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

>> ERIC: IN THE NEXT HOUR, WE'LL EXPLORE TOPICS INCLUDING VACCINE MANDATES, THE GREAT RESIGNATION AT THE STATE CAPITOL, AND ESPORTS.

WE'LL ALSO REMEMBER CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER CLYDE BELLECOURT.

THEN MARY LAHAMMER LOOKS AT PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> Mary: PUBLIC SAFETY IS FRONT AND CENTER AT THE CAPITOL WITH INCREASED CRIME AND A CONTROVERSIAL SENTENCING COMMISSION.

>> MINNESOTANS DESERVE TO BE SAFE IN THE COMMUNITIES WHERE THEY LIVE.

>> PUBLIC SAFETY IS THE TOP ISSUE FOR MINNESOTANS RIGHT NOW.

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

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

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY.• GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 28 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

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

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

ENBRIDGE: CONNECTING MINNESOTANS WITH ENERGY FOR OVER 70 YEARS.

MORE AT ENBRIDGE.COM/LINETHREEUS.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

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

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

>> ERIC: LATER IN THE HOUR WE'LL TALK ABOUT RISING CRIME, LEARN ABOUT A PIONEERING E-SPORT PROGRAM AT A MINNESOTA UNIVERSITY, AND WE'LL ALSO REMEMBER CLYDE BELLECOURT, ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN MOVEMENT.

BUT FIRST UP IN THE HOUR THE ONGOING OMICRON SURGE.

>> CATHY: IT'S SOMETIMES HARD TO MAKE SENSE OF THE OMICRON VARIANT.

WE KEEP HEARING ABOUT THE STEEP RISE IN CASES NATIONALLY AND THE POTENTIAL FOR A STEEP DECLINE.

IT IS TRUE THAT SOME EAST COAST CENTERS OF OMICRON OUTBREAKS ARE SEEING A DECREASE IN CASES.

THAT'S NOT TRUE IN MINNESOTA, ONE OF THE STATES WITH THE STEEPEST CASE INCREASES IN THE PAST WEEK.

ADD IN AN OVERWHELMED TESTING SYSTEM AND INCOMPLETE DATA, IT'S BECOMING AN INCREASINGLY TOUGH STORY TO COVER.

JEREMY OLSON IS ON THE COVID BEAT FOR THE "STAR TRIBUNE."

GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE TONIGHT, JEREMY.

WELCOME.

>> MY PLEASURE, THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: WE'VE SPENT WEEKS AS JOURNALISTS COVERING THE HOSPITAL STAFFING SHORTAGES, HOSPITAL NUMBERS OF COVID PATIENTS HAVE BEEN BURGEONING.

IS THAT GETTING BETTER OR IS IT GETTING WORSE?

>> WELL, THE EXPECTATION RIGHT NOW IS THAT THE CASE NUMBERS ARE GOING TO KEEP RISING.

PEOPLE THINK MAYBE WE'RE WITHIN A WEEK OR TWO OF A PEAK OF THESE CASES.

THE TROUBLE IS, IT DOESN'T END THERE BECAUSE CASES USUALLY TAKE A COUPLE WEEKS, THEN THEY RESULT IN MORE HOSPITALIZATIONS IS AND, SADLY, A COUPLE WEEKS AFTER THAT THEY RESULT IN MORE DEATHS.

EVEN AS YOU SEE CASE NUMBERS GOING DOWN, THE REAL COST, THE CONSEQUENCE OF THAT OF THE PANDEMIC KEEPS ON ROLLING.

>> Eric: WE STARTED WITH VERY LITTLE INFORMATION, WHATEVER, 18 MONTHS AGO IT WAS, NOW IT SEEMS LIKE THERE'S ALMOST TOO MUCH INFORMATION.

HOW HAVE YOU SEEN THE DIFFICULTY OF THE REPORTING OCCUR OVER THE LAST, SAY, YEAR AND A HALF?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, THE TERM SHOOT THE MESSENGER CAME FROM SOMEWHERE AND THAT'S BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE GET ANGRY WHEN YOU'RE PUBLISHING UNPLEASANT THINGS AND TALKING ABOUT DEATH AND SHUTDOWNS AND THINGS LIKE.

THAT AND THE DIFFERENCE TODAY IS THAT READERS HAVE AMMO, THEY HAVE ALL THE DATA IN FRONT OF THEM JUST LIKE WE DO AND THEY HAVE OPINIONS AND THOUGHTS ABOUT WHAT THE TRENDS ARE.

IT'S A VERY ENGAGED READERSHIP AND IS IT'S BEEN A CHALLENGE TO TALK WITH PEOPLE WHEN THEY HAVE THEIR OWN THOUGHTS.

AS A REPORTER, I'VE JUST LEANED INTO THAT.

I FOUND EVERYONE WHO CALLED WITH A CRITICISM, WHO'S CALLED ME A COMMIE OR SOMETHING ELSE TO BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN FROM THEM AND MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, READERS HAVE PROVIDED SOME VERY PROVOCATIVE STORIES AND ANTIDOTES THAT ENDED -- ANECDOTES THAT ENDED UP IN MY STORIES.

>> Cathy: ARE PEOPLE LISTENING TO THE ?ACTS >> THAT IS THE CHALLENGE RIGHT NOW BECAUSE NUMBERS CAN BE INTERPRETED IN DIFFERENT WAYS.

ONE OF THE OMICRON WAVE IS PRODUCING INCIDENTAL HOSPITALIZATIONS, WHICH IS THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE INFECTED THAT SOME PEOPLE ARE COMING INTO THE HOSPITAL WITH OTHER THINGS AND THEY ALSO HAVE COVID.

AND, SO, THERE'S A DEGREE OF DISAGREEMENT RIGHT NOW ON HOSPITALIZATIONS.

THE FACT THAT THERE ARE MORE HOSPITALIZATIONS, WHETHER THOSE ARE A TRUE INDICATOR OF PANDEMIC AND SEVERITY.

>> Eric: YOU EAT THIS WITH A SPOON EVERY DAY.

I'M WONDERING ON KIND OF THE MESSAGING CONFUSION SCALE.

HOW DO YOU GRADE THIS?

>> THE CASE NUMBERS HAVE BEEN RISING RAPIDLY HERE.

BUT IT WAS IN NOVEMBER DURING THE WAVE THAT MINNESOTA HAD THE NATION'S HIGHEST RATE IN THE NATION.

NOW WE'RE SOMEWHERE BELOW AVERAGE, MOST OTHER STATES HAVE HIGHER RATES THAN US.

BUT, ODDLY ENOUGH, OUR CASE RATE NOW IS HIGHER THAN IT WAS IN NOVEMBER WHEN WE HAD THE NATION'S HIGHEST RATE.

THERE'S A LOT OF PERSPECTIVE AND A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS TO ANSWER THE NUMBERS WHICH MAKES IT SO COMPLICATED.

>> Cathy: SAY, YOU KNOW, THE DESCRIPTION OF OMICRON AS BEING MILDER THAN DELTA HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT AS WELL.

WHEN YOU STILL HAVE ISSUE OF, SAY -- >> POLITICS ARE CLOUDING THE ISSUE IN A BAD WAY BECAUSE CONSIDER THE AVERAGE EMERGENCY ROOM, ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE COME IN ON AN AVERAGE DAY FROM ACCIDENTS EXAMINE MISTAKES THAT THEY MADE, MOUNTAIN BIKE JUMPS THAT SHE SHOULDN'T HAVE TRIED, WELL, THAT'S HAPPENING NOW, MAYBE VACATION NATION IS THE BEST STEP YOU CAN TAKE.

THE ODDS SAY SO, IF YOU ARE VACCINATED, YOU REALLY EDUCE YOUR RISK OF HOSPITALIZATION.

BUT, YOU KNOW, IN THIS CURRENT ENVIRONMENT, PEOPLE ARE CONFUSED, THEY HAVE CONCERNS.

THE VACC SEEN IS NEW.

SO I THINK IT'S UNDERSTANDABLE THAT PEOPLE HAVE QUESTIONS AND IT REQUIRES A LEVEL OF SYMPATHY AND UNDERSTANDING RATHER THAN POLITICAL RHETORIC.

>> Cathy: SO CASE RATES ARE GOING UP, WE KNOW.

THAT.

BUT I WONDER, DO WE REALLY KNOW THE NUMBERS BECAUSE, OF COURSE, THE STATE DOESN'T TALLY THE IN-HOME TEST KITS THAT PEOPLE HAVE OR HAD, THEY'RE TOUGH TO FIND NOW.

THE NUMBERS SEEM O BE KIND OF A MOVING TARGET.

>> ISN'T IT SOMETHING.

WE JUST REACHED A RECORD 21% POSITIVITY RATE FOR COVID TESTS.

SO THAT MEANS MORE THAN ONE IN EVERY FIVE PERSONS COMING IN FOR A TEST IS TESTING POSITIVE.

AND THAT'S WITHOUT THOSE AT-HOME TESTS.

WE'RE HAVING RECORD TESTING NUMBERS, RECORD CASE UMBERS AND ON TOP OF THAT, WE HAVE ALL THOSE AT-HOME TESTS THAT ARE VERY POPULAR AND ARE VERY HARD TO FIND RIGHT NOW.

SO THE NUMBERS ARE EVEN HIGHER THAN WE KNOW AT THE MOMENT.

>> Eric: DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY BY INES YOU'VE BEEN IN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF?

>> I DO KNOW THAT WE'VE COME UP TO AN ANNIVERSARY, I BELIEVE, JANUARY 25th, 2020, IS THE FIRST TIME I WROTE A STORY ABOUT 2019 NCOV, IT WASN'T CALLED SARS CoV-2, NOW WE DON'T CALL IT SARS CoV-2, IT'S JUST THE CORONAVIRUS AND MORE OFTEN NOW IT'S CALLED OMICRON -- OMICRON.

THE NAMES HAVE CHANGED.

IT'S BEEN A LONG TWO YEARS.

I'VE LOST TRACK.

>> Eric: THE STATE THANKS YOU FOR YOUR WORK.

THANKS SO MUCH.

>> Cathy: YEAH, GREAT WORK.

>> ERIC: CRIME IS A CONCERN FOR MINNESOTA VOTERS AND PUBLIC SAFETY APPEARS TO BE THE TOP ISSUE FOR POLICYMAKERS.

AN ATTEMPT TO FREE UP MORE THAN 500 PRISON BEDS BY REDUCING SOME SENTENCES UNDER A COMPLICATED POINT SYSTEM AND CUSTODY STATUS MET SERIOUS RESISTANCE AT THE MINNESOTA SENTENCING GUIDELINES COMMISSION THAT MET THIS WEEK.

REPORTER MARY LAHAMMER LOOKS DEEPER INTO THE POLITICS OF PUBLIC SAFETY AT THE CAPITOL.

>> Mary: WITH CRIME INCREASING IN THE TWIN CITIES, PUBLIC SAFETY HAS BECOME THE TOP POLITICAL ISSUE.

AFTER A LOT OF PUBLIC ATTENTION, AN UNELECTED SENTENCING BOARD VOTED TO DELAY A DECISION TO ALLOW SHORTER SENTENCES.

>> THIS IS COMPLEX POLICY.

IT IS CHALLENGING.

>> GUIDELINES COMMISSION IS TO PROVIDE EQUITABLE AND FAIR GUIDELINE IN SENTENCING.

>> I'M NOT GOING TO SIT HERE AND SAY, YOU KNOW, NONE OF OUR VIOLENT OFFENDERS ARE REOFFENDING, THAT'S NOT THE CASE, WE KNOW THAT THAT'S NOT CASE THE.

BUT WE ALSO KNOW THAT THAT'S NOT THE MAJORITY.

THERE ARE THINGS THAT ARE WITHIN OUR GUIDELINES THAT ALLOW FOR HARSHER SENTENCES FOR THE TARGETED POPULATION.

>> WE ARE TIRED OF A CULTURE THAT SEEMS TO TELL THE REST OF US LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS THAT WE JUST AVE TO ACCEPT THE CRIME.

NEU THAT IT'S HAPPENING EVERYWHERE, SO YOU NEED TO GET OVER IT.

MINNESOTANS ARE TIRED OF HAVING TO LOOK OVER THEIR SHOULDER WHILE THEY'RE PARKING THEIR CAR AT THE GROCERY STORE OR, WORSE YET, WHILE THEY'RE BRINGING THEIR GROCERIES IN TO THE HOUSE IN THEIR OWN GARAGE.

>> Mary: REPUBLICANS ARE LOOKING TO REIGN IN THE POWER OF THE APPOINTED BOARD THROUGH LEGISLATION.

THE SENATE WOULD LIKE TO ADD CONFIRMATION POWER LIKE THEY DO FOR OTHER GUBERNATORIAL APPOINTEES.

>> WE CANNOT HAVE THUGS, RAPISTS, ROBBERS, CARJACKERS, TO CONTINUE DOING WHAT THEY'RE DOING UNIMPEDED.

THE PARTY'S OVER.

>> Mary: MODERATE DEMOCRATS, ESPECIALLY FROM THE SUBURBS, LIKE SENATE MINORITY LEADER, MELISSA LÓPEZ FRANZEN, AND SOME EMBERS OF HER CAUCUS ARE ANNOUNCING PLANS TO TRY TO TAKE ACTION ON THE UPTICK IN CRIME.

>> FIRST, I THINK WE HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT'S BEEN A ROUGH COUPLE YEARS HERE FOR EVERYBODY.

FOR MINNESOTANS, FOR MEDICAL COMMUNITY, FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

AND EVERY COMMUNITY DESERVES TO BE SAFE.

>> Mary: WHY DO YOU WANT TO ADDRESS PUBLIC SAFETY?

>> BECAUSE MINNESOTANS NEED THIS TODAY.

IT'S TOP OF MIND OR EVERY SINGLE MINNESOTAN.

MINNESOTANS DESERVE TO BE SAFE IN THE COMMUNITIES WHERE THEY LIVE ND WE CAN ACCOMPLISH THAT, IT'S NOT A REPUBLICAN OR A DEMOCRATIC ISSUE, IT'S AN ISSUE OF RESPONDING TO THE NEEDS OF OUR ONSTITUENTS.

>> PREVENTATIVE POLICING, COMMUNITY POLICING, WE NEED TO LOOK AT HOW ARE WE RETAINING AND RECRUITING.

THAT'S ONE OF THE ELEMENTS OF MY BILL.

AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO EXPLORING THAT ACROSS THE AISLE.

>> SENATOR BIGHAM AND I BOTH COME FROM THE SOUTHERN SUBURBS, EVERY VOTER I'VE TALKED TO HAVE A EXPERIENCE THEY AN RELATE WHERE THEY ENCOUNTER CRIME AND THEY EXPECT US TO LAY DOWN PARTISAN ARMS AND COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS.

WE ARE GOING TO MEET WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT AND WE ARE GOING TO CULTIVATE THEIR BEST IDEAS ABOUT HOW TO TACKLE THIS PROBLEM AS WELL AS WORKING WITH PEOPLE FROM THE SOCIAL SERVICE COMMUNITY AND MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATES.

>> Mary: NO LEGISLATION, NO BILL WRITTEN YET, BUT JUST SAYING YOU ARE GOING TO ADDRESS THAT?

>> ONE BILL THAT WE HAVE INTRODUCED IS TO PROTECT HEALTHCARE WORKERS, SUCH AS MYSELF.

>> Mary: REPUBLICANS SAY THE SENTENCING GUIDELINES COMMISSION RECEIVED A RECORD AMOUNT OF PUBLIC COMMENT, MORE THAN 3,000, AND NEARLY EVERY ONE OF THEM WAS AGAINST THE PROPOSAL.

>> WILL THEY LISTEN TO MINNESOTANS, THE 3,353 MINNESOTANS WHO OPPOSE THIS?

OR ARE THEY GOING TO LISTEN TO FRINGE ACTIVISTS?

>> Mary: TURNS OUT, THE COMMISSION DID LISTEN TO FEEDBACK FROM THE PUBLIC AND DECIDED MORE WORK NEEDS TO GO INTO ANY CHANGES TO SENTENCING.

>> THESE PROPOSALS TO KEEP, NOT PUT PEOPLE THAT ARE VIOLENT CRIMINALS IN PRISON IS NOT GOING TO AKE MINNESOTA SAFER.

OUR FIRST DEDICATION AND THE THING WE SHOULD WORRY ABOUT IS THE VICTIM AND THE URVIVORS.

NEU.

>> Mary: VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS ARE ON THE COMMISSION AND WERE HEARD AS THEY WERE PART OF THE DECISION TO TAKE MORE TIME AND CARE TO STUDY CRIMINAL SENTENCING.

>> IT SOUNDS LIKE A LOT OF HYSTERIA THAT WAS BEING PUSHED THROUGH TO PEOPLE.

AND THOSE WERE NOT EVEN -- THAT WAS NOT FACTUAL.

>> THIS IS TOO IMPORTANT TO BE, FRANKLY, RAMMED THROUGH WITH ANY TIMELINE IN MIND HERE GIVEN WHAT WE HEARD AT THE PUBLIC HEARING.

>> THIS S TOP OF MIND OF FOLKS AND RIGHTFULLY SO.

BUT ALSO THE PEOPLE THAT DO THE JOB, MARY, AND WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER WITH STAKEHOLDERS, SOCIAL WORKERS, OF MENTAL HEALTH, CHEMICAL HEALTH, ADDRESSING THE NEEDS AND THE ROOT CAUSES OF CRIME.

BUT ALSO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE ENOUGH POLICE OFFICERS, REPUBLICANS THINK THIS IS THE BEST ISSUE THEY HAVE.

>> I'M NOT THINKING ABOUT POLITICS ON THIS ONE, MARY.

WE REALLY HAVE TO ADDRESS THIS FOR MINNESOTANS, ND THAT'S WHAT THEY EXPECT.

THEY COME TO ME AS THEIR SENATOR, NOT AS A EMOCRAT, AND THEY WANT SOMETHING DONE ON CRIME AND THAT'S WHAT I'M GOING TO DO.

>> 20 YEARS AGO THIS YEAR, I WAS APPOINTED TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMISSION IN COTTAGE GROVE.

IT'S ALSO BEEN -- IT'S ALWAYS BEEN THE PRIORITY OF MY ELECTION AND OF OUR CAUCUS, BECAUSE WE -- YOU KNOW, MEMBERS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, THEY'RE OUR UNION BROTHERS AND SISTERS.

>> Mary: THE FIERCE DEBATE OVER PUBLIC SAFETY SOLUTIONS MAKES ONE THING CLEAR.

THE ISSUE WILL DOMINATE MINNESOTA'S UPCOMING ELECTIONS AND THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> PUBLIC SAFETY IS OUR PRIORITY.

>> PUBLIC SAFETY IS THE TOP ISSUE FOR MINNESOTANS RIGHT NOW.

♪♪ >> CATHY: LAST YEAR, THE ST. PETER CITY COUNCIL WAS ROILED IN CONTROVERSY AFTER ITS MAYOR WAS OVERHEARD THREATENING ANOTHER COUNCIL MEMBER.

HE LOST HIS MAYORAL SEAT LAST FALL TO FELLOW COUNCIL MEMBER SHANON NOWELL.

YOU MIGHT REMEMBER LAST SPRING OUR REPORTER KAOMI LEE VISITED ST. PETER AS THE CITY DISCUSSED WHETHER TO ENACT A RESOLUTION AGAINST WHITE SUPREMACY - SOMETHING THE FORMER MAYOR OPPOSED.

THIS WEEK, LEE TALKED WITH MAYOR NOWELL VIA ZOOM TO FIND OUT HOW THINGS ARE GOING.

>> I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT RUNNING FOR MAYOR LAST YEAR.

YOU HAD ONLY BEEN ON THE COUNCIL FOR LESS THAN A YEAR.

>> YES, I'D BEEN ON THE COUNCIL, APPOINTED TO A TWO-YEAR SPECIAL APPOINTMENT.

USUALLY APPOINTMENTS ARE FOUR YEARS.

BUT I JUST SO ENJOYED MY TIME ON THE COUNCIL.

I LEARNED A LOT ABOUT St. PETER.

AND GOT TO CONTRIBUTE TO A LOT OF MPORTANT INITIATIVES AND WANTED TO CONTINUE THAT WORK IN THE ROLE OF MAYOR.

>> FORMER MAYOR AND OTHER LONGTIME COUNCIL MEMBERS LOST THEIR RACES, OR DECIDED NOT TO RUN.

DOES THIS SIGNAL A SHIFT THAT St. PETER IS BECOMING MORE PROGRESSIVE POLITICALLY?

>> THAT'S ENTIRELY POSSIBLE.

I THINK I HEARD A LOT FROM RESIDENTS THAT THEY WERE JUST READY FOR A CHANGE.

I'M GLAD I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE THE PERSON TO BRING THAT CHANGE.

IT'S A PRIVILEGE TO SERVE THE CITY I LOVE.

>> WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR TOP PRIORITIES?

I REALIZE IT'S A COUNCIL.

BUT MANY LOOK TO YOU FOR LEADERSHIP.

>> I THINK SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT INITIATIVES WE HAVE ARE PRACTICAL ONES, THINGS LIKE BUILDING OUR EW FIRE HALL ARE GOING TO BE REALLY IMPORTANT TO OUR COMMUNITY.

BUT ALSO TO BE A COUNCIL HAT CONTINUES TO LISTEN.

WE STARTED A SERIES OF COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS LAST YEAR THAT WILL CONTINUE INTO THIS YEAR.

AND JUST BEING A COUNCIL THAT LISTENS AND CARES ABOUT THE VOICES OF THE RESIDENTS OF St. PETER.

>> ID YOU DECIDE TO GET INTO POLITICS BECAUSE OF RACIAL AND SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES AFTER THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD?

>> GETTING INTO THE MAYOR ROLE, IT WAS NE OF MANY FACTORS.

I THINK IT WAS -- IT'S DEFINITELY SOMETHING I HEARD A LOT ABOUT WHEN I SPOKE TO RESIDENTS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WE'RE A DIVERSE COMMUNITY.

AND WE VALUE THAT.

WE REALLY WANT TO EMBRACE IT.

IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT IT'S ALWAYS EASY TO DO.

YOU DEFINITELY HAVE TO MAKE AN EFFORT.

AND I FEEL LIKE WE'RE A COMMUNITY THAT REALLY WANTS TO DO THE WORK.

>> WHEN WE LAST TALKED, SOME OF YOU ON THE COUNCIL WERE TALKING ABOUT BRINGING FORWARD A RESOLUTION AGAINST WHITE SUPREMACY.

WHAT'S HAPPENED WITH THAT?

>> THAT RESOLUTION DIDN'T REALLY GO ANYWHERE.

EVEN THOUGH I FAVORED THE RESOLUTION, I DON'T -- I DON'T HAVE ANY PLANS TO BRING IT BACK.

I SORT OF FEEL LIKE THAT MOMENT IN TIME PASSED, AND THAT OUR EFFORTS TOWARD THESE LISTENING SESSIONS ARE REALLY WHAT WILL MOST BENEFIT OUR COMMUNITY.

>> AND WHAT'S THE GOAL AFTER THE LISTENING SESSIONS?

>> THE GOAL IS TO COME AWAY WITH SOME ACTIONABLE ITEMS, TO HEAR FROM RESIDENTS WHO LIVE IN St. PETER.

THEY'LL TELL US WHAT ARE THEIR BARRIERS LIVING HERE, WHAT ARE THE PAIN POINTS FOR THEM IN INTERACTIONS WITH CITY, THE CITY GOVERNMENT, AND, SO, REALLY LISTENING TO THEM AND HAVING ACTIONABLE THINGS THAT WE CAN DO TO BENEFIT THEM AND IMPROVE THEIR LIVES HERE IN St. PETER.

>> LAST SUMMER, THE FORMER MAYOR WAS OVERHEARD MAKING A THREAT TO ANOTHER COUNCIL MEMBER.

WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THAT AND HOW DOES THE COUNCIL MOVE FORWARD?

>> MY GOAL FOR THE COUNCIL MOVING FORWARD IS TO REALLY BE PROACTIVE IN OUR CONVERSATIONS, TO ALWAYS BE CORDIAL BUT TO ADDRESS THINGS HEAD-ON SO THAT NOTHING, I HOPE, WILL EVER GET TO THE POINT WHERE IT BUBBLES OVER IN WAYS THAT ARE DAMAGING TO OUR RELATIONSHIP.

I'M A REALLY STRAIGHTFORWARD TYPE OF COMMUNICATOR AND I HOPE THAT WILL HELP ME IN THIS ROLE.

>> AND HOW IS THE COUNCIL INTERACTING O FAR IN THIS YEAR?

>> WELL, WE'VE ONLY HAD ONE MEETING UNDER OUR BELT, ONE WORKSHOP AND ONE MEETING.

BUT SO FAR I'M REALLY REALLY PLEASED WITH THE NEW MEMBERS.

I'M GLAD TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH THE PREVIOUS MEMBERS.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT YEAR FOR St. PETER AND FOR THE St. PETER CITY COUNCIL.

>> YOU DO HAVE A NEW POLICE CHIEF AS WELL, RIGHT?

>> WE DO, YES.

I'VE HAD SUCH WONDERFUL FEEDBACK FROM RESIDENTS.

PEOPLE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT OUR NEW CHIEF AND, SO, I REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH HIM AND DEVELOPING HAT RELATIONSHIP.

>> MAYOR, OBVIOUSLY YOU ARE A WOMAN.

IS THIS A MILESTONE FOR St. PETER?

>> IT IS.

I'M THE SECOND WOMAN TO BE ELECTED AS MAYOR OF St. PETER.

AND St. PETER WAS THE FIRST CITY TO HAVE A WOMAN MAYOR IN 1921.

SO WHENEVER MY TERM IS UP, I HOPE IT DOESN'T TAKE US ANOTHER 100 YEARS TO REPEAT HAVING A WOMAN AS MAYOR.

SO, IT'S A PRIVILEGE AND AN HONOR.

>> WELL, THANK YOU, MAYOR.

I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME TODAY.

>> YEAH.

ABSOLUTELY.

THANKS FOR TALKING TO ME.

♪♪ >> CATHY: MINNESOTA HAS DONE PIONEERING WORK IN RECENT YEARS REGARDING MURDERED AND MISSING INDIGENOUS WOMEN.

AND NOW THERE'S A SIMILAR LEGISLATIVE EFFORT AIMED AT LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE DISPROPORTIONATE VIOLENCE FACED BY BLACK WOMEN AND GIRLS IN OUR STATE.

A TASKFORCE HAS BEEN SET UP AND ITS WORK HAS BEGUN.

JONING US TO TALK ABOUT THE EFFORT IS STATE REPRESENTATIVE RUTH RICHARDSON.

SHE'S A DFLER FROM MENDOTA HEIGHTS.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME TONIGHT.

>> Cathy: THERE'S ALWAYS A STORY, REPRESENTATIVE, BEHIND ANY LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION OR ISSUE.

WHAT'S THE STORY BEHIND THIS?

>> YOU KNOW, THE STORY REALLY COMES FROM COMMUNITY.

AND IT REALLY COMES FROM THE INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE BEEN LIVING CLOSEST TO THE PAIN OF THIS CRISIS.

WE HAVE A SERIOUS CRISIS WHEN IT COMES TO MISSING BLACK WOMEN AND GIRLS WITHIN THE STATE AND ALSO WOMEN THAT HAVE BEEN MURDERED AS WELL.

AND ONE OF THE MOST COMPELLING STORIES THAT I HEARD ON THIS PATH TO GIVING THIS -- GETTING THIS BILL INTO LAW WAS THE TRAGIC MURDER OF BRITTANY CLARITY AND THE DELAY IN THE TIME THAT IT TOOK FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO TRY TO FIND HER IS SOMETHING THAT THAT FAMILY LIVES WITH EVERY DAY AND THEY FIND THEMSELVES ASKING THE QUESTION, IF THERE HAD BEEN FASTER ACTION, WOULD THEIR CENTER, WOULD THEIR -- WOULD THEIR SISTER, WOULD THEIR LOVED ONE STILL BE HERE?

>> Eric: HOW ARE YOU GOING TO GET AT THE CAUSES OF THE MEN WHO VICTIMIZE BLACK WOMEN?

>> YOU KNOW, WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE CRISIS THAT WE'RE FACING NOT ONLY WITH MISSING WOMEN, BUT ALSO MURDERED WOMEN AS WELL, THERE'S A LOT OF FACTORS THAT WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT.

WE CAN'T HAVE THIS CONVERSATION WITHOUT TALKING ABOUT THE IMPACTS OF SYSTEMIC RACISM.

WE CAN'T HAVE THIS CONVERSATION WITHOUT TALKING ABOUT THE IMPACTS OF SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING, INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, GANG VIOLENCE.

THERE'S, YOU KNOW, MEDIA ALSO PLAYS A ROLE IN SOME OF THE DISPARITIES THAT WE SEE AS WELL.

SO IT'S A COMPLEX ISSUE, AND IT'S REALLY GOING TO TAKE A COMMUNITY-BASED RESPONSE TO REALLY START TO THINK ABOUT HOW WE NOT ONLY ADDRESS THE FACTORS THAT LEAD TO THE DISPARITIES THAT HAVE CASES BEING OPEN FOUR TIMES ONGER FOR BLACK WOMEN AND GIRLS WHO ARE MURDERED AND MISSING PERSON CASES INVOLVING BLACK WOMEN, GIRLS AND CHILDREN ALSO STAY OPEN FOUR TIMES LONGER AS WELL.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF COMPLEX ISSUES THAT WE NEED TO UNTANGLE AS WE LOOK FOR A ROAD MAP TO ADDRESS THE CRISIS.

>> Eric: WHAT'S THE CULPABILITY OF THE MEDIA IN THIS?

IT SEEMS LIKE IF THERE'S A YOUNG BLONDE WHITE WOMAN M MISSING, IT'S FRONT NEWS ON CABLE.

AND IF IT'S A MISSING AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN, NOT SO MUCH.

>> YOU KNOW, THE MEDIA PIECE OF THIS, I THINK, IS TIED REALLY CLOSELY ALSO WITH THE LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONSE AS WELL.

WHAT WE KNOW RIGHT NOW IS THAT WHEN BLACK GIRLS GO MISSING, THEY'RE LESS LIKELY TO GET AN AMBER REPORT AS COMPARED WITH THEIR WHITE PEERS AND THEY'RE MORE LIKELY TO BE CLASSIFIED AS RUNAWAYS.

AND THAT DECISION HAS IMPLICATIONS BECAUSE TYPICALLY FROM A MEDIA PERSPECTIVE, RUNAWAYS ARE NOT COVERED THE SAME WAY THAT MISSING CHILDREN CASES ARE COVERED WHEN THERE IS AN AMBER ALERT.

AND WE ALSO KNOW THAT WHAT HAPPENS IN THE FIRST 48 HOURS WHEN A CHILD GOES MISSING IS REALLY CRITICAL TO WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WITHIN THAT INVESTIGATION.

WHAT WE KNOW IN TERMS OF THE DATA NATIONALLY, BLACK CHILDREN MAKE UP ABOUT 35% OF THE MISSING PERSON CASES, BUT LESS THAN % OF THE MEDIA REFERENCES.

SO HERE'S DEFINITELY WORK TO BE DONE TO ENSURE THAT THERE'S MORE EQUITABLE COVERAGE IN MEDIA.

>> Cathy: THIS TASK FORCE WAS MODELED AFTER THE INDIGENOUS WOMEN'S TASK FORCE, A SIMILAR ONE.

WHAT LESSONS ARE YOU TAKING FROM WHAT THE INDIGENOUS WOMEN'S TASK FORCE HAS DONE SO FAR?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK WHAT'S REALLY MOST IMPORTANT ABOUT THIS WORK IS TO ENSURE THAT WHEN WE'RE LOOKING FOR COMMUNITY-BASED RESPONSE THAT WE'RE -- THAT WE'RE SPHRG THE VOICES OF THE -- CENTERING THE VOICES OF THE INDIVIDUALS, THE FAMILIES THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE, THAT WE CENTER THE VOICES OF THOSE WHO HAVE LOST LOVED ONES OR WHO ARE SURVIVORS AS WELL.

AND, SO, I THINK THAT'S A KEY COMPONENT TO ENSURE THAT THOSE VOICES ARE CENTERED HERE AS WE LOOK AT ALL THE COMPLEX SYSTEMS THAT COME INTO PLAY AS WELL.

AND, SO, THAT'S AN IMPORTANT LESSON THAT WE'VE LEARNED FROM THE INDIGENOUS TASK FORCE.

>> Eric: WHAT'S THE TIMELINE FOR ETTING SOME RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE LEGISLATURE?

>> SO, THE TIMELINE IS ACTUALLY AT THE END OF THIS CALENDAR YEAR TO GET RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE LEGISLATURE.

WE WILL BE CONTINUING TO DO SOME WORK THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION AS WELL.

WE KNOW THAT ONCE THE REPORT IS DONE, THERE'S GOING TO BE MUCH MORE WORK TO BE DONE AFTER THAT.

SO WE'RE WORKING THIS SESSION TO HAVE A STRUCTURE IN PLACE TO BE ABLE TO LEAD THAT WORK IN THE COMING YEARS.

- >> Cathy: REPRESENTATIVE RICHARDSON, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

BEST OF LUCK.

>> Eric: THANKS.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Eric: YOU BET.

♪♪ >> ERIC: IT'S A BILLION-DOLLAR INDUSTRY AND SCHOOLS ARE TAKING NOTE.

ESPORTS, OR COMPETITIVE VIDEO GAMING, IS TAKING THE WORLD, AND SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA UNIVERSITY IN MARSHALL, BY STORM.

PIONEER PBS, BASED IN GRANITE FALLS, HAS A PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM CALLED "COMPASS."

PIONEER'S MULTI-MEDIA REPORTER AMANDA ANDERSON MADE A TRIP TO SMSU TO SEE THEIR SECOND-YEAR ESPORTS TEAM IN ACTION.

>> IT'S NOT YOUR STANDARD SPORTING ARENA.

>> I'M IN POSITION.

TELL ME WHEN YOU WANT IT.

>> AND JUST DOWN THE HALL, A HURRIED STUDENT MIGHT NOT KNOW THE COMPETITION TAKING PLACE IN ROOM ST266.

>> GOOD JOB!

>> THIS IS THE SECOND YEAR THAT SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY IN MARSHALL HAS ROSTERED AN e-SPORTS TEAM, WHICH IS COMPETITIVE AND ORGANIZED VIDEO GAMING.

>> SPENCER IS THE TEAM'S COACH.

>> I'M SPENCER.

I PEAKED DIAMOND 4 IN LEAGUE OF LEGENDS.

>> THERE ARE NINE RANKING LEVELS IN LEAGUE OF LEGENDS AND DIAMOND IS THE SIXTH HIGHEST.

>> SO THIS IS A LEAGUE OF LEGENDS GAME THAT IS GOING ON IN THE BACKGROUND.

WE ONLY HAVE ONE SMSU TEAM FOR LEAGUE OF LEGENDS.

IT LOOKS LIKE WE ARE CURRENTLY WINNING, SO THAT'S GOOD.

>> I MEAN, IF I'M TALKING TO THE e-SPORTS COACH, A GAME BETTER BE PLAYING IN THE BACKGROUND.

THREE YEARS AGO, HE SAID THAT HE INTENDED -- ATTENDED AN e-SPORTS WORKSHOP.

THE SCHOOL WANTED TO SEE IF THIS WAS SOMETHING THEY SHOULD BE PURSUING.

>> SO THEY ASKED THE CROWD IF ANYBODY KNEW ANYTHING ABOUT e-SPORTS TO OPEN THINGS OFF.

AND I WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO RAISED MY HAND.

>> YOU'RE LIKE, HI.

>> YEAH, EXACTLY.

SO THEY GAVE ME THE MIC.

AND I WAS DOING AN IMPROMPTU PRESENTATION ON e-SPORTS.

A MEMBER OF THE I.T.

TEAM HERE AT SMSU, I WAS GOING TO BE INVOLVED IN HELPING FIGURE OUT WHAT THEY WOULD NEED.

>> e-SPORTS OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES BEYOND GAMING, LIKE COMPUTER SCIENCE, MARKETING, SOCIAL MEDIA AND I.T.

>> IT'S A BILLION-DOLLAR BUSINESS.

I'M SURE.

I'M SURE BUSINESS STUDENTS WILL BE INTERESTED IN GETTING INTO THAT ASPECT OF e-SPORTS AS WELL.

ANOTHER THING IS THAT E-SPORTS FROM THE BEGINNING HAS THE CULTURAL COMPONENT TO IT BECAUSE IT'S VERY -- IT'S AN INTERNATIONAL SPORT.

>> AND ONE OF THE COOL PARTS ABOUT e-SPORTS, E HAVE SUCH A DIVERSE GROUP OF MAJORS INVOLVED.

>> SO I WAS ACTUALLY LOOKING AT SMSU FIRST AS A COLLEGE OPTION FOR, LIKE, BIOLOGY PROGRAM.

AND THEN I DID A TOUR HERE AND I HEARD ABOUT THE SMSU, LIKE THE e-SPORTS HERE, AND I'M LIKE, THAT'S A REALLY COOL OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE I ALREADY GAMED AND THERE WERE MULTIPLE OPPORTUNITIES AND THE EQUIPMENT HERE IS SO HIGH TECH.

>> KENNEDY FROM WATERTOWN, SOUTH DAKOTA, IS ON SMSU'S A SQUAD.

>> AND I'M CURRENTLY PLAT 3.

>> PLATINUM IS LEVEL 5 OUT OF 8 IN THE RANKING SYSTEM.

THEY'RE ALSO A COMMENTATOR.

>> HELLO, GUYS, WELCOME BACK TO SMSU e-SPORTS.

>> SO I BASICALLY BREAK IT DOWN PLAY-BY-PLAY, I EXPLAIN WHAT'S HAPPENING.

AND TALK ABOUT WHAT SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED OR WHAT THEY DID WELL.

>> I ACTUALLY EALLY LOVE THAT FROM SMSU, THEY WERE PLAYING BACK, THEY WEREN'T PUSHING OUT INTO THE SMOKE, TRYING TO GET GREEDY FOR A KILL, AND IT PAID OFF, THEY WERE ABLE TO MAKE IT OUT WITH THREE SPECK TERSE.

>> IT'S EALLY IMPORTANT TO GIVE EVERY STUDENT, YOU KNOW, THEIR OWN OPPORTUNITY TO SHINE.

IN COLLEGE.

SO THIS IS JUST ANOTHER WAY OF ALLOWING STUDENTS TO -- WHO MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO SHINE A DIFFERENT WAY.

A WAY TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES.

♪♪ >> IT'S A NEW YEAR SO IT'S TIME FOR ME TO SPRUCE UP MY RESUME.

I GOT A NEW CAREER GOAL THAT'LL PUT ME IN A LEAGUE OF MY OWN.

WHEN THE VIKINGS FIRED COACH MIKE ZIMMER, I TOOK THAT AS A SIGN FROM ABOVE THAT * *NOW * * MIGHT BE THE TIME FOR ME TO BECOME THE FIRST FEMALE HEAD COACH IN THE NFL.

I LAUGH AND JOKE, BUT I DON'T PLAY WHEN IT COMES TO MY LOVE OF VIKINGS FOOTBALL.

LISTEN, THE MALE COACHES HAVE HAD THEIR SHOT AT GETTING THE TEAM TO THE SUPERBOWL.

THEY'VE COME CLOSE, BUT NO CIGAR.

IT'S TIME TO LET THE LADIES LEAD THE VIKINGS TO THE PROMISE LAND.

AND I'M JUST THE ONE TO DO IT.

IF YOU THINK IT SOUNDS RIDICULOUS, THINK AGAIN.

MY HISTORIC HIRE AS HEAD COACH WOULD FALL RIGHT IN LINE WITH WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE WORLD OF SPORTS RIGHT NOW.

I MEAN, THE YANKEES JUST HIRED THE FIRST FEMALE MANAGER OF A MINOR LEAGUE TEAM.

AND THE VIKINGS THEMSELVES ARE INTERVIEWING A WOMAN TO FILL THE VACANT GM POSITION.

NOW, LISTEN.

IF YOU'RE WONDERING ABOUT MY QUALIFICATIONS AND BACKGROUND, LET ME ASSURE YOU, THEY'RE SOLID.

I WAS MARRIED FOR 15 YEARS, WHICH MEANS I'M GREAT AT NAGGING MEN AND GETTING THEM TO DO WHAT I TELL 'EM.

SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT * *ANYBODY * * QUESTIONING MY PLAY CALLING.

PLUS, I GOT FOUR KIDS, SO IF I CAN KEEP THEM IN LINE, I CAN MAKE SURE THERE WON'T BE ANY SIDELINE SHENANIGANS ON THE FIELD.

OTHERWISE, SOME OF THE PLAYERS MIGHT FIND THEMSELVES ON PUNISHMENT AND WITHOUT THEIR IPHONES FOR A WEEK.

♪♪ >> AT THE VERY LEAST SHE DESERVES AN INTERVIEW.

WELL, ANYWAY.

>> ERIC: THERE WERE SUPRISING COACH FIRINGS THIS WEEK IN THE NFL, BUT THE VIKINGS WEREN'T IN THAT GROUP.

MOST EXPECTED THAT COACH MIKE ZIMMER AND GM RICK SPEELMAN WOULD BE SACKED AFTER THE TEAM'S SECOND LOSING SEASON IN A ROW.

AND THAT HAPPENED MONDAY.

IF THE VIKES ARE GOING TO END THEIR SIX-DECADE SUPER BOWL DROUGHT, IT WILL BE UNDER NEW LEADERSHIP.

LET'S SEE WHAT LARRY FITZGERALD THINKS ABOUT THAT.

HE'S A LONGTIME RADIO AND PRINT SPORTS REPORTER WHO HAS MADE MONTHLY "ALMANAC" VISITS FOR MORE THAN TWO DECADES.

FITZY, WERE YOU SURPRISED THAT THE LONG KNIVES KIND OF CAME OUT AGAINST COACH ZIMMER AFTER THE ANNOUNCEMENT?

>> I WAS SURPRISED BY SOME OF THE COMMENTS BY SOME OF THE PLAYERS IN REGARD TO THEIR REACTION TO SOME OF HIS WORDS TO THEM, EITHER DURING THE WEEK, DURING PRACTICE, OR AFTER A GAME, THAT TYPE OF THING.

THAT KIND OF CAUGHT ME OFF GUARD.

BUT I KIND OF HAD A FEELING OVER THE LAST SIX, SEVEN YEARS WITH MIKE ZIMMER THAT ALTHOUGH HE HAD THE LOCKER ROOM, THERE WERE SOME PLAYERS THAT DIDN'T PARTICULARLY GO ALONG WITH HIS STYLE AND HIS STYLE WOULD BE, I MEAN, HE WOULD CALL GROWN MEN KIDS AND I THINK SOME MEN WOULD GO ALONG WITH T BUT THEN I KNOW SOME GUYS THAT WOULDN'T.

SO I THINK THAT WAS PART OF THE ACCUMULATION OF CONSISTENCY IN TERMS OF THE WAY HE COACHED THEM AND THE WAY THEY REACTED TO WHAT HE SAID.

>> Cathy: SAY, FITZY, THEY'RE GOING TO GO INTERVIEW, I GUESS, A FEMALE CANDIDATE THIS WEEKEND FOR THE GENERAL MANAGER POSITION.

I'M WONDERING, HOW MUCH CAN A GM DO TO CHANGE THE CULTURE OF A TEAM LIKE THE VIKINGS?

>> IT CAN HAPPEN.

I MEAN, YOU'RE LOOKING AT SOMEONE WHO'S GOING TO BE COMING IN WITH THEIR OWN INNOVATIONS, THEIR OWN IDEAS, THEIR OWN CONCEPTS OF HOW YOU WIN.

AND NOBODY DOES IT THE SAME.

NOBODY DOES IT SAME.

EVERYBODY DOES IT A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENTLY.

THAT'S THE REASON WHY THE WILFS ON MONDAY SAY, HEY, LOSING IS NOT ACCEPTABLE ANYMORE.

WE WANT TO BE CONSISTENTLY IN A POSITION TO CHALLENGE FOR A CHAMPIONSHIP.

AND YOU KNOW WHAT?

I AGREE WITH HIM.

I'VE BEEN WATCHING GREEN BAY FOR ALL THESE YEARS.

COME ON.

I MEAN, 13 TITLES, 13-3, OF COURSE, THEY HAVEN'T MADE MUCH OUT OF IT THE LAST THREE YEARS.

BUT 13-3 IS 13-3.

AND THEY GOT THE BEST RECORD IN FOOTBALL AGAIN.

SO THEY'RE KNOCKIN' AT THE DOOR TO TRY TO WIN A WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP.

AND HERE HE VIKINGS ARE OUT IN THE COLD, OUT OF THE PLAYOFFS FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW.

AND THAT'S NOT ACCEPTABLE ANYMORE.

I MEAN, WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT THE WILFS HAVE DONE SINCE THEY TOOK OVER THIS ORGANIZATION, THEY'VE GOTTEN EXACTLY WHAT THEY WANTED.

THEY'VE GOT THE BEST FACILITY IN ALL OF FOOTBALL.

I MEAN, COME ON.

THE TCO IS INCREDIBLE.

>> Eric: OUT IN AGAN, RIGHT?

>> IT IS.

IT'S A FABULOUS FACILITY.

THEY'VE GOT A HOTEL, YOU KNOW, THE OMNI, DEVELOPING AROUND IT, CONDOS, THAT TYPE OF THING.

SO THEY'VE HAD IT THEIR WAY IN REGARD TO GETTING WHAT THEY DO.

LOOK AT THAT NEW STADIUM.

I MEAN, U.S. BANK IS AS GOOD A STADIUM AS THERE IS IN ALL OF FOOTBALL.

WE'VE ALREADY THIS THE SUPER BOWL.

BUT CAN THE VIKINGS GET TO THE SUPER BOWL?

THAT IS THEIR MISSION.

AND I THINK AS OWNERS, AS RICH AS THEY ARE, THEY MADE MONEY THIS YEAR.

I MEAN, THE VIKING VALUE WENT UP BY 14%.

THEY'RE ALMOST AT $3.5 BILLION.

>> Eric: FUTURE OF KIRK COUSINS?

>> KIRK COULD YOU SAY SINCE GOING TO BE HERE.

DID YOU HEAR HE GOT EXTENDED TO 2026?

SO THEY DECIDED THAT WHATEVER THE PROBLEMS ARE, IT'S NOT KIRK COUSINS.

AND, SO, WE'RE GOING TO SEE IF THAT IS THE CASE.

HE'S BEEN CONSISTENT.

THERE'S NO SECRET TO THAT.

HE CAME IN ON AN $84 MILLION GUARANTEED DEAL, FIRST IN THE HISTORY OF THE NFL.

BUT THEN HE GODDED -- GOT EXTENDED FOR TWO YEARS FOR $66 MILLION AND NOW THEY'VE ADDED ALL THE WAY OUT TO 2026.

SO THEY'RE SAYING HIS CONSISTENCY IS ACCEPTABLE.

>> Cathy: WELL, I'M WONDERING IF YOU CAN LEAVE US WITH SOME NAMES OF PEOPLE THAT YOU THINK MIGHT UBBLE TO THE TOP WHEN IT COMES TO THE HEAD COACHING JOB.

>> WELL, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING CANDIDATES OUT THERE TO BE HEAD COACHES IN THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE.

SOME THAT, YOU KNOW, THEIR NAMES HAVE NOT STEPPED OUT THERE IN FRONT.

BUT I LIKE THE OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR MYSELF OF THE TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS.

YOU KNOW, HE'S A FORMER QUARTERBACK, PREVIOUSLY WITH THE JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS, HE GOT A SUPER BOWL RING WORKING WITH TOM BRADY LAST YEAR.

THERE'S SOME OTHER COACHES OUT THERE THAT HAVE BEEN DOWN THAT ROAD, THAT HAVE LED FOOTBALL ORGANIZATIONS THAT JUST HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET THE KIND OF SUPPORT AND I THINK THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS ARE IN A POSITION NOW THAT WHOEVER THEY HIRE AS GENERAL MANAGER IS GOING TO HAVE TO GO OUT THERE AND SEE WHO THEY MEASURE UP WITH THAT CAN COME IN AND TAKE OVER A FOOTBALL TEAM THAT'S GOT CAP ISSUES, BIG TIME, AND THE FACT THEY'VE GOT A COUPLE OF FREE AGENTS THAT THEY DON'T WANT TO LET GET AWAY.

SO I THINK THAT THAT'S A UNIQUE SPOT THAT'S GOING TO TAKE SOMEBODY WHO HAS HAD HE ABILITY TO COACH AND MANAGE A FOOTBALL TEAM BEFORE.

>> Cathy: ALL RIGHT.

>> Eric: ALL RIGHT, FITZY, KEEP US POSTED NOW ON THIS DEVELOPING STORY, WILL YOU?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I'LL DO MY BEST.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU, FITZY, SEE YOU LATER.

>> THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> CATHY: THIS WEEK MINNESOTA LOST A TOWERING FIGURE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS.

CLYDE BELLECOURT WAS ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN MOVEMENT IN 1968, AND FOR THE NEXT FIVE DECADES HE WAS A LEADER IN THE PUSH FOR NATIVE RIGHTS AND SOVEREIGNTY.

WE'RE GOING TO SHARE SEVERAL CLIPS OF CLYDE BELLECOURT OVER THE YEARS, TALKING IN HIS OWN WORDS.

WE START WITH HIS FIRST APPEARANCE ON OUR PROGRAM BACK IN 1988 WHEN THE AMERICAN INDIAN MOVEMENT WAS CELEBRATING ITS 20TH BIRTHDAY.

BELLECOURT WAS PRESCEINT AS HE TALKED ABOUT THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF A.I.M.

AND THE CHALLENGES THAT REMAINED.

>> WE HAVE THE SURVIVAL SCHOOL IN MINNEAPOLIS, OF St. PAUL, WE HAVE DEVELOPED PROGRAMS IN HOUSING, TWO INDIAN HEALTH BOARDS, ONLY OPERATING IN URBAN INDIAN HEALTH PROGRAMS IN THE NATION.

IN THE PAST SEVEN YEARS, WE'VE DEVELOPED THE AMERICAN INDIAN INDUSTRIAL CENTER.

WE HAVE AN UNEMPLOYMENT RATE, 70 TO 80% AND WE HAVE TAKEN HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS OF INDIAN FAMILIES OFF OF WELFARE ROLLS AND PUT THEM ON PAYROLLS.

SO THERE'S BEEN MANY MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE THROUGHOUT THE LAST 20 YEARS.

>> YET, Mr. BELLECOURT, IF YOU WERE ASKED WHAT YOU CONSIDER TO BE STILL THE MOST PRESSING PROBLEMS FACING THE INDIAN COMMUNITY, WHAT WOULD YOU LIST?

>> THE LOSS OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES, THE CONTINUOUS ATTACK -- CONTINUOUS EFFORT BY BOTH STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO VIOLATE AGE-OLD TREATIES THAT WERE SIGNED OVER 100 YEARS AGO.

THAT'S TAKING PLACE RIGHT HERE NOW IN -- NOT ONLY IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA BUT ON A NATIONAL LEVEL.

BECAUSE IT'S A WELL-KNOWN FACT TODAY THAT 60 AND SOMETIMES AS HIGH AS 80% OF DIFFERENT NATURAL ENERGY RESOURCES ARE STILL ON INDIAN LAND.

YOU KNOW, LAND THAT WE THOUGHT AT ONE TIME WE'D NEVER SURVIVE ON, THEY FOUND IT RICH IN URANIUM, OIL, GAS, COAL AND OTHER RESOURCES.

SO IT IS A CONTINUED EFFORT TO TERMINATE THE INDIAN EOPLE, TO TAKE AWAY THIS TRUST RELATIONSHIP THAT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED THROUGH DOCUMENTS CALLED TREATIES WHICH ARE VERY SACRED TO US.

AND WE HAVE O CONSTANTLY BATTLE EVERY DAY AND CONSTANTLY STRUGGLE, YOU KNOW, TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN.

>> CATHY: CLYDE BELLECOURT WAS FEATURED MANY TIMES ON TWIN CITIES PBS IN RECENT DECADES.

HE MADE HIS FINAL "ALMANAC" APPEARANCE IN 2013 WHEN HE TALKED ABOUT HIS LIFE'S WORK AS PART OF A LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT ON NATIVE AMERICAN PROTESTS OF THE PAST HALF CENTURY.

HERE HE IS, ONCE AGAIN, IN HIS OWN WORDS.

>> OUR MOTHERS AND FATHERS, GRANDMAS, GRANDPAS, EVERY ONE OF THEM THAT WENT THROUGH THE BOARDING SCHOOL SYSTEM WERE PUNISHED IF THEY DIDN'T GIVE UP THEIR LANGUAGE AND THEIR CULTURE.

AND TRADITIONS.

MY MOTHER CARRIED THAT WITH HER.

AND SHE'D SAY, FORGET ABOUT THE PAST, THINK ABOUT THE FUTURE.

AND I WAS TELLING MY MOTHER AND THE REST OF THE COMMUNITY, IF WE FORGET ABOUT OUR PAST, WE'LL NEVER HAVE OUR FUTURE.

OUR PAST IS OUR FUTURE.

WHEN WE FORMED IN JULY OF 1968, THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING BEING TAUGHT IN THE PUBLIC AND PAROCHIAL SCHOOL SYSTEMS, NOT JUST HERE BUT AMERICA ABOUT INDIAN PEOPLE, THEIR HISTORY, THEIR CULTURE, THE CONTRIBUTIONS THAT THEY MADE TO MODERN-DAY SOCIETY.

AMERICAN INDIAN MOVEMENT HAS DONE THE WORK AND JOINED WITH OTHER PEOPLE TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITY AS SAFE AND BETTER PLACE TO LIVE.

AND I HOPE THAT THAT'S THE KIND OF SOLIDARITY WE'LL BUILD THROUGH THIS EXHIBIT AND PEOPLE FIND OUT THE TRUTH.

THAT'S WHAT THIS EXHIBIT IS ABOUT.

IT'S ABOUT THE TRUTH AND HOW WE BROUGHT THAT TRUTH TO THE SURFACE.

OUR CHILDREN, SOME GENERATION, IS GOING TO COME UP, NOT JUST INDIANS, NON-INDIANS TOO.

>> CATHY: YOU CAN WATCH A HALF-HOUR INTERVIEW FROM 1991 WITH CLYDE BELLECOURT BY GOING TO TPT.ORG AND SEARCHING FOR HIS NAME.

TWIN CITIES VIEWERS CAN WATCH THAT FULL INTERVIEW ON TELEVISION THIS WEEKEND.

IT WILL AIR SATURDAY NIGHT AT 8:30 ON TWIN CITIES PBS' LIFE SERVICE.

THAT'S 2.3 ON YOUR DIGITAL DIAL.

THE TPT LIFE CHANNEL IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON MANY CABLE, SATELLITE AND STREAMING SERVICES.

♪♪ >> ERIC: IN JUST MORE THAN TWO WEEKS LAWMAKERS WILL RETURN TO ST. PAUL AND GET TO WORK.

HOW EXACTLY THIS SESSION WILL GO, IN PERSON VERSUS REMOTE, IS STILL A BIT UP IN THE AIR.

BUT THE AGENDA LAWMAKERS WILL FACE IS A BIT MORE CERTAIN.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT WITH A PAIR OF PLUGGED-IN POLITICAL REPORTERS.

BRIAN BAKST COVERS THE CAPITOL FOR MINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO NEWS.

ON THE PHONE TONIGHT, DANA FERGUSON WRITES FOR THE FORUM NEWS SERVICE.

HER WORK ALSO STRETCHES STATEWIDE.

BRIAN, ON THIS CRIME ISSUE, TELL ME IF I'M WRONG HERE, THE REPUBLICANS SMELL BLOOD AND THERE'S A LITTLE WHIFF OF PANIC IN THE DFL.

IS THAT TOO SIMPLIFIED?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I THINK YOU GOT IT.

I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY THIS UPTICK IN CRIME WE'VE SEEN RECENTLY IS GOING TO BE A MAJOR ISSUE, IF IT STAYS THAT WAY.

AND THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF TALK ABOUT WAYS TO COMBAT IT DURING THE SESSION.

BUT WHETHER THEY CAN COME TO ANY KIND OF AGREEMENT IS UP IN THE AIR.

AND IN SOME WAYS, THE REPUBLICANS MIGHT NOT WANT ALL THAT MUCH AGREEMENT BECAUSE THEY'RE HAPPY TO USE THIS ISSUE AS THEY HAVE.

BUT, YOU KNOW, KEEP IN MIND THAT THIS IS GEARED TOWARD A PARTICULAR AUDIENCE.

IT'S THOSE SUBURBAN VOTERS.

THAT'S WHERE THE MAJORITIES IN THE LEGISLATURE ARE GOING TO BE WON OR LOST.

AND THE CRIME WAVE WE'VE SEEN HAS BEEN PRIMARILY IN THE URBAN AREAS, BUT IT'S STARTING TO CREEP OUT INTO THE SUBURBS.

SO REPUBLICANS ARE MAKING A PARTICULAR POINT ABOUT THAT.

>> Eric: DANA, IS THIS A STATEWIDE ISSUE OR IS IT JUST KIND OF CONFINED TO THE TWIN CITIES?

>> I THINK IT'S CERTAINLY -- THERE'S CERTAINLY STATEWIDE RESIDENTS.

WE'VE HEARD LEGISLATORS MAKING A REALLY STRONG POINT ABOUT THIS.

THEY MAKE THE POINT THAT THEIR CONSTITUENTS ARE WORRIED ABOUT COMING TO THE TWIN CITIES BECAUSE OF THESE HEADLINES AS FAR AS CARJACKINGS, VIOLENT CRIME GOING ON, RECORD MURDERS THAT TOOK PLACE LAST YEAR.

SO I THINK THERE IS INTEREST ACROSS THE STATE, AND I IMAGINE THAT'S WHY LEGISLATORS ARE WANTING TO PUSH THIS ISSUE NOT JUST AT THE CAPITOL BUT ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL TOO.

>> Cathy: DAIN A WE'RE SORRY, WE'RE HAVING -- DANA, WE'RE HAVING SOME AUDIO PROBLEMS WITH YOUR PHONE THERE.

I THINK WE'RE GOING TO TRY AND FIGURE THAT OUT.

BRIAN, I'M GOING TO TOSS THIS QUESTION TO YOU.

I'M KIND OF CURIOUS ABOUT THE RESIGNATIONS.

I DO WANT TO KNOW WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THAT.

SO MANY, 18 IN THE HOUSE T THIS POINT, DFLer PAUL MARQUART, LONGTIME LAWMAKER IN THE HOUSE, THE LAST RURAL DFLer, SAYS HE'S OUT, HE'S NOT GOING TO RUN FOR RE-ELECTION.

TALK ABOUT JUST THE CHANGEOVER.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

CARLOS MARIANI, HE'S BEEN IN THE LEGISLATURE FOR 16 TERMS, MORE THAN 30 YEARS, HE'S NOT RUNNING AGAIN.

SOME OF IT HAS TO DO WITH REDISTRICTING, OBVIOUSLY.

EVERY TEN YEARS, THEY REDRAW THE POLITICAL MAPS TO CONFORM TO THE POPULATION CHANGES AND A LOFT THESE LAWMAKERS, THEY JUST DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO LEARN A NEW DISTRICT.

IT'S A NATURAL TIME TO MOVE ON.

AND IN OTHER CASES, IT PROVIDES A NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR OTHER PEOPLE TO STEP IN AND SAY, THERE'S KIND OF A NEW INTRODUCTION TO THE POLITICAL PROCESS AND SOME OF THESE LAWMAKERS HAVE BEEN FEARING OR FACING PRIMARY CHALLENGES FROM WITHIN THEIR OWN PARTY.

PAUL MARQUART'S CASE, HE SAID HE WASN'T CONSIDERING THE COMPETITIVENESS, BUT HIS DISTRICT HAS BEEN ONE ONE OF THE MOST COMPETITIVE AND WOULD BE ONE OF THE MOST COMPETITIVE THIS YEAR, HE REPRESENTS AN AREA THAT DONALD TRUMP WON HANDILY, YET, HE'S A DEMOCRAT IN OFFICE.

REPUBLICAN SPEAKER WITH REVERENCE ABOUT HIS HEST HE WILL AND -- HUSTLE AND THEIR INABILITY TO BEAT HIM, HE'S ON THE DOOR SO MUCH, FAMILIAR WITH SO MANY PEOPLE BACK THERE.

BUT THE LEGISLATURE IS GOING TO LOSE A LOT OF INSTITUTIONAL MEMORY.

SOME PEOPLE ARE LEAVING BECAUSE THEY'RE SEEKING HIGHER OFFICE, WHETHER IT'S GOVERNOR, COUNTY ATTORNEY, OR FOR HOUSE MEMBERS TRYING TO MOVE UP TO THE SENATE.

>> Eric: LET'S TRY DANA AGAIN ON THE PHONE.

DO WE KNOW HOW THE SESSIONS ARE GOING TO BE?

IS IT GOING TO BE IN PERSON OR BY ZOOM OR DO WE KNOW HOW THE SESSION'S GOING TO RUN LOGISTICALLY?

>> I THINK A LITTLE BIT OF IT IS GOING TO PLAY OUT MOMENT BY MOMENT.

BUT WHAT WE'VE HEARD FROM THE HOUSE IS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF -- THEY'RE GOING TO ASK THAT FOLKS SOCIAL DISTANCE ON THE FLOOR AND IF FOLKS WANT TO CALL IN RATHER THAN COME IN IN PERSON, THEY'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

IN THE SENATE, A LOT OF IT IS UP IN THE AIR BECAUSE OF THE U.S. SUPREME COURT'S DECISION.

SO E'LL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE.

>> Eric: BRIAN, I TURN TO YOU FOR CAMPAIGN FINANCE STUFF.

AND IN THE LEGISLATIVE RACES LAST TIME THERE WERE EIGHT OF THEM IN THE STATE SENATE, OVER A MILLION DOLLARS.

>> SOME OF THEM OVER $2 MILLION, WHICH IS SOMETHING WE HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE.

>> Eric: WHAT THE -- - >> IT'S POSSIBLE TO SEE $3 MILLION RACE OR TWO IN THIS CYCLE.

>> Eric: WHAT'S CAUSIN' ALL THAT?

>> WELL, THE MAJORITIES ARE VERY SLIM.

AND THERE'S A LOT OF DISTANCE BETWEEN BEING THE MINORITY AND THE MAJORITY IN TERMS OF WHAT YOU CAN DO, HOW YOU CAN DRIVE THE AGENDA.

AND WHEN THERE ARE FEWER COMPETITIVE RACES, A LOT OF THE MONEY GETS PUT INTO THOSE ONES.

AND AS YOU KNOW, THE REDISTRICTING IS GOING TO ADD A WHOLE 'NOTHER LAYER BECAUSE THERE'S GOING TO BE MORE SEATS COMING INTO THE SUBURBAN, URBAN AREA GIVEN THE POPULATION CHANGES.

FEWER IN GREATER MINNESOTA.

SO SOME OF THOSE SEATS THAT ARE GOING TO BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING IN THE MAJORITY AND BEING IN THE MINORITY.

ARE GOING TO GET QUITE EXPENSIVE.

>> Cathy: SO, WE'RE HAVING OBVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH DANA FERGUSON'S PHONE LINE, SO, BRIAN, WE'RE GOING TO STAY WITH YOU FOR A LITTLE WHILE AS WE'RE RYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH DANA.

YOU KNOW, WHEN IT COMES TO THE START OF SESSION, WHAT DIDN'T HAPPEN WITH THOSE -- THE HERO PAY, THE BONUS CHECKS FOR FRONTLINE PANDEMIC WORKERS, IT JUST DIDN'T HAPPEN DURING THE SPECIAL SESSION, AND I'M WONDERING HOW FAST DO YOU THINK LAWMAKERS MIGHT MOVE ON THAT HERO PAY COME THE REGULAR SESSION?

>> YOU COULD ENVISION A SCENARIO WHERE THEY ACT FAIRLY QUICKLY, DO IT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS BUSINESS TAX ISSUE.

OF COURSE, BECAUSE THE UNEMPLOYMENT FUND WAS USED SO HEAVILY DURING THE PANDEMIC, IT'S NOW IN DEBT.

AND OTHER BUSINESSES ARE FACING HIGHER UNEMPLOYMENT TAXES, UNLESS THE LEGISLATURE REPLENISHES THAT ACCOUNT SOMEHOW.

SO THERE MIGHT BE A DEAL THAT CAN BE FOUND THAT THEY DO BOTH AT ONCE.

AND MINNESOTA'S GOT THIS MASSIVE BUDGET SURPLUS.

AND, SO, THERE'S MORE MONEY TO BE HAD.

LAWMAKERS WERE A LITTLE BIT GUN-SHY ABOUT SPENDING TOO MUCH MONEY IN THE LAST BUDGET, NOT KNOWING WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH KIND OF THE TREND OF THE PANDEMIC.

NOW THEY NOW THAT AT LEAST THERE'S GOING TO BE QUITE A BIT OF MONEY AND IT'S ONE-TIME MONEY, WHICH IS ALSO A BENEFIT TO ANYTHING THAT'S GOING TO BE CONSIDERED THIS SESSION.

IT WON'T ADD TO THE LONG-TERM BURDEN OF THE STATE, AND THOSE ITEMS ARE GOING TO GET MORE CONSIDERATION THIS YEAR THAN THOSE THAT HAVE KIND OF A LONGER RUN AND MORE DEAFBLIND BE MORE EXPENSIVE IN THE YEARS -- AND BE MORE EXPENSIVE IN THE YEARS TO COME.

>> Eric: HOW DOES THE STATE'S RESPONSE TO COVID CUT POLITICALLY?

>> YOU HEAR QUITE A BIT OF GRIPING WHEN NEW RESTRICTIONS ARE ANNOUNCED BUT THE PEOPLE ANNOUNCING THE RESTRICTIONS ARE LOOKING AT IT THIS WAY.

IF WE'RE STILL IN THE THROES OF THIS PANDEMIC TEN MONTHS FROM NOW, THEY'RE GOING TO BE IN BAD POLITICAL SHAPE ANYWAY.

SO THEY'RE TRYING TO GET BEYOND IT ALL AT ONCE.

BUT IT'S ALSO CAUSING A LOT OF ISSUES THAT LAWMAKERS ARE HAVING TO ADDRESS, WHETHER THAT'S NURSING HOMES ON THE BRINK, HOSPITALS ON THE BRINK, AND WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THAT SURPLUS, THOSE ARE THE TYPES OF THINGS THAT LAWMAKERS ARE GOING TO BE GIVING FIRST CONSIDERATION TO, THINGS THAT THEY CAN DO TO KIND OF RIGHT THE SHIP RIGHT NOW.

WE MIGHT NOT GET SOME OF THE ANSWERS UNTIL MAY BECAUSE A LOT OF THESE THINGS PILE UP INTO THE END WHEN THERE'S THE BIG DEAL.

BUT LAWMAKERS, EVEN THOUGH THEY DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING THIS SESSION, THEY'RE GOING TO WANT TO DO STUFF THIS SESSION BECAUSE THESE NURSING HOMES IN EVERY COMMUNITY ARE HURTING, AND THEY JUST DON'T WANT TO BE SEEN AS BEING -- JUST IGNORING THE PROBLEMS.

>> Cathy: ET'S TALK A LITTLE POLITICS HERE IN TERMS OF THE GUBERNATORIAL RACE.

A NEW ENTRANT ON THE GOP SIDE.

>> KENDALL QUALLS WHO AN FOR CONGRESS IN THE THIRD DISTRICT, HE'S A BUSINESSMAN, WHO HAS AN INTERESTING BACKGROUND.

HE TALKS ABOUT HOW HE WAS KIND OF RAISED IN POVERTY AND BROUGHT HIMSELF UP.

AND HE'S A DIFFERENT TYPE OF REPUBLICAN BUT HE COMES IN THE RACE SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER MOST OF THESE OTHER CANDIDATES HAVE BEEN RUNNING.

AND HE'S GOT A LOT OF WORK TO DO TO PLAY CATCH-UP.

THE CAUCUSES ARE JUST A COUPLE WEEKS AGO.

WEEKS AWAY AND THAT'S GOING TO BE THE KICKOFF AND.

ALL OF THE CANDIDATES SAY THEY'RE GOING TO ABIDE BY THE ENDORSEMENT, AT LEAST THAT'S THEIR POSITION RIGHT NOW.

THAT'S GOING TO BE CONFERRED IN MAY.

REPUBLICANS, IN PARTICULAR, TEND TO FOLLOW THE ENDORSED CANDIDATE.

FEW, IF ANY, CANDIDATES HAVE FOUND SUCCESS IN THE PRIMARY IN MOST STATE RACES, I THINK IT WAS 1994, THE LAST REPUBLICAN, INCUMBENT GOVERNOR, WHO WAS NOT ENDORSED BUT, YET, WON THE PRIMARY.

SO REPUBLICANS, LIKE KENDALL QUALLS, THEY ARE REALLY FOCUSED ON THIS VERY SMALL UNIVERSE OF VOTERS RIGHT NOW TRYING TO GET THEIR SUPPORT.

>> Eric: BASED ON YOUR INTERVIEW WITH KENDALL QUALLS THIS WEEK, IS IT FAIR TO SAY HE'S THE ONLY REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE WHO HAS SAID THAT BIDEN WON THE ELECTION LEGITIMATELY?

>> WELL, SOME OF THEM SAY THAT, BUT IT TAKES A LOT LONGER TO GET THERE.

THERE'S VERY FEW WHO WILL SAY, YES RIGHT AWAY.

THEY WANT TO QUALIFY IT.

THEY WANT TO TALK ABOUT HOW HE WON MINNESOTA.

THERE ARE QUESTIONS ABOUT OTHER STATES.

AND THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO BE POINTING TO.

THEY FEEL LIKE THE STATE OF DEMOCRACY IS GOING TO BE A THEME IN THE UPCOMING ELECTION AND THEY ANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY DON'T LET VOTERS FORGET ALL THE TURMOIL AND TUMULT THAT THEY SAW IN THIS LAST YEAR.

AND PRESIDENT TRUMP'S PRESENCE IN THE BROADER MIDTERM CAMPAIGN NATIONALLY IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING VERY INTERESTING TO WATCH BECAUSE HE'S THE TYPE OF CANDIDATE, THE TYPE OF PRESENCE THAT INPIERS A LOT OF INTENSITY ON BOTH SIDES.

INSPIRES.

WE SAW RECORD TURNOUT IN MINNESOTA IN 2020.

USUALLY THAT FALLS OFF QUITE A BIT IN THE IDTERM ELECTIONS.

BUT IF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S SPECTER IS OUT THERE, BOTH SIDES WILL BE WANT TO GO MAKE THAT A RALLYING POINT.

>> Eric: I DON'T KNOW IF HE'S GOING TO ENDORSE IN MINNESOTA LIKE HE'S DONE IN OTHER STATES.

>> I SPOKE WITH SENATOR PAUL GAZELKA, WHO'S ONE OF THE LEADING CANDIDATES ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, HE TELLS ME THAT HIS GUT TELLS HIM THAT THE PRESIDENT WON'T BE INVOLVED.

OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE MANY CANDIDATES ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE WHO WANT HIS ENDORSEMENT IN THE PROCESS OF WINNING THEIR PARTY ENDORSEMENT FOR GOVERNOR.

BUT THEN THEY HAVE TO CARRY THAT ON THEIR BACK GOING INTO GENERAL ELECTION.

>> Eric: THANKS, BRIAN.

>> Cathy: GOOD JOB, BRIAN.

>> Eric: THANKS TO DANA, TOO, FOR HER TRUNCATED APPEARANCE.

THANKS.

>> ERIC: NOW IT'S TIME FOR OUR FIRST HISTORY QUESTION OF THE NEW YEAR.

IT CONCERNED A WELL-KNOWN MINNESOTAN - MOST CERTAINLY NOT SEEN HERE - WHO TOOK PART IN A TRIP TO VISIT AMERICAN TROOPS IN VIETNAM IN 1966.

THE TROUPE VISITED HOSPITALS AND BATTLE AREAS, A TWO-WEEK TOUR SPONSORED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

HERE ARE TWO FURTHER HINTS.

THIS MINNESOTAN MADE NEWS IN 1965 THAT CATAPULTED HIM OR HER TO NATIONAL FAME.

THE GROUP'S FIRST STOP WAS AT MY THO WHERE THEY HAD DINNER IN THE MESS HALL AND TROOPS WATCHED A FILM THAT THE GROUP HAD BROUGHT WITH THEM.

YOUR QUESTION IS SIMPLE.

WHAT NOTED MINNESOTAN WENT ON A TOUR OF VIETNAM IN NOVEMBER 1966?

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU WHETHER YOU ARE CALLING IN FROM HARDING, TRUMAN, KENNEDY OR JOHNSON, MINNESOTA.

ALL REAL PLACES IN OUR STATE.

651-229-1430 WILL LEAD YOU TO OUR VOICEMAIL.

EMAIL IS ANOTHER OPTION FOR YOUR WELL-CRAFTED REPLIES.

ALMANAC@TPT.ORG IS OUR ADDRESS.

LET'S LEAVE YOU NOW WITH A TUNE FROM THE TPT ARCHIVES.

THIS WEEK IN 2017 DAN NEWTON AND HIS CAFE ACCORDION ORCHESTRA LOADED UP THEIR CARS AND VISITED US DOWN IN LOWERTOWN.

THE GROUP PLAYED A TUNE FROM AN OLD CHARLIE CHAPLIN MOVIE.

LET'S LISTEN TO THAT FOR A MINUTE BEFORE THE ROLL THE CREDITS.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE HOPE YOU WILL TUNE IN NEXT WEEK EITHER ONLINE OR ON YOUR TELEVISION SET.

IN THE MEANTIME, BE CAREFUL.

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

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY.• GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 28 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

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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.

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"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.

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