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

>> ERIC: ON TONIGHT'S SHOW, THE JURY IS BACK IN THE FEEDING OUR FUTURE TRIAL.

SURPRISING CHANGES FOR MINNESOTA'S PROFESSIONAL WOMEN'S HOCKEY TEAM.

A POLITICAL PANEL FILLS THE COUCH.

AND MARY LAHAMMER HAS MORE POLITICAL REACTION TO LAST WEEK'S SHOOTING DEATH OF A MINNEAPOLIS POLICE OFFICER.

>> Mary: SUPPORT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT IS REBOUNDING IN MINNESOTA POLITICS AFTER ANOTHER TRAGIC LOSS.

WE'LL EXPLAIN.

>> OUR HEARTS JUST BREAK FOR THOSE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS WHO LOST THEIR LIVES.

>> 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 27 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

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

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

AND PAINT CARE, HELPING MINNESOTANS RECYCLE LEFTOVER PAINT.

MORE AT PAINTCARE.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.

>> ERIC: IN THE NEXT HOUR, WE WILL CHECK IN ON THE STUNNING CHANGES AT THE TOP OF PWHL MINNESOTA.

MARK DEPAOLIS HAS AN ESSAY FOR US.

AND WE'LL HIGHLIGHT A CONCERT ANCHORED BY NATIVE COMPOSERS.

CATHY HAS THE NIGHT OFF.

MARY LAHAMMER IS HERE... "E".

WE START TONIGHT WITH VERDICTS IN THE FEEDING OUR FUTURE TRIAL.

ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON, THE JURY DELIVERED SPLIT DECISIONS, CONVICTING FIVE DEFENDANTS OF SOME CHARGES AND FINDING TWO NOT GUILTY WHO WERE THEN RELEASED FROM CUSTODY.

AMONG THE CHARGES IN THE NATION'S LARGEST PANDEMIC FRAUD CASE WERE WIRE FRAUD, MONEY LAUNDERING, AND BRIBERY.

DEENA WINTER OF THE "MINNESOTA REFORMER" HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THE CASE CLOSELY.

GREAT REPORTING, WE'VE ALL BEEN WATCHING YOU VERY CLOSELY.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS DECISION.

REALLY INTERESTING WHEN A SPLIT VERDICT COMES OUT.

WHAT DO YOU THINK PARTICULARLY ON THE TWO NOT GUILTY?

WHAT WAS THE SESSION OF THEIR DEFENSE?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, SAYID FARAH HAS AN ATTORNEY, STEVE SCHLEISSER WHO MAY REMEMBER FROM DEREK CHAUVIN'S TRIAL, MAGNIFICENT LAWYER.

AND I THINK HE DID A REALLY GOOD JOB OF REALLY QUESTIONING WHY THE INVESTIGATORS DIDN'T GO TO CERTAIN LOCATIONS AND CHECK TO SEE, YOU KNOW, A CERTAIN WARE HOESSTS, IF THERE WAS FOOD THERE AND SO ON.

AND JUST WOULD GO, YOU KNOW, DID YOU GO TO THIS SITE?

NO.

DID OU GO TO THIS SITE.

CROSS THEM OFF ON A BOARD.

AND THESE TWO WERE NOT ACCUSED OF SUBMITTING FALSE VUES OR FAKE MEAL COUNTS.

SO I THINK THAT PROBABLY HELPED THEM.

>> Eric: TELL US ABOUT THE BRIBING THE JUROR.

>> WELL, THAT WAS PRETTY CRAZY.

ON MONDAY MORNING, YOU KNOW, WE SHOW UP IN COURT THINKING THAT THE PROSECUTOR IS GOING TO WRAP UP HIS OPENING ARGUMENTS AND THE LAST OF THE SEVEN DEFENSE ATTORNEYS WOULD DO THEIR CLOSING ARGUMENTS AND INSTEAD THE PROSECUTOR JUST STARTED INFORMING THE JUDGE THAT, YOU KNOW, THE NIGHT BEFORE, SOMEONE DROPPED OFF ABOUT AKING CONTAINING $120,000 IN CASH AT A JUROR'S HOUSE.

>> Eric: WHO LEAKED THE NAME OF THE JUROR?

>> WE DON'T KNOW ET.

YOU KNOW, ALL THE ATTORNEYS IN THE ROOM AND THE DEFENSE AND DEFENDANTS HAVE ACCESS TO THE JURORS' NAMES AT CERTAINLY POINTS.

BUT I BELIEVE THERE ARE -- I CERTAINLY KNOW THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO GET THE NAMES OF JURORS BECAUSE I'VE HAD -- I HAD TO TRY TO FIGURE THEM OUT FOR THE WALL STREET JOURNAL WHEN WE COVERED THE DEREK CHAUVIN TRIAL.

>> Mary: TALKING ABOUT THE JURY, AND ALSO WHEN IT'S ABLE TO CHARGE ON SOME AND THEN NOT THE OTHERS.

IT'S NOT LIKE THEY JUST WENT EVERYBODY'S GUILTY, NORTHBOUND'S INNOCENT.

DOES THIS STRIKE YOU THEN AS A THOUGHTFUL JURY THAT REALLY TOOK A LOT OF COMPLEX INSTRUCTIONS?

>> YEAH, MEAN, THERE WERE 41 CHARGES THEY HAD TO GO THROUGH FOR SEVEN DEFENDANTS.

AND THROUGHOUT THE TRIAL, THE JUDGE AND SOME OF THE LAWYERS WOULD COMMENTED ON HOW THIS JURY WAS REALLY PAYING ATTENTION, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A ERY LONG TRIAL, TAKING NOTES AND VERY DUTIFUL.

AND SO I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, THE FACT THAT IT TOOK THEM FOUR DAYS AND WENT THROUGH ALL THOSE CHARGES ONE BY ONE AND DECIDED ON EACH ONE SHOWS THEY REALLY TOOK THE TIME TO GO THROUGH EVERY CHARGE LIKE THEY SHOULD.

>> Mary: I'M HEARING SOME INTEREST IN MAYBE FOR THE FUTURE, BECAUSE THERE'S MORE CASES COMING, THAT THE JURORS' INFORMATION CAN REMAIN PRIVATE BECAUSE OF THIS ATTEMPT AT BRIBERY.

ARE YOU HEARING MORE INTEREST IN THAT?

>> I HAVE HAVEN'T HEARD THAT.

I'M NOT SURE, LIKE WHAT IT WOULD TAKE TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN IN FEDERAL COURT.

YOU KNOW, IT SEEMS LIKE IT WOULDN'T -- MAYBE IT'S UP TO THE JUDGE, THOUGH.

I DON'T KNOW FOR SURE.

>> Eric: ACCORDING TO YOUR REPORTING, THE DEFENSE PLAYED -- SAID THAT SOMALI EAST AFRICAN CULTURE IS DIFFERENT WHEN IT COMES TO BUSINESS.

OBVIOUSLY THAT DIDN'T PLAY WELL WITH THE JURY OR NOT ENOUGH?

>> YEAH, I MEAN THERE, WAS A DEFENSE WITNESS THAT TALKED ABOUT THAT, BUT HE DIDN'T -- HE ALSO SAID HE DID NOT LOOK AT EVIDENCE IN THE TRIAL.

AND HE REALLY COULDN'T SPEAK TO THAT.

HE WAS MORE JUST TALKING IN GENERAL.

THEY DO DO THINGS VERY DIFFERENTLY THAN WE'RE USED TO MAYBE IN AMERICA.

BUT I'M NOT SURE THAT RANG, YOU KNOW, AS A DEFENSE.

>> Eric: NEXT STEPS?

>> WELL -- >> Eric: SENTENCING?

>> THAT'LL BE COMING.

BUT THEY'RE REALLY HOT ON THE TRAIL OF THE PERSON THAT TRIED TO BRIBE A JUROR.

AND SO I THINK THEY'RE -- FROM WHAT I HEAR, THEY'RE MAKING PROGRESS.

AND EXPECT CHARGES COULD BE FILED AGAINST SOMEONE.

>> Mary: INTERESTING.

AND THEN 63 MORE DEFENDANTS STILL OUT THERE?

>> YES.

MINUS SEVEN.

NO, ACTUALLY, IT'S LESS THAN THAT, BECAUSE 18 PLEADED GUILTY AND ONE FLED THE COUNTRY.

SO I CAN'T DO THE MATH.

>> Mary: BUT MORE COMING.

MORE TRIALS COMING.

>> YES, MORE PEOPLE ARE CHARGED AND MORE TRIALS ARE DOWN THE PIKE.

SO -- BUT THIS COULD INSPIRE SOME PEOPLE TO MAYBE RETHINK WHETHER THEY WANT TO GO TO TRIAL OR NOT.

I MEAN, THE ODDS, TWO OUT OF SEVEN.

>> Eric: FOR THE STATE COMPONENT OF THIS, THE FFICE OF LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR HAS A REPORT COMING OUT I THINK ON WEDNESDAY.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR THERE?

>> YEAH, THAT'LL BE REALLY INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT THE STATE'S CULPABILITY HERE I THINK.

THEY DIDN'T GET INTO THAT AT THE TRIAL MUCH BECAUSE THAT WASN'T THE POINT.

BUT I CERTAINLY FEEL LIKE THERE'S A LOT MORE TO BE DONE ON THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT FRONT AS FAR AS HOW MUCH THE STATE DID OR DIDN'T DO AND DID THEY DO ENOUGH?

>> Eric: GREAT STUFF.

WE'LL KEEP WATCHING AND READING.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Mary: THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR REPORTS.

YOUR REPORTING.

CLEAR CAREER ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ >> ERIC: JUST DAYS AFTER PWHL MINNESOTA WON THE FIRST LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP, GENERAL MANAGER NATALIE DARWITZ NO LONGER HOLDS THAT POSITION.

"THE ATHLETIC" BROKE THE STORY ON THURSDAY THAT DARWITZ IS OUT AS G.M.

A LEAGUE SOURCE CONFIRMED WITH THE "STAR TRIBUNE" TODAY THAT A CLASH WITH COACH KEN KLEE WAS THE ISSUE.

KLEE WILL BECOME THE ACTING G.M.

AND MAKE THE TEAM'S PICKS AT MONDAY'S PWHL DRAFT HERE IN ST. PAUL.

RACHEL BLOUNT HAS BEEN COVERING THE TEAM AND THIS STORY FOR THE "STAR TRIBUNE."

YOU CALL THIS A SHOCKER.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THIS IS NOT THE NEWS I INSPECTED TO HEAR THIS MORNING.

NINE DAYS AFTER THEY WON THE CHAMPIONSHIP, THAT THE G.M.

THAT ASSEMBLED THE TEAM IS NOW OUT.

SO THE REASON.

>> Mary: SO THE REASON.

WAS THERE A BIG BLOW-UP?

WAS IT CONSTANT CONFLICT?

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS ISSUE?

>> LEAGUE SOURCES TOLD US TODAY THAT THERE WAS A PERSONALITY CONFLICT BETWEEN DARWITZ AND KLEE.

DARWITZ DID NOT HIRE KLEE.

HER CHOICE FOR HEAD CHOICE, CHARLIE BERGRAF LEFT THE TEAM SHORTLY BEFORE THE SEASON BEGAN, AND THEN THE LEAGUE THEN PUT KLEE INTO THE HEAD COACHING POSITION.

SO THIS WAS NOT A DARWITZ HIRE.

THIS PERSONALITY CONFLICT APPARENTLY PERSISTED THROUGH THE SEASON.

AND KLEE HAD THE BACKING OF A NUMBER OF KEY PLAYERS ON THE TEAM.

KLEE USED TO COACH THE U.S. WOMEN'S NATIONAL TEAM.

AND SO PLAYERS LIKE KENDALL COYNE-SCHOFIELD, LEE STECK LINE, NICOLE HENSLY.

THOSE ARE WOMEN WHO PLAYED FOR KLEE WITH THE NATIONAL TEAM.

HE HAD THEIR BACKING.

AND THE SPECULATION IS, THAT THE LEAGUE DECIDED THAT THE TWO OF THEM COULD NOT COEXIST.

AND KLEE WON OUT.

>> Mary: DARWITZ IS BELOVED IN MINNESOTA.

MAYBE AMONG THE MOST BELOVED FEMALE HOCKEY PLAYERS N THE HISTORY OF OUR STATE.

HOW IS THIS PLAYING WITH AVERAGE MINNESOTANS, DO YOU THINK?

>> I DON'T THINK THIS WILL PLAY WELL AT ALL.

AND I THINK IT'S A BIT OF A RISKY MOVE FOR THE LEAGUE, BECAUSE DARWITZ WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN GETTING THIS TEAM INTO XCEL ENERGY CENTER, INTO GETTING IT INTO TRIA REPRESENTATIVE.

SHE'S BEEN A GREAT FUNDRAISER.

HER CONNECTIONS AND HER STATUS IN THE HOCKEY COMMUNITY HERE ARE HUGE AND KEN KLEE IS NOT A MINNESOTAN.

HE IS FROM COLORADO.

SO I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A LITTLE DIFFICULT FOR HIM TO HAVE THE SAME KIND OF TRACTION.

>> Eric: CAN THERE BE SEXISM IN A WOMEN'S HOCKEY LEAGUE?

>> YOU KNOW, ISN'T THAT AN INTERESTING QUESTION?

IT IS A SURPRISE THAT THE MAN WON, IF THERE AS A CONFLICT BETWEEN A MAN AND WOMAN.

AND YET THE AN WAS BACKED BY POWERFUL WOMEN.

BY POWERFUL WOMEN PLAYERS, SO YOU COULD ALSO LOOK AT IT IT THAT WAY THAT WOMEN STILL WERE THE VICTORS IN THE STRUGGLE BUT IT WAS A LAYER REMOVED.

>> Eric: YOU DID A VERY IN-DEPTH TAKEOUT ON NATALIE DARWITZ AND I GOT THE IMPRESSION THAT SHE WAS PRETTY MUCH A HARD CHARGER.

>> YES, VERY MUCH SO.

I THINK PROBABLY THE ROOT OF THIS IS PROBABLY TWO STRONG PERSONALITIES AND WE ALL KNOW THAT SOMETIMES TWO STRONG PERSONALITIES DON'T MATCH UP WELL.

>> Mary: OR THEY CREATE A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> HOW ABOUT THAT?

ISN'T THAT FANTASTIC.

THE LAST TIME I WAS HERE,, IF YOU REMEMBER, THEY ASKED ME, HOW WAS THE TEAM DOING, AND THEY LOST THAT GAME TWO TO NOTHING.

THEN THEY WON THREE IN A ROW TO MAKE THE FINALS.

THEY WIN IN A FIVE-GAME SERIES AGAINST BOSTON AND THEY'RE THE CHAMPION ALL OF A SUDDEN AFTER HAVING LOST SEVEN GAMES IN A ROW.

THAT ALONE WAS SHOCKING AND NOW TO HAVE THIS TURN F EVENTS IS JUST UNFATHOMABLE.

>> Eric: SO TELL US HOW THIS AFFECTS THE TEAM GOING FORWARD E FORWARD, IF AT ALL.

>> YEAH, WE'LL FIND OUT.

I DON'T BELIEVE THAT EVERYONE IN THAT LOCKER ROOM WAS ON KEN KLEE'S SIDE.

I THINK THERE'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE SOME SPLIT WITH PLAYERS AMONG SOME THAT WERE MORE IN FAVOR OF DARWITZ, SOME THAT WERE MORE IN FAVOR OF KLEE.

AND NOW WE'LL SEE, KEN KLEE WILL BE MAKING THE PICKS IN THE DRAFT ON MONDAY.

SO WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS THERE.

DARWITZ WAS VERY COMMITTED TO CHOOSCHOOSING MINNESOTANS AND CHOOSING AMERICAN PLAYERS.

SHE FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR THIS MARKET, THAT THE FANS IN MY MARKET WANT TO SEE MINNESOTANS PLAY.

PERHAPS HE WILL, BUT WE'LL FIND OUT.

>> Mary: WHAT HAPPENS TO DARWITZ WITHIN THE LEAGUE?

IT SOUNDS LIKE SHE WAS OFFERED SOMETHING ELSE.

IS IT POSSIBLE -- >> THAT OFFER WAS TAKEN OFF THE TABLE TODAY.

SO THAT IS NOT PART OF THE PICTURE ANYMORE.

IT'S HARD TO SAY.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN.

CERTAINLY SOMEONE WILL HIRE HER.

SHE WILL NOT GO JOBLESS FOR LONG BECAUSE SHE, AS WE WERE SAYING, SHE'S CERTAINLY WELL CONNECTED.

SHE PROVED HERSELF IN THE ONE YEAR OF THIS PRO TEAM.

THE ROSTER SHE PUT TOGETHER WON THE TITLE.

AND HE MADE A LOT OF VERY CANNY MOVES IN IS A SM BALING THAT ROSTER.

>> Mary: THIS ISN'T LIKE THE NHL.

THERE'S NOT AS MANY OTHER JOBS OUT THERE YET.

>> I DON'T KNOW THAT SHE'S GOING TO ET ANOTHER JOB IN THIS LEAGUE.

SHE HAS TWO YOUNG SONS.

HER FAMILY IS WELL ESTABLISHED HERE.

I DON'T SEE HER MOVING TO A DIFFERENT CITY TO STAY WITHIN THE LEAGUE.

>> Eric: THE PLOT THICKENS.

>> INDEED IT DOES.

>> Mary: AND YAY, WOMEN, FOR WINNING THE TITLE.

JUST SAY THAT OUT LOUD.

>> Eric: ABSOLUTELY.

A TOP EXECUTIVE FROM NIPPON STEEL OF JAPAN WAS BACK IN THE U.S.

THIS WEEK.

VICE PRESIDENT TAKAHIRO MORI IS TRYING TO DRUM UP SUPPORT FOR A $14.9 BILLION CASH BID TO PURCHASE U.S. STEEL.

BUT THE DEAL FACES POLITICAL AND REGULATORY SCRUTINY AND A POWERFUL UNION.

REPORTER KAOMI LEE HAS THIS REPORT.

>> THE FUTURE IS NOW.

LOOK WHAT THEY'VE CREATED.

[ Applause ] >> Kaomi: U.S. STEEL PRESIDENT DAVID BURRETT CELEBRATED A MILESTONE WEEKS AGO WITH STATE OFFICIALS ON THE IRON RANGE.

>> IT'S GREAT TO SEE THIS AS A WONDERFUL GREEN PROJECT.

YOU KNOW?

IT'S GREAT.

YOU KNOW, GREEN, GREAT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.

GREAT FOR THE COMPANY.

GREAT FOR OUR EMPLOYEES.

>> Kaomi: THE PITTSBURGH BASED COMPANY PUMPED IN $150 MILLION INTO IT'S KEYTAC TACONITE IRON ORE PLANT.

THE FACILITY NOW PRODUCES DIRECT REDUCTION IRON ORE PELLETS FOR TEEL MAKING.

THOSE PELLETS FEED ELECTRIC ARC FURNACES THAT CUT CO2 EMISSIONS BY 70%.

ON HAND TO HERE ABOUT IT WERE SOME OVERSEAS GUESTS.

>> WE ALSO HAVE SOME OTHER PEOPLE I'D LIKE TO STAND AND BE RECOGNIZED HERE.

FROM NIPPON.

WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THE FUTURE.

IT'S -- IT'S SOMETHING THAT WAS SURPRISING THAT WE ENDED UP IN THIS PLACE.

>> Kaomi: NIPPON STEEL OF JAPAN HAS OFFERED TO BUY U.S. STEEL IN CASH FOR $14.9 BILLION, BOTH PRESIDENT BIDEN AND PRESUMPTIVE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE DONALD TRUMP OPPOSE THE DEAL.

U.S. STEEL AND ITS SHAREHOLDERS, HOWEVER, ARE CLEARLY WON OVER.

>> THIS IS GREAT FOR U.S. STEEL.

U.S. STEEL CORPORATION REMAINS, KEEPS ITS HEADQUARTERS, KEEPS ITS BRAND.

>> Kaomi: U.S. STEEL IS SAYING VERY LITTLE ABOUT THE DEAL THAT UNDERSCORES HOW SENSITIVE IT IS.

HERE T STEEL WORKERS LOCAL 1938, LEADERSHIP DID ANT TO TALK.

THE UNION REPRESENTS 1300 WORKERS.

NATIONWIDE, STEEL WORKERS ARE AGAINST THE DEAL.

WHY WOULD THIS POTENTIAL DEAL BY NIPPON STEEL BE BAD FOR YOUR MEMBERS?

>> POSSIBLE BROKEN PROMISES THAT WE'RE HEARING ABOUT BY NIPPON AND U.S. STEEL.

WE HAVE THE SUCCESSORSHIP LANGUAGE IN PLACE THAT ACCORDING TO OUR INTERNATIONAL UNION ND WE'VE BOTH BEEN OUT THERE, FOUR MEETINGS, THAT JUST -- WHAT THEY'RE SAYING AND WHAT THEY'RE SENDING OUT FOR LITERATURE IS NOT WHAT THEY'RE TELLING OUR INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP.

>> Kaomi: OF TOP CONCERN IS RETIREE PENSION AND HEALTH BENEFITS.

THE GOLDEN PROMISE FOR THOUSANDS OF UNION MEMBERS, RETIREES AND THEIR FAMILIES.

>> IT'S THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE MAJORITY OF THEIR LIVES IN THIS, IN THESE PLACES, AND THEY'RE COUNTING ON WORKING UNTIL RETIREMENT OR VERY CLOSE TO RETIREMENT.

>> Kaomi: NIPPON STEEL DID NOT RESPOND TO OUR MEDIA REQUESTS, BUT ON A PRESS RELEASE ON ITS WEBSITE, VICE CHAIRMAN TAKAHIRO MORI STATES OUR GOAL FOR THIS TRANSACTION HAS BEEN CLEAR AND CONSISTENT, TO PROTECT AND GROW U.S. STEEL.

WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT THIS TRANSACTION WILL BE FOR THE BENEFITTED OF ALL ALL U.S. STEEL STAKEHOLDERS INCLUDING CUSTOMERS, EMPLOYEES, SUPPLIERS AND COMMUNITIES.

THE COMPANY SAYS IT HAS CLEARED NON-U.S. REGULATORY APPROVALS, BUT THE SALE STILL FACES SCRUTINY FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND THE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN INVESTMENT.

SOME WORKERS SAY THEY'D HOPED THAT A ALE TO DOMESTIC COMPETITOR CLEVELAND CLIFFS WOULD KEEP IT U.S.

OWNED.

OTHERS SAY THAT THINKING IS SHORT SIGHTED.

>> WE NEED NIPPON STEEL MORE THAN THEY NEED US.

AND FRANKLY, ALL OF THE GROUP IN STEEL DEMAND IS COMING FROM THE EMERGING MARKETS.

AND THE U.S. STEEL INDUSTRY IS JUST MISSING IN ACTION THERE.

WE'RE NOT THERE.

WE'RE NOT PRESENT.

AND SO IF WE WANT TO GROW OUR STEEL INDUSTRY, IF WE WANT OUR WORKERS TO HAVE, YOU KNOW, SECURE GREAT JOBS IN THE FUTURE, WE HAVE TO BE PRESENT IN TERMS OF BEING ABLE TO SUPPLY THE WORLD'S STEEL DEMAND.

>> Kaomi: ZAHIR SAYS NIPPON STEEL HAS INVESTED HEAVILY IN TECHNOLOGY.

IT'S ALSO USING CLEANER FUELS THAN THE U.S. STEEL INDUSTRY.

SHE SAYS WHAT NIPPON STEEL WANTS IS TO EXPAND ITS U.S.

FOOTHOLD.

>> THE U.S. IS STILL THE LARGEST IMPORTER OF STEEL IN THE WORLD.

SO THE US MARKET STILL MATTERS AND I THINK WHAT THEY ARE SEEING IS THE PROTECTIONISM.

AND IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO WINS THIS NEXT ELECTION.

IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THE TARIFFS OR THE PROTECTIONISM IS GOING TO GO AWAY.

>> Kaomi: WORK CULTURES BETWEEN THE TWO STEEL MAKERS MIGHT NOT BE SO FAR APART.

IN MINNESOTA JAPAN'S BUSINESS FOOTPRINT IS GROWING.

JAPAN IS A TOP FIVE TRADING PARTICIPATE WITH THE STATE.

>> WHEN I SAW THE TRADE OFFICE, WE WERE AROUND 20 JAPANESE INVESTMENTS.

AS OF TODAY, WE'RE ALMOST AT 50.

50 COMPANIES DECIDED TO CHOOSE MINNESOTA AS THEIR HEADQUARTERS.

AS THEIR U.S. HEADQUARTERS.

YES.

>> Kaomi: U.S. STEEL AND ITS UNION WILL MEET IN ARBITRATION ON AUGUST 15TH OVER CONTRACT GRIEGRIEVANCES.

THE LABOR AGREEMENT RUBS UNTIL 2026.

NIPPON STEEL SAYS IT EXPECTS TO CLOSE THE DEAL THE SECOND HALF OF THIS YEAR.

IT SAYS IT WILL HONOR THE LABOR AGREEMENT AND THERE WILL BE NO LAYOFFS.

BUT UNION LOCAL LEADERS AREN'T CONVINCED.

>> WE KNOW THE UP AND DOWNS OF STEEL MAKING AND OUR MINES.

IT CAN HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.

THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES ON LAYOFFS.

>> INITIALLY IT CAME OUT NO LAYOFFS UNTIL 2026.

>> THE MAJORITY OF OUR MEMBERS LOOKED AT AND SAID, AND THEN WHAT?

♪♪♪ >> MARK: SOME PEOPLE THINK YOU HAVE TO ROW ACROSS LAKE SUPERIOR OR ICE-BIKE UP A GLACIER TO GET YOUR HEART IN SHAPE, BUT THERE ARE EASIER WAYS.

A NEW EUROPEAN STUDY SHOWS THAT CLIMBING STAIRS INSTEAD OF TAKING THE ELEVATOR REDUCES YOUR RISK OF HEART DISEASE.

WE’RE NOT TALKING ABOUT SCALING THE FOSHAY TOWER.

CLIMBING FIVE OR SIX STORIES A DAY CAN REDUCE YOUR RISK OF A HEART ATTACK BY ALMOST 40%.

IT’S LIKE A QUICK HIT OF AEROBIC EXERCISE, NOT ENOUGH TO MAKE YOU START SWEATING, BUT ENOUGH TO LOWER YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE AND BLOOD SUGAR FOR HOURS AFTERWARD.

MOST AMERICANS DON'T GET ENOUGH EXERCISE, ALTHOUGH OUR TYPING FINGERS ARE CONSTANTLY GETTING A WORKOUT.

UNTIL SOMEONE COMES UP WITH A 25-POUND WIRELESS MOUSE, WE’RE NEVER GOING TO CATCH UP.

WORKING NIGHTS IN THE HOSPITAL, WE WOULD ALWAYS TAKE THE STAIRS TO “CODE BLUE” EMERGENCIES.

THIS WAS RISKY BECAUSE WE WERE GROGGY.

PLUS, OUR STETHOSCOPES COULD FLY UP AND HIT US IN THE FACE.

WE HAD NO IDEA WE WERE GETTING LIFE-SAVING AEROBIC EXERCISE INSTEAD OF SLEEP.

THE BEST THING IS STAIRS ARE ALREADY A PART OF DAILY LIFE.

YOU DON'T NEED TO GO TO A GYM OR PUT ON LYCRA SPANDEX SHORTS, LIKE IN A 1981 OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN VIDEO.

IT'S A LOT SIMPLER, AND CHEAPER, TO FIND SOME STAIRS, AND WAY EASIER THAN A TRIATHLON OR FULL CONTACT KARATE.

YOU CAN EVEN SET YOUR APPLE WATCH TO COUNT STAIRS, JUST LIKE STEPS.

BECAUSE, AS EVERYONE KNOWS, IF IT’S NOT ON YOUR WATCH, IT DIDN’T HAPPEN.

PEOPLE THINK STAIRS ARE RISKY, BUT ELEVATORS CAN BREAK AND GET STUCK BETWEEN FLOORS.

NO ONE HAS EVER BEEN TRAPPED FOR 3 1/2 HOURS ON STAIRS.

PLUS, CHECK OUT “THE SHAFT,” THE 2001 HORROR FILM STARRING NAOMI WATTS.

THE TRAILER ALONE WILL MAKE YOU SWEAR OFF ELEVATORS FOREVER.

SO THINK TWICE BEFORE HOPPING ON THE LIFT.

AND, IF YOU'RE ABLE, HOP UP THE STAIRS INSTEAD.

FOR ME, IT WAS ACTUALLY PRETTY EASY.

ALL I DID WAS MOVE MY COMPUTER AND ALL THE SNACK FOODS TO THE SECOND FLOOR.

THAT’S LIKE 29 OR 30 FLIGHTS A DAY RIGHT THERE.

♪♪♪ >> MARY: THIS SUNDAY, A CONCERT AT MINNEAPOLIS' MACPHAIL CENTER FOR MUSIC WILL HIGHLIGHT THE WORKS OF THREE NATIVE AMERICAN CLASSICAL COMPOSERS.

THE CONCERT, CALLED "NATIVE SPIRITS SING," IS THE BRAINCHILD OF MACPHAIL FACULTY MEMBER AND PIANIST PINAR BASGOZE.

AND JOINING US REMOTELY IS JEROD TATE, ONE OF THE THREE COMPOSERS FEATURED IN THE CONCERT.

WELCOME TO YOU BOTH.

FIRST OF ALL, JUST EXPLAIN THIS.

THIS IS YOUR BABY.

WHAT IS IT?

[ Laughter ] >> GROWING UP IN A CROSS-CULTURAL MUSICAL ENVIRONMENT, MYSELF, I'VE ALWAYS GOTTEN EXPOSED TO TURKISH FOLK MUSIC, CLASSICAL TURKISH ART MUSIC, BLENDED WITH WESTERN CLASSICAL MUSIC.

THAT WAS MY ENVIRONMENT.

AND THEN ONCE I MOVED TO MINNESOTA, I WAS URIOUS ABOUT THE MUSICAL CULTURE OF THE PLACE I IMMIGRATED TO, I CALL HOME.

AND I HAVE A PIANO DUO.

I'M THE COFOUNDER OF A MEAN YEAR DUO WITH PORTUGUESE AMERICAN PIANIST.

WE ARE THE I RECIPIENT OF THE MINNESOTA STATE ARTS BOARD GRANTED AND FOR THAT GRANT, WE COMPOSED COMMISSIONING THREE DIFFERENT COMPOSERS FROM THREE DIFFERENT CULTURES, TURKEY, PORT GAL, AND MINNESOTA.

RESPECTIVELY.

TO WRITE A PIECE FOR PIANO ENSEMBLE AND A NARRATOR.

AFTER PURR YOU ARE SUING THAT, WE WANTED TO EXPAND THAT REPERTOIRE WITH NATIVE COMPOSERS.

>> Eric: OKAY.

ER YOD, ARE YOU THERE?

>> I'M RIGHT HERE.

>> OH, GREAT.

ARE THERE CHARACTERISTICS OF NATIVE COMPOSERS TO KIND OF THE TRADITIONAL EUROPEAN COMPOSERS OR IS IT SO INDIVIDUAL YOU CAN'T REALLY MAKE THAT KIND OF COMPARISON?

>> OH, I MEAN, IT'S VERY, VERY INDIVIDUAL.

AND BY THE WAY -- [ SPEAKING NATIVE AMERICAN LANGUAGE ] IT'S JUST LIKE ANY HISTORIC COMPOSER THAT COMES FROM ETHNICITIES.

IF OU LOOK AT THE RUSSIANS AND, ALL OF THEM WERE VERY, VERY STEEPED IN THEIR RUSSIAN IDENTITY.

BUT THEY ALL SOUNDED VERY, VERY DIFFERENT.

AND DARE I SAY, THEY WOULDN'T BE CAUGHT IN THE SAME ROOM WITH EACH OTHER.

SO -- BUT YOU'RE JUST GOING TO FIND ALL KINDS OF DIVERSE TREATMENTS OF ETHNICITY JUST LIKE YOU DO IN THE VISUAL ARTS.

I MEAN, WE'VE GOT ALL KINDS OF AMERICAN INDIAN VISUAL ARTS THAT PEOPLE PLY OUT FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD TO COME TO THE SANTA FE INTEREVERYONE MARKET TO FIND OUT WHAT'S NEW AND EVERYBODY'S DIFFERENT AND EVERYBODY'S TRYING TO MAKE A DIFFERENT UNIQUE VOICE, VERY, VERY SIMILAR IN ALL THE OTHER GENRES OF THE FINE ARTS.

>> Mary: TALK TO US MORE ABOUT MINNESOTA AND OUR RICH AMERICAN INDIAN TRIBES THAT ARE HERE.

>> WELL, I MEAN, YOU'VE GOTH LOTS OF O OJIBWE TAPE FOLKS UP THERE.

SO THERE'S LOTS OF BANDS OF NATIVE FOLKS UP IN MINNESOTA.

SO IT'S LIKE YOU'VE GOT 10,000 LAKES AND YOU'VE ALSO GOT ABOUT 10,000 ETHNICITIES AND BANDS OF INDIANS.

SO MINNESOTA CAN BE VERY, VERY PROUD OF THEIR NATIVE HISTORY AS WELL.

AND SO I THINK THEY SHOULD JUST FEEL AKIN TO IT AND JUST JUST FEEL WARM HAND SHAKES WITH THEIR NEIGHBORS.

>> Eric: THIS IS NATIVE COMPOSERS ON NATIVE LAND.

YOU'RE LOCATED IN THAT AREA RIGHT BY THE GUTHRIE.

>> YES, YES, DEFINITELY.

AND WE -- THE FIRST TIME IN MACPHAIL'S HISTORY, WE PREPARED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT, BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MANY EVENTS GOING ON, AND THEN THEY'RE MUSIC EVENTS.

AND THEN ALTHOUGH WE HAVE HUGE RESPECT FOR LL THE ELDERS OF DAKOTA AND ANISHINAABE AND OJIBWE, ALL THE OTHER NATIONS LOCATED HERE, THIS IS GOING TO BE THE FIRST TIME ACTUALLY WE'RE GOING TO, LIKE, OFFICIALLY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT BEFORE THE CONCERT.

AND, YEAH.

>> Mary: LET'S TALK MORE ABOUT THE WORK JEROD, IF WE CAN GO BACK TO YOU.

YOU'RE COMPOSING SOMETHING WE'RE GOING TO HEAR AND ALSO SOMETHING THAT'S DIFFERENT IN THE SHOW ITSELF.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT?

>> SURE, WELL, THE PIECE I BELIEVE THAT YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR FROM THE CELLIST SOLO WAS WRITTEN FOR A VIOLINIST AND HER TOUR WAS CALLED FOUR STRINGS AROUND THE WORLD BECAUSE YOU HAVE FOUR STRINGS ON THE INSTRUMENT.

SO I JUST CALLED THE PIECE FOUR.

BUT IT IS ACTUALLY BASED IN ONE OF OUR TRADITIONAL CHICKASAW HYMNS.

SO IT'S KIND OF A CENTERPIECE BUT THERE'S LOTS OF POETIC ABSTRACTION AROUND THAT AT THE BEGINNING AND AT THE END OF THE WORK.

>> Eric: AND DO YOU PLAN TO EXPAND THIS NOW?

YOU'VE GOT THREE COMPOSERS.

HOW MANY MORE ARE OUT THERE THAT WOULD LIKE TO GET THIS KIND OF EXPOSURE?

>> OH, THERE ARE SO MANY MORE NATIVE COMPOSERS THAT I DISCOVERED OR REDISCOVERED.

OF COURSE ONE OF THEM ASK THE BRILLIANT JEROD TATE.

BUT MY FIRST DISCOVERY STARTED WITH DR. LOU YES WAYNE BALLARD FROM TULSA, FROM NEW MEXICO.

AND THE DR. BALLARD IS CONSIDERED AS THE FATHER OF NATIVE AMERICAN COMPOSERS.

AS BEING THE -- BEING AS PURSUING A CAREER IN SYMPHONIC WRITING.

>> Eric: LET ME MAKE SURE WE, THIS IS JUNE 9TH, SUNDAY.

PRE-CONCERT PROGRAM AT 6:00 P.M. CONCERT AT 6:30 AT MACPHAIL.

AND YOU CAN FIND THE ADDRESS ONLINE.

>> YES.

>> Mary: THANK YOU, PINAR AND JEROD.

IN JUST A MINUTE, CELLO PLAYER REBECCA MERBLUM IS GOING TO PLAY ONE OF JEROD TATE'S PIECES.

WE JUST NEED TO MOVE A COUPLE OF CAMERAS OVER TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STUDIO.

WHILE WE DO THAT, TAKE A LOOK AT SOME TAPE FROM THE ARCHIVES.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK WITH REBECCA'S PERFORMANCE.

♪♪♪ >> WE'RE ON HE ROAD.

AND OH, NO.

YOU GET FLAT.

WHO JUMPS OUT FIRST TO FIX IT?

YOU OR THE CREW?

>> ME.

AND I CAN TELL YOU STORIES ABOUT THAT.

>> I GIVE YOU CREDIT.

>> WE RUN OUT OF GAS, THEY SIT THERE, AND I GO, WELL, WE GOT TO GET GAS.

>> WELL, START WALKING, JASON.

>> I'VE BEEN TOLD A FORMER GOVERNOR IN MINNESOTA -- AS THE GUY WHO MADE THAT HAPPEN.

HOW DO YOU WANT US AVERAGE MINNESOTANS TO CELEBRATE YOUR DAY.

>> EVERYBODY TAKE HE DAY OFF.

>> STAY AT HOME R TRAVEL?

>> DO WHATEVER YOU WANT.

BUT DON'T GO TO WORK.

>> David: REAT.

THANK YOU FOR THAT.

♪♪♪ [ SOMBER CELLO MUSIC ] ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ [ SOMBER CELLO MUSIC ] ♪♪♪ [ SOMBER CELLO MUSIC ] ♪♪♪ [ Applause ] ♪♪♪ [ UPBEAT MUSIC ] ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ >> MARY: JUNE IS PRIDE MONTH, AND THERE ARE LOTS OF CELEBRATIONS PLANNED IN THE COMING WEEKS.

THE PAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION WAS HIGHLIGHTED BY THE MINNESOTA QUEER CAUCUS, AND THE WORK CONTINUES FOR ADVOCATES LIKE OUTFRONT MINNESOTA, THE STATE'S LARGEST LGBTQ+ ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION.

THEY'VE BEEN ACTIVE UP AT THE CAPITOL, AND HERE WITH US NOW IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, KAT ROHN.

WELL, LET'S TALK ABOUT KIND OF A TOUGH SITUATION WHICH WE'RE STILL UNFOLDING AND FINDING DETAILS ABOUT A STUDENT ASSAULTED IN A HOPKINS BATHROOM.

SOUNDS LIKE IT COULD MIRROR AN INCIDENT WITH ANOTHER TRANS STUDENT ELSEWHERE.

WHAT DO YOU KNOW AT THIS POINT?

>> YEAH, WE'VE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH THE FAMILY AND HAVE BEEN IN COMMUNICATION WITH MANY MEMBERS OF THE HOPKINS COMMUNITY.

UNFORTUNATELY, A TRANS STUDENT WAS VIOLENTLY ATTACKED IN HOPKINS, JUST ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF AGO.

AND AS THE COMMUNITY CONTINUES TO ESPOND, YOU KNOW, WE'RE GATHERING MORE DETAILS.

BUT CERTAINLY WE BELIEVE IT MAY BE A BIASED MOTIVATED INCIDENT.

THANKFULLY THEY HAVE A SUPPORTIVE FAMILY AND COMMUNITY.

BUT WE KNOW THAT THESE INCIDENTS CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE INCLUDING HERE IN MINNESOTA.

>> Mary: AND DID IT TAKE SOME TIME?

I DEFINITELY HEARD THERE WAS SOME CRITICISM.

WHEN YOU SAY A WEEK AND A HALF AGO, THIS FEELS LIKE IT TOOK A LITTLE WHILE TO COMMUNICATE?

>> YEAH, I MEAN, I THINK THERE'S CERTAINLY SOME CONCERNS AROUND HOW THE SCHOOL COMMUNICATED ABOUT THE TIMELINE TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS, TO MEMBERS OF THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY WESTBOUND THE HOPKINS HIGH SCHOOL.

AND WE CERTAINLY HAVE SOME CONCERNS ABOUT THE OVERALL IMMEDIATE RESPONSE AND, YOU KNOW, THE SCHOOL'S RESPONSE TO THE LEVEL OF SEVERITY OF THE INJURIES THAT WERE SUSTAINED BY THE VICTIM.

SO THERE'S STILL MORE PIECES TO NCOVER AND FIGURE OUT.

>> Mary: AND SEVERE INJURIES, IT SOUNDS LIKE BROKEN JAW IN MULTIPLE PLACES, CRACKED TEETH.

THIS DOESN'T SOUND LIKE IT WAS A MINOR ASSAULTS.

>> NO, I DON'T THINK THERE ARE ANY MINOR ASSAULTS BUT THIS IS CERTAINLY ONE THAT IS EXTRAORDINARY SEVERE AND FORTUNATELY.

THE STUDENT DID RECEIVE MEDICAL ATTENTION ND IS RECOVERING WITH THEIR FAMILY NOW.

BUT WE KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW, UNFORTUNATELY THAT'S NOT ALWAYS THE CASE.

>> Eric: DO YOU EVER TALK TO SOME OF THE ELDER ADVOCATES OF THE MOVEMENT OF OUTFRONT AND DO THEY MARVIN YELL AS WHAT'S BEEN ACCOMPLISHED FOR YOU FOLKS IN THE '23-'24 SESSION?

>> YEAH, I HAD A CHANCE TO SIT DOWN WITH JACK BAKER AND A NUMBER OF THE OTHER ADVOCATES WHO WERE INVOLVED IN MINNEAPOLIS'S NONDISCRIMINATION ORDINANCE IN THE 1970s AND I THINK WE ALL LOOK AND MAR 1RE8 AT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE SOME SO FAR IN 50-PLUS EARS OF ADVOCACY WORK THAT'S BEEN DONE HERE IN THIS COMMUNITY AND YET THERE'S STILL MORE WORK TO BE DONE.

>> Eric: THE E.R.A.

NOT PASSING, WAS THAT A PARTICULAR DISAPPOINTMENT TO U?

>> YEAH, I THINK IT WAS A DISAPPOINTMENT FOR ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES, AND LGBTQ MEMBERS, WOMEN WHO HAVE FOUGHT FOR THE E.R.A.

FOR MANY YEARS, WE CAME SO CLOSE WITH THE PASSAGE THROUGH THE HOUSE THIS YEAR BUT WITHOUT THE TIME TO DO THE WORK IN THE SENATE.

>> Mary: YOUR D.F.L.

ALLIES WHO CONTROL ALL OF STATE GOVERNMENT HAVE DELIVERED ON A LOT OF THINGS.

I THINK YOU STILL HAVE MORE.

HOW CONCERNED ARE YOU NOW THAT THE SENATE'S GOING TO BE UP WITH A SPECIAL ELEGISLATION AND THE WHOLE HOUSE IS UP?

ARE YOU CONCERNED THAT PARTY AFFILIATION COULD CHANGE AT THE CAPITOL?

>> I THINK, FOR LGBTQ COMMUNITIES, THERE HASN'T BEEN ANY GUARANTEE.

WE HAD A UNIQUE INTAITION COMING INTO 2023 WHERE FOR THE FIRST TIME WE SAW A FULLY LGBTQ SUPPORTIVE TRIFECTA.

AND I THINK THAT WAS A UNIQUE SITUATION.

IT'S CERTAINLY ONE THAT WE HOPE TO EPLICATE IN THE YEARS TO COME BECAUSE THERE IS SO MUCH WORK TO DO.

AND SO I THINK FOR LGBTQ ADVOCATES PART OF OUR JOB IS SHARING THE GREAT WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS AND HELPING TO MAKE THE CASE TO LGBTQ MINNESOTANS AND TO OUR ALLIES ACROSS THE STATE THAT WE NEED THAT MAJORITY TO KEEP MOVING THE WORK AHEAD.

>> Eric: PRIDE WEEKEND IN MINNEAPOLIS IS WELL KNOWN.

AS A POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC POWER HOUSE FOR THE CITY.

GETTING A LITTLE MORE TRACTION IN GREATER MINNESOTA?

>> YEAH, JUST SO ACTUALLY THIS WEEKEND, WE HAVE ALMOST A DOZEN PRIDE EVENTS ALL AROUND THE STATE INCLUDING -- >> Eric: FEEL FREE TO CLEAR YOUR THROAT.

>> Mary: YEAH, IT'S FINE.

WE'RE LIVE.

>> SO INCLUDING HASTINGS, MINNESOTA, RED WING, ANOKA, MARSHALL, MINNESOTA, DULUTH IS HOSTING A TRANS JOY FESTIVAL.

SO TWIN CITIES PRIDE, GREAT EVENT.

LOVE TO BE THERE.

GREAT TO SEE THE HUGE CROWDS.

BUT WHAT'S BEEN REALLY BEAUTIFUL TO SEE OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS HAS BEEN JUST THE BEAUTY OF ALL THESE SMALL TOWN PRIDES STEPPING UP AND CREATING -- >> Eric: YOU HAVE DIVERSE GROUPS WITHIN YOUR COALITION.

AND I WONDER HOW YOU KEEP EVERYBODY ROWING THE BOTH IN THE SAME DIRECTION?

>> NO, I DON'T THINK THERE IS ANY LGBTQ COMMUNITY MONOLITH BUT WIESK WHAT HOLDS US TOGETHER THE IS THE SENSE THAT WHEN WE COME TOGETHER AS COMMUNITIES WE CAN LIFT UP ALL THE CONCERNS AND KEEP WORK MOVING FORWARD AND HISTORICALLY AS A MOVEMENT THAT STRENGTH OF WHEN WE'VE COME TOGETHER WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE THESE BIG STRIDES AND BIG PIECES OF PROGRESS I THINK IS WHAT HOLDS THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER AND IT'S THE FACT THAT FOR SO MANY OF US, BEING MARGINALIZED, BEING ON THE OUTSIDE, FINDING ANYONE WHO HAS THAT SHARED EXPERIENCE AND SUPPORT AND UNDERSTANDING IS SUCH A GREAT THING TO HAVE.

AND SO THAT KEEPS US TOGETHER.

>> Mary: IS THERE A PLACE WHERE FOLKS CAN GO TO FIND OUT ABOUT EVENTS IN THEIR COMMUNITY AND STATEWIDE?

>> YEAH, SO OUTFRONT.ORG/PRIDE, WE HAVE OUR LIST OF EVENTS, ALSO HAS A GREAT LIST OF EVENTS ALL OVER THE STATE THROUGHOUT THE MONTH.

GLAD TO BE HERE.

♪♪♪ >> ♪ OH, YEAH ♪ >> MARY: NEXT WEEK, A MEMORIAL SERVICE WILL HONOR THE LIFE OF ANOTHER FALLEN OFFICER IN MINNESOTA.

THIS WEEK, THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED NEW FUNDING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT STRUGGLING TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN OFFICERS.

IN THE PLACE WHERE THE RECKONING BEGAN, THE RELATIONSHIP WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE PEOPLE IN POWER IS CHANGING.

HERE'S SOME CONTEXT.

>> NOTED STEP FORWARD.

>> Mary: A STEP FORWARD ON A CEREMONIAL BILL SIGNING ON GUN VIOLENCE STANDING WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> IT IS A LAW ENFORCEMENT BILL.

>> Mary: DFL LAWMAKERS ARE INCREASINGLY SEEN ON THE SIDE OF PUBLIC SAFETY, SOMETHING THE HAIR OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE CELEBRATES.

>> DEMOCRATS, POLITICIANS STANDING SIDE BY SIDE WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT, WHAT DOES THAT SIGNAL?

>> IT SIGNALS SO MUCH OF THE WORK THAT WE'VE BEEN DOING FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS SINCE I'VE BEEN CHAIR OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE AND REALLY THE ONGOING WORK THAT WE'VE BEEN DOING TO SUPPORT OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIRST RESPONDERS.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT CRITICS OUT THERE SAY DEMOCRATS WANT TO EFUND THE POLICE?

>> THEY ARE LOOKING AT A COUPLE OF PEOPLE THAT SAID THAT SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND NOT ACTUALLY LOOKING AT THE BODY OF WORK THAT WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

AGAIN, WE HAD $300 MILLION IN PUBLIC SAFETY AID THROUGH THE TAX BILL LAST EAR.

WE'VE HAD MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> Mary: ELECTED OFFICIALS SEEM MORE EAGER TO APPEAR WITH OFFICERS IN UNIFORM AFTER THE DIFFICULT JOURNEY FOLLOWING THE POLICE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD.

>> WE CAN CHERISH GOOD POLICING AND KNOW THAT GOOD POLICING AND IS CRITICAL AND SACRED FOR OUR COMMUNITIES WHILE, AND ACTUALLY REQUIRING ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRR.

>> I THINK IT HAS BEEN A RECKONING THAT THE COUNTRY HAS HAD.

I THINK MINNESOTA HAS BEEN SOMEWHAT AT THE CENTER OF IT.

I WANT TO CONGRATULATE AND THANK, WHEN YOU SEE LAW ENFORCEMENT STANDING HERE, ASKING US TO DO THINGS TO MAKE THEIR JOB SAFER.

>> Mary: THE BILL INCREASES PENALTIES FOR STRAW PURCHASES OF GUNS AND HIGH CAPACITY ADDITIONS.

>> THIS IS A COMMON SENSE LAW.

WE'RE VERY LUCKY TO HAVE IT.

>> THIS BILL BEING SIGNED IS TRULY AN IMPORTANT PIECE TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> Mary: THIS AS THE SHOOTING DEATH OF ANOTHER FIRST RESPONDER IS HITTING HARD.

>> OUR COMMUNITY CONTINUES TO GRIEVE AND WALK THE ARDUOUS PATH OF HEALING.

THIS PAST WEEK WE LOST ANOTHER REMARKABLE HERO.

>> LAST WEEK, OUR WHOLE STATE WAS THRUST INTO MOURNING.

>> Mary: AFTER TWO REALLY TRAGIC LOSSES, A NOTICE VISIBLE INCREASE IN SUPPORT.

IS THAT FAIR?

>> I THINK THAT IS FAIR AND IT IS REALLY TRAGIC AND HORRIBLE AND OUR HEARTS JUST BREAK FOR THOSE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS WHO LOST THEIR LIVES, THEIR LOVED ONES, AND THEN ALL OF THE OTHER FIRST ESPONDERS WHO ARE PUTTING THEMSELVES IN THE LINE OF DAY WITH EACH CALL THEY HAVE.

>> Mary: CHAIR MOLLER IS A HENNEPIN COUNTY PROSECUTOR SO SHE CAN'T COMMENT ABOUT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY DROPPING CHARGES AGAINST THE TROOP YER.

>> BASED ON THAT NEW EVIDENCE, WE WOULD NO LONGER BE ABLE TO SUCCEED AT TRIAL.

>> WAS THE GOVERNOR GOING TO TAKE THE CASE ROM YOU?

>> Mary: SOURCES SAID GOVERNOR WALZ WAS SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING TAKING THE TROOPER CASE AWAY FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND REASSIGNING IT TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AS POLITICAL PRESSURE WAS MOUNTING.

>> THE COUNTY ATTORNEY GOT TO THE RIGHT ECISION.

>> Mary: GOVERNOR, HOW CLOSE WERE YOU TO TAKING THE CASE?

>> AT SOME POINT, HAD THIS DECISION NOT BEEN MADE, THAT, YES, WE WOULD HAVE DONE THAT.

I ALSO SAY THAT THEY DON'T TAKE IT LIGHTLY.

I THINK THAT IS THE WRONG -- IT SHOULD NOT BE THAT WAY BUT THERE IS A SAFETY NET IN THERE TO ALLOW AN EGREGIOUS SITUATION LIKE THIS TO BE CORRECTED AND, YES, WE WOULD HAVE USED THAT.

>> Mary: THE STATE PATROL IS OVERSEEN BY OUR GOVERNOR.

OUR GOVERNOR WHO'S BEEN VERY ACTIVE IN INSERTING HIMSELF INTO THIS CASE.

>> Mary: THE COUNTY ATTORNEY ALSO A DEMOCRAT WAS HIGHLY CRITICAL OF THE GOVERNOR WHO'S THE HEAD OF THE STATE PATROL AND ITS TROOPERS.

>> WHY IS IT APPROPRIATE FOR A GOVERNOR WHO HAS NEVER PICKED UP THE PHONE TO CALL ME, WHO IS NOT A LAWYER, WHO DOES NOT UNDERSTAND THE NUANCES OF THE CASE TO TALK ABOUT IT PUBLICLY?

TO CENTER MR. LONDREGAN AS BEING THE VICTIM IN THIS CASE?

WHY HAS THAT BEEN APPROPRIATE?

WHY HASN'T THAT BEEN CALLED OUT?

>> BECAUSE IT'S MY RESPONDENT ON THAT CHECKS AND BALANCE.

THAT AUTHORITY IS GIVEN TO US BY STATE LAW TO BE ABLE TO TAKE A LOOK AT THESE THINGS.

>> HAVING THE GOVERNOR WEIGH IN AND QUESTION OUR STAFF'S INTEGRITY, NOBODY WANTS TO BE THE SUBJECT OF THAT.

>> Mary: THE SAME DAY THE GOVERNOR CEREMONIOUSLY SIGNED A BILL ADDRESSING GUN VIOLENCE, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY CRITICIZED POLICY LEADERS FOLLOWING THE MINNEAPOLIS OFFICER'S DEATH.

>> ONCE AGAIN, WE EAR POLITICIANS TALK OF HEROIC FIRST RESPONDERS AND STERNLY TELL US THAT HIS UST NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN.

>> WE HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN TO KEEP THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.

>> BUT WE KNOW IT WILL.

WE KNOW IT WILL BECAUSE IT HAS.

AND WE HAVE DONE VERY LITTLE TO ADDRESS THE SYSTEMIC ISSUES THAT ENABLE IT TO CONTINUE TO HAPPEN.

♪♪♪ >> Eric: FULL CONTROL OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE IS NOW ON THE BALLOT IN NOVEMBER.

STATE SENATOR KELLY MORRISON OFFICIALLY RESIGNED HER SEAT THIS WEEK AS SHE CONTINUES HER RUN FOR CONGRESS AND THE SPECIAL ELECTION WILL COINCIDE WITH THE NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION.

SENATOR MORRISON'S OPEN SEAT ERASES THE DFL'S ONE SEAT CONTROL OF THE STATE SENATE.

DEMOCRATS ON THE COUCH TONIGHT.

KARL LA BIGHAM, OW A WASHINGTON COUNTY COMMISSIONER.

ABOU AMARA.

REPUBLICANS WITH US TONIGHT.

SPHOIK SPHOIK, SPHORMER STATE SENATOR ALSO A PRACTICING ATTORNEY AND ANNETTE MEEKS.

NOW HEAD OF THE FREEDOM FOUNDATION OF MINNESOTA.

ANNETTE.

>> YES.

>> Eric: SINCE DEFUND THE POLICE, THE BIG LETTERS IN POWDER HORN PARK.

ARE THE DEMOCRATS NOW SEEING A POLITICAL PROBLEM AND THEY'RE SCRAMBLING TO GET GOOD WITH THE POLICE OR AM I BEING TOO SANECAL?

>> I THINK YOU'RE BEING TOO OPTIMISTIC.

I'M NOT SURE THEY SEE THEIR PROBLEM.

WE HAD SOME CITY COUNCIL WHO NOT EVEN SAY THE NAME OF THE POLICEMAN WHO WAS AMBUSHED AND IS A SASS NAILTED ON THE STREETS OF MINNEAPOLIS.

WE ARE STILL ARE ABOUT 200 POLICE OFFICERS DOWN IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS.

IT IS AN UNSAFE CITY.

WE SEE THAT EVERY DAY IF YOU WORK OR LIVE THERE OF AND I DON'T BELIEVE THEY HAVE -- PART OF -- IXING A PROBLEM IS ACKNOWLEDGING YOU HAVE A PROBLEM.

AND I'M STILL NOT SEEING THAT IN THE MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT DEMOCRATS WHO WE JUST SAW STANDING WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT WHILE SIGNING A BILL CEREMONIOUSLY.

>> I THINK YOU CAN POINT TO A COUPLE.

EDGES, THE VAST MAJORITY OF DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN PRO SAFETY.

MAYOR JACOB FREY DEFENDED THE POLICE AND WOULD BE.

AMY KLOBUCHAR WHO'S BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF DEMOCRATS.

>> WELL, IT'S NOT PROBLEMMIC AND WRONG, IT'S ABSOLUTELY WRONG.

BUT WHAT YOU SAW WAS OPTICS AND RIGHT NOW I THINK THEY'RE SENSING THEY -- PEOPLE DON'T LIKE THE SENSE THAT THE PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE IS OUT OF CONTROL.

IT'D BE ONE THING IF IT WAS JUST MINNEAPOLIS.

WE COULD JUST IGNORE IT.

BUT YOU CAN'T IGNORE MINNEAPOLIS.

IF YOU'RE GOING THERE FOR ANY KIND OF EVENT -- >> Mary: WHAT ABOUT THE BURNSVILLE OFFICER?

DID THAT BROADEN THE ISSUE, THE LOSS 69 BURNSVILLE OFFICER?

AND FIRST RESPONDER?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> E SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THE HOES OF OFFICER MITCHELL IN A HORRIBLE TRAGEDY.

AND THIS CANNOT BE THE NORM.

THE CONTINUOUS VIOLENT SITUATIONS THAT THEY FACE.

DEMOCRATS AND GOVERNOR WALZ SIGNED IN THE LARGEST FUNDING INCREASE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENT GREATLY APPRECIATED THE HELP WITH EQUIPMENT AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES THAT WE ARE GIVING OUR FIRST RESPONDERS.

I ALSO WILL SAY, CATALYTIC CONVERTERS, I SERVED IN THE SENATE.

IT TOOK FIVE YEARS GRIDLOCK, FINALLY THE DEMOCRATS TOOK OVER, CATALYTIC CONVERTERS WERE SIGNED.

GUN SAFETY LAWS HAVE PASSED AND THE STRAW PURCHASES WERE SIGNED INTO LAW.

THAT'S THE FOOTAGE THAT YOU HAD TODAY.

SO THE LEGISLATION IS PASSING.

DEMOCRATS DO STAND WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> Eric: ABOU, I WONDER WHEN THE MARY MORIARTY HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY, GOVERNOR WALZ IS AGAINST ME BECAUSE I'M A QUEER WOMAN.

YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> I THINK IT'S PROBLEMATIC AND WRONG, RIGHT >> I THINK ULTIMATELY LEADERS SHOULD BE HELD TO ACCOUNT FOR THEIR DECISIONS IN OFFICE.

AND KIND OF PLACATING ON THIS IDENTITY ASPECT TO E WAS BIT PROBLEMATIC.

HERE'S THE DEAL.

PROSECUTION 101.

IF YOU'RE INTERESTING A CASE, NOTHING THE DEFENSE SAYS OR DOES SHOULD BE ABLE TO DESTROY YOUR CASE.

BECAUSE IF NOT, THEN OU DON'T HAVE BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT.

SO THE IDEA THAT YOU'RE POINTING THE FINGER AT OTHER PEOPLE INSTEAD OF LOOKING IN THE MIRROR IS A PROBLEM.

>> Mary: SHE SAID MAYBE THE GOVERNOR HAS A CONFLICT ON THE TROOPER CASE BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR IS HEAD OF THE STATE PATROL AND THE TROOPERS HAND HE'S CLOSE CLOSE TO TROOPERS.

>> I THINK SHE'S THROWING A LOT AT THE WALL HOPING SOMETHING STICKS.

YOU TALK ABOUT HER USING IDENTITY POLITICS AND HER IDENTITY AS A WEAPON.

THAT'S HOW DEMOCRATS FIGHT.

>> ABSOLUTELY NOT.

>> THAT'S WHAT YOU DO.

>> Mary: AND KARLA, IS THIS TROUBLING INFIGHTING FOR YOUR PARTY, THOUGH?

>> I THINK IT'S BAD JUDGMENT BY MARY MORIARTY NEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN CHARGED FROM THE BEGINNING.

A LOT OF US HAVE BEEN SAYING THAT FROM THE BEGINNING.

SO I THINK IT'S MORE OF A MARY MORIARTY ISSUE THAN ANYTHING ELSE.

>> IT WAS CASE BEFORE THAT LAST YEAR.

SHE HAS JUST PROFOUNDLY BAD JUDGMENT BECAUSE SHE HATES COPS AND HER OPPORTUNITY TO PROSECUTE THIS INNOCENT YOUNG OFFICER WHO WAS DOING HIS JOB AND TRYING TO SAVE THE LIFE OF HIS PARTNER, I THINK IS INCOMPREHENSIBLE THAT SHE WOULD TRY TO DURING PRIDE MONTH USE HER POLITICAL IDENTITY OR EXCUSE ME, HER SEXUAL IDENTITY AND THROW THAT AT THE GOVERNOR.

I THINK THAT'S -- I'LL BE HE LAST PERSON TO DEFEND GOVERNOR WALZ.

I'LL DEFEND HIM ON THIS ONE.

THAT WAS REALLY UNFAIR.

>> Mary: SHE WON BY A VERY LARGE MARGIN, THOUGH.

>> SHE DID.

AND I THINK SHE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GOVERN IN THE PHILOSOPHY THAT SHE RAN ON.

I WAS SUPPORTING PEOPLE WHO WERE NOT WITH MARY MORIARTY.

WE SHOULD ALLOW HER TO GOVERN IN THE WAY SHE SEES FIT ND THEN WE HAVE ELECTIONS.

AND THAT'S WHAT 2026 WILL BE ABOUT.

>> AND SHE WAS VERY AGGRESSIVE IN WHAT SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT IN TERMS OF NEEDING TO POLICE THE POLICE.

AND SO SHE'S DOING IT NOW.

CONGRATULATIONS.

THAT'S WHAT YOU VOTED FOR AND THAT'S WHAT YOU GOT.

>> Eric: STATE SENATOR KELLY MORRISON BEATS THE DEADLINE.

THERE'LL BE A SPECIAL ELECTION IN NOVEMBER.

BIGGER TURNOUT, I SUPPOSE MORE CONTROLLABLE FOR THE DEMOCRATS?

>> YOU KNOW, SHE HANDLED THAT WITH SUCH GRACE.

AND RESPECT FOR HER CONSTITUENTS AND HER COMMUNITY.

AND THAT'S WHAT IT'S ABOUT.

AND O I THINK IT'S JUST -- SHE IS A TREMENDOUS ADVOCATE AND I WISH HER THE BEST.

SHE'S JUST A REALLY BRIGHT PERSON AND JUST A REALLY GOOD LEGISLATOR, SHARP.

>> Eric: HOW MUCH MONEY'S GOING TO BE SPENT ON THAT RACE IN THE PECIAL ELECTION EVEN THOUGH IT LOOKS LIKE A NOMINALLY DEMOCRATIC DISTRICT?

>> AT THE PRESIDENTIAL LEVEL, REPUBLICANS DON'T HAVE A SHOT.

AT THE SENATE LEVEL, THE REPUBLICANS DON'T HAVE A SHOT.

THEY'RE GOING TO PUT ALL THEIR MONEY, ALL THEIR EGGS INTO THIS BASKET, BECAUSE IF THEY DON'T DEMOCRATS WILL ONTINUE TO CONTROL.

AND SO I SUCT, IF I'M A REPUBLICAN, I'D FOCUS ALL MY MONEY ON THIS.

[Overlapping conversations] >> Mary: IT WASN'T CLOSE.

IT WAS A 12 POINT SPREAD BEFORE.

BUT IT SPLIT WITH THE HOUSE SEATS.

THERE IS A REPUBLICAN AND A DEMOCRAT.

SO DOESN'T THAT MAKE REPUBLICANS THINK THEY COULD COMPETE?

>> THE LEGISLATURE FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS.

ONLY STATEWIDE.

AND SO WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS KIND OF A FALSE START THERE.

WE HAVE DONE VERY WELL AND BEEN VERY COMPETITIVE AND CONTROLLED THE STATE SENATE I MIGHT ADD UNTIL THIS MOST RECENT ELECTION.

WITH THAT BEING SAID, I THINK IT'LL BE A VERY COMPETITIVE ELECTION -- [Overlapping conversations] >> IT WAS A MILLION DOLLAR SPECIAL ELECTION.

AND I HAD TWO REPUBLICAN HOUSE MEMBERS.

AND THE DEMOCRAT HAD STEPPED DOWN.

SO IT WAS A MILLION DOLLARS.

IT AS A MONDAY IN FEBRUARY AND IT WAS REALLY COLD.

>> YOU MAY SEE THE FIRST 2 MILLION -- [Overlapping conversations] >> MUCH MORE THAN $2 MILLION.

[Overlapping conversations] >> FOR A LEGISLATIVE SEAT.

>> Mary: THAT DOESN'T MAKE A LOT OF MONEY.

>> THIS IS WHERE THE TOP OF THE TICKET MATTERS.

AND HAVING DONALD TRUMP AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET IS GOING TO POISON THE WELL DOWN TICKET AND I THINK THAT'S GOING TO END UP BEING THE REASON -- >> I THINK THAT'S WISHFUL THINKING.

WHEN YOU SEE THE POLLING NUMBERS.

WE'VE BEEN TOLD THAT TRUMP HAS BEEN DOOMED FROM THE GET-GO.

AND INSTEAD HE HAS A, WHAT, 34 FELONY CONVICTIONS AND HIS NUMBERS GO UP.

AND HERE IN MINNESOTA, HE'S ACTUALLY DOING REMARKABLY WELL AND NO ONE'S MORE SURPRISED THAN ME.

>> Eric: THIS BRINGS US TO NICOLE MITCHELL AND HER DECISION NOT TO RESIGN BEFORE THE DEADLINE.

WHAT SAY THOU?

>> I FEEL SORRY FOR HER, TO BE HONEST.

SHE IS UNDER AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF PRESSURE.

THE REPUBLICANS DID WHAT THEY HAD TO DO WHICH IS TO APPLY AS MUCH PRESSURE AS THEY POSSIBLY COULD TO SEE IF THEY COULD GET HER TO RESIGN OR GET SOME KIND OF CONCESSIONS OUT OF THE MAJORITY.

THAT DIDN'T WORK.

SHE DID THREE CRAZY THINGS.

WE TALKED ABOUT IT ERLER.

SHE DID WHAT SHE DID.

WHEN THE POLICE SHOWED UP, SHE'S SAYING LIKE A MEADOW LARK ON A FENCE POST.

AND THEN THE THIRD THING SHE DID WAS SHE BLAMED THE VICTIM ON THE VERY NEXT DAY.

THEN SHE TALKED TO HER LAWYER WHO GAVE THE TWO BEDS WORDS OF ADVICE WHICH IS SHUT UP.

AND SHE HAS.

SO HIS JOB MOSTLY RIGHT NOW IS TO PUT AS MUCH DISTANCE BETWEEN THE SESSION AND THE CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS.

>> Eric: WHY AREN'T DEMOCRATS MORE UNIFIED IN A RESPONSE?

YOU'RE SEEING POCKETS OF SHE SHOULD RESIGN, SHE SHOULD NOT RESIGN.

>> DEMOCRATS HAVE DIFFERENT OPINIONS ABOUT HOW THIS SHOULD BE HANDLED.

SHE'S GOING TO HAVE HER FIRST HEARING NEXT WEEK.

AND SO -- THE PROCESS IS PLAYING OUT IN THE WAY IT'S SUPPOSED TO.

SHE WILL ULTIMATELY PLEAD GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY.

I THINK THAT WILL INFORM THE PARAMETERS OF WHAT HAPPENS HERE.

WHAT THE PROSECUTORS ARE ACTUALLY GOING TO BRING FORTH.

ARE THEY GOING TO STAY ON THE CHARGES THEY HAVE?

SO LOOK TO ME, AGAIN, IT'S A MATTER OF WHEN SHE'S GOING TO RESIGN.

IT'S NOT A QUESTION OF IF.

>> Mary: KARLA WHAT ABOUT THAT ETHICS HEARING NEXT WEEK?

>> I THINK IT GOT A CONTINUANCE AND IT'S IN JULY NOW.

>> THE LEGISLATIVE ETHICS HEARING.

>> SO I THINK THAT THEY'LL MAYBE PROBABLY WAIT AGAIN UNTIL AFTER THAT CONTINUANCE UNLESS, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE GOING TO CONTINUE, IT'LL BE THE SAME AS BEFORE.

BUT I UESS WHAT I WOULD SAY IS, I WISH SENATOR MITCHELL WOULD HAVE HANDLED HER SITUATION WITH AS MUCH GRACE AS RESPECT AS SENATOR MORRISON DID FOR HER COMMUNITY.

>> Mary: MEANWHILE IT'S TIED, THOUGH.

WE HAVE EMERGENCIES IN MINNESOTA.

WE SOMETIMES NEED SPECIAL SESSIONS.

>> MAYBE THEY SHOULD HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT THAT WHEN THEY PASSED EVERYTHING ON STRAIGHT PARTY LINE VOTES WITHOUT TALKING TO A REPUBLICAN.

THINK ABOUT THAT.

THEY WOULD RATHER HAVE AN COULD YOU SEED FELON SIT THERE AND PASS LAWS AFTER LAW AFTER LAW INCLUDING NEW CRIMINAL PROCEDURES ON GUN PURCHASES AND WHATNOT, RATHER THAN CUT A DEAL ON ANYTHING -- >> Mary: THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR THE GOVERNOR.

HE CAN'T CALL A SPECIAL SESSION IF SOMETHING HAPPENS.

>> YOU NEGOTIATE THESE THINGS OUT BEFORE A SPECIAL SESSION ACTUALLY TAKES PLACE.

AND SO THE IDEA THAT -- THIS IS NOT SOME CRAZY SCENARIO WHERE, OH, MY GOD, WE NEED A SPECIAL SESSION.

THE GOVERNOR WOULD ENGAGE LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP.

THEY WOULD AGREE IN PRINCIPLE TO A EAL AND THAT DEAL WOULD BE VOTED ON THE FLOOR.

[Overlapping conversations] >> THIS GUY DOESN'T LEAD.

THAT'S THE PROBLEM WITH TIM WALZ.

HE DOES NOT LEAD.

>> BRAGGING ABOUT WHAT THEY DID LAST SESSION, ABOUT LEADING OUR COUNTRY INTO BEING A COLD CALIFORNIA.

THAT'S WHAT TIM WALZ HAS BEEN DOING FOR THE LAST YEAR, NOT NEGOTIATES WITH DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN LEADERS.

>> WHERE WAS HE THIS SESSION?

>> NATIONAL STAGE, INTERNATIONAL STAGE.

[Overlapping conversations] >> Eric: IT'S GETTING SO GOOD, BUT I'M GETTING THE HOOK!

WE HAVE RUN LONG TONIGHT.

WE'LL HAVE OUR HISTORY QUESTION AND ANSWER FOR YOU NEXT WEEK.

JUST ENOUGH TIME FOR SOME SHOW-ENDING MUSIC.

IT WAS THIS WEEK BACK IN 2013 THAT THE GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING OKEE DOKEE BROTHERS STOPPED BY STUDIO "B" TO PLAY A TUNE FOR US.

TAKE A LISTEN WHILE WE ROLE THE CREDITS.

AND BE CAREFUL.

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