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

>> ERIC: COMING UP ON "ALMANAC," WE'LL CHECK ON SNOW TOTALS AROUND THE REGION AND FIND OUT HOW MUCH MORE IS ON THE WAY.

RETIRING MILLE LACS BAND CHIEF EXECUTIVE MELANIE BENJAMIN IS HERE.

AND MARY LAHAMMER HAS BEEN TRACKING THE ACTION AT THE CAPITOL.

>> Mary: GUN CHROME LEGISLATION IS BACK AT THE FOREFRONT CITY CAPITOL AS LAWMAKERS CONTINUE TO REACT TO THE DIFFICULT DEATH OF FIRST RESPONDERS.

>> THREE MEN ARE DEAD.

>> SUFFERED A TREMENDOUS LOSS.

>> IT WAS SHOCKING AND HORRIBLE.

>> 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.

"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.

>> ERIC: IN THE NEXT HOUR, WE'LL FIND OUT HOW MUCH MORE SNOW IS ON THE WAY AROUND THE STATE.

KEVIN KLING IS HERE WITH A SPRINGTIME ESSAY.

AND KAOMI LEE DIVES DEEPER INTO THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES CREATED BY AGRICULTURE WORKER SHORTAGES IN MINNESOTA.

>> CATHY: WE START TONIGHT WITH THE ONGOING ISSUE OF RIDE-SHARING SERVICES IN THE TWIN CITIES AREA.

THE MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL ORDINANCE THAT WILL INCREASE DRIVERS' PAY ON MAY 1ST HAS UBER AND LYFT MAKING PLANS TO EXIT THE REGION, INCLUDING TWIN CITIES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

THE MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL MET YESTERDAY AND INDICATED CHANGES TO THAT ORDINANCE COULD BE IN THE WORKS.

JOINING US, CHIEF AUTHOR OF THE REQUIRED PAY RAISE FOR DRIVERS, COUNCILMEMBER ROBIN WONSLEY.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> Cathy: IS THERE A PATHS FORWARD IF THE COUNCIL DECIDES IT WANTS TO TWEAK THE ORDINANCE?

>> I KNOW THERE'S BEEN SOME CONFUSION AROUND THIS.

SO THEY'RE TWO THINGS AT WORK RIGHT NOW.

SO, ECONSIDERATION ALLOWS FOR AMENDMENTS OF THE ORDINANCE BY A MAJORITY VOTE, SO THERE WOULD BE SEVEN VOTES NEEDED TO PASS ANY CHANGES.

IT COULD ALSO OPEN THE DOOR TO REPEALING THE ENTIRE ORDINANCE IN ITSELF.

THAT ALSO WOULD NEED MAJORITY VOTE AND I'M VERY PROUD TO SAY THAT BASED OFF MY CONVERSATIONS WITH MY COLLEAGUES, EVEN UP TO YESTERDAY, WE ARE VERY MUCH IN SUPPORT OF THE ORDINANCE AS IT STANDS.

WE'RE EXCITED TO GUARANTEE A $15 MINIMUM WAGE TO RIDERS AS 70,000 OTHER WORKERS HAVE IN OUR DID HE BUT THAT -- I UNDERSTAND IT'S CAUSED SOME CONFUSION AMONGST THE PUBLIC OR WHAT THIS RECONSIDERATION MEANS.

IDEAS SO YOU WOULD NOT BE OPEN TO ANY TWEAKS AT ALL?

>> SO WHAT I'VE ALWAYS SAID AND THIS IS ACTUALLY BAKED INTO THE ORDINANCE, WE HAVE TO DO ONGOING EVALUATION AND BASED OFF OF ANY CHANGES THAT COMES FROM THAT ONGOING, YOU KNOW, EVALUATION, WE'RE MORE HAPPY TO MAKE THE TWEAKS BUT IT HAS TO BE GROUNDED IN DATA, NOT JUST LIFTING OUR FINGERS TO THE SUN AND PICKING ARBITRARY NUMBER.

SO THAT IS WHAT WE'RE LOOKING TO DO, WE'RE WORKING WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY ON, YOU KNOW, THAT ONGOING EVALUATION, AND IF THINGS COME BACK DIFFERENT, WE'RE MORE THAN HAPPY TO EXPLORE THAT.

>> Eric: IF THE LEGISLATURE PASSES A STATE REGULATION, WOULD THAT BE ACCEPTABLE TOWEL?

>> WE ALWAYS HAVE BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF A STATEWIDE PROGRAM.

WE WORKED VERY COLLABORATIVELY WITH THE AUTHORS IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE SIDE.

WE SEE OUR EFFORTS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL VERY MUCH COMPLIMENTARY TO THE STATE EFFORTS.

WE UNDERSTAND, YES, WE WANT MINNEAPOLIS DRIVERS TO EARN A MINIMUM WAGE BUT WE ALSO KNOW THAT DRIVERS ACROSS THE STATE SHOULD EARN A MINIMUM WAGE, AS WELL, AND A STATE PROGRAM SHOULD BE RESPONSIVE O THOSE NEEDS.

>> Cathy: HAVE YOU WOULD THE CHANCE TO TALK TO ANY OF THE MINNEAPOLIS DELEGATION AT THE CAPITOL?

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY.

WE'VE BEEN, AGAIN, IN NGOING CONVERSATIONS WITH THEM.

IN FACT, OUR COUNCIL LEADERSHIP, COUNCIL PRESIDENT, ELIOT PAYNE AND COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT SENT A LETTER TO OUR DELEGATION MEMBERS JUST ON WEDNESDAY SAYING LET'S MEET, LET'S CONTINUES TALKING ABOUT HOW OUR PROGRAM CAN SUPPORT YOUR STATEWIDE INITIATIVES.

>> Eric: DO YOU BELIEVE THE RIDESHARE COMPANIES ARE BLUFFING?

>> WHAT I DO KNOW IS THERE IS OTHER PLACES ACROSS THE U.S., FOR INSTANCE, WASHINGTON AND NEW YORK THAT HAVE PASSED SIMILAR MINIMUM WAGE, YOU KNOW, REGULATIONS AND UBER AND LYFT STAYED.

SO THERE IS NOT SOMETHING NEW THAT WE'RE DOING AND IN BOTH OF THOSE CITIES AND STATES, UBER AND LYFT LEVERAGED THE SAME THREATS OF GOING ON A CAPITOL STRIKE, WE'RE GOING TO PULL OUT OF THE MARKET AND I'M VERY GLAD THAT LEADERS THERE, ELECTED LEADERS SAID WE ARE NOT GOING TO CAVE TO CORPORATE PRESSURE, WE'RE GOING TO RAISE WAGES FOR OUR DRIVERS BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING AS POLICYMAKERS.

THOSE ARE THE FOLKS THAT ELECTED US TO MEET THEIR NEEDS, NOT, YOU KNOW, SYL CON TECH VALLEY BROS, THAT IS THE STANDARD THAT THEY'VE SET AND THAT'S WHY I'M REALLY HOPEFUL FOR US TO DO HERE IN MINNEAPOLIS.

>> Cathy: HAVE YOU HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO THE FOLKS FROM UBER OR LYFT ABOUT THIS, AT ALL?

>> YEAH, IN FACT BEFORE ONE OF OUR -- I BELIEVE THE VETO OVERRIDE VOTES, I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM LYFT, AND IT WAS ACTUALLY A REALLY POSITIVE CONVERSATION.

THEY ALSO ACKNOWLEDGED AT THE TIME THAT THEY BELIEVE DRIVERS SHOULD EARN, YOU KNOW, MINIMUM EXTENSION AND ALSO RECOGNIZED THAT MANY OF THEIR DRIVERS NOT LEARNING THAT.

THEY ALSO SHARED THAT BASED OFF THEIR OWN CAT CLAUSES OF THEIR EARNINGS, DRIVERS ARE MAKING ABOVE MINIMUM WAGE BUT THAT INCLUDES TIPS AND BONUSES AND THAT IS VERY CONCERNING BECAUSE MINNESOTA IS A FAIR WAGE STATE.

WE DO NOT ACCOUNT FOR TIPS AND BONUSES FOR RESIDENTS OR WORKERS A WAGES SO IF THAT'S HOW THEY'RE -- YOU KNOW, ASSUMING THEIR DRIVERS ARE MAKING A MINIMUM WAGE, THAT WILL PUT THEM IN CONFLICT WITH OUR OWN STATEWIDE POLICY.

>> Eric: THANK YOU FOR COMING OVER TO TELL US ABOUT IT.

APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> ERIC: IT'S DEADLINE DAY AT THE CAPITOL WHEN BILLS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE HEARD TO STAY ALIVE THIS SESSION.

MARATHON COMMITTEE MEETINGS SAW THE RESURGENCE OF MORE GUN CONTROL MEASURES.

MARY LAHAMMER HAS MORE ON WHAT'S BECOME AN EMOTIONAL ISSUE.

[BAGPIPES] >> Mary: THE LOSS OF BURNSVILLE FIRST RESPONDERS IS RESULTING IN LEGISLATION AT THE CAPITOL.

>> LAST MONTH IN MY COMMUNITY, AND OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SERVICES COMMUNITIES SUFFERED A TREMENDOUS LOSS.

IT WAS SHOCKING AND HORRIBLE AND THE IVES OF MANY FAMILIES WERE TORN APART THAT DAY.

>> Mary: THE AUTHOR SAYS AUTOMATIC WEAPONS SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ONCED BY THE ALLEGED ASSSAILANT SO THE BILL REGULATES MACHINE GUNS.

>> I KNOW THAT YOUR COMMUNITY IS GRIEVING.

THIS IS A TRAGEDY.

WE'RE NOT FAR REMOVED FROM IT YET.

AND I THINK IT TAKES A STRONG LEADER TO COME THROUGH WITH CLARITY AND THOUGHTFULNESS IN TERMS OF HOW TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE TO ENSURE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN.

I THINK THIS BILL DOES THAT.

>> Mary: REPRESENTATIVE WITTE WAS A BURNSVILLE POLICE OFFICER BEFORE BECOMING A LAWMAKER.

>> NOT USING POLITICS OR POLITICIZE, THAT'S NOT WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO, WE'RE TRYING TO LOOK AT INCIDENTS THAT HAVE HAPPENED, JUST LIKE WE HAVE IN PREVIOUS ONES, AND HOPEFULLY PREVENT THEM FROM HAPPENING.

>> Mary: HONORING MY COMMUNITY, I PROMISE TO KEEP POLITICS OUT OF IT.

I WILL STAND IN MY INTEGRITY IN THAT TODAY.

Ph.D. BERG'S BILL HAS THE A.R.

REGULATIONS ALONG WITH THE TRAW PURCHASING PART THEY WANT.

>> YOU GOT ONE PART OF IT PURCHASER, BUILT THOSE -- I DON'T KNOW WHY WE HAD TO MOCK IT UP.

>> WHY FOR ANY REASONABLE LAWFUL GUN OWNER WOULD NEED TO HAVE A TRIGGER THAT SHOOTS SOMETHING TWICE AS FAST, SO I DON'T REALLY UNDERSTAND HOW THE LEGISLATION HERE IS MUCKING UP ANYTHING.

I THINK THIS IS A VERY REASONABLE RESTRICTION.

>> AS A INFORMER BLOCK INSTRUCTOR AND BEING A FIREARMS INSTRUCTOR, WE'RE GOING TO NEED TO FIX THIS UNLESS YOU WANT TO OUTLAW EVERY BLOCK, EVERY SPORTING RIFLE IN THIS STATE.

>> IF WE NEED TO REVISE THAT DEFINITION, I KNOW THAT THERE'S OPENNESS TO DO THAT.

WE WANT TO GET THIS RIGHT AND WEPT TO GET THE LANGUAGE RIGHTS.

>> Mary: THE HOUSE APPEARS TO BE SETTING A MORE COLLABORATIVE TONE ON THEIR SIDE OF THE AISLE.

IN THE SENATE, THE ISSUE ON GUN CONTROL SEEMS DIFFERENT AND REPUBLICANS CALLED AN EMOTIONAL PRESS CONFERENCE IN FRUSTRATION.

>> WHAT I'M SAYING TO YOU TODAY I DO NOT SAY LIGHTLY.

DEMOCRATS ARE PLAYING POLITICAL GAMES.

THEY WERE ABUSING THEIR POWER.

AND PEOPLE'S LIVES ARE ON THE LINE.

MEDS COLEMAN, WHOSE FATHERS IS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, HAS HAD A BILL TO MAKE STRAW PURCHASES A FELONY INSTEAD OF A MISDEMEANOR.

SHE SAYS THE BILL WILL NOW BE CLONED BY A DEMOCRAT.

>> THEY ARE HOLDING UP THE ABILITY TO DO SOMETHING TODAY TO PLAY POLITICAL GAMES AND THREE MEN ARE DEAD BECAUSE WE DIDN'T PASS THIS BILL LAST YEAR.

DEMOCRATS WAITED AND PEOPLE DIED, HEROS DIED.

>> THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO WAY THAT ONE CAN STAND HERE TODAY AND DRAW AN ABSOLUTE CAUSAL LINE BETWEEN THE ABSENCE OF THE BILL THAT SENATOR COLEMAN INTRODUCED LAST YEAR AND THE HORRIBLE OUTCOMES AMONG HER CONSTITUENTS WHERE A SHOOTER USED THE GUNS TO KILL OUR FIRST RESPONDERS.

>> THERE BEING 33 AYES AND 34 NOs, THE MOTION IS NOT ADOPTED.

>> Mary: BY THE SLIMMEST ONE-VOTE MARGIN, THE MOTION TO MOVE THE REPUBLICAN BILL FAILED.

BUT THE ISSUE WAS HEARD IN COMMITTEE.

>> THIS BILL IS TECHNICALLY NOT IN FRONT OF THIS COMMITTEE BUT AS A COURTESY TO SENATOR COLEMAN'S INTEREST IN THE TOPIC AND ADVOCACY ON BEHALF OF THIS BILL, WE WANTED TO GIVE HER AN OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT HER BILL IN FRONT OF THE COMMITTEE TODAY AS WE'RE CONSIDERING GUN VIOLENCE.

>> THE BILL BEFORE YOU TODAY IS AN UPDATED BETTER DRAFTED VERSION OF THE PREVIOUS BILLS IN LIGHT OF RECENT EVENTS, KEEPING GUNS OUT OF THE HANDS OF PEOPLE WHO SHOULDN'T HAVE THEM IS THE GOAL OF THIS BILL.

>> IN ITS CURRENTS FORM, I DON'T HINK YOU HAVE ANY BIPARTISAN SUPPORT WHICH IS REALLY UNFORTUNATE.

♪♪ >> CATHY: WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS YEAR'S WIMPY WINTER WEATHER A LOT.

SO, WE FIGURED IT WAS A GOOD IDEA TO TALK ABOUT THE SNOW THAT FELL OVERNIGHT THURSDAY INTO FRIDAY.

AND THE MUCH BIGGER STORM SYSTEM HEADING OUR WAY THIS WEEKEND THAT COULD HAVE US ALL DIGGING OUT THE SNOWBLOWERS.

PETE BOULAY IS A U OF M CLIMATOLOGIST WHO TOILS AWAY FOR THE STATE OFFICE OF CLIMATOLOGY.

AS YOU SAID OFF-AIR HERE, YOU'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS STORM.

>> YEAH, IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME WITHOUT A STORM.

IT'S BEEN 33 DAYS SINCE WE HAD ANY THING TO HAPPEN.

>> Cathy: LIKE THE MAYTAKING REPAIR MANY.

>> PRETTY MUCH.

>> Cathy: A SWATH OF 12 TO 15 FROM WESTERN MINNESOTA THROUGH St.

CLOUD UP TO DULUTH?

>> IT'S FUNNY YOU COULD HAVE A MODEL THAT SAYS 16 IS TO 11 INCHES AND THE ONLY THING PEOPLE HERE IS 31, RIGHT?

SO THE WIDE RANGE IN WHAT COULD HAPPEN, TWIN CITIES 6 TO 1 IS PRETTY LIKELY RIGHT -- TO 12 IS PRETTY LIKELY RIGHT NOW, GOING INTO MONDAY AND MAYBE TUESDAY, BUT NORTHWEST OF THAT, BEST SHOT, BASICALLY FROM SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA RIGHT THROUGH DULUTH IS RIGHT NOW THE BEST HANCE FOR THE MOST SNOW.

>> Eric: CAN YOU BE PRECISE ON THE RAIN-SNOW BOUNDARY?

>> IT'S TRICKY BECAUSE WE'RE IN A TRANSITION SEASON, IT'S LATE MARCH.

THE SUN IS AS STRONG AS IT IS IN SEPTEMBER SO IT'S GOING TO BE VERY CLOSE, LIKE OCHESTER MIGHT EE MORE RAIN.

WE MIGHT EVEN SEE MORE RAIN HERE IN THE TWIN CITIES SO A MOVEMENT OF 50, 100 MILES IN THAT STORM TRACK WILL MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.

>> Cathy: SO AT LEAST WE KNOW WE'RE GOING TO GET SOME SNOW ON SUNDAY -- STARTING TOMORROW NIGHT, SATURDAY NIGHT INTO SUNDAY, ALL DAY SUNDAY AND INTO SUNDAY NIGHT?

>> YEP, SO ANY TIME AFTER MIDNIGHT ON SUNDAY IS WHEN THE SNOW WILL PROBABLY START.

THE BIG KEY ASK WHEN DOES MOST OF THAT SNOWFALL.

WE'LL HAVE SOME HEAVY SNOW TO START OUT WITH, AT FIRST, IT WILL BE COLD ENOUGH TO SNOW, THE NIGHT HELPS BUILT WHEN THE DAY TIME COMES, THE SUN IS VERY STRONG, MIGHT GO HROUGH THE CLOUDS AND MELT IT AS IT FALLS SO IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHERE WE WIND UP BUT WE'RE THANKFUL TO HAVE ANY MOISTURE.

WHEN O.WE'RE IN A MODERATE DROUGHTS ACROSS A GOOD CHUNK OF MINNESOTA SO WE'LL TAKE IT.

>> Eric: A MINNESOTA WEATHER LEGENDS HAS OCCURRED AGAIN, STATE TOURNAMENT BLIZZARD.

>> YES.

>> Eric: WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME WE HAD ONE?

>> 2011, A LOW BAR.

4 INCHES OF SNOW IN A STORM.

>> Eric: YOU CAN'T CALL THIS A BLIZZARD, CAN YOU?

>> WE HAD 2.9 INCHES OFFICIALLY AT THE AIRPORT, NOT ENOUGH FOR A BLIZZARD -- WELL, TOURNAMENT SNOWSTORM, AND THEN THIS SNOWSTORM WILL FALL AFTER THE TOURNAMENT IS OVER SO IT WON'T COUNT.

SO -- >> Cathy: HOWEVER, WHEN IT COMES TO BLIZ ADS CONDITIONS IN THIS SECOND ROUND OF SNOW HERE FOR SATURDAY NIGHT INTO SUNDAY AND MONDAY, HAVEN'T WE STALKING ABOUT WIND GUSTS AROUND 40, 45 MILES AN HOUR?

>> YES, STIFF EAST WINDS SO ONCE YOU GET OUTSIDE THE TWIN CITIES, BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW WILL BE A PROBLEM.

IT WILL BE HEAVY SO THAT WILL MAYBE CUT IT DOWN A LITTLE BIT BUT, YOU KNOW, OUTSTATE MINNESOTA ESPECIALLY, NORTH SHORE, ANYTHING LIKE THAT WHERE YOU CAN GET ANY KIND OF WIND FETCH GOING ON, IT WILL BE NOTICEABLE AND PROBABLY A PROBLEM.

>> Eric: DROUGHT OVER?

>> NO, UNFORTUNATELY IT WILL TAKE A LOT AND WE'RE ALOOKING IT-THE MODELS ARE BACKING OFF, THEY'RE SAYING TWO TO THREE INCHES, NOW MAYBE ONE TO TWO INCHES OF LIQUIDS.

NORMAL MARCH PRECIP IS 1.6 INCHES OR SO SO A MONTH'S WORTH OF MARCH, PRECIPITATION, SO BASICALLY, IT WILL STOP THE SLIDE, MAYBE IMPROVE IMPROVE IT A BIT BUT IT WILL TAKE A WHILE FOR THE DRAWAL TO GO AWAY.

>> Cathy: WHY ARE THEY BACKING OFFER THE AMOUNT, IS IT BECAUSE OF THE DRY WIND?

>> THE DRY WEDGE, WE TALK ABOUT THE DRY WEDGE THAT WILL COME UP AND SHUT OFF THE PRECIPITATION, THAT WILL CUT DOWN AMOUNTS IN THE TWIN CITIES.

SO THAT'S NOW BEING IN -- INCORPORATED IN THE MODELS A BUILT, SO THERE MIGHT BE A BREAK IN THE STORM FOR A FEW HOURS AS THAT RY WEDGE MOVES INTO THAT AREA.

VERY TYPICAL THESE BIG SOUTHWEST STORMS TO HAVE A DRY SPOT MOVE IN.

>> Eric: GREAT TO HAVE YOU.

THANK FOR COMING OVER.

>> Cathy: YEAH, HUNKER DOWN.

THANKS.

>> THANKS.

♪♪ >> KEVIN: THE MONTH OF MARCH HAS THE OSCARS, RAMADAN, HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY AND BASKETBALL TOURNAMENTS, EACH WITH THEIR CORRESPONDING SNOWSTORMS.

IT’S BAROMETRIC ECCENTRICITIES AND EXTREMES, MARCH MADNESS, IT’S THE EASTER BUNNY AND THE MARCH HARE.

BUT IT SEEMS TO BE COBBLED OUT OF EXTRA PARTS FROM EVERY OTHER MONTH.

SO IT’S MORE LIKE A JACKALOPE.

IT STARTS WITH THE LAST SIGN OF THE ZODIAC AND ENDS WITH THE FIRST SIGN.

NO WONDER IT’S TWO FISH SWIMMING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS.

WHAT'S GOING ON?

IF THAT’S NOT CONFUSING ENOUGH, MARCH HOLDS DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME, SO WE LOSE AN HOUR.

IT’S JUST GONE.

MY MOM ALWAYS SAYS THAT DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME GIVES HER JETLAG.

I KNOW WHAT SHE MEANS.

DO I GET OUT OF BED OR GET UP IN AN HOUR WHICH IS ACTUALLY RIGHT NOW?

THAT HOUR IS JUST GONE, PROBABLY HANGING OUT WITH ALL THE OTHER THE HOURS I SPENT WATCHING "THE LOVE BOAT."

TRUTH BE TOLD, WITH THE PENDULUM OF EXTREMES, MINNESOTANS ARE IN THEIR PASSIVE/AGGRESSIVE ELEMENT.

PARADISE IS PARADOX.

WE COME TOGETHER IN OUR FEINT CONFUSION, “CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS WEATHER?” WE SMILE, BECAUSE, YES, WE CAN.

WE LOVE IT BECAUSE WE DESERVE IT.

I AM SAD THE GOPHERS MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM DIDN’T MAKE THE NCAA TOURNAMENT THIS YEAR.

BUT THAT’S SPORTS IN MINNESOTA.

ET TU, GOPHERS?

ET TU?

A FEW YEARS BACK, MY NEIGHBOR, JOHN GREILING, CAME OVER.

HE WAS ABOUT THREE YEARS OLD AND HE WAS SO EXCITED.

HE FINALLY UNDERSTOOD EASTER.

IN HIS TINY PERFECTLY MINNESOTA ACCENT, HE EXPLAINED THAT “JESUS WAS PUT IN A CAVE AND THREE DAYS LATER THEY ROLLED AWAY THE STONE, AND THERE HE WAS... GONE.” YEAH, THAT’S BASICALLY IT.

PARADOX LOST.

BUT ONE THING MARCH TEACHES US IS THAT BALANCE IS ACTUALLY THE ACT OF MAINTAINING THESE STATES OF IMBALANCE.

WE MOVE FORWARD THROUGH IMBALANCE.

WE TAKE STEPS TO PREVENT OURSELVES FROM FALLING ON OUR FACE.

SO THIS YEAR, WHETHER WE FIND OURSELVES SLOUCHING TOWARD APRIL OR RIDING THIS BEAUTIFUL ROLLER COASTER WE CALL MARCH, BEFORE YOU KNOW IT, THERE IT WILL BE... GONE.

[Applause] ♪♪ >> ERIC: MILLE LACS BAND OF OJIBWE CHIEF EXECUTIVE MELANIE BENJAMIN ANNOUNCED SHE WILL NOT SEEK ANOTHER TERM THIS COMING JUNE.

SHE IS ONE OF THE LONGEST SERVING CHIEF EXECUTIVES IN THE HISTORY OF THE BAND.

DURING THAT TENURE, SHE LED AN EXPANSION OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, PROTECTED THE BAND'S SOVEREIGNTY, WORKED TO PRESERVE THE OJIBWE LANGUAGE, AND TESTIFIED BEFORE CONGRESS NUMEROUS TIMES.

MELANIE BENJAMIN, THANKS FOR DRIVING DOWN TO JOIN US.

HOW IS YOUR RESERVATION AND YOUR BAND CHANGED IN THE 24 YEARS THAT YOU'VE BEEN AT THE HELM?

>> WE HAVE BROUGHT MORE SERVICES AND CAPACITY FOR THE MEMBERSHIP ND WE'VE LOOKED AT MAKING A VERY STRONG STRATEGIC PLAN MOVING FORWARD, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTALLY, AND ALSO MAKING SURE THAT OUR LANGUAGE AND OUR CULTURE AND OUR TRADITIONS ARE AT THE TOP OF THE LIST, ALONG WITH OUR ELDERS.

AND WHEN YOU HAVE RESOURCES, YOU'RE ABLE TO REALLY FOCUS A LOT OF THAT AND MAKE THAT GET DONE.

>> Eric: YOU MUST HAVE GONE BEYOND JUST THE CASINOS BECAUSE YOU HAVE -- I THINK YOU'RE THE LARGEST EMPLOYER IN YOUR COUNTIES, AREN'T YOU?

>> YES, WE ARE THE LARGEST EMPLOYERS IN MILLE LACS COUNTIES, PINE COUNTY, ANY OF THE COUNTIES WHERE WE HAVE LAND.

AND WE HAVE BIG PROPERTIES DOWN HERE IN THE METRO AREA, WE HAVE THE INTERCONTINENTAL, THE DOUBLE TREES HERE IN St. PAUL, AND THEN ALSO IN ST. LOUIS PARK.

WE HAVE SOME SBA PROJECTS THAT WE DO SECURITY, SO WE'VE REALLY WORKED HARD TO DIVERSIFY.

>> Cathy: WHEN IT COMES TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, OTHER TRIBAL NATIONS HAVE OTTEN INTO CANNABIS.

DOES THE MILLE LACS BAND PLAN TO DO THAT AT ALL?

>> WE JUST RECENTLY PASSED LAWS -- I SIGNED INTO LAW A CANNABIS BILL WHERE WE ARE BUILDING A 50,000-FOOT FACILITY WHICH WILL HAVE 40,000 FEET OF GROWABILITY IN THERE, ND SO WE'RE MOVING FORWARD.

>> Eric: WHAT ABOUT THE OJIBWE LANGUAGE, BECAUSE WE'VE HAD FOLKS ON THAT SAY IT'S DECREASING BUT THERE ARE EFFORTS TO PRESERVE IT AND EXPAND IT.

HOW IS THAT GOING?

>> IT'S GOING VERY WELL, AND MILLE LACS WAS THE MECCA FOR PEOPLE TO COME TO UNDERSTAND THE CULTURE, THE LANGUAGE, AND WE HAVE A LOT OF THOSE VERY TALENTED PEOPLE THAT STARTED AT MILLE LACS AND GOT THE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPANDED AND PERFECTED THAT, WHICH IS REALLY GOOD.

AND -- BUT WE PARTNERED WITH ROSETTA STONE, SO ANYONE CAN SIGN UP ON PROCESS TAKE STONE TO GET ON ON ROSETTA.

IT WAS A LONG PROJECT THAT TOOK YEARS TO GET DONE BUILT WE GOT IT DONE.

WE MADE SURE OUR ELDERS WERE ALWAYS INVOLVED AND ADVISED US, MAKING SURE WE DID THIS PROPERLY.

>> Cathy: LET ME SK YOU ABOUT LEADERSHIP.

YOU SUCCEEDED MARGE ANDERSON, WHO WAS THE FIRST FEMALE EXPECTATIVE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF MILLE LACS, DID A LOT OF THINGS.

WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM HER LEADERSHIP AS A WOMAN AND HOW HAVE YOU CARRIED ON SOME OF THOSE LESSONS, AND WHAT ARE YOU TEACHING YOUNG FEMALE LEADERS?

>> WELL, I WAS MARGE'S COMMISSIONER OF ADMINISTRATION SO I SERVED AS HER CHIEF OF STAFF AND SO I HAD THE ABILITY -- SHE GAVE ME THE LEEWAY TO GET THE JOB DONE.

SHE WASN'T A MICRO MANAGER, SO YOU HAD THE FREEDOM TO LOOK AT DIFFERENT AFTER NEWS TO GET THE JOB DONE, AND -- DIFFERENT AVENUES TO GET THE JOB DONE AND MARGE WAS A VERY TRADITIONAL PERSON.

SHE KNEW THE LANGUAGE, FIRST-SPEAKER, SO THAT WAS VERY IMPORTANT AND WHEN I LOOK AT LEADERSHIP, I'M INVOLVED IN AN ORGANIZATION, I'M ONE OF THE FOUNDERS, WOMEN EMPOWERING WOMEN FOR INDIAN NATIONS, AND WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS PROMOTE TO PROVIDE MEMBER TORESHIP, TO EXPOSE WOMEN TO LEADERSHIP SO THEY BEEN E.THEY AN BE THE BEST THEY CAN IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES.

>> RELATIONS WITH STATE AND LOCAL AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?

>> RELATIONSHIP.

>> Eric: IS IT WORKING, IS IT BETTER?

>> WE HAVE GREAT RELATIONSHIP WAS THIS ADMINISTRATION.

I WANT TO GIVE REALLY A BIG SHOUT-OUT TO THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND THE GOVERNOR BECAUSE THEY WORK VERY WELL WITH THE TRIBES HERE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

AND I'VE WORKED THROUGH MANY GOVERNORS, SO... >> Eric: WHO'S GOING TO BE RUNNING TO REPLACE YOU?

>> WE'RE CURRENTLY IN ELECTIONS, AND WHEN I THINK ABOUT LEADERSHIP, LEADERSHIP FINDS YOU, AND PUTS THE CALLING IN AND SAID, IT'S YOUR TIME.

SO WE HAVE AN INDIVIDUAL THAT'S OUR COMMISSIONER OF ADMINISTRATION, SAMUEL MOOSE, HAS MANY YEARS AS A COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, ADMINISTRATION, HOUSING, AND HE'S A NATIONAL LEADER AND HE DECIDED TO RUN AND PUT HIS HAT IN SO HE'S EXCELLENT.

HE CAN CARRY THE TORCH FOR THE NEXT GENERATION.

>> Eric: THIS SOUNDS LIKE AN ENDORSEMENTS TO ME.

>> OH, SURE, YES, I'VE GOT A LOT OF THOSE.

[Laughter] >> Cathy: FINALLY, WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR YOUR COMMUNITY MOVING FORWARD?

>> MY HOPES IS THAT WE CONTINUE TO GET STRONGER, AND THAT OUR LANGUAGE IS STRONGER.

WE REVITALIZE THAT BECAUSE THE LANGUAGE N MY OPINION, HAS OUR ANSWERS FOR US, AND IT WAS GIVEN TO US, AND SO TO LEARN THE LANGUAGE IS TO GIVE THE SELF-ESTEEM TO THE CHILDREN.

IT GIVES YOU YOUR ATHWAYS IN LIFE, HOW TO HAVE A GOOD LIFE, AND I THINK THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT, SO THAT'S WHAT I WISH FOR.

AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE TRIBAL MEMBERS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF AS MUCH EDUCATION AS THEY CAN SO THEY CAN CARRY THE RESPONSIBILITY AND BE OUR FUTURE LEADERS.

>> Cathy: WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

>> Eric: WHAT A REMARKABLE CAREER.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: WE LOVE HAVING YOU HERE.

>> CATHY: WITH LOW UNEMPLOYMENT, HUNDREDS OF FARMS IN MINNESOTA ARE HIRING FOREIGN WORKERS.

THE GUEST WORKERS COME ON A FEDERAL PROGRAM.

IT'S CALLED THE H2-A TEMPORARY AGRICULTURAL WORKERS VISA.

BUT THE DEMAND HAS CREATED DELAYS.

REPORTER KAOMI LEE WENT TO WRIGHT COUNTY TO FIND OUT WHY SOME FARMERS ARE AT A BREAKING POINT.

>> SO WE HAVE THE LARGE LIVING ROOM.

THAT'S WHERE WE HAVE THE BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS WHEN WE HAVE A CHANCE.

>> Reporter: WOW, THIS IS SO NICE.

>> UKRAINIAN MARIANNE SHOWS ME ARRANGED THE HOUSE SHE SHARES WITH OTHER FARM WORKERS.

SHE AYS ZERO RENT.

THE HOUSE, FURNISHINGS AND ALL UTILITIES ARE PAID FOR BY HER EMPLOYER.

IT'S THROUGH A FEDERAL H2A AGRICULTURAL TEMPORARY WORKERS PROGRAM, FOREIGN NATIONALS RECEIVE A TEMPORARY NONIMMIGRANTS STATUS VISA TO WORK IN SEASONAL AGRICULTURAL JOBS.

BESIDES FREE HOUSING AND TRANSPORTATION, THE GOVERNMENT SETS A STARTING WAGE.

IN MINNESOTA, IT'S $18.50 AN HOUR.

>> WE CAN MAKE SIX-MONTHS WORKING HERE, ENOUGH FOR LIVING A YEAR THERE.

>> HERE WE'RE IN RURAL WRIGHT COUNTY, THIS IS RIGHT SOUTH OF BUFFALO, MINNESOTA, RIGHTS OFF 25.

>> FORMER JERRY UNTIED OF WAVERLY SHOWS US ANOTHER OF HIS HOMES.

HE HAS ABOUT EIGHT OR INE OF THESE.

>> THIS UNIT HERE E USUALLY PUT OUR MARRIED COUPLES IN SO THAT THEY CAN STAY TOGETHER AND HAVE THEIR OWN BEDROOM AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> >> Reporter: THIS IS A REALLY NICE HOUSE, NOT LIKE A BARRACKS STYLE HOUSE.

>> WE TRY TO TELL PEOPLE, OUR GOAL IS TO HAVE THESE WORKERS AND WE WANT A STABLE WORKFORCE.

AND THE WAY YOU HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE COMING BACK EACH YEAR, A STABLE WORK FORCE.

>> Reporter: IT'S A BENEFITS HE MUST PROVIDE TO AMERICAN WORKERS, TOO, IF HE COULD FIND THEM.

THESE DAYS, LABOR SHORTAGES ARE EVERYWHERE, ELIMINATING TURNOVER IS A TOP PRIORITY FOR UNTIED.

HE RELIES ON FOREIGN HT-A WORKERS TO KEEP HIS FLOWER AND VEGETABLE BUSINESS GOING.

>> THIS ISN'T JUST IT IS UNTIED THING, THIS IS MOST PEOPLE THAT USE THIS PROGRAM.

THEY REALIZE THAT THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AND MAYBE IN THE UNITED STATES FOR FINDING WORKERS TO DO THE TYPE OF WORK THAT WE DO.

IT'S ALL HAND LABOR, AND THESE PEOPLE COME FROM CULTURES THAT STILL HAVE HAND LABOR.

>> Reporter: UNTIED TOOK US TO ONE OF HIS FARMS, A CREW OF WORKERS FROM MEXICO HAD JUST ARRIVED BUT A BACKLOG IN STATE INSPECTIONS HAS PREVENTED DOZENS MORE FROM ARRIVING ON TIME.

>> ALL OF THESE SHOULD BE PLANTED AND -- >> Reporter: HAS BEEN PLANTED HERE, FLOWERS?

>> LIKE PEPPERS OR TOMATOES.

>> Reporter: BUT WITHOUT HIS WORKERS, UNTIED SAID HE'S ALREADY LOST SIX FIGURES.

>> YOU KNOW, THIS IS A SEASONAL BUSINESS IN MINNESOTA.

ONCE TIME IS GONE, TIME IS GONE FOREVER.

>> Reporter: THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE THE FARMS TO GET THEM CERTIFIED.

MARY GARCIA IS THE FOREIGN LABOR CERTIFICATION COORDINATOR.

SHE AND ONLY ONE OTHER PERSON IN THE ALL THE HOUSING FOR THE H2A WORKERS, EVERY YEAR.

>> DO WE HAVE A ROUGH ESTIMATE ABOUT HOW MANY FARMS RIGHT NOW USE H2A WORKERS IN THE STATE?

>> IT'S CLOSE TO 300.

>> Reporter: HOW NECESSARY ARE THESE WORKERS?

>> ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.

>> Reporter: THE H23 ABOUT A PROGRAM IS EXPENSIVE.

SHE SAYS FARMERS THAT TURN TO IT USUALLY HAVE LITTLE OTHER CHOICE.

>> WOULD YOU TELL US THE H2A PROGRAM, THEY WOULD HAVE TO CLOSE THEIR OPERATION OR SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE TS IN SIZE.

>> Reporter: SO THIS PROGRAM IS REALLY KEEPING A LOT OF THESE BUSINESSES AFLOAT.

>> YES.

>> Reporter: AND IT'S EXPANDING.

GARCIA SAYS THE NUMBER OF FARMS APPLYING FOR H2A WORKERS HAS DOUBLED YEAR OVER YEAR.

BUT THE NUMBER OF HOUSING INSPECTORS HAS REMAINED AT 2, WITH THE DEMAND GOING UP FOR CERTIFICATION, I ASKED GARCIA, HOW DO WE GET MORE WORKERS HERE FASTER?

>> THAT'S THE $04,000 QUESTION, THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION.

HOW DO WE GET PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE, WHO ARE QUALIFIED, ARE AVAILABLE AND BLE TO WORK, HOW DO WE GET THEM INTERESTED IN AG?

>> Reporter: AS TO HIRING MORE INSPECTORS, DEEDS STATES WE RECEIVE AN ANNUAL FEDERAL ALLOCATION TO STAFF THE PROGRAM AND WE CANNOT USE OTHER FUNDING SOURCES FOR IT.

WE HAVE AS MANY STAFF AS OUR FEDERAL ALLOCATION ENABLES TO SUPPORT.

BUT WITHOUT SOME RELIEF, FARMERS LIKE UNTIED SAY THEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CONTINUE.

THIS YEAR THEY HAD TO LET GO OF THEIR POPULAR CSA ROGRAM.

>> WE'VE HAD TO ELIMINATE ABOUT 30 WORKERS OUT OF 120 OR 130 VISAS THAT WE HAVE.

THE STATE OF MINNESOTA IS FORCING US PROBABLY OUT F BUSINESS.

THEY'VE PUT US IN A POSITION WHERE WE'RE NO LONGER COMPETITIVE WITH THE SURROUNDING STATES.

>> Reporter: TWO BILLS IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE SEEK TO ADD NEW PROVISIONS ON OVERTIME PAY.

MINNESOTA EMPLOYERS CURRENTLY PAY TIME AND A HALF AFTER 48 HOURS.

INCLUDING FARMERS.

ONE OF THE BILLS WOULD KICK IN OVERTIME AFTER 40 HOURS.

BUT FARMS IN SURROUNDING STATES DO NOT HAVE TO PAY OVERTIME AT ALL.

SENATE LABOR COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN JENNIFER cHE BEEN SAYS IT'S ABOUT RESPECTING WORKERS.

SHE'S THE SENATE AUTHOR OF THE BILLS.

>> I WANT TO HAVE SOME DISCUSSIONS WITH FARMERS, WITH THE WORKERS WHO ARE WORKING THESE FARMS AND WE'LL SEE ESPECIALLY WHAT THE WORKERS ARE ASKING FOR.

AGAIN, THIS LEGISLATION REALLY IS INTENDED TO START THAT DISCUSSION.

ON PRINCIPLE, OF COURSE I WOULD SAY, NO, THERE SHOULD BE NO EXCLUSION.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS IT'S UNLIKELY THE BILLS WILL GET A HEARING THIS SESSION.

MEANWHILE, H2A WORKERS AT UNTIED'S FARM SAY THEY'RE HAPPY TO BE THERE.

ROBERTO GARCIA HAS BEEN COMING FROM MEXICO FOR FOUR YEARS.

[SPEAKING SPANISH] >> Reporter: AND HE CAN MAKE A LOT MORE MONEY HERE.

>> SIX TIMES MORE.

♪♪ >> OUR NEXT GUEST HAS BEEN CALLED ONE OF THE FASTEST RISING STARS IN THE MINNESOTA MUSIC SCENE.

TWIN CITIES RAPPER NUR-D ALSO MADE A NAME FOR HIMSELF IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD, HELPING FORM AN ORGANIZATION TO ASSIST DEMONSTRATORS IN SOCIAL JUSTICE CAUSES.

THE NEXT PROJECT ON THE HORIZON FOR NUR-D IS A COLLABORATION WITH THE MIINNESOTA ORCHESTRA ON APRIL 5TH AND 6TH.

WELCOME TO "ALMANAC."

YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS.

GRANT MECHIN IS HERE TO, TOO.

SO I'M SO HAPPY TO INTRODUCE YOU.

OF COURSE HE IS THE DIRECTOR OF, DON'T GIVE IT TO ME YET, LIVE ORCHESTRA.

NO, LIVE -- >> LIVE AT ORCHESTRA HALL.

>> ALMOST GOT IT.

>> SEE, I GOT THAT RIGHT.

HE WAS SO WRONG.

BUT WELCOME TO BOTH OF YOU HERE AT "ALMANAC."

>> THAT I CAN FOR HAVING US.

>> >> YOU KNOW, I'VE LOVED YOU FOR YEARS.

SERIOUSLY, I'VE LOVED YOU FOR YEARS.

>> HE'S LOVABLE.

>> I LOVE YOU ALL THE TIME.

THERE'S THAT.

IT'S MAZING WHAT IS HAPPENING, THOUGH.

HERE WE ARE STANDING TOGETHER, MOST PEOPLE WOULD NEVER SAY THAT WE COULD EVEN COME TOGETHER, COLLABORATE TOGETHER.

COLLABORATION IS WHAT ORCHESTRAS DO.

AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE AFTER WITH THIS CONCERT.

THE MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA MAKES MUSIC AT A VERY HIGH LEVEL, TWO DIFFERENT KIND OF MUSIC, HIP-HOP AND ORCHESTRAL BUT LET'S PUT THOSE TWO TOGETHER IN A RESPONSIBLE WAY AND MATH HAS BEEN THE CON DIETS FOR THIS ALL HAPPENING.

>> A RESPONSIBLE WAY, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR YOU?

>> I GUESS I DON'T KNOW.

I'VE BEEN DOING IT ERY IRRESPONSIBLY, I'VE JUST BEEN THROWING MUSIC.

[Laughter] BUT, NO, BUT, HONESTLY, TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH THESE AMAZING MUSICIANS HAS ACTUALLY BEEN PROBABLY ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF MY CAREER.

I CAN'T THINK OF A BIGGER SHOW I'VE DONE SO IT'S BEEN A LEARNING OPPORTUNITY FOR ME.

JUST BEEN SUCH A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF FUN TO WORK WITH THE TEAM AND THE NEW SECOND THAT WE HAVE GENERATED IS SOMETHING THAT I DON'T THINK ANYONE'S EVER SEEN YET.

>> I'VE HEARD THAT ABOUT YOU FOR SO MANY YEARS AND I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO SAY TO YOU, CONGRATULATIONS.

YOU HAVE REALLY CLIMBED THE HIGHEST MOUNTAINS.

>> OH, THANK YOU.

>> COME GRATH LAGS ATTENTION.

AND BY THE WAY, SO HAVE YOU.

IT'S REMARKABLE WHAT THE ORCHESTRA IS DOING AND KNOWING THAT I HAVE IN MY LIFE, RIGHT, WITH OUR WHOLE FAMILY, WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH, YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND THEN HERE YOU ARE AND TO SEE ALL THIS WORK TOGETHER HAS BEEN REMARKABLE SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US HERE TONIGHT.

IF THERE WAS ONE THING YOU WANTED TO TELL PEOPLE ABOUT THE MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

>> I USE THE WORD ANYMORIBLEMENT THIS IS A GROUP OF MUSICIANS WHO LIKE MAKING GOOD MUSIC.

WHATEVER THEY'RE PLAYING, THE SAME LEVEL OF EXPERTISE AND GRAM -- LEVEL PERFECTION THAT GOES INTO IT.

IT'S I A SPECIAL PLACE.

>> THE REMARKABLE THING IS THEY LAUGH AND TALK AND WE HAVE A GREAT TIME TOGETHER WHEN WE'VE BEEN WITH YOU BEFORE.

WHAT'S THE FIRST THING YOU'RE GOING TO DO TONIGHT?

>> WE'RE DOING A SONG FROM MY VERY FIRST PROJECT, INCEPTION CATCH PHRASE HERE, IT'S CALLED "42" AND I HAVE ERIC HASTE AND DJ-HAYES ARE.

>> YOU BETTER GETS IT GOING ON.

HERE THEY ARE, NUR-D. ♪ ♪ OH, YEAH, YEAH ♪ ♪ ♪ I'M BLESSED, I REMIND MYSELF OF THAT EVERY TIME THAT I'M STRESSED ♪♪ ♪ THEY'VE BEEN ASKING ME SINCE I WALKED THE DAY UP THE STEPS] ♪ NEVER REALLY HAD A CHANCE FOR, NEVER KNEW WHAT MY HANDS WERE FOR ♪♪ ♪♪ RAPPING] ♪ RAPPING ♪ ♪ I ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT I COULD MAKE IT, NOW THE DREAMS THAT ARE COMING TRUE ♪ ♪ BUT THEY NEVER THOUGHT I COULD MAKE IT JUST ANOTHER KID FROM THE WHITE SIDE OF 42 ♪ ♪ IT'S COMING TRUE, I CAN SEE IT ♪ ♪ I'M BLESSED ♪♪ ♪ RAPPING ♪♪ ♪ I THINK I'D LIE FOR YOU ♪ ♪ YES, I'D LIE FOR YOU ♪ ♪ SOMETHING THAT I WANT TO DO ♪ ♪ RAPPING ♪♪ ♪ BUT THEY NEVER THOUGHT I COULD MAKE IT, JUST ANOTHER KID FROM THE WHITE SIDE OF 42, ♪ IT'S COMING TRUE, I CAN SEE IT ♪♪ ♪♪ >> ERIC: "ELECTRIC INDIAN," A TPT-PRODUCED DOCUMENTARY, LOOKS AT THE LIFE AND CAREER OF WARROAD HOCKEY LEGEND HENRY BOUCHA.

THE FILM HAS ITS BROADCAST PREMIERE NEXT TUESDAY NIGHT AT 8:00 P.M. ON TPT'S MINNESOTA EXPERIENCE HISTORY SERIES.

HERE'S A QUICK LOOK TO WHET YOUR APPETITE.

>> IT'S UNBELIEVABILITY THE WAY THINGS HAPPEN.

IT'S BEEN A LONG ROAD.

I REMEMBER VIVIDLY THE SOUNDS OF SKATING ON FRESH ICE.

R. >> ENRICO TAKE THAT PUCK AND NOBODY COULD TOUCH HIM.

>> IT WAS FOR THE NATURES TO BE A KID IN WARROAD WITH SO MANY PLAYERS THAT WERE SO GOOD.

>> SINGS THE INCEPTION OF HOCKEY IN WARROAD, ONE OF THE NEAT MARRIAGES WAS THAT THE COMMUNITY HAD A LOT OF NATIVES AND OUR NATIVES PLAY.

>> THEY TALK ABOUT THE GREAT WOULD NOT.

YOU DON'T TO HAVE SAY HENRY BOUCHA, YOU CAN JUST START WITH HENRY.

>> MAN, YOU JUST CAN'T GRAB THOSE EMOTIONS THAT YOU WOULD WITH THE COMMUNITY AND THE PRIDE AND THE JOY.

>> WHEN HE WOULD GET THE PUCK, THE WHOLE CROWD WOULD STAND UP.

>> THOSE OF US WHO ARE INVOLVED WITH HOCKEY, ASPIRE TO DO SOME OF THE THINGS HENRY GOT TO DO WITH HIS TALENT.

>> A PASS TO BOUCHA, ON THE RIGHT SIDE -- >> HENRY WAS REFERRED TO AS THE HECK -- HECK TRIP INDIAN BECAUSE HE WAS SO GOOD.

>> >> SOME PEOPLE HAVE THAT SPECIAL GIFT.

>> HE DOES DOWN AND SCORES!!

>> I REMEMBER THE DAYS, MY HEAD BAND ON, PUTTING THAT HEAD BAND ON FOR THE FIRST TIME, I WASN'T SURE, AND I THOUGHT, GOD, YOU KNOW, I'M GON' -- I'M AN AMERICAN INDIAN, IF I PUT THAT ON, PEOPLE WILL THINK I WENT ROGUE ON THEM OR SOMETHING.

JUST SO HAPPENS, TODAY, JANUARY 4, WE WERE PLAYING THE BOSTON BRUINS, ONE DAY FORBES HIT ME WITH A STICK.

>> BOUCHA'S PROMISING CAREER WAS OVER.

>> I WAS 23 WHEN IT HAPPENED.

>> IT JUST TOOK AWAY MY WILL.

>> HE WAS LOST, DIDN'T KNOW WHERE HE WAS GOING, WHAT HE WAS DOING.

>> IN THAT STATE OF DEPRESSION, SELF-PITY, I HATED HOCKEY.

>> YOU'RE GOING THROUGH HELD, JUST KEEP GOING, TRY O PERSEVERE.

I THINK IT IS BECAUSE THE POSITIVE CAN COME.

>> LET'S WELCOME HENRY TO THE ICE.

>> ERIC: JOINING US NOW, PRODUCER AND DIRECTOR OF "ELECTRIC INDIAN," TPT'S OWN LEYA HALE.

I'M GLAD THE TRAILER MENTIONED THAT YOU JUST SAY HENRY AND YOU KNOW IT'S HENRY BOUCHA, KIND OF SHARE ELVIS AND THAT KIND OF THING FOR HOCKEY FANS.

>> YES, WHEN I JUST SAY HENRY, EITHER HENRY OR THE LAST NAME, BOUCHA, EVERYONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHO HE WAS AND WHAT A GREAT HOCKEY ICON HE WAS.

>> Eric: HOW RICH WAS THE SUBJECT MATTER HERE FOR YOU?

>> VERY RICH.

HE WAS AN AMAZING PERSON.

HIS STORY WAS SO UPLIFTING AND I WAS VERY HONORED TO BE ASKED TO HELP HIM TELL HIS STORY.

>> Cathy: I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW NERVOUS YOU MAY HAVE BEEN WHEN YOU FIRST MET HIM.

>> YES, I WAS.

I ACTUALLY DIDN'T GROW UP HERE SO I DIDN'T REALLY KNOW ABOUT HIS LEGACY UNTIL, YOU KNOW, I DID THE RESEARCH AND REALLY FELL IN OVE WITH HIS STORY AND JUST WHO HE WAS AS A PERSON, SO DEFINITELY I COME TO GROW -- I'VE GROWN TO LOVE HIM, WHO HE WAS.

>> Cathy: I'M WONDERING, I DID NOT KNOW UNTIL I SAW THE FILM THAT HE WAS HURT, THAT HORRIBLE ITUATION OCCURRED ON THE ICE WHEN HE WAS ONLY 23 YEARS OLD.

OH, MY GOSH.

HE DIDN'T SEEM LIKE HE WAS IN LATER YEARS BITTER ABOUT IT, OR WAS HE?

>> YOU KNOW WHAT?

I ACTUALLY LEARNED AFTER THE PREMIER IN WARROAD FROM HIS YOUNG YES DAUGHTER THAT HE ACTUALLY MET DAVE FORBES AND I BELIEVE IT WAS TWO YEARS AGO, AND SHE DESCRIBED THAT HE WAS SO KIND TO HIM AND HE GAVE HIM A BIG HUG, SO TO ME, THAT JUST BLUE ME AWAY, JUST HOW HE NEVER -- HE DIDN'T SEEM TO HOLD A GRUDGE, YOU KNOW, AND JUST A VERY LOVING PERSON SO IT WAS JUST AWESOME TO HEAR THAT STORY.

>> Eric: AND HE CONTACTED YOU, APPARENTLY.

>> YES.

>> Eric: HOW DID THAT COME ABOUT?

>> I ACTUALLY WAS CONTACTED BY HIS LAWYER, THIS WAS EARLY 2018 AND HIS LAWYER AT THE TIME WAS TRYING TO HELP HIM GET THE FILM STARTED, AND IT WAS REALLY FUNNY BECAUSE WHEN I FIRST TALKED TO HIM AND WE AGREED TO MEET, AND I WAS JUST KIND OF CURIOUS, AND LATER, AFTER WE STARTED THE PROCESS OF, YOU KNOW, JUST THE EARLY DEVELOPMENT, I ASKED HIM, SO HOW DID YOU GET IN -- HOW DID YOU KNOW ABOUT ME AND THE WORK THAT I'VE BEEN DOING?

WHAT FILM DID YOU SEE?

AND HE GOES, I SEEN YOU IN A COMMERCIAL.

[Laughter] AND HE WAS REFERRING TO THE TPT BEHIND THE SEASONS WHERE WE HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE PRODUCERS.

>> Eric: OH, I SEE.

>> SO THAT'S KIND OF HOW HE LEARNED ABOUT ME.

>> Cathy: I HOPE HE GOT TO SEE THE FILM BEFORE HE PASSED AWAY.

>> YES, HE DID.

HE WAS VERY MUCH A COLLABORATOR OF MINE.

WE LISTED HIM AS A PRODUCER, AS WELL, BECAUSE I DEFINITELY GAVE HIM OPPORTUNITIES TO REVIEW ROUGH CUTS ALONG THE WAY AND ONE OF HIS LAST MESSAGES THAT WE EXCHANGED WAS, HE SAYS, I REALLY LIKE THIS ONE, TALKING ABOUT THE LATEST ROUGH CUT AND HE'S ALL, WHAT'S NEXT.

SO IT WAS AMAZING TO HEAR THAT, THAT HE WAS JUST, YOU KNOW, WHAT'S NEXT TO COME, I'M -- LET'S GETS GOING WITH THIS.

>> Eric: WHEN YOU TALKED TO CATHY ON PUBLIC RADIO, YOU TALKED ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE MUSIC.

TALK ABOUT THAT A ITTLE BIT.

>> YES, SO THE ENTIRE MUSIC IS BY THE AWESOME OJIBWE ARTIST, KEITH SUPOLA.

SO I WANTED TO FOCUS ON BRINGING IN OJIBWE TENANT, ANISHINAABE TALENT BECAUSE I WAS TELLING AN ANISHINAABE STORY, AND I'M NOT, I COME FROM THE DAKOTA PEOPLE AND I WANTED TO MAKE SURE I WAS GETTING THE RIGHT ARTIST ON BOARD TO HELP ME TELL THE STORY SO HE WAS THE FIRST PERSON THAT POPPED IN MY MIND AND I SHARED THIS IDEA WITH HENRY AND HE WAS, LIKE, RIGHT ON, I LOVE HIM, AND THEN KEITH SUKOLA HIMSELF WAS REALLY HONORED AND REALLY WANTING TO BE A PART OF THE COLLABORATION AND IT'S JUST AWESOME SOUND TRACK.

>> Cathy: YOU DID SUCH A GREAT JOB, HONESTLY, JUST A REALLY EXCELLENT FILM O CONGRATULATIONS.

>> Eric: TUESDAY, 8:00 ON TPT.

GOOD LUCK AND CONGRATULATIONS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> CATHY: IT'S FRIDAY NIGHT AND CONGRESS IS RACING TOWARDS A MIDNIGHT DEADLINE TO AVERT A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.

THE SENATE IS CURRENTLY DEBATING THE SPENDING BILL SENT OVER BY THE HOUSE EARLIER TODAY.

THAT BIPARTISAN HOUSE VOTE HAS ALSO PROMPTED HARDLINE REPUBLICANS TO ONCE AGAIN THREATEN TO DUMP THEIR SPEAKER.

A LOT OF GROUND FOR OUR NEXT GROUP TO COVER SO LET'S DIVE IN.

UP FIRST, LARRY JACOBS IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE AT THE U OF M'S HUMPHREY SCHOOL.

DAN HOFRENNING TEACHES AMERICAN POLITICS, CAMPAIGNS AND ELECTIONS TO STUDENTS AT ST. OLAF COLLEGE DOWN IN NORTHFIELD.

AND CINDY RUGELY HEADS UP THE POLITICAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA-DULUTH.

WELCOME ONE AND ALL.

GREATS TO HAVE YOU HERE BEFORE THE SNOW STARTS.

PROFESSOR, THE HOUSE PASSED $1.2 TRILLION SPENDING BILL AND THEN MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE MOVES TO OUST THE SPEAKER.

THAT'S AN ODD COMBO THERE.

WHAT'S GOING ON?

>> YEAH, THERE IS A LOT GOING ON AND IT TELLS YOU, I THINK ONE INTERESTING PART OF THAT VOTE WAS THE WAY IN WHICH YOU GOT KIND OF A BACKWARDS BIPARTISAN ALLIANCE.

YOU COULD EE THAT IN THE MINNESOTA DELEGATION.

I THINK THREE OF THE FOUR DEMOCRATS VOTED FOR IT, ILHAN OMAR VOTED AGAINST IT.

THREE OF THE FOUR REPUBLICANS VOTED AGAINST IT AND TOM EMMER VOTED FOR IT SO IT'S KIND OF AN INTERESTING DYNAMIC AND I THINK THE VOTE TO OUST JOHNSON, IT'S SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN USUALLY IN TWO DAYS BUT I THINK BECAUSE OF THE RECESS, THEY'LL HAVE A LITTLE MORE TIME.

>> Eric: COULDN'T A DEMOCRATIC LEADER OF THE HOUSE BECOME SPEAKER IF -- IS THIS THE WAY SHE WANTS IT TO?

>> IT'S A WEIRD SITUATION IN THAT THEY GOT -- GALLAGHER FROM THE WISCONSIN AND ASKED -- HE'S DONE -- >> Eric: NEXT MONTHS.

>> SO ITS WILL BE A ONE-MONTH DIFFERENCE AT THE TIME, SO, YEAH, IT COULD HAPPEN.

I DON'T THINK IT WOULD.

IF IT DID HAPPEN, IT WOULD BE UNTIL ALL THESE SPECIAL ELECTIONS ARE OVER, THEN THEY'D SWITCH IT BACK SO IT WOULD JUST BE MORE CHAOS.

>> I THINK THE DEMOCRATS -- DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP IS EAGER FOR THIS MESS, TO BE GEORGE WITH A ONE-OR TWO SEAT MARRIAGEIN.

WORKING WITH HE REPUBLICANS IS JUST BEGIN FOR IFFICULT.

GREENE'S GRIPE WITH JOHNSON IS THAT THIS LEGISLATION IS OPPOSED BY MOST REPUBLICANS IN THE HOUSE, AND THAT'S JUST AN EXTRAORDINARY SITUATION, TO HAVE THE MAJORITY PARTY PASS LEGISLATION THAT'S SUPPORTED BY MOST OF THE MINORITY PARTY, SO THE REPUBLICANS HAVE REALLY STRUGGLED TO DEVELOP A GOVERNING MAJORITY.

THEY JUST HAVEN'T HAD IT, THERE ARE JUST DEEP SPLITS WITHIN THE PARTY.

THE FACT THAT YOU'VE SEEN MIKE GALLAGHER, WHO'S WIDELY RESPECTED CHAIR, LEAVING IS YET ANOTHER SIGNAL ABOUT THE REALLY THE CHAOS THERE.

>> Cathy: AND E'S OUTS AT THE END OF APRIL, NOT EVEN WAITING -- WHAT DOES THAT SAY EXACTLY?

>> WELL, THAT'S AN INTERESTING MANUEVER BECAUSE ACCORDING TO WISCONSIN LAW, THERE WON'T BE A SPECIAL ELECTION SO THAT SEAT WILL BE VACANT.

IF YOU LOOK BACK AT EVERY MAJOR VOTE THAT'S HAPPENED, THERE'S BEEN MORE DEMOCRATIC VOTES THAN THERE HAVE BEEN REPUBLICAN VOTES SO I -- IT'S JUST NOT ODD ANYMORE, I GUESS.

>> Eric: BOTH BIDEN AND TRUMP HAVE 100% NAME I.D.

BIDEN HAS LIKE MORE THAN DOUBLE THE AMOUNT OF CAMPAIGN FUNDING AVAILABLE THAN TRUMP DOES.

DOES THAT MATTER SO MUCH IN THE MODERN ERA WHEN PEOPLE KIND OF KNOW WHO THESE GUYS ARE OR -- >> WELL, IT'S ON INTERESTING DYNAMIC.

I THINK FOR A LONG TIME, DEMOCRATS COMPLAINED ABOUT BEING OUTSPENT.

THESE DAY, DEMOCRATS ARE IF ANYTHING OUTSPENDING REPUBLICANS.

I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT IN A PRESIDENTIAL RACE, MONEY DOESN'T MATTER, SWATCH.

TRUMP WON IN 2016 WITHOUT RAISING THAT MUCH MONEY.

>> I THINK THE KEY THING HERE IS THAT THE BIDEN CAMPAIGN'S GOING TO BE ABLE TO SETS UP OFFICE INS MORE STATES.

THERE'S SEVEN CLEAR BATTLE GROUND STATES BUT THE DEMOCRATS WOULD LIKE TO EXPAND THAT TO ABOUT A DOZEN AND SO HAVING THAT MUCH MONEY LETS THEM HAVE STAFF, RUN ADS, AND REALLY FIGHT, WHEREAS THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN IS GOING TO BE CONSTRAINED.

THEY JUST DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES.

NOW, THERE'S PLENTY OF TIME AND THERE'S LOTS OF WAYS FOR, YOU KNOW, THE KIND OF HIDDEN PACS TO START RAIDING MONEY AND PUTTING IT IN SO I DON'T THINK ANYONE'S DECLARING THE REPUBLICANS TO BE WITHOUT FUNDS.

THEY'LL HAVE THE MONEY.

>> WHAT LARRY SAID MAKES A VERY GOOD POINT BECAUSE GETTING OUT THE VOTE IS A BIG DEAL SO THE FACT THAT THEY'RE ABLE TO SETS UP THE GRASS ROOTS MECHANISM WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE IF THIS CONTINUES.

>> TRUMP DID WIN IN 2016 WITHOUT THAT EXTENSIVE OF A GROUNDS GAME.

>> BUILT HE DID HAVE AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF FREE MILD I CAN'T.

AND THIS DOESN'T LOOK LIKE FREE MEDIA, IT LOOKS PAINFUL TO HAVE TRUMP.

>> Cathy: WHAT WOULD BE THE --F JEOPARDY -- YOU'RE KIND OF A KENNEDY EXPERT.

>> IF YOU LOOK AT THE THIRD PARTIES AND YOU MASH THEM TOGETHER, THE BATTLEGROUND STATES, THE 7 BATTLEGROUNDS STATES, THE THIRD PARTY CANDIDATES, INCLUDING KENNEDY, ARE COMING IN AROUND 10 TO 15%.

IT'S JUST A HUGE AMOUNT OF SUPPORT AND THE DEMOCRATS ARE NOW SAYING THEY'RE SETTING UP KIND OF A WARROOM TO TAKE THEM ON BUT KENNEDY IS UP IN FOUR OF THE SEVEN MOST COMPETITIVE STATES, SO THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM FOR DEMOCRATS AND JOE BIDEN HAS A ONG LIST OF CHALLENGES FACING HIM.

AND SO ADD THIS TO THE LIST BUT IT COULD BE KILLER FOR HIM.

>> Eric: TO THE BUSINESS PAGE FOR A SECOND, FORMER PRESIDENT HAS MERGED HIS TRUTH SOCIAL WITH ANOTHER TECH COMPANY, I GUESS STOCK CAN NOW BE SOLD AND TRADED ON THE MARKETS.

THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT $3 BILLION DOWN THE ROAD, ARE HIS MONEY TROUBLES OVER OR... >> WELL, DONALD TRUMP IS, WHAT, DECLARED BANKRUPTCY SIX TIMES AND I SUPPOSE CATS HAVE NINE LIVES, RIGHT?

HE'S GOT TO HAVE AT LEAST A COUPLE MORE IN HIM, I THINK.

HE'S NOT GOING TO RUN OUT OF MONEY.

>> BUT I THINK THE KEY POINT MAYBE YOU'RE DRIVING AT IS THAT DONALD TRUMP IS UNDER A LOT OF PRESSURE TO COME UP WITH ALMOST HALF A BILLION DOLLARS.

>> Eric: QUICKLY.

>> QUICKLY FOR THE TRIAL THAT THE NEW YORK ATTORNEY GENERAL'S BEEN RUNNING.

THIS MONEY THAT IS COMING TOGETHER FOR HIS SOCIAL MEDIA OPERATION WILL NOT BE USABLE FOR THAT.

>> Eric: WHY WON'T IT?

>> YOU CAN'T CASH IN THE STOCKS AND THE JUDGE IS UNLIKELY TO ACCEPT THAT MONEY.

SO HE STILL HAS GOT A PROBLEM AND THE QUESTION IS, WILL HE HAVE TO DECLARE BANKRUPTCY HEADING INTO A PRESIDENTIAL RACE?

WILL THERE BE A SUGAR DADDY THAT COMES ALONG, IN WHICH WAYS WE WANT TO KNOW A WHOLE LOT ABOUT THAT PERSON.

>> BUT THERE'S NO QUESTION, ALSO, THAT THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF OVER-INFLATION ON THE VALUE OF TRUTH SOCIAL STOCK.

I MEAN, THAT'S PRETTY WELL AGREED PON BY MOST OF THE PEOPLE SO WILL IT STILL BE WORTH THAT KIND OF MONEY IN SIX MONTHS WHEN HE CAN CASH IN?

>> Cathy: A QUICK QUESTION HERE AND THIS IS IN REFERENCE TO A STORY THAT OCCURRED EARLIER THIS WEEK.

SOME OF US WHO HAVE BEEN IN THE BUSINESS A LITTLE WHILE WERE KIND OF SURPRISED THAT SIX MEMBERS OUT OF THE 8 MINNESOTA CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION WEIGHED IN ON HIS STATE TROOP' SHOOTING CASE AND GOVERNOR WALZ IS KIND OF WONDERING -- >> Eric: AND WALZ HAS JUMPED IN.

>> Cathy: HAS ALSO JUMPED IN AND WAS WONDERING IF HE NEEDS TO TAKE IT FROM THE HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND GRIFFITH TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

HAVE YOU HEARD OF THE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION WEIGHING IN ON SOMETHING LIKE THIS?

>> NO, AND THE KEY THING HERE IS THAT YOU'VE GOT BOTH PARTIES DOING IT AND I THINK THE CONCERN IS PARTLY ABOUT DUE PROCESS, ABOUT WHETHER THE TROOPER'S BEING TREATED FAIRLY BUT THERE'S ALSO A POLITICAL ANGLE.

THE DEMOCRATS JUST GOT THEIR CLOCKS CLEANED ON, YOU KNOW, THE KIND OF DEFUND THE POLICE AND THIS COULD EASILY BE, YOU KNOW, TURN INTO AN ATTACK AD ON DEMOCRATS FOR BEING, OU KNOW, TOO TOUGH ON COPS.

AND TRYING TO BREAK THE RULES.

SO I THINK WE ARE GOING TO SEE THESE DEMOCRATS PUSHING BACK.

MAYBE THE GOVERNOR MOVES THIS CASE, LIKE ANOTHER ONE, TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND JUST, YOU KNOW, FURTHER ISOLATES MORIARTY.

>> Eric: IS THE BIDEN IMPEACHMENT BUSINESS DONE IN THE HOUSE OR ARE THEY STILL PUTTING TOGETHER A BILL OF TENSION OR -- >> SEEMS LIKE WITH JUST SUCH A NARROW MAJORITY, IT'S HARD TO SEE THAT EVERY SINGLE REPUBLICAN IS GOING TO HOLD TOGETHER FOR THIS.

I THINK THE LEGAL CASE IS PROBABLY WEAK ENOUGH, I WAS LISTENING TO JAMES CARVEL A MONTHS AGO OR SO ND HE WAS SAYING I HOPE THEY BRING IT BECAUSE THERE'S SO LITTLE EVIDENCE ON THE TABLE THAT IT CAN ONLY HELP DEMOCRATS.

>> Cathy: SAY, WHAT ARE YOUR STUDENTS STAYING IN CLASS?

WHAT WHAT ARE THEY REALLY FOCUSING ON, JUST CURIOUS, WHEN IT COMES TO ISSUES?

>> THE SAME THING EVERYBODY ELSE DOES.

>> Eric: LOON FORGIVENESS, MAYBE?

>> NO, NOT REALLY.

[Laughter] NO, I MEAN, DEPENDS ON THE CLASS YOU'RE TEACHING.

ONE I'M TEACHING IS PUBLIC POLICY SO THEY'RE FOCUSED ON THAT.

I MEAN, AS FAR AS WHAT THEY TALK ABOUT, I MEAN, THEY THINK BOTH OF THEM ARE TOO OLD.

I MEAN, YOU KNOW -- >> Eric: HAT'S A PROBLEM FOR BIDEN, YOU CAN'T MESSAGE AWAY FROM THAT, OR CAN YOU?

>> E'S NOT THAT MUCH OLDER THAN TRUMP.

THE OLD SAYING IS HAT, YOU KNOW, I MEAN, I THINK THAT THE ONLY PERSON TO CONVINCE PEOPLE HE'S NOT TOO OLD IS THE CANDIDATES THEMSELVES.

>> I THINK WHAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE IS BIDEN RUN A REFERENDUM ON TRUMP AND YOU CAN SEE, IT'S ON DEMOCRACY, IT'S ON TRUMP BEING AUTOCRAT AND JUST MOVE THE FOCUS AWAY FROM BIDEN AND PUT IT ON TRUMP.

THAT MAY BE THE ONLY WAY HE CAN INCH.

>> I THINK HE'S GOING TO LET TRUMP SPEAK FOR HIMSELF.

>> I GOT POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE PLAYING IN MY AR SO TIME TO GO.

>> GREAT.

>> ERIC: WE'VE RUN LONG TONIGHT SO WE'LL HAVE A NEW HISTORY QUESTION FOR YOU NEXT TIME.

JUST ENOUGH TIME FOR ANOTHER TUNE BY RAPPER NUR-D.

HE'LL BE PERFORMING WITH THE MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA THE FIRST WEEKEND OF APRIL.

THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

BE CAREFUL.

♪ YO, WHAT'S UP, EVERYBODY, ALL YOU BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE WATCHING THE PROGRAM OUT THERE ♪♪ ♪ SCATTING ♪ ♪ ME AND MY FRIENDS WE GOING OUT FOR THE WEEKEND ♪ WE LOOKING LIKE TENS WE BREAKING THEY NECKS ♪ YEAH YOU KNOW WE BE EATIN' OH WE LOOK SO FINE ♪ DON'T YOU LOOK SURPRISED ♪ ♪ CUZ ALL MY FRIENDS ARE SO HOT ALL MY FRIENDS BE ATTRACTIVE ALL MY FRIENDS ARE SO HOT ALL MY FRIENDS BE BLOWING THEY MIND ALL MY FRIENDS BE SO GORGEOUS I KNOW THIS I KNOW HAPPENS ALL OF THE TIME THEY SAID WOULDN'T IT BE FUNN I SAID, YEAH, LIKE RIGHT NOW?

AND THEY SAID RIGHT NOW, WE JUST PLAYING AROUND BUT I'VE THOUGHT ABOUT IT BUT I SAID I'M DOWN IF YOU'RE DOWN TO DO THIS I KNOW THAT OUR FRIENDSHIP COULD HOLD ON THROUGH THIS IT DON'T AVE TO BE CURIOUS, THOUGH I'M CURIOUS IF YOU'RE SERIOUS, 'CUZ I'M COOL IF YOU'RE COOL, HEY!!

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