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

>> ERIC: IN THE NEXT HOUR, WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE SHAKEUPS IN LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP, LOOK BACK AT OUR RECORD-HOT AND DRY SUMMER, AND LEARN ABOUT A HISTORY-MAKING EXHIBIT AT THE STATE FAIR.

SPEAKING OF THE FAIR, THAT'S WHERE MARY LAHAMMER HAS BEEN CATCHING UP ON ALL THE POLITICAL NEWS.

>> Mary: WE'LL SHOW YOU WHAT POLITICS LOOKS LIKE AT THE FIRST STATE FAIR SINCE THE PANDEMIC.

>> DEPUTY CHAIR FULFILLING THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CHAIR.

>> THIS IS STILL THE MINNESOTA GREAT GET-TOGETHER, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE CAREFUL, WE'VE GOT MASKS.

>> Mary: THAT'S COMING P ON AM IN THIS CASE.

>> "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.

>> ERIC: IN JUST A FEW MINUTES, WE'LL TALK ABOUT WHICH PARTS OF THE STATE REMAIN DRY AND WHICH ARE GETTING DRENCHED.

ALSO IN THE HOUR, A LOOK AT THE FIRST-EVER EXHIBIT BY A TRIBAL GOVERNMENT AT THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIR.

>> CATHY: BUT FIRST UP IN THE HOUR, A BUSY WEEK IN POLITICS.

A REPUBLICAN JUMPED INTO THE RACE FOR GOVERNOR, THE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER STEPPED DOWN.

HE'S EXPECTED TO SOON ANNOUNCE A GUBERNATORIAL BID TOO.

MARY LAHAMMER FOUND OUT THAT, ONCE AGAIN, THE STATE FAIR IS A GREAT PLACE TO CHECK MINNESOTA'S POLITICAL PULSE.

>> Mary: AS THE SUN CAME UP ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE FAIR, IT WAS CLEAR CROWDS WOULD BE SMALLER.

BUT BOTH THE STATE'S U.S.

SENATORS WERE IN SIGHT.

WHO WAS HERE FIRST BETWEEN THE TWO OF YOU?

>> TIED.

>> WE WERE HERE AT EXACTLY THE SAME TIME.

>> EXACT SAME TIME.

>> Mary: SO YOU SHARE THE AWARD FOR FIRST POLITICIANS AT THE STATE FAIR?

>> THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED.

>> THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED.

>> THIS IS STILL THE MINNESOTA GREAT GET-TOGETHER.

PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE CAREFUL.

WE'VE GOT MASKS, MY STAFF HAS MASKS AT OUR BOOTH.

AND WE ARE JUST READY TO GO AND TRY THE NEW STATE FAIR FOOD, LIKE JALEPENO CUCUMBER LIME-AID FROM THE FARMERS UNION BOOTH.

>> Mary: BECAUSE IT'S BECOME A TRADITION, THAT'S EXACTLY WHERE WE CAUGHT UP WITH THE GOVERNOR.

>> WE'RE GOING TO TRY SOME FOOD.

>> Mary: CHEERS.

>> TELL ME AGAIN.

>> Mary: JALEPENO LIME-ADE.

HERE WE GO.

IT'S NOT THAT SPICY.

MINNESOTANS WILL BE FINE, RIGHT?

>> YES.

I AM THE QUINTESSENTIAL NO SPICE GUY.

SO -- >> Mary: THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN NEBRASKA MEETS MINNESOTA?

>> THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

THAT CUISINE IS PRETTY BLAND BUT GOOD.

IS THAT GOING TO BE THE CONVERSATION, THE DROUGHT?

>> I THINK SO SOMEWHAT, YEAH.

>> IT BECOMES ABOUT THE CROP, LIKE EVERYTHING, IT BECOMES ABOUT THE PEOPLE.

AND LISTENING TO SOME OF THOSE FOLKS TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, TIMES BEFORE ANY OF US WERE ALIVE WHEN THEY SAID HOW DRY IT WAS.

>> RIGHT.

>> Mary: WALZ HAS HIS DETRACTORS AND PEOPLE WHO WANT HIM OUT OF A JOB HERE AT THE FAIR.

REPUBLICAN STATE SENATOR MICHELLE BENSON OFFICIALLY ENTERED THE RACE.

IT'S 2021, WE HAVE NOT HAD A FEMALE GOVERNOR YET, WHY NOT, WHY IS IT STILL AN ISSUE?

>> WELL, I THINK WE COULD RESOLVE THAT NEXT NOVEMBER.

I'M GOING TO DO THE BEST I CAN TO EARN THE TRUST OF MINNESOTANS, EARN THEIR VOTE.

AND BE THE FIRST WOMAN GOVERNOR.

OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

I'M REALLY SOLID ON OLICY.

I'M READY TO BE GOVERNOR ON DAY ONE.

BUT I NEED THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA TO KNOW I CARE ABOUT THEM.

>> Mary: THE SAME PLACE AND THE SAME DAY, THE ENATE MAJORITY LEADER ANNOUNCED HE'S STEPPING DOWN FROM LEADERSHIP FOR A POSSIBLE RUN.

>> I'M LEANING TOWARDS RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR.

SO THAT HASN'T CHANGED.

I CERTAINLY WANT TO GET THROUGH THE FAIR.

I JUST FEEL LIKE THIS IS A PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY TALK TO ALL THE PEOPLE FROM MINNESOTA FROM ALL OVER MINNESOTA.

JUST REALLY HAVE A SENSE OF WHAT THEY THINK, HAT'S IMPORTANT TO THEM.

>> Mary: HOW DO YOU WANT TO RESPOND TO SENATOR GAZELKA KIND OF TRYING TO STEAL SOME OF THE THUNDER TODAY?

>> I'M GOING TO DO WHAT I'M GOING TO DO, I'M GOING TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR, I'M GOING TO FOCUS ON BEATING TIM WALZ, HE NEEDS TO BE A ONE-TERM GOVERNOR.

>> THIS IS THE WAY HUMAN BEINGS ARE WIRED, WE'RE SUPPOSED TO LET GO OF OUR STRESS AND HAVE SOME FUN.

>> THE ELEMENT THAT I GO FOR EVERY TIME IS THE REAGAN BUSH '84, WHAT BASICALLY LED ME INTO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> Mary: THE REPUBLICAN PARTY BOOTH FEATURES THE ACTING CHAIR AFTER THE OUSTER OF THEIR PREVIOUS LEADER.

>> IT'S A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO BASICALLY MEET INDIVIDUALS OF THE PARTY, MEET EGISLATORS AS THEY COME THROUGH, THERE'S NO SET SCHEDULE, BUT IN THE END, WE'RE HAVING A GOOD -- IT'S A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY CATCH UP ON WHAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS, WHAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY WILL BE GOING FORWARD.

>> Mary: AND YOU ARE KIND OF THE SPOKESPERSON, WE SAY RIGHT NOW, YOU ARE ACTING CHAIR AND WILL BE THROUGH THE WHOLE FAIR, RIGHT?

>> YES.

DEPUTY CHAIR FULFILLING THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CHAIR.

>> Mary: YEAH.

SO ARE PEOPLE TALKING TO YOU ABOUT SOME OF THE TURMOIL?

ARE THEY WANTING TO MOVE FORWARD?

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING?

>> STRANGELY ENOUGH, I'M ACTUALLY NOT HEARING THAT MUCH ABOUT THE TURMOIL.

I WILL SAY, I CAME IN EXPECTING TO.

BUT IN THE END, MOST OF THE CAFERTIONS -- CONVERSATIONS HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN THE STANDARD POLITICAL CONVERSATIONS THAT WE HAVE.

>> Mary: THE HOUSE AND SENATE BOOTHS ARE BACK, BUT ONLY THE HOUSE IS PARTICIPATING IN THE POPULAR POLL OF HOT ISSUES, THE SAME LOCATION THAT HOSTED THE EMBATTLED STATE REPRESENTATIVE JOHN THOMPSON WHO HAD NO COMMENT.

POLITICIANS HAVE HAD TO ALK ABOUT SOME TOUGH ISSUES, LIKE AFGHANISTAN, THE PANDEMIC AND PUBLIC SAFETY WHILE AT THE FAIR.

>> I THINK WE'RE DOING SOME REALLY GREAT WORK IN WASHINGTON AND IT DOES FEEL BETTER.

I THINK IN SOME WAYS, PEOPLE WANT TO TALK ABOUT POLITICS AT THE FAIR, BUT USUALLY THEY WANT TO TALK ABOUT, LIKE, WHAT THEY ATE AND WHAT'S GOING ON IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS AND I THINK THAT'S ACTUALLY WHERE PEOPLE ARE RIGHT NOW.

>> Mary: PEOPLE ARE BACK AT THE STATE FAIR, LOWER NUMBERS THAN USUAL AS COVID CONCERNS CONTINUE, BUT MANY ARE EAGER TO ENJOY THE FOOD, FUN, AND BEVERAGES HERE.

>> THERE'S OVER 70 WINERIES NOW IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

>> CATHY: LAST FRIDAY GOVERNOR WALZ JOINED US IN STUDIO.

THIS WEEK WE HEAR FROM MELISSA HORTMAN, THE DFL SPEAKER OF THE MINNESOTA HOUSE.

A QUICK PROGRAMMING NOTE.

WHEN REPUBLICAN SENATORS PICK A NEW MAJORITY LEADER IN A FEW WEEKS, WE'LL HAVE THEM DO A SOLO INTERVIEW TOO.

IN THE MEANTIME, WELCOME, MADAM SPEAKER.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

NICE TO BE HERE.

>> Cathy: WELL, TODAY'S NEWS, PARENTS HAVE FILED SUIT TO FORCE THE GOVERNOR TO SIGN ANOTHER PEACETIME EMERGENCY TO IMPOSE A PUBLIC SCHOOL MASK MANDATE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT?

>> WELL, I THINK THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT HAS TO BE DECIDED LOCALLY IN EACH OF THE SCHOOL BOARDS ACROSS THE STATE.

I THINK WHEN YOU GET THE MAMA BEARS AND THE PAPA BEARS TO SHOW UP AT THE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT MEETING, THAT'S WHERE THE MASK MANDATE DECISION HAS TO BE MADE FOR EACH LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT.

>> Cathy: ARE THE POLITICS OF THIS JUST TOO DIFFICULT TO WADE NTO?

>> NO.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE MANDATE COMING FROM THE STATE, YOU KNOW, THE GOVERNOR INDICATING WHAT A PARTICULAR SCHOOL DISTRICT SHOULD DO, YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT HOW LIKELY IS THAT TO BE FOLLOWED AND WHAT'S THE REACTION OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AS OPPOSED TO A LOCALLY DETERMINED MANDATE THAT'S DECIDED BY THE PARENTS OF THE DISTRICT AND THE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS IN THE DISTRICT.

AND I THINK IF WE WANT COMPLIANCE, THAT DECISION NEEDS TO BE MADE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

>> Eric: WE'LL HOP AROUND AND GET SEVERAL ISSUES.

ONE IS THE HERO PAY COMMITTEE HAS A MONDAY DEADLINE, BICAMERAL, BIPARTISAN.

AND YOU'RE GOING TO NEED MORE MONEY AND MORE TIME BEFORE THE SPECIAL ESSENTIAL, AREN'T YOU, IF EVEN THERE IS A SPECIAL SESSION?

>> I WOULD SAY THAT THE $250 MILLION IS A BIPARTISAN AGREEMENT.

AND I HOPE THAT THIS GROUP, AND I HAVE FAITH THAT THIS GROUP, WILL COME UP WITH AN AGREEMENT ON HOW TO SPEND THE $250 MILLION.

IT'S ONE THING TO COME BACK TO THE LEGISLATURE AND AY, WE WOULD LIKE TO DO MORE, BUT THE ASSIGNMENT IS TO DIVIDE UP THIS $250 MILLION TO THE FRONT-LINE WORKERS.

AND I UNDERSTAND FROM MAJORITY LEADER WINKLER THAT THERE'S SOME AGREEMENT ON PRINCIPLES AND THEY'RE STARTING TO CLOSE IN ON A METHODOLOGY.

>> Eric: THEY'RE NOT GOING TO GET IT DONE BY MONDAY?

>> I DON'T THINK THEY'LL GET IT DONE BY MONDAY.

YOU KNOW, THE LEGISLATURE'S NOT THAT GREAT AT DEADLINES.

SO THIS S NO DIFFERENT.

BUT I WOULD EXPECT THAT BY EARLY OCTOBER, WE WOULD HAVE A SPECIAL SESSION.

>> Cathy: BECAUSE AT THIS POINT YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW WHO YOU'RE NEGOTIATING WITH, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

>> Cathy: ON THE SENATE SIDE.

>> EXACTLY.

A LITTLE TRICKY TO FIGURE THAT OUT UNTIL WE HAVE A NEW SENATE MAJORITY LEADER.

>> Cathy: YOU HAD A REALLY GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH SENATOR GAZELKA.

ARE YOU GOING TO MISS HIM?

>> I AM.

YOU KNOW, WE DISAGREED ABOUT EVERY IMPORTANT POLITICAL ISSUE, BUT WE GOT ALONG REALLY WELL AS INDIVIDUALS AND PRAGMATIC LEADERS FOR THE STATE.

SO I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO WORK WITH HIM IN HIS CAPACITY AS AN INDIVIDUAL SENATOR IN THE NEXT SESSION.

>> Eric: WHAT KIND OF REVERBRATION IS THERE GOING TO BE FROM THE TEXAS ABORTION DECISION?

IT JUST SEEMS TO ME IT'S FRAUGHT WITH POLITICAL IMPORTANCE.

>> WELL, I THINK WHAT THIS COULD DO IS REALLY ENERGIZE THE COALITION THAT RESULTED IN BROAD PROGRESSIVE VICTORIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN 2018.

WE REALLY SAW FOLKS WHO WERE ANIMATED BY THE CHOICE ISSUE SHOWING UP ACROSS THE 50 STATES AND FLIPPING STATE LEGISLATURES.

SO I THINK THAT THERE WILL BE A LOT OF ENERGY IN THE 2022 ELECTION CYCLE BECAUSE OF THIS CHOICE ISSUE BEING SO CLEARLY ON THE BALLOT.

>> Cathy: I KNOW THAT THIS IS MORE OF A SENATE QUESTION, I GUESS, BUT WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF SENATOR ABELER TAKING AIM, KIND OF AN AIM AT HEALTH COMMISSIONER JAN MALCOLM?

AND DO YOU SEE HER KEEPING HER JOB?

>> IT IS GROSSLY IRRESPONSIBLE FOR SENATOR ABELER TO CITE STATISTICS IN SUCH A MISLEADING AND FALSE WAY TO SUGGEST THINGS THAT ARE NOT TRUE ABOUT THE VACCINE.

WE KNOW THE VACCINE IS EFFECTIVE.

WE KNOW IT HELPS PEOPLE NOT HAVE SERIOUS COVID.

WE KNOW IT HELPS PEOPLE NOT DIE FROM COVID.

THE COMMISSIONER HAS DONE A FANTASTIC JOB MANAGING THIS PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE GOVERNOR AND THE GOVERNOR'S OTHER ADVISORS.

SO I THINK IT AS GROSSLY IRRESPONSIBLE, PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING THAT SENATOR ABELER WAS REPORTED TO HAVE SAID AT THAT GATHERING, FROM WHAT HE SAID ABOUT VACCINES TO WHAT HE SAID ABOUT COMMISSIONER MALCOLM, THERE IS NO WAY THAT I WILL SIGN THE DOTTED LINE ON A SPECIAL SESSION UNLESS THE REPUBLICAN SENATE AJORITY AGREES THAT COMMISSIONERS ARE OFF THE TABLE.

WE NEED TO GIVE SOME DROUGHT RELIEF TO FARMERS, IF WE CAN AGREE ON THAT, AND WE NEED TO GET SOME ASSISTANCE TO THE FRONT-LINE WORKERS WHO PUT THEMSELVES ON THE LINE IN COVID.

AND WE NEED TO SET ASIDE THAT KIND OF DESTRUCTIVE INDIVIDUALLY TARGETED POLITICS FOR THE SPECIAL SESSION.

>> Eric: St. PAUL DFL REP JOHN THOMPSON, RESIDENCY AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ISSUES, DOESN'T LOOK LIKE HE'S GOING TO RESIGN.

WILL YOU TRY TO RECRUIT ANOTHER CANDIDATE FOR THAT EAST St. PAUL DISTRICT IN 2022?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, NOTHING HAS CHANGED.

I ONTINUE TO BELIEVE THAT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF JOHN THOMPSON, HIS FAMILY AND THE INSTITUTION OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THAT HE AKE A DECISION TO RESIGN.

AND I THINK THAT WE WILL SEE WHAT THE DISTRICT DOES, IF THE REPRESENTATIVE DOES NOT RESIGN AND IS NOT EXPELLED.

>> Eric: NOW, THE MINNEAPOLIS CHARTER AMENDMENT, REIMAGINING THE POLICE, PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES IN THE CITY, GOVERNOR WALZ, AMY KLOBUCHAR, CONGRESSWOMAN CRAIG AGAINST THAT AMENDMENT TO REIMAGINE THE POLICE.

ILHAN OMAR AND KEITH ELLISON FOR THE AMENDMENT.

WHERE ARE YOU?

>> WELL, I HAVE MY PLATE FULL AT THE STATE, DEALING WITH STATEWIDE ISSUES.

WHAT I WILL SAY IS THAT I THINK MINNESOTANS ARE PRETTY UNITED THAT WE STRONGLY SUPPORT OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSIONALS.

>> Eric: THAT'S A TOUGH ISSUE, FOR YOU, THOUGH, ISN'T IT?

>> THEY PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE FOR US.

BUT, AT THE SAME TIME, WE NEED TO HAVE TRUST IN LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS THAT EVERYONE WILL BE PROTECTED AND SERVED.

SO THAT IS REALLY WITHIN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS, THEIR DECISION OF HOW THEY INTEND TO MANAGE THE ISSUE OF PUBLIC SAFETY IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS.

AS FOR THE STATEWIDE LEVEL, THAT'S IN MY PURVIEW.

>> Cathy: I WILL SAY, THOUGH, I MEAN, ERIC SAID THIS, ISN'T THIS A TOUGH ISSUE FOR DFLers COMING UP IN THIS NEW ELECTION CYCLE?

>> NO, I THINK MORE HAS BEEN MADE OF IT THAN IS REALLY THERE.

I THINK THE REIMAGINING OF PUBLIC SAFETY THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT IS FULLY RESPECTING THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSIONALS WHO DO THIS JOB AND THINKING ABOUT THE OTHER CALLS THAT GET MADE.

THE SOCIAL SERVICES ALLS, THE MENTAL HEALTH CALLS.

AND SUPPLEMENTING WHAT WE'RE DOING IN THE PUBLIC SAFETY SPACE WITH SOME OTHER SERVICES.

REALLY AT THE STATE LEVEL, IT HAS BEEN DEMOCRATS WHO HAVE WANTED TO FUND PUBLIC SAFETY YEAR IN AND YEAR OUT AND WE HAVE A HARD TIME CONVINCING OUR REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES, AS IN ANY AREA OF STATE FUNDING, TO PROVIDE THEM MONEY.

>> Eric: YOU'VE GOT THE SQUAD, REPRESENTATIVE OMAR AND THE SQUAD MEMBERS, AOC, UP IN BEMIDJI PROTESTING LINE THREE.

AND THIS COMES AT A TIME WHEN THE HOUSE GOP CAUCUS IS TARGETING FIVE OF THE NORTHERN DFL REPS.

THE SQUAD VISIT TO BEMIDJI CAN'T BE A BIG HELP TO THOSE FOLKS, CAN IT?

>> YOU KNOW, THE DFL PARTY IS A BIG TENT PARTY.

WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE STRONGLY SUPPORTIVE OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF LINE THREE AND THOSE WHO ARE STRONGLY OPPOSED.

WHAT WE'RE UNITED BY IS STANDING BY THE WORKING PEOPLE TO HAVE SAFE WORKPLACES, FAIR WAGES.

SO, WITH REGARD TO LINE THREE, PRETTY SOON GOING TO BE A NULL ISSUE, THAT THE PIPELINE WILL BE FINISHED, OIL WILL BE GOING THROUGH THAT PIPELINE IN 30 TO S LOOKED AT IT, EVERY EXECUTIVE BRANCH AGENCY THAT'S LOOKED AT IT AS OKAY'd THE PERMIT.

WE WILL MOVE ON.

IT IS TIME TO GET SERIOUS ABOUT TAKING CLIMATE ACTION.

THAT'S REALLY WHAT'S ANIMATED MEMBERS WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT LINE THREE THAT WE'RE NOT TAKING ACTION FAST ENOUGH.

WHEN YOU HAVE AIR QUALITY DAYS IN MINNEAPOLIS AND St. PAUL THAT ARE WORSE THAN NEW DELI, THEN THAT'S A WAKE-UP CALL FOR US TO SAY, THE PLANET IS LITERALLY ON FIRE AND IT IS TIME FOR US TO TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY.

>> Eric: BUSY TIME FOR AN OFF YEAR IN POLITICS.

THANKS FOR COMING OVER.

>> Cathy: THANKS, MISSISSIPPI MADAM SPEAKER -- THANKS, MADAM SPEAKER.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Eric: YOU BET, YOU BET.

♪♪ >> ERIC: THE COOL MORNINGS THIS WEEK WERE A SURE SIGN THAT THE SEASON IS CHANGING.

A PERFECT TIME FOR US TO CHECK IN WITH SHARON STITELER, THE SELF-PROCLAIMED BIRDCHICK.

IT SAYS SELF-PROCLAIMED BUT I'M NOT GOING TO SAY THAT.

THAT'S THE GUTSY GUY I AM.

BY DAY SHARON WORKS FOR THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE.

WELCOME BACK FROM ALASKA.

WHAT'S THE DEAL THIS TIME OF YEAR?

MIGRATION, IS THAT THE DEAL?

>> MIGRATION, YEAH!

IT STARTED IN JULY AND WE HAVE SEVERAL MONTHS OF IT.

I KNOW SOME PEOPLE ARE VERY SAD BECAUSE, OH, MIGRATION, BUT IT'S LIKE WE'VE GOT PLENTY OF TIME TO SEE REAT BIRDS AND THE BIRDING HAS BEEN OFF THE CHARTS IN THE LAST WEEK.

>> Cathy: WHEN DO THE MIGRATIONS START?

I DIDN'T HEAR HE WRENS AFTER A CERTAIN POINT?

ARE THEY THE FIRST ONES TO GET THE HECK OUT OF DODGE?

>> NO, WRENS STAY, I'M GUESSING WHAT HAPPENED WITH YOU, YOU HAD FAMILY GROUP, THE YOUNG LEFT, AND THEY DIDN'T RENEST IN YOUR YARD.

BECAUSE ONCE YOU GET THE KIDS OUT OF THE NEST, YOU WANT TO SPREAD THEM OUT SO THEY KNOW WHERE TO FIND OTHER FOODS.

YOU DON'T WANT THEM HANGING OUT AND STAYING IN THE AME AREA.

>> Eric: WHAT'S HE MERLIN APP E'RE GOING TO SHOW VIDEO OF?

>> THIS IS A FANTASTIC APP.

IT WILL IDENTIFY BIRDS FOR YOU BY PHOTOGRAPH.

BUT NOW THEY'VE ADDED A NEW FEATURE WHERE IT WILL IDENTIFY SOUNDS.

SO I TOOK THIS VIDEO THIS MORNING IN MY BACKYARD IN FALCON HEIGHTS AND I DON'T KNOW IF PEOPLE CAN HEAR THE BIRDS THAT ARE PLAYING, BUT IT IS CORRECTLY IDENTIFYING BLACK CAP CHICKADEES, GOLDFINCHES, CLIFF SWALLOWS THAT FLEW OVERHEAD.

YOU CAN WALK AROUND ND IT WILL TELL YOU WHAT BIRDS ARE SWINGING -- SINGING IN YOUR BACKYARD.

THOSE ARE YOUNG GOLDFINCHES.

>> Cathy: THAT IS COOL.

>> IT IS COOL.

IT'S FREE.

>> Cathy: IT'S FREE?

>> FROM CORNELL LAB AT ORNITHOLOGY.

IT'S MY FAVORITE APP.

ONCE SOMEONE SAYS, I'M INTERESTED IN BIRD, WHAT SHOULD I GET, THE MERLIN APP IS FANTASTIC.

>> Cathy: SPEAKING OF GOLDFINCHES, ARE THESE THE BROWN GUYS I'M SEEING, ARE THOSE BABIES?

>> YEAH, HERE'S SOME FEEDING ON SOME NATIVE PLANTS OVER AT RESERVOIR WOODS BUT THEY'RE COMING TO YOUR BIRD FEEDERS RIGHT OW.

THEY'RE SUPER NOISY, GOLDFINCHES ARE OUR LATEST NESTER, SO THE BABIES ARE JUST LEAVING THE NEST RIGHT NOW, KIND OF BROWNISH, AND THEY'RE GOING -- IMITATING BIRD SOUND -- AND THEY'LL BE ALL OVER YOUR BIRD FEEDER OR IF YOU HAVE HISS SUBPOENA OR CORN FLOWER YOU'LL HAVE TONS OF THEM.

>> Cathy: IS THIS LATE FOR BABIES?

I'M WORRIED, THEY HAVE TO START SOON?

>> GOLDFINCHES WAIT UNTIL JULY.

THEY NEED CERTAIN TYPES OF MATERIALS.

THEY DON'T EAT INSECTS, THEY EAT LOTS OF SEIZED.

IT'S ONE OF THE -- SEEDS.

SO, THE BABIES WANT TO COME OUT NOW TO LEARN HOW TO SURVIVE HEN WE'RE AT A SEED GLUT.

>> Eric: AND ONE OF THE PLEAS OF THE BIRDING COMMUNITY G THE HUMMING BIRDS?

>> WELL, FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE NEW TO BIRD FEEDING.

DEFINITELY KEEP EEDING THEM.

THERE'S A WIVES' TALE THAT SAYS YOU HAVE TO BRING YOUR FEEDERS IN LABOR DAY BUT YOU CAN KEEP THEM OUT LONGER.

THIS IS A CARDINAL FLOWER AND A HUMMINGBIRD PERCHED ON IT.

IF YOU'RE TIRED OF CLEANING THE FEEDERS, PLANT SOME CARDINAL FLOWER THIS FALL.

IF YOU PLANT IT NOW, IT WILL BLOOM NEXT YEAR, AND IT'S GREAT FOR HUMMING BIRDS, BUT IF YOU HAVE HUMMINGBIRD FEEDERS, PLEASE DON'T WORRY ABOUT TAKING THEM IN THIS WEEKEND.

HUMMING BIRDS ARE SEEN THROUGH MINNESOTA ALL THE WAY INTO EARLY OCTOBER.

IT'S PART OF THEIR MIGRATION.

SO DON'T FREAK OUT, YOUR FEEDER IS NOT GOING TO AFFECT THEIR MIGRATION.

>> Cathy: LET THEM TANK UP.

>> ESPECIALLY LIKE THE YOUNG DUDES, THEY'RE GOING TO BE THE ONES THAT PROCRASTINATE AND LEAVE IN EARLY OCTOBER.

SO, YEAH, MAKE SURE YOU KEEP THOSE CARBS OUT FOR THEM.

>> Eric: YOU'RE LOOKING AT RADAR NOW TO TRACK THE FLIGHT OF THESE -- >> YES, YES.

>> Eric: FEATHERED FRIENDS.

>> THIS IS A SCREENSHOT THAT I TOOK SEPTEMBER 1st, FIRST THING IN THE MORNING BEFORE SUN AME UP.

NECKS RAD RADAR, BIRDS SHOWING UP THROUGH THE SKY SHOW UP AS BLUE CIRCLES, THE RADAR CAN TELL SOME THINGS THERE, IT CAN'T TELL A SHAPE LIKE A CLOUD.

SO THE BLUE CIRCLES ARE MILLIONS OF BIRDS MIGRATING OVER.

IF YOU CHECK NEXT RAD RADAR AND IT'S A CLEAR NIGHT, YOU SEE THE BLUE CIRCLES, SOMETIMES YOU CAN GO OUTSIDE AND YOU CAN HEAR THE BIRDS MAKING THE CHIP NOTES.

MIGRATION, SO MUCH FUN.

>> Cathy: REALLY COOL.

SPEAKING OF MIGRATION, MY FRIEND DAN CROCKER DID A REALLY NICE STORY ABOUT NIGHT HAWKS IN DULUTH.

>> Eric: THEY'RE NOT HAWKS.

>> THEY'RE GOAT SUCKERS.

>> Eric: I'M NOT SURE ABOUT THAT.

>> Cathy: WHAT?

THAT DOES NOT SOUND ATTRACTIVE, MY FRIEND.

>> THEY ARE.

>> Cathy: SO THE STORY, WHICH I DID NOT KNOW, THAT DULUTH IS -- THIS CONFLUENCE OF NIGHT HAWKS, OR GOAT SUCKERS, OVER DULUTH IS LIKE THE BIGGEST IN THE WORLD?

>> YEAH, YEAH, IT'S HUGE.

IT'S NOT UNCOMMON TO GET 14,000 PASSING OVER AROUND HAWK RIDGE IN THE NIGHT.

AND THIS IS PRIME TIME.

AND DULUTH IS A SPOT TO BE, BUT YOU CAN SEE THIS ANYWHERE.

I WARN PEOPLE WHEN WE GO TO PATIOS THIS TIME OF YEAR, IN THE EVENING, AT A RESTAURANT, IT'S LIKE, I'M NOT GOING TO MAKE EYE CONTACT, IF I SEE NIGHT HAWKS FLYING OVER, I'M GOING TO SHOUT IT OUT AND TELL EVERYBODY ABOUT IT.

THEY HAVE A VERY BOUNCY WING BEAT, AND YOU CAN SEE THEM AROUND DUSK.

I'VE HAD THEM ALMOST EVERY NIGHT THIS EEK IN FALCON HEIGHTS FLYING OVER.

WATCH OFF FOR THE COMMON NIGHT HAWKS.

BIRDCHICK.COM.

>> Eric: ALL RIGHT.

ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO SEE YOU.

>> Cathy: GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME BACK.

>> Eric: HAVE A GREAT AUTUMN.

>> THANKS, YOU TOO.

>> CATHY: WE CAN NOW CLOSE THE BOOKS ON METEOROLOGICAL SUMMER.

AND, NOT SUPRISINGLY, IT WAS MIGHTY TOASTY.

THE HOTTEST AND DRIEST MINNESOTA SUMMER SINCE 1988 FOR MUCH OF THE STATE.

LAST MONTH WAS ALSO WET FOR MANY MINNESOTANS, THOUGH NOT IN SOME AREAS WHERE RAIN WAS NEEDED MOST.

LET'S TALK ABOUT ALL THINGS WEATHER WITH PAUL DOUGLAS.

IN ADDITION TO HIS MONTHLY "ALMANAC" GIG, YOU CAN FIND PAUL TALKING ABOUT HEAT AND DROUGHT ON WCCO RADIO, THE STARTRIBUNE, AND AT AERIS WEATHER.

HI.

>> HI.

>> Cathy: GOOD TO EE YOU IN THE FLESH HERE.

THIS IS GOOD.

>> IT'S GREAT TO BE HERE.

AND JUST FOR THE RECORD, I WANT A GIG WHERE I CAN BE TRACKING BIRDS ON DOPPLER RADAR.

INSTEAD OF TORNADOES AND BIBLICAL FLOODS.

>> Cathy: RIGHT.

>> IT SOUNDS PRETTY GOOD, ESPECIALLY THIS YEAR.

>> Cathy: IT'S PRETTY COOL.

SO, WE NOW SAY GOOD-BYE TO SUMMER.

>> UM-HUM.

>> Cathy: AND IT WAS WARM AND DRY.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SAY ABOUT IT?

>> IT WAS UNUSUALLY SUNNY, WHICH MEANT MORE EVAPORATION.

BUT, YEAH, HAT OLD ADAGE, MAYBE YOU -- MAY YOU LIVE IN INTERESTING TIMES, WHICH, BY THE WAY, IS NOT A COMPLIMENT, I'M OLD.

WE DID HAVE THE WARMEST SUMMER, METEOROLOGICAL SUMMER ON RECORD.

AND JUST FOR YOU, ERIC, I DID BRING SOME VISUALS.

>> Eric: BECAUSE I LOOK BETTER WHEN I WATCH SOMETHING, INSTEAD OF JUST LISTENING.

>> I KNOW.

>> Cathy: HE RETAINS IT BETTER.

>> THE PICTURES HELP.

IT'S RADIO WITH ICTURES.

>> Eric: GO FOR IT.

>> IT'S VERY HELPFUL.

THE WARMEST METEOROLOGICAL RECORD ON RECORD, WARMER THAN 1988, WARMER THAN 1933, AND IT WASN'T THE DAYTIME HIGHS, ALTHOUGH WE HAD, WHAT, 26 DAYS IN THE 90s IN THE METRO, IT WAS THE NIGHTTIME LOWS, CONSISTENTLY WARMER THAN AVERAGE.

AND, YEAH, WE HAD A OT OF SMOKE OUT THERE TOO.

AIR QUALITY ALERTS, 20 OF THEM.

17 OF THOSE RELATED TO WILDFIRE SMOKE.

I TOOK THIS PICTURE UP AT OUR CABIN ON PELICAN.

LOOKED LIKE FOG ROLLING IN.

OFF THE LAKE.

AND IT WAS SMOKE.

AND, YEAH, YOU COULD SMELL IT.

AND THE STATISTICS, PRETTY DAUNTING.

TWIN CITIES 192 HOURS UNDER AN AIR QUALITY ALERT.

THE WORST AIR WAS UP IN LAKE AND COOK COUNTY.

278 HOURS.

MORE THAN 11 DAYS OF AIR QUALITY ALERTS.

OF COURSE, THE BIG STORY WAS THE DROUGHT.

THIS IS A GRAPHIC FROM THE MINNESOTA DNR, WHICH SHOWS THE DEPARTURE FROM AVERAGE.

WE ACTUALLY -- WE'VE BEEN TRENDING DRIER THAN AVERAGE SINCE EARLY LAST YEAR.

IT DIDN'T HAPPEN -- WASN'T LIKE A LIGHT SWITCH.

IT WAS MORE OF A DIMMER SWITCH.

BUT AFTER ABOUT APRIL 1st, WE WENT OFF A CLIFF.

THIS GRAPHIC, WHERE OU SEE THE SHADED AREAS, THE PURPLES AND THE BLUES, SOME RAIN.

YOU ABOUT THE REST OF THE STATE, THE METRO, CENTRAL MINNESOTA, AND ESPECIALLY NORTHERN MINNESOTA, THE LAST FIVE MONTHS, DRIER THAN 90 TO 95% OF ALL THE YEARS SINCE 1871.

THAT'S WHAT THIS MINNESOTA DNR GRAPHIC SHOWS.

THE GOOD NEWS, THERE HAS BEEN SOME IMPROVEMENT IN THE LAST WEEK TO TEN DAYS.

LAST WEEK SOAKING.

FOUR TO FIVE, IN SOME CASES, SIX INCHES OF RAIN, CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN MINNESOTA.

TOOK THE EDGE OFF THE DROUGHT.

BUT NORTHERN MINNESOTA, IT'S STILL BAD, EXCEPTIONAL DROUGHT.

THAT'S THE FIRST TIME THAT'S SHOWN UP SINCE THESE MAPS STARTED BACK IN 1999.

SO THINGS HAVE IMPROVED.

WE ARE A LONG WAY FROM BEING OUT OF THE WOODS.

AND THIS GRAPHIC FROM HE CLIMATE PREDICTION CENTER SHOWS THAT WE ARE EXPECTING SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT ACROSS MINNESOTA DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER.

BUT IT'S GOING TO TAKE MONTHS.

I DON'T THINK WE'RE GOING TO DIG OUT FROM THIS UNTIL MAYBE SPRING OF NEXT YEAR, BASED ON ALL THE HYDROLOGY EXPERTS I'VE TALKED TO.

WINTER IS COMING.

>> Cathy: OH.

>> ISN'T THAT A NICE SHOT?

ALTHOUGH MY FEAR IS THAT THE DROUGHT MAY TAKE THE EDGE OFF THE COLOR THIS YEAR.

AND THE NEW AVERAGES ARE IN.

IT'S SO MUCH EASIER AND MORE FUN LOOKING BACKWARDS HAN LOOKING FORWARDS.

BUT THE NEW 30-YEAR AVERAGE IS THE AVERAGE FIRST FROST IN THE METRO, OCTOBER 13th.

IF ANYBODY ASKS, THE FIRST COATING, TENTH OF AN INCH, NOVEMBER 5th, AND THE FIRST INCH OF SNOW, ON AVERAGE, NOVEMBER 21st.

BUT PLENTY MORE DAYS IN THE 80s, I THINK, IN SEPTEMBER.

THIS IS THE FARMERS ALMANAC.

>> Cathy: DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE THE FARMERS ALMANAC?

>> NO.

>> Eric: WE RIPPED T OFF AND STOLE PART OF THE NAME.

COLD AND DRY.

>> COLD AND DRY, YEAH, BUT, I MEAN, FOR A MINNESOTAN, -10 IS COOL.

>> Eric: ARE YOU BUYING IT?

>> NO.

NO.

IT'S A HOROSCOPE.

WE HAVE ENOUGH TROUBLE WITH THE NEXT SEVEN DAYS, THE NEXT SEVEN MONTHS, NO.

IT'S INTERESTING TO LOOK AT.

>> Eric: ALL RIGHT.

>> BUT DON'T BANK TOO MUCH ON THE FARMERS ALMANAC.

I'LL BELIEVE IT WHEN I SEE IT.

AND WE ARE GOING TO SEE 70s INTO NEXT WEEK.

OF FREAKISHLY NICE LABOR DAY WEEKEND.

ESPECIALLY SUNDAY AND MONDAY, MID TO UPPER 70s.

AND I THINK WE'LL SEE SOME MORE 80s HERE BY MID SEPTEMBER.

>> Cathy: DONE WITH 90s, RIGHT?

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC] IDA -- >> Eric: IDA.

>> I THINK WE'RE DONE WITH THE 90s BUT WE WILL SEE MORE 80s.

>> Cathy: IDA, OH, MY GOSH.

>> THIS SHOWS THE AREA 1 IN 200 CASES, IN SOME PLACES, ONE IN 500-YEAR FLOODS.

WE'VE ALWAYS HAD TROPICAL STORMS BUT THESE TROPICAL SYSTEMS ARE MOVING OF SLOWER, THEY'RE CONSISTENTLY WETTER NOW, THERE'S 7, 8% MORE WATER VAPOR, MORE FUEL FOR THESE STORMS.

AND THE DAMAGE AND CERTAINLY THE DEATH TOLL IS GOING TO BE MUCH GREATER DAYS AFTER LANDFALL IN THE NORTHEAST.

FIRST-EVER FLOOD EMERGENCY FOR NEW YORK CITY.

>> Cathy: THE VIDEO WAS CRAZY.

>> AND I THOUGHT I HAD SEEN EVERYTHING.

THREE INCHES OF RAIN IN ONE HOUR.

AS BAD AS IT IS HERE WITH THE DROUGHT, COMPARED TO WHAT'S HAPPENING, THE WEST ON FIRE, FLOODING IN THE EAST, I'M COUNTING MY BLESSINGS.

>> Eric: EDUCATING AND ENTERTAINING AT THE SAME TIME.

THANK YOU.

WE'LL HEAR YOU ON THE RADIO.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: SEE YOU LATER.

>> BARBECUE, IKE THE COOKOUT, I FEEL LIKE THAT'S THE ONE PLACE, AND I FEEL LIKE THIS THE OLDER I GET, I FEEL LIKE THAT'S REBELLION, THAT'S A SPACE THAT WE'VE CREATED FOR US AND OUR FAMILIES AND PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITIES WHERE WE CAN JUST BE JOYOUS AND NOT HAVE TO PUT ON A MASK.

THERE'S A JOY AND A FREEDOM IN THAT OF JUST BEING AND NOT ALWAYS HAVING TO FEEL THE NEED TO EXPLAIN WHO YOU ARE, WHY YOU'RE HERE, WHY YOU MATTER.

I THINK THAT'S REALLY WHAT THE COOKOUT IS.

>> OUR KIND OF AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY, IN PARTICULAR, I THINK, IS A VERY INTERCONNECTED BUNCH, YOU KNOW?

AS MANY OF US GREW UP WITH OUR FAMILY, OUR COUSINS, AND OUR PLAY-PLAY COUSINS, RIGHT?

>> THE CELEBRATIONS THAT WE HAVE, IT PROVIDES A SENSE OF SECURITY.

AND, SO -- IN SO MANY WAYS, THAT I THINK WE DON'T EVEN UNDERSTAND AND KNOW THAT WE DO HAVE A COMMUNITY.

WE ARE LOVED.

WE ARE CARED FOR.

AND THERE ARE HIGH HOPES FOR US FOR OUR FUTURE.

>> THERE AREN'T AS MANY PEOPLE AT THE STATE FAIR THIS YEAR.

NO LINES ANYWHERE.

YOU CAN WALK PAST ALL THE ROPES AND BARRICADES RIGHT UP TO THE CHEESE CURDS.

IN THE DAIRY BUILDING MORE PEOPLE WERE BEHIND THE COUNTER THAN BUYING MILKSHAKES.

I WAS VOLUNTEERING AT THE BOUNDARY WATERS BOOTH, AND WE WERE BUSY ENOUGH BECAUSE PEOPLE LOVE THE SCENIC WILDERNESS IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA AND BECAUSE WE WERE GIVING OUT FREE STUFF.

WHEN WE WERE KIDS, FREE STUFF WAS THE REASON WE LOVED THE FAIR.

WHAT ELSE WERE WE GOING TO DO?

GO ON RIDES?

NO MONEY.

FOOD BUILDING?

MY MOM BROUGHT OUR LUNCH.

ARTS AND CRAFTS?

PLEASE!

WE DID THAT STUFF IN SCHOOL.

WE WERE AFTER FREE STUFF - YARDSTICKS, VISORS, BAGS, KEYCHAINS, LIP BALM, LANYARDS, PENCILS, BOTTLE OPENERS, WRISTBANDS, PAMPHLETS, WATER BOTTLES, GLASSES CLEANERS, RING POLISHERS - WE DIDN'T CARE.

SOME STUFF WE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT IT WAS.

ANYTHING THAT WASN'T NAILED DOWN.

I SWEAR, WE WOULD'VE TAKEN A BUTTER HEAD IF THEY WEREN'T LOCKED UP IN THAT LITTLE GLASS BOOTH.

WE WOULD CARRY ALL OUR STUFF IN BROWN PLASTIC TRASH BAGS, WHICH ALSO DOUBLED AS RAINCOATS IN CASE OF A SUDDEN STORM.

IN BAD WEATHER WE LOOKED LIKE A FAMILY OF GIANT RAISINS.

BACK HOME WE WOULD DUMP IT ALL ON THE FLOOR TO COMPARE WHO HAD THE BIGGEST PILE.

AFTER TWO DAYS IT ALL DISAPPEARED, PROBABLY BURNED UP IN MY DAD'S TRASH BARREL IN THE BACKYARD.

THIS WAS BEFORE THEY INVENTED RECYCLING.

OR POLLUTION.

THIS YEAR IN THE BOUNDARY WATERS BOOTH WE WERE GIVING AWAY THE SPORK.

IT'S LIKE THE HOLY GRAIL OF FREE STUFF.

COMBINATION SPOON AND FORK, ALTHOUGH THIS ONE ALSO HAS A SERRATED EDGE FOR CUTTING, SO IT'S MORE OF A SPOR-KNI.

THIS THING CAN KEEP YOU ALIVE IN THE SAVAGE WILDERNESS AS YOU FIGHT TO SURVIVE IN THE ELEMENTS.

YOU COULD USE IT TO FIGHT OFF BEARS.

WELL, GUMMY BEARS.

I USE MINE TO EAT YOGURT FROM THE FRIDGE AT WORK.

SO GO VISIT THEM, PICK UP A SPORK, AND, JUST MAYBE, LEARN HOW TO SAVE OUR LITTLE CORNER OF THE PLANET.

[ CLAPPING ] ♪♪ >> CATHY: THE FIRST PHOTO OF A MINNESOTA STATE FAIR IS FROM 1860 WHEN THE FAIR WAS HELD AT FORT SNELLING.

THERE IT IS.

IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY, YOU CAN SEE FARM MACHINERY ON DISPLAY.

FORT SNELLING WAS SITUATED ON THE CONFLUENCE OF THE MISSISSIPPI AND MINNESOTA RIVERS.

IT WAS SACRED GROUND TO THE DAKOTA PEOPLE, A PLACE THEY CALL BDOTE.

IT'S NOT KNOWN IF ANY NATIVE AMERICANS ATTENDED THE FORT SNELLING FAIR OF 1860 WHEN OUR STATE WAS JUST 2 YEARS OLD.

BUT TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS HAVE HAD NO FORMAL PRESENCE AT THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIR UNTIL THIS YEAR WHEN THE SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY ESTABLISHED AN INTERACTIVE EXHIBIT IN THE EDUCATION BUILDING.

LAST WEEK WE PAID A VISIT TO THIS HISTORY-MAKING BOOTH.

>> WELCOME TO THE SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY BOOTH, FIRST-EVER AT THE STATE FAIR, WE'RE REALLY EXCITED TO BE HERE THIS EAR.

AS YOU CAN SEE, PRETTY NEAT AND UNIQUE BOOTH THAT WE HAVE.

WE REALLY WANTED TO SHOWCASE OUR TRIBAL COMMUNITY AS, YOU KNOW, A MODERN TRIBAL COMMUNITY BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE STEREOTYPES WE FACE ALL THE TIME, IS, YOU KNOW, THAT WE ONLY EXIST IN THE PAST.

SO IT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT TO US THAT, YOU KNOW, MANY OF THE IMAGES ARE OF OUR CURRENT TRIBAL YOUTH, OUR YOUTH LEADERSHIP, COUNCIL, TRIBAL CHAIRMAN, ON THE OTHER SIDE.

AND THEN AS YOU WALK THROUGH THE SPACE, YOU GET A LITTLE BIT OF CULTURE AND TRADITION WITH THE DANCERS AND THE DRUMMERS AND WE DON'T HAVE OUR MUSIC GOING IN HERE YET, BUT THERE WILL BE SOME DRUM USIC AND STUFF THAT WILL BE HERE.

SO JUST REALLY GREAT EXPERIENCE, YOU KNOW, TO BE COMPLETELY SURROUNDED.

AND THEN WE'VE GOT -- WE'VE INCORPORATED SOME DAKOTA LANGUAGE, MNI-SOTA, THE ORIGINAL MINNESOTA SPELLING UP THERE.

I THINK LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THAT MANY OF THE PLACE NAMES IN OUR STATE COME FROM THE AKOTA LANGUAGE AND THE DAKOTA PEOPLE, SO WE THOUGHT THAT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT TO HAVE UP THERE, TOO.

AND WE JUST HAD OUR ANNUAL WACHIPI LAST WEEK, SO WE HAD ALL THESE WONDERFUL BANNERS THAT WERE UP AND WE FIGURED WE WOULD SHARE SOME OF THE DIFFERENT TRADITIONAL DANCE STYLES WITH EVERYONE.

AND A COUPLE DIFFERENT MAPS.

REALLY WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THE FACT THAT THERE ARE 11 TRIBAL NATIONS IN MINNESOTA, THAT THEY'RE ALL VERY DISTINCT AND UNIQUE, BUT WE'RE ALL STILL HERE.

>> CATHY: JOINING US NOW TO TALK MORE ABOUT THE EXHIBIT AND THE DECISION TO CREATE IT IS SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY SECRETARY/TREASURER REBECCA CROOKS-STRATTON.

A WORD BEFORE WE BEGIN.

THE MDEWAKANTON COMMUNITY IS A SPONSOR OF TWIN CITIES PBS PROGRAMMING, INCLUDING "ALMANAC."

REB BECK ARC IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU.

DEAFBLIND -- REBECCA, WELCOME TO THE SHOW.

>> IT'S GOOD TO BE HERE.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> Cathy: GREAT EXHIBIT.

I'M WONDERING, HY WAS THIS THE RIGHT TIME TO BE AT THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIR?

>> IT WAS 2019, WE HAD A CONVERSATION.

WE HAD BEEN AT THE FAIR AND I HAD JUST COMMENTED IN ONE OF OUR MEETINGS THAT THERE'S REALLY NO TRIBAL REPRESENTATION AT THE FAIR.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE'VE LEARNED THAT VISIBILITY AND REALLY BEING ABLE TO CREATE RELATIONSHIPS AND UNDERSTAND THE OTHER PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITIES HAS BEEN SO VALUABLE.

OF SO WE THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO HAVE SOME REPRESENTATION BECAUSE A LOT OF MINNESOTANS DON'T NOW THERE ARE 11 TRIBAL NATIONS HERE IN MINNESOTA.

>> Eric: IN THE PIECE YOU TALKED ABOUT SORT OF GOING BEYOND STEREOTYPES AND I WONDER IF YOU COULD TALK A LITTLE MORE ABOUT THAT.

>> I THINK STEREOTYPES AROUND NATIVE PEOPLE ARE PRETTY -- THEY'RE EVERYWHERE.

THERE'S THIS IDEA THAT WE ONLY LIVE IN THE PAST.

THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM DOESN'T TALK A LOT ABOUT NATIVE PEOPLE.

YOU KNOW, ABOUT 1900, THEY TALK ABOUT ANDREW JACKSON AND THE REMOVAL PERIOD AND THE TRAIL OF TEARS, BUT THEN ARE REALLY NOT MENTIONED IN CURRICULUM AFTER THAT.

SO IT LEAVES THIS IDEA IN MAINSTREAM -12 EDUCATION THAT WE DON'T EXIST.

BUT THE REALITY IS, YOU KNOW, HERE IN MINNESOTA, WE HAVE 11 TRIBAL NATIONS THAT ARE VIBRANT MODERN COMMUNITIES THAT TAKE CARE OF THEIR PEOPLE AND IN MANY CASES IN COUNTIES WHERE TRIBES ARE LOCATED THEY'RE THE LARGEST EMPLOYERS IN THEIR COUNTIES.

SO THEY ARE CONTRIBUTING TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY, YOU KNOW, BUYING FROM LOCAL VENDORS, SUPPORTING JOBS AND PROVIDING BENEFITS.

>> Cathy: WHAT'S THE REACTION THAT FAIR-GOERS HAVE HAD TO THE EXHIBIT?

>> WE'VE HAD REALLY POSITIVE REACTIONS.

PEOPLE ARE INTERESTED.

THEY COME IN AND LOOK AROUND.

I THINK THEY'RE KIND F NERVOUS, TOO, LIKE, TO WALK THROUGH, WHICH IS INTERESTING TO WATCH.

LIKE, WHAT IS THIS?

THIS IS SUCH A STRANGE BOOTH, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE MOST BOOTHS AREN'T INTERACTIVE, THEY DON'T HAVE A WALK-THROUGH.

WE'VE GOT TV SCREENS ON THE END THAT HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRIBE AND SOME OF OUR INITIATIVES.

BUT, OVERALL, REALLY POSITIVE RESPONSE.

>> Eric: WAS THE FAIR ENCOURAGING ABOUT THIS DISPLAY?

>> THE FAIR WAS WONDERFUL TO WORK WITH.

WHEN WE INITIALLY PPROACHED THEM BACK IN 2019, KIND OF AS THE FAIR WRAPPED UP THEN, THEY WERE, LIKE, YES, YOU KNOW, AND REALLY SAT DOWN AND TALKED WITH THEM ABOUT WHERE WOULD BE THE MOST APPROPRIATE SPOT FOR A TRIBAL NATION TO HAVE A BOOTH AND WE LANDED ON THE EDUCATION BUILDING.

AND I THINK IT'S BEEN, YEAH, A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE TO WORK WITH THEM.

>> Eric: DO YOU HAVE PLANS GOING FORWARD TO DO MORE?

WHAT'S THE FUTURE HOLD FOR THE RELATIONSHIP?

>> WE REALLY DON'T KNOW.

IT WAS REALLY JUST WANTED TO DIP OUR TOES IN THE WATER AND SEE WHAT THIS WAS LIKE AND SEE, YOU KNOW, IF WE COULD MOVE THE NEEDLE A LITTLE BIT ON MINNESOTANS UNDERSTANDING THAT WE ARE STILL HERE.

WE'D LOVE PEOPLE TO COME OUT AND VISIT OUR CULTURAL CENTER.

SO WE HAVE FREE ADMISSION THAT WE'RE GIVING AWAY AT THE BOOTH TO COME VISIT.

>> Cathy: AND THERE IS THE CULTURAL CENTER.

THAT IS STUNNING.

THAT'S BEAUTIFUL.

>> IT REALLY IS.

AND IT OPENED RIGHT BEFORE KIND OF EVERYTHING CLOSED DOWN.

SO SUMMER OF 2019.

AND PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT.

WE HAVE A BEAUTIFUL PUBLIC EXHIBIT THERE THAT SHOWCASES THE HISTORY OF THE DAKOTA PEOPLE FROM PRECONTACT ALL THE WAY TO MODERN AY, REALLY GREAT GIFT SHOP, WHERE YOU CAN BUY, YOU KNOW, WONDERFUL BOOKS AND ARTS AND CRAFTS AND BLANKETS.

IT'S REALLY A WONDERFUL BUILDING AND FACILITY.

>> Cathy: WHERE IS THE CULTURAL ENTER?

IS THAT BY CANTERBURY DOWNS, DOWN THE BLOCK THERE?

>> YES, RIGHT IN SHAKOPEE, IT'S ACTUALLY ONLY ABOUT A MILE OFF OF 169, RIGHT IN BETWEEN CANTERBURY AND MYSTIC LAKE AND YOU CAN'T MISS IT, YOU SEE THE TEEPEES VERY PROMINENTLY FROM THE ROAD.

>> Cathy: DO YOU THINK THE OTHER NATIVE NATIONS WOULD CONSIDER GOING TO THE FAIR BASED UPON YOUR EXPERIENCE?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK SO, I THINK A LOT OF THE NATIVE NATIONS ARE IN THE SAME SITUATION AS WE ARE, BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS AND TRYING TO LET THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND GREATER MINNESOTA KNOW THAT WE ARE STILL HERE, WE HAVE CONTRIBUTIONS TO MAKE AND DO MAKE.

SO, YEAH, I THINK THEY WOULD BE OPEN.

IT'S A LOT OF WORK, THOUGH.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR COMING OVER.

>> YEAH.

>> Eric: CONGRATULATIONS.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE, TOO.

>> CATHY: POLICE ARE STILL LOOKING FOR WHO KILLED THREE MINNEAPOLIS CHILDREN EARLIER THIS YEAR.

OFFICIALS RECENTLY POSTED THEIR LARGEST REWARD YET FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE SHOOTINGS.

AND FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE ASKED THE SHOOTERS TO TURN THEMSELVES IN.

BUT AS "REPORT FOR AMERICA" AND "ALMANAC" DATA REPORTER KYELAND JACKSON FOUND, THE ODDS OF SOLVING THIS CASE ARE STACKED AGAINST JUSTICE.

>> 180,000 DOLLARS, THAT'S HOW MUCH THE STATE IS OFFERING FOR INFORMATION ON WHO SHOT KIDS WHO WERE JUST 10, 9, AND 6 YEARS OLD.

ALTHOUGH IT'S MINNESOTA'S LARGEST REWARD YET, CASES LIKE THIS USUALLY GO UNSOLVED AND THAT CAN HAVE A BIG IMPACT ON FAMILIES ND THEIR COMMUNITY.

>> EVERYBODY REALLY WANTS TO MAKE SURE THAT JUSTICE IS TRULY SERVED WITH WHOEVER, WHOEVER, WHOEVER COMMITTED MURDER.

IN THESE SITUATIONS, EVEN ALL THE OTHER SITUATIONS, THERE'S SO MANY UNSOLVED, UNTOLD PEOPLE, SITUATIONS AND THINGS THAT ARE CONTINUING TO HAVE A HUGE HARD GRIP IN OUR COMMUNITY.

AND I THINK IT COULD ALSO POTENTIALLY CREATE THIS NOTION OF, I CAN GET AWAY WITH SOMETHING, I CAN DO THIS AND I CAN GET AWAY WITH IT.

>> A LOT OF SHOOTINGS IN MINNEAPOLIS HAVE NOT LED TO A CONVICTION.

MINNEAPOLIS POLICE DATA SHOWS THAT BETWEEN LAST YEAR AND NOW AT LEAST 951 PEOPLE WERE SHOT.

81% OF THE VICTIMS ARE BLACK.

AND EIGHT OUT OF TEN CASES HAVE NOT BEEN SOLVED.

MOST OF THE CASES THAT WERE SOLVED, WHICH MEANS THAT THE SHOOTER DIED, THE CASE WAS OUTSIDE POLICE JURISDICTION, OR VICTIMS REFUSED TO COOPERATE.

>> THERE'S ALSO FEAR OF RETRIBUTION IN THE COMMUNITY, WHAT TYPE OF PROTECTION DO WITNESSES HAVE, AND NOT ONLY WITNESSES BUT FAMILY MEMBERS WHO STILL HAVE TO LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY.

THERE'S JUST A LOT THERE.

THERE'S A LOT THERE TO UNPACK WHEN IT COMES TO THIS HUGE REWARD.

>> WE ASKED MINNEAPOLIS POLICE WHY SHOOTINGS ARE SO HARD TO SOLVE, BUT THEY DID NOT RETURN REQUEST FOR COMMENT.

FURTHER RESEARCH SHOWS THAT TRUST IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM AFFECTS WHETHER OR NOT PEOPLE COOPERATE AS EYEWITNESSES.

AND CITY COUNCILMAN JEREMIAH ELLISON HAS FOUND THAT RESIDENTS HAVE GOOD REASON TO DISTRUST THE POLICE.

HE REPRESENTS ONE OF THE CITY'S WARDS WHO HAVE BEEN HIT HARDEST BY GUN VIOLENCE.

>> IMAGINE IF OU OR YOUR FRIEND OR YOUR COUSIN WAS ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE THAT WAS STRAPPED TO A GUER KNEE, NOW YOU'VE SEEN SOMETHING, NOW THE POLICE ARE COMING TO ASK YOU FOR HELP.

YOU'RE NOT TOO EAGER TO ANSWER THAT CALL OR TALK TO THEM.

YOU FEEL VICTIMIZED BY THAT SYSTEM.

AND, SO, I THINK THAT THESE ARE -- THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT ERODE TRUST AND -- BUT THEN ALSO THE LACK OF SOLVING THESE CASES AROUND TRUST AS WELL.

>> DEVOTING MORE RESOURCES INTO SOLVING SHOOTINGS COULD REBUILD TRUST IN COMMUNITIES BUT THE CLOCK IS TICKING, AND SOME PEOPLE HAVE HAD ENOUGH.

K.G.

WILSON HAS SAID HE'S LEAVING MINNEAPOLIS AFTER 18 YEARS AS AN ACTIVIST FOR PEACE.

BECAUSE NOBODY HAS STEPPED FORWARD SINCE HIS 6-YEAR-OLD GRANDDAUGHTER WAS SHOT AND KILLED MONTHS AGO.

TO STOP THESE VICTIMS FROM TAKING JUSTICE INTO THEIR OWN HANDS, COUNCILMAN ELLISON SAYS THAT IT'S CRUCIAL TO HOLD SOMEBODY ACCOUNTABLE.

>> YOU CAN'T BURY THIS, RIGHT?

YOU CAN'T IGNORE THIS.

WE CAN'T CHALK UP OUR BABIES DYING AS, LIKE, THE WAY THINGS ARE.

AND WE CAN'T ADD ALT EXPECT COMMUNITIES -- ADD ALT EXPECT COMMUNITIES, MUCH LESS FAMILIES TO HEAL IF WE ARE NOT DOING THE WORK THAT IT TAKES TO REMEMBER THESE KIDS AND DOING THE WORK THAT IT TAKES TO GET THEM JUSTICE AND DOING THE WORK THAT IT TAKES TO MAKE SURE THIS DOESN'T CONTINUE TO HAPPEN.

>> ERIC: ON THE INTERNATIONAL FRONT, THERE WAS THE CHAOTIC END OF THE AFGHANISTAN WAR.

CLOSER TO HOME YOU HAVE THE DELTA SURGE, CONTROVERSIAL LAWS IN TEXAS, AND A GROWING FIELD IN THE MINNESOTA GOVERNOR'S RACE.

A TRIO OF POLITICAL SCIENTISTS JOIN US TONIGHT TO TALK ABOUT THE POLITICS OF ALL THIS NEWS.

KATHRYN PEARSON TEACHES POLITICAL SCIENCE AT UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

LARRY JACOBS HEADS THE CENTER OF POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE AT THE HUMPHREY SCHOOL AT THE U OF M. AND WE'RE ALSO JOINED BY WEBCAM WITH STEVEN SCHIER, PROFESSOR EMERITUS AT CARLETON COLLEGE.

SAY, PROFESSOR LARRY JACOBS, LET ME TALK ABOUT THE TOUGH MONTH FOR JOE BIDEN.

"THE WASHINGTON POST," ABC POLL, 44% APPROVAL, 51% DISAPPROVAL.

FATAL?

>> NO, NOT FATAL.

THIS WILL PROBABLY, YOU KNOW, REVERSE A BIT OVER TIME.

BUT IT'S A HECK OF A DECLINE.

I MEAN, YOU GO BACK SIX MONTHS AGO, AND HE HAD PRETTY STRONG APPROVAL RATINGS, NOT THAT LONG AGO REPUBLICANS WERE SAYING, YOU KNOW, UNCLE JOE WAS SO POPULAR.

THEY WEREN'T GOING TO RUN AGAINST HIM.

THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FIND OTHER ISSUES TO RUN AGAINST IN THE MIDTERM.

NOW, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE STEPPING ON EACH OTHER TO GO AFTER JOE BIDEN.

BUT THE MAIN THING FOR THE DEMOCRATS IS, THEY HOPE THAT THIS WILL PASS, THEY'VE GOT A LOT OF OTHER ISSUES, AND THERE ARE ISSUES COMING UP THAT WILL BE VERY INTENSE FOR THE DEMOCRATIC BASE.

>> Eric: DOES HE NEED THE DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS TO BAIL HIM OUT HERE?

>> WELL, HE NEEDS THE DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS TO PASS THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL AND FOR HIM TO SIGN IT INTO LAW AND TO PASS THE RECONCILIATION BILL.

THAT WILL HELP PRESIDENT BIDEN, THAT WILL HELP DEMOCRATS GOING INTO THE 2022 MIDTERMS.

BUT, OF COURSE, THERE'S THE THREE-SEAT MAJORITY THE DEMOCRATS HAVE IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE IS DIVIDED 50-50 WITH VICE PRESIDENT CASTING THE DECIDING VOTE.

AS WE'VE SEEN THROUGHOUT, IT'S BEEN VERY DIFFICULT FOR DEMOCRATS TO GET THEIR MEMBERS TOGETHER, BUT SO FAR THEY HAVE BUT THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES ARE YET TO COME BEFORE THE END OF THE MONTH GETTING INFRASTRUCTURE AND SOME RECONCILIATION PACKAGE PASSED BY THE DEMOCRATS.

>> Cathy: PROFESSOR, WHAT SAY YOU ABOUT THIS?

>> WELL, I THINK YOU HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND THAT THE FIRST MIDTERM USUALLY PRODUCES ABOUT A 27-SEAT LOSS FOR THE PRESIDENT'S PARTY.

SO IF HISTORICAL AVERAGES MATTER AT ALL, DEMOCRATS ARE IN BIG TROUBLE FOR 2022, REGARDLESS OF THE ISSUE CONSTELLATIONS AT WORK.

>> Cathy: I'M CURIOUS, THOUGH, WHAT ABOUT THE TEXAS ABORTION LAW AND HOW THAT WILL PLAY OUT IN THE MIDTERMS.

>> WELL, WHAT STEVE SHEERER JUST SAID IS ALMOST CERTAINLY GOING TO BE THE CASE.

DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO LOSE SEATS AND MOST LIKELY LOSE THE MAJORITY.

THE ISSUE IS GOING TO BE HOW MUCH THEY LOSE.

AND, SO, THE TEXAS BILL IS GOING TO BE RED MEAT TO THE DEMOCRATIC BASE.

AND WE'RE GOING TO HEAR CONSTANTLY NANCY PELOSI, THE SPEAKER IN THE HOUSE, IS ALREADY TALKING ABOUT INTRODUCING A BILL, EVEN THOUGH IT HAS NO HANCE OF PASSING, BECAUSE SHE WANTS TO CHARGE UP THE BASE AND TRY TO HELP HER MEMBERS WHO ARE PARTICULARLY IN THE SWING DISTRICTS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

>> Eric: HOW ABOUT IN TERMS OF THIS ACTIVATING A GREATER TURNOUT, MORE MONEY TO CANDIDATES AND CAUSES?

>> RIGHT.

WELL, FOR BOTH PARTIES THE KEY REALLY IS MOBILIZING THEIR BASES.

WE KNOW THAT, ON AVERAGE, MIDTERM TURNOUT IS ABOUT 20 POINTS LOWER THAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION TURNOUT.

AND WHAT REALLY HELPED DEMOCRATS IN 2018, REPUBLICANS IN 2010, WERE THESE SURGES OF TURNOUT AMONG PARTISANS WHO WERE VOTING AGAINST THE PARTY OF THE PRESIDENT.

AND, SO, I THINK THE QUESTION IS, HOW MUCH WILL DEMOCRATS BE MOBILIZED TO COUNTER IT?

THE OTHER INTERESTING DYNAMIC HERE IS THAT, OF COURSE, WE ARE A VERY NARROWLY DIVIDED COUNTRY IN TERMS OF PARTISAN POLARIZATION, AND MOST PARTISANS WILL VOTE FOR THEIR PARTY.

BUT THE QUESTION IS, TO WHAT EXTENT ARE DEMOCRATS THINKING ABOUT PRESIDENT BIDEN VERSUS VOTING AGAINST FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP?

AND THAT IS NOT A DYNAMIC THAT WE'VE SEEN BEFORE, WHERE THE FORMER PRESIDENT WHO MIGHT RUN AGAIN IS ACTUALLY PART OF THE CALCULATION IN A MIDTERM ELECTION.

USUALLY IT'S A REFERENDUM ON THE SITTING PRESIDENT.

AND IT WILL BE, BUT THE FORMER PRESIDENT WILL ALSO BE IN PLAY.

>> Eric: AND STEVEN, ONE OF THE NEWS -- POLITICAL NEWS SHEETS THIS WEEK SAID TRUMP COULD ANNOUNCE ANY DAY NOW THAT HE'S RUNNING IN 2024.

>> YES.

>> Eric: AND THAT MEANS WHAT?

>> YES.

THAT WOULD BE REMARKABLE, ERIC, AND THAT WOULD PUT HIM REALLY AT THE FRONT OF THE AGENDA FOR THE 2022 ELECTION.

I'M NOT SURE REPUBLICANS WOULD PREFER THAT.

ONE THING YOU HAVE TO NOTE ABOUT BIDEN, HOWEVER, I THINK BOTH BIDEN AND TRUMP ARE PROBLEMS FOR THEIR CANDIDATES RIGHT NOW.

BIDEN'S APPROVAL RATING IN POLLS THIS WEEK AMONGST INDEPENDENTS IS DOWN TO 36%.

AND THEY ARE A CRUCIAL ELEMENT, EVEN IN MIDTERM ELECTIONS, AND THAT'S A REAL CONCERN FOR THE WHITE HOUSE.

>> Cathy: YOU'RE SHAKING YOUR HEAD, YES, LARRY JACOBS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I MEAN, YOU KNOW, WHAT'S HAPPENED TO JOE BIDEN IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS, HE'S KIND OF, AT LEAST TEMPORARILY, LOST HIS PRESIDENCY.

AFGHANISTAN, YOU KNOW, MAYBE HISTORIANS IN A DECADE WILL SAY IT WAS THE RIGHT CALL, BUT FOR THE MOMENT, IT'S BEEN A DISASTER.

THE ONLY THING 'THE DEMOCRATS CAN HOPE IS MOVE PAST IT, ALLOW OTHER SSUES, LIKE THE ABORTION ISSUE, WHEREAS -- OR AS KATHRYN PEARSON SAID, PASSAGE OF POSITIVE LEGISLATION.

BUT THERE'S NOT A WHOLE LOT I THINK THEY'RE ABLE TO DO.

THE HOUSE IS GOING TO BE VERY DIFFICULT TO HANG ONTO.

THE REAL BATTLE IS GOING TO BE IN THE U.S. SENATE.

MUCH THAT'S SPLIT 50-50.

THERE ARE SEATS WHERE THE DEMOCRATS COULD PICK UP, BUT, AGAIN, ALL THESE DYNAMICS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ARE AT PLAY.

>> Eric: HOW DOES REDISTRICTING PLAY INTO IT?

>> WELL, REDISTRICTING CERTAINLY MATTERS, OF COURSE.

EVERY CONGRESSIONAL SEAT IS NEW AND SEVERAL STATES HAVE GAINED, SEVERAL STATES HAVE LOST.

MINNESOTA, BY THE SKIN OF ITS TEETH, HELD ONTO ITS EIGHT, PREDICTED TO HAVE LOST ONE.

SO THAT WAS GOOD NEWS CERTAINLY OR MINNESOTA'S INCUMBENTS, NOT HAVING TO THINK ABOUT RUNNING AGAINST ONE ANOTHER OR HAVING THEIR SEATS MASSIVELY REDRAWN.

BUT NATIONWIDE, THIS GIVES REPUBLICANS AN ADVANTAGE IN MORE STATES THAN IT GIVES DEMOCRATS AN ADVANTAGE.

REPUBLICANS CONTROL MORE STATE LEGISLATURES AND GOVERNOR'S OFFICES THAN DEMOCRATS DO.

AND WHEN YOU HAVE UNIFIED PARTY CONTROL, YOU'RE MORE LIKELY TO SEE PARTY GERRYMANDERING WHERE THE PARTY IN POWER IS ADVANTAGED IN THE REDRAWING.

WE HAVE DIVIDED GOVERNMENT, AND IT WILL LIKELY GO TO THE COURTS AS A RESULT.

DEMOCRATS ARE POISED TO LOSE SOME SEATS AS A RESULT.

>> Eric: ARE THE JUDICIAL PANEL, IS THAT MORE INTERESTED IN KIND OF JUST NIBBLING AROUND THE EDGES INSTEAD OF A WHOLESALE CHANGE OF DISTRICTS?

>> GENERALLY.

I MEAN, IF YOU LOOK AT WHERE WE ARE RIGHT OW, WE'RE SO DIVIDED, I THINK THE COURTS HAVE ONE A GOOD JOB.

IN MY VIEW, THIS OUGHT TO BE DIVIDED -- DECIDED THROUGH THE NORMAL PATTERN, WHICH IS THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR.

INSTEAD, BOTH HAVE KIND OF THROWN UP THEIR HANDS AND SAID, HERE, COURTS, YOU TAKE ON THIS VERY VERY POLITICAL JOB.

>> Cathy: WHAT DO YOU THINK, STEVEN?

>> WELL, I THINK IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO SEE BIG CHANGES IN, FOR EXAMPLE, CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT LINES BECAUSE AS KATHRYN SAID, THE NUMBER REMAINS THE SAME.

AND ALSO THE COURTS TEND TO RESPECT PRE-EXISTING POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS WHEN THEY DRAW THESE LINES.

SO I THINK THE REAL ACTION WILL BE AT THE STATE LEGISLATIVE LEVEL BECAUSE THERE'S BEEN A BIG INCREASE IN THE METRO POPULATION, DECREASE IN THE POPULATION OF GREATER MINNESOTA.

THOSE INES ARE GOING TO CHANGE CONSIDERABLY.

>> Cathy: SAY, LET'S TALK ABOUT A DIFFERENT ISSUE HERE BEFORE WE GO WITH ABOUT THREE MINUTES LEFT.

TELL ME ABOUT THE DIVIDE BETWEEN DFLers WHO IT COMES TO THE MINNEAPOLIS POLICE AMENDMENT.

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S A NIGHTMARE FOR GOVERNOR WALZ.

I WILL JUST START THERE.

HE ABSOLUTELY NEEDS A HUGE TURNOUT IN THE INNER CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS, WHICH MEANS THAT HE SHOULD BE FAVORING THE AMENDMENT THAT WOULD REPLACE THE POLICE WITH THIS NEW PUBLIC SAFETY AGENCY.

BUT, ON THE OTHER HAND, HE NEEDS TO WIN THE SUBURBS, HE NEEDS TO WIN THE MAJORITY.

AND THERE THAT POSITION IS GOING TO BE UNPOPULAR, PARTICULARLY WITH THE REPUBLICAN SPIN ON IT.

AND KEITH ELLISON JUMPS IN AND BASICALLY SIDES ON THE VOTE YES AND THE BALLOT AMENDMENT.

SO THAT MAKES HIM MORE -- SO THAT MAKES IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR GOVERNOR WALZ.

HE'S GOING TO HAVE A REAL HANDFUL ON HOW HE BUILDS THAT MAJORITY GIVEN THE DIVISIONS WITHIN THE METRO AREA.

>> Eric: NOW, THE SQUAD IS IN BEMIDJI.

THE REPUBLICANS IN THE MINNESOTA HOUSE ARE ALREADY TARGETING FIVE NORTHERN DFLers FROM THE HOUSE.

THAT CAN'T BE HELPFUL UP THERE, CAN IT?

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT UNUSUAL FOR MEMBERS OF BOTH PARTIES TO SORT OF TARGET KEY ISSUES AND USE THEIR CLOUT AND TRAVEL ACROSS THE COUNTRY EVEN TO OTHER MEMBERS' DISTRICTS, EVEN IF THOSE -- THEIR COLLEAGUES AREN'T SO PLEASED.

SO, I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THAT LARRY SAID ABOUT THE DANGERS OF THIS DISUNITY AMONG DEMOCRATS, BUT I DO WANT TO POINT OUT THAT HISTORICALLY DEMOCRATS HAVE OFTEN BEEN VERY HETEROGENOUS, VERY DIVIDED, AND IT'S REALLY ONLY IN RECENT YEARS IN OUR CONTEMPORARY POLITICS THAT WE'VE EXPECTED THE TWO PARTIES TO BE SO INTERNALLY UNIFIED.

I MEAN, THEY'RE SO FAR APART FROM ONE ANOTHER.

>> Eric: THE DFL ON DFL VIOLENCE IS NOT UNPRECEDENTED, HUH?

>> NO.

NOT AT ALL.

AND THE SHOW -- AND TO SHOW HOW GREATER MINNESOTA IS CHANGING IN WAYS THAT THE DFL PERHAPS DOES NOT ENJOY, CONSIDER THE POSSIBILITY THAT TOM BAKK MAY BECOME SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER, WHO THOUGHT THAT EVER WAS POSSIBLE.

>> Eric: I SAW A TWEET THIS WEEK THAT SAID HE MIGHT END UP CHAIRING BODIES CAUCUSES IN THE -- BOTH CAUCUSES IN THE SENATE, JOKE, JOKE.

>> YOU KNOW, HE'S GOT BIG ARMS.

>> Eric: THANK YOU, ALL.

>> Cathy: HAVE A GOOD HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

>> Eric: LEARNED A LOT.

THANKS.

>> Eric: NOTHING TO PROVE TO ANYBODY.

YOU COULD BE DOWN IN FLORIDA TEE'ING IT UP OR SOMETHING.

WHY ARE YOU STILL DOING THIS?

>> I LOVE MY JOB.

I WAS TOLD THE -- I ALWAYS TELL THE STORY, WHEN I WAS IN THIRD GRADE, WE HAD A TEACHER, WE LIVED IN THE DEPRESSION DAYS, I WAS WALKING TO SCHOOL WITH THIS KID, JOHN OLSON, HE LOOKED ON THE GROUND, THERE WAS A BROKEN WATCH.

IT WAS TERRIBLE.

IT WAS NOTHING.

THE BAND WAS FINE.

AND HE USED TO BE LOOKING AT THAT WATCH ALL THE TIME, GIVING THE TEACHER THE IMPRESSION.

AND SHE SAID TO HIM, JOHNNY, I HOPE SOMEDAY YOU GET A JOB, YOU DON'T HAVE TO LOOK AT YOUR WATCH.

I GOT THAT JOB.

>> Eric: MISS SID.

HE HAS NEVER BEEN AN ANSWER TO AN INDEX FILE QUESTION BUT THAT DAY WILL LIKELY COME.

OUR HISTORY QUESTION THIS WEEK INVOLVES SPORTS BUT NOT SID.

IN THE SUMMER OF 1948, THERE WERE PRESS REPORTS THAT AN INTERNATONAL SPORTS LEAGUE WAS BEING FORMED AND THAT MINNEAPOLIS WOULD HAVE A TEAM IN THE LEAGUE.

OTHER CITIES WITH SQUADS - DETROIT, TORONTO, PITTSBURG AND NEW YORK.

IN MAY, A LOCAL TEAM MEMBER WAS QUOTED SAYING THAT THE PRESS REPORTS WEREN'T TRUE.

BUT IN JUNE, THE REPORTS WERE CONFIRMED, THOUGH IT WAS NOTED THAT LEAGUE PLAY WOULDN'T BEGIN UNTIL THE FOLLOWING YEAR.

WHAT INTERNATIONAL SPORTS LEAGUE WITH A MINNESOTA TEAM WAS ANNOUNCED IN THE SUMMER OF 1948?

THINK OF SPORTS POPULAR AT THE TIME AND THEN CALL US WITH THE RIGHT ANSWER.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU WHETHER YOU LIVE NEAR MEADOW BROOK, MEADOW CREEK, OR MEADOW LAKE.

651-229-1430 CONNECTS YOU TO OUR VOICEMAIL.

THAT NUMBER AGAIN IS 651-229-1430.

OF COURSE, EMAIL IS ANOTHER OPTION.

ALMANAC@TPT.ORG.

REMEMBER, YOU CAN STREAM "ALMANAC" LIVE EACH FRIDAY NIGHT AT 7:00 P.M. CENTRAL BY GOING TO TPT.ORG, AND THE SHOW IS ARCHIVED ONLINE AT THE SAME WEBSITE TWO HOURS AFTER THE SHOW FINISHES.

>>> FOR SOME SHOW-CLOSING MUSIC, FOR THE PAST DECADE WE'VE BEEN DOING STATE FAIR SHOWS THIS WEEK.

AND WE'VE HAD SOME FUN OVER THE YEARS.

HANDS DOWN, THE FAVORITE STATE FAIR PERFORMER ON OUR SHOW WAS IN 2013 WHEN DALE WATSON STOPPED BY ON A HOT FRIDAY TO SING THE TUNE "MY BABY MAKES ME GRAVY."

LET'S LISTEN TO DALE AS WE ROLL THE CREDITS.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

BE CAREFUL.

♪ YEAH, I KNOW MY DAY'S GONNA GET BETTER ♪ ♪ WHEN I SMELL THAT BACON FRYIN' IN THAT PAN ♪ ♪ A FRESH-BREWED CUP OF COFFEE, TWO EGGS OVEREASY, SHE KNOWS HOW TO MAKE A HAPPY MAN ♪ OH, YEAH ♪ ♪ MY BABY MAKES ME GRAVY ♪ ♪ SHE ALWAYS SEEMS TO KNOW JUST WHAT I'M CRAVEIN' ♪ ♪ SHE KEEPS IT BURDENED UP ♪ ♪ MY BABY MAKES ME GRAVY ♪ ♪ HUMMING ♪ ♪ IT'S LUNCH, I GET HOME IN A RUSH ♪ ♪ I SMELL THEM BISCUITS BAKIN' MILES AWAY ♪ ♪ SHE GREETS ME WITH A SMILE ♪ ♪ A LITTLE KISS AND THERE'S NOTHING LEFT TO SAY ♪ Captioned by: Paradigm Reporting & Captioning www.paradigmreporting.com ♪ SHE KEEPS IT BUTTERED UP WITH A WHOLE LOT OF LEAVE ♪ ♪ MY BABY MAKES ME GRAVY ♪ ♪ HUMMING ♪ >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

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