>> "ALMANAC" IS A PRODUCTION OF TWIN CITIES PBS THROUGH THE STATIONS OF MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

>> Cathy: FACE JAM PACKED HOUR.

LEGISLATIVE LEADERS JOIN US LIVE IN STUDIO WITH AN UPDATE ON WHERE THINGS STAND WITH JUST DAYS LEFT IN THE SESSION.

WE'LL PREVIEW THE DFL STATE CONVENTION IN ROCHESTER.

PAUL DOUGLAS WILL STOP BY TO ADMINISTER A WEATHER QUIZ.

AND THEN MARY LAHAMMER TALKS WITH AN ENDORSED GUBERNATORIAL HOPEFUL.

>> WE'LL TALK WITH DR. SCOTT JENSEN WHO'S STILL BUSY PRACTICING MEDICINE FRESH OFF THE GUBERNATORIAL ENDORSEMENT FOR GOVERNOR.

>> REPUBLICANS HAVE NOMINATED THE MOST DANGEROUS AND EXTREME PERSON THEY COULD HAVE.

>> THEY CAN'T PLUG ME INTO A LITTLE BOX.

I HINK THAT SCARES PEOPLE.

>> MARY: THAT'S OMING UP ON ALMANAC.

♪♪ SO >> "ALMANAC" 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.

DELTA DENTAL OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION: IMPROVING ORAL HEALTH WHILE ADVANCING SOCIAL EQUITIES.

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

THE SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY: A TRIBAL NATION FOCUSED ON COMMUNITY AND COLLABORATION, ESPECIALLY IN TIMES LIKE TODAY.

ENBRIDGE: CONNECTING MINNESOTANS WITH ENERGY FOR OVER 70 YEARS.

MORE AT ENBRIDGE.COM/LINETHREEUS.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

>> Cathy: LATER IN THE HOUR INTERVIEW WITH REPUBLICAN ENDORSEIE DR. SCOTT JENSEN, WE'LL ALSO PREVIEW THE D.F.L.

CONVENTION THAT STARTED THIS AFTERNOON.

FIRST OFF WE ADDRESS THE WANING HOURS OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> Eric: CAPITOL LEADERS ARE NICE ENOUGH TO DASH ACROSS DOWNTOWN TO JOIN US IN STUDIO TO TALK ABOUT THE PROGRESS OF SESSION AND NEGOTIATIONS.

PRE-COVID WE OFTEN HAD A FULL COUCH OF GUESTS.

TONIGHT WE SCALED IT DOWN A BIT AND NABBED THE D.F.L.

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE AND THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY LEADER.

MARY LAMMER SETS THE STAGE.

>> ARY: THE BIG THREE LEADERS APPEARING TOGETHER OUTSIDE THE CAPITOL MEANT A PRODUCTIVE END OF SESSION WAS POSSIBLE.

>> IT IS A GREAT DAY.

I'M JUST EALLY PROUD TO BE STANDING HERE.

>> MARY: STANDING TOGETHER TO ANNOUNCE THE GENERAL FRAMEWORK OF A BUDGET DEAL DEM DRATS ACCURATE AND REPUBLICANS CAME TOGETHER ON.

>> 4 BILLION IN SPENDING FOR 4 BILLION IN TAXES AND 4 BILLION ON THE BOTTOM LINE.

AND SO THE HOUSE.

, THE TRUMP CARD THAT THE HOUSE HAS IS ALL TAX BILLS HAVE TO ORIGINATE IN THE HOUSE.

WE WILL NOT SEND THE TAX BILL UNTIL EVERYTHING IS DONE.

>> WE'RE DONE.

>> CONFERENCE COMMITTEES HAVE THE DIFFICULT TASK OF HAMMERING OUT DISAGREEMENTS.

>> I'M A LITTLE AT A LOSS.

I'VE TRIED TO URGE AND CAJOLE THE HOUSE IN ORDER TO PUT A GLOBAL OFFER ON THE TABLE.

>> WE'RE HERE TO GET THINGS DONE AND WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF TIME, SO WE ARE IN A CRISIS.

>> PRESENTING IT IN PUBLIC IS NOT -- I WISH WE HAD THE TIME FOR THAT.

IT WOULD BE GREAT, BUT WE DON'T >> IF WE DON'T DO THIS, PEOPLE WILL DIE.

COSTS WILL GO UP.

>> THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE DID AGREE TO ALLOW MORE CRAFT SALES OF ALCOHOL.

>> I THINK THIS IS A GREAT BILL AND I THINK WE CAN BE VERY HAPPY ON IT.

>> WE ARE ABOUT TO DO SOMETHING REALLY HISTORIC.

>> IN THE END LEADERS WANT TO GET BILLS PASSED BY THE END OF THE WEEKEND AND THE END OF SESSION, BUT TIME IS RUNNING OUT.

>> THE BIG FRAMEWORK WAS DONE.

THIS ISN'T HAPPENING ANYWHERE ELSE IN ANY OTHER STATE, THIS DYNAMIC AGAINST A BACKDROP OF A LOT OF DYSFUNCTION AND WE'RE REALLY COMING TOGETHER.

>> JOINING US NOW THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, MELISSA HORTMAN, DEMOCRAT FROM BROOKLYN PARK.

HERE TOO IS THE REPUBLICAN ASSISTANT MAJORITY LEADER KARIN HOUSLEY.

>> MADAM SPEAKER, U.S. YOU'RE WEARING A MASK BECAUSE YOU HAD COVID RECENTLY.

>> CDC SAYS I GOT TO WEAR THIS MASK.

>> I THINK WHAT'S YOUR 7:00 P.M. UPDATE?

>> WELL, THEY'RE ALL WORKING, THEY'RE ALL STILL WORKING.

I KNOW REPRESENTATIVE DAVNIE PRESENTED AN OFFER IN THE EDUCATION CONFERENCE COMMITTEE THIS AFTERNOON.

AND HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE, I KNOW THEY'RE STILL WORKING.

THEY THINK THEY MIGHT WRAP UP THEIR POLICY SECTION OF THE BILL TONIGHT.

>> Eric: AND FROM THE SENATE'S POINT OF VIEW HOW DO YOU THINK THINGS ARE GOING?

>> YEAH, WE'RE STILL WORKING BUT, I DON'T KNOW, WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF TIME LIKE I SAID EARLIER.

IT'S SUPER IMPORTANT FOR US TO PUBLIC SAFETY AND MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE MORE COPS ON THE STREET AND THAT'S KIND OF A BIG HANGUP BACK AND FORTH, SO EDUCATION, BIG HANGUP.

WE HAVE DIFFERENCES ON WHERE WE THINK HE MONEY SHOULD GO.

SO HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET THINGS DONE THAT WE AGREE UPON.

>> Cathy: ARE THE MONEY CONCERNS EASIER TO SOLVE THAN THE POLICY?

I MEAN, WHAT'S HOLDING IT UP?

MONEY, POLICY, BOTH?

>> I WOULD SAY IT'S PROBABLY BOTH, YEP.

WE'RE COMING FROM TWO DIFFERENT ENDS AND ONCE WE CAN DECIDE ON THE POLICY THEN HE MONEY WILL FOLLOW.

>> Eric: I'M THINKING BOUT THE PUBLIC SAFETY BILL IN PARTICULAR.

YOU'VE GOT TO GET 68 VOTES FROM THAT IN YOUR CAUCUS.

I DON'T KNOW THAT THE REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO PUT UP MANY VOTES IN THE HOUSE FLOOR.

AND YOU'VE GOT FACTIONS IN YOUR CAUCUS AND IS IT GOING TO BE HARD TO PUT TOGETHER A PUBLIC SAFETY BILL THAT WOULD SATISFY ENOUGH FOLKS TO GET 68 VOTES OUT OF YOUR CAUCUS FOR THAT BILL?

>> NO, YOU KNOW, I THINK THE DIFFERENCE IS WE ARE REALLY FOCUSED ON MONEY AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

WE HAVE THIS TREMENDOUS STATE SURPLUS AND SO WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO INJECT RESOURCES INTO OUR COMMUNITIES.

WE CAN INJECT RESOURCES FOR CRIME PREVENTION, WE CAN ALSO INJECT RESOURCES FOR FIGHTING CRIME.

JUST LOOKING AT THE PUBLIC SAFETY BILL.

SO THOSE ARE A LOT EASIER ISSUES TO COME TOGETHER ON THAN SOME OF THE DIFFICULT POLICY ISSUES THAT WE DEALT WITH IN THE WAKE OF THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD.

SO I FEEL LIKE THERE'S MORE REASON TO BE HOPEFUL WHEN THE MAJOR DISPUTES ARE ABOUT MONEY.

AND THERE IS ENOUGH MONEY TO FUND BOTH DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN PRIORITIES.

>> Cathy: $4 BILLION ON THE BOTTOM LINE, THAT'S A LOT, THOUGH.

WHY?

>> WE LEFT THAT ON THE BOTTOM LINE BECAUSE WE MET WITH THE STATE ECONOMIST AND WE LOOKED AT THE PROSPECTS OF RECESSION ON THE HORIZON.

AND MANY OF US WHO HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR A WHILE CAN REMEMBER IN 2002 WHEN GOVERNOR TIM PAWLENTY GOT ELECTED AND IN 2003 HE HAD TO CUT $4.5 BILLION.

THEN WE HAD ANOTHER VERY SIGNIFICANT DOWNTURN IN 2009, 2010.

A LOT OF CUTTING.

SO WHAT WE AGREED, THE GOVERNOR, SENATOR MILLER, AND I, WE DID NOT WANT TO BE A LEGISLATURE AND A GROUP OF LEADERS WHO LEFT THE NEXT GROUP OF PEOPLE TO DEAL WITH A MAJOR DEFICIT SO WE THOUGHT GIVEN HE TROUBLE SIGNS ON THE HORIZON, LET'S PLAY IT SAFE.

LET'S LEAVE A SIGNIFICANT PORTION ON THE BOTTOM LINE.

>> Cathy: DO YOU AGREE WITH THAT, SENATOR?

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY, CATHY, I SHOULD BRING YOU INTO OUR CAUCUS BECAUSE REPUBLICANS AND PEOPLE THAT WE'RE HEARING FROM WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A LOT MORE ON THE BOTTOM LINE.

THIS ISN'T A BUDGET YEAR TO BE SPENDING SPENDING SPENDING SO THEY WOULD ACTUALLY LIKE US TO HOLD BACK AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS GOING FORWARD BECAUSE WE DO FEEL THAT THERE IS IA RECESSION ON THE HORIZON.

>> Eric: TAX BILL, WHAT'S IT IN IT?

>> WELL, THAT HE'S GOOD QUESTION COMMUNICATE I HAVEN'T HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TODAY AS I'M RUNNING FROM THING TO THING, TO SIT WITH MY TAX CHAIR.

I HAVE THE BEST TAX CHAIR IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

I THINK IT'S A FANTASTIC TAX BILL.

FOR LOW INCOME, SENIORS, EOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

I THINK THERE'S SOME SECURITY ON THE SOCIAL SECURITY EXEMPTION AND I KNOW THERE'S A RATE CUT.

>> Cathy: WHAT ABOUT THE GOVERNOR'S REBATE CHECKS?

>> I DON'T THINK THEY MADE THE CUT.

THE CHECKS DIDN'T MAKE THE CUT.

IN THE TAX BILL WE'VE SEEN IN CAUCUS, FULL SOCIAL SECURITY FOR SENIORS, FINALLY OUR SOCIAL SECURITY WON'T BE TAXED.

SO THAT WAS A BIG CHUNK OF IT.

AND THEN ALSO WE ANTED TO GET 1% OF A TAX RATE CUT FOR THE FIRST TIER, WHICH ALL MINNESOTANS WOULD -- THE MOST NUMBER OF MINNESOTANS WOULD BENEFIT FROM THAT.

BUT WE GOT TO A QUARTER OF A PERCENT, SO THAT'S A LITTLE BIT OF ONGOING TAX RELIEF.

SO THAT WAS THE BIG THING FOR US WAS TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR SOCIAL SECURITY WAS NO LONGER GOING TO BE THERE FOR SENIORS AND THAT WE WERE GOING TO HAVE ONGOING TAX RELIEF.

>> Cathy: DO YOU THINK, MADAM SPEAKER, THAT THE GOVERNOR, I MEAN, HE PUSHED THESE REBATE CHECKS, IS THIS GOING TO BE AN ISSUE YOU THINK WITH HIM?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK THE GOVERNOR WAS ALIGNED WITH THE LEGISLATURE AND BOTH DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS WERE ALIGNED, WE WANTED TO PUT MONEY BACK IN PEOPLE'S POCKETS.

WE'VE ALREADY ACCOMPLISHED IN THAT IN PART THROUGH FRONTLINE WORKER BONUSES.

SENATOR HOUSLEY WORKED VERY HARD TO HELP US GET THAT ACCOMPLISHED.

AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE UTAX BILL I THINK IF WE ARE EXEMPTING SOCIAL SECURITY ONCE THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT MAKES ITS WAY FORWARD THAT IS SOMETHING THAT'S REALLY A SHARED POLITICAL GOAL THAT'S SOMETHING TO TAKE CARE OF.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT KIND OF THE TAX CUTS FOR THE LOWER INCOME FOLKS THAT WE ADVOCATED FOR FOR SENIORS, FOR FOLKS WITH DISABILITIES, I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY HE'S INTERESTED IN A GOOD RESULT FOR MINNESOTANS.

>> Eric: YOU AND OTHERS DID A VERY DEFT JOB OF LAWMAKING FOR GETTING THE LIQUOR BILL PASSED.

FOR THOSE OF US PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN THAT ISSUE, WHY DON'T YOU TELL US WHAT IT MEANS?

I GUESS IT'S ENACTED RIGHT AFTER THE GOVERNOR'S SIGNING?

>> RIGHT AFTER THE GOVERNOR SIGNS IT SO I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A FUN WEEKEND HERE IN MINNESOTA.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE'VE BEEN WORKING, 8, 8 AND A HALF YEARS, SMALL BREWERS WEREN'T ALLOWED TO GROW.

THEY HAD A SMALL MOUNT THEY COULD BREW AND ONCE THEY HIT THAT CAP THEY WEREN'T ALLOWED TO SELL GROWLERS.

IT'S SUCH A TOURIST THING PEOPLE LIKE TO DO, CASTLE DANGER, GO UP AND BUY GROWLERS.

SO TODAY IN THE LIQUOR BILL WE'VE LIFTED THAT 150,000-BARRELS SO ALL SMALL BREWERS IN THE STATE CAN SELL GROWLERS.

THEY DON'T HAVE TO SELL IT THROUGH THE GROWLER, THROUGH THAT JUG, 64-OUNCE JUG, THEY CAN ALSO SELL 4 AND 6-OUNCE CANS, ONE PER PERSON PER DAY.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> THAT WAS THE BIGGEST PIECE IN THERE BUT ALSO THE DISTILLERIES NOW THE MICRO DISTILLERIES NOW ARE NOW ALLOWED TO SELL ONE 750-MILLILITER BOTTLE OUT THEIR FRONT TOMORROW WHEN THEY WEREN'T USED TO.

AND THEY CAN ALSO HAVE COCKTAIL ROOMS.

>> WHY IS THAT SO TOUGH?

WHY IS CHANGE SO DIFFICULT WHEN IT AFFECTS THE LIQUOR INDUSTRY?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

WE PROBABLY WORKED ON THIS PROJECT FOR 7 TO 10 YEARS AND FOR SOME REASON THOSE ARE TOUGH LAWS TO CHANGE.

>> Eric: TELL US ABOUT LONG-TERM CARE.

I KNOW THAT'S A VERY PASSIONATE ISSUE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, BOTH CHAMBERS.

WHERE'S THAT HEADED?

>> WELL, I THINK IT WILL BE A SIGNIFICANT COMPONENT OF THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES FUNDING PACKAGE.

WE KNOW THAT WE NEED ABOUT $351 MILLION TO STABILIZE MINNESOTA'S NURSING CARE INDUSTRY.

AND I THINK THAT THERE'S A LOT OF BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR THAT.

THERE'S OTHER THINGS WE'RE HOPING TO ACCOMPLISH IN HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES BILL.

WE KNOW THAT MANY MINNESOTANS ARE REALLY STRUGGLING WITH THE HIGH COST OF CHILDCARE.

THIS IS IN FACT MPACTING HOW MANY WORKERS ARE AVAILABLE TO TAKE JOBS, SO WE'RE HOPING THERE WILL BE SOME SIGNIFICANT HELP ON THE CHILDCARE INDUSTRY.

>> Eric: WE HAD A COUPLE OF INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES ON SHOW LAST WEEK AND THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT SEVERAL DOZEN HOMES CLOSING AROUND THE STATE.

>> WELL, AND THAT'S WHAT I WAS SAYING EARLIER IN THAT CLIP.

THAT'S WHERE WE ARE IN A CRISIS.

THERE ARE SO MANY NURSING HOMES AND ASSISTED LIVING THAT ARE ON THE BRINK OF CLOSING AND IT'S SCARY BECAUSE THAT'S OUR MOMS AND OUR GRANDPARENTS THAT ARE GOING TO HAVE OPLACE O GO, NOPLACE TO LIVE WHEN THESE PLACES CLOSE.

SO WE HAVE TO, WE HAVE TO HAVE TO HAVE TO GET FUNDING FOR OUR LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES TO MAKE SURE THEY DON'T CLOSE.

>> Cathy: SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING THAT'S NOT GOING TO GET DONE IS IS SPORTS BETTING.

>> HOW MANY HOURS DO WE HAVE LEFT, MELISSA?

[ LAUGHTER ] >> Cathy: I HEARD IT WASN'T GOING TO GO ANYWHERE, BUT IS IT?

>> WELL, SENATOR CHAMBERLAIN IS STILL WORKING REALLY HEARD, HE AND KARLA BIGHAM AND WORKING WITH THE TRIBES AND THE TRACKS AND I KNOW THE TRIBES AND TRACKS ARE STILL MEETING.

IT'S SLIM TO NONE BUT THERE'S STILL LIM.

>> Eric: NOTHING'S DEAD 'TIL YOU GO HOME.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> Cathy: THAT'S TRUE.

>> Eric: K12?

>> WELL, THAT ONE IS MOVING FORWARD.

FIRST GOING BACK AND FORTH WE ALL WANT TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO HELP WITH THE EXPENSES FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION.

WE'RE ALSO REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE MENTAL HEALTH OF STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS.

MY DAUGHTER IS TEACHING TENTH AND 12TH GRADE RIGHT NOW AND SHE SAID, YOU KNOW, THE KIDS HAVE REALLY STRUGGLED THROUGH COVID-19 AND OUR EDUCATORS ARE HAVING A HARD TIME TEACHING KIDS THAT ARE DEALING WITH SO MUCH IN TERMS OF EMOTIONAL BAGGAGE FROM COVID.

SO WE REALLY ARE HOPING THAT THE EDUCATION BILL WHEN IT'S FINALLY CONCLUDED WILL HAVE SOME SIGNIFICANT RESOURCES ON MENTAL HEALTH.

>> Eric: THERE WAS A LITTLE FRICTION AT THE END OF THAT HEARING THIS AFTERNOON ON THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

I DON'T KNOW, PERSONALITIES ARE GOING TO GET INVOLVED OR NOT.

>> WELL, IT'S SENATOR CHAMBERLAIN.

HE -- WHAT WE HAVE IN OUR EDUCATION BILL IS WHAT WE'VE HEARD FROM OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS FOR YEARS IS THE SPECIAL EDUCATION CROSS-SUBSIDY, THAT'S WHERE OUR DISTRICTS, IT'S JUST DRAINING THEIR FUNDS.

SO WE HAVE SENATOR CHAMBERLAIN HAS $950 MILLION TO GO TO OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS FOR CROSS-SUBSIDY AND $50 MILLION FOR LITERACY.

AND BOTH OF THOSE HAVE ALREADY PASSED THE SENATE.

>> Eric: BIG PICTURE, CAN ALL THIS GET DONE OR IS THE GOVERNOR GOING TO HAVE TO CALL YOU BACK WEDNESDAY AND SAY LET'S FINISH HER UP?

>> WELL, THERE'S NO REASON TO HAVE A SPECIAL SESSION.

WE HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO FINISH.

PEOPLE NEED TO QUIT BEING STUBBORN AND USUALLY -- >> Cathy: IT'S FRIDAY NIGHT, THOUGH, MADAM SPEAKER.

>> WELL, YOU HAVE PROBABLY SEEN MANY LEADERS IT HERE AND SAY IT'S NOT QUITE READY, IT'S NOT QUITE READY BUT WE'LL GET THERE AND THEN THEY PLANNED THE PLANE ON TIME.

I THINK WE'LL GET THERE.

I THINK PEOPLE NEED TO BE REALISTIC AND UNDERSTAND COMPROMISE INVOLVES GIVE AND TAKE.

>> Cathy: LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT COMMITTEE CHAIRS.

IS THERE HAS BEEN SOME FRICTION, SO HOW'S THAT GOING TO WORK, DO YOU NEED TO -- DOES LEADERSHIP NEED TO GET IN THERE AND SAY, LOOK, KIDS, QUIT FIGHTING, WE GOT TO GET THIS DONE?

>> THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF THAT.

I THINK WHAT WE CAN HELP UR SIDE DO IS SEE THE BILL THROUGH THE EYES THE OTHER PARTY.

I THINK LEADERS NEED TO BRING THAT PERSPECTIVE IN AND ASK OUR CHAIRS TO BE THOUGHTFUL AND CONSIDERATE AND OPEN TO OTHER ALTERNATIVES.

I THINK THAT THAT'S WHAT'S REQUIRED TO GET THE DEAL DONE.

>> BUT TO THAT POINT, OUR COMMITTEE CHAIRS TOO JUST CAN'T -- THEY HAVE TO ANSWER TO THE CAUCUS ALSO.

SO ACH OF THESE THINGS THAT THEY'RE PROPOSING, THEY BRING IT BACK TO THE CAUCUS ALSO, SO THEY HAVE TO HAVE SUPPORT.

>> Eric: DOES IT MATTER THAT YOUR ENDORSED CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR TOLD SENATORS, REPUBLICAN SENATORS TO HOLD THE LINE, GIVE IT BACK, DON'T BUY INTO THE AGREEMENT?

DOES THAT CARRY ANY WEIGHT, OR?

>> WE FOCUS ON THE SENATE AND THE WORK THAT WE DO RIGHT THERE IN THE LEGISLATURE.

>> Cathy: SAY, I FORGOT TO ASK YOU ABOUT A BONDING BILL.

WHERE IS THAT?

I LOST TRACK OF IT.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> -- RIGHT NOW.

>> IT'S IN SOMEBODY'S COAT POCKET.

>> IT ALWAYS IS, RIGHT?

AS I WAS LEAVING THERE WAS A MEMBER GOING TO FIND SENATOR BAKK AND REPRESENTATIVE FUE LEE TO TALK ABOUT THAT INDIVIDUAL'S PROJECTS IN THEIR DISTRICTS.

SO THAT WORKING IS HAPPENING EVEN AS WE SPEAK.

>> ONE OF THE NEW MEMBERS ASKED ME WHEN DOES THIS BONDING BILL EVER GET DONE?

FIVE MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT.

THINGS LIKE THAT THE BONDING BILL.

>> Eric: YOU WERE BOTH GENEROUS WITH YOUR TIME ON A BUSY NIGHT.

THANKS FOR COMING ON.

>> Cathy: WE WISH YOU WELL.

>> Eric: THE STATE'S WATCHING.

PA. ♪♪ >> Cathy: HE IS A PHYSICIAN, FORMER SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER AND EX-STATE LAWMAKER AND NOW HE'S THE EREPUBLICAN PARTY'S ENDORSED CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR THIS FALL.

THE ENDORSEMENT CONVENTION WAS LONG TAKING NINE BALLOTS.

BUT SCOTT JENSEN EVENTUALLY PREVAILED.

OUR MARY LAHAMMER CAUGHT UP WITH JENSEN FOR A WIDE-RANGING CONVERSATION TACKLING SOME TOUGH ISSUES.

>> DR. SCOTT JENSEN AND FORMERP FOOTBALL PLAYER MATT IRKE WENT INTO OVERTIME TO SECURE THE WIN AT THE REPUBLICAN STATE CONVENTION.

DAYS LATER JENSEN IS BACK TO HIS DAY JOB AS A PHYSICIAN.

>> IT'S MY PATIENTS THAT KEEP ME GROUNDED.

THEY'RE THE ONES WHO TELL ME, DOC, I THINK YOU'RE A LITTLE OFF BASE ON THIS ONE.

I DO NOT WANT TO INSOLATE MYSELF FROM MY PATIENTS BECAUSE I DON'T THINK BEING IN A WORLD OF POLITICIANS IS THE HEALTHIEST PLACE TO BE.

>> I BET THERE ARE ADVISERS THOUGH WHO WOULD LOVE TO GET YOU TO THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL FULL TIME AND NOT HAVE YOU PRACTICING DURING THIS STRETCH.

>> THERE ARE, AND I'VE EEN FAIRLY FIRM ON THAT AND SAID THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT BECAUSE WE'RE IN A MEDICAL SETTING AND REALLY THE ISSUE THAT GOT YOU A LOT OF ATTENTION WAS COVID.

WHAT ARE YOU TELLING YOUR PATIENTS RIGHT NOW?

WHAT'S YOUR ADVICE?

>> WE'VE SEEN COVID THROUGH ITS VARIOUS MUTATIONS BECOME FAR MORE RANSMISSIBLE AND SUBSTANTIALLY LESS VIRULENT.

WE SHOULD MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT, WE'RE SEEING SIGNIFICANT CASES, HOSPITALIZATIONS AND DEATHS.

>> SO THAT'S REAL.

YOU'RE DEFINITELY SAYING IT'S REAL.

>> OH, THERE'S NO QUESTION.

>> WHAT JENSEN QUESTIONS IS VACCINES.

HE HAS BEEN VACCINATED AGAINST COVID.

>> I'VE HAD COVID, I HECK MY ANTIBODIES EVERY TWO MONTHS AND MOST OF MY PATIENTS HAVE GOTTEN ANTIBODIES THROUGH VACCINATION.

95% OF MY PATIENTS OVER THE AGE OF 70 WITH UNDERLYING MEDICAL CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN VACCINATED AGAINST COVID AND EVERY ONE OF THOSE HAVE MADE THEIR CHOICE.

>> IS IT FAIR WHEN PEOPLE SAY YOU'RE A VACCINE DENIER?

>> I'D SAY SKEPTICAL.

>> AS A LAWMAKER HE BACKED BIPARTISAN INSULIN RELIEF BILLS TAKING ON BIG PHARMA BUT HE'S CHANGED SOME OF HIS POSITIONS.

>> GEE WHIZ, I SPEND A QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS EVERY YEAR BUYING VACCINES FOR MY PATIENTS SO TO CALL ME AN ANTI-VAXXER IS JUST BEING SILLY.

>> WHY DO YOU THINK DEMOCRATS CALL YOU DANGEROUS?

>> THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M GOING TO SAY NEXT, THEY CAN'T PLUG ME INTO A LITTLE BOX, I THINK THAT SCARES PEOPLE OF PEOPLE.

>> DOES THAT SCARE YOUR BASE?

THE SENATOR JENSEN WE KNOW HAD CERTAIN POSITIONS ON ISSUES AND CANDIDATE JENSEN HAS MAYBE CHANGED HIS MIND ON THOSE?

>> I DON'T THINK I'VE CHANGED A LOT.

>> YOU WERE KNOWN AS A MODERATE IN THE SENATE.

I DON'T KNOW IF PEOPLE CALL YOU MODERATE TODAY, IS THAT FAIR?

>> I'M MODERATE ON SOME THINGS BUT IN TERMS OF MY MORAL COMPASS, I CONSIDER MYSELF A TRUE CONSERVATIVE.

>> WERE YOU OPEN TO SOME FORMS OF GUN ONTROL AND NOW AREN'T?

>> I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A STRONG SECOND AMENDMENT SUPPORTER AND I'VE HUNTED FOR 30 YEARS.

WHAT I DID IN 2018 AS A FIRST TERM SENATOR, I THOUGHT I COULD COMPEL A CONVERSATION.

BY BIGGEST ISSUE IS NOT SHOULD WE HAVE UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS, I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD.

I WANTED TO KNOW IS THE SYSTEM WE HAVE IN PLACE WORKING, SPECIFICALLY ARE PROHIBITED PEOPLE ABLE TO BUY GUNS?

BECAUSE MY BROTHER WHO IS SCHIZOPHRENIC AND INVOLUNTARILY COMMITTED TO A MENTAL HOSPITAL, WHEN HE GOT OUT HE HAD NO TROUBLE GETTING A GUN.

>> FROM GUNS TO ABORTION WHICH COULD BE A REAL ISSUE FOR A GOVERNOR.

>> DO YOU SEE ANY SITUATION WHERE ABORTION SHOULD BE LEGAL, RAPE, INCEST?

>> IF A MOTHER'S LIFE IS AT RISK, I THINK THAT LIFE HAS TO BE PRIORITIZED, I SEE THAT AS THE ONE EXCEPTION.

>> DO OU SEE THAT AS A MEDICAL DOCTOR OR POLL ISIS?

>> I THINK I OME AT THAT MEDICALLY.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE CASE WHEN THEY SAY FORCING CHILDREN TO HAVE A CHILDREN, IN THE CASE OF RAPE OR INCEST, 12 OR 11-YEAR-OLD GIRL.

>> IN THOSE SITUATIONS YOU'RE PROBABLY TALKING ABOUT A WOMAN WHOSE LIFE IS ENDANGERED BY THE RAPE OR INCEST.

I THINK THAT BECOMES A CONVERSATION BETWEEN THE PHYSICIAN AND PATIENT BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.

>> IS AGE A RISK FACTOR?

>> DARN RIGHT IT IS.

>> YOU KNOW THAT'S POSSIBLE.

>> YOUNGEST PATIENT I EVER DELIVERED, I ELIVERED AN 11-YEAR-OLD IN MY RESIDENCY.

WAS THAT A HIGH RISK SITUATION WHERE THAT YOUNG LADY'S LIFE WAS AT RISK BY MERELY THE PROCESS OF DELIVERING A BABY?

YOU'RE DARN RIGHT IT WAS, WE WATCHED THAT SITUATION EXTREMELY CLOSELY.

>> JENSEN ALSO MADE NEWS SAYING HE'D COMMUTE THE SENTENCE OF FORMER OFFICER KIM POTTER EVEN THOUGH HE WOULDN'T HAVE THAT UNILITERAL POWER.

>> THE KIM POTTER CASE IS EXCEPTIONAL.

THIS IS A WOMAN WHO MADE NO MISTAKE.

IT WOULD BE NO DIFFERENT THAN A SURGEON DOING SURGEON AND ACCIDENTLY CUT SOMETHING HE SHOULDN'T HAVE CUT AND THE PATIENT DIES.

DO WE THROW THAT PERSON IN JAIL?

FIRST, COMMUTING DOES NOT MEAN PARDON.

COMMUTING MEANS REVISING.

>> WHAT ABOUT THE CASE OF GEORGE FLOYD, WAS THAT MURDER IN YOUR OPINION?

>> THAT'S A LOADED QUESTION.

LET ME JUST ANSWER IT THIS WAY.

I HAVE NO INTEREST AT THIS POINT IN TIME OF LOOKING AT DEREK CHAUVIN'S SITUATION.

NUMEROUS MINORITY COMMUNITIES ... >> AS A DOCTOR HE SEES EQUITY GAPS IN HEALTH CARE EDUCATION AND MORE.

>> WHAT ABOUT ELECTION SECURITY, ELECTION LAW?

IS BIDEN LEGALLY OUR PRESIDENT?

>> BIDEN'S IN THE WHITE HOUSE, HE'S OUR PRESIDENT.

I DON'T THINK WE HAVE TO PLAY THIS GOTCHA GAME ANYMORE.

WHY DON'T WE STOP THE BICKERING, SAY WE MAKE IT EASY TO VOTE, HARD TO CHEAT AND IF YOU GET CAUGHT YOU'RE GOING TO SPEND TIME IN JAIL.

>> HE HAS CALLED FOR JAILING THE CURRENT SECRETARY OF STATE BUT TEMPERED HIS TONE HERE.

>> TALK TO HE THOUSANDS F PEOPLE WHO KNOW HE, JENSEN, HE'S MEASURED, SELDOM LOSES HIS TEMPER.

>> TIM WALZ SAID I REALLY LIKE SCOTT JENSEN AS A SENATOR AND LAWMAKER, I DON'T THINK I LIKE HIM ANYMORE.

>> I WILL SAY THIS ABOUT TIM WALZ, HE'S AN AFFABLE PERSON WHO'S WELL VERSED ON ISSUES.

WHILE WE'RE DEBATING WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TOUGH MOMENTS AND GOOD MOMENTS AND IT WOULDN'T SURPRISE ME A BIT IF AFTER ONE OR TWO TWO OF THE DEBATES IF THERE WAS SOME DOWN TIME WHERE WE MIGHT BE SHARING A BEER.

♪♪ >> YOU WERE THE FIRST LATINA IN THE SENATE.

HOW DO YOU REFLECT ON THAT NOW LOOKING BACK?

>> YOU KNOW, WHAT AN HONOR REALLY IT HAS BEEN TO BE HERE AND TO BE LOOKED AT KIND OF THE FIRST PERSON WHO CAME HERE FROM THIS COMMUNITY TO, YOU KNOW, AN IMMIGRANT WHO REALLY DIDN'T HAVE A POLITICAL BACKGROUND AND COME HERE AND JUST BREAKING GROUND IN THAT REGARD.

SO I AM VERY PROUD OF THAT.

AND, YOU KNOW, YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE THEYOU DON'T RUN TOBE THE FIRST, YOU RUN BECAUSE YOU'RE PASSIONATE AND WANT TO SERVE.

WHEN YOU GO TO GROUPS AND ESPECIALLY WITH YOUNG WOMEN AND THEY TELL YOU I WAS AT THIS RALLY AND IS YOU SPOKE AND YOU WENT TO THE CAPITOL AND YOU WERE THERE ON THE FLOOR.

AND I GOT SO INSPIRED I DECIDED TO RUN FOR SCHOOL BOARD, FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONER.

I GET SO INSPIRED BY THAT AND I AM SO PROUD.

♪♪ >> Eric: FOR MORE THAN A HALF CENTURY SOUTH KOREA WAS KNOWN HERE IN MINNESOTA AND ELSEWHERE FOR THE LARGE NUMBER OF CHILDREN PUT UP FOR INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION.

A RECENT DOCUMENTARY EXPLORES THIS CONTROVERSIAL PRACTICE AS FOUR ADOPTEES -- INCLUDING ONE WHO GREW UP IN MINNESOTA-- RETURN TO THEIR COUNTRY OF BIRTH IN A QUEST TO LEARN ABOUT FAMILIES THEY NEVER KNEW AND PERSONAL HISTORIES THEY HAD LOST.

THE FILM "GEOGRAPHIES OF KINSHIP" WILL AIR ON TWIN CITIES IS PBS MONDAY NIGHT AT 8:00 AND THIS WEEKEND ON THE WORLD CHANNEL A SERVICE AVAILABLE ON MANY PBS STATIONS.

HERE'S A CLIP FROM GEOGRAPHIES OF KINSHIP.

>> CAN YOU IMAGINE OVER 50 YEARS AGO WHAT IT WAS LIKE FOR HER AS UNWED, OR EVEN IF SHE WERE MARRIED, AS A BLACK CHILD IN KOREA?

>> THE CONVENTIONAL WISDOM AT THE TIME WAS THAT MIXED RACE CHILDREN HAD NO FUTURE IN KOREA.

IT WAS NOT ONLY THE FACT THAT THEY WERE RACIALLY DISTINCT, BUT HAT THEIR MOTHERS WERE PRESUMED TO BE PROSTITUTES OR SEX WORKERS.

>> WHO KNOWS WHAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES WERE, BUT THERE'S NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT MY MOTHER WOULD HAVE SUFFERED TREMENDOUSLY.

>> SOME OF THE MOTHERS HAD BEEN RAPED AND SOME OF THE MOTHERS HAD BEEN IN CONSENSUAL ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS WITH FOREIGN MEN, BUT THEY WERE ALL SORT OF ASSUMED TO BE PROSTITUTES.

>> KOREA HAS A FAMILY REGISTRY SYSTEM AND IT REQUIRES THAT EVERY PERSON BE PART OF A FAMILY, HOUSEHOLD HEAD MUST BE A MALE, FATHER, HUSBAND, OR SON.

WITHOUT BEING ON THE LIST, YOU BASICALLY HAVE NO LEGAL EXISTENCE.

IF YOU'RE ILL LEGITIMATE OFFSPRING OF A KOREAN WOMAN, YOU ARE NOT ON THE LIST.

YOU CAN'T GO TO SCHOOL, YOU HAVE NO CITIZENSHIP RIGHTS.

AS FAR THE LAW WAS CONCERNED, THEY DIDN'T EXIST.

>> I'M ALWAYS HAPPY FIND OUT SOMETHING NEW ABOUT OUR LANGUAGE.

FOR INSTANCE, IN MUSICAL NOTATION THE LETTER "P" FOR PIANO MEANS SOFTLY.

THE LETTER "F" FOR FORTE MEANS LOUDER.

BUT WHY IS THE WORD FOR SOFTLY, PIANO THE SAME AS THE NAME OF THE INSTRUMENT?

AH, THERE'S SOME HISTORY HERE.

THE INSTRUMENT THAT PRECEDED THE PIANO WAS THE HARPSICHORD, A SORT OF A HARP LAYING DOWN ON ITS SIDE, WITH A KEYBOARD THAT PLUCKED THE STRINGS.

THAT MECHANISM ALLOWED NO CHANGES IN VOLUME.

THEN CAME THE INSTRUMENT WHERE THE KEYS CONNECT TO LITTLE HAMMERS THAT TAPPED ON THE STRINGS.

THIS ALLOWED THE PLAYER TO PRODUCE A LOUDER OR SOFTER SOUND, JUST BY TAPPING THE KEYS HARDER OR SOFTER.

THIS NEW CAPABILITY LED TO A NEW NAME FOR THE NEW INSTRUMENT: THE PIANO-FORTE.

SOFT OR LOUD.

OVER THE YEARS, PLAYERS JUST REDUCED IT TO PIANO.

I SUPPOSE IT MIGHT JUST AS EASILY HAVE BEEN DUBBED THE FORTE-PIANO.

"“I'’VE GOT TO GO DOWN AND PRACTICE MY FORTE."

# WELL, THE LANGUAGE IS A CONSTANTLY EVOLVING THING.

TODAY, THERE'’S AN AUTOMOBILE CALLED THE KIA FORTE.

DO YOU SUPPOSE THAT MEANS IT'’S LOUD?

♪♪ >> WELCOME TO PAUL DOUGLAS' NEARLY ANNUAL WEATHER QUIZ!

NOW, HERE'S PAUL!

>> Eric:HOPEFULLY THE WORST OF THE PANDEMIC IS NOW BEHIND US AND THAT MEANS WE CAN RETURN TO SOME OF OUR CHERISHED TRADITIONS HERE ON ALMANAC SUCH AS THE NEARLY ANNUAL WEATHER QUIZ.

I ASK QUESTIONS TO TRY TO STUMP THE HOSTS.

YOU PLAY ALONG AT HOME.

THESE ARE MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS, AND MORE THAN ONE ANSWER COULD BE CORRECT.

IF YOU BUZZ IN TOO SOON, IT WILL MAKE YOUR LIFE MORE DIFFICULT.

[ BUZZER ] >> Cathy: SORRY, JUST TESTING.

>> SHOULD WE DO A TEST?

YEAH, IT'S ADDICTIVE, I KNOW.

>> Eric: WHAT IF I JUST GO EHH [ IMITATING BUZZER ] >> YOU COULD DO THAT ONCE.

THIS ALWAYS GETS THE COMPETITION GOING.

>> Eric: I FEEL VERY JUICY.

>> LET'S TRY A SAMPLE QUIZ QUESTION.

WHAT IS THE ONLY MONTH OF THE YEAR IN MINNESOTA SNOW HAS NOT BEEN OBSERVED?

>> Eric: AUGUST.

>> NO, IT'S JULY.

BUT YOU WERE CLOSE.

CLOSE ENOUGH.

OKAY.

ARE YOU READY?

>> Cathy: YES.

>> HERE WE GO.

MAY THE MOST WEATHER-SAVVY WIN.

QUESTION ONE.

WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING -- AND, AGAIN, WE JUST HAD TWO CRAZY WEEKS OF SEVERE WEATHER.

MAY AND JUNE, PEAK MONTHS FOR SEVERE WEATHER.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE DOING THE QUIZ.

JUST TO REMIND YOU.

WHAT OF THE FOLLOWING IMPLIES THE GREATEST RISK TO LIFE AND PROPERTY?

TORNADO WATCH, TORNADO WARNING, OR EMERGENCY?

>> Cathy: TORNADO WARNING.

>> Eric: NO, IT'S TORNADO EMERGENCY.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> Cathy: WELL, GOOD FOR YOU.

>> THE CORRECT ANSWER IS TORNADO EMERGENCY, THAT MEANS THERE IS A CONFORMED TORNADO ON THE GROUND MOVING INTO A POPULATED AREA.

IF YOU HEAR EMERGENCY WITH A TORNADO OR FLOOD, THAT MEANS IT'S HAPPENING, HEAD FOR COVER.

>> Cathy: GOT IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

QUESTION TWO.

YOU COUNT 20 SECONDS BETWEEN SEEING THE FLASH OF LIGHTNING AND HEARING THE BANG OF THUNDER.

HOW FAR AWAY WAS THE STRIKE?

WAS IT 0 MILES?

TWO MILES?

OR FOUR AS MILES?

>> Cathy: I HATE THINGS LIKE THIS.

>> ERIC.

>> Eric: FOUR MILES.

>> Cathy: I'M BAD -- >> THAT WAS MATH.

THUNDER TRAVELS AT ROUGHLY THE SPEED OF SOUND.

ONE MILE EVERY FIVE SECONDS.

TAKE THE NUMBER OF SECONDS BETWEEN SEEING THE FLASH, HEARING THE BANG AND DIVIDE BY FIVE.

>> Cathy: ARE WE DONE WITH MATH QUESTIONS?

>> WE'RE DONE WITH MATH.

>> Cathy: OKAY, THANKS.

>> WHAT SIZE HAIL IS CONSIDERED SEVERE BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE?

PEA SIZE, QUARTER SIZE, BASEBALL SIZE [ BUZZER ] >> CATHY, YOU HAVE TO BUZZ, YOU HAVE TO USE THE BUZZER THINGY.

>> Eric: I ONCE SAW A BASEBALL AS BIG S A HAILSTONE.

DOES THAT COUNT?

>> NO, NO.

>> Eric: OH, SHUCKS.

>> Cathy: I WAS GOING TO SAY BASEBALL.

>> BASEBALL, CAN WE GIVE HER HALF A OINT?

THE ANSWER IS QUARTER-SIZE AND BASEBALL.

ANYTHING BIGGER THAN A QUARTER, THE WEATHER SERVICE USUALLY ISSUES A WARNING.

ONE-INCH DIAMETER AND IF YOU HAVE WINDS THAT CAN MAKE THE HAIL MORE DAMAGING.

>> Eric: WHAT THE HAIL.

>> OH, MY GOODNESS.

WHAT HAVE I DONE?

SAFEST PLAY TO RIDE OUT A TORNADO OUT OF THESE OPTIONS.

A DIFFERENT STATE IS USUALLY THE SAFEST PLACE.

BASEMENT UNDER THE STAIRS.

SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE BASEMENT.

[ BUZZER ] >> ERIC.

>> Eric: SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE BASEMENT.

>> IS WRONG.

>> Eric: WE'VE BEEN DOING THAT ALL THESE YEARS!

WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED?

>> Cathy: UNDER THE BASEMENT STAIRS.

>> UNDER THE STAIRS, STATISTICALLY THE SAFEST PLACE BECAUSE THERE'S LESS DEBRIS UNDER THE STAIRS.

>> Eric: I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED.

>> Cathy: I CAN'T BELIEVE -- THAT'S AN OLD I HAVE'S TALE.

>> Eric: WELL, OLD SPOUSE'S TALE.

>> I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU'RE STILL ALIVE.

>> Eric: LUCKY ME.

>> THAT'S REMARKABLE.

QUESTION FIVE, A BOOMERANG SWARM OF STORMS THAT CAN TRAVEL HUNDREDS OF MILES IS A [ BUZZER ] >> Cathy: DERECHO.

>> Eric: IS THAT THE ONE IN IOWA A FEW YEARS AGO?

IT WAS HORRIBLE.

>> IS THAT SPANISH?

>> Cathy: I DON'T KNOW.

>> ANYWAY, LAST WEEK'S STORM TRAVELED 300 MILES, LOOKED LIKE A BOOMERANG ON DOPPLER RADAR.

IT SPUN UP SIX TORNADOES IN WEST CENTRAL AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

TWO MORE.

WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING IS A RELATIVELY SAFE PLACE TO RIDE OUT A GENERIC THUNDERSTORM?

INSIDE A HOME OR BUILDING?

INSIDE YOUR VEHICLE?

OR RESTING UNDER A TREE?

[ BUZZER ] >> Eric: THE ONE ABOUT YOUR HOME.

>> OKAY.

THAT IS CORRECT.

AND INSIDE YOUR VEHICLE, TO BE -- >> Eric: DOES IT HYDROPLANE?

>> Cathy: THIS IS A GARDEN VARIETY THUNDERSTORM.

IF IT'S STRUCK BY LIGHTNING, IF YOUR VEHICLE IS STRUCK BY LIGHTNING, YOU'LL WALK AWAY.

>> Eric: IF I EVER BUY A CAR I'LL KNOW ABOUT THAT.

>> Cathy: THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN.

>> IS SOMEBODY KEEPING SCORE?

>> Eric: I THINK I LOST MY LEAD.

>> Cathy: I THINK I HAVE HALF A POINT.

>> LAST QUESTION.

SIRENS CAN SOUND FOR WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING: CHEMICAL/NUCLEAR ACCIDENTS, THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS, TORNADO WARNINGS.

CATHY.

>> Cathy: ALL THREE.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

LAST WEEK IN THE METRO THE SIRENS SOUNDED FOR VERY SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS AND THAT HAPPENS WHEN THERE'S OBSERVED WIND OF 75 OR MORE.

REGULAR SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING 58 MILES AN HOUR PLUS.

IF YOU GET OBSERVED 75 MILES OR MORE, VERY SEVERE AND THE SIRENS WILL SOUND.

>> Cathy: AND THEN YOU GO IN THE BASEMENT NOT IN THE SOUTHWEST CORNER.

JUST UNDER THE STAIRS.

>> Eric: I'M REALLY GLAD -- I'M NOT THAT GLAD YOU WON.

>> DID CATHY WIN?

CONGRATULATIONS ITSELF AND THANK YOU FOR BEING A GOOD SPORT.

>> Eric: I WASN'T THAT GOOD A SPORT.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> Eric: WE'RE DONE.

SEE YA.

>> Cathy: BYE.

♪♪ >> Eric: DEMOCRATS STARTED THEIR STATE CONVENTION THIS AFTERNOON.

MARY LAHAMMER CAUGHT UP YESTERDAY WITH MINNESOTA DFL PARTY CHAIR KEN MARTIN TO GET THIS TAKE ON THE PARTY GATHERING IN ROCHESTER.

>> KEN MARTIN, DEMOCRATS GATHERING THIS WEEKEND.

IS THERE GOING TO BE NEWS?

YOU HAVE ALL THE STATEWIDE OFFICES, YOU'RE GOING TO ENDORSE THE SAME PEOPLE, RIGHT?

>> ANYTIME MORE THAN FIVE DEMOCRATS GATHER IN THE SAME PLACE, I CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT THERE WON'T BE CONTROVERSY OR NEWS.

THERE WILL PROBABLY BE NEWS.

BUT THE NEWS COMING OUT OF OUR CONVECTION WILL BE THAT OUR PARTY IS UNIFIED AND EXCITED AND READY FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION.

>> HOW MUCH IS IT GOING TO BE REACTIONARY BECAUSE REPUBLICANS MADE A LOT OF NEWS, HAD A LOT OF CONTROVERSY.

IT WAS ENTERTAINING, IT WAS INTERESTING, THERE WAS A LOT GOING ON.

DO YOU HAVE TO KIND OF COUNTERBALANCE THAT?

>> WHAT THIS IS ABOUT IS CONTRASTING THEIR RECORD NOW WITH A LOT OF THE CANDIDATES THAT ARE COMING OUT OF THIS REPUBLICAN CONVENTION THAT REALLY REPRESENT AN IDEOLOGY AND POSITIONS THAT ARE REALLY OUTSIDE OF THE MAINSTREAM OF WHERE MOST MINNESOTANS ARE AT.

SO WHAT THIS CONVENTION ALLOWS US, WE GET THE LAST WORD AS WE SPRINGBOARD OUT OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION INTO THE SUMMER PRIMARY SEASON AND GENERAL ELECTION.

>> YOU NOW PROBABLY KNOW YOUR OUPONETS.

REPUBLICANS TEND TO SURVIVE THEIR ENDORSEMENTS EVEN IF PRIMARIES.

LET'S TAKE TOP OF THE TICKET, LOOKS LIKE DEFINITELY SCOTT JENSEN VERSUS TIM WALZ.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE MATCHUP?

>> I THINK THE REPUBLICANS HAVE NOMINATED THE MOST DANGEROUS AND EXTREME PERSON THEY COULD HAVE RUNNING AT THE TOP OF THEIR TICKET.

>> WHEN WHY DO YOU SAY THAT?

BECAUSE HE ACTUALLY SAID I'M NOT DANGEROUS, I'M NOT EXTREME, I WAS A REALLY MODERATE SENATOR.

I DON'T KNOW WHY EN SAID THAT.

HE JUST SAID THAT TO ME.

>> WELL, LISTEN, HIS POSITIONS PARTICULARLY AROUND COVID, SOME OF THE CONSPIRACY THEORIES HE'S GLOMMED NTO JUST ARE NOT SUPPORTED BY EOPLE N HIS MEDICAL PROFESSION.

IF PEOPLE HAD LISTEN TO HIM AND TAKEN HIS ADVICE WE WOULD BE IN A MUCH DIFFERENT STATE PROBABLY WITH MORE PEOPLE DYING BECAUSE OF COVID.

WE'RE IN A GOOD PLACE AS IT RELATES TO THE PANDEMIC BECAUSE OF SPORT, SMART, RESPONSIBLE DECISIONS MADE BY GOVERNOR WALZ AND TO KEEP US SAFE AND ALLOW OUR COMMUNITIES TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> WHAT ABOUT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL RACE?

IT LOOKS LIKE WE KNOW WHO THE ENDORSED CANDIDATE COULD BE A PRIMARY YET BUT WHAT DO YOU THINK OF JIM SCHULTZ?

HE'S A NEWCOMER, HOW DO YOU HANDLE THAT?

>> ONE OF THE CHALLENGES HERE IS BECAUSE HE'S A NEWCOMER, A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT HIM BUT WE DO AND HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING JIM SCHULTZ FOR MONTHS NOW.

HE'S NO DIFFERENT FROM THE REST OF THE PACK, PEOPLE THINK BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT HIM, HE'S NEW ON THE SCENE THAT HE WOULD BE A MODERATE APPROACH FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL CANDIDATES.

IT'S JUST NOT TRUE, HE'S UST AS CONSERVATIVE AND FAR RIGHT AS THE REST OF THEM.

PEOPLE SHOULD NOT SLEEP ON THIS RACE.

THIS WILL BE A CLOSE RACE.

>> WILL IT BE A CLOSE RACE IN SECRETARY OF STATE TOO?

WE DO KNOW AND THERE'S ALREADY CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING KIM CROCKETT AND THE REPUBLICAN ENDORSED CANDIDATE THERE.

>> WE KNOW THE REPUBLICANS AROUND THE COUNTRY ARE HELL BENT ON TRYING TO REMOVE DEMOCRATIC SECRETARIES OF STATE.

THEY STILL BELIEVE FOR WHATEVER REASON, I DON'T QUITE UNDERSTAND, THAT THE 2020 ELECTION WAS STOLEN.

THEN YOU ADD ON TOP OF THAT KIM CROCKETT HERSELF SHE REALLY DIDN'T HAVE A GREAT LAUNCH TO HER CAMPAIGN PARTICULARLY WHAT SHE DID AT THE CONVENTION WHICH WAS ANTI-SEMITIC.

YOU NOW HAVE HAVE THE REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIR ADMITTING THAT IT WAS THE WRONG THING, THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE SHOWN THAT VIDEO.

>> FINALLY, DEMOCRATS ARE PLEASED ARE HOW THEY'RE RAISING MONEY.

SCOTT JENSEN WENT THROUGH $90,000 ALREADY AT THE CONVENTION.

DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE MONEY ON YOUR SIDE?

>> WE AISED 50 TIMES MORE THAN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

MINNESOTA D.F.L.

CONTINUES TO BE THE TOP FUNDRAISER IN THE STATE ON EITHER PARTY.

OUR CANDIDATES, OUTSIDE INTEREST GROUPS, AND PAC'S THE MINNESOTA D.F.L.

CERTAINLY WE'RE DOING OUR PART TO RAISE MONEY.

I'VE ALWAYS SAD THIS, MARY, MONEY IS JUST ONE PART OF IT.

IT'S WHAT YOU DO WITH IT.

WE'RE ALREADY BUILDING OUT THAT GROUND GAME AND BUILDING UP TO WIN.

♪♪ PAYIN, >> Cathy: ALL THE STARS ARE PERFECTLY ALIGNED IN THE UNIVERSITIES OF POLITICAL ANALYSTS.

LAWMAKERS ARE DAYS AWAY FROM ADJOURNMENT, SANDWICHED BETWEEN THE REPUBLICAN AND D.F.L.

STATE CONVENTIONS, ADD IN RIMARIES NEXT AND THERE'S NO SHORTAGE OF TOPICS FOR THE NEXT TEN MINUTES.

JAVIER MORILLO IS A DEMOCRAT AND FORMER NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE MEMBER.

GREGG PEPPIN IS A REPUBLICAN ACTIVIST.

HEY, GREG, BECAUSE YOU'RE A STAFFER, YOU WORKED ON A LOT OF CAMPAIGNS TOO.

HOW MUCH DOES THE LEGISLATIVE PRODUCT AT THE END OF SESSION MATTER IN THE FALL?

>> I THINK IT HELPS.

IT OBVIOUSLY GIVES CANDIDATES AND LEGISLATORS SOMETHING TO GO OUT AND CAMPAIGN ON.

THE QUESTION IS ALWAYS IF THERE'S A NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT THAT WOULD SUPERSEDE WHAT HAPPENS THEY LEGISLATURE.

AND I THINK CERTAINLY THIS YEAR THAT'S THE CASE.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, THERE WILL BE A LOT OF WAILING AND GNASHING OF TEETH AS WE GET THROUGH THE FINAL DAYS HERE.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY I THINK THE CAMPAIGN'S GOING TO BE MORE BASED ON NATIONAL THEMES RATHER THAN WHAT HAPPENS AT THE STATE LEVEL.

>> DO YOU AGREE WITH THAT, JAVIER?

>> I THINK THAT'S VERY POSSIBLE BUT I THINK THE WAY E'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT NATIONAL TRENDS SO FAR THIS YEAR HAS BEEN ABOUT THE HEADWINDS DEMOCRATS IN TERMS OF THE ECONOMIC.

WHAT WE'RE SEEING REALLY ENERGIZED DEMOCRATIC BASE BASED ON THE POSSIBLE OVERTURNING OF ROE V. WADE AND BASED ON THE EXTREME RADICALISM OF THE REPUBLICAN RIGHT IN PRIMARIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND HERE IN MINNESOTA.

YOU KNOW, SCOTT JENSEN IS DOING HIS BEST I SAW EARLIER TO SORT OF TONE DOWN HIS EXTREME VIEWS, BUT THEY'RE ALL ON RECORD, THEY'RE ALL ON VIDEO AND I THINK REPUBLICANS RE DOING THEIR BEST TO MAKE POSSIBLY TOUGH YEAR FOR DEMOCRATS A GOOD ONE.

>> Eric: GREG, WE DON'T KNOW THE OUTMANUFACTURE OF SESSION OBVIOUSLY ON A FRIDAY NIGHT BEFORE THE SUNDAY NIGHT, MONDAY ADJOURNMENT.

BUT DO YOU SEE FROM THE WORK PRODUCT OF THE LEGISLATURE, DO YOU SEE THEMES THAT ARE EMERGING FOR LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES?

>> WELL, THERE ARE.

YOU KNOW, IT'S INTERESTING WHAT JAVIER SAYS, IT'S, YOU KNOW, THE DEMOCRATS' LINE THIS YEAR IS, YOU KNOW, DON'T BELIEVE WHAT YOU SEE, ELIEVE WHAT WE SAY.

AND WHEN THE VOTERS LOOK AND THEY SAY $4.25 GAS AND THEY SEE NO BABY FORMULA ON THE SHELVES AND THEY SEE HAMBURGER AT SIX DOLLARS A POUND AND EGGS AT TWO DOLLARS 5 A DOZEN, THEY'RE GOING TO VOTE THAT WAY.

THE POCKETBOOK ISSUES ARE WHAT'S GOING TO DRIVE THE VOTERS.

AND, YEAH, THERE ARE THEMES COMING OUT OF THE LEGISLATURE AND ONE OF THEM IS TO GIVE PEOPLE BACK MORE OF THEIR MONEY SO THEY CAN WITHSTAND THIS INFLATIONARY ECONOMY THAT'S BEEN THRUST UPON US BY DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP.

>> Eric: WHAT'S THE DEMOCRATIC MESSAGING?

>> WELL, I MEAN, I THINK LOOK AT THE ISSUE OF BABY FORMULA, RIGHT?

YOU HAVE A LARGE NUMBER OF REPUBLICANS VOTING AGAINST IN CONGRESS AGAINST ANY ATTEMPT TO ACTUALLY DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS.

AND SO WHAT THE TASK FOR DEMOCRATS IS TO SAY AND WHAT THE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN SAYING IS, YES, WE HAVE A GLOBAL SITUATION, WAR IN UKRAINE, ALL KINDS OF THINGS THAT HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO INFLATION, BUT WHAT ARE THE REPUBLICAN SOLUTIONS TO HAT?

BECAUSE THERE ARE LITERALLY NONE, AND MEANWHILE THEY HAVE EXTREMISTS, FORMER INSURRECTIONISTS, PEOPLE WHO ARE AT THE CAPITAL RUNNING FOR OFFICE ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> GREG, YOU WANT TO TAKE ANOTHER SWING AT THAT?

>> WELL, IT'S EASY TO THROW ABOUT THE EXTREME ANGLE, BUT IF YOU LOOK AT REALLY WHAT'S CAUSED THIS INFLATION, IT'S BEEN THE WASTEFUL SPENDING IN WASHINGTON.

AND THE DEMOCRATS IN MINNESOTA, I MEAN, THEIR ORIGINAL PROPOSAL OUT OF THE HOUSE WAS TO RAISE SPENDING BY 14%.

AND SO THAT DOESN'T HELP ANYBODY.

AND, YOU KNOW, THERE IS THANKFULLY THE REPUBLICANS IN THE LEGISLATURE ARE PUTTING SOME DEGREE OF MEASUREMENT IN THERE SO THAT WE DON'T SPEND EVERY SINGLE DOLLAR AND THAT WE SAVE SOME OF THE MONEY AND THAT WE BE PREPARED FOR WHAT COULD BE, WHAT LOOKS TO BE VERY POTENTIALLY A SEVERE DOWNTURN.

>> Cathy: SAY, BY THE WAY, DO YOU THINK THE THIRD, THE THIRD, THE THIRD, THE FRAMEWORK, IS THAT GOING TO HOLD?

>> I THINK IT WILL HOLD, RIGHT, THEY'LL TWEAK IT AROUND.

I THINK IT WAS SURPRISING FRANKLY HAT IT WAS RELATIVELY EARLY THAT THEY CAME TO THAT FRAMEWORK, SO THAT'S I THINK GOOD NEWS.

I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO TO O IN, YOU KNOW, WITH SOME OF THE COMMITTEE CHAIRS AND KNOCK SOME HEADS TO ACTUALLY GET A DEAL DONE BECAUSE SOME ARE GETTING ALONG BETTER THAN OTHERS.

>> Cathy: WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT THAT EARLIER IN THE SHOW.

SAY, GREGG, DO YOU THINK THERE IS TIME TO GET EVERYTHING WRAPPED UP BY SUNDAY AT MIDNIGHT?

>> I THINK THERE IS.

I WOULD AGREE WITH JAVIER.

I THINK THAT THE LEADERSHIP MAY HAVE COME IN AND CLOSED THE DEAL ON SOME OF THE PARTICULAR BILLS THAT ARE OUT THERE.

THAT'S NOT UNUSUAL, NOT UNCOMMON AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR.

I THINK TERROR THERE ARE A FEW STICKING POINTS PERHAPS AROUND THE EDUCATION BUDGET OR THE EDUCATION SPENDING AND THERE MAY BE, YOU KNOW, A FEW OTHER MINOR AREAS, BUT I MEAN, IT'S, YOU KNOW, THE WRITING'S ON THE WALL FOR THIS TO GET DONE.

NOW, I KNOW THAT THERE'S SOME HOUSE REPUBLICANS THAT ARE A LITTLE BIT PERHAPS A LITTLE BIT -- A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN WE SHOULD AND I THINK THOSE ARE JUSTIFIABLE CONCERNS.

SO LEADERS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO KIND OF DEAL AROUND SOME OF THOSE OUTLIER ISSUES AND SEE IF THEY CAN GET IT DONE.

I THINK THEY CAN.

>> Cathy: SAY, LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION OF LAST WEEKEND.

AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S RACE DOUG WARDLOW SAID HE WAS GOING TO ABIDE BY THE ENDORSEMENT, HE LOST IT AND HE'S NOT GOING TO ABIDE NOW.

I'M WONDERING, WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THAT?

>> DISAPPOINTING.

VERY DISAPPOINTING.

IT WAS A HOTLY CONTESTED RACE, IT WAS ALL THE WAY UP TO THE CONVENTION, A.M.

THE CANDIDATES WERE WORKING HARD, DOUG WARDLOW WAS IN FIRST PLACE AS IS TYPICAL AT THESE CONVENTIONS WHEN CANDIDATES DROP WHEN THEY DON'T MEET THE MINIMUM THRESHOLD THEIR VOTERS GO SOMEPLACE ELSE.

THE VOTERS FOR TAG JUDE WENT SOMEWHERE ELSE, JIM SCHULTZ AND WON THE ENDORSEMENT FAIR AND SQUARE.

HE'S THE ENDORSED CANDIDATE AND FRANKLY WARDLOW SHOULD STEP ASIDE AND SHOULD NOT RUN.

>> Cathy: HOW VULNERABLE IS ATTORNEY GENERAL KEITH ELLISON?

>> I THINK THAT COME NOVEMBER WHAT WE'RE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT IS THE AMAZING WORK THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS DONE IN TERMS OF CONSUMER PROTECTION.

AND THE EYES OF THE WORLD WERE ON MINNESOTA AFTER THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD AND THAT CASE WAS HANDLED PERFECTLY.

I THINK ATTORNEY GENERAL ELLISON WILL BE SUCCESSFUL IN BEING REELECTED.

AND THE REPUBLICAN WILL HAVE TO ANSWER FOR DOUG WARDLOW WHO IS VERY EXTREME AND VERY OUT THERE, AND KIM CROCKETT.

JUST THIS WEEK THE PARTY APOLOGIZED FOR BLATANT USE OF ANTI-SEMITIC IMAGERY AND SHE TOOK IT BACK I THINK IT WAS THIS MORNING.

THEY'RE ALL GOING TO HAVE PEOPLE LIKE KIM CROCKETT AND DOUG WARDLOW HUNG AROUND THEIR NECKS.

THAT IS TODAY'S REPUBLICAN PARTY, IT IS A PARTY OF EXTREMISM.

>> Eric: GREG, ARE YOU WITH THE CAUCUS CONVENTION SYSTEM?

IT SEEMS IT CAN PUSH BOTH PARTIES A LITTLE MORE LEFT AND RIGHT DEPENDING ON THE PARTY.

IS THAT STILL A VIABLE WAY TO NOMINATE CANDIDATES?

>> WELL, THERE'S CERTAINLY A LOT OF DISCUSSION THAT TAKES PLACE EVERY YEAR PARTICULARLY BEFORE AND AFTER A CONVENTION.

I'M OF THE BELIEF THAT WE SHOULD PERHAPS EXPLORE A HYBRID OPTION WHERE WE DO KEEP THE PARTY CONVENTIONS AND WE DO KEEP THE PARTY ENDORSEMENTS BUT WE, THERE MAY BE OTHER WAYS, OTHER AVENUES TO CONTROL BALLOT ACCESS AND CERTAINLY I'M A STRONG BELIEVER IN AN EARLIER PRIMARY.

I THINK A JUNE PRIMARY, MAYBE EVEN A MAY PRIMARY WOULD BE APPROPRIATE AND WOULD PROBABLY SERVE BOTH PARTIES A LOT BETTER THAN HAVING SOMETHING IN AUGUST.

>> Eric: JAVIER, YOU A REFORMER?

>> VERY WEIRDLY I AGREE WITH ALMOST EVERYTHING GREG GREG PEPPIN JUST AID.

>> Eric: BASED ON WHAT?

>> I THINK THE CAUCUS SYSTEM HAVING A HYBRID SYSTEM COULD COMBINE HAVING ACTIVISTS ENGAGED AND INVOLVED AND FOR PARTY BUSINESS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, BUT MAYBE DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT IN TERMS OF PUTTING MULTIPLE CANDIDATES FORWARD WHO ARE ENDORSED.

THE PARTY ENDORSEMENT ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE HAS NOT WORKED FOR GOVERNOR FOR DECADES AND IT IS REALLY, IT IS BROKEN, AND IT IS A PROCESS THAT IS CLOSED, IT'S NOT ACCESSIBLE TO ALL, AND WE DEFINITELY NEED TO SEE CHANGES THERE I THINK.

>> Cathy: A MOMENT OF BIPARTISANSHIP ON THE ALMANAC COUCH HERE.

SAY, LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT FIRST DISTRICT RACE.

CAN WE DO THAT, GREG PEPPIN?

I WAS NOTICING A LOT OF ADS FOR THE FIRST DISTRICT G.O.P.

RACE, JUST SAW A RAND PAUL AD FOR JEREMY MUNSON, WHAT'S OING ON DOWN THERE?

>> YEAH, LOT OF OUTSIDE SPENDING.

BY MY MOST RECENT COUNT IT'S IN EXCESS OF $2 MILLION FOR FORCES THAT ARE ALIGNED WITH JEREMY MUNSON.

ANOTHER $2 MILLION FOR FORCED THAT ARE ALIGNED WITH BRAD FINSTAD.

OTHER CANDIDATES, MATT BANNA, JENNIFER CARNAHAN IN THE RACE AS WELL.

AND NOW THE ACCUSATIONS ARE BACK AND FORTH ON THE ADS WHICH I HAD KIND OF PREDICTED WOULD BE THE CASE WHEN YOU GOT THAT MUCH MONEY.

SO WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS, IT'S GOING TO BE BASED REALLY ON TURNOUT.

AND NOBODY'S ABLE TO -- THERE'S THEY POLITICAL EXPERT WHO CAN DETERMINE WHAT THE TURNOUT'S GOING TO BE ON MAY 24TH.

IT'S JUST, YOU KNOW, WE'RE BREAKING NEW GROUND HERE IN MINNESOTA SPECIAL ELECTIONS.

SO I HOPE THAT IT'S ROBUST.

I DON'T THINK THAT IT WILL BE AND I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A CLOSE RACE.

>> Eric: CD2 ANGIE CRAIG THE D.F.L.

INCUMBENT I SEE ADS BEING RUN FOR HER IN TWIN CITIES MEDIA.

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, IT'S EXPECTED TO BE A COMPETITIVE DISTRICT ALWAYS BUT I THINK THE CONGRESSWOMAN HAS BEEN DOING HER JOB IN CONAGGRESS AND I THINK IT LOOKS THIS TIME LIKE THE CHALLENGE IS WEAKER THAN IT WAS IN PREVIOUS YEARS.

>> Eric: GOING TO BE A FUN SUMMER.

THANKS, FELLAS.

APPRECIATE IT.

GOOD STUFF TONIGHT.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU!

SEE YA LATER.

♪♪ >> Cathy: NOW FOR OUR WEEKLY EXERCISE IN MINNESOTA HISTORY.

WE'RE GOING TO VENTURE BACK TO 1972 AND THE VERY FIRST DRAFT OF THE WORLD HOCKEY ASSOCIATION.

THE MINNESOTA FIGHTING SAINTS -- WHAT A GREAT LOGO, I LIKE THAT, -- WERE A TEAM IN THE PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE THAT TRIED TO COMPETE WITH THE NHL.

THE W.H.A.

HAD A LONG DRAFT AND -- A LONG DRAFT -- THINGS GOT A BIT LOOPY IN THE SEVENTH ROUND, YES, YOU HEARD THAT RIGHT.

THE SAINTS MADE A NONTRADITIONAL PICK OF A NOTED MINNESOTAN.

YOU COULD CALL IT A LONG SHOT.

THE PERSON SELECTED DIDN'T END UP PLAYING FOR THE SAINTS, BUT THE NEWS MADE THE FRONT PAGE OF MINNEAPOLIS TRIBUNE THE MORNING AFTER THE DRAFT.

WE ASKED YOU TO NAME THIS NOTED MINNESOTAN.

WHO DID THE FIGHTINGS SAINTS DRAFT IN THE 70TH ROUND BACK IN 1972?

DOZENS OF YOU GOT THIS QUESTION RIGHT.

YET THE PRODUCERS STILL HAD PLENTY OF CHOICES FOR WRONG ANSWERS.

HERE'S A HEALTHY SAMPLING.

>> YEAH, THIS IS STEVE CALLING FROM MOUNTAIN IRON.

I WOULD WANT TO SAY THAT WAS HENRY BOUCHA.

>> THE ANSWER TO THIS WEEK'’S INDEX FILE QUESTION IS BUD GRANT.

>> MY NAME IS PATRICK AND I THINK THE ANSWER IS HERB BROOKS.

>> OUR GUESS FOR THIS WEEK'’S TRIVIA QUESTION IS HUBERT HUMPHREY.

HEY, FREE PUBLICITY IS FREE PUBLICITY.

>> Cathy: STEVE, YOU WERE ONTO SOMETHING WHEN YOU MENTIONED A POLITICIAN.

WE RECEIVED MANY RIGHT ANSWERS TO THIS ONE, INCLUDING CHARLEY FROM MOORHEAD WHO SAYS HE'S NEARLY ALWAYS WRONG, BUT WE DECIDED TO GO WITH LAUREN OUT OF ST. PAUL.

>> HI, THIS IS LAUREN IN ST. PAUL.

I THINK THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION IS GOVERNOR WENDELL ANDERSON, AND ONE OF THE REASONS THEY GAVE FOR DRAFTING HIM WAS THAT HE HAD THE TYPE OF JOB WHERE HE MIGHT BECOME AVAILABLE AT ANY TIME.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

GOOD NIGHT.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU, LAUREN.

YES, IT WAS GOVERNOR WENDY ANDERSON, A DEFENSEMAN ON THE 1956 OLYMPIC HOCKEY TEAM WHO WAS DRAFTED BY THE FIGHTING SAINTS.

IT WAS A BIT OF FUN AT THE END OF A LONG DRAFT DAY.

NEEDLESS TO SAY, GOVERNOR ANDERSON, WHO WAS 39 AT THE TIME, DID NOT COME OUT OF RETIREMENT TO LACE UP HIS SKATES.

IF YOU HAVE A GOOD HISTORY QUESTION FOR US, WE LOVE IT HEAR IT.

651-229-1430.

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REMEMBER THAT LAWMAKERS NEED TO GET THEIR WORK DONE BY MONDAY.

AND YOU CAN FOLLOW ALL THE ACTION NIGHT AND DAY BY WATCHING THE MINNESOTA CHANNEL ON YOUR LOCAL PBS STATION.

FOR SHOW CLOSING MUSIC WE VENTURE BACK TO THE YEAR 2000.

THE CANADIAN BORN FOLKSINGER BUFFY SAINTE MARIE STOPPED BY STUDIO B AND PLAYED A TUNE FOR US.

LET'S LISTEN AS WE ROLL THE CREDITS.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT WEEK.

♪♪ >> LYRICS: CROSS THE MOON I SAW THEM GO AND STILL THIS LOVE GOES ON AND ON STILL THIS LOVE GOES ON.

♪♪ ONCE I SAW THE SUMMER FLOWERS TURN THE FIELDS TO SUN UP AND DOWN THE MOUNTAINSIDE I WATCHED THE SUMMER RUN NOW THE FIELDS ARE MUFFLED IN WHITE AND NOW IS ON THE DAWN.

MORNING COMES N SHIVERING WINGS AND STILL THIS LOVE GOES ON AND ON STILL THIS LOVE GOES ON.

IN EVERY DREAM I CAN SMELL THE SWEETGRASS BURNING ♪♪ IN MY HEART, I CAN HEAR THE DRUM AND HEAR THE SINGERS SOARING AND SEE THE JINGLE DANCERS AND STILL THIS LOVE GOES ON AND ON STILL THIS LOVE GOES ON ♪♪ FANCY DANCER COME ON UP NORTH TO SEE SOME FRIENDS OF HIS FELL IN LOVE IN A POW WOW TOWN AND YOU KNOW HOW THAT IS BEADED GIRLS AND PAINTED PONIES TURN YOUR LIFE AROUND AND NOW YOU'RE SINGIN' KO SAKHIHITE ON AND ON AND ON ♪♪ IN EVERY DREAM I CAN SMELL THE SWEETGRASS BURNING AND IN MY HEART >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

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