THE STORY, NEXT, ON "ALMANAC."

♪ >> FUNDING FOR "ALMANAC" IS PROVIDED IN PART BY: HEATHPARTNERS: RECOGNIZED BY IMMOVING THE HEALTH OF OUR MEMBERS, OUR PATIENTS AND THE COMMUNITY FOR OVER 50 YEARS.

GREAT RIVER ENERGY, PROVIDING ELECTRICITY AND RELATED SERVICES TO 28 CO-OPS IN MINNESOTA.

A TOUCHSTONE ENERGY COOPERATIVE.

FLINT HILLS RESOURCES: PRODUCING TRANSPORTATION FUELS FOR MINNESOTA AND THE UPPER MIDWEST AT ITS ROSEMOUNT REFINERY; EDUCATION MINNESOTA: THE UNION OF MORE THAN 70,000 TEACHERS, SCHOOL STAFF, AND HIGHER EDUCATION FACULTY THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

THE PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS OF SCHWEBEL, GOETZ & SIEBEN: SERVING THE SERIOUSLY INJURED.

ONLINE AT SCHWEBEL.COM.

TRAVELERS: A LEADING PROVIDER OF COMMERCIAL INSURANCE AND AUTO AND HOMEOWNERS' COVERAGE THROUGH INDEPENDENT AGENTS NATIONWIDE.

♪ >> OKAY, I HAVE A CONFESSION TO MAKE, THIS BEING LENT AND ALL.

I AM A "FACEBOOK" AHOLIC.

I JOINED ABOUT THREE MONTHS AGO TO KEEP AN EYE ON MY TEENAGERS, AND IT'S BECOME LIKE A DRUG.

THEY SHOULD CALL IT FACE CRACK.

I SIT DOWN, TIE OFF, AND CHECK MY PAGE ABOUT 50 TIMES A DAY.

IT'S REALLY A LOVE/HATE RELATIONSHIP.

I SIT THERE FOR HOURS, EYES GLAZED OVER, READING ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE'S LIVES, LOOKING AT PICTURES OF THEIR KIDS AND THEIR DOGS, AND FINDING OUT THEY'RE GLAD THAT THE SUN IS OUT.

THEN, BEFORE YOU KNOW IT, I SINK INTO A FUNK, STRICKEN WITH "FACEBOOK ENVY."

I THINK TO MYSELF ,"LOOK AT ALL THE FRIENDS SHE HAS, AND WHAT A CUTE PICTURE.

SHE'S SO SKINNY."

EVERYONE SEEMS TO HAVE SUCH CLEVER "POSTS" AND EVERYONE ELSE IS COMMENTING ON THEIR STATUS.

AND I THINK, WHY DON'T THEY COMMENT ON MY STATUS???

WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME?

THEN, IN A SPLIT SECOND, I AM DISGUSTED BY THIS CESSPOOL OF NARCISSISM.

THE OTHER DAY ONE OF MY "FB" FRIENDS ANNOUNCED HE NOW HAS 3,000 FRIENDS!

WHAT A SHOW-OFF!

IS HE SO INSECURE THAT HE NEEDS THAT MANY FRIENDS TO FEEL GOOD ABOUT HIMSELF?

I MEAN, IT IS NICE TO RE-CONNECT WITH OLD HIGH SCHOOL FRIENDS BUT, TO BE HONEST, I WAS NEVER EVEN THAT GOOD OF "REAL" FRIENDS WITH THEM IN THE OLD DAYS.

SO NOW I HAVE 407 FRIENDS, BUT TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH, IF I SAW ABOUT 80% OF THEM ON THE STREET, I PROBABLY WOULDN'T EVEN SAY "HI."

[ Applause ] ♪ >> ERIC: IT WAS A NEWSY WEEK AROUND THE REGION.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE TOP HEADLINES.

AFTER CRESTING IN FARGO LAST WEEKEND, THE RED RIVER IS NOW DROPPING.

BUT MOST POINTS ON THE RED ARE STILL ABOVE MAJOR FLOOD STAGE.

MORE ON THAT IN A FEW MINUTES.

>>> BEMIDJI IS GOING GANGBUSTERS OVER ITS FIRST-EVER NCAA HOCKEY FINAL FOUR APPEARANCE.

THE B.S.U.

MEN'S HOCKEY TEAM WILL PLAY NEXT WEEK IN THE NATIONAL SEMI-FINAL.

>>> A LAWSUIT WAS FILED THIS WEEK IN THE POLICE SHOOTING DEATH OF FONG LEE OF MINNEAPOLIS.

LEE'S ATTORNEYS ARGUE THAT CONTRARY TO POLICE REPORTS, FONG WAS NOT CARRYING A WEAPON WHEN HE WAS SHOT IN 2006.

THE SUIT ALLEGES THAT POLICE PLANTED THE GUN NEAR FONG.

THE MINNEAPOLIS CITY ATTORNEY SAYS THAT ACCUSATION IS FALSE.

>>> BUT FIRST TONIGHT, AS LAWMAKERS HEAD HOME FOR EASTER BREAK NEXT WEEK, THEY ARE GETTING READY TO HEAR FROM VOTERS IN THEIR DISTRICTS.

THE BUDGET AND TAXES WILL BE ON THE MINDS OF MANY.

"ALMANAC"'S MARY LAHAMMER FOUND OUT JUST WHO IS WILLING TO TALK TAXES.

M.GOVERNOR PAWLENTY AND HOUSE REPUBLICANS VOW THEY ARE UNITED AND THERE WON'T BE ANOTHER VETO OVERRIDE ON TAX INCREASES BUT WE FOUND OUT THERE'S MUCH MORE TO THE STORY.

HOUSE REPUBLICANS MAY HAVE CHEERED ON THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE.

>> WE'VE HAD A GREAT MEETING WITH THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS, THEY ARE ENERGID AND UNITED AND WE AGREE ON THE AGENDA THAT NEEDS TO GO FORWARD TO CLOSE THE SESSION SO I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE LEADERSHIP OF MARTI SEIFERT AND THE TEAM THAT STANDS BEHIND US, AND WE ARE UNITED ON THE NOTION THAT MINNESOTANS ARE TAXED ENOUGH, THAT THE LAST THING THAT HARD-WORKING TAXPAYERS AND FAMILIES IN MINNESOTA NEED IN THE MIDDLE OF A RECESSION IS A BIGGER BILL FROM GOVERNMENT.

>> Mary: THEY POSED A UNITED FRONT.

>> WE HAD A GREAT CAUCUS MEETING, WE TALKED ABOUT SOME UNITED ISSUES, SOME ENDGAME AND DISCUSSIONS WHERE WE THINK WE NEED TO BE GOING.

WE'RE ON THE SAME PAGE AND WE'RE VERY EXCITED AND CERTAINLY IN A BETTER MOOD THAN WHAT THE FOLKS WHO CAME OUT OF HERE LAST WEEK WERE IN.

SO WE'RE VERY EXCITED TO BE UNITED TEAM.

>> Mary: BUT SOME MEMBERS DIDN'T EVEN ATTEND THE MEETING.

>> THIS IS NOT A CAUCUS POSITION.

>> Mary: LIKE REPRESENTATIVE MARK BUESGENS AND TOM EMMER WHO HAVEN'T BEEN CAUCUSING WITH FELLOW REPUBLICANS.

>> I HONESTLY DON'T THINK REPRESENTATIVE BUESGENS AND EER WILL BE OVEREYEING ON TAXES.

>> Mary: BUT YOU CAN'T RULE OUT OTHER REPUBLICANS.

>> I THINK THE GOVERNOR REITERATED HIS POSITION HE WON'T RAISE TAXES AND HE SAID IT LIKE FIVE TIMES SO EACH TIME HE SEEMS TO BE MORE CLEAR ABOUT IT AND I THINK THAT WAS THE SENTIMENT OF THE CAUCUS, AS WELL.

I'M HERE TO WORK FOR MY PEOPLE.

THE MESSAGE ON MY OVERRIDE WITH THE GOVERNOR WAS LOUD AND CLEAR, WITH THE GAS TAX AND ROADS.

WE NEED ROADS.

THE MESSAGE FROM MY CITIZENS IS NOT LOUD AND CLEAR WE NEED TO HAVE MORE MONEY TO PAY FOR INTERSESSION AND GOVERNMENT SERVICES.

MY DISTRICT, ARE PEOPLE OF MODEST MEANS.

THEY DON'T MIND HELPING BUT AT SOME POINT THEY ONLY HAVE SO MUCH CAPACITY.

>> Mary: IS THERE ANYTHING THIS YEAR THAT'S WORTH IT IN TERMS OF THE TAX INCREASE?

>> MIGHT BE WORTH IT FOR A NURSING HOME, OR SCHOOLS.

WE'RE NOT TO THAT POINT YET.

>> Mary: REPUBLICANS HAVEN'T BEEN COURTED BY DEMOCRATS BUT THE SPEAKER IS WATCHING.

>> I THINK IN A NUMBER OF COMMITTEES, PEOPLE ARE WORKING WELL TOGETHER.

YOU KNOW, VICE CHAIR ABELER, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE VERY INVOLVED IN PUTTING TOGETHER IDEAS.

>> Mary: THOUGH SHE'S NOT QUITE PEEKING UNDER DOORS YET.

>> THE SPEAKER DOES NOT PEEK UNDER OFFICE DOORS.

[ Laughter ] >> SHE HAS PEOPLE FOR THAT.

[ Laughter ] >> Mary: SOME REPUBLICANS MIGHT HAVE BEEN MORE INTERESTED IN REVENUE OPTIONS BEFORE THE FEDERAL MONEY.

>> THESE NEXT FIVE WEEKS, THINGS HAVE GOT TO HAPPEN HERE.

WE HAVEN'T DONE A LOT UP TO THIS POINT BECAUSE OF -- NO ONE'S FAULT, REALLY, BUT WE HAD THE FEDERAL STIMULUS FUNDS COMING IN, WE HAD THE BUDGET FORECAST COMING OUT THE END OF FEBRUARY, WE NEEDED TO WAIT UNTIL ALL THOSE FELL INTO PLACE, REALLY, SO WEDNESDAY THE CARDS IN OUR HANDS AND FEWER' TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE TO PUT THE CARDS.

WE'LL START PLAYING THE CARD GAME NOW PRETTY SOON.

>> Mary: MEMBERS, LIKE YOU WERE SAYING, THIS IS TERRIBLE, WE NEED OTHER OPTIONS.

WHAT CHANGED WITH THAT SITUATION?

>> WELL, I THINK AGAIN TODAY, WE KNOW WE DROPPED 2 BILLION FROM THE NOVEMBER FORECAST TO THE ENDS OF FEBRUARY FORECAST.

WE'VE HAD THE FEDERAL STIMULUS FUNDS COME IN.

THEY'RE GOING TO HELP.

UNFORTUNATELY, THEY'RE A SHORT-TERM FIX THAT LIKELY WILL ADD TO THE LONG-TERM PROBLEM.

>> I THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE MANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEMBERS OF THE MINORITY PARTY TO SHOW THEIR LOVE FOR THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSALS ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

>> WE HAVE A GENERAL UNDERSTANDING AND CONSENSUS ON THOSE THINGS SO IF WICK ALL FIT IN THAT ROOM SO I THINK WE ALL KNOW WHERE WE'RE AT, AND I FELT VERY GOOD, GOOD MORALE BOOST, TOO.

>> Mary: SO THERE'S NO TRUTH TO WE'RE HEARING THREE, FOUR, FIVE, MAYBE SIX COULD POSSIBLY BE FREE AGENTS?

>> WELL, I'M HEARING THAT THERE'S ABOUT 21 DEMOCRATS WHO MIGHT BE ABLE TO VOTE THEIR DISTRICTS FOR ONCE.

>> Mary: BUT EVEN SOME NEW DEMOCRATS FROM SWING DISTRICTS ARE CONSIDERING TAX INCREASES.

>> I'M IN A FAIRLY CONSERVATIVE DISTRICT, I WON BY A VERY NARROW MARGIN.

I'M MINDFUL OF THAT EVERY DAY.

THE FEEDBACK THAT I'M GETTING FROM THEM IS WE DON'T WANT OUR NURSING HOMES TO CLOSE, WE DON'T WANT THE COUNTY OR ANY OF THE CITIES TO LAY OFF ANY MORE WORKERS AND WE'RE WILLING TO HAVE SACRIFICE ON THE OTHER ENDS TO KEEP THEM.

>> Mary: OTHER FRESHMEN AREN'T WILLING TO GO THAT FAR, YET.

>> DO YOU THINK YOU COULD RATIONALIZE VOTING FOR A TAX INCREASE IF YOU INVOLVED YOUR DISTRICT IT WILL KEEP NURSING HOMES OPEN?

>> I FIRMLY BELIEVE THERE ARE CITIZENS WITHIN MY CONSTITUENCY WHO ARE SAYING RIGHT NOW, DO NOT CUT THIS, FIND SOME WAY TO MAKE SURE THIS SERVICE IS NOT GOING TO BE CUT FROM OUR SERVICES.

>> WE NEED TO HAVE SOME ON IF GOING REVENUE IN THE BUDGET.

>> WHAT DO YOU DO GOING FORWARD, IF YOU HAVE MEMBERS FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE SAYING WE MIGHT RAISE TAXES FOR A NURSING HOME, HOW WOULD YOU HANDLE THAT?

>> IT'S ONE WE WOULD HAVE TO LOOK AT, A STRATEGY QUESTION.

I THINK IT'S A LITTLE EARLY FOR THIS.

>> Mary: BILLS THAT ACTUALLY SPELL OUT WHAT SPECIFIC TAX INCREASES WILL BE CALLED FOR ARE EXPECTED IN THE COMING WEEKS, WELL AFTER EASTER BREAK.

I'M MARY LaHAMMER, AT THE CAP TOCIALG REPORT GANG FOR "ALMANAC."

♪ WITH THIS RING, I PROMISE I'LL ALWAYS LOVE YOU, LOVE YOU ♪ ♪ WITH THIS RING, I FIND AISLE ALWAYS LOVE YOU, ALWAYS LOVE YOU ♪ ♪ THEY USED TO CALL ME THE WONDER, YOU NEVER WANTED TO SETTLE DOWN ♪ ♪ BUT I TELL YOU, BABY, I WANT TO KNOW MORE, JUST TO BE AROUND YOU ♪ >> CATHY: THE RED RIVER CRESTED OVER THE WEEKEND IN FARGO AT A BIT BELOW PROJECTIONS.

AT MIDWEEK, THE RIVER REACHED ITS HIGH WATER MARK AT GRAND FORKS.

WHILE RIVER LEVELS ARE NOW RECEDING, THIS WEEK'S HEAVY SNOW IN THE REGION MEANS THERE WILL BE A SECOND CREST IN LATE APRIL.

AND THE NEWS TODAY?

THERE MAY BE A HIGHER CREST THAN LAST WEEK'S.

HOW BAD WAS THE FLOODING OF 2009, AND WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS?

BACK WITH US AGAIN, STEVE BUAN, HYDROLOGIST WITH THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

AND DR.

MARK SEELEY, CLIMATOLOGIST AND METEOROLOGIST AT THE U OF M. YOU CAME OUT WITH A FORECAST TODAY, A 75% CHANCE OF A CREST HIGHER THAN LAST WEEK'S.

THAT'S PRETTY HIGH THERE, ISN'T IT?

WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THIS?

>> WELL, WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THAT IS WE USE A COMPUTER MODELS IN THE LAST 58 YEARS WORTH OF OBSERVED WEATHER RECORDS FROM 1948 ON, AND WE CAN RUN IN, THEN, SIMULATIONS OF WHAT THE RIVER IS EXPECTED TO DO BASED ON PAST HISTORY, AND IN THOSE 58 YEARS, 56 YEARS SHOW THAT THERE'S LIKELY TO BE PRECIPITATION IN THAT PERIOD BETWEEN NOW AND WHEN WE WOULD SEE AN EXPECTED CREST.

SO THERE ARE ONLY TWO YEARS OUT OF 58 WHERE WE GET NO PRECIPITATION AND ONLY MELT, SO... >> Cathy: YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT ADDITIONAL PRECIPITATION ON TOP OF THE SNOW PACK THAT'S THERE FROM EARLIER IN THE WEEK?

>> YEAH, WITH JUST THAT SNOW MELT, WE HAVE TWO SIMULATIONS THAT SHOW SOMEWHERE IN THAT 38, 39-FOOT RANGERS AND EVERYTHING ELSE IS ABOVE THAT.

>> Cathy: WOW.

>> Eric: IS THE MELT SLOWER THIS YEAR?

>> DRAMATICALLY SO.

THIS YEAR'S GOING TO GO IN THE RECORD BOOKS, ERIC, AS A CASE STUDY FOR HYDROLOGISTS, NOTABLY FOR TWO ATTRIBUTES, THE EARLINESS, EXTRAORDINARY EARLY FLOODING, SPRING SNOW-MELT FLOODING, AND THEN SECONDLY IS ENDURANCE.

THIS THING IS GOING TO BE VERY LONG-LIVED FOR PRECISELY THE PARAMETER YOU MENTIONED BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN IN A WENT THAT'S HANGING ON -- IN A WINTER THAT'S HANGING ON AND SO THE LANDSCAPE SNOWS DISCHARGING THAT SURPLUS MOISTURE IN A RAPID WAY, IT'S DOING IT SLOWLY AND IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE TO ACT THAT WAY WELL INTO THE MONTH OF APRIL.

>> Cathy: ISN'T THAT OKAY IN TEMPS OF A SLOW DISCHARGE, AS YOU SAY, OF MOISTURE?

YOU DON'T WANT A RAPID WARMUP, CORRECT?

>> WELL, IN THE CASE IF YOU WERE MAYBE LOOKING AT JUST ONE FLOOD EVENT.

SAY YOU NOMINALLY HAD A SMALLER SNOW PACK ON THE LANDSCAPE, GETTING A LONG, DRAWN-OUT MELT WOULD BE A LOWER CREST.

WE'RE DEALING WITH A HIGH ROW LODGIC PHENOMENA THAT IS IN THE RECORD BOOKS, STARTING IN LAST YEAR, FARGO HAD AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF MOISTURE, 2 TO 3 INCHES MORE THAN EVER SEEN BEFORE.

SO BY EXTENDING THIS OUT, WE ARE PUREEING US INTO THE PERIOD WHERE WE COULD START TO SEE SPRING CON VEHICLIVE RAINS WHICH CAN PRODUCE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF RAINFALL AT ONE TIME.

THE RISKS START GOING UP AS WE PUSH WINTER FARTHER ALONG.

>> Cathy: HOW MUCH PUSH WAS IN THAT SNOWFALL THAT THE AREA HAD EARLIER?

THEY HAD ABOUT 10 INCHES, RIGHT?

>> A LOT OF PLACES, LITTLE OLD CAMPBELL IN WESTERN MINNESOTA HAD 27 INCHES OF SNOW AND I THINK BRECKENRIDGE REPORTED CLOSE TO 18.

THE LIQUIDS EQUIVALENT, STEVE PROBABLY KNOWS BETTER THAN I DO, BUT LOOKED LIKE IT RANGED ONE TO TWO INCHES, LIQUID EQUIVALENT, DIDN'T IT STEVE?

>> THAT'S ON TOP OF THE ONE AND A HALF TO 2 INCHES OF MOISTURE THAT WAS FROZEN AT THE END OF THE STORM ON THE 26th OF MARCH, SO WE ADDED THAT RIGHT ON TOP OF IT, SO NOW WE HAVE ONE AND A HALF TO 4 INCHES OF WATER READY TO MELT THE NEXT TIME IT WARMS UP UP THERE.

>> Eric: DOESN'T ALL THIS SHOW HOW TOUGH IT IS TO PREDICT THE CRESTS AND DURATION AND EVERYTHING?

I MEAN, THERE'S SO MANY VARIABLES THAT CAN GO INTO IT.

>> IT IS, ERIC, AND YOU KNOW WHAT'S REALLY HARD FOR THE PUBLIC, JOE CITIZEN TO ABSORB THIS BECAUSE I THINK FIRST AND FOREMOST IN PEOPLE'S MINDS ARE THEY WATCH THE SNOW.

YOU KNOW, IT'S -- YOU'RE IN WINTER AND YOU WATCH HOW SNOW IS PILING UP OUTSIDE AND IF IT'S PILING UP A LOT, MAYBE YOU START TO GET WORRIED ABOUT WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN TO ALL THAT, BUT AS STEVE HAS EXPLAINED AND WHAT GOES INTO A LOT OF THE MODELS IS A LOT MORE COMPLEX THAN JUST HAVING AN ABUNDANT SNOW SEASON.

THE DEPTH OF FROST IN THE SOIL AND THE FACT THEY CALL THAT A CONCRETE FWROS, A REAL HARD FROST THIS YEAR, MEANS THAT IT'S TOTALLY IMPERMEABLE.

EVERYTHING ON THE IS YOUR VAST -- SURFACE HAS TO RUN OAMPLT THE UNUSUAL AMOUNTS OF MOISTURE LAST FALL FILLED UP OTTERS POOR SPACE IN THE SOIL.

THE SOIL HAS NO MORE POWER SPACE TO HOLD MOISTURE, LIKE A FULL SPONGE.

AND THEN, OF COURSE, THE UNKNOWN, WHAT KIND OF A THAW PERIOD ARE WE GOING TO HAVE?

IS IT GOING TO BE VERY WARM AND COMPRESSED OR IS IT GOING TO BE COLD AND ELONGATEED AND THEN WHAT KIND OF SPRING -- WE HAVE HAD APRILS, WHERE STEVE ALLUDED TO, WE'VE GOTTEN INTO A CON VEHICLIVE THUNDERSTORM-TYPE PRECIPITATION SITUATION AND HOLY SMOKES, THEN YOU CAN GET A FEW INCHES IN VERY SHORT ORDER.

>> Cathy: ARE YOU FEELING PRETTY GOOD ABOUT THE CREST FORECASTS THAT YOU HAD THIS PAST WEEK?

>> YEAH, I THINK WE WERE -- WHEN WE TALKED HERE TWO SHOWS AGO, WE WERE LOOKING AT 37 TO 40 FEET AT THAT TIME, AND THE RAIN WAS JUST COMING IN.

IT WAS GOING TO BE RAINING THAT WEEKEND UP THERE, AND THEN AFTER THAT RAIN HIT, WE BUMPED OUR FORECAST UP TO 41 FEET AT THAT TIME AND ULTIMATELY, WE STRETCHED THAT OUT TO BE MAYBE AS CLOSE -- AS HIGH AS 43 FEET.

>> Cathy: WHY DID YOU DO THAT, BY THE WAY?

>> WE WERE LOOKING AT CONFIRMATION OF THE U.S.

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY GOES OUT AND MEASURES THE STREAM FLOW IN THE STREAMS, ALL ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.

AND WHEN THEY MEASURED THE STREAM FLOW AT THE WAHPETON-BRECKENRIDGE OVER AND A LITTLE TOWN IN AB BEER CHROMEY IN NORTH DAKOTA, ON THE RICE RIVER, THEY CAME IN WITH RECORD DISCHARGES AT BOTH LOCATIONS, HIGHER THAN 1997 AND BY SEVERAL THOUSAND CUBIC FEET PER SECOND.

SO WE WERE LOOKING AT THAT TIME^^, TWO POINTS OF MAJOR INFLOW INTO FARGO, RECORD DISCHARGES BY A LOT.

WE HAD TO UP THE FORECAST FOR THE UNCERTAINTY LEVEL OF WHAT IT WOULD PUSH IT OVER THE LEVEL WAS HIGHER.

BUT THEN IT GOT COLD AND IT FROZE SOME OF THAT WATER OUT IN THE LANDSCAPE.

IT TOOK IT AWAY FROM WHAT COULD GO THROUGH FARGO AT THAT TIME, AND IT CRESTED LOWER.

>> Cathy: DO YOU WORRY ABOUT THE DIKES HOLDING UP IN A SECOND CREST?

>> I THINK THERE IS SOME CONSIDERATION -- I THINK, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, CATHY, I THINK THE CITIZENS, ESPECIALLY THE CITIZENS OF FARGO/MOORHEAD, I THINK THEY'RE BEING EXTREMELY DILIGENT ABOUT MONITORING THIS YEAR.

THEY KNOW, THEY'VE BEEN TOLD ENOUGH TIMES THAT WE'RE IN FOR A LONG DURATION EVENT AND IT'S GOING TO BE REALLY IMPORTANT TO MONITOR AND MAKE SURE THOSE HOLD UP.

THIS IS GOING TO BE BOOKMARKED IN THEIR MEMORY THE REST OF THEIR LIFE.

IT'S VERY UNLIKELY THE REST OF THEIR LIFE THEY WOULD HAVE A FLOOD FIGHT THIS LONG.

THIS IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE A SINGULAR EXPERIENCE IN THAT REGARD.

>> Cathy: AND YOU WOULD AGREE WITH THAT?

>> OH, DEFINITELY.

A LOT OF FLOODS IT COMES UP RAPIDLY AND GOES DOWN AND YOU GET BACK TO IT, AND THAT'S WHAT EVERYBODY'S EXPERIENCE IS TELLING THEM THEY WANT TO DO NOW AND I BELIEVE THAT WE DO HAVE TO TAKE A PERIOD HERE, THE FOLKS UP IN THE RED RIVER VALLEY AS THIS CREST HAS GONE BY AND IT'S STILL CRESTING IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE VALLEY SO THERE'S LOTS OF CITIZENS OF NORTH DAKOTA, MINNESOTA, STILL UNDER THE GUN WAITING FOR THAT CREST TO GO BY.

BUT AS THAT FIRST CREST GOES BY, THESE FOLKS CAN TAKE A LITTLE BREATHER BECAUSE WE KNOW, BASED ON THE METEOROLOGICAL FORECAST THAT WE'LL GET A BREAK HERE, RIVERS WILL RESEED FOR ABOUT A WEEK BEFORE THE MELT COMES AND WE'LL START BACK IN.

>> Cathy: YOU HAVE A WEBSITE TO TALK ABOUT.

>> I WANT TO MENTION, SINCE THIS IS A LONG DURATION EVENT, IT'S BASIN-WIDE AND GOING TO AFFECT A LOT OF PEOPLE.

EXTENSION.UMN.EDU.

THERE'S ACCESS THERE TO BOTH UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION RESOURCE INFORMATION, ON RECOVERING FROM A FLOOD, COPING WITH THE AFTERMATH OF A FLOOD, PICKING UP THE PIECES.

THERE'S ALSO ACCESS TO OUR COUNTERPARTS AT N.D.S.U.

OVER IN NORTH DAKOTA, SO LOTS AND LOTS OF GOOD INFORMATION THAT WILL BE VALUABLE TO THESE CITIZENS THAT ARE GOING THROUGH THIS TRAUMA.

>> Cathy: HOPE YOU GET SOME SLEEP BEFORE THE SECOND CREST COMES.

>> WE'LL TRY TO DO THAT.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU, STEVE, THANK YOU, Dr.. >> Eric: THANKS.

♪ >> CATHY: MINNESOTA GUARD TROOPS ARE NOW TRAINING IN WASHINGTON STATE.

SOON THEY WILL HEAD TO IRAQ FOR A YEAR-LONG DEPLOYMENT.

FIVE OF THE TROOPERS WILL BE BRINGING ALONG A VIDEO CAMERA JUST LIKE THIS ONE.

IT'S ALL PART OF A SPECIAL PROJECT HERE AT TPT.

GUARD TROOPS OVERSEAS AND THEIR FAMILIES BACK HOME WILL USE THESE CAMERAS TO DOCUMENT THEIR LIVES DURING THE NEXT YEAR.

FROM TIME TO TIME, WE'LL SHOW EXCEPTS OF THESE VIDEOS HERE ON "ALMANAC."

TPT PRODUCER LUKE HEIKKILA BRINGS US SOME OF THE STORIES HE'S COLLECTED SO FAR.

>> I AM MARRIED, MY HUSBAND'S NAME IS JUSTIN AND I HAVE THREE CHILDREN.

>> BEEN MARRIED FOR COMING ON 15 YEARS, HAVE THREE CHILDREN, 11-YEAR-OLD BOY NAMED JEREMY AND A SET OF TWINS WHO ARE FOUR YEARS OLD, ANDREW AND CAMPBELL.

>> MY DAUGHTER'S NAME IS LILY, I JUST GOT DOWN TALKING TO HER.

WE GOT A CHANCE TO TALK ON SKYPE FOR THE FIRST TIME.

WE'VE BEEN TALKING ON THE PHONE BUT SHE'S FIVE YEARS OLD NOW AND SHE'S REALLY A SWEET LITTLE, VERY SMART LITTLE GIRL.

SHE'S IN KINDERGARTEN.

>> FIRST NAME IS CARRIE.

>> WHEN MY FATHER REMARRIED, I HAD A STEPMOM AND A STEPSISTER, I HAVE TWO BROTHERS, ONE IS MARRIED, HAS FOUR KIDS.

THEY LIVE LIKE 15 MINUTES AWAY FROM HOME SO WE'RE ALWAYS WATCHING.

MY PEOPLE DON'T RELEVANT DEDAY CARE SO WE'RE ALWAYS WATCHING THEM EVERY DAY SO BEING BEING -- ME BEING THE OLDEST ONE IN THE FAMILY, I TAKE CARE OF EVERYTHING.

>> I ACTUALLY HAVE BEEN IN THE NATIONAL GUARD FOR 16 YEARS.

ORIGINALLY, I WENT IN TO HELP WITH COLLEGE BENEFITS.

THIS IS MY SECOND DEPLOYMENT.

MY FIRST DEPLOYMENT WAS ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO AND I WAS IN SARAHJECO.

FOUND ABOUT A YEAR AGO WE WOULD BE DMOIG AND I WAS PREGNANT WITH MAX.

THE THOUGHT OF LEAVING -- I LEFT BRADEN WHEN HE WAS LITTLE AND HE HAD A REALLY, REALLY HARD TIME WITH IT.

SO WHEN WE FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS DEPLOYMENT, WE IMMEDIATELY STARTED PREPARING SO THAT OUR KIDS WOULD HAVE AN EASIER TIME.

>> JOSHUA CHRISTIANSON, STAFF SERGEANT.

I'M A MUSICIAN IN THE ARMY BAND HERE IN MINNESOTA.

I DON'T REALLY THINK SHE DOES UNDERSTAND, YET, BUT I DESPERATELY SEARCHED OUT BOOKS THAT I COULD READ TO HER THAT KIND OF EXPLAINED WAS WAS GOING ON AND WHAT WAS HAPPENING.

ONE OF THEM WAS CALLED "OVER THERE," AND IT JUST TALKED ABOUT I -- THE LITTLE GIRL, I'M HERE, AND DADDY, HE'S THERE AND I HAVE LUNCH AND HE HAS LUNCH THERE AND IT HAD PICTURES AFTER A LITTLE GIRL HAVING LUNCH.

THE OTHER BOOK WAS CALLED "A VERY LONG TIME," AND IT JUST EXPLAINED THE CONCEPT OF TIME AS FAR AS SOMETHING IN HER TERMS.

>> IS HE GOING TO MISS YOUR BIRTHDAY?

>> YES.

>> YEAH.

>> BUT HE HAS HIS COMPUTER.

>> BUT HE HAS HIS COMPUTER.

DID YOU SEE DADDY YESTERDAY?

>> YES.

>> YEAH?

>> I HAVE BEEN ABLE AT LEAST TO VIDEO CONFERENCE WITH MY FAMILY PROBABLY FOUR TO FIVE TIMES A WEEK.

THAT DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK, IT'S NOT AN EXACT SCIENCE BUT I TALK TO THEM ON THE PHONE EVERY DAY, EVERY DAY AND I USUALLY GET THE KIDS AND ALL THREE KIDS AT LEAST ONCE A DAY SOME WAY.

SO THAT'S BEEN PRETTY GOOD.

SO FAR, SO GOOD.

>> LOVE YOU TOO.

>> THE FIRST TIME THAT I WAS DEPLOYED, I DIDN'T WANT TO THINK ABOUT BEING GONE AND AWAY FROM MY FAMILY BUT THIS TIME, YOU KNOW, I MADE A CONSCIOUS EFFORT, LIKE WHAT I WANTED MY HOUSE TO BE LIKE WHILE I WAS GONE BECAUSE I WASN'T GOING TO BE THERE.

YOU KNOW, AND WE'VE BEEN PREPARING FOR THAT FOR A YEAR.

AND SO I FEEL REALLY COMFORTABLE.

>> I'M GOING TO PHYSICS.

I'LL BE BACK IN 7, WHEN SHE'S 7.

SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT 6 IS BUT I ASSUME THERE'S A LOT OF GOOD THINGS IN 6. .

♪ YEAH, SHE'S GOING TO BE SOMEBODY'S ONLY LIGHT, GOING TO SHINE TONIGHT ♪ ♪ YEAH, SHE'S GOING TO BE SOMEBODY'S BABY TONIGHT ♪ ♪ SHE'S GOING TO BE SOMEBODY'S ONLY LIGHT, GOING TO SHINE TONIGHT ♪ >> ERIC: NO ONE KNOWS WHY THE RATE OF AUTISM IN AMERICA HAS GONE UP IN THE PAST FEW DECADES.

AND HERE IN MINNESOTA, NOBODY HAS A GRIP ON ANOTHER AUTISM PUZZLE; WHY DO SO MANY SOMALI CHILDREN SEEM TO HAVE THE DISORDER?

THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH RELEASED A STUDY THIS WEEK THAT MAY START TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION.

DR.

SANNE MAGNAN IS MINNESOTA'S HEALTH COMMISSIONER.

IDIL ABDULL IS A PARENT ADVOCATE AND CO-FOUNDER OF THE SOMALI-AMERICAN AUTISM FOUNDATION.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR COMING DOWN.

COMMISSIONER, IS IT FAIR TO SAY THAT THIS STUDY, NOW, THAT YOU CONDUCTED, IT WASN'T EXACTLY A MEDICAL STUDY, IS THAT FAIR TO SAY?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

IN A NUTSHELL, WE NOTICED WITH THE SOMALI COMMUNITY'S INPUT, REALLY THE SOMALI COMMUNITY WHO BROUGHT IT TO OUR ATTENTION, IN 2008, MORE SOMALI CHILDREN, THEY SAW THEM IN THEIR SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASSES FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS, SO WE STARTED THE STUDY AND LOOKED AT 3 TO 4-YEAR-OLD PRESCHOOLERS IN THE MINNEAPOLIS SCHOOL SYSTEM, AND WHAT THE SOMALI PARENTS WERE SEEING WITH THEIR EYES WAS REAL, THAT THERE WERE MORE SOMALI CHILDREN IN THOSE CLASSES FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS.

BUT THAT WAS WITH SCHOOL RECORDS.

IT DIDN'T INCLUDE MEDICAL RECORDS OR IN-DEPTH REVIEWS OF SCHOOL RECORDS OR PRIVATE RECORDS, SO WE CAN'T SAY THAT SOMALI CHILDREN HAVE MORE AUTISM THAN OTHER CHILDREN, BUT IT IS TRUE THAT THEY'RE GETTING MORE SERVICES IN THE MINNEAPOLIS SCHOOL SYSTEM.

>> Eric: IDIL, WHAT ARE YOU TAKING FROM THE STUDY NUMBERS?

>> WELL, AS THE COMMISSIONER HAS SAID, I THINK THE NUMBERS ARE THERE.

WHETHER IT'S TRUE THAT IT'S ONLY EDUCATIONAL IDENTIFICATION, THE SCHOOL SCRIKTS AND THAT'S BECAUSE A LOT OF THEM ARE NOT REFERRED TO GET A MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS.

THERE ARE ALSO A LOT OF SOMALI CHILDREN THAT GO TO CHARTER SCHOOLS.

THERE ARE THOSE THAT GO TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS, LIKE MY SON GOES TO PRIVATE SCHOOL, BUT I THINK THIS IS A GOOD BEGINNING.

IT'S A STEP FORWARD.

WE DON'T KNOW WHY AUTISM IS SO HIGH IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THERE'S NO WORD FOR IT IN OUR LANGUAGE.

I HAD NEVER SEEN A SOMALI ADULT THAT HAS AUTISM BUT I THINK IT'S A GOOD BEGINNING TO FIGURE OUT AND TRY TO SOLVE THIS MISERY.

>> Cathy: YOU MENTIONED, I KNOW, THAT THERE'S NOT A WORD IN YOUR LANGUAGE FOR AUTISM BUT I'M CURIOUS, HOW DOES THE SOMALI COMMUNITY REACT TO THOSE WHO HAVE AUTISM?

>> I THINK NOW, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, IT TOOK ME A YEAR AND A HALF TO COME OUT TO SAY IT EVEN THOUGH I WAS CALLING THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO SAY -- SAYING THAT THERE IS SOMETHING GOING ON HERE, THERE ARE MORE KIDS IN THE SCHOOLS, IN THE AUTISM PROGRAMS.

I WAS STILL IN DENIAL, MYSELF, BECAUSE THERE'S SUCH A HUGE STIGMA IN OUR COMMUNITY SIMPLY BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW, IT'S FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN.

A LOT OF THE PEOPLE HERE DON'T SPEAK THE LANGUAGE OR NEVER HEARD OF IT AND DON'T KNOW HOW TO HELP THEIR KIDS, SO YOU JUST SORT OF GO INTO THIS SHELL AND HELP IT GOES AWAY.

YOU PRAY THAT IT GOES AWAY, BUT, I MEAN, AUTISM IS REAL, IT'S NOT GOING AWAY SO I URGE PARENTS TO TAKE THEIR KIDS TO EARLY INTERVENTION, EARLY EDUCATION.

THAT REALLY HELPS A LOT AND WE HOPE TO FIND THE CAUSE ONE DAY.

>> Cathy: AUTISM IS A SPECTRUM DISORDER SO IT CAN GO FROM VERY SEVERE SYMPTOMS TO ALONG THE LINE TO THINGS LIKE ASPER GEAR'S, ALONG THE LINE, IS THAT CORRECT?

>> YES, IT IS A SPECTRUM DISORDER.

I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS IDIL WAS SAYING THAT IS OFF NOTE, AS WE TALK TO PHYSICIANS, THEY'RE SAYING WE DON'T HAVE THE TOOLS THAT HAVE BEEN CULTURALLY NORMED IN OTHER COWL THURSDAY FOR HOW TO DIAGNOSE THIS THE.

>> Cathy: WHAT DOES THAT MEN?

>> THAT MEANS THAT UNDERSTANDING HOW BEHAVIORS AND DEVELOPMENT IS SEEN THROUGH THE EYES OF OTHER PEOPLE AND WHAT IS CONSIDERED NORMAL FOR THEM VERSUS NORMAL AND HOW A DOCTOR HERE IN MINNESOTA WOULD LOOK AT THAT.

SO WE REALLY ARE -- AS IDIL WAS SAYING, WE ARE AT THE BEGINNING OF A LONG JOURNEY HERE AND ONE OF THE THINGS WE NEED TO DO IS GET BETTER RESOURCES.

NO MATTER WHAT THE DATA SHOWS, THAT'S THE ASSESSMENT PART IN PUBLIC HEALTH.

THERE'S ALSO THE ASSURANCE PART.

WAS CAN WE DO TO GET PARENT SERVICES AND RESOURCES RIGHT NOW TO HELP NO MATTER WHAT THE DIAGNOSIS IS AND THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS WE WANT TO WORK MORE CLOSELY WITH IDIL AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE SOMALI COMMUNITY TO DO.

>> Eric: THERE TALK IN THE COMMUNITY ABOUT VACCINES BEING A POSSIBLE CONTRIBUTOR TO THIS?

>> YOU KNOW, AT THIS POINT, I ALWAYS WANT TO MAKE SURE I SIDE ON THE SIDE OF MEDICAL SCIENCE.

I MEAN, THERE'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE RUMOUR THAT IT COULD BE CAUSED BY VACCINE, VITAMIN D, GENETICS.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T -- THIS IS VERY EMOTIONAL, IT'S HAPPENING TO OUR CHILDREN.

IN SOMALI WE BELIEVE THAT CHILDREN ARE A GIFT FROM GOD SO IT'S VERY, VERY PERSONAL TO US BUT I WANT TO CAUTION, WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT CAUSES IT.

WE'RE NOT SCIENTISTS, WE'RE PARENTS.

OUR JOB IS TO MAKE SURE WE HELP OUR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM BY GETTING EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES, AND LEAVE THE CURE AND WHAT CAUSED IT TO THE MEDICAL SCIENCE, PEOPLE LIKE Dr.

MAGNAN.

>> Cathy: DO WE KNOW, IS THE SAME SITUATION DEVELOPING IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, IN OTHER SOMALI-AMERICAN COMMUNITIES?

>> I MEAN, THIS IS A PLACE WHERE WE NEED BETTER DATA AND WHAT WE DID HERE LAYS A FOUNDATION.

WE'VE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH C.D.C.

AND OTHER EXPERTS AROUND THE COUNTRY SO WHAT MINNESOTA HAS DONE IS THE FIRST STEP IN LAYING A STRONG FOUNDATION.

THERE'S A LOT MORE WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE, NOT ONLY IN MINNESOTA BUT AROUND THE COUNTRY TO REALLY UNDERSTAND THIS IN POPULATION.

>> Cathy: IDIL?

>> I BELIEVE IT WAS THE "NEW YORK TIMES" REPORTER, DONALD McNEAL THAT HAD CALLED ME, SEATTLE AND I THINK ATLANTA WHERE THERE ARE -- AND SAN DIEGO WHERE THERE ARE LARGE NUMBERS OF SOMALI POPULATIONS AND HE TALKED TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENTS AND HE SAID THEY HAVEN'T SEEN IT.

THERE IS A FEW HERE AND THERE BUT THE WAY IT IS IN MINNESOTA, AND IN SWEDEN, YOU'VE HEARD OF SWEDEN, PROBABLY, WE HAVEN'T SEEN IT.

SO WE'RE NOT SURE WHAT IT IS THAT THEY HAVE IN COMMON, WHAT IS IT ABOUT US THAT'S SO ATTRACTIVE TO AUTISM.

THERE ARE MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS, BUT I THINK IN TIME AND IF WE WORK TOGETHER AND PUT THE EMOTIONS ASIDE AND LOOK AT THIS OBJECTIVELY, WE CAN GET THERE.

WE CAN GET THERE.

>> Cathy: CUDOS TO YOU, BY THE WAY, IDIL, FOR ALL THE WORK YOU'VE DONE ON THIS.

THIS IS A BIG, BIG JOB AHEAD OF YOU, OBVIOUSLY.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: WHAT NEEDS TO BE STUDIED RIGHT NOW?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS IS WE HAVE THIS ADMINISTRATIVE PREVALENCE, THAT'S WHAT WE GOT FROM THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

WE REALLY NEED POPULATION PREVALENCE AND THAT'S WHERE WE ACTUALLY GET MEDICAL RECORDS, SCHOOL RECORDS, PRIVATE RECORDS, FIGURE OUT HOW TO STUDY IT IN THAT KIND OF WAY.

THE NEXT THING IS WHETHER WE SHOULD TRY TO DO THIS IN ANOTHER GEOGRAPHIC AREA, LIKE IDIL WAS SAYING, PICK ANOTHER PARTS OF MINNESOTA AND DO THE SAME KIND OF STUDY BUT WE STILL NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW ARE KIDS GETTING REFERRED, HOW CAN WE DO A BETTER JOB, HOW CAN WE GET THE RESOURCES TO PARENTS AND COMMUNITIES, AND WE LOOK FORWARDS TO WORKING WITH PEOPLE LIKE IDIL.

>> Eric: THANK FOR COMING DOWN.

>> THANK YOU.

♪ >> Mary: DID YOU KNOW?

DID YOU KNOW THE BEST TESTIMONY OF THE WEEK CAME FROM A 91-YEAR-OLD FISHING PHENOM, WHO STOLE THE SHOW IN COMMITTEE WHILE LOBBYING FOR FREE FISHING LICENSES.

>> I'M IRENE LONG AND I'M NOT -- I WILL BE 92 YEARS OF AGE ON MAY 11th, THE OPENING OF FISHING SEASON THIS YEAR.

[ Laughter ] TWO YEARS AGO, THEN I CAUGHT THIS GREAT BIG ONE, 54-INCH MUSKY.

>> WE HEAR A LOT OF FISH STORIES IN THIS COMMITTEE BUT VERY FEW COME FORWARD WITH THE EVIDENCE.

[ Laughter ] >> I WOULD LIKE TO WISH THAT A LOT OF GRANDMAS COULD GO BECAUSE IT'S -- WHEN YOU'VE GOT FIXED INCOMES LIKE MOST OF US THAT'S BEEN GOING, WE JUST WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A LICENSE EVEN LOWER OR OTHERWISE NOTHING AT ALL SO WE COULD ALL GO FISHING BECAUSE WE ALL HAVE SUCH A WONDERFUL TIME OUT THERE ON THE LAKE.

WE LAUGH AND JOKE AND HAVE A GOOD TIME.

♪ BET YOU GOING FISHING ALL THE TIME, BABY GOING FISHIN, TOO ♪ ♪ BET YOUR LIFE, YOUR SWEET WIFE, SHE'S GOING TO CATCH MORE FISH THAN YOU ♪ ♪ MANY FISH BITES IF YOU GOT THE BAIT, OH, HERE'S A LITTLE TIP THAT I WOULD LIKE TO RELATE ♪ ♪ THE FISH BITES IF YOU GOT GOOD BAIT, IMA.

GOING FISHING, MOMMA'S GOING FISHING AND THE BABY GOING FISHING, TOO ♪ >> CATHY: KLEPTOMANIA IS THE STRONG DESIRE TO STEAL THINGS.

AND A STUDY RELEASED THIS WEEK BY U OF M RESEARCHERS SUGGESTS THAT IT IS AN ADDICTION SIMILAR TO OTHER COMPULSIVE DISORDERS SUCH AS GAMBLING.

THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT A NEW DRUG MAY HELP CURB THE URGE TO STEAL.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE STUDY IS DR.

JON GRANT FROM THE U OF M. GOOD TO SEE YOU.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

JUST GENERALLY NOW, Dr., DOCTOR, HOW DOES THIS DRUG WORK?

>> THE DRUG WORKS BY BLOCKING THE PLEASURE RECEPTORS OF THE BRAIN AND, THEREFORE, WHEN SOMEBODY DOES STEAL, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO GET A RUSH OR A HIGH FROM IT ANY LONGER, AND IF THAT'S BLOCKED, THAT PLEASURE, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE THE DESIRE OR URGE TO STEAL IN THE FUTURE.

>> Cathy: I CAN SEE WHERE THIS MIGHT WORK THEN WITH DRUG ADDITION, ALCOHOLISM, GAMBLING?

>> YES, AS A MATTER OF FACT IT'S F.D.A.-APPROVED FOR THE TREATMENT OF DRUG ADDICTION AS WELL AS HEROIN ADDICTION.

IT'S BEEN AROUND FOR 27 YEARS NOW.

WE'VE USED IT FOR GAMBLING ADDICTION, AS WELL, AND THIS IS THE FIRST STUDY WHERE WE USED FOR PEOPLE WHO COULD NOT CONTROL THEIR STEALING.

>> Eric: HOW DID THIS COME BEFORE YOU?

>> I HAVE TREATED HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE REPORTED AN INABILITY TO CONTROL THEIR STEALING BEHAVIOR AND REALLY THEY DESCRIBE IT VERY SIMILARLY HOW PEOPLE DESCRIBE DRUG ADDICTION.

THEY'LL SAY, I WISH I DIDN'T DO THIS, I HAVE HORRIBLE CONSEQUENCES, I HATE MYSELF FOR DOING IT.

BUT, WHEN I DO IT, I GET SUCH A RUSH, SUCH A THRILL THAT I FEEL A NEED TO KEEP GOING BACK AND DOING IT MORE AND MORE, EVEN THOUGH IT'S DESTROYING MY LIFE.

>> Cathy: IS CLEPTO MANIA, HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE THIS DISORDER, DO YOU KNOW?

>> WE'RE NOT REALLY SURE.

IT'S ACTUALLY ONE OF THE VERY FIRST MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS EVER DESCRIBED, OVER 200 YEARS AGO, AND IT'S BEEN IN MEDICAL LITERATURE, LITTLE TALKS ABOUT IT OVER THE YEARS, BUT THERE'S BEEN NO EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY.

WE DID DO A LARGE STUDY, THOUGH, OF COLLEGE STUDENTS, ABOUT 1,000 COLLEGE STUDENTS AND FOUND THAT MAYBE A HALF A PERCENT SUFFER FROM KLEPTOMANIA, SORT OF ON PAR WITH ANOREXIA.

>> Eric: HOW DID YOU GO ABOUT FINDING THE SUBJECTS FOR THIS AND HOW DID YOU TEST?

>> WE ACTUALLY ADVERTISED, WE PUT UP FLYERS AND HAD REFERRALS FROM OTHER PHYSICIANS, BASICALLY THE FLYERS SAYING, IF YOU CAN'T CONTROL YOUR STEALING, GIVE US A CALL.

IT WAS SURPRISING HOW MANY PEOPLE ACTUALLY CALLED US.

WE HAD VERY STRICT CRITERIA FOR THE STUDY, PEOPLE COULDN'T HAVE OTHER PROBLEMS BECAUSE WE REALLY WANTED TO TARGET IN ON THE STEALING BEHAVIOR.

>> Cathy: COULD THIS BE USED ALSO FOR O.C.D., OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER?

IN GENERAL TERMS?

>> THE SPECIFICS OF OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE ARE A LITTLE DIFFERENT, PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO DO THE BEHAVIORS SUCH AS WASH THEIR HANDS A LOT, BUT IT COULD BE USED FOR A RANGE OF ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS.

WE'RE CONDUCTING A STUDY IN THE SEXUAL AREA, FOR PEOPLE WHO CAN'T CONTROL THEIR SEXUAL SEARCHES ON THE INTERNET, AND PEOPLE WHO CAN'T CONTROL THEIR BEHAVIOR IN SETTING FIRES.

SO WE RANK THE BEHAVIORS THAT PEOPLE FIND EXHILARATING AND THRILLING, WE'RE HOPING THE MEDICATION CAN HELP WITH THIS, AS WELL.

>> Eric: HOW WOULD THIS BE APPLIED IN THE REAL WORLD?

WOULD JUDGES ORDER IT OR GIVE A SENSE OF HOW IT COULD BE APPLIED?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION, * WE'RE NOT SURE HOW MANY PEOPLE WHO SHOPLIFT HAVE KLEPTOMANIA, BUT THERE IS A SERGE PERCENTAGE THAT DO AND THERE ARE A CERTAIN NUMBER GOING THROUGH THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM OVER AND OVER AND NOT BEING TREATED.

NOT EVEN KNOWING WHAT THEIR DIAGNOSIS IS.

IDEALLY, THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM COULD USE THIS IF THEY COULD TARGET THE RIGHT GROUP OF PEOPLE, THIS COULD BE, ACTUALLY, QUITE SUCCESSFUL IN PREVENTING THE REPEAT CRIMINAL BEHAVIORS.

>> Cathy: INTERESTING.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR COMING OVER.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: GOOD LUCK.

WOW, THAT'S COOL.

♪ >> WELL, ERIC ESKOLA HAS DECIDED HE HAS A QUESTION.

ERIC IS FROM W.C.C.O.

RADIO.

>> Eric: I'LL FIND A PLACE WHERE THEY DIFFER AND THAT'S ON THE QUESTION OF ABORTION, AND EVER SINCE I THINK D.F.L.

CONVENTIONS IN MEMBER MORE YUM, THAT SEEMS TO BE DIVISIVE AND THE OVERRIDING ISSUE.

>> WELL, AS YOU KNOW, ERIC, I DO NOT SUPPORT GOVERNMENT INTERVENING IN THE PERSONAL DECISION THAT A WOMAN MAKES RELATING TO AN ABORTION.

I THINK THAT'S A DECISION A WOMAN MAKES WITH HER FAMILY, WITH HER PHYSICIAN AND WITH HER MINISTER, PRIEST OR RABBI.

♪ WHEN I'M WITH YOU, IT DOESN'T MATTER WHERE WE ARE ♪ >> ERIC: BUDGET BATTLES IN ST.

PAUL, BARRELS OF RED INK IN WASHINGTON AND, YET, PRESIDENT OBAMA IS STILL TALKING ABOUT FINDING SOLUTIONS TO THORNY POLICY ISSUES.

WE HEAR A LOT IN THIS COUNTRY FROM THE RIGHT AND LEFT ON THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM.

TONIGHT WE'RE GOING TO FOCUS ON THE MIDDLE.

WE'VE ASSEMBLED A GROUP OF THOUGHTFUL, SELF-IDENTIFIED INDEPENDENTS TO HELP US DO THAT.

DEAN BARKLEY IS A FORMER STATE PLANNIG DIRECTOR AND I.P.

SENATE CANDIDATE.

PETER HUTCHINSON IS A FORMER STATE FINANCE COMMISSIONER, NOW HEAD OF THE BUSH FOUNDATION.

CURT JOHNSON ONCE HEADED THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL.

HE'S A PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONSULTANT.

THANK YOU, MEN, FOR COMING DOWN.

PETER HUTCHINSON, ANNE LENCZEWSKI THE HOUSE COMMITTEE TAX CHAIR HAS SOME TAX REFORM IDEAS, BUT ARE YOU IMPRESSED WITH THE LEVEL OF REFORM THAT LAWMAKERS ARE USING?

THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO REFORM THE SYSTEM?

>> WELL, I'M IMPRESSED THAT ANNE LENCZEWSKI IS LOOKING AT WHAT WE CALL TAX EXPENDITURES, WHICH IS YOU THINK ABOUT ALL THE CAPACITY OF THE REVENUE SYSTEM, WE SPEND 40% OF IT BEFORE THE MONEY EVEN GETS IN.

WE GIVE IT AWAY IN ALL KINDS OF TAX BREAKS TO SOME TO RICH PEOPLE, SOME TO POOR PEOPLE, SOME TO BUSINESSES, SOME TO INDUSTRIES AND SHE'S ASKING THE QUESTION, IF YOU REALLY THINK OF THOSE AS SPENDING, ARE WE GETTING OUR MONEY'S WORTH?

WE INVEST A MILLION DOLLARS IN THIS TAX EXPENDITURE, ARE WE GETTING A MILLION DOLLAR'S WORTH OF VALUE FOR THE CITIZENS OF MINNESOTA?

THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION AND I GIVE HER A LOT OF CREDIT FOR KEEPING IT ON THE TABLE.

>> Eric: IS THERE ENOUGH OF THAT GOING ON, CURT?

>> NO.

NO, I DON'T THINK SO.

I THINK MOSTLY WHAT YOU SEE AT THE CAPITOL IS THE GAME OVER EVERYTHING, PLAYING FOR POSITION, PLAYING THE CUTS AGAINST INCREASED TAXES.

IT'S JUST REALLY UNFORTUNATE NOT TO SEE MORE PEOPLE DEALING WITH THIS CRISIS WITH MONEY IN ORDER TO CHANGE SYSTEMS.

THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF THAT GOING ON BUT NOT VERY MUCH.

>> Eric: YOU'VE GOT A PLAN TO BALANCE THE BUDGET, I SAW YOU WROTE A -- WAS IT A LETTER YOU WROTE OR AN ARTICLE?

>> A LETTER OR AN ARTICLE, I'VE WRITTEN SEVERAL.

NOT SURE WHICH ONE IT IS.

>> Eric: I READ ONE THIS WEEK THAT YOU HAD A VENTURA-STYLE PROPOSAL.

>> SURE, VENTURA PROPOSED A SIMPLE SOLUTION BACK IN 2001 WHICH WOULD MODERNIZE OUR TAX SYSTEM, LET'S EXPAND THE SALES TAX TO SERVICES YTHEY DON'T DO THAT, WE'RE BECOMING A SERVICE ECONOMY.

THE GOODS PART IS GETTING SMALLER AND SMALLER EVERY YEAR, THE SERVICES IS GETTING LARGER AND WHY IN THE WORLD DON'T WE?

RIGHT NOW IT'S HIT AND MISS WHETHER A SERVICE GETS TAXED OR NOT, SO THAT'S THE EASIEST SOLUTION.

VENTURA WANTED TO DO THAT BACK TO BALANCE THE BUDGET, HE WAS IGNORED AND WE'VE HAD NOTHING BUT BUDGET PROBLEMS EVER SINCE HE WAS IGNORED BY ROGER MOE AND REPUBLICAN HOUSE BACK IN 2001.

>> YOU WOULD THINK, ERIC, THAT SINCE WE'VE EXPERIENCED THE LAST SIX MONTH AND ALL OF US HAVE HAD TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IT IS A COLLATERALIZED DEBT OBLIGATION SLICED INTO MESS AKNOWN TRENCHES AND BACKED UP BY CREDIT DEFAULT SWAPS AND TIED TO LONDON OVERNIGHT BORROWING RIGHTS, ALL THAT SORT OF THING, YOU WOULD FIGURE OUT THAT WE'VE GOT A LOT OF BUBBLES IN FRONT OF US AND SOME OF THEM JUST HAVE MORE ELASTIC SURFACES AND THEY APPEAR TO LAST LONGER.

WE HAVE BUBBLES IN HEALTH CARE, EDUCATION, IN HRG, HEALTH CARE, AND EVERY ONE OF THEM IS JUST AS RIPE FOR IMPLODING AS WAS OUR FINANCIAL SERVICES SYSTEM BUT WE DON'T SEEM TO LEARN ANYTHING FROM WHAT WE'VE GONE THROUGH.

>> Eric: THE MID SELL A DANGEROUS PLACE TO BE IN POLITICS BECAUSE YOU DON'T REALLY -- >> THAT'S WHY ARMADILOES ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, RIGHT?

>> Eric: YOU DON'T HAVE A NATURAL BASE OF SUPPORT.

IS THIS PART OF THE PROBLEM OF GETTING TRACKS FOR ISSUES THAT MAY COME FROM THE MODERATE POSITION?

>> I THINK THE PROBLEM IS THE SYSTEM REWARDS PO' LIT SCAGGS.

THE FOLKS IN THE MIDDLE, THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE, MOST PEOPLE AREN'T NEARLY AS PARTISAN AS OUR POLITICS.

THEY'RE COMMON SENSE, THEY GET UP IN THE MORNING, THEY WANT PROBLEMS SOLVED, THEY WANT THINGS TO GO AWAY.

MY EXPERIENCE WAS AND I THINK MY FRIENDS HERE WOULD AGREE THEY JUST CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY CAN'T GET A POLITICS THAT REFLECTS THEIR OWN VALUES AND ASPIRATIONS INSTEAD OF THE POLITICS OF THE -- OF SEPARATION AND POLARIZATION AND ALL THE OTHER STUFF THAT WE KNOW ABOUT.

I THINK WHAT IS INTERESTING ON THE NATIONAL SCENE IS HOW OBAMA HAS MOVED INTO THE MIDDLE.

HE'S CLEARLY TRYING TO GOVERN FROM THE CENTER.

>> Eric: A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK IT'S A LIBERAL AGENDA.

>> WELL, IT'S -- I DON'T BELIEVE THAT AT ALL.

LOOK AT HIS POSITION ON EDUCATION.

HE WANTS KIDS TO LEARN, HE'S WILLING TO TALK ABOUT TEACHING.

WE HAVEN'T SEEN THAT FROM A DEMOCRAT IN A LONG TIME.

HE'S TOLL TAKE -- HE'S OVERSEAS, HE'S TAKING ON THE INTERNATIONAL DEBT ISSUES.

HE'S NOT -- HE'S ALL FOR WORKING TOGETHER BUT HE'S NOT GIVING UP AMERICA, HE'S NOT SELLING OUT THE UNITED STATES.

HE'S TALKING ABOUT OUR ROLE AND THEIR ROLE.

HE'S TALKING ABOUT PARTNERSHIPS, REALLY TAKING A VERY DIFFERENT POSITION FOR A DEMOCRAT.

>> BUT AT THE STATE LEVEL, WE JUST DON'T SEEM TO HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE WHO WILL TALK STRAIGHT ABOUT THESE SYSTEMS, THOUGH.

I MEAN, EVERYBODY SEEMS TO UNDERSTAND THE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM BECAUSE IT'S UNIVERSALLY EXPERIENCED.

WE KNOW THERE ARE POETHOLES, WE KNOW THERE ARE INADEQUATE DESIGNS THAT INDUCE MORE CONGESTION, A BUNDLE OF PERVERSE INCENTIVES AND THERE IS SOME BAD BEHAVIOR.

BUT THOSE SAME PRINCIPLES ARE TRUE OF HEALTH CARE AND YOU GOT THE IMMEDIATE PROBLEMS, YOU HAVE BAD DESIGN, YOU HAVE A BUNDLE OF PERVERSE INCENTIVES AND IF WE DON'T TALK STRAIGHT ABOUT THAT, WE'LL NEVER DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

SO NOW WE'RE ARGUING ABOUT WHETHER WE TAKE 225,000 -- 110,000 PEOPLE OFF THE MINNESOTA CARE ROLES AND WE ARGUE NATIONALLY ABOUT WHETHER WE'RE GOING TO ADD 42 MILLION PEOPLE TO A DYSFUNCTIONAL SYSTEM THAT'S INCREASINGLY UNAAFFORDABLE.

WEWE HAVE TO START CONFRONTING THIS STUFF IN SPITE OF THE POLITICS THAT DIVIDE US.

>> WE HAVE A GREAT OPPORTUNITIES, WE'RE IN A VERY UNUSUAL SITUATION AT THE MOM.

NEVER BEEN HERE BEFORE.

THE LARGEST BUDGET SHORTFALL IN THE HISTORY OF MINNESOTA.

THAT'S PRESIDENT BIG NEWS.

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ALL THE ACCOUNTING SHIFTS AND ALL THE FEDERAL DOUGH, SO NOW WHAT IS THE TRICK THAT BRINGS US TO BALANCE?

AND THERE'S ONLY ONE CHOICE LEFT AND THAT IS FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE AND THE INTERESTING THING ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW IS THERE DOESN'T SEEM LIKE MUCH IS HAPPENING.

AND I GOT TO BELIEVE, I'M EVER THE OPTIMIST, THAT IN SOME ROOM SOMEWHERE, SMART PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY THINKING ABOUT THAT SECOND TWO YEARS AND THE BIG THINGS THAT NEED TO BE DONE NOW IN ORDER TO MAKE IT COME OUT, BECAUSE IT WON'T COME OUT OTHERWISE.

>> Cathy: SENATOR BARKLEY, WHY DO YOU THINK PEOPLE ARE NOT DISCUSSING TRUE REFORM AT THIS POINT AT THE CAPITAL?

>> BECAUSE IT'S ALL POLITICS RIGHT NOW.

PAWLENTY HAS BOXED HIMSELF IN WITH THE NO NEW TAXES PLEDGE.

POLITICALLY TO SURVIVE, HE CAN'T BUDGE FROM THAT.

AND THRPS' NO WAY YOU CAN BALANCE THIS BUDGET SHORT FALL WITHOUT NEW REVENUE.

OTTERS GILL MIX IN THE WORLD, ALL THE BONDING FOR TOBACCO MONEY, ALL HIS PROPOSALS THAT HE'S PUTS OUT THERE, IS WHAT GOT US IN THIS PROBLEM IN THE FIRST PLACE.

THEY DON'T HAVE THE COURAGE.

THEY'RE TOO INTERESTED IN SCORING POLITICAL POINTS.

ERIC, DO YOU THINK THEY'RE GOING TO GET DONE IN TIME, IN FIVE WEEKS, THEY'RE GOING TO COME TO A RESOLUTION OF THIS?

WHAT ARE THE ODDS THAT YOU WOULD GIVE ON THIS?

>> Eric: IT'S CHALLENGING.

>> IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN AND THE MODERATE CENTER IS SICK OF IT.

WHY DON'T YOU JUST GO THERE AND FIX THE PROBLEM AND QUIT PLAYING THE INSANE GAMES WE SEE YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR?

I DON'T KNOW.

WHY DO PEOPLE KEEP ON VOTING FOR THEM.

I DON'T KNOW.

WE KEEP ON THROWING CANDIDATES OUT THERE BUT MAYBE SOME DAY THEY'LL GIVE US A SHOT AGAIN.

>> NOT TO DUMP ON THE LEGISLATURE TOTALLY, AT LEAST ON THE LEGISLATIVE WEBSITE, THE SENATE'S GOT A VERY CREATIVE LITTLE SECTION, CATEGORY BY CATEGORY IN WHICH THEY'RE INVITING PEOPLE TO WEIGH IN ABOUT WHAT THEY WOULD DO, AND IF YOU LOOK AT IT, OF COURSE NOT SURPRISINGLY, HEALTH CARE, EDUCATION AND THEN TAXES GETS THE MOST COMMENT.

AND THE COMMENTS ARE ALL OVER THE PLACE, OF COURSE, ALL THE WAY FROM PEOPLE WHO WOULD OPEN UP EVERYBODY'S WALLET AND DUMP IT INTO THE TREASURY TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN RAIDING RUSH LIMBAUGH'S APOTHECARY, BUT THERE IS A FEEDBACK THERE THAT IS ENGAGING INTERESTED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.

THE HOUSE IS CLUNG AER BUT IT'S THERE.

>> Eric: OKAY, IT'S THERE.

ARE YOU EXPECTING THE REFORM MOVEMENT, YOU'VE BEEN RE-INVENTING GOVERNMENT GUY FOR DECADES.

>> APPARENTLY SINCE I WAS BORN.

[ Laughter ] >> Eric: DO YOU BUY THE FACT THAT YOU DON'T WANT TO WASTE A GOOD CRISIS?

THAT'S A CLICHÉ PEOPLE SAY AT THE CAPITOL.

IS THIS THE BEST TIME TO REFORM OR IS THAT OVERBLOWN?

>> IF YOU BELIEVE THAT A CRISIS IS A GREAT TIME TO REFORM, THIS IS THE BEST TIME WE'RE EVER GOING TO HAVE BECAUSE THIS IS AS BAD AS IT'S EVER BEEN.

>> Eric: BUT YOU DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO BAY FOR WINNERS AND LOSSERS.

>> THAT'S THE POINT, THERE IS NO EASE-OUT IN YOU THINK ABOUT THE TWO YEARS INSTEAD OF THE FOUR YEARS.

THE FEDERAL MONEY IS GONE, THE CRISIS IS STILL HERE.

IN FACT, I THINK THERE'S REASON TO BELIEVE IT WILL GET WORSE, SO HOW DO YOU MAKE SENSE OUT OF A REAL BUDGET, NOT SOME FAKIE THING LIKE THEY CAN DO AT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, IN OUR STATE, YOU DON'T GET TO DO THAT.

YOU ACTUALLY HAVE TO MAKE IT BALANCE.

HOW DO YOU GET THERE IF YOU DON'T CHANGE?

YOU CANNOT GET THERE BECAUSE, AGAIN, WE'VE USED UP ALL THE BUSINESS'S USUAL TRICKS.

THERE'S NOTHING LEFT BUT CHANGE AND I ACTUALLY DO THINK THERE ARE PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH THIS, AND I'M IMPRESSED BY THE WILLINGNESS OF PEOPLE LIKE THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE AND THE GOVERNOR TO INVITE CITIZENS TO COME IN AND GIVE US SOME IDEAS BECAUSE I THINK IDEAS ARE THE THING THAT ARE GOING TO GET US OUT OF THIS MESS, AND IF WE CAN'T, IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE WHAT HAPPENS TO THE STATE OF MINNESOTA DOWN THE ROAD.

>> Cathy: 30 SECONDS, WE'LL LET DEAN BARKLEY FINISH THIS OFF HERE.

>> WELL, WE GO NATIONAL, TOO, BUT I'VE GOT A QUESTION AS TO WHEN IS ENOUGH GOING TO BE ENOUGH?

HOW MANY MORE TRILLION DOLLARS CAN WE SPENDS BEFORE IT BREAKS?

I MEAN, I'VE BEEN ASKING A LOT OF PEOPLE ABOUT, YOU KNOW, I HOPE OBAMA SUCCEEDS, I REALLY HOPE HE DOES, BUT IF HE FAILS, WE'RE GOING TO BE IN THE BIGGEST MESS WE'VE EVER SEEN.

IS 13 TRILLION TOO MUCH, 14 TRILLION?

WHEN DOES THE DOLLAR STONE HAVING VALUE AND THAT'S AN INTERESTING QUESTION.

>> Cathy: YOU GUYS CAN PONDER IT, I'M GOING TO GO OVER HERE.

>> Eric: GOOD JOB, MEN.

THANKS FOR COMING OVER.

♪ >> I'VE BEEN WATCHING YOU PEOPLE ON TELEVISION FOR ONE MONTH AND THAT'S LONG ENOUGH.

[ Laughter ] ♪ >> CATHY: THAT WAS THE LAST YEAR THAT WILLARD MUNGER SERVED IN THE MINNESOTA HOUSE.

LET'S MOVE ON TO THE INDEX FILE SECTION, OKAY, LISA?

LAST WEEK'S QUESTION WAS FROM THE RECENT PAST.

SEPTEMBER OF 2004 TO BE EXACT.

WE TOLD YOU THAT A ROBERT DANTE OF MINNEAPOLIS, NOT SEEN HERE, SET A WORLD RECORD BY DOING SOMETHING 214 TIMES IN 60 SECONDS.

THAT BROKE HIS PREVIOUS RECORD OF 203 TIMES IN A MINUTE.

WE ADDED SOME HELPFUL HINTS.

WE SAID ROBERT SET HIS RECORD IN A PUBLIC PLACE, IN FRONT OF 100 WITNESSES.

WHAT DID THIS MINNEAPOLITAN DO 214 TIMES IN ONE MINUTE TO SET A WORLD RECORD?

I'M TELLING YA, WE NEED TO WHIP OUR CALLERS INTO SHAPE.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE REASONS WHY.

>> CATHY: NO, TO ALL OF YOU.

BUT MORE THAN A DOZEN OF YOU GOT THIS ONE RIGHT ONLINE AND ON VOICEMAIL.

INCLUDED IN THAT ILLUSTRIOUS GROUP, STEVE FROM ST.

PAUL.

.

>> Eric: GIVE US A DEMONSTRATION.

[ WHIP CRACKING ] INTO INTO 4 ROSS ARE ARE ARE ROZ.

>> Eric: BULL WHIP RECORD HOLDER.

>> Cathy: OH, THAT WAS TOO MUCH FUN.

BUT WAIT UNTIL YOU HEAR THIS WEEK'S QUESTION.

THE YEAR IS 1869.

AND ON A FATEFUL DAY IN THE FALL OF THAT YEAR, THERE WAS A GRAND EVENT THAT CAPTURED FOLKS' ATTENTION, BOTH HERE IN MINNESOTA AND AROUND THE NATION.

ONE WITNESS WROTE,"BAKERS DESERTED THEIR OVENS, BARBERS LEFT THEIR CUSTOMERS UNSHORN, MECHANICS DROPPED THEIR TOOLS, PHYSICIANS ABANDONED THEIR OFFICES."

WE WANT YOU TO TELL US WHAT THIS PERSON WAS TALKING ABOUT.

WHAT WAS THE MOMENTOUS 1869 MINNEAPOLIS EVENT BEING DESCRIBED?

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU WHETHER YOU ARE CALLING FROM ALONG THE RUM RIVER, ALCOHOL CREEK, OR FROM UPPER OR LOWER BOTTLE LAKE.

651-229-1430 IS HOW YOU GET A HOLD OF OUR VOICEMAIL TO LEAVE A MESSAGE.

AND WHILE YOU ARE THERE, TELL US WHAT YOU THOUGHT ABOUT TONIGHT'S PROGRAM.

INCLUDING THE WHIP-CRACKER.

IF YOU PREFER TO SEND US AN EMAIL WE'RE ALWAYS HAPPY TO GET THEM AT ALMANAC@TPT.ORG " FOR SHOW-ENDING MUSIC, THIS WEEK WE BRING YOU A CLASSIC MOMENT FROM THE TPT ARCHIVES.

THIS WEEK IN 1992, CHANNEL 2 AIRED A MUSICAL SPECIAL FEATURING THE TWIN CITIES BLUES BAND, "THE HOOPSNAKE."

HERE'S A BIT OF THAT 1992 PERFORMANCE.

WE'RE GLAD YOU JOINED US THIS WEEK.

WE HOPE YOU DO IT AGAIN NEXT WEEK.

LAUGH.

♪ IF YOU WANT SOMEBODY THAT WILL STAND RIGHT BY YA, YOU KNOW I WILL ♪ ♪ IF YOU WANT SOMEBODY THAT WILL HOLD YOUR HAND, YOU DON'T THINK YOU CAN, YOU KNOW I WILL ♪ ♪ YOU KNOW THAT I WILL ♪ ♪ IF YOU WANT SOMEBODY THAT WILL BE THERE WITH YA, WHEN THE NIGHT IS STILL, YOU KNOW THAT I WILL ♪ ♪ YOU KNOW THAT I WILL ♪ ♪ IF YOU WANT SOMEONE TO BE THERE, YOU KNOW I WILL ♪ ♪ I'LL BRING IT HOME IN THE TRUNK OF MY CAR ♪ ♪ YOU'VE SEEN LIKE THERE'S NOTHING GOOD, WE CAN DO IT, I WANT YOU TO, YOU KNOW I WILL ♪ ♪ YOU KNOW THAT I WILL ♪ ♪ IF YOU WANT SOMEBODY THAT WILL RIDE YOUR PONY, TO THE TOP OF THE HILL, YOU KNOW THAT I WILL ♪ ♪ YOU KNOW THAT I WILL ♪ ♪ YOU KNOW I WILL, I WILL, I WILL ♪ ♪ YOU KNOW I WILL, I WILL, I WILL ♪ ♪ Captions performed by: Paradigm Reporting & Captioning www.paradigmreporting.com GREAT RIVER ENERGY, PROVIDED ELECTRICITY AND RELATED SERVICES TO 28 CO-OPS IN MINNESOTA, A TOUCHSTONE ENERGY COOPERATIVE.

FLINT HILLS RESOURCES, PRODUCING TRANSPORTATION FUELS FOR MINNESOTA AND UPPER MIDWEST AT ITS ROSEMOUNT REFINERY.

EDUCATION MINNESOTA, A UNION OF MORE THAN 70,000 TEACHERS, SCHOOL STAFF AND HIGHER EDUCATION FACULTY THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

THE PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS OF SCHWEBEL, GETZ AND SIEBEN, SERVING THE SERIOUSLY INJURED.

ONLINE AT SWHEA BELL, DONNELL.

TRAVELERS, A LEADING PROVIDER OF COMMERCIAL INSURANCE AND AUTO AND HOMEOWNERS COVERAGE THROUGH INDEPENDENT AGENT NATIONWIDE.

ALMANAC IS A PRODUCTION OF TWIN CITIES PUBLIC TELEVISION FOR