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

>> Cathy: THERE IS A WHOLE LOT OF SHOW TONIGHT.

IT'S "ALMANAC."

WE'RE GOING TO CHECK IN ON BOTH MINNEAPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT CONSENT DECREES.

THERE'S A GUILTY VERDICT IN THE BIG FEEDING OUR FUTURE TRIAL.

WE'RE GOING TO ASSESS HOW THE FIRST DAYS OF OFFICIAL SPRING WEATHER BE HAVE BEEN.

MARY LAHAMMER HAS BEEN TRACKING THE BIGGEST STORY UP AT THE CAPITOL ALL WEEK.

>> A DRAMATIC WEEK AT THE CAPITOL CONCLUDED WITH A SENATOR RESIGNING, FOLLOWING HIS ARREST FOR SOLICITING A MINOR.

>> HAVE BEEN THE MOST DISGUSTING, DISAPPOINTING AND DIFFICULT DAYS.

>> VERY DAMNING, EVEN THOUGH THAT HAS NOT BEEN DONE, EXPULSION HAS NOT BEEN DONE ON THE FLOOR BEFORE.

>> WE'LL PROVIDE CONTEXT ON IT ALL, 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 1.7 MILLION PEOPLE THROUGH ITS MEMBER-OWNER COOPERATIVES AND CUSTOMERS.

DELTA DENTAL OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION: IMPROVING ORAL HEALTH AND HELPING COMMUNITIES THRIVE.

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

>> Cathy: COMING UP IN THE NEXT HOUR, WE WILL HEAR ABOUT THE GUILTY VERDICT IN THE FEEDING OUR FUTURE TRIAL, GET AN EARLY GLIMPSE OF SPRINGTIME WEATHER, HEAR ABOUT PREPARATIONS IN CASE OF A MEASLES OUTBREAK IN MINNESOTA, AND WE HAVE PLENTY OF POLITICS FOR YOU AS WELL.

>> Eric: WE'LL START TONIGHT WITH REFORMS ON THE MINNEAPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE PENDING FEDERAL CONSENT DECREE IS ON HOLD FOR ANOTHER 30 DAYS AFTER A FEDERAL JUDGE GRANTED THE EXTENSION REQUESTED BY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

PAUSE WAS SET TO EXPIRE ON THURSDAY.

THE MPD IS ALREADY INTO A YEAR WITH A SIMILAR AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE HUMAN RIGHTS DEPARTMENT.

WE'VE BEEN FOLLOWING THIS STORY WITH YOHURU WILLIAMS, UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS DIRECTOR OF THE SCHOOL'S RACIAL JUSTICE INITIATIVE.

WELCOME BACK.

IS THERE A CHANCE THIS DELAY WILL BECOME PERMANENT?

>> I'M DEEPLY CONCERNED BECAUSE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S TRACK RECORD ON CONSENT DECREES IS ABOMINABLE.

AND THIS IS WHAT WE'VE SEEN IN HIS FIRST ITERATION S PRESIDENT, BLOCKING THE MOVING FORWARD OF THE CONSENT DECREE IN CHICAGO.

SO THIS SECOND REQUEST BY THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FOR AN EXTENSION IS TROUBLING.

THE CONCERN IS THAT WHAT WE'LL SEE ARE EFFORTS TO JUST CONTINUE THIS PROCESS OF PUTTING IT OFF AND PUTTING IT OFF, WHICH EFFECTIVELY WOULD END THIS IMPORTANT PART OF CONSTITUTIONAL POLICING, WHICH CAME ALONG WITH THE FEDERAL CONSENT DECREE, WHY PEOPLE WANTED THAT FEDERAL CONSENT DECREE IN ADDITION TO THE STATE CONSENT DECREE WHICH FOCUSES ON THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND HUMAN RIGHTS LEGISLATION.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU, YOU KIND OF ANSWERED THAT QUESTION THEN.

IF THE FEDERAL CONSENT DECREE IS REALLY NEEDED IN THIS CASE, AND YOU'LL SAY IT WOULD BECAUSE OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL PIECE OF THAT, RIGHT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SO YOU'VE HAD PEOPLE IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE SECOND REQUEST FOR AN EXTENSION SAY WE DON'T REALLY NEED THIS, WE HAVE, WE'RE MAKING PROGRESS WITH REGARD TO THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS CONSENT DECREE.

WE'VE GOT A REFORM-MINDED CHIEF IN PLACE, THE CITY IS DEFINITELY CONTINUING WITH THAT WORK.

YET AT THE SAME TIME WHAT WE LOSE ARE THOSE CRITICAL PIECES RELATED TO CONSTITUTIONAL PIECING.

WASN'T JUST ABOUT THE VIOLENCE ON GEORGE FLOYD'S BODY, IT WAS ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED IN THE AFTERMATH.

THE EFFORTS TO TAKE AWAY PEOPLE'S FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS WITH REGARD TO PROTESTS, THE CHALLENGES THAT CAME AS A RESULT OF WHAT WE SAW WITH THE TREATMENT OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

SO YOU'RE LOSING THAT FIRST AMENDMENT, FOURTH AMENDMENT, 14TH AMENDMENT CONCERNS.

AND I THINK THAT'S WHY THERE'S SO MANY PEOPLE WHO SAY WE STILL NEED THAT FEDERAL CONSENT DECREE.

>> Eric: HAS THE INDEPENDENT MONITOR WEIGHED IN ON PROGRESS, OR?

>> THEY HAVE.

IN FACT WE GOT THE FIRST REPORT FROM THEM AND THIS COVERED THE PERIOD OF MARCH 18TH OF LAST YEAR THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30TH OF LAST YEAR.

AND THEY SAID, LOOK, THERE'S SOME GOOD NEWS.

THE DEPARTMENT HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN FOUR CRITICAL AREAS AND I WANTED TO TAKE THESE DOWN BECAUSE I THINK THEY'RE IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE UNDERSTAND.

THEY SAID FIRST AND FOREMOST, POLICY UPDATES.

GOOD NEWS HERE IN THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAS SUBMITTED ND RECEIVED APPROVAL IN THREE AREAS THAT CAME UP IN THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS' INVESTIGATION AND THOSE ARE POLICIES ON USE OF FORCE, ENGAGING WITH MINORS IN CRISIS INTERVENTION.

THEY'VE ALSO NOTED THERE HAS BEEN SIGNIFICANT MOVEMENT IN TERMS OF PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT.

THE DEPARTMENT HAS POSTED AND IS RECEIVING FEEDBACK ON THEIR MISSION, VALUES AND GOALS, WHICH IS IMPORTANT.

THEY'VE TALKED ABOUT COMPLAINT BACKLOG REDUCTION WHICH WAS A BIG ISSUE, OVER A THOUSAND, I THINK 1,100 CASES OF BACKLOGGED IN TERMS OF USE OF FORCE AND THE DEPARTMENT IS MOVING THOSE ALONG.

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, TRAINING AND OPERATIONS AND A LOT OF THIS FOCUSED ON EXPANDED USE OF BODY CAMS AND TECHNOLOGY.

SO GOOD THINGS THERE, BUT THEN SOME CHALLENGES THEY NOTED AS WELL.

THREE IN PARTICULAR.

ONE, DATA GAPS.

SO THEY SAY THERE'S STILL OT ENOUGH DATA FOR THEM TO HAVE A GOOD IDEA BOUT HOW TO EVALUATE PERFORMANCE ON MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ISSUES.

STAFFING CONCERNS, SHORTAGES.

AND TECHNOLOGY GAPS.

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST ELAYED TRAINING, PARTICULARLY IN THE REALM OF LEADERSHIP.

SO THERE'S SOME CONCERN ABOUT REALLY GETTING LEADERSHIP UP TO SPEED WHICH WILL BE IMPORTANT TO MOVE THAT WORK FORWARD.

>> Cathy: IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE ARE AS YOU SAY SOME POSITIVE THINGS.

I'M WONDERING HOW WILL ANY OF THIS PREVENT ANOTHER GEORGE FLOYD-STYLE POLICE KILLING?

>> IT'S A GREAT QUESTION, CATHY.

AND I THINK PART OF THE CONCERN ABOUT THIS DELAY IN THE FEDERAL CONSENT DECREE IS THAT WE HOPED THESE WOULD WORK IN TANDEM TO PREVENT SUCH N OCCURRENCE.

NOW WE'RE JUST DEPENDENT ON THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS.

IT'S GOOD, IT'S A GOOD METRIC BUT AS I MENTIONED LAST TIME WE WERE TOGETHER, THE FEDERAL DECREE IS KIND OF THE FLOOR AND THAT'S REALLY WHAT YOU NEED, THE FOUNDATION.

AND SO NOT HAVING THAT IN PLACE SHOULD GIVE US ALL PAUSE ABOUT OUR ABILITY TO REALLY EXPECT THAT WE DON'T SEE THIS COME BACK AGAIN.

>> Eric: POLICE UNION FOR THE DELAY?

>> UNFORTUNATELY, THE POLICE UNION, THE DOJ CITED THE SUPPORT OF THE MINNEAPOLIS FEDERATION OF POLICE FOR THIS PUSHBACK, AGAIN, THIS SECOND PUSHBACK.

THAT SHOULD BE TROUBLING AS WELL, BECAUSE AGAIN THE FEDERATION AS WE ALL KNOW IS ONE OF THE IMPEDIMENTS AND HISTORICALLY BEEN AN IMPEDIMENT TO THE TYPE OF REFORM PEOPLE THINK WOULD BE NECESSARY TO TRANSFORM THE MINNEAPOLIS POLICE.

>> Cathy: IS THERE A SECOND PHASE, EVALUATION PHASE COMING UP?

>> YEP, SO NOW WHAT WE'LL SEE IS SECOND PHASE OF EVALUATION FOR ELIFA, AND OTHER METRICS PART OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS CONSENT DECREE.

WE HOPED AT THIS POINT THEY WERE ALSO GOING TO BEGIN TO EVALUATE THOSE FEDERAL METRICS SALE.

AGAIN, PART OF THE CONCERN HERE IS THAT EVEN, AND THE DEPARTMENT SEEMS OFF TO A SPRINT, BRIAN O'HARA IS DOING A GREAT JOB.

WE'D STILL BE BEHIND IF THIS FEDERAL CONSENT DECREE IS PUSHED BACK.

BUT TO YOUR POINT, CATHY, THERE IS CONCERN WE WON'T SEE THIS IMPLEMENTED.

>> Eric: WE REALLY COUNT ON YOUR EXPERTISE TO FOLLOW THIS FOR US, SO THANKS FOR COMING OVER AGAIN.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> Eric: THANKS SO MUCH.

CATH CATH APPRECIATE IT.

♪♪ >> Cathy: THIS WEDNESDAY A FEDERAL JURY FOUND FEEDING OUR FUTURE LEADER AIMEE BOCK GUILTY ON ALL CHARGES ALONG WITH FORMER RESTAURANT OWNER SALIM SAID.

THIS IS THE SECOND TRIAL OF THE $250 MILLION PANDEMIC FRAUD CASE.

WE CHECKED IN WITH MINNESOTA STAR TRIBUNE REPORTER JEFFREY MEITRODT JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO, HE OINS US WITH THE CONCLUSION OF THIS TRIAL.

IT WAS REALLY A BUSY TRIAL, MY GOODNESS SAKES.

SAY, I THOUGHT IT WAS INTERESTING, FIVE WEEKS OF TESTIMONY, FIVE HOURS OF DELIBERATION.

I KNOW THAT ONE OF THE DEFENSE ATTORNEYS WAS KIND OF CONFUSED ABOUT THAT.

WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF THAT?

>> WELL, WE ALL THOUGHT THEY'D BE OUT A LITTLE ONGER THAN FIVE HOURS.

YOU KNOW, FIRST TRIAL TOOK FOUR DAYS FOR THE JURY TO COME BACK WITH A VERDICT.

AND SO I THOUGHT FROM WHAT I'VE HEARD, I DIDN'T COVER THE FIRST TRIAL, ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES DID, BUT FROM WHAT I CAN TELL THE PRESENTATION WAS REALLY SHARPER THE SECOND TIME AROUND.

AND BOTH OF THE DEFENDANTS TOOK THE STAND.

AND I DON'T THINK THERE WAS ANY STOPPING AIMEE BOCK FROM TAKING THE STAND.

BUT I THINK ULTIMATELY IT SUNK HER.

>> Eric: AND THE JUDGE SENSES THAT THEY ARE FLIGHT RISKS, I GUESS HE'S TAKEN STEPS TO MAKE THAT IMPOSSIBLE.

>> RIGHT, THEY'RE GOING TO BE LOCKED UP UNTIL SENTENCING.

, AND WHEN IS THAT, HAS THAT BEEN SCHEDULED?

>> NO, THAT GENERALLY TAKES A MONTH OR TWO FROM THE VERDICT.

>> Cathy: WERE YOU SURPRISED THAT AIMEE BOCK TESTIFYING IN HER OWN DEFENSE SUNK HER?

I KNOW HER ATTORNEY DIDN'T THINK SHE SHOULD DO IT, I KNOW WHEN YOU TALKED LAST YOU INDICATED SHE WAS A VERY PERSONABLE INDIVIDUAL, WELL SPOKEN.

AND THAT DIDN'T WASH WITH THE JURY?

>> SHE HAS AN EXPLANATION FOR EVERYTHING.

AIMEE BOCK I SAW THREE YEARS AGO WHEN I FIRST INTERVIEWED HER WAS THE SAME AIMEE BOCK WE SAW ON HE STAND.

SOMEBODY WHO HAS A COMPELLING NARRATIVE OF HER OWN, REALLY SORT OF FACT-BASED ACCOUNT OF LIKE WHAT HAPPENED AND WHY IT'S PLAUSIBLE THAT SHE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON.

YOU KNOW, SHE WAS ABLE TO THROW A LOT OF HER COLLEAGUES UNDER THE BUS AND MAKE IT SOUND LIKE SHE COULD HAVE BEEN SORT OF THE ALOOF, UNINVOLVED CEO.

WHAT I THOUGHT WAS FASCINATING WAS THAT THE THREE WITNESSES WHO SUNK HER REALLY WEREN'T CENTRAL TO THE ENTIRE CONSPIRACY.

IT WAS THE THREE BOARD MEMBERS.

WE HAD TWO BARTENDERS AND A MECHANIC.

>> Eric: AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW THEY WERE BOARD MEMBERS UNTIL THEY WERE TOLD.

>> THEY HAD NO IDEA.

IT WAS THE COMIC RELIEF, MOST OF US THOUGHT THIS WAS THE COMIC RELIEF PART OF THE TRIAL.

THEY WERE ALL UP THERE, ALMOST HAD TO THEM TO BELIEVE THEM.

THEY WERE NOT THE KIND OF GUYS YOU WOULD EEXPECT ON A BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

THEY THOUGHT IT WAS VERY FUNNY THEY COULD EVER HAVE BEEN TAPPED FOR THIS BOARD.

AT THE SAME TIME THEY ERE VERY PERSUASIVE, VERY CREDIBLE.

I THINK ONE TIME AIMEE BOCK REALLY STUMBLED ON THE WITNESS STAND WAS WHEN SHE WAS BEING ASKED ABOUT THEIR TESTIMONY.

THE JURY DIDN'T UY IT.

FOR ONCE HER LIES JUST DIDN'T WORK.

>> Eric: WHAT'S THE SCORECARD GOING ORWARD AND IF THERE ARE FUTURE HEARINGS OR TRIALS WILL THIS ENCOURAGE SOME PLEA BARGAINING, OR?

>> THAT'S THE EXPECTATION.

YOU KNOW, I'VE TALKED TO FORMER U.S. ATTORNEY HERE AS WELL AS PEOPLE ON THE PROSECUTION TEAM AND NOT ONLY IS IT THE FACT THAT THEY GOT THE LEADERS HERE CONVICTED, IT HAPPENED IN FIVE HOURS, VERY TELLING.

THERE'S ALREADY BEEN ALMOST 30 OTHER CONVICTIONS THROUGH EITHER TRIALS OR GUILTY PLEAS AND THAT'S A LOT OF POTENTIAL WITNESSES THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE FACING JUST LIKE AIMEE BOCK AND SALIM SAID DID, YOU KNOW, THERE WERE 7 OR 8 PEOPLE WHO HAD PLEADED GUILTY TO CRIMES IN THIS CASE THAT GO UP THERE AND TELL THEIR STORIES.

AND THERE WILL BE MORE OF THEM FOR ANYBODY ELSE WHO IS FACING A TRIAL.

AND SO I THINK THAT COMES VERY PERSUASIVE IF YOU'RE A DEFENSE ATTORNEY LOOKING AT WHO'S GOING TO COME UP THERE AND TELL STORIES AND THAT YOUR CLIENT -- IT'S PROBABLY BETTER TO CUT A DEAL.

>> Cathy: THINK IT WAS AIMEE BOCK'S ATTORNEY WHO SAID THAT THEY COULD USE THE FACT THAT THE JURY DIDN'T DELIBERATE VERY LONG AT ALL AND THERE WAS MOUNTAINS OF OBVIOUSLY EVIDENCE TO GO THROUGH, THAT HE MIGHT USE THAT AS BASIS FOR AN APPEAL?

DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?

>> NO, IT DOESN'T.

THE FACT THAT A JURY HAD ITS MIND MADE UP MAYBE THE MOMENT THAT THEY ENTERED THAT ROOM DOESN'T MEAN THAT THEY DIDN'T CONSIDER THE EVIDENCE.

THEY'VE HAD SIX WEEKS TO CONSIDER THE EVIDENCE.

YOU KNOW, THIS HAS BEEN A VERY LONG TRIAL.

THEY'VE BEEN HINKING ABOUT THIS, THEY'VE BEEN TAKING NOTES.

FROM WHAT I COULD TELL THIS WAS A VERY CONSCIENTIOUS JURY.

>> Eric: YOU CAN READ YOUR STUFF ON STARTRIBUNE.COM?

IS THAT STILL THE WEB ADDRESS?

>> Cathy: YES.

>> Eric: TERRIFIC ORK, MAN.

>> Cathy: APPRECIATE IT.

♪♪ >> BEAUTY IN DIVERSITY AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE STATE OF MINNESOTA LITERALLY IF YOU COME TO MY ISTRICT YOU ARE IN MINNESOTA BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT MINNESOTA IS.

THIS MELTING POT OF CULTURES, OF TRADITIONS.

>> LET'S TALK MORE ABOUT YOUR PERSONAL STORY.

KENYA TO MINNESOTA.

>> YES.

WE WERE LITERALLY 48 HOURS AWAY FROM BEING DEPORTED FROM THIS COUNTRY.

IF IT WASN'T FOR SENATOR PAUL WELLSTONE, THAT GREAT SENATOR PAUL WELLSTONE AND WITHIN 48 HOURS OUR CASE WAS OVERTURNED.

WHEN I REFLECT BACK NOW 22-PLUS YEARS LATER, HERE I AM AS A REPRESENTATIVE, IT JUST GOES TO SHOW YOU THAT THE AMERICAN DREAM IS STILL REAL AND WE STILL HAVE A DEMOCRACY TO FIGHT FOR, AND THAT ALONE FOR ME IS MOTIVATION FOR ME TO WAKE UP EVERY DAY, PUT IN THE WORK, AND REALLY SERVE MY CONSTITUENCY AND THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA.

♪♪ >> Eric: FIVE YEARS AGO THIS WEEK, THE CORONAVIRUS WAS SPREADING ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND THE WORLD.

HERE IN MINNESOTA, AS BUSINESSES WERE BEGINNING TO SHUT DOWN, THE STATE'S FIRST CONFIRMED DEATH FROM COVID-19 WAS ANNOUNCED.

VACCINES WERE FAR IN THE FUTUR AS WAS ANTI-VACCINE SENTIMENT THAT HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY NOW IS THE CORE OF THE CURRENT MEASLES OUTBREAK IN THE U.S.

SO HOW IS THE STATE PREPARING FOR A POSSIBLE RISE IN MEASLES HERE IN MINNESOTA?

STATE EPIDEMIOLOGIST DR. RUTH LYNFIELD JOINS US.

WELCOME BACK, DOCTOR.

HOW ARE YOU PREPARING?

>> WELL, WE ACTUALLY HAVE BEEN PREPARING AND WORKING WITH OUR COMMUNITIES FOR MANY YEARS.

YOU MAY RECALL MEASLES IN MINNESOTA, WE'VE HAD A NUMBER OF MEASLES OUTBREAKS.

>> Cathy: JUST LAST YEAR, RIGHT?

>> JUST LAST YEAR WE HAD 70 CASES.

SO WE DO HAVE SOME COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE SOME CONCERN ABOUT VACCINES.

SOME OF THESE COMMUNITIES ACTUALLY HAVE BEEN TARGETED BY ANTI-VAX ADVOCATES, AND IT HAS TAKEN AWHILE TO WORK WITH THESE COMMUNITIES.

AND WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THEM ACTUALLY FOR ABOUT 15 YEARS.

>> Eric: HOW SERIOUS COULD THIS GET?

>> IT CERTAINLY COULD GET SERIOUS.

WHAT OUR EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN WITH MEASLES OUTBREAKS IS THAT WHEN MEASLES IS CIRCULATING IN THE COMMUNITY, OFTENTIMES PEOPLE WILL THEN WEIGH THE RISK-BENEFIT AND GET THEIR CHILDREN VACCINATED.

BUT IT IS REALLY HARD.

IT IS HARD BECAUSE THERE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT AUTISM, AND WE DO NEED MORE RESEARCH, MORE INFORMATION ABOUT AUTISM.

WE DO KNOW FROM MANY STUDIES THAT MMR IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH AUTISM.

BUT THAT'S -- DOESN'T REALLY ANSWER PEOPLE'S QUESTIONS.

WHEN THEY'RE WORRIED ABOUT THEIR CHILDREN, IF THEY'VE HAD A CHILD WHO HAS AUTISM AND THE AUTISM OCCURRED AROUND THE TIME, THAT'S HEN IT FIRST GETS NOTICED AROUND THE TIME OF THE MEASLES VACCINATION, THEY'RE WORRIED.

>> Cathy: HOW ABOUT ADULTS?

ONE ADULT HAS ALREADY DIED I THINK IN TEXAS, RIGHT?

>> YES.

>> Cathy: I WAS SHOCKED WHEN MY DOCTOR TESTED ME FOR IMMUNITY TO MEASLES AND I'M NOT IMMUNE AND I THOUGHT, WAIT A MINUTE, I WAS VACCINATED WHEN I WAS A KID.

SO IS THIS AN ISSUE THAT YOU NEED TO WATCH OUT FOR, ESPECIALLY WITH THESE OUTBREAKS IN THER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY?

>> WE DO NEED TO WATCH OUT WHEN THERE ARE OUTBREAKS, NOT ONLY IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY BUT OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD.

THERE ARE MANY OUTBREAKS OCCURRING NOW.

AND MEASLES REALLY IS THE MOST CONTAGIOUS VIRAL DISEASE THAT WE HAVE OUT THERE.

IF YOU HAVE 10 PEOPLE IN A ROOM AND A CONTAGIOUS, INFECTIOUS PERSON COMES IN THAT ROOM, 9 OUT OF 10 PEOPLE WILL GET INFECTED.

IT IS THAT CONTAGIOUS.

IT CAN BE SPREAD IN THE AIR.

AND SO, YES, WE WORRY WHEN YOU HAVE UNDERVACCINATED COMMUNITIES.

AND THAT'S WHERE WE SEE THE SPREAD AND THE CIRCULATION.

IT IS OF CONCERN IN 2000, THE UNITED STATES WAS GIVEN ELIMINATION STATUS, MEANING THAT WE NO LONGER HAVE MEASLES ENDEMIC IN OUR COUNTRY.

BUT WHEN WE START TO GET COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE 50% IMMUNITY, IT IS A PROBLEM.

WHEN YOU DROP AMONGST CHILDREN BELOW 90%, IT CAN BE AN ISSUE.

WE LIKE TO SEE 95% VACCINATION RATES.

>> Cathy: SO IT'S SPRING BREAK.

ARE YOU ALL AT THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT ANTICIPATING AS FOLKS GO TO TEXAS AND GO TO NEW MEXICO AND CALIFORNIA, THAT SOMETHING MIGHT HAPPEN HERE IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS?

>> I'M A LITTLE LESS CONCERNED ABOUT SPRING BREAK THAN I AM ABOUT INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL.

I THINK PEOPLE ARE PAYING ATTENTION IN TEXAS.

I THINK WE NEED TO BE PAYING ATTENTION, AND I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET THE WORD OUT.

CERTAINLY IF YOU END UP GOING AND VISITING AND STAYING IN A COMMUNITY THAT HAS MEASLES CIRCULATING AND VERY LOW POPULATION IMMUNITY, IT IS A RISK.

BUT TEXAS IS A BIG STATE.

AND ONE THING WE DO WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHEN THEY TRAVEL, THEY SHOULD CHECK ON WHETHER THEY ARE UP TO DATE ON MEASLES VACCINE.

>> Eric: APPRECIATE YOU COMING BY.

THANKS VERY MUCH.

>> SO GREAT TO SEE BOTH OF YOU.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> THE ENTHUSIASM IS UNIMAGINABLE [ HIGH ENERGY MUSIC ] FROM GRADE SCHOOLERS TO SOON TO BE VOTING TEENS.

♪♪ [ CHANTING ] >> THE GLEAM OF THE CELEBRITY GOVERNOR DOESN'T SEEM TO BE FADING.

♪♪ >> Cathy: IT'S BEEN KIND OF A SERIOUS SHOW SO FAR TONIGHT SO WE'RE GONNA TAKE A MOMENT TO BREATHE AND TALK ABOUT ONE OF MY FAVORITE TOPICS, THE WEATHER.

YESTERDAY, MARCH 20TH, WAS THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING, AND, BOY, IT KIND OF FELT LIKE IT.

EVEN WITH SOME MORE INTENSE SNOWSTORMS IN RECENT WEEKS WINTER REMAINS THE STATE'S FASTEST WARMING SEASON OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.

HERE TO TELL US ABOUT THAT TREND AND A WHOLE LOT MORE KENNY BLUMENFELD, CLIMATOLOGIST.

SPRING IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE MONTHS BECAUSE IT'S SO WEIRD IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

IT'S EVER-CHANGING.

>> SPRING IS GREAT.

I MEAN, THINK ABOUT IT, IT STARTS OUT LIKE WINTER AND ENDS UP LIKE SUMMER AND IT'S FAST.

>> Cathy: WHAT'S THE DEAL HERE ABOUT -- CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT HERE WHEN IT COMES TO SOME OF THE STRANGE -- IT IS CHANGEABLE ANYWAY IN MARCH BUT IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S GOING LIKE THIS, YOU KNOW.

>> YOU MEAN THE DIFFERENCE IN MARCHS IN PARTICULAR?

YEAH, MARCH IS KIND OF STUCK, RIGHT?

BECAUSE IT IS AFTER FEBRUARY WHICH IS REALLY KIND OF THE LAST FULL MONTH OF WINTER, RIGHT?

BUT MARCH, YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES IT GETS STUCK TOO.

AND THEN SOMETIMES IT'S REALLY KIND OF OFF TO THE RA RACES AND REALLY WARM.

AND OF ALL OF THE MONTHS IT SHOWS LESS OF SOME OF THE TRENDS THAT WE SEE.

I MEAN, IT IS GETTING WARMER BUT IT ISN'T GETTING SNOWIER THE WAY THAT OTHER WINTER MONTHS HAVE BEEN GETTING SNOWIER EVEN THOUGH APRIL HAS BEEN GETTING SNOWIER.

>> HAVE YOU COMPLETED THE STUDY OF THE WINTER DATA?

WHAT WAS OUR WINTER LIKE?

>> OH, WE CAN'T PUT IT IN PAST TENSE YET, WINTER'S TILL -- WE HAVE 'TIL THE END OF APRIL.

>> Eric: FAIR ENOUGH.

>> BUT SO FAR REALLY IT'S BEEN VERY LOW SNOWFALL, VERY LOW SNOW COVER IN PARTICULAR, AND IT'S BEEN PRETTY CLOSE TO NORMAL TEMPERATURES BASED ON 1991 TO 2020 AVERAGES.

>> Cathy: REALLY?

>> WE HAD SOME COLD PERIODS, WE HAD SOME WARM PERIODS AND THEY BASICALLY EVENED OUT.

I MEAN, IT WAS PRETTY CLOSE TO A TYPICAL WINTER TEMPERATURE-WISE.

BUT REMEMBER, TYPICAL NOW IS WARMER THAN TYPICAL USED TO BE, SO, GOT TO TAKE THAT INTO ACCOUNT.

>> Cathy: YOU MENTIONED THE LACK OF SNOW COVER.

IT IS DRY, DRY, DRY.

THAT DROUGHT MONITOR DIDN'T LOOK THAT GREAT THIS WEEK.

>> NO, I MEAN WE'VE BEEN KIND OF HAVING DROUGHT CREEPING BACK IN.

WINTER IS OUR DRY SEASON SO THE DROUGHT CATEGORIES DON'T USUALLY ADVANCE TOO MUCH OR IMPROVE TOO MUCH DURING THE WINTERTIME.

BUT WE ARE REALLY LOW ON SNOW AND WHAT WE'RE LOWEST ON IS THE SNOW PACK.

THAT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT THING BECAUSE WE HAVE TO HOLD THE WATER IN THAT SNOW PACK AND THEN RELEASE IT IN THE SPRING MELT.

AND IF WE DON'T DO THAT WE DON'T REPLENISH OUR STREAMS, LAKES, SOIL MOISTURE.

>> Eric: ARE THERE TRENDS ON WHAT WE CAN EXPECT FOR SUMMER?

>> I MEAN, WE KNOW SUMMER IS GOING TO BE WARMER THAN SPRING, BUT.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> Eric: I HAD THAT COMING IN.

I WAS LOOKING FOR A LITTLE MORE MAYBE.

>> I MEAN, THE OUTLOOKS ARE PRETTY TOUGH.

THE FORECASTERS ARE EXPECTING A LA NINA, BIG LA NINA WINTER, AND THE STRENGTH.

LA NINA BARELY DECREASED AND BARELY QUALIFY IT'S IT DOES AND THAT DECREASES THE SIGNAL, PREDICTABILITY OF WE HAVE FOR THE NEXT SEASON.

THERE HAVE BEEN SIGNS FOR MAYBE WARM AND DRY SUMMER, ESPECIALLY THE LATTER PART OF SUMMER BECAUSE THAT'S COMMON AFTER LA NINAS.

BUT NOW WE'LL SEE WHAT THE NEXT CLIMATE PREDICTION CENTER OUTLOOK IS.

BUT IT'S, MINNESOTA'S NOT IN ANY REALLY DEEP CATEGORIES OF DROUGHT CONCERN FOR THE SUMMERTIME.

WE'RE ALWAYS WORRIED ABOUT IT.

WE'RE ALSO ALWAYS WORRIED ABOUT EXTREME PRECIPITATION, SO.

>> Cathy: RIGHT.

I MEAN THERE'S NO WAY TO GO AHEAD AND JUDGE AS TO WHAT KIND OF SEVERE WEATHER SEASON WE MIGHT HAVE BASED ON WHAT OTHER AREAS OF THE COUNTRY HAVE BEEN SEEING?

>> IT'S BEEN ACTIVE AND WE'VE HAD SEVERE WEATHER CREEPING NORTH INTO ILLINOIS RECENTLY, WE HAD TORNADOES IN ILLINOIS TWO DAYS AGO.

AND SO I THINK THAT IF WE REMAIN IN THIS ACTIVE PATTERN, WHICH, YOU KNOW, ACCORDING TO THE FORECASTS AND THE FORECASTERS, IT LOOKS LIKE WE'VE GOT AT LEAST A COUPLE MORE WEEKS OF BEING IN AN ACTIVE PATTERN, BUT IF THAT CONTINUES INTO SPRING AS IT DID LAST YEAR, THEN WE MIGHT EXPECT, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF SEVERE WEATHER OR AT LEAST A LOT OF RAINFALL NO WAY OF KNOWING NOW.

>> Cathy: THE RAINFALL WOULD BE GOOD.

RIGHT.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR COMING OVER.

>> Cathy: ALWAYS GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> I WAS GLAD TO JOIN YOU.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> Aron: I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE: THESE ARE INTERESTING TIMES.

ONE RARELY GETS AN OPPORTUNITY TO ACT ON ONE'S PRINCIPLES, WHICH IS WHAT MAKES THESE TIMES SO INTERESTING.

WE’RE CONSTANTLY BEING ASKED TO ACT ON OUR PRINCIPLES.

I HAVE TO ACT ON MY PRINCIPLES WHEN I’M GROCERY SHOPPING, WHEN I’M WATCHING TV -- I EVEN HAVE TO ACT ON MY PRINCIPLES WHEN FINDING A BATHROOM TO USE.

BY THE BY, THIS HAS LED ME TO DEVELOP WHAT DOCTORS ARE DESCRIBING AS ETHICAL IBS; AS THE LAYMAN PUTS IT: KANTIAN CONSTIPATION.

EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY HAS BECOME AN IDEOLOGICAL BATTLEFIELD.

IT’S EXHAUSTING.

BUT IT’S IMPORTANT.

BECAUSE IT ILLUSTRATES THE DIVIDE BETWEEN THE IDEAS YOU BELIEVE IN AND THE IDEAS YOU WANT OTHERS TO BELIEVE IN.

IT’S FUN TO SAY, “LOVE THY NEIGHBOR” BUT IF YOU DON’T LIKE THINE NEIGHBOR THEN YOU’RE JUST ASKING PEOPLE TO HATE THINE-SELVES FOR LIVING JUST LIKE THEE.

I PERSONALLY LOVE MY NEIGHBORS, I JUST HATE THE LOUD MUSIC OF THY NEIGHBOR, BUT THAT’S A WHOLE OTHER THING.

IT’S EASY TO BRAG ABOUT HAVING THESE PROFOUND IDEAS WE SUBSCRIBE TO, BUT IT’S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT IF YOU NEVER ACT ON THEM THEN YOU’RE ESSENTIALLY A FRAUD.

THESE IDEAS COULD BE ETHICAL, RELIGIOUS, POLITICAL, OR EVEN PERSONAL.

FOR EXAMPLE, I HATE SOUP.

I THINK IT’S PRETENTIOUS TOILET WATER WITH A BACHELOR'S DEGREE.

NOW IMAGINE IF YOU SAW ME SLURPING DOWN A DISGUSTING BOWL OF TOMATO SWEAT, COLLOQUIALLY KNOWN AS "BISQUE."

YOU’D THINK I WAS A LIAR.

JUST ANOTHER CHARLATAN LOOKING TO DEFINE THEMSELVES BY HIGHLIGHTING AN OBVIOUS EVIL IN THE WORLD.

IT WOULD BE DISHEARTENING BECAUSE IT WOULD MEAN MY PRINCIPLES ARE FAKE.

AND IF I CAN LIE ABOUT THEM, WHY SHOULDN’T YOU?

I WON’T SCARE YOU WITH A SLIPPERY SLOPE.

INSTEAD, I’LL REASSURE YOU THAT THE ONLY WAY TO TURN THE PERSON YOU WANT TO BE INTO THE PERSON YOU ARE IS BY BEING HONEST.

THE SAME GOES WITH THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU.

SO CHECK IN WITH YOURSELF, SEE HOW YOUR PRINCIPLES ALIGN WITH YOUR ACTIONS, AND, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, AVOID SOUP.

♪♪ >> Cathy: THE MINNEAPOLIS ST. PAUL INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER.

ONE OF THE DOCUMENTARIES PREMIERING THIS YEAR IS THE WORK OF MINNESOTA FILMMAKER NORAH SHAPIRO.

"MAGIC AND MONSTERS" FOLLOWS A DECADES-OLD SEXUAL ABUSE SCANDAL AT THE CHILDREN'S THEATRE COMPANY IN MINNEAPOLIS AND FOLLOWS SURVIVORS WHO BREAK THEIR SILENCE DECADES LATER WE'RE GOING TO TALK WITH NORAH SHAPIRO IN JUST A FEW MINUTES BUT FIRST HERE'S A LOOK AT THE MOVIE TRAILER.

>> THE LARGEST CHILDREN'S THEATER IN THE WORLD IT TURNS OUT IT IN THE MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL AREA.

>> CHILDREN'S THEATER WAS A NATIONAL GEM.

>> IT WAS THE MOST MAGICAL, UNBELIEVABLE PLACE WHERE THINGS HAPPENED THAT YOU COULD ONLY SEE IN FAIRY TALES.

>> NOW I LOOK BACK AT IT AND I'M HORRIFIED.

♪♪ >> THERE WAS A BUNCH OF EXCEEDINGLY BRIGHT KIDS WHO WERE BROUGHT INTO THIS PROFESSIONAL THEATER AND WE WERE ALL TOLD WE ARE SPECIAL.

>> ARTS COURSES.

SINGING, ACTING, DANCE.

>> WE ARE ABOUT CREATING SACRED MOMENTS AND MAGIC.

>> PART OF WHAT MADE IT SO SPECIAL IS JOHN CLARK DONAHUE.

>> HE WAS TEACHING US, ALWAYS.

INTRODUCING US TO ART, OUR MINDS WERE BEING EXPANDED.

>> AND THEN.

>> I SENSED THIS EROTIC ENERGY FOR DANGER.

♪♪ >> I HEARD THE RUMORS ABOUT JOHN DONAHUE.

>> THE NYMPHS OF THE ISLES.

>> THE MINNESOTA BUREAU OF CRIMINAL APPREHENSION INVESTIGATED COMPLAINTS THAT STUDENTS WERE BEING ABUSED.

>> OUR LOVE OF ART KEPT US THERE.

>> PEOPLE STARTED TELLING THEIR STORIES AND IT WAS JUST LIKE THIS OH, MY GOD, I HAD NO IDEA.

>> YOU WERE LOOKING AT A TIP OF THE ICEBERG.

>> WEALTHY INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE OF POSITIONS WERE VERY RELUCTANT THAT THIS INVESTIGATION WOULD GO FORWARD.

>> DENIAL IS SUCH N EASY THING TO CHOOSE.

>> THERE ARE INDICATIONS THAT OTHER STAFF MEMBERS MAY HAVE BEEN SEXUALLY ABUSING CHILDREN OVER A PERIOD OF MANY YEARS.

>> THEY DIDN'T WANT TO BELIEVE THAT THIS WAS MANY, MANY PERPETRATORS, MANY MANY VICTIMS.

>> I HAD TOLD THE TRUTH, IT COSTS ME EVERYTHING THAT WAS IMPORTANT TO ME.

>> SING TO ME!

>> THE THINGS THAT HAPPENED IN THAT ROOM.

>> IT WAS SHOCKING.

>> INSTITUTIONS MAKE THEMSELVES COMPLICIT IN THE HOPE THAT THESE PROBLEMS WILL GO AWAY, THAT THESE MEMORIES WILL GO AWAY, THAT THIS HISTORY WILL GO AWAY.

IT'S A SECOND WORLD.

>> THE AVERAGE VICTIM NEEDS DECADES TO COME FORWARD.

YOU HAVE TO BE AN ADULT TO UNDERSTAND THAT YOUR CHILDHOOD WAS DESTROYED.

>> IT COULD HAVE BEEN SAFE AND IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN SAFE.

>> SURVIVORS COME FORWARD BECAUSE THEY WANT CHILDREN PROTECTED AND THEY WANT INSTITUTIONS TO CHANGE.

>> THAT EVERYBODY KNEW THIS WAS HAPPENING AT THE THEATER.

NOBODY DID ANYTHING.

♪♪ >> Cathy: JOINING US TO TALK MORE ABOUT "MAGIC AND MONSTERS, FILM'S DIRECTOR NORAH SHAPIRO.

WELCOME BACK TO THE SHOW IT'S BEEN AWHILE.

>> IT'S A PLEASURE TO SEE YOU BOTH, THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> Cathy: ABSOLUTELY.

PEOPLE PROBABLY DON'T EVEN REMEMBER THIS STORY, IT WAS A HUGE STORY BACK THEN.

AND DONAHUE WAS KIND OF LIKE A SVENGALI FIGURE, WASN'T HE?

WILDLY CREATIVE, KIND OF A MYSTERIOUS SORT OF INDIVIDUAL, THOUGH.

HOW WITH YOU DESCRIBE HIM?

>> WELL, I DIDN'T KNOW HIM PERSONALLY ALTHOUGH I WILL SAY I GREW UP ATTENDING THE CHILDREN'S THEATER.

IT AFFECTED MY ARTISTIC SENSIBILITIES, IT WAS RADICALLY, AMAZINGLY OWERFUL THEATER.

IT WAS BEAUTIFUL, UNPARALLELED ART.

AND HE WAS BEHIND THAT.

AND UNFORTUNATELY THERE WAS ALSO ANOTHER DARKER SIDE TO WHAT WAS HAPPENING.

>> Eric: IS IT FAIR TO CALL THIS A COVER-UP?

>> OH, BOY, THAT'S -- UM.

I WOULD SAY IT'S A LITTLE MORE COMPLICATED THAN THAT.

LIKE THE WHOLE STORY IS.

OUR FILM AND PROBABLY ANY TELLING OF THIS.

THE OTHER THING I WOULD SAY AND I THINK IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND IS I'VE OFTEN USED THE ANALOGY OF A DISCO BALL THAT HAS MANY MANY MANY COUNTLESS FACETS, AND THIS FILM IS ONE.

THERE'S SO MANY PEOPLE WHO WERE AFFECTED AND IMPACTED IN THIS COMMUNITY ON ALL SIDES, WHETHER FROM THE AUDIENCE, WHETHER FROM THE INSTITUTION, WHETHER THEY WERE STUDENTS, WHETHER THEY WERE CLASSMATES.

IT'S A VERY COMPLICATED STORY AND COMPLICATED LEGACY.

>> Cathy: WAS IT TOUGH TO GET PEOPLE TO TALK?

>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

YES AND NO I WOULD SAY.

WE WERE INVITED IN TO TELL THIS STORY, AND THE STORY IS VERY SPECIFICALLY FROM THE LENS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE LITIGATION THAT TOOK PLACE AS A RESULT OF MINNESOTA PASSED A TEMPORARY THREE-YEAR LOOKBACK, STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS REFORM AND IN FACT MINNESOTA AS IT OFTEN IS, WAS ON THE FRONT END.

IT WAS MAYBE THE FOURTH, THIRD OR FOURTH STATE IN THE NATION TO DO THAT.

AND OUT OF THAT, THIS LITIGATION CAME.

AND SO THAT WAS THE LENS.

SO THE PEOPLE WHO INITIATED THE CONVERSATION, IT WAS NOT HARD TO GET THOSE PEOPLE TO TALK TO ME, ALTHOUGH EVEN THAT WAS A COMPLICATED TRUST-BUILDING PROCESS THROUGHOUT.

>> Cathy: THERE'S A LOT OF TRAUMA INVOLVED.

>> SO MUCH TRAUMA INVOLVED.

BUT OTHER PEOPLE DIDN'T WANT TO TALK AT ALL.

PEOPLE WHO IT WOULD HAVE BEEN WONDERFUL TO HAVE THEIR VOICES REPRESENTED, BUT I COULD ONLY WORK WITH THE PEOPLE WHO WERE WILLING TO BE A PART OF IT.

>> Eric: WELL, YOU MUST HAVE HAD EMPATHY FOR THESE FOLKS.

YOU'VE GOT A BACKGROUND AS A DEFENSE ATTORNEY AND PUBLIC DEFENDER.

SO DID YOU USE SOME OF THOSE SKILLS AS A TRUST BUILDING MECHANISM, OR?

>> I WOULD -- I MEAN, I'M SURE I DID.

I MEAN, I WOULD SAY I HAVE EMPATHY FOR EVERYBODY INVOLVED ON ANY LEVEL IN THIS WHAT IS A REALLY TRAGIC STORY.

>> Eric: DID YOU GATHER THEM TOGETHER OR DID YOU DO THE INTERVIEWS SEPARATELY OR, WITH THE VICTIMS?

>> I WOULD SAY BOTH, BOTH OF THOSE THINGS TOOK PLACE OVER -- I MEAN, THIS WAS A LONG TIME.

WHEN WE STARTED OUT, WE STARTED THE PROCESS IN 2019, AS WE ALL KNOW WHAT WAS JUST COMING AROUND THE CORNER THAT CHANGED SO MUCH, THAT CHANGED FILMMAKING, SOME OF THE FILM, SOME OF THE SHOOTS WERE DONE REMOTELY WITH THE COVID PROTOCOLS AT THE TIME AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

MASKS, NOT MASKS.

IT REALLY EVOLVED.

THINGS TOOK LONGER THAN I THINK WE INITIALLY ANTICIPATED IN PART BECAUSE OF THE SHUTDOWN AND EVERYTHING ELSE THAT WE'VE GONE THROUGH.

BUT IT WAS N ONGOING PROCESS.

>> Cathy: HOW MUCH INSTITUTIONAL COURAGE DID THE CHILDREN'S THEATRE COMPANY SHOW THROUGH ALL THIS?

>> WELL, WAY O PUT ME ON THE SPOT.

YOU KNOW, I COULD ANSWER HAT DIFFERENTLY BASED ON DIFFERENT POINTS ALONG THE TIMELINE.

I THINK, THOUGH, THAT WHAT I WOULD RATHER SAY ABOUT THAT IS I THINK I'D LOVE FOR AUDIENCES TO MAKE UP THEIR OWN MINDS ABOUT THAT BECAUSE WHAT WE REALLY TRIED HARD TO DO IS TO THOROUGHLY AND CAREFULLY REPORT AND INVESTIGATE AND SUBJECT IT TO RIGOROUS FACT-CHECKING AND CARE, TELL OF THE STORY.

AND THERE'S A LOT OF BIG FEEL OH, MY GOODNESS ALL SIDES AND IT'S EASY TO LOOK BACKWARD AND ANSWER A QUESTION LIKE THAT.

I THINK, THOUGH, THAT THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT CAN BE LEARNED AND THAT'S ONE OF THE PURPOSES, ONE OF THE REASONS FOR MAKING THE FILM.

>> Eric: WHERE AND WHEN TO SEE IT?

>> THE FILM, IT'S CREENING, IT'S PREMIERING, IN FACT AT THE MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL.

>> Eric: DO YOU KNOW WHAT DAY?

>> YES, WE, THE FIRST SCREENING IS ON APRIL 7TH, I'M BOTH HAPPY AND SAD FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE TICKETS TO SAY THAT IT SOLD OUT VERY QUICKLY, IT WAS MOVED TO A BIGGER THEATER AND THAT SOLD OUT.

THERE ARE AS I UNDERSTAND TICKETS STILL LEFT FOR THE SECOND SCREENING ON THE NINTH, 4:15 ON THE NINTH.

>> Eric: ST. ANTHONY MAIN?

>> YES.

>> Cathy: YOU REALLY DID AMAZING WORK, YOU AND YOUR TEAM.

THANK YOU, NORAH.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

APPRECIATE IT.

♪♪ >> Eric: YOU'VE PROBABLY HEARD THAT A FEDERAL SEX TRAFFICKING STING CAUGHT A STATE SENATOR EARLIER THIS WEEK.

IT RESULTED IN A FLURRY OF ACTIVITY AT THE CAPITOL, INCLUDING PLANS TO TAKE UNPRECEDENTED ACTION AGAINS THE SITTING LAWMAKER.

POLITICAL REPORTER MARY LAHAMMER HAS THE SCOOP ON WHO MIGHT BE RUNNING TO REPLACE THE SENATOR AS SHE PUTS IT ALL IN CONTEXT.

>> I AM RESIGNING MY SEAT IN THE MINNESOTA SENATE PER DISTRICT 6 EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.

SINCERELY, JUSTIN EICHORN.

>> THE RESIGNATION CAME MINUTES BEFORE THE MINNESOTA SENATE WAS SET TO TAKE THE UNUSUAL STEP OF EXPELLING ONE OF THEIR OWN AFTER HE WAS ARRESTED FOR SOLICITING A MINOR.

>> THE MOST UNUSUAL YEAR I'VE EXPERIENCED IN THE MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE AND THESE LAST TWO DAYS HAVE BEEN THE MOST DISGUSTING, DISAPPOINTING AND DIFFICULT DAYS.

>> IT'S REALLY A SAD, A SAD THING.

WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS HERE.

WE DID THAT AND NOW WE'RE GOING TO BE MOVING FORWARD FROM HERE ON OUT.

>> HE OBVIOUSLY THOUGHT THIS WAS OKAY.

HE LEFT THIS BUILDING AND WENT OVER TO ARRANGE ALLEGEDLY TO HAVE SEX WITH A CHILD.

THAT EQUIRES A WHOLE LOT MORE PERMISSION THAN JUST A RANDOM THOUGHT ON A MONDAY.

>> FORMER SENATOR EICHORN ELIMINATED FELLOW FEMALE SENATOR KARI RUUD WHEN HE CHALLENGED HER AFTER REDISTRICTING.

AT THE CAPITOL THIS WEEK SHE TOLD ME SHE'S CONSIDERING RUNNING AGAIN AND SOURCES SAY SO IS OUSTED PARTY CHAIR JENNIFER CARNAHAN, RECENTLY ELECTED NISSWA MAYOR.

>> I'M REALLY GRATEFUL TO BE A PART OF A CAUCUS WITH AJORITY WOMEN.

I THINK OUR VOICES ARE IMPORTANT IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

WE HAVE A MAJORITY OF WOMEN, THE SENATE CAUCUS HAS ONLY THREE WOMEN SERVING IN THEIR BODY AND PERHAPS ANOTHER WOMAN WOULD BE A GOOD THING.

>> THE ENATE HAD THE VOTES TO EXPEL SENATOR EICHORN AND THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN LIKELY THE FIRST TIME TO EVER HAPPEN IN STATE HISTORY.

THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE LIBRARY CONFIRMS THEY HAVE NO INSTANCES OF A SUCCESSFUL EXPULSION, BUT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY ATTEMPTS.

>> THE CHARGE THAT HE'S BEEN ACCUSED OF ARE SO SEVERE AND THE TRANSCRIPT BASED ON THE REPORTS ARE VERY DAMNING.

EVEN THOUGH THAT HAS NOT BEEN DONE, EXPULSION HAS NOT BEEN DONE ON THE FLOOR BEFORE WE FELT THAT THE CHARGES WARRANTED THAT TODAY.

>> IT WOULD BE THE FIRST TIME THAT THIS BODY AS TAKEN THE ACTION TO EXPEL A MEMBER, DULY ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE.

WE TAKE THAT VERY, VERY SERIOUSLY.

>> BLOOMINGTON POLICE SAY THE 40-YEAR-OLD FROM GRAND RAPIDS THOUGHT HE WAS MEETING UP WITH A 17-YEAR-OLD GIRL WHEN E WAS BROUGHT INTO CUSTODY.

EICHORN WAS LISTED IN HIS SENATE BIOLOGY RAFFY AS HAVING A WIFE AND FOUR CHILDREN.

HE UNSEATED A DEMOCRATIC STATE SENATOR TO THE FIRST GET TO THE CAPITOL IN 2016.

>> OUR CANDIDATES FOR TONIGHT'S DEBATE ARE TOM SAXHOG, AND JUSTIN EICHORN FROM THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

>> I THINK THIS IS A REAL OPPORTUNITY, A REAL TIME FOR CHANGE NOT ONLY IN THE COUNTRY BUT IN SENATE DISTRICT 5 AND IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

>> BLOOMINGTON POLICE CHIEF BOOKER HODGES SAID, QUOTE, AS A 40-YEAR-OLD MAN, IF YOU COME TO THE ORANGE JUMP SUIT DISTRICT LOOKING TO HAVE SEX WITH SOMEONE'S CHILD, YOU CAN EXPECT THAT WE ARE GOING TO LOCK YOU UP.

ADDING, WE NEED OUR STATE LEGISLATURE TO TAKE THIS CASE AND HIS TYPE OF CONDUCT MORE SERIOUSLY.

HODGES KNOWS POLITICS.

HE'S A FORMER ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> THIS IS WHERE THE TRAFFICKING ISSUE COMES IN.

THIS IS WHERE WE'RE PREYING ON CHILDREN, THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS CRIME.

>> THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH SO HELP YOU GOD.

>> THE SENATE HAD A ONE-VOTE MARGIN FOR DEMOCRATS, NOW TWO.

AND REPUBLICANS HAD BEEN PUSHING ETHICS CHARGES AND EXPULSION FOR D.F.L.

SENATOR NICOLE MITCHELL AFTER HER FELONY ARREST FOR BURGLARY AT HER STEP MOTHER'S HOME.

>> I'M GOING TO NOT ANSWER ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME.

>> WE WANT TO TAKE CARE OF HIS QUICKLY AND BE DONE WITH THIS, DO THE RIGHT THING AS A CAUCUS AND I'M VERY PROUD OF OUR CAUCUS FOR BEING VERY TOGETHER ON THIS ONE, UNANIMOUS ON THE DECISIONS THAT WERE MADE THROUGHOUT AND WE GOT THAT DONE.

>> SENATE REPUBLICANS CALLED FOR SENATOR MITCHELL AND SENATOR EICHORN TO STEP DOWN.

THE LATEST NEWS GOT ATTENTION ONLINE ACROSS THE GLOBE.

>> JUSTIN EICHORN, SENATOR FROM MINNESOTA, HE IS ONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO SAID LET'S MAKE TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME A MENTAL ILLNESS SO WE CAN LOCK UP PEOPLE FOR HAVING IT.

>> MAYBE INSTEAD OF WORRYING ABOUT CATEGORIZING THER PEOPLE AS BEING MENTALLY ILL YOU TAKE A LONG LOOK IN THE MIRROR.

>> THIS SENATOR OPPOSED A BILL THAT WAS FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE SEX EDUCATION OF MINNESOTA CHILDREN.

♪♪ >> Eric:S IT'S MARY JUST NOTED IT'S BEEN A WEEK OF TURMOIL AT THE CAPITOL.

EARLIER TODAY, GOVERVOR WALZ PROPOSED MORE CUTS IN A REVISED BUDGET.

AND THE NEWS OUT OF THE NATION'S CAPITOL IS NOT SLOWING DOWN EITHER.

PLENTY TO COULD HAVER WITH THIS WEEK'S POLITICAL PANEL.

DEMOCRATS UP FIRST, SUSAN KENT, FORMER SENATE MAJORITY LEADER.

ALYSSEN NESSE NOW LOBBIES UP AT THE CAPITOL.

REPUBLICANS HERE, BRIAN MCCLUNG, FORMER PAW LENTLY SPOKES PERSON, PREYA SAMSUNDAR ROUNDS OUT THE GROUP, G.O.P.

STRATEGIST SERVED AS COMMUNICATIONS FOR DIRECTOR OF THE RNC AND THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN.

CAN THE REPUBLICANS SAY WE CLEANED UP OUR MESS IN 48 HOURS, YOU DEMOCRATS HAVEN'T CLEANED UP YOUR MITCHELL MESS YET?

>> ABSOLUTELY, I MEAN LIKE THE REALITY IS WHEN I FIRST STARTED WORKING FOR THE MNGOP BACK IN 2017 THE STATE PARTY WAS RIGHT ON TOP OF CALLING ON FOLKS LIKE FRANKEN TO RESIGN.

IT TOOK THEM OVER TWO WEEKS TO CALL TO TONECH CORNISH TO RESIGN.

REPUBLICANS HERE TOOK THAT LESSON, ACTED SWIFTLY, ACTED WITH ONE VOICE, THEY WERE COLLECTIVE, THERE WAS NO MEASURE WHATSOEVER.

MEANWHILE WE SAW WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DON'T TAKE THAT MORAL HIGH GROUND WHEN ERIN MURPHY WAS FORCED TO ISSUE A STATEMENT IN A VERY TERRIBLE SITUATION AND SAY NOT CALL FOR THAT RESIGNATION WHEN EVERYONE LSE AROUND HER WAS.

>> Cathy: SENATOR KENT, SENATOR MURPHY DID LOOK A LITTLE UNCOMFORTABLE.

>> YEAH, THIS WAS A TOUGH SPOT FOR SURE AND AS SOMEONE WHO DID MYSELF CALL ON SENATOR ITCHELL TO RESIGN LAST MAY AND AS DID GOVERNOR WALZ AND AS DID CHAIR KEN MARTIN AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE MINNESOTA SENATE, YOU KNOW, THIS DOES BECOME A TOUGH SPOT.

OBVIOUSLY THESE ARE VERY DIFFERENT SITUATIONS IN A LOT OF WAYS.

BUT, YOU KNOW, WE USED TO HAVE IT WHERE POLITICIANS OULD STEP DOWN WHEN THEY WERE CAUGHT DOING SOMETHING NOT GOOD AND THEN WE'VE HAD DONALD TRUMP WHO HAS LIVED THROUGH COUNTLESS PROBLEMS AND GEORGE SANTOS, ET CETERA AND NOW PEOPLE JUST STAY AND IT'S HARD IN THAT CASE GIVEN THE RULES AND IN THE MINNESOTA SENATE.

>> I THINK ULTIMATELY SENATE DEMOCRATS HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE LEGAL PROCESS AND THE STANDARD THAT WE HOLD LEGISLATORS TO.

AND WHAT SENATOR MITCHELL DID IS NOT UP TO THE STANDARDS THAT WE EXPECT OF OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS.

AND SO SHE SHOULD RESIGN AND THEY SHOULD BE CALLING ON HER TO RESIGN.

AND I UNDERSTAND, I THINK PART OF THIS WAS THE POLITICS OF 34-33 THAT SENATE DEMOCRATS DIDN'T WANT TO HAVE HER RESIGN AND PUSH THEM INTO A TIE.

>> Eric: YEAH.

MAKES SENSE.

>> WITH REPUBLICANS.

HERE'S THE THING, REPUBLICANS ARE DOWN A SEAT.

SO DEMOCRATS HAVE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND PUSH SENATOR MITCHELL OUT OR BRING A MOTION TO EXPEL AND GET PEAS THIS, LET'S GET PAST ALL OF THIS ON OTH SIDE OF THE AISLE SO THE LEGISLATURE CAN GET BACK TO DOING ITS JOB.

>> Eric: ALYSSEN.

>> I APPRECIATE THE FOCUS ON SENATOR MITCHELL, BUT THERE IS NO MORAL EQUIVALENCY BETWEEN THE CRIMES THAT SENATOR EICHORN COMMITTED AND SENATOR MITCHELL.

THEY SHOULD NOT EVEN BE CONFLATED IN THE SAME CONVERSATION.

OF COURSE THE SENATE DEMOCRATS HAVE SOME THINKING TO DO ABOUT HOW TO HANDLE THIS.

BUT TO EQUATE OR BRING THE CONVERSATION TOGETHER IS JUST AROUND A DISGUSTING TRAGEDY >> HERE'S THE THING, I AGREE WITH ALYSSEN.

WAS JUSTIN EICHORN DID WAS A THOUSAND TIMES WORSE THAN WHAT NICOLE MITCHELL DID, BUT BOTH OF THEM RISE TO THE LEVEL OF NO LONGER BEING ABLE TO SERVE COMPETENTLY IN THE MINNESOTA SENATE.

SO EVEN THOUGH ONE IS CLEARLY A MILLION TIMES WORSE, IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THE OTHER ONE SHOULD BE EXCUSED BECAUSE OF THAT.

>> WELL, AND THE REALITY IS THAT AT THE END OF THE DAY LIKE THERE IS A WORST-CASE SCENARIO, JUSTIN ICHORN IS THE WORST-CASE SCENARIO SO WE CAN SIT HERE AND CONFLATE ALL DAY LONG ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT MITCHELL IS USTIFIED IN STAYING OR GOING UT THE REALITY FOR SENATE DEMOCRATS AND DEMOCRATS AS A WHOLE IN THE LONG-TERM IS AND REPUBLICANS FACE THIS AS WELL, WHEN YOU DON'T CALL OUT YOUR OWN PROBLEMS IN YOUR OWN HOUSE, YOU LOSE THE ABILITY TO CALL OUT PROBLEMS IN THE OTHER HOUSE.

>> WE HAVE TO GO BACK TO DONALD TRUMP AND THE FACT THAT HE IS REELECTED AS OUR PRESIDENT BY A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO COULD HAVE CALLED HIM OUT ON ANY NUMBER OF SERIOUS ISSUES.

>> AND PEOPLE DID CALL HIM OUT AND HE STILL WON.

>> Eric: YOU'RE UP THERE EVERY DAY PRETTY MUCH AT THE CAPITOL?

>> EVERY DAY, SOMETIMES EVERY NIGHT.

>> Eric: IT SEEMS TO ME THE ACTION IS STILL IN THE HOUSE.

THE DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO BE IN CHARGE OF THE SENATE AND THIS SHOULD HAVE MINIMAL EFFECT ON THE SESSION.

>> IT TRULY DOES HAVE MINIMAL EFFECT AND FRANKLY I THINK THE BIGGEST EFFECT IS GOING TO BE ON THE TONE AND TENOR SOME OF THE SOCIAL ISSUES REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN ESPOUSING ON THE FLOOR AROUND PREDATORY BEHAVIORS, LGBTQ AND TRANS COMMUNITY, PEDOPHILIA, AND EQUATING THAT TO THOSE COMMUNITIES, I HINK THIS KIND OF ENDS THAT.

>> Cathy: SO THE HOUSE IS NOW TIED.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FORWARD TO WHEN IT COMES TO POWER SHARING?

>> THE BUDGET AGREEMENT IN THE HOUSE AS I'VE BEEN TALKING TO PEOPLE, LOOK,IT'S GOING TO BE ABOUT CUTS THIS YEAR, RIGHT?

WE HAVE A MINIMAL BUDGET SURPLUS IN THE UPCOMING TWO-YEAR PERIOD BUT WE HAVE THAT $6 BILLION PROJECTED DEFICIT BEYOND THAT.

EVEN WITH THE GOVERNOR'S NEW REVISED SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET HE'S MAKING MORE CUTS, REPUBLICANS WANT TO GO FURTHER AND SHOULD.

THE REASON WE'RE IN THIS POSITION IS BECAUSE DEMOCRATS SPENT AN $18 BILLION SURPLUS, RAISED $10 BILLION IN TAXES, INCREASED GOVERNMENT SPENDING BY 40% SINCE 2010, SINCE GOVERNOR PAWLENTY LEFT OFFICE, DOUBLED THE SIZE OF THE STATE BUDGET, THAT'S WHY WE'RE FACING THIS BIG DEFICIT BUT IT'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE CUTS WHICH MEANS IT'S MOSTLY REPUBLICAN VOTES IN THE HOUSE THAT'S GOING TO PASS THAT BUDGET.

SO YOU HAVE TO FIND A PLAN WHERE ONE OR TWO DEMOCRATS ARE WILLING TO COME ALONG AND COME TO AN AGREEMENT AND GET THAT BILL THROUGH THE HOUSE AND THEN NEGOTIATE WITH THE SENATE OVER WHAT THAT BUDGET IT LOOKS LIKE.

>> Eric: FORMER EAST METRO LEGISLATOR, YOU.

>> YES.

>> Eric: $400 MILLION TO TO RENOVATE THE XCEL ENERGY CENTER IN DOWNTOWN ST. PAUL?

>> I MEAN, I UNDERSTAND THE ASK.

I DON'T KNOW THAT THIS IS THE YEAR FOR IT.

THAT'S JUST -- >> Eric: IS ANYTHING WITH MONEY GOING TO HAVE A SHOT, OR?

>> IT'S GOING TO BE REALLY CHALLENGING.

THERE'S NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.

IT'S GOING TO BE REALLY CHALLENGING TO SPEND ANY ONGOING NEW MONEY, MAYBE SOME ONE-TIME INVESTMENTS, BUT VERY MINIMAL.

>> Eric: SELLING THE SPENDING CUTS, I SAW SOME REPUBLICAN STATE HOUSE MEMBERS APPEALING TO THE MINNESOTA REPUBLICANS IN THE HOUSE DON'T TOUCH OUR MEDICAID.

>> I MEAN, THE REALITY IS IS REPUBLICANS HAVE ALREADY SAID POINT BLANK THEY'RE NOT CUTTING SOCIAL SECURITY, THEY'RE NOT CUTTING MEDICARE.

THAT IS A CONVENIENT TALKING POINT THAT HAS BEEN USED FOR FAR TOO LONG.

THE EALITY IS TO BRIAN'S POINT IS THAT THIS IS AN ADMINISTRATION THAT HAS SPENT YEARS RAISING TAXES, THEY'VE BEEN INCREASING SPENDING, AND IT'S TIME THAT WE NEED TO PULL SOME OF THAT BACK.

I MEAN AMERICANS ARE SUFFERING, YOU CAN'T GO TO THEM TO CUT, SO LET'S LOOK AT SOME OF THE SPECIAL INTERESTS PROJECTS THAT YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN PUTTING MONEY INTO AND CUT FROM THERE.

>> IT'S NOT A TALKING POINT TO SAY THAT THE CUTS THAT ARE BEING PRESENTED BY THE REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS IS GOING TO HAVE TO REQUIRE CUTS IN MEDICAID SOCIAL SECURITY, THAT'S WHAT THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE HAS SAID.

AND TO KEEP REITERATING THAT IS DISINGENUOUS TO AMERICANS.

>> Eric: FORMER GOVERNOR SPOKESPERSON.

>> YES, SIR.

>> Eric: ROAD WARRIOR TIM WALZ, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> WELL, HERE'S THE THING.

I THINK GOVERNOR WALZ FEELS LIKE HE HAS AN OPPORTUNITY AND A VOICE TO GO OUT AND THAT HIS GOING OUT IN A VACUUM, RIGHT?

YOU DON'T REALLY SEE OTHER DEMOCRATS DOING THAT, GOING TO RED STATES AND KIND OF TAKING THE FIGHT TO IT SO I UNDERSTAND WHERE HE'S GOING WITH THAT.

BUT WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION, IT'S VERY DIFFICULT SESSION WITH TIED HOUSE, A ONE-SEAT MAJORITY IN THE SENATE.

WE NEED THE GOVERNOR'S LEADERSHIP TO GET THROUGH THE SITUATION THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW WITH THESE LOOMING DEFICITS COMING.

AND SO I THINK MINNESOTANS I THINK ARE RIGHTFULLY GOING TO SAY WHY ARE YOU IN NEBRASKA AND IOWA AND WISCONSIN WHEN MINNESOTA'S FACING SOME SERIOUS CHALLENGES?

>> Cathy: HE'LL BE IN ROCHESTER TOMORROW BUT, YEAH, HE DOESN'T HAVE TO DO THIS.

>> HE DOESN'T BUT HE GOT AN INCREDIBLE NATIONAL PLATFORM DURING THE GENERAL ELECTION IN NOVEMBER.

AND HE'S NOT SPEAKING TO EMPTY ROOMS, I MEAN, THERE ARE PEOPLE COMING TO SEE HIM TO SEE, WE AS DEMOCRATS NEED TO BE DOING THIS.

WE HAVE TO BE HAVING THESE CONVERSATIONS.

>> AND REPUBLICAN CONGRESSPEOPLE IN MINNESOTA ARE NOT SHOWING UP TO THEIR COMMUNITIES IN THE WAY THAT THEY SHOULD BE.

>> WELL, I MEAN, LIKE .

IT'S ONE THING FOR TIM WALZ TO SHOW UP IN EAU CLAIRE, IT'S A WHOLE 'NOTHER THING WHEN HIS STAFF STARTS KICKING OUT REPUBLICANS FOR WEARING MAGA HATS WHEN THEY HAVE TICKETS COMING IN.

THAT'S LIKE A FIRST THING.

SECOND OF ALL THIS IS MORE OF A FACE SAVING MEASURE FOR TIM WALZ THAN ANYTHING ELSE.

HE COMES BACK TO THE STATE VERY WEAK, HE COMES TO THE STATE HAVING TO GO INTO A POTENTIAL REELECTION FOR A THIRD TIME WHEN HE'S UNPOPULAR, WHEN HE'S ALREADY WASTED $19 BILLION, HE'S RAISING TAXES AND NOW HE'S TRYING TO GO FIND THAT FAME AND CAPTURE SOME OF THAT LOVE AND ATTENTION AND HE'S NOT FINDING IT.

I MEAN, THERE ARE DEMOCRATS THAT ARE GOING OUT AND SAYING PLEASE DO NOT COME TO Y STATE.

PLEASE DO NOT COME TO MY DISTRICT.

>> HE DID MEET FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS SESSION WITH LEADERSHIP THIS WEEK TO START LAYING THE GROUPEDWORK FOR BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS.

IS THAT, SEEMS LIKE IT FELT LIKE IT MIGHT BE A LITTLE LATE AT THIS POINT IN TERMS OF FIRST MEETING?

>> IT'S BEEN A WEIRD SESSION.

>> -- WEIRD SCHEDULE.

THEY'VE GOT THE DEADLINE NOW AND BUDGETS ARE COMING OUT.

IT MAKES SENSE AND HAVING LIVED THROUGH A COVID BUDGET SESSION I GET THE EXTERNALS.

>> Cathy: HE THINKS THAT A BUDGET CAN GET DONE IN TIME.

DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE THAT?

>> I THINK IN THEORY IT CAN, BUT I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE HARD BECAUSE I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF FEDERAL UNKNOWNS AND QUESTIONS THAT ARE GOING TO COME UP AND AGAIN WE BENT THROUGH THAT WITH THE COVID SITUATION.

>> Eric: MULTIPLE CHOICE FOR ALYSSEN.

GOVERNOR WALZ, THIRD TERM AS GOVERNOR, 2028 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN, OR BOTH?

>> YEAH, ALL OF THE ABOVE.

>> HERE'S THE THING A MONTH OR TWO AGO I WOULD HAVE COME IN HERE AND SAID I ABSOLUTELY THINK TIM WALZ IS RUNNING FOR A THIRD TERM.

IT'S HISTORIC, I THINK HE WANTS TO CCOMPLISH THAT, I HINK HE LIKES THE JOB.

THE WAY HE'S BEEN ACTING IN THE LAST MONTH MAKES ME THINK HE'S KIND OF DONE WITH IT, RIGHT?

>> Eric: YOU HAD A GOVERNOR WHO WENT TO PRESIDENT.

>> RIGHT, AND SO GOVERNOR PAWLENTY IN PART DECIDED NOT TO RUN FOR A THIRD TERM BECAUSE HE WAS PLANNING TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT AND KNEW WHAT THAT WOULD TAKE AND KNEW WHAT THAT WOULD MEAN TO TRY TO DO BOTH JOBS AT ONCE.

AND RIGHT NOW IT FEELS LIKE TIM WALZ HAS MOVED PAST BEING GOVERNOR BUT I COULD BE WRONG.

>> Eric: AH, RUN OUT OF TIME.

>> Cathy: YOU GUYS CAN TALK AMONGST YOURSELVES NOW.

I'M GOING TO GO OVER HERE.

>> Eric: GREAT STUFF AS ALWAYS.

♪♪ >> WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR THROUGH THE BONDING BILL IS ONE-THIRD OF THE OVERALL COST AND WE WOULD BE OUT ON THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FAIRLY SOON.

>> YOU SEEM AWFUL COMFORTABLE IN THE POLITICAL WORLD.

>> I ENJOY POLITICS JUST AS MUCH AS THEATER.

I HINK THERE'S AN ELEMENT OF POLITICS IN THEATER AND THEATERS IN POLITICS.

ON ST. PATRICK'S DAY, HOW COULD ANYBODY NOT ENJOY POLITICS?

THAT'S THE LIFEBLOOD OF THE IRISH.

♪♪ >> >> Cathy: I ALWAYS LOVED JOE DOWLING, HE WAS SUCH A FUN GUEST.

SPEAKING OF UN.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE PARTS OF THE SHOW IS UP NEXT.

THE MINNESOTA HISTORY SECTION, THE INDEX FILE.

FOR THIS WEEK'S EFFORT WE'RE GOING TO TRAVEL BACK 100 YEARS AGO IN JANUARY OF 1925 A NEWSPAPER OUT EAST HIGHLIGHTED A MINNESOTA THING THAT MADE INTERNATIONAL NEWS.

NOW, THIS THING CLAIMED TO BE THE LARGEST OF ITS KIND, MEASURING 60 FEET LONG, CONTAINING MORE THAN 400 POUNDS OF A NATURAL SUBSTANCE AND NEEDING MULTIPLE PEOPLE TO HOLD IT UP.

WHAT LARGE MINNESOTA ITEM MADE INTERNATIONAL NEWS IN JANUARY OF 1925?

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU WHETHER YOU'RE CALLING IN FROM ROLLING FORKS TOWNSHIP, ROLLING GREEN TOWNSHIP OR ROLLING STONE TOWNSHIP.

651-229-1430 IS THE NUMBER TO CALL WITH ALL OF YOUR GUESSES, RIGHT AND WRONG.

NOW, I'M GOING TO TELL YOU THE PHONE LINES HAVE BEEN KIND OF QUIET LATELY, SO GIVE US A CALL BECAUSE THE ODDS F YOU ETTING ON THE AIR ARE VERY GOOD.

YOU CAN ALWAYS DROP US A NOTE TOO IF YOU REALLY WANT TO YOU CAN FIND THE ELECTRONIC INBOX AT ALMANACTPT.ORG.

WHILE YOU'RE ONLINE HOP OVER TO THE WEBSITE AND CHECK OUT SHOWS FROM THE ARCHIVES.

TPT.ORG/ALMANAC.

QUICK TUNE-IN NOTE BEFORE WE GO REMEMBER TO CATCH "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL" WITH MARY LAHAMMER LIVE FROM THE HOUSE GALLERY WEDNESDAYS 7:00 ON THE STATEWIDE MINNESOTA CHAN QUELL.

YOU CAN CHECK HOUSE AND SENATE FLOOR ACTION, COMMITTEE HEARINGS AND MORE LEGISLATIVE COVERAGE ON THE STATEWIDE CHANNEL.

WE HAVE JUST ENOUGH TIME RIGHT NOW THE CLOCK ON THE WALL SAYS FOR SOME SHOW-ENDING MUSIC.

IT WAS THIS EEK BACK IN 2018 THAT THE STEELES STOPPED BY STUDIO B FOR A ARE NON-HOLIDAY MUSICAL PERFORMANCE.

TAKE A LOOK AND A LISTEN!

TAKE CARE AND WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT WEEK.

♪♪ >> SINGING: LOOKING EVERYWHERE, HAVEN'T FOUND HIM YET >> SHE'S A BIG AFFAIR, I CANNOT FORGET ONLY LOVE I EVER THINK OF WITH REGRET ... ♪♪ >> I'D LIKE TO ADD HER INITIAL TO MY MONOGRAM ♪♪ >> TELL ME WHERE IS THE SHEPHERD FOR ...

THIS LOST LAMB?

THERE'S A SOMEBODY I'M LONGING TO SEE ♪♪ I HOPE THAT SHE TURNS OUT TO BE ... ♪♪ >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY... GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 1.7 MILLION PEOPLE THROUGH ITS MEMBER-OWNER COOPERATIVES AND CUSTOMERS.

DELTA DENTAL OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION: IMPROVING ORAL HEALTH AND HELPING COMMUNITIES THRIVE.

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

>> "ALMANAC" IS A PRODUCTION OF TWIN CITIES PBS FOR THE STATIONS