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

>> ERIC: IN THE NEXT HOUR, WE'LL HAVE THE LATEST ON THE POLICE REFORM CHARTER AMENDMENT IN MINNEAPOLIS... WE'LL MEET UP WITH THE NEW MINNESOTA SENATE MAJORITY LEADER... AND CHECK IN ON WHAT A SOUTHERN MINNESOTA COUNTY IS DOING TO COMBAT COVID VACCINE HESITANCY.

AND THEN MARY LAHAMMER GOES ON A MAGICAL HISTORY TOUR.

>> Mary: WE'LL CHECK IN AT HISTORIC PILLSBURY HALL ON THE U OF M CAMPUS WHERE THE RENOVATION INDOORS IS COMPLETE.

THANKS TO STATE BONDING DOLLARS.

>> NOW WE HAVE THE SAME INTERIOR KIND OF PRESENCE THAT YOU HAVE FROM THE EXTERIOR OF THE BUILDING.

>> 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/LINE3US.

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: IN THE NEXT HOUR, WE'LL LEARN ABOUT COVID IN SOUTHERN MINNESOTA, VISIT WITH THE NEW SENATE MAJORITY LEADER, AND FIND OUT ABOUT HIDDEN HISTORY UNDER THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.

BUT FIRST UP, THE EMBATTLED AMENDMENT TO REFORM PUBLIC SAFETY IN MINNEAPOLIS.

>> CATHY: AFTER WEEKS OF LEGAL BATTLES, LAST EVENING, THE MINNESOTA SUPREME COURT SIGNED OFF ON BALLOT LANGUAGE FOR MINNEAPOLIS' PUBLIC SAFETY CHARTER AMENDMENT.

THE TIMING WAS CRITICAL SINCE EARLY VOTING BEGINS TODAY.

SOLOMON GUSTAVO IS A GOVERNMENT REPORTER FOR "MINNPOST" WHO HAS KEPT A CLOSE EYE ON DEVELOPMENTS REGARDING THIS YEAR'S CHARTER AMENDMENTS.

GOOD TO SEE YOU BARK HERE.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Cathy: SO THERE IS A LOT TO GO THROUGH HERE.

WHAT DO WHICH NEED TOO AWAY FROM ALL THE LEGAL MANUEVERING AROUND THIS?

>> WELL, THAT'S WE FINALLY HAVE AN ANSWER THAT THE BALLOT QUESTION WILL APPEAR ON THE BALLOTS AND THAT -- I THINK THAT THE NUMBER ONE TAKE-AWAY IS THAT THE PLAN TOWER NOTE IS HERE TO STAY AND EXPLAINS WHAT THE POTENTIAL ALTERNATIVE DEPARTMENT IS.

AND IT ONLY EXPLAINS IT INSOFAR AS IT WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE MAYOR AND THE COUNCIL IF IT PASSES, SO THERE'S STILL A LOT LEFT TO BE DETERMINED IF IT GOES THROUGH BUT THE WRANGLING MADE SURE THAT THE EXPLANATORY NOTE WOULD BE THERE SO THAT VOTERS HAD A BETTER IDEA OF WHAT THE ALTERNATIVE WOULD BE.

>> THE ONLY MESSAGING FROM THE MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL IN BIG LETTERS IN POWDERHORN PORK WAS "DEFUND THE POLICE."

IS THIS SEEN AS A DEFUND THE POLICE AMENDMENT?

>> DEFUND IS A TERM THAT IF YOU ASK JUST ABOUT ANY PERSON IT HAS A DIFFERENT DEFINITION AND EVEN, IF YOU WENT TO SPEAK TO THE PEOPLE AT THE PARK THAT DAY, THEY MIGHT SAY TAKE ALL THE MONEY OUT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT AND PUT IT INTO A DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY.

DOES THAT NECESSARILY MEAN DEFUND?

IF THAT MEANS DEFUND TO YOU, THEN, IN A WAY, I SUPPOSE SO.

THIS WOULD BE DEFUNDING THE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE IT WOULD MAKE IT DEFUNCT AND CREATE A DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY.

BUT WITHIN THAT DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY, THERE WOULD BE POLICE OFFICERS AND TRADITIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT WOULD REQUIRE A GREAT DEAL OF FUNDING SO IF -- IF REALLY THE QUESTION IS THAT THE MISSION ON THAT DAY AT POWDERHORN PARK WAS TO GET RID OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, THIS WOULD BRING -- THAT WOULD BE THE CONCLUSION OF THAT SPECIFIC MISSION.

IF YOU WANT TO CALL IT DEFUND, I GUESS THAT'S FAIR.

>> Cathy: EXPLAIN THE POLITICS FOR FOLKS IN GREATER MINNESOTA WATCHING TONIGHT, EXPLAIN THE POLITICS BEHIND THIS.

>> WELL, YES, FOR MINNEAPOLIS CAMPAIGN PUT TOGETHER A PETITION PROCESS TO PUT THIS QUESTION ON THE BALLOT WHICH REQUIRED 20,000 MINNEAPOLIS RESIDENTS TO SIGN IT AND IT STEMS FROM THE DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD.

FROM THE MINNEAPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE BELIEF THAT POLICE IS IN A POSITION THAT CAN NO LONGER BE REFORMED.

IT NEEDS TO BE DISSOLVED ENTIRELY AND BUILT ANEW THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT PROCESS, THAT PUTS THE CITY COUNCIL IN HARGE, ALONGSIDE THE MAYOR INSTEAD OF UNDER THE MAYOR AS IT IS RIGHT NOW.

AND THE PEOPLE WHO ARE AGAINST IT FEEL LIKE THERE IS NOT A CLEAR ALTERNATIVE TO THAT NOTION AND WHAT WE'RE GOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW IN THIS KIND OF PANDEMIC ERA WHERE THERE IS A LOT LESS POLICE OFFICERS AND CRIME IS SPIKING AND PEOPLE ARE SCARED.

SO THE OPPOSITION IS SAYING THAT THIS IS -- AT LEAST UNTIL THERE IS A MORE FLESHED OUT PLAN FROM ALTERNATIVE DEPARTMENT.

>> Cathy: THERE IS ANOTHER AMENDMENT ON THE BALLOT, RIGHT, ABOUT A STRONG MAYOR AMENDMENT?

>> YES.

>> Cathy: WOULD IT BE LIKE THE SAME SITUATION WE HAVE IN St. PAUL WHERE, YOU KNOW, MAYOR CARTER IS CONSIDERED A STRONG MAYOR VERSUS FRY IN MINNEAPOLIS?

>> PRECISELY.

IT ISN'T CLEAR IF THAT PASSES AND THE AMENDMENT FOR A DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY PASSES, WHO WOULD BE IN CHARGE, THE CITY ATTORNEYS ARE STILL FIGURING THAT OUT.

THAT MIGHT BE ANOTHER THING THAT GETS WRANGLED IN THE COURTS, AS WELL, BUT THE STRONG MAYOR AMENDMENT WOULD MAKE SURE THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT STAYS WITHIN ENTIRE CONTROL OF THE MAYOR AND ATHEN BRINGS IN A BUNCH OF OTHER DEPARTMENTS AS WELL, UNDER THAT SAME SORT OF CONTROL AND MAKES THE CITY COUNCIL A ORE OF A STRICTLY LEGISLATIVE BODY.

>> Eric: HARD TO PREDICT BUT I WOULD GUESS THE POTENTIAL IS THERE FOR A REALLY ENORMOUS TURNOUT WITH EARLY VOTING STARTING TODAY.

>> YOU KNOW, THERE IS A LOT OF NOISE, AS WE WERE JUST TALKING, SURROUNDING THIS, WHETHER IT'S LEGAL BATTLES OR THE MAIL THAT PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO RECEIVE FROM EACH SIDE AND THE MARCHS THAT PEOPLE ARE SEEING OUTSIDE THEIR DOORSTEPS AND SINCE THE PANDEMIC, SINCE THE DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD, I THINK NO MATTER EXACTLY HOW THIS PLAYED OUT IN THE CAMPAIGN SEASON, THE TURNOUT WAS GOING TO BE HIGH AND I THINK HOW THINGS HAVE PLAYED OUT WITH THE COURTS, IT'S ONLY GOING TO INCREASE THOSE.

I'M NOT SURE WHICH WAY THAT TIPS THINGS FOR THE VOTE BUT I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT.

>> Eric: MAYOR, BOARD OF ESTIMATE AND TAXATION, 104 CANDIDATES ON ALL THE BATHS.

>> ALL THE USUAL STUFF.

>> Eric: BUTTON DOWN THE HATCHES.

>> YEAH, YEAH.

>> Eric: GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> CATHY: AS THE STATE GRAPPLES WITH THE NEW DELTA VIRUS THREAT, HEALTH OFFICIALS CONTINUE TO PUSH FOR MORE MINNESOTANS TO GET VACCINATED.

ONE GREATER MINNESOTA REPORTER KAOMI LEE TAKES US TO STEELE COUNTY, ONE OF THE STATE'S "COVID HOTSPOTS" WITH HIGHER THAN AVERAGE INFECTION RATES.

MANY RESIDENTS THERE ARE NOT CONVINCED THE VACCINES ARE SAFE, AND THAT HAS OTHERS CONCERNED.

>> NEARLY 100 YEARS AGO, A HEALTH EPIDEMIC DEV VAST IT MARY KAY'S FAMILY.

>> THIS IS MY DAD'S STORY.

MY DAD WAS FOUR YEARS OLD, HE SAW HIS MOTHER FOR THE LAST TIME RUNNING AFTER THE AMBULANCE CALLING COME BACK, COME BACK.

SHE WAS TAKEN TOO LA CROSSE, SHE HAD SMALLPOX AND HE DIDN'T FIND OUT UNTIL YEARS LATER THAT SHE DIDN'T DIE FROM SMALLPOX, SHE DIED IN CHILDBIRTH SO MY DAD WAS MOTHER-LESS AT 4 YEARS OLD AND HE HAD SMALLPOX AND HIS LITTLE SISTER DID.

HE CARRIED THOSE SCARS ALL HIS LIFE.

I SAY THE PHYSICAL SCARS AS WELL AS EMOTIONAL.

>> TODAY, THANKS TO A VACCINE, SMALLPOX IS NO LONGER A THREAT.

BUT THIS OH WAS TANA ANN LIVES IN STEELE COUNTY.

>> I'M CONCERNED.

I LOOK AT THE NUMBERS AND I THINK WE HAVE ABOUT 53% OF OUR POPULATION HAS ONE DOSE AND ALMOST 50% HAVE BOTH DOSES WHO ARE FULLY VACCINATED, AND THAT'S SIGNIFICANTLY ELOW THE STATE AVERAGE.

>> A RETIRED LIBRARIAN, SHE STARTED A Facebook PAGE TO ARM HER NEIGHBORS WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THE EFFICACY OF VACCINES.

HOWEVER, SHE ADMITS MANY OF HER NEIGHBORS DON'T SEEM INTERESTED.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE REASON WHY THE VACCINATION RATES HERE ISN'T HIGHER?

>> THE ONLY THING I CAN REALLY IMAGINE IS HAT FIERCE SINCE OF INDEPENDENCE, OKAY?

AND I THINK THAT'S WONDERFUL BUT WE ALSO NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT WE IVE IN A COMMUNITY AND WE NEED TO PROTECT OUR NEIGHBORS AND OUR FRIENDS.

>> YET, STEELE COUNTY REMAINS A HOT SPOT FOR COVID INFECTIONS PER CAPITA.

LOCAL EPORTER DEB FLEMING HAS BEEN WRITING ABOUT LOCAL COVID CASES.

>> WE WALK INTO ANY GROCERY STORE OR ANY PUBLIC AREA, YOU DON'T SEE A LOT OF MASKS.

AND OUR VACCINATION RATES ARE, YOU KNOW, A LITTLE BIT BELOW STATE AVERAGE, I BELIEVE.

>> SHE SAYS SHE'S FRUSTRATED PEOPLE AREN'T TALKING ABOUT VACCINATIONS.

>> AS WITH EVERYWHERE ELSE, I THINK THIS HAS JUST BECOME POLITICAL AND PEOPLE AREN'T -- THEY'RE LOOKING THROUGH A POLITICAL LENS VERSUS A PUBLIC HEALTH LENS.

>> WE LIVE IN AN ERA NOW WHERE THERE IS 24-7 NEWS COVERAGE AND THERE'S BLOGS AND TWITTER ACCOUNTS AND THERE'S A LOT OF INFORMATION OUT THERE AND A LOT OF INFORMATION HAS GONE THROUGH THE SCIENTIFIC PROCESS AND A LOT OF INFORMATION HASN'T.

>> Dr. ANDREW BADLY IS AN INFECTIOUS DISEASE PHYSICIAN AND RESEARCHER AND CHAIR OF THE COVID TASK FORCE AT MAYO CLINIC.

>> IT'S QUITE APPARENT THAT SOME PEOPLE ARE CONFUSED BY THAT AMOUNT OF INFORMATION.

>> MAYO CLINIC RESEARCHERS RECENTLY CREATED A COVID MAP MAP TO SHOW INFECTION RATES BY STATE AND EVEN COUNTY.

OVERALL, MINNESOTA HAS A VACCINATION RATE OF 57%, SLIGHTLY HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL PERCENTAGE.

HOW IS OUR PROGRESS SO FAR?

>> SO, IT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

THERE'S THOUGH CONTROL GROUP SO YOU CAN'T SAY WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE WITHOUT IT BUT IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, I BEGAN MY CAREER IN THE ERA OF HIV AND HOT WORLD OF H.I.V., THE TIME TO IDENTIFY THE VIRUS TOOK A COUPLE OF YEARS, THE TIME TO COME UP WITH OUR FIRST TEAM TOOK FIVE OR MORE YEARS.

>> SINCE THEN, HE SAYS THERAPIES HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED IN FAR LESS TIME FOR VIRUSES LIKE SARS-2 AND NOW COVID-19, AND WHILE FEDERAL APPROVAL PAPERWORK MAY HAVE BEEN RUSHED, THE CLINICAL TRIALS WEREN'T.

>> NONE OFTEN THAT WAS RUSHED.

IN FACT, WE HAD MORE CLINICAL EXPERIENCE WITH THESE VACCINES THAN ALMOST ANY OTHER THERAPY IN THE HISTORY OF STUDYING MEDICINE.

>> SO FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE FULL CONFIDENCE ABOUT -- WITH THE VACCINE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THERE'S TRULY NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT.

WE KNOW THEY ARE HIGHLY EFFECTIVE AT PREVENTING WHAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO PREVENT, WHICH IS SEVERE ILLNESS, HOSPITALIZATION AND DEATH.

>> STILL, BAD LEE SAYS THE BREAK-THROUGH IN INFECTIONS ARE NOT A SURPRISE.

THE VACCINES WILL NOT TESTED TO PREVENT AGAINST THAT SO THAT IS NOT UNEXPECTED AND THAT'S ACTUALLY A BENEFIT FOR THE PERSON WHO RECEIVED THE VACCINE.

THEY HAVE ASYMPTOMATIC DISEASE AS OPPOSED TO SEVERE DISEASE REQUIRING HOSPITALIZATION OR A BAD OUTCOME.

>> PETER CONNOR IS A FORMER MAYOR OF OWATONNA AND HAS ADVOCATING FOR THE VACCINE.

HE ORGANIZED A GET-TOGETHER IN THE PARK RECENTLY BUT FEW ATTENDED.

HE FEARS THAT THINGS WILL HAVE TO GET MUCH WORSE FOR HIS NEIGHBORS TO TAKE NOTICE.

>> SADLY, IT WOULD TAKE AN INCREASED NUMBER OF INCIDENCES WHERE OUR HOSPITAL IS OVERRUN AND WE START TO SEAT MORE DEATHS AS A RESULT.

THAT, SADLY, AGAIN, THAT'S SADLY, I MEAN, WE'RE PUSHING THAT DOWN TO THE VERY BOTTOM LEVELS OF TRYING TO IMPROVE CONSCIOUSNESS.

♪♪ >> ERIC: ON THE SAME DAY EARLIER THIS MONTH THAT FORMER SENATE MAJORITY LEADER PAUL GAZELKA ANNOUNCED HIS RUN FOR GOVERNOR, REPUBLICAN SENATORS GATHERED TO PICK A NEW LEADER.

HE'S JEREMY MILLER OF WINONA, THE SENATE'S PRESIDENT FOR THE PAST TWO YEAR.

YOU MAY RECOGNIZE HIM, GAVEL IN HAND, FROM LEGISLATIVE TELEVISION COVERAGE.

THIS IS SENATOR MILLER'S FIRST LIVE APPEARANCE ON "ALMANAC," BUT TWO YEARS AGO, DAVID GILLETTE DID A PROFILE OF MILLER WITH A CLOSE LOOK AT HIS DEEP FAMILY ROOTS IN HIS HOMETOWN OF WINONA.

Mr. LEADER, WELCOME TO THE PROGRAM.

>> GOOD EVENING, ERIC.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

>> Eric: YOU BET.

YOU'RE MAKING NEWS RIGHT OUT OF THE GATE HERE, REGARDING A SPECIAL SESSION, YOU'RE URGING THE GOVERNOR NOT TO LINK THE FRONT-LINE WORKERS CHECKS TO OTHER ISSUES OR AGREEMENTS AND LET ME JUST ASK THE QUESTION, DOES THAT MEAN YOU'RE NOT AGREEING WITH THE GOVERNOR'S CONDITION THAT YOU NOT OUST ANOTHER COMMISSIONER DURING A SPECIAL SESSION?

>> YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.

THE SENATE REPUBLICANS ARE COMMITTED TO COMING BACK TO SUPPORT OUR FRONT-LINE WORKERS, THE FOLKS WHO WERE ON THE FRONT LINES, HELPING PEOPLE -- HELPING KEEP PEOPLE SAFE DURING THE PANDEMIC AND ANY OTHER ISSUES SHOULD NOT BE TIED TO A SPECIAL SESSION AGREEMENT.

>> Cathy: AS YOU KNOW, THOUGH, SENATOR LOPEZ FRANZEN SAYS IS THAT SENATE REPUBLICANS ARE JUST POLITICIZING THIS ISSUE AND YOU'RE STANDING IN THE WAY OF THE BONUS PAY FOR FRONT-LINE WORKERS.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THAT?

>> I FUNDAMENTALLY DISAGREE WITH THAT.

LOOK, I'M JUST A SCRAP RECYCLER FROM WINONA TRYING TO DO GOOD THINGS FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AND WE'RE HEARING A LOT OF CONCERNS FROM MINNESOTANS REGARDING VACCINE MANDATES, VACCINE PASSPORTS AND OTHER ISSUES AND THAT'S WHY IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO COME BACK FOR A SPECIAL SESSION.

WE'LL PASS THE FRONT-LINE WORKER PAY BONUSES, THAT'S REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT TO DO AND TO REALLY REMEMBERS THOSE WORKERS WHO ARE NOT FRONT LINE, BUT THERE'S OTHER WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE AND WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO REPRESENT PEOPLE ALL ACROSS THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

WE'RE HEARING THESE CURRENT CONCERNS AND I HINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE ADDRESS HE CONCERNS.

>> Eric: YOU ND SENATOR LOPEZ FRANDSEN, THE EW D.F.L.

SENATE MINORITY LEADER ARE GENERATIONAL CHANGE AGENTS.

YOU'RE BOTH YOUNGER THAN THE TYPICAL LEADER IN THE SENATE AND YOU'RE BOTH GRADUATES THE OF THE PURPLE CAUCUS WHICH WAS A MOD -- MODERATE PROBLEM-SOLVING CAUCUS CAUSE.

DOES THAT MEAN A CHANGE IN THE SENATE?

>> I CAN TELL YOU WHAT I BRING.

I'M A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, I'M SOMEONE WHO'S ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY, I'M A FAMILY MAN AND FOR ME IT'S ALL ABOUT TRYING TO DO GOOD THING FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

I TRY TO GET OUT AND ABOUT IN THE COMMUNITY AS MUCH AS I CAN, LISTEN TO FOLKS, HEAR THEIR CONCERNS AND THAT'S THE WAY THAT I VOTE BASED ON WHAT I HEAR FROM THE PEOPLE, AND I THINK YOU WILL SEE MUCH MORE OF A FOCUS ON SMALL BUSINESSES, TRYING TO GET OUR BUSINESSES OPEN, LESS MANDATES AND REALLY A FAMILY-FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT IN THE SENATE, AND THOSE ARE GOING TO BE SOME OF THE POLICIES THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE WORKING ON AS WE APPROACH THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> Cathy: SENATOR GAZELKA AND SPEAKER HORTMAN OBVIOUSLY DIDN'T AGREE ON A LOT WHEN IT COMES TO POLICY BUT THEY DID HAVE A PRETTY GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP.

I'M CURIOUS, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE, YOUR WORKING STYLE?

>> WELL, MY WORKING STYLE IS A VERY COLLABORATIVE WORKING STYLE.

I TRY TO BUILD BRIDGES, CREATE RELATIONSHIPS.

I LEARNED FROM MY FATHER FROM A YOUNG AGE AND WORKING THROUGH BUSINESS THAT RELATIONSHIPS ARE INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT SO IT WILL BE VERY, VERY COLLABORATIVE AND WE'LL REALLY BE WORKING TOWARDS FINDING POSITIVE SOLUTIONS FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

>> Eric: DO YOU BELIEVE THAT 2020 ELECTIONS WERE STOLEN AND ALLOWED REPUBLICANS TO LOSE SEATS AND OFFICES THEY ACTUALLY WON?

>> YOU KNOW, ERIC, THERE ARE A LOT OF CONCERNS THAT WE'RE HEARING FROM MINNESOTANS REGARDING ELECTION INTEGRITY.

WHAT MY FOCUS IS, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ELECTION PROCESS IS FAIR AND THE PEOPLE THAT ARE VOTING ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE AND THEY ARE WHO THEY SAY THEY ARE.

SO I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT AS WE GO INTO THE 2022 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THERE STILL ARE MANY CONCERNS SURROUNDING ELECTION INTEGRITY AND SENATE REPUBLICANS ARE COMMITTED TO LOOKING AT SOME OF THOSE ISSUES TO, AGAIN, MAKE SURE THAT OUR ELECTIONS, NUMBER ONE, ARE FAIR AND PEOPLE ARE WHO THEY SAY THEY ARE, AND THE PEOPLE THAT ARE VOTING ARE ELIGIBLE VOTERS.

>> Eric: HOW ARE YOU AT RAISING MONEY?

THAT'S A KEY JOB YOU EVER NOW FOR YOUR CAUCUS.

>> ERIC, I'M VERY GOOD.

LIKE I SAID, I'M A SCRAP RECYCLER FROM WINONA SO I'M JUST [INDISCERNIBLE] SELLING SCRAP EVERY DAY SO I ENJOY IT AND AM VERY GOOD AT RAISING MONEY.

>> Cathy: I WANT TO GO BACK, YOU MENTIONED 2022, FORMER G.O.P.

STATE SENATOR SCOTT JENSEN'S RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR, AS YOU KNOW, AND HE SAYS HE'S WORKING WITH LAWMAKERS ON A HEALTH FREEDOM SANCTUARY STATE BILL.

YOU KNOW ABOUT HAT AND DO YOU SUPPORT IT?

>> I HAVE NOT SEEN ANY OF THE DETAILS, FORMER SENATOR AND Dr. SCOTT JENSEN HAS NOT DISCUSSED THAT WITH ME.

>> Cathy: I ASSUME YOU'RE NOT A FAN OF THE BIDEN MANDATE BUT YOU TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS THAT FOLKS HAVE SOME CONCERNS.

MOST AMERICANS, AS YOU KNOW, ARE -- THEY SUPPORT VACCINATIONS, AND 70% OF MINNESOTANS ARE VACCINATED SO, REALLY, YOU'RE APPEALING TO, LIKE, WHAT, 30% OF THE POPULATION.

THAT MATCH DOESN'T SEEM TO ADD UP SO CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT BOUT THAT?

>> IT'S NOT ABOUT -- IT'S NOT ABOUT VACCINES.

I THINK GOVERNMENT HAS A ROLE IN PROVIDING INFORMATION ABOUT THE ACCINES, BUT WHAT GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT DO IS OVERREACH BY MANDATING VACCINES.

MANDATING PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED AND FURTHERMORE, PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE PENALIZED FOR THEIR DECISION NOT TO GET VACCINATED, AND THEY CERTAINLY SHOULD NOT LOSE THEIR JOB FOR NOT GETTING VACCINATED.

SO IT'S NOT ABOUT WHETHER SOMEONE SHOULD GET VACCINATED OR NOT, THAT'S THEIR PERSONAL DECISION, THAT'S A HEALTH-CARE DECISION THEY NEED TO MAKE PERSONALLY AND IN CONJUNCTION WITH THEIR DOCTOR.

BUT IT'S THE MANDATES.

PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE REQUIRED TO GET VACCINATED, AND IF THEY DON'T, THEY SHOULDN'T BE PENALIZE ANDED AND THEY SHOULD NOT LOSE THEIR JOB IF THEY DECIDE NOT TO GET VACCINATED.

>> Eric: JUST A MINUTES LEFT, Mr. LEADER BUT REDISTRICTING IS ONE OF THE COMMITTEES ON WHICH YOU SERVE AND I WONDER IF YOU'VE TAKEN A SWIPE AT HOW THE 2020 CENSUS MIGHT AFFECT SENATE DISTRICTS IN THE STATE.

>> I THINK IT'S A LITTLE TOO EARLY TO SAY.

SENATE REPUBLICANS ARE COMMITTED TO HOLDING MEETINGS ACROSS THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

SENATOR MARK JOHNSON IS DOING A GREAT JOB ON REDISTRICTING AND WE'RE COMMITTED TO COMING BACK AND TRYING TO DRAW A MAP THAT CAN FIND AGREEMENT WITH THE HOUSE AND GET SIGNED INTO LAW BY THE GOVERNOR.

>> Eric: WE LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING YOU JOIN THE OTHER LEGISLATIVE LEADERS ON THE COUCH ONCE WE GETS ROLLING IN THE 2022 SESSION AND APPRECIATE YOU JOINING US TONIGHT.

BEGS OF LUCK TO YOU.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

>> I LOOK FORWARD TO IT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

>> Eric: YOU BET.

THANKS.

♪♪ >> CATHY: ONCE DUBBED "THE WATERFALL THAT BUILT A CITY," ST. ANTHONY FALLS HAS GONE FROM POWERING THE FLOUR MILLS OF MINNEAPOLIS IN THE MID-1800S TO AN OFT-FORGOTTEN STRETCH ALONG THE RIVERFRONT THAT CAN BE SEEN FROM THE STONE ARCH BRIDGE.

WHAT MOST OF THOSE PEDESTRIANS ON THE BRIDGE DON'T KNOW IS THAT THE FALLS ARE SLIDING DOWN A MANMADE APRON BUILT MANY DECADES AGO.

ALSO LITTLE UNDERSTOOD IS ANOTHER CONCRETE WALL THAT WAS BUILT MORE THAN 140 YEARS AGO UNDERNEATH THE RIVER, A WALL THAT SHORES UP THE ENTIRE RIVER.

AND NO ONE KNOWS WHAT KIND OF SHAPE IT'S IN UNDER ALL OF THAT WATER.

"STAR TRIBUNE" REPORTER ERIC ROPER HELPS US TAKE UP THE STORY FROM THERE.

IT'S A HECK OF A STORY.

FOR FOLKS WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR, IGHT, WHERE IS THIS EXACTLY?

CAN YOU PINPOINT IT?

>> SO IF YOU'RE LOOKING -- THIS IS LIKE THE MOST IMPORTANT WALL YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF BEFORE IS KIND OF HOW I'M THINKING ABOUT IT.

SO IF YOU THINK OF WHERE -- IT'S CALLED THE HORSESHOE DAM IN YOU THINK OF UPSTREAM OF THE STONE ARCH BRIDGE, THE SORT OF THE HORSESHOE-SHAPED DAM, IT WOULD BASICALLY BE UNDER THAT.

IT'S A LITTLE HARD TO THINK ABOUT BUT IT'S BASICALLY WAY DOWN -- ABOUT THREE STORIES TALL BUT UNDERGROUND SO YOU CAN'T SEE IT.

>> Cathy: WOW.

>> AND IT'S SIX FEET THICK AT ITS BASE.

>> Eric: WHAT'S THE EVIDENCE IT NEEDS A FIRST LOOK, I GUESS?

>> THIS IS THE QUESTION, HOW IS IT DONE?

JOHN ALL FINISH SON WHO'S BEEN ON "ALMANAC," THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE NATIONAL PARK THAT COVERS THIS AREA, HI IS WE DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS ALL AND YET WE HAVE THE ARMY CORPS THAT'S PREPARING TO LEAVE THE LOCK AND DAM ANTIRACISM BECAUSE THEY CLOSED IT TO AND A HALF GAGS AND SO THEY BUILT THE WALL IN THE 1870s AND IT IS KEY TO THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF KEEPING THE RIVER SORT OF TOGETHER AROUND THE FALLS AND WE DON'T REALLY KNOW MUCH ABOUT HOW IT'S OING AND IT'S SOMEWHAT INACCESSIBLE BECAUSE IT'S LODGED IN SANDSTONE DOWN THERE.

>> Eric: WHAT ABOUT THIS TUNNEL, THE EASTMAN TUNNEL?

>> RIGHT, THERE'S THE FAMOUS EASTMAN DISASTER WHICH SOME PEOPLE HAVE HEARD OF WHICH BASICALLY THEY TRIED TO GET POWER TO NICOLLET ISLANDS AND IT ALL FLOODS.

SO SOME OF THE TUNNELS DIDN'T GET COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND THEY'RE STILL THERE AND THIS GIVES ACCESS TO A TINY SLIVER OF THE WALL, BUT THAT'S IT.

YOU CAN ONLY SEE THIS TINY LITTLE AREA OF THE WALL.

>> Cathy: AND THIS TUNNEL COLLAPSED IN, WHAT, 1869 OR '70, ASKING LIKE HAT?

>> RIGHT, YEAH.

>> Cathy: OKAY.

SO TO KNOW THE HEALTH OF THIS WALL, SEEMS LIKE A PRETTY KEY WALL, RIGHT?

HOW CAN YOU EVEN NSPECT THIS THING?

IT'S HIDDEN.

I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE -- RIGHT?

>> THAT'S KIND OF THE QUESTION, TOO.

SO NOW THERE'S MEETINGS, A LOT OF MEETINGS AND DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDERS, ET CETERA, ET CETERA, BUT THAT IS ONE OF THE QUESTIONS IS HOW DO WE GET AT SOMETHING THAT'S LITERALLY HIDDEN UNDERGROUND.

YOU DON'T WANT TO BE DISRUPTING A LOT OF THE AREA AROUND THERE AND, YOU KNOW, SO IT'S KIND OF -- I'VE HEARD ABOUT SONAR BUT THAT REALLY FEASIBLE.

I'VE HEARD PEOPLE SAY IT WOULDN'T BE FEASIBLE BUT ONE WAY YOU COULD LOOK AT IT IS TO LOOK AT PRESSURE ABOVE AND BELOW THE FALLS AND THIS WOULD GIVE YOU SOME INDICATION OF SORT OF THE HEALTH OF THIS WALL.

IT GETS INTO SOME COMPLEX HYDROLOGY.

I SPENT A LOT OF TIME LEARNING ABOUT GEOLOGY AND HYDROLOGY THAT I'M GOING TO FORGET SOON SO IT'S GOOD I'M HERE TALKING ABOUT IT.

>> Cathy: EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT.

>> Eric: BUT THERE'S NO DESIGNATED OWNER-OPERATOR, RIGHT?

>> SO THIS IS THE OTHER BIG ISSUE, NOBODY KNOWS WHO OPENINGS THE WALL.

THE ARMY CORPS ABOUT THE IT BUT THEN IT'S KIND OF WHO IS SUPPOSED TO MAINTAIN IT, WHO IS SUPPOSED TO BE LOOKING AT THE WAM, WE DON'T KNOW SO THAT'S PART OF THE QUESTION RIGHT NOW IS IS IT THE CITY, THE ARMY CORPS.

THE PUSH IS TO REALLY HAVE THE ARMY CORPS DO A BIG STUDY BECAUSE WHETHER OR NOT THEY OWN THE WALL OR WHAT HAVE YOU, THEY HAVE THE EXPERTISE REALLY TO DO THE ANALYSIS IN A BIG WAY.

>> Cathy: I ALMOST HATE TO ASK THIS QUESTION BUT IF THIS THING FAILED, I COULD ASSUME IT WILL MAKE A HUGE MESS.

I MEAN, IT'S BEEN THERE, HAT, 140 YEARS AND IT'S A TICKING TIME BOMB, I WOULD THINK.

>> SO THE ARMY CORPSE' POSITION IS THE WALL IS SORT OF SOMEWHAT INSULATED BY ALL THE THINGS THAT CAME LATER, LIKE THE SPILLWAY, FOR EXAMPLE.

THERE'S SOME MAYBE DISAGREEMENT ABOUT THAT.

WE DO KNOW THAT IT STILL PLAYS A VERY I WANT GRADUAL ROLE TO THE FALLS.

IF THE WHOLE -- IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE THE SPILLWAY AND ALL THESE DIFFERENT THINGS WHAT WOULD ESSENTIALLY HAPPEN AS FAR AS WE KNOW IS THE FALLS WOULD TURN INTO MORE OF A RAPIDS, WHICH WOULD BE VERY BAD FOR A LOT OF BRIDGES AND OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE, BECAUSE THERE'S A WHOLE HISTORY TO THE FACT THAT THE -- THE FALLS SORT OF STOPPED WHERE IT WAS NOT BECAUSE OF SOME NATURAL THING BUT WE ACTUALLY, THROUGH MANMADE ACTIONS STOPPED IT FROM GOING FURTHER UPSTREAM AND THEN ACTUALLY DISSOLVING ENTIRELY.

>> Eric: "ALMANAC" HAS LEARNED THAT THE CONGRESS IS CONTEMPLATING A TRILLION-DOLLAR BONDING INFRASTRUCTURE BILL.

CAN KLOBUCHAR AND SMITH AND OUR DELEGATION GET SOME MONEY IN THAT BILL TO DO SOMETHING HERE?

>> THAT WOULD BE -- I MEAN, POTENTIALLY, I KNOW THAT REPRESENTATIVE OMAR'S OFFICE WAS INTERESTED IN THIS AND THEY WERE EXPLORING THE LEGAL AVENUES THAT WOULD HAVE TO HAPPEN TO HAVE THE ARMY CORPS LOOK AT THE WALL BECAUSE IF THEY THEY ARE ETHICALLY DON'T OWN THE -- THEORETICALLY DON'T OWN HE WALL, WOULD THEY HAVE LIABILITY?

BUT MAYBE THE FUNDING COULD BE A BREAK IN HERE SOMEWHERE OR -- >> Eric: THAT'S YOUR FOLLOW-UP STORY.

>> I'M LOOKING FOR THE FOLLOW-UP.

YEAH.

>> Eric: "STAR TRIBUNE":YOU CAN FIND IT.

>> Cathy: IT IS GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> BEFORE YOU TAKE YOUR KIDS TO THE PUMP KIN PATCH TO CARVE OUT JACK O'LANTERNS FOR HALLOWEEN AND PRIOR TO MAKING THANKSGIVING TRAVEL PLANS, IT'S TIME Y'ALL, YES, IT'S TIME TO THINK ABOUT CHRISTMAS.

NOW, DON'T BOTHER LOOKING AT THE CALENDAR, I'M OT DELIRIOUS, MOST OF THE TIME.

I KNOW GOOD AND WELL IT'S SEPTEMBER.

BUT I JUST SAW A STORY THAT SCARED THE BEJESUS OUT OF ME AND SENT ME RUNNING TO THE NEAREST STORE TO BUY UP ALL THE TOYS I COULD FIND FOR MY BABIES.

THE CORONAVIRUS RISIS HAS CLOSED DOWN FACTORIES AND BOTTLENECKED SHIPPING AND ON TOP OF THAT, THERE IS A WORKER SHORTAGE.

THAT TRIFECTA RIGHT THERE IS BAD NEWS FOR PARENTS LOOKING FOR HARRY POTTER LEGO SETS AND RAINBOW HIGH ROCK STORE DOLLS.

NOW, CONSUMER EXPERTS WARN, IF YOU DON'T GET THE HOTTEST TOYS RIGHT NOW, YOU MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO GET 'EM AT ALL.

THEY'LL EITHER BE TOO HARD TO FIND OR TOO EXPENSIVE TO BUY.

NOW, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU BUT I DON'T WANNA E THE HIGH BIDDER ONLY eBAY FOR AN OLYMPIC BARBIE THAT RETAILS FOR $20 AND WIND UP PAYING $200.

SO EVEN THOUGH LABOR DAY IS BARELY OVER, I'VE SCRATCHED OFF ALL THE TOYS ON MY KIDS' CHRISTMAS LIST.

I MEAN, I'M JUST TRYING TO DO MY PART TO HELP OLE St. NICK KEEP UP APPEARANCES.

I DON'T WANT THE KIDS TO BE DISAPPOINTED IN SANTA.

♪♪ >> ERIC: WE KNOW "ALMANAC" VIEWERS LOVE HISTORY AND TOURS AND PUBLIC POLICY.

THIS NEXT STORY COMBINES THEM ALL.

STATE BONDING DOLLARS HELPED FUND THE RENOVATION OF ONE OF THE OLDEST AND MOST IMPORTANT BUILDINGS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

GOPHER GRAD MARY LAHAMMER TAKES US BACK TO CAMPUS TO SEE THE REMARKABLE TRANSFORMATION INSIDE AN IMPOSING STRUCTURE THAT DATES FROM THE 19TH CENTURY AND IS ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES.

>> Mary: PILLSBURY REHALL IS IMPORTANT.

IT'S ONE OF THE OLDEST BUILDINGS ON THE U OF M CAM CAMPUS, NAMED FOR PILLSBURY FAME.

THE SOLID STONE EXTERIOR IS IMPRESSIVE.

NOW, THE INTERIOR RIFLES IF NOT SURPASSES THAT.

>> THIS IS A DIFFERENT WAY TO EACH COME IN THE BUILDING, RIGHT?

>> IT IS, IT'S SHIFTED CLOSER TO THE TOWER TO CONNECT MORE TO THE MAIN STAIRS.

>> Mary: WHEN YOU SATISFACTORY, RIGHT AWAY THE FIRST IMPRESSION IS WE SEE STONE.

>> WE DO, YEAH.

SO THIS IS EXPOSED, THIS IS ORIGINAL MASONRY -- >> Mary: ORIGINAL WOW.

>> THE WOWS KEEP COMING AS ANNIKA CARL?

STAYED TAKES US ON A TOUR.

>> Mary: YOU SAID THE MAGIC TOURS, IT'S TOWER.

[Overlapping Conversation] >> I'M DYING TO SEE THE TOWER.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT EVERYBODY REMEMBERED.

THERE WAS ALMOST A CASTLE FEEL TO THIS.

ON THE EXTERIOR BUT NOT THE INTERIOR.

>> SO IT'S BEEN OPENED UP, IT'S FROM THE FIRST FLOOR AND IF YOU COME HERE AND TAKE A LOOK, IT GOES ALL THE WAY UP TO THE ATTIC.

>> Mary: WOW.

OH, THIS IS EXCITING.

YOU'LL RECALL, THE ATTIC WAS AN OFF-LIMITS UNDERUNDERLIZED STORAGE SPACE IN THE PAST.

THIS IS ALL NEW PHYSICAL STRUCTURE, RIGHT?

>> CORRECT, CORRECT.

THE LIGHT GRAY IS THE STEEL STRUCTURE ACTUALLY SUPPORTING THE WEIGHT OF THE STAIRS.

IT'S PRETTY DRAMATIC.

>> Mary: IT ONLY GETS MORE DRAMATIC THE HIGHER WE CLIMB.

>> VERY PHOTOGENIC.

>> YEAH, FOR SURE.

LET'S KEEPING GOING UP ONE MORE FLOOR.

>> Mary: GREAT, I LOVE IT.

OKAY, THIS IS GETTING GOOD, RIGHT?

>> YEAH.

THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A SEALING HITE HERE.

SO THIS IS AN ENTIRELY NEW EXPERIENCE FOR THIS -- ANYONE COME TO THE BUILDING.

>> Mary: THIS IS FAIRYTALE CASTLE MOMENT RIGHT HOUR.

>> UP HERE WAS WHAT WAS LIKELY LEFT OVERCAST-OFFER STONE AND BRICK THAT MAKE AN ECLECTIC INCREDIBLE MOSAIC OF MATERIALS.

>> THIS WAS ALL COVERED IN LATHE AND PLASTER SO IT WAS NEVER MEANT TO BE EXPOSED.

>> >> Mary: SO THIS IS THE CAST-OFF, THIS BEAUTIFUL STONE.

>> YEAH, PRETTY: SO THEY PUT ALL THEIR TIME AND ATTENTION AND SKILL IN THE EXTERIOR OF THE BUILDING AND THIS HAS BEEN ALL COVERED SO NEVER INTENDED TO BE SEEN.

>> Mary: NOW WE'RE ALMOST AT THE TOP.

>> THE BIG REVEAL.

>> Mary: THIS IS EXCITING.

>> A GORGEOUS CLASSROOM AND EVENT SPACE.

>> Mary: AGAIN, USING THE ORIGINAL ARCHITECTURE I'M GUESSING, RIGHT, TO YOUR ADVANTAGE NOW.

THESE BEAUTIFUL BEAMS.

>> RIGHT, THOSE ARE LOAD-BEARING.

>> Mary: THE BEACHES ARE SO CALL, >> ' THEY?

>> YEAH.

>> Mary: IT ALMOST HAS LIKE A CHALET VIBE TO IT.

DO PEOPLE SAY THAT?

>> I DON'T KNOW, MAYBE.

>> Mary: PEOPLE HAVEN'T REALLY SEEN THE NEW STRUCTURE YET.

CLASSES JUST STARTED AND THE WORK RECENTLY COMPLETED BUT WITH THE 6,000 STUDENTS IN ENGLISH CLASSES EVERY YEAR HERE AT THE "U," EACH STUDENT WILL COME THROUGH THESE ALLS.

ONCE YOU LAND IN THE CENTER, I MEAN, THIS LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE IN A CHURCH OR A CATHEDRAL, DOESN'T IT?

THERE IS A HEALTHY TENSION OF OLD AND NEW THROUGHOUT, EVEN AROUND OFFICES AND CLASS ROOMS.

>> THIS IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE AND BONDING DOLLARS, RIGHT?

>> CORRECT, CORRECT.

YEAH, SO IT WAS $36 MILLION PROJECT AND TWO-THIRDS OF THAT ARE STATE FUNDING MONEY.

>> Mary: SO HERE IT IS.

>> WALKING THROUGH THE HALLWAYS, YOU CAN REALLY GET A SENSE OF THIS WAS THE ORIGINAL WIDTH.

>> Mary: AND THE MILL WORK IS OUTSTANDING, I THINK THAT REALLY STANDS OUT HERE.

THE MOULDINGS AND BASEBOARDS AND EVERYTHING ARE -- >> YEAH.

>> Mary: SPECTACULAR.

>> IF YOU REMEMBER THAT CLASSROOM WE TOOK A LOOK AT AND IT HAD THE TIERED SEATING AND THE STRANGE DOOR.

IT'S NOW A LEVEL, MODERN CLASSROOM.

ANOTHER SPACE WE HAVE LOOKED AT EFORE -- >> Mary: WERE THEIR DINOSAUR BONES?

THESE HALLWAYS, ANNUAL I REMEMBERING THAT CORRECTLY?

>> EXACTLY, EXACTLY.

NOW, THIS IS ONE WHERE WE WERE ABLE TO OPEN IT UP AND IT IS COMPLETELY OPEN FROM SIDE TO SIDE.

>> Mary: IF I REMEMBER, THIS WAS KIND OF DARK AND CLOSED OFF WAS THE FEEL.

AND NOW IT'S NOTHING BUT WINDOWS AND LIKE COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.

>> YES.

AT THE ENDS OF EACH AREA, THE WINDOWS ARE EXPOSED AND BEFORE YOU COULDN'T ACTUALLY SEE ALL THE WAY THROUGH SO DEFINITELY LETTING A LOT MORE LIGHT IN.

>> Mary: ULTIMATELY THE PILLSBURY HALL PROJECT CAME IN ON TIME AND ON BUDGET, EVEN THROUGH A PANDEMIC.

>> IT HAS A WHOLE NEW LIFE, REALLY, FOR ANOTHER 100-PLUS YEARS.

♪♪ >> CATHY: WE'VE HEARD A LOT OF TALK ABOUT THE MINNEAPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT'S STRUGGLE TO RETAIN OFFICERS SINCE THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD.

ABOUT 200 OFFICERS IN MINNEAPOLIS HAVE LEFT THE FORCE SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN, ABOUT ONE-FIFTH OF THE CITY'S POLICE FORCE.

BUT WHILE PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENTS AROUND THE COUNTRY HAVE BLAMED THEIR STAFF REDUCTIONS ON FALLOUT FROM FLOYD'S KILLING, NATIONAL STATISTICS PAINT A DIFFERENT PICTURE.

"REPORT FOR AMERICA" AND "ALMANAC" DATA REPORTER KYELAND JACKSON RECENTLY SPOKE WITH TWO REPORTERS FROM THE MARSHALL PROJECT, A NONPROFIT JOURNALISM ORGANIZATION FOCUSED ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE REPORTING.

>> THANKS FOR JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT YOUR MOST RECENT REPORTING ABOUT POLICE STAFFING IN LOCAL CITIES, AREAS.

I JUST WANTED TO START BY ASKING YOU, WHAT REALLY MOTIVATED YOU TO LAUNCH INTO THIS REPORTING IN THE FIRST PLACE?

>> WE'VE BEEN READING OVER AND OVER AGAIN SINCE LAST SUMMER THAT POLICE OFFICERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE LEAVING IN DROVES AND MAINLY PEOPLE CITE THAT AS A MAIN REASON BEHIND AN INCREASE IN VIOLENT CRIMES, LIKE HOMICIDES AND SHOOTINGS.

AND WE'RE INTERESTED IN FINDING DATA TO INITIALLY SHOW HOW BIG THE DROP WAS BECAUSE, REALLY, WE'RE ONLY HEARING ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE.

AND THEN WE TRACKED DOWN STATISTICS FROM THE BUREAU OF STATISTICS WHICH SHOWS THAT IF YOU LOOK AT LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS, THERE WAS A DROP INDEED BUT INCREASE WAS LESS THAN 1%.

AND THAT LED US TO DO THE STORY THAT ILLUSTRATES HOW THE CHANGE MAY NOT BE AS BIG AS MANY PEOPLE THINK.

>> AND WHAT WERE SOME OF YOUR FINDINGS?

>> WHAT WE FOUND IS WHEN WE LOOKED AT LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS, THESE ARE CITY DEPARTMENTS, SHERIFF'S OFFICES AND PLACES LIKE THAT AND THEIR LOCAL JURISDICTION, THE PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT IS LESS THAN 1% AND WHEN WE LOOK AT STATE POLICE AND FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, THERE'S ACTUALLY A SLIGHT INCREASE IN THOSE PLACES.

UNFORTUNATELY THE DATA WE HAVE DIDN'T ALLOW US TO BREAK IT DOWN FURTHER BY CITY OR STATES IN A MEANINGFUL WAY.

>> THE NUMBER OF POLICE HAS BEEN STEADILY INCREASING FOR ALMOST TWO DECADES SO EVEN IF THERE IS A SMALL DROP, IT MAY FEEL SIGNIFICANT TO POLICE DEPARTMENTS, AND SO FOR SMALLER DEPARTMENTS, LOSING A HANDFUL OF POLICE MIGHT MEAN THEY HAVE DIFFICULTY FILLING THINGS LIKE THE MIDNIGHT SHIFT OR SOME PATROLLING.

>> WHAT WERE THE FACTORS THAT LED POLICE TO LEAVE THEIR JOBS?

>> THE DATA DOESN'T REALLY TELL US WHY PEOPLE ARE LEAVING.

WHEN WE DID TALK TO A LOT OF POLICE OFFICERS, YOU KNOW, THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT A LOT CONTRIBUTING TO WHY PEOPLE MAY WANT TO LEAVE, EITHER THEY MIGHT WANT TO SHIFT TO RURAL DEPARTMENTS WHERE THE POLITICAL BACKING IS MORE OR IT'S SAFER, OR T MIGHT BE THAT, YOU KNOW, COVID MADE PEOPLE REEVALUATE WHAT -- WHERE THEY WANTED TO SPEND THEIR TIMES, OR IT MIGHT ALSO, YOU KNOW, MORALE AND PROTESTS AND ALL OF THESE THINGS MAY HAVE ALL PLAYED A FACTOR.

>> A LOT OF AGENCIES, MINNEAPOLIS INCLUDED, ARE STARTING TO RETHINK THE ROLE THAT POLICE OFFICERS AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS PLAY IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

BASED OFF OF SOME OF THE FINDINGS THAT YOU ALL HAD, WHAT DO YOU THINK WE CAN EXPECT FOR POLICING?

>> LOCAL DEPARTMENTS REALLY HAVE INERTIA IN TERMS OF LAUNCHING NEW PROGRAMS, LIKE VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAMS AND INNOVATIONS BECAUSE IT'S ALWAYS EASIER TO STICK WITH WHAT YOU KNOW, TO HIRE MORE OFFICERS, TO PUT MORE BODIES ON THE STREET.

AT THE SAME TIME, WE ARE SEEING SOME POLICE DEPARTMENTS TRYING TO CHANGE AND TO ADAPT NEW STRATEGIES.

SOME CITIES ARE BEGINNING TO HIRE MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS TO RESPOND TO MENTAL HEALTH-RELATED 9-1-1 CALLS INSTEAD OF SENDING ARMED POLICE TO THOSE SCENES.

SO WE ARE EEING CHANGES.

I GUESS, YOU KNOW, TIME WILL TELL HOW EFFECTIVE THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM PROVIDED BY GEORGE FLOYD WILL BE.

>> HERE'S MANY YOUNG PEOPLE THAT STILL WANT TO BE POLICE OFFICERS.

FOR MANY PEOPLE IT'S A STEADY, WELL-PAYING JOB WITH A REALLY GOOD PENSION AND IT'S A PATH TO THE MIDDLE CLASS, AND SO EVEN IF SOME ACADEMY CLASSES WERE CANCELED, IT DOES LOOK LIKE HERE'S MORE ACADEMY CLASSES THAT ARE GOING TO BE SOME OF THE LARGEST THAT A LOT OF THESE POLICE DEPARTMENTS HAVE SEEN, AND SO, YOU KNOW, WHAT THAT MEANS IN TERMS OF IF THERE WILL BE CHANGE IN THE FUTURE, YOU KNOW, IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN.

♪♪ >> ERIC: WE'RE GOING TO SPEND THE REST OF THE HOUR TALKING POLITICS, MOST OF IT CLOSE TO HOME.

EARLIER THIS WEEK, DFL LAWMAKERS MADE NEWS IN TWO WAYS.

DFL HOUSE MEMBERS KICKED EMBATTLED REPRESENATIVE JOHN THOMPSON OUT OF THEIR CAUCUS.

MEANWHILE, SENATE DEMOCRATS ELECTED A NEW LEADER AND, IN THE PROCESS, BROKE BARRIERS.

>> SENATOR MELISSA LOPEZ FRANDSEN MAKES HISTORY AS THE FIRST PERSON OF COLOR AND INDIGENOUS CAUCUS MEMBER IN TOP LEADERSHIP.

>> I'M BEING VERY INTENTIONAL TO USE MY ULL NAME AND UNDERSTANDING THAT I AM ORIGINALLY FROM PUERTO RICO WHEN WE ALSO, WHEN IN OUR CULTURE, WHEN WE GET MARRIED, WE USE TWO LAST NAMES AND WE BRING OUR HUSBAND'S AND THE WIFE'S NAME TO OUR CHILDREN.

SO WE ARE TRYING TO WALK AND BE TRUE TO OURSELVES AND WHO WE ARE.

I DO NOT WANT TO LOSE MY HERITAGE.

>> Mary: LOPEZ-FRANDSEN IS A THIRD-TERMER FROM E.DO I KNOW AND IS PART OF THE GAINS THAT THE D.F.L.

HAS FUNDS IN SUBURBIA.

BUILD THEY HAVE WORK TO DO.

>> ONE OF THE REASONS, NOT THE ONLY REASON I WAS AT FARM FEST BECAUSE I KNOW WE HAVE TO GO TO THE PEOPLE OUTSIDE MY DISTRICT.

>> Mary: LIKE THE NEW REPUBLICAN MAJORITY LEADER, SHE'S BEEN PART OF THE PURPLE CAUCUS SEEKING BIPARTISAN SOLUTIONS AND THEY HAVE A GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP.

>> THIS IS MORE ABOUT MEETING THE MOMENT AND MEETING THE TIME WHERE WE NEED TO FIND SOME COMMON GROUND AND FINDING A CONSENSUS BUILDER AND I THINK MY CAUCUS KNOWS I I'M A HARD-WORKER, HARD-CAMPAIGNER AND I LOVE TO REACH OUT TO MY COLLEAGUES.

>> ERIC: HERE TO TALK POLITICS FOR THE NEXT TEN MINUTES OR SO, DFL ACTIVIST AND FORMER NATIONAL COMMITTEE MEMBER, JAVIER MORILLO.

GREG PEPPIN IS HERE, TOO.

HE'S REPUBLICAN POLITICAL CONSULTANT.

GREG, YOU WORKED IN THE LEGISLATURE AS A STAFFER AND I WONDER WHAT THESE YOUNG GUNS IN THE SENATE IS -- CAN THAT BE SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE OR IS THE TRADITION AND THE WAY OF LIFE OVER THERE TOO HEAVY TO ANYBODY TO REFORM?

>> NO, I THINK IT'S REAL REFRESHING.

IT BODES WELL FOR BOTH CAUCUSES, FOR THE SENATE DFL AND FOR THE SENATE G.O.P.

I THINK THEY WILL BRING SOME NEW FRESH AIDS.

I THINK THEY'LL BRING A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES AND DIFFERENT NEGOTIATING STYLES AND I THINK THAT EACH OF THEIR CHALLENGES WILL BE TO WORK WITH THEIR MEMBERS, AS IT ALWAYS IS, BUT I -- AND THEY WILL BRING THAT EXPERIENCE THAT THEY HAVE NOT ONLY IN THE NEGOTIATIONS WITH DEMOCRATS AND WITH THE GOVERNOR WALZ BUT WITHIN THEIR CAUCUS, AS WELL, SO I THINK IT'S A GOOD MOVE ON BOTH CAUCUSES PARTS.

>> Cathy: JAVIER?

>> I'M SUPER EXCITED, FIRST PUERTO RICAN MINORITY LEADER IN THE SENATE, MELISSA FRANDSEN, LIKE ME GREW UP IN PUERTO RICO, YOUNG AND A GOOD VOICE.

AND SKILLED POLITICALLY.

SHE WAS NOT THE FAVORITE GOING IN, AT ALL, SO I THINK THE FACT THAT SHE CAME OUT THE LEADER AND STRONG SUPPORT BEHIND HER JUST BODES WELL FOR THE CAUCUS.

>> Cathy: I KNOW THAT BOTH WERE PART OF THIS PURPLE CAUCUS AND T LOOKS GOOD BUT WHAT DOES IT REALLY MEAN N REALITY?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT YOU'RE RIGHT, IT LOOKS GOOD.

AT THE END OF HE GUY, THOUGH, CATHY, YOU KNOW, YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE TO CHECK YOUR FIRMLY HELD BELIEFS AT THE DOOR.

JAVIER AND I WERE TALKING ABOUT THIS IN THE BACK ROOM AND I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO NEGOTIATE THE RUBBER IS GOING TO HIT THE ROAD AND WHETHER IN A PURPLE CAUCUS OR BLUE CAUCUS OR RED CAUCUS, REALLY DOESN'T MATTER, YOU STILL HAVE TO GET THE JOB DONE.

>> WE SHARE THE SAME PET PIAF.

I THINK THE PURPLE CAUCUS OR PROBLEM-SOLVERS SORT OF THING MORE POLITICAL ABELS THAN ANYTHING ELSE, BECAUSE IN THE EN, HAVING DIALOGUE SHOULDN'T BE ABOUT LEAVING YOUR DEEPLY HELD BELIEFS AT THE DOOR, IT MEANS YOU HAVE TO FIGURE THINGS OUT.

SO I THINK THOSE THINGS ARE ALWAYS FOR POLITICAL SHOW.

>> Eric: WE HAVE TO KEEP THE FUNDERS FROM BUMPING INTO ONE ANOTHER.

[ Laughter ] '21 ELECTION IS FOCUSED ON MINNEAPOLIS AND A WHOLE CITY GOVERNMENT'S UP FOR ELECTION AND YOU HAVE THE STRONG MAYOR AND YOU HAVE OF COURSE THE POLICE AMENDMENT AND I'M WONDERING, WHAT'S THE DEPTH OF THE DIVIDE AMONG DEMOCRATS ON THIS, WHERE YOU HAVE WALZ AND KLOBUCHAR ON ONE SIDE, KEITH ELLISON IS AN EXAMPLE ON THE OTHER, ILHAN OMAR, HOW DEEP IS THE DIVIDE?

>> I THINK AMONG ELECTED OFFICIALS LIKE THAT, IT IS A DIFFERENT QUESTION THAN AMONGST VOTERS.

>> Eric: LET ME SAY THAT YOU ARE WORKING FOR THE -- >> AS OF THIS WEEK, I'M CONSULTING FOR THE "YES" CAMPAIGN AND SO MY FRUSTRATION, IN FACT, ONE OF THE REASONS THAT I JUMPED AT THE CHANCE TO WORK FOR THE CAMPAIGN WAS WHEN A BUNCH OF DEMOCRATS WHO CLEARLY HAD NOT READ THE AMENDMENT PUT OUT STATEMENTS ABOUT IT AND IT WAS VERY TRUST VERY FRUSTRATING AND FRUSTRATING TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO DID THE WORK.

22,000 PEOPLE SIGNED PETITIONS TO PUT THAT ON THE BALLOT BECAUSE LAST YEAR THE CITY COUNCIL UNANIMOUS LOW BUT A CITY CHARTER ON THE BALLOT THAT THE CHARTER COMMISSION SLOW-WALKED AND KILLED AND SO^ -- SO OUT OF FRUSTRATION, RIGHT, WE -- MINNEAPOLIS AS THE EPICENTER OF A GLOBAL RECKONING ON RACIAL JUSTICE AND OUR OPPONENTS HAVE THEIR PLAN HAS BEEN TO OPPOSE OUR PLAN, LIKE WE -- IT'S EITHER THE SAME-OLD SAME-OLD OR IT'S ONE PERSON, THE CHIEF ARRADONDO, AND WHAT WE ARE SAYING IS THAT THE CITY THAT MURDERED GEORGE FLOYD MUST, MUST DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY, AND WE'VE BEEN DOING THE SAME THING FOR 150 YEARS.

>> Eric: REPUBLICANS VIEW THIS HOW?

>> WELL, I THINK WHAT SOME REPUBLICANS THINK IS THAT THIS IS THE LEFT ARGUING WITH THE FAR LEFT IN THE PARTY, AND CLEARLY THERE IS A HUGE DIVIDE AND WHEN YOU HAVE GOVERNOR WALZ, WHEN YOU HAVE AMY KLOBUCHAR, WHEN YOU EVER ANGIE CRAIG WHO DOESN'T REPRESENT MINNEAPOLIS AT ALL COMING OUT AGAINST THE REFORM THE POLICE, THE DEFUND THE POLICE AMENDMENT, YOU CAN TELL THAT NATIONAL PLAYERS ARE SAYING, HEY, WE HAVE TO WEIGH IN ON THIS.

THIS IS A BIG DEAL THAT COULD SPREAD LIKE WILDFIRE ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND IT DOES PLAY INTO THE NARRATIVE OF WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

ARE WE GOING TO HAVE POLICE, ARE THEY GOING TO BE FUNDED, ARE OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND STREETS GOING TO BE SAFE.

>> BUT SEE, AND THAT'S A GOOD EXAMPLE OF, LIKE, WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT EARLIER, RIGHT, THAT ALL THE DEMOCRATS WHO PUT OUT STATEMENTS, THEY MENTION THAT PHRASE, DEFUND POLICE BECAUSE THEY SAY IT'S TOXIC.

THIS AMENDMENT DOES NOT DO THAT.

CHARTERS DO NOT SPEAK TO BUDGETS, O COUNCILS AND MAYORS, THE MAYOR PROPOSES A BUDGET AND THE COUNCIL APPROVES IT.

HOW WILL THE -- HOW WILL PUBLIC SAFETY BE FUNDED?

THE EXACT SAME WAY EVERY OTHER DEPARTMENT IN MINNEAPOLIS IS FUNDED, THROUGH THE BUDGETING PROCESS.

WHAT IS EXCEPTIONAL IN MINNEAPOLIS IS THAT THE MINNEAPOLIS CHARTER HAS LANGUAGE THAT WAS WRITTEN BY THE POLICE FEDERATION IN 1971 AND THAT IT PUTS IN A SPECIFIC RATIO OF COPS PER POPULATION.

NO OTHER CITY IN MINNESOTA HAS THAT AND IT GIVES THEM ENORMOUS LEVERAGE IN CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS.

>> Eric: WHAT IF YOUR CHARTER AMENDMENT HAD JUST SEND EDGED THE RATIO OF COPS TO POPULATION AND MADE IT SIMPLE AND -- WOULDN'T THAT HAVE BEEN AN EASIER PATH?

>> WELL, I THINK WHAT YOU HAVE IS PEOPLE REALLY STRIVING TO RETHINK, TOP TO BOTTOM, HOW WE DO PUBLIC SAFETY, BECAUSE WE BASED -- THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS PUTS OUT, LIKE, ENORMOUS AMOUNTS IN SETTLEMENTS FOR POLICE BRUTALITY.

RIGHT NOW ENORMOUS AMOUNTS IN WORK COMP CLAIMS BECAUSE, IN MY OPINION, THERE IS A STRIKE HAPPENING RIGHT NOW WITH POLICE OFFICERS, AND SO WE NEED TO RETHINK TOP TO BOTTOM, RIGHT, BUT FUNDAMENTALLY, WHAT THE AMENDMENT WILL DO WAS TAKE -- IS TAKE AWAY LANGUAGE THAT GIVING THE POLICE UNION INCREDIBLE LEVERAGE OVER THE CITY.

>> Cathy: WANT TO MAKE A QUICK COMMENT ABOUT THIS BEFORE WE GO ON TO SOMETHING ELSE?

>> I WANT TO SAY, A LOT OF TIMES DEMOCRATS USE THE WORDS ASPIRATIONAL, THIS IS AN ASPIRATIONAL GOAL.

YOU CAN'T DO THAT WITH POLICE OR PUBLIC SAFETY AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE TRYING TO DO.

THEY'RE TRYING TO SPLIT A HAIR HERE THAT ISN'T SPLITTABLE.

>> Cathy: TALK ABOUT THE POTENTIAL OF A SPECIAL SESSION, I'M WONDERING HERE.

DOES IT SEEM THAT SENATOR MILLER IS NOT REALLY OUT POTENTIALLY FIRING HEALTH COMMISSIONER JAN MALCOLM?

I DON'T THINK THAT'S A GOOD IDEA.

I THINK THAT THE COMMISSIONER HAS DONE A VERY GOOD JOB, GIVEN THE TRYING CIRCUMSTANCES THAT SHE HAS FACED.

IF I WERE TO TALK TO SENATOR MILLER, I WOULD TELL HIM NOT TO DO THAT AND TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE SPECIAL SESSION WITHOUT ANY OF THE COMMISSIONER -- ANY OF THE COMMISSIONERS, FRANKLY, BEING ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK.

>> Cathy: BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT TO GET THAT THE -- THE BONUS PAGE TO THE FRONT-LINE WORKERS.

>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO GET THE BONUS AY FOR THE FRONT-LINE WORKERS AND I THINK AT LEAST IN THE CASE OF COMMISSIONER MALCOLM, I THINK SHE'S DONE A GOOD JOB AND I DON'T THINK SHE SHOULD BE REMOVED AND I THINK -- THIS IS ONE AREA WHERE I AGREE WITH THE GOVERNOR.

I THINK THAT YOU DON'T WANT TO REMOVE THE COMMISSIONER WHEN YOU'RE IN THE THROES OF A PANDEMIC THAT SHE'S TRYING TO DEAL WITH.

>> Eric: THE BONUS CHECKS THAT WOULD GO TO FRONT-LINE WORKERS, YOU ARE INTIMATELY FAMILIAR WITH THESE UNIONS THAT ARE AFFECTED AND THE HEAVILY D.F.L.-ORIENTED UNIONS, I THINK IT'S FAIR TO SAY POLITICALLY.

IS IT JUST $250 MILLION ENOUGH?

THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT DESERVE TO HAVE MONEY AND I WONDER IF THAT'S ENOUGH.

>> SO LET ME SPEAK SPECIFICALLY TO SOMETHING REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN SAYING WITH REGARDS TO THAT, SAYING THAT THEY WANT TO ISOLATE THAT TO HEALTH-CARE WORKERS.

I WAS THE PRESIDENT OF THE JANITOR SECURITY WORKERS.

MEMBERS OF 126, 1,000 OF THEM HAD TO GUARANTEE IN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF, MEANING THAT THEY HAD TO GO HOME BECAUSE THEY WERE EXPOSED AND WERE NOT -- DID NOT HAVE PAY DURING THE TWO WEEKS THAT THAT TOOK.

WE HAD FOUR MEMBERS DIE.

FRONT-LINE WORKERS ARE RETAIL WORKERS, THEY ARE JANITORS, THEY ARE SECURITY OFFICERS, AND SO TO ME, IT IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT THAT WE NOT RESTRICT THE IDEA THAT ESSENTIAL WORKERS -- I HAVE OF COURSE UTMOST RESPECT NOR HEALTH CARE WORKERS, NURSES WHO HAVE BEEN DOING INCREDIBLE WORK BUT SO HAVE GROCERY WORKERS AND SO HAVE RETAIL WORKERS.

>> Eric: WHAT'S YOUR ENSE OF THIS NE?

>> IT'S GOING TO BE A TOUGH ONE TO NEGOTIATE.

WE'VE SEEN SO FAR THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO -- THE SIDES ARE COMING TOGETHER IN GOOD FAITH, THEY ARE NEGOTIATING AGGRESSIVELY AND I THINK THAT THERE IS A POINT TO BE MADE TO -- AS MUCH AS IT'S HARD TO NARROW THAT FOCUS A LITTLE BIT, I THINK THAT WE DO HAVE TO LOOK AT THAT, F YOU WANT THE AMOUNT OF RELIEF THAT GOES TO PEOPLE TO BE OF SOME SUBSTANCE.

OTHERWISE, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO EXPAND THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO GET IT AND YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO EXPAND THE DOLLARS AVAILABLE AND THAT'S A TOUGHER ROW TO HOE.

>> Cathy: JAVIER, REPRESENTATIVE THOMPSON WAS KICKED OUT OF THE DFL CAUCUS SO HE'S GOING TO CAUCUS AS AN INDEPENDENT BUT THE FULL HOUSE WOULD HAVE TO VOTE TO EXPEL HIM, RIGHT?

WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF HAVING THAT HAPPEN?

>> FROM THE NEWS REPORTS I READ, I DON'T THINK REPUBLICANS ARE INTERESTED IN DOING THAT, YOU KNOW, RIGHT, BECAUSE -- AND BOTH, I THINK, ON PRINCIPLE OF A BAD PRECEDENTS BUT ALSO HE'S POLITICALLY USEFUL TO THEM, I THINK IS THE -- AND WHICH IS PART OF THE REASON THAT THIS VOTE EVEN HAPPENED.

TO BE CLEAR, I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, HAD REPRESENTATIVE THOMPSON, WHEN HE RAN, BEEN OPEN ABOUT HIS PAST AND TOLD THE STORY OF REDEMPTION, THAT WOULD BE ONE THING.

BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT HAPPENED AND THE ABUSE AND THE CONSISTENT STORIES OF ABUSE FROM DIFFERENT WOMEN IN DIFFERENT STATES ARE JUST APPALLING AND, YEAH, I WISH HE HAD STEPPED DOWN.

FROM WHAT I'VE HEARD, HE AS GIVEN MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO STEP DOWN, WAS TOLD THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN AND HE DIDN'T REALLY BELIEVE IT WOULD HAPPEN AND SO HERE WE ARE.

I THINK IT'S REALLY DEEPLY UNFORTUNATE AND I EXPECT THAT HIS DISTRICT WILL BE ELECTING SOMEONE ELSE NEXT YEAR.

>> Eric: I HEARD SENATOR KLOBUCHAR SAYING THIS WEEK THAT IF JUSTICE BRIER ON THE SUPREME COURT IS GOING TO RETIRE, HE SHOULD DO IT SOONER THAN LATER.

WOULD SHE BE ON JOE BIDEN'S SHORT LIST IF -- MAYBE SHE HAS A VERSED INTEREST IN SHOWING JUSTICE BRIER THE DOOR?

>> I WOULD BRING THAT THAT SHE WOULD BE CONSIDERED.

I BELIEVE SHE WOULD BE CONSIDERED.

I THINK IT'S A LITTLE BIT AWKWARD FOR SENATOR KLOBUCHAR TO BE ENCOURAGING A SUPREME COURT -- I THINK IT'S AWKWARD FOR ANYBODY TO BE ENCOURAGING A SUPREME COURT JUSTICE TO RETIRE AND CERTAINLY ONE THAT COULD BE TAPPED.

>> I THINK THE ACT THAT SHE SAID THAT IS -- I DON'T THINK SHE HAS ANY INTEREST IN THAT.

SHE'S A POLITICIAN, SHE LIKES TALKING TO PEOPLE AND TALKING TO THE PRESS AND THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT SUPREME COURT JUSTICES DO A LOT.

>> Eric: AND SCOTT JENSEN, IS HE THE CONSENSUS CANDIDATE, A MILLION DOLLARS-PLUS RAISE -- >> HE'S DONE A GREAT MOB COMMUNICATING WITH DELEGATES AND ACTIVISTS AND GETTING HIS MESSAGE OUT, AND I THINK AT THIS POINT BECAUSE HE AS THE FIRST ONE IN AND RAISED A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT F MONEY, HE'S THE TOP CANDIDATE.

>> Cathy: JENNIFER CARNAHAN DOESN'T SEEM LIKE SHE'S GOING OUT INTO THE GOOD NIGHT HERE -- >> AND YOU WERE SOMEONE WHO HELPED HER GET ELECTED THE FIRST TIME.

>> JENNIFER IS A FRIENDS AND I THINK SHE HAS A LOT TO GIVE AND WE'LL SEE WHERE THAT TAKES HER.

I THINK THAT SHE SHOULD MAYBE TAKE A LITTLE STEP BACK FROM PARTY POLITIC AND REASSESS, MAYBE, HAT DIRECTION SHE WANTS TO GO.

>> Eric: WHEN IS THE NEW CHAIR ELECTED?

>> OCTOBER 2nd.

>> Cathy: QUICK COMMENT?

>> I HEARD SHE WANTS TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR, SO I SAY RUN, JENNIFER, RUN.

>> Eric: THANKS, FELLAS.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> Cathy: THANKS, GUYS.

♪♪ >> ERIC: IT'S MINNSOTA HISTORY TIME.

LISTEN CLOSELY TO THE CLUE FOR THIS WEEK'S INDEX FILE QUESTION.

THERE WAS A GREAT DEAL OF ATTENTION THIS WEEK WHEN THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA PLAYED THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS IN VOLLEYBALL.

ST. THOMAS IS NOW DIVISION ONE WHEN IT COMES TO SPORTS.

BUT IN THE PAST, IT WAS COMMON FOR THE U OF M TO PLAY REGIONAL COLLEGES AND EVEN HIGH SCHOOLS IN SPORTS LIKE BASKETBALL.

OUR QUESTION CONCERNS THE GOPHER MENS' BASKETBALL TEAM OF 1922 AND '23.

THE TEAM PLAYED AT THE U OF M ARMORY, SEEN HERE.

EARLY IN THE 1923 SEASON, THE GOPHERS LOST TWO GAMES IN A ROW TO MINNESOTA SCHOOLS, EVEN THOUGH THE GAMES WERE HELD ON THE U OF M CAMPUS.

WE WANT YOU TO NAME THESE SURPRISING MINNESOTA SCHOOLS.

WHAT MINNESOTA SCHOOLS BEAT THE GOPHER HOOPSTERS IN CONSECUTIVE WEEKS IN THE 1922-23 SEASON?

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU WHETHER YOU LIVE NEAR JUMP LAKE, FOWL LAKE OR DUNKA BAY.

651-229-1430 IS OUR VOICEMAIL NUMBER.

IF YOU KNOW THE ANSWER, TAKE A MINUTE TO COMPOSE YOURSELF, AND THEN GIVE US A CALL.

651-229-1430.

EMAIL IS A PERFECTLY FINE OPTION TOO.

ALMANAC@TPT.ORG IS THE WAY TO REACH US.

FOR SHOW-ENDING MUSIC, LET'S GO BACK TO A CLASSIC MOMENT IN TWIN CITIES PBS HISTORY.

THIS WEEK, 35 YEARS AGO, THE STATION DID SOMETHING CALLED THE GREAT KTCA READ-A-THON TO PROMOTE LITERACY.

I RODE A HORSE IN THAT PROGRAM.

ALL OF IT WAS DONE LIVE FROM THE OLD KTCA STUDIOS ON COMO AVENUE.

AMONG THE BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS WAS THE BAND IPSO FACTO PERFORMING A MEMORABLE VERSION OF ALFRED NOYES' POEM "THE HIGHWAYMAN."

LET'S ALL WATCH IT AS WE GET READY TO ROLL THE CLOSING CREDITS.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE HOPE YOU TUNE IN AGAIN NEXT WEEK.

BE CAREFUL.

♪ HOUSE IN THE DARK ENED YARD, HAPPENED HIS WHIP, WHISTLED A TUNE TO THE WINDOW, WHO SHOULD BE AITING THERE BUT THE LANDLORD'S BLACK-EYED DAUGHTER, BEST, THE LANDLORD'S DAUGHTER, TAUNTING THE DARK RED WALNUT TO HER LONG BLACK HAIR .

♪ HIS EYES WERE HALLOWS OF MAD NEICE, HIS HAIR LIKE MOLDY HAY, BUT HE LOVED THE LANDLORD'S DAUGHTER, THE LANDLORD'S RED-LIPPED DAUGHTER, HE LIVED AS HE HEARD THE ROBBER SAY.

♪ ♪ ONE KISS, MY BONNY SWEETHEART, BUT I SHALL BE BACK WITH YELLOW GOLD BEFORE THE MORNING LIGHT.

AND IF THEY PRESS ME SHARPLY AND HEAR ROW ME THROUGH THE DAY -- ♪ THEN LOOK FOR ME BY MOONLIGHT, WATCH FOR ME BY MOON LIGHT, I'LL COME TO THEE BY MOONLIGHT, THO HELL SHOULD BAR THE WAYED.

>> HE ROWS UPPED IN THE STIRRUPS BUT SHE LOOSENED HER HAIR IN THE CASEMENT, HER FACE BURNT LIKE A BRAND, AND THE PERFUME CAM TUMBLING OVER HIS BREAST, AND HE KISSED ITS WAVES IN THE MOONLIGHT, OH, SWEET BLACK WAVES IN THE MOONLIGHT AND HE GALLOPED AWAY TO THE WEST ♪♪ Captioned by: Paradigm Reporting/Captioning www.paradigmreporting.com "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

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