♪ >> A LOT OF THEM, SAYING THAT THAT'S WHEN THEIR PAYMENTS STOPPED WAS WHEN THE PAYMENTS NEEDED TO BE MADE TO THE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY.

>> WOULD ANY REBUILD HAVE TO START FROM SCRATCH, OR -- >> CLEARING TREES FOR A EW DEVELOPMENT ON THE PROPERTY.

SO I GUESS THAT ALSO HAS SOME PLACE TALKED ABOUT A FIVE-YEAR PLAN THAT THE UTSEN RESORTS WAS PUTTING IN PLACE WITH SOME OF THEIR RENOVATIONS AND CLEARING SOME LAND FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT.

BUT AS FAR AS BEING ABLE TO TAKE OUT BUSINESS LOANS AND THINGS, I WOULD THINK THAT WOULD BE PRETTY DIFFICULT WHEN LARGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY ARE OWED.

SPHWHRSES AND FOR FOLKS TUNING, SO THERE'S CRIME SCENE TAPE AROUND THE AREA NOW.

BUT THE COOK COUNTY SHERIFF SAYS THAT'S TO KEEP LOOTERS OUT AND ALSO TO MAINTAIN THE INTEGRITY OF THE -- OF THAT AREA, IS THAT RIGHT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

SO I DID SPEAK WITH THE STATE FIRE MARSHALL OFFICE PRIOR TO COMING ON AIR.

AND THEY SAID THAT IT CANNOT BE DETERMINED YET, THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE.

AND NO ARRESTS HAVE BEEN MADE.

IT IS NOT OFFICIALLY BEEN DEEMED A CRIME SCENE.

IT'S A POTENTIAL CRIME SCENE.

>> Cathy: OKAY.

>> SO THEY HAVE NOT YET DETERMINED WHAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS.

>> Cathy: ALL RIGHT.

BRIELLE, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Eric: THANK YOU.

♪♪ ♪♪ >> A RECENT STAR TRIBUNE SERIES REPORTED THAT HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN ARE HARMED EACH YEAR AFTER BEING REUNITED WITH PARENTS BY COUNTY OFFICIALS.

THIS MORNING THE LEGISLATIVE TASK FORCE ON CHILD PROTECTION HAD ITS THIRD MEETING ON THIS ISSUE.

WITH THE START OF LEGISLATIVE SESSION JUST A FEW DAYS WE'VE INVITED CO-CHAIRS OF THE TASK FORCE, DFL SENATOR NICOLE MITCHELL AND DFL HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE DAVE REPRESENTATIVE DAVE PINTO.

YOU ARE IN YOUR OTHER LIFE A COUNTY PROSECUTOR SO YOU HAVE SOME HANDS ON EXPERIENCE WITH THIS.

HOW DID THIS GET SO SCREWED UP?

>> WELL, IT'S A REALLY CHALLENGING SYSTEM, RIGHT?

AND THERE'S NO MORE HIGHER CALLING THAT WE HAVE TO KEEP KIDS SAFE.

AND WHEN YOU HAVE A PARENT WHO MAY BE ABUSE COMPREHENSIVE, YOU'RE FACED WITH A REALLY, REALLY DIFFICULT CHOICE AND IT'S A COMPLICATED SYSTEM.

CHALLENGING SYSTEM, IMPORTANT SYSTEM AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE PAYING AS MUCH ATTENTION TO IT AS POSSIBLY CAN.

>> Cathy: THERE'S NOT REALLY A STATEWIDE SYSTEM.

IT'S MORE COUNTY-RUN.

WHY IS THAT?

DO WE KNOW?

>> ELL, SO IT IS NOT AS COMMON TO HAVE THAT SORT OF A SYSTEM.

IN MINNESOTA, IT IN SOME WAYS NICE.

WE HAVE SO MUCH COUNTIES, AND THEN HE COUNTIES ARE ABLE TO MATCH WITH DIFFERENT SERVICES.

SO THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT KIND OF KNOW THE SERVICES BEST AND KNOW THE PEOPLE IN THEIR COUNTY BEST VERSUS IF YOU HAD A SPECIALIZED SYSTEM.

OF OURSE WE DON'T EVER WANT TO REMOVE A CHILD FOR POVERTY ISSUES.

WE'D RATHER PROVIDE SERVICES AND SUPPORT.

BUT WE ARE LOOKING AT WHETHER THERE ARE SOME WAYS WE CAN LEVERAGE A TWO-TIER SYSTEM.

OR THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO THERE'S DEFINITELY ROOM FOR US TO LOOK AT THAT SYSTEM AND KEEP DOING WHAT WE THINK WOULD WORK BEST.

>> Eric: BECAUSE DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU ARE IN THE STATE, THERE ARE DIFFERENT OUTCOMES FOR SIMILAR SITUATIONS SOME >> IT'S TRUE.

AND WE'RE A RELATIVE MINORITY OF STATES, I THINK IT'S NINE STATES TOTAL THAT HAVE A COUNTY-RUN SYSTEM.

WE HAD AT AIR PREVIOUS TASK FORCE MEETING A PREJUDICES ABOUT THE COSTS AND BENEFITS WITH SWITCHING.

IT'S UNCLEAR THAT THE RESULTS ARE BETTER IN STATE-ADMINISTERED SYSTEMS AND OF COURSE MAKING A CHANGE TO A STATE-ADMINISTERED SYSTEM ITSELF HAS A COST.

AS YOU SAY, A LOT OF DIFFERENT OUTCOMES DEPENDING WHERE YOU ARE IN THE STATE.

>> Cathy: WHY DO OTHER STATES SPEND ABOUT 40% OF THEIR FUNDS ON KIDS, BUT MINNESOTA'S ONLY, LIKE, 2% AND EVIDENTLY A REVIEW SHOWS THE STATE SPENDSES FAR TOO MUCH ON CASE WORKER COSTS AND VISITS.

IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING FOR ADMINISTRATIVE PURPOSES.

>> WELL, SO, SOME OF THE FUNDING, BECAUSE WE HAVE A DIFFERENT SYSTEM, WILL COME FROM THE COUNTIES.

AND THEN THE COUNTIES GET FUNDING IN DIFFERENT WAYS.

SO THAT FUNDING PIECE IS, I'M NOT SAYING IT'S IN"ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL" RATE.

BUT IT'S A LITTLE BIT, WHEN YOU'RE A COUNTY-RUN SYSTEM IN A STATE.

I ALSO WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT MINNESOTA IS DOING A GOOD JOB IN A LOT OF WAYS.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE STATISTICS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THE AVERAGE LOSS OF LIFE PER 100,000 CHILD IS UNFORTUNATELY 2.5.

IN MINNESOTA, IT'S 1.7.

SO WE DO HAVE A BETTER OUTCOME.

BUT E AT LEAST IN TERMS OF IF A TALLIES.

BUY-IN WE DON'T WANT ANY, RIGHT?

WE WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE WORK ON THAT AND DROP THAT NUMBER.

SO WE WANT TO BE REALLY MINDFUL THAT WE'RE HELPING THE FAMILIES THAT NEED SUPPORT, BUT MAKING SURE WHEN THERE IS A REALLY LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION THAT WE'RE GETTING THE HELP THAT WE NEED TO GET THOSE CHILDREN OUT OF THAT.

>> Eric: BLACK KIDS ARE OVERREPRESENTED I THINK IN THE CASES.

>> IT'S TRUE.

>> Eric: THERE IS SOMETHING CALLED THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN FAMILY PRESERVATION ACT.

HOW WOULD THAT PLAY IN?

>> YES, THAT WAS ONE OF THE BILLS THAT WAS HEARD IN THE TASK FORCE MEETING TODAY.

SO WHAT WE DID IS WE HEARD FROM A NUMBER OF PERSPECTIVES, A NUMBER OF PROPOSALS.

AND YEAH, THAT ADDRESSES A CONCERN.

I MEAN, ON TOP OF ALL THE OTHER CHALLENGES IN OUR SYSTEM, WE HAVE SOME OF THE WORST DISPARITIES IN THE COUNTRY WHEN IT COMES TO OUTCOMES FOR KIDS, RALES FROM FAMILIES ...

ET CETERA, FOR KIDS OF COLOR AND FOR BLACK KIDS IN PARTICULAR.

>> Eric: IF A PARENT IS ON DRUGS, AND THEY GO INTO REHAB, AND, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF TIMES, YOU LOSE AND HAVE TO GET BACK ON, ARE THE COUNTY AGENTS, ARE THEY TOLERANT OF THAT, OR IS IT ONE TIME YOU FAILED A DRUG TEST, YOU'RE GONE?

OR HOW IS THAT PLAYED OUT?

>> WELL, OF COURSE WITH DIFFERENT COUNTIES THERE'S GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT OF DISPARITY.

SO I COME TO THIS WORK FROM PREVIOUSLY BEING COURT-APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE, A VOLUNTEER, AND STILL CURRENTLY BEING A FOSTER PARENT.

THERE IS ACTUALLY A LOT OF WORK FOR PARENTS, ESPECIALLY FOR DRUG USE, TO BE ABLE TO GET INTO THOSE SYSTEMS.

I KNOW A FOSTER BABY I AD IS BACK WITH A PARENT THAT WAS ABLE TO GO THROUGH REHAB AND WAS ABLE TO WORK THE CASE PLAN.

AND THEN THERE WAS A REUNIFICATION BECAUSE OF COURSE THAT IS THE GOAL AT THE END OF THE DAY IS TO PRESERVE FAMILIES TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE AS LONG AS THAT FAMILY SITUATION IS SAFE.

SO WE DO HAVE THOSE SYSTEMS IN PLACE.

BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE, YOU KNOW, OF COURSE WE'RE CENTERED IN THE CHILD AND MAKING SURE THEY'RE SAFE AT ANY TIME.

>> Cathy: SO I UNDERSTAND THERE WAS A MEETING TODAY.

AND I THOUGHT THIS WAS GOING TO BE BIN.

BUT YOUR REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES DIDN'T SHOW UP TODAY, IS THAT RIGHTED?

>> IT IS CHALLENGING BECAUSE WE'VE HAD A ERIES OF MONTHLY MEETINGS.

AND AS IT TURNED OUT, JUST THE TIME IS AKING OF IT, BECAUSE I REALLY DO WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT THERE WAS A PREVIOUSLY SCHEDULED MEETING ON THE HOUSE SIDE AT LEAST A NUMBER COULD NOT IS A ATTEND.

AND I KNOW FOLKS ARE WATCHING AND KEEPING IN TOUCH.

>> Eric: WE'LL TRACK IT THROUGHOUT THE SESSION.

APPRECIATE YOU COMING BY.

HAVE A GOOD SESSION.

♪♪ >> CATHY: THE BEMIDJI SCHOOL BOARD IS CONSIDERING WHETHER TO RENEW A 10-YEAR OPERATING TAX LEVY FOR ANOTHER 10 YEARS.

AND THEY WON’T NEED VOTERS TO APPROVE IT.

REPORTER KAOMI LEE WENT TO BELTRAMI COUNTRY TO FIN >> Kaomi: IT'S 7:30 IN THE MORNING AND THIS BEMIDJI PUBLIC SCHOOLS BUS IS RIGHT ON TIME.

IT'S ONE OF 64 BUS ROUTES IN THE DISTRICT.

>> IT'S A 825-SQUARE MILESES.

WE'RE 2/3 THE SIZE OF RHODE ISLAND.

>> Kaomi: JEREMY OLSON IS THE SUPERINTENDENT.

HE SAYS THE DISTRICT'S LARGE GEOGRAPHIC FOOTPRINT MEANS MORE DRIVERS, WHICH MEANS HIGHER COSTS.

>> ONE OF THE ISSUES IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA IS WE'RE PAID PER STUDENT WE'RE TRANSPORTING, NOT PER MILE WE'RE TRANSPORTING.

AND IN A DISTRICT LIKE BEMIDJI, THAT'S A LITTLE CHALLENGING BECAUSE WE RUN A LOT OF MILES FOR VERY FEW STUDENTS.

>> Kaomi: ABOUT 80% OF BEMIDJI'S BUDGET IS SALARIES.

>> WE'VE LOST $925 PER STUDENT SINCE 2003 IN BUYING POWER AS A SCHOOL DISTRICT.

>> Kaomi: LAST YEAR, THE LEGISLATURE GAVE SCHOOL BOARDS NEW AUTHORITY.

DISTRICTS LIKE BEMIDJI CAN NOW RENEW AN EXISTING OPERATING LEVY ONE TIME.

WITHOUT VOTER APPROVAL.

BEMIDJI'S TEN-YEAR $180 PER PUPIL LEVY IS SET TO EXPIRE NEXT YEAR.

>> THIS IS A NEW APPROACH, A ONE-TIME APPROACH, THAT WILL ALLOW OUR SCHOOL BOARDS TO RENEW AN OPERATING LEVY FOR THE SAME AMOUNT AND THE SAME LENGTH OF TIME.

>> Kaomi: DISTRICTS SAY THAT WILL SAVE THEM TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS BY NOT HAVING TO CREATE A CAMPAIGN.

>> WE KNOW THAT RENEWALS PASS AT APPROXIMATELY A 99.7% RATE.

SO WHEN WE GO OUT TO THE SAME AMOUNT FOR THE SAME LENGTH OF TIME, THOSE PASSION AT A VERY, VERY HIGH RATE, NEARLY 100%.

>> Kaomi: DATA BY THE MSBA SHOWS OUT OF 31 OPERATING LEVY REFERENDUMS LAST YEAR, ALL BUT ONE WERE FOR A TAX INCREASE.

ONLY 12 PASS PASSES.

OF THOSE, HALF WERE DISTRICTS IN GLOIM.

GREATER MINNESOTA.

AND LOSING ITS EXISTING LEVY WOULD BE DEVASTATING.

>> TO MAINTAIN THE PROGRAMS AND THE QUALITY OF PROGRAMS WE HAVE, ALSO WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE AVERAGE IN MINNESOTA, THE AVERAGE REFERENDUM IS $705 PER STUDENT.

WE'RE ASKING FOR $180 PER STUDENT.

WE FEEL LIKE WE'RE BEING VERY REASONABLE.

>> I BELIEVE THAT THE PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE A SAY.

>> Kaomi: REBECCA WHITING IS CHAIR OF THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY OF MINNESOTA.

SHE AND HER HUSBAND CURRENTLY HOME-SCHOOL EIGHT OF THEIR 12 KIDS.

SHE FIRST LEARNED ABOUT THE RENEWAL OPTION FROM "ALMANAC" AND IN A COUNTY WHERE THE MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME IS 30% LESS THAN THE STATE MEDIAN, IT'S A CONCERN.

>> THE THE PEOPLE WHO WERE ELECTED TO THESE POSITIONS HAVE TO RECOGNIZE WHAT THE THRESHOLD OF THEIR PEOPLE ARE.

I MEAN, WE'RE ALREADY PRETTY HIGH.

SO ANYBODY ASKING FOR MORE RIGHT NOW IS A LOT.

SPHWHRAIK DO YOU BELIEVE THAT IF THEY PUT THE RENEWAL UP TO THE VOTERS THAT IT MIGHT NOT PASS.

>> IT MIGHT OT.

I MEAN, THE LAST TWO HAVEN'T.

SO THAT'S TILL FRESH ON PEOPLE'S MINDS.

>> Kaomi: FAILED REFERENDUMS ARE NORMAL, SAYS ANN LONG VOGNE REVVING.

SHE'S CHAIR OF THE BEMIDJI SCHOOL BOARD.

IT WAS MEETINGS ATTENDED BY NOT VERY MANY PEOPLE.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT WHAT HAPPENS THEN IS THAT PEOPLE THAT HAVE CONCERNS COME TO THE MEETINGS AND PEOPLE THAT ARE FINE AND DANDY WITH A CHANGE, BASICALLY DON'T FEEL A NEED TO ENGAGE.

>> Kaomi: THE BOARD HAS UNTIL THE SUMMER TO DECIDE WHETHER TO RENEW THE LEVY THIS YEAR.

SHE SAYS THE OPTION MAKES SENSE AND GIVES SCHOOL BOARDS A LITTLE MORE OF THE AUTHORITY THAT COUNTIES AND CITIES ALREADY HAVE.

>> IT'S MORE EFFICIENT.

WE'VE ALREADY GOT IT ON THE BOOKS.

PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY APPROVED IT.

AND COST-WISE FOR INDIVIDUALS, PROPERTY OWNERS, IT'S NOT A BIG ASK.

♪♪ >> ERIC: TODAY CLOSES OUT THE FIRST WEEK ON THE JOB FOR THE MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM'S NEW SUPERINTENDENT.

LISA SAYLES-ADAMS, PREVIOUSLY OF EASTERN CARVER COUNTY SCHOOLS, IS THE FIRST PERMANENT SUPERINTENDENT THE DISTRICT HAS HAD SINCE 2022.

SAYLES-ADAMS BEGAN HER TEACHING CAREER IN MINNEAPOLIS AND RETURNS TO LEAD THE DISTRICT AS IT FACES BUDGET CONCERNS, TENSIONS WITH THE TEACHERS UNION, AND DEBATES OVER SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULA AND STUDENT RESOURCE OFFICERS.

LISA SAYLES-ADAMS, WELCOME TO "ALMANAC."

WHY ON EARTH DID YOU TAKE THIS CHALLENGE ON?

>> EXCITED ABOUT THE FORTUNATE.

THE OPPORTUNITY.

I WAS A FORMER TEACHER IN MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS, SO THAT'S WHERE I STARTED MY CAREER.

AND WHAT I HAVE BEEN SHARING WITH PEOPLE, I LEARN MY HY AS AN EDUCATOR IN MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

SO THE IMPORTANCE OF PUTTING STUDENTS FIRST.

PARTNERING WITH THE COMMUNITY.

AND MAKING A DIFFERENCE.

AND IN THE OTHER PIECE, WHEN I WAS AN UNDERGRAD GETTING MY TEACHER'S LICENSE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, TYPICALLY THE PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS, THAT'S WHAT THEY CALL PEOPLE BEFORE THEY GRADUATE, EITHER WANTED TO WORK IN ST. PAUL PUBLIC SCHOOLS OR MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND I WAS LUCKY TO GET MY START IN MINNEAPOLIS.

SO I HAVE AN AFFINITY.

BUT I ACTUALLY STARTED MY LENLT CAREER IN MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS AT STANDISH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WHICH I KNOW IS NO LONGER THERE.

BUT, YOU KNOW, I HAVE AN AFFINITY FOR MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THE OTHER PIECES I THINK I CAN HELP.

>> Cathy: WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT HOW YOU'RE GOING TO HELP.

I BET THIS FIRST WEEK ON THE JOB IS LIKE DRINKING FROM A FIRE HOSE.

WHAT'S JOB ONE IN THE NEXT THREE MONTHS?

>> JOB ONE IN THE NEXT THREE MONTHS FOR SURE WILL BE BUDGET.

AND THEN CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS.

AND THEN ALSO LISTENING, SO I'M GOING TO DO A 100-DAY LISTENING TOUR, SO REALLY HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY, IN OUR SCHOOLS AND REALLY LISTENING TO LISTENING TO WHAT IS HAPPENING, WHAT PEOPLE'S REPRESENTATIVES ARE.

I AM A DATA-DRIVEN LEADER, SO I DON'T LIKE TO MAKE DECISIONS BASED OFF OF ASSUMPTIONS.

SO I WANT TO LEARN AS MUCH N AS POSSIBLE.

LOOK AT THAT INFORMATION, AND THEN WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE TO LEAD AFTER THE 100 DAYS AND GOING INTO THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR?

>> Eric: THE INSOLVENCY POTENTIAL IN 20 25RBGS FINANCIAL INSOLVENCY, IS THAT SOMETHING THAT IS DOABLE, ARE YOU GOING TO NEED MORE HELP FROM THE STATE?

CAN YOU TUT EXPENSES?

WHAT'S YOUR SENSE OF HOW THE BUDGET PROCESS IS GOING TO GO, GOING FORWARD?

>> SURE, SO WHAT I WILL LET YOU KNOW, SO MY FIRST WEEK HAS REALLY BEEN GETTING OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY, GETTING OUT INTO THE SCHOOLS.

I WILL RECEIVE A BUDGET UPDATE NEXT WEEK.

TO PUT EXAMPLES AND MODELS TOGETHER.

SO I'LL HAVE MORE INFORMATION NEXT WEEK.

>> Eric: IS MORALE A PROBLEM AMONG TEACHERS AND PARENTS AND KIDS?

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY -- HOW ENTHUSIASTIC ARE PEOPLE ABOUT THE FUTURE?

PEOPLE ARE VERY ENTHUSIASTIC.

STUDENTS HAVE BEEN VERY ENTHUSE KNACK.

STAFF HAVE BEEN ENTHUSIASTIC.

I'VE HAD SOME PARENTS REACH OUT TO.

THERE'S A BUZZ OF EXCITEMENT, A BUZZ OF HOPE AND AS A BUZZ OF AN OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> Cathy: OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS WE'VE TALKED TO, EVERYONE'S GOT THIS PROBLEM.

SCHOOL ATTEND YENS, POST-PANDEMIC, IS PRETTY TOUGH.

I KNOW YOU'VE SEEN IT TOO.

AND IT'S IN THE MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

ANY IDEA, EARLY IDEAS AS TO HOW TO TACKLE SOMETHING LIKE THAT AND GET KIDS INTERESTED IN COMING BACK TO SCHOOL?

>> YEAH, I THINK BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR STUDENTS, ENSURING THAT THEY FEEL A SENSE OF PURPOSE, THAT THEY FEEL SEEN, VALUED AND HEARD IN OUR BUILDINGS.

MAKING CONNECTIONS WITH TEACHERS, WITH THEIR PEERS.

AND THEN MAKING SURE THAT SCHOOL IS ENGAGING AND EXCITING.

>> Eric: DO YOU HAVE ANY EARLY THOUGHTS ON RESOURCE OFFICERS IN THE SCHOOLS?

THEY'RE NOT ALLOWED IN MINNEAPOLIS RIGHT NOW.

>> WELL, WE DON'T HAVE RESOURCE OFFICERS, SO WE HAVE OUR OWN SYSTEM THAT'S BEEN IN PLACE, AND I'VE GOTTEN FEEDBACK TODAY FROM OUR PRINCIPALS THAT IT'S WORKING QUITE WELL.

GLSDZ WHAT'S THE SYSTEM?

>> SO WE HAVE STAFF THAT ARE NOT POLICE OFFICERS.

BUT THEY HAVE TRAINING IN SECURITY AND REALLY BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH STUDENTS.

AND THEY ACTUALLY PARTNER WITH OUR PRINCIPALS.

THEY HAVE A FEW SCHOOLS THAT THEY'RE ASSIGNED.

THEIR MOBILE.

AND THEY GET RIGHT IN AND THEY KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE COMMUNITY, WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE DISTRICTS, AND THE PRINCIPALS FEEL VERY SUPPORTED.

>> Eric: HOPE YOU COME BACK AND SEE US OCCASIONALLY TO GIVE US AN UPDATE ON HOW THINGS ARE GOING.

>> OKAY.

>> Eric: THANKS A LOT.

♪♪ >> DOMINIC: THE U.S. SUPREME COURT HEARD ARGUMENTS THIS WEEK THAT COULD DETERMINE WHETHER DONALD TRUMP WILL BE ON THE PRESIDENTIAL BALLOT THIS NOVEMBER.

A SPECIAL COUNSEL EXONERATED JOE BIDEN IN A CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS PROBE BUT CALLED THE 81-YEAR-OLD PRESIDENT “AN ELDERLY MAN WITH A POOR MEMORY."

YOU ALMOST CERTAINLY HAVE OPINIONS ON THESE STORIES.

MAYBE STRONG OPINIONS.

BECAUSE IT SEEMS THESE DAYS AS IF EVERYONE MUST HAVE A BINARY, YES/NO, BLACK/WHITE PERSPECTIVE ON EVERYTHING.

AND IT CAN BE EXHAUSTING.

SO, AS A LITTLE PALATE CLEANSER, HERE’S A LIST OF THINGS I DO NOT CARE ABOUT, IN ASCENDING ORDER OF INDIFFERENCE.

I DO NOT CARE WHO WINS SUNDAY’S SUPER BOWL.

I HAVE NOT CARED ABOUT THIS SINCE JANUARY 9TH, 1977, A DATE THAT WILL LIVE IN MINNESOTA VIKINGS INFAMY.

I DO NOT CARE IF TAYLOR SWIFT MAKES THE 12-HOUR FLIGHT FROM TOKYO TO LAS VEGAS TO WATCH HER BOYFRIEND, TRAVIS KELCE, PLAY IN THE SUPER BOWL.

I KNOW THERE’S A COLLEGE KID OUT THERE WHO’S ACHIEVED INTERNET FAME FOR TRACKING CELEBRITY FLIGHTS AND, WHILE I DON’T CARE ABOUT HIM EITHER, I DO WONDER ABOUT HIS PRIORITIES.

MOST OF ALL, OR I GUESS MAYBE LEAST OF ALL, I DO NOT GIVE A FLYING FALAFEL SANDWICH WHO ANY POP STAR ENDORSES OR FAILS TO ENDORSE FOR ANY OFFICE, BE IT WATER AND SOIL COMMISSIONER OR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

DO I CARE THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE TRYING TO GET ME TO CARE ABOUT THESE THINGS?

WELL, THIS IS TRICKY TERRITORY.

SURE, I CAN SAY THAT I DON’T CARE ABOUT NOT CARING ABOUT SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

BUT IF I DO THAT, AM I, IN FACT, CARING ABOUT, CARING ABOUT, CARING ABOUT SOMETHING?

WOW.

WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT APATHY WOULD BE SO COMPLICATED?

♪♪ >> CATHY: OUR NEXT GUEST IS USUALLY ACROSS THE STUDIO AT THE BIG MONITOR MAKING US ALL LAUGH.

TONIGHT, SHELETTA BRUNDIDGE HAS JOINED US ON THE COUCH.

NEXT FRIDAY, HER PRODUCTION COMPANY, SHELETTA-MAKES-ME-LAUGH, WILL HOST THE SECOND ANNUAL BLACK ENTREPRENEURS DAY AT THE CAPITOL.

LAST YEAR, BLACK SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS CAME TO THE CAPITOL TO CONNECT WITH LAWMAKERS AND HEAR MORE ABOUT HOW THEY CAN WORK WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS TO GROW THEIR BUSINESSES.

THIS YEAR, THE EVENT IS EVEN LARGER.

SHELETTA IS HERE TO TELL US MORE.

AND SHE HAS BROUGHT ALONG ONE OF LAST YEAR'S SPEAKERS, MINNESOTA'S LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR PEGGY FLANAGAN.

GOOD TO SEE YOU BOTH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> SHELETTA.

>> YES.

>> Cathy: WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS AT THE CAPITOL?

>> BECAUSE WE HAVE TO EMPOWER THESE BLACK ENTREPRENEURS.

THERE IS NOT A LOBBYING AGENCY THAT IS ON THE HEELS SPEAKING UP FOR US ON OUR BEHALF.

AND SO WHEN HESE LEGISLATORS AND LAWMAKERS ARE CARVING OUT MONEY IN THESE BUDGETS AND INFRASTRUCTURE AND FUNDING, NECESSARY NEED TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEY NEED.

AND BLACK BUSINESS OWNERS HAVE SOME UNIQUE CHALLENGES.

ACCESS TO CAPITAL, FUNDING, A LOT OF BA BARBERS, THEY DON'T BANK.

THEY ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT AS OUR CORPORATIONS.

>> Eric: NOW, YOU SPEAK TO MANY, MANY DAYS ON THE HILL, RALLIES IN THE ROTUNDA.

WHAT ARE THE VALUES OF THOSE?

DO THINGS CHANGE ABOUT AKING BAISED ON, YOU GO TALK TO YOUR LEGISLATOR?

HOW IMPORTANT ARE THEY?

>> THEY ARE SO IMPORTANT.

SO AS A RECOVERING LEGISLATOR, I CAN TELL YOU, WHEN PEACH COME INTO YOUR OFFICE, WHEN THEY SHARE THOSE PERSONAL STORIES, WHEN YOU'RE ABLE TO PUT A FACE TO N SSUE THAT IS --D MINDS.

AND I THINK MANY LEGISLATORS THEN BRING THOSE STORIES TO THE FLOOR OR INTO COMMITTEE.

WHEN WE'RE READY TO VOTE OR MOVE ISSUES FORWARD.

IT IS INCREDIBLY EFFECTIVE.

AND TO BE HONEST, ANYTHING THAT YOU DO WITH SHELETTA IS REALLY FUN.

SO LAST YEAR WE HAD A BLAST.

I KNOW THAT THIS YEAR WILL BE EVEN LARGER, AND IT'S POWERFUL FOR PEOPLE TO BE IN THE CAPITOL, ESPECIALLY IF IT'S THEIR FIRST TIME THERE TO KNOW YOU BELONG HERE, THIS IS YOUR HOUSE.

>> Cathy: BUT CAPITOL CULTURE CAN BE INTIMIDATING AS YOU KNOW.

HOW DID YOU NAVIGATE THAT LAST YEAR?

>> WE EMPOWERED THE BUSINESS OWNERS.

THIS IS NOT A E-VIOLATE SIGNUP.

I HAVE TO SPEAK TO EACH AND EVERY INDIVIDUAL BUSINESS OWNERS, BECAUSE I HAVE TO KNOW WHERE THEY LIVE.

I OBJECT HAVE TO FIND OUT WHERE THEIR LEGISLATOR IS.

AND I CAN'T HAVE THE PERSON WHO IS A BUSINESS IN BROOKLYN PARK GOING TO THE LEGISLATOR IN ST. LOUIS PARK OR ST. PAUL.

SO I HAVE TO TALK TO THESE BUSINESS OWNERS.

AND I'M GASSING THEM UP, TELLING THEM, THIS IS "THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE."

WE THE PEOPLE.

YOU KNOW, WHEN THEY SAY, WE THE PEOPLE, WE ARE ARE THE PEOPLE.

YOU HAVE THE POWER TO GO IN AND MAKE CHANGE, NOT JUST FOR YOURSELF, BUT FOR OTHER BUSINESS OWNERS.

>> Eric: IS IT HARD FOR THE WORD TO GET OUT TO THE VARIOUS CONSTITUENCY GROUPS WOULD BE IT BLACK ENTREPRENEURS OR ANYBODY ELSE, THAT THERE ARE PROGRAM HES AVAILABLE, THAT HERE ARE WAYS YOU CAN ACCESS THE GOVERNMENT AND IT MAY BE INTIMIDATING, BUT THERE ARE WAYS TO DO T?

>> WELL, IT MATTERS TREMENDOUSLY AND I THINK THAT'S WHY BLACK ENTREPRENEURSHIP DAY AT THE CAPITOL MATTERS.

I WOULD SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL THINGS THAT HAS HAPPENED IS THAT THE LEGISLATURE LOOKS A LITTLE BIT MORE LIKE THE COMMUNITY.

AND SO IT MATTERS WHEN WE HAVE CREDIBLE MESSENGERS FROM THE COMMUNITY SAYING, THIS IS YOUR HOUSE, YOU BELONG HERE, AND THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT ARE UP, YOU KNOW, AVAILABLE TO YOU, LIKE THE EXPANDING OPPORTUNITY FUND, WHICH IS $10 MILLION, WHICH GOES TO BLACK ENTREPRENEURS, ENTREPRENEURS OF COLOR, WOMEN AS WELL.

AND WE TALKED ABOUT IT LAST YEAR, AND THEN WE GOT IT DONE.

>> YES, WE DID.

AND YOU KNOW WHAT?

THERE ARE BUSINESS OWNERS COMING FROM DULUTH, THEY'RE COMING FROM ST.

CLOUD.

THEY'RE COMING FROM ROCHESTER, BY BUS, TELEVISION STATIONS WERE CALLING ME ALL WEEK FROM THESE, YOU KNOW, COMMUNITIES OUTSIDE THE METRO SAYING, CAN WE HAVE A QUOTE FROM YOU?

DULUTH CALLED THE OTHER DAY AND SAID, THE BUS IS FULL, CAN YOU HELP US RENT A VAN?

AND I DIDN'T MARKET TO THEM.

BUT THEY HEARD ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR, AND THEY WANT TO BE A PART OF IT.

>> Eric: HAVE YOU SEEN SOME RESULTS FROM LAST YEAR?

>> OH, MY GOD, YES.

THERE WAS MORE FUNDING SO THAT WE COULD GET LOANS FROM COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, THOSE OF US WHO ARE UNBANKED, RIGHT >> THERE'S ALSO ACCESS.

THEY GOT BUSINESS CARDS.

THEY GOT FACES.

THEY GOT LEGISLATORS' ASSISTANTS NAMES AND PHONE NUMBERS.

>> Eric: WHILE YOU'RE HERE, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, COULD YOU TELL US ABOUT THIS EFFORT TO REDUCE MEDICAL DEBT THAT WAS UNVEILED TODAY?

>> YEAH, SO TODAY THE GOVERNOR AND I ALONG WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ROLLED OUT THIS LEGISLATION WITH OUR PARTNERS TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT -- THEIR CREDIT SCORES WILL NOT BE HIT BECAUSE THEY HAVE MEDICAL DEBT.

YOU KNOW, I TOLD THE STORY ABOUT MY OWN MY.

YOU KNOW, WE HAD INSURANCE.

BUT I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL MORE THAN I WAS OUT.

AND MY MOM WORKED REALLY HARD AND SHE HAD TO DECLARE BANKRUPTCY.

UNFORTUNATELY, OUR STORY IS NOT UNIQUE.

SO THIS WILL MAKE A TREMENDOUS DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF MINNESOTANS AND I THINK ALL THESE THINGS ARE CONNECTED.

IF YOU HAVE MEDICAL DEBT, IF YOU HAVE CREDITORS GOING AFTER YOU, IT IS MORE DIFFICULT TO THEN GET A LOAN, OPEN A BUSINESS, AND WE KNOW UNFORTUNATELY, THERE'S DISPARITY IN MANY OF THESE SYSTEMS, SO IF WE CAN DO TANGIBLE THINGS TO MAKE LIFE MORE AIR, WE'RE GOING TO DO IT.

WE'VE GOT REPRESENTATIVE REYER AND, OH, MY GOODNESS, SENATOR BOLDON, WHO'S A NURSE, WHICH MAKES A WHOLE LOT OF SENSE.

SO WE'VE GOT THESE TWO LEADERS WHO ARE MOVING IT LONG AND WE'RE EXCITED.

>> Cathy: SHELETTA, WHEN'S THE DAY?

>> FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16TH, RALLY AT 11:30 IN THE ROTUNDA.

12:15, WE START OUR LOBBYING.

♪♪ >> ERIC: LAWMAKERS RETURN TO THE CAPITOL ON MONDAY FOR THE START OF THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THAT MEANS "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL" WILL RETURN TO THE AIRWAVES ON WEDNESDAY NIGHTS, AS WELL.

THERE ARE STILL SO MANY NEW, INTERESTING LAWMAKERS IN THE RECORD FRESHMAN CLASS THAT HOST MARY LAHAMMER WILL ONCE AGAIN FEATURE A WEEKLY LOOK AT WHY THEY DECIDED TO RUN FOR OFFICE.

HERE'S A PREVIEW WITH A DEMOCRAT AND REPUBLICAN.

>> Mary: PEOPLE MIGHT DESCRIBE YOU AS EDGY.

>> SURE.

ABSOLUTELY.

>> Mary: THAT'S FAIR?

>> YOU'RE BEING QUITE KIND.

YOU GO CHECK OUT MY TWITTER FEED, YEAH, I'M PUSHING THE EDGES -- >> Mary: YOU'RE NOT AFRAID TO PICK A FIGHT?

>> NO.

>> Mary: I'D SAY YOU PLAY BOTH, RIGHT?

>> SURE.

I KIND OF LOOK AT IT AS THERE ARE DIFFERENT RHETORICAL STYLES THAT ARE APPROPRIATE IN DIFFERENT CONTEXTS, RIGHT?

SO A PREACHER ON SUNDAY IS GOING TO THUMP THE PULPIT AND PREACH FIRE AND BRIMSTONE, OR AT LEAST THEY USED TO.

BUT WHEN HE GOES TO VISIT SOMEBODY ON THEIR DEATH BED, HE'S NOT GOING TO DO THAT, RIGHT, BECAUSE THE CONTEXT IS DIFFERENT.

AND I FEEL AS THOUGH THAT TRANGZ LATES TO POLITICS AS WELL.

>> Mary: DO YOU GET THAT OPPORTUNITY IN THE MINORITY TO BE IN A ROOM AND WORK WITH PEOPLE.

>> SOMETIMES.

IT VERY MUCH DEPENDS ON THE PERSON AND THE ISSUE.

ONE EXPHM OF THAT WAS THE INDIAN FAMILY PRESERVING YEAS ACT I BELIEVE IT WAS CALLED, THAT WAS AUTHORED BY REPRESENTATIVE HEATHER KEELER.

THAT BILL WAS COMING THROUGH THE COMMITTEE, AND I KNEW NOTHING ABOUT IT AT ALL.

I WAS READING THROUGH THE BILL.

AND HAD SOME REALLY NERDY TECHNICAL QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW IT WORKED.

SO I SENT HER AN EMAIL, AND SHE WAS SO EXCITED.

SHE HOOKED ME UP WITH A ZAMORA AND HAD ME TALKING TO A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT EXPERTS -- >> Mary: DID YOU SUPPORT IT THEN?

>> I DID.

I GOT UP ON THE HOUSE FLOOR AND ARGUED FOR IT.

>> Mary: THAT OUNDS LIKE BIPARTISANSHIP.

>> YES, IT IS POSSIBLE.

THE PROBLEM IS, IS THAT THE STAKES OF EVERYTHING ARE RATCHEDDED UP SO HIGH THAT EVEN WHEN PEOPLE SEE WHAT THEY BELIEVE TO BE A GOOD IDEA, IF IT COMES FROM THE WRONG PERSON, WHO'S WEARING THE WRONG UNIFORM, THEY'RE GOING TO FORGO WHAT THEY KNOW TO BE A GOOD POLICY IN FAVOR OF THE PARTISAN POLITICS AND THAT'S DEEPLY UNFORTUNATE.

PEOPLE AVE THEIR REASONS FOR VOTING THE WAY THAT HEY DO.

IF YOU ACTUALLY SIT AND YOU LISTEN TO THEIR CASE, EVEN IF YOU DON'T AGREE WITH IT, YOU KIND OF HAVE TO RESPECT IT.

GLAWNL YOUR CAUCUS ELECTS THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN EVER TO LEAD IT.

TALK TO US ABOUT DIVERSITY AND RACE.

>> THAT'S BEEN AN INTERESTING JOURNEY FOR ME DURING THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

I GREW UP IN THE SUBURBS.

I WENT TO PREDOMINANTLY WHITE SCHOOLS.

I DON'T HAVE THE SAME, WHAT THEY WOULD CALL, LIVED EXPERIENCE THAT FOLKS SAY, LIKE, IN NORTH MINNEAPOLIS HAVE HAD.

AND SO FOR ME, WHEN I LOOK AT RACIAL ISSUES, IT'S MUCH MORE THROUGH THE LENS OF WHAT YOU WOULD EXPECT TO FIND TALKING TO A SUBURBAN CONSERVATIVE.

>> BEFORE I WAS BORN WITH THE HISTORY AND LEGACY OF MY FAMILY IN THIS COUNTRY, I AM FOURTH GENERATION JAPANESE AMERICAN AND MY GRANDPARENTS ALONG WITH 120,000 JAPANESE AMERICANS WERE INTERNED BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT DURING WORLD WAR II AND, YOU KNOW, THAT'S A HISS TOMORROW CAREFULLY EVENT, A LEGACY THAT HAS REALLY SHAPED, YOU KNOW, THE HISTORY OF MY FAMILY AND HAS ALWAYS, YOU KNOW, KIND OF INFORMED HOW I LOOKED AT PUBLIC SERVICE.

I'VE ALWAYS HAD A REAL SENSE OF GOVERNMENT DECISIONS AFFECT PEOPLE'S LIVES AND WHO IS AT THE DECISION MAKING TABLE REALLY IMPORTANT.

>> Mary: I'M GUESSING SOME OF OUR VIEWERS MAY KNOW YOUR FATHER.

>> MY FATHER IS AN AUTHOR AND ARTIST THAT HAS LIVED IN THE TWIN CITIES FOR A LONG TIME.

AIDE LOT OF THE WORK THAT MY DAD HAS DONE IS REALLY AROUND KIND OF TELLING SOME OF THESE OFTEN UNTOLD OR MARGINALIZED STORIES OF PEOPLE OF COLOR AND SPECIFICALLY ASIAN AMERICANS IN AMERICA AND DONE A LOT OF WORK IN MINNESOTA TO REALLY, YOU KNOW, MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE OF COLOR ARE CENTERED IN OUR ART SPACES.

>> Mary: HAS THAT INFLUENCE FROM YOUR FATHER AFFECTED AND HAD AN IMPACT ON LEGISLATION AND PRIORITIES AND POLICIES FOR YOU NOW IN THE CAPITOL?

>> MY DAD IN HIS OWN WAY WAS AN ACTIVIST, RIGHT?

AND SO FROM A YOUNG AGE, I WOULD GO TO PROTESTS WITH HIM.

AND I WAS, YOU KNOW, TAUGHT THAT USING YOUR VOICE IS INCREDIINCREDIBLY IMPORTANT.

A STORY THAT HE LIKES TO TELL IS I THINK I WAS MAYBE FIVE OR SIX AND ME AND MY FRIEND LED A PROTEST AT OUR THANKSGIVING ABOUT BEING RELEGATED TO A KIDS TABLE.

>> Mary: WERE YOU ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING HAT FIRST SESSION SO FAR?

>> I WAS REALLY LUBLG LUCKY TO COME INTO A SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES THAT MADE IT REALLY GREAT TO BE A DEMOCRAT IN MY FIRST TERM IN THE HOUSE.

I WAS NOT COMING IN EXPECTING A TRIFECTA BUT WAS JUST IMMEDIATELY IMPRESSED WITH OUR CAUCUS'S ABILITY TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING.

ONE OF THE PIECES THAT LEGISLATION THAT WAS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT TO ME WAS THE PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE PLAN.

YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE MORE KIND OF PERSONAL EVENTS THAT LED ME TO RUN FOR OFFICE WAS BECOMING A MOM.

AND I HAVE A TWO-YEAR-OLD AND WHEN HE WAS BORN, HE SPENT A FEW WEEKS THE NICU.

I WAS REALLY LUCKY WHEN HE WAS BORN TO BE AT AN ORGANIZATION WHERE I HAD A PAID FAMILY LEAVE POLICY SO I COULD SPEND TIME WITH HIM.

A SAW A LOT OF OTHER FAMILIES THAT DIDN'T HAVE THAT BRIFT.

BE.

PASSING THAT LEGISLATION WAS REALLY MONUMENTAL.

>> I THINK I'M ONE OF THE FIRST WOMEN TO REPRESENT CHANHASSEN, CHASKA AREA, IN TINTHE HOUSE, SO THAT'S PRETTY EXCITING.

THIS DISTRICT HAS BEEN VERY CLOSE FOR A COUPLE ELECTIONS NOW.

SO THIS WAS THE ELECTION THAT ACTUALLY FLIPPED IT.

>> SOME PEOPLE ARE REALLY SURPRISED THAT I WON BECAUSE WE'VE HAD CLOSE RACES BEFORE.

I REALLY FEEL LIKE THE WOMEN CAME OUT IN FULL FORCE.

AND I THINK LAST ELECTION WAS A LOT ABOUT WOMEN'S ISSUES.

I THINK A LOT OF WOMEN, WHEN I TALKED TO THEM AT THE DOORS, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE VERY CONCERNED BOUT GUN VIOLENCE, EDUCATION, BUT ALSO WOMEN'S REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS.

AND I THINK ONE OF THE CHANGING POLITICAL CLIMATE, THEY WERE SAYING THAT THE ABORTION ACCESS ISSUE WAS SO IMPORTANT TO THEM THAT THEY WERE GOING TO VOTE DEMOCRAT.

AS WOMEN, I THINK WE'RE GROWING IN POWER AND IN NUMBER AND I DON'T THINK THIS ISSUE IS GOING TO GO AWAY ANY TIME SOON.

♪♪ >> CATHY: WITH TWO PRIMARIES BEHIND US, THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE IS SHAPING UP TO BE WHAT MOST AMERICANS EXPECTED, A REMATCH BETWEEN FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND CURRENT PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN.

NEW HAMPSHIRE'S PRIMARY LAST MONTH HAS BEEN BILLED AS "FIRST IN THE NATION" FOR DECADES, THOUGH THIS YEAR WAS SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT AS THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHOSE SOUTH CAROLINA AS ITS FIRST OFFICIAL BALLOT CONTEST.

DAN HOFRENNING TEACHES POLITICS AT ST. OLAF COLLEGE.

EVERY FOUR YEARS SINCE 2004, HE HAS BROUGHT A GROUP OF STUDENTS TO NEW HAMPSHIRE TO STUDY THE SYSTEM AND GET A FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH CAMPAIGNS.

HIS STUDENTS ARE WITH US.

AIDAN WARRINGTON IS FROM ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA, WORKED ON THE PHILLIPS CAMPAIGN.

A NATIVE OF FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA, ADDIE RAUM WORKED ON THE HALEY CAMPAIGN.

CORY HALLADA, FROM PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, WAS EMBEDDED WITH THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST, COOPER OLEYAR FROM ROSEMOUNT, MINNESOTA, VOLUNTEERED FOR THE WRITE-IN BIDEN CAMPAIGN.

WOW!

OKAY, PROFESSOR.

YOU'VE DONE THIS TWO DECADES, RIGHT?

WHY?

WHY?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

WELL, I SUPPOSE PROBABLY AT THE END OF THE DAY, I LOVE POLITICS.

AND I THINK EVEN AS A LITTLE KID, I LIKED TO WATCH PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES COME TO MY HOMETOWN.

AND SO NOW I GET TO DO FOR MY JOB WHAT I LOVED DOING AS A LITTLE KID.

THEY'RE JUST A WONDERFUL GROUP OF STUDENTS.

THEY'RE ABLE TO READ THE ACADEMIC LITERATURE AND STUDY THE IMPACT OF THE NEW HAMPSHIRE PRIMARY AND ITS ROLE IN PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS.

BUT THEY'RE ALSO ABLE TO ROLL UP THEIR SLEEVES AND DO THE HARD, HARD ORK OF CAMPAIGNING.

>> Eric: AIDEN, WHEN YOU WERE WITH DEAN PHILLIPS, WERE YOU THERE THAT DAY WHERE HE BOUGHT COFFEE AND DOUGHNUTS AND NOBODY SHOWED UP?

>> YEAH, I WAS THERE.

SO THAT WAS A BILLIONTH OF A MISCOMMUNICATION ON THE WHOLE.

SO THAT WAS A -- THE IN.

L. COLLEGE CONVENTION.

AND PEOPLE WERE, LIKE, PARKING IN THE PARKING LOT AND COMING IN THROUGH THAT ENTRANCE, BUT HE WAS AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE.

SO NO ONE WAS GOING BY.

I WAS ONE OF THE FEW THAT ACTUALLY WENT AND GOT COFFEE WITH HIM AND JUST SOMEONE HAPPENED TO SNAP THE PHOTO OF HIM SITTING THERE, SORT OF LIKE ALL ON HIS EIGHTEEN.

>> Eric: HE LOOKED KIND OF FOR ALLOW.

>> A LITTLE BIT.

BUT IT WAS -- BUT THAT WAS FROM THERE, IT WAS ALL THE WAY UP.

>> Eric: ALL RIGHT.

>> Cathy: O AD YEAR, IT LOOKS LIKE THERE WAS SOME OBSERVE, AND THEN YOU WERE EMBEDDED INTO THE CAMPAIGNS?

>> OUR TIME IN NEW HAMPSHIRE WAS SPLIT BETWEEN CLASS TIME AND LISTENING TO SPEAKERS THAT OUR PROFESSOR SET UP AND THEN BEING ON THE CAMPAIGN.

AS WE GOT CLOSER TO THE PRIMARY DAY, OUR CAMPAIGN TIME GOT MORE AND MORE INTENSE.

I KNOW I WORKED ON THE NIK KINK HALEY CAMPAIGN AND WE WERE WORKING 12, 13-HOUR DAYS BECAUSE WE KNEW WHAT WAS AT STAKE, AND SO WE WERE THERE FROM 7:00 A.M. TO 9:30 AT NIGHT.

>> Eric: WAS THERE A TRUMP RALLY THAT YOU GOT TO SEE?

>> I THINK THERE WAS A TRUMP RALLY ONE DAY.

A COUPLE OF US WENT THERE FROM THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN, BUT A LOT OF OTHERS WERE BUSY WITH THEIR CAMPAIGNS.

I WASN'T ABLE TO ATTEND.

>> Eric: DID THIS TURN YOU ON TO POLITICS AS A CAREER, OR REPELLED YOU AND SAY I'LL NEVER DO THIS AGAIN FOR A LIVING?

>> IT WAS ACTUALLY REALLY INTERESTING TO SEE THE WHOLE PROCESS.

THIS WAS MY FIRST CAMPAIGN THAT I'VE WORKED ON.

AND THERE WAS A LOT OF WORK.

IT WAS VERY, LIKE, HIGH ENERGY, VERY -- A LOT OF THINGS THAT YOU HAD TO DO.

BUT IT WAS ACTUALLY LIKE KIND OF FUN TO HANG OUT WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO WERE ALL LIKE-MINDED A.

WORK TOWARDS TO A COMMON GOAL.

>> COOPER, WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO WATCH THE NATIONAL NEWS MEDIA?

KORY, I'M SORRY.

>> Eric: AND ALL THE SURROGATES, WAS IT FUN TO SEE ALL THESE PEOPLE YOU MAY HAVE SEEN ON TV?

>> THE NEWS IMMEDIATE WAS ALL OVER THE PLACE.

THERE WERE -- YEAH, THE -- WERE EVERYWHERE.

I GOT TO RUN INTO VIVEK, KRI LAKE.

>> COOPER AND I HAD BREAKFAST ONE MORNING AND NERCHG THING I KNEW HE'S ON FOX AND FRIENDS LIVE.

>> YEAH, ONE OF THE REPORTERS FOR FOX AND FRIENDS JUST OVERHEARD US TALKING ABOUT POLITICS AT THE DINER, AND WENT TO ASK ME SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT, YEAH, THE CAMPAIGN, WORKING FOR TRUMP AND KIND OF THE THINGS I WAS SEEING.

IT WAS VERY FUN.

>> Eric: WERE YOU QUOTABLE?

>> QUOTABLE?

OH.

[ Laughter ] I LIKE TO THINK SO.

>> Eric: I BET YOU WERE.

A WOMAN IN THE RAISE.

, YOU KNOW, HALEY WAS KIND OF IT.

DID THAT PLAY WELL?

SHE MADE A BRAVE FACE OF IT ON THE ELECTION NIGHT.

BUT WHAT WAS YOUR SENSE OF THE GENDER BUSINESS THERE?

>> YEAH, I THINK NIKKI HALEY BOTH HAD AN ADVANTAGE IN THE SENSE THAT THE WOMEN FOR HALEY ORGANIZATION IN NEW HAMPSHIRE AND ALL AROUND THE COUNTRY REALLY CAME OUT REALLY, REALLY STRONG FOR HER.

ON THE FINAL NIGHT AT THE BIG RALLY THAT WE HAD ON ELECTION NIGHT, I WAS ACTUALLY STANDING OR I WAS ACTUALLY STANDING BEHIND A WOMAN FOR HALEY WHO, LIKE, WAS A BIG SUPPORTER OF THE CAMPAIGN.

AND SHE WAS, LIKE, BLOCKING MY VIEW OF EVERYTHING.

AND SHE'S LIKE CHEERING AND JUMPING UP.

BUT LIKE, THERE'S SO MANY VOLUNTEERS.

WE PUT UP 50-PLUS VOLUNTEERS IN WOMEN FOR HALEY THAT FLEW IN FROM ALL AROUND THE COUNTRY.

SO I THINK HER BEING A WOMAN REALLY, BOTH GIVES HER A LOT OF SUPPORT, AND THEN ALSO TAKES IT AWAY IN SOME ASPECTS.

BUT I KNOW THAT THE WOMEN FOR HALEY ORGANIZATION WORKS REALLY, REALLY HARD TO GET HER THE VOLUNTEERS.

>> Eric: ARE YOU HAPPY SHE'S STICKING IN THERE?

>> I AM.

I THINK THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT -- I MEAN, WHAT OUR COUNTRY RUNS ON IS DEMOCRACY AND IF WE DON'T HAVE CHOICE IN ANY OF THESE ELECTIONS THAT COME UP IN ANY PRIMARIES, WE DON'T ACTUALLY HAVE DEMOCRACY.

AND TRUMP IS NOT A DICTATOR.

WE GET TO HAVE A CHOICE, EVEN IF HER CAMPAIGN ISN'T SUCCESSFUL, EVEN IF SHE GETS 20%, AT LEAST AMERICANS HAD A CHOICE.

>> Cathy: SO TRUMP HAD A CAMPAIGN.

HALEY, PHILLIPS.

THERE WAS THE WRITING-IN BIDEN CAMPAIGN.

WAS THERE MUCH TO DO WITH THAT AT ALL?

>> YEAH, THERE WAS ACTUALLY A LOT OF WORK.

OBVIOUSLY IT'S A BIT OF AN ODD CAMPAIGN BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE THE CANDIDATE CAMPAIGNING THERE.

DIDN'T HAVE A LOT OF RESOURCES.

WE ONLY HAD A BUDGET OF, LIKE, 70,000 FOR THE ENTIRE STATE.

SO A LOT OF THE WORK WAS MOSTLY GETTING PEOPLE AWARE OF THE WRITE-IN EFFORT THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO WRITE IN THE PRESIDENT AND HOW TO DO THAT CORRECTLY?

>> Cathy: HOW DID THAT WORK?

>> IT WORKED VERY WELL.

ONE PART WAS, LIKE, YARD SIGNS, JUST GETTING PEOPLE AWARE.

AND WE ALSO HAD POLL SIGNS THAT PEOPLE HELD UP ON PRIME KEASM DAY THAT HAD INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO FILL OUT THE BALLOT CORRECTLY TO VOTE FOR JOE BIDEN.

>> Eric: AIDAN, WERE YOU INTERESTED OR MAYBE YOU CAN SHARE THAT WITH US, INTERESTINGLY THAT PHILLIPS, DID HE CHANGE HIS MESSAGE AS THE DAYS WENT ALONG?

HE BECAME A LITTLE BIT MORE LIB OF LIBERAL, DID YOU NOTICE THAT?

OR DID HIS STANCES EVOLVE?

>> WELL, I WAS -- I MEAN, I DIDN'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT DEAN BEFORE CHOOSING HIM AS THE PERSON I WOULD WORK FOR.

BUT I MEAN, THROUGHOUT MY TIME THERE, GOING TO LL HIS PACKED TO THE BRIM EVENTS AND LITTLE BREW PUBS ACROSS THE STATE, HIS MESSAGE WAS STRAIGHTFORWARD AND VERY CLEAR.

THERE ARE, LIKE, OF COURSE SOME THINGS LIKE CONGRESSIONAL HISTORY AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

BUT WHAT HE'S SAYING NOW I THINK IS STILL QUITE CONSISTENT.

>> Cathy: I WANT TO GO DOWN THE LINE HERE IF I COULD ABOUT BIGGEST SURPRISES.

I'M GOING TO WAIT FOR THE PROFESSOR HERE.

BUT ADDIE?

>> I THINK THE BIGGEST SURPRISE WAS THE AMOUNT OF DUNKIN DOUGHNUTS ON THE EAST COAST.

THEY'RE ON EVERY CORNER.

[ Laughter ] >> Cathy: OKAY, I'LL TAKE THAT ONE.

I THINK COOPER, WHAT DID YOU THINK?

BIGGEST SURPRISE FOR YOU?

>> BIGGEST SURPRISE AS JUST, LIKE, HOW KIND OF SMALL IT WAS.

I GUESS I WAS -- IT'S JUST LIKE WE WERE LITERALLY BORROWING AN OFFICE FROM THE AFL-CIO.

>> PHILLIPS CAMPAIGN HAD AN OLD BANK, WHICH THEY WERE LOOKING A LITTLE POSH I THOUGHT.

>> Cathy: BIGGEST URPRISE FOR YOU, COREY?

>> I WOULD SAY IT WAS THE BUILDING WE WERE WORKING AT OF QUITE THE OPPOSITE.

IT LOOKED LIKE WE WERE WORKING IN A GIANT SHED BUT WE MADE IT NICE ON THE INSIDE.

>> HOW MUCH WE ACTUALLY GOT TO SEE DEAN IN PERSON.

HE WOULD COME AND THANK US PERSONALLY FOR HELPING OUT AND STUFF AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I DIDN'T HEAR ABOUT FROM, LIKE, OTHERS.

>> Cathy: NOW, YOU'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR 20 YEARS.

THERE'S ALWAYS SOME SURPRISE ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

>> WELL, THIS YEAR, IT WAS A LITTLE LESS INTENSE.

THERE WEREN'T AS MANY CANDIDATES.

IN 2020, THERE WERE PROBABLY TEN VIABLE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES.

AND I WAS A LITTLE WORRIED THAT THERE WOULDN'T BE THE INTENSITY TO MAKE IT A GOOD EXPERIENCE EXPERIENCE.

BUT I THINK I WAS SURPRISED, IN SOME WAYS, LESS INTENSE, BUT YOU SORT OF FELT LIKE A LOT WAS T STAKE.

>> Eric: DID YOU GET THE FEELING YOU COULD TALK TO CANDIDATES MULTIPLE TIMES?

IT WAS WITH THE PEOPLE ON THE STREET?

>> WAS I SAY IT DEPENDED ON THE CANDIDATE, FOR ME AT LEAST WITH SOMEONE LIKE TRUMP, THERE'S A LOT MORE SECURITY AROUND HIM.

MAYBE A LITTLE LESS ACCESS.

BUT I GOT TO SPEAK TO EAN PHILLIPS TWIN CITIES.

>> Cathy: AND YOU GOT TO BE ON "ALMANAC" TONIGHT.

[ Laughter ] >> Eric: CONGRATULATIONS.

♪♪ >> IS A N OFFING BEL PRIZE LIKE A GOWN.

>> YOU BET IT IT IS.

THEY'RE LIKE, OH, MAN, IT'S GOING TO BE U-G-L YESTERDAY.

>> Eric: WHEN IS THE CEREMONY?

>> IT'S JUNE 27TH, ND I HAVE TO MAKE A SPEECH AND THEN THEY PRESENT ME WITH THE HARDWARE.

>> Eric: WE'RE SO PROUD.

>> WELL, I'M THRILLED EVERY TIME Y'ALL ANT ME TO COME BACK.

>> ERIC: THAT WAS KATE DICAMILLO 20 YEARS AGO.

AND WE HAVE BEEN INVITING HER BACK EVER SINCE.

IN FACT, SHE'LL BE HERE NEXT MONTH WITH HER NEW BOOK "FERRIS."

OKAY, TIME TO TURN OUR ATTENTION TO MINNESOTA HISTORY.

PITCHERS AND CATCHERS REPORT FOR SPRING TRAINING ON VALENTINE'S DAY THIS YEAR, JUST 5 DAYS FROM NOW.

A PERFECT TIME TO DIVE IN TO SOME BASEBALL HISTORY.

LAST WEEK, CATHY ASKED YOU ABOUT A FORMER MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYER WITH MINNESOTA ROOTS.

OUR MYSTERY PERSON ACCOMPLISHED A FEAT WITH THE BAT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL DURING A GAME IN HIS HOMETOWN OF ST. PAUL.

CATHY THEN TOLD YOU SEVERAL OTHER PLAYERS WOULD JOIN THIS ELITE GROUP OF HITTERS OVER TIME BUT ONLY ONE OF THEM CAN CLAIM TO BE FIRST.

OUR QUESTION, WHO IS THIS MYSTERY PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL PLAYER?

THESE NEXT CALLERS SWUNG FOR THE FENCES BUT STRUCK OUT.

>> ERIC: PAUL MOLITOR WAS BY FAR THE MOST POPULAR WRONG ANSWER THIS WEEK.

NOW IT'S TIME TO HEAR THE RIGHT ANSWER, BUT WE DIDN'T GET ONE.

LONGTIME VIEWERS KNOW THE DRILL.

WE KEEP ASKING UNTIL ONE OF YOU GETS IT CORRECT.

HERE'S THE DETAILS AGAIN... ST. PAUL NATIVE, FUTURE MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYER, ACCOMPLISHED A BATTING FEAT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL DURING A GAME IN HIS HOMETOWN.

HERE'S MORE DETAILS FOR YOU.

THIS MINNESOTAN WAS BORN IN THE 1800S AND WAS PLAYING FOR THE OMAHA OMAHOGS IN 1889 DURING THE BASEBALL GAME IN QUESTION.

WHO IS THIS MYSTERY PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL PLAYER?

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU WHETHER YOU ARE CALLING FROM VALENTINE LAKE, CUPID LAKE OR LOVE LAKE UP NEAR BRAINERD.

651-229-1430 IS THE NUMBER TO CALL.

COUPLE OF QUICK TUNE-IN NOTES FOR YOU.

THE LEGISLATURE RETURNS NEXT WEEK.

YOU CAN WATCH THE ACTION MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY ON THE STATEWIDE MINNESOTA CHANNEL.

"ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL" RETURNS TO THE AIRWAVES NEXT WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

YOU CAN CATCH IT LIVE ON THE STATEWIDE MINNESOTA CHANNEL AT 7:00 P.M. JUST ENOUGH TIME LEFT FOR SOME SHOW-ENDING MUSIC FOR YOU.

THIS WEEK BACK IN 2008, THE SPAGHETTI WESTERN STRING COMPANY JOINED US RIGHT HERE IN STUDIO B.

TAKE A LISTEN.

AND THEN BE CAREFUL.

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ Captioning by: Paradigm Reporting & Captioning www.paradigmreporting.com >> "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 PAINTCARE, 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.