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

>> ERIC: IN THE NEXT HOUR, WE'LL REVIEW THE WEEK'S TESTIMONY IN THE BIG FEDERAL POLICING CIVIL RIGHTS TRIAL TAKING PLACE IN ST. PAUL.

WE'LL LEARN ABOUT THE MINNESOTANS COMPETING IN THE WINTER OLYMPICS.

AND WE'LL INTRODUCE YOU TO FAT TIRE BIKING ALONG THE NORTH SHORE.

PLUS, MARY LAHAMMER PREVIEWS WHAT POLITICIANS ARE AIMING TO ACHIEVE THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> Mary: THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION STARTS ON MONDAY AND IT'S A HYBRID MODEL, ONLINE AND IN-PERSON, AND THE TOP ISSUES ARE EMERGING OF THE BUDGET, BONDING, AND PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> IT'S TIME FOR US TO TAKE ACTION TO KEEP ALL OF OUR NEIGHBORS SAFE.

>> PRIORITY NUMBER ONE: PUBLIC SAFETY.

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

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

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

"ONE GREATER MINNESOTA" REPORTING ON "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE OTTO BREMER TRUST, WHOSE MISSION IS INVESTING IN PEOPLE, PLACES, AND OPPORTUNITIES IN OUR REGION.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT IS PROVIDED BY THE BLANDIN FOUNDATION, WORKING TO STRENGTHEN RURAL MINNESOTA.

>> ERIC: IN JUST A FEW MINUTES, WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE BIG ISSUES THAT WILL DOMINATE THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

WE'LL QUANTIFY HOW CHILLY AND SNOWY WINTER HAS BEEN SO FAR.

AND WE'LL INTRODUCE YOU TO FAT TIRE TRAIL RIDING.

BUT FIRST, THE TRIAL TAKING PLACE AT THE FEDERAL COURTS BUILDING IN ST. PAUL.

>> Cathy: RIGHT.

TESTIMONY BEGAN THIS WEEK IN THE TRIAL OF THREE FORMER MINNEAPOLIS POLICE OFFICERS IN THE DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD.

CAMERAS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE COURTROOM, SO THERE IS NO AUDIO OR VIDEO OF THE PROCEEDINGS.

JUST SOME SKETCH ARTISTS.

SO WE'RE GOING OLD-SCHOOL AND CHECKING IN WITH PRINT REPORTERS ON THE TRIAL'S PROGRESS.

AMY FORLITI IS COVERING THE TRIAL FOR "THE ASSOCIATED PRESS."

ANDY MANNIX IS PART OF THE TRIAL TEAM FOR THE "STAR TRIBUNE."

HEY, ANDY, DID IT SEEM LIKE DEREK CHAUVIN AND THE MINNEAPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT'S TRAINING PROGRAM WAS ON TRIAL TODAY?

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

I MEAN, CHAUVIN IS NOT THERE.

YOU KNOW, HE'S NOT IN THE COURTROOM.

BUT HE IS IN TESTIMONY.

HE'S IN THE EVIDENCE.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF HIM AS THE ANTAGONIST THAT THE OTHER DEFENDANTS ARE POINTING TO AS, YOU KNOW, HE'S THE SENIOR OFFICER.

HE WAS THE TRAINING OFFICER FOR, YOU KNOW, ALEXANDER KEUNG, FOR EXAMPLE, AND, YOU KNOW, HE WAS THE ONE THAT THEY WERE LOOKING TO AS WHAT ONE OF THE ATTORNEYS CALLED THE SHOCK COLLAR ON THE SCENE.

BUT YEAH, YOU KNOW, I THINK POLICY VERSUS TRAINING IS A LOT OF WHAT WE'VE SEEN THIS WEEK, SO THERE'S A POLICY THAT THERE'S A DUTY TO INTERVENE.

BUT WHAT THE DEFENSE ATTORNEYS ARE TRYING TO SAY IS, THE CULTURE, YOU KNOW, DID NOT PROMOTE THAT, THAT THERE WAS A CULTURE THAT PROMOTED KIND OF THIS US VERSUS THEM.

AS ONE OF THE DEFENSE ATTORNEYS PUT IT.

SO, YEAH, I THINK WE ARE VERY MUCH SEEING, LIKE, THE CULTURE VERSUS POLICY BEING PUT ON TRIAL.

>> Eric: AMY, I TALKED TO ONE OF THE REPORTERS COVERING THE TRIAL THIS WEEK AND I SAID, WHO'S WINNING, AND SHE SAID THE VIDEO.

TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE POINTER OF THAT FAMOUS VIDEO AND THE OTHER BODY CAMS WE'RE SEEING TOO.

>> YEAH, WE ARE SEEING A LOT OF VIDEO IN THIS TRIAL.

JUST LIKE WE SAW DURING DEREK CHAUVIN'S STATE TRIAL.

AND IN THIS CASE, THE PROSECUTORS ARE PLAYING A LOT OF SIDE BY SIDE VIDEO, WITH -- THEY ARE SHOWING BODY CAMERA VIDEO OR THAT BYSTANDER VIDEO THAT WAS SO WIDELY PLAYED NEXT TO VIDEO THAT WAS TAKEN FROM A SURVEILLANCE CAMERA ACROSS THE STREET, WHICH THEY'RE CALLING THE MILESTONE VIDEO, AND THEY'RE PLAYING THAT SIDE BY SIDE AND PRETTY REPEATEDLY TO SHOW OVER AND OVER AGAIN WHAT HAPPENED.

>> Cathy: SAY, AMY, THE TWO ROOKIES HAVE A DIFFERENT DEFENSE THAN THE VERN OFFICER DOES.

CAN YOU PARSE THAT FOR US?

>> SURE, ONE OF THEM IS THOMAS LANE AND HE WAS THE NEWER OFFICER WHO WAS AT GEORGE FLOYD'S FEET.

AND HE'S SUGGESTED TWICE THAT THEY SHOULD ROLL HIM OVER ON HIS SIDE, OR HE ASKED IF FLOYD SHOULD BE ROLLED OVER ON HIS SIDE.

AND HIS DEFENSE IS THAT HE WAS A ROOKIE AND THAT HE DID TRY TO INTERVENE.

J. KEUNG OR J. ALEXANDER KEUNG IS THE OTHER NEWER OFFICER WHO WAS POSITIONED AT GEORGE GEORGE FLOYD'S BACK AND HE WAS KNEELING ON HIS BACK ACCORDING TO THE BODY CAMERA VIDEO WE'VE SEEN.

AND HE'S SAYING THAT DEREK CHAUVIN WAS HIS TRAINING OFFICER ND THAT HE WAS JUST DOING WHAT DEREK CHAUVIN SAID.

BOTH OF THESE ROOKIES ARE SAYING THAT DEREK CHAUVIN WAS CALLING THE SHOTS.

>> Eric: ANDY, WHAT IS EXCITED DELIRIUM, AND WHY IS IT BACK INTO PLAY IN THIS TRIAL?

>> SO EXCITED DELIRIUM IS A DIAGNOSIS THAT HAS BECOME REALLY CONTROVERSIAL.

OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.

BECAUSE WE SEE IT USED IN A LOT OF INSTANCES WHEN SOMEONE DIES IN POLICE CUSTODY.

AND IN FACT, WE DON'T SEE IT IN MANY INSTANCES OR ANY WHERE PEOPLE DON'T DIE IN POLICE CUSTODY.

SO BASICALLY THAT THIS DIAGNOSIS IS, YOU'RE SO EXCITED, YOU'RE SO -- ALMOST MANIC, THAT THE IS AS DOSE YIS, LIKE THE ACID IN YOUR BLOOD, LEVELS ARE RISING SO HIGH THAT IT CAN BE DEADLY.

IT CAN CAUSE ARRESTED YAK ARREST.

CARDIAC ARREST.

SO THERE'S A DEBATE OVER THIS IN THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY, WHETHER OR NOT THIS IS A REAL DIAGNOSIS, OR IS THIS SOMETHING THAT'S USED TO, YOU KNOW, WHEN SOMEONE DIES, BY, FOR EXAMPLE, LIKE A TASER, YOU KNOW, TO USTIFY THAT USE OF FORCE AND TO SAY THAT THIS PERSON DIDN'T DIE FROM THE TASER.

THEY DIED FROM EXCITED DELIRIUM.

SO THIS IS REALLY HOTLY CONTESTED DIAGNOSIS OF WHETHER OR NOT THIS EXISTS IN THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY.

THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, FOR EXAMPLE, SAYS, THIS DIAGNOSIS IS SO FRAUGHT, YOU KNOW, THIS IS NOT -- THIS ISN'T REAL.

THEY DON'T RECOGNIZE IT AS A REAL DIAGNOSIS.

SO, ANYWAY, THE REASON THAT IT'S BEING -- THAT IT'S BEING RAISED IN THIS TRIAL IS BECAUSE THE DEFENSE ATTORNEY, OR THE DEFENSE ATTORNEYS FOR THESE -- THERE'S THREE DIFFERENT ONES FOR THESE DIFFERENT DEFENDANTS, ARE TRYING TO RAISE, LIKE, REASONABLE DOUBT, AND THEY'RE TRYING TO SAY, WELL, WASN'T HE EXHIBITING SYMPTOMS OF EXCITING DELIRIUM, THINGS LIKE SWEATING TOO MUCH, THINGS LIKE FOAMING AT THE MOUTH OR HAVING, LIKE, A WHITE SUBSTANCE AT THE MOUTH, YOU KNOW, NOT RESPONDING TO ORDERS, AREN'T THESE EXAMPLES OF EXCITED DELIRIUM?

SO IT'S KIND OF MAKING FOR A LITTLE BIT OF AN AWKWARD EXAMINATION OF SOME OF THESE MEDICAL RESPONDERS BECAUSE THEY'RE BOTH I THINK, YOU KNOW, TRYING TO BE COOPERATIVE AND ANSWER QUESTIONS.

BUT ALSO KIND OF PUSHING BACK ON WHETHER OR NOT THIS DIAGNOSIS EXISTS.

IF THAT MAKES SENSE, SO -- BUT I THINK THESE DEFENSE ATTORNEYS ARE TRYING TO RAISE A REASONABLE DOUBT OF -- THEY'RE TRYING TO SUGGEST WE DON'T KNOW HOW GEORGE FLOYD DIED.

>> Cathy: OKAY, THANK YOU, I APPRECIATE THAT, ANDY.

SAY, AMY, I'M CURIOUS, WHAT IT'S LIKE WATCHING JUDGE MAGNUSON IN ACTION?

HE'S BEEN AROUND FOR A WHILE.

>> YEAH, JUDGE MAGNUSON IS RUNNING A VERY TIGHT COURTROOM.

HE IS IN HIS 80s.

HE'S A SENIOR JUDGE.

HE'S BEEN AROUND FOR A LONG TIME.

AND HE IS VERY MUCH NO NONSENSE.

HE'S NOT ALLOWING ANY EMOTIONAL SORT F TESTIMONY TO COME FLOOR PLAY.

SO UNLIKE THE STATE TRIAL FOR DEREK CHAUVIN WHERE WE SAW WITNESSES TALK ABOUT SPARK OF LIFE AND HUMANIZE GEORGE FLOYD, WE'RE NOT SEEING ANY OF THAT HERE.

IN FACT, WHEN ONE WITNESS DID START TO BECOME EMOTIONAL, AND START TO CRY, WHEN TALKING ABOUT HOW HE THOUGHT GEORGE FLOYD WAS GOING TO DIE, THE JUDGE CUT HIM OFF AND HE'S ALSO NOT ENTERTAINING A LOT OF BACK AND FORTH WITH THE ATTORNEYS.

WHEN SOMEONE ASKS FOR A SIDEBAR TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING, EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, HE'LL SAY "NO, THANK YOU," AND HE'LL MOVE ON, AND HE'S RUNNING A VERY TIGHT SHIP.

HE WANTS THIS TRIAL TO BE WRAPPED UP VERY QUICKLY.

HE INITIALLY SAID HE WANTED IT TO BE DONE IN TWO WEEKS BECAUSE OF COVID.

HE DOESN'T WANT THIS TRIAL TO LINGER WITH THE COVID PANDEMIC GOING ON.

DURING JURY SELECTION, HE TOLD THE JURORS THAT IT WOULD LAST MORE LIKE FOUR WEEKS.

>> Eric: AMY AND ANDY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

APPRECIATE IT.

♪ ♪ >> ERIC: LAWMAKERS RETURN TO ST. PAUL NEXT WEEK FOR A LEGISLATIVE SESSION THAT WILL RUN UNTIL NEAR THE END OF MAY.

THIS ISN'T A BUDGET YEAR, BUT THERE IS A BIG POT OF FEDERAL DOLLARS AND A HUGE STATE SURPLUS THAT IS AVAILABLE TO SPEND.

LEGISLATIVE LEADERS AND THE GOVERNOR HAVE BEEN LAYING OUT SPENDING PLANS THIS WEEK.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH HAS IN MIND, MINNESOTA'S LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR PEGGY FLANAGAN.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, BEFORE WE GET TO THE BUDGET, OF HOW CLOSE DID YOU COME TO NOT BEING ON THE TICKET IN 2022?

>> WELL, LET ME TELL YOU.

I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS BUDGET.

AND I KNOW WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT IT IN A MINUTE.

BUT EVERYTHING THAT, YOU KNOW, I HAVE WORKED TOWARDS AS A CHILD ADVOCATE, THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS WORKED TOWARDS AS A TEACHER, THAT IS WHAT WE JUST ROLLED OUT.

AND SO THIS IS WHY WE DECIDED TO RUN TOGETHER IN THE FIRST PLACE.

THIS PROPOSAL.

AND I AM READY TO GO.

I'M ON TEAM WALZ-FLANAGAN AND WE'RE READY FOR GREAT SESSION AND A GREAT CAMPAIGN.

>> Cathy: THE GOVERNOR LOOKS LIKE HE'S GOING TO SPEND NEARLY ALL OF THE $7.7 BILLION OF THE SURPLUS AND THE TAILS -- THE TAILS WILL GO INTO THE OUTYEARS.

FOR FOLKS WHO ATCH "ALMANAC," I KNOW YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS.

WHY IS THAT GOOD FISCAL POLICY, THOUGH?

>> I THINK WE'RE AT A MOMENT WHEN MINNESOTA'S ECONOMY IS DOING WELL.

AND WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE INVESTMENTS THAT ARE GOOD FOR WORKING FAMILIES.

THINGS LIKE PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE.

LOWERING THE COSTS OF CHILD CARE AND HEALTHCARE.

AND THIS IS THEIR OPPORTUNITY TO DO JUST THAT.

ALONG WITH OUR BONDING PROPOSALS OF INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE, LOCAL JOBS AND, YOU KNOW, PROJECTS, THAT WILL REALLY MAKE AN IMPACT IN COMMUNITIES ALL ACROSS THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, THIS IS THE TIME TO DO IT.

WE ARE IN GOOD FINANCIAL HEALTH, AND IT'S IME TO INVEST IN MINNESOTA N THE SHORT TERM BUT ALSO BUILD FOR THE ONG TERM AS WELL.

>> Eric: THE ADMINISTRATION IS CALLING -- I GUESS THEY'RE BEING CALLED WALZ CHECKS, $175 FOR A SINGLE, $350 FOR A COUPLE.

I HEARD A G.O.P.

LEGISLATOR SAY THIS WEEK THAT IT'S A POLITICAL GIMMICK FUNDED BY CHUMP CHANGE, MEANING LIKE % OF THE SURPLUS.

HOW DO YOU PLEAD?

>> SO WHAT I WOULD SAY IS THAT I CAN TELL YOU THAT $175 IN THE POCKETS OF MINNESOTANS MAKES A REAL DIFFERENCE.

SO THAT'S FOUR BOXES OF 150, YOU KNOW, COUNT DIAPERS.

AS A MOM OF A NINE-YEAR-OLD WHO FRANKLY GOES THROUGH HER SHOES LIKE NOBODY'S BUSINESS, THAT'S A COUPLE PAIRS OF SHOES FOR A KID AND FOR A FAMILY.

THIS IS A SHORT-TERM OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THOSE INVESTMENTS IN MINNESOTANS, TO GIVE THAT RELIEF, AND THEN THERE'S ALSO THOSE THINGS THAT I MENTIONED BEFORE THAT MAKE A LONG-TERM DIFFERENCE TO LOWER THE COST FOR MINNESOTANS AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY CAN AFFORD THEIR LIFE AND THAT THEY CAN THRIVE.

>> Cathy: THERE ARE A LOT OF FRONT-LINE PANDEMIC WORKERS WHO ARE WAITING FOR A LITTLE LOVE FROM THE STATE WHEN IT COMES TO A CHECK.

AND THAT HAS BEEN HUNG UP NOW SINCE LAST SESSION.

AND I'M WOE, IS THERE ANY POSSIBILITY THAT HE'S HERO GRANTS, THIS HERO PAY CAN GET PASSED EARLY IN SESSION?

OR IS THAT JUST SO BACKLOGGED AT THIS POINT?

>> WELL, LISTEN, I AM NOT IN CHARGE OF THE LEGISLATURE.

BUT I WOULD SAY THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT OUR FRONT-LINE HEROES HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR.

THESE ARE THE FOLKS WHO MADE SURE THAT DURING, REALLY, THE HEAT OF THE PANDEMIC, BEFORE WE HAD THINGS LIKE VACCINES AND TESTING, THEY WERE ON THE FRONT LINES MAKING SURE THAT WE COULD CONTINUE TO, YOU KNOW, CARE FOR OUR LOVED ONES WITH COVID, MAKE SURE THAT THERE WAS FOOD OTHER TABLE.

THEY DISIRVE OF DESERVE THIS INVESTMENT, AND THAT'S WHY WE DECIDED TO GO BIG WITH $1 BILLION FOR THESE FRONT-LINE WORKERS ACROSS VARIOUS SECTORS WHO REALLY MADE SOME SACRIFICES, AND WE SHOULD CALL THEM HEROES, BUT WE SHOULD ALSO MAKE A FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION TO THESE FOLKS WHO HAVE JUST MADE INCREDIBLE SACRIFICES.

SO IF I WAS IN CHARGE OF THE LEGISLATURE, I CERTAINLY WOULD WANT TO GREATER WEIGHT THAT DONE EARLY.

>> Cathy: I HAD A CHANCE TO EHRESMANNKRIS EHRESMANN THIS WEEK, WHO IS RETIRING.

AND WE TALKED ABOUT REGRETS AND SHE TALKED A LOT ABOUT MAYBE SOME PROBLEMS WITH MESSAGING.

SO I'M CURIOUS FROM WHERE YOU STAND BEING A MEMBER OF THE ADMINISTRATION, WOULD YOU HAVE DONE ANYTHING DIFFERENTLY.

WOULD THE ADMINISTRATION HAVE DONE ANYTHING DIFFERENTLY DURING THIS PANDEMIC?

>> SO, FIRST OF ALL, I WOULD SAY THAT NONE OF US EXPECTED TO GOVERN DURING A PANDEMIC.

BUT, YOU KNOW, WE DID OUR BEST TO KEEP FOLKS SAFE WHEN E DIDN'T HAVE THESE TOOLS IN OUR TOOL BOX.

AND NOW WE'RE CONTINUING TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE GET VACCINATED.

I JUST GOT BOOSTED TODAY.

THAT PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO TESTING.

AND THEN WHEN OUR HOSPITALS AND THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN ON THE FRONT LINES, OUR DOCTORS AND NURSES AND HEALTHCARE WORKERS THAT WE'RE ABLE TO PROVIDE THAT ADDITIONAL SUPPORT AND RELIEF.

BUT I'LL TELL YOU THIS.

KRIS EHRESMANN IS AN INCREDIBLE U PUBLIC SERVANT.

NOBODY ROCKS A JEAN JACKET LIKE KRIS EHRESMANN AND ALSO SIME YULSIMULTANEOUSLY DELIVERS INCREDIBLE PUBLIC HEALTH ADVICE.

SHAIZ BEEN A REALLY IMPORTANT PART OF OUR ADMINISTRATION, AND IF ANYBODY DESERVES A LITTLE REST, IT'S KRIS EHRESMANN.

SO WE'RE GOING TO KEEP TAKING THIS PANDEMIC VERY SERIOUSLY AND, YOU KNOW, GIVING MINNESOTANS THE TOOLS THAT THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO MOVE THROUGH IT AND HOPEFULLY AS WE'RE LOOKING TOWARDS THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION TO COME OUT ON THE OTHER SIDE WAS AN EVEN STRONGER MINNESOTA THAN EVER BEFORE.

>> Eric: CAN DEMOCRATS SHAKE THE SOFT ON CRIME LABEL AS THEY LOOK AHEAD TO THE NOVEMBER ELECTION?

>> WELL, I'M REALLY PROUD OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY BUDGET THAT WE JUST ROLLED OUT THIS PAST WEEK.

WE TAKE THIS VERY SERIOUSLY.

SO MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE INVESTING IN LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THAT CAN BE FIRST RESPONDERS, POLICE OFFICERS, OR MAKING SURE THAT FOLKS HAVE A MENTAL HEALTH RESPONSE IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS INVESTING IN, PASTORS ON CORNERS, YOUTH INTERVENTION, AND PROGRAMS.

AND THEN MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE A STATEWIDE, YOU KNOW, VIOLENCE PREVENTION INITIATIVE WHERE WE'RE WORKING ACROSS LOCAL JURISDICTIONS TO BE PRECISE AND, YOU KNOW, WHERE WE'RE TARGETING FOLKS WHO, FRANKLY, YOU KNOW, ARE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE PERPETUATING THIS VIOLENT CRIME AND BEING REALLY STRATEGIC THERE.

BUT EVERYBODY IN MINNESOTA DESERVES TO FEEL SAFE, NO MATTER WHO THEY ARE AND WHERE THEY LIVE.

AND OUR PUBLIC SAFETY BUDGET DOES JUST THAT.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR COMING.

WISH WE HAD MORE TIME.

THANKS FOR COMING OVER TO THE "ALMANAC" SET.

THANKS.

>> THANK YOU.

♪ ♪ >> THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION STARTS NEXT WEEK AND SO DOES "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL."

IT RUNS WEDNESDAY NIGHTS, LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. ON THE STATEWIDE MINNESOTA CHANNEL, AND 10:00 P.M. ON TPT-2.

AND THIS SEASON WE'RE ESPECIALLY EXCITED ABOUT A NEW SERIES WITH RETIRING LAWMAKERS.

IT'S CANDID CONVERSATIONS AND OBSERVATIONS, AND THERE WILL BE A NUMBER OF LAWMAKERS CALLING IT QUITS AFTER THE CENSUS AND REDISTRICTING.

HERE'S A SNEAK PEEK.

IS IT TRUE THAT BIPARTISAN IS FAILING?

>> I BELIEVE SO.

IT'S HURTING THE STATE.

THIS IS A LEADERSHIP DECISION TO HOLD ALL OF THE BIG ISSUES UNTIL THE END, BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE THAT IF THEY HAVE EVERYTHING AT THE LAST MINUTE, FOR THE LAST MINUTE DEAL, IT GIVES THEM MORE POWER IN THE FINAL NEGOTIATION.

IT'S NOT WORKING.

♪ ♪ >> CATHY: LAST SUMMER, WE TALKED WITH REPORTER RACHEL BLOUNT, WHO COVERED THE TOKYO SUMMER OLYMPICS, AND DUE TO A COVID QUIRK IN THE CALENDAR, THE WINTER OLYMPICS START NEXT WEEK IN CHINA.

RACHEL BLOUNT IS AGAIN HEADING OVERSEAS TO COVER THE GAMES WHICH START ONE WEEK FROM TODAY.

RACHEL IS A LONGTIME SPORTS REPORTER AT THE "STAR TRIBUNE."

IT IS NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN, MY FRIEND.

HOW ARE YOU?

>> I'M VERY WELL.

THANKS.

I CAN'T BELIEVE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THIS AGAIN.

>> Cathy: I NOW, RIGHT?

EXACTLY.

SO CAN MINNESOTA HAVE AS GOOD A WINTER OLYMPICS AS WE HAD THIS PAST SUMMER?

>> IT'LL BE TOUGH.

LAST SUMMER WAS FANTASTIC, WASN'T IT, WITH SUNI LEE AND GABEL STEVENSON.

WE HAD SO MANY OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES BY OUR ATHLETES.

BEST SHOWING EVER IN A SUMMER OLYMPICS BY MINNESOTANS.

BUT OF COURSE THE WINTER OLYMPICS IS OUR WHEELHOUSE, RIGHT?

WE'VE GOT JESSE DIGGINS COMING BACK.

WE'VE GOT TEAM SCHUSTER FROM THE DULUTH AREA, THE GOLD MEDALIST IN CURLING.

THE U.S. WOMEN'S HOCKEY TEAM.

WON THEIR GOLD MEDAL IN 2018.

SO I THINK WE STAND A PRETTY GOOD CHANCE OF BRINGING HOME SOME MORE MEDALS TO MINNESOTA.

>> Eric: WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE LOGISTICS IN BEIJING.

THEY'RE CREATING A CLOSED LOOP.

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN TOLD ABOUT WHAT TO EXPECT?

>> IT'LL BE VERY MUCH LIKE TOKYO, AND ACTUALLY PROBABLY A LITTLE WORSE THAN TOKYO, WHERE, WHEN EVERYONE ARRIVES, YOU'LL BE TESTED FOR COVID AT THE AIRPORT, AND THEN MOVED TO A HOTEL WITHIN THE CLOSED LOOP.

AND FOR THE ENTIRE TIME, WE ARE IN CHINA AND THAT GOES FOR ATHLETES, TEAM OFFICIALS, MEDIA, EVERYBODY, WHEN YOU'RE IN THAT CLOSED LOOP, YOU'RE NOT COMING OUT UNTIL YOU ARE READY TO EAVE THE COUNTRY AFTER THE OLYMPICS ARE OVER.

WE'LL BE LIMITED TO BEING IN OUR HOTELS, THE VENUES WHERE THE EVENTS ARE TAKING PLACE, AND THE MAIN MEDIA CENTER, THE ATHLETES WILL BE ABLE TO BE IN THEIR VILLAGE ROOMS, IN THEIR TRAINING AREAS, AND IN THE VENUES.

SO EXTREMELY LIMITED.

WE'LL ONLY BE SEEING BEIJING THROUGH BUS WINDOWS.

>> >> Eric: HOW CAN YOU GET QUOTES FROM THE COMPETITORS.

>> WE WILL BE ABLE TO INTERVIEW THE COMPETITORS, SO WHEN WE'RE IN A VENUE TO WATCH AN EVENT, WE'RE ALLOWED O BE IN THE STANDS, AND THEN WE CAN GO GOMP TO THE A SPECIAL AREA AND THE COMPETITORS WILL COME THROUGH AND TALK TO US AFTERWARDS OF COURSE WITH AT LEAST 6 FEET OF DISTANCE.

EVERYONE THIS TIME ALSO WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR MEDICAL GRADE MASKS.

N-95S OR KN-95s AND EVERY TIME THIS TIME WILL BE TESTED FOR COVID EVERY DAY WITH THE NASAL SWAB P.C.R.

IN TOKYO, MEDIA WAS ONLY TESTED EVERY THREE DAYS WITH THE IS ALIVE YA TESTS.

SO MUCH MORE RIGOROUS PROTOCOLS FOR HIS TIME.

>> Cathy: GIVEN WHAT YOU JUST OUTLINED, I'M GOING TO ASSUME THERE ARE NO FANS IN THE STANDS.

>> YOU KNOW, BEIJING ORIGINALLY SOLD TICKETS TO DOMESTIC FANS.

AND THEN WHEN OMICRON WAS DETECTED IN THE COUNTRY ABOUT TWO OR THREE WEEKS AGO, THEY SHUT THAT DOWN AND ANNOUNCED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ALLOW THE PUBLIC IN THE STANDS, BUT THEY ARE STILL GOING TO TRY TO BRING IN SOME INVITED GUESTS.

SO NO FAMILIES OR FRIENDS OF OLYMPIANS ONCE AGAIN.

THEY WILL HAVE TO STAY HOME, WHEREVER THEY ARE.

BUT THERE WILL BE SOME -- PRESUMABLY SOME INVITED GUESTS, CONNECTED TO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT OR THE OLYMPIC COMMITTEE.

THERE WILL BE NO CHANTING OR SINGING OR OTHERWISE VOCAL CHEERING.

YOU CAN ONLY CLAP OR USE A NOISE MAKER TO CHEER TEAMS.

>> Eric: HE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS INSTALLED WHAT THEY'RE CALLING A DIPLOMATIC BOYCOTT, ELECTED OFFICIALED AND ADMINISTRATION FOLKS STAYING AWAY.

ARE YOU GOING TO HAVE TO TURN INTO A POLITICAL REPORTER WITH THE CHINA HUMAN RIGHTS CONTROVERSY AND SO FORTH?

>> ABSOLUTELY, ABSOLUTELY.

THAT IS AN ISSUE THAT I THINK IS GETTING A LITTLE BIT LESS ATTENTION THAN IT MIGHT HAVE IF COVID WERE NOT SO PROMINENT.

THIS IS STILL A VERY CONTROVERSIAL OLYMPICS GIVEN THE UPROAR OVER THE CHINESE TREATMENT OF THE UIGHUR MUSLIM POPULATION IN -- AND REPRESSION IN HONG KONG.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE REALLY BEATING THE DRUM ON THIS AND THEY WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO THROUGHOUT THE OLYMPICS.

IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN WHETHER ATHLETES TO WILL SPEAK OUT.

TECHNICALLY, THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO SO.

AT THE TOKYO GAMES, THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE LOOSENED THE RULES ON ATHLETE PROTESTS.

THEY ALLOWED ATHLETES TO SPEAK - MORE FREELY, EXCEPT ON THE MEDAL STAND.

YOU STILL CAN'T DO ANYTHING THERE.

BUT THEY DID ALLOW THEM TO SPEAK MORE FREELY.

SO THEY TECHNICALLY HAVE THE FREEDOM, IF AN ATHLETE WANTED TO SPEAK UP, SAY, IN AN INTERVIEW AFTER A COMPETITION ABOUT A HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUE, THEY COULD DO SO, BUT WHETHER THEY WILL ACTUALLY DO THAT IS UNCERTAIN.

CHINA HAS MADE IT CLEAR THAT THEY WON'T TOLERATE THAT THAT.

SO MR. MAY BE PUNISHMENTS.

>> Cathy: GETTING BACK TO MINNESOTA ATHLETES, ANY OTHER ATHLETE IN ANY OTHER SPORT YOU'RE GOING TO BE WATCHING FOR THAT MIGHT BE KIND OF A DARK HORSE PERHAPS?

>> WE HAVE THREE BI-ATHLETES IN THESE GAMES WHICH IS INTERESTING.

THAT IS THE PORT THAT COMBINES CROSS COUNTRY SKIING AND RIFLE SHOOTING.

WE HAVE JAKE BROWN FROM ST. PAUL.

PAUL SO SOPAUL SCHOMMER A GRADUATE OF ST. SKOE LAST SCHOLASTICA AND LEIF-NORGREN.

HIS WIFE IS EXPECTING THEIR FIRST CHILD.

SHE'S IN VERMONT AND THE DUE DATE IS THE 5TH OF FEBRUARY, WHICH IS THE DATE FOR LIEF'S FIRST RACE IN BEIJING.

>> Cathy: WE WISH YOU WELL.

WE'LL BE READING YOUR STUFF.

THANKS AND BE SAFE.

>> Eric: THANKS, RACHEL.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: SPEAKING OF SPORTS, ABOUT 60 FAT TIRE BICYCLE RIDERS WILL BE COMPETING IN THE NORPINE FAT BIKE CLASSIC RACE TOMORROW, SATURDAY.

REPORTER KAOMI LEE WENT NORTH TO COOK COUNTY TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT A FAST-GROWING SPORT THAT'S GIVING MINNESOTANS MORE REASONS TO ENJOY WINTER.

>> Kaomi: ALONG LAKE SUPERIOR'S SHORE, WINTER REVEALS A SPECIAL ETHEREAL BEAUTY FOR THOSE WHO DRIVE BRAVE THE ELEMENTS.

A POPULAR WAY TO ENJOY THE SEASON DID NOT EVEN EXIST 20 YEARS AGO.

NOW FAT TIRE BIKING IS HERE TO STAY.

>> I THINK IT'S GROWING EVERY YEAR.

YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST A WAY FOR RIDERS TO KEEP ACTIVE IN THE WINTER TIME.

USED TO BE THAT, YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY PUT THEIR BIKES AWAY IN THE WINTER AND WAITED UNTIL THE SNOW WENT AWAY.

WELL, NOW WE FOUND A WAY TO RIDE IN THE SNOW AND IT ACTUALLY IS PRETTY MUCH FUN AND, YOU KNOW, HERE WE ARE.

>> Kaomi: KENNEDY AND HIS GROUP ARE BIKE TRAIL ENTHIEWSES YASESES.

THEY HAVE HELPED TO DEVELOP THOUSANDS OF MILES OF TRAILS IN COOK COUNTY.

>> ONE WITH NATURE AS SOME SAY.

AND IT'S JUST A GREAT FEELING.

I MEAN, THE ELEMENTS COME INTO PLAY PROBABLY A LITTLE BIT MORE IN THE WINTER TIME.

YOU HAVE TO PREPARE, DRESS FOR THE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

AND, YOU KNOW, IT CAN OBVIOUSLY BE PRETTY COLD.

AND, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE AWARE OF HE TRAIL CONDITIONS.

YOU KNOW, WHEN EVEN ROOMED TRAILS ARE DIFFERENT DAY-TO-DAY BASED ON THE SNOW OR THE TEMPERATURE.

>> Kaomi: FAT TIRE BIKES WERE INVENTED ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO.

SOME GUYS WANTED TO RIDE BIKES IN THE IDIDAROD RACE IN ALASKA.

THEY STARTED MAKING PROTOTYPES.

THEY HAD TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET A MOUNTAIN BIKE TO GLIDE ON SNOW.

OKAY, TIM, SO THIS IS A FAT TIRE BIKE.

>> IT IS.

AND YOU CAN SEE THE TIRES ARE WAY WIDER THAN A NORMAL MOUNTAIN BIKE WOULD BE.

THOSE ARE FOUR TO FIVE INCH WIDE TIRES THAT TYPICALLY YOU NEED THE FLOATATION TO KEEP YOU HAVING TRACTION ON THE SNOW OR THE ICY CONDITIONS.

>> >> Kaomi: AND IS IT A BIGGER FRAME?

>>IT'S PRETTY MUCH THE SAME FRAME.

GENERALLY THE MOUNTAIN BIKES DON'T HAVE SUSPENSION, SO THE TIRE ITSELF IS WHERE YOU GET YOUR FLOATATION AND YOUR SHOCK ABSORPTION.

>> Kaomi: THIS MONTH AREA TOUR OFFICIALS ARE HOSTING THE NORPINE FAT BIKE CLASSIC IN LUTSEN, THE COURSE RUNS FOR 19 19 MILES BETWEEN CASCADE RIVER STATE PARK AND SUPERIOR NATIONAL FOREST.

THE TRAILS ARE MAINTAINED BY THE NORPINE TRAIL ASSOCIATION.

THERE ARE TWO COMPETITIVE RACES, AN UNTIMED TOUR, AND A MOONLIGHT RIDE.

>> WHAT WE FIND HERE FOR THE TRAIL, THE FOREST GENERALLY AROUND CASCADE LODGE IS WHAT WE WOULD SEE ALONG -- YOU'D SEE ALONG THE NORTH SHORE.

IT CAN BE A MIX OF BALSAM, ASPEN, BIRCH, AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S IN THE WINTER TIME, ALL THAT LEAFY VEGETATION IS DOWN.

SO YOU CAN SEE A FAIR WAYS INTO THE WOODS.

THERE ARE SOME SECTIONS WHERE YOU'VE GOT SOME OLD GROWTH, RED PINE, WHITE PINE, WHITE CEDARS, THAT, YOU KNOW, ARE REALLY, YOU KNOW, KIND OF SPECIAL PLACES.

>> Kaomi: AND WHILE RIDING A FAT TIRE BIKE IS GENERALLY LIKE RIDING A REGULAR BIKE, THESE RIDERS KEPT STRESSING ONE THING, TIRE PRESSURE.

>> SO YOU TEST TO SEE HOW SOFT IT IS.

IF YOU'RE RIDING A HARD TRAIL WITH TOO SOFT OF CONDITIONS, YOU'RE GOING TO BOG DOWN.

BUT IF YOU'RE RIDING WITH TOO HARD OF A TIRE, YOU'RE GOING TO DIG IN AND IT'S NOT GOING TO BE A VERY ENJOYABLE RIDE.

SO GETTING THE RIGHT TIRE PRESSURE IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

>> Kaomi: GARY SHOREQUIST IS A LONG TIME FAT BIKER.

>> I SPENT 22 YEARS WORKING IN THE BIKE INDUSTRY WORKING FOUR A COMPANY THAT REALLY HELPED BRING THESE BIKES TO PRODUCTION.

TIRES, RIMS, GLOVES, ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF U.

IF YOU ASKED ME IN 1995, WILL WE EVER BE RIDING BIKES ON SNOW, I'D, ARE YOU CRAZY?

BUT HERE WE ARE.

IT'S A WONDERFUL WAY TO GET OUT.

>> IT'S SO MUCH FUN.

EVERY TIME I GET ON MY FAT BIKE, I JUST KIND OF GIGGLE.

BECAUSE IT BRINGS E BACK TO CHILDHOOD.

IT'S A FUN WAY TO GET OUT IN THE WOODS AND ESPECIALLY UNIQUE TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT IN THE WINTER TIME.

>> Kaomi: NOW IT WAS TIME FOR ME TO TRY.

OKAY, SO JUST GET ON?

I'M KIND OF NERVOUS TO DO THIS.

YEAH, THE TIRES FEEL A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

AH!

[ BREATHING HEAVILY ] OOH!

IT'S QUITE A WORKOUT.

ADMITTEDLY, IT WAS HARD WORK.

BUT IT DID FEEL LIKE I WAS FLOATING.

AND I'M ALREADY PLANNING MY NEXT RIDE.

BECAUSE FOR A BRIEF TIME, IT MADE ME FEEL LIKE I HAD CONQUERED WINTER.

♪ ♪ >> HELLO, EVERYONE!

I'M TANE DANGER!

>> AND I'M BLACK!

>> HUH?

>> SORRY, LET'S START THAT AGAIN.

>> OKAY?

HELLO, EVERYONE!

I'M TANE DANGER!

>> AND... ♪ WE SHALL OVERCOME!

♪ >> DENZEL!

WHAT'S GOING ON WITH YOU?

>> UGH, SORRY, I'M JUST ALREADY EXHAUSTED FROM BLACK HISTORY MONTH.

>> BUT IT IS STILL JANUARY.

>> I KNOW.

BUT PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY BEEN CALLING ME ABOUT ASKING ME TO RECITE MAYA ANGELOU POEMS TO THEM SO THEY CAN "IMMERSE THEMSELVES IN THE STRUGGLE."

>> OH, GOD!

>> YEAH, THIS HAPPENS EVERY YEAR.

EVERY BLACK PERSON I KNOW IS TAPPED UPON BY THEIR JOB, OR FRIENDS, OR BY RANDOM PEOPLE AT THE BUS STOP TO JAM-PACK ALL THEIR AFRICAN-AMERICAN ACADEMIA IN 28 DAYS.

TANE!

WHY ARE WHITE PEOPLE THIS WAY?

>> WE SURELY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO COVER ALL THAT.

>> I BLAME THAT MOVIE, "THE BLIND SIDE."

>> WHY?

>> YOU KNOW WHY, TANE.

WE ALL DO.

>> WELL, LOOK THERE'S ALL THESE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES WE CAN POINT PEOPLE TO FOR BLACK HISTORY THAT ARE OPEN EVERY MONTH.

I MEAN, THERE'S THE THE MINNESOTA AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MUSEUM AND GALLERY, THE SCIENCE MUSEUM OF MINNESOTA HAS A WHOLE EXHIBIT ON RACE AS WELL.

TPT HAS A WHOLE SLATE OF GREAT PROGRAMS.

ON THIS EXACT TOPIC.

>> WOW, SO WHAT YOU ARE SAYING IS THAT I CAN ACTUALLY JUST BE BLACK, AND NOT EXPLAIN IT CONSTANTLY.

>> YEAH, 'CAUSE THAT SOUNDS EXHAUSTING.

>> TIP OF THE ICEBERG, MY FRIEND.

JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG.

>> ALL RIGHT, WELL, LET'S WRAP THIS UP SO YOU CAN GO DO WHATEVER YOU WANT.

>> AND WE CAN REPEAT THIS WHOLE SPIEL IN JUNE, EXCEPT GAY.

>> YAY!

ALL RIGHT, EVERYBODY!

GOOD NIGHT!

>> YEAH, AND GOOD BLACK!

DANG IT!

>> YOU ALMOST HAD IT.

>> I REALLY DID.

♪ ♪ >> ERIC: IT'S BEEN A REAL MINNESOTA WINTER.

TEMPS HAVE DIPPED TO 40 BELOW UP NORTH AND HAVE FLIRTED WITH MINUS 20 IN THE TWIN CITIES.

IN ADDITION TO BEING COLDER THAN NORMAL, SNOWFALL IS HIGHER THAN NORMAL AS WELL IN SOME PARTS OF THE STATE.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT A CLASSIC LA NINA PATTERN, PAUL DOUGLAS.

IN ADDITION TO HIS MONTHLY VISITS TO "ALMANAC," YOU CAN FIND PAUL'S WEATHER WORK AT THE "STAR TRIBUNE" AND AERIS WEATHER.

I'M GOING TO CUT RIGHT TO THE CHASE.

I WILL BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND YOUR DATA BETTER IF I CAN SEE THE NUMBERS THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.

SO GET RIGHT TO IT.

>> WAIT, THIS IS TELEVISION, NOT RADIO.

>> Cathy: THAT'S RIGHT.

>> IT'S A GOOD THING I BROUGHT ADVISALS.

>> Eric: THANK YOU.

>> FOR BOTH OF YOU AND FOR YOU AT HOME.

FIRST, I'M GOING O GEEK OUT HERE.

I HAVE SNOW ENVY.

THIS IS WHAT BOSTON AND MUCH OF NEW ENGLAND IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE BY SUNDAY.

A BOMB PSYCH SEE CYCLONE AND THEY ACTUALLY RATE STORMS NOW ON A SCALE OF ZERO TO FIVE, THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOES.

AND, LOOK, WE LOVE OUR RATING SKILLS.

WHETHER IT'S FOR HURRICANES, HIGH RISK OF SEVERE WEATHER.

WE EVEN RATE ATMOSPHERIC RIVER INTENSITY THAT CAN BRING FLOODING TO THE WEST COAST AND NOW IT'S WINTER STORMS.

THE W.W.S.S.I., THE WINTER STORM SEVERITY INDEX IS A SCALE FROM AND SO TO FIVE, AND WHERE YOU SEE PURPLE, THAT MEANS EXTREME IMPACTS, A HIGH PLABILITY OF POWER OUTAGES.

THIS IS GOING TO A MESS.

COASTAL MAINE SOUTH WARD TO THE JOIRS SHORE.

I DON'T THINK BOSES YONL WILL GET THREE FEET OF SNOW.

THIS IS THE EUROPEAN MODEL FROM THIS MORNING.

PRINTING OUT TWO TO THREE FEET OF SNOW WHIPPING ALONG ABOUT 60 MILES AN HOUR WINDS AND OLD FASHIONED BUTT KICKING BLIZZARD IS GOING TO BE GRIPPING MUCH OF THE MID-ATLANTIC AND NEW ENGLAND.

IN STARK TO CONTRAST TO HERE, NO BIG STORMS OF ANY FLAVOR.

I'M JUST HAPPY FOR SNOW LOVERS.

WE HAVE USEABLE SNOW.

PLENTY OF SNOW ON THE GROUND.

ABOUT EIGHT INCHES IN HE TWIN CITIES.

ONE TO TWO FEET OF SNOW ON THE GROUND FOR MUCH OF THE CENTRAL AND NORTHERN PART OF THE STATE.

AND HERE IS SNOWFALL TO DATE.

33.2 IN THE TWIN CITIES.

APPROACHING 50 UP IN THRIEWTD.

UP IN DULUTH.

FINALLY, WE'RE GETTING SOME SNOW AND THE TEMPERATURES CONSISTENTLY COLD ENOUGH SINCE LATE DECEMBER TO KEEP THAT SNOW ON THE GROUND.

RUNNING A SLIGHT SURPLUS.

WE'RE ABOVE AVERAGE NOW IN THE TWIN CITIES ND MUCH OF THE STATE.

A LITTLE BIT BELOW AVERAGE OVER SOUTHEASTERN MINNESOTA.

AND DULUTH JUST A LITTLE BIT BELOW AVERAGE.

BUT HERE ARE THE HEADLINES.

20 TORNADOES ON DECEMBER 15TH, SOMETHING I THOUGHT I OULD NEVER BE DOING.

DIALING UP DOPPLER RADAR IN MID-DECEMBER.

15 SUB-ZERO NIGHTS IN THE TWIN CITIES, 14 OF THOSE IN JANUARY.

FOR AN ENTIRE WINTER AVERAGE, THE 30-YEAR AVERAGE IS 23.

SO WE'RE TRACKING PRETTY LOSE TO AVERAGE.

YES, JANUARY COLDER THAN AVERAGE TO THE TUNE OF ABOUT 6 DEGREES HERE IN THE TWIN CITIES.

BUT, AGAIN, IF YOU LOOK AT HEATING DEGREE DATA, AND WHO AMONG US HASN'T?

THIS IS A STATISTIC BY THE WEATHER SERVICE.

[ Laughter ] GOING BACK, THE HEATING SEASON ACTUALLY BEGINS IN AUGUST.

WE'VE ACTUALLY SAVED 7% HEATING OUR HOMES AND BUSINESSES BECAUSE AUTO AUTUMN WAS SO LONG AND SO WARM.

AND NOW WE'RE MAKING UP FOR THAT IN JANUARY, OUR COLDEST MONTH OF THE YEAR.

HERE IS THE FORECAST FROM N.O.A.A.

I THINK THE COLDEST DAYS AND NIGHTS OF WINTER ARE BEHIND US.

I DON'T THINK FEBRUARY IS GOING TO BE ANYTHING LIKE WHAT WE EXPERIENCED LAST YEAR.

TWO WEEKS, MOSTLY QUESTION MOSTLY BELOW ZEROS.

I WANT TO LEAVE YOU ON AN OPTIMISTIC NOTE.

THIS IS ONE OF MANY MODELS FROM N.O.A.A.

CLIMATE MODELS.

THIS IS FEBRUARY, MARCH, AND APRIL, TEMPERATURE ANOMALIES.

AND IT SHOWS WARMER THAN NORMAL TEMPERATURES FOR MUCH OF THE USA, INCLUDING MINNESOTA.

SO IS SPRING RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER?

YEAH.

IT'S JUST A BIG CORNER.

IT'S COMING.

[ Laughter ] BUT I THINK WE WEATHERED THE WORST OF WHAT OLD AN WINTER COULD MUSTER.

I HINK WE'LL GET ANOTHER 20 INCHES OF KNOW SNOW BETWEEN NOW AND MID-APRIL.

>> Cathy: OKAY, MY FRIEND, IS IT A CLASSICAL LA NINA PATTERN?

>> SURE, LA INA IS A COOL PHASE OF THE PACIFIC, CATHY, AND THAT CORRELATES WITH WARMER WEATHER AND DRYER WEATHER FOR THE SOUTHERN U.S., AND GENERALLY COLDER AND WETTER FOR THE NORTHERN IER.

WE'VE GOT THE COLDER BIAS.

CERTAINLY SINCE MID-DECEMBER.

THE LA NINA IS FORECAST IT DIMINISH AS THE YEAR GOES ON.

WE MIGHT ACTUALLY BE IN AN EL NINO, WARM PATTERN, IN THE PACIFIC, WHICH TENDS TO FLAVOR OUR WEATHER DOWNSTREAM AS WELL AND KEEP US WARMER.

SO, AGAIN, T HASN'T BEEN THAT BAD.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT PREVIOUS WINTERS, IT'S BEEN PRETTY CLOSE TO AN AVERAGE WINTER.

BUT, AGAIN, JUST CRAZY EXTREMES, THAT REALLY WARM NOVEMBER, EARLY DECEMBER, TORNADOES, AND HEN NOW WE'RE KIND OF CATCHING UP, PAYING A PRICE, FOR THAT ABNORMALLY MILD AUTUMN WE ENJOYED.

>> Eric: PAUL DOUGLAS, EVERYBODY!

THANKS, MAN!

>> ERIC: SWITCHING GEARS, LAWMAKERS RETURN FOR THE 2022 LEGISLATIVE SESSION ON MONDAY, AND MANY PRESSING ISSUES AWAIT ACTION.

PUBLIC SAFETY, EDUCATION, EQUITY, AND TAX CUTS ARE ALL TOP OF MIND.

MARY LAHAMMER HAS A SESSION PREVIEW.

>> WELCOME, GOVERNOR WALZ.

>> Mary: THE GOVERNOR AND LAWMAKERS ARE OUTLINING THEIR PLANS FOR THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

EDUCATION AND CHILD CARE ARE CRITICAL IN THE DEMOCRATS' BUDGET.

>> THERE'S JUST NOT A LOT OUT THERE RIGHT NOW.

>> NO, WELL, THAT'S WHAT WE HOPE TO FIX.

THE END RESULT OF ALL OF THIS IS, AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A CHILD TO BE IN A SAFE, LOVING, NURTURING ENVIRONMENT, WHERE THEIR FUTURE IS BOUNDLESS.

AND THAT TRANSLATES INTO A STATE THAT IS A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE, A GREAT PLACE TO DO BUSINESS.

>> RIGHT NOW, FAMILIES ACROSS THE STATE ARE STRUGGLING.

AND SOME HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY, BUT WE ALSO HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO TAKE ACTION ON THEIR BEHALF.

>> Mary: THE ADMINISTRATION HAS BILLIONS OF NEW DOLLARS SLOTTED FOR EDUCATION AND CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE, SO FAR THE SENATE HAS A DIFFERENT TAKE ON CHANGES IN THE CLASSROOM.

>> ALL KIDS NEED TO BE IN SCHOOL.

IT IS WHAT HAS TO BE DONE.

PEOPLE UNDERSTAND HAT NOW.

AND THERE SHOULD E NO EXCUSE.

NO MASKS.

BACK TO NORMAL.

>> PRIORITY NUMBER ONE: PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> Mary: REPUBLICANS SAY THEY'LL GET THE STATE ON THE RIGHT TRACK BY MAKING THE TOP PRIORITY PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> VIOLENT CRIME IS OUT OF CONTROL IN OUR STATE.

YOU HAVE SENIOR CITIZENS GETTING EAT UP AND ROBBED.

YOU HAVE CAR-JACKINGS HAPPENING LEFT AND RIGHT.

>> WE PLAN ON CREATING A NEW CAR-JACKING CRIME THAT FOCUSES ON THOSE WHO WOULD USE FORCE OR INTIMIDATION IN TAKING SOMEONE ELSE'S CAR.

>> MAKE NO MISTAKE, WE'LL MEET THIS MOMENT.

WE HAVE SEEN THE UPTICK.

WE KNOW THE ANXIETY AND THE ANGER IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

I HEAR IT FROM MY OWN NEIGHBORS THAT ARE REALLY WORRIED FROM EVEN PICKING UP THEIR KIDS FROM CHILD CARE.

>> Mary: DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS APPEAR TO AGREE ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF POLICE OFFICERS, BUT THEY HAVE MANY POLICY DIFFERENCES ON ADDRESSING CRIME.

IF WE'RE NOT REALLY SURE ON THE CAUSES OF THE INCREASE IN CRIME, HOW ARE WE SURE ON THE SOLUTIONS?

YOU MENTIONED, YOU KNOW, PROGRESSIVE STATES, PUNITIVE STATES ARE ALL STRUGGLING WITH THIS.

SO HOW DO WE KNOW WHAT WORKS?

>> WHAT WE DO KNOW IN TERMS OF THE THINGS WE'RE LOOKING TO FUND WITH THIS PROPOSAL, WE KNOW NOW THAT THOSE THINGS WORK.

SO WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS LEAN INTO THE THINGS THAT WE KNOW HAVE BEEN EFFECTIVE WITH BRINGING THE CRIME RATES DOWN.

>> Mary: SPEAKER HORTMAN, JUST ON THE POLITICS OF THIS.

REPUBLICANS IN THE PAST WEEKS HAVE DONE A LOT OF PRESS CONFERENCES AND SAYING DEMOCRATS ARE SOFT ON CRIME.

WHAT'S YOUR RESPONSE TO KIND OF THE POLITICAL EDGE THAT THIS HAS TAKEN ON?

>> I THINK WHEN POLITICAL PARTISANS TAKE TO THE AIRWAYS AND MISREPRESENT THE POSITIONS OF THEIR OPPONENTS, IT DOESN'T REALLY SERVE THE PUBLIC GOOD.

AND THE POLICE IN OUR SOCIETY WHERE WE NEED THE LEAST AMOUNT OF PARTISAN NONSENSE IS WHEN IT COMES TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> Mary: WITH A RECORD $7.7 BILLION BUDGET SURPLUS, THE GOVERNOR'S TALKING ABOUT MODEST REBATE CHECKS, BUT THE SENATE WANTS LARGER LONGER TERM RELIEF.

- >> THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS AREN'T FACING RECORD SURPLUSES.

THEY ARE GETTING HIT WITH RISING COSTS IN EVERY PART OF THEIR LIVES, EVERY SINGLE DAY.

>> Mary: THE GOVERNOR AND HOUSE BOTH HAVE PAID FAMILY LEAVE AS AN IMPORTANT INITIATIVE.

GETTING BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AND BICAMERAL SUPPORT BEHIND PAID FAMILY LEAVE, OBVIOUSLY DEMOCRATS HAVE SUPPORTED IT IN THE PAST, BUT WHAT AS HAPPENED IN THE INTERIM?

CAN YOU REBRAND IT, ALL IT SOMETHING ELSE, TIE IT TO UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE, TAX CUTS, ANYTHING TO ACTUALLY GET IT THROUGH THE SENATE?

>> IT'S CRITICALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE THINK ABOUT THE COST OF NOT DOING PAID FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE AS WELL.

BECAUSE THE COSTS ARE ALSO ASTRONOMICAL IN TERMS OF THE SOCIAL COSTS.

>> Mary: THE PEOPLE OF COLOR AND INDIGENOUS CAUCUS IS HIGHLIGHTING PUBLIC SAFETY, EDUCATION, AND HOUSING WITH A LENS ON EQUITY.

>> TODAY WE HAVE THE LARGEST NUMBER OF BLACK, INDIGENOUS AND PEOPLE OF COLORING, OR BIPOC, LEGISLATORS SERVING IN THE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

AND WE ONLY EXPECT THAT NUMBER TO GROW.

>> WE KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW, DISPARITIES IN EDUCATION HAVE SKY-ROCKETED DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA WE HAVE ONE OF THE LARGEST HOME OWNERSHIP GAPS IN THE COUNTRY.

>> Mary: THE SESSION MAY COME DOWN TO MANAGING HOPES AND FEARS FOR THE STATE.

>> FOLKS ARE SCARED, BECAUSE WE KNOW CRIME RATES ARE UP.

KIDS ARE FALLING BEHIND.

AND RECORD INFLATION IS EATING AWAY AT FAMILY UDGETS.

>> I AM MY BROTHER AND MY SISTER'S KEEPER.

AND THIS BUDGET REALLY SPEAKS TO THAT BELIEF, THAT HOPE, AND THAT PASSION AND THAT DRIVE OF COMMUNITY-DRIVEN SAFETY.

>> IT'S TIME FOR US TO TAKE ACTION TO KEEP ALL OF OUR NEIGHBORS HEALTHY AND SAFE AND TO INVEST IN A FUTURE THAT INCLUDES ALL OF US.

WE'RE READY.

♪ ♪ >> CATHY: PUBLIC POLICY WONK ALERT!

ONLY THREE MORE DAYS UNTIL HOUSE AND SENATE GAVELS STRIKE WOODEN BLOCKS SIGNIFYING THE START TO THE MINNESOTA LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THAT ALWAYS GETS THE BLOOD PUMPING A BIT FOR OUR NEXT TWO GUESTS.

ABOU AMARA IS FORMER LEGISLATIVE AIDE, A DFLER, WHO NOW IS A CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY.

BRIAN MCCLUNG IS A FORMER GOVERNOR PRESS SECRETARY, A FOR GOVERNOR TIM PAWLENTY, A REPUBLICAN, NOW IN THE P.R.

BUSINESS.

SAY, BRIAN, WE'LL START WITH YOU.

THIS IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE BUDGET SESSION, BUT IT'S TURNING INTO ONE.

LOTS OF UNMET NEEDS VERSUS REPUBLICANS SPECIFICALLY WHO WANT TO DO TAX RELIEF, TAX REFORM.

WHAT'S GOING TO WIN OUT?

>> WELL, YEAH, YOU'RE RIGHT, CATHY.

YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU HAVE A $7.7 BILLION SURPLUS, ALL OF A SUDDEN IT IS A BUDGET SESSION.

THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY TO GO AROUND.

AND A LOT OF WISE PEOPLE HAVE SAID OVER THE YEARS, YOU KNOW, IT'S EASIER TO MANAGE EXPECTATIONS IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION IF YOU DON'T HAVE A SURPLUS THAN WHEN YOU DO.

THERE'S A LOT OF MONEY TO FIGHT OVER.

AND HAT'S GOING TO BE THE BIG DEBATE.

NOW, REPUBLICANS, I THINK, ARE SMART IN COMING OUT AND TALKING ABOUT ERMANENT TAX CUTS.

BECAUSE AMERICANS AND MINNESOTANS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT RISING INFLATION, ABOUT EVERYDAY COSTS GOING UP.

ABOUT INTEREST RATES GOING UP HERE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

AND SO WE'RE TRYING TO GET SOME RELIEF IN THE HANDS OF MINNESOTANS AND LONG-TERM PERMANENT RELIEF THAT THEY COUNT ON I THINK IS GOING TO BE REALLY IMPORTANT.

>> Cathy: BUT, YOU KNOW, BRIAN THAT PEOPLE GETTING A CHECK IN THE MAIL, A CHECK IN THEIR HAND, I MEAN, THAT'S TANGIBLE, VERSUS A AX RATE THAT YOU MAY OR MAY NOT EE SEE, RIGHT?

>> YEAH, AND I GIVE CREDIT TO GOVERNOR WALZ FOR PROPOSING HIS WALZ CHECKS, BECAUSE I THINK T DOES HELP BUFFER THE REPUBLICAN ARGUMENTS FOR TAX CUTS SOMEWHAT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, THOSE WALZ CHECKS ARE $175 A PERSON OR A $350 FOR A COUPLE.

WITH THE WAY INFLATION'S GOING, THAT'S GOING TO BE JUST A FEW TANKS OF GAS.

SO IT REALLY DOESN'T GET YOU TO WHERE YOU NEED TO BE.

WE NOW THAT MINNESOTA'S TAXES ARE TOO HIGH.

A BIG CHUNK OF THIS SURPLUS IS SUSTAINABLE.

WE SEE IT OUT INTO THE FUTURE.

IT'S NOT A ONE-TIME SURPLUS.

AND SO WE HAVE TO HAVE SOME LONG-TERM TAX CUTS TO GO WITH THAT.

>> Cathy: ABOU, WHAT'S YOUR VIEW?

>> WE JUST TALKED ABOUT THE FACT THAT THERE'S $7.7 BILLION.

WE'VE HAD ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING ECONOMIES IN 50 YEARS.

THIS IS A BOON TO THE IDEN ECONOMY.

WE HAVE NEVER SEEN IN MINNESOTA THIS YPE OF SURPLUS.

TAXES HAVEN'T GONE UP IN THE PAST TWO YEARS IN MINNESOTA.

BUT THE REVENUES COLLECTED HAVE, BECAUSE WE HAVE SEEN GROWTH AS A RESULT OF THIS NEW ADMINISTRATION.

AND NOW WE'RE STARTING TO SEE THE FRUITS OF THAT LABOR HERE IN MINNESOTA.

BRIAN WORKED IN THE LEGISLATURE WITH THE GOVERNOR.

I WORKED IN THE LEGISLATURE.

TO QUOTE THE PHILOSOPHER, BIGGIE SMALLS, MORE MONEY, MORE PROBLEMS.

SO THESE LEGISLATORS ARE GOING TO BE FACING SOME CHALLENGES, BUT I THINK A COMBINATION OF BUILDING IN THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT AREA, THE BONDING AREA, YOU'LL SEE SOME BIG INVESTMENTS THERE TO USE THE CASH ACCOUNT INSTEAD OF THE CREDIT CARD.

AND THEN WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS GOING INTO THE ELECTION.

>> Eric: I WANT TO ASK YOU BOTH ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY.

BRIAN, WHEN THE DEMOCRATS ARE CALLING FOR A BIPARTISAN PARTNERSHIP WITH REPUBLICANS ON THE ISSUE, I THINK POLITICALLY THAT MEANS REPUBLICANS, YOU'RE KILLING US ON THIS ISSUE.

IS THAT TOO CYNICAL?

>> IT'S OT TOO -- IT'S NOT THAT CYNICAL AT ALL.

AND YOU SAW THIS EVEN IN THE RUNUP TO THE OFFYEAR ELECTIONS HERE IN 2021.

WHEN PRESIDENT BIDEN AND OTHER PROMINENT DEMOCRATS WERE COMING OUT AGAINST THE "DEFUND THE POLICE" MOVEMENT AND SPEAKING OUT AGAINST THAT SPECIFICALLY HEAPR IN THE MINNEAPOLIS ELECTIONS.

SO I THINK DEMOCRATS ARE STARTING TO GET THE MESSAGE AND HEAR FROM CONSTITUENTS BROADLY, AND THIS IS NOT JUST A SUBURBAN ISSUE OR AN URBAN ISSUE.

BROADLY PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY.

IT'S AFFECTING REAL PEOPLE'S LIVES.

IT'S AFFECTING DECISIONS THAT PEOPLE MAKE ABOUT WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO GO AND WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO.

AND SO I DO THINK, YEAH, WHEN YOU SEE DEMOCRATS SAY, WE AGREE, WE HAVE TO COME TOGETHER, WE HAVE TO DO MORE IN TERMS OF RECRUITING POLICE OFFICERS, AND LOOKING AT WHAT PROSECUTORS AND JUDGES ARE DOING, THAT THEY SEE THAT -- THEY HAVE TO MOVE IN THAT DIRECTION AS WELL.

>> Eric: WHAT DO YOU THINK, ABOU?

>> WELL, I THINK THE PREMISE IS A BIT FLAWED.

DEMOCRATS HAVE NOT BEEN RUNNING AWAY ON SAFETY.

DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN LEADING ON PUBLIC SAFETY.

THE BIGGEST COUNTIES IN MINNESOTA WHERE WE PROSECUTE SOME OF THE BIGGEST CRIMES, THOSE ARE DEMOCRATS.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WHO PROSECUTED AN OFFICER WHO VIOLATED MINNESOTA LAW IS A DEMOCRAT.

SO THIS IDEA THAT DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN SOFT ON PUBLIC SAFETY IS JUST NOT THE CASTE.

IT IS TRUE WE HAVE A SPIKE IN CRIME.

AND YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THOSE SAME DEMOCRATS, LEANING INTO THAT, MAKING SURELY MINNESOTANS KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO KEEP THEM SAFE, BUT ALSO DELIVER ON SOME REFORMS THAT POLICE -- WE NEED TO SEE IN OUR STATE.

>> Cathy: ABOU, HOW DO YOU THINK THE ATTENTION WILL SHIFT COME, WHAT, I THINK IT'S FEBRUARY 15TH, WHEN THE NEW MAPS, THE DISTRICT MAPS, THE REDRAWN ONES WILL BE RELEASED?

- WHAT ABOUT KEEPING THE ATTENTION -- >> EVERY DECADE OR SO, BRIAN'S AWARE OF THIS, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO ASK THEMSELVES, DO I WANT TO GO THROUGH THIS SLOG AGAIN WITH THIS NEW DISTRICT?

I MIGHT HAVE PICKED UP THE CORNER STORE AND A COUPLE HOUSES WHERE I KNOW THEY REALLY HATE ME, OR I MIGHT HAVE PICKED UP SOME GOOD TERRITORY.

I THINK YOU'LL SEE FOR THE MONTH AFTER THAT, PEOPLE WILL REALLY DECIDE IF THEY WANT TO STAY IN THE LEGISLATURE.

BUT IF IN TERMS OF HOW IT IMPACTS ESSION, I'M NOT SURE IT REALLY DOES JUST BECAUSE WE HAVE JUAN OF THE FEW DIVIDED LEGISLATURES IN AMERICA, AND THEN WHAT CAN SENATE REPUBLICANS ACCEPT IN TERMS OF SPENDING FROM THE HOUSE.

>> Eric: COUPLE OF QUICK QUESTIONS ON CAUCUSES COMING UP NEXT WEEK.

BRIAN, THERE'S A REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR SCRAMP POLL AS PART OF THE CAUCUSES.

RICH STANEK, A FAMILIAR NAME, IS HE RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR?

>> WELL, THERE'S CERTAINLY A FAIR AMOUNT OF CHATTER ABOUT THAT.

AND I THINK IF SHERIFF STANEK WERE INTERESTED IN RUNNING AGAIN, THIS WOULD BE HIS TIME, RIGHT?

IT'S STILL A WIDE OPEN FIELD ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE.

AND AS WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT, PUBLIC SAFETY IS A MAJOR ISSUE.

SO, YOU KNOW, MAYBE.

BUT ALSO KEEP IN MIND, WITH THOSE STRAW POLLS, PRECINCT CAUCUS NIGHT, THAT THE WINNER OF THE STRAW POLL IS ALMOST NEVER THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE FOR GOVERNOR.

SO IT IS NOT NECESSARILY GOOD INDICATOR OF WHO'S GOING TO BE THE CANDIDATE THAT GETS THROUGH THE PROCESS.

BUT IT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE ALL OF THE MAJOR REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES HAVE SAID THEY WILL ABIDE BY THE REPUBLICAN ENDORSEMENT.

SO THAT MEANS THE EOPLE WHO SHOW UP ON TUESDAY IGHT, THAT'S THE FIELD THAT WILL ULTIMATELY BE SELECTING THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE.

>> Eric: AND THEN, ABOU, ON THE DFL SIDE, KEN MARTIN, THE CHAIRMAN HAS SAID THAT RELEASED FELONS STILL ON PAPER AND NON-CITIZENS CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE CAUCUSES AND THAT'S DRAWN SOME RAISED EYEBRORCHS FROM THE REPUBLICANS.

I THINK CHAIRMAN HANN SAID IT WAS ILLEGAL.

>> WELL, LET'S DISTINGUISH HERE BETWEEN A CAUCUS AND AN ELECTION.

THAT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU'RE A CITIZEN OR IF YOU'RE A PERSON WHO CAN VOTE IN A GENERAL ELECTION OR A PRIMARY ELECTION.

THAT'S ABOUT PARTY ENGAGEMENT.

THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WHETHER YOU CAN ACTUALLY VOTE IN AN ELECTION.

AND SO THE REPUBLICANS HAVE SMARTLY, I THINK, TRIED TO EXPLOIT THIS DISTINCTION AND SAY, WELL, DEMOCRATS WANT, YOU KNOW, FELONS TO VOTE OR DEMOCRATS WANT PEOPLE WHO AREN'T ABLE TO VOTE TO - ACTUALLY VOTE.

THAT'S NOT WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE.

ONE PROCESS IS ABOUT ENGAGEMENT.

ANOTHER IS ABOUT ELECTIONS AND THERE'S A DISTINCTION THERE AND PARKINSON'S IT'S IMPORTANT.

>> I THINK ABOU HAS GOTTEN IT RIGHT.

REPUBLICANS ARE TAKING VEINING OF THIS.

THE CAUCUSES THOUGH ARE AN INTERNAL PARTY FUNCTION.

TO RECRUIT VOLUNTEERS, TO ELECT DELEGATES, TO WORK ON THE PARTY PLATFORM.

SO THAT'S THE PURPOSE.

FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, A PARTY OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO DO WHAT THEY WANT TO DO.

SO DOESN'T REALLY MATTER TO ME PERSONALLY.

BUT CERTAINLY I CAN UNDERSTAND WHY CHAIRMAN HANN AND OTHERS ARE MAKING AN ISSUE OF IT.

>> Cathy: OKAY, WE HAVE ABOUT A MINUTE LEFT.

THERE'S ALWAYS ONE SLEEPER ISSUE EVERY SESSION.

YOU KNOW WHAT -- YOU KNOW THAT.

ABOU, WHAT MIGHT BE A SLEEPER ISSUE THAT WE DON'T -- THAT WILL UBBLE UP?

>> HOW THE BONDING BILL IS PAID FOR.

TRADITIONALLY IT'S BEEN YOU HAVE TO GET A SUPERMAJORITY OF VOTES SO YOU HAVE TO GET DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS ON BOARD.

I SUSPECT YOU'LL SEE A LOT OF CASH USED FOR THE BONDING BILL.

WHAT THAT MEANS IS YOU DON'T NEED A SUPERMAJORITY.

YOU CAN ACTUALLY PUSH IT THROUGH WITH A SIMPLE MAJORITY.

>> Cathy: ALL RIGHT, AND THEN, BRIAN?

>> I THINK SPORTS GAMBLING.

IT IS SUCH A TALKER OF AN ISSUE.

AND THERE'S BIPARTISAN SUPPORT WITH SENATOR KARLA BIGHAM.

REPRESENTATIVE PAT GAROFALO.

NOW YOU SEE REPRESENTATIVE STEPHENSON ALSO TAKING THIS UP.

SO I THINK SPORTS GAME BALANCING IS GOING TO BE A TALKER OF AN ISSUE.

I DON'T KNOW THAT IT CAN GET THROUGH THIS SESSION BUT I THINK IT ILL START TO BUILD MOMENTUM THIS YEAR.

>> Cathy: OKAY, THANKS, YOU TWO.

♪ ♪ >> ERIC: IT'S MINNESOTA HISTORY TIME.

AND WE HAVE A NEW QUESTION FOR YOU.

IT CONCERNS A NOTED PERFORMER -- NOT SEEN HERE -- MAKING HIS MINNESOTA DEBUT IN NOVEMBER OF 1970.

THE 23-YEAR-OLD -- SPORTING A CAPE, HAT, AND SUNGLASSES -- PLAYED MOSTLY ORIGINAL MATERIAL.

ONE EXCEPTION WAS A SPIRITED RENDITION OF "HONKY TONK WOMAN" BY THE STONES.

WE'LL GIVE YOU ANOTHER HINT: TICKETS WERE $4 AND AVAILABLE AT DAYTON'S, ELECTRIC FETUS, A PLACE CALLED THE OLD LAUGHING LADY IN ST. PAUL, AND THE GUTHRIE BOX OFFICE.

PONDER THESE HINTS, REMEMBER THE ERA, AND ANSWER OUR QUESTION.

WHAT FAMED MUSICIAN MADE THEIR MINNESOTA DEBUT ON NOVEMBER 29, 1970?

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FOR SHOW-CLOSING MUSIC, THE MINNESOTA BAND "DEAD MAN WINTER" APPEARED ON TPT'S "LOWERTOWN LINE SERIES" THIS WEEK IN 2017.

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>> ♪ FROM MY HEAD, DOWN TO MY TOES ♪ ♪ AND I FEEL THE WIND AND IT IS BURNING ♪ ♪ BURNING LIKE SHADOW AND IT'’S NOT ALL RIGHT ♪ ♪ AND I GO TO WORK WHERE I AM EARNING ♪ ♪ ALL OF THE SIMPLE THINGS IN LIFE ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ I'’M FULL OF CHARM AND I'M FULL OF WHISKEY ♪ ♪ AND I'M FULL OF SHIT ♪ AND I'M FULL OF [...] MOST OF THE TIME ♪ ♪ WHEN I GO HOME, WILL YOU GO WITH ME ♪ ♪ AND WILL YOU HOLD ME UP WHEN YOU SAY GOOD-BYE ♪ ♪ YOU CAN HAVE MY BREATH AND YOU CAN HAVE MY DARKNESS ♪ ♪ AND YOU CAN HAVE MY BLOOD IF IT GETS YOU HIGH ♪ >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

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