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

>> Cathy: POLITICS APLENTY, PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS APLENTY.

LEGACY OF FORMER ST. PAUL MAYOR GEORGE LATIMER ON THE PROGRAM TONIGHT, MARK DEPAOLIS BRINGS US BE ESSAY FROM HE STATE FAIR AND THAT IS WHERE MARY LAHAMMER HAS BEEN THIS WEEK AS WELL.

>> OLITICS AT THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIR HAS TAKEN ON A NATIONAL FLAVOR WITH THE GOVERNOR RUNNING FOR VICE PRESIDENT.

>> WELL, THE STORY, HE IS THE KIND OF GUY THAT YOU JUST WANT TO ENDORSE AND BE BENEFITED >> I WAS BLOWN AWAY BY THE PICK OF TIM WALZ, IT'S JUST BEEN AMAZING.

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

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

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

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

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

AND PAINTCARE.

HELPING MINNESOTANS RECYCLE LEFTOVER PAINT.

MORE AT PAINTCARING.ORG.

>> Cathy: BIG HOLIDAY WEEKEND SHOW FOR YOU TONIGHT.

IN THE NEXT HOUR WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE LEGACY OF FORMER ST. PAUL MAYOR GEORGE LATIMER.

CHECK IN ON THE STATUS OF DOWNTOWN ST. PAUL HOUSING, DAVID GILLETTE HAS A VIDEO ESSAY FOR US IN JUST A FEW MINUTES, WE'LL TALK WITH A DUO OF POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSORS ABOUT THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE.

ON THURSDAY VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS AND MINNESOTA GOVERNOR TIM WALZ HAD THEIR FIRST SITDOWN MEDIA INTERVIEW WITH CAMPAIGN CNN'S DANA BASH.

WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> Eric: THIS YEAR THE TEMPERATURE HAS BEEN TURNED UP A BIT WITH A MINNESOTAN ON THE PRESIDENTIAL TICKET.

MARY LAHAMMER PICKS UP THE STORY FROM THERE.

>> THE BUZZ AT THE BOOTH WHERE DEMOCRATS GATHER IS DECIDEDLY DIFFERENT THIS YEAR.

>> I GOT THE HARRIS-WALZ, I WANTED THE ORANGE, I GOT THE GREEN BUT I'LL WAITED UNTIL I GET THAT ONE TOO.

>> WHY DO I LIKE IT?

IT'S KIND OF THE ANTI-MAGGA HATH.

>> SEEING A LOCAL ELEVATED TO A NATIONAL TICKET HAS CHANGED THINGS FOR FOLKS IN THE DEMOCRATIC FARMER LABOR PARTY.

>> WE'RE SUPER EXCITED ABOUT THE HARRIS-WALZ TICKET, GOT TO STOP BY AND SHOW SUPPORT AND MAKE SURE THE RIGHT PEOPLE WILL GET ELECTED.

>> IT'S FANTASTIC, I THINK AKAMALA HARRIS WILL BE AN EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT PRESIDENT.

WITH TIM WALZ, I'M SAD BECAUSE WE'LL LOSE TIM WALZ BUT OF BUT HE IS THE KIND OF GUY THAT YOU WANT TO ENDORSE AND BE BEHIND BECAUSE HE'S FATHER FIGURE, HE'S A TEACHER.

>> RECENT YEARS IF DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THERE'S A LOT OF CHOICE, YOU CAN VOTE FOR WHAT I WOULD CONSIDER MORE REASONABLE PATH OR A LITTLE MORE OUT THERE AND FRINGE AND THE DEMOCRATS RIGHT NOW PROVIDE A VERY SOLID REASONABLE PATH FORWARD.

>> IN THE SUBURBS ARE REALLY STARTING TO SUPPORT KAMALA AS WELL AS I BELIEVE, I'M HEARING THAT.

>> SO MUCH MORE EXCITED ABOUT IT.

AFTER THE DEBATE I KNEW THE ONLY, ONLY CHANCE WE HAD IS IF BIDEN CAME OUT IN FULL SUPPORT OF KAMALA HARRIS ND WE CHOSE SOMEBODY GREAT FOR VICE PRESIDENT.

>> HERE AT THE D.F.L.

BOOTH AT THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIR THEY SOLD MORE MERCHANDISE IN THE FIRST FEW DAYS THAN THEY'VE EVER DONE BEFORE IN AN ENTIRE RUN OF THE FAIR.

>> LOTS OF MERFCH, LOTS OF MERCH.

PEOPLE ARE EXCITED, YES, DEMOCRATS ARE EXCITED BUT I'VE BEEN HERE A NUMBER OF TIMES, WE'VE HAD REPUBLICANS, INDEPENDENTS, PEOPLE THAT DON'T WANT TO GO BACK.

>> SENATOR KLOBUCHAR WHO RAN FOR PRESIDENT IN THE PAST SAID IT WAS SURREAL TO STAND BACK STAGE WITH OB RAH, JOHN LEGEND AND THE MANKATO FOOTBALL TEAM BEFORE NTRODUCING WALZ AT THE CONVENTION.

>> IN MINNESOTA, WE LOVE A DAD IN PLAID!

>> HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU BEEN ASKED WHAT IS TIM WALZ REALLY LIKE?

>> A FEW TIMES BUT ACTUALLY ONE OF THE FUNNIER THINGS ABOUT OUR MODERN POLITICS IS I HINK ALL THESE PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY NOW THINK THEY KNOW HIM PERSONALLY.

THEY THINK HE'S LIKE THEIR FAVORITE UNCLE OR SOMETHING.

>> THIS IS THE NATION DISCOVERING WHAT A KIND OF AVERAGE MINNESOTAN LOOKS AND SOUNDS LIKE.

>> EXACTLY, THAT'S HY I CAME UP WITH THAT LINE DAD IN PLAID WHICH THE CONVENTION PROMISED ME THEY WOULDN'T GIVE AWAY AFTER I WROTE IT.

WE HAVEN'T SEEN THIS MUCH CHANGE THAT FAST, I'LL SAY THAT MUCH.

>> THE REPUBLICAN PARTY BOOTH ALSO HAS NEW MERCH POKING FUN AT HARRIS, BUT ONE G.O.P.

REP SPENDS HIS TIME AT THE NONPARTISAN HOUSE BOOTH.

>> I HAVE COME TO THE FAIR SINCE I WAS A LITTLE KID.

IT WAS A ONE-STAY EVENT.

I LOVE WORKING IN POLITICS, I'VE ALWAYS BEEN BEHIND THE SCENES AS YOU KNOW AND I HAVE BUILT STATE FAIR BOOTHS FOR YEARS, YEARS, I DON'T HAVE ONE THIS YEAR, I MISS IT.

>> YOU WALK PAST THE D.F.L.

BOOTH, GET THE BUZZ AND ENERGY THAT SURROUND HAVING GOVERNOR WALZ, HOW DO REPUBLICANS KIND OF COUNTER THAT ENERGY AROUND WALZ AND THAT TICKET NOW.

>> I THINK THAT STORY IS GOING TO UNFOLD.

I BELIEVE THE GOVERNOR HASN'T REALLY BEEN HELD TO A ACCOUNT FOR A LOT OF THE DECISIONS THAT HE'S MADE.

THE GOVERNOR IS REALLY GOOD AT COMMUNICATING WITH PEOPLE.

I DON'T AGREE WITH A LOT OF THE POLICIES THAT HAVE COME OUT OF THAT, AND I DON'T THINK THAT HE'S REALLY BEEN ALL THAT HONEST WITH HIS BELIEF SYSTEM AND WHAT ULTIMATELY CAME OUT.

THIS IS A GOVERNOR THAT RAN ON ONE MINNESOTA.

>> THE REPUBLICAN FROM A COMPETITIVE DISTRICT WORKED ON THE AMPAIGNS OF WALZ'S LAST TWO CHALLENGERS FOR GOVERNOR AND SAYS HE BARELY RECOGNIZES THE KIND OF ENERGY THE VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE HAS BEEN MUSTERING IN FRONT OF ENORMOUS CROWDS ON A NATIONAL TAGE.

>> I'VE SEEN HIM CHANGE HIS DEMEANOR SIGNIFICANTLY OVER THE LAST THREE TO FOUR WEEKS.

>> AS A PERSON WHO REPRESENTS SOME RURAL AREAS HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT HIM AND HIS OUTREACH IN RURAL MINNESOTA AND THE COUNTRY?

>> I THINK HE'S GOT A LOT OF WORK TO DO ON BEING LITTLE BIT MORE AUTHENTIC.

PUTTING AN ORANGE VEST ON AND CAMO HAT ON AND TALKING ABOUT IT IS ONE THING BUT WHEN THE POLICIES ARE HURTING HUNTERS, WHEN THE POLICIES HURT FISHERMEN.

>> DO REPUBLICANS HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO THOUGH TO SUCCESSFULLY COUNTER WHAT HAS BECOME A SENSATION AND THE MEMES AND HIS COMMUNICATION SKILLS >> ABSOLUTELY, I MEAN, REPUBLICANS, WE NEED TO TALK MORE ABOUT WHAT WE BELIEVE IN AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A REPUBLICAN IN MINNESOTA.

PRESIDENT TRUMP IS VERY POPULAR IN GREATER MINNESOTA.

PRESIDENT TRUMP IS NOT ALL THAT POPULAR MATTER METRO.

SO I MEAN WE HAVE TO FIND THAT SPACE AS WELL AND THAT GRACE.

>> AND THE NEVER WALZ BOOTH HAS UPDATED IMAGES FOR THE VP RUN MOCKING HIS MILITARY RECORD AND MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS IN SCHOOL BATHROOMS ALONG WITH SPINNING A WHEEL TILL FULL OF ISSUES FROM ACTION FOR LIBERTY.

>> STOLEN VALOR, CLAIMS HE WENT TO BATTLE.

NEVER DID.

♪♪♪ >> Eric: JOINING US NOW TO TALK CAMPAIGN STOPS, SWING STATE POLITICS AND MORE, POLITICAL PROFESSORS, DAVEIT SHUTTLES TEACHERS POLITICS AT THE HAMLINE UNIVERSITY AND IS AN ADJUNCT LAW PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVUNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS.

AND NEIL KRAUS, TEACHES AMERICAN POLITICS AND PUBLIC POLICY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN RIVER FALLS.

HARASE HAS BEEN CRITICIZED FOR NOT FACING QUESTIONS.

THE OTHER NIGHT, HOW DID SHE DO?

>> I THINK HER AND GOVERNOR WALZ DID FINE.

I THINK SHE ANSWERED THE QUESTIONS PRETTY WELL.

SHE SEEMS TO SORT OF MODIFIED PER POSITIONS A LITTLE BIT BUT THERE WERE NO SIGNIFICANT GAFFES OR ANYTHING, AND I THOUGHT I WOULD IMAGINE THEY'RE PLEASED WITH HER PERFORMANCE.

>> Cathy: I LIKE DATA BUT SHE SHOULD HAVE HAD SOME FOLLOW-UPS, MORE FOLLOW-UPS.

>> I AGREE.

DANA IS REALLY GOOD, SHE'S OUTSTANDING, NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT.

I THINK HARRIS AND WALZ DID NO HARM, BUT DID THEY HELP THEMSELVES?

I'M NOT SURE THEY DID AT THIS POINT.

I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT BOTH OF THEM NEED TO DO IS TAKE A LOT MORE TIME AND TAKE QUESTIONS FROM REPORTERS BECAUSE I SORT OF FELT LIKE AT TIMES SHE WASN'T AS ARTICULATE, WASN'T ABLE TO SORT OF MAKE HER ARGUMENTS AS WELL AS SHE COULD AND SO I TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF A LITTLE BIT MORE SKEPTICAL VIEW TO SAY SHE DIDN'T HURT HERSELF BUT DID SHE WIN ANY SWING VOTERS?

NAH.

>> Cathy: I WONDER IF THAT MATTERS, THE OF HE MEDIA IS MAKING A BIG DEAL SHE HASN'T UNTIL THIS POINT SAT DOWN WITH US, DO YOU THINK VOTERS REALLY CARE?

>> I DON'T THINK SO, THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN REALLY DROVE THAT AND IT WAS TRUE, SHE DIDN'T DO INTERVIEWS UNTIL THIS RECENT ONE.

I DON'T THINK A LOT OF VOTERS ARE NECESSARILY INTERESTED IN, YOU KNOW, MY CANDIDATE HAS TO DO X NUMBER OF INTERVIEWS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

I THINK SHE'S MAKING THEY WERE POSITIONS CLEAR WHEN SHE GOES OUT AND GIVES SPEECHES EVERY DAY SO I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY MYSTERY THERE.

>> I THINK WHAT'S MORE IMPORTANT -- I AGREE WITH YOU, BY THE WAY -- I THINK HAT'S MORE IMPORTANT AT THIS POINT IS HER ARTICULATING THE VISION, I THINK WHAT SHE'S DONE VERY, VERY WELL FOR THE LAST FEW WEEKS, THIS IS THE BIGGER PICTURE.

I DON'T THINK THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WOULD WANT TO LISTEN TO A DISCUSSION WHERE SHE SAYS HERE'S HOW I'M GOING TO MOVE MARGINAL TAX RATES AND STUFF LIKE HAT.

IT'S NOT GOING TO GO ANYWHERE, A LITTLE BIT OF MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING FROM REPORTERS BUT ON THE OTHER HAND I THINK SHE NEEDS TO GET SHARPER IN TERMS OF RESPONDING QUESTIONS.

>> Eric: LAY OF THE LAND, WISCONSIN BIDEN VERSUS NOW HARRIS, HAS THE VIBES CHANGED IN WISCONSIN?

>> I THINK CONSIDERABLY, I THINK THERE'S A LOT MORE ENERGY JUST LIKE IN MUCH OF THE COUNTRY, IN WISCONSIN ESPECIALLY.

THEY DREW HUGE CROWDS AND THEY KEEP COMING, RIGHT?

SO AND THE GOVERNOR, GOVERNOR WALZ IS I THINK A NATURAL FIT IN A LOT OF THESE SMALLER TOWNS AND CITIES IN WISCONSIN AND SO I THINK IT'S REALLY CHANGED CONSIDERABLY.

>> Cathy: HAS THE ELECTORAL MAP CHANGED SINCE THE RACE HAS FIRMED UP, NOW, YOU KNOW, NOW THAT HARRIS IS IN THE RACE?

>> WELL, I THINK GEORGIA AND NORTH CAROLINA ARE NOW DEFINITELY IN PLAY, VERY MUCH IN PLAY, AND IS I THINK THE BIDEN PEOPLE ROBABLY THREW IN THE TOWEL ON THOSE STATES AT LEAST THEY WERE ACTING LIKE THEY DID.

>> I LIKE HOW YOU ASKED THAT QUESTION.

YOU SAID BECAUSE OF HARRIS, YES, PROBABLY BECAUSE OF HARRIS WITH THE ENTHUSIASM FACTOR FOR HER.

YOU DIDN'T SAY BECAUSE OF WALZ, I THOUGHT THAT WAS INTERESTING.

BECAUSE FOR THE MOST PART VICE PRESIDENTS REALLY DON'T MATTER IN TERMS OF CANDIDATES AND THE IDEA FOR BOTH VANCE AND WALZ OF THINKING THEY REPRESENT ALL OF THE MIDWEST AND IS CAN SOME APPEAL ALL ACROSS THE STATE, I MEAN, MINNESOTA IS VERY DIFFERENT THAN HIO IN SO MANY WAYS AND SO HARRIS, YES.

WALZ DOESN'T MOVE THE NEEDLE MUCH.

>> Eric: PRESIDENT TRUMP AT THE ARLINGTON CEMETERY SITUATION.

>> I MEAN, I THINK THAT THAT WHOLE EPISODE REALLY REVEALS HOW THIS IS NOT A NORMAL TIME ANYMORE, RIGHT?

I MEAN, PART OF ME IS THINKING THAT THIS IS SORT OF WE ALL HAVE AMNESIA, THIS IS 2016 ALL OVER AGAIN, WE'RE LOOKING AT NATIONAL POLLS AND STATE POLLS AND WHAT HAPPENED AT ARLINGTON IF YOU READ THE DETAILS THERE JUST A COMPLETE DISREGARD FOUR FOR THE LAW AND NORMS AND TRUTH AND ALL THE REST OF IT AND WE'RE ALL JUST SORT OF, WELL, THAT'S JUST HOW THINGS ARE NOW.

SO I THINK WE HAVE TO CONSTANTLY BE AWARE OF THE FACT THAT THIS IS NOT A NORMAL POLITICAL TIME, THIS IS NOT A NORMAL POLITICAL ELECTION.

>> I AGREE WITH THAT BUT I'M GOING TO ADD ONE OTHER THING TO IT.

TRUMP DID ACHIEVE SOMETHING BY DOING THAT, HE GOT BACK IN THE NEWS.

FOR THE LAST MONTH HE WAS NOT IN THE NEWS.

HARRIS HAD ECLIPSED HIM AND HE GETS IN THE NEWS.

AND REMEMBER, THERE'S AN OLD PHRASE THAT SAYS BETTER BAD PUBLICITY THAN NO PUBLICITY AT ALL.

I AGREE WITH YOU.

IT'S A VIOLATION OF ALL THE BASIC NORMS, BUT IT GOT HIM BACK IN THE NEWS.

>> Eric: MIDDLE EAST GOING TO END UP BEING AN ISSUE FOR THE DEMOCRATS OR HAS THAT BEEN PUT TO BED?

>> I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW, I THINK THERE'S SOME DEMOCRATIC VOTERS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT IT, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S GOING TO TIP THE LECTION A LOT JUST LIKE, I MEAN, DAVID KNOWS FOREIGN POLICY DOESN'T TYPICALLY UNLESS WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF A WAR, THE UNITED STATES IS IN THE MIDDLE OF A WAR, I THINK IT'S AN ISSUE THE DEMOCRATS HAVE TO WORK THAT OUT INTERNALLY BUT I DON'T SEE IT TIPPING THE ELECTION.

>> MICHIGAN WILL BE THE ONE STATE WHERE IT'S POSSIBILITY.

IN MICHIGAN YOU'VE GOT A ERY LARGE PALESTINIAN, ARABIC, MIDDLE EASTERN POPULATION THERE.

IT'S NOT THAT THEY'RE GOING TO VOTE FOR TRUMP, IT'S GOING TO BE A QUESTION DO THEY SHOW UP TO VOTE OR NOT OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

THAT WOULD BE THE ONE STATE I WOULD PICK IF I WERE GOING TO SAY IT MIGHT MATTER.

BUT OTHERWISE I AGREE, FOREIGN POLICY, UNLESS WE'RE ACTUALLY IN THE MIDDLE OF A MAJOR WAR, IT'S A BACKSTORY.

>> Cathy: HELP US OUT TOO, THE FACT THAT RFK DROPPED OUT AND IS ENDORSING TRUMP.

WHAT HAPPENS THERE?

WHERE DO HIS PEOPLE GO?

>> I MEAN, THEY WOULD PROBABLY GO TO TRUMP ANYWAY.

I THINK SOME OF THEM STAY HOME, I THINK THEY'RE ALL OVER THE PLACE.

I DON'T KNOW.

I THINK A BUNCH PROBABLY GO TO TRUMP.

>> REMEMBER BY THE TIME RFK JUNIOR ENDORSES HIM HE'S ALREADY FADING IN THE POLLS, WHAT WAS HE ABOUT 5 OR 6% AT THAT POINT?

>> Cathy: HE'S STILL ON THE BALLOT, THOUGH.

IN SOME STATES.

>> YEAH, BUT FOR THE MOST PART I THINK YOU'RE IGHT.

THE VOTERS WHO ARE GOING TO VOTE FOR HIM EITHER ARE GOING TO STAY HOME OR THEY PROBABLY ARE GOING TO BE INCLINED MAYBE TO VOTE FOR TRUMP ANYHOW.

SO I THINK HIM DROPPING OUT ENDORSING TRUMP, NEGLIGIBLE.

>> Eric: IS IT JUST 19 COUNTIES STILL THAT'S GOING TO DECIDE IT OR FEWER?

>> I'M DOWN TO BASICALLY IT'S GOING TO BE ROUGHLY ONE COUNTY IN EACH OF THE SIX SWING STATES SO I THINK IT'S ABOUT SIX COUNTIES.

THAT'S ABOUT IT.

[ LAUGHTER ] MY WHOLE ARGUMENT HAS BEEN THAT WE'RE DOWN O ABOUT 150,000 TO 200,000 VOTERS ACROSS FIVE OR SIX SWING STATES THAT ARE GOING TO ULTIMATELY DECIDE THE ELECTION.

LOOK AT NUMBERS IN WISCONSIN HOW MANY VOTES IT WAS?

>> YOU KNOW, NOT MANY, I CAN'T REMEMBER LIKE 50,000 OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> YEAH, ADD UP ALL THESE SMALL NUMBERS OF VOTERS ACROSS SWING STATES, IT'S AN INCREDIBLY SMALL NUMBER OF PEOPLE UNFORTUNATELY BECAUSE OF THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE THAT ARE REALLY GOING TO DECIDE THE ELECTION.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR COMING, GREAT PERSPECTIVE.

>> Cathy: THANKS FOR COMING ON A HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

>> PLEASURE.

THANKS.

♪♪♪ >> YOU GUYS, I HAVE THE GREATEST IDEA FOR THE STATE FAIR THIS YEAR.

YOU KNOW HOW YOU GO TO THE FAIR AND SEE ALL THE THINGS THERE ARE TO EAT?

YEAH, I WANT THAT.

ALL THE USUAL STUFF PLUS WHATEVER WEIRD THING THEY THOUGHT UP OVER THE WINTER LIKE CHOCOLATE DIPPED OSTRICH FEATHERS, I WANT THAT TOO.

I KNOW I'M A DOCTOR, I'M SUPPOSED TO ELL PEOPLE TO SHOW RESTRAINT, WHICH I'VE NEVER DONE ONCE AT THE FAIR.

I'M GREASY AND BLOATED AND NEED HELP GETTING ON THE BUS.

LAST YEAR I SAW TWO TEENS ON A BENCH WITH A BUCKET OF CHOCOLATE COOKIES EACH.

I WALKED UP TO THEM AND SAID I'LL GIVE YOU A DOLLAR FOR TWO COOKIES, THEY GRUNTED SOMETHING, I PICKED TWO OUT OF THE BUCKET, THEY WERE DELICIOUS.

I WAS NOT GREASY OR BLOATED AT ALL.

HERE'S MY PLAN, GOING TO GO UP TO PEOPLE, BUY A LITTLE TASTE OF THE STATE FAIR EACH TIME, FRENCH FRIES, A DOLLAR FOR TWO FRENCH FRIES.

I KNOW, SENSIBLE BUT I GET A TASTE.

DONUTS, SAME DEAL.

DOLLAR FOR TWO.

TWO CHEESE CURDS BUT THE BIG ONES WITH THE KNOB ON TOP, PINCH OF COTTON DANDY, NOT THE CRUSTY STUFF STUCK ON THE CONE, TWO COOKIES, PROBABLY HAVE TO FIND THE SAME KID, POPCORN FROM THE TOP, NOT THE BURNT NUBINS AT THE BOTTOM.

A CORNDOG, COME ON, IT'S ALMOST A FOOT LONG.

SNOWCONE, SCOOP, NOT JUST CHUNKS, PORK CHOP, TWO MORE MINI DONUTS, THEN I REALIZE BY THE END OF THE DAY I'M GOING TO BE GREASY, BLOATED AND HAVE TROUBLE GETTING BACK ON THE BUS.

I'D HAVE EATEN LIKE THREE BAGS OF DONUTS, $87, MAYBE A COUPLE HUNDRED MORE AFTER SOMEONE CALLS THE POLICE.

I'M GOING TO HAVE TO GO WITH PLAN B, LEAVE ALL MY MONEY AT HOME.

♪♪♪ >> Cathy: FUNERAL SERVICES WERE HELD ARLIER THIS WEEK FOR FORMER ST. PAUL MAYER GEORGE LATIMER WHO DIED LAST WEEK AT THE AGE OF 89.

HE WAS THE LONGEST SERVING MAYOR IN THE HISTORY OF THE CAPITAL CITY.

BACK IN 1984 AT THE MIDPOINT OF HIS MAYORAL CAREER LATIMER APPEARED ON THE TPT PROGRAM "NIGHT TIME'S MAGAZINE" AND SPOKE IN GLOWING TERMS ABOUT WHY HIS CITY WAS NOT JUST THE BEST IN THE MIDWEST BUT SIMPLY THE BEST.

HERE'S A SHORT EXCERPT.

>> IF YOU WANT IN ONE PLACE IN THE MIDWEST FOR PARTS OF THE CITY WHICH ARE REMINISCENT OF EUROPE, OF THE EAST COAST, THEN IT WOULD BE ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA.

IF, ON THE OTHER HAND, YOU WANT TO GET A FEELING FOR A MIX OF NEIGHBORHOODS THAT IS QUINTESSENTIALLY MIDWESTERN, THEN I'D SAY TO COME TO ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA.

IF YOU WANT TO SEE A TREMENDOUS VARIETY OF ARCHITECTURE, THEN I'D SAY COME TO ST. PAUL.

>> Cathy: THERE AVE BEEN MANY TRIBUTES WRITTEN TO AND ABOUT FORMER MAYOR LATIMER IN THE LAST TEN DAYS OR SO BUT THIS ONE FROM MINNPOST IN THE LAST WEEK CAUGHT OUR EYE.

BILL LINDEKE IS AN AUTHOR OF MANY BOOKS INCLUDING ST. PAUL: AN URBAN BIOGRAPHY.

AN IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION WITH GEORGE LATIMER ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO WAS THE INSPIRATION FOR THE COLUMN.

IT'S NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME BACK.

>> Cathy: WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM GEORGE LATIMER IN HIS LAST MONTHS THAT LED YOU TO WRITE THIS COLUMN?

>> WELL, I LEARNED THAT HE WAS A TREMENDOUS MANAGER AND THAT HE IS A VERY CHARISMATIC PERSON, SO THAT'S THE FIRST THING I TOOK AWAY.

I MEAN, HE HAS A WAY WITH PEOPLE.

EVERYONE I TALKED TO WHO EXPERIENCED LATIMER AS A MAYOR OR AFTERWARD FOR ANY DECADES TALKED ABOUT HIS CHARM AND HUMOR AND THE WAY, VERY HUMBLE.

SO HE WOULD WALK INTO A ROOM AND TELL A SELF-DEPRECATING JOKE ABOUT HIMSELF AND IMMEDIATELY DISARM WHATEVER POLITICAL ISSUE YOU THOUGHT YOU HAD TO TALK TO HIM ABOUT.

AND THAT WAS TRUE TO THE END.

>> Eric: LOT OF FOCUS IN HIS ADMINISTRATIONS FOR DOWNTOWN, WORLD TRADE CENTER, TOWN SQUARE.

IN RETROSPECT, DID THAT WORK OUT?

>> WELL, I WAS JUST LISTENING TO AN INTERVIEW THAT LATIMER GAVE ABOUT TEN YEARS AGO WHERE HE SAID IN THE 1970S THAT WAS THE ONE QUESTION WHEN HE GOT ELECTED IN 1976 THAT EVERYONE ASKED HIM ABOUT.

WHAT ARE OU GOING TO DO ABOUT DOWNTOWN IN IT SOUNDS FAMILIAR BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE ASK ME ABOUT ALL THE TIME TODAY.

BUT IN A WAY THOSE PROBLEMS HAVEN'T REALLY DISAPPEARED.

THERE ARE SOME THINGS I THINK THAT IN RETROSPECT TURNED OUT REALLY WELL.

FOR EXAMPLE THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION MOVEMENT IN LOWERTOWN, MAYOR LATIMER HELPED GET A BIG RANT THAT STARTED THAT IN THE 1980S.

THE DISTRICT ENERGY SYSTEM WAS A REVOLUTIONLY THING WHEN IT WAS BUILT UNDER LATIMER'S WATCH.

>> Cathy: NOT SEXY.

>> NOT SEXY.

>> Eric: STEAM HEAT?

>> HEAT THAT HEATS THE DOWNTOWN AREA IN A VERY EFFICIENT WAY.

SO IT WAS A REALLY GROUNDBREAKING IDEA THAT NOW WHEN CLIMATE CHANGE IS SUCH A PROBLEM SEEMS LIKE A REALLY BRILLIANT MOVE.

>> Cathy: HOW DOES THE ST. PAUL OF TODAY MAYBE FIT INTO WHAT LATIMER SAW 40 YEARS AGO?

>> I THINK IT'S A LOT OF THE SAME PROBLEMS OF MOVING ENOUGH MONEY AND DISINVESTMENT AND PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES LEAVING THE CITY FOR WHATEVER REASON, SO YOU LOOK AT ALL THE MAYORS SINCE LATIMER, THAT'S A LOT OF YEARS, THEY'VE ALL BEEN STRUGGLING WITH THE SAME THINGS.

WHAT MAYOR LATIMER HAD AT HIS DISPOSAL WAS A LOT OF NEW NOVEL TOOLS IN THE 1980S THAT HADN'T REALLY BEEN USED BEFORE LIKE TAX FINANCING THAT GAVE THE CITY AN ABILITY TO HROW MONEY AT PROBLEMS, AND THEY DIDN'T ALWAYS WORK OUT SO THERE ARE SOME BUILDINGS LIKE THE TOWN SQUARE THAT USED TO BE IN THE '80s AN URBAN MALL WITH A BEAUTIFUL PARK AND NOW IT'S PRETTY MUCH ABANDONED.

BUT THEN THERE ARE OTHER THINGS THAT WORKED OUT PRETTY WELL.

SO BUT IT'S A LOT OF THE SAME PROBLEMS BOUT HOW DO YOU GET MORE PEOPLE BACK TO THE CITY.

>> Eric: DID HE TALK ABOUT WHAT WHAT HE WAS MOST PROUD OF AND THINGS HE MAY AVE SWUNG AND MISSED ON?

>> HE LIKED TO TALK ABOUT HIS MISTAKES.

SAME THING WHERE HE WAS VERY HUMBLE PERSON AND IT WASN'T I DON'T THINK JUST AN ACT.

EVERYONE NEW HE WAS VERY SMART AND REALLY TERRIFIC POLITICIAN, BUT HE REALLY DID HAVE A HUMILITY, AND THIS CAME ACROSS WHAT HE WOULD TALK ABOUT GIVING CREDIT TO PEOPLE THAT WORKED FOR HIM ALL THE TIME HE WOULD TALK ABOUT THIS STAFFER OR THIS PERSON WHO RAN THIS DEPARTMENT AND HOW BRILLIANT THEY WERE AND HOW GREAT THEY WERE.

AND NEVER ABOUT HIMSELF, ND SO, YEAH, HE TALKED ABOUT HIS MISTAKES QUITE A BIT TOO.

FOR XAMPLE, THE DOWNTOWN PEOPLE MOVER, HE WAS THE BIGGEST CHAMPION, IT WAS THIS, GOING TO BE THIS LIKE TRAIN MONORAIL THING THAT WOULD BE UP -- >> Eric: ELEVATED.

>> -- YEAH, ELEVATED OVER THE STREETS OF ST. PAUL AND HE KEPT FOR YEARS TRYING TO GET THAT MONEY, THERE WAS A FEDERAL PROGRAM THAT WOULD PAY FOR IT AND HE TRIED TO GET ST. PAUL VOTERS TO GO FOR IT AND THEY JUST WOULDN'T DO IT.

SO THAT GOT KILLED AND THAT WAS AN EARLY MISTAKE OF HIS I GUESS.

>> Cathy: KIND OF A PERSONAL QUESTION HERE BECAUSE YOU SPENT SO MUCH TIME ABOUT WITH HIM AND HE HAD BEEN IN HOSPICE AND THEN NOT IN HOSPICE, DID HE INDICATE HOW HE WAS LOOKING AT THE END OF HIS LIFE?

>> OSH, YOU KNOW, HE ASKED E -- SO I WROTE A BOOK ABOUT THE HISTORY OF ST. PAUL AND I LOOKED IT UP JUST YESTERDAY I ONLY MENTIONED LATIMER ONE TIME IN THERE, BUT THERE'S A PHOTO OF HIM.

BUT SO HE SAID THAT SOMEONE SHOULD WRITE A HISTORY OF ST. PAUL FROM 1978 TO THE PRESENT FOCUSING ON WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN THAT LAST 50, 60 YEARS AND I THINK THAT'S A GREAT IDEA.

I DON'T THINK IT WILL BE ME, THOUGH.

>> Eric: INNPOST.COM?

AND IT'S ARCHIVED THERE, OU CAN TAKE A LOOK AT IT.

>> YES.

>> Eric: GREAT STUFF.

THANKS FOR COMING OVER.

>> Cathy: GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

THANK YOU.

♪♪♪ >> Eric: GOING TO TURN OUR ATTENTION NOW TO THE CURRENT ST. PAUL MAYOR, THE STATE OF DOWNTOWN ST. PAUL, AND ITS PROPERTIES.

EARLIER THIS WEEK THE LOWRY BUILDING WAS PUT NTO RECEIVERSHIP DUE TO NEGLECT BY THE CURRENT OWNERS, MADISON EQUITIES.

ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS REPORTER FRED MELO HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THIS CLOSELY AND WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT TO HIM IN JUST ABOUT A MINUTE.

BUT FIRST, MAYOR MELVIN CARTER JOINED THE CLEANUP CREW AT THE LOWRY ON WEDNESDAY ND FRED WAS THERE OF COURSE.

>> WE'VE BEEN HERE SINCE, WHAT, OUR TEAM HAS BEEN HERE SINCE 8:00 IN THE MORNING.

BEEN HERE SINCE 8:00 IN THE MORNING, THIS WILL BE THE FOURTH TRUCKLOAD WE GOT OUT TODAY.

THIS WILL BE THE FOURTH TRUCKLOAD.

THIS STUFF IS ALL PILED UP.

THIS ISN'T EOPLE'S TRASH AND FURNITURE THAT LIVE HERE RIGHT NOW, THIS IS STUFF PILED UP IN THE BASEMENT.

NOBODY'S BEEN MANAGING THE BUILDING SO THE GOAL TODAY IS THE OBVIOUS FIRE HAZARD STUFF, THE STUFF THAT CAN LIGHT ON FIRE EASILY AND TORCH THE WHOLE BUILDING.

THE GUYS WHO DO THIS FOR A LIVING SAY THEY'RE THROWING AWAY THEIR CLOTHES.

>> Eric: THAT WAS FRED MELO'S VOICE TALKING TO MAYOR CARTER AND JOINS US TO TALK ABOUT THE SITUATION AT THE LOWRY AND HOW COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES ARE FARING IN DOWNTOWN.

HOW ON EARTH WAS THIS ALLOWED TO GET TO THIS STATUS?

>> THAT'S HE QUESTION THAT ONE OF THE TENANTS SAID TO ME.

IT'S GREAT THE MAYOR IS HERE, WHERE WAS THE MAYOR TWO YEARS AGO, COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HAD AN OFFICE IN THE LOWRY.

YOU OPEN CITY HALL AND GET TO FOURTH STREET SIDE RIGHT THERE.

GRAY DUCK TAVERN WAS A POPULAR WATERING HOLE FOR CITY FOLKS AND IN THE BUILDING AND IT'S CLOSED NOW.

JIM CRACKEREL WAS THE ANAGER, BOUGHT IT UP SEVERAL YEARS AGO, FIXED IT UP, HOPING FOR A ROOFTOP TERRACE, PUT ENERGY IN, HE WAS GOING TO DO AIRBNB, HE WAS GOING TO DO A COUPLE FLOORS FOR ECOLAB WORKERS.

THEN THE PANDEMIC HIT, IT WAS TOUGH TIMES FOR EVERYBODY.

THEY START BRINGING IN MORE AND MORE FOLKS WHO HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY HOMELESS WITHOUT SUPPORT SERVICES.

AND JUST REALLY NEGLECTING MAINTENANCE -- THE LIST GOES ON.

THEY FOUND OG FECES ON THE CARPETS IN THERE, YOU KNOW.

THOSE WASHING MACHINES YOU SAW HAVE BEEN PRIDE OPEN FOR THEIR COINS, THERE'S NO SECURITY.

BASIC THINGS MISSING, SO IT'S GONE OWNHILL REALLY FAST.

>> Cathy: MADISON EQUITIES OWNS THAT, RIGHT?

IS THAT THE GROUP THAT HAS ALL THE OTHER PROPERTIES THAT ARE NOW FOR SALE BECAUSE THE PRINCIPAL OF MADISON EQUITIES DIED, RIGHT?

>> YEAH, JIM CRACKEREL DIED IN JANUARY AND HIS WIDOW ROSEMARY SAID THERE'S ABOUT TEN PROPERTIES AND IF YOU THINK OF THE NORMAN ROCKWELL VERSION OF ST. PAUL WITH THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK BUILDING WITH FLASHING NUMBER ONE, THAT'S ONE OF THE OFFICE BUILDINGS, MANY MORE AROUND MEARS PARK.

SHE SAID I WANT OUT, UT ALL TEN ON THE MARKET, PARKING RAMPS, OFFICE BUILDINGS, YOU NAME IT, AND GET ME OUT OF HERE, SO THEY'RE STILL ON THE MARKET.

>> Cathy: WAS THERE SOME REASON THAT Mr. COCKEREL AND HIS ASSOCIATES -- HOW WAS THIS NOT INSPECTED?

DID HE -- WHAT HAPPENED?

>> YOU KNOW, THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

THERE ARE UNITS IN THE LOWRY THAT HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY CONDEMNED BECAUSE OF ROACH INFESTATIONS.

THE ENTIRE THIRD FLOOR IS CONDEMNED.

BUT HE MAYOR'S ATTITUDE WHEN I TALKED TO HIM THE OTHER DAY WAS WE DON'T WANT TO CONDEMN THE WHOLE BUILDING, WE DON'T WANT TO KICK 100-PLUS PEOPLE OUT ON THE STREET AT ONCE.

THE COUNTERARGUMENT IS IF YOU DON'T DO THAT NOW IF YOU HAVE TO A COUPLE MONTHS FROM NOW, NOW WE'RE IN WINTER.

THEY CANCELED THE FIRE CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY BUT GIVING THEM UNTIL APRIL TO CORRECT SOME OF THOSE DEFICIENCIES.

>> Eric: WHAT DOES THE COURT ORDERED RECEIVERSHIP DO?

>> NOW THE CITY ASKS A JUDGE TO FASTTRACK A RECEIVER, THAT'S A THIRD PARTY FRAUENSHAH, THEY'RE GOING TO COLLECT THE RENTS AND, THEY'LL BE ABLE TO TAKE SOME OF THAT MONEY AND PUT IT TOWARDS GETTING THE ELEVATOR BACK ON IF IT BREAKS DOWN.

MAYBE THAT'S A BRIGHT SPOT, LET'S HOPE.

THERE'S A LOT F PEOPLE WHO JUST WANT OUT.

THERE'S A LOT OF SECTION 8 TENANTS IN THERE SO THEY'RE GETTING FEDERAL SECTION 8 MONEY.

>> Eric: SOMEBODY'S GETTING RENT FROM SECTION 8.

>> MONEY'S COMING FROM VARIOUS RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS ARE SENDING IN MONEY, MADISON EQUITIES IS GETTING A CHECK, IT'S OBVIOUSLY NOT GOING INTO THE BUILDING.

>> Cathy: HOW ARE THEY GOING TO SELL THIS THING?

I THINK IT WOULD BE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE AT THIS POINT.

>> THEY TRIED, GOT EIGHT BIDS AND FOR WHATEVER REASON ROSEMARY SAID I DON'T WANT THESE BIDS, THEY OBVIOUSLY WEREN'T HIGH.

IT WENT TO FORECLOSURE SALE AND THERE WAS A TYPO AND NOW IT'S GOING TO BE DELAYED ND WE'RE BACK ON WEDNESDAY.

>> Eric: HAT DOES THIS DO TO THE MORALITY DOWNTOWN AND HE FOLKS IT WHO WANT TO MAKE IT BETTER AND THE FOLKS WHO LIVE THERE?

>> FRANKLY THIS IS NOT THE ONLY BUILDING IN DISTRESS.

HE'S GOING TO SELL IT AT AUCTION SEPTEMBER 9TH, THAT'S AN ONLINE AUCTION SEPTEMBER 9TH THROUGH 11TH, NOT A FORECLOSURE BUT HE'S BEEN TRYING FOR FIVE YEARS TO SELL THAT BUILDING, COMPLETELY EMPTY OF TENANTS.

TOUGH TIME FOR DOWNTOWN, THERE'S GREAT BRIGHT SPOTS, GO TO THE ORDWAY, ACROSS HE STREET TO TPT, GREAT THINGS GOING ON.

THE REAL ESTATE MARKET, ESPECIALLY THE OFFICE MARKET IS GOING TO BE REAL TOUGH FOR A LITTLE WHILE.

>> Cathy: QUICK WE HERE ABOUT GEORGE HALTIMMER, I'M WONDERING IS THERE ANY TALK IN CITY HALL NAMING SOMETHING ELSE AFTER HIM NOW THAT HE'S GONE >> HE WENT INTO HOSPICE IN 2022 AND AFTER A FEW MONTHS THEY SAID YOU FAIL, YOU FLUNK, GET OUT OF HOSPICE AND HE CAME TO LUNCH DOWNTOWN TO MEET WITH OLD ST. PAUL AND THEY SAID CAN WE NAME THE HIGHLAND BRIDGE OR FORWARD PARKWAY OR SOMETHING AND HE GOES THERE'S SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE DOING GREAT THINGS, THE LIBRARY IS ENOUGH.

THEY SAID ARE YOU GOING TO COME BACK, COME BACK TO ANOTHER LUNCH, WHEN ARE YOU COMING BACK?

IF AND HE SAID YOU MEAN A RESURRECTION?

GREAT GUY, FUNNY GUY, ND VERY, VERY ENCOURAGING TO ME PERSONALLY.

>> Cathy: YOU EARNED ALL OF THAT.

>> Eric: ABSOLUTELY.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

♪♪♪ >> WHEN MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED OUR HOME, WE BRAINSTORMED A LONG LIST OF INTERIOR DESIGN STYLES.

BUT THEN, SORT OF ORGANICALLY, WE LANDED ON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HALLWAY, WHICH IS ACTUALLY GREAT BECAUSE IT'S EASY TO GENERATE NEW WORK.

I JUST TOSS OUT A THEME AND I GET A ONE OF A KIND WINDOW INTO A DEVELOPING MIND.

FOR EXAMPLE, SHOW ME A REALLY GOOD THING THAT CAN HAPPEN TO A PERSON.

WELL, FINDING A $100 BILL, OF COURSE.

BETTER YET, FINDING A $1 MILLION BILL.

HOW ABOUT WINNING A GOLD MEDAL OR MAYBE A WHATEVER THESE TWO PEOPLE ARE DOING?

BY THE WAY, TODAY'S DRAWINGS WERE CREATED BY FOUR YOUNG GILLETTES.

JOSIE, BODIE, ALEX, AND WESTON.

OKAY, GANG, LET'S SEE A REALLY BAD THING THAT CAN HAPPEN TO A PERSON.

SHARK ATTACK, TIDAL WAVE, SHIRT AND UNDERWEAR SPONTANEOUSLY FLYING OFF, OR EVERYBODY'S WORST NIGHTMARE, BEING CHASED BY A WE AREEWOLF DOWN A BED OF NAILS INTO AN ACID VOLCANO.

JUST LIKES, JOSIE.

WHAT DO ADULTS DO ALL DAY?

OH, NO, CONSENSUS ON THIS ONE, SCREENS, MORE SCREENS, IGNORING THE KIDS BECAUSE OF SCREENS, SCREENS ALL DAY EXCEPT FOR THIS GUY WHO LIKES TO CHAINSAW TREES.

GO, DAD.

LET'S TRY AN OPEN-ENDED ONE.

WHAT DO YOU MOST WANT TO DRAW FOR ALL THE PEOPLE WATCHING THIS VIDEO?

HAPPY VILLAGE, HAPPY RIVER RAFTING ADVENTURE, HAPPY AMERICAN FLAG, HAPPY FOOTBALL PLAYER WHO'S ...

BLEEDING OUT OF HIS EYES.

DON'T ASK ME, WESTON IS MY BROTHER'S KID.

ANYWAY, MY POINT HERE IS THAT MID CENTURY MODERN IS GREAT BUT IF YOU REALLY WANT TO SURROUND YOURSELF WITH THE STUFF OF LIFE, COMMISSION YOUR LOCAL YOUNG PERSON, IT WILL MAKE FOR A FAR BETTER CONVERSATION STARTER THAN SOME FANCY CREDENZA.

♪♪♪ >> Cathy: IF YOU'RE A VIEWER OF ALMANAC, YOU KNOW WE LOVE OUR HISTORY AND WE LOVE BOOKS.

WHEN WE HAVE A CHANCE TO COMBINE THOSE TWO LOVES IN ONE CONVERSATION, WELL, WE JUMP ON IT.

ANN EAGAN, EDITOR IN CHIEF AT THE MINNESOTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY PRESS IS RETIRING NEXT WEEK AFTER 46 YEARS WITH THE ON.

IT GIVES US A CHANCE WITH VISIT WITH ANN REAGAN ONE LAST TIME IN HER OFFICIAL CAPACITY.

HERE TO SOMEONE WHO STARTED AT MHS ALONGSIDE ANN, ROGER BARRE.

ANN STAYED ON FOR SEVERAL DECADES WHILE BARRE MOVES ON AND BECAME ONE OF REGANA AUTHORS, HIS MOST RECENT BOOK "A MURDER ON THE HILL" WAS ONE OF THE MHS'S OFFERINGS EARLIER THIS YEAR.

YOU'LL SEE IT THERE ON SCREEN.

GOOD TO SEE YOU BOTH.

OH, ANN, I'M KIND OF BEREFT THAT YOU'RE LEAVING, I UNDERSTAND 46 YEARS IN ONE PLACE.

>> IT'S TIME.

>> Cathy: YOU THINK SO?

WELL, YOU ARE BELOVED.

>> WELL, THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: AND I'M WONDERING, HOW DID YOU VIEW THIS JOB OF YOURS?

>> OH, WHEN I REALIZED I WAS A GATEKEEPER, I WAS A YOUNG WOMAN AND I WAS TERRIFIED, REALLY AWED BY THAT BUT I ALSO WANTED THE JOB.

AND SO I JUST DECIDED I HAD TO BE THE BEST DANG GATEKEEPER I POSSIBLY COULD.

AND THAT WORKED BECAUSE THE JOB WAS REALLY FASCINATING.

INTERESTING, I KEPT LEARNING, I KEPT LEARNING SOMETHING ABOUT WHERE I LIVE.

I FELT THAT THER PEOPLE WERE GOING TO GET THE MESSAGE TOO.

>> Cathy: EXPLAIN TO US JUST BRIEFLY BEFORE WE TALK TO ROGER HERE ABOUT THE CONCEPT OF BEING THE GATEKEEPER.

YOU KNOW, THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT.

>> WELL, I'M MAKING DECISION ABOUT WHAT BOOKS ARE GOING TO BE PUBLISHED.

ACTUALLY, NOT WHAT BOOKS ARE GOING TO BE PUBLISHED BUT WHAT BOOKS ARE GOING TO BE BROUGHT FORWARD OR CONSIDERATION FOR PUBLICATION.

IF I CAME IN WITH A STRONG ENDORSEMENT ON SOMETHING AFTER A FEW YEARS, AFTER SUCCESSFULLY ACQUIRED A NUMBER OF BOOKS, IF I REALLY WANTED TO DO SOMETHING WE PRETTY MUCH DID IT.

BUT I ALSO HAD TO KNOW THAT IT WAS A GOOD BOOK, THAT IT WAS GOING TO SELL, THAT IT WAS NEEDED.

I MEAN, I HAD LEARNED A LOT FROM MARKETING BY THAT TIME.

>> Eric: WHAT'S THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AN AUTHOR AND THE EDITOR?

WHAT'S BEEN YOUR EXPERIENCE?

>> FOR US IT'S BEEN BEING TEAM MEMBERS.

WE EACH HAVE A DIFFERENT JOB AND MY JOB IS TO CREATE, HER JOB IS O IMPROVE AND GUIDE.

>> Eric: EDITOR IS NOT THE BAD COP?

>> NO, I'VE WORKED WITH EDITORS THAT WERE, BUT I'LL SAY THIS HANDS DOWN, ANN IS THE BEST EDITOR I'VE EVER WORKED WITH IN 40 YEARS AS A PROFESSIONAL WRITER.

>> Eric: WOW.

>> Cathy: JUST TO WHAT DO YOU ATTRIBUTE THIS IN TERMS OF HOW SHE MADE YOU BETTER?

WAS IT THE SUGGESTIONS, IT WAS -- HOW DID IT WORK EXACTLY?

BEHIND THE SCENES ERE.

>> WE HAD A VERY GOOD AND SOMETIMES FRANK CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT MY VISION FOR THE BOOK WAS, AND WHEN SHE UNDERSTOOD THAT, SHE GOT INSIDE MY HEAD AND WORKED FROM THAT POINT OF VIEW ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE MANUSCRIPT.

AND IT WAS GREAT.

>> Eric: WHAT'S YOUR VERSION OF THE RELATIONSHIP?

>> PRETTY MUCH THE SAME.

>> Eric: SAME?

>> YEAH.

ROGER WAS GREAT TO WORK IT.

I MEAN, I AM TRYING TO MAKE THE BOOK THE BEST BOOK THAT IT CAN BE, AND IT IS HIS BOOK AND IT'S REALLY INTERESTING TO EDIT IN HIS VOICE IF I CAN, AND IF I CAN'T, HE'LL SPOT IT AND TELL ME.

>> Eric: HOW TOUGH WERE YOU IN REJECTION LETTERS?

BECAUSE I'M SURE YOU GOT PLENTY OVER THE -- LET THEM DOWN EASY OR DID YOU TELL THEM LIKE IT WAS?

>> I WAS VERY KIND.

I WAS VERY, VERY KIND BECAUSE PEOPLE WORK REALLY HARD AND THEY'RE EXCITED ABOUT WHAT THEY'VE DONE AND THEY HAVE GREAT HOPES AND, YOU KNOW, WE'RE NOT ABLE TO PUBLISH IT.

THERE'S NO REASON TO BE RUDE OR ABRUPT.

IT'S -- WHAT PEOPLE DO IS REALLY INTERESTING AND I COULD INDICATE I LOOKED AT THIS BY MAKING A COMMENT.

>> Eric: DO YOU KNOW AFTER THREE OR FOUR PAGES WHETHER IT'S GOING TO GO OR NOT?

>> ONE OR TWO.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> Cathy: ONLY TAKES ONE OR TWO.

>> HER ALTERNATE CAREER WOULD HAVE BEEN BEING A DIPLOMAT FOR THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

>> Cathy: I BELIEVE THAT TO BE VERY TRUE.

YOU KNOW, WHEN WE STARTED IN THE BUSINESS WE WOULD GET MAYBE A PRESS RELEASE OR TWO FROM THE MINNESOTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY PRESS, IT WAS KIND OF SMALLISH IMPRINT AND IT'S CHANGED SO VERY MUCH.

CAN YOU ADDRESS THAT, ROGER?

AND THEN I WANT TO HEAR FROM ANN.

HOW HAS IT GROWN?

>> I THINK THAT THEY HAVE LOOKED AT THE CULTURE RATHER THAN JUST THE HISTORY OF POLITICAL EVENTS AND THINGS.

THIS BOOK, FOR EXAMPLE, IS AS MUCH A CULTURAL HISTORY OF THE CITY IN A PARTICULAR PERIOD OF TIME.

>> Eric: ST. PAUL IN THE '30S?

>> IN THE 1930S.

>> Cathy: AND ADDRESS THAT, ANN, IN TERMS OF LOOKING MORE AT THE CULTURE THAN, SAY, AN EVENT.

>> I WOULD SAY, YES, I WOULD SAY OUR PUBLISHING BROADENED.

WE BEGAN -- WE HAD MORE BOOKS ON THE BACKLIST, WE BECAME A LARGER PRESS, WE COULD DO MORE BOOKS.

IT JUST KEPT GROWING.

AND WITH ROGER'S BOOK, IT'S A CLASSIC EXAMPLE FOR ME OF HOW I CAN LEARN SOMETHING ABOUT WHERE I LIVE.

I MEAN, LITERALLY THE MINNESOTA HISTORICAL CENTER IS IN THE SAME SPACE THAT MILLER HOSPITAL WHERE RUTH MUNSON WORKED, WAS WORKING.

AND SO I'M, LIKE I'M WALKING THROUGH HER GHOST ON MY WAY TO THE LUNCH ROOM.

IT WAS VERY INTERESTING.

IT'S A REALLY GOOD BOOK.

>> Eric: NOW, YOU'RE SIGNING ON SEPTEMBER 7TH AT NEXT CHAPTER BOOKS.

>> YES, >> Eric: 1:00 P.M. >> 1:00 P.M. >> Eric: GIVE US 30 SECONDS ON THE PLOT WITHOUT GIVING IT AWAY.

>> SINCE THIS IS AN UNSOLVED MURDER, EVERYBODY KNOWS THE ENDING BEFORE THEY GET PAST THE FIRST PAGE.

IT IS A RECONSTRUCTION OF THE POLICE INVESTIGATION USING THE POLICE FILES AND NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS OF THE SAME PERIOD, AND PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME JUKEILATION AND THE SAME FRUSTRATION AND DISAPPOINTMENT THAT THE INVESTIGATORS DID AS THEY GO THROUGH.

THAT'S PART ONE.

PART TWO GOES BACK FROM THE PRESENT AND THEN ANALYZES THE REASONS WHY THIS CASE WAS NEVER SOLVED.

AND IT RAISED THE THEMES OF ECONOMIC INSECURITY, VULNERABILITY OF WOMEN, MISTRUST OF THE POLICE, RACE AND RACISM.

>> Cathy: IT'S A GOOD BOOK, BY THE WAY.

>> Eric: MEATY STUFF.

>> Cathy: I HATE TO ASK THIS ANN, BUT I WILL ANYWAY.

ALL THE BOOKS THAT YOU HAVE SHEPHERDED THROUGH ALL THESE YEARS, ARE THERE A COUPLE THAT ARE LIKE FOND CHILDREN TO YOU?

>> UNFORTUNATELY, YES.

EVELIN FAIRBANKS "THE DAYS OF RONDO," THAT'S THE BOOK THAT TAUGHT ME HOW TO BE AN EDITOR.

EVELYN WAS A WONDERFUL, REMARKABLE WOMAN.

"A GOOD TIME FOR THE TRUTH: RACE IN MINNESOTA."

16 PEOPLE OF COLOR WRITING ABOUT WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE A PERSON OF COLOR IN MINNESOTA TAUGHT ME HUGELY.

I LEARNED SO MUCH FROM THAT BOOK.

AND THEN WE BROUGHT IT OUT AND TURNS OUT OTHER PEOPLE NEEDED TO LEARN FROM THAT BOOK TOO.

IT DID SOME WONDERFUL WORK.

AND MOST RECENTLY "DEAR JACOB: A MOTHER'S JOURNEY OF HOPE," PATTY WETTERLING AND JOY BAKER'S BOOK WAS A VERY POWERFUL EXPERIENCE.

>> Eric: CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU.

GOOD LUCK WITH THE BOOK.

>> HANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Eric: AND GLAD YOU COULD COME DOWN AND SHARE WITH US.

THANKS SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: GOOD LUCK.

♪♪♪ >> BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE STAGE HERE, WE'RE AT THE FAIRGROUNDS, HOW MANY PRONTO PUPS HAVE YOU HAD SO FAR TODAY?

>> I JUST MENTIONED AGAIN, I'M TEAM CORNDOG.

I DID EAT A PRONTO PUP BEFORE THE HALL AND OATES CONCERT THE OTHER NIGHT AND BOTH WERE SPECTACULAR, I'M STILL KIND OF STICKING TO MY CORNDOG.

I'VE HAD THREE OF THOSE.

♪♪♪ >> Eric: RESIDENTIAL -- PRESIDENT POLITICS HAVE BEEN OCCUPYING THE NEWS BUT THE BALANCE OF POWER IN THE MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE IS ON THE BALLOT THIS FALL AS WELL AND SENATOR NICOLE MITCHELL WAS BACK IN COURT THIS WEEK TO PLEAD NOT GUILTY IN HER BURGLARY TRIAL.

LET'S JUMP IN WITH WITH THIS WEEK'S POLITICAL ANALYSTS.

REPUBLICANS UP FIRST.

BRIAN MCDANIEL, FORMER LEGISLATIVE STAFFER TURNED LOBBYIST AND STANDUP COMEDIAN.

JEN DEJOURNETT, POLITICAL OPERATIVE AND VETERAN OF MANY PAINS.

DEMOCRATS WITH US JAVIER MORRILL IS A FORMER NATIONAL COMMITTEE MEMBER, LONGTIME UNION, AND ABOU AMARA, A FORMER LEGISLATIVE STAFFER.

IS WALZ COMING TO THE STATE FAIR SOME >> PROBABLY NOT.

, >> Eric: YOU'VE GOT SOME INSIDE DOPE USUALLY.

>> I THINK HE SHOULD NOT BE HERE, I THINK HE SHOULD BE SPENDING HIS TIME IN THE BATTLEGROUND STATES.

>> I AGREE, HE SHOULD BE IN THE BATTLEGROUND STATES SO THEY LEARN HE'S NOT THE BEST CANDIDATE AND WHEN AMERICA GETS TO KNOW MORE OF HIM THEY'RE GOING TO BE FRUSTRATED TOO.

>> Cathy: ON HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, THAT SHOWS THAT THERE'S A SPLIT ON WALZ BEING THE VP CHOICE.

52% THOUGHT, YEAH, GOOD CHOICE, 47% THOUGHT FAIR TO MOOR.

WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF THAT?

>> WELL, I MEAN, I THINK THE ROLLOUT OF TIM WALZ AS THE VP CANDIDATE HAS GONE REALLY WELL.

I THINK IT'S HARD TO SAY THAT IT HASN'T.

I THINK WE ALSO HAVE TO REALIZE THAT THE VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE MATTERS RIGHT NOW AND IN ABOUT A WEEK IT'S GOING TO MATTER A WHOLE HECK OF A LOT LESS.

I THINK WE'RE GOING TO STOP TALKING ABOUT TIM PRETTY SOON.

>> I THINK IT'S -- I AGREE WITH BRIAN, THE ROLLOUT HAS GONE REALLY WELL.

I THINK IT'S BEEN AMAZING TO ME TO SEE LIKE REPUBLICANS WHO HAVE BEEN REALLY UNSUCCESSFUL AT MESSAGING AGAINST HIM IN MINNESOTA TRYING EVERY TRICK THAT DIDN'T WORK HERE AGAIN, EVERYTHING FROM LIKE CONSPIRACY THEORIES ABOUT HIS DOG.

>> WELL, I THINK HE SHOULD JUST KEEP TALKING, HE SEEMS TO SOMETIMES GET HIS FACTS NOT CORRECT.

HE'S GOT HIS MILITARY RECORD NOT CORRECT, HE'S GOT OTHER THINGS NOT CORRECT, SO I THINK THAT WHEN YOU HAVE THE NATIONAL SPOTPLIGHT WITH A NAG ANY OFYING GLASS ON YOU, YOU GET A SECOND LOOK AND I DO THINK SOME OF THE STORIES ARE NOT GOING TO PAN OUT.

>> -- FOR 24 YEARS, LIKE, YOU KNOW, SO YOU CAN -- >> WELL, BUT HE DIDN'T HAVE THE MILITARY THING CORRECT AND HE HAD TO ACKTRACK ON IT, THAT WAS AN ACTUAL THING.

>> SO YOU THINK HIS 24 YEARS OF SERVICE MEANS NOTHING?

IT MEANS A LOT TO THE PUBLIC.

>> I THINK HIS SERVICE IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

I DON'T THINK HE SHOULD TAKE CREDIT FOR THINGS HE DIDN'T HAVE.

SO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO BE FACTUAL AND I THINK IT'S GOOD FOR THE NATIONAL MEDIA TO TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT HIM.

>> HERE'S THE REALITY, THIS ARGUMENT IS NOT WORKING.

THE FACT.

MATTER THE POLLING SHOWS A MAJORITY OF MINNESOTANS THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA.

IF YOU LOOK AT J.D.

VANCE, MAJORITY OF MINNESOTANS THINK THAT WAS A BAD IDEA.

REPUBLICANS HAVE NOT WON STATEWIDE SINCE -- >> WELL, WE WILL -- >> SINCE 2006, THEY KEEP MAKING THE SAME ARGUMENTS AGAINST TIM WALZ AND OTHER DEMOCRATS AND CONTINUE TO LOSE.

>> HERE'S THE THING, THOUGH, YOU SHOULD HAVE COME OUT OF THAT DNC A LOT URTHER OFF.

IN MINNESOTA YOU'VE COLLAPSED FIVE PERCENTAGE POINTS NOW.

>> WE'RE UP BY EIGHT POINTS.

>> NOPE, FIVE ACTUALLY.

>> LAST THREE PRESIDENTIAL PAINS, THE IDEA OF A CONVENTION BOUNCE HAS NOT BEEN TRUE.

BUT EVEN WITH THAT ACTUALLY THE NUMBERS ARE DRAMATICALLY IMPROVING, DRAMATICALLY IMPROVING FOR DEMOCRATS FROM WHERE WE WERE A MONTH AGO.

>> Eric: HOW DID YOU THINK WALZ DID IN THE INTERVIEW IN CNN >> I THINK IT WAS FINE BUT I THINK LTIMATELY HAMBURGLAR, I THINK -- DRESSED VERY SMARTLY TODAY.

>> OUCH, HURTS.

>> I DISAGREE.

>> I DON'T REALLY WANT TO HEAR WHAT TIM WALZ HAS TO SAY BECAUSE AMERICA ULTIMATELY IN A WEEK ISN'T GOING TO CARE.

I WANT TO HEAR WHAT KAMALA HARRIS HAS TO SAY BECAUSE THAT IS WHERE THE RACE WILL BE WON OR LOST AND SHE HAS BEEN GIVEN A PASS RIGHT NOW BUT THAT PASS ALSO IS ABOUT TO BE OVER AND SHE'S GOING TO HAVE TO START ADDRESSING THE AMERICAN PUBLIC AND -- >> Cathy: THEN DID SHE DO WHAT SHE NEEDED TO DO IN THIS INTERVIEW WITH DANA BASH?

>> I MEAN, THE TAPED INTERVIEW THAT SAID LIVE ON IT?

THAT WAS WEIRD.

I THINK SHE DID INE, BUT WHEN YOU'RE ALLOWING A CANDIDATE TO PACKAGE THEMSELVES MOSTLY -- UNLESS THEY'RE JOE BIDEN, THEY'RE GONNA DO FINE.

THERE HAS TO BE OFF THE CUFF, THERE HAS TO BE EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEECH AND THAT IS WHERE I THINK SHE COULD O WELL BUT SHE NEEDS TO PROVE THAT SHE CAN.

>> THIS CAMPAIGN HAS NOT IKE NO OTHER.

IT'S VERY COMPRESSED, SHE'S BEEN A CANDIDATE FOR A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, SHE HAD A LOT OF WORK TO DO TO LINE UP SUPPORT, PLAN A CONVENTION, A CONVENTION THAT BY THE WAY WENT ALMOST SEAMLESSLY, THAT WENT SUPER WELL.

LIKE SHE'S ENERGIZING THE BASE AND NOW SHE DID WHAT SHE SAID A FEW WEEKS AGO SHE WAS GOING TO DO WHICH WAS SIT DOWN AND DO AN INTERVIEW AND SHE DID FANTASTIC.

>> I'M JUST MIND BLOWN, WE'RE HAVING A CONVERSATION ABOUT CONTEMPORANEOUS SPEAKING AND THE ACT TO KIND OF HAVE AN AUTHENTIC EXCHANGE.

HAVE YOU SEEN DONALD TRUMP?

HAVE YOU SEEN THE THINGS HE'S BEEN SAYING?

HE'S TALKING ABOUT ELECTROCUTING SHARKS -- >> YOU'RE PRO-SHARK NOW?

[ LAUGHTER ] >> THE IDEA THAT THERE'S SOMEHOW A PROBLEM WITH HOW KAMALA HARRIS IS COMMUNICATING ABOUT SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES HEN WE HAVE -- >> SHE DID ONE INTERVIEW.

>> YOUR NOMINIE IS TALKING ABOUT ELECTROCUTING SHARKS, THIS IS NOT A SERIOUS PERSON.

>> BREAKING THE LAW AT ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY.

>> THE OTHER THING I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IS SHE GOT UP THERE AND WALZ GOT UP THERE AND SAID BIDEN WAS FINE HAS IS THEY HAVEN'T EXPLAINED WHY DID GOVERNOR WALZ GET ON TV AND TELL AMERICA IT WAS FINE, EVERYTHING'S GREAT?

>> HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT DONALD TRUMP BREAKING THE LAW AND DISRESPECTING HALLOWED GROUND AT ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY?

>> LISTEN, I KNOW YOU WANT TO DEFLECT AND MAKE THIS ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE BUT YOUR CANDIDATES HAVEN'T TOLD THE TRUTH ABOUT THE CURRENT PRESIDENT.

UNITED STATES WHO'S SITTING ON A BEACH.

LIKE IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT, WHY AREN'T THEY EXPLAINING THAT?

THAT'S SO SILLY.

>> HERE'S WHAT'S IMPORTANT, KAMALA HARRIS DIDN'T JUST COME OFF THE TURNIP TRUCK, HE'S BEEN VICE PRESIDENT THIS WHOLE.

THE PROBLEMS WITH AMERICA HAPPENED UNDER HER WATCH, AND SHE WILL HAVE TO ACCOUNT FOR SOME OF THOSE.

THEY MADE HER THE BORDER CZAR AND NOTHING REALLY HAPPENED.

THAT'S FINE BUT NOT THAT LONG AGO, MONTH, MONTH AND A HALF AGO HER POLLING NUMBERS WERE WORSE THAN BIDENS AND PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE REMINDED OF THAT.

>> Eric: WHEN DEMOCRATS SAY WE'RE NOT GOING BACK DOES THAT MEAN FIVE YEARS INSTEAD OF THREE AND A HALF?

>> WE ARE NOT GOING TO A TRUMP ADMINISTRATION THAT HAS BEEN HOSTILE TOWARDS WOMEN, TO COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, FRANKLY TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, TO DEMOCRACY ITSELF, THAT IS WHAT WE'RE NOT GOING BACK TO, TURNING THE PAGE ON DONALD TRUMP AND MOVING FORWARD.

>> I DON'T THINK ANYONE IN THE HARRIS-WALZ AMP IS GETTABLE BY TRUMP, THAT'S NOT WHAT IT'S ABOUT.

EVERYONE MADE UP THEIR MIND ON DONALD TRUMP ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

IT'S GOING TO BE WHETHER HARRIS AND WALZ ARE ABLE TO KEEP THE D.F.L., THE DEMS ELECTORATE ENERGIZED NOT IN MINNESOTA BUT OTHER SWING STATES.

>> I ACTUALLY DON'T AGREE WITH THAT, I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE REMINDING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WHAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WAS LIKE.

>> EVERYBODY REMEMBERS WHAT TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WAS LIKE.

FIRST OF ALL, I DON'T THINK THE LAST FOUR YEARS HAVE BEEN THIS GREAT.

HAVE YOU LOOKED AT THE EDUCATION ISPARITIES GOING ON EVEN IN MINNESOTA, EDUCATION HASN'T IMPROVED, IT HASN'T GOTTEN BETTER AND THAT'S IMPORTANT TO TALK ABOUT, LIKE WE'RE NOT -- I DO AGREE WITH YOU IT'S IMPORTANT TO TALK ABOUT SUBSTANCE ISSUES AND IS I DO WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOME F THAT.

>> LIKE ELECTROCUTING SHARKS.

>> NO, THAT'S NOT A SUBSTANTIVE ISSUE, I'D LIKE TO TALK ABOUT THE EDUCATION GAP IN MATH, READING, HOW COMMUNITIES OF COLOR ARE NOT GETTING ANY BETTER IN THEIR EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES.

I MEAN, IT'S BEEN FOUR YEARS, WE ALLEGEDLY HAD A GOVERNOR THAT WAS AN EDUCATION GOVERNOR AND KIDS' TEST SCORES POST-PANDEMIC HAVE NOT IMPROVED REALLY.

IF YOU HAD A CHILD IN SCHOOL DURING THE PANDEMIC, POST PANDEMIC, THEIR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT HASN'T REALLY GOTTEN BETTER, AND THAT IS A SHAME.

AND I'D LIKE TO TALK ABOUT THAT BECAUSE THAT IS IMPORTANT TO KIDS TODAY AND FOR AMERICA FOR THE FUTURE.

>> Eric: WHO'S BEST ON WHAT DOMINOES FALL IF WALZ BECOME THE VICE PRESIDENT AND PEGGY FLANAGAN ASCENDS TO GOVERNOR?

AND THEN BOBBY JOE CHAMPION, THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, IS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

COULD THAT GET MESSY, OR, I MEAN.

>> IT COULD, I DON'T THINK IT WILL.

I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, NO ONE'S COUNTING THEIR CHICKENS BEFORE THEY HATCH TOO MUCH, BUT I THINK THAT WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO SEE IS A PRETTY ORDERLY, YOU KNOW, ASCENSION WITH MAYBE, I DON'T KNOW, ANN REST BECOMING PRESIDENT, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

BUT I DON'T SEE IT GETTING MESSY.

>> THIS IS NOT LIKE WHERE THE REPUBLICANS TRIED TO SUE TO NOT BECOME THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR IN THAT CIRCUMSTANCES, I THINK THE BE CONSTITUTION IN MINNESOTA IS PRETTY CLEAR AND ORDERLY.

I EXPECT DEMOCRATS TO ASSUME THE DUTIES THEY HAVE UNDER THE MINNESOTA CONSTITUTION.

>> Cathy: ACCORDING TO THE INTERVIEWS DONE AT THE STATE FAIR IN VARIOUS LOCALES, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR PEGGY FLANAGAN SAYS SHE'S OPEN TO RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR IN 2026, -- NO ONE'S SURPRISED BY THAT.

TINA SMITH TOLD US THAT SHE IS PLANNING TO RUN.

SHE'S PLANNING TO RUN.

>> LITTLE BIT OF A SURPRISE.

>> Cathy: DOES THAT LEAVE A LITTLE WIGGLE ROOM MAYBE TO NOT RUN, ABOU?

>> I THINK IT POLITICS IT'S EASIER TO TURN THE LIGHT OFF THAN THE LIGHT ON, I SUSPECT SHE'LL CONTINUE WORK IN D.C. AND SEE WHAT THE LANDSCAPE LOOKS LIKE IN 026 AND HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH HER FAMILY AND ASSESS WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

I THINK THE LIGHT IS ON RIGHT NOW FOR HER TO RUN FOR EREELECTION.

>> IF YOU SEE HOW SHE'S CAMPAIGNING, SHE'S CAMPAIGNING FOR SENATORS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, SHE HAS A -- WITH A SENATE DEMOCRATS CAUCUS ON THAT, SHE'S RAISING MONEY, NOT ACTING LYING SOMEONE WHO'S NOT GOING TO RUN AGAIN SO I THINK TAKE THE CLUES AND SHE SAID WHAT SHE SAID.

>> >> Eric: ROYCE WHITE VERSUS AMY KLOBUCHAR.

>> I EXPECT ROYCE WHITE'S NAME TO BE DROPPED IN EVERY -- IN THE COUNTRY.

HE IS THE MOST TOXIC ACROSS AMERICA.

>> YOU SUPPORTED HIM.

>> -- -- SUPPORTED HIM IN NOVEMBER, I THINK THAT'S PRETTY CLEAR.

I THINK HE HAS A MESSAGE AND HE'S GROWING HIS PODCAST AND WE KNOW WHAT THE OUTCOME WILL BE.

I'D LIKE EVERYONE TO CONSIDER -- HE DOES HAVERE POINT ABOUT TALKING TO VARIOUS DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES AND I WISH THAT HE WOULD TALK ABOUT ISSUES AIMED TO THOSE COMMUNITIES.

>> THIS IS NOT REALLY A ROYCE WHITE PROBLEM, IT'S A DELEGATE PROBLEM BECAUSE SOMEONE LIKE ROYCE WHITE SHOULD NOT HAVE EVER GOTTEN TO THE POSITION HE'S IN.

>> HE WON THE PRIMARY, REPUBLICAN VOTERS VOTED FOR HIM.

>> Eric: I'M GETTIN' THE HOOK!

I'M GETTIN' THE HOOK, I'M SO SORRY!

IS ♪♪♪ >> PRESENTING TONY BOSEA, A VERY UNUSUAL CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR.

SEE, NO STRINGS.

TONY IS NOT CONTROLLED BY SPECIAL INTERESTS, HE'S ALSO GOT A GOOD HEAD ON HIS SHOULDERS.

HE BELIEVES MINNESOTA'S GOVERNMENT CAN DO MORE WITH LESS JUST BY USING GOOD MANAGEMENT.

AND NOTICE THE BACKBONE.

HE'S NOT AFRAID TO TAKE A STAND ON THE MAJOR ISSUES.

♪♪♪ >> Cathy: OH, MY GOSH, I ACTUALLY REMEMBER THAT AD.

THE 1990s, THE ERA OF ATTENTION GETTING POLITICAL ADS HERE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

NOW, Y'ALL KNOW I JUST LOVE LOOKING BACK AT HISTORY, MINNESOTA HISTORY, IT'S ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS.

SO IT IS TIME TO INVITE YOU INTO THE WORLD OF MINNESOTA HISTORY.

WE'RE GOING TO TRAVEL BACK IN TIME AND PLACE IN THE FALL OF 1863, THIS WEEK'S MYSTERY PERSON IS BORN IN BASICALLYIEST, IRELAND.

AS A TEENAGER THEY MOVED TO A SMALL TOWN IN MINNESOTA WITH THEIR FAMILY, EVENTUALLY MARRYING AND SETTLING IN A COMMUNITY ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.

1885 OUR MYSTERY PERSON BEGINS A 36-YEAR CAREER THAT HAS THEM LOGGING 50,000 MILES IN MINNESOTA TO KEEP OTHERS SAFE ALONG THE ROUTES THEY TRAVELED.

THIS TREACHEROUS CAREER LANDED OUR MYSTERY PERSON IN A NATIONAL HALL OF FAME NEARLY 089 YEARS AFTER THEIR DEATH.

WHO IS THIS MYSTERY MINNESOTAN AND WHAT MADE THEM FAMOUS?

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU WHETHER YOU'RE CALLING IN FROM TORCHLIGHT LAKE, HEADLIGHT ISLAND, OR LIGHTHOUSE ISLAND IN LAKE MINNETONKA.

SEE WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH THOSE.

651-229-1430 IS THE NUMBER TO CALL WITH ALL OF YOUR GUESSES TO THOSE HINTS, RIGHT OR WRONG.

YOU CAN DROP US A NOTE TOO.

OUR ELECTRONIC INBOX IS ALMANAC@TPT.ORG.

AND WHILE YOU'RE ONLINE, HOP ON OVER TO OUR WEBSITE WHICH IS TP T.ORG/ALMANAC, YOU CAN REWATCH ANY PORTION OF TONIGHT'S SHOW, CHECK OUT ONE FROM THE PAST THAT YOU MAY HAVE MISSED, ENJOY THE HAIRSTYLES.

THAT'S ALL AT TPT.ORG/ALMANAC.

WE HAVE JUST ENOUGH TIME FOR SOME SHOW-ENDING MUSIC FROM THE ARCHIVES.

THIS WEEK BACK IN 2017 BRIAN WIKLUND AND MIKE CRAMER JOINED US AT THE MPR BOOTH FOR ALMANAC AT THE FAIR COPRODUCTION WITH MPR NEWS.

IT WAS GREAT FUN.

TAKE A LISTEN.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

ENJOY THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ [ BLUEGRASS MUSIC ] ♪♪♪ >> SINGING: I CAN SEE NOW OVER THE VALLEY THROUGH THE DISTANT PEAKS SO FAIR AND THE SUNSHINE WARMS MY BODY I CAN BREATHE THE SWEET, SWEET AIR ♪♪♪ LIKE A IVER CLOSE TO THE OCEAN LIKE THE TREES REACH FOR THE SKIES ♪♪♪ >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

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

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

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

AND PAINTCARE, HELPING MINNESOTA PAINT SMARTER TO PREVENT WASTE.

MORE AT PAINTCARING.ORG.

"ALMANAC" IS A PRODUCTION OF TWIN CITIES