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

>> Cathy: COMING UP ON "ALMANAC," THE LEGISLATURE HAS ADJOURNED.

WE'LL TALK NATIONAL POLITICS WITH ANGELA GREILING KEANE, PAUL DOUGLAS IS HERE WITH SOME SEVERE WEATHER TIPS, KEVIN KLING HAS AN ESSAY FOR US.

AND MARY LAHAMMER TAKES A LOOK AT THE INTERSECTION OF POLITICS AND FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS.

>> WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT THE END OF SESSION THROUGH THE EYES OF THE DAUGHTER OF THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, AND THEIR COMPLICATED, BUT CLOSE RELATIONSHIP.

>> I'M IMMENSELY PROUD OF HER DESPITE US REALLY FALLING ON DIFFERENT SIDES OF THE AISLE.

>> 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 1.7 MILLION PEOPLE THROUGH ITS MEMBER-OWNER COOPERATIVES AND CUSTOMERS.

DELTA DENTAL OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION: IMPROVING ORAL HEALTH AND HELPING COMMUNITIES THRIVE.

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

AND VANESSA DAYTON, THROUGH THE HEALTHCARE FOR ALL MINNESOTANS FUND, SUPPORTING ACCESSIBLE HEALTHCARE FOR MINNESOTANS STATEWIDE.

>> Cathy: WELCOME TO OUR HOLIDAY WEEKEND EDITION OF "ALMANAC."

WE HAVE A VERY FULL SHOW FOR YOU TONIGHT.

KEVIN KLING HAS AN ESSAY FOR US.

PAUL DOUGLAS WILL TEST OUR KNOWLEDGE OF SEVERE WEATHER.

AND THERE WILL BE PLENTY OF POST-SESSION POLITICS.

>> Eric: WE START TONIGHT WITH NATIONAL POLITICS.

PRIMARY RESULTS THIS WEEK SHOWED PRESIDENT TRUMP'S INFLUENCE IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY REMAINS STRONG AS SOME INCUMBENT CANDIDATES LOST TO TRUMP CANDIDATES.

THE DNC REPORT ON WHAT WENT WRONG FOR DEMOCRATS IN THE 2024 ELECTION CAME OUT, AFTER DELAYS BY CHAIR KEN MARTIN.

AND OF COURSE THERE IS STILL A WAR GOING ON IN IRAN.

ANGELA GREILING KEANE IS THE SENIOR EDITOR FOR POLITICS AT CNBC.

ANGELA, THE PRESIDENT'S RECORD IN ANOINTING PRIMARY CANDIDATES IS GOOD AND YET THERE APPEARED TO BE SOME, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY, DEFECTIONS AMONG REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS?

>> IT WAS REALLY A MIXED WEEK THIS WEEK FOR THE PRESIDENT.

HE ABSOLUTELY EMERGED VICTORIOUS IN THE TWO PRIMARY CONTESTS.

WE HAD SENATOR BILL CASSIDY OF LOUISIANA GO DOWN AND HIS REPUBLICAN PRIMARY LAST WEEKEND.

AND THEN CONGRESSMAN THOMAS MASSIE A COUPLE DAYS LATER IN HIS PRIMARY.

BOTH OF THEM LOST TO TRUMP ENDORSE CANDIDATES.

AND CONSIDERED TO BE -- OPPONENTS FOR DIFFERENT REASONS BUT HE REALLY TARGETED THOSE INCUMBENTS AND PROPPED UP AND SUPPORTED AND ENDORSED THEIR CHALLENGERS.

-- FOR THE PRESIDENT.

IN CONGRESS INDEED IT WAS A DIFFERENT STORY.

THERE WAS A VOTE ON A WAR POWERS RESOLUTION WHICH HAS BEEN TAKEN A NUMBER OF TIMES -- ON THE IRAN WAR STARTED.

THIS TIME, MUCH, THE SENATE DID APPROVE -- THAT HAPPENED BECAUSE FOR THAT VOTE.

SO THAT WAS A LOSS FOR THE PRESIDENT.

AND THE HOUSE LEFT TOWN INSTEAD OF TAKING A VOTE ON THAT SAME WAR POWERS RESOLUTION.

>> Cathy: SO ANGELA, GIVE US AN IDEA HERE IN TERMS OF THE HOLD THAT THE PRESIDENT STILL HAS ON THE CAUCUS.

AND THE PARTY IN GENERAL.

>> THE PRESIDENT'S SUPPORT WITHIN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS STRONG.

PARTICULARLY WITHIN THE MAGA BASE.

THERE'S LITTLE CHANGE IN HIS SUPPORT AMONG HIS MOST ARDENT VOTERS.

THE DIFFERENCE IS HIS OVERALL APPROVAL RATINGS.

THOSE ARE DOWN.

THERE WAS A "NEW YORK TIMES" ARTICLE RECENTLY THAT HAD HIM RECENTLY AT A 37% APPROVAL RATING OVERALL AND A UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN STUDY THAT WAS JUST RELEASED THIS WEEK SHOWS 77% DISAPPROVAL FOR HIM AS PRESIDENT IN HANDLING THE ECONOMY.

SO THOSE INDICATORS ARE NOT SO GOOD FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP BUT HIS SUPPORT WITHIN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS PRETTY SOLID.

>> Eric: ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE THIS AUTOPSY FROM 2024 WAS RELEASED.

IT LOOKED LIKE KIND OF AMATEUR HOUR TO ME AND CONCLUSION WAS DEMOCRATS NEED TO PAY ATTENTION TO VOTERS IN THE SOUTH AND MIDDLE AMERICA.

WE ALL COULD HAVE OME UP WITH THAT IN ABOUT TEN MINUTES.

>> RIGHT, IN A MULTI-YEAR STUDY TO COME UP WITH THOSE CONCLUSIONS, LIKE I SAID YOU SAID WHEN YOU LOOKED AT THE REPORT, WE DID SPEND SOME TIME WITH IT ONLINE YESTERDAY, IT WAS OF COURSE VIRTUAL BUT IF YOU IMAGINE A PAPER THAT WAS FILLED WITH RED INK, IT WAS LITERALLY ANNOTATED WITH RED WHEN YOU OPENED THE FILE AND PARTY CHAIR KEN MARTIN, A MINNESOTAN OF COURSE, ISSUED AT THE SAME TIME AS THE REPORT HE PUT OUT A SUBSTACK POST SAYING HE WAS RELEASING THE REPORT BECAUSE HE FELT COMPELLED TO DO SO AND THERE HAD BEEN A LOT OF PRESSURE FROM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY TO UNVEIL THE FINDINGS.

BUT HE WAS RELEASING IT NOT BECAUSE HE THOUGHT IT WAS COMPLETE OR A GOOD OR USEFUL REPORT, HE WAS RELEASING IT BECAUSE HE FELT LIKE HE SHOULD.

SO HE NOTED IN THAT POST -- AND AMONG THE THINGS THAT WERE LACK WERE AN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND A CONCLUSION.

SO THERE WERE SOME PRETTY BIG PARTS THAT YOU WOULD EXPECT TO SEE IN A REPORT OF THAT LENGTH AND MAGNITUDE THAT WERE JUST NOT THERE.

>> Cathy: HOW -- THIN IS THE ICE IF IT IS THIN, HOW THIN IS THE ICE THAT CHAIR MARTIN MIGHT BE SITTING ON AT THIS POINT?

>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'VE SEEN REPORTED THIS WEEK, WELL, A DAY SINCE THAT REPORT WAS RELEASED IS THAT CHAIRMAN MARTIN RELEASED THAT REPORT IN PART BY RETAINING THE POST.

AND BY DOING SO HE WAS ABLE TO QUELL THE CRITICS THAT THOUGHT HE WAS HIDING A SCATHING REPORT OR SOMETHING THAT WAS IN ANY WAY WORSE, SO IT WAS AN INCOMPLETE REPORT BUT IT WASN'T A REPORT THAT HE WASN'T RELEASING BECAUSE OF SOME FINDINGS THAT WERE, YOU KNOW, TERRIBLY SURPRISING.

>> Eric: NEW FED CHAIR.

WHAT CHALLENGES DOES HE FACE?

>> NEW FED CHAIR KEVIN WORSH WAS SWORN IN TODAY IN THE WHITE HOUSE EAST ROOM WITH GREAT FANFARE.

FACES A NUMBER OF CHALLENGES, ONE OF THEM IS PRESSURE FROM THE PRESIDENT TO LOWER INTEREST RATES.

DURING THE CEREMONY TODAY PRESIDENT TRUMP SAID THAT HE EXPECTED THE FED TO BE INDEPENDENT, THAT'S IN FACT THE WAY THE FED TRADITIONALLY IS.

BUT THERE'S BEEN CONCERN WITH KEVIN WHOSH BEING PICKED IN IS THAT HE'S GOING TO BE PRESSURED BY TRUMP TO LOWER INTEREST RATES BECAUSE THAT'S SOMETHING TRUMP HAS MADE VERY, VERY CLEAR THAT HE WANTS.

THAT WOULD BE A CHALLENGE TO FULLY BE INDEPENDENT.

>> Eric: ANGELA, THANK RAISE LOT FOR JOINING US.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Eric: YOU BET.

WE'RE GOING TO TURN OUR ATTENTION TO MINNESOTA POLITICS.

THE 2026 LEGISLATIVE SESSION CAME TO A CLOSE WITH RETIREMENTS.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT THE CAPITOL MARY LAHAMMER SPOKE WITH GOVERNOR WALZ AS PART OF HIS FINAL SESSION AS GOVERNOR.

HERE'S PART OF THAT CONVERSATION.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> YOU HAVE THE FIRST TIME IN MINNESOTA HISTORY SOMEONE WHO SERVED ON DISTRICT COURT, COURT OF APPEALS AND THE SUPREME COURT AS WELL AS A PUBLIC DEFENDER.

>> FIRST PUBLIC DEFENDER, THAT'S HISTORIC.

>> YES, AND I THINK YOU HAVE DIVERSITY IN THAT.

WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE EX-NETS CORPORATE LAW.

>> AND NONPARTISAN, THIS COURT -- DIDN'T ALWAYS RULE IN YOUR FAVOR -- >> NO, BUT I HOPE YOU SAW, THE ONE EXCEPTION AROUND SOME OF THESE -- CAME BACK UP AGAIN THIS WEEK.

BUT WHEN THEY MADE THESE -- RESPONSIBILITY OF US TO -- THAT I RESPECT IT AND WE I'M GOING TO >> THE FAMILY'S BEEN THROUGH A LOT, I BET THEY'RE HAPPY TO HAVE YOU BACK.

IT'S BEEN TOUGH, HASN'T IT >> YEAH, BUT IT'S AN HONOR TO GIVE AND THE ONE THING I'VE LEARNED, PRIVATE SECTOR, BUSINESS COMMUNITY, NON-PROFITS THERE'S A LOT OF WAYS O SERVE.

AND I THINK THESE JOBS DO HAVE A SHELF LIFE TO IT AND I DON'T THINK IT'S A BAD IDEA TO SWITCH THINGS UP.

I'M AT PEACE WITH THIS DECISION AS YOU SAID I THINK LIKE I SAID DOWN HERE WHEN I SAID IT WAS MY LAST SPEECH THERE WAS SOME PEOPLE CHEERING ON THAT.

BUT I THINK THE IMPACT WE MADE ARE GOOD AND WE DIDN'T FIX IT ALL AND DIDN'T GET IT ALL RIGHT BUT WE DID IT I THINK IN THE RIGHT SPIRIT.

>> THANK YOU, OVERNOR.

>> THANKS, MARY.

GRATEFUL.

>> APPRECIATE IT.

♪ >> Cathy: IN ADDITION TO COMPLETING HIS FINAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION THIS WEEK GOVERNOR WALZ TRAVELED TO THE STEWART TRAIL WILD FIRE SITE ALONG THE NORTH SHORE OF LAKE SUPERIOR.

THE FIRE IS NOW 100% CONTAINED.

BUT NOT BEFORE -- IT CLOSED BUT NOT BEFORE IT CLOSED HWY 61 BETWEEN TWO HARBORS AND SILVER BAY FOR FOUR DAYS.

THE FIRE DESTROYED MORE THAN THIRTY STRUCTURES, INCLUDING EIGHT HOMES AND CABINS.

CHUCK OLSEN WORKS FOR WTPI RADIO IN GRAND MARAIS.

HE ALSO HELPED MPR NEWS THIS WEEK WITH OUR COVERAGE.

ALWAYS GAD TO SEE YOU.

>> YEAH, IT WAS -- >> Cathy: GOSH, HIGHWAY 61 IN THE NORTH SHORE OF LAKE SUPERIOR, BELOVED.

PEOPLE WERE SHOCKED THE FIRE CAME SO CLOSE TO BETTY'S PIES ON THE NORTH SHORE.

CAN YOU GIVE US A SENSE TO HOW MUCH THE SHORE HAS CHANGED BECAUSE OF THIS FIRE?

>> YEAH.

NOW THAT IT'S REOPENED, IF YOU DRIVE THROUGH THAT CORRIDOR WHICH A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE BECAUSE THEY'RE COMING UP FOR MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, BASICALLY BETWEEN BETTY'S PIES AND THE SILVER CREEK TUNNEL IT JUMPED TO THE LAKE SIDE OF HIGHWAY 61, WHICH I THINK MAYBE SURPRISED A LOT OF PEOPLE BECAUSE TYPICALLY WE THINK OF WILDFIRES HAPPENING MORE INLAND.

BUT YOU WILL SEE DESTROYED HOUSES, YOU KNOW, KIND OF CHIMNEYS STANDING IN RUBBLE, BURNED OUT VEHICLES, OF COURSE A LOT OF TREES BURNED OUT.

IT'S NOT, YOU KNOW, 100% BECAUSE THE FIRE KIND OF JUMPS AROUND.

SO, YOU KNOW, A CHIMNEY NEXT TO A HOUSE THAT WAS RELATIVELY UNSCATHED.

YOU KNOW, THAT MAYBE THEY WERE ABLE TO PROTECT.

SO BUT, YEAH, IT'S KIND OF A, IT'S DEFINITELY BEEN A LITTLE BIT SHOCKING TO SEE.

>> YOU KNOW YOU KNOW, I'M WONDERING HERE, CHUCK, WE'RE GOING TO SEE SOME PHOTOGRAPHS BECAUSE YOU MENTIONED SOME OF THE DAMAGE THAT WAS DONE AND SOME OF THE DISCUSSION SO AS WE TALK WE'LL JUST ROLL SOME OF YOUR PHOTOS OVER WHAT -- THAT'S A GOOD EXAMPLE OF WHAT WE'RE SEEING, ONE OF YOUR PHOTOS RIGHT NOW, CHUCK OF A VIEW.

TELL US HOW DIFFICULT WERE CONDITIONS AS A PERSON COVERING THE STORY?

WERE YOU ALLOWED TO GET PRETTY CLOSE?

IT LOOKS LIKE YOU WERE PRETTY CLOSE HERE.

>> SO, YEAH, THESE ARE PHOTOS OF THE AFTERMATH, AND THIS WAS A, A POLICE ESCORTED ME A TOUR OF HIGHWAY 61 THAT I DID MONDAY.

AND THE FIRE WAS LARGELY CONTAINED AT THAT POINT.

OVER THE WEEKEND IT WAS DIFFICULT FOR ME TO GET CLOSE TO THE FIRE.

IT WAS SO WINDY THAT IT WAS DEEMED TOO DANGEROUS TO BRING MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA KIND OF CLOSE THE TO ACTION.

I WAS ABLE TO GET A LITTLE BIT CLOSE, LIKE COUNTY HIGHWAY 3 WHERE IT MEETS UP WITH HIGHWAY 61, SOME DEPUTIES KIND OF REFERRED ME TO THAT AREA AND I WAS ABLE TO GET SOME PHOTOS AND A LITTLE BIT OF VIDEO.

WELL, THERE IT IS, THAT'S THE AREA.

AND THAT WAS ACTUALLY STILL SMOLDERING.

SO, AND IN FACT THE NEXT DAY IT DID KIND OF RETURN AND JUMP ACROST HIGHWAY 3 AND SPREAD A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE THE WINDS HAD SHIFTED.

SO, YEAH, IT WAS DEFINITELY WITH, THE HIGH WINDS I THINK THEY DIDN'T WANT FOLKS THAT WEREN'T, YOU KNOW, FULLY TRAINED AND PROTECTED LIKE THE FIREFIGHTERS TO BE IN DANGER.

>> Eric: I THINK YOU POINTED OUT THIS WEEK THAT THIS IS PART OF THE NATURAL CYCLE OF WOODLANDS, REALLY.

>> YES.

I MEAN, IT'S OBVIOUSLY VERY TRAGIC FOR FOLKS THAT LOST HOMES AND YOU CAN IMAGINE A LOT OF US UP HERE ARE SUPPOSED TO HAVE A GO BAG READY WITH YOUR TOOTHBRUSH AND A CHANGE OF CLOTHES AND IRREPLACEABLES OR SOMETHING THAT YOUR CHILD MAYBE DREW, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

BUT FROM AN ECOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE, THE BOREAL FOREST IS A FIRE-DEPENDENT SYSTEM AND FIRE IS KIND OF A REGENERATIVE AND NATURAL PART OF THAT ECOSYSTEM.

I'LL JUST GIVE YOU ONE QUICK EXAMPLE.

BLACK SPRUCE TREES ACTUALLY NEED THE INTENSE HEAT OF WILDFIRE FOR THEIR CONES TO RELEASE -- WHICH IS VERY KIND OF FERTILE RICH GROUND FOR THEM TO SPROUT.

WILD BLUEBERRIES ALSO WILL THRIVE AFTER A FIRE AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO IT IS KIND OF A NATURAL PART OF THE ECOSYSTEM, BUT, YOU KNOW, HUMANS ARE LIVING HERE IN THIS FOREST TOO, SO IT'S KIND OF A LINE THAT WE HAVE TO WALK.

>> Cathy: REAL QUICK HERE ABOUT 30 SECONDS LEFT, I KNOW YOU TALKED TO SOME EVACUEES HERE, CHUCK, DID THEY SAY, I KNOW IT'S A VERY TRAUMATIC EVENT.

WILL FOLKS REBUILD, DID THEY SAY S TO WHETHER THEY'RE COMING BACK TO THE SHORE?

>> I WASN'T ABLE TO TALK TO ANYONE WHO ACTUALLY LOST A HOME.

I TALKED TO AN OLDER COUPLE WHO EVACUATED, KIND OF SHOCKED BY THE WHOLE THING BUT ORTUNATELY THEY DIDN'T LOSE THEIR HOME.

YEAH, I WAS NOT ABLE TO TALK TO FOLKS WHO ACTUALLY DID LOSE THEIR HOME.

BUT I HOPE THEIR INSURANCE COVERS IT AND THEY'RE ABLE TO REBUILD.

BECAUSE, YEAH, IF YOU DRIVE THROUGH IT, YOU'LL SEE THAT DEVASTATION AND I'M SURE SOME FAMILIES WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO CONTINUE LIVING IN TWO HARBORS, SO WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> Cathy: WELL, CHUCK OLESSEN, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR WORK, GREAT WORK AT WTIP IN GRAND MARAIS.

>> YEAH, THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

♪ >> Kevin: THIS PAST SUNDAY I GOT TO PERFORM WITH THE AMAZING METROPOLITAN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, AND I’M AGAIN FEELING ESPECIALLY GRATEFUL FOR THE ASTONISHING MUSICAL OFFERINGS IN OUR STATE.

AWHILE BACK I ATTENDED A REHEARSAL OF THE GIVING VOICES FOR MUSIC.

THE CHOIR IS COMPOSED OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH VARIOUS STAGES OF DEMENTIA, WHO ARE JOINED BY A SPOUSE, A FRIEND, A SIBLING.

THE MUSIC PROVIDES NOT ONLY A SENSE OF WELL-BEING, BUT SOMETIMES THE ADDED GIFT OF REKINDLING MEMORY.

ONE WOMAN TOLD ME, “EVERY TUESDAY I HAVE MY HUSBAND BACK FOR TWO HOURS.” AS I WATCH THE REHEARSAL, I AM REMINDED OF THE NORSE GOD ODIN.

HE HAD TWO RAVENS, ONE PERCHED ON EACH SHOULDER, ONE CALLED THOUGHT AND THE OTHER MEMORY.

AND WHENEVER MEMORY FLEW OFF, ODIN WORRIED IT WOULD NEVER RETURN.

I THINK OF HOW MUSIC SPANS DISTANCE AND TIME.

THE BUSHMEN OF THE KALAHARI GO OUT AT NIGHT AND DO NOT LOOK AT THE STARS, THEY LISTEN TO THE STARS, LISTEN TO THE SONGS OF THEIR ANCESTORS.

PYTHAGORAS, THE GREEK MATHEMATICIAN, BELIEVED IN THE MUSIC OF THE SPHERES: THAT THE PLANETS, THE TREES, THE ROCKS, THE WATER ALL HELD MUSIC.

WHEN WE SING OUR SONG, WE ARE IN HARMONY WITH OUR WORLD.

THE ANCIENT GREEKS BELIEVED SPIRIT LIVED ON THE BREATH; TO PRAY WAS TO SING.

EVERY PRAYER WAS SUNG ALOUD AND BEGAN WITH THE WORDS I SING, OFFERING, SPIRIT, TO THE GODS.

THE IRISH CALLED HARP PLAYERS HEDGE PRIESTS, BECAUSE LIKE HEDGES THEY BROUGHT TWO WORLDS TOGETHER.

MUSIC CONNECTS US TO EACH OTHER, TO OURSELVES, TO THE COSMOS.

THE STARS ABOVE HOUSE THE SONGS OF THE ANCESTORS.

AS INNER CONSTELLATIONS MAP OUR DESTINIES.

HEROES USHER US THROUGH THRESHOLDS.

DREAMS ARE WOVEN INTO CONSCIOUSNESS.

AND THIS GARDEN THAT PROVIDES FOR US IS ALIVE WITH RELATIVES.

ORACLES ARE EVERYWHERE, WAITING TO BE RECOGNIZED.

IT IS A WORLD OF COMMUNAL LOVE, AND GRIEF, CARE, AND AS WE DANCE OUR BRIEF DANCE ON THIS CLAY AND BEFORE IT RECLAIMS US.

WE SING.

WE SING OURSELVES INTO EXISTENCE.

AT MACPHAIL, AS THE SONGS FILLS THE ROOM, FACES BEAM, AND TOGETHER WE WITNESS RAVEN AFTER RAVEN OF MEMORY RETURNING TO THE CONCERT HALL.

♪ >> Eric: MINNESOTA FARMERS SPEND ABOUT A BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR FOR NITROGEN-BASED FIRST FERTILIZER.

BUT GLOBAL POLITICS AND SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES ARE INCREASING COSTS.

SOME HOPE TO STABILIZE THE MARKET WITH FERTILIZER MADE HERE I MINNESOTA USING RENEWABLE ENERGY.

REPORTER KAOMI LEE WENT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS INNOVATION THAT A FARMER’S COOPERATIVE IS TRYING TO GET TRYING TO GET *INTO TRYING TO GET *INTO* THE GROUND.

>> CANINE COMPANIONS WILL -- EFFICIENT, WORKING MACHINERY, AND A SUCCESSFUL CORN AND SOYBEAN PLANTING SEASON.

>> -- MYSELF I AM THE -- >> FARMERSLIKE KALIS DON'T LIKE UNPREDICTABLE COSTS.

>> FERTILIZER PRICES ARE DEFINITELY ELEVATED.

>> -- COULD COME FROM LOCAL WIND POWER.

>> WE'RE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA WEST CENTRAL RESEARCH AND OUTREACH CENTER NEAR MORRIS.

>> RESEARCHERS WORKING ON NITROGEN -- FERTILIZER.

>> KIND OF AN IDEAL MODEL WHERE WE CAN -- [ NO AUDIO ] WE CAN HAVE WIND AND SOLAR -- >> TODAY FARMERS USE ANHYDROUS AMMONIA TO PROVIDE NECESSARY NUTRIENTS TO GROW CROPS LIKE CORN AND SOYBEANS.

DEVELOPED BY -- IN THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY, MICHAEL REESE SAYS IT'S ONE OF THE TOP FIVE INNOVATIONS IN THE -- >> THE PROCESS, THE RODNEY DANGERFIELD OF INNOVATION, IT DOESN'T SEEM TO GET A LOT OF RESPECT.

>> BUT IT'S TYPICALLY MADE USING -- LIKE NATURAL -- BUT MARKET OLATILITY AND SHIPPING DISRUPTIONS ARE DOUBLED OR TRIPLED PRICES.

>> >> MANY OF THE NITROGEN FERTILIZER SOURCES WE USE TODAY COMES FROM ACROSS THE WORLD INCLUDING RIGHT NOW STRAIT OF HORMUZ.

>> REESE AND HIS TEAM WANT TO DISRUPT THE MARKET WITH GREEN AMMONIA FERTILIZER.

PRODUCED FROM -- MEGAWATT WIND TURBINES CAPTURE WIND ENERGY.

THAT POWERS THEIR SYSTEM.

>> WE ELECT ROLLIZE WATER TO FORM HYDROGEN.

IN THIS CASE WE ARE BRINGING NITE REJEN I CANNOTS IN BUT IN THE PAST IN OTHER LOCATIONS YOU CAN PRODUCE NITROGEN FROM AIR, THAT'S A PRETTY WELL KNOWN PROCESS.

AND THEN WE COMBINE THE TWO TO FORM ANHYDROUS AMMONIA.

>> I'M STAPPING AT THE SITE OF THE FUTURE BLUE EARTH INDUSTRIAL PARK.

IT'S WHERE KALIS PLANS TO PRODUCE FERTILIZER RIGHT HERE IN MINNESOTA.

>> KALIS AS PARTNERED WITH A SOUTHERN MINNESOTA FARMERS COOPERATIVE AND PLAN TO BUILD A PO MILLION DOLLARS ANHYDROUS AMMONIA FERTILIZER PLANT AND STORAGE FACILITY IN BLUE EARTH, OPERATING BY 2028.

>> .

THE PRICE OF ANHYDROUS AMMONIA HAS BEEN NOTHING SHORT OF GIGANTIC, A DIFFERENCE OF UP TO 300% OME YEARS.

>> -- SAYS THE AGREEMENT LOCKS IN PRICES FOR TEN YEARS, THAT WOULD BENEFIT THE 4500 MEMBERS.

THE KALIS FAMILY, AND -- SAYS THERE ARE WAYS -- SUBS SIDRY ALREADY HAS ONE SYSTEM IN IOWA.

THE COMPANY SAYS ITS SYSTEM RELIES ON CURTAILED WIND ENERGY.

>> WE'RE KIND OF LIKE A SPONGE, WE JUST ABSORB THAT -- WHEN IT'S AVAILABLE AND -- RAMP OUR SYSTEM DOWN.

SO THAT'S HOW WE CONTROL OUR COSTS.

>> THE GROUP SAYS -- THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION THEY WEREN'T SUCCESSFUL IN THEIR REQUEST FOR $8 MILLION FOR MINNESOTA'S RENEWABLE DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNT.

BUT THEY SAY THEY WILL CONTINUE TO SEEK ASSISTANCE FROM THE STATE.

ROB DAVIS REPRESENTS A NON-PROFIT THAT TRACKS RENEWABLE ENERGY USAGE.

ALSO -- ON THE BLUE EARTH PROJECT.

>> THE RATE OF TECHNOLOGY IS SLOW.

WE DO NEED ADVANCES IN TECHNOLOGIES.

>> SOME RURAL AND FARM ADVOCACY GROUPS ARE SUPPORTIVE OF DEVELOPING THE TECHNOLOGY.

>> THERE REALLY AS YOU PROBABLY HEARD FROM OTHER FOLKS ONLY FOUR FERTILIZER COMPANIES WHO CONTROL 82%.

NITROGEN FERTILIZER MARKET IN NORTH AMERICA.

AND SO BECAUSE OF THIS CONTROL, THEY CAN BASICALLY SET THE PRICE AT WHAT THEY THINK FARMERS CAN PAY.

>> YET OTHERS QUESTION WHETHER PUBLIC DOLLARS SHOULD BE INVESTED.

A NON-PROFIT GROUP CALLED THE INSTITUTE FOR AGRICULTURE AND TRADE POLICY HAS BEEN CRITICAL OF TRUMP ADMINISTRATION POLICIES ON TARIFFS.

THE GROUP SAYS, QUOTE, GREEN FERTILIZER PROJECTS DON'T ADDRESS THE NITRATE WATER POLLUTION PROBLEMS THE STATE IS FACING, PARTICULARLY IN SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA.

MUCH OF THAT NITRATE POLLUTION IS ATTRIBUTED TO THE EXCESSIVE APPLICATION OF NITROGEN FERTILIZER TO PRODUCE CORN.

>> THERE'S ALWAYS RISK.

I DO NOT SEE AN IMMENSE AMOUNT OF DOWN SIDES JUST BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT E'RE GOING TO GO IN, WE'RE GOING TO PERMIT THESE FACILITIES, WE HAVE A LONG HISTORY OF BEING -- TO REGULATE ANHYDROUS AMMONIA.

>> AS FOR THE U OF M'S MICHAEL REESE, HE SAYS POTENTIAL FOR DECARBONIZING AMMONIA PRODUCTION IS GREAT.

>>S IT'S A DIFFICULT BALANCE.

S IT'S ONE OF THOSE GRAND CHALLENGES.

WE HAVE TO FERTILIZE OUR CROPS TO PRODUCE ENOUGH FOOD FOR SOCIETY.

AT THE SAME TIME WE NEED TO DO IT APPROPRIATELY.

♪ >> WELCOME TO PAUL DOUGLAS' NEARLY-ANNUAL WEATHER QUIZ!

NOW HERE'S PAUL!

[ GAME SHOW MUSIC >> YOUR EYES ARE NOT DECEIVING YOU.

WELL, MAYBE A LITTLE BIT.

I, PAUL DOUGLAS, HAVE TAKEN CONTROL RELEGATING CATHY AND ERIC TO QUIZ CONTESTANTS FOR OUR NEARLY ANNUAL WEATHER QUIZ.

THEY'RE READY TO BATTLE OVER A SERIES OF SEVERE WEATHER QUESTIONS DESIGNED TO GET ALL OF US READY FOR SEVERE WEATHER SEASON.

BEFORE WE START, COUPLE OF GENERIC RULES.

I ASK THE MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION TO TRY TO STUMP THE CONTESTANTS, THERE ARE THERE CAN BE MORE THAN ONE ANSWER TO A QUESTION.

YOU CAN PLAY ALONG AT HOME.

YOU DON'T NEED A BUZZER.

LET'S TRY THE IN-STUDIO HIGH-TECH ETSY BUZZERS [ SOUND EFFECTS ] >> TEMU BUZZERS?

TRY YOURS.

WOW, SCI-FI THEME.

>> MOVE IT ALONG, DOUGLAS!

CATHY'S DOUBLE PARKED OUTSIDE.

>> OH, YEAH.

>> CAN WE GET RIGHT TO NUMBER ONE.

>> YES.

>> LET'S GO.

>> HOW MUCH WATER DOES IT TAKE TO FLOAT YOUR PICKUP TRUCK DURING A FLASH FLOOD?

6 INCHES, 24 INCHES [ BUZZER ] >> CATHY.

>> Cathy: SIX INCHES.

>> IS WRONG.

[ BUZZER ] >> Eric: ERIC -- THAT'S NOT ONE OF THE ANSWERS.

ALREADY GOING OFF THE RAILS.

NO, 24 INCHES.

>> Cathy: OH, A TRUCK.

>> Eric: I HAD THE FOUR PART.

>> ALL IT TAKES IS TWO FEET OF RAPIDLY MOVING WATER TO MOVE A VEHICLE, EVEN A PICKUP INTO A BOAT FLOATING DOWNSTREAM.

TURN AROUND, DON'T DROWN.

I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU GOT THAT ERIC.

>> Eric: WELL, I KNOW.

>> NUMBER 2: WHICH IS OF THE FOLLOWING IS THE MOST DANGEROUS TYPE OF WARNING?

WATCH, TORNADO WARNING, EMERGENCY, OR TRICK QUESTION THEY'RE ALL HE SAME?

ERIC.

>> Eric: EMERGENCY WARNING.

>> IS CORRECT.

>> Cathy: THAT'S TRUE.

>> TORNADO EMERGENCY.

AND THAT MEANS A CONFIRMED TORNADO NOT ONLY PEOPLE SPOTTING IT, BUT ACTUALLY IT'S SHOWING UP ON DOPPLER RADAR THE DEBRIS BEING LOFTED INTO THE AIR MOVING INTO -- THE RELATED AREA.

YOU HEAR TORNADO EMERGENCY, THAT MEANS RUN, DON'T WALK, TO THE BASEMENT.

NUMBER 3: EMERGENCY OUTDOOR SIRENS SOUND FOR IWHICH OF THE FOLLOWING?

TORNADO WARNING, A VERY SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING, SEVERE STORM WARNING OR ALL-CLEAR MEANING STORMS ARE OVER [ BUZZER ] >> OKAY, I THINK IT WAS YOU, CATHY.

>> Cathy: EVERYTHING EXCEPT -- WELL, A TORNADO WARNING OBVIOUSLY, SEVERE STORM WARNING.

WHAT WAS THE THIRD ONE?

THERE WAS -- >> GENERIC SEVERE STORM WARNING.

>> Cathy: NO, I MEAN JUST FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORM?

IT WOULD HAVE TO BE -- THERE'S A CERTAIN THRESHOLD.

>> SO YOU'RE SAYING TORNADO WARNING, VERY SEVERE STORM WARNING.

IS CORRECT!

YES.

>> Cathy: THERE YOU GO.

>> SIRENS SOUND FOR TORNADO WARNINGS, DOPPLER OR OBSERVED, AND FOR VERY SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS -- MEANS BASEBALL SIZE HAIL, DOESN'T HAPPEN VERY OFTEN.

>> Eric: WHAT IF YOU HAVE HAIL-SIZED ASEBALLS?

>> Cathy: YOU'RE SO FUNNY.

>> OH, BOY.

>> Eric: SORRY.

>> WHO WRITES YOUR MATERIAL?

WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING WILL WAKE YOU UP IF THERE'S A TORNADO WARNING AT 3:00 P.M.?

NOAA WEATHER RADIO, TV OR RADIO, CRYING BABY, ON DOG BARKING.

>> Eric: NATIONAL SERVICE WEATHER RADIO.

>> YES!

NOAA WEATHER RADIO.

IT'S TRUE.

PEOPLE ALWAYS SAY MY APP KIND OF BUZZES AND BEEPS BUT UNLESS IT'S RIGHT BESIDE YOU, THE WEATHER RADIO WAKES THE DEAD.

THAT THING GOES OFF THEY HEAR IT IN THE HOME NEXT TO YOU.

SO, YES.

>> Eric: EVERYBODY DOUBTED ME.

>> WOW, YOU'RE -- WOW.

WELL.

WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING ARE TORNADO TIP-OFFS?

ROTATING WALL CLOUD, FUNNEL CLOUD FORMATION, LARGE HAIL, OR TORRENTIAL RAIN.

[ BUZZER ] >> Eric: WALL CLOUD.

>> OKAY.

-- THAT'S YOUR ANSWER, SIR.

>> Eric: THAT IS.

>> WOULD YOU LIKE TO COUNTER?

>> Cathy: WALL CLOUD BUT ALSO WHEN YOU SEE A FUNNEL TOO.

FUNNEL HAS TO HIT THE GROUND TO BE A TORNADO.

>> WHAT ABOUT HAIL?

LARGE HAIL?

>> I'M SORRY, WHAT WAS THE QUESTION AGAIN?

>> IS THERE A CORRELATION BETWEEN LARGE HAIL AND TORNADO STORMS.

>> Cathy: USUALLY THERE IS.

>> Eric: WHAT HAPPENED TO MY WALL CLOUD?

>> THAT'S TRUE!

>> Cathy: THAT'S PART OF IT.

>> IT'S WALL CLOUD, YES.

>> Cathy: YES.

>> FUNNEL CLOUD FORMATION, ABSOLUTELY.

IF YOU HAVE VERY LARGE HAIL, BASEBALL SIZE HAIL OR LARGER.

>> Cathy: THAT'S BAD.

>> THAT IMPLIES A VERY VIOLENT UPDRAFT THAT'S CAPABLE OF SPINNING UP A TORNADO.

>> Eric: I'M CONSIDERING AN APPEAL.

>> WELL, GOOD LUCK WITH THAT.

>> Cathy: YEAH.

>> NUMBER 6, MOVING ALONG.

WHAT TRIGGERS HEATS LIGHTNING?

GLOBAL WARMING, HOT, HUMID SUMMER WEATHER.

DISTANT THUNDERSTORM OFTEN OVER THE HORIZON, COUNTIES AWAY.

OR NONE OF THE ABOVE?

[ BUZZER >> Eric: A, , AND C?

>> IT COULD BE.

BUT IT'S NOT.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> Eric: WAY TO LET ME DOWN GENTLY.

>> CATHY?

>> Cathy: I WISH I COULD SEE IT, GO AHEAD, SAY IT ONE MORE TIME.

>> CAN WE SEE THE QUESTION ONE MORE TIME?

THAT COSTS EXTRA.

>> Cathy: OH, SHOOT.

>> THERE.

THERE WE GO.

>> Cathy: HERE, HANG ON.

WHAT RIGGERS HEAT LIGHTNING.

IT WOULD BE, WHAT DID YOU SAY, ERIC, A, B, AND C.

>> Eric: I DID.

>> Cathy: YEAH, NONE OF THE ABOVE.

>> NO, THE ANSWER IS C, A DISTANT THUNDERSTORM OVER THE HORIZON.

YOU CAN SEE LIGHTNING AT NIGHT FROM A STORM 200 MILES AWAY.

>> Cathy: OH, I'M SORRY.

HEAT LIGHTNING.

>> BUT THE THUNDER ITSELF ONLY TRAVELS ABOUT TEN MILES AND PEOPLE THINK THE HEAT IS TRIGGERING THE LIGHTNING.

>> Eric: LAST QUESTION.

>> OH, MY GOSH, I'M EXHAUSTED.

>> Cathy: I KNOW, ISN'T THIS EXHAUSTING?

>> THIS IS CUMULONIMBUS MAMMATUS, I ALWAYS CRAVE ICE CREAM.

>> Cathy: WOULD YOU JUST TOP -- -- >> Eric: I SAW THEM AT FIRST AVENUE ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO.

>> THE BAND?

THEY WERE REALLY GOOD, I GOT ALL THEIR 8 TRACKS.

CUMULONIMBUS MAMMATUS IS A SURE SIGN OF A PENDING TORNADO HAILSTORM, APOCALYPSE, OR NONE OF THE ABOVE?

[ BUZZER >> Cathy: HI.

THAT WASN'T GOING OFF.

>> Eric: WHAT THE?

>> Cathy: I KNOW, PENDING -- TORNADO AND HAILSTORM?

A AND B?

>> IS INCORRECT.

>> Cathy: DAMN, REALLY?

>> C IS LEFT.

>> Eric: >> Eri >> Eric: GIMME MY PRIZE!

>> I DIDN'T THINK AHEAD I GOT A FIVE DOLLARS COUPON FORST HARDWARE.

>> Eric: IT'S THE PLACE WITH THE HELPFUL FINANCE FOLKS.

>> THE PRIDE,ED OPERATE.

>> Cathy: THE GREAT THING ABOUT ERIC IS HE'S ABSORBED ALL MY WEATHER KNOWLEDGE OVER THE YEARS.

>> I THINK SO, YOU'VE RUBBED OFF ON HIM.

>> Eric: READ YOUR COPY.

>> Cathy: HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND.

THANK YOU, PAUL.

OUR NEARLY ANNUAL QUIZ IS ALWAYS A BLAST.

WE'RE GOING TO SWITCH GUESTS AND TOPICS AND WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

♪ >> Cathy: CONSTRUCT BROKE GROUND THIS MONTH ON A RESTORATION PROJECT AT ST.

AN THON Y FALLS IN MINNEAPOLIS.

HERE IS WHAT THE AREA CURRENTLY LOOKS LIKE.

THE NON-PROFIT GROUP OWAMNIOMI OKHODAYAPI, THE ORIGINAL NAME FOR THE FALLS IS, WORKING TO RESTORE THE FALLS AND RESTORE THE BRIDGE FROM PRE-STATE.

WE WELCOME SHELLEY BUCK AND KJERSTI DUVAL TO GIVE US UPDATES ON THE PROJECT.

>> Cathy: REPRESENTATIVE, DID I GET THAT NAME?

>> KIND OF CLOSE.

OWAMNIOMI OKHODAYAPI.

WHICH MEANS -- NEAR BEFORE.

>> Cathy: INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT TO NATIVE FOLKS.

CAN YOU GIVE US -- IN TERMS OF THE MEANING, THE SPIRITUALTY IN TERMS OF THE AREA?

>> YEAH, THE SITE IS A SACRED SITE OF DAKOTA PEOPLE WHICH I AM DESCENDED FROM.

IT WAS A PLACE OUR PEOPLE WOULD GO AND PRAY, THEY WOULD HAVE MEETINGS THERE, THEY WOULD TRADE THERE.

THERE USED TO BE A SACRED ISLAND, SPIRIT ISLAND, AND SOME OF OUR DAKOTA WOMEN WOULD GO THERE AND GIVE BIRTH.

THERE'S JUST A REALLY SPECIAL PRESENCE ABOUT IT AND IT WAS A PLACE THAT NOT ONLY THE DAKOTA PEOPLE KNEW WAS SPECIAL, BUT OTHER TRIBES ALSO KNEW IT WAS SPECIAL.

>> Eric: NOW THERE'S A PARKING LOT THERE AND ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS STATION.

HOW DO YOU ENVISION HOW IT'S GOING TO LOOK WHEN COMPLETED?

>> YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT.

AND, YOU KNOW, THE SITE HAS BEEN INDUSTRIALIZED FOR SO LONG THAT IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE THIS RESTORATION.

THAT'S COMING.

AND IT WILL BE ENTIRELY RESTORED AS AN ISLAND AGAIN.

THERE WILL BE FLOWING WATER KIND OF ETWEEN THE CENTRAL RIVERFRONT AND THIS ISLAND, UPTON ISLAND.

THERE'S GOING TO BE A -- WILL BRING PEOPLE DOWN TO THE RIVER AND LOWLAND FOREST AND EVENTUALLY AQUATIC HABITAT AND NATURAL SHORELINE.

>> Cathy: ARE YOU HOPING TO BRING BACK ANIMALS AND BIRDS TO THE AREA ONCE THEY REALIZE THIS IS A SAFE AREA?

>> THEY WILL BE BACK.

THEY'VE ALREADY COME BACK.

WE HAVE HAD SOME MUSKRATS COME BACK.

THE MUSKRATS ARE A SPECIAL PLACE IN OUR CREATION STORY.

THEY'VE ALREADY STARTED COMING BACK.

>> Eric: WEREN'T THERE LOT OF HOOPS TO JUMP THROUGH TO GET THROUGH THIS POINT?

LOT OF JURISDICTIONS SEEM TO BE INVOLVED.

>> THERE'S STILL A LOT OF HOOPS WE'RE HAVING TO JUMP THROUGH AT THE LAST MINUTE.

SO, YEAH, BUREAUCRACY IS REALLY FUN TO WORK WITH.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> Cathy: WHO UPERVISES THIS RESTORATION?

DO YOU HAVE TO WORK WITH THE D.N.R., PERHAPS?

THE ARMY CORPS?

>> YEAH, I MEAN, ALMOST EVERYONE IS THE SHORT ANSWER.

>> YEAH, OF COURSE, IT'S A FEDERAL CONVEYANCE, SO.

FEDERALLY OWNED AND WE DO HAVE TO WORK VERY LOSELY WITH THE U.S.

ARMY CORPS AS WE DEVELOP THE PLANS AND THE CONVEYANCE.

BUT REALLY, YOU KNOW, MNDOT HAS BEEN INVOLVED BECAUSE THEY OWN THE BRIDGE, OF COURSE THE D.N.R.

IS A STAKEHOLDER, THE CITY, THE PARK BOARD.

IT'S REALLY BEEN A PRETTY FULL TABLE.

>> Cathy: YOU MENTIONED THE BRIDGE.

SO LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS.

THE STONE ARCH BRIDGE WILL ALWAYS BE AROUND, RIGHT?

AND I'M WONDERING CAN YOU RESTORE AN AREA TO WHAT IT WAS, PRE-WHITE SETTLERS I GUESS?

>> YEAH, THERE'S NO WAY WE COULD.

LIKE THE FALLS AT ONE TIME THEY WERE 12 A0 FEET WIDE.

TODAY THEY'RE A THIRD OF THE SIZE.

THERE ARE BUILDINGS ON TOP OF WHERE SOME OF THE FALLS USED TO BE.

WE KNOW WE CAN'T FULLY RESTORE IT, BUT AS CLOSE TO WHAT IT WAS AS WE CAN.

>> Eric: IS FUND-RAISING COMPLETE?

>> THIS PHASE IS READY TO GO AND 100% FUNDED.

NOT ONLY THAT, BUT THERE'S ALSO BEEN -- SO IT'S READY TO GO.

>> Eric: AND THE MISSION STATEMENT OF THIS PLACE IS WHAT EXACTLY?

WHAT ARE YOU -- >> I'LL LEAVE THAT TO SHELLEY.

>> Eric: WHAT ARE YOU PORTRAYING HERE?

>> YEAH, WE ARE WORKING TO RESTORE THE FIVE ACRES OF SACRED DAKOTA LAND WHILE ALSO BRINGING BACK DAKOTA PEOPLE, BRINGING BACK OUR CONNECTION TO THIS SITE, AND ALSO BRINGING OUR STORIES AND HISTORY BACK.

BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN FORGOTTEN IN YOUR OWN HOMELANDS.

THE WHOLE STATE OF MINNESOTA IS OUR OMELANDS AND YOU DON'T SEE A LOT OF DAKOTA IN THE TWIN CITIES.

AND SO WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE NO LONGER FORGOTTEN BECAUSE WE ARE STILL HERE.

>> Cathy: LET ME ASK YOU, YOU MENTIONED FUND-RAISING WHICH HAS BEEN GOING WELL.

WHAT'S THE -- WHAT RESONATES WITH FOLKS WHO ARE GIVING YOU THE MONEY?

>> DO YOU WANT TO TAKE THAT ONE, SHELLEY?

>> YEAH, SURE.

THERE'S VARIOUS DIFFERENT REASONS DEPENDING ON WHO YOU TALK TO.

FOR THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE DOWN THERE OR VISIT THERE A LOT, THEY WANT TO SEE A BEAUTIFUL SITE.

THEY DON'T WANT TO SEE THAT HARD SURFACES AND THE UGLY VIEW.

THEY WANT TO SEE NATURE, THEY WANT TO HAVE A PLACE THAT THEY COULD GO AND BE IN PEACE.

THEY ALSO, PEOPLE WATCH THE WATER, RIGHT NOW YOU CAN'T TOUCH THE WATER.

SO OUR SECOND PHASE OF THE PROJECT IS THE WATER RESTORATION WHERE WE -- SHORELINE THAT PEOPLE COULD ACTUALLY TOUCH THE WATER.

SO THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT WANT TO DO THAT.

FOR DAKOTA PEOPLE, WE WANT TO A PLACE THAT WE CAN GO BACK AND RECONNECT WITH OUR RELATIVES, OUR NATURAL RELATIVES AND PRAY AND GIVE THANKS LIKE OUR ANCESTORS USED TO AT THE SITE.

>> Cathy: SPIRIT ISLAND, YOU MENTIONED SPIRIT ISLAND.

-- VERY -- WAY TO -- >> IT HAS BEEN A CONVERSATION AND I THINK THAT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT DAKOTA KNOWLEDGE -- KEEPERS HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT AND WE'VE REALLY LOOKED AT IT'S SOMETHING THAT WILL COME INTO GREATER, -- WHICH IS WHERE WE'RE REALLY -- OF WHERE PARTS OF IT, REMAINS OF IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN PLACED.

AND SO ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE GOING TO BE PART OF A CONVERSATION MOVING FORWARD THAT WILL INCLUDE RIBAL CONSULTATION.

>> Eric: VERY EXCITING PROJECT.

GOOD LUCK WITH IT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

>> Eric: LEGISLATIVE SESSION CAME TO A SURPRISINGLY PRODUCTIVE CLOSE THIS WEEK WITH BONDING BILL, TAX RELIEF, FIGHTING FRAUD AND ORE.

BUT NO ACTION ON GUN VIOLENCE BROUGHT MANY TO THE CAPITOL INCLUDING ONE VERY INTERESTING ADVOCATE.

MARY LAHAMMER HAS A LOOK.

>> THE HOUSE STANDS ADJOURNED SINE DIE.

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> THE EVENLY DIVIDED HOUSE CELEBRATED THE END ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

>> WE STILL GOT THE WORK DONE WELL AND WE -- >> CROWD CHANTING: HOLD THE VOTE!

HOLD THE VOTE!

>> DEMOCRATS WILL REMEMBER WHAT DIDN'T GET DONE AFTER A SCHOOL SHOOTING IN MINNEAPOLIS.

>> SPEAKER DEMUTH, OPEN THE DRAWER, TAKE OUT THE BILL, AND HOLD THE VOTE.

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> EVEN THE SPEAKER'S DAUGHTER SHOWED UP TO URGE ACTION ON GUN CONTROL.

>> I WAS HERE FOR MY MOM'S SWEARING IN THE FIRST TIME.

>> MIXED EMOTIONS TODAY?

>> MIXED EMOTIONS OF COURSE, I MYSELF AM A SCHOOL SHOOTING SURVIVOR.

WE'D LOVE TO SEE A VOTE BUT I RECOGNIZE HOW CHALLENGING THAT IS.

>> KNOWING THAT I AM AKING HISTORY ON TWO FRONTS BY BEING A WOMAN, THE FIRST TO HOLD THIS POSITION, AND THEN ALSO THE FIRST REPUBLICAN SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.

>> YOU'RE PROUD OF YOUR MOM.

SHE'S MADE HISTORY, SHE'S THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN TO BE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.

THIS IS A COMPLICATED RELATIONSHIP, WERE ES >> IT IS A COMPLICATED RELATIONSHIP.

AND I'M IMMENSELY PROUD OF HER DESPITE US FALLING ON DIFFERENT SIDES OF THE AISLE.

[ CHANTING ] >> DID YOU PERSONALLY APPEAL TO HER TO TAKE THIS BILL UP?

>> IN OUR OWN WAY, YES, WE'RE ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT THE ISSUES.

A LOT F PEOPLE WHO HAVE SEEN OUR INTERACTIONS ON THE INTERNET OVER THE LAST YEAR, FEW YEARS SHE'S HELD THIS ROLE A LOT OF PEOPLE ASSUME WE'RE AT ODDS OR WE'RE NO-CONTACT THAT A LOT OF FAMILIES THAT HAVE DIFFERENCES ARE, WE'RE NOT.

WE'VE WORKED INCREDIBLY HARD TO HAVE MUTUAL RESPECT FOR EACH OTHER AND SO I RESPECT HER POLITICAL RISE, FASTEN WE ARE AT DIFFERENT OUTCOMES.

AND SHE RESPECTS THE CAREER THAT I HAVE IN COMMUNICATIONS.

AND SO WE'VE HAD OPPORTUNITIES WHERE, YOU KNOW, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THE IMPACT OF HOW SHE COMMUNICATES.

>> THIS IS THE FIRST TIME BACK ON THE FLOOR.

>> SO WHAT'S THE INITIAL IMPRESSION?

>> IT ALWAYS IS A PLACE THAT TAKES MY BREATH AWAY.

>> SHELISA DEMUTH'S JOB TITLE IS NARRATIVE STRATEGIST AND SHE'S ALSO FOUNDER OF A MEDIA LAB.

>> YOU'RE BOTH INCREDIBLY SKILLED COMMUNICATORS REGARDLESS OF YOUR DIFFERENCE ON POLITICS YOU SHARED THAT GENETICS FOR SURE.

>> THANKS FOR THAT.

YEAH, SHE'S PROBABLY WHY I WAS INTERESTED IN IT, SHE ALWAYS ASKED GREAT QUESTIONS.

WHEN I WAS GROWING UP SHE WAS A STAY-AT-HOME MOM AND EACH DAY SHE WOULD ASK NOT JUST HOW WAS YOUR DAY BUT WHAT WAS THE BEST PART OF YOUR DAY.

AND I THINK THAT'S JUST A SMALL EXAMPLE OF HOW SHE REALLY CARES ABOUT THE PEOPLE.

THAT CHILDREN -- OR THE STATE.

>> PUBLICLY SAY THAT SHE'S THE FIRST SPEAKER TO BE A PARENT OF A SCHOOL SHOOTING SURVIVOR AND THE IRONY OF THIS.

HOW DID THAT HIT?

>> NOT THE FIRST TIME ONE OF MY COMMENTS CAUGHT FIRE PUBLICLY.

AND THE RESPONSE OF COURSE IS NOTHING THAT SHE HOPES FOR BUT IT'S DEFINITELY WHAT SHE EXPECTS WHY OUR DEMOCRACY IS WORKING, DIFFERENCES ARE HEARD.

THAT'S THE POINT OF WHAT'S HAPPENING BEHIND ME RIGHT NOW.

THAT'S THE POINT OF RAISING OUR VOICES.

OF COURSE IT'S NEVER WELL RECEIVED WHEN I SAY THINGS PUBLICLY THAT MIGHT CHALLENGE HER TO THINK DIFFERENTLY.

BUT BECAUSE OF THE WAY SHE RAISED ME I THINK SHE EXPECTS IT.

>> CHANTING: HOLD THE VOTE!

HOLD THE VOTE!

>> SHE'S UNDER A LOT OF PRESSURE RIGHT NOW.

YOU'VE PROBABLY SEEN THAT, YOU KNOW HER MAYBE BETTER THAN ANYONE.

HOW IS SHE HOLDING UP UNDER ALL THIS PRESSURE?

>> IN OUR CONVERSATION A FEW DAYS AGO ABOUT THE COMMENT I MADE ON THREADS, SHE TEXTED AND SAID I'D RATHER NOT HAVE YOU SPEAK TOO LOUDLY ABOUT THIS.

[ Banging Gavel ] >> MEMBERS.

>> CHANTING: HOLD THE VOTE!

>> I KNOW SHE HAS GREAT PEOPLE IN HER CORNER WHO ARE COACHING HER TO WIN.

I THINK THE CHALLENGE THAT SHE FACES RIGHT NOW AS NOT JUST AN ELECTED OFFICIAL IN OUR STATE BUT REALLY THE LEADER OF THIS BODY, THIS LEGISLATIVE BODY, IS CONSIDERING THE SHARED VALUES AND CONSIDERING THE LOSS, AND CONSIDERING THE MAGNITUDE OF THE MOMENT WE'RE IN RIGHT NOW WITH SO MUCH GUN VIOLENCE HAVING TAKEN PLACE IN OUR STATE IN JUST THE LAST YEAR.

SOME OF THAT WAS IN VERY CLOSE PROXIMITY TO HER.

OF COURSE BEING THE PARENT OF SCHOOL SHOOTING SURVIVORS AND BEING THE MENTEE OF SPEAKER HORTMAN.

>> AND A WHOLE 'NOTHER LAYER OF THIS, SHE'S NOT ONLY THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE BUT LEADING CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR.

>> YEAH.

>> DO YOU WANT HER TO WIN?

[ LAUGHTER ] >> MARY!

>> I AM NOW RUNNING TO SERVE OUR STATE OF MINNESOTA AS GOVERNOR.

>> WHATEVER THAT LOOKS LIKE, HER EXPERIENCE -- IS WHAT I'LL BE HAPPY WITH.

AND I THINK THIS MONTH -- WITH THE CONVENTION AND IN NOVEMBER.

>> Eric: SO MUCH TO UNPACK HEADING INTO THE -- ELECTION SO LET'S JUMP RIGHT IN.

REPUBLICANS UP FIRST TONIGHT.

ANNETTE MEEKS, FORMER CONGRESSIONAL STAFFER, REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR CANDIDATE, NOW HEADS UP THE FREEDOM FOUNDATION OF MINNESOTA.

BRYAN MCDANIEL, NOW A LOBBYIST AND STANDUP COMIC.

D.F.L.ERS, ABOU AMARA, LEGISLATIVE STAFFER HAS ATTORNEY IN PRACTICE, AND POLICY DIRECTOR AT UNIDOS MINNESOTA.

I THINK PEOPLE WERE EXPECTING LESS AND GOT MORE OUT OF THIS SESSION.

HOW DOES IT SET UP THE FALL CAMPAIGN?

>> WELL, I MEAN, YOU'VE HEARD ME ON THIS COUCH SAY, AH, THEY'RE NOT DOIN' ANYTHING, THEY DON'T WANT TO GET ANYTHING DONE.

THEY ACTUALLY ENDED UP GETTING MORE DONE THAN I THINK MOST OF US THOUGHT.

NOW, THE BAR WAS SET REALLY LOW.

BUT I THINK THEY DID EXCEED IT AND THERE WERE SOME THINGS I THINK THEY ACTUALLY DID GAD WORK.

I THINK WHAT THEY DID ON HCMC WAS GOOD WORK.

I THINK IT WASN'T JUST A BAND-AID, THEY DID A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN THAT.

THE BONDING BILL WAS GOOD.

SO DO I THINK IT'S GOING TO HAVE MUCH IMPACT ON THE SESSION?

NO.

I MEAN ON, THE ELECTION, NO.

>> Cathy: YOU MENTION HCMC WHICH IS A GOOD THING BUT IT'S A TEMPORARY FIX.

THE TAB DECREASE, THAT'S A TEMPORARY FIX.

THE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF, THAT'S ALSO A TEMPORARY FIX.

I THINK VOTERS DON'T KNOW THAT THIS IS ALL KIND OF TEMPORARY.

AND SO AWMAKERS HAVE KIND OF KICKED THOSE PROBLEMS DOWN THE ROAD.

IS THAT A PROBLEM?

>> IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY.

I THINK SOME OF THOSE ISSUES, MIGHT BE A BAND-AID SHORT-TERM, I SUSPECT NEXT SESSION REGARDLESS OF WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE THE TAB ISSUE IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE A PRESSURE POINT.

I THINK IT'S SOMETHING PEOPLE VISCERALLY FEEL.

I ANTICIPATE THESE ONE-TIME ISSUES BEING TAKEN UP AGAIN NEXT SESSION.

>> I THINK IT GIVES US INTERESTING CONTRAST BETWEEN REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS IN THE ELECTION.

TAB FEES RAISED BY A D.F.L.

MAJORITY IN A TRIFECTA.

IF WE WANT THAT AGAIN TO KEEP THE TAB FEES HIGH YOU KNOW WHO TO VOTE FOR.

IF YOU THINK THEY'RE OUTRAGEOUS LIKE I DO, YOU KNOW WHO TO VOTE FOR.

I THINK THAT'S A GOOD DISCUSSION FOR US TO HAVE GOING INTO NOVEMBER.

>> Eric: GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> WELL, I -- THANK YOU.

SO THERE IS THAT BUT THERE WERE SOME HUGE MISSES, RIGHT?

LIKE -- COME BACK WITH A TRIFECTA WE'RE GOING TO FIND LIKE A LONG-TERM OLUTION FOR ALL THESE PROBLEMS.

THAT'S THE BEST THAT WILL HAPPEN LIKE WITH A IVIDED HOUSE.

>> Eric: LET'S PLAY RANK THE ISSUES.

FRAUD, IMMIGRATION AND GUNS.

WHAT'S THE ORDER?

>> FRAUD, FRAUD, AND FRAUD.

I'VE SEEN POLLING, I MEAN, IT IS OFF THE CHARTS IN TERMS OF PEOPLE'S CONCERNS AND THE THING THAT THEY WANT SOMEBODY TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT AND WHAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY IS LIKE THROWING A MATCH TO KINDLING.

>> BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THE POLLING FRAUD IS A TOP ISSUE BUT ACTUALLY DOESN'T BREAK OUT, MEANING PEOPLE ARE GOING TO SUPPORT REPUBLICANS SUPERMAJORITY, WHY?

BECAUSE YOU HAVE A CONSENSUS, THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE WHERE THERE'S A DEBATE, EVERYBODY AGREES FRAUD IS WRONG.

AMY KLOBUCHAR IS LEANING INTO IT, HER PROSECUTORIAL EXPERIENCE AND SAYING I'M GOING TO BE UNIQUELY POSITIONED TO TAKE ON THIS ISSUE.

REALLY THE ISSUE COMING OUT OF SESSION THAT'S GOING TO ACTIVATE VOTERS IS THE GUN ISSUE.

YOU SAW ANNUNCIATION PATIENTS, SUBURBAN MOMS, SAME COALITION OF FOLKS THAT REPUBLICANS NEED TO WIN THAT THEY CAN'T BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE.

>> AND FOR -- FRAUD IS HAPPENING ALL ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.

THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE SAID IT THEMSELVES, IT'S APPENING IN MULTIPLE STATES, THAT'S WHY THEY HAD THE TASK FORCE.

BUT IT COMES TO ISSUES THAT ARE ACTUALLY TOUCHING FAMILIES AND MINNESOTANS, ISSUES THAT ARE FRESH IS RESPONSE TO FEDERAL OCCUPATION AND GUN SAFETY.

>> Eric: DID ANNUNCIATION TURN VOTERS INTO ONE-ISSUE VOTERS ON THE GUN ISSUE?

>> I REALLY DON'T THINK SO.

ABU IS SHAKING HIS HEAD YES AND THAT'S NOT BECAUSE T'S NOT AN IMPORTANT ISSUE.

YOU KNOW, I HAVE CONNECTIONS TO ANNUNCIATION AS WELL AND TALKED TO THEM THROUGHOUT THE SESSION.

BUT I THINK THAT IT'S -- LIKE WITH ABORTION, PEOPLE HAVE MADE UP THEIR MIND ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

SO I THINK THIS IS AN IMPORTANT THING.

I THINK IT DOES LIKE ABU SAID MAYBE IT HARDER FOR REPUBLICANS TO WIN IN SUBURBS BUT I DON'T THINK THERE ARE A WIDE SWATH OF PEOPLE WALKING AROUND NOT KNOWING HOW THEY'RE GOING TO VOTE.

>> I MEAN, SPEAKER DEMUTH PROMISED THERE WAS GOING TO BE A CONVERSATION ABOUT IT ON THE FLOOR AND NOT BRINGING THIS ONTO THE FLOOR SHE HAS LOST ALL CREDIT.

>> Eric: SHE DENIES THAT OF COURSE.

>> THE -- SORRY.

>> PART OF THE PROBLEM IS THE WAY THE GUN LEGISLATION -- ONE SIDE WHO REALLY OWN GUNS OR UNDERSTOOD THE ISSUE THEY JUST WROTE A BILL OUT OF FEAR AND THAT'S NOT A GOOD WAY TO PASS A BIPARTISAN BILL.

>> OH, SORRY.

>> IT WAS POORLY WRITTEN, POORLY CRAFTED, POORLY THOUGHT OUT AND THAT'S WHY IT WAS REJECTED.

>> THESE IDEAS HAVE BEEN VETTED.

FOR YEARS.

THESE ALONE NEW IDEAS.

>> RIGHT.

>> DEMANDING FOR YEARS AND WHY IS IT SO SALIENT?

IT'S NOT JUST A LEFT-RIGHT ISSUE, THESE ARE PARENTS, EVERYDAY PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THE POLITICAL WINS OF THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT, THEY'RE SAYING I WANT WHAT'S BEST FOR MY CHILDREN.

YOU'RE GOING TO SEE A COALITION OF NOT SO IN THE KNOW PEOPLE WHO ARE ACTIVATED ON THIS ISSUE.

>> WELL, AND THERE WAS, THERE WAS MIDDLE GROUND.

THERE WERE THINGS THERE WHERE THEY COULD HAVE GOTTEN REPUBLICANS TO VOTE WITH THEM ON THAT KIND OF CREATES A CULTURE, LOOK, WE CAN VOTE TOGETHER AND WE CAN DO THESE THINGS.

IT WASN'T GOING TO BE ENOUGH FOR SOME PEOPLE AND I TOTALLY GET THAT.

BUT WHAT ENDED UP HAPPENING WITH THE GUN BILLS IS NOT ANY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT ALL 201 MEMBERS OF THAT LEGISLATURE KNEW WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.

THIS IS IMPORTANT, BUT NO ONE'S VOTE WAS GOING TO BE SWAYED ONCE -- IF IT GOT ON THE FLOOR AS AN ACTUAL BILL AS OPPOSED TO HOW THEY ACTUALLY DID DEBATE IT.

>> Cathy: DIFFERENT TOPIC.

NEXT WEEKEND, CONVENTIONS.

STATE POLITICAL CONVENTIONS AND I'M WONDERING, DOES ANYONE STILL CARE ABOUT THESE THINGS?

SERIOUSLY.

>> SADLY 2,000 REPUBLICANS WILL BE ASSEMBLED IN DULUTH AND WE HAVE TO CARE ABOUT IT.

IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.

WE HAVEN'T WON STATEWIDE IN 0 YEARS, WE HAVE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY WITH LISA DEMUTH AND MICHELLE TAFOYA AND IF WE CAN NOMINATE THEM OMING OUT OF THE CONVENTION AND HAVE SMOOTH SAILING 'TIL AUGUST AND SURVIVE ALL THE INTERPARTY CHATTER WITH TWO STRONG WOMEN, I THINK IT WILL REALLY HELP US.

>> Cathy: DO ENDORSEMENTS MATTER?

>> I THINK A LITTLE BIT.

BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, I ENDORSE EVERYTHING ANNETTE JUST SAID BUT THERE ARE PEOPLE ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE WHO ARE RUNNING FOR OFFICE WHO ARE NOT FIT TO DO SO.

THEY DO NOT REFLECT GOOD ON REPUBLICANS -- AND SO I THINK THAT IF THOSE PEOPLE GET ENDORSED -- PEOPLE THAT THE PARTY SO FAR, THAT MIGHT NOT BE COMING BACK.

>> AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF A FEDERAL OCCUPATION THIS YEAR A BUNCH OF THE DELEGATES ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE NEVER PARTICIPATED IN DEMOCRACY BEFORE.

SO, YES, A BUNCH OF PEOPLE ARE ACTIVATED AND TRACKING ISSUES VERY, VERY CLOSELY.

>> Eric: CRAIG VERSUS FLANAGAN FOR SENATE ENDORSEMENT?

>> I THINK FLANAGAN'S GOING TO GET IT.

>> PEGGY HAS IT, SHE HAS THE STRUCTURAL -- AT THE CONVENTION.

HER QUESTION IS NOT ABOUT THAT, IT'S ABOUT THE PRIMARY.

IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY GOING BACK TO 2010 STATEWIDE FOR GOVERNOR AND IN THIS CASE I THINK SENATE, THE PERSON WHO ACTUALLY GETS THE ENDORSEMENT -- THE FAVORITE, QUOTE UNQUOTE GOING INTO THE PRIMARY, WHY?

BECAUSE THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY VOTERS I THINK ARE IDEOLOGICALLY SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT THAN THE PEOPLE WHO SHOW UP TO CONVENTIONS AND CAUCUSES.

THOSE ARE NOT THE SAME.

THERE'S A VENN DIAGRAM DAILY BUT THEY'RE CLEARLY TWO DIFFERENT GROUPS OF PEOPLE.

>> WOULD HAVE SAID THAT LIKE BEFORE THIS WINTER.

AND AFTER THIS WINTER I THINK THAT PEOPLE ARE MUCH MORE INVOLVED.

AND I THINK MONEY IS IMPORTANT IN POLITICS BUT THE ORGANIZING INFRASTRUCTURE THAT'S GOING TO KEEP IT TO THE END AND I THINK PEGGY HAS A HUGE ADVANTAGE.

>> Eric: AMY KLOBUCHAR'S RUNNING MATE IS?

>> AH!

>> GREAT REVEAL, MAYBE?

>> Eric: JOHN HOFFMAN.

>> WHAT?

>> Cathy: THIS IS SPECULATION.

>> Eric: HAS ANYBODY ELSE HEARD?

>> THIS JUST IN, THIS JUST IN.

>> WELL, I THINK HE'S A TERRIFIC LEGISLATOR, HE'S UNTESTED RUNNING STATEWIDE AND I THINK THAT SHE WOULD BE WISE MAYBE TO LOOK TO HER LEFT FLANK THAT HAS -- SHE DIDN'T SHOW UP AT THE SECOND DISTRICT CONVENTION, SHE DIDN'T SHOW UP AT THE FIFTH DISTRICT CONVENTION.

THE DELEGATES WOULDN'T LLOW HER IN THE SECOND DISTRICT CONVENTION TO PLAY HER VIDEOS.

SHE HAS PROBLEMS WITH HER HARD LEFT FLANK AND I THINK I WOULD BE LOOKING THERE RATHER THAN SUBURBAN DEMOCRAT LEGISLATOR.

>> LIKE VICE PRESIDENT, THE FIRST RULE IS DO NO HARM.

THIS IS AMY KLOBUCHAR, IT DOESN'T MATTER -- I MEAN IT, MATTERS TO THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA BUT PRACTICALLY SHE'S NEVER LOST AN ELECTION, DOMINATES REPUBLICANS CONSISTENTLY.

IF I WERE HER I WOULD PICK SOMEONE, ONE, WHEN DO YOU ACTUALLY GET ALONG WITH AND WHO DO YOU WANT TO GOVERN WITH AND SECOND WHO HAS RELATIONSHIPS IN THE STATE CAPITOL BECAUSE SHE'S BEEN IN D.C.

FOR SO LONG.

>> Cathy: BRYAN.

>> I THINK SHE, SENATOR KLOBUCHAR NEEDS TO SHOW US HOW SKILLED A POLITICIAN SHE IS AND CHOOSE ROYCE WHILE AS HER RUNNING MATE.

[ LAUGHTER ] IF SHE CAN OVERCOME THAT, SHE EARNED IT.

>> Eric: WE HEAR AG COMMISSIONER PETERSEN.

SENATOR FROM ST.

CLOUD?

>> WE HAVE HEARD EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING.

LIKE EVERYBODY.

TEXTS -- IT'S LIKE PRETTY PHRENETIC EXCITING WAIT.

>> Cathy: DO ALL OF YOU BY THE WAY DO YOU ALL ATTEND CONVENTIONS?

>> I'LL BE THERE.

>> WE DO EVERYTHING.

>> MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR.

>> I'LL BE IN DULUTH.

>> ALL RIGHT, SEE YOU THERE.

>> I WILL BE THERE TOO.

>> I HATE MYSELF, SO I'M GOING.

>> Eric: THANKS.

>> >> Cathy: ENJOY, ENJOY.

GLAD YOU'RE HERE TOO.

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