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

>> ERIC: IN THE NEXT HOUR, WE'LL EXPLORE THE COMPLEX "FEEDING OUR FUTURE" FRAUD CASE OUTLINED THIS WEEK BY FEDERAL PROSECUTORS.

AN IMPRESSIVE GROUP OF VETERAN POLITICAL REPORTERS WILL JOIN US FOR A CAMPAIGN ROUNDUP ON THIS THE FIRST DAY OF EARLY VOTING.

SHELETTA BRUNDIDGE HAS AN ESSAY.

AND THEN MARY LAHAMMER WILL PREVIEW THE CONTENTIOUS RACE FOR MINNESOTA ATTORNEY GENERAL.

>> Mary: IT APPEARS YET ANOTHER STATEWIDE RACE IS IN A DEAD HEAT.

WE'LL TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE CONTEST FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL.

>> THE ONLY POLL THAT MATTERS IS ON NOVEMBER 8TH.

>> WE'RE ON TRACK TO WIN IT AND WE HAVE TO WIN IT FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR STATE.

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

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

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

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

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

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

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

>> ERIC: CATHY WURZER HAS THE NIGHT OFF, SO SITTING NEXT TO ME TONIGHT IS POLITICAL REPORTER MARY LAHAMMER.

>> MARY: THANKS, ERIC.

WE START THE HOUR WITH THE BIGGEST REGIONAL STORY OF THE WEEK.

FEDERAL CHARGES WERE FILED TUESDAY AGAINST 48 PEOPLE IN WHAT HAS BEEN CALLED THE NATION'S LARGEST PANDEMIC FRAUD CASE.

PROSECUTORS SAY MORE THAN $250 MILLION WAS MISAPPROPRIATED FROM FEDERAL FUNDS DESIGNED TO DELIVER FOOD TO NEEDY CHILDREN DURING A PANDEMIC.

IT'S A COMPLEX STORY INVOLVING ALLEGED BRIBERY, MONEY LAUNDERING, AND CONSPIRACY.

HERE TO HELP SORT SOME OF THIS OUT, KELLY SMITH.

SHE'S PART OF A TEAM AT THE "STAR TRIBUNE" COVERING THE "FEEDING OUR FUTURE" STORY.

KELLY, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR FINDING TIME TO JOIN US.

I SEE KNOW IT'S BEEN A VERY BUSY WEEK.

WE USED THE WORD COMPLEX TO DESCRIBE THIS.

HOW CAN YOU BREAK THIS DOWN FOR OUR VIEWERS AND REALLY CHARACTERIZE THE SCALE OF FRAUD WE'RE TALKING ABOUT?

>> WELL, IT IS COMPLICATED, AND IT IS VERY WIDE-RANGING.

WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT COMPLICATED, IT'S COMPLICATED IN SO MANY DIFFERENT WAYS.

PROSECUTORS SAY THIS ALLEGED FRAUD TOOK LACE ALL ACROSS THE STATE.

ST.

CLOUD TO ROCHESTER.

TO MANKATO.

MINNEAPOLIS.

BURNSVILLE.

AND THEN -- UST THE TANGLED WEB OF MONEY LAUNDERING AND PEOPLE SETTING UP SHELL COMPANIES, TO PASS THIS MONEY ON.

YOU KNOW, IT BECOMES VERY COMPLICATED VERY FAST.

>> Eric: WELL, YOU HAVE THE PLAYERS HERE.

YOU HAVE THE SUPERVISING CAPACITY OF THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, BUT - YOU'VE GOT THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, THERE'S BEEN TALK OF WHERE WAS THE STATE AUDITOR OR WHERE WAS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ELLISON?

WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE AND HOW DID THIS FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS BEFORE A WAWR BILLION DOLLARS WAS SIPHONED OFF?

>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENT AGENCIES AT PLAY HERE.

SO THE PROGRAMS THAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT ARE FUNDED BY THE DA, THE DEPARTMENT OF -- THE USDA.

AND THEY GIVE THE MONEY TO THE STATES AND IN MINNESOTA THAT'S RUN BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

SO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FUNDS SPONSORS, OR REIMBURSES SPONSORS, IN THIS CASE, WAS "FEEDING OUR FUTURE," AND THEN "FEEDING OUR FUTURE" WORKED WITH MANY SITES ACROSS THE STATE WHICH WORK WITH VENDORS.

AND IT'S UP TO SPONSORS TO BE MONITORING THEIR SITES.

AND THEN THEY SUBMIT REIMBURSEMENT CLAIMS TO M.D.E.

AND THEN M.D.E.

SIGNS OFF ON THAT.

SO, YOU KNOW, THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION LAMES THE U.S.D.A.

BECAUSE THEY BROUGHT THIS UP TO THEIR ATTENTION IN 2020 SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY SAY THAT THE U.S.D.A.

DIDN'T TAKE IT SERIOUSLY, SO THEY REPORTED IT TO THE F.B.I.

AND OF COURSE THERE ARE MANY LEGISLATORS POINTING BLAME AT M.B.E.

THERE WERE HEARING EARLIER THIS YEAR LED BY SENATOR CHAMBERLAIN, YOU KNOW, SCRUTINIZING THAT M.D.E.

DIDN'T TAKE ACTION SOONER OR DIDN'T DO ENOUGH.

>> Mary: HOW MUCH OF THIS IS THE PROBLEM OF NOT BEING IN PERSON?

I THINK YOU SAID EARLIER, SOMEBODY WAS SUPPOSED TO CHECK IF THIS FOOD WAS GOING TO CHILDREN?

HOW MUCH OF IT WAS COVID?

AND WAS THAT REALLY INITIALLY WHY THE PROBLEM STARTED?

>> YES, COVID HAS A BIG FACTOR IN ALL OF THIS.

SO BECAUSE OF COVID, THE U.S.D.A.

APPROVED WAIVERS THAT ALLOWED FOR NO ON-SITE VISITS, BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY RISK OF PEOPLE VISITING SITES.

SO M.D.E.

SAYS THEY DID VIRTUAL MONITORING, AND THAT, YOU KNOW, ON-SITE VISITS ARE JUST ONE PIECE OF THAT.

THE PANDEMIC ALSO ALLOWED WAIVERS THAT ALLOWED FOR FOR-PROFIT RESTAURANTS TO BE INVOLVED IN THESE PROGRAMS.

THEY WEREN'T PREVIOUSLY INVOLVED.

AND IT ALLOWS FOR OFF-SITE DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD, SO PREVIOUSLY BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, YOU CAN IMAGINE CHILD CARE CENTERS, SCHOOLS, THESE MEALS WERE FOR KIDS, YOU KNOW, TO BE EATING AT THESE CHILD CARE CENTERS AND SCHOOLS.

AFTER SCHOOL, DURING THE SUMMER.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, THE WHOLE -- THE PANDEMIC CHANGED EVERYTHING OF HOW IT WAS SET UP.

>> Eric: ANY KIDS GET FED AT ALL?

>> BY "FEEDING OUR FUTURE"?

>> Eric: YEAH.

DID ANY KID GET A MEAL OUT OF THIS OPERATION?

>> WELL, "FEEDING OUR FUTURE" SAYS YES.

PROSECUTORS SAY THAT ALMOST NONE, IF ANY FOOD WAS FED TO KIDS IN NEED.

>> Mary: THIS HAS BEEN DESCRIBED AS THE FIRST ROUND OF CHARGES.

AND MORE COULD BE COMING.

WHAT SENSE DO YOU HAVE ON WHAT'S AHEAD?

>> I DON'T HAVE ANY SENSE PERSONALLY ON WHAT'S NEXT, BUT, YES, THEY DID SAY THIS IS THE FIRST SET OF CHARGES SO MORE CHARGES ARE LIKELY.

AND THEN EVEN WITHIN THESE 48 PEOPLE'S CASES THAT COULD DRAG OUT FOR MONTHS.

>> Eric: THE LEADER OF "FEEDING OUR FUTURE" HAS CLAIMED THAT HER PROGRAM WAS SUBJECT TO RACISM.

A LOT OF THE FOLKS HERE ARE SOMALI AMERICANS.

DOES THAT COME INTO PLAY AT ALL MORE BROADLY?

>> WELL, WHEN SHE SAT DOWN WITH US, SHE SAT DOWN, YOU KNOW, RIGHT AFTER THE F.B.I.

RAID IN JANUARY FOR TWO AND A HALF HOURS, AND SHE TALKED AT LENGTH ABOUT THAT, THAT IN WORK, SHE HAD COURSE CASES WITH M.D.E.

PREVIOUSLY, AND HAD ALLEGED THAT THE DEPARTMENT WAS SINGLING THEM OUT BECAUSE THEY WORKED WITH IMMIGRANT-LED BUSINESSES AND WERE SERVING PRIMARILY IMMIGRANTS FROM THE EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY.

SO SHE WAS ALLEGING THAT THEY WERE BEING TARGETED AND TREATED DIFFERENTLY THAN OTHER SPONSORS.

>> Mary: AND FINALLY, ANY MORE IMPLICATIONS FOR OTHER NON-PROFITS?

I HEARD LAWMAKERS QUESTIONING FUNDS GOING TO OTHER NON-PROFITS.

ARE THERER RAMIFICATIONS?

>> YEAH, ALREADY LAWYERS HAVE SCRIEWT INSIDESSED OTHER FUNDING -- SCRUTINIZED OTHER FUNDING TO NON-PROFITS AND THE NON-PROFITS THAT I'VE TALKED TO ARE ABSOLUTELY WORRIED THAT THIS INCREASES THEIR SCRUTINY AND PEOPLE ARE GOING TO DISTRUST ORGANIZATIONS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO PROVIDE FOOD ASSISTANCE TO PEOPLE IN NEED.

>> Mary: THANK YOU, KELLY SMITH, SO MUCH.

>> Eric: THANKS, KELGY.

THANKS, KELLY.

>> MARY: EARLY VOTING STARTS TODAY IN MINNESOTA, AND THIS ELECTION APPEARS TO BE ANOTHER COMPETITIVE ONE WITH CONSEQUENTIAL ISSUES AT STAKE.

I'VE BEEN TRACKING DOWN SOME OF THE CLOSEST RACES ON THE BALLOT, AND THIS WEEK VIDEOGRAPHER SCOTT TROTMAN AND I CAUGHT UP WITH THE CANDIDATES FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL.

>> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

>> Mary: REPUBLICAN, JIMS SCHULTZ IS EMBRACING SUPPORT FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> THIS IS TRULY HISTORIC.

THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

>> Mary: SHERIFFS STOOD WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CANDIDATE TO STEAK A STAND SOME HAVE NEVER DONE BEFORE.

>> NEVER, I'VE NEVER ENDORSED.

THIS IS A FIRST YEAR BECAUSE PUBLIC SAFETY IS AT SUCH A CRISIS.

I NEVER ENDORSED REALLY AT A LOCAL LEVEL, BUT NEVER AT A STATE LEVEL.

>> Mary: SHERIFF FLETCHER SAYS HE'S WORKED WITH EVERY A.G.

GOING BACK -- EXCEPT KEITH ELLISON WHO DISPUTES THAT.

>> THERE WAS A CASE THAT I BROUGHT TO HIS ATTENTION THAT HE DIDN'T INVESTIGATE.

>> Mary: THE DEMOCRAT INCOUPLE BENTD ATTORNEY GENERAL IS TALKING ABOUT TURNOUT.

>> WE'RE TALKING TO STUDENT LEADERS, ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23RD.

>> Mary: THAT'S KIND OF YOUR HALLMARK, WHEN YOU WERE IN CONGRESS, YOU WERE THE GET OUT THE VOTE THAT.

CAN THAT AND HAS THAT TRANSLATED TO STATE OFFICE?

>> WELL, IT'S EASIER TO CONCENTRATE IF YOU'RE A CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

>> Mary: ACCORDING TO A RECENT POLL, ELLISON LEADS SCHULTZ BY JUST ONE PERCENTAGE POINT.

THAT'S A SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE "STAR TRIBUNE," MPR AND KARE-11.

>> WE'RE ABSOLUTELY ON TRACK IN THIS RACE.

YOU KNOW, ELLISON IS STUCK UP IN THE MID-40s.

WE'RE ON TRACK TO WIN IT AND WE'VE GOT TO WIN FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR FACE.

THE >> ON THE ONLY POLL THAT MATTERS ON NOVEMBER 8TH.

THAT'S THE POLL THAT MATTERS.

THAT'S THE POLL WE'RE AIMING FOR.

THERE'S STILL A LOT OF - MOVEMENT.

THERE'S NOT A WHOLE LOT OF UNDECIDED PEOPLE BUT THERE ARE A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER.

>> Mary: DO YOU BELIEVE THAT 9%?

DOES THAT SEEM RIGHT TO YOU?

>> YEAH, I THINK SO.

>> Mary: AND HOW DO YOU GET THEM?

>> WITH TRUTH, RIGHT?

WITH JUST TELLING THEM, LOOK, IF YOU LIKE THE RIGHT TO MAKE YOUR OWN REPRODUCTIVE CHOICES, I'M YOUR CANDIDATE.

IF YOU LIKE PUBLIC SAFETY, THAT INCLUDES, YES, POLICE AND PROSECUTORS, BUT ALSO SAFE COMMUNITY, A DRUG RECOVERY, DEALING WITH THE OPIOID CRISIS, IF YOU WANT THAT, THEN I'M THE RIGHT CANDIDATE FOR THAT.

>> Mary: YOU'VE GOT FEWER UNDECIDES IN THIS RACE.

WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THAT?

>> YEAH, WELL, I MEAN, PEOPLE HAVE HONED IN ON THE TWO CANDIDATES.

WE PRESENT DISTINCTIVE VISIONS.

KEITH ELLISON BACKED DEFUNDING THE POLICE.

ON THE OTHER HAND, I'M THE CANDIDATE BACKED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> IT IS INTERESTING THAT HE IS NEW EVEN STEPPED FOOT IN A COURTROOM.

WE JUST CONVICTED KEVIN WAYLAND IN ALBERT LEA JUST EARLIER THIS WEEK FOR SHOOTING AT A POLICE OFFICER.

WE INVESTIGATE AND PROSECUTE CRIME AT THE LOCAL LEVEL IN MINNESOTA.

PROSECUTORS CAN COME TO US AND WE ALWAYS STEP UP AND HELP.

>> HE'S CERTAINLY PIVOTING ON ALL SORT OF STUFF.

NOW HE'S PRETENDING THAT HE'S DONE SOME CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.

DOING A FEW CASES HERE AND THERE IS COMPLETELY COMPLETELY INADEQUATE.

STREETS THAT ARE NOT SAFE, THAT IS COMMUNITIES THAT ARE NOT SAFE, THAT IS FAMILIES WHO ARE WONDERING IF THEY'RE GOING TO GET CAR-JACKED WHILE THEY'RE TAKING THEIR KIDS TO SCHOOL.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE PARTNERING WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> Mary: HE WILL SAY, YOU KNOW, MOMS ARE AFRAID.

MOMS ARE ARE FEARFUL, THEY'RE GOING TO GET CAR-JACKED.

>> AND YOU KNOW WHAT >> I REALLY FEEL THAT THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT.

CRIME VICTIMS ARE NEXT TO MY HEART AND THAT'S WHY WHEN COUNTY ATTORNEYS ASK US -- >> >> Mary: WHAT ABOUT CAR JACKINGS?

>> FROM A CIVIL STANDPOINT, WE DON'T HAVE A CRIMINAL JURISDICTION ON THOSE.

>> Mary: THIS HAS REALLY TYPICALLY NOT BEEN A CRIME FIGHTING OFFICE PER SE.

>> GOING BACK A COUPLE OF ATTORNEY GENERALS, IT HASN'T, BUT IT USED TO BE, THAT AGGRESSIVELY PROSECUTED CRIME AND THAT'S WHAT WE EED AGAIN.

>> Mary: AND THE PEOPLE WHO FUND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE HAPPEN TO THE LEGISLATURE.

>> IT'S $27 MILLION A BUDGET.

TODAY, LITERALLY TODAY, KEITH ELLISON COULD REALLOCATE RESOURCES WITHIN HIS OFFICE.

>> I'VE TALKED WITH COUNTY ATTORNEYS AND THEY'VE TOLD ME WE NEED AROUND 12.

AND SO THAT'S WHAT WE'VE ASKED THE LEGISLATURE FOR.

REPUBLICANS HAVE DENIED THAT.

EVEN THOUGH RUNNING ON CRIME, THEY'RE STOPPING ME FROM GETTING PROSECUTORS WHO WE NEED.

>> Mary: SCHULTZ WAS A POLITICAL UNKNOWN WHO SURPRISED MANY WITH HIS ENDORSEMENT.

HE GREW UP IN A SMALL TOWN IN MINNESOTA AND WENT ON TO HARVARD LAW.

ONE OF THE CHIEF CRITICISMS THAT YOU JUST DON'T HAVE THAT MUCH EXPERIENCE.

>> I PROBABLY HAVE THE BROADEST EXPERIENCE OF ANYBODY RUNNING IN THIS RACE, CERTAINLY MUCH BROADER THAN KEITH ELLISON WHO WAS A CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY PRIOR TO RUNNING.

HE DIDN'T PRACTICE ACTIVELY FOR 15 YEARS.

>> Mary: HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE COURTROOM?

>> NO, I MEAN, NO, I'M NOT -- THAT TYPE OF ATTORNEY.

>> Mary: IN THE END, ELLISON, A LONG-TIME ELECTED OFFICIAL, IS EXPECTING ABORTION ACCESS TO MOTIVATE HIS BASE.

>> I HAVE STOOD UP FOR A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE MY WHOLE CAREER.

WHAT IF SOMEBODY COMES TO MINNESOTA TO GET AN ABORTION AND THEY ARE PROSECUTED BY THE STATE THAT THEY COMPL COME FROM?

IS HE JUST GOING TO ALLOW SOMEONE'S RIGHT TO TRAVEL BE DENIED?

♪♪ >> ERIC: THE POLITICAL WORLD IS SWIRLING AS AMERICAN VOTERS APPROACH THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS.

POLLS SHOW CLOSE RACES HERE AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

DONALD TRUMP FACES MORE LEGAL PROBLEMS.

A NATIONAL REPORT RAISES TROUBLING QUESTIONS ABOUT CONGRESS AND CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.

MEANWHILE, THE WORLD IS INCREASINGLY WORRIED ABOUT RUSSIAN AGGRESSION.

ALL TOPICS ON THE MIND OF DAVID SCHULTZ.

THE HAMLINE UNIVERSITY POLITICAL PROFESSOR HAS JUST RETURNED FROM TEACHING IN EASTERN EUROPE.

PROFESSOR, CONCERNS THERE ABOUT THE RUSSIAN AGGRESSION AND WITH THE WINTER HEATING SEASON COMING, WILL THE NATO STANCE UNIFIED AGAINST RUSSIA, WILL IT HOLD?

>> IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S HOLDING AT THIS POINT BECAUSE I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS JOE BIDEN HAS DONE A VERY GOOD JOB AT THIS POINT IS REALLY PUTTING TOGETHER A COALITION AND REALLY HOLDING IT TOGETHER.

AND I THINK WITH THE EXCEPTION MAYBE PERHAPS OF LET'S SAY HUNGARRY AND WE DON'T KNOW ITALY NOW, WHICH HAS ELECTED A CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT, EASTERN EUROPE HAS WON.

I WAS IN LITHUANIA AND POLAND.

THEY'VE BEEN TRYING TO CONVINCE THE WEST FOR YEARS THAT RUSSIA REMAINS A THREAT AND THE INVASION OF UKRAINE HAS REALLY CONVINCED HEM.

>> Mary: IS THERE A DRAFT?

>> WHAT WE KNOW AND I CAN MENTION THIS -- I HAVE FRIENDS OVER THERE, WE HAVE TO SORT OF THE ISCUSS THINGS KIND OF LET'S SAY, YOU KNOW, NOT EXPLICITLY.

BUT ANYHOW, SO FAR IT'S BEEN A VOLUNTEER ARMY THAT'S BEEN IN RUSSIA.

PUTIN CALLED FOR A PARTIAL CONSCRIPTION AT THIS POINT FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE ON RESERVES AND WHAT I'M HEARING, AND THE INTELLIGENCE THAT I'M RECEIVING AS WELL AS FROM PEOPLE I'M TALKING TO OVER THERE, A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE NOW START EGG TO PROTEST.

ANYBODY WHO PROTESTS IS DLETTENNED WITH ARREST, BUT ALSO WE'RE STARTING TO SEE YOUNG MALES TRYING TO FLEE THE COUNTRY.

>> Eric: THE REFERENDA SPONSORED BY PUTIN I SUPPOSE GIVES HIM A WAY TO CONVINCE HE'S LEGIT.

>> IT IS.

HE DID THE SAME THING WHEN HE INVADED CRIMEA, TO SAY THESE PEOPLE REALLY WANT US HERE, THEY WANT US TO ANNEX THEM.

AND HE'S TRYING TO DO THAT TO GIVE SOME KIND OF VERY NEAR OF LEGALITY TO WHAT'S GOING ON HERE.

IT'S NOT CONVINCING THE WORLD.

IN FACT, EUROPEAN POWERS, BIDEN EARLIER THIS EEK AT THE UNITED NATIONS HAS CAN COME OUT STRONGLY TO CONDEMN IT.

SOME OF HIS ALLIES, CHINA, FOR EXAMPLE, INTERR INDIA, HEY'RE ALL VERY SKEPTICAL ABOUT WHAT HE'S DOING.

>> Mary: EARLY VOTING STARTS TODAY.

WHAT DO WE KNOW IN MINNESOTA ABOUT VOTER CONFIDENCE IN THE ELECTION?

>> WELL, VOTER CONFIDENCE I THINK IS RELATIVELY HIGH IN THIS STATE COMPARED TO OTHER STATES IN THE COUNTRY.

I THINK MOST PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, HAVE REALLY COME TO ENJOY ALL THE DIFFERENT THINGS WE HAVE.

THE EARLY VOTING, AS YOU POINT OUT, STARTING OUT TODAY.

AND I THINK FOUR THE MOST PART, PEOPLE FEEL RELATIVELY CONFIDENT ABOUT THE VOTE THERE.

BUT OF COURSE THERE'S A PARTISAN IVIDE, GOING BACK TO ISSUES ABOUT ALLEGATIONS OF VOTER FRAUD, WHICH REALLY ARE NEGLIGIBLE.

BUT FOR THE MOST PART, I WOULD SAY THE VAST MAJORITY OF MINNESOTANS LIKE THE WAY THEY VOTE AND FEEL RELATIVELY GOOD ABOUT THE SYSTEM.

>> Eric: WHAT ABOUT THE INSIDE TRADING CLAIMS THAT THREE MEMBERS OF THE INNESOTA DELEGATION, PHILLIPS, CRAIG, AND SENATOR SMITH, INSIDER TRIEDING WITH STOCKS DOES THAT NEED TO BE TIGHTENED UP?

>> THERE HAS TO BE AN OUTRIGHT BAN ON CONGRESS TRADING OF STOCKS.

FOR ANYBODY ELSE, THIS WOULD ABE FELONY AND WOULD BE PROSECUTED -- >> IF IF IT'S A FAMILY MEMBER.

>> THEY HAVE TO CLARIFY IN TERMS OF HOW FAR THE LAW EXPLAINS, BECAUSE FOR INSIDER TRADING LAWS, IT JUST DOESN'T APPLY TO YOU, IT APPLIES TO MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY.

I THINK THE OTHER THING, I THINK DEAN PHILLIPS DID THIS, IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY WHAT HE SAID, HE PUT HIS PORTFOLIO INTO A BLIND TRUST.

AND THERE'S PROBABLY A REQUIREMENT THERE THAT NOT ONLY SHOULD THERE BE A BAN ON INSIDER TRADING BUT AN ACROSS THE BOARD REQUIREMENT OF DOING THESE TRUSTS SO THAT MEMBERS CAN'T REALLY TRADE ON ANY INFORMATION.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT THE MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE?

WE WERE IN A PANEL EARLIER TODAY.

AND YOU MADE A PREDICTION ABOUT WHO'S GOING TO CONTROL THE MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE.

CARE TO SHARE?

>> SURE, OKAY, SO, FIRST, WE'RE DOWN TO WHAT I THINK IS NO MORE THAN TEN SEATS IN THE MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THAT ARE GOING TO DECIDE THAT RACE.

I THINK THE ELECTION DRIVES THROUGH ANOKA, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY THROUGH DAKOTA COUNTY, MY SENSE IS THAT AT THIS POINT BARRING SOME UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES, THE REPUBLICANS HOLD THE MINNESOTA SENATE, AND THE DEMOCRATS LOSES THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

>> Mary: SO THAT'S AN ALL REPUBLICAN MINNESOTA STATE LEGISLATURE, AND THEN WHO'S THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE IN THAT SCENARIO?

>> RIGHT NOW, ASSUMING THE POLICY ARE CEBT, AND I WOULD SAY THAT WALZ'S LEAD IS PROBABLY NOT, WHAT, THE 15 OR 17, WHATEVER IT WAS, IT'S PROBABLY UPPER SINGLE DIGITS, UNLESS SOMETHING STRANGE HAPPENS ERE, I THINK HE PREVAILS.

>> Mary: SHOULD HE BE DEBATING?

>> HE PROBABLY CAN'T SORT OF REST ON HIS LAURELS AT THIS POINT AND I THINK HE WAS DOING THAT WHEN HE THOUGHT HE HAD A HUGE LEAD, HE HAD NOTHING TO GAIN BY DEBATING.

I THINK NOW IT'S TIGHTENED UP ENOUGH WHERE I THINK HE HAS TO DO SOMETHING.

>> Eric: WITH THE PROBLEM THAT JENSEN HAS OF NOT BEING ON TV ENOUGH, IS HE GOT ENOUGH FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND TV TIME TO CATCH WALZ WITH BEING DEFICIENT IN THE MONEY?

>> THAT'S EXACTLY THE ISSUE HERE, AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HE LET WALZ DO WAS DEFINE HIM.

HE DEFINED HIM IN TERMS OF, WHAT, BEING AGAINST REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS, AND WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE THE CASH RESERVES TO BE ABLE TO SORT OF COUNTERACT THAT MESSAGE.

HE'S IN THE OSITION WHERE HE COULD HAVE CONTROLLED THE AGENDA AT ONE POINT.

WHEN HE STARTED TALKING ABOUT CRIME, A COUPLE OF ISSUES, BUT HE LOST THE ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE THAT AGENDA BECAUSE HE DIDN'T HAVE THE RESOURCES TO GET THE MESSAGING OUT.

>> Mary: FINALLY, WHAT ARE THE TOP ISSUES?

ABORTION, THE ECONOMY, CRIME, WHERE ARE THEY RANKING?

>> AT THIS POINT, IT DEPENDS.

DEMOCRATS, IT'S STILL GOING TO BE, FOR SUBURBAN COLLEGE EDUCATED WOMEN, IT'S GOING TO BE ABORTION, BUT FOR DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS ALIKE, IT'S THE ECONOMY, IT'S GAS PRICES, IT IS THE ISSUE OF CRIME AND SAFETY.

THESE ARE THE BREAD AND BUTTER ISSUES.

I DON'T WANT TO GO BACK AND STAY IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID, HARKENING BACK TO CLINTON'S OLD CAMPAIGN, BUT IT'S THE ECONOMY AND SAFETY ISSUES.

>> Mary: VERY GOOD.

THANK YOU, PROFESSOR.

>> MY PLEASURE.

♪♪ >> MARY: IT'S A STORY WE'VE HEARD ABOUT FOR TWO YEARS NOW.

AND IT'S STILL TRUE.

SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC, OPIOID OVERDOSE DEATHS HAVE SOARED.

ACCORDING TO DATA FROM THE CDC RELEASED THIS MONTH, MORE THAN 100,000 AMERICANS DIED DUE TO OVERDOSES IN THE 12 MONTHS ENDING IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR.

THAT'S A 40% INCREASE FROM TWO YEARS EARLIER.

MOST OF THESE DEATHS ARE DUE TO SYNTHETIC OPIOIDS SUCH AS FENTANYL.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE ONGOING CHALLENGES OF ADDICTION DURING THE PANDEMIC IS DR. JOSEPH LEE.

HE'S THE HEAD OF THE HAZELDEN BETTY FORD FOUNDATION.

WELCOME BACK TO THE PROGRAM.

WELL, FENTANYL SEEMS TO BE THE STORY.

HOW IS IT GETTING HERE AND WHY IS IT STILL INVADING?

>> WELL, JUST TO KEEP PEOPLE UP ON THE SCORE, HERE, WITH THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC, WE'RE NOW IN THE THIRD STAGE OF THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC.

PEOPLE EMEMBER IN THE NEWS OVER TEN YEARS AGO, IT STARTED WITH OWEY CODONE, AND THE IMPORTANT THING FOR PEOPLE TO REMEMBER, COUPLE THINGS, ONE, THE SUPPLY CHAIN OF DRUGS COMING TO THE STATE IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT BECAUSE THESE ARE NO LONGER PLANT GROWN DRUGS.

THESE ARE SYNTHETIC DRUGS, EASILY MANUFACTURED, CHEAP.

SECOND THING IS THE MARGIN OF ERROR IS REALLY, REALLY SLIM.

SO PEOPLE WITH ADDICTIONS HAVE ALWAYS ROLLED THE DICE, BUT THEY GET SECOND, THIRD, FOURTH CHANCES AT THINGS.

WITH FENTANYL THERE ARE NO SECOND CHANCES SOMETIMES BECAUSE THE MARGINS ARE SO SLIM.

>> Eric: HOW DID YOUR CLINICS HANDLE THE PANDEMIC AND DID ANY FRESH TREATMENT APPROACHES EMERGE FROM THERE?

>> IT WAS AN INCREDIBLY INSPIRATIONAL TIME IN THE PANDEMIC AND I THINK HISTORY IS CALLING US IGHT NOW AND OUR ORGANIZATION.

WHEN THE PANDEMIC STARTED, I WAS INTERVIEWING WITH YOU GUYS AND I WAS INTERVIEWING IN THE STAIRWELL, IF YOU REMEMBER, SO THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF PROGRESS AND IT'S A BLESSING TO BE IN PERSON.

BUT WE WERE AT THE BACK OF LINE FOR MASKS AND EQUIPMENT WHEN THE PANDEMIC STARTED, AND IT HIGHLIGHTED THE STIGMA OF ADDICTION AND THE FUNDING FOR MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT AS WELL.

WE EXPECTED MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES TO SKY-ROCKET -- >> Eric: AND YOU'RE A PSYCHIATRIST.

>> YES.

AND WE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES - SKY-ROCKET.

AND SO ALL THE NEWS THAT WE'RE SEEING, WE I KNOWED OF PREDICTED.

AND DESPITE BEING UNDERRESOURCED, OUR STAFF, OUR TEAM MEMBERS AND THE RECOVERY COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER AND CHAMPIONED A LOT OF HOME FOR PEOPLE WOULD WHO NEEDED IT AND WE NOW SEE RECORD NUMBERS OF POOM.

THEY'VE DELAYED GETTING CARE FOR TWO, THREE YEARS, AND THEY NEED US MORE THAN EVER, SO WE'RE ANSWERING THE CALL AND IT'S BEEN A CHALLENGE BUT IT'S ALSO AN INSPIRATION.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT TELEHEALTH?

NOT JUST INSURERS COVERING, BUT THE ABUNDANCE OF IT.

IS THAT ANOTHER TOOL?

>> ABSOLUTELY, HERE'S SO MANY TOOLS IN THE TOOL BOX AND TELEHEALTH HAS BEEN A BLESSING BECAUSE EITHER FOR EOGRAPHIC REASONS OR MAYBE PEOPLE HAVE ZIT OR THINGS HAPPEN, IT'S BECOME ANOTHER TOOL TO ENGAGE PEOPLE.

AND IN OUR ORGANIZATION, WE'VE BEEN BLESSED BECAUSE WE'RE NOT JUST A TREATMENT ORGANIZATION.

WE HAVE A GRAD SCHOOL, SO WE PUMP OUT COUNSELORS.

WE HAVE A RESPECTFULLY ARM AND WE'RE SITTING ON A MOUND OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND KNOW-HOW AND WE WANT TO PARTNER WITH PEOPLE -- >> Mary: BUT IS REATMENT MORE EFFECTIVE IN PERSON?

>> WELL, ACTUALLY -- >> Mary: OR NOT NECESSARILY?

>> WE'VE ACTUALLY DONE RESEARCH ON THIS WITH 'EMERY UNIVERSITY.

AND IT SHOWS THAT ACTUALLY THEY ARE FAIRLY COMPARABLE IN A PANDEMIC CONTEXT.

BUT REPRESENTATIVE TO MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY'RE AT BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE DIFFERENT PRESERVES, AND YOU HAVE TO MEET HOW THEY'RE WILLING TO ENGAGE.

>> Eric: WITH THE RATES AMONG PEOPLE OF COLOR, I WONDER IF YOUR TREATMENT PROGRAM HAS BECOME MORE DIVERSE?

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY, BEING THE FIRST NON-WHITE PERSON TO BE IN THIS ROLE, I TAKE IT VERY SERIOUSLY.

IT'S NOT ABOUT ME BUT WHAT I MIGHT REPRESENT FOR CHANGE.

SO BRINGING ON LEADERSHIP, BRINGING ON BIPOC BOARD MEMBERS, PARTNERING WITH ORGANIZATIONS LIKE TURNING POINT IN NORTH MINNEAPOLIS AND DOZENS OF AMERICAN INDIAN COMMUNITIES.

IT'S NOT JUST TREATMENT, TO REALLY HELP A LOT OF COMMUNITIES.

FOR EXAMPLE, WE'VE LAUNCHED A NUMBER OF SPANISH SPEAKING INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT PROGRAMS.

AND SO IT'S NEVER AS FAST AS I WANT TO GO IN TERMS OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, IS A AND INCLUES, BUT WE'RE GETTING THERE.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT THE DISPARITIES IN OVERDOSE AND DEATHS?

>> ABSOLUTELY, THE WAY I SEE IT, WHETHER IT'S SCHOOLING OR THE ECONOMY, AFFECTS DISPROPORTIONATELY.

AND WHEN YOU SEE COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, THEY ARE AFFECTED DISPROPORTIONATELY.

SO WHILE THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC STARTED IN THE WHITE SUBURBS TEN YEARS AGO, IT'S GOING TO TRICKLE DOWN AND THAT'S WHY YOU SEE THE DISPROPORTIONATE STATISTICS.

IT'S AN UNDERLYING SIGNAL TO WHAT MAY BE WRONG WITH SOCIETY.

>> Eric: CONCERNED AT ALL ABOUT THE T.H.C.

LEGALIZATION IN MINNESOTA?

>> I LIKE THE FACT THAT WE'RE NO LONGER LOOKING AT RUGGING IN A CRIMINALIZATION SENSE.

BUT COMMERCIALIZATION IS AN UGLY STORY IN AMERICA.

THE TARGETED PREDATORY ADVERTISEMENTS AND THE PEOPLE IT SELECTS FOR.

THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE MAY BE OKAY, BUT AS A PHYSICIAN I HAVE TO ALSO LOOK OUT FOR THE SIGNIFICANT MINORITY OF PEOPLE WHO WILL BE PREYED UPON BY IMHECIALZATION.

COMMERCIALIZATION.

>> Mary: AND WHAT ABOUT DRINKS AND GUMMIES AND DOES THE FORMAT OF T.H.C.

WORRY YOU MORE AND ITS PREVALENCE AMONG KIDS?

>> YOU SAW THIS WITH VAPING TOO.

ADVERTISEMENTS ARE TARGETED IN A CERTAIN WAY TO MAXIMIZE PROFIT, RIGHT?

AND I THINK WE'VE SKIPPED THAT GAP BETWEEN DECRIMINALIZATION AND LEGALIZATION PANNED GONE STRAIGHT TO THE PLAY BOOK OF HOW PEOPLE SOLD CIGARETTES AND CAPITOL AND THAT'S WHAT CONCERNS ME.

>> Mary: WHAT'S ?ERCH?

>> WE'RE GOING TO NEED PARTNERS.

WE CAN'T DO THIS ALONE AND WE'RE OMMITTED TO EMPOWER COMMUNITIES TOGETHER AND SO IT'S WHETHER MAINSTREAM HOSPITAL SYSTEMS, EDUCATING PEOPLE, WORKING WITH OUR LEGISLATORS, IT'S A SOPHISTICATED PROBLEM WITH ADDICTION NOW, AND WE ADDED MENTAL HEALTH TO OUR MISSION STATEMENT BECAUSE IN MY CLINICAL PRACTICE, I DID BOTH MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION TREATMENT.

THEY COME HAND IN HAND.

>> Eric: YOU'VE HAD A BUSY FIRTH YEAR.

>> IT'S BEEN A LONG FIRST YEAR.

>> Mary: I BET.

>> Eric: GLAD YOU CAME OVER THANK YOU.

>> GOOD INFORMATION.

♪♪ >> SHELETTA: AFTER TWO AND A HALF YEARS OF ONLINE CLASSES, THESE BRUNDIDGE BABIES ARE GOING BACK TO SCHOOL IN-PERSON FOR THE FIRST TIME.

NOW, IT WAS A BIT OF A TRANSITION FOR US, BECAUSE THAT VIRTUAL EDUCATION HAD US A BIT SPOILED.

MY KIDS ROLLED OUT OF BED MID-MORNING AND WOULD STAY IN THEIR PAJAMAS MOST OF THE DAY.

SO IT WAS SO RELAXING AND A LOT LESS STRESSFUL THAN PACKING BACKPACKS, MAKING SURE LUNCH WAS ALL PORTIONED OUT, AND THEY HAD THE PROPER OUTERWEAR FOR THOSE COLD SNOW DAYS.

SO TO SAY THE LEAST, I WAS JUST A LITTLE BIT OUT OF PRACTICE GETTING MY KIDDOS READY FOR CLASS.

WE WOKE UP A LITTLE LATE ON THE FIRST DAY.

OKAY, ABOUT 30 MINUTES LATE.

AND WITH ALL THAT RUNNING AROUND AND SCRAMBLING EGGS AND FRYING BACON, I FORGOT TO MAKE SURE BRANDON BRUSHED HIS TEETH.

I'M NOT SURE CAMERON COMBED HER HAIR.

AND DANIEL DEFINITELY DIDN'T WIPE HIS FACE.

EVERY PARENT I KNOW WAS POSTING PHOTOS OF THEIR KIDS ON FACEBOOK ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL, WITH THE CUTE LITTLE SIGNS THAT HAD THEIR KIDS' NAMES ON THEM, WHAT GRADE THEY'RE IN, THEIR AGE, AND FAVORITE COLOR.

IT WAS A LOT OF PRESSURE ON ME TO POST SOMETHING TOO.

BUT I DIDN'T HAVE A SIGN.

AND MY DAUGHTER CAMERON WASN'T WEARING A CUTE LITTLE SHINY DRESS.

IN FACT, I COULDN'T EVEN GET DRESSED ND HAD TO RUSH OUT OF THE HOUSE TO GET THEM TO CLASS ON TIME.

I THINK SHE ACCIDENTALLY PUT ON HER OLDER BROTHER'S SHOES.

BUT SO MANY FOLKS LOVE MY KIDS WANTED TO SEE THEIR FIRST DAY PHOTOS.

SO I SNAPPED THEIR BACK TO SCHOOL PICTURE FROM THE BACK.

♪♪ >> GIVE PEOPLE A SENSE OF WHAT THEY CAN EXPECT FOR OVERALL FOR THE WHOLE WEEKEND WHEN THEY COME.

>> WELL, ACTUALLY, IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE THE ART OF RIMARY ORALISM.

IN OTHER WORDS, BEING ABLE TO TELL A STORY FROM AN AFRICAN STYLE.

WE'LL HAVE FOLKS WHO WILL BE DOING IT IN A REAL FASHION.

MANY PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT OUR CULTURE AND THEY HEAR ABOUT IT THROUGH THE MUSIC FORMS AND SO FORTH.

WELL, WHEN YOU DO IT WITH A STORY, THE RHYTHMS OF THE STORY, THE FEELINGS OF THE WORDS, COME ALIVE.

BASED UPON THE STORY TELLERS.

♪♪ >> MARY: AS THAT CLIP FROM 1999 JUST SHOWED, THE BLACK STORYTELLERS ALLIANCE HAS BEEN HOLDING A FESTIVAL THIS TIME OF YEAR FOR A LONG TIME.

THIS YEAR'S GATHERING RUNS THROUGH TOMORROW.

AND HERE TO TALK ABOUT IT, THE SAME GUEST I SPOKE WITH BACK IN 1999.

WE THINK WE BOTH HAVE MORE HAIR NOW.

VUSI ZULU HAS BEEN WITH THE ALLIANCE SINCE THE BEGINNING.

MINNESOTA'S GROUP IS ONE OF 15 CHAPTERS OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK STORYTELLERS.

VUSI ZULU, WELCOME BACK TO STUDIO "B."

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I APPRECIATE THAT.

>> Mary: YEAH, IT'S AN ART, ISN'T IT?

HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE STORY TELLING AS AN ART?

>> WELL, ACTUALLY, THERE'S A SAYING THAT ART BEGINS WITH THE STORY.

SO THEREFORE, WE BELIEVE THAT STORY TELLING IS A WAY OF NOT ONLY TRANSMITTING IDEAS AND MORES AND CULTURE, BUT IT IS A WAY FOR SUSTAINING IT AS WELL.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT GIVES US STRENGTH AND SUSTENANCE, AND AS YOU KNOW, IN TODAY'S TIMES, WE NEED SOME STRENGTH AND SOME SUSTENANCE BECAUSE IT'S HARD OUT ERE.

>> Eric: WITH THE RHYTHM AND THE WAY YOU NUANCE THE WORDS, IT'S KIND OF A JAZZ IMPROVISATION TYPE THING.

IS THAT A FAIR COMPARISON?

>> OH, ABSOLUTELY, BECAUSE REMEMBER NOW, JAZZ IS SOMETHING WE CREATED TOO.

>> Eric: OF COURSE.

>> THEREFORE, ABSOLUTELY, AND IT'S THAT FLOW, THAT AZZ TAKES, WHEREIN YOU LET SOMEONE JUST GO ON A RIFF AND A RUN, AND THEY DO IT BECAUSE THEY KNOW HOW TO DO A STORY AND THEY CAN MAKE WORDS COME ALIVE A LOT BETTER THAN WHEN YOU JUST DOING IT WITH READING.

NOW, IT IS AN ART FORM BECAUSE THE STORIES ARE VERY SELDOM EVER THE SAME.

VERY SELD SELDOM.

SO, YES, IT IS JAZZ.

>> Mary: LET'S TALK ABOUT YOU AND YOUR WIFE BECAUSE YOU'RE BOTH IN THE STORY TELLING BUSINESS.

HOW DO YOU TWO DIFFER AND HOW ARE YOU THE SAME SOME >> HOO, WHEE!

>> Mary: I'M NOT TRYING TO GET YOU IN TROUBLE, I PROMISE.

[ Laughter ] >> I'M HOPING NOT, BECAUSE IT SOUNDS LIKE ONE OF THEM ONES THAT COULD GET ME IN TROUBLE.

AND WE'VE BEEN TOGETHER FOR 54 YEARS AND SHE'S A COUNTRY GIRL AND I WAS A CITY DUDE, AND SO THEREFORE WE'RE DIFFERENT IN THAT REGARD.

SHE TELLS SOME GREAT STORIES BASED UPON THAT GOSPEL UPBRINGING THAT SHE HAD.

I, ON THE OTHER HAND, BRING SOMETHING IN THE STREET.

THERE IS IN HER END WHAT'S CALLED ESTIFYING.

>> Eric: THAT'S THE NAME OF THE EVENT THIS YEAR.

WHAT'S GOING ON TOMORROW?

>> TOMORROW, THIS IS OUR GRAND FINALE TOMORROW.

AND IT IS TO DEAL WITH OUR THEME, WHICH IS THE STRENGTH OF OUR YOUTH.

AND THE WISDOM OF OUR ELDERS REIMAGINED.

AND TOMORROW, AT STUDIO 900, 900 HENNEPIN AVENUE IN DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS, FREE, FAMILY-FRIENDLY, OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, WE EVEN HAVE AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE FOLKS WHO ARE GOING TO BE THERE TO TERM FOR THOSE FOLKS WHO MAY HAVE DIFFICULTY WITH HEARING.

NOW, IT'S GOING TO BE STORY TELLERS BECAUSE WE BROUGHT STORY TELLERS IN FROM ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

AND FROM MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA.

WE HAVE A GREAT STORY TELLER.

HER NAME IS AMINA BLACKWOOD MEEKS.

FROM TORONTO, CANADA, HER NAME IS RITA COX AND FROM THAT PLACE CALLED PHILADELPHIA IN PENNSYLVANIA, WE GOT THIS YOUNG LADY CALLED CHARLOTTE BLAKE AUSTIN AND FROM PROVIDENCE, ARE.

I.,R., AND FROMATLANTA, GEORGIA, WE HAVE THE SISTER CALLED MAMA COG U.

WE'VE GOT MITCH, GRAND DADDY, UNION BUG CABLE.

>> Eric: JUNE BUG'S GOING TO BE THERE?

>> YEAH.

>> Mary: AND YOU DID THAT ALL FROM MEMORY.

>> WHEN YOU'RE A OLD FELLA AND YOU CAN'T SEE VERY WELL, YOU BETTER REMEMBER SOME THINGS.

AND WE GOT THIS BROTHER -- >> Mary: WHO'S HERE WITH US TODAY?

SET THIS UP.

>> DARLIN PRICH EAT IS HERE BECAUSE HE'S FROM NEWPORT NEWS IN VIRGINIA.

AND THIS BROTHER IS THE FESTIVAL DIRECTOR ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL.

BUT HE'S ALSO A MASTER STORY TELLER.

>> Eric: WELL, LET'S ALL LISTEN.

>> Mary: YEAH, LET'S TAKE A LISTEN.

THANK YOU.

>> Eric: THANKS.

>> A MAN ONCE HAD THREE CHILDREN, ALL BOYS.

WHEN THEAFD GROWN UP TO MANHOOD, THEIR FATHER CALLED THEM TOGETHER, HE SAID NOW HE WAS VERY OLD AND NO LONGER ABLE TO PROVIDE EVEN FOR HIMSELF.

SO HE ENT THEM AWAY AND AFTER A WHILE THEY CAME TO A LARGE RIVER.

THEY GOT IN BOAT AND WHILE CROSSING THE RIVER THE ELDER SON DECIDED THAT WHEN THEY REACHED THE OTHER SIDE, THEY WOULD SEPARATE.

THE ELDEST TOLD THE YOUNGEST TO TAKE THE MIDDLE ROAD AND IN ONE YEAR'S TIME THEY WOULD COME BACK.

AND AFTER A YEAR, AS AGREED, THEY CAME BACK TO THE RIVER SIDE AND THE ELDEST ASKED THE YOUNGEST WHAT HE HAD GOTTEN.

THE YOUNGEST SON SAID, WELL, I HAVE JUST A MIRROR.

OH, BUT IT IS FULL OF POWER.

SO MUCH SO THAT IF ONE WAS TO LOOK SNIDE, THEY CAN SEE ANY PLACE IN THE COUNTRY NO MATTER HOW FAR AWAY.

THEN THE ELDEST ASKED THE MIDDLE SON, HE SAID, WELL, I HAVE JUST A PAIR OF SANDALS, BUT THEY ARE FULL OF POWER TOO.

WHEN ONE PUTS THEM ON, THEY CAN GO ANY PLACE IN THE COUNTRY IN ONE STEP.

THEN THE ELDEST SAID, I TOO HAVE A LITTLE BARB OF MEDICINE.

SO THE YOUNGEST SON TOOK OUT HIS MIRROR.

THEY LOOKED INSIDE THE MIRROR AND IT LOOKED AS IF THEIR FATHER WAS ALREADY DEAD.

AND THEN THE ELD ELDEST SAID LET US GO HOME AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO.

IN ONE STEP THEY WERE BORNE TO THEIR FATHER'S GRAVE.

THEN THE ELDEST SON SHOOK THE MEDICINE OUT OF HIS BAG AND SHOOK OVER THE GRAVE AND IMMEDIATELY THE FATHER AROSE.

NOW, WHICH ONE OF HESE THREE SONS HAS PERFORMED THE BEST?

AND IF YOU WANT TO KNOW, YOU GOT TO SHOW UP TOMORROW.

[ Laughter ] [ Applause ] ♪♪ >> ERIC: FOR OUR FINAL SEGMENT THIS EVENING, WE CHECK IN WITH THE THREE MOST SENIOR TELEVISION POLITICAL REPORTERS IN THIS MARKET.

AND IT'S A GOOD WEEK TO DO THAT.

WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF A HOT CAMPAIGN SEASON.

ONE OF THE STORIES WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT TONIGHT: FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 40 YEARS, THERE WON'T BE A TELEVISED DEBATE FOR GOVERNOR THAT TWIN CITIANS CAN WATCH OVER THE AIR.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT THAT AND A LOT OF OTHER TOPICS: TOM HAUSER, LONGTIME CAPITOL REPORTER FOR KSTP AND HOST OF THEIR WEEKLY "AT ISSUE" PROGRAM.

JOHN CROMAN, DOING POLITICAL STORIES FOR TWO DECADES PLUS FOR KARE-11.

MARY LAHAMMER TAKES OFF HER CO-HOST HAT FOR THE NEXT FEW MINUTES.

MARY, OF COURSE, HAS HANDLED ALMANAC'S POLITICAL BEAT SINCE 1998.

PLUS, WE'RE JOINED VIA ZOOM BY A SPECIAL GUEST.

LONGTIME MINNESOTA POLITICAL REPORTER RACHEL STASSEN-BERGER IS WITH US FROM DES MOINES.

SHE'S THE MANAGING EDITOR AT THE "DES MOINES REGISTER" NEWSPAPER.

RACHEL, WE'LL GET TO YOU IN A SECOND.

TOM, YOUR STATION IS IN THE MIDST OF THIS DEBATE SITUATION.

WHAT LIGHT CAN YOU CAST ON WHY GOVERNOR WALZ IS NOT INTERESTED IN A METRO DEBATE ON TV?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, HUBBARD BROADCASTING HAS VERY GENEROUSLY AGREED TO USE THREE HOURS OF PRIME-TIME TELEVISION ON A SIEW.

NIGHT WHICH AS JOHN KNOWS IS NOT INEXPENSIVE TO DO A DEBATE NIGHT.

ATTORNEY GENERAL'S RACE, SECRETARY OF STATE'S RACE, AND THE GOVERNOR'S RACE.

ALL OF THE MAJOR CANDIDATES HAVE AGREED TO APPEAR AT ST. PAUL COLLEGE FOR THIS EVENT WITH NO AUDIENCE.

GOVERNOR WALZ IS THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS DELINED.

THEY SAID THEY'RE NOT GOING TO ADD TO ANY MORE DEBATES -- >> Mary: LET ME TALK ABOUT OUR AIR, GOVERNOR'S DEBATE ON TSTP, THEY DEBATE ON "ALMANAC" ON STATEWIDE TELEVISION, PUBLIC TELEVISION, MINNESOTA, HAS THE BEST GEOGRAPHIC COVERAGE.

NOT NLY IS IT METRO TV BUT WE HAVE THE BEST STATEWIDE COVERAGE, ONE OF THE REASONS WE BROADCAST THE LEGISLATURE IS WE COVER EVERY PORTION OF THE STATE.

I WENT BACK O '98, BECAUSE WE WERE SAYING THE WE HAD THE LAST FRIDAY NIGHT DEBATE ON "ALMANAC."

GOING BACK TO '98, BACK THEN, TWIN CITIES PUBLIC TELEVISION HOSTED FOUR GUBERNATORIAL DEBATES AND WE COUNTED MORE THAN A DOZEN IN '98.

SO THIS IS DEFINITELY SETTING A LOW WATER MARK.

>> Eric: OVERNOR'S STRATEGY, JOHN?

>> WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE CAMPAIGNS AS WELL.

AT KARE.

LIVE AUDIENCE, NO LIVE AUDIENCE, BROADCAST, STREAMING, ALL THE DIFFERENT VARIABLES, BUT THAT'S HAPPENING TWO LEVELS ABOVE ME.

>> Eric: WHAT IS THE GOVERNOR'S POLITICAL STRATEGY?

>> YOU KNOW, I ALWAYS THINK BECOME THAT TO THAT DEBATE IN 2010 WITH CHICK CA VAC AND JIM OBERSTAR, THE AUDIENCE KEPT INTERRUPTING.

AND THAT WAS KIND OF -- SOME PEOPLE SAID IT WAS A TURNING POINT IN HIS RACE -- >> Eric: DISHE CALL HIM THE FLATTED EARTHERS.

>> I THINK PART OF THAT IS TRYING TO CONTROL THE AUDIENCE, TRYING TO CONTROL WHAT THE AUDIENCE IMPACT WILL BE.

>> Eric: RACHEL WHAT DEBATE SITUATION IN THE HAWKEYE STATE?

>> WELL, WE ACTUALLY JUST DID A STORY.

THERE IS ONE DEBATE BETWEEN THE GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES THIS YEAR, DESPITE SOME PLEAS FOR MORE AND LIKE IN THE TWIN CITIES, THERE'S ACTUALLY A TRADITION OF THE TWO MAJOR CANDIDATES HAVING THREE DEBATES BEFORE NOVEMBER.

THAT WON'T HAPPEN THIS YEAR.

AND WE'VE SEEN SIMILAR THINGS IN OUR CONGRESSIONAL RACES AND OUR OTHER RACES.

AND FRANKLY, WHAT YOU'RE SEEING IN MINNESOTA, WHAT I'M SEEING IN IOWA IS PUTTER OF A NATIONAL TREND.

THERE ARE FEWER AND FEWER DEBATES, SORT ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

POLITICO RECENTLY DID A PIECE ABOUT THE HOT U.S. SENATE RACES AND HOW FEW DEBATES THERE WERE.

AND SO I THINK WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS SORT OF A COUPLE FACT YOURS.

ONE IS IF YOU'RE AN INCUMBENT, YOU DON'T WANT TO DEBATE.

YOU CAN ONLY MESS UP.

YOU ALREADY -- EVERYONE ALREADY KNOWS YOU.

AND THERE'S SOME DISTRUST OF THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA THAT WE'VE SEEN IN A LOT OF CIRCLES AND THEY THINK IT'S NOT WORTH IT.

WE'VE GOT OUR OWN WAYS TO CONTACT PEOPLE.

>> AND WE SHOULD POINT OUT AS RACHEL DOES IT'S NOT JUST THE GOVERNOR'S RACE HERE.

WE TRIED TO GET ANGIE CRAIG TO DEBATE TYLER TISTNER ON "AT ISSUE."

THEY SENT ME A DATE, THEY WERE DOING SOMETHING ON WCCO RADIO ON A MONDAY THAT TURNS OUT IT WAS NOT A DEBATE IT.

WAS BACK TO BACK INTERVIEWS THAT WERE THEN GOING TO BE PLAYED THAT NIGHT DURING A VIKINGS OF GAME.

SO YOU KNOW WHAT AUDIENCE THAT HAD.

I THINK THE DAKOTA COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

SO IT'S NOT JUST THE GOVERNOR'S RACE.

ANY OF THESE INCUMBENTS, IF THEY'RE IN A TIGHT RACE, THEY DON'T WANT TO INTERFERE WITH THEIR MESSAGE.

>> Mary: TWO YEARS AGO, IT WAS A TIGHT RACE AND CRAIG AND KISTNER DID DEBATE.

WE HAVE TRIED THIS YEAR AND WE CANNOT GET IT THIS YEAR AS WELL.

WE'RE ALL OLD ENOUGH AND BEEN AROUND LONG ENOUGH WHEN MINNESOTA DIDN'T FOLLOW THE NATIONAL TREND, WHERE WE WERE, YOU KNOW, WE LEAD THE NATION IN VOTER TURNOUT.

I FELT LIKE WE LED THE NATION IN DEBATES FOR A LONG TIME.

>> THE STATE FAIR DEBATES, CLASSIC.

>> Eric: HOW DO YOU RANK THE ISSUES IN THE CAMPAIGN?

AND I WANT TO ASK RACHEL THIS TOO.

ECONOMY, CRIME, ABORTION, WHAT ORDER OF IMPORTANCE DO YOU PUT THOSE AS FAR AS AFFECTING VOTER BEHAVIOR?

>> WELL, A RECENT KARE-11, "STAR TRIBUNE," MPR POLL -- >> Eric: WHAT DID IT SAY?

>> ECONOMY NUMBER ONE, CRIME, NUMBER TWO, ABORTION NUMBER THREE.

>> TO JUST WATCH TV ADS, YOU WOULD SWEAR ABORTION IS ALL ANYBODY IS A ICARES ABOUT BUT IT'S THE ECONOMY BUT WITH THE LATEST STOCK MARKET NEWS AND INFLATION -- >> Mary: BECAUSE I'VE BEEN GOING DOOR TO DOOR WITH CANDIDATES AND HEARING FIRSTHAND.

DEMOCRATS SAY ABORTION IS THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE THEY'RE HEARING AT THE DOOR.

THE ONLY THING THAT COMES UP.

AND REPUBLICANS HAVE TOLD ME ACROSS THE BOARD IT NEVER COMES UP, ZERO TIMES SO I'M NOT SURE WHO TO BELIEVE ON THAT ONE.

>> I KNOW, AND THERE'S THE WHOLE MESSAGING RIGHT NOW THAT IT'S NO NOT ON THE BALLOT RIGHT NOW, THE GOVERNOR CAN'T SINGLE-HANDEDLY BAN ABORTION IN MINNESOTA.

AND YET, SOME VOTERS ARE LIKE, YES, YOU CAN.

THEY REALLY BELIEVE HE HAS A LOT OF POWER TO DO THAT.

AND THE REPUBLICANS WERE LIKE, I DON'T KNOW JENSEN, SCHULTZ, BUT I KNOW THE INCUMBENTS AND I DON'T LIKE AMENDMENT.

>> Eric: WHAT'S THE ISSUE MIX?

IOWA?

>> WE HAVE A WOULD ADD IN IOWA AND SOME STATES EDUCATION IS ALSO A SLE BIG ISSUE.

PEOPLE REALLY CARE ABOUT HOW THEIR KIDS ARE EDUCATED AND I THINK DURING THE PANDEMIC WE SAW A LOT OF FIGHTS ABOUT WHETHER KIDS WERE IN SCHOOL, WHETHER THEY WERE MASKED, AND SO THAT HAS BEEN SOMETHING, OUR GOVERNOR RIGHT NOW HAS IS A REPUBLICAN, AND SHE'S BEEN LOOKING AT VOUCHER PROGRAMS.

AND SO I THINK ADDING INTO ABORTION WHERE AS YOU'VE JUST HEARD, REPUBLICANS GENERALLY ARE SORT OF SAYING, LOOK, THE COURT HAS MADE ITS DECISION.

THERE ARE THINGS GOING ON ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

I AM NOT THE ABORTION CZAR IN WHATEVER RACE I'M IN.

AND DEMOCRATS ARE SAYING, I THINK THAT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE VERY INTERESTED TO KNOW WHAT REPUBLICANS THINK ABOUT ABORTION.

AND SO WE'RE SEEING THOSE VERY SIMILAR ISSUES HERE.

>> AND, ERIC, MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT.

I MEAN, THE SUPREME COURT PUT ABORTION ESSENTIALLY AS ONE OF THE TOP ISSUES.

BUT IT'S NATIONALLY THE DEMOCRATS HAVE SENT THIS MESSAGE FROM WASHINGTON ON DOWN.

HAMMER THE ABORTION ISSUE.

EVERY CHANCE YOU GET.

EVERY NEWS RELEASE I GET FROM ANGIE CRAIG'S OFFICE IS ABOUT TYLER KISTNER AND HIS VIEWS ON BOSSER.

THIS IS DEFINITELY THEIR TALKING POINT.

>> Mary: EVEN DOWN BALLOT, THAT'S WHAT SURPRISED ME.

FOLLOWED THE CANDIDATES FOR AUDITOR.

I'VE NEVER HEARD A CANDIDATE FOR AUDITOR TALK ABOUT ABORTION.

[Overlapping conversations] DEMOCRATS DOWN TICKET WHICH WE'VE NEVER SEEN.

>> AND WITH LINDSAY GRAPHED YAM INTRODUCING THE NATIONAL ABORTION BAN THAT GETS INTO THE CONGRESSIONAL RACES.

>> Eric: BUT DEMOCRATS HAVE TO HUSTLE UP AND GET SERIOUS ABOUT CRIME.

>> YOU WOULD THINK, BUT IT'S HARD TO CUT THROUGH THE CLUTTER OF THE BOARGS AND SCOTT JENSEN WOULD LOVE TO HAMMER THAT ISSUE DAY AFTER DAY, HOUR AFTER HOUR IN TELEVISION ADS BUT HE DOESN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO DO IT.

AND IF THEY COULD GET THAT MESSAGE OUT, I THINK THAT COULD BE A WINNING STRATEGY FOR THEM.

>> Eric: LET'S TALK POLITICS AND POLICY WITH THE "FEEDING OUR FUTURE."

YOU'VE GOT SOME FRESH REPORTING ON IT, RIGHT, TOM?

>> THIS IS WHAT POLITICAL REPORTERS DO ON FRIDAY NIGHTS.

THIS IS FILLED UP MY INBOX.

I PRINTED THIS JUST SO YOU CAN SEE WHAT HAS COME INTO MY INBOX JUST IN THE LAST HOUR OR TWO FROM THE JUDGE IN THE "FEEDING OUR FUTURE" CASE.

JOHN GUTHMAN, A RAMSEY COUNTY JUDGE, PUSHING BACK ON A COMMENT GOVERNOR WALZ MADE YESTERDAY, OUR HANDS WERE TIED, A JUDGE ORDERED US.

NOW THE FOCUS OF A HUGE MASSIVE FEDERAL PROBE.

AND THEN THE GOVERNOR PUSHING BACK, SAYING, WELL, MAYBE YOU DON'T ORDER IT, BUT IN THE TRANSCRIPTS WE HAVE YOU SAID, IF YOU STOP THE PAYMENTS, YOU'RE OPENING YOURSELF UP TO CONTEMPT OF COURT CHARGES AND FINES AND THINGS.

AND SO M.D.E.

CONTINUED THE PAYMENTS.

THAT IS WHAT IS IN ALL OF THESE DOCUMENTS.

>> AND THE JUDGE IS SAYING M.D.E.

DID THAT VOLUNTARILY.

WHICH PUTS A WHOLE NEW LIGHT ON IT AND MAKES IT LOOK LIKE THE GOVERNOR AND M.D.E.

HAVEN'T BEEN TELLING HE TRUTH, AND SO THAT'S WHY THEY'RE PUSHING BACK WITH THEIR TRANSCRIPTS AND TRYING TO DECIDE WHAT'S AN ORDER AND WHAT'S A IMPLIED ORDER, YOU KNOW -- >> YEAH, WHAT A VILLED THREAT FROM THE JUDGE.

KEEP IN MIND, NOBODY WANTS THEIR FINGERPRINTS ON $250 MILLION IN FRAUD.

THE JUDGE DOESN'T WANT HIS FINGERPRINTS ON IT.

IT DOESN'T MAKE HIM LOOK GOOD.

AND OF COURSE THE GOVERNOR DOESN'T WANT HIS FINGERPRINTS ON THIS BECAUSE THAT'S A POLITICAL ISSUE AND THIS THING HAS BEEN DROLL DROPPED, THIS PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATION, RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF AN ALREADY VOLATILE GOVERNOR'S RACE, SO THIS COULD BECOME A MUCH MORE ISSUE -- >> IS THE GOVERNOR TAKING ON A JUDGE?

>> YES, IN ESSENCE, HE DID YESTERDAY, AND THE JUDGE PUSHED BACK AND NOW THE GOVERNOR AND M.D.E.

ARE PUSHING BACK AGAIN TONIGHT.

AND I DON'T KNOW WHO'S GOING TO WIN A BATTLE LIKE THAT.

I WILL TELL YOU THIS.

IT'S NOT GOING TO BE RESOLVED TONIGHT OR TOMORROW OR SUNDAY OR MONDAY.

IT WOULD BE WEEKS OF INVESTIGATION BEFORE WE REALLY KNOW WHAT HAPPENED.

>> WELL, THE CONVICTION, THE ACTUAL CRIMINAL CASE WON'T BE RESOLVED UNTIL NEXT YEAR, IF AT ALL, AND IT'LL BE LONG PAST THE ELECTION.

>> Mary: AND VOTERS ARE JUDGING AND VOTING STARTED TODAY.

VOTING IS ALREADY UNDER WAY.

SO IS THIS AN ISSUE THAT IS COMING OO LATE IN THE CAMPAIGN LIKE ALE?

>> IN FACT, THE TIMING IS INTERESTING BECAUSE IT'S CAME DOWN TODAY.

IT'LL BE ON 10 NEWS TONIGHT ON ALL THE STATIONS.

IT'S NOT TOO LATE.

THE EARLY VOTING JUST STARTED TODAY.

>> Eric: RACHEL, I WANT TO ASK YOU A DIFFERENT QUESTION.

WILL IOWA BE FIRST IN THE NATION IN 2024?

>> FOR REPUBLICANS IT WILL?

>> Eric: THEY DON'T HAVE TO MATCH UP?

>> THE REPUBLICANS HAVE SAID -- SO FOR YEARS, THERE HAS BEEN NOISE ABOUT MAKING IOWA NOT THE FIRST IN THE NATION, BECAUSE WE'RE TOO SMALL, WE'RE TOO WHITE, WE'RE TOO RURAL, WE'RE TOO WHATEVER.

THE DEMOCRATS THIS YEAR SEEM TO BE FOLLOWING THROUGH ON THAT NOISE AND THEY'RE EXPECTED TO DECIDE AFTER THE MIDTERMS.

THAT THEY'RE GOING TO SHUFFLE THEIR PRIMARY CALENDAR AND IOWA WON'T BE FIRST.

ALL DURING THIS, THE REPUBLICANS HAVE SAID, OVER AND OVER AND AGAIN, IOWA WILL BE FIRST, IOWA WILL BE FIRST.

AND WE'RE ALREADY SEEING A LOT OF POTENTIAL PRESIDENTIAL REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES STOPPING BY AND THEY'RE NOT JUST HERE TO SEE THE CORN.

[ Laughter ] >> Eric: WELL, CAN MINNESOTA SNEAK IN HERE SOMEHOW, FELLAS, MARY?

>> THEY WOULD LIKE TO MOVE IT UP.

>> Eric: THAT DOES TAKE BOTH PARTIES TO AGREE, RIGHT?

>> YES, AND, YOU KNOW, I WORK IN DES MOINES.

I'VE COVERED EVERY IOWA CAUCUS SINCE 1988.

YOU CAN GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH THE CANDIDATES.

I'D LOVE TO SEE THEM STAY FIRST, BUT THINK THIS COULD BE THE YEAR THAT THAT'S IN JEOPARDY.

>> AND MINNESOTA D.F.L.

SHOOTING SAY FOR TOP FOUR OR FIVE STATES.

IS WHAT THEY'VE SAID.

AND I GUESS THE DECISION WON'T COME DOWN YET FOR A WHILE.

>> Eric: ARE THEY TALKING ABOUT A REGIONAL FIRST IN THE NATION PRIMARY OR CAUCUS, RACHEL?

OR ARE THEY STILL TALKING SLID STATES -- >> INDIVIDUAL STATES AND ONE OF THE, YOU KNOW, KNOW, SINCE I WAS IN MINNESOTA FOR SO LONG, I'VE BEEN KEEPING AN EYE ON MINNESOTA'S BID.

COUPLE THINGS WORKING AGAINST IT.

IT'S A LITTLE LESS WHITE THAN IOWA, BUT IT'S NOT THE MOST DIVERSE STATE IN THE UNION.

IT ALSO HAS A VERY EXPENSIVE MEDIA MARKET.

YOU KNOW, YOU GUYS HAVE BENEFITED FROM THAT AS HAVE YOUR INTERVIEWERS, AND SO THAT IS SORT OF DOWN SIDE COMPARED TO IOWA WHICH HAS A CHEAP MEDIA MARKET BUT WE ARE A LITTLE WHITER, AND THE -- WE'RE CALLING IT A DEBACLE OF THE LAST DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS, IT TOOK QUITE A WHILE TO GET RESULTS, SOMETHING HAT YOU'RE USED TO IN MINNESOTA BUT IT'S NOT SUPPOSED O HAPPEN IN THE IOWA CAUCUS.

>> Eric: DO WE KNOW WHEN THE DECISION HAS TO BE MADE?

>> WELL, T'S NOT A HAS TO BE MADE.

BUT THE DEMOCRATS HAD SAID THEY WOULD MAKE THIS DECISION IN AUGUST.

AND THEN DECIDED THAT IT MIGHT HAVE AN -- AN UNHELPFUL EFFECT ON THE MIDTERMS FOR DEMOCRATIC STATES.

AND SO THEY'VE MOVED THAT TO BASICALLY DECEMBER.

>> Eric: OKAY.

>> YOU KNOW, DEMOCRATS -- NATIONAL DEMOCRATS HAVE WAYS OF MAKING AND UNMAKING DECISIONS, WE'VE SEEN IT MANY TIMES.

THEY MIGHT CHANGE THEIR MINDS, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE DECEMBER.

>> Eric: I'M GETTING THE GOTTA GO SIGN FROM UPSTAIRS.

>> NEVADA IS WHERE THEY'RE GOING.

>> Eric: THANKS, FOLKS.

♪♪ >> ERIC: LET'S JUMP RIGHT INTO THIS WEEK'S MINNESOTA HISTORY QUESTION, SUGGESTED BY VIEWER JOHN T. HERE ARE THE DETAILS.

THE YEAR WAS 1981.

THE MONTH WAS JANUARY.

AN EVENT WAS PLANNED AT THE ST. PAUL CIVIC CENTER.

PEOPLE PAID $9.50 FOR TICKETS.

THAT'S MORE THAN $30 IN TODAY'S TERMS.

THINGS WERE ALL SET.

BUT JUST DAYS BEFORE THE EVENT, THE ST. PAUL CITY ATTORNEY TALKED TO THE CIVIC CENTER STAFF AND THE EVENT WAS CANCELED.

THE PROBLEM?

THE CIVIC CENTER'S LIQUOR LICENSE RAN AFOUL WITH THE SCHEDULED EVENT.

WE WANT YOU TO TELL US WHAT EVENT WAS CANCELED.

THE ORGANIZERS WEREN'T HAPPY AT THIS AND THREATENED TO SUE.

IT TURNED OUT TO BE A BIG STORY.

SO HERE'S OUR QUESTION.

WHAT EVENT IN THE ST. PAUL CIVIC CENTER WAS CANCELED AT THE LAST MINUTE IN JANUARY OF 1981?

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU WHETHER YOU ARE CALLING IN FROM NEAR THE SHORES OF ALCOHOL CREEK OR BREWERY CREEK OR ALONG THE BANKS OF THE RUM RIVER OR THE TEMPERANCE RIVER.

WHEREVER YOU CALL FROM, HERE'S THE NUMBER TO OUR VOICEMAIL: 651-229-1430.

AND REMEMBER THAT EMAIL IS AN OPTION TOO.

ALMANAC@TPT.ORG.

AND AFTER YOU ANSWER OUR HISTORY QUESTION, LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THOUGHT OF TONIGHT'S SHOW.

LAST WEEK, VIEWER DICK FROM ST. PAUL LOVED THAT WE ENDED THE PROGRAM WITH A RECORDING FROM 40 YEARS AGO OF A MASS CHOIR SINGING "FINLANDIA."

IT WAS PART OF THE "SCANDINAVIA TODAY" CELEBRATION BACK IN 1982.

DICK CALLED IN TO SAY THIS: [ CHOIR SINGING ] ♪♪ DICK CALLED IN TO SAY THIS: "FINLANDIA."

IT'’S ONE OF THE FEW PIECES OF MUSIC THAT MOVES ME TO TEARS EVERY TIME I HEAR IT.

>> ERIC: PERHAPS SOMETHING ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW MOVED YOU TO TEARS.

GOOD OR BAD.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU.

651-229-1430.

FOR SHOW-CLOSING MUSIC THIS WEEK, WE BRING YOU ANOTHER PERFORMANCE THAT AIRED ON KTCA FOUR DECADES AGO.

THE COWBOY BAND "RIDERS IN THE SKY" DROPPED BY THE KTCA STUDIOS NEAR THE STATE FAIRGROUNDS.

LET'S LISTEN TO RANGER DOUG, WOODY PAUL, AND TOO SLIM PERFORMING "BLUE, BLUE BONNET LADY."

THANKS TO MARY LAHAMMER FOR GUEST HOSTING TONIGHT.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL AGAIN NEXT WEEK.

AND BE CAREFUL.

[ JAUNTY COUNTRY MUSIC ] ♪♪ >> ♪ BLUE, BLUE BONNET LADY ♪ ♪ WHY ARE YOU SO SAD AND ALL ALONE ♪ ♪ BLUE, BLUE BONNET LADY ♪ ♪ DO YOU NEED A SHOULDER TO LEAN UPON ♪ ♪ I'M JUST A LONESOME LONE STAR COWBOY ♪ ♪ AND I'M NEEDIN' SOMEONE TOO ♪ ♪ SO BLUE, BLUE BONNET LADY ♪ ♪ COME WITH ME AND YOU WON'T BE BLUE ♪ ♪ BLUE, BLUE BONNET LADY ♪ ♪ I BET YOU'RE SWEETER THAN THE ROSE OF SAN ANTONE ♪ ♪ BLUE, BLUE BONNET LADY ♪ ♪ A PRETTY TEXAS FLOWER SHOULDN'T BE SO ALL ALONE ♪ ♪ I'M JUST A LONESOME LONE STAR COWBOY ♪ ♪ AND I'M NEEDIN' SOMEONE TOO ♪ ♪ AND IT MIGHT BE YOU ♪ ♪ BLUE, BLUE BONNET LADY ♪ ♪ COME WITH ME AND YOU WON'T BE BLUE ♪ ♪♪ Captioning 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 WHOLESALE POWER TO 28 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

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

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

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

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

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