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

>> ERIC: ON TONIGHT'S SHOW, WE'LL TALK WITH LARRY FITZGERALD ABOUT FIRST BALLOT HALL OF FAMER JOE MAUER, TAKE A LOOK AT THE MURDER CHARGES FILED AGAINST A STATE TROOPER IN THE DEATH OF RICKY COBB II.

DAVID GILLETTE HAS A VIDEO ESSAY FOR US.

AND MARY LAHAMMER IS COVERING PRE-SESSION ACTION AT THE LEGISLATURE.

>> Mary: THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION HASN'T BEGUN, BUT LAWMAKERS ARE ALREADY HEARING WHAT COULD BE ONE OF THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES, PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE.

WE'LL TALK WITH THE BILL AUTHOR AND OPPONENTS.

>> THIS IS THE FIRST TIME TO MY KNOWLEDGE THAT IT'S GOING TO BE VOTED ON.

>> IT IS A REAL THREAT TO MY SON'S LIFE.

>> 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.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

AND PAINT CARE, HELPING MINNESOTANS RECYCLE LEFTOVER PAINT.

MORE AT PAINTCARE.ORG.

>> ERIC: WE'VE GOT A FULL SHOW FOR YOU TONIGHT.

LARRY FITZGERALD IS HERE TO TALK ABOUT ST. PAUL'S OWN FIRST BALLOT HALL OF FAMER JOE MAUER.

LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR JUDY RANDALL JOINS US WITH THE REPORT ON MISSTEPS IN THE CANNABIS DIRECTOR HIRING PROCESS.

U OF M'S BRENDA CHILD SHARES A NEW BOOK THAT SHOWCASES A COLLECTION OF ARTWORK FROM NATIVE PAINTERS.

>> Cathy: BUT WITNESS START TONIGHT WITH POLITICAL NEWS FROM THE EAST COAST.

LATE THIS AFTERNOON, A FEDERAL JURY ORDERED FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP TO PAY E. JEAN CARROLL $83.3 MILLION IN DEFAMATION DAMAGES.

THIS COMES AT THE END OF A WEEK THAT INCLUDED SOLID VICTORIES FOR BOTH PRESIDENT BIDEN AND FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP IN THE NEW HAMPSHIRE PRIMARY.

AS TRUMP'S PRESUMPTIVE NOMINEE STATUS GROWS, SO HAS THE DIVIDE AMONG CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS ON IMMIGRATION, STALLING A DEAL ON BORDER SECURITY AND AID TO UKRAINE.

HERE WITH MORE, DAVID SCHULTZ TEACHES POLITICAL SCIENCE AT HAMLINE UNIVERSITY.

GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN, PROFESSOR.

AN $83 MILLION JUDGMENT.

THE FORMER PRESIDENT'S FACING FOUR CRIMINAL INDICTMENTS AND A CIVIL LAWSUIT.

WHEN DOES THIS START TO STICK TO HIM PLAIT PLITICALLY?

>> IT MIGHT NOT STICK TO HIM AT ALL WITH HIS BASE.

ASSUMING HE GETS THE NOMINATION, DOES IT STICK TO HIM DURING THE GENERAL ELECTION AND THAT'S WHERE I THINK IT'S GOING TO HIT AT THAT POINT.

BECAUSE RIGHT NOW, REMEMBER HE SAID HE COULD STAND ON 5TH AVENUE, SHOOT SOMEBODY, IT COULD NOT CHANGE MY BASE.

HE GOT THAT RIGHT.

HIS BASE IS NOW 50% OF THE REPUBLICAN ARTY.

IT'S REALLY GOING TO BE THOSE INDEPENDENT VOTERS, THOSE CRITICAL SWING OTERS, AND THOSE FEW STATES LIKE WISCONSIN THAT ARE GOING TO DECIDE THE ELESKS.

AND ANY OF THOSE CONVICTIONS, IF THEY WERE TO COME, THE IT'S GOING TO BE THOSE FEW VOTERS THAT IT'S GOING TO AFFECT.

>> Eric: WHAT ABOUT THE TIMING OF THE COURT ACTION VERSUS THE POLITICAL CALENDAR?

>> WELL, RIGHT NOW, HIS WHOLE STRATEGY IS TO KEEP PUSHING THINGS OUT.

I DON'T THINK HE'S GOING TO BE COMPLETELY SUCCESSFUL.

I THINK WHAT'S GOING TO I KNOWED UP HAMMING HERE IS HE'S GOING TO BE ABLE TO PUSH THEM A COUPLE OF MONTHS.

BUT FEDERAL TRIALS, THEY WANT TRIALS.

THEY'VE GOT PACKED DOCKETS, I HAVE IS A A THEORY THAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE PERHAPS TRIALS OR JUDGMENTS AS OUR PROVERBIAL OCTOBER SURPRISE.

THAT HE'S GOING TO BE ENMESHED AT THAT POINT.

NOW, SO FAR, HE'S BEEN INCREDIBLY SUCCESSFUL IN TRANSFORMING TRIALS INTO CAMPAIGN EVENTS.

AND GENG, IT WORKS WITH HIS BASE.

THE QUESTION WILL BE, WILL IT WORK WITH THE GENERAL ELECTORATE?

>> Cathy: WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF HIS GROWING CONGRESSIONAL FLIEWBS AND THE FACT THAT HE'S TELLING G.O.P.

LAWMAKERS NOT TO VOTE ON THIS IMMIGRATION BILL?

>> IT'S IN WRB'S INTEREST.

COLLECTIVE PUBLIC GOOD AT THIS POINT, WE HAVE TO ADDRESS THE BORDER CRISIS.

EVERYBODY KNOWS WE HAVE TO DO THAT.

AND THAT WAS A DEAL.

IT LOOKED LIKE WE ACTUALLY HAD A DEAL, BUT HE DOESN'T WANT THAT BORDER CRISIS SOLVED BECAUSE HE WANTS THE THE IMAGES.

BECAUSE IF YOU LOOK AT AGAIN, HIS BASE, AND GO ACK TO IOWA A COUPLE WEEKS AGO.

IN IOWA.

THE TOP OF HIS IN TERMS OF ISSUES THAT IOWA EPUBLICANS WERE IS A NAMING WAS THE BORDER CRISIS ISSUE.

AND SAME THING WE'RE SEEING SOMEWHAT IN NEW HAMPSHIRE AND I THINK THIS IS THE KIND OF ISSUE THAT HE THINKS THOSE IMAGES OF BORDER CRISIS WILL RESONATE AS A CRITICISM OF BIDEN IN THE GENERAL ELECTION.

>> Eric: NIKKI HALEY GOT A SHOT IN HER HOME STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA?

>> I DON'T THINK SO AT THAT POINT.

IF WE'RE GOING TO USE THE ANALOGY OF PATHS FRRMDS OR SOMETHING, HER PATH FORWARD IS NOT VERY GOOD.

EVEN THOUGH SHE SAID SHE'S IN IT FOR THE LONG HAUL, DOES SHE WANT TO TAKE A CHANCE OF LOSING IN HER OWN HOME STATE AT THIS POINT?

SHE COULD BE A BURR IN HIS SADDLE AT THIS POINT.

AND SHE REPRESENTS ROUGHLY THAT 45% OF THE PARTY THAT DOESN'T SUPPORT HIM.

BUT I'M NOT SURE WHAT GOOD IT DOES.

I MEAN, DOES SHE WANT TO BE THE LIKE, SAM ARE IFISHAL LAMB.

IT'S HARD TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S IN HER MIND IN TERMS OF THE THINK EXCEPT I THINK, I THINK SHE'S HOPING THAT IF ALL HIS PROBLEMS PERSIST, IT GETS TO THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION, I'M GUESSING OR TOTALLY SPECULATING, AND THERE MAYBE IS A CONVICTION OR SOMETHING, AND THEY'RE SAYING, WE GOT TO REPLACE TRUMP, SHE CAN SAY I'M THE ALTERNATIVE.

SO SHE MAY BE, AGAIN, TOTAL SPECULATION, PLAYING THE LONG GAME STRATEGY HERE WITH A HAIL MARY.

>> Eric: AND DEAN FILLISMS THE SAME WAY ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE.

HE KNOWS HE MAY NOT GET A DELEGATE BUT WANTS TO MAKE IS IT TO THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION.

>> MONEY WILL DICTATE THAT.

HE'S NOT GOING TO DO WELL IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND MICHIGAN.

HE DID SOMEWHAT WELL IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.

>> Eric: 20%, WASN'T IT?

>> YEAH, REMEMBER, HE ORIGINALLY HE SAID HE WANTED TO EQUAL WHAT SENATOR MCCARTHY GOT, AND THEN HE WENT BACK AND SAID I'M A WINNER F I GET 20.

HE ALMOST GOT 20%.

HOW MUCH MORE MONEY CAN HE BRING IN AT THIS POINT?

>> Eric: BUT HE'D BE A JUST IN CASE CANDIDATE LIKE HALEY WOULD BE?

>> HE WOULD, EXCEPT THE FACT THAT I THINK HALEY RIGHT NOW IS A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE.

IF BIDE WREN WERE INCAPACITATED THERE'S PROBABLY SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE OUT THERE, GOVERNOR FROM CALIFORNIA, MAYBE SOME SENATORS, MAYBE THE GOVERNOR OF -- GRETCHEN WHICH THE MANAGER AS ALTERNATIVES.

>> Eric: NEWSOME IS GOING TO SOUTH CAROLINA TO CAMPAIGN FOR BIDEN.

SO LOOK OUT THERE.

THANKS, PROFESSOR.

♪♪ >> ERIC: HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY MARY MORIARTY ANNOUNCED FELONY CHARGES WEDNESDAY AGAINST A STATE TROOPER WHO KILLED A BLACK MOTORIST LAST SUMMER.

RYAN LONDREGAN FACES MURDER, MANSLAUGHTER, AND ASSAULT CHARGES FOR FATALLY SHOOTING RICKY COBB II DURING A TRAFFIC STOP IN MINNEAPOLIS.

LONDREGAN'S ATTORNEY OBJECTED TO MORIARTY'S USE OF A GRAND JURY IN GATHERING EVIDENCE ON THE CASE, THOUGH SHE HERSELF MADE THE FINAL CHARGING DECISION.

HERE FOR SOME ANALYSIS, TWO LEGAL EXPERTS ON POLICE VIOLENCE CASES AND THE GRAND JURY PROCESS.

FORMER RAMSEY COUNTY ATTORNEY SUSAN GAERTNER, NOW IN PRIVATE PRACTICE.

RICK PETRY IS A FORMER DEFENSE ATTORNEY, NOW A PROFESSOR AND DIRECTOR OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION AT MITCHELL HAMLINE SCHOOL OF LAW.

WELCOME TO BOTH OF YOU.

GRAND JURY WAS CALLED.

DIDN'T TAKE A VOTE EVEN.

IS THIS SOME NEW TACTIC OR IS THIS, LIKE, RIGHT FROM THE MIME FREEMAN BOOK?

>> WELL, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT MIKE FREEMAN TOOK ON AS A WAY TO GO FORWARD.

AND I THINK IT'S AN EXCELLENT USE OF THE GRAND JURY PROCESS.

I MEAN, IT -- WHAT YOU HAVE IS THE ABILITY WITH A GRAND JURY TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION, TAKING IT A STEP FARTHER THAN YOU COULD OTHERWISE BECAUSE YOU COULD COMPEL WITNESSES BEFORE THE GRAND JURY.

SO YOU GATHER ALL THAT INFORMATION, AND THEN YOU CAN MAKE A BETTER DECISION ABOUT HOW YOU SHOULD MOVE FORWARD.

AND THEN THE COUNTY ATTORNEY STANDS UP TO THE PUBLIC AND STANDS BEHIND THE DECISION SHE MAKES.

RATHER THAN HIDE IT UNDER THE COVER OF THE GRAND JURY PROCESS.

>> Cathy: EVIDENTLY A USE OF FORCE EXPERT WAS CONSULTED, BUT THAT WAS NOT IN ANY REPORT.

WAS THAT A LITTLE IRREGULAR OR IS THAT COMMON TO BRING IN EXPERTS BEFORE THE GRAND JURY?

>> O, THINK THAT'S OKAY.

THERE'S NO LEGAL REQUIREMENT THAT YOU HAVE AN EXPERT USE OF FORCE OR ANYTHING ELSE.

THAT'S A JUDGMENT CALL AND A TACTICAL CALL THAT A LAWYER IS ENTITLED TO MAKE.

SO I DON'T THINK THAT'S A BIG DEAL.

>> I WAS TALKING WITH TO JOE TAMBOURINEO AND HE SAID HE FELT THESE CHARGES ARE CONFUSING AND LEGALLY INCONSISTENT BECAUSE TWO OF THE CHARGES WAS UNINTENTIONAL CRIMES AND ONE WAS INTENTIONAL ASSAULT.

IS IT CONFUSING?

>> NO, I DON'T THINK SO.

AND I DON'T AGREE WITH JOE.

I KNOW JOE, BUT I DON'T AGREE WITH HIM ON THIS ONE.

THIS IS WHAT WE WOULD REFER TO AS AN ALTERNATIVE THEORY.

ON THE ONE HAND, IF YOU BELIEVE THAT THERE WAS AN INTENT TO COMMIT THE SECOND-DEGREE ASSAULT, WHICH IS THE UNDERLYING FELONY FOR THE SECOND-DEGREE MURDER CHARGE, THEN HE COULD BE CONVICTED UNDER THAT.

IF YOU DON'T, THEN WE MOVE O THE OTHER CHARGES.

SO THIS IS NOT UNUSUAL.

AND I DON'T THINK IT'S CONFUSING AT ALL.

>> Eric: A VIEW -- FOR YOU TO VIEW THE -- WHAT WOULD YOU CALL THEM, THE DEADLY FORCE STANDARDS I GUESS THEY WOULD BE CALLED, PROTECTING SOMEBODY SPECIFICALLY AGAINST A THREAT TO YOUR SAFETY OR EVEN DEATH.

IS THAT FIT THE CASE HERE?

>> WELL, THE CHARGES, AS THEY ARE SET OUT, ARE RELYING ON THE PREMISE THAT THE USE OF DEADLY FORCE WAS NOT JUSTIFIABLE.

AND SO THE DEFENSE WILL BE IN FACT THAT IT WAS.

THE DEFENSE WILL BE, IT WAS IMPERATIVE THAT DEADLY FORCE BE USED TO SAVE THE LIFE OF HIMSELF, THE FELLOW TROOPERS, WHOEVER ELSE MIGHT HAVE BEEN A THREAT.

BUT, AGAIN, POLICE OFFICERS CAN USE DEADLY FORCE.

BUT IT HAS TO BE REASONABLE.

SO THAT WILL BE WHAT THE BATTLE IS ALL ABOUT.

>> Eric: ARE JURIES MORE INCLINED NOW TO BE TOUGHER ON LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS POST-GEORGE FLOYD, OR IS THAT JUST A COINCIDENCE?

>> NO I THINK THAT JURIES ARE MUCH MORE OPEN-MINDED NOW ABOUT THE RESPONSIBILITY THAT PERHAPS LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS HAVE COMMITTED CRIMES.

I'LL TELL YOU WHY I THINK THAT.

PRIOR TO GEORGE FLOYD IN VOIR DIRE, JURY SELECTION, IF YOU ASKED A JUROR, IF A POLICE OFFICER COMES IN, THAT THEY'RE MORE LIKELY TO BE HONEST THAN A LAYPERSON, MOST URORS WOULD SAY, YEAH, I THINK SO.

NOW I'M HEARING FROM MEMBERS OF THE BENCH THAT THAT'S NOT THE CASE.

THAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING I'M NOT SO SURE.

I'M GOING TO HAVE TO REALLY PAY CLOSE ATTENTION.

SO I THINK THERE'S MORE OF AN APPETITE IN THE COMMUNITY TO AT LEAST CONSIDER IT WITHOUT JUST DISMISSING IT OUT OF HAND.

>> Cathy: WHAT DO YOU MAKE WHEN IT COMES O SEATING A JURY?

I MEAN, THIS IS A SITUATION WHERE, AGAIN, THIS IS A WELL COVERED STORY.

WILL THIS HAVE TO BE MOVED OUT OF HENNEPIN COUNTY?

>> NO.

I'M SURE THAT THERE WILL BE AN ATTEMPT TO MADE TO MOVE IT OUT OF HENNEPIN COUNTY, BUT IN FACT THE MORE PUBLICITY ANY GIVEN CASE GETS, IN SOME WAYS, THE LESS LIKELY IT'S TO BE MOVES.

WHEN YOU CONSIDER THAT THERE IS A MEDIA MARKET THAT'S STATEWIDE, MOVING IT TO -- AND I KNOW THIS WAS A FACTOR IN THE HAUVIN DECISION NOT TO MOVE THE CASE, YOU MOVE IT TO BEMIDJI OR BRAINERD AND THEY'RE READING THE SAME PAPERS AND WATCHING THE SAME NEWS, AND SO THEY'RE JUST AS LIKELY TO KNOW ABOUT IT AS JURORS IN HENNEPIN COUNTY.

>> Eric: COULD YOU REACT TO THE TROOPER'S ATTORNEY'S COMMENTS.

MARY MORIARTY'S MADE SWEETHEART DEALS WITH MURDERERS AND KID NAPPERS, NOW SHE CHARGES A HERO.

MORIARTY IS OUT OF CONTROL.

IT'S OPEN SEASON ON LAW ENFORCEMENT.

IT MUST END?

>> I'M REALLY GLAD YOU ASKED THAT QUESTION BECAUSE THAT'S GRAND-STANDING, RIGHT?

LEGALLY, THERE'S ABSOLUTELY NO SIGNIFICANCE TO THOSE COMMENTS.

IT'S GRAND-STANDING.

ALL THAT IS JUST TRYING TO POTENTIALLY INFLUENCE A JURY PANEL AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

IT HAS ZERO BEARING ON THE LEGAL COMPONENTS OF THIS OFFENSE.

AND FRANKLY, I THINK IT'S REALLY UNNECESSARY.

WHETHER OR NOT THIS TROOPER IS GUILTY OF THE OFFENSE WILL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAW.

AND THE JURORS WILL HAVE THINGS THAT THEY'LL HAVE TO WEIGH AND CONSIDER AND SEE IF THE STATE CAN ROVE BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT THAT THIS PERSON'S GUILTY.

IF THEY FIND THAT HE IS, BASED ON THE LAW, THEN HE WOULD BE CONVICTED.

IF NOT, THEN HE WOULDN'T BE.

>> >> Cathy: IT WAS A LITTLE UNUSUAL BECAUSE I DON'T THINK -- WHEN'S THE LAST TIME WE HEARD A DEFENSE ATTORNEY GO AFTER THE COUNTY ATTORNEY IN INITIAL STATEMENTS ABOUT HIS CASE?

>> IT IS VERY UNUSUAL.

AND I THINK IT'S VERY MUCH LIKE OUR POLITICS THESE DAYS.

IS JUST THE RHETORIC IS SO MUCH ANGRIER, NO MATTER WHICH SIDE YOU'RE ON.

AND IN THIS INSTANCE, A VERY EMOTIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE DECISION HAS BEEN MADE AND SO TO PERSONALIZE IT AND CRITICIZE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY IN THIS WAY IS I THINK A TREND AND A VERY UNFORTUNATE ONE.

>> Eric: DID YOU GET SOME OF THAT INCOMING WHEN YOU WERE COUNTY ATTORNEY?

>> ON OCCASION, BUT NOTHING THIS BOLD, THIS HOSTILE.

THIS OUT OF CONTROL.

>> Eric: OKAY.

WELL, GOOD STUFF.

WE LEARNED A LOT.

APPRECIATE YOU COMING BY.

HOPE WE SEE YOU AGAIN.

♪♪ >> I'M NOT QUITE SURE HOW, BUT EVERYBODY AROUND ME IS GETTING OLDER.

MY PATIENTS, MY CHILDREN, EVEN ME.

AND THIS IS AFFECTING MY BRAIN, BECAUSE TODAY, MORE THAN EVER, I SPEND MY TIME WAITING FOR RESULTS.

RESULTS FROM A MATH TEST, RESULTS FROM A BIOPSY, RESULTS FROM A CAR INSPECTION, REFRESH, REFRESH, WHAT ARE THE RESULTS?

AND TO BE FAIR, THE RESULTS DO MATTER.

THEY FILL MY CALENDAR WITH ACADEMIC EVENTS, FINANCIAL CONCERNS AND MEDICAL PROCEDURES.

IT'S ALMOST ENOUGH TO CHALLENGE MY SENSE OF FREE WILL.

IT'S NOT ME MAKING THE CHOICES.

IT'S THE RESULTS.

BUT THE REAL DOWNER IS THAT ALL THIS WAITING CAN MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO ENJOY PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING ELSE.

INSTEAD OF LIVING, I'M ALWAYS TENSING, ALWAYS PROGNOSTICATING AND ALWAYS BRACING MYSELF FOR AN APPROACHING STORM THAT HONESTLY, MAY NEVER ARRIVE.

IT'S EXHAUSTING.

AND IT AKES ME FEEL OLDER THAN I REALLY AM.

THE LESSON I'VE TAKEN FROM THIS, IN FACT, THE ONLY LESSON I'VE BEEN ABLE TO TAKE FROM THIS, IS THAT AS AN ADULT, YOU SIMPLY NEED TO FIND A WAY TO LIVE COMFORTABLY WITH UNCERTAINTY.

I KNOW THAT'S AN OBVIOUS THING TO SAY, BUT MY GOODNESS, IT IS A DIFFICULT MENTAL STATE TO ACHIEVE.

WHAT FASCINATES ME IS THAT THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS TO PURSUE THIS COMFORT.

I KNOW PEOPLE WHO TAKE THE HEADSTRONG APPROACH.

THEY BASICALLY SAY I'M AMAZING AND WHATEVER COMES MY WAY, I'LL JUST SOLVE IT.

OKAY, THAT'S A BIT ARROGANT IN MY MANY, BUT WHO AM I TO TELL SOMEONE THEY'RE NOT AMAZING?

I KNOW OTHER PEOPLE WHO SATURATE THEMSELVES IN ADVANCE.

THEY RUN THROUGH EVERY WORST CASE SCENARIO, AND THAT WAY, WHATEVER'S REAL, IT'S NEVER AS BAD AS WHAT THEY'VE ALREADY IMAGINED.

ALL RIGHT, WELL, TO ME, THAT'S A COLD AND WET AYE TO LIVE, BUT WHO AM I TO TAKE AWAY SOMEONE'S BUCKET?

IS THE PATH I IS SMIER TO IS PROBABLY SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE.

IT'S ESSENTIALLY TWO WORDS.

WE'LL SEE.

WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

QUE SERA SERA.

I LIKE THIS APPROACH BECAUSE IT HELPED ME REALIZE SOMETHING THAT FEELS DEEPLY TRUE.

THE RESULTS AREN'T WHAT'S TAKING UP ALL MY TIME.

IT'S THE AITING.

AND THE WAITING ISN'T REAL.

IT LITERALLY DOES NOT XIST IN THE PHYSICAL WORLD.

AND WHEN I REMIND MYSELF THAT WAITING IS JUST A BEHAVIOR I CAN MINIMIZE, I FREE UP MORE THAN ENOUGH TIME TO ENJOY MY LIFE, NO MATTER WHAT THE RESULTS ARE.

SO EUREKA, FREE WILL RESTORED, LIFE IS GOOD AGAIN.

I THINK.

MAYBE.

I GUESS WE'LL SEE.

♪♪ >> CATHY: ON THURSDAY, THE LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR'S OFFICE RELEASED A REPORT ON GOVERNOR WALZ'S FAILED HIRING OF MINNESOTA'S FIRST STATE CANNABIS DIRECTOR LAST FALL.

ERIN DUPREE WAS AN INDUSTRY ENTREPRENEUR WHO HAD NEVER WORKED IN GOVERNMENT BEFORE.

SHE HELD THE TITLE FOR JUST ONE DAY, STEPPING DOWN AFTER MEDIA REPORTS REVEALED THAT HER BUSINESS SOLD PRODUCTS THAT ARE NOT LEGAL HERE IN MINNESOTA AND HAD FEDERAL TAX LIENS AND JUDGMENTS AGAINST HER.

JUDY RANDALL HEADS UP THE OFFICE OF THE LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR.

ALWAYS GOOD TO SEE YOU.

IF YOU LOOK THROUGH THE REPORT, IT SEEMS SEVERAL AGENCIES WERE NOT ON THE SAME PAGE WHEN IT CAME TO VETTING THIS PARTICULAR CANDIDATE.

WHAT HAPPENED HERE?

>> WELL, THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE RUNS THE PROCESS FOR VETTING CANDIDATES.

AND THEY DIDN'T TOTALLY FOLLOW THEIR OWN STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES, SO THAT'S ULTIMATELY WHAT HAPPENED.

THEY USED B.C.A., BUREAU OF CRIMINAL APPREHENSION TO DO THE BACKGROUND CHECK RATHER THAN ALCOHOL, GAMBLING, ENFORCEMENT DIVISION, LOTS OF ACRONYMS.

IN PART THEY USED B.C.A.

BECAUSE A.G.A.D.

DIDN'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY AUTHORITY TO CONDUCT THE TO ONDUCT THE BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR OFFICE OF CANNABIS MANAGEMENT.

BUT THEN THEY MADE SOME ASSUMPTIONS, THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE DID.

THEY ASSUMED THAT B.C.A.

WOULD COORDINATE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE TO DO SOME OF THE BACKGROUND CHECK STUFF AND IN FACT, THEY NEVER DID CHECK WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE.

>> Eric: DO THEY HAVE AN OUT BECAUSE THIS IS A BRAND-NEW DEPARTMENT WITH A BRAND-NEW APPOINTMENT AND MAYBE THE PROCEDURES FOR THIS WOULD BE DIFFERENT OR MORE INTENSE THAN THE TYPICAL, WHAT DO THEY HAVE, 2,500 APPOINTEES A YEAR OR SOMETHING?

>> INTHOSK THEY HAVE AN OUT.

THEY HAVE STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF APPOINTMENTS AND THEY HAVE A GROUP OF PROCEDURES THAT THEY IS A USE FOR SO-CALLED SENSITIVE POSITIONS, SO THOSE PROCEDURES WOULD APPLY HERE.

AGAIN, THE ONE HING IS THAT ALCOHOL AND GAMBLING DISENFRANCHISE HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DO THE BACKGROUND CHECK.

SO THEY USED B.C.A.

>> Cathy: DOES THE WALZ ADMINISTRATION HAVE A DIFFERENT SET OF PROTOCOLS THAN OTHER ADMINISTRATIONS HAVE HAD IN THE PAST?

>> I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT HONESTLY.

WE HAVE NOT LOOKED AT THIS PREVIOUSLY.

>> Cathy: IS THIS THE FIRST TIME YOU'VE INVESTIGATED THE APPOINTMENT PROCESS?

>> IT IS, AND IT'S A LITTLE UNUSUAL THAT WE WOULD DO SO.

THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE HAS BROAD DISCRETION TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS.

IT'S ESTABLISHED IN THE CONSTITUTION.

AND STATE LAW DOESN'T ESTABLISH ANY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PROCESS.

THEY SIMPLY KIND OF MAKE SOME SUGGESTIONS ABOUT WHAT COULD BE DONE.

BUT THERE'S NO REQUIREMENTS, SO THE GOVERNOR CAN MOSTLY DO WHAT THEY WANT TO DO.

>> Eric: REACTION FROM THE GOVERNOR, AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE?

>> THEY WERE COOPERATIVE.

THEY DIDN'T DISAGREE WITH THE FINDINGS.

AND THEY'VE ALREADY IMPLEMENTED THE RECOMMENDATIONS WE'VE MADE.

>> Eric: HOW DID THIS COME TO YOU AS A SUBJECT FOR A REPORT?

>> A LEGISLATOR REQUESTED THAT WE DO A SPECIAL REVIEW ON THIS.

>> Eric: AND WHAT'S THE FLEXIBILITY YOU HAVE TO DO STUFF?

WITHOUT DIRECTION FROM THE LEGISLATURE?

OR -- >> YEP, IN LAW, WE CAN CONDUCT A SPECIAL REVIEW BASED ON A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT CRITERIA AND ONE IS IF A LEGISLATOR REQUESTS IT.

AND I'LL BE CLEAR.

THIS WAS NOT ACTUALLY A FULL SPECIAL REVIEW.

THIS WAS WHAT WE CALL A PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT WHERE WE JUST GATHER SOME PRELIMINARY BACKGROUND INFORMATION.

WE DO ABOUT 50 TO 75 OF THESE A YEAR.

THEY DON'T USUALLY MAKE THE NEWS.

>> Eric: WHAT DO YOU GOT COMING UP THAT MIGHT PROMPT YOU TO COME BACK AND VISIT US AGAIN?

[ Laughter ] >> WELL, WE'RE WORKING ON A SPECIAL REVIEW RELATED TO THE DENT OF EDUCATION'S OVERSIGHT OF "FEEDING OUR FUTURE."

>> Eric: OOH.

>> SO I THINK THAT MIGHT BE OF INTEREST.

WE'RE ALSO DOING LOTS OF OTHER PROGRAM EVALUATIONS ON WORKER MISCLASSIFICATION, METRO MOBILITY.

DOWN PAYMENT RENTAL ASSISTANCE.

AND DHS INTERACTION WITH COUNTIES AS WELL AS A BUNCH OF OTHER STUFF.

>> Eric: FULL PLATE.

THANKS FOR COMING OVER.

♪♪ >> ERIC: ON TUESDAY, MINNESOTA SPORTS LEGEND AND ST. PAUL NATIVE JOE MAUER WAS ELECTED TO THE MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL HALL OF FAME ON THE FIRST BALLOT.

MINNESOTA SPORTS FANS KNOW JOE'S STORY WELL.

A STAR HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE IN THREE SPORTS, HE WAS THE NUMBER ONE QUARTERBACK IN THE NATION.

MAUER COMMITTED TO PLAY FOOTBALL AT FLORIDA STATE IN APRIL OF HIS SENIOR YEAR.

THREE MONTHS LATER, HE WOULD SIGN A CONTRACT WITH THE MINNESOTA TWINS, WHO HAD CHOSEN THE CATCHER WITH THE NUMBER ONE PICK IN THE DRAFT.

HOW BIG WAS THE NEWS THE DAY HE JOINED THE TWINS ORGANIZATION?

EVEN TWIN CITIES PUBLIC TELEVISION COVERED IT.

>> THIS IS A BONA FIDE CATCHER WITH ALL THE SKILLS THAT YOU LOOK FOR.

HE CAN THROW.

HE CAN RUN.

HE HAS POWER.

HE CAN HIT.

HE CAN HIT FOR AVERAGE.

HE CAN HIT LEFTIES.

HE IS ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT YOU LOOK FOR IN A BALL PLAYER.

>> I COULDN'T ASK FOR A BETTER SPOT TO BE PLACED IN.

AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST AN UNBELIEVAL FEELING TODAY.

AND I'M JUST THANKFUL THAT THE TWINS SELECTED AND NOW I'M A BASEBALL PLAYER.

>> Eric: JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT MAUER'S HALL OF FAME CAREER, LARRY FITZGERALD, SENIOR.

IN ADDITION TO HIS REGULAR "ALMANAC" SPORTS CHATS, YOU CAN HEAR LARRY'S RADIO WORK ON THE NATIONAL PROGRAMMING NETWORK.

FIRST BALANCE A SURPRISE?

FIRST BALLOT A SURPRISE?

>> NOT REALLY, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT WINNING A BATTING TITLE THREE TIMES IN THE SPAN OF, WHAT, SIX YEARS?

'06 ... '08 AND 2009 HE DOMINATED BASEBALL.

I THINK HE HIT 28 HOMERS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

DROVE IN 90 RUNS.

HE WAS THE M.V.P.

IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL.

AND THEN I THINK THEY SWITCHES TO GO OVER AND PLAY AT TARGET FIELD AND EVERYBODY'S TALKING ABOUT, IS HE A HALL FAMER, OR WILL HE GO IN THE HALL OF FAME?

YES, HE'S DESERVING OF IT.

THE UMBERS PROVE IT.

HE'S THE ONLY CATCHER IN THE HISTORY OF BASEBALL TO WEBINAR THREE BATTING TITLES AND THAT SAYS A LOT.

WHAT A TREMENDOUS ATHLETE.

HE CARRIED HIMSELF IN A WAY AT A TIME DURING MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL WHEN YOU LOOK AT ALL THE ISSUES WITH THE PERFORMANCE ENHANCING DRUGS AND ALL THE PLAYERS THAT GOT LABELED FOR THIS AND LABELED FOR THAT.

I MEAN, BARRIERY BONDS IS NOT IN.

YOU KNOW, NEITHER IS ROGER CLEMENS.

AND THESE GUYS CLEARLY IN TREMENDOUS CAREERS.

BUT THEY WERE TAINTED.

JOE MAUER WAS A GREAT PLAYER.

HE PLAYED EVERY DAY.

AND HE ELIVERED FOR THE MINNESOTA TWINS.

IT WAS GREAT TO BE AT THE TWINS FEST KICKOFF TODAY AT TARGET FIELD AND TO SEE, YOU KNOW, TERRY RYAN.

THAT'S THE GUY THAT DRAFTED HIM.

AND ALL THE THINGS THAT HE SAID IN THAT CLIP CAME TRUE.

>> Cathy: AW.

YOU KNOW, JOE COULD HAVE LEFT FOR GREENER PASTURES, RIGHT, BUT HE STUCK HERE HIS ENTIRE CAREER, ALL THOSE YEARS IN MINNESOTA.

>> YEAH, THE TWINS SIGNED HIM TO ONE OF THE BEST CONTRACTS IN BASEBALL.

AND I THINK THAT WAS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY HE STAYED HERE.

IT WAS A SENSE OF LOYALTY.

HE LOVED THIS COMMUNITY.

I MEAN, HE GOT A CAR DEALERSHIP, THEY GOT A WHOLE LOT OF THINGS GOING FOR THEMSELVES, BUT JOE MAUER WAS A TREAT TO COVER DURING A TIME WHEN THE TWINS WERE TRANSITIONING FROM PLAYING INSIDE TO GOING OUTSIDE.

>> Eric: NOW, YOU COVERED HIM SINCE THE BEGINNING.

>> YES.

>> Eric: AND I WONDER HOW IT WAS DAY-TO-DAY COVERING THE TWINS WITH HIM IN THE CLUCKHOUSE.

BECAUSE HE'S KIND OF A MILD MANNERED GUY.

HE'S NOT A FIRED UP LEADER, THAT TYPE OF THING.

WHAT WAS HE LIKE WITH THE REST OF THE PLAYERS AND WITH THE MEDIA?

>> WELL ..., YOU KNOW, I THINK FOR ME, IT WAS ME JUDGING HIM AGAINST ANOTHER SUPERSTARE, IN THIS CASE, KIRBY PUCKETT.

KIRBY MADE HIMSELF AVAILABLE AFTER EVERY GAME, WIN OR LOSE AND HE TOOK THE BULLETS AND HE TOOK THE ACCOLADES AS WELLING.

JOE MAUER WAS A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

JOE, NOT NECESSARILY WOULD BE THE FIRST GUY.

YOU'D GO DOWN TO THE LOCKER ROOM, YOU'RE WAITING FOREVER, THAT TYPE OF THING.

BUT THE SAME THING HAPPENED WITH KEVIN GARN EAT.

EAT.

EVERYBODY'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

WHEN HE TALKED HE DID TALK.

>> Cathy: WE WERE TALKING OFF THE AIR HERE ABOUT, DO YOU THINK BECAUSE OF COURSE YOUR SON IS A GREAT ATHLETE, WAS JOE KIND OF A POSTER CHILD FOR NOT SPECIALIZING IN ONE SPORT IN HIGH SCHOOL, BECAUSE HE WAS SUCH A GOOD ALL-AROUND ATHLETE, BUT HE AS GOOD IN BRB AND FOOTBALL AND BASEBALL.

NOWADAYS PARENTS KIND OF HELP THEIR KID SPECIALIZE IN ONE SPORT.

DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?

>> YEAH, IT WAS, FOR ME, WATCHING HIM PLAY, PARTICULARLY AS A HIGH SCHOOLER.

I MEAN, YOU START HEARING ABOUT THIS PHENOMENAL ATHLETE IN ST. PAUL FROM CREATEDIN DURHAM HALL, THEY ROLL 'EM OUT OF HERE, BUT HE JUST WAS A TREMENDOUS PLAYER.

AT A EARLY AGE.

AND HE COULD DO WRNG.

EVERYTHING.

AND HE CHOSE THE ONE THAT HE THOUGHT WAS HIS BEST SPORT, AND THAT WAS BASEBALL, EVEN THOUGH FLORIDA STATE HAD -- THEY WANTED HIM TO BE A QUARTERBACK, THERE'S NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT.

>> Eric: GOOD BUSINESS DECISION, THOUGH ... LONGER CAREER, IN BASEBALL, NO SALARY CAP.

>> VERY TRUE.

AND HE HAD A TREMENDOUS CAREER, 15 YEARS, 2,100 HITS, 143 HOMERS AND ALL THOSE WINS.

THE TWINS JUST WON SO MANY GAMES DURING THE TIME HE PLAYED THOSE 15 YEARS.

IT WAS JUST UNFORTUNATE THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO WIN THE WORLD SERIES AGAIN.

>> Eric: THANKS LARRY FITZGERALD ORIGINAL.

>> THANK YOU BOTH.

♪♪ >> AMERICANS ARE UPSET.

BOTH MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES ARE POISED TO NOMINATE THEIR OLDEST PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES EVER.

HOW OLD ARE THEY?

WELL, THEY ARE SO OLD -- >> TANE.

I’M SORRY.

YOU’RE DONE.

I’LL BE TAKING YOUR PLACE HERE AS QUIRKY, FUN COMEDY MONOLOGIST ON "ALMANAC."

>> OH, NO, AM I BEING CANCELED?

>> NO, NOT CANCELED.

YOU ARE JUST TOO OLD TO DO THIS ROLE ANYMORE.

>> TOO OLD?

I’M ONLY 38.

>> 38?

AND THEY LET YOU DRIVE HERE?

AT NIGHT?

>> I ACTUALLY TOOK THE TRAIN.

I TOOK THE BUS.

>> OH, GOOD.

DID YOU USE YOUR SENIOR CITIZEN TRANSIT PASS?

>> HEY, HEY, COME ON, NOW.

I'M HIP.

I'VE STILL GOT IT.

WHAT MAKES ME COME OFF AS SO OLD IN THESE ESSAYS?

>> OH, IT’S NOTHING YOU SAY SPECIFICALLY.

I’LL PROBABLY SAY THE SAME THINGS.

IT’S JUST THAT YOUR WITHERED VISAGE WILL NO LONGER BE ON PEOPLE’S SCREENS REMINDING THEM OF THEIR OWN MORTALITY.

>> WITHERED VISAGE?

ISN’T THAT A BIT MUCH?

>> NO, YOUR NUMBERS ARE TERRIBLE.

EVERY TIME YOU SHOW UP HERE, TENS OF THOUSANDS OF VIEWERS SWITCH THEIR TVs FROM PUBLIC TELEVISION TO THE RERUNS OF "HOGAN’S HEROES" A FEW CHANNELS OVER.

YOU’RE LOSING TO COLONEL KLINK.

>> OH, YEAH, NOTHING IS GOING TO WIN YOUNG AUDIENCES OVER LIKE A 60-YEAR-OLD SITCOM REFERENCE.

>> GEN-Z LOVES SNOOPY.

WHY NOT BOB CRANE?

>> GOOGLE BOB CRANE PHOTOGRAPHY AND FIND OUT WHY.

LISTEN, THE POINT IS, I FEEL TOTALLY DIFFERENTLY NOW.

THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG WITH GETTING OLDER.

GETTING OLDER BRINGS EXPERIENCE AND WISDOM AND EXPERIENCE.

>> I GUESS IT’S GOOD TO KNOW PEOPLE CAN STILL CHANGE THEIR MINDS, EVEN AT AN ADVANCED AGE.

>> OKAY, WELL, WITH THAT, IT IS ALMOST 8:00, SO I GOT TO GET READY FOR BED.

ALL RIGHT.

[ Laughter ] ♪♪ >> CATHY: LAST WEEK A NEW COLLECTION OF ARTWORK FROM NATIVE ARTISTS HERE IN THE MIDWEST WAS RELEASED FROM THE U OF M PRESS ENTITLED "DREAMING OUR FUTURES."

A COMPANION EXHIBITION OF THE SAME NAME WILL MARK THE OPENING OF THE GEORGE MORRISON CENTER FOR INDIGENOUS ARTS AT THE U OF M. HERE WITH US NOW IS THE CO-AUTHOR OF THE BOOK, BRENDA J.

CHILD.

SHE IS A U OF M HISTORIAN BORN ON THE RED LAKE OJIBWE RESERVATION AND HAS AUTHORED MANY ESTEEMED BOOKS ON NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY.

IT IS ALWAYS GREAT TO HAVE YOU HERE.

WELCOME, WELCOME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: YOU TALK IN THE BOOK ABOUT THE STATE CAPITOL.

AND THE ART COLLECTION THERE.

GLOSSES OVER SOME HORRIBLE HISTORY.

NOW, THAT PLACE WAS RENOVATED.

>> YEAH.

>> Cathy: AND IN THE BOOK, YOU SAY, AMERICAN INDIAN ARTISTS HOLD THE MISSING NARRATIVES.

ARE THOSE NARRATIVES THERE AT THE CAPITOL?

ARE THEY STILL MISSING?

>> I THINK IN MY OPINION THEY'RE STILL MISSING.

YOU KNOW, WHEN THAT BIG RENOVATION WAS TAKING PLACE AT THE CAPITOL AND THERE WERE COMMITTEES AROUND THE STATE ABOUT WHAT ART SHOULD BE IN THE CAPITOL, IF YOU RECALL, THERE WAS A LOT OF -- IT WAS VERY CONTESTED.

AND ART CAN BE VERY POLITICAL.

AND THAT'S PART OF THE REASON WHY, BECAUSE THERE ARE THESE MISSING NARRATIVES FROM SOME OF OUR PUBLIC PLACES, IN MINNESOTA, THAT WE WANTED TO, AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, CURATE THIS EXHIBIT THAT FEATURED PAINTERS, WE JUST DECIDED ON PAINTERS.

WE COULD HAVE GONE ANOTHER ROUTE, BUT WE DECIDED ON PAINTERS.

AND WE WANTED TO FOCUS ON OJIBWE AS WELL AS DAKOTA PAINTERS FROM OUR REGION.

AND SO THAT'S WHAT WE'VE DONE.

AND WE'VE PULLED TOGETHER 29 ARTISTS, SOME OF THEM MID-CENTURY LIKE GEORGE MORRISON AND OSCAR HOWE AND PATRICK DELARJE UP TO I SEE STAR WALLOWING BOWL ON SEEN.

MY STUDENTS LOVED HIS PAINTING WHEN THEY WENT INTO THE EXHIBIT THIS PAST WEEK.

AND SO WE ANTED TO FEATURE WHAT'S GOING ON NOW IN CONTEMPORARY ART TOO.

>> Eric: SAY MORE ABOUT THE MISSION STATEMENT OF THE GEORGE MORRISON CENTER TOO.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACHIEVE?

>> WE WANT TO MAKE INDIGENOUS ARTS MORE VISIBLE TO OUR COMMUNITIES AND TO EVERYBODY.

IN FACT, THIS VIRT E FIRST EXHIBIT, "DREAMING OUR FUTURES" IS GOING TO BE AT THE NASH GALLERY IN THE ART DEPARTMENT ON THE WEST BANK UNTIL MIDMAY.

AND THEN THIS SPRING IT'S GOING TO TRAVEL DOWN TO THE ROCHESTER ART CENTER.

AND THEN EXT FALL T WILL BE UP AT THE TWEED IN DULUTH.

>> Eric: UMD.

>> AT UMD.

AND WHAT WE'RE THINKING IS THAT THIS NEW CENTER FOR ARTS -- REALLY CAN BE ANYTHING.

WE THINK OF IT AS A RESEARCH CENTER.

AND IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT PAINTINGS THAT YOU WOULD NECESSARILY SEE IN GALLERIES.

IT CAN BE ABOUT ANYTHING, REALLY.

POETRY.

WE REALLY WANTED TO FEATURE WHAT -- AND TO TALK ABOUT WHAT AN INCREDIBLY VIBRANT REGION WE LIVE IN FOR THE ARTS.

>> Eric: BECAUSE TEXT AISLES AND POTTERY, I EAN, CERAMICS, MOSAICS, IT GOES ON AND ON, REALLY.

>> IT DOES, YEAH.

IT'S AN INCREDIBLE PLACE FOR THAT.

AND SOMETIMES I THINK IN THE UNITED STATES WHEN PEOPLE THINK OF CENTERS OF INDIGENOUS ART, THEY THINK SANTA E OR NORTHERN NEW MEXICO, BUT WE ARE A CENTER OF IN-LAW ADDITIONAL HOUSE ARTS AS WELL.

>> Cathy: I THOUGHT YOUR COAUTHOR WAS ALSO -- HAD SOME INTERESTING THINGS TO SAY THE SEEDS OF THIS FOR HIM WERE PLANTED 20 YEARS AGO AT THE SIXTHSON EVERYONE MUSEUM OF INDIAN HISTORY AND HE SAW THE WORK OF GEORGE ORRISON AND WAS JUST GOB-SMACKED.

HE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW ABOUT GEORGE MORRISON.

WHAT ABOUT THAT IN TERMS OF SO MANY PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THESE NATIVE ARTISTS?

>> RIGHT.

WELL, HOWARD, MY COAUTHOR AND COCURATOR FOR THE EXHIBIT IS A NEW YORK ARTIST.

BUT I THINK THAT WAS HIS INTRODUCTION TO THE WORK OF GEORGE MORRISON.

AND I THINK IN MINNESOTA WE TEND TO THINK GEORGE MORRISON AS, LIKE, A LOCAL GUY AND SO FABULOUS.

HE'S IN ALL THESE ART MUSEUMS, BUT HE WAS ACTUALLY A VERY IMPORTANT FIGURE IN AMERICAN ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONONNISM AND SPENT HIS CAREER IN RANCE AND IN NEW YORK CITY AND TAUGHT AT THE RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN.

SO BEFORE HE CAME BACK AND BECAME, YOU KNOW, A PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, HE'D REALLY MADE HIS MARK ALREADY IN THE ART WORLD.

AND IN FACT, I SNOW JUST BECAUSE I KNOW SOME OF THE CURATORS THAT THE MEMBERSHIP MUSEUM OF ART IN NEW YORK IS WORKING N AN EXHIBIT CURRENTLY ABOUT GEORGE MORRISON'S NEW YORK CITY PERIOD.

>> Eric: OH, BIG TIME.

FEBRUARY 2ND AND 3RD, WHAT DO YOU GOT GOING?

>> WE'RE HAVING SOMETHING THAT WE CALL HORIZON SEMINAR.

AND IF YOU KNOW GEORGE MORRISON ONS WORK AND LANDSCAPES OF LAKE SUPERIOR, HE ALWAYS PAINTED THIS HORIZON LINE.

SO I THOUGHT, WELL, LET'S CALL IT THE HORIZON SEMINAR.

SO WE'RE TART STARTING OUT WITH ONE OF THOSE ON FLIE.

AND WE'RE CALLING IT ART AND AMERICAN INDIAN CITIZENSHIP, BECAUSE 2024 IS ACTUALLY THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICAN INDIAN CITIZENSHIP IN THE UNITED STATES.

>> Eric: OH, MY GOODNESS.

GOOD LUCK WITH THE WHOLE PROJECT.

>> BIG ANNIVERSARY.

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

♪♪ >> CATHY: SOMETHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY HAPPENED THIS WEEK AT THE CAPITOL.

A COMMITTEE TOOK A CONSEQUENTIAL VOTE ON A CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE, WEEKS BEFORE SESSION STARTS FOR THE SECOND HALF OF THE BIENNIUM.

REPORTER MARY LAHAMMER WAS THERE FOR THE FIRST VOTE ON A BILL ALLOWING PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED DEATH IN THE STATE AND GIVES US CONTEXT IN A CONVERSATION WITH THE BILL AUTHOR.

>> CHAIR VOTES AYE.

>> CHAIR LIEBLING, AYE.

>> Mary: FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MINNESOTA HISTORY, A LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE VOTED FOR THE END OF LIFE OPTIONS ACT.

>> THIS IS THE FIRST TIME TO MY KNOWLEDGE THAT IT'S GOING TO BE VOTED ON IN MINNESOTA.

>> Mary: WHY NOW?

>> I JUST THINK IT'S CONSISTENT WITH SOME OF THE LEGISLATION WE'VE ALREADY PASSED THIS YEAR.

I MEAN, THE LEGISLATION WE PASSED EMPHASIZES BODILY AUTONOMY AND THIS I THINK IS BASICALLY THE LAST DECISION PEOPLE GET TO MAKE.

>> Mary: THE BILL AUTHOR IS THE LAWMAKER WHO BROUGHT YOU THE NEW STATE FLAG, SO HE'S NOT AFRAID OF CONTROVERSY.

AND KNOWS THIS COULD BE THE LAST SESSION WITH A GUARANTEED DFL TRIFECTA.

>> I CERTAINLY THINK WE HAVE TO TAKE VEINING OF THE OPPORTUNITY -- ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES BEFORE US.

>> Mary: THIS COULD BE THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE OF SESSION.

I'M SURE YOU'RE AWARE OF THAT.

>> I MEAN, IT'S POSSIBLE BE.

I DON'T THINK IT SHOULD BE.

I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S SUPPORTED BY A VAST MAJORITY OF BOTH MINNESOTANS AND AMERICANS.

>> Mary: NOT DEAD YET IS WHAT THEIR T-SHIRTS SAY AS PART OF A COALITION OF 70 ORGANIZATIONS OPPOSING WHAT THEY CALL PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE.

>> IT IS A REAL THREAT TO MY SON'S LIFE.

ASSISTED SUICIDE WEAPONIZES THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY TO EXPRESS WITH ACTION THEIR ALREADY DEEPLY HELD BIAS THAT DISABILITY IS A FATE WORSE THAN DEATH.

>> LEGALIZATION OF PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE PERPETUATES THE HISTORICAL AND CONTINUED DEVALUATION OF THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

>> Mary: YOU'D HAVE TO HAVE A TERMINAL ILLNESS WITH LESS THAN SIX MONTHS TO LIVE AND DEEMED COMPETENT TO GET MEDICAL AID IN DYING.

>> I'VE JUST HEARD SO MANY STORIES FROM MINNESOTANS WHO ARE EITHER GOING THROUGH THIS THEMSELVES OR HEY'VE HAD A LOVED ONE GO THROUGH IT.

WE'RE GOING TO KEEP WORKING.

WE'RE GOING TO KEEP MOVING THIS FORWARD IN THE HOUSE.

THAT'S REALLY WHAT I CAN CONTROL AND I AM REALLY HOPEFUL THAT THE SENATE IS GOING TO FOLLOW OUR LEAD AT THE END OF THE DAY.

>> Mary: FOR TERMINAL PATIENTS, IT IS URGENT.

>> THIS IS THE MOST AGGRESSIVE BRAIN CANCER.

SO IF THERE ARE NO TREATMENT OPTIONS, THEN I DESERVE MORE DEATH OPTIONS.

>> I'M A LIFELONG REPUBLICAN.

MY REPUBLICAN FRIENDS AGREE WITH THIS MAEDA ON THIS DECISION.

>> THIS IS PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT BILL TO EVERY MINNESOTAN BECAUSE EVERY MINNESOTAN'S GOING TO DIE.

SO EVERY MINNESOTAN SHOULD CARE ABOUT THIS BILL.

>> Mary: BUT MEDICAL OPINIONS ARE FAR FROM RURAL.

THIS PROPOSED LAW WOULD DISRUPT DOCTOR-PATIENT RELATIONSHIPS.

>> WE ARE KNOWN AS A PLACE WHERE MEME COME FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD TO BE HEALED.

LEGALIZING PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE WOULD UPEND THIS REPUTATION.

>> Mary: THIS VETERAN WHO HAS SEEN SUICIDE UP CLOSE IS OPPOSED.

>> IT'S BEYOND ME THAT A DOCTOR WHO'S THERE TO PRESENT OR DO NO HARM WOULD ASSIST SOMEONE TO KILL THEMSELVES.

>> Mary: SO FAR ABOUT A DOZEN STATES ARE JURISDICTIONS ALLOW MEDICAL AID IN DYING AND POLLS SHOW INCREASING SUPPORT WITH AN AVERAGE OF 74% AMERICANS SAY TERMINALLY ILL PEOPLE SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO DECIDE HOW THEY DIE.

>> IT'S PASSED BY BALLOT INITIATIVE WITH OVER 60% SUPPORT IN PURPLE STATES.

WITH DID A SURVEY IN THE STATE FAIR.

SO I JUST THINK THERE'S A LOT OF SUPPORT FOR IT.

I MEAN, CERTAINLY THERE IS A VERY VOCAL MINORITY OPPOSED TO IT.

>> I HAVE NEVER ENCOUNTERED A PATIENT REQUEST OR DESIRE FOR POINTPOINTFORPOINT PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE.

>> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT GIVING PHYSICIANS AND INDIVIDUALS THE ABILITY TO END THEIR LIVES.

AND IF WE ARE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS, THE VERY LEAST WE SHOULD DO IS MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE TAKING EVERY PRECAUTION.

>> Mary: MORE HEARINGS ARE AHEAD, AND THIS ISSUE COULD DOMINATE THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> THESE LAWS ARE WORKING AS INTENDED.

AND THERE'S NO EVIDENCE OF ABUSE.

>> I HAVE INCURABLE LEUKEMIA.

AND I WISH THIS BILL COULD HELP ME OUT.

>> I AM DYING FROM EXTENSIVE SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER.

THE SAME DISEASE, THE SAME INDOORABLEINDOOR PHISHING CURABLE INCURABLE DISEASE THAT KILLED MY BROTHER.

>> THIS IS NOT ABOUT POLITICS.

IT'S ABOUT HUMANITY, DIGNITY AND LOVE.

>> Mary: DO YOU THINK THIS ENDS UP ON THE GOVERNOR'S DESK?

>> I CERTAINLY HOPE SO.

NOTHING'S EVER A GUARANTEE IN THIS PLACE.

♪♪ >> ERIC: THAT RARE COMMITTEE VOTE BEFORE SESSION EVEN BEGINS NEXT MONTH IS JUST ONE OF THE MANY TOPICS WE'RE GOING TO COVER WITH THIS WEEK'S POLITICAL PANEL.

THERE'S A LOT TO TALK ABOUT, SO LET'S JUMP RIGHT IN.

DEMOCRATS UP FIRST TONIGHT: ABOU AMARA IS A FORMER LEGISLATIVE STAFFER, NOW ATTORNEY IN TOWN.

WINTANA MELEKIN IS BACK.

SHE'S A D.F.L.

ACTIVIST WHO IS GEARING UP TO SPEND TIME AT THE LEGISLATURE THIS UPCOMING SESSION.

REPUBLICANS WITH US TONIGHT: JEN DEJOURNETT IS A POLITICAL OPERATIVE AND VETERAN OF CAMPAIGNS.

BRIAN MCCLUNG, FORMER TIM PAWLENTY SPOKESMAN, NOW A P.R.

PROFESSIONAL.

BRIAN, YOU'RE GOING TO DO WORK SUPPORTING THE END OF LIFE OPTIONS ACT.

>> YEAH, SO I MEAN, FULL DISCLOSURE, COMPASSIONATE CHOICES S A CLIENT OF OUR FIRM.

BUT AS I LOOK AT IT, REALLY, AS A CONSERVATIVE, THIS IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS WHERE YOU DON'T NEED GOVERNMENT TO BE INVOLVED.

AND THIS IS ABOUT YOUR OAB AUTONOMY AND YOUR PERSONAL DECISIONS TEND OF LIFE.

AND THERE ARE SAFEGUARDS IN PLACE.

A PERSON HAS TO BE DIAGNOSED WITH A TERMINAL ILLNESS.

HAVE SIX MONTHS OR LESS TO LIVE.

TALK TO TWO DOCTORS.

THIS IS IN PLACE IN TEN STATES AND WASHINGTON, DYED C. D.C. AND THERE HAS BEEN NO EVIDENCE OF MISUSE OVER THE NEARLY 30 YEARS IT'S BEEN IN PLACE.

SO I'VE HAD A CHANCE TO TALK WITH MANY OF THESE MINNESOTANS WHO ARE FACING TERMINAL ILLNESS.

THEY WANT THIS AS A CHOICE.

DID OF IT DOES NOT IMPOSE THAT PERSPECTIVE ON ANYONE ELSE.

IF YOU DON'T SUPPORT THIS, YOU DON'T NEED TO DO IT.

>> Cathy: BUT, JEN, THERE ARE WAYS TO EXPHIT EXIT THIS WORLD AND EASE THE LAST DAYS SO WHY DOES THE STATE NEED TO SANCTION MEDICAL AID IN DYING.

>> WELL, IT DOESN'T AND FIRST OF ALL, IT'S NOT A REPUBLICAN POSITION.

AND IT DOESN'T HAVE ALL THE DEMOCRATS EITHER.

SECOND OF ALL, THIS BILL'S CHANGED.

THE LAST BILL HAD TWO DOCTORS THAT HAD TO SIGN OFF.

THIS CURRENT BHL HAS ONE.

>> THAT'S NOT TRUE.

HAVE YOU READ THE BILL, JEN, NO.

THAT'S NOT TRUE.

>> THE OTHER THING IS DOESN'T HAVE A LOT OF SAFE GUARDS FOR MENTAL HEALTH.

AS REPRESENTATIVE ANNE NEU BRINDLEY SAID.

I HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT HEALTHCARE EQUALITY AND DISPARITY.

ARE THERE SAFE GUARDS FOR INDIVIDUALS THAT N MAKING SURE THERE'S MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT?

ADDITIONALLY, MAKING SURE THAT THERE'S NOT A FINANCIAL PRESSURE OR OTHER PRESSURES GOING ON IN THAT PERSON'S LIFE.

HAVE WE SUPPORTED VIRDS WITH THE PROPER SUPPORTS LIKE HEALTHCARE, RESPITE CARE FOR THEIR CAREGIVERS.

OTHER SUPPORTIVE NEEDS.

MY DAD DIED OF TERMINAL CAPTION.

HE WAS GIVEN SIX MONTHS.

HE IVED TWO AND A HALF YEARS AND LIVED LONG ENOUGH TO SEE HIS FIRST GRANDCHILD BORN.

HIS QUALITY OF LIFE MATTERED BECAUSE WE HAD THE MEANS TO DO SO.

>> Cathy: SAY, ABOU, THIS CAME UP WELL BEFORE SESSION STARTED.

WHICH IS PRETTY RARE.

WHY THAT TIMING?

>> WELL, I THINK PART IT SPEAKS TO THE FACT THAT THIS IS NOT GOING TO E A RED OR A BLUE ISSUE.

THIS IS REALLY GOING TO BE A MORAL QUESTION FOR LEGISLATORS AT THE CAPITOL.

AND O GRAPPLE WITH THESE QUESTIONS, I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO NEED SOME EXTRA TIME.

I SUSPECT, I DON'T KNOW THIS, THIS MAY ABE SESSION WHERE THE FOUNDATION IS LAID FOR THIS CONVERSATION.

BUT IT'S NOT THE END OF THIS CONVERSATION.

IT'S CLEAR BASED ON WHAT YOU JUST HEARD THAT THERE ARE SOME DEEP FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS THAT NEED TO BE TALKED AND MINNESOTANS HAVE TOO BE ENGAGED IN THAT PROCESS.

>> I THINK FOR ME, I'M ACTUALLY UNDECIDED MYSELF, NOT BECAUSE I DON'T BELIEVE IN THE -- PROVIDING THAT OPTION, BUT I WORRY ABOUT WHAT GUARD RAILS ARE IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S NOT INEQUITABLY USED ON COMMUNITIES.

I DO INHERENTLY BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD PASS SOMETHING.

I DO BELIEVE IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

I THINK WE NEED MAKE SURE THAT IT'S NOT SET UP IN A WAY WHERE FOLKS WHO HAVE LESS ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE, LESS ACCESS TO RIGHTS ARE PUT IN A POSITION WHERE THEY THINK THIS IS THE ONLY OPTION OR THE BEST OPTION FOR THEIR LOVED ONE OR THEMSELVES.

>> Cathy: THIS HAS COME UP LIKE THE PAST NINE SESSIONS, THOUGH, RIGHT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THIS IS NOT A NEXT CONVERSATION.

AND AGAIN, THIS HAS BEEN IN PLACE NEARLY 30 YEARS INCE OREGON FIRST PASSED IT.

WHAT JEN WAS SAYING IS NOT TRUE.

THIS BILL REQUIRES AT LEAST TWO DOCTORS TALK TO THE PATIENT.

IT REQUIRES THEM TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

AND SO THERE ARE A LOT OF SAFE GUARDS AND AGAIN IN THE NEARLY 30 YEARS HIS HAS BEEN N PLACE IN TEN STATES, THERE VRCHES BEEN ANY EVIDENCE OF MISUSE.

SO IT'S BEEN CLEARLY VETTED AND AGAIN IF YOU DON'T WANT TO CHOOSE THIS OPTION, YOU DON'T HAVE TO.

LESS THAN HALF OF ONE PERCENT OF PEOPLE IN OREGON ACTUALLY CHOOSE THIS OPTION.

WHEN THEY'RE DYING.

SO YOU CAN MAKE THIS CHOICE OR NOT.

BUT IT SHOULD BE UP TO THAT INDIVIDUAL.

>> Eric: JOE BIDEN TO DULUTH-SUPERIOR.

ABOU?

AND PETE STAUBER, THE REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN IN THE 8TH DISTRICT GETTING SOME HEAT.

WHAT WAS HIS VOTE ON THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL?

HOW DID IT AFFECT THE BLATNIK BRIDGE, BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FUNDING?

HERE'S HIS VIEW OF IT.

STAUBER VOTED AGAINST INFRASTRUCTURE BILL BUT HE SAID PASSAGE OF THAT DID NOT GUARANTEE MONEY FOR THE BRIDGE AND THAT THE FIRST MnDOT APPLICATION WAS TURNED DOWN AND THEN STAUBER JOINED WITH A BIPARTISAN GROUP OF MINNESOTA CONGRESS PEOPLE TO PRESSURE THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO INCLUDE THE BRIDGE FUNDS AND THAT BIPARTISAN PRESSURE WORKED, SAYS CONGRESSMAN STAUBER.

>> YEAH, THAT'S A LOAD OF CROCK.

FACIALLY, IT DOESN'T PASS THE SMELL TEST.

HERE'S THE REAL.

FIRST CONGRESS HAS TO MAKE FUNDS AVAILABLE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.

AND THEN YOU GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS.

IF YOU'RE IN THE WAY AT STEP ONE, YOU CAN'T CLAIM CREDIT ON STEP TWO.

THAT'S THE FIRST THING.

THE SECOND THING IS, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, REMEMBER, THEY TALKED ABOUT ALL INFRASTRUCTURE.

NEVER PASSED ONE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION PASSED A INFRASTRUCTURE BILL AND NOW WE'RE STARTING TO SEE THE FRUITS OF THAT LABOR.

WHY DOES IT MATTER?

BECAUSE NOW WE'RE GOING TO THE 2024 ELECTION.

THE BLUE WALL, WISCONSIN, MICHIGAN, PENNSYLVANIA, JOE BIDEN CAN SELL SOMETHING TANGIBLY TO THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY TO SAY I'M HELPING TO BUILD THIS COUNTRY BACK.

GIVE ME A ANOTHER FOUR YEARS.

>> I THINK THERE ARE OTHER BARRIERS FOR PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS THAT ARE GOING TO CREATE ISSUES FOR BIDEN.

I THINK THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL WAS A NET POSITIVE AND IT WAS A GREAT THING FOR OUR COUNTRY AND MINNESOTA IN PARTICULAR.

I DON'T THINK THAT THAT IS GOING TO BE THE DECIDER OF WHETHER FOLKS SUPPORT BIDEN AGAIN OR NOT.

>> Eric: THE 8TH DISTRICT USED TO E A DEMOCRATIC STRONG HOLD.

WHAT HAPPENED THERE?

>> WELL, WHAT HAPPENED IS THOSE VOTERS CAME HOME TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY WHERE THEIR VALUES WERE ALL ALONG, RIGHT?

SO THAT'S WHY THAT'S A REPUBLICAN AREA NOW.

AND YOU SEE ALMOST ALL OF THE STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS UP THERE ARE REPUBLICAN.

I THINK THE MOST INTERESTING PART HERE REALLY IS THAT JOE BIDEN CLEARLY HAS A THING FOR WISCONSIN.

I MEAN, THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME HE'S BEEN THERE RECENTLY.

AND I THINK WHAT THIS IS SIGNALING IS THAT WISCONSIN IS HIGH UP ON THE LIST AND MINNESOTA IS PART OF THAT TOORKS RIGHT?

SO I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO SEE THOSE KIND OF VISITS AS WE GET CLOSER TO THE ELECTION.

>> Cathy: CAN WE TALK ABOUT THE CANNABIS DIRECTOR SEARCH?

I MEAN, OF COURSE WE HAD THE AUDITOR ON EARLIER.

TALKING ABOUT HER AUDIT.

BUT IT'S NOW A NATIONWIDE SEARCH EVIDENTLY AND I THOUGHT THEY WERE LOOKING NATIONWIDE SINCE ERIN DUPREE STEPPED DOWN.

ARE THEY HAVING TROUBLE FINDING SOMEONE?

>> YEAH, SO MY SENSE OF IT IS THEY WANTED TO STAND IT UP REALLY QUICKLY, BUT THEN THAT CAUSED SOME PROBLEMS, SO NOW THEY'RE TAKING A STEP BACK AND SAYING, LETS GET IT RIGHT THIS TIME.

WE'VE GOT NATIONAL COMPARE TOMORROWS WHO HAVE ACTUALLY DONE THIS WORK.

AND I THINK THAT'S ACTUALLY GOING TO HELP US IN THE LONG TERM.

IN THE SHORT TERM, IT MIGHT BE A BIT MORE CLUNKY.

>> WELL, I THINK LOTS OF TIMES IN MINNESOTA STATE GOVERNMENT, WE GET KIND OF PAROCHIAL AND WE THINK IT HAS TO BE A MINNESOTAN AND I THINK AFTER THEY WENT THROUGH THAT PROGRESSION THE FIRST TIME, THEY'RE SAYING, THERE ARE MEME WITH EXPERTISE IN THIS IN OTHER STATES.

LET'S TRY TO BRING THAT IN.

BECAUSE I THINK NOT ONLY DO YOU NEED TO HAVE SOMEBODY WITH SOME EXPERIENCE IN THIS, YOU ALSO HAVE SOMEBODY THAT CAN HELP THE LEGISLATURE UNDERSTAND WHAT ARE SOME OF THE FIXES THAT WE NEED.

HOW CAN WE MAKE THAT LEGISLATION BETTER?

>> Eric: NIKKI HALEY HANG AROUND UNTIL MINNESOTA'S MARCH 5TH PRIMARY >> >> I HOPE ALL CANDIDATES HANG AROUND FOR A BIT, BECAUSE EVERYBODY WHO VOTES, IT'S A GOLD MINE OF VOTER DATA.

THAT GOES TO ALL POLITICAL PARTIES.

BUT THE TRUTH IS NEVADA DOESN'T MATTER.

THE DELEGATES THERE AREA ALREADY GOING TO BE ASSIGNED BECAUSE OF THEIR PROCESS.

SOUTH CAROLINA IS GOING TO BE AN UGLY MESS, BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE HOW SOUTH CAROLINA WORKS.

SO THAT IS PRETTY MUCH FROM TH.

CAROLINA FRIENDS DERKSZ >> Eric: YOU WERE DOWN THERE RECENTLY.

>> I WAS JUST DOWN THERE.

HOW THAT VOTE'S GOING TO GO.

I THINK SHE MAYBE HANGS AROUND IF HER DONORS TICK AROUND.

WHICH T.B.D.

ON THAT.

BUT I WANT EVERYONE TO VOTE BECAUSE WE WANT THAT DATA.

>> Eric: AND DEAN PHILLIPS WILL HE BE AROUND ON MARCH 35TH >> I THINK HE'S GOING TO STAY AS LONG AS HE CAN.

I'M NOT EXACTLY SURE WHAT HIS PLAN, GOAL, RRG VISION IS AT THAT POINT.

BUT I DON'T SEE HIM DROPPING OUT.

>> Cathy: HE WANTS TO GO TO THE CONVENTION.

>> YEAH, IT FEELS LIKE HE'S WATCHING AN EPISODE OF THE "WEST WING" AND FEELS LIKE THAT'S AN END GAME.

I AM FLUMMOXED.

I AM CONFUSED.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE STRATEGY.

MAYBE THIS IS PART OF A KIND OF FIRST RUN AND HE TESTS IT AGAIN IN 2028.

I'M NOT SURE.

IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME.

>> IEP I WANT TO SPENDS A MILLION DOLLARS IN THE THIRD CONGRESSIONAL DISTINCT.

THERE'S THREE ANNOUNCED.

TWO I BELIEVE ARE COMING FORWARD.

SO WE MIGHT FIVE ON OUR SIDE WHICH IS A BIG IMPROVEMENT FROM THE LAST TIME I WAS ON AND WE HAD NONE.

SO I THINK THAT PEOPLE ARE SEEING THAT THERE IS A PATH.

AND I THINK A DEFINITE PATH THAT DEFINITELY HELPS US INTO 2026.

>> THEY WILL ALL LOSE TO KELLY MORRISON.

>> Eric: KEEP TALKING.

I'M GOING TO GO WRAP IT UP.

♪♪ >> EACH BLOCK OF ICE WEIGHED CLOSE O 500 POND POUNDS.

IT WAS HARVESTED IN LAKE PHALEN.

WE WERE BEHIND SCHEDULE BECAUSE OF OUR WARM WEATHER EARLY IN THE YEAR SO WL REALLY HAD TO SCRAMBLE TO PULLED ENOUGH ICE OFF OF THE LAKE, BUT WE PULLED ABOUT 1500 TO 2,000 BLOCKS A AY AND WE MADE IT JUST IN TIME FOR THE GRAND OPENING OF THE PALACE.

>> ERIC: THIS YEAR'S WINTER CARNIVAL ORGANIZERS MAY BE THANKFUL THERE'S NO BIG ICE PALACE TO WATCH MELT IN THE UPCOMING WARM WINTER TEMPS.

IT'S HISTORY QUESTION TIME FOR YOU.

LAST WEEK CATHY ASKED ABOUT A DUO OF INVENTORS.

THESE TWO MINNESOTANS CREATED SOMETHING MORE THAN ONE 100 YEARS AGO THAT REMAINS A WELL-KNOWN AND LOVED PRODUCT INTERNATIONALLY.

WHILE THEIR RELATIONSHIP BECAME STRAINED, AND THEY DIED DECADES APART, THEY ENDED UP BURIED TOGETHER AT LAKEWOOD CEMETERY IN MINNEAPOLIS.

OUR QUESTION FOR YOU: WHO WERE THESE TWO MINNESOTA INVENTORS AND WHAT PRODUCT OF THEIRS RECENTLY PASSED THE CENTURY MARK?

CATHY THEN TOSSED IN SEVERAL CANDY HINTS, WHICH HELPED NEARLY ALL OF YOU.

THESE NEXT CALLERS WERE CLOSE BUT NOT QUITE THERE.

BUT NO CIGAR.

>> Eric: NO CHOCOLATE CIGAR FOR YOU FOCUSES.

PEARSON'S SALTED NUT ROLL WAS THE MOST COMMON WRONG ANSWER, AND A CANDY BAR IS THE PRODUCT WE SOUGHT BUT NOT THE NUT ROLL.

FOR THE CORRECT SWEET TREAT, TAKE IT AWAY, BONNIE.

>> ERIC: YES, THE FATHER AND SON DUO OF FRANKLIN AND FORREST MARS ARE THE INVENTORS WE SOUGHT.

THEY BOTH ARE RIGHT HERE.

FORREST AND FRANKLIN CREATED MANY SUCCESSFUL CANDY PRODUCTS, BUT THE MILKY WAY CANDY BAR WAS THEIR FIRST BIG HIT.

THE FATHER AND SON WERE SITTING IN A MINNEAPOLIS DINER MORE THAN 100 YEARS AGO WHEN THE IDEA CAME TO THEM.

WHY NOT CREATE A CANDY BAR VERSION OF A MILKSHAKE.

AND THE REST, AS THEY SAY, IS HISTORY.

THE MILKY WAY WAS A NEAR INSTANT SUCCESS, LEADING TO THE CREATION OF MARS, INC., AND SEVERAL OTHER LASTING CANDY HITS INCLUDING SNICKERS, THREE MUSKETEERS, AND M&M'S.

AND THAT CONCLUDES THE CANDY HISTORY LESSON PORTION OF TONIGHT'S SHOW.

BEFORE WE GO, WE WANT TO SAY A SPECIAL THANK-YOU TO LOYAL VIEWER TERRY FAUST FOR THE NEW ADDITION TO OUR SET THIS WEEK.

TERRY MAKES WEE WEATHER VANES FOR LITTLE LIBRARIES AND CREATED A CUSTOM ONE JUST FOR US.

THANK YOU FROM THE ENTIRE "ALMANAC" STAFF FOR THE NEW WEATHER VANE AND FOR WATCHING.

JUST ENOUGH TIME LEFT FOR SOME SHOW-ENDING MUSIC.

THIS WEEK BACK IN 2008, JOANNA JAMES JOINED US LIVE IN STUDIO "B."

TAKE A LISTEN, AND BE CAREFUL.

♪♪ >> ♪ LOVE OF MY LIFE ♪ ♪ BORN IN JULY ♪ ♪ WITH YOUR SUMMER SKIN ♪ ♪ AND YOUR LITTLE KID GRIN ♪ ♪ AND YOUR MIDNIGHT EYES ♪ ♪ THEY LIGHT ME UP INSIDE ♪ ♪ LOVE OF MY LIFE ♪ ♪ REMEMBER THOSE NIGHTS ♪ ♪ WE WOULD JUST STAY OUTSIDE ♪ ♪ WITH OUR BACKS ON THE LAWN ♪ ♪ WE WOULD TALK ON AND ON ♪ ♪ ABOUT OUR FUTURE THEN ♪ ♪ MAYBE EVEN CHILDREN ♪ ♪ WHAT I’D GIVE TO HAVE ♪ ♪ THOSE NIGHTS AGAIN ♪ 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.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

AND PAINT CARE.

HELPING MINNESOTA PAINT SMART YES, SIR TO PREVENT WASTE.

MORE AT PAINTCARE.ORG.

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