TWIN CITIES PBS FOR THE STATIONS OF MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION.

>> Cathy: WHAT A FUN SHOW WE ARE LIVE FROM THE STATE FAIRLY, IT'S ALMANAC.

I'M CATHY WURZER AND YOU ARE NOT ERIC ESKOLA.

>> I KNOW ERIC ESKO LOW AND I'M I NOT HIM BUT I AM BRAIN BASEBALLS FROM MPR NEWS.

>> Cathy: SO, ELEVEN, BRIAN, WURZER, LIVE FROM THE STATE FAR.

IT'S "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.

[Cheering] >> CATHY: WOW, HOW MUCH FUN IS THIS?

WE ARE AT THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIR, YEAR 10, "ALMANAC" AT THE FAIR AND LIVE ON THE STATIONS OF MINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO.

KIND OF A NICE LITTLE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TPT AND MPR.

I'M CATHY WURZER WITH MPR AND TPT.

EVERYBODY, BUT HE'S A LITTLE BUT HE'S A LITTLE UNDER THE WEATHER SO HE'S NOT HERE.

I KNOW IT, I KNOW IT, AND HE FEELS REALLY BAD.

HOWEVER, WE HAVE A SPECIAL GUEST HOST, Mr. BRIAN BAKST FROM MPR NEWS.

[Cheering] >> BRIAN: THANKS, CATHY, I'M SO EXCITED TO BE HERE.

I WELCOME OUR SPECIAL PUBLIC RADIO AND TV FANS TO THIS "ALMANAC."

THIS IS A GREAT TRADITION.

WE HAVE A LOT TO SHARE IN THE NEXT HOUR FROM POLITICS TO WEATHER AND SPORTS, AND WE'LL HEAR FROM KEVIN KLING.

>> Cathy: AND BABY ANIMALS BECAUSE WHY NOT?

WE'RE AT THE STATE FAIR AND IT WOULDN'T BE A STATE FAIR BROADCAST WITHOUT BABY ANIMALS, RIGHT?

SO, BRIAN, OF COURSE, IS OUR STEADFAST AMAZING POLITICS EDITOR AT MPR, SO WE'RE GOING TO TALK A LOT OF POLITICS -- >> A LOT.

>> Cathy: A LOT OF POLITICS.

THE DNC CONVENTION WRAPPED UP LAST NIGHT, LAWMAKERS ARE COMING BACK HOME SO WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT.

SPECIFICALLY EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED IN CHICAGO, OUR MARY LaHAMMER WAS KEEPING TRACK OF IT AND HAS THIS REPORT.

♪ FREEDOM ♪ >> Mary: PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE KAMALA HARRIS MAKES HISTORY AS THE FIRST WOMAN OF COLOR TO ACCEPT THE NOMINATION.

>> GOOD EVENING.

>> Mary: AS ANOTHER VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE FROM MINNESOTA SERVES IN SUPPORT OF THE TOP JOB.

>> VP HARRIS, GOVERNOR WALZ.

>> Mary: GOVERNOR WALZ'S FORMER FOOTBALL PLAYERS SET THE STAGE FOR HIM.

>> YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW IT BUT I HAVEN'T GIVEN A LOT OF BIG SPEECHES LIKE THIS BUT I HAVE GIVEN A LOT OF PEP TALKS.

>> Mary: THE TRUMP-VANCE CAMPAIGN SAYS WALZ FAILED TO ADDRESS THE INCONSISTENCIES OR EXAGGERATIONS IN HIS RECORD, BUT WHAT STOOD OUT IN THE MOST IMPORTANT SPEECH OF THE GOVERNOR'S LIFE WAS NOT A POLITICAL MOMENT BUT A PERSONAL ONE.

>> HOPE, GUS AND GWEN, YOU ARE MY ENTIRE WORLD.

AND I LOVE YOU.

[Cheering] >> Mary: EMOTION OVERFLOWED FROM HIS FAMILY AND THE CROWD IN AN UNCONVENTIONAL CONVENTION.

>> MY NAME IN THE OJIBWE LANGUAGE IS GIZHIIWEWDAMOOKWE.

OR IN ENGLISH, "SPEAKS WITH A CLEAR AND LOUD VOICE WOMAN."

>> Mary: LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR PEGGY FLANAGAN PERFORMED A PROMINENT ROLE AS A DNC COCHAIR EMBRACING HER HERITAGE, INTRODUCING A DIVERSE SLATE OF SPEAKERS, AND ENDORSING HER PREVIOUS RUNNING MATE.

>> I'VE WORKED SIDE BY SIDE WITH GOVERNOR WALZ.

>> Mary: ULTIMATELY, THE DELEGATION FROM THE NORTH STAR STATE COULDN'T CONTAIN THEIR JOY, HAVING THE MINNESOTA GOVERNOR ON THE TICKET.

>> THE HOME OF THE NEXT VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, TIM WALZ!!

>> Cathy: WELL, AS YOU HEARD, SENATOR TINA SMITH DELIVERED THE DELEGATE VOTES FOR THE HARRIS-WALZ TICKET IN CHICAGO EARLIER THIS WEEK AND SHE'S RETURNED TO MINNESOTA TO TALK WITH US HERE ON THE FIRST FRIDAY OF THE MINNESOTA STATE NEAR.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> GREAT TO SEE YOU BOTH.

WHAT FUN THIS IS TO BE HERE.

>> BRIAN: I THOUGHT YOU WOULD STILL BE ON THE FLOOR.

>> I KNOW, THE MINNESOTA DELEGATION, YOU ALL, WAS LEVITATING WITH EXCITEMENT.

IT WAS QUITE THE THING.

>> Cathy: SEEMED LIKE A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE THIS TIME AROUND.

I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN TO SEVERAL DEMOCRATIC CONVENTIONS IN THE PAST.

THIS FELT DIFFERENT?

>> OH, THE -- JUST THE ENTHUSIASM AND THE JOY THAT -- I THINK EVERYBODY WHO WAS WATCHING IT ON TELEVISION COULD SEE.

I MEAN, IT WAS INTENSIFIED ON THE FLOOR AND THEN, OF COURSE, WE -- MINNESOTANS WERE SORT OF HUMBLE BUT WE DO KIND OF THINK WE'RE THE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE, AND THIS WEEK EVERYBODY KNEW THAT WE WERE THE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE, RIGHT?

[Cheering] >> BRIAN: YOU SAID TO ONE NEWSPAPER REPORTER THAT THERE WAS LIKE A MOTHER SWITCH THAT WENT ON AT THIS CONVENTION AND PERHAPS IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS OF THIS CAMPAIGN.

YOU'VE NOTED THE ENERGY.

YOU THINK THAT THE MESSAGE -- AND THE MESSENGERS YOU HAVE ARE BETTER, SO WHY ALL THE UNDERDOG TALK?

>> WELL, I THINK YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS ELECTION IS GOING TO BE INCREDIBLY CLOSE, AND THE PURPOSE OF THIS WEEKEND -- THIS WEEK WAS TO, OF COURSE, GENERATE ENTHUSIASM AND EXCITEMENT BUT THAT'S ONLY THE FIRST STEP.

I MEAN, THE CHALLENGE, THE WORK IS TO TURN THAT ENTHUSIASM INTO ACTION, AND SO THAT'S THE WORK THAT ALL OF US HAVE TO DO IN THE DAYS AND WEEKS AHEAD, BUT I THINK WHAT THE VICE PRESIDENT DID LAST NIGHT TO KIND OF REINTRODUCE HERSELF TO THIS COUNTRY AND TO REALLY ROOT THE CAMPAIGN AND BIG PACKAGES AROUND PATRIOTISM AND FREEDOM WILL BE BIG AS WE GO INTO THE FALL.

>> Cathy: YOU KNOW WHAT I NOTICED, THE VICE PRESIDENT REALLY HASN'T HIT HARD ON THE NATURE OF HER CANDIDACY, OTHERS HAVE BUT SHE HASN'T.

WHY DO YOU THINK SHE'S TAKING THAT STRATEGY?

>> I'M THINKING OF MY COLLEAGUE LAPHONZA BUTLER FROM CALIFORNIA, AND SHE SAID THIS, WHEN YOU'RE A BLACK WOMAN, YOU WAKE UP EVERY DAY AND YOU LOOK IN THE MIRROR AND YOU DON'T NEED TO REMIND YOURSELF OR ANYBODY ELSE THAT THAT'S WHO YOU ARE.

AND I THINK THAT IS WHY THE VICE PRESIDENT IS REALLY LEANING INTO HER EXPERIENCE AS A PROSECUTOR, AS SOMEBODY WITH STRONG EXPERIENCE, AND SHE DOESN'T NEED TO TELL PEOPLE WHO SHE IS.

MAYBE, EXCEPT FOR DONALD TRUMP WHO SEEMS A LITTLE CONFUSED BUT, OTHERWISE, SHE JUST -- SHE NEEDS TO LET PEOPLE SEE THE STRENGTH OF HER PERSONALITY, WHICH I THINK CAME THROUGH SO WELL LAST NIGHT.

>> BRIAN: THAT WORD "FREEDOM" YOU USED, THERE WERE A LOT OF FLAGS AND PATRIOTIC IMAGERY.

DID YOU FEEL THE PARTY NEEDS TO GRAB IT BACK, THAT THE REPUBLICANS HAVE TAKEN HOLD OF THAT WORD AND THOSE TERMS IN THE PAST?

>> I THINK THERE WAS SUCH A -- ONE OF THE REASONS THERE WAS SO MUCH ENTHUSIASM ON THE FLOOR, AND I THINK AROUND THE COUNTRY, IS JUST THE SORT OF WHOLE-HEARTED EMBRACING OF OUR LOVE OF THIS COUNTRY, OUR LOVE FOR THE CORE VALUES OF THIS COUNTRY, AND THEN PUTTING THAT RIGHT OUT THERE FOR EVERYBODY TO SEE RATHER THAN SHYING AWAY FROM IT, AND I THINK -- I THINK IT REALLY WORKS.

>> Cathy: YOU KNOW, I WAS TALKING TO A MINNESOTA DELEGATE WHO WAS ONE OF THE UNCOMMITTEDs AND SHE'S STILL NOT HAPPY.

SHE DIDN'T HEAR WHAT SHE WANTED TO HEAR FROM VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS AND WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT PRO-PALESTINIANIAN FOLKS WERE NOT ALLOWED TO SPEAK AT THE CONVENTION, AND I'M WONDERING, IT'S AN INTERESTING SITUATION AND KIND OF A TOUGH NEEDLE TO THREAD.

WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN WITH THIS?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW WHEN I ANNOUNCED THE MINNESOTA ROLL CALL, WE HAVE 10 UNCOMMITTED DELEGATES FROM MINNESOTA, POSSIBLY THE LARGEST NUMBER IN THE WHOLE COUNTRY, IS THAT RIGHT, BRIAN?

AND 81 DELEGATES COMMITTED TO THE HARRIS-WALZ TICKET.

WHAT I WOULD SAY IS THAT -- I MEAN, I LISTENED CLOSELY TO WHAT VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS SAID LAST NIGHT.

A STRONG RECOGNITION OF ISRAEL'S RIGHT TO DEFEND ITSELF AND TO PROTECT ITSELF, REFERRING EXPLICITLY TO THE HOSTAGES AND BRINGING THE HOSTAGES HOME, AND THEN A STRONG STATEMENT ABOUT A CEASE FIRE, THE NEED FOR A CEASE FIRE, AND THE HUMANITY OF THE PEOPLE IN GAZA WHO HAVE SUFFERED SO MUCH AND THAT I BELIEVE IS WHAT AMERICA NEEDS TO HEAR.

>> BRIAN: HOW DOES KAMALA HARRIS DETACH, OR DOES SHE HAVE TO DETACH FROM THE BIDEN POLICIES, ESPECIALLY THE ONES THAT AREN'T GOING OVER SO WELL?

>> I THINK SHE HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO LET PEOPLE KNOW WHAT SHE THINKS AND WHERE SHE WANTS TO GO, AND THERE ARE MANY THINGS THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN AND THE BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION HAVE DONE THAT ARE BROADLY POPULAR.

THE INVESTMENTS IN INFRASTRUCTURE AND ROADS AND BRIDGES, THE STRONG INVESTMENT IN A NEW MANUFACTURING BASE, AND I PARTICULARLY LIKE THE WAY SHE AGGRESSIVELY SAID, STRONGLY SAID, I WILL VOTE FOR THAT BIPARTISAN IMMIGRATION BORDER PROTECTION BILL THAT DONALD TRUMP KILLED, THAT WOULD BE LAW BUT FOR HIS OPPOSITION TO IT.

THAT'S, I THINK, A REALLY STRONG EXAMPLE OF HOW SHE WAS MAKING THE CONTRAST BUT ALSO POINTING OUT, THIS IS A BIPARTISAN PROPOSAL.

>> Cathy: SO WE'RE HERE AT THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIR.

WILL YOU BE HERE AT THE 2026 MINNESOTA STATE FAIR RUNNING AGAIN FOR REELECTION?

>> WELL, THAT'S WHAT I'M PLANNING ON.

THAT'S WHAT I'M PLANNING ON AND I -- [Cheering] [Cheers & Applause] >> THAT'S WHAT I'M PLANNING ON.

>> Cathy: YOU'RE PLANNING ON RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION, ALL RIGHT.

YOU MIGHT HAVE JUST MADE SOME NEWS, WHO KNOWS?

YOU HAVE SOME FOOD -- >> I BROUGHT YOU A TREAT.

I'M VERY EXCITED.

I KNOW THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF TALK ABOUT THE DEEP-FRIED RANCH DRESSING AND I BROUGHT THIS FOR YOU, BECAUSE I LIKE YOU ALL SO MUCH.

THE HOT HONEY I THINK DEFINITELY MAKES IT.

>> Brian: THANK YOU, SENATOR.

WE GOT TO WRAP THIS UP.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU SENATOR, GOOD TO SEE YOU.

THANK YOU FOR THE DEEP-FRIED RANCH.

SENATOR TINA SMITH, EVERYBODY.

[Cheering] >> Cathy: ALL RIGHT, WE HAVE SOME SPECIAL PEOPLE OUT IN THE AUDIENCE.

KAOMI, TANE AND SHELLETA.

>> I'M TANE DANGER, HERE WITH SHELLETA BRUNDIDGE AND KAOMI LEE.

WE ARE SO EXCITED TO BE HERE.

THIS IS THE MOST MINNESOTA SHOW, THE MOST MINNESOTA PLACE, THE MOST MINNESOTA... [Cheering] >> WE GOT A LOT OF GOOD STUFF.

WE ARE GOING TO SEE SOME BABY ANIMALS, WE'RE GOING TO GET AN ESSAY FROM KEVIN KLING.

TINA SMITH KIND OF ATE OUR LUNCH A LITTLE BIT WITH THE MEAL BUT WE'LL STILL DO MORE OF THAT.

>> OH, YEAH, BECAUSE WE HAVE SOME NEW FAIR FOODS AND WE'LL GET SOME UNSUSPECTING AUDIENCE MEMBERS TO TRY SOME.

SORRY, GIRLFRIEND.

>> AND BECAUSE IT'S MINNESOTA WE'LL BE CUTTING IT UP IN 12 PIECES.

BACK TO YOU, CATHY AND BRIAN.

>> Cathy: ALL RIGHT.

WE'LL KEEP TALKING ABOUT POLITICS.

WE'RE BRINGING BACK ANOTHER MEMBER OF OUR STELLAR POLITICS STAFF HERE AT MINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO, THE ONE AND ONLY DANA FERGUSON.

[Cheering] >> YOU GUYS MUST BE SO TIRED.

THANKS FOR BEING HERE AT THE FAIR.

>> OH, 74 DAYS TO GO?

>> Cathy: 74 DAYS.

I THINK YOU'RE COUNTING.

>> AND THE GOVERNOR SAYS WE'LL SLEEP APPARENTLY WHEN WE'RE DEAD SO THAT APPLIES TO POLITICAL REPORTERS.

SO HERE WE ARE.

>> Cathy: A TRUE STATEMENT.

WHAT DID YOU BOTH MAKE OF WHAT WE HEARD AND SAW AT THE DNC THIS WEEK?

>> OBVIOUSLY A MESSAGE OF JOY.

WE HEARD THE WORD JUST REPEATEDLY, OPTIMISM, THE PIVOT THAT CAME TWO, THREE WEEKS AGO NOW AS THE TICKET WAS RESET AND WE HEARD THAT GOVERNOR WALZ IS GOING TO BE THE VICE PRESIDENT'S RUNNING MATE, YOU COULD FEEL A SENSE OF ENTHUSIASM FROM THE FOLKS OUT THERE AT THE DNC, AND TALKING TO FOLKS AROUND THE STATE HERE, THERE IS A RENEWED SENSE OF EXCITEMENT AROUND THE TICKET.

>> YEAH, THAT SENSE OF DESPAIR THAT WAS THERE EARLIER IN THE SUMMER, ESPECIALLY AFTER THE JUNE DEBATE WHERE PRESIDENT BIDEN DIDN'T DO SO WELL AND DEMOCRATS WERE NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS STRETCH RUN.

NOW THERE SEEMS TO BE A LITTLE BIT OF BOUNCE IN THEIR STEP.

>> Cathy: I'M WONDERING ABOUT THE EFFECT OF GOVERNOR WALZ BECAUSE THAT'S WHO WE'RE REALLY FOCUSING ON HERE.

AS REGIONAL REPORTERS.

THE EFFECT OF WALZ ON THIS TICKET.

A LOT HAS BEEN SAID ABOUT THE TICKET AND ESPECIALLY HIS APPEAL TO ESSENTIALLY WOO VOTERS.

>> SO MUCH TALK ABOUT HIS GUY-NESS AND THE DAD ENERGY OUT THERE, THE MIDWESTERN EVERYMAN THAT PEOPLE WERE DESCRIBING HIM AND HE'S REALLY, REALLY LIENED INTO THAT.

THE SPEECH HE GAVE FROM THE STAGE, IT WAS VERY PLAIN-SPOKEN, JUST MORE ABOUT HIM AND WHAT HE STANDS FOR, WHAT THE COUNTRY -- WHAT HE WANTS THE COUNTRY TO TAKE FROM HIM, SO IT WAS INTERESTING TO WATCH.

>> AND I THINK YOU NOTED EARLIER, JUST THE SENSE OF VIRAL MEMES JUST AROUND HIS COLLOQUIALISMS, THE MOMENTS WITH HIS FAMILY, HIS SON AND DAUGHTER THAT JUST TOOK OFF BECAUSE FOLKS SAW THAT AND FELT THEIR OWN FAMILY OR THEY FELT CONNECTED TO THOSE MOMENTS.

>> THAT IMAGE OF GUS POINTING TO HIS DAD SAYING, "THAT'S MY DAD" ON STAGE, THAT WILL BE ONE OF THE INDELIBLE IMAGES OF THIS CONVENTION.

>> Cathy: OF COURSE, NOW WE'RE REALLY DOWN TO BRASS TACKS HERE AND IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT THE MEDIA HAS DONE TO PICK APART WALZ'S RECORD HERE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

WE'VE DONE A LOT OF REPORTING OBVIOUSLY OVER THE YEARS BUT WHAT HAS STOOD OUT TO YOU, DANA, ABOUT THE STORIES YOU'VE SEEN SO FAR ABOUT WALZ'S RECORD?

>> I WOULD SAY A LOT OF IT AND WE WEREN'T SURPRISED BY IT WHEN THE GOVERNOR WAS SELECTED AS THE V.P.

CANDIDATE.

WE KNEW SORT OF HIS PLAIN-SPOKENNESS, THE WAY HE OCCASIONALLY MISSPEAKS, HAS GAFF MOMENTS WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT POTENTIALLY FOLKS WHO DON'T KNOW THE GOVERNOR ALL THAT WELL MIGHT NOT BE PREPARED FOR SO A LOT OF WHAT WE HEAR FROM THE REPUBLICAN PARTY NOW IS, OH, WELL, HE DIDN'T SAY THIS CORRECTLY.

HE LIED.

HE MISSTATED HIS RECORD WITH THE ARMY NATIONAL GUARD OR WITH HIS FAMILY'S FERTILITY TREATMENTS.

AND SO THAT'S REALLY WHERE THEY'VE HONED IN AND IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF THEY CONTINUE TAKING THAT TACK OR IF THEY LOOK TO SOME OTHER SORT OF ATTACK ON THE GOVERNOR AND HIS RECORD.

>> THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN TRAVELING QUITE A BIT BETWEEN NOW AND NOVEMBER, HE HAS THE BIG DEBATE ON OCTOBER 1 WITH J.D.

VANCE, THEY'VE BEEN SPARRING FROM AFAR, SO WHEN THEY GET ON THAT STAGE, YOU CAN WATCH FOR MORE OF THOSE RECORD ASSESSMENTS.

>> Cathy: I WONDER IF WE'LL SEE THE GOVERNOR HERE AT THE STATE FAIR.

HAVE WE HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT THAT?

>> THEY'RE STILL KEEPING QUIET ABOUT THAT BUT IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE THAT HE WOULDN'T WANT TO BE HERE.

I KNOW THAT IT IS A PERSONAL FAVORITE OF HIS, HIS FAMILY'S AND THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S, TOO, SO HE MIGHT BE A LITTLE INCOGNITO BUT I WOULD THINK HE WANTS TO BE HERE.

>> I WOULD STAND BY THE TURKEY STAND.

HE LOVES THE TURKEY.

[Laughter] >> Cathy: I'M WONDERING ABOUT THE DOWN-BALLOT EFFECT OF WALZ BEING ON THE TICKET?

>> YOU HAVE TIM WALZ ON THE TICKET, AMY KLOBUCHAR ON THE TICKET, DEMOCRATS ARE FEELING MUCH BETTER THAN THEY WERE, AS I SAID, EARLIER IN THE SUMMER.

THERE'S FOUR SEATS THAT REPUBLICANS WOULD HAVE TO FLIP TO GET THE HOUSE.

THAT'S NOT A LOT, AND THERE'S THAT ONE WINNER TAKE ALL SEAT FOR THE STATE SENATE OUT IN THE LAKE MINNETONKA AREA SO WE'RE GOING TO SEE PERHAPS A HUGE REMAKING OF STATE GOVERNMENT NEXT YEAR BECAUSE, IF TIM WALZ WINS, PEGGY FLANAGAN MOVES OUT AND WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH THE REST OF THOSE SEATS.

>> Cathy: THAT SENATE RACE IS REALLY INTERESTING, CONTROL IF THE SENATE HANGS ON THAT.

>> AND IT'S GOING TO BE A REALLY EXPENSIVE ONE, PERHAPS THE MOST CAMPAIGN SPENDING WE'VE SEEN IN A LEGISLATIVE RACE IN THIS STATE BUT AS YOU NOTED, IT IS EXTREMELY CONSQUENTIAL, DETERMINES CONTROL OF THE SENATE, AND MONEY THAT COMES INTO THAT RACE COULD IMPACT HOUSE RACES IN THE REGION, GO UP AND DOWNSTREAM FOR OTHER RACES, TOO.

>> Cathy: SAY, YOU MENTIONED AMY KLOBUCHAR.

SHE HAS AN OPPONENT.

THE GOP-ENDORSED CANDIDATE IS ROYCE WHITE.

THIS MORNING ON MPR, I WAS TALKING TO 8th DISTRICT CONGRESSMAN PETE STAUBER AND ASKED HIM IF HE SUPPORTS WHITE AND HE SAID HE'S NEVER MET HIM.

SO I'M WONDERING, ARE WE SEEING SOME OF THESE LAWMAKERS, OTHER CANDIDATES TRYING TO PEEL AWAY AND STAY AWAY FROM ROYCE WHITE?

HE'S A VERY CONTROVERSIAL FIGURE.

>> IT SEEMS LIKE THEY MIGHT BE TRYING TO DISTANCE THEMSELVES.

THE CONGRESSMAN SAID, YOU KNOW, HE'S FOCUSED ON HIS LANE, HIS RACE IN THE 8th, AND WE MIGHT SEE THAT FROM OTHER REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES JUST NOT WANTING TO ASSOCIATE WITH HIM AS A CANDIDATE BECAUSE OF SOME OF THE BAGGAGE HE BRINGS TO THAT RACE.

WE WERE TALKING EARLIER ABOUT SOME OF THE 2022 RAISES AND SOME OF THE TOP TICKET REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES H. >> Cathy: THAT WOULD BE INTERESTING, THAT'S FOR SURE.

YOU DID SUCH A GREAT JOB THIS WEEK, BOTH OF YOU, IT'S BEEN A LONG SIX WEEKS IF YOU THINK ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT'S HAPPENED.

AND SHOUT OUT TO CLAY MASTERS AND MARK WHO DID A LOT OF THE WORK OUT IN CHICAGO.

>> Cathy: THEY'RE COMING HOME RIGHT NOW.

BRIAN BAKST AND DANA FERGUSON, THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, CATHY.

>> Cathy: LIVE FROM THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIR.

THIS IS MINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO ALONG WITH TWIN CITIES PUBLIC TELEVISION.

IT'S "ALMANAC."

AND WE HAVE SOME SPECIAL PEOPLE IN THE AULDINGS, KAOMI AND SHELLETA.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOUR FAMILY BUT MINE IS EXCITED TO TRY ALL THE NEW STATE FAIR FOODS.

NEW FOODS, RIGHT, EVERYBODY?

NEW FOODS.

NOW, KAOMI, THERE IS ONE NEW ITEM THAT IS NEAR AND DEAR TO YOUR HEART.

>> THAT'S RIGHT, THE KOREAN CORN DOG, WHICH IS NEW THIS YEAR, FROM CHAN'S KITCHEN OVER IN THE NORTH END BY THE TPT BOOTH AND THE SING-ALONG.

WE'VE GOT THREE FLAVORS, ORIGINAL, HOT CHEETOS AND POTATO.

IT'S HALF MOZZARELLA, HALF HOT DOG.

>> NOW WE'RE GOING TO ASK YOU GUYS TO TRY IT.

- NOW, KAOMI, HOW DO YOU SAY DELICIOUS IN KOREAN?

>> MASISSDA.

YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE A BITE, WE WANT TO HEAR YOU SAY MASYMPTOM -- MASISSDA, ND IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, YOU'RE GONNA SAY -- >> THEY WON'T SAY ANYTHING.

>> OKAY, TAKE A BYTE, TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK.

>> MASISSDA.

>> MASISSDA.

>> MASISSDA.

>> YES.

A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.

>> AND IF THERE'S ANYTHING MINNESOTANS LIKE TO TALK ABOUT OTHER THAN FOOD, IT'S WEATHER.

WE'VE GOT MARK SEELEY UP THERE.

BACK TO YOU, CATHY AND BRIAN.

>> Cathy: YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, OF COURSE WE DO LOVE TO TALK ABOUT THE WEATHER HERE IN THE GREAT STATE OF MINNESOTA.

WE THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE A BEAUTIFUL DAY TODAY AT THE STATE FAIR AND IT IS A GREAT DAY BUT NOT REALLY WITH THE WEATHER.

>> AT LEAST WE HAVE A ALSO SOMETHING TO BLAME HERE.

>> Cathy: A GREAT DAY WITH MARK SEELEY.

SO WE -- MARK IS ONE OF OUR GREAT FRIENDS HERE, OF COURSE, MINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO, YOU LISTEN TO HIM EVERY FRIDAY ON MORNING EDITION WITH ME.

WE'VE BEEN TOGETHER FOR HOW MANY YEARS?

>> 24.

>> Cathy: 24 YEARS.

GEEZ, I TELL YA.

OF COURSE, MARK, LONGTIME PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, RETIRED, JOINS US ON "ALMANAC" OCCASIONALLY AND HE IS THE AUTHOR OF THE "MINNESOTA WEATHER ALMANAC."

GIVE IT UP FOR MARK SEELEY.

>> YEAH.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

IT'S ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO BE HERE.

I LIKE TALKING ABOUT THE WEATHER.

I'M PRIVILEGED TO TALK ABOUT THE WEATHER BECAUSE THE WEATHER IS ABOUT US.

>> Cathy: YEAH, IT SURE IS.

>> IT'S WHAT WE ENJOY AND FROLIC BUT ALSO WHAT WE ENDURE.

>> Cathy: THAT'S FOR SURE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

SO WE'VE ENDURED A VERY WET SUMMER, WOW.

>> WE SURE HAVE.

SINCE APRIL -- WE MENTIONED THIS THIS MORNING ON THE AIR WAVES, CATHY.

SINCE APRIL, WE HAVE MANY OBSERVERS AROUND THE STATE THAT ARE ON A RECORD-SETTING PACE FOR RAINFALL AND NOT ONLY IN TERMS OF LARGE QUANTITIES OF RAINFALL, THE BIG THREE-, FOUR-, FIVE-INCH RAINS, BUT WE HAVE PLACES LIKE WELLS AND FARIBAULT AND ELGIN DOWN IN WABASHA COUNTY AND A FEW PLACES, THE FREQUENCY'S BEEN REMARKABLE, ABOUT HALF OF THE DAYS OF THE GROWING SEASON HAVE BROUGHT AT LEAST A TRACE OF RAIN, WHICH IS REMARKABLE.

YOU MIGHT AS WELL BE LIVING IN THE TROPICS.

>> ARE WE SEEING MORE OF THE POP-UP STORMS?

SOME OF THESE TIMES IT'S 10, 20% AND WE STILL GET REALLY WET.

>> YEP, YEP.

I WOULD NOT WANT TO BE A FEDERAL EMPLOYEE FOR THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE THIS YEAR AND BE EVALUATED ON MY RAINFALL FORECASTS BECAUSE WE'VE MISSED A LOT, TO BE HONEST.

>> Cathy: AND WHY IS THAT?

WITH ALL THE TECHNOLOGY, WHY WAS -- TODAY'S -- WE HAD RAIN TODAY AND IT WAS A 20% CHANCE AND IT WAS RAINING.

>> YEAH, YEAH.

PARTLY BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN SO MOIST, THE ATMOSPHERE IS SO FULL OF WATER VAPOR THAT ALMOST ANY LITTLE DISTURBANCE MIGHT TRIGGER ENOUGH VERTICAL LIFT THAT WE GET MAYBE IN SMALL, ISOLATED SHOWERS, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

WE'VE BEEN PERSISTENTLY ENDURING A HIGH-WATER VAPOR CONTENT ATMOSPHERE AROUND US.

>> BUT THE SWEAT IS TO COME NEXT WEEK, SOUNDS LIKE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT, THAT'S RIGHT.

STARTING SUNDAY THROUGH TUESDAY WILL PROBABLY BE THE WARMEST DAYS OF THE FAIR, AND THEN CHANCES FOR SHOWERS NEXT THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, SO IF YOU'RE PLANNING ON COMING BACK TO THE FAIR AT THE END OF NEXT WEEK, MAYBE THINK ABOUT AN UMBRELLA.

>> IT'S THAT WURZER WEATHER THAT WE TALK ABOUT.

>> Cathy: I DO LIKE THE WURZER WEATHER, HOT AND MUGGY, IT'S TRUE.

IT'S CRAZY TO THINK ABOUT THE WEATHER WE'VE HAD AND RIGHT ON THE HEELS OF A PRETTY LENGTHY DROUGHT.

>> YES, A REMARKABLE TURNAROUND.

THREE YEARS OF DROUGHT ACROSS THE STATE, RATHER SEVERE ON THE TREES.

WE'VE LOST A LOT OF TREES, CATHY, ACTUALLY, FROM THREE YEARS OF DROUGHT, AND THEN NOW WE HAVE HIGH VOLUME FLOW ON ALL OUR WATERSHEDS.

- WE'VE -- I THINK WE TALKED ABOUT THIS, TOO.

I HAVEN'T -- I'VE BEEN TRACKING THE WEATHER NOW ABOUT 50 YEARS AND I HAVE NEVER RECALLED ONE YEAR WHERE THE FOOTPRINT OF SURPLUS MOISTURE WAS SO EMPHATIC ON OUR STATE LANDSCAPE.

97% OF THE MINNESOTA LANDSCAPE IS SHOWING HIGH SURPLUS MOISTURE THIS YEAR, WHICH IS UNBELIEVABLE IN HISTORICAL CONTEXT.

>> BRIAN: I'M GOING TO SHIELD MYSELF AS I ASK THIS, BUT COLD, WET, WINTER OR SOMETHING MORE MILD?

>> Cathy: STOP, STOP, GET THOSE WORDS OUT OF YOUR MOUTH.

>> THE GUESS RIGHT NOW IS PAY ATTENTION TO La NIÑA, IT'S VERY SLOW IN DEVELOPING, AND RIGHT NOW IT'S PROJECTED TO BE A WEAK -- A WEAK EPISODE, SO I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A WARM FALL.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE WET, THAT'S WHY WE MIGHT SET RECORDS BY THE END OF THE YEAR, AND THEN I THINK, AS WE GET DEEPER INTO WINTER, IF La NINA DOES HAVE AN EFFECT, THAT'S WHEN WE MIGHT SEE THE COLD WEATHER, BRIAN, MAYBE JANUARY, FEBRUARY, SOMEWHERE IN THERE.

WE MIGHT GO BELOW NORMAL.

BUT I DON'T THINK RECORD-SETTING.

>> BRIAN: SO I CAN KEEP THE SNOWBLOWER IN THE BACK -- >> KEEP IT HANDY BUT I THINK YOU MIGHT USE IT MORE THE SECOND HALF OF WINTER.

>> Cathy: SO WE'RE GOING TO DO THE STATE FAIR WEATHER QUIZ, THE TWO OF US HERE AT THE MPR BOOTH.

WHAT IS THE ODDIST STATE FAIR WEATHER THING THAT'S EVER HAPPENED, DO YOU THINK?

>> BOY, I THINK THE 1977 WASH-OUT OF THE STATE FAIR GRANDSTAND.

>> Cathy: I KNEW HE'D KNOW THIS.

>> AUGUST 30th, 1977, OVER 4 INCHES OF RAIN IN JUST A FEW HOURS AND THE GROUNDS WERE SO FLOODED THAT PEOPLE EVEN HAD TO GET RESCUED FROM THE GROUNDS BECAUSE THEIR MOBILITY WAS LIMITED WITH ALL THE WATER ON THE GROUND.

>> Cathy: SEE, I KNEW HE'D KNOW.

Dr. MARK SEELEY, UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

HEARD FRIDAYS MORNING EDITION ON MPR NEWS.

WE LOVE YOU.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU, MARK.

HEY, SHELLETA AND TANE, WHAT ARE YOU DOING OUT IN THE AUDIENCE?

>> YOU KNOW, KAOMI AND I WERE DOING SOME SAMPLES WITH THE KOREAN CORN DOGS AND TANE WASN'T GOING TO BE LEFT OUT.

SO HE'S COOKING UP SOME FUN HERE.

>> I THINK I MIGHT BE THE FIRST PERSON TO SAY THIS ON THE AIR AND THIS IS "ALMANAC" AND THIS YEAR IS THE 40th ANNIVERSARY OF "ALMANAC" SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A BIG PARTY TO CELEBRATE 40 YEARS OF "ALMANAC" THIS DECEMBER.

I NEED TWO SUPER FANS WHO ARE -- ANY SUPER FANS OF "ALMANAC"?

WE'RE GOING TO GRAB YOU AND DO A TRIVIA CONTEST WITH YOU IN JUST A SECOND.

WE'LL THROW IT BACK TO YOU, BACK ON STAGE WITH KEVIN KLING, EVERYBODY.

>> Cathy: KEVIN KLING, ONE OF OUR FAVORITES.

>> THANKS, CATHY, THANKS, TANE.

SO THE PHILOSOPHER MICHELLE NICO SAID NOTHING PLEASES A MAN MORE THAN HEARING SOMETHING HE ALREADY KNOWS.

NOTHING SIMPLIFIES THIS MORE THAN THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIR.

'CUZ, LOOK, WE DON'T COME HERE TO BE SURPRISED OR ENLIGHTENED, WE COME FOR WHAT WE ALREADY KNOW.

AND WHETHER YOUR COLOR IS BLUE, WHITE, FLANNEL, CREW NECK OR CLERICAL, I BRING WHO I AM TO WHO YOU ARE, THIS BEAUTIFUL HERD, THIS FLOCK, THIS PACK.

IT DOESN'T MEAN WE AGREE BUT OUR DIFFERENCES ARE CHANNELED INTO MINI DOUGHNUTS VERSUS MARTHA'S COOKIES, PRONTO PUPS VERSUS CORN DOGS.

FINE ART OR SPIN ART.

BIRTHING BARN OR BARBECUE.

HUMMM.. [Laughter] CHEESE CURDS OR MORE CHEESE CURDS.

THE FAIR IS A HAVEN, A REFUGE, A RESPITE FROM THE TECHNO BARRAGE FROM THE WORLD AND ANYTHING EXPANDING HAPPENS BETWEEN THE BELT LOOPS AND NOT BETWEEN THE EARS.

AND IF YOU NEED TO SLAM DOWN A BOTTLE OF PEPTO BISMAL AT THE CORNER OF JUDSON AND NELSON, THEN HAVE AT IT, NO JUDGMENT.

AND IF YOUR ART MEDIUM IS SEEDS AND BEANS, THAT'S FINE, TOO, BUT I GOT TO WARN YOU, IF THAT ROOM EVER FLOODS, GET OUT OF THERE BECAUSE IT'S GONNA SWELL UP TO THREE TIMES ITS NORMAL SIZE.

[Laughter] NOW, ROBERT BLY SAID THAT OUR COUNTRY DEVELOPED A NEUROSIS WHEN WE STOPPED WORKING WITH LARGE ANIMALS.

AND IT'S TRUE.

THIS IS OUR CHANCE TO RECONNECT WITH OUR ANCESTORS, WITH FOODS BEFORE REFRIGERATION.

WE CAN TAKE THE SAME RIDE THAT THRILLED TEDDIE ROOSEVELT AND WIN THE GRATEFUL DEAD CIGARETTE LIGHTER THAT EVADED YOUR GRANDFATHER.

RESILIENCY IS DEFINED AS MAINTAINING ONE'S SHAPE AND HOW DO WE MAINTAIN A SHAPE THAT'S BEEN COMPROMISED THROUGH LOSS, ACCIDENT, PANDEMIC?

WE DO IT THROUGH FAMILY, FAITH AND COMMUNITY.

WE DO IT THROUGH EVENTS LIKE THE FAIR, AND WHEN OUR SHAPE HAS BEEN COMPROMISED, IT'S OUR PEOPLE AND TRADITIONS THAT HOLD US TOGETHER WHILE WE GROW INTO THOSE NEW SELVES.

AND SPEAKING OF A NEW SHAPE, AFTER THE FAIR, THERE WILL BE MORE OF YOU TO LOVE!

[Cheers & Applause] SO LET'S HANG TIGHT TO THE FAIR AND WITH LUCK IN A HUNDRED YEARS, IT WILL BE THE NEW RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL.

[Laughter] >> Cathy: YES!!

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, STORY-TELLER EXTRAORDINAIRE, KEVIN KLING, A MINNESOTA TREASURE.

DON'T YOU AGREE?

YES.

HEY, SPEAKING OF A MINNESOTA TREASURE, JEARLYN STEELE JOINS US WITH A SPECIAL MUSICAL GUEST.

>> HEY NOW.

YOU GUYS KNOW WHO'S SITTING ROYALTY HERE.

YOU KNOW HER NAME?

TINA WHAT?

>> TINA.

>> WHAT'S HER NAME, TINA SCHLIESKE.

YOU KNOW ABOUT TINA AND THE B SIDES, ANYBODY?

THE BOTTOM LINE IS I GOT TO ASK YOU A QUESTION.

HOW IS IT THAT YOU KEEP GOING?

YOU'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR HOW MANY YEARS?

>> OH, MY GOSH, ALMOST 40, I THINK.

40, YEAH.

>> AND YOU KEEP DOING IT, DELIVERING THE GIFT EVERY TIME.

>> YEAH, I TRY.

>> SO THIS IS WHAT'S COMING UP.

YOU WILL HAVE FRIENDS PERFORMING WITH YOU AT A FREE CONCERT COMING UP AT THE SCHELL STAGE AT WEST END MARKET AT 8:00 p.m. TONIGHT.

AND I GOT TO TELL YOU, THANKS SO MUCH FOR STOPPING BY.

I WANT TO SING WITH YOU ONE DAY.

I WANT TO HAVE DINNER WITH YOU.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO SING?

>> THIS IS CALLED "BARRICADE."

>> I LOVE THIS SONG.

HERE SHE IS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, TINA SCHLIESKE.

♪ I KNOW HOW IT GOES AFTER ALL THIS TIME ♪ ♪ THE THING YOU LEARN, YOU CAN LEAVE IT ALL BEHIND ♪ ♪ YOU FOUND YOUR ANODYNE ♪ OH, NEVER LOOK BACK, NEVER LOOK BACK, NEVER LOOK BACK, DO YOU, DEAR ♪ ♪ YOU MIGHT FEEL YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE ♪ WHOSE GOT THEIR DEMONS THEY JUST CAN'T SEEM TO OUTRUN ♪ IT'S JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE YOUNG ♪ OH, NEVER LOOK BACK, NEVER LOOK BACK, NEVER LOOK BACK, DO YOU, DEAR ♪ ♪ ONE DAY YOU'LL LET SOMEONE LOVE YOU ♪ ONE DAY YOU'LL LET SOMEONE NEED YOU ♪ ONE DAY YOU'LL LEARN TO TAKE IT EASY ON YOURSELF ♪ YOU WILL LAY DOWN YOUR ARMS AND SURRENDER THIS BARRICADE ♪ ♪ YOU BUILT THESE WALLS AND MADE YOUR ARMOUR.

♪ TO FIGHT THESE WARS THAT JUST ARE INSIDE YOU NOW.

♪ YOU TRIED TO WIN SOMEHOW ♪ ♪ OH, NEVER LOOK BACK, NEVER LOOK BACK, NEVER LOOK BACK, DO YOU, DEAR ♪ ♪ OH, OH, OH, OH ♪ ♪ OH, OH, OH, OH ♪ ♪ ONE DAY YOU'LL LET SOMEONE LOVE YOU ♪ ONE DAY YOU'LL LET SOMEONE NEED YOU ♪ ONE DAY YOU'LL LEARN TO TAKE IT EASY ON YOURSELF.

♪ YOU WILL BURN IT ALL DOWN AND ABANDON THIS BARRICADE ♪ ♪ I KNOW HOW IT GOES ♪♪♪ [Applause] >> FABULOUS, JUST FABULOUS.

WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH, TINA, AND STICK AROUND, EVERYONE, SHE WILL BE BACK WITH ANOTHER TUNE LATER ON, IN JUST ABOUT AN HOUR.

AND LET'S HEAD BACK ON STAGE WHERE CATHY WURZER HAS SOME NEWBORN VISITORS.

>> Cathy: I KNOW, RIGHT.

WHAT WOULD IT BE AT "ALMANAC" AT THE FAIR WITHOUT BABY ANIMALS.

CAN I GET A COLLECTIVE AHHHH.

OH, LOOK AT YOU.

BETHANY AND AUBREY FROM THE FAA ARE WITH US WITH TWO ADORABLE ANIMALS.

BETHANY, YOU HAVE A -- >> I HAVE A 24-HOUR-OLD PIGLET, THEY WERE BORN YESTERDAY AT THE FAIR AT ABOUT 4:00 IN THE MORNING.

OUR VETERINARIANS WORK ON SITE AND THEY WERE ABLE TO HELP THE SOW OR THE MOM THROUGH THE BIRTH.

>> Cathy: OH, MY GOSH, SO CUTE.

THE LITTLE EYES ARE NOT EVEN OPEN.

I'M GOING TO REACH ACROSS YOU HERE, BETHANY.

AUBREY, WHO DO YOU HAVE?

>> I HAVE A SIX-WEEK-OLD BUCKLING OR A GOAT, IN OTHER WORDS, WHO WAS BORN AT THE FARM.

>> Cathy: OH, MY GOSH, LOOK AT THAT FACE.

HI, SWEETHEART.

[Laughter] OKAY.

DO YOU HAVE GOATS BY THE WAY, AUBREY?

>> I DO NOT, I DON'T HAVE ANY LIVESTOCK, PERSONALLY.

>> Cathy: THAT'S OBJECTION,.

>> TO WORRY.

I KNOW, THEY'RE SO VERY, VERY CUTE.

WHAT'S IT LIKE, BY THE WAY, I WAS TALKING TO SOME 4HERS YESTERDAY, HOW MUCH FUN IS IT TO BE AT THE FAIR ESPECIALLY DOING INTERVIEWS AND TALKING ABOUT THE FAIR AND FAA?

>> WE COME WITH THE FAA CHAMBER.

I'M FROM THE RICORI CHAPTER AND I'M DOWN HERE AS A BARNY, SO I VOLUNTEER AND I GET TO DO THEIR CHORES, TALK TO THE PUBLIC, I GET TO TALK TO THE VETERINARIANS, AND I GET TO BUILD THAT BRIDGE BETWEEN THE VETERINARIANS AND THE ANIMAL AND THE PUBLIC AND HELP SHARE THE INFORMATION ABOUT AGRICULTURE SO THAT'S REALLY WHAT I ENJOY ABOUT THE FAIR.

>> Cathy: YOU'RE A BARNY, I LOVE THAT.

SO THE CHORES ARE NOT EVEN A CHORE, REALLY, RIGHT?

>> IT'S ALL IN GOOD FUN.

WE LIKE TO KEEP OUR ANIMALS HEALTHY, THAT'S OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY, JUST LIKE ON THE FARMS AROUND MINNESOTA AND ACROSS THE STATES.

WE LIKE TO PRIORITIZE ANIMAL HEALTH BECAUSE THAT WAY THEN WE CAN BE SAFE AROUND THEM AND ANIMALS CAN BE SAFE AROUND US, THEREFORE CREATING A FOOD IS SUPPLY CHAIN THAT'S SAFE FOR EVERYBODY.

>> Cathy: AUBREY, HOW DID YOU GET INTO FAA?

>> I ACTUALLY JOINED BECAUSE OF MY SISTER BUT I WENT TO A COUPLE OF CAMPS AND BRIDGED OUT SO MUCH.

BEFORE FAA, I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO THIS SO I THINK FAA IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY, NOT ONLY DOES IT GET ME TO VOLUNTEER DOING THINGS LIKE THIS BUT ALSO GOTTEN ME UP ON A STAGE IN FRONT OF PEOPLE, SO... >> Cathy: SO, WHAT'S THE STRANGEST QUESTION THAT A CITY PERSON HAS ASKED YOU ABOUT THESE ANIMALS, SO FAR?

THIS IS KIND OF NEW BUT HAVE THEY COME UP TO YOU, YET, AND ASKED ABOUT THE ANIMALS?

>> YEAH, SOMETIMES THEY ASK, IS THIS A CALF OR A GOAT, AND WE JUST HAVE TO SIMPLY REMIND THEM, NO, THESE ARE PIGLETS AND THAT ONE'S THE GOAT.

THAT'S WHAT I ENJOY, WE GET TO HELP CORRECT MISTAKES THAT PEOPLE MIGHT HAVE ABOUT AGRICULTURE.

>> Cathy: BETHANY AND AUBREY, SO VERY CUTE, HONESTLY.

THE CUTENESS LEVEL HAS EXPLODED ON THIS STAGE, I CAN'T EVEN TELL YOU.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND HAVE A GREAT TIME AT THE FAIR.

BETHANY AND AUBREY AND OUR LITTLE BABY GOAT AND LITTLE PIGLET.

WE'LL SEND IT BACK TO TANE AND KAOMI.

>> HEY, EVERYBODY, AS I TEASED A SECOND GO, IT IS THE 40th ANNIVERSARY OF "ALMANAC" AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A BIG PARTY THIS DECEMBER AND WE'LL GIVE AWAY TWO TICKETS TO SEE IT AND, IN ORDER TO DO THAT, WE'RE GOING TO DO A LITTLE TRIVIA.

YOUR NAMES ARE?

>> KATHY.

>> MARIE.

>> AND YOU'RE FROM -- >> St. PAUL.

>> WINONA.

>> THIS IS SUPER EXCITING.

AND I HAVE THIS HIGH-TECH BELL RINGER HERE, ASK THE QUESTIONS.

>> I'M GOING TO ASK, WHOEVER BUZZES IN FIRST.

QUESTION NUMBER ONE, WHO WERE THE ORIGINAL HOSTS -- >> OH, WOW.

>> JAN SMABY.

>> AND -- >> JUDGE -- JUDGE... >> OKAY, DO YOU HAVE AN ANSWER FOR THE SECOND ONE?

>> I DON'T.

>> YOU GET A POINT.

YES, JAN SMABY AND THEN JOE SUMMERS.

APPLAUSE, APPLAUSE.

[Applause] SURE.

HE WAS -- OKAY, SURE, YES.

WHAT IS THE ONE TIME THAT "ALMANAC" HAD BEEN CANCELLED AND IT WAS BECAUSE OF A BIG HISTORIC EVENT, SOMETHING THAT CAUSED THE SHOW TO CANCEL.

>> COVID.

>> NO, WE KEPT DOING THE SHOW DURING COVID, NOT AS FUN.

DO YOU HAVE AN ANSWER?

HURRY.

>> BABY ANIMALS ARE CUTE.

>> YES, THEY ARE.

THE ANSWER, THE '99 -- 1991 HALLOWEEN BLIZZARD WAS THE OTHER REASON.

>> OH, OF COURSE.

OF COURSE.

>> QUICKLY.

HOW MANY EPISODES TOTAL HAVE THERE BEEN OF "ALMANAC"?

>> 1313.

>> DO YOU HAVE A GUESS, QUICKLY?

>> 1 MILLION.

>> OKAY, YOU ARE CLOSER, THIS IS TERRIBLE, YOU TWO TIED.

I DON'T KNOW HOW WE'RE GOING TO FIGURE IT OUT.

MAYBE YOU BOTH GET TO GO.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, YOU BOTH GET TICKETS TO COME TO THE BIG PARTY IN DECEMBER.

I'M THROWING IT BACK TO THE STAGE.

[Applause] [Laughter] >> BRIAN: THE MINNESOTA TWINS ARE IN A TIGHT DIVISION RACE, TIED FOR SECOND IN THE A.L.

CENTRAL, JUST 2 GAMES BEHIND CLEVELAND.

THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS FINISH UP THEIR PRESEASON SCHEDULE ON SATURDAY.

THE MINNESOTA LYNX ARE HOLDING DOWN THE TOP SPOT IN THE WEST.

NO BETTER TEAM THAN TO TALK WITH OUR FRIEND, LARRY FITZGERALD, A LONGTIME "ALMANAC" SPORT EXEMPT TAKE ITER AND YOU CAN HEAR HIM ON THE NATIONAL PROGRAMMING NETWORK.

FITZY, WELCOME.

HOW YOU BEEN?

>> GOOD.

>> LET'S START WITH THE LYNX.

BIG WEEKEND AT THE TARGET CENTER, MAYA MOORE'S JERSEY GOING UP, THE STORM COMING, CAITLIN CLARK -- TALK ABOUT THAT TEAM.

>> TONIGHT, OBVIOUSLY THE TWINS START A 9-GAME HOME STAND WITH THE NATIONAL LEAGUE'S CARDINALS IN TOWN, AND THE WNBA, HEY, THE LYNX ARE SMOKING, MAN, SINCE THE OLYMPIC BREAK.

THEY WENT OUT TO VEGAS AND BEAT THE WORLD CHAMPS, AND NOW THE CHAMPS ARE IN TOWN TONIGHT AND THEY'LL TIP IT AT 8:30, SO I DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO PARK BUT THAT PLACE IS GOING TO BE JAMMED TONIGHT.

>> AND THEY'VE GOT AN MVP CONTENDER ON THE LYNX, DON'T THEY?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

NAPHEESA COLLIER HAS BEEN SENSATIONAL SINCE COMING BACK FROM THE INJURY AND SHE'S DOING WHAT SHERYL REEVE EXPECTS HER TO DO AND THAT IS TO LEAD THE BASKETBALL TEAM BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT OF YOUTH ON IT BUT THEY'RE MOVING FORWARD.

>> Cathy: BEING A TYPICAL MINNESOTA SPORTS FAN, I SEE THE TWINS ARE DOING WELL.

I WORRY, I WORRY THAT THE WHEELS COULD COME OFF THE BUS.

WHAT COULD POSSIBLY HAPPEN BETWEEN NOW AND THE PLAYOFFS?

>> WELL, THE THING ABOUT THIS TEAM FOR ME IS THEY'RE RESILIENT.

I MEAN, THEY'VE GOT A STRANGE SCHEDULE THIS YEAR.

THEY'RE PLAYING A LOT OF NATIONAL LEAGUE TEAMS AND THEY HAVEN'T FAIRED VERY WELL AGAINST THE BEST TEAMS IN BASEBALL BUT THEY'RE BEATING THE TEAMS YOU GOT TO BEAT.

I MEAN, TO BE ON AUGUST 23rd AND TWO GAMES BACK WITH A 9-GAME HOME STAND AGAINST THE CARDINALS AND BRAVES, AND TORONTO COMING UP, I THINK THIS TEAM COULD SURPRISE YOU.

THEY'VE GOT A TERRIFIC MANAGER WHO HAS REALLY INSTILLED SOME THINGS IN THIS TEAM, AND I TELL YOU, IF THEY CAN JUST STAY HEALTHY AND DON'T LOSE ANYBODY ELSE, I THINK THEY GOT A SHOT.

>> BRIAN: PABLO LOPEZ VERSUS SONNY GRAY THIS WEEKEND, KIND OF TWO WELL-KNOWN PITCHERS.

THIS TEAM, THOUGH, IS IN A TOUGHER DIVISION THAN IT WAS A YEAR AGO.

THEY'VE GOT A BETTER RECORD BUT STILL A LITTLE BIT FURTHER BEHIND.

>> SOMETHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN THIS YEAR THAT RARELY HAPPENS IN BASEBALL AND THERE WON'T BE ANY 100-WIN TEAMS SO THAT TELLS YOU HOW STRONG, FROM A COLLECTIVE STANDPOINT, MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL HAS BECOME AND THE TWINS ARE ONE OF THOSE TEAMS.

THEY'RE BUILT STRONG FROM WITHIN, THEY HAVE A PHILOSOPHY AND A WAY OF GOING OUT DOING THINGS, AND WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE BYRON BUXTON, YOU DON'T HAVE CARLOS CORREA AND JOE RYAN AND YOU'RE STILL KNOCKING AT THE DOOR, I'M VERY IMPRESSED WITH WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

>> WHAT ABOUT YOUR EXCITEMENT LEVEL AROUND THE VIKINGS?

A LITTLE BIT BUMPY PRE-SEASON HERE.

>> I WAS OUT THERE YESTERDAY AND I'VE BEEN WATCHING THEM COME ALONG VERY CAREFULLY, AND KEVIN O'CONNELL HAS REALLY TRIED TO PUT SOMETHING INTO THIS TEAM WITH CERTAIN DRILLS WHERE -- I MEAN, THEY LED THE LEAGUE IN TURNOVERS LAST YEAR AND ALMOST IN INJURIES.

THEY LOST SOME TOP PLAYERS BUT THEY WERE ABLE TO GET THROUGH THE SEASON AND WE SAW HOW IT SORT OF FELL OFF THE TABLE AT THE END BUT THIS TEAM IS GOING TO BE DIFFERENT.

I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO BE MORE PHYSICAL.

I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE MORE RESOLVE, AND I LOVE THE FACT THAT THEY PICKED UP THAT CORNERBACK WHO'S WON A WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP AND HE'S GOING TO TRY TO GET IT DONE FOR THE VIKINGS ON THE DEFENSIVE SIDE SO THEY GOT A CHANCE TO WIN NINE GAMES.

>> Cathy: I'M A TYPICAL RAIN CLOUDS, AGAIN.

I WORRY ABOUT THIS QUARTERBACK THING.

[ Laughter ] >> YOU KNOW WHAT, THAT'S LEGIT.

SAM DARNOLD, HE WAS AN OVERALL NUMBER ONE PICK FOR A REASON AND IT'S BASED ON POTENTIAL.

BUT HE'S HAD PROBLEM TURNING THE FOOTBALL OVER.

IF HE CAN JUST HAVE ONE SEASON, THAT BEING THIS YEAR, WHERE HE DOESN'T TURN THE BALL OVER, HE'S GOING TO GET THE VIKINGS A CHANCE BECAUSE HE'S NEVER HAD THIS KIND OF TALENT AT THE WIDE RECEIVER POSITION.

>> BRIAN: IF J.J. CAN STAY HEALTHY.

>> IF J.J. CAN STAY HEALTHY AND WE CAN KEEP JORDAN ADDISON OFF THE ROADWAYS.

>> Cathy: THERE IS THAT.

>> BUT THE LIONS ARE THE DARLING OF A LOT OF FOLKS, MAYBE TO WIN IT ALL, YOU HAVE THE PACKERS -- >> Cathy: ARE YOU A PACKERS' FAN?

>> ARE THE VIKINGS LOOKING AT FOURTH PLACE HERE?

>> THE BEARS ARE ON HARD KNOCKS, THEY FINISHED 4-0 IN THE PRESEASON AND THEY HAVE A QUARTERBACK WHO'S WON THE HEISMAN TROPHY.

I WAS IN CHICAGO LAST WEEK, THEY ARE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE BEARS.

THE PACKERS ARE VERY GOOD, WE KNOW THAT.

THEY'VE GOT THE HIGHEST PAID PLAYER IN THE LEAGUE AT JORDAN LOVE, AND THE LIONS, HEY, IF THEY DON'T GO FOR IT ON FOURTH DOWN, THEY MAY HAVE BEEN IN THE SUPER BOWL LAST YEAR, SO THE VIKINGS CANNOT BLINK.

THIS HAS TO BE A BATTLE FROM THE VERY, VERY BEGINNING TO BE ABLE TO SAY STAY IN THIS RACE.

>> THANKS, FITSY.

EVERYBODY GIVE IT UP FOR FITSY.

>> Cathy: LARRY FITZGERALD >> ONE MORE TIME TO TANE AND SHELLETA OUT IN THE CROWD.

>> YOU WOULD THE QUIZ SHOW UST A MINUTE AGO BUILT THE LAST ANSWER YOU DIDN'T GIVE US.

HOW MANY EPISODES OF "ALMANAC" HAVE THERE BEEN?

>> THERE HAVE BEEN 1,960 EPISODES OF "ALMANAC," 61.

THIS HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY GREAT.

FOR THOSE FOLKS WHO ARE LISTENING RIGHT NOW ON MINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO, THIS IS ALSO A TELEVISION PROGRAM.

>> YES.

>> SO YOU SHOULD TUNE IN TONIGHT.

>> TONIGHT.

>> STATEWIDE ON YOUR TWIN CITIES -- YOUR PBS STATION AND YOU CAN SEE SHELLETA AND I AND THESE BABY ANIMALS.

>> ON TPT, CHANNEL 2 IN THE TWIN CITIES, AND YOU CAN ALSO GO ONLINE AND STREAM IT LIVE SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE IN MINNESOTA TO WATCH.

WE HAVE HAD SO MUCH FUN.

HAVE Y'ALL HAD FUN?

[Cheering] >> THERE IS A ALSO MORE FUN BECAUSE WE'RE THROWING IT BACK TO THE STAGE FOR A LITTLE MORE POLITICS!!

>> BRIAN BAKST HERE AGAIN AND, YES, MORE POLITICS.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE NATIONAL CONVENTIONS, PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS AND MORE, A DUO OF POLITICAL SCIENCE REPORTERS.

KATHRYN PEARSON IS A POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

HERE, TOO, IS LARRY JACOBS.

HE HEADS THE CENTER FOR POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE, PART OF THE HUMPHREY SCHOOL AT U OF M. HUMPHREY, NOW ONE OF THE THREE POTENTIAL -- HE WAS ONE BUT NOW TIM WALZ.

WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF HIS BIG DEBUT?

>> IT WAS FANTASTIC.

I MEAN, LET'S BE HONEST, TIM WALZ IS SOMEONE WE KNOW BUT HE'S PRETTY MUCH UNKNOWN AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL AND WITHIN LITERALLY A FEW WEEKS, HE'S BEEN INTRODUCED, HE'S IMPRESSING, AND HE'S GOING TO PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE.

BUT, YOU KNOW, I THINK THE KEY THING HERE IS TO KEEP AN EYE ON HIS MOST DISTINCTIVE INFLUENCE WILL BE IF THEY'RE ELECTED, BECAUSE WALTER MONDALE REINVENTED THE VICE PRESIDENCY, AND EVER SINCE, THE VICE PRESIDENT IS A KEY PLAYER IN HOW THE WHITE HOUSE OPERATES.

THAT'S WHERE I THINK HE'LL HAVE HIS BIGGEST IMPACT.

>> Cathy: PROFESSOR PEARSON?

>> ABSOLUTELY AGREE.

PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES CHOOSE THEIR RUNNING MADE TO CHOOSE A PARTNER IN GOVERNING BUT RIGHT NOW HE'S A PARTNER IN CAMPAIGNING AND HE'S PROVEN TO BE AN EXCELLENT ONE.

WITH THE CAMPAIGN SPEECH, THE FIRST TIME HE EVER USED A TELEPROMPTER, WHICH WAS SORT OF FUN, HE DIDN'T GIVE HIS STATE OF THE STATES WITH A PROMPTER SO IT WAS A SIMILAR MESSAGE THAT MINNESOTANS HAVE HEARD BUT MORE POLISHED, A BIGGER STAGE AND PROBABLY WITH A BIGGER IMPACT, SO PEOPLE DIDN'T KNOW HIM VERY WELL BEFORE THE VEEP STAKES AND PEOPLE TUNING IN THIS WEEK LEARNED A LOT ABOUT HIM, AND IT WAS A MIX OF HIS BIOGRAPHY AS A TEACHER, ARMY NATIONAL GUARD, SORT OF THE NEIGHBOR NEXT DOOR WHO HELPS YOU, AND SOME REAL SORT OF POLICY IMPACT, THE BILLS THAT HE SIGNED INTO LAW AS A GOVERNOR.

>> A LOT OF ENERGY COMING OUT OF THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION BUT LOOKING AHEAD, WHO'S GOT THE -- KIND OF THE MORE EASY PATH, IS IT DONALD TRUMP OR KAMALA HARRIS?

>> IT'S GOING TO BE A VERY CLOSE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION THAT WILL BE DECIDED BY A SMALL NUMBER OF SWING STATES.

IT THE CASE THAT HARRIS HAS OPENED UP POSSIBILITIES IN SWING STATES THAT BIDEN WOULD NOT HAVE, SUCH AS THE SUNBELT, GEORGIA, NORTH CAROLINA ARIZONA.

YOU KNOW, WISCONSIN, MICHIGAN, PENNSYLVANIA, ALWAYS KEY SWING STATES AND SO, YOU KNOW, A SMALL NUMBER OF VOTERS IN THOSE STATES WILL DECIDE THE ELECTION BECAUSE OF THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE.

>> Cathy: GO AHEAD.

>> I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY, I MEAN, GO BACK EIGHT WEEKS AGO.

YOU KNOW, DEMOCRATS WERE IN A DEEP FUNK AND THEY HAD EVERY REASON TO BE.

THEY WERE FALLING BEHIND IN THE POLLS, MONEY WASN'T COMING IN FOR JOE BIDEN.

THE RANKS OF DEMOCRATIC FATEFUL WERE DISSPIRITTED.

SHOOT AHEAD TO THIS WEEK AND ALL THAT HAS BEEN REVERSED.

THE SUPPORT IS UP, THE MOTIVATION IS UP, MONEY IS COMING IN, AND THE COALITION THAT THE DEMOCRATS NEED IS NOW COMING BACK TOGETHER, SO THIS HAS BEEN, REALLY, AN UNHEARD OF FLIP, AND YOU CAN SEE IT WITH DONALD TRUMP AND REPUBLICANS.

THEY'RE -- THEY FEEL LIKE THEY HAD IT WRAPPED UP AND NOW IT'S GOING TO BE A REAL FIGHT.

>> Cathy: LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT SO MUCH EXCITEMENT AND THE ENTHUSIASM ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE.

WHEN DO WE START PUTTING FLESH ON THE BONE WHEN IT COMES TO SOME OF THE POLICY STANCES AND WHEN MIGHT WE HEAR SOME OF THAT COMING OUT OF THE HARRIS CAMPAIGN?

>> I KNOW THIS IS A BIG THING ABOUT -- PARTICULARLY COMING FROM THE MEDIA, THE "NEW YORK TIMES" IS INSISTENT THAT HARRIS FLESH IT OUT.

THERE REALLY ISN'T ANY STRATEGIC NEED FOR THAT -- >> Cathy: YOU DON'T THINK VOTERS CARE?

>> NOT THE VOTERS WHO ARE UP FOR GRABS.

THE VOTERS WHO ARE UP FOR GRABS, IT'S LIKE 5 TO 10%.

WE KNOW A BIT ABOUT THEM, THEY'RE NOT WELL-INFORMED, THEY'RE NOT THAT INTERESTED, AND THE STRATEGY OF A LOT OF CANDIDATES ENTERING INTO A PRIMARY IS TO TRY TO EMERGE WITH AS FEW CLEAR POSITIONS SO THAT THEY HAVE MORE FLEXIBILITY IN A GENERAL ELECTION.

IF YOU'RE WONDERING WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT, LOOK AT THE MESS THAT KAMALA HARRIS MADE WHEN SHE RAN IN 2019.

SHE TOOK THESE VERY SPECIFIC POSITIONS AND NOW SHE'S DOING HER BEST TO TRY TO RUN AWAY FROM THEM BECAUSE IT'S HURTING HER SO, NO, I THINK KAMALA HARRIS HAS GOT, LIKE, ALMOST A DREAM POSITION IN TERMS OF THE ISSUES.

I THINK SHE'S GOT A WHOLE LOT OF OTHER ISSUES OR CHALLENGES THAT MAY WELL LEAD TO HER DEFEAT.

>> Cathy: FOR INSTANCE?

>> WELL, WE COULD DESCRIBE THIS ERA AS ANTI-INCUMBENT.

THE ECONOMY AND INFLATION ARE THE TOP ISSUES FOR VOTERS.

WE KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW, THOSE ARE BREAKING TOWARDS DONALD TRUMP AND IF YOU GO BACK TO 2019 AND 20 -- THE BEGINNING PART OF 2020, THE ECONOMY WAS REALLY GROWING AND A LOT OF VOTERS REMEMBER THAT.

THEY THINK DONALD TRUMP CAN BE A BETTER LEADER ON THAT SO IN A VERY CLOSE RACE, IN 2020, IT WAS DECIDED BY 21,000 VOTES OUT OF 155 MILLION IN THREE STATES.

SO IN A VERY CLOSE RACE, THAT IS GOING TO BE VERY DIFFICULT FOR KAMALA HARRIS TO OVERCOME.

>> PROFESSOR PEARSON, THIS MESSAGE WE HEARD LAST NIGHT FROM KAMALA HARRIS AND THROUGHOUT THE CONVENTION, HER MIDDLE CLASS UPBRINGING VERSUS HIS WEALTHY UPBRINGING.

SHE SAID THE ONLY CLIENT SHE EVER HAD WAS THE PEOPLE AND TRUMP ONLY HAD HIMSELF.

WAS THAT AN EFFECTIVE LINE?

>> I THINK IT IS AN EFFECTIVE LINE.

SHE DID HER STORY, GROWING UP IN OAKLAND, WHAT SHE WOULD DO AND HOW SHE WOULD SERVE THE PEOPLE, AND WHAT WAS ALWAYS STRIKING WITH THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION WAS HOW MANY TIMES, ALL OF THE SPEAKER, ESPECIALLY HARRIS AND WALZ SAID WE LOVE AMERICA, IT WAS VERY PATRIOTIC AND TALKED ABOUT FREEDOM.

SHE WILL HAVE TO KEEP TALKING ABOUT IT, LIKE THE ECONOMY, LIKE IMMIGRATION BECAUSE VOTERS CARE ABOUT THEM BUT AS LARRY SAID, IT WON'T BE WITH A LOT OF SPECIFICITY BUT SHE DID TALK ABOUT THOSE ISSUES AND HOUSING AND SOCIAL SECURITY AND, OF COURSE, ABORTION.

THAT IS SOMETHING SHE'S BEEN TALKING ABOUT A LOT EVER SINCE THE DOBBS DECISION AND THAT WAS CERTAINLY AN ISSUE THAT HELPED DEMOCRATS IN 2022, SO WE'LL HEAR MORE OF THAT, AS WELL.

>> Cathy: NARROW NEEDLE TO THREAD WITH GAZA-HAMAS, AND THE HAMAS-ISRAEL WAR AND THERE WERE A NUMBER OF THOSE NONCOMMITTED DELEGATES NOT HAPPY WITH WHAT THEY DIDN'T HEAR AT THE DNC.

>> THERE'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE DIVISION WITHIN THE PARTY.

LOOK AT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, THERE'S PLENTY OF DIVISION AND FRUSTRATED VOTERS THAT THEIR ISSUE WASN'T ADDRESSED.

I THINK THE KEY THING IS THAT HARRIS IS SENDING ENOUGH OF A MESSAGE THAT SHE IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE HUMANITARIAN DISASTER IN GAZA, WHILE ALSO MAKING IT CLEAR THAT WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT ISRAEL, THAT THAT MAY BE JUST ENOUGH TO THREAD THIS NEEDLE.

I DON'T THINK SHE NEEDS TO COME OUT AND, YOU KNOW, DENOUNCE ISRAEL, CHANGE POLICY, ALL THAT WOULD BE A BIG MISTAKE.

>> Cathy: SAY, BEFORE WE GO, WE SHOULD PROBABLY SAY, REMEMBER GEORGE LATIMER.

St. PAUL'S LONGEST SERVING MAYOR DIED RECENTLY.

[Applause] >> Cathy: HIS FUNERAL IS MONDAY.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SAY ABOUT HIM?

>> YOU KNOW, I HAD THE HONOR WHEN I CAME FROM POLITICAL SCIENCE TO THE HUMPHREY SCHOOL TO SPEND TIME WITH GEORGE LATIMER AND HE WAS JUST A REMARKABLE PERSON, SMART.

HE DIDN'T SEEM TO CARE THAT MUCH ABOUT IDEOLOGY OR PARTY, HE WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR IDEAS AND HE HAD JUST A TERRIFIC KIND OF WINSOME PERSONALITY.

HE WAS QUICK WITH A SMILE, QUICK WITH PRAISE AND HE WAS ALWAYS WANTED TO ASK THE QUESTIONS.

>> Cathy: HE WAS REALLY QUITE REMARKABLE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT, AND I THINK IT'S A NICE REMINDER THAT IN THIS VERY POLARIZED ERA, IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE LIKE THAT.

TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

>> Cathy: THE POLITICAL SCIENTISTS ARE ALWAYS THE MOST POPULAR SEGMENT ON "ALMANAC."

THANK YOU TWO, IT WAS GREAT.

LARRY JACOB COMES FROM THE U OF M AND KATHRYN PEARSON FROM THE U OF M. THANKS, PROFESSORS.

SPECIAL SHOUT-OUT, BY THE WAY, TO AN AMAZING GUY HIMSELF, MINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO'S POLITICS EDITOR, BRIAN BAKST FOR BEING MY CO-PILOT HERE ON THE SHOW.

THANK YOU, BRIAN.

>> BRIAN: THANKS FOR HELPING THIS ROOKIE ALONG AND TO THIS FAIR CROWD, WOW, GIVE YOURSELVES A HAND.

[Loud Cheers & Applause] >> Cathy: NICELY DONE, FAIR CROWD.

>> FOR THOSE LISTENING ON MPR NEWS OR WATCHING AT HOME, DON'T FORGET TO VISIT US HERE NEXT WEEK, TOO.

CATHY WILL BE HERE A FEW MORE TIME, I BELIEVE.

>> Cathy: I BELIEVE IT'S TUESDAY AND THURSDAY OF NEXT WEEK.

>> I'LL BE HERE NEXT WEEK, TOO.

YOU JUST KEEP WORKING AND WORKING.

DOES THE BOSS GIVE YOU A DAY OFF?

>> MESSAGE TO THE BOSSES, GIVE ME A DAY OFF.

>> Cathy: BY THE WAY, THIS IS A TV SHOW, RIGHT?

WE'RE ON THE RADIO BUT WE'RE ON TV.

IF YOU WANT TO SEE YOURSELVES ON TV BECAUSE Y'ALL LOOK SO CUTE, YOU CAN WATCH 7:00 p.m. ON THE STATIONS OF MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION AND, BY THE WAY, WE, TPT HAS A BOOTH HERE AT THE STATE FAIR, YOU GOT TO GO UP THERE ON MACHINERY HILL AT UNDERWOOD AND LEE, NEXT TO SWEET MARTHA'S.

A NEW ADDITION THIS YEAR, A NEW INTERACTIVE SURVEY THAT PBS IS TAKING AND ASKS YOU TO PICK YOUR OWN -- YOUR FAVORITE PROGRAM.

MIGHT I ASK YOU TO HEAD UP THERE, END MAST, LIKE A HERD UP TO TPT.

TINA SCHLIESKE IS SITTING IN THE WINGS AND SHE'S GOING TO PLAY US OUT OF HERE.

I'M CATHY WURZER, FOR ERIC ESKOLA, THANK YOU.

LIVE FROM THE STATE FAIR.

♪ SAME THING EVERY MORNING I GET UP JUST TO FEEL DOWN.

♪ AND I FEEL JUST LIKE A LOSER SO WHAT THE HECK AM I DOING IN THIS TOWN?

♪ I'VE TRIED TO GO WITH THE FLOW, I'VE TRIED TO COME WITH THE BLOWS, I TRY TO PAY MY DUES ♪ BUT SOMETHING TELLS ME I WILL ALWAYS BE PLAYING THE FOOL.

♪ NOW, IM A LOOKING AT TIME TO TALK ABOUT MY OWN INTEGRITY ♪ ♪ , DELIVER ME ♪ ♪ DELIVER ME ♪ R., BABY ♪ ♪ SOMEBODY GIVE ME SOME REST, SOMEBODY SAVE ME FROM MYSELF, DELIVERY ♪ ♪ IT'S ALL JUST THE SAME, I'M JUST A PAPER DOLL PLAYING THIS HERE BAR ♪ ♪ AND I'M WORKING REAL HARD JUST SO I CAN BE A ROCK AND ROLL STAR ♪ >> NO, NO, DON'T BRING ME DOWN, HONEY, LET ME KEEP YOU SATISFIED ♪ ♪ OH, THERE WAS A TIME WHEN ALL WE NEEDED WAS A BLUE SKY ♪♪♪ >> "ALMANAC" IS A PRODUCTION OF CAPTIONED BY: VERITEXT/PARADIGM CAPTIONING WWW.VERITEXT.COM ♪ OH, DELIVER ME, BABY ♪ SOMEBODY CLEAN UP THIS MESS, SOMEBODY SAVE ME FROM MYSELF ♪ ♪ DELIVER, DELIVER, DELIVER, YEAH.

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