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

>> CATHY: WE'LL TALK ABOUT PRESIDENT BIDEN'S VACCINE MANDATE AND THE STATUS OF THE DELTA VARIANT WITH MICHAEL OSTERHOLM.

JOHN CHOI WILL EXPLAIN HIS OFFICE'S NEW APPROACH TO CHARGES ARISING FROM TRAFFIC STOPS.

ST. PAUL SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT JOE GOTHARD WILL STOP BY TO TALK ABOUT THE CRITICAL SHORTAGE OF SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS.

THEN MARY LAHAMMER WILL TALK WITH A LAWMAKER WHO FACED A RECENT HEALTH EMERGENCY.

>> Mary: WE'LL TALK WITH THE STATE REPRESENTATIVE WHOSE ACCIDENT BROUGHT AN OUTPOURING OF BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

>> 12-HOUR SURGERY TO W RECONSTRUCT MY HAND.

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

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

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY... GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING ELECTRICITY AND RELATED SERVICES TO 28 CO-OPS IN MINNESOTA.

A TOUCHSTONE ENERGY COOPERATIVE.

DELTA DENTAL OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION: MAKING DENTAL CARE POSSIBLE FOR MINNESOTANS IN NEED.

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

ENBRIDGE: CONNECTING MINNESOTANS WITH ENERGY FOR OVER 70 YEARS.

MORE AT ENBRIDGE.COM/LINETHREEUS.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

>> CATHY: GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME.

ERIC HAS THE NIGHT OFF.

FILLING IN FOR HIM WILL BE MARY LAHAMMER.

IN THE NEXT HOUR, WE'LL TALK ABOUT COVID AND POLITICS AND SPORTS.

BUT FIRST UP, A SHIFT IN POLICING POLICY IN ST. PAUL AND ITS SUBURBS.

>> MARY: THE RAMSEY COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WILL NO LONGER PURSUE FELONY CONVICTIONS THAT ARISE OUT OF LOW-LEVEL TRAFFIC STOPS.

THESE TRAFFIC STOPS, OFTEN FOR MINOR INFRACTIONS SUCH AS LOUD MUFFLERS OR BROKEN TAIL LIGHTS, DISPROPORTIONATELY TARGET DRIVERS OF COLOR AND REDUCE TRUST IN POLICE ACCORDING TO CIVIC LEADERS.

THE POLICY WAS ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK BY RAMSEY COUNTY ATTORNEY JOHN CHOI.

THE NEW POLICY HAS THE SUPPORT OF ST. PAUL POLICE AND OTHER PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENTS BUT WAS SHARPLY CRITICIZED BY SOME POLICE GROUPS AND LAWMAKERS.

RAMSEY COUNTY ATTORNEY JOHN CHOI JOINS US.

WELL LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT DO WE MEAN WHEN WE MEAN LOW LEVEL STOPS?

>> RIGHT, SO YOU GOT A CRACKED WIND SHIELD OR ONE TAIL LIGHT OUT OR A ONE HEAD LIGHT OUT.

OFTENTIMES THE WAY THAT POLICING HAS DEVELOPED AND WE JUST HAVEN'T REALLY QUESTIONED IT AS A SOCIETY, BUT THOSE OFFENSES ARE OFTENTIMES USED TO ACTUALLY HAVE THE RIGHT -- THE LEGAL RIGHT FOR THE OFFICER TO PULL THEM OVER.

AND THEN CONDUCT, LIKE, A FURTHER INVESTIGATION.

>> Mary: AS IN THE CASE OF PHILANDO CASTILE, DAUNTE WRIGHT, THOSE NAMES AND THOSE ICASES ARE WHY WE'RE HAVING THIS DISCUSSION, RIGHT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

PHILANDO CASTILE WAS PULLED OVER BECAUSE OF THE PROBABLE CAUSE, WELL, IT WAS ARTICULATED BY THE OFFICER, SAID, I THINK HE MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE PERSON WHO ROBBED THE GAS STATION A FEW DAYS BEFORE, BECAUSE HE HAD A WIDE SET NOSE.

>> Mary: AND HIS HISTORY HAD SHOWED MANY, MANY LOW LEVEL OFFENSES -- >> Eric: RIGHT, BUT THAT'S WHAT HE WROTE IN HIS RESPONSE.

BUT THE LEGAL REASON FOR THE STOP WAS THAT THE BREAK LIGHT WAS OUT.

AND SO IDENTIFICATION ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE RECKON ANGRY WITH TODAY IN OUR SOCIETY IS THAT WE JUST HAVE THESE MASSIVE DISPARITIES IN POLICING AND HOW PEOPLE ARE POLICED.

AND SO WE NEED TO TAKE SOME ACTION.

RIGHT?

NOTHING HAS REALLY CHANGED FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN SUBJECT TO A LOT OF THE POLICING PRACTICES.

AND SO I THINK IT'S JUST REALLY CRITICAL THAT WE LISTEN TO THOSE VOICES.

AND ACTUALLY COMMIT TO MAKING SOME CHANGES, BECAUSE THE END RESULT, FOUR TIMES MORE AFRICAN-AMERICANS OR FOUR TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE PULLED OVER ON A TRAFFIC STOP THAN A WHITE MOTORIST.

>> Cathy: ARE THERE EXCEPTIONS TO THIS?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND WE HAVE A PUBLIC SAFETY EXCEPTION, RIGHT?

AND SO, YOU KNOW, IF THERE WAS A CASE THAT WAS PRESENTED TO US, AND I KNOW THAT IF, LIKE, THE VALUES.

COUNTY WOULD SAY THAT THAT CASE SHOULD BE PROSECUTED FOR ONE REASON, LET'S SAY IT'S TIMOTHY MACK VAIFD, THAT'S A COMMON ONE THAT PEOPLE BRING UP, WE WOULD.

>> Cathy: SO IF IT'S A TRAFFIC STOP OF A PERSON IN POSSESSION OF A GUN, THAT WOULD STILL BE A FELONY?

>> WELL, NO, BECAUSE IF IT COMES IN UNDER -- IF THE ONLY REASON WHY THAT GUN WAS FOUND, RIGHT, WAS BECAUSE OF THE EQUIPMENT STOP, RIGHT, THEN IT WOULD FALL UNDER THE PRESUMPTION, UNLESS HERE'S A CERTAIN PUBLIC SAFETY FACTOR THAT WE WOULD CONSIDER IN HAT PARTICULAR CASE.

SO THIS IS A HARD THING.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I WANT TO MAKE THIS VERY LEAR, THAT THE POLICE IN MY JURISDICTION, RIGHT, BECAUSE I'VE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH ALL OF THEM, RIGHT, AND WE'VE HAD A LONG, LONG CONVERSATION ABOUT THIS, RIGHT, SO WORKING IN TANDEM WITH THE OLICE CHIEFS SAYING, DON'T DO THIS, WE WOULDN'T GET THOSE CASES TO TO BEGIN WITH, BUT IF WE DO, THEN WE'RE GOING O HAVE TO APPLY OUR POLICY AND THERE IS A PUBLIC SAFETY EXCEPTION TO THAT RULE, BUT ESSENTIALLY THAT'S WHAT WE ANNOUNCED.

>> Cathy: WHO MAKES THE DECISION WHEN PUBLIC SAFETY IS AT RISK?

I MEAN, SO IS THE OFFICER RIGHT THEN AND THERE?

HOW IS THAT GOING TO PLAY OUT?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, THE WHOLE SITUATION UNVEILED BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT THERE'S A WAY OF POLICING WHAT SOMEBODY IS DRIVING, AND THEY OBSERVE A CERTAIN QX VIOLATION, RIGHT.

SO THEN THE OFFICER WILL SAY, I WANT TO INVESTIGATE FURTHER.

AND THAT COULD POTENTIALLY COULD ASK TO -- COULD I SEARCH YOUR VEHICLE, RIGHT?

AND THE MOTORIST MIGHT SAY, SURE.

AND THEN PARA FER NAIL YA MIGHT BE FOUND, OR WHATEVER IT MIGHT BE.

BUT THIS IS WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO GET AT IS THAT THIS TYPE OF POLICING DOESN'T ACTUALLY LEAD TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

THE HIT RATE, RIGHT, FOR WEAPONS IS, LIKE, ONE OR TWO PERCENT.

SO WHERE IN AMERICA WOULD WE EVER DO SOMETHING, RIGHT, WHERE WE ONLY GET BACK THE VALUE OF THAT SMALL OF AN AMOUNT?

SO, FOR INSTANCE, LIKE YOU PUT IT IN THE CONTEXT OF VACCINES.

IF 2% OF THE PEOPLE DIDN'T HAVE ANY SIDE EFFECT, BUT 98% DID, AND THEY WERE SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS, RIGHT, WOULD WE EVER APPROVE THAT VACCINE?

NO, WE WOULDN'T.

AND SO WE JUST HAVEN'T SUFFICIENTLY QUESTIONED HOW POLICING HAPPENS, BECAUSE OFTENTIMES IT DOESN'T HAPPEN TO A LOT OF PEOPLE IN A COMMUNITY THE WAY IT DOES TO CERTAIN ASPECTS OF >> Mary: I'M SURE THAT YOU KNOW POLICY MAKERS WRESTLED WITH THIS.

THERE AS A BILL TO ADDRESS THIS.

IT DID NOT PASS.

THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF PUSHBACK FROM REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS, REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR, SAYING, THERE ARE HUGE PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERNS AND THEY SEE THIS AS A PROBLEM.

WHAT'S YOUR RESPONSE TO THAT?

>> WELL, I WOULD SAY THAT I WISH THE LEGISLATURE, FIRST OF ALL, DID PASS THAT BILL, BECAUSE I THINK THAT WOULD MAKE IT MORE UNIFORM ACROSS THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, RIGHT?

BUT AT THE SAME TIME I THINK -- I KNOW THE REASON WHY IT DIDN'T PASS, BECAUSE I THINK THAT THE ISSUE OF PUBLIC SAFETY HAS NOW BECOME SO PART SAN AND POLARIZED, THE REPUBLICANS HAVE FIGURED OUT THAT THEY'VE GOT A POSSIBLE STRATEGY TO GAIN BACK THE MAJORITY BY POINTING AT ALL OF THESE THINGS THAT MIGHT BE HAPPENING IN MINNEAPOLIS AND ST. PAUL TO SAY THAT ALL THE DEFUND THE POLICE MOVEMENT IS GOING TO COME TO YOU, AND THEN THE DEMOCRATS HAVE FIGURED OUT, ACTUALLY, FROM SOME OF THE THINGS THAT ARE A PART OF THE RARITY JUSTICE AND THE BLACK LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT, IT ACTUALLY POLLS REALLY WELL IN THE SUBURBS, RIGHT?

SO NOW WE'VE GOT THIS POLARIZATION OF TRYING TO GET THE MAJORITY, AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU KNOW WHAT THAT IS?

IT'S JUST ABOUT TRYING TO DO THINGS RIGHT TO GET ELECTED.

I THINK LEADERSHIP CALLS FOR PEOPLE TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND ONTIMES IT'S REALLY HARD, BUT THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO DO.

AND OF AND I WANT TO THANK THE COURAGEOUSNESS OF CHIEF ERICA SCHEIDER IN ROSEVILLE WHO HAD HER POLICY ON AUGUST 1ST 20 SAY WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE THE DOING THIS AND SAME FOR CHIEF AXTELL IN ST. PAUL BUT THAT'S THE TYPE OF LEADERSHIP WE NEED TO HAVE I THINK O HAVE BETTER PUBLIC SAFETY, TO HAVE BETTER TRUST AND CONFIDENCE.

IN FAYETTEVILLE THEY DID THIS IN 2013.

THEY REDUCED THE TRAFFIC STOPS.

THEY REDUCED THE DISPARITIES AND THEY IMPROVED TRUST AND CONFIDENCE IN POLICING, AND RIGHT NOW, WE NEED A HEAVY DOSE OF BETTER POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS BECAUSE THAT'S, IF HE END OF THE DAY, THAT'S HOW WE GET A BETTER VERSION OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND BETTER JUSTICE.

>> Mary: THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

♪ ♪ >> CATHY: IMPATIENT WITH AMERICA'S VACCINATION RATE, YESTERDAY PRESIDENT BIDEN SIGNED AN EXCUTIVE ORDER THAT WILL MANDATE COVID VACCINATIONS OR REGULAR TESTS FOR ABOUT 100 MILLION U.S. WORKERS.

THE MOVE COMES THE SAME WEEK THAT MOST AMERICAN CHILDREN RETURNED TO SCHOOLS AND AMID DEBATE ABOUT WHETHER THE DELTA SURGE HAS NEARED ITS PEAK.

+S IT'S A GOOD TIME TO PROD MICHAEL OSTERHOLM WITH QUESTIONS.

HE HEADS THE U OF M'S CENTER FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASE RESEARCH AND POLICY.

ALWAYS GOOD TO SEE OU.

WELCOME BACK.

>> THANK YOU, AND GOOD TO SEE YOU, CATHY.

>> Cathy: SO THE PRESIDENT'S MANDATE IS GETTING SOME PRETTY BIG PUSHBACK.

IS THIS THE LAST BIG TOOL THAT HE CAN USE AT THIS POINT TO GET SHOTS IN ARMS?

>> WELL, I THINK I'D PROBABLY OFFER A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT ANALYSIS.

I THINK THERE SURELY IS BIG PUSHBACK FROM SOME CIRCLES, BUT THERE'S ALSO TREMENDOUS SUPPORT.

THE PUBLIC HEALTH COMMUNITY, EVEN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN MANY LOCATIONS REALIZES THIS COUNTRY CAN'T GET BACK TO A GOOD VIABLE ECONOMY, THAT IT CAN'T DEAL WITH MANY OF THE ISSUES THAT WE NEED TO IN SOCIAL JUSTICE AND SO FORTH UNTIL WE DEAL WITH COVID.

AND THE REASON WE'RE NOT DEALING WITH COVID RIGHT OW IS WE HAVE 75 MILLION AMERICANS WHO COULD BE VACCINATED AND PROTECTED AGAINST THIS VIRUS WHO REFUSE TO GET VACCINATED.

AND I HAPPEN TO VERY STRONGLY SUPPORT THE PRESIDENT'S EFFORTS.

MY PUBLIC HEALTH COLLEAGUES DO THE SAME.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT TRYING TO TAKE OVER THE RIGHTS OF SOMEONE ELSE'S BODY.

THIS IS ABOUT PROTECTS THE COMMUNITY.

YOU KNOW, JUST BECAUSE SOMEBODY MIGHT WANT TO DRIVE DRUNK ONE NIGHT BECAUSE IT'S THEIR CHOICE, IT'S THEIR DECISIONS, IT'S THEIR BEHAVIOR, WE DON'T ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN BECAUSE OF THE CONSEQUENCES TO SOCIETY.

WHEN YOU'RE NOT VACCINATED, YOU BASICALLY HAVE A MUCH, MUCH HIGHER RISK OF BOTH BEING INFECTED, BEING SERIOUSLY ILL, AND BEING HOSPITALIZED, AND IN THAT INFECTION STATUS, YOU HAVE A MUCH GREATER LIKELIHOOD OF TRANSMITTING TO SOMEONE ELSE.

LET ME PUT A FINAL EMPHASIS ON THIS.

AS WE ALL KNOW, CHILDREN 11 YEARS OF AGE AND YOUNGER CAN'T BE VACCINATED.

RIGHT NOW WE'RE SEEING MAJOR OUTBREAKS IN PEDIATRIC POPULATIONS AROUND THE COUNTRY AND THEY CAN'T PROTECT THEMSELVES.

WE AS ADULTS HAVE TO BUBBLE THEM AND PROTECT THEM THE BEST WE CAN.

IN THE YEAR UP THROUGH LAST WEEK, WE'D HAD 341 DEATHS IN KIDS IN THIS COUNTRY.

MOST NOTABLY 66 OF THOSE DEATHS HAD OCCURRED JUST IN THE PREVIOUS THREE WEEKS.

THAT GIVES YOU AN IDEA OF WHERE WE'RE AT RIGHT NOW.

>> Mary: YOU MENTIONED KIDS AND SCHOOLS.

THAT'S A GREAT TOPIC TO TALK ABOUT NEXT.

WHAT ARE YOUR CONCERNS?

DO YOU THINK KIDS SHOULD BE IN SCHOOL?

HOW QUICKLY ARE SOME OF THOSE YOUNGER KIDS GOING TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR VACCINES?

WHAT DO YOU SEE AHEAD THERE?

>> WELL, LET ME JUST QUICKLY TOUCH ON THE VACCINE ISSUE.

I DON'T THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE APPROVED VACCINES FOR CHILDREN 12 YEARS OF AGE AND YOUNGER WELL INTO LATE, LAIL FALL AND EARLY WINTER.

BECAUSE THE F.D.A., WHILE WE WANT THEM TO MOVE QUICKLY, WE WANT THEM TO GET US THESE VACCINES, THEY'RE DOING EVERYTHING TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY GET THE RIGHT DOSAGE LEVELS, THAT THE SAFETY IS THERE AND I THINK EVERY PARENT WOULD SAY IN THE OUTSET, PLEASE MAKE SURE THESE VACCINES ARE SAFE.

SO HOLD ON.

BUT IN TERMS OF WHAT WE COULD DO RIGHT NOW, KIDS 12 TO 17 17 CAN BE VAC SCENATED AND YET JUST A THIRD OF THE KIDS IN THIS COUNTRY ARE.

THAT'S ALREADY CAUSING CHALLENGES IN JUNIOR HIGHS AND HIGH SCHOOLS.

THEY'RE ALSO TRANSMITTING TO THEIR YOUNGER SIBS AND WE'RE SEEING THE VERY, VERY SERIOUS OUTCOMES OF THIS SITUATION.

THERE ARE MANY STATES IN THIS COUNTRY RIGHT NOW WHERE PEDIATRIC INTENSIVE CARE BEDS ARE ALL FILLED.

SO YOU ASK ABOUT SCHOOL.

A YEAR O'CLOCK RIGHT NOW WHEN I WAS ON THIS SHOW, I AT THAT TIME MADE STATEMENTS THAT SAID LOOK AT, WITH WHAT WE'RE SEEING RIGHT NOW WITH THIS VIRUS, WE SEE VERY LITTLE TRANSMISSION TO, BY, AND FOR KIDS.

SO IT'S VERY LIKELY THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO REOPEN SCHOOLS SAFELY, MEANING SOMEWHAT SAFER.

AND YET THEN THE DELTA VARIANT TOOK OVER.

THAT ALL CHANGED.

KIDS NOW ARE READILY INFECTED.

THEY TRANSMIT THE VIRUS.

THEY GET VERY SICK AND MANY OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS WE MADE FOR SCHOOLS JUST DON'T HOLD UP ANYMORE.

NOT NEARLY ENOUGH TO PROTECT THESE KIDS.

THEY NEED QUALITY MASKING.

THEY NEED TO BE LESS CON SEASON TRAITED IN ROOMS.

WE NEED TO IMPROVE VENTILATION.

HOW MANY ROOMS ARE OUR KIDS RIGHT NOW IN SCHOOLS WHERE IN FACT YOU GET FIVE TO SIX AIR EXCHANGES AN AIR WHICH IS A MINIMUM OF WHAT YOU NEED?

ARE ALL TEACHERS, STAFF, VACCINATED?

WE NEED TO GET KIDS BACK IN CLASS SCHOOLS, WE KNOW THAT.

BUT AS I SIT HERE TONIGHT, THERE ARE OVER 1400 SCHOOLS IN THIS COUNTRY RIGHT NOW THAT ARE COMPLETELY CLOSED BECAUSE OF MAJOR OUTBREAKS OF COVID WITH LOTS OF LOTS OF SICK KIDS.

SO I THINK WE HAVE TO DO ALSO HIT A PAWDZ PAUSE BUTTON, IF WE START TO SEE OUTBREAKS IN OUR SCHOOLS, THAT YOU CAN'T JUST PUSH YOURSELF THROUGH IT.

THAT'S A TOUGH.

>> Cathy: YOU'RE GOOD WHEN IT COMES TO TRY TO PINPOINT VARIOUS RISES ND FALLS OF THIS DISEASE.

HOW FAR AWAY ARE WE FROM MAYBE PEAKING WHEN IT COMES TO THE DELTA VARIANT AT THIS POINT?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, CATHY, EVERY ORNING WHEN I GET UP NOW, THE FIRST THING I DO IS TRY TO SCRAPE THE FIVE INCHES OF MUD OFF MY CRYSTAL BALL ANDS I'M NOT SURE I'M DOING A VERY GOOD JOB OF THAT ANYMORE.

THIS SUMMER SURGE IS NOT A SURPRISE TO ME AT ALL.

THE QUESTION IS, HOW LONG IS IT GOING TO LAST?

THE SOUTHERN SUN BELT STATES WHICH WERE THE FIRST STATES TO REALLY EXPLODE WITH CASES AND AT ONE POINT, IF STATES IN THE UNITED STATES COULD BE CONSIDERED COUNTRIES, EIGHT OF THE TOP TEN COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD WOULD HAVE BEEN OUR STATES.

THAT'S HOW BAD THINGS ARE HERE IN THE UNITED STATES.

BUT WE'VE SEEN THOSE SOUTHERN SUN BELT STATES REALLY PEAK IN TERMS OF NEW CASES UT NOW WE'RE STARTING TO SEE INCREASES IN CASES IN THE SOUTHEAST, SOUTHERN INDIANA, SOUTHERN ILLINOIS, WE'RE SEEING IT SURELY IN THE NORTHWEST.

ALTHOUGH WASHINGTON, REGON AREA STARTING TO LEVEL DOWN.

BUT THE OTHER STATES ARE THERE.

SO MY ANSWER IS, IF NEW YORK AND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ALSO SEE AN EXPLOSION OF CASES WHICH WE'VE NOT SEEN, THIS U THEN HIS SURGE WILL GO ON FOR QUITE A WHILE.

THE SECOND PIECE, I THINK THIS COULD EASILY GO ON FOR ANOTHER SIX TO EIGHT WEEKS OF A MAJOR SURGE.

BUT I THINK EVEN THE BIGGER WILD CARD ARE OUR SCHOOLS.

I THINK OUR SCHOOLS OVER THE NEXT SIX TO EIGHT WEEKS COULD BE A MAJOR INCITING EVENT FOR INCREASED CASES IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WE KNOW THAT KIDS BRING THE VIRUS HOME.

AND ALL THOSE THAT ARE NOT VACCINATED AND IN SOME CASES WE DO KNOW THEY TRANSMIT 20 VACCINATED PEOPLE.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN SOME GEOGRAPHIC AREAS AND THIS SURGE COULD EASILY GO ON FOR SIX TO EIGHT MORE WEEKS.

AT THE VERY LEAST, IT'S NOT GOING TO TAIL OFF OVERNIGHT.

>> Cathy: CURIOUS IF YOU'RE WITH OURED ABOUT THE MU VARIANT.

>> YEAH, RIGHT P RIGHT NOW, MU, WHICH IS ONE OF THE VARIANTS WE'VE BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT, FIRST SHOWING UP IN SOUTH AMERICA BECAUSE IT DOESN'T HAVE SOME OF THE ABILITY TO EVADE SOME OF THE PROTECTION AFFORDED BY VACCINES AND/OR NATURAL INFECTION, IT LOOKS LIKE THIS TIME, NONE.

OTHER VARIABLES CAN BEAT OUT DELTA.

DELTA IS THE KING OF THE HILL.

IT IS SO TR TRANSMISSIBLE THAT WHERE WE SEE DELTA CLYDEING WITH THE OTHER VARIANTS, DELTA WINS.

IT IS SO INFECTIOUS.

THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH JUST PUT SOME INFORMATION OUT SHOWING UPWARDS OVER 50 OUTDOOR EVENTS, MANY OF THEM RECENTLY, THAT RESULTED IN TRANSMISSION, LARGELY WITH DELTA.

IT'S THAT INFECTIOUS.

>> Mary: AND FINALLY, HOW ABOUT BREAKTHROUGH OCCASIONS?

WE ARE A HIGH VACCINATION STATE.

I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF CONCERN.

WHAT'S YOUR BEST GUIDANCE ON HOW TO PROCEED IF YOU ARE VACCINATED AND HOW REAL ARE BREAKTHROUGH CASES?

>> BREAKTHROUGH CASES ARE REAL.

WE'RE LEARNING NOW THAT IT'S VERY LIKELY THAT ULTIMATELY THIS WILL BE A THREE-DOSE VACCINE.

NITER EDOSE, SECOND DOSE, BUT THEN A THIRD DOSE IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE NECESSARY AT SIX TO TEN MONTHS.

YOU KNOW, WE SHOULDN'T BE SURPRISED BY THIS.

LOOK AT OTHER VACCINES THAT WE HAVE WHERE WE EED THREE AND FOUR DOSES TO REALLY CREATE THAT PRIMARY PROTECTION.

AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE HERE WHICH I DO FEEL CONFIDENT IF THAT'S THE CASE, WE WILL HAVE GOOD PROTECTION.

BUT IN THE MEANTIME, THIS IS A CHALLENGE.

WE KNOW THAT.

WE KNOW THAT PEOPLE ARE HAVING BREAKTHROUGHS, BUT LET ME BE REALLY CLEAR.

ON A WHOLE, THE ILLNESSES ARE MUCH, MUCH MILDER.

WE ARE NOT SEEING THE SERIOUS ILLNESSES AT THE SAME NUMBERS AT ALL THE OR HOSPITALIZATIONS.

SO EVEN IF YOU ARE VACCINATED AND BECOME A CASE, YOUR CHANCES OF HAVING SERIOUS ILLNESS ARE SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCED.

>> Cathy: GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

♪ ♪ >> MARY: IT WAS GOING TO BE A TOUGH NEW SCHOOL YEAR ANYWAY WITH STUDENTS AND STAFF DEALING WITH THE DELTA VIRUS.

BUT ST. PAUL AND OTHER DISTRICTS HAD TO SCRAMBLE DUE TO LAST-MINUTE TRANSPORTATION TROUBLES CAUSED BY A LACK OF BUS DRIVERS.

ST. PAUL HAS STARTED THE FALL SEMESTER WITH FOUR HIGH SCHOOLS REQUIRING STUDENTS TO TAKE PUBLIC TRANSIT OR FIND ANOTHER WAY TO CLASS.

OTHER DISTRICT SCHOOLS HAD TO ADJUST THEIR START TIMES.

JOE GOTHARD IS THE SUPERINTENDENT OF ST. PAUL SCHOOLS.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

WELL, WE WERE JUST TALKING DELTA VARIANT AND MASKING, SO LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT IS YOUR DISTRICT MASK POLICY AND IS IT DISTRICT-WIDE SOME >> RIGHT, WE HAVE A MASK THAT WAS PASSED -- REQUIREMENT THAT WAS PASSED EARLIER THIS SUMMER AND IT'S BEEN NO PROBLEM AT ALL.

>> Cathy: HOW BOUT HE VACCINATION POLICY THAT YOU JUST PASSED?

ANY PUSHBACK FROM TEACHERS?

>> RIGHT, BOTH WITH MASK AND VACCINE REQUIREMENT, VERY LITTLE.

I THINK PEOPLE EXPECTED US TO DO IT, AND IT WAS MORE HOW ARE WE GOING TO DO IT, THE MECHANICS OF IT.

AND I THINK ONCE WE WERE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WHAT THE PROCEDURES WOULD BE, PEOPLE UNDERSTAND AND I THINK ARE SUPPORTIVE.

>> Cathy: THERE ARE ABOUT 100 SCHOOLS IN MINNESOTA THAT HAD SOME CASES OF COVID LAST WEEK.

HOW ARE YOU DOING?

>> WELL, WE HAD TWO DAYS OF SCHOOL THIS WEEK, AND I'M SURE OUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT WOULD TELL YOU THAT THEY'VE TAKEN SOME REPORTS, BUT I HAVE NOT HEARD OF ANY CONFIRMED CASES AT THIS POINT.

>> Mary: LET'S TALK TRANSPORTATION BECAUSE THAT'S BEEN A TOUGH ONE FOR YOU.

IT'S A TOUGH ONE ALL OVER HE COUNTRY, OR ALL OVER THE STATE BUT IT LOOKS LIKE ST. PAUL GOT REALLY CAUGHT ON THIS ONE.

>> RIGHT, WE HAVE ABOUT 300 BUSES EVERY DAY THAT WE COUNT ON AND WHAT I WANT THE COMMUNITY TO UNDERSTAND IS THAT 50 OF THEM ARE ST. PAUL PUBLIC SCHOOLS BUSES AND OUR DRIVERS.

WE HIRE, THEY'RE OUR STAFF.

AND WE ARE FULLY STAFF.

BUT THEN WE RELY ON OTHER CONTRACTORS TO PROVIDE THE 250 BUSES FOR, YOU KNOW, THOUSANDS OF ROUTES THROUGHOUT THE CITY.

SO WE HAD ABOUT 100 BUSES SHORT WITH TWO DIFFERENT SURGES -- >> Mary: AND THAT'S A LOT.

>> THAT'S A LOT.

SO WE WERE ABLE TO CHANGE SOME START TIMES.

THE FIRST TIME WITNESS GOT THE NOTICE -- WE GOT THE NOTICE.

AND ACCOMMODATE FOR, YOU KNOW, HOW WE WOULD BE ABLE TO OPERATE.

THE SECOND ONE, THOUGH, WE HAD TO, AS YOU STATED, RELY ON METRO FOR STUDENTS AT OUR OF OUR LARGE HIGH SCHOOLS.

>> Mary: AND IN CONTEXT, HOW UNUSUAL IS THAT.

BECAUSE I KNOW OTHER LARGE CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY DO THAT.

WHAT DO YOU KNOW IN TERMS OF OTHER DISTRICTS PUTTING KIDS ON CITY BUSES?

>> YEAH, GREW IN MADISON, WISCONSIN AND TOOK CITY BUS 6 THROUGH 12.

BUT I UNDERSTAND IT'S A CHANGE AND WHEN WE AN PROVIDE THE KIND OF SERVICE WAVE IN THE PAST, I CAN UNDERSTAND THE ANGER.

>> Mary: HAVE THERE BEEN ABSENCES RELATED TO THAT?

HAS IT BEEN A PROBLEM N GETTING KIDS TO SCHOOL?

>> OU KNOW, I THINK THE START OF THE YEAR THERE'S ALWAYS JUST TRANSITIONS AND WE'RE EASING INTO THE YEAR.

>> Cathy: ARE YOU PAYING PARENTS AS MINNEAPOLIS IS TO DRIVE THEIR KIDS TO SCHOOL?

>> WE ARE NOT.

>> Cathy: IS THAT SOMETHING YOU MIGHT WANT TO THINK ABOUT MAYBE?

THIS SHORTAGE DOESN'T SEEM LIKE IT'S GOING TO GO AWAY?

CONSIDER EVEN FOR NEXT YEAR?

>> WE'D LIKE TO LOOK TO SEE, MANY TIMES IN THE LAST 19 MONTHS, WE'VE BEEN -- I GUESS WHAT I CALL A STRESS TEST.

OUR SYSTEMS ARE BEING PUSHED TO THE MAX AND THIS IS ONE OTHER OPPORTUNITY TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE ARE 100 BUSES SHORT.

AND IF WE CAN FORGE THAT METRO PARTNERSHIP AND HAVE THAT BE A LONG-STANDING PARTNERSHIP THAT WE CAN CONTINUE, THAT COULD ACCOMMODATE BOTH GETTING OUR STUDENTS TO SCHOOL AND TAKE 100 BUSES OFF THE ROADS IN ST. PAUL.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT POSSIBLE TEACHER SHORTAGES.

COULD THAT BE THE NEXT CRISIS COMING?

WE'RE HEARING A LOT OF STRESSED OUT TEACHERS OT SURE THEY CAN STAY IN BUSINESS?

AND IT ISN'T JUST THE WORK SHORTAGE OF TEACHERS.

IT'S STAFF ALTOGETHER.

SO WE'RE SHORT.

AND I DON'T KNOW THAT WE'RE STARTED A SCHOOL YEAR AND HAVING EVERY POSITION FILLED, BUT THIS YEAR HAS HIT US REALLY HARD AND AGAIN I CAN'T CEA OUR STAFF NOUGH FOR HOW THEY HAVE STRETCH, CONTINUE TO STRETCH AND MAKING SURE THAT OUR SCHOOL DOORS ARE READY TO OPEN AND STUDENTS ARE SAFE AND WE'RE HAVING A GREAT START TO THE SCHOOL YEAR.

>> Mary: DO YOU THINK THEY'LL BE A RETIREMENT?

>> I THINK WE SAW A LITTLE BIT OF THAT THE PAST COUPLE YEARS, BUT WE ASK IN THE SPRING AND THAT TREND, IT'S BEEN PRETTY CANDIDATE.

SO I DON'T KNOW THAT THE PANDEMIC HAS CAUSED ADDITIONAL RETIREMENTS.

>> Cathy: THOSE TEST SCORES THAT THE STATE RELEASED EARLIER THIS FALL WAS KIND OF INTERESTING.

THEY WERE NOT GREAT.

AND I'M WONDERING, AS AN EDUCATOR, HOW WORRIED ARE YOU THAT WE'RE LEAVING MAYBE SOME KIDS BEHIND HERE, YOU KNOW, THAT THIS MIGHT NOT BE A LOST GENERATION BUT THAT KIDS ARE BEING REALLY LEFT BEHIND?

>> OST CERTAINLY, WE HAVE TO GET OUR STUDENTS PLACED IN OUR SCHOOLS OR IN AN ONLINE PROGRAM TO MAKE SURE WE CONNECT WITH THEM.

I THINK THAT'S THE KEY RIGHT NOW, MAKING SURE STUDENTS DON'T GET LOST.

TO ADDRESS ACHIEVEMENT, AGAIN OUR PARTICIPATION ON THOSE TESTS WAS ALL OVER THE PLACE.

SO RELIABLE FOR SOME, BUT WHEN WE LOOK AT STUDENTS AS AN INDIVIDUAL, IT'LL BE EALLY IMPORTANT FOR US TO SAY WHAT CAN WE DESIGN FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL STUDENT AND HEM HIM OR HER GET BETTER, HEM THEM IMPROVE.

AND WE REALLY HAVE TO TAKE A ONE STUDENT AT A TIME APPROACH TO THIS.

EVERYONE WAS IMPACTED DIFFERENTLY FROM THE PANDEMIC AND CONTINUES TO BE.

>> Mary: WHAT'S YOUR BIGGEST CONCERN GOING FORWARD THIS SCHOOL YEAR?

>> WELL, I'VE SAID, YOU KNOW, I'VE VISITED THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS AND HUNDREDS OF STAFF THE PAST TWO DAYS.

PLEASE HELP US DO OUR PART TO KEEP OUR DWOORS OPEN.

I THINK GETTING THE START, THIS GREAT START, AND KEEPING IT GOING IS MY BIGGEST CONCERN BUT ALSO MY BIGGEST AREA OF OPTIMISM.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU, BOTH.

>> CATHY: SEPTEMBER 11, 2001, IN MANY WAYS, SEEMS MORE THAN 20 YEARS AGO.

THERE IS JUST ONE VIDEO OF THE FIRST PLANE HITTING THE WORLD TRADE CENTER.

A FRENCH DOCUMENTARY FILM CREW HEARD THE JET'S ROAR AND AIMED ITS CAMERA TO THE SKY AT THE MOMENT THE WORLD FOREVER CHANGED.

BACK THEN THERE WEREN'T CELL PHONE CAMERAS.

NO SOCIAL MEDIA OR A DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OR A WAR ON TERRORISM.

THIS WEEK, WE LOOKED BACK AT THE "ALMANAC" PROGRAM WE MADE JUST DAYS AFTER THE TOWERS FELL.

HERE'S A CLIP FROM AN INTERVIEW WE DID THAT NIGHT WITH SENATOR PAUL WELLSTONE AS HE STRUGGLED TO MAKE SENSE OF IT ALL.

>> THE PROBLEM IS WHEN THE UNTHINKABLE HAPPENS, THEN YOU CAN'T RULE ANYTHING OUT AND YOU HAD THE SLAUGHTER -- THE SLAUGHTER OF PARENTS AND KIDS OF INNOCENT PEOPLE, THE SLAUGHTER OF PEOPLE IN OUR COUNTRY.

>> Eric: HOW WAS THE FLIGHT BACK, TO START WITH THAT, AND THE MOOD OF PILOTS, FLIGHT ATTENDANTS, TRAVELERS?

>> WELL, I SPENT QUITE A BIT OF TIME TALKING TO THE FLIGHT ATTENDANTS.

THEY WERE UNDER A LOT OF STRESS, AND THEY SAID SO.

THEY SAID IT WAS VERY HARD.

FIRST OF ALL, IT'S VERY PERSONAL TO THEM, YOU KNOW?

IT COULD HAVE BEEN THEM.

AND ONE OF THE PILOTS SAID TO ME, HE SAID, "YOU KNOW, SENATOR, I'D BE LESS THAN HONEST WITH YOU IF I DIDN'T TELL YOU I WAS NERVOUS."

SO I THINK -- BUT THE FLIGHT ATTENDANTS TOLD ME AT THE END OF THE FLIGHT THAT NOW THAT THEY WERE FLYING AGAIN, THEY FELT BETTER.

THIS IS GOING TO BE A HUGE CHALLENGE FOR US IN TERMS OF HOW TO DEAL WITH THESE KIND OF THREATS AND HOW TO TRY TO MAKE SURE THIS NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN, AND IT'LL ALL BE MUCH EASIER SAID THAN DONE.

>> Eric: WE'RE THROWING AROUND THE WORD "WAR" MORE AND MORE AS THE WEEK WENT ALONG.

AND WHAT'S THE END GAME TO THIS WAR?

>> YEAH.

>> Eric: I MEAN, BIN LADEN HAS PEOPLE IN 55 COUNTRIES I READ SOMEWHERE.

WHAT WILL KNOW -- HOW WILL WE KNOW WHEN THIS WAR IS OVER?

>> LISTEN, HE HAD PEOPLE IN OUR COUNTRY.

THEY WERE TRAINING IN OUR COUNTRY.

CELLS THAT WERE TRAINING IN OUR COUNTRY.

WELL, I DON'T LIKE THE WORD "WAR" BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO DIGNIFY THIS SLAUGHTER OF PEOPLE.

AND, YOU KNOW WHAT, IN OUR RESPONSE, YOU KNOW, WE'LL LIVE BY OUR VALUES.

WE'RE GOING TO TARGET THIS TO THE PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE.

THAT'S THE WAY IT HAS TO BE.

I THINK, ERIC AND CATHY AND PEOPLE IN MINNESOTA, THAT THERE IS NO, YOU KNOW, ONE MILITARY ACTION, AND BY GOD, THAT'S IT.

I MEAN, IT'S A WHOLE INFRASTRUCTURE, AND CLEARLY I THINK IT'S GOING TO TAKE MANY YEARS OF SUSTAINED EFFORT.

I'D LOVE TO SEE THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY COME TOGETHER.

I THINK IT'D BE MUCH BETTER IF WE DID THAT.

I THINK THAT COULD VERY WELL HAPPEN.

AND I THINK THAT'S THE WAY WE SHOULD DO IT.

BUT THIS IS GOING TO BE A LONG DIFFICULT STRUGGLE.

AND -- BUT I THINK THERE IS -- THERE IS NO QUESTION, BUT THAT THIS, YOU KNOW, WHAT HAPPENED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE WEEK CHANGES EVERYTHING FOR ALL OF US.

IT DOESN'T CHANGE OUR LIVING BY OUR OWN VALUES.

IT DOESN'T CHANGE OUR, YOU KNOW, VALUING OUR FREEDOM.

BUT CLEARLY THIS IS A TIME FOR, FIRST, OF PRAYER, AND SECOND OF ALL, FOR A STRONG UNITY OF EFFORT.

>> Cathy: THE LATE SENATOR PAUL WELLSTONE.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF EVENTS THIS SATURDAY TO COMMEMORATE 9/11.

AMONG THEM, A REMEMBRANCE GATHERING ON THE STATE CAPITOL GROUNDS STARTING AT 7:30 IN THE MORNING AND RUNNING UNTIL 2:00 P.M.

THE CEREMONY WILL INCLUDE A READING OF THE NAMES OF THOSE LOST THAT DAY, ALONG WITH A SERIES OF GUEST SPEAKERS.

THERE IS ALSO A TRIBUTE CONCERT SATURDAY AFTERNOON AT 5:00 P.M. AT THE LAKE HARRIET BANDSHELL FEATURING THE 204TH ARMY BAND, TWIN CITIES TRUMPET ENSEMBLE, AND THE MINNESOTA 9/11 CHORUS.

YOU CAN FIND MORE DETAILS ABOUT THESE AND OTHER COMMEMORATIVE EVENTS ONLINE.

♪ ♪ >> THREE FACTS ABOUT ME: ONE, I LOVE MY 120-YEAR-OLD HOUSE.

TWO, I DON'T LIKE UNFINISHED BASEMENTS.

THREE, I DON'T LIKE INSECTS IN MY HOUSE.

YOU CAN SEE WHERE THIS IS GOING.

I'M LIKE KEVIN MCALLISTER IN "HOME ALONE," EXCEPT I NEVER FACED AND OVERCAME MY BASEMENT FEARS IN A HEART-WARMING HOLIDAY MOVIE.

INSIDE, I'M STILL EIGHT YEARS OLD, AND MY UNFINISHED BASEMENT IS NOT MY FAVORITE.

HAD TO GO DOWN THERE ONCE WITH AN INSPECTOR, AND THERE WAS A HUGE BLACK MILLIPEDE CREEPING ALONG THE CONCRETE WALL ACROSS FROM THE STAIRS.

LIKE, VISIBLE-FROM-SPACE BIG.

LIKE, IT MIGHT COME UPSTAIRS AND PULL UP A CHAIR AND ASK "WHAT'S FOR DINNER" BIG.

WHERE IS THE BLOW TORCH?

I WILL BURN MY HOUSE DOWN BEFORE I HAVE TO SHARE SPACE WITH THAT.

I'M ITCHY JUST THINKING ABOUT IT.

NOT ONLY IS THE BASEMENT UNFINISHED AND A PLAYGROUND FOR INSECTS WITH TOO MANY LEGS, IT'S MADE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE SHORTER THAN 5'5".

MY NEARLY 6-FOOT-TALL BODY DOES NOT APPRECIATE STUMPING AROUND LIKE THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME JUST TO GRAB THE EXTRA CAR SEAT AND KEEP THE COBWEBS OUT OF MY HAIR.

IN THE END, THE BASEMENT AND I HAVE REACHED A DÉTENTE.

I DON'T GO DOWN THERE, AND THE BASEMENT CRITTERS AND GENERAL CREEPINESS STAY OUT OF MY UPSTAIRS LIFE WITH A TIGHTLY CLOSED DOOR.

AND WHEN I DO SEE A BENEFICIAL BUG, LIKE A HOUSE CENTIPEDE OR SPIDER, SKITTERING ABOUT UPSTAIRS, I CATCH IT IN MY SPECIAL BUG CUP AND USHER IT OUTSIDE.

BUT TRUST: I WOULD CURB STOMP A GIANT MILLIPEDE.

AFTER I SCREAM AND FLAIL, OF COURSE.

♪ ♪ >> MARY: THE VIKES START THEIR SEASON SUNDAY.

THE GOPHERS ARE DEALING WITH A DEVASTATING INJURY TO THEIR STAR RUNNING BACK.

AND THE LYNX ARE EYEING THE PLAYOFFS.

IT'S A GOOD TIME TO CHECK IN WITH LARRY FITZGERALD, SENIOR, LONGTIME SPORTS REPORTER AND BROADCASTER.

WELL, LET'S START WITH THE VIKINGS BECAUSE THE PRE-SEASON WAS NOT STELLAR.

SHALL WE SAY?

IS THE REGULAR SEASON GOING TO BE BETTER?

>> WELL, LET'S HOPE SO.

I THINK THEY WERE EXTREMELY YOU KNOW, FOOTBALL, THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE, IS SORT OF A COPY-CAT SPORT.

IF SOMEBODY SETS A TREND, AND THEN HAS SUCCESS IN THE SEASON, THEN EVERYBODY SORT OF FOLLOWS THAT.

AND I THINK A COUPLE YEARS AGO, SAN FRANCISCO WENT TO THE SUPER BOWL AND THEY DIDN'T PLAY ANYBODY IN THE PRE-SEASON, NOBODY, NONE THE STARTERS, AND THEN THEY WENT 13-3, BEAT GREEN BAY, WENT THE SUPER BOWL AND RAN INTO PATRICK MAHOMES IN KANSAS CITY.

WE DON'T WANT TO GET ANYBODY HURT.

AND SO THE VIKINGS DIDN'T PLAY ANYBODY.

AND THEY PLAYED LIKE, I MEAN, THEY WERE JUST HORRENDOUS.

AND SO THE ONE THING WE DO KNOW IS, THEY'VE GOT 11 PRO BOWL PLAYERS AND FOUR ON OFFENSE INCLUDING THEIR QUARTERBACK, KIRK COUSINS WHO'S THROWN FOR 3500 YARDS, AT LEAST 25 TOUCHDOWNS OR MORE IN THE LAST SIX SEASONS.

>> Mary: IF HE CAN KEEP PLAYING.

>> THAT'S THE KEY.

YOU KNOW, BUT THANKS TO PRESIDENT BIDEN PUTTING IN THAT RULE THE OTHER DAY FOR CORPORATIONS, AND I THINK THAT'S GOING TO APPLY TO THE N.F.L., BECAUSE THEY HAVE A UNION TO DEAL WITH, AND THEY CAN'T FORCE THE PLAYERS TO GET VACCINATED.

THEY CAN SUGGEST IT AND THEY CAN TELL YOU THAT YOU BETTER PUT A MASK ON EVERY DAY AND EVERYWHERE YOU GO IN THE FACILITY, BUT IT'S UP TO THE INDIVIDUAL TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION FOR HIS FAMILY AND FOR THE PLAYERS.

>> Cathy: ANY HOPE FOR THE TIMBERWOLVES WITH NEW OWNERSHIP?

>> WELL, LET'S HOPE SO.

I MEAN, FOR GOODNESS, THEY'VE GOT TALENT.

THEY'VE GOT THE INGREDIENTS TO BE A TEAM THAT CAN CHALLENGE.

BUT WE KNOW THE WEST IS ROUGH.

I MEAN, PHOENIX WENT TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP WITHIN TWO GAMES.

BUT THEY CAME WITHIN TWO WINS OF GETTING A CHAMPIONSHIP AND THEY HADN'T BEEN IN THE PLAYOFFS IN TEN YEARS.

AND SO THE LYNX HAVE THE INGREDIENTS TO GET IT DONE.

THE KEY IS CAN THEY STAY HEALTHY AND CAN THEY BUILD SOMETHING FROM WITHIN?

THEY'RE BRINGING IN SOME YOUNG PLAYERS, HEY, IT'S TIME TO PUT UP.

>> Cathy: I'M CURIOUS TOO ABOUT -- YOU MENTIONED THE LYNX, THEIR 11TH STRAIGHT YEAR THAT THEY MADE THE PLAYOFFS?

>> IT SURE IS.

CHERYL REEVE IS A HALL OF FAME COACH.

SHE'S WON FOUR TITLES ALREADY.

SHE'S GOT THE BEST WINNING PERCENTAGE OF ANY COACH WHO'S COACHED IN THE WN BIBA, OVER ALMOST 6, 80%.

AND SO SHE'S GOT ANOTHER TEAM THAT HAS ALREADY CLINCHED.

THIS TEAM, I LIKE IT.

THEY DIDN'T PLAY VERY WELL THE OTHER NIGHT IN LAS VEGAS.

I MEAN, THEY CAME UP CRAPS BUT THIS IS A VERY TALENTED TEAM THAT SHE KNOWS HOW TO PUSH THE RIGHT BOUT EVERYONES AND I THINK THEY'RE COMING ALONG RIGHT AT THE SAME TIME AND THEY'VE GOT A GREAT CENTER.

SYLVIA FOWLS CAN PLAY WITH THE BEST OF THEM, AND IF THEY CAN KEEP HER OUT OF FOUL TROUBLE, THEY'RE GOING TO BE DIFFICULT TO HANDLE IN THE PLAYOFFS.

>> Mary: DOES THIS PROVE THAT THERE'S A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT FOR WOMEN'S SPORTS?

>> ABSOLUTELY, IT'S HERE.

I THINK THAT ALL THE TEAMS, NOT JUST THE WOMEN PROFESSIONAL SPORTS, ARE DEALING WITH THE, YOU KNOW, TRYING TO GET OUT OF THIS COVID ENVIRONMENT.

WHERE THERE'S A CAUTION.

TO GOING OUT AND BEING IN THE PUBLIC AND THAT TYPE OF THING.

AND I THINK WE'RE PROBABLY SEEING IT MORE.

YOU KNOW, I GO TO THE LYNX GAMES AND I'M SAYING, THESE GUYS USED TO GET 10,000 IN HERE.

WHERE IS EVERYBODY?

BUT HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET THROUGH THIS DEAL.

GET VACCINATED.

WEAR OUR MASKS.

BE SMART.

AND TRY TO MOVE FORWARD, BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO TAKE ALL OF US -- >> Cathy: I'M CURIOUS ABOUT THE GOPHERS, RIGHT?

I FEEL SO BAD FOR MO IBRAHIM, THAT SEASON ENDING INJURY, WOW?

>> YEAH, WAS THERE FOR THE GAME.

AND I SAW SEVEN PROFESSIONAL SCOUTS THERE.

AND, YOU KNOW, A COUPLE OF THEM TOLD ME SECRETLY WHO WERE THE GUYS THEY WERE LOOKING AT AND HE WAS RIGHT AT THE TOP OF THE LIST.

I MEAN, HE'S AVERAGING 5, 6 YARDS A CARRY AND OVER 3,000 ?

THEY'LL STILL LOOK AT HIM.

BUT THIS HURT USA BECAUSE NOW YOU HAVE O NOT ONLY PHYSICALLY HAVE SUBER, GET THAT RIGHT, AND THEN START THE REHABILITATION.

AND PROVE YOU CAN GET BACK TO WHERE YOU WERE THE NIGHT THEY WERE WATCHING YOU AGAINST OHIO STATE WHEN YOU RAN FOUR 163 YARDS AND TWO TOUCHDOWNS.

AND SO CAN HE DO THAT?

I'M SURE HE CAN.

HE'S STILL A YOUNG MAN.

BUT THIS IS CLEARLY A SETBACK.

>> Mary: AND CAN THE GOPHERS PLAY WITH ANYBODY EVEN WITHOUT HIM NOW?

>> WELL, IF THEY'RE ABLE TO THE PLAY THE WAY THEY DID AGAINST OHIO STATE IN THAT FIRST HALF WHEN THEY PHYSICALLY MAULED THEM, LET 14-10 AT HALF AND PLAY GOOD SOLID DEFENSE, YEAH, THEY CAN PLAY WITH ANYBODY, BUT THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO RUN THE FOOTBALL AND THEN HOPE THAT TANNER MORGAN CAN SLING IT DOWN THE FOOTBALL FIELD.

>> Mary: AND GET SOME GOOD CALLS.

>> THERE YOU GO.

>> Cathy: WE DIDN'T TALK ABOUT THE TWINS AND I THINK THAT'S PROBABLY FINE.

[ Laughter ] THANKS, FITZY.

♪ ♪ >> C >> Mary: YOU MAY HAVE HEARD ABOUT THE STATE REPRESENTATIVE WHO WAS IN THE NEWS AFTER LOSING SEVERAL FINGERS IN A RECENT POWER SAW ACCIDENT.

WHAT YOU MAY NOT KNOW IS HOW MANY PEOPLE FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE HAVE REACHED OUT TO HELP.

WE DO WANT TO WARN YOU, SOME OF THE IMAMS FROM THE HOSPITAL MAY BE -- IMAGES FROM THE HOSPITAL MAY BE HARD TO WORK OUT.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, WE DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO HEAR THIS IN COMMITTEE -- >> Mary: WE FIRST NOTICED REPRESENTATIVE ERIN KOEGEL WHEN SHE BECAME THE FIRST LAWMAKER TO WORK SO CLOSEICALLY WITH HER INFANT AT THE CAPITOL.

>> I DON'T THINK YOU CAN BE A MOM WITHOUT THAT BEING THE TOP LAYER OF EVERYTHING YOU DO.

>> Mary: THE THIRD TERM LAWMAKER WAS ENJOYING LIFE WITH HER KIDDO AND FAMILY AT A CABIN THEY RECENTLY PURCHASED, AND WERE DOING ONE OF MANY D.I.Y.

PROJECTS.

>> I WAS MAKING A COFFEE TABLE.

I FOUND OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THOSE COOL PINTEREST IDEAS.

THERE WAS A KNOT IN IT AND I DON'T REMEMBER NYTHING OF THE ACCIDENT, BUT I REMEMBER THE NOISE.

AND THEN THE NEXT THING I REMEMBER, I'M WALKING TO THE CABIN, YOU KNOW, WITH MY HAND IN MY ARM, DON'T WORRY, IT'S THE LEFT HAND.

>> Mary: KOEGEL BLACKED OUT FOR A MINUTE AND DIDN'T REALIZE THE EXTENT OF HER INJURIES NITIALLY.

>> MY MIDDLE FINGER WAS DANGLING.

MY TIP OF MY POINTER FINGER GOT OFF AND THEN MY RING AND POINTER -- OR ING AND PINKY FINGER WERE IN THE YARD.

MY WEDDING RING GOT COMPLETELY DESTROYED.

>> Mary: HER TWO-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER CLARA WAS ALSO IN THE YAH.

>> WE DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH SHE SAW.

>> Mary: YOU'RE AT A CABIN.

I'M GUESSING HOSPITAL ISN'T SUPER CLOSE.

>> YEAH, SO WE CALLED 911, AND THEY SENT THE LONGVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT PEOPLE DOWN, AND THEN THE AMBULANCE CAME AND WHEN THE AMBULANCE CAME, THEY'RE LIKE, OH, WE GOT TO FIND A SPOT FOR THE CHOPPER TO LAND.

AND I SAID, I DON'T NEED A HELICOPTER, AND EVERYBODY IN THE ROOM SAID, YES YOU DO!

AND SO THEY LANDED THE HELICOPTER ON THE COUNTY ROAD OUT IN FRONT OF MY CABIN AND AIRLIFTED ME TO NORTH MEMORIAL.

THEY BROUGHT ME STRAIGHT FROM THE HELICOPTER AIRLIFT DOWN TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM WHERE I MET MY DOCTOR.

SHE STARTED THE SU SURGERY AT 4:00 IN THE AFTERNOON AND IT DIDN'T FINISH UP UNTIL 4:00 A.M. TO ARE ATTACH THE MIDDLE FINGER WHICH UNFORTUNATELY DIDN'T TAKE.

>> Mary: SHE EVEN HAD LEAF THERAPY TO TRY TO HELP THE BLOOD CIRCULATE ON THE REATTACHED FINGER.

>> I POSTED THAT ON FACEBOOK AFTER PROBABLY ABOUT FIVE DAYS OF BEING IN THE HOSPITAL.

AND JUST, YOU NOW, OUT OF BOREDOM AND BEING ALONE FOR THAT LONG.

>> Mary: THAT POST CREATED A HUGE OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT.

>> I WAS JUST THINKING, THERE'S NO WAY I'M GOING TO BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF KIDDO.

WE JUST NEED SOMEBODY TO WATCH THE KID, I WAS JUST THINKING NANNY OR WHATEVER.

AND I'LL START A GOFUNDME.

AND THEN IT JUST WENT CRAZY AND I WAS ACTUALLY QUITE EMBARRASSED OF THE WHOLE SITUATION WHEN MY MOM SHOWED ALL THE NEWS STORIES ON HER PHONE THAT NIGHT AFTER I GOT HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL, I WAS CRYING, I WAS SO EMBARRASSED.

>> Mary: SHE APPRECIATES THE SUPPORT.

>> I TEND TO BE ONE OF THE LOWER KEY LEGISLATORS, A LITTLE BIT MORE QUIET.

I'M NOT SO, LIKE, JUMPING UP AND TALKING, ESPECIALLY ABOUT MYSELF.

>> Mary: DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS, STAFFERS AND MORE ALL RALLIED TO THE CAUSE.

>> MOST PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THAT WE ARE ACTUALLY FRIENDS IN THE LEGISLATURE AND SO MUCH OF IT IS HEATRICS HICH IS REALLY KIND OF DISAPPOINTING FOR ME AND A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE IS THE THEATRICS OF POLITICS AND MAYBE THAT'S WHY I'M A LITTLE BIT MORE UNDER THE RADAR THAN MOST LEGISLATORS.

>> Mary: SHE'LL LEARNED ANEW THE CHALLENGES OF HEALTHCARE AND DAY AIR.

DAYCARE.

>> SO I'M VERY MINDFUL OF THE OPIOIDS PIECE OF IT.

>> Mary: NEXT UP ARE PHYSICAL THERAPY AND POSSIBLY PROSTHETICS FOR THE LOW-KEY LAWMAKER FROM SPRING LAKE PARK.

>> THE OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT HAS BEEN SUPER OVERWHELMING.

♪ ♪ >> CATHY: IT WAS A WEEK THAT FEATURED THE COMPLETION OF THE POWER SHAKEUP IN THE STATE SENATE DUE TO THE LAUNCH FOR GOVERNOR BY PAUL GAZELKA AND THE VOTE TO MAKE JEREMY MILLER OF WINONA THE NEW SENATE MAJORITY LEADER.

[ Applause ] >> Mary: SENATOR PAUL GAZELKA CHOSE THE STATE CAPITOL AS THE LOCATION TO ANNOUNCE HE'S SEEKING HIGHER OFFICE.

>> I AM ONORED TO BE IN THIS MAJESTIC BUILDING, THE SEAT OF OUR STATE GOVERNMENT, TO ANNOUNCE MY CANDIDACY FOR GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

[ Cheers and applause ] >> Mary: THE NORTHERN MINNESOTA REPUBLICAN RECENTLY STEPPED DOWN AS MAJORITY LEADER TO PAVE THE WAY FOR THIS RUN, TAKING HIS SPOT AS THE NEXT MAJORITY LEADER IS SENATE PRESIDENT, EREMY MILLER.

>> THOSE OF YOU WHO KNOW ME KNOW THAT I'M MORE OF A BEHIND THE SCENES KIND OF GUY.

>> Mary: MILLER HAS A MORE MODERATE BACKGROUND, GROWING UP AND REPRESENTING WINONA WHERE HE HAS DEEP FAMILY TIES IN THE SCRAP AND RECYCLING BUSINESS.

>> I'M COMMITTED AND SENATE REPUBLICANS ARE COMMITTED TO WORK TOGETHER TOWARD POSITIVE SOLUTIONS FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

>> Mary: THE YOUNG LAWMAKER HELPED FOUND THE PURPLE CAUCUS THAT ATTEMPTED TO FIND BIPARTISAN SOLUTIONS, BUT ULTIMATELY DISBANDED IN THESE PARTISAN TIMES.

>> I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO UNITE OUR CAUCUS AND AT THE SAME TIME WORK TOGETHER WITH COLLEAGUES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

>> CATHY: HERE TO TALK POLITICS FOR A FEW MINUTES, BRIAN MCCLUNG, FORMER TIM PAWLENTY SPOKESPERSON, NOW IN THE P.R.

BUSINESS.

ABOU AMARA JOINS US.

HE'S A FORMER DFL LEGISLATIVE STAFFER, NOW A CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY.

SAY, BRIAN, LET'S TALK ABOUT MAJORITY LEADER MILLER.

HE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A BOMB THROWER.

I MEAN, HOW MIGHT HE APPROACH HIS JOB?

>> YEAH, I THINK HE IS GOING TO BE A BREATH OF FRESH AIR IN SOME WAYS.

HE WAS THE YOUNGEST SENATE PRESIDENT.

HE MIGHT BE THE YOUNGEST SENATE MAJORITY LEADER AT 38 YEARS OLD.

HE REALLY IS I THINK A PROBLEM SOLVER.

YOU KNOW, HE COMES FROM A FAMILY BUSINESS BACKGROUND.

HIS FATHER WAS MAYOR OF WINONA.

AND SO HE'S NOT REALLY LIKE I SAY A BOMB THROWER.

ON THE OTHER HAND, THOUGH, NEITHER WAS PAUL GAZELKA.

PAUL GAZELKA WAS SOMEBODY WHO REALLY WANTED TO WORK ACROSS THE AISLE AND REALLY PUT A PREMIUM ON GETTING THINGS DONE.

SO MAYBE NOT A BIG CHANGE BUT A GENERATIONAL CHANGE.

>> I THINK IT'S A HUGE CHANGE AND HERE'S WHY.

PAUL GAZELKA IS IN THE DEEP CONSERVATIVE PRINCIPLES.

JUST IN PRINCIPLE OF LAW, HE WAS THE MAIN PROPONENT OF THE GAY MARRIAGE BAN IN THE CONSTITUTION.

YOU HAVE JEREMY MILLER WHO'S GOING TO STRUGGLE WITH HOW DO I BALANCE MY PERSONAL BELIEFS WITH THE EXTREME BELIEFS OF MY CAUCUS?

>> Mary: YOU KNEW A FAIRLY MODERATE MAJORITY LEADER THAT YOU HAPPENED TO WORK FOR WHO WENT ON TO BECOME GOVERNOR.

IS MODERATION WHERE THINGS ACTUALLY GET DONE AT THE CAPITOL?

>> YEAH, IT IS, BUT THAT DOESN'T ALWAYS TRANSLATE INTO ELECTORAL SUCCESS, BECAUSE THE ACTIVISTS WHO, YOU KNOW, MAKE PARTY ENDORSEMENTS, THEY DON'T ALWAYS FAVOR GETTING THINGS DONE OVER, YOU KNOW, WHAT ABOU WAS TALKING ABOUT, AND THAT KIND OF STRIDENT POLITICAL POSITIONS.

>> Mary: DO YOU SEE SOME SHADES OF TIM PAWLENTY, THOUGH?

HE WAS A YOUNG GUY, FAMILY MAN, HAD KIDS, WAS SEEN AS HAVING SOME SHADES OF MODERATION.

I'VE HEARD SOME PEOPLE SAYING HE SHOULD RUN FOR GOVERNOR.

>> I THINK JEREMY IS THE KIND OF PERSON THAT HAS THAT KIND OF APPEAL.

I MEAN, HE'S DOES -- HA AS THAT KIND OF EVERYMAN REGULAR MINNESOTAN KIND OF APPEAL AND STORY TO HIM.

SO, YES, I DO THINK THAT LONG-TERM, HE COULD BE WELL POSITIONED TO RUN STATEWIDE.

AND I THINK LONG-TERM, THAT'S THE KIND OF CANDIDATE THE REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO NEED TO WIN STATEWIDE.

>> Cathy: AND WHO REPLACES SENATOR KENT?

>> IT'S STILL A RACE.

ANY PERSON'S RACE.

IF I HAD TO PUT -- GET ON A HORSE AND SAY I WAS GOING TO RIDE THIS HOUSER, IT'D PROBABLY BE MELISA FRANZEN.

MODERATE ENOUGH TO APPEAL TO THE SUBURBAN VOTERS AND TO LEAD AN ELECTION RACE IN 2022 TO TAKE THE MAJORITY.

BUT SHE'S NOT OVERLY CONSERVATIVE, AND PUSHING AWAY SOME OF THE MORE LIBERAL VOICES IN THE CAUCUS.

SHE MIGHT BE THAT MIDDLE CANDIDATE.

>> Cathy: WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES FACING THESE NEXT LEADERS IN CAUCUS.

YOU'VE GOT REDISTRICTING, RIGHT?

CANDIDATE RECRUITMENT, THERE'S A BUNCH OF OTHER THINGS.

>> Mary: SPECIAL SESSIONS NONSTOP.

>> I THINK FIRST AND FOREMOST, IS THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO RAISE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

THESE ARE CONVERSATIONS THAT THEY AVE NOT BEEN A PART OF.

AS SOMEONE WHO WORK AID IN LEADERSHIP, SOMEONE WHO WORKED IN LEADERSHIP IN THE LEGISLATURE, THEY'RE PROBABLY GOING TO HAVE TO RAISE $5 MILLION IN THE NEXT ELECTION AND THAT'S SOMETHING THEY HAVEN'T BEEN DOING EACH AND EVERY DAY, AND SO THAT'S GOING TO BE AN ENTIRE PUTTER OF THEIR CALENDAR, JUST MAKING CALLS, RAISING MONEY.

>> YOU LOOK AT IT, RIGHT NOW, THE SENATE IS A 64-31 DIVIDE WITH THOSE TWO INDEPENDENTS CAUCUSING WITH REPUBLICANS AND WHAT YOU HAVE IS REDISTRICTING THAT IS LIKELY TO BE BENEFIT DEMOCRATS BECAUSE THE GROWTH HAS BEEN MORE IN THE METRO AREA BUT IT'S THE MIDTERM PRESIDENTIAL YEAR.

AND SO THAT'S GOOD FOR REPUBLICANS.

SO YOU HAVE THESE COUNTER-BALANCING FACTORS AND SO THOSE RACES AND THE CONTROL OF THE MINNESOTA SENATE IS GOING TO BE HUGE.

AND SO THAT'S JOB NUMBER ONE FOR SENATOR MILLER AND LIKELY FOR SENATOR FRANZEN IF SHE BECOMES THE MINORITY LEADER IS TO GO OUT AND RAISE THAT MONEY TO CONTEST THE CONTROL OF THE MINNESOTA SENATE.

>> Cathy: YOU MENTIONED THE TWO INDEPENDENTS.

LET'S TALK ABOUT SENATOR BAKK.

WHAT WAS HE IN ALL OF THIS LEADERSHIP IX?

>> WELL, WE HEAR THAT HE HAD MAKING CALLS AND TESTING THE WATER ABOUT BECOMING THE LEADER.

NOW, OF COURSE, TO BE THE SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER, YOU NEED TO BE A REPUBLICAN.

AND RIGHT NOW, HE'S AN INDEPENDENT.

>> Mary: I HEAR HE GOT VOTES.

>> YEAH, SO I MEAN, NO PRIZE.

AND, YOU KNOW, SENATOR BAKK IS OF COURSE ONE OF THE BEST POLITICAL MINDS AT THE CAPITOL.

SO YOU CAN SEE PEOPLE SAYING, LIKE, HEY, WHY NOT PICK THIS GUY.

LIKE, HE KNOWS HOW TO ET THINGS DONE.

BUT ON THE OTHER HAND, HE'S NOT YET A REPUBLICAN.

SO I THINK HE'S ALSO STILL HOLDING OUT THE IDEA OF MAYBE RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR AS AN INDEPENDENT.

AND OF COURSE IF HE WERE TO BECOME THE LEADER OF THE SENATE REPUBLICANS THAT IS RULED OUT.

>> Mary: BUT GAZELKA SAID WHEN HE ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK THAT BAKK WAS GOING TO BE SUPPORTING HIM AND OTHER IRON RANGE DEMOCRATS.

>> THAT MIGHT BE TRUE.

I'M NOT GOING TO SIT HERE AND SPEAK AS AN EXPERT OF IRON RANGE POLITICS.

THE FUTURE OF THE PARTY IS IN THE MEMBERSHIP AREA.

IT'S IN DULUTH, IT'S IN ROCHESTER, IT'S IN ST.

CLOUD.

THAT IS WELL OVER SUPERMAJORITY OF VOTERS.

WE GAINED 300,000 NEW VOTERS IN THE METRO JUST OVER THE LAST 15 YEARS.

THE NUMBER IS ACTUALLY DOWN ON THE IRON RANGE, AS MUCH AS I SUPPORT THE IRON RANGE AND SUPPORT GOOD JOBS, THAT'S JUST AN ELECTORAL REALITY THAT REPUBLICANS ARE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO FACE.

>> Mary: AND WHAT DO REPUBLICANS DO TO DO BETTER IN THE UBURBS?

EDINA, THAT USED TO BE A COMPLETELY REPUBLICAN AREA.

NOW IT'S A COMPLETELY DEMOCRATIC AREA.

>> WELL, THEY TALK ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT MATTER TO SUBURBAN VOTERS LIKE EDUCATION AND PUBLIC SAFETY.

AND THOSE ARE ISSUES RIGHT NOW THAT ARE ACTUALLY GOOD ISSUES FOR REPUBLICANS.

YOU SEE, REPUBLICANS TALKING ABOUT MAKING SURE KIDS HAVE A CHOICE, TALKING ABOUT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WENT WRONG IN OUR SCHOOLS HERE, AN 11-POINT DROP IN SCIENCE AND MATH TEST SCORES, 8-POINT DROP IN READING.

EDUCATION IS NOT GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION HERE AND REPUBLICANS HAVE IDEAS FOR THAT.

ON PUBLIC SAFETY YOU HAVE DEMOCRATS CALLING FOR DEFUNDING IT PLACE.

THAT'S GOING TO BE A MAJOR ISSUE AND I THINK YOU CAN SEE SUBURBAN VOTERS LOOKING AT THAT AND SAYING, I'M NOT SURE I REALLY WANT TO HAND OVER STATE GOVERNMENT ALL TO DEMOCRATS.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT HEALTHCARE AND VACCINES.

>> IT'S ARD TO HAVE A STRONG STAND ON EDUCATION WHEN YOU DON'T WANT KIDS TO WEAR MASKS AND THAT'S WHAT THE REPUBLICANS RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR RIGHT NOW ARE SAYING.

WE HAVE A DOCTOR RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR ACTIVELY SAYING, DON'T LISTEN TO DOCTORS.

THAT IS THE LEADING REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR RIGHT NOW.

SO IT'S HARD TO MAKE THE CASE TOO SOMEHOW YOU ARE STRONGER ON EDUCATION.

>> WELL, I THINK ULTIMATELY, THOUGH, AND ERTAINLY HEALTHCARE AND THE HANDLING OF COVID IS GOING TO BE A MAJOR PART OF THIS ELECTION PSYCH AME.

CYCLE.

BUT I THINK IN SOME WAYS WE'RE GOING TO TO HAVE LIVED WITH IT FOR SO LONG THAT ATTENTION IS GOING TO TURN TO SOME OF THESE OTHER BREAD AND BUTTER ISSUES.

AND LIKE YOU'RE SAYING, WHETHER THESE SUBURBAN LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES CAN HAVE A DIFFERENT MESSAGE THAN THE CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR.

AND CONTROL OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE ARE BOTH UP FOR GRABS.

I MEAN, THIS IS GOING TO BE VERY CLOSE LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS AND WHEN WE SEE THE NEW MAPS COME OUT HERE IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS, THEN WE'LL REALLY HAVE A FEEL FOR WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.

>> Cathy: LET'S TALK ABOUT SENATOR JENSEN, WHO'S RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR, CALLING TODAY FOR CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE ASKING FOLKS TO IGNORE THE MASK AND VACCINE MANDATES.

WHAT COMES OF A CALL?

LIKE THIS?

>> WELL, HERE'S THE PROBLEM.

THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR ARE RUNNING ON ISSUES THAT ARE POPULAR WITH REPUBLICANS, BUT NOT POPULAR BROADLY.

AND THAT IS SETTING THEM UP FOR A LOSS NEXT NOVEMBER.

SO THAT WOULD BE MY ADVICE TO THESE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES IS, HAVE YOUR EYE ON THE PRIZE.

REMEMBER WHERE THINGS ARE GOING TO BE NEXT NOVEMBER.

REMEMBER THE VOTERS YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO SWAY AND WIN OVER, THAT NOBODY'S DONE SINCE TIM PAWLENTY GOT ELECTED STATEWIDE IN 2006.

AND LOOK AT THAT ROAD MAP INSTEAD OF JUST CONCENTRATING ON WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO FOR THE ENDORSEMENT.

I MEAN, THAT'S A LONG -- THAT'S A PROBLEM IF YOU'RE LOOKING T TRYING TO WIN NEXT FALL.

>> ANOTHER WAY OF SAYING WHAT HE JUST SAID IS REPUBLICANS RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR ARE OUT OF STEP WITH MINNESOTA VOTERS.

THEY ARE OUT OF STEP WITH MINNESOTA VOTERS.

IT'S ONE THING TO REIN E WIN A REPUBLICAN PRIME R5E678.

IT'S NOTHER TO WIN AN ELECTION STATEWIDE.

THAT'S WHY REPUBLICANS HAVEN'T WON AN ELECTION SINCE GEORGE W. BUSH WAS PRESIDENT.

>> Mary: LET'S TALK ABOUT SENATOR AMY KLOBUCHAR I THINK SURPRISED A LOT OF FOLKS BY REVEALING THAT SHE HAD BATTLED AND IT LOOKS LIKE BREAST CANCER.

WHAT'S THE MESSAGING THAT NOW WE'VE HAD, YOU KNOW, HAGEDORN, KLOBUCHAR, THAT THEY HAVE TO HOLD THEIR MEDICAL PERSON HISTORY BACK?

IS THIS HEALTHY?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, FIRST THING I'D SAY IS, YOU KNOW, SHE WAS IN THE MIDST OF A CONTENTIOUS PRIMARY ELECTION, SUPPORTING JOE BIDEN FOR THE NO, MA'AM NOM.

I THINK SHE WAS SO FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE OF THE COUNTRY AND MAKING SURE THAT DONALD TRUMP WASN'T REELECTED BUT I THINK IT SPEAKS TO THE HUMANITY IN EACH OF US THAT SOMETIMES WE FORGET THAT POLITICIANS, THESE ARE HUMAN BEINGS AND SOMETIMES WE LOSE THIS IN THIS PARTISAN FIGHT.

AND HEARING HER STORY, IT'S POWERFUL AND I HOPE MANY WOMEN HEAR HER STORY AND POTENTIALLY SEEK SERVICES OR MEDICAL CARE AS A RESULT.

>> YEAH, AND I THINK IT'S TOUGH, YOU KNOW, THESE POLITICIANS PUT THEMSELVES OUT THERE SO MUCH AND THEY LIVE THEIR LIVES IN PUBLIC.

AND THERE ARE SOMETIMES THAT YOU DO NEED TO BE PRIVATE.

AND IF YOU'RE BATTLING A HEALTH CONCERN LIKE THAT, YOU KNOW, I FULLY UNDERSTAND IF YOU WANT TO TAKE CARE OF THAT ON YOUR OWN, ON YOUR OWN TERMS AND TELL US ABOUT IT LATER.

WE DON'T HAVE TO KNOW EVERY DETAIL OF YOUR LIFE.

IT'S OKAY.

LET'S ACCEPT THAT.

AND LET'S HOPE THAT PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, GET CHECKED, TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES AS A RESULT OF ALL OF THIS.

>> AND LIKE EVERY ELECTION SHE'S EVER BEEN IN, SHE BEAT IT.

>> Cathy: GREAT JOB, GUYS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

♪ ♪ >> CATHY: FOR NEARLY FOUR DECADES, WE'VE ASKED YOU MINNESOTA HISTORY QUESTIONS AND HAVE NEVER KNOWINGLY ASKED THE SAME QUESTION TWICE.

HERE'S THE EFFORT FROM LAST WEEK.

WE TOLD YOU TO THINK ABOUT THE SUMMER OF 1948.

THERE WERE PRESS REPORTS THAT AN INTERNATONAL SPORTS LEAGUE WAS BEING FORMED AND THAT MINNEAPOLIS WOULD HAVE A TEAM IN THE LEAGUE.

OTHER CITIES WITH SQUADS: DETROIT, TORONTO, PITTSBURGH, AND NEW YORK.

IN MAY, A LOCAL TEAM MEMBER WAS QUOTED SAYING THAT THE PRESS REPORTS WEREN'T TRUE, +S BUT IN JUNE, THE REPORTS WERE CONFIRMED, THOUGH IT WAS NOTED THAT LEAGUE PLAY WOULDN'T BEGIN UNTIL THE FOLLOWING YEAR.

WHAT INTERNATIONAL SPORTS LEAGUE WITH A MINNESOTA TEAM WAS ANNOUNCED IN THE SUMMER OF 1948?

MANY OF YOU THOUGHT YOU KNEW THIS ONE.

AND MANY OF YOU WERE WRONG.

>> Cathy: OH, FRANCIS, SOMEDAY YOU'LL BE RIGHT, BUT NOT TODAY.

WHAT IS THE SPORTS LEAGUE WE SOUGHT?

ONLY ONE OF YOU CALLED WITH A RIGHT GUESS.

JOHN FROM ROSEMOUNT, THE GLORY IS ALL YOURS.

>> CATHY: YES, THE LEAGUE IN QUESTION WAS NOT WATER POLO, BUT REGULAR OLD POLO WITH PLAYERS ON HORSEBACK.

WE MENTIONED THE NAME OF THE TEAM, MEADOWLAKE, IN OUR HINTS LAST WEEK.

THE TEAM WAS BASED OUT OF MINNETONKA.

HERE ARE PHOTOS OF THEM IN ACTION BACK IN 1948.

THE LEAGUE DIDN'T SEEM TO MAKE MUCH OF AN IMPACT BY THE WAY.

DO YOU KNOW A BIT OF MINNESOTA HISTORY YOU THINK WOULD MAKE FOR A GREAT INDEX FILE QUESTION?

LET US KNOW BY GIVING US A CALL OR SENDING AN EMAIL OUR WAY.

651-229-1430.

OR GIVE OUR EMAIL A TRY.

ALMANAC@TPT.ORG.

FOR SHOW-CLOSING MUSIC, THIS WEEK IN 1982, THE MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA, LED BY THE GREAT NEVILLE MARRINER, TEAMED WITH MUSICIANS FROM FIVE SCANDINAVIAN COUNTRIES FOR A BROADCAST CALLED "SCANDINAVIA TONIGHT."

THE SPECIAL WAS PRODUCED BY TPT AND SEEN ON PBS STATIONS ACROSS THE NATION.

WE GO OUT TONIGHT TO THE MASSED CHOIRS SINGING "FINLANDIA."

IN ERIC ESKOLA'S HONOR.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT TIME.

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