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

>> ERIC: COMING UP IN THE NEXT HOUR, WE'LL TALK TIMBERWOLVES WITH LARRY FITZGERALD.

ATTORNEY GENERAL KEITH ELLISON IS HERE.

MARK DEPAOLIS PONDERS THE GAME OF LIFE.

AND MARY LAHAMMER HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THE INTRIGUE IN THE STATE SENATE.

>> Mary: PRESSURE ON SENATOR MITCHELL TO RESIGN RATCHED UP ALL WEEK LONG AS THE SENATOR RETURNED TO THE CAPITOL, FOLLOWING HER ARREST.

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 27 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

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DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

AND PAINT CARE, HELPING MINNESOTANS RECYCLE LEFTOVER PAINT.

MORE AT PAINTCARE.ORG.

>> ERIC: WE'VE GOT A FULL SHOW FOR YOU TONIGHT.

WE'LL TALK LOCAL AND NATIONAL POLITICS.

LARRY FITZGERALD IS HERE TO CHAT TIMBERWOLVES PLAYOFFS AND TWINS WINNING STREAKS.

AND MARK DEPAOLIS HAS AN ESSAY FOR US ABOUT THE GAME OF LIFE.

MARY LAHAMMER HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THE POLITICS OF THE WEEK, AND SHE'S HERE WITH US TONIGHT.

CATHY HAS THE NIGHT OFF.

MARY?

>> MARY: THANKS, ERIC.

WE START WITH NATIONAL POLITICS.

THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE IS HEATING UP, AND THIS WEEK'S BIGGEST ISSUES FOR CURRENT PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN AND FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP ARE IN A COURTROOM AND ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES.

TRUMP'S HUSH MONEY TRIAL IN NEW YORK CONTINUES TO CAPTURE THE HEADLINES.

AND SO DO THE PROTESTS AT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY AS THE WAR BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS DIVIDES DEMOCRATS.

PROFESSOR KATHRYN PEARSON TEACHES POLITICAL SCIENCE STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, WHERE A PROTEST ENCAMPMENT WAS JUST VACATED AND THAT'S WHERE WE WANT TO STAY.

DID THE OF U OF M KIND OF FIGURE THIS OUT?

>> IT REMAINS UNCLEAR BECAUSE OF COURSE THE STUDENTS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO EFORE THE BOARD OF REGENTS NEXT WEEK.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, THERE MAY BE YET THAT OTHER EVENTS THAT UNFOLD.

BUT I THINK THAT IT REALLY IS A MODEL THUS FAR FOR OTHER COLLEGE CAMPUSES TO LOOK TO.

>> Eric: POLITICAL FALLOUT FROM THE NATIONWIDE, SEEN MANY, MANY UNIVERSITIES PROTESTING AGAINST THE PRESIDENT BIDEN, REALLY.

>> RIGHT, WELL, AND WE'RE GOING TO HEAR MORE ABOUT IT FROM HOUSE REPUBLICANS.

SO HOUSE REPUBLICANS REALLY ARE SEIZING ON THIS ISSUE.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE HEARINGS.

THE PRESIDENTS OF YALE, MICHIGAN, UCLA, ARE COMING BEFORE THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS, AND SO I THINK REPUBLICANS WANT TO KEEP TALKING ABOUT THIS BECAUSE AGAIN IT'S AN ISSUE THAT DOES DIVIDE DEMOCRATS.

AND WITH YOUNGER VOTERS, IT'S MAKING PRESIDENT BIDEN UNPOPULAR.

THAT SAID, POLLING SUGGEST EAGS THE TOP SISH CITY THE ECONOMY.

SO EVEN THOUGH YOUNGER DEMOCRATS DON'T SUPPORT THE WAY PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS HANDLED THIS.

>> Mary: BUT DOES HE AND OTHER DEMOCRATS HAVE TO FIGURE OUT THAT BEFORE THE JEN ELECTION, MAYBE NOT VOTING THE OTHER WAY BUT MAYBE THEY'RE NOT VOTING.

>> CERTAINLY, MEAN, EVEN BEFORE THESE PROTESTS.

THAT HAS BEEN A CONCERN FOR DEMOCRATS, SORT OF THE APATHY FOR YOUNGER VOTERS.

NOT THAT THEY WOULD NECESSARILY GO OUT AND VOTE FOR FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP BUT THAT THEY WOULD JUST STAY HOME.

PART OF THE THAT IS THE PRESIDENT'S AGE.

PART OF THAT IS HIS POLITICS.

FOREIGN POLICY.

BUT THEY'RE ALSO GOING TO BE MANY MOBILIZATION EFFORTS BETWEEN NOW AND NOVEMBER AND THE ELECTION I THINK RIGHT NOW IT'S ABOUT BIDEN, BUT IT WILL SOON BECOME ABOUT BIDEN AND TRUMP.

>> Eric: TRUMP TRIAL, DOES IT MATTER PLAITICALLY?

>> I MEAN, UNCLEAR.

CERTAINLY THE PEOPLE WHO ARE PAYING THE MOST ATTENTION ARE THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN POLITICS AND THOSE PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY MADE UP THEIR MIND YEARS AGO.

SO WITH A CONVICTION, PERHAPS, BUT ALSO A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS TRIAL ISN'T PERHAPS FAIR TO TRUMP.

SO IT'S NOT EVEN CLEAR WHETHER OR NOT IT WOULD HELP OR HURT.

>> Mary: DOESN'T IT MAYBE EVEN RALLY HIS BASE AND IT'S NEVER BEEN BAD FOR DONALD TRUMP TO BE IN THE HEADLINES.

IT'S THE OLD, LIKE, THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS BAD PRESS.

>> EXACTLY.

AND VOTERS ARE SO FAMILIAR WITH THE FORMER PRESIDENT NOW.

I THINK NOTHING AT THIS POINT WOULD BE SURPRISING.

>> Eric: TALKED TO A COUPLE REPUBLICANS THIS WEEK AND THEY WERE TICKING OFF LL THE THINGS THEY THOUGHTS THEY COULD RUN AGAINST THE DEMOCRATS IN MINNESOTA.

AND THEN THEY WOULD SAY, BUT THERE'S THAT DARN ABORTION ISSUE.

>> RIGHT.

I MEAN, ABORTION WAS HUGE IN 2022 AND IT LOOKS TO BE HUGE IN 2024 AS WELL.

SO I EXPECT THE DEMOCRATS WILL RUN ON ABORTION BECAUSE PUBLIC OPINION IS CERTAINLY ON THE SIDE OF DEMOCRATS ON THAT ISSUE, INCLUDING WITH INDEPENDENT VOTERS WHO OF COURSE MATTER IN HIGH TURNOUT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS.

>> Mary: AND DO WE EXPECT A SUPREME COURT DECISION THAT COULD AFFECT HIS GENERAL ELECTION?

>> POTENTIALLY, YES.

IT LOOKS INCREASINGLY LESS LIKELY THAT JACK SMITH WILL BRING ANYTHING UP BEFORE THE 2024 ELECTION.

BUT REMAINS TO BE SEEN.

>> Eric: COULD YOU VERIFY SOME DATA FOR ME?

DEMOCRATS MUST WIN BY MORE THAN THREE POINTS NATIONWIDE TO WIN THE 270 ELECTORAL VOTES?

>> THAT'S ABOUT WHAT POLITICAL SCIENTISTS ARE ESTIMATING, AND THAT OF COURSE IS BECAUSE OF THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE AND DEMOCRATS TEND TO WIN SO BIG IN STATES LIKE CALIFORNIA, NEW YORK, AND SO USUALLY THAT IS ABOUT THE GAP, YEAH.

>> Mary: AND WE ALWAYS TELL PEOPLE TO BE WEARY OF POLLS.

AND THEN THE POPULAR VOTE POLLS ARE ALMOST IRRELEVANT WHEN THERE'S THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE, RIGHT?

>> EXACTLY, THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN LOOKING AT POLLS SHOULD BE LOOKING AT SWING STATE POLLS AND POLLING AVERAGES, SO YOU NEVER JUST WANT TO LOOK AT ONE POLL.

YOU ALWAYS WANT TO LOOK AT A HIGH QUALITY OF POLLS AVERAGE, BUT ALSO JUST REMEMBER THESE ARE STILL JUST SNAPSHOTS IN TIME.

IT'S GOING TO BE A CLOSE ELECTION.

>> Eric: IS CHRISTIE NOME DOING THE BEST SHE CAN TO INTRODUCE HERSELF TO THE COUNTRY?

>> THAT WAS AN UNFORCED ERROR THAT HAS REALLY BACKFIRED AND COULD POTENTIALLY COST HER A POTENTIAL, YOU KNOW, PICK AS A VICE PRESIDENTIAL RUNNING MATE.

>> Eric: SOME OF THE V.P.

CANDIDATES ARE AUDITIONING THIS WEEKEND.

>> EXACTLY.

>> Mary: BUT DID THE CONVENTIONAL WISDOM EACH US THERE IS NO SUCH THING?

HAS HE RESET THE WHOLE POLITICAL CALCULUS?

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY, AND I THINK HE IS SOMEONE WHO WILL MAKE A DECISION BASED ON WHAT HE WANTS, BUT IT HAS NOT ONE OVER WELL WITH THOSE PAYING ATTENTION.

THAT IS TRUE.

AND IT CERTAINLY, YOU KNOW, I THINK IN MANY WAYS SEEING HER AS PERHAPS A WOMAN COULD APPEAL TO INDEPENDENT VOTERS.

THIS IS NOT HELPING.

>> Eric: APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AS ALWAYS.

WE LEARN A LOT WHEN YOU COME OVER.

♪♪ >> ERIC: EARLIER TODAY, MINNESOTA ATTORNEY GENERAL KEITH ELLISON ANNOUNCED CHARGES IN A $2.6 MILLION MEDICAID FRAUD SCHEME IN THE FARIBAULT AREA.

THE CHARGES OUTLINE 67 FELONIES INCLUDING RACKETEERING, FELONY THEFT, AND IDENTITY THEFT.

ATTORNEY GENERAL KEITH ELLISON'S NAME HAS ALSO BEEN LINKED TO A CASE HIS OFFICE ISN'T WORKING ON.

HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY MARY MORIARTY IS UNDER FIRE FOR HER OFFICE'S HANDLING OF THE PROSECUTION OF STATE TROOPER RYAN LONDREGAN FOR MURDER.

HER CRITICS CONTINUE TO CALL FOR GOVERNOR WALZ TO ASSIGN THE CASE TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.

GENERAL, WELCOME BACK.

I KNOW YOU DON'T HAVE THAT POSITION MAKING AUTHORITY, BUT WHAT KIND OF THINGS ARE SWIRLING AROUND THAT, THAT MIGHT GET YOU INVOLVED?

>> WELL, WE'RE READY TO DO OUR JOB.

WE'VE HANDLED THESE KIND OF CASES IN THE PAST.

IT'S NOT NEW TO US.

WE'VE CHARGED SOME.

WE'VE DECLINED MANY.

BUT WE DO HAVE ONE SPECIAL PROBLEM IN THIS CASE AND THAT IS BY STATUTE, WE EPRESENT EVERY STATE AGENCY INCLUDING THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, AND THE TROOPERS.

SO THAT CREATES A CONFLICT.

AND WE WOULD HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MANAGE THAT.

BUT LOOK, WE'RE READY TO HELP.

YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHAT -- I'M TRYING TO BUILD AN ORGANIZATION THAT CAN MEET THE NEEDS OF MINNESOTA.

AND WE DO THESE CASES AND WE BUILT SOME SUMMER TEES.

>> Mary: PROVIDE SOME INSIGHT ON GOING WITH OUTSIDE COUNSEL.

IT'S SOMETHING YOU HAVE DONE AND SHE IS DOING IN THIS CASE.

WHY IS IT A GOOD IDEA OR NOT?

>> WELL, IF YOU HAVE DEFICITS IN TERMS OF EXPERTISE, YOU KNOW, IN OUR CASE, WHEN WE STARTED DOING THESE SORT OF CASES, WE DIDN'T HAVE ANYBODY WHO ACTUALLY PROSECUTED A POLICE OFFICER BEFORE.

WE HAD A LOT OF PROSECUTORS, BUT THAT WAS NEW FOR US.

ALSO, THE MEDICAL CASE, I THOUGHT WAS GOING TO PRESENT A CHALLENGE.

SO WE NEEDED PEOPLE WHO REALLY UNDERSTOOD THE MECHANISM OF BREATHING.

SO WE HAD TO GET LAWYERS WHO HELPED US FIND EXPERTS TO HELP EXPLAIN THAT.

SO THOSE ARE REASONS WHY TO GET THAT.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S THE SITUATION HERE.

BECAUSE I KNOW -- YOU GOT OUTSTANDING PROSECUTORS IN HENNEPIN COUNTY.

BUT -- SO -- >> Eric: HOW PREVALENT IS MEDICAID FRAUD IN THE STATE?

>> IT'S PREVALENT EVERYWHERE.

HERE'S HOW PREVALENT IT IS.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HELPS SUPPORT EVERY SINGLE STATE A.G. TO PROSECUTE MEDICAID FRAUD.

AND SO IT'S A VERY IMPORTANT PROGRAM.

MEDICAID IS CRITICAL.

PEOPLE NEED IT.

AND THEREFORE IT'S GOT TO HAVE INTEGRITY.

NOT JUST TO ROTECT THE PUBLIC DOLLAR.

BUT TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC PERCEPTION.

BECAUSE ONCE PEOPLE THINK, OH THAT'S A FRAUD RIDDEN PROGRAM, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO SUPPORT IT.

SO, YEAH, WE -- SADLY, WE HAVE TO PROSECUTE HESE CASES ON A REGULAR BASIS AND WE'RE STATUTORILY ALLOWED TO CHARGE THEM WITHOUT GOING TO THE GOVERNOR OR O THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, BUT THAT'S THE ONLY CATEGORY OF CASE WE JUST HAVE FREE REIN ON.

>> Mary: O WE STILL NEED BETTER OVERSIGHT OF PROGRAMS AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL?

IS THIS STILL AN ISSUE?

>> YOU'RE NEVER GOING TO STOP PEOPLE COMMITTED FRAUD.

BUT YOU CAN MINIMIZE IT.

>> Mary: HOW DO YOU DO THAT?

>> YOU PUT MORE RED TAPE IN FRONT OF PEOPLE.

THAT KIND OF WEEDS SOME FOLKS OUT.

AND YOU GET MORE RESOURCES.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU'RE STILL GOING TO HAVE TO PROSECUTE PEOPLE WHO VIOLATE THE LAW BECAUSE ONE THING I CAN TELL YOU IS THAT PEOPLE ARE CLEVER ABOUT STEALING MONEY.

WE HAVE -- I MEAN, A LOT OF OUR CIVIL WORK IS ALL ABOUT STOPPING SCAMMERS AND I'M ALWAYS MYSTIFIED AND HOW CLEVER THEY CAN BE.

SO YOU GOT TO PREVENT AND THEN YOU GOT TO ENFORCE AND THAT'S JUST THE WAY IT IS.

>> Eric: YOU AND A DOZEN I THINK ATTORNEYS GENERAL AROUND THE COUNTRY HAVE SIGNED UP FOR A LAWSUIT AGAINST GLOBING, IT IS IT?

>> WE HAVEN'T SIGNED UP FOR THE LAWSUIT YET BUT WE ARE LOOKING INTO IT.

WE'RE VERY CONCERNED.

>> Eric: WHAT'S THE ISSUE THERE?

>> WELL, THE ISSUE THERE, IS WE BELIEVE, THERE'S EVIDENCE TO SHOW, THAT THEIR PRODUCT IS PARTICULARLY AMENABLE TO PUTTING IN THESE SWITCHES WHICH WILL ALLOW THE DISCHARGE OF, I DON'T KNOW, MAYBE, YOU KNOW, HUNDRED BULLETS A NEW SECONDS.

SO, YOU KNOW, A SEMIAUTOMATIC GUN, IT FIRES.

YOU PUT THESE SWITCHES IN THERE, YOU SQUEEZE IT, IT SHOOTS UNTIL -- AND YOU PUT AN EXPENDED CLIP ON, PEOPLE, 0 SHOTS, 90 SHOTS ALL AT ONCE AND THESE GUNS ARE VERY HARD TO HANDLE.

SO IF YOU'RE TRYING TO SHOOT AT ONE PERSON, OU MAY MISS THEM AND YOU MIGHT HIT OTHER.

AS YOU KNOW, THIS TRAGEDY THAT HAPPENED TO MARKESHA WILY A FEW BLOCKS FROM HERE WAS -- INVOLVED, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THESE SWITCHES.

AND THAT'S WHY 14 SHOTS WERE LET OFF AND ONE OF THEM KILLED HER.

>> Mary: LET'S TALK MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION.

THE SENATE JUST WENT THROUGH 100 AMENDMENTS TODAY.

BUT EXPUNGEMENT IS SOMETHING YOU WILL BE WORKING ON.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT PROCESS?

>> SO I'M SO >> SO GLAD YOU ASKED.IT JUST SE.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE DOES FREE EXPUNGEMENTS.

HENNEPIN COUNTY HAS A PROPOSAL AND RAMSEY COUNTY HAS A PROGRAM.

>> Mary: DO PEOPLE HAVE O REACH OUT?

>> PEOPLE DO HAVE TO REACH OUT.

BETWEEN NOW AND THE END OF THE YEAR, WE HAVE TO DO -- >> Mary: ARE YOU HEARING FROM PEOPLE?

>> OH, MY GOODNESS, WE'RE HEARING ALL THE TIME.

WE HAVE A WHOLE UNIT THAT DOES THESE EXPIEWMENTS.

WE HAVE A GREAT LAWYER AMED ALUCIE, AND SHE HAS A WHOLE GROUP OF STUDENTS AT MITCHELL-HAMLINE THAT HELP HER OUT.

ACTUALLY, MAR EANCHES IT'S A JOBS PROGRAM, BECAUSE A LOT OF THESE CASES ARE OLD.

YET THOSE RECORDS BAR PEOPLE FROM JOBS AND APARTMENTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> Mary: AND DISPROPORTIONATELY PEOPLE OF COLOR, ARE YOU SEEING THAT PLAY OUT?

>> THE ANSWER'S CLEARLY YES.

BUT HERE'S THE OTHER THING ABOUT THAT, A LOT LOT OF WHITE PEOPLE TOO.

IT AFFECTS EVERYBODY.

THAT'S WHY I DON'T ALWAYS EMPHASIZE THE DISPROPORTIONATE NATURE ALTHOUGH IT IS.

>> Eric: APPRECIATE YOUR COMING DOWN TONIGHT.

>> ALWAYS, MAN.

YOU LET ME KNOW.

♪♪ >> I WORK WELL IN THE SQUISHY MIDDLE, NOT BEING SO EXTREME.

SOME PEOPLE WOULD SAY SOME OF MY VIEWS ARE VERY EXTREME.

OTHER PEOPLE CALL ME NOT PROGRESSIVE.

YOU KNOW, PRAGMATIC WOULD BE A NICE, YOU KNOW, PRAGMATIC PROGRESS DWRIIVE.

SO REACHING OUT ACROSS THE AISLE WAS REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME TO BEGIN WITH.

I DID REACH OUT TO REPUBLICANS EVEN BEFORE BEING SWORN ON WHO WERE ON COMMITTEES OR WHO WERE WORKING ON THINGS THAT WERE OF INTEREST TO ME.

YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY BRINGS A LITTLE SOMETHING DIFFERENT TO THE TABLE.

THEY HAVE THESE REALLY RICH GREAT EXPERIENCES THAT WE SHOULD ALL LEARN TO DRAW FROM, WHETHER, YOU KNOW, I MEAN, THERE ARE SOME THINGS WHERE I'M LIKE, OKAY, WE'RE NEVER GOING TO TO SEE EYE TO EYE ON THAT, BUT THERE ARE AREAS WHERE I DO THINK WE CAN MOVE THE BALL FORWARD IN A MULE MIEWTALLY AGREEABLE WAY.

IN A MUTUALLY AGREEABLE WAY.

♪♪ >> MARY: AFTER GEORGE FLOYD'S MURDER, NINE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS PLEDGED TO END THE MINNEAPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT.

THIS MOVEMENT TO "DEFUND THE POLICE" GRABBED HEADLINES ACROSS THE NATION, BUT WAS QUICKLY DECLARED DEAD WHEN VOTERS REJECTED A RELATED CHARTER AMENDMENT.

IN HER NEW BOOK, "THE MINNEAPOLIS RECKONING," UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA SOCIOLOGIST MICHELLE PHELPS TRACES THE HISTORY AND POLITICS OF POLICE REFORM EFFORTS.

WELL, WELCOME, PROFESSOR.

WHAT ESSENTIALLY IS YOUR THESIS IN THIS BECOME?

>> SURE, THE CORE THESIS OF THE BOOK IS THAT POLICE REPRESENT BOTH THE THREAT OF STATE VIOLENCE, BUT ALSO THE PROJECT OF STATE PROTECTION.

AND THAT IT'S NOT JUST THAT THE POLICE, PROTECTS SOME AND THEY THREATEN OTHERS, BUT THAT IN FACTS THE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE MOST IN NEED OF POLICE PROTECTION ARE THE SAME COMMUNITIES THAT ARE MOST AT RISK OF POLICE VIOLENCE.

AND SO THAT CREATES AN INTRACTABLE SET OF POLITICS THAT MAKE CHALLENGING POLICE POWER REALLY DIFFICULT.

>> Eric: I WAS REALLY STRUCK BY ONE OF THE -- I SAW YOU DO A COUPLE OF OOM INTERVIEWS AND YOU BASICALLY SAID THERE'S NO CLEAR PATH TO PREVENTING POLICE VIOLENCE AND THAT IT'S COMPLICATED BECAUSE YOU SAY VIRTUALLY EVERY ISSUE CONTRIBUTES TO POLICE VIOLENCE.

THAT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THERE'S AN ANSWER IN THE FUTURE HERE.

>> YOU KNOW, THE ANSWER I GET TO IN THE BOOK IS THAT, NUMBER ONE, YOU KNOW, I THINK THERE ARE MEASURES THAT WE CAN TAKE TO TRY AND REIN IN ILLEGITIMATE POLICE VIOLENCE.

SOME AMOUNT OF VIOLENCE IS INHERENT TO THE ROLE OF POLICE AND IN FACT SOME VIOLENCE FROM POLICE OFFICERS, WE ACTUALLY SEE AS HEROIC, RIGHT, IF THEY'RE SAY, INTERRUPTING AN ACTIVE SHOOTER SITUATION.

SO THE QUESTION IS, HOW DO WE LIMIT AND CONSTRAIN AND FRANKLY AS A SOCIETY GET CONSENSUS ABOUT WHAT WE SEE AS ILLEGITIMATE POLICE VIOLENCE AND HOW DO WE REDUCE IT, BUT WE CAN ALSO THINK ABOUT HOW DO WE REDUCE CONTACTS BETWEEN CITIZENS AND THE POLICE, SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE THOSE OPPORTUNITIES FOR POLICE VIOLENCE?

>> Mary: SO WHAT ARE SOME OF THOSE ANSWERS.

YOU SAID THERE ARE MEASURES THAT CAN BE TAKEN.

>> IN FEARMS OF THE REFORM INITIATIVES?

YEAH, SO I TALK A BIT IN THE BOOK, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LOT OF EVIDENCE THAT IF YOU WORK REALLY HARD AT IT, YOU PUT A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF POLITICAL EFFORT IN INTO IT, THAT YOU REALLY CAN CHANGE DEPARTMENT'S POLICIES, PRACTICES, CULTURES, AND THAT OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY IS A KEY PIECE OF THAT, RIGHT?

SO OFFICERS REALLY BELIEVING THAT IF THEY BREAK THE LAW WHILE ON THE JOB THAT THERE WILL BE CONSEQUENCES FOR THAT.

BUT IT TAKES A HUGE AMOUNT OF WORK.

WE THINK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, HUNDREDS OF OFFICERS WHO NEED TO GO THROUGH TRAINING, FOR INSTANCE, AND HUNDREDS OF CASES THAT NEED TO BE REVIEWED.

AND IT IS ONLY GOING TO AT BEST KIND OF MINIMIZE THE AMOUNT OF ILLEGITIMATE VIOLENCE THAT YOU'LL SEE.

I DON'T KNOW THAT WE'LL EVER GET TO A PLACE WHERE WE REDUCE ALL OF IT.

WE ALSO HAVE TO GO BEYOND REFORM AND THAT I THINK S ONE OF THE LESSONS FROM THE DEFUND MOVEMENT.

>> Eric: YOU DO A VERY GOOD OF TRACING THE HISTORY OF POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS ND I WOONDER IF YOU COULD COMMENT ON THE FAMOUS OR INFAMOUS MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL DEFUND THE POLICE SLOGAN.

>> SURE, SO THE MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL DOESN'T FORMALLY ADOPT THAT SECOND READING EVERYONE, BUT THERE IS A VETO-PROOF MAJORITY OF THE CITY COUNCIL IN SUMMER 2020 STANDING ON THE STAGE AT POWDERHORN PARK AND THE STAGE IS EMBLAZONED WITH THESE GIANT LETTERS.

WHAT THE CITY COUNCIL ULTIMATELY GETS CONSENSUS ORGANIZATION ALL THE CITY COUNCIL SIGNED ONTO WAS A RESOLUTION THAT SAID NOT THAT WE WERE GOING TO DEFUND THE POLICE BUT THAT WE WERE GOING TO SPEND A YEAR AS A CITY REALLY THINKING ABOUT A TRANSFORMATIVE NEW MODEL OF PUBLIC SAFETY MIGHT LOOK LIKE, A MODEL THAT MIGHT GO BEYOND POLICING AS WE KNOW IT.

>> Mary: DO WE HAVE THAT NEW MODEL YET?

>> IN FITS AN STARTS.

CERTAINLY WE SAW THE CHARTER AMENDMENT IN 2021.

DID NOT REACH THAT 51% THRESHOLD.

IT WAS ABOUT 42% OF MINNEAPOLIS VOTERS VOTED FOR IT.

BUT WHAT WE DID SEE WAS THE SORT OF COLLAPSING OR THE JOINING TOGETHER OF A LOT OF DIFFERENT PUBLIC SAFETY INITIATIVES UNDER ONE OFFICE WHICH WAS ONE OF THE GOALS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY.

AN WE ALSO HAVE SEEN A LOT OF INVESTMENTS, STILL SMALL COMPARED TO THE SCALE OF WHAT WE SPEND ON THE POLICE, BUT SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS IN THINGS LIKE UNARMED MENTAL HEALTH RESPONDERS TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISIS, VIOLENCE INTERRUPTERS INTERVENING ON THE STREET TO TRY AND PREVENT CONFLICTS BETWEEN ESPECIALLY YOUNG PEOPLE.

AND OTHER KINDS OF MORE HOLISTIC APPROACHES TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

SO EXCHANGE STILL HAPPENING AND OF COURSE THE DEPARTMENT IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION AND IN THE PROCESS OF NEGOTIATING CONSENT DECREES AND IS AT A HISTORIC LOW RATE OF STAFFING.

SO I THINK A LOT OF CHANGE IS STILL YET TO COME.

>> Eric: YOU POINT OUT THAT THE BLACK COMMUNITY IN MINNEAPOLIS IS NOT PARTICULARLY UNIFIED ON THE ISSUE.

>> YEAH, I THINK SOMETIMES IN THE PUBLIC CONSCIOUSNESS, THERE'S SORT OF THIS PERCEPTION THAT ANY COMMUNITY IS A MONOLITH, AND WHAT I SHOW IN THE BOOK THAT THEY AREN'T.

AND THAT IN FACT IF WE THINK ABOUT PLACES LIKE MORT MINNEAPOLIS AS BEING KIND OF EMBLEMS OF THIS TENSION BETWEEN COMMUNITY VIOLENCE AND POLICE VIOLENCE THAT THAT MAKES THE AMBIVALENCE ABOUT THE CHARTER AMENDMENT FROM A LOT OF NORTH SIDE REPS MAKE A LOT OF SENSE, RIGHT?

WE SAW A LOT OF COMMUNITY LEASHEDS WHO WERE SAYING, I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS GOING TO BRING SAFETY TO UOUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND THE MESSAGE THERE WAS WE NEED MORE SAFETY AND THAT DOESN'T JUST MEAN POLICE.

>> Eric: ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC?

>> YOU KNOW, THE ACTIVISTS SAY HOPE IS A DISCIPLINE.

AND I THINK THAT'S IGHT.

>> Eric: THE MINNEAPOLIS RECKONING, PROFESSOR, THANKS VERY MUCH.

PRINCETON PRESS?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> PERFECT FOR HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING.

>> YES.

>> Eric: THANKS A LOT.

♪♪ >> OH, DON'T EVER BE ANOTHER -- SURE, THERE'S ANOTHER COW NAMED TAB THAT.

WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR A COW?

>> I LOOK FOR A DISEXPWIS.

GOT TO BE NICE, FAIRLY MELLOW.

GOT TO LOOK FOR THE RIGHT COLORS.

KIND OF THAT HALF BLACK, HALF WHITE.

>> COLORS ... SHE'S A HOLLYONTHOLSTEIN.

>> YOU GOT TO HAVE THAT HALF AND HALF.

>> IS SOMEBODY RUNNING A SHOWER BACK THERE?

OR WHAT'S GOING ON THERE?

♪♪ >> ERIC: THE MINNESOTA TWINS ARE COMING OFF OF A TEN-GAME WINNING STREAK, BUT THE TIMBERWOLVES ARE THE TALK OF THE TOWN.

THEY HEAD TO DENVER ON SATURDAY FOR GAME ONE OF THE WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMI-FINALS AFTER COMPLETING A FIRST-ROUND, FOUR-GAME SWEEP OF THE PHOENIX SUNS.

IT WAS THE FIRST 4-0 SWEEP IN THE HISTORY OF MINNESOTA PRO SPORTS.

LARRY FITZGERALD SENIOR HAS BEEN COVERING MINNESOTA SPORTS SINCE BEFORE THE TIMBERWOLVES' FIRST SEASON IN 1989.

WHEN HE'S NOT HERE IN STUDIO "B" FOR HIS REGULAR "ALMANAC" SPORTS CHATS, YOU CAN CATCH LARRY'S RADIO WORK ON THE NATIONAL PROGRAMMING NETWORK.

FITZY, THE TIMBERWOLVES FOR ALL OF THEIR -- WITH A COUPLE OF EXCEPTIONS, HAVE BEEN KIND OF A LAUGHING STOCK.

AND NOW THEY'RE AMERICA'S TEAM.

WHAT HAPPENED?

[ Laughter ] >> YOU KNOW, I WAS THERE IN PHOENIX FOR THE SWEEP AND I WOULDN'T MISS IT.

IT WAS AN INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE TO WATCH.

THIS TEAM.

AND I'VE TOLD YOU AND CATHY ALL SEASON, THEY'RE LEGIT.

AND THEY'VE PLANNED AND THEY'VE HAD THE FORT YIEWNT OF GETTING THROUGH INJURIES.

LAST YEAR YOU CAN REMEMBER DOWN THE STRETCH, THEY HAD A GUY BREAK HIS WRIST, ANOTHER ONE BREAK HIS HANGED AND ANOTHER TWO GET INTO A FIGHT.

THIS TEAM IS TOGETHER.

THEY'RE UNIFIED.

AND UNFORTUNATELY, ONE OF THEIR PLAYERS RUNS INTO THE COACH ON THE SIDELINES.

>> Mary: MAYBE CLEM HASES KINS DISLOCATING THE SHOULDER GETTING CTS JACKETS OFF, IS THAT THE CLOSEST THING?

>> THAT'S PROBABLY IT.

TO SEE A COLLISION BETWEEN HIS PLAYER AND A COACH AND HAVE HIM VIRTUALLY HAVE TO HAVE SURGERY AND THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DECIDE HOW HE'S GOING TO COACH TOMORROW AND THROUGH THIS SERIES, BECAUSE BVIOUSLY IT'S HIS TEAM AND HE KNOWS WHAT HAS TO BE DONE.

>> Mary: LET'S CLEAR UP THE HISTORIC RECORD, BECAUSE THE LYNX DID SWEEP A PLAYOFF SERIES AS WELL.

SO DOES THIS COUNT OR BETTER THAT OR NOT?

>> WELL, WHEN YOU CONSIDER THAT THE SUNS HAD HAVE TWO HALL OF FAME PLAYERS, TWO PLAYERS ON THE OLYMPIC TEAM, AND I JUST THINK THIS IS THE BIGGEST, BECAUSE OF THE REALITY OF THE FACTS THAT THEY BEAT MINNESOTA IN THE LAST GAME OF THE REGULAR SEASON BY OVER 30.

AND THAT GAME PUT MINNESOTA WHERE THEY'RE AT.

INSTEAD OF BEING NUMBER ONE, THEY'RE NUMBER THREE.

>> Mary: AND THE LYNX DIDN'T HAVE SEVEN-GAME SERIES.

SO PROBABLY THE MATH.

>> WELL, I'LL GIVING THE LYNX SOME CREDIT, THERE'S NO QUESTION.

THEY TOOK IT TO THE HOUSE.

THEY WON FOUR CHAM MEANSHIPS AND THEY'VE DONE IT WITH GREAT STYLE.

>> Mary: SO IS THIS TEAM GOING TO DO IT?

>> WELL, THEY'RE PLAYING THE WORLD CHAMPIONS.

AND DENVER IS NO SLOUCH.

AND THEY JUST TOOK OUT THE LAKE QERS.

BUT THE GENERAL MANAGER WHO BUILT THAT TEAM, TIM CONNELLY IS THE MAN THAT PUT BASICALLY THIS TEAM TOGETHER.

HE MADE THE DEAL TO BRING RUDY GOBERT IN HERE AND THEY HAD THE VISION TO SEE THAT ANTHONY EDWARDS IS LIKE A ROCKET.

HE IS GOING THIS WAY.

AND IF HE STAYS HEALTHY AND CONTINUES TO PLAY THIS WAY AND THEY PLAY DEFENSIVELY, THEY'RE THE BEST TEAM DEFENSIVELY IN THE PLAYOFFS ...

THEY CAN WIN EVERYTHING.

>> Eric: NOW THE TWINS ARE DOMINATING WHAT I THINK IS A WEAK PART IN THEIR SCHEDULE.

BUT THERE WAS A BUNCH OF OH NOS WHEN BYRON BUXTON GOES ON THE TEN-DAY INJURED LIST.

>> YEAH, TEN DAYS.

A LEG INJURY AGAIN.

>> Eric: HERE WE GO AGAIN?

>> YOU GUYS TOLD ME WAS GOING TO START IN CENTER.

I SAID I'LL BELIEVE IT WHEN I SEE IT.

AND IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT HE JUST CONTINUES TO RUN INTO ANY INJURY BUZZ AND THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO TRY TO GET HIM BACK.

BUT THE TWINS HAVE HAD A LOT OF ISSUES.

I MEAN, WITH ONE PLAYER HERE, ONE PLAYER THERE.

BUT LIKE YOU SAID, THEY PLAY A WEAX PART OF THE SCHEDULE.

>> Eric: VIKINGS DRAFT, ARE YOU A J.J. MCCARTHY GUY?

>> IT'S GROWING ON ME.

I THINK THE VIKINGS WENT INTO THE DRAFT WITH A PLAN.

WHEN YOU HAD TWO FIRST ROUND PICKS, YOU'RE GOING IN THERE KNOWING THAT THIS IS A HEAVY QUARTERBACK DRAFT THAT COULD BE LEGENDARY.

AND THEY HAD TO GET ONE OF THEM.

AND I THINK THEY GOT THE GUY THEY WANTED BECAUSE THEY WENT OUT AND TALKED TO, YOU KNOW, HARB RANK WHO'S COACHING THE CHARGERS NOW AND THEY FOUND A WAY TO MANEUVER AND GET INTO THAT SPOT.

TRADE ON DRAFT DAY AND GET THE TENTH SPOT AND THEY GOT A QUARTERBACK THAT THEY THINK CAN RUN THIS TEAM.

>> Mary: DO WE OVERSTATE THE IMPORTANCE OF A QUARTERBACK IN THE MODERN N.F.L.

OR IS THAT IMPOSSIBLE?

>> IT'S HARD TO GAUGE.

I'VE FALLEN INTO BELIEVING WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD AND WHAT I'VE SEEN, THAT THE QUARTERBACK POSITION IS THE MOST IMPORTANT POSITION, NOT JUST IN FOOTBALL, IN ALL OF SPORTS.

AND SO IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT TOM BRADY DID, TO WIN SIX CHAMPIONSHIPS IN NEW EXPULSIONLAND, HE LEAVES AND THE TEAM GOES INTO THE TANK.

HE GOES TO TAMPA, THEY WON A WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, YOU GOT TO SAY THAT'S THE CASE.

EXPWRE SO WOLVES IN SIX?

>> I CAN'T SEE IT GOING IN LESS THAN SIX.

>> Eric: ALL RIGHT.

GOT TO RUN.

>> THANKS SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

♪♪ >> MARK: I NEVER THOUGHT THIS WOULD HAPPEN.

I THINK MAYBE, SOMEHOW, I MIGHT POSSIBLY BE GETTING OLDER.

FOR YEARS I'VE BEEN TELLING PEOPLE WHAT TO DO SO THEY CAN GET OLD.

I’M A DOCTOR.

THAT’S BASICALLY MY WHOLE JOB.

LIFE IS A GAME.

YOU GET OLD; YOU WIN.

BUT ALL THAT ADVICE I'VE GIVEN OVER THE YEARS, TELLING PEOPLE WHAT TO DO, I DIDN'T MEAN ME.

THINGS ARE DIFFERENT NOW.

I USED TO EAT ANYTHING ANYTIME I FELT LIKE IT.

HALF A PUMPKIN PIE, GO LIE DOWN AND FALL ASLEEP IMMEDIATELY.

NOW IT MIGHT UPSET MY TUMMY.

I CAN'T RUN ANYMORE, AT LEAST IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE RUNNING.

IMMUNIZATIONS ARE MORE IMPORTANT NOW.

USED TO SHRUG OFF COLDS AND INFECTIONS.

NOW A CASE OF SNIFFLES COULD BE THE END OF ME.

AT 50 THERE’S ALMOST ALWAYS SOMETHING WRONG WITH YOU.

AT 60 THERE’S ALWAYS TWO THINGS.

BY 70 THERE ARE MAYBE THREE THINGS LEFT THAT STILL WORK THE WAY THEY’RE SUPPOSED TO.

I GET IT NOW.

WHEN PATIENTS TELL ME WHAT’S WRONG WITH THEM, I GO, "YEP, YOU’LL HAVE THAT."

IT’S LIKE A GAME.

FIRST YOU GET ONE MEDICINE TO TAKE EVERY DAY, THEN TWO.

IF YOU GET TO FIVE, YOU YELL “BINGO” AND SIGN UP FOR A COLONOSCOPY.

THAT'S THE KIND OF WEIRD MEDICAL PROCEDURE THEY DO WHEN YOU ARE OLDER.

THEY COULD NEVER DO ONE ON A YOUNG PERSON, BECAUSE THEY CAN STILL RUN FAST ENOUGH TO GET AWAY.

OF COURSE, IF YOU’VE BEEN A DOCTOR FOR A WHILE, YOUR PATIENTS WILL GET OLDER TOO.

WELL, THEY DO IF YOU’RE DOING YOUR JOB.

THAT’S THE BEST CASE SCENARIO.

WE ALL GET OLD TOGETHER.

WHEN GEORGE BURNS TURNED 100, HE SAID, “I’VE HAD THREE DOCTORS IN MY LIFE.

TWO OF THEM ARE DEAD.

ONE IS NOT FEELING SO GOOD.” SO IT COULD BE WORSE.

LUCKILY, I STILL LOOK THE SAME AS WHEN I STARTED DOING THIS A FEW YEARS AGO.

HEY, YOU GUYS, COME ON.

NOW THEY’RE NEVER GONNA BELIEVE ANYTHING I TELL THEM!

[ Laughter ] ♪♪ >> MARY: MINNETONKA-BASED UNITED HEALTH GROUP FACED SCRUTINY THIS WEEK AT THE NATION'S CAPITOL FOR ITS LACK OF CYBER SECURITY MEASURES.

A CYBER ATTACK ON THE COUNTRY'S LARGEST HEALTH INSURER BACK IN FEBRUARY HAS DISRUPTED CARE PROVIDERS AND COMPROMISED PEOPLE'S PERSONAL DATA.

CHRIS SNOWBECK COVERS HEALTH INSURERS INCLUDING UNITED HEALTH FOR THE "STAR TRIBUNE" AND HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THE STORY CLOSELY.

WELL, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE TOUGH QUESTIONS IN D.C. DID WE GET ANSWERS?

>> WE GOT SOME MORE ANSWERS.

I STILL -- THERE'S STILL A LOT WE DON'T KNOW IDENTIFICATION.

BUT YEAH, WE GOT, I THINK ONE BIG THING WE LEARNED WAS THAT THE PORTAL THAT WAS HACKED, THAT THERE WAS A LACK OF MULTI-FACTOR AUTHENTICATION -- >> Mary: WHICH IS SOMETHING WE ALL KIND OF DO AT OUR COMPANIES?

DIDN'T WE ASSUME THAT WAS KIND OF STANDARD?

>> I MEAN, RON WHITE WHO'S THE DEMOCRAT CHAIR OF THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE SAID IT'S FAILURE F CYBER SECURITY 101, WHICH IS ONE OF THE SORT OF MANY BIG QUOTES THAT CAME OUT OF IT.

SO WE LEARNED ABOUT THAT AND THE COMPANY, I THINK, ANDREW WITTE WAS VERY CONTRITE IN FIELDING A LOT OF CONCERNS ABOUT FROM HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS SORT OF CHANNELED THROUGH THE SENATE.

>> Eric: HOW DID THIS AFFECT OR IS IT AFFECTING HEALTHCARE CONSUMERS?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, THE STRESS, I MEAN, INITIALLY, AT THE PHARMACY, I THINK THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH PEOPLE GETTING THEIR MEDICINES.

I THINK EVERYBODY MOVED QUICKLY.

TO TRY AND MAKE THAT WORK OKAY.

I DIDN'T GET A TON OF CALLS.

I MEAN, I HAD SOME FOLKS I, YOU KNOW, THE BIG ISSUE HAS BEEN THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS SYSTEM THEY GOT HACKED, I MEAN, IT'S LIKE HE PLUMBING OF HEALTHCARE.

IT'S HOW -- >> Mary: IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY, RIGHT?

>> YEAH, FOR A LOT OF THE COUNTRY.

AND SO THE CASH FLOW IS THE TERM.

YOU KNOW, CLINICS AND HOSPITALS, MONEY COMING IN, IF THE MONEY COMING IN IS DEPLINNISHED, AN THEY PAY THEIR FOLKS, CAN THEY KEEP THEIR DOORS OPEN ND I THINK PEOPLE HAVE BEEN LIMPING ALONG AND IT'S BEEN A HEAVY LIFT.

>> Mary: IS THERE SOME LEGAL EXPOSURE?

COULD SOME OF THOSE CLINICS, DOCTORS, GO AFTER UNITED HEALTH FOR THIS?

ARE THEY?

>> YEAH.

I MEAN, THERE HAVE BEEN AT LEAST 24 LAWSUITS FILED FROM A VARIETY OF PLAINTIFFS, BUT AMONG THEM A COUPLE LOCAL CLINICS SAYING, LOOK, OUR BUSINESS WAS KIND OF DEAD IN THE WATER ERE.

>> Eric: THIS IS A COMPANY THAT CAME UP WITH $22 BILLION IN PROFIT LAST YEAR.

AND I THINK ONE OF THE SENATORS CALLED IT A MONOPOLY ON STEROIDS.

>> ELIZABETH WARREN, I BELIEVE GLE.

OKAY.

ARE THEY TOO BIG TO FAIL?

IS THAT KIND OF THE OLD SAYING?

>> WELL THAT, WAS THE QUESTION, RON WHITE KIND OF PUSHED THAT DAY I MEAN, THERE ARE A LOT OF REALLY BIG HEALTHCARE COMPANIES.

IT'S A HUGE SECTOR.

THE CEO KIND OF PUSHED BACK.

ON IT, BY SAYING, WELL, WE DON'T OWN ANY HOSPITALS.

WE'RE NOT A DRUG MANUFACTURER.

UNITED EMPLOYS A LOT OF PHYSICIANS, BUT HE KIND OF PUSHED BACK ON THAT A LITTLE BIT SAYING, MOST OF THE PHYSICIANS WE WORK WITH WE'RE AFFILIATED WITH.

THEY CHOOSE TO WORK WITH US.

IT'S A COMPLEX CONVERSATION.

>> Mary: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE LOCAL FOOTPRINT BECAUSE UNITE HEALTH EMPLOYED A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE IN MINNESOTA.

DO MINNESOTANS REALLY KNOW HOW BIG THE COMPANY IS?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

I THINK IT'S 400,000 EMPLOYEES.

I MEAN, IT'S AN ENORMOUS ORGANIZATION.

YEAH -- > >> Mary: BUT IT'S BASED HERE.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S THE FIRST BIG MINNESOTA COMPANY THAT WOULD COME TO MIND FOR THE AVERAGE PERSON.

>> I THINK THAT'S PROBABLY RIGHT.

IT'S BEEN A LITTLE QUIET.

FOR A LONG TIME, AS WE WERE TALKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE STATE DIDN'T ALLOW FOR-PROFIT H.M.O.s.

THAT LAW GOT CHANGED BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

AND SO UNITED HAS BEEN COMING IN MORE AND MORE.

BUT I THINK PEOPLE STILL ARE GETTING TO KNOW THE COMPANY -- >> Mary: AND THERE WAS ANOTHER NAME INVOLVED IN THIS.

IT WASN'T UNITED HEALTH IDENTIFIED RIGHT AWAY.

>> YEAH, SO THERE'S UNITED HEALTH GROUP.

THERE'S A SUBSIDIARY, OPT YUM, OPT YUM BOUGHT A COMPANY CALLED CHANGE HEALTHCARE.

CHANGE HEALTHCARE GOT HACKED.

>> Eric: AND THEY PAID THE RAN SOME, RIGHT?

>> 22 MILLION IS WHAT THE CEO SAID.

>> WHO DO YOU PAY THAT TO?

>> I DON'T -- WAY BEYOND ME.

>> Mary: WOW.

WELL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR INSIGHTSES.

>> Mary: THANK YOU.

THE SENATE ETHICS COMMITTEE WILL BEGIN CONVENING NEXT WEEK TO START CONVERSATIONS ABOUT TWO LAWMAKERS, BUT SENATOR NICOLE MITCHELL'S CASE WILL TAKE CENTER STAGE AS IT HAS ALL WEEK AT THE CAPITOL, INCLUDING PROTESTS.

HERE'S SOME CONTEXT.

>> ALL: SENATOR MITCHELL!

RESIGN NOW!

>> Mary: PROTESTORS MADE THEIR INTENT CLEAR.

CALLING FOR THE RESIGNATION OF THE STATE SENATOR CHARGED WITH FELONY BURGLARY.

>> NICOLE MITCHELL -- >> Mary: D.F.L.

SENATOR NICOLE MITCHELL REFUSED TO COMMENT AS SHE RETURNED TO THE CAPITOL, AS SHE WAS EMBRACED BY MANY MEMBERS INCLUDING THE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER.

>> WHERE ARE YOU AT WITH SENATOR MITCHELL'S PRESENCE?

I KNOW YOU EMBRACED HER.

>> SENATOR MITCHELL IS ENTITLED TO VOTE AND THE PEOPLE WHO SENT HER HERE FROM WOODBURY, SENATE DISTRICT 47 ARE ENTITLED TO HER REPRESENTATION.

SO I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT SHE'S HERE.

IDENTIFICATION IT'S IMPORTANT THAT SHE'S VOTING IN PERSON.

>> SENATE REPUBLICANS DO NOT BELIEVE THAT SHE SHOULD BE VOTING ON THE FLOOR.

THIS IS A CLOUD OVER THE TOP OF THE SENATE RIGHT NOW AND WHAT NEEDS TO BE FIGURED OUT THROUGH THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON ETHICS.

>> Mary: VARIETIES ROM MITCHELL'S SUBURBAN SENATE DISTRICT IN WOODBURY CAME TO THE DOLL OFFICIALLY CALL FOR HER ESIGNATION.

>> HOW CAN YOU MAKE LAWS WHEN YOU'RE REAKING LAWS?

AND GRANTED, SHE HASN'T BEEN CONVICTED YET.

BUT WALKS LIKE A DUCK, TALKS LIKE A DUCK, IT'S PROBABLY DUCK.

>> Mary: RESIDENTS SAID THE FACT THAT MITCHELL HAS BEEN RED FROM COMMITTEES AND HASN'T RESPONDED TO INQUIRIES FROM THESE CONSTITUENTS MEANS SHE'S NO LONGER ACTIVELY REPRESENTING THEM.

>> WE EXPECT OUR ELECTED EFFICIENTS TO LIVE UP TO A HIGH STANDARD.

IT SHOULDN'T BE LAWS FOR THEE AND NOT FOR ME.

>> Mary: ONLY ONE RESIDENT CAME FORWARD TO SAY THEY'VE VOTED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

>> SHE'S WRITING LAWS FOR OUR STATE AND SHE'S NOT FOLLOWING THEM EITHER.

>> Mary: MANY OF THE REPUBLICAN BE ACTIVISTS HAVE A PETITION GOING FOR SENATOR MITCHELL'S RESIGNATION BUT NOT A RECALL ELECTION.

>> WE ARE NOT LOOKING AT A RECALL.

THAT'S GOING TO BE A BURDEN ON THE TAXPAYERS RIGHT NOW AND ALL OF HER CONSTITUENTS TO HAVE TO GO OUT THERE AND HIT THE GROUND WHICH WE ARE NOT AFRAID TO HAVE TO DO.

>> WE'VE GATHERED VOICES IN ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY, NEIGHBORS IN THE GROCERY STORE, PARENTS IN THE SCHOOL PICKUP LINES AND OVER 759 SUPPORTERS ON OUR PETITION.

AND THE MESSAGE IS LEAR.

SENATOR MITCHELL MUST STEP DOWN.

>> Mary: FOR DAYS ON THE SENATE FLOOR, REPUBLICANS IN THE MINORITY TRIED VARIOUS MOTIONS TO STOP MITCHELL FROM VOTING AND SERVING, ALL OF THEM FAILED WITH DEMOCRATS RESTORED MAJORITY.

>> WE ARE DEALING WITH AN UNPRECEDENTED CASE OF A SENATOR WHO WAS ARRESTED IN THE DARK OF NIGHT WHILE BREAKING INTO HER STEP-MOTHER'S HOME.

I DO MOVE THAT THE SECRETARY OF THE SENATE ON BEHALF OF THE MEMBERS OF HE BODY PREPARE A FORMAL REQUEST FOR THE RESIGNATION OF SENATOR NICOLE MITCHELL.

>> CHARGE FACING A MEMBER OF THIS BODY IS SO SERIOUS.

AND COMPLETELY UNPRECEDENTED.

I BELIEVE IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE TAKE THIS VERY SERIOUS STEP TODAY.

WE SHOULD NOT BE PASSING LEGISLATION IN THIS BODY BY ONE VOTE.

>> Mary: OUR INTERVIEW WITH THE MINORITY LEADER WAS USED AS EVIDENCE AGAINST THE MOTION.

>> IN RESPONSE TO A PRESS INQUIRY, CAN SHE VOTE, ?OR SENAR JOHNSON SAID SHE CERTAINLY CAN ON THE FLOOR OR WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE CAUCUS LEADER.

OR SHE CAN BE HERE ON THE FLOOR.

>> WE HAVE A FUNDAMENTAL VALUE AT STAKE AND THAT IS THAT THE PEOPLE OF EVERY SINGLE SENATE DISTRICT ARE ENTITLED TO BE REPRESENTED.

>> HER ACTIONS HAVE BROUGHT THE SENATE INTO DISHONOR.

HER ACTIONS HAVE BROUGHT THE SENATE INTO DISREPUTE.

>> SENATOR MITCHELL HAS A RIGHT TO VOTE IN THIS BODY.

>> Mary: IN ANOTHER MEDIA INTERVIEW, SENATOR MITCHELL'S STEP-MOTHER SAID SHE'S AFRAID OF HER, HICH PROMPTED THE REPUBLICAN LEADER TO AGAIN EXPRESS HIS DISAPPOINTMENT.

>> THE SENATE D.F.L.

IS COVERING FOR THE ACTIONS OF SENATOR MITCHELL BECAUSE THEY'RE DESPERATE FOR THAT VOTE.

AND REGARDLESS OF THE VICTIMS, REGARDLESS OF HOW SCARED SHE IS, AND THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID IN THE INTERVIEW YESTERDAY, I AM SCARED OF SENATOR MITCHELL.

AND YET THEY'RE PROTECTING HER BECAUSE THEY NEED THAT VOTE.

THAT'S NOT RIGHT.

♪♪ >> ERIC: THERE'S JUST 17 DAYS -- OR LESS -- LEFT IN THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

AND AS WE JUST SAW, THE FOCUS FOR MANY IS FIRMLY ON D.F.L.

SENATOR MITCHELL'S RETURN TO THE CAPITOL AFTER HER ARREST LAST WEEK FOR FELONY BURGLARY AND THE ONE-VOTE MARGIN SHE REPRESENTS FOR THE D.F.L.

TRIFECTA.

REPUBLICANS ON THE COUCH TONIGHT: BRIAN MCDANIEL IS A FORMER LEGISLATIVE STAFFER TURNED LOBBYIST AND STAND-UP COMEDIAN.

JEN DEJOURNETT IS A POLITICAL OPERATIVE AND VETERAN OF CAMPAIGNS.

DEMOCRATS WITH US: JAVIER MORILLO IS A LONGTIME PARTY ACTIVIST AND FORMER NATIONAL COMMITTEE MEMBER.

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, SARA LOPEZ, POLICY DIRECTOR AT UNIDOS MINNESOTA WHO HAS SPENT MANY HOURS AT THE LEGISLATURE.

JEN, SAW YOU AT THE CAPITOL FIND OF FACILITATIONING ONE OF THE NEWS CONFERENCES.

>> YEAH, THERE WERE SOME INDIVIDUALS FROM THE COMMUNITY THAT ASKED ME TO HELP OUT.

I OFFERED TO VOLUNTEER.

>> Eric: WHERE S THIS HEADED?

>> I THINK IT'S GOING TO ULTIMATELY HEAD THAT SENATOR MITCHELL AT SOME POINT IS GOING TO DEPART HER ROLE.

AND I THINK SHE'S GOT SERIOUS LEGAL TROUBLES.

NOW, WHETHER SHE DOES THE RIGHT THING, THE HONORABLE THING AND DOES IT ON HER OWN OR AT SOME POINT, THE LEGISLATURE DOES IT, OR THE VOTERS DO IT AT SOME POINT.

HER POLITICAL CAREER IS DONE.

>> Mary: JAVIER, NEXT WEEK, THIS KIND OF MOVES INTO THE LEGAL REALM.

DO WE EXPECT THERE TO BE ACTION THAT COULD HAVE HER LEAVING YET THIS SESSION?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

IDENTIFICATION THAT I WOULD LIKE FOR HER TO ANNOUNCE THAT SHE'S GOING TO RESIGN AT THE END OF SESSION.

I THINK THAT RIGHT NOW, THERE ARE NO GOOD OPTIONS HERE, RIGHT?

THE WORK HAS TO GET DONE.

THE MAJORITY, YES, IT IS A ONE-VOTE MAJORITY.

AND THIS IS ALL, YOU KNOW, FOR ALL THIS TALK ABOUT IT BEING UNPRECEDENTED, THIS IS JUST LIEUTENANTLY, REPRESENTATIVE MATT GROSSELL WAS CAUGHT ON CAMERA ASSAULTING A POLICE OFFICER.

AND -- >> Mary: BUT IT WASN'T A FELONY AND THAT WASN'T A ONE VOTE MARGIN, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT, BUT THE POINT BEING, WHAT THEY DID AT THAT TIME WAS REMOVE HIS COMMITTEES AND LIKE AND THEN THE VOTERS REELECTED HIM IN HIS DISTRICT.

BUT THAT'S ALL THE I THINK IT'S THE RIGHT THING FOR HER TO DO WAS TO BE STEP DOWN AT THE END OF SESSION TO AVOID THE CASE YOUS OF THIS JUST BEING A DEAD LOCKED SESSION AND NOTHING GETTING DONE.

>> Eric: DO YOU SEE THIS AS A POLITICAL ISSUE GOING FORWARD?

>> I THINK THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE D.F.L.

SPH SENATE IS TO DELIVER FOR THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA AND I DO BELIEVE THAT WE CANNOT JUMP INTO CONCLUSIONS UNTIL AFTER TUESDAY WHEN THE ETHICS COMMITTEE HEARING HAPPENS.

LIKE WE CAN'T SAY -- WE HAVE TO ALLOW DUE PROCESS TO BE DUE PROCESS.

>> Mary: BRIAN, I'VE SEEN YOU UP THERE.

YOU'VE GOT THE TEMPERATURE.

IS THIS ALL ANYONE IS TALKING ABOUT, AND I HEAR LOBBYISTS I DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE GOING TO GET ANYTHING HERE.

>> WE'RE ALL DEAD INSIDE.

EVERY YEAR IT'S SOMETHING.

NOBODY HAD THIS ON THEIR BINGO CARDS.

>> Mary: AND THERE REALLY ARE BINGO CARDS.

>> BUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT DUE PROCESS, YOU KNOW, THAT'S A LEGAL TERM.

NOT A POLITICAL TERM.

AND SO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TWO DIFFERENT THINGSES.

WHAT SENATOR MITCHELL SHOULD DO POLITICALLY IS, YOU KNOW, ADDRESS THE MEDIA, ADDRESS HER CONSTITUENTS.

APOLOGIZE FOR WHATEVER HE HAS TO APOLOGIZE FOR.

BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT SHE SHOULD DO LEGALLY BECAUSE SHE SHOULD SHUT UP, NOT SPEAK, IF SHE HAD A TIME MACHINE, SHE SHOULD ALREADY NOT SAY WHAT SHE'S ALREADY SAID, AND THAT IS WHY IT'S HARD FOR HER TO REALLY, YOU KNOW, BE THERE FOR HER CONSTITUENTS BECAUSE THAT SEAT DOESN'T BELONG TO THE DEMOCRATS, IT DOESN'T BELONG TO NICOLE MITCHELL.

IT BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE OF WOODBURY.

>> CAN I JUMP BACK ON AN IMPORTANT THING THAT SARA SAID.

I SAY, AT WHAT COST?

THERE IS A VICTIM HERE.

HER NAME IS CAROL.

AND CAROL WAS SLEEPING IN HER BED.

AND SOMEBODY BROKE INTO HER HOME, DRESSED THAT ALL BLACK LIKE A BANDIT, WENT INTO THE BASEMENT AT 4:00 IN THE MORNING, SCARED AN INDIVIDUAL THAT SHE'S STILL SCARED.

SO WHERE'S THE ?RIEN YOU KNOW, THIS IS FELONY FIRST-DEGREE BURGLARY VIOLENT CRIME UNDER THE STATUTES?

IS IT RAPE, IS IT MURDER, WHERE'S THE LINE WHERE THE WORK DOESN'T MATTER AND THE ADDITION ANITY OF THE SENATE MATTERS FIRST?

AND THIS IS AN IMPORTANT POINT.

I DON'T CARE IF YOU'RE REPUBLICAN, DEMOCRAT, AN INDEPENDENT.

OR WHATEVER YOU ARE.

LISTEN.

IF YOU ARE CAUSING SUCH A DISTRACTION THAT YOU ARE A DISTRACTION TO YOUR CAUCUS, TO THE STATE AND EVERYONE YOU NEED TO GO NOW.

>> Eric: I WANT TO BRING UP A KUM-BAY-YAH POSSIBILITY.

LET'S SAY SENATOR MURPHY AND SENATOR JOHNSON, WHAT IF THEY GOT TOGETHER AND SAID 33-3 NOTHING'S GETTING OUT OF HERE, UNLESS IT'S BIPARTISAN.

AND THEN HER VOTE IS IRRELEVANT.

BECAUSE THEY WOULD HAVE A MIX OF BOTH PARTIES' VOTES.

IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE?

>> NOTHING'S GOING TO GET DONE.

>> NO, THAT'S NOT TRUE.

CAN WORK IN A BIPARTISAN MANNER.

THERE ARE THINGS THAT CAN GET DONE.

SHE CAN GO AND PEOPLE CAN WORK TOGETHER.

WHY IS THAT, LIKE, A HARD THING IN AMERICA TO DO.

>> Eric: AM I SINGING "IMAGINE" BY JOHN LENNON HERE?

>> I MEAN, YES, THEY SHOULD BE WORKING TOGETHER.

WE'RE ALL THE REPUBLICANS OR DEMOCRATS OR, YOU KNOW, MIST LAINSOUS.

WE'VE BEEN DOING THIS A LONG TIME AND WE CAN REMEMBER WHEN THERE WAS A LOT MORE REACHING ACROSS AISLE.

WE'VE ALL FORGOTTEN THAT AND THAT'S A SHAME.

I DON'T THINK IT'S COMING BACK IN THE NEXT, YOU KNOW, IGHT LEGISLATIVE DAYS.

THERE ARE THINGS THAT CAN BE DONE.

IT'S IN EVERYONE'S BEST INTEREST TO FIND THOSE AREAS OF COMMONALITY.

BUT, YOU KNOW, THE PEOPLE AT THE LEGISLATURE WHO ARE REALLY KIND OF SUFFERING ARE HER COLLEAGUES, WHO AREN'T BEING ABLE TO -- NOW, TALK ABOUT THEIR BILLS, TALK ABOUT ANYTHING OTHER THAN THIS.

AND THEY HAVE TO KIND OF TOE THE LINE AND WE KNOW THAT THERE IS DIVERSITY OF THOUGHT ON SENATOR MITCHELL IN THAT CAUCUS.

AND THEY'RE REALLY NOT ALLOWED TO EXPRESS IT.

>> Mary: JAVIER, DEMOCRATS HARD-WON MAJORITY.

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO GIVE THAT UP EASILY.

>> THERE ARE NO GOOD OPTIONS HERE.

AND YEAH, NO ONE IS HAPPY ABOUT THIS.

THIS IS -- >> Mary: BUT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO DO 33-33, ARE THEY?

>> IT'S A TRAGIC SITUATION.

I FEEL TERRIBLY FOR HER STEP-MOTHER.

AND I ALSO FEEL TERRIBLY FOR A FAMILY THAT'S RIPPED APART AND ALL OF THIS IS A IS HAPPENING IN THE HEADLINES.

AND SO RIGHT NOW WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS GET THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION DONE AND DO IT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE AND JUST -- AND WE'LL MOVE FORWARD.

>> Eric: IS THE E.R.A.

AMENDMENT GOING TO BE -- I THINK IT'S UP IN COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE ON MONDAY.

>> I BELIEVE SO.

>> Eric: IS THAT GOING TO PASS?

I THINK THE SENATE AND HOUSE HAVE MAYBE A LITTLE DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF IT?

>> I THINK THAT THAT AREA HAS A LOT OF SUPPORT.

AND I AM VERY, VERY HOPEFUL THAT IT'S GOING TO GET DONE BECAUSE IT'S NEEDED FOR THE STATE.

>> Eric: WOULD IT BE ON THE '24 BALLOT OR THE '26?

>> I THINK THE '26.

>> Eric: AND THE REASON FOR THAT IS?

>> IT'S BECAUSE WE EXPECT THAT THERE WILL BE A BIG CAMPAIGN, RIGHT?

AND SO TO GIVE FOLKS THE TIME TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN ON THAT.

>> AND THIS IS PROBABLY HELPFUL FOR -- IF YOU ARE A SUPPORTER OF THAT, TO TRY TO HAVE ON A GOVERNOR'S YEAR VERSUS A PRESIDENTIAL YEAR, WHERE YOU WOULD HAVE MORE -- AND TRUTH BE TOLD, WE'VE SEEN ACROSS THE COUNTRY, IT DRIVES A CERTAIN SEGMENT OF A VOTER SO JUST USING THE POLITICAL ASPECT OF IT, I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY THEY WANT IT IN 2026.

>> Mary: COULD DEMOCRATS USE IT MORE IN 2024?

>> I MEAN, WITH THE E.R.A.

AND WITH IS A ABORTION AMENDMENTS, YOU KNOW, PART OF ME THINKS, WHY WOULDN'T THEY WANT IT IN 2024.

BUT I DON'T THINK THERE'S REALLY A TURNOUT PROBLEM IN PRESIDENTIAL YEARS.

AND WITH EVERYTHING BEING TRUMP AND BIDEN, ANYTHING ELSE IS GOING TO GET DROWNED OUT.

THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE OTHER MESSAGES.

WE TALK ABOUT MESSAGES NOW THAT MATTER AND BY NOVEMBER, ALL WE'RE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT IS TRUMP AND BIDEN.

>> Mary: O VOTERS CARE ABOUT MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION?

102 AMENDMENTS ON THIS BILL.

THERE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A FIX.

REPUBLICANS DIDN'T THINK IT WAS MUCH A FIX.

NO REPUBLICANS VOTE FORKED FOR THIS.

>> YEAH, I THINK PEOPLE CARE A LOT ABOUT WHAT CHILDREN DO AND WHAT MINORS DO.

AND I THINK WHAT CONSENTING ADULTS DO, I THINK THE ISSUE HAS EVOLVED BEYOND, I THINK, BUT FOR MINORS AND CHILDREN, PEOPLE ABSOLUTELY DO CARE.

THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THINGS ARE SAFE AND THINGS DON'T GET OUT OF HAND.

>> Eric: HOW DIVIDED IS THE MINNEAPOLIS D.F.L.

OVER PALESTINE VERSUS ISRAEL AND OTHER THINGS?

>> LOOK, I THINK THAT ISSUE IS DIVIDING THE COUNTRY.

>> Eric: UBER IS ANOTHER.

>> YEAH, WELL BEYOND MINNEAPOLIS.

AND LARGELY AROUND AGE.

I THINK THERE ARE A LOT F YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND THE WAR IN PALESTINE.

AND THAT IS CERTAINLY SOMETHING THAT WHEN IT COMES TO OUR SIDE, ONE OF THE THINGS I SPEND A LOT OF TIME THINKING ABOUT AND TRYING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IS A BIDEN ENTHUSIASM GAP IS BE HONEST WHERE WE'RE AT AND THAT'S A VERY REAL ISSUE.

BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S A PARTICULAR MINNEAPOLIS PROBLEM.

>> Eric: WHERE ARE YOUR PEERS ON BIDEN?

>> I THINK, WHAT DO YOU MEAN MY PEERS?

>> Eric: WELL, YOUR PEER GROUCH.

YOUR FOLKS YOUR AGE.

>> SO I'M A MILLENNIAL, AND IF YOU THINK ABOUT DURING MY TIME ?

SO THE PROGRESSIVE WING OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAS NEVER BEEN MONOLITHIC.

I FEEL THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION.

AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, THESE ARE THE SAME PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO PROTECT TRANS RIGHTS, SO I DON'T THINK THAT WE SHOULD UNDERMINE THE ELECTORATE.

I THINK THAT WE HAVE A VERY, VERY SMART ELECTORATE THAT IS USING DURABILITY TO BUILD POWER.

>> Mary: PIVOT TO TRUMP TOO.

IS IT BAD OR GOOD HE'S IN COURT?

FOR HIS BASE?

>> I MEAN, IS THERE -- FIND ME SOMEBODY WHO SAYS, OKAY, WELL, THE NEXT THING HE DOES IS GOING TO CHANGE MY OPINION.

PEOPLE HAVE MADE UP THEIR MIND FOR GOOD OR BAD.

THAT'S WHY I THINK IT'S SUCH A MISSTEP TO ALWAYS HAVE EVERYTHING ABOUT TRUMP.

THE PEOPLE WHO LIKE HIM ARE GOING TO LIKE HIM AND THE PEOPLE NATIONWIDE MIDDLE ARE DISGUSTED BY EVERYTHING WHICH IS WHY I THINK THAT IT IS A MISTAKE TO HAVE EVERYTHING BE ABOUT DONALD TRUMP.

>> THIS ELECTION IS GOING TO BE ABOUT TURNING OUT YOUR VOTERS AND CHASING YOUR OWN BALLOTS IN.

FINDING YOUR VOTERS YOU ALREADY HAVE AND MAKING SURE NOT ONE BALLOT IS LEFT BEHIND.

AND TO BRIAN'S POINT, PEOPLE ALREADY -- >> AND WE'LL PROBABLY BE, YOU KNOW, SEE COME THE ELECTION, THAT THE REPUBLICAN PLAY BOOK IS TO, YOU KNOW, RUN AGAINST DEMOCRATS WHETHER IT OBJECT CRIME OR WHATEVER FN E AND AS IN 2022, AS CHRISTIE NOEM WOULD SAY, THAT DIAGNOSE DIDN'T HUNT.

AND I HAD TO GET THAT IN.

>> Mary: CAN WE GOBBING BACK TO THE LEGISLATURE LEGISLATURE.

GUNS?

>> I'M NOT GOING TO -- >> Mary: SAFE GUN STORAGE.

>> I'M NOT GOING TO MENTION SPECIFIC SENATORS, BUT THERE ARE SOME SENATORS WHO CANNOT VOTE FOR IT.

SO I DO THINK IT WAS JUST A FULLER EXERCISE.

>> Eric: HOW ABOUT THE SPEAKER GOING HOME CENTRAL >> THEY'RE JUST STRUGGLING TO GET ANYTHING DONE RIGHT NOW.

[Overlapping conversations] >> I THINK THAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE IT GEED TOGETHER IN THE LAST MINUTE.

>> BECAUSE SOMEBODY KEEPS ON DEBATING HOURS AFTER HOURS.

>> Mary: IS SPORTS BETTING TOTALLY DEAD?

>> IT'S MOSTLY DEAD UT NOT TOTALLY.

THE WILL IS THERE.

THEY SHOULD MAKE IT HAPPEN.

>> Eric: THIS TIME NEXT YEAR CAN I GO ONLINE AND PLACE A BET ON THE KENTUCKY DERBY?

>> IN IOWA.

>> Eric: OH, HIS SHOULDERS SLUMPED.

[Overlapping conversations] >> Mary: YOU DON'T THINK SO EITHER?

>> Eric: ALL RIGHT, GREAT STUFF PANEL.

A LOT OF NEWS TO COVER, THANKS.

♪♪ >> JERRY AND I WENT UP THERE TO DO ONE TRAGIC STORY AND THAT WAS THREE TEENAGERS EING CHARGED IN THE BEATING DEATH ON A BLIND MAN ON THE STREETS OF CASS LAKE.

BUT WHAT WE FOUND WAS THAT AN INORDINATE NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN THE LAST FEW YEARS HAVE BEEN LOST TO ALCOHOL, DRUGS, PRISON, AND DITD.

AND DEATH.

♪♪ >> ERIC: I REMEMBER THAT SERIES.

REALLY COMPELLING WORK BY REPORTER LARRY OAKES AND PHOTOGRAPHER JERRY HOLT.

THE DUO MOVED TO THE LEECH LAKE RESERVATION, THE SMALL RURAL COMMUNITY OF OAKE'S YOUTH, FOR SIX MONTHS TO WORK ON IT.

AND NOW WE'VE COME TO THE INTERACTIVE PORTION OF THE SHOW.

WE ASK YOU TO PUT ON YOUR THINKING CAP AND TRY TO COME UP WITH THE ANSWER TO A MINNESOTA HISTORY QUESTION.

OUR LAST QUERY INVOLVED A MYSTERY PERSON -- NOT SEEN HERE -- BEST KNOWN FOR ACTING ON TELEVISION.

BEFORE GETTING A TV GIG, THIS PERFORMER WAS A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE INNOVATIVE FIREHOUSE THEATER IN MINNEAPOLIS.

HE OR SHE LANDED A STARRING ROLE IN A NETWORK TELEVISION SERIES IN THE 1960S AND STARRED IN ANOTHER TV SERIES IN THE 1970S.

A HINT: THE CHARACTER IN THE ‘70S SERIES GREW UP IN DULUTH, BUT THAT IS NOT WHERE THE SHOW WAS SET.

OUR QUESTION: WHO IS THIS TELEVISION PERFORMER?

LONGTIME VIEWERS KNOW THE DRILL.

WRONG ANSWERS ALWAYS GET TOP BILLING.

>> ERIC: ALL FOUR GUESSES ARE MINNESOTANS.

AND ALL FOUR ARE WRONG.

FOR THIS WEEK'S RIGHT ANSWER, THE PRODUCER'S FAVORITE WAS AGAIN SOMEONE WHO CLAIMED TO FORGO THE ASSISTANCE OF GOOGLE.

I AM SENSING A THEME HERE.

>> ERIC: YES, CHRIS, YOU ARE CORRECT.

DAVID SOUL WAS THE ACTOR WE SOUGHT.

IN ADDITION TO HIS STARRING ROLE IN "STARSKY AND HUTCH,” HE APPEARED IN THE 1960S SERIES "HERE COME THE BRIDES."

SOUL'S CONNECTION TO MINNEAPOLIS WAS HIS FIRST MARRIAGE, WHICH LASTED ONLY ABOUT A YEAR.

BUT HIS FIRSTBORN SON FROM THAT RELATIONSHIP GREW UP IN MINNEAPOLIS AND ATTENDED MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

SOUL DIED EARLIER THIS YEAR AT THE AGE OF 80.

BEFORE WE GO, A QUICK REMINDER FOR YOU.

STOP BY OUR WEBSITE: TPT.ORG/ALMANAC.

YOU CAN CHECK OUT ANY PART OF TONIGHT'S SHOW YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED OR ANY PAST SHOW FROM OUR ARCHIVES.

THAT'S ALSO WHERE YOU CAN FILL OUT THIS YEAR'S "ALMANAC" VIEWER SURVEY.

IT'S A WAY FOR US TO LEARN ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE AS WE PLAN UPCOMING SHOWS.

YOU CAN FILL OUT THE SURVEY ONLINE BY GOING TO TPT.ORG/ALMANACSURVEY.

FOR TONIGHT'S SHOW-ENDING MUSIC, THIS WEEK IN 1999, THE CANADIAN FOLK-ROCK GROUP GREAT BIG SEA STOPPED BY THE OLD "NEWSNIGHT MINNESOTA" PROGRAM RIGHT HERE IN STUDIO "B."

THE GROUP SANG THEIR TOP TEN CANADIAN TUNE, "WHEN I'M UP."

TAKE A LISTEN.

BE CAREFUL.

♪ I'M THE BOY, I'M THE BOY ♪ ♪ YOU KNOW THE WORLD COULD BE OUR OYSTER ♪ ♪ YOU JUST PUT YOUR TRUST IN ME ♪ ♪ 'CAUSE WE'LL KEEP THE GOOD TIMES ROLLING ♪ ♪ WAIT AND SEE, WAIT AND SEE ♪ ♪ OH, WAIT AND SEE ♪ ♪ ♪ HIS EXHALATION A SWEET DISINTEGRATION ♪ ♪ A FEW DISCOLORATIONS THEN IT COMES ALONG ♪ ♪ UP IS WHY HE CHOOSES THE KISSES AND THE BRUISES ♪ ♪ THERE AIN'T NOTHING HE REFUSES ♪ ♪ THEN IT COMES ALONG ♪ ♪ IT COMES ALONG ♪ ♪ AND I AM LIFTED ♪ ♪ I AM LIFTED, I AM LIFTED ♪ ♪ WHEN I'M UP, I CAN'T GET DOWN ♪ ♪ CAN'T GET DOWN, CAN'T GET LEVEL ♪ ♪ WHEN I'M UP, I CAN'T GET DOWN ♪ ♪ GET MY FEET BACK ON THE GROUND ♪ ♪ WHEN I'M UP, I CAN'T GET DOWN ♪ ♪ CAN'T GET DOWN ♪ ♪ CAN'T GET LEVEL ♪ ♪ WHEN I'M UP, I CAN'T GET DOWN ♪ ♪ GET MY FEET BACK ON THE GROUND ♪ ♪ HE JUST NEEDS SOMETHING TO BLIND HIM ♪ ♪ SOMETHING TO WIND HIM UP ♪ ♪ IT WON'T TAKE LONG TO FIND HIM ♪ ♪ WHEN IT COMES ON STRONG ♪ ♪ WISE GUYS ARE GRINNING ♪ ♪ STREET LIGHTS ARE SPINNING ♪ ♪ THE NIGHT IS JUST BEGINNING ♪ ♪ AND THEN IT COMES ON STRONG ♪ ♪ IT COMES ON STRONG ♪ ♪ AND I AM LIFTED ♪ ♪ I AM LIFTED, I AM LIFTED ♪ ♪ WHEN I'M UP, I CAN'T GET DOWN ♪ ♪ CAN'T GET DOWN, CAN'T GET LEVEL ♪ ♪ WHEN I'M UP, I CAN'T GET DOWN ♪ ♪ GET MY FEET BACK ON THE GROUND ♪ ♪ WHEN I'M UP, I CAN'T GET DOWN ♪ ♪ CAN'T GET DOWN ♪ ♪ CAN'T GET LEVEL ♪ ♪ WHEN I'M UP, I CAN'T GET DOWN ♪ ♪ GET MY FEET BACK ON THE GROUND ♪ >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY... GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 27 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

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

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

AND PAINT CARE, HELPING MINNESOTA PAINT SMARTER TO PREVENT WASTE.

MORE AT PAINTCARE.ORG.

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