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

>> ERIC: COMING UP ON "ALMANAC," LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR PEGGY FLANAGAN JOINS US LIVE.

PAUL DOUGLAS IS HERE WITH A LOOK AHEAD AT STATE FAIR WEATHER.

A POLITICAL PANEL GRACES THE COUCH.

AND MARY LAHAMMER HAS BEEN BACK UP AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

>> Mary: AS GOVERNOR WALZ STANDS IN SUPPORT OF HIS RUNNING MEAT WHO COULD BECOME THE FIRST FEMALE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, WE'LL EXPLORE HIS HISTORY OF WORKING WITH WOMEN HERE AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

>> THIS GUY IS A GOOD PARTNER TO WOMEN.

>> ME BEING A WOMAN, I DON'T FEEL THAT I'VE EVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING DIFFERENT FROM HIM.

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

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

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY... GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 27 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

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

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

AND PAINT CARE, HELPING MINNESOTANS RECYCLE LEFTOVER PAINT.

MORE AT PAINTCARE.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.

>> ERIC: IN THE NEXT HOUR, WE'LL TALK SUMMERTIME WEATHER WITH PAUL DOUGLAS, LOOK AT A NEW BOOK ABOUT TRAINS AND THE TWIN PORTS, AND ADIA MORRIS HAS AN ESSAY FOR US.

>> CATHY: BUT WE START TONIGHT WITH THE ONGOING BIG POLITICAL NEWS IN THE STATE.

DEMOCRATS ARE HEADING TO CHICAGO EARLY NEXT WEEK FOR THEIR NATIONAL CONVENTION.

GOVERNOR WALZ IS TRAVELING AROUND THE COUNTRY CAMPAIGNING 'S THE VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE ON THE HARRIS-WALZ TICKET.

BACK HERE IN MINNESOTA, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR PEGGY FLANAGAN HAS BEEN HOLDING DOWN THE FORT AND GETTING A BIT OF NATIONAL ATTENTION HERSELF.

IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> THANKS SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

IT'S BEEN A BUSY WEEK.

>> Cathy: I CAN ONLY IMAGINE.

SO HOW'S YOUR LIFE CHANGING?

>> IT'S GETTING A LITTLE MORE ATTENTION FOR THE WORK WE'RE DOING HERE IN MINNESOTA.

BUT REALLY, WHAT I THINK MINNESOTANS HAVE SEEN IS THAT GOVERNOR WALZ AND I HAVE BEEN WORKING SIDE BY SIDE FOR ALMOST SIX YEARS, O A LOT OF MY SCHEDULE IS VERY MUCH THE SAME, TRAVELING ACROSS THE STATE.

MAYBE PICKING UP ONE OR TWO THINGS FOR THE GOVERNOR.

BUT WE JUST DID A JUDICIAL INTERVIEWS ON MONDAY.

I'M IN CONSTANT COMMUNICATION WITH THE GOVERNOR.

AND SO I THINK INNESOTANS SHOULD JUST EXPECT THAT, LIKE, THINGS WILL GO PRETTY SMOOTHLY HERE FOR THE NEXT 80 DAYS.

>> Eric: DID YOU PLAN THIS KIND OF UNDERGROUND EFFORT TO GET HIM INTO A PLACE WHERE HE COULD BE NAMED TO THE TICKET?

>> I DON'T KNOW THAT IT WAS SO UNDERGROUND.

I JUST THINK HE'S A GOOD AND THOUGHTFUL LEADER.

I THINK KAMALA HARRIS MADE AN INCREDIBLE CHOICE.

BUT HE'S JUST -- HE'S WHO EVERYBODY IS SEEING -- AMERICA IS SEEING THAT, YOU KNOW, TEACHER, COACH, VETERAN, AND, YOU KNOW, BIG DAD VIBES, WHICH IS SORT OF THE HASHTAG, RIGHT, ON SOCIAL MEDIA RIGHT NOW.

BUT JUST SEEING A GUY WHO REALLY CARES ABOUT PEOPLE AND I THINK IT'S SUPER EXCITING.

>> Cathy: DID AMALA HARRIS CONTACT YOU TO ASK ABOUT GOVERNOR WALZ AT ALL?

>> HE DID NOT.

ALTHOUGH THE LAST TIME I SAW HER WAS AT A EVENT FOR EMILY'S LIST IN MAY.

WE HAD A GREAT CONVERSATION AND SHE SAID, I WANT YOU TO KNOW I HAVE YOUR BACK, AND I'M LIKE, I HAVE YOURS TOO.

SO I REALLY FEEL LIKE I'M DELIVERING ON THAT AS WE ARE NOW CAMPAIGNING INCREDIBLY HARD FOR KAMALA HARRIS AND NOW FOR TIM WALZ.

>> Eric: YOU WERE IN THE MATH AFTER THE GEORGE FLOYD KILLING.

WHAT'S THE REAL STORY THERE?

>> THE REAL STORY IS THAT OUR HEARTS WERE RIPPED FROM OUR CHESTS.

AND THAT MINNESOTA EXPERIENCED AN INCREDIBLE TRAUMA.

AND I THINK WE ARE STILL HEALING FROM THAT TRAUMA.

>> Eric: HOW DID HE HANDLE IT?

>> I THINK HE HANDLED IT WELL.

HEARTS WERE BREAKING.

AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, HE -- HE SENT IN THE NATIONAL GUARD.

PRESIDENT TRUMP DID NOT.

PRESIDENT TRUMP, DONALD TRUMP, YOU KNOW, HAS PRAISED GOVERNOR WALZ' RESPONSE DURING THAT TIME.

AND I WANT TO BE REALLY CLEAR.

THE ONLY PERSON WHO'S RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT OR VICE PRESIDENT WHO CAUSED A RIOT IS DONALD TRUMP ON JANUARY 6TH.

>> Cathy: WHEN YOU HEAR, AND IT'S GOING TO RATCHET UP EVEN MORE THAN IT IS NOW IN TERMS OF THE MICROSCOPE ON BOTH CANDIDATES, HAT IS THE NATIONAL MEDIA NOT UNDERSTANDING?

>> WELL, I THINK, WE ARE IN THIS MOMENT THAT WE'VE NEVER EXPERIENCED BEFORE WHERE WE'VE GOT A PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION THAT IS, YOU KNOW, LESS THAN 100 DAYS LONG.

BUT I THINK KAMALA HARRIS IS PREPARED AND SHE'S READY.

THAT IS A JOB OF THE SECOND IN COMMAND.

I KNOW THAT WELL.

AND THAT TIM WALZ, I THINK, HAS JUST PROVEN, THAT HE IS READY FOR THIS POSITION AS WELL.

WHAT I DO THINK IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW IS, YOU KNOW, IN 2002, I HAD MY FIRST CAMPAIGN EXPERIENCE ON THE WELLSTONE FOR SENATE CAMPAIGN, AND THEN LIVED THROUGH OBAMA E 08 AND IN '12 AND IT REALLY WAS THIS JOYFUL, HOPEFUL MOMENT IN TIME.

I AM OVER THE MOON THAT SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE ARE NOW EXPERIENCING THAT AGAIN.

POLITICS SHOULD BE FUN.

BECAUSE IT'S ABOUT THE BIG THINGS THAT WE GET TO DO TO IMPROVE PEOPLE'S LIVES.

AND I THINK YOU'RE SEEING THAT RIGHT NOW.

AND I THINK THAT IS A MOMENT THAT THE MEDIA, YOU KNOW, I THINK CAN REALLY CAPTURE, JUST THE CONTRAST OF LOOKING FORWARD, PROTECTING OUR FREEDOMS, AND OUR RIGHTS, AND, YOU KNOW, MINDING OUR OWN DAMN BUSINESS, SO WANTING PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, POLITICIANS TO BE IN THE EXAM ROOM, CRITIQUING CHILDLESS CAT LADIES AND SORT OF INSULTING WOMEN AT EVERY TURN, AND A POLITICS OF DIVISION.

SO WE'RE IN THIS INCREDIBLE MOMENT.

AND I'M EXCITED ABOUT IT.

>> Eric: YOU MUST BE THINKING, I COULD BE GOVERNOR IN JANUARY.

>> WELL, WE'VE GOT 80 DAYS TO DO A WHOLE LOT OF WORK.

AND I AM FOCUSED ON ELECTING KAMALA HARRIS -- >> Eric: BUT THE AGENCIES, THE STATE AGENCIES ARE BEGINNING TO WORK ON THE BUDGET FOR 2025.

>> SURE, AND, YOU KNOW, THAT'S WORK THAT I'VE DONE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE GOVERNOR.

FOR THE LAST MANY YEARS.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE'RE GETTING THINGS READY.

THAT WON'T CHANGE.

I THINK WHAT HAS BEEN MY GUIDING LIGHT AND THE GUIDING LIGHT OF GOVERNOR WALZ IS MAKING MINNESOTA THE BEST PLACE IN THE COUNTRY TO RAISE A FAMILY.

THAT WORK CONTINUES.

IF I'M LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OR, YOU KNOW, TAKE ON A DIFFERENT ROLE IN THE STATE.

BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAS BEEN SO INCREDIBLE ABOUT OUR PARTNERSHIP IS THAT I'VE BEEN ABLE TO BE, YOU KNOW, ALONGSIDE GOVERNOR WALZ AS WE'VE ORKED WITH, YOU KNOW, FARMERS AND VETERANS AND, YOU KNOW, DID OUR PUBLIC SAFETY TOUR.

ALL OF THESE PIECES THAT I THINK HAVE INFORMED THE WAY THAT WE HAVE GOVERNED, THAT WE'VE PUT TOGETHER BUDGETS, AND FEEL REALLY GRATEFUL FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.

>> Cathy: IS IT JUST A LITTLE -- ARE YOU THINKING IT'S PRESUMPTUOUS TO EVEN SEE YOURSELF AS GOVERNOR AT ALL?

>> BECAUSE OU CAN'T WAIT UNTIL MID-NOVEMBER TO START ROCKING AND ROLLING.

IF INDEED HE BECOMES VICE PRESIDENT.

>> RIGHT, SO THE NUMBER ONE JOB OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNORS AND SECONDS IN COMMAND IS TO BE READY.

I TAKE THAT INCREDIBLY SERIOUSLY.

NORMALLY, I THINK WHEN THAT HAPPENED, IT'S BECAUSE THERE'S BEEN SOME TRAGEDY.

NOW THIS IS, YOU KNOW, POTENTIALLY A VERY JOYFUL MOMENT.

AND CHANGE.

AND MINNESOTA, WE KNOW HOW TO RAISE GOOD VICE PRESIDENTS, RIGHT?

AND SO I THINK IT'S JUST INCREDIBLE TO SEE THE SPOTLIGHT ON MINNESOTA.

AND FEEDING KIDS, OUR CHILD TAX CREDIT THAT WILL LOWER CHILD POVERTY BY A THIRD.

AND, YOU KNOW, INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF OUR STATE.

AND THAT'S ON DISPLAY RIGHT NOW.

IT'S EXCITING.

>> Eric: DIDN'T THE ECONOMIC AGENDA THAT KAMALA HARRIS LAID OUT TODAY KIND OF SOUND LIKE MINNESOTA THE LAST TWO YEARS?

AND I WONDER, WAS THAT FILL FERNELIUSED FROM MINNESOTA.

OR -- SEEMS VERY SYNCHRONISTIC, THE TWO.

>> I THINK IT'S A GOOD PLAN.

>> Eric: IT'S GOING TO BE EXPENSIVE AND ADD TO THE DEFICIT AND SO FORTH.

>> BUT HERE'S WHAT I KNOW, RIGHT?

THE THINGS THAT WE HEAR FROM MINNESOTANS, AND I VENTURE TO GUESS THAT THINGS THAT THEY'RE HEARING ACROSS THE COUNTRY, BOTH THE VICE PRESIDENT AND THE GOVERNOR, IS THAT PEOPLE CARE TREMENDOUSLY ABOUT CHILD CARE, YOU KNOW, CARING FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

I THINK REALLY THIS -- THIS FOCUS ON INFANTS, AND WE TALK A LOT ABOUT THE FIRST 100 DAYS HERE IN MINNESOTA, IS WHEN FAMILIES NEED THE MOST SUPPORT AND THERE'S THE LEAST AVAILABLE TO THEM.

SO GETTING KIDS ON A GOOD START, THINGS LIKE PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE, INVESTING IN HOUSING SO THAT FOLKS CAN BUILD WEALTH, THE LONG-TERM INVESTMENT FOR THAT AND WHAT THAT MEANS FOR THE ECONOMY HERE IN MINNESOTA, BUT ALSO ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THAT'S A BIG DEAL.

AND I THINK PEOPLE ARE INCREDIBLY EXCITED ABOUT IT.

>> Cathy: SAY, BY THE WAY, YOU'RE GOING TO GO TO THE D.N.C., RIGHT?

>> I AM.

>> Cathy: OKAY, SO WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING THERE IN TERMS OF SOME OF THE UNCOMMITTED MINNESOTA DELEGATES AND SOME OF THE FOLKS WHO ARE NOT VERY HAPPY ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN GAZA?

I MEAN, HOW IS THAT GOING TO PLAY OUT IN THE CONVENTION?

>> SO I THINK ONE OF THE BEAUTIFUL THINGS ABOUT THE D.F.L.

IS THAT WE ARE A BIG TENT.

AND I THINK PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN REALLY PASSIONATELY ABOUT THEIR CONCERNS.

IT'S OKAY.

RIGHT?

WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE THOSE ONVERSATIONS.

YOU KNOW, I HAVE -- I JUST -- I HAVE A LOT OF HOPE IN OUR FUTURE AND OUR PARTIED AND OUR ABILITY TO HAVE HARD CONVERSATIONS, AND GET TO A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE FEEL SEEN AND HEARD AND VALUED.

AND THAT'S WHAT I EXPECT TO HAPPEN IN CHICAGO.

>> Eric: YOU'LL BE THERE AT THE STATE FAIR AND THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN VERY FAMOUS OF BEING THERE AT 6:00 A.M. TO GREET PEOPLE.

>> HE WILL HAVE GIVEN A VERY BIG SPEECH THE NIGHT BEFORE THE FIRST DAY OF THE STATE FAIR.

SO I'M NOT SURE.

BUT LET ME TELL YOU, I AM READY FOR THE STATE FAIR.

I WILL BE PAYING VERY CLOSE ATTENTION TO PAUL DOUGLAS'S FORECAST FOR THE STATE FAIR.

IT IS MY FAVORITE, YOU KNOW, THING OF THE NTIRE YEAR.

AND IT'S BEEN SOMETHING THAT GOVERNOR WALZ AND I HAVE REALLY ENJOYED DOING TOGETHER.

AND JUST LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.

>> Eric: WELL ENJOY THE NEW SCRUTINY THAT YOU'RE GETTING.

>> OH, I WILL.

YOU BET.

THANK YOU.

>> Eric: THANKS, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

♪♪♪ >> IN IOWA, I FEEL LIKE ABOUT HALF THE PEOPLE WE MEET NOW, I FIND MYSELF HUGGING, IT'S KIND OF FEELING LIKE MINNESOTA.

AND THIS KIND OF POLITICS IN IOWA AND NEW HAMPSHIRE IS GREAT.

IT FEELS LIKE HOME.

I MEAN, I WAS THE PHONE THE LAST COUPLE DAYS AND, YOU KNOW, YOU JUST CALL DIFFERENT PEOPLE WHO CALL IN, AND IT'S VERY PERSONAL.

IT'S VERY CONNECTED TO PEOPLE.

THANK GOODNESS THERE'S SOMEWHERE LIKE THAT IN THE POLITICAL SYSTEM.

AND IF WE RUN, WE INTEND TO BE FORMIDABLE.

♪♪♪ >> ERIC: WE'VE HAD A STEAMY SUMMER FULL OF RELENTLESS RAIN AND WEATHER WHIPLASH.

WILL WE HAVE A FRIGID FALL OR A WET WINTER?

LUCKILY I HAVE COME TO THE END OF THE TORTURED ALLITERATION I JUST READ ON THE TELEPROMPTER IN FRONT OF ME AND I CAN HAVE OUR NEXT GUEST ANSWER SOME OF MY QUESTIONS.

MR. PAUL DOUGLAS IS HERE FOR HIS MONTHLY WEATHER CHAT.

WHEN HE'S NOT JOINING US AT THE "ALMANAC" TABLE OR PENNING HIS WEATHER MUSINGS FOR THE "STAR TRIBUNE," HE HEADS UP HIS OWN WEATHER COMPANY PRAEDICTIX.

I'M LOOKING FOR OME EVIDENCE OF YOUR VAUNTED PHOTOGRAPHY SKILLS.

>> FIRST, THERE ARE NO WEATHER EXPERTS.

BUT I'M HERE.

[ Laughter ] BUT THANK YOU FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT.

>> Eric: YOU'RE THE BEST WE COULD DO ON WHAT WE PAY.

>> WELL, YEAH.

>> Eric: YOU GOT SOME BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS TO START.

>> I ALSO -- CAN I UST SAY ONE THING?

>> Eric: SURE.

>> LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR FLANAGAN LIKES TO REMIND ME THAT I CAME TO HER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

>> Cathy: OOH.

>> YEAH.

>> Eric: OUCH.

>> Cathy: IT'S LOVELY.

>> IT'S PERSPECTIVE AND, YOU KNOW -- >> Eric: I'M GETTING THE HOOK ALREADY?

>> REALLY?

OKAY.

WERE YOU OUT SUNDAY NIGHT?

>> Eric: YEAH.

>> WERE YOU REALLY?

THEN IF YOU WERE OUTSIDE SUNDAY NIGHT, YOU MAY HAVE SEEN THIS OFF TO THE NORTH, THE NORTHERN LIGHTS.

ONE OF THE TREATS MANY MAGICAL MOMENTS.

IT'S KIND OF PAYBACK FOR OUR WINTERS, BUT EVERY NOW AND THEN, AND IT DIDN'T LOOK THIS WAY TO THE NAKED EYE.

I COULD SLEE SEE THE CLOUDS DANCING.

TOOK THE PHOTO, WHICH IS THE THREE-SECOND CAMERA EXPOSURE, LOOKED AT MY CAMERA AND WENT, WOW!

SO ANYWAY, DEVI TWICE IN ONE YE, PRETTY SPECK LACK TAR NORTHERN LIGHTS IN THE METRO.

MARK SEELEY AND I HAD LUNCH ON MONDAY AND HE SAID, PAUL, I'M BLOWN AWAY FROM THE KING KONG SIZED GOT PRINT -- HIS WORDS -- OF THE RAINFALL, THE SURPLUS, EXCESSIVE RAIN ACROSS THE STATE.

WE'RE AT 29 INCHES, SECOND WETTEST ON RECORD IN THE TWIN CITIES.

BACK TO 1871.

AND AGAIN, WE WANT TO SHOW YOU SOME OF THE RAINFALL AMOUNTS.

AROUND THE STATE, CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN PART OF THE STATE HAS SEEN THE MOST.

MARK ALSO TOLD ME, 15 INCHES ABOVE AVERAGE.

PARTS OF WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA AND SOUTHEASTERN MINNESOTA.

CHECK OUT THESE DEPARTURES.

ABOUT 8 INCHES WETTER THAN AVERAGE IN THE TWIN CITIES.

8.5 UP IN ST.

CLOUD.

SO, YEAH, ALL OR NOTHING.

HARD TO BELIEVE WE HAD A SERIOUS DROUGHT LAST YEAR AT THIS TIME.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES.

PART OF AN OWN OVERALL TREND.

YOU WARM UP THE AT MOSS OFFICER.

AND YEAH, IT'S HAPPENING, THE ATMOSPHERE CAN HOLD MORE WATER VAPOR.

A 25 TO 50% INCREASE IN THAT BLUE SHADED AREA.

I WANT TO ZOOM IN AND MAKE THAT A LITTLE MORE OBVIOUS WHAT'S HAPPENING.

EVERYTHING IN BLUE, 25 TO 50% INCREASE SINCE 191895.

SO THE TREND IS WETTER YEARS IN MINNESOTA.

WE STILL GET DROUGHT.

THAT'S A NATURAL PART OF HE EKECOSYSTEM.

BUT IF YOU STEP BACK, IT IS GETTING WETTER OUT THERE, ABOUT 20% WETTER IN THE TWIN CITIES SINCE 1895.

THERE IS A MILD LA NINA, A COOL PHASE OF THE PACIFIC.

DOESN'T LOOK AS SEVERE AS IT DID A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO.

BUT THAT CORRELATES WITH COLDER, USUALLY SNOWIER WINTERS.

ACCORDING TO N.O.A.A., THE JET STREAM IS SUCH THAT WE AY SEE MORE INTRUSIONS OF CHILLY AIR.

IT'S A MILD LA NINA, AND I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A BIG DEAL THIS YEAR.

BUT WE'RE CERTAINLY GOING TO SEE MORE THAN 29 INCHES OF SNOW.

IN FACT, THIS IS THE FALL FORECAST.

RIGHT INTO NOVEMBER.

MILDER THAN AVERAGE.

DRYER THAN AVERAGE, I'LL BELIEVE IT WHEN I SEE IT.

AND THE FORECAST AT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR FLANAGAN'S REQUEST, YEAH, DON'T WRITE SUMMER OFF JUST YET.

WE COULD BE UP AROUND 90 THE FIRST WEEKEND OF THE STA STATE FAIR.

BUT I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE DRYER NEXT WEEK FINALLY.

>> Cathy: IT'S GETTING WETTER YES, AND YOU SAID DROUGHT IS A PART OF THE ECOSYSTEM.

BUT WHAT HAPPENED WITH THIS MOST RECENT DROUGHT THAT WAS, LIKE, TWO YEARS IN THE MAKING, RIGHT?

IS IT EASY TO SLIDE INTO THAT >> I THINK DROUGHT IS PROBABLY OVERALL BECOMING A LITTLE MORE DIFFICULT TO GET INTO.

AND IT WAS THE BETTER PART OF THREE YEARS.

2019 WAS THE WETTEST YEAR ON RECORD STATEWIDE.

THEN WE WENT OFF A CLIFF FOR THE BETTER PART OF THREE YEARS.

AND NOW WE'RE KIND OF GETTING BACK INTO THAT WETTER PATTERN.

HOW LONG IT LASTS?

BUT, YOU NOW, I THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE MORE WET YEARS THAN DRY YEARS GOING FORWARD, IF YOU BELIEVE THE CLIMATE SCIENTISTS AND I TEND TO BELIEVE WHAT THEY SAY.

WHAT WAS THEORY 30, 40, 50 YEARS AGO IS NOW REALITY.

>> Cathy: IT'S ALSO INTERESTING HOW THE SEVERE SEASON REALLY HAS BEEN KIND OF WIMPY.

>> IT HAS BEEN.

>> Cathy: AROUND HERE, WHICH IS ACTUALLY NOT A BAD THING I SUPPOSE.

>> ILLINOIS HAS SEEN OVER 100 TORNADOES.

IOWA HAS GOTTEN CLOBBERED.

IT'S BEEN RELATIVELY QUIET AROUND MINNESOTA.

SO YEAH, I KNOW IT'S YET WET.

PEOPLE ARE SICK AND TIRED OF THE RAIN.

BUT WE'RE NOT COMPLAINING ABOUT THE DROUGHT.

WE GOT WATER IN OUR LAKES.

IT'S ALL GOOD.

>> Eric: AND OUR SNOW BLOWER STOCK FOR THE INTER?

>> DON'T SELL.

>> Eric: PAUL DOUGLAS EVERYBODY!

♪♪♪ >> CATHY: THE MILL CITY MUSEUM OPENED A BRAND-NEW EXHIBIT ENTITLED "THE ART OF DISABILITY JUSTICE NOW."

THE EXHIBITION BRINGS TOGETHER ARTWORK FROM DISABLED ARTISTS HERE IN THE TWIN CITIES AND AIMS TO HIGHLIGHT THE OVERLOOKED INDIVIDUALS IN THE DISABILITY RIGHTS MOVEMENT, INCLUDING BIPOC AND IMMIGRANTS WITH DISABILITIES.

HERE WITH US NOW FROM THE CURATORIAL TEAM: MAI THOR IS WITH AMPLIFY MINNESOTA, A DISABILITY JUSTICE COLLECTIVE; AND ONE OF THE FEATURED ARTISTS, ZOE CINEL.

WELCOME TO YOU BOTH.

I'M GLAD YOU'RE BOTH HERE.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: , WELL, MAI, I'M CURIOUS HERE.

NOW, THIS EXHIBIT.

MY FRIENDS WHO HAVE DISABILITIES SAY IT'S LIKE YOU'RE HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S SO MANY FOLKS WITH DISABILITIES.

WHAT IS THE POINT OF THIS PARTICULAR EXHIBIT?

>> SURE.

SO THE -- "THE ART OF DISABILITY JUSTICE NOW" IS, AS YOU SAID, WHAT'S AT MILL CITY MUSEUM, AND, YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S AN ART EXHIBITION THAT IS JUST A REAL AUTHENTIC PERSPECTIVE OF THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF PEOPLE WITH VARIOUS DISABILITIES.

AND ZOE'S OING TO TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE ACTUAL PIECES OF WORK.

BUT I THINK GENERALLY YOU CAN EXPECT TO SEE, YOU KNOW, JUST SORT OF THE CHALLENGES THAT PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED IN THEIR LIVED EXPERIENCES.

AND YOU JUST SAID IT YOURSELF, CATHY, THAT DISABILITY CAN BE KIND OF IDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT, RIGHT?

BECAUSE DISABILITY, THERE'S A HUGE SPECTRUM, RIGHT?

AND DISABILITIES CAN BE VERY APPARENT OR INVISIBLE.

AND I THINK OUR EXHIBITION REALLY JUST SORT OF ENCAPSULATES ALL OF THOSE EXPERIENCES IN THE ARTISTS THAT WE'VE FEATURED AND SO I, YOU KNOW, AND, AGAIN, IT COULD BE CHALLENGES, BUT IT COULD ALSO BE MORE POSITIVE THINGS, YOU KNOW, SUCCESSES AS WELL.

SO THAT'S REALLY WHAT IT'S ABOUT.

>> Eric: SO WHAT'S THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE EXHIBIT?

>> THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE EXHIBIT, LIKE MAI WAS SAYING, TO SHOW THE COMPLEXITY OF THE LIVED EXPERIENCE.

AND THE CREATIVITY OF ARTISTS WHO LIVE WITH DISABILITIES.

SO THERE IS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE WHO WILL COME TO THE EXHIBIT TO CONNECT WITH.

>> Eric: WHAT DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO COME AWAY FROM WHEN YOU GO TO THE MILL CITY MUSEUM AND SEE IT?

WHAT'S BEEN THE REACTION SO FAR?

>> PEOPLE ARE REALLY ENGAGED WITH THE WORKS.

ALONG WITH THE ARTWORKS, THEY REALLY SPEND A LOT OF TIME, AND IT'S IN THIS ENTRANCE SPACE OF THE MILL CITY MUSEUM THAT PEOPLE CAN, YOU KNOW, OVERLOOK AND GO SEE THE MUSEUM, AND THEY SPEND A LOT OF TIME WITH IT.

AND ALSO WITH HE EXHIBIT, WE HAVE A ONDERFUL WEBSITE THAT HAS SOME ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES LIKE AUDIO DESCRIPTION AND WRITTEN DESCRIPTION OF THE EXHIBIT.

SO FOLKS AN HAVE Q.R.

CODES AND READ AND LISTEN TO SOME MORE ABOUT THE EXHIBIT.

AND IF THEY'RE NOT ABLE TO COME IN PERSON TO THE MUSEUM, THEY'VE BEEN ABLE TO LOOK AT THE WEBSITE.

SO, YEAH.

>> Cathy: THERE IS THE DISABILITY RIGHTS MOVEMENT, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THAT FOR JUST A LITTLE BIT HERE.

AND IT'S NOT JUST AS I UNDERSTAND IT MAKING SOCIETY MORE ACCESSIBLE.

IT'S MAKING IT -- SOCIETY MORE INCLUSIVE.

SO I WANT TO KNOW FROM BOTH OF YOU, WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE TO YOU?

WHAT DOES THAT FEEL LIKE?

>> SURE, SO I THINK I -- I'LL JUST SAY THAT THE DISABILITY RIGHTS MOVEMENT IS ACTUALLY VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE DISABILITY JUSTICE MOVEMENT.

THEY'RE TWO DIFFERENT FRAMEWORKS BUT THEY'RE VERY SIMILAR, RIGHT?

AND I WOULD SAY THE DISABILITY RIGHTS FRAMEWORK IS PROBABLY WHAT FOLKS ARE MOST FAMILIAR WITH, RIGHT?

YOU KNOW, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ACCESS AND COMPLIANCE AND CURB CUTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

A.D.A., EXACTLY.

THOSE ARE THINGS THAT I THINK MOST FOLKS ARE FAMILIAR WITH.

AND DON'T GET ME WRONG.

THE DISABILITY RIGHTS FRAMEWORK IS WONDERFUL.

IT'S BENEFITTED FOLKS WITH DISABILITIES IN SO MANY WAYS.

HOWEVER, DISABILITY JUSTICE ADDRESSES SOME OF THOSE UNDERLYING ISSUES THAT I THINK DISABILITY -- THE DISABILITY RIGHTS FRAMEWORK DOESN'T.

AND THE CENTER OF DISABILITIES JUSTICE IS INTERSECTIONALITY.

AND THE NOTION HERE IS THAT FOLKS WITH DISABILITIES, WE'RE NOT A MONOLITH, RIGHT?

WE ALL COME IN DIFFERENT SHAPES AND SIZES, COLORS, ENDERS, ALL THOSE THINGS, RIGHT?

AND WE HAVE MULTIPLE IDENTITIES THAT MAKE US WHO WE ARE AS HUMANS, RIGHT?

AND SO DISABILITY JUSTICE REALLY ADDRESSES THOSE INTERSECTIONAL IDENTITIES THAT WE HOLD.

AND ALSO MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, THOSE IDENTITIES ARE ALSO MARGINALIZED AND OPPRESSED IDENTITIES.

AND SO DISABILITY JUSTICE TAKES IT EVEN DEEPER THAN DISABILITY RIGHTS.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU FOR THAT.

ZOE, THEN HOW DOES YOUR ART INTERSECT WITH ALL OF THIS?

WHAT INSPIRES YOUR ART?

ESPECIALLY AS IT RELATES TO THE DISABILITY JUSTICE MOVEMENT?

>> SO FOR THIS EXHIBITION, I PRESENT A PHOTOGRAPH THAT IS PART OF A SERIES, AND THE TITLE IS -- [ SPEAKING WORLD LANGUAGE ] A MEDICATION THAT I AM TALKING FOR AN IMMUNE DISEASE.

AND IT PRESENTS -- IT SHOWS THE COMPLEXITY OF LIVING WITH AN ILLNESS THAT IT'S COMPLETELY INVISIBLE.

BUT REALLY IMPACTS MY LIFE.

AND THE CCESS TO THIS MEDICATION IS PRIVILEGED, BUT IT'S ALSO TAKING A DISABLING TOLL ON MY HEALTH.

AND SO I KIND OF SPEAK ABOUT THIS COMPLEXITY AS WE SAID.

THE INTERSECTIONALITY OF MY IDENTITY AS A WHITE EUROPEAN, NON-BINARY IMMIGRANT, LIVING IN HIS COUNTRY WITH A DISABILITY, THROUGH THIS WORK.

AND I REALLY ADDRESS WHAT IDEAS OF BEAUTY AND PERFECTION AND, YEAH, STANDARDS, QUESTIONS THEM AND EMBRACE THE DISABILITY AESTHETIC THROUGH THIS WORK.

>> Eric: DISABILITY IS LOOKED UPON HASHLY IN THE HMONG COMMUNITY?

OR IS IT KIND OF A TABOO SUBJECT?

>> IT DEFINITELY IS.

AND I THINK IT PROBABLY IS THE SAME IN MANY OTHER CULTURES AS WELL.

AND I THINK THAT THE ART EXHIBITION, YOU KNOW, IT REALLY WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE WITH OUR COMMUNITY THAT DISABILITY IS OKAY, RIGHT?

THAT IT'S NOT A BAD THING.

DISABILITY IS NOT A BAD WORD, RIGHT?

AND, YOU KNOW, ZOE TALKED ABOUT SOME OF THE TAKE-AWAYS THAT WE HOPE PEOPLE HAVE AFTER THEY SEE THE EXHIBITION.

AND I THINK ONE OF THOSE THINGS IS THAT DISABILITY S A PART OF THE HUMAN CONDITION, RIGHT?

I MEAN, OUR BODIES ARE NOT PERMANENT.

AND AT SOME POINT OR ANOTHER, SOMETHING'S GOING TO GIVE OUT, RIGHT?

AND SO WE, YOU KNOW, DISABILITY -- THROUGH THIS RT EXHIBITION, WE HOPE THAT IT BECOMES LESS TABOO TO TALK ABOUT, THAT WE CAN CHANGE THE NARRATIVE ON DISABILITY AND THAT PEOPLE CAN TALK ABOUT IT A LITTLE BIT MORE COMFORTABLY.

>> Cathy: THE ART LOOKS AMAZING.

SO HOW CAN PEOPLE SEE THIS AND HOW LONG CAN THEY SEE IT?

WHAT ARE THE DATES?

>> SURE.

SO IT'S -- WE HAD A OPENING NIGHT ON JULY 19TH.

AND IT WAS AMAZING.

WE HAD CLOSE TO 300 PEOPLE TURN OUT AT THE MILL CITY MUSEUM THAT NIGHT.

>> Eric: HOW LONG DOES IT RUN?

>> SO THE EXHIBITION WILL RUN UNTIL NOVEMBER 3RD.

AND REGULAR MILL CITY MUSEUM HOURS.

SO I WOULD JUST GO ON THEIR WEBSITE AND TAKE A LOOK AT WHEN THEY'RE VAILABLE FOR PEOPLE TO COME IN.

AND IT'S FREE.

>> Cathy: AND IT'S FREE.

I LOVE THAT.

>> Eric: RIGHT ON THE WATERFRONT, DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS.

>> Cathy: SO NICE TO HAVE YOU BOTH HERE.

♪♪♪ >> ADIA: I’M SLIPPING INTO GRANDPA SIMPSON TERRITORY HERE, BUT THE OTHER DAY, I GOT IRRATIONALLY ANNOYED WITH A JEANS AD.

IF YOU HAVEN’T NOTICED, THE "COOL" JEANS ARE BACK TO THEIR WIDE-LEG, HIGH-WAISTED VERSION.

EVERY TIME I SEE THEM, I CAN’T HELP BUT THINK OF SNL’S “MOM JEANS” SKIT, BUT THIS IS WHAT’S “IN."

DON’T GET ME WRONG.

I LOVE FASHION.

IT’S INSPIRING TO SEE HOW DESIGNERS INTERPRET WHAT’S IN THE CULTURAL ETHER AND SEE THEIR IDEAS TRICKLE DOWN INTO WHAT’S ON THE RACK AT TARGET.

THING IS, WHEN I TRIED TO KEEP UP WITH TRENDS, IT TOOK A FEW YEARS FOR MY WALLET TO RECOVER.

SO IN THIS AD, LOVELY YOUNG WOMEN STOMP DOWN A GARDEN RUNWAY SHOWING OFF THESE OF-THE-MOMENT JEANS, AND I THOUGHT, “DO WE REALLY HAVE TO GO BUY MORE JEANS?

LEVI STRAUSS’S WHOLE MARKETING SCHTICK WAS SUPER DURABLE PANTS FOR GOLD RUSH MINERS.

"WEAR THESE WHEN YOU’RE CRAWLING AROUND IN THE DIRT ALL DAY AND THEY’LL LAST!"

NOW WE HAVE TO REPLACE THEM EVERY FEW YEARS BECAUSE IF WE DON’T, WE RISK BEING MARCHED THROUGH TOWN, GETTING PELTED WITH ROTTEN VEGETABLES, WITH SOMEONE SHOUTING “SHAME” EVERY FEW SECONDS.

I AM -- AND HAVE BEEN -- READY FOR MY “CAFTAN ERA” FOR THE LAST 15 YEARS: SOFT, FLOWY FABRICS MADE FOR CURLING UP ON A COZY COUCH IN FRONT OF A FIREPLACE.

AND WHEN THE SKINNY JEANS COME BACK AROUND AGAIN -- AND THEY WILL -- INSTEAD OF RUNNING TO THE STORE AND EXHAUSTING MY WALLET, I’LL JUST SIP MY TEA AND LOUNGE, COMFORTABLY.

♪♪♪ >> ERIC: THERE'S A NEW BOOK OUT FROM ZENITH CITY PRESS ENTITLED "TWIN PORTS TRAINS: THE HISTORIC RAILROADS OF DULUTH AND SUPERIOR."

IT COVERS THE KEY ROLE RAILROADS PLAYED IN THE FIRST CENTURY OF COMMUNITIES IN DULUTH-SUPERIOR HISTORY.

HERE WITH MORE, CO-AUTHOR TONY DIERCKINS, WHO MADE THE DRIVE DOWN I-35 TO JOIN US TONIGHT IN STUDIO.

YOU OPEN THIS BOOK, AND IT'S J.P. MORGAN AND THE MANAGER YIT FAMILY AND JAMES J. HILL AND THE ROCKEFELLERS.

HEAVY HITTERS.

>> BIG PLAYERS IN TOWN.

BUT, YOU KNOW, IT'S -- IT'S A BIG STORY.

BECAUSE WE'RE TELLING THE STORY NOT OF JUST ONE RAILROAD, LIKE MOST RAILROAD BOOKS.

WE'RE TELLING THE STORY OF OVER 20 DIFFERENT RAILROADS IN ONE COMMUNITY.

THE TWIN PORTS.

SO WE'RE TAKING A DIFFERENT APPROACH HAN MOST RAILROADS TO TELL A DIFFERENT KIND OF STORY, HOW THEY AFFECTED THE DEVELOPMENT OF BOTH COMMUNITIES.

HOW DULUTH HAD THE ADVANTAGE OVER SUPERIOR BECAUSE IT HAD A RAILROAD FOR 15 YEARS BEFORE SUPERIOR.

>> Eric: AND AN INTENSE RIVALRY.

>> YES, UP UNTIL THE NORTHERN PACIFIC CROSSED THE BRIDGE, AS IT WERE.

A LOT OF THIS, YOU CAN SEE HOW MUCH HAS CHANGED.

THE ST. LOUIS RIVER OVER THE YEARS, IT'S GONE FROM THIS COMPLETELY FLALGCOMPLETELY NATUO FULLY INDUSTRIALIZES AND WAS LEFT PROFOUNDLY POLLUTED.

>> Cathy: SO YES, YOU'RE RIGHT, RAILROADS PLAYED A HUGE ROLE IN NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA.

I MEAN, PROCTOR STILL COMES TO MIND S BEING A RAILROAD TOWN.

>> THEY DESCRIBE IT AS A TOWN BUILT AROUND A RAIL YARD.

AND IT STARTED OUT AS TENTS WITH THE GUYS THAT WERE BUILDING IT.

>> Cathy: AND DO YOU STILL HAVE -- AND OF COURSE YOU KNOW ME.

I LOVE GHOST TOWNS.

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO FOREBAY, MINNESOTA, WAS IT ONE OF THOSE RAILROAD GHOST TOWNS?

>> IT IS FOREBAY, MEANT THE FOREBAY OF THE THOMPSON DAM WHERE ALL THE POWER CAME FROM.

AND THERE WAS AN ACTUAL COMMUNITY OF THE PEOPLE WHO HAD TO MAN THE DAM.

THEIR FAMILIES HAD A SMALL COMMUNITY.

HAD A LITTLE SCHOOL THERE.

AND USED TO TAKE THE TRAIN, THE ORIGINAL LAKE SUPERIOR MISSISSIPPI ONE THROUGH ALONG THE ST. LOUIS RIVER THERE.

AND IT DISAPPEARED ABOUT THE '40s WHEN THEY DID A LITTLE MORE AUTOMATION CAME IN.

>> Eric: I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE VERMILLION GOLD RUSH OF 1885.

I NEVER HEARD OF THAT.

>> IT WAS ACTUALLY IN THE 1860s, THE VERMILLION GROWTH RUSH.

AND IT GAVE DULUTH A LITTLE BIT OF A BOOST BEFORE THE RAILROADS CAME, BUT WHEN THEY FOUND OUT THERE WASN'T MUCH GOLD UP THERE, WE WERE BACK TO, LIKE, JUST BEFORE THE RAILROAD CAME, 14 FAMILIES HUDDLED AT THE BASE OF MINNESOTA POINT.

IN LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER THEY STARTED BUILDING THE RAILROAD, 3100 PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

>> Eric: SO DID THE RAILROAD BUSINESS KIND OF EBB AND FLOW WITH THE UPS AND DOWNS THE ECONOMY.

>> THE ECONOMY KIND OF EBBED AND FLOWED WITH THE RAILROAD BUSINESS.

YOU CAN TRACK IT.

THE RISE AND FALL IN THE BORDERS EXPANSION OF THE COMMUNITIES.

AS WE GET MORE RAILROADS, THE POPULATIONS GROW.

AS WE GET MORE RAILROADS, AFTER WORLD WAR II, AND THE HIGHWAYS TAKE OVER AND THE INDUSTRIES START TO -- AND BY THE WAY, THE RAILROAD AND THE INDUSTRIES IS WORKING HAND IN GLOVE HERE WITH ALL THIS, HOW THIS -- THE DECLINE, THE ECONOMIC DECLINE AS DULUTH-SUPERIOR BECOMES THE BUCKLE OF THE RUST BELT AND THE INDUSTRIES GO AWAY, AND BY 1907S, WE'RE DOWN TO FOUR RAILROADS, RIGHT?

AND IT'S A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT WORLD NOW.

>> Cathy: AND OF COURSE THEY STILL HAVE THE DMINR, THE DULUTH AND MESABI IRON ORE RAILWAY.

>> CANADIAN NATIONAL.

>> Cathy: OKAY.

>> SO, OR CANADIAN PACIFIC.

I GET THEM MIXED UP A LITTLE BIT.

BECAUSE I SAY I'M NOT THE TRAIN GUY.

MY COAUTHOR JEFF LEMKE IS THE BIG EXPERT ON THE DETAILS.

BUT TODAY, LIKE TODAY'S TRAINS, MY HISTORY GOES BACK DEEPER.

BUT IT'S -- THEY'RE STILL WORKING.

THE ORE DOCKS ARE STILL -- ONE ORE DOCK IS STILL OPERATING.

YOU KNOW, SO THERE'S STILL -- I MEAN, WE STILL HAVE RAIL.

YOU KNOW, POWERING DULUTH AND SUPERIOR.

THIS IS CERTAINLY NOT LIKE IT WAS 100 YEARS AGO.

>> Eric: WILL PEOPLE TAKE THAT PROPOSED TRAIN FROM MINNEAPOLIS TO SUPERIOR AND THEN TO DULUTH.

>> I WOULD HAVE TONIGHT!

I COULD HAVE LANDED AT THE UNION DEPOT, WALKED ACROSS THE STREET, RIGHT, HERE IN ST. PAUL.

MY CAR WAITING FOR ME UP AT THE DEPOT IN DULUTH.

IT WOULD HAVE EEN GREAT.

TOMORROW I'M GOING TO BE AN ZENITH BOOK STORE ON CENTRAL AVENUE IN WEST DULUTH FROM 11:00 TO 1:00 SIGNING THE BOOK.

>> Cathy: AND YOU ACTUALLY TALK ABOUT TRAIN WRECKS IN THERE TOO.

>> OH, WE'VE GOT TRAIN WRECKS, WE'VE GOT FIRES, ALL SORTS OF TRAGEDIES, BUT WE'VE GOT ALL SORTS OF GREAT STORIES TOO, BECAUSE I LIKE TO SAY, I WRITE ABOUT BUOYS AND BRIDGES AND ARCHITECTURE AND PARKS AND TRAINS, BUT I'M ALWAYS WRITING ABOUT PEOPLE.

YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR THE STORY OF THE PEOPLE F DULUTH AND SUPERIOR.

>> Eric: PERFECT FOR HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING.

>> Cathy: THANKS AGAIN.

>> THANKS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

♪♪♪ >> CATHY: GOVERNOR WALZ HIT THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL SOLO THIS WEEK AS VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS’S RUNNING MATE.

AS THE VICE PRESIDENT COULD MAKE HISTORY AS THE FIRST MONEY MALE PRESIDENT, REPORTER MARY LAHAMMER GIVES US CONTEXT ON THE GOVERNOR'S RECORD WORKING WITH WOMEN AT THE STATE CAPITOL AND BEYOND.

[ Cheers and applause ] >> Mary: AS VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE TIM WALZ STANDS SIDE BY SIDE, BUT IN SUPPORT, OF WHAT COULD BE THE FIRST FEMALE PRESIDENT, WE WANTED TO EXPLORE HIS HISTORY WORKING ITH WOMEN.

[ Cheers and applause ] HE WAS SURROUNDED BY WOMEN, THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, FIRST LADY, HOUSE SPEAKER, SENATE MAJORITY LEADER.

ALL WOMEN HO SHARED THE SPOTLIGHT WHEN THE GOVERNOR SIGNED HISTORIC LEGISLATION.

>> A BUNCH OF HIS COMMISSIONERS ARE WOMEN.

A BUNCH OF THE JUDGES HE APPOINTED ARE WOMEN.

SO THIS GUY IS A GOOD PARTNER TO WOMEN.

>> Mary: FOR YEARS, IT WAS MEN WHO ADE NEWS LEADING AT THE CAPITOL, BUT THINGS HAVE CHANGED.

NOW THAT THERE IS A WOMAN OF COLOR LEADING A PRESIDENTIAL TICKET, IS THERE ANY PART OF YOU THAT SAYS, OKAY, YEAH, I'M A REPUBLICAN, BUT PART OF ME, THAT'S KIND OF COOL.

>> WHEN WE AS WOMEN HAVE A CHANCE TO BE THE FIRST, WE NEED TO FIRST COME EQUIPPED AND DO THE WORK.

SO THAT WE DON'T HURT IT OR PEOPLE DOWN THE LINE THAT ARE GOING TO FOLLOW IN OUR FOOT STEPS.

I AM BI-RACIAL SO I FULLY UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS VERY DIFFICULT.

WHEN I'M WATCHING THIS FROM A DISTANCE, PUTTING THE POLICY AND HE PARTISAN PIECES ASIDE, I THINK IT'S REALLY FRUSTRATING THAT THAT IS A FOCUS THAT AMERICANS ARE MAKING.

>> IT'S BEEN A GREAT SIX YEARS.

I THINK THE FIRST INTERVIEW I HAD AFTER BEING NAMED SPEAKER, SOMEBODY SAID WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE, YOU KNOW, THE THIRD WOMAN SPEAKER OR A WOMAN SPEAKER, AND I SAID, JUST LIKE BEING A SPEAKER, BUT I'M A WOMAN.

AND SO I THINK FOR HIM, IT DOESN'T PHASE HIM, YOU KNOW?

IT'S -- WE'RE FULL PARTNERS.

I DIDN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT ANY OF THAT BRO ENERGY.

>> WHAT YOU'LL HEAR IS GREAT SOUND BYTES.

I HAVE HAD A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES ON A NATIONAL LEVEL.

GOVERNOR WALZ IS BEING PORTRAPORTRAYED OF THAT PERSON T KIND OF REPRESENTS RURAL MINNESOTA.

I LIVE IN GREATER MINNESOTA.

I AM LITERALLY IN GREATER MINNESOTA AND ANYONE THAT I TALK TO, AND THIS IS ACROSS THE STATE, NOT JUST MY DISTRICT, BUT THEY ALWAYS POINT BACK TO, 2018, GOVERNOR WALZ SAID DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE MAPS.

DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE REST OF MINNESOTA.

IT'S JUST ROCKS AND COWS OUT THERE.

THAT DOES NOT SIT WELL WITH ANYONE FROM GREATER MINNESOTA.

>> GOVERNMENT THAT LOOKS MORE ANDMORE LIKE THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA WITH EACH PASSING ELECTION.

[ Applause ] >> Mary: LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR FLANAGAN HAS BEEN A GOVERNING PARTNER WITH WALZ, GROWING THE ROLE, AND MAKING HISTORY WITH PERHAPS MORE AHEAD.

>> DO I STILL GO, LIKE, WHAT?

IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING?

OH, YEAH.

IT IS VERY INTENTIONAL, BECAUSE THAT'S HOW WE RAN.

WE RAN TOGETHER FOR OVER A YEAR.

WE TALKED ABOUT BEING PARTNERS.

WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE STATE OF MINNESOTA KNEW WHAT THEY WERE GETTING WITH THE TWO OF US.

>> PEGGY, YOU KNOW, LIKE TIM IS HOUSE TRAINED.

WHERE ALL GREAT LEADERS START, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, WHETHER IT'S FEDERAL OR STATE.

>> Mary: HERE AT THE STATE CAPITOL, GOVERNOR WALZ HAS ALSO HAD TO WORK WITH THE FIRST WOMAN AND PERSON OF COLOR TO LEAD THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS AND THAT RELATIONSHIP HASN'T ALWAYS BEEN SMOOTH SAILING.

>> GOVERNOR WALZ IS THE ONLY GOVERNOR THAT I'VE SERVED WITH.

AND THEN NOW THE LAST TWO YEARS, AS LEADER OF MY CAUCUS.

AND SO I'VE HAD KIND OF AN EXTERNAL LOOK, AND A LITTLE BIT FURTHER INTERNAL LOOK AS FAR AS OW IT HAS BEEN TO WORK WITH HIM.

OVER THE LAST TWO EARS, FULL DEMOCRAT TRIFECTA IN THE STATE, WE KNOW THAT WE CAME IN WITH AN $18 BILLION SURPLUS, AND THAT WAS SPENT.

WE HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE LOOMING DEFICIT.

I THOUGHT WE WOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE PROCESS JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN WE WERE.

>> IT'S GOING TO BE A SLUG FEST.

I THINK THAT PEOPLE WHO LIKE DONALD TRUMP ARE MOTIVATED TO SHOW UP AND VOTE.

I THINK THAT IT'S A HIGH INTEREST ELECTION.

IT'S A PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

WE ALWAYS HAVE MORE TURNOUT IN THOSE YEARS.

I THINK THE LAST PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION WE HAD IN 2020, E HAD TURN OUT OF, LIKE, 78.8%.

MINNESOTANS LIKE TO VOTE.

THEY'LL BE THERE.

AND I THINK E'LL HAVE A LOT OF REALLY CLOSE RACES IN THE HOUSE.

BUT I THINK WALZ BEING ON THE BALLOT PROBABLY HELPS US A LITTLE BIT MORE.

>> Mary: THREE OUT OF THE FOUR LEGISLATIVE LEADERS HE WORKED WITH RE WOMEN.

HOW WOULD YOU SAY HE WORKS WITH WOMEN.

>> I DON'T FEEL LIKE I COULD NOTICE A DIFFERENT.

AS WE GET NTO THESE ROLES AND WE HAVE BEEN CHOSEN FOR THESE ROLES BECAUSE WE ACTUALLY HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO FULFILL THE JOB AHEAD OF US.

>> Mary: HOW ABOUT ENTHUSIASM.

WE TALK ABOUT THOSE CROWDS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IT MEANS DOWN BALLOT FOR YOU IN THE BIGGEST RACE FOR MINNESOTA IS THE HOUSE RACE.

>> REALLY NIGHT AND DAY AT THE DOORS.

TIM WALZ JUST MAGNIFIES THAT BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE SAME KIND OF ENERGY.

THEY ARE BOTH PEOPLE ITH PHENOMENAL SMILES.

>> Mary: WHAT DOES MAYBE A REENERGIZED DEMOCRATIC BASE DO TO AFFECT WHAT YOU EXPECTED TO BE A VERY CLOSE RACE FOR HOUSE CONTROL.

>> OUR PLAN INITIALLY, HIGH LEVEL, FIND GREAT CANDIDATES THAT ARE WELL KNOWN IN THEIR DISTRICTS THAT, WILL WORK HARD AND BECOME EVEN BETTER LEGISLATORS.

EVEN WITH THE FOCUS ON A NATIONAL LEVEL, THAT PLAN AS NOT CHANGED.

>> THE TIM WALZ ENERGY IS JUST CLASSIC TIM WALZ, RIGHT?

LIKE, HE'S INTO THAT.

HE'S A FORMER TEACHER, FORMER COACH, AND SO HE'S GOT THAT EXPERIENCE.

HE'S HAD TO BE ENTERTAINING TO TEENAGERS.

AND HE'S EVIDENTLY PICKED UP HOW TO DO THAT.

>> Mary: THE FIRST LADY HAS ALSO PLAYED A PROMINENT ROLE IN THE WALZ ADMINISTRATION, GIVING SPEECHES AND ATTENDING BILL SIGNINGS.

>> OH, HI.

ADOPTGOOD TO SEE YOU.

THIS IS EXCITING.

YOU DID MAKE IT.

>> I COULD TELL WHEN HE LEFT IN THE MORNING THAT HE WAS REALLY HOPEFUL THAT I WOULD GET THERE.

>> Mary: NOW GWEN IS BY HER HUSBAND'S SIDE.

>> TIM IS GOING TO MAKE THE DECISIONS.

AND HE DID WHEN HE WAS IN CONGRESS.

♪♪♪ >> CATHY: WE'VE GOT A LOT OF POLITICS TO COVER.

I CAN'T EVEN BELIEVE THAT.

D.N.C.

IN CHICAGO NEXT WEEK.

WALZ CAMPAIGNING SOLO THIS WEEK.

AND WE HAVEN'T EVEN MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A PRIMARY ELECTION IN MINNESOTA ON TUESDAY.

IT'S TIME FOR THIS WEEK'S VERSION OF THE POLITICAL PANEL.

DEMOCRATS UP FIRST THIS WEEK.

JAVIER MORILLO IS A FORMER NATIONAL COMMITTEE MEMBER AND LONGTIME UNION AND PARTY ACTIVIST.

WE WELCOME BACK WINTANA MELEKIN, PARTY ACTIVIST FRESH OFF OF THE PRIMARY CAMPAIGN STAFF OF REPRESENTATIVE ILHAN OMAR.

REPUBLICANS WITH US TONIGHT: AMY KOCH IS A FORMER SENATE MAJORITY LEADER, NOW LOBBYIST.

ROUNDING OUT TONIGHT'S GROUP, FRITZ KNAAK IS A FORMER STATE SENATOR AND ATTORNEY.

SENATOR KOCH, AND REPUBLICANS DID WELL ON TUESDAY.

SO WHAT DID YOU TALK AWAY?

I DIDN'T SEE ANY PATTERNS, DID YOU YOU?

>> NOT REALLY ANY PATTERNS.

FRANKLY, A LOT OF THE STATE REP REPUBLICANS THAT HAD CHALLENGERS THAT IN THE PAST HAVE BEEN PROBLEMATIC REALLY WERE EASILY DEFEATED.

THERE WAS JUST ONE STATE REP AND I DON'T REALLY THINK -- IT HAD MORE TO DO WITH THAT SPECIFIC RACE.

BUT CONGRESSWOMAN MICHELLE FISCHBACH HAD SUPPOSEDLY A TIGHT RACE AND EASILY BEAT THE CHALLENGER THERE.

SO I THINK THAT GIVES SOME STRENGTH TO THOSE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES AS THEY MOVE FORWARD BECAUSE WE REALLY GOT OUR CANDIDATES OVER THE LINE.

>> Eric: CONGRESSWOMAN OMAR IS NOW A MEMBER OF THE ESTABLISHMENT, RIGHT?

I MEAN -- [ Laughter ] WHO OULD HAVE THUNK IT.

SHE WON SOMETHING LIKE 56%, SOMETHING LIKE THAT?

>> YEAH, I THINK SHE HAD RECORD BREAKING NUMBERS.

SHE WON 199 OUT OF -- OR INCREASED TURNOUT IN 199 PRECINCTS OF OUT OF 217.

SHE FLIPPED 27 PRECINCTS, NEIGHBORHOODS, THAT HAD FORMERLY SUPPORTED THE CONSERVATIVE CHALLENGER AND THIS TIME JOINED HER.

INCREASED TURNOUT IN PLACES LIKE WARD 7 AND WARD 11 AND REALLY JUST DID AN ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL JOB.

>> Cathy: SO IT LOOKS LIKE THE G.O.P.

ENDORSEMENT WORKED FOR ROYCE WHITE FOR THE U.S. SENATE?

>> YES IT DID.

>> WHAT YOU WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY ABOUT ROYCE WHITE AS A CANDIDATE.

>> HE CERTAINLY CALLS ATTENTION TO THE RACE.

AND I THINK THAT HE'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING.

IT'LL BZ INTERESTING TO SEE.

I THINK TRUTHFULLY, AMY KLOBUCHAR GOT A PASS.

ON THIS ELECTION.

AS A PRACTICAL MATTER.

EVEN IF HE WEREN'T, YOU KNOW, WITH THE EXPERIENCE AND REPUTATION THAT HE HAS, EVEN IF WE WEREN'T DEALING WITH THAT, HE'S NOT VERY WELL KNOWN.

THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A VERY GOOD YEAR.

YOU NEVER FIGURE THESE THINGS OUT SOMETIMES UNTIL AFTER THE FACT, THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A VERY GOOD YEAR FOR SOMEBODY STRONGER TO REALLY GO AFTER HER.

BUT THINGS HAPPEN.

AND THIS IS A STRANGE ELECTION.

MONTH AND A HALF AGO WHO WOULD HAVE EVER PREDICTED WE ARE WHERE WE ARE.

TWO MONTHS FROM NOW, WE'RE BE SEEING MORE EXCITING THINGS HAPPENING.

>> Eric: ON THE PRINTED PRINTED BALLOT, IT'LL BE HARRIS-WALZ, AND THEN KLOBUCHAR, WHITE.

>> WEIRD HAS ENTERED THE VERNACULAR AND ROYCE WHITE SAID HOLD MY BEER.

HE'S THE MAJOR PARTY NOMINEE.

THERE WILL BE TWO PEOPLE WHO WILL BE IN DEBATES AND AND THIS PERSON WHO IS SO FAR RIGHT THAT, LIKE, YOU KNOW, OUR FRIENDS HERE WON'T EVEN MENTION HIM, AND I DON'T BLAME YOU, IS BECAUSE, IS BANANAS BUT THAT IS WHAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS BECOME.

>> Eric: WHERE IS WALZ MOST VULNERABLE.

IS IT THE AFTERMATH OF GEORGE FLOYD OR "FEEDING OUR FUTURE" OR MILITARY SERVICE?

OR DOES IT MATTER HOW MUCH TROUBLE VANCE OR WALZ GET INTO?

>> I THINK HE'S MOST VULNERABLE ON THE HANDLING OF THE AFTERMATH OF THE RIOTS IN MINNEAPOLIS AND THEN "FEEDING OUR FUTURE," SORT OF THE EXECUTIVE OVERSIGHT I CALL IT.

I'M TOUCHING ON THE MILITARY SERVICE.

>> Eric: YOU HAVE SOME.

>> I DO.

SO -- AND I SERVED AS A RUSSIAN LINGUIST AT THE NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY WITH THE AIR FORCE.

AND HE SERVED 24 YEARS.

I WAS ALSO -- THE DEMOCRATS WENT AFTER TYLER KISTNER ABOUT HIS MILITARY CLAIMS.

HERE'S THE DEAL.

AND HE SERVED FOUR DEPLOYMENTS.

BUT HE ALSO HAD SAID SOME THINGS LIKE, I HAVE BEEN ON THE WRONG END OF A LOADED WEAPON.

AND HE HAD NOT SERVED IN COMBAT.

HE HAD GONE TO OTHER STATIONS.

THE SAME THING WITH TIM WALZ SAYING I CARRIED A WEAPON OF WAR IN WAR.

AND SO WHAT I WOULD SAY IS, I AM GRATEFUL FOR TYLER KISTNER'S SERVICE.

I'M GRATEFUL FOR TIM WALZ'S SERVICE.

I'M PROUD OF MY SERVICE.

BUT CANDIDATES ALSO NEED TO BE VERY CAREFUL AT HOW THEY SPEAK ABOUT THEIR SERVICE, AND IF THEY MISSPEAK, THEY NEED TO APOLOGIZE AND MOVE FORWARD AND DO BETTER, BECAUSE THERE WERE PEOPLE THAT DID FOUR COMBAT MISSIONS.

THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT WERE ON THE -- THAT CARRIED A WEAPON OF WAR IN WAR.

AND THOSE PEOPLE, MANY OF THEM HAVE DIED, BEEN INJURED R HAVE SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS.

AND SO I THINK IT'S BOTH, RIGHT?

CAN BE BOTH.

AND THAT'S WHY IT'S SUCH A -- IT'S A TERRIBLE ISSUE.

>> Eric: THE PROGRESSIVE AND LIBERAL PARTS OF THE DFL COMMUNITY UNTIL THE 5TH DISTRICT UNITED OR IS THERE SOME HARD FEELINGS THERE OR WHAT'S THE AFTERMATH OF ALL THAT?

>> WELL, AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE PERSON THAT THEY'RE UP AGAINST IS J.D.

VANCE AND DONALD TRUMP.

THEY ARE TRUE EMBARRASSMENTS TO THIS COUNTRY.

THEY'RE NOT JUST INTERESTING OR WEIRD.

THEY'RE ACTUAL EMBARRASSMENTS, AND THEY'RE FRAUDS AND THEY HAVE NO PLACE IN THE WHITE HOUSE.

THEY HAVE NO PLACE ANYWHERE NEAR DYED C., AND I THINK, YES, THERE ARE CONFLICTING OPINIONS IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

THERE'S A BROAD COALITION.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE END GOAL IS TO PROTECT DEMOCRACY, FEED CHILDREN AND PROTECT THE WORKING CLASS AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, THAT'S WHAT HARRIS AND WALZ WANT AND THAT'S NOT WHAT DONALD TRUMP WANTS.

>> WOW!

AND WE'RE GOING TO GET A LOT OF THAT BETWEEN NOW AND THE ELECTION.

AND I THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE LOT OF EFFORT TO MISDIRECT WHAT WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT WHICH OF COURSE IS KAMALA HARRIS'S RECORD AND WHAT SHE DID AND WHY SHE WAS THE LEAST POPULAR VICE PRESIDENT AND WHAT WE'RE GETTING INSTEAD RIGHT NOW IS, AND MAYBE I'M, YOU KNOW, GIVING UP MY GENERATION, BUT IN A WAY, I KEEP THINKING OF THE "WIZARD OF OZ," THAT FAMOUS SCENE WHERE YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO SEE WHO'S BEHIND THE CURTAIN.

WHO IS BEHIND THE CURTAIN HERE IS THAT KAMALA HARRIS AND WHAT'S BEING CREATED FOR US NOW IS AN IMAGE.

>> Cathy: SO DO OU THINK IT'S RELEASED TRANT -- >> DO YOU THINK IT'S RELEVANT THAT YOUR PARTY CANDIDATE LED AN NSURRECTION?

I MEAN, IT'S -- THIS S NOT THE REGULAR -- YOUR REGULAR REPUBLICAN PARTY.

IT'S NOT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY THAT YOU'VE EVER REPRESENTED.

YOU DON'T THINK THAT THAT'S AN EXTREME?

>> SEXUAL HARASSMENTMENT CHARGES.

THE LIST IS NEVER ENDING.

>> I WILL DISAGREE.

AND THE ONE THING I WILL SAY IS, WHATEVER ELSE YOU CAN SAY ABOUT DONALD TRUMP THERE ARE A LOT OF ABOUT SECRETS ABOUT WHERE HE'S OMING FROM NOW, AND THAT'S ONE OF THE REAPS YOU'RE FINDING THE MODERATES IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND I HAD PEOPLE TELLING, OH.

MODERATES ARE GOING TO GO TO THE DEMOCRATS THIS YEAR.

THEY'RE ACTUALLY QUITE COMFORTABLE WITH DONALD TRUMP THIS YEAR.

>> I THINK THAT'S MORE A SIGN OF WHAT THE PARTY HAS BECOME, AND THERE ARE VERY FEW MODERATES LEFT.

THERE WERE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF REPUBLICANS FOR MOIRS ON A CALL THE OTHER NIGHT BECAUSE PEOPLE WHO ARE ACTUALLY SENSIBLE REPUBLICANS ARE LEAVING THE PARTY.

>> Eric: REPUBLICANS NEED FOUR VOTES TO TAKE OVER THE HOUSE.

THEY NEED ONE VOTE IN THE SENATE.

HOW DO WE HAND CAP WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN NOVEMBER IN THE LEGISLATIVE RACES?

>> RIGHT, I MEAN, IT'S IMPOSSIBLE.

ANYBODY WHO'S CLAIMING THEY KNOW WHO'S GOING TO HOLD, THE SENATE SEAT, IT'S ONLY ONE SEAT OFF.

THEY'D HAVE TO RUN THE TABLE.

THE HOUSE REPUBLICANS THEY HAVE A LOT MORE GAME TO PLAY.

THEY NEED FOUR, WHICH IS A VERY SMALL AMOUNT.

BUT -- AND THEY HAVE A LARGER FIELD OF PLAY.

ONE THING'S FOR SURE, IF YOU'RE IN THOSE SWING DISTRICTS YOU'RE GOING TO SEE A LOT OF MONEY SPENT AND A LOT OF EFFORT SPENT ON THESE HOUSE RACES AND THAT ONE SENATE RACE.

AND INTERESTING WRINKLE WOULD BE, IF HOISH HARRIS AND WALZ WI, THEN OBVIOUSLY WE TALK TO LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, SHE WOULD STEP UP TO THE GOVERNOR, AND BOBBY JOE CHAMPION, THE SENATE PRESIDENT, WOULD BE THE L.G., WHICH COULD TAKE THE SENATE BACK TO A VERY CRITICAL TIME IN JANUARY TO 33-33 AND SESSION STARTS JANUARY 13TH.

>> Cathy: SO WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT SENATE RACE, BY THE WAY?

>> YEAH, I THINK IT'S AN INTERESTING DISTRICT.

BUT IT'S SHOWING THAT THEY'RE EXCITED TO ELECT A PROGRESSIVE.

ANN STEWARD JOHNSON IS VERY POPULAR.

SHE HAD ALREADY HELD A PORTION OF THE SEAT AND I THINK SHE WILL BE EASILY REELECTED THIS NOVEMBER WITHOUT QUESTION.

>> Eric: DID A LOT OF THE STUFF THAT KAMALA HARRIS LAID OUT TODAY KIND OF LOOK LIKE THE MINNESOTA PLAY BOOK LEGISLATIVELY FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS?

>> YEAH, I MEAN A LOT OF IT, AND I'LL SAY IT'S A POPULAR AGENDA.

AND -- >> Eric: A LOT OF SPENDING.

>> I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO BE POPULAR WITH YOU.

BUT BE POPULAR WITH THE PUBLIC.

PEOPLE EXPECT GOVERNMENT TO WORK FOR THEM.

SO, LIKE, THE QUESTION IN PEOPLE'S MINDS IS, LIKE, IS IF I NOT GETTING SOMETHING OUT OF IT?

AND I WILL TELL YOU, YOU PAIR UP, LIKE, THE SCHOOL LUNCHES FOR ALL KIDS, AGAINST A WHOLE HOST OF OTHER ISSUES ACROSS MINNESOTA AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AND IT IS POPULAR LIKE THROUGH THE ROOF.

>> THEN WHY DIDN'T YOU DO IT THREE YEARS AGO?

YOU KNOW, THAT'S THE PROBLEM.

>> WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

WE DID IT NOW AND IT'S DONE.

>> NOW YOU'RE SAYING THIS IS WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO.

SHE'S BEEN IN OFFICE FOR THREE AND A HALF YEARS -- >> I'M TALKING ABOUT SCHOOL LUNCHES THAT JUST HAPPENED.

>> SHE WASN'T THE CANDIDATE.

AND NOW SHE IS THE VICE PRESIDENT AND NOW THE NOMINEE.

AND SHE'S TALKING ABOUT THE NEW TOPICS THAT ARE VERY, VERY E CORRECT THAT.

THE POLLING, THE INFORMATION IS TELLING US IT'S SUCCESSFUL.

WE'VE SEEN IT IN MINNESOTA.

WE'RE GOING TO KEEP A HOUSE MAJORITY OFF OF THESE SUCCESSES.

>> Eric: IT'S GETTING GOOD AND WE GOT TO GO.

DOG GONE IT.

THANKS, PANEL.

♪♪♪ >> A NEW START FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA WITH THIS GREAT STADIUM.

YOU KNOW?

COLLEGES SHOULD HAVE AN OUTDOOR STADIUM.

EXCITED AT WHAT IS GOING TO BE THE SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON PLAZA.

WE ALWAYS WANT TO BE INCLUSIVE.

SO WE THOUGHT WHY OT ALL TRIBES OF MINNESOTA AND MAKE THIS THE TRIBAL NATIONS PLAZA.

♪♪♪ >> ERIC: IT'S TIME FOR THE PART OF THE PROGRAM WHERE WE HEAR FROM YOU.

LAST TIME WE DID THIS, I ASKED YOU TO IDENTIFY A MYSTERY PERSON BASED ON THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION: THIS PERSON WAS A CELEBRITY VISITOR TO A COLLEGE CAMPUS IN NORTHFIELD IN 1992.

KNOWN AS A DOG LOVER AND ANIMAL WELFARE ACTIVIST, THIS VISITOR INSISTED THAT ON THE WAY TO CAMPUS THE DRIVER PULL OVER AND LET THEM OUT SO THEY COULD HELP A FARM DOG GET OFF THE ROAD AND INTO A NEARBY DITCH.

OUR QUESTION WAS SIMPLE: WHO WAS THIS CELEBRITY VISITOR?

AS ALWAYS, WE START WITH SOME OF THE FOLKS WHO WERE A LITTLE OFF THE MARK.

>> Eric: SOME PRETTY GOOD GUESSES THERE.

MANY OF YOU DID KNOW THE CORRECT ANSWER, INCLUDING LISA FROM MENDOTA HEIGHTS.

>> Eric: DON'T KNOW ABOUT ALL THAT KISSING STUFF.

BUT OUR MYSTERY PERSON IS INDEED BETTY WHITE.

WHITE'S CHARACTER ON "THE GOLDEN GIRLS" WAS FROM ST. OLAF, MINNESOTA, AND IN MAY OF 1992, SHE VISITED ST. OLAF COLLEGE IN NORTHFIELD.

WHILE SHE WAS THERE, WHITE ATTENDED A WOMEN'S SOFTBALL GAME, TALKED TO THEATER MAJORS ABOUT ACTING, AND SANG WITH THE CHOIR.

SPEAKING OF SINGING, WE DO HAVE SOME WONDERFUL IRISH MUSIC FROM THE ARCHIVES TO LEAVE YOU WITH TONIGHT.

BUT FIRST, A VERY IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FOR YOU.

ONE WEEK FROM TODAY WE CONTINUE OUR STATE FAIR SHOW TRADITION.

FOR MORE THAN A DECADE, TWIN CITIES PBS AND MPR NEWS HAVE WORKED TOGETHER TO CREATE AN EDITION OF "ALMANAC" AT THE STATE FAIR.

CIRCLE THE DATE ON YOUR CALENDAR: FRIDAY, AUGUST 23RD.

11:00 A.M.

IN THE MORNING, "ALMANAC" WILL BE AT THE MPR BOOTH AT THE CORNER OF JUDSON AND NELSON, NEAR THE DAIRY BUILDING.

WE'LL BE LIVE ON THE RADIO AND RECORDING THE SHOW FOR TV THAT EVENING ACROSS THE STATE.

SO COME CHECK OUT "ALMANAC" IN ACTION LIVE AT THE FAIR ON FRIDAY MORNING, AND THEN HEAD HOME IN TIME TO SEE YOURSELF IN THE AUDIENCE ON TV.

WE'VE GOT A GREAT SHOW PLANNED FOR YOU: SOME WEATHER, SOME SPORTS, A KEVIN KLING STORY, AND THIS YEAR BIRDCHICK SHARON STITELER WILL JOIN US AND TAKE QUESTIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE.

WE LEAVE YOU TONIGHT WITH SOME MUSIC FROM THE "ALMANAC" ARCHIVES.

IT WAS JUST TWO SHORT YEARS AGO THIS WEEK IRISH MUSIC TRIO THE INLAND SEAS PERFORMED FOR US HERE IN STUDIO "B."

TAKE A LISTEN.

AND COME SEE US AT THE FAIR NEXT FRIDAY MORNING.

AND BE CAREFUL.

>> ♪ I HAD A FIRST COUSIN CALLED ARTHUR MCBRIDE ♪ ♪ HE AND I TOOK A STROLL DOWN BY THE SEASIDE ♪ ♪ A-SEEKING GOOD FORTUNE AND WHAT MIGHT BE TIDE ♪ ♪ 'TWAS JUST AS THE DAY WAS A-DAWNING ♪ ♪ AFTER RESTING WE BOTH TOOK A TRAMP ♪ ♪ WE MET SERGEANT HARPER AND CORPORAL CRAMP ♪ ♪ BESIDES THE WEE DRUMMER WHO BEAT UP FOR CAMP ♪ ♪ WITH HIS ROWDY DOW-DOW IN THE MORNING ♪ ♪ SAYS HE, "ME YOUNG FELLOWS IF YOU WILL ENLIST ♪ ♪ A GUINEA YOU QUICKLY HAVE IN YOUR FIST ♪ ♪ LIKEWISE THE CROWN FOR TO KICK THE DUST ♪ ♪ AND DRINK THE KING'S HEALTH IN THE MORNING ♪ ♪ FOR A SOLDIER HE LEADS A VERY FINE LIFE ♪ ♪ HE ALWAYS IS BLESSED WITH A CHARMING YOUNG WIFE ♪ ♪ AND HE PAYS ALL HIS DEBTS WITHOUT SORROW OR STRIFE ♪ ♪ AND ALWAYS LIVES HAPPY AND CHARMING" ♪ ♪♪♪ ♪ "AH, NOW, ME BOLD SERGEANT, WE ARE NOT FOR SALE ♪ ♪ WE'LL MAKE NO SUCH BARGAIN, YOUR BRIBE WON'T AVAIL ♪ >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY... GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 27 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

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

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

AND PAINT CARE, HELPING MINNESOTA PAINT SMARTER TO PREVENT WASTE.

MORE AT PAINTCARE.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.

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