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

>> CATHY: A THIRD COVID VACCINE HAS ARRIVED IN MINNESOTA.

WE'LL FILL YOU IN ON THAT.

THEN WE'LL EXPLORE HOW JURY SELECTION WILL PROCEED IN THE DEREK CHAUVIN TRIAL.

AND WE'LL TAKE YOU INSIDE THE RENOVATION OF THE STUNNING MARTIN COUNTY COURTHOUSE.

THEN MARY LAHAMMER WILL TALK TO A FAMILIAR FACE WITH A NEW ROLE.

>> Mary: WE'LL TAKE YOU INSIDE THE STATE CAPITOL TO CATCH UP WITH FORMER DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY LEADER, NOW INDEPENDENT, CAUCUSING WITH REPUBLICANS, TOM BAKK.

>> IT MEANT A LOT TO ME TO BE ABLE TO COME BACK TO THE CAPITOL.

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

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

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY· GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING ELECTRICITY AND RELATED SERVICES TO 28 CO-OPS IN MINNESOTA.

A TOUCHSTONE ENERGY COOPERATIVE.

DELTA DENTAL OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION: MAKING DENTAL CARE POSSIBLE FOR MINNESOTANS IN NEED.

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

ENBRIDGE: CONNECTING MINNESOTANS WITH ENERGY FOR OVER 70 YEARS.

MORE AT ENBRIDGE.COM/LINETHREEUS.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

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

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT COMES FROM THE MINNEAPOLIS FOUNDATION, INSPIRING AND ENGAGING IN ACTION TO REALIZE STRONG, VIBRANT COMMUNITIES, AND FROM THE BLANDIN FOUNDATION.

>> CATHY: IN A FEW MINUTES WE'LL TALK ABOUT JURY SELECTION IN THE CHAUVIN TRIAL, MARY WILL CHAT WITH NEWLY INDEPENDENT SENATOR TOM BAKK, AND KAOMI WILL INTRODUCE US TO A LOVELY COURTHOUSE IN SOUTHERN MINNESOTA UNDERGOING RESTORATION.

BUT FIRST UP IN THE HOUR, SOME BIG NEWS THIS WEEK ABOUT THE COVID VACCINE.

>> Eric: ONE YEAR TOMORROW WHEN THE FIRST COVID CASE WAS CONFIRMED IN MINNESOTA, AND AMERICA NOW HAS A THIRD VACCINE OPTION WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE ONE-DOSE JOHNSON & JOHNSON SHOT.

ANOTHER IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT, NEWS THAT ANOTHER PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY, MERC, WILL HELP MANUFACTURE THAT VACCINE.

SO LET'S TALK ABOUT THE NEWS, WHAT IT COULD MEAN FOR THE NATIONAL VACCINE TIMELINE WITH Dr. MICHAEL OSTERHOLM, HEADS THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA'S CENTER FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASE, RESEARCH AND POLICY.

DOCTOR, THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE, ONE SHOT, WHICH SOUNDS GOOD, 72% EFFECTIVE VERSUS 95%.

FOR SOME OF THE OTHER VACCINES.

IS THE J & J A GOOD CHOICE, WOULD YOU WAIT AROUND UNTIL IT'S AVAILABLE?

>> THE J & J VACCINE IS A GOOD CHOICE.

THERE ARE SOME OTHER NUMBERS THAT GO WITH THIS THAT WE DON'T OFTEN TALK ABOUT IN TERMS OF A SINGLE NUMBER.

BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THE PROTECTION AGAINST SEVERE ILLNESS, HOSPITALIZATIONS OR DEATH, THE J & J VACCINE DID JUST AS WELL AS THE TWO, MODERNA AND PFIZER VACCINES.

IN ADDITION, AS A ONE-DOSE VACCINE AND ONE THAT NEEDS NOT TO HAVE ANYWHERE NEAR THE SAME REFRIGERATION REQUIREMENTS THAT THE OTHER TWO VACCINES NEED, IT MAKES IT MUCH MUCH EASIER TO DELIVER THIS VACCINE AND TO MAKE SURE FOR THOSE THAT MIGHT NOT EVER GET A SECOND VACCINE THAT THEY CAN GET THIS ONE.

SO WE THINK IT IS A VERY IMPORTANT ADDITION TO OUR ARMAMENTARIUM IN TERMS OF VACCINES AGAINST THIS VIRUS.

>> Cathy: IT'S IMPORTANT THAT FOLKS TAKE WHATEVER VACCINE IS OFFERED?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

RIGHT NOW, THE VACCINE THAT'S NOT IN YOUR ARM IS NOT GOING TO DO ANY GOOD FOR YOU.

SO GET IT IN YOUR ARM RIGHT NOW.

WE ARE SEEING THIS INCREASE STARTING NOW WITH THIS NEW VARIANT, B-117, THE VIRUS THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM, AND THE SURGE IS BEGINNING, AND, AGAIN, AS I'VE SAID WEEKS AGO TO YOU, THAT RIGHT ABOUT NOW WE'RE GOING TO START SEEING ACTIVITY, SURE ENOUGH, WE ARE, AND THIS COULD BE A REALLY TOUGH GO FOR THE NEXT FIVE TO 12 WEEKS.

>> Cathy: WELL, I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT THAT UP BECAUSE THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT JUST CAME OUT ABOUT AN HOUR AGO WITH A NEWS RELEASE SAYING SINCE LATE JANUARY, THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS CONFIRMED 24 CASES OF THE BRITISH VARIANT TIED TO SCHOOL AND CLUB SPORTS IN CARVER COUNTY.

AND DOZENS OF OTHER COVID-19 CASES ARE LINKED TO THOSE CASES.

SO LET'S JUST KIND OF DRILL DOWN A LITTLE BIT MORE HERE AS TO WHAT YOU'RE WORRIED ABOUT.

SO YOU'RE STICKING WITH THAT PROJECTION THAT YOU GAVE US SEVERAL WEEKS AGO.

>> IT WAS ACTUALLY A MONTH AGO.

AND I SAID AT THAT TIME BETWEEN 6 TO 14 WEEKS WE WOULD BEGIN, YOU KNOW, HAVING A REALLY MAJOR SURGE IN THIS COUNTRY.

THIS VIRUS, THE B-117, IS WHAT WE CALL A VARIANT OF CONCERN.

IT ACTUALLY HAS SEVERAL CHARACTERISTICS, NUMBER ONE, IT'S AT LEAST 40 TO 60% MORE INFECTIOUS THAN IS THE REGULAR VIRUS THAT WE'VE ENCOUNTERED.

THE SECOND THING IS, IS THAT THE VIRUS IS TYPICALLY CAUSES MUCH MORE SEVERE DISEASE, HIGHER LEVEL OF HOSPITALIZATIONS AND DEATHS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS VIRUS.

WHEN IT STARTED TO SPREAD IN EUROPE, ONCE IT HIT ABOUT 50% OF ALL THE VIRUSES IN THE COMMUNITY, IT SURGED JUST LIKE A LARGE FOREST FIRE WOULD FLASH.

AND WE'RE NOW WATCHING THE TIME WHEN I WAS ON HERE A MONTH AGO WHERE WE HAD TWO TO -- 2 TO 4% OF THE VIRUSES IN GIVEN STATES WERE THIS ONE, NOW WE'RE SEEING THOSE SAME STATES, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, CALIFORNIA, WE'VE GONE NOW TO 30%.

AND IN ANOTHER SEVEN TO TEN DAYS THAT WILL WELL BE OVER 50%.

SO THIS THING IS, UNFORTUNATELY, UNFOLDING RIGHT ON TIME, AS WE PREDICTED, AND IT ALSO OCCURS AT A TIME WHEN EVERYBODY IS LOOSENING UP.

AS YOU KNOW, WE COULDN'T BE MORE INVITING TO THIS VIRUS RIGHT NOW THAN WHAT WE'RE DOING.

>> Eric: TESTING IS ON THE DECLINE, IS THAT FAIR TO SAY?

>> IT IS ON THE DECLINE.

SOME OF THAT IS SURELY TIED TO THE FACT THAT THERE WAS LESS ILLNESS FROM THE PEAK IN JANUARY UNTIL VERY RECENTLY.

THE OTHER PART OF IT IS WE'RE HEARING ABOUT MORE AND MORE PEOPLE WITH MILDER ILLNESS ARE NOT GETTING TESTED BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO BE FOUND TO BE POSITIVE, FEARFUL THAT THEY MAY BE QUARANTINED OR ISOLATED, WHATEVER.

SO THAT SURELY CAN SKEW THE NUMBERS.

I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS I'VE LOOKED AT CAREFULLY IS NOT JUST NUMBER OF NEW CASES, BUT NUMBER OF NEW HOSPITALIZATIONS AND NUMBER OF DEATHS.

NOW, THEY'RE WHAT WE CALL LAGGING INDICATORS, MEANING THAT THEY'RE TWO TO THREE WEEKS LATER THAN CASES.

IF YOU ACTUALLY LOOK RIGHT NOW, DEATHS IN THIS COUNTRY ARE DOWN BY ONLY ABOUT 50% FROM THE HIGH, 4,000 TO 2,000, YET, THE CASES HAVE COME DOWN FROM 300,000 TO 80,000.

THAT'S TELLING YOU THAT WE'RE MISSING CASES.

BECAUSE IT WAS THE SAME PROPORTION OF DEATHS WERE OCCURRING WITH THE NUMBER OF CASES UNTIL VERY RECENTLY WITH THE B-117 SITUATION.

>> Cathy: I'M THINKING SOME VIEWERS HERE, Dr. OSTERHOLM WOULD SAY, WAIT A MINUTE NOW, GOING BACK TO THESE VARIANTS, WE'RE INCREASING VACCINATIONS, THAT'S A GOOD THING, DECREASING CASES, REALLY DON'T FORETELL THAT THE WORST IS YET TO COME.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO FOLKS?

>> WELL, THAT'S, IN FACT, THE CASE.

YOU KNOW, VACCINE INCREASING RIGHT NOW IS A GREAT THING.

IT'S A WONDERFUL THING.

BUT THE PROBLEM IS, IF YOU LOOK AT IT, IT'S NOT NEARLY ENOUGH.

IF YOU LOOK AT ALL THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN VACCINATED TO DATE, AND ADD IN ALL THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE PREVIOUSLY BEEN INFECTED AND LIKELY STILL HAVE SOME IMMUNITY, WE'RE TALKING ALMOST 40% OF THE POPULATION BUT THAT'S IT.

THINK ABOUT ALL THE PAIN, SUFFERING AND DEATH WE'VE HAD IN THE LAST YEAR, AND WE STILL HAVE 60% OF THE POPULATION THAT'S NOT YET BEEN INFECTED.

AND, SO, THE FACT THAT THIS VIRUS, B-117, WHICH, AGAIN, IS SPREADING AROUND THE WORLD RIGHT NOW, WE'RE SEEING THIS PLAY OUT IN MANY LOCATIONS, THIS IS A VIRUS THAT IS MUCH MORE INFECTIOUS, AND IT CAUSES MUCH MORE SERIOUS ILLNESS, AND ANOTHER 60%, IF WE HAD, YOU KNOW, ANOTHER SIX MONTHS TO GET UNDER OUR BELT WITH VACCINES, IT WOULD BE A VERY DIFFERENT STORY.

BUT WE DON'T.

AND, SO, EVEN IF YOU LOOK AT 2 MILLION DOSES A DAY DELIVERED OVER THE NEXT SIX WEEKS, YOU CAN SEE THAT THAT'S JUST GOING TO BARELY SCRATCH THE SURFACE IN TERMS OF TRYING TO PROTECT THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE MOST AT RISK.

RIGHT NOW THERE'S AT LEAST 25 MILLION AMERICANS OVER THE AGE OF 65 WHO HAVE NOT HAD ANY VACCINATION AT ALL.

THAT'S THE RISK GROUP THAT WE MOST WORRY ABOUT, WHERE 80% OF ALL THE DEATHS OCCUR IN THAT AGE GROUP.

SO I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THE VACCINES ARE A GREAT THING.

I JUST WISH WE HAD A LOT MORE QUICKER.

AND WE DON'T.

SO WE'RE GOING TO BE UP AGAINST THIS B-117 AND AS I SHARED WITH YOU OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST TWO MONTHS, WE KNEW IT WAS COMING, WE KNOW IT'S GOING TO BE BAD AND IT'S NOW HERE.

>> Eric: ARE NEW SYMPTOMS TURNING UP?

>> THE SYMPTOMS ARE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT IN ONE REGARD, IN THAT WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS A LOT MORE ILLNESS IN KIDS.

IN EUROPE, THEY'VE HAD TO CLOSE ALL SCHOOLS.

K-12, COMPLETELY.

IN ORDER TO BRING IT UNDER CONTROL.

MOST PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND, FOR EXAMPLE, TAKE A COUNTRY LIKE THE UNITED KINGDOM, ENGLAND HAS BEEN IN A LOCKDOWN SINCE BEFORE CHRISTMAS.

EVERYTHING'S CLOSED.

BARS, RESTAURANTS, BUSINESSES.

SCHOOLS, EVERYTHING.

JUST TO GET THIS B-117 UNDER CONTROL.

AND THAT'S EVEN WITH THEIR VACCINATION PROGRAM.

I CAN GO THROUGH A LAUNDRY LIST OF COUNTRIES IN EUROPE RIGHT NOW WHO HAVE HAD TO GO INTO TOTAL LOCKDOWNS FOR WEEKS TO BRING THIS VIRUS UNDER CONTROL.

SO YOU CAN SEE HOW THE PUBLIC IS GOING TO BE CONFUSED BECAUSE SO MANY OF OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE OPENING UP EVERYTHING RIGHT NOW, AND WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING A VERY HARD PIVOT VERY SOON.

>> Cathy: I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT YOU THINK OF THE MOVE IN TEXAS AND MISSISSIPPI TO DROP THE MASK MANDATE.

>> YOU KNOW, THAT'S LIKE WALKING INTO THE MOUTH OF THE VIRUS AND SAYING, HERE I AM.

I MEAN, IT'S JUST -- JUST MAKES NO SENSE WHATSOEVER.

AND THAT'S THE CHALLENGE WE HAVE.

WE ALL WANT TO GET DONE WITH THIS PANDEMIC.

ALL OF US.

NONE OF US WANT TO BE IN THIS SITUATION.

NONE OF US WANT TO HAVE TO BE MASKED OR DISTANCED OR FINANCIALLY HURT AS MUCH AS PEOPLE ARE BEING HURT BY THIS PANDEMIC.

YOU KNOW, ONE OUT OF FIVE AMERICAN FAMILIES RIGHT NOW DON'T HAVE ENOUGH FOOD ON THEIR TABLE EVERY NIGHT.

THIS IS A HUGE CHALLENGE.

BUT, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN'T ARGUE WITH THE VIRUS.

IT'S LIKE GRAVITY, YOU CAN ARGUE WITH IT, BUT YOU'RE STILL GOING TO LOSE.

AND, SO, ONE OF THE CHALLENGES WE HAVE RIGHT NOW IS HELPING THE PUBLIC NOT HAVE THE OVERRUN OF THESE CASES.

LET ME JUST PUT THIS IN A PERSPECTIVE.

DURING THE WORST DAYS IN JANUARY IN ENGLAND WITH THIS PARTICULAR VIRUS STRAIN, THE NUMBER OF HOSPITALIZATIONS, HAD THEY OCCURRED IN THE UNITED STATES BY POPULATION, WOULD HAVE BEEN ABOUT 195,000.

WE ONLY GOT TO 130,000 IN JANUARY AND YOU SAW WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE WORRIED ABOUT POTENTIALLY HAPPENING HERE.

AND, SO, THE MORE WE OPEN UP, WE GOT SPRING BREAK HAPPENING RIGHT NOW, ONE OF THE BIGGEST SPRING BREAK POPULATIONS ESTIMATED IN THE LAST TEN YEARS IN FLORIDA, FLORIDA'S ONE OF THE HOT SPOTS RIGHT NOW FOR THIS B-117.

I MEAN, I COULD NOT GIVE YOU A MORE PERFECT STORM SCENARIO WHAT I'M TRYING TO EXPLAIN TO YOU TONIGHT, WHAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

>> Eric: APPRECIATE THE TIME.

>> IT'S TOO BAD, WE JUST HAVE TO WAIT, WE'RE LITERALLY WITHIN MONTHS OF HAVING A LARGE PART OF OUR POPULATION VACCINATION T -- VACCINATED.

IT WOULD BE TERRIBLE TO HAVE A LOT PORTION GET INFECTED OR DIE JUST BEFORE YOU GOT THE VACCINE.

>> Eric: APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AS ALWAYS, DOCTOR, THANKS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> ERIC: A DEAL IS IN THE WORKS TO MAKE SURE BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS MAY NOT HAVE TO PAY STATE TAXES ON ALL OF THEIR COVID PAYROLL AND UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.

THE LAWMAKER LEADING THE CHARGE IN THE SENATE IS A FORMER DFL TAX CHAIR, WHO IS NOW AN INDEPENDENT WHO CAUCUSES WITH REPUBLICANS.

TO GET THE STORY, MARY LAHAMMER MADE A RARE VISIT INSIDE THE STATE CAPITOL.

>> Mary: THIS IS RIGHT KIND OF OFF THE SENATE FLOOR.

SENATOR TOM BAKK IS HAPPY TO BE BACK INSIDE THE STATE CAPITOL WHERE THE SAVVY NEGOTIATOR STRUCK A DEAL TO OFFICE NEAR THE CHAMBER WITH SENATOR DAVID TOMASSONI.

NICE TO BOTH HAVE A GAVEL, TOO, HUH?

THE OTHER MEMBER WHO LEFT THE DFL CAUCUS TO BECOME AN INDEPENDENT AND CAUCUS WITH REPUBLICANS.

>> TAKE A LOOK AT THIS.

>> IT MEANT A LOT TO ME TO BE ABLE TO COME BACK TO THE CAPITOL.

I SPENT A LOT OF TIME FROM 2013 TO 2016 WORKING ON THE CAPITOL RENOVATIONS.

IF THERE EVER WAS A GOOD TIME FOR A CARPENTER TO BE A LEADER OF THE SENATE, THAT WAS IT.

SO THE TAX CHAIR, THIS IS WHERE TOMASSONI IS, AND MY OFFICE IS ACTUALLY GOING TO BE A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE -- >> Mary: BAKK SAID HE DESIGNED THIS WING OF THE CAPITOL FOR THE TAX CHAIR, A JOB HE ALSO ONCE HELD AND THAT EXPERTISE IS ONE OF THE REASONS HIS NEW CAUCUS CALLED ON HIM.

>> GOING INTO THE ELECTION CYCLE, I WAS ONE OF THE CANDIDATES IN MINNESOTA THAT WAS ENDORSED BOTH BY THE A CIO AND BY THE MINNESOTA CHAMBER OF CUSTOMERS.

AFL-CIO.

AND I ALWAYS WORKED HARD AT THAT, BUSINESSES DON'T MAKE MONEY, THEY CAN'T PAY WAGE INCREASES.

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.

FORMER TAX CHAIR, SHE KNEW I WOULD UNDERSTAND HOW THE BILL WORKED, SO I THINK THAT KIND OF PUT ME NEAR THE TOP OF THE LINE RIGHT AWAY.

AND I THINK SHE WANTED TO HAVE A BIPARTISAN BILL, THIS SHOULDN'T BE A PARTISAN BILL.

>> Mary: DO YOU HAVE DEMOCRATS WHO ARE GOING TO VOTE FOR IT?

HAVE YOU TALKED TO THEM?

>> YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW YET.

I THINK SO.

>> Mary: THE BILL HE ANNOUNCED WITH HIS REPUBLICAN CAUCUS COLLEAGUES WOULD ENSURE BUSINESSES DON'T HAVE TO PAY STATE TAXES ON FEDERAL PAYROLL ASSISTANCE.

>> JUST REMIND PEOPLE, IT'S NOT APRIL 15th.

THAT'S WHEN INDIVIDUALS FILE.

BUT BUSINESSES START FILING MARCH 15th.

MARCH 15th, MINNESOTA BUSINESSES HAVE TO PAY $440 MILLION OF TAXES TO THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, THAT IS GOING TO SLOW OUR ECONOMIC RECOVERY.

>> Mary: BUT BAKK HAS TO FIND FRIENDS IN HOUSE DEMOCRATS TO GET IT TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK SOON.

>> I'VE GOT SOME VERY CLOSE FRIENDS OVER IN THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS.

AND, IN FACT, I TALKED TO SOME OF THEM THE DAY BEFORE -- A COUPLE OF THEM THE DAY BEFORE I MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT, AND THEY SAID, I'M YOUR FRIEND, THEY'RE STILL GOING TO BE YOUR FRIENDS.

AND PEOPLE WILL UNDERSTAND THAT YOU'RE JUST TRYING TO DO WHAT'S GOOD FOR YOUR DISTRICT.

AND I'M JUST TRYING TO PLACE MYSELF IN A SITUATION OF BEING AS INFLUENTIAL AS I CAN TO HELP THE CONSTITUENTS THAT SENT ME HERE.

>> Mary: DEMOCRATS REPLACED BAKK WITH SUBURBAN SENATOR SUSAN KENT AND THE NORTHLAND WHERE HE'S FROM HAS BEEN TRENDING AWAY FROM THE DFL.

>> I DON'T THINK PEOPLE HAVE CHANGED THAT MUCH.

BUT I COULD -- BUT I DO THINK THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAS CHANGED.

AND IT'S MOVED FURTHER TO THE LEFT.

>> Mary: BAKK STILL CALLS HIMSELF A LUNCH BUCKET DEMOCRAT, BUT OFFICIALLY DESIGNATES AS AN INDEPENDENT.

>> MY HOPE THAT BEING INDEPENDENT, I CAN TAKE THE BEST IDEAS THE REPUBLICANS HAVE AND THE BEST IDEAS THE DEMOCRATS HAVE AND KIND OF FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH, HEY, IT'S OKAY TO MARRY THE TWO, BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE LOYALTIES, MAYBE, TO EITHER CAUCUS.

>> Mary: DO YOU REMEMBER THOSE OLD E.F. HUTTON ADS, WHEN HE TALKS, PEOPLE LISTEN?

THAT'S WHAT SOMEBODY SAID ABOUT YOU IN THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.

DO YOU FEEL LIKE THEY'RE LISTENING TO YOU?

>> I THINK THE ONLY PERSON MORE SENIOR THAN ME IN THE CAUCUS IS PROBABLY WARREN LIMMER.

AND I KNOW WHEN WARREN GETS UP AND SPEAKS IN THE CAUCUS, PEOPLE LISTEN.

I THINK PEOPLE PROBABLY LISTEN , YOU KNOW, FAIRLY CLOSELY TO WHAT I HAVE TO SAY.

NOT THAT THEY ALWAYS AGREE.

BUT I DO THINK GENUINELY, THEY APPRECIATE MY INPUT.

RIGHT THERE.

THAT WALLEYE I CAUGHT AT MY CABIN IN CANADA.

>> Mary: AS A FORMER LEADER AND CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR HIMSELF, HE WONDERED IF BAKK COULD POSE A THREAT TO HIS NEW CAUCUS.

>> I DON'T THINK SENATOR GAZELKA VIEWS ME AS A THREAT AT ALL.

HE SHOULDN'T.

THE LAST THING I WOULD WANT IS HIM LOOKING OVER HIS SHOULDER, WONDERING WHAT BAKK IS UP TO, THAT HE MIGHT BE TRYING TO TAKE ME UP, THAT'S NOT AT ALL MY MOTIVATION.

PAUL GAZELKA AND I ARE BOTH IRON RANGERS, SO WE HAVE SOME STRONG BONDED CONNECTIONS.

>> Mary: HE SEES IT AS A BENEFIT, NOT TO BE SO AMBITIOUS ANYMORE OR ON A LEADERSHIP TRACK.

>> I SAID, YOU KNOW, IF I'M REALLY GOING TO BE INDEPENDENT, I REALLY DON'T WANT TO BE MINGLING EVERY DAY AND EVERY HOUR WITH OTHER MEMBERS OF THE SENATE IN THE TWO CAUCUSES.

BUT I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE BETTER TO BE OVER HERE AND THE CAPITOL'S A MAGNIFICENT BUILDING.

♪♪♪ >> CATHY: SELECTION WILL BEGIN MONDAY FOR THE 12 JURY MEMBERS AND FOUR ALTERNATES THAT WILL SIT IN ON THE DEREK CHAUVIN TRIAL.

THE FORMER MINNEAPOLIS POLICE OFFICER FACES SECOND AND LIKELY THIRD-DEGREE MURDER AND MANSLAUGHTER CHARGES FOR THE DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD LAST MAY.

HERE TO TALK JURY SELECTION AND TODAY'S NEWS ABOUT REINSTATING THE THIRD-DEGREE MURDER CHARGE, THOMAS FRAMPTON, PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA LAW SCHOOL.

THE ROLE OF JURIES IS ONE OF HIS RESEARCH SPECIALITIES.

HERE TOO, DAN LE.

HE'S A TWIN CITIES ATTORNEY WHO HANDLES CRIMINAL AND CIVIL CASES.

GOOD TO SEE BOTH OF YOU.

THANK YOU.

WELCOME TO THE PROGRAM.

PROFESSOR FRAMP TON, THE MINNESOTA APPEALS COURT RULED THAT THE THIRD-DEGREE CHARGES SHOULD BE REINSTATED AND THEY'VE KIND OF TOSSED IT BACK TO THE JUDGE IN THE CASE.

COULD THIS TRIAL BE DELAYED BECAUSE OF THESE MOVES?

>> MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT IT COULD.

THE COURT DID NOT BY ITSELF REINSTATE THE CHARGES.

THEY LEFT IT UP TO THE TRIAL COURT TO CONSIDER THE ISSUE.

AND THERE'S ALSO THE POSSIBILITY OF THAT DECISION BEING RECONSIDERED.

SO THERE'S AT LEAST SOME CHANCE OUT THERE THAT THE CALENDAR COULD BE OFF.

>> Eric: Mr.

LE, IS THERE A -- THE THIRD OPTION FOR THE JURY, IF IT COMES TO THAT, WHAT DOES THAT SAY ABOUT THE QUALITY OF THE STATE'S CASE?

THEY WERE LOOKING FOR MORE OPTIONS FOR IT IS JURY TO CONSIDER?

FOR THE JURY TO CONSIDER?

>> WELL, I THINK IN THE SIMPLEST TERMS, THE STATE WANTS AS MANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONVICTION AS POSSIBLE.

AND THE DEFENSE WANTS AS LITTLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONVICTION AS POSSIBLE BASED UPON THE EVIDENCE THAT WILL BE PRESENTED.

SO THE -- WHETHER THE DISTRICT COURT JUDGE REINSTATES THE THIRD-DEGREE MURDER CHARGES IS GOING TO PLAY A PIVOTAL ROLE, AND I WOULD ENVISION THAT THAT WILL POTENTIALLY CAUSE A DELAY.

>> Cathy: IF INDEED JURY SELECTION STARTS ON MONDAY, LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT.

PROFESSOR, THERE WAS A LENGTHY QUESTIONNAIRE THAT WAS GIVEN TO POTENTIAL JURORS.

TALK ABOUT THE ROLE OF THAT QUESTIONNAIRE, IF YOU WOULD.

>> SURE.

SO THIS CASE IS A LITTLE BIT UNUSUAL IN SO FAR AS WHAT THE GOVERNMENT IS LOOKING FOR, IN TERMS OF AN IDEAL JUROR, AND WHAT THE DEFENSE IS LOOKING FOR IN TERMS OF AN IDEAL JUROR.

AREN'T NECESSARILY GOING TO BE THE SAME FOR THE VAST MAJORITY OF CRIMINAL DEFENSES THAT COME THROUGH.

TYPICALLY A JURY WHO IS VERY PREDISPOSED TO BEING FAVORABLE TOWARDS LAW ENFORCEMENT, WHO IS NOT WARY OF POSITIONS OF AUTHORITY MAKE GOOD PROSECUTION JURORS, AND I SUSPECT IN AS MANY WAYS AS THE TYPICAL CALCULUS IS GOING TO BE INVERTED IN THIS CASE IN TERMS OF FROM WHERE THE PARTIES AND THE TRIAL ATTORNEYS WOULD NORMALLY BE THINKING ABOUT THE KINDS OF JURORS THEY'RE SEEKING OUT FOR THEIR SIDE.

>> Eric: Mr.

LE, THEN TO PROFESSOR FROMP TON, BOTH OF YOU, IS EITHER SIDE ENGAGING, I HAD A LOT OF FUN READING ABOUT SCIENTIFIC JURY METHODS THIS WEEK, YOU HIRE A PSYCHOLOGIST, THEY LOOK AT BODY LANGUAGE, MAYBE YOU HOLD A MOCK JURY SELECTION, TAKE A SURVEY OF HENNEPIN COUNTY.

IS ANY OF THAT STUFF GOING ON OR IS THAT RESERVED FOR DEEP-POCKET MURDER CASES AND THAT SORT OF THING?

>> TYPICALLY THAT IS RESERVED FOR DEEP-POCKET SITUATIONS, AND I'M NOT QUITE AWARE OF WHETHER THE DEFENSE HAS HIRED OR ENGAGED A FIRM, YOU KNOW, JURY SELECTION TRIAL SPECIALIST TO ASSIST WITH JURY SELECTION.

THE PROCESS IS PROTECTED.

IT IS ONE NOW THAT IS -- IT'S THE ONLY CASE IN THAT ENTIRE COURTHOUSE.

SO THE JURY POOL THAT WILL BE SUMMONED TO THE COURTHOUSE ON MONDAY WILL BE THE ONLY JURY POOL.

IT'S THE ONLY CASE THAT'S GOING TO REQUIRE A JURY PANEL TO BE SENT UP.

THE JUDGE -- THE OTHER JUDGES OF THE HENNEPIN COUNTY ARE NOT EVEN GOING TO BE PRESENT IN THE COURTHOUSE.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE DOING THEIR WORK ELSEWHERE.

>> Eric: PROFESSOR, CAN A CASE BE WON OR LOST AT JURY SELECTION?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I'M NOT PRIVY TO WHAT THE PARTIES ARE DOING IN TERMS OF STRATEGIZING AROUND THIS, BUT, YOU KNOW, THE LAW MATTERS, THE FACTS MATTERS, BUT OFTENTIMES THE OUTCOME IS DETERMINED AT THE JURY SELECTION STAGE.

SO IT'S CRITICALLY IMPORTANT AND THE COMPOSITION OF THAT JURY COULD BE OUTCOME DETERMINATIVE.

>> Cathy: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE ROLE OF RACE IN JURY SELECTION.

I KNOW YOU CAN'T EXPLICITLY CITE RACE IN JURY SELECTION.

THAT'S CORRECT, IS THAT RIGHT?

Mr.

LE?

>> YES, THAT IS CORRECT.

THERE'S DIFFERENT TYPES OF STRIKES OF POTENTIAL JURORS FROM THE JURY PANEL.

THAT WOULD BE FOR CAUSE FIRST AND THEN PREEMPTORY CHALLENGES SECONDARILY.

CHALLENGES FOR CAUSE ARE BASED UPON EXAMINATION, DONE BY BOTH -- WELL, THE JUDGE AND THEN BOTH PARTIES.

WITH REGARDS TO PREEMPTORY CHALLENGES, IF THEY ARE RACE BASED OR RACE BIASED, USED IN THAT MANNER, THAT'S IN UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT CASE, WOULD PROHIBIT SUCH RACIAL ANIMUS IN STRIKING A POTENTIAL JUROR FROM THE JURY.

>> Cathy: PROFESSOR, DO YOU WANT TO WEIGH IN ON THE ROLE OF RACE IN THIS JURY SELECTION PROCESS?

>> SURE.

SO THAT'S ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, WHAT YOU JUST HEARD.

AT LEAST EXPLICITLY, PARTIES AREN'T SUPPOSED TO USE OR CONSIDER RACE.

BUT WHAT THE DATA SHOWS US IS THAT OVERWHELMINGLY DEFENDANTS AND PROSECUTORS TEND TO STRIKE JURORS IN VERY DIFFERENT MANNERS.

SO OVERWHELMINGLY PROSECUTORS, WHETHER WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE DEEP SOUTH OR PHILADELPHIA OR SEATTLE, OVERWHELMINGLY USE THEIR PREEMPTORY STRIKES TO ELIMINATE PEOPLE OF COLOR FROM SERVING ON JURIES.

DEFENDANTS DISPROPORTIONATELY USE THEIR STRIKES TO REMOVE WHITE JURORS.

SO YOU CAN'T EXPLICITLY USE RACE, BUT OFTENTIMES THE PARTIES, EVEN IF THEY ARE ASSIDUOUSLY ATTEMPTING TO AVOID USING RACE, ARE ASKING QUESTIONS AND USING CRITERIA THAT CORRELATE HIGHLY WITH RACE.

SO, FOR EXAMPLE, A JUROR WHO SAYS THEY HAVE HAD NEGATIVE INTERACTIONS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT MAYBE WOULD BE MISTRUSTFUL OF LAW ENFORCEMENT WITNESSES, TYPICALLY SPEAKING, IN AN ORDINARY CASE, THE PROSECUTION WOULD TRY TO ELIMINATE THOSE JURORS AND THOSE JURORS ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY PEOPLE OF COLOR.

SO, IN SOME SENSE, IT CAN'T MATTER AT ALL, AND IN SOME SENSE IT MAKES ALL OF THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD.

FOAZ BOTH OF YOU, START WITH Mr.

LE, I HEARD A LAW PROFESSOR, FORMER FEDERAL PROSECUTOR SAY ON TV THIS WEEK THAT THIS IS THE MOST FAMOUS POLICE CONDUCT CASE IN HISTORY.

IS THAT HYPE OR DO YOU BUY IT?

>> WELL, IF YOU RECALL TO LAST MAY, THIS CASE HAS CAPTIVATED THE ENTIRE WORLD AND I CAN SAY THAT WITHOUT EXAGGERATING.

IT HAS BROUGHT -- REPRESENTS, I THINK, A TURNING POINT OR AN INFLECTION POINT IN HOW CRIMINAL JUSTICE IS APPLIED WITH EQUALITY FOR ALL, SOCIAL JUSTICE REFORM, POLICE REFORM.

I THINK IT IS ATTACHED TO THAT BECAUSE OF WHAT OCCURRED SUBSEQUENT TO THIS TRAGEDY.

>> Eric: AND, PROFESSOR, MAYBE TO SPEAK TO THAT QUESTION, YOU'RE USING SOME OF THIS STUFF IN CLASS WORK IN VIRGINIA, RIGHT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I MEAN, IT CERTAINLY IS -- I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT PROSECUTION OF POLICE VIOLENCE, BUT IT'S CERTAINLY ONE THAT HAS CAPTURED THE COUNTRY'S ATTENTION.

I MEAN, FOR MY STUDENTS WHO ARE MOSTLY IN THEIR EARLY OR MID 20s, YOU KNOW, THEY'VE COME OF AGE NOW WHERE THEIR FRAMEWORK IS THE PROTESTS AND REBELLIONS AFTER FERGUSON AND NOW THIS PAST SUMMER'S UPRISINGS AS WELL.

SO THEIR WHOLE VIEW OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, OF CRIMINAL LAW HAS BEEN SHAPED BY THESE NATIONAL PROTEST MOVEMENTS THAT HAVE CENTERED QUESTIONS OF RACE, OF STATE VIOLENCE IN WAYS THAT I THINK HAVE PROFOUNDLY SHAPED THAT GENERATION AND I THINK ALL EYES ARE GOING TO BE ON THIS COURTHOUSE IN THE COMING WEEKS.

>> Cathy: GENTLEMEN, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

IT WAS A GREAT CONVERSATION.

>> Eric: THANKS.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND, THANKS.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING US.

>> THANK YOU.

♪♪♪ >> I STARTED MY JOURNEY TOWARD THE LEGISLATURE BACK IN 1984 WHEN I RAISED MY RIGHT HAND AND I PLEDGED THAT I WOULD UPHOLD AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AGAINST ALL ENEMIES, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC, WHEN I JOINED THE UNITED STATES ARMY.

I WENT TO BASIC TRAINING AT FORT BENNING, GEORGIA, I BECAME AN INFANTRY MAN.

I SERVED ABOUT FOUR YEARS AS A PRESIDENTIAL GUARD FOR PRESIDENT REAGAN.

AS AN 18-YEAR-OLD KID, STANDING WITHIN FIVE FEET OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, IT TENDS TO LEAVE A BIT OF AN IMPRESSION ON YOU.

I LOVED BEING AROUND MY FELLOW SOLDIERS.

I LIKED BEING PART OF THE MISSION, BEING A PART OF SOMETHING LARGER THAN MYSELF.

IT'S NOT THE COMFORT OF BEING A COG IN THE WHEEL, IT'S BEING SOMEBODY THAT IS ACTUALLY DRIVING SOMETHING FORWARD.

I LOVE THAT.

♪♪♪ >> ERIC: THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF ATTENTION ON WHAT PUBLIC SAFETY LEADERS ARE DOING TO PREPARE FOR THE DEREK CHAUVIN TRIAL AND ITS EVENTUAL VERDICT, BUT NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERS ARE ALSO MAKING PREPARATIONS.

THAT WAS THE FOCUS OF A STORY THIS WEEK IN MINNPOST, WRITTEN BY SOLOMON GUSTAVO.

HE COVERS LOCAL AND REGIONAL GOVERNMENT FOR MINNPOST.

IT WAS A VERY INTERESTING STORY, SOLOMON.

SOUNDED TO ME LIKE THE ACTIVISTS THINK LAW ENFORCEMENT'S GOING TOO FAR IN THE PRETRIAL PERIOD AND THEN SOME OF THE LEADERS IN THE CITY THINK THAT THE CITIZEN SAFETY NETWORKS MAY OVERREACT.

IS THAT A FAIR SUMMATION?

>> WELL, I DON'T KNOW IF CITY OFFICIALS ARE NECESSARILY CONCERNED ABOUT AN OVERREACTION FROM THE [ Indiscernible ] THAT ARE COMING OUT OF NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS AND INDEPENDENTLY FROM DIFFERENT RESIDENTS COMING TOGETHER.

BUT I DEFINITELY FEEL LIKE THAT SORT OF ACTION IS UNNECESSARY.

AND, YOU KNOW, THE PEOPLE WHO WERE ARMING THEMSELVES AND BANDING TOGETHER, IF THEY'RE RESPONDING TO A SENSE OF AN OVERREACTION FROM THE CITY OR A SENSE OF A REACTION FROM PEOPLE TO THE OVERREACTION, THE POTENTIAL OVERREACTION FROM THE CITY, YOU KNOW, THERE'S DEFINITELY A KIND OF CYCLICAL NATURE OF EVERYONE LOOKING AT EACH OTHER AND WONDERING ABOUT AN OVERREACTION, AND THAT'S WHY THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS ARE HEARING FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE ARMING THEMSELVES.

>> Cathy: SAY, JUST FOR FOLKS WHO ARE NOT CLEAR ABOUT THIS, SOLOMON, THE CITIZEN SAFETY NETWORKS, CAN YOU KIND OF EXPLAIN A LITTLE BIT MORE WHAT THAT'S ALL ABOUT?

ARE THEY VIGILANTE GROUPS?

>> SURE, OKAY.

SO, YOU KNOW, LAST SUMMER DURING THE UNREST, PEOPLE IN DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOODS ALL OVER THE CITY STARTED, YOU KNOW, CONTACTING EACH OTHER, I'M SURE YOU SAW, YOU KNOW, THE STORIES AND PICTURES OF PEOPLE STANDING ON THEIR PORCHES AND ON THEIR BLOCKS, YOU KNOW, THOSE PEOPLE STARTED TO ORGANIZE AND THEN AT THE THEY -- AND THEN THEY STARTED TO USE THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS AS A HUB TO COMMUNICATE AND KIND OF COORDINATE SECURITY EFFORTS AND OTHER KIND OF RESOURCES AS WELL.

SO NOW FOR THE CHAUVIN TRIAL, THOSE ARE KIND OF RESURRECTING.

SO THOSE ARE THE KIND OF SAFETY SOLIDARITY NETWORKS THAT ARE OUT THERE.

THEN THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE ARE -- THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE ARMING THEMSELVES AND ARE PART OF THOSE KIND OF SAFETY EFFORTS THAT DIDN'T NECESSARILY JOIN UP WITH A NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION OR ANYONE ELSE OR MAYBE PEOPLE WHO WERE ARMED.

AND THEY ARE PATROLLING THEIR BLOCK OR THEIR PORCH AND THEY'RE HOLDING LARGE WEAPONS, AR-15s, OTHER LARGE SEMIAUTOMATIC GUNS AND THAT IS JUST A SCARY THING.

IF THESE PEOPLE HAVE VIGILANTE KIND OF INTENTIONS, THEY ARE FORMING THEMSELVES IN THAT SORT OF WAY, BUT THAT'S HOW SOMEONE, YOU KNOW, MIGHT PERCEIVE SOMEONE WALKING AROUND PACKED WITH THESE WEAPONS.

SO THEY WOULD LIKE THAT KIND OF PERCEPTION TAMPED DOWN, NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS -- EXCUSE ME, NEIGHBORHOOD SOCIALS, CITY OFFICIALS, SO, THAT'S THE KIND OF DIFFERENTIATION BETWEEN THE SAFETY NETWORKS AND THE POTENTIAL FOR VIGILANTES.

>> Cathy: THANKS FOR EXPLAINING THAT.

YOUR ARTICLE TALKED ABOUT ONE IN THE COKE RON NEIGHBORHOOD, IT BORDERS POWDERHORN AND LONGFELLOW.

COULD YOU GO INTO THAT A LITTLE BIT MORE?

>> SO CORCORAN ON THE NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION LED BY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LISA SCHMITS, THEY WERE CONTACTED BY PEOPLE IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD, IN THE BORDERING NEIGHBORHOODS WHO ARMED THEMSELVES AND THEY REACHED OUT TO CORCORAN BECAUSE THEY WANT TO JUST STAY IN CONTACT.

THE LAST TIME SOMEBODY WAS SPOKE WAS DURING THE GENERAL ELECTION.

AND THE CORPORATE NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION PROVIDES COUNSEL, GIVES THEM KIND OF A SENSE OF THE BEST WAY THAT THEY CAN OPERATE AND NOT SCARE THE PEOPLE.

SO THEY CAN DEFEND THEMSELVES AND THEIR PROPERTY AND NOT, YOU KNOW, SCARE OTHER PEOPLE BUT A LOT OF TIMES THOSE PEOPLE DON'T COME BACK.

THERE IS A KIND OF 15 OR SO THAT THEY ARE IN CONTACT, OTHER PEOPLE HAVE REACHED OUT, HEAR ABOUT THOSE CONCERNS, KIND OF GO AWAY, THEY DECIDED HOW THEY'RE GOING TO DEFEND THEMSELVES HOW THEY FEEL THEY NEED TO.

BUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION ALSO HOSTS THESE TRAININGS WHERE THEY, IF ANYONE FROM THE ENTIRE CITY ARE INVITED TO COME TO THE VIRTUAL TRAININGS WHERE THEY TALK TO PEOPLE ABOUT NONVIOLENCE, DEESCALATION AND OTHER WAYS THAT THEY CAN CONNECT WITH THEIR NEIGHBORS AND FORM SAFETY NETWORKS.

>> Eric: PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSIONER HARRINGTON SAID TODAY NO CREDIBLE THREAT OF VIOLENCE SO FAR.

OPENING DAY, THE VERDICT, AND THE ?NTSING, WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE PROSPECTS FOR VIOLENCE?

AND THE SENTENCING.

>> SO COUNCIL MEMBER JEREMIAH ELLISON MADE A POINT OF SAYING THAT HE FELT LIKE THE SECURITY -- YOU MENTIONED EARLIER -- THAT THERE'S SOME FEAR THAT THE CITY MIGHT BE OVERREACTING WITH OVER 1,000 POLICE OFFICERS, 2,000 NATIONAL GUARD PEOPLE.

THAT'S THE KIND OF DEFENSE IS RESPONDING TO SOME SORT OF THREAT OR WORD OF SOME SORT OF CREDIBLE FEAR.

BUT THAT DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE SOMETHING THAT THE CITY IS CONTENDING WITH, AT LEAST THAT ELLISON IS AWARE OF, I'VE HEARD OTHER PEOPLE, AND WITHOUT THE PRESENCE OF THAT THREAT, YOU KNOW, IT BEGS THE QUESTION, HOW SHOULD THIS CITY DEFEND ITSELF, AND IT'S ALL KIND OF MIRRORED BACK TO THE SUMMER, NO ONE WANTS, YOU KNOW, THE FIRES AND A LOT OF THOSE THINGS TO HAPPEN, SO YOU UNDERSTAND THE DESIRE TO HAVE, YOU KNOW, THIS LEVEL OF SECURITY, BUT THERE DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE ANY SPECIFIC THREAT THAT ACTIVISTS ARE OR ANYONE ELSE IS KIND OF REPORTING RIGHT NOW.

>> Eric: YOU CAN READ SOLOMON'S STUFF, IT'S VERY GOOD, IN MINNPOST.COM.

APPRECIATE YOUR TIME, THANKS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

♪♪♪ >> SO THIS WEEK WE HEARD THAT SOME STATES STOPPED REQUIRING PEOPLE TO WEAR MASKS IN PUBLIC PLACES.

PRESIDENT BIDEN CALLS THIS NEANDERTHAL THINKING.

I THINK THAT MAY NOT BE GIVING ENOUGH CREDIT TO NEANDERTHALS, NOT EVEN A CAVE MAN WOULD RUN INTO CHARGE OF A -- RUN IN FRONT OF A MAST DONE.

SO MANY FOLKS ARE FOCUSED ON GETTING A VACCINE AND THEY DON'T REMEMBER THAT WEARING A MASK IS THE REASON THAT SOME OF US ARE STILL ALIVE TO GET ONE.

LAST YEAR THEY THOUGHT A MASK WAS A GOOD IDEA, NOW THEY KNOW IT.

YOU CAN CATCH THE VIRUS FROM SOMEONE TALKING IN ATHE SAME ROOM SIX FEET AWAY.

YOU CAN GET COULD HAVE HAD FROM NNLS TELLING YOU THEY DON'T BELIEVE IN T. REMEMBER THE FLU, THAT WAS OUR LAST BIG PANDEMIC, ANOTHER DEADLY DISEASE THAT ALMOST VANISHED.

LAST YEAR EXPERTS WERE WORRIED ABOUT A TWIN DEMOCRATIC OF INFLUENZA AND COVID.

LAST YEAR, THERE WERE 34 PEOPLE HOSPITALIZED FOR FLU.

ALLERGIES WERE ALSO WAY DOWN.

MASKS FILTER OUT A LOFT THE POLLEN FLOATING AROUND.

YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL NOT TO TOUCH THE OUTSIDE OF THE MASK.

THEY SAY, REMOVE IT WITHOUT USING YOUR HANDS.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE -- PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE HOW MUCH GOOD MASKS CAN DO.

PERSONALLY, I HAVE NEVER LOOKED BETTER THAN WHEN HALF MY FACE IS COVERED UP.

DID I SHAVE?

DOESN'T MATTER.

BEFORE COVID, I COULD NEVER WALK AROUND WEARING A SPIDERMAN MASK ALL THE TIME.

MY WIFE ALWAYS SAID NO.

BUT BY NOW, MOST OF US ARE KIND OF USED TO IT.

IT ACTUALLY FEELS GOOD TO BE DOING SOMETHING TO HELP.

AND MASKS ARE STILL OUR BEST OPTION.

AT LEAST UNTIL HERD IMMUNITY KICKS IN WHEN THEY CAN GET US ALL VACCINATED AND SAFELY BACK IN THE CORRAL.

YOU CAN'T SEE THEM, BUT THEY'RE THERE'S -- BUT THERE'S STILL A LOT OF MAST DONEES OUT THERE.

♪♪♪ >> CATHY: A 113-YEAR-OLD COUNTY COURTHOUSE IN SOUTHERN MINNESOTA IS UNDERGOING A $2.5 MILLION RENOVATION.

MARTIN COUNTY IS REPLACING THE COPPER DOME AND ROOF ON ITS MOST SIGNIFICANT BUILDING.

"ONE GREATER MINNESOTA" REPORTER KAOMI LEE WENT TO CHECK IT OUT.

AND JUST A NOTE, KAOMI HAS CHANGED HER NAME BACK TO THE KOREAN SURNAME SHE HAD BEFORE HER INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION.

♪♪♪ >> STEP INSIDE THE MARTIN COUNTY COURTHOUSE, AND YOU SEE A STORY OF THIS SOUTHERN MINNESOTA FARMING COMMUNITY, THEIR AMBITIONS AND DREAMS IN 1907.

>> THE MURALS WERE DESIGNED AND PAINTED BY AN INDIVIDUAL AND ARTIST FROM MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

AS I UNDERSTAND, HE WAS A GERMAN IMMIGRANT, VERY RENOWNED FOR HIS WORK.

AND EACH ONE OF THOSE MURALS REPRESENTS SOMETHING.

>> WAR, PEACE, GENIUS, AND INSPIRATION.

THESE MURALS ARE TUCKED INSIDE A 58-FOOT-TALL DOME ABOVE A BEAUTIFUL ROTUNDA.

ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS PRESERVED THROUGH TIME AIM TO IMPRESS.

>> I GUESS I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF PRIDE IN THAT STRUCTURE IN THE COUNTY.

I DON'T THINK ANYONE WOULD WANT TO SEE IT DETERIORATE.

YOU KNOW, IT KIND OF REPRESENTS THE COUNTY, WHAT IT STANDS FOR.

>> WHICH IS WHY IN 2018, THE COUNTY EMBARKED ON A $2.5 MILLION RENOVATION.

MAJOR LEAKING AND RUST DAMAGE, IN THE CORP DOME TOWER AND ROOF.

ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES SINCE 1977, OFFICIALS WANTED TO SAVE IT.

>> IT WAS A COSTLY PROJECT, BUT, BY THE SAME TOKEN, WHEN YOU LOOK AT A BUILDING THAT'S ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES, AND WITH WHAT THAT STRUCTURE IS LIKE, IN MY OPINION, IT'S MONEY WELL SPENT.

>> THE FIRST COURTHOUSE DATES BACK TO 1862.

IT WAS A WOODEN STRUCTURE BUILT FOR $200 ON THE GROUNDS OF FORT FAIRMONT, A MILITARY FORTRESS BUILT IN RESPONSE TO THE DAKOTA UPRISING.

IN 1882, A SECOND COURTHOUSE WAS BUILT FOR $12,000, BUT IT WAS LATER CONDEMNED.

THAT'S WHERE CHARLES EMLEN BELL COMES IN.

>> WELL, THERE'S NOT A LOT TO BE KNOWN.

HE WAS BORN IN 1858.

IN ILLINOIS.

>> FIRST A CARPENTER, BELL MOVED INTO DESIGNING COURTHOUSES IN THE MIDWEST, AND EVEN A FEW STATE CAPITOLS.

>> HE'S NOT A HOUSEHOLD NAME, BY ANY MEANS.

HE DIDN'T DO, EXCEPT LOCALLY LIKE THAT, VERY LOCALLY.

HE DIDN'T DO ANY BUILDINGS THAT ARE OF NATIONAL RENOWN.

HE JUST APPEARED TO BE A WORK-A-DAY TYPE OF ARCHITECT, OF WHICH MOST OF THEM WERE.

>> ABLE TO DESIGN FUNCTIONAL BUILDINGS IN -- BELL GAVE MARTIN COUNTY WHAT IT WANTED.

>> SOMETHING THAT LOOKED PRESTIGIOUS AND SOMETHING THAT REFLECTED THE WEALTH OF THE COUNTY.

>> THE COURTHOUSE COST $125,000, A WHOPPING SUM IN 1907.

THREE STORIES OF FIREPROOF LIMESTONE AND SANDSTONE AND TOPPED BY A COPPER DOME AND CLOCK TOWER.

THE CLOCK WAS MADE BY FAMED MAKER SETH THOMAS.

IT ALL ALLOWED EVEN THEN -- IT WOWED GOVERNOR THEN JOHN A. JOHNSON.

>> THE CORNERSTONE WAS LAID IN 1906, THE DEDICATION WAS IN DECEMBER OF 1907.

THE DEDICATION WAS A VERY WELL-ATTENDED EVENT, PEOPLE CAME ON TRAINS, HORSE AND BUGGY, THE ENTIRE COURTHOUSE WAS DRAPED IN FLAGS, GOVERNOR JOHNSON GAVE WHAT THE NEWSPAPERS STATED WAS A LENGTHY EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEECH.

♪♪♪ >> IT IS A LOVELY COURTHOUSE.

AND THAT'S THE THING ABOUT SOUTHERN MINNESOTA.

THEY HAVE SOME OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL COURTHOUSES.

>> HE SAYS THAT'S BECAUSE MANY HAVEN'T MADE IT -- HAVEN'T NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THEY WERE BUILT AT A TIME WHEN PEOPLE WANTED TO PROJECT STRENGTH AND BEAUTY.

>> THEY'RE MOSTLY THESE BOZAR STYLE COURTHOUSES, YOU KNOW, A RENAISSANCE STYLE.

AND WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THAT KIND OF STYLE, THINK ABOUT CLASSISM.

>> PAIRED COLUMNS AND SYMMETRY, DESIGN CHOICES MADE TO DEMONSTRATE CIVIC-MINDEDNESS AND DEMOCRATIC IDEALS.

THE HISTORIC GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS CAN ALSO HAVE PROBLEMS.

>> THE MURAL IS CALLED PEACE, WHERE WE HAVE THE NATIVE AMERICAN, HE'S KIND OF IN THE CORNER, AND HE IS HOLDING PLANS OF THE COURTHOUSE, YOU KNOW, AND CONTEMPLATING WHEN THERE USED TO BE, YOU KNOW, PRAIRIE AND FOREST.

MAYBE HE'S THINKING OR HE'S SUPPOSED TO BE THINKING, OH, WOW, YOU KNOW, LOOK AT THIS ADVANCEMENT, LOOK HOW FAR THINGS HAVE COME, THAT KIND OF THING.

AND I THINK THAT'S -- YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT'S A LITTLE PROBLEMATIC.

>> INSTEAD OF REMOVING THESE DEPICTIONS, GARDNER SAYS HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE INTERPRETATION OF THEM.

LIKE AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

>> HAVE MORE VOICES, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE FOR A LONG TIME, WE'VE ONLY HAD ONE.

>> AND HERE'S THE SAFE.

>> OH, WOW.

>> LOCAL HISTORIAN LENNY TVEDTEN PRESIDES OVER A WHOLE BUILDING FILLED WITH THE PAST, HE EVEN HAS THE COURTHOUSE'S ORIGINAL SAFE.

>> WELL, IT'S FREEDOM, IT'S JUST REPRESENTS EVERYTHING THAT WE AS AMERICANS FEEL ARE IMPORTANT.

♪♪♪ >> ERIC: DESPITE TALK OF NON-PARTISANSHIP, THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS FORGED AHEAD THIS WEEK WITH COVID RELIEF AND OTHER LEGISLATION ALONG PARTY LINES.

AND THERE WAS FURTHER TALK ABOUT CAPITOL SECURITY AND RENEWED DEBATE ABOUT CHANGING THE FILIBUSTER.

LET'S TALK ABOUT CONGRESS FOR THE NEXT TEN OR SO MINUTES WITH THE HELP OF LARRY JACOBS.

HE HEADS THE CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE AT THE HUMPHREY SCHOOL AT THE U OF M. ALSO JOINING US BY ZOOM, CYNTHIA RUGELEY LEADS THE POLITICAL SCIENTIST DEPARTMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA-DULUTH.

CLASSIFIES '75, BY THE WAY.

PROFESSOR RUGELEY, $1.9 TRILLION COVID RELIEF BILL ON THE SENATE FLOOR FOR VOTEROREALLYA AND APPARENTLY THE DEMOCRATS HAVE REACHED CONSENSUS ON UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AND OFF WE GO.

VOTERORAMA.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT TO US?

>> THEY OPEN IT UP AND SO ALL NIGHT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE INTRODUCING ONE AMENDMENT AFTER ANOTHER, THEY'RE GOING TO ARGUE ON THEM, AND THEY'RE GOING TO VOTE ON THEM.

VOTER RAMA IS VOTING UP AND DOWN ON AMENDMENTS ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT AND PROBABLY A LITTLE BIT LONGER.

>> Eric: PROFESSOR JACOBS, THE MINIMUM WAGE WHEN IT CAME UP GOT ONLY 42 YES VOTES.

DEMOCRATS COULDN'T EVEN MUSTER THEIR 50 WITH A VICE PRESIDENTIAL DECIDING VOTE.

WHAT HAPPENED THERE?

>> IT'S A MISTAKE IN THINKING THAT THE DEMOCRATS ARE CONTROLLING CONGRESS.

THEY HAVE A MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE BUT IT'S VERY NARROW, AND THE SENATE, IT'S TIED, 50-50.

MEANING THAT EVERY SINGLE DEMOCRAT IS A POTENTIAL DEAL BREAKER AND WE'VE SEEN THAT WITH MINIMUM WAGE BECAUSE THE MORE MODERATE DEMOCRATS HAVE BOLTED, WILL NOT SUPPORT IT THE WAY IT'S CURRENTLY DRAWN UP, AND EVEN THE VOTERORAMA IS DELAYED BECAUSE THE U.S.

SENATOR FROM WEST VIRGINIA, MAN SHUN, HAS PULLED HIS SUPPORT, SO ALL OF A SUDDEN THE DEMOCRATS ARE DOWN TO 49 AND THEY CAN'T MOVE THE AMENDMENTS THROUGH.

MANCHIN.

THIS IS GOING TO BE THE NATURE OF THE DEMOCRATIC DILEMMA IN CONGRESS.

THEY CANNOT DO A WHOLE LOT, THEY CAN DO SOME IF THEY'RE CAREFUL AND THEY PUT TOGETHER COALITIONS.

>> Cathy: GOOD NEWS, THOUGH, WOULDN'T YOU THINK, BOTH OF YOU, THAT THE SENATE DEMOCRATS HAVE THIS DEAL ON JOBLESS BENEFITS, EVIDENTLY, THAT'S LATE -- THAT'S A LATE ADDITION HERE ON A FRIDAY NIGHT.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT?

>> YEAH, THAT'S GOT THE VOTE-O-RAMA GOING AGAIN.

AND IT HAS SAT DOING NOTHING FOR ABOUT NINE HOURS WHEN THEY WORKED ON AN ARRANGEMENT ON IT.

THAT WAS DONE WITH UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS BY SOME OF THE DEMOCRATS THAT BY UPPING IT UP TO $400 ON TOP OF THE REGULAR THAT IT WOULD SERVE AS A DISINCENTIVE FOR PEOPLE GOING BACK TO WORK, SO THEY WANTED IT LOWER.

IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S A COMPROMISE THAT SENATOR MANCHIN HAS SAID HE CAN ACCEPT, WHERE IT WILL BE $300, IT WILL LAST UNTIL SEPTEMBER, AND THERE'S ALSO SOME TAX PROVISIONS INCLUDED IN IT.

SO IT'S MOVING FORWARD NOW.

AND, AGAIN, YOU KNOW, WITH SENATOR MANCHIN, HE'S PROBABLY ALSO COVERING FOR SOME OTHER MODERATE DEMOCRATS WHO DON'T WANT TO STEP OUT ON SOME OF THESE ISSUES.

>> Cathy: LARRY JACOBS, YOU KNOW, EARLIER SENATOR SMITH AND SENATOR KLOBUCHAR SAID THAT THEY SUPPORT ENDING THE FILIBUSTER, OR AT LEAST CHANGING IT.

FOR A LITTLE PRIMER FOR FOLKS, WHY IS THE FILIBUSTER AN IMPORTANT TOOL IN THE LEGISLATIVE BOX?

>> BACK IN THE OLD DAYS, WHEN THE SENATE ACTUALLY WORKED ACROSS PARTY LINES, IT WAS A WAY IN WHICH YOU'D SLOW DOWN DEBATE, YOU'D BUILD CONSENSUS OR SOME LEVEL OF AGREEMENT.

IF YOU GO BACK, FOR INSTANCE, TO CIVIL RIGHTS LEGISLATION, WHICH WAS PASSED WITH A LOT OF REPUBLICAN SUPPORT, THE FILIBUSTER CREATED A CONTEXT IN WHICH YOU COULD BUILD THESE BROAD MAJORITIES.

THAT HAS BROKEN DOWN THE LAST COUPLE DECADES AND THE FILIBUSTER HAS BEEN USED.

ESPECIALLY BY REPUBLICANS, BUT ALSO BY DEMOCRATS, AS A WAY SIMPLY TO STOP ANY ACTION WHICH IS FINE WITH REPUBLICANS, THEY'RE NOT THAT KEEN ABOUT GOVERNMENT, BUT IT'S BEEN A REAL DEAD THEY ARE FOR THE DEMOCRATS, AGAIN, THOUGH, THEY NEED THE 50 VOTES OF ALL THE DEMOCRATS, AND SENATOR MANCHIN AND OTHERS DON'T WANT TO SEE THE FILIBUSTER GO AWAY, IN PART, BECAUSE THEY WANT SOME KIND OF BREAK ON WHAT LOOKS TO BE A VERY STRONG PUSH BY PROGRESSIVES TO BUILD MORE GOVERNMENT, SPEND MORE MONEY.

>> Eric: BUT PROFESSOR, RUGELEY, THE FILIBUSTER WAS USED BY SOUTHERN DEMOCRATS BACK IN THE DAY TO STOP CIVIL RIGHTS LEGISLATION.

IS IT KIND OF -- BUT COULDN'T THEY JUST, INSTEAD OF DUMPING IT ENTIRELY, COULDN'T THEY GO BACK TO, LIKE, THE Mr. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON, WHERE HE HOLDS THE FLOOR FOR TEN HOURS, THAT SORT OF THING?

DO YOU HAVE TO WIPE IT OUT COMPLETELY OR JUST MODIFY IT?

>> YOU MAKE A GOOD POINT.

AND A LOT OF REASON THAT WE HAVE THE CURRENT VOTE THAT REQUIRES 60 VOTES IS BECAUSE A GROUP OF SOUTHERN DEMOCRATS USED THE FILIBUSTER IN THE OLD FORM TO BLOCK A LOT OF LEGISLATION -- CIVIL RIGHTS LEGISLATION AND MIKE MAN FIELD SAID, YOU KNOW, LET'S BUILD A SUPER MAJORITY TO GET THIS STUFF THROUGH.

BUT IF THEY WENT BACK TO THE WAY IT USED TO BE, IT'S INTERESTING, THAT'S WHAT SOME PEOPLE ARE ARGUING, THAT YOU ACTUALLY SHOULD MAKE PEOPLE STAND UP AND TALK, THAT THERE SHOULD BE SOME COST INVOLVED, THAT A SENATOR, IF THEY'RE GOING TO BLOCK A BILL, SHOULD HAVE TO ACTUALLY STAND UP AND TALK FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME.

TO BEAR THAT COST.

AND ALSO THAT THEN YOU NOT ONLY JUST KILLING THAT BILL, YOU'RE KILLING EVERY BILL ON THE CALENDAR AFTERWARDS.

SO IT DELAYS THE WHOLE PROCESS.

THEY HAVE TO WORK WEEKENDS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO IT ALSO BRINGS WITH IT SOME PROCEDURAL -- SOME REPUTATIONAL COST, IF YOU WILL.

AND, SO, THERE'S SOME ARGUMENT IN DOING THAT THAT WHAT IT IS NOW, IT'S JUST PRETTY MUCH SERVES AS OBSTRUCTION, RATHER THAN A TOOL, THEY ARGUE FOR NEGOTIATION OVER A BILL, AS LARRY TALKED ABOUT.

>> Cathy: LARRY JACOBS, WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL HAPPEN, DO YOU THINK, ULTIMATELY WITH THE FILIBUSTER?

>> THE FILIBUSTER IS STAYING.

AND THE DEMOCRATS, PARTICULARLY PROGRESSIVES R NOT GETTING THEIR DREAM LIST, IT WON'T EVEN COME CLOSE.

THEY'RE NOT GETTING SINGLE PAYER, MINIMUM WAGE, MAYBE, BUT IT'S GOING TO HAVE TO LOOK VERY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT IT IS.

BUT, ON THE OTHER HAND, I THINK THE DEMOCRATS ARE GETTING A HUGE POLITICAL WIN WITH THE COVID RELIEF PUTTING MONEY INTO PEOPLE'S POCKETS, OPENING SCHOOLS, AND RUSHING VACCINATION AND LIFTING THE ECONOMY.

THIS IS THE KIND OF STUFF THAT'S GOING TO REINFORCE THE SO-CALLED BIDEN DEMOCRATS, THE MORE AFFLUENT SUBURBAN WHITES THAT VOTED FOR HIM LAST YEAR, IT'S ALSO GOING TO EAT AWAY POTENTIALLY AT WHAT ARE KNOWN AS THE REAGAN DEMOCRATS, THE WHITE WORKING CLASS THAT HAD SUPPORTED REPUBLICANS.

REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO TAKE A HIT, YOU KNOW, I THINK ON THIS -- THESE VOTES.

THEY'RE SOLIDLY AGAINST IT, NOT ONE REPUBLICAN IS SUPPORTING ALL THIS BENEFIT THAT'S GOING TO BE GOING -- TO MANY OF THEIR VOTERS, 77% OF WHOM SUPPORT IT.

>> Cathy: WHILE WE HAVE THE CAMERA ON YOU, LARRY JACOBS, I KNOW YOU'RE AN EXPERT IN THIRD-PARTY POLITICS.

AT C PACK, FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP DIDN'T SEEM INTERESTED IN FORMING A THIRD PARTY.

ARE YOU SURPRISED BY THAT.

>> NO.

THE PATH OF A THIRD PARTY IS SOMETHING FOR A LIFETIME.

AND IT USUALLY BRINGS MISERY.

WE HAVE SEEN THESE, YOU KNOW, PHENOMENAL INDIVIDUALS, LIKE ROSS PEROT OR JESSE VENTURA, BUT IT'S MOSTLY BEEN AN EFFORT OF INDIVIDUAL EFFORT.

I DON'T THINK DONALD TRUMP WANTS TO WORK THAT HARD.

AND FRANKLY, HE'S MAKING SO MUCH MONEY AS A POTENTIAL, THOUGH NOT DECLARED CANDIDATE FOR 2024, THAT I DON'T KNOW WHY HE WOULD DO IT.

IT'S SHEER MISERY IN THE AMERICAN SYSTEM.

>> Eric: PROFESSOR, I SAT IN ON AN INTERVIEW WITH TOM EMMER THIS WEEK, HEADS THE REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE, AND HE SAID THAT, AS FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP SEEKS REVENGE ON THE TEN REPUBLICANS WHO HAVE OPPOSED HIM, HE SAID THAT IF HE BACKS PRIMARY CHALLENGERS, THAT'S NOT HELPFUL TO THE REPUBLICANS.

YOU AGREE WITH THAT?

>> YEAH.

IT'S NOT.

IT SPLITS THE PARTY.

AND, SO, I WOULD HAVE TO AGREE WITH THAT.

I MEAN, I THINK THAT A LOT -- REPRESENTATIVE EMMER, PROBABLY THE MINORITY LEADER ARE VERY POLITELY TRYING TO DISCOURAGE, BUT I SUSPECT THEY WANT TO LET HIM GET THROUGH HIS CURRENT RAGE MODE BEFORE THEY PUT TOO MUCH PRESSURE ON IT.

THEY DON'T WANT TO SPLIT THE PARTY.

THEY DON'T WANT IT TO BE -- THEY DON'T WANT TO BE PART OF SOME KIND OF VENGEANCE TOUR.

THEY DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO TAKE SIDES IN THIS FIGHT.

>> Eric: IF SOMEBODY HAD TOLD ME THAT Dr. SUESS AND Mr.

POTATO HEAD WERE GOING TO BE POLITICAL ISSUES, I WOULDN'T HAVE BELIEVED IT.

WHAT'S UP WITH THAT?

LARRY?

>> IT'S PART OF THE CULTURE WAR.

REPUBLICANS ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE ECONOMY, SCHOOLS ARE OPENING, COVID IS GOING TO -- LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING TO RECEDE, SOME EXTENT.

AND THE DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO TAKE -- OR TRY TO TAKE A LOT OF CREDIT FOR THAT.

SO REPUBLICANS WANT TO TRY TO BUILD A POPULOUS CAMPAIGN AND, YOU KNOW, RUNNING AGAINST THESE CULTURAL SYMBOLS, YOU KNOW, THEY THINK THAT'S GOING TO WORK.

I DON'T KNOW.

>> Eric: PROFESSOR, GIVE ME YOUR BEST 30 SECONDS ON THAT?

>> I AGREE.

I MEAN, I THINK THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO LATCH ONTO SOME ISSUE AND PLAY OFF OF THIS THING OF A CANCEL CULTURE AND SOCIALISM AND TOO MUCH LIBERALISM.

AND I'M JUST NOT SURE THAT THIS ONE'S GOING TO CATCH ON.

I MEAN, DEMOCRATS RIGHT NOW KIND OF HAVE THE HIGH ROAD, THEY'RE PASSING THE BILL THAT AS LARRY POINTED OUT IS GOING TO PUT MONEY IN PEOPLE'S POCKET.

I JUST DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO CATCH ON AS MUCH AS THEY'RE THINKING IT WILL.

>> Eric: WELL, TIME FOR OUR SEMINAR HAS RUN OUT.

SO CLASS DISMISSED.

THANK YOU, BOTH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

♪♪♪ >> CATHY: WE HAVE A MINNESOTA HISTORY QUESTION YOU CAN GUESS THE ANSWER TO.

IT'S CALLED THE INDEX FILEMENT I LOVE THIS.

HERE ARE THE HINTS.

THE MYSTERY MINNESOTAN WE SEEK WAS BORN ON THE WESTERN BOUNDARY OF OUR STATE AND MADE THEIR NAME IN NATIONAL POLITICS IN THE LAST CENTURY BECOMING AN INFLUENTIAL PLAYER IN WASHINGTON.

WALTER MONDALE WAS QUOTED SAYING THIS PERSON WAS "SCRUPULOUSLY FAIR WITH FEDERAL FUNDS "WITH ONE-HALF FOR THEIR STATE AND ONE-HALF FOR THE REST OF THE COUNTRY."

THAT'S A GOOD QUOTE.

MAYBE THE FORMERRER VICE PRESIDENT HIMSELF WILL CALL IN WITH THE RIGHT ANTICIPATES.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU WHETHER YOU ARE CALLING IN FROM CLAY COUNTY, CLAY BANK, OR CLAY TOWNSHIP.

PLEASE CALL, ONE AND ALL.

651-229-1430 IS OUR VOICEMAIL.

YOU CAN SEND EMAILS OUR WAY TOO.

ALMANAC@TPT.ORG IS THE WAY TO REACH US.

A REMINDER THAT WHEN THE LEGISLATURE IS IN SESSION THAT YOU CAN WATCH ALL THE PROCEEDINGS BY TUNING INTO THE MINNESOTA CHANNEL EACH WEEK DAY.

THE MINNESOTA CHANNEL IS THE SAME FREE STATEWIDE BROADCAST SERVICE WHERE YOU CAN FIND "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL" EACH WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT 7:00.

FOR SHOW-CLOSING MUSIC, DALE WATSON AND HIS TEXAS TWO STOPPED BY STUDIO B FIVE YEARS AGO TODAY.

LET'S LISTEN TO HIS AUTHENTIC COUNTRY SOUND AS WE ROLL THE CREDITS.

YOU'RE GOING TO THAT GREAT GUITAR STRAP AS WE ROLL THE CREDITS.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

♪ I HATE WHAT THIS WORLD WANTS YOUR MAN TO BE ♪ ♪ I'VE NEVER BEEN IN LOVE, DON'T THINK I EVER WILL ♪ ♪ IT'S JUST SOMETHING I CAN'T DO ♪ BUT I KEEP TRYIN' STILL ♪ ♪ RUN AWAY FROM ME, HON ♪ ♪ DON'T LET ME DRAG YOU DOWN, I KNOW HOW ♪ Captioned by: Paradigm Reporting & Captioning www.paradigmreporting.com ♪♪♪ >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY· GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING ELECTRICITY AND RELATED SERVICES TO 28 CO-OPS IN MINNESOTA.

A TOUCHSTONE ENERGY COOPERATIVE.

DELTA DENTAL OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION: INVESTING $25 MILLION TO IMPROVE DENTAL CARE FOR MINNESOTANS IN NEED.

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

ENBRIDGE: CONNECTING MINNESOTANS WITH ENERGY FOR OVER 70 YEARS.

MORE AT ENBRIDGE.COM/LINETHREEUS.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

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

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT COMES FROM THE MINNEAPOLIS FOUNDATION, INSPIRING AND ENGAGING IN ACTION TO REALIZE STRONG, VIBRANT COMMUNITIES, AND FROM THE BLANDIN FOUNDATION.

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