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

>> CATHY: WE'LL COVER A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING TONIGHT ON "ALMANAC."

WE'LL LEARN ABOUT THE STATE'S NEW OVERDOSE DASHBOARD, WE'LL TALK ABOUT THIS MEMORABLE WEEK IN HOCKEY, AND WE'LL GET A WEATHER UPDATE FROM THE ONE-AND-ONLY PAUL DOUGLAS.

AND MARY LAHAMMER IS BACK ON THE CAPITOL GROUNDS.

>> Mary: A LOT IS HAPPENING AROUND THE CAPITOL FROM THE MALL TO ADJACENT BUILDINGS TO THE HALF A BILLION DOLLAR PLANNED RENOVATION OF THE STATE OFFICE BUILDING.

>> OLD BUILDINGS COST MORE TO RENOVATE AND THIS S A BUILDING WORTH SAVING.

>> Mary: WE'LL DETAIL IT ALL.

THAT'S COMING UP ON "ALMANAC."

♪♪ >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY: GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 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.

>> CATHY: WE'VE GOT A LOT TO COVER TONIGHT.

KAOMI LEE TAKES A LOOK AT THE CHANGING DEMOGRAPHICS OF AUSTIN, MINNESOTA, THROUGH THE LENS OF THEIR SOCCER TEAM.

WE'LL HAVE AN ESSAY FROM ARON WOLDESLASSIE.

AND BOTH PARTY CHAIRS WILL JOIN US TO TALK ABOUT ALL KINDS OF POLITICS.

>> ERIC: BUT WE START THE HOUR WITH A LOOK AT HOW THE STATE'S BUREAU OF CRIMINAL APPREHENSION IS TRACKING OVERDOSES.

THIS WEEK, THE BCA LAUNCHED THE DRUG CRIMES AND OVERDOSE DASHBOARD AS PART OF ITS BROADER DRUG MONITORING EFFORTS.

THE DASHBOARD COMPILES DATA FROM A NUMBER OF SOURCES IN THE HOPES OF PROVIDING SOME GUIDANCE TO HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS, POLICY MAKERS, AND THE PUBLIC.

HERE TO WALK US THROUGH THE DATA AND WHAT IT MEANS, DREW EVANS, SUPERINTENDENT OF THE BCA.

WELL, SUPERINTENDENT, IS THIS CONSOLIDATING SORT F DISPARATE MEASUREMENTS OF THIS ISSUE?

>> YEAH.

SO WHEN IT COMES TO THE DRUG ISSUE THAT'S BEING CONTEMPLATED IN ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT DATA THAT'S AVAILABLE.

HOWEVER, IT'S OFTEN IN DIFFERENT PLACES.

SO THE GOAL OF THIS DASHBOARD IS REALLY TO BRING TOGETHER CERTAIN DATA SETS SO THAT WE CAN GIVE THE PUBLIC A BETTER LENS AND VIEW OF EXACTLY WHAT'S HAPPENING SO WE CAN MONITOR THAT BOTH NOW AND INTO THE UTURE AND LOOK AT TRENDS AS TO WHAT'S OCCURRING.

>> Cathy: BUT EXPLAIN THAT -- JUST GO A LITTLE DEEPER HERE IN TERMS OF WHY THAT MIGHT BE IMPORTANT.

WHY WOULD, SAY, A HOSPITAL SYSTEM WANT TO KNOW ABOUT TRENDS, AS AN EXAMPLE?

>> IMRAW -- YEAH, SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT ANY TRENDS WHEN IT COMES TO DRUG OVERDOSES, FOR EXAMPLE, WE REALLY WANT TO LOOK AT RESOURCE DEPLOYMENT, FOR EXAMPLE.

SO WHEN WE SEE A SPIKE IN THE NUMBER OF OVERDOSES THAT ARE OCCURRING IN A PARTICULAR AREA, WE CAN GET ADDITIONAL NALOXONE, WE CAN FLOW ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO THAT -- FLOW ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO THAT AREA OR TREATMENT.

IT MIGHT BE THAT WE TRY TO DRY UP THE SUPPLY OF BAD DRUGS AT THAT PARTICULAR TIME.

>> Cathy: WHY IS IT UP TO THE CA TO DO THIS AND NOT THE DEA?

>> WELL, THE DEA CERTAINLY DOES A LOT OF MONITORING ACROSS THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES BUT THIS DATA IS SPECIFIC TO MINNESOTA.

THESE ARE DRUG ARRESTS THAT ARE OCCURRING IN OUR STATE.

THIS IS INFORMATION THAT WE'RE GETTING FROM THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ON OVERDOSE FATALITIES.

AND THEN WE'RE GETTING INFORMATION ABOUT NALOXONE ADMINISTRATIONS FROM THE MINNESOTA MEDICAL SERVICES REGULATORY BOARD THAT MONITORS THAT INFORMATION AND THEN CAN FEED IT ALL TO THIS DASHBOARD.

>> Eric: INSECT -- SYNTHETIC OPIOIDS LOOKS LIKE A GROWTH INDUSTRY.

>> YEAH, IT CERTAINLY IS.

THE FENTANYL THAT WE'RE SEEING IS LETHAL IN SO MANY DIFFERENT WAYS.

AND WE'VE SEEN ON THIS DASHBOARD, A PERSON CAN GO LOOK AT IT RIGHT NOW, YOU'LL SEE THE TREND OF FATAL OVERDOSES HAS BEEN TRENDING UP IN MINNESOTA.

AND WE SEE OUR STATE JUST FLOODED WITH FENTANYL, IN PARTICULAR, ACROSS ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> Cathy: WHERE'S IT COMING FROM?

>> FENTANYL, IN PARTICULAR, TENDS TO COME FROM UR SOUTHWEST BORDER, MEXICO, IN PARTICULAR.

IS WHERE WE SEE A LOT OF FENTANYL.

AND THE PRECURSORS ARE OFTEN IMPORTED FROM CHINA, THE DRUG CARTELS IMPORT THAT INTO THE UNITED STATES AND THEN THROUGH VARIOUS TRAFFICKING METHODS GETS TO MINNESOTA.

>> Eric: I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE OVERDOSE ON MARIJUANA, I DON'T KNOW IF ANY DO, BUT THAT'S A NEW KIND OF WRINKLE IN THE SYSTEM NOW, ISN'T IT, HAVING THAT LEGAL?

>> YEAH.

SO MARIJUANA CERTAINLY IS GOING TO BECOME MUCH MORE LIKE ALCOHOL IN TERMS OF HOW WE WORK WITH IT AND REGULATE IT AS A ARTICULAR INDUSTRY.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S STILL C ON THIS DASHBOARD BECAUSE IT'S BEEN ILLEGAL UNTIL UGUST, SOME OF THOSE CRIMES.

MOST PARTICULAR CONCERN FOR US IS THE YNTHETIC OPIOIDS, THE OPIOID CHALLENGES ACROSS THE STATE, THE METHAMPHETAMINE AND COCAINE, FOR EXAMPLE.

>> Eric: WHAT DOES THE DATA, AS YOU COLLECT IT, SAY ABOUT THE WAR ON DRUGS?

AT LARGE.

>> WELL, CERTAINLY AT THIS POINT IN TIME, AND PART OF THE WHOLE PURPOSE BEHIND THE DASHBOARD IS TO GIVE MINNESOTANS THAT COLLECTIVE VIEW.

LAW ENFORCEMENT ALONE IS NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO ARREST OUR WAY OUT OF THE DRUG PROBLEM.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE THE COLLECTIVE EFFORT OF OUR COMMUNITIES, OUR TREATMENT COMMUNITIES, OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM, TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE DOWN THE DEMAND FOR THE DRUGS, IN PARTICULAR, AND TO EDUCATE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ABOUT THE DANGERS OF THESE DRUGS.

>> Cathy: YOU KNOW, THERE'S AN INTERESTING MAP HERE THAT WE'RE GOING TO PUT UP ON THE SCREEN RIGHT NOW.

TALK ABOUT THE DIFFERENCES, YOU WOULD THINK THAT THIS ISSUE IS A BIGGER ISSUE IN THE METRO AREA, BUT IF YOU BEING LOO AT THAT MAP, WHAT -- IF YOU LOOK AT THAT MAP, WHAT DOES IT TELL YOU?

IT LOOKS LIKE CENTRAL AND SOUTHWESTERN INNESOTA ARE HOTSPOTS.

>> IF YOU LOOK AT THE MAP THAT YOU SEE, THAT'S PART OF THE REASON BEHIND THE DASHBOARD IS TO DISPEL SOME OF THE MYTHS THAT OUR DRUG PROBLEMS ARE JUST IN URBAN AREAS.

IT'S ALL ACROSS THE STATE.

AS YOU NOTED, THE NORTHWESTERN PART OF THE STATE, OUR NATIVE AMERICAN POPULATION, FOR EXAMPLE, IS HARD HIT BY THIS OPIOID EPIDEMIC AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE PROVIDING THE RIGHT SUPPORTS, CULTURALLY SPECIFIC TREATMENT OPTIONS AVAILABLE, AND AS YOU CAN SEE, IT'S ALL ACROSS THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

AND THAT'S PART OF THE GOAL OF THIS DASHBOARD.

>> Eric: WHAT KIND OF RESOURCES DO YOU AT BCA THROW AT THE OVERDOSE PROBLEM?

>> THE BCA IS A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY, SO OUR PRIMARY ROLE IN THIS IS DOING DRUG INVESTIGATIONS AND THEN OUR LABORATORY ANALYZES A LARGE NUMBER OF THE DRUGS THAT ARE SEIZED ACROSS THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

BUT THAT'S PART OF WHAT WE'LL BE LOOKING AT GOING FORWARD AS TO ADDITIONAL DATA SETS FOR THIS TYPE OF DASHBOARD.

OUR ABORATORY IS OFTEN THE FIRST TO SEE NEW AND EMERGING DRUG TRENDS ACROSS THE STATE BECAUSE THEY'RE TESTING THEM AS THEY'RE SEIZED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT.

SO WE HAVE A BREADTH OF AREAS THAT WE FOCUS ON THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AREA.

BUT, AS WITH THIS DASHBOARD, WE'RE RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF THOSE PARTNERSHIPS WITH THOSE OTHER STATE AGENCIES THAT TOUCH DRUG ABUSE IN MINNESOTA.

>> Cathy: YOUR LAB DOES A GREAT JOB.

I'M WONDERING, ARE YOU SEEING SOMETHING ON THE HORIZON THAT WE DON'T QUITE KNOW ABOUT YET?

IS THE LAB SEEING SOMETHING THAT IS OF CONCERN OUT THERE?

>> WELL, FENTANYL REMAINS OUR LARGEST CONCERN IN TERMS OF THE LETHALITY.

WE ARE STARTING TO SEE, IT'S OFTEN BEEN REFERRED TO AS RAINBOW FENTANYL R OTHERS THAT'S COLORED IN DIFFERENT COLORS.

MOST OFTEN WE SEE THE FENTANYL PRESSED INTO COUNTERFEIT PILLS, IN PARTICULAR, OXYCONTIN PILLS THAT ARE DISGUISED TO LOOK LIKE THOSE, THAT'S WHAT DISTRIBUTED, THOSE ARE TYPICALLY BLUE.

BUT WE'RE SEEING IT IN DIFFERENT COLORS MORE THAN WE DID PREVIOUSLY, WHICH IS VERY CONCERNING BECAUSE IT WOULD BE ATTRACTIVE TO CHILDREN.

>> Eric: HOW OFTEN WILL THE WEBSITE BE UPDATED?

>> MONTHLY FEEDS ARE COMING INTO IT RIGHT NOW SO IT WILL BE ONGOING.

YOU KNOW, AS PEOPLE LOOK AT THIS DATA, ONE THING THAT TAKES A LITTLE BIT OF TIME IS TO UNDERSTAND FATALITIES.

SO, MEDICAL EXAMINERS NEED TO LOOK THROUGH AND GO THROUGH THEIR TESTING PROCESS, SO IT WILL BE A ROLLING-UP DATE.

ROLLING UPDATE.

SO AS THEY IDENTIFY THESE AS A DRUG OVERDOSE DEATH, THAT DATA WILL BE UPDATED EVERY MONTH.

>> Cathy: SUPERINTENDENT, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR COMING OVER.

>> THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> CATHY: MINNESOTA HOCKEY HAD TWO BIG STORIES THE WEEK.

ON MONDAY, THE PROFESSIONAL WOMEN'S HOCKEY LEAGUE HELD ITS DRAFT.

TAYLOR HEISE WAS THE NUMBER ONE DRAFT PICK.

SHE'S FROM MINNESOTA.

MORE ON THAT STORY IN A FEW MINUTES.

WE START BY REMEMBERING HOCKEY LEGEND AND OJIBWE ADVOCATE HENRY BOUCHA, WHO DIED EARLIER THIS WEEK.

BOUCHA'S CAREER KICKED OFF AS HE LED THE WARROAD HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY TEAM TO THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IN 1969.

THEY LOST, BUT BOUCHA HAD ONLY JUST BEGUN.

HE WENT ON TO PLAY PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY FOR A NUMBER OF TEAMS AND HE COMPETED IN THE 1972 WINTER OLYMPICS.

BUT BOUCHA, WHO WAS OJIBWE, MAY BE MOST REMEMBERED AS AN ADVOCATE IN HIS HOMETOWN OF WARROAD.

BEFORE HIS DEATH, BOUCHA SAT DOWN WITH TWIN CITIES PBS PRODUCER LEYA HALE, WHO IS PRODUCING A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT THE HOCKEY STAR THAT WILL AIR IN 2024.

HERE'S A PREVIEW FROM THAT DOCUMENTARY.

♪♪ >> THERE'S NOT, YOU KNOW, A WHOLE LOT TO DO WHEN I WAS GROWING UP.

WE JUST MADE OUR OWN FUN.

WE SCRAPED OFF SOME RINKS ON THE RIVER.

PLAYED OUTSIDE A LOT.

WE DID HAVE AN INDOOR ARENA, BUT IT WAS ALL NATURAL ICE.

SO, IF IT WAS COLD OUTSIDE, IT WAS JUST AS COLD INSIDE.

WE COULD SKATE DOWN ON THE RIVER AND I REMEMBER VIVIDLY THE SOUNDS OF SKATING ON FRESH ICE.

YOU COULD HEAR THE ECHOS OF YOUR BLADES ON THE ICE.

A LOT OF THE STARS AT NIGHT SHINING, AND IT WAS PRETTY AWESOME TO BE DOWN THERE.

IT WAS JUST A PLEASURE TO BE ALIVE AND TO REMEMBER THOSE TIMES.

♪♪ THERE HAD BEEN HOCKEY IN WARROAD SINCE THE EARLY 1900s.

YOU KNOW, IT EVOLVED OVER THE YEARS.

BUT THE HANDLE FOR HOCKEY TOWN CAME, I THINK, SOMETIMES IN THE LATE '50s, EARLY '60s, WHEN THE CHRISTIAN BROTHERS PLAYED ON THE FIRST GOLD MEDAL TEAM IN 1960.

>> AN UNEXPECTED PLAN CAME WITH THE SUPERB PLAYING, WHICH BEATS HIGHLY FAVORED RUSSIA AND FINISHED A FIVE-GAME SERIES UNDEFEATED.

TEAM OF UNDERDOGS WOULD STOP THE COMPETITION IN THIS SPORT.

♪ SO MUCH TO END, SO MUCH TO LOSE ♪ ♪ SO MANY DREAMS ♪ >> SO WE GREW UP ON THAT, ALONG WITH THE HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY, AND THAT'S WHAT REALLY GAVE US A LOT OF MOTIVATION.

WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY TV, PER SE, SO WE MADE UP OUR OWN FUN.

AND I DON'T KNOW WHO STARTED PLAYING ROAD HOCKEY.

BUT WE STARTED USING MY DAD'S COPENHAGEN CANS, AND THEY WERE GREAT FOR A WHILE UNTIL THEY ALL GOT ALL BENT UP.

BUT THE HARDER THEY GOT, THE MORE THEY HURT.

SO IT WAS BASICALLY BOOT HOCKEY ON A FROZEN ROAD THAT CARS WENT OVER AND MADE IT ICY.

>> CATHY: JOINING US NOW TO REMEMBER HENRY BOUCHA, PATRICK MADER, THE AUTHOR WHO LITERALLY WROTE THE BOOKS ON MINNESOTA SPORTS.

PLURAL, ON MINNESOTA SPORTS.

IT'S NICE TO HAVE YOU HERE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE INVITATION.

>> Cathy: ABSOLUTELY.

HENRY BOUCHA WAS SUCH A KIND MAN, REALLY REAT ATHLETE.

WARROAD, AS YOU KNOW, IS KIND OF AN ISOLATED PLACE WAY UP IN NORTHWESTERN MINNESOTA.

HOW DID THAT PLACE SHAPE HIM?

>> WELL, HE RECOUNTS THE STORY PRETTY OFTEN, THEY DIDN'T HAVE TELEVISION WHEN HE WAS YOUNGER.

I DON'T THINK THEY EVEN HAD INDOOR PLUMBING UNTIL HE'S OLDER.

SO THEY MADE THEIR OWN FUN, AS HE SAYS IN THE VIDEO CLIP.

AND WHAT HAPPENED WAS THE STORY HE TOLD ME WAS HE WAS 5 YEARS OLD, HIS OLDER BROTHERS AND SISTER WERE PLAYING HOCKEY, THEY NEEDED A GOALIE.

SO THEY CAME IN, THEY GOT HIM, AND THAT WAS THE START OF IT.

AND HE WAS CTUALLY A GOALIE AND A DEFENSE MAN EARLY IN HIS CAREER, TOO.

>> Eric: I THINK 1969 WITH THE STATE HOCKEY TOURNAMENT, WARROAD AGAINST EDINA, THE AMERICAN INDIAN MOVEMENT HAD JUST FORMED, I THINK, IN JULY OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

THERE WERE SOCIAL JUSTICE CROSS-CURRENTS, I DON'T KNOW THAT HE WAS A PARTICULAR, YOU KNOW, AS A HIGH SCHOOL KID, BUT HE KIND OF SYMBOLIZED SOME STUFF THAT WAS GOING ON BACK THEN.

I WONDERED IF HE EVER TALKED ABOUT THAT, THAT ASPECT OF IT?

>> HE DID.

BUT HE SAID AT THE TIME, HIS QUOTE WAS, IT WAS NOT COOL TO BE A NATIVE AMERICAN AT THE TIME OR TALK ABOUT OR EMBRACE YOUR HERITAGE.

BUT HE DID LATER ON.

HE WORE A HEADBAND WHEN HE WAS PLAYING WITH THE DETROIT ED WINGS AND HE ACTUALLY WAS AN INDIAN EDUCATOR FOR SEVERAL YEARS IN THE WARROAD SCHOOL DISTRICT.

AND THEN ESPECIALLY LATER IN HIS LIFE, HE EVEN SPOKE SOME OJIBWE TO ME AND PUT THAT IN THE BOOK.

>> Cathy: GOING BACK TO THAT '69 HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY TOURNAMENT, WHICH WAS ONE OF THE MORE FAMOUS TOURNAMENTS THAT WE'VE HAD IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, HE PRACTICALLY WILLED HIS TEAM TO WIN AND THEY LOST IN OVERTIME.

THAT HIT HE TOOK, I MEAN, THAT WHOLE RUN LEADING UP TO THE TOURNAMENT WAS AMAZING FOR THAT TEAM.

REALLY.

>> YES, IT WAS.

AND HE WAS THE PERSON WHO SCORED THE WINNING GOAL IN THE REGION.

THEY WENT BACK DOOR BECAUSE ROSEAU WAS THE REPRESENTATIVE FOR THAT REGION.

>> Eric: THEY REPRESENTED REGION 3, I THINK, IF I REMEMBER RIGHT.

>> YES, BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE.

AND THEY PLAYED EVELETH IN THE PLAYOFF AND THEY WON WITH HIM SCORING THE WINNING GOAL.

AND HE SCORED THE WINNING GOLL -- GOAL IN BOTH OF THE FIRST TWO GAMES.

AND AS ERIC MENTIONED, HE GOT INJURED IN THE FINAL GAME AGAINST EDINA, MIDWAY THROUGH THE SECOND PERIOD.

SO THEY WERE BEHIND 4-2.

SO KUDOS TO THE TEAM FOR A GUTSY COMEBACK, THEY LOST IN OVERTIME, TOO.

>> Eric: I WAS LOOKING AT VINTAGE MINNESOTA HOCKEY WEBSITE, AND HE'S THE FIFTH OF THE TOP 100 MINNESOTA HIGH SCHOOL PLAYERS, HE'S NUMBER FIVE.

>> YES.

CONSENSUS SEEMS TO BE JOHN, FROM EVELETH.

>> Eric: HE'D BE NUMBER ONE, SURE.

>> BUT AFTER THAT IT GETS CONTROVERSIAL.

HE'S CERTAINLY IN THE OP TEN AND PROBABLY IN THE TOP FIVE.

>> Eric: HE DEFENDED THE WARRIOR NICKNAME WHEN IT WASN'T PARTICULARLY HIP TO DO THAT, MAYBE.

>> YES.

HE TOOK PRIDE IN IT.

HE SAID THE NAME OF THE TOWN, WARROAD, ACTUALLY WAS BECAUSE THERE WAS A ROAD FOR TRAVELING TO DO WAR AT ONE TIME.

SO, HE SEEMED TO BE PRETTY ACCEPTING OF IT.

AND THE WARRIOR NICKNAME HAS STUCK WITH WARROAD.

>> Cathy: BEFORE WE TALK ABOUT THE WOMEN'S HOCKEY LEAGUE, JUST ONE MORE QUESTION ABOUT HENRY BOUCHA, HE WAS INJURED IN THAT '69 GAME, OBVIOUSLY, AND, OF COURSE, A VERY INFAMOUS SITUATION HAPPENED TO HIM WHICH ENDED HIS PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY CAREER WITH THAT STICK IN THE EYE, WHICH WAS A CHEAP SHOT, OBVIOUSLY.

DID HE EVER EXPRESS ANY BITTERNESS?

>> YES.

THAT ONE HE DID.

HE DIDN'T ABOUT THE HIGH SCHOOL GAME.

TO ME.

BUT WITH THE ONE WITH DAVE FORBES FROM THE PHILADELPHIA FLYERS, THAT DID LITERALLY END HIS CAREER.

HE SUFFERED FROM BLURRED AND DOUBLE VISION.

HE DID MAKE A BRIEF COMEBACK WITH THE KANSAS CITY SCOUTS, WHO ERE IN THE NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE AT THE TIME, BUT HE WAS NEVER THE SAME.

HE DID SAY AT THE VERY END, YOU KNOW, AS PART F HIS CULTURE AND HERITAGE, HE WAS FORGIVING.

BUT IT WAS A LIFE CHANGER OR HIM.

>> Cathy: BEFORE YOU GO, WE'VE GOT TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE WOMEN'S HOCKEY LEAGUE, THE PROFESSIONAL WOMEN'S HOCKEY LEAGUE, PRETTY EXCITING.

TAYLOR HEISE IS A HECK OF A PLAYER.

>> YES, NUMBER ONE PICK, MINNESOTA GOT THROUGH THE LOTTERY SYSTEM.

SHE'S FROM LAKE CITY, WENT TO RED WING HIGH SCHOOL.

THE GENERAL MANAGER IS THREE-TIME OLYMPIAN NATALIE DARWITZ FROM EAGAN.

THEY DRAFTED ANOTHER PERSON, GRACE SUMWINKLE, ACTUALLY THEY DRAFTED SEVEN MINNESOTA PLAYERS TO FILL OUT THEIR SQUAD.

PLUS THEY SIGNED TWO OTHER PLAYERS, LEE STECKLINE FROM ROSEVILLE AND ACTUALLY KELLY PANIC FROM PLYMOUTH.

>> Cathy: I'M SORRY, DO YOU THINK THIS WILL HAVE LEGS, THIS PARTICULAR LEAGUE?

>> I DO.

IT SEEMS LIKE IT HAS BETTER FUNDING THIS TIME, MORE STABLE FUNDING.

AND THE PLAYERS, JUST A TINY FRACTION OF WHAT THE MEN GET, BUT IT'S A STEP.

>> Eric: CAN YOU GIVE S A QUICK WEBSITE WHERE PEOPLE CAN CHECK OUT YOUR BOOKS?

>> OH, THANK YOU.

MY NAME, PATRICKMADER.COM OR MINNESOTA ATHLETES, YOU CAN GO TO EITHER ONE.

THANK YOU.

>> Eric: ALWAYS GOOD TO HAVE YOU, THANKS.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> ERIC: WE'RE STILL LEARNING ABOUT ALL THE ACTION FROM THE LEGISLATURE THIS PAST YEAR AND THE IMPACT AHEAD.

THE STATE CAPITOL MALL AND SURROUNDING BUILDINGS ARE SLATED FOR A LOT OF CHANGE AFTER AN INFUSION OF FUNDS.

A CAAP BOARD MEETING IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS WILL WALK THROUGH THE NEXT STEPS, BUT MARY LAHAMMER HAS A SNEAK PEAK OF ALL THIS OPPORTUNITY THAT BROUGHT A CAPITOL FIGURE OUT OF RETIREMENT TO HELP THE STATE FOR JUST A BIT LONGER.

>> Mary: THE CAPITOL AREA REMAINS A POPULAR DESTINATION, AND THE UPKEEP OF THE STATE'S MOST-IMPORTANT BUILDING IS ONGOING.

EVEN AFTER MORE THAN $300 MILLION OF A TOP TO BOTTOM HIGH RENOVATION, OVERSEEN BY THE CAAP BOARD'S PAUL MENDEL, WHO IS SUPPOSED TO BE IN RETIREMENT.

>> MY SUCCESSOR RESIGNED IN MAY OF THIS PAST YEAR, AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, WHO'S UR BOARD CHAIR, ASKED IF I WOULD COME BACK UNDER ANY CONDITIONS.

>> Mary: O YOU COULDN'T SEE NO -- SAY NO TO THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

>> NO.

>> Mary: AND YOUR STATE.

>> AND I LOVE THE WORK.

AND WE HAVE ALL THESE OPPORTUNITIES NOW WITH NEW FUNDING STREAMS.

>> Mary: SO THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASSIST ON SO MANY WELL-FUNDED PROJECTS EVEN ON AN INTERIM BASIS PROVED IRRESISTIBLE.

>> YEAH.

>> Mary: THERE'S HALF A BILLION DOLLARS OF OPPORTUNITY BEHIND YOU.

>> THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF IT, OF COURSE, IS TO MAKE HE HEARING ROOMS, FIRST, TECHNOLOGYWISE, SO THAT PEOPLE CAN BE HYBRID, PEOPLE CAN BE ZOOMING IN, PEOPLE CAN BE HERE, FEELING SAFE, THE BUILDINGS COULD BE SECURED, IT'S ALL ABOUT THE HEARING ROOMS, BASICALLY.

>> Mary: WHICH IS THE PUBLIC SPACE.

>> WHICH IS THE PUBLIC SPACE, RIGHT.

>> Mary: HAS THAT BEEN FULLY COMMUNICATED BECAUSE IT'S HARD BECAUSE IT ENDS UP LOOKING LIKE LAWMAKERS ARE SPENDING MONEY ON THEMSELVES AND THEIR OFFICES.

>> I DON'T THINK THAT'S BEEN COMMUNICATED ENOUGH.

>> Mary: LET'S TALK SAFETY BECAUSE THE CRITICAL JUNCTURE OF THE CAPITOL, STONE WAS FALLING, WATER GUSHING IN.

THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING HERE, CORRECT?

>> YES.

>> Mary: PEOPLE THOUGHT 300 MILLION PLUS WAS A LOT FOR THE CAPITOL.

500 MILLION PLUS FOR THIS NOT AS ATTRACTIVE BUILDING GIVES PEOPLE REALISTICKER SHOCK.

>> I KNOW.

I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S A GOOD ANTICIPATES TO THAT.

ANSWER TO THAT.

OLD BUILDINGS COST MORE TO RENOVATE.

>> Mary: IS T HISTORICALLY AND ARCHITECTURALLY, I THINK SOME PEOPLE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH.

CAPITOL, OBVIOUSLY A GEM.

STATE OFFICE BUILDING -- >> BUT IT'S THE GRANITE, THE EXPANSION IS ALL GOING TO BE UP TO SNUFF.

>> Mary: WHAT HAPPENS TO LEIF?

>> HE STAYS.

>> Mary: EXACTLY WHERE HE IS.

>> HE DOESN'T NEED TO MOVE.

>> Mary: SINCE YOU KIND OF LEFT AND CAME BACK WE HAD A BULLET HOLE THROUGH THE SENATE BUILDING.

>> YEAH.

>> Mary: CRIME KIND OF UP IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA.

IT'S A REAL CONCERN.

>> EVERYTHING FROM MORE CAMERAS TO SAFETY MEASURES.

CALL BOXES.

AND THERE'S STILL SOME IMPLEMENTATION MONEY THERE, I THINK, FROM LAST YEAR'S SESSION FOR MORE SAFETY MEASURES.

THE IDEA BEING THE CAPITOL BUILDING, WE WANT TO KEEP IT AS UNFORTRESS-LIKE AS POSSIBLE BUT AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE.

>> Mary: BEYOND THE BIG HALF A BILLION DOLLAR RESTORATION OF THE STATE OFFICE BUILDING, ACROSS THE STREET ON THE CAPITOL MALL, THERE'S AN INFUSION OF CASH COMING FOR THINGS COMING LIKE MORE SHADE TREES IN THE AREA, OFTEN POPULATED BY CROWDS.

>> LOVE IS LOVE.

[ Cheers ] >> Mary: POPULATED PUBLIC BILL SIGNINGS HAVE MARKED HISTORIC CHANGES TO LAW OUT ON THE OPEN LAW.

>> IT'S THE LAW!

[ Cheers ] >> Mary: AND PROTESTERS OFTEN SHOW UP TO ADVOCATE FOR AND AGAINST WHAT'S HAPPENING INSIDE.

>> THE MALL PROJECT, WE LAST DID A DESIGN FRAMEWORK BACK IN 1987, THAN 86, U.S. JUST BEFORE -- JUST BEFORE I STARTED HERE, 38 YEARS AGO.

SO WE WERE UPDATING THAT.

THEY GAVE US A MILLION DOLLARS TO DO A THOROUGH STUDY.

GREAT MALL, WE NEED MORE SHADE, MORE SEATING.

THE POPULATION IS AGING.

WHEN WE REDID THE CAPITOL, WE PURPOSELY LEFT IT OPEN, THAT'S HOW CASS GILBERT WANTED IT.

OF COURSE, ARCHITECTS WANT TO SHOW OFF THEIR BUILDING.

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS WANT TO DECORATE.

>> Mary: 5 MILLION JUST FOR THE MALL.

>> JUST OR THE MALL.

THE MALL INCLUDES THE OPEN SPACES, WHAT'S LEFT AT LEIF ERICKSON AFTER THE STATE OFFICE BUILDING GOING IN AND THEY HAVE TWO NEW PARKS.

>> Mary: WHAT'S HAPPENING OVER THERE WITH CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS?

>> COLUMBUS IS SAFELY TUCKED AWAY.

HE WOULD NEED TO BE REPAIRED, BOTH THE PEDESTAL AND THE STATUE ITSELF WERE SLIGHTLY DAMAGED.

THERE IS NOW A PROCESS, WE HAD THE CAAP BOARD HAD A VERY INTERDISCIPLINARY TWO PROCESSES, ONE ON PUBLIC ART AND ONE ON DEVELOPING THE WHOLE PROCESS.

>> Mary: THAT'S NOT ALL.

THE NEARBY FORD BUILDING WILL ALSO BE LEVELED AFTER DECADES OF DISCUSSION.

>> THE FORD BUILDING WILL BE COMING DOWN, AND THEN THEY'LL BE PUTTING IN A NEW ANNEX, BASICALLY JUST AN ACCESS POINT FOR THE TUNNEL SYSTEM.

>> Mary: AND THE HOSPITAL UP THE STREET IS NOW GONE, WITH NEW DESPERATELY NEEDED MENTAL HEALTH BEDS GOING UP IN ITS PLACE.

IS THIS MORE OPPORTUNITY PROJECT THAN YOU SAW IN YOUR ENTIRE CAREER?

>> EVER.

YEAH.

M AS YOU'RE ENDING AGAIN.

>> YES, YEAH, YEAH.

♪♪ >> CATHY: PAUL DOUGLAS IS BACK, JUST IN TIME FOR THE OFFICIAL START OF FALL, WHICH MEANS IT'S TIME TO START THINKING ABOUT WINTER.

WE ALWAYS HAVE A LOT TO COVER SO LET'S GET TO IT.

HEY.

HOW ARE YOU?

>> I'M WELL.

>> Cathy: GOOD.

>> I'M WELL.

>> Cathy: I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT WINTER.

LET US TALK ABOUT FALL, SHALL WE?

>> WINTER WILL BE UNLIKE ANYTHING WE EXPERIENCED LAST YEAR.

BASED ON THIS SUPER EL NINO.

>> Cathy: SO BE NOT AFRAID?

>> WELL, BE A LITTLE AFRAID.

IT'S GOOD TO BE A LITTLE PARANOID.

>> Eric: I THINK IF I COULD SEE A SUNSET, IT WOULD REALLY HELP ME ABSORB THIS SEGMENT.

>> ICTURES?

PICTURES?

YOU NEED PICTURES?

>> Eric: YEAH, LIKE THIS.

LIKE THIS.

>> Cathy: OH, PRETTY.

>> HERE WE GO.

LOOK AT THAT.

AND WHAT A SUMMER IT HAS BEEN.

AND I KNOW WE'RE IN A DROUGHT.

BUT I CAN'T REMEMBER A SUMMER WITH THIS MANY SUNNY LUKEWARM GORGEOUS DAYS.

A REAL SUMMER COMING AFTER A REAL WINTER LAST WINTER, AS YOU MAY RECALL.

YOU MAY REMEMBER WELL.

IT'S ETCHED IN YOUR MEMORY BANKS.

90 INCHES OF SNOW.

THIRD MOST ON RECORD.

32 DAYS AT OR ABOVE 90 IN THE METRO.

THAT TIES FOR THE SIXTH MOST ON RECORD SINCE 1871.

AVERAGE IS 13.

AT MSP.

IF ANYBODY ASKS, AND I KIND OF HOPE THEY DON'T, ALMOST THREE DEGREES WARMER THAN AVERAGE AND OVER SEVEN INCHES DRIER THAN AVERAGE.

THAT DEFICIT THAT WE INHERITED LAST YEAR JUST CONTINUES TO GET WORSE.

WE MAKE LITTLE IMPROVEMENTS, LITTLE BABY STEPS, AND THEN WE BACK BE SLIDE.

AND, OF COURSE -- AND THEN WE BACK SLIDE.

AND, OF COURSE, WE WILL REMEMBER THE AIR QUALITY, THE SMOKE.

ACCORDING TO THE MINNESOTA POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY, 20 AIR QUALITY ALERTS COVERING 2 DAYS BROKE THE OLD RECORD SET BACK IN 2021 BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENS IN CANADA DOESN'T STAY IN CANADA.

5% OF THE FOREST LAND IN CANADA HAS BURNED.

AN AREA THE SIZE OF FLORIDA.

MUCH OF THAT SMOKE HAS DRIFTED OF OVER MINNESOTA.

THE EXTREME DROUGHT EXPANDING NOW, MOST OF THE METRO.

THAT RED STAIN IS EXTREME DROUGHT.

EXCEPTIONAL DROUGHT, DOWN AROUND, WELL, SOUTH OF ROCHESTER, TOWARDS HARMONY AND LA CRESCENT, CALEDONIA, FAR SOUTHEASTERN MINNESOTA AS DRY AS IT GETS.

SO, YEAH, E NEED RAIN, WE'RE GOING TO GET SOME RAIN THIS WEEKEND, ALLEGEDLY.

HALF AN INCH TO AN INCH.

MAYBE A FEW TWO-INCH AMOUNTS.

AND A LOT OF PEOPLE COMPARE THIS -- BY THE WAY, THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE JUST HAD THE HOTTEST SUMMER ON RECORD.

PEOPLE SAY, WELL, IT WAS HOT BACK IN THE DUST BOWL.

AND THAT'S TRUE.

I MEAN, WE SET MANY OF OUR ALL-TIME HEAT RECORDS IN THE 1930s.

BUT CHECK THE HEAT WAS REGIONAL.

IT WAS OVER THE CENTRAL PLAINS AND THE UPPER MIDWEST.

THIS TIME AROUND, THE HEATING IS PLANETARY, IT'S GLOBAL.

AND, SO, YOU KNOW, JUST KEEP THAT IN MIND.

THE SCOPE OF THE HEATING IS MUCH MUCH GREATER THAN IT WAS BACK IN THE DUST BOWL.

NOT NLY THE ATMOSPHERE, BUT THE OCEANS.

SO, OF COURSE, WE'RE TRACKING THIS EL NINO EQUATORIAL PACIFIC, BUT MOST OF THE WORLD'S OCEAN BASINS ARE UNUSUALLY WARM.

AND WE'RE NOT EXACTLY SURE WHAT IMPACT THAT IS GOING TO HAVE ON OUR WEATHER.

BUT CERTAINLY STATISTICALLY STRONG CORRELATION BETWEEN EL NINO AND MILDER, DRYER WINTERS HERE IN THE UPPER MIDWEST.

AND NOAA SEEMS TO AGREE.

THEIR CLIMATE PREDICTION CENTER FORECASTING A PRETTY GOOD CHANCE OF WARMER THAN AVERAGE, SEATTLE, TWIN CITIES, DULUTH, EASTWARD INTO THE GREAT LAKES AND NEW ENGLAND.

AND IN TERMS OF PRECIPITATION, BECAUSE I'M HOPING, YOU KNOW, WE CAN DIG OUT OF THIS DROUGHT, EL NINO TENDS TO FAVOR WETTER WEATHER FOR THE SOUTHERN U.S., THE GULF OAST, AND THE EAST COAST.

A DRY BIAS FOR MUCH OF THE NORTHERN TIER OF THE U.S.

SO, WE WILL SEE.

THIS IS A CORRELATION OF EL NINO WITH SNOWFALL.

IT IS GOING TO SNOW THIS WINTER, BUT EVERYTHING IN PURPLE -- BRIAN BRETT SCHNEIDER IS A CLIMATOLOGIST IN ALASKA, AND HE DOES AMAZING THINGS WITH MAPS, AND HE ACTUALLY WANTED TO SHOW, BASED ON PAST L NINOS, WHO'S GOING TO GET MORE SNOW, WHO'S GOING TO GET LESS SNOW.

EVERYTHING IN PURPLE USUALLY CORRELATES WITH ESS SNOW FROM THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST, NORTHERN ROCKIES, INTO THE UPPER MIDWEST, GREAT LAKES AND NEW ENGLAND.

SO, WILL WE GET A FEW BIG SNOWSTORMS?

PROBABLY.

BUT I DO NOT THINK WE'RE GOING TO GET 90 INCHES OF SNOW.

MAYBE 45.

SO I'M GOING TO GO OUT ON A LIMB, WINTER HAS BEEN POSTPONED, NOT CANCELED.

ODDS DO, IN FACT, FAVOR A MILDER WINTER, PROBABLY MORE ICING EVENTS.

>> Cathy: OH.

>> MORE MIXED PRECIPITATION.

I KNOW.

THAT'S NOT GOOD NEWS.

I'M CONVINCED A LOT OF PEOPLE MOVE OUT OF MINNESOTA, NOT BECAUSE OF THE SNOW OR THE COLD, BUT THE FEAR OF FALLING ON ICE.

ONE BAD FALL AND IT CAN BE A DOWNWARD SPIRAL.

OF COURSE, YOUR RESULTS MAY VARY.

>> Eric: SO RE WE KIND OF IN LIKE AN OMAHA TYPE OF PATTERN, FREEZING RAIN AS MUCH AS SNOW, FREEZE/THAW CYCLE?

>> YEAH, WE'RE SEEING MORE OF THAT.

Dr. MARK SEELEY POINTED OUT A STATISTIC THAT I CONTINUE TO CITE, SINCE THE TURN OF THE CENTURY, SINCE 2000, MID-WINTER RAIN AND ICE EVENTS, FOUR TIMES MORE LIKELY.

SO, YOU KNOW, OUR CLIMATE IS STILL HARSH, WE WILL HAVE WINTER.

BUT THE WINTERS ARE TRENDING MILDER OVERALL.

WE'RE NOT SEEING THE OLUME OF BITTER ARCTIC AIR WEEK AFTER WEEK BELOW ZERO THAT WE DID IN THE '60s AND '70s, EVEN THE EARLY '80s.

AND WE ARE SEEING ORE OF THESE JAW-DROPPING JANUARY RAIN EVENTS.

SO I THINK WE'LL HAVE A FEW MORE OF THOSE AND, AGAIN, I JUST CAN'T EE ANY SCENARIO WHERE WE GET 90 INCHES OF SNOW.

>> Cathy: BECAUSE FALL ARRIVES THIS WEEKEND -- >> YES.

>> Cathy: -- ARE WE TO ASSUME THAT WE'RE ALL DONE NOW WITH 90s?

>> NO.

90, YES.

>> Cathy: 80s?

>> 80s, I THINK WE'LL SEE 80s THE FIRST FEW DAYS OF OCTOBER.

IT'S GOING TO BE IN THE '-- 70s NEXT WEEK AFTER THE RAIN SUBSIDIZED AND THE EUROPEAN MODELS AND OTHERS HINTING AT 80s THE FIRST FEW DAYS.

SO IT'S A CRAZY TIME, RIGHT, BECAUSE YOU'VE GOT JACKETS AND SWEATSHIRTS AND SHORTS AND FLIP FLOPS.

AS I MENTIONED IN THE "STAR TRIBUNE," I LIKE MY EGGS SCRAMBLED, NOT MY SEASONS.

IT IS DISORIENTING TO BE GAZING UP AT FALL FOLIAGE WEARING FLIP FLOPS.

>> Cathy: YEAH, TRUE.

>> Eric: YOU WERE FULL OF INFORMATION.

>> Cathy: AS ALWAYS.

>> THANK YOU, I THINK.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

>> Eric: PAUL DOUGLAS, EVERYBODY!

♪♪ >> ERIC: THIS WEEK, THE WALZ ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCED $23 MILLION OF GRANT MONEY WILL BE DIVVIED UP AMONG CITIES IN GREATER MINNESOTA.

THE GRANTS WILL HELP THOSE COMMUNITIES IMPROVE RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL, OR PUBLIC FACILITIES WITH FEDERAL FUNDS ADMINISTERED BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

HERE TO TELL US MORE ABOUT HOW THOSE $23 MILLION WILL BE SPENT, KEVIN MCKINNON, DEED'S DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

COMMISSIONER, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE COMMON USES FOR THIS SPOKEN IN >> WELL, THANKS FOR HAVING ME TONIGHT.

WE'RE OBVIOUSLY EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THIS YEAR'S GRANTS AND SOME OF THE USES OF THIS MONEY, THERE'S BASICALLY TWO TYPES, THREE TYPES OF GRANTS WE DO.

ONE FOR IMPROVING HOUSING, ONE TO IMPROVE RENTAL REHABILITATION PROPERTY AND REHABILITATE PROPERTIES AND THEN THE THIRD IS PUBLIC FACILITIES IMPROVEMENTS.

SO A LOT OF THIS MONEY WOULD BE TO USE AND IMPROVE EITHER OWNER-OCCUPIED PROJECTS, SUCH AS MULTIFAMILY OR INDIVIDUAL FAMILY HOMES.

LOTS OF IMPROVEMENTS SUCH AS HVAC, ELECTRICAL, LEAD PAINT REMEDIATION, ET CETERA.

SOME OF THE MONEY CAN BE USED FOR COMMERCIAL PROPERTY IMPROVEMENT, SO THINK RETAIL SHOPS DOWNTOWN, FACADE IMPROVEMENTS, EXTERIOR SIGNS, BUILDING CODE ISSUES, ET CETERA.

AND THEN, FINALLY, PUBLIC FACILITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS THAT SERVES LARGER NEIGHBORHOODS OR COMMUNITIES AND, SO, YOU MAY HAVE COMMUNITY CENTERS, STREETSCAPES OR SOME OF THE WASTE WATER TREATMENT PROJECTS THAT WE WOULD DO IN PARTNERSHIP WITH A FEW OTHER AGENCIES.

>> Cathy: SO THAT IS A.

ALTHOUGH THAT'S A BIG LAUNDRY LIST -- SO THAT IS A LOT.

THAT'S A BIG LAUNDRY LIST.

ARE THESE ONE-TIME GRANTS?

YOU CAN OBVIOUSLY TAKE MONEY, FIX SOMETHING UP, BUT YOU MIGHT NEED SOME MAINTENANCE.

ONE-TIME GRANTS OR ARE THEY GRANTS OVER SEVERAL YEARS?

>> THESE GRANTS, BASICALLY THE GRANTEES HAVE ROUGHLY THREE YEARS TO COMPLETE THEIR PROJECTS.

WE'VE BEEN ACTUALLY RUNNING THIS PROGRAM SINCE 1981, SO EVERY YEAR WE AWARD ROUGHLY ABOUT THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY, AND AS YOU CAN SEE, A LOT OF THE GRANTEES ARE VERY VERY SMALL COMMUNITIES.

THAT'S BECAUSE WE DEAL WITH NONENTITLEMENT COMMUNITIES, AND BASICALLY THROUGH THE HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, HE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM BASICALLY WORKS WITH ENTITLEMENT AND NONENTITLEMENT COMMUNITIES.

THE NONENTITLEMENT COMMUNITIES STATES CAN ADMINISTER THAT FOR THE MAJORITY OF CITIES IN THEIR STATES.

BUT THEN THERE'S ENTITLEMENT COMMUNITIES, SO LIKE THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS OR THE CITY OF St. PAUL, DULUTH, ROCHESTER, OR COUNTIES LIKE ANOKA, DAKOTA, ET CETERA, THEY ALL GET THEIR OWN FUNDING AND ALLOCATION FROM HUD FOR SIMILAR TYPES OF PROJECTS.

WE DEAL WITH BASICALLY EVERYBODY ELSE THAT'S NONENTITLEMENT.

>> Eric: THE COVID MONEY IS PHASING OUT, BUT I WONDER HOW THIS DOVETAILS WITH THE RECORD-SETTING BONDING BILL THAT THE LEGISLATURE PASSED LAST TIME.

>> YEAH, THAT'S ACTUALLY A GOOD POINT.

AS I MENTIONED, WE'VE BEEN GETTING ROUGHLY ANYWHERE FROM 16 TO $25 MILLION A YEAR FOR THE PAST 40 YEARS OR SO.

FOR THIS PROGRAM.

A FEW YEARS AGO, WE DID RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL $36 MILLION FOR COVID RELIEF AS WELL, SO WE'VE BEEN ADMINISTERING A NUMBER OF PROJECTS ACROSS THE STATE FOR THAT USE AS WELL.

BUT, YOU'RE RIGHT, SPECIFICALLY IN THIS BONDING BILL, THERE'S A LOT OF MONEY FOR HOUSING, PARTICULARLY AT MAFA.

THE ISSUE THERE IS A LOT OF -- IS NEW HOUSING.

WE'RE DEALING WITH A LOT OF EXISTING STOCK.

SO IF YOU THINK ABOUT IMPROVING THE HOMES AND THE MAIN STREETS OF SOME OF THESE SMALL COMMUNITIES, THERE'S NOT A LOT OF PLACES TO GO FOR ADDITIONAL RESOURCES.

SO THIS IS A PRETTY IMPORTANT PROGRAM FOR OUR VERY SMALL COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE.

>> Eric: NOT SEXY BUT IMPORTANT, I GUESS YOU'D SAY, HUH?

>> Cathy: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

>> Cathy: GREAT TO HAVE YOU HERE.

>> Eric: THANKS, COMMISSIONER.

APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

'.

>> Eric: YOU BET.

>> OPEN UP THOSE WINDOWS BECAUSE IT'’S FALL, EVERYBODY!

THE BEST SEASON IS HERE, AND THAT MEANS WE'’RE ABOUT TO SEE A LOT MORE LEAVES, LATTES, AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, CARDIGANS.

THIS IS A CARDIGAN, NOT A SWEATER.

IT WAS NAMED AFTER THE 7TH EARL OF CARDIGAN.

IF THERE WAS AN EARL OF SWEATERS, I IMAGINE HE DIED FROM OVERHEATING OR ITCHY WOOL.

A CARDIGAN SAYS SO MUCH THAT A SWEATER CAN'’T.

A CARDIGAN SAYS, "“YES, I HAVE A HOT CHOCOLATE RECIPE AND IT'’S INCREDIBLE!

"” ALL THE FOXY LIBRARIANS KNOW THAT A CARDIGAN IS THE BEST WAY TO EXPLORE THE DEWEY DECIMAL SYSTEM AS WELL AS THE HUMAN HEART.

THE CARDIGAN IS A VERSATILE GARMENT THAT EVERYBODY SHOULD HAVE.

YOU THROW IT ON ONCE YOU LEAVE THE HOUSE BECAUSE MAYBE IT'’S A TOUCH COLD OUTSIDE.

AND THEN AT THE END OF THE DAY YOU THROW IT OVER A CHAIR AS IF TO SAY, "“AT EASE, SOLDIER, THERE AREN'’T ANY LIGHT BREEZES I NEED PROTECTION FROM.

"” NOT ONLY THAT, YOU CAN WEAR IT ANYWHERE.

WEAR IT WHILE YOU GO HIKING SO THE TREES KNOW THEY'’RE NOT THE ONLY STOIC BEAUTIES THE WOODS HAVE TO OFFER.

GRAB THE CARDIGAN FOR A PARTY, BECAUSE A WOOL/POLYESTER BLEND WILL BLEND RIGHT INTO ANY GET TOGETHER.

WEAR IT TO A WEDDING?

SURE!

BUT ONLY IF YOU WANT TO STEAL THE BRIDE, BECAUSE THE CARDIGAN WAS MEANT TO BREAK HEARTS.

NOW, I MUST WARN ALL OF YOU TO GRAB YOUR CARDIGANS WHILE YOU CAN, BECAUSE THEY'’LL ONLY BE WORTHWHILE FOR A FEW MORE WEEKS.

AS COMPELLING AND LUXURIOUS AS THIS PRINCELY JACKET IS, IT CAN'T STAND UP TO THE WINTER FROST.

LIKE A ROSE, THE CARDIGAN CAN ONLY STAY WITH US FOR SO LONG BEFORE IT MUST RETREAT FROM WINTER.

SO, WHILE YOU CAN, PLEASE ENJOY YOUR CARDIGANS.

IT'’S EASILY THE BEST PART OF FALL.

♪♪ >> CATHY: WOULD IT SURPRISE YOU TO KNOW THAT SOME OF THE STATE'S MOST RACIALLY AND ETHNICALLY DIVERSE SCHOOLS TODAY ARE IN GREATER MINNESOTA?

REPORTER KAOMI LEE TRAVELED TO MOWER COUNTY TO VISIT A SCHOOL DISTRICT WHERE WHITE STUDENTS ARE THE MINORITY.

>> FALL KICKS OFF A NEW SCHOOL YEAR AND A NEW SPORTS SEASON.

ON A RECENT EVENING, THE AUSTIN PACKERS FACED THE OWATONNA HUSKIES AT AN AWAY SOCCER GAME.

THIS BIG 9 CONFERENCE TEAM LOOKED LIKE THEY COULD HAVE BEEN FROM THE TWIN CITIES.

BUT AUSTIN IS 100 MILES SOUTH OF THE METRO.

FOR THE PAST TWO DECADES, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS BEEN UNDERGOING DRAMATIC CHANGE.

>> LET'S GO, JOEL!

>> MY NAME IS JOEL, I PLAY FORWARD, AND THE COACH PUT ME EVERYWHERE.

>> JOEL IS IN THE 11th GRADE.

HE WAS BORN IN MYANMAR IN THE STATE OF CHIN.

AND LIKE MANY OF HIS TEAMMATES, HE AND HIS FAMILY IMMIGRATED TO THE U.S. TO ESCAPE VIOLENCE AND POLITICAL UNREST.

>> MY DAD GOT HERE BEFORE US, BASICALLY TEN YEARS, MY DAD LIVED HERE FOR, LIKE, TEN YEARS, MY MOM, MY BROTHER AND I, WE LIVE HERE FOR LIKE SIX OR SEVEN YEARS NOW.

>> YEAH.

AND HOW OLD ARE YOU?

17?

>> YEAH, I'M 17.

A THIRD OF HIS YOUNG LIFE HAS BEEN HERE IN SOUTHEASTERN MINNESOTA.

I'VE SEEN A LOT OF CHANGES THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.

LIKE MORE PEOPLE MOVE HERE.

DIFFERENT RACES.

AND AT SCHOOL, THERE'S LIKE A LOT OF EXCHANGE STUDENTS, TOO.

>> HE DOES STAND OUT, BUT FOR HIS SOCCER ABILITY, NOT HIS RACE.

AT AUSTIN HIGH, HE BLENDS RIGHT IN.

IN FACT, 57% OF THE DISTRICT'S STUDENTS ARE BIPoC AND 67% QUALIFY FOR A FREE OR REDUCED LUNCH.

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S DEFINITELY DIFFERENT THAN PEOPLE MAYBE REMEMBER.

ESPECIALLY IF YOU'VE BEEN AWAY.

>> SUPERINTENDENT JOEY PAGE IS A FOURTH-GENERATION AUSTINITE.

HE SAYS, MANY NEW MINNESOTANS ARE COMING TO AUSTIN FOR AREA JOBS, AND THAT'S HAVING A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY.

>> OUR DISTRICT IS MORE DIVERSE THAN WHAT THE COMMUNITY REPRESENTS, BUT I THINK WHAT THAT TELLS ME AND WOULD TELL THE COMMUNITY IS, THE DIVERSITY IS GOING TO CHANGE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE THESE ARE OUR STUDENTS IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT.

>> I THINK IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE YOU START TO SEE MORE AND MORE.

WE HAD A GENTLEMAN WHO WAS ON THE CITY COUNCIL FOR A WHILE.

AND WAS A REALLY GOOD OPEN FACE TO WHAT THE DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS CAN BRING TO AUSTIN.

SO, YEAH, AND I THINK IT'S NEEDED.

>> ACCORDING TO 2022 CENSUS ESTIMATES, AUSTIN HAD 22,000 RESIDENTS, MORE THAN 30% WERE BIPoC.

15% WERE FOREIGN BORN.

IN 2000, ONLY 5% WERE.

>> A LOT OF THE PLACES THAT YOU THINK OF, LIKE AUSTIN, ALBERT LEA, WORTHINGTON, YOU KNOW, THOSE REALLY STARTED TO SEE THESE INFLUX OF THESE POPULATIONS, I WOULD SAY SINCE THE 1990s.

>> KELLY ASCHE HAS BEEN RESEARCHING DIVERSITY IN GREATER MINNESOTA FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

>> I THINK IT DOES A COUPLE THINGS.

ONE, IT INCREASES THE ROLE THAT OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE IN TERMS OF BRINGING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER.

MANY TIMES, PARTICULARLY IN SOUTHERN MINNESOTA, WHEN IT'S AN IMMIGRANT OR A REFUGEE POPULATION, THE KIDS MIGHT BE THE ONES THAT ACTUALLY SPEAK ENGLISH FLUENTLY AND WILL HAVE BEEN TO THAT MIDDLE PERSON BETWEEN CITY OFFICIALS OR COUNTY OFFICIALS OR SCHOOL OFFICIALS AND THEIR PARENTS, YOU KNOW, IN ORDER TO TRANSLATE LANGUAGE DIFFERENCES.

>> IN THE PAST, HE SAYS IMMIGRANT WORKERS WERE NOT ALWAYS VIEWED POSITIVELY.

SOME WERE SEEN AS UNION BUSTING OR TAKING AWAY JOBS FROM WHITE AMERICANS.

NOT ANYMORE.

>> FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MODERN HISTORY, WE HAVE MORE JOBS THAN PEOPLE AVAILABLE TO WORK THESE JOBS.

AND EMPLOYERS ARE NOW STARTING TO SEE, LIKE, OH, WE WANT OUR COMMUNITIES TO BE WELCOMING BECAUSE THESE ARE THE FOLKS THAT WE WANT TO BRING MORE IN TO EMPLOY THEM.

>> IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A WARM COAT OR BOOTS OR GLOVES OR A HAT, I CAN HELP YOU.

[ SPEAKING WORLD LANGUAGE ] OKAY?

>> IN AUSTIN, AT LEAST 47 LANGUAGES OTHER THAN ENGLISH ARE SPOKEN AT HOMEMENT.

THE DISTRICT EMPLOYS 15 FULL-TIME BILINGUAL SUCCESS COACHES, THEY HELP STUDENTS AND FAMILIES IN TRANSITION BETWEEN CULTURES.

>> THEY SPEAK ARABIC, DISTINCTA, SWAHILI, KAREN, KARENI, THAI, BURMESE, FRENCH.

>> CHRISTY BECKMAN NAMES SOME OF THE LANGUAGES THE COACHES SPEAK.

SHE'S THE DISTRICT'S EQUITY COORDINATOR.

>> ONE THING THAT I'M REALLY PROUD OF THAT WE'RE DOING IN AUSTIN IS GIVING STUDENTS CREDIT FOR THEIR MULTILINGUALISM.

SO WE OFFER STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO TEST FOR SEALS OF BILITERACY.

>> SHE SAYS THEY HAVE OFFERED 75 SEALS IN JUST TWO YEARS.

BESIDES COLLEGE CREDIT, STUDENTS GET HONOR CORDS TO WEAR AT GRADUATION.

>> UR STUDENTS, IN ORDER TO EARN THE SEALS, HAVE TO DEMONSTRATE PROFICIENCY IN BOTH, SO THEY HAVE TO DEMONSTRATE ENGLISH PROFICIENT AND I THEIR HOME LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY AS WELL.

SO WE'RE NOT DISCOURAGING, OBVIOUSLY, ENGLISH PROFICIENCY, BUT WE ALSO WANT TO SHOW, HEY, THIS IS A VALUE ADD, THIS IS A REALLY REMARKABLE SKILL THAT SOME OF OUR STUDENTS HAVE.

>> THE RACIAL DIVERSITY FOR TEACHERS STILL LAGS FAR BEHIND THE STUDENTS.

IN AUSTIN, ONLY 15 TEACHERS, OR 3% OVERALL, ARE PEOPLE OF COLOR.

THE DISTRICT IS TRYING TO ENCOURAGE ITS STUDENTS TO RETURN TO TEACH.

EXPERTS SAY HOW WELL COMMUNITIES EMBRACE DIVERSITY AT ALL LEVELS WILL BE KEY.

>> THE OLDER GENERATION IS STARTING TO REALIZE, LIKE, IF I WANT SOMEBODY TO TAKE CARE OF ME AS I'M GOING TO NEED MORE SERVICES IN THE NEXT TEN TO 20 YEARS, THIS PERSON'S PROBABLY NOT GOING TO BE WHITE.

AND, SO, I GOT TO START GETTING COMFORTABLE WITH THIS IDEA.

>> ALL BUT FIVE PLAYERS ON AUSTIN'S VARSITY SOCCER TEAM ARE BIPoC.

FOR JOEL TONG, IT'S OMETHING TO CELEBRATE.

>> I PLAY PROUD PLAYING KAREN, MEXICAN, AND BLACK PEOPLE.

>> ERIC: WE'VE GOT PLENTY TO COVER UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF POLITICS.

TODAY KICKS OFF EARLY VOTING IN THE STATE'S GENERAL ELECTION.

NO STATEWIDE OR FEDERAL RACES THIS TIME AROUND, BUT VOTERS CAN CAST THEIR BALLOTS FOR MAYORS, SCHOOL BOARDS, AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.

THE VICE CHAIR OF THE MINNEAPOLIS DFL PARTY ANNOUNCED HIS RESIGNATION THIS WEEK.

AND THE MINNESOTA SUPREME COURT HAS SCHEDULED ORAL ARGUMENTS FOR A PETITION TO BAR FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S NAME FROM APPEARING ON THE BALLOT.

LET'S GET RIGHT DOWN TO BUSINESS WITH REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIR DAVID HANN AND DFL PARTY CHAIR KEN MARTIN.

WELCOME.

I WANT TO ASK YOU BOTH THIS QUESTION, THE FUTURE OF THE CAUCUS CONVENTION SYSTEM.

IN INNEAPOLIS, THERE WAS PUSHING AND SHOVING AT A COUPLE OF ARD CONVENTIONS FOR ENDORSEMENT.

THIS VICE CHAIR OF THE CITY DFL WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT IT.

YOU'VE HAD TROUBLE IN MORRISON COUNTY WITH ISSUES.

>> A LITTLE BIT.

>> Eric: HAS IT OUTLIVED ITS USEFULNESS?

>> YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK SO.

I MEAN, LOOK, THERE ARE CERTAINLY SOME FLAWS AND SOME IMPERFECTIONS, BUT IT'S THE BEST OF ANY POSSIBLE SYSTEM THAT I CAN IMAGINE.

WHAT IT DOES, IT GIVES POWER TO THE GRASSROOTS IN OUR PARTY AND IN DAVID'S PARTY TO MAKE THE DECISIONS OVER WHO OUR PARTY SUPPORTS FOR OFFICES, WHAT OUR PARTY PLATFORM STANDS FOR.

I WOULD ARGUE ONE OF THE REASONS BOTH OF OUR PARTIES AROUND THE NATION WE HAVE SOME OF THE MOST PARTICIPATION, IT'S BECAUSE WE GIVE REAL POWER TO PEOPLE AT THE GRASSROOTS TO MAKE DECISIONS OVER THE DIRECTION OF OUR PARTY.

AND, SO, I'M NOT IN FAVOR OF ABANDONING IT.

I AM IN FAVOR OF IMPROVING IT.

>> YEAH, I THINK, YOU KNOW, THE LEGISLATURE MAKES A DECISION ABOUT THIS STUFF, AND I DO THINK THAT WE SHOULD HAVE AN EARLIER PRIMARY.

I THINK THAT IS A PROBLEM.

WE HAVE A LATE PRIMARY.

WE'VE ACTUALLY TALKED ABOUT THAT.

>> Eric: IS JUNE THE PREFERRED MONTH?

>> I THINK IT IS.

>> BUT I THINK HAVING IT IN AUGUST IS TOO LATE.

BUT I THINK THERE ARE VIRTUES TO THE CAUCUS SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE.

AND NO SYSTEM IS PERFECT, BUT I DO AGREE WITH THE CHAIRMAN THAT WHEN YOU ARE A CANDIDATE, YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS, IT IS A LOT OF FACE-TO-FACE AND I THINK IT'S GREAT EXPERIENCE FOR CANDIDATES AND IT ALSO DOESN'T MEAN THAT YOU HAVE TO BE A VERY WEALTHY PERSON TO WIN AN ENDORSEMENT.

BUT IT'S NOT PERFECT.

AND I AGREE, IT CAN GET BETTER.

WE CAN IMPROVE IT.

AND WE'RE WORKING TO DO THAT.

>> Cathy: ARE THERE ISSUES, HOW ELSE WOULD YOU IMPROVE THE SYSTEM?

>> WELL, I THINK ONE THING IS WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE WHO WANTS TO PARTICIPATE CAN PARTICIPATE.

AND THERE ARE SOME BARRIERS.

CERTAINLY.

YOU KNOW, THERE ARE LANGUAGE BARRIERS, THERE ARE TRANSPORTATION ISSUES, THERE'S THE FACT THAT PEOPLE WORK SOMETIMES WHEN CAUCUSES AND CONVENTIONS ARE.

>> Cathy: MAYBE GO MORE ONLINE, PERHAPS?

>> YEAH, WE'RE DOING SOME OF THAT.

I KNOW THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS DOING THAT, TOO.

BUT THE OTHER PIECE IS, IT'S A SIGNIFICANT TIME COMMITMENT.

SO WE NEED TO JUST LOOK AT THIS PROCESS AND TRY TO PRESERVE THE PIECES THAT, AGAIN, GIVE POWER TO THE GRASSROOTS BUT ALSO MAKE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE NORMAL LIVES, RIGHT, TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROCESS.

>> Cathy: IS IT WORKING FOR YOU?

DID YOU GO ONLINE, YOU'VE BEEN GOING MORE ONLINE, I GUESS.

>> RIGHT, WE DID DO SOME OF THAT.

BUT THERE ARE CHALLENGES, OF COURSE.

AND PART OF IT IS EXACTLY AS KEN SAYS, IT'S A PROCESS THAT DOES TAKE A LOT OF TIME AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE VERY BUSY THESE DAYS, AND ON OUR SIDE, WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE THIS MORE ACCESSIBLE TO PEOPLE AND ALSO BE ABLE TO CONDUCT THE BUSINESS OF THE CAUCUSES AND THE CONVENTIONS IN A MUCH MORE EXPEDITIOUS WAY.

>> Eric: WANT TO TALK ABOUT ABORTION A LITTLE BIT.

Dr. JENSEN, WHO WAS YOUR REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR.

>> YES.

>> Eric: I HINK, IN THE MICHAEL BRODCORP, BECKY SHARE PODCAST, I THINK HE SAID HE'S PRO LIFE HIMSELF BUT HE'S PRO CHOICE POLICYWISE.

AND I WONDER IF -- WHERE IS THE REPUBLICAN PARTY ON ABORTION?

>> WELL, I THINK ONE THING IS, AFTER 50 YEARS OF ROE V. WADE WHEN THIS REALLY WAS NOT A POLITICAL ISSUE, I THINK NOW IT IS, NOW IT'S GOING TO BE IN THE HANDS OF STATES, PEOPLE, VOTERS, HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT DOES THAT MEAN.

I DO THINK IN MINNESOTA, AND WHAT I HAVE SEEN AS I'VE BEEN AROUND IN THE LAST YEARS SINCE THE -- LAST YEAR SINCE THE ELECTION, WHAT THE DEMOCRATS DID IN THE LEGISLATURE THIS YEAR, PEOPLE THINK IS EXTREME.

WE THINK THAT IS EXTREME.

BUT WHAT IS THE RIGHT POSITION, WE'RE WORKING ON, HOW DO WE DO THAT?

WE KNOW WE HAVE TO HAVE MAJORITIES, WE KNOW WE HAVE TO BE GOVERNED BY MAJORITIES.

WE'RE A RO LIFE PARTY, I THINK WE'RE A PRO LIFE COUNTRY.

BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO RESPECT WHERE THE MAJORITY IS.

SO WE ARE DEBATING THAT INTERNALLY.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR BEING PRO LIFE IN MINNESOTA TODAY.

BUT WE DO THINK, ND WE THINK THE PUBLIC, GENERALLY AGREES THAT WHAT THE DEMOCRATS DID, THEIR POLICIES ARE VERY VERY EXTREME, AND WE THINK THEY NEED TO CHANGE.

>> WELL, LOOK, I MEAN, WE FIERCELY DISAGREE ON THIS POSITION.

AND, YOU KNOW, THE FIRST TIME IN OUR COUNTRY'S HISTORY, INSTEAD OF EXPANDING INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS IN THIS COUNTRY, WE'RE ACTUALLY TAKING THEM AWAY.

THANKS TO THIS VERY CONSERVATIVE, ACTIVIST, FAR RIGHT COURT.

WITH THE DOBBS DECISION.

AND, WE SAW THE RESULTS OF THIS IN THE LAST ELECTION.

MILLIONS OF PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY CAME OUT TO MAKE IT KNOWN THAT WE SHOULD NOT BE TAKING AWAY THE RIGHTS FOR WOMEN AND OTHERS TO MAKE DECISIONS OVER THEIR OWN HEALTHCARE.

AND THAT'S FUNDAMENTALLY WHAT THAT WAS ABOUT.

OUR PARTY IS SOLIDLY PRO CHOICE AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO STAND UP FOR THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS OVER THEIR HEALTHCARE.

AND AS YOU HEARD DAVID SAY, REPUBLICAN PARTY IS NOT.

I DO DISAGREE WITH HIM ON ONE POINT THERE, THOUGH.

THIS COUNTRY IS NOT A MAJORITY PRO LIFE.

THIS COUNTRY VERY CLEARLY HAS SENT A MESSAGE THAT THEY CARE DEEPLY ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND MAKING SURE THAT THE RIGHT FOR WOMEN TO MAKE THESE DECISIONS IS PRESERVED.

>> Cathy: LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT THE LAWSUIT THAT THE STATE SUPREME COURT WILL HEAR, EXCUSE ME, ON NOVEMBER 2nd, ABOUT KEEPING FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP OFF THE BALLOT, UNDER A CLAUSE OF THE 14TH AMENDMENT.

WHAT ARE THE RAMIFICATIONS OF A MOVE LIKE THAT?

>> WELL, WE THINK IT'S IMPROPER.

WE DON'T EVEN THINK IT'S -- MOOT AT THIS POINT.

WE HAVE NOBODY IN MINNESOTA THAT'S COME TO US AND DONE A PETITION TO SAY THEY WANT TO BE ON OUR BALLOT.

SO WE DON'T HAVE ANY OFFICIAL CANDIDATES IN MINNESOTA YET.

WE WILL, I'M SURE, BY THE END OF THE YEAR BUT WE DON'T RIGHT NOW.

AND WE DON'T THINK IT IS THE BUSINESS OF THE COURT OR THE SECRETARY OF STATE, FOR THAT MATTER, TO DECIDE CANDIDATES FOR A POLITICAL PARTY.

SO, WE DISAGREE WITH THE ARGUMENT THAT'S BEING MADE AND WE THINK THAT'S THE PROVINCE OF A POLITICAL PARTY TO DECIDE WHO'S ON THE BALLOT.

>> Eric: SHOULDN'T THE VOTERS DECIDE?

>> WELL, LOOK, I MEAN, THE VOTERS WILL DECIDE EVENTUALLY.

BUT IT IS A FAIR QUESTION AS TO WHETHER OR NOT SOMEONE CAN RUN FOR OFFICE BASED ON PREVIOUS CASE LAW HERE, PARTICULARLY THE INSURRECTION ACT, WHICH SAID IF YOU RAISE ARMS AGAINST THIS COUNTRY, YOU CANNOT RUN FOR FUTURE OFFICE, FUTURE POLITICAL OFFICE.

AND THAT PERTAINS TO ANYONE.

NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW.

AND THERE'S VERY CLEARLY CASE LAW ON THIS.

THAT SAID, LOOK, YOU KNOW, THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE PLAINTIFFS WHO BROUGHT THIS LAWSUIT, IT WAS A BIPARTISAN EFFORT, JUSTICE PAUL ANDERSON, SECRETARY OF STATE JOAN GROWEE, I THINK THEY'RE -- GROWE, I THINK THEY'RE RAISING THE QUESTION, IT'S A FAIR QUESTION TO ASK, WHO KNOWS WHAT THE ANSWER WILL BE, I THINK IT'S PROBABLY IMPROBABLE THAT HE'S REMOVED FROM THE BALLOT.

I THINK THE VOTERS WILL MAKE THAT DECISION.

>> I THINK IT IS AN EXTREME, IF YOU WILL, THEORY THAT THEY'RE ADVANCING.

AS FAR AS I KNOW, NOBODY HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF INSURRECTION, SO TO DENY ANYBODY ACCESS TO THE BALLOT BEFORE THERE'S JUDGMENT IS -- >> Eric: WE HAVE THE RISING ISSUE OF POLICE IN SCHOOLS.

>> YES.

>> Eric: CRIME WAS IN AN ISSUE IN THE -- CRIME WAS AN ISSUE IN THE LAST CYCLE.

WHERE DO YOU SEE THE CRIME ISSUE HEADED FOR 2024?

>> IT IS A BIG ISSUE.

THAT'S WHAT I HEAR A LOT WHEN I TALK TO PEOPLE, PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED AROUND THE STATE.

- AND I THINK THE SRO, THE OFFICERS IN SCHOOLS, THAT IS A BIG THING.

I THINK THE DEMOCRAT MAJORITIES IN THE LEGISLATURE, THEY RUSHED THROUGH THINGS, THEY DIDN'T REALLY GET THE ADVICE THEY NEEDED.

I THINK HERE'S BEEN A LOT OF PUSHBACK.

I THINK IT'S AN INDICATION, TO ME, THAT THE WORK OF THE LEGISLATURE WAS DEEPLY FLAWED.

THEY SHOULD HAVE SPENT MORE TIME TRYING TO FIGURE THIS OUT.

AND I THINK THAT IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT WE HAVE THIS SITUATION RIGHT NOW WHERE YOU'VE GOT A LOT OF JURISDICTIONS WHERE YOU'VE GOT THE POLICE OFFICERS SAYING, WE'RE NOT GOING TO RUN THE RISK OF GOING INTO A SCHOOL AND THEN ENDING UP IN COURT AND WHO KNOWS WHAT HAPPENS THEN.

THE LAW SHOULD BE CLEAR.

AND I DISAGREE WITH LEADER HORTMAN IN HER DESCRIPTION, SHE SAYS THE LAW IS CLEAR.

IT'S NOT CLEAR IF WHEN YOU GO TO OURT YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THE RESULT IS GOING TO BE, YOU DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE BROKEN THE LAW OR NOT.

>> Eric: SOFT SPOT FOR DEMOCRATS?

>> ABSOLUTELY NOT.

THANKS TO 0 -- TO GOVERNOR WALZ, LEGISLATIVE LEADERS, AN OPINION BY ELLISON -- >> Cathy: SECOND OPINION.

>> YOU SAW TODAY, THE MMPAO, THE POLICE OFFICER ASSOCIATION CAME OUT AND SAID, WE'RE SATISFIED WITH THE OPINION, WE BELIEVE THAT IT DOES NOW GIVE THEM THE AUTHORITY TO GET SROs BACK INTO SCHOOLS.

>> Eric: SORT OF TEMPORARY SOLUTION.

>> TEMPORARY SOLUTION, OF COURSE.

AND OUR LEGISLATIVE LEADERS AND OTHERS HAVE COMMITTED TO ACTUALLY HAVING HEARINGS ON THIS ISSUE WHEN WE GET BACK TO THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN FEBRUARY.

AND I'M CONVINCED THEY WILL.

>> THEY SHOULD HAVE A SPECIAL SESSION, I THINK, EVEN THE JURISDICTIONS, THE POLICE JURISDICTIONS, SAY, LOOK, THERE'S NO CASE LAW HERE.

AND WE DON'T WANT TO RUN THE RISK OF IT.

SO I THINK IT'S STILL A PROBLEM.

THEY SHOULD HAVE A SPECIAL SESSION AND FIX IT.

>> Eric: 30 SECONDS LEFT.

16 AND 17-YEAR-OLDS REGISTERING TO VOTE, FELONS THAT HAVE BEEN RELEASED CAN VOTE, AUTOMATIC REGISTRATION.

ARE THE DEMOCRATS PUTTING THE THUMB ON THE SCALE?

>> WELL, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THAT.

I THINK THERE RE OTHER WAYS THEY'RE PUTTING THE THUMB ON THE SCALE, IN MY OPINION.

BUT I THINK TRYING TO REGISTER PEOPLE TO VOTE WHO ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO VOTE I THINK IS A PROBLEM.

>> Eric: 10 SECONDS.

>> ABSOLUTELY NOT PUTTING THE THUMB ON THE SCALE.

ALWAYS A GOOD THING TO HAVE MORE PEOPLE VOTING AND TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG PEOPLE TO VOTE IN THIS STATE.

>> Eric: COME BACK AND SEE US AGAIN, FELLAS, IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU.

THANKS.

>> Cathy: GOOD TO SEE YOU.

♪♪ >> CATHY: IT'S TIME TO TRAVEL BACK IN TIME FOR LAST WEEK'S INDEX FILE QUESTION.

WE TOOK YOU BACK TO 1961.

THE YEAR BOTH THE MINNESOTA TWINS AND MINNESOTA VIKINGS ARRIVED ON THE LOCAL SPORTS SCENE TO MUCH FANFARE.

THERE'S A NICE SHOT OF THE OLD MET STADIUM DURING THE FIRST TWINS HOME OPENER IN APRIL OF 1961.

OUR QUESTION FOR YOU DID NOT CONCERN EITHER THE MINNESOTA TWINS BASEBALL TEAM OR THE VIKINGS FOOTBALL TEAM.

THERE WAS A THIRD MAJOR LEAGUE TEAM THAT ALSO ARRIVED ON THE MINNESOTA SPORTS SCENE THAT YEAR.

BUT THEIR TENURE WAS MUCH SHORTER.

THEY PLAYED JUST LONG ENOUGH TO WIN THE MOST MATCHES THAT FIRST SEASON BUT GET SWEPT AWAY IN THE LEAGUE'S "WORLD SERIES."

OUR QUESTION FOR YOU WAS SIMPLE.

WHO WAS THIS 1961 MINNESOTA PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAM?

TIME TO PLAY WRONG ANSWERS FROM OUR VIEWERS.

TIM FROM EDEN PRAIRIE YOU HAVE ABOUT 10 SECONDS TO DISTRACT YOUR PARENTS IF YOU'RE WATCHING THE SHOW TOGETHER AGAIN THIS WEEK.

>> CATHY: AH, BRUCE, YOU WERE SO CLOSE.

BUT DIDN'T QUITE GET ALL THE DETAILS RIGHT.

FOR THE FULL CORRECT ANSWER, HERE'S STEVE OUT OF LAKEVILLE.

>> CATHY: YES, STEVE, THE NATIONAL BOWLING LEAGUE ONLY MADE IT ONE YEAR, BUT THE TWIN CITIES SKIPPERS WERE ONE OF THE INAUGURAL TEAMS.

HERE'S A FLYER ANNOUNCING THEIR FIRST MATCHES.

AFTER THE LEAGUE FOLDED, THE BUILDING REMAINED EMPTY FOR SEVERAL YEARS BEFORE BECOMING THE NOW DEFUNCT CARLTON CELEBRITY ROOM.

LOCATED JUST ACROSS FROM THE OLD MET STADIUM.

I LOVE THAT PLACE.

SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO VIEWER DAVID THERKELSEN FOR SENDING US THE IDEA FOR THIS QUESTION.

THINK YOU HAVE A HISTORY QUESTION WE HAVEN'T ASKED YET SEND IT OUR WAY AND WE'LL TAKE A LOOK.

651-229-1430 OR ALMANAC@TPT.ORG.

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

IT WAS BACK IN 2008 THAT DAN WILSON OF SEMISONIC JOINED US IN STUDIO B AND PLAYED FOR US.

TAKE A LISTEN.

GOOD NIGHT.

♪♪ ♪ LET'S TAKE A LITTLE TRIP DOWN WHERE WE USED TO GO ♪ ♪ IT'S WAY EYOND THE STRIP, A PLACE THEY CALL YOUR SOUL ♪ ♪ WE'LL SIT DOWN FOR A WHILE AND LET THE EVENIN' OLL ♪ >> "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.