>> ALMANAC IS A PRODUCTION >> EARLY VOTING IS WELL UNDERWAY FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTION THAT'S RIGHT RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER.

WE'LL TACK TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR AN UPDATE.

>> OUR SYSTEM IS VERY SECURE.

IT'S ONE OF HONESTY AND INTEGRITY.

>> THAT'S COMING UP ON ALMANAC.

♪♪ >> AND THEY PICKED UP BETTER BETTER HOURS, THEY PICKED UP BETTER PAY, THEY'VE ACTUALLY PICKED UP BENEFITS SO THERE'S A LOT OF SHIFT OING ON.

SO I'D -- SIMPLY A GOOD NUMBER AND IT'S A WONDERFUL THING AND WE ARE SEEING MORE AND MORE PEOPLE GETTING JOBS.

>> Eric: KIND OF TROUBLING, THOUGH, THAT BLACK UNEMPLOYMENT IS UP OVER 7% AND RISING.

-- NOT DOING ENOUGH TO ATTRACT WORKERS OF COLOR?

WHAT'S GOING ON THERE?

>> BOTH OF THOSE THINGS -- IDENTIFIED.

SO ONE IS -- YOU NEED TO COMPLETE HIGH SCHOOL AND WE HAVE [ AUDIO CUTTING OUT ] AND STUDENTS OF COLOR IN TERMS OF THEIR COMPLETION RATES AND THAT'S KIND OF A CUTOFF -- IF YOU DON'T HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA YOU'VE GOT -- THE OTHER THING IS THE COMPANY'S REACHING OUT.

THEY NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB OF ACTUALLY FINDING -- >> Eric: EMPLOYMENT, RIGHT?

AND THEY DON'T HAVE QUITE THAT NETWORK OF FOLKS TO HIRE THEM.

>> NO, BUT HERE'S THE THING.

THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE -- [ AUDIO CUTTING OUT ] >> Cathy: ALL GOOD NEWS THAT WE'VE HEARD HERE SO FAR.

-- MORE OR LESS.

BUT I THINK THE LABOR MARKET MIGHT BE COOLING A LITTLE BIT.

IS THAT TRUE?

>> WELL, T DEPENDS WHERE YOU LOOK.

SO IN MINNESOTA IT'S NOT -- CLEARLY WE'VE GOT THIS LOW UNEMPLOYMENT RATE.

DEPENDING ON WHERE -- IN DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY YOU DO SEE IT COOLING DOWN A BIT.

[ AUDIO CUTTING OUT ] >> LESS COMPETITIVE, IT'S MAKING IMPORTS MORE COMPETITIVE AND SO SOME OF THE MANUFACTURING JOBS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, THAT'S STARTING TO SOFTEN A LITTLE BIT.

BUT IN MINNESOTA, NO, WE'RE NOT REALLY HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THAT.

>> WAGES ARE UP I THINK 5% JUNE OR JUNE, BUT INFLATION IS 9% SO THE WAGES AREN'T KEEPING UP?

>> RIGHT.

SO AND WAGE GROWTH IS SLOWING DOWN.

BUT HERE THERE IS -- OKAY, I'M GOING TO PUT SOME GOOD NEWS IN HERE, I'M SORRY, I JUST HAD TO DO THAT, CATHY.

>> TOTALLY FINE.

>> WHEN YOU LOOK LAT LOWER WAGE WORKERS UP UNTIL RECENTLY UP UNTIL THE -- THEIR WAGES WERE MATCHING -- THAT'S NO LONGER TRUE.

BUT SO THE PEOPLE AND, >> A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE ACTUALLY PUSHED OUT OF THE LABOR MARKET EARLIER THAN THEY WANTED TO BE PUSHED OUT.

AND NOW [ AUDIO SKIPPING ] I DON'T HAVE TO GO BACK FULL TIME -- >> Cathy: SO I'M WONDERING THEN TOO, WITH THE NUMBER THAT WE'RE SEEING, DO YOU WORRY ABOUT A [ AUDIO CUT OUT ] A RECESSION?

>> -- STILL -- END OF THE YEAR, MAYBE A LITTLE HIGHER AFTER, BUT I DON'T SEE IT RIGHT NOW.

I JUST DON'T.

SO THE FEAR IS THAT THE FED GOES TOO FAR.

SO THE FEDERAL -- AND IT'S THEIR BIG MEETING AND THEY'RE GOING TO RAISE THEIR BENCHMARK INTEREST RATE BY THREE-QUARTERS OF A PERCENTAGE POINT.

SO THAT'S THE SECOND ONE THEY'VE DONE IN A ROW.

THE QUESTION IS HAS THE FED GONE TOO FAR?

BUT WHAT YOU CAN SAY IS THE ECONOMY IS SLOWING DOWN, CONSUMERS ARE PULLING BACK A LITTLE BIT.

BUT BUSINESSES ARE STILL GOOD IN HIRING AND NOT LAYING OFF WORKERS AND THE -- RECESSION IS BASICALLY A READING OF HISTORY.

THE FED USUALLY GOES TOO FAR.

AND BECAUSE MONETARY -- WITH THE 3.6 UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AND 1.8% IN MINNESOTA, WE SLOWED DOWN BUT WE DON'T GO INTO RECESSION.

I AGREE WITH -- >> Eric: THANKS, FELLAS.

>> Cathy: NICE TO SEE YOU.

>> Eric: OH, I'VE GOT TO READ SOMETHING HERE.

>> Cathy: NO, CTUALLY, I'M GOING TO READ IT.

>> Eric: SORRY.

WELL-KNOWN POP ARTIST CLAES OLDENBURG DIED THIS WEEK IN MANHATTAN AT THE AGE OF 93.

OLDENBURG WAS THE CO-CREATER OF THE 'SPOONBRIDGE AND CHERRY' WATER FOUNTAIN IN THE MINNEAPOLIS SCULPTURE GARDEN.

BACK IN 1988, THE TWIN CITIES PBS PROGRAM 'ARTS ON TWO' TALKED WITH HIM.

HERE'S PART OF THAT INTERVIEW.

[ AUDIO CUTTING OUT ] >> AND IT CAN ALSO BE IDENTIFIED WITH A CANOE, AN INDIAN CANOE THAT'S PULLED UP ON THE SHORE WHICH HAS A SHAPE SOMEWHAT LIKE THAT.

AND THEN THERE WERE LOTS OF OTHER THINGS -- ALL FLYING AROUND IN THE IMAGINATION.

AS I SAY, THESE SOCCATIONS FASTEN THEMSELVES TO SOME KIND OF AN OBJECT, WHICH IS A STARTING POINT FOR A DIALOGUE.

♪♪ >> MINNESOTA'S ATTORNEY GENERAL RACE IS GARNERING A LOT OF ATTENTION.

THERE ARE TWO LEADING CANDIDATES IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY TRYINGPRIME VYING TO RUN AGAINST INCUMBENT KEITH ELLISON.

THE ENDORSED CANDIDATE JIM SCHULTZ DECLINED INVITATION TO APPEAR WITH HIS PRIMARY OPPONENT DOUG WARDLOW.

INSTEAD WE WILL MEET WITH THEM SEPARATELY.

JIM SCHULTZ JOINS US.

YOU ARE THE ENDORSED CANDIDATE FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL.

FIRST YOU HAVE TO GET PAST DOUG WARDLOW WHO WAS THE FIRST -- FOUR YEARS AGO.

I WANT TO GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO RESPOND TO AN E-MAIL CALLING YOU -- THAT YOU HAD THROWN THE PRO-LIFE UNDER THE BUS AND THAT YOU WERE EFFECTIVELY PRO-CHOICE.

>> IT'S DISAPPOINTING.

WE HAVE A VERY DESPERATE CANDIDATE IN DOUG WARDLOW.

THIS IS A DESPERATE CANDIDATE WHO LOST THE ENDORSEMENT WHEN HE DIDN'T EXPECT IT AND WENT BACK ON HIS WORD AND RUNNING IN THE PRIMARY.

WE'RE NOT INTERESTED IN SITTING DOWN WITH HIM BECAUSE HE'S A MAN -- IN THIS RACE AT THIS POINT.

>> Cathy: WHY IS HE KEEP SAYING THAT?

IT'S MADE UP BY THE WHOLE [ Audio Indiscernible ] THE CRISIS PREGNANCY CENTER IN MANKATO, I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN THAT AND PRO-LIFE MATTERS.

HE'S SAYING IT BECAUSE HE DESPERATELY WANTS TO WIN A RACE AND THERE'S REALLY NO PATH FOR HIM AT THIS STAGE.

>> Eric: WE HAVE DOBIE GOMEZ, RAMSEY COUNTY COURT THAT GETS RID OF PARENTAL NOTIFICATION, WAITING PERIOD.

AS ATTORNEY GENERAL, OW DO YOU SEE YOURSELF MANEUVERING THROUGH THAT TERRAIN?

>> FUNDAMENTALLY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS TO ENFORCE MINNESOTA LAW.

THAT'S MY JOB.

AND AS TIME GOES ON E HAVE TO DEFEND MINNESOTA LAW AND IF THAT MEANS DEFENDING LAWS ON THE BOOKS THAT'S WHAT WE'LL DO.

AND YOU'RE RIGHT THERE IS LEGISLATION THAT WAS STRUCK DOWN AND WOULD BE CALLED UPON ATTORNEY GENERAL TO REPEAL THAT CASE AND WHEN I CONTINUE IN OFFICE WILL CONTINUE THAT APPEAL AND PROSECUTE IT FULLY.

WHAT PEOPLE TALK ABOUT A LOT IS THE FACT WE DON'T HAVE AN ATTORNEY GENERAL WHO AGGRESSIVELY DEFENDS MINNESOTA LAW.

>> Cathy: LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT CRIME PERHAPS.

THERE WAS A BILL AT THE LEGISLATURE THAT WOULD TURN POLICE SHOOTINGS OVER TO THE AG'S OFFICE TO COUNTY ATTORNEY'S.

WOULD YOU SUPPORT THAT?

>> NO, I WOULD NOT.

I'M SORRY, FROM THE AG'S OFFICE TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEYS, I SEE, YES.

THE -- AGE'S OFFICE SHOULD NOT UNILATERALLY TAKE CASES AWAY.

THAT'S FINE, I WOULD CONTINUE, TO THE EXTENT MY OFFICE COULD MAKE AN APPROPRIATE CASE WE WOULD DO SO.

BUT TURNING ALL CASES OVER TO ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE I WOULD OPPOSE.

>> Eric: HOW ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY?

AS ATTORNEY GENERAL YOU WOULD GET INVITED IN OCCASIONALLY TO DO A TRIAL IN A COUNTY AND SO FORTH.

BUT YOU'LL NOT THE FIRST STOP FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.

AND I WONDER HOW -- CANDIDATES OFTEN MAKE A BIG DEAL HOW THEY'RE GOING TO BE TOUGH ON CRIME.

DO YOU HAVE THE RESOURCES TO DO THAT AS AG?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE ABSOLUTELY DO.

IT'S BECOME -- NOT PRIORITIZED FOR MANY YEARS, ESPECIALLY BY THIS ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.

KEITH ELLISON IS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WHO BACKED DEFUNDING THE POLICE, HE'S THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WHO PUT -- ATTORNEYS IN AN OFFICE OF OVER 100 ATTORNEYS.

THE OFFICE HAS A $25 MILLION BUDGET, THERE'S O REASON WHY THEY COULDN'T BE DOING DRAMATICALLY MORE CRIMINAL WORK TO SUPPORT COUNTY ATTORNEYS.

>> Eric: WELL, THERE ARE NEARLY A THOUSAND PROSECUTORS IN THE 87 COUNTIES.

IT'S NOT LIKE THEY'RE IN DEMAND PARTICULARLY.

>> OH, I WOULD CHALLENGE YOU THERE, I TALKED TO MANY -- AROUND THE STATE, SHERIFFS, WHO USED TO RELY ON THE ATTORNEY GENERALS FOR TRIALS AND NOW THEY CAN'T GET A CALL BACK FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE LOOKING FOR HELP PARTICULARLY FOR THIS MOMENT IN OUR STATE WHEN THERE'S SERIOUS CRIME OUT THERE.

WE NEED A ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE THAT SUPPORTS THE WORK THEY DO AND THEY'RE NOT GETTING IT RIGHT NOW.

>> Cathy: CURIOUS ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND.

I WAS LOOKING THROUGH SOME OF THE STUFF ON YOUR WEBSITE.

YOU DON'T SEEM TO HAVE A BACKGROUND IN CRIMINAL PROSECUTION OR -- >> SO MY BACKGROUND IS IN A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT LEGAL MATTERS.

PROBABLY THE BROADEST LEGAL EXPERIENCE OF ANYBODY WHO'S RUN FOR THIS OFFICE IN MANY MANY YEARS.

I'M NOT A CRIMINAL PROSECUTOR.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO BUILD OUT THE CRIMINAL DIVISION IN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AND INSTEAD OF HAVING THREE ATTORNEYS WE HAVE RIGHT NOW WE NEED THREE DOZEN ATTORNEYS IN THAT OFFICE.

AND SO WHAT I'LL BE FOCUSED ON IS MANAGING AN OFFICE OF 150 PEOPLE LEADING THAT OFFICE, DESPERATELY NEED OF LEADERSHIP, LEADERSHIP THAT DOESN'T SAY WE SHOULD DEFUND THE POLICE, LEADERSHIP THAT SAY WE SHOULD BE PRIORITIZING ALL THESE RANDOM UNSERIOUS LITIGATION THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS TAKEN ON OVER PAST YEARS AND INSTEAD WHAT MINNESOTANS NEED, TO PUT CRIMINALS IN PRISON FOR 150 MURDERS IN MINNEAPOLIS AND CARJACKINGS.

WELL, I COULD SAY -- I'M NOT SURE.

I CERTAINLY DON'T DOUBT THAT THERE'S A MUCH MORE BUILT OUT PLAN WHEN IT COMES TO VIOLENT CRIME.

I HAVEN'T REALLY HEARD AN ARTICULATION OF WHAT Mr. WARDLOW WOULD DO BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW HE HAS A PLAN FOR IT.

>> Cathy: BEFORE YOU GO, WARDLOW CAME WITHIN FOUR POINTS OF KEITH ELLISON IN THE LAST ELECTION.

WHY DO YOU THINK YOU'RE A BETTER FIT VERSUS Mr. WARDLOW?

>> OH, ABSOLUTELY.

THAT RACE SHOULD HAVE BEEN WON IN 2018.

KEITH ELLISON WAS A VERY WEAK CANDIDATE, HE WAS CREDIBLY ACCUSED OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

WARDLOW SHOULD HAVE WON THAT RACE.

WE NEED A CANDIDATE FOR ALL MINNESOTANS, I'M THE CANDIDATE FOR REPUBLICANS.

>> Eric: THANKS, Mr. SCHULTZ.

REMINDER WE WILL VISIT WITH Mr. SCHULTZ'S PRIMARY OPPONENT DOUG WARDLOW ON THE SHOW TWO WEEKS FROM TONIGHT.

>> THE ATTENTION IN D.C. AND MUCH OF THE YESTERDAY IS ON THE LAST ELECTION CYCLE.

HERE IN MINNESOTA WE ACTUALLY HAVE AN ELECTION UNDERWAY.

WE HAVE OUR TOP OFFICIAL SECRETARY OF STATE STEVE SIMON AND Mr. SECRETARY OF STATE, VOTING'S UNDERWAY FOR OUR PRIMARY, CORRECT?

>> SURE IS, WE'RE SMACK DAB IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EARLY VOTING PERIOD.

AUGUST IS THE PRIMARY.

IN SOUTHERN AND SOUTHEASTERN MINNESOTA YOU GET A TWO-FER.

IT'S ALSO A SPECIAL GENERAL ELECTION TO FILL THE UNEXPIRED TERM OF THE LATE CONGRESSMAN JIM HAGEDORN.

>> IS THAT THE ONE YOU'RE GETTING MOST QUESTIONS ABOUT?

BECAUSE THAT IS CONFUSING, ISN'T IT?

>> YEAH, AND UNDERSTANDLY SO.

MOST OF THE PEOPLE IN THE AREA ARE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT THE BALLOT AND SEEING SOME OF THE SAME NAMES.

ONE FOR THE SPECIAL GENERAL AND ONE FOR THE REGULAR PRIMARY IT'S UNDERSTANDABLY CONFUSING.

WE'RE REACHING OUT TO COUNTIES AND CITIES AND THEY IN TURN ARE ANSWERING ELECTION JUDGES FOR QUESTIONS.

NOT SO MUCH YET BECAUSE AS YOU'D IMAGINE MOST OF THE -- VOTING THAT HAPPENS IS IN THE FINAL FEW DAYS.

HUMAN NATURE BEING WHAT IT IS PEOPLE WANT TO WAIT 'TIL THE LAST MINUTE, NOT BECAUSE THEY'RE PROCRASTINATING BUT BECAUSE THEY WANT TO GET ALL THE UP TO DATE INFORMATION ON THE CANDIDATE.

>> YOU THINK MOST OF THE WORK IS YET AHEAD AND PEOPLE ARE STILL INTERESTED IN THIS EARLY VOTING OPTION WHICH IS STILL RELATIVELY NEW IN OUR STATE >> YEAH, I THINK SO.

AND PEOPLE HAVE COME TO APPRECIATE THE EARLY VOTING OPTION.

REMEMBER IN 2020 GENERAL ELECTION NOW 58% OF MINNESOTANS, PRETTY GOOD MAJORITY VOTED IN A WAY OTHER THAN THE OLD FASHIONED WAY.

THEY VOTED ABSENTEE, MOSTLY AT HOME BUT ALSO IN-PERSON.

PROBABLY BECAUSE OF COVID BUT STILL ONLY 42% VOTED OLD FASHIONED WAY IN A POLLING PLACE ON ELECTION DAY.

>> AND WILL THAT BE HARD TO PULL BACK?

I KNOW YOUR OPPONENT, YOU'RE IN A RACE COMING UP THIS FALL.

PEOPLE HAVE RAISED SECURITY ABOUT DROP BOXES AND EARLY VOTING.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THAT?

>> OUR SYSTEM IS VERY SECURE.

IT'S ONE OF HONESTY, INTEGRITY, CLEAR CHAIN OF CUSTODY.

REMEMBER IN 2020 FOR THE THIRD TIME IN A ROW WE WERE NUMBER ONE IN AMERICA FOR TURNOUT AND A PERSONAL BEST FOR MINNESOTA SINCE 1956 WE HAD ALMOST 80% OF ELIGIBLE VOTERS VOTING.

I DON'T THINK AS A MATTER OF CONCOMMON SENSE THAT WOULD HAPPEN UNLESS MOST PEOPLE KNEW IT WAS FUNDAMENTALLY SECURE.

NOT THAT THERE ISN'T GOOD DECISION ON DIRECTION OF THE POLICY, BUT PEOPLE ON THE LOCAL LEVEL, YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS DOING BALLOT COUNTING.

>> WE ENJOYED VERY HIGH TURNOUT FOR GENERAL ELECTION.

PRIMARY ELECTION NOT SO MUCH.

HOW DO WE COMPARE TO THE REST OF THE COUNTRY?

>> WE DO QUITE WELL IN MINNESOTA, BUT IT STANDS TO REASON EVERYWHERE IN AMERICA PRIMARY TURNOUT IS USUALLY LOT LOWER AND LOWER OFTEN IF THERE ISN'T A GALVANIZING OR INTERESTING CONTEST FOR PEOPLE.

HERE THOUGH ITH AT LEAST FIRST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WE DO HAVE THAT.

WE HAVE A HOT PRIMARY FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL ON THE G.O.P.

SIDE SO THERE ARE A NUMBER OF CONTESTS DRAWING A LOT OF ATTENTION.

>> IS IT TRUE BECAUSE I DO KNOW INDEPENDENT VOTERS WHO DON'T VOTE IN PRIMARIES BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO PICK A SIDE AND THEY DON'T WANT TO DO THAT.

DO YOU THINK THAT DETERS PEOPLE IN OUR STATE WHERE WE DO LEGITIMATELY HAVE INDEPENDENT VOTERS AND SWING VOTERS?

>> NOT NECESSARILY THAT YOU HAVE TO PICK A SIDE.

NOBODY KNOWS WHAT SIDE THAT IS, IT'S COMPLETELY CONFIDENT, AS LONG AS YOU STICK TO YOUR SIDE, IN OTHER WORDS YOU HAVE O VOTE FOR ALL THE CANDIDATES ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE OR D.F.L.

SIDE.

I'M NOT SURE ABOUT THAT.

WE HAVE A LONG TRADITION OF OPEN PRIMARY, THE ALTERNATIVE WOULD BE SOMETHING LIKE PUTTING UP PARTY REGISTRATION WHICH WE'VE NEVER HAD IN MINNESOTA, THANK GOODNESS FOR THAT.

WE REGISTER AS A D.F.L.ER OR AS REPUBLICAN.

WE'RE IN THE MAJORITY, MOST STATES DO HAVE THAT.

I THINK PEOPLE DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE SIGNING ON DOTTED LINE LISTING THEIR PARTY AFFILIATION.

I THINK THAT IS WORTH KEEPING AND AT LEAST FOR THE PRIMARY RIGHT NOW.

♪♪ >> SPRINGTIME AND EARLY SUMMER THAT BROUGHT A LOT OF RAINFALL, PORTIONS OF MINNESOTA ARE EXPERIENCING DROUGHT CONDITIONS AS RAIN HAS BEEN SCARCE, TEMPERATURES HAVING TROPICAL.

WEATHER GURU PAUL DOUGLAS -- LOOK AT YOU BY THE LAKE -- JOINS US FOR OUR MONTHLY CHAT.

HAS HIS FINGERS IN MANY ORGANIZATIONS, WCCO RADIO, HERE AT ALMANAC.

ALL RIGHT, WHAT LAKE ARE YOU AT?

>> THIS HERE IS MINNETONKA BEHIND ME.

>> NICE FOR YOU, NICE FOR YOU.

>> YEAH, THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: YES.

HOW, MY FRIEND, DID WE GO FROM FLOODS TO DROUGHT?

>> WHETHER WHIPLASH.

IT'S AMAZING HOW FAST THE WEATHER CAN CHANGE AT THIS LATITUDE, CATHY.

I WAS TOLD 40 YEARS AGO THAT ONLY SIBERIA HAS GREATER SWINGS IN TEMPERATURE AND MOISTURE THAN MINNESOTA AND THE DAKOTAS.

THE FARTHER AWAY YOU GET FROM OCEANS, THE MODERATING INFLUENCE OF OCEANS, THE FASTER THE WEATHER CAN CHANGE.

BUT NOW WE'RE HEADING INTO A FLASH DROUGHT.

AND CHECK THIS OUT.

THIS IS FROM FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HERE IN THE TWIN CITIES.

ABOUT JUNE 20TH OUR CLIMATE HAS BEEN SIMILAR TO WHAT YOU MIGHT EXPECT IN KANSAS CITY.

>> Cathy: AH.

>> WHICH IS KIND OF BIZARRE.

LAST MONTH, JUNE WAS THE FIFTH DRYEST ON ECORD, MODERN DAY RECORDS.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE LAST 30 DAYS, SIXTH WARMEST, TENTH DRYEST.

SO ROUGHLY OUR WEATHER, MOISTURE AND TEMPERATURES COMPARED WITH KANSAS CITY.

SO I FOUND THAT INTERESTING.

AND I KNOW THERE WAS A LOT OF ANGST, GNASHING OF TEETH BACK IN APRIL.

CHILLY APRIL, 30S, 40S, 50S, WILL WE HAVE A REAL SUMMER?

YEAH, TODAY WAS THE 14TH DAY OF 90-PLUS AND AT THE RATE WE'RE GOING I THINK WE'LL WIND UP WITH 20, 23 BY MID-SEPTEMBER.

NOT S HOT AS LAST SUMMER WHICH WAS THE WARMEST SUMMER IN TWIN CITIES HISTORY RECORDED HISTORY AND THAT WAS THE CASE FOR MUCH OF MINNESOTA AND NOW WE HAVE SEVERE DROUGHT.

THAT'S ONE OF THE BIG STORIES.

AND THAT SEVERE DROUGHT IS CENTERED ON THE TWIN CITIES, ESPECIALLY SOUTH METRO.

AND THE DROUGHT IS SPREADING RAPIDLY.

AND THE PROBLEM, RAINFALL WENT OFF A CLIFF AFTER A FAIRLY WET APRIL AND MAY AND EARLY JUNE.

THIS IS SINCE MAY 1ST, SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE GROWING SEASON, IABOUT A 4 TO 5-INCH DEFICIT CENTERED OVER THE TWIN CITIES.

6-INCH SURPLUS UP TOWARDS DETROIT LAKES AND FERGUS FALLS.

MUCH OF CENTRAL AND NORTHERN MINNESOTA IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE.

SOUTHERN HALF THE STATE, WAY TOO DRY.

LIKE A FLASH FLOOD, THESE FLASH DROUGHTS COME OUT SUDDENLY.

IT'S ALL OR NOTHING.

AND SPEAKING OF EXTREMES, ENHANCED RISK OF THUNDERSTORMS SATURDAY EVENING, SATURDAY AFTERNOON.

LARGE HAIL, COULD BE DAMAGING WINDS, EVEN A FEW ISOLATED TORNADOES.

YEAH, WE NEED THE RAIN.

WE COULD LIVE WITHOUT THE OTHER STUFF.

I FOUND THIS INTERESTING.

SINCE 1970 THE AVERAGE TEMPERATURES IN THE TWIN CITIES DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS HAVE WARMED ALMOST 3-DEGREES.

CHECK THIS OUT.

MOST OF THAT WARMING, THOUGH, IS AT NIGHT.

WE WARMED 4 AND A HALF DEGREES IN THE TWIN CITIES AT NIGHT.

THE REASON A WARMER ATMOSPHERE CAN HOLD MORE WATER, THE MORE WATER YOU HAVE IN THE AIR, THE LESS THE MERCURY CAN DROP AT NIGHT.

AND SO THE NIGHTS CONSISTENTLY WARMING AND THAT'S THE REAL PROBLEM WITH HEAT WAVES.

IT ISN'T THE DAYTIME HEAT, TEMPERATURES DON'T GET MUCH BELOW 80-DEGREES, PEOPLE CAN'T GET SLEEP AND THAT CAN MAGNIFY PREEXISTING CONDITIONS.

NEXT WEEK 70S AND 80S, TEMPORARY RELIEF, A DROP IN HUMIDITY, A PARADE OF COOLER FRONTS.

AND IT LOOKS PRETTY GOOD.

THE LAST WEEK OF JULY IS GOING TO BE COOLER THAN AVERAGE ACROSS MUCH OF THE NORTHERN -- THE HEAT WAVE CONTINUES TO SIZZLE OVER MUCH OF THE WEST AND MUCH OF THE SOUTH.

WEATHER MODEL KEEPS US WARMER THAN AVERAGE.

AND I FOUND IT INTERESTING, KENNY BLOOMENFELD AT THE MINNESOTA D.N.R.

BASICALLY SAID THAT TO DATE THIS HAS BEEN THE WINDIEST YEAR IN THE LAST 40 YEARS HERE IN THE TWIN CITIES.

AND ACROSS MOST OF THE STATE.

SO IN TERMS OF WIND GUSTS OVER 40 MILES AN HOUR, OFF THE SCALE.

AND I'M JUST HAPPY NOW ANY DAY THAT THE WINDS AREN'T HOWLING.

CATHY AND ERIC.

>> Eric: LOOKS IKE YOU'RE REALLY BUSTING A PICK OUT THERE.

TOUGH DUTY.

>> YEAH.

I'M A LITTLE PARCHED.

>> Eric: PAUL DOUGLAS, EVERYBODY!

>> SEE YA.

>> Cathy: BYE!

>> HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.

>> THIS YEAR MARKS THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF TITLE IX AND THIS WEEK WOMEN'S SOCCER HAS BEEN MARKING THE OCCASION IN BIG CAPITAL LETTERS THIS WEEKEND, THE MINNESOTA AURORA WILL TRY TO COMPLETE AN UNDEFEATED SEASON IN A BID FOR THE INAUGURAL CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE U.S.L.

W LEAGUE.

AND AN EMAIL POPPED UP IN MY INBOX THIS WEEK LETTING ME KNOW THAT TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE FOR THE MINNESOTA GOPHER SOCCER SQUAD, WHICH PLAYS IN ONE OF MY FAVORITE VENUES, ELIZABETH LYLE ROBBIE STADIUM ON THE ST. PAUL CAMPUS.

WHILE I CELEBRATE THESE MILESTONES, I CONFESS THAT I ALSO FRET A LITTLE.

THE STANDS IN MONTERREY, MEXICO WEREN'T EXACTLY PACKED FOR THAT U.S - CANADA GAME.

THE AURORA AVERAGED 5,500 FANS PER GAME THIS SEASON.

BUT ACROSS THE BORDER, THE GREEN BAY GLORY PLAY IN A 500-SEAT "“STADIUM.

"” THERE'’S A CHICKEN-AND-EGG QUESTION ABOUT EXPOSURE AND ATTENDANCE-SLASH-ENTHUSIASM- SLASH-REVENUE.

BUT, AS WOMEN'’S SOCCER HAS TAUGHT US, PERSISTENCE PLUS ENTHUSIASM PLUS A REFUSAL TO TAKE THE STATUS QUO FOR GRANTED IS A PRETTY POWERFUL COMBINATION.

AND THE REVERSE OFFERS A CAUTIONARY TALE.

JUST BECAUSE SOMETHING HAS BEEN AROUND FOR 50 YEARS DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN IT'’LL BE AROUND TOMORROW.

AFTER THE AURORA FINISH THEIR SEASON, MOST OF THE SQUAD WILL HEAD BACK TO THEIR COLLEGE TEAMS, INCLUDING A COUPLE WOMEN WHO PLAY FOR ST. THOMAS.

THE TOMMIES OPEN THEIR SEASON AT HOME WITH A FRIENDLY AUGUST 8TH GAME AGAINST MY GOPHERS.

THOUGH IT'’S NOT ELIZABETH LYLE ROBBIE STADIUM, I WILL BE THERE, CHEERING THE MAROON AND GOLD.

BECAUSE IT IS IMPORTANT TO SUPPORT YOUR TEAM.

EVEN -- ESPECIALLY -- IN HOSTILE TERRITORY.

[ APPLAUSE ] ♪♪ >> Eric: ST. PAUL VOTERS APPROVED A RENT CONTROL MEASURE LAST FALL THAT CAPS YEARLY RENT INCREASES AT 3%.

AT THE TIME THERE WAS CONCERN FROM ALL SIDES ON HOW IT WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED AS WRITTEN.

AND THIS WEEK THE FIRST APPEAL BY A LANDLORD WAS APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL, ALLOWING A 15% RENT INCREASE FOR THE BUILDING THAT WAS IN QUESTION.

FRED MELO IS A LONGTIME 'PIONEER PRESS' REPORTER WHO HAS BEEN WATCHING THIS ISSUE CLOSELY.

FRED, WHAT GIVES HERE?

3% WAS THE GOAL AND HERE'S 15%.

>> JUST QUINTUPLED OVERNIGHT.

KIND OF GOOD NEWS IF YOU CAN GET IT.

YEAH, IF THERE'S AN APARTMENT BUILDING ON RAYMOND AVENUE IN ST. PAUL.

IT WAS ACQUIRED IN APRIL BY A DEVELOPER NAMED Mr. LINDQUIST AND HIS SON.

AND THEY SAID, LOOK, RENTS HAVEN'T GONE UP IN YEARS.

THE PREVIOUS OWNER WASN'T PUTTING MUCH MONEY INTO IT.

AS SOON AS WE BOUGHT IT WE REPLACED THE ROOF, WE PLAN TO REMODEL EVERY UNIT OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO GET ANY KIND OF RETURN, OUR BOTTOM LINE, OUR NET OPERATING INCOME IS GOING TO BE NEGATIVE IF WE DON'T HAVE A PRETTY SUBSTANTIAL EXCEPTION TO THE 3% RENT LIMIT >> Eric: ARE PEOPLE STANDING IN LINE TO GET EXCEPTIONS, WAIVERS?

>> LAST I HEARD THERE WAS 76 APPLICATIONS FOR EXCEPTIONS IN ST. PAUL.

THAT WAS BEFORE THE LIMIT SUPPOSEDLY QUINTUPLED, SO, YEAH, I THINK THIS MAY HAVE OPENED THE FLOOD GATES.

15% INCREASE IS A LOT MORE THAN 3%.

>> Cathy: RIGHT, WHAT'S THIS SELF-CERTIFICATION BUSINESS?

>> YEAH, SO VOTERS LAST NOVEMBER SAID WE WANT RENT INCREASE TO BE LIMITED TO 3% INCREASES ANNUALLY.

BUT THERE IS A LITTLE LINE IN THAT BALLOT REFERENDUM THAT YOU'RE ENTITLED TO A REASONABLE RATE OF RETURN.

SO THE CITY KIND OF CREATED THIS PROCESS THAT SAYS, WELL, LET'S COMPARE HOW MUCH MONEY YOU MADE IN 2019, ADJUST THAT BY THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX AND THAT WILL BE KIND OF YOUR BASE.

IF YOU KIND OF SUBMIT SOMETHING TO THE CITY ALMOST LIKE A TAX FORM THAT SAYS, LOOK, I REALLY CAN'T, YOU KNOW, GET A REASONABLE RATE OF RETURN BASED ON I'M CHARGING.

LET ME GO UP TO 8%.

AS LONG AS YOU'RE BELOW THE 8% YOU CAN KIND OF SELF-CERTIFY, SUBMIT THAT AND THEN DO IT.

THAT'S SUBJECT TO AUDITED, YOU MIGHT HAVE TO SHOW FINANCIALS IF THEY ASK FOR IT.

YOU DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO GO TO A BIG APPEAL HEARING IF IT'S BELOW 8% UNLESS SOMEONE FIGHTS IS.

>> Eric: HOW ARE THE VOTERS REACTING TO THE GOING OVER THE 3%?

>> THERE'S A LOT OF REACTION BUT MOSTLY IT'S WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON?

THERE WAS ONE TENANT AT THE RAYMOND AVENUE COMPLEX, SHE'S BEEN IN THE MEDIA SAYING -- WELL, IT WAS ACTUALLY TWO MEN, THAT WHEN WE STARTED RAISING A STINK, THEY SAID BY THE WAY WE'RE REMODELING OUR UNIT, YOU'RE NOT INVITED BACK HERE.

YOUR LEASE IS OVER.

THERE'S A VARIETY OF REACTION, NOT ALL THAT PLEASANT.

>> Cathy: I WONDER, THIS WENT INTO EFFECT IN MAY, RIGHT?

I ASSUME THERE'S GOING TO BE TWEAKING TO THIS.

>> YEAH, SO THE MAYOR MELVIN CARTER CREATED A 41-MEMBER STAKEHOLDER GROUP.

THE ONE THING THE MAYOR WANTED WAS A 15-YEAR EXEMPTION.

NEW CONSTRUCTION COULD BE EXEMPT FROM RENT CONTROL.

JUST TO GIVE MOVEMENT, THERE'S A LOT OF ON HOLD.

HE SAID, HEY, LET'S LET THE 41-MEMBER STAKEHOLDER GROUP THINK ABOUT RECOMMENDATIONS.

AND THE CITY COUNCIL IS GOING TO MULL THEM OVER AND WE'LL PROBABLY SEE MOVEMENT THIS FALL.

>> Eric: INFLATION HAS WREAKED HAVOC?

>> I WOULD THINK SO.

CONSTRUCTION, REMODELING, CERTAINLY ROOF REPLACEMENT, THOSE COSTS GO UP EVERY DAY.

>> Cathy: I'M SORRY, I WAS GOING TO ASK THIS QUESTION.

WHEN IT COMES TO NEW CONSTRUCTION THAT YOU'VE TALKED ABOUT, HAS THAT BEEN TAMPED DOWN BECAUSE OF THIS?

>> YEAH, I DON'T HAVE THE LATEST NUMBERS BUT IT'S KIND OF A MOVING TARGET.

THERE'S A FEDERAL LAWSUIT RIGHT NOW BY TWO PROPERTY OWNERS IN MINNETONKA THAT SAYS, LOOK, THE CITY'S LOST $1.6 BILLION IN VALUE.

THE RESALE VALUES OF EXISTING PROPERTIES ARE DOWN.

AS EARLY ON WE SAW NUMBERS PLUMMET LIKE 08%.

THAT MAY HAVE LEVELED OFF -- MAY HAVE PICKED UP, I SHOULD SAY, BUT CERTAINLY IS A CONCERN.

>> Eric: YOUR STUFF IS ARCHIVED AT TWIN CITIES.COM AND IT'S COMPLICATED STUFF AND YOU DO A GREAT JOB EXPLAINING IT.

MORE FARMERS IN THE STATE HAVE BEEN EXPLORING AGRITOURISM THAN EVER BEEN.

KAOMI LEE VISITED ONE FARM IN WRENSHALL THAT NOT ONLY TAKES YOU BEHIND THE SCENES BUT PUTS YOU TO WORK IF YOU WANT TO.

>> AT JASON AND LUCIE AMUNDSEN'S FARM IN WREN WRENSHALL, CHICKENS OUTNUMBER THE WORKING HUMANS 60 TO 1.

>> JASON HAD A MIDLIFE CRISES.

HE READ THE MICHAEL POLLACK BOOK AND GOT KIND OF OBSESSED WITH POULTRY AND THAT BEAUTIFUL CYCLE THAT IS PASTURE POULTRY.

A LOT OF COMPROMISING LATER WE ENDED UP BUYING A FARM.

>> EIGHT YEARS AGO THEY HATCHED THE PASTURE RAISED LOCALLY LAID EGG COMPANY.

>> DIFFERENT THAN CAGE FREE, IT'S IFFERENT THAN FREE RANGE.

THERE ARE ALL THESE DIFFERENT TERMS.

I LIKE TO THINK THAT AT THE EPI-CUSP OF HENLIGHTENMENT, WE ARE THE PLATINUM STANDARD OF BIRDS OUTSIDE ON ROTATED PASTURE SO THEY ALWAYS HAVE THIS FRESH SALAD BAR.

>> TODAY THEY HAVE 400 CHICKENS AND PARTNER WITH 7 OTHER FARMS.

THEIR EGGS ARE SOLD FROM THE IRON RANGE TO TWIN CITIES.

IT'S LABOR-INTENSIVE WORK BUT THE AMUNDSENS.

>> IT'S ONE OF THOSE JOBS.

EVERYONE WANTS TO RUN A COFFEE SHOP, EVERYONE WANTS TO OWN A BOOKSTORE AND PEOPLE WANT TO WORK ON A FARM.

>> AND NOW YOU CAN TOO.

THE AMUNDSEN'S OPENED THEIR FARM FOR OVERNIGHT GUESTS.

THEY CALL IT AIRB-N-BAWK.

STARTING AT $46 A NIGHT YOU'RE IN FOR A CLOSE ENCOUNTER.

>> THIS IS THE NEST.

IT'S SOLAR.

INSIDE THERE IS A SOLAR BOX SO THAT YOU CAN CHARGE YOUR PHONE AND TURN A FAN ON.

AND YOU GO INSIDE, YOU CAN SEE THAT THERE IS SLEEPING FOR THREE.

WHAT MAKES IT UNIQUE IS THAT THERE'S A COOP ATTACHED TO IT.

YOU CAN SEE THE BIRDS RIGHT THROUGH IT.

YOU AN SEE A CHICKEN GOING INTO THE NESTING BOX RIGHT NOW.

SO IT'S LIKE A HEN AQUARIUM.

MORE AND MORE FARMERS IN MINNESOTA ARE DIPPING THEIR TOE INTO AGRITOURISM BUT FEW ARE DOING IT LIKE THIS.

♪♪ >> OH, WOW.

THIS IS BEAUTIFUL.

>> WELCOME TO THE PERCH.

>> AT $150 A NIGHT, GUESTS CAN CHOOSE TO HAVE A MORE ELEVATED FARM EXPERIENCE.

AMUNDSENS SAYS THEIR AIRB-N-BAWK IS A GOOD VALUE COMPARED TO A HOTEL STAY IN DULUTH.

>> PEOPLE ACTUALLY WILL PAY TO WORK.

>> YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES PEOPLE DRAG ME A LITTLE BIT FOR THAT, BUT I'D LIKE TO THINK PEOPLE TO THINK ABOUT IT AS A CLASS LIKE YOU WOULD PAY TO GO LEARN HOW TO PAINT OR LEARN HOW TO DO ANY SKILL.

AND THIS IS KIND OF THE SAME.

>> THOUGH IT'S NOT REQUIRED, GETTING A CHANCE TO GET INVOLVED IS THE PERK.

AND AN EXTRA PAIR OF HANDS ALSO HELPS THE FARM IN A TIGHT LABOR MARKET.

BUT THE MOST VALUABLE ASPECT OF THE AIRB-N-BAWK FOR AMUNDSENS IS EDUCATION.

>> WE'RE LEARNING THAT PEOPLE ARE CURIOUS.

AND THAT IS HEARTENING FOR ME THAT PEOPLE WANT TO LEARN ABOUT THEIR FOOD, THEY WANT TO LEARN ABOUT BIRDS, PEOPLE WANT TO TAKE SELFIES WITH CHICKENS, WHICH I THINK IS GREAT.

AND IF COMING TO DO THIS KIND OF WHIMSICAL EVENT MAKES PEOPLE THINK DIFFERENTLY AND MAYBE GET EVEN MORE CURIOUS, MAYBE THEY'LL END UP DOING SOME MORE READING.

MAYBE THEY'LL END UP GETTING SOME BACKYARD BIRDS.

I THINK IT'S ALL A START.

WE'RE PLANTING SEEDS.

>> LOOK AT THIS!

>> FARM MANAGER BRETT AMUNDSEN, NO RELATION TO THE FARM'S OWNERS EXPERTLY SHOWED THIS FIRST TIMER HOW TO COLLECT THE EGGS.

>> THEY'RE GOING TO ALL COME AND SEE WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

>> THEY'RE SURPRISINGLY SKITTISH AND TERRITORIAL ABOUT WHERE THEY NEST.

>> MOST HENS WILL USE EACH NESTING BOX AND LAY ONE EGG AT A TIME.

>> IT'S AMAZING THEY DON'T BREAK THEM.

>> THEY'RE SURPRISINGLY GENTLE AND THEY'VE GOT A LOT OF PADDING, RIGHT?

>> THE AMUNDSENS ALSO HAVE A 14-ACRE HONEYBERRY ORCHARD.

>> WE LOOKED AT IT AS JUST A NICHE THAT WASN'T BEING MET.

AGAIN, WE HAVE SO MANY DIFFERENT VARIETIES.

SO THIS IS AN INDIGO GEM THAT WE WERE WORKING WITH PROCESSING EARLIER.

SO, AGAIN, YOU'RE LOOKING FOR THIS BERRY THAT IS UNIFORM IN COLOR AND IT'S GOING TO BASICALLY JUST FALL RIGHT OFF THE BUSH.

>> THE CREW ALSO USES A MACHINE TO SHAKE THE BERRIES OFF THE BUSH.

I ALSO GOT A CHANCE TO LEARN HOW TO SORT THEM.

I CAME AWAY WITH A NEW APPRECIATION OF HOW AND WHERE MY FOOD COMES FROM.

LUCIE SAYS THERE AREN'T AREN'T A LOT OF FARM EXPERIENCES IKE THEIRS NEARBY FOR NOW.

>> I THINK PEOPLE ARE WATCHING US AND THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT WE THINK OF IT AND HOW IT GOES.

♪♪ >> U.S. HOUSE PANEL INVESTIGATING THE JANUARY 6TH INSURRECTION HELD A PRIMETIME HEARING LAST NIGHT, DOCUMENTING INACTION BY PRESIDENT TRUMP FOR MORE THAN THREE HOURS WHILE RIOTERS DESCENDING UPON THE U.S. CAPITOL AS WELL AS THE PRESIDENT'S UNWILLINGNESS TO CONDEMN THAT VIOLENCE OR ADMIT HIS ELECTION LOST.

LARRY JACOBS HEADS UP THE CENTER FOR POLICY AND GOVERNANCE.

HERE TOO IS MICHAEL MINTA, PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AT THE U OF M. WELL, PROFESSOR MINTA, DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT'S HEARING?

>> YES, I DID.

>> Cathy: OKAY.

WHAT ARE THE TAKEAWAYS OF THAT HEARING FOR YOU?

>> OH, WELL, AS SOMEONE WHO LOOKS AT HEARINGS A LOT IT'S A VERY DIFFERENT HEARING, RIGHT?

IN TERMS OF DEMOCRATS MAKING A CASE THAT TRUMP AND HIS ADVISERS, THEY KNEW AND THEY WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT INACTION.

BEFORE THERE WAS THIS NARRATIVE THAT MAYBE THE PRESIDENT DIDN'T KNOW.

BUT IT WAS VERY CLEAR THAT THE PRESIDENT KNEW WHAT WAS GOING ON AND THEY WANTED TO HAMMER HOME THAT THE PRESIDENT CHOSE NOT TO ACT.

THAT'S ONE OF THE BIG HINGS THAT HE HAD AND MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO GO OUT AND MAYBE TRY TO STOP THE MOB.

BUT HE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING, SO I THINK THAT'S WHAT THEY WANTED TO HAMMER HOME.

>> Cathy: AND THE DANGER EVIDENTLY THAT THE VICE PRESIDENT WAS IN.

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

THE VICE PRESIDENT WAS IN DANGER.

YOU HAD SECRET SERVICE DETAIL CALLING HOME TO SAY GOODBYE TO THEIR FAMILIES.

IT WAS PRETTY SCARY.

I THINK WHAT'S REALLY QUITE FASCINATING ABOUT IT THIS, YOU GO BACK TO THE BEGINNING IT WAS LIKE A, OH, YAWN, IT'S JUST THE PEOPLE ALREADY CONVINCED THAT TRUMP WAS RESPONSIBLE THAT CARE.

THE POLLS ARE TRENDING CONSISTENTLY RIGHT NOW.

IT IS DRAWING WIDE ATTENTION, CHANGING THE WAY PEOPLE VIEW TRUMP'S CULPABILITY, INCREASING IT EVEN AMONG REPUBLICANS.

INDEPENDENTS, 63% OR MORE THINK TRUMP IS RESPONSIBLE AND THEY MAY ACTOR THAT INTO WHO THEY SUPPORT IN A RUN FOR CONGRESS.

ALL THIS WAS NOT EXPECTED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE HEARINGS.

SO IT'S BEEN QUITE A PRODUCTION.

I THINK THEY SHOULD GET KUDOS FOR THEIR TV PRODUCTION.

>> Eric: CHANCE OF CRIMINAL CHARGES BEING FILED AGAINST THE FORMER PRESIDENT?

>> OH, THAT'S THE MILLION-DOLLAR QUESTION.

I HAVE NO IDEA.

DEMOCRATS ARE DOING THEIR BEST.

I MEAN, THEY GOT THE LAWYERS, EVERYONE'S ASKING QUESTIONS, EVERYONE'S BEING VERY CAREFUL IN THEIR STATEMENTS.

I DON'T WANT TO GO OUT ON A LIMB AND SAY WHETHER OR NOT -- I DON'T THINK THAT IT WILL, BUT IT'S VERY POSSIBLE.

>> Eric: WHAT WOULD THE POLITICAL REPERCUSSIONS BE?

FURTHER DIVIDING THE COUNTRY, OR IS IT SO DIVIDED IT DON'T MATTER ANYMORE?

>> NO, IT'S GOING TO REINFORCE THE DIVISION.

SOME OF THE POLLS YOU'RE SEEING SOMETIME REPUBLICANS SAYING, YEAH, IT'S TIME FOR DONALD TRUMP TO LEAVE.

I WOULD SUPPORT MERRICK GARLAND GOING SLOW ON THIS, COLLECTING THE EVIDENCE.

I THINK THAT THERE'S TOO MUCH OF THE, YOU KNOW, JUDGE JUDY SORT OF ASSUMPTIONS.

WE'VE SEEN THE EVIDENCE ALREADY.

WELL, ACTUALLY, THE WAY IT WORKS IS YOU HAVE TO COLLECT A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF DATA, IT'S GOT TO SHOW PROB CAUSE THAT WOULD CONVINCE EVERY JUROR.

THERE'S NO CROSS-EXAMINATION HERE.

WE'RE SEEING LITTLE SNIPPETS THAT ARE CAREFULLY SELECTED BEING SHOWN, AND IT'S A KIND OF RUSH TO JUDGMENT I THINK.

IF YOU LOOK BACK AT WATERGATE IT TOOK TWO YEARS TO INDICT NIXON'S TOP AIDS, IT TOOK FIVE YEARS FOR THE SPECIAL PROSECUTOR TO COMPLETE HIS REPORT.

WE'RE JUST AT THE BEGINNING AND I THINK IT'S PREMATURE.

>> AND I WANTED TO ADD ONE MORE THING.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT LARRY BROUGHT UP IS ABOUT THE OTHER SIDE'S NOT BEING PRESENTED.

AND, AGAIN, SPEAKER PELOSI AND LEADER MCCARTHY, THEY DECIDED THEY DIDN'T ANT -- PELOSI DIDN'T WANT THOSE REPUBLICANS ON THE PANEL.

BUT I THINK THAT BY FRAMING IT THIS PARTICULAR WAY WE'RE ALSO NOT LOOKING AT SOME OF THE LARGER ISSUES LIKE A FAILURE BY THE CAPITOL POLICE TO REALLY STOP THIS.

SO, YES, THE PRESIDENT COULD HAVE HAD SOME INVOLVEMENT IN TERMS OF TRYING TO -- NOT TRY TO STOP IT, BUT THE CAPITOL POLICE AND SOME OF THE FAILURES AT THE CAPITOL, THAT HASN'T BEEN EXAMINED, THAT'S KIND OF WITHIN UNDER THE RADDER AND THAT'S A VERY BIG ISSUE THAT'S NOT GETTING ANY PLAY AT ALL.

>> IT WOULD GET ISSUE AND ATTENTION IF THERE WAS AN ACTUAL COURT CASE.

>> Cathy: THE PANEL ANNOUNCED -- I SHOULD SAY AT THE BEGINNING OF THE HEARING LAST NIGHT -- THAT THERE WILL BE MORE WORK TO BE DONE.

SO WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL BE UNCOVERED NEXT?

ANY IDEA?

>> I'M VERY IMPRESSED BY THEIR INVENTIVENESS.

THIS HAS BEEN A FABULOUSLY PRODUCED TV SHOW.

LAST NIGHT I MEAN, EVERYONE'S STILL TALKING ABOUT CASSIDY HUTCHINSON.

BUT IN TERMS OF WHAT ELSE IS COMING, I THOUGHT WHAT WAS INTERESTING IS THEY SAID MORE AND MORE SENIOR PEOPLE ARE COMING FORWARD AND THEY WANT TO BE ON THE RECORD, THEY WANT TO BE PART OF THIS BECAUSE THEY CAN SEE NOW THAT DONALD TRUMP IS FADING AND THEY DON'T WANT TO BE PART OF THE HISTORY THAT HAS APPEARED TO BE JUSTIFYING OR AT LEAST QUIET.

>> Eric: STEVE BANNON FOUND GUILTY OF CONTEMPT OF CONGRESS.

FACES JAIL OR TIME, OR DOES HE IF HE NOW -- SENTENCING HASN'T HAPPENED YET SO CAN HE BECOME MORE COOPERATIVE WITH THE PANEL AND GET A REDUCED SENTENCE?

I KNOW YOU'RE NOT A LAWYER -- ARE YOU A LAWYER?

>> NO, NO, I DON'T PRETEND TO BE ONE EITHER.

I THINK THAT, I DON'T KNOW, BANNON SEEMS LIKE HE'S ONE OF THOSE SOLDIERS FOR TRUMP.

I MEAN, EVEN THOUGH HE WAS ON THE OUTS BUT JUST ALL THE RHETORIC OF CHALLENGING BENNY THOMPSON TO COME OVER HERE AND A COWARD, SO I DON'T KNOW, HE JUST SEEMS LIKE THIS GUY WHO'S WILLING TO GO TO JAIL JUST FOR THE CAUSE.

BUT, AGAIN, I DON'T KNOW.

BUT GOING TO JAIL AND THEN MAYBE MAKING A COMPROMISE SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO, ME MIGHT COME FORWARD BUT I DOUBT IT.

>> Eric: DOES THIS RIPPLE THROUGH THE PROCEEDINGS OR IS THIS A SIDESHOW?

>> IT'S A SIDESHOW I THINK.

EVEN.

>> EVEN IF BANNON WERE TO TESTIFY I THINK WE COULD EXPECT IT MIGHT BE VIDEOTAPED, IT MIGHT BE SPLICE THE IN, IT MIGHT NOT BE USED AT ALL.

I THINK HE COMMITTEE HAS GOTTEN AWAY WITH THIS VERY, YOU KNOW, UNUSUAL SORT OF HEARING.

THEY'RE SHOWING CLIPS THAT SUPPORT THEIR CASE AND IT'S LIKE, WHAT, ALL THESE FOLKS IN THE TRUMP WHITE HOUSE HAVE NOTHING ELSE TO SAY?

>> Cathy: DO YOU THINK THAT IF THERE WERE REPUBLICANS THERE IT WOULD BE SOMETHING DIFFERENT?

>> HORRIBLE DECISION BY LEADER MCCARTHY NOT TO HAVE REPUBLICANS.

AND HE PUT UP JIM JORDAN WHO'S A WELL KNOWN RENEGADE.

THAT WASN'T A RESPONSE.

HE COULD HAVE PUT UP ANY NUMBER OF RESPONSIBLE REPUBLICANS AND PELOSI WOULD HAVE BEEN FORCED TO PUT THEM ON.

>> AND THEY COULD HAVE DEFLECTED AND TALKED ABOUT FAILURE OF CAPITOL POLICE AND SERGEANT AT ARMS OF THE HOUSE AND SERGEANT AT ARMS OF THE SENATE AND WHAT HAPPENED THERE AND WHY DIDN'T HOUSE AND SENATE LEADERS HAVE MORE -- IN SECURING THE CAPITOL.

THEY COULD HAVE MADE IT A MUCH BIGGER ISSUE AS OPPOSED TO FOCUSING ON TRUMP AND HIS INACTION.

DEMOCRATS ARE USING THIS AND YOU ASKED THIS QUESTION, THE POLITICS BEHIND IT, THEY CAN USE IT FOR THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS FOR -- IF YOU CAN KEEP TRUMP ON THE BALLOT, IT'S WAINER FOR DEMOCRATS.

INFLATION'S HIGH.

I DON'T KNOW HOW SUCCESSFUL THAT WILL BE.

ABORTION JUST CAME UP SO WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> Cathy: DOES THE PRESIDENT RUNG AGAIN?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> WELL, HE'S CERTAINLY I WOULD SAY AMONG THE REPUBLICANS HE'S THE MOST ACTIVE IN EXPLORING A CAMPAIGN AND IF YOU BELIEVE THE LEAKS IT LOOKS LIKE HE IS PREPARING A RUN.

AND HONESTLY THERE'S NOTHING TO STOP THEM BEING NOMINATED.

THE PRIMARY SYSTEM ENTIRELY DEFERS TO THE PRIMARY VOTERS AND IF YOU BELIEVE THE POLLS HE STILL HAS THE MOST PRIMARY SUPPORT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, THAT PROCESS WILL PLAY OUT IN THE COMING MONTHS AND YEAR.

>> Eric: ONE TANGIBLE RESULT OF THIS IS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IN CONGRESS FOR THE ELECTORAL COUNT ACT TO KIND OF CLARIFY THE VICE RESIDENT'S ROLE.

THAT SEEMS TO BE GETTING SOME STEAM MAYBE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

>> YEAH, I THINK IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN TOO.

I THINK THIS IDEA THAT ONE -- THAT YOU CAN BASICALLY HAVE HOUSE MEMBERS OBJECT AND ALL YOU NEEDED IS ONE SENATOR AND YOU CAN BASICALLY CHALLENGE THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION.

YOU KNOW, FUNNY AT 2,000 -- YOU FLIP THE STRIP IN THE BUSH-GORE WHERE CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CONGRESSMEMBERS WERE UPSET ABOUT THE SLATE IN FLORIDA AND FOUND ALL THE VOTING PROBLEMS IN FLORIDA AND THEY WANTED A SENATOR TO JUST TAND UP AND OBJECT AND NO ONE WOULD DO IT.

AND SO NOW IT'S INTERESTING THAT DEMOCRATS ARE PUSHING FOR A CHANGE BECAUSE OF WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW.

>> Eric: IF THEY HAD MUCKED UP THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE IT WOULD HAVE GONE TO THE HOUSE AND THEY'D GET MORE VOTES BECAUSE OF COURSE THERE ARE MORE REPUBLICAN STATES.

>> THAT'S WHAT THE COMMITTEE HAS DONE AND I THINK IT'S BROUGHT OUT ALL THAT PLANNING.

THEY WERE FAIRLY METHODICAL IN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO UNDERMINE THE ELECTION.

I DO THINK THIS REFORM WILL PASS IN THE SENATE IN THE COMING WEEK OR SO IS VERY IMPORTANT.

IT SAYS THAT THE VICE PRESIDENT IS STRICTLY MINISTERIAL, HAS NO POWER.

SO IT'S ENDORSING THE PENCE READING OF THAT ROLE.

IT ALSO -- AND THIS IS THE SECOND PART OF IT, AN IMPORTANT PART - PROVIDES PROTECTIONS AND GREATER SECURITY FOR ELECTION OFFICIALS.

>> Eric: SUMMER SCHOOL'S OVER.

THANKS, FELLAS.

>> Cathy: GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> THANKS.

♪♪ >> Eric: IT IS INDEX FILE TIME WHERE WE ASK ALL OF YOU A HISTORY QUESTION AND THE PRODUCERS HAVE SOME FUN WITH THE ANSWERS.

LAST WEEK WE DUG INTO THE ARCHIVES OF THE MINNEAPOLIS TRIBUNE AND ASKED YOU ABOUT A MINNESOTA POLL THAT THE NEWSPAPER CONDUCTED BY IN APRIL OF 1945.

MANY ITEMS WERE RATIONED DURING WORLD WAR II, AND THE STATE POLLSTERS WANTED TO KNOW WHICH RATIONED ITEM WAS THE MOST MISSED BY MINNESOTANS.

TURNS OUT THAT THERE WAS A RUNAWAY WINNER, 45% OF MINNESOTA'S SURVEY RESPONDENTS PUT THIS ITEM ON TOP OF THE LIST.

AND WE ALSO TOLD YOU THAT MORE WOMEN MISSED THIS RATIONED ITEM THAN MEN DID.

SO THE TASK FOR YOU, ANSWER THE SEEMINGLY SIMPLE QUESTION: WHAT WAS THE MOST MISSED RATIONED ITEM IN MINNESOTA IN 1945?

AS ALWAYS, WE START WITH THE WRONG ANSWERS FIRST.

>> I THINK THE ANSWER TO THIS WEEK'S QUESTION IS COFFEE.

>> I THINK THE ANSWER IS GASOLINE.

I LOVE YOUR PROGRAM.

IT'S AMAZING.

THANK OU!

>> HI, THIS IS MERV UP IN BAUDETTE.

MY WIFE SANDY SAYS THE MOST MISSED RATIONED ITEM WAS SUGAR.

>> THIS IS NOREEN AND I LIVED THROUGH THE RATIONING OF 1945 AND IT WAS NYLON STOCKINGS.

WE WERE PAINTING LINES UP THE BACK OF UR LEGS FOR HEAVEN SAKES!

>> Eric: NYLONSFAR AND AWAY THE MOST POPULAR RONG GUESS GIVEN BY 62% OF YOU.

WHAT WAS THE CORRECT ANSWER?

ONLY THREE OF YOU GOT THIS ONE RIGHT AND HERE'S THE PRODUCER'S FAVORITE.

>> FIRST THING THAT CAME TO MIND WAS MY MOM TURNING ME OUT BECAUSE I LOST A BUTTER AND RATIONING COUPON ON THE WAY TO THE STORE.

SHE REALLY MISSED HER BUTTER.

>> Eric: YES, BUTTER WAS THE MOST MISSED FOLLOWED Y MEAT, SUGAR, GASOLINE.

WHY DIDN'T NYLONS MAKE THE CUT?

WELL, IT APPEARS THAT THEY WERE NOT ON THE LIST OF ITEMS THAT THE POLL ASKED ABOUT.

DO YOU HAVE A HISTORY QUESTION YOU WANT US TO SHARE WITH EVERYBODY?

WE ALWAYS LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU.

GIVE US A CALL.

651-229-1430.

YOU CAN SEND US AN E-MAIL AT TPT.ORG.

SEASON TWO OF THE TPT PROGRAM STAGE PREMIERES TONIGHT.

GREATER MINNESOTA VIEWERS CAN CHECK IT OUT BY GOING TO TPT.ORG/STAGE.

THIS WEEK'S EPISODE FEATURES LIVE PERFORMANCES AT THE DAKOTA JAZZ CLUB IN MINNEAPOLIS.

HERE'S TONIA HUGHES KENDRICK'S RENDITION OF "AMAZING GRACE."

BE BACK NEXT TIME.

BE CAREFUL.

♪♪ >> SINGING: THAT SAVE THE A WRETCH LIKE ME I ONCE WAS LOST, BUT NOW I'M FOUND.

WAS BLIND BUT NOW I SEE.

WAS GRACE THAT TAUGHT MY HEART TO FEAR ... AND GRACE, MY FEARS RELIEVED.

HOW PRECIOUS DID THAT GRACE APPEAR ... >> 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.

AND EDUCATION MINNESOTA.

THE VOICE FOR PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE TATE.

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

ONE GREATER REPORTING ON ALMANAC IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY BREMER OTTO TRUST.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT IS PROVIDED BY THE BLANDEN FOUNDATION.

WORKING TO STRENGTHEN RURAL MINNESOTA.

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