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

>> CATHY: COMING UP ON "ALMANAC," BIG HEALTHCARE MERGER NEWS.

SHELETTA BRUNDIDGE HAS AN ESSAY FOR US.

KAOMI LEE DIVES INTO THE CONTENTIOUS DATA CENTER ISSUE.

A COUCH FULL OF POLITICOS, AND MARY LAHAMMER IS TRACKING IMMIGRATION AND POLITICS.

>> Mary: THE IMMIGRATION ISSUE IS NOT GOING AWAY IN MINNESOTA.

WE TALK WITH THE GOVERNOR AS HE VISITS THE BIKE SHOP ALEX PRETTI MADE FAMOUS IN MINNEAPOLIS.

>> PEOPLE ARE STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO HEAL.

>> THAT'S COMING UP ON "ALMANAC."

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

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

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

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

AND VANESSA DAYTON, THROUGH THE HEALTHCARE FOR ALL MINNESOTANS FUND, SUPPORTING ACCESSIBLE HEALTHCARE FOR MINNESOTANS STATEWIDE.

>> CATHY: GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO "ALMANAC."

HERE'S A PEEK AT WHAT'S COMING UP IN THE NEXT HOUR.

OUR ALL-STAR WEATHER DUO, MARK SEELEY AND PAUL DOUGLAS, ARE HERE.

KAOMI LEE DIVES INTO THE COMPLICATED AND CONTENTIOUS DEBATE OVER DATA CENTERS.

WE'LL LOOK AT THE LATEST FEDERAL JUDGE RULING ON TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS AND SOMALI IMMIGRANTS.

>> ERIC: WE START TONIGHT WITH BIG NEWS FROM THE HEALTHCARE SECTOR.

EARLIER THIS WEEK A NORTHERN CALIFORNIA HEALTH SYSTEM ANNOUNCED IT WILL BE ACQUIRING MINNEAPOLIS-BASED ALLINA HEALTH, ONE OF MINNESOTA'S LARGEST NON-PROFIT HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS.

THE DEAL, PENDING REGULATORY APPROVAL, COULD CLOSE BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.

CHRISTOPHER SNOWBECK COVERS HEALTHCARE FOR THE "STAR TRIBUNE," AND HE'S BEEN TRACKING THE DETAILS ALL WEEK.

WELCOME BACK.

WHAT LED TO THIS ACQUISITION AND IS IT PART OF A NATIONAL TREND?

>> YEAH, I MEAN, WELL, TREND NUMBERS ARE A LITTLE CHOPPY.

>> ric: OKAY.

>> THE NUMBERS THEMSELVES HAVE COMPLETED DEALS ACTUALLY WERE DOWN LAST EAR.

STARTING TO PICK UP AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

THERE'S A LOT OF TALK.

AND I THINK PART OF THE REASON THERE'S A LOT OF TALK, I'M TOLD, IS THE MEDICAID CUTS THAT ARE COMING, THERE'S PRESSURE ON -- THERE'S CONCERNS ABOUT MEDICARE SPENDING AS WELL, AND THEN JUST NEVER-ENDING PRESSURE ON COMMERCIAL INSURANCE RATES.

SO I THINK THERE'S A SENSE THAT NOW IS A TIME THAT HOSPITALS AND HEALTH SYSTEMS ARE LOOKING TO DO DEALS TO SEE IF IT MAKE SENSE TO CONTROL COSTS, BECOME MORE SUSTAINABLE.

>> Cathy: ALLINA WAS HAVING SOME FINANCIAL TROUBLE, TOO, RIGHT?

>> A DEGREE.

AND THAT'S A DIFFICULT THING TO KIND OF SORT OUT BECAUSE IT COMES AT A TIME WHEN WE'RE HEARING A LOT OF CONCERNS ABOUT HCMC.

HCMC IS MUCH SMALLER, YOU KNOW, IT'S ONE SMALLER.

ALLINA IS 12 HOSPITAL CAMPUSES.

ALLINA HAS HAD SOME OPERATING LOSSES OVER THE LAST DECADE, FOR SURE.

ON THE OTHER SIDE OF IT, THEY HAVE A LOT OF INVESTMENT INCOME, AND, SO, INVESTMENT INCOME, YOU KNOW, OFFSETS AT TIMES.

>> Cathy: WILL THERE BE MONEY TO CHANGE HANDS BECAUSE BOTH ARE NONPROFIT FIRMS.

>> RIGHT.

THEY WILL NOT BE CHANGING HANDS.

THE AND, SO, ACQUIRE IS ONE OF -- IT'S SORT OF A DIFFICULT TERM ON THIS.

BECAUSE THE MEMBER INTEREST IS BEING OBTAINED OR ACQUIRED, BUT THERE'S NO PRICE TAG.

>> Eric: HEALTHCARE COSTS ABOUT TO GO UP HERE IN MINNESOTA?

>> DEPENDS WHO YOU TALK TO.

YOU KNOW, ALLINA AND SUTTER SAY THAT THIS DEAL WILL CREATE AN ABILITY TO INVEST $2 BILLION N MINNESOTA AND WESTERN WISCONSIN.

AND CONTROL COSTS AND BECOME MORE EFFICIENT.

SO THAT'S THE TALK, THAT'S THE PROMOTION OF IT.

>> Eric: THE UNIONS AREN'T FIRED UP.

>> UNIONS ARE NOT EXCITED ABOUT IT.

AND THE ECONOMISTS ARE SKEPTICAL.

SO THERE'S LONGSTANDING QUESTIONS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, CONSOLIDATION.

WELL, NOT QUESTIONS IN THE MINDS OF THE ECONOMISTS.

THEY THINK IT'S QUITE CLEAR THAT CONSOLIDATION DRIVES UP COSTS.

AND SUTTER HAS HAD SORT OF A TRACK RECORD IN ITS OWN MARKET FACING A LOT OF LITIGATION FROM EMPLOYERS AND UNIONS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WAS THERE ANTI-COMPETITIVE BEHAVIOR TO DRIVE UP PRICES IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.

A BIG, BIG STORY GOING BACK TO 2014.

>> Cathy: SO THIS STILL HAS TO BE APPROVED BY REGULATORS LIKE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, RIGHT?

SO I WONDER, IVEN WHAT YOU JUST SAID ABOUT SUTTER, I WONDER HOW THAT MAY CLOUD, IF THAT'S THE RIGHT WORD TO USE, THIS DEAL GOING FORWARD.

>> YEAH.

I WOULD ASSUME THAT'S FRONT AND CENTER IN WHAT KEITH ELLISON'S OFFICE WILL BE LOOKING AT.

I MEAN, I THINK THE WAY THE STATUTE'S WRITTEN IS THEY DETERMINE WHETHER A DEAL IS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST.

IF THEY DETERMINE IT'S NOT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST OR HAVE CONCERNS, THEY CAN GO TO COURT ON IT.

SO I THINK THAT'S CENTRAL.

>> Cathy: I WONDER WHAT OTHER HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS, WHEN THEY LOOK AT THIS, I WONDER IF THEY SAY IF THIS IS JUST -- IF THIS MERGER GOES THROUGH IT WOULD JUST BE TOO BIG FOR THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, GIVEN, LIKE, SAY, CENTRACARE, ASPIRUS, THE OTHER SYSTEMS IN THE STATE.

>> YEAH, IT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

AND I HAVE HEARD A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS THIS WEEK.

I HAVE HEARD SOME SUGGEST THAT IT WILL PUT PRESSURE ON OTHERS TO GET BIGGER.

BECAUSE SUTTER, YOU KNOW, SUTTER, DEPENDING ON HOW YOU MEASURE IT, TWO TO THREE TIMES THE SIZE OF ALLINA.

YOU KNOW, ALLINA RIGHT NOW IS RIGHT THERE AMONG THE BIG THREE BASICALLY.

>> Eric: WILL SOMEBODY COME IN FROM CALIFORNIA TO RUN ALLINA?

>> WE'RE TOLD NO.

WE'RE TOLD THAT OCAL MANAGEMENT, LISA SHANNON CONTINUES AS CEO.

WE'RE TOLD THE ALLINA BRAND STICKS AROUND, THAT ALLINA BECOMES, I BELIEVE, THE UPPER MIDWEST DIVISION OF SUTTER HEALTH.

WHICH, AGAIN, IS PART OF THE LANGUAGE PROBLEM, LIKE MERGER, ACQUISITION.

YOU KNOW, ACQUISITION -- THERE'S A DEGREE OF INDEPENDENCE, IT SOUNDS LIKE FOR THE LOCAL OPERATION, BUT, YOU KNOW, YOU KIND OF HAVE TO SEE WHAT COMES.

>> Eric: SURE.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR EXPERTISE.

>> THANKS.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR COMING OVER.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

♪ >> NOW, WE HAVE A SPECIAL INCENTIVE FOR YOU TONIGHT.

OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS, MANY OF YOU HAVE BEEN CALLING TO COMMENT ON ERIC'S SCARF.

YOU LOVE IT OR YOU HATE IT.

OR YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND IT.

WELL, TONIGHT YOU CAN VOTE WITH YOUR MEMBERSHIPS.

YUP.

CALL AND WHILE YOU'RE STARTING RENEWING OR UPGRADING YOUR PLEDGE TO PUBLIC TELEVISION, WHISPER TO THE OPERATOR EITHER SAVE THE SCARF OR KILL THE SCARF!

IF WE GET JUST 40 SUCH "KILL" VOTES, IT'S OFF WITH THE SCARF UNTIL FALL.

OTHERWISE, ERIC CAN USE HIS GOOD JUDGMENT.

AND YOU KNOW WHAT THAT IS.

AND FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO MAY THINK THIS IS JUST ANOTHER GIMMICK AIMED AT GETTING YOU TO SUPPORT PUBLIC TELEVISION, YOU'RE RIGHT.

♪ ♪ >> CATHY: TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS, KNOWN AS TPS, WAS SET TO END FOR SOMALI IMMIGRANTS IN THE U.S.

EARLIER THIS WEEK.

BUT A FEDERAL JUDGE ISSUED A STAY ON ENDING THAT IMMIGRATION CATEGORY UNTIL APPEALS CAN MAKE THEIR WAY THROUGH THE COURT SYSTEM.

IT'S A SMALL PIECE OF THE IMMIGRATION PUZZLE BUT ONE THAT AFFECTS A LARGER GROUP OF PEOPLE HERE IN MINNESOTA THAN IN MOST OTHER STATES.

HERE TO HELP EXPLAIN WHAT THIS MEANS FOR MINNESOTA'S SOMALI IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES, JAYLANI HUSSEIN HEADS UP CAIR-MN.

WELCOME BACK.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Cathy: CAN YOU EXPLAIN, PLEASE, WHAT IS TPS?

IT'S KIND OF COMPLICATED.

>> SO THIS IS A PROGRAM STARTED A LONG TIME AGO.

IT'S PROTECTIVE STATUS, TEMPORARY PROTECTIVE STATUS.

IT LLOWS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THE UNITED STATES LEGALLY, IF SOMETHING HAPPENS IN THEIR COUNTRY TO STAY HERE, TO STAY HERE THROUGH A LEGAL PATHWAY.

IT'S A PROGRAM THAT HAS BEEN AROUND FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

SOMALI WAS ADDED BY GEORGE BUSH, SENIOR, IN THE EARLY '90s WHEN A CIVIL WAR BROKE OUT IN SOMALIA.

THIS PROGRAM HAS NEVER CREATED AN OFF RAMP, WHERE OTHER PROGRAMS THAT HAVE SIMILAR, PROGRAMS THAT ALLOW PEOPLE TO BE HERE ON IMMIGRATION STATUS, ALLOW PEOPLE AFTER SEVERAL YEARS, FIVE YEARS, TEN YEARS, TO THEN MAYBE APPLY FOR A GREEN CARD.

THIS PROGRAM DOESN'T HAVE N OFF RAMP.

SO BECAUSE OF THAT, IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROGRAM THAT PEOPLE HAVE BENEFITTED FROM.

HOWEVER, MOST PEOPLE WHO HAVE TPS HAVE SOMETHING ELSE.

THEY'RE TRYING TO EITHER BECOME ASYLUM SEEKERS OR OTHER THINGS.

SO TEMPORARY PROTECTIVE STATUS IS A COVER, IT'S A LEGAL WAY TO BE HERE.

BUT MOST PEOPLE ARE USUALLY APPLYING FOR SOMETHING LIKE AN ASYLUM OR OTHER THINGS, WHICH WE'RE HOPING IN THIS MOMENT, PEOPLE ARE REALLY LOOKING AT THOSE OPTIONS IN THIS MOMENT RIGHT NOW.

>> Eric: KRISTI NOEM HAD TALKED ABOUT IMPROVED CONDITIONS N SOMALIA AND THAT IT WAS NO LONGER IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST TO HAVE THIS PROGRAM.

WHAT ARE YOUR REACTION TO THOSE COMMENTS?

>> WELL, KRISTI NOEM SAYS THAT.

SECRETARY OF STATE RUBE OWE SAYS -- RUBIO SAYS OTHERWISE.

IF YOU GO TO THE WEBSITE, DO NOT TRAVEL TO SOMALIA.

THIS IS ONE OF THE CENTRAL PARTS OF HIS ARGUMENT THAT THIS LAWSUIT HAS, WHICH IS TO CHALLENGE THE ACTUAL DECISION THAT MERITS WHY THIS PROGRAM WAS ENDED.

WE FEEL THAT SOMALI AMERICANS ARE BEING TARGETED BY THIS PRESIDENT.

NOT ONLY HIS REMARKS, BUT THROUGH POLICY.

WE'VE SEEN IN THE PAST WEEKS AND MONTHS SOMALI AMERICANS BEING PULLED FROM THE LINE IN AN EFFORT TO BE PRESENTED IN FRONT OF FEDERAL COURT JUDGES WHO THEN ARE MORE LIKELY NOT TO APPROVE ASYLUM CASES.

SO WE'RE SEEING A NUMBER OF INITIATIVES HAPPENING INTERNALLY THAT ARE UNDERMINING THE CURRENT IMMIGRATION SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE.

AND SPECIFICALLY TARGETING SOMALI AMERICANS.

>> Cathy: THERE ARE ABOUT 1,100 PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THE TPS CHANGE, IS THAT RIGHT?

POTENTIAL CHANGE.

>> THE NUMBER HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO KNOW.

I THINK IT'S BETWEEN 2,000 TO 700 IS REALLY A BALLPARK NUMBER.

THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO LEFT THE PROGRAM BECAUSE THEY WERE APPLYING FOR OTHER PROGRAMS AND THERE ARE OTHER PROGRAMS -- OR THERE ARE PEOPLE STILL IN THE PROGRAM AS WELL.

>> Cathy: CAN YOU GIVE US A SENSE OF THE UNCERTAINTY THAT STILL REMAINS IN THE SOMALI AMERICAN COMMUNITY?

IT'S CLEAR THAT THE I.C.E.

AGENTS HAVE DRAWN DOWN, I MEAN, THEY'RE STILL AROUND, BUT THEIR NUMBERS HAVE BEEN DRAWN DOWN.

BUT WHAT'S THE LEVEL OF FEAR THAT'S STILL IN THE COMMUNITY?

>> IT'S VERY REAL BECAUSE WE'RE SEEING PEOPLE WHO ARE BEING DRAWN INTO COURT.

THERE ARE CASES BEING EXPEDITED, THEIR ATTORNEYS REPRESENTING NO LONGER BEING ABLE TO REPRESENT BECAUSE THEY HAVE SO MANY CLIENTS THAT ARE BEING CALLED IN THIS MONTH AND NEXT MONTH.

SO THERE IS AN ONGOING, ALMOST A WAR AGAINST THE SOMALI AMERICAN COMMUNITY.

WE SEE THE PRESIDENT MAKING REMARKS.

WE'VE ALSO SEEN CONGRESSMAN PETE STAUBER FROM THE EIGHTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT PUT OUT AN ANTI-FRAUD LEGISLATION AND NAMED IT SOMALI ACT.

I MEAN, HOW DISCRIMINATORY AND HATEFUL THAT IS.

AND WE'VE CALLED FOR HIM TO NOT ONLY CHANGE THAT, BUT FOR THE RESIDENTS IN THAT AREA TO CALL HIM OUT FOR THAT.

SO WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF THINGS HAPPENING.

SO EVEN THOUGH THE TPS PROGRAM ISSUE MAY IMPACT SMALL NUMBER OF PEOPLE, THE OVERALL OTHER REFUGEES, SOME OF THEM ARE BEING RECALLED FOR INTERVIEWS THAT WERE HAPPENING, THEY ALREADY HAPPENED ABROAD.

SO, WE'RE SEEING DIFFERENT THINGS HAPPENING, SOME OF THAT IS, UNFORTUNATELY, NOT SEEING THE SAME LIGHT THAT WE'RE SEEING WITH THE I.C.E.

RAIDS.

>> Eric: WHAT ARE NEXT STEPS?

>> NUMBER ONE, WE'RE HOPEFUL ABOUT THIS LAWSUIT.

AND IT WILL TAKE TIME.

SO WE'VE ENCOURAGED PEOPLE TO CONTINUE TO CONNECT WITH THEIR ATTORNEYS, CONNECT WITH KARE AND OTHER -- CAIR AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN SUPPORTING THIS LAWSUIT.

RIGHT NOW WE'RE ON PAUSE, EVERYBODY CAN CONTINUE TO BEHAVE THE SAME WAY, THEY CAN USE THE COURT ORDER AS A WAY TO SHOW TO THEIR EMPLOYERS THAT THE TPS PROGRAM HAS NOT ENDED.

SO THIS IS REALLY A GOOD STEP AND CONTINUE TO PLAN FOR THE NEXT STEP WHICH IS WHATEVER ELSE THEY'RE APPLYING FOR.

>> Eric: IF THERE EVER WAS A COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION POLICY PASSED BY CONGRESS, I SUPPOSE THIS WOULD BE ONE THING THEY WOULD DEAL WITH.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THAT'S WHY I THINK MINNESOTANS NOW NEED TO PIVOT.

WE HAD A MOMENT IN AMERICA WHERE WE PUSHED BACK AGAINST THE I.C.E.

ATTACK AGAINST OUR COMMUNITY, AND IT FORCED A LOT OF PEOPLE TO START LOOKING INTO IMMIGRATION.

I THINK WE NOW HAVE TO START CALLING FOR A WAY TO FIX THIS PROBLEM.

I THINK THERE IS MORE ENERGY THERE, MAJORITY OF AMERICANS SUPPORT COMMUNITY AND NOT WHAT I.C.E.

WAS DOING.

AND THAT IS A TESTAMENT OF WHY NOEM AND BOW VINO -- BOVINO ARE NO LONGER HERE.

>> Cathy: WE WISH YOU A GOOD CELEBRATION HERE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

EVERYBODY WHO'S WATCHING AT HOME.

EID MUBARAK, CONTINUE TO STAY ALERT, A NIGHT OF CELEBRATION HERE TONIGHT.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR COMING OVER.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> Cathy: APPRECIATE IT.

♪ >> ERIC: GOOGLE ANNOUNCED THIS MONTH THAT IT'S BEHIND A $650 MILLION HYPERSCALE DATA CENTER PROPOSAL IN HERMANTOWN.

THE NEWS COMES AFTER MONTHS OF INTENSE SPECULATION AND GROWING OPPOSITION FROM LOCAL RESIDENTS WHO WERE KEPT IN THE DARK.

REPORTER KAOMI LEE LOOKS AT THE SECRECY OVER “PROJECT LOON” AND WHY IT’S SPARKING BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AT THE CAPITOL FOR MORE TRANSPARENCY IN DATA CENTERS.

>> ADOLF IS A SMALL RURAL PART OF HERMANTOWN DOTTED WITH FARMS AND HOMES.

BUT OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS, IT'S BECOME THE FOCUS OF MUCH DEBATE.

UNTIL A FEW MONTHS AGO, FEW YOU KNEW THAT A PROPOSAL FOR A HYPERSCALE DATA CENTER WAS SECRETLY IN THE WORKS.

AND WHAT ABOUT THAT PROPERTY IN HERMANTOWN, IS THAT GOING TO BE A DATA CENTER?

>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT'S GOING TO BE.

THAT'S NOT A MINNESOTA POWER PROJECT.

>> JENNIFER KATIE SPOKE TO "ALMANAC" DURING ACQUISITION HEARINGS OF HER COMPANY, A SUBSIDIARY OF BLACK ROCK AND A CANADIAN PREVENTION PLAN EVENTUALLY ACQUIRED THE UTILITY FOR MORE THAN $6 BILLION.

IN COURT FILINGS, MINNESOTA'S PARENT COMPANY STATED IT DID NOT HAVE ANY SPECIFIC PLANS RELATED TO DATA CENTERS.

FIVE MONTHS AFTER THE ACQUISITION, MINNESOTA POWER ANNOUNCED A NEW SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH TECH GIANT GOOGLE FOR A MASSIVE DATA CENTER.

IT'S PLANNED FOR A 400-ACRE SITE NEXT TO THE UTILITY SUBSTATION IN A RURAL PART OF HERMANTOWN.

A SPOKESPERSON SAYS IT WASN'T MINNESOTA POWER'S STORY TO TELL.

>> WE ARE NOT THE DEVELOPER OF THE DATA CENTER.

WE ARE NOT AN INVESTOR IN THE DATA CENTER.

AND WE ARE CERTAINLY NOT THE PLANNER FOR THIS PROJECT.

AND, SO, IT REALLY WOULD NOT BE OUR ROLE TO GET OUT IN FRONT OF A DEVELOPER.

>> MINNESOTA POWER ALSO SIGNED A NONDISCLOSURE AGREEMENT, OR NDA, WITH GOOGLE.

AND THEY WEREN'T THE ONLY ONES.

>> WAS ONE OF TWO STAFF MEMBERS AT THE CITY OF HERMANTOWN WHO SIGNED AN NDA.

>> JOE WICKLUND IS HERMANTOWN'S ASSISTANT CITY ADMINISTRATOR.

THE OTHER WAS -- >> JOHN MULDER, OUR CITY ADMINISTRATOR.

>> SO DID THREE St.

LOUIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

HERMANTOWN STAFF SAY NDAs ARE COMMON PRACTICE WHEN WORKING WITH PROSPECTIVE BUSINESSES.

>> NO MATTER WHAT THE SIZE, SCALE, END USE IS, WE NEED TO PROVIDE THE CONFIDENTIALITY TO ANYONE THAT ENGAGES WITH CITY HALL.

>> IN OFFICIAL CITY DOCUMENTS, THE DATA CENTER WAS REFERRED TO ONLY AS A COMMUNICATION SERVICES FACILITY.

THE CITY WENT AHEAD AND CONDUCTED AN ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW OF THE PROPOSED SITE WITHOUT SPECIFYING IT WAS FOR A DATA CENTER.

IT ALSO CHANGED ITS 2045 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.

RESIDENTS WHO HAD WORKED ON THE PLAN FOR 18 MONTHS WERE SHOCKED TO FIND OUT A RURAL PART OF THE CITY SUDDENLY INCLUDED AN URBAN SERVICES AREA.

>> SOMEBODY AT THE CITY, I MEAN, THEY JUST DECIDED WE'RE GOING TO INSERT THIS INTO THE PLAN.

NEVER ENGAGED ANY OF US AS A STEERING COMMITTEE.

THEY SENT OUT AN EMAIL MESSAGE FOR TWO YEARS SAYING, WOULD YOU PLEASE COME HELP US WITH THIS PLAN.

WHEN THE PLAN'S DONE, THEY DIDN'T TELL US IT'S DONE.

>> CRITICS SAY NDAs ARE USED BY DEVELOPERS TO BLOCK THE PUBLIC FROM KNOWING ABOUT HE PROPOSALS UNTIL AFTER IT'S TOO LATE TO STOP THEM.

THEY SAY CONCERNS ABOUT LIGHT AND NOISE POLLUTION, ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT, CONSTRUCTION, AND WATER USAGE DON'T GET THE PUBLIC VETTING THEY REQUIRE.

REPUBLICAN STATE SENATOR STEVE DRAZKOWSKI SAYS HE FIRST BECAME CONCERNED AFTER HE LEARNED ABOUT A DATA CENTER PROPOSAL IN FARMINGTON.

>> PEOPLE IN THE GOVERNMENT IN FARMINGTON HAD SIGNED THESE NONDISCLOSURE AGREEMENTS, WHICH BASICALLY BINDS THEM TO BE SECRET.

TO NOT TELL ANYTHING ABOUT WHAT THEY LEARNED ABOUT THE PROPOSAL.

OR THEY COULD BE SUED.

>> BILLS AGAINST NDAs ARE GETTING TRACTION AT THE CAPITOL.

DRAZKOWSKI FOUND AN UNLIKELY CO-AUTHOR IN DEMOCRATIC STATE SENATOR ERIN MAYE QUADE.

>> ON A LOT OF THINGS, ON THE SIZE OF GOVERNMENT, A LOT OF SOCIAL ISSUES, OTHERS, WE'RE ON COMPLETE OPPOSITE ENDS.

>> A SENATE BILL WOULD REQUIRE MORE TRANSPARENCY AND PUBLIC INPUT ON DATA CENTER DEVELOPMENT.

ANOTHER WOULD BAN MUNICIPALITIES FROM SIGNING NDAs FOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS THAT NEED PUBLIC FUNDING.

A BIPARTISAN COMPANION BILL MOVED OUT OF THE TIED HOUSE COMMITTEE LAST WEEK ON A UNANIMOUS VOTE.

IN THE SENATE, THE TWO AUTHORS ALIGNED LAST SESSION ON A SIMILAR BILL.

>> WHAT ENDED UP IN THE DISCUSSION, AS YOU GO AND VIEW IT, IS THAT WE ENDED UP WITH BIPARTISAN OPPOSITION AND BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR THIS.

ENDED UP IN A TIE.

>> THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN ONE OTHER BILL, MAYBE.

>> STATE SENATOR ERIN MAYE QUADE, ACKNOWLEDGED THE NOTABLE BIPARTISAN ON ND As BETWEEN A CONSERVATIVE AND A LIBERAL.

MAYE QUADE REPRESENTS ROSEMOUNT WHERE MET A IS DEVELOPING THE STATE'S FIRST HYPERSCALE DATA CENTER.

>> IT WAS DEVELOPED UNDER A CODE NAME, BIG FOOT, NONE OF THE RESIDENTS HAD AN IDEA THIS WAS HAPPENING, SOME OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS HAPPENING UNTIL AFTER THE PROJECT WAS ANNOUNCED BECAUSE OF NDAs.

>> BILL OPPONENTS FROM STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT SIGNALED FUTURE DEBATES ON THE FLOOR.

>> WE'RE NEVER GOING TO GET LEGISLATION THAT IS GOING TO BE EFFECTIVE THAT WILL KEEP MINNESOTA SAFE, WATER CLEAN, ENERGY, IMPACT ON OUR GRID, BY ONE SIZE FITS ALL OR AN ATTACK ON A BUSINESS BECAUSE WE DON'T LIKE IT TODAY.

>> BUSINESS-FORWARD GROUPS SAY THERE SHOULD BE A BALANCE BETWEEN TRANSPARENCY AND TRADE SECRET INFORMATION.

>> IT CAN BE AN INTEND UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE, FOR EXAMPLE, WHERE IF INFORMATION GETS OUT THAT IT MAKES NEGOTIATIONS MUCH MORE DIFFICULT.

IT CAN SLOW SIGNIFICANTLY TIMELINES AND ULTIMATELY WHAT WE DON'T WANT TO DO IS JEOPARDIZE THESE BIG PROJECTS IN THE -- AND PRATT PECTS.

>> GOOGLE HAS ANOTHER CONTESTED PROPOSAL IN PINE ISLAND.

MORE THAN A DOZEN DATA CENTERS ARE BEING PROPOSED IN THE STATE.

THE MINNESOTA CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY HAS SUED MANY OF THE PROJECTS.

IT SAYS GOOGLE'S PROPOSALS HAVE NOT BEEN ANY DIFFERENT IN THEIR SECRECY.

>> IN MINNESOTA, WE HAVE THIS REQUIREMENT THAT BIG PROJECTS LIKE A DATA CENTER HAVE TO GO THROUGH WHAT IS CALLED AN ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PROCESS, AND THAT'S MEANT TO BE A LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP.

KNOW THE IMPACT BEFORE YOU'RE MAKING, YOU KNOW, KEY DECISIONS THAT ARE GOING TO ALLOW CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN, A PROJECT TO GO FORWARD.

>> GOOGLE DECLINED AN ON-CAMERA INTERVIEW AND ANSWERED NO SUBSEQUENT QUESTIONS.

IN AN EMAIL ANNOUNCEMENT, THE TRILLION-DOLLAR COMPANY SAID IT WAS, QUOTE, EAGER TO PUT DOWN ROOTS AND LOOK FORWARD TO COLLABORATING WITH LOCAL LEADERS.

THE PROPOSAL INCLUDES BRINGING CITY SEWER AND WATER LINES OUT TO THE AREA ON GOOGLE'S DIME.

BUSINESS LEADERS SAY THAT WOULD BE A HUGE BENEFIT.

>> WE COULD VERY FEASIBLY SEE IN THAT CORRIDOR, THOSE ADJACENT AREAS, THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEVELOPERS NOW TO COME IN AND WANT TO BUILD MULTIUNIT HOUSING OR MAYBE START ANOTHER COMMUNITY OF HOMES OR ADDITIONAL SHOPPING AND RETAIL SPACE OUT THERE.

>> BUT A GRASSROOTS COMMUNITY GROUP IN HERMANTOWN IS FIGHTING TO KEEP THE FORESTED AND RURAL NATURE OF THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> MY SPOUSE AND I MOVED HERE TEN YEARS AGO.

WE SPECIFICALLY LOOKED FOR A RURAL RESIDENTIAL LOCATION IN WHICH TO SORT OF RELOCATE OUR FAMILY.

>> GILBERTSON SHOWS ME A CREEK THAT FLOWS INTO THE MIDWAY RIVER NEAR THE PROPOSED SITE.

SHE SAYS THE DATA CENTER HAS PUT CHRONIC STRESS ON TO RESIDENTS OVER THE LAST FIVE MONTHS.

>> THE PUBLIC DIDN'T ASK FOR THIS FIGHT.

AND I WOULD JUST APPEAL TO THE HERO WHO WOULD HELP US FIND GOOGLE A NEW LOCATION.

♪ >> Cathy: WELL, BY GOLLY, ON OLD-FASHIONED OURNAMENT BLIZZARD, HIT A LARGE SWATH OF CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN MINNESOTA OVER THE WEEKEND, DUMPING MORE THAN A FOOT OF SNOW, CLOSING ROADS SOUTH OF THE TWIN CITIES.

AND JUST A MERE 9 OR 10 INCHES IN MUCH OF THE TWIN CITIES METRO.

THIS COMING WEEKEND'S WEATHER FORECAST?

TEMPS ARE PROJECTED IN THE 70S FOR SOME OF THOSE SAME LOCATIONS.

WEATHER WHIPLASH, ANYONE?

OR SHOULD WE CALL IT A WEATHER ROLLER COASTER?

WE HAVE OUR ALL-STAR WEATHER DUO HERE TO HELP US DECIDE WHICH 'CLEVER' PHRASE OUR PRODUCERS SHOULD BE USING.

PAUL DOUGLAS.

WHEN HE'S NOT TALKING SNOW TOTALS AND FORECASTING WITH US, YOU CAN CATCH HIS PREDICTIONS IN THE "STAR TRIBUNE."

HE ALSO RUNS HIS OWN WEATHER COMPANY, PREDICT-IX.

AND WE'RE HAPPY TO HAVE MARK SEELEY BACK WITH US TONIGHT.

HE IS THE AUTHOR OF "MINNESOTA WEATHER ALMANAC" AND A PROFESSOR EMERITUS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

YOU GUYS, GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT FORECASTING SNOW TOTALS IS NOT EASY.

PAUL DOUGLAS.

>> NO, IT'S NOT AN EXACT SCIENCE, LIKE ECONOMICS.

>> Cathy: RIGHT.

BUT THEY SEEM TO DO A PRETTY DARN FINE JOB THIS PAST WEEKEND.

>> YEAH.

I THINK MOST OF US, AND I'M SPEAKING COLLECTIVELY, FIRST OF ALL, IF YOU PREDICT A BLIZZARD, IT'S LIKE YELLING "FIRE" IN A CROWDED THEATER.

YOU BETTER BE RIGHT.

BUT I THINK MOST OF THE METEOROLOGISTS HAD THE RIGHT IDEA.

THE WEATHER SERVICE DID A GREAT JOB.

WE KNEW THERE WAS GOING TO E A NARROW BAND OF ONE TO TWO FEET.

AT THE LAST MOMENT, THE MODEL SHIFTED IT FARTHER SOUTH THAN THEY HAD -- IRONICALLY, THE FORECAST TWO DAYS BEFORE THE EVENT WAS BETTER THAN 12 HOURS BEFORE THE SNOW ACTUALLY ARRIVED.

BUT PEOPLE KNEW IT WAS NOT GOING TO E A GARDEN-VARIETY GENERIC MARCH SNOWSTORM THAT IT WAS GOING TO BE A BLIZZARD.

AND IT WAS.

AND MANY SPOTS DID GET ONE TO TWO FEET.

>> Cathy: HOW DO YOU PUT THIS INTO CONTEXT, Dr.

SEELEY, WHEN IT COMES TO OUR HISTORIC RECORD?

>> WELL, OUR MARCH HISTORY IN MINNESOTA, AS MOST MINNESOTANS ARE AWARE, IS FULL OF STORIES ABOUT BLIZZARDS, ALL KINDS OF BLIZZARDS.

SO IT'S NOT OUT OF THE REALM OF HISTORICAL PROBABILITY.

I MEAN, WE GET -- THINK THE NOTION, THOUGH, THAT WE HAD BACK-TO-BACK CONDITIONS THAT AFFECTED DIFFERENT GEOGRAPHIES, THE ONE EARLIER OVER THE 12th AND 13th AFFECTED THE NORTH SHORE, WHICH HAD A BLIZZARD, AND THEY HAD TO SHUT DOWN PORTIONS OF HIGHWAY 61, 9 TO 13 INCHES OF SNOW AND HEAVY WINDS UP THERE.

AND THEN WE ONLY HAD, CATHY, A BRIEF RESPITE, OF MAYBE HALF A DAY AND WE TRANSITIONED INTO THE NEXT BLIZZARD, WHICH AS THE SOUTHERN HALF OF THE STATE, WHICH WAS OVER THE 14th DO THE 16th -- TO THE 16th, AND AGAIN, WE HAD ANYWHERE FROM 6 TO 18 INCHES, UP TO 20 INCHES IN WABASHA COUNTY AND WE HAD THE HIGH WINDS.

AND WHAT I THINK CAUGHT MY ATTENTION, AND PAUL PROBABLY MIGHT WANT TO REMARK ABOUT THIS, THE SWATH FOR THAT BLIZZARD WARNING WAS A BIG SWATH, WASN'T IT?

>> YEAH.

>> IT OCCUPIED -- A LOT OF TIMES IN MARCH, WE HAVE BLIZZARD WARNINGS, BUT THEY'RE SMALLER GEOGRAPHY.

BUT THAT ONE WAS PRETTY WIDE SWATH.

>> YEAH, IT WAS THE FOURTH BLIZZARD WARNING FOR THE METRO IN THE LAST 20 YEARS.

AND EVEN A LOT OF METEOROLOGISTS GET CONFUSED WITH BLIZZARDS.

IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RATE OF SNOW OR -- I MEAN, YOU CAN GET A BLIZZARD WITH BLUE SKY OVERHEAD, THE SUN OUT.

IT'S A FUNCTION OF VISIBILITY WHEN IT DROPS NEAR ZERO WITH HIGH WINDS.

YOU CAN'T SEE THE HORIZON.

AND IF YOU'RE DRIVING, AND YOU CAN'T SEE THE HORIZON, IT'S VERY EASY TO DRIVE OFF THE ROAD.

YEAH.

>> Eric: DOES ANY OF THIS HAVE KIND OF PREDICTIVE POWER TO WHAT THE SUMMER MIGHT LOOK LIKE OR THE SPRING?

>> NOT REALLY.

SERIAL CORRELATION.

IN FACT, I'VE WRITTEN ABOUT THAT IN MY BOOKS QUITE A BIT.

WE'VE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO LAY A GOOD CLAIM FOR SERIAL CORRELATION, TIME CORRELATION ON WEATHER EVENTS IN MINNESOTA.

WE'RE WAY TOO VARIABLE FOR THAT, ERIC.

IT'S CRAZY.

ALTHOUGH TOMORROW, WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT THIS BEFORE WE WENT ON THE AIR, TOMORROW'S TEMPERATURES ARE GOING TO GO UP NEAR THE ALL-TIME STATE RECORD.

I THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE SOME HIGHS IN WESTERN MINNESOTA, OVER 80° TOMORROW.

>> Cathy: IS THIS THIS BUBBLE OF HOT AIR THAT WAS FRYING PHOENIX?

>> YES.

>> Cathy: HAS IT FINALLY ARRIVED HERE.

>> WE'RE GETTING A TWO-DAY TASTE OF THIS INCREDIBLE HEAT BUBBLE.

THIS IS A FOUR SIGMA EVENT.

FOUR TIMES THE NORMAL.

DEPARTURE THAT HAPPENS ONCE EVERY MAYBE 10 OR 15,000 YEARS.

AND ACCORDING TO CLIMATE CENTRAL, A WARMER CLIMATE BACKGROUND TEMPERATURES ARE WARMER, MADE THIS FIVE TIMES MORE LIKELY.

110 IN ARIZONA YESTERDAY.

JUST CRAZY RECORDS.

HUNDREDS OF RECORDS BEING DEMOLISHED.

THERE'S NO SNOW COVER LEFT IN THE WESTERN U.S.

PARTS OF NEBRASKA, 800,000 -- I BELIEVE 800,000 ACRES UP IN SMOKE, BIGGER THAN THE SIZE OF THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND.

SO FOR ME, A LOT OF FLASHING YELLOW LIGHTS.

WHEN YOU GET THESE HEAT SPIKES, THESE HEAT BUBBLES EARLY IN THE WARM SEASON, IT USUALLY PORTENDS AN UNUSUALLY HOT AND RY SUMMER, ESPECIALLY FOR THE WEST.

I'M WORRIED ABOUT MASSIVE FIRES OUT WEST.

OF AND I KNOW IT SOUNDS RIDICULOUS TO BE TALKING ABOUT THAT.

BUT THERE'S PRECEDENT.

PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, WHETHER IT'S BRITISH COLUMBIA, PACIFIC NORTHWEST, YOU ET THESE HEAT WAVES EARLY IN THE SEASON, IT DRIES THINGS OUT.

AND THE FIRES THAT FORM NATURALLY ARE OFTEN BIGGER, BURNING STRONGER, AND LONGER IMPACTING MORE PEOPLE.

AND I WORRY ABOUT WATER SHORTAGES FOR MUCH OF THE WEST.

BUT I THINK IT'S -- MY GUT, MY SPIEDDY SENSE IS IT'S GOING TO BE HOTTER THAN NORMAL SUMMER HERE.

>> Cathy: OU JUST TOLD ME, MARK SEELEY, WHICH TOTALLY MISSED THAT LAST WEEK, NOAA MENTIONED THAT WE'RE GOING HIS TO SEE HE WILL INI DON'T COMING UP.

>> AND NOW THEY'RE FORECASTING -- OR MOST OF THE MODELS ARE FORECASTING A TRANSITION INTO EL NINO AS WE PROGRESS INTO THE SPRING AND SUMMER MONTHS.

WITH THE POSSIBILITY WE'LL NOT ONLY MIGRATE TO AN EL NINO EPISODE BUT BY THE END OF THE SUMMER MAYBE A SUPER EL NINO EPISODE.

>> Cathy: HOW WOULD PEOPLE EXPERIENCE A SUPER EL NINO?

>> WELL, AS PAUL'S ALREADY ALLUDED TO, IT COULD AMPLIFY IF WE DO GO INTO A WARM SPELL HERE THAT'S A PROTRACTED WARMER THAN NORMAL SPELL.

WHICH, BY THE WAY, MOST OF THE MODELS ARE SUGGESTING FOR SPRING AND EARLY SUMMER SO FAR IN MINNESOTA.

ALREADY.

THAT COULD BE FURTHER AMPLIFIED AS WE GET DEEPER IN THE YEAR AS A SUPER HE THE YEAR AS A SUPER H EL NINO SETTLES IN.

>> Cathy: SO BIG HEAT WAVES.

>> WELL, I THINK YOU INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR HEAT WAVES, EVEN IMPACTING MINNESOTA.

BUT SOME OF THE EXPERTS, I'M NOT AN EXPERT ON EL NINO, BUT THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW ARE COMPARING THIS TO 2016, SO THE BIGGEST EL NINO IN TEN YEARS, POSSIBLY THE BIGGEST SINCE '97, '98, WHICH WAS THE MOTHER OF ALL NINOS, THAT BLEEDS MORE WARMTH FROM THE PACIFIC INTO THE ATMOSPHERE AND, SO, -- BUT FOR ME, THE GOOD NEWS, WE SEEM TO BE HEADING INTO A WETTER PATTERN, NOAA PREDICTING THAT THE DROUGHT UP NORTH AND SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA SHOULD EASE DURING THE SPRING AND EARLY SUMMER.

BUT, YOU KNOW, IS IT GOING TO BE A STINKING HOT SUMMER?

I THINK SO.

>> Eric: YOU GUYS GOT A OT OF POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH.

>> WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> Eric: THANK YOU.

YOU'RE OFF PROBATION.

THANKS.

>> Cathy: SEE OU GUYS LATER.

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.

>> SHELETTA: IF YOU SEE MY ACCOUNTANT, AMANDA, DON’T TELL HER WHERE I AM.

I’VE BEEN HIDING FROM HER SINCE GOVERNOR TIM WALZ ENCOURAGED MINNESOTANS TO GET OUT AND SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES.

BUT I THINK, Y’ALL KNOW ME, I THINK I MIGHT HAVE TAKEN IT LITTLE TOO FAR.

YOU SEE, WHEN OPERATION METRO SURGE HAPPENED AND MY FELLOW ENTREPRENEURS STARTED SHUTTING DOWN THEIR RESTAURANTS AND BOUTIQUES, I WANTED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

SO I TOOK MONEY OUT OF MY BANK ACCOUNT AND SURPRISED SHAUNIE GRIGSBY AT FLAVA CAFÉ IN FROGTOWN WITH A CASH DONATION.

WHILE I WAS DROPPING OFF HER CHECK, I SAW SYLVIA WILLIAMS, THE OWNER OF SOUL GRAIN GRANOLA, AND I GAVE HER A PIECE OF POCKET CHANGE TOO.

NOW LISTEN, THEY SAY GOD LOVES A CHEERFUL GIVER, AND I’M JUST TRYING TO BE A GOOD CHRISTIAN, TRYING TO GET INTO HEAVEN.

WHICH IS WHY THE DONATIONS DIDN’T STOP THERE.

I’VE BEEN PRAYING HARD FOR A HUSBAND AND JUST IN CASE ONE SHOWS UP, I WANNA BE READY.

SO I WENT TO LE’NOIRE BRIDAL AND PUT A WEDDING DRESS ON LAY-A-WAY.

JUST FIFTY-LEVEN MORE PAYMENTS AND IT’S ALL MINE.

I HOPE WHOEVER THE LUCKY FELLA IS, HE SHOWS UP SOON SO I DON’T HAVE TO GET MY DRESS ALTERED.

YOU SEE, I’VE PICKED UP QUITE A FEW POUNDS LATELY EATING AT GOLDEN THYME RESTAURANT AND BAR EVERY DAY FOR LUNCH.

THE HOME COOKING IS SO GOOD AT THAT I HAD TO TAKE A PEEK IN THE KITCHEN TO MAKE SURE MY GREAT-GRANDMOTHER WASN’T BACK THERE MAKING THE BEANS.

EVEN BETTER THAN THE FOOD ARE THE PRETTY COOL PEOPLE WHO DINE THERE.

DEBBI MONTGOMERY, THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN ON THE ST.

PAUL POLICE FORCE, IS A FREQUENT CUSTOMER.

AND FORMER ST.

PAUL MAYOR MELVIN CARTER IS ALWAYS IN THERE.

FROM REAL ESTATE AGENTS TO REPORTERS, IT’S THE HIP HOP HAPPENING SPOT.

EVEN BETTER THAN THE FOOD I EAT ARE FRIENDS I MAKE WHEN I’M THERE.

IT’S A PLACE WHERE EVERYBODY KNOWS MY NAME.

IN THERE, I’M NORM, IT’S MY CHEERS.

NOW IF YOU XCUSE ME, I GOTTA GO BACK INTO HIDING BEFORE AMANDA COMES UP TO TPT.

>> ERIC: THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF RETIREMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS COMING OUT OF THE LEGISLATURE THIS YEAR.

OUR SISTER PROGRAM, "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL," IS FEATURING A RETIREE EACH WEDNESDAY NIGHT DURING THE SESSION.

IT INCLUDES A LIVE INTERVIEW WITH MARY LAHAMMER AND A FUN LOOK BACK THROUGH THE ARCHIVES AT HIGHLIGHTS OF THEIR CAREER.

IF YOU MISSED IT THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT, HERE'S A LOOK BACK AT SOME MEMORABLE MOMENTS FROM DFL SENATOR SANDY PAPPAS' LONG TENURE.

>> THIS IS ME.

I HAD LONG HAIR THEN.

STILL HAD BANGS.

ALTHOUGH I HAVE TO ADMIT THAT IN ONE OF OUR MUSICALS, I WAS THE ONLY -- I HAD THE ONLY NONSINGING ROLE.

I REALLY COULDN'T SING.

BUT I WAS THE STUDENT DIRECTOR.

I'M SENATOR SANDY PAPPAS AND I REPRESENT DOWNTOWN St.

PAUL AND SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS AND I'VE BEEN IN THE LEGISLATURE FOR OVER THREE DECADES.

I WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL AT ROBBINSDALE, ROBBINSDALE SENIOR HIGH.

BIG SECRET, SECRET, MY NAME WAS SANDRA SHUTTEK.

I REALLY FELL IN LOVE WITH MY SPEECH AND THEATER CLASSES AND THEN I ALSO HAD A HUMANITIES CLASS I REALLY LIKED.

AND I THINK IT REALLY SET A TONE FOR ME TO BE INTERESTED IN, YOU KNOW, BROADER ISSUES BEYOND MY OWN COMMUNITY IN TERMS OF HUMANITIES.

AND THEN THEATER AND SPEECH, VERY USEFUL FOR A POLITICIAN.

AND I THINK PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, DO LIKE TO THINK THAT THEY'RE FAIR TO EVERYONE.

BUT, UNFORTUNATELY, MOST OF THE TIME AND HISTORICALLY WHEN LEADERS HAVE SAID THAT I AM COLORBLIND, THE END RESULT HAS BEEN WHITE MEN ARE HIRED.

VOTERS DO WANT US TO GET SOME THINGS ACCOMPLISHED.

AND PERHAPS SAW THAT DIVIDED GOVERNMENT WASN'T THE WAY TO DO IT.

I'VE CERTAINLY LEARNED TO RESPECT THE MINORITY.

HAVING SPENT THE LAST TWO YEARS IN THE MINORITY.

>> WILL THE MAJORITY LEADER YIELD?

>> I'VE ACTUALLY BEEN INTERESTED IN BEING SENATE PRESIDENT FOR A LONG TIME.

BUT I AM THE FIRST JEWISH WOMAN PRESIDENT.

>> SENATOR BAKK.

>> WHAT YOU SHOULD DO IS MAKE THE MINORITY SO HAPPY THAT THEY NEVER WANT TO BE THE MAJORITY.

>> THE SENATE PRESIDENT CAN'T WAIT TO HAVE SOME REAL WORK TO DO AS PRESIDING OFFICER OF THE CHAMBER, SHE'S CONCERNED ABOUT THE LOGISTICS OF FINISHING ON TIME.

>> I'M ESPECIALLY WORRIED ABOUT THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES BILL BECAUSE THAT'S, LIKE, 400, 500 PAGES.

BUT AT LEAST WE DON'T XEROX COPIES FOR EVERYONE ANYMORE.

IT'S ALL ELECTRONIC.

THAT'S A LOT OF BUBBLE WRAP.

YES.

>> Mary: LAWMAKERS AND STAFFERS ARE ALREADY PACKING UP THEIR OFFICES.

THEY KNOW, REGARDLESS OF THE OUTCOME OF BUDGET TALKS, THEY HAVE O MAKE WAY FOR MOVING CREWS, WHO ARRIVE THE SECOND SESSION ENDS MIDNIGHT MONDAY.

THIS IS UNLIKE ANYTHING YOU'VE SEEN BEFORE.

>> IT IS.

AND I DIDN'T WANT TO HAVE BARE WALLS.

SO HERE WE ARE THE LAST COUPLE DAYS, WE'RE FINALLY TAKING THINGS OFF THE WALL.

I DID NOTICE THE OTHER DAY THAT SHE PACKED UP MY FORKS, SO I WASN'T ABLE TO HAVE LUNCH.

[ Laughter ] >> Mary: TRYING TO FIND A SUPERMAJORITY TO BORROW FOR A BONDING BILL FOR STATE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.

>> Mr.

CHAIRMAN.

Mr.

CHAIRMAN, SENATOR DRAHEIM -- >> IN THIS BILL -- >> -- I FUNDED THOSE PROJECTS, I FUNDED THIS PROGRAM IN 669, THAT'S THE BILL THAT YOU REJECTED AND I RESENT YOU ACCUSING ME HAD OF NOT FUNDING PROJECTS.

I WOULD LOVE TO FUND THOSE PROJECTS.

BUT YOU HAVE TO VOTE FOR THE DAMN BILL.

[ DOG BARKING ] >> Mary: THE LOCAL HUMANE SOCIETY IS THE HEART-WRENCHING STOP IN THE FINAL STRETCH FOR SENATORS ON THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT COMMITTEE.

>> WE'VE REALLY COVERED THE STATE.

AND IT'S KIND OF SHOCKING THE INFRASTRUCTURE NEED THAT'S OUT THERE.

WE AVE INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEMS BUILT IN THE '60s, BUILT AFTER WORLD WAR II, THAT HAVE AGED OUT.

♪ >> THERE'S PLENTY OF COMPANY IN THE GOVERNOR'S DOGHOUSE AS REPUBLICANS LINE UP AGAINST MANY OF PAWLENTY'S NEW POLICY INITIATIVES.

>> THE GOVERNOR IS GOING A LOT OF NEW AREAS RATHER QUICKLY AND THERE HASN'T BEEN A REAL BEDROCK OF FOUNDATION LAID.

AND IF I WAS GOING TO GIVE ANY ADVICE, SAY, COME ON OVER, LET'S HAVE A CUP OF COFFEE AND LET'S TALK ABOUT THINGS.

WE'VE GOT A BIG FAMILY TO TAKE CARE OF.

AND WE NEED TO HAVE A LITTLE DISCUSSION RATHER THAN JUST EXPECTING THE FAST ROLLOVER VOTE.

♪ ♪ >> Cathy: POLICY BILLS WITH ANY HOPE OF MASSING IT -- PASSING THIS SESSION FACE A MAJOR HURDLE NEXT WEEK.

THIS WEEK THE GOVERNOR RELEASED HIS SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET.

AS POLITICAL REPORTER MARY LAHAMMER SHOWS US, IMMIGRATION IS AN ISSUE THAT IS NOT GOING AWAY DESPITE A DRAWDOWN OF ICE AGENTS IN THE STATE.

MARY SPOKE WITH THE GOVERNOR ABOUT THE ISSUE.

>> Mary: HI, GOVERNOR.

GOVERNOR WALZ VISITED ALEX PRETTI'S FAVORITE BIKE SHOP IN MEMORY OF THE MAN WHO WAS KILLED ALMOST TWO MONTHS AGO BY FEDERAL OFFICERS IN THE STREETS OF MINNEAPOLIS.

>> I SAID, I JUST CAME DOWN HERE TO SAY THANK YOU.

THIS WAS KIND OF THE SPOT THAT ORGANIZED AROUND ALEX AND HE RIDE.

AND THEY GAVE ME AN END CAP THAT PEOPLE HAD MADE THAT HAS THE MINNEAPOLIS 2026.

AND I HEARD FROM FRIENDS OF MINE IN EUROPE WHO HEARD ABOUT THIS RIDE, AND IT WAS BIG.

I THINK THEY JUST KIND OF EMBODIED THE SPIRIT WE WERE FEELING AT THE TIME.

SO I HADN'T GOT A CHANCE TO GET DOWN HERE.

PEOPLE ARE STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO HEAL.

>> Mary: IN D.C., THE NEW HOMELAND SECURITY NOMINEE WAS ASKED ABOUT CALLING PRETTI A DERANGED INDIVIDUAL WHO CAME TO CAUSE MAX DAMAGE.

>> THOSE WORDS PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN RETRACTED.

I SHOULDN'T HAVE SAID THAT.

THE INVESTIGATION'S ONGOING.

AND THERE IS, LIKE I SAID, THERE'S SOMETIMES GOING TO MAKE MISTAKE AND I OWN IT.

>> Mary: THE GOVERNOR'S NEW REVISED BUDGET INCLUDES ASSISTANCE TO BUSINESSES IMPACTED BY HOMELAND SECURITY'S IMMIGRATION ACTION IN THE STATE.

>> METRO SURGE WAS NOT ONLY AN ATTACK ON OUR HUMAN RIGHTS, OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS, IT PROVIDED AMPLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE COUNTRY TO SEE THE MORAL INJURY THAT WAS PUT ON TO MINNESOTA, BUT WE'RE LEFT TO PICK UP THE PIECES.

AND THE COSTS ARE IN THE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND, SO, WE'RE PROPOSING SOME FORGIVABLE BUSINESS LOANS IN THERE, SPECIFICALLY AIMED AT THOSE THAT WERE HURT WORST BY METRO SURGE.

>> Mary: SO FAR, MOST REPUBLICAN LEADERS HAVE BEEN RELUCTANT TO SUPPORT THE IDEA.

>> GROWTH IN RURAL MINNESOTA IS GOING TO BE HURT BY THAT SO MUCH, AND, YET, THE GOVERNOR IS SELECTING A VERY SMALL GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT HE WANTS TO HELP OUT IN DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS AND St.

PAUL PRIMARILY.

AND HE REALITY IS, THIS IS A MUCH BROADER ISSUE GOING ACROSS THE STATE.

AND FOR THE GOVERNOR TO DO THIS AGAIN IS A LITTLE BIT OF A SLAP IN THE FACE TO MOST MINNESOTANS OUT THERE.

>> WOULDN'T RURAL COMMUNITY BE ELIGIBLE FOR IT WHO WERE AFFECTED?

THERE ARE HIGH IMMIGRANT POPULATIONS IN RURAL MINNESOTA.

>> LOOK AT WHERE PRIMARILY THE DOLLARS ARE OING TO BE DIRECTED.

IT'S GOING TO BE TWO COUNTIES FOR THE MOST PART.

IT'S GOING TO BE HENNEPIN COUNTY AND RAMSEY COUNTY.

THEY'RE GOING TO TAKE UP THE LION'S SHARE OF THE FUNDING.

ONCE AGAIN.

>> SO THE BEST WAY TO EXPERIENCE MINNEAPOLIS IS BY FOOT.

>> Mary: IN A NEW TOURISM AD FOR THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS, MAYOR JACOB FREY FEATURES THE CITY'S FAMOUS WEATHER EXTREMES AND THE POLITICAL ACTIVISM THE WORLD SAW.

>> MINNEAPOLIS WE STAND UP FOR ALL OF OUR NEIGHBORS AND WE CAN'T WAIT TO WELCOME YOU.

>> Mary: AT THE CAP 'TOLL, IT'S CRUNCH TIME WITH BILL DEADLINES TO CLEAR COMMITTEES AND SPRING BREAK COMING UP AT THE END OF NEXT WEEK.

>> WE HAVE THIS TRUNCATED TIMELINE, DEADLINES ARE COMING UP.

SO YOU KIND OF JUST HAVE TO THROW SPAGHETTI AT THE WALL AND SEE WHAT WILL STICK.

IN THIS CASE, I THINK YOU'RE ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS.

>> Mary: REPRESENTATIVE TABKE FROM SHAKOPEE HAD THE CLOSEST ELECTION THAT WENT TO A RECOUNT IN THE DIVERSE SUBURB WE FEATURED IN A RACE TO WATCH.

HE'S BEEN OUTSPOKEN ABOUT THE IMPACT OF OPERATION METRO SURGE IN HIS COMMUNITY.

HIS BILL WOULD HAVE PROTECTED PEOPLE'S PRIVATE LICENSE PLATE DATA AFTER IMMIGRATION AGENTS USED THE NFO AGAINST MINNESOTANS.

>> THERE BEING 7 AYES AND 7 NAYS, THE BILL -- THE MOTION DOES NOT PREVAIL, AND THE BILL DOES NOT ADVANCE.

>> WE FOUND THIS ISSUE BECAUSE OF OPERATION METRO SURGE, BUT THEN IT QUICKLY GREW INTO SOMETHING THAT WAS MUCH MUCH BIGGER AND BROADER AND WIDER THAN THAT AS TO A MASSIVE DATA PRIVACY BREACH.

>> I WATCHED IN HORROR AS THE TWO VEHICLES DRIVEN BY FEDERAL AGENTS PULLED UP IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE.

>> I WAS ABSOLUTELY ENRAGED THAT AN ARMED FEDERAL AGENT HAD TAKEN THIS LATANT ACT TO TRY TO INSTILL FEAR AND INTIMIDATE ME.

>> WHEN I ASKED IF THEY WERE LEAVING BECAUSE THE SURGE WAS APPARENTLY ENDING, THE INTERACTION QUICKLY BECAME HOSTILE.

THEY BEGAN BERATING ME AND MOCKING COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO HAD BEEN OBSERVING THEIR ACTIVITIES.

>> Mary: AND THE GENESIS OF THE IMMIGRATION ACTION WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ROOTING OUT FRAUD.

SENATE DEMOCRATS ANNOUNCED THEIR PLAN.

>> IT IS INCUMBENT UPON US TO COMMIT TO THE VIGILANCE NECESSARY AND OVERSIGHT TO TAKE THE REPORTS THAT WE GET FROM THE LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR, SIGNALS THAT WE'RE GETTING FROM INSIDE THE AGENCIES, AND EVENTUALLY WHAT WE GET FROM THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL SERIOUSLY.

>> THIS IS NOT A LEFT OR A RIGHT ISSUE.

THIS IS A RIGHT OR A WRONG ISSUE.

>> WE NEED TO INVEST IN OUR TECHNOLOGY, IF WE CONSIDER THESE PROGRAMS MPORTANT, AND WE DO, AND WE WANT TO FIGHT FRAUD.

AND WE DO.

>> WE NOW HAVE ALL FOUR CAUCUSES ON BOARD.

WE'VE GOT THE GOVERNOR ON BOARD.

EVERYBODY WANTS THE OIG.

>> THAT WOULD BE NEWS TO ME.

I THINK MAYBE WE'RE ALL ON BOARD WITH THE CONCEPT OF AN OIG.

BUT HOW THAT OIG LOOKS AND OPERATES IN EFFECT, THREE OF THE OUR CAUCUSES ARE ON BOARD.

THE HOUSE DEMOCRATS STILL HAVE THEIR OWN IDEAS ABOUT WHAT THEY WANT TO SEE.

♪ ♪ >> ERIC: GOVERNOR WALZ RELEASED HIS SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET THIS WEEK, THE STATE AUDITOR RELEASED ANOTHER REPORT DETAILING INACTION ON FRAUD IN THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, AND LAWMAKERS AT THE CAPITOL WRESTLED WITH POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO THE PARTISAN DIVIDE.

LET'S DIVE RIGHT IN.

DEMOCRATS UP FIRST TONIGHT.

KARLA BIGHAM IS A FORMER STATE LAWMAKER WHO SERVED IN BOTH LEGISLATIVE CHAMBERS.

SHE'S NOW A WASHINGTON COUNTY COMMISSIONER.

WITH HER IS JAVIER MORILLO, LONGTIME UNION AND PARTY ACTIVIST AND A FORMER NATIONAL COMMITTEEMAN FOR THE DNC.

REPUBLICANS ON THE COUCH TONIGHT.

BRIAN MCDANIEL IS A FORMER LEGISLATIVE STAFFER, NOW A LOBBYIST AND STAND-UP COMEDIAN.

AND, FINALLY, ANDY BREHM IS A FORMER PRESS SECRETARY FOR U.S.

SENATOR NORM COLEMAN, NOW A LAWYER AND COLUMNIST FOR THE "MINNESOTA STAR TRIBUNE."

ANDY, WHY IS I.C.E.-RELATED RECOVERY MONEY SUCH A TOUGH SELL?

AT THE LEGISLATURE.

IS IT BECAUSE IT'S JUST CONCENTRATED IN MINNEAPOLIS AND St.

PAUL?

>> YEAH, I MEAN, THERE'S A LOT OF DIVIDE OVER OPERATION METRO SURGE.

AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, MOST PEOPLE ARE IN AGREEMENT THAT HAPPENED HERE WAS OVERKILL.

AND WAS NOT GOOD.

PRETTY MUCH EVERYBODY I TALK TO.

BUT I DO THINK THERE'S A FRUSTRATION STATEWIDE OF MINNEAPOLIS AND St.

PAUL'S INABILITY TO REALLY ENFORCE BASIC IMMIGRATION LAW, WHICH THEY'D LIKE TO SEE AND MOST PEOPLE SUPPORT.

SO I THINK WHILE THAT WAS, YOU KNOW, BEYOND THE PAIL AND PEOPLE WERE OFFENDED BY IT, THEY ALSO ARE OFFENDED BY THIS INABILITY OF THESE CITIES TO ENFORCE BASIC IMMIGRATION LAW, WHICH THEY'D LIKE TO SEE DONE.

>> THE IMPACT OF METRO SURGE WAS INCREDIBLY INTENSE, FOR BUSINESSES, FOR SCHOOLS, IT WAS DISRUPTIVE, AND IT WAS DISRUPTIVE BEYOND THE TWIN CITIES AS WELL.

IT WAS NOT SIMPLY MINNEAPOLIS AND St.

PAUL.

AND THIS IS ABOUT TRYING TO MAKE RESTITUTION TO FOLKS WHO SUFFERED.

AND, YES, EVERYONE, YOU KNOW, LARGELY AGREES THAT IT WAS OVERKILL.

AND, SO, IF WE AGREE THAT IT'S OVERKILL, THEN LET'S DO SOMETHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

>> Eric: IS THIS A BARGAINING CHIP FOR REPUBLICANS?

THEY KNOW DEMOCRATS WANT THIS BAD?

>> I MEAN -- >> Eric: AS THE NEGOTIATIONS PROCEED.

>> I MEAN, EVERYTHING'S A BARGAINING CHIP WHEN YOU'RE UP THERE.

I SAY IT'S HARD TO NEGOTIATE WITH REPUBLICANS BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT ANYTHING.

BUT XAVIER AND ANDY ARE RIGHT, YES, YOU KNOW, WE ALL HAVE OPINIONS ON METRO SURGE, BUT THE BUSINESS OWNERS HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT.

>> RIGHT.

>> NO MATTER WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN IT, THEY HAD NO SAY IN IT, THEY HAD NO SKIN IN THE GAME.

AND, YOU KNOW, I KNOW RESTAURANT OWNERS THAT WERE DOWN 75%.

AND IT WASN'T JUST MINNEAPOLIS AND St.

PAUL.

THOSE OF US OUT IN THE SUBURBS, THEY WERE IN OUR TOWN AS WELL.

>> SMALL TOWNS, RESTAURANTS CLOSED P BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T GET WORKERS TO, YOU KNOW, COME IN AND DO A JOB.

BUT I THINK THE OTHER ISSUE IS, THIS ECONOMY, BECAUSE OF HORRIBLE DECISIONS THAT THE ADMINISTRATION, TRUMP'S ADMINISTRATION HAS DONE, HAS HURT WITH TARIFFS, GASOLINE PRICES ARE THROUGH THE ROOF, AND STOCK MARKET IS -- WELL, NOT AT 50,000 ANYMORE.

AND IT'S A PROBLEM ALL AROUND.

AND, SO, THIS MAKES, YOU KNOW, SENSE TO HAVE RELIEF FOR OUR SMALL BUSINESSES, FOR OUR RENTERS AND HOMEOWNERS.

>> Cathy: SO YOU MENTIONED THIS COULD BE A POTENTIAL BARGAINING CHIP, I SUPPOSE.

WOULD ANOTHER BARGAINING CHIP TOWARD THE END OF SESSION BE THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL?

>> I THINK ABSOLUTELY.

AND SENATOR KREUN WAS TALKING ON THERE THAT EVERYBODY SAYS THAT THEY WANT AN OIG.

HOW YOU DO IT IS WHERE HE STICKING POINT IS.

BUT I DO BELIEVE THAT THAT IS ACTUALLY ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WILL GET DONE.

>> IT EEDS TO GET DONE.

>> Eric: IS FRAUD KEEPING DEMOCRATS UP AT NIGHT?

>> I MEAN, I THINK EVERYONE -- LOOK, THE ONLY ACCEPTABLE AMOUNT OF FRAUD IS ZERO.

AND EVERYONE IS NOW, LIKE, FOCUSED ON ADDRESSING THAT.

SO WHETHER IT'S THROUGH THE OIG, VARIOUS OTHER PROPOSALS AS WELL.

WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD ON THE ISSUE.

>> WELL, IT'S SO PERSUASIVE.

IT'S UNBELIEVABLE.

SADLY, MINNESOTANS ARE ALMOST GETTING IMMUNE.

THE NEWS KEEPS GETTING WORSE AND WORSE.

THIS WEEK WE FIND OUT THAT PLEASE FELT LIKE THEY COULDN'T REPORT FRAUD BECAUSE IT DIDN'T COMPLY WITH SOME KIND OF RIDICULOUS BUREAUCRATIC RULE.

I MEAN, IF I WORKED AT A COMPANY AND YOU SEE FRAUD GOING ON, YOU REPORT IT.

SO THIS IS -- THIS SPEAKS TO A BIGGER ISSUE OF JUST THE CULTURE OF FRAUD IN OUR STATE GOVERNMENT THAT'S BEEN RUN BY DEMOCRATS FOR ALMOST 16 YEARS.

AND IT'S JUST UNACCEPTABLE.

QUITE FRANKLY, I THINK YOU HAVE A BUREAUCRACY THAT HASN'T CARED ENOUGH AND WE DO NEED TO CHANGE THE LEADERSHIP TO MAKE THAT CHANGE.

>> Eric: I WANT TO LET COMMISSIONER BIGHAM MAKE SOME NEWS TONIGHT.

>> UM-HUM.

>> Eric: I UNDERSTAND THAT SPORTS GAMBLING ADVOCATES ON MONDAY ARE GOING TO BRING A MOTION TO THE SENATE FLOOR TO REST THE -- WREST THE SPORTS GAMBLING BILL OUT OF THE FINANCE BILL WHICH IS CHAIRED BY SENATOR MARTY AND THE BILL IS RESTING COMFORTABLY IN THAT COMMITTEE.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THAT?

>> DO YOU THINK SENATOR SEEBERGER WOULD LET ME TAG IN FOR JUST ONE DAY OF SESSION ON MONDAY?

YOU KNOW, LOOK, THEY NEED TO REGULATE AN INDUSTRY THAT NEEDS LIGHT BROUGHT TO IT.

YOU KNOW, SPORTS BETTING IS HAPPENING NOW IN MINNESOTA.

AND THEY NEED TO GET THIS DONE AND ACROSS THE LINE BECAUSE WE HAVE THE PREDICTIVE MARKETS THAT ARE NOW IMPACTING -- >> Eric: YEAH.

>> -- A LOT OF THINGS, IT NEEDS TO BE REGULATED AND, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE NEED TO HAVE CONSUMER PROTECTIONS AROUND IT.

>> Eric: GOT A SHOT IN THE SENATE?

>> KARLA'S GONNA GET MAD AT ME.

>> WHAT?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

I DON'T THINK SO.

I DON'T THINK SO.

I WISH IT WOULD.

I WORKED ON THE ISSUE, I'M SOMEBODY WHO USES IT PERSONALLY LEGALLY, AS FAR AS ANYONE KNOWS.

BUT WE ALL KNOW, MINNESOTANS ARE -- THEY'RE DOING THIS.

THEY'RE GOING TO DO IT WHETHER WE'RE FINDING A WAY TO REGULATE IT ND CASH IN ON IT AS A STATE OR NOT.

SO THEY NEED TO COME TOGETHER ON IT.

WE'RE ALREADY MISSING -- I MEAN, SPORTS GAMBLING'S ALMOST -- WE'VE MOVED ON.

NOW IT'S PREDICTION MARKETS.

AND WE MISSED THAT WHOLE THING.

>> Eric: BUT THE MOTION IS COMING NEXT WEEK.

>> THAT'S -- YEAH, THAT'S WHAT I'VE HEARD.

>> I THINK THIS ISSUE, THOUGH, I MEAN, IF IT'S TRULY ABOUT REGULATING IT, I'M OPEN TO THAT.

BUT, I MEAN, GAMBLING ADDICTION IS ON FIRE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

>> Cathy: ESPECIALLY AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE.

>> AND A LOT OF THESE REGULATED CASINOS OR GAMBLING OUTFITS ARE DECIMATING PEOPLE'S LIVES.

THIS NEEDS TO BE DONE VERY CAREFULLY.

THIS IS AN EPIDEMIC.

THERE ARE PLENTY OF PEOPLE THAT GAMBLE ONLINE WITHOUT ISSUE BUT MANY PEOPLE STRUGGLE WITH IT.

I THINK IT'S SOMETHING WE NEED TO BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL WITH.

>> Cathy: CAN I ASK YOU ABOUT THE SAVE ACT THAT'S IN IN THE U.S.

SENATE.

THEY'RE GOING TO DEBATE IT OVER THE WEEKEND, THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

IS THIS BILL BASICALLY SAYING THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE EVERYONE REREGISTER TO VOTE?

>> YES, AND IT'S GOING TO MAKE IT PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT FOR WOMEN TO REGISTER TO VOTE BECAUSE IT REQUIRES PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP AND NAMES TO MATCH WITH YOUR BIRTH CERTIFICATE.

AND MANY WOMEN WHEN THEY GET MARRIED, CHANGE THEIR NAMES.

IT'S GOING TO MAKE IT INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT FOR MANY MANY PEOPLE TO VOTE.

THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT IT AS IF IT WAS -- AS IF IT IS JUST VOTER ID, IT IS NOT, IT IS MUCH MORE BURDENSOME AND ONEROUS.

>> Cathy: ANY REPUBLICAN WISH TO TALK BOUT THIS?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, ALL OF US WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHO IS VOTING THAT WE KNOW WHO THEY ARE AND THAT WE KNOW WHERE THEY LIVE.

AND, SO, -- BUT I THINK JAVIER'S RIGHT, THE SAVE ACT IS MUCH MUCH MORE THAN JUST VOTER ID, WHICH IS VERY POPULAR.

AND SOME OF THE THINGS THAT JAVIER -- I'M GREEING WITH JAVIER WAY TOO MUCH, BUT SOME OF THE THINGS HAT HE SAID ABOUT HOW THIS IMPACTS ABOUT PEOPLE WHO ARE CHANGING THEIR NAME, PEOPLE GET MARRIED, PEOPLE GET DIVORCED, ALL THAT, THAT'S 100% TRUE.

AND I THINK THAT WE WANT VOTING TO BE SAFE AND WELL REGULATED, BUT WE ALSO DON'T WANT TO MAKE IT DIFFICULT.

>> YOU ALSO NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S ACTUALLY AMERICAN CITIZENS THAT ARE VOTING.

I MEAN, THIS IS AN 80/20 ISSUE, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE SUPPORT THAT 100%.

I DON'T WANT IT TO BE OVERLY BURDENSOME, I DON'T KNOW THE DETAILS OF THIS BILL, THERE ARE SOME PARTS THAT CONCERN ME, BECAUSE I SUPPORT STATES BEING IN CHARGE OF THEIR OWN ELECTIONS.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE INTENT HERE IS TO MAKE SURE THAT AMERICAN CITIZENS ARE VOTING.

AND IF THE RULES ARE TOO LOOSE, AS THEY ARE IN MINNESOTA, IT'S VERY POSSIBLE FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT CITIZENS TO VOTE EXAMINE THAT'S JUST SOMETHING THAT -- >> THE CONSTITUTION AGREES WITH YOU, TOO.

>> I DIDN'T, IT DOES.

>> STATES ARE DO THAT.

>> Eric: THE DEBATE IS VOTER SUPPRESSION VERSUS VOTER FRAUD, RIGHT, ISN'T THAT THE TWO SIDES OF THE COIN?

>> I THINK IF YOU ASK PEOPLE, THEY WOULD SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, THE POLL NUMBERS FOR VOTER ID ARE VERY VERY HIGH.

THIS IS JUST MORE THAN THAT.

>> OKAY.

>> Eric: FLANAGAN/CRAIG.

>> YES.

>> Eric: NOW, CRAIG IS SAYING THAT GOING BACK TO HER SCHOOL BOARD DAYS, PEGGY FLANAGAN WAS ABSENT A LOT OF TIMES.

AND EGGY FLANAGAN TODAY CAME UP WITH ANOTHER GROUP OF ENDORSEMENTS FROM LEGISLATORS.

>> YEAH.

YOU KNOW -- >> Eric: WHAT'S HAPPENING?

I KNOW YOU'RE CLOSE TO -- TO THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

>> TO THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, YES, I AM AND A STRONG SUPPORTER.

YOU KNOW, THIS IS TYPICAL PRIMARY FIGHT.

RIGHT NOW, REPRESENTATIVE CRAIG IS DOWN BY EVERY POLL THAT I'VE SEEN, PUBLIC OR PRIVATE.

BY A LOT.

AND, SO, THERE ARE A LOT OF DESPERATE MOVES HAPPENING.

>> YEAH, I JUST THINK HAT ANGIE IS BY FAR -- AND I'M SUPPORTING HER PROUDLY -- THE MOST ELECTABLE BECAUSE SHE ACTUALLY SHOWS UP.

AND SHE DOES HER JOB.

SHE GOES TO PLACES THAT ARE, YOU KNOW, EASY TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH AND TOUGH TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH.

YOU TAKE ALL OF THOSE CONVERSATIONS YOU HAVE, YOU GO TO D.C., YOU PASS STUFF.

AND YOU'RE ACCOUNTABLE TO THAT.

THAT IS WHY YOU ARE ABLE TO WIN TOUGH ELECTIONS, LIKE ANGIE HAS TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

SHE'S BY FAR THE MOST ELECTABLE.

>> SHE USED TO HAVE ON HER WEBSITE THAT SHE BOASTED THAT SHE VOTED 40% WITH TOM EMMER.

AND THIS IS WHY SHE'S BEHIND WITH EMOCRATS.

BECAUSE DEMOCRATS WANT SOMEONE WHO'S GOING TO BE A DEMOCRAT WHEN THEY'RE IN OFFICE.

>> Eric: WILL THERE BE AN ENDORSEMENT AT THE CONVENTION?

>> OH, YEAH.

>> IT'S GOING TO A PRIMARY.

AND ANGIE IS BY FAR OUR BEST ON THE TOP OF THE TICKET WITH KLOBUCHAR.

>> BECAUSE SHE HAS MONEY AND NOT PEOPLE.

>> I'M VOTING FOR PEGGY ON THAT ONE, LOVE TO HAVE HER BE YOUR CANDIDATE.

>> AND THAT IS WHY THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE ISSUES IN THE PRIMARY BECAUSE PEGGY WILL GET LACED WITH THE FRAUD ISSUE, TOO.

>> Eric: THANKS, PANEL.

>> POINT TAKEN.

>> Cathy: A LOT OF INTERESTING STUFF.

>> Eric: A LOT OF STUFF GOING ON.

>> Cathy: APPRECIATE IT.

KEEP TALKIN'.

>> NOT SURPRISINGLY, IT'S NOT YOUR TYPICAL BUSINESS VOLUME.

PINT-SIZE BOOK ARRIES THE TITLE, NORG BORING DERIVATIVE, PIECE OF CRAP BUSINESS BOOK.

ONE OF THE THINGS IN THE BOOK SAYS THAT YOU UNDERPROMISE AND OVERDELIVER.

>> YES.

>> Eric: AND YOU CERTAINLY HAVE WITH THIS BOOK, WITH THE TITLE.

>> IT WORKED ALREADY.

>> Eric: YEAH.

>> AND I THANK YOU FOR THAT.

YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU HAVE 350,000 BUSINESS BOOKS A YEAR PUBLISHED, YOU GOTTA STAND OUT SOME WAY, AND WHEN WE WERE DONE WITH IT, WE THOUGHT TO OURSELVES, LET'S TRY WHAT'S IN THE BOOK.

>> Cathy: OH, MY GOSH, I LOVE MIKE VEECK, HE WAS SUCH A GREAT GUEST, OWNER OF THE St.

PAUL SAINTS, HE WAS SUCH A FUN GUEST.

THE HOUR IS NEARLY COMPLETE, SO THAT MEANS IT IS MINNESOTA HISTORY TIME.

THIS WEEK'S INDEX FILE QUESTION FEATURES A FAMOUS MYSTERY PERSON WITH A CONNECTION TO MINNESOTA IN 1968.

A YEAR OF GREAT TURMOIL.

THE COUNTRY ENDURED ASSASSINATIONS, CONTINUED WAR IN VIETNAM AND WHAT IS OFTEN DESCRIBED AS ONE OF THE MOST VIOLENT POLITICAL YEARS IN U.S.

HISTORY.

OUR MYSTERY PERSON WROTE IN THEIR AUTOBIOGRAPHY ABOUT ONE PARTICULAR VISIT TO OUR STATE, "I CAN'T BEGIN TO TELL YOU HOW ELECTRIC THE SCENE WAS.

THE HOTEL WAS FILLED WITH CELEBRITIES."

WHO IS THIS MYSTERY PERSON AND WHAT HOTEL WERE THEY SPEAKING OF?

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU WHETHER YOU ARE CALLING FROM JUDY DAM, GARLAND AVENUE, BOB LAKE, OR DYLAN LANE IN INDEPENDENCE, MINNESOTA.

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

YOU CAN ALWAYS DROP US A NOTE TOO.

ALMANAC@TPT.ORG.

COUPLE OF QUICK TUNE-IN REMINDERS FOR YOU.

EVERY WEDNESDAY NIGHT DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION YOU CAN CATCH POLITICAL REPORTER MARY LAHAMMER ON "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL," 7:00 P.M.

ON THE STATEWIDE MINNESOTA CHANNEL.

NEED A DAILY POLITICAL TV FIX?

WE HAVE IT FOR YA.

YOU CAN TUNE IN THAT SAME STATEWIDE MINNESOTA CHANNEL ON A PBS STATION NEAR YOU EVERY MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY DURING SESSION TO CATCH FLOOR ACTION, COMMITTEE ACTION AND MORE.

JUST ENOUGH TIME LEFT FOR SOME SHOW-ENDING MUSIC.

THIS WEEK BACK IN 2013 THE CHORAL GROUP -- ONE OF MY FAVORITES -- CANTUS PAID US A VISIT.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

TAKE A LISTEN.

CAPTIONED BY: VERITEXT/PARADIGM CAPTIONING WWW.VERITEXT.COM >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

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

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

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

AND VANESSA DAYTON, THROUGH THE HEALTHCARE FOR ALL MINNESOTANS FUND, SUPPORTING ACCESSIBLE HEALTHCARE FOR MINNESOTANS STATEWIDE.

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