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

>> Cathy: A LOT OF SHOW HERE.

IN THE NEXT HOUR, WE'LL TALK TO MINNESOTA'S HEALTH COMMISSIONER ABOUT STILL RISING CASES OF THE DELTA VARIANT.

WE'LL EXPLORE THE ISSUES OF WHETHER LOCAL ZONING ORDINANCES GET IN THE WAY OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND WE'LL DELVE INTO THE REMARKABLE PERFORMANCE OF MINNESOTA ATHLETES IN TOKOYO WITH A REPORTER WHO WAS THERE.

THEN MARY LAHAMMER LOOKS AT LAWMAKERS WHO HEARD THIS WEEK FROM WORKERS ON THE FRONTLINE OF COVID.

>> Mary: AS LAWMTION TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO HELP FRONT-LINE WORKERS.

>> IT'S ALWAYS IMPORTANT TO KNOW WHERE YOUR EMPLOYEE STANDS IN TIMES OF -- WHERE YOUR EMPLOYER STANDS IN TIMES OF CRISES.

>> Mary: THAT'S COMING UP ON "ALMANAC."

>> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY· GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 28 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

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

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

THE SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY: A TRIBAL NATION FOCUSED ON COMMUNITY AND COLLABORATION - ESPECIALLY IN TIMES LIKE TODAY.

ENBRIDGE: CONNECTING MINNESOTANS WITH ENERGY FOR OVER 70 YEARS.

MORE AT ENBRIDGE.COM/LINETHREEUS.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

>> CATHY: THANKS FOR JOINING US.

WE HAVE A FULL LINEUP THIS EVENING.

LATER IN THE HOUR WE'LL RECAP THE REMARKABLE OLYMPIC GAMES BY MINNESOTA ATHLETES.

WE'LL TALK ABOUT MAKING HOUSING MORE AFFORDABLE, AND PRESENT THE FIRST LIVE MUSIC IN OUR STUDIO IN 18 MONTHS.

>> ERIC: BUT FIRST UP IN THE HOUR, THE SPREAD OF THE DELTA VARIANT IN OUR STATE.

THE NUMBER OF CASES AND HOSPITALIZATIONS IN MINNESOTA ARE GROWING FASTER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

AT THE SAME TIME MINNESOTANS ARE PICKING UP THE PACE WHEN IT COMES TO GETTING VACCINATED.

BOOSTED BY $100 CHECKS, 70% OF STATE RESIDENTS OLDER THAN 16 HAVE HAD AT LEAST ONE DOSE OF THE COVID VACCINE.

JAN MALCOLM IS MINNESOTA'S HEALTH COMMISSIONER.

WELCOME BACK TO THE PROGRAM.

THE PFIZER VACCINE IS LOSING ITS POTENCY EARLY?

>> NO.

>> Eric: GOOD.

THANK YOU.

>> CERTAINLY THERE WAS THAT STORY TODAY.

THE MAYO CLINIC HAS RELEASED SOME OF THEIR OWN DATA.

THE MAYO STUDY ACTUALLY CONFIRMS THAT THE VACCINES ARE EFFECTIVE, BUT PEOPLE ARE FOCUSING ON THE FACT THAT MAYO'S DATA SHOW SLIGHTLY LESS EFFECTIVENESS AT PREVENTING YOU FROM GETTING INFECTED.

BUT STILL VERY HIGH EFFECTIVENESS AT PREVENTING SEVERE ILLNESS AND HOSPITALIZATION AND DEATH, WHICH IS OUR DEFINITION OF VACCINE EFFECTIVENESS.

>> Eric: SURE.

>> Cathy: SO DOES THAT MEAN, OF COURSE, THE CDC AND FDA HAVE SIGNED OFF ON BOOSTER SHOTS FOR THOSE WHO ARE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED.

DO YOU FORESEE THOSE WHO HAVE HAD THEIR DOSES GOING BACK TO GET A BOOSTER SOMETIME THIS FALL?

>> I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO DRILL INTO THIS FOR A MINUTE.

WE'RE CALLING IT, OR THE MEDIA HAS DESCRIBED IT AS A BOOSTER FOR THE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED.

IT'S ACTUALLY DIFFERENT THAN A BOOSTER.

WHAT THE FDA AND THE CDC ARE RECOMMENDING IS THAT PEOPLE WITH VERY SPECIFIC IMMUNOCOMPROMISING CONDITIONS GET A THIRD SHOT IN WHAT THEY WOULD CONSIDER JUST THE PRIMARY SERIES.

SO FOR SOME PEOPLE TWO DOSES DIDN'T DO MUCH FOR THEIR IMMUNE SYSTEM SO THEY'RE GOING TO GET A THIRD SHOT TO GET THE IMMUNE SYSTEM MORE ACTIVATED.

A BOOSTER WOULD BE MORE LIKE AS TIME GOES ON AND IMMUNITY TENDS TO ANE OVER TIME, Dr. FAUCI HAS SAID PROBABLY WE WILL NEED BOOSTERS, YOU KNOW, AT SOME POINT IN TIME, BUT THE DATA AREN'T THERE NOW THAT ANYBODY BUT THE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED NEEDS AN ADDITIONAL SHOT.

>> Eric: SINCE DELTA IS MORE CON CONTINGENTOUS, I'M WONDERING, HOW MUCH MORE CHALLENGING THAT MAKES IT TO ACHIEVE HERD IMMUNITY THAT WE TODAY HEAR SO MUCH ABOUT.

CONTAGIOUS.

>> VERY MUCH SO.

AGAIN, QUOTING Dr. FAUCI, HE HAS SAID HE'S NOW THINKING IT'S 85 TO 90% OR HIGHER THAT WE WOULD NEED TO REALLY HAVE PROTECTION FOR THOSE REMAINING FOLKS WHO AREN'T VACCINATED.

THE THING IS SO TRANSMISSIBLE THAT, I THINK IT AS Dr. OSTERHOLM WHO'S BEEN ON, WHO HAS SAID, IF IT'S NOT VACCINATED, IT WILL FIND YOU.

IT'S JUST THAT TRANSMISSIBLE.

SO THE MORE OF US CAN GET VACCINATED, THE SOONER WE CAN, THE BETTER JOB WE CAN DO AT PROTECTING THE PEOPLE WHO CAN'T GET VACCINATED, BEAR IN MIND, THAT'S STILL EVERYBODY UNDER 12, AS WELL AS SOME OF THESE FOLKS WITH COMPROMISED IMMUNE SYSTEMS.

>> Cathy: EVIDENTLY, THERE ARE ZERO ICU BEDS RIGHT NOW IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.

WE'RE NOT LOOKING AT THAT IN MINNESOTA, OBVIOUSLY.

CASE NUMBERS ARE GOING UP, SO ARE HOSPITALIZATIONS.

I HEAR THAT CASE NUMBERS ARE GOING UP AMONG OLDER PEOPLE IN LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES.

>> E ARE BEGINNING TO SEE THAT.

AGAIN, NOT TOTALLY UNEXPECTED, AS THERE'S MORE SPREAD IN THE COMMUNITY.

UNFORTUNATELY, YOU KNOW, NOT AS MANY LONG-TERM CARE STAFF ARE VACCINATED AS WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE.

AND THE INDUSTRY'S WORKING HARD ON THAT.

WE'RE HOPING SOME OF THESE VACCINE INCENTIVES WILL HELP AND SOME ORGANIZATIONS, AS I'M SURE YOU KNOW, HAVE MADE IT A POLICY THAT TO WORK FOR THAT ORGANIZATION THEY'RE GOING TO REQUIRE VACCINATIONS.

>> Eric: AND ALONG THOSE LINES, STATE WORKERS NOW ARE UNDER KIND OF A MANDATORY GET A VACCINE OR GET TESTED SITUATION.

ARE YOU SATISFIED THAT THINGS CAN GO ALONG IN A PREVENTATIVE WAY WITHOUT THE GOVERNOR HAVING TO RENEW EMERGENCY POWERS?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

I REALLY DO THINK THAT WE'RE AT THE POINT NOW WHERE STATE POLICY ISN'T THE TOOL THAT'S GOING O MAKE THE PANDEMIC FINALLY SUBSIDE.

>> Eric: HOW DO YOU MEAN?

>> WELL, I MEAN, THE FACT THAT WE'VE DONE THE THINGS THAT WORKED CLEARLY EARLIER IN THE PANDEMIC.

NOW I THINK IT'S REALLY UP TO US AS INDIVIDUALS, THE CHOICES THAT WE MAKE, TO GET VACCINATED AND TO CONTINUE TO PRACTICE SOME OF THOSE BASIC MITIGATION MEASURES.

WE DON'T HAVE THE PEACETIME EMERGENCY IN LACE, AS YOU KNOW.

AND WE'RE REALLY REALLY HOPING THAT WE CAN AVOID ETTING TO THE PLACE WHERE THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED AGAIN.

AND WE REALLY DO THINK THAT'S IN OUR POWER AS MINNESOTANS TO DO WHAT WE CAN DO -- VACCINATE, PAY ATTENTION TO MASKING AND AVOID, YOU KNOW, INDOOR CROWDS AND THE LIKE, AVOID REALLY CROWDED SETTINGS, THAT THAT ILL GO A LONG WAY TO KEEPING OUR CASES FROM CONTINUING TO GO UP TO THE DEGREE WHERE IT STARTS TO STRESS THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM AND SO FORTH.

>> Cathy: IT WOULD APPEAR, THOUGH, THAT THERE IS A SEGMENT OF THE POPULATION THAT THESE MESSAGES ARE JUST NOT RESONATING WITH.

I MEAN, THERE WERE TWO, QUOTE, MEDICAL FREEDOM PROTESTS, ONE IN St.

CLOUD, ONE IN DULUTH.

THE DULUTH PROTEST, WAS THOSE FOLKS THAT WERE UPSET ABOUT AESSENTIA AND St. LUKE'S REQUIRING THAT THEIR WORKERS GET THE SHOT.

WHAT'S YOUR ANSWER TO THE CONCERNS OF THOSE WHO ARE PROTESTING O SAY, I WANT TO DO THIS?

>> WELL, THAT'S THE THING ABOUT INFECTIOUS DISEASE.

IT ISN'T ABOUT JUST OUR OWN CHOICE FOR OURSELVES.

IT'S THE WAY THAT NOT BEING VACCINATED CREATES RISK TO OTHER PEOPLE.

ESPECIALLY FOR CAREGIVERS WHO ARE DEALING WITH MEDICALLY FRAGILE PEOPLE TO BEGIN WITH.

WE'RE REALLY PROUD OF THE LEADERSHIP THAT MINNESOTA'S HEALTH SYSTEMS HAVE SHOWN IN MAKING THESE POLICIES.

THEIR PERFECT RIGHT AS EMPLOYERS, AS PRIVATE SYSTEMS.

I THINK IT'S PRETTY INCUMBENT ON HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS TO LEAD IN THIS AREA AND THEY'RE DOING A GOOD JOB.

>> Eric: DOES THE STATE FAIR HAVE A POTENTIAL TO BE A SUPER SPREADER EVENT?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, AS WE'VE BEEN SAYING LATELY, JUST THE FACT THAT IT'S AN OUTDOOR SETTING DOESN'T REMOVE THE RISK.

WE KNOW NOW FROM SOME OUTBREAKS THAT ARE GOING ON AROUND THE COUNTRY AND SOME THAT WE'VE HAD HERE IN MINNESOTA WITH CROWDED EVENTS OF SOME DURATION, YOU CAN STILL BE AT RISK FOR COVID.

SO WE ARE REALLY URGING PEOPLE TO MAKE A GOOD DECISION ABOUT THEIR OWN KIND OF RISK SITUATION.

>> Eric: TELL US ABOUT YOUR VACCINE TATION COMING UP AT THE FAIR.

WHAT'S THAT ALL ABOUT?

>> WE ILL HAVE A VACCINE STATION AT THE FAIR BY THE NORTH ENTRANCE, I BELIEVE.

IT WILL BE FREE, AS ALWAYS.

AND THERE WILL BE AN INCENTIVE RIGHT THERE ON THE SPOT AT THE FAIR.

SO WE'RE HOPING THAT WHEN PEOPLE ARE COMING, FIRST, THAT THEY TAKE SOME GOOD PRECAUTIONS, WEARING A MASK IS NOT A BAD IDEA, AND WE REALLY STRONGLY URGE IT INDOORS IN THE INDOOR VENUES AT THE FAIR.

BUT COME ON BY AND GET A VACCINE AND AN INCENTIVE AND SPEND THE INCENTIVE ON WHATEVER YOUR FAVORITE FAIR FOOD.

>> Cathy: HOW WORRIED ARE YOU ABOUT KIDS GOING BACK TO SCHOOL?

>> THAT IS A CONCERN.

I THINK, YOU KNOW, THE HUGE PRIORITY TO KEEP KIDS IN THE CLASSROOM.

WE KNOW HOW IMPORTANT THAT IS TO THEIR LEARNING AND THEIR HEALTH, OVERALL.

WE THINK THERE ARE WAYS TO KEEP SCHOOLS SAFE AND CERTAINLY THAT'S, AGAIN, INCUMBENT ON THOSE OF US WHO CAN GET VACCINATED TO GET VACCINATED, TO SURROUND THOSE YOUNGER KIDS WITH A REALLY WELL-VACCINATED COMMUNITIES, THE SINGLE BEST THING WE CAN DO.

AND THEN CDC'S COME OUT, AND WE'VE STRONGLY ENDORSED LAYERED MITIGATION STRATEGIES FOR SCHOOLS TO ALSO USE, LIKE UNIVERSAL MASKING INSIDE THE SCHOOL BUILDING BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY UNVACCINATED PEOPLE IN THE SCHOOL.

>> Eric: APPRECIATE YOU COMING DOWN.

THANKS VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

NICE TO SEE YOU BOTH.

>> Eric: GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> ERIC: AS COVID CASES UPTICK AGAIN, LAWMAKERS AT THE CAPITOL ARE TRYING TO HELP FRONTLINE WORKERS ALREADY AFFECTED BY THE PANDEMIC.

AS MARY LAHAMMER REPORTS, THE TESTIMONY FROM WORKERS WAS EMOTIONAL AND ISSUES AROUND EQUITY HAVE BEEN FRONT AND CENTER.

>> Mary: A HYBRID HEARING SHOWS THE DIVIDE OVER THE RESPONSE TO YET ANOTHER SURGE IN COVID-19.

THE SENATE IS STAYING THE COURSE.

WHILE THE HOUSE RETURNED TO A MASK MANDATE.

THE MEETING IS TECHNICALLY IN A SENATE SPACE WITH CHAIRS CHANGING OFF.

>> IS IT OKAY IF I TAKE THIS OFF?

>> Mary: THE HEARINGS ARE HELPING LAWMAKERS DECIDE HOW TO ASSIST FRONT-LINE WORKERS, STILL ACTIVELY AFFECTED BY THE PANDEMIC.

>> WE ARE NOW IN, REGRETFULLY, SURGE NUMBER FOUR, AND OUR FRONT-LINE WORKERS, I THINK A FEW WEEKS AGO THEY WERE SEEING THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL AND NOW I THINK THERE REALLY IS SORT OF DESPERATION AND THEY ARE EXHAUSTED.

>> Mary: THAT EXHAUSTION AND DESPERATION WERE CLEAR FROM THIS HEALTHCARE WORKER WHO GOT INFECTED FROM INADEQUATE PROTECTION.

>> I HAVE NOT GOTTEN A COVID BONUS OR PREMIUM PAY FROM MY EMPLOYER.

THE HARDEST PART OF MY COVID QUARANTINE WAS THE TIME THAT I LOST.

WHEN I QUARANTINED, I HAD TO STAY IN ONE PART OF MY HOUSE AWAY FROM MY HUSBAND.

BEFORE MY QUARANTINE ENDED, MY HUSBAND PASSED AWAY SUDDENLY AND TRAGICALLY.

COVID TOOK AWAY THE LAST TIME I WOULD VER HAVE SPENT -- THE LAST TWO WEEKS THAT I WOULD HAVE SPENT WITH HIM.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I'M SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.

THAT'S HEARTBREAKING.

>> Mary: THE HEARTBREAKING STORIES CONTINUED.

>> I'VE HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO RISK MY LIFE.

WE WERE ALL MANDATED TO GO TO WORK BY OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS, BOYNTON HEALTH NEVER CLOSED, NOT EVEN FOR A DAY.

ALL ESSENTIAL WORKERS HAD TO ADAPT, EVERYTHING WE KNEW CHANGED.

I BUILT A -- I BELIEVED I WAS GOING TO DIE FROM COVID.

>> I FEEL I'VE BEEN ABANDONED BY THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

>> Mary: PEOPLE OF COLOR ARE GREATLY OVERREPRESENTED IN THIS CRISIS.

ESTIMATES ARE 41% OF FRONT-LINE WORKERS ARE BLACK OR HISPANIC.

>> I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE THAT INFORMATION BECAUSE I DO THINK IT WILL HELP US S WE'RE MOVING FORWARD.

I MEAN, FOR EMPLOYEES, WORKERS I KNOW IT'S ALWAYS IMPORTANT TO KNOW WHERE YOUR EMPLOYER STANDS IN TIMES OF CRISES, AND HOW THEY RECOGNIZE AND APPRECIATE THE WORK OF THE WORKERS.

THAT MAKE THOSE BUSINESSES CONTINUE TO GO.

>> Mary: THE GOAL FOR THIS WORKING GROUP IS TO HAVE A BIPARTISAN PROPOSAL WRAPPED UP BY SEPTEMBER FOR A SPECIAL SESSION WITH SPECIFICS ON HOW TO SPEND THE $250 MILLION ALREADY ALLOTTED BY THE LEGISLATURE.

>> WELL, EVERYBODY ELSE WAS SITTING HOME, OUR EDUCATORS, WHO MOSTLY ARE WOMEN AND PEOPLE OF COLOR, THEY WERE OUT WORKING AND THEY WERE RISKING THEIR LIVES AND THEY WERE RISKING THEIR FAMILY'S LIVES.

>> Mary: UNION WORKERS ARE SPEAKING UP TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE WHO EDUCATED AND CARED FOR CHILDREN ARE CONSIDERED FOR THE EXTRA HERO PAY.

>> I CONTRACTED COVID WITH SYMPTOMS IN DECEMBER.

MY EXPOSURE COULD ONLY HAVE COME FROM WORK.

THANKFULLY I DID NOT PASS IT ON TO MY MOTHER, WHO LIVES IN IN ASSISTED LIVING OR MY IMMEDIATE FAMILY.

PLEASE HELP US WHO HAVE RISKED OUR LIVES TRANSPORTING YOUR CHILDREN WHILE RECEIVING A SMALLER PAYCHECK.

>> Mary: DATA SHOWS FOREIGN-BORN WORKERS REPRESENT 17% OF FRONT-LINE EMPLOYEES.

>> WE ARE TOLD WE ARE ESSENTIAL.

YES, INDEED, WE ARE.

BUT OUR PAY DOESN'T REFLECT THE VALUE OF OUR WORK.

>> MY HUSBAND JUST PASSED RECENTLY, SO IT TOOK A TOLL ON MY FAMILY.

>> Mary: WHETHER ONLINE OR IN PERSON, PEOPLE ARE COMING TO THE CAPITOL TO SHARE THEIR EMOTIONAL COVID STORIES THAT THEY HOPED WOULD BE A CONCERN OF THE PAST.

>> I DO NOT HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE FOR MYSELF OR MY CHILDREN.

MY CHILDREN HAD TO COME WITH ME.

THEY DID NOT HAVE A CHOICE.

IF I COULDN'T GET TO WORK OR MY HUSBAND COULDN'T GET TO WORK, WE COULDN'T OPERATE.

SO I MADE THE CHOICE TO COME TO WORK AND TO BE AT RISK KNOWING THAT IF WE WERE TO CATCH THE VIRUS, WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD THE MEDICAL CARE TO SAVE US.

I MADE THAT CHOICE BECAUSE IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

AND THE ONLY THING I COULD DO TO HELP.

♪♪ >> CATHY: THE TOKYO OLYMPICS WERE UNLIKE ANY OTHER.

AND OUR NEXT GUEST SHOULD KNOW.

THIS WAS THE 12TH OLYMPIC GAMES SHE HAS COVERED IN HER JOURNALISM CAREER.

RACHEL BLOUNT IS A MUCH-HONORED SPORTS REPORTER FOR THE "STAR TRIBUNE."

OH, MY GOSH, GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

WELCOME BACK TO THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

IT'S GREAT TO BE HERE.

>> Cathy: WE WERE TALKING IN THE BREAK HERE ABOUT HOW MINNESOTA -- MINNESOTA USUALLY DOESN'T DO VERY WELL IN THE SUMMER OLYMPICS, BUT, MY GOSH, THE EXPERIENCE THAT OUR ATHLETES HAD, AMAZING.

>> IT WAS TREMENDOUS.

WE HAD A LARGE GROUP THIS TIME.

WE HAD 17 ATHLETES WITH MINNESOTA CONNECTIONS.

NINE OF THOSE CAME BACK WITH MEDALS.

EIGHT MEDALS -- PARDON ME -- 12 MEDALS WERE WON IN ALL AND TWO OF OUR ATHLETES, SUNI LEE, THE GYMNAST, REGAN SMITH, THE SWIMMER, WON THREE MEDALS EACH.

THAT HAD NEVER HAPPENED WITH A MINNESOTA ATHLETE.

>> Eric: SUNI LEE'S STORY IS ALMOST IRRESISTIBLE, STORYBOOK STUFF.

>> THE FIRST HMONG AMERICAN TO COMPETE FOR THE U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM, THE FIRST ASIAN AMERICAN WOMAN TO WIN THE GYMNASTICS ALL-AROUND CHAMPIONSHIP AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES.

AND IT'S JUST SUCH A MARVELOUS STORY ABOUT HER FAMILY, TO HEAR HOW THEY CAME TO THE UNITED STATES AFTER THE VIETNAM WAR AND IT'S A WONDERFUL FAMILY, NURTURED ER TALENT, DID EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO PUT HER IN POSITION AND SHE'S SUCH A HARD WORKER AND A WONDERFUL YOUNG WOMAN.

I WAS JUST HRILLED TO SEE HER SUCCEED ON THAT STAGE.

>> Cathy: SHE'S BEEN CALLED THE DAUGHTER OF THE WHOLE HMONG COMMUNITY.

>> SHE ABSOLUTELY IS.

THAT COMMUNITY HAS REALLY RALLIED AROUND HER, AND VEN BACK WHEN SHE WAS A LITTLE GIRL, YOU KNOW, GYMNASTICS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE SPORT, AND SUNI'S DAD, JOHN, WOULD HAVE A FUND-RAISER EVERY YEAR AND ALL THE HMONG COMMUNITY WOULD COME TOGETHER AND PITCH THEIR 10 OR 20 BUCKS IN THE POT AND THAT HELPED GET SUNI TO THE OLYMPICS ALL THESE YEARS LATER.

>> ric: SHE'S ON HER WAY TO AUBURN.

>> SHE IS.

>> Eric: AND THERE ARE NEW RULES FOR COLLEGE SPORTS WHERE YOU CAN USE YOUR NAME, YOUR IMAGE AND YOUR LIKENESS TO CUT COMMERCIAL DEALS.

IS THE SKY THE LIMIT FOR HER?

>> I THINK IT ABSOLUTELY IS.

WE'VE SEEN THIS IN THE PAST WITH GYMNASTICS, THE WOMEN'S ALL-AROUND CHAMPION, TYPICALLY BECOMES AMERICA'S SWEETHEART IN SOME DEGREE.

SO I THINK CERTAINLY SUNI IS GOING TO GET A LOT OF ATTENTION.

SHE'LL PROBABLY GET SOME GOOD DEALS FOR ENDORSEMENTS, THAT SORT OF THING.

AND, YET, BECAUSE OF THESE NEW RULES, SHE CAN NOW COMPETE IN COLLEGE, GET HER DEGREE, AVE FOUR YEARS IN COLLEGE, AND WE'RE SEEING NOW ALSO WITH WOMEN'S GYMNASTICS MORE WOMEN ARE COMPETING IN COLLEGE AND THEN GOING ON TO PICK UP THEIR ELITE CAREER GAIN.

SO WE COULD SEE HER AGAIN IN 2024.

>> Eric: WOW.

>> ABSOLUTELY AT THE PARIS GAMES.

>> Cathy: I LIKE GABLE STEVENSON'S STORY.

WHAT A COOL STORY.

DO YOU THINK HE'S GOING TO GO PRO OR STAY AT THE "U?"

>> EVERYBODY SEEMS TO THINK THAT HE'S GOING TO GO PRO.

WE ALL KNOW THAT HE WANTS TO DO THAT, HE'S TALKED A LOT ABOUT THAT.

BUT HIS FATHER WOULD LIKE HIM TO STAY AT THE UNIVERSITY AND HE ENJOYS THE UNIVERSITY AS WELL.

GABLES HAD A -- GABLE'S HAD A GREAT EXPERIENCE WITH THE GOPHERS WRESTLING PROGRAM.

I THINK IT WILL BE HARD FOR HIM TO LEAVE IN HE -- IF HE CHOOSES TO LEAVE.

>> Eric: HOW ABOUT THE FOCUS ON THE ATHLETES' MENTAL HEALTH.

TELL A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT IN TAKE I DON'T.

TOKOYO.

>> Cathy: DO YOU THINK THAT WILL STICK?

>> THAT IS SOMETHING WE HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE.

WE'VE ALL HEARD THE STORIES ABOUT HOW MENTALLY STRONG THESE ATHLETES ARE, ALMOST NOT LIKE THE REST OF US.

BUT IN TOKOYO, THEY REMINDED US, THEY ARE HUMAN, THEY HAVE THEIR FRAILTIES, THEY HAVE VULNERABILITIES, AND FINALLY NOW THEY'RE NOT AFRAID TO SPEAK UP ABOUT THAT.

AND LET PEOPLE KNOW.

SIMONE BIAS WAS COURAGEOUS WITHDRAWING FROM THAT COMPETITION AND THE INDIVIDUAL EVENTS.

IN HER CASE, WHAT PEOPLE DIDN'T RECOGNIZE, IT COULD BE PHYSICALLY HARMFUL TO HER, THERE ARE DOCUMENTED TALES OF WOMEN THAT HAVE THIS MIND AND BODY DISCONNECT, LIKE SIMONE HAD.

>> Eric: THE TWISTIES.

>> WHEN YOU HAVE THE TWISTIES, YOUR MIND AND BODY ARE NOT IN SYNC AND IF YOU DO THE TWISTING FLIPS, YOU CAN FALL AND BE PARALYZED, BE KILLED.

SO IN HER CASE, IT WAS IMPERATIVE THAT SHE WITHDRAW.

AND THERE WERE PEOPLE THAT STILL EVEN THEN AID, OH, SHE'S JUST BEING A BABY, SHE'S JUST NOT TOUGH ENOUGH.

NO, IN THIS CASE, IT WAS A POSSIBLE LIFE-OR-DEATH SITUATION, SO, HOW NICE TO SEE THESE ATHLETES RECOGNIZE THAT THEY CAN SAY, HEY, I'M NOT UP TO THIS TODAY.

OR I'M HAVING THESE STRUGGLES AND THESE ISSUES.

>> Cathy: COVERING THE OLYMPICS IS REALLY DIFFICULT.

I DON'T THINK PEOPLE REALLY UNDERSTAND THAT.

THIS IS YOUR 12th, THAT WAS YOUR 12th OLYMPICS, IS THAT RIGHT?

>> 12th ONE, THAT'S CORRECT.

>> Cathy: WHAT WAS IT LIKE IN TOKOYO?

>> THIS WAS AN OLYMPICS LIKE NONE OTHER.

WE HAD TO GET COVID TESTS CONSTANTLY.

WE HAD TO HAVE THEM THE FIRST THREE DAYS WE WERE THERE AND THEN EVERY THREE OR FOUR DAYS AFTER THAT.

WE WERE VERY LIMITED IN WHERE WE COULD GO.

WE COULD BE IN OUR HOTEL, WE COULD BE AT A VENUE COVERING AN EVENT, OR WE COULD BE IN THE MEDIA CENTER.

WE COULD NOT GO TO RESTAURANTS.

WE COULD NOT EVEN WALK AROUND FREELY.

WE COULD LEAVE THE HOTEL FOR 15 MINUTES A DAY TO GO PICK UP SOME FOOD OR GO TO A CONVENIENCE STORE.

THERE WAS A GUARD THERE WITH A STOPWATCH.

>> Eric: WOW.

>> SO THEY WERE DEAD SERIOUS ABOUT ALL THE COVID RULES.

>> Eric: WHAT'S GOING TO BE YOUR LASTING IMAGE FROM TOKOYO?

>> YOU KNOW, MY LASTING MAGE FROM TOKOYO IS ACTUALLY GOING TO BE THE VOLUNTEERS, THE JAPANESE PEOPLE.

WE KNEW BEFOREHAND THAT THEY WERE NOT NECESSARILY KEEN ON HOSTING THE OLYMPICS.

THEY NEW, THEY WERE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT COVID SPREAD, AND ALL THE PUBLIC OPINION POLLS SHOWED THE JAPANESE PUBLIC WAS VERY MUCH AGAINST HOSTING THE OLYMPICS.

BUT WHEN EVERYONE GOT THERE, THE HOSPITALITY, THE WARMTH WAS JUST PHENOMENAL.

TOWARDS EVERYONE, TOWARDS THE ATHLETES, TOWARDS THE JOURNALISTS, EVERYONE THERE.

THEY -- JAPAN MADE THOSE OLYMPICS VERY VERY SPECIAL.

AND ALL THE ATHLETES TALKED ABOUT IT.

THEY WERE SO GRATEFUL TO HAVE THIS EXPERIENCE ONE YEAR LATER TO BE ABLE TO COME AND COMPETE ON THE OLYMPIC STAGE AND IF IT WERE NOT FOR THE JAPANESE VOLUNTEERS, THAT WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED.

>> Eric: YOUR COVERAGE WAS WORTHY OF A PULITZER-PRIZE-WINNING NEWSPAPER.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> Eric: THANK YOU FOR COMING OVER.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>> ERIC: IT WAS A BIG WEEK FOR HOUSING NEWS.

IT BEGAN OVER THE WEEKEND WHEN THE "STAR TRIBUNE" PUBLISHED AN EXTENSIVE MULTIMEDIA REPORT HIGHLIGHTING THE PROBLEM OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND HOW ZONING LAWS THAT FAVOR SINGLE FAMILY HOMES MAY BE CONTRIBUTING TO HOUSING INEQUITY.

THE STRIB SERIES LED TO CALLS FOR NEW LEGISLATION AND BROUGHT ATTENTION TO THE WORK OF A BIPARTISAN HOUSING AFFORDABILITY COMMISSION THAT WAS CREATED BY THE LEGISLATURE IN 2019.

WE'RE JOINED NOW BY TWO LAWMAKERS WHO WORK ON HOUSING ISSUES.

JIM NASH IS A REPUBLICAN STATE REP FROM WACONIA.

STEVE ELKINS IS A DFL HOUSE MEMBER FROM BLOOMINGTON.

THANK YOU, FELLAS, FOR BEING HERE.

REPRESENTATIVE NASH, THE LEGISLATURE DID PASS, I THINK IT WAS $145 MILLION HOUSING BILL.

AT LEAST IT WAS LABELED AS LINKING IT TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

BUT I GET THE FEELING THIS ISN'T JUST A THROW MONEY AT A PROBLEM.

THIS HAS A LOT OF REGULATIONS AND THAT SORT OF STUFF, LOCAL CONTROL, A BUNCH OF ISSUES.

>> RIGHT.

YOU'RE EXACTLY RIGHT.

SO THE NOTION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING VERSUS HOUSING AFFORDABILITY I THINK IS AN ISSUE THAT BOTH REPRESENTATIVE ELKINS AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PUT ON THE RECORD.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS SOMETHING THAT HAS SOME SUBSIDIES AND MANY OTHER THINGS.

THIS IS ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT MY KIDS, I HAVE SIX, OTHER PEOPLE'S KIDS HAVE THE ABILITY DOWN THE ROAD TO BUY THEIR PIECE OF MINNESOTA, TO BUY THEIR OWN HOME.

SO THAT'S WHY IT'S HOUSING AFFORDABILITY.

SO THE TWO, ES, IT'S BASICALLY REVERSING THE ORDER OF THE WORD, BUT IT CONNOTES SOMETHING VERY VERY DIFFERENT.

AND I VIEW THIS, AND I SHARE THIS IN THE LEGISLATURE, THAT THIS IS A LOT LIKE I TALK ABOUT MY TWO OLDEST BOYS.

THEY HAVE SAID TO MY WIFE AND I THAT THEY VIEW OUR HOME IN WACONIA AS THEIR NORTHERN STAR.

SO THAT IF EVER SOMETHING GOES ADRIFT, IF THEY EVER FEEL LIKE THEY NEED TO COME HOME, THEY ALWAYS KNOW THE WAY BACK HOME.

WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT IS ACHIEVABLE FOR ALL CHILDREN AND I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT OFTENTIMES PEOPLE SAY, WELL, ALL YOU REPUBLICANS GO AFTER THE DEMOCRATS IN St. PAUL AND DEMOCRATS GO AFTER REPUBLICANS IN St. PAUL.

REPRESENTATIVE ELKINS AND I ARE IN AGREEMENT ON A HUGE PORTION OF ALL THINGS AND WE'RE NOT HERE TO FIGHT.

WE'RE ACTUALLY IN AGREEMENT.

SO I THINK THAT'S NOTEWORTHY.

>> Cathy: I'M CURIOUS ABOUT THE AFFORDABILITY PROBLEM.

IS THAT ALSO BECAUSE OF REGULATIONS AND FEES AND ZONING ORDINANCES?

>> SO OVER THE PAST YEAR, WE'VE SEEN REPORTS FROM THE ITASCA PROJECT, MINNESOTA MINNEA HOUSING PARTNERSHIP, THE MINNESOTA CHAPTER OF THE URBAN LAND INSTITUTE, AND IN ALL OF THESE REPORTS, ONE OF THE PILLARS OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS IS THAT WE DO NEED REGULATORY REFORM.

THE CITIES AND THE STATE RIGHT NOW ARE OPERATING UNDER A COLLECTION OF STATUTES GOVERNING ZONING THAT DATE BACK TO THE 1994-1995 SESSION, WHICH WAS THE LAST TIME THE ZONING STATUTES WERE UPDATED.

AND IN THE INTERVENING 25 YEARS, THE INTENT OF THE AUTHORS OF THOSE REFORMS HAS BEEN ERODED BY COURT DECISIONS, JUST COMMON PRACTICES THAT HAVE CREPT IN, AND IT'S TIME AFTER 25 YEARS TO GO BACK AND REVISE -- REVISIT THOSE STATUTES, TO BRING THEM UP TO DATE AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE NOT POSING AN OBSTACLE O THE CREATION OF MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

>> Eric: IN A TOWN LIKE WACONIA IS DENSITY POPULAR?

>> WELL, LET ME REPHRASE THE QUESTION FOR YOU.

I THINK THE MARKET DRIVING WHAT HAPPENS IN WACONIA IS VERY VERY IMPORTANT TO WACONIA.

I'M ITS FORMER MAYOR.

>> Eric: IT'S BOOMING, HOUSING IS BOOMING OUT THERE.

>> IT IS GROWING LEAPS AND BOUNDS.

BUT WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO GET ACCOMPLISHED FOR CITIES LIKE WACONIA AND OTHER CITIES AROUND THE STATE IS MAKING SURE THAT IF YOU WANT TO BUY A STARTER HOME THAT THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD A STARTER HOME IN THAT AREA AND THAT THE CITIES DON'T HAVE JUST THE LAST WORD ON WHAT CAN AND CANNOT BE PUT THERE.

BUT THE GOAL OF THE WORK THAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS RECOGNIZING HOUSING'S A VERY DIFFICULT ISSUE.

I LIKEN IT ON THE FLOOR TO A QUADRATIC EQUATION THAT WE ALL HATED IN ALGEBRA CLASS, BUT YOU RECOGNIZE THAT THERE ARE DIFFERENT PARTS OF THAT EQUATION THAT HAVE TO BE SOLVED BEFORE YOU CAN MOVE ON TO THE NEXT THING AND GET THE OVERALL SOLUTION.

SO THINGS LIKE ZONING, THINGS LIKE LAND USE, THINGS LIKE INSPECTION FEES, AND OTHER FEES ALL HAVE TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE WE CAN MOVE FORWARD SO THAT KIDS LIKE MINE AND KIDS LIKE STEVE'S AND GRANDKIDS AND OTHERS CAN FIND THEIR NORTH STAR MOMENT.

>> Eric: FOLKS IN BLOOMINGTON, THE OFFICIALS IN THE CITY SAY, AND YOU COME FROM THAT -- >> YUP, I'M A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER FROM BLOOMINGTON.

>> Eric: RIGHT.

WON'T THEY SAY, ONE SIZE DOESN'T FIT ALL, WE WANT LOCAL CONTROL?

>> YES, THE CITIES DEFINITELY SAY THAT.

AND BLOOMINGTON, WHERE I'M FROM, FOR EXAMPLE, ONE OF THE MORE CONTROVERSIAL PROVISIONS IN MY BILL, AND I'M TRYING TO SOLVE THE QUADRATIC EQUATION, IT'S A PACKAGE SOLUTION, BUT ALLOWING DUPLEXES.

BLOOMINGTON HAS ALWAYS ALLOWED DUPLEXES AND SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLINGS.

AND THE HOMES FIT RIGHT IN AND IT'S NOT A BIG DEAL.

AND, YET, SOMEHOW IT'S A BIG DEAL IN THE CONTEXT OF THIS BILL.

>> I THINK THERE'S AN IMPORTANT DISTINCTION THAT WE BOTH SUPPORT LOCAL CONTROL, BUT I ALSO SAY, I DON'T SUPPORT LOCAL OUT OF CONTROL.

AND SOME OF THE THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED IN YEARS PAST WOULD POINT TO THE LOCAL VOICE BEING OUT OF CONTROL.

AND REPRESENTATIVE ELKINS POINTS OUT THAT MANY OF THE LAWS THAT WERE PASSED IN THE MID '90s AREN'T ACTUALLY BEING FOLLOWED ANYMORE.

SO THERE'S A CONVERSATION THAT HAS TO BE HAD.

>> Cathy: WHAT ABOUT THE CONVERSATION, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT HOUSING, I THINK WE THINK ABOUT SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES, RIGHT?

BUT I'M WONDERING ABOUT THE EMPHASIS ON RENTAL HOUSING POLICY AS WELL, THAT'S IMPORTANT, OF COURSE, MANY EFFORTS IN St. PAUL, St. PAUL IS LOOKING AT RENT CONTROLS, MINNEAPOLIS, I GUESS, IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN HIS FALL.

WHAT CAN THE LEGISLATURE DO ABOUT MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO RENTAL HOUSING?

>> WELL, I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'M REALLY GOING AFTER IN MY BILL AND IT'S A FAIRLY BROAD BILL IS BARRIERS TO THE CREATION OF NEW APARTMENT BUILDINGS.

ONE OF THE REFORMS I'M TRYING TO GET, CURRENTLY UNDER THE 1994-1995 ZONING LAWS, IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE MADE CLEAR THAT COMPREHENSIVE PLANS TAKE PRECEDENCE OVER ZONING.

THERE SHOULDN'T BE A CONFLICT.

CITIES ARE SUPPOSED TO CONFORM THEIR ZONING TO THEIR COMPREHENSIVE PLANS, UT FREQUENTLY THEY'RE NOT DOING THAT.

AND, SO, WHAT HAPPENS A DEVELOPER WILL SEE THAT A CITY HAS GUIDED IN THEIR COMPREHENSIVE LAND A PARTICULAR PARCEL OF LAND FOR MULTIFAMILY HOUSING, A DEVELOPER WILL COME FORWARD, WORK IN GOOD FAITH WITH THE CITY STAFF TO DEVELOP A PROPOSAL FOR MULTIFAMILY HOUSING ON THE SITE, AND THEN WHEN IT COMES TO THE CITY COUNCIL FOR A ZONING APPROVAL, WHICH IS THE LAST STEP, THE CITY COUNCIL TURNS DOWN THE ZONING PROPOSAL.

THAT'S NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN UNDER THE 1994-1995 LAW.

AND IT'S HAPPENING ALL OVER THE PLACE.

>> Eric: I WONDER, IS THIS AN ISSUE WHOSE TIME HAS COME AT THE LEGISLATURE?

I THINK THAT HOUSING AFFORDABILITY COMMISSION MET ONCE AND HADN'T MET SINCE 2019.

IS THERE CRITICAL PASS -- CRITICAL MASS AROUND THIS NOW?

>> I REALLY BELIEVE THERE IS.

IF YOU REMEMBER RIGHT AFTER THE "STAR TRIBUNE" STORY CAME OUT, I PUBLISHED A LETTER, HAVING SAT ON THAT COMMISSION, I WOULD LIKE TO CONVENE IT MORE.

HERE'S THE BIG MESSAGE.

ONCE AGAIN, DFL/REPUBLICAN, BUT THERE ARE -- WE NEED TO HEAR THE VOICES OF THE CITIES.

WE NEED TO HEAR THE VOICES OF PEOPLE WHO WANT TO LIVE IN CERTAIN PLACES.

IN MANY WAYS, THIS IS CREATING A COMPETITIVE DISADVANTAGE COMMERCIALLY BECAUSE WE'RE NOT ABLE TO ATTRACT PEOPLE WHO WANT TO WORK IN CERTAIN JOBS.

SO IF YOU'RE BUILDING THE SAME HOUSE IN WISCONSIN THAT YOU ARE IN MINNESOTA AND THE MINNESOTA HOUSE IS 20, $30,000 MORE, THEY'RE GOING TO GRAVITATE TOWARDS WISCONSIN AND WE'RE GOING TO LOSE OUT ON THOSE GOOD WORKERS.

WE NEED TO BE MARKET COMPETITIVE, PART OF THAT LARGE EQUATION IS WHAT IS IT WE'RE BUILDING, AND WHO'S LIVING THERE, AND WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO AS THE COMMISSION AND FORWARD ON LEGISLATION TO THE WHOLE BODY IS, HOW DO WE MAKE THOSE CHANGES, NOT DRASTIC CHANGES, BUT CHANGES THAT BRING IN THE VOICE OF ALL THE DIFFERENT PLAYERS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE GETTING THE RIGHT THING SO THAT PEOPLE HAVE A PLACE TO LIVE AND CALL HOME.

>> Cathy: GENTLEMEN, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> Eric: GOOD STUFF.

GOOD LUCK WITH IT.

>> Cathy: APPRECIATE IT.

>> Eric: THANKS.

♪♪ >> OH, BOY!

IT'S FAIR TIME AGAIN.

COUNTY FAIRS, STATE FAIRS.

LET ME SHARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE FAIR MEMORIES.

ONE YEAR, AT THE ANOKA COUNTY FAIR, IT WAS HOT, SO ABOUT NOON I WAS LOOKING FOR A BEER.

I FOUND THE BEER GARDEN, BUT IT WAS NOT OPEN.

GATE LOCKED, NO ONE INSIDE.

I WENT ACROSS THE STREET TO THE FAIR OFFICE AND ASKED THE WOMAN AT THE DESK WHEN THE BEER GARDEN OPENED.

4:00 SHE REPLIED.

AS I TURNED TO LEAVE, SHE CALLED AFTER ME, "COME BACK IF YOU GET DESPERATE, I HAVE THE KEY!"

CROSSING WISCONSIN ONE YEAR, I WAS HEADING FOR THE VERNON COUNTY FAIR IN VIROQUA.

IT WAS HOT.

I SCANNED THE FAIR GROUNDS AND COULDN'T SPOT THE BEER GARDEN.

I STOPPED AT A CONCESSION STAND AND ASKED WHERE THE BEER GARDEN WAS.

THE WOMAN AT THE COUNTER ANNOUNCED PROUDLY, "OURS IS AN ALCOHOL- FREE FAIR."

IN WISCONSIN!

ON ANOTHER HOT SUMMER DAY, I ARRIVED IN PIPESTONE FOR THE PIPESTONE COUNTY FAIR, AND SPOTTED A BAR IN THE BASEMENT OF A HOTEL.

HARDLY ANYONE IN THE PLACE.

I WENT UP TO THE BAR-KEEP AND SAID, "I'LL HAVE A GIN AND TONIC, PLEASE."

HE TOOK DOWN A GLASS AND FILLED IT WITH ICE.

THEN HESITATED.

FINALLY HE SAID, "WHAT EXACTLY GOES INTO A GIN AND TONIC?"

WHAT COULD I SAY?

"WELL, GIN AND TONIC."

NOT ALL MY FAIR MEMORIES INVOLVE ALCOHOL.

AT THE IOWA STATE FAIR, I STROLLED INTO THE SWINE BARN ABOUT NOON.

IT WAS HUGE.

EASILY A SQUARE BLOCK, WITH TWO SHOW RINGS.

ONE WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY.

THE BLEACHERS IN THE OTHER WERE COMPLETELY FILLED, SHOULDER TO SHOULDER, BOTH SIDES OF THE RING.

I NOTICED A BIG STEEL BOX IN THE MIDDLE OF THAT RING.

AFTER NEARLY HALF AN HOUR, A FAIR OFFICIAL ARRIVED AND STOOD NEXT TO THE BOX.

THEN A BIG HOG, BEING DIRECTED BY ITS OWNER, WALKED INTO THE BOX.

THE OFFICIAL LOOKED DOWN AT THE BOX AND ANNOUNCED 975 POUNDS!

IT WAS A SCALE!

THIS WAS REPEATED SIX MORE TIMES.

IMAGINE THIS.

THESE IOWANS HAD BEEN SITTING IN THE BLEACHERS FOR AT LEAST AN HOUR, AND MAYBE LONGER, BEFORE I GOT THERE, JUST FOR THE WEIGHING OF THE HEAVIEST HOG.

ONE YEAR I WENT TO THE TEXAS STATE FAIR IN DALLAS.

I GOT TO THE GROUNDS A LITTLE BEFORE 9:00, AND I WAS HUNGRY.

I STROLLED AROUND FOR A WHILE, THEN CAME UPON A FOOT-LONG CONCESSION.

I WENT RIGHT UP AND SAID, "I'LL HAVE ONE WITH ONIONS, PLEASE."

THE TWO FELLAS BEHIND THE COUNTER LOOKED AT EACH OTHER AND SAID, "THEY'RE NOT READY YET."

AT 9:00 IN THE MORNING?

AT OUR STATE FAIR, I CAN GET A FOOT-LONG A LITTLE AFTER 6:00.

AND THERE'LL BE A LINE!

IN THE WORDS OF THE SONG, "OUR STATE FAIR IS A GREAT STATE FAIR, DON'T MISS IT, DON'T EVEN BE LATE."

>> YES!

[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ >> Cathy: ROY IS THE BEST.

TWIN CITIES PBS ONCE AGAIN PARTICIPATED THIS SUMMER IN THE THREESIXTY JOURNALISM PROJECT, A TV BROADCAST CAMP FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS SPONSORED BY BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF MINNESOTA.

THIS YEAR THE FOCUS WAS ON HEALTH CARE EQUITY ISSUES.

"ALMANAC" EDITOR NIC ORTIZ WORKED WITH YOUTH REPORTER KENNEDY RANCE TO CREATE THIS STORY ON INTERGENERATIONAL TRAUMA.

TAKE A LOOK.

>> INTERGENERATIONAL TRAUMA IS THE IDEA THAT HORRIFIC EXPERIENCES OF ONE GENERATION DIRECTLY IMPACT THOSE TO COME.

SAM SIMMONS IS A CONSULTANT WHO SPECIALIZES IN THE TRAUMA OF BLACK MEN AND THEIR ANCESTRAL TIES TO SLAVERY.

>> I DID A TRAUMA REE.

I WENT BACK AND EXAMINED THE TRAUMA OF MY PARENTS AND MY GRAND BE PARENTS, WHICH INCLUDES CHATTEL SLAVERY.

AND WHAT I REALIZED IS THAT THE MORE I UNDERSTOOD ABOUT THEIR TRAUMA, THE MORE I UNDERSTOOD WHY THEY DID SOME OF THE THINGS THEY DID, SOME GOOD AND SOME NOT SO GOOD.

>> ALTHOUGH GENERATIONAL TRAUMA HAS EXISTED FOR CENTURIES, THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD CREATED A NEW AWARENESS AROUND THE PHENOMENON.

>> GEORGE FLOYD REGRESSED US IN TERMS OF WHERE WE THOUGHT WE WERE GOING IN TERMS OF OUR OWN WELL-BEING AND SAFETY.

IT VALIDATED TO OTHER FOLKS OUR CONTINUOUS FEAR OF BEING SEEN AS SOMETHING THREATENING, RIGHT?

IT VALIDATED THE FEAR THAT OUR LIVES WERE, YOU KNOW, NOT THAT VALUABLE.

>> SIMMONS FOCUSES HIS WORK PRIMARILY ON BLACK MALES.

FOR THE BLACK COMMUNITY TO HEAL, SIMMONS BELIEVES IT'S IMPERATIVE HAT BLACK MEN ADDRESS THEIR GENERATIONAL TRAUMA.

>> THE BLACK WOMAN ASKED ME THAT, WHY ARE YOU ALWAYS FOCUSING N -- ALL YOU TALK ABOUT IS BLACK MEN THIS, BLACK MEN THAT.

WHAT ABOUT BLACK WOMEN?

WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO DO SOMETHING ON BLACK WOMEN?

I SAID, WHOA, IF I START WITH BLACK MEN, GET THEM TO DEAL WITH THEIR OWN TRAUMA, THEN YOU WON'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH HIS TRAUMA.

THEN YOU CAN DEAL WITH YOURS.

AND WHO BENEFITS FROM THAT?

THE CHILDREN.

>> REPORTING FOR THREESIXTY JOURNALISM AND BLUE CROSS, I'M KENNEDY RANCE.

♪♪ >> NEXT WEEKEND IS THE LOWERTOWN GUITAR FESTIVAL FEATURING STRUMMERS OF ALL TYPES.

BUT HERE'S THE CATCH.

THE FESTIVAL WILL TAKE PLACE NOT IN LOWERTOWN ST. PAUL BUT ACROSS TOWN AT COMO PARK.

HERE TO EXPLAIN, MOLLY MAHER.

HOW YOU DOIN', MOLLY?

>> I'M DOING ELL, HOW ARE YOU?

>> I'M DOING GREAT.

>> Jearlyn: YOU'RE THE FOUNDER OF THIS THING.

>> I AM.

>> Jearlyn: IT'S GROWING AND GROWING, RIGHT?

>> YEAH, IT KEEPS GROWING SO MUCH THAT WE CAN'T CONTAIN IT IN LOWERTOWN, SO WE'RE AT COMO LAKESIDE PAVILION THIS YEAR.

>> Jearlyn: YOU KNOW, I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT BUT WE'LL TALK ABOUT AFTER WE TALK.

SO YOU HAVE SO MANY GUITARS THAT ARE NOW DOING CLASSES.

TELL ME WHAT'S CHANGED SINCE THE LAST TIME YOU DID THIS.

BECAUSE I THINK YOU'VE HAD ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF TO NOT DO THIS.

>> TO THINK IT THROUGH.

>> Jearlyn: I KNOW.

>> YEAH.

THIS YEAR WE'VE GOT A COMMUNITY STRUM A SONG, SING ALONG, WHERE I'M INVITING PEOPLE TO BRING YOUR GUITARS, YOUR AIR GUITARS, EVEN YOUR UKELELES AND FROM 11:15 UNTIL 11:45, I JUST WANT EVERYBODY TO STRUM SOME CHORDS TOGETHER AND SING ALONG.

SO THAT'S SOMETHING.

BUT EVERYTHING IS OUTDOORS SO THERE'S PLENTY OF SPACE FOR PEOPLE TO SPREAD OUT AND LISTEN TO THIS FREE FESTIVAL ON THREE STAGES.

>> Jearlyn: WHAT WEBSITE SHOULD PEOPLE GO TO?

>> THEY CAN GO TO -- THEY CAN GOOGLE LOWERTOWN GUITAR AND THEY'LL FIND US.

>> Jearlyn: BUT NOT IN LOWERTOWN, WE'RE GOING TO COMO PARK.

>> YES.

>> Jearlyn: JUST WANT TO MAKE THAT CLEAR.

>> NEXT YEAR WE'RE HOPING TO GO BACK TO OUR NAMESAKE.

>> Jearlyn: I KNOW YOU ARE.

IT'S SO GREAT TO SEE YOU.

>> IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> Jearlyn: T'S GOING TO BE A GREAT FESTIVAL.

NOW PAT, PAT, MY FRIEND, DONAHUE IS COMING ON P TO SING.

I WANT TO COME CLOSER TO YOU.

I WANT TO COME CLOSER TO YOU.

>> I WISH YOU WOULD.

>> Jearlyn: I, HONEY.

>> HOW YOU DOIN'?

>> Jearlyn: OH, MY GOSH, YOU'RE DOING THIS FESTIVAL, YOU'VE DONE IT BEFORE.

>> YES, I HAVE.

>> Jearlyn: YOU HAD A MASTER CLASS THAT YOU WERE DOING, ARE YOU DOING THAT AGAIN?

>> WE'RE DOING IT AT NOON ON SATURDAY, THE 21st, WE'RE DOING A BLUES GUITAR CLASS.

>> Jearlyn: A BLUES GUITAR CLASS, OF COURSE YOU ARE.

THAT'S SO FANTASTIC.

OKAY.

SO PEOPLE CAN -- HOW DO THEY GET IN WITH YOU TO SIGN UP FOR THE CLASS.

>> PATDONAHUE.COM, IF YOU GO THERE, THE INFORMATION WILL BE THERE.

>> Jearlyn: WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO PLAY RIGHT NOW?

>> I'M PLAYING A SONG I MADE UP MYSELF, IT'S CALLED THE ROAD TO KINGDOM COME.

>> Jearlyn: THE ROAD TO KINGDOM COME.

GOOD TO SEE YOU, MY FRIEND.

>> YOU TOO.

♪♪ ♪ OUT ON THE ROAD LAST NIGHT, I SAW A TERRIBLE FIGHT ♪ ♪ SOMETHING ABOUT WHO WAS RIGHT AND WHO WAS WRONG ♪ ♪ SENATOR CARED WHO WON -- NOBODY CARED WHO ALL WON, WE ALL HAD OUR FUN, OUT ON THE ROAD TO KINGDOM COME ♪ ♪ UP ALONG THE RISE, THEY'RE SELLIN' TRUTH AND LIES ♪ ♪ WHATEVER THE BUYER BUYS, THE TRUTH BECOMES ♪ ♪ TILL IT DON'T MATTER NONE, IT'S LOOK OUT FOR NUMBER ONE ♪ ♪ OUT ON THE ROAD TO KINGDOM COME ♪ ♪ OUT ON THE HIGHWAY SIDE, OVER THE GREAT DIVIDE, KNOWING THE ENDLESS NIGHT HAS JUST BEGUN ♪ ♪ IT'S SUCH A LONESOME DRIVE, HOW CAN A SOUL SURVIVE, OUT ON THE ROAD TO KINGDOM COME ♪ ♪ I SAW A LOVE SO GREAT, I SAW THE STRONGEST HATE, I FELT THE AWFUL WEIGHT OF CHOOSING ONE ♪ ♪ I SAW HOPE AND DESPAIR PLAYIN' TRUTH OR DARE ♪ ♪ OUT ON THE ROAD TO KINGDOM COME ♪ ♪ THERE'S NO HIGHWAY SIGN, THERE'S NO LIGHT TO SHINE, YOU CAN LOSE YOUR MIND IF YOU HAVE ONE ♪ ♪ YOU BETTER HOPE AND PRAY YOU CAN FIND YOUR WAY ♪ ♪ OUT ON THE ROAD TO KINGDOM COME ♪ ♪♪ ♪ SO LONG, YESTERDAY, ND THAT LOST HIGHWAY ♪ ♪ YOU CAN NEVER STAY WHERE YOU CAME FROM ♪ ♪ INTO THE REAT UNKNOWN, YOU GOT TO GO ALONE ♪ ♪ OUT ON THE ROAD TO KINGDOM COME ♪ ♪ OUT ON THE ROAD TO KINGDOM COME ♪ [ Applause ] ♪♪ >> Cathy: POLITICS, THERE'S A LOT OF IT.

CENSUS DATA MEANS THE REDISTRICTING BATTLE CAN START IN EARNEST.

THERE'S DISTURBING NEWS OF AN ARREST FOR SEX TRAFFICKING OF A MINNESOTA REPUBLICAN FUNDRAISER.

MEANWHILE, CONGRESS MADE PROGRESS ON AN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL.

EACH IS A TOPIC FOR THIS WEEK'S DUO OF POLITICAL ANALYSTS.

ABOU AMARA IS BACK.

HE'S A LAWYER AND FORMER AIDE TO MINNESOTA HOUSE SPEAKER PAUL THISSEN.

HE'S A DFLER.

ANDY BREHM IS HERE.

HE'S ALSO A LAWYER AND FORMER CONGRESSIONAL AIDE.

CARD-CARRYING REPUBLICAN.

ANDY, EVIDENTLY THE STATE GOP EXECUTIVE BOARD IS MEETING TONIGHT, FRIDAY NIGHT, AS WE'RE TALL HERE ON THE OLD COUCH.

TALKING HERE.

THIS REFERENCE IS A GOP OPERATIVE, FUND-RAISER, TONY LAZZARO, INTIETD ON CHILD TRAFFICKING CHARGES.

WELL CONNECTED TO CARNAHAN AND HAGEDORN.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO BE WATCHING OUT OF THIS MEETING?

>> I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY KNOWS EXACTLY WHY THEY'RE HAVING THE MEETING.

BUT INK IT'S A GOOD THING.

IT'S A HORRIBLE HORRIBLE ALLEGATION.

AND HIS CLOSENESS WITH THE CHAIRWOMAN IS ERY TROUBLING.

THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS IS NOT IN VERY GOOD SHAPE.

AND I HOPE THE MEETING TONIGHT RESULTS IN SOME CHANGES.

>> Eric: HOWDY VYIVE COULD THIS BECOME WITHIN THE PARTY, TO CARNAHAN, THE ACTIVIST BASE, HOW DIVISIVE COULD THIS BECOME OR IS IT MANAGEABLE?

>> I THINK IT'S A COMPLETELY LEGITIMATE ISSUE.

HE WAS RAISED SO HIGH IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY DUE IN LARGE PART TO THE CHAIRWOMAN'S ENCOURAGEMENT.

SO I THINK THAT'S A LEGITIMATE ISSUE.

WE'VE HAD TROUBLE WITH HER LEADERSHIP FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

THE PARTY IS NOT IN GOOD SHAPE.

IT'S FTEN DISTRACTED AWAY FROM THE PRINCIPLES AND THE GOOD IDEAS THAT THE PARTY HAS AND WE HAVEN'T WON AN ELECTION STATEWIDE FOR WAY TOO LONG.

I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHEN YOU'RE CHAIR OF THE PARTY, YOU SHOULD BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE RESULTS AND THE RESULTS HAVE BEEN NOTHING BUT POOR.

>> Eric: THE CHAIR OF THE MINNEAPOLIS DFL CALLED THE BURNING OF THE THIRD PRECINCT HEADQUARTERS A RIGHTEOUS ACT.

I WONDER HOW THAT'S PLAYING IN THE HUSTINGS.

>> WELL, WITH A CERTAIN SEGMENT OF THE PARTY THAT MIGHT BE POPULAR BUT I JUST DISAGREE.

THAT'S THE SAME LOGIC THAT MANY ON JANUARY 6th APPLIED TO THE DAMAGE DONE AT THE CAPITOL IN D.C. AND, SO, I THINK DEMOCRATS SHOULD SPEAK UP AND SAY, THAT'S WRONG.

AND I'M WILLING TO DO.

THAT.

WE NEED PEOPLE PROTESTING IN THE STREETS PEACEFULLY FOR POLICE REFORM, FOR POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY.

BUT THAT NEXT STEP OF SAYING, WE HAVE TO DESTROY SYMBOLS OF OUR DEMOCRACY, REALLY, I MEAN, I'M MORE THAN WILLING TO AND I HOPE MORE DEMOCRATS DO AS WELL.

>> Cathy: DO YOU WANT TO ADD ANYTHING TO THIS, ANDY?

>> YEAH, I MEAN, I THINK THERE'S BEEN A DISTURBING PATTERN IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECKONING IN TERMS OF WHETHER IT'S JOHN THOMPSON OR ILHAN OMAR SOME VERY DISTURBING TRENDS.

AGAIN, I THINK THAT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAS REALLY VERY MUCH BEEN ANTILAW ENFORCEMENT FOR TOO LONG.

AND, YOU KNOW, THESE COMMENTS WERE ABSOLUTELY OUTRAGEOUS.

>> Eric: THE CENSUS, RAW NUMBERS ARE OUT, AND FOR THE EIGHT CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS IT DIDN'T LOOK TO ME LIKE THERE HAD TO BE A HOLE LOT OF CHANGES.

IS THAT A GOOD READING OF IT OR NOT?

>> YOU CAN CUT AROUND THE EDGES.

REMEMBER, THIS PROCESS S LARGELY GOING TO BE DRIVEN BY THE COURTS.

>> Eric: RIGHT.

>> YOU HAVE A DEMOCRATIC HOUSE, A REPUBLICAN SENATE.

THEY'RE VERY UNLIKELY TO BE ABLE TO AGREE ON ANYTHING.

I THINK WE'VE DONE TWO CYCLES IN A ROW, I BELIEVE, WHERE THE LEGISLATURE HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO PASS A REDISTRICTING PACKAGE.

SO WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE COURTS, YOU REALLY DON'T WANT THEM DOING TRANSFORMATIONAL THINGS, REALLY, I THINK, LISTEN TO VOTERS, AND WHERE THERE'S MARGINAL GROWTH, ADJUST.

BUT I DON'T THINK EXPECT A RADICALLY DIFFERENT MAP THAN WHAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW.

>> Cathy: LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS ARE -- >> I THINK THIS WILL BE HANDLED BY THE COURTS.

AND I THINK THAT'S A GOOD THING.

I THINK THEY DID A GOOD JOB TEN YEARS AGO WHEN THEY DID THIS.

WE'VE HAD, YOU KNOW, A VERY COMPETITIVE STATE POLITICALLY.

WE'VE SEEN CONTROL OF THE LEGISLATURE GO BACK AND FORTH.

THAT'S A GOOD THING.

ULTIMATELY, THE JOB IS TO APPORTION VOTERS AND MAKE SURE THEY'RE EQUALLY REPRESENTED.

AND I THINK TAKING POLITICS OUT OF THE PROCESS WILL BE A VERY GOOD THING ULTIMATELY.

>> Eric: WHAT ARE THE POLITICS OF COVID?

YOU KNOW, THE GOVERNOR NO LONGER HAS HIS EMERGENCY POWERS.

BUT THERE'S STATE WORKERS NEED TO GET A VACCINE.

COUNTIES DIFFER AS TO HOW MANY VACCINES HAVE BEEN GIVEN.

WHAT ARE THE POLITICS OF THAT LOOKING AT 2022?

>> I ALMOST FIND IT FUNNY THAT WE'RE ASKING, WHAT ARE HE POLITICS OF SCIENCE?

RIGHT?

THE DECISIONS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE RE BASED ON SCIENCE AND THERE'S A RESPONSE FROM MANY ON THE RIGHT, I WOULDN'T SAY ALL, BUT MANY THAT WE SHOULD REJECT THAT SCIENCE.

POLITICS IS NOT ABOUT DISAGREEMENTS ON SCIENCE.

OR FACTS OR LOGIC.

THEY'RE ABOUT VALUES AND ORIENTATION.

THE POLITICS OF COVID ARE GOING TO HURT AND KILL PEOPLE.

THAT'S THE REALITY.

AND, SO, I HOPE WE TAKE POLITICS OUT OF COVID, FOCUS ON THE SCIENTISTS, THE DOCTORS, THE FIRST RESPONDERS, THE PEOPLE DOING THE WORK, AND LISTEN TO WHAT THEY TELL US, AND RESPOND ACCORDINGLY AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET PAST THIS AND GET BACK O A NORMAL SENSE OF WHAT POLITICS IS SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT.

>> WELL, I AGREE WITH ABOU THAT POLITICS SHOULD NOT BE PART OF THIS PANDEMIC, BUT WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF POLITICS FROM THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

THE WHITE HOUSE RIGHT NOW IS HAVING TIK TOK STARS TRYING TO GET PEOPLE TO BE VACCINATED.

OUR FOCUS RIGHT NOW SHOULD BE TRYING TO GET AS MANY PEOPLE VACCINATED AS POSSIBLE AND HOW WE DO THAT IS HAVING OBJECTIVE FACTS FOCUSED ON THAT.

WHEN WE HAVE CONFLICTING INFORMATION COMING FROM THE ADMINISTRATION, COMING FROM THE CDC, IT MAKES PEOPLE SKEPTICAL.

AND, SO, AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE NEED TO ARTICULATE VERY SOBERLY AND NONPOLITICALLY WHY THESE VACCINES ARE SAFE.

I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY, WILL IT BE A POLITICAL ISSUE, GOVERNOR WALZ'S SHUTDOWNS, WHICH I THINK PROVED INEFFECTIVE TO THE ECONOMY AND PEOPLE'S MENTAL HEALTH, YES, I THINK THAT'S A LEGITIMATE ISSUE FOR US TO TALK ABOUT.

RIGHT NOW WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET AS MANY PEOPLE VACCINATED AS POSSIBLE.

HOW WE DO THAT, GET THE POLITICS OUT OF IT, GET THE SHAMING OUT OF IT, GET THE INFORMATION OUT AS TO WHY THE VACCINES, WHICH ULTIMATELY WERE THE RESULT OF PRESIDENT TRUMP INTO PEOPLE'S ARMS.

>> LET'S REMEMBER WHY THERE'S SUCH SKEPTICISM, IT'S PRECISELY BECAUSE OF PRESIDENT TRUMP WHO TOLD PEOPLE THEY MAYBE SHOULD TAKE BLEACH INTO THE BODY OR THE VACCINES WON'T WORK.

HE SEWED THE SEEDS OF DOUBT AND NOW WE'RE SEEING THEM MANIFEST.

WE HAVE A LARGE PORPORTION OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY WHO'S NOT VACCINATED.

I'M NOT SAYING IT'S ALL.

AGAIN, THERE'S A DISPROPORTIONATE NUMBER OF REPUBLICANS WHO ARE NOT VACCINATED.

IF YOU WERE TO COMPARE IT TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

AND, SO,WHAT I'M SAYING, THE POLITICS IS HOW WE GOT HERE, IS PRECISELY BECAUSE PEOPLE AREN'T LISTENING TO HE EXPERTS, THE SCIENTISTS, PEOPLE WHO DO THIS.

>> I THINK THE PROBLEM IS MUCH OF THE GUIDANCE THAT'S COME FROM SOME OF THESE SO-CALLED EXPERTS HAS, ONE, PROVEN TO BE WRONG AND IS CONFLICTING.

>> WHAT'S BEEN WRONG?

>> WELL, FOR INSTANCE, MUCH OF THE SCIENCE ON MASKS.

I MEAN, MICHAEL OSTERHOLM HAS BEEN ON THE PROGRAM MANY TIMES HAS SAID THAT CLOTH MASKS ARE ACTUALLY INEFFECTIVE, PEOPLE GET VERY VERY CONFUSED.

WHAT WE SHOULD BE FOCUSED ON, THESE VACCINES, AS A RESULT OF OPERATION WARP SPEED, DEVELOPED MOSTLY BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR ARE SAFE IS EXAMINE EFFECTIVE AND PEOPLE NEED TO TAKE THEM.

BUT I THINK THERE'S BEEN CONFLICTING MESSAGES FROM WASHINGTON, THERE'S BEEN SHAMING WHEN PEOPLE ARE ASKING QUESTIONS AND JUST GETTING THAT INFORMATION, AND THIS PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS WE SHOULD BE FOCUSED ON, MAKING THIS POLITICAL AND BLAMING REPUBLICANS IS RIDICULOUS.

>> Cathy: DO YOU THINK GOVERNOR WALZ WILL SUFFER ANY CONSEQUENCES WHEN HE RUNS FOR RE-ELECTION BECAUSE OF HIS ROLE IN THE PANDEMIC?

>> ABSOLUTELY NOT.

GOVERNOR WALZ DID WHAT LEADERS DO.

THERE ARE TIMES WHEN YOU HAVE TO MAKE DIFFICULT DECISIONS TO LEAD THROUGH A CRISIS.

IN THE MOMENT IT MIGHT BE PAINFUL AND DIFFICULT.

AS WE'RE COMING OUT OF IT, BUSINESSES ARE OPENING, PEOPLE ARE GETTING JOBS AGAIN, UNEMPLOYMENT IS GOING DOWN, YOU SEE THE STATE BUDGET IS GROWING.

WE THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE A MASSIVE DEFICIT ACTUALLY ISN'T AWL AT ALL.

ISN'T AT ALL.

AS WE GET CLOSER TO ELECTION, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO SAY, WAIT A MINUTE, GOVERNOR WALZ LED US THROUGH A CRISIS, HE MADE SURE WE WERE IN A SOLID POSITION ECONOMICALLY, AND COMPARE HIM TO THE ALTERNATIVE, AND THERE ARE PEOPLE HO ARE RUNNING WHO ARE SAYING, YOU SHOULD NOT TAKE THE VACCINE, THAT'S THE ALTERNATIVE.

THAT'S A CHOICE PEOPLE ARE -- >> Cathy: SCOTT JENSEN.

I ALSO SAW THE PAUL GAZELKA UP FOR A MILLIE SECOND.

GAZELKA FOR GOVERNOR WEBSITE WAS UP FOR JUST A MILLISECOND.

SO IS HE RUNNING?

>> WELL, I THINK SO.

I THINK HE HAS A GOOD AMOUNT OF SUPPORT.

I THINK WOULDer GOING TO HAVE A COMPETITIVE PRIMARY.

I THINK THAT'S A GOOD THING.

I HOPE WE'LL HAVE MORE CANDIDATES ENTER THE RACE.

I DO THINK GOVERNOR WALZ IS VERY VULNERABLE.

MINNESOTA IS ON THE BRINK OF BECOMING ECONOMICALLY UNCOMPETITIVE IN TERMS OF HIGH TAXES AND HIGH SPENDING.

IF THAT'S WHAT THE RACE IS ABOUT, I THINK REPUBLICANS HAVE A GREAT CHANCE.

>> TO QUOTE YOU FROM FOUR MINUTES, THE REPUBLICAN PARTY'S IN DISARRAY, YOU DON'T HAVE MANY CANDIDATES WHO ARE GOOD RUNNING STATEWIDE AND YOU HAVEN'T WON SINCE 2006.

GOVERNOR WALZ STRUCTURALLY HAS WHAT HE NEEDS TO WIN.

HE HAS THE COALITION OF THE CENTER OF MINNESOTA, WHICH IS ARE YOU WIN THESE RACES, AND THE -- >> Eric: HOW ENTHUSIASTICALLY, THOUGH?

>> AT THE END OF THE DAY, THESE ARE ABOUT CHOICES?

THIS IS A QUESTION OF, DO YOU WANT MY PILLOW GUY TO BE THE GOVERNOR OF MINNESOTA?

OR DO YOU WANT A SERIOUS ELECTED OFFICIAL WHO HAS SHOWN HE CAN LEAD THROUGH A CRISIS?

THESE ARE THE TYPES OF CHOICES MINNESOTANS ARE GOING TO HAVE.

>> NO ONE IS SUPPORTING THE MY PILLOW GUY.

I MEAN, IT'S JUST -- WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE PARTY APPARATUS, THAT IS PROBLEMATIC.

BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE PRINCIPLES AND THE IDEAS OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY STANDS FOR, WHICH I HOPE IT GETS BACK TO TALKING ABOUT, LIMITED GOVERNMENT, LOWER TAXES, MORE PERSONAL FREEDOM, I THINK THAT'S A WINNING MESSAGE AND I THINK REPUBLICANS CAN DO WELL ON IT IF YOU GET AWAY FROM THE DISTRACTION OF THE LEADERSHIP.

YOUR PARTY HAS PROBLEMS, TOO, AS IT RELATES TO THOSE THINGS.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, I THINK BOTH PARTIES ARE IN ROUGH SHAPE FROM A LEADERSHIP STANDPOINT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, DO I THINK REPUBLICAN IDEAS ARE WINNING, ABSOLUTELY.

>> WE MAY BE IN ROUGH SHAPE BUT WE KEEP WINNING.

>> Eric: JUST GETTING GOOD AND TIME IS OVER.

>> Cathy: GOOD TO SEE YOU GUYS.

>> Eric: THANKS, AN.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

>> CATHY: IT'S MINNESOTA HISTORY TIME.

LET'S NOT DAWDLE.

HERE'S OUR QUESTION FOR YOU.

THIS IS A LOVELY IMAGE OF THE NEW YORK WORLD'S FAIR OF 1939 AND 1940.

IN THE SUMMER OF 1940, TWO GROUPS OF PERFORMERS VENTURED FROM MINNESOTA TO THE FAIR AND WERE THE TOAST OF THE TOWN, PERFORMING NUMEROUS TIMES AT THE FAIR, TAKING IN A BROOKLYN DODGERS GAME, EVEN APPEARING ON NATIONAL RADIO, INCLUDING THE MAJOR BOWES AMATEUR HOUR.

ONE OF THE MINNESOTA GROUPS EVEN BOASTED BEING FEATURED IN A SHORT PARADE DOWN BROADWAY.

ALONG THE WAY, THE TWO SEPARATE GROUPS EVEN MADE A RARE JOINT APPEARANCE TOGETHER.

YOUR TASK IS TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION.

WHAT TWO MINNESOTA PERFORMING GROUPS APPEARED AT THE WORLD'S FAIR IN JUNE 1940?

THINK ABOUT MINNESOTA PERFORMERS AND ENTERTAINERS FROM THAT ERA AND THEN CALL US UP.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU WHETHER YOU LIVE NEAR NEW YORK MILLS, BROOKLYN CENTER, OR MANHATTAN BEACH.

651-229-1430 WILL LINK YOU UP WITH OUR VOICE MAIL.

JUST FOLLOW THE PROMPTS TO ACHIEVE YOUR 15 SECONDS OF FAME OR SHAME.

651-229-1430.

WE ALSO WELCOME COMMENTS ABOUT THIS WEEK'S SHOW AND SUGGESTIONS FOR UPCOMING TOPICS.

CALL US UP OR LEAVE AN EMAIL AT ALMANAC@TPT.ORG.

FOR SHOW-CLOSING MUSIC, LET'S HEAR ANOTHER TUNE BY PAT DONOHUE.

HE'S PERFORMING AT THE LOWERTOWN GUITAR FESTIVAL NEXT WEEKEND AT THE COMO LAKESIDE PAVILLIAN.

HOP ONLINE FOR THE FULL SCHEDULE.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

TAKE IT AWAY, PAT.

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