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

>> CATHY: THE WEATHER OUTSIDE MAY BE FRIGHTFUL, BUT OUR SHOW WILL BE SO DELIGHTFUL.

BIRDCHICK WILL STOP BY TO HELP YOU IDENTIFY BIRDS AT YOUR FEEDER.

WE'LL LOOK AT A NEW EXHIBIT AT THE HENNEPIN HISTORY MUSEUM.

WE'LL TACKLE THE WEEK'S TOP STORIES TOO.

WE'LL HAVE THE LATEST ON THE KIMBERLY POTTER TRIAL AND THE BIG MONEY NEWS AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

>> Mary: THE NOVEMBER FORECAST HAS FLURRIES OF FUNDS COMING INTO THE STATE.

WE'LL REVIEW HOW ELECTED OFFICIALS WANT TO SPEND THE BILLIONS IN NEW MONEY.

>> THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU INVEST IN PEOPLE.

>> LET'S BE CAUTIOUS.

LET'S NOT OVERSPEND.

LET'S NOT OVERREACT.

>> 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.

>> CATHY: LATER IN THE HOUR, WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE ENORMOUS PROJECTED STATE BUDGET SURPLUS AND HEAR ABOUT A HISTORY EXHIBIT EXPLORING WHAT WAS LOST WHEN 35W WAS BUILT THROUGH MINNEAPOLIS.

BUT FIRST IN THE HOUR, THE FIRST DAYS OF TESTIMONY IN THE POTTER TRIAL.

>> ERIC: OPENING STATEMENTS WERE MADE ON WEDNESDAY AS THE PROSECUTION AND DEFENSE PRESENTED ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST FORMER POLICE OFFICER KIMBERLY POTTER.

POTTER IS CHARGED WITH MANSLAUGHTER IN THE KILLING OF DAUNTE WRIGHT LAST APRIL DURING A TRAFFIC STOP IN BROOKLYN CENTER.

AND HERE'S SOME OF WHAT HAPPENED IN COURT THIS WEEK.

>> MEMBERS OF THE JURY.

THERE IS NO DOOVER WHEN YOU WALK THE STREETS WITH A LOADED FIREARM.

WHEN YOU'RE ENTRUSTED WITH A DEADLY WEAPON AS PART OF YOUR JOB.

>> SHE SAID, I'LL TAZE YOU.

I'LL TAZE YOU.

THE LANGUAGE WAS DIRECT.

IT WAS CLEAR.

IT WAS UNMISTAKABLE.

AND ALL MR. WRIGHT HAD TO DO WAS STOP.

>> AND WHEN YOU TALKED TO YOUR SON, DAUNTE, HOW DID HE SOUND TO YOU DURING THAT CALL?

>> UM, HE SOUNDED NERVOUS.

SCARED.

UM, HE ASKED, YOU KNOW, IF HE WAS IN TROUBLE.

I SAID NO.

YOU HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING WRONG.

>> HE KEPT RESISTING, RIGHT?

>> YES.

>> AND WHAT'S AN OFFICER SUPPOSED TO DO WHEN YOU'RE EXECUTING AN ARREST WARRANT FOR A WEAPONS VIOLATION AND TRYING TO FIND OUT WHO THE LADY IS WHEN SOMEBODY DOES THAT?

ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO LET THEM GO?

>> NO.

>> ERIC: HERE TO TALK ABOUT THIS WEEK'S DEVELOPMENTS, A REPORTER WHO'S COVERING THE CASE.

AMY FORLITI IS A VETERAN TRIAL REPORTER FOR THE ASSOCIATED PRESS.

AMY, ON ONE HAND, AS A MISTAKE.

ON THE OTHER HAND, IT'S RECKLESS AND NEGLIGENT.

DOES THAT SUM IT UP IN A FEW WORDS?

>> PRETTY MUCH.

BOTH SIDES HAVE DIFFERENT VIEWS OF THE SAME EVENT.

THE PROSECUTORS ARE SAYING SHE WAS RECKLESS.

SHE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN WHAT SHE WAS DOING.

SHE'S BEEN AN OFFICER FOR 26 YEARS AND HAD THE TRAINING TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TASER AND A GUN.

AND THE DEFENSE IS SAYING IT WAS A MISTAKE.

THE DEFENSE IS, HOWEVER, ALSO SAYING THAT EVEN IF IT WASN'T A MISTAKE, THAT SHE HAD THE RIGHT TO USE DEADLY FORCE BECAUSE DAUNTE WRIGHT WAS TRYING TO DRIVE AWAY AT THE TIME.

>> Cathy: AND THAT CAME AS A BIT OF A SURPRISE TO SOME REPORTERS BECAUSE THE DEFENSE WAS TALKING ABOUT HOW THERE WAS A THIRD OFFICER WHO COULD HAVE GOTTEN DRAGGED AS HE WAS IN THAT SITUATION?

>> YEAH, THAT OFFICER WAS SERGEANT MICHAEL JOHNSTON, AND HE TESTIFIED TODAY ABOUT HOW HE WAS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR AT THE TIME, AND HE WAS REACHING IN AND TRYING TO GET -- TRYING TO JUST MAKE SURE THAT THE CAR WAS NOT IN DRIVE, THAT THE CAR WOULDN'T DRIVE AWAY.

SO HE WAS LEANING IN OR REACHING INTO THE CAR AT THE TIME THAT THE SHOT WAS FIRED.

>> >> Eric: THE VIDEO THIS WEEK WAS VERY COMPELLING AND IT'S AN EXTENDED CLIP OF THE GUN SHOT AND THEN OFFICER POTTER, "OH MY GOD, I KILLED SOMEBODY, I'M GOING TO PRISON" BUT -- SO THAT'S VERY COMPELLING.

BUT ON THE OTHER HAND INTENT TO DO SOMETHING IS NOT PART OF THE MANSLAUGHTER ELEMENTS, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT, THE PROSECUTORS DO NOT HAVE TO PROVE INTENT.

IN FACT, THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT SHE DID NOT INTEND TO KILL HIM.

THEY HAVE TO PROVE THAT SHE WAS RECKLESS.

FOR MANSLAUGHTER ONE THEY HAVE TO PROVE THAT SHE WAS REC LAST AND THAT SHE CREATED A DANGER.

FOR MANSLAUGHTER TWO, THEY HAVE TO PROVE CUP ANTICIPATABLE NEGLIGENCE, THAT SHE CONSCIOUSLY KNEW WHAT SHE WAS DOING.

>> Cathy: YOU SAW DAUNTE WRIGHT'S MOM TESTIFYING AND HIS GIRLFRIEND WAS ALSO TESTIFYING.

AND THAT WAS PART OF THE SPARK OF LIFE TESTIMONY, INTERESTING HERE IN MINNESOTA WHERE YOU CAN TALK ABOUT THE VICTIM.

>> THAT IS A RARE THING.

MOST STATES DO NOT ALLOW SPARK OF LIFE TESTIMONY.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT IS ALLOWED IN MINNESOTA.

IT STEMS FROM A 1985 SUPREME COURT CASE THAT ALLOWS IT.

AND THE IDEA BEHIND IT IS TO GIVE PROSECUTORS A CHANCE TO PRESENT THE VICTIM IN A MORE HUMAN WAY, TO HUMANIZE THE PERSON WHO HAS DIED.

AND IT IS SOMETHING THAT'S STATE OF MINNESOTA, PAUL ENG, ONE OF THE DEFENSE ATTORNEYS OBJECTED TO.

BUT HERE IT IS IN THIS CASE.

>> Eric: PRE.COM PREDOMINANTLY WHITE JURY, BLACK VICTIM, HAS RACE COME AT ALL?

>> RACE CAME UP DURING JURY SELECTION IN THAT THE JURORS OR THE OTENTIAL JURORS WERE ASKED ABOUT HOW THEY FELT ABOUT BLACK LIVES MATTER, WHETHER THEY THOUGHT BLACK PEOPLE OR PEACH COLOR WERE TREATED DIFFERENTLY THAN WHITE PEOPLE BY THE POLICE.

BUT DURING THE TRIAL THAT HASN'T REALLY BEEN AN ELEMENT.

OF COURSE ACTIVISTS ARE SAYING THAT RACE IS AN ELEMENT OF THIS BECAUSE IT'S JUST ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF ANOTHER YOUNG BLACK MAN WHO WAS KILLED BY A POLICE OFFICER.

>> Cathy: YOU COVERED THE CHAUVIN TRIAL.

AND VIDEO WAS USED IN THAT.

OBVIOUSLY THAT WAS A KEY PIECE OF EVIDENCE.

AND THE VIDEO HERE IS ALSO QUITE COMPELLING.

CAN YOU COMPARE AND CONTRAST THE USE OF VIDEO IN THIS TRIAL VERSUS IN THE CHAUVIN TRIAL?

>> WOW, WELL, IN THIS TRIAL, WE DON'T HAVE ANY BYSTANDER VIDEO, THAT DRAMATIC BYSTANDER VIDEO THAT WE HAD.

HOWEVER, WE DO HAVE A LOT OF BODY CAMERA VIDEO AND DARK CAM VIDEO.

AND VOOT WE'RE SEEING IS PRETTY -- THE VIDEO WE'RE SEEING IS PRETTY EMOTIONAL.

YOU KNOW, THE VIDEO OF KIM POTTER AFTER WARD, WAILING ON THE GROUND, SHE KIND OF CRUMB PALED DOWN AND STARTED CRYING, OH MY GOD, OH, MY GOD.

THE JURY IS SEEING THAT.

THE JURY IS ALSO SEEING DAUNTE WRIGHT'S BODY BEING PULLED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE LIFE SAVING EFFORTS AND THAT'S ALL PART OF THE CASE.

>> Eric: I'M GUESSING OFFICER POTTER'S TESTIMONY, WE ASSUME SHE'S GOING TO TESTIFY NEXT WEEK, THAT'S GOT TO BE CRUCIAL, HUH?

>> I THINK SO.

I HINK THIS WILL BE THE FIRST TIME THAT WE GET TO HEAR WHAT WAS GOING THROUGH HER MIND AND WHAT SHE CONSCIOUSLY THOUGHT SHE WAS DOING.

DID SHE KNOW SHE HAD HER UN IN HER HAND?

SO THAT COULD BE REALLY IMPACTFUL FOR THE JURY.

THEY'LL GET TO HEAR HER EMOTION, HER -- THEY'LL GET TO SEE HER AS A HUMAN BEING.

HOWEVER, IT COULD BACKFIRE BECAUSE PROSECUTORS ARE GOING TO ASK HER SOME REALLY TOUGH QUESTIONS.

LIKE THEY SAID, THEY ARE SAYING SHE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER.

>> Eric: AMY, THANKS A LOT, WE'LL BE READING YOUR STUFF.

>> ERIC: IT'S THE LARGEST NUMBER STATE BUDGET FORECASTERS HAVE EVER DELIVERED.

MORE THAN SEVEN BILLION EXTRA DOLLARS ARE EXPECTED IN STATE COFFERS.

AS POLITICAL REPORTER MARY LAHAMMER SHOWS US, THE DEBATE BEGINS IMMEDIATELY ABOUT WHAT DO WITH THE WINDFALL.

>> Mary: THE WIND AW FALL IS UNDENIABLE.

A RECORD $7.7 BILLION UDGET SURPLUS.

NOW THE QUESTION IS HOW THE GOVERNOR AND LAWMAKERS WANT TO SPEND THE BLIZZARD OF NEW FUNDS.

>> IT'S CRYSTAL CLEAR.

OUR ECONOMY IS STRONG.

AND GROWING.

>> Mary: THE LARGEST BUDGET SURPLUS IN TATED HISTORY ALREADY HAS REPUBLICANS URGING TAX CUTS.

>> LET'S BE CAUTIOUS.

LET'S NOT OVERSPEND.

LET'S NOT OVERREACT.

LET'S WORK TOGETHER TO DECIDE THE RIGHT APPROACH.

AND, YES, WE DO BELIEVE THAT GOVERNMENT IS COLLECTING MORE MONEY THAN IT NEEDS FROM MINNESOTANS.

THAT'S A FACT.

>> ALL I CAN SAY IS 7.7 BILLION IS STAGGERING.

I'M STILL TRYING TO GET MY ARMS, MY HEAD AROUND THAT.

DUANE BENSON AND ROGER MOE WOULD ALWAYS SAY THERE WAS MORE ARGUING WHEN THERE WAS A SURPLUS THAN WHEN THERE WAS A DEFICIT.

AND THAT IS SO TRUE.

>> Mary: EMOCRATS AND THE GOVERNOR SAY THE SURGING SURPLUS IS A REMARKABLE OPPORTUNITY TO DO PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE, MORE PRE-K AND EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY AND CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> THERE IS A GENERATIONAL OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE MINNESOTA'S ECONOMY WORK BETTER FOR THE AVERAGE MINNESOTAN.

AND WE NEED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT OPPORTUNITY.

>> TODAY'S FORECAST MAY LOOK LIKE OUR STATE IS BOOMING.

NOT ALL MINNESOTANS HAVE BEEN IMPACTED EQUALLY DURING THIS PANDEMIC.

AND WE MUST ENSURE A FAIR RECOVERY.

FOR ALL.

>> Mary: FORECASTERS EE HIGHER CORPORATE PROFITS ALONG WITH INCREASED CONSUMER SPENDING.

THEY ANTICIPATE THE PANDEMIC SLOWING AND SUPPLY CHAINS IMPROVING.

INFLATION IS EXPECTED TO FLATTEN.

AND WAGES WILL GO UP.

AS WE LEARN TO MANAGE RISK WHILE COEXISTING ITH COVID.

>> ALL THIS GOOD NEWS MAY LEAD SOME TO THINK THAT THIS WILD RIDE IS ALL OVER.

BUT AS OUR HOSPITALS REMIND US, COVID-19 IS STILL HERE AND STILL DANGEROUS.

HOWEVER, OUR ECONOMY IS LEARNING HOW TO ADAPT.

>> I'M INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL TO MINNESOTANS.

THIS IS GOOD NEWS.

THIS IS WHAT RESPONSIBLE POLICIES LOOK LIKE.

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU INVEST IN PEOPLE.

AND I WILL SAY IT AGAIN.

THE FALSE ANALOGY THAT YOU NEEDED TO CHOOSE BETWEEN PROTECTING AND LOWERING THE DEATH RATES AMONGST YOUR CITIZENS AND PROTECTING YOUR ECONOMY HAS NOW BEEN PROVEN THAT THAT WAS A FALLACY.

>> WE NEED TO BE VERY CAUTIONARY ABOUT HOW WE SPEND.

BUT RIGHT NOW, MINNESOTANS NEED SOME RELIEF.

AND FOR US, THAT IS GIVING SOME MONEY BACK, HOWEVER THAT LOOKS LIKE.

>> THE MESSAGE FROM THIS FORECAST IS THAT DEMOCRATIC POLICIES WORK.

WHEN WE PRIORITIZE WORKERS.

WHEN WE PRIORITIZE SMALL BUSINESSES AND WE PRIORITIZE FAMILIES AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO GET THROUGH TOUGH TIMES, OUR ECONOMY BOOMS.

>> I'VE GOT PEOPLE TELLING ME THERE'S CAR JACKINGS OUT IN SUBURBS LIKE SHAKOPEE, MINNESOTA.

THAT'S UNCONSCIONABLE.

AND I THINK THESE POLICIES OF DEMOCRATS CONSTANTLY WANTING TO DEFUND POLICE AND REDUCE FUNDING AND ELIMINATE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND NOT GIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT THE TOOLS AND THE MONEY THAT THEY NEED TO BE A SUCCESSFUL, AT A IME WHEN WE HAVE A 7.7 BILLION SURPLUS, WE MUST KEEP MINNESOTANS SAFE.

>> Mary: FEDERAL MONEY HELPED GHET CASH TO PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES.

THE STATE HAS SEEN A SHIFT IN SPENDING FROM SERVICES TO GOODS, WHICH ARE MEASURABLY TAXED IN THE STATE.

STILL PRICES ARE UP ON A LOT.

>> SOME OF THE THINGS THAT ARE UNIQUE ABOUT MINNESOTA.

ONE IS THAT WE HAVE A TAX REVENUE SYSTEM THAT WAS WELL SITUATED TO CAPTURE TAX RECEIPTS FROM HE EXTRAORDINARY GROWTH THAT WE'VE SEEN.

>> Mary: ALTHOUGH 84,000 MINNESOTAN WORKERS LEFT THEIR JOBS, WE STILL HAVE VERY HIGH WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION, COMPARED TO THE REST OF THE COUNTRY, AND THE RAINY DAY FUND WILL BE REPLENISHED.

>> WITH THIS FORECAST, THE BUDGET RESERVE IS AGAIN FULL.

AT $2.656 BILLION.

>> Mary: AS THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION STARTS IN JUST OVER A MONTH, 3 BILLION ADDITIONAL DOLLARS ARE AVAILABLE TO LAWMAKERS ALREADY IN THE BANK.

>> THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT THIS IS IS ALL THE STATISTICS SHOW THIS, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO PROTECT AS MANY MINNESOTANS AS POSSIBLE.

WE HAVE LOWER DEATH RATES THAN MANY STATES.

WE WERE ABLE TO MAKE SURE OUR HOSPITAL CAPACITY AND WE'RE STILL WORKING AT IT, AT THE SAME TIME WE SEE THE ECONOMY STILL CONTINUING TO GROW, AND PROVIDING THAT SAFETY NET FOR THOSE WHO NEED SOME.

THIS GIVES US A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY TO BIPARTISANLY WORK TOWARDS A FUTURE THAT WORKS FOR EVERYONE.

♪ ♪ >> CATHY: THE AMERICAN HEALTHCARE SYSTEM IS IN COVID-INDUCED CRISIS.

FRONTLINE HEALTHCARE WORKERS ARE IN SHARP DEMAND, AND THERE AREN'T ENOUGH OF THEM.

HERE IN MINNESOTA, MEDICAL TEAMS FROM THE DEPT OF DEFENSE HAVE COME TO OUR STATE TO STAFF THREE HOSPITALS.

RECENTLY, THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS ANNOUNCED IT WAS STARTING A NURSING SCHOOL TO HELP FILL THE NEED.

THE SCHOOL HAS A SPECIAL MISSION.

ITS NURSING STUDENTS WILL BE TRAINED TO ADDRESS RACIAL HEALTH DISPARITIES.

MARTHA SCHECKEL HAS BEEN HIRED TO HEAD THE NEW PROGRAM.

SHE'S A REGISTERED NURSE WITH A PHD IN NURSING EDUCATION.

WELCOME TO THE PROGRAM, MARTHA.

>> THANK YOU.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> Cathy: I UNDERSTAND THAT 30% OF NURSING SCHOOL STUDENTS WILL COME FROM HISTORICALLY EXCLUDED POPULATIONS HERE WITH THIS PROGRAM AT ST. THOMAS.

YET 90% OF R.N.s ARE WHITE.

SO HOW DO YOU PLAN TO REACH OUT TO COMMUNITIES OF COLOR TO GET THE NURSING STUDENTS?

>> ONE OF THE FIRST INITIATIVES THAT WE UNDERTOOK WAS TO EMBARK ON SOMETHING CALLED HOLISTIC REVIEW, OR HOLISTIC ADMISSIONS, AND SO THIS IS A METHOD OF INCREASING NURSING WORKFORCE DIVERSITY.

AND SO WE -- WE FOCUS OUR ADMISSION PROCESSES ON NOT JUST FOCUSING ON METRICS OR G.P.A., BUT WE INCLUDE EXPERIENCES AND ATTRIBUTES.

THAT PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS CAN BRING TO NURSING.

AND THAT ARE ALSO ALIGNED WITH THE VISION OF THE SCHOOL OF NURSING.

WE ARE ALSO -- >> Eric: GO AHEAD.

>> MAKING CONCERTED EFFORTS TO RECRUIT FROM POPULATIONS AND ENCOURAGE THOSE POPULATIONS THAT AREN'T STRICTLY REPRESENTED IN NURSING TO SEEK NURSING AS A PROFESSION.

>> Eric: THE FEDERAL RESERVE IN MINNEAPOLIS DID A STUDY AND SAID THAT FOR BLACK, NATIVE, AND HISPANIC HIGH SCHOOLERS, ONLY ABOUT 25% OF THEM ARE WHAT THEY CALLED COLLEGE READY.

IS THAT A TARGET AUDIENCE FOR RECRUITMENT THEN?

THAT 25% THAT ARE READY TO GO?

>> THAT ARE COLLEGE READY?

ABSOLUTELY.

AND THEN ALSO BRING -- WHEN WE BRING STUDENTS IN TO A NURSING PROGRAM, IT'S QUITE RIGOROUS.

AND SO THERE'S A LOT OF INTENTIONAL FOCUS THAT NEEDS TO OCCUR ON RETAINING THOSE STUDENTS.

AND SETTING THEM UP FOR SUCCESS SO THAT THEY CAN GRADUATE.

>> Eric: WHAT IS A STREET LEVEL APPROACH TO TRAINING?

THAT WAS IN SOME OF THE MATERIAL I READ THIS WEEK.

>> SO THAT REALLY COMES FROM THE COMMUNITY PUBLIC HEALTH WORLD.

SO REALLY BOOTS ON THE GROUND, GETTING OUT AND GOING TO THE PEOPLE.

AS MUCH AS WE CAN.

CERTAINLY WE'LL BE EDUCATING NURSING STUDENTS INSIDE ACUTE CARE SETTINGS.

BUT WE ALSO WANT THEM TO GET REALLY A DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF COMMUNITY PUBLIC HEALTH SETTINGS.

AND SERVING HE PEOPLE IN THOSE SETTINGS, ESPECIALLY AROUND THINGS LIKE HAD DISEASE PREVENTION AND HEALTH PROMOTION SO THAT WE CAN KEEP THEM OUT OF CARE SETTINGS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

>> Cathy: IS THIS PROGRAM -- IS THIS A B.A.

PROGRAM, AND ALSO M.A.?

I MEAN, CAN -- IS IT BOTH UNDERGRAD AND GRADUATE?

>> SO IT'S A TWO PRELICENSURE PROGRAMS.

SO THAT'S INITIAL -- PREPARING THEM FOR NIBBLE LICENSURE TO PRACTICE AS A REGISTERED NURSE.

SO IT'S A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING AND A MASTER OF SCIENCE N NURSING.

THE MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING IS FOR SECOND DEGREE SEEKERS, STUDENTS WHO ARE SEEKING A SECOND CAREER, SO INSTEAD OF COMING BACK FOR A SECOND BACHELOR'S DEGREE, THEY COME BACK FOR A SECOND DEGREE, BUT IT'S A MASTER'S DEGREE IN NURSING.

>> Cathy: I'M CURIOUS, YOU KNOW, WHAT'S THE PITCH?

WHAT'S THE PITCH?

ESPECIALLY WITH NEWS HEADLINES THAT ARE UNDERSCORING HOW DIFFICULT THE FIELD IS.

ESPECIALLY DURING THIS PANDEMIC OBVIOUSLY.

BUT, YOU KNOW, AS YOU REACH OUT TO THESE NEW STUDENTS, WHY WOULD THEY WANT TO GET INVOLVED?

>> I THINK THAT THERE ARE STUDENTS WHO FEEL A CERTAIN -- ARE COMPELLED TO SERVE.

AND LOVE THE SCIENCES.

BUT ALSO LOVE THE HUMANITIES, AND NURSING IS THE PERFECT COMBINATION OF BOTH.

>> Eric: THIS IS NOT A CHEAP TICKET AT ST. THOMAS.

WHO'S GOING TO PAY FOR THIS TO TUITION?

>> WE CERTAINLY ARE WORKING WITH OUR FINANCIAL AID OFFICES TO ENSURE THAT WE AREN'T PRICED OUT OF THE MARKETS AND THAT WE'RE COMPARABLE TO OTHER NURSING PROGRAMS IN THE STATE AND IN THE NATION.

>> Cathy: YOU ARE COMPETING WITH THE COLLEGE OF ST. CATHERINE, I SHOULD SAY ST. CATHERINE UNIVERSITY DOWN THE STREET.

THEY'VE LONG BEEN KNOWN FOR THEIR NURSING PROGRAM.

HOW IS THAT GOING TO WORK?

>> I LIKE TO SEE -- TO TAKE THE VIEWPOINT THAT WE'RE ALL WORKING TOWARD FEELING -- FUELING THE PIPELINE AND WE'RE ALL DOING OUR PART TO GET NURSES OUT INTO THE WORKFORCE.

SO ST. KATE'S HAS DONE A TREMENDOUS JOB OF PRODUCING NURSES FOR YEARS.

AS WELL AS MANY OTHER PROGRAMS IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

WE FEEL THAT WE'RE CONTRIBUTING TO THAT EFFORT AS ARE THE OTHERS.

>> Cathy: AND THE FIRST CLASS IS NEXT YEAR, RIGHT?

>> SO WE START PROGRAMS IN THE FALL OF 2022.

THAT'S CORRECT.

>> Cathy: GOOD LUCK.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR COMING.

♪ ♪ >> ♪ SUCH A NIGHT ♪ ♪ SUCH A NIGHT ♪ ♪ SWEET CONFUSION ♪ ♪ UNDER THE MOONLIGHT ♪ >> "ALMANAC" IS A PRODUCTION OF KTCA, CHANNEL 2.

GOOD EVENING.

I'M JOE SUMMERS AND WELCOME TO "ALMANAC."

IF YOU'RE A MINNESOTAN INTERESTED IN WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE STATE, N ITS ARTS AND MEDIA, SPORTS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS, THEN WE HEAR AT CHANNEL 2 HOPE THAT YOU WILL BECOME A LOT MORE FAMILIAR WITH THIS NAME, "ALMANAC."

BECAUSE EVERY WEEK WE HOPE YOU'LL SPEND THIS HOUR WITH US, SIT BACK, TRY TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THIS WEEK'S EVENTS, WITH A LITTLE PERSPECTIVE AND MAYBE EVEN A LITTLE BIT OF HUMOR.

♪ ♪ >> ERIC: A NEW EXHIBIT AT THE HENNEPIN HISTORY MUSEUM SHOWS HOW HIGHWAY 35W DESTROYED SOUTH MINNEAPOLIS NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISPLACED HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES 50 YEARS AGO.

AN UNEQUAL SHARE OF THOSE FAMILIES WERE BLACK.

BUT ORGANIZERS SAY THE MISTAKES OF THE PAST CAN TEACH US TO BUILD A BETTER FUTURE.

AND PRESIDENT BIDEN'S INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN COULD PLAY A HUGE ROLE IN THAT.

"REPORT FOR AMERICA" AND "ALMANAC" DATA REPORTER KYELAND JACKSON HAS THE STORY.

>> SO THEY ARE TELLING THE PEOPLE WHO THEY WANT TO KNOW HERE REGARDING 35W.

>> Kyeland: SOME PEOPLE SAY THAT THE PAST IS ALIVE.

AND EOPLE WHO FAIL TO LEARN FROM IT ARE DOOMED TO REPEAT IT.

THE HENNEPIN HISTORY MUSEUM'S NEW EXHIBIT WANTS TO TEACH PEOPLE THAT LESSON THROUGH THE STORY OF SOUTH MINNEAPOLIS WHOSE BOOMING AND DIVERSE NEIGHBORHOOD WAS FOREVER CHANGED BY HIGHWAY 35W.

PICTURES, DOCUMENTS, AND DATA COLLECTED OVER TWO YEARS BY A TEAM OF RESEARCHERS, LINE THE THE WALLS OF THE MUSEUM.

AND MUCH OF IT WAS ARCHIVED BY EARNEST LLOYD.

>> FROM MY RESEARCH FINDING, WHICH WAS INTERESTING TO ME, WAS THAT IT DIDN'T MATTER WHETHER OR NOT THE FREEWAY WAS ROUTED THROUGH A POOR BLACK COMMUNITY OR A MIDDLE CLASS, UPPER MIDDLE CLASS BLACK COMMUNITY.

THE COMMUNITY WAS BLACK.

- AND THE FREEWAY FOUND THEM NONETHELESS.

THE DATA WILL TELL YOU THAT BIPOC EOPLE WHO LIVED CENTRAL TO OR DIRECTLY PARALLEL TO THE FREEWAY HAVE HIGHER PROPENSITY FOR ASTHMA, HEART DISEASE.

THE WHOLE PIECE ABOUT POLLUTION, CARS GOING THROUGH ALL THE TIME, BACK AND FORTH THROUGH.

THE HEAT IMPACT FROM ALL THE ASPHALT AND CONCRETE, ESPECIALLY WITH THE ELDERS AND SENIORS.

SO THERE CONTINUE TO BE AROUND THE COUNTRY THOSE DRASTIC IMPACTS UPON BIPOC AND ESPECIALLY BLACK, AFRICAN-AMERICAN INDIVIDUALS.

>> Kyeland: NATIONAL RESEARCH SUPPORTS LLOYD'S FINDINGS.

A 2014 STUDY BY THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA FOUND HAT PEOPLE OF COLOR ARE EXPOSED TO 40% MORE POLLUTED AIR THAN WHITE PEOPLE.

AND STUDIES CITE AID BY THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION FOUND THAT PEOPLE IN BLACK COMMUNITIES WERE MORE LIKELY TO DIE EARLY BECAUSE OF PARTICLE POLLUTION.

NELDA HUGINS REMEMBERS HER SOUTH MINNEAPOLIS NEIGHBORHOOD BEFORE THE HIGHWAY.

SHE REMEMBERS NEIGHBORS WHO SHARED PRIDE IN THEIR COMMUNITY AND HELD TIGHT BONDS REGARDLESS OF DIFFERENT SKIN TONES.

BUT WHEN SHE LEFT HOME AND RETURNED 15 YEARS LATER, THE HIGHWAY WAS DONE, AND HER COMMUNITY WAS DESTROYED.

>> WHEN I CAME BACK FOR A VISIT IN '68, I COULD SEE THE CHANGE, BECAUSE ALL OF THE SUDDEN, THAT MIXTURE OF RACES NO LONGER EXISTED.

IT WAS JUST NOT THERE.

AND IT APPEARED ALSO, A MAJOR THING THAT STRUCK ME WAS THAT IT SEEMED LIKE RESOURCES WERE BEING JUST SUCKED OUT.

IT'S ALMOST LIKE THE FREEWAY HAD DESTROYED THE PHYSICAL NATURE OF THE COMMUNITY, BUT THEN THERE WAS SOMETHING, YOU KNOW, SPIRITUAL.

I GUESS IT'S SOMETHING A BIT MORE INTANGIBLE.

THAT HAD HAPPENED.

WHERE SUDDENLY, THAT SENSE OF OWNERSHIP AND COMMUNITY AND SHARING, IT WAS JUST NOT THERE.

WE HAD NO CHANCE TO SAY NO.

AND IT'S NOT JUST, YOU KNOW, THAT STRIP THAT'S SEVERAL MILES LONG STRIP OF HOUSES AND BLOCKS THAT WERE TAKEN AWAY.

THE IMPACT WAS FELT BEYOND THAT.

IT WAS FELT IN THE -- ON THE OTHER STREETS.

IT WAS AFFECTED IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

THAT SURROUNDS THAT.

THAT SURROUNDED THAT.

EVERYTHING JUST DRIED UP, I THINK.

THAT'S PROBABLY THE BEST WAY TO DESCRIBE IT.

IT WAS LIKE DEATH.

>> Kyeland: ORGANIZERS HOPE THAT THE EXHIBIT REVISED DISCUSSIONS BOUT ROADS AND HIGHWAYS, ESPECIALLY WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN'S $1.2 TRILLION INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN PROMISING TO OVERHAUL STREETS ACROSS THE NATION.

PROFESSOR GREG DONOFRIO SAYS THE DISCUSSION STARTS WITH EVERYDAY PEOPLE TAKING A HARD LOOK AT THEMSELVES.

>> I HOPE EVERYONE SEES THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO THIS HISTORY.

I'M BENEFITING FROM THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SYSTEM, BUT THERE'S A COST.

AND THE COST HAS BEEN INVISIBLE TO MOST PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T GROW UP LIVING IT OR TALKING ABOUT IT IN THEIR FAMILY.

AND SO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO THINK ABOUT WHO PAID THE PRICE.

FOR THE CERTAIN CONVENIENCES THAT WE HAVE.

AND IN THE UNITED STATES.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LOT OF PEOPLE AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO LOOK LIKE ME.

TO ADVOCATE FOR REPARATIVE WORK, FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE WORK WHEN IT COMES TO TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE AND OTHER FORMS OF INFRASTRUCTURE.

AND IT'S MY HOPE THAT THIS EXHIBIT HELPS TO BUILD IS THAT BASIS SUPPORT.

AND HELPS TO BUILD ADVOCATES FOR REPARATIVE AND RESTORATIVE EQUITY ORIENTED WORK.

♪ ♪ >> CATHY: IT'S THE TIME OF YEAR WHEN PEOPLE FILL THEIR BIRDFEEDERS AND GET OUT THEIR BINOCULARS AND CAMERAS.

AND WHAT ARE THEY LIKELY TO SEE?

IN THE WINTER TIME WHEN IT COMES TO BIRDS?

LET'S ASK SHARON STITELER AS SHE STOPS BY FOR A WINTRY VISIT.

HER RELATIVES CALL HER SHARON.

BUT THE REST OF US KNOW HER AS BIRDCHICK.

[ Laughter ] IT'S RUE, YOU KNOW?

>> NOT ALL OF THEM CALL ME SHARON.

>> Cathy: THAT'S PROBABLY TRUE.

OKAY, SO WHO HANGS OUT, BIRD-WISE, HERE IN THE WINTER TIME?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, I JUST GOT A TEXT FROM MY GOOD FRIEND ELNA TODAY.

CHICKADEES, NUT HATCHES, CARDINALS OF COURSE.

BUT WE'RE GETTING SOME -- SEE SOME FUN FINCHES AT YOUR BIRD FEEDER THIS YEAR.

COMMON RED POLES ARE STARTING TO MOVE INTO THE STATE OF MINNESOTA ALL OVER THE PLACE AND THEY'RE STARTING TO SHOW UP IN THE METRO AREA.

>> Eric: WHY DON'T WE GO THROUGH THESE PICTURES AND YOU CAN COMMENT.

>> OH, WELL, THOSE ARE MOVING IN TOO.

THIS IS A SNOWY OWL AT THE AIRPORT.

THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL SNOWY OWLS AT THE AIRPORT.

YOU CAN STAND IN THE AIRPLANE OBSERVATION AREA AND I ALWAYS TELL PEOPLE LOOK FOR A DIRTY LUMP OF SNOW, AND THAT'S USUALLY A YOUNG SNOWY OWL.

AND IT MIMICS THE TUNDRA.

SO FOR THEM, HEY, IT'S FLAT, SURE, THERE ARE THESE BIG NOISY THINGS HERE, BUT I CAN DO THAT.

SOMETIMES THE AIRPORT DOES TRAP SOME AND RELOCATE THEM.

BUT THEY'VE HAD AT LEAST FIVE SHOW UP THERE THIS WINTER.

>> Cathy: WOW.

YOU MENTION AID THE RED HOLES.

NOW, THESE ARE THE >> THESE ARE THE RED POLES, THIS IS UP AT THE CABIN UP IN AITKIN AREA.

AND THEY'RE ABOUT THE SIZE OF A GOLD FINCH.

AND THEY NEED ON A LOT OF THE SAME THINGS.

THEY'RE A LIST FEISTY.

BUT YOU WANT TO LOOK OR THAT LITTLE RASPBERRY BERET.

AND THAT'S WHAT'S CALLED A RED POLE ON THEM.

THESE ARE COMMON RED POLES.

AND WHEN THEY SHOW UP AT YOUR FEEDER, YOU USUALLY DON'T GET ONE, YOU GET HUNDREDS.

SO, YEAH, THEY CAN CHOW DOWN.

THEY LOVE BLACK OIL SUNFLOWER SEED.

THEY LOVE NIGER.

YOU MIGHT HAVE SOME OF THOSE WINTER FINCHES SHOWING UP.

>> Cathy: NOW, I'M WOR.

THIS IS A SHRIKE?

>> YES, THEY'RE MOVING INTO THE AREA.

MY FRIEND CRAIG JUST HAD ONE BLAST THROUGH IS BACKYARD THIS WEEK IN THE METRO AREA.

AND THEY'RE CAR NERVE REDUCE.

SO THEY'LL EAT SMALL VOLES.

THEY'LL EAT SMALL BIRDS SOMETIMES, BUT THEY'RE OT LIKE HAWKS.

THEY KILL WITH THEIR BEAK.

AND THEY'RE KNOWN FOR CACHIN IMSK THEIR FOOD ON THORN ORS ON BARBED WIRE.

SO IF YOU EVER SEE SOMETHING LIKE A PIECE OF CARDINAL, A PIECE OF MOUSE ALL KIND OF LINED UP, THAT'S PROBABLY THE WORK OF A SHRIKE?

THEY'RE NOT NEARLY AS NICE AS A JUNCOS.

BUT THEY'RE A BIT OF A DARKER DARKER GRAY.

>> Eric: WE GOT THE CROWS ROOSTING.

IN LORING PARK, I'VE SEEN JUST -- THEY JUST LOAD UP ON THE TREES.

WHAT'S GOING ON THERE?

>> SO IN THE WINTER TIME CROWS COMMUNALLY ROOST.

THEY USED TO O IT OUTSIDE THE METRO AREA, BUT THEY DON'T GET AS HARASSED AS THEY DO IN DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS.

AND SO THEY'RE NOT GETTING SHOT AT.

THERE'S ALSO AN EFFECT THAT HAPPENS WHERE METRO AREAS ARE A FEW DEGREES WARMER THAN RURAL AREA.

AND THEY LOVE ALL OF OUR DUMPSTERS.

SO THEY'VE GOT FOOD.

THEY'VE GOT A LITTLE HEAT.

THEY'RE NOT BEING HARASSED.

AROUND DUST, FOLLOW THEM ON WEST RIVER PARKWAY IS USUALLY WHERE THEY START.

AND SOMETIMES THEY'LL NEST IN LORING PARK.

SOMETIMES IT'S ELLIOTT PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY.

WHEN I LIVED ON LAKE AND LYNDALE, ONE DAY THEY CAME AND ROOSTED THERE.

>> Cathy: I'VE SEEN THE BIRDS, THE OLD HITCHCOCK MOVIE, "THE BIRDS."

>> THEY'RE NOT GOING TO -- >> Cathy: I KNOW.

I'M JUST SAYING IT LOOKS LIKE A SCENE OUT OF THE MOVIE.

>> THE CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS.

I'M NOT AS DOGMATIC ABOUT GETTING UP SUPER EARLY IN THE MOURNING.

BUT FORTUNATELY, DAYLIGHT STARTS LATER IN WINTER AND YOU GO OUT WITH A CREW, AND YOU TALLY ALL THE BIRDS IN A COUNT CIRCLE.

AND IT GIVES US A SNAPSHOT OF WHAT WINTER BIRD POPULATIONS ARE LIKE.

AND YOU SIGN UP WITH YOUR LOCAL AUDUBON.

I DO IT THROUGH ST. PAUL AUDUBON.

AND I'VE GOT KIND OF A GOOD SPOT.

I HAVE THE PIG'S EYE SERVAGE OUTFLOW.

>> Eric: HOW ROMANTIC.

>> YEAH, IT'S A GREAT DATE.

SO, BUT, YEAH, I'M TAKING MY PARKS NEW SUPERINTENDENT THERE.

HE HASN'T VISITED YET.

>> Cathy: I HAVE TO ASK ONE FINAL QUESTION BEFORE YOU GO.

BECAUSE WE SAW THOSE CROWS ROOSTING.

I HAVE A FRIEND WHO HAS ROOSTING BOXES.

WHAT ARE THOSE?

FOR THE WINTER?

>> THEY MIGHT BE A SCAM.

[ Laughter ] I SAY THAT AS SOMEONE WHO USED TO SELL THEM.

[ Laughter ] THEY'RE BOXES -- GOOD THING I DON'T WORK FOR BIRD STORES ANYMORE.

NO, THEY'RE BOXES THAT ARE MEANT O HAVE PERCHED INSIDE, BECAUSE BIRDS WILL COMMUNALLY ROOST, BUT WHEN YOU ACTUALLY FIND BIRDS, THEY'RE KIND OF TIGHTLY WEDGED IN TOGETHER, KIND OF HUDDLED UP TOGETHER.

AND SO I'VE SEEN QUITE A FEW ROOSTING BOXES.

I'VE SEEN VERY LITTLE EVIDENCE THAT BIRDS ACTUALLY USE THEM.

BUT I COULD BE WRONG.

BUT I MEAN, IT IS AN ITEM YOU CAN PURCHASE, BUT REALLY, IF YOU LEAVE -- IF YOU CAN LEAVE A DEAD TREE OR A SNAG IN YOUR YARD FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE, THAT WILL HAVE LOTS OF HOLES AND I'VE SEEN CHICKADEES GO INTO ALL KINDS F HOLES IN THE EVENING AND THEY'LL SNUGGLE?

>> Eric: RIPPING THE LID OFF THE BOGUS NESTING BOX SCAM.

>> I KNOW.

I'M GOING TO GET SO MANY TWEETS NOW!

>> Eric: THANKS FOR COMING OVER.

♪ ♪ >> ERIC: IT'S A BEAUTIFUL SNOWY EVENING IN THE METRO AREA TONIGHT.

A PERFECT TIME TO DIP INTO THE ARCHIVES AS WE CHANGE OUT GUESTS.

"ALMANAC" OLD-TIMERS MAY REMEMBER RESIDENT GOOFBALL J.G.

PRESTON SINGING "BLUE CHRISTMA" TO PLASTIC OUTDOOR HOLIDAY FIGURES.

IT'S HARD TO EXPLAIN BUT EASIER TO APPRECIATE.

TAKE A LOOK.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> ♪ 'LL HAVE A BLUE CHRISTMAS ♪ ♪ WITHOUT YOU ♪ ♪ YEAH ♪ ♪ I'LL HAVE A BLUE ♪ ♪ CHRISTMAS WITHOUT YOU ♪ ♪ YOU'LL BE DOING ALL RIGHT ♪ ♪ WITH OUR CHRISTMAS OF WHITE ♪ ♪ BUT I'LL HAVE A BLUE ♪ ♪ BLUE, BLUE, BLUE CHRISTMAS ♪ ♪ HAPPY HOLIDAYS, EVERYBODY.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS.

♪ BLUE CHRISTMAS ♪ ♪ WITHOUT YOU ♪ ♪ HEY, WE'VE GOT AN AUDIENCE HERE.

WE'VE GOT AN AUDIENCE.

♪ I'LL HAVE A BLUE CHRISTMAS WITHOUT YOU ♪ ♪ OH, THEY COME FROM ALL OVER.

♪ YOU'LL BE DOING ALL RIGHT ♪ ♪ WITH YOUR CHRISTMAS OF WHITE ♪ ♪ BUT I'LL ♪ OH, WAIT A MINUTE.

I DON'T KNOW THIS BIRD.

[ Laughter ] >> Cathy: SORRY, I'VE ALWAYS LOVED THAT J.G.

PRESTON THING.

OKAY, SORRY, WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT SPORTS.

>> CATHY: THE WILD CONTINUE TO WIN.

THE VIKES CONTINUE TO GIVE US ALL HEART ATTACKS.

AND CHERYL REEVE WAS NAMED AS COACH OF THE NATIONAL WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM.

PLENTY TO TALK ABOUT WITH LARRY FITZGERALD.

YOU CAN HEAR LARRY TALK SPORTS AS PART OF THE NATIONAL PROGRAMMING NETWORK.

THERE HE IS, LARRY.

HOW ARE YOU DOING?

>> I'M DOOLING DOING WELL.

HOW ARE YOU GUYS DOING?

>> Cathy: SO FAR, SO GOOD.

SO WE WENT TO BED WHEN THE VIKINGS WERE LEADING 29-ZIP LAST NIGHT, WHAT WAS THURSDAY NIGHT AGAINST PITTSBURGH.

AND THEY JUST SQUEAKED BY.

WHAT HAPPENED THERE?

>> WELL, IT'S SORT OF BEEN THE TALE OF TWO STORIES FOR THE VIKINGS ALL SEASON LONG AND THAT IS THAT THEY'RE GOOD, BUT THEY'RE JUST NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

TO UNDERSTAND THAT YOU HAVE TO FINISH PEOPLE OFF.

AND THEY JUST HAVE NOT HAD THE ABILITY TO DO THAT.

THEY'VE HAD TIMES AND STRETCHES WHERE THEY'VE REALLY LOOKED GOOD.

THAT WAS ABOUT AS GOOD A VIKING FIRST 30 MINUTES THAT I'VE SEEN IN A NUMBER OF YEARS.

THEY LOOKED LIKE A SUPER BOWL POTENTIAL TEAM, THE WAY THEY WERE ABLE TO RUN THE BALL, ESTABLISH THAT THEY COULD GET FIRST DOWNS.

AND HAVE THE ABILITY TO THROW THE FOOTBALL.

WHICH THEY DID.

AND, YOU KNOW, LET'S FACE IT.

IF KIRK COUSINS DOESN'T MISS JUSTIN JEFFERSON A COUPLE OF TIMES FOR TOUCHDOWNS, THAT GAME WOULD HAVE BEEN DEFINITELY EVEN MORE THAN 29 AND UP AT HALF OF THE.

BUT THEY WERE ABLE TO WIN THE GAME BECAUSE THEY STILL HAD ENOUGH EXPERIENCE.

THEY WERE ABLE TO GET ANTHONY BARR BACK IN THE LINEUP.

THEY GOT PATRICK PETERSON BACK ON THE CORNER.

AND THEY ALSO HAD, YOU KNOW, ERIC KENDRICKS BACK AT MIDDLE LINEBACKER.

AND SO THEY HAVE SOME LEADERSHIP OUT THERE.

THEY HAD OME GUYS THAT THEY COULD LEAN ON WHEN THINGS TURNED.

AND LET'S NOT FORGET, BEN HAD ROTH LIS BERGER HAS WON TWO SUPERBOWLS.

THIS GUY'S MADE OVER $100 MILLION IN HIS CAREER, AND EVERY DAY HE WAKES UP, HE'S HERE, THAT THIS IS IT, THIS IS HIS SWAN SONG.

HE STILL CAN FIGHT AND HE CAN STILL LEAD AND THE PITTSBURGH SCEELERS, THERE'S A REASON WHY THEY'VE WON SIX SUPER BOWLS.

THEY HAVE A COACH WHO USED TO OBJECT A VIKING DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR.

AND HE'S FIGHTING AS WELL.

TO PROVE THAT HE'S ONE OF THE TOP COACHES IN THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE AND THAT'S SOMETHING YOU HAVE TO PROVE EVERY WEEK.

>> Eric: EIGHT STRAIGHT FOR THE WILD INCLUDING NOW NUMBER ONE IN POINTS IN THE NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE.

HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?

>> WELL, WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE LAST TIME WE VISITED.

I TOLD YOU, THIS TEAM WAS FOR REAL.

I'VE BEEN WATCHING THEM PLAY FROM THE VERY BEGINNING.

I LIKE THIS WAY THEY PLAY THIS UP AND GET AFTER YOU SYSTEM.

THEY HAVE VERSATILITY IN THEIR FORWARDS.

THEY'VE GOT DEFENSE MEN WHO REALLY KNOW HOW TO PLAY THE BLUE LINE.

AND THEY'RE GETTING SOME PRETTY GOOD GOAL TENDING WITH CAL TALBOT.

I THINK THEY'VE GOTH A TEAM THAT IS ESTABLISH IS AKING THAT THEY CAN PLAY AT A HIGH LEVEL.

THEY CAN GET OUT AND GET ON TOP OF YOU, AND IF THEY GET BEHIND.

THEY CAN GO GET YOU.

THAT CAME AGAINST THE TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS WHEN THEY WERE FEATURED ON NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE IN CANADA NIGHT, I MEAN, THAT IS A HUGE DEAL, WHEN YOU GO INTERNATIONAL IS A ROSS THE WORLD, AND THEY SHOWED THE TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS AND THE WORLD AND CANADA THAT THEY ARE ONE OF THE BEST TEAMS IN THE NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE IN THE STATE OF HOCK 5E678, THE MINNESOTA WILD.

>> CHERYL REEVE WAS NAME THE U.S. WOMEN'S OA OLYMPIC BASKETBALL COACH.

THAT IS A BIG DEAL.

>> IT IS.

I THINK SHE'D PROBABLY DO A BETTER JOB AS COACH OF THE TIMBERWOLVES.

BUT YOU KNOW WHAT?

THIS IS A TREMENDOUS AND A DESERVING HONOR FOR AN OUTSTANDING GENERAL MANAGER AND HEAD COACH.

SHE'S DONE REMARKABLE THINGS IN THE 12 YEARS SHE'S BEEN HERE IN MINNESOTA.

AND SHE IS QUITE DESERVING OF BEING IN THE POSITION OF KNOWING HOW TO DEAL WITH PLAYERS AND TALENTED PLAYERS, AND SHE'S HAD TO DO BOTH.

AND SO NOW SHE TAKES OVER A TEAM AND SHE'S GOING TO HAVE TO TRY TO GET THINGS TOGETHER IN ERMS OF OW THEY GO ABOUT SELECTING THE PLAYERS, BUT ONCE SHE GETS THEM, SHE'S GOT TO PUT A TEAM TOGETHER, THAT CAN GO OUT THERE, GET INTO THE TOURNAMENT AND TRY TO GO AFTER TO TRY TO GET INTO POSITION TO BE IN THE OLYMPICS FOR 2024 AND KEEP THIS INCREDIBLE 55-GAME WIN STREAK, SEVERAL GOLD MED E MEDALS GOING.

SO THAT'S THE GOOD NEWS, BUT, YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT AN EASY DEAL.

BUT THEY'VE GOT THE RIGHT PERSON WHO CAN DO THE JOB.

>> Eric: THE GOPHERS ARE GOING.

CAN LARRY JUNIOR PUT ME UP?

>> NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.

I HEAR HOTELS ARE PRETTY EXPENSIVE OUT THERE.

BUT IT WILL DEFINITELY TAKE CARE OF YOU OUT IN THE DESERT.

IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT WEEK.

AND WITH THE KNOW COMING IN THIS AREA, IT MIGHT NOT BE A BAD DEAL TO SAY, LET'S GET AWAY.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE PLAYING ON DECEMBER 28TH, RIGHT AFTER CHRISTMAS AND JUST BEFORE THE NEW YEAR.

AND SO THE GOPHERS ARE GOING TO BE PLAYING A WEST VIRGINIA TEAM.

I DON'T KNOW A WHOLE LOT ABOUT 'EM.

BUT I'M KIND OF DISAPPOINTED.

THEY'RE PLAYING A TEAM THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO, YOU KNOW, JUMP THEIR SPOT IN THE RATINGS.

BECAUSE THEY -- THEY'RE EXPECTED TO BEAT A WEST VIRGINIA FOOTBALL TEAM.

>> Eric: IT'S JUST GETTING GOOD, BUT WE'RE OUT OF TIME, FITZY.

THANKS A LOT.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS.

>> ♪ LIKE A HEAT WAVE ♪ ♪ IT'S TEARING ME APART ♪ ♪ WHENEVER HE CALLS MY NAME ♪ ♪ SO CLOSELY AND FLAME ♪ ♪ MY NAME, I FEEL THAT BURNING FLAME ♪ ♪ AS A LOT BLOOD PRESSURE ♪ >> THIS IS EMBARRASSING.

BUT I'M AFRAID I DON'T HAVE A MONOLOGUE FOR YOU TONIGHT.

IT'S SUPPLY-CHAIN ISSUES.

MY SIGHT-GAGS ARE STUCK IN SOME SHIPPING CONTAINER AT THE LONG BEACH PORT.

MY PUN DISTRIBUTOR SAID THEY'RE BACKLOGGED UNTIL MARCH.

MY IRONY IS SITTING TANTALIZINGLY CLOSE IN A WAREHOUSE IN SHAKOPEE.

THEY DON'T HAVE THE STAFF TO GET IT ON A TRUCK.

YOU THINK IT'S HARD TO BUY A CAR?

TRY LAYING YOUR HANDS ON A WITTICISM.

AND THIS, ACTUALLY, IS KIND OF AN INTERESTING CASE.

STICK WITH ME HERE.

SEE, THE WITTICISM MANUFACTURERS ARE ACTUALLY ALL STAFFED UP AND READY TO GO.

THEY'RE FINE.

BUT TO MAKE A WITTICISM, YOU NEED A WISECRACK.

AND THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE WISECRACKS OPERATE ON A JUST-IN-TIME INVENTORY MANAGEMENT MODEL.

WHEN COVID HIT, ALL THE WISECRACK FACTORIES SHUT DOWN.

THE ECONOMY CAME ROARING BACK TO LIFE AND THE "WISE GUYS," AS WE CALL THEM IN THE TRADE, JUST COULDN'T GET UP TO SPEED FAST ENOUGH.

NO WISECRACKS.

NO WITTICISMS.

I THOUGHT I WAS ON TOP OF THIS.

BACK IN JANUARY, I STOCKED UP ON BROMIDES AND CLICHES, AND MY CLOSET WAS STACKED THIS HIGH WITH ANECDOTES.

SO MY FEBRUARY "FRESCA" MONOLOGUE?

NO PROBLEM.

MY JUNE ESSAY ON PEOPLE GOING BACK TO THE THEATERS?

YOU MIGHT HAVE NOTICED THE JOKES WERE SPREAD KIND OF THIN ON THAT ONE.

I WAS STARTING TO GET CONCERNED.

MY SEPTEMBER PIECE ABOUT NOT GETTING A GENIUS GRANT?

YOU KNOW AND I KNOW THAT I LIMPED THROUGH THAT ONE.

WHAT CAN I SAY?

THE SHELVES WERE JUST EMPTY.

AND I FEEL BAD.

AFTER ALL, OUR VISION HERE AT "ALMANAC" IS TO BE THE MOST VIEWER-CENTRIC PUBLIC TELEVISION PROGRAM IN THE WORLD.

AND WE'D LIKE TO MAKE IT UP TO YOU SOMEHOW.

TOILET PAPER?

[ Laughter ] ♪ ♪ >> CATHY: THE CREATIVE TEAM HERE AT TPT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE "RELISH" COOKING SERIES HAS LAUNCHED A NEW SEASON.

YOU CAN WATCH THE DIGITAL SERIES ANYTIME BY GOING TO TPT.ORG.

THIS WEEK'S EPISODE FEATURES BAKER ALTREISHA FOSTER SHOWING HOW TO PREPARE A JAMAICAN HOLIDAY FRUITCAKE.

HERE'S A TASTE OF WHAT YOU'LL SEE.

>> FIRST WE'RE GOING TO ADD OUR BROWN SUGAR.

>> IN THE 19TH CENTURY, FRUIT CAKE RECIPES STARTED TURNING UP IN THE CARIBBEAN, LIKELY BROUGHT BY THE ENGLISH COLONIZERS.

>> AND THEN WE HAVE OUR BUTTER.

BUT IT HAS TO COME TO ROOM TEMPERATURE.

>> AND THAT'S IMPORTANT WHEN YOU'RE CREAMING IT.

>> VERY IMPORTANT, YEAH.

WE'LL JUST GET THIS CREAMING.

SO YOU'RE GOING TO ADD EACH EGG ONE AT A TIME, SO IT CREAMS IN.

AND LET'S JUST GET OUR WET INGREDIENTS.

TWO CUPS OF OUR FRUIT AND OUR RED WINE.

>> WHERE WAS YOUR FIRST MEMORY OF EATING THIS?

>> MY GRANDFATHER USED TO BAKE TOO.

AND MY THIRD FIRST CHRISTMAS.

THE TASTE HAS NOT LEFT.

>> I LOVE HAT.

I LOVE THAT FOOD INNATES MEMORY INSIDE OF US.

>> YEAH, IT DOES.

YEAH.

POUR UNTIL ANCESTORS SAY STOP.

THINK A TABLESPOON OF OUR BROWNING.

>> WHAT IS BROWNING?

>> SO BROWNING IS BURNED BROWN SUGAR.

IT'S ADDITIONAL FLAVORING OR OUR CAKE.

IT'S WHAT GIVES IT THAT DARK COMPLEXION IN THE CAKE.

>> SO IS IT MORE OF A COLOR, OR IS IT MORE OF A FLAVOR?

>> IT'S BOTH.

IT'S PLAYING A DUAL ROLE.

WE COULD HAVE THE FRUIT CAKE WITHOUT THE DARK COLOR, BUT WE COULDN'T HAVE THE FRUIT CAKE WITHOUT THE BROWNING BECAUSE IT IS MOSTLY FOR FLAVOR.

>> IN JAMAICA, IT'S CALLED BOTH CHRISTMAS CAKE AND BECAUSE OF ITS ASSOCIATION WITH THE DARK COLOR.

♪ ♪ >> ERIC: A STARTLING STATE BUDGET SURPLUS PROJECTION AND AN EYE-CATCHING POLL IN THE GOVERNOR'S RACE.

TWO TIMELY TOPICS FOR A DUO OF POLITICAL ANALYSTS.

JEFF HAYDEN IS A FORMER STATE SENATOR, NOW A LEGISLATIVE LOBBYIST.

HE'S A DFLER.

GREGG PEPPIN IS A REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST.

RISKING LIVENRISKING LIF AND LIMB TO DRIVE IN FROM ROGERS.

7.7 BILLION, AND THIS IS THE SURPLUS.

IT'S A 19-MONTH OUT PROJECTION OF COURSE.

HOW MUCH OF A CHANCE IS IT THAT THERE'LL BE A LOT OF ACTIVITY.

OR WILL THEY DECIDE THAT THEY CAN'T ACCOMPLISH MUCH WE ELECTION POSTURING AND THEY'LL SLOP MUCH OF MONEY TO 2023?

>> WELL, IT OUGHT TO BE EASY.

YOU KNOW, AS THE COMMERCIAL SAYS, THIS IS THE BIG WREST NO-BRAINER IN THE HISTORY OF NO-BRAINERS TO GIVE THE MONEY BACK.

IT COULD BE AN NEXT CUT.

INCOME TAX CUT.

IT COULD BE UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF FOR SMALL BUSINESSES.

IT COULD BE PROPERTY TAX.

IT COULD BE ELIMINATING THE TAX ON SOCIAL SECURITY FOR SENIORS.

THERE'S A MYRIAD OF WAYS THAT THEY CAN MAKE MINNESOTANS A LITTLE BIT MORE ROBUST IN THE POCKET BOOKS AT A TIME WHEN INFLATION IS AT A 40-YEAR HIGH.

>> Eric: AND SENATOR HAYDEN, THE UNMET NEEDS GROUPS WERE OUT IN FORCE THAT SHF AFTERNOON SAYING WE EED MONEY FOR OUR PARTICULAR CAUSE.

CAN THERE BE A BALANCE THERE OF TAX CUTS AND SPENDING?

OR HOW DO YOU SEE IT?

>> YEAH, I MEAN, I THINK THE THINGS THAT GREG TALKED ABOUT CAN BE DONE AND -- OR SOME OF THOSE, OR AT LEAST A ACKAGE OF THOSE COULD BE DONE AND WE COULD DO PAID FAMILY LEAVE AND WE COULD, YOU KNOW, FIX OUR CHILD CARE SYSTEM WHERE SO MANY PEOPLE CAN'T AFFORD CHILD CARE AND GET PEOPLE TO WORK AND THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY THEY'RE NOT WORKING.

WE CAN ALSO REALLY DO A DEEPER DIVE ON THE DISPARITIES.

WE CAN DO MORE HOUSING WORK.

WE HAVE A HOMELESS ISSUE.

WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, WE HAVE HISTORIC LOW HOME OWNERSHIP RATES.

THERE ARE JUST A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE CAN DO.

AND I WOULD HOPE THAT THE LEGISLATURE REALLY KIND OF DOESN'T GO INTO POLITICAL MODE, WHICH KNOW IS GOING TO BE HARD TO RESIST IN A YEAR LIKE THIS ONE, EVERYBODY'S UP FOR REELECTION, BUT IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE MONEY IN THE SURPLUS AS WELL AS THE A.R.P.A.

MONEY AND THE BUILD BACK BETTER MY, I THINK THAT THERE'S A LOT THAT WE CAN DO IN THIS STATE TO MAYBE PEOPLE HAPPY.

>> Cathy: A LOT OF THAT MONEY IS ONE-TIME MONEY.

>> IT IS.

AND THE CHALLENGE WITH THE PROGRAMS THAT SENATOR HAYDEN LAID OUT IS THAT THEY HAVE TAILS.

THEY HAVE LONG-TERM FISCAL TAILS.

AND SO THOSE ARE THINGS THAT, YES, IN THEORY, IN THEY WOULD BE GOOD PERHAPS.

BUT THEY ARE GOING TO BE AIDE HUGE IMPACTS ON THE BUDGET GOING FORWARD.

AND I THINK IT'S JUST EASIER -- I MEAN, IF THE GOVERNOR WAS -- HE COULD EVEN GO BACK TO THE JESSE CHECK DAYS, RIGHT?

WE REMEMBER THAT.

AND HE COULD GIVE MONEY BACK TO THE FOLKS THAT WAY.

IT'S A BIG SURPLUS.

IT OUGHT TO GO BACK TO THE PEOPLE WHO PAID IT.

THEY'RE THE ONES WHO ARE HURTING.

THEY NEED RELIEF.

>> Eric: SENATOR, YOU WOULD BE A UNIQUE PERSON TO ASK YOU THIS QUESTION BECAUSE YOU WERE ONE OF TOM BAKK'S LIEUTENANTS WHEN HE WAS THE D.F.L.

LEADER IN THE SENATE.

I HEARD SOME SPECULATION THIS WEEK THAT THE REPUBLICANS WILL KIND OF REWARD SENATOR BAKK AS CHAIR OF THE BONDING COMMITTEE WITH A HEFTIER BONDING BILL THAN THE SENATE REPUBLICANS MIGHT USUALLY DO SINCE HE LEFT THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS AND IS CAUCUSING WITH REPUBLICANS NOW?

HOW ABOUT THAT?

>> WELL, I'LL SAY THIS AND I FORGOT TO MENTION INFRASTRUCTURE, AND THAT'D A GOOD PLACE TO PUT ONE-TIME MONEY AND WE COULD PUT A LOT OF CASH IN THAT BILL.

I DON'T KNOW IF THE CAUCUS IS GOING TO REWARD TOM BECAUSE HE'S TOM.

I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO DO IT BECAUSE THERE'S SO MANY UNMET NEEDS AROUND THIS STATE, ALL THE WAY FROM THE HEAPR AND THE REGULAR INFRASTRUCTURE THAT YOU HEAR, BUT ALSO SO MUCH INVESTMENT THAT WE CAN HAVE IN COMMUNITIES ALL ACROSS THIS STATE THAT REALLY COULD USE THE CASH.

I THINK THAT THAT'S KIND OF SOMETHING THAT WE COULD DO.

I'LL ADD THAT GREG TALKED ABOUT THE JESSE YEARS.

WELL, THE ONE THING THAT HAPPENED THOSE TAX BREAKS HAVE TAILS TOO.

SO IF YOU TAKE THE REVENUE OVER TIME, THEN YOU LOOK UP AND IN THE LEAN YEARS, YOU WON'T HAVE THAT REVENUE.

AND WE HAD HISTORIC BUDGET DEFICITS, KIND OF WHEN I STARTED THE LEGISLATURE IN THE HEELS, THE WAKE OF WHAT HAPPENED WITH GOVERNOR JESSE VENTURA IN IS ERM.

>> Cathy: LET'S GO BACK TO THE MONEY HERE.

THIS BIPARTISAN PANEL COULDN'T AGREE ON HOW TO DOLE OUT $250 MILLION IN HERO PAY TO PANDEMIC FRONTLINE WORKERS.

CAN LITTLE MORE CASH BE ADDED TO THAT POT AND TRY TO GET THESE CHECKS OUT?

>> YOU WOULD THINK SO.

YOU WOULD THINK THERE COULD BE A COMPROMISE THAT THEY COULD REACH ON THAT.

I THINK A LOT OF 9 STICKING POINTS WERE WHO WAS GOING TO GET THE MONEY.

BUT, YES, CERTAINLY NOW WITH A BIG POT THAT'S OUT THERE, THEY COULD DO A LITTLE BIT OF BOTH.

THEY COULD GIVE LARGER CHECKS WHICH I KNOW THE REPUBLICANS WANTED.

THEY COULD EXPAND THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAT GET THEM, I KNOW THE CHEMS DEMOCRATS WANTED THAT.

>> YEAH, BUT THE ISSUE THERE WAS POLITICS.

AND I THINK THAT IF THE REPUBLICANS WILL TAKE OFF THE TABLE NOT CONFIRMING THE GOVERNOR'S COMMISSIONERS, I THINK THAT YOU'LL SEE THIS GO ON THE FAST TRACK.

>> Cathy: WELL, I BELIEVE THAT SENATOR MILLER DID SAY HE TALKED TO COMMISSIONER MALCOLM FAIRLY RECENTLY, AND THAT SEEMS LIKE THAT IS OFF THE TABLING, AT LEAST DURING A SPECIAL SESSION.

>> YEAH, I AGREE.

I THINK THAT -- I THINK THE SENATE REPUBLICANS ARE READY TO MOVE FORWARD -- IF THERE WERE -- I DON'T BELIEVE THERE WILL BE SPECIAL SESSION CALLED, BUT IF THERE WERE TO BE ONE, I DON'T THINK THERE ARE GOING TO BE IN CONFIRMATION ISSUES THERE.

AND, YOU KNOW, ALL BETS MAY BE OFF NEXT -- WHEN WE GET INTO THIS '22 SESSION, BUT THERE HAS BEEN AT LEAST A MEETING OF THE MINDS AT THIS POINT.

>> Eric: KSTP SURVEY USA POLL, SENATOR, GOVERNOR WALZ BELOW 50% IN ALL THE MATCHUPS WITH THE VARIOUS REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES.

ALTHOUGH HE DID HAVE, LIKE, A 55% OSITIVE RATING.

WHAT'S YOUR READ ON THAT POLL IF ANYTHING?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, IT'S AN EARLY POLL.

I THINK THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND, ESPECIALLY AFTER WE GET OUT OF THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION, THAT GOVERNOR WALZ HAS DONE THE RIGHT THING AND THAT THEIR LIVES, YOU KNOW, ARE GOING TO BE BETTER.

BUT, YOU KNOW, IT'S AWFULLY HARD, ESPECIALLY IN A CLIMATE, YOU KNOW, WE'RE RUNNING INTO A NATURAL HEAD WIND IN A PRESIDENTIAL MIDTERM WHERE WHOEVER'S, YOU KNOW, PARTY IS IN CHARGE.

SO I THINK A LOT OF IT IS PROBABLY THAT.

YOU KNOW, PEOPLE, THERE'S A LOT OF COVID MALAISE THAT DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH GOVERNOR WALZ, BUT HE'S IN CHARGE.

SO I THINK THAT SOME OF WHAT YOU SEE IS THERE.

AND I THINK THAT THE OTHER THING I THINK IS ONCE THINGS KIND THE SELL ALTERNATE DOWN AND WE GET OUT THIS SESSION I THINK YOU'LL EE GOVERNOR WALZ POLLING WILL PICK UP.

>> Cathy: BUT THAT POLLING, GREGG, LOOKED LIKE THE GOVERNOR WASN'T DOING WELL AT ALL IN GREATER MINNESOTA.

>> HE'S VULNERABLE, NOT ONLY IN GREATER MINNESOTA, BUT I THINK IN THE SUBURBS AS WELL.

WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE CRIME ISSUE.

THAT'S REALLY A HOT BURNER ISSUE NOW AS CRIME IS SPREADING THROUGHOUT THE SUBURBS.

YOU KNOW, THE REPUBLICANS ARE TALKING AMONG THEMSELVES OBVIOUSLY.

THE CANDIDATES ARE OUT THERE TALKING TO REPUBLICAN ACTIVISTS.

WE'LL HAVE A STRAW POLL TOMORROW.

AND THEY'RE WITHIN STRIKING DISTANCE.

THERE'S A HILL TO CLIMB.

NO DOUBT.

AND A STATEWIDE RACE S ALWAYS A LITTLE BIT MORE CHALLENGING FOR REPUBLICANS, BUT THE FACT THAT THE GOVERNOR IS UNDER 50% AT THIS POINT IN TIME IS HOPE FOR OPTIMISM ON THE REIN SIDE.

>> Eric: 2018, THE G.O.P.

STATEWIDE CANDIDATES WERE AVERAGE AROUND 43, 44%.

THE STATEWIDE VOTE.

AND THAT'S NOT OF COURSE TO GET HOME.

HAS THE SCENERY CHANGED?

>> I THINK EFINITELY.

I THINK THE ISSUE MIX HAS CHANGED FROM 2018.

I THINK THE FACT THAT WE'VE GONE THROUGH THE PANDEMIC AND OTHER ISSUES, AS WE SAID, PUBLIC SAFETY, AND I THINK THE FACT THAT WE'LL BE IN THE MIDTERM OF PRESIDENT BIDEN'S TERM, I THINK INFLATION, I THINK ECONOMY, I THINK HERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE IN PLAY THAT WERE NOT IN PLAY THEN.

>> Eric: JUST SECONDED TO GO, SENATOR.

THE PAGE AMENDMENT ON EDUCATION.

IT'S AN EVEN YEAR.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS SOMETIMES COME UP.

HAS THAT GOT A SHOT?

>> YOU KNOW, IT MAY.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LOT F PEOPLE WORKING.

THERE'S A LOT OF FOLKS IN THE P.O.C.I.

CAUCUS, THE PEOPLE OF COLOR AND INDIGENOUS CAUCUS THAT ARE STARTING TO SUPPORT IT.

I THINK PEOPLE ARE GROWING WEARY OF THE EDUCATION DEFICIT.

SO CERTAINLY THERE'LL BE A BIG MOVEMENT AND I THINK THAT IT HAS A SHOT.

>> Cathy: ALL RIGHT.

GENTLEMEN, GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR DRIVING DOWN.

>> NO PROBLEM, THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: THANKS, SENATOR.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU, GREGG.

♪ ♪ >> CATHY: LET'S HAVE SOME FUN WITH MINNESOTA HISTORY.

RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE A GREAT QUESTION FOR YOU, CULLED FROM THE WONDERFUL ARCHIVES OF THE "STAR TRIBUNE" NEWSPAPER.

WE ARE ASKING ABOUT A TERM THAT HAS BEEN PUBLISHED IN THE "STRIB" MORE THAN 20,000 TIMES OVER THE YEARS.

THE VERY FIRST TIME THE WORD WAS PUBLISHED WAS IN DECEMBER OF 1872, WHEN IT APPEARED IN QUOTES ON THE NEWSPAPER'S FRONT PAGE DURING CHRISTMAS WEEK.

SO PONDER THOSE DETAILS AND THEN RING US UP.

WHAT NOW-COMMON TERM WAS FIRST USED IN THE "MINNEAPOLIS TRIBUNE" IN LATE DECEMBER 1872?

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU WHETHER YOU ARE CALLING IN FROM COLD SPRING, COLD CREEK, OR COLD LAKE.

651-229-1430 IS THE NUMBER TO REMEMBER.

JOT IT DOWN AND LEAVE IT ON YOUR FRIDGE.

THEN CALL US WHEN YOU ARE INSPIRED WITH AN ANSWER WHILE FETCHING A MIDNIGHT SNACK.

DIAL CAREFULLY, THOUGH.

651-229-1430.

AND REMEMBER, YOU CAN ALWAYS SEND YOUR ANSWERS IN BY EMAIL.

ALMANAC@TPT.ORG IS THE WAY TO DO THAT.

FOR SHOW-CLOSING MUSIC, IT WAS THIS WEEK NEARLY 20 YEARS AGO WOW!

WHEN THE LATE, GREAT PETER OSTROUSHKO STOPPED BY OUR STUDIOS AND PERFORMED HIS TUNE "THE CHRISTMAS BELLS OF BELFAST."

IT WAS WONDEROUS.

IT WAS MAGICAL.

LET'S LISTEN TO A BIT OF THAT AS WE SAY GOOD NIGHT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT TIME.

[ PEACEFUL MANDOLIN AND PIANO MUSIC ] [ PEACEFUL MANDOLIN AND PIANO MUSIC ] ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Captioning by: Paradigm Reporting & Captioning www.paradigmreporting.com >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY... GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 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.

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