THAT REALLY EMERGED STARTING IN 1989, IT CAME AFTER THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CIVILIAN REVIEW AUTHORITY AS WELL, NONETHELESS, NONE OF THAT WAS ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

SO TO SPEAK.

AND, OF COURSE, OLSON'S ATTEMPTS AT REFORMS DON'T LAST THAT LONG BECAUSE BY 2002, YOU HAVE CIVIL UNREST ON THE NORTH SIDE OF MINNEAPOLIS, 2003 YOU HAVE FEDERAL MEDIATION BETWEEN COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND THE MPD, AND, OF COURSE, THAT'S WHY McMANUS IS BROUGHT IN.

WHAT WE SEE IS ATTEMPTS AT REFORM THAT ARE UNABLE TO MAKE THE KIND OF DEEP-SEEDED SYSTEMIC CHANGES THAT ARE NEEDED.

>> Eric: IN THE SHORT TERM, IT'S GOT TO BE MORE OFFICERS, RIGHT?

>> WELL, IT DEPENDS ON WHOM YOU ASK, RIGHT?

IF WE'RE MOVING AWAY FROM THE BAD APPLES ANALOGY, TOWARDS THINKING ABOUT THE BARREL, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OTHER OPTIONS TO PROVIDE PUBLIC SAFETY.

I THINK TOO OFTEN PUBLIC SAFETY IS SEEN AS A SYNONYM FOR POLICING, AND OF COURSE, THERE ARE MANY THAT SUGGEST THERE ARE OTHER OPTIONS.

SO VIOLENCE PREVENTION, RESTORATIVE JUSTICE, THE CREATION OF SOCIAL SERVICES.

AND YOU'RE SEEING THOSE KINDS OF EXPERIMENTS EMERGING IN CITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY AND IN MINNEAPOLIS AS WELL.

>> Cathy: Dr. LANSING, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> Eric: APPRECIATE YOUR TIME, THANKS.

>> THANKS SO MUCH.

>> ERIC: WE KNOW MINNESOTA IS HOME TO MANY COMPETITIVE CONTESTS THIS ELECTION CYCLE.

AND THE RACE THAT WILL ATTRACT THE MOST MONEY - LIKELY MORE THAN $20 MILLION - IS THE SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

THAT'S THE REMATCH BETWEEN ANGIE CRAIG AND TYLER KISTNER.

POLITICAL REPORTER MARY LAHAMMER SPENT SOME TIME IN THE DISTRICT THAT A NATIONAL PUBLICATION JUST SAID COULD DECIDE CONTROL OF CONGRESS.

>> Mary: IT'S BACK TO SCHOOL TIME IN THE SOUTHERN SUBURBS WHERE THE EYES OF THE NATION ARE NOW ON THIS CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT IN MINNESOTA, CURRENTLY REPRESENTED BY DEMOCRAT ANGIE CRAIG.

WHO RODE THE SCHOOL BUS EARLY ON THE FIRST DAY OF CLASSES.

>> IT WAS AWESOME!

I WOKE UP THE DAY AFTER MY LAST ELECTION KNOWING THAT EVERY SINGLE ELECTION IN THE SECOND DISTRICT OF MINNESOTA IS GOING TO BE CLOSE.

IT'S NOT NEWS TO ME.

I'VE BEEN TELLING FOLKS FOR TWO YEARS THAT THIS WAS GOING TO BE A COMPETITIVE RACE, THAT IT WAS LIKELY GOING TO BE ONE OF THE RACES THAT DETERMINES WHETHER OR NOT DEMOCRATS CONTROL THE HOUSE NEXT CYCLE.

IT'S NOT JUST ONE, IT WAS NAMED ONE OF SEVEN.

JUST SEVEN RACES THAT WILL DECIDE.

THAT'S A SMALL NUMBER.

>> SEVEN'S A LUCKY NUMBER, THOUGH, RIGHT?

>> SO THIS IS THE VICTORY HEADQUARTERS FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

THEY LOOK AT US AS ONE OF THEIR TOP THREE RACES IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

>> Mary: REPUBLICAN TYLER KISTNER KNOWS ATTENTION, MONEY, AND RESOURCES ARE COMING IN TO HIS RACE THAT COULD DECIDE CONTROL OF CONGRESS.

>> IT'S HUMBLING.

BUT, AT THE SAME TIME, IT JUST LETS YOU KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS RACE AND HOW THEY'RE GOING TO PICK THE BEST REPRESENTATIVE FOR THIS DISTRICT AND THE BEST REPRESENTATION OF WHO'S GOING TO CONTROL CONGRESS.

>> Mary: THERE'S ONLY SEVEN ON THE LIST.

YOU'RE ON THE LIST.

>> ONLY SEVEN ON THE LIST, BUT IT'S THE SAME TIME OF MENTALITY WE TOOK IN 2020 AS WE'RE TAKING IN 2022.

>> Mary: THIS SUBURBAN RACE IS A REMATCH, TWO YEARS AGO, KISTNER CAME WITHIN ABOUT TWO PERCENTAGE POINTS OF THE INCUMBENT, CRAIG.

>> IT WAS TOUGH TO GO THROUGH 2020.

I WAS NOT CERTAIN I WAS GOING TO RUN AGAIN.

BUT ONCE I SAW WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH HE ECONOMY AND THE FUTURES OF MY CHILDREN BEING MORTGAGED OFF, IT WAS THE EASIEST DECISION TO MAKE.

THIS WILL BE A TIGHT RACE.

IT'S GOING TO BE DECIDED BY A FIELD GOAL, NOT A TOUCHDOWN.

>> Mary: WHAT IS IT ABOUT THIS DISTRICT THAT IS JUST CONSTANTLY THE REMATCH CYCLE, WHETHER YOU WIN, WHETHER YOU LOSE, THE SAME KIND OF TWO PEOPLE LIKE TO GO REPEATEDLY?

WELL, THIS IS A MARGIN OF ERROR DISTRICT.

I'M EITHER GOING TO WIN ON THE MARGIN OR I'M NOT ON THE MARGIN.

AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S JUST MATH.

>> Mary: MATH CONTINUES TO SHOW GROWTH IN THE DISTRICT OR THE LARGEST -- WHERE THE LARGEST CITY IS NOW LAKEVILLE WHERE A BUSINESS OPENLY DEIDENTIFIED COVID RESTRICTIONS.

>> I'VE ALWAYS TALKED ABOUT INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM AND LIBERTIES IN THIS CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

REMEMBER, MARY, THIS IS A DISTRICT THAT'S THIRD REPUBLICAN, A THIRD DEMOCRAT, AND A THIRD SUPER DON'T LIKE DEMOCRATS OR REPUBLICAN.

AND THEY LEAN LIBERTARIANMENT THEY DIDN'T LIKE MASKS, THE MANDATES.

THEY DIDN'T LIKE VACCINE MANDATES BUT THEY SURE AS HELL DON'T WANT THE GOVERNMENT OR A POLITICIAN IN THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE MAKING THEIR DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS.

WE'RE AT A TIME AND MOMENT IN HISTORY WHERE I BELIEVE THIS ISSUE, IT'S BIGGER THAN JUST ABORTION, IT'S ABOUT HOW MUCH FREEDOM AND PRIVACY ARE POLITICIANS GOING TO ALLOW US TO HAVE?

>> Mary: DEFENDING FREEDOM IS AN ISSUE KISTNER WANTS TO TAKE ON AS A MARINE.

>> MY SERVICE IN THE MARINE CORPS SHOWS THAT IT'S SERVICE ABOVE SELF.

EVERYTHING IS EARNED AND NEVER GIVEN.

AND THAT WHEN YOU'RE AN OFFICER, YOU LOOK TO BE A BEST RESOURCE TO THE MEN AND WOMEN THAT OU LEAD AND HOW YOU CAN BEST MAKE THEIR LIVES GOOD AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE SUCCESSFUL TO ACCOMPLISH THE MISSION.

IT'S THE SAME TYPE OF MENTALITY TAKING IT HERE TO CONGRESS.

THIS IS A VERY BIG, MORE INDEPENDENT DISTRICT, A LOFT PEOPLE WHO KIND OF LOOK FOR THEIR INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS.

>> Mary: THE ISTRICT IS POPULATED BY FAMILIES, MOMS AND DADS, AND THE FABLED SUBURBAN SOCCER MOM.

>> IF YOU REALLY PISS OFF THE SOCCER MOMS IN THIS DISTRICT, YOU'VE GOT A PROBLEM.

I THINK THAT REPUBLICANS, WITH THEIR ACTIVIST SUPREME COURT HAVE REALLY PISSED OFF THE SOCCER MOMS.

>> THE MEDIA IS REALLY FOCUSED ON ABORTION, BUT WHEN I TALK TO VOTERS ACROSS THE DISTRICT, MOST OF THEM ARE FOCUSED ON SOME OF THE MORE TOP ISSUES OF LOOKING AT THE ECONOMY, INFLATION, RISING COST OF LIVING.

>> Mary: WE ARE HEARING THAT WOMEN REALLY DO CARE ABOUT THIS ISSUE.

THEY'RE NOT TALKING TO YOU ABOUT ABORTION?

>> WHAT I HEAR IS PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT HOW THEY CAN MAKE LIVING AFFORDABLE AGAIN.

>> MY OPPONENT HAS BEEN NOT WALKING AWAY FROM HIS POSITION ON ABORTION, BUT RUNNING, AS FAST AS HE CAN.

THIS GUY SIGNED A PLEDGE THAT HE WOULD LEAD ANY STATE -- LEAVE ANY STATE ABORTION LAW IN LACE UPON GETTING ELECTED AND THEN WORK TO INCREMENTALLY BAN ABORTION IN OUR COUNTRY.

I'M THE MEMBER OF CONGRESS WHO'S GOING TO WORK TO CODIFY ROE, TO MAKE SURE THAT NO POLITICIAN AND NO GOVERNMENT HAS ANY SAY IN THIS.

WE NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS THOUGHT THAT 50 YEARS OF PRECEDENT AND ROE WOULD BE OVERTURNED.

>> I'VE BEEN ON THE RECORD SIX TIMES, I'M PRO LIFE, EXCEPT FOR THE LIFE OF HE MOTHER, RAPE AND INCEST, BUT, YET, I HAVE NOT HEARD MY OPPONENT EVER GIVE HER STANCE ON ABORTION.

SHE CONTINUES TO PIVOT AND DODGE FROM THAT BECAUSE SHE'S VOTED TWICE TO ALLOW ABORTION UP TO BIRTH.

AND SHE WANTS TO TRY TO HIDE THAT FACT BY CONTINUING TO POINT AT ME.

>> Mary: HAVE YOU PULLED BACK SOME OF YOUR POSITIONS ONLINE?

ARE YOU TRYING TO HIDE ANYTHING, WALK ANYTHING BACK?

>> WE TOOK IT OFF OUR WEBSITE BACK IN 2020.

BECAUSE WE FELT WE WANTED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES THAT WE WERE HEARING FROM THE VOTERS.

>> Mary: REDISTRICTING REDREW THE LINES A BIT, ADDING A NEW AGRICULTURAL AREA IN LE SUEUR COUNTY AND CRAIG HAS MOVED TO PRIOR LAKE, WHICH IS REPRESENTED BY REPUBLICANS IN THE LEGISLATURE.

>> PRIOR LAKE IS A TERRIFIC COMMUNITY.

WE LIVED IN EAGAN FOR ABOUT A DECADE, AND MOVED TO PRIOR LAKE AFTER THE LAST SON GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL.

I'M GETTING TO KNOW THIS COMMUNITY.

IT'S A LITTLE REDDER.

IF THIS WERE EASY, I PROBABLY WOULDN'T WANT TO DO IT.

>> Mary: ARE YOU CONCERNED THAT TOP OF THE TICKET THAT'S PULLING YOU DOWN?

>> NOT AT ALL.

NO.

WE'RE RUNNING OUR OWN INDEPENDENT RACE.

AND THAT'S THE BLESSING OF RUNNING IN THIS CYCLE OF 2022 WHERE THE GOVERNOR'S THE TOP OF THE TICKET, YET, THE FEDERAL OFFICES, LIKE CONGRESS, WILL BE AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET.

I LOVE THIS DISTRICT BECAUSE IT REPRESENTS ALL THAT'S AMERICA.

WE GOT KIND OF THE CITIES AND SUBURBS TO THE NORTH AND HE RURAL TO THE SOUTH.

THIS LITERALLY ENCOMPASSES ALL THAT AMERICA IS.

♪♪ >> CATHY: NEXT TUESDAY PBS STATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY WILL AIR THE DOCUMENTARY "FACING SUICIDE."

PRODUCED HERE AT TWIN CITES PBS, THE SPECIAL TELLS PERSONAL STORIES OF THOSE AFFECTED BY SUICIDE.

WE HEAR FROM SCIENTISTS TOO.

THE GOAL OF THE SPECIAL IS TO START A NATIONAL CONVERSATION ABOUT SUICIDE AND AT THE SAME TIME REMINDING VIEWERS THAT THERE IS HOPE FOR POSITIVE OUTCOMES.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT A PREVIEW OF THE FILM.

♪♪ >> LONELY.

REALLY LONELY.

>> I DIDN'T KNOW HE WAS DEPRESSED.

I SHOULD HAVE SAW THE SIGNS BECAUSE HE WAS ALWAYS IN HIS ROOM AND UST KEPT TO HIMSELF.

BUT, YOU KNOW, I DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT.

>> I DID HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE THERE FOR ME, BUT I WAS JUST PUSHING THEM AWAY.

>> THE CDC IS APPROACHING SUICIDE AS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS.

>> WHEN I THINK ABOUT WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I HAD NOT GOTTEN HELP, NO WAY WOULD I BE ALIVE TODAY.

>> I EVENTUALLY ASKED HER, WAS SHE PLANNING TO HURT HERSELF, AND SHE SAID, YES.

>> BUT THEN SHE WENT INTO ACTION LIKE A SUPERHERO.

>> HE MAIN WORRY WAS THE FINANCES.

>> I DO FEEL CHRIS PRESENT WHEN I COME HERE.

OHHHH.

>> OU KNOW, TWO SECONDS AFTER I SENT THAT TEXT, IT FELT LIKE MY TWO FRIENDS WERE RIGHT THERE, YOU KNOW.

IT'S CRAZY TO THINK ABOUT, BECAUSE I KNOW I WOULDN'T BE HERE IF THEY DIDN'T COME THROUGH.

>> A SIGNIFICANT PROPORTION OF THE RISK IS GENETIC.

BUT A SIGNIFICANT PROPORTION OF THE RISK IS ALSO ENVIRONMENTAL.

>> HI, GUYS.

>> WHAT GIVES ME HOPE IN THE FIELD OF SUICIDE PREVENTION ARE THE YOUNG PEOPLE.

YOU KNOW, I'VE GOT A LAB OF 20 TO 30 STUDENTS WHO ARE ON FIRE, SO EXCITED TO BE DOING RESEARCH, TO BE PART OF THE SOLUTION.

♪♪ >> I'VE BEEN FACED WITH DEPRESSION.

WITHOUT THE HELP FROM MY TWO BEST FRIENDS I WOULDN'T BE STANDING IN FRONT OF YOU HERE TODAY.

>> THE WAY THAT YOU START A CONTAGION OF HOPE IS TO START SPREADING STORIES OF RECOVERY.

>> FINDING A WAY TO CONNECT WITH THEM KEEPS THEM ALIVE.

>> THE COMMUNITY HAS A ROLE TO PLAY IN PREVENTING SUICIDE.

TEACHERS HAVE EYES ON OUR YOUTH FOR MORE HOURS OF THE DAY THAN PROBABLY MOST OTHER ADULTS.

PARENTS KNOW THEIR KIDS AND THEIR KIDS' PATTERNS OF BEHAVIOR.

COACHES ARE AROUND OUR KIDS.

YOU CAN COME AROUND THAT INDIVIDUAL WITH GREATER ATTENTION AND TO REMIND THEM THEY ARE LOVED, THEY'RE WORTHY, THERE IS HELP, THERE'S A WAY THROUGH ANY CHALLENGE.

>> CATHY: JOINING US NOW, ONE OF THE PEOPLE FEATURED IN THAT EXCERPT.

DAN REIDENBERG IS A PSYCHOLOGIST WHO HEADS THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION SUICIDE AWARENESS VOICES OF EDUCATION, KNOWN AS "SAVE".

HE IS A CONSULTANT ON THE "FACING SUICIDE" DOCUMENTARY.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> Cathy: WHY DID THIS FILM NEED TO BE MADE?

>> THE FILM NEEDED TO BE MADE BECAUSE WE NEED TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION.

WE REALLY NEED TO START TALKING ABOUT THIS ISSUE THAT IS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS.

PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THAT WE LOSE SOMEBODY IN THIS COUNTRY EVERY 11 MINUTES AND ALMOST MORE FRIGHTENING IS THAT EVERY 28 SECONDS SOMEBODY ATTEMPTS TO TAKE THEIR LIFE IN THIS COUNTRY.

AND IT CUTS ACROSS ALL AGES AND RACES AND DEMOGRAPHICS IN THE HOLE COUNTRY.

SO HIS REALLY IS A CRISIS, AND, YET, IT'S ONE THAT'S JUST NOT TALKED ABOUT.

>> Eric: IS IT EASILY DEALT WITH?

>> NO.

IT'S NOT EASY TO DEAL WITH SUICIDE.

IT'S EASY TO LEARN SOME THINGS, AND THAT'S REALLY PART OF WHAT THIS DOCUMENTARY DOES.

IT HELPS US LEARN, FOR EXAMPLE, THE RISK FACTORS THAT PUT SOMEBODY AT GREATER RISK OF HURTING THEMSELVES AND OF THE WARNING SIGNS AND WHAT TO DO AND WHERE RESOURCES CAN BE FOUND.

BUT IT TAKES EVERYBODY TO BE INVOLVED.

IT TAKES A LOT OF PEOPLE.

IT'S NOT JUST A DOCTOR.

IT'S NOT JUST A THERAPIST.

IT TAKES PEOPLE IN SUPPORT SYSTEMS AROUND THE PERSON.

AND IT AKES A COMMITMENT N BEHALF OF THE PERSON.

SO IT'S NOT EASY TO DO AND, YET, IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.

AND WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT WHEN PEOPLE DO WORK TOGETHER, HEN A SUPPORT NETWORK IS BUILT AROUND SOMEBODY, WE AN ACTUALLY SAVE THEIR IVES.

IF WE THINK ABOUT IT, THERE'S ABOUT 45,000 PEOPLE A YEAR THAT WE LOSE TO SUICIDE.

BUT ABOUT JUST OVER ONE MILLION THAT WILL ATTEMPT EVERY YEAR AND TEN MILLION THAT THINK ABOUT IT.

THAT GIVES US LOTS AND LOTS OF ROOM AND LOTS OF PEOPLE TO ACTUALLY CONNECT WITH.

>> Cathy: TEN MILLION, DID YOU SAY THINK ABOUT IT?

>> TEN MILLION SERIOUSLY THINK ABOUT SUICIDE EVERY YEAR.

>> Cathy: IS THAT WHY -- YOU KNOW, BEING A MEMBER OF THE MEDIA, ARLY ON IN OUR CAREERS, I THINK, WE WOULD DO STORIES ABOUT PEOPLE WHO TOOK THEIR OWN LIVES, AND WE WOULD ACTUALLY SAY HOW THEY DID IT AND WHERE AND THEN THAT HAS CHANGED, YOU KNOW, TO AVOID SO-CALLED COPYCAT SUICIDE.

CAN YOU WALK US HROUGH, BECAUSE I ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW THIS, IT'S A REAL THING, RIGHT?

HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN?

>> YES.

COPYCAT SUICIDE IS CONTAGION.

AND IT IS PARTICULARLY SENSITIVE TO YOUNG PEOPLE.

IT'S ABOUT ONE TO -- 1 TO 3% OF ALL SUICIDES.

WHAT ENDS UP HAPPENING WITH IT IS WHEN YOUNG PEOPLE, IN PARTICULAR, SEE STORIES ABOUT SOMEBODY WHO'S DIED BY SUICIDE, THEY OVERRELATE TO THE PERSON WHO DIED.

WHEN WE SHARE TOO MANY DETAILS AND ONLY POSITIVE DETAILS, WHEN WE SEE THIS OVERWHELMING GRIEF RESPONSE, THEY FEEL LIKE, I CAN GET THE SAME THING TOO.

AND, SO, THEY'RE STRUGGLING - INTERNALLY.

THEY SEE SOMEBODY WHO'S DIED BY SUICIDE AND THEY SAY, LOOK AT ALL THE OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT, I'M GOING TO GET THAT SAME THING TOO.

IT'S PART OF WHY WE ALSO DON'T WANT TO MEMORIALIZE SOMEBODY WHO'S DIED BY SUICIDE, WE WANT TO HONOR THEM AND RECOGNIZE THEM, PAY TRIBUTE TO THEM, BUT NOT MEMORIALIZE THEM.

THESE ARE WHAT ARE THE BEST PRACTICES FOR MEDIA REPORTING ON SUICIDE.

>> Eric: HOW ABOUT ON THE SCIENCE SIDE OF THIS, SOME KIND OF GENETIC TESTING OR GENETIC MARKERS?

IS THAT BEING LOOKED AT AT ALL?

>> IT IS.

AND IN THIS DOCUMENTARY, "FACING SUICIDE," YOU HEARD Dr. JOHN THERE TALKING ABOUT THE SCANS, SOME OF THE GENETIC IT IS BEHIND IT.

WE DO KNOW THAT MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES RUN IN FAMILIES, WE ALSO KNOW TRAGICALLY SUICIDE SOMETIMES RUNS IN FAMILIES.

YOU MIGHT SEE TWO OR THREE GENERATIONS OF SUICIDE IN FAMILIES.

SO WE KNOW THERE'S A GENETIC COMPONENT.

WHAT WE DON'T KNOW IS HOW THAT GENETIC COMPONENT INTERACTS WITH THE ENVIRONMENT.

WHY SOMETIMES THEY MIGHT HAVE THAT GENETIC PRELOADING AND, YET, THEY CAN GET THROUGH TRIALS AND TRAVAILS IN LIFE AND, YET, AND OTHER TIMES THEY CAN'T.

SO IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS STILL BEING STUDIED.

>> Cathy: HOW SUCCESSFUL IS TREATMENT, IS THERAPY?

BECAUSE, I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY, THE RATES OF THERAPY HAVE ONE UP IN THIS COUNTRY, BUT SUICIDE IS STILL THE SAME KIND OF LEVEL.

I MEAN IT HASN'T REALLY MADE A DENT.

>> YOU'RE RIGHT.

SADLY.

WE'VE ACTUALLY SEEN TEADY INCREASES OF SUICIDE FOR SEVERAL DECADES NOW.

EXCEPT FOR DURING THE PANDEMIC, WE SAW SOME SMALL DROPS.

BUT HISTORICALLY WE'VE SEEN THESE SMALL RISES IN SUICIDE.

TREATMENT CAN BE VERY VERY SUCCESSFUL.

THE CHALLENGE WITH TREATMENT IS IS THAT MOST PEOPLE DON'T COMPLY WITH TREATMENT.

IF WE THINK -- THERE WAS A BIG STUDY DONE IN UTAH, AND WHAT THEY DID, THEY LOOKED AT YOUNG PEOPLE WHO DIED BY SUICIDE AND THEY LOOKED AT WHAT MEDICATIONS WERE IN THEIR SYSTEM AT THE TIME OF THEIR DEATH.

OF ALL OF THE STUDENTS, THE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO DIED THAT WERE PRESCRIBED MEDICATIONS, ZERO OF THEM HAD IT IN THEIR SYSTEM.

WHAT IT'S TELLING US IS THAT PEOPLE AREN'T COMPLYING WITH TAKING THEIR MEDICINE OR GOING TO THERAPY OR FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS THE WAY THAT WE NEED THEM TO.

>> Eric: THE 988 SUICIDE PREVENTION NUMBER -- >> YES.

>> Eric: -- I'M JUST GUESSING HERE, BUT I'M GUESSING WE DON'T HAVE MUCH OF A MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM IN THE COUNTRY, SO I'M GUESSING IT'S OVERBURDENED, UNDERFUNDED AND THERE'S BEEN NOT MUCH FOLLOW-UP.

AM I CLOSE?

>> YOU'RE EXACTLY RIGHT ON.

SO 988 IS BRAND-NEW, JUST LAUNCHED JULY 16th.

AND IT IS THE LARGEST TRANSFORMATION FOR OUR MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM IN THE COUNTRY.

IT IS GOING TO TAKE A WHILE FOR IT TO ACTUALLY COME TO FRUITION, JUST LIKE 911 DID.

BUT, YES, WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE THAT CAN ANSWER THE CALLS.

THERE'S ALREADY BEEN A 40% INCREASE IN CALLS.

I JUST READ A STUDY TODAY, THERE'S BEEN A 40% INCREASE IN CALLS.

SO WE'RE GETTING PEOPLE TO CALL, WHICH GOES BACK TO THE PIECE ABOUT TREATMENT WORKS.

WE KNOW THAT ABOUT 85% OF THE TIME WE CAN SUCCESSFULLY TREAT SOMEBODY WITH DEPRESSION, BUT IT STARTS WITH PEOPLE MAKING THAT CALL.

REACHING OUT FOR HELP.

AND NOW HAVING AN EASY NUMBER TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

WE HAVE TO HOPE THAT WE'RE GOING TO GET MORE PEOPLE IN THE SYSTEM, MORE PEOPLE TO CARE -- MORE PEOPLE THE CARE THAT THEY NEED.

>> Cathy: OF COURSE, TO UNDERSCORE ALL THIS, AS YOU SAID IN THE CLIP, AN INDIVIDUAL HAS TO HAVE THAT SUPPORT SYSTEM, RIGHT?

>> YES.

CONNECTIONS ARE REALLY IMPORTANT.

THE RESEARCH TELLS US THAT THE MORE CONNECTED WE ARE, CONNECTED TO FAMILY, FAITH, COMMUNITY, HOBBIES, THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO US, THE MORE CONNECTED WE ARE, THE LESS LIKELY WE ARE TO DIE BY SUICIDE.

SO WE WANT TO BUILD CONNECTIONS IN EVERY WAY THAT WE CAN.

>> Eric: GOOD LUCK AS YOU PURSUE THIS.

IT'S OBVIOUSLY A SERIOUS ISSUE.

SO THANKS FOR COMING OVER.

>> Cathy: NEXT TUESDAY NIGHT.

NATIONAL TV.

>> Eric: THAT'S RIGHT.

WE BETTER PLUG IT.

TUESDAY NIGHT.

CHECK YOUR LOCAL LISTINGS OF PBS.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU, DOCTOR.

>> THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> ERIC: THE OFFICIAL START OF FALL IS ABOUT TWO WEEKS AWAY.

BUT METEOROLOGISTS HAVE THEIR OWN SYSTEM OF MEASURING THE SEASONS, AND FOR THEM THE SUMMER ENDED ON SEPTEMBER 1ST.

-- ENDED ON AUGUST 31st.

AND THAT MEANS THAT PAUL DOUGLAS HAS HAD TIME TO IMPRESSIVELY CRUNCH THE SUMMERTIME DATA AND PRESENT IT TO US.

PAUL DOUGLAS JOINS US NOW.

IN ADDITION TO HIS MANY MEDIA GIGS, HE'S AN EXECUTIVE AT THE WEATHER FIRM PREDICT-IX.

DID I GET IT?

>> YOU GOT IT.

>> Eric: I'M NOT GOING TO DEAL IN SOME HOKEY TALK BANTER, LET'S GET RIGHT TO THE VISUALS.

>> I JUST WANT TO GO ON RECORD, LOOKING BACKWARDS IS EASIER THAN PREDICTING THE FUTURE.

I ACTUALLY PREFER TO TELL YOU WHAT ALREADY HAPPENED.

>> Eric: ONWARD AND UPWARD HERE.

>> BUT WE'LL MIX IT UP.

BACK IN APRIL, THERE WAS A LOT OF GNASHING OF TEETH, REMEMBER APRIL, HOW LOUSY APRIL WAS?

AND PEOPLE WERE ALREADY COMPLAINING.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A RUINED SUMMER, PAUL.

IT'S GOING TO BE WEEKEND AFTER WEEKEND OF RAIN AND COOL.

YOU KNOW, WE SALVAGED A MAGICAL SUMMER, ALL THINGS CONSIDERED.

>> Cathy: WE DID.

>> AND THIS IMAGE, FOR ME, CAPTURES SOME OF THAT MAGIC.

I DID NOT TAKE THIS PICTURE.

I WISH I HAD SEEN THIS.

CARRIE KENNEDY, WHO WORKS SO HARD ON THIS SHOW.

KARI KENNEDY.

EVERY FRIDAY.

SNAPPED THIS.

SHE WAS UP IN THE BOUNDARY WATERS AND THIS WAS SATURDAY NIGHT, SHE SAID IT WAS TWO NIGHTS IN A ROW OF THIS, SHE SHOT THIS ON AN iPHONE 12 THREE-SECONDING EXPOSURE, JUST STUNNING.

I HAVE TO SAY, I'M JEALOUS.

I'VE SEEN THE AURORA, BUT NOTHING LIKE THAT.

AND, YEAH, IT WAS A NICE SUMMER.

AND LET ME GIVE YOU A QUICK RECAP.

IF ANYBODY ASKS, 13th WARMEST SINCE 1872.

AND IT WAS ABOUT TWO DEGREES WARMER THAN AVERAGE HERE IN THE TWIN CITIES.

WE HAD 17 DAYS ABOVE 90.

WE SPENT 26% MORE THAN AVERAGE TO COOL OUR HOMES AND BUSINESSES, ACCORDING TO WEATHER SERVICE COOLING DEGREE DATA.

AND, YEAH, IT WAS STILL DRY.

NINTH DRIEST METEOROLOGICAL SUMMER ON RECORD FOR THE TWIN CITIES.

WANT TO SHOW YOU THE RAINFALL DEPARTURE.

THIS IS ACTUALLY SINCE THE 1st OF THE YEAR.

EVERYTHING IN GREEN, A SURPLUS.

EVERYTHING IN YELLOW, DRYER THAN AVERAGE.

RUNNING ABOUT A FIVE 1/2 INCH HIGH RAINFALL SURPLUS HERE IN THE TWIN CITIES.

THE DROUGHT IS HANGING ON.

TWIN CITIES METRO, PARTS OF CENTRAL, PARTS OF SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA, EVEN POCKETS OF SEVERE DROUGHT.

PARTS OF HENNEPIN AND SCOTT COUNTY.

SO, YEAH, IT'S TOO DRY, NOT GOING TO BE WHINING UP THE RAIN ANY TIME SOON.

SOMEHOW WE PICKED UP 76 TORNADOES.

>> Cathy: WHAT?

WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN?

>> Eric: WE DID?

>> 76 TORNADOES ACCORDING TO NOAA STORM PREDICTION CENTER.

THAT COMPARES TO 31 IN NEBRASKA.

14 IN OKLAHOMA.

>> Cathy: OH, COME ON.

>> WE ARE NOT TORNADO ALLEY.

WE DO LIVE IN TORNADO CUL-DE-SAC.

WE NORMALLY GET 30, 35.

WE GOT OUBLE THAT NUMBER.

THE HIGHEST, TEXAS, ALABAMA, AND MISSISSIPPI CAME IN NUMBER 1 IN THE NATION, 114 TORNADOES.

ISN'T THAT WEIRD?

>> Eric: IT IS.

>> Cathy: YEAH, 76.

>> KIND OF TROUBLING.

SEPTEMBER, A MAGICAL MONTH OF JACKETS AND SHORTS IN THE SAME CLOSET.

IT'S GOING TO BE A COMFORTABLE WEEKEND.

AND THEN WELL INTO THE 80s.

WE COULD EVEN SEE ANOTHER 90 BEFORE THE FLAKES START TO FLY.

WHICH I DON'T SEE ANY TIME SOON, BY THE WAY.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

>> THIS IS INDICATIVE OF WHAT NOAA'S LONG-RANGE MODELS ARE PREDICTING.

EVERYTHING IN ORANGE AND BROWN, WARMER THAN AVERAGE.

THAT'S OCTOBER, NOVEMBER, DECEMBER, A WARM BIAS INTO LATE AUTUMN AND EVEN EARLY WINTER.

AND THIS IS PART OF A TREND.

ACCORDING TO NOAA, WE'VE WARMED JUST OVER FOUR DEGREES SINCE 1970.

WE'RE SEEING MORE MILDER DAYS DEEPER INTO AUTUMN, 70s INTO OCTOBER, USUALLY OW WE DON'T GET ICE UNTIL MAYBE DECEMBER.

WHEN I GOT HERE IN '80, YOU COULD PLAY POND HOCKEY ON THANKSGIVING, BUT THAT'S KIND OF RARE THESE DAYS.

AND NOAA PREDICTING ANOTHER LA NIÑA WINTER, F IT HAPPENS, A COOL PHASE OF THE PACIFIC, IT WOULD BE THE THIRD IN A ROW, AND THAT WOULD BE ONLY THE THIRD TIME THAT'S HAPPENED SINCE 1950.

NOW, THERE IS A CORRELATION BETWEEN LA NIÑA WINTERS AND CHILLIER WINTERS FOR MINNESOTA.

AND I JUST -- THIS IS PROBABLY DISINFORMATION, MISINFORMATION, BUT JUST IN CASE YOUR UNCLE OR AUNT BRINGS THIS UP, HIBERNATION ZONE, GLACIAL, SNOW-FILLED.

AND MY RETORT IS, ELL, SO JUST A TYPICAL WINTER, RIGHT?

HIBERNATION ZONE.

BUT DON'T PANIC AND DON'T READ TOO MUCH INTO THIS.

FIRST OF ALL, NOAA IS PREDICTING TEMPERATURES COULD GO EITHER WAY, AVERAGE FOR THE UPPER MIDWEST FOR DECEMBER, JANUARY.

>> Cathy: OKAY.

>> AND WARMER FOR MUCH OF THE EAST AND THE SOUTHWEST.

AND JUST A COUPLE OF THOUGHTS ABOUT LONG-RANGE WEATHER FORECASTS.

I'M STICKING TO MY GUNS.

MY OFFICIAL WINTER OUTLOOK IS COLDER WITH SOME SNOW.

WHEN IN DOUBT, OBFUSCATE, IT PAYS TO BE VAGUE.

>> Cathy: THAT IS REALLY QUITE A FORECAST.

>> I'M GOING OUT ON A LIMB.

>> Eric: COLD AND SNOW IN THE WINTER, MAN.

>> YEAH, TAKE IT TO THE BANK.

PIONEER WINTER IS NOT A SURE THING, AND YOU'RE LOOKING AT THREE TO SIX MONTHS, I'M SORRY, IT'S MORE OF A HOROSCOPE THAN SCIENCE.

LOOK AT THE HURRICANE FORECAST.

BACK IN THE SPRING, IT WAS GOING TO BE ANOTHER ABOVE-AVERAGE HURRICANE SEASON.

HASN'T WORKED OUT THAT WAY.

SO JUST BE CAREFUL WHEN IT COMES TO THE WINTER FORECAST.

I'M NOT PANICKING YET.

>> Eric: ALL RIGHT, CARKNAAK, YOU'VE DONE IT AGAIN.

THANK YOU.

>> HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

>> Eric: YOU, TOO.

>> THANKS.

♪♪ >> WATER DOMINATES MY NEWS FEEDS THESE DAYS.

WAY TOO MANY AREAS OF THE WORLD DON'’T HAVE ENOUGH AND OTHERS HAVE WAY TOO MUCH.

BETWEEN THE SOUTHWESTERN U.S. DROUGHT, THE FLOODS IN PAKISTAN, AND THE COMPLETE LACK OF WATER SERVICE IN JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI, WATER IS EVERYWHERE.

IN ALL THE RUMBLINGS, IT SEEMS LIKE SOME FOLKS IN THE MIDWEST ARE FEELING PRETTY SMUG ABOUT WHERE THEY PUT DOWN ROOTS.

WITH TALK OF SIPHONING OFF MIDWESTERN WATER TO SERVE THE SOUTHWEST, PLENTY OF PEOPLE ARE LAYING CLAIM TO THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER LIKE THEY GAVE BIRTH TO IT.

OKAY, MINNESOTA DOES, TECHNICALLY, GIVE BIRTH TO THE MISSISSIPPI, I'’LL GIVE THEM THAT, BUT IT'’S A PRETTY RIDICULOUS THOUGHT TO IMAGINE YOU OWN A MOVING BODY OF WATER.

HERE'’S THE THING, IF WE DON'’T FIGURE THIS WATER BUSINESS OUT AS A NATION/WORLD, PEOPLE WILL GO WHERE THE WATER IS, AND THOSE THAT FELT SOME TYPE OF WAY ABOUT SENDING WATER TO CALIFORNIA WILL HAVE TO CONTEND WITH CALIFORNIANS COMING HERE.

DO WE REALLY WANT TO LISTEN TO TRANSPLANTS COMPLAIN ABOUT HOW COLD THE WINTER IS?

HOW LONG IT LASTS?

HOW ABSOLUTELY MISERABLE FEBRUARY AND MARCH ARE?

I THINK NOT.

ONLY MINNESOTANS GET TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE WINTER.

WHEN WE COMPLAIN, WE'’VE EARNED IT.

ANYONE ELSE COMPLAINS, THEY'’RE JUST SOFT.

THEN AGAIN, MAYBE MINNESOTA WILL EVENTUALLY HAVE A CALIFORNIA-LIKE CLIMATE AND WE'’LL BE LOOKING NORTH.

HI, ONTARIO!

SEE YOU SOON?

♪♪ >> JEARLYN: CHARLIE MAGUIRE IS A FOLKSINGER IN THE TRADITION OF WOODY GUTHRIE, WHO HAPPENS TO BE ONE OF HIS HEROES.

MAGUIRE USED TO PERFORM WHILE WEARING A U.S. PARK SERVICE RANGER OUTFIT.

THE PARK SERVICE ACTUALLY HIRED HIM TO WEAR THE UNIFORM AND CALLED HIM A "SINGER RANGER."

HE'S PROUD TO PROCLAIM HE'S THE ONLY PARK SERVICE EMPLOYEE EVER TO HAVE THAT JOB TITLE.

MAGUIRE IS CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF WRITING SONGS WITH A CONCERT ON SATURDAY, THE 17TH, AT THE GINKO COFFEEHOUSE IN ST. PAUL.

WE'RE GLAD TO HAVE HIM GIVE US A PREVIEW.

HEY, HOW YOU DOIN'?

>> HELLO, JEARLYN, GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> Jearlyn: IT'S GREAT TO SEE YOU AS WELL.

OKAY, FIRST OF ALL, SINGING RANGER.

RIGHT.

AND THAT MUST HAVE BEEN FUN, RIGHT?

>> YEAH, WROTE 23 SONGS ABOUT OUR MISSISSIPPI RIVER.

>> Jearlyn: 23 SONGS.

>> YOUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK.

>> Jearlyn: OH, MY GOODNESS.

HOW PROUD AM I?

>> YEAH.

>> Jearlyn: SO 50 YEARS OF WRITING SONGS.

>> RIGHT.

>> Jearlyn: WHERE DID YOU GET YOUR IDEAS?

>> IT WAS THE RIVER, YOU JUST LISTEN TO IT.

>> Jearlyn: YOU JUST LISTEN TO IT.

WHAT DO YOU HEAR?

>> YOU HEARD STORIES OF THE -- OF ORDINARY PEOPLE DOING EXTRAORDINARY THINGS.

>> Jearlyn: WOW.

I LOVE THAT.

CAN I GET THAT ON A T-SHIRT?

>> YEAH.

SOUNDS GOOD.

>> Jearlyn: OKAY, THERE YOU GO.

ALL RIGHT.

SO YOU GOT THIS BIG GIG COMING UP AT GINKGO.

>> YUP.

>> Jearlyn: IN St. PAUL.

>> YES.

>> Jearlyn: AM I SAYING IT CORRECTLY, BEGIN CO. YEAH, COFFEE HOUSE.

>> IT'S RIGHT ACROSS FROM HAMLINE UNIVERSITY.

>> Jearlyn: IT'S BEEN THERE FOY AUNDERSTANDING ALTHOUGH TIME, LIKE YOU HAVE AND I HAVE.

HERE YOU ARE, YOU'RE GOING TO DO THE SHOW, YOU HAVE 50 YEARS OF WRITING, HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHAT SONGS YOU'RE GOING TO DO?

>> I'VE BEEN WORKING ON IT FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS, THEN THERE'S THE NEW SONGS TOO.

>> Jearlyn: NEW SONGS AS WELL.

PEOPLE WANT TO HEAR ALL ABOUT IT.

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT WHAT'S COMING UP NEXT SATURDAY, A WEEK FROM TOMORROW.

>> WELL, NEXT SATURDAY WE'RE GOING TO BE COVERING THE RIVER, WE'RE GOING TO BE COVERING ITASCA STATE PARK, GOING TO BE COVERING ALL KINDS OF STORIES FROM MINNESOTA SAILOR, MINERS, FARMERS, AND SOME THINGS OUTSIDE OF THE STATE AS WELL.

>> Jearlyn: YOU AND I HAVE NEVER DONE A DUET TOGETHER.

>> NO.

>> Jearlyn: HY IS THAT?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

>> Jearlyn: WE NEED TO CHANGE THAT, CHAR I L. WE'RE GETTING OLDER.

>> I KNOW.

WE JUST KEEP MEETING LIKE THIS.

>> Jearlyn: YOU OUGHT TO WRITE A SONG ABOUT US.

WRITE A SONG ABOUT US.

>> I CAN DO THAT.

>> Jearlyn: THAT SHOULD HAPPEN ANY DAY NOW.

>> I'LL GO BACK O THE GREEN ROOM IN JUST A SECOND.

>> Jearlyn: OH, MY GOODNESS, THAT'S SO PERFECT.

ISN'T IT PERFECT?

IT'S ALWAYS AN HONOR HAVING YOU HEAR.

WHAT'S THE FIRST SONG THAT YOU'RE DOING?

>> WE'RE GOING TO DO A SONG ABOUT MARIA, SHE'S FROM UKRAINE.

AND THERE'S A PICTURE OF HER RIGHT NOW COMING UP.

THAT PICTURE WAS TAKEN BY "THE WASHINGTON POST" IN MAY OF 2022, AND SHE'S GOT A SONG NOW, BUT WE DON'T KNOW IF SHE'S STILL ALIVE.

>> Jearlyn: MY GOODNESS.

>> BUT SHE'S GOT THE SONG AND IT'S -- SHE TYPIFIES THE SPIRIT OF THE NATION.

EVERY MORNING SHE GETS UP WITH HER NEIGHBORS AND CLEANS UP WHAT HAS BLOWN UP OVERNIGHT.

>> Jearlyn: LET'S HEAR IT RIGHT NOW THEN.

>> AND WE'LL GET RIGHT TO IT.

>> Jearlyn: ALL RIGHT, CHARLIE, NICE TO SEE YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

♪♪ ♪ WHEN THE NIGHT FALLS IN HOCKEY, AND THE ROCKETS COME ♪ ♪ HOLES THE SIZE OF SWIMMING POOLS ARE GREETED BY THE SUN ♪ ♪ MARINA GETS UP FROM UNDERGROUND, SHE'S NOT THE ONLY ONE ♪ ♪ ITH HER WEAPON IN HER HAND, HER SHOVEL BETTER THAN A GUN ♪ ♪ SHE CLEANS IT UP ♪ ♪ SHE FILLS IT IN ♪ ♪ SHE SMOOTHS IT OVER ♪ ♪ AGAIN AND AGAIN ♪ ♪ OH, WHEN YOU LOOK AT HAT'S BEEN DONE ♪ ♪ MARINA'S SHOVEL BETTER THAN A GUN ♪ ♪ SHE MAKES HER WAY UP THE SIDEWALK ♪ ♪ WORKS HER WAY DOWN THE STREET ♪ ♪ STEEL AND GLASS, HELL ON EARTH, SCOOPED UP PIECE BY PIECE ♪ ♪ UNCOVERING THE WORLD SHE KNEW, UNDERNEATH THIS ONE ♪ ♪ HOLDIN' TIGHT TO THE HANDLE, HER SHOVEL BETTER THAN A GUN ♪ ♪ SHE CLEANS IT UP ♪ ♪ SHE FILLS IT IN ♪ ♪ SHE SMOOTHS IT OVER ♪ ♪ AGAIN AND AGAIN ♪ ♪ OH, WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT'S BEEN DONE ♪ ♪ MARINA'S SHOVEL, BETTER THAN A GUN ♪ ♪ BETTER THAN A GUN ♪ ♪ BETTER THAN A GUN ♪ ♪ BETTER THAN A GUN NOW ♪ ♪ MARINA'S SHOVEL, BETTER THAN A GUN ♪ ♪ BEHIND HER, THE STREET IS JOY ♪ ♪ FLOWERS ARE IN LOOM ♪ ♪ EVERYTHING'S ON SALE, CAFÉS ARE FILLED BY NOON ♪ ♪ LOVERS MAKE THEIR PLANS, FRIENDS THEY MAKE THEIR FUN ♪ ♪ MARINA MAKES A MIRACLE, SHER SHOVEL, BETTER THAN A GUN ♪ ♪ SHE CLEANS IT UP ♪ ♪ SHE FILLS IT IN ♪ ♪ SHE SMOOTHS IT OVER ♪ ♪ AGAIN AND AGAIN ♪ ♪ OH, WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT'S BEEN DONE, MARINA'S SHOVEL, BETTER THAN A GUN ♪ ♪ MARINA'S SHOVEL, BETTER THAN A GUN ♪ [ Applause ] ♪♪ >> CATHY: HOWARD MOHR WAS SKILLED AT MANY THINGS.

HE WAS A WRITER AND A PERFORMER AND A TEACHER.

LONG A MEMBER OF THE TALENTED TEAM IN THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT AT SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY, MOHR IS ALSO REMEMBERED FOR HIS WRITING ON THE EARLY DAYS OF A "PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION" RADIO SHOW.

HE IS BEST KNOWN PERHAPS AS THE AUTHOR OF THE COMEDIC BESTSELLER "HOW TO TALK MINNESOTAN."

HOWARD MOHR DIED THIS WEEK IN WESTERN MINNESOTA AT AGE 83.

THIRTY YEARS AGO HOWARD MOHR WORKED WITH TWIN CITIES PBS TO CREATE A VIDEO VERSION OF "HOW TO TALK MINNESOTAN."

MOHR HIMSELF SERVED AS THE SHOW HOST.

THE SPECIAL HAS REMAINED POPULAR ONLINE AND ON SOCIAL MEDIA EVER SINCE.

HERE'S AN EXCERPT FROM THAT FILM THAT MAKES THE "ALMANAC" TEAM LAUGH EVERY TIME WE SEE IT.

♪♪ >> ABRUPT AND EAGER ACCEPTANCE OF ANY OFFER IS A COMMON MISTAKE MADE BY MINNESOTA'S VISITORS.

IF A MINNESOTAN SAYS, WHAT THIS FRIENDLY HOSTESS SAYS -- >> CAN I GET YOU A CUP OF COFFEE?

>> YOU SHOULD NOT SAY WHAT THIS GUY IS ABOUT TO SAY.

>> THAT WOULD BE GREAT, CREAM AND SUGAR, GIVE ME ONE OF THOSE COOKIES.

>> OBVIOUSLY HE'S FROM OUT OF STATE.

A MINNESOTAN NEVER ACCEPTS FOOD UNTIL THE THIRD OFFER AND THEN RELUCTANTLY AND IF IT'S NOT OFFERED THREE TIMES, IT'S NOT SERIOUS.

BESIDES THAT, THOSE AREN'T COOKIES ON THE TRAY, THEY'RE BARS.

AS YOU CAN TELL BY THE RECTANGULAR SHAPE AND THE SOFT RICE KRISPIE CENTER.

>> WANT A CUP OF COFFEE BEFORE YOU GO?

>> NO, I DON'T WANT TO PUT YOU OUT, MARGARET.

>> NO PROBLEM, I JUST MADE A FRESH POT.

>> YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO GO AND DO THAT.

>> OH, HOW ABOUT A CUP?

>> HALF A CUP WOULD BE JUST FINE, REALLY.

>> HOW ABOUT A BAR WITH THAT?

>> NO, I REALLY SHOULDN'T, I GAINED ABOUT SIX POUNDS IN THE LAST TWO DAYS AS IT IS.

>> OH, I HAVE THESE DOUBLE KRISPY CRUNCHY FOG HORN BARS.

>> I REALLY CAN'T TAKE THAT THING.

>> IT'S GOT YOUR NAME ON IT.

>> WHATEVER.

>> HOW ABOUT CREAM FOR YOUR COFFEE?

>> NO, I CAN DRINK IT BLACK.

>> I'VE GOT SOME CREAM.

>> I EXPECT YOU DO, BUT JUST STAY PUT, I DON'T NEED ANY CREAM.

>> IT'S RIGHT OUT HERE IN THE REFRIGERATOR.

>> I WISH YOU HADN'T MADE THAT SPECIAL TRIP OUT THERE, MARGARET.

>> SUGAR?

>> YOU CAN SEE THIS MIGHT GO ON ALL NIGHT AND I EXPECT IT TO.

NO, I DON'T NEED ANY SUGAR.

IT'S ACTUALLY NOT GOOD FOR ME.

ONE FINAL NOTE, IN SOME NONFOOD SITUATIONS, MINNESOTAN OFFERS AND RUFFLES CAN BE SPEEDED UP.

REFUSALS CAN BE SPEEDED UP.

USE YOUR BEST JUDGMENT.

♪♪ ♪ SWEET CONFUSION ♪ >> ERIC: SOME OF THE BIGGEST HEADLINES OF THE WEEK CAME FROM POLLS RELEASED BY KSTP-TV WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE RESPECTED SURVEY USA POLLING ORGANIZATION.

ONE POLL SHOWED GOVERNOR WALZ LEADING BY DOUBLE DIGITS -- 18 POINTS -- OVER REPUBLICAN CHALLENGER SCOTT JENSEN.

MEANWHILE, REPUBLICANS RUNNING FOR OTHER STATEWIDE OFFICES -- ATTORNEY GENERAL, SECRETARY OF STATE AND AUDITOR -- WERE SHOWN TO BE RUNNING NECK AND NECK WITH DFL INCUMBENTS.

POLLING IS ONE TOPIC FOR OUR POLITICAL ANALYST DUO TONIGHT.

AMY KOCH IS A FORMER STATE SENATE LEADER AND LONGTIME REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST.

JOINING HER IS ANOTHER FORMER STATE SENATE LEADER, DFLER JEFF HAYDEN WHO NOW WORKS AS A LOBBYIST.

SENATOR KOCH, MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF SPENDING ON NEGATIVE ADS AND THE ABORTION ISSUE.

THAT'S WHAT'S DERAILING THE JENSEN/BIRK TICKET?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S ONE OF THE ISSUES.

AND IT'S NOT EVEN SO MUCH THE ISSUE -- IT IS THE ISSUE BUT NOT ENTIRELY.

IT'S HOW THEY'RE DEALING WITH THE ISSUES.

AND THEIR MESSAGING AND THE DISCIPLINE FROM THE CAMPAIGN.

IT'S HAVING ITS IMPACT, WHETHER IT IS ON MASKS AND -- [ Indiscernible ] OR ABOUT THE ABORTION ISSUE, INSTEAD OF KEEPING THE MESSAGE ON INFLATION, PUBLIC SAFETY, ALL OF THE THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT, FRANKLY, MESSAGES THAT ARE WINNING, THEY'RE GETTING DERAILED.

AND IT'S LARGELY SELF-INFLICTED WOUNDS, TO BE HONEST.

>> Eric: WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE POLL?

>> YEAH, I AGREE WITH AMY.

I THINK THAT, I MEAN, THE POLL, I'M SURE THAT THAT'S GOING TO SHRINK, THAT'S A BIG NUMBER, AND THE GOVERNOR'S GOING TO RUN LIKE HE'S BEHIND, EVEN THOUGH IT'S SHOWING THAT HE'S WAY AHEAD.

BUT I THINK THAT AMY IS RIGHT THAT THE MESSAGE DISCIPLINE REALLY IS AN ISSUE.

AND SENATOR JENSEN, AND I SERVED WITH HIM, HE KIND OF SAYS WHAT HE MEANS AND MEANS WHAT HE SAYS, IF I SAID THAT RIGHT, AND HE'S KIND OF DOING THAT ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL AND THEN HAVING TO RETORT AND GO BACK AND MATT BIRK IS A NOVICE IN TERMS OF POLITICS, HE MIGHT BE BE REALLY GOOD AS A BUSINESSPERSON, HE WAS A HECK OF A FOOTBALL PLAYER, BUT POLITICS AND BEING A POLITICIAN IS MUCH DIFFERENT THAN THE WORK HE DID BEFORE.

>> Cathy: SAY, I'M WONDERING THEN, BECAUSE OF THIS SITUATION, DO YOU SUPPOSE, ESPECIALLY SUBURBAN WOMEN, MIGHT VOTE FOR WALZ BUT THEN LOOK AT THE OTHER DOWN-BALLOT RACES AND GO REPUBLICAN?

>> RIGHT.

SO, YOU KNOW, I THINK WE SAW THE FIRST POLL CAME OUT WITH JUST THE GOVERNOR'S RACE, ND REPUBLICANS SAID, DUH.

BUT THE OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICES WERE NECK IN NECK, I MEAN, FIVE POINTS OR SOMETHING ON THE ATTORNEY ATTORNEY GENERAL'S, A POINT ON THE STATE AUDITOR, WHICH IS A LOOKING GOOD.

BEFORE THE DEMOCRATS GET TOO EXCITED IN 2020, TRUMP GOT THE UNDERVOTE -- WAS UNDER IN A LOT OF DISTRICTS.

SO REPUBLICAN STATE SENATORS AND REPUBLICAN STATE HOUSE MEMBERS, VERY MUCH OVERPERFORMED TRUMP.

SO MINNESOTA IS A SPLIT TICKET STATE AND THEY DID THAT IN 2020 AND I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO IT IN 2022.

>> Cathy: WHAT DO YOU THINK, SENATOR SOME -- SENATOR?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK THERE IS SOME LOGIC TO THAT.

I THINK WHAT YOU'RE SEEING IN OF OTHER BALLOTS S WHAT WE'D SEE IN THE GOVERNOR'S.

SCOTT'S KIND OF INABILITY TO GET HIS MESSAGE, BE CLEAR AND HOPEFULLY FOR THE REPUBLICANS HE GETS A LITTLE BETTER AT THAT, AND THEN I THINK IT WILL BE A DOG FIGHT.

I MEAN, DEMOCRATS KNEW THAT THEY WERE KIND OF RUNNING P HILL AND HOW TO WIN THAT THEY FACED IN THE MIDTERM AND I THINK THAT THAT'S REFLECTED.

SO I WASN'T SO SURPRISED TO SEE THOSE POLLING NUMBERS IN THE OTHER BALLOTS.

AND AMY IS RIGHT, WHEN YOU GET TO THE HOUSE AND SENATE RACES, IT'S GOING TO BE A DOG FIGHT.

I DO THINK, THOUGH, THAT ROE, IN PARTICULAR, REALLY HAS LEGS, HAS WHEELS, AND I THINK THAT SUBURBAN WOMEN, IN PARTICULAR, AND THE PEOPLE THAT SUPPORT SUBURBAN WOMEN ARE REALLY THINKING ABOUT THIS ISSUE.

>> Eric: HOW DOES THIS POLL, IF IT DOES AT ALL, AFFECT THE STRATEGY FOR STATE HOUSE AND STATE SENATE RACES?

>> I THINK IT REALLY DOESN'T.

THERE HASN'T BEEN A LOT OF COORDINATION ANYWAY WITH THE DIFFERENT CAMPAIGNS.

I THINK IT DOES SHIFT FUND-RAISING, RIGHT?

I MEAN, IT'S JUST GOING TO BE HARD FOR BIGGER DONORS OR OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS, I THINK, TO LOOK AT AN 18-POINT RACE AND FEEL LIKE THEY CAN PLAY IN THE GOVERNOR'S RACE, WHICH MIGHT MEAN THOSE FUNDS THEN SHIFT TO THE HOUSE AND SENATE, WHICH IS GOOD NEWS FOR THOSE CAUCUSES.

>> Cathy: AND HOW DOES THE POLL REFLECT THEN ON THE DEBATES?

I MEAN, BECAUSE THERE HAVEN'T BEEN MANY SCHEDULED AT THIS POINT.

IS THERE A CALCULUS IN CAMPAIGNS WHEN IT COMES TO DEBATES, WHERE AND WHEN?

YOU'VE BEEN IN THIS.

>> FOR SURE THERE IS, FOR SURE THERE IS.

THE INCUMBENT, GOVERNOR WALZ WANTS LESS.

AS THE CHALLENGER JENSEN DID WANT MORE.

NOW IT'S GOING TO COME DOWN TO A COUPLE DEBATES IN OCTOBER, I GUESS.

AND IT'S JUST GOING TO BE -- YOU KNOW, DEPENDING ON WHERE THINGS ARE T, IT'S REALLY JUST TOO LATE.

EVEN KNOW, WE'RE WHAT, 58 DAYS OUT FROM THE ELECTION, IT'S NOT -- WE ACCEPT THE SAYING -- KEPT SAYING, THERE'S A LONG TIME LEFT.

IT'S REALLY OT.

WE'RE IN THE HEAT OF IT RIGHT NOW.

THINGS NEED TO CHANGE UP FAST OR THOSE DEBATES WON'T MATTER.

>> ESPECIALLY WITH THE FUND-RAISING GAP.

GOVERNOR WALZ HAS THE ABILITY TO GET IN FRONT OF PEOPLE A LOT MODERN THE FORMER ENATOR JENSEN.

HE NEEDS DEBATES, HE NEEDS THIS PLATFORM THAT WE'RE ON TODAY TO GET TO MORE PEOPLE.

AND GOVERNOR WALZ HAS THAT ABILITY BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF MONEY.

>> HE NEEDS QUALITY DEBATES, THAT'S WHAT HE NEEDS, I NEEDS A GOOD DEBATE.

I THOUGHT FARM FEST WENT VERY WELL FOR Dr. JENSEN.

>> NOBODY SAW T. >> RIGHT, NOBODY SAW IT.

IT WAS TOO EARLY AND IT WAS JUST AT FARM FEST.

SO HE NEEDS SOME GOOD DEBATES.

>> Cathy: IS THE PUBLIC SERVED, THOUGH, BY NOT HAVING THESE DEBATES?

>> YEAH, WELL, I MEAN, I GUESS THE PUBLIC WANTS TO HEAR THEM.

BUT I IMAGINE THAT THE PUBLIC HAS LISTENED TO, THEY'VE SEEN THE GOVERNOR, FOR SURE.

MAYBE THEY NEED TO GET INTRODUCED TO SCOTT JENSEN A LOT MORE.

BUT THE GOVERNOR'S A GUY WHO'S ON TV AN AWFUL LOT AND THEY'VE -- THEY'VE BEEN ABLE TO -- [ Indiscernible ] >> Eric: SEPTEMBER 24th I BELIEVE STARTS EARLY VOTING.

IN A MIDTERM, NONPRESIDENTIAL YEAR, DOES THAT THROW ANY DIFFERENT CURVES IN THE STRATEGY?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT -- I THINK IT JUST CLOSES THAT WINDOW MORE, RIGHT?

BECAUSE, AGAIN, WE'VE SAID THERE'S 50 SOME DAYS, RIGHT?

EARLY VOTING EVEN CLOSE ITSELF MORE BECAUSE THERE'S GOING TO BE BALLOTS -- MINNESOTANS HAVE BECOME PRETTY COMFORTABLE WITH EARLY VOTING.

I THINK BOTH PARTIES HAVE GOTTEN VERY USED TO KNOWING THAT DATE IS THE START DATE AND HAVE ALREADY KIND OF RECONFIGURED THEIR STRATEGIES AROUND THAT AND OUTREACH AND GETTING FOLKS TO THE EARLY BALLOTING.

BUT I JUST THINK IT MAKES IT ALL THE HARDER FOR THE CAMPAIGN WITH 18 POINTS RIGHT NOW TO COME BACK.

IT JUST MAKES IT ALL THE MUCH TOUGHER.

>> YEAH, I MEAN, I THINK THAT IT CERTAINLY CHANGE SCOTT JENSEN'S STRATEGY IN TERMS OF HOW HE'S GOING TO GET OUT.

I WILL SAY THIS, I THINK AMY WOULD AGREE, THE WAY THAT THE DEMOCRATS ORGANIZE IN MINNESOTA IS MUCH DIFFERENT THAN THE REPUBLICANS.

THE DFL CENTRAL, LIKE THE DFL PARTY, IS THE CENTRAL, IT IS THE MECHANISM THAT GETS THE VOTES OUT.

THE COORDINATED CAMPAIGN, THE GOVERNOR, AND MOST OF THE CANDIDATES, NOT ALL, BUT MOST OF THE CANDIDATES WORK THROUGH THE DFL PARTY.

IT'S A LOT -- IT'S A LITTLE MORE DECENTRALIZED IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

>> Eric: AND THE DEMOCRATS HAVE 25, 26, 27 UNIONS THAT CONTRIBUTE.

>> RIGHT.

AND BY THE WAY, WE'RE GETTING -- YOU KNOW, WE'VE GOT QUITE A FEW OF THOSE UNIONS NOW, TOO.

THERE'S BEEN SOME SHIFT THERE.

BUT OUR CAUCUSES ARE THE STRENGTH FOR OUR VOTING, RIGHT?

WE GO VERY GRASSROOTS, VERY MUCH ABOUT EACH SENATE DISTRICT, EACH HOUSE DISTRICT.

AND THEN THAT, LIKE, PAYS UP.

RIGHT?

AND THEN ADDITIONALLY, WE HAVE TOM EMMER, WHO IS LOOKING AT THAT C.D.

2 RACE, AND HE'S IN CHARGE OF ALL THE MONEY ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL.

AND, SO, THAT'S GOING TO BE A WHOLE -- ALL THOSE STATE AND HOUSE AND STATE SENATE SEATS AND C.D.

2 IS GOING TO BE VERY INTERESTING TO WATCH.

>> Cathy: BEFORE WE GO, I HAVE TO ASK YOU THIS, DFL HOUSE MEMBER RUTH RICHARDSON, WHO'S RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION, IS NOW THE NEW HEAD OF PLANNED PARENTHOOD IN THE REGION, SHE SAYS SHE'S NOT GOING TO STEP DOWN, SHE'S GOING TO RUN FOR RE-ELECTION.

IS THAT A CONFLICT OF INTEREST?

>> YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK SO.

IT'S A CITIZEN LEGISLATURE.

AND PEOPLE ARE -- I WON'T SAY EXPECTED TO WORK, BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE WORK.

REPRESENTATIVE RICHARDSON RAN A TREATMENT CENTER MOST OF THE TIME THAT SHE'S BEEN IN THE LEGISLATURE.

SO I THINK THAT SHE'S REALLY SMART, CAPABLE.

AS LONG AS THEY BIFURCATE THEIR LOBBYING FROM THE DAY-TO-DAY ACTIVISM AT PLANNED PARENTHOOD, I THINK SHE'LL BE OKAY.

>> SHE'S THE HEAD OF ALL OF IT, RIGHT?

ALL OF THE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS ARE UNDER HER.

THE P.A.C., WHAT IS IT, A MILLION-DOLLAR PAC OR MORE, IS UNDER HER DIRECTION.

AND SHE CAN SEPARATE FROM THE LOBBYING, AYBE THERE'S NOT LEGALLY A CONFLICT OF INTEREST, BUT I THINK YOU ALSO HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT PERCEPTION.

AND HOW THINGS CAN BE PERCEIVED.

>> HAD A JOB, IT WAS LITTLE, KIND OF WAS ON THE LINE AS WELL.

FORMER SPEAKER DAUDT.

MINORITY LEADER DAUDT.

SO I THINK THAT -- YEAH, I THINK PEOPLE SHOULD WATCH IT VERY CLOSELY BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S UNPRECEDENTED.

>> Eric: YOU TWO FORMER LAWMAKERS HAVE ANY WAY TO FIND A HALF A BILLION DOLLARS FOR SOUTHWEST LIGHT RAIL?

>> NO.

>> I DON'T.

>> NO.

[ Laughter ] >> Eric: WHAT IS GOING ON THERE?

>> SO MANY PROBLEMS.

HOW THE TRACK RUNS, THE COST OVERRUNS.

I DON'T KNOW, IT'S HARD TO FIND SOMEONE WHO SUPPORTS IT AT ALL.

I DON'T KNOW.

RAISE YOUR HAND.

>> I'VE TALKED TO SENATOR DIBBLE, FRANK HORNSTEIN, THEY'RE VERY GOOD RIEND OF MINE, THEY'RE VERY EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT IT, SCOTT AND FRANK ARE CONCERNED, SO IS EVERYBODY ELSE.

>> Eric: THE LEGISLATURE, BY LAW, IS NOT ALLOWED TO KICK IN MORE MONEY, IF I REMEMBER THE LAW RIGHT.

>> CHARLIE ZELLE SAID HE'S GOING TO FIND THE MONEY BY THE END OF THE MONTH.

I'LL BE ANXIOUSLY WAITING ON.

THAT.

>> Cathy: IT'S ONLY 60% DONE, I GUESS, I DON'T KNOW, WE'LL SEE.

>> Eric: ONWARD AND UPWARD, THANKS, GUYS.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU BOTH.

THANK YOU.

>> ERIC: LET'S DUST OFF A MINNESOTA HISTORY QUESTION FOR YOU.

LISTEN UP AND YOU'LL HAVE A CHANCE TO CALL IN AND LOOK SMART.

HERE ARE THE FACTS.

THIS WEEK'’S QUESTION CONCERNS A NOTED MINNESOTAN WHO IN 1940 WAS HONORED AS AMERICA'’S MOTHER OF THE YEAR.

THE HONOR WAS BESTOWED IN NEW YORK CITY BY THE MOTHER OF PRESIDENT FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT, AND THE MINNESOTAN GAVE A SPEECH ON NATION-WIDE RADIO.

IN HER SPEECH THIS MINNESOTA MOTHER MADE A PLEA FOR ALL MOTHERS TO COOPERATE IN ORDER TO FIND A WAY TO PROTECT THEIR CHILDREN BY "“MAKING THE WORLD ONE BROTHERHOOD.

"” PROGRESSIVE WORDS ON THE EVE OF AMERICA'’S ENTRY INTO WORLD WAR II.

WE WANT YOU TO NAME THE MINNESOTAN WHO SAID THESE WORDS.

WHAT MINNESOTAN WAS HONORED AS AMERICA'’S MOTHER OF THE YEAR IN 1940?

THINK YOU GOT THIS ONE?

THEN WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU WHETHER YOU ARE CALLING IN FROM NEAR MONEY CREEK, CASH LAKE, JACKPOT CREEK OR DOLLAR LAKE.

ALL BODIES OF WATER IN OUR LAND OF MORE THAN TEN THOUSAND LAKES.

651-229-1430.

AND A REMINDER THAT YOU CAN ALSO WRITE IN COMMENTS BY EMAIL.

ALMANAC@TPT.ORG IS OUR ADDRESS.

BEFORE WE GO, A REMINDER TO CHECK YOUR LOCAL LISTINGS FOR SPECIAL PBS COVERAGE OF THE DEATH AND FUNERAL OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.

AS WE GO ON THE AIR ON FRIDAY NIGHT, THE FUNERAL PLANS ARE STILL IN FLUX.

FOR SHOW-CLOSING MUSIC, LET'S LISTEN TO ANOTHER TUNE BY CHARLIE MAGUIRE.

YOU CAN CATCH CHARLIE ON SATURDAY NIGHT, SEPTEMBER 17TH, AT THE GINKO COFFEEHOUSE IN ST. PAUL.

GO TO HIS WEBSITE TO FIND OUT MORE.

WE GO OUT TONIGHT WITH CHARLIE SINGING ABOUT THE IRON RANGE.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

AND BE CAREFUL.

♪ HERE'S A LITTLE SONG ABOUT A GOOD OLD TRAIN, THE DULUTH, MESABI AND THE IRON RANGE ♪ ♪ WHAT'S SO SPECIAL ABOUT THAT SET OF WHEELS, THEY CARRY ORE TO MAKE THAT STEEL ♪ ♪ THE MINER, THEY DIG IT OUT OF THE GROUND ♪ ♪ DM & I CARRY IT DOWN ♪ ♪ THEY LOAD IT ON A LAKER GOING SOUTHWARD BOUND, THAT'S THE AY THEY MAKE A LIVIN' IN A NORTHERN TOWN ♪ [ INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC ♪ ♪ ROLLIN' OFF THE RANGE, GOIN' DOWN THE TRACK, GONNA DUMP THAT LOAD, GONNA HURRY ON BACK ♪ AROUND THE TRESTLE NOW, TO THE SHORE, FILL UP THOSE BOATS, COME BACK FOR MORE ♪ ♪ WELL, THE MINER, THEY DIG IT OUT OF THE GROUND ♪ ♪ DM & I, CARRY IT DOWN ♪ ♪ THEY LOAD IT ON A LAKER GOING SOUTHWARD BOUND, THAT'S THE WAY THEY MAKE A LIVIN' IN A NORTHERN TOWN ♪ >> "ALMANAC" IS A PRODUCTION Captioned by: Paradigm Reporting & Captioning www.paradigmreporting.com ♪ WHAT COLOR ARE THE ENGINES SO FINE, SAME COLOR AS THE IRON ORE IN THE MINE ♪ ♪ HOW MANY GONDOLAS CAN THERE BE, AROUND THE CURVE AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE ♪ ♪ WELL, THE MINER, THEY IG IT OUT OF THE GROUND, DM & I, CARRY IT DOWN ♪ >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY: GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 28 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

DELTA DENTAL OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION: IMPROVING ORAL HEALTH WHILE ADVANCING SOCIAL EQUITIES.

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

THE SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY: A TRIBAL NATION FOCUSED ON COMMUNITY AND COLLABORATION, ESPECIALLY IN TIMES LIKE TODAY.

AND EDUCATION MINNESOTA: THE VOICE FOR PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

"ONE GREATER MINNESOTA" REPORTING ON "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: THE OTTO BREMER TRUST, WHOSE MISSION IS INVESTING IN PEOPLE, PLACES, AND OPPORTUNITIES IN OUR REGION.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT IS PROVIDED BY: THE BLANDIN FOUNDATION, WORKING TO STRENGTHEN RURAL MINNESOTA.

"ALMANAC" IS A PRODUCTION OF TWIN CITIES PBS FOR THE STATIONS OF MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION.