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

>> ERIC: COMING UP ON "ALMANAC," FLOODING CONTINUES ACROSS THE STATE.

NEW STATE DEPARTMENT FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES.

PROFESSORS IN THE STUDIO READY TO DISSECT LAST NIGHT'S PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE.

AND MARY LAHAMMER HEADS SOUTH OF THE TWIN CITIES.

>> Mary: WE'LL CONTINUE OUR SERIES OF "ALMANAC" RACES TO WATCH BY HEADING TO THE NEW PRAGUE, NORTHFIELD AREA, WHERE AN INCUMBENT IS TRYING TO DEFEND HER SEAT.

>> I KNOW I HAVE AN ADVANTAGE, THAT THIS IS MY COMMUNITY.

>> I AM VERY CONFIDENT THAT I CAN GET THIS DISTRICT TO FLIP.

>> 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'LL SIT DOWN WITH THE HEAD OF THE MINNEAPOLIS DOWNTOWN COUNCIL ABOUT THE UPCOMING TASTE OF MINNESOTA.

ADIA MORRIS AND DAVID GILLETTE GRACE US WITH TWO ESSAYS THIS WEEK.

AND A SOMALI MULTIMEDIA ARTIST JOINS US TO TALK ABOUT THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PERMANENT HEALING HUT IN RURAL MINNESOTA.

>> CATHY: BUT FIRST, WE START TONIGHT WITH FLOODING IN SOUTHEASTERN AND GREATER MINNESOTA THAT HAS LEFT COMMUNITIES STAGGERED.

GOVERNOR WALZ HAS BEEN TRAVELING THE STATE TO CHECK ON THE AFTERMATH FIRSTHAND, AND TODAY HE JOINED STATE COMMISSIONERS AND FEMA IN UPDATING THE SITUATION FROM ROAD CLOSURES TO RECOVERY.

HERE WITH US NOW, PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSIONER BOB JACOBSON.

GOOD TO SEE YOU, COMMISSIONER.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU IT TOO.

>> Cathy: THERE IS A LOT AROUND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, SO LET'S TRY TO GIVE A 30,000-FOOT VIEW.

DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA OF PRELIMINARY DABBLING ESTIMATES AT THIS POINT?

>> SO WE'RE BUSY WORKING ON IS THAT.

WE'VE HAD A TEAM FROM FEMA AND OUR STATE DPICIALS AND LOCAL AND COUNTY OFFICIALS WHO ARE BEGINNING THAT PROCESS.

AS PEOPLE MIGHT REALIZE, THERE'S STILL A LOT OF FLOODING GOING ON SO WE MAY NOT REALIZE THE FULL DAMAGES THAT ARE THERE UNTIL THE FLOODING RECEDED AND WE GET A GOOD LOOK.

BUT RIGHT NOW WE'RE LOOKING AT DAMAGE ESTIMATES FOR PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE IN EXCESS O OF 22 MILLION.

AND WE'RE STILL LOOKING AT HOMES AND BUSINESSES THAT ARE OUT THERE AS WELL.

SO IT'S STILL COMING.

BUT WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE A GREAT IDEA FOR A FEW MORE WEEK.

>> Eric: THIS IS A STATE CONTINGENCY DISASTER FUND, BUT I'M WONDERING IF A SPECIAL SESSION MIGHT BE NEEDED TO MAKE UP FOR WHAT THAT DOESN'T COVER.

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

AND DUE TO THE FORESIGHT OF THE LEGISLATURE IN THE PAST, AND THE GOVERNOR, WE DO HAVE A DISASTER ASSISTANCE CONTINGENCY ACCOUNT RIGHT NOW THAT HAS ABOUT $28 MILLION IN IT.

>> Eric: THAT MUCH?

>> AND AS OF TODAY, WE REQUESTED THE GOVERNOR'S ABILITY TO USE THOSE FUNDS TO BEGIN ASSISTING THOSE WHO ARE IN NEED FROM THAT DISASTER CONTINGENCY ACCOUNT.

SO WE ARE BEGINNING TO WORK ON THAT.

THAT WILL HELP COMPLEMENT ALSO ANY FEDERAL DISASTERS THAT MAY BE DECLARED MPLETS THERE S A MATCH.

SO IF A FEDERAL DISASTER IS DECLARED AND GOVERNOR WALZ HAS ASKED PRESIDENT BIDEN AND FEMA FOR A DECLARATION OF A FEDERAL EMERGENCY, IF THAT HAPPENS, AND THAT IS DECLARED, THEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL COVER ABOUT 75% OF THE COST FOR PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE.

AND THE STATE COSTS WOULD BE ABOUT 25%.

AND WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IS THOSE FUNDS THAT YOU TALKED ABOUT AT THE STATE LEVEL CAN BE USED TO HELP OFFSET THAT 25% STATE MATCH.

>> Cathy: SO THE PEACETIME EMERGENCY THAT WAS DECLARED WHERE THE NATIONAL GUARD WAS CALLED OUT TO HELP, THAT'S BEEN EXTENDED FOR 30 DAYS.

AND I'M WONDERING, IS THAT ACROSS THE STATE OF MINNESOTA OR ONLY SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE STATE?

>> THAT'S ACROSS THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

SO AGAIN, WE ARE CONTINUING TO RESPOND TO THE FLOODING ISSUES THAT ARE OUT THERE.

SO AS WE GET REQUESTS INTO OUR STATE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER, WHETHER IT BE FOR SAND BAGS, OTHER RESOURCES, PERSONNEL, WE'LL STILL BE ABLE TO RESPOND TO THAT WITH OUR STATE GENCIES.

PART OF THAT PEACETIME DECLARATION ALSO ENABLES S ON CALL OUT THE NATIONAL GUARD FOR THIS.

AND PART OF THAT WILL ENABLE US THAT IF THERE'S AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, IF THERE'S ASSISTANCE THAT'S NEEDED FOR RESOURCES, WE CAN SEND THE NATIONAL GUARD IN.

WE DO HAVE A CONTINGENCY OF ABOUT 50 NATIONAL GUARDS MEN THAT HAVE BEEN SERVING IN THE JACKSON COUNTY AREA IN THE WINDOM AREA WITH THE SIGNIFICANT FLOODING THAT THEY'VE HAD, SO THEY'VE BEEN VERY HELPFUL.

>> Eric: TELL US ABOUT THE RAPIDEVERYONE DAM.

THE RAPIDAN DAM IS STILL STANDING.

WE HAD SOME GRAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE INTEGRITY OF THAT DAM, AS PEOPLE HAVE EEN AND WATCHED THE VIDEO OF THAT.

WE WERE CONCERNED THAT THERE MIGHT BE A IMMINENT FAILURE.

WE ARE STILL SOMEWHAT CONCERNED THAT SOMETHING COULD HAPPEN.

BUT AS WE HAVE SEEN, THE WATER ENDED UP FINDING ITS OWN PATH.

IT WEND AROUND THE DAM, RELIEVED SOME OF THE PRESSURE ON THAT DAM, SO IT IS STILL UP.

THE DAM, I WILL REMIND VIEWERS, BELONGS TO BLUE EARTH COUNTY SO WE ARE RELYING ON BLUE EARTH COUNTY ALSO FOR UPDATES AND THE STRUCTURAL ESTIMATES ON REPAIRS AND SO FORTH FOR THAT DAM OR WHAT THEY MAY WANT TO DO IN THE FUTURE.

BUT YEAH, WE ARE KEEPING AN EYE ON THAT.

IF SOMETHING FURTHER HAPPENS, OF COURSE, WE ARE PREPARED FOR ANY CONTINGENCY ON THAT DAM PERHAPS FAILING.

>> Cathy: O THE FAMILY WHO OWNS THE HOME THAT FELL INTO THE RIVER ALSOSON R WNS THE NEARBY STORE.

I'M GOING TO BET IT'S TOUGH UTO BE MADE WHOLE IF YOUR HOUSE OR YOUR BUSINESS IS FLOODED OUT.

HOW DO YOU HELP?

>> THAT'S GOING TO BE VERY DIFFICULT.

AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, THE GOVERNOR HAS ALSO SHARED THIS AND WE HAVE AS WELL, BUT WHAT WE ARE DOING RIGHT NOW IS WE ARE WORKING WITH FEMA.

THEY HAD A TEAM ON THE GROUND THIS WEEK.

WE'RE DOING INDIVIDUAL ASSESSMENTS.

SO WE'RE TRYING TO GET A SENSE OF HOMES AND BUSINESSES THAT AREN'T PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE, WHAT THE DAMAGES MAY BE.

IF THERE IS A DISASTER DECLARATION FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, FROM FEMA, THAT DOES START TO OPEN UP THE POTENTIAL FOR INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE FOR HOMEOWNERS AND FOR BUSINESSES.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS AS WE'RE WORKING THROUGH THAT TO BE ABLE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE REACH THAT THRESHOLD FOR AN EMERGENCY DECLARATION, IS FOR HOMEOWNERS TO MAKE SURE WHO HAVE HAD FLOOD DAMAGE, MAKE SURE AND TAKE DATED PHOTOGRAPHS.

IF THEY REPAIR ANYTHING AROUND THEIR HOME, KEEP THE RECEIPTS.

IF THEY AVE TO REPLACE A WATER HEATER.

BASEMENT COUNTS FOR DAMAGES.

MAKE SURE THEY'RE TALLYING UP ANY OF THE DAMAGES AND COSTS FOR REPLACEMENT.

ONCE FEMA DECIDES OR DETERMINES THAT THERE IS A FEDERAL DISARDZ, THEN THAT WILL SET IN MOTION INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE.

IT TAKES TIME.

IT MAY NOT MAKE ALL HOMEOWNERS WHOLE BUT WE'RE GOING TO DO THE BEST WE CAN TO GET EVERY PENNY THAT WE CAN TO HELP ASSIST THEM.

>> Eric: AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES CAME UP AT THE NEWS CONFERENCE TODAY.

I SUPPOSE PEOPLE SEE RAIN AND GET A RIG LITTLE CONCERNED.

>> Cathy: WHAT CHANGES, I CAN'T IMAGINE OW YOUR LIFE CHANGES.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE ALWAYS HAVE CONCERNS, NUMBER ONE, ABOUT THE VICTIMS OUT THERE OF FLOODING.

OUR FARMERS, YOU KNOW, WE'VE HEARD A LOT OF DISCUSSION ROM OUR COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE, THOM PETERSEN, WHO TALKED ABOUT HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO BE A FARMER, BUT WHEN YOU SEE YOUR CROP RUINED FOR THAT NEXT YEAR AND YOU'RE DEALING WITH FLOOD ISSUES, THAT MENTAL HEALTH PIECE IS REALLY DIFFICULT.

FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS, I'VE TALKED WITH A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER WHO THEY BELIEVE HAVE LOST THEIR BUSINESS OF 43 YEARS IF THE CITY OF COOK.

AND IT'S GOING TO BE DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO REBUILD.

SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE ARE LOOKING OUT FOR EACH OTHER.

MINNESOTANS ARE REALLY GOOD ABOUT HECKING ON EACH OTHER.

MAKE SURE AND KEEP TABS ON MENTAL HEALTH.

WE WANT EVERYBODY TO COME THROUGH THIS, THIS FLOODING.

FEELING GOOD.

>> Eric: APPRECIATE THE GOOD WORK YOU'RE DOING.

KEEP IT UP, THANKS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> CATHY: FLOODING IS ALSO AFFECTING COMMUNITIES IN THIS WEEK'S "ALMANAC" RACE TO WATCH IN NORTHFIELD AND NEW PRAGUE.

AS MARY LAHAMMER SHOWS US, IN THIS PURPLE DISTRICT, TWO WOMEN ARE RUNNING, AND ONE IS TRYING TO MAKE HISTORY DEFENDING HER SEAT.

>> Mary: THE POWER OF WATER IS WHAT'S ON THE MINDS OF PEOPLE IN NORTHFIELD, NOT SO MUCH POLITICS AT THIS POINT.

ON A STEAMY SUMMER DAY.

>> SO YOU'RE NOT EXPERIENCING FLOODING?

NO, BUT I HAVE A FRONT ROW SEAT TO IT ALL.

>> Mary: D.F.L.

REPRESENTATIVE KRISTI PURSELL IS DEFENDING HER HOUSE SEAT IN A DISTRICT THAT HAS A SENATOR FROM THE OPPOSITE PARTY.

>> FLOODING AT THE CON NONRIVER THIS YEAR IS THAT ISSUE TOP OF MIND FOR PEOPLE.

I DO THINK THERE'S A LOT OF FOLKS STILL VERY CONCERNED ABOUT ACCESSING HEALTHCARE, WHETHER THAT'S ABORTION, THERE ARE A LOT OF FOLKS HO FEEL LEFT BEHIND AND ESPECIALLY I WOULD SAY FARMERS.

I FARMED FOR TEN YEARS AND I THINK WE TOOK FOR GRANTED THE DEMOCRATIC FARM AND LABOR PARTY.

A WOMAN HAS NEVER WON TWO TERMS BACK TO BACK IN THIS DISTRICT.

SO I'M HOPING THAT MY COMMUNITY COMES OUT AND SUPPORTS IN THE WAY THAT HAPPENED TWO YEARS AGO.

>> I'M RUNNING FOR THE MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

>> Mary: REPUBLICAN RITA HILLMANN OLSON IS FROM NEW PRAGUE, WHICH IS SPLIT IN TWO DIFFERENT DISTRICTS RIGHT DOWN MAIN STREET.

>> YEARS AGO I WAS A FARMER.

BY THE VESELY AREA.

>> THAT'S MY DISTRICT.

HIGHWAY 19 IS THE CUTOFF OR THE SPLIT.

>> Mary: HOW MANY MAIN STREETS DO YOU THINK IN MINNESOTA ARE SPLIT INTO TWO DISTRICTS?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

BUT LIVING IN NEW PRAGUE AS LONG AS WE HAVE, WE'RE PRETTY USED TO THE SCOTT COUNTY AND LE SUEUR COUNTY SIDE AND 19 BEING THE SPLIT.

THIS IS A VERY STRONG RURAL COMMUNITY.

IT'S A LOT OF SMALL BUSINESSES.

I DESCRIBE IT AS HOME.

AND THAT'S WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT.

>> Mary: NZ THE LAST ELECTION, THE D.F.L.

REPRESENTATIVE WON BY NINE PERCENTAGE POINTS, BUT HER REPUBLICAN OPPONENT COULDN'T FULLY CAMPAIGN, SO THIS TIME AROUND IT'S EXPECTED TO BE MUCH CLOSER.

>> SADLY ENOUGH, THE NINE POINT SPREAD WAS PARTLY BECAUSE THE PERSON WHO WAS ENDORSED ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER SHORTLY AFTER HIS ENDORSEMENT.

SADLY, HE JUST PASSED AWAY.

SO IT WAS REALLY HARD TO JUDGE THE PULSE KNOWING THE CONDITIONS THAT HE AS UNDER.

I AM VERY CONFIDENT THAT I CAN GET THIS DISTRICT TO FLIP.

THEY'RE READY FOR NEW IDEAS AND SOLUTIONS AND PEOPLE THERE'LL COME IN AND ACTUALLY LISTEN TO THEM.

>> THE LEARNING CURVE WAS VERY STEEP THAT FIRST YEAR, BEING A FIRST TIME CANDIDATE.

I HAD NEVER RUN FOR ANY OFFICE BEFORE 2022.

I AM STILL SORT OF SURPRISED AT THE RECOGNITION THAT PEOPLE HAVE.

I AM, IT'S A SMALL TOWN SO I HAVE A LOT OF CONNECTIONS IN COMMUNITY.

BUT PEOPLE WHO I DON'T NECESSARILY KNOW WILL RECOGNIZE ME.

I KNOW I HAVE AN ADVANTAGE THAT THIS IS MY COMMUNITY.

I'VE LIVED HERE THREE FINGERPRINT TIMES.

THIS TIME HAS BEEN ABOUT NINE AND A HALF YEARS WHEN I MOVED HERE WITH MY FAMILY AND I JUST HAVE REALLY DEEP ROOTS IN THIS COMMUNITY AND I KNOW THAT'S HELPFUL.

I'M YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE.

>> HONESTLY, WOMEN'S RIGHT.

>> YEP.

>> HUGE THING.

I WOULD SAY EDUCATION RIGHTS AS WELL.

>> EDUCATION.

I WOULD SAY, IS PROBABLY IMPORTANT TO ME.

>> Mary: PURSELL WILL NEED WOMEN, STUDENTS AND TEACHERS TO TURN OUT IN HER COMMUNITY WITH TWO LIB RAT ARTS COLLEGES THAT CAN PROVIDE THOUSANDS OF VOTES.

>> THERE'S DEFINITELY A DIFFERENT VIBE ON THE CAMPUSES AND WITH YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT.

ST. OLAF COLLEGE ACTUALLY GOT AN AWARD IN 2020 FOR THE HIGHEST VOTER TURNOUT OF ELIGIBLE STUDENTS ON A FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE CAMPUS IN THE NATION.

FOR A TOWN OF 20,000, IT'S QUITE POLITICALLY ENGAGED.

I MEAN, THIS IS WHERE PAUL WELLSTONE WAS A ROFESSOR AT CARLETON COLLEGE, BELOVED.

>> IS THERE ANYTHING YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH E?

>> WELL, THE WHOLE GOVERNMENT IS UPSIDE DOWN.

IT NEEDS TO BE STRAIGHTENED OUT.

>> TAXES, REALLY.

>> TRYING TO HANG IN THERE.

I DON'T WANT TO SELL.

>> Mary: OLSON IS COUNTING ON THE CONSERVATIVE RED PARTS OF THIS PURPLE DISTRICT TO SHOW UP IN A PRESIDENTIAL YEAR.

>> THE COURT CASES, THE MOST RECENT VERDICT AND ALSO WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE CASE IN NEW YORK.

WHAT WE'RE HEARING AND SEEING IS IT'S MADE PEOPLE ANGRY AND THEY'RE GOING TO COME OUT HEAVIER FOR TRUMP.

> >> Mary: AND THAT HELPS YOU?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

RURAL IS IMPORTANT.

I GREW UP ON A FAMILY FARM.

MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE A SMALL FARM OUTSIDE OF NEW PRAGUE.

I'VE GOTH ANIMALS.

BUT WHEN IT COMES TO MY OWN EXPERIENCE, I WAS A TEACHER AT CAREER COLLEGES FOR OVER 25 YEARS.

>> Mary: ULTIMATELY THE DISTRICT IS ONE OF A HANDFUL THAT COULD DECIDE CONTROL AT THE CAPITOL.

>> THIS IS MY FARMER FRIEND -- >> THAT'S A BEAUTIFUL CHALLENGE AND A BEAUTIFUL THING TO TRY TO REPRESENT SUCH A PURPLE DISTRICT.

AND I THINK WHEN PEOPLE THINK OF PURPLE, WE THINK OF, YOU KNOW, THE ENTIRE DISTRICT AND REALLY I HAVE A BLUE DOT, NORTHFIELD AND DUNDAS AND THE REST OF THE DISTRICT IS RED.

I JUST LOOK A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN THE FOLKS AT THE TOP OF TICKETED AND MAYBE I SOUND A LITTLE DIFFERENT TOO.

>> YOU ALL LOOK LIKE YOU'RE WORKING TODAY.

> >> Mary: IT SEEMS LIKE KIND OF A POLITICAL PATCH WORK.

>> I THINK YOU DESCRIBED IT VERY WELL.

WHEN YOU GET OUTSIDE OF THE NORTHFIELD AREA, IT IS PREDOMINANTLY REPUBLICAN.

RICE COUNTY IS A PIVOT COUNTY AND WE'RE ON THE NORTH HALF OF RICE COUNTY.

>> Mary: IF YOUR PART WANTS TO CHANGE THE ENTIRE SCOPE OF STATE GOVERNMENT, IT'S GOT TO HAPPEN HERE, RIGHT?

>> THAT'S WHAT WE'RE WORKING FOR.

♪♪♪ >> ERIC: EARLIER TODAY, THE U.S. SUPREME COURT NEARLY COMPLETED THEIR TERM, ISSUING SEVERAL LANDMARK DECISIONS INCLUDING THE JANUARY 6TH OBSTRUCTION CASE.

THE COURT ALSO OVERTURNED THE SO-CALLED CHEVRON CASE, AND THE REVERSAL OF THAT 1984 DECISION NOW LIMITS THE REGULATING POWER OF FEDERAL AGENCIES.

HERE WITH US NOW FROM THE NILAN JOHNSON LEWIS LAW FIRM BASED HERE MINNEAPOLIS, ATTORNEY JOE SCHMITT.

COUNSELOR, THIS REDESIGNS WHO HAS POWER OVER REGULATIONS THAT CONGRESS PASSED BUT MAYBE A LITTLE AMBIGUOUS AND IT TAKES AWAY THE POWER OF THE AGENCY TO WRITE THE RULES AND SENDS IT TO THE COURTS.

IS THAT A FAIR SYNOPSIS?

>> IT ALLOWS THE AGENCIES TO DRAFT THE RULES, BUT IN DETERMINES WHETHER OR NOT THE RULES ARE GOING TO BE ENFORCED, THE COURTS WILL SUBSTITUTE THEIR OWN JUDGMENT AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THOSE REGULATIONS ARE A FAIR INTERPRETATION OF CONGRESS'S INTENT.

>> Eric: WHY IS IT A BIG DEAL?

>> BECAUSE THERE ARE MANY REGULATIONS THAT COURTS HAVE DEFERRED O AGENCY JUDGMENT.

THERE'S 17,000 COURT DECISIONS IN WHICH CHEVRON HAS BEEN CITED IN A COURT IN DEFERRING TO AN AGENCY REGULATION.

ALL 17,000 OF THOSE CASES COULD NOW BE REVISITED AS COURTS ASSESS WHETHER O DEFER TO THE AGENCY'S JUDGMENT OR SUBSTITUTE THEIR OWN JUDGMENT AND HOLD THAT THE REGULATION SHOULD BE OVERTURNED.

>> Cathy: OKAY, SO SOUNDS LIKE THERE COULD BE SOME SIGNIFICANT RIPPLES TO THIS DECISION.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF AREAS IN WHICH REGULATIONS COULD BE REVISITED IN A WAY THAT WOULD IMPACT MINNESOTANS AND REALLY PEOPLE ALL ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.

>> Cathy: WHAT KINDS OF DECISIONS MIGHT BE RELOOKED AT IN TERMS OF ENVIRONMENTAL DECISIONS, EMPLOYMENT, GIVE US A SENSE.

>> THOSE ARE TWO BIG AREAS IN WHICH WE MIGHT SEE SOME CHANGES.

SO TO TALK ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL AREAS FOR A MOMENT.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF REGULATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN PASSED BY THE E.P.A., THAT COURTS MAY NOW REVISIT WHETHER THOSE REGULATIONS SHOULD BE ENFORCED OR WHETHER THOSE REGULATIONS SHOULD BE STRUCK DOWN.

REGULATIONS SUCH AS WETLAND CONSERVATION.

WHICH OBVIOUSLY COULD IMPACT MINNESOTANS.

OR CLEAN AIR ACT REGULATIONS, RESTRICTSES ON EMISSIONS.

OR RESTRICT REGULATIONS PROTECTING PARTICULAR SPECIES UNDER THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT.

SO THOSE ARE ALL THINGS THAT COULD IMPACT PEOPLE.

IN THE EMPLOYMENT AREA, WE COULD EE REVISITING OF A NUMBER OF REGULATIONS.

MOST IMMEDIATELY, THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT OF LABOR HAS ISSUED NEW REGULATIONS THAT WOULD RESTRICT BUSINESSES' ABILITY TO DENY OVERTIME TO THEIR EMPLOYEES.

AND THERE ARE CHALLENGES TO THAT REGULATION RIGHT NOW IN FRONT OF TEXAS COURTS.

AND IF THE TEXAS COURTS DON'T DEFER TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, THEY COULD STRIKE DOWN THOSE REGULATIONS.

AND MEAN THAT FEWER PEOPLE GET OVERTIME.

>> Eric: IS THIS A SITUATION WHERE IT'S IDEOLOGICAL, IN OTHER WORDS, THE PEOPLE IN POWER DON'T WANT TO GIVE IT UP.

THE PEOPLE OUT OF POWER DON'T WANT THEM TO BE ABLE TO BE SO POWERFUL?

>> YES, IRONICALLY OF COURSE THE CHEVRON WAS CASE WAS DECIDES IN 1984 UNDER THE REAGAN ADMINISTRATION AND ORIGINALLY WAS A DECISION THAT PROTECTED A LOT OF REAGAN ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS.

AT TIMES -- WAS SOMETHING THAT REPUBLICANS REALLY LIKED.

IN FACT, ANTONIN SCALIA, THE LATE SUPREME COURT JUSTICE, REALLY CITED CHEVRON APPROVINGLY BECAUSE IT PROTECTED CONSERVATIVE REGULATIONS.

NOW OF COURSE OF COURSE THE SHOE IS ON THE OTHER FOOT.

AND WHEN THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IN OFFICE, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF REPUBLICAN CHALLENGES TO BIDEN ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS.

>> Cathy: WHAT ARE BUSINESSES TO DO ABOUT THIS?

DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA?

>> IT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

AND I WISH I HAD AN ANSWER THAT -- WITH A CRYSTAL BALL.

BUT WHAT BUSINESSES HAVE TO DO IS TO CONTINUE TO MONITOR, NOW, NOT ONLY WHAT THE REGULATORY GENCIES ARE OING, BUT ALSO WHAT THE COURTS ARE DOING.

I ANTICIPATE A FLOOD OF LAWSUITS FILED IN VARIOUS COURTS, INCLUDING IN PARTICULAR IN TEXAS, WHERE A NUMBER OF BUSINESSES AND CONSERVATIVE ADVOCACY GROUPS HAVE FILED CHALLENGES TO BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AND PREVIOUSLY OBAMA ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS.

AND THOSE TEXAS COURTS HAVE BEEN VERY SKEPTICAL, SHALL WE SAY, OF THOSE REGULATIONS AND HAVE ABOUT ILLING TO STRIKE THEM DOWN.

SO NOW THE -- MY CLIENTS, THE BUSINESSES HAVE TO PAY ATTENTION NOT ONLY TO WHAT THE LEGISLATURE'S DOING AND WHAT THE REGULATORY AGENCIES ARE DOING, BUT ALSO WHAT THE COURTS ARE DOING.

>> Eric: YOU EXPLAINED IT VERY WELL, JOE.

THANKS FOR COMING OVER.

>> NO PROBLEM.

THANK YOU SO MUCH OR HAVING ME.

♪♪♪ >> ADIA: I CLIMB INTO THE DRIVER’S SEAT AND ADJUST THE MIRRORS.

IT’S A BRIGHT MORNING, SO I REACH FOR MY SUNGLASSES IN THE UPPER COMPARTMENT.

I REMEMBER: “RIGHT, NO UPPER COMPARTMENT.” IN A MOMENT OF DISTRACTION, I BUMP MY TRAVEL COFFEE MUG, SLOSHING HOT COFFEE INTO THE CUP HOLDER.

NO PROBLEM.

I’LL JUST GRAB SOME NAPKINS FROM MY DRIVE-THROUGH NAPKIN STASH.

NO NAPKINS.

I ONE-HANDED DIG IN THE CENTER CONSOLE FOR SOMETHING, ANYTHING, TO SOAK UP THE MESS.

ALL I FIND IS A ROLL OF QUARTERS AND A FEW WARREN ZEVON CDs.

I SHAKE MY FIST AT THE SKY.

I’M DRIVING...

THE OTHER CAR.

MY CAR, MY NORMAL CAR, ISN’T IMMACULATE.

BUT I KNOW THAT I CAN FIND EVERYTHING I NEED IN A MATTER OF SECONDS.

BABY WIPES?

IN THE PASSENGER SEAT BACK POCKET.

HAND SANITIZER?

WEDGED IN BY THE FIRST AID KIT ON THE FLOOR.

WAD OF DRIVE-THROUGH NAPKINS PEOPLE MOCK ME FOR KEEPING?

IN THE CENTER CONSOLE WHERE THEY BELONG.

20-YEAR-OLD CDs TO PLAY IN MY 17-YEAR-OLD CAR’S CD PLAYER?

UNDER THE DRIVER’S SEAT.

I AM ROAD TRIP READY AT ALL TIMES.

WHICH IS WHY IT’S SO DISORIENTING WHEN THE CAR I REGULARLY DRIVE IS IN THE SHOP AND I’M FORCED TO DRIVE THE OTHER CAR.

THERE IS NO DRIVE-THROUGH NAPKIN STASH IN THE OTHER CAR.

IN THE OTHER CAR, I’M NOT ABLE TO REACH INTO THE BACKSEAT AND -- BY KINETIC MEMORY ALONE -- GRAB A DROPPED TOY AND TOSS IT BACK INTO THE CAR SEAT, EYES GLUED TO THE ROAD THE ENTIRE TIME.

MY VEHICLE IS NOT AN EXTENSION OF MY PURSE WHEN I’M DRIVING THE OTHER CAR.

NEXT TIME MY CAR’S IN THE SHOP, I’M TAKING MY BIKE.

♪♪♪ >> CATHY: NEXT WEEKEND, TASTE OF MINNESOTA RETURNS TO MINNEAPOLIS WITH MUSIC, FOOD, AND BIG CROWDS WITH BIG APPETITES.

THE TWO-DAY EVENT HAS BEEN EXPANDED TO INCLUDE NICOLLET MALL, A LOCATION THAT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS A CORNERSTONE FOR DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION BY GROUPS INCLUDING THE MINNEAPOLIS DOWNTOWN COUNCIL.

SO WE DECIDED TO CHAT ABOUT THE COMING FESTIVITIES WITH THE COUNCIL'S CEO AND PRESIDENT, ADAM DUININCK.

SO FOR THOSE OF S WHO REMEMBER, THIS LONG-TIME EVENT STARTED AT THE STATE CAPITOL IN ST. PAUL, MOVED TO MINNEAPOLIS.

OBVIOUSLY IT WORKED WELL ENOUGH THAT IT'S COMING BACK, RIGHT?

>> YEAH, SUPER EXCITED.

WE EXPECT IT TO BE BIGGER, BETTER, MORE ENHANCEMENTS, GREAT MUSIC, WHICH IS A CORNER STONE OF IT.

GREAT FOOD.

KIND OF COMBINES TO ME EVERYTHING THAT'S EXCELLENT ABOUT DOWN DO YOU KNOW R TOWN FROM CULTURE, MUSIC, FOOD, HOSPITALITY, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY PEOPLE DRIVING PEOPLE DOWNTOWN WHICH IS WAS WE WANT TO DO ON A DAILY AND WEEKLY BASIS.

>> Eric: I THINK WHAT I HEARD LAST YEAR WAS THERE COULD HAVE BEEN MORE WATER AND THERE WAS SOME CHOKE POINTS FOR ENTRANCING?

>> YEAH, WE HEARD LOT OF THAT PED BACK TOO AND HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH OUR VENDORS AND OUR PLANNERS TO MAKE SURE WE'RE IN THE BEST POSITION POSSIBLE TO ANSWER SOME OF THAT.

I THINK THE LOGISTICS OF THE EVENT ARE IRONED OUT A LITTLE BIT BETTER TOO.

IT'S GOING TO BE SPREAD OUT OVER A FEW MORE EXTRA STREETEDS AND BLOCKS.

MORE SPACE FOR THE VEIN VENDORS.

THERE'S A FAMILY FUN ZONE.

THERE'S GOING TO BE A ZIP LINE ON WASHINGTON AVENUE, A LOT FOR PEOPLE TO DO.

>> Eric: JIMMY AND TERRY AND MORRIS DAY, I MEAN, YOU GOT THE ROYALTY OF MINNESOTA MUSIC.

>> YEAH, BIG MINNESOTA THEME, MAR TINA MCBRIDE AND JACOB DYLAN AND THE WALLFLOWERS.

JIMMY JAM AND TERRY LEWIS.

WE ALSO HAVE SOME LOCAL FLAVOR AS WELL.

EXCITED ABOUT ALL THE PERFORMERS.

A LOT OF GREAT LOCAL ARTISANS AND VENDORS TOO.

WE'VE BEEN RECRUITING THEM, MAKING SURE WE HAVE A GOOD RETAIL PRESENCE FOR PEOPLE THAT WANT TO DO A LITTLE BIT OF SHOPPING.

>> Cathy: AND WHAT ABOUT FOOD?

>> ANDREW ZIMMERN IS THE LEAD CHEF AND THE LEAD ORGANIZER AND ALL KINDS OF OTHER OPTIONS BESIDES HIM.

EVERYTHING FROM FOOD TRUCKS TO HIGH QUALITY CUISINE.

THE TASTE OF MINNESOTA TOUCHES THE FOUR SEASONS AND THERE'S A BUNCH OF OTHER RESTAURANTS THAT ARE GOING TO BE CLOSE IN PROXIMITY OF THE.

>> Eric: AS FOLKS DON'T COME DOWNTOWN AS OFTEN TO WORK, I WONDER IF THIS IS A WAY AMONG THE SEVERAL STRATEGIES TO REPLACE THEM WITH FOLKS COMING IN FOR ENTERTAINMENT.

>> YEAH, THAT'S DEFINITELY SOMETHING WE'VE LEANED INTO AS AS A DOWNTOWN COUNCIL.

ARTS, EBT CONTAINMENT, NIGHT LIFE, VENTS, BOTH SPORTING EVETS, BUT CONCERTS, MUSIC AND SO FORTH.

THOSE ARE REALLY WHAT'S DRIVING THE DOWNTOWNS THAT ARE THRIVING.

WE HAVE GREAT CONCERT VENUES.

WE HAVE AN INCREDIBLE ART SCENE IN THIS CITY.

PROUD TO LIFT IT UP.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE SCHEDULE FROM JUNE TO SEPTEMBER, WE HAVE OVER 18 THND EVENTS.

1800 EVENTS.

MORAL EVERYONE WALHOFEN, ALL THE WAY DOWN TO JUST WEEKLY EVENTS AT THE COMEDY CLUB OR AT FIRST AVENUE AT SOME OF THE SMALLER VENUES.

THAT'S WHAT REALLY KEEPS DOWNTOWN HUMMING.

WE ALSO ARE TRYING TO LEAN MORE INTO RESIDENTIAL TOO.

JUST ABOUT 60,000 PEOPLE LIVE IN DOWNTOWN NOW.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE MORE HOUSING CHOICE OPTIONS FOR PEOPLE TO LIVE THERE TOO.

IT'S A GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> Cathy: AS YOU GET PEOPLE TO COME DOWN, THOUGH, TO EXPERIENCE SOME OF THESE EVENTS, DOES IT HELP REALLY THOUGH BOLSTER THOSE BUSINESSES THAT HAVE EMPTY BUILDINGS?

>> THAT'S THE HARD PART.

9 CONSISTENCY PART IS THE HARD THING.

SO EITHER FLEXIBILITY AND COMMUNICATION WITH THE BUSINESSES SO THEY KNOW WHEN IT'S GOING TO BE BUSY AND WHEN IT'S GOING TO BE A SLOWER DAY.

SO WE SEE SOME OF THE SKYWAY RESTAURANTS AND BUSINESSES ARE CLOSED ON MONDAYS AND FRIDAYS.

BUT TUESDAYS THROUGH THURSDAYS ARE SOLIDIFIED AS WORK DAYS.

>> Eric: HOLLY DAZZLE, >> WORKING ON THAT ONE.

THAT'S THE PLAN.

IT'S NOT BEEN OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED.

BUT RAISING SOME RESOURCES.

>> Eric: WELL, WHO ARE WE GOING TO ELL?

>> I'M CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC THAT IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

I MADE A PLEDGE IF IT DOES HAPPEN, WE'LL BE STRESSED AS ES.

SO I PROMISE TO MAKE GOOD ON THAT PLEDGE.

>> Cathy: WHAT ABOUT TICKETS TO GET INTO TASTE OF MINNESOTA?

>> TICKETS AREN'T REQUIRED.

THEY ARE REQUESTED SO THEY CAN KEEP A TRACK OF A HEAD COUNT.

BUT WE SUGGEST THAT YOU DO SO.

WE EXPECT OVER 100,000 THERE OVER THE TWO DAYS.

>> Cathy: AND WHAT ABOUT SECURITY?

BECAUSE THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO LOOK AT THIS.

>> LET ME TELL YOU, SAFETY IS CORNER DISOWN OF WHAT WE DO.

THE DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT WHICH IS ALSO URNED THE DOWNTOWN COUNCIL.

WE HAVE AMBASSADORS ON THE STREET.

OUTREACH, M.P.D., EXTRA SECURITY RESENCE.

DOWNTOWN HAS THE SAFETIEST PART OF THE CITY FOR THE LAST SIX MONTHS.

CRIME HAS EITHER DECREASED R HELD STEADY IN EVERY MAJOR CATEGORY.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR COMING OVER.

GOOD LUCK WITH IT.

♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ >> ♪ YEAH, YEAH, YEAH ♪ ♪ DO THE CLAM ♪ ♪ DO THE CLAM ♪ ♪ GRAB YOUR BAREFOOT BABY BY THE HAND ♪ ♪ TURN AND TEASE ♪ ♪ HUG AND SQUEEZE ♪ ♪ DIG RIGHT IN AND DO THE CLAM ♪ ♪ DIG RIGHT IN AND DO THE CLAM ♪ ♪ EVERYBODY'S GOT HAT BEAT ♪ ♪ WELL, LISTEN TO THOSE HAPPY FEET ♪ ♪ AIN'T YOU GLAD THAT YOU FOUND OUT ♪ ♪ WHAT THE CLAM IS ALL ABOUT ♪ ♪ YEAH, YEAH, YEAH ♪ ♪ DO THE CLAM ♪ ♪ DO THE CLAM ♪ ♪ GRAB YOUR BAREFOOT BABY BY THE HAND ♪ ♪ TURN AND TEASE ♪ ♪ HUG AND SQUEEZE ♪ ♪ DIG RIGHT IN AND DO THE CLAM ♪ ♪ YEAH, YEAH ♪ ♪ DO THE CLAM ♪ ♪ DO THE CLAM ♪ ♪ GRAB YOUR BAREFOOT BABY BY THE HAND ♪ ♪ TURN AND TEASE ♪ ♪ HUG AND SQUEEZE ♪ ♪ DIG RIGHT IN AND DO THE CLAM ♪ ♪ DIG RIGHT IN AND DO THE CLAM ♪ ♪ >> ERIC: ON JULY 1ST, THE STATE'S FIRST EVER DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES WILL LAUNCH.

ROUGHLY $20 MILLION HAS BEEN DESIGNATED FOR OPERATIONS AND IMPLEMENTATION FOR THE NEW AGENCY THAT IS PLANNED TO BE FULLY STAFFED BY NEXT YEAR.

APPOINTED EARLIER THIS YEAR TO HEAD UP THE D.C.Y.F.

IS INCOMING COMMISSIONER TIKKI BROWN.

COMMISSIONER, RAWR GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO A BETTER JOB OF PUBLICIZING AND DOING OUTREACH TO FOLKS THAT MAY NOT BE TOTALLY HIGH INFORMATION FOLKS THAT THERE'S STUFF OUT THERE THAT CAN HELP THEM?

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY, THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

WELL, STARTING JULY 1, WE WILL LAUNCH OUR BRAND-NEW WEBSITE, WHICH WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT.

AND THERE ARE A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN THAT WEBSITE.

WHICH WILL HELP.

WE'VE HEARD VERY CLEARLY FROM FOLKS THAT WE'VE BEEN COMMUNICATING WITH ABOUT THIS NEW AGENCY THAT THEY WANT A NEW WEBSITE.

THEY WANT BETTER WAYS TO ENGAGE WITH STATE AGENCIES AND GOVERNMENT AND EMPLOYEES.

AND SO WE'RE WORKING O PUT IN PLACE A NICE PLAN TO BETTER WORK WITH THOSE FOLKS.

>> Cathy: D.H.S.

IS A HUMONGOUS AGENCY.

NOW, YOU'RE KIND OF SPLITTING OFF.

BUT YOU'VE GOT A PLATE THAT'S FULL OF CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES.

I MEAN, THAT'S A LOT YOU'RE GOING TO DO TOO.

SO WHAT'S THE SPECIFIC FOCUS FOR YOU?

>> SURE, SO WE'LL HAVE AN AGENCY OF BOUT 900 PEOPLE WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE AS WE TRANSITION OVER.

SO IT STILL WILL BE A LARGE STATE ACTION.

OUR FOCUS WILL REALLY BE ON ELEVATING THE NEEDS AND THE PRIORITIES OF CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES IN OUR STATE.

WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE SOME OF THE OUTCOMES AND REALLY FOCUS ON SOME OF THE DISPARATE OUTCOMES THAT WE'RE SEEING THAT OUR FAMILIES ARE EXPERIENCING RIGHT NOW.

>> Eric: A LOT OF GRANTS TO NON-PROFITS.

AND I WONDER WITH THE "FEEDING OUR FUTURE," IF THERE'S GOING TO BE SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON PREVENTING FRAUD, WASTE, ABUSE, THAT SORT OF THING.

>> WELL, CERTAINLY, FRAUD NO MATTER WHERE IT OCCURS IS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE AND THE AGENCY WILL HAVE IN PLACE SYSTEMS RIGHT FROM DAY ONE TO MAKE SURE THAT FRAUD, WASTE AND DO YOU SAY RE CAUGHT AND ENSURE WE ARE ATTENDING TO IT TIMELY.

NOW, THERE ARE SOME DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PROGRAMS COMING OVER TO THE NEXT AGENCY.

THEY ARE EARLY LEARNING SERVICES PROGRAMS AND SO NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE FEEDING OUR IF YOU ARE FRAUD.

>> Cathy: YOU MENTIONED DISPARITIES, BUT WHAT WILL EMPLOYEES DO NOW THAT HASN'T BEEN DONE BEFORE?

>> THAT'S THE EXCITING PART.

WE'VE HEARD SO MUCH FROM OUR OWN EMPLOYEES AND AS WELL AS COMMUNITY PARTICIPATES THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE US ENGAGE WITH THEM DIFFERENTLY, WORK WITH THEM DIFFERENTLY ON DIFFERENT STRATEGIES.

SUCH AN PPORTUNITY TO BUILD SOMETHING NEW.

AND IT'S CAN BE RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF MINNESOTANS RIGHT NOW.

AND SO AS WE TALK TO OUR FAMILIES AND TALK TO OUR COMMUNITIES, THEY WANT DIFFERENT WAYS AND INNOVATION, TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS, WAYS THAT THEY CAN SHARE THE NEEDS THAT THEY HAVE RIGHT NOW AND FOR US TO BETTER RESPOND.

>> Eric: HOW DO YOU PREVENT THIS SILO FROM BEING IN ADDITION TO THE LAND OF SILOS ALL OVER STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN MINNESOTA?

HOW DO YOU DO THE COLLABORATION, WHICH I THINK HAS BEEN MISSING IN A LOT OF LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT.

>> YEAH, WE HEAR THAT QUITE A BIT THAT IN ORDER FOR THIS TO BE SUCCESSFUL, WE NEED TO WORK ACROSS SILOS.

AS WE'RE BRINGING IN THE DIFFERENT AGENCIES AND COMING TOGETHER, WE'RE REALLY FOCUSING ON CULTURE AND SHARING INFORMATION ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS SO THAT WE CAN WORK TOGETHER DIFFERENTLY.

FOR EXAMPLE, OUR EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAMS THAT ARE COMING ROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND THEN OUR CHILD CARE PROGRAMS THAT ARE COMING FROM HUMAN SERVICES HAVE BEEN MEETING AND WORKING ON PROJECTS TOGETHER.

SO WE'LL LOOK TO SEE SOME ALIGNMENT OF SERVICES.

AND THEN AS WE TRANSITION OVER ENSURE THAT WE ARE DEVELOPING NEW STRATEGIES TO CONTINUE TO WORK BETTER FOR FAMILIES.

>> Cathy: WHAT HAVE BEEN THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES N CREATING THIS?

>> WELL, THERE'S A LOT OF MOVING PARTS, SO THAT HAS CERTAINLY BEEN DIFFICULT.

BUT WE HAVE HAD JUST AN IMMENSE AMOUNT OF ENGAGED STAFF WHO HAVE SO MANY IDEAS, WHO ARE SO EXCITED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD SOMETHING NEW AND DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

THAT WHILE IT HAS BEEN A LONG SLOG, IT'S ALSO BEEN REALLY EXCITING.

>> Cathy: YOU HAVE A BACKGROUND IN D.H.S.

YOU'VE BEEN THERE FOR 20-SOME-ODD YEARS.

DO YOU SEE OTHER PIECES OF THE OVERALL MISSION BEING SPLINTERED OFF INTO MAYBE SOME NEW AGENCIES IN THE FUTURE?

OTHER NEW AGENCIES?

>> I MEAN, I THINK THAT'S CERTAINLY A POSSIBILITY.

WE ARE ONE OF 23 OTHER STATES THAT ARE LOOKING TO PRIORITIZE CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES.

SO THERE IS A NATIONWIDE TREND TO LOOK MORE CLOSELY AND DEVELOP DIFFERENT STRATEGIES AND SOLUTIONS FOR FAMILY AND CHILDREN.

WE'RE STARTING OFF WHERE WE'RE AT NOW AND WHO'S TO SAY WHAT THE FUTURE WILL BRING.

>> Eric: AFTER THE 20 MILLION IS GONE AS A STARTUP, HOW DO YOU ENVISION A BIENNIAL BUDGET?

ARE WE TALKING HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS, BILLIONS?

>> WHEN WE LOOK AT OUR EXISTS FEDERAL AND STATE FUNDS THAT ARE COMING OVER AND THE CONTRACTS THAT WE'LL BE DISTRIBUTING, WE'LL BE AT ABOUT A $3.4 BILLION AGENCY.

>> Eric: WOW.

>> Cathy: WE WISH YOU WELL.

GOOD LUCK.

WE'LL HAVE TO HAVE YOU BACK.

♪♪♪ >> OUT OF ALL THE GUIDING PHILOSOPHIES A PERSON CAN LATCH ONTO, THERE'S ALWAYS BEEN ONE GENERAL SNIPPET OF WISDOM THAT'S APPEALED TO ME.

IF THERE'S SOMETHING YOU REALLY WANT TO EXPERIENCE, DON'T PUT IT OFF.

DON'T WAIT, BECAUSE TOMORROW IS NOT GUARANTEED.

THIS BASIC FRAMEWORK HAS PUSHED ME IN ALL TYPES OF ISSUE RATIONAL DIRECTIONS.

UNEXPECTED CAREER CHANGES.

EXHAUSTING TRAVEL ITINERARIES.

IT EVEN BRIEFLY LED ME TO SPEESE LUNKING, WHICH IS INCREDIBLE, BUT AS A HOBBY, IT JUST DIDN'T STICK.

IN SHORT, I'VE ALWAYS COUNSELED MYSELF TO DRINK DEEPLY FROM THE CUP OF LIFE BECAUSE LIFE TSELF IS A FINITE RESOURCE.

THAT SAID, I AM NOT GOING TO START PARA GLIDING ANY IME SOON.

YOU SEE, I DO WANT TO LEARN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO PARA GLIDE.

WHEN I WAS YOUNG, I WOULD RUN OUT TO GET A BETTER VIEW OF THE LOCAL PARA GLIDER AND I REMEMBER THINKING EVEN THEN, NOW, THERE'S AN EXPERIENCE I WANT TO EXPERIENCE.

HOWEVER, AT THE SAME TIME, I HAVE THIS BORDERLINE CERTAINTY THAT WITH MY TYPE OF BRAIN, IN PARTICULAR MY TENDENCY TO GET A BIT EXUBERANT IN THE MOMENT, MY PERSONAL PARA GLIDER WILL END UP DECORATING THE LOCAL POWER LINES.

AND THAT'S THE IRONY OF MY PHILOSOPHY.

IF YOU DIVE HEAD FIRST INTO TOO MANY EXPERIENCES, IT CAN BE YOUR PHILOSOPHY THAT PULLS DOWN YOUR CURTAIN.

SO HERE'S WHERE I'VE LANDED.

I WILL SOMEDAY BE A PARA GLIDER.

I JUST HAVE A RATHER UNIQUE PREFLIGHT CHECK LIST.

ONE, ARE MY KIDS OUT OF THE HOUSE AND GAINFULLY EMPLOYED?

TWO, HAVE A COMPLETED MY NATIONAL PARKS MAGNET COLLECTION?

AND THREE, DO I POSSESS THE INNER PEACE POETS DESCRIBE AS HAVING DONE ALL I NEED TO DO?

WHEN THIS LIST IS COMPLETE, I WILL BECOME A PARA GLIDER.

AND IF, BY CHANCE, I'M DRIFTING OVER AN ALFALFA FIELD AND I SEE AN EAGER YOUNG PERSON LOOKING UP AT ME, I'M GOING TO DROP THEM A SPECIAL PREWRITTEN NOTE.

ENJOY LIFE, KID.

JUST NOT TOO QUICKLY.

♪♪♪ >> CATHY: A SOMALI TRADITION DATING BACK TO NOMADIC ANCESTORS IS GETTING A PERMANENT SITE UP IN AVON, MINNESOTA.

THE AQAL, OR HUT, WAS USED DURING THE SOMALI CIVIL WAR AS A MEANS OF SHELTER.

THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS PERMANENT AQAL IS NEARING ITS COMPLETION, AND A PLANNED CELEBRATION IS SET FOR THIS WEEKEND.

THE MULTIMEDIA ARTIST COLLABORATING ON THIS PROJECT JOINS US NOW.

WELCOME, IFRAH MANSOUR.

IT'S SO NICE TO HAVE YOU HERE.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

>> Cathy: CONGRATULATIONS.

THIS SEEMS LIKE THIS IS KIND OF ALMOST A LABOR OF LOVE FOR YOU.

WOULD THAT BE RIGHT?

>> IT REALLY IS.

FOR THIS PAST MONTH, I'VE BEEN AT THE AVENUEON -- WHAT IS IT, FOLK SCHOOL?

>> Cathy: YES, AVON FOLK SCHOOL.

>> YEAH, AND IT'S JUST THIS, LIKE, BEAUTIFUL WILDERNESS, GORGEOUS PLACE.

I ALMOST FEEL LIKE I'M JUST AT A SOLAR RETREAT.

AND I'M PRETENDING TO BE MY ANCESTORS WHO BUILT WITH THEIR BARE HANDS WITH EVERYTHING THEY NEEDED.

>> Cathy: EXPLAIN THE CONCEPT OF THE AQAL, AND THE LIGHTS IN THE STUDIO ARE SO BRIGHT HERE, YOU'RE KIND OF CRYING TEARS OF JOY.

THERE YOU GO.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THIS IS HOW EXCITED I AM.

CRYING.

>> Cathy: I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND.

EXPLAIN THE CONCEPT OF WHAT THE AQAL IS IN TERMS OF WHY IT'S CALLED A HEALING HUT.

>> YEAH, THIS IS SOMETHING I CREATED.

THE HEALING AQAL.

DURING THE PANDEMIC, I ACTUALLY CREATED A MOBILE ONE.

AND THIS AQAL WENT AROUND TO DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES.

AND I WANTED PEOPLE TO SORT OF MEDITATE ON WHAT HEALS US AS A COMMUNITY.

I LITERALLY WANTED TO CREATE A PLACE THAT HOLDS OUR COLLECTIVE HEALING.

SO IT'S DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT I AM ENCOURAGING EVERYONE TO EMBARK ON.

TO LITERALLY CREATE A HOME FOR YOUR HEALING.

>> Eric: WHAT MATERIALS ARE USED TO BUILD THE HUT?

>> THE RADITIONAL AQAL, NORMALLY, YOU WOULD ACTUALLY GATHER, YOU KNOW, FALLEN DOWN AND -- WHAT YOU CALL IT, FALLEN DOWN BRANCHES, AND THEN YOU WEAVE IT.

SO THAT IT BECOMES ARCHES.

AND THEN THOSE ARCHES ARE ACTUALLY -- THE WAY THAT I EXPLAIN THE AQAL TO LITTLE KIDS IS LIKE, IT'S LITERALLY A MODERN DAY TENT, BUT EVERYTHING OF THE TENT IS MADE FROM NATURE.

AND IT IS TAKEN IN AN EQUITABLE WAY FROM NATURE.

SO I LOVE THAT, THERE WAS ALSO THIS BEAUTIFUL HONOR AND COEXISTING WITH NATURE THAT MY ANCESTORS PRACTICED.

>> Cathy: SO WHEN YOUR ANCESTORS WERE BUILDING THE AQAL, THE HEALING HUTS, WHERE WERE THEY LOCATED IN SOMALIA?

>> SO ALL OVER.

SOMALIS WERE ORIGINALLY NOMADS.

THEY WERE PEOPLE THAT ROAMED THE COUNTRY FOLLOWING THE WET SEASON.

AND THEY HAD THESE MOBILE HUTS THAT WERE LITERALLY CARRIED ON THE BAKST OF CAMELS.

>> Cathy: I THINK IT'S REALLY WONDERFUL THAT THE AVON FOLK SCHOOL IS DOING THIS WITH YOU, HAVING THIS COLLABORATION.

I'M SURE THERE ARE SOME VIEWERS THINKING, NOW, WHY AVON, MINNESOTA?

WHAT ABOUT THAT PART OF THE STATE?

>> YEAH, I WOULD HAVE TO SAY, IT'S, YOU KNOW, THE SCHOOL IS DEEPLY INTERESTED IN BEING WELCOMING TO NEW IMMIGRANTS.

AND I'VE ONLY HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF CREATING THIS HUT AS A MOBILE VERSION, BUT THIS IS REALLY THE FIRST TIME WHERE SOMEONE ASKED ME TO CREATE A HUT IN THEIR LAND, IN THEIR SCHOOL.

SO I LOVE THAT IT IS A PERMANENT, YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, A PERMANENT STRUCTURE.

AND I ALSO OVE THAT THERE'S THIS INTENTIONAL COMMUNAL INVITATION OF -- TO HAVE A PLACE WHERE EVERYONE THAT COMES TO THE SCHOOL CAN ACTUALLY GO AND CONTEMPLATE THEIR OWN HEALING.

>> Eric: TELL US ABOUT SUNDAY'S CELEBRATION.

WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN?

>> IT'S GOING TO BE AMAZING.

IF YOU CAN BRAVE THE DRIVE FROM THE CITY.

WE'VE GOT -- WE'VE GOT TOURS.

WE'VE GOT LITTLE KIDS CAN CREATE THEIR OWN AQAL.

AND -- AND AT THE END, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT HEALING.

AND THE ELDERS IN ST.

CLOUD ARE ACTUALLY MAKING US THE GOAT SUPPORT.

>> Eric: WONDERFUL.

GOOD LUCK WITH THAT.

>> Cathy: YOUR DELIGHTFUL.

I AM SO GLAD YOU HAD A CHANCE TO CAN COME AND TALK TO US.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

AND THANK YOU FOR THE TEARS OF JOY.

♪♪♪ >> ERIC: LAST NIGHT, PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN AND FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP MET ON STAGE FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2020 FOR THE FIRST OF THIS YEAR'S PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES.

LOT TO TALK ABOUT SO LET'S DIVE RIGHT IN WITH OUR POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSORS.

JOINING US ON THE COUCH TONIGHT: DAVID SCHULTZ TEACHES POLITICS AT HAMLINE UNIVERSITY AND IS AN ADJUNCT LAW PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS.

FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, MICHAEL MINTA TEACHES POLITICAL SCIENCE STUDENTS AT THE U OF M. AND WE WELCOME BACK STEVEN SCHIER, PROFESSOR EMERITUS AT CARLETON COLLEGE.

SINCE YOU HAVE THE LONGEST MEMORY, SINCE YOU -- ALL RIGHT?

[ Laughter ] DEMOCRATS INSIDE THE BELTWAY WERE PANICKED, REALLY PANICKED LAST NIGHT.

AND DO THEY HAVE A REASON TO BE?

>> WELL, SURE THEY DO BECAUSE OF THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PRESIDENT.

BUT FRANKLY, I THINK DEMOCRATS SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN TERRIBLY SURPRISED BY THIS.

AND I WOULD POINT TO DEAN PHILLIPS WHO HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR MANY, MANY MONTHS.

AND WAS COMPLETELY IGNORED BY THE NATIONAL AND STATE DEMOCRATIC PARTIES.

AND NOW THE PARTY IS PAYING THE PRICE FOR IT.

>> Cathy: THE NORM TIMES HAD AN EDITORIAL, I BET YOU PROBABLY READ IT TODAY ABOUT THE PRESIDENT HOULD SUSPEND HIS CAMPAIGN, BUT I'M GOING TO TO ASSUME THAT TRYING TO SWITCH HORSES HERE MIDSTREAM WOULD BE TOUGH FOR THE DEMOCRATS.

>> TOUGH BUT NOT IMPOSSIBLE AND I SAY THAT BECAUSE IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE TIMING AT THIS POINT, WE DON'T HAVE HIM AS THE OFFICIAL NOMINEE YET.

IF HE WERE TO STAY, I'M SUSPENDING THE CAMPAIGN, RELEASE THE DELEGATES, THEY COULD DO SOMETHING.

IT GETS MORE COMPLICATED THE FURTHER WE GET.

IF HE'S GOT THE NOMINATION, AND IT'S BEFORE THE VOTING STARTS, IF HE STEPS DOWN, THE DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE CAN REPLACE HIM.

BUT ONCE WE START GETTING THE BALLOTING OING, IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN, THEN WE HAVE ALL KINDS OF PROBLEM AND FOR SOME OF US WHO REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED MANY, MANY, MANY YEARS AGO WHEN PAUL WELLSTONE DIED AND WE HAD TO REPLACE HIM AT THE LAST SECOND, THERE'S COMPLEXITIES HERE.

BUT THE SIMPLE ANSWER IS, THE DEMOCRATS CAN'T REPLACE HIM BECAUSE THEY DON'T LIKE HIM.

ONCE HE'S GOT THE NOMINATION, HE HAS TO DIE OR WITHDRAW FROM THE CAM PAGE.

PAGE.

CAMPAIGN.

>> AS PROFS, WE LOVE TO TALK IN ABSTRACT AND THEORY.

AND A LOT OF THIS STUFF IS JUST THEORY.

HE'S NOT GOING ANYWHERE.

BIDEN'S THE NOMINEE.

HE HAD A BAD PERFORMANCE.

IF YOU THOUGHT HE WAS GOING TO BEHAVE AND DO WHAT HE DID AT THE DID AT THE STATE OF THE THE UNION, HE DIDN'T.

HE'S A OLDER GUY.

HE DIDN'T HAVE HIS NOTES.

I AM, I CAN BARELY REMEMBER FACTS AND FIGURES, YOU KNOW?

AND I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF FACTS AND FIGURES THAT BIDEN TRIED TO COME UP WITH THAT TRUMP, HE'S NOT HANDICAPPED BY THAT TYPE OF STUFF.

HE JUST SAYS WHAT HE WANTS TO STAY.

I THINK THE FORMAT N A LOT OF WAYS HELPED HIM.

>> THE FORMAT HELPED TRUMP.

BECAUSE IT MUTED HIM.

HE WASN'T ABLE TO INTERRUPT AND BE AS FIERY AS HE HAS BEEN IN PROOFS DEBATES.

>> Eric: 25TH AMENDMENT HAD ITS OWN HASHTAG ON X, FORMERLY TWITTER TODAY.

IS -- COULD THAT COME INTO PLAY?

>> IT POTENTIALLY COULD COME INTO PLAY IN TERMS OF REMOVING OR SUSPENDING, REMOVING FROM BEING THE PRESIDENT TEMPORARILY.

BECAUSE EITHER HE COULD STEP ASIDE AND SAY FOR MEDICAL REASONS, OR IF HE GETS A VOTE OF THE CABINET TO SAY THAT HE'S NO LONGER HAS THE CAPABILITIES OF PERFORMING THE PRESIDENTDAY.

BUT W WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TWO FREQUENT ISSUES HERE.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PERFORMANCE OF DUTIES AS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED TATES VERSUS BEING A ANDIDATE FOR OFFICE.

AND THEY COME UNDER DIFFERENT SETS OF RULES MPLETD AND I WANT TO THROW ONE MORE THING IN HERE.

FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING A FABTSY ABOUT SAYING, WELL, REPLACE HIM.

THERE'S NO UNIFIED BODY OF LAW.

WE GOT PARTY RULES.

WE GOT SOME FEDERAL RULES.

AND WE'VE GOT 50 DIFFERENT STATE RULES FOR BALLOT ACCESS.

>> Eric: SO THE ODDS ON OF A HARRIS-WALZ TICKET IS PRETTY LONG ODDS.

>> IT'S GOOD TO DISCUSS HERE.

[ Laughter ] >> Cathy: JOE NOTICE THE CNN POLL RIGHT ARREST THAT, RIGHT?

IT I WAS 67% IN FAVOR OF SAYING THAT TRUMP DID A GREAT JOB VERSUS 33% SAID THAT BIDEN DID A GREAT JOB.

DON'T YOU THINK THE POLLS HAVE SOME KIND OF POWER IN THE PREDICTING OF MOVEMENT OF VOTERS?

>> WELL, POLLS ARE A LAGGING VARIETIOR.

INDICATOR.

AND I THINK IT'LL TAKE A HILE FOR PEOPLE TO ABSORB THIS.

REMEMBER, THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER THINGS HAPPENING.

JULY 11TH SENTENCING FOR DONALD TRUMP.

WHAT HAPPENS TO HIM THEN?

REPUBLICAN CONVENTION, DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION.

WE HAVE TWO VERY UNPOPULAR CANDIDATES.

AND WHOEVER IS IN THE SPOTLIGHT IS LOSING.

BECAUSE THEY ARE UNPOPULAR.

AND RIGHT NOW BIDEN IS IN THE SPOTLIGHT.

>> WHAT BIDEN CAN HOPE FOR AT THIS POINT IS THE FACT THAT THE FEW UNDECIDED VOTERS THAT ARE OUT THERE PROBABLY WEREN'T WATCHING IT LAST NIGHT.

HAD BETTER THINGS TO DO THAN WATCH THE DEBATE.

BUT ONE MORE QUICK COMMENT ABOUT THE POLLS HERE.

THE POLLS HAVE BEEN RELEASEDTIVELY -- OR THE NUMBERS HAVE BEEN RELATIVELY STABLE FOR SIX MONTHS.

YOU KNOW, THAT TRUMP HAS HAD A SLIGHT LEAD, POPULAR VOTE.

SLIGHT LEAD IN ALL THE SWING STATES.

BIDEN NEEDED THIS TO CHANGE THE TRAJECTORY.

IT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

>> I MEAN, DID YOU SEE SOME OF THOSE FOCUS GROUPS THAT THEY DID AFTERWARDS?

AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S LIKE THESE UNDECIDED VOTERS AND MOST OF THE POLITICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH TELLS US THAT MOST PEOPLE AREN'T REALLY -- THEY'RE LEANING ONE WAY OR THE OTHER, RIGHT?

THESE UNDECIDES.

AND SO YOU SEE SOME PEOPLE SAY, OH, I REALLY -- I -- TRUMP'S TAKING AWAY MY REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS AND YOU'RE JUST IKE, WAIT A MINUTE, YOU DON'T SOUND LIKE YOU'RE UNDECIDED.

IF ANYTHING, THAT DEBATE SHOULD HAVE CONFUSED YOU EVEN MORE.

LIKE YOU SAID, I THINK A LOT OF THIS STUFF IS BAKED IN.

I DON'T THINK MANY UNDECIDES ARE GOING TO BE SWAYED BY A PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE.

>> AND IT'S FIVE MONTHS OUT.

A BILLION THINGS CAN HAPPEN BETWEEN NOW AND NOVEMBER 5TH.

>> Cathy: AND THERE'S A SECOND DEBATE.

>> WE WERE BOTH SAYING THAT DOES TRUMP HAVE AN INCENTIVE TO DO A SECOND DEBATE?

>> I DON'T THINK HE DOES.

>> HE CAN SAY, THIS FELLA CAN'T COPE WITH THE DEBATE SO I'M GOING TO LET HIM OFF THE HOOK.

>> AT THIS POINT, TRUMP HAS NOTHING TO GAIN FROM DOING A SECOND DEBATE AT THIS POINT.

SO MY QUARTER IN MY POCKET WOULD BET ME TO SAY THAT THERE ISN'T A SECOND CAN HE BAIT, EVEN THOUGH BIDEN NEEDS IT.

BUT BIDEN, DOES HE TAKE THE RISK OF A SECOND DEBATE?

>> Eric: IT DIDN'T MOVE THE NEEDLE ONE WAY OR THE OTHER FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP?

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

FIRST OF ALL, WE DON'T KNOW.

THE POLLS WILL COME OUT REALLY SOON.

BUT FROM HISTORICAL EVIDENCE -- I MEAN, THEY USUALLY DON'T MOVE IT AS MUCH AS WE THINK.

>> MORE EXCITED ABOUT DEBATES THAN THE VOTERS-I THINK IN TERMS OF REALITY OF WHAT THEY MEAN.

>> Eric: DO YOU LIKE THE INSTANT ANALYSIS, OR DO YOU THINK IT'S A LOT OF BELTWAY HYPE THAT -- >> HERE'S THE KEY THING.

THE KEY THING IS, HAS A MAJOR DEMOCRATIC ELECTED OFFICIAL ASKED FOR HE PRESIDENT TO STEP DOWN?

THE ANSWER IS NO.

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF HAIR PULLING ON THE MEDIA ABOUT IT.

BUT UNTIL SOMETHING LIKE THAT HAPPENS, AND IT NEEDS TO HAPPEN SOON, WITHIN THE NEXT WEEK, JOE BIDEN WILL REMAIN THE NO, MA NOMINEE.

>> Cathy: AS POLITICAL SCIENTISTS AND GIVEN WHAT WE SAW LAST NIGHT, IS THERE A STILL ROLE FOR DEBATES IN OUR SOCIETY, POLITICAL DEBATES?

I'M JUST CURIOUS.

>> MY FANTASY WORLD, I'D LIKE TO SAY YES.

BUT IN THE REAL WORLD, GIVEN THE FACT THAT THERE'S SO MUCH POTENTIAL MEDIA OR SO MUCH N OUT THERE AND HOW POLARIZED WE ARE AT THIS POINT, I MEAN, SOME PEOPLE ARE GOING TO ARGUE AND SAY WE HAVE ZERO UNDECIDED VOTERS IN AMERICA.

I'M JUST NOT SURE HOW INFORMATIVE THOSE DEBATES ARE.

MUCH IN THE SAME WAY THAT CONVENTIONS HAVE BECOME LONG INFOMERCIALS, I THINK THESE DEBATES HAVE JUST BECOME, WHAT, ENTERTAINMENT?

>> WE JUST THINK ABOUT THE THINGS THAT COULD DISQUALIFY SOMEONE, RIGHT?

SO TRUMP WAS CONVICTED.

DIDN'T DISQUALIFY HIM.

HE'S -- HE LIES BOUT A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

THAT HASN'T DISQUALIFIED HIM.

BUT BIDEN BEING OLD AND NOT REALLY KIND OF FAST AND LOOSE, AND NOT REALLY BEING COHERENT ON SOME OF HIS ANSWERS, THAT'S DISQUALIFYING.

I MEAN, IT REALLY -- SO IT MAKES YOU WONDER, WHAT'S YOUR CRITERIA FOR A PRESIDENTIAL PERSON?

>> Eric: SUPREME COURT MADE IT MORE CHALLENGING TO PROSECUTE JANUARY 6TH DEFENDANTS?

>> YES, WHAT THEY SAID IS THAT THIS IS AN OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE STATUTE.

I ACTUALLY HAVE TAUGHT IT QUITE A FEW TIMES.

AND IT'S BEEN SUBJECT TO SO MANY REVISIONS AND PROBLEMS.

BUT THE COURT IS NOW SAYING IS THAT IN ORDER TO FIND SOMEBODY GUILTY OF OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE, YOU HAVE TO FIND SOME WAY THEY DESTROYED OR ALTERED OR IMPEDED ACCESS TO A DOCUMENT.

IT'S GOING TO MAKE IT HARDER TO GO BACK AND SOME OF THE PEOPLE, GETTING THE CONVICTIONS OVERTURNED, DEPENDING ON HOW THE CHARGES ARE ACTUALLY LAID OUT AND REVISED GOING FORWARD.

>> Eric: HOW'S GOVERNOR WALZ DOING S A SURROGATE?

HEE WAS ON THE NEWS HOUR TONIGHT?

>> HE HAS A CALL PRESENCE WHICH IS ALWAYS GOOD ON TELEVISION.

AND I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE LIKE HIM IN THIS STATE BECAUSE HE SEEMS TO BE A VERY REPRESENTATIVE MINNESOTAN.

IT'S ALWAYS WORKED FOR HIM.

HE'S HAD A JOB APPROVAL ABOVE 50% FOR A LONG TIME.

>> Eric: YOU FEEL LIKE THERE IS NO CHANCE THAT ONE OR THE OTHER WILL NOT BE IN THE NOVEMBER ELECTION?

IN OTHER WORDS, WE'VE GOT BIDEN, TRUMP, AND THAT'S HOW IT'S GOING TO SAY?

>> IT IS BAKED IN THE CAKE I THINK.

>> YEAH, I MEAN, PROVIDED THEY STAY IN GOOD HEALTH, I MEAN, THAT'S NOT A GUARANTEE, YEAH, THAT'LL BE THE MATCHUP.

>> YEAH, I THINK THE SAME THING TOO, IS THAT UNLESS SOMETHING HAPPENS AND GOING TO BE HEALTH RELATED, THIS IS THE FINAL RACE.

>> Eric: THE BELL IS RINGING.

CLASS DISMISSED.

THANKS, GUYS.

♪♪♪ >> WE'RE BACK AT HARRIET ISLAND.

WE'RE GOING TO DO SOMETHING WE'VE NEVER DONE BEFORE.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A SALUTE TO WOODSTOCK.

>> 35 YEARS LATER.

>> RIGHT, YOU'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET A GRATEFUL DEAD POSTER, A PEACE SIGN.

WE GOT A VOLKSWAGEN.

WE GOT THIS FOR ERIC, BUT HE CAN'T WEAR HIS WING TIPS.

WE GOT IVE BANDS THAT ACTUALLY PLAYED AT WOODSTOCK.

THE BLOOD, SWEAT, AND TEARS.

ERIC BURTON AND THE ANIMALS.

CANNED HEAT.

THE LOW RIDERS.

AND THEN WE GO OVER TO THE MAIN STAGE, WE GOT KANSAS.

AND THEN WE'VE GOT PIZZA.

WE'VE GOT THE PICK YA DILLY PIZZA.

[ Laughter ] >> PICCADILLY PIZZA.

THAT WAS THE LATE RON MADDUX, CO-FOUNDER OF THE TASTE OF MINNESOTA AT ITS ORIGINAL ST. PAUL LOCATION AND ALWAYS A LIVELY CHEERLEADER FOR THE CAPITOL CITY.

WE'RE NEARLY OUT OF TIME TONIGHT, SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A QUICK INDEX FILE SECTION FOR YOU.

NO ONE CALLED IN WITH A RIGHT ANSWER TO LAST WEEK'S QUERY, AND TO BE HONEST, WE DIDN'T GET ANY GOOD WRONG ANSWERS EITHER.

SO WE'RE JUST GOING TO RE-ASK IT.

CATHY TOOK US BACK IN TIME TO JUNE OF 2003.

A CURRENT "MINNESOTAN" WAS IN TOWN "PERFORMING" BEFORE A CROWD.

ON THE DAY IN QUESTION, HE OR SHE ACCOMPLISHED A CAREER "FIRST," AND IT BECAME PART OF THEIR ROOKIE YEAR RECORD-SETTING FEAT.

OUR MYSTERY PERSON WOULD RETURN TO MINNESOTA INTERMITTENTLY FOR NEARLY A DECADE BUT DUE TO HEALTH ISSUES WOULD NEVER PERFORM AS WELL AS THEY DID IN THE SUMMER OF 2003.

15 YEARS LATER, HE OR SHE BEGAN SPENDING SEVERAL MONTHS EACH YEAR HERE IN MINNESOTA, WHICH IS WHY WE CAN CLAIM THEM AS OUR OWN.

HERE'S AN EXTRA HINT FOR YOU.

THINK OF THE TIME OF YEAR.

THINK OF A SPORT THAT IS OFTEN PLAYED OUTSIDE.

OUR QUESTION FOR YOU: WHO IS THIS MYSTERY "MINNESOTAN," AND WHAT DID HE OR SHE ACCOMPLISH IN THE TWIN CITIES IN JUNE OF 2003?

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU WHETHER YOU ARE CALLING FROM RADKE LAKE, BALL CLUB, OR HOMER TOWNSHIP IN WINONA COUNTY.

651-229-1430 IS THE NUMBER TO CALL WITH ALL OF YOUR CLEVER ANSWERS, RIGHT OR WRONG.

YOU CAN ALWAYS DROP A NOTE IN OUR ELECTRONIC INBOX: ALMANAC@TPT.ORG.

QUICK PROGRAMMING NOTE FOR YOU.

"ALMANAC" STAFF WILL BE TAKING A BREAK NEXT WEEK, SO WE'LL BE BACK FRIDAY, JULY 12TH.

BE SURE TO GET YOUR INDEX FILE ANSWERS IN BEFORE THEN.

WE HAVE JUST ENOUGH TIME FOR SOME SHOW-ENDING MUSIC.

IT WAS THIS WEEK IN 1993 THAT BLUEGRASS BAND STONEY LONESOME PERFORMED NEXT DOOR IN STUDIO "A."

TAKE A LISTEN.

AND THANKS FOR WATCHING.

AND BE CAREFUL.

>> ♪ I WALK DOWN ALONE ♪ ♪ I LOOK DOWN THE STREET ♪ ♪ NO ONE WAS AROUND ♪ ♪ AND THE SUN WAS JUST COMING UP ♪ ♪ OVER MY HOME ♪ ♪ ON HICKORY STREET ♪ ♪ IN A LITTLE FARM TOWN ♪ ♪ HEY, THE MORNING LIGHT BREEZE ♪ ♪ WHILE THE DEW IS STILL HEAVY ♪ ♪ SO BRIGHT ♪ ♪ MY HOME ON THE RANGE ♪ ♪ IT'S A ONE-HORSE TOWN ♪ ♪ AND IT'S ALL RIGHT WITH ME ♪ ♪ THE PLOW BROKE THE PRAIRIE ♪ ♪ AND THE PRAIRIES GAVE PLENTY ♪ ♪ THE LITTLE TOWNS BLOSSOMED ♪ ♪ AND SOON THERE WERE MANY ♪ ♪ SCATTERED LIKE FIRE FLIES ♪ ♪ ACROSS THE DARK NIGHT ♪ ♪ AND ONE WAS CALLED EARLY ♪ ♪ AND THE SURELY DID LIGHT ♪ ♪ PAINT THE MORNING LIGHT PRETTY ♪ ♪ WHILE THE DEW IS STILL HEAVY ♪ ♪ SO BRIGHT AND EARLY ♪ ♪ MY HOME ON THE RANGE ♪ ♪ IT'S A ONE-HORSE TOWN ♪ >> "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 MINNESOTA PAINT SMARTER TO PREVENT WASTE.

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.

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