OF TWIN CITIES PBS FOR THE STATIONS OF MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION.

>> ERIC: COMING UP IN THE NEXT HOUR, THE NEW MINNEAPOLIS AND ST. PAUL CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENTS, BIG TRANSITIONS FOR "ALMANAC NORTH," OUR DULUTH AREA SISTER PROGRAM, AND A SNEAK PEEK AT THE NEW DOCUMENTARY "JESSE VENTURA SHOCKS THE WORLD" PREMIERING NEXT WEEK ON MINNESOTA EXPERIENCE.

THAT'S ALL COMING UP NEXT 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 PAINTCARE: 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 WITH NEW CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENTS FROM MINNEAPOLIS AND ST. PAUL, KAOMI LEE INTRODUCES US TO THE NORTHERNETTES JUNIORS, ONE OF MINNESOTA'S SYNCHRONIZED SKATING TEAMS, AND WE'LL TALK POLITICS WITH A COUCH FULL OF ANALYSTS.

>> CATHY: WE START TONIGHT WITH THE ONGOING SAGA OF MINNEAPOLIS POLICE REFORM.

THE THREE NATIONAL FIRMS IN THE RUNNING TO MONITOR THE CONSENT DECREE WERE IN TOWN FOR COMMUNITY MEETINGS EARLIER THIS WEEK.

NEXT STEP IN THE PROCESS, A TEAM THAT INCLUDES THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, MINNESOTA'S HUMAN RIGHTS DEPARTMENT AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES WILL CHOOSE ONE OF THE FIRMS.

THE FINAL SELECTION AND CONTRACT IS SUBJECT TO CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL.

YOHURU WILLIAMS IS BACK.

HE'S A UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS HISTORIAN, DIRECTOR OF THE SCHOOL'S RACIAL JUSTICE INITIATIVE.

AND ONE OF HIS AREAS OF EXPERTISE IS THE HISTORY OF POLICING IN THE TWIN CITIES.

IT'S ALWAYS GREAT TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

>> GOOD TO EE YOU BOTH.

>> Cathy: WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THESE THREE FIRMS?

>> WELL, A LOT AT THIS POINT.

AND THIS WEEK WAS VERY ENLIGHTENING FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET TO KNOW THEM INTIMATELY.

FIRST EFFECTIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR ALL IS A NONPROFIT THAT HAS EXPERIENCE IN WORKING WITH CONSENT DECREES, NAMELY, IN NEW ORLEANS, IS KIND OF THEIR CALLING CARD.

THEN YOU HAVE JENSEN HUGHES, WHICH IS A GLOBAL LAW FIRM THAT HAS EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE WITH CONSENT DECREASE, TIES TO THE TWIN CITIES.

AND THEN HE FINAL IS ROMAN COLFAX, A D.C.-BASED LAW FIRM THAT DEALS WITH CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUES, NO DIRECT DEALINGS WITH CONSENT DECREASE BUT THEY PUT TOGETHER A IMPRESSIVE TEAM.

>> Eric: WHAT DOES THIS EVALUATION COMPANY DO EXACTLY?

>> THEY'LL PROVIDE THE SUPPORT AND OVERSIGHT, AS WELL AS RECORDING FOR THE CONSENT DECREE.

SO THEY'LL ACTUALLIER THE CONDUIT THAT DETERMINES WHETHER THE CITY IS LIVING UP TO -- OR THE POLICE ARE LIVING UP TO THEIR PART OF THE BARGAIN AND THEN REPORTING BACK TO THE JUDGE IN TERMS OF THE OVERSIGHT.

SO VERY IMPORTANT ROLE INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS PLAY IN THIS PROCESS.

>> Cathy: I WONDER WITH THE FIRM WITH SOME OF THE MINNESOTA BACKGROUND OR MINNESOTA TIES MIGHT HAVE THE EDGE OVER THE OTHER TWO?

ANY SENSE TO THAT?

>> YOU WOULD THINK SO, BUT JENSEN HUGHES, IN PARTICULAR, TOOK A LOT OF HEAT FROM COMMUNITY ACTIVISTS AT THESE TWO FORUMS, SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE THEY'RE THE PARENT COMPANY OF ONE OF THE ENTITIES THAT DID THE OVERSIGHT -- EXCUSE ME -- THE REPORT ON THE AFTER-ACTION OF THE MINNEAPOLIS POLICE FOLLOWING THE URBAN UNREST.

AND A LOT OF PEOPLE IN COMMUNITY, OMMUNITIES UNITED AGAINST POLICE BRUTALITY, IN PARTICULAR, WERE NOT HAPPY ABOUT THAT REPORT.

SO IT'S ACTUALLY HURTING THEM IN A WAY THAT AT LEAST SOME PEOPLE IN COMMUNITY VIEW THEIR VIABILITY FOR THIS WORK.

>> ric: IF THERE'S SOME FOOT DRAGGING OR LACK OF PROGRESS, DO THEY BOOST -- DO THEY GET IN THERE AND PUSH YOU TOWARD AN AGREEMENT?

HOW WOULD THEY WORK IF THERE ARE PROBLEMS COMING TO AN AGREEMENT?

>> WELL, YOU HAD BOTH JENSEN HUGHES AND ROMAN COAL TAX SAY DURING -- COLFAX SAY DURING THE FORUM, THEY WOULD PUSH THE JUDGE FOR SOME TYPE OF ACTION, INJUNCTIVE RELIEF IF THAT WERE THE CASE.

WHICH IS A VERY STRONG STATEMENT COMING FROM INDEPENDENT EVALUATORS, IT SIGNALS THEIR WILLINGNESS TO DO THAT.

UNFAIR TO SAY EFFECTIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT WOULD NOT DO THE SAME, BUT YOU DID HAVE THOSE TWO IN PARTICULAR USE THAT LANGUAGE.

>> Cathy: THE DOJ IS STILL NEGOTIATING WITH THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS, RIGHT, OVER THE FEDERAL DECREE?

IT SEEMS LIKE THAT HAS JUST BEEN A LONG PROCESS.

IS THAT PAR FOR THE COURSE?

>> PAR FOR THE COURSE.

VERY NORMAL.

IN ACT, A GOOD SIGN.

WHAT IT MEANS, THEY'RE BEING VERY DELIBERATE IN THAT PROCESS.

THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO SEE.

AT THE SAME TIME, YOU'VE GOT FOLKS HO ARE SAYING, THIS IS, YOU KNOW, EXPECTING THIS TO BE MUCH FASTER, SO THAT'S, YOU KNOW, I THINK FOR SOME IN COMMUNITY PART OF THE PROBLEM OF TRANSPARENCY AND FEELING LIKE, WHY IS THIS TAKING SO LONG, IT'S BEEN THREE YEARS, WHERE ARE WE GOING.

>> Eric: IS THERE A LIMIT TO THE NUMBER OF ASPECTS OF THE EVALUATION?

I MEAN, IS IT 100 THINGS OR 20?

I MEAN, HOW BROAD IS THEIR PALATE, I GUESS?

>> IT DEPENDS ON THE AGREEMENT.

THEY WILL SIT DOWN, LOOK AT AS PART OF THE AGREEMENT, WHAT THE POLICE AGREE TO, AND THEN WORK THROUGH THE PROCESS OF MAKING SURE THAT THE POLICE ARE LIVING UP TO THAT.

BUT, AGAIN, THIS IS WHY SO MANY PEOPLE IN COMMUNITY WERE SO ADAMANT ABOUT SHARING THEIR CRITIQUE ABOUT THIS PROCESS.

THEY REALLY WANTED INPUT INTO THESE THREE TEAMS.

BECAUSE THEY FEEL IKE THIS IS A CRITICAL PART OF THIS PROCESS.

AND NOT HAVING INPUT IN TERMS OF THE SELECTION, YOU KNOW, ULTIMATELY THAT SELECTION WILL BE MADE BY THE CITY COUNCIL, A LOT OF FOLKS IN COMMUNITY WERE SAYING, THIS IS NOT REALLY WHAT WE WANTED.

PAR FOR THE COURSE, NOT UNUSUAL.

BUT CERTAINLY THERE IS THAT DISCONNECT IN TERMS OF WHAT COMMUNITY EXPECTED HERE.

>> Cathy: PRETTY HEFTY PRICE TAG I'M GOING TO ASSUME HERE WHEN ONE OF THE FIRMS IS HIRED.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

YES.

VERY EXPENSIVE.

AND I THINK THAT, AGAIN, IS THE CONCERN HERE.

IT'S A VERY LUCRATIVE CONTRACT.

AND DEPENDING ON HOW LONG THIS DRAGS OUT, AND WE CAN LOOK AT THE EXAMPLE OF OTHER CITIES, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE LEGITIMATE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE EFFICIENCY, EFFECTIVENESS AND ACCOUNTABILITY WITH WHICH THE INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR WILL DO THIS WORK.

>> Eric: I THINK YOU'VE TOLD US IN PREVIOUS VISITS THAT THIS CAN BE YEARS IN THE MAKING.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SO WE'VE GOT, YOU KNOW, THEY KEEP TALKING ABOUT FOUR YEARS HERE, BUT THAT'S AMBITIOUS.

SO, AGAIN, I WOULD ASK PEOPLE TO REALLY KIND OF, YOU KNOW, THINK ABOUT THIS EING A LONG-TERM PROCESS, IF WE WANT TO DO IT RIGHT.

AND FOUR YEARS IS TOO SHORT.

>> Eric: I WANT TO ASK THE CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENTS THIS IN A MINUTE, BUT IS THIS A PARALLEL TRACK WHERE YOU'LL HAVE THE CONSENT DECREE STUFF BEING DONE AND THEN THE CITY COUNCIL PRESUMABLY WILL E REFORMING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AS IT GOES?

>> IF IT WORKS WELL, THEN THAT'S IDEALLY WHAT YOU WANT.

AND YOU HEARD EFFECTIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR ALL AY AS MUCH AND THAT'S KIND OF THEIR SIGNATURE IN THE SPACE.

THAT IF YOU DO THIS WORK IN A WAY THAT CONCURRENTLY WORKS WITH REFORM WITHIN DEPARTMENTS, THEN YOU CAN GET AN OUTCOME WHICH LOOKS A LOT LIKE WHAT PEOPLE TALK ABOUT WHEN THEY TALK ABOUT A CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY, NEWARK NEW JERSEY, IN TERMS OF THOSE SUCCESS STORIES.

AT THE SAME TIME, THIS IS ALL DEPENDENT ON WHAT IS HAPPENING INTERNALLY IN THE DEPARTMENT AND YOU HAD A COUPLE OF PEOPLE IN COMMUNITY, AGAIN, SOME OF THE CRITICS, KIND OF RAISE THE TRACK RECORDS OF SOME OF THESE FIRMS AND THE FACT THAT YOU'RE NOT LOOKING AT ALWAYS A RETURN ON INVESTMENT IN TERMS OF THIS HAVING THE OUTCOMES THAT COMMUNITY WANTS.

IT'S A LONG PROCESS.

>> Cathy: MONDAY IS MLK DAY.

I WANT TO GET THIS IN EFORE YOU HAVE TO GO.

I UNDERSTAND YOU'RE DOING EVENT ON MLK DAY.

DO YOU WANT TO TELL US ABOUT THAT?

>> I AM.

I'M GOING TO BE THE HOST AT THE GENERAL MILLS 34th ANNUAL MLK HOLIDAY BREAKFAST.

SO, IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT TIME.

WE'RE GOING TO -- MARLIE DIAZ IS GOING TO BE HONORED, GEHRING TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT Dr. KING'S LEGACY, YOUTH ACTIVISM, IN PARTICULAR, VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

>> Eric: GOOD LUCK WITH THAT.

THANKS FOR COMING OVER AGAIN.

>> GREAT TO SEE YOU.

>> Cathy: LIKEWISE.

>> Eric: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> Cathy: WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A QUICK BREAK.

ERIC AND I ARE GOING TO HEAD OVER TO THE COUCH FOR OUR NEXT SEGMENT.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

♪♪ >> ERIC: THIS MONTH BOTH TWIN CITIES SAW NEW CITY COUNCILS SWORN IN, AND WITH THEM NEW CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENTS.

ELLIOTT PAYNE, REPRESENTING WARD ONE IN MINNEAPOLIS, AND MITRA JALALI, REPRESENTING WARD FOUR IN ST PAUL, BOTH LEAD MORE PROGRESSIVE COUNCILS THAN THEIR PREDECESSORS.

JALALI ALSO HEADS UP THE FIRST ALL-FEMALE CITY COUNCIL IN THE STATE CAPITOL'S HISTORY.

WELCOME TO BOTH OF YOU.

PRESIDENT PAYNE, FOLLOWING UP ON OUR PREVIOUS DISCUSSION, HOW IS THE COUNCIL GOING TO LOOK AT REFORMING POLICING IN MINNEAPOLIS AT THE SAME TIME THERE'S THESE CONSENT DECREASE AND SETTLEMENTS GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS?

>> WELL, A LOT OF US CAME IN TO CITY COUNCIL IN 2021, THE MAJORITY OF US, IN FACT, AND A LOT OF US RAN ON THE EVENTS THAT HAPPENED AFTER THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD.

MANY OF US ARE REALLY DRIVEN BY THAT.

AND, SO, WE SEE THIS AS A REAL OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH BOTH STATE AND FEDERAL OFFICIALS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE TEETH THAT WE NEED TO DO THE REFORMS WE NEED TO DO, ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF THE NEW GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE THAT HAS SHIFTED THE ALANCE OF POWER BETWEEN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH.

>> Eric: DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH POWER TO IMPLEMENT CHANGE OR IS IT GOING TO HAVE TO BE ARM AND ARM WITH THE MAYOR?

>> IT'S ARM IN ARM WITH THE MAYOR AND ALSO WITH THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO IS EVEN STRENGTHEN OUR CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'VE ALREADY IMPLEMENTED TODAY WITH SOME OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS COMING FROM THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS.

BUT OUR STATE LEGISLATURE IN THE LAST SESSION ACTUALLY GAVE US THE ABILITY TO STRENGTHEN THAT CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT.

SO, IT'S TAKING ALL AREAS OF GOVERNMENT -- LAYERS OF GOVERNMENT FOR US TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THE CHANGES.

>> Cathy: LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT St. PAUL HERE.

THIS HAS BEEN KIND OF TIRESOME TALKING ABOUT ALL THE HISTORY THAT'S BEEN MADE.

BUT HOW WILL St. PAUL RESIDENTS KNOW THAT THERE'S SOMETHING DIFFERENT WITH THIS NEW MAKEUP AND WITH YOU AS PRESIDENT?

>> THINK THAT IS WHAT OUR FIRST YEAR OF GOVERNING TOGETHER ASPIRES TO BE, RIGHT?

TO SHOW WE ARE DELIVERING ON INVESTMENTS IN ALL OF OUR WARDS, THAT EVEN HE RESPONSIVENESS AND THE WAY THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ISSUES FEELS MORE CENTERED ON THE COMMUNITY AND ON PEOPLE, THAT PEOPLE CAN SEE THEIR DESIRES REFLECTED IN OUR FIRST BUDGET TOGETHER, WE START THAT PROCESS WITH THE MAYOR IN THE SUMMER.

AND THEN COMMUNICATION, JUST ONGOING COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN WARDS.

ONE THING I THINK IS REALLY SPECIAL ABOUT THIS COUNCIL IS THAT THEY CAN ALL TRACE THEIR ROOTS TO, LIKE, DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES WITHIN OUR WARDS, WITH BIG STRONG NETWORKS THAT ARE NOW PART OF THAT ECOSYSTEM OF GOVERNING TOGETHER.

THAT'S OUR HOPE FOR THE FIRST YEAR.

>> Eric: I WONDER, LACK OF BUSINESS EXPERIENCE ON THE COUNCIL, I THINK ONE MEMBER -- ONLY ONE MEMBER COMES FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR, YOU'RE GOING TO BE DEALING WITH GRAND AVENUE, THE HAMM'S BREWERY, DOWNTOWN St. PAUL.

ARE YOU GOING TO BE TONE DEAF OR TONE ATTUNED TO THOSE INTERESTS, THE PRIVATE SECTOR INTERESTS?

>> I THINK THAT WE ALL HAVE A DEPTH OF EXPERIENCE IN RUNNING THESE SYSTEMS FOR EVERYBODY IN OUR COMMUNITIES, NOT JUST THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

YOU KNOW, WE LOOK AT THE GRAND AVENUE CORRIDOR, FOR EXAMPLE, AS CHANGING AREA.

THAT IS AN AREA WHERE WE FOUGHT TO ADD LOTS OF HOUSING AND CUSTOMERS AND PEOPLE, RIGHT, THAT WILL SUPPORT THAT.

I THINK HISTORICALLY IT HAS BEEN SEEN AS MORE LIKE A PLACE WHERE SUBURBAN CUSTOMERS TRAVEL IN AND OUT OF St. PAUL AND HAT WE'VE ACTUALLY REALLY DONE IS CULTIVATE GRAND AVENUE AS A NEIGHBORHOOD IN ADDITION TO THAT.

SO YOU SEE THAT AND THEN I THINK THIS IS ALSO A COUNCIL FOCUSED ON LOCAL OWNERSHIP.

SO, PART OF THE GRAND AVENUE STORY AND, FRANKLY, PARALLEL IN MY WARD IN MIDWAY, IS SO MANY OUT-OF-STATE INVESTORS OWNING LARGE SWATHS OF LAND, LARGE SWATHS OF PROPERTY, AND I THINK THIS COUNCIL WANTS TO SHIFT THAT BALANCE OF OWNERSHIP AND, FRANKLY, MAKE SURE THAT WEALTH PRODUCED IN OUR COMMUNITY CAN STAY IN OUR COMMUNITY AND, SO, THAT IS PART OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY THAT I THINK THIS COUNCIL'S LOOKING TO BE NOT JUST MAKING SURE WE'RE PRO BUSINESS BUT PRO COMMUNITY IN THAT PROCESS.

>> Cathy: WE'RE TALKING ABOUT AREAS OF VARIOUS CITIES, DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS, A LOT OF TALK ABOUT THAT, RIGHT, BRINGING IT BACK.

DO YOU HAVE ANY PLANS?

WHAT MIGHT THE COUNCIL ANT TO LOOK WHEN IT COMES TO REVITALIZING DOWNTOWN?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT IS TO RECOGNIZE THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO RETURN TO A PREPANDEMIC DOWNTOWN.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT WHAT THE DOWNTOWN OF THE FUTURE IS GOING TO BE, AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE HAT WE'RE INCLUDING WORKERS IN THAT CONVERSATION.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD IS THE WORK THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE DOING AROUND THE LABOR STANDARDS BOARD, WHERE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A LOT MORE REPRESENTATION OF BOTH THE FRONT-LINE WORKERS WHO MAKE DOWNTOWN HAPPEN, AS WELL AS THINKING ABOUT WHAT IS THAT NEW FUTURE OF HYBRID WORKFORCE LOOK LIKE AS IT RELATES TO DOWNTOWN, ESPECIALLY INCREASING THE NUMBER OF RESIDENTS WHO ACTUALLY LIVE DOWNTOWN.

>> Eric: HAM AS AND ISRAEL -- HAMAS AND ISRAEL RESOLUTIONINGS SENT TO COMMITTEE, MAYBE THE WORDING WILL BE WORKED ON, THAT WAS THE FIRST, NEAR THE TOP OF THE LIST ON WHAT THE COUNCIL DID ON OPENING DAY.

I WONDER, IS THAT MISSION CREEP?

IS THAT A SENSE OF PRIORITIES, MAYBE MORE PROBLEMS REST AT HOME THAN IN THE MIDDLE EAST AS FAR AS MINNEAPOLIS COUNCIL'S CONCERNED?

>> WELL, MINNEAPOLIS COUNCIL HAS A LONG HISTORY AND TRADITION OF SPEAKING UP ON ISSUES OF JUSTICE.

AND, SO, WE DID A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE, JUST IN MY FIRST TERM.

WE HAVE A HISTORY OF SUPPORTING OR AT LEAST SPEAKING UP AGAINST WAR IN IRAQ, WAR IN IRAN.

WE HAVE A LONG TRADITION OF THIS, MINNEAPOLIS IS A VERY POLITICALLY ACTIVE CITY.

AND I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT, WHEN WE SPEAK ON THESE ISSUES WE'RE REFLECTING THE VOICE OF OUR CONSTITUENTS AND WE'VE BEEN HEARING VERY LOUD AND CLEAR FROM OUR CONSTITUENTS THAT THEY DON'T WANT US TO BE SILENT.

>> Eric: YOU TOOK A DIFFERENT PATH WITH THE ISSUE, DIDN'T YOU, IN St. PAUL?

>> Cathy: AT LEAST YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT POTENTIALLY DIFFERENT PATH.

>> WE JUST GOT STARTED, RIGHT?

WE HAD OUR FIRST COUNCIL MEETING THIS WEEK.

EVERYBODY IS GETTING THEIR BEARINGS.

BUT, YOU KNOW, THE TWIN CITIES, I'D LIKE TO SAY WE'RE SIBLINGS, BUT WE'RE NOT IDENTICAL TWINS, RIGHT?

IN OUR COUNCIL, WE HAVE A DIFFERENT HISTORY AROUND INTERNATIONAL MATTERS, WHERE THE COUNCIL WORKS TO LIFT UP WHAT OUR CONSTITUENTS ARE TELLING US, FEDERAL DELEGATION, THROUGH THINGS LIKE SIGN-ON LETTERS, PUBLIC STATEMENTS, SUPPORTING WHERE THE COMMUNITY IS HAVING PRESS AND ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITIES.

AND I THINK THAT WHAT'S IMPORTANT IS RESPECTING LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND HOW EACH BODY IS DIFFERENT AND REPRESENTS DIFFERENT BUT SIMILAR CONSTITUENCIES AND THAT'S HOW THEY WANT THAT REFLECTED.

I AM PUBLIC ABOUT MY POSITION.

I TALKED ABOUT IT IN MY INAUGURATION SPEECH.

I, FRANKLY, HAD SO MANY PEOPLE PEOPLE -- WHAT REALLY JARRED ME TO BE CANDID IS PEOPLE CAME UP TO ME IN TEARS, AND THEY SAID, THANK YOU FOR SAYING SOMETHING AND FOR NOT BEING SILENT.

SO I HAVE RESPECT FOR HOW THE MINNEAPOLIS COUNCIL WANTS TO HANDLE IT BECAUSE THAT LEVEL OF EMOTION IS WHAT'S AT PLAY AND WE'RE EACH WORKING TO BE RESPONSIVE TO THAT IN OUR OWN WAY IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> Cathy: BY THE WAY, HOW DO YOU PLAN TO WORK TOGETHER AS COUNCIL PRESIDENTS?

>> YOU KNOW, I'LL START, BUT I WOULD LOVE TO WORK EVEN MORE CLOSELY WITH MY COUNCIL COUNTERPARENTS.

THE TWIN CITIES ARE A CLOSE-KNIT COMMUNITY, OUR HOUSING MARKET, OUR JOB SECTOR, LIKE ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE CONNECTED.

IN THE WAY THAT OUR CONSTITUENTS EXPERIENCE THE COMMUNITIES IS ALMOST PART OF THE SAME REGION.

WHAT I ASPIRE TO IS A COLLABORATION THAT IS CLOSER, IS MORE IN COMMUNICATION, HOLDING FLEXIBILITY FOR HOW EACH JURISDICTION IS DIFFERENT.

WE'RE NOT THE SAME.

BUT WE ARE SO SIMILAR.

NEU >> Eric: WHAT'S YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> OH, LIKEWISE, WE'RE A REGION.

AND WE'RE KIND OF THE ECONOMIC CENTER OF THE STATE.

AND PEOPLE LIVE AND WORK IN BOTH CITIES.

AND THE FACT THAT WE HAVE THIS REAL OPPORTUNITY OF A CLOSER GOVERNING COLLABORATION, THERE'S A LOT OF LESSONS TO BE LEARNED FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE RIVER AND I'M REALLY OOKING FORWARD TO APPLYING THOSE LESSONS.

>> Eric: HOPE YOU'LL COME BACK AND SEE US DURING YOUR STINTS IN OFFICE.

THANKS VERY MUCH.

>> APPRECIATE YOU.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> CATHY: PBS VIEWERS IN THE DULUTH AREA MAY HAVE NOTICED THAT "ALMANAC NORTH" HAS NOT RETURNED TO THE AIRWAVES AFTER THE HOLIDAY BREAK.

THERE'S A GOOD REASON FOR THAT.

GREG GRELL, THE FIRST AND ONLY PRODUCER THE SHOW HAS EVER KNOWN, RETIRED LAST WEEK AS DID LONGTIME CO-HOST JULIE ZENNER.

THE PBS NORTH SHOW WILL BE ON HIATUS UNTIL EARLY FEBRUARY AS A NEW SET IS CREATED AND A NEW TEAM TAKES THE HELM.

SO WHAT DOES A PRODUCER WHO HAS BEEN BUSY ON FRIDAY NIGHTS FOR MORE THAN THREE DECADES DO WITH HIS FIRST FRIDAY OF RETIREMENT?

GREG GRELL DROVE DOWN I-35 TODAY IN THE SNOW TO JOIN US HERE ON THE SET.

>> JUST SO YOU KNOW, IT WAS ONLY SNOWING IN MINNEAPOLIS.

IT WASN'T SNOWING IN DULUTH.

>> Cathy: MY DEAR, WHEN YOU GO BACK, IT'S GOING TO BE SNOWING.

>> IT IS, I KNOW, YEAH.

>> Cathy: YOU CAN'T WIPE THE SMILE OFF YOUR FACE, I CAN'T BELIEVE WHY.

>> WELL, YEAH, IT'S KIND OF EXCITING, AFTER 31 YEARS, TO HAVE MY FRIDAYS FREE.

>> Cathy: IS IT JUST A BIT OF A LOST FEELING, THOUGH, BECAUSE YOU'VE DONE THE SAME THING FOR 30 YEARS.

>> ABSOLUTELY, ABSOLUTELY.

YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW IF THERE WAS A GOOD WAY OF PREPARING FOR ALL OF A SUDDEN NOT HAVING TO BE IN THE STUDIO ON FRIDAY NIGHT.

BUT IT IS EXCITING.

I'M EXCITED FOR THE FUTURE OF THE SHOW AS WELL BECAUSE NEW BLOOD IS GOOD, I THINK.

>> Eric: I WATCHED THE FINAL EPISODE, I WANTED YOU TO CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, DID YOU SAY YOU HAD 200 DIFFERENT GUESTS, LIKE IN THE FIRST YEAR?

>> YEAH.

>> Eric: WIDE RANGE.

>> RIGHT, YEAH.

WHAT I ALWAYS LIKE TO TELL PEOPLE IS IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN ON "ALMANAC NORTH," YOU KNOW SOMEBODY WHO HAS.

>> Cathy: FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW THE ORIGIN STORY.

THERE HAVE BEEN MANY ATTEMPTS MADE AT REPLICATING THE BIG SHOW, "ALMANAC."

>> RIGHT.

>> Cathy: BUT YOURS IS THE ONLY ONE THAT SURVIVED.

WHY DO YOU THINK THAT IS?

WHAT WAS THE STORY BEHIND THAT?

>> I THINK WE'RE JUST GLUTTONS FOR PUNISHMENT, RIGHT?

YOU KNOW, I THINK IT WAS CONSISTENCY.

WE HAD, YOU KNOW, HOSTS THAT STUCK WITH THE SHOW FOR A LONG TIME.

WE'VE ONLY HAD, LET'S SEE, WITH JULIE HAVING LOEWS -- HOSTED SHOW FOR 30 YEARS.

WE'VE BASICALLY HAD THREE HOSTS, JACK SUTHERLAND DID THE FIRST FIVE YEARS, DARON, ANCHOR AT THE ABC AFFILIATE IN DULUTH, WAS THE HOST OR 15 YEARS WITH JULIE ND NOW DENNY.

>> Cathy: YOU COULD HAVE JUST NOT DONE A SHOW LIKE THIS.

WHY DID YOU WANT TO FOLLOW "ALMANAC" HERE IN THE TWIN CITIES?

I MEAN, WHAT WAS THE PARK BEHIND IT?

>> Eric: GETTING THE NAME, TOO, RIGHT.

>> Cathy: I KNOW.

PAPER CLIP.

WHAT THE HECK.

>> THE NAME WAS FUN BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME TRYING TO FIGURE OUT, WELL, YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO BE "ALMANAC," BUT WE WANT TO BE OUR OWN "ALMANAC" AND "ALMANAC NORTH" IS PROBABLY NOT THE CLEVEREST NAME YOU COULD COME UP WITH.

YEAH, WE DID USE THE PAPER CLIP FOR THE FIRST FEW YEARS.

WE'VE GOT A DIFFERENT LOGO.

I BELIEVE WHEN THE SHOW COMES BACK, FIRST FRIDAY F FEBRUARY, WILL HAVE A WHOLE NEW LOOK.

THERE WILL BE SOME CHANGES.

WHY WE DECIDED TO DO IT, THAT WAS ACTUALLY THE MANAGEMENT BEFORE I WAS HIRED TO PRODUCE THE SHOW, BUT THE DECISION HAD BEEN MADE AT THAT POINT TO DO IT.

AND I THINK, ERIC, OU MIGHT REMEMBER, ACTUALLY I CAME DOWN HERE, KIND OF SHADOWED BRENDAN FOR A WEEK AND I DO WANT TO SHOUT-OUT TO KARI KENNEDY FOR NOT ONLY INVITE ME HERE BUT GIVE ME A BOUQUET OF FLOWERS.

>> Cathy: OUR CURRENT PRODUCER.

BRENDAN HENEHAN THE ORIGINAL PRODUCER OF THE SHOW.

>> Eric: I TELL PEOPLE ALL THE TIME, THE DULUTH AREA, RANGE, SUPERIOR, IS A BETTER NEWS MARKET THAN THE TWIN CITIES.

INTERNATIONAL BORDER, TWO STATES, SHIPPING, ESOURCES, HOT POLITICS, DON'T YOU THINK THAT'S TRUE?

>> I THINK, TO SOME EXTENT, YEAH.

I MEAN, I KNOW YOUR GUESTS JUST NOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT MINNEAPOLIS, St. PAUL, BEING THE ECONOMIC GENERAL -- ECONOMIC ENGINE OF THE STATE, WHICH IS TRULY TRUE.

THEY THOUGHT DULUTH WAS GOING TO BE THE NEXT CHICAGO WITH THE PORT AND TRAINS OUT TO THE WEST, ALL THAT.

IT'S A GREAT MARKET.

IT'S A GREAT MARKET FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS.

THINK OF REEL YOU CAN PUT TOGETHER.

FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T NOW, PHOTOGRAPHERS WILL SHIP THEIR REEL AROUND, HE WE USED TO SHIP IT, NOW WE PUT IT ON THE INTERNET, WATCH IT THAT WAY.

THE PICTURES ARE GREAT.

YOU'VE GOT THE LAKE.

YOU'VE GOT THE INTERNATIONAL BORDER.

BEAUTIFUL SHIPS COMING AND GOING.

WHEN I WAS WATCHING THE OPEN, "ALMANAC," IRON ORE PIT, THAT'S HOME, THAT'S WHERE I'M FROM.

>> Cathy: WHERE DOES ALMANAC NORTH FIT IN THE NEWS ECOSYSTEM IN DULUTH?

>> I THINK IT'S VERY RESPECTED.

AS PUBLIC TELEVISION IS, A LITTLE NICHE, IT'S FOR THE FOLKS HAT ARE REALLY NERDS, YOU KNOW, NEWS NURDS -- NERDS, PEOPLE THAT WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE COMMUNITY.

IF YOU WATCH A NEWSCAST, NO OFFENSE, THERE'S A LOT OF GREAT NEWSCASTS, YOU GET MAYBE A 20-SECOND SOUND BITE, TWO 15-SECOND SOUND BITES, I LOVE THE ABILITY TO WATCH BODY LANGUAGE.

YOU GET SOMETHING FROM THAT, RIGHT?

YOU'VE INTERVIEWED A THOUSAND POLITICIANS, YOU CAN TELL WHEN SOMETHING SNEAKY IS GOING BY JUST BY WATCHING BODY LANGUAGE.

>> Eric: ARE YOU GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO THE OCCASIONAL DOCUMENTARY OR TEACH OR CONSULT?

>> I'M -- >> Cathy: YOU'RE YOUNG.

>> I'LL THROW MY HAT OUT THERE FOR FREELANCE OPPORTUNITIES.

DON'T KNOW IF I'LL SAY YES TO EVERYTHING.

I HAVE AGREED TO DO A LITTLE BIT OF WORK FOR PBS NORTH, FF AND ON IF THEY NEED ME.

I VOLUNTEERED TO COME IN AND DO PLEDGE BREAKS.

I'VE BEEN DOING THAT FOR 30 YEARS.

WE'VE DONE SOME TOGETHER.

>> Cathy: I KNOW WE HAVE.

TO PITCH OR PRODUCE?

>> NO, I'M NOT GOING TO PRODUCE.

I'LL DO THE ON-AIR PART.

>> Cathy: WOW, GOOD FOR YOU.

WHAT WAS THE GREAT JOY IN DOING THIS JOB FOR YOU?

BEING A PRODUCER IS NOT AN EASY JOB.

PEOPLE THINK IT'S JUST ALL ABOUT US IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA.

IT'S NOT.

THE PRODUCER MAKES THE SHOW SING.

WHAT WAS THE GREAT JOY FOR YOU IN THIS?

>> HOW HARD COULD IT BE, IT'S JUST TELEVISION, RIGHT?

IT'S GETTING GUESTS TO BE IN THE STUDIO ON FRIDAY NIGHT, RIGHT?

I EAN, OUR SHOW WAS TOTALLY A STUDIO-BASED SHOW.

WE HAVE SOME FIELD REPORTS NOW, THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE 30 YEARS AGO.

WHEN THEY HIRED ME, THEY SAID, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE ANY HELP.

YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE PEOPLE COME TO THE STUDIO, WHICH IS WHAT THIS SHOW IS AS WELL.

GETTING PEOPLE HERE ON A FRIDAY NIGHT, YOU HAVE TO FORM THE REPUTATION, HAVE A REPUTATION THAT YOU'RE GOING TO TREAT PEOPLE WELL.

>> Eric: GIVE JULIE AND DENNY OUR BEST.

IT WAS GREAT TO SEE YOU.

>> Cathy: OH, SEE YOU LATER.

THANK YOU.

>> I THINK HE'S OFF TO A GOOD START.

THERE WILL BE CHALLENGE, PART OF THE CHALLENGE WILL BE TO HANDLE THE ENVIRONMENT UP THERE, HANDLE IT WITH A SENSE OF HUMOR.

AND HE TENDS TO SPEAK HIS MIND.

AND NOT EVERYTHING HE SAYS IS GOING TO BE WELL RECEIVED.

AND NOT EVERYTHING HE SAYS AM I GOING TO AGREE WITH.

BUT IF HE CAN KEEP A SENSE OF HUMOR, IF HE CAN KIND OF STAND AND DO THE THINGS THAT HE SAID HE'D DO DURING THE ELECTION, I THINK HE CAN DO WELL.

>> ERIC: IT'S BEEN 25 YEARS SINCE JESSE VENTURA TOOK THE OATH OF OFFICE AND BECAME THE 38TH GOVERNOR OF MINNESOTA.

THE TWIN CITIES PBS ORIGINAL DOCUMENTARY "JESSE VENTURA SHOCKS THE WORLD" PREMIERES NEXT TUESDAY NIGHT AT 8:00 PM ON TWIN CITIES PBS.

IT'S A LOOK BACK AT THE WILD RIDE OF VENTURA'S FOUR YEARS IN OFFICE, INCLUDING HIS OFTEN PRICKLY RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MEDIA.

YOU MIGHT RECOGNIZE SOME OF THE REPORTERS AND TV HOSTS FEATURED.

HERE'S A SHORT EXCERPT.

>> HI, I'M JESSE, THE BODY, VENTURA.

RELAX, RELAX, RELAX, YOU'RE STILL WATCHING PBS.

I WALK AND TALK WHERE I WANT.

NOTICE THE HYPOCRISY.

I'M JESSE, THE BODY, I'M AHEAD OF MY TIME.

>> Mary: JESSE DEFIES DEFINITION.

HE DOESN'T FIT IN THE BOX.

>> IS IT TRUE, THERE'S THIS WRESTLER RUNNING FOR OFFICE?

>> I WOULD LIKE TO LEAD THE WAY.

>> VENTURA IS A CHARACTER ABOVE ALL.

>> THE MOST POPULAR GOVERNOR IN THE WORLD.

>> Eric: HE HAD A PROCLIVITY FOR MAKING NEWS IN THE ODDEST TIMES AND ODDEST PLACES.

>> Mary: DO PEOPLE REMEMBER YOU FOR STANDING UP TO WOMEN'S RIGHTS, DO YOU THINK?

>> I'M NOT GOING TO APOLOGIZE.

>> WOULD YOU LEGALIZE DRUGS?

>> Eric: I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU CAN MAKE UP THIS LIFE STORY.

>> Mary: YOU DON'T HAVE PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP WITHOUT GOVERNOR JESSE VENTURA.

>> BE CAREFUL OF WHO YOU HELP.

>> Eric: I DARE NOT SAY NEVER TO BE EQUALED, BUT NEVER TO BE EQUALED.

[ BLEEP ] >> Mary: BRAND-NEW REPORTER, HAD JUST BEEN HIRED FOR MY DREAM JOB.

TWIN CITIES PUBLIC TELEVISION, WHEN I'D INTERNED.

WITH LITTLE FANFARE AND FEW REPORTERS.

SO IT'S ELECTION NIGHT.

>> VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

>> Mary: SKIP HUMPHREY WAS AHEAD IN THE POLLS.

SO I DECIDED TO PICK THE ONE ELECTION NIGHT HEADQUARTERS I COULD GO TO.

SO I WENT TO SKIP HUMPHREY'S HEADQUARTERS.

AND AS RETURNS WERE COMING IN, IT WAS NOT LOOKING GOOD FOR SKIP HUMPHREY.

VENTURA WAS AHEAD.

AND VENTURA LOOKED LIKE HE COULD WIN THIS THING.

>> JESSE, JESSE.

>> Mary: WE DROVE 80, 90, MAYBE 100 MILES AN HOUR OUT TO VENTURA HEADQUARTERS.

IT WAS LIKE A EMOTION PIT.

>> I THINK IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL NIGHT I'VE HAD IN A LONG LONG TIME.

[ Cheers ] >> Mary: THERE WAS ALREADY CHAMPAIGN SPRAYING -- CHAMPAGNE SPRAYING EVERYWHERE.

HOW ARE WE GOING TO GET IN?

AND MY PHOTOGRAPHER AT THE TIME, YELLS, PUBLIC TELEVISION COMING THROUGH!

AND THE SEA PARTS AND THE WHOLE CROWD LETS US UP TO THE VERY FRONT.

AND WE ARE THERE WHEN HE SCREAMED THE FAMOUS -- >> WE SHOCKED THE WORLD!

>> Mary: YOU ALWAYS SAID ALL ALONG, THE ONLY POLL THAT MATTERS IS NOVEMBER 3rd, WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY TO ALL YOUR NAYSAYERS?

>> WELL, I WAS CORRECT, WASN'T I?

>> ERIC: JOINING US NOW, MARY LAHAMMER, CO-EXECUTIVE PRODUCER OF THE FILM, AND "ALMANAC'S" POLITICAL REPORTER.

A JOB SHE HAD JUST STARTED IN THE SUMMER OF 1998 AS THE RACE FOR GOVERNOR WAS HEATING UP.

WHAT'S THE MISSION STATEMENT OF THIS PROJECT?

>> I THINK, ACTUALLY, IT'S A FILM ABOUT VOTING AND DEMOCRACY AND EVEN JOURNALISM BECAUSE WE DIVE INTO THAT TUMULTUOUS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MEDIA.

AND COME AT IT, I THINK, IN A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE.

BECAUSE YOU REMEMBER HOW JESSE CHANGED EVERYTHING WHEN HE CAME INTO OFFICE IN '98.

AS WE JUST SAID, I WAS A BRAND-NEW KID REPORTER.

I WAS THE YOUNGEST MEMBER OF THE CAPITOL PRESS CORPS, I THINK AT JUST 24.

SO I DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO COVER OR NOT COVER A GOVERNOR.

SO, IT WAS REALLY NEAT TO START WITH THIS INTERNATIONAL STORY THAT FELL IN OUR LAPS, AND I KNOW YOU GO WAY BACK.

WE'LL TALK ABOUT ERIC, WONDERFUL ROLE HE PLAYS IN THIS, YES.

>> Cathy: I'M GLAD YOU DECIDED TO HAVE HIM ON.

I MEAN, THIS WAS PROBABLY THE ZENITH OF HIS CAREER, WHICH MESHED WRESTLING AND POLITICS TOGETHER.

>> Eric: YEAH.

WELL, 20 YEARS PAST SINCE I HAD INTRODUCED HIM ON THE RING IN DULUTH AS A PRO WRESTLING RING ANNOUNCER AND THEN 20 CAREERS LATER I'M COVERING HIM AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

YOU CAN'T MAKE THAT UP.

>> Mary: AND ERIC IS THE SECRET STAR OF THE FILM.

I WILL REVEAL THAT BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENS IS WE SHOW ERIC BACK ON THE NEWS ANCHOR DESK IN DULUTH, HARKEN BACK TO GREG GRELL EARLIER, WE SEE ERIC, AND THE CROWD ROARED AT THE SCREENING WE DID THIS WEEK TO SEE ERIC ANCHORING, BUT ALSO TELLING THE STORY OF WHAT ELSE HE WAS DOING IN DULUTH.

BACK IN THE 1970s, ERIC WAS ANNOUNCING JESSE VENTURA'S WRESTLING MATCHES.

>> Eric: 20 YEARS LATER, I'M COVERING HIM.

IT'S AMAZING.

>> Mary: AND WE HEAR STORIES I'VE NEVER EARD YOU TELL BEFORE.

SO THESE NEW REVELATIONS OF ERIC'S EARLY BEGINNINGS AND JESSE'S EARLY STORY IN WRESTLING, HOW THAT INFORMED HOW HE DEBATED AND HOW HE GOVERNED.

THERE'S A THROUGH THREAD THERE.

>> Cathy: I WONDER, OF COURSE, WHEN YOU HAVE ALL THIS CONTENT, YOU'VE GOT TO LEAVE SOMETHING ON THE FLOOR.

I MEAN, WHAT COULDN'T YOU NOT PUT INTO THIS DOC?

>> IT'S FUNNY, BECAUSE YOU BOTH KNOW MY FATHER WHO PASSED AWAY RECENTLY, AND ON HIS DEATH BED, I SHOWED HIM THE COMPLETED DOCUMENTARY, AND, YOU KNOW, HE STILL HAD HIS WITS UNTIL THE VERY END, AT 90 YEARS OLD, HE WATCHED THE WHOLE HOUR FILM AND LAUGHED AND JUST CHUCKLED, LOVED IT, HE LOOKED AT ME AND SAID, WHERE'S ARNOLD, ARNOLD IS MISSING FROM THIS DOCUMENTARY?

AND HE WAS, RIGHT, ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER WAS HIS FRIEND FROM THE PREDATOR MOVIE, THEN WENT ON TO HIS OWN POLITICAL CAREER.

WE DIDN'T GET TO THAT BECAUSE WE THOUGHT THERE WAS A MORE IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIP TO TRACE, AND THAT'S THE ONE BETWEEN DONALD TRUMP AND JESSE VENTURA, AND HE DIVE INTO THAT.

>> Eric: MAN OF CONTRADICTIONS.

>> Mary: ABSOLUTELY.

BIG MACHO MAN, TANE DANGER, WHO DOES POP ANALYSIS, TALKS ABOUT THE OST-COLD WAR AND SCHWARZENEGGER AND STALLONE, AND HE SAID, WE WERE UTTING BEEF CAKES ON MOVIES, WE'RE SHOWING ALL THESE MULEY GUYS BEINGS AND VENTURA WAS -- MUSCLEY GUYS AND HE'S A MANLY, MAN, HE'S OUT THERE ADVOCATING FOR DOMESTIC PARTNER, HE'S VETOING ABORTION RESTRICTIONS WHEN HE WAS IN OFFICE, SOME OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK GOT A LITTLE LEFT BEHIND, APPOINTING PEOPLE OF COLOR, APPOINTING MORE THAN 70 JUDGES THROUGH A NONPARTISAN JUDICIAL PROCESS, SO SOME OF THAT LEGACY GETS LOST, I THINK, WITH ALL THE DRAMA AND THAT IMAGE OF A BIG, TOUGH, ANGRY GUY.

WHAT WE REVEAL, I THINK, IN THE DOCUMENTARY IS HOW MUCH HEART HE REALLY HAD BEHIND THE SCENES.

>> Cathy: HOW DO YOU THINK THIS ADDS TO THE HISTORICAL RECORD, SURROUNDING VENTURA?

>> I THINK THE POLICY WAS REALLY LOST.

I THINK WHEN HE WAS, YOU KNOW, GOING ON DAYS OF OUR LIVES AND DOING SOAP OPERA GUESTS AND WRESTLING, DOING THE WWF, AND DOING THE XFL AND ALL THESE SIDE GIG THAT IS KIND OF WENT SIDEWAYS ON HIM, WITH THE PUBLIC, AND PUBLIC OPINION, I THINK PEOPLE JUST THOUGHT, OH, THIS TURNED INTO A SIDE SHOW.

BUT THERE WAS A LOT OF POLICY.

HIS COMMISSIONERS WERE WIDELY PRAISED AS THE BEST CABINET, MAYBE, EVER APPOINTED BY A GOVERNOR.

THE TRAIN, THE LIGHT RAIL TRAIN, THAT WAS JESSE VENTURA, THAT WAS ECADES IN THE MAKING.

HE GOT THAT THROUGH.

SO I THINK COMING BACK TO SOME OF THE POLICY, BUT THEN ALSO THE ORIGIN SORES, HERE IS THIS -- STORIES, HERE IS THIS LANKY SWIMMER FROM MINNEAPOLIS, SETTING RECORDS, GOING TO STATE, GOING TO NAVY SEAL, SERVING HIS COUNTRY, BECOMING A PRO WRESTLER, BECOMING A HOLLYWOOD ACTOR, BECOMING A MAYOR, AS YOU KNOW, BECAUSE HE WAS SITTING ON THIS SET, RIGHT, AS MAYOR EARLY ON WHEN HE WAS RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR.

SO THE ORIGIN STORIES, SOME OF THE POLICIES, SOME OF THE SUBSTANCE, BUT ALSO KIND OF THE HEART.

IT WAS FUN.

WE HAD TYRELL VENTURA AT THE PRIVATE PREMIERE PARTY THIS PAST WEEK.

AND THEY DID NOT ADVISE ON THIS OR NECESSARILY APPROVE IT.

THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS IN IT.

TYRELL GOT UP AFTERWARD AND HE THOUGHT IT WAS REALLY BEAUTIFUL.

PART OF IT WAS THE ROLE THAT HIS MOTHER AND HIS GRANDMOTHER PLAYED.

THESE WOMEN WHO HAD INFLUENCED VENTURA THAT WE DETAIL IN THE FILM.

>> Eric: TUESDAY NIGHT, 8:00 P.M., CHANNEL 2 IN THE TWIN CITIES AND CHECK YOUR LOCAL LISTINGS IN GREATER MINNESOTA.

>> Cathy: BUT IT'S STREAMING.

>> Mary: IT WILL STREAM ON THE PBS APP AS WELL.

>> Cathy: OKAY.

>> Mary: YEAH, TUNE IN.

>> Eric: GREAT JOB, MARY, THANKS.

>> Mary: GREAT JOB, ERIC.

THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: THANKS.

♪♪ >> CATHY: THIS WEEKEND, A MINNESOTA SYNCHRONIZED SKATING TEAM WILL BE COMPETING IN AN INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION IN SALZBURG, AUSTRIA.

SIXTEEN FEMALE SKATERS FROM THE NORTHERNETTES JUNIOR TEAM WILL BE REPRESENTING TEAM USA.

THE TEAM IS ONE OF NINE JUNIOR TEAMS IN THE NATION.

REPORTER KAOMI LEE WENT TO THE RINK TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS RISING SPORT IN MINNESOTA.

>> Kaomi: LEARNING HOW TO SKATE IS A RITE OF PASSAGE FOR MANY MINNESOTANS.

THE SOUNDS OF BLADES CRISS-CROSSING THE ICE ARE FAMILIAR.

BUT THIS MIGHT NOT BE.

>> SYNCHRONIZED SKATING, IT'S REALLY THE QUINTESSENTIAL TEAM SPORT.

YOU SKATE 16 ON THE ICE.

THERE'S NORMALLY 20 SKATERS ON A TEAM.

IT'S VERY DYNAMIC.

YOU'RE DOING LOTS OF LIFTS AND TRICKS AND INTERSECTIONS AND DIFFERENT FORMATIONS.

I TELL PEOPLE, IT'S LIKE DANCE TEAM ON ICE.

>> Kaomi: CHRISTY STARTED THE TEAM SEVEN YEARS AGO.

THEY'RE CALLED THE NORTHERNETTES.

>> SO WE HAVE IS00 -- 100 SKATERS IN THE ORGANIZATION.

THEY'RE AGES 8 TO 26.

SO WE HAVE FIVE DIFFERENT TEAMS.

>> Kaomi: WORD OF MOUTH IS SPREADING.

THESE SKATERS ARE PART OF THE JUNIOR TEAM, ONE OF ONLY NINE IN THE NATION.

>> SYNCHRONIZED SKATING AN OLYMPIC SPORT?

>> NOT YET.

THERE'S A COMMITTEE WORKING ON GETTING IT INTO THE OLYMPICS.

IT WILL GET THERE ONE DAY.

>> Kaomi: THE NORTHERNETTES JUNIOR SKATERS REPRESENT TEAM U.S.A. AND COMPETE INTERNATIONALLY.

LAST YEAR THEY TOOK FOURTH AT THEIR OVERSEAS COMPETITION AND SIXTH NATIONALLY.

SHE SAYS TEAMWORK AND CAMARADERIE TAKE CENTER ICE.

>> I THINK IN THE SEVEN YEARS OF COMPETING, WE'VE DEFINITELY BEEN A VERY CONSISTENT TEAM.

WHEN YOU ONLY HAVE FIVE OR SIX CHANCES TO GO OUT THERE AND SKATE YOUR PROGRAM, YOU GOTTA BE ON IT.

>> Kaomi: I'M HERE AT RIDDER ARENA, AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, RIGHT NOW IT'S EMPTY, BUT IN A FEW MOMENTS, IT WILL BE FULL OF SYNCHRONIZED SKATERS.

♪♪ >> SO THERE'S DIFFERENT TYPES OF ELEMENTS, BLOCKS, TRAVELING ELEMENTS, PIVOTING ELEMENTS, SYNCHRONIZED SPIN, MOVES IN THE FIELD, WHICH IS LIKE FLEXIBILITY ELEMENTS, AND THEN INTERSECTIONS, WHERE YOU'RE HAVING SKATERS LIKE INTELLECT THROUGH EACH OTHER, THOSE ARE THE HIGH-RISK, HIGH-REWARD ELEMENTS, IF YOU HIT THEM, YOU'LL GET A LOT OF POINTS, BUT IT'S POSSIBLE YOU MAY HAVE SKATERS FALLING ON THE ICE.

OF >> Kaomi: IT ONLY LOOKS EASY.

THEY PRACTICE THREE TO FOUR TIMES A WEEK FOR TEN MONTHS A YEAR.

>> REMEMBER ON THE DIAGONAL FOR THE TWO LINES TO GO BACK IN A LITTLE BIT AND CHILL OUT AND THEN THOSE BACK TWO LINES GO.

>> Kaomi: PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT.

THERE'S ALSO FRIENDSHIP AND GIGGLES.

AND THE TEAM HAS A MASCOT.

NORMANS, THE FISH.

MOST OF THE TEAM TRAINED AS INDIVIDUAL SKATERS.

THEY SAY THAT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES, TO SYNCHRONIZED SKATING.

>> IT'S REALLY JUST GETTING IN UNISON, MAKING SURE THAT EVERY ARM, EVERY POSITION IS IN THE SAME AS ALL OTHER 16 BODIES ON THE ICE.

>> Kaomi: HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE ATTENTION YOUR TEAM IS GETTING?

>> WE LOVE IT.

>> IT'S GREAT.

IT'S THE BEST.

>> Kaomi: THEIR TRAINING MEANS A LOT OF SACRIFICES, LIKE MISSING SCHOOL DANCES, AND BALANCING HOMEWORK.

BUT THE HARD WORK PAYS OFF.

>> NO REGRETS.

>> NO REGRETS.

>> IT'S ALL WORTH IT.

>> CATHY: IF YOU CAN'T MAKE IT TO AUSTRIA THIS WEEKEND, YOU'LL HAVE A CHANCE TO WATCH THE NORTHERNETTES IN A FREE EXPEDITION PERFORMANCE, AT RIDDER ARENA ON JANUARY 18TH.

>> ARON: HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!

OUT WITH THE OLD AND IN WITH THE NEW!

2024 IS GOING TO BE THE YEAR TO REMEMBER!

NOW SOME OF YOU MIGHT BE A LITTLE SKEPTICAL OF THIS NEW YEAR SINCE THERE ARE SEVERAL INTERNATIONAL CONFLICTS, WE’RE BEING HIT WITH ANOTHER WAVE OF COVID, THERE’S AN ELECTION PEOPLE ARE TERRIFIED OF, AND OTHER LITTLE THINGS.

BUT TO THAT I SAY: YOU NEED TO START PLANNING THINGS TO BE EXCITED ABOUT.

LISTEN, LIFE IS DREARY, AND I THINK WE’RE ALL PAST THE POINT WHERE ANOTHER OLYMPIC GAMES CAN PERK US UP.

SO YOU GOTTA START MAKING SOME INTERESTING PLANS.

HOW ABOUT A TRIP?

DON’T GO SOMEWHERE OBVIOUS AND EXPENSIVE LIKE PARIS OR LAS VEGAS.

GO SOMEPLACE WEIRD, LIKE THE LOWEST-RATED RESTAURANT IN DETROIT OR AN ODDLY SPECIFIC MUSEUM.

GET SOME STORIES IN YOUR LIFE.

YEARS FROM NOW ARE YOU GOING TO REMINISCE ABOUT THE YEAR THINGS STAYED BAD AND GOT WORSE OR THE TIME YOU STUMBLED INTO THE MUSTARD MUSEUM IN MIDDLETON, WISCONSIN?

HOW ABOUT A PROJECT?

I DON’T MEAN A KITCHEN RENOVATION; I MEAN SOMETHING SILLY AND DUMB.

PAINT YOUR BEDROOM A WEIRD COLOR; BETTER YET, PAINT YOURSELF A WEIRD COLOR AND SEE HOW YOU FEEL.

YOU CAN USE ANY SHADE - EXCEPT FOR BLACK.

AND IF ALL ELSE FAILS, PICK UP AN ODD SPORT.

SURE YOU COULD PLAY BASKETBALL LIKE A SCHMO, OR YOU COULD TRY YOUR HAND AT UNDERWATER HOCKEY, EAR PULLING, WIFE CARRYING, ZORBING, AND FLANGE FLINGING.

ONLY ONE OF THOSE SPORTS ISN’T REAL, HAVE FUN FINDING OUT WHICH.

I KNOW ALL OF THIS MIGHT SEEM A TOUCH EXTREME BUT BELIEVE ME WHEN I TELL YOU “YOU ARE NOT ENTITLED TO BITTERNESS!” ROLLING YOUR EYES AND SUCKING YOUR TEETH WILL NOT MAKE THE YEAR MORE BEARABLE.

BUT YOU KNOW WHAT MIGHT?

DRESSING UP LIKE A MOOSE AND CONFUSING YOUR DOG.

EATING SOME TRULY HORRIBLE FOOD WITH YOUR BEST FRIEND.

OR EVEN COMPETITIVELY CARRYING YOUR WIFE.

SO FOR 2024, I’M GONNA GET WEIRD AND BE SPECIFIC.

AND IF YOU DO TOO, WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS YEAR TOGETHER.

♪♪ >> ERIC: NEXT WEEK THE MINNESOTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY IS SET TO RELEASE A NEW BOOK THAT LOOKS CLOSELY AT A MANKATO SECRET SOCIETY FORMED AT THE END OF THE U.S. DAKOTA WAR.

THIS SOCIETY AIMED TO PUSH ALL INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OUT OF MINNESOTA, INCLUDING THE HO-CHUNK PEOPLE ON A RESERVATION JUST A FEW MILES SOUTH OF MANKATO.

CATHY COATS IS A METADATA SPECIALIST AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA LIBRARIES AND AUTHOR OF "TO BANISH FOREVER."

WELCOME TO "ALMANAC."

THESE WERE THE NIGHTS OF THE FOREST.

>> YES.

>> Eric: THIS WAS PRETTY PROMINENT PEOPLE IN THE MANKATO COMMUNITY.

>> YES, THESE WERE THE TOWN FATHERS, THEY WERE ON THE CITY COUNCIL, THEY WERE LAND SURVEYORS, THEY WERE LAWYERS, ALL THE MOST PROMINENT PEOPLE IN TOWN.

>> Cathy: HOW DID YOU FIND THE STORY?

I UNDERSTAND IT WAS IN A TIME CAPSULE OR A DOCUMENT THAT YOU USED TO KIND OF LAUNCH OFF ON?

WAS IT A TIME CAPSULE?

>> YES.

THE RITUAL DOCUMENT, WHICH WAS -- IT CONTAINED THEIR OATH AND THE CEREMONY THAT THEY USED AT ALL OF THEIR MEETINGS WAS PUT IN A TIME CAPSULE IN 1869 AT MANKATO STATE UNIVERSITY.

AND IT WAS PUT ONLINE IN 2004, AND THAT'S HOW I FOUND IT.

AND IT HAS THEIR OATH OF OFFICE AND ALL THE CEREMONY THAT THEY USED AT ALL OF THEIR MEETINGS.

>> Eric: AND THE IDEA HERE WAS, THEY COVETED, WAS IT 300,000 ACRES SOUTH OF MANKATO?

>> YES.

>> Eric: AND THAT WAS PRIME FARMLAND OR PRIME LAND FOR SOMETHING OR OTHER.

>> IT WAS PRIME FARMLAND.

IT WAS THE BEST FARMLAND IN THE STATE AND THEY WANTED IT BEFORE THE HO-CHUNK EVEN ARRIVED THERE.

THEY SENT PETITIONS TO THE STATE TO ASK THEM TO NOT BRING THE HO-CHUNK IN THE COUNTY IN THE FIRST PLACE.

AND THEY WERE TRYING TO HAVE THEM REMOVED THE ENTIRE TIME THEY WERE IN BLUE EARTH COUNTY.

>> Eric: AND THEY PRESSURED THE FEDS, I GUESS, TO FOLLOW THROUGH?

>> YES.

AND, SO, THEN WHEN THE DAKOTA WAR HAPPENED, THE KNIGHTS OF THE FOREST FORMED AND THEY STARTED SENDING MORE PETITIONS TO THE GOVERNMENT AND THEY EVEN SENT ARMED MEN OUT TO THE RESERVATION TO LIE IN WAIT SO THAT THEY COULD SHOOT ANYBODY WHO LEFT THE RESERVATION.

>> Cathy: AS A HISTORIAN, AND YOU'RE SEEING THIS ONLINE, YOU START TO DO THE RESEARCH, WHAT WERE YOU THINKING ABOUT?

>> WELL, IT WAS SORT OF SHOCKING THAT THIS HAPPENED IN MINNESOTA.

A LOT OF MINNESOTANS LIKE TO THINK WE WERE ON THE GOOD SIDE DURING THE CIVIL WAR.

BUT THERE WAS A LOT OF COMPLICATED THINGS HAPPENING HERE DURING THE USDAC WAR.

U.S. DAKOTA WAR, IT WAS HAPPENING AT THE SAME TIME OF THE CIVIL WAR.

THE KNIGHTS OF THE FOREST WERE FORMED BEFORE THE KU KLUX KLAN WERE EVEN EXISTING.

SO, IT WAS A BIT SURPRISING TO SEE THIS HISTORY.

>> Eric: AND THE HO-CHUNK WERE NOT A PARTY TO THE U.S. DAKOTA WAR, RIGHT?

>> NO, THEY WERE NOT INVOLVED AT ALL, WHICH IS WHY I ARGUE THAT THIS IS ETHNIC CLEANSING IN MINNESOTA.

THEY TARGETED THE HO-CHUNK PEOPLE WHO WEREN'T INVOLVED IN THE WAR AT ALL AND A LOT OF MINNESOTANS TRIED TO JUSTIFY WHAT THEY DID TO THE DAKOTA AFTER THE WAR BECAUSE OF THE WAR AND THAT JUST DOESN'T HOLD WATER WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE HO-CHUNK.

>> Cathy: DID YOU HAVE TO TREAD LIGHTLY AS A WHITE PERSON WHEN WRITING THIS HISTORY?

>> SURE.

>> Cathy: HOW DID YOU DO THAT?

>> 8 -- WELL, I DEFINITELY REACHED OUT TO HO-CHUNK PEOPLE, AND I LEANED A LOT ON MY HO-CHUNK ADVISORS, I RELIED ON AMY LONE TREE IS A HO-CHUNK HISTORIAN, SHE'S PUBLISHED LOTS OF WORKS, SHE REALLY HELPED ME UNDERSTAND WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO THEIR HISTORY, WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO THEM NOW.

AND ONE THING I'VE HEARD FROM MANY HO-CHUNK PEOPLE IS THAT THIS STORY IS VERY MPORTANT TO THEM AND JUST HAVING RECOGNITION IN MINNESOTA HISTORY.

>> Cathy: AND HOW DID IT ADD TO THE HO-CHUNK RECORD OF HISTORY?

JUST AS A TRIBAL NATION.

>> SO, THE TRIBAL NATION, THEY DON'T -- MOST OF THEM HAVEN'T HEARD OF THE KNIGHTS OF THE FOREST.

SO, AMY LONE TREE WAS REALLY THE ONLY ONE WHO ROTE ABOUT THE REMOVALS AND THE EFFECT THAT IT HAD AND HOW MANY LIVES WERE LOST DUE TO THAT.

AND, SO, THIS REALLY DOES ADD TO THE ALL-AROUND HISTORY.

>> Eric: WEDNESDAY COMING UP, ALL MY RELATIONS IN MINNEAPOLIS, YOU'LL BE DOING A READING AND YOU'LL HAVE SOME FRIENDS WITH YOU.

>> YES, HO-CHUNK HISTORIAN AMY LONE TREE WILL BE SPEAKING WITH ME.

AND MY OTHER HO-CHUNK ADVISOR, ROBERT PILE, HE IS THE HOST OF NATIVE ROOTS RADIO, AND HE'S ALSO A HO-CHUNK CITIZEN, AND HE WILL ALSO BE SPEAKING AND WE'LL DO A BOOK IGNING.

>> Eric: >> Cathy: WE'RE SO GLAD YOU'RE HERE.

>> Eric: AVAILABLE IN ALL THE USUAL PRAISES?

>> YUP -- IN ALL THE USUAL PLACES?

>> YUP.

>> Cathy: THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

>> CATHY: LAWMAKERS WON'T OFFICIALLY RETURN TO THE STATE CAPITOL IN ST. PAUL FOR 34 DAYS, BUT THERE WAS A LOT OF POLITICAL ACTION THIS WEEK.

LEGISLATORS ARE HOLDING HEARINGS, THE GOVERNOR AND LT.

GOVERNOR ARE TRAVELING THE STATE, AND A FORMER HOUSE LEADER ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT.

PLENTY OF POLITICS FOR THIS WEEK'S COUCH FULL OF POLITICOS TO PONDER.

REPUBLICANS UP FIRST TONIGHT.

BRIAN MCDANIEL IS A FORMER LEGISLATIVE STAFFER, NOW LOBBYIST AND STAND-UP COMEDIAN.

AMY KOCH IS A FORMER STATE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER NOW LOBBYIST.

DFLERS ON THE COUCH TONIGHT, ABOU AMARA IS ALSO A FORMER LEGISLATIVE STAFFER NOW ATTORNEY, AND WE WELCOME SARA LOPEZ TO THE COUCH, POLICY DIRECTOR AT UNIDOS MINNESOTA WHO HAS SPENT MANY HOURS AT THE LEGISLATURE.

BRIAN McDANIEL -- >> YEAH.

>> Cathy: HI.

>> HEY.

[ Laughter ] >> Cathy: YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LOT GOING ON WHEN IT COMES TO RETIREMENTS.

FORMER SPEAKER DAUDT DECIDED TO CALL IT QUITS.

THAT WAS KIND OF A SURPRISE.

>> I MEAN, I MEAN, YES AND NO.

I MEAN, YOU KNOW, AMY AND I ARE FRIENDS WITH KURT, YOU KNOW, NOT CAPITOL FRIENDS BUT ACTUAL FRIENDS.

SO WE KNEW THAT HE WAS LOOKING AT WHERE HE WAS, YOU KNOW, AGEWISE, AND THESE ARE PRIME EARNING YEARS, AND, YOU KNOW, IF IT WAS UNLIKELY THAT HE WAS GOING TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR OR SPEAKER AGAIN, THEN HE JUST HAD TO KIND OF LOOK AT, YOU KNOW, WHAT WAS THE SMARTEST THING FOR HIM TO DO FISCALLY, AND THE RIGHT JOB CAME AT THE RIGHT TIME AND WE'RE GOING TO MISS HIM.

BUT I THINK IT'S THE RIGHT THING FOR HIM TO DO.

>> Eric: WE SHOULDN'T READ INTO THIS THAT HE DOESN'T THINK THE REPUBLICANS CAN TAKE THE HOUSE MAJORITY IN '24?

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

THE REPUBLICANS HAD MOVED OBJECT.

MOVED ON.

LISA DEMUTH IS LEADING THE CAUCUS.

THIS FOR KURT IS A TREMENDOUS OFFER AT EXACTLY THE RIGHT TIME.

AS A LEADER WHO HAD TO GO BACK FOR LIKE ONE MORE SESSION AFTER BEING LEADER, YOU KNOW, THERE'S SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

HE'S ACCOMPLISHED SO MUCH, RIGHT?

HE WAS SPEAKER MULTIPLE -- SO MANY YEARS, LEADER FOR A LOT OF YEARS.

SO, I THINK HE FELT LIKE HIS TIME AT THE CAPITOL WAS DONE.

>> Cathy: SOME PRETTY BIG HITTERS, THOUGH, ARE LEAVING.

SPEAKER DAUDT, LIZ OLSON, GENE PELOWSKI, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OTHER PEOPLE.

THIS COULD BE KIND OF AN INTERESTING ELECTION.

>> THAT HAPPENS KIND OF IN BIG CHUNKS.

I KNOW BACK IN 2016 THERE WAS MASSIVE TURNOVER.

I THINK IT JUST REPRESENTS A GENERATIONAL CHANGE, RIGHT?

IT'S FOLKS HANDING THE BATON TO A NEW GENERATION.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE CAUCUS, YOU HAVE PEOPLE IN THE 30s, EARLY 40s.

SOMEONE THAT SPARRED WITH CURT KURT DAUDT OFTEN, IT WAS A LIFE CYCLE, TIME FOR HIM TO DO SOMETHING ELSE.

>> Eric: WHAT DO WE EXPECT FROM THE TRIFECTA YEAR TWO, SARAH?

EXPECTATIONS STILL HIGH, GOT MOST OF WHAT YOU WANTED DONE?

>> I THINK THAT THERE ARE GOING TO BE A SET OF TECHNICAL REVISIONS THAT NEED TO GET DONE ON SOME BIG BILLS, BUT ALSO I THINK THAT THERE'S SOME WORK THAT STILL NEEDS TO GET DONE THIS SESSION.

AND IT'S A DIFFERENT SESSION.

BUT I THINK THAT HE EXPECTATION IS THAT THEY'RE STILL GOING TO HAVE TO DELIVER FOR MINNESOTANS.

>> Eric: SENATOR, I THINK IT'S FAIR TO SAY THAT A COUPLE OF THE PROGRAMS, SCHOOL LUNCH, HAVE EXCEEDED WHAT WAS ADVERTISED AS THE PRICE TAG.

>> YES.

SO THAT'S DEFINITELY GOING TO BE A NEEDED FIX, ND THAT'S WHY WE'RE HEARING A LOT OF, WELL, THERE'S A PROJECTED SURPLUS OF AROUND $2 BILLION, THAT'S NOT REALLY, RIGHT?

THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT A STRUCTURAL DEFICIT, WHICH MEANS IN THE OUTYEARS, BASICALLY, RIGHT, THE MONEY WAS OVERSPENT BASED ON A LOT OF FACTORS, RIGHT?

THINGS WERE MOVING FAST, IT WAS $17.6 BILLION, THE LARGEST SURPLUS EVER IN STATE HISTORY.

A LOT OF MONEY GOT SPENT.

>> WELL, THESE NUMBERS AREN'T STATIC, RIGHT?

AND, SO, IT MAY BE A PROJECTED DEFICIT IN THE FUTURE, BUT AS WE GROW, WE NOW THE ECONOMY'S GOING TO GROW.

INTEREST RATES ARE COMING DOWN.

AND THOSE NUMBERS WILL CHANGE AS WE OVE INTO THE FUTURE.

BUT DEMOCRATS HAVE THINGS TO SELL TO THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY KNOW THAT KIDS AREN'T HUNGRY IN SCHOOL, THAT THEY CAN LEARN.

THAT'S SOMETHING I THINK EVERY MINNESOTAN CAN GET BEHIND.

>> AND I THINK THAT'S TRUE.

I THINK THERE WERE SEVERAL THINGS THAT THE DFL DID THAT WILL ULTIMATELY BE POPULAR, BUT MINNESOTANS ARE NOT GOING TO APPRECIATE A BAIT AND SWITCH WHERE THEY SAY, HERE, HERE'S A PROGRAM THAT LOOKS GOOD, SOUNDS GOOD, MAYBE EVEN DOES GOOD, BUT IF YOU WANT TO KEEP IT, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO RAISE YOUR TAXES.

THAT'S NOT GOING TO BE A LONG-TERM PLAN FOR SUCCESS FOR THE DEMOCRATS.

>> Eric: WHAT'S GOING TO BE THE PITCH AT THE DOOR WHEN CANDIDATES ARE RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION, FOR INSTANCE?

>> I THINK THAT SICK AND SAFE TIME IS GOING TO BE HUGE.

I'VE HEARD FROM PEOPLE, FROM ALL SIDES OF THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM, TALKING ABOUT HOW GOOD THAT POLICY IS.

PEOPLE JUST WANT TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD THEIR LIVES, PEOPLE WANT TO BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR CHILDREN, PEOPLE WANT TO BE ABLE TO, IF THE WEATHER IS DANGEROUS, WANT TO BE BLE TO STAY HOME.

SO, I THINK THAT THAT'S A GREAT POLICY THAT IS DEFINITELY GETTING SUPPORT FROM EVERYBODY IN MINNESOTA.

>> Eric: BRIANA BEERS BACK HAS A STORY IN THE STRIB ABOUT I THINK SOME PEOPLE CALL IT A CIVIL WAR WITHIN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

IS THAT A LITTLE STRONG OR IS THAT HAPPENING?

>> WELL, I THINK A CIVIL WAR IS A LITTLE STRONG, BUT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS BEEN AT ODDS INTERNALLY FOR QUITE SOME TIME, AND WE'VE SEEN THAT IN SOME REALLY HIGH-PROFILE PRIMARY THAT IS HAVE SHAKEN OUT.

IT'S GOING THROUGH A TRANSITION.

AND OBVIOUSLY WHEN YOU HAVE SUCH A DOMINANT TOP OF THE TICKET AS WE DID WITH FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND NOW RUNNING AGAIN, I MEAN, THERE'S REALLY A CULT OF PERSONALITY THERE, WHETHER IT WAS ON THE DEMOCRAT TICKET OR THE REPUBLICAN TICKET, SO MUCH STRONG PERSONALITY BECOMES ABOUT THAT PERSON AND NOT ABOUT THE, YOU KNOW, WHAT THE PARTY STANDS FOR.

SO THE FIGHT IS REALLY ABOUT IDENTITY, NOT ABOUT ISSUES.

>> Eric: THAT STORY IS VERY INTERESTING.

SHE TALKS ABOUT ONE SENATOR WHO, AN UNCOUPLE BENT DIDN'T GET EN-- INCUMBENT DIDN'T GET ENDORSED, CONSERVATIVE WAS ENDORSED, AND THAT FLIPPED THE BALANCE OF THE SENATE.

>> WE'RE ALL FRIEND HERE.

I CAN'T LIE TO YOU AND SAY THINGS ARE GREAT WITH THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF MINNESOTA BECAUSE THAT'S JUST NOT TRUE.

BUT IT'S OLD NEWS.

THERE AREN'T NEW BATTLES BEING FOUGHT.

WITH NEW PLAYERS.

IT'S THE SAME PEOPLE IGHTING OVER THE SAME STUFF.

>> Cathy: CAN THE GOP GET ITS ACT TOGETHER AND TAKE BACK THE HOUSE?

>> WELL, THOSE ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.

CAN THEY GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER?

EH.

CAN THEY TAKE BACK THE HOUSE?

ABSOLUTELY.

BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THE NEW BATTLE LINES, ARE WITH THE DEMOCRATS.

LOOK WHAT'S GOING ON WITH PALESTINE, LOOK WHAT'S GOING ON -- I MEAN, THESE ARE ACTUALLY REAL FIGHTS WITH REAL CONSEQUENCES THAT REALLY IS BEING UNDERREPORTED.

>> THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FIGHTING BETWEEN POLICY, WHICH THE DEMOCRATS ARE LEGITIMATE FIGHTS, AND YOU'RE HAVING FIGHTS AMONG PEOPLE IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

WINNING CURES ALL.

DON'T FORGET THAT.

THE REASON REPUBLICANS ARE FIGHTING SO HARD IS BECAUSE THEY HAVEN'T WON STATEWIDE IN NEARLY 20 YEARS.

AND THEY DON'T HAVE A CHAMBER AT THE STATE LEGISLATIVE LEVEL.

THE SUPREME COURT, DEMOCRATS WILL HAVE APPOINTED EVERY SINGLE PERSON ON THE MINNESOTA SUPREME COURT BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.

THE FACT IS, THE LOSING IS CAUSING THE CONSTERNATION AND THE INFIGHTING WITHIN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

>> BUT I HAVE TO -- I ACTUALLY DIFFER WITH YOU BECAUSE, FRANKLY, REPUBLICANS ARE KIND OF FIGHTING ACROSS THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

IT HASN'T GOT TO DO WITH HOW MINNESOTA -- I MEAN, REPUBLICANS ARE DOING.

BECAUSE THIS SCHISM IS PLAYING OUT IN EVERY SINGLE STATES.

IN REPUBLICAN STATES, THEY HAVE THE TRIFECTA.

IT IS ABOUT A PERSONALITY AND AN IDENTITY.

IT'S BEEN GOING ON AS BRIAN SAID, FIVE YEARS, SIX YEARS, EIGHT.

>> Cathy: BUT BRIAN BRINGS UP A POINT, SARA, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT, IN TERMS OF THERE IS A SCHISM IN THE DFL PARTY OVER ISRAEL AND HA PASS?

HAMAS?

>> ELL, I THINK THAT EVERYBODY WANTS TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY HAS A GOOD LIFE AND INCH THAT -- AND I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, WHEN IT COMES TO POLITICS, MINNESOTANS ARE FEELING THE IMPACTS OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, PARTICULARLY IN THEIR POCKET, RIGHT?

MINNESOTANS ARE ABLE TO AFFORD A BETTER LIFE.

MINNESOTANS ARE ABLE TO GET ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE, ESPECIALLY FOR WOMEN, SO WE TALK ABOUT BIG POLITICAL THINGS, YES, THEY'RE IMPORTANT, BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT'S AT HOME, WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE ECONOMY, WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH YOUR RIGHTS, I THINK THAT THE DFL HAS THE LEAD.

>> Eric: STATE LAG IS N ISSUE.

>> I DON'T THINK THE STATE FLAG WILL BE THE ISSUE.

I THINK THE SENATE -- THE STATE OFFICE BUILDING IS GOING TO BE AN OFFICE.

ABISSUE.

EITHER SIDE MIGHT HAVE DONE IT BUT IT WAS THE DFL HAT DID IT.

>> Eric: THEY SURE GOT THE SHOVELS IN THE GROUND QUICK, I WILL SAY THAT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

HERE'S THE DEAL.

THE REPUBLICANS WANT TO TALK ABOUT A BUILDING.

DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT WHAT WE'VE EEN BUILDING FOR MINNESOTANS.

>> EXACTLY.

>> AND THAT'S THE CONTRAST IN THE ELECTION.

>> I HEAR A CAMPAIGN.

>> IT'S A VERY REDUCTIONIST MINDSET.

DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO HAVE A LOT TO SELL ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

>> Eric: NEW SOB, YOU'RE OVER THERE EVERY DAY.

IS THAT GOOD FOR YOU?

>> WELL, THAT'S NOT WHAT THE POINT IS.

I OVE THAT BUILDING.

THAT BUILDING DEFINITELY, I MEAN, I STARTED THERE IN THE YEAR 2000, IT WAS FALLING APART THEN.

SO THERE'S DEFINITELY NECESSARY RENOVATIONS.

I THINK THAT WE'RE ALL JUST VERY SURPRISED THAT IT'S GETTING UP TO ALMOST $800 MILLION.

THAT'S A LOT, CONSIDERING THAT THE SENATE BUILDING WAS $90 MILLION.

EST THAT'S BONDS OVER A 20-YEAR PERIOD.

>> AND IT'S MULTIPLE AGENCIES, IT'S NOT JUST THE HOUSE.

>> THERE'S NOT LOTS OF OTHER STATE AGENCIES IN THERE.

THERE'S A REVISOR, THERE'S LEGISLATIVE PEOPLE IN THERE.

>> MY BARBER'S THERE.

>> THE BARBER'S THERE.

>> Cathy: REALLY REALLY QUICK.

>> WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT DEMOCRACY FOR THE PEOPLE, YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE BUILDINGS ARE ACCESSIBLE, THAT PEOPLE AN NAVIGATE IT, THAT YOU HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE PARTICIPATING IN A HEARING, WITNESSING IN A HEARING.

FOR ME, IT'S ALL ABOUT ACCESS, IT'S ABOUT BRINGING PEOPLE FROM THE MARGIN, GETTING THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN DEMOCRACY.

SO, I'M ALL FOR THE NEW BUILDING.

>> Cathy: SAY, I'M KIND OF -- WE BROUGHT UP, OF COURSE, BRIANA'S STORY ABOUT THE GOP.

THERE'S ALSO A STORY IN THE STRIB ABOUT THE FBI INVESTIGATING ALLEGATIONS OF CHEATING, MISCONDUCT AND MAYBE DELEGATE FRAUD IN THE MINNEAPOLIS DFL.

ESPECIALLY AROUND THE FALL ENDORSING CONVENTIONS.

WHAT ABOUT THAT?

>> WELL, THAT SAME STORY HAD -- SAID TWO THINGS.

THE CHAIR OF THE CITY DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAD NOT HEARD FROM THE FBI.

AND THE STATE PARTY HADN'T HEARD FROM THE FBI.

THE FBI SHOULD BE ABLE TO INVESTIGATE WHATEVER IT IS IT NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE.

I HAVE CONFIDENCE THERE'S NOT A WIDESPREAD NOTION THAT ANYTHING IS HAPPENING.

BUT REPUBLICANS WILL USE IT BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO SELL.

>> Eric: CAN ANYBODY IN TRUMP WIN IOWA?

>> TRUMP WILL WIN IOWA.

NEW HAMPSHIRE SAY QUESTION MARK.

AND THEN, YOU KNOW, SOUTH CAROLINA AND OTHERS ARE GOING TO -- AND SUPER TUESDAY WITH MINNESOTA.

>> Eric: GOTTA RUN, THANKS, EVERYBODY.

GOOD STUFF TONIGHT.

>> ERIC: WE'VE RUN LONG TONIGHT.

WE'LL HAVE A NEW HISTORY QUESTION FOR YOU NEXT WEEK.

QUICK TUNE-IN REMINDER FOR YOU BEFORE WE GO.

"JESSE VENTURA SHOCKS THE WORLD" PREMIERES ON TWIN CITIES PBS NEXT TUESDAY NIGHT AT 8:00 ON MINNESOTA EXPERIENCE.

GREATER MINNESOTA VIEWERS CAN HEAD TO TPT.ORG AND SEARCH FOR "JESSE VENTURA SHOCKS THE WORLD."

JUST ENOUGH TIME LEFT FOR SOME SHOW-ENDING MUSIC AND THE PRODUCERS FOUND A REAL TREAT FOR YOU TONIGHT.

IT WAS TEN YEARS AGO THIS WEEK THAT DAN NEWTON AND THE CAFÉ ACCORDION ORCHESTRA STOPPED BY STUDIO B ON THE EVE OF THEIR 20TH ANNIVERSARY.

TAKE A LOOK AND LISTEN.

AND WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE NEXT WEEK.

AND BE CAREFUL.

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