OF TWIN CITIES PBS FOR THE STATIONS OF MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION.

>> ERIC: COMING UP ON "ALMANAC" IN THE NEXT HOUR, LIVE CHORAL MUSIC WITH CANTUS, KAOMI LEE INTRODUCES US TO ST. OLAF'S NEW ORCHESTRA CONDUCTOR, JEREMY OLSON FROM THE "STAR TRIBUNE" IS HERE WITH A LOT OF HEALTHCARE NEWS, AND MARY LAHAMMER LOOKS AT AN ISSUE LIKELY TO HIT THE LEGISLATURE EARLY NEXT YEAR.

>> Mary: PROVIDING CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE TO MORE MINNESOTA FAMILIES LOOKS TO BE ONE OF THE TOP ISSUES OF THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

WE'LL HAVE A PREVIEW.

>> CHILD CARE IS BY FAR THE SINGLE LARGEST EXPENSE THAT FAMILIES OF YOUNG CHILDREN HAVE.

>> WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILIES CAN AFFORD CHILD CARE TOO.

>> 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.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

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

>> ERIC: WE HAVE A FULL SHOW FOR YOU TONIGHT TO KICK OFF THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

CHORAL GROUP CANTUS IS IN THE HOUSE, KEVIN KLING IS HERE WITH A HOLIDAY STORY FOR US, WE'LL THROW IN SOME SPORTS, PLENTY OF POLITICS AND MORE.

>> CATHY: WE START TONIGHT WITH HEALTHCARE NEWS AROUND THE STATE.

IT'S BEEN A BUSY WEEK FOR "STAR TRIBUNE" REPORTER JEREMY OLSON WHO HAD MORE THAN ONE FRONT-PAGE BYLINE IN THE LAST SEVERAL DAYS, INCLUDING THE BIG EXPANSION PROPOSED DOWN AT MAYO CLINIC AND YESTERDAY'S FRONT-PAGE NEWS ABOUT RISING HEALTHCARE COSTS FOR PRIVATELY INSURED MINNESOTANS.

JEREMY, WELCOME BACK.

>> YEAH, HAPPY TO BE HERE.

>> Cathy: GOSH, YOU HAVE HAD A BUSY WEEK.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE RISING COST OF HEALTHCARE.

HEALTHCARE COSTS FOR FOLKS WITH PRIVATE INSURANCE WENT UP IN 2022 BY 7%, 12% IN 2021.

GOSH, WHAT'S DRIVING THE INCREASES?

>> WELL, IT'S CLEAR THAT PRESCRIPTION DRUGS ARE A BIG PART OF THE DRIVER RIGHT NOW, AND IT'S HARD TO TALK ABOUT PRESCRIPTION DRUGS RIGHT NOW WITHOUT TALKING ABOUT WEIGHT LOSS MEDICATIONS, THE NEW CLASS HAS BECOME VERY POPULAR, IT'S HAD RESULTS.

THE PROBLEM IS, YOU HAVE TO TAKE THOSE DRUGS FOREVER, THEY THINK, TO MAINTAIN THE BENEFITS.

AND THEY'RE COSTLY RIGHT NOW.

NEW DRUGS ALWAYS ARE.

BUT THESE ONES PARTICULARLY SO.

AND THEY ARE BUSTING SOME BUDGETS FOR HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES AND INDIVIDUALS IN THEIR POCKETBOOKS.

>> Cathy: BUT IT CAN'T POSSIBLY BE JUST DRUG COSTS, THOUGH?

>> OH, NO.

I MEAN BEING STAFFING IS A BIG ISSUE IN CLINICS, IN HOSPITALS, YOU'RE HAVING TO PAY NURSES MORE, DOCTORS MORE TO GET THEM IN THE DOOR BECAUSE THEY'RE HARD TO FIND RIGHT NOW.

AND THOSE SHORTAGES OF WORKERS ARE CAUSING TROUBLE ALL OVER THE HEALTHCARE LANDSCAPE, BUT THEY ALSO ARE MAKING IT MORE EXPENSIVE TO PROVIDE CARE.

>> Eric: IMPACT ON PREMIUMS?

>> OH, ABSOLUTELY.

THERE'S NOTHING THAT INCREASES INCREASES, WHEN YOU SEE YOUR HEALTHCARE COSTS GO UP, YOU'RE SURE TO SEE YOUR PREMIUMS GO UP, AND, I MEAN, THERE HASN'T BEEN MUCH RELIEF ON PREMIUMS IN THE PAST YEAR SO THEY'RE ALMOST SURE TO GO UP AGAIN.

>> Cathy: HEALTHCARE COSTS ARE GOING UP, YET, HOSPITALS ARE BLEEDING MONEY.

EXPLAIN THAT A LITTLE BIT.

>> INTERESTINGLY, IN THE LATEST TOTAL COST OF CARE REPORT -- HOSPITALS DIDN'T ACCOUNT FOR THE INCREASE.

THEY'RE A PART OF IT.

BECAUSE OF THE STAFFING SHORTAGES, BECAUSE OF SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT THEY'RE FACING, INCLUDING A SHORTAGE OF NURSING HOMES, THEY CAN'T MOVE PATIENTS OUT.

THEY GET STUCK WITH THOSE PATIENTS.

SO THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF AS MANY PATIENTS.

THEY'RE NOT MAKING UP AS MUCH MONEY, DRIVING UP REVENUES.

THEIR PROBLEMS ARE HAVING A DIRECT EFFECTS ON THAT.

>> Eric: IF COSTS ARE TO BE LOWERED, WHO HAS TO GET LESS?

WHO HAS TO BE PAID LESS, GET MORE MONEY?

WHAT'S THE EQUATION GOTTA BE?

>> I'M SURE A LITTLE IT OF ALL ABOVE.

THE BIG DRIVER RIGHT NOW IS CHRONIC DISEASE, OUR OBESITY RATES HAVE SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASED, OUR DIABETES RATES HAVE DOUBLED IN THE PAST DECADE OR SO.

I THINK ABOUT 10% OF MINNESOTA ADULTS NOW SAY THEY HAVE DIABETES.

AND YOU HAVE TO MANAGE THOSE DISEASES.

IF YOU DON'T MANAGE THEM EFFECTIVELY PEOPLE GET ICKER, THEN YOU HAVE DISABILITIES, THEY HAVE EYE PROBLEMS, THEY HAVE IDNEY PROBLEMS.

AND THOSE ARE EXPENSIVE.

AND RIGHT NOW WE'RE NOT DOING A VERY GOOD JOB MANAGING THOSE.

>> Eric: WOULD HEALTHIER LIFESTYLES HELP >> OH, WITHOUT A DOUBT.

I MEAN, HEALTHIER LIFESTYLES, BUT SOME OF THAT IS ABOUT THE CHOICES THAT ARE BROUGHT TO YOU.

SOME PEOPLE DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO FRESH FOOD, DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO EXERCISE OPPORTUNITIES, ESPECIALLY SOME LOW-INCOME, URBAN NEIGHBORHOODS.

THERE'S BEEN EFFORTS TO CHANGE THAT.

BUT THERE STILL ARE A LOT OF INEQUITIES AND THOSE THINGS ARE DRIVING THOSE.

>> Cathy: LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS MAYO CLINIC EXPANSION, IT'S HUGE, $5 BILLION.

BUT IT'S NTERESTING TO ME BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO BE USING A LOT OF A.I.

AND ROBOTICS IN THIS NEW HEALTHCARE CENTER.

HOW DOES THAT WORK?

>> YEAH, THEY REALLY WANT THE HOSPITAL TO BE SYNCED UP TO YOUR WIRELESS PERSONAL HEALTH DEVICES SO THEY KNOW OUR ENERGY LEVELS, HEARTBEAT, THINGS LIKE THAT.

AND THEY WANT THESE NEW HOSPITALS TO BE NEIGHBORHOODS, BASICALLY WHERE YOU GO INTO THE HOSPITAL AND YOU GET ALL YOUR CARE THERE.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO WANDER AROUND THE MASSIVE MAYO CAMPUS TRYING TO FIND THE IMAGING SUITE OR THE CONSULTANTS, THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO THEY THINK IT'S THE NEW HOSPITAL FOR THE NEXT GENERATION, THEY THINK WHAT THEY LEARN THERE IS GOING TO TEACH OTHER HOSPITALS HOW TO DO IT RIGHT.

>> Cathy: O THE HEALTHCARE PROVIDER COMES TO YOU, SAY, IF I HAVE HEART TROUBLE, I'M GOING TO BE IN A LITTLE AREA, CARDIOLOGY, WITH OTHER PATIENTS AND THE PHYSICIANS WILL COME TO US?

>> YEAH, YEAH.

FAIRLY SIZABLE AREA, BUT THE SIZE OF THE HOSPITAL, IT'S GOING TO BE MASSIVE, BUT IT'S GOING TO BE CALLED A NEIGHBORHOOD, PATIENTS WITH LIKE SERVICES HAVE ALL THE SERVICES COME TO THEM.

AND THEY THINK THE CONTINUITY IS GOING TO HELP.

>> Cathy: HOW DOES THAT FIT IN WITH THE MEDICAL DESTINATION CENTER THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO GET LAUNCHED?

>> 185 MILLION IN PUBLIC DOLLARS WAS COMMITTED A DECADE AGO TO MAKING ROCHESTER A PERMANENT DESTINATION PLACE FOR HEALTHCARE.

AND MAYO SAYS THIS $5 BILLION PLAN IS THE FULFILLMENT OF THEIR END OF THAT PROMISE TO BUILD THE HOSPITAL TO MEET ALL THOSE PUBLIC INCREASES -- IMPROVEMENTS THAT ARE HAPPENING.

>> Eric: SEEMS LIKE THERE'S A BIG PRICE DIFFERENCE ON THE SAME PROCEDURE DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU GET THE TREATMENT.

IS ANY OF THAT LINKED TO QUALITY OF CARE AT ALL OR IS IT JUST WHAT THEY CAN GET AWAY WITH?

>> YEAH, DEPENDS ON WHO YOU ASK.

THE DIFFERENCE IN PRICE RIGHT NOW, OR THE DIFFERENCE IN COST OF CARE AT A PLACE RIGHT NOW SEEMS TO BE WHAT PEOPLE ARE CHARGING.

USED TO BE A LOT OF CLINICS THAT WOULD ORDER A LOT OF EXCESS TESTS, THEY WOULD BE VERY EXPENSIVE BECAUSE THEY WERE WASTEFUL.

THAT WASTE HAS BEEN ROUTED OUT, EVERYONE IS ORDERING THE TESTS MORE OFTEN NOW, BUT THE DIFFERENCE IN PRICE SEEMS TO BE IN HOW MUCH CLINICS ARE CHARGING, HOW MUCH THEY'RE REAPING OR GETTING FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANIES, AND MAYO CLINIC IS ONE F THE MOST, ACCORDING TO THE MINNESOTA COMMUNITY MEASUREMENT, MAYO CLINIC IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE RIGHT NOW IN MINNESOTA.

>> Eric: WHERE ARE WE ON STATE OR FEDERAL ACTION THAT MIGHT AFFECT HEALTHCARE COSTS, ANYTHING ON THE HORIZON?

>> OH, BOY, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAPPENED THIS LAST SESSION WAS THE TALK ABOUT HEALTHCARE AFFORDABILITY BOARD.

THEY WERE GOING TO CREATE A STATE BOARD THAT WAS GOING TO PENALIZE HIGH-COST HOSPITALS.

NOW, YOU TIE THIS ALL TOGETHER, IF YOU RECALL, MAYO DIDN'T LIKE THAT, THEY SAID, IF YOU DO THAT, WE MAY TAKE OUR $5 BILLION PROJECT AND GO ELSEWHERE.

THE BOARD DBTD -- DIDN'T HAPPEN THE WAY THEY ERE PLANNING IT.

MAYO WON THE DAY.

THESE ARE COMING.

IT SEEMS LIKE REFORMS LIKE THAT ARE AREN'T GOING TO BE NECESSARY BECAUSE THE COSTS KEEP GOING UP AND UP.

>> Eric: APPRECIATE YOU KEEPING AN EYE ON THIS FOR US.

STARTRIBUNE.COM.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> ERIC: LAST YEAR THE CENTER FOR ECONOMIC INCLUSION WAS ONE OF SIX ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVING $5 MILLION TO ASSIST BLACK, LATINA, AND INDIGENOUS WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES.

THIS YEAR THE CENTER RELEASED THEIR INAUGURAL RACIAL EQUITY DIVIDENDS INDEX FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR, WITH 22 LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND PUBLIC AGENCIES IN MINNESOTA PARTICIPATING IN THIS NEW REPORT.

RETURNING TO WALK US THROUGH THE FINDINGS IS TAWANNA BLACK, FOUNDER AND HEAD OF THE ST. PAUL-BASED CENTER FOR ECONOMIC INCLUSION.

A LOT OF WINDOW DRESSING BUT LIMITED PROGRESS OR IS HAT TOO NEGATIVE?

>> IT MAY BE A LITTLE BIT DRAMATIC.

I DON'T KNOW IF I WOULD CALL THE WORK THAT'S HAPPENING COMPLETELY INDOW DRESSING, BUT I WOULD SAY, YOU'RE RIGHT, WE'VE GOT A LONG WAY TO GO IN OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE ACTUALLY PUTTING PEOPLE AT THE HEART OF WHAT GOVERNMENT IS INTENDED TO DO.

>> Cathy: SO 22 ENTITIES PARTICIPATED, BUT THERE'S, LIKE, I ON'T KNOW, 3,000, THERE'S A LOT OF GOVERNMENT ENTITIES.

SO, WHAT CAN WE GLEAN FROM THAT SMALL NUMBER, THOUGH?

>> SURE.

QUITE A BIT, ACTUALLY.

SO OUR INTENTIONALITY WITH THIS SURVEY IS REALLY TO ENSURE THAT THE LARGEST GOVERNMENTS IN MINNESOTA ARE PARTICIPATING, CERTAINLY SMALLER GOVERNMENTS CAN PARTICIPATE, BUT THAT'S NOT OUR TARGET.

OUR TARGET IS REALLY THOSE WHO ARE AT ABOUT THAT 500 MILLION AND ABOVE IN ANNUAL REVENUES COMING OUT OF THEIR CITY GOVERNMENTS AND I HAVE NUMBER OF -- AND HAVE A NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES SUCH THAT IT COULD BE COMPARABLE WITH A THE MID-MARKET-SIZE CORPORATIONS.

AGAIN, YOU SEE IN THE MIX OF THE 22, MANY ACROSS THE METRO AREA, LOCAL CITY GOVERNMENTS, LOCAL COUNTY GOVERNMENT, MET COUNCIL'S PARTICIPATING, BUT WE ALSO SEE FOUR IN GREATER MINNESOTA, WHICH I THINK IS SIGNIFICANT, AS WE SEE A NUMBER OF CITIES AND COMMUNITIES THAT PEOPLE MIGHT NOT HAVE ALWAYS THOUGHT ABOUT AS RACIALLY INCLUSIVE AND EQUITABLE, SAYING, I WANT IN.

>> Eric: GEORGE FLOYD'S DEATH GETS FURTHER BEHIND US, THE SUPREME COURT'S RULING ON AFFIRMATIVE ACTION.

IS THERE LESS IMPETUS NOW FOR THESE ENTITIES TO BE DIVERSIFYING IN THEIR HIRING?

>> NO.

I LOVE THE LANGUAGE THERE.

LESS IMPETUS, ABSOLUTELY NOT.

ACTUALLY, GEORGE FLOYD'S MURDER HELPED US RECKON WITH THE DEPTHS OF NOT JUST INEQUITY BUT ACTUAL RACISM IN THE SYSTEM.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE DATA IN OUR REPORT, ONE OF THE AREAS THAW SEE THE MOST PROGRESS OCCURRING IN IS PUBLIC SAFETY.

IT TOOK A MAN BEING MURDERED ON LIVE SCREENS ALL ACROSS THE WORLD IN ORDER FOR CITY GOVERNMENTS TO SAY, WAIT A MINUTE, WE'VE GOT TO INVEST MORE DEEPLY HERE, BUT WE CAN SEE THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING.

THEY'VE ADOPTED A GOOD NUMBER OF THE MAJOR STRATEGIES IN PUBLIC SAFETY.

WHEN WE LOOK AT ALL THE OTHER DIMENSIONS, THOUGH, THE INTERNAL HIRING PRACTICES, PROCUREMENT, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, HUMAN SERVICES, TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING, WE SEE THAT DROP OFF SIGNIFICANTLY, SO IT TELLS US THAT WHEN CITY GOVERNMENTS ARE COMPLETELY CLEAR ABOUT THEIR ROLE IN CHANGE, THEIR RESPONSIBILITY, AND WHEN VOTERS HOLD THEM RESPONSIBLE, ACTION HAPPENS AND IT HAPPENS IN A WAY THAT'S SYSTEMIC AND NOT WINDOW DRESSING.

>> Cathy: SO, YOU HAD A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT MEASURES THERE THAT YOU JUST TICKED OFF.

WHERE ARE THE AREAS TO IMPROVE ON?

THE LARGEST AREAS TO IMPROVE ON.

>> GREAT QUESTION.

SO SOME OF THE BIGGEST GAPS ACROSS ALL 22, ONE IS PROCUREMENT.

SO WE SEE THAT EVEN AFTER THE DISPARITY STUDIES DONE SEVERAL YEARS AGO AMONG LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, WE HAVEN'T MADE MUCH PROGRESS.

MOST OF THOSE GOVERNMENTS HAVE NOT ADOPTED A COMPREHENSIVE SUPPLIER DIVERSITY PROCUREMENT PROGRAM.

THERE ARE NOT HOLDING THEIR MANAGERS, PURCHASERS ACCOUNTABLE FOR SPENDING, THEY DON'T KNOW WHERE THE SPEND IS GOING, SUCH THAT ALL EMPLOYEES ARE CONSCIOUS OF IT.

WE'VE GOT REAL WORK TO DO.

REMEMBER, THIS ISN'T CHARITY.

THIS S ABOUT HOW WE GROW JOBS IN MINNESOTA.

BLACK AND BROWN BUSINESS OWNERS ARE THE FASTEST GROWING IN THE COUNTRY.

SO IF THERE'S NOT AN INTENTIONAL STRATEGY TO SPEND WITH THEM, WE'RE NOT GOING TO CONTINUE TO GET THE TAX BASE THAT WE NEED AND THE GOOD SCHOOLS, GOOD COMMUNITIES, EVERYTHING ELSE THAT WE WANT IN NEIGHBORHOODS.

THAT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST.

>> Eric: WHAT DOES SUCCESS LOOK LIKE AT THE END OF THE DAY WHEN THIS THING IS UP AND MOVING AND MORE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ARE PARTICIPATING, WHAT LOOKS LIKE SUCCESS OUT OF THIS?

>> SURE.

SO WE CAN ACTUALLY LOOK TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO SEE THAT.

SO THIS IS OUR FIRST YEAR FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR AT THE CENTER FOR ECONOMIC INCLUSION IN DOING THE INDEX.

BUT WE'VE ALREADY DONE THIS WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR TWICE.

WE'RE DOING THIS IN EIGHT OTHER CITIES ACROSS THE RIGHT NOW.

WE'VE LOOKED AT LARGE CORPORATIONS WHO HAVE PARTICIPATED, THEY TELL US, NOT ONLY ARE THEY HAVING DIFFERENT CONVERSATIONS, THEY'RE TAKING DIFFERENT ACTIONS, SOME THAT THEY'VE BEEN WORKING ON FOR YEARS BUT HADN'T BEEN ABLE TO MOVE THE NEEDLE ON UNTIL THEY HAVE HE INEXDID REPORT.

WE'RE ABLE TO RALLY THEIR ENTIRE SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM AROUND IT, GET THEIR BOARD ADOPTING POLICIES, BECAUSE IT'S A CLEAR ROAD MAP OF WHAT ACTION SHOULD TAKE.

WE HAD THE PUBLIC SECTOR ASK US FOR THIS REPORT, THIS TYPE OF SURVEY, AFTER WE DID IT TWICE WITH PRIVATE SECTOR.

AND NOW WE EXPECT THE SAME THING THAT BOTH COUNCILS, CITY COMMISSIONS, COUNTY COMMISSIONS WILL ADOPT SOME OF THESE STANDARDS BUT ALSO MORE THAN THAT, THEY'LL BE TRANSPARENT N THEIR ACCOUNTABILITY BACK TO THEIR STAKEHOLDERS.

>> Cathy: ALL RIGHT.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Eric: KEEP US POSTED.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> Eric: THANKS.

♪♪ >> CATHY: THIS WEEKEND, THE ANNUAL ST. OLAF CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL WILL BE PERFORMED AND LIVESTREAMED FROM ORCHESTRAL HALL.

THE NORTHFIELD COLLEGE AND ITS ANNUAL HOLIDAY CONCERT IS KNOWN FOR ITS SCANDINAVIAN LUTHERAN ROOTS.

BUT THOSE LEADING THE MUSIC ARE BECOMING MORE DIVERSE.

REPORTER KAOMI LEE VISITED HER ALMA MATER TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ST. OLAF ORCHESTRA'S NEW CONDUCTOR.

>> THE St. OLAF ORCHESTRA TOURED THE UPPER MIDWEST THIS FALL, BESIDES THE STORIED MUSICALITY, THERE WAS A NEW FACE ON THE PODIUM.

HIS NAME IS CHUNG PARK.

>> I AM THE CONDUCTOR OF THE St. OLAF ORCHESTRA AND THE ORCHESTRA AT St. OLAF COLLEGE.

EVERY CONDUCTOR WANTS TO WORK WITH THE BEST POSSIBLE ENSEMBLE THAT THEY CAN, AND I THOUGHT IF I COULD BE IN A LIBERAL ARTS SETTING AND WORK WITH A TREMENDOUSLY GIFTED ORCHESTRA, I COULD HAVE MY CAKE AND EAT IT TOO.

♪♪ >> PARK'S LAST JOB WAS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA.

HE SAYS HE FIRST LEARNED ABOUT St. OLAF THROUGH ITS CHOIR.

>> THE CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL S WORLD FAMOUS, I THINK IT'S THE FOURTH OR FIFTH MOST LISTENED-TO CHRISTMAS PROGRAM IN THE WORLD.

>> AND THE LONG MINNESOTA WINTERS WEREN'T A PROBLEM.

>> I HAD SPENT A YEAR IN NORTH DAKOTA, AND I KNEW THAT THE UPPER MIDWEST IS FULL OF WARM-HEARTED PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN A COLD PLACE.

>> PARK SUCCEEDED STEVEN AMONDSON AFTER 41 YEARS.

HIS HIRE MAY HAVE BEEN SURPRISING.

THE COLLEGE IS STEEPED IN THE TRADITION OF THE LUTHERAN CHURCH AND NORWEGIAN FOUNDERS.

CHUNG IS KOREAN AMERICAN, BUDDHIST, AND WAS RAISED BY IMMIGRANT PARENTS IN CHICAGO.

>> I THINK THAT ONE OF THE MOST VALUABLE THINGS THAT I BRING TO THE TABLE IS THAT I'VE BEEN ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN A LOT.

I KNOW WHAT IT FEELS TO NOT BELONG.

I KNOW WHAT IT FEELS TO BE IN A PLACE WHERE YOU DON'T FEEL LIKE YOU BELONG.

AND BECAUSE OF THAT, I AM FIERCELY COMMITTED TO MAKING SURE THAT MY STUDENTS DON'T FEEL THAT WAY.

♪♪ >> FOSTERING SENSE OF BELONGING FOR BIPoC FACULTY AND STUDENTS IS SOMETHING St. OLAF HAS GRAPPLED WITH.

SIX YEARS AGO, A ACIAL NOTE LEFT ON THE CAR OF A BLACK STUDENT SPARKED A CAMPUS PROTEST.

THAT NOTE WAS LATER DISCREDITED AS A HOAX, BUT THERE WERE OTHER REPORTS.

>> WE HAD A BIG RACIAL UPRISING IN 2017.

IT SHOOK THE CAMPUS.

>> ANTON ARMSTRONG ADE WAVES WHEN HE BECAME THE St. OLAF CHOIR'S FIRST BLACK CONDUCTOR 34 YEARS AGO.

>> JOHN LEWIS SAID, YOU KNOW, GOOD WORK, YOU DID GOOD WORK, YOU KNOW, IT WAS MESSY WORK, AND OUT OF THAT CAME A LOT OF THINGS.

>> THE COLLEGE MADE COMMITMENT TO ANTIRACISM, INCLUDING PLAN FOR EQUITY AND INCLUSION.

FACULTY AND STAFF FORMED A TASK FORCE TO CONFRONT STRUCTURAL RACISM.

HOWEVER, NOT BEFORE TWO BLACK FEMALE PROFESSORS QUIT IN 2020 CITING RACIAL BIAS.

>> I WOULD SAY FOR THE MOST PART, I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE TO THRIVE IN THIS PLACE.

I CAN'T SAY THAT ALL PEOPLE OF COLOR HAVE DONE THAT IN THIS PLACE.

BUT I'VE WORKED HARD.

>> ARMSTRONG INTRODUCED REPERTOIRE THAT WASN'T ALWAYS UNIVERSALLY LIKED.

FOR INSTANCE, HE MIXED IN A SOUTH AFRICAN FREEDOM SONG ALONG WITH THE TRADITIONAL HYMNS.

>> I DID THINGS SLOWLY BECAUSE I'D COME IN LIKE A BULL IN A CHINA SHOP, I WOULD NOT BE HERE NOW.

I UNDERSTOOD THIS PLACE WELL ENOUGH O NOW AND RESPECT IT, TO KNOW THAT WE COULD BE BETTER THAN WE ARE.

BUT IT WENT SLOWER THAN I HAD HOPED WHEN I CAME HERE IN 1990.

BUT I'M SEEING SOME OF THE FRUITS F THAT LABOR.

>> THIS YEAR THE COLLEGE NAMED HENRY DORN AS THE CONDUCTOR OF THE St. OLAF BAND.

JOSEPH JEFFERSON WAS HIRED AS THE COLLEGE'S JAZZ CONDUCTOR.

THE COLLEGE HAS A NEW PRESIDENT, SUSAN RUNDLE SINGER, THE FIRST WOMAN IN ITS HISTORY.

THERE ARE STILL JUST 16% FACULTY OF COLOR.

ARMSTRONG SAYS HAVING COLLEAGUES WHO GET HIS LIVED EXPERIENCE IS INVALUABLE.

>> IT TOOK A LONG TIME, BUT FINALLY I HAVE COLLEAGUES WHO LOOK LIKE ME AND WILL BE HERE LONG AFTER I LEAVE.

♪♪ >> IT'S BEEN ONE EAR SINCE Dr. CHUNG PARK HAS TAKEN OVER AS CONDUCTOR OF THE St. OLAF ORCHESTRA.

AND HE'S ALREADY MAKING HIS MARK.

HE HAS PLANS TO INTRODUCE MORE MUSIC BY LIVING AMERICAN COMPOSERS.

>> EVERY CONDUCTOR HAS THEIR OWN PRIORITIES, AND I HAVE MINE TOO.

I WANT THE ORCHESTRA TO PLAY WITH THEIR HEART ON THEIR SLEEVE, I WANT THEM TO PLAY WITH TREMENDOUS EXPRESSIVENESS, I WANT THEM TO TAKE RISKS, I WANT TREMENDOUS CLARITY IN TERMS OF ARTICULATION, I WANT THEM TO PLAY IN TUNE.

MOSTLY I WANT THE ENSEMBLE TO REALLY REALLY RELISH WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING OR ME.

I THINK IF THE MORALE IS HIGH, THEN YOU CAN GO ANYWHERE.

>> AND HE WANTS STUDENTS TO KNOW THAT HOWEVER THEY IDENTIFY, THERE'S A PLACE ON THE PODIUM.

>> IT'S A HUGE RESPONSIBILITY, BUT IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT THE STUDENTS SEE THAT THERE'S A PATH FOR THEM.

♪♪ >> WHEN I WAS IN GRADE SCHOOL, I WROTE HAIKUS, I MADE COIL POTS IN ART CLASS, I PLAYED TRUMPET, ALL THE WHILE FEELING TRAPPED IN THE BODY OF A DANCER.

I WANTED TO DANCE SO BAD.

35 EARS LATER, I GET A PHONE CALL, AND T'S LISE HOULTON FROM THE MINNESOTA DANCE THEATER.

AND SHE WANTS ME TO PERFORM A SMALL PART IN THEIR PRODUCTION OF THE "NUTCRACKER."

YES, YES, FINALLY, MY PRAYERS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED!

IT'S LIKE BILLY ELLIOT MEETS BENJAMIN BUTTON.

THE NEXT DAY I RUN TO THE DANCE STORE.

"“I NEED BALLET SHOES AND TIGHTS.

"” "“BECAUSE I AM IN THE NUTCRACKER.

"” "“OH,"” THE CLERK SAYS, "“WHICH ONE?

"” SHE SAYS SHE'’S IN ONE AT CHURCH, AND HER DAUGHTER IS IN ONE AT HER GIRL SCOUT TROOP.

IT TURNS OUT EVERYONE FROM THE HUMANE SOCIETY TO THE CURLING CLUB HAS A VERSION OF THE NUTCRACKER.

I SAY, "“WELL, THE MINNESOTA DANCE THEATER."

"“OH,"” SHE SAYS, "“THAT'’S THE BIG ONE.

"” AND THEN IT DAWNS ON ME.

I'’LL BE ON STAGE WITH MEMBERS OF THE AMERICAN BALLET THEATER, THE JOFFREY AND THE MINNESOTA DANCE COMPANY.

I DON'’T KNOW WHAT I'’M DOING.

AND, TIGHTS ARE NOT KIND TO ME.

I'M TOLD MY KNEES LOOK LIKE I'’M SMUGGLING WALNUTS.

INSTEAD OF THE BODY OF AN EXCLAMATION POINT, I HAVE THE BODY OF A QUESTION MARK.

INSTEAD OF "“I'’M HERE"” IT'’S LIKE "“I'’M HERE?

"” SO I PRACTICED AND PRACTICED, I MEAN, REHEARSED AND REHEARSED.

AND YOU KNOW WHAT?

OPENING NIGHT WAS SPECTACULAR, OKAY, I HAD TO KEEP PULLING UP MY TIGHTS AND I STEPPED ON A MOUSE CHILD, BUT I FELT I REALLY NAILED IT.

IN THE RECEIVING LINE AFTER THE SHOW, A PATRON WAS GOING DOWN THE ROW OF DANCERS.

"“HOW WONDERFUL, HOW BEAUTIFUL.

"” WHEN SHE GOT TO ME SHE SAID, "“AND YOU, WHAT A GOOD SPORT.

"” GOOD SPORT?

LATER I ASKED THE BOY PLAYING FRITZ, AMAZING DANCER 6 YEARS OLD, "“HOW DO YOU DO IT?

"” HE SAID, "“EVERY DANCER HAS A DIAMOND ON THEIR CHEST.

YOU NEED TO LET THAT DIAMOND SHINE ALL THE WAY TO THE BACK OF THE THEATER.

"” AFTER THAT NIGHT I LET MY ART FLY OUT THE DIAMOND ON MY CHEST.

I NEVER WAS VERY GOOD, BUT YOU WOULD'’VE NEVER GUESSED IT BY MY JOY.

MY FAVORITE PART WAS SEEING THE MOUSE CHILDREN OFFSTAGE IN THE WINGS AS THE PRINCIPAL DANCERS TOOK THEIR POSITIONS, BY THEIR FACES FOR THESE KIDS THIS WAS EVEN BETTER THAN HAIKUS AND COIL POTS.

[ Applause ] ♪ MUSIC FROM THE NUTCRACKER ♪ >> I SPENT THE WHOLE SUMMER CURSING THE HEAT, WHICH KEPT ME FROM KEEPING MY WARDROBE COMPLETE.

IN LAMB'S WOOL OR CASHMERE, IN PLAIDS OF BRIGHT COLORS, I GET THEM FOR GIFTS FROM MY SISTERS AND BROTHERS.

WHEN I WORE THE LAST ONE IN APRIL, JUST PAST, THE RELIEF WAS APPARENT FROM THE "ALMANAC" STAFF BECAUSE THE PHONES THEN STOPPED RINGING, COMPLAINING DID CEASE, NOT ABOUT ME, BUT MY NECKWEAR AT LEAST.

THE SUMMER PASSED SLOWLY, I COUNTED THE DAYS, UNTIL I COULD WEAR MY TRADEMARK OF MY GIMMICK, SOME SAY.

WELL, I'VE WAITED LONG NOUGH AND THE COLD WINDS ARE BLOWING.

AND I'VE GOT A WHOLE LINE OF NEW ONES I WANT TO BE SHOWING.

SO TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT, IT'S TIME.

WHAT THE HECK.

THE FIRST SCARF OF THE SEASON IS GOING ROUND MY NECK.

♪♪ >> ERIC: IT BEGAN AS ANOTHER CHALLENGING WEEK FOR MINNESOTA SPORTS FANS.

THE WILD LOST THEIR 7TH GAME IN A ROW ON SUNDAY NIGHT, JUST ONE LOSS AWAY FROM THE FRANCHISE RECORD.

THE VIKINGS FAILED MISERABLY ON MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL, LOSING 12-10 TO THE CHICAGO BEARS.

AND THE TWINS LOST SEVERAL PITCHERS TO FREE AGENT SIGNINGS.

LUCKILY THE TIMBERWOLVES HAVE BEEN WINNING AND ARE ATOP THE WESTERN CONFERENCE.

AND AFTER THE WILD REPLACED THEIR HEAD COACH, THEY'VE WON TWO IN A ROW.

LARRY FITZGERALD IS BACK.

IN ADDITION TO HIS REGULAR SPORTS CHATS HERE ON "ALMANAC," FITZGERALD DOES RADIO WORK FOR THE NATIONAL PROGRAMMING NETWORK.

YOU'RE TOO MODEST TO SAY THIS.

BUT I WANT TO REMIND VIEWERS THAT YOU TOLD US SEVERAL WEEKS AGO THAT THE VIKINGS WOULD BE ALL RIGHT.

AND THEY'RE ALL RIGHT.

>> YOU'RE RIGHT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, THEY'VE HAD A CANCER ALL YEAR, THOUGH.

AND THAT CANCER WAS HERE WHEN KIRK COUSINS WAS PLAYING.

THEY TURN THE BALL OVER LIKE THEY DON'T VALUE THE FOOTBALL.

WHEN YOU LEAD THE LEAGUE WITH 22 TURNOVERS, THEY'VE BEEN WINNING DESPITE THE FACT THAT YOU CAN'T PLAY THAT WAY, BUT, YOU KNOW, HERE THEY ARE, 6-6, THEY'RE INTO A BYE, AND, YOU KNOW, KIRK CAN'T SAVE 'EM, THEY HOPE JUSTIN JEFFERSON CAN COME BACK AND GIVE AN IMPACT TO THE OFFENSE, BUT THEY GOTTA FIND A WAY TO STOP GIVING THE BALL OVER.

I MEAN, YOU CAN'T TURN THE BALL OVER FOUR TIMES ON NATIONAL TELEVISION AND THINK YOU'RE GOING TO BEAT ANYBODY GOOD OR BAD.

>> Eric: WHO'S GOING TO SADDLE UP AS THE QUARTERBACK?

>> WELL, I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO COME BACK WITH JOSHUA DOBBS.

I MEAN, THEY BROUGHT HIM OFF THE TREET AND WON A COUPLE GAMES.

AND CERTAINLY THEY LOST A GAME TO A CHICAGO BEARS TEAM THAT'S TRYING TO FIND OUT IF THEY'VE GOT A QUARTERBACK IN JUSTIN FIELDS.

AND THEY PLAYED ONE OF THOSE OLD-FASHIONED CHICAGO BEAR-TYPE GAMES.

THEY MAULED THE VIKINGS, THEY JUST KEPT THE BALL, AND THEY DID A BETTER JOB OF PROTECTING THE OOTBALL, AND THAT'S WHY THEY GOT AWAY WITH A WIN.

>> Cathy: HEY, IF THE PLAYOFFS WERE HELD TODAY, DO YOU THINK THE T-WOLVES WOULD BE THE NUMBER ONE SEED IN THE WEST?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THEY'RE GOING TO MISS THIS IN-TOURNAMENT DEAL, WHICH EVERYBODY'S GETTING EXCITED ABOUT, BUT THEY LOST TO PHOENIX AND SACREMENTO, AND, SO, I GUESS THAT ELIMINATED THEM.

BUT WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT ALMOST 20 GAMES INTO THE SEASON AND THEY'VE GOT THE BEST RECORD IN FRANCHISE HISTORY, 35 YEARS, 14-4, YOU GOTTA SAY, HEY, THE BEST IS YET TO COME.

THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANTHONY EDWARDS, WHO'S AN ALL-STAR, THEY DIDN'T HAVE JADEN McDANIELS WHO'S PROBABLY THE BEST DEFENSIVE GUARD IN THE LEAGUE, AND THEY HAD NO PROBLEMS WINNING THEIR LAST COUPLE OF GAMES.

SO WE'LL SEE IF THEY CAN CONTINUE TO GROW A LITTLE BIT, BUT I LOVE THE WAY THEY'RE PLAYING ON DEFENSE.

>> Eric: NOW, JOHN HYNES SHOWS UP, THE WILD HAVE WON TWO IN A ROW.

>> ISN'T THAT AMAZING?

HE WENT DOWN TO NASHVILLE, SMOKED HIS FORMER TEAM.

I TELL YOU, I LIKE THE WAY THEY'VE PLAYED THE LAST COUPLE OF GAMES.

BECAUSE THE PROBLEM I'VE HAD WITH THEM ALL YEAR IS THAT THEY FORGOT ABOUT DEFENSE.

THEY FORGOT ABOUT CHECKING.

BUT THE LAST TWO GAMES, THEY'RE PICKING UP THEIR GUYS, THEY'RE PICKING THEM UP AT CENTER ICE, THEY'RE PLAYING ON BOTH ENDS, THAT'S WHY THEY'VE WON A COUPLE OF GAMES.

>> Eric: WAS THE COACHING CHANGE NEEDED, DO YOU THINK?

>> BSOLUTELY.

I MEAN, THE PLAYERS, THEY WEREN'T LISTENING TO THE COACH, OR THEY WEREN'T PAYING ATTENTION TO SOME OF THE VERY IMPORTANT DETAILS ON DEFENSE.

WHICH IS, YOU GOTTA PLAY ON BOTH ENDS, YOU GOT TO CHECK, YOU GOT TO SCRAP FOR THE UCK, AND THEY HAD GOTTEN AWAY FROM THAT.

THE NEW COACH HYNES HAS COME IN AND REMINDED THEM THAT, HEY, I'M GOING TO BE HERE, IF YOU WANT TO BE HERE, YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO PLAY A WHOLE LOT BETTER.

>> Cathy: TWINS EVIDENTLY GOT RID OF THREE PITCHERS, IS THAT RIGHT?

>> YOU SAY GOT RID OF.

THE TWINS ARE ON A, YOU KNOW, THIS BUDGET SITUATION IN TERMS OF WHO THEY CAN SIGN AND WHO THEY CAN'T, YOU KNOW, SON ANY GRAY -- SONNY GRAY, DIDN'T TAKE THE CARDINALS LONG TO THROW 75 MILLION AT HIM.

SOME OF THE PITCHERS THEY'VE HAD IN THE BULLPEN THAT THEY WERE DEPENDENT ON.

THEY'VE LOST A COUPLE OF THOSE GUYS.

BUT IT'S A LONG WAY TO GO.

THE TWINS HAVE A DEEP SYSTEM.

THEY'VE BEEN ABLE TO BRING A PLAYER IN, AS LONG AS THEY DON'T LOSE THEIR GUY AT THE BACK END, THEIR CLOSER, THEY'LL BE FINE.

>> Cathy: BY THE WAY, BECAUSE WE'RE ALL BROADCAST PROFESSIONALS HERE, WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF THE CHANGES WITH THE TWINS PLAY-BY-PLAY CREW?

>> THAT SURPRISED ME.

YOU KNOW, BUT, YOU KNOW, TIME IS A SITUATION THAT LEADS TO EVENTUALLY MAKING DECISIONS ON HOW WE'RE GOING TO GIVE A BOOST TO THE ORGANIZATION FROM THE PRESENTATION OF THE GAMES.

AND NOW THEY'RE DEALING WITH THIS BALI ISSUE, WHICH IS WHO KNOWS WHERE THAT'S GOING.

BUT, YOU KNOW, I LIKE THE NEW BROADCASTER.

BALLY.

YOU KNOW, CORY PROVUS HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL, CONSISTENT, HE KNOWS THE TEAM, OF COURSE, HE'S BEEN ON RADIO WITH DAN GLADDEN, I THINK HE'LL COULD A -- DO A GOOD JOB ON TV.

>> Eric: WHAT DO WE WANT TO DO ABOUT AN AUTOPSY N THE GOPHER FOOTBALL SEASON?

>> >> Cathy: THAT WAS A DEEP SIGH.

>> FOUR LOSSES IN A ROW.

YOU CAN'T LOSE A THREE-TOUCHDOWN LEAD TO NORTHWESTERN, GIVE A GAME AWAY TO AN ILLINOIS TEAM WITH A BACKUP QUARTERBACK RUNS OUT THERE.

AND WISCONSIN HAD NO PROBLEM WITH THEM.

SO, I DON'T THINK THE COACH IS IN TROUBLE.

BUT I THINK THE PROGRAM IS IN TROUBLE BECAUSE THEY CANNOT TAKE CARE OF THE N.I.L.

AND THE BEST PLAYERS THAT THEY GET IN HERE EVENTUALLY WANT TO BE RESPECTED, AND IN THIS DAY AND AGE, YOU GOT TO GET OME MONEY.

AND THAT'S AN N.I.L.

AND THEY DON'T DO THEM.

NEZ NEBRASKA -- >> Eric: NEBRASKA COACH SAID THE GOING RATE FOR THE QUARTERBACK IS A MILLION DOLLARS.

>> THAT'S WHERE IT IS IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL, YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE A STAR QUARTERBACK THAT CAN LEAD YOU AND RUN YOUR SYSTEM.

>> Cathy: FOR FOLKS WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR, N.I.L.

>> Eric: NAME IMAGE AND LIKENESS, THEY CAN PLAY THE -- PAY THE PLAYER ABOVE THE TABLE.

>> Cathy: GOT IT.

A MILLION BUCKS FOR A QUARTERBACK IN THE BIG TEN?

>> REMEMBER WHEN WE HAD THE PROBLEM WITH COVID, THE ATHLETIC IRECTOR DECIDED TO CUT OUT TENNIS.

>> Cathy: THAT'S RIGHT.

>> AND THE McNAMARAS, THOSE FOLKS HAVE GIVEN A LOT OF MILLIONS TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

>> Cathy: RIGHT.

>> SO THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ACTIVE IN GETTING INTO THIS N.I.L.

SITUATION.

AND PEOPLE THAT ARE INTO THE FLOW OF REVENUE IN THIS TOWN, HAVE LOOKED AT THEM AND SAID, IF THEY'RE NOT IN, I'M NOT IN EITHER.

>> Eric: A LOT ON YOUR PLATE.

A BUSY TIME OF YEAR FOR YOU.

>> LOVE IT.

>> Cathy: THANKS, FITZY.

SEE YOU LATER.

>> Eric: THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> IT'S A LONG-STANDING HOLIDAY TRADITION HERE AT "ALMANAC," THE SPARKLY TREES GET PLACED AROUND THE SET AND THE CHORAL GROUP "CANTUS" JOINS US LIVE IN THE STUDIO WITH A PREVIEW OF THEIR UPCOMING HOLIDAY SHOWS "CHRISTMAS WITH CANTUS."

RIGHT?

>> YES, IT IS.

>> Eric: JEREMY?

>> YUP.

>> Eric: TELL US ABOUT THIS -- YOU GOT CHRISTMAS CAROL, YOU'VE GOT MARK TWAIN, YOU GOT ALL KINDS OF STUFF GOING ON.

>> YEAH.

SO THIS SHOW IS CALLED "THREE TALES OF CHRISTMAS."

IT'S SOMETHING WE DO EVERY OTHER YEAR OR SO.

AND WE'RE REALLY EXCITED TO PRESENT "THREE TALES" FOR YOU ALL.

>> Eric: DO YOU START FROM SCRATCH EVERY SEASON OR DO YOU THROW IN KIND OF THE CLASSIFICATION AND MINGLE WITH NEW STUFF?

>> WE HAVE SOME CLASSIFICATION THAT WE LIKE TO GO THROUGH AND THEN WE WORK IN SOME NEWER THINGS.

THE ONE THAT I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IS SOMETHING, IS A HAWAIIAN STORY, ACTUALLY, IT'S CALLED "THE HAWAII SNOWMAN."

>> Eric: YOU COME TO THAT NATURALLY, THAT'S YOUR BACKGROUND, ISN'T IT?

>> EXACTLY.

I'M FROM HAWAII.

>> Eric: AND FOR THE FOLKS THAT ARE GOING TO SHOW UP TO THIS THING, I SAW THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL FULL-LENGTH PERFORMANCES AND THEN THERE WAS, WHAT, A KID-FRIENDLY ONE, SHORTER ONE?

>> YEAH.

SO WE'LL HAVE ABOUT TEN SHOWS IN THE TWIN CITIES.

AND ONE OF THEM IS A KID-FRIENDLY SHOW, A SHORTENED SHOW THAT IS FAMILY FRIENDLY THAT EVERYONE CAN COME TO.

>> Eric: WHO'S HE LONGEST-SERVING MEMBER?

>> I THINK THAT WOULD BE CHRIS RIGHT OVER HERE.

>> Eric: HOW LONG, CHRIS?

>> 16 YEARS.

>> Cathy: WOW.

>> AND MY KIDS WILL BE AT THE JANUARY SHOW AS WELL.

>> Eric: ALL RIGHT.

SO WITH YOUR HAWAIIAN BACKGROUND, THIS IS AN OLD BING CROSBY CLASSIC.

TELL US WHAT'S THE NAME OF IT?

>> THIS SONG IS CALLED "MEDICAL KHALIQ CAN I MACK A.

>> Eric: CANTUS, EVERYBODY.

♪ MELEKALEKEMAKA IS HAWAII'S WAY TO SAY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ♪ IS THE THING TO SAY ON A BRIGHT HAWAIIAN CHRISTMAS DAY ♪ BRIGHT SHINY CHRISTMAS DAY ♪ ♪ THAT'S THE ISLAND GREETING THAT WE SEND TO YOU FROM THE LAND WHERE PALM TREES SWAY ♪ ♪ HERE WE KNOW THAT CHRISTMAS WILL BE GREEN AND BRIGHT ♪ ♪ THE SUN TO SHINE BY DAY AND ALL THE STARS AT NIGHT ♪ ♪ MELEKALEIMAKA IS HAWAII'S WAY TO SAY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU.

♪ MELEKALEKIMAKA IS THE THING TO SAY ON A BRIGHT HAWAIIAN CHRISTMAS DAY ♪ ♪ THAT'S THE ISLAND GREETING THAT WE SEND TO YOU FROM THE LAND WHERE PALM TREES SWAY ♪ ♪ HERE WE KNOW THAT CHRISTMAS WILL BE GREEN AND BRIGHT ♪ ♪ THE SUN TO SHINE BY DAY ND ALL THE STARS AT NIGHT ♪ ♪ MELE KALIKIMAKA IS HAWAII'S WAY TO SAY MERRY CHRISTMAS, A VERY MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS, A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ♪ TO YOU ♪ ♪ A MELE KALIKIMAKA TO YOU ♪ >> ERIC: LEADING LAWMAKERS LAST SESSION ACCOMPLISHED ALMOST EVERYTHING ON THEIR WISH LIST, BUT AS MARY LAHAMMER REPORTS, MAKING CHILDCARE MORE AFFORDABLE REMAINS A TOP ISSUE FOR THE SESSION AHEAD.

IT COST COST $500 MILLION IN THE COMING -- IT COULD COST $500 MILLION IN THE COMING SESSION.

>> Mary: FULLY FUNDING CHILD CARE LOOKS LIKE A LEADING ISSUE HEADING INTO THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> EVERY LEGISLATOR ACROSS THE STATE IS HEARING FROM OUR CONSTITUENTS THAT CHILD CARE AFFORDABILITY IS A HUGE ISSUE.

>> PAYING FOR CHILD CARE AND GOING -- YOU KNOW, AND WORKING AND GOING TO SCHOOL IS A VERY BIG BURDEN, AND THAT'S WHY I ALWAYS TELL PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, I'M VERY PRIVILEGED TO HAVE MY PARENTS THAT HELP ME OUT.

>> Mary: THIS YOUNG MOM IS LUCKY TO HAVE HER FAMILY PROVIDE CARE FOR HER DAUGHTER SO SHE CAN PURSUE FURTHER HIGHER EDUCATION.

>> I WILL GO TO LAW SCHOOL IF I CAN GET A SCHOLARSHIP.

I WOULD LOVE TO BE A LAWYER OR A JUDGE IN THE FUTURE OR A POLITICAL ADVISOR IF I CAN GO TO LAW SCHOOL.

>> HEN I THINK ABOUT THE CHALLENGES THAT WE FACE IN MINNESOTA, I THINK ABOUT IT FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF OUR MOST RURAL AND SMALL TOWNS.

I CAN SAY WITHOUT A DOUBT WHEN TRAVELING FROM HERMANTOWN TO ELY, FROM BIG FORK TO GRAND MARAIS, THAT ONE OF THE TOP ISSUES I HEAR ABOUT IN OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES IS THE LACK OF AFFORDABLE CHILD CARE.

>> Mary: THE SENATOR, WHO HAS A YOUNG FAMILY, ONE IN PERHAPS THE MOST COMPETITIVE RURAL DISTRICT -- WON -- AND SAYS CHILD CARE IS NOT JUST RARE BUT DOESN'T EVEN EXIST IN SOME PARTS OF HIS IN THIS CASE OF THE WOODS.

>> WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILIES CAN AFFORD CHILD CARE TOO.

OUR GOAL IS TO ENSURE THAT EVERY FAMILY DOESN'T SPEND MORE THAN 7% OF THEIR INCOME ON CHILD CARE.

>> Mary: ANOTHER LAWMAKER, WHO ALSO HAS YOUNG KIDS, SAYS DAY CARE IN MINNESOTA IS AMONG THE MOST EXPENSIVE IN THE COUNTRY, AT ABOUT 17,000 A YEAR, IT CAN OUTPACE THE COST OF COLLEGE TUITION.

>> AS A MOM TO FOUR KIDS, 9 AND UNDER, I KNOW THAT THE STRUGGLE IS REAL.

THEY'RE CONSTANTLY EATING, THEY GROW OUT OF CLOTHES AND SHOES, IN WHAT FEELS LIKE EVERY OTHER WEEK, BUT THESE COSTS ARE RELATIVELY SMALL COMPARED TO THE COSTS OF EARLY CARE AND LEARNING IN MINNESOTA.

CHILD CARE IS, BY FAR, THE SINGLE LARGEST EXPENSE THAT FAMILIES OF YOUNG CHILDREN HAVE.

>> Mary: CHILD CARE PROVIDERS ACROSS THE STATE ARE SEEING THE SAME LABOR SHORTAGES THAT ARE CREATING A CRISIS IN MANY CARE INDUSTRIES.

>> RETENTION IS MY BIGGEST PROBLEM.

BECAUSE I CAN'T TAKE MORE CHILDREN IF I DON'T HAVE MORE STAFF.

SO IF THERE'S NOT ENOUGH STAFF, YOU CAN'T TAKE THE KIDS.

SO THAT CREATES A VACUUM RIGHT THERE.

>> Mary: HER St. PAUL CHILD ARE CENTER IS ONLY HALF FULL AND AFFORDABILITY IS THE ISSUE.

>> I BELIEVE IT'S GOING TO IMPACT OUR SOCIETY ON A VERY NEGATIVE NOTE.

THAT THERE IS NO WAY THAT WE CAN COMPETE AND KEEP UP ON THE WORLD STAGE IF WE'RE NOT HAVING OUR KIDS BEING SCHOOLED EARLY.

EARLIER.

BECAUSE THEY'RE SMART ENOUGH.

IT IS THE UTMOST SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT THING BECAUSE SOMEBODY HAS TO WATCH THE CHILDREN.

AND YOU CAN'T LEAVE THEM BY THEMSELVES, SO THEY HAVE TO HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO GO, ND YOU WANT THEM TO HAVE QUALITY CARE, YOU WANT HEM O BE IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEY'RE SOCIALIZING WITH OTHER KIDS, THEY'RE LEARNING HOW TO TAKE INSTRUCTIONS, THEY'RE LEARNING HOW TO, YOU KNOW, TALK AND WALK AND DO ALL KINDS OF THINGS, AND I KNOW THAT PEER PRESSURE, WHICH I THINK IS WONDERFUL FOR THE YOUNG ONES, BECAUSE THEY LEARN SO MUCH FROM EACH OTHER.

>> Mary: DFL LAWMAKERS SAY A LOT GOT DONE LAST SESSION, BUT A TOP PRIORITY NEXT SESSION WILL BE PROVIDING CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES MAKING AS MUCH AS $175,000 A YEAR.

>> FAMILIES, REGARDLESS OF INCOME, REGARDLESS OF RACE, GEOGRAPHIC SHOULD HAVE AVAILABILITY -- ACCESSIBILITY CHILD CARE THAT WORKS FOR ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

>> WE ARE HEARING THIS LIKE CRAZY, HEARING THIS FROM THE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER, HEARING THIS FROM THE SPEAKER, HEARING THIS FROM THE GOVERNOR, HEARING THIS FROM MINNESOTANS.

SO WE HAD A HEARING, THIS WAS AL LIEUD TO EARLIER IN THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES COMMITTEE, FROM MINNESOTANS SAYING, THIS IS A HUGE NEED AND HUGE CONCERN.

ALLUDED TO.

AND FROM SO MANY DIFFERENT ANGLES, FROM PARENTS WHO ARE TRYING TO WORK, TAKE CARE OF THEIR FAMILIES, CRUSHED BY COSTS, BUT ALSO EMPLOYERS.

THIS IS ONE OF THE TOP WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ISSUES FOR EMPLOYERS AROUND THE STATE.

♪♪ >> CATHY: THE POLITICAL WORLD HAS BEEN BUSY SINCE THANKSGIVING BREAK.

THIRD DISTRICT CONGRESSMAN AND PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE DEAN PHILLIPS ANNOUNCED HE WON'T BE SEEKING RE-ELECTION TO CONGRESS.

DFLERS IN THE MINNESOTA SENATE ARE AT ODDS OVER THE WAR BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS.

AND THE STATE REPUBLICAN PARTY'S FINANCIAL TROUBLES CONTINUE WITH SOME MEMBERS OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE CALLING FOR A NEW PARTY CHAIR.

PLENTY FOR OUR POLITICOS TO PONDER TONIGHT.

REPUBLICANS ON THE COUCH, BRIAN MCCLUNG, FORMER TIM PAWLENTY SPOKESMAN, NOW A P.R.

PROFESSIONAL.

JEN DEJOURNETT IS A POLITICAL OPERATIVE AND VETERAN OF CAMPAIGNS.

DFLERS HERE TONIGHT, FORMER STATE SENATE MINORITY LEADER SUSAN KENT, AND WE WELCOME BACK FORMER HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER RYAN WINKLER.

SENATOR KENT, LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS SCHISM AMONG SOME SENATE DFLers.

HOW WOULD YOU NAVIGATE THIS GULF, IF YOU WERE LEADER?

>> YEAH.

THIS ONE IS JUST HARD, YOU KNOW, I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A TERRIBLE TIME FOR SO MANY PEOPLE.

IT'S HARD.

IT'S DEEPLY PERSONAL AND DEEPLY HISTORIC FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

YOU KNOW, I JUST -- AND, YOU KNOW, I'VE HAD SOME OF THESE CONVERSATIONS.

I THINK EVERYBODY NEEDS TO STAY FOCUSED.

THIS IS THE THING THAT HAS SORT OF HIT ME THE MOST AS I'VE LISTENED AND READ OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS.

WE JUST NEED TO REMEMBER THAT EVERYBODY INVOLVED IN THIS IS A HUMAN BEING.

AND WE HAVE TO DO WHAT WE CAN, AND FOR THOSE WHO HAVE A PLATFORM AND A MICROPHONE TO KEEP REMINDING EVERYBODY TO NOT IN ANY WAY BE DEHUMANIZING HERE, YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE THE TRAGEDY AND NOT TREAT IT LIKE A POLITICAL FOOTBALL AND TRY TO ELEVATE ANY OPPORTUNITY WE HAVE TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER AND FIND PEACE.

AND THAT IS WHAT I WOULD SAY TO ANYONE WHO WANTS TO TALK ABOUT IT.

>> Eric: REPRESENTATIVE, YOU HAD SOME EXPERIENCE WITH THE LIBERAL VERSUS THE PROGRESSIVE ELEMENTS WHEN YOU RAN, LOOKING FOR THE ENDORSEMENT, FOR INSTANCE, FOR COUNTY ATTORNEY.

>> UM-HUM.

>> Eric: IS THIS JUST ANOTHER CHAPTER IN THAT ONGOING PROBLEM BETWEEN THE TWO GROUPS OR IS THIS SOMETHING MORE AT PLAY OR LESS?

>> I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

I THINK FOR A LONG TIME WE'VE DISREGARDED THE DANGER OF ANTI-SEMITISM IN OUR SOCIETY, AND I THINK THAT THERE IS A CERTAIN MORAL BLINDNESS WE'RE SEEING AMONGST SOME PEOPLE WHEN THEY LOOK AT THIS CONFLICT.

AND I THINK WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ISSUES OF IDENTITY AND VICTIMHOOD WITHOUT THE CONTEXT, DEEP HISTORICAL KNOWLEDGE THAT IT TAKES TO REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOING ON IN ISRAEL AND IN GAZA RIGHT NOW, I THINK IT'S EASY FOR PEOPLE TO JUMP INTO BROAD GENERALIZATIONS, AND I THINK THAT IS THE REALLY BAD PART ABOUT THIS DEBATE.

PEOPLE ARE NOT TAKING TIME TO UNDERSTAND AND TO TRY TO MAKE SENSE OF IT AND UNDERSTAND THE NUANCES, THEY ARE TRYING TO PUT ON THIS A VERY SIMPLE LENS THAT I DON'T THINK THE SITUATION IS GOOD FOR.

>> ric: WHEN I FIRST STARTED, A REPORTER TOLD ME, THE LEGISLATURE HAS NO FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE.

AND I WONDER IF THIS IS A PROPER PLACE FOR THESE LEGISLATORS TO BE WEIGHING IN?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK PEOPLE NEED TO STAY FOCUSED ON THEIR OWN LOCAL AREA AND NOT GET INTO FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

THERE ARE VERY SERIOUS PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING TO TRY TO BRING ALL THE HOSTAGES HOME.

I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE HAVE USED RAPE AS A WEAPON OF WAR, AND THERE ARE HOSTAGES OF ISRAEL AND CHILDREN WHO ARE STUCK OVER THERE THAT NEED TO COME HOME, THERE ARE EVEN PALESTINIANS WHO, TO BE HONEST, THEY'RE HOSTAGES, TOO, OF RADICAL HAMAS THAT IS VICTIMIZING THEM AS WELL AND THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE IN REAL GRAVE DANGER.

AND THE MINNEAPOLIS TEACHERS UNION AND EVERYBODY JUMPING IN ON SUCH A SERIOUS, IMPORTANT TOPIC IS JUST NOT APPROPRIATE.

FOCUS ON YOUR OWN STUFF.

LET THE PEOPLE WHO ARE FOCUSED ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND THE DIGNITY TO HANDLE THAT SO THAT THE PEOPLE CAN COME HOME.

>> I WANT TO SECOND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT RYAN SAID, WHICH IS THAT I THINK ANTI-SEMITISM HAS BEEN GLOSSED OVER TOO MUCH.

AND I THINK IT TAKES NON-JEWISH PEOPLE STANDING UP AND SAYING THAT AND RECOGNIZING THAT AS A REAL PROBLEM, IT'S BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM IN THIS COUNTRY EXAMINE WE SEE IT HIGHLIGHTED NOW.

AND IN THE PAWLENTY YEARS, WE SAW THIS BOYCOTT, SANCTION MOVEMENT COME FORWARD THEN AND WE PUSHED BACK ON THAT.

THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED AT THE STATE BOARD OF INVESTMENT THIS WEEK.

AND THE TRUTH IS, IS THAT MANY ELEMENTS OF THAT BDS MOVEMENT ARE ROOTED IN ANTI-SEMITISM AND WE JUST HAVE TO RAISE RECOGNIZE THAT.

LOOK, IF YOU WANT TO BOYCOTT, DIVEST OR SANCTION SOMEBODY, YOU SHOULD BOYCOTT IRAN.

THEY ARE THE NUMBER ONE STATE SPONSOR OF TERRORISM.

AND, SO, THE IDEA THAT PEOPLE ARE COMING FORWARD AND TRYING TO GET THE STATE TO TAKE INVESTMENT OUT OF COMPANIES THAT DO BUSINESS WITH ISRAEL, IT'S JUST NOT RIGHT.

AND, SO, I THINK THERE IS A PLACE WHERE WE DO SOMETIMES HAVE TO STAND UP AND SAY, LOOK, WE KNOW WHAT THIS IS ABOUT.

WE NEED TO BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT THIS.

WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT THIS IS A TERRIBLE SITUATION THAT'S HAPPENING IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

THERE'S NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT.

BUT THESE ANTI-SEMITIC ELEMENTS NEED TO BE CALLED OUT AND THEY NEED TO BE STOPPED.

>> Eric: I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE STATE SENATE.

IF KELLY MORRISON HAPPENED TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE CONGRESS IN THE THIRD DISTRICT, YOU'D HAVE 33-33, DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS.

IS THAT CAUSING ANY -- IS HER SENATE DISTRICT SO DFL THAT IT WOULDN'T MATTER IN A SPECIAL ELECTION?

>> YOU KNOW, I MEAN, I THINK PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, HOW THESE DIFFERENT THINGS PLAY OUT, SORT OF GAMING OUT A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT SCENARIOS.

BUT, YEAH, THAT'S A PRETTY GOOD SOLID BLUE DISTRICT AND I IMAGINE THAT AS PEOPLE THINK THIS THROUGH, YOU KNOW, WE'LL HAVE A PLAN, THERE WILL BE A PLAN IN PLACE.

>> Eric: PHILLIPS WON RATHER HANDILY, THE DISTRICT HAS CHANGED FROM THE DAYS OF ERIK PAULSEN, DO THE REPUBLICANS HAVE A CHANCE, IF THAT HAPPENED?

>> YOU KNOW, NY TIME THERE'S AN OPEN SEAT, IT'S FAIR GAME.

RIGHT?

IN A DISTRICT LIKE THAT, IT IS WITHIN THE RANGE OF COMPETITIVENESS.

SO EVEN NOW I THINK THAT YOU WOULD HOPE SO.

BUT, FRANKLY, WE'RE NOT SEEING REPUBLICANS JUMPING AT THE OPPORTUNITY TO RUN, RIGHT?

I MEAN, RECRUITMENT EFFORTS ARE UNDERWAY AND YOU DON'T HAVE A-LIST CANDIDATES WHO ARE READY TO SAY, I WANT TO JUMP INTO THAT RACE.

SO THAT'S -- YOU KNOW, THAT'S TOO BAD FROM THAT PERSPECTIVEMENT BUT I DO THINK, YOU KNOW, A CANDIDATE LIKE KELLY MORRISON IS A REALLY STRONG CANDIDATE FOR THE EMOCRATS.

SHE'S A PRAGMATIC PERSON, SHE'S A DOCTOR, SHE'S VERY WELL SPOKEN, SHE'S ACCOMPLISHED AT THE LEGISLATURE.

SO, I MEAN, EVEN SEEING SOMEBODY LIKE THAT ON THE DFL SIDE MIGHT CAUTION SOME REPUBLICANS.

>> Eric: THE THIRD DISTRICT WOULD BE AN OPEN SEAT THEN.

>> THE THIRD DISTRICT IS AN OPEN SEAT.

>> Eric: HOW ARE YOU DOING FINDING SOMEBODY?

>> I KNOW THAT THERE ARE CONVERSATIONS HAPPENING WITH PEOPLE, AND THERE ARE REALLY A LOT OF GOOD CANDIDATES THAT ARE CHOOSING NOT TO RUN THIS CYCLE.

>> THEY'RE ALL GOING TO RUN AGAINST KLOBUCHAR, RIGHT?

>> THEY'RE ALL GOING TO RUN AGAINST KLOBUCHAR.

NO, I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF CONSIDERATION.

THAT'S A 20-POINT DISTRICT.

I MEAN, IT'S DEFINITELY A MULTIYEAR RUN, I MEAN, PROBABLY CAN'T BE TOPPLED IN THE FIRST ONE, IF 'M BEING HONEST.

BUT I THINK HOPEFULLY SOMEONE WILL STEP FORWARD.

I'M SURE SOMEBODY WILL.

AND I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS, I THINK FIRST THING THAT HAS TO HAPPEN IS PEOPLE NEED TO RECONNECT WITH THE VOTERS OF THE THIRD.

REALLY TAKE TIME TO LISTEN AND FIGURE OUT WHY THAT VOTERS THAT HAD BEEN WITH US WITH PAULSEN AND WITH US WITH RAMSTAD HAVE REALLY LEFT AND HOW TO EARN THEIR TRUST AND GET BACK, BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE TRUST OF A VOTER FIRST, YOU'RE DEFINITELY NOT GOING TO EARN THEIR VOTE.

AND YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND WHERE THE BIFURCATION HAPPENS AND HOW YOU WORK HARD AND YOU LEAD SO THAT YOU CAN BE TRUSTED TO LEAD.

>> Cathy: ANOTHER TOPIC HERE.

A VERY EXPENSIVE RENOVATION OF THE STATE OFFICE BUILDING WILL START TO TAKE PLACE.

AND I'M WONDERING HOW BIG OF A CAMPAIGN ISSUE MIGHT HAT BE, REPRESENTATIVE WINKLER?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT MOST CAMPAIGNS FOR STATE LEGISLATURE RE TRACKING PRETTY CLOSELY TO NATIONAL TRENDS.

SO I THINK THERE IS AN OVERESTIMATE OF HOW MUCH ISSUES LIKE SPENDING ON A BUILDING WILL AFFECT ANY ONE ELECTION.

>> Cathy: INTERESTING YOU BRING THAT UP.

THERE WAS A DFLer ON THE COUCH RECENTLY WHO WANTED TO REMIND OTHER DFLers THAT IT WAS A CAMPAIGN ISSUE AND THEY THOUGHT THE LOST THE SENATE ON THAT ISSUE.

>> I NEVER BELIEVED THAT.

THAT WAS ALSO A SECOND MIDTERM OF A EMOCRATIC PRESIDENT.

SO THOSE BIGGER TRENDS CERTAINLY WERE A BIG FACTOR.

AND THE OTHER FACT OF THE MATTER IS, THE FEAR OF ADDRESSING THESE ISSUES IS WHY BUILDINGS GET SO BAD AND GET SO DELAPIDATED.

SO AT SOME POINT, THE JOB HAS TO BE DONE.

>> BUT THEY BUILT THE SENATE BUILDING FOR $90 MILLION.

AND NOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT RENOVATING THE STATE OFFICE BUILDING FOR $700 MILLION.

>> THAT IS NOT AN APPLES TO APPLES COMPARISON.

>> THAT IS A BIG DIFFERENCE.

[ OVERLAPPING CONVERSATION ] >> Eric: WHAT'S THE APPLES TO APPLES, FIRST OF ALL?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, THE BUILDING ISN'T DONE.

SO, THE FINAL BUDGET ISN'T IN.

IT WILL BE WELL UNDER $500 MILLION.

>> Eric: THE INTEREST ON THE BONDS WOULD JACK IT UP.

>> SURE.

WHEN YOU GO AND BUY A HOUSE, DO YOU TELL HOW MUCH YOU'RE GOING TO PAY IN INTEREST AND ADD THAT TO THE PRICE OF THE BUILDING AND SAY THAT'S HOW MUCH I PAID FOR MY HOUSE?

NO, THAT'S JUST TALKING POINTS.

>> I'LL PUT IT ON A PIECE OF CAMPAIGN LITERATURE.

>> THAT DOESN'T MAKE IT TRUE.

>> IT'S A TALKER, IT'S A TALKER ISSUE.

IN ANY GIVEN ELECTION CYCLE, THERE ARE ONLY TWO OR THREE THINGS THAT PEOPLE ACTUALLY REMEMBER OR THINK ABOUT, AND THIS IS A TALKER.

AND THIS IS SOMETHING AT THANKSGIVING THAT PEOPLE WERE SAYING, LIKE, DID YOU HEAR THEY'RE GOING TO SPEND $700 MILLION BUCKS TO RENOVATE THAT BUILDING THAT THEY USE FOR FIVE MONTHS OUT OF THE YEAR?

>> Eric: LET'S HEAR FROM SOMEBODY WHO'S BEEN IN THE BUILDING.

>> I REMEMBER ALL TOO WELL WHEN KURT DAUDT, THEN SPEAKER DAUDT'S OFFICE FLOODED, AND THERE WAS, WHAT, $250 MILLION PRICE TAG JUST TO FIX EVERYTHING.

AND HE SAID, I DON'T THINK WE CAN DO THAT BECAUSE THERE'S BUILDING FATIGUE.

AND I JUST REMEMBERED THE 2014 CAMPAIGN, I WAS LIKE, I WONDER WHY THERE MIGHT BE BUILDING FATIGUE.

>> WELL, NOT JUST FATIGUE.

THERE'S MOLD.

THERE IS DELAPIDATED.

>> RIGHT, SECURITY.

>> SECURITY.

IT'S A TERRIBLE BUILDING RIGHT NOW.

>> Cathy: SPEAKING OF FINANCES, REPUBLICANS, YOUR PARTY'S IN A FINANCIAL ESS.

>> YES.

>> Cathy: AND THERE ARE PEOPLE CALLING FOR THE CHAIR TO BE REMOVED.

I MEAN, WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, I THINK THERE'S SOME -- I MEAN, WHENEVER YOU'RE AT THE BOTTOM END OF A TRIFECTA AND YOU CAME OFF A HEARTBREAKING SET OF LOSSES FOR THE AST ELECTION, OBVIOUSLY PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE UPSET.

AND I THINK SOME OF THE CONVERSATIONS THAT PEOPLE WANTED TO HAVE, THEY WANT TO HAVE.

NOW, DO I THINK THAT CHAIRMAN HANN'S GOING TO BE REMOVED?

NO.

I THINK THAT THE 9th IS GOING TO BE A TOUGH MEETING, THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE THINGS THEY WANT TO SAY.

>> Eric: REPUBLICAN STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE.

>> I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A TOUGH MEETING.

BUT THE TRUTH IS, IS THAT I WOULD SAY TO REPUBLICANS THAT HAVE STAYED ON THE SIDELINES, IT'S TIME TO COME HOME AND HELP US.

YOU KNOW?

COME HELP US REBUILD, HELP US FIX THE PARTY, HELP US RAISE MONEY SO THAT THEY CAN HIRE STAFF AND THEY CAN DO THINGS AND PUT US BACK ON THE TRACK THAT IT NEEDS TO BE ON.

THAT'S REALLY WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

RIGHT NOW THEY'RE FUNCTIONING BARELY.

AND THAT'S NOT -- WE ALL KNOW THAT'S NOT GOING TO BE GOOD ENOUGH.

>> Cathy: TIME TO COME HOME, BRIAN?

>> HERE'S THE THING, I MEAN, I AM A REPUBLICAN.

I HAVE NEVER SHIED AWAY FROM THE FACT THAT I'M A REPUBLICAN.

I'M A PRAGMATIC REPUBLICAN.

AND, FRANKLY, I'M NOT WELCOMED BY MOST OF THE DELEGATES WHO ARE NOW ACTIVE IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

SO, I'M HAPPY TO HELP AND I DO HELP, A NUMBER OF CANDIDATES AND ELECTED OFFICIALS AND GIVE ADVICE ON MESSAGING, A SMALL PORTION OF WHICH THEY LISTEN TO.

BUT THE THING IS, THE PROCESS BY WHICH WE HAVE BEEN SELECTING REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES IS BROKEN.

THAT'S WHY WE HAVEN'T WON A STATEWIDE RACE IN 16 YEARS.

AND, SO, YES, YOU NEED TO HAVE A BETTER FUNCTIONING PARTY.

IT'S HELPFUL IN THE LONG RUN.

BUT, NEVERTHELESS, I THINK WE HAVE TO GET AWAY FROM RELYING ON THE CAUCUS SYSTEM AND THOSE ENDORSEMENTS, AND OPEN IT UP TO PRIMARIES, THAT'S WHAT DEMOCRATS HAVE DONE, THEY'VE BEEN SUCCESSFUL, I THINK WE JUST HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THAT THAT'S THE REALITY OF THE WAY POLITICS WORK.

>> I THINK IT'S A LITTLE MORE COMPLICATED THAN THAT, THAN THE REASON THAT WE HAVEN'T WON STATEWIDE IN 20 YEARS.

THE TRUTH IS, MANY OF OUR CANDIDATES HAVE BEEN UNDERFUNDED.

WHAT HAPPENS IS, THE PREFERRED CANDIDATE DOESN'T GET ENDORSED AND THEN THE LARGE DOLLAR DONORS STOP SHOWING UP, THEY DON'T FUND A CERTAIN SITUATION OPERATION.

>> WHY SHOULD THEY FUND -- [ OVERLAPPING CONVERSATION ] >> THERE'S NO REASON TO -- >> WHY SHOULD I WRITE A CHECK TO THESE -- >> NO, I KNOW THAT.

>> -- FRINGE CANDIDATES?

>> ONE THING FEEDS ON TO THE OTHER.

AND THE TRUTH IS THAT THERE'S SOME OTHER STRUCTURAL ISSUES THAT WE CAN ALL FIX IF WE ALL WORK TOGETHER AND GET THE CANDIDATES THAT I THINK EVERYONE COULD BE HAPPY WITH THAT FIT MINNESOTA.

BUT IT'S NOT GOOD TO HAVE A STATE WHERE ONE SIDE HAS GOT THE RURAL SIDE AND ONE SIDE HAS THE METRO BECAUSE WE FAILED TO WORK TOGETHER AS A STATE.

>> Eric: GOOD STUFF.

THANKS, PANEL.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

>> Eric: THANKS.

♪♪ >> TO ME, BASEBALL AND OTHER SPORTING ACTIVITIES, WHETHER IT'S THE VIKINGS OR ANYTHING ELSE IS INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE TWIN CITIES.

IT HELPS US ATTRACT BUSINESSES, IT HELPS US ATTRACT EMPLOYEES, IT'S VITAL TO OUR QUALITY OF LIFE.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S ABOUT HOW MUCH AND WHO'S GOING TO PAY FOR THAT.

>> ERIC: AS MOST OF YOU KNOW, DESPITE MAYOR COLEMAN'S ATTEMPT TO LURE THEM AWAY, THE TWINS CHOSE NOT TO MOVE ACROSS THE RIVER TO THE SAINTLY CITY.

LET'S REVISIT OUR INDEX FILE QUESTION FROM LAST TIME.

TWO WEEKS IN A ROW WE ASKED YOU ABOUT A MYSTERY MINNESOTAN, NOT SEEN HERE.

THE FORMER MINNESOTAN RELOCATED TO THE CALIFORNIA DESERT.

LITERALLY PUT A TOWN ON THE MAP WITH A BIG DISCOVERY AND GARNERED AN INVITE TO THE 1957 PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURAL CEREMONY.

THOSE DETAILS WEREN'T ENOUGH, SO WE ADDED SEVERAL MORE THE SECOND WEEK.

THE DISCOVERY IN QUESTION, HOT AND COLD MINERAL SPRINGS NEAR PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, IN A PLACE THAT WOULD BECOME THE CITY OF DESERT HOT SPRINGS, WHERE A MUSEUM PAYS TRIBUTE TO OUR MYSTERY PERSON.

TELL US WHO THIS FORMER MINNESOTAN IS.

ALL THE EXTRA DETAILS STILL DIDN'T HELP THESE CALLERS.

>> ERIC: NO, NO, NO, AND NO.

BUT WE'RE HAPPY TO REPORT THAT SEVERAL OF YOU DID CALL IN WITH THE CORRECT ANSWER.

HERE'S ONE OF THE PRODUCERS'’ FAVORITES.

>> ERIC: YES, ANN, YOU ARE CORRECT.

CABOT YERXA WAS THE ONE-TIME MINNESOTAN WE SOUGHT.

HERE'S AN UNDATED PHOTO OF HIM.

AS SEVERAL OTHER CALLERS NOTED, HIS FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SEVERAL MERCANTILE STORES IN MINNESOTA.

THERE'S A NICE AD FOR ONE OF THEM.

AND BECAUSE WE ARE HAVING SO MUCH FUN SHOWING YOU OLD IMAGES THE PRODUCERS FOUND ON THE INTERNET, CHECK OUT THIS FINE INAUGURAL INVITATION.

SPECIAL THANKS AND SHOUT-OUT TO FORMER "ALMANAC" AND TPT STAFFER LISA BLACKSTONE FOR HOOKING US UP WITH THAT HISTORY QUESTION.

DO YOU KNOW A FUN MINNESOTA HISTORY TIDBIT THAT YOU THINK WE HAVEN'T ASKED ABOUT?

SEND US A NOTE OR GIVE US A CALL AND LET US KNOW.

IT COULD GET YOUR NAME ON TELEVISION.

FOR A OUPLE SECONDS.

WE HAVE JUST ENOUGH TIME LEFT FOR ANOTHER TUNE BY CANTUS.

IF YOU WANT TO HEAR THEM IN PERSON, YOU CAN FIND THEIR "CHRISTMAS WITH CANTUS" SCHEDULE ON THEIR WEBSITE.

TAKE A LISTEN AND BE CAREFUL.

♪ DING DONG DING DONG DING DONG DING DONG DING ♪ ♪ HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS ♪ ♪ LET YOUR HEART BE LIGHT ♪ ♪ FROM NOW ON OUR TROUBLES WILL BE OUT OF SIGHT ♪ ♪ WHOA, HAVE ♪ ♪ HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS ♪ ♪ OOH, OOH, OOH ♪ ♪ MAKE THE YULETIDE GAY ♪ ♪ FROM NOW ON OUR TROUBLES WILL BE MILES AWAY ♪ ♪ ONCE AGAIN, ONCE AGAIN, ONCE AGAIN ♪ ♪ HAPPY GOLDEN DAYS, HAPPY DAYS ♪ ♪ HAPPY AYS OF YOUR ♪ ♪ THERE WE'LL FIND FAITHFUL FRIENDS, FAITHFUL FRIENDS WHO ARE NEAR TO US ♪ ♪ WHO GATHER NEAR TO US ♪ ♪ NEAR TO US ♪ ♪ ONCE MORE ♪ ♪ ONCE MORE ♪ ♪ OH, SOMEDAY SOON WE ALL WILL BE TOGETHER ♪ ♪ IF THE NATURES ALLOW ♪ ♪ IF THE FATES ALLOW ♪ >> "ALMANAC" IS A PRODUCTION CAPTIONED BY: VERITEXT/PARADIGM CAPTIONING WWW.VERITEXT.COM >> "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.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

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

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