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

>> CATHY: IN THE NEXT 60 MINUTES, WE'LL EXPLORE EARLY VOTING, LEARN ABOUT WHY NORTH DAKOTA'S ONLY ABORTION CLINIC IS MOVING TO MINNESOTA, AND WE'LL HEAR HOW A KATE DICAMILLO NOVEL HAS BEEN MADE INTO AN OPERA.

PLUS, MARY LAHAMMER LOOKS AT HOW CANDIDATES ARE RESPONDING TO THE FEEDING OUR FUTURE SCANDAL.

>> Mary: A FEDERAL FRAUD CASE HAS FALL-OUT IN STATEWIDE RACE INS MINNESOTA.

WE'LL ANALYZE THE BEHIND-THE-SCENES CAMPAIGN STRATEGIES.

>> IT'S A COMMUNE INDICATIONS FAIL AND A MEDIA FAIL.

>> 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 STRENGHTEN RURAL MINNESOTA.

>> CATHY: WE'LL GET TO THE FEEDING OUR FUTURE STORY IN A FEW MINUTES, AND TALK ABOUT EARLY VOTING, TOO.

BUT FIRST UP, A FINALIST HAS BEEN SELECTED FOR MINNEAPOLIS CHIEF OF POLICE.

>> ERIC: HE'S BRIAN O'HARA.

HE'S THE FORMER PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTOR, NOW THE DEPUTY MAYOR OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

HE IS KNOWN AS A REFORMER WHO HAS EXPERIENCE WORKING UNDER CONSENT DECREE OVERSIGHT.

THAT'S COMING TO MINNEAPOLIS.

JOINING US AGAIN TO PUT THIS WEEK'S NEWS INTO A LARGER CONTEXT, YOHURU WILLIAMS.

YOHURU WILLIAMS IS AN HISTORIAN WHO IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE RACIAL JUSTICE INITIATIVE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS.

POLICING HISTORY IS ONE OF THE AREAS OF SPECIAL FOCUS.

PROFESSOR, FROM WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS FELLA, DOES HE FIT THE BILL?

>> HE DEFINITELY FITS WHAT'S NECESSARY RIGHT NOW.

AS YOU MENTIONED, WITH THE D.O.J.

PENDING INVESTIGATION AND THE LIKELIHOOD OF IMPOSITION OF A CONSENT DECREE, YOU NEED SOMEBODY WITH EXPERIENCE WHO'S GOING TO BE ABLE TO MANAGE THAT AND HELP THE CITY MAY HAVE GATE WHATEVER THOSE MANDATES AND METRICS ARE.

HE'S A GREAT CHOICE IN THAT REGARD, THEY NEED THAT EXPERIENCE RIGHT NOW.

>> Cathy: HOW WOULD YOU RATE WHAT HE DID UNDER THE CONSENT DECREE IN NEWARK?

>> ACCORDING TO COMMUNITY ACTIVISTS AND LOCAL MEDIA, HE WAS VERY EFFECTIVE.

TO COME OUT OF THAT SITUATION, PARTICULARLY IN NEWARK, WHICH HAS A REPUTATION VERY SIMILAR TO MINNEAPOLIS, HE WAS A CHANGE-MAKER, THAT WAS A GOOD SIGN.

THE QUESTION IS, WILL HE BE SUCCESSFUL HERE, BECAUSE THE CULTURE IS DIFFERENT HERE IN MINNESOTA THAN IT IS IN NEW JERSEY?

>> ric: WE HAVE THIS SITUATION WHERE THERE IS NEW PURE RASS KEY, THIS WILL BE A NEW POLICE CHIEF, HOW IMPORTANT IS IT FOR THE TWO PEOPLE TO BE ON THE SAME PAGE?

>> IT'S ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL THAT THEY WORK TOGETHER AND BE EFFECTIVE IN TERMS OF THEIR COMMUNICATION AND LINING UP IN TERMS OF VALUES AND HO THEY EXECUTE.

NOW, THE GOOD THING ABOUT O'HARA IS IN THAT DEPUTY MAYOR POSITION, HE'LL HAVE GREATER INSIGHT INTO WORKING WITH SOMEBODY LIKE ALEXANDER'S ROLE.

THAT EXPERIENCE HE BRINGS TO THE POSITION AT HIS MOMENT CAN BE VERY BENEFICIAL TO THE CITY.

>> Cathy: IT'S INTERESTING IN THAT Mr. O'HARA LAST KIND OF DONE SIMILAR WORK TO WHAT Dr. ALEXANDER IS DOING, SO THAT'S WHY I WONDER ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP OR WHETHER THEY MIGHT BUTT HEADS.

>> IT'S INTERESTING, IT COULD GO EITHER WAY.

IT HELPS O'HARA BECAUSE HE CAN FOCUS EXCLUSIVELY ON THE POLICE, DEALING WITH TRAINING ISSUES, BUILDING THE CONFIDENCE OF THE OFFICE YEARS AND ADDRESSING ISSUES IN COMMUNITY.

BUT BECAUSE HE LAST INSIGHT INTO CEDRIC ALEXANDER'S POSITION, HE'S RUN A 900-MEMBER DEPARTMENT, INCLUDING FIRE, CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES AND POLICE, YOU WOULD HOPE THAT THERE'S LESS FRICTION BECAUSE HE'S FAMILIAR WITH WHAT Dr. ALEXANDER HAAS TO DO TO E SUCCESSFUL.

>> Cathy: I'M WONDERING, IT'S BEEN ABOUT 16 YEARS SINCE AN OUTSIDER HAS BEEN CHIEF OF POLICE IN MINNEAPOLIS.

HOW HAVE OUTSIDURES DONE?

>> TRADITIONALLY, NOT WELL.

ONE CAN ARGUE THAT IN TERMS OF REFORM, THERE IS AT LEAST BEEN THE SEMBLANCE OF CHANGE IN THE DEPARTMENT.

TONY BOUZA IS PROBABLY THE PERSON WHO WILL BE MOST FAMILIAR TO MINNESOTANS, MEN APPLETONS IN PARTICULAR, BUT IF WE LOOK PARTICULARLY AT - WHAT HE ACCOMPLISHED, REAL REFORM OR CHANGE, THAT'S DEBATABLE.

THE BRUTALITY CONTINUED.

YOU DID HAVE SOME REALLY IMPORTANT CHANGES THAT LED TO CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE ARE ARE STILL ASKING ABOUT NOW, REPRESENT REPRESENTATION OF FEMALE AND MINORITIES ON THE POLICE FORCE, BUT ENGAGEMENT IN THE COMMUNITY, BUT THE FACT IS, THAT BRUTAL REPUTATION THAT THE POLICE FORCE HAS HAS REMAINED IN SUPPORT OF THOSE REFORMERS LIKE BOUZA, AND OLSON.

>> Eric: DOES IT MATTER THIS IS A WHITE FELLA?

>> I DON'T THINK IT DOES.

I THINK THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A GREATER PUSHBACK IF NOT FOR Dr. ALEXANDER BEING IN THAT POSITION SO CERTAINLY I THINK THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER WE SHOULD HAVE SELECTED SOMEONE WHO WOULD SPEAK TO THE NEEDS, THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF THE BIPoC COMMUNITY UT GIVEN Dr. ALEXANDER BEING IN THAT POSITION, I THINK IT'S LESS IMPORTANT.

>> Eric: AND WHAT IS HIS CHARGE AS FAR AS IMPROVING COMMUNITY RELATIONS?

I MEAN, ARE THERE FOLKS ON THE BLOCK WHO WILL SAY, HERE'S A GUY FROM JERSEY TELLING US WHAT TO DO?

WHAT CHALLENGES DOES HAVE?

>> MINNESOTA IS A VERY DIFFERENT PLACE.

WE KNOW THAT, SO CULTURALLY, I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FOR HIM IS CAN HE LEAD THAT CULTURE CHANGE?

THIS WAS A HUGE CHALLENGE FOR TONY BOUZA IN THE '80s SO, AGAIN, OMEBODY COMING FROM THE EAST COAST, HE'S KNOWN AS A STRAIGHT-SHOOTER.

I DID VERY WELL IN TERMS OF HOW HE COMMUNICATED WITH COMMUNITY THERE BUT, AGAIN, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A VERY DIFFERENT LANDSCAPE.

>> Cathy: I WONDER HOW HE'LL DO WITH THE POLICE FEDERATION, THE UNION.

>> THAT'S WHAT I WORRY ABOUT THE MOST.

THAT'S GOING TO BE HIS BIGGEST CHALLENGE.

HE HAS TO LEAD CULTURE CHANGE WITHIN, HE HAS TO WIN THE RESPECT OF THOSE OFFICERS AND HE HAD ALSO HAS A HUGE CHALLENGE OF BEING ABLE TO REPLACE THE MASS EXODUS, ALL THE POLICE OFFICERS WHO HAVE LEFT THE DEPARTMENT.

SO HE'S SPEAKING TO TWO AUDIENCES, COMMUNITY THAT WANT ACTION, THOSE CONCERNED ABOUT THE BRUTALITY AND THEN TRYING TO RECRUIT A NEW -- THE NEXT GENERATION OF OFFICERS AND HOPEFULLY BRINGING IN THE SAME VALUE SYSTEM THAT HE HAS, REFORM-MINDED AND CHANGE-MAKERS.

>> Eric: WHAT'S THE BACKGROUND OF CONSENTS KEADY CREASE, HOW EFFECTIVE THEY'VE BEEN ARRANGED THE COUNTRY?

>> IT'S A MIXED BAG.

OAKLAND HAS HAD A CONSENTS DECREE FOR NEARLY TWO DECADES AND YOU CAN LOOK AT NEWARK, MOSTLY PEOPLE ARE OSITIVE ABOUT THE CHANGES THAT TOOK PLACE.

REDUCTION IN GUN VIOLENCE, REDUCTION IN CITIZEN COMPLAINT AGAINST POLICE, AND SOME REAL SENSE THAT CHANGE HAS COME.

AND IN A MEANINGFUL WAY.

BIGGER CHALLENGE HERE BECAUSE MINNESOTA, MINNEAPOLIS IS STILL UNDER THE NATIONAL MICROSCOPE.

WE ARE GROUND ZERO IN A NATIONAL CONVERSATION ABOUT POLICING SO THERE IS A LOT OF, YOU KNOW, PRESSURE ON O'HARA TO BE EFFECTIVE IN THIS MOX.

>> Cathy: FOR FOLKS WHO ARE NOT TERRIBLY FAMILIAR WITH WHAT A CONSENT DECREE DOES, HOW LONG DOES A DEPARTMENT STAY UNDER A CONSENT DECREE?

>> UNTIL THE MELT TRICKS ESTABLISHED BY D.O.J.

ARE MET, SO THAT'S WHY YOU CAN HAVE SOMEPLACE LIKE LOOK AND, WHICH HAS BEEN THERE FOR SO LONG AND ONCE THAT'S IN PLACE, IT CAN BE VERY DIFFICULT FOR A DEPARTMENT TO REMOVE THOSE BAHRERS.

>> Eric: GREAT STUFF, PROFESSOR.

GLAD YOU COULD COME OVER.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> ERIC: THE FEDERAL FRAUD CASE INVOLVING FEEDING OUR FUTURE CONTINUES TO MAKE HEADLINES, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO THE MANY COMPETITIVE STATEWIDE RACES.

MARY LAHAMMER HAS A BEHIND-THE-SCENES ANALYSIS OF THE MEDIA MESSAGING FROM THE CAMPAIGNS.

>> Mary: CANDIDATES FOR CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICES MADE THEIR WAY TO THE STATE CAPITOL ALL TO MAKE THE SAME POINT.

>> IF WE'RE ENGAGED AND, YOU KNOW, WE'RE -- >> I THINK IT'S A STATUS QUO VERSUS A CHANGE ELECTION.

>> Mary: REPUBLICAN HOPEFULS FOR STATE AUDITOR WORKED TOGETHER TO LAUNCH AN ATTACK.

JENSEN DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE OTHER REPUBLICANS EARLIER EVENT HIGHLIGHTING TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS SPENT ON LUXURY GOODS, IN THE FEEDING OUR FUTURE FRAUD CASE.

>> SCHULTZ DEFINITELY AS BEEN TOLD HE HAS A VERY WINNABLE RACE AGAINST ELLISON AND HE KNOWS HE HAS TO CARVE OUT AND BUILD HIS OWN NAME I.G.

BASS HE DOESN'T HAVE GREAT NAME I.D.

JENSEN AND BIRK ARE RUNNING THEIR OWN STYLE CAMPAIGN.

>> TIM WALZ HAS TO ANSWER FOR WHAT HE SAID HAS OCCURRED.

>> AN ABSOLUTE OUTRAGE.

>> THE COORDINATION AND THE MESSAGING, YOU COULD SEE THEM ALL GET MUCH MORE DISCIPLINE THIS WEEK, AND THEY'VE ESSENTIALLY BEEN ABLE TO KIND OF HOLD THE FLOOR ON FEEDING OUR FUTURE.

NOW, GOING ON MORE THAN A WEEK AND THAT'S NOT THE ISSUE GOVERNOR WALZ OR KEITH ELLISON WANT TO BE TACKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW.

>> Mary: ATTORNEY GENERAL ELLISON DID RELEASE DETAILED DOCUMENTATION OF HIS OFFICE WORKING WITH THE F.B.I.

TO SECURE THE INDICTMENTS AND GOVERNOR WALZ FINALLY RESPONDED O REPUBLICAN ATTACKS AFTER GETTING ANOTHER VACCINATION IN FRONT OF THE PRESS CORPS.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT F EDUCATION, ARE THEY TO BE THANKED FOR HIGHLIGHTING THIS OR BLAMED?

THERE'S BEEN CALLS FOR THE COMMISSIONER'S RESIGNATION.

>> YES, FROM POLITICAL OPERATIVES.

NO, THEY'RE BEING, VERY CLEARLY, THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL STATED, ITHOUT MDE, THERE WOULD BE NO INDIMES.

F.B.I.

STATED SUCH A THING.

I WISH THERE WAS MORE OUTRAGE THAT CHILDREN MIGHT NOT HAVE GOT FOOD, I WISH THERE WAS MORE UTE JAMES THAT WE HAD CRIMINALS THAT WERE BRAZEN AND TOOK THIS.

>> THEY'RE NOT WINNING THE MESSAGE, ONE OF THE REASONS IS BECAUSE THEY'VE COMMUNICATED LARGELY BY STATEMENTS, WHAT THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE IS LAY ODD A TIMELINE WITH DATES WHEN THEY RAISED THESE ISSUES, AND THEY SHOULD HAVE EXPLAINED THE LEGAL SIDE IN MORE SIMPLE TERMS.

>> Mary: RIGHT WAY, TOO?

NOT -- >> RIGHT AWAY, RIGHT AWAY.

>> Mary: CRISIS COMMUNICATION IS WHAT OLSON DOES IN HIS DAY JOB AND HE DOES NOT HAVE A CLIENT IN THIS CASE.

>> WE DO ISSUE MANAGEMENT AND CRITICAL COMMUNICATIONS FOR COMPANIES AND ORGANIZATIONS ALL THE TIME.

WE TRY TO CONDENSE THE NEWS CYCLE, GET THE BAD EWS OUT, GET IT OUT QUICK AND THEN MOVE ON.

THEY KNEW THE INDICTMENTS WERE COMING AND THEY WEREN'T READY THAT DAY TO CLAIM CREDIT.

WHICH ALLOWED THIS TO GROW AND GROW AND GROW.

NOW IT'S A COMMUNICATIONS FAIL AND A MEDIA FAIL.

>> Mary: THE LATEST CAMPAIGN FINANCE FIGURES SHOWS A CHANGE IN THE RACE FOR GOVERNOR WITH JENSEN NARROWLY OUTRAISING WALZ ABOUT THE THE GOVERNOR STILL HAS A LARGE CLARK CASH-ON-HAND DVANTAGE.

>> MINNESOTA'S OVERNOR'S RACES HAVE A HISTORY OF CLOSING AT THE ENDS.

>> Mary: THE FACT THAT JENSEN COULD EQUAL HIM AND SLIGHTLY PASS EVEN IN ONE SMALL WINDOW IS SOMETHING.

>> IT DOES HE DOES HAVE LATE MOMENTUM, IT SHOWS THAT WALZ RAISED A LOT OF GOOD MORE THAN EARLY.

JENSEN, IT TOOK HIM A WHILE TO GET GOING.

TIM WALZ IS STILL GOING TO HAVE THREE TIMES AS MUCH MONEY AS SCOTT JENSEN.

>> Mary: STILL, OLSON SAYS IT'S A MISTAKE FOR WALZ TO TURN DOWN DEBATES, LIKE THE STATEWIDE TELEVISION AND DECADES OF TRADITION OF "ALMANAC" HOSTING THE FINAL FRIDAY SHOWDOWN.

>> I DO THINK WALZ NEEDS TO REVISIT IT.

I THINK IT WAS A MAJOR MISTAKE.

WE'RE IN A VOLATILE TIME AND THIS IS AN ELECTION ABOUT FEELINGS AND PEOPLE ALREADY HAVE THEIR KNOWN FEELINGS ABOUT THE GOVERNOR.

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO GET BETTER.

THEY'RE ONLY GOING TO EITHER STAY THE SAME OR GET WORSE AND I THINK THAT'S WALZ'S VULNERABILITY.

BESIDES, HE'S GOOD IN DEBATES.

>> Mary: BY MID-WEEK, WALZ WAS READY TO RESET HIS MESSAGE WITH THE MEDIA IN THE COMPLEX FRAUD CASE.

>> FOR ALL OF YOU HERE, I'VE BEEN IN FRONT OF YOU FOR HUNDREDS OF HOURS AND ANSWERED THOUSANDS OF QUESTIONS.

I THINK THE ONE THING IS, THAT I THINK I PUT MY HE MOTION ATTENTION PRETTY MUCH ON MY SLEEVE.

I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T -- I WAS HUGELY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE COURT CASE, WHERE THE COURT SIDED WITH FEEDING OUR FUTURE OVER -- OVER MDE.

MY ANGER IS NOT DIRECTED AT THE COURTS, MY ANGER IS WITH THE PEOPLE THAT COMMITTED THIS FRAUD.

>> WE HAVE A GOVERNOR WHO HAS TOLD YOU AND ME WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO THINGS THE WAY WE'VE DONE HEM BEFORE.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE THAT OPEN, TRANSPARENT CAMPAIGN WITH DEBATES SO PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCES.

WE'RE NOT DOING THAT.

BECAUSE STRATEGICALLY, I HAVE A BETTER PLAN.

I THINK IN THE MIDST OF THAT KIND OF ENVIRONMENT, FOR THIS TO COME OUT, I WOULD HOPE THAT YOU FOLKS IN THIS ROOM AS WELL AS ALL MINNESOTANS WOULD BE FURIOUS AND SAY, YEAH, WE SHOULD KNOW THE TRUTH.

WE SHOULD HAVE A SPECIAL INVESTIGATION.

>> Mary: DOES THIS FEEL LIKE THE MOST MINNESOTA THING EVER, BECAUSE OUR OCTOBER SURPRISES ARE NOTORIOUS?

IT'S JUST A LITTLE EARLY.

>> YEAH, IT IS SEPTEMBER SURPRISE.

BUT YOU COULD FEEL IT BREWING SINCE JANUARY, FEBRUARY.

THIS IS A FULL EMPLOYMENT ACT FOR LAWYERS AND CRISIS COMMS PEOPLE.

SOME OF THE BEST-NAMED LAWYERS IN THIS TOWN HAVEN'T YET BEEN OUTED AS HAVING DOGS IN THIS FIGHT.

♪♪ >> CATHY: TWO YEARS AGO DURING A PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC, MOST MINNESOTANS VOTED BEFORE ELECTION DAY.

THAT LIKELY WON'T BE THE CASE THIS YEAR, BUT VOTING AHEAD OF TIME IS HERE TO STAY.

MINNESOTA HAS A LONG EARLY VOTING PERIOD, AND IT'S ALREADY BEGUN.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT IT, THE DEAN OF MINNESOTA VOTING OFFICIALS.

JOE PANSKI.

HE SERVED IN THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE IN REPUBLICAN, DEMOCRATIC AND INDEPENDENT ADMINISTRATIONS AND WAS WITH RAMSEY COUNTY FOR MANY YEARS.

GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> NICE TO SEE YOU, TOO.

>> Cathy: RE THERE STILL MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT EARLY VOTING?

>> THERE ARE.

LET ME TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO IN DOCKET TRY NATURE YOU INTO MY VOCABULARY.

THERE ARE FOUR WAYS TO LEGALLY VOTE PRIOR TO ELECTION DAY.

A SMALL GROUP, ABOUT 5% OF OUR STATE'S VOTERS VOTE IN LL MAIL ELECTIONS.

THEY WILL GET MAILED AUTOMATICALLY A BALLOT.

THEY HAVE NO POLLING PLACE, THEY VOTE ENTIRELY BY THE MAIL.

WE'VE BEEN DOING THAT FOR OVER 30 YEARS.

THEN THERE IS THE STUFF THAT STARTED LAST RIDAY, WE HAVE TWO THINGS, WHICH I WOULD CALL MAIL VOTING, YOU APPLY FOR A BALLOT AND THE CITY OR COUNTY MAILS YOU A BALLOT WHICH YOU THEN RETURN TO THEM.

AND THERE'S SOMETHING THAT'S CALLED COUNTER VOTING WHICH YOU WALK UP TO THE COUNTER IN ONE OF THESE ELECTION OFFICES AND YOU DO THE SAME THING, YOU GET THE BALLOT BUT YOU HAVE TO DO THE WHOLE ENVELOPE THING WHERE YOU GET THE WITNESS AND, YOU KNOW, THE ELECTION OFFICIAL IS YOUR ITNESS.

AND THEN THE LAST WEEK IS WHAT I WOULD CALL EARLY VOTING BUT NO ONE ELSE IN THE COUNTRY WOULD CALL EARLY VOTING, BUT OUR FORM OF EARLY OTING IS, YOU COME IN-PERSON TO THE ELECTION OFFICES AND YOU GET TO PUT YOUR BALLOT DIRECTLY INTO THE BALLOT COUNTER.

THE INTERESTING THING IS, YOU KNOW, WE WERE -- WE ARE ON A TRAJECTORY TO HAVE MORE AND MORE PEOPLE VOTING PRIOR TO ELECTION DAY.

I, HOWEVER, WAS SURPRISED BACK IN 2018 WHEN WE STARTED DOING THE EARLY VOTING, THE PUTTING YOUR BALLOT IN THE BALLOT COUNTER, OUR MAIL VOTING WENT DOWN.

SO THAT TOLD ME THAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN DOING THE MAIL THING ONLY WERE DOING IT BECAUSE THERE WAS NO ALTERNATIVE.

NOW THAT THEY GET TO PUT THEIR BALLOT IN THE BALLOT COUNTER, WHICH, TRUST ME, IS WHAT MOST PEOPLE WANT TO DO, THAT'S THE REAL GROWTH OPPORTUNITY FOR THE FUTURE.

>> Eric: GIVE US SOME CONTEXT ON THE NUMBERS.

286,000 ABSENTEE MAIL-IN BALLOTS SENT OUT.

11,000 ACCEPTED SO FAR.

>> YEAH, AND, AGAIN, A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL SIT ON THEIR BALLOT FOR A WHILE BECAUSE THEY DON'T NEED TO VOTE RIGHT AWAY AND, YOU KNOW, AS WE KNOW HERE IN MINNESOTA, A LOT OF THINGS CAN HAPPEN CLOSE TO ELECTION DAY.

WE'VE GOT PLENTY OF EXPERIENCE WITH THAT.

AND THE OTHER THING IS, TYPICALLY, ABOUT 10% OF THESE ABSENTEES WILL NEVER COME BACK, EITHER THE VOTERS WILL CHOOSE NOT TO VOTE OR THEY'LL GO IN AND VOTE IN PERSON ON ELECTION DAY.

>> Eric: WHEN SOMEBODY SAYS, FOR GREATER CONVENIENCE, YOU'RE SACRIFICING SECURITY.

>> AND THAT'S REALLY NOT TRUE.

ACTUALLY, IF YOU -- IF YOU DO THE ABSENTEE PART, WHICH IS EITHER THE COUNTER OR I MAIL YOU THE BALLOT, WE NOW HAVE YOU TELL US NOT ONLY YOUR CONVENTIONAL NFORMATION BUT STARTING 12 YEARS AGO, AS A RESULT OF OUR EXPERIENCE WITH THE COLEMAN-FRANKEN RECOUNT, WE CON VINCEED THE LEGISLATURE TO REQUIRE PEOPLE TO GIVE US EITHER THAYER DRIVER'S LICENSE NUMBER OR THE LAST FOUR DIGITS OF THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER.

AND WHAT THAT ALLOWED US TO DO WAS GET RID OF THE SIGNATURE COMPARISON, WHICH WE FOUND TO BE AN INACCURATE SITUATION AS A CONSEQUENCE OF DOING ALL THOSE BALLOTS DURING THE RECOUNT.

>> Cathy: A LOT OF ELECTION CHANGES HAPPENED BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

SHOULD THEY BE CAST ASIDE BECAUSE WE'RE COMING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC?

>> NO, I THINK WE OUGHT TO LEARN SOMETHING FROM THEM.

TWO YEARS AGO, NEARLY TWO-THIRDS OF OUR VOTER VOTED PRIOR TO ELECTION DAY.

MAYBE WE OUGHT TO START LISTENING TO WHAT THE VOTERS WANT AND E OUGHT TO DO WHAT THE VOTERS WANT.

I ALWAYS CONSIDERED ONE OF MY JOBS AS AN ELECTION OFFICIAL IS TO MAKE THE VOTING PROCESS MORE ACCESSIBLE, MORE EFFICIENT AND MORE OPEN TO THE PEOPLE FOR WHOM WE'RE IN BUSINESS TO SERVE, NAMELY THE VOTERS.

>> Cathy: EXCUSE ME.

IT MUST RANGE HE WILL YOU, THEN, ABOUT OTHER INDIVIDUALS IN THIS COUNTRY TRYING TO TAMP DOWN THE ACCESSIBILITY OF VOTING.

>> YEAH, WHICH I THINK IS JUST CRAZY.

THE ONLY REASON THAT WE CONDUCT ELECTIONS IN THE FIRST PLACE IS TO DETERMINE THE VIEWS OF THE MAJORITY AT ANY GIVEN POINT IN TIME.

WE'RE -- WE EXIST FOR THE VOTERS.

THAT'S NOT THE OTHER AY AROUND.

WE DON'T CONDUCT ELECTIONS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CANDIDATES, WE CONDUCT IT FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE VOTERS.

>> Eric: DOES MINNESOTA USE DOMINION VOTING MACHINES?

>> WE DO AND WHEN I WAS STILL WITH RAMSEY COUNTY, WE LOOKED AT THE DOMINION SYSTEM WHEN WE WERE LOOKING FOR A NEW VOTING SYSTEM, AND SO I'M VERY FAMILIAR WITH IT.

A NUMBER OF OUR COUNTIES EVER SUCCESSFUL LEIUSED IT, FOR THE LAST SIX ELECTIONS, GOING BACK TO 2016.

WE OPTED TO BUY A DIVOTTING SYSTEM BUT I'LL BE PERFECTLY UPFRONT WITH YOU, ERIC, HAD WE BOUGHT THE DOMINION SYSTEM I WOULD HAVE HAD NO PROBLEM WITH IT AND, FRANKLY, NEITHER WOULD OUR VOTERS.

>> Eric: AND THE TURNOUT FOR NOVEMBER 8th, IS IT, WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING?

>> WE'RE PROBABLY GOING TO BE ON THE HIGHER SIDE OF OUR GOVERNOR TURNOUT YEARS.

YOU KNOW, WE WENT THROUGH SOME LOW TURNOUT YEARS BACK IN THE 2000s AND ATHE EARLY PART OF THIS DECADES, THE LEASE DECADE, RATHER, BUILT LET'S FACE IT, CONTROVERSY IS GOOD FOR BUSINESS AND DONALD TRUMP IS CONTROVERSIAL, TO THE EXTENT THAT HE IS IN THE NEWS, HE WILL DRIVE TURNOUT, JUST AS HE DID IN 2018 AND 020.

>> Eric: REAL QUICK, YOU HAD A SNAFU IN RAMSEY COUNTY, YOU'RE NO LONGER THERE, THEY SENT OUT 1,000 PLUS BALLOTS WITH THE WRONG NAME OF A REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE IN DISTRICT 67A, I THINK?

>> YEAH, IT'S UNFORTUNATE BUT, YOU KNOW, I DON'T NEED TO POINT OUT TO YOU THAT WE HAVE LONG EXPERIENCE REPLACING BALLOTS AT THE LAST MOMENT.

I DON'T NEED TO TELL YOU THAT BACK IN 1990, WITH FOUR DAYS TO GO BEFORE ELECTION DAY, WE FINALLY FOUND OUT WHO THE CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR WERE GOING TO BE AND IN THOSE FOUR DAYS, WE PRINTED TWO AND A HALF MILLION BALLOTS AND DISTRIBUTED THEM TO 4,000 VOTING LOCATIONS.

SO, AM I GOING TO LOSE ANY SLEEP ABOUT 11,000 BALLOTS, SIX WEEKS BEFORE ELECTION DAY?

NO, I AM NOT.

>> Eric: JOE, THANKS SO MUCH FOR COMING OVER.

>> Cathy: GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> THANKS.

♪♪ >> THIS IS A FIELD I KNOW AND BEFORE DEER TICKS, I WOULD COME HERE AND JUST LIE IN THE GRASS.

STEREOTYPICAL DAYDREAMER, I REALIZE, BUT I LOVED IT AND I LOVED THE VIEW.

I'M THINKING MAYBE THIS IS A LANDSCAPE YOU ALREADY RECOGNIZE, THIS KINGDOM OF SMALLER THINGS.

IT'S A SUBTLE PLACE, A PLACE FULL OF PATTERN AND LINE, RARELY SEEN ON TELEVISION.

SO I FIGURED, LET'S SPEND SOME TIME HERE FOR NO OTHER REASON THAN TO LOOK.

IN THE FALL, THINGS ARE OFTEN DRY, EVEN A BIT DUSTY AT THE BOTTOMS AND, YET, SO GORGEOUSLY COLORFUL IN UNEXPECTED WAYS.

I'VE DREAMED A LOT OF DREAMS IN SETTINGS LIKE THIS, SOME PROFOUND, MOSTLY NOT, BUT EVERY SINGLE ONE REFRESHING.

AND UNLIKE PAVEMENT, THE GRASS REMEMBERS YOU FOR A MOMENT.

YOU LEAVE A MARK, WHICH FADES GRADUALLY.

IT'S IN NO RUSH TO KICK YOU OUT.

I DON'T HAVE ANY GREAT THESIS FOR THIS.

I ONLY HAVE A GUT SENSE WE ALL COULD MAYBE USE A BIT MORE TIME LYING IN THE GRASS.

TIME TO LOOK, TIME TO ENJOY AND TIME TO BE IN A PLACE THAT HAS SOFTER EDGES.

AFTER THAT, I SUPPOSE JUST TO SAY OUT LOUD, MAYBE DO A QUICK TICK CHECK BEFORE HEADING INSIDE.

♪♪ >> JEARLYN: THE BOOKS OF KATE DICAMILLO HAVE BEEN MADE INTO FILMS, AND NOW AN OPERA.

THE ADVENTURES OF EDWARD TULANE, A STORY ABOUT A TOY RABBIT, IS THE SUBJECT OF AN OPERA HAVING ITS BELATED WORLD PREMIERE NEXT MONTH AT THE MINNESOTA OPERA.

WE SAY BELATED BECAUSE COVID GOT IN THE WAY.

THE PREMIERE WAS ORIGINALLY GOING TO TAKE PLACE IN SPRING, 2020.

IN FACT, WE HAD BOOKED A SEGMENT ON "ALMANAC" BACK THEN TO FEATURE IT.

SO WE'RE ESPECIALLY EAGER TO GET A PREVIEW TONIGHT.

I'M JOINED BY COMPOSER PAOLA PRESTINI AND TENOR JACK SWANSON.

WELCOME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> HANKS FOR HAVING US.

>> Jearlyn: OH, MY GOSH, TWO YEARS, WAS IT HARD TO SIT BACK AND WAIT?

>> IT WAS, THERE WAS A LOT OF ANTICIPATION BUT FINGERS CROSSED, WE'RE GETTING THERE.

>> Jearlyn: YOU KNOW, KATE DiCAMILLO WRITES FOR YOUNG READERS SO WHEN IT'S OPENING NIGHT AND THE CHILDREN WANT TO COME, WHAT DO YOU SAY?

>> I HOPE THE AUDIENCE IS FILLED WITH CHILDREN BUT ALSO A REAL INTER-GENERATIONAL CROWD.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT MAKES A GREAT BOOK LIKE KATE'S BOOK OR LIKE "THE LITTLE PRINCE," YOU RIDE IT IN ONE WAY WHEN YOU READ IT AS A CHILD ND A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT WAY WHEN YOU'VE BEEN THROUGH LIFE.

>> Jearlyn: THAT'S AMAZING, GREAT AAANALOGIES THERE.

THE AMAZING VOCALIST AT THE OPERA BLOWS MY MIND AND TONIGHT WE HAVE SOMEONE VERY SPECIAL THAT'S GOING TO SING, I KNOW IT'S JACK, AM I CORRECT IN THAT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> Jearlyn: THE VERY HANDSOME JACK AND SERIOUSLY, HE CAN SING BEAUTIFULLY.

WHEN YOU MARY THE MUSIC, HEAR AND SEE ALL THAT HAS COME OUT OF YOUR HEART AND SOUL, WHAT DO YOU FEEL?

DO YOU FEEL ELATED, ARE YOU A LITTLE NERVOUS?

>> I AM SO NERVOUS, I'M NOT NERVOUS BECAUSE OF JACK BECAUSE, I MEAN, I -- WHEN YOU HAVE SINGERS LIKE HIM, YOU'RE SO LUCKY, RIGHT?

SO I'M NOT NERVOUS ABOUT THAT, I'M I NERVOUS ABOUT THE PART THAT I'VE HEALED THIS IN MY HEART AND EARS FOR SO LONG AND IT'S HAD NO LONGER MINE, I'M GIVING IT OVER.

SO IT'S LIKE THAT MOMENT, IT'S LIKE I NOW LEAD TO LEAVE IT OUT NTO THE WORLD BUT IN TERMS OF OUR RELATIONSHIP AND WRITING THIS FOR HIM AND KNOWING HIS VOICE, I'M JUST SO EXCITED THAT HE GETS TO, YOU KNOW, TO PLAY THIS ROLE, AND INHABIT IT SO BEAUTIFULLY.

>> Jearlyn: EXACTLY.

I AM SO EXCITED TO HEAR IT, I'M EXCITED TO BE THERE IN THE AUDIENCE IF I CAN AND I KNOW THAT PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO ASK ABOUT WHAT IS THIS IS ABOUT, ESPECIALLY WITH HIM BEING A TOY RABBITT.

>> EDWARD IS THIS INCREDIBLE STUFFED RABBIT AND ESSENTIALLY JOURNEYS THROUGH DIFFERENT HOMES AND DIFFERENT RELATIONSHIPS WITH PEOPLE WHO ESSENTIALLY SHOW HIM CARE AND SHOW HIM LOVE.

HE BEGINS AS A LITTLE BIT OF AN ARROGANT PERSON AND SOMEBODY WHO DOESN'T REALLY THINK HE NEEDS ANYTHING AND AS HE GOES THROUGH THIS TRANSFORMATION, YOU BEGIN -- YOU BEGIN TO SEE HOW THROUGHOUT -- THROUGHS THESE JOURNEYS, HE SEES HIMSELF, HE UNDERSTANDS HIMSELF, ORE IMPORTANTLY, HE ALSO SEES OTHERS SO THERE'S THIS TREMENDOUS OURNEY THAT HAPPENS.

>> TELL US WHAT WE'RE ABOUT TO HEAR.

>> SO THIS MOMENT YOU ACTUALLY SEE EDWARD, HE'S IN THE DOLL SHOP, HE HAS JUST BEEN MENDED BECAUSE HE'S BEEN COMPLETELY SHATTERED SO WE'RE CATCHING HIM AT THE LOWEST MOMENT OF HIS LIFE, HE'S BEEN MENDED AND SEE THESE CRACKS AND HE'S TRYING TO UNDERSTAND, CAN I REALLY GO ON?

CAN I ACTUALLY REALLY LOVE AGAIN AND SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE ABOUT TO HEAR WITH JACK SWANSON, OUR PROTAGONIST AND MARIO ON THE PIANIST AND THE HEAD OF MUSIC AT MINNESOTA OPERA WHO COMMISSIONED THIS PIECE.

>> Jearlyn: WE HAVE TO ASK JACK, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS PIECE?

>> I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IT.

THIS IS MY PREVIOUSLIER AT MINNESOTA OPERA.

I'M FROM STILL WATER, MINNESOTA, NOT FAR FROM HERE ABILITY MY PREMIER WITH MINNESOTA.

MY FIRST NEW ORK AND, YOU KNOW, TO BE ABLE TO DO THE TITLE ROLE IN THIS BIG OPERA, I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.

IT WILL BE REALLY FUN.

>> Jearlyn: THE SONGS IN THIS, THE ARIAs THAT YOU CAN FEEL WHEN YOU'RE SINGING, WATCHED YOU EARLIER, YOUR WHOLE FACE WAS INVOLVED IN IT.

WHAT IS THE FEELING INSIDE WHEN YOU PRESENT?

>> WELL, I MEAN, FIRST OF ALL, SINGING OPERA IN GENERAL, THERE IS A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE'RE THINKING ABOUT WHETHER IT BE THE, YOU KNOW, THE ACTUAL TECHNIQUE, WHAT IT TAKES FOR THE SOUNDS TO GET OUT INTO THE AUDIENCE.

WE'RE NOT USING MICROPHONES IN THERE SO THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE THINK ABOUT AS OPERA SINGERS THAT YOU MIGHT NOT BE THINKING ABOUT WHEN YOU SEE US DO IT, THAT'S THE GOAL, THAT YOU'RE JUST ENJOYING THE TEXT AND THE MUSIC AND THAT WE ARE ABLE TO, YOU KNOW, SOMEWHAT TRANSPORT THE AUDIENCE LIKE RIGHT UP ON STAGE WITH US AND BRING THEM IN.

THAT'S WHAT I THINK ABOUT AS I DO THESE PIECES.

>> Jearlyn: IT IS TIME TO BE HEARD, JACK.

TAKE IT AWAY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

PORCELAIN POLISHED, CHIPS AND CRACKS, HARDLY SEEM LIKE NEW, LIKE NEW ♪ ♪ HE IS SCRUFFY, FLOPPY, FUR GIVES OFF ITS OLD SHEEN ♪ LIKE NEW, LIKE NEW ♪ ♪ EVERY DAMAGED AND BROKEN BIT REPLIES.

♪ NEARLY EVERY TINY TRACE OF THE PAST ERASED REPAIRED, RESTORED LIKE NEW, RECEIVED, RESTUFFED, REPAINTED, RESEWED ♪ RESEAMED, RESTUFFED, REPAINTED, RESEWED ♪ ♪ RECEIVED, RESTUFFED, REPAINTED RESEWED ♪ ♪ RECEIVED, RESTUFFED, REPAINTED, RESEWEN ♪ ♪ BUT FROM NOW ON, I WILL BE, I MUST BE ALONE ♪ ♪♪ >> TANE: IF I LOOK WELL RESTED, IT'S BECAUSE I'M JUST BACK FROM MY HONEYMOON.

THANK YOU.

MY NEW HUSBAND AND I SPENT ABOUT TEN GLORIOUS DAYS ON THE CARIBBEAN SIDE OF COSTA RICA.

THE NATIONAL MOTTO IS, "PURA VIDA," WHICH TRANSLATES TO PURE LIFE, OR JUST, "EVERYTHING'S GOOD!"

AND IT FITS.

COSTA RICA IS BEAUTIFUL, AND 85 DEGREES ALL THE TIME.

THERE'S A FEELING OF TAKING THINGS EASY, NOT RUSHING TOO MUCH, AND ENJOYING THE BEAUTY OF NATURE.

IT'S LITTLE WONDER THAT THE UNOFFICIAL MASCOT IS THE SLOTH.

A CREATURE THAT MAY ONLY MOVE 100 YARDS IN A WEEK.

AND IS, IN MY OPINION, WAY TOO CUTE TO BE NAMED AFTER A DEADLY SIN.

YET, ALSO IN COSTA RICA, WE SAW THE MOST INCREDIBLE, HARD-WORKING CREATURE ON EARTH,: LEAF CUTTER ANTS.

WE'D SEE THEM DAY AND NIGHT, MARCHING BY THE THOUSANDS THROUGH THE FOREST, ACROSS ROADS, AND EVEN ALONG THE POOL DECK, ALWAYS IN ORDERLY MANNER THAT WOULD MAKE NAPOLEON PROUD.

LEAF CUTTER ANT COLONIES CAN HAVE MORE THAN A MILLION MEMBERS.

ANTS COME IN DIFFERENT SIZES AND HAVE ASSIGNED ROLES WHICH CAN CHANGE WITH AGE TO BE MORE APPROPRIATE FOR THEIR PHYSICAL ABILITIES.

THEY WORK TOGETHER TO CUT AND THEN CARRY PIECES OF PLANTS MANY TIMES THEIR OWN SIZE.

IS IT ANY SURPRISE THAT SUCH A COMPLEX AND COOPERATIVE SOCIETY IS RUN BY A MATRIARCHY?

THEY BRING THE CUTTINGS BACK TO THE NEST, NOT TO EAT BUT TO PLANT AND GROW FUNGUS.

THAT'S RIGHT, THEY'RE FARMERS!

AND SOME OF THE ONLY CREATURES ON EARTH OTHER THAN HUMANS THAT GROW THEIR OWN FOOD.

SO WHETHER YOU ARE FEELING MORE SLOTH OR MORE LEAF-CUTTER ANT, JUST REMEMBER LIFE IS GOOD.

NATURE IS BEAUTIFUL.

AND YOU CAN BE GOOD TO EVERYBODY!

PURA VIDA, EVERYBODY!

♪♪ >> CATHY: FOR 24 YEARS, THE RED RIVER WOMEN'S CLINIC HAS PERFORMED ABORTIONS IN NORTH DAKOTA.

BUT THE OVERTURN OF ROE V. WADE BY THE U.S. SUPREME COURT MADE IT VULNERABLE TO A SO-CALLED TRIGGER BAN.

IN 2007, LAWMAKERS IN THAT STATE VOTED TO CRIMINALIZE ABORTION IF FEDERAL PROTECTIONS WENT AWAY.

THAT'S SET UP A COURT BATTLE IN NORTH DAKOTA.

ONE GREATER MINNESOTA REPORTER KAOMI LEE WENT TO FARGO TO FIND OUT MORE.

>> Reporter: EVERY WEDNESDAY, ANTI-ABORTION PROTESTERS GATHER OUTSIDE THE RED RIVER WOMEN'S CLINIC, ABOUT 20 TO 25 ABORTIONS ARE PERFORMED ON THAT DAY EVERY WEEK.

UNTIL AUGUST, IT HAD BEEN NORTH DAKOTA'S ONLY ABORTION CLINIC.

NOW, IT'S MOVED ACROSS THE STATE BORDER TO MINNESOTA.

>> CERTAINLY NEVER THOUGHT WE WOULD SEE THE DAY THAT ROE V. WADE WAS OVERTURNED.

I WAS BORN IN 1972, ROWE WASP 73, IT'S BEEN MY ENTIRE LIFE, IT'S BEEN MY ENTIRE CAREER THAT ROWE HAS HELD THE MOST BASIC OF PROTECTIONS FOR ABORTION.

>> AFTER THE U.S. SUPREME COURT ADJOURN TURNED ROE V. WARED, THE CLINIC FACED A NEW THREAT.

NORTH DAKOTA LAWMAKERS MADE IT A CLASS C FELONY FOR A PHYSICIAN TO PERFORM AN ABORTION IF ROWE EVER FELL.

>> SO IT WAS OVERTURNED ON JUNE 24th.

WITHIN A FEW BUSINESS DAYS, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID THAT HE CERTIFIED THAT THE TRIGGER BAN CRY CRITERIA HAD BEEN MET AND THAT HE DID HIS PART TO START THE CLOCK TICKING ON THE TRIGGER BAN.

>> Reporter: THE CLINIC'S ATTORNEYS PUSHED BACK, CLIMBS THEY DIDN'T FOLLOW PROPER PROCEDURE.

>> WE SUED AND A JUDGE AGREED WITH US, HIS DECISION DIDN'T COME OUT UNTIL 4:00 p.m. ON THE DAY THE TRIGGER BAN, SO WE WERE SEEING PATIENTS AND WONDERING TO OURSELVES, IS THIS OUR LAST DAY?

IS THIS IT?

WILL THIS BE THE LAST PATIENT?

>> Reporter: NORTH DAKOTA IS ONE OF 13 STATES THAT HAS A SO-CALLED ABORTION TRIGGER BAN ON THE BOOKS, EXCEPTIONS INCLUDE RAPE, INCEST ON WHETHER THE MOTHER'S LIFE IS IN DANGER.

THE CLINIC IS ON THE OFFENSIVE, SUING THE STATE CLAIMING THAT THE ABORTION IS UNDER THE STATE CONSTITUTION.

>> WE'RE NOT GOING TO GIVE UP, WE HAVEN'T, WE'RE HERE BUT STILL GOING TO CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR THOSE FOLKS IN NORTH DAKOTA.

>> Reporter: THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DECLINED TO COMMENT FOR THE STORY.

ABORTION IS LEGAL IN MINNESOTA, FOR NOW.

MINNESOTA ATTORNEY GENERAL KEITH ELMS SON RECENTLY VISITED THE CLINIC'S NEW MOORHEAD FACILITY.

HE'S UP FOR ELECTION IN A TIGHT RACE.

HE'S MADE ABORTION RIGHTS A CAMPAIGN ISSUE.

>> IF YOU LIKE THE RIGHT TO MAKE YOUR WN REPRODUCTIVE CHOICES, I'M YOUR CANDIDATE.

>> Reporter: MEANWHILE, ANTI-ABORTION SUPPORTERS IN NORTH DAKOTA SAY THEY'RE GLAD THE ISSUE IS BACK AT THE STATE LEVEL.

THAT'S ALL WE'VE EVER WANTED.

EVERY STATE HAS THEIR OWN POPULATION, THEIR OWN BASE WHO HAS THEIR OWN BELIEFS.

IF YOU DO A POLLING IN EVERY NATION, EVERY STATE, THE POLL NUMBERS WILL COME BACK DIFFERENTLY IN EVERY STATE ON WHETHER OR NOT WE'RE FOR OR AGAINST ABORTION.

>> Reporter: LAST YEAR, MORE THAN 1100 ABORTIONS WERE PERFORMED IN NORTH DAKOTA.

MOST OF THE WOMEN WERE FROM WITHIN STATE.

ABORTION RIGHTS SUPPORTERS SAY NORTH DAKOTANS HAVE ALREADY SPOKEN.

>> IN 2014, THERE WAS A BALLOT MEASURE TRYING TO PASS A SIX-WEEK BAN ON ABORTION, BUT THAT FELL BY A RATIO OF TWO TO ONE, THE PEOPLE VOTED AGAINST IS THAT.

BUT THE STATE LEGISLATURE HAS CONTINUED TO INTRODUCE BILLS AND BANS THAT MAKE IT MORE RESTRICTIVE AND HARDER TO OBTAIN ABORTIONS.

>> Reporter: HEREWITH CAMP SAYS SHE'S SEEN HER FRIENDS FALL APART AFTER THEY'VE HAD ABORTIONS.

SHE'LL BE LOBBYING LAWMAKERS THIS SPRING.

>> WE'RE REALISTIC IN THE PRO LIFE FIGHT, THERE WERE 330 WOMEN THAT HAD AN ABORTION LAST YEAR IN NORTH DAKOTA AND WE KNOW THAT IT'S NOT JUST GOING TO STOP, AND I THINK THAT ESPECIALLY AT RIGHT TO LIFE, OUR GOAL NOW IS TO TRY TO PUSH REFORM TO MAKE DIFFERENT KIND OF WELFARE MORE ACCESSIBLE TO WOMEN.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT DOING A TAX EXEMPTION ON DIAPERS, THERE'S MORE THINGS THAT WE WANT TO DO TO SUPPORT SINGLE MOTHERS AND SUPPORT THOSE FAMILIES WHO NEED HELP.

>> Reporter: SPEITH SAYS THAT'S A KEY POINT, ER FUND HAS RAISED MORE THAN 100,000 DOLLARS THIS YEAR, TO HELP PEOPLE.

SHE SAYS CONSERVATIVE LAWMAKERS IN NORTH DAKOTA HAVE HISTORICALLY LEFT SINGLE MOTHERS AND CHILDREN IN NEED TO FEND FOR THEMSELVES.

>> ANY LEGISLATION THAT WE ANTICIPATE THE TIME FROM NOW UNTIL THEN, THERE'S GOING TO BE PEOPLE WHO NEED ABORTIONS WHO ARE ENDING UP IN POVERTY, WHO ARE STRUGGLING TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THEIR FAMILIES, AND TO SAY THIS MIGHT BE COMING IN THE FUTURE, THAT DOESN'T PUT FOOD ON THEIR TABLE TONIGHT.

>> IN THE PAST, THAT CONVERSATION WAS KIND OF HARD, ESPECIALLY WITH THE MAKE-UP OF OUR LEGISLATURE.

BUT I THINK THAT THERE IS A LOT OF NEW MOVERS AND SHAKERS IN THE LEGISLATURE AND EVEN PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN IN THE FIGHT FOR DECADES THAT ARE NOW INTERESTED IN TRYING TO GET FUNDING PASSED TO HELP THOSE SINGLE MOMS AND FAMILIES IN NEED.

>> ERIC: AS WE HEARD EARLIER THIS EVENING, THE FEEDING OUR FUTURE STORY HAS BECOME AN ISSUE IN THE FALL CAMPAIGN.

EARLY VOTING HAS BEGUN.

AND NEW FUNDRAISING TOTALS WERE RELEASED THIS WEEK SHOWING THAT WHILE GOVERNOR WALZ STILL LEADS IN TERMS OF CASH ON HAND, THE JENSEN CAMPAIGN'S FUNDRAISING HAS PICKED UP CONSIDERABLY.

LOTS OF THINGS TO CHEW OVER WITH OUR NEXT TWO GUESTS.

GREGG PEPPIN IS A REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST AND FORMER LEGISLATIVE AIDE.

JAVIER MORILLO IS HERE, FORMER NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE MEMBER AND LONGTIME DFL ACTIVIST.

WELL, GREG, IS THIS A LIVE HAND GRENADE THAT'S BEEN ROLLED INTO THE FLOOR IN THE LAST FIVE WEEKS OF OUR CAMPAIGN, FEEDING THE FUTURE OR -- >> WELL, IT CERTAINLY IS AND AS ANDREW LUGER SAID -- >> Eric: THE U.S. ATTORNEY.

>> THE U.S. ATTORNEY, HE SAID THE 250 MILLION WAS A FLOOR, NOT A CEILING OF WHERE THE FRAUD MAY GO, AND THIS WAS THE FIRST OF HIS INDICTMENTS.

SO THIS IS GOING TO GO ON AND IT'S GOING TO GET LEGS AND CONTINUE TO BE OUT THERE.

I THINK, REALLY, IT'S -- IT'S A SITUATION WHERE, IN MINNESOTA, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A LOT OF NONPROFITS AND A LOT OF THEM DO AMAZING WORK AND MAKE OUR STATE A BETTER PLACE.

BUT WE HAVE A PROBLEM.

WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH NONPROFITS, WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH NONPROFIT OVERSIGHT IN THIS STATE, AND THE SIMPLE FACT IS THAT WHETHER IT'S FEEDING OUR FUTURE, WHETHER THE DAY CARE FRAUD OF LAST YEAR, THE YEAR BEFORE, WHETHER IT WAS THE HEATING FRAUD THAT TOOK PLACE IN MINNEAPOLIS IN 2015 OR '16, THERE IS A CONNECTION, THERE IS A STRAIGHT LINE BETWEEN THESE NONPROFITS AND D.F.L.

POLITICIANS, AND THEY NEED TO STAND UP AND THERE IS A REASON THEY DON'T, ECAUSE THESE PEOPLE ARE THE BENEFACTORS, THEY'RE THE DONORS AND THE VOTERS FOR D.F.L.

POLITICIANS.

>> Cathy: JAVIER.

>> IT IS ELECTION SEASON SO A COMPLICATED STORY NEEDS TO BE BOILED DOWN SIMPLY, BUT THE REALITY -- LET'S TALK ABOUT THE REALITY OF WHAT THE PROGRAM IS A FEDERAL PROGRAM, FEDERAL DOLLARS WAS ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, THEY DO NOT HAVE -- THEY'RE NOT AN INVESTIGATIVE BODY.

WHAT THEY CAN DO IS WHEN THEY SMELL A RAT IS ALERT THE AUTHORITIES, WHICH IS WHAT THEY DID.

WHAT THEY DID, THIS IS BY LUGER'S OWN DESCRIPTION OF IT.

I THINK THERE ARE LEGIMATE QUESTIONS ABOUT WHY IT TOOK SO LONG FROM THAT MOMENT THAT THEY ALERTED TO WHEN THE F.B.I.

FIRST DID THE EARCH WARRANTS, THAT'S A QUESTION FOR THE F.B.I.

BUT IN TERMS OF, LIKE, WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED IS HAT BAD GUYS DID THINGS THAT THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE DONE.

THE -- MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TRIED TO STOP IT.

RAMSEY COUNTY COURT HELD THEM IN CONTEMPT FOR NOT APPROVING THE SITES FAST ENOUGH WHICH WE NOW KNOW WAS AT THE KEY -- WAS A KEY ART OF THE CONSPIRACY WAS CREATING ALL THESE NEW SITES WHERE THEY WERE SUPPOSEDLY FEEDING KIDS AND WEREN'T DOING THAT AND THEY MADE IT VERY CLEAR TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, THE JUDGE DID, THAT THEY WOULD BE HELD FURTHER IN CONTEMPT IF THEY HELD THIS UP.

>> Eric: THEY COULD BE.

>> BUT HE DID FINE THEM, THEY DID FINE THEM FOR NOT -- FOR NOT APPROVING SITES FAST ENOUGH AND, AGAIN, THAT IS PRECISELY THE CORE OF THE THING.

THEY SIDED WITH THE FRAUDSTERS, THAT'S JUST TRUE AND NOW THE JUDGE, YOU KNOW, I -- I THOUGHT THAT WHEN GOVERNOR WALZ SAID THERE SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED, I THOUGHT, IT'S NOT GOOD TO GET IN A TITTED FOR TAT WITH THE JUDICIARY AND THEN I SAW THE JUDGE'S RESPONSE AND I THINK IT'S VERY DISINGENUOUS FOR THE JUDGE TO SAY THAT THEY VOLUNTARILY RESUMED PAYMENTS WHEN HE MADE IT ABUNDANTLY CLEAR A LONG LIST OF SANCTIONS THAT WOULD BE GOING AGAINST THEM IF THEY DIDN'T RESUME PAYMENTS.

>> Cathy: WHAT ABOUT WHAT GREG SAID, THOUGH, YOU HAD A LAUNDRY LIST OF DIFFERENT SCANDALS AND THEY HAVE OCCURRED UNDER D.F.L.

ADMINISTRATIONS.

>> WELL, SO IN ANY SITUATION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE CURRENT ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS DONE A FANTASTIC JOB OF HOLDING NONPROFITS ACCOUNTABLE, THAT IS -- THAT IS THE ROLE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THAT IS WHY WE KNOW THESE THINGS, THAT IS WHY THESE THINGS ARE UNCOVERED IS BECAUSE WHEN THERE'S FRAUD THEY DO IT.

AS GREG SAID, E HAVE MANY, MANY NONPROFITS IN MINNESOTA, MOST OF THEM WORK -- DO FANTASTIC WORK AND WHEN THEY DON'T, AND THEY GO OUTSIDE THE LAW, THEY HAVE BEEN CAUGHT.

>> Cathy: GREG.

>> YOU KNOW, FIRST OF ALL, KEITH ELLISON SAID IT'S ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE.

WELL, HIS CLIENTS ARE THE TAXPAYERS OF MINNESOTA.

THAT'S WHO HE SHOULD BE ADVOCATING FOR, NOT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, HAD THEY DONE ONE, ONE SITE VISIT TO ONE OF THE HUNDREDS -- WHAT TURNED OUT TO BE HUNDREDS OF LOCATIONS, HEY WOULD HAVE FOUND THAT THIS WAS A FRAUD.

>> THAT'S FALSE, GREG -- >> ONE ITE VISIT IS ALL IT WOULD HAVE TAKEN.

>> WHAT THE JUDGE MADE VERY CLEAR, THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO STOP THE PAYMENTS.

THEY DID WHAT THEY COULD, THEY LET THE F.B.I.

KNOW IMMEDIATELY AND THE F.B.I.

TOLD THEM NOT TO TIP -- NOT TO TIP THEM OFF, THAT THE INVESTIGATION WAS HAPPENING.

THEY FOLLOWED THE F.B.I.

'S ORDERS, SO SIMPLY NOT TRUE WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.

SIMPLY NOT TRUE.

>> HAD THEY DONE SITE VISITS, THEY COULD HAVE TIPPED THE F.B.I.

OFF BEFORE MDE HAD TO GO THERE.

SECONDLY, YOU'VE GOT -- >> MDE DID TIP THEM OFF.

>> YOU'VE GOT MAYOR JACOB FREY, YOU'VE GOT CONGRESSWOMAN ILHAN OMAR THAT ARE TRYING TO INTERCEDE WITH THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO GET THE SPIGOT TURNED BACK ON SO THE STRAIGHT LINE BETWEEN THIS FRAUD AND D.F.L.

POLITICIANS IS -- IT'S VERY OBVIOUS.

ALSO, I FIND IT IRONIC, YOU KNOW, DEMOCRATS, STEVE SIMON, KEN MARTIN HAVE BEEN GOING AROUND THE STATE SAYING, WE NEED TO PROTECT DEMOCRACY.

HERE YOU'VE GOT A GOVERNOR WHO ATTACKS A CO-EQUAL BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT, THE JUDICIARY, AND REQUESTS THAT HE BE INVESTIGATED.

WE NEED TO PROTECT DEMOCRACY, ALL RIGHT.

TIM WALZ AND THE DEMOCRATS NEED TO LOOK IN THE MIRROR ABOUT PROTECTING DEMOCRACY.

>> AND WHAT DID THAT JUDGE DO IN RESPONSE?

HE DISINGENUOUSLY SENT OUT A PRESS RELEASE AS IF HE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT WHEN HE KNEW VERY WELL -- AND LET'S BE CLEAR, THIS JUDGE IS ALSO UP FOR REELECTION, EVERYONE HAS POLITICAL MOTIVES HERE AND THAT WAS HIS BEHIND STATEMENT, HE MADE IT ABUNDANTLY CLEAR THAT THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD BE HELD IN CONTEMPT AND LAWYERS WOULD PERSONALLY BE HELD IN CONTEMPT IF THEY DIDN'T RESUME PAYMENTS.

>> Cathy: HOW MUCH OF THIS IS GOING TO STICK ON TIM WALZ AND KEITH ELSE SON?

>> I THINK THAT T'S -- ANECDOTALLY I'M HEARING FROM LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES THAT IT'S AN ISSUE APPEARING AT THE DOORS SO I THINK YOU WILL HEAR IT -- IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE AN ISSUE, IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE BROUGHT UP IN AT LEAST CANDIDATE FORUMS AT THE LEGISLATIVE LEVEL.

WE'LL SEE IF TIM WALZ EVER WANTS TO COME OUT OF HIS SHELL AND DEBATE BUT I THINK IT WILL HAVE LEGS AND I THINK THAT ANDREW LUGER IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO PROSECUTE PEOPLE AND I THINK IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE IN THE NEWS.

>> Cathy: ONE UICK RESPONSE ON THAT ONE.

>> ON -- >> Cathy: WHETHER THIS IS GOING TO STICK TO THE GOVERNOR AND THE A.G. >> I THINK THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE GOVERNOR BOTH HAVE TO TELL THE STORY OF WHAT HAPPENED, AND WHAT HAPPENED WAS THAT THEY SMELLED A RAT, THEY TIPPED OFF THE APPROPRIATE AGENCY AND THAT IS WHY THERE IS AN INDICTMENT AND THAT'S NOT JUST THEIR WORDS, THAT'S THE WORDS OF THE F.B.I.

AND THE WORDS OF THE U.S. ATTORNEY.

>> Eric: LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE GOVERNOR'S RACE, THE RACE ITSELF.

NOW, WALZ HAS NEVER TRAILED IN ANY OF THE POLLS.

WHAT DOES HE NEED TO GET OUT OF THE MIGHT THROW AREA TO SOLIDIFY A WIN?

IS IT 70%, 60%?

WHAT DOES HE NEED OUT OF THE SEVEN COUNTS?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, THE TRADITIONAL METRIC IS THAT THE DEMOCRAT CANDIDATE REALLY PILES UP THE VOTES OBVIOUSLY IN MINNEAPOLIS AND St. PAUL.

IT'S PROBABLY IN THE 70% RANGE, WHICH MAKES, THEN, THE SUBURBS REALLY THE -- YOU KNOW, THE BATTLEGROUNDS.

>> Eric: AND THEN WHAT ABOUT JENSEN IN GREATER MINNESOTA?

I THINK I HEARD HIM SAY THIS WEEK THAT 60% IN GREATER MINNESOTA WOULD BE GOOD, 70% WE WIN.

>> I THINK THAT THAT WILL REALLY BOLSTER HIM QUITE A BIT BUT I HAVE ADVISED THE JENSEN CAMPAIGN AND I SUGGESTED THEY THEY WOULD TO SPENDS MORE TIME IN THE SUBURBS AND I WISH THEY WOULD DO THAT.

I WISH THEY WOULD GO AROUND THE FIRST AND SECOND-RING SUBURBS, THIRD-THING SUBURBS AND BRING THEIR MESSAGE THERE.

I THINK THE VOTES WILL BE IN GREATER MINNESOTA FOR THEM, WHETHER IT'S 63, 70%, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO OVERCOME MINNEAPOLIS AND St. PAUL IN MY OPINION WITH HIGH VOTES IN GREATER MINNESOTA.

IT WILL CERTAINLY HELP BUT THE BATTLEGROUNDS IS STILL THE SUBURBS.

>> Cathy: FUNDRAISING, AND POLLING SEEMS TO SUGGEST HAT THIS RACE IS TIGHTENING.

DOES THAT FEEL RIGHT TO YOU?

>> I MEAN, FUNDRAISING, IT'S NOT REALLY LIKE, YOU KNOW, IT'S -- TO BE EXPECTED A REPUBLICAN, YES, HE'S RAISING MORE MONEY NOW TOWARD THE ENDS BUT THE CASH ON HAND S DRAMATICALLY DIFFERENT.

>> Cathy: YES, YES.

>> SO I THINK THAT THE METRICS THAT WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, IT'S LIKELY GOING TO BE A TIGHT ELECTION.

IT'S AN OFF YEAR, THESE ARE POLAR AIDED TIMES AND IT'S GOING TO BE ABOUT WHICH PARTY TURNS OUT THEIR PEOPLE AND SO, YOU KNOW, DEMOCRATS WILL BE LOOKING TO CUT THE REPUBLICAN ADVANTAGE N GREATER MINNESOTA AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND BOOST TURNOUT IN THE URBAN AREAS AND INTO YOUR AB AREAS WHERE ISSUES LIKE ABORTION ARE HUGELY POOR AND RE COMING IN OUR DIRECTION.

>> Eric: THE FUNDMENTALS IN A IMMEDIATE-TERM TRADITIONALLY HAVE BEEN REFER REFERENDUM ON THE SITTING PRESIDENT.

IS THAT TRUE THIS YEAR IN MINNESOTA OR IS IT MORE COMPLICATED?

>> NO, I THINK IT IS.

I THINK YOU'VE GOT THE REFERENDUM ON THE SITTING PRESIDENT BUT IN ADDITION TO THAT, IT'S CRIME AND IT'S COST OF LIVING.

IT'S INFLATION, AND THOSE ARE THE ISSUES THAT ARE REALLY -- THOSE ARE THE BREAD AND BULLETS DAY-TO-DAY ISSUES THAT PEOPLE ARE DEALING WITH AND I THINK IT'S A COMBINATION OF THOSE THREE.

WE KNOW WHAT THE D.F.L.

WILL DO, WE KNOW WHAT THE DEMOCRATS WILL BE TALKING ABOUT, THEY'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IT IS ENGINES SUL AND THAT WON'T CHANGE.

>> Eric: ABORTION IS HOW POTENT?

>> I THINK IT'S EXTREMELY PO' END THE.

LIKE SIX MONTHS AGO, EVERYONE WAS TALK YANG ABOUT THIS WAS A YEAR WHEN IT WOULD BE A SLAUGHTER FOR DEMOCRATS, AND WHAT CHANGED THINGS WERE, ONE, WAS THE JANUARY 6th HEARINGS AND THE REMINDER OF THE TO VOTERS AND ESPECIALLY TO INDEPENDENTS WHO WERE TURNED OFF BY TRUMP THAT HE'S BACK IN THE NEWS AND BACK IN THE IN US LOT IN A BIG WAY.

AND SECOND WAS THE DOBBS DECISION AND SO, YES, THERES -- AND THAT CHANGED THE ELECTION.

LET'S JUST, YOU KNOW, ALSO REMEMBER THAT IN THE LAST MANY CYCLES NOW, THAT, LIKE, PATTERNS ARE -- HISTORICAL PATTERNS HAVE NOT BEEN DEFINING HOW THINGS GO.

THIS IS TRADITIONALLY AND STRUCTURALLY, WE WOULD ASSUME ON AN OFF YEAR, IT'S THE REFERENDUM ON THE PRESIDENT BUT WE'RE LIVING IN EXTREMELY POLAR AIDED COUNTRY AND RIGHT NOW, DEMOCRATS, THE DOBBS DECISION REALLY ENERGIZEMENT PEOPLE TO GET UP.

>> Cathy: SAY, WHAT ABOUT THE LEGISLATIVE RACES?

YOU MENTIONED THAT.

WHEN YOU BOTH LOOK AT SOME OF THESE RACES, WHAT MIGHT TIP EITHER WAY HERE IN TERMS OF REPUBLICAN ONTROL VERSUS DEMOCRATIC CHROME?

>> YEAH, I THINK THAT REPUBLICANS HAVE A VERY GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO WIN CONTROL OF THE HOUSE.

I THINK THEY HAVE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE SENATE.

THE RECRUITING CLASS THAT THE REPUBLICANS HAD WAS VERY GOOD, IT WAS VERY ROBUST AND IT TOOK PLACE AT A TIME WHEN THE PRESIDENT AND -- WAS AT A VERY LOW EBB, AND SO THERE WAS A LOT OF ENTHUSIASM -- THERE STILL IS A LOT OF ENTHUSIASM BUT THERE AS A LOT OF ENTHUSIASM THEN.

PEOPLE CAME FORWARD, GOOD CANDIDATES, GOOD CANDIDATES THAT ARE RUNNING IN DISTRICTS THAT JOE BIDEN ONE AND SO I THINK IT'S A -- OU KNOW, I NEVER LIKE TO COUNT MY CHICKENS, I'M VERY KIND OF, YOU KNOW, RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE THERE BUT I THINK THAT REPUBLICANS HAVE A GOOD CHANCE TO WIN CONTROL OF THE HOUSE.

>> Eric: I'M INTERESTED IN HOW THE CAMPAIGNS POSITION THEMSELVES AS THE SITUATIONS CHANGE.

JENSEN WAS 100% PRO LIFE, NOW HE'S NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT AND THEN I SEE AN ADS THIS MORNING WHERE GOVERNOR WALZ IS THE CRIME-FIGHTER IN THE RACE.

>> WELL, I MEAN, LOOK, ON ABORTION AND -- IT'S WITHOUT A DOUBT, LIKE THE REPUBLICANS -- REPUBLICAN PARTY OF MINNESOTA SENT OUT A MESSAGE TO CANDIDATES SAYING, LIKE, ABORTION IS SETTLED LAW.

WHERE HAVE WE HEARD THAT BEFORE?

LIKE EVERY REPUBLICAN APPOINTEE TO THE SUPREME COURT SAID THAT UNTIL IT WASN'T ANY LONGER, AND IF WE ARE CONTEMPLATING HANDING OVER THE KEYS TO THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNORSHIP TO REPUBLICANS WHO FOR 30 YEARS TRIED TO OVERTURN ROE V. WADE AND GOT THEIR WAY AND JUST BELIEVE THEY'RE NOT GOING TO DO IT BECAUSE IT'S N LAW, I THINK THAT'S LUNA SEE.

>> THERE IS A REASON GOVERNOR WALZ IS TALKING ABOUT CRIME, HE KNOWS HE'S VULNERABLE ON THAT ISSUE AND THE OTHER THING IS THAT YOU CAN ONLY GET SO MUCH MILEAGE OUT OF THE ABORTION ISSUE, JAVIER.

THOSE PEOPLE OTIVATED BY THAT ISSUE ARE MOTIVATED BY THE ISSUE, THAT'S FINE, THEY'LL GO TO THE POLLS ON BOTH SIDES WHETHER YOU'RE PRO CHOICE OR PRO LIFE, YOU'RE GOING TO VOTE ON THE BASIS OF THAT ISSUE.

THEN IT BECOMES -- YOU GOT O GET BEYOND THAT, IT BECOMES AS I SAID THE DAY-TO-DAY, THE BREAD AND BUTTER ISSUES, THE ISSUES THAT AFFECT YOU EVERY SINGLE DAY AND WHEN CAR-JACKINGS ARE UP, VIOLENT CRIME IS UMM, THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE CARE ABOUT.

EDUCATION, REFORM IN THAT AREA, THERE IS A LOT OF THINGS OUT THERE IN ADDITION -- APART FROM ABORTION THAT WILL DRIVE PEOPLE'S VOTES.

>> I DON'T BELIEVE BODILY AUTONOMY FOR HALF OF THE POPULATION IS A MINOR ISSUE AND THAT'S NOT WHAT WE'RE HEARING ON DOORS OR ELSEWHERE, IT REALLY IS MOBILIZING AND NOT JUST FOR DEMOCRATS AND NOT JUST FOR TRADITIONAL PROGRESSIVES.

>> Eric: SEE HOW EXCITING A DEBATE IS?

>> Cathy: YES, WE LIKE DEBATES HERE AT "ALMANAC.

THANK YOU.

>> Eric: YES, THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> WHAT I SEE IS IS THAT THIS IS A GROWING PROBLEM RIGHT HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND SO WHAT I SEE ARE YOUNG GIRLS WHO ARE BASICALLY BEING BOUGHT AND SOLD ON THE INTERNET, MOSTLY BACKPAGE.COM AND IT'S PLAYING OUT IN OUR COMMUNITY, IN OUR HOTEL ROOMS AND THE SEXUAL PREDATORS OR THE JOHNS ARE MEN IN OUR COMMUNITY.

>> CATHY: READY OR NOT, HERE'S OUR WEEKLY EXERCISE IN MINNESOTA HISTORY, WHERE YOU PLAY A LEADING ROLE.

LAST WEEK, WE ASKED YOU THIS QUESTION: THE YEAR WAS 1981.

THE MONTH WAS JANUARY.

AN EVENT WAS PLANNED AT THE OLD ST. PAUL CIVIC CENTER, SEEN HERE.

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 ASKED YOU TO TELL US WHAT EVENT WAS CANCELED.

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

WE DIDN'T RECEIVE A HIGH VOLUME OF WRONG ANSWERS LAST WEEK, BUT THE QUALITY OF THE FAILED ATTEMPTS... THAT WAS IMPRESSIVE.

>> Cathy: MARK, NO.

THERE WAS A FAMED FRACAS AT A ROLLING STONES CONCERT AT THE CIVIC CENTER IN 1978.

BUT THAT WASN'T THE EVENT THAT WAS CANCELED.

WHAT WAS?

VIEWER JOHN SENT IN THIS QUESTION A FEW WEEKS BACK AND MODELED FOR THE REST OF YOU HOW TO GET YOUR 15 SECONDS OF "ALMANAC" FAME.

HERE'S HIS EMAIL.

I WILL READ IT TO YOU.

DEAR ALMANAC, BACK IN THE EARLY 1980s, THERE WAS A BACKGAMMON TOURNAMENT CANCELED AT THE OLD CIVIC CENTER.

THE REASON GIVEN WAS A GAME OF CHANCE IF IT USED DICE COULD NOT BE PLAYED IN A VEN VIEW SERVING BEER.

I THOUGHT THIS MIGHT BE GOOD FOR A FRIDAY NIGHT QUESTION AND YOU WERE SO RIGHT, YES.

IT WAS A BACKGAMMON TOURNAMENT THAT RAN AFOUL F CITY OFFICIALS.

DID YOU MEAN-FOUNDED PEOPLE NOTED THAT DUMB-FOUNDED BACKGAMMON ORGANIZERS NOTED IN MEDIA STORIES THAT MANY BARS AROUND TOWN SPONSORED BACKGAMMON NIGHTS WITHOUT ANY COMPLAINTS.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED FROM THREATENED LAWSUITS OVER THE MATTER.

DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION THAT YOU THINK WE SHOULD ASK?

LET US KNOW LIKE JOHN DID.

651-229-1430 IS OUR VOICEMAIL NUMBER.

- YOU CAN ALSO SEND ALONG THE DETAILS TO ALMANAC@TPT.ORG.

A REMINDER THAT DEBATE SEASON IS UPON US.

FOR THE NEXT THREE WEEKS, WE WILL FEATURE "ALMANAC" DEBATES FOR SECRETARY OF STATE, ATTORNEY GENERAL, STATE AUDITOR AND HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY.

GOVERNOR WALZ TURNED DOWN OUR INVITATION TO DEBATE LIVE ON "ALMANAC" BUT HIS CHALLENGER SCOTT JENSEN WILL APPEAR SOLO IN AN UPCOMING WEEK.

FOR SHOW-CLOSING MUSIC, IT WAS SIX YEARS AGO TODAY THAT A VOCAL GROUP FROM THE U OF M CALLED "7 DAYS ACAPELLA" STOPPED BY STUDIO B AND SANG FOR US.

THEY WERE TERRIFIC.

LET'S LISTEN TO THEM AS WE GET READY TO ROLL THE CREDITS.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE HOPE YOU TUNE IN AGAIN NEXT WEEK.

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ TALKING AWAY, I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'LL SAY I'LL SAY IT ANYWAY TODAY ISN'T MY DAY TO FIND YOU ♪ SHYING AWAY, I'LL BE COMING FOR YA, LOVE OKAY ♪ ♪ TAKE ON ME ♪ TAKE ON ME ♪ ♪ TAKE ME ON ♪ CAPTIONED BY: VERITEXT/PARADIGM CAPTIONING WWW.VERITEXT.COM "A LMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

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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 STRENGHTEN RURAL MINNESOTA.

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