>> "ALMANAC" IS A PRODUCTION STATIONS OF MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION.

>> CATHY: COMING UP IN THE NEXT HOUR, LARRY FITZGERALD IS HERE TALKING TWINS *WINNING * PLAYOFF BASEBALL, POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSORS ON THE HISTORIC OUSTER OF HOUSE SPEAKER KEVIN MCCARTHY, SHELETTA BRUNDIDGE WAS AT THE U OF M, AND MARY LAHAMMER WAS BACK ON CAMPUS THIS WEEK TOO.

>> Mary: FROM SENATE LEADER TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, WE'LL TALK WITH THE NEW HEAD OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS FOR THE GOPHERS.

>> THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LEGISLATURE HAS TO BE STRONG.

>> 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.

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DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

>> CATHY: FULL SHOW FOR YOU TONIGHT.

WE'LL COVER THE HISTORIC OUSTER OF REPUBLICAN HOUSE SPEAKER KEVIN MCCARTHY, THE HISTORIC POST-SEASON WIN BY THE MINNESOTA TWINS, AND TALK ABOUT SOME TOUGH STATISTICS ON KIDS AND GUN VIOLENCE.

>> ERIC: BUT WE START TONIGHT WITH THIS MORNING'S SURPRISING NATIONAL ECONOMIC NEWS.

THE U.S. ADDED 336,000 JOBS IN SEPTEMBER, NEARLY DOUBLE THE INCREASE EXPERTS EXPECTED.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE ECONOMY OVERALL?

WILL MINNESOTA JOB NUMBERS, DUE OUT LATER IN THE MONTH, FOLLOW THE SAME TREND?

JUST TWO OF THE QUESTIONS WE HAVE FOR CHRIS FARRELL, WHO COVERS ECONOMICS FOR AMERICAN PUBLIC MEDIA.

SHATTERED INVESTORS' EXPECTATIONS, THAT WAS ONE OF THE HEADLINES ONLINE, I SAW TODAY.

>> YES.

>> Eric: HOW SO?

>> THE CONSENSUS EXPECTATION WAS WE'RE GOING TO CREATE 170,000 JOBS, WE CREATED 336,000 JOBS.

AND HERE'S THE THING, WE SHOULD JUST ENJOY THIS MOMENT.

MORE PEOPLE HAVE JOBS.

THE ECONOMY'S CONTINUING TO GROW.

INFLATION IS COMING DOWN.

AND THIS ECONOMY HAS BEEN REMARKABLY RESILIENT AND MORE AND MORE -- AND, YET, AT THE SAME TIME, THERE'S STILL PEOPLE ON THE SIDELINES, THERE'S STILL PEOPLE WHO ARE UNDEREMPLOYED, YOU KNOW, WHO ARE STILL LOOKING FOR WORK.

BUT THE GOOD EWS IS ORE AND MORE PEOPLE KEEP LOOKING FOR WORK.

THEY'RE NOW CONVINCED THAT THIS JOB MARKET IS REAL, EMPLOYERS ARE STILL LOOKING FOR WORKERS.

SO THIS IS A VERY RESILIENT ECONOMY, AND THAT'S WHAT THAT REPORT SAID.

BY THE WAY, THEY ALSO REVISED UP THE JOB NUMBERS FOR THE PREVIOUS MONTH, SO THEY'RE ACTUALLY EVEN BETTER THAN THEY WERE.

>> Eric: FOR JULY.

>> YEAH.

>> Cathy: WHERE W THE -- WHERE ARE THE JOBS COMING FROM, WHAT SECTORS?

>> THIS ONE IS ACROSS THE BOARD.

THERE WAS A LOT OF HIRING, THERE WILL BE A LOT OF HIRING FOR THE PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS.

SO YOU SAW A BIG INCREASE IN THAT.

BUT IT REALLY WAS ACROSS THE BOARD.

HOSPITALITY, RESTAURANTS, VERY STRONG, BACK TO PREPANDEMIC LEVEL.

THE ONLY AREA WHERE YOU STILL ARE SEEING GENUINE CONCERNS IS MORE IN THE HEALTHCARE AREA.

IN THIS REPORT, IT WASN'T AS STRONG AS YOU WOULD EXPECT.

BUT IF THAT'S THE THING THAT I TOOK AWAY FROM IT IS, THIS WAS ACROSS THE BOARD, AND THEN WHEN YOU DO -- WHERE YOU DO SEE WEAKNESSES, LIKE IN WAREHOUSES, STUFF LIKE THAT, IT'S ALMOST LIKE WE'VE BEEN HAVING SOME ROLLING RECESSIONS, YOU KNOW, CERTAIN SECTORS AREN'T DOING VERY WELL, WHILE OTHERS ARE DOING WELL.

AND THEN THAT SECTOR STARTS DOING BETTER, BUT ANOTHER SECTOR STARTS WEAKENING.

SO IT'S NOT LIKE THIS ECONOMY IS JUST GOING ALL GUNS ALL THE TIME, YOU KNOW, REALLY STRONG.

BUT EACH SECTOR OF THE ECONOMY SEEMS TO BE WORKING OUT ITS PROBLEMS.

>> Eric: THE FED, NOVEMBER 1st, THE PLOT THICKENS, I GUESS, FOR THE BOARD.

>> YES, THE PLOT REALLY DOES THICKEN.

BECAUSE THE CONSENSUS EXPECTATION WAS THEY WERE NOT GOING TO RAISE THEIR BENCHMARK INTEREST RATE.

NOW THERE'S A SENTIMENT THAT THEY WILL RAISE THEIR BENCHMARK INTEREST RATE BECAUSE OF THE STRONG ECONOMY.

I THINK THERE'S A GOOD REASON TO BE SKEPTICAL ABOUT THAT BECAUSE INTEREST RATES ARE ALREADY UP.

SO THE TEN-YEAR TREASURY BILL, TREASURY NOTE, WHICH IS YOUR BENCHMARK INTEREST RATE, LIKE MORTGAGES, EVERYTHING'S PRICED OFF THE TEN-YEAR.

YOU KNOW, IT'S NEARING 5%.

>> Cathy: CONSUMER SPENDING IS DRIVING THE MOMENTUM, RIGHT?

REALLY.

SO, RAISING INTEREST RATES DOESN'T SEEM TO BE TAMPERING THAT DOWN.

>> IT'S TAMPING IT DOWN A LITTLE BIT.

BUT NOT THAT MUCH.

I MEAN, HERE'S THE THING.

THE CONVERSATION OVER THE PAST COUPLE YEARS, AS THIS ECONOMY HAS COME OUT OF THE PANDEMIC, HAS BEEN, WE HAD THIS HIGH INFLATION, WE NEED TO HAVE A HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT RATE.

AND, SO THEREFORE, BUT WHAT'S HAPPENING S, WE DON'T HAVE A HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT RIGHT?

IT'S STAYED ALTHOUGH -- LOW, 3.8, 3.6, 3.8% NOW.

THE INFLATION RATE IS COMING DOWN.

THE RESEARCH SAYS THE TRADE-OFF, SOMETIMES THERE'S A TRADE-OFF, SOMETIMES THERE'S NOT A TRADE-OFF.

AND, SO, THIS STORY THAT WE'VE HEARD THAT WE'RE OING TO HAVE A RECESSION, WE NEED TO HAVE HIGHER UNEMPLOYMENT, WE NEED TO HAVE PEOPLE IN PAIN AND SUFFERING IN ORDER TO BRING DOWN INFLATION RATE JUST TURNS OUT NOT TO BE TRUE.

>> Eric: BUT SOME OF THE ECONOMIC GAINS AREN'T GETTING TO THE MAIN STREET FOLKS, FOLKS THAT WORK FOR A LIVIN'.

>> WELL, THEY ARE.

I MEAN, IT TAKES TIME.

BUT THE THING IS, YOU KNOW, IF YOU GO BACK, YOU KNOW, TO THE PERIOD FROM 2000 TO 2019, YOU KNOW, FOR MANY OBS THERE'S A LINE OF PEOPLE OUT THE DOOR.

AND, SO, MANAGEMENT WOULD GO, WE'RE ONLY GOING TO PAY YOU THIS AMOUNT OF MONEY.

AND BY THE AY, IT'S A JANITOR JOB, DO YOU HAVE A MASTER'S DEGREE?

YOU DON'T HAVE A MASTER'S DEGREE, WE'RE NOT GOING TO HIRE YOU BECAUSE WE WANT PEOPLE WITH MASTER'S DEGREES.

NOW ALL THEY WANT IS, BY THE WAY, WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE A JANITOR?

AND THEY ARE PAYING MORE.

THERE ARE MORE BENEFITS.

AND MOST OF THE WAGE GAINS RELATIVE TO INFLATION HAVE BEEN IN THE TRADITIONALLY LOW-WAGE SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY.

>> Cathy: ALWAYS GOOD EXPLANATIONS FROM YOU.

THANK YOU.

>> THANKS A LOT.

>> Eric: HANKS, CHRIS.

>> CATHY: NICE TO HAVE YOU BACK.

♪♪ >> CATHY: ON TUESDAY FAR RIGHT REPUBLICAN MEMBERS OF THE U.S. HOUSE SUCCESSFULLY OUSTED REPUBLICAN SPEAKER KEVIN MCCARTHY.

THE UNPRECEDENTED MOVE LEFT THE CHAMBER IN CHAOS WITHOUT A LEADER AND THE THREAT OF GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AGAIN LOOMING NEXT MONTH.

HERE TO HELP US SORT OUT THE HISTORIC NATURE OF THE SITUATION IN WASHINGTON D.C., SOME POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSORS.

DAVID SCHULTZ TEACHES POLITICAL SCIENCE STUDENTS AT HAMLINE UNIVERSITY AS WELL AS LAW STUDENTS AT THE U OF M. THE U OF M'S HUMPHREY SCHOOL IS WHERE LARRY JACOBS TOILS AWAY.

AND WE ARE HOPING THAT MICHAEL MINTA WILL BE HERE AS WELL.

PROFESSOR MINTA ALSO TEACHES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

PROFESSOR JACOBS, WOW.

I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT YOU WANT TO SAY ABOUT THIS, OTHER THAN IT'S HISTORIC AND UNPRECEDENTED.

>> YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LOT SAID ABOUT THE DYSFUNCTION IN WASHINGTON.

WE'RE A WHOLE 'NOTHER LEVEL OF DYSFUNCTION RIGHT NOW IN THE CHAOS.

FRANKLY, I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO STOP.

I MEAN, WHAT'S GOING ON NOW IS GOING TO BECOME PART OF A DRAMA THAT'S GOING TO PLAY OUT AGAIN AND AGAIN.

AND WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT THERE IS A STOP-GAP SPENDING THAT WILL BE OVER NOVEMBER 17th.

AT WHICH POINT THE GOVERNMENT WILL SHUT DOWN.

AND, SO, THE ODDS OF US AVERTING THAT, I THINK, ARE NOW VERY VERY SLIM.

>> Eric: IN THE UTOPIA THAT MIGHT BE CONGRESS, CAN DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS LINK ARMS AND DO A UNITY THING?

>> IN OUR FANTASY, YES.

IN REALITY, PROBABLY NOT AT THIS POINT.

BECAUSE THE INCENTIVE STRUCTURES ARE JUST NOT THERE AT THIS POINT.

THE BODY'S ALWAYS SUPPOSED TO OPERATE AS A PARTISAN BODY TO START WITH, BUT WHAT YOU REALLY HAVE AT THIS POINT IS THE WAY McCARTHY GOT HIS SPEAKERSHIP WAS TO REALLY SORT OF SELL HIS SOUL TO SAYING IT'S GOING TO BE EASY TO BE ABLE TO OUST A SPEAKER.

WE'VE GOT A NARROW REPUBLICAN MAJORITY.

WE HAVE A SPLINTER GROUP OF MAYBE EIGHT TO TEN REPUBLICANS WHO ARE SORT OF OFF ON THEIR OWN.

AND EACH MEMBER OF CONGRESS IS RESPONDING TO THE PRESSURES BACK HOME.

PUT IT ALL TOGETHER, IT'S HARD TO BREAK THAT INCENTIVE.

>> Eric: AND DEMOCRATS COULDN'T VOTE OR McCARTHY BECAUSE THE DEMOCRATIC BASE WOULD GO CRAZY.

>> THAT'S TRUE.

THOUGH THERE WERE PRIVATE NEGOTIATIONS GOING ON.

AND THERE WAS DISCUSSION OF A POWER SHARING ARRANGEMENT THAT WOULD INVOLVE SHARING CONTROL OF SOME OF THE VERY POWERFUL COMMITTEES AND ALSO ROLLING BACK THE POWER OF THIS RUMP GROUP.

AND KEVIN McCARTHY PASSED ON IT BECAUSE THAT WOULD HAVE INFURIATED HIS PARTY IN HE HOUSE BUT IT ALSO WOULD HAVE INFURIATED THE REPUBLICAN DONORS AND THE ACTIVISTS WHO ARE SO IMPORTANT IN THE PRIMARY BATTLES.

>> Cathy: LET'S TALK ABOUT SOME INDIVIDUALS WHO MIGHT BE UP FOR SPEAKER.

BY THE WAY, HELP SOME OF US OUT, THOSE OF US WHO TOOK POLITICAL SCIENCE CLASSES OBVIOUSLY DIDN'T REMEMBER THIS, BUT I THOUGHT YOU HAD TO BE A MEMBER OF CONGRESS TO BE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.

>> NO, YOU DO NOT AT THIS POINT.

THERE'S A WHOLE BUNCH OF WONDERFUL PASSAGES OF THE CONSTITUTION THAT ARE VAGUE ENOUGH THAT YOU CAN DO A VARIETY OF THINGS WITH THEM.

AND THIS IS ONE OF THOSE SITUATIONS WHERE THIS IS FANTASY THAT PEOPLE ARE HAVING OUT THERE THAT, WHAT, DONALD TRUMP OR SOMEBODY ELSE COULD BE SPEAKER.

THEORETICALLY, YES, YOU COULD.

FROM A PRACTICAL POINT OF VIEW, I FIND IT HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT YOU'RE GOING TO GET SOMEBODY FROM OUTSIDE THE CHAMBER TO BE ABLE TO -- TO REALLY BECOME SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.

>> Eric: NOW, IN SEARCH OF THE ELUSIVE LOCAL ANGLE, MINNESOTA'S 6th, TOM EMMER, YOU KNOW, HE'S BEEN MENTIONED, BUT HE VOTED TO CERTIFY DONALD TRUMP -- NO -- SORRY, TRY IT AGAIN -- HE VOTED TO CERTIFY BIDEN.

THAT'S GOT TO BE A NONSTARTER THEN?

>> YOU KNOW, TOM EMMER'S WORKED VERY HARD TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH THIS RUMP GROUP IN THE FREEDOM CAUCUS.

SO HE'S PROBABLY MORE OF A LIBERTARIAN THAN A REPUBLICAN, THOUGH HE'S PRETTY GOOD AT NOT MAKING THAT FRONT AND CENTER.

AND, SO, I THINK THERE'S ACTUALLY SOME REAL TRUST WITH HIM.

WITH TOM EM-- WHAT TOM EMMER, THOUGH, IS DOING, HE'S LOOKING AT THE COALITIONS IN THE HOUSE AND I THINK HE SEES A CLEARER PATH BECOMING THE MAJORITY LEADER, WHO WOULD BE SECOND TO THE SPEAKER, AND THAT WOULD POSITION HIM FOR THE FUTURE.

HE MAY WELL GET THAT.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY, I HINK THAT'S A SMART MOVE ON HIS PART.

BUT ALSO REMEMBER, HE WAS THE HEAD OF THE REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE THAT HELPED TAKE BACK THE HOUSE.

HE'S GOT A LOT OF POLITICAL CAPITAL BECAUSE OF THAT.

AND WHOEVER GETS THE NEXT SPEAKER FOR REPUBLICAN, I'M GOING TO GO UT ON A LIMB AND SAY THAT PERSON MAY NOT LAST VERY LONG EITHER.

AND IF EMMER IS NOW SECOND IN COMMAND, HE'S REALLY SET UP REALLY WELL, IF HE WANTS THAT JOB.

>> Cathy: BUT SOMEBODY LIKE JIM JORDAN, CAN YOU IMAGINE TOM MMER BEING IN THE LEADERSHIP MIX THEN?

>> I THINK THAT BECOMES MUCH MORE COMPLICATED AT THIS POINT.

>> Cathy: YEAH.

>> I DO TOO.

ALTHOUGH MY FAVORITE PERSON, ANYBODY'S WHO'S GOT A NAME PATRICK McHENRY, YOU GOTTA GIVE HIM THE JOB OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

WHO'S THE ACTING SPEAKER, YEAH.

>> Cathy: HOW DOES THIS ALL ACTUALLY SHAKE OUT, DO YOU THINK, NEXT WEEK?

>> I DON'T THINK WE KNOW.

>> YEAH.

>> I DON'T THINK ANYONE KNOWS.

I THINK WHAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE IS PROBABLY CYCLING VOTING, IN OTHER WORDS, YOU KNOW, JIM JORDAN WILL COME UP, SCALISE WOULD COME UP, THEY MIGHT, YOU KNOW, I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO STRUGGLE TO GET THE MODERATE REPUBLICANS WHO HAVE VARIOUS REASONS FOR DISTRUSTING BOTH OF THEM.

BY THE WAY, SCALISE IS BATTLING VERY SEVERE CANCER.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> SO THERE ARE DOUBTS ABOUT THAT.

YOU KNOW, McHENRY HAS BEEN MENTIONED AS A REAL POSSIBILITY.

WHEN LIZ CHENEY WAS HERE YESTERDAY, SHE MENTIONED McHENRY AS HER FAVORITE CHOICE.

SO I THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE REAL DRAMA.

SO GRAB YOUR BUCKET OF POPCORN.

GET READY FOR POLITICAL DRAMA.

>> Cathy: I THOUGHT LIZ CHENEY WAS INTERESTING, HER COMMENTS ABOUT KEVIN McCARTHY, THAT HE KIND OF DESERVED WHAT E GOT, IN A SENSE.

>> HE DID.

>> YEAH, THERE ARE A LOT OF REPUBLICANS WHO FEEL THAT WAY, THAT HE REALLY GAVE UP SO MUCH TO THIS RADICAL GROUP AND THAT HE HAD LOST THE CENTER.

HE'D ALSO ALIENATED, YOU KNOW, DEMOCRATS WHO WERE WILLING TO WORK WITH HIM, HE PROBLEM-SOLVER CAUCUS, HE JUST LOST A LOT OF CREDIBILITY.

>> HE LOST THEM TWO WAYS WITH THE DEMOCRATS.

BECAUSE I KNOW SOME REPUBLICANS ARE SAYING, WELL, THE DEMOCRATS COULD HAVE BAILED HIM OUT.

WELL, LISTEN, HE BASICALLY WENT BACK ON A DEAL HE MADE WITH BIDEN A FEW MONTHS AGO ABOUT THE DEBT CEILING.

AND THEN LAST SUNDAY, I CAN'T REMEMBER WHICH ONE OF THE SUNDAY MORNING TALK SHOWS, HE BASICALLY EXCORIATES THE DEMOCRATS AT THIS POINT.

I MEAN, THERE'S NO LOVE LOST BETWEEN HIM AND A LOT OF REPUBLICANS AND WITH THE DEMOCRATS.

HE REALLY GOT IN SOME FACES.

>> Eric: CAN'T THE DEBT LIMIT CEILING DEAL BE REVISITED AS PART OF THE FINAL PACKAGE HERE?

>> MAYBE.

BUT PROBABLY NOT.

I MEAN, ANY LEADER WHO WOULD IMMEDIATELY JUMP IN ON THE, YOU KNOW, KIND OF THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN IS GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE SO MANY COMPROMISES, IT'S GOING O, YOU KNOW, TAKE A VERY VULNERABLE NEW SPEAKER AND FURTHER HAMPEN THEM.

THIS IS A -- HAMPER THEM.

THIS IS A TERRIBLE SITUATION.

YOU WANT A SPEAKER TO COME IN, BUILD UP SOME CREDIBILITY.

AND THIS IS THE OPPOSITE.

THEY'RE GOING TO COME IN, YOU KNOW, BLOOD SPATTERED.

>> athy: WHAT DOES THIS DO TO PUBLIC CONFIDENCE, WHICH IS ALREADY TERRIBLY ERODED IN OUR SYSTEM?

>> WELL, WE CERTAINLY KNOW FROM LOOKING AT SOME OF THE COMMENTS IN TODAY'S PAPER, SOME OF THE POLLS, THAT THIS IS JUST TAKING US INTO A NEW LEVEL IN TERMS OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC'S DISUS GUST WITH CONGRESS -- DISGUST WITH CONGRESS AT THIS POINT.

ON ONE LEVEL OF, GO OUT AND TALK TO PEOPLE ON THE STREET, THEY'RE CONCERNED ABOUT, WHAT, JOBS, HEALTHCARE, INFLATION.

TO THEM, THIS IS JUST A HORRIBLE DISTRACTION AND SOMETHING THAT IS REALLY NOT VERY GOOD FOR THE COUNTRY.

>> Cathy: ALL RIGHT.

GENTLEMEN, THANKS SO MUCH.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> Eric: THANKS, FELLAS.

♪♪ >> AGAIN TONIGHT, "ALMANAC" BREAKS NEW GROUND.

SURE, WE WERE THE FIRST MINNESOTA NEWS PROGRAM TO BE SIMULCAST IN STEREO.

BUT WE AREN'T RESTING ON OUR LAURELS.

NO, NO, NO.

NOW WE'RE THE FIRST TWIN CITIES NEWS SHOW TO BE BROADCAST LIVE TO NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

THANKS TO OUR FRIENDS AT WDSE IN MY HOMETOWN OF DULUTH.

HI, GRANDMA, AUNT IF I PHILLIPS, UNCLE HAROLD.

>> ERIC: ON TUESDAY NIGHT AT >> ERIC: ON TUESDAY NIGHT AT ^ TARGET FIELD THE MINNESOTA TWINS FINALLY WON A PLAYOFF GAME, ENDING A POST-SEASON LOSING STREAK OF 6,938 DAYS THAT DATED BACK TO 2004.

TWINS ACE PABLO LOPEZ AND ROOKIE SENSATION ROYCE LEWIS LED THE TEAM TO A 3-1 WIN OVER THE TORONTO BLUE JAYS.

THE TWINS WON AGAIN ON WEDNESDAY AND OPEN THE DIVISION SERIES ON THE ROAD AGAINST THE HOUSTON ASTROS.

VETERAN SPORTS REPORTER LARRY FITZGERALD IS BACK.

YOU CAN HEAR HIS WORK LOCALLY ON THE NATIONAL PROGRAMMING NETWORK.

ARE THE TWINS A TRENDY PICK TO MAKE A BIG RUN?

>> YOU KNOW WHAT, THEY HAVE WHAT YOU HAVE TO HAVE TO WIN AT THIS TIME OF THE SEASON, WHICH IS STRONG UP THE MIDDLE, CATCHER, PITCHER, SHORTSTOP, SECOND, CENTERFIELD.

AND THEY'RE HOT.

I MEAN, THEY REALLY ARE KIND OF A POWER TEAM IN TERMS OF THE WAY THEY'RE BUILT.

THEY HAD 11 PLAYERS THAT HIT TEN OR MORE HOME UNS THIS YEAR.

AND THAT TIES A RECORD.

SO, THEY'VE GOT A GOOD CHANCE.

THE PROBLEM IS, WELL, THE REASON I THINK THEY HAVE A CHANCE IS BECAUSE THEY'RE PLAYING HOUSTON, THE DEFENDING WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS, IN HOUSTON, WHERE HOUSTON IS THE FIRST TEAM TO WIN A DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP AND HAVE A LOSING RECORD AT HOME.

>> Cathy: OH.

>> 39-42 DURING THE REGULAR YEAR, THAT'S NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE.

BUT HOUSTON MIGHT GET EXCITED ABOUT THE TWINS COMING IN, HAVING KNOCKED OUT TORONTO.

AND SEE WHO CAN GET GAME ONE.

>> Cathy: SO THE TWINS CAN WIN.

WE NOW KNOW WITHOUT BYRON BUXTON.

WHAT HAPPENS TO HIM, WHAT'S HIS FUTURE?

>> WELL, TOMORROW HE COULD BE ON THAT TEAM.

THEY MAKE A DECISION FOR EACH ROUND.

AND, SO, THEY'LL MAKE A DECISION, I GUESS, IF THEY'RE GOING TO ADD HIM TO THE TEAM, TO THE PLAYOFF DIVISIONAL ROUND.

AND WE'LL SEE IF THAT HAPPENS.

BUT I WOULDN'T CHANGE A THING.

THE WAY THEY'RE GOING RIGHT NOW, THEY'RE NOT SCORING A LOT OF RUNS, BUT IF THEY CAN CONTINUE TO SHUT THEIR OPPONENTS DOWN AND HOLD THEM TO ONE OR NO RUNS, THEY'RE GOING TO BE IN GOOD SHAPE.

>> Eric: THE VIKINGS, TAYLOR SWIFT, THE CHIEFS, COME TO U.S. BANK STADIUM ON SUNDAY.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> THIS IS INCREDIBLE.

HAVE THE WORLD CHAMPS COMING TO TOWN AFTER A FLAWED GAME ON SUNDAY NIGHT AGAINST THE NEW YORK JETS.

THEY WERE UP 17-0, NEXT THING YOU KNOW, THEY'RE TIED.

AND THEY WON IT ON A LITTLE CONTROVERSY, MISSED PLAY HERE, THAT TYPE OF THING.

BUT PATRICK MA HOMES, HE WAS BORN IN MINNESOTA, HIS DAD DID USED TO PLAY FOR THE WINS.

SO HE'S GOING TO HAVE HIS OWN MOTIVATION TO KIND OF PLAY AT THE STANDARD THAT HE'S ESTABLISHED.

HE'S THE FIRST QUARTERBACK IN NFL HISTORY TO GET TO 25,000 YARDS PASSING AND HE DID IT IN 83 GAMES.

AND HE'S THROWING FOR 200 TOUCHDOWNS IN 84 GAMES.

SO, HE'S IN RAREFIED AIR.

HE TAKES TOM BRADY, WHO'S GOT FIVE ORE SUPERBOWLS THAN HE DOES.

>> Eric: TRAP GAME FOR THE CHIEFS?

>> WELL, YOU COULD SAY THAT BECAUSE I THINK THEY TURN AROUND AND PLAY ON THURSDAY THE FOLLOWING WEEK.

BUT NOW THE VIKINGS GOT TO GO TO CHICAGO AND PLAY THAT MIGHTY BEARS TEAM THAT WON FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 14 WEEKS.

UNFORTUNATELY, THE GREAT DICK BUCKUS DIED, I GREW UP IN CHICAGO, IDOLIZING PLAYING LIKE HIM.

WHAT A GREAT MAN HE WAS FOR THE CHICAGO BEARS.

AND DON'T FORGET THE GOPHERS NOW.

THEY'RE PLAYING MICHIGAN.

>> Cathy: THAT'S RIGHT.

>> AND MICHIGAN'S NUMBER TWO IN THE COUNTRY, UNDEFEATED.

I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN EVER REMEMBER A WEEK WHERE ALL THREE TEAMS ARE PLAYING EITHER WORLD CHAMPION-CALIBER TEAMS AND IT'S A WINNER TAKE ALL.

>> Cathy: I'M A LITTLE WORRIED ABOUT THE GOPHERS, THOUGH.

I GUESS MICHIGAN.

I GUESS WE SHOULD BE SHOULDN'T WE?

>> WE SHOULD BE.

THAT'S A TALENTED FOOTBALL TEAM.

JIM IS COMING IN HERE.

REMEMBER, THE VIKINGS DENIED HIM.

HE WOULD HAVE HAD THE VIKINGS JOB BUT HE WANTED TO BRING HIS FAMILY ALONG, AND THEY SAID, NO, WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE ANY OF THAT BECAUSE WE JUST WENT THROUGH THAT WITH MIKE ZIMMER.

AND, SO, HE'S GOING TO SHOW MINNEAPOLIS THAT HE AN STILL COACH.

I SUSPECT.

THE GAME'S IN PRIME TIME.

ON NBC.

AND OF COURSE, THE VIKINGS, THEY'RE ON PRIME TIME, 3:25, SO THE SPOTLIGHT IS ON MINNESOTA SPORTS LIKE IT'S NEVER BEEN BEFORE.

>> Eric: I SAW ON CHANNEL 11 LAST NIGHT PROMOTING TACKLE FOOTBALL FOR YOUNG FOLKS.

>> WELL, THE PARK BOARD IN MINNEAPOLIS, THE CITY, THEY MADE A DECISION, TWO, THREE YEARS AGO TO CUT THAT OUT.

THEY DIDN'T -- IT'S NOT AN OPTION.

FOR A KID BETWEEN 8 AND 12 TO BE ABLE TO GO AND PLAY AND LEARN FOOTBALL.

AND I KNOW WHEN MY WIFE, CAROL, WAS HERE, WE DISAGREED ON WHEN THEY SHOULD PLAY.

BECAUSE I GREW UP IN THE CHICAGO SYSTEM.

AND WHEN I WAS READY TO GO TO HIGH SCHOOL, I WAS READY TO PLAY.

I DIDN'T PLAY ANY PEEWEE.

BUT HERE IN MINNEAPOLIS, IT'S THERE FOR THEM AND THE KIDS HAVE HAD A LOT OF FUN DOING IT.

AND LOOK AT THE OPTIONS THEY HAVE IF YOU DON'T GET A CHANCE TO PLAY FOOTBALL.

THE GANGS ARE THERE.

OKAY.

THEY'RE FORCING BASICALLY ANYBODY THAT WANTS TO PLAY BETWEEN 8 AND 12 TACKLE FOOTBALL, YOU GOT TO GO OVER TO THE NORTH SIDE, AND PLAY BASICALLY AT FARWELL, AND I THINK THAT'S UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE HOW ARE THEY GOING TO GET OVER THERE?

A LOT OF THE KIDS, SOME HAVE ONE PARENT, SOME HAVE NO PARENTS.

AND IT'S A REAL STICKY SITUATION, I THINK, TO TAKE THAT OPPORTUNITY, FREEDOM AWAY FROM THESE YOUNG KIDS WHO REALLY HAVE THE DESIRE TO GO AND PLAY AND YOU CAN'T FIND OUT IF THEY CAN PLAY UNTIL YOU SEE THEM PLAY.

>> Cathy: REALLY QUICK HERE, MINNESOTA WILD.

>> WELL, I WAS AT THE TASTE OF THE WILD THE OTHER DAY.

>> Cathy: YES.

>> AND THE ARENA LOOKS GREAT.

AND THEY'RE A PLAYOFF TEAM FROM A YEAR AGO.

THEY SHOULD BE BETTER THIS YEAR.

THEY SHOULD BE STRONGER UP THE MIDDLE.

I THINK.

AND WE'RE GOING TO SEE IF THEY CAN NOT ONLY SURVIVE THE REGULAR SEASON BUT DO SOMETHING ONCE THEY GET INTO THE POST-SEASON, WHICH THEY HAVEN'T DONE.

>> Eric: THE ORIGINAL LARRY FITZGERALD.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU, FITZY, SEE YOU LATER.

♪♪ >> BACK WHEN I WAS IN COLLEGE, I USED TO HEAR THEM SAY IT.

MY PROFESSORS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON, YOU KNOW, THE ADULTS.

THE GROWNUPS.

THEY'’D SAY, "“I JUST LOVE BEING AROUND THE YOUNG PEOPLE.

"” "“I JUST FEED OFF THAT YOUTHFUL ENERGY.

"” AND I WOULD THINK, YOU BUNCH OF OLD VAMPIRES.

GET YOUR FANGS OUT OF MY NECK.

WELL, HONEY, THOSE ARE WORDS THAT I AM EATING LIKE THE FUN-SIZE CANDY BARS THAT I'’M GIVING OUT FOR HALLOWEEN.

BECAUSE NOW I AM PROFESSOR SHELETTA.

YES, THAT'’S YOUR GIRL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, AT THE HUBBARD SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATIONS.

I'’M WORKING WITH THE YOUNG GOPHERS TO SHARE WHAT I KNOW ABOUT PODCASTING, STORYTELLING AND MAKING A LIVING MIXING UP THE WORDS AND THE PICTURES, THE VOWELS AND CONSONANTS.

AND I HAVE TO SAY, JUST ONE WEEK IN, I'M IN LOVE WITH THESE COLLEGE STUDENTS!

THEY HAVE NOT BEEN BEATEN DOWN BY LIFE LIKE MOST OF US.

THEY ARE SO OPTIMISTIC, EAGER.

SO MANY FRESH IDEAS!

BEING IN THE CLASSROOM IS LIKE GETTING A SHOT OF B-12!

I JUST DRINK IT UP!

SO MAYBE I GOT TO APOLOGIZE TO Dr. BETH OLSON AND ALL THE PROFESSORS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON FROM BACK IN THE DAY BECAUSE NOW I GET IT OF.

NOW I GET IT.

NOW I'M SAYIN' IT.

"“I JUST LOVE BEING AROUND THE YOUNG PEOPLE.

"” "“I JUST FEED OFF THAT YOUTHFUL ENERGY.

"” LOOK OUT YOU YOUNGBLOODS.

I'’M SHARPENING MY FANGS.

MAYBE PROFESSOR SHELETTA SHOULD BE BETTER KNOWN AS PROFESSOR VAMPIRE.

>> ERIC: POP QUIZ TIME.

DO YOU KNOW WHERE THE MINNESOTA INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COMMISSIONER IS ON THE FIRST FRIDAY OF CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH?

IF YOU SAID RIGHT HERE ON "ALMANAC," YOU WOULD BE CORRECT.

TAREK TOMES JOINS US.

HIS DEPARTMENT IS LEADING A NEW STATEWIDE PLAN TO INCREASE CYBERSECURITY ACROSS 3,500 STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.

WELCOME.

WHAT'S IN THE PLAN?

>> OH, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE PLAN.

IT IS A PLAN THAT WAS A PART OF THE FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE BILL THAT ALLOWS US WITH MONEY THAT THE STATE IS MATCHING TO PROVIDE $24 MILLION IN CYBERSECURITY SERVICES, OR FUNDING, TO LOCAL FORMS OF GOVERNMENT.

>> Eric: WHAT DO THEY DO WITH THE MONEY?

>> WELL, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT IS WE MEET ALL ORGANIZATIONS WHERE THEY'RE AT.

AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, LARGE COUNTIES OR CITIES ARE AT A DIFFERENT MATURITY LEVEL AS IT RELATES TO CYBERSECURITY THAN MAYBE A REALLY SMALL RURAL TOWNSHIPS, A SMALL SCHOOL DISTRICT.

AND, SO, SERVICES THAT WE'LL BE PROVIDING ARE THINGS THAT WILL PROTECT EMPLOYEES AND IT WILL PROTECT THE DATA OF MINNESOTANS.

THINGS, YOU KNOW, THAT MAYBE FROM A PUBLIC PERSPECTIVE WE WOULD CONSIDER OR USE THE TERM "ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE," BUT, REALLY, A CORPORATE ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE VERSION ON STEROIDS WITH LOTS OF CAPABILITIES, THINGS THAT THOSE LOCAL FORMS OF GOVERNMENT PROBABLY WOULD HAVE A HARD TIME ACQUIRING JUST FROM A RESOURCE AND CAPACITY PERSPECTIVE.

>> Cathy: HOW DIFFICULT IS IT NOWADAYS TO KEEP AHEAD OF THE CRIMINALS?

>> WELL, IT'S CERTAINLY CHALLENGING.

SOMETIMES, YOU NOW, YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE PLAYING LEAP FROG AND LEAPFROGGING BACK AND FORTH.

AND I THINK AS LONG AS WE TAKE A HOLISTIC VIEW, WE RECOGNIZE THAT WE'RE ALL IN IT TOGETHER, THAT WE DO EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN TO EDUCATE NOT JUST ORGANIZATIONS, BUT, REALLY, EDUCATE THE PUBLIC THAT WE ALL HAVE A PART TO PLAY IN THIS.

IT'S REALLY LIKE DRIVING ON STREETS.

WE ALL HAVE A PART TO PLAY IN KEEPING EACH OTHER SAFE, AND I THINK CYBERSECURITY FALLS INTO THAT SAME REALM.

IT'S NOT JUST TECHNOLOGY.

IT'S PEOPLE, PEOPLE BEING AT TIMES, AND BUSINESS PROCESS, HOW WE WORK WITH INFORMATION AND DATA.

>> Eric: ISN'T TOO MUCH DATA BEING COLLECTED?

ISN'T THAT PART OF THE PROBLEM?

>> WELL, I THINK, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF OPPORTUNITY, AND CERTAINLY AS A GOVERNMENT APPROACH, WE WANT TO COLLECT ONLY THE DATA THAT YOU ACTUALLY NEED TO PROVIDE WHATEVER SERVICE IT IS.

WE REALLY DON'T WANT TO PROVIDE OR COLLECT EXTRA DATA.

>> Eric: YOU SEE OVERREACH, THOUGH?

>> YOU KNOW, NOT REALLY.

I THINK DIGITAL SERVICES HAVE REALLY GROWN IN TERMS OF OPPORTUNITY.

THEY CONNECT PEOPLE WITH HEALTHCARE, THEY CONNECT PEOPLE WITH JOBS, HEY CONNECT PEOPLE WITH THE WAY WE GET INTO OUR STATE PARKS, UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE.

AND, SO, THE WAY PEOPLE INTERACT WITH TECHNOLOGY TO RECEIVE THE THINGS THAT THEY'RE LOOKING FOR ARE PERVASIVE, EVERYWHERE IN OUR SOCIETY FROM ORDERING A CUP OF COFFEE TO GETTING A DIGITAL PASS TO VISIT A STATE PARK.

AND WE HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN TO PROTECT THOSE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEMS AND MAKE SURE THAT THOSE SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE.

>> Cathy: DO YOU HAVE THE RESOURCES IN ORDER TO DO THIS JOB WELL?

WHO DO YOU HAVE TO HIRE?

WHO DO YOU HAVE TO PARTNER WITH?

>> WELL, WE REALLY HAVE TO PARTNER WITH A LOT OF ORGANIZATIONS BECAUSE IT IS A REALLY HOLISTIC VIEW.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO BUILD A STRONG EMPLOYMENT WORKFORCE, EDUCATE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ABOUT CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN CYBERSECURITY, PARTNER WITH UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE ARE APPROPRIATE CYBERSECURITY TRACKS.

MINNESOTA IS HOME TO A LOT OF LARGE ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE HUGE TECHNOLOGY NEEDS, AND CERTAINLY ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THEN WE ALSO HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE ROBUST PARTNERSHIPS WITH VENDORS AND THAT WE ARE CONTINUING TO EDUCATE THE LEGISLATURE.

WE'VE BEEN REALLY FORTUNATE TO HAVE STRONG SUPPORT IN THE LEGISLATURE FROM MANY PEOPLE THAT REALLY UNDERSTAND THE THREATS THAT WE'RE FACING FROM A CYBER PERSPECTIVE.

>> Eric: DOES WORKING FROM HOME COMPLICATE THINGS?

>> WELL, IT CERTAINLY DOESN'T MAKE IT EASIER.

YOU NOW NOT ONLY HAVE ONE PLACE TO PROTECT, THE OFFICE BUILDING, IF YOU WILL, BUT YOU HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT PLACES TO PROTECT.

LUCKILY, THE MATURITY OF THE TECHNOLOGY THAT DOES THAT EXISTS.

WORKING FROM HOME ISN'T NEW.

REALLY WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT THIS MOMENT IN TIME IS THAT THE CAPABILITY, BOTH FROM A BANDWIDTH PERSPECTIVE, BUT ALSO THE COMMUNICATION, COLLABORATION TOOLS, THE THINGS THAT WE USE TO CONNECT ARE REALLY FUNCTIONAL.

SO THAT PART IS WORKING.

CERTAINLY ORGANIZATIONS HAVE HAD TO ADAPT.

PATCHING SYSTEMS THAT ARE NOT JUST IN OFFICES BUT ARE NOW RESIDING IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS AND, SO, THE PROCESSES AND MECHANISMS THAT YOU USE HAVE HAD TO ADAPT.

BUT THE CAPABILITY CERTAINLY EXISTS.

>> Cathy: ALL RIGHT.

INTERESTING STUFF.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> AWESOME.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR COMING OVER.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Eric: WE'RE GOING TO SWITCH OUT GUESTS.

WE'LL COME RIGHT BACK.

♪♪ >> CATHY: A SHOOTING IN ST. PAUL THIS WEEK LEFT ONE TEENAGER DEAD AND THREE MORE INJURED.

IT'S THE LATEST IN AN ALARMING TREND OF JUVENILE GUN VIOLENCE IN RECENT YEARS.

THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS RELEASED A STUDY THIS WEEK THAT SHOWED THAT GUN VIOLENCE IS NOW THE BIGGEST CAUSE OF ACCIDENTAL FATAL AND NONFATAL INJURIES AMONG CHILDREN.

DR. ANUPAM KHARBANDA IS A PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE PHYSICIAN AND THE CHIEF OF CRITICAL CARE SERVICES AT CHILDREN'S MINNESOTA.

WELCOME TO "ALMANAC," DOCTOR.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: I'M SORRY YOU HAVE TO BE HERE IN TERMS OF TALKING ABOUT THIS ISSUE.

I MEAN, MY GOODNESS, THE FIGURES ARE EYE POPPING.

THE RATES OF UN VIOLENCE AMONG CHILDREN HAS SKYROCKETED 8 %, IT'S THE OP -- 87%, IT'S THE TOP CAUSE OF DEATH AND INJURY.

WHAT IS GOING ON?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, THIS IS THE PAPER THAT CAME OUT IN "PEDIATRICS" THIS PAST WEEK I THINK BUILDS ON A MULTITUDE OF ARTICLES THAT HAVE COME OUT SINCE THE PANDEMIC HIGHLIGHTING THE RATES OF GUN VIOLENCE AND FIREARM INJURIES THAT HAVE BEEN INCREASING OVER THE DECADE, FROM 2011 THROUGH 2021.

AND THIS DRAMATIC INCREASE HAS BEEN FUELED BY IN TWO GROUPS.

SO THE FIRST IS HOMICIDES AND THE SECOND IS SUICIDES.

AND WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT WHY ARE THESE HAPPENING, YOU CAN ALSO BREAK IT UP BY AGE GROUP.

UNDER AGE 12, WE KNOW THAT MOST OF THESE INJURIES ARE OCCURRING IN THE HOME DUE TO FIREARMS.

PROBABLY, WE SPECULATE, GUNS OR FIREARMS THAT WERE NOT LOCKED UP.

AND THEN FROM 13 TO 20, THOSE INJURIES ARE PREDOMINANTLY HOMICIDES THAT ARE OCCURRING ON THE STREET, SO SOME TYPE OF GUN VIOLENCE OR GANG-RELATED VIOLENCE AT SOME POINT.

>> Eric: PROPER STORAGE WOULD BE LOW-HANGING FRUIT, PEOPLE AREN'T GOING TO BE AGAINST THAT IN THE SECOND AMENDMENT DEBATES AND SO FORTH?

>> I THINK THAT'S OFTEN A TRICKY QUESTION FOR ME TO ANSWER AS A PHYSICIAN.

I TEND TO STICK AT THE POINT THAT WE WANT TO PREVENT INJURIES IN ANY WAY POSSIBLE.

>> Eric: HOW MUCH WOULD THAT HELP?

>> VERY CLEARLY, LOCKING UP GUNS IN YOUR HOME, NUMBER ONE.

NUMBER TWO, LOCKING THEM UNLOADED.

TWO, LOCKING THE AMMO SEPARATELY FROM THE GUN IS SHOWN TO BE HELPFUL.

SO, F WE COULD CONVINCE PEOPLE TO DO THAT, AND THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I WANTED TO COME ON THE SHOW TODAY IS THAT, YOU KNOW, IN A STATE WHERE WE VALUE, YOU KNOW, HUNTING AND BEING OUTSIDE, IN THE OUTDOORS, IT'S PART OF OUR CULTURE, I KNOW THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE FIREARMS.

YOU KNOW, THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT I'M HERE TO SAY IS RIGHT OR WRONG, BUT I'M SAYING, IF YOU HAVE ONE, LOCK IT UP, AS YOU'VE SUGGESTED.

AND KEEP THE AMMO SEPARATE.

>> Cathy: THE LEGISLATURE PASSED SEVERAL BILLS THIS PAST SESSION.

AND I KNOW THAT YOU WERE AT THE LEGISLATURE AND OTHER PHYSICIANS WERE ALSO TALKING ABOUT THIS.

DOES SOME OF THE GUN CONTROL BILLS THAT PASSED, MIGHT THEY BE HELPFUL IN THIS SITUATION?

>> I THINK THEY'RE A START, RIGHT?

SO WHEN WE THINK OF FIREARM PREVENTION, I THINK WE THINK OF IT IN SORT OF FOUR CATEGORIES TO TRY TO REDUCE THINGS.

YOU THINK OF THE INDIVIDUAL LEVEL CHANGES THAT WE CAN DO, LIKE THE GUN LOCKING OF SOME TYPE.

THINK OF COMMUNITY-LEVEL CHANGES, LIKE THE NEXT PROGRAM, THAT CHILDREN'S AND HENNEPIN HEALTHCARE ARE A PART OF.

THINK OF LEGISLATIVE CHANGES, THOSE WOULD BE THINGS LIKE BACKGROUND CHECKS, RED FLAG LAWS, SO IF YOU HAVE A MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION OR LOCKED UP IN A MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY, YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE ACCESS TO A GUN.

AND THEN ASSAULT WEAPON BANS.

SO, THE THINGS THAT WERE PASSED BY GOVERNOR WALZ, IN PARTICULAR, THEY EXPANDED THE BACKGROUND CHECKS AND THEY WERE SOME OF THE RED FLAG LAWS.

THEY DIDN'T IMPACT A COUPLE THINGS.

NUMBER ONE, HOW DO WE FUND THIS RESEARCH?

FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU'RE INVOLVED IN GUN VIOLENCE, WE CURRENTLY DON'T HAVE GOOD FUNDING SOURCES FOR PROGRAMS LIKE THE NEXT PROGRAM.

AND THE SECOND THING IS WE DON'T HAVE A GOOD FUNDING SOURCE FOR GUN STORAGE AND A WAY TO PROPERLY SUPERVISE OR POLICE IT.

>> Eric: I WAS INTERESTED IN YOUR ANALOGY THAT THIS IS A LITTLE IT LIKE BIKE HELMETS AND SEAT BELTS.

CONDUCT CAN CHANGE.

>> ABSOLUTELY CAN CHANGE.

AND THAT WAS WHAT WAS REALLY, I THINK, EYE POPPING IN THE CURRENT STUDY.

IT SHOWED DIVERGENT SORT OF TRENDS.

YOU SEE FIREARM INJURIES DRAMATICALLY INCREASING, WHEREAS, OTHER TYPES OF INJURIES THAT OCCUR IN KIDS HAS ACTUALLY STARTED TO LEVEL OFF AND, IN FACT, DROP.

SO, MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS, WHICH USED TO BE THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE, WITH THE MORE ADVENT OF PEOPLE WEARING SEAT BELTS, BOOSTER SEATS, THE WEARING OF HELMETS WHILE PEOPLE BIKE, THESE ARE NORMS NOW FOR MANY OF US IN OUR STATE AND IN OUR COUNTRY.

THOSE HAVE REALLY REVERSED A TREND.

SO IF WE COULD GET INDIVIDUALS TO SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT, NUMBER ONE, I'M GOING TO LOCK UP MY GUN, IF I HAVE ONE IN THE HOUSE.

NUMBER TWO, WE'RE GOING TO PREVENT THESE FIREARMS FROM GETTING INTO THE HANDS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE MENTAL ILLNESS OR IF THEY HAVE A PRIOR HISTORY.

THIRD, WE FIND A WAY TO INTERRUPT THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

THESE WILL ALL BE WAYS THAT WE CAN REDUCE THIS TREND.

>> Eric: WHEN YOU SAY PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY, WHAT -- TELL US WHAT THAT MEANS EXACTLY.

>> IN OUR FIELD, IN EMERGENCY MEDICINE, WE TEND TO FOCUS SOMETIMES ON A DISASTER OF SOME TYPE, WHICH IMPACTS LARGE NUMBERS OF INDIVIDUALS.

AND I THINK THAT THAT'S APPROPRIATE FOR THE SETTING, BUT WE HAVE TO ALSO CONSIDER WHAT IS IMPACTING OUR CHILDREN ON A DAILY LEVEL?

WE SOMETIMES FOCUS IN ON CANCER, WHICH OBVIOUSLY IS A BIG DEAL AND VERY IMPACTFUL.

BUT IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, EVERY YEAR 50 KIDS DAY -- DIE FROM GUN VIOLENCE, THOSE ARE 50 CASES THAT DON'T NEED TO OCCUR.

IN THE COUNTRY, 2,500 DIED OF FIREARM INJURIES IN 2022.

THOSE ARE ALL UNNECESSARY DEATHS.

A GOOD CHUNK OF THEM WERE DUE TO SUICIDES.

SO IF WE CAN FIND A WAY TO PREVENT THEM AND WE KNOW THEY'RE PREVENTABLE, RIGHT, IF WE COULD LOMB UP HE GUNS, WE COULD ET THEM OUT OF THE WRONG HANDS, IF WE COULD FIND A WAY TO BREAK THE CYCLE, THAT'S WHAT NEEDS TO OCCUR.

LOCK UP THE GUNS.

>> Cathy: DOCTOR, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH, ESPECIALLY FOR THE WORK YOU DO.

>> THANKS.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR COMING.

♪♪ >> ERIC: FORMER STATE SENATOR MELISA LOPEZ FRANZEN RAN THE CAUCUS THAT DELIVERED CONTROL AT THE CAPITOL TO DEMOCRATS, BUT REDISTRICTING DEALT HER A HAND THAT HAD HER LEAVE THE CAPITOL.

NOW THE SUBURBAN LAWYER IS TACKLING A TOUGH JOB AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA AS IT'S GOING THROUGH TRANSITION.

REPORTER MARY LAHAMMER CAUGHT UP WITH HER ON CAMPUS.

>> Mary: THIS IS YOUR BUILDING NOW WHERE YOU WORK.

MELISSA LÓPEZ FRANZEN IS USED TO A DEMANDING, HIGH-PROFILE POSITION.

THE FORMER DFL SENATE LEADER LED HER CAUCUS ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL TO TAKE BACK CONTROL OF THE CHAMBER A DECADE AFTER BECOMING THE IRST DEMOCRAT TO WIN A SENATE SEAT IN EDINA.

>> THE CITY OF EDINA IS SENDING A DEMOCRAT TO THE STATE SENATE!

[ Cheers ] >> THERE'S A LOT OF AMAZING HISTORY AND WE JUST HAVE TO REMIND PEOPLE OF WHERE WE CAME FROM.

AND THAT'S WHY THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LEGISLATURE HAS TO BE STRONG.

IF THE "U" HAS ITS HANDPRINTS ON SOMETHING YOU TRUST IT'S GOOD WORK, YOU ZRUST IT'S A GOOD INVESTMENT, AND IT'S A GOOD RETURN ON OUR DOLLARS.

>> Mary: NOW SHE'S BACK ON THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA CAMPUS AFTER EARNING A MASTER'S DEGREE IN PUBLIC POLICY HERE 20 YEARS AGO.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN HERE NOW?

>> I THINK IT'S BEEN SIX WEEKS.

>> Mary: HOW HAS IT FELT?

>> IT'S BEEN LIKE SIX YEARS.

IT'S BEEN LITERALLY DRINKING FROM A FIRE HOSE, BUT I'M USED TO THAT.

THE PACE WE HAD AT THE LEGISLATURE.

SO I'M THE NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA CAMPUSWIDE.

AND IT'S NOT A NEW ROLE, BUT IT'S STRUCTURED DIFFERENTLY.

SO I REPORT DIRECTLY TO THE INTERIM PRESIDENT.

>> Mary: THE "U" IS IN TRANSITION, AND HAD TOUGH SLEDDING AT THE CAPITOL WITH THE DEPARTURE F A HIGH-PAID PRESIDENT AND COLLAPSE OF A HOSPITAL MERGER.

HOW ARE YOU ABOUT HELPING AND IMPROVING THOSE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE "U" AND THE LEGISLATURE?

>> WELL, PEOPLE HAVE HIGH EXPECTATIONS OF THE "U," THAT'S WHY THEY CARE, THAT'S WHY THEY OPINE AND THAT'S WHY WE GET THE SCRUTINY THAT WE DO.

THE SCRUTINY IS FAIR BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN SORT OF DORMANT IN THE LAST YEAR, I WOULD SAY, AND NOW MY JOB IS TO REVIVE THIS FUNCTION AND REALLY SHOWCASE IT ABOUT MAKING THOSE CONNECTIONS WITHIN THE UNIVERSITY EXTERNALLY BUT ALSO INTERNALLY.

>> Mary: SO INSTEAD OF CHEERING AT THE HOMECOMING FOOTBALL GAME, SHE'S WORKING THE CROWD WITH LAWMAKERS AND POLITICAL LEADERS FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

AND HOW MUCH ARE YOU LEANING ON YOUR FRIENDS AND CONNECTIONS IN THE LEGISLATURE AND IN GOVERNMENT?

>> OH, ALL HE TIME.

EVERY SINGLE MINUTE.

IT'S CALLING A FRIEND OR CALLING A FRIEND WHO KNOWS A FRIEND, AND BY FRIEND, I MEAN COLLEAGUES IN THE ADMINISTRATION, COLLEAGUES AT THE LEGISLATURE, COLLEAGUES IN AN AGENCY.

SO, IT'S REALLY -- IT REALLY PAYS OFF TO KNOW WHO TO GO TO BUT ALSO TO HAVE RELATIONSHIPS, NOT JUST A CONTACT.

IT'S FAST PACE, AS YOU KNOW, A BIG INSTITUTION LIKE THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA WITH FIVE CAMPUSES ALL OVER THE STATE, THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS HAPPENING, AND THERE'S A LOT OF EYES ON THE "U," AND WHAT THE "U" NEEDS OR WHAT THE "U" IS DOING OR WHERE WE END UP IN THE MEDIA.

IT'S REALLY MAKING THE CASE OF THE VALUE OF THE INSTITUTION, NOT JUST IN RESEARCH AND ACADEMICS BUT ALSO THE OUTREACH THAT WE DO.

>> Mary: THE UNIVERSITY ALSO MADE NEWS FOR FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER AND REGENT SVIGGUM QUESTIONING THE AMOUNT OF DIVERSITY.

>> I RECEIVED A COUPLE LETTERS, TWO, ACTUALLY, FROM FRIENDS WHOSE CHILDREN ARE NOT GOING TO GO TO MORRIS BECAUSE IT IS TOO DIVERSE.

>> I'M A TRANSPLANT, I CAME FROM PUERTO RICO TO MINNESOTA BECAUSE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

THAT IS THE REASON I AM HERE.

SO I'M A TESTAMENT TO THE IMPORTANCE OF BRINGING THOSE DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES AND STUDENT BODY.

SO IT BECOMES A RICHER PLACE, TOO, TO WORK AND PLAY.

>> Mary: BACK TO POLITICS, WHICH KEEPS CALLING THIS SUBURBAN MOM, AN ATTORNEY, BUT FRANZEN TAMPS IT DOWN.

>> I AM SO HAPPY, I AM SO TIRED.

>> Mary: YOU WERE ON THE PRECIPICE OF AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY.

YOU RAN THE CAUCUS THAT TOOK OVER THE SENATE AND CREATED ALL DFL CONTROL OF HE LEGISLATURE.

IS POLITICS STILL GOING TO PULL ON YOU?

>> WELL, I'LL SAY THE FIRST WEEK I TOOK THISSOR, I WENT BACK HOME, I SAID TO MY HUSBAND, I THINK I CAN RETIRE HERE.

IT'S A GREAT PLACE TO BE.

THAT IS MY FORESEEABLE FUTURE.

I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO BUILDING THIS TEAM, LEADING IT.

>> Mary: BUT PEOPLE STILL WANT YOU TO RUN.

>> WELL, THIS IS ANOTHER PART OF MY PUBLIC SERVICE.

SO I THINK WORKING FOR A LAND GRANT INSTITUTION LIKE THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA HAS A LOT OF PROMISE.

THERE'S A LOT OF WORK TO DO HERE.

AND I THINK I'M IN A GOOD POSITION TO DO THAT WORK.

>> Mary: EVERYTHING GOING ON WITH CONGRESSMAN PHILLIPS, HE JUST STEPPED DOWN FROM A LEADERSHIP POST, THERE WERE CRIES, YOU KNOW THX PI POLITICAL VIVISTS FOR YOU TO STEP IN AND RUN FOR THE SEAT.

ANY INTEREST?

>> NO INTEREST.

>> Mary: BUT SHE IS PAYING ATTENTION TO POLITICS, EVEN THOUGH REDISTRICTING DREW HER OUT OF A SENATE SEAT, FRANZEN CLOSELY WATCHED THE FIRST LEGISLATURE LED BY TWO WOMEN WHO DELIVERED HISTORIC RESULTS.

>> THIS WAS A TEAM EFFORT THIS YEAR.

>> WE MADE MASSIVE INVESTMENTS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION OF HE KIND WE HAVE NOT SEEN IN THIS STATE SINCE THE FIRST MINNESOTA MIRACLE.

>> WE SAW TWO WOMEN UN TWO LEGISLATIVE CHAMBERS FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER AND DELIVER HISTORIC RESULTS.

AS A FEMALE LAWMAKER, LEADER, WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THAT?

>> IT WAS ABOUT TIME.

WONDERFUL PEOPLE.

THEY ARE GREAT LEADERS.

I WAS VERY PROUD TO SEE GOOD, STRONG WOMEN LEADING CAUCUSES WITH A LOT OF GOOD MEN AS WELL.

>> Mary: STUNNING, THOUGH, TO SEE HOW MUCH THEY GOT DONE?

>> YES.

>> Mary: THE DEPTH AND BREADTH OF THE WORK.

>> EVEN I WAS SURPRISED, BUT I'M PROUD WE CAN SHOWCASE THAT WOMEN CAN LEAD IN VERY DIFFICULT AND HISTORIC MOMENTS.

>> CATHY: ANOTHER BUSY POLITICAL WEEK IN WASHINGTON, D.C., AND TWO OF THE BIGGEST STORIES HAVE MINNESOTA TIES.

WITH THE OUSTER OF REPUBLICAN HOUSE SPEAKER KEVIN MACCARTHY, MINNESOTA CONGRESSMAN TOM EMMER COULD MOVE FROM MAJORITY WHIP TO HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER NEXT WEEK.

AND ANOTHER MINNESOTA CONGRESSMAN ALSO MAKING NEWS, DEMOCRAT DEAN PHILLIPS CONTINUES TO FLIRT WITH CHALLENGING PRESIDENT BIDEN FOR THE NOMINATION.

PLENTY OF FODDER FOR THIS WEEK'S POLITICAL PANEL TO PONDER.

DEMOCRATS WITH US TONIGHT, JAVIER MORILLO IS A FORMER NATIONAL COMMITTEE MEMBER AND LONGTIME PARTY LOYALIST.

SUSAN KENT IS A FORMER STATE SENATE LEADER, STILL ACTIVE IN PARTY POLITICS.

REPUBLICANS WITH US TONIGHT, FORMER STATE SENATE LEADER IS ALSO A TITLE YOU CAN GIVE TO AMY KOCH.

WE WELCOME BACK FORMER TIM PAWLENTY SPOKESMAN, NOW A PR PROFESSIONAL, BRIAN MCCLUNG.

SENATOR KOCH, LET US TALK ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON, VOTE ON THE SPEAKERSHIP NEXT WEEK.

WHAT ARE TOM EMMER'S FORTUNES IN THIS MESS?

>> WELL, SO TOM IS ALWAYS BEEN LIKE THIS, EVER SINCE I'VE KNOWN TOM, HE WAS MY HOUSEMATE WHEN I WAS IN THE SENATE.

AND TWO THINGS.

WE REPRESENTED SAFE DISTRICTS, SO WE ALWAYS FELT IT WAS OUR DUTY TO STEP INTO LEADERSHIP AND CONTINUE TO PUSH THE AGENDA OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

AND I'VE ALWAYS SEEN TOM DOING THAT.

SECOND, TOM DOESN'T HAVE A PLANNED-OUT -- WHEN HE RAN THE FIRST TIME, HE JUST SHOWED UP AT THE CONVENTION AND SPOKE ON THE FLOOR AND GOT THE ENDORSEMENT.

WHEN HE RAN FOR GOVERNOR, I CALLED HIM, HE'S, LIKE, REALLY?

IT HADN'T REALLY OCCURRED TO HIM.

SAME THING WHEN HE RAN FOR CONGRESS THE FIRST TIME.

SO I DON'T THINK THAT TOM PLANS ON THIS.

BUT HE IS ALWAYS IN A POSITION OF LEADERSHIP, PEOPLE LOOK TO HIM FOR LEADERSHIP, AND I'M NOT SURPRISED AT ALL THAT WE FIND WITH HIS NAME FOR THE POTENTIALLY FOR THE TOP, SECOND, YOU KNOW, HIGHEST POSITION IN THE HOUSE.

>> Eric: BUT HE VOTED TO CERTIFY JOE BIDEN'S ELECTION.

>> WELL, RIGHT, BUT HERE'S THE THING, TOM EMMER IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR MEMBERS OF THE U.S. HOUSE, BOTH ITH REPUBLICANS ACROSS THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM, AND, FRANKLY, WITH DEMOCRATS.

BECAUSE HE IS A STRAIGHT SHOOTER, HE'S A STRAIGHTFORWARD GUY, HE'S HONEST AND LOYAL.

AND THOSE ARE CRITICAL THINGS THAT WE NEED MORE OF IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

SO, I DO THINK THAT TOM IS WELL POSITIONED TO BRIDGE THAT, AS THE MAJORITY WHIP HE'S BEEN THE PERSON WHO'S BEEN BRINGING TOGETHER THOSE FACTIONS TO GET THINGS PASSED IN THE HOUSE.

AND HE'S BEEN, OVERALL, PRETTY SUCCESSFUL IN DOING THAT.

SO, YES, I THINK THE TRUMP LOYALISTS ARE GOING TO PUSH AGAINST TOM EMMER, SURE, BUT HOW ARE YOU GOING TO GET TO 218 VOTES?

THAT'S THE QUESTION.

WHO CAN VOTE FOR SPEAKER AND HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER, WHO CAN GET TO 218, IF YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE THAT KIND OF LITMUS TEST, I DON'T SEE HOW YOU EVER GET THERE.

>> Eric: HOW CAN DEMOCRATS USE THIS DOWN BALLOT, YOU KNOW, IN THE MINNESOTA ELECTORAL POLITICAL SENSE OR CAN THEY?

>> I THINK IT'S JUST REFLECTIVE OF WHERE THINGS ARE RIGHT NOW.

AND I THINK THE POINT YOU MADE IS EXACTLY RIGHT.

TOM EMMER LIVES IN THE REAL WORLD AND RECOGNIZES THAT THE ELECTION WENT FOR JOE BIDEN AND HE VOTED ACCORDINGLY.

THE TWO PEOPLE WHO WERE MOST LIKELY TO BE THE ACTUAL NEW SPEAKER OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DID NOT.

THEY VOTED AGAINST THAT.

AND THAT'S WHERE THE BASE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS AND EVERYBODY SEES IT AND THAT HAS REAL EFFECTS ON THE ELECTORATE AND PEOPLE LOOK AT WHERE REPUBLICANS ARE RIGHT NOW AND JUST SAY, NO, THIS DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.

>> WE SAW IT IN THE LAST MIDTERM ELECTIONS THAT, AN ELECTION YEAR THAT WAS MEANT TO BE A BIG YEAR FOR REPUBLICANS, THE BIG ISSUES ON THE BALLOT WERE ABORTION ACCESS AFTER THE OVERTURNING OF ROE V. WADE AND DEMOCRACY BEING ON THE BALLOT.

AND RIGHT HERE WE HAVE ANOTHER DEMONSTRATION OF A PARTY THAT IS SO BEHOLDEN TO ITS EXTREME ELEMENTS THAT IT SIMPLY CANNOT GOVERN ITSELF, LET ALONE THE COUNTRY.

>> Cathy: SO I ASKED THIS OF ONE OF OUR POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSORS, IF JIM JORDAN BECOMES SPEAKER, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR TOM EMMER, THOUGH, REALLY?

>> HERE'S THE THING, THOUGH, IF JIM JORDAN BECOMES SPEAKER, I THINK THEN THERE'S A SENSE THAT YOU MIGHT NEED TO BALANCE THAT WITH SOMEBODY WHO IS NOT THE TRUMP HARDLINE REPUBLICAN AND HAVE TOM EMMER BE THE HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER.

THEN YOU WOULD HAVE SOME BALANCE.

NOW, THAT'S NOT NECESSARILY THE WAY THINGS WORK IN WASHINGTON.

I GET THAT.

BUT THAT MIGHT BE THE MORE SENSIBLE THING.

BUT HERE'S THE BOTTOM LINE.

I DON'T SEE HOW JIM JORDAN GETS TO 218 VOTES.

I DON'T THINK HE HAS THE SUPPORT OF HALF OF THE REPUBLICANS.

SO I EALLY HAVE A HARD TIME ENVISIONING A FUTURE WHERE JIM JORDAN BECOMES THE SPEAKER.

SO THAT SAID, I GET IT, LIKE, LOOK, THE PROBLEM IS, RIGHT NOW HALF A DOZEN REPUBLICANS CAN SCREW UP THE WHOLE THING.

AND THAT IS NO WAY TO GOVERN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, THAT IS NO WAY TO GOVERN THE COUNTRY.

AND, SO, THEY NEED TO FIX THAT.

THEY NEED TO GET RID OF THIS RULE WHERE ONE PERSON CAN BRING A MOTION TO VACATE.

IT IS UNWORKABLE.

NANCY PELOSI NEVER DID THAT.

KEVIN McCARTHY SHOULDN'T HAVE, HE DID AND THEY USED IT TO OUST HIM.

SO LET'S FIGURE THAT OUT SO E CAN MOVE ON.

>> Eric: IS DEAN PHILLIPS SHOWING US THAT HE'S NOT GOING TO BE A CAREER MINNESOTA HOUSE MEMBER, U.S. HOUSE MEMBER FOR MINNESOTA?

>> YOU KNOW, I FIND THIS SORT OF INTERESTING.

I'M NOT SURE.

[ Laughter ] >> Eric: WHAT'S HE UP TO?

>> YEAH.

YOU KNOW, HE'S SPEAKING HIS MIND.

I THOUGHT IT WAS INTERESTING THAT HE SAID, I'M GOING TO STEP DOWN FROM LEADERSHIP BECAUSE, CLEARLY, MY VIEWS DO NOT REFLECT THAT OF THE CAUCUS.

YOU KNOW, SO, WE SHALL SEE.

I WAS CURIOUS TO SEE HOW HE WAS GOING TO VOTE THE OTHER DAY TOO.

>> Cathy: I THOUGHT HE WASN'T GOING TO RUN.

NOW HE IS?

I DON'T GET THIS, SERIOUSLY.

>> YOUR GUESS IS AS GOOD AS ANYONE.

IT'S BAFFLING.

THERE'S ABSOLUTELY NO STRATEGY BEHIND IT.

THERE'S NO BASE BEHIND IT.

THERE'S NO ONE CLAMORING FOR HIM TO DO THIS.

I THINK THIS IS SOMEONE WHO'S JUST REALLY GONE ASTRAY, BIT OF AN EGO TRIP, FRANKLY, WHAT IS BEHIND IT?

I MEAN, HE'S NOW SAYING, WELL, OPEN TO VOTING FOR A REPUBLICAN IF THEY CAN FIND SOMEONE WHO'S A CENTRIST.

THAT'S THE SAME FANTASY WORLD IN WHICH MY FRIEND BRIAN HERE YOU LIVE UNDER WHEN YOU'RE SAYING, WELL, THE SENSIBLE THING WILL BE FOR THEM TO HAVE SOMEONE WHO'S MORE MODERATE.

THE SENSIBLE THING DOES NOT HAPPEN IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY THESE DAYS.

AND JIM JORDAN MAY NOT HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THE MAJORITY OF THE CAUCUS BUT HE HAS THE SUPPORT OF DONALD TRUMP, HE GOT ENDORSED TODAY.

SO I THINK THAT PRETTY MUCH, LIKE, MAKES THIS A BATTLE ROYALE.

>> Eric: WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON PHILLIPS?

>> I JUST WISH HE WAS THE MAIN MINNESOTA STORY COMING OUT OF THE U.S. CONGRESS THIS WEEK.

IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A LOT EASIER.

NO, I MEAN, I THINK HE DOES -- HE IS AN INDEPENDENT VOICE.

HE ALWAYS HAS BEEN.

HE REPRESENTS AN AREA THAT IS AS PURPLE, AT BEST.

AND I THINK HE DOES WHAT HE'S GOING TO DO.

NOT TO MENTION, I MEAN, ISN'T IT KIND OF ON BRAND MINNESOTA POLITICS, WE GO OUR OWN WAYS?

AND, YOU KNOW, DEAN HILLIPS IS NO EXCEPTION.

HE GIVES THEM SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT IN D.C. >> Cathy: I WAS ACTUALLY GOING TO ASK ABOUT THE SITUATION WITH THE CANNABIS, THE CANNABIS DIRECTOR, AND THAT THE LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR IS NOW LOOKING INTO THIS.

WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE VETTING ON THE ALZ ADMINISTRATION'S PART?

>> WELL, I APPRECIATE THAT GOVERNOR WALZ WAS UP FRONT AND SAID, WE GOT THIS WRONG, WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK AND GET IT RIGHT.

AND, HONESTLY, LET'S SEE WHAT THE AUDITOR HAS TO SAY.

I THINK WE'VE ALL LEARNED A FEW THINGS FROM THE LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR OVER THE YEARS.

AND MAY HAVE SOME GOOD DIRECTION.

>> Cathy: UNUSUAL THAT THE AUDITOR IS LOOKING AT THIS?

>> YES, IT IS UNUSUAL.

I DON'T REMEMBER ANY TIME THAT THE LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR LOOKED AT THE APPOINTMENTS PROCESS OF THE GOVERNOR THAT I WORKED FOR.

AND I'LL SAY, YOU KNOW, I GIVE THEM A LITTLE BIT OF LEEWAY, RIGHT, THE APPOINTMENTS PROCESS IS COMPLEX, IT'S HARD, THERE'S A LOT HAT GOES INTO IT, THERE'S A LOT THAT YOU'RE TRYING TO ALANCE.

WHAT BOTHERS ME IS THAT THEY DIDN'T CALL THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE.

YOU KNOW, SHE HAD AN OUTSTANDING TAX DEBT TO THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE IS PART OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

JUST CALL ON EVERY APPOINTMENT, RUN THE CHECK.

IT'S NOT THAT HARD TO DO.

SO, I THINK THEY'VE LEARNED A LESSON, MAYBE, ON SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU NEED TO CHECK OFF WHEN YOU'RE MAKING THIS KIND OF -- THIS IS A VERY HIGH-LEVEL APPOINTMENT.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME YOU'RE APPOINTING SOMEBODY TO THIS NEW OFFICE.

SO, YOU KNOW, DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN TO MAKE SURE YOU GET IT RIGHT.

>> YEAH, IT WAS UNDOUBTEDLY A SCREWUP, WHICH THE GOVERNOR SAID HIMSELF THAT IT WAS A SCREWUP.

I DO FIND IT BAFFLING THAT THE LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR, LIKE THE APPOINTMENTS PROCESS, LIKE THIS IS A POLITICAL APPOINTEE, THE FACT THAT THEY GOT IT WRONG IS ITS OWN PROBLEM AND THE BAD PRESS THEY'RE GETTING.

IT FEELS VERY WEIRD TO ME.

>> I JUST WONDER IF THERE ISN'T MORE TO IT.

THAT'S ALL.

IT SEEMS PRETTY OBVIOUS THAT, YOU KNOW, BASICALLY PEOPLE WENT TO TIKTOK AND GOOGLE AND FOUND OUT THE ISSUE.

AND SHE WAS GONE IN 24 HOURS.

FIRST OF ALL, NO HARM WAS DONE TO THE STATE.

THAT'S THE OTHER THING TO THINK ABOUT.

THERE WAS NO HARM.

THIS THING CYCLED OUT IN BASICALLY A DAY.

SO, I'M NOT SURE ABOUT THE AUDITOR APPROACH EITHER.

THAT JUST MAKES ME THINK, LIKE, IS THERE SOMETHING ELSE THAT WE'RE MISSING?

>> WELL, I'VE ASKED THE QUESTION OF THE AUDITOR IN THE PAST WHEN THEY'VE TAKEN UP SOME THINGS.

AND THEY DO -- THINGS THAT SHOW UP IN THE NEWS, THEY SOMETIMES RESPOND TO.

AND OBVIOUSLY THIS ONE GOT A LOT OF ATTENTION AND FOR SOME REASON THAT SEEMED LIKE A THING THEY WANTED TO -- >> WELL, IT DOES SET THE TABLE GOING FORWARD.

BECAUSE THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY IS GOING TO BE A MAJOR PLAYER, THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF SCRUTINY ON IT, AND THERE IS -- IT'S SUPER COMPLICATED BECAUSE IT'S NOT LEGAL ON A FEDERAL LEVEL.

AND, SO, MAYBE THE LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR'S LOOKING AT THIS AND SAYING, HEY, WE HAVE TO DO THIS TIGHT, WE HAVE TO DO THIS RIGHT, RIGHT FROM THE BEGINNING AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO JUST SIT BACK AND LET THIS THING HAPPEN.

>> Eric: GOVERNOR'S RESIDENCE ENOVATIONS, WAY OVERBUDGET.

DOES IT MATTER?

>> I MEAN, THIS IS LIKE EVERYBODY WHO STARTS TO RENOVATE THEIR KITCHEN, RIGHT, AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT TURNS INTO A MUCH BIGGER PROJECT THAN YOU ENVISION.

SO, NO SURPRISE.

I MEAN, I'VE BEEN IN THE GOVERNOR'S RESIDENCE A LOT.

>> Eric: WHAT DID YOU THINK?

DID YOU THINK IT WAS IN SHAMBLES?

>> IT WAS IN BAD SHAPE, ESPECIALLY THE PRIVATE RESIDENCE PORTION OF THE GOVERNOR'S RESIDENCE IS IN BAD SHAPE.

AND IT NEEDS A LOT OF WORK.

SO THEN ONCE YOU GO IN THERE, AND THIS IS A HOUSE, YOU KNOW, THAT WAS BUILT AROUND 1900, AND THERE'S GOING TO BE ISSUES WITH IT.

SO, I THINK IT'S SMART FOR GOVERNOR WALZ TO SAY, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THIS BACK TO THE LEGISLATURE AND GET THEM TO WEIGH IN.

HE SHOULDN'T BE MAKING THAT KIND OF DECISION UNILATERALLY.

IT'S TOUGH, IT'S THE HOUSE YOU LIVE IN.

>> I AGREE.

YOU GO INTO THOSE WALLS, LOOK AT THAT OLD PLUMBING, THERE'S CERTAINLY BOUND TO BE SOME SURPRISES.

I THINK HE HANDLED IT THE RIGHT WAY.

>> THE GOVERNOR SHOULD HAVE A PLACE THAT HE CAN MEET WITH DIGNITARIES AND THAT ISN'T A PARTISAN ISSUE, THAT'S JUST A STATE OF MINNESOTA ISSUE.

I WAS JUST DOWN IN KENTUCKY, DROVE BY THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION, AND IT'S GORGEOUS AND, I THOUGHT, MMM, INNESOTA COULD DO BETTER.

[ Laughter ] >> Eric: REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE TAKE ON SENATOR KLOBUCHAR?

>> OH, COME ON!

>> Eric: I'M JUST ASKING.

>> WE'VE GOT SOME GOOD NAMES AGAINST ANGIE CRAIG.

[ Laughter ] >> Eric: ALL RIGHT, THANKS, PANEL.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

>> TWO KILOMETERS ACROSS, SO THESE THINGS WERE HUGE.

THERE'S HELICOPTERS, OH, LOOK AT THIS, LOOK WHAT IT SAYS RIGHT HERE.

ANTIGRAVITY CAPABILITY.

>> OH, THAT'S FUNNY.

>> EVERYTHING IN THESE REPORTS, FROM DOME CITIES TO ANTIGRAVITY WAS PART OF A STATE-FUNDED PROJECT THAT CULMINATED IN 1973 WITH A SHOVEL-READY PLAN TO CONSTRUCT THE CITY OF THE FUTURE.

THE BARGAIN BASEMENT COST OF $10 BILLION.

>> CATHY: THAT WAS A FUN STORY.

I LIKE THAT ONE.

LAST WEEK ERIC STOOD IN THIS VERY SPOT AND CHALLENGED YOU TO ANSWER THIS MINNESOTA HISTORY QUESTION.

IT'S THE SUMMER OF 1973.

A MINNESOTA NATIVE WHO WOULD BECOME A SUPERSTAR IN HIS OR HER CHOSEN FIELD IS JUST FINISHING UP SENIOR YEAR OF COLLEGE.

THEY DO SOMETHING IN THE SPAN OF FIVE DAYS THAT THEY NEVER ACCOMPLISH AGAIN.

DECADES LATER THEY REFER TO THE FIFTH DAY AS ONE OF THE MOST MEMORABLE IN THEIR CAREER, SAYING "I WILL NEVER FORGET THAT."

OUR TASK FOR YOU, TELL US WHO THIS MINNESOTAN IS AND WHAT "FEAT" HE OR SHE ACCOMPLISHED IN THE SUMMER OF 1973.

WE DIDN'T FOOL MANY OF YOU BUT THESE NEXT CALLERS STRUCK OUT.

>> Cathy: YES, CHARLIE, THE ANSWER IS DEFINITELY NOT SID HARTMAN, THE OTHER TWO GUESSES WERE PARTIALLY CORRECT.

DAVE WINFIELD WAS THE SUPER STAR.

OUR NEXT CALLER EXPLAINS THE AMAZING FEAT HE ACCOMPLISHED.

>> Cathy: YES, BONNIE, DAVE WINFIELD TOOK THE MOUND IN THE COLLEGE WORLD SERIES FOR THE MINNESOTA GOPHERS IN HIS SENIOR YEAR AND IT WAS HIS PITCHING PROWESS THAT WE WERE ASKING ABOUT.

NEVER AGAIN TO BE DUPLICATED, AS HE WENT ON TO STAR IN THE OUTFIELD AND AT THE PLATE IN HIS HALL OF FAME MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL CAREER.

JUST ENOUGH TIME LEFT FOR A LITTLE SHOW-CLOSING MUSIC FOR YOU TONIGHT.

IT WAS THIS WEEK BACK IN 2015 THAT OUR FAVORITE STEELES STOPPED BY TO PREVIEW THEIR UPCOMING "COLORS OF GERSHWIN" CONCERT.

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