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

>> Cathy: A REALLY BIG SHOW, WE'RE GOING TO ALK WITH MARK SEELEY ABOUT OUR HISTORIC WARM WEATHER, AUTHOR CARY GRIFFITH IS HERE WITH HIS NEW BOOK "GUNFLINT FALLING," WE HAVE LIVE GOSPEL MUSIC FOR YOU WHICH IS FANTASTIC, MARY LAHAMMER WILL VISIT WAS WITH A LONGTIME LAWMAKER AS HE PREPARES TO LEAVE THE LEGISLATURE.

>> FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER KURT DAUDT AND HIS FAITHFUL COMPANION LUCY ARE PACKING UP AND HEADING OUT.

>> IT'S A BITTERSWEET THING FOR ME TO LEAVE THE LEGISLATURE.

>> 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 27 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

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

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

AND PAINTCARE: HELPING MINNESOTANS RECYCLE LEFTOVER PAINT.

MORE AT PAINTCARE.ORG.

>> Cathy: COMING UP IN THE NEXT HOUR WE'LL HEAR ABOUT AN AMBITIOUS PLAN TO CURB HUNGER IN MINNESOTA, A BIPARTISAN GROUP OF LAWMAKERS HAS SOME IDEAS FOR THE FUTURE OF THE MET COUNCIL AND WE HAVE SOME LIVE GOSPEL MUSIC FOR YOU IN THE OLD STUDIO FOR YOU TONIGHT.

>> Eric: WE START WITH THIS WEEK'S HISTORIC WARM WEATHER.

ON WEDNESDAY AMONG THE HIGH TEMP RECORDS SHATTERED ACROSS THE STATE, THE TWIN CITIES AT 55 DEGREES.

IT WAS 53 AT INTERNATIONAL FALLS AND CANBY, MINNESOTA, RECORDED THE HIGHEST STATEWIDE 31ST, 61 DEGREES.

THROW IN THE LACK OF SNOW COVER, ONGOING CONCERNS ABOUT AND OUR NEXT GUEST HAS PLENTY TO TALK ABOUT THIS WINTER.

LONGTIME METEOROLOGIST AND CLIMATOLOGIST AT AT THE U.

WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?

>> WELL, THE TWO MAIN REASONS, ERIC, ARE CLIMATE CHANGE.

WE'VE BEEN MONITORING, ESPECIALLY WE KNOW THE SIGNAL WITH RESPECT TO TEMPERATURE CHANGE IS STRONGEST IN THE WINTER SEASON.

SOME INDIVIDUAL MONTHS HAVE WARMED OVER OUR LIFETIME BY 5 TO 6-DEGREES, WHICH IS HUGE.

THAT USED TO TAKE HUNDREDS OR THOUSANDS OF YEARS TO SEE THAT HAPPEN.

AND THEN AMPLIFIED BY A PRETTY STRONG EL NINO EPISODE.

SO WE'RE TRYING TO PARTITION OUT THE DRIVERS BETWEEN THOSE TWO IS TOUGH, T'S NOT 50/50, I KIND OF TEND TO THINK IT'S MORE CLIMATE CHANGE AND THEN HELPED BY EL NINO.

BUT IT'S DEFINITELY WE HAVE A VERY STRONG PROBABILITY THAT BY THE TIME WE GET THROUGH THIS MONTH, THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY, WE WILL HAVE RECORDED THE WARMEST METEORLOGICAL WINTER IN STATE HISTORY.

>> Cathy: OW, THE WARMEST AT THIS POINT IS 18 # 77, RIGHT?

>> THAT WAS FROM STATE RECORDS, THAT'S CORRECT, CATHY, FOR THE TWIN CITIES.

AND THE STATEWIDE RECORD I'M ALMOST 100% CERTAIN WE'RE GOING TO BE THE TWIN CITIES RECORD FROM 1877, 1878, WE MAY BEAT AS WELL.

WE'LL SEE.

SO FAR THE LONG RANGE CLIMATE PREDICTION FOR FEBRUARY IS THE FIRST HALF OF THE MONTH WE'RE GOING TO AVERAGE SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 13 AND 16-DEGREES WARMER THAN NORMAL.

THAT'S GOING TO BE HARD O OFFSET THE SECOND HALF OF THE MONTH IF WE DO GO COLD.

>> Cathy: YOU KNOW, WE WERE TALKING, KENNY BLUMENFELD IS OUR FRIEND HERE, GOOD FRIEND OF COURSE AS YOU KNOW, GREAT CLIMATOLOGIST, HE WAS TALKING ABOUT OF THE PAST 63 DAYS 53 HAVE BEEN WARMER THAN NORMAL AND HE WAS TALKING ABOUT THE PERSISTENCE OF THE WARMTH BEING SO UNUSUAL.

>> IT IS.

>> Cathy: WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THIS WOULD NOBODY THE SUMMERTIME?

I WONDER WHAT KIND OF SOUP WE'D BE IN.

>> IT WOULD BE PRETTY UNBEARABLE.

WE WOULD BE -- I MEAN, OKAY, OUR AVERAGE JULY HIGH TEMPERATURE IS 84-DEGREES.

THAT'S AVERAGE.

THE DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL WE'VE BEEN SEEING THIS WEEK HAVE BEEN FROM 25 TO 30 DEGREES WARMER THAN THAT.

SO THAT JUST PUTS US OFF THE CHARTS.

YOU KNOW, THAT PUTS US BETWEEN 110 AND 120 DEGREES.

SO, BUT, AGAIN, I WOULD SAY THAT THE CLIMATE CHARACTERISTIC IN OUR STATE IS WITH CLIMATE CHANGE PUSHING US UPWARD IN THE TEMPERATURE REGIME, WE'RE MORE STEEPLY UPWARD IN THE WINTER MONTHS, THE SEASON OF LONG NIGHTS, SHORT DAYS, AND WE'RE LESS STEEPLY UPWARD IN THE SUMMER MONTHS.

>> Eric: IS THIS UR FUTURE OR IS THIS A ONE-OFF OR DO WE KNOW?

>> WE DON'T KNOW FOR SURE.

THE SCARY THING TO ME IS I'VE BEEN AT THIS ALMOST 50 YEARS NOW.

THE SCARY THING TO ME, ERIC, IS THAT WHEN WE HAVE EXCURSIONS LIKE THIS OF ABNORMAL WEATHER, IT SEEMS TO BE REALLY EXTREME.

CLOSE TO SOMETHING WE'VE NEVER MEASURED BEFORE.

AND IF THE FREQUENCY OF THESE EXTREMES KEEPS COMING AT US, I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE -- I MEAN, THERE'S A LIMIT TO HOW MUCH WE CAN ADAPT, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

>> Eric: SURE.

>> Cathy: I'M GOING TO THINK THEN TOO BECAUSE OF THE WARMTH AND NO SNOW COVER UP NORTH EVEN THAT THIS CAN ONLY EXACERBATE THE DROUGHT, RIGHT?

>> YES, WE STILL HAVE 40% OF THE STATE LANDSCAPE IN CARRYOVER DROUGHT FROM LAST YEAR.

SO NOW WE DO NEED -- ONE ASSET, ONE, SHALL WE SAY POSITIVE, WE CAN PUT IN THE POSITIVE COLUMN, IS THE MILD WINTER HAS IF KEPT OUR SOILS VERY SHALLOW FROZEN.

YOU KNOW, OR NOT FROZEN AT ALL.

WE HAVE AREAS OF THE STATE WHERE THE SOILS AREN'T FROZEN RIGHT NOW AT ALL.

SO IF WE DO GET INTO A WINTER REGIME, WE CAN RECHARGE THAT SOIL, WHICH WOULD BE HUGE.

BECAUSE SOMETIMES OUR SOILS DON'T THAW 'TIL APRIL AND ALL THE FROZEN PRECIPITATION ISN'T DOING US ANY GOOD.

>> Eric: IMPACT ON ALLERGIES, TREES, FARMING, DEER, MOOSE?

WHAT ARE THE IMPACTS OF THIS?

>> WELL, IT'S REALLY COMPLICATED, BUT FROM THE STANDPOINT OF, YOU KNOW, OUR MOOSE POPULATION, OF COURSE THERE'S A LOT OF ATTENTION DIRECTED TO THE NORTHEASTERN MOOSE POPULATION, WHICH HAS BEEN KIND OF IN DECLINE, THE DISEASES, THE DISEASES AND THE CARRIERS OF THOSE DISEASES ARE THINGS THAT ARE MONITORED BY SPECIALISTS.

THAT'S BEYOND MY EXPERTISE, BUT I KNOW THEY RELY ON CERTAIN MORTAL BEING INFLICTED BY THE SEVERITY OF OUR WINTER AND THAT APPLIES TO TREE, INSECT SPECIES, AND A NUMBER OF OTHERS.

WHEN WE HAVE THESE MILD WINTERS WE NEED TO BE ON GUARD FOR THE EARLY SPRING EMERGENCE OF SOME OF THESE THINGS.

>> Eric: GREAT.

THANKS, PROFESSOR.

APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

>> YOU'RE MORE THAN WELCOME.

>> Eric: ALWAYS LEARN A LOT WHEN PROFESSOR SEELEY IS HERE.

GOING TO HEAD TO THE COUCH NOW TAKE A LOOK AT SOME FUN WEATHER FACTS AND WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

♪♪ >> Cathy: THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL HAS BEEN THE SOURCE OF ONGOING ISSUES; NOTABLY, LIGHT RAIL CONSTRUCTION THAT HAS BEEN BEHIND SCHEDULE AND OVER BUDGET BY BILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND A LACK OF OVERSIGHT OVER THAT PROJECT.

LAST YEAR THE LEGISLATURE FORMED A BIPARTISAN TASK FORCE TO LOOK INTO RESTRUCTURING THE MET COUNCIL.

ON THURSDAY THAT GROUP RELEASED ITS FINAL REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS.

HERE WITH US NOW FROM THE TASK FORCE IS THE CHAIR OF THE SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE D.F.L.

SENATOR SCOTT DIBBLE AND THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE'S RANKING MINORITY MEMBER REPUBLICAN SENATOR ERIC PRATT.

GOOD TO SEE YOU BOTH.

WELCOME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: SENATOR DIBBLE, SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT THE MET COUNCIL DETRACTORS ALWAYS POINT TO, ACCOUNTABILITY, TRANSPARENCY, MISSION CREEP.

WHAT DID YOU ALL FIND WHEN IT COMES TO SOME OF THESE ISSUES?

>> EXACTLY THAT.

SO WE HAVE THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL IS A LARGE GOVERNMENT THAT PROVIDES A LOT OF DIRECT SERVICES THAT TOUCH PEOPLE'S EVERYDAY LIVES IN THE TWIN CITIES.

TRANSIT AND METRO MOBILITY BEING KEY AMONG THOSE, OUR SEWER SERVICES, SOME HOUSING SERVICES, COORDINATING PARKS, LAND USE, DEVELOPMENT, AND THE LIKE.

YOU KNOW, VERY, VERY MUCH AFFECTS OUR LIVES.

CONTROLS BILLIONS OF DOLLARS, APPROPRIATES BILLIONS OF DOLLARS, TAXES US, AND OWNS AND OPERATES BILLIONS IN ASSETS AS WELL.

>> Eric: THIS IS LIKE TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION, ISN'T IT?

I MEAN, THE WAY THEY -- AS AN UNELECTED BODY AS AN EXAMPLE.

>> YEAH, I THINK IT S. THERE'S A LOT OF WAYS THAT WE CAN ADDRESS THAT AND I THINK THE TASK FORCE LOOKED AT A NUMBER OF WAYS THAT WE COULD RECTIFY THAT SITUATION.

BUT WE DON'T HAVE ELECTED OFFICIALS MAKING TAX DECISIONS.

>> Eric: AND THE SIX OPTIONS ARE FROM SOUP TO NUTS HERE.

WHAT HAVE YOU GOT IN MIND ACROSS THE WHOLE HORIZON?

>> SO THERE'S Y PLAN, WHICH PROVIDES FOR DIRECT ELECTION, WHICH I THINK IS APPROPRIATE BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, UNLIKE OTHER WHAT WE CALL METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATIONS WHICH ENGAGE IN JUST PLANNING AND COORDINATING AND CREATING POLICY DOCUMENTS, LIKE I MENTIONED BEFORE, IT HAS ALL THESE ERY DIRECT SERVICES AND WHEN THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH THE SERVICES OR SOMEONE HAS AN IDEA OR WANTS TO ACCESS SOMEONE TO RESPOND TO THEM, THERE'S NO ONE TO CALL.

OR YOU CAN CALL AND NO ONE CALLS YOU BACK, IT'S VERY FRUSTRATING.

ON THE OTHER HAND, WE DO REALLY NEED TO BE VERY COORDINATED AND HAVE A VERY POWERFUL RELATIONSHIP WITH CITY COUNCILS, COUNTY COMMISSIONS, TOWN BOARDS.

AND SO THERE'S A SECONDARY GROUP THAT WOULD BE COMPRISED OF THOSE ELECTED INDIVIDUALS, A COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS THAT WOULD HAVE SOME AUTHORITY OVER WHAT THE ELECTED ENTITY OES.

THEY'D HAVE TO COOPERATE IN PLANNING, THEY COULD HELP THEM MAKE DIFFERENT DECISIONS, VETO THEIR DECISIONS IF THERE'S A REAL PROBLEM.

>> Eric: IS IT HENNEPIN AND RAMSEY AGAINST THE REST OF THE COUNTIES?

MAYBE THROW DAKOTA IN THERE, MORE EXURBAN COUNTIES, MORE FRICTION WITH THE MET COUNCIL, OR IS THAT NOT RIGHT?

>> NO, I DON'T THINK THAT'S RIGHT.

WE WENT TO RAMSEY, WE WENT TO HENNEPIN.

I THINK AS WE TALKED TO ELECTED OFFICIALS, AS WE TALKED TO RESIDENTS ACROSS THE METRO THERE'S SOME DISSATISFACTION WITH THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL AND ITS ACCOUNTABILITY.

WE HAD THREE VERSIONS OF A COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS THAT WERE ADOPTED AS WELL AS ONE DIRECT ELECT, PURE DIRECT ELECT AND ONE THAT KIND OF KEEPS THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL AT THE STATUS QUO.

YOU KNOW, I HAVE A PLAN THAT'S SIMPLER, WE PASSED IT IN 2018 WITH BIPARTISAN VOTES.

BUT IT'S BEEN AOF AMENDED BECAUSE WE DID LEARN A LOT THROUGH THE PROCESS.

OUR MET COUNCIL IS SMALLER, AN AVERAGE MET COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE REPRESENTS AS MANY PEOPLE AS TWO AND A HALF SENATE DISTRICTS.

>> Eric: OH, WOW.

>> SO THE QUESTION IS HOW CAN THEY BE ACCOUNTABLE TO PEOPLE IN THEIR AREA WHEN THEY HAVE AN AREA THAT LARGE?

>> Eric: YOU PROBABLY -- LATE '80S, MET COUNCIL, THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN A CAN THAT'S KICKED DOWN THE ROAD.

>> I ACTUALLY HAD THE SEAT THAT HE HAD, I WAS IN THE SENATE WHILE HE WAS ON THE HOUSE.

HE CONTINUES TO BE MY CONSTITUENTS, HE WAS N THIS BODY TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE IDEAS HE'S HAD.

WE PASSED ELECT A MET COUNCIL IN THE PAST AS WELL.

>> Eric: THIS YEAR?

>> HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL.

>> Eric: THE TRANSIT THING IS I THINK WHERE MOST PEOPLE HAVE BEEN CRITICAL OF THE MET COUNCIL, AND SEPARATE ENTITIES, YOU SAY, TO DO THE TRANSPORTATION PLANNING AND FUNDING AND ALL THAT?

>> NO, I WOULD KEEP BOTH THE OPERATIONS AND THE PLANNING TOGETHER.

LIKE I SAID BEFORE, MAKE IT INFINITELY MORE RESPONSIVE, MORE CREDIBLE, HAVE LEGITIMACY, HAVE THAT ESSENTIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PEOPLE OF THE REGION THAT IT SERVES BUT ALSO HAVE A VERY IMPORTANT DYNAMIC RELATIONSHIP WITH THE OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS WITH WHOM THEY NEED TO COORDINATE, CITY COUNCILS, COUNTY COMMISSIONS, THE TOWN BOARDS.

I THINK THAT'S A VERY, VERY IMPORTANT INTERACTION TO HAVE.

>> Eric: YEAH.

>> BUT RIGHT NOW WE HAVE THIS INCREDIBLY POWERFUL GOVERNMENT THAT IS ENTIRELY RUN OUT OF VIEW WITH NO LEVEL OF ACCOUNTABILITY BY BUREAUCRATS, NAMELESS FACELESS BUREAUCRATS, YOU KNOW, THE PROVERBIAL.

>> Eric: SURE.

>> AND IT'S FRUSTRATING FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

>> Cathy: I'M SURE IT IS.

I WONDER, YOU KNOW, DOES THERE REALLY NEED TO BE A MET COUNCIL?

WHY NOT JUST GO BACK TO LOCAL CONTROL ON THE LOCAL LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT FOR SOME OF THIS?

>> WELL, AND I THINK THIS IS WHERE SENATOR DIBBLE AND I HAVE A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION IN THAT WHAT SHOULD THE SCOPE OF THE MET COUNCIL BE?

OUR MET COUNCIL HAS MORE AUTHORITY THAN PROBABLY ANY OTHER REGIONAL GOVERNMENT IN THE COUNTRY.

AND YET, YOU KNOW, LET'S TAKE TRANSIT, FOR EXAMPLE.

THEY'RE DOING TRANSIT OPERATIONS BUT THEY'RE ALSO DOING TRANSIT PLANNING AND MANY OF US BELIEVE THAT THERE'S A CONFLICT OF INTEREST THERE, THAT THOSE TWO ON SHOULD BE SEPARATED.

WE HAVE, WE'RE ONE OF THE FEW METROPOLITAN AREAS WITH MULTIPLE TRANSIT PROVIDERS SO MY AREA IS SERVICED BY MINNESOTA VALLEY TRANSIT AUTHORITY AND WE HAVE OTHER SUBURBAN TRANSIT AUTHORITIES THAT ARE PROVIDING SERVICES.

SO IT'S NOT THE MONOPOLY THAT YOU FIND IN OTHER METROPOLITAN AREAS AND WHY I THINK WE HAVE TO HAVE LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS WITH A SEAT AT THE TABLE TO HELP THE LEGISLATURE DECIDE WHAT SERVICES SHOULD BE REGIONAL, WHAT SERVICES ARE BETTER DONE AT THE COUNTY AND THE CITY LEVEL.

>> Eric: IS THERE BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT THAT SOMETHING COULD GET DONE, OR?

>> I THINK SO.

AND ACTUALLY SENATOR PRATT AND I ACTUALLY AGREE MORE THAN WE DISAGREE.

MY PLAN HAS A COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS AND THE PLANNING FUNCTION IS SHARED EQUALLY BY THE ELECTED MET COUNCIL AND THE COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS.

THAT'S AN IMPORTANT THING TO HAVE HAPPEN.

BUT WHO WILL OWN AND OPERATE AND BE RESPONSIBLE AND BE ON THE HOOK FOR THE DELIVERY OF THE ERVICES, THAT HAS TO BE -- >> Cathy: IT SOUNDS LIKE BECAUSE YOU'VE OT SIX OPTIONS INSTEAD OF AGREEING ON ONE IT SOUNDS LIKE TOUGH SLEDDING FOR ANYTHING TO HAPPEN AT THE LEGISLATURE ON THIS.

WOULD YOU AGREE?

>> I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THIS GETS ADDRESSED AT THE LEGISLATURE.

IN MANY CASES WE'RE FINDING IT'S NOT A REPUBLICAN/DEMOCRAT SPLIT, IT'S MORE OF AN URBAN, SUBURBAN SPLIT ON HOW THE MET COUNCIL -- WE'VE HEARD FROM RESIDENTS HOW THE URBAN RESIDENTS ARE MUCH DIFFERENT THAN THE SUBURBAN RESIDENTS.

>> Eric: GETTING THE WRAP-UP HERE.

WE'LL LEARN ABOUT THE MET COUNCIL COMING UP.

>> APPRECIATE IT.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

♪♪ >> Mark: SO I HAD TO BUY SOME NEW GLASSES.

I HAVE WORN GLASSES FOREVER.

I STARTED IN JUNIOR HIGH, PRIME GETTING-BEAT-UP TIME.

AT FIRST I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A BLURRY BLACKBOARD.

AND TEACHER.

AND ALL MY FRIENDS.

WHEN YOU GET GLASSES AS A KID, YOU'RE BOUND TO LOSE THEM A FEW TIMES.

THE ONES YOU DON'T LOSE, YOU BREAK.

"GOOD NEWS, MOM - I DIDN'T LOSE MY GLASSES TODAY.

CAN WE GO TO THE EYE STORE?

WHAT?

I WAS JUST BOUNCING A SOCCER BALL ON MY FACE!"

SO I WENT TO THE EYE DOCTOR, AND THEY START QUIZZING ME.

"WHICH IS BETTER, A OR B?

NOW, OR NOW?"

REALLY, A PRESCRIPTION ITEM SHOULDN'T DEPEND ON YOU PASSING A QUIZ.

YOU GET IT WRONG AND SPEND THE NEXT YEAR WALKING INTO LAMP POSTS.

"SHOULD WE TAKE OUT YOUR APPENDIX OR SPLEEN?"

I WANTED THE COOL JOHN LENNON WIRE RIMS, BUT OF COURSE I GOT THE CHEAPER ONES, THICK BLACK HORN RIMS.

THEY CAME WITH THE ELECTRICIAN TAPE ALREADY ON ONE CORNER.

THESE DAYS THERE ARE LOTS MORE CHOICES.

GLASSES WERE A MEDICAL AID, NOW THEY'RE A FASHION STATEMENT.

THEY HAVE SOME WACKY FRAMES FOR MEN, WEIRD SHAPES AND COLORS WITH WIRES AND BITS STICKING OUT.

YOU WOULD LOOK LIKE YOUR HEAD GOT CAUGHT IN FARM MACHINERY.

NOW MY EYES ARE CHANGING AGAIN.

I'M GETTING MORE NEARSIGHTED AS I GET OLDER.

IT'S THE ULTIMATE IRONY — I'VE WORN GLASSES MY WHOLE LIFE, NOW I HAVE TO TAKE THEM OFF TO SEE.

SO I WENT TO GET READING GLASSES.

YOU DON'T NEED A PRESCRIPTION FOR THESE, YOU JUST TRY THEM ON LIKE SHOES.

EVEN IF YOU PICK WRONG, THEY CAN'T HURT YOUR EYES BECAUSE YOU LOSE THEM TOO FAST.

YOU NEED THAT CHAIN AROUND YOUR NECK, LIKE THE CRABBY LIBRARY LADY.

SO FINALLY I HAD TO GET BIFOCALS.

THAT TOOK SOME GETTING USED TO -- CONSTANTLY NODDING UP AND DOWN LIKE A GIANT BOBBLE-HEAD DOLL.

AND I ENDED UP GETTING PRETTY MUCH THE SAME EXACT FRAMES, JUST A SLIGHTLY LIGHTER SHADE OF GRAY.

DOESN'T MATTER, I’LL LOSE THEM SOON.

♪♪ >> ERIC: THIS COMING 4TH OF JULY MARKS THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HISTORIC BLOWDOWN IN THE BOUNDARY WATERS CANOE AREA WILDERNESS.

AN UNEXPECTED INTENSE STORM, KNOWN AS A DERECHO, BROUGHT HIGH WINDS TEARING THROUGH THE REMOTE WILDERNESS, INJURING NEARLY FIVE DOZEN CANOE CAMPERS AND BRINGING DOWN AN ESTIMATED 25 MILLION TREES IN THE SUPERIOR NATIONAL FOREST.

MINNESOTA AUTHOR CARY GRIFFITH'S NEW BOOK "GUNFLINT FALLING: BLOWDOWN IN THE BOUNDARY WATERS" CHRONICLES THE AFTERMATH THROUGH THE EYES OF PEOPLE WHO LIVED THROUGH IT.

WELCOME BACK.

I WAS STRUCK BY THE NUMBER OF SOURCES YOU HAD.

PEOPLE GOING ON THE RECORD AND BEING QUOTED.

WAS THERE SOME SHARED EXPERIENCES THAT EVERYBODY HAD WITH THE THREADS RUNNING THROUGH IT?

>> YEAH, THERE REALLY WERE, YEAH.

IT WAS -- AND I HAVE TO SAY, HUGE THANKS TO ALL THE PEOPLE, I INTERVIEWED PROBABLY 100 PEOPLE AND THEY WERE SO GRACIOUS AND GENEROUS WITH THEIR TIME AND THEIR STORIES, MANY OF WHICH GOT INTO THE BOOK BE.

I CALL OUT 60 IN ACKNOWLEDGMENTS BUT, YEAH, I THINK I PROBABLY TALKED TO ABOUT 100 PEOPLE.

>> Cathy: WHAT ARE THE THREADS THAT RAN THROUGH MOST OF THESE INTERVIEWS?

>> I AM ALL OF THE SUDDEN INTERESTED IN -- WELL, THE EVENT WAS AN EXTREME WEATHER EVENT, AND I'M ALWAYS INTERESTED IN THE DRAMA.

AND THERE WAS HUGE DRAMA IN ALL THESE PEOPLE I SPOKE WITH.

SO EVERY TIME I TALKED TO SOMEBODY AND THEY WERE IN THE EVENT, THEY WERE THERE, OR IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS, I LEARNED JUST SOME INCREDIBLE STORIES.

>> Cathy: NOW, WE HEARD THERE WERE, OF COURSE, WE KNEW ABOUT THE STORM WARNINGS EVEN DOWN HERE IT THE IN THE CITIES, WE KNEW THERE WAS BIG WINDS.

BUT IT AS 25 YEARS AGO WHERE WE DIDN'T HAVE THE SOCIAL MEDIA WE HAVE NOW.

IT SEEMED LIKE IT WAS SEVERAL DAYS THAT PASSED UNTIL WE ACTUALLY KNEW WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED.

>> IT WAS!

IF IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DONE -- IF IT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED TODAY WE WOULD HAVE HAD, YOU KNOW, VIDEOS, WE WOULD HAVE HAD PICTURES, THE SOCIAL MEDIA WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED WITH IT.

AS IT WAS, IT WAS ABOUT TWO TO THREE, FOUR DAYS AFTER THE EVENT BEFORE ANYBODY KNEW IT HAPPENED.

IN FACT, I INTERVIEWED SOME PEOPLE IN GRAND MARAIS, WHICH THEY WERE REALLY CLOSE TO THE EVENT BUT IT HAPPENED WAY AT THE END OF THE GUNFLINT TRAIL.

SOME OF THEM DIDN'T REALLY EVEN KNOW THE SEVERITY OF WHAT HAD HAPPENED IN THE BOUNDARY WATERS UNTIL A DAY LATER.

>> Eric: YEAH, TELL US ABOUT THE EVALUATION, THE GRADE THAT THE GOVERNMENT RESPONSE WAS GIVEN FOR THIS.

>> IT WAS A YPE 2 M NIC S EVENT SO TYPE ONE IS THE HIGHEST INCIDENT THAT YOU CAN HAVE AND THIS WAS TYPE TWO.

SO IT WAS HANDLED BY A TEAM OUT OF ELY.

>> Eric: AND THERE WAS A MILWAUKEE HEADQUARTERS.

>> YEAH, THERE'S A MILWAUKEE HEADQUARTERS FOR SUPERIOR NATIONAL FOREST AND THERE WERE SOME PEOPLE FROM WISCONSIN ON THAT TYPE TWO TEAM.

>> Cathy: THE DAMAGE WAS AMAZING.

YOU CAN'T EVEN DESCRIBE IT.

DID YOU EVER GET TO SEE IT?

>> WELL, I DIDN'T SEE IT THEN.

YOU KNOW, I'VE SEEN PICTURES OF IT.

AND YOU SAID IN YOUR OPENING REMARKS I THINK 28 MILLION, THE NUMBER I HEARD WAS 48 MILLION TREES WERE FELLED.

AND THE PICTURES SHOW THE TREES ALL FELL JUST FLAT IN AN EAST-NORTHEASTERN DIRECTION BECAUSE THE WINDS WERE SO STRONG AND SO POWERFUL.

A REALLY EXTREME WEATHER EVENT, KIND OF BUILDING ON WHAT MARK SEELEY WAS SAYING BEFORE.

>> Cathy: AND OF COURSE NOW YOU'VE GOT ALL THIS, THE FEAR WAS, OF COURSE, ALL THIS FUEL FOR WILDFIRES.

>> YES.

YEAH, AND IN FACT I KIND OF THINK OF THIS BOOK AS A PREQUELL TO THE GUNFLINT BURNING WHICH WAS THE HAM LAKE FIRE OF 2007.

A LOT OF THE PEOPLE I INTERVIEWED, WHAT GOT ME INTERESTED IN THIS TOPIC IS I INTERVIEWED A LOT OF THOSE PEOPLE AND THEY TOLD ME ABOUT ONE OF THE REASONS THAT FIRE BURNED SO HOT AND INTENSELY WAS BECAUSE OF ALL THE FUEL FROM THE BLOWDOWN.

>> Eric: IS THIS A TOTAL ONE-OFF DEAL?

COULD THIS HAPPEN AGAIN?

IOWA I THINK HAD ONE OF THESE LIKE LAST YEAR OR THE YEAR BEFORE.

>> YES, YEAH.

CEDAR RAPIDS WAS HIT REALLY HARD I WANT TO SAY TWO OR THREE YEARS AGO.

IT'S VERY UNUSUAL AT THAT LATITUDE FOR A DERECHO OF THIS PROPORTION TO HAPPEN.

BUT, YES, IT CAN HAPPEN.

YOU KNOW, IT'S A CLIMATE WARMING, MORE EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS ARE HAPPENING ALL THE TIME.

>> Cathy: QUICKLY, WHAT STORY REALLY STICKS WITH YOU?

>> I'D HAVE TO SAY LISA NOSS, ONE OF THE CAMPERS, SHE WAS STRUCK BY A TREE.

IF SHE HAD BEEN STRUCK -- IF THE TREE HAD BEEN ONE INCH OVER, SHE WOULD HAVE DIED.

AND S IT WAS SHE HAD TO, SHE HAD MEDI VACED AND ULTIMATELY WENT TO THE DULUTH TRAUMA CENTER AND THEY HAD TO RELIEVE PRESSURE ON HER BRAIN BECAUSE SHE GOT HIT SO HARD.

THOSE, HER STORY AND VICKI ROCKMAN, SHE WAS STRUCK BY A TREE TOO.

>> Cathy: WHAT DO YOU DO, YOU'RE IN THE BOUNDARY WATERS DURING A HUGE STORM.

>> Eric: GREAT BOOK, GOOD LUCK WITH IT.

>> THANK YOU, IT'S AN HONOR TO BE HERE.

>> Cathy: ABSOLUTELY.

THANKS FOR BEING BACK.

GOOD LUCK.

♪♪ >> I'M HERE ON NICOLLET MALL.

HEY, FOLKS, WHERE Y'ALL FROM?

ASKING SOME OUT OF TOWN FOLKS ABOUT MINNESOTA TRIVIA AND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT DO FOLKS KNOW ACTUALLY ABOUT OUR HOME STATE?

APPROXIMATELY HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE IN MINNESOTA?

>> 700 MILLION?

[ LAUGHTER ] >> HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE IN MINNESOTA?

>> 10,000.

>> 10,000.

I'M ASSUMING TOURISTS DON'T COME AND JUST GO INTO MARSHALL'S.

I NEED SOME TWO DOLLARS SOCKS!

THIS IS A PICTURE QUESTION I'VE CREATED.

WHAT DO YOU CALL THIS?

>> SHEPHERD'S PIE.

>> WHAT DID YOU SAY, SIR?

IS >> CASSEROLE.

>> THAT IS ABSOLUTELY INCORRECT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR PLAYING AND GOODBYE.

>> WE'RE FROM IRELAND.

>> >> WHAT DO YOU CALL THIS?

>> MAC AND CHEESE.

>> THIS IS A TATER TOT HOT DISH.

IT IS NOT -- IF ANYBODY TRIES TO TELL YOU THIS IS A CASSEROLE, JUST WALK AWAY.

>> TATER TOT CASSEROLE.

>> OH, GOD.

♪♪ >> Jearlyn: I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT TONIGHT'S MUSIC.

"THE SOUND OF GOSPEL" CELEBRATES AND HONORS BLACK HISTORY MONTH IN A SERIES OF CONCERTS LATER THIS MONTH AT THE COWLES CENTER IN DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS.

NOW, THE NON-PROFIT "2ND CHANCE OUTREACH" HAS BEEN PRODUCING THIS COLLECTION OF GOSPEL PERFORMANCE FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

NOW, MY SISTER JEVETTA STEELE, I LOVE THIS WOMAN, SHE IS THE DIRECTOR.

AND MY BROTHER BILLY STEELE IS ON THE PIANO TONIGHT AS THE MUSICAL DIRECTOR.

IT IS REALLY GOING TO BE AN EXTRAORDINARY EVENT, ISN'T IT?

>> I THINK SO.

I THINK SO.

>> WHAT IS REMARKABLE OF IT TO ME IS THE TITLE ALONE TELLS YOU A LOT ABOUT THE SHOW.

>> IT'S CALLED THE SOUND OF GOSPEL AND THIS IS ONE OF THE FABULOUS BOARD MEMBERS, A PART OF SECOND CHANCE PRODUCTIONS, KELLY ROBINSON, AND IT'S ABOUT OUTREACH IN SOME AREA OR ANOTHER, GETTING INFORMATION TO PEOPLE.

AND SO THIS IS IMPLY A VEHICLE TO DO THAT FOR SECOND CHANCE PRODUCTIONS.

>> KELLY, WE'RE GLAD TO HAVE YOU TONIGHT.

AND OF COURSE IT'S ALL ABOUT EDUCATION AND INSPIRING OTHERS AND SO MUCH MORE.

>> BSOLUTELY.

OUR FOCUS OF COURSE IS FOR FINANCIAL HEALTH AS WELL AS HEALTH CARE.

SO WE REALLY PRIDE OURSELVES ON PREVENTING ALL KINDS OF DISORDERS, BRINGING THAT AWARENESS TO THE COMMUNITY IN SO MANY DIFFERENT WAYS.

AND OF COURSE OUR SLOGAN "TRANSFORM THROUGH ART" OF COURSE IS HOW WE O IT.

AND SO TO BE A PART OF THIS PHENOMENAL MUSICAL CAST HERE AND TO ENLIGHTEN THEM ON ALL THE THINGS THAT WE'RE DOING IS JUST AN HONOR.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT COLON CANCER.

>> YEAH.

>> THIS IS A BIG DEAL.

>> HUGE, HUGE.

>> SO TELL E ABOUT HOW THIS ALL HAPPENED AND WHERE IT'S GOING.

>> YEAH, SO THE COLON CANCER ORGANIZATIONS HERE IN THE TWIN CITIES, WE'VE GOT THE COALITION ALLIANCE AND WE HAVE HE MINNESOTA G.I.

THEY ARE COLLABORATING ITH US IN SUCH A BIG WAY AND WE ALL KNOW WITH MOST RECENTLY WITH GENERAL AUSTIN GOING THROUGH HIS PROSTATE CANCER AND OF COURSE LOSING DEXTER KING MOST RECENTLY, IT'S JUST SO OBVIOUS AND PREVALENT IN OUR COMMUNITY.

AND THE THING IS WE DON'T TALK ABOUT IT.

AND SO FOR US WE BRING IT TO THE PEOPLE.

BUT WE GET THEM THERE WITH THE ART.

>> EXACTLY.

>> AND THAT'S HOW WE DELIVERED THE HEALTH CARE AWARENESS.

>> I LOVE THAT YOU'RE DOING THAT.

>> OKAY, JEVETTA, YOU GOT TO TELL ME ABOUT THE SONGS.

YOU START THE EVENT WITH AFRICA, YOU START IN AFRICA THE CONTINENT.

>> ABSOLUTELY, THAT'S WHERE ALL LIFE BEGAN SO OF COURSE THAT MUST BE WHERE ALL MUSIC BEGAN.

AND SO WE START THERE AND IT BRINGS THE JOURNEY INTO AMERICA.

AND GOSPEL MUSIC HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PART OF THE HISTORY OF THIS COUNTRY.

AND SO WE'RE GOING TO ELEBRATE IT.

>> YOU CELEBRATE T EVERY TIME.

THIS IS YOUR THIRD YEAR.

>> ACTUALLY FOURTH.

>> FOURTH YEAR.

>> IT STARTED WITH THE CONVENTION, THE NATIONAL BAPTIST CONVENTION, BUT IT SCALED DOWN FROM 135 PEOPLE IN THE CAST TO WHAT WE HAVE TODAY WHICH IS TEN SO WE BROUGHT PART OF THAT CAST WITH S TODAY AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A GREAT TIME.

>> OKAY, SO GIVE US ALL THE INFORMATION.

WHAT WEBSITE DO THEY NEED TO GO TO?

TELL US WHAT TIME, WHAT THE DATES ARE.

>> WELL, I DON'T KNOW THE WEBSITE, BUT THE DATES ARE FEBRUARY 15TH -- I'M SORRY, FEBRUARY 16TH AT 7:00 P.M., 17TH AT 7:00 P.M. AND 18TH IT'S A 3:00 SHOW.

>> IT'S AMAZING.

YOU GUYS GOT TO GO SEE IT.

IT'S AT THE COWLES CENTER, DON'T FORGET.

16, 17, 18.

THERE YOU GO, THIS MONTH.

THANK YOU SO UCH, BOTH OF YOU.

>> I APPRECIATE YOU HAVING US.

♪♪ >> SINGING: SOMETHING'S GOT A HOLD OF ME OH, YES, IT DID I SAID SOMETHING'S OT A HOLD OF ME I WENT TO A MEETING ONE NIGHT AND MY HEART WASN'T RIGHT SOMETHING'S GOT A HOLD OF ME ♪♪ I WAS AT THE REVIVAL ON A MOURNER'S BENCH MY HEART WAS FILLED WITH MISERY THE SLAVE GUARD THAT TOUCHED MY MOTHER LAY HIS HAND ON ME.

THAT'S WHY I SAID SOMETHING'S GOT AHOLD OF ME.

OH, YES, IT DID I SAID SOMETHING'S GOT AHOLD OF ME I WEPT TO A MEETING ONE NIGHT AND MY HEART WASN'T RIGHT SOMETHING'S GOT A HOLD OF ME LET ME TELL YOU IT WAS THE HOLY GHOST.

HOLY GHOST HOLY GHOST YEAH HOLY GHOST HOLY GHOST HOLY GHOST HOLY GHOST I WENT TO A MEETING ONE NIGHT AND MY HEART WASN'T RIGHT SOMETHING'S GOT A HOLD OF ME.

LET ME TELL YOU IT WAS THE HOLY GHOST HOLY GHOST YEAH HOLY GHOST YEAH HOLY GHOST HOLY GHOST HOLY GHOST I WENT O A MEETING ONE NIGHT SOMETHING'S GOT A HOLD OF ME >> WHOO!

♪♪ CATH THAT WAS AWESOME.

LAST YEAR MORE MINNESOTANS VISITED FOOD SHELVES THAN ANY OTHER YEAR IN RECENT HISTORY.

THIS FOLLOWS A POST-PANDEMIC TREND OF RISING COSTS IN PART DUE TO INFLATION, OUTPACED RELIEF EFFORTS INTENDED TO OFFSET THEM.

THIS WEEK MINNESOTA BASED SECOND HARVEST HEARTLAND, ONE OF THE LARGEST FOOD SHELVES N THE COUNTRY ANNOUNCED A PLAN TO CUT HUNGER IN THE STATE IN HALF BY 2030.

CEO ALLISON O'TOOLE IS HERE WITH MORE ON THE ORGANIZATION'S AMBITIOUS PLAN.

WELCOME BACK.

>> THANK YOU.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> Cathy: I THINK WE SHOULD TALK ABOUT THE PROBLEM BEFORE POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS.

ALL-TIME RECORD FOOD SHELVE IN MINNESOTA.

THIS IS WITH RECORD EMPLOYMENT, PROGRAMS IN PLACE, FREE SCHOOL LUNCHES, S.N.A.P., W.I.C.

ALL THOSE PRAYS.

WHAT'S GOING ON OUT ON THERE?

>> IT'S A COMPLEX ISSUE AND HAD A COMPLEX SET OF EVENTS.

SOME OF THOSE FEDERAL BENEFITS THAT WERE ACTIVE DURING THE PANDEMIC SUNSETTED EARLIER THIS YEAR.

AND THAT WAS HARD ON MINNESOTA FAMILIES ESPECIALLY AT A TIME WHEN GAS AND GROCERY PRICES ARE FLUCTUATING.

I READ IN THE PAPER, HEARD ON THE NEWS THIS MORNING THAT GAS IS GOING UP AGAIN AND THOSE LITTLE CHANGES MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

ALSO WAGES HAVEN'T KEPT UP WITH INFLATION.

SOME OF THOSE BIGGER HEADLINES ABOUT HOW WELL ESPECIALLY MINNESOTA IS DOING, REALLY IMPORTANT TO DOUBLE CLICK ON THIS BECAUSE SO MANY FAMILIES ARE STRUGGLING STILL.

>> Eric: YOU HOPE TO RAISE 150 MILLION WITHIN SIX YEARS.

WHAT'S THE GAME PLAN TO ATTACK THIS PROBLEM?

>> IT'S GOT THREE PILLARS.

AND THE RANGE OF FUND-RAISING IS PROBABLY 150 TO $250 MILLION.

AND THAT SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT REFLECTS THE EDUCATION CENTER NORMTY OF THE ISSUE WE'RE FACING.

THREE PILLARS.

WE HAVE SUCH HIGH NEED RIGHT NOW WE HAVE TO REDUCE THAT NEED FIRST SO JUST REALLY INFUSING HUNGER RELIEF NETWORK WITH MORE FORWARD, GETTING THE RIGHT FOOD WHERE IT'S NEEDED MOST, USING DATA TO DRIVE OUR DECISIONS, USING AND WELCOMING THE COMMUNITY TO THE TABLE TO THINK THROUGH THOSE SOLUTIONS.

SECOND PILLAR IS TO PREVENT IT AND TO GET OUT IN FRONT OF IT SO IT DOESN'T HAPPEN IN THE FIRST PLACE AND THAT IS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, PROGRAMS LIKE S.N.A.P.

OTHERWISE FOOD STAMPS.

>> Eric: FOOD STAMPS.

THAT USE IS UP.

>> YEAH, AND THAT USE IS UP.

WE ARE INVESTING A LOT OF MONEY IN PUTTING SUPPORTS AND NAVIGATION IN PLACE.

SECOND HARVEST HEARTLAND CARE CENTER WHICH IS A CALL CENTER WHERE PEOPLE CAN CALL IN FOR HELP WITH THAT.

THAT PROVIDES STABILITY TO FAMILIES.

ONE OF OUR BIGGEST LEVERS IS POLICY CHANGE.

SO WE'RE GOING TO BE AT THE LEGISLATURE THIS -- IN A MATTER OF WEEKS HERE WITH SOME DIFFERENT ASKS THIS YEAR AND A BROADER COALITION TO HELP US GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS.

>> Cathy: ALLISON, HELP US OUT HERE.

WHAT'S THE ROLE OF SECOND HARVEST?

IF YOU ARE THE LARGEST FOOD BANK, WE UNDERSTAND YOU'RE PUSHING FOOD OUT TO THE FOOD SHELVES IN MINNESOTA.

BUT ARE YOU GOING TO BE THE COORDINATOR OF SOME OF THESE ANTIPOVERTY PROGRAMS IN A SENSE IF YOU'RE ASKING FOR THE MONEY?

>> YEAH, I THINK IT'S PROBABLY MORE LIKE WE'RE GOING TO WORK IN COLLABORATION WITH SOME OF THESE OTHER PROGRAMS.

OUR SWEET SPOT IS FOOD AND THE LOGISTICS BEHIND THE FOOD AND WE'RE KIND OF THAT BACKBONE OF THE HUNGER RELIEF NETWORK, SOURCING, REPACKING, DISTRIBUTING MILLIONS OF POUNDS OF FOOD EVERY YEAR FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

BUT WE ALSO KNOW IT'S BROADER THAN THAT AND WE HAVE TO GET TO THE ROOT CAUSES OF THIS ISSUE AND THAT'S AROUND AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE, ACCESS TO TRANSPORTATION SO YOU CAN HAVE ACCESS TO FOOD, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> Eric: UPSTREAM THINGS THEY CALL IT.

>> YES, EXACTLY.

AND WHEN WE LOOK AT THE DATA WE'VE HAD LOTS OF -- WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH ON THIS FOR A WHILE AND WHEN WHEN HE WE LOOK AT THE DATA THAT POLICY CHANGE MAKES THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE.

IF AND IN MINNESOTA YOU MENTIONED FREE SCHOOL LUNCH AND BREAKFAST.

THE CHILD TAX CREDIT, THOSE ARE GAME-CHANGERS.

WE'RE SO GRATEFUL TO THE WALZ AND FLANAGAN ADMINISTRATION AND THE LEGISLATURE FOR THAT AND WE NEED TO DO MORE.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR COMING UP.

GOOD LUCK WITH THE PROGRAM.

>> Cathy: WE'LL HAVE YOU BACK.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: ABSOLUTELY.

♪♪ >> Eric: FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER KURT DAUDT IS PREPARING FOR HIS FINAL DAYS IN OFFICE.

HE MADE HISTORY WITH HIS QUICK RISE TO POWER FOR REPUBLICANS.

OUR MARY LAHAMMER HAS THE ONLY TV INTERVIEW WITH DAUDT AND IT'S A DEEPLY EMOTIONAL LOOK AT POLITICS TODAY AND IN THE PAST IN A CANDID CONVERSATION.

>> COME ON, LUCY.

CAN YOU GET AROUND THERE?

>> Mary: FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER KURT DAUDT AND HIS FAITHFUL CAPITOL COMPANION ARE PREPARING FOR A FINAL FAREWELL.

>> THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR I WAS SWORN IN AS SPEAKER, THE FIRST TIME IN 2015.

>> HE QUICKLY ASCENDED TO LEADERSHIP BECOMING ONE OF THE YOUNGEST PEOPLE TO EVER PRESIDE OVER THE HOUSE.

>> THAT'S WHAT SITS OUTSIDE THE DOOR.

I WAS THE FIRST THIRD TERM SPEAKER SINCE 1930, ALMOST 100 YEARS.

I DON'T THINK ANYBODY WILL PROBABLY EVER BREAK THAT RECORD.

THE MOTION PREVAILS AND THE HOUSE STANDS ADJOURNED.

>> FOLLOWING 14 YEARS IN THE LEGISLATURE, DAUDT IS DEPARTING AFTER MAKING HISTORY.

>> THE HOUSE PHOTOGRAPHER CAUGHT ME IN A MOMENT OF REFLECTION OUTSIDE.

>> SAYING GOODBYE ISN'T EASY.

>> IT'S A BITTERSWEET THING FOR ME TO LEAVE THE LEGISLATURE.

>> Mary: A BIG, LONG PART OF YOUR LIFE AND CAREER.

YEAH.

I KNOW IT'S TOUGH.

YOU DID LOVE IT, DIDN'T YOU?

>> YEAH.

>> Mary: YEAH.

>> FOR ME, I REALLY FEEL LIKE I WAS MADE FOR IT.

I WILL MISS THE FRIENDS.

EXCUSE ME.

>> Mary: AT 50 YEARS OLD THE REPUBLICAN IS PREPARING FOR RETIREMENT, GOING FULL-TIME AS A CONSULTANT.

>> YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU CLOSE ONE CHAPTER YOU OPEN ANOTHER AND I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE FUTURE AND I'M XCITED -- >> Mary: AND IT'S DEFINITELY NOT LOBBYING DESPITE EVERYBODY IN THE WORKED SAYING -- >> CORRECT, IT IS DEFINITELY NOT LOBBYING.

>> Mary: WHY?

WHAT'S THE REAL MOST HONEST VERSION OF WHY?

>> YEAH, A COUPLE OF REASONS.

NUMBER ONE, IT'S TIME FOR OTHER PEOPLE TO TAKE THAT BATON.

THE SECOND REASON IS I HAVE MISSED SOME OF THE BEST EARNING YEARS OF MY LIFE AND IT'S TIME THAT -- I NEED TO WORRY ABOUT MY RETIREMENT AND MAKING UP FOR SOME OF THAT TIME.

>> Mary: EVEN AFTER LAWMAKERS PAY INCREASED IT'S STILL PART TIME WORK.

>> I WOULD SAY IT'S THE BIGGEST PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE TO KEEP REALLY GOOD QUALITY LEGISLATORS HERE, PARTICULARLY ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE.

I HAVE ALWAYS FELT THE DEMOCRATS HAVE DONE A BETTER JOB AT FINDING OUTSIDE PART TIME EMPLOYMENT OR WHATEVER FOR THEIR MEMBERS.

>> Mary: DEMOCRATS HAVE DONE A BETTER JOB OF WINNING STATEWIDE OFFICES IN MINNESOTA.

>> Mary: WHAT ELSE DO REPUBLICANS NEED TO DO BETTER?

>> I SPENT THE BETTER PART OF MY CAREER FUND-RAISING ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, EVEN BEING THE MESSENGER AND FACE AND VOICE FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND I WAS ALWAYS VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT US MODERNIZING ELECTION INFRASTRUCTURE, DOING A BETTER JOB OF MESSAGING BUT WE NEED TO RAISE MONEY.

HERE'S A MEMORY.

COVID, RIGHT?

I MEAN, THIS WAS FINISHING SESSION WITH JUST VERY FEW MEMBERS IN THE ROOM.

>> Mary: LGBTQ RIGHTS AND THEN ABORTION.

THOSE TWO ISSUES ARE REALLY HARD FOR THE PARTY.

WHAT DO YOU SAY?

>> FOR ME ON THE SOCIAL ISSUES WE WERE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO ABLE TO MAKE ANY IMPACT ON THOSE ISSUES.

I REMEMBER AS A FRESHMAN IN MY CAUCUS WHEN THEY WERE DEBATING THE MARRIAGE AMENDMENT ON THE BALLOT.

I WAS STANDING UP AND SAYING THIS S A BAD IDEA.

THE PUBLIC PERCEPTION ON THAT ISSUE CHANGED MORE THAN ANY OTHER IN A FOUR-YEAR PERIOD.

NOW NOBODY TALKS ABOUT IT.

>> LOVE IT THE LAW.

>> Mary: PEOPLE STILL TALK ABOUT DAUDT'S PERSONAL LIFE.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SAY ABOUT PEOPLE TALKING, RUMORS, WHISPERS ABOUT YOUR PERSONAL LIFE ALL THESE YEARS?

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SAY?

>> YEAH, I DON'T -- CERTAINLY I HAD BEEN AWARE OF THAT EARLIER ON.

IN RECENT YEARS I DON'T THINK PEOPLE REALLY CARE.

I DON'T THINK PEOPLE SHOULD BE CHOSEN HERE BASED ON THEIR PERSONAL LIVES AND I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD TARGET PEOPLE OR HATE PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY ARE OR ARE NOT -- >> Mary: DOES IT MATTER >> NO, I DON'T THINK IT DOES.

I DON'T THINK IT MATTERS AT ALL.

>> Mary: WHAT MATTERS TO HIM IS A LEGACY OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

>> THIS GOT DAMAGED DURING THE RESTORATION OF THE CAPITOL.

>> Mary: THAT'S A PRETTY SPECIAL MEMENTO TO HAVE.

HOW MANY PEOPLE IN THE STATE HAVE BEEN SPEAKER?

>> I AM THE 60TH SPEAKER OF THE MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

>> Mary: DAUDT SERVED AS SPEAKER DURING THE TOP TO BOTTOM RESTORATION OF THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE.

>> ONE OF THE BEST THICKS ON IWORKED ON HERE WAS THE RESTORATION OF THE CAPITOL.

I WAS SPEAKER DURING THE RESTORATION AND IT WAS THE MOST BIPARTISAN THING WE WORKED ON.

THIS IS HISTORIC.

THIS IS THE ONLY TIME THAT THE HOUSE SINCE THIS CAPITOL OPENED THAT THE HOUSE EVER HELD A SESSION OUTSIDE OF THAT BUILDING.

>> Mary: OUTSIDE THE CAPITOL AT THE GOVERNOR'S RESIDENCE, DAUDT FAMOUSICALLY CUT A BUDGET DEAL WITHOUT THE GOVERNOR, AT HIS HOUSE.

>> THAT WAS PROBABLY MY MOST FUN MEMORY IN THE LEGISLATURE WAS THAT MOMENT.

>> Mary: YOU'VE HAD FRIENDS AND FRIENDSHIPS AND LLIES WITH TOM AKK, WITH TIM WALZ.

YOU WERE NOT AFRAID TO WORK WITH EMOCRATS.

DID THAT HURT YOU POLITICALLY?

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

I DON'T THINK SO.

TOM BAKK AND I ARE VERY, VERY CLOSE FRIENDS AND HAVE BEEN FOR YEARS.

WE WOULD GO ON -- I CAN SAY IT NOW BECAUSE WE'RE BOTH GOING TO BE GONE.

WE WOULD GO ON FISHING TRIPS TOGETHER JUST THE TWO OF US IN CANADA AND AT HIS CABIN.

>> ALTHOUGH KURT DAUDT IS LEAVING THE LEGISLATURE, HE'S KEEPING HIS POLITICAL FUTURE IN DOUBT >> Mary: DOES THIS MEAN YOU WOULD NEVER RUN FOR GOVERNOR?

>> IT DOESN'T, I WOULD LOVE TO.

I STILL WOULD.

I DON'T KNOW THAT I EVER WILL.

♪♪ >> Eric: THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGINS IN JUST TEN DAYS.

LAWMAKERS HAVE BEEN MEETING ALREADY WITH ONE COMMITTEE VOTE - RECORDED, TASK FORCE WORK BEEN ANNOUNCED, AND MORE WE'VE GATHERED A PLUGGED IN PANEL OF POLITICAL ANALYSTS TO FILL THE COUCH THIS WEEK.

REPUBLICANS UP FIRST, FRITZ CANK.

SENATOR, NOW ATTORNEY IN PRIVATE PRACTICE.

BRIAN MCDANIEL IS A FORMER LEGISLATIVE STAFFER TURNED LOBBYIST AND STAND-UP COMEDIAN.

DEMOCRATS JOINING US TONIGHT, EMBER REICHGOTT JUNGE IS A FORMER STATE SENATOR WHOSE TENURE OVERLAPPED WITH SENATOR KNAAK.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST, ANOTHER FORMER STATE SENATOR JEFF HAYDEN ROUNDS OUT THE GROUP.

WE SHOULD SAY HAT MAJORITY PLEADER KARI DZIEDZIC, HER CANCER HAS RETURNED AND SHE IS STEPPING DOWN FROM STATE LEADERSHIP.

THE ATMOSPHERE AT THE CAPITOL IT'S A PRETTY IGHT KNIT, SMALL COMMUNITY.

AND THIS REALLY HIT HOME TODAY.

>> YEAH, IT IS.

IT REALLY HURT.

I HEARD FROM A LOT OF FOLKS TODAY, FORMER COLLEAGUES, STAFFERS.

SO FIRST OF ALL WE'RE WISHING KARI ALL OF THE SUCCESS IN THE WORLD IN HER TREATMENT.

BUT IT REALLY IS A GUT PUNCH.

SHE IS A PHENOMENAL LEADER.

WE DON'T WISH THAT HAD ON ANYBODY BUT THAT'S ONE OF THE GOOD ONES.

AND SO YOU KNOW HOW HARD KARI WORKS, HOW SENATOR, LEADER DZIEDZIC WORKS AND WE'RE JUST REALLY PRAYING FOR HER.

>> BRIAN.

>> SENATOR DZIEDZIC WAS A GOOD LEADER.

SHE WAS SOMEBODY WHO WAS DOING A PRETTY GOOD JOB OF TAKING THE VERY DIVERSE PARTS OF HER CAUCUS AND KEEPING THEM IN LOCKSTEP ON EVERY CONTROVERSIAL VOTE.

YOU WON'T FIND A REPUBLICAN OR A DEMOCRAT THAT WOULD SAY A BAD WORD ABOUT HER.

>> WHEN SHE BECAME THE FIRST FEMALE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER FROM THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, ALL OF US CHEERED.

ALL OF US DID.

AND SHE HAS BEEN EXCEPTIONAL IN JUST ONE YEAR OF LEADERSHIP.

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT WAS HER FIRST YEAR?

AND SHE WAS CALM, SHE WAS COMPASSIONATE, SHE BROUGHT THAT CAUCUS TOGETHER, THE MOST DIVERSE CAUCUS IN OUR HISTORY, FOR HISTORIC RESULTS.

AND SHE NOW I THINK HAS A CHALLENGE, BUT IT WILL BE VERY HARD TO FILL HER SHOES.

BUT I JUST WANT TO SAY, KARI, THANK YOU FOR STEPPING UP AND WE'RE HERE FOR YOU.

WE ARE.

>> Eric: SENATOR CANK.

NABBINGK.

>> WELL, I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY QUESTION SHE'S AN EXTRAORDINARY LEADER FOR AS DIVERSE A CAUCUS.

HERDING CATS I THINK WOULD BE A PERFECT ANALOGY FOR IT.

SHE DID ALL OF THAT WHEN SHE WAS NOT WELL AT ALL LAST YEAR AND EVERYBODY WAS HOPEFUL SHE'D BE IN RECOVERY, THAT'S ULTIMATELY SOMETHING PEOPLE WILL REMEMBER.

NOTWITHSTANDING THE FACT SHE WAS AS ILL AS SHE WAS AND SHE CONTINUED TO FILL THAT ROLE.

AND AS A MEMBER OF THE SENATE, FORMER MEMBER OF THE SENATE, YOU KNOW, THAT'S THE KIND OF MEMORIES AND LEGACIES THAT YOU LIKE TO SEE IN THE INSTITUTION.

>> Cathy: ARE THERE FOLKS WHO MIGHT BE -- WHAT HAPPENS NEXT, I GUESS, IS THE QUESTION?

AS SHENERS TREATMENT AND STEPS ASIDE AS A LEADER, WHO MIGHT BE IN THE WINGS, DO YOU KNOW?

>> WELL, LAST YEAR PRESIDENT CHAMPION, SENATOR CHAMPION KIND OF STEPPED IN FOR THE FACE-TO-FACE NEGOTIATIONS, RAN THE CAUCUS WHEN SHE WASN'T ABLE TO, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE OF ZOOM AND OTHERS AND SOME OF THE REMOTE VOTING THAT'S STILL INTACT, MEMBERS ARE ABLE TO VOTE EVEN IF THEY'RE NOT AT THE CAPITOL.

SO I KNOW THAT, I DON'T KNOW IF SENATOR CHAMPION WANTS THE JOB, I JUST KNOW HE WAS A CAPABLE REPLACEMENT IN THE FACE-TO-FACE MEETINGS.

BUT THEY HAVE A REALLY GOOD SET OF SENIOR LEADERSHIP THERE.

THE ASSISTANT MAJORITY LEADERS, SENATOR FRENTZ, YOU KNOW, SENATOR MURPHY, YOU KNOW, IS PRETTY WELL RESPECTED THERE.

I PROBABLY SHOULDN'T HAVE DONE THAT BECAUSE THERE'S A GROUP OF FOLKS THAT ARE THERE.

SENATOR DIBBLE WAS HERE TODAY, YOU KNOW, OF COURSE SENATOR MARTY WHO'S A SENIOR MEMBER OF THE CAUCUS.

SO THERE'S SOME REALLY GOOD STRONG LEADERS THERE.

>> Eric: NICK FRENTZ, NORTH MANKATO, THIRD TERM, ASSISTANT MAJORITY LEADER.

I WONDER IF THERE'S SUCH A PROBLEM AMONG DEMOCRATS IN THE METRO -- DOESN'T FIT THE DEMOGRAPHICS PROBABLY PRETTY WELL BUT I WONDER IF A NEUTRAL GUY FROM GREATER MINNESOTA MIGHT BE A DECENT FIT.

>> WELL, WHEN WE WERE THERE THE RURAL FOLKS HAD THE POWER FOR SURE AND THAT HAS CHANGED VERY MUCH OVER THE LAST YEARS.

AND SO HE MAY NOT HAVE THAT POWER IN THE LEADERSHIP MODE BUT HE DOES HAVE THAT POWER WITHIN HIS RELATIONSHIPS IN THE CAUCUS.

SO HE MAY WELL BE PART OF THAT LEADERSHIP TEAM AND I THINK YOU WERE SAYING IT'S GOING TO BE A TEAM.

THIS IS A GROUP THAT HAS WORKED TOGETHER AS A TEAM, THAT'S ALL THEY KNEW LAST YEAR WHEN KARI WAS IN RECOVERY, AND THEY'RE GOING TO ALL STEP UP.

>> YOU'RE MORE OPTIMISTIC THAN I AM.

>> Cathy: WELL, IS IT A TOUGH SESSION BECAUSE THERE'S ONE VOTE?

>> YEAH, THEY WERE ABLE TO DO SOME THINGS THAT WERE NEVER POSSIBLE WHEN WE WERE IN THERE IN TERMS OF REMOTE VOTING AND ACTUALLY BEING ABLE TO EXERCISE THAT LEADERSHIP POSITION LARGELY OUTSIDE OF THE CAPITOL.

AND I'M ANTICIPATING THAT'S NOT GOING TO GO AWAY ANYTIME SOON.

BUT IT'S INTERESTING TO SEE AND ON THE OTHER HAND THEIR OPPOSITION ISN'T GOING TO BE ALL THAT FRIENDLY, YOU KNOW, THE REPUBLICANS ARE PLENTY CRANKY RIGHT NOW FOR WHAT THEY WENT THROUGH IN THE FIRST PART OF THE SESSION.

SO HOW MUCH COOPERATION IS UNKNOWN THAT THEY CAN EXPECT TO SEE, AND IN ADDITION TO THAT, I LOOK AT THAT CAUCUS AND I SEE -- I DON'T SEE A CAUCUS, YOU KNOW, THE HERD OF CATS IS A GOOD ANALOGY.

I SEE A LOT OF MINI CAUCUSES AND LET'S SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> I GOT KIND OF A DIFFERENT LENS AND I KNOW FRITZ IS LOOKING AT IT FROM HIS LENS BUT I CAN KIND OF SEE IT FROM THE INSIDE.

THEY ARE SMART, THEY'RE DIVERSE, THEY HAVE DIFFERENCES OF OPINION, THERE'S KIND OF AN AGE GAP SO IT'S A DIFFERENT STYLE.

BUT WHAT I DO SEE IS A VERY STRONG CAUCUS.

I ACTUALLY SEE THE OPPOSITE OF THAT.

NOTWITHSTANDING SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT ARE IN THE NEWS AND THAT PEOPLE HAVE, YOU KNOW, HAVE SOME DIVERSE OPINIONS ABOUT THE WAR IN ISRAEL AND OTHERS.

I REALLY FEEL STRONGLY ARE FROM A PERSON THAT KNOWS THEM PRETTY WELL ND WORKED WITH ALMOST ALL OF THEM THAT THEY'LL BE OKAY.

>> Cathy: SO WHAT ABOUT THE SESSION COMING UP HERE?

SENATOR REST WAS TALKING AT THE MINNEAPOLIS CHAMBER HERE TODAY I GUESS EARLIER AND SHE SAID NO NEW -- THIS SESSION, NO SETTING NEW TAXES.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> WHAT I WILL SAY IS LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP IS BEING VERY CONSISTENT.

THEY'RE TELLING US DON'T BRING BILLS THAT COST MONEY.

NOW, THE ISSUE IS I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT THE HOUSE, WHO IS UP FOR ELECTION IN NOVEMBER, THEY PROBABLY FEEL THAT QUITE STRONGLY.

THE SENATE, THEY'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF THEIR TERM, THERE'S PROBABLY A LOT OF THINGS THAT THEY WANT TO DO.

SO I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO BE NECESSARILY REPUBLICANS VERSUS DEMOCRATS, IT'S GOING TO BE CAN THE DEMOCRATS POLICE THEIR OWN AND STAY ON MESSAGE OF NOT SPENDING MONEY.

>> Cathy: SENATOR.

>> I THINK HE EXCEPTION TO THAT WILL BE THE BONDING BILL.

THERE MAY BE SPENDING ON THE BONDING BILL INCLUDING POTENTIAL CASH THERE.

BUT I THINK THAT THEY'RE PROBABLY WISE TO JUST HOLD BACK A LITTLE BIT.

THEY DID A LOT LAST SESSION.

LET'S SEE HOW THE PUBLIC RESPONDS TO THAT.

>> YEAH, THERE'S SPILLOVER FROM ALL THE SPENDING THEY DID IN THE LAST SESSION.

PEOPLE ARE STILL REMEMBERING THAT, AND SO I THINK THE MESSAGING IS GOING TO BE TERRIBLY IMPORTANT FOR THEM AND OF COURSE REPUBLICANS WILL BE MORE THAN HAPPY O SMILE EVERY TIME THEY SPEND MORE BECAUSE THEY WILL.

AND CERTAINLY THE BONDING BILL YOU'RE GOING TO SEE ALL KINDS OF PROJECTS.

>> Eric: CHILDCARE ADVOCATES WANT MORE MONEY, THE FREE LUNCH WAS AS ADVERTISED WAS NOT FULFILLED, I MEAN, COST OVERRUN THERE.

THERE ARE UNMET NEEDS.

>> WELL, AND, YOU KNOW, THERE WAS, YOU KNOW, SOME POLLING THAT CAME OUT THIS WEEK WITH, SURVEY USA, I BELIEVE KSTP IF AND IN THERE PEOPLE WERE SAYING THEY LIKED A LOT OF HE INDIVIDUAL PROGRAMS BUT THEN WHEN ASKED DID THEY SPEND TOO MUCH MONEY, OVERWHELMINGLY THE ANSWER WAS YES.

>> BUT THEY LOVED PAID LEAVE AND THEY LOVED THE SCHOOL LUNCHES AND THEY LOVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> YEAH.

>> Eric: DOES THAT MAKE IT HARDER FOR REPUBLICANS TO PROPOSE CUTS IF THESE ARE POPULAR PROGRAMS?

>> WELL, I THINK THEY'RE POPULAR PROGRAMS AND THEY'LL CONTINUE, PEOPLE USE THEM, SCHOOL LUNCHES IS RUNNING OVER BECAUSE MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES ARE USING THEM.

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

IT'S NOT JUST POOR KIDS THAT ARE USING THEM OF.

THE BONDING ILL IS GOING TO HAVE TO GET REPUBLICAN, A REPUBLICAN VOTES ON THAT DEAL, SO THE QUESTION HAS TO BE WHEN YOU GO HOME AND FRITZ KNOWS THIS AS WELL, YOU CAN SAY NO TO EVERYTHING BUT THEN YOUR WATER TREATMENT PLANT AND BRIDGE AND OVERPASS SO KIDS DON'T GET HIT ON THE ROAD, YOU HAVE TO FIGURE THAT OUT.

>> Cathy: EVERY SESSION THERE'S ALWAYS SOME ISSUE THAT BUBBLES UP THAT YOU DON'T EXPECT.

A SLEEPER ISSUE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IT MIGHT BE THIS SESSION?

>> WELL, I THINK -- I DON'T KNOW, THIS ISN'T BRAND NEW, BUT THE LEGISLATION ABOUT ASSISTED SUICIDE AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS NOT GOING TO GO AWAY.

AND HOW IT KIND OF GOT HANDLED WITH VOTING OUTSIDE OF SESSION I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT ALSO I DON'T KNOW THAT PEOPLE ARE ALL THAT THRILLED WITH.

>> Eric: WEIGH IN ON THE U OF M HOSPITAL BUSINESS, OR?

>> YEAH, I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S A SLEEPER DEAL BUT I THINK IT'S CERTAINLY THE CONVERSATION'S GOING.

HOWEVER, WITH MYRON FRANS LEAVING AND THEY'RE N A SEARCH FOR PRESIDENT I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH OF THAT LEADERSHIP IS READY TO BRING IT BACK AND FORWARD.

I THINK THE MIKE RANT ISSUE, IMMATERIAL IMMIGRATION MAY SEEP IN.

WE'RE A SECONDARY CITY -- >> Eric: GIVE ME YOUR BEST 15 SECONDS EACH.

>> I'M WITH RYAN ON THAT ISSUE.

WON'T START THIS EAR.

>> Eric: -- FOR THE WILD?

>> I THINK THAT WILL NOT BE THE SLEEPER ISSUE, PROBABLY THE CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUE ON ABORTION, I'M WONDERING WHERE THAT'S GOING TO KIND OF SNEAK UP.

>> Eric: VERY GOOD.

SAD DAY, BUT THANKS FOR HELPING US OUT TODAY.

THANKS A LOT.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> Eric: ALL THE BEST.

♪♪ >> SOME OF THESE -- FEEL LIKE WE MAYBE BOUGHT A TICKET TO AN OVERHYPED PAY PER VIEW EVENT.

DURING THE CAMPAIGN WE SAW THE BOLD SPEECHES, LASER LIGHT SHOWS AND WE SAW THE FIREWORKS, BUT NOW THAT THE MATCH HAS STARTED WE REALIZING WE'RE NOT GETTING THE -- TAX CUTS, WE'RE GETTING THE SIDE-BUSTER.

[ LAUGHTER ] WE ARE A LITTLE DISAPPOINTED.

>> Cathy: WHENEVER YOU'D HEAR A REFERENCE TO SODBUSTER KENNY OR ANY OTHER REFERENCE YOU KNEW YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT THE VENTURA YEARS.

THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING IN OUR SHOW ARCHIVES.

THAT WAS FORMER HOUSE MAJORITIES LEADER TIM PAWLENTY A LITTLE LESS THAN FOUR YEARS BEFORE HE WOULD BECOME MINNESOTA'S GOVERNOR.

WE'RE GOING TO TURN NOW TO THIS WEEK'S HISTORY QUESTION AND OUR ANNUAL RITE OF SPRINGTIME.

PITCHERS AND CATCHERS REPORT FOR SPRING TRAINING ON VALENTINE'S DAY THIS YEAR JUST 12 DAYS FROM NOW.

A PERFECT TIME FOR US TO DIVE IN TO SOME BASEBALL HISTORY.

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION CONCERNS A FORMER MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYER WITH MINNESOTA ROOTS.

THIS FORMER MINNESOTAN ACCOMPLISHED A FEAT WITH THE BAT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL DURING A GAME IN HIS HOMETOWN OF ST. PAUL.

SEVERAL OTHER PLAYERS WOULD JOIN THE ELITE GROUP OF HITTERS OVER TIME, BUT ONLY ONE OF THEM CAN CLAIM TO BE FIRST.

WHO IS THIS MYSTERY PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL PLAYER?

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU WHETHER YOU ARE CALLING IN FROM MOLITOR LAKE, KIRBY LAKE, OR HARMON PARK IN INVER GROVE HEIGHTS.

651-229-1430 IS THE NUMBER TO CALL WITH ALL OF YOUR GUESSES.

BROWNIE POINTS ALWAYS GO TO CREATIVE ANSWERS, RIGHT OR WRONG.

IF TALKING ISN'T YOUR THING, YOU WANT TO DROP US A LINE AT ALMANAC@TPT.ORG FEEL FREE.

APPRECIATED TOO.

WHILE YOU'RE ONLINE YOU CAN CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE.

TPT.ORG/ALMANAC IS WHERE YOU CAN FIND TONIGHT'S SHOW OR ANY OF OUR SHOWS GOING BACK 30 YEARS.

WOW.

JUST ENOUGH TIME LEFT FOR ANOTHER GOSPEL TUNE.

AND I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS.

DO NOT FORGET YOU CAN HOP ONLINE AND CHECK OUT OPTIONS FOR THE SOUND OF GOSPEL PERFORMANCES THE WEEKEND OF FEBRUARY 16TH, 167TH AND 18TH.

TAKE A LISTEN.

WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT WEEK.

♪♪ >> SINGING: I SAID HELP ME I'LL TAKE YOU THERE COME ON, COME ON, HELP ME NOW I'LL TAKE YOU THERE AH, WELL, I SAID MERCY I'LL TAKE YOU THERE OH, YEAH I'LL TAKE YOU THERE I KNOW A PLACE MM-HMM AIN'T NOBODY CRYIN' AND IN'T NOBODY WORRIED AND AIN'T NO SMILIN' FACES, UH-HUH I SAID LYING TO THE RACES I SAID HELP ME, Y'ALL I'LL TAKE YOU THERE COME ON, COME ON HELP ME, YEAH I'LL TAKE YOU THERE OH, HELP ME, Y'ALL I'LL TAKE YOU THERE I'LL TAKE YOU THERE WELL, I SAID MERCY I'LL TAKE YOU THERE COME ON TAKE ME BY THE HAND AND I'LL TAKE YOU THERE I'LL TAKE YOU THERE [ VOCALIZING ] I'LL TAKE YOU THERE I WILL TAKE YOU THERE I'LL TAKE YOU THERE COME ON, MONDO [ VOCALIZING ] >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY• GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 27 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

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

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

AND PAINTCARE: HELPING MINNESOTA PAINT SMARTER TO PREVENT WASTE.

MORE AT PAINTCARE.ORG.

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