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

>> ERIC: COMING UP ON "ALMANAC," PAUL DOUGLAS IS HERE TO LET US KNOW IF WE'LL BE HAVING A BROWN, OR MAYBE A GREEN, CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR.

SHELETTA BRUNDIDGE HAS A HOLIDAY ESSAY FOR US.

A TRIO OF POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSORS WILL FILL THE COUCH.

AND MARY HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THE STATE FLAG SAGA.

>> Mary: WE'LL TAKE YOU INSIDE THE PROCESS OF SELECTING A NEW STATE FLAG WITH A DESIGNER WHO WAS ONE OF THE TOP FINALISTS.

>> IT'S GIVEN ME, LIKE, A NERVOUS ENERGY.

>> WRITING HISTORICAL WRONG FOR ME AS AN INDIGENOUS PERSON IS WHY I DECIDED TO SUBMIT TO THIS PROCESS.

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

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

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

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

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

>> ERIC: IT'S OUR FINAL LIVE SHOW OF THE YEAR, AND WE'VE GOT A LOT TO COVER.

PAUL DOUGLAS IS HERE WITH A HOLIDAY FORECAST AND MORE.

WE'LL HEAR ABOUT PLANS FOR DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS THAT COULD INCLUDE A 24-HOUR ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT.

AND SHELETTA BRUNDIDGE HAS A HOLIDAY ESSAY FOR US.

>> Cathy: AND IT'S GOING TO BE GOOD.

WE START TONIGHT, THOUGH, WITH NEWS ABOUT THE NEW STATE FLAG.

JUST ABOUT TWO HOURS AGO, THE COMMISSION WRAPPED UP ITS WORK FOR TODAY, PICKING A FINAL FLAG CONCEPT WITH SEVERAL VARIATIONS.

CHOOSING ONE FINALIST WILL NOW BE A TASK FOR NEXT WEEK'S MEETING, WHICH WAS JUST SCHEDULED TODAY.

MARY LAHAMMER HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THE COMMISSION'S PROCESS ALL WEEK, STARTING WITH TUESDAY'S MEETING THAT FINALIZED THE STATE SEAL, NARROWED THE STATE FLAG FIELD TO THREE DESIGNS, AND WAS A BIT MORE CONTENTIOUS THAN EXPECTED.

>> IT'S REALLY ENCOURAGING TO JUST TO SEE THE LEVEL OF THOUGHT PEOPLE PUT INTO THIS PROCESS.

TO REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA AND JUST YOURSELF OR YOUR OWN PEOPLE, BUT ALL OF US.

>> Mary: THE REDESIGN COMPETITION MEMBERS ARE TAKING THEIR FINAL TASK SERIOUSLY, BUT IT'S NOT EAST AND IT GOT TESTY.

>> IT JUST FEELS LIKE TINGS ARE A LITTLE CONVOLUTED ALL OF A SUDDEN.

>> WE'RE TRYING TO DECIDE THESE THINGS ASSOCIATION EVERYONE SHOULD JUST GET ONE VOTE.

>> ALL OF US COME AND VOTE FOR THIS AND SEE WHO THE WINNER IS.

>> Mary: THEY SEEM TO LIKE AN EIGHT-POINT STAR SIMILAR TO THE ONE THAT SITS ON THE FLOOR OF THE ROTUNDA IN THE STATE CAPITOL.

>> FOR FLAG ESIGN SPECIFICALLY, WE ARE ADVOCATING THAT ALL THE SPIRES AND LINES OF THE STAR ARE ALL EQUAL.

WE DID CHOOSE A DARKER BLUE JUST TO ENSURE ITS ONTRAST WITH THE OTHER LIGHTER BLUE.

BUT WE TOO IT INTO ACCOUNT.

>> Mary: OUTSIDE DESIGNERS NOT ON THE COMMISSION CRAFTED NEW COMBINATIONS TO CONSIDER.

AND THE COMMISSION DECIDED ON ONE IDEA WITH THE SHAPE OF THE STATE WITH SEVERAL VARIATIONS.

ALL BASED ON THE WORK FROM THE FINAL FEW.

>> THIS IS A BOLD DESIGN THAT CAN BE SEEN CLEARLY FROM A DISTANCE.

IF A CHILD CAN DRAW IT, IT MEANS IT'S SIMPLE AND MEMORABLE.

>> Mary: WITH HIS OLD HIGH SCHOOL BUDDIES THERE IN SUPPORT, ANOTHER DESIGN FINALIST IS A FINANCIAL ADVISOR FROM TEXAS WHO CAME BACK TO HIS HOME STATE TO SEE HIS FLAG PROCEED.

>> I FOCUSED ON THE ADAGE THAT LESS IS MORE.

OBVIOUSLY THE NORTH STARS FEATURE PROMINENTLY ON THE FLAG.

THE STAR APPEARS WHITE IN THE SKY, NOT YELLOW.

I ALSO WANTED THE STAR TO HAVE EIGHT POINTS OF LIGHT RADIATING FROM A CENTER CORE.

>> Mary: A FATHER-SON DUO CAPTURED HEARTS AND IMAGINATION AS THEY TOO MIA MADE THE CUT.

>> WE LEAD THIS NATION IN QUALITY OF LIVING.

SO WHEN WE RAISED THIS FLAG, AND IT'S FLYING HIGH ABOVE MINNESOTA, IT WILL PROVIDE A ROAD MAP FOR ALL THE NATION TO SEE.

CALLING OUTEN INVITATION TO FOLLOW THE LOON, TO FOLLOW MINNESOTA.

AS WE ASPIRE TO FURTHER ACHIEVEMENTS, EXPANDED OPPORTUNITY, AND A GREATER GOOD.

>> WE HAD, FRAUGHT MOMENTS.

WE HAD JOYFUL MOMENTS, BUT OVERALL THE EXPERIENCE CAME TOGETHER IN AN ORGANIC WAY THAT WAS ALMOST THE SAME AS THE FLAG.

>> Mary: ALONG WITH HIS YOUNG FAMILY, THIS ST. PAUL DESIGNER WHO CAME IN AS THE TOP VOTE GETTER N PREVIOUS ROUNDS DIDN'T MAKE THE FINALS, AND SAYS IT'S HARD TO SEE IT RESWRECTED NOW.

>> THIS PROCESS HAS BEEN SURREAL.

IT'S BEEN ALL-CONSUMING FOR ME.

IT'S GIVEN ME, LIKE, A NERVOUS ENERGY I DON'T THINK I'VE HAD FOR THIS SAME AMOUNT OF TIME.

I WORK ON WEBSITES THAT GET MILLIONS OF PAGE IEWS.

LIKE DESIGNING IN PUBLIC IS DIFFERENT.

IT'S A DIFFERENT XPERIENCE.

>> Mary: BUT HE REALIZES THE TIGHT TIMELINES AND CONGRATULATES THE OTHER DESIGNERS WHO HE GOT TO MEET IN PERSON.

>> ONE OF THE SURREAL MOMENTS WAS THE "NEW YORK TIMES" SENT A PHOTOGRAPHER OVER.

THE CURRENT FLAG IS -- I MEAN, IT'S PROBLEMATIC ON SO MANY LAYERS.

>> Mary: A NATIVE WOMAN WHOSE DESIGN ALSO MADE IT TO THE SEMIFINALS BUT NOT THE FINAL THREE SAYS REGARDLESS OF OUTCOME, SHE'S PLEASED CHANGE IS COMING.

>> BOTTOM LINE IS JUST THAT THIS HAPPENS AT ALL.

RIGHTING A HISTORICAL WRONG FOR ME AS AN INDIGENOUS PERSON IS FOR ME.

I'M GRATEFUL TO BE A PART OF THIS MOMENT IN TIME.

>> Mary: INITIAL APPROVAL OF A STATE SEAL SEEMED SMOOTH.

PEOPLE LIKED THE LOON.

BUT CHANGES WITHIN THE DESIGN SPARKED DEBATE.

WHAT ABOUT THE SEAL?

YOU HAD A FINALIST, BUT YOU LIKE THE ONE THAT WONG.

>> YES, I LIKE THE ONE THAT WON.

I THINK THEY MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE.

THE DESIGNER DID A REALLY FANTASTIC JOB.

SO I WILL KNOW MINNESOTANS WANTED A LOON.

>> Mary: THE COMMISSION PAINSTAKINGLY CRAFTED CHANGE BUT THE SEAL'S ORIGINAL INCLUSION OF THE STATE MOTTO CREATED CONTROVERSY.

>> GOVERNOR SIBLEY ADOPTED THE MOTTO DESIGNED THE SEAL, AND THEN YEARS LATER, TO COVER UP WHAT HE HAD DONE, THE LEGISLATURE PASSED STATUTE.

>> IF YOU'RE GOING TO DABBLE IN THIS CHANGING OF MOTTO STUFF, THAT HAS TO BE THROUGH STATE STATUTE.

IT CAN'T BE THROUGH A FLAG AND SEAL REDESIGN COMMISSION.

WE JUST CAN'T DO THAT.

>> IT DOES SEEM A LITTLE INCONGRUOUS TO ME TO CHANGE THE LANGUAGE FROM WHAT IT IS IN STATE LAW.

>> WE HAVE MAYBE TWO FLUENT FIRST LANGUAGE SPEAKERS LEFT IN OUR COMMUNITY.

JUST NOW, WHEN IT WAS MENTIONED THAT WE ARE LAKOTA SPEAKERS, WE ARE NOT LAKOTA SPEAKERS.

WE ARE DAKOTA.

LAKOTA IS A DIFFERENT KIND OF PEOPLE.

AND I THINK THAT KIND OF COMMENTARY WHERE THERE'S A LACK OF EDUCATION AND OF UNDERSTANDING WHO WE ARE AS DAKOTA PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA IS WHY INCLUDING OUR LANGUAGE IS IMPORTANT.

>> Mary: AFTER SOME EMOTIONAL EXCHANGES, THE COMMISSION MOVED TO REMOVE THE MOTTO ND DELETE THE DATE OF STATEHOOD, 1858, WHICH WAS NOT CELEBRATED BY DAKOTA COMMISSION MEMBERS WHO ACHIEVED AN EFFORT TO THE INCLUDE THE NATIVE LANGUAGE AS WELL.

>> MINNESOTANS CAN HOLD TWO THOUGHTS IN THEIR HEAD AT ONES.

THEY CAN LOOK AT A PARTICULAR YEAR AND SEE AND UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE THE THINGS ABOUT THAT YEAR THAT WERE TROUBLING.

BUT THEY CAN ALSO APPRECIATE THE THINGS ABOUT IT THAT ARE GOOD AND WE'RE CELEBRATING, AND I THINK MINNESOTA'S ADMISSION TO THE UNION, HE THING THAT THIS IS INTENDED TO SIGNIFY, IS A JOYOUS EVENT.

>> THE DATE THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE CELEBRATE IS ALSO A DATE THAT FOR OTHER PEOPLE IS TRAUMATIC.

AND IT'S A DATE THAT CAUSES PAIN.

WHY DO WE WANT A SEAL THAT CAUSES PAIN?

TO A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF PEOPLE?

>> PEOPLE ARE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS SEAL.

NOW WE'VE REMOVED THE DATE OF THE STATE'S FOUNDING FROM IT.

NOW WE'RE GOING TO ALMOST MAKE IT THE DAKOTA SEAL.

♪♪ >> ERIC: NICOLLET MALL AS A 24-HOUR ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT, FORMER OFFICE SPACE TRANSFORMED INTO HOUSING, AND A RETURN TO STREET LEVEL RETAIL SERVICES.

THESE ARE JUST THREE OF THE IDEAS FROM "DOWNTOWN NEXT," A NEW MINNEAPOLIS FOUNDATION REPORT THAT RE-IMAGINES THE FUTURE OF DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS IN THE POST-PANDEMIC ERA.

HERE WITH MORE, R.T. RYBAK, CURRENT HEAD OF THE MINNEAPOLIS FOUNDATION AND A FORMER MINNEAPOLIS MAYOR.

HERE TOO, ONE OF THE REPORT AUTHORS, SARAH HARRIS.

AUTHORS, SARAH HARRIS.AUTHORS, WELCOME TO YOU BOTH.

ABSENT A DOWNTOWN IS A SEENO, HOW DOES THE NICOLLET MALL TURN INTO A 24-HOUR ENTERTAINMENT HUB.

>> WELL ...

I'M NOT SURE IS A CASINO WAS WHERE WE WERE HEADING WITH THAT.

YOU TAKE THE BUSES OFF THE MALL AND YOU PUT IN MARKETS AND SMALL RETAILERS AND LANE OF THE PEOPLE AND GREENING.

>> Cathy: HOW DO YOU KEEP IT SAFE, THOUGH?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, THE ENTIRE DISCUSSION ABOUT DOWNTOWN FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS HAS BEEN SAFETY.

I MEAN, IDENTIFICATION THE REAL THING TO DO IS TO RECOGNIZE THAT A GIANT ANVIL WAS DROPPED N DOWNTOWN AND EVERY DOWNTOWN WITH COVID AND ALL OF THAT.

DOWNTOWN HAS ALWAYS COME BACK AND IT'S BEGUN TO, BUT THE REPORT THAT SARAH DID FOR US AT THE MINNEAPOLIS FOUNDATION REALLY SAID, IT'S NOT THE SAME DOWNTOWN.

IT USED TO BE SIX REALLY STRONG BLOCKS.

BUT NOW IT'S MANY BLOCKS.

IT'S NORTH LOOP, RIVER, IT'S EAST TOWN, IT'S LORING.

AND THEY ARE INCREDIBLY SUCCESSFUL, THESE NEIGHBORHOODS JUST ON THE CUSP OF THE CENTRAL DISTRICT.

SO THIS NEW BIGGER DOWNTOWN CAN LEARN A NUMBER OF LESSONS FROM THAT AND THAT'S WHY WE COMMISSIONED THEM WHO ARE THREE INCREDIBLE PROFESSIONALS TO TAKE ALL THESE IDEAS AND IN THAT CONTEXT TRY TO TALK ABOUT THE BIG AND SMALL THINGS TO DO NEXT.

>> Eric: I READ THE REPORT.

IT'S INCREDIBLY COMPREHENSIVE.

AND I GIVE YOU GOOD CREDIT FOR STARTING A BIG CONVERSATION HERE.

THE PROBLEM FOR THE NICOLLET MALL IS THAT IT WAS CATERED TO WHITE COLLAR WORKERS AND THEY'RE GONE OR GOING.

AND WHAT'S GOING TO REPLACE IT OR WHAT COULD REPLACE IT?

>> WELL, I THINK IT'S NOT JUST NICOLLET MALL.

ALL OF DOWNTOWN WAS REALLY FOCUSED FOR A VERY LONG TIME ON THAT PERSON WHO WAS 25 TO 60 YEARS OLD AND IN AN OFFICE.

AND I THINK IT'S TRUE THAT MOST DOWNTOWNS NOW ARE STARTING TO THINK ABOUT, IT'S MORE THAN THOSE EIGHT HOURS.

THERE WILL STILL BE A LOT OF PEOPLE WORKING IN TOX DO YOU KNOW.

R.T.'S OFFICE IS STILL THERE.

>> I WAS THERE A FEW HOURS AGO AND I'M THERE EVERY DAY.

>> BUT DOWNTOWNS ARE ABOUT WHAT WE CAN DO DURING ALL 24 HOURS?

WE CAN HAVE RETAIL.

WE CAN CAN HAVE OFFICES, SMALL BUSINESSES, LARGES BUSINESSES, ENTERTAINMENT, GREENING, BE MARKETSES, ALL KINDS OF THINGS THAT HAVEN'T BEEN THERE BEFORE BECAUSE WE WERE SO DARN FOCUSED ON THE OFFICE, WORKERS.

AND EXPAND WHO NEEDS TO BE DOWNTOWN.

[Overlapping conversations] >> IT'S NOT LIKE IT'S A PLAN IN THE FUTURE.

RIGHT NOW THE NORTH STAR BUILDING, AN OFFICE BUILDING IN THE CORE OF DOWNTOWN IS BEING CONVERTED TO HOUSING.

SO THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN SOME CASES.

RIGHT NOW THERE'S A DISCUSSION ABOUT TAKING BUSES OFF THE MALL.

WHICH COULD ALLOW US TO DO THINGS LIKE HAVE A PHENOMENAL WINTER EXPERIENCE ALL WINTER LONG LIKE WE DID DURING THE SUPER BOWL.

RIGHT NOW, THERE ARE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT TEARING DOWN THE PARKING RAMP NEXT TO THE POST OFFICE IF THE POST OFFICE WOULD JUST AGREE TO ACTUALLY GET SOME MONEY THAT THEY NEED.

BUT MORE IMPORTANT, SARAH AND THE TEAM REALLY LOOKED AT THIS IDEA ABOUT MOVING FROM A MONO-CULTURE TO A MULTI-CULTURE.

I HAVE WORKED DOWNTOWN ALL MY LIFE.

I ALWAYS WILL.

I WORK IN THE I.D.S.

THERE ARE PLENTY OF US THERE.

THERE WILL STILL BE.

BUT THERE ALSO NEED TO BE YOUNGER PEOPLE, PEOPLE FROM LOTS OF DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES, AND THAT IS THE CASE, A COUPLE BLOCKS FROM THAT CORE OF DOWNTOWN.

WE SIMPLY HAVE TO FUSE THAT 24-HOUR MULTI-CULTURE, MULTIEXPERIENCE RIGHT INTO THE CORE.

>> Cathy: SO THE NORTH LOOP IS DOING REALLY WELL.

ELLIOTT PARK COMES TO MIND IS ALSO DOING PRETTY WELL.

THEY'RE THRIVING.

WHAT ARE THEY DOING THAT CAN BE REPLICATED RIGHT IN THE CORE AREA?

>> WELL, EXACTLY WHAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT WHICH IS ALL KINDS OF DIFFERENT USES BLENDED TOGETHER.

THEY HAVE OFFICES, RESIDENCES, ENTERTAINMENT, RESTAURANTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

AND IF WE START TO BLEND MANUFACTURE THOSE USES INTO THE CORE OF DOWNTOWN, IT, TOO, CAN HAVE THE SAME SUCCESS THAT THESE NEIGHBORING VILLAGES HAVE.

>> Cathy: AND THEY DON'T HAVE SKYWAYS.

PEOPLE LOVE SKYWAYS.

I MEAN, YOU DON'T HAVE TO FREEZE YOURSELF AS YOU'RE GOING OUT.

BUT WHAT OR HOW MUCH THE SKYWAY SYSTEM EALLY HAS RUINED BUSINESSES IN DOWN TOWNL MINNEAPOLIS?

>> EL, FOR SURE IT DILUTES THE FOOT TRAFFIC.

AND WE AREN'T SAYING DO AWAY WITH SKYWAYS.

WE'RE SAYING MAKE THEM USEFUL FOR THOSE FOLKS THAT KNOW HOW TO NAVIGATE THEM.

SO MAKE SURE THAT THE SKYWAYS ARE SERVING THE COMMUTING FUNCTION AND MAKE SURE THAT SKYWAYS ARE THE SERVICE ORIENTED WHETHER IT'S A BANK OR A DIRECTOR'S OFFICE.

BUT LET'S MOVE THE RETAIL BACK DOWN TO THE STREET LEVEL WHERE PEOPLE CAN FIND IT.

PEOPLE WHO AREN'T IN THOSE BUILDING ALL THE TIME AND DON'T KNOW HOW TO NAVIGATE THE SKYWAYS AND THERE USED TO BE A MYTH THAT YOU HAD TO HAVE A SKYWAY IN ORDER TO BE A SUCCESSFUL BUILDING IN DOWNTOWN.

BUT I THINK WE'VE PROVEN TO BE BE MAYBE NOT SO TRUE.

ALL OF THESE NEIGHBORHOOD VILLAGES AROUND DOWNTOWN ARE DOING JUST GREAT.

AND THEY ON'T HAVE SKYWAYS.

>> Eric: BUT OF UT YOUR CITY HALL HAT ON FOR A SECOND.

I THINK MAYBE HALF THE COUNCIL DOESN'T LIKE DOWNTOWN.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS ARE NOT EXCITED ABOUT HELPING DOWNTOWN.

YOU GOT UM ANTICIPATE-TEEN COMMITTEES AND GROUPS WORKING ON THIS.

THERE'S SO MUCH PROCESS IN MINNEAPOLIS CITY GOVERNMENT.

IS THIS GOING TO BE, ADMIRE THE PROBLEM AND IT GOES AWAY?

>> I DON'T BUY THAT AT ALL HAVING TALK TO THE COUNCIL MEMBERS ABOUT IT, EXISTING AND A NEW ONE.

BUT DOWNTOWN HAS NEVER BEEN LED BY CITY HALL.

I MEAN, I'M AS DOWNTOWN AS YOU GET, AND I HAD SOME IMPACT ON IT.

BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, DOWNTOWN BELONGS TO EVERYONE.

AND I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT SARAH AND HE CREW SAID IS THAT IF WE WANT A DOWNTOWN THAT REPRESENTS SO MANY DIFFERENT PLACES, THIS ISN'T ABOUT A TOP-DOWN APPROACH OF ONE ORGANIZATION EVEN THE DOWNTOWN COUNCIL'S A GREAT ORGANIZATION, BUT HOW DOES THAT REPRESENT ALL THESE VILLAGES THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT?

WE WANT YOUTH INVOLVED.

WE WANT PEOPLE WHO HAVE NEVER COME DOWNTOWN.

WE WANT OFFICE WORKERS.

AND MINNEAPOLIS IS NOT A POLITICAL TOWN.

IT'S A CIVIC TOWN.

THAT'S ALWAYS THE CASE AS A FORMER MAYOR.

AND SO WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN IS, CITY BUILDING IS NOT A SPECTATOR SPORT.

GET UP OFF THE COUNTY.

I DON'T MEAN THIS ONE.

AND ACTUALLY RECOGNIZE WHAT CAN EACH PERSON DO?

THERE ARE PEOPLE OWNING STORES.

THERE ARE PEOPLE CONVERTING PLACES TO HOUSING.

THERE ARE PEOPLE MOVING THERE.

SO LET'S NOT SORT OF SIT HERE LIKE IT'S A, YOU KNOW, UNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL.

AND WATCH THIS THING.

I'M REALLY CALLING ON THE PEOPLE TO DO, LIKE, WHAT TARGET DID TODAY, WHICH IS TO SAY, BRING PEOPLE BACK.

WHAT THE MINNEAPOLIS FOUNDATION IS DOING, WE HAVE A BIG LUNCH EVERY WEDNESDAY FOR THE ATTEMPT.

AND PEOPLE TODAY WE ALL WENT OUT TO A RESTAURANT AND HAD A GREAT TIME.

IT REALLY IS ABOUT ALL OF US TO RECOGNIZE THE CENTER OF THIS PLACE SHOULD BELONG TO ALL OF US.

>> CAN I JUST JUMP IN REAL QUICK.

I WOULD JUST SAY THAT AND WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT DOWRCH TOWN IS EVERYBODY'S NEIGHBORHOOD.

IT'S THE PLACE WHERE EVERYBODY CAN COME TOGETHER AND EXPERIENCE EACH OTHER AND WHAT OUR CITY HAS TO OFFER.

>> Eric: IT'S A VERY VALUABLE REPORT.

I RECOMMEND MINNEAPOLISFOUNDATION.ORG TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT.

♪♪ >> I'VE BEEN THINKING LATELY ABOUT INTERGENERATIONAL PHRASES.

YOU KNOW, THE TINY NUGGETS OF SPOKEN WISDOM WE PASS FROM PARENT TO CHILD.

BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT.

YOU SNOOZE, YOU LOSE.

I LIKE HOW THESE SAYINGS MIGRATE EFFORTLESSLY ACROSS THE DECK AIDERS.

AND SOME OF THEM REALLY DO MAKE COMMUNICATION EASIER.

WHICH IS HOW IT HIT ME.

OUT OF ALL OF THESE PHRASES, THERE'S ONE THAT FAR AND AWAY IS ORE MEMORABLE, MORE CONCISE, AND MORE ACTIONABLE THAN ANY OTHER.

I'D CALL IT THE UNDISPUTED KING OF SIMPLE SAGACITY AND IT GOES LIKE THIS.

LEFTY LOOSIE, RIGHTY TIGHTY.

WHOEVER FIRST PUT THOSE FOUR WORDS TOGETHER DESERVES A NATIONAL HOLIDAY.

BECAUSE THEY LITERALLY CREATED THE MAGIC SPELL THAT UNLOCKS OUR MODERN WORLD.

REPLACING A LIGHT SWITCH?

LEFTY LOOSIE, RIGHTY TIGHTY.

UNCOUPLING THE UPSIDE DOWN DRAIN THING BENEATH YOUR SINK IN MOUNTING OUR NEW MONITOR?

LEFTY LOOSIE, RIGHTY TIGHTY.

THAT'S WHY I WISH I COULD ADAPT THE PHRASE FOR OTHER USES.

LIKE MAYBE WHEN I'M TRYING TO PROPERLY USE THE WORD "VISCOUS."

I KNOW WHAT VISCOUS MEANS, SORT OF.

I JUST CAN NERVE REMEMBER WHICH WAYS IT TURNS.

IS IT RIGHTY LIKE A LIQUID.

MAYBE VSCY IS STICKY, NONGONE.

NO, THAT'S TERRIBLE.

INVENTING TIMELESS WISDOM IS DIFFICULT.

BUT IT'S WORTH TRYING BECAUSE IF IT'S DONE RIGHT, YOUR WORDS WILL LIVE FOREVER.

LEFTY LOOSIE, RIGHTY TIGHTY.

♪♪ >> CATHY: TEMPERATURES AROUND MINNESOTA YESTERDAY WERE WELL ABOVE AVERAGE, INCLUDING RECORD HIGHS OF 48 IN BAUDETTE, 52 IN INTERNATIONAL FALLS, 50 IN PARK RAPIDS, AND 53 IN ST.

CLOUD.

ADD IN TODAY'S RAIN AROUND THE STATE, AND A WHITE CHRISTMAS DOES NOT LOOK VERY LIKELY.

WILL THERE BE SNOW ANYWHERE IN THE NORTH STAR STATE ON CHRISTMAS DAY?

LET'S ASK OUR FRIEND PAUL DOUGLAS.

IN ADDITION TO HIS REGULAR VISITS TO THE "ALMANAC" STUDIOS, PAUL PENS A WEATHER COLUMN FOR THE "STAR TRIBUNE," CAN BE HEARD ON WCCO RADIO, AND HEADS UP HIS VERY OWN WEATHER COMPANY, PRAEDICTIX.

I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT O SAY ANYMORE.

I MEAN, THIS IS WEATHER YOU'D FIND, WHAT, IN OCTOBER?

>> LATE OCTOBER.

>> Cathy: RAIN, YEAH.

>> I'M ENJOYING MARCH A LITTLE BIT OF SLUSH, A LITTLE BIT OF RAIN.

SOME PEOPLE ARE GOLFING.

I SAW A GUY MOARCHING HIS LAWN IN ST. PAUL YESTERDAY.

>> Cathy: STOP THAT.

>> Eric: I WANT THE SCENIC VIEW OF OUR PLACE WITH THE SLIDES.

>> OU WANT THE PICTURES?

>> Eric: I WANT TO SEE HOW BARREN IS LOOKS OUT THERE.

>> MY GREEN-ISH LAWN.

>> Cathy: THAT'S PRETTY GOOD.

>> YEAH.

I DON'T KNOW.

I'M RO-SNOW.

I'M ANTI-30 BELOW.

BUT IT DOES SEEM A LITTLE SURREAL.

TO BE GOING THIS LONG WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT SNOW.

ANYWAY, IF YOU'RE KEEPING SCORE, AND WHO AMONG ISN'T, FOUR AND A HALF INCHES OF SNOW SO FAR.

LAST WINTER TINLT WE AT THIS TIME WE HAD 15 AND A HALF.

AND BY THE WAY, 4.5, THE 35TH LEAST SNOWIEST START TO A TWIN CITIES WINTER.

AND SINCE JULY THE 1ST, BY THE WAY, WE'RE ON TRACK FOR THE THIRD WARMEST YEAR ON RECORD.

2023.

AND SINCE J., JULY, THE 1ST, IT HAS IN FACT BEEN THE WARMEST ON RECORD, FOR A LOT OF REASONS.

NOT JUST EL NINO.

THERE'S THE SNOW COVER MAP.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> Cathy: OH, MY GOSH.

I DON'T KNOW.

>> YOU WANT TO BUY A GENTLY USED SNOWMOBILE?

I THINK IT'S GOING TO PICK UP.

SOMEHOW MODELS HINTING THAT JANUARY, FEBRUARY, WE WILL SEE SIGNIFICANT SNOW.

BUT THIS IS CLASSIC EL NINO.

WHICH TENDS TO DIVERT, AT THE DETOUR THE BIG STORMS.

CALIFORNIA.

TEXAS, THE GULF COAST, FLORIDA, AND THEN RIGHT UP THE EAST COAST.

WE'RE SORT OF IN THIS ATMOSPHERIC NO-MAN'S-LAND.

IT'S BEEN A FIRE HOES OF MILD PACIFIC AIR.

NOT JUST FOR THE US.

BUT FOR CANADA.

AND ACCORDING TO N.O.A.A., THIS IS ONE OF THE FIVE STRONGEST EL NINOS SINCE 1950.

SO I WANT TO SHOW YOU THE -- THESE ARE THE TEMPERATURE ANOMALIES.

WHERE YOU SEE THE RED, THAT'S WARMER THAN AVERAGE.

EL NINO, YOU HAVE WARM WATER IN THE EQUATORIAL PACIFIC.

CHECK OUT 1982.

IMPRESSIVE.

AND THEN COMPARE THAT WITH 2023.

AND, AGAIN, IT'S NOT ONLY EL NINO.

WHICH IS A NATURAL CYCLE.

BUT IT'S ALSO THE BACKGROUND WARMING, THE FACT THAT GLOBALLY, THIS YEAR, ALMOST CERTAINLY THE WARMEST YEAR ON RECORD.

AND MUCH OF THAT WARMTH WENT INTO THE OCEANS.

NOT JUST THE PACIFIC, BUT EVERY OCEAN BASIN.

NOVEMBER, ACCORDING TO NASA, THE 537TH CONSERVATIVE MONTH WARMER THAN THE 20TH CENTURY AVERAGE.

SO IT'D BE LIKE FLIPPING HEADS 537 TIMES IN A ROW.

YEAH, THE PLANET'S WARMING UP.

IT'S NOT JUST THE ATMOSPHERE AND THE CRYO CRYOSPHERE.

IT'S ALSO THE OCEAN.

SO WE HAVE KIND OF A DOUBLE WHAMMY.

THIS IS FROM CLIMATOLOGIST BRIAN BREAT SCHNEIDER UP N ALASKA AND WHERE YOU SEE THAT BROWN, SOUTHERN MINNESOTA, IOWA, NEBRASKA, ILLINOIS, A 50% DROP IN SNOWFALL SINCE 1974.

SO, YEAH, THE WARMTH IS SPILLING DEEPER INTO NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER.

THE LATEST EUROPEAN MODEL INDICATES TOO WARM ALOFT FOR SNOW HERE IN THE METRO WITH A SYSTEM COMING IN LATE TONIGHT, TOMORROW MORNING.

MAYBE TWO, THREE INCHES OF SLUSH, CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

DULUTH COULD PICK UP MAYBE FOUR OR FIVE INCHES OF SNOW.

THAT'S IT.

BETWEEN NOW AND CHRISTMAS DAY.

BY THE WAY, STATISTICALLY THE ODDS ARE 72% FOR THE TWIN CITIES.

AN INCH OR MORE ON CHRISTMAS MORNING.

THREE OUT OF TEN ON AVERAGE ARE BROWN.

AND THIS WILL PROBABLY BE THE SEVENTH BROWN CHRISTMAS JUST SINCE 2000.

I'M JUST THE MESSENGER.

ARE YOU DREAMING OF A BEIGE CHRISTMAS?

I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE GREEN-IS HSKS IN THE METRO.

THE EUROPEAN MODEL AGAIN, LOW 40s.

NEXT WEEKEND, THE WEEKEND BEFORE CHRISTMAS, IT COULD BE LOW TO MID-40s.

SO EVEN IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WHATEVER SNOW FALLS TONIGHT, I THINK MOST OF THAT IS GOING TO BE GONE.

>> Eric: IS THE NORTH POLE MELTING?

>> THERE'S LESS ARCTIC ICE OVER THE NORTH POLE.

>> Cathy: ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT SANLT YA?

SANTA?

>> THE ARCTIC IS WARMING THREE TO FOUR TIMES FASTER THAN EVEN WE ARE.

SO, YEAH, THERE'S JUST LESS ICE.

BUT EVEN IF IT RAINS CHRISTMAS EVE, IT'S OKAY.

ERIC.

>> Eric: OH, GOD.

>> SANTA HAS "RAIN-DEER."

>> Eric: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, HE'S HERE ALL WEEK!

TRY THE VEAL?

>> DAD JOKES.

>> Eric: HAPPY HOLIDAYS, EVERYBODY!

>> MERRY, MERRY.

♪♪ >> CATHY: AS PAUL JUST TOLD US, THE ODDS OF A WHITE CHRISTMAS ARE SLIM TO NONE.

AND MANY TEMPS THIS WEEK HAVE FELT MORE LIKE FALL THAN WINTER.

A PERFECT TIME TO DIP INTO THE WINTRY ARCHIVES.

"ALMANAC" OLD-TIMERS MAY REMEMBER RESIDENT GOOFBALL J.G.

PRESTON SINGING "BLUE CHRISTMA" TO PLASTIC OUTDOOR HOLIDAY FIGURES ON A VERY COLD AND SNOWY NIGHT IN DECEMBER OF 1989.

IT'S HARD TO EXPLAIN, BUT A LOT OF FUN TO WATCH.

TAKE A LOOK.

- WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> ♪ I'LL HAVE A BLUE CHRISTMAS WITHOUT YOU ♪ YEAH.

♪ I'LL HAVE A BLUE CHRISTMAS WITHOUT YOU ♪ ♪ YOU'LL BE DOING ALL RIGHT ♪ ♪ WITH YOUR CHRISTMAS OF WHITE ♪ ♪ BUT I'LL ♪ ♪ HAVE A BLUE ♪ ♪ BLUE, BLUE, BLUE CHRISTMAS ♪ HAPPY HOLIDAYS, EVERYBODY.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS.

♪ BLUE CHRISTMAS WITHOUT YOU ♪ HEY WE GOT AN AUDIENCE HERE.

WE GOT AN AUDIENCE.

♪ I'LL HAVE A BLUE CHRISTMAS WITHOUT YOU ♪ OH, THEY COME FROM ALL OVER.

♪ YOU'LL BE DOING ALL RIGHT ♪ ♪ WITH YOUR CHRISTMAS OF WHITE ♪ ♪ BUT I'LL... ♪ OH, WAIT A MINUTE.

I DON'T KNOW THIS VERSE.

[ Laughter ] >> SHELETTA: I'’VE NEVER SEEN MY CHILDREN MORE LASER-FOCUSED, MORE DETERMINED, MORE ZEROED IN ON A PROJECT THAN WHEN THEY ARE WRITING LETTERS TO SANTA.

'CAUSE WHEN THEY DO HOMEWORK, CHILE, THEY NEED POTTY BREAKS, TIME TO STRETCH, AND SNACKS.

AND THAT'’S BEFORE THEY SOLVE EVEN ONE MATH PROBLEM.

BUT THEY IGNORE HUNGER PAINS, THEIR BLADDERS NEVER SEEM TO GET FILL UP WHEN IT'’S TIME TO CREATE A WISH LIST TO SEND TO THE NORTH POLE, WHICH INCLUDES AMAZON LINKS TO ALL THE EXPENSIVE DEVICES AND VIDEO GAMES THEY WANT FOR CHRISTMAS.

NOW, FOR SOME REASON, THIS IRKED MY NERVES, BECAUSE AS SWEET AND ADORABLE AS THEY ARE, MY BRUNDIDGE BABIES SEEM TO THINK THAT THE SEASON OF GIVING IS ALL ABOUT GIVING TO THEM.

BUT INSTEAD OF A LECTURE THAT I DID ONE BETTER.

I TAUGHT THEM A LESSON.

SO I SHOVED THEM IN THE 9-SEATER, AND WE TOOK A TRIP TO THE SUPER-TARGET IN WOODBURY.

WHERE I LET EACH OF THEM PICK OUT THEIR FAVORITE TOY.

NO LIMIT ON PRICE.

TO WHICH I WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED "“WORLD'’S GREATEST MOM.

"” WE GOT TO THE REGISTER AND PAID FOR THE TREATS.

BUT INSTEAD OF GOING BACK HOME TO PLAY WITH THE NEW TOYS, WE WALKED ACROSS THE PARKING LOT TO THE XFINITY STORE.

THE KIDS ASSUMED I WAS JUST THERE TO PAY THE CABLE BILL SO THEY COULD CONTINUE TO WATCH THEIR FAVORITE PBS KIDS SHOWS WITHOUT INTERRUPTION.

UNTIL WE PASSED UP THE COUNTER AND WENT TO THE BACK OF THE STORE, WHERE THERE WAS THIS GIANT BIN IN THE CORNER.

"“PUT YOUR TOYS IN THERE,"” I TOLD THEM.

THAT'S WHAT I TOLD THEM.

"“WE ARE MAKING A DONATION TO TOYS FOR TOTS, A PROGRAM THAT WORKS WITH SANTA TO MAKE SURE ALL KIDS HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS.

"” ONE OF MY BOYS WAS VERY SKEPTICAL ABOUT THIS WHOLE OPERATION AND WANTED A FURTHER EXPLANATION AS TO HOW SANTA WOULD EVEN KNOW THE TOYS WERE THERE.

THE FOLLOWING WEEK, WHEN WE TOOK OUR ANNUAL HOLIDAY PHOTO, MY KIDS ONLY HAD ONE QUESTION FOR THE JOLLY OLE'’ SAINT NICK, "“ARE YOU A COMCAST CUSTOMER?

"” ♪♪ >> CATHY: THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS HAS POSTPONED A PLANNED CLEARING OF A HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT IN THE EAST PHILLIPS NEIGHBORHOOD.

THE ENCAMPMENT HOUSES NATIVE AMERICAN OCCUPANTS.

THIS PAST WEEK, THERE WAS A FATAL SHOOTING AT THE ENCAMPMENT, AND ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT, CAMP ORGANIZERS AND SUPPORTERS MARCHED TO KEEP THE CAMP OPEN.

HERE WITH US NOW, KATELYN VUE.

SHE COVERS HOUSING FOR "THE SAHAN JOURNAL."

WELCOME TO "ALMANAC."

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Cathy: SO THIS HAS BEEN POSTPONED.

THIS HAS BEEN KIND OF A MOVING TARGET.

WHAT'S THE LATEST FROM THE CITY?

>> SO THIS FRIDAY AGAIN THEY ANNOUNCED AGAIN THAT THEY'RE GOING TO POSTPONE IT.

IT WAS SUPPOSED TO E DECEMBER 19TH.

BUT THEY POSTPONED IT AND THEY HAVE NOT SET A NEW DATE YET.

>> Eric: WHAT'S THE SUCCESS RATE OF FINDING ALTERNATIVE HOUSING FOR THESE FOLKS?

>> WELL, IT'S BEEN SLOWLY ONGOING.

THEY'VE ACTUALLY BEEN ABLE TO HOUSE NEARLY 80 PEOPLE OUT OF 180 THAT THEY HAVE.

BUT, YEAH, A LOT OF FOLKS HAVE BEEN INVOLVED.

CAMP ORGANIZERS, HOUSING ORGANIZATIONS AND THE CITY HAS BEEN PART OF THAT PROCESS.

>> Cathy: BUT AND THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR QUITE SOME TIME, RIGHT?

I MEAN, THIS ENCAMPMENTS BEEN THERE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS.

>> WELL, ACTUALLY, THIS ENCAMPMENT, IT STARTED IN AUGUST BECAUSE WHEN THEY CLEARED THE WALL OF FOR GOTTEN NATIVE WHICH IS NEAR HIAWATHA TOWERS AND ALONG HIGHWAY 55, A LOT OF THE ENCAMPMENTS WERE NATIVE AND THEY SETTLED NEAR THE PHILLIPS COMMUNITY CENTER.

>> Eric: WHAT MAKES THIS ENCAMPMENT DIFFERENT OR UNIQUE?

>> YEAH, SO I'VE BEEN THERE OF A FEW AT ANOTHER TIME OF TIMES AND THAT'S SORT OF THE COMMON THIRTEEN.

THE MESSAGE AROUND THIS CAMP IS IT'S DIFFERENT BECAUSE SINCE IT STARTED IN AUGUST, THEY WERE ABLE TO MAKE 15 YURTS OUT OF, LIKE, WOOD AND STRING AND ROPE.

AND THEY HAVE TWO MAJOR TENTS.

THAT LOOK LIKE ARMY TENTS.

AND THEY HAVE ONE THAT'S A KITCHEN AND THEN A HEALING SPACE.

AND THEY ALL HAVE, LIKE, WOOD BURNING STOAFS.

SO IT'S BEEN, YOU KNOW, ENOUGH WHERE THEY'VE BEEN ABLE TO KEEP ALL THESE PEOPLE BODILY WARM.

>> Cathy: OF >> Cathy: BUT IT'S NOT PERMANENT AND THE CITY SAYS, WHAT, THIS IS A PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERN AND SAFETY CONCERN?

>> YEAH, WHEN ASKING ABOUT THE REASONS WHY, THEY POINTED OUT THAT THEY HAVE ONGOING PUBLIC HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES.

JUST THE CITY HAS SENT ME A SPREADSHEET OF ABOUT 100 CALLS MADE TO THE MINNEAPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT AROUND CRIME THAT'S HAPPENED IN THE NEARBY VICINITY ALREADY.

>> Eric: WHAT ARE NEIGHBORS SAYING?

>> YEAH, SO I'VE MET SOME NEIGHBORS AND SOME OF THEM HAVE SORT OF MIXED FEELINGS ABOUT THIS ENCAMPMENT.

I MET NEIGHBORS WHO ACTUALLY FEEL SAFER WITH THIS CAMP AROUND.

SOME WHO HAVE ACTUALLY SHOWN UP TO VOLUNTEER.

AND SOME WHO ARE FEARFUL OF GETTING OUT OF THEIR HOUSE BECAUSE OF, YOU KNOW, BEING, YOU KNOW, A VICTIM OF CRIME.

>> Cathy: NOW, THE ACTIVISTS, DIDN'T THEY TRY TO -- THEY PLEADED WITH THE CITY COUNCIL.

AND THEY'VE DONE A LOT OF WORK AROUND THIS.

CLEARLY, I GUESS SOMEONE HEARD THEM.

BUT WHAT'S THE LONG-TERM ANSWER FOR THIS?

>> YEAH, I TALKED TO KRISTIN CRABTREE WHO'S A CAMP ORGANIZER.

SHE'S BEEN A ACTIVIST FOR A VERY, VERY LONG TIME.

AND SHE SAID SHE KNOWS, LIKE, THIS ISN'T GOING TO BE FOREVER.

THEY DON'T PLAN HAVE HAVING FOLKS STAY AT THIS ENCAMPMENT FOREVER.

THEY EVEN SAY LIVING OUTSIDE IS NOT IDEAL.

BUT THEY ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WHEN THEY CALL THE SHELTERS, THERE AREN'T ENOUGH BEDS AND THE CITY HAS TO ACTUALLY TRY TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

>> Eric: IF THIS IS WHAT PASSES FOR A HOMELESS PROGRAM IN MINNEAPOLIS?

ENCAMP ANTEMAZE, AND THEN LET THEM STAY AND THEN TEAR IT DOWN AND THEY MOVE SOMEWHERE ELSE?

>> YEAH, I MEAN, I THINK THAT'S SORT OF A COMMON THEME TOO.

IT'S A COMPLICATED ISSUE AND THE CITY HAS HAD TO POSTPONE IT TWICE BECAUSE THEY'RE STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THIS.

SO I'D SAY THAT, I MEAN, SINCE THERE'S NO NEW DATE, E'LL HAVE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> Cathy: ALL IGHT.

KATELYN, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR COMING OVER.

♪♪ >> ERIC: EVERY YEAR, THE MINNESOTA HOUSING AGENCY FUNDS A SELECT NUMBER OF DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO QUALITY AFFORDABLE HOUSING ACROSS THE STATE.

THIS YEAR, THE LEGISLATURE INCREASED THE AGENCY'S FUNDING TO MORE THAN A BILLION DOLLARS, AND EARLIER TODAY, THE PROJECT SELECTIONS FOR NEXT YEAR WERE ANNOUNCED.

HERE WITH MORE, HOUSING ^+ ^+ COMMISSIONER JENNIFER HO.

>> WE'VE ASSIGNED $350 MILLION TO PROJECTS TODAY.

>> Eric: I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO SAY, THIS IS A STATEWIDE DEAL.

>> BSOLUTELY.

EVERY SINGLE CORNER OF THE STATE NEEDS HOUSING AND WE'RE DOING ALL KINDS OF HOUSING.

AFFORDABLE RENTAL, AFFORDABLE HOME OWNERSHIP AND WE'RE IMPROVING MANUFACTURED HOME COMMUNITIES.

>> Cathy: DO YOU HAVE SENIOR HOUSING INVOLVED IN THIS TOO?

>> WE'VE GOT BABIES, SENIORS, EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN.

IT'S REALLY ABOUT THINKING ABOUT WHO IS IT THAT NEEDS GOVERNMENT ASSIST TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD THEIR HOME?

>> Eric: WHAT IS THE PRICE OF A STARTER HOME SAY IN THE METRO?

IS IT 250,000, $300,000.

>> I LWAYS LAUGH WHEN I STARTER HOME, IT IS A FOREVER HOME FOR THEM.

BUT I THINK THE PRICE OF GETTING INTO A NEW HOME, IT VARIES AROUND THE STATE.

BUT FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE IT'S JUST OUT OF REACH AND INTEREST RATES ARE HIGH.

HOME PRICES ARE RISING.

>> Eric: SO THIS 1.3 BILLION WOULD DO WHAT TO WORK ON THAT?

>> IT COVERS EVERYTHING FROM PREVENTING HOMELESSNESS TO HELPING PEOPLE BUY A NEW HOME.

WHAT WE DID TODAY IS REALLY THE ATTACHING FUNDING TO THOSE THINGS THAT ARE ABOUT PRODUCTION OR ABOUT PRESERVING AFFORDABLE HOUSING OUT THERE.

WE KNOW WE NEED MORE UNITS OF HOUSING THAT IS AFFORDABLE.

AND SO A BIG PART OF THIS IS HELPING PEOPLE REHAB HOMES AND RESELL THEM AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE.

IT'S ABOUT HELPING PEOPLE IN SOME OF THE MOST AFFORDABLE HOUSING, MANUFACTURED HOME COMMUNITIES, IMPROVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

BECAUSE THEY'VE GOT PROBLEMS WITH WATER, SEWER, ROADS, SIDEWALKS.

AND IT'S ABOUT CREATING AND PRESERVING RENTAL HOUSING - THAT'S REALLY AIMED TOWARDS WORKING MINNESOTANS WHO MAKE THE LEAST OR PEOPLE WHO ARE ON A FIXED INCOME.

>> Cathy: GIVE US AN IDEA OF SOME OF THE PROJECTS.

THERE WAS A NICE OUTLINE THERE, BUT MAYBE PICK A PROJECT SOMEWHERE IN GREATER MINNESOTA AND SOMEWHERE IN THE TWIN CITIES.

>> I'M EXCITED ABOUT EVERYTHING WE DO.

WE WERE IN GOLDEN VALEY THIS MORNING AND THAT'S HAD A GREAT PROGRAM, GOLDEN VALLEY REALLY HAS BEEN THINKING A LOT ABOUT WHAT IT NEEDS TO DO IN THE HOUSING FRONT.

AND THEY ACTUALLY HAD THE CITY, RIGHT, THE WRITE THE PROPOSAL TO US, AND THEN THAT'S GOING TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR SOME DEVELOPERS WHO MAYBE WEREN'T QUITE READY TO NAVIGATE A STATE PROCESS, TO BE ABLE TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

AND SO THAT'S GOING TO BE GREAT.

IT'S GOING TO BE A DUPLEXES, TOWN HOMES, THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO OWN A HOME IN THE GOLDEN VALLEY COMMUNITY.

WE'RE DOING SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROJECTS.

WHERE YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO HAVE A HISTORY OF HOMELESSNESS.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO MOVE INTO A UNIT.

WE'VE GOT A COUPLE OF THOSE GOING ON AROUND THE STATE.

WE'VE GOT DEVELOPMENTS THAT ARE TARGETED AT FAMILIES.

AND AGAIN, THE MANUFACTURED HOME COMMUNITIES, THOSE REALLY HIT GEOGRAPHY ALL OVER GREATER MINNESOTA.

AND THAT'S, AGAIN, THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THAT COMMUNITY LIVEABLE FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE THERE.

>> Cathy: KATELYN WAS JUST HERE OBVIOUSLY AND TALKING ABOUT THE SITUATION WITH THE ENCAMPMENT OF ATIVE AMERICANS AND I KNOW YOU'VE WORKED WITH THE HOMELESS.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO GET INTO FOOT WHEN YOUAFFORDABLE HOUSING WHEN YOU HEAR A SITUATION LIKE WHAT'S GOING ON IN MINNEAPOLIS?

>> I LOVE THAT KATELYN WAS TALKING ABOUT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT ARE STAYING IN THE ENCAMPMENT.

AND IF SOMEBODY'S GOT A RANGE OF PROBLEMS OR A LONG HISTORY OF HOMELESSNESS, YOU DON'T JUST PUT SOMEBODY IN AN APARTMENT AND HAND THEM THE KEY AND SAY GOOD LUCK.

I MEAN, WE'RE LOOKING FOR UNITS THAT ARE DEEPY SUBSIDIZED.

WHERE YOU HAVE A SOCIAL WORKER, WHO'S THERE TO HELP YOU, ONE, PREPARE TO MOVE IN, BUT IT ALSO GOING TO CHECK IN ON YOU AND HELP YOU CONNECT TO THE TYPES OF THINGS THAT YOU NEED TO MAKE THAT SUCCESSFUL.

WHAT WE KNOW AND WE'VE PROVEN IT HERE, WE'VE PROVEN IT ALL OVER THE COUNTRY IS THAT PEOPLE LIVING ON THE STREETS CAN SUCCEED IN HOUSING IF IT'S HOUSING ON THEIR TERMS.

THERE'S NOT A BUNCH OF RULES.

YOU FOLLOW BASIC RULES.

YOU PAY YOUR RENT ON TIME.

YOU KNOW, DON'T PUNCH HOLES IN THE WALL.

DON'T HURT YOUR NEIGHBORS.

IF YOU'RE A GOOD RESIDENT, YOU HAVE THE SUPPORT YOU NEED.

>> Eric: ARE THERE MECHANISMS TO CHART THAT THE MONEY IS BEING USED APPROPRIATELY.

>> WHEN WE INVEST IN HOUSING, YOU'RE A PARTNER WITH US FOR THE LONG HAUL, BECAUSE OFTENTIMES YOU'RE COMMITTING TO 30, 40, EVEN 50 YEARS OF AFFORDABILITY IN THAT UNIT.

SO, YEAH, I MEAN, THE TEAM THAT PUT THE ANNOUNCEMENTS OUT TODAY IS THE TEAM THAT SAY, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO FUND NEXT?

BUT I'VE GOT A WHOLE EXTENDED WARRANTY GROUP, OUR COMPLIANCE TEAM, THAT IS THERE WORKING WITH THESE PROJECTS TO MAKE SURE THAT IF THEY COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH PEOPLE WITH A CERTAIN INCOME, THEY'RE MAKING SURE THAT THE PROPERTY IS WELL KEPT, THEY'RE MAKING SURE THEY'RE PRONS RESPONSIVE.

SO A RELATIONSHIP WITH MINNESOTA HOUSING SIGNIFICANT LONG TERM ONE.

>> Cathy: I CAN JUST SEE AND I KNOW YOU'VE WORKED ON HIS FOR SO LONG.

BUT YOUR EYES LIGHT UP.

IT'S REALLY INTERESTING TALKING TO YOU ABOUT THIS.

>> I, YOU KNOW, I GET TO GO HOME EVERY NIGHT TO A PLACE WHERE I HAVE THE KEY.

AND I EAT WHEN I WANT, I SHOWER WHEN I NEED TO AND NOBODY TELLS ME WHAT TO DO AND I KNOW THAT THAT HOUSING STABILITY IS A PART OF WHAT LETS ME DO MY JOB.

AND SO THE OPPORTUNITY THAT TODAY WE'RE GOING TO INVEST IN 4,700 SOME ODD UNITS TO MAKE SURE HAT PEOPLE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THAT WHEN THEY GO HOME AT THE END OF THE DAY, I MEAN, WHAT COULD BE BETTER THAN THAT?

>> Eric: CONGRATULATIONS.

A GOOD DAY.

THANKS.

♪♪ >> CATHY: THE U.S. HOUSE HAS APPROVED AN IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY INTO PRESIDENT BIDEN.

THE U.S. SUPREME COURT WILL HEAR TWO BIG CASES COMING UP, ONE THAT COULD UNDO RIOT CHARGES RELATING TO JANUARY 6TH AND ONE THAT COULD FURTHER RESTRICT ABORTION ACCESS NATIONWIDE.

AND MINNESOTA CONGRESSMAN DEAN PHILLIPS HAS ANNOUNCED THAT HE WILL CONTINUE HIS PRESIDENTIAL RUN THROUGH THE SUMMER.

WE'VE GOT A LOT TO TACKLE WITH THIS WEEK'S GROUP OF POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSORS.

CINDY RUGELEY HEADS UP THE POLITICAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA DULUTH AND DROVE ALL THE WAY DOWN FROM DULUTH TO JOIN US TONIGHT.

LARRY JACOBS HEADS UP THE CENTER FOR POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE AT THE U OF M'S HUMPHREY SCHOOL.

AND WE WELCOME BACK DAN HOFRENNING, WHO TEACHES STUDENTS AT ST. OLAF COLLEGE DOWN IN NORTHFIELD.

GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

LARRY JACOBS, WHAT ARE THE RAMIFICATIONS OF THE $148 MILLION DAMAGE AWARD TO TWO FORMER GEORGIA ELECTION WORKERS WHO SUED RUDY JULIE EVERYONE YI FOR DEFAMATION OVER HIS 2020 LIES?

>> LYING PAYS.

I MEAN, HE'S GOING TO PAY A LOT OF MONEY AND I THINK FOR FOLKS WHO SAID WILL THERE BE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THE 2020 ELECTION, THIS IS ONE PART OF IT.

THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF FOLKS WHO HAVE BEEN INDICTED AND PROSECUTED AND MANY, MANY WHO HAVE PLED OUT GUILTY.

THIS IS THE LEGAL SYSTEM CHUGGING ALONG.

IT IS A POWERFUL MESSAGE TO REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS, THAT IF YOU BLATANTLY LIE, AND HURT FOLKS WHO ARE RUNNING OUR ELECTIONS, THOSE, YOU KNOW, REALLY HARD-WORKING, NONPARTISAN ENGINES OF OUR ELECTION SYSTEM, YOU'RE GOING TO BE TAKEN TO COURT AND YOU MAY WELL LOSE.

>> YEAH, THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE WORRIED ABOUT RISING AUTHORITARIANISM AND I THINK IT'S ONE STRIKE IN FAVOR OF THE RULE OF LAW.

>> Eric: PROFESSOR RUGELEY, I WANT TO MOVE TO THE HOUSE VOTE ON AN IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY.

NOW, THIS ISN'T A VOTE FOR IMPEACHMENT, CEPGHT?

>> >> YEAH, IT PRETTY MUCH JUST SAYS THERE'S SOMETHING THERE AND WE CAN LAUNCH AN INQUIRY THERE AND INVESTIGATE IT.

THEY CAN'T SAY WHAT THE THERE IS THERE.

BUT THAT'S PRETTY MUCH IT AND THAT HE CAN LAUNCH AN INVESTIGATION INTO T. A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD ARGUE THAT PERHAPS THIS ONE'S A BIT PREMAT YOUR.

MATURE.

BUT, YOU KNOW, THAT THERE'S JUST NOT MUCH JUSTIFICATION TO IT.

>> Eric: WHERE DOES HUNTER BIDEN FIT INTO ALL THIS?

>> HE'S -- WELL, THAT'S THE ARGUMENT THAT HE MADE MONEY OFF HIS FATHER'S VICE PRESIDENCY.

AND SOME OF THE OR ANOTHER, THAT JOE BIDEN BENEFITED FROM THAT.

AND SO THAT'S THE WAY I UNDERSTAND IT.

NOW, THERE'S NOT ANY EVIDENCE TO THAT.

AND I'M OVER ON THE SENATE SIDE, YOU KNOW, CHUCK GRASSLEY HAS PRETTY MUCH SAID I'VE LOOKED INTO THIS FOREVER AND HAVEN'T SEEN ANYTHING YET.

BUT IT'S JUST -- IT'S -- [ Laughter ] >> Eric: ARE WE SEEING A CHEEMENNING OF THE IMPEACHMENT PROCESS?

>> I THINK SO.

YOU MAY REMEMBER NANCY PELOSI WAS ALWAYS PUTTING HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE ABOUT IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS ABOUT TRUMP TROINL.

SHE SAW THE EVIDENCE.

SHE AGREED TO MOVE FORWARD.

BUT THERE WAS EVIDENCE.

THERE WAS SOMETHING DEMONTHS STRABL.

, THEY'VE BEEN LOOKING INTO JOE BIDEN AND THESE ALLEGED IMPEACHABLE OFFENSES NOW FOR MONTHS AND YEARS.

AND THEY HAVEN'T FOUND ANYTHING.

AND THIS WAS JUST, I THINK, A REALLY UNFORTUNATE CHEAPENING OF THE PROCESS.

>> AND SOMETIMES THE EVIDENCE IN PRIOR IMPEACHMENT TRIALS AS PRESIDENTS SPEAKING TO TAPE.

>> Eric: REPUBLICANS WOULD SAY THAT THE DEMOCRATS RAILROADED TRUMP INTO A PAIR OF IMPEACHMENTS.

>> THEY ABSOLUTELY WOULD, BUT I THINK AGAIN IT HAS TO GO BACK TO THE EVIDENCE.

AND, YOU KNOW, WHEN RICHARD NIXON WAS IMPEACHED, HE WAS SPEAKING ON TAPE.

AND THEY DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF SMOKING GUN HERE.

>> Cathy: CAN WE TALK ABOUT CONGRESSMAN DEAN PHILLIPS FOR JUST A MOMENT HERE.

HE SAYS HE'S GOING O MARCH ON EVEN TO THE CONVENTION THIS SUMMER.

AND I'M CURIOUS WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THAT, LARRY JACOBS.

>> I LIKE AND RESPECT DEAN PHILLIPS, BUT WHAT HE'S DOING IS QUICKLY BECOMING A NATIONAL JOKE.

THERE'S NO -- HE'S, LIKE, ON THE FLY, PUTTING TOGETHER, YOU KNOW, POLICY AGENDA.

AND THIS WAS A GUY WHO WOULD, I THINK, IN THE PAST WOULD HAVE MOCKED SOMEONE WHO HADN'T PUT IN THE TIME AND THOUGHT TO COME UP WITH SERIOUS PROPOSALS.

AND NOW HE'S, YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S A FRIVOLOUS CAMPAIGN AT THIS POINT.

>> Eric: AND YET, I READ IN CHARLIE COOK'S POLITICAL NEWSLETTER THIS WEEK, PROFESSOR RUGELEY AND HE OPENLY SAYS BIDEN MAY NOT MAKE IT TO THE FINISH LINE AND HE LISTED 28 POTENTIAL DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES.

SO IS PHILLIPS A CANARY IN THE COAL MINE LEER?

>> I DON'T THINK HE'S A CANARY IN THE COAL MINE.

I DO AGREE THAT THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE SAYING PERHAPS BIDEN'S NOT GOING TO MAKE IT AND THERE'S OTHER CANDIDATES.

I DON'T SEE HIM LISTS AMONGST THEMING.

I AGREE WITH LARRY.

IT'S ALMOST BECOME A JOKE.

BUT AGAIN I HINK THERE'S, YOU KNOW, I -- I'M BEGINNING TO WONDER IN THE BACK OF MY MIND IF WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE NEITHER OF THE TOP TWO OR BOTH OF TOP TWO.

>> Eric: YOU SEND STUDENTS TO NEW HAMPSHIRE EVERY YEAR.

>> YEP, WE'RE GOING AGAIN NEXT MONTH.

I THINK A FEW OF THEM ARE GOING TO WORK ON THE DEAN PHILLIPED CAMPAIGN.

THERE'S A WRIT IN BIDEN CAMPAIGN THAT IS HAPPENING.

COUPLE STUDENTS WORKING FOR DONALD TRUMP.

FOUR STUDENTS WORKING FOR NIKKI HALEY.

SO IT'S GOING TO BE A PRETTY INTERESTING PLACE.

>> Eric: PALESTINE AND ISRAEL.

>> Cathy: WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THAT, ALL OF YOU, ABOUT THIS TUSSLE BETWEEN ACADEMIC FREEDOM AND FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND HOW HARD IS IT TO BE ON CAMPUS NOW?

>> I WAS JUST TALKING ABOUT IT TODAY WITH A GROUP OF STUDENTS.

AND, YOU KNOW, THERE'S CERTAINLY ANGER AND BEREAVEMENT.

IT'S A ORRIFIC SITUATION, YOU KNOW, WHAT HAPPENED TO ISRAEL ON OCTOBER 7TH WAS BARBARIAN STYLE SLAUGHTER.

AND WHAT ISRAEL'S BEEN DOING IS, YOU KNOW, SOMETHING UNPRECEDENTED IN MANY, MPCA DECADES.

YOU KNOW, MAYBE UPBARDS OF 18,000 PEOPLE, CIVILIANS, MANY CIVILIANS KILLED.

AND SO I THINK THE BIG BATTLE ON CAMPUS IS, HOW DO YOU TALK ABOUT THAT?

AND THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO WANT TO CLOSE DOWN DISCUSSION.

IF YOU TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, USE THE WORD GENOCIDE, AND THEN ONE GROUP OF PEOPLE, THERE ARE PHRASES LIKE, YOU KNOW, FROM THE RIVER TO THE SEA, THAT HAVE REALLY POWERFUL TRIGGERING.

AND THE REALITY IS, THE FREE SPEECH LAW AND THE WAY IT'S BEEN PRACTICED ALLOWS YOU TO SAY THAT.

AS LONG AS YOU'RE NOT CROSSING KIND OF THE LINE SO THAT YOUR ACTIONS POSE A DIRECT THREAT TO PARTICULARLY INDIVIDUALS.

SO I THINK THIS IS VERY DIFFICULT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

I THINK THE SPEECH IS LARGELY PROTECTED DESPITE SOME MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WHO THINK OTHERWISE.

>> I THINK IT'S UNFORTUNATE TOO THAT SO MUCH OF THIS DEBATE ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES COMES IN THESE FREE SPEECH CATEGORIES AND I THINK IT WOULD E BETTER IN STIEWTIONZS OF HIGHER EDUCATION DID THINGS LIKE THEY DID DURING THE VIETNAM WAR.

THEY DID TEACH-INS.

WE HAVE A HISTORY DEPARTMENT, ETHICS DEPARTMENTS, PHILOSOPHY DEVELOPMENTS.

FOR EXAMPLE, IN PHILOSOPHY, THERE'S A JUST WAR TRADITION THAT ASKS THE QUESTION, WHEN IS A WAR JUST?

THAT WOULD BE A GREAT FRAMEWORK TO TAKE INTO A DISCUSSION ABOUT THE ISRAEL-PALESTINE WAR.

>> IT IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR THEM.

IT'S VERY, VERY DIFFICULT FOR STUDENTS TO DISCUSS IT.

IT'S PAINFUL.

AND MANY OF THEM, WE HAVE VERY DIVERSE STUDENT BODIES WHO, MANY OF THEM ARE NOT DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY IT BUT THEY DO KNOW PEOPLE WHO ARE.

AND SO, I MEAN, IT'S TOUGH.

AND I THINK THEY TRY TO BE RESPECTFUL OF EACH OTHER.

AND AGAIN, I MEAN, IF YOU'RE NOT THREATENING SOMEONE, I THINK IT'S GOOD, AND I THINK IT'S HEALTHY ND FOR MANY OF THEM, IT'S A LITTLE BIT CATHARTIC.

>> Eric: DECEMBER -- I'M SORRY.

, JANUARY 19TH, GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.COM.

WHAT'S GOING TO BE HAPPEN BETWEEN NOW AND THEN.

IN THE CONGRESS?

>> MAYBE NOT A WHOLE LOT.

I MEAN, RIGHT NOW IT LOOKS LIKE, YOU KNOW, THE HOUSE S NOT OVING IN A DIRECTION THEY NEED.

BUT THERE HAS BEEN SOME PRAGMATISM.

WE JUST A DEFENSE BILL OF SOME MAGNITUDE PASS.

THEN THERE WERE, YOU KNOW, I WOULD SAY THE REALISTS IN BOTH PARTIES KIND OF CUT A DEAL IN THE HOUSE WITH THE SENATE.

SO I HAVEN'T GIVEN UP HOPE.

>> Eric: BORDER FUNDING OR BORDER POLICY IN EXCHANGE FOR AID TO UKRAINE, IS THAT WHERE WE'RE AT ON THAT ONE?

>> IT'S AYBE ONE OF THOSE THINGS, IT WON'T GET DECIDED UNTIL THE VERY LAST MOMENT.

AND MAYBE A BIT OF PRAGMATISM, A BIT OF COMPROMISE WILL PREVAIL AND COMPROMISE SOMETIMES LOOKS UGLY TO BOTH SIDES.

IN A DISPUTE.

>> Cathy: WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE A QUICK COMMENT ABOUT THAT?

>> THAT SEEMS TO BE WHERE THE DISCUSSION IS IN THE SENATE NOW, WORKING OUT AND SEE IF THEY CAN -- >> I THINK WHAT'S REALLY INTERESTING HERE IS, THERE'S SO MANY DEMOCRATS IN BLUE AREAS WHO HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH UNDOCUMENTED OLKS, CHICAGO, AND NEW YORK AND ELSEWHERE.

THAT IT LOOKS LIKE THERE'S A BIT OF A SEA CHANGE IN THE DEMOCRATIC RANKS WHERE THEY'RE NOW WILLING TO TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, SOME REALLY SERIOUS BORDER POLICIES THAT WERE UNTHINKABLE, YOU KNOW, WHEN BIDEN WAS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT IN 2020.

>> Cathy: SO WILL IMMIGRATION BE THE TOP ISSUE YOU THINK IN THIS ELECTION?

>> WELL WELL, ABORTION WILL BE.

>> I THINK BIDEN WOULD RATHER IMMIGRATION NOT BE ON THE AGENDA.

AND I HAVE A HUNCH THAT HE WOULD BE FINE IF HE COULD CUT A DEAL WITH THE REPUBLICANS, EVEN IF IT ANGERS SOME OF THE DEMOCRATIC ALLIES OF THE IMMIGRATION GROUPS.

>> Cathy: YOU STILL SAY ABORTION?

>> I THINK ABORTION'S GOING TO BE A TOP ISSUE.

IMMIGRATION IS GOING TO BE A TOP ISSUE.

IT'S NOT GOING TO BE JUST ONE.

BUT I FOUND THAT ABORTION SEEMS TO HAVE JUST TREMENDOUS LEGS, EVEN HERE WHERE THEY'VE DEALT WITH IT.

IT JUST REALLY DOES.

AND I MEAN, THE SUPREME COURT TAKING P THE -- WHICH WAS REQUESTED BY THE BIDEN - ADMINISTRATION, TAKING THAT UP IS ALSO GOING TO REIGNITE.

>> Eric: I HEAR THE BELL.

CLASS DISMISSED.

THANKS, PROFESSORS.

♪♪ >> THIS IS ABOUT EVERY INDIVIDUAL MINNESOTAN'S RIGHT TO VOTE, RIGHT TO HAVE THEIR BALLOT TREATED WITH RESPECT.

>> I DON'T THINK WE CAN ARE SHOULD TELL THE LOCAL ELECTION OFFICIALS WHAT TO DO.

I THINK WE CAN TELL THEM WHAT WAY WE'RE EANING, WHAT WE THINK MAKES SENSE, BUT WE'RE NOT IN THE BUSINESS OF DIRECTING THEM HOW TO DO THINGS.

♪♪ >> ERIC: REGULAR VIEWERS MAY HAVE NOTED WE'VE PLAYED A LOT OF ARCHIVAL CLIPS FROM THE COLEMAN-FRANKEN U.S. SENATE RACE RECENTLY.

WHEN THAT CANVASSING BOARD MET IN DECEMBER OF 2008, IT WOULD BE NEARLY SEVEN MORE MONTHS BEFORE AL FRANKEN WAS FINALLY DECLARED THE WINNER.

SO WE MAY SHARE MORE FUN FOOTAGE IN THE COMING MONTHS.

THERE'S YOUR WARNING.

OKAY, TIME FOR THE HISTORY PORTION OF THE SHOW.

OUR QUESTION FOR YOU INVOLVES A ONE-TIME MINNESOTAN, NOT SEEN HERE.

HE OR SHE MADE THEIR FAME AND FORTUNE AFTER LEAVING MINNEAPOLIS AND HEADING TO THE WEST COAST.

THIS WASHBURN HIGH SCHOOL GRAD CREDITS A GRANDPARENT FOR TEACHING THEM BASICS OF THEIR PROFESSION AT A YOUNG AGE.

THIS PERSON SPENT 35 YEARS CREATING SOMETHING THAT WAS UBIQUITOUS IN CHILDHOOD HOMES ACROSS AMERICA, BECOMING A COLLECTORS'’ ITEM FOR MANY.

WHO IS THIS FAMOUS "CREATOR" WITH MINNESOTA ROOTS?

EXTRA CREDIT IF YOU CAN TELL US WHAT THEY CREATED THAT HAS RECENTLY SEEN A RESURGENCE IN POPULARITY.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU WHETHER YOU ARE CALLING FROM HAT LAKE, STOCKING LAKE, OR GUNNY SACK LAKE IN BEAUTIFUL ITASCA COUNTY.

651-229-1430 IS THE HANDY NUMBER TO OUR VOICEMAIL SYSTEM.

KEEP IT BY YOUR BEDSTAND IN CASE THE RIGHT ANSWER COMES TO YOU IN A DREAM.

YOU CAN ALWAYS DROP US A NOTE.

ALMANAC@TPT.ORG IS OUR EMAIL INBOX.

MAYBE YOU HAVE ONE OR MORE OF THESE COLLECTORS'’ ITEMS IN YOUR HOME.

SEND US A PHOTO, AND WE JUST MIGHT PUT IT ON THE AIR.

BEFORE WE GET TO OUR SHOW-ENDING MUSIC TONIGHT, WE HAVE A FEW HOUSEKEEPING DETAILS FOR YOU AND A SPECIAL GOOD-BYE.

THIS WAS OUR LAST LIVE PROGRAM OF THE YEAR.

TUNE IN NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT FOR A SPECIAL HOLIDAY EDITION OF "ALMANAC."

CATHY AND I AND THE REST OF THE "ALMANAC" STAFF WILL SHARE SOME OF OUR FAVORITE SEGMENTS FROM 2023.

AND THE FOLLOWING WEEK, WE WILL BE RESTING UP AND GETTING READY FOR THE NEW YEAR, SO NO "ALMANAC" FOR YOU TWO WEEKS FROM TONIGHT.

WE'LL BE BACK LIVE IN EARLY JANUARY.

SPECIAL TUNE-IN NOTE FOR VIEWERS IN THE NORTHLAND TONIGHT.

COMING UP IN JUST A FEW MINUTES AT 8:00 P.M., "ALMANAC NORTH" WILL AIR A SPECIAL HOUR-LONG PROGRAM TO SAY GOOD-BYE AND HONOR TWO LONG-TIME EMPLOYEES WHO ARE RETIRING.

LONG-TIME CO-HOST JULIE ZENNER WILL BE ON THE SET FOR THE LAST TIME TONIGHT.

AND THE SHOW'S ORIGINAL PRODUCER, GREG GRELL, IS ALSO RETIRING.

THE "PBS NORTH" PROGRAM WILL TAKE A LONGER HOLIDAY HIATUS THAN NORMAL AS THEY CREATE A NEW SET, WELCOME A NEW CO-HOST TO JOIN DENNY ANDERSON, AND A NEW PRODUCER COMES ON BOARD.

CONGRATULATIONS TO BOTH OF OUR COLLEAGUES FROM THE NORTHLAND ON THEIR LONG CAREERS.

TERRIFIC WORK BY BOTH OF THEM.

WE HAVE JUST ENOUGH TIME FOR SOME SHOW-ENDING MUSIC FOR YOU.

ST. THOMAS MUSICIANS AND VOCALISTS RETURNED TO ORCHESTRA HALL EARLIER THIS MONTH TO PERFORM "ST. THOMAS CHRISTMAS: REFLECTIONS OF GRATITUDE."

THE TELEVISION PREMIERE OF THE HOUR-LONG CONCERT IS NEXT MONDAY AT 8:00 P.M. ON TPT-2.

TUNE IN OR HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE, TPT.ORG, TO FIND OTHER VIEWING OPTIONS.

HERE'S A SELECTION FROM THE CONCERT, A TRADITIONAL CAROL.

SING ALONG AT HOME IF THE SPIRIT MOVES YOU.

HERE'S "JOY TO THE WORLD."

HAPPY HOLIDAYS.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT YEAR.

BE CAREFUL.

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ >> ♪ JOY TO THE WORLD ♪ ♪ THE LORD IS COME ♪ ♪ LET EARTH RECEIVE HER KING ♪ ♪ LET EVERY HEART ♪ ♪ PREPARE HIM ROOM ♪ ♪ AND HEAVEN AND NATURE SING ♪ ♪ AND HEAVEN AND NATURE SING ♪ ♪ AND HEAVEN, AND HEAVEN ♪ ♪ AND NATURE SING ♪ ♪♪ ♪ JOY TO THE WORLD ♪ ♪ THE SAVIOR REIGNS ♪ ♪ LET ALL THEIR SONGS EMPLOY ♪ ♪ WHILE FIELDS AND FLOODS ♪ ♪ ROCKS, HILLS, AND PLAINS ♪ ♪ REPEAT THE SOUNDING JOY ♪ ♪ REPEAT THE SOUNDING JOY ♪ ♪ REPEAT, REPEAT ♪ ♪ THE SOUNDING JOY ♪ Captioning by: Paradigm Reporting & Captioning www.paradigmreporting.com >> "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.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

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