FOR YOU.

NEKIMA LEVY ARMSTRONG WILL JOIN US TO TALK ABOUT WEDNESDAY'S KILLING OF AMIR LOCKE.

GOVERNOR WALZ WILL BE LIVE IN STUDIO PREVIEWING HIS LEGISLATIVE AGENDA.

MICHAEL OSTERHOLM WILL DISCUSS VACCINES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN.

THEN MARY LAHAMMER SIZES UP THE FIRST WEEK OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> Mary: THE CROWDS ARE RETURNING TO THE CAPITOL.

>> OUR FOCUS RIGHT NOW IS ON THE 2022 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> >> WE WILL NEVER COMPROMISE ON PRESERVING OUR DEMOCRACY.

>> Mary: AND PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERNS ARE PRESSING ONCE AGAIN.

>> AMIR SHOULD STILL BE WITH US.

>> Mary: THAT'S COMING UP, ON "ALMANAC."

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>> CATHY: COMING UP LATER IN THE HOUR, WE TALK ABOUT THE POLICE-INVOLVED SHOOTING IN DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS WITH NEKIMA LEVY ARMSTRONG.

AND WE LEARN ABOUT THE CHALLENGES OF VACCINATING CHILDREN WITH MICHAEL OSTERHOLM.

BUT FIRST UP IN THE HOUR, WE TALK POLITICS WITH GOVERNOR TIM WALZ.

>> ERIC: THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGAN ON MONDAY AND GOVERNOR WALZ WAS THERE DELIVERING DESSERT TREATS FOR LAWMAKERS.

THAT MAY TURN OUT TO BE THE HIGH POINT OF THE SESSION.

GOVERNOR TIM WALZ JOINS US.

TO HAVE, THANKS FOR JOINING US.

FAST-MOVING DEVELOPMENT IN THIS SHOOTING OF AMIR LOCKE, BASED ON A TO-KNOCK WARRANT THAT MINNEAPOLIS POLICE EXECUTED.

MAYOR FREY TODAY -- LATE TODAY HAS ORDERED A MORATORIUM ON NO-KNOCK WARRANT AND JUST IN THE LAST FEW MINUTE, THE PEOPLE OF COLOR CAUCUS AT THE CAPITOL HAVE CALLED ON A BAN ON NO-KNOCK WARRANTS.

SHOULD THE LEGISLATURE DO SOME MORE IN THIS REGARD?

>> YEAH, WELL, CERTAINLY, GOOD EVENING TO BOTH OF YOU.

ANOTHER TRAGIC WEEK IN MINNESOTA.

WE'VE GOT -- WE HAD TWO SHOOTING SITUATIONS, DIFFERENT SITUATIONS SAME RESULTS, TWO YOUNG MEN DEAD.

IT'S CERTAINLY HIGHLIGHTING WHAT I THINK IS ON MOST PEOPLE'S MINDS, HE IDEA OF A PUBLIC SAFETY THAT EVERYONE SHOULD FEEL SAFE IN THIS SAFE AND HIGHLIGHTS THIS IS A COMPLEX ISSUE.

YOU CAN HAVE PUBLIC SAFETY BUT YOU HAVE TO HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY AND I THINK AS MINNESOTANS WATCHED BOTH OF THESE SITUATIONS PLAY OUT WITH AMIR AND WITH JAMARI, THEY'RE ASKING TO TRY TO FIND SOME SOLUTIONS.

I THINK THE POSITIVE THING WAS, AT LEAST THIS WEEK IN THE LEGISLATURE, THERE'S BEEN, YOU KNOW, QUITE A BIT OF COMMON GROUND AND OVERLAP AND I THINK AS WE SEE A COMMUNITY, YOU KNOW, HEARTACHE AGAIN AND TRAUMA AND ANGER, THAT SOLUTIONS NEED TO COME.

>> Cathy: GETTING BACK TO THE NO-KNOCK WARRANT AND WHAT THE POCI CAUCUS IS CALLING FOR TONIGHT, WOULD YOU SIGN A BAN ON NO-KNOCK WARRANTS IF IT CAME TO YOUR DESK?

>> IF THE LEGISLATURE MOVES I WOULD, YES, AND I THINK IT'S WORKING WITH -- IN THESE SITUATIONS, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL MINNESOTANS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT IS A PART OF THAT, THAT ARE THERE WAYS, ARE WE DOING BEST PRACTICES?

I THINK HAVING AN OUTSIDE GROUPS LOOK AT THIS, MAKE SURE EACH ONE OF THESE SITUATIONS AND THEY'RE ALWAYS CHALLENGING, ALWAYS HARD BUT I THINK THESE THINGS HAVE SUCH POTENTIAL TO GO BAD, LIKE WE SAW IN THIS CASE WITH AMIR LOCKE, IT'S SO -- I THINK THE LEGISLATURE NEEDS TO BUCKLE DOWN ON THIS.

I THINK WHAT THEY'RE SEEING IS THIS IS NOT JUST THE PUBLIC SAFETY PIECE THAT'S A PART OF IT, WE HAVE TO SEE GUN VIOLENCE AND VIOLENT CRIMES GO DOWN BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE DOING IT IN A WAY THAT PEOPLE'S PERSONAL SECURITY FREEDOMS AND LIBERTIES ARE PROTECTED IN THIS.

THE ONE THING IS, THIS WEEK WE SAW A LOT OF COMMONALITY BUT THERE WAS ONE RED LINE IN THE SAND, THE SENATE REPUBLICANS SAID THEY WOULD NOT TALK ANYTHING ABOUT THESE ILLEGAL GUNS OR GUNS IN GENERAL AND HOW WE MAKE SOME COMMON SENSE CHANGES AROUND THAT.

I THINK VERYTHING NEEDS TO BE ON HE TABLE, WHETHER IT'S NO-KNOCK WARRANTS TO TRY AND PROTECT LIVES, MAKE SURE LAW OFFICERS ARE NOT UT IN BAD SITUATIONS AND MAKE SURE WE'RE GETTING THE FOLKS WHO ARE COMMITTING THE VIOLENT CRIMES BUT GETTING THE GUNS WHERE WE CAN AS A PART OF IT.

>> Cathy: SAY, I'M CURIOUS, THERE IS THIS DOJ INVESTIGATION OF THE MINNEAPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT.USING YOUR INFLUENCE ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL OR WOULD YOU ALSO ASK ATTORNEY GENERAL ELLISON TO MAYBE PUSH THE DOJ TO PLACE THE MPD IN RECEIVERSHIP?

>> WELL, I THINK IT'S DIFFICULT.

THESE NEED TO BE INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATIONS, THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE HAS A PRACTICE THAT'S IN PLACE AND IT'S A BIG DEAL BUT IT'S TIME-CONSUMING.

I WOULD REMIND EVERYONE, TWO, TOO, THE MINNESOTA HUMAN RIGHTS HAS BEEN DOING ONE SINCE THE SUMMER OF 23020 THAT'S A SIGNIFICANT ONE.

WE MADE SOME SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN THE LAST LEGISLATIVE CYCLE.

I DO THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF PROPOSALS OUT THERE AND I JUST THINK THE LEGISLATURE, IF WE CAN DEBATE THESE THINGS A HOLISTIC APPROACH, AGAIN, ZERO TOLERANCE ON CRIME BUT ALSO ACCOUNTABILITY AND ZERO TOLL RANTS ON THE CAUSES OF CRIME.

THERE IS A LOT OF GREAT DEAS COMING FROM ACROSS THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM, WITH THE END RESULT BEING AS WE NEED TO REDUCE VIOLENT CRIME BUT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T HAVE A SITUATION WHERE WE HAVE THIS GENTLEMAN SITTING ON A COUCH, NOT THE TARGET OF A WARRANT ND ENDS UP DEAD.

>> Eric: WHAT I HIT A COUPLE OTHER ISSUES WITH YOU, IF WE COULD.

THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT REPLENISHING THE UNEMPLOYMENT TRUST FUND BECAUSE IT WOULD BE A TAX ON SMALL BUSINESS AND LARGE BUSINESS, FOR THAT MATTER.

YOU'VE CALLED FOR A CLEAN BILL ON THIS, THE REPUBLICANS WANT A CLEAN BILL.

I GUESS THE HOUSE DEMOCRATS HAVE LINKED TO SEVERAL OTHER ISSUES.

ARE YOU GOING TO PUSH FOR A CLEAN BILL OR IS IT GOING TO BE PART OF THE NEGOTIATIONS, DO YOU THINK?

>> WELL, I'VE SPOKEN VERY CLEARLY THAT THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO MAKE SURE THAT NOT ONLY OH IS MINNESOTA PREPARED IF WE NEED IT GET, THE UNEMPLOYMENT TRUST FUND IS AN INCREDIBLE ANTI-POVERTY PROGRAM AS WELL AS AN ECONOMIC STIMULUS, BUT THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE MAKE FOLKS WHOLE IN THIS.

I THINK WHAT YOU'RE HEARING FROM HOUSE DEMOCRATS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE A LONG TIME AGO, THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT ETTING THESE -- THE PAYOUT TO OUR HERO PAY, TRYING TO GET SOME MONEY BACK IN THE HANDS OF FOLKS RIGHT NOW.

I DO BELIEVE VERY STRONGLY WE HAVE TO REPLENISH THIS TRUST FUND, THEY'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT THAT WE SHOULDN'T END UP PAYING A TAX ON THIS OR INTEREST TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS HAS TO DO THAT.

I DON'T THINK THE HOUSE DEMOCRATS ARE ASKING FOR ANYTHING UNREASONABLE OF SAYING WE AGREED ON THIS LAST YEAR, LET'S GET THIS MONEY OUT THE DOOR AND DO IT AT THE SAME TIME.

I WILL KNOW, I SIGNED A BILL INTO LAW ALREADY DEALING WITH WORKMEN'S COMP THAT HAD A FISCAL NOTE ATTACHED TO IT, MAYBE ONE OF THE FASTEST TYPES WE DID THIS, IT HAD A UNANIMOUS VOTE AND IT DEALT WITH COVID IN A COVID PRESUMPTION.

THAT BODES WELL FOR THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION THAT WE'RE ABLE TO FIND THAT COMMON GROUND.

>> athy: SAY, GOVERNOR, YOU MENTIONED HERO PAY.

REALLY, HOW FAST CAN THAT GET DONE?

IT'S KIND OF LANGUISHED AND I KNOW THERE ARE A LOT OF FOLKS OUT THERE WHO ARE KIND OF DISGUSTED WITH WHAT THEY SEE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THAT MIGHT HAVE SOME CHANCE OF PASSAGE?

>> WELL, I WOULD HOPE NOW AND I'M NOT JUST UNREASONABLE, AND JUST TO BE CLEAR, I PUT VERY CLEARLY TO NOT -- I'M NOT TRADING I VIEW OUR TRUST FUND SOLVENCY IN GETTING THAT RIGHT.

THAT WAS A TOP FRIGHT OF REPUBLICANS, IT AS A TOP PRIORITY OF THE CHAMBER AND IT WAS A TOP PRIORITY OF MANY DEMOCRATS BUT HE HERO PAY WAS A TOP PRIORITY OF ALL OF US AND WE PASSED IT.

I'M ASKING THEM TO GET IT FAST BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO TAKE OUR DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, WE'VE GOT THEM STOOD UP AND READY TO GO.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LITTLE WHILE.

PEOPLE NEED THIS MONEY NOW, IT'S NO SURPRISE TO ANYONE, PRICES ARE UP.

COME OUT OF COVID, WE'RE SEEING GLOBAL SUPPLY HAINS, SEEING INFLATIONARY COSTS ON FOLKS.

GET IT OUT RIGHT NOW AND, AGAIN, WE'VE ALREADY AGREED ON THIS.

IT WAS JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY -- HOW WE COULD MOVE IT, AND I'M FRUSTRATED BUT IT CAN BE THERE.

AGAIN, PASSED BILL THIS WEEK, MADE PRESUMPTIVE COVID EXPOSURE AND ILLNESS FOR WORKMEN'S COMP, UNANIMOUSLY PASSED BY THE ENTIRE LEGISLATURE, SIGNED INTO LAW.

WE COULD DO THAT WITH THE HERO PAY.

>> Eric: SOUNDS IKE THE SENATE IS COMING AROUND TO THE IDEA OF A REBATE CHECK AS PART OF TAX RELIEF.

THEY WANT MORE THAN THE $350 FOR A COUPLE BUT DIDN'T YOU REALLY KIND OF INVITE PEOPLE TO CALL THIS A POLITICAL GYM MICK WHEN YOU CALLED THEM WALZ CHECKS OR WAS THAT TONGUE IN CHECK OR -- >> NO, YES, BECAUSE IT CAME UP, I THINK EVERYONE KNOWS, REPUBLICANS WERE THE ONES WHO SAID YOU NEED TO GET THIS MONEY BACK TO PEOPLE.

I DIDN'T DISAGREE WITH PEOPLE.

WE UT IT OUT THERE.

THERE IS A HIS TRIAL IN MINNESOTA, GOVERNOR VENTURA DID IT AND THEY WERE JESSIE CHECKS AND IT WAS A LITTLE BIT OF THE TONGUE IN CHECKS BUT I'VE SAID ALL ATHEN LOW, I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU CALL IT, PUTTING MONEY IN THE POCKETS OF MINNESOTANS BY THIS SURPLUS ISN'T A GIMMICK.

CALL THEM WHATEVER YOU WANT BUT JUST GET IT DONE BUT DON'T SAY IT'S A GIMMICK.

IF THEY WANT HAVE THEY WANT TO PUT MORE ON TO IT, I'M CERTAINLY OPEN TO THAT.

WE CAN MAKE THOSE ADJUSTMENTS.

>> Eric: BOTTINEAU LINE, LIGHT RAIL, 200 MILLION IN YOUR BUDGET, SOUTHWEST RAIL IS UP FOR GRABS.

IS THAT 200 MILLION FOR BOTTINEAU A GOOD USE OF TRANSPORTATION DOLLARS?

>> YEAH, I BELIEVE O.

THESE HAVE BEEN STUDIED, WE'RE GOING TO THEY WOULD A 21st SCENTRY TRANSPORTATION CENTER, THE POPULATION GROWTH WE'RE GOING TO SEE AND AS WE MOVE TOWARD MORE EFFICIENT TRANSIT SYSTEMS IN ADDITION TO OUR ROADS AND BRIDGES, AND ALL OF THAT'S PROJECTS ARE RUN DIFFERENTLY, THEY HAVE DIFFERENT CONTRACTORS, DIFFERENT PROJECT MANAGEMENT.

I'VE CALLED FOR AND WE THEY WOULD TO KNOW WHEN WE GET COST OVERRUINS, WE NEED TO BE EFFICIENT AND ACCOUNTABLE FOR EVERY DOLLAR BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN WE STOP BUILDING ELSEWHERE OR STOP PLANNING ELSEWHERE.

>> Cathy: SO YOU ARE IN FAVOR OF THE AUDIT OF THE SOUTHWEST LIGHT RAIL LINE THAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THAT HAS BUBBLED UP BUT YOU SAY SHOULD CONSTRUCTION CONTINUE ON THAT WHILE THE AUDIT IS ONGOING OR WHAT SHOULD BE DONE, PUT THE BRAKES ON IT?

>> I THINK WE LISTEN TO THE EXPERTS.

THE BIGGEST THING, I ASKED THIS QUESTION, IT'S VERY EXPENSISM, WE'RE OING TO FINISH THE INE, THESE THINGS NEED TO GET DONE, WE CAN GET ANSWERS TO THE COST OVERRUINS IF THAT'S WHAT IT IS, THE CHANGE OLD.

THINGS DO ARISE ON THIS BUT I THINK, YOU KNOW, THIS PROJECT STARTED I THINK FIVE, SIX YEARS BEFORE I WAS EVEN RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR BUT NOW IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY AND I THINK WE'VE DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB, WHETHER IT WAS MNLARS OR OTHER THINGS OF BEING ACCOUNTABLE BUT I DON'T THINK YOU SHUT DOWN ALL THE PROJECTS BUT WHAT I'VE SAILED IS THE LEGISLATURE HAS ASKED FOR THESE.

I THINK YOU LET THE EXPERTS WEIGH IN.

IF THERE'S A -- YOU KNOW, IF THERE IS A CONSENSUS COMING BACK ONE WAY OR THE OTHER, I CERTAINLY WILL WORK TO MAKE SURE THAT'S ENACTED.

>> Eric: WISH WE HAD MORE TIME, GOVERNOR, BUT WE'RE GETTING THE WRAP-UP TIME.

APPRECIATE YOUR TIME THIS EVENING.

THANKS.

>> THANK YOU ALL.

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.

>> Cathy: YOU TOO.

>> ERIC: IN UPCOMING WEEKS, WE'LL CHECK IN WITH LEGISLATIVE LEADERS FROM BOTH PARTIES.

UP NEXT, THE KILLING BY POLICE OF AMIR LOCKE ON WEDNESDAY MORNING IN DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

♪♪ >> HOW DOES THAT FEEL TO KNOW THAT YOUR SON IS SLEEPING COMFORTABLY IN A SAFE PLACE, PEACEFULLY.

AND SOMEONE TAKES IT UPON THEMSELVES TO CHOOSE WHO LIVES AND WHO DIES.

>> Cathy: ONE OF THE BIG STORIES THIS WEEK WAS THE POLICE KILLING OF AMIR LOCKE.

>> AMIR LOCKE WAS SHOT AND KILLED BY MINNEAPOLIS POLICE WEDNESDAY MORNING INSIDE A DOWNTOWN APARTMENT BUILDING.

A SWAT TEAM USED A NO-KNOCK WARRANT TO ENTER THE APARTMENT WHERE LOCKE WAS STAYING.

HE WAS NOT THE PERSON POLICE WERE SEEKING.

HE WAS KILLED ON A COUCH IN THE DARK, UNDER A BLANKET, SHORTLY AFTER POLICE ARRIVED.

BODY CAMERA VIDEO SHOWS THAT LOCKE, WHO WAS AFRICAN AMERICAN, WAS HOLDING A GUN.

HIS FAMILY SAYS THAT HE HAD A CONCEAL-CARRY PERMIT.

THE SHOOTING HAS BEEN WIDELY CONDEMNED AND HAS ONCE AGAIN RAISED QUESTIONS ABOUT POLICE TACTICS AND CIVIL RIGHTS.

NEKIMA LEVY ARMSTRONG IS A CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY WHO WAS APPOINTED IN DECEMBER TO BE CO-CHAIR OF A 35-MEMBER PUBLIC COMMITTEE AIMED AT IMPROVING POLICE RELATIONS IN MINNEAPOLIS.

THANK FOR BEING WITH US.

YOU SAID AFTER THE SHOTTING THAT THIS IS JUST BUSINESS AS USUAL IN MINNEAPOLIS.

CAN YOU EXPAND ON THAT?

>> YES.

THE REALITY IS THAT MANY OF US IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS HAVE FAR MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS THAT HAVE COME FORWARD FROM THE MINNEAPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS THE MAYOR'S OFFICE.

GIVEN THAT WE ARE THE CITY IN WHICH GEORGE FLOYD WAS KILLED, THAT CAUSED THE WORLD TO WATCH WHAT WAS HAPPENING HERE, YOU WOULD THINK THAT WE WOULD AVE LEARNED BY NOW THE MPORTANCE OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY AND CHANGING THE POLICIES AND THE PROCEDURES.

MANY OF US FOR YEARS HAVE BEEN RAISING CONCERNS ABOUT THE CONDUCT OF THE MINNEAPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THEIR SHOOT-FIRST, ASK QUESTIONS LATER MENTALITY.

THAT AS ON FULL DISPLAY THIS WEEK.

WHEN AMIR LOCKE WAS NEEDLESSLY GUNNED DOWN.

>> Eric: WHERE DOES THE THIS LEAVE THE DEBATE OVER POLICING IN MINNEAPOLIS?

>> I THINK THE DEBATE IS RIGHT WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE, WHICH IS MORE AND MORE FOLKS WAKING UP TO THE NEED TO ACT WITH THE SENSE OF URGENCY TO APPLY MORE PRESSURE TO OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND PARTICULARLY, MAYOR JACOB FREY.

AND PART OF WHY THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN IS BECAUSE, IN NOVEMBER, THE PEOPLE VOTED TO GIVE THE MAYOR MORE POWER AND OVERSIGHT OF THE MINNEAPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND SO AT THIS POINT, THE BUCK STOPS WITH MAYOR FREY.

AND I KNOW THAT PART OF WHAT HE WAS SOMEBODYING TO DO BY ESTABLISHING THE COMMUNITY WORK GROUP ON SAFETY WAS TO GIVE COMMUNITY LEADERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISSECT THE ISSUES WITHIN THE MINNEAPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS LOOK AT COMMUNITY SAFETY AND SOME OF THE INCREASES IN VIOLENCE THAT WE HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH IN OUR COMMUNITY.

OUR CHARGE IS TO LOOK AT THOSE ISSUES AND WE WERE GIVEN UNTIL APRIL TO COME UP WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE SET OF RECOMMENDATIONS.

OUR GROUP WAS NOT REALLY SET UP TO DEAL WITH EMERGENCIES SUCH AS WHAT WE JUST EXPERIENCED THIS PAST WEEK, BUT BECAUSE I'M AN ATTORNEY AND AN ACTIVIST, AND SOMEONE WHO IS VERY ACTIVE IN PUSHING FOR CHANGE ON THESE ISSUES, I'VE HAD TO GET INVOLVED IN DEMANDING JUSTICE AND ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY IN THE KILLING OF AMIR.

>> Eric: I WATCHED YOUR PART OF THE NEWS CONFERENCE TODAY AND I DON'T WANT TO PUT WORDS IN YOUR MOUTH BUT I GOT THE IMPRESSION YOU FELT YOU MAY HAVE BEEN USED DURING THE CAMPAIGN FOR MAYOR?

>> NO, I DON'T THINK I WAS USED DURING THE CAMPAIGN FOR MAYOR.

I NEVER CAMPAIGNED FOR MAYOR JACOB FREY AND I ALSO MADE CLEAR THAT I DID NOT VOTE FOR JACOB FREY TO BECOME MAYOR.

I ACTUALLY VOTED OR THE THREE BLACK CANDIDATES WHO RAN FOR MAYOR BECAUSE I THOUGHT THAT WE NEEDED NEW LEADERSHIP IN THE CITY.

AND EVEN IN SPITE OF MY RESERVATIONS AND SOMEONE WHO WAS CONSTANTLY USHING FOR CHANGE ON THE OUTSIDE, I MADE A DECISION THAT IT WAS TIME TO TRY TO WORK WITH FOLKS ON THE INSIDE TO BRING ABOUT CHANGE.

AND SO THAT'S WHAT I HAVE SOUGHT TO DO ALONG WITH OTHER ACTIVISTS SUCH AS MICHELLE GROSS, WHO HAS BEEN DOING THIS WORK FOR 25 YEARS, AND BOTH OF US CONTINUE TO BE COMMITTED TO FIGHTING FOR CHANGE ON THE INSIDE HILE MAINTAINING OUR STANCE -- OUR STANCES AS ACTIVISTS, PUSHING FOR CHANGE ON THE OUTSIDE.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE BOTH.

WE CAN'T HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE AND EXPECT TO BE SILENT.

>> Cathy: DOES THAT MEAN YOU'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE THE CO-CHAIR OF THIS WORKING GROUP?

>> WELL, MY PLAN IS TO CONTINUE TO REMAIN THE CO-CHAIR OF THE WORKING GROUP BUT MY EXPECTATION IS THAT MAYOR JACOB FREY WILL TAKE THIS MUCH MORE SERIOUSLY.

NOW, I'VE HAD A CONVERSATION WITH HIM EARLIER TODAY, HE ASSURED ME THAT HE WAS SERIOUS AND I TALKED TO HIM ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE NEED TO SEE HIM PAY CLOSER ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS OF WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE MINNEAPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT AND NOT BE SO RELIANT UPON CITY STAFF.

MAYOR JACOB FREY IS A LAWYER, JUST AS I AM, AND THERE ARE WAYS THAT WE ARE TAUGHT TO THINK AND TO ANALYZE INFORMATION AND TO CONDUCT RESEARCH THAT CAN BRING ABOUT A DIFFERENT RESULT.

SO HE'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE MUCH MORE HAND-ON WITH HIS OVERSIGHT OF THE MINNEAPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT IF WE WANT TO SEE THE WIDESPREAD CHANGES THAT RESIDENTS ARE SEEKING.

>> Cathy: THE MAYOR HAS IMPLEMENTED AN IMMEDIATE BAN ON NO-KNOCK WARRANTS.

NOW, I THOUGHT HE DID THAT A WHILE AGO.

>> WELL, MANY PEOPLE THOUGHT HE DID THAT BACK IN NOVEMBER OF 2020 WHEN HE TALKED ABOUT THERE BEING SOMEWHAT OF A REDUCTION IN THE USE OF NO-KNOCK WARRANTS.

AT THAT TIME, MINNEAPOLIS POLICE WERE CONDUCTING ABOUT 139 OF THOSE TYPES OF WARRANTS IN OUR CITY AND SO THROUGH THAT POLICY CHANGE, IT HIFTED SOME ASPECTS OF THE NO-KNOCK WARRANT POLICY BUT IT DIDN'T BAN NO-KNOCK WARRANT POLICIES AND PEOPLE RAISED CONCERNS THEN THAT THE POLICY CHANGE WAS NOT STRONG ENOUGH AND WE SEE THE MPACT OF THAT THROUGH THE UNNECESSARY MURDER OF AMIR LOCKE.

>> Cathy: THE "STAR TRIBUNE," BY THE WAY, NEKIMA, SAID THAT THEY LOOKED THROUGH RECORDS AND THE MPD FILED FOR AND OBTAINED AT LEAST 13 APPLICATIONS FOR NO-KNOCK WARRANTS INCE THE START OF THIS YEAR.

WHY DOES THE -- WHY ARE THEY SO FOCUSED ON THESE NO-KNOCK WARRANTS?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT PART OF IT HAS TO DO WITH THE M.P.D.

WANTING TO CONTINUE WITH BUSINESS AS USUAL.

AS MANY OF US KNOW, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET SYSTEMS TO CHANGE, THAT'S PART OF WHY WE'VE BEEN IN THE STREETS, SHUTTING THINGS DOWN, PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ARRESTED, PEOPLE HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR YEARS TO PUSH FOR THE CHANGES THAT ARE NECESSARY AND THE SYSTEM RESISTS ALONG WITH LEADERS WITHIN THOSE SYSTEMS.

AND THE OTHER THING IS THAT WE SAW A SHIFT BECAUSE OUR PREVIOUS CHIEF RETIRED AND NOW WE HAVE AN INTERIM CHIEF AND SO I THINK THAT SOME OF THE POLICE OFFICERS USE THAT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE WITH BUSINESS AS USUAL.

>> Eric: WHAT DO YOU WANT TO LOOK FOR IN A NEW CHIEF?

>> WELL, NUMBER ONE, I THINK THAT AMELIA HALF UFFMAN SHOULD RESIGN IMMEDIATELY BASED UPON HER HANDLING OF THE KILLING OF AMIR LOCKE.

I DO NOT EEL THAT SHE WAS TRANSPARENT IN THE WAY IN WHICH THINGS WERE COMMUNICATED.

AND I ALSO THINK THAT SHE WAS NOT PROVIDING PROPER OVERSIGHT OF THOSE SWAT TEAM OFFICERS WHO STORMED INTO THE APARTMENT AND WHO KILLED AMIR LOCKE.

WE NEED FRESH LEADERSHIP, PROBABLY SOMEONE FROM OUTSIDE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, WHO HAS NOT BEEN DEEPLY ENTRENCHED WITHIN THE MINNEAPOLIS POLICE CULTURE AND WHO IS NOT AFRAID OF THE PUSHBACK FROM OFFICERS WHO ARE RESISTING THE CHANGES THAT WE ARE PUSHING FOR.

>> Cathy: WE WISH WE HAD MORE TIME WITH YOU.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Eric: YOU BET.

THANKS.

♪♪ >> ERIC: THIS WEEK, THE PFIZER DRUG COMPANY SOUGHT FDA APPROVAL TO ALLOW THE VACCINATION OF AMERICAN CHILDREN AGED 6 MONTHS TO 5 YEARS.

THIS WOULD BE THE FINAL PUSH TO VACCINATE ALL AMERICANS.

MICHAEL OSTERHOLM IS BACK TO GIVE US HIS TAKE ON THIS.

HE HEADS THE U'S CENTER FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASE RESEARCH AND POLICY.

WELL, DOCTOR, WHAT ABOUT THE TODDLERS, DOES THIS VACCINE WORK ON THEM?

>> WELL, SURELY, WE KNOW IT WILL WORK ON THEM.

THE QUESTION IS WHAT IS THE DOSAGE AND HOW MANY DOSES AND THAT IS WHAT HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE IS IN THE INITIAL STUDIES THAT BOTH PFIZER AND MODERNA DID, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF DOSES, TOO, DID NOT PROVIDE FOR AN ADEQUATE IMMUNE RESPONSE SO THEY KIND OF WENT BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD AND WE'RE LOOKING FOR A THREE-DOSE APPROACH, SOMETHING WE'RE ALREADY DOING IN ADULTS.

THE CHALLENGE IS BECAUSE OF THE CURRENT SITUATION, THE FDA IS CONSIDERING AMOVING UNDER EMERGENCY AUTHORIZATION TWO DOSES AND THEN AS THE DATA COMES IN FOR THE THIRD.

BY THAT TIME, KIDS WOULD BE CAUGHT UP AND YOU COULD START DOING THE THIRD DOSE SO I CAN'T SAY AT THIS POINT THAT'S GOING TO WORK, THAT THAT'S GOING TO BE ACTUALLY WHAT HAPPENS BUT THAT WAS THE THINKING BEHIND THE APPROACH.

>> Cathy: THE YOUNGER KIDS, I MEAN, ARE LESS LIKELY TO GET VACCINATED, YOU KNOW, PARENTS SEEM TO BE JUST REALLY KIND OF NERVOUS ABOUT THIS AND THE GUIDANCE APPEARS TO BE MURKY.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE PARENTS AT THIS POINT?

>> WELL, WE IN PUBLIC HEALTH HAVE TO DO A MUCH BETTER JOB COMMUNICATING TO PARENTS THE BENEFITS OF THE VACCINE, THE CHALLENGES OF THE ILLNESS, WE'VE JUST GONE THROUGH A PERIOD WHERE WE'VE SEEN LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF KIDS, A NUMBER OF THEM HOSPITALIZED, WITH COVID, AND WE HAVEN'T DONE A GOOD JOB AND I THINK, KATHY, THAT'S WHY WE'RE SEEING RIGHT NOW ONLY 35% OF KIDS UP TO 11 WHO COULD BE VACCINATED ARE NOT BECAUSE PARENTS' AREN'T GETTING THEM VACCINATED.

SOLVING THE VACCINE IS JUST THE FIRST STEP.

TURNING IT INTO A VACCINATION IS WHAT'S CRITICAL.

I WORRY THAT IF WE HAVE MURKY INFORMATION AS YOU CALLED IT, AND I WOULD AGREE, I THINK THAT'S A GOOD TERM, FOR THE TWO-DOSE OR THE THREE-DOSE IN YOUNG KIDS, THAT'S ALSO GOING TO BE A BARRIER.

SO THE FDA REALLY, ALONG WITH THEIR PARTNERS AT THE CDC, HAVE TO BE INCREDIBLY CLEAR WITH WHAT THESE VACCINES ARE APPROVED FOR, WHY THEY WERE APPROVED AND WHAT THEY WILL DO AT A 2-DOSE OR THREE-DOSE LEVEL.

>> Eric: IT APPEARS OMICRON INFECTIONS MAY NOT WARD OFF THE FUTURE CASES AND I WONDER WHAT'S THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT.

>> WELL, ERIC, AS YOU KNOW, WE'RE STILL LEARNING ABOUT OMICRON.

IN FACT, EACH WEEK IT GETS MORE MYSTERIOUS, IN A SENSE.

YOU KNOW, IT WAS JUST TEN SHORT WEEKS AGO THAT WE WERE TALKING HERE ABOUT WHAT WOULD BE A VIRAL BLIZZARD WHICH DID COME TO PASS, UNFORTUNATELY, AND NOW WE'RE ACTUALLY SEEING THAT THE ORIGINAL OMICRON STRAIN THAT FIRST EVOLVED IN SOUTH AFRICA HAS NOW AS A CYST MATERIAL IN A SENSE, WHAT WE CALL BA1, THE ORIGINAL VIRUS, BA2 IS WHAT WE CALL THE SUBLINEAGE ONE THAT IS VERY CLOSELY RELATED TO THAT ONE AND THAT SEEMS TO BE TAKING OVER IN MANY PARTS OF THE WORLD.

BEATING OUT THE ORIGINAL OMICRON THAT FIRST EMERGED.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS YET.

WE DON'T HAVE EVIDENCE THAT PEOPLE ARE GETTING SICKER, WE DON'T HAVE EVIDENCE THAT IT'S EVADING IMMUNE PROTECTION BUT SOMEHOW IT IS TAKING OVER.

EVEN WITH OMICRON, WE STILL HAVE QUESTIONS LEFT.

WE DO KNOW THAT IF YOU HAVE NOT HAD THREE DOSES OF THE VACCINE, THAT OMICRON IS ONLY REALLY PARTIALLY IMPACTED BY THE VACCINES.

WE ALSO KNOW THAT FOR THOSE WHO WERE PREVIOUSLY INFECTED, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO HAD DELTA, THEY WERE AT RISK OF HAVING A SECOND INFECTION WITH OMICRON.

>> Cathy: YOU KNOW, IT WAS SAID THAT AT THIS POINT, IT APPEARS THAT ABOUT A THIRD OF COVID PATIENTS DEVELOP LONG COVID, AND I'M WONDERING, WITH THE EXPLOSION OF OMICRON, ARE WE GOING O SEE MORE LONG COVID CASES?

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR PATIENTS, FOR THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM AND FOR THE ECONOMY?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO BE HONEST, THIS IS PART OF THAT HUMILITY APPROACH THAT IS NECESSARY.

WE DON'T REALLY KNOW YET.

YOU KNOW, WE ARE JUST NOW REALLY BEGINNING TO SEE, YOU KNOW, FOUR OR FIVE AND SIX WEEKS OUT FROM PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD OMICRON TO UNDERSTAND ARE THEY STARTING TO DEVELOP THIS LONG COVID, WHICH IS MANY WEEKS AND POTENTIALLY EVEN MANY, MANY MONTHS AND HOPEFULLY NOT BUT I'M AFRAID COULD BE EVEN YEARS.

RIGHT NOW, THERE IS REASON TO THINK THAT OMICRON MAY ACTUALLY NOT BE AS LIKELY TO CAUSE LONG COVID, GIVEN THE CLIN CAM PICTURE WAS VERY DIFFERENT, AS YOU KNOW.

FOR MANY PEOPLE, WHICH DIDN'T SEE ALL THOSE SAME SERIOUS ILLNESS ASPECTS THAT WE'VE SEEN WITH OTHER VARIANTS.

HOWEVER, FOR THOSE FEW OUT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF IN EFFECTED, A FEW BY THE WAY THAT WAS MORE THAN WE'VE SEEN WITH DELTA BUT, AGAIN, MANY MORE PEOPLE WERE INFECTED WITH OMICRON, AMONG HOSE WHO WERE SERIOUSLY ILL, WE HAVE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THEM WITH LONG COVID.

BUT LET ME JUST MAKE IT REALLY CLEAR, LONG COVID IS GOING TO BE A TAIL TO THIS PANDEMIC THAT IS GOING TO BE LONG AND I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE VERY DIFFICULT, ALLUDING TO WHAT YOU JUST SAID ABOUT WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR HEALTH, FOR THE ECONOMY.

WE DON'T KNOW BUT IT'S OF GRAVE CONCERN.

>> Eric: AND HERD IMMUNITY, THEN, CAN'T BE ACHIEVED?

WE CAN JUST SORT OF STICK A FORK IN THAT OR... >> WELL, YEAH, OU KNOW, I'LL COME BACK TO -- I'VE BEEN TRYING TO PUT A FORK IN HERD IMMUNITY FOR A YEAR AND A HALF AND I'M NOT DOING A VERY GOOD JOB BUT I THINK WHAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW IS PEOPLE ARE BEGINNING TO REALIZE EACH IF YOU DO DEVELOP IMMUNITY, HOW LONG DOES IT LAST?

ONE OF THE CHALLENGES WE'LL HAVE RIGHT NOW IS, FOR EXAMPLE, THE CURRENT MRNA VACCINES ARE REALLY REMARKABLE BUT WE'VE HAD TO GIVE BOOSTS EVERY SIX MONTHS AND THE QUESTION'S GOING TO BE, CAN WE CONTINUE TO DO THAT OR WILL WE NEED TO DO THAT?

AND THERE'S NO WAY THAT WE'RE GOING TO END UP VACCINATING THE ENTIRE WORLD EVERY SIX MONTHS FOR THIS VIRUS, AND SO IT WAS A CHALLENGE RIGHT NOW FOR US TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT MEANS BUT I THINK WE NEED IMMUNITY, WHICH IS THE HUGE BARRIER TO ACHIEVING THE IDEA OF HERD IMMUNITY IS REALLY GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE AND SO WE'VE STILL GOT A LOT LEFT TO LEARN AND THIS VIRUS STILL HAS TRICKS UP ITS SLEEVE THAT I'M FEARFUL OF THAT WILL KEEP IT VERY IMPORTANT IN OUR EVERYDAY LIVES FOR MONTHS YET TO COME.

>> Cathy: O, BOTTOM LINE HERE, AT LEAST FOR TONIGHT, ARE WE COMING OUT OF THE WOODS -- ARE WE STARTING TO SEE SOME LIGHT FROM THIS LATEST SURGE?

>> ABSOLUTELY, WE ARE.

CLEARLY WE ARE SEEING CASE NUMBERS DROP PRECIPITOUSLY, BUT, AGAIN, THE PROBLEM WE HAVE IS WHAT DOES THAT TAIL LOOK LIKE AS IT COMES OFF THAT BIG PEAK?

AND IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT'S HAPPENED IN SOUTH AFRICA AND THE U.K., JUST IN HE LAST WEEK TO 10 DAYS, IS THAT WE'RE NOW EGINNING TO SEE THAT NUMBER NOT CONTINUING TO DROP TO A BASELINE LIKE IT WAS BEFORE WITH OMICRON, IT WAS AT A NUMBER HIGHER AND, IN FACT, IN BOTH SOUTH AFRICA AND THE UNITED KINGDOM, WE'RE ACTUALLY SEEING CASE NUMBERS GO UP AGAIN.

NOT LARGE NUMBERS BUT IT'S NOT LEVELING OFF IN A WAY THAT MAKES US THINK IT'S GOING TO COME DOWN SOON AND WE COULD STILL HAVE A LOT OF ILLNESS, SERIOUS ILLNESS IN THAT TAIL.

SO WE'RE OFF THE PEAK, NOT ON THE PEEK ANYMORE, WE WON'T BE BUT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS TAIL WHICH STILL COULD BE A REAL CHALLENGE.

>> Cathy: SO STILL WEAR A GOOD MASK AND SOCIALLY DISTANCE?

>> YES.

WELL, AT THIS POINT, I THINK SOCIETY HAS ALREADY MADE A DECISION, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO DO MOOSE OF THOSE THINGS AND IT'S HARD TO CONVINCE THEM TO DO DIFFERENTLY BUT IF YOU'RE GOING TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND IF YOU'RE IMMUNE COMPROMISED, IF YOU HAVE, YOU KNOW, A SEVERE IMMUNE DEFICIENCY, EVEN WITH FOUR DOSES OF VACCINE, YOU STILL HAVE SOME SERIOUS ILLNESS, YES, DEFINITELY, WEAR THOSE N95 RESPIRATORS.

THE MORE YOU SOCIALLY DISTANCE YOURSELF MEANING NOT BEING IN LARGE OPEN CROWDS INSIDE BUILDINGS, YOU CAN DO A LOT TO PROTECT YOURSELF.

FOR MANY PEOPLE THEY'VE MOVED ON, THEY'VE ALREADY DECIDED WE'RE JUST GOING TO GO LIVE OUR LIVES NORMALLY AND UNFORTUNATELY THAT IS GOING TO RESULT IN MORE CASES.

>> Eric: APPRECIATE YOUR MONTHLY VISIT.

THANKS SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: GOOD TO SEE YOU.

BYE-BYE.

♪♪ >> Mary: WHY NOW, WHY ARE YOU RETIRING?

>> IT'S TIME.

IT'S BEEN 18 YEARS AND I NEVER PLANNED ON SPENDING THIS AMOUNT OF TIME HERE.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT I PLANNED ON BUT 18 YEARS IS A LONG TIME.

I WAS A YOUNG MAN WHEN I WAS FIRST ELECTED.

>> CALL ON THE MEMBER FROM COTTONWOOD, REPRESENTATIVE HAMILTON.

>> ELL, THANK YOU, Mr. SPEAKER, MEMBERS.

>> Mary: ANY REGRETS?

IT WAS THE MOST DIFFICULT, DIFFICULT PART IS BEING AWAY FROM FAMILY.

HIM WHEN I WAS FIRST ELECTED, OUR SON WAS IN 6th GRADE, OUR AUGHTER WAS IN 4th GRADE AND I DIDN'T REALIZE OR TOOK IT FOR GRANTED THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT IT ACTUALLY TAKES TO BE A LEGISLATOR.

THEY ALWAYS SUPPORTED -- THEY WANTED THEIR DAD TO DO THIS BUT I WAS THE ONE THAT MISSED OUT AND I CAN'T GET THAT BACK.

♪♪ >> IT'S FEBRUARY, AND THAT MEANS ONE THING.

IN ABOUT WEEK OR SO, WE EXPERIENCE A DAY THAT IS THRUST UPON ALL OF US.

A DAY WHERE WE'RE EXPECTED TO BE LOVING AND KIND.

A DAY WE'RE REQUIRED TO BUY GIFTS.

A DAY WE'VE ALL FORGOTTEN, MUCH TO THE CHAGRIN OF OUR LOVED ONES.

THAT'S RIGHT, I'M TALKING ABOUT MY MOTHER'S BIRTHDAY.

DECADES AGO, BUT NOT TOO MANY DECADES AGO, MY MOTHER WAS BORN, AND FOR AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER, I HAVE NEVER REMEMBERED HER BIRTHDAY.

I ALWAYS FORGET IT, AND MUCH TO THE SMUG SATISFACTION OF MY SISTER, I AM TOLD ABOUT IT FAR TOO LATE.

I LOVE MY MOTHER.

SHE'S A NICE LADY.

MAKES A GREAT LASAGNA.

BUT THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT HER BIRTHDAY THAT IS DISTINCTLY FORGETTABLE.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS.

EVERY TIME I SUMMON THE DATE FROM MY MIND, THE ONLY THING THAT ARRIVES IS THE MONTH OF - FEBRUARY.

THAT MEANS FOR AN ENTIRE MONTH, I'M ANXIOUS ABOUT MISSING MY MOTHER'S BIRTHDAY.

THE ONLY SILVER LINING IS THAT FEBRUARY IS THE SHORTEST MONTH SO THERE'S LESS TIME TO WORRY, OR, IF YOU'RE WILLING TO LISTEN TO MY INSECURITIES, THERE ARE FEWER DAYS IN WHICH TO REMEMBER THE DAY.

NOW, MANY OF YOU MIGHT BE WATCHING THIS AND THINKING, "WOW, YOU DISAPPOINT YOUR MOM EVERY YEAR ON HER BIRTHDAY?"

AND TO THAT I SAY, NO, I DO NOT.

YOU SEE, WHILE I CAN NEVER REMEMBER THE DAY SHE WAS BORN, I MAKE SURE TO BE PREPARED FOR IT.

FOR THE ENTIRE MONTH, I CARRY BIRTHDAY GIFTS WHEREVER I GO.

GIFT CARDS, FLOWERS, CHOCOLATES, YOU NAME IT.

I HAVE GIFTS HIDDEN IN EVERY PLACE I FREQUENT, EVEN ON MY PERSON.

THAT WAY IT LOOKS LIKE I KNOW, EVEN THOUGH I HAVE NO IDEA.

SO, MOTHER, IF YOU'RE WATCHING THIS, AND THE DAY HASN'T ALREADY PASSED, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HAPPY EVENTUAL BIRTHDAY, AND I'M SORRY FOR FORGETTING YOUR BIRTHDAY.

♪♪ >> CATHY: AS MILLIONS OF AMERICANS CELEBRATE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, THEY DO SO WITH THE KNOWLEDGE THAT HATE CRIMES AGAINST ASIANS ARE IN THE RISE IN OUR COUNTRY.

IN THE PAST MONTH, THE HASHTAG "VERYASIAN" HAS BECOME POPULAR ON TWITTER DUE TO A TWEET FROM GIA VANG, AN ANCHOR AT KARE-11 HERE IN THE TWIN CITIES.

SHE IS HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE "VERY ASIAN" MOVEMENT AND THE ROLE IT IS PLAYING TO BRING ATTENTION TO ANTI-ASIAN HATE.

GIA, WELCOME TO ALMANAC.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> Cathy: HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN THIS?

WELL, MICHELLE AND I ARE FRIENDS AND WE'VE BEEN FRIENDS VIA SOCIAL MEDIA FOR A COUPLE YEARS NOW AND THIS HAPPENS, SHE GOT A CALL FROM A VIEWER SAYING THAT SHE WAS BEING VERY ASIAN AND VERY ANNOYING AND SHE SHOULD KEEP IT TO HERSELF AND MICHELLE IS AN AN CORE REPORTER IN St. LOUIS AND WHEN SHE POSTED IT ONLINE, ON SOCIAL MEDIA,S I RESPONDED, APOLOGIZING WHAT HAPPENED, THAT SHE HAD TO GO THROUGH THAT AND LISTEN AND HEAR THAT AND POSTED SOMETHING ON TWITTER, SAYING, YOU KNOW, THIS TIME OF YEAR, OR THE NEW YEAR, HMONG PEOPLE, WHICH I AM HMONG, ARE EATING HMONG SAUSAGE, HMONG PEPPER, HMONG CHICKEN AND SO I MUST BE HASH ISTAKING VERY ASIAN, TOO, AND ONCE I USED THAT HASHTAG, MICHELLE SAID CAN THAT E A THING AND IT BECAME A THING.

>> Eric: THIS IS IND OF APPLE GANT RESPONSE TO THE SITUATION, IT ISN'T A HARD-HITTING ANSWER, IT'S KIND OF WITH THE CLOTHING AND WITH THE SLOGAN AND SO FORTH, DID YOU KIND OF SET IT UP THAT WAY TO KIND OF MAKE IT EASY TO TAKE?

>> YEAH, I THINK IT JUST HAPPENED ORGAN CHEAP.

MICHELLE PUT THAT OUT HERE NOT REALLY KNOWING WHAT THE RESPONSE WAS GOING TO BE.

SHE DIDN'T WANT TO PUT THIS PERSON'S NAME OR FACE OUT THERE, SHE DIDN'T WANT TO CANCEL THIS PERSON, SHE JUST WANTED TO SHOW THAT THIS IS A REALITY FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN OUR SKIN, WHO ARE ASIAN AMERICANS AND WHO AREN'T SEEN AS ASIAN ENOUGH SOMETIMES OR AREN'T SEEN AS AMERICAN ENOUGH AND SHE JUST WANTED TO PUT IT OUT THERE IN THAT WAY, AND I THINK THE WAY SHE DID IT REALLY SPEAK TO A LOT OF PEOPLE.

THIS DAY AND AGE, WE LIVE IN THE CANCEL CULTURE WORLD AND I THINK THERE WAS POWER IN HOW MICHELLE DID THAT.

I ALSO THINK THAT PEOPLE JUST RESONATEED BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN COMING OUT OF TWO YEARS OF STOP ASIAN HATE, WHICH WE FINALLY JUST MEASURED, IF YOU WERE AN ASIAN AMERICAN, YOU KNOW THAT THAT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS BEFORE WE STARTED MEASURING IT, AND IT'S STILL GOING ON TODAY BUT WE'VE BEEN COMING OUT OF TWO YEARS OF MORE OF THE GREATER PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO ASIAN AMERICANS AND I THINK IN THE MOMENT WHEN WE RECLAIMED THE WORD "VERY ASIAN," IT BECAME HIM SORT OF A CELEBRATION AND SORT OF COLLECTED BRIDE OF BEING ASIAN AMERICAN AND I THINK THAT WAS REALLY WHAT PEOPLE WANTED AND NEEDED DURING THAT TIME, ESPECIALLY ASIAN AMERICANS.

>> Cathy: GIA, YOUR LINE OF WORK AS YOU KNOW SETS YOU UP FOR ALL KIND OF GRIEF AND ANGER, ANGRY PEOPLE AND SOME REALLY AWFUL THINGS HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH IT?

>> YOU KNOW, CATHY, I THINK AFTER MORE THAN A DECADE IN THIS INDUSTRY, YOU KIND OF FORGET SOME OF HE THINGS THAT ARE SAID, BECAUSE THESE PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHO YOU ARE, THEY DON'T KNOW YOUR HEART AND SO I THINK PRACTICE OVER THE YEARS AND I ALSO THINK THAT IT DOES -- SOME OF THE THINGS PEOPLE SAY DO STICK WITH YOU, LIKE WHAT MICHELLE HEARD ON NEW YEAR'S DAY AND SO I THINK THAT THERE IS POWER IN COLLECTIVE SUPPORT AND I THINK MICHELLE WAS LOOKING FOR THAT BECAUSE SHE KNEW THERE WERE A LOT 067 PEOPLE WHO PROBABLY HAD BEEN THROUGH THIS.

I MYSELF HAVE BEEN THROUGH THIS AND THERE IS SO MUCH SUPPORT IN OUR OWN COMMUNITY WHEN THE ATLANTA SHOOTINGS HAPPENED N MARCH OF 2021, WHAT I FOUND THAT WAS REALLY HELPFUL FOR ME WAS REACHING OUT TO OTHER API JOURNALISTS AND JUST HEARING THEIR STORIES AND HEARING WHAT HEY WERE GOING THROUGH, TOO, AND KNOWING THAT WE WERE ALL THERE FOR EACH OTHER WAS SUPER HELPFUL.

THERE WAS ALSO A GROUP OF ASIAN JOURNALISTS IN MINNESOTA HERE, IN THE TWIN CITIES, THAT WE ALL GOT TOGETHER AS WOMEN AND WE ALL SHARED OUR STORIES, AND SHARED OUR COLLECTIVE GRIEF AND OUR COLLECTIVE SADNESS THAT HAPPENED, BUT ALSO TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WERE JUST SUPPORTING EACH OTHER.

IT'S LIKE THAT IS ALSO A REALLY, REALLY CRITICAL PART OF HOW YOU DEAL WITH IT, YOU FIND YOUR FAMILY OUTSIDE OF YOUR FAMILY THAT YOU WERE BORN IN AND PEOPLE THAT UNDERSTAND IN A DIFFERENT WAY WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE IN THE PUBLIC EYE AND BE REPORTING ON STORIES THAT REALLY IMPACT YOU BECAUSE OF YOUR LIVED EXPERIENCES.

>> Cathy: AND BY THE WAY, ANY MERCHANDISE STILL AVAILABLE?

>> YES.

SO THERE IS MERCHANDISE AVAILABLE.

THERE'S THIS ONE T-SHIRT RIGHT NOW BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN GETTING A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT WHERE CAN I GET THIS VERY ASIAN CROP TOP I'VE EEN SEEING ALL OVER SOCIAL MEDIA AND, YOU KNOW, WE'VE BEEN SO, SO GRATEFUL TO HAVE IN THE FIRST 24 HOURS, THERE WERE 1500 ITEMS THAT WERE ORDERED AND THAT HAS EEN SO AMAZING AND WE'RE SO THANKFUL IT'S IN LL CORNERS OF THE WORLD.

I JUST GOT SOMEONE FROM AUSTRALIA WHO MESSAGED ME YESTERDAY SAYING SHE JUST GOT HER SHIRT SO THAT'S ALL WONDERFUL.

I KNOW PEEL REMI, REALLY WANT THIS MERCH, BUT IT WAS ONLY WEEK AND IT WAS OVERWHELMING AND AMAZING BUT NOW WE HAVE A ONE SHIRT AVAILABLE AND IT IS ON THE VERY ASIAN WEBSITE AND IT IS CREATED BY THREE API WOMEN AND WE'RE REALLY EXCITED, IF YOU BUY THAT SHIRT, YOU'RE OBVIOUSLY SUPPORTING WHAT HAS NOW BECOME THE VERY ASIAN FOUNDATION.

>> Cathy: ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, IA, THANK YOU SO UCH FOR BEING WITH US.

>> Eric: THANKS, GOOD LUCK.

>> THANKS, CATHY, THANK YOU, ERIC.

>> ERIC: LAWMAKERS AND THE PUBLIC RETURNED TO THE STATE CAPITOL FOR THE START OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION THIS WEEK.

PUBLIC SAFETY IS NOW CERTAINLY THE TOP ISSUE FOR LAWMAKERS.

MARY LAHAMMER ALSO SHOWS US HOW PRECINCT CAUCUSES AND POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS ARE INTERSECTING WITH POLICY PROPOSALS AT THE CAPITOL.

>> LEMON BARS?

COACH-A-ROOS.

>> Mary: GOVERNOR TIM WALZ WORKED THE CROWD WITH A VERY MINNESOTAN GESTURE, GESTURE, PASSING OUT BARS.

>> PAUL GAZELKA PARTOOK AND IS ONE OF MANY SENATORS WHO WANT THE GOVERNOR'S WILL JOB.

IT SHOWS -- FORMER SENATOR AND CO-SKEPTIC, Dr. SCOTT GENERAL SIN IS THE ONE WHO SURGED TO A SOLID TOP SENTENCE AT THE CAUCUSES: THE STRAW POLL PREDICTS THE EVENTUAL RUB NOMINEE ONLY ABOUT HALF OF THE TIME AND WITH SEVERAL LATE IS ENTRANTS LIKE KENDALL KWALLS AND RICH STANEK.

>> I WAS A STREET COP AND A SHERIFF.

>> OUTRANGED.

>> HE SCARES ME.

>> BACK IN 2005 WHEN STANEK WAS THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSIONER, WE OBTAINED HIS DEPOSITION.

CURRENT ATTORNEY GENERAL KEITH ELLISON WAS A STATE LAWMAKER AT THE TIME.

>> HAVE YOU EVER USED THE WORD IN QUOTES [BLEEP] >> YES, HOW CAN THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA ALL OF WHOM DESERVE TO BE TREATED EQUALLY UNDER THE LAW EXPECT EQUAL TREATMENT WHEN YOU HAVE THEIR TOP COP EXPRESSING RACIST ATTITUDES.

>> WHEN THE GOVERNOR HIRED ME TO PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSIONER FOR THE STATE, I TOLD HIM I WASN'T GOING TO BE SHY AND TIMID.

>> BY MUTUAL AGREEMENT WITH RICH, TODAY I ACCEPTED HIS REST -- RESIGNATION.

>> Mary: PUBLIC SAFETY IS STILL A TOP ISSUE FOR DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL AND AT THE CAPITOL, THE LATEST SHOOTING OF AMIR LOCKE IS ON THE TOP OF MINDS.

>> HE'S STILL WITH US.

>> Mary: WITH A RECORD SURPLUS, THE HOUSE AND SENATE ARE PUTTING DOLLARS BEHIND BILLS TO SLOW DOWN CRIME AND RECRUIT AND RETAIN POLICE OFFICERS.

>> I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT MY BILL TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO LAUNCH A MILLION-DOLLAR PUBLIC SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO BUILD UP THE ENTIRE FIELD OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> WHAT AM I DOING?

THIS BILL WILL HAVE A $10,000 SIGNING BONUS, IF YOU SIGN UP TO BE A NEW POLICE OFFICER -- >> PEOPLE IN MY COMMUNITY, THEY'RE NOT AFRAID TO COME TO MINNEAPOLIS AND St. PAUL BECAUSE OF COVID.

THEY'RE AFRAID TO COME TO MINNEAPOLIS AND St. PAUL BECAUSE THEY'RE AFRAID THEY'RE GOING TO GET SHOT.

>> Mary: A FATAL SHOOTING OUTSIDE A SCHOOL IN RICHFIELD ALSO BROUGHT RENEWED ATTENTION TO AN ISSUE THAT HASN'T MOVED IN THE DIVIDED LEGISLATURE.

>> CAN YOU SPECIFICALLY ADDRESS WHETHER ANY FORM OF GUN CONTROL WILL BE PROPOSED AND COULD MOVE THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE TO YOUR DESK, GOVERNOR?

>> I THINK THE TONE AMONGST THE LEGISLATURE IS OPEN.

I UNDERSTAND HOW DIVISIVE SOME OF THESE THINGS CAN BE BUT IT FEELS TO ME THAT MINNESOTA AND THE COUNTRY UNDERSTAND WE HAVE TO BEING TAKE HE WILL THESE THINGS.

THERE'S MULTIPLE WAYS TO DO IT.

I WOULD CERTAINLY ELCOME THE CONVERSATION AND WOULD CERTAINLY SIGN LEGISLATION THAT DEALT WITH THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN PROVEN TO REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE.

>> I THINK IT'S HIGHLY UNLIKELY TO SEE ANY GUN CONTROL MEASURES MOVE THROUGH THE SENATE THIS YEAR.

THE FOCUS SHOULD NOT BE LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS, THE FOCUS SHOULD BE ON NON-LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS AND HOLDING CRIMINALS ACCOUNT FOOTBALL FOR THEIR ACTIONS.

>> Mary: BEYOND GUN CONTROL, THERE'S CLEAR AGREEMENT THAT PUBLIC SAFETY NEEDS ATTENTION.

>> HAT'S ENCOURAGING IS TO HEAR THE AMOUNT OF OVERLAP BETWEEN WHAT SENATE REPUBLICANS ARE SAYING, WHAT HOUSE D.F.L.ers ARE SAYING AND WHAT THE GOVERNOR IS SAYING ABOUT SOLUTIONS, WHICH INCLUDE SUPPORTING LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, SUPPORTING LOCAL COMMUNITIES, HELPING TO IDENTIFY WHERE STATE RESOURCES CAN BE MORE EFFECTIVELY DEPLOYED.

>> A LOT OF US HAVE WORKED AND LISTENED TO OUR COMMUNITIES.

I REPRESENT A SENATE DISTRICT WHICH HAS EDINA, BLOOMINGTON, EDEN PRAIRIE, MINNETONKA AND A PERIOD OF ABOUT A MONTH, WE HAD THREE CAR-JACKINGS.

>> TOUGHER SENTENCES IS A SIMPLISTIC AND I THINK OVERUSED SOLUTION.

>> EVERY VOTER I TALK TO ANYWHERE IN THE STATE THE FIRST ISSUE THEY ASK ME ABOUT IS PUBLIC SAFETY.

EVERYBODY CARES ABOUT IT AND RIGHT NOW, PEOPLE DON'T FEEL SAFE, PARTICULARLY HERE IN THE TWIN CITIES METRO AREA UT IT'S ALSO OUT IN OUR REGIONAL CENTERS, PEOPLE DON'T FEEL SAFE AND CRIME IS GETTING OUT OF CONTROL.

>> REPUBLICANS HAVE AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY THIS ELECTION CYCLE.

I THINK DEMOCRATS REALLY HAVE FAILED MINNESOTANS.

>> THERE SHOULD BE HEALTHY DEBATES AND I DO BELIEVE WILL WHILE WE THINK THESE ARE GOOD PLANS, NOT EVERYTHING SHOULD GO THROUGH ESPECIALLY IN A DIVIDED LEGISLATURE.

YOU PAY YOUR TIME AND YOU GET OUT, WHY DON'T WE LET THESE PEOPLE VOTE.

I DON'T THINK THAT IN ANY WAY WEAK INCHES US, IT STRENGTHENS US.

>> ERIC: AS WE JUST HEARD, THERE WAS A GREAT DEAL OF DEBATE THIS WEEK ABOUT RICH STANEK'S PAST.

BACK IN 2004, THE WEEK FOLLOWING HIS RESIGNATION AS PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSIONER, STANEK CAME ON "ALMANAC" AND WENT THROUGH THE CONTROVERSIAL DEPOSITION LINE BY LINE.

HERE'S A BIT OF THAT EXCHANGE.

HAVE YOU USED THAT TERM, THE "N" WORD WHEN YOU WERE NOT QUOTING WHAT SOMEONE ELSE SAID BUT MERELY EXPRESSING YOUR OWN THOUGHTS OR WORDS?

AND THE ANSWER IS YES.

>> AND THEN YOU GO ON TO THE -- AGAIN, A DEPOSITION IS A CONVERSATION BACK AND FORTH.

>> GO AHEAD.

>> SO YOU GO ON AND I YOU SAY, OKAY, WHERE, APPROXIMATELY HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU DONE THAT.

SEVERAL.

WHEN'S THE MOST RECENT OCCASION.

I DON'T RECALL.

>> Eric: HAVE YOU USED THAT TERM WHEN OTHER POLICE OFFICERS WERE PRESENT.

AGAIN, I'M NOT LIMITING IT TO TIMES WHEN YOU WERE QUOTING SOMEBODY BUT EXPRESSING YOUR OWN THOUGHTS.

>> THE ANSWER IS YES AND THEN GOES ON TO SAY, WE YOU EVER REPRIMANDED IN ANY WAY.

NO.

HAVE YOU USED OTHER COPS USE THAT WORD.

>> Cathy: SO YOU'VE USED THE "N" WORD WHEN EXPRESSING YOUR OWN THOUGHTS.

>> OKAY, BUILT YOU HAVE TO READ THE ENTIRE DEPOSITION, IT'S NOT FAIR AS SOME PEOPLE HAVE DONE AND TAKE THE DEPOSITION OUT OF CONTEXT.

YOU CAN PUT A SENTENCE ON PAPER ON THE TV SCREEN THAT SAYS HAVE YOU EVER USED THE "N" WORD AND THE ANSWER IS YES.

THAT'S INFLAMMATORY IN AND OF ITSELF AND I UNDERSTAND THAT BUT IT'S WHAT'S IN THE REST OF THE DEPOSITION, AGAIN, 400 PAGES, IN THIS CASE, SEVEN PAGES THAT DEAL WITH THIS AND OUTLINES SPECIFICALLY WHEN I DID AND WHEN I DID NOT.

IT'S CLEAR FROM THE DEPOSITION THAT I EVER USED THE "N" WORD TO DESCRIBE OTHER HUMAN BEING.

CERTAINLY DID NOT USE IT TO DESCRIBE Mr. FREEMAN, THE OTHER HALF OF THIS LAWSUIT.

AND IT'S CLEAR THAT AS YOU GET FARTHER DOWN INTO THE DEPOSITION, THERE IS AN EXCHANGE OF WORDS AND QUESTIONS BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE ATTORNEYS AND MYSELF THAT CLARIFY WHEN I DID AND DID NOT BUT IT WAS ON DUTY IN MY PROFESSIONAL CAPACITY TESTIFYING IN COURT OR DESCRIBING WHAT OTHERS HAD SAID TO ME.

>> ERIC: YOU CAN WATCH THE FULL 2004 INTERVIEW, ALL NINE MINUTES OF IT, BY GOING TO TPT.ORG AND PUTTING "STANEK" IN THE SEARCH BOX.

IT WILL BE THE FIRST STORY YOU GET.

COMING UP, A POLITICAL DUO LOOKS AT THE QUICK START TO THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

♪♪ >> CATHY: A GUBERNATORIAL STRAW POLL, CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS, CONTROVERSY ABOUT LIGHT RAIL, AND, OH, YEAH, LAWMAKERS RETURNED TO ST. PAUL.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS WITH A DUO OF POLITICAL ANALYSTS.

JAVIER MORILLO IS A DEMOCRAT AND FORMER NATIONAL COMMITTEE MEMBER.

ANDY BREHM IS A REPUBLICAN AND AN ATTORNEY.

GOOD TO SEE BOTH OF A. JAVIER, LET'S BEGIN BY TALKING ABOUT THE POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS OF AMIR LOCH'S DEATH.

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, IT'S ANOTHER TRAGIC WEEK IN MINNESOTA.

I HAVE SAID ON THIS PROGRAM BEFORE THAT WE ALL AS A STATE, WE HAVE O DEAL WITH THE FACT THAT WE RE INCREASINGLY BECOME KNOWN TO THE WORLD WHERE IT IS KNOWN THAT YOU'RE NOT SAFE TO BE BLACK.

AND ONCE AGAIN, WE HAVE A SITUATION WHERE AN EXTREMELY PREVENTABLE DEATH THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED, THE MAYOR OF MINNEAPOLIS WHO CAMPAIGNED ON HAVING BANNED NO-KNOCK WARRANTS TODAY BANNED THEM AGAIN AND LOT OF MONEY WAS PUT BEHIND THE LIE THAT THAT HAD CHANGED.

AND SO IT'S HEART-BREAKING.

THOSE OF US WHO WORKED ON THE CAMPAIGN TO FUNDAMENTALLY TRANSFORM THE PUBLIC SAFETY IN MINNEAPOLIS, WHO BELIEVE THAT THIS -- THAT THERE'S SOMETHING REALLY ROTTEN TO THE CORE IN THE DEPARTMENT AND THAT HAS BEEN PROVEN OVER AND OVER AGAIN, WE TAKE NO JOY IN BEING PROVEN RIGHT SO QUICKLY BECAUSE THE REALITY IS, IS THAT WHAT'S ON THE BALLOT AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE ON THE BALLOT AND FOR YEARS TO COME BECAUSE WE EEM TO NOT BE ABLE TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM.

IT IS -- IT IS A SHAME, IT IS DISGUSTING, IT MAKES NO SENSE THIS DEATH MAKES NO SENSE AND SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED.

>> Eric: ANDY, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE REPUBLICAN SIDE OF THE DEBATE ON PUBLIC SAFETY?

>> WELL, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS WILL BE.

I THINK THERE'S BEEN UNIVERSAL AGREEMENT THAT THIS WAS A TERRIBLE TRAGEDY AND THIS YOUNG MAN SHOULD NEVER HAVE LOST HIS LIFE.

HE HAD EVERY RIGHT TO HAVE A HANDGUN.

HIS REACTION TO POLICE STORMING HIS APARTMENT I THINK WAS TOTALLY UNDERSTANDABLE, SO THIS IS AN AWFUL, AWFUL TRAGEDY, AND WE NEED TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF WHY THIS HAPPENED.

STATE LAW WAS AMENDED SO THAT NO-KNOCK WARRANTS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ONLY USED IN EXTREME CASES AND WHY ONE WAS USED HERE IS PERPLEXING, SO THE THINGS BROKE DOWN HERE AND THIS S A TERRIBLE TRAGEDY.

>> Eric: HAVER, DEMOCRATS AT LEAST AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL HAVE BEEN PLAYING CATCH-UP TRYING TO IM MOVE POLICE RELATIONS GOING INTO THE CAMPAIGN CYCLE.

I'M GUESSING THIS WILL ENERGIZE THE DEFUNDS THE POLICE FOLKS AROUND THE COUNTRY AND DOES THAT HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE INTERNAL STUFF WITH THE DEMOCRATS?

>> YEAH, YOU KNOW, I THINK WHAT WE SAW IN THE FALL WAS A LOT OF DEMOCRATS COULD YOUER AT THE THOUGHT THAT, WELL, REPUBLICANS WILL ATALK US FOR BEING SOFT ON CRIME.

AND SO THEY DEFINED, FOR EXAMPLE, THE CREATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY WHICH WOULD NOT HAVE DEFUNDED THE POLICE AS DEFUNDING THE POLICE.

THEY ACCEPTED THE REPUBLICAN PREMISE AS DEMOCRATS OFTEN UNFORTUNATELY DO.

JUST THIS WEEK, RIGHT BEFORE THIS MAN WAS UNJUSTLY KILLED, THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS RELEASED A STUDY THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RELEASED BEFORE THE ELECTION BUT WAS HELD -- WITHHELD FOR POLITICAL REASONS, THAT MADE EXACTLY THE CASE THAT WE MADE LAST FALL WHICH IS O SAY THAT THE MINNEAPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS MISSION SPRAWL, THAT POLICE OFFICERS ARE CALLED OUT TO DO MANY THINGS THAT THEY'RE NOT QUALIFIED TO DO AND SO WE HAVE A HARTER IN MINNEAPOLIS WHICH DEFINES A RIDGE IT STAFFING STRUCTURE THAT WAS WRITTEN BY THE POLICE UNION IN THE 1970S AND HASN'T CHANGED SINCE THEN, SO HE IS THAT THE REALITY OF WHAT WE HAVE IS THAT FOR DEMOCRATS, WE NEED TO LEARN TO -- WE HAVE TO DECIDE WHAT OUR VALUES ARE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND ON THE PROTECTION OF BLACK LIVES.

AND STICK TO THOSE AND NOT COULD YOUER JUST BECAUSE REPUBLICANS MIGHT ATTACK US.

>> Cathy: WELL, LET'S SWITCH OUR GEARS HERE, GENTLEMEN.

WE'VE GOT ABOUT FIVE MINUTES LEFT AND ALK ABOUT THE REPUBLICAN STRAW POLL TAKEN AT THE CAUCUSES.

FORMER SENATOR SCOTT JENSEN RECEIVED 38% OF THAT VOTE.

GOSH, ANDY, ARE YOU SUPPORTING SENATOR JENSEN?

I MEAN, WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF THAT OUTCOME?

>> WELL, I'M SUPPORTING KENDALL QUALLS, BUT WE HAVE PLENTY OF GOOD PEOPLE RUNNING.

THE STRAW POLL IS NOT DEFENDISM BUT, LISTEN, SENATOR JENSEN HAS RUN A HECK OFTEN A GOOD CAMPAIGN.

HE IS A HARD-WORKING GUY, HE'S BEEN AT THIS FOR I ALONG TIME.

HE HAS MET ITH A LOT OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE SO THE VICTORY IS TO HIS GREAT CREDIT BUT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A VERY, VERY COMPETITIVE PRIMARY AND ENDORSEMENT PROCESS.

WE HAVE A LOT OF GREAT PEOPLE RUNNING AND WE'LL SEE HOW THIS PLAYS OUT BUT I'M ERY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT REPUBLICANS' CHANCES OF BEATING GOVERNOR WALZ THIS YEAR.

>> Cathy: AND JAVIER, WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF THE FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS.

>> WELL, I THINK ON FUNDRAISING FOR THE GOVERNOR WALZ IS DOING FANTASTICALLY WELL BUT I THINK WHAT WE ARE SEEING AND WHAT WE'RE SEEING IN THOSE STRAW POLL RESULTS ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE IS, YOU KNOW, I KNOW THAT THAT MY FRIEND ANDY BREHM IS WITHIN THE REALITY BASED PLATFORM OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY BUT THERE IS A BATTLE ON THAT SIDE AND SCOTT JENSEN HAS THROWN HIS LOT WITH THE MINORITY OF MINNESOTANS WHO HAVE CHOSEN NOT TO BE VACCINATED.

HE HAS BEEN BOOTED FROM PLATFORMS TORE SPREADING VACCINE MISINFORMATION.

AND AND HE HE HAS PROPAGATED THE BIG LIE, IN FACT, NOT A SINGLE ONE OF THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES WHEN ASKED WOULD STATE THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN WAS JUSTLY ELECTED.

SO THAT'S WHAT -- THAT'S WHAT 2022 IS GOING TO BE FOR MINNESOTA AND FOR THE COUNTRY.

I THINK THE BIGGEST PROBLEM DEMOCRATS HAVE IS THAT OUR BASE IS NOT TERRIBLY EXCITED.

IF OUR BASE WERE EXCITED, IT WOULD BE EASY TO RUN AGAINST PEOPLE WHO ARE SO EXTREME THAT THEY ARE OUT OF THE MINNESOTA MAINSTREAM BUT THAT'S THE TASK FOR DEMOCRATS IN THE COMING MONTHS IS TO CHANGE THAT.

>> Eric: ANDY, WHERE DOES THE ECONOMY AND INFLATION AND SOME OF THOSE TRADITIONAL KITCHEN TABLE ISSUES PLAY IN THE COMING CAMPAIGN?

>> WELL, I THINK FIRST OF ALL IT'S A HUGELY EGITIMATE ISSUE.

PRICES ARE SKYROCKETING, PEOPLE'S HEATING BILLS ARE UP BY TWO, THREE TIMES.

THIS ECONOMY IS AN ABSOLUTE MESS AND WE NEED TO TAKE A DIFFERENT TACT ON IT SO I THINK DEMOCRATS ARE OING TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE BIG GOVERNMENT AGENDA THAT THEY'VE BEEN SUPPORTING SO AGGRESSIVELY SINCE PRESIDENT BIDEN TOOK OFFICE A YEAR AGO.

THE CONSEQUENCES OF THAT FAR LEFT AGENDA HAVE BEEN SERIOUS SO IT'S TIME FOR A CHANGE OF COURSE.

I THINK VOTERS WILL SUPPORT THAT.

I THINK PUBLIC SAFETY IS GOING TO BE THE MAJOR ISSUE OF MINNESOTA.

I LOVE OUR CITIES BUT THEY ARE VERY DANGEROUS PLACES AND, AGAIN, THE CURRENT STATE OF AFFAIRS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND WE NEED A CHANGE OF COURSE.

SO I THINK, YOU KNOW, DOES THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAVE SOME ISSUES?

SURE, I THINK BOTH PARTIES DO BUT I THINK PEOPLE ARE READY FOR A CHANGE IN THE STATUS QUO.

>> Eric: JAVIER, CAN THE DOCUMENT-BALLOT RACES MENTION DONALD TERRORISM AND GET A REACTION OR HAS THAT SHIP SAILED OR -- >> I DON'T THINK IT'S A MATTER OF MENTIONING DONALD TRUMP.

I DO THINK THAT VOTERS WHY AND SWING OTERS ARE VERY ALIGNED TO THINK THINGS LIKE INSURRECTIONISTS ARE RUNNING FOR OFFICE ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND BEING SUPPORTED BY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

THERE HAS BEEN A DESIRE TO RETURN TO NORMALCY AND PEOPLE HAVE, YOU KNOW, STOPPED WATCHING NEWS AS MUCH AND THINGS LIKE THAT SO THEY'RE NOT PAYING AS MUCH ATTENTION BUT I THINK, YOU KNOW, THAT'S -- THAT'S THE TASK OR THE DEMOCRATS IN THE COMING MONTHS IS TO GET THE BASE EXCITED BUT ON THE ECONOMY, RIGHT, THIS MORNING FOX NEWS WAS -- THEY WERE SALIVATING EXCEPTING A TERRIBLE JOBS REPORT AND THIS WAS A FANTASTIC JOBS REPORT.

THE REALITY IS THAT WE'RE STILL COMING OUT HAVE OH A GLOBAL PANDEMIC AND IT'S GOING TO BE UP AND OWN ON ALL OF THESE MATTERS.

ANDY IS RIGHT, DEMOCRATS WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE REGARDLESS OF THE FACT THAT IT'S -- THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH A GLOBAL PANDEMIC.

>> Cathy: OKAY.

>> BUT WHAT DIRECTION THINGS GO IN, WE DO NOT KNOW RIGHT NOW.

>> Eric: GOT TO RUN.

CREDIT CARDS THANKS, GENTLEMEN, WE APPRECIATE IT.

CLEARLY, WE HAD A BUSY NEWS WEEK SO WE'VE RUN LONG ON THE SHOW TONIGHT.

THE INDEX FILE SECTION WILL BE BACK AGAINST NEXT WEEK.

SOME REMINDERS BEFORE WE GO.

REMINDERS BEFORE WE GO.

"ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL" AIRS EACH WEDNESDAY NIGHT DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

YOU CAN SEE IT AT 7:00 P.M. ON THE STATEWIDE MINNESOTA CHANNEL.

THAT'S THE SAME SERVICE WHERE YOU CAN WATCH LEGISLATIVE PROCEEDINGS EACH WEEK DAY FROM NOW UNTIL NEARLY THE END OF MAY.

FOR SHOW-CLOSING MUSIC, JOHN GORKA PAID US A VISIT THIS WEEK THREE YEARS AGO.

HERE HE IS SINGING HIS TUNE "TRUE IN TIME."

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT WEEK.

♪ WHAT IS TRUE IN TIME WHAT IS TRUE IN TIME ♪ DOES IT REALLY CHANGE WITH EVERY SEASON ♪ OR IS IT ALWAYS FIXED AND BOUND TO REASON?

♪ ♪ WHAT IS TRUE IN TIME WHAT IS TRUE IN TIME ♪ AND THE WORDS I USED TO THINK WERE MINE ♪ COME BACK TO ME IN ANOTHER'’S LINES ♪ >> CATHY: WE HAVE A FULL SHOW Captioned by: Paradigm Reporting/Captioning www.paradigmreporting.com "A LMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY... GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 28 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

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