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

>> CATHY: COMING UP ON "ALMANAC," PAUL DOUGLAS IS HERE WITH A SPRING FORECAST.

WE'LL CHECK IN ON THE FIRST PROFESSIONAL WOMEN'S HOCKEY PLAYOFFS, FILL THE COUCH WITH POLITICAL REPORTERS, AND MARY LAHAMMER HAS BEEN FOLLOWING ETHICS COMMITTEE ACTION IN THE STATE SENATE.

>> Mary: ALL EYES WERE ON THE SENATE ETHICS COMMITTEE THIS WEEK.

WE'LL TELL YOU WHAT MAKES THIS PARTICULAR COMMITTEE SO UNIQUE AT THE CAPITOL.

>> YOU DO SWEAR THE EVIDENCE YOU GIVE RELATIVE TO THE CAUSE NOW UNDER CONSIDERATION SHALL BE THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH SO HELP YOU GOD, CORRECT?

>> 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 PAINTCARE: HELPING MINNESOTANS RECYCLE LEFTOVER PAINT.

MORE AT PAINTCARE.ORG.

"ONE GREATER MINNESOTA" REPORTING ON "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE OTTO BREMER TRUST, WHOSE MISSION IS INVESTING IN PEOPLE, PLACES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN OUR REGION.

>> CATHY: WE HAVE A BIG SHOW FOR YOU TONIGHT.

PLENTY OF POLITICS THIS TIME OF YEAR, WE'LL TALK WITH TWO LEGISLATORS ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE UBER/LYFT ISSUE.

POLITICAL REPORTERS ARE HERE.

IN BETWEEN, WE'LL TALK SPRING WEATHER WITH PAUL DOUGLAS, WOMEN'S HOCKEY WITH RACHEL BLOUNT, AND KEVIN KLING HAS A MOTHER'S DAY ESSAY FOR US.

>> ERIC: WE START TONIGHT WITH A FLURRY OF ACTIVITY IN THE DOWNTOWN ST. PAUL REAL ESTATE MARKET.

NEWS BROKE ON THURSDAY THAT TKDA, AN ENGINEERING FIRM THAT HAS BEEN BASED IN ST. PAUL SINCE 1910, WILL BE RELOCATING TO BLOOMINGTON.

RAMSEY COUNTY IS CLOSING DOWN ITS GOVERNMENT CENTER ALONG THE RIVER.

AND THEN THERE'S THE NEARLY DOZEN PROPERTIES, COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL, UP FOR SALE IN DOWNTOWN.

FRED MELO COVERS THE CITY OF ST. PAUL FOR THE "ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS."

AND HE'S BEEN QUITE BUSY TRACKING ALL OF THESE ANNOUNCEMENTS.

SO IN THIS LATEST ONE, FRED, SIX OFFICE BUILDINGS, TWO RAMPS, A RESTAURANT, A VACANT LOT, OFFERED FOR CASH WITH ONE BUYER, HOPEFULLY.

>> THAT'S ALL ONE COMPANY, MADISON EQUITIES IS RUN BY A MAN NAMED JIM COKERAIL FOR DECADES, HE DIED IN JANUARY AND HIS WIDOW SAID, HEY, LET IT RIDE.

I DON'T WANT THIS AND LET'S JUST SELL IT AND IF WE CAN FIND ONE BUYER, WE'LL DO IT THAT WAY.

>> Mary: ICONIC BUILDINGS IN St. PAUL, RIGHT?

>> OH, YEAH, THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK BUILDING HAS THAT ONE, ANY PORTRAIT OR PHOTO, THAT'S REALLY A FOCUS.

U.S. BANK UILDING, THESE ARE -- SOME OF THESE BUILDINGS DATE BACKS -- I THINK PARK SQUARE COURT DATES BACK TO 1890s, REALLY DISTINCTIVE PROPERTIES FROM THE ODDS.

KIND OF HALF EMPTY ON THE INSIDE, AND SOME WERE COMPLETELY EMPTY.

>> Eric: ONE OF THE IDEAS IS TO HAVE APARTMENTS OR CONDOS CONVERTED.

>> YAP.

>> Eric: AND I WONDER, IS THERE A DEMAND FOR THAT TYPE OF HOUSING IN DOWNTOWN ST. PAUL?

>> I THINK THERE S A DEMAND FOR THAT TYPE OF HOUSING IN GENERAL.

WE'VE SEEN MAYBE A LITTLE BIT OF SLOWER GROWTH IN TERMS OF PROJECTIONS FOR DEMOGRAPHICS IN St. PAUL IN TERMS OF THE GROWTH OF St. PAUL COMPARED TO THE SUBURBS.

A LOT OF THAT I THINK IS JUST RELATED TO THE PANDEMIC, MAYBE CITIES WILL GET COOL AGAIN AND PEOPLE WILL TART COMING BACK.

THEY WERE KIND OF A TOUGH PLACE TO LIVE DOWNTOWN, EITHER DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS OR St. PAUL IN THE DOG DAYS OF THE PANDEMIC.

BUT OFFICE TO RESIDENTIAL CONVERSION IS WHAT PEOPLE ARE REALLY CROSSING NEAR FINGERS FOR.

IT'S NOT CHEAP, IT'S >> EASY.

>> Cathy: AND THIS IS OF COURSE -- WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE GENTLEMAN WHO PASSED WITH ALL THESE BUILDINGS BUT IT'S GETTING WORSE IN St. PAUL.

I MEAN, I WAS SURPRISED THAT TDKA IS MOVING ALL THE.

WHAT'S THE STORY BEHIND THAT?

>> THEY'VE BEEN HERE ABOUT 100 YEARS.

THEY SAID, YOU KNOW, WHEN I INTERVIEWED THE CEO IN 2018, THEY SOUGHT THEY'LL EXPAND AND EXPAND IN St. PAUL.

THEN THE PANDEMIC HILT.

I THINK THEY JUST WANTED MODERN SPACE, THEY'RE GOING TO GO TO BLOOMINGTON OVERLOOKING THE MINNESOTA RIVER, YOU KNOW, FREE PARKING, JUST A VERY DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENT FOR THAT I REMEMBER WORKERS AND THAT'S PART OF WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO TO GET PEOPLE INTO THE OFFICE IS TO OFFER SOME AMENITIES.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE OVERLOOKING A NATURE PRESERVE, VERY DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENT.

>> Cathy: YEAH, GUESS, YES, BUT WHAT ABOUT U.S. ANK?

THEY'RE GOING TO MOVE ACROSS THE RIVER -- >> THEY'RE STAYING IN St. PAUL.

U.S. BANK IS INTERESTING, THEY WOULD ABOUT 10 FLOORINGS IN THE U.S. BANK BUILDINGS.

THEY WERE DOWN -- OTHER THAN THE BRANCH LEVEL, THEY WERE DOWN TO 75 OFFICE WORKERS TO LESS THAN ONE PERSON PER FLOOR.

SO THEIR WORKERS WERE ALREADY REMOMENT.

I CALL THEM GHOST LEASTS, THAT YOU HAVE A LEASE TOUGH FULFILL, YOU WON'T BREAK BUT NO ONE IS REMI THERE.

SO THEY'LL MOVE TO THE WEST SIDE.

>> Eric: THIS WILL STAY STUFF LIKE TAX INCREMENT FINANCING, HISTORIC PRESERVATION CREDITS.

>> WILL TAKE A LOT OF WORK.

>> Eric: THE TAXPAYER WILL GET STUCK FOR WHAT IF IT FAILS?

>> THAT'S HASHED TO SAPE.

THERE IS A BILL IN THE SENATE RIGHT NOW, IN THE TAX COMMITTEE, THAT WOULD HELP WITH A 30% CREDIT TO COVER SOME OF THESE TOFFS TO RESIDENTIAL CONVERSION ATTENTION THAT THE MAYOR IS TALKING ABOUT THAT, REALLY, EVERYONE PRIVATE SECTOR, PUBLIC SECTOR IS TALKING ABOUT.

I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY OF THOSE YOU CAN DO AT ONCE.

THEY ARE HARD TO DO.

THESE BUILDINGS, LIKE I SAID, SOME ARE 100 YEARS OLD.

THEY WERE NEVER MEANT FOR RESIDENTIAL.

THEY CERTAINLY DON'T HAVE A BATHROOM IN WHAT WILL BECOME EVERY HOUSING UNIT SO IT'S GOING TO TAKE SOME TIME AND ALL OF THOSE GRANT SOURCES YOU MENTIONED.

>> Cathy: WHAT'S THE MAYOR SAYING OTHER BUSINESS LEADERS?

>> EITHER A HE BEEN A ALSO QUITE ABOUT THIS, LETTING OTHER PEOPLE DO HIS TALKING.

THERE IS A DOWNTOWN ALLIANCE THAT, UNDER THE MAYOR'S KIND OF BLESSING CAME OUT WITH AN INVESTMENT TRATEGY IN MARCH AND PART OF THAT IS OFFICE RESIDENTIAL CONVERSE MART OF IT IS TO LOOK AT PEDESTRIAN CORRIDORS, OR FOCUS ON KELLOGG OR FOCUS ON ROBERT AND PART OF IT IS JUST, YOU KNOW, ALL GETTING ON THE SAME PAGE AND GETTING EVERYONE ALIGNED TOGETHER.

>> Eric: WE'LL CHECK OUT YOUR COVERAGE OF THE BUSINESS.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU, AS ALWAYS.

ACTUALLY, BEFORE WE SAY GOODBYE TO FREDDIE REAL QUICK QUESTION HERE IN TERMS OF THE SAFETY IN DOWNTOWN St. PAUL.

YOU KNOW, I MEAN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT -- >> ABSOLUTELY.

>> Cathy: THAT'S A BIG, BIG ISSUE, RIGHT?

>> THAT'S A BIG ISSUE.

ONE THING THE DO YOU THINK TOWN ALLIANCE DID IS THEY LOOKED AT CRIME KIND OF PRE-PANDEMIC AND THEN POTION-PANDEMIC, THEY HAVE GRAFFITI CLEAN-UP, STREET GREETERS, ALL OF THAT IS PAID BY FEES ASESSIONED TO THE BUILDING OWNERS AND THEY SAW A DROP OF 40% COMPARED TO LOWER TOWN WHICH DID NOT HAVE THE DISTRICT, IT ACTUALLY WENT UP 25%, THOSE CRIME CALLS.

LOWER TOWN IT WAS JIM COKERAIL'S AREA, HE WAS VERY MUCH AGAINST THE DISTRICT, HE HAS PASSED SO THERE'S SOME OPPORTUNITIES THERE TO MAYBE EXPAND SOME OF THAT.

>> Cathy: FRED, OKAY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

TALK TO YOU LATER.

>> Eric: THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> Mary: MANY DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS OOKING FORWARD TO CASTING A YES VOTE WALKED PAST THE CHEERING CROWDS IN ANTICIPATION OF THE DEBATE.

EVEN FORMER LEADERS MAILED A RETURN TRIP TO THE CHAMBER.

WHILE REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS, LARGELY REFUSED TO WALK THE GAUNT LEGALITY OF OPPOSITION.

[CHANTING] >> CATHY: THE ONGOING UBER/LYFT STORY HAS MOVED FROM THE MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL TO THE LEGISLATURE.

THIS WEEK, DEMOCRATS IN BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE ANNOUNCED AN AGREEMENT ON STATEWIDE WAGES FOR RIDESHARE DRIVERS.

MANY DRIVERS SUPPORT THE BILL BUT REPUBLICANS ARE NOT ON BOARD, AND NEITHER ARE THE RIDESHARE COMPANIES.

UBER AND LYFT BOTH SAY THEY WILL LEAVE THE STATE THIS SUMMER IF THE CURRENT LEGISLATION BECOMES LAW.

DFL REPRESENTATIVE MOHAMUD NOOR IS ONE OF THE BILL'S CO-AUTHORS.

HE REPRESENTS MINNEAPOLIS.

HERE, TOO, REPUBLICAN SENATOR JORDAN RASMUSSON OPPOSES THE CURRENT PLAN.

HE HAILS FROM FERGUS FALLS.

GENTLEMEN, WELCOMEMENT NICE TO HAVE YOU HERE.

REPRESENTATIVE NOOR, YOU SAY THIS IS A COMPROMISE BUT UBER AND LYFT WERE NOT AT THE TABLE ABILITY THEY SAY, WAIT A MINUTE, YOU GUYS DIDN'T CHECK WITH US AND WE'RE NOT HAPPY ABOUT I WANT.

WHAT HAPPENED?

WHY WEREN'T THEY BROUGHT IN O THIS?

>> WE'VE BEEN HAVING BACK AND FORTH CONVERSATION AND I THINK IF YOU LOOK AT THE TASK FORCE, 23 RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WE'VE ALL AGREED TO AND WE DRAFTED THE LEGISLATION BASED ON THAT AGREEMENT, THE ISSUE NOW IS WE HAVE LEGISLATIVE ARGUMENT WITH THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE ON A RATE THAT I THINK INITIALLY UBER AND LIFT WERE ACCEPTING AT THAT ONE POINT LAST YEAR BEFORE THE BILL WAS VETOED.

THEY TOLD US THAT A DOLLAR 30, A DOLLAR 17 AND NOW THEY'RE COMING BACK TO US WITH 68 CENTS PER MILE.

NOT TALKING ABOUT THE PER MINUTE, PER MILE.

THAT THAT WAS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO US.

THEY HAVE TO BE SERIOUS IN TERMS OF NEGOTIATION WHEN IT COMES TO THE MINIMUM COMPENSATION FOR DRIVERS THAT HAVE BEEN TAKEN FOR A RIDE FOR A LONG TIME.

>> Eric: WHAT WHAT'S YOUR RIDE ON THIS WHOLE THING?

>> THIS IS A DEMOCRAT-CREATED CRISIS.

WE LOOK BACK TO LAST SESSION WHEN LEGISLATIVE DEMOCRATS PASSED THIS AND IT WAS GOVERNOR WALZ'S ONE AND ONLY VETO AND OW THE MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL HAS MOVED IN A WAY THAT WILL IMPACT RIDE SHARE SERVICES ACROSS THE STATE AND WITH THE DEAL THAT WAS ANNOUNCED ON MONDAY, I REALLY VIEW IT AS A FAKE DEAL BECAUSE UBER AND LYFT HAVE SAID IF IT GOES INTO LAW, THEY'LL LEAVE THE STATE AND THAT WILL LEAF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF MINNESOTANS IN THE LURCH.

>> Cathy: DO YOU THINK THAT ACTUALLY WILL HAPPEN, REPRESENTATIVE NOOR?

>> THIS IS NOT A FAKE DEAL.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE PROCESS, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE REPORT, THE TASK FORCE REPORT AND YOU ALSO OOK AT THE STUDY THAT WAS DONE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY, IT SHOWS THAT THE DRIVERS ARE UNDERPAID IN THE CURRENT PROCESS.

THEY HAVE REVIEWED MORE THAN $19 MILLION RIDES TO GET TO WHERE THEY ARE SO THEY HAVE COME WITH A RECOMMENDATION IN A BASE SETTING FOR 89 CENTS, PER MILE, TO $1 -- WHAT DO YOU CALL 49 CENTS IF YOU ARE IN GREATER MINNESOTA, SO AT LEAST THERE IS A DIFFERENCE IN TERMS OF HOW WE CAME UP WITH THE NUMBERS.

SO A DOLLAR, WHAT YOU CALL, 21 CENTS, SORRY, 1.21 IS THE COMPREHENSIONIVE NUMBER THAT THE STUDY CAME UP WITH SO AT LEAST WE ARE -- STATEWIDE WHEN IT COMES TO LOOKING AT THE RATE FOR PER MILE.

>> Eric: SENATOR, YOU WERE QUOTED THIS WEEK AS SAYING THE PRINCIPALS ARE, I THINK A DANGEROUS GAME OF CHICKEN WAS YOUR QUOTE?

>> THIS IS A DANGEROUS GAME OF CHICKEN AND I THINK T'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT LEGISLATIVE DEMOCRATS WORK WITH REPUBLICANS IN THE FINAL WEEK OF SESSION TO ENSURE THAT THESE RIDE-SHARING SERVICES DON'T LEAVE THE STATE, BECAUSE IF WE DON'T GET OUR WORK DONE AND THE MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL ORDINANCE GOES INTO EFFECT, WE'LL LET ONE CITY COUNCIL THAT'S CONTROLLED BY THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS DICTATE TRANSPORTATION POLICY FOR THE STATE AND THAT'S UNACCEPTABLE.

>> Cathy: DO YOU REALLY THINK UBER AND LYFT WOULD LEAVE THE STATE?

>> ABSOLUTELY NOT.

WE SEE THE PROCESS WHEREBY IN WASHINGTON STATE ADOPTED A HIGH RATE.

IN FACT, IT'S MORE THAN WHAT WE HAVE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

WHEN NEW YORK ALSO INCREASED THE RATES, UBER AND LYFT NEVER LEFT.

THEY ONLY LEFT AUSTIN BECAUSE OF A DIFFERENT ISSUE, SO WE HAVE NOT SEEN A SINGLE STATE WHERE UBER AND LYFT HAVE LEFT, SO THEY NEED TO COME BACK TO THE TABLE TO BE SERIOUS IN HOW WE NEGOTIATE WITH THEM.

WE KNOW AT ONE POINT THEY'VE REACHED UP TO $1.30, WE'RE BELOW THAT.

THEY'VE ALSO GIVEN US AT A POINT 1.17, WE'RE IN-BETWEEN THAT NUMBER SO IF THEY'RE SERIOUS ENOUGH, HEY'LL COME TO THE TABLE AND AGREE WITH US SO WE CAN CLOSE THIS DEEM.

>> Cathy: ARE YOU WORRIED, WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS?

YOU'RE N GREATER MINNESOTA.

A LOT OF FOLKS WHO ARE DISABLED RELY ON UBEHR AND LYFT, LOW-INCOME MATERIALS.

WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IN YOUR AREA?

>> THEY PROVIDE OVER 300,000 RIDES A WEEK HERE IN MINNESOTA AND EVEN THOUGH I REPRESENT GREATER MINNESOTA, MY CONSTITUENTS USE THOSE SERVICES, TOO, WHEN THEY'RE VISITING THE TWIN CITIES ORR TO GETS TO THE AIRPORT AND IT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT SERVICE, NOT ONLY FOR DISABLED MINNESOTANS BUT PEOPLE GETTING TO WORK.

AND LET'S NOT FORGET ABOUT THE 10,000 RIDE-SHARING DRIVERS WHO IF UBER AND LIFT LEAVE, THEY'LL LOSE THAT INCOME THEY'RE MAKING TODAY AND I THINK WE NEED IS TO PREVENT THAT.

>> Eric: WILL FARES GO UP FOR THE RIDERS ON WHATEVER PLAN IS PROPOSED AND ACCEPTED?

>> THAT DEPENDS ON THE COMPANY, HOW MUCH THEY TAKE BACK.

RIGHT NOW, SOMETIMES THEY EVEN TAKE UP TO 60% OF THEIR MOM PAY.

IF YOU LEAVE RIGHT NOW TO GO TO THE IRPORT, IF LOOK AT UBEER AND LYFT, YOU CAN TRY YOURSELF, I'M BE CHARGED $25.

THE DRIVER WILL EARN LESS THAN DEAFBLIND 12 FOR THAT TRIP SO THEY HAVE TO REDUCE THE SHARE THERE WERE' GETTING IN ORDER TO BALANCE THAT PROCESS.

THEY DON'T HAVE TO CHARGE MORE TO THE RIDER TO PAY FOR THE ADDITIONAL PAYMENT.

>> Eric: ARE YOU GOING TO PASS A BILL OUT OF THE LEGISLATURE HERE BEFORE NEXT WEEK?

>> WE ARE 100% COMMITTED TO PASSING LEGS THANKS THAT WILL ADDRESS THE INEQUITIES THAT EXIST TO SUPPORT THE DRIVING WHO ARE REALLY EARNING PENNIES TO SURVIVE AT THIS POINT.

>> Cathy: I WONDER IF THE GOVERNOR WILL SIGN THAT, THOUGH.

I DIDN'T LAST TIME AND THAT CENTER EVERYTHING INTO AN UPROAR.

>> AND THE GOVERNOR ALSO HASN'T SIGNED OFF ON THIS DEAL, THIS FAKE DEAL THAT WAS ANNOUNCED EARLIER THIS WEEK.

I DIDN'T SEE HIS NAME IN THE PRESS RELEASE, I HAVEN'T HEARD THAT HE SUPPORTS THE DEAL.

THAT LEGISLATIVE DEMOCRATS AND THE CITY COUNCIL OF MINNEAPOLIS HAVE COME OUT AND SAID THAT THEY WANT TO DO.

>> Cathy: REPRESENTATIVE NOOR, WHAT DO YOU KNOW?

>> WE'RE SERIOUS.

I THINK LAST TIME THE GOV SAID THAT WE WANT MINNESOTA BASED DATA TO MAKE THAT DECISION.

NOW WE HAVE THAT DATA.

SO IF WE ARE GOING TO GO ALONG WITH THAT PROCESS, WE HAVE INFORMATION THAT WAS SHARED WITH US BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY, THE TASK FORCE THAT CAME TOGETHER, SO I THINK WE ARE RIGHT THERE READY TO PASS LEGISLATION WHERE THE GOVERNOR WILL SIGN.

AND I BELIEVE THAT WE'LL GET THAT LEGISLATION BY NEXT WEEK.

>> Cathy: ALL RIGHT.

GENTLEMEN, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> Eric: WE'LL BE WATCHING.

>> CATHY: THE DEBATE OVER RENEWABLE ENERGY IS HEATING UP IN RURAL MINNESOTA.

MORE SPECIFICALLY, HOW IT'S DONE.

THIS WEEK, SWIFT COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA VOTED DOWN A TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON WIND AND SOLAR PROJECTS.

BUT OTHER COUNTIES SAY THEY NEED MORE TIME TO LOOK AT THEIR ORDINANCES.

REPORTER KAOMI LEE TRAVELED TO MOWER COUNTY TO VISIT A WIND FARM.

S-IT'S TRUE, IT LOOKS A LOT SMALLER FROM -- BUT ONCE YOU GET CLOSE TO IT, IT'S LIKE A PLANE.

>> WE ARE AT RAIRIE STAR WIND FARM IN LEROY, NEAR THE IOWA BORDER.

EACH WIND TURBINE TOWER IS 365 FEET TALL AND WITH 61 OF THEM, THEY'RE HARD TO MISS.

>> SO THE WIND BLOWS AND IT TURNS OUR GENERATORS AND THE GEARBOX AND ALL THAT INSIDE, AND THE ELECTRICITY GOES DOWN THROUGH OUR CABLES AND OUT INTO OUR TRANSMISSION LINES.

>> Reporter: THEY'RE ALSO FAIRLY QUIET.

>> PEOPLE ARE REALLY CONCERNED THEY'LL BE NOISY AND WE'RE OUT HERE TODAY AND MAYBE IF YOU'RE REALLY CLOSE, YOU CAN HEAR A LITTLE WHOOSH BUT MORE YOU'RE HEARING THE WIND PASSING THROUGH.

>> Reporter: PRAIRIE STAR IS A 100 MEGAWATT WIND FARM, IT CAME INTO LIFE OVER 2007 AND OVER ITS LIFETIME, WILL POWER OVER 32,000 HOMES.

IT'S BEEN SUCCESSFUL, WITH MORE DEVELOPED ACROSS THE BORDER.

>> WE'RE HEAD SQUAD TIER IN HOUSTON, TEXAS BUT WE HAVE WIND FARMS ACROSS AMERICA.

OUR FISHES ONE CAME IN LINE IN NEW ORK STATE IN 2001 SO WE'VE BEEN DOING IN FOR A WHILE, ONE OF THE TOP FIVE COMPANIES IN NORTH AMERICA.

>> Reporter: A RECENT REPORT PUTS MINNESOTA AS A NATIONAL LEADER IN RENEWABLE ENERGY.

>> ZERO CARBON SOURCES GENERATE AT 54% OF MINNESOTA'S POWER LAST YEAR.

REMAINING THE MAJORITY OF MINNESOTA'S ELECTRICITY FOR THE 4th CONSECUTIVE YEAR.

>> Reporter: THESE PROJECTS CAN BE A WINDFALL FOR LAND OWNERS.

PRAIRIE STAR WIND FARM CONTRACTED 30-YEAR LEASES WITH 100 LAND OWNERS, MORE THAN $9 MILLION HAVE BEEN COLLECTIVELY PALED OUT SO FAR.

>> IT TENDS TO REALLY HELP SUPPORT LOCAL FARMERS AND AGRICULTURE BECAUSE AGRICULTURE HAS ITS UPS AND DOWNS ON THE ECONOMICS SIDE OF IT AND WHEN THEY HAD A LEASE WITH A WINDS FARM, THAT STABILIZEs THE MONEY THEY COULD GET ON A REGULAR BASIS.

>> Reporter: MILLIONS HAVE BEEN PALED OUT IN LOCAL AND COUNTY TAXES, TOO, AND THERE'S NO SHORTAGE OF OPPORTUNITY.

E -- EDP RENEWABLES IS CURRENTLY DEVELOPING ANOTHER WIND FARM PROJECT IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA AND A PROPOSAL BY XCEL ENERGY FOR A HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE FROM BECKER TO YON COUNTY IS CURRENTLY UNDER STATE REVIEW.

IS THERE A GOLD RUSH GOING ON?

>> I THINK IN SOME PLACES YES AND SOME PLACES NO.

THE KIND OF RUSH TO CITE CLEAN ENERGY PROJECTS IS REALLY DETERMINED ON WHERE TRANSMISSION LINES ARE RIGHT NOW, AND BUILDING NEW TRANSMISSION LINES TO GET TO PLACES.

SO, YES, I THINK WE'RE GOING SEE AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF CLEAN ENERGY DEVELOPMENT OVER THE NEXT EVERAL DECADES.

>> Reporter: THE ORGANIZATION ADVOCATES FOR RURAL DEMOCRACY.

THEY SUPPORT THE STATE'S GOAL OF 100% CARBON-FREE ELECTRICITY BY 2040.

>> WE SHOULD ALSO WANT TO CAPITALIZE ON IT IN A WAY THAT DOESN'T JUST DELIVER PROFITS TO SHAREHOLDERS WHO MAY OR MAY NOT BE IN MINNESOTA.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT RURAL COMMUNITIES AND MINNESOTANS ARE REAPING AS MUCH OF THE REWARD AS POSSIBLE.

>> Reporter: THAT COULD TAKE THE FORM OF SOMETHING CALLED A COMMUNITY BENEFIT PLAN.

IT'S WHERE RURAL COMMUNITIES AND DEVELOPERS BROKER BENEFITS BEYOND LAND LEASES AND TAX PAYMENTS, SOMETHING LIKE DIRECT PAYMENTS TO SCHOOL PROGRAMS IMPROVING ROADS AND PARKS, AND TESTIFYING DECOMMISSIONED PLANS FOR WHEN LEASES RUN OUT.

>> PEOPLE JUST WANT TO HAVE, YOU KNOW, SOME SAY AND SOME CONTROL OVER THE FUTURE OF THEIR COMMUNITY.

I THINK THAT'S REALLY JUST THE CORE OF THE ISSUE.

>> Reporter: MORE COUNTIES ARE STARTING TO PUMP THE BRAKES.

IN IN FEBRUARY, CHIPPEWA AND BIEBER COUNTIES APPROVED A ONE-YEAR MORATORIUM, ON NEW APPLICATIONS FOR WIND AND SOLAR PROJECTS.

MEEKER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SAY THEY WANTED MORE TIME TO STUDY THE IMPACTS.

>> THERE IS A LOT TO FLUSH OUT, I THINK IS MORE MY FOCUS, SKIES AND SCOPE OF THESE PROJECTS, MEEK HAVE MEEKER RIGHT NOW HAS ABOUT 50 ACRES TOTAL UNDER WHAT I WOULD CALL COMMERCIAL SOLAR GARDENS SO ONE MEGAWATT LESS AND THESE PROPOSALS ARE COMING IN AT THOUSANDS OF ACRES.

>> Reporter: HE'S CONCERNED ABOUT THE LOCAL AG ECONOMY IF PRIME FARMLAND BECOMES LARGE-SCALE SOLAR PARKS.

AND THERE'S THE -- >> VISUAL AESTHETICS.

YOU WAKE UP IN THE KITCHEN AND LOOK OUT YOUR WINDOW AND YOU'RE LOOKING AT 400 ACRES OF SOLAR, OR WIND.

SO WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT ALL THOSE CONCERNS.

>> Reporter: BUT DEVELOPERS OF LARGE-SCALE PROJECTS DON'T NEED APPROVAL FROM LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

THEY CAN GO RIGHT TO THE STATE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION.

JULIE BRETTISON WAS THE SOLE NO VOTE IN THE MIKER COUNTY'S MORATORIUM DECISION.

>> ITS IT'S LIKE PUTTING UP A YOU'RE NOT WELCOME SIGN AT THE BORDER.

IT TIES THE HANDS OF THE PROPERTY OWNERS TO DO WHAT THEY WANT.

I FEEL THE ESTRICTIONS WE CURRENTLY HAVE ON THE BOOKS ARE MORE THAN EFFICIENT TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE OF MEEKER COUNTY.

♪♪ >> KEVIN: IN MINNESOTA, WE HAVE A DAY CALLED MOTHER’S DAY.

IT’S ALSO KNOWN AS THE FISHING SEASON OPENER.

IF YOU’RE LIKE ME, YOU’RE SITTING IN THE BOAT, HOPING YOU MAILED THE CARD IN TIME AND THINKING YOU’RE GONNA MAKE THOSE FISH PAY FOR WHAT THEY’RE DOING TO YOUR MOM.

IN THE LAPPING WAVES, I CAN HEAR HER REPRIMANDS.

HER REPRIMANDS ALWAYS HAD THE MOST AMAZING SENSE OF OPTIMISM.

"WHAT IF EVERYONE DID THAT?” "YEAH, THAT WOULD BE GREAT."

ANOTHER WAS "KEVIN, THERE IS A TIME AND PLACE FOR EVERYTHING.” OH, I GET IT, SO IT’S NOT THAT I BLEW UP MY SISTER'S BARBIE DOLL WITH AN M80, IT’S MORE THAT I DID IT IN THE DINING ROOM AT NOON.

BUT THE MOST AMAZING THING ABOUT MY MOM WAS HER PURSE, A MYSTERY WRAPPED IN A CONUNDRUM WRAPPED IN NAUGAHYDE.

WHATEVER THE SITUATION CALLED FOR, THE PURSE HELD THE ANSWER.

I REMEMBER ONE YEAR, MY MOM, MY BROTHER AND I WERE HEADED SOUTH TO SPEND CHRISTMAS WITH MY GRANDPARENTS.

ALL OF A SUDDEN, A CLUNKING, TEARING RACKET EMERGED FROM UNDER THE CAR.

WE WHEELED INTO A TRUCK STOP RESTURAUNT AND MY MOM JUST SAT THERE STARING OUT FROM THE NAUGAHYDE BOOTH.

WE WERE GOING TO MISS CHRISTMAS.

I WANTED TO CRY.

SO DID MY BROTHER.

BUT JUST BEFORE THE TEARS STARTED TO FLOW, MY MOM REACHED INTO HER PURSE AND PULLED OUT A DRINKING STRAW WRAPPED IN PAPER.

SHE TORE THE PAPER OFF ONE END AND SLIPPED THE PAPER DOWN THE STRAW UNTIL IT MADE A TINY CONCERTINA AT THE BOTTOM.

THEN SHE REMOVED THE PAPER, PUT THE STRAW IN THE WATER AND SAID, “LOOK, BOYS, THE MAGIC SNAKE.” SHE DROPPED THE WATER ON THE SCRUNCHED PAPER AND IT BEGAN TO MOVE LIKE A SNAKE.

THEN IT STOPPED.

WE SAT THERE STARING AT THE WET PIECE OF PAPER, MY MOM PUT HER HANDS OVER HER EYES AND STARTED SHAKING.

I REACHED OUT TO HUG HER AND SHE TURNED AND SMILED.

I GRABBED TWO WHITE NON-DAIRY CREAMERS, SHOVED ‘EM IN MY EYES AND SANG, “THE SUN WILL COME OUT TOMORROW.” MY BROTHER SHOWED HOW LONG HE COULD KEEP A MILK BUBBLE ON THE END OF HIS TONGUE, AND WE CONTINUED OUR TALENT CONTEST UNTIL THE TABLE WAS STREWN WITH GARBAGE AND THE SERVER YELLED, “WHAT IF EVERYONE DID THAT?"

THEN MY BROTHER’S TALENT MILK SHOT OUT OF HIS NOSE.

MOM, LIKE A CANDLE TO THE DARK.

SO, THIS WEEKEND,, THE BOAT MAY HAVE MY BODY.

BUT MY HEART IS WITH MY MOM.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY, MOM!

>> ERIC: THIS YEAR'S MILD WINTER WEATHER HAS GIVEN WAY TO AN EARLY SPRING WITH FLOWERS BLOOMING, LAWNS AND WEEDS GROWING OUT OF CONTROL, AND PLENTY OF TICKS HIDING OUT IN THOSE TALL GRASSES.

PAUL DOUGLAS IS BACK FOR HIS MONTHLY WEATHER CHAT.

WHEN HE'S NOT VISITING US HERE IN STUDIO B, HIS WEATHER MUSINGS CAN BE FOUND IN THE "STAR TRIBUNE."

YOU CAN HEAR HIM ON WCCO RADIO.

AND IN HIS SPARE TIME, HE HEADS UP HIS OWN WEATHER COMPANY, PREDICT-IX.

WELCOME BACK, PAUL.

>> GOOD TO BE HERE.

ALWAYS.

>> Eric: WHERE CAN I GO TO GET AN AURORA BOREALIS TONIGHT?

>> YOU HAVE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE, YOU HAVE.

AND THIS COULD BE SPECTACULAR, IT COULD BE A DUD.

PREDICTING AURORA IS EVEN HARDER THAN PREDICTING THE WEATHER, BUT I'M SEEING AMAZING IMAGE RYE COMING OUT OF EUROPE.

EVEN THAT ANYBODY I CAN'T IN AFRICA IS SEEING A SPECTACULAR DISPLAY, MUCH CLOSER TO THE EQUATOR.

>> Cathy: THIS IS FRIDAY NIGHT THAT WE'RE TALKING.

>> FRIDAY NIGHT, SUPPOSED TO PEAK TO NIGHTTIME.

WE HAVE SOME BREAKING NEWS.

THEY RATE THE GEOMAGNETIC STORMS ON THE SUN ONLY A G SCALE.

WHEN I CREATED THESE GRAPHICS, IT WAS A G-4, IT'S JUST BIN UPGRADED TO A G-5 WHICH MEANS AN SUPREME GEOMAGNETIC STORM.

WHAT IS THAT?

WE HAVE BIG SUN SPOTS AND SOLAR FLAIRS, TECHNICALLY A CORONAL MASS EJECTION.

>> YOU HAVE CHARGED PARTICLES HITTING THE IONSPEAKER, EXCITING NITROGEN AND OXYGEN AND THAT'S WHAT GIVES YOU THE GREENS AROUND REDS, ND IT COULD IN THEORY, ON PAPER, BE PRETTY SPECTACULAR, ESPECIALLY IF YOU CAN GET AWAY FROM LIGHT POLLUTION, IF YOU CAN GET AWAY FROM THE BIG CITIES.

IT PEAKS FRIDAY NIGHT, IT COULD BE VISIBLE AGAIN SATURDAY NIGHT.

WEAPON DON'T KNOW.

WORST CASE, YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES WE'VE HAD ISSUES WITH THE PARTS OF THE GRID GOING DOWN, GPS -- >> Cathy: I WONDERED ABOUT THAT, CELL POTENTIAL?

>> CELLPHONES, WE DON'T KNOW BUT THIS IS THE BIGGEST AND THE STRONGEST SINCE LATE 2003, SO MORE THAN TWO DECADES, SO WE GOT A SHOT AND THE SHOWERS THIS EVENING ARE MOVING OUT, DISSIPATING, SKIES SHOULD BE CLEAR, VISIBLE IS GOOD.

THERE'S NO SMOKE, NO HAZE, SO AFTER THE WOLVES GAME TONIGHT, YOU MIGHT WANT TO SNEAK OUTSIDE AND I'M GOING SET MY ALEARN FOR 2:00 a.m. AND MAYBE 4:00 a.m.

GROWING TO BE A TOUGH NIGHT SLEEPING.

BUT I WANT TO SEE THIS.

WE MISSED THE TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE.

THIS COULD BE ONE OF THE BEST NORTHERN LIGHTS AND IF YOU HAVE SEEN T, YOU KNOW, IT'S PURE MAGIC.

>> Cathy: NICE.

>> Eric: YOU GOT OTHER STUFF FOR US?

>> Cathy: IT'S BEEN A QUIET SPRING, ARRANGED HERE.

>> THERE'S NO RHYME OR REASON.

IT'S WHENEVER YOU HAVE SUN SPOTS ON THE SUN, IT HAS MORE TO DO WITH THE NATURAL SOLAR -- >> Cathy: BUT OUR SPRING HAS BEEN PRETTY QUITE AROUND HER.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE SEGWAY, YES, CATHY, WE HAD HALF A WINTER AND WE'RE HAVING A GOLDILOCKSES SPRING, NOT TOO HOT, NOT TO COLD, NOT TO SLUSHY, NOT TO SEVERE, JUST RIGHT.

NO SEVERE STORMS.

NO RIVER FLOODING OF SIGNIFICANCE, NO FLURRIES.

WE HAD A TRACE BACK IN APRIL AT SP AND NO DROUGHT.

THE DROUGHT IS FADING RAPIDLY ACROSS MOST OF THE STATE.

WE'RE GETTING A LOT OF BEAUTIFUL DAYS.

CHECK THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR, 55% OF MINNESOTA IN MODERATE, SEVERE, EVEN EXTREME DROUGHT.

NOW THAT'S DOWN DO 11%, UP NORTH AROUND BE MINUTE' AND PARTS OF THE RED RIVER VALLEY BUT WE RELEVANT OF HAVE RECOVERED FROM THREE-YEAR DROUGHT SO THAT'S GOOD NEWS.

AND THIS IS DATA FROM IOWA STATE SHOWING THE RANKING, HOW MUCH PRECIPITATION GOING ALL THE WAY BACK TO 1893.

ONE OF THE TOP 10 WETTEST FOR MUCH OF SOUTHERN AND CENTRAL MINNESOTA HIM AND EVEN WETTER THAN THAT ACROSS PARTS OF NORTHERN IOWA AND NORTHERN ILLINOIS, YES, BUT WE ARE REPLENISHING SOIL MOISTURE, LAKE LEVELS, BUT WE'RE STILL NOT TOTALLY RECOVERED.

LOOK AT MINNESOTA, NO SEVERE WEATHER.

THOSE RED DOTS ARE TORNADO TOUCHDOWNS, THE BLUE DOTS SEARCH WINDS AND THE GREEN DOTS ARE LARGE HAIL.

SOUTHERN WISCONSIN, ARRANGED MADISON HAS GOT END WALLOPELD BUILT WE'VE BEEN VERY QUIET.

I DON'T THINK THAT WILL LAST.

JUNE PEAK MONTH FOR HEAVY RAIN AND FOR SEVERE WEATHER.

ODDS FAVOR A HOTTER THAN NORMAL SUMMER, MOST OF THE CLIMATE MODELS WE'RE LOOKING AT, POCKETS OF DROUGHT MAY IN FACT RETURN.

I WAS SURPRISED, THE MINNESOTA POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY IS EXPECTING MORE WILD FIRE SMOKE THIS SUMMER BASED NOT ON WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE BUILT WHAT'S HAPPENING UPWIND, SIGNIFICANT DROUGHT ACROSS CANADA.

>> Eric: WOW.

>> THE LAST 12 MONTHS, THE WARMEST ON RECORD WHERE YOU SEE THE DARK RED, WHICH INCLUDES ALMOST ALL OF MINNESOTA AND WISCONSIN.

MUCH OF THAT IS EL NIÑO, SOME OF THAT IS BACKGROUND WARMING.

WE'RE ON TRACK FOR ANOTHER RECORD WORM EAR, THE OCEANS ARE UNUSUALLY WARM, SO IS THE ATMOSPHERE AND AGAIN THE TEN WARMEST YEARS HAVE BEEN THE LAST TEN YEARS.

NOTHING HOT SHAPING UN, NO SPIKES OF HEAT, ALTHOUGH WE COULD SEE LOW 80s FOR MOTHER'S DAY AND THEN COOLS BACK DOWN, LOW 70s, LOOKING OUTS THE NEXT TEN DAYS.

SO CHECK OUT THE AURORA, IF YOU GET A CHANGES LATER ON TONIGHT, IF YOU CAN GET AWAY FROM THE METRO EVEN BETTER BUT IT MAY BE VISIBLE EVEN IN THE TWIN CITIES.

DO YOU HAVE ANY EXTRA WOLVES TICKET?

>> Eric: JUST GOT THE SINGLE.

I KNEW GUY WHO KNEW A GUY.

THAT'S A HARD NO.

>> ERIC: A BRAND-NEW SEASON OF TWIN CITIES PBS SHOW "RELISH" RELEASED TODAY AND IS AVAILABLE TO STREAM FOR FREE.

"RELISH" CONTINUES TO FOLLOW CHEF YIA VANG OF UNION HMONG KITCHEN AS HE MEETS UP WITH LOCAL CHEFS TO EXPLORE CULTURAL HERITAGE AND SHARE RECIPES.

INTERESTED IN A SMALL TASTE?

HERE'S A CLOSE LOOK AT WHAT THEY'RE DISHING OUT THIS SEASON.

>> LOOK AT THIS, SMELLS DELICIOUS.

IT LOOKS DELICIOUS.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO SAY.

CAN WE DIG?

>> WE JUST LOOK.

>> UM, THAT'S AMAZING.

YOU KNOW IN THE WEST HERE, YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO SLURP, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

BUT YOU -- YOU LIVE IN ASIA, SO -- THE REASON YOU SLURP IS BECAUSE YOU WANT TO INTRODUCE OXYGEN, AIR WHILE YOU'RE SLURPING TO COOL DOWN THE NOODLE WHILE YOU'RE DOING THAT.

SO THE MORE YOU SLURP, THE MORE FLAVOR YOU GET.

[SOUNDS OF SLURPING] >> THIS TO ME IS JUST THE ULTIMATE OF WHAT FOOD IS ABOUT, SO YOU'VE GOT THIS KID BORN IN HONG KONG, RAISED IN HONG KONG BUT COOKING JAPANESE FOOD.

TELL ME ABOUT THAT LOVE.

>> I THINK TO ME IS I JUST LOOK AT IT AS JUST FOOD IN GENERAL.

I DON'T HAVE A -- KOREAN FOOD, CHINESE FOOD, AMERICAN FOOD, TO ME, FOOD IS FOOD.

>> SO YOU KNOW WHAT, I ALWAYS GET ASKED IS THAT WORD AUTHENTIC AND TRADITIONAL.

PEOPLE LOOK AT YOU AND YOU'RE LIKE YOU'RE FROM HONG KONG, ARE YOU REALLY MAKING AUTHENTIC RAMEN, ARE YOU MAKING TRADITIONAL RAMEN, HOW DO YOU ANSWER THAT?

>> I THINK THE BEST ANSWER I CAN GIVE THEM IS AUTHENTICITY IS BASED ON YOUR MEMORIES, RIGHT?

IT'S NOT WHETHER HOW YOU LOOK AND WHAT YOU SPEAK, IT'S ALL ABOUT YOUR MEMORY AND FOOD IN THIS CASE IS ALL ABOUT, YOU KNOW, PALLET MEMORY, RIGHT?

♪♪ >> CATHY: IT'S PLAYOFF TIME FOR THE PROFESSIONAL WOMEN'S HOCKEY LEAGUE.

AND WHILE MINNESOTA'S TEAM ENDED THEIR FIRST SEASON WITH A SERIES OF LOSSES, THEY DID STILL MAKE THE PLAYOFFS.

GAME TWO AGAINST FIRST PLACE TORONTO IS IN PROGRESS HERE ON FRIDAY NIGHT.

AND RACHEL BLOUNT HAS TAKEN A QUICK BREAK FROM WATCHING THE ACTION TO JOIN US.

BLOUNT COVERS THE PWHL FOR THE "STAR TRIBUNE" NEWSPAPER.

HER PROFILE OF MINNESOTA G.M.

NATALIE DARWITZ AT THE END OF THE REGULAR SEASON COVERED THE FRONT PAGE OF WEDNESDAY'S SPORTS SECTION.

IT WAS A FABULOUS STORY AS ALWAYS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> Cathy: IT'S LIVE FRIDAY NIGHT, WHAT'S THE SCORE?

S-ZERO-ZERO WHEN I CAME IN, WITH ABOUT 7 MINUTES TO GO IN THE SECOND PERIOD.

>> Cathy: HOW ARE WE LOOKING, BY THE WAY?

>> NOT GREAT.

GOALTENDER LOOKS TRAFFIC, TERRIFIC, MATTIE IS PUTTING UP A FIGHT TONIGHT BUT TORONTO HAS HAD THE BETTER PLAY TONIGHT.

THEY'VE BEEN OUTSCORED 223-8 IN THE SIX LOSSES IN A ROW, TWO HUTOUT OSSES SO THEY HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO MAKE SOME GOALS.

>> Eric: THE DREAM WAS TO PAY THEM, SUCCESS, FAILURE, STILL TO BE DETERMINED?

>> I THINK REALLY BY ALL MEASURES, THE LEAGUE'S BEEN A HUGE, HUGE SUCCESS.

THEY DREW 400,000 PEOPLE FOR 72 GAMES.

MINNESOTA WAS SECOND IN THE LEAGUE IN AVERAGE ATTENDANCE, ABOUT 7100.

ATMOSPHERE AT THE GAMES WAS TERRIFIC, AT XCEL ENERGY CENTER, THEY USUALLY FILLED THE LOWER BOWL AND CROWDS WERE PHENOMENAL.

THEY CHEERED, YELLED, THEY WERE SO ENTHUSIASTIC, THEY BROUGHT SIGNS.

100,000 YOUTube SUBSCRIBERS, THEY EXTREME THEIR GAMES ON YOUTube.

MORE THAN 40 CORPORATE SPONSORS, INCLUDING BANK, AIRLINES, THE OFFICIAL HAVE BEEN VERY CLEAR SAYING WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO BEFORE WE'RE ECONOMICALLY VIABLE, BEFORE WE'RE PROFITABLE BUT ALL THE INDICATIONS ARE FOR THE FIRST SEASON PARTICULARLY WITH HOW QUICKLY THEY PULLED IT TOGETHER, BIG HIT.

>> Cathy: WHAT'S ITS LIKE TO COVER SOMETHING LIKE THIS, A NEW LEAGUE FROM THE GROUND FLOOR UP?

>> IT'S REALLY EXCITING.

IT'S REALLY A LOT OF FUN.

I'VE BEEN SO IMPRESSED BY THE QUALITY OF PLAY IN THIS LEAGUE.

I DON'T THINK PEOPLE QUITE WERE SURE OF WHAT TO EXPECT.

WE ALL SEE THE U.S. AND CANADA IN THE OLYMPICS, WE'RE USED TO THAT QUALITIES OF PLAY BUT I THINK FOLKS WONDERED, ARE THERE ENOUGH QUALITY PLAYERS, IS THE TALENT POOL DEEP ENOUGH TO FILL SIX TEAMS AND MUCH QUALITY PLAY NIGHT AFTER NIGHT, AND THE ANSWER WAS YES.

I DIDN'T SEE A SINGLE GAME THAT I THOUGHT THAT WAS BORING, IT WASN'T ENTERTAINING.

ALL THE TEAMS ARE SKILLED, FAST AND IT'S VERY PHYSICAL BAND OF HOCKEY.

I THINK PEOPLE WILL BE REALLY SURPRISED IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THIS LEAGUE YET, IF YOU'RE USED TO THE NO-CHECKING IN COLLEGE HOCKEY, THE REVS ARE LETTING THEM HIT IN THIS LEAGUE AND THE PLAYERS LOVE IT.

>> Eric: I WENT TO THE GAME AT MARIUCCI AND THAT'S WHAT I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU, IT ISN'T DAINT TEE.

>> NO, IT IS MOST DEFINITELY NOT DAINT TEE AND THERE'S ALWAYS BEEN CONTACT IN WOMEN'S HOCKEY, EIGHT LITTLE BIT OF A MISNO NOMER, THEY HEAR NO CHECKING AND THINK THERE'S NO PHYSICAL CONTACTS.

THERE IS BUILT IN THE THE MWHL, THEY'RE HITTING EACH OTHER.

THIS IS SOMETHING THEY WANTED, THEY WANTED TO BE ALLOWED TO PLAY A MORE PHYSICAL GAME AND SO FAR THAT'S BEEN PART OF THE APPEAL TO FANGS.

>> Cathy: WHAT IS PART OF THE GAME, REALLY, IF YOU LOOK AT THAT.

>> YES.

>> Cathy: HELP US OUT HERE.

WHY DOES THE MINNESOTA TEAM HAVE A NICKNAME FOR OGO YET?

>> THE LEAGUE SAID RIGHT UP FRONT THEY WERE GOING TO WAIT.

THEY WANTED TO GET THE FIRST SEASON GOING, THEY DID NOT WANT THE PLAYERS TO AVE TO SIT AROUND ANOTHER YEAR WITHOUT THIS LEAGUE, SOME OF THE PLAYERS WHO PUSHED VERY HARD FOR IT ARE IN THEIR 30s, GETTING CLOSE TO THE ENDS OF THEIR CAREERS AND SO LEAGUE OFFICIALS WANTED THEM TO BE ABLE TO GET IN AND PLAY AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

BUT IT IS ALSO A LEAGUE THAT IS VERY IMAGE CONSCIOUS, THEY DON'T WANTS TO MAKE A MISSTEP, THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THE LOGOS, NICKNAMES, THE FINAL COLORS, COLORS WE'RE SEEING NOW MAY NOT BE THE FINAL.

>> Eric: OH, REALLY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT'S ALL A WORK IN PROGRESS.

THEY DIDN'T ANT TO RUSH INTO SOMETHING AND THEN REGRET IT.

>> Cathy: BECAUSE IT IS A WORK IN PROGRESS, SOME OF THIS REMINDS ME OF "A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN," THE MOVIE.

NATALIE DARWITZ IS WASHING STINKY JERSEYS AND IT'S LIKE IT'S KINDS OF CRAZY, YOU KNOW.

HOW LONG CAN SHE HOLD ON TO KEEP THAT GOING, FOR GOODNESS SAKES?

>> SHE NOW HAS A MUCH LARGER STAFF THAN SHE HAD EARLIER SO SHE'S GOT PLENTY OF PEOPLE TO HELP WITH THIS.

AND I THINK AS THE LEAGUE GOES ALONG, THEY'LL CONTINUE TO EXPAND THOSE STAFFS.

SHE'LL GET INTO MORE OF A STRICT, STRAIGHT-UP HOCKEY MANAGEMENT ROLL AND HAVE TO DO A LITTLE LESS OF THIS HOUSEKEEPING BUSINESS.

>> Cathy: AND THERE WILL BE A SECOND SEASON.

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY.

IN FACT, NEXT SEASON WILL BE EXPANDED FROM 24 GAMES REGULAR SEASON THIS YEAR, THEY WILL HAVE MORE REGULAR SEASON GAMES LAST YEAR.

TEAM EXPANSION IS STILL A WAYS OFF.

THEY DO WANT TO HAVE MORE THAN SIX TEAMS, THEY'RE NOT COMMITTING TO WHEN THEY WILL DO THAT BUT THE LEAGUE IS SAYING THEY DEFINITELY ARE LOOKING AT ADDING MORE CITIES.

>> Eric: AFTER TWO PERIODS, NO SCORE IN THE GAME WE'RE WATCHING.

>> ALL RIGHT, THAT'S GOOD FOR MINNESOTA.

>> >> Cathy: THERE YOU GO, RACHEL, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> Eric: THANKS, RACHEL.

>> Cathy: GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> HAVING BEEN INVOLVED IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT A NUMBER OF YEARS AND VERY INTERESTED IN POLITICS AND WHAT'S GOING ON IN OUR STATE OF MINNESOTA HERE.

>> YOU FIRST RAN FOR THE HOUSE ALMOST 30 YEARS AGO, RIGHT?

>> YES, I DID.

I HAD A COUPLE OF GOOD RACES.

KIND OF THE SAME SCENARIO, FIRST -- WAS NOT GOING TO RUN AGAIN AND THE COMMITTEE WAS LOOKING FOR A CANDIDATE.

I AM SO GLAD THAT I WAS ABLE TO BE PATIENT AND WAIT AS WELL AS BE INVOLVED DURING THE LAST 30 YEARS.

A NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT I'VE GOTTEN TO KNOW BECAUSE I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE LOCAL BRPU, I SERVED ON Y TOWNSHIP BOARD, BECAUSE I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE IN OUR LOCAL COUNTY ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT COMMITTEES, THE KNOWLEDGE, THE EXPERIENCE I'VE GAINED.

100%, I FEEL SO MUCH BETTER PREPARED TODAY THAN I WOULD HAVE AT THAT POINT IN TIME.

>> ERIC: JUST OVER A WEEK LEFT IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND THE BIGGEST INTRIGUE REMAINS AFTER THE FELONY ARREST OF A DFL STATE SENATOR WHO FACED HER FIRST ETHICS COMMITTEE THIS WEEK.

LONGTIME "ALMANAC" POLITICAL REPORTER MARY LAHAMMER GIVES US SOME CONTEXT ON THE ETHICS PROCESS AND HISTORY.

>> I AM CABLING TO ORDER THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON ETHICS.

>> Mary: THE SENATE ETHICS COMMITTEE MET MORE THAN ONCE THIS WEEK.

THE SECOND TIME WAS TO SETTLE A CASE OF A SENATOR SENDING AN EMAIL LINKING TO GRAPHIC CONTENT ON THE LINE.

>> THERE'S BEEN ROBUST DISCUSSIONS HAPPENING AMONGST THE COMMITTEE IN ORDER TO TRY TO FIND A PATH FORWARD AND SO THAT IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN DONE.

>> Mary: THE DECISION S THE SENATOR WILL HAVE TO BE INSTRUCTED BY LEADERSHIP HOW TO DELIVER EMAIL IN THE FUTURE BUT NO FURTHER ACTION.

>> THE RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED.

>> THIS COMMITTEE DEADLOCKED 2-2 ON THAT ISSUE.

I PRETTY FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT THERE'S NO PROBABLE CAUSE.

>> Mary: IN THE PREVIOUS MEETING, THE ACCUSED SENATOR SPOKE UP.

>> IT'S A MEDICAL TRAINING VIDEO, OKAY?

AND I CONSIDER IT TO BE A GOOD RESOURCE FOR FELLOW SENATE MEMBERS TO COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE BILL WE WERE GOING TO BE VOTING ON.

>> ANY TIME I'M USING THE WORD EXTREMELY GRAPHIC AND DISTURBING, I'M QUOTING SENATOR GRUENHAGEN IN MISS OWN EMAIL BECAUSE WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE VERY, VERY CLEAR, NOT ONLY WAS IT GRAPHIC IMAGERY AND WHAT WAS SAID IN THE EMAIL TO BE IMAGERY OF CHILDREN'S GENITALIA BUT SELF-DESCRIBED BY THE SENATOR AS EXTREMELY DISTURBING AND GRAPHIC AND EPICENTER ITWAY.

>> Mary: THAT WASN'T THE PART OF THE MEETING THAT GOT THE ATTENTION.

THE SENATE ETHICS COMMITTEE MET INTO THE NIGHT ON THE FELONY BURGLARY CHARGES AGAINST SENATOR NICOLE MITCHELL.

>> YOU DO SWEAR THE EVIDENCE YOU WILL GIVE RELATIVE TO THE CAUSE UNDER CONSIDERATION SHALL BE THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH, SO HEN YOU GOD, CORRECT?

>> SENATOR MITCHELL WILL BE ANSWERING NO QUESTIONS, PERIOD.

>> Mary: MITCHELL NEVER SPOKE AND HER ATTORNEY EMPLOYED THE FIFTH FOR HER AND SPOKE IN AN AGGRESSIVE COURTROOM MODE.

>> THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN ONE OF THE MORE INFLAMMATORY ONES I'VE HEARD WITH ALLEGATIONS OF OUR PLIGHT CALL MOTIVATIONS, WITH DEMANDS OF WHAT WE CAN AND CANNOT DO.

>> THE SEVERITY OF THE CRIMINAL CHARGES CALL FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION FROM THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON ETHICAL CONDUCT AND THE SENATE AS A WHOLE.

>> THE 9-1-1 CALL TELLS US Mrs. MITCHELL WAS ALONE AND FRIGHT INDEPENDENT BY AN INTRUDER SHE COULDN'T IDENTIFY.

>> WE ARE NOT HERE TO BE JUDGE AND JURY.

WE ARE HERE TODAY TO DETERMINE IF A MEMBER OF OUR BODY VIOLATED THE RULES OF OUR BODY.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO DEFER THESE PROCEEDINGS UNTIL THE CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED.

>> I AM GOING TO RENEW A MOTION FOR US TO RETURN ON JUNE 12th.

>> Mary: THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON ETHICS IS UNIQUE FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS.

FIRST, IT'S ONE OF THE SMALLEST COMMITTEES AT THE CAPITOL BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, THERE'S NO CLEAR POLITICAL MAJORITIES.

WITH TWO DEMOCRATS AND TWO REPUBLICANS, IT OFTEN RESULTS IN DEADLOCK.

>> THERE IS A SAYING THAT SAYS IF YOU'RE NOT AT THE TABLE, THEN YOU'RE ON THE MENU.

MY PARENTS MIGRATED FROM THE SOUTH TO THE NORTH.

I WAS BORN IN NORTH MINNEAPOLIS.

I WAS THE FIRST PERSON IN MY ENTIRE FAMILY TO GO TO COLLEGE.

I JUST WANTED TO BE THE BLACK PERRY MASON.

>> Mary: THE SENATE PRESIDENT, WHO'S AN ATTORNEY, CHAIRS THE ETHICS COMMITTEE WHICH MEETS INFREQUENTLY.

SOMETIMES THEY GATHER A COUPLE TIMES A YEAR AND IN OTHER INSTANCES, IT'S BEEN YEARS BETWEEN SESSIONS.

>> I DID NOT BULLY, THREATEN OR FORCE THE MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT -- >> Mary: CHAMPION WAS THE SUBJECT OF N ETHICS COMPLAINT BACK IN 2014 RELATED TO A CONTRACT THAT ALLEGEDLY BENEFITED HIS FRIENDS BUT THE COMMITTEE TOOK NO ACTION ON THE COMPLAINT FILED BY MEMBERS OF THE OPPOSITE PARTY, ONE OF WHOM IS CURRENTLY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIR WHO'S CALLING FOR SENATOR MITCHELL'S RESIGNATION.

>> IT'S NOT HARD TO GET SETTLED.

>> Mary: MAYBE THE MOST MEMORABLE ETHICS COMPLAINTS ALMOST TWO DECADES AGO WAS AGAINST FORMER SENATE MAJORITY LEADER DEAN JOHNSON, FOR SAYING A SUPREME COURT JUSTICE SHARED INFORMATION WITH HIM ON THE ISSUE OF SAME SEX MARRIAGE WHICH HE HAD TO APOLOGIZE FOR LATER.

>> I SIMPLY APOLOGIZED FOR WHAT HAS HAPPENED.

>> Mary: ANOTHER GROUP CALLED FOR JOHN -- JOHNSON'S RESIGNATION.

>> I EMBELLISHED IT, I DID, AND IT'S WRONG.

>> ERIC: THERE'S JUST TEN MORE CALENDAR DAYS LEFT BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE HAS TO ADJOURN THIS YEAR.

AND REALLY JUST A HANDFUL OF DAYS LEFT THEY CAN CONDUCT BUSINESS ON THE FLOOR.

OUR NEXT THREE GUESTS WILL BE MONITORING ALL THE ACTION CLOSELY, FROM THE HALLWAYS TO COMMITTEE HEARING ROOMS TO THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

BRIAN BAKST, LONGTIME CAPITOL OBSERVER, HE IS THE POLITICS EDITOR AT MPR NEWS.

JOHN CROMAN COVERS POLITICS FOR KARE 11 TV.

HERE TOO, OUR OWN MARY LAHAMMER, POLITICAL REPORTER AND HOST OF OUR SISTER PROGRAM "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL."

IS BRIAN, 'VE HEARD MIXED REVIEWS ON THE ETHICS SUBCOMMITTEE PROCESS AND WONDER IN ANY F THIS IS GOING TO TURN INTO NEW IS SENATE RULES ON IF YOU'VE BEEN CHARGED WITH A FELONY, CAN YOU VOTE OR IS THIS GOING TO JUST DISAPPEAR INTO THE NIGHT?

>> IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE RESOLVED ANY TIME SOON, SO IF THAT HAPPENS, IT WILL PROBABLY HAPPEN AT SOME POINT IN THE INTERIM BUT THE SESSION HAS REALLY BEEN BEFORE NICOLE MITCHELL'S INCIDENTS AND AFTER THE INCIDENT BECAUSE THINGS WERE SEEMINGLY GLIDING ALONG TO A SOMEWHAT BORING FINISH AND THERE AS OME DRAMA INSERTED INTO THE SESSION.

>> Mary: IT'S CLASSIC MINNESOTA POLITICS, TOO, JUST EVERY TIME WHEN WE THINK IT'S SMOOTH SAILING, BAM, YOU KNOW, A BIG STORY HITS, A CANDIDATE GOES SWIMMING IN A POOL WITH TEENAGERS, WE'RE OLD ENOUGH TO REMEMBER THAT.

>> GRUNSETH.

>> YOU JUST NEVER KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO COME NEXT.

THE ETHICS COMMITTEE I THINK A LOT OF FOLKS ARE SEEING IT PERHAPS FOR THE FIRST TIME, IN THIS STRANGE DEADLOCKED POSITION OF THERE'S NO MAJORITY, SO YOU CAN'T REALLY GET CON CENSUS VERY EASILY WITH TWO DEMOCRATS, TWO REPUBLICANS AND THEN IRONIC TO POINT OUT THE CHAIR HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO AN ETHICS COMPLAINTS IN HIS PAST, AS WELL, SO HE HAS, YOU KNOW, SEEN IT BEFORE.

AND WE GOT TO SEE THE APOLOGY, TOO, IN THAT IECE THERE, WE DID HAVE THAT SITTING SENATE MAJORITY LEADER, DEAN JOHNSON, APOLOGIZE DURING SESSION, OWN IT.

THAT'S NOT WHAT WE SEE ANYMORE.

WE SEE NO COMMENT AND SILENCE.

>> Eric: WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS?

>> WE HAD THE WHOLE KNOCK-DOWN DRAG OUT DEBATE OVER WHETHER YOU SHOULD HAVE AN ETHICS HEARING BEFORE THE CRIMINAL COURTS HAVE ACTED AND THE REPUBLICANS ARE LIKE, NO, WE SEE THE POLICE REPORT, THAT'S ENOUGH TO BRING DISREPUTE TO THE BODY.

AND SO WE CAN GO AHEAD ND DO OUR OWN INVESTIGATION NOW AND, YOU KNOW, MITCHELL'S ATTORNEY, RINGIS STROM AND THE DEMOCRATS ON THE PANEL ALL WERE SAYING, LET'S WAIT UNTIL ALL THE FACTS ARE IN.

>> Eric: THERE WASN'T MUCH SHOWING OF SENATOR MITCHELL, KIND OF GOT A SLICE OF HER FACE IN THE SHOT, WAS THAT ON PURPOSE OR -- >> THEY MADE CLEAR AT THE OUTSET SHE WASN'T GOING TO SAY ANYTHING SO THE CAMERA GOES TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE TALKING BUT SHE WASN'T TALKING.

BUT KEEP IN MIND, 34-33, THAT ELEVATES EVERYTHING AND THAT'S WHY THIS ISSUE HAS HER -- HER STANDING HAS BECOME SUCH A IG ISSUE.

>> I HAD TO BRING THE CAMERA MYSELF TO THE HEARING JUST TO GET SHOTS OF HER TO CAPTURE THE VIDEO.

>> Mary: THE ONLY VIDEO ABLE WAS WHAT YOU JUST SAW, WAS THE SWEARING IN WHEN SHE TOOK THE OATH.

>> HOW AMENABLE ARE REPUBLICANS IN THE SENATE GOING TO BE FOR THE BONDING BILLING?

>> Mary: THEY DO STILL LIKE A BONDING PILL AND HOUSE MEMBERS.

THERE'S THIS OTHER CHAMBER THAT WE'VE BEEN LARGELY IGNORING DURING THE MICHIGAN HE WILL PROCESS, THEY LIKE PROJECTS, THEY IKE O BRING SOMETHING HOME.

ALTHOUGH IS IT BELTS FOR REPUBLICANS TO SAY LOOK AT DEMOCRATS, THEY CAN'T GOVERN?

DOES THAT HELP THE HOUSE WHEN THEY'RE ON THE BALLOT?

>> NOBODY HAS SAID NO WAY AND THAT'S THE KEY THING IS THAT THEY'RE ALL AT THE TABLE, LEADER DEMUTH WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ON THE NOON SHOW TO THE, SHE HAD TO BAIL BECAUSE SHE WAS IN NEGOTIATIONS AND THAT'S A SIGN THAT THEY'RE ALL AT LEAST TALKING AT THIS POINT.

>> I'VE GONE TO THOSE BONDING TOURS AND THE REPUBLICANS, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE VERY TICH AND THEY HAVE THEIR PROJECTS THAT THEY WANT, SO... >> Cathy: LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT THOSE NEGOTIATIONS.

REMEMBER BACK IN THE DAYS WE HAD STAKEOUTS OUTSIDE OF THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN ANYMORE, DOES IT?

>> NO, BECAUSE, NUMBER ONE, THERE'S SO MANY WAYS IN AND OUT OF THESE ROOMS NOW THAT YOU CAN'T -- THEY WOULD JUST AVOID US BUT, YOU KNOW, THIS IS FEELING LIKE ONE OF THOSE THINGS WHERE SEEMS LIKE A LOT IS GOING TO HAPPEN OR NOTHING'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE TIED TOGETHER, EVEN IF PEOPLE WANTS IT TO BE SEEN ASPIRATE ISSUES RISING AND FALLING ON THEIR OWN.

>> Eric: THE SPEAKER BROUGHT THE SPORTS BETTING BACK FROM THE DEAD.

>> Mary: NOTION'S EVER DEAD, THINGS CAN BE MOSTLY DEAD BUT WE ARE SEEING I THINK A CHANGE IN NEGOTIATION ATTENTION FROM WHAT WE USED TO SEE, WHEN WE USED TO HAVE CHAIRS AND WE'D SET UP CAMP IMPASSE AND BE SENDING FOOD IN AND IT WAS HOURS AND HOURS.

>> SIT IN THE RAIN.

>> Mary: AND OTHER THING IS WE'RE IN THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE STAGE.

DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN CONFERENCE COMMITTEES WOULD ACTUALLY NEGOTIATE IN PUBLIC AND TOM BAKK WOULD GET CROWNED AND THERE WERE ALL KINDS F THEATRICS AND YOU WOULD WAIT WITH -- >> THE RUMBLE UNDER THE ROTUNDA.

>> PHIL KRINKIE.

>> Mary: AND NOW IT'S YOU CUT THE DEAL IN THE BACK ROOM AND COME OUT AND SIGN IT.

>> GUNS, GUNS.

WHERE ARE WE HERE?

>> THERE WERE THREE IN THE HOUSE AND NOW LOOKS LIKE ONE IS STILL ONLY ALIVE.

THAT'S THE ONE FOR THE IS STRAW PURCHASER AND THE BY THEY ARE BAN, AND THE OTHER ONE REPORTING LOST AND STOLEN THOSE ARE OUT MAINLY BECAUSE BACK TO BRIAN'S 34-33 THING, HAUSCHILD, THE SENATOR FROM HERMANTOWN WERE LIVING HERE IN HERMANTOWN, HE SAID NO TO THOSE TWO OTHER GEORGIAN BILLS.

>> Mary: ONE SENATOR CAN MAKE OR BREAK ANYTHING AND WE'RE SEEING THE RAMIFICATIONS.

>> Cathy: HELP ME OUT, I'VE KIND OF LOST CANNABIS.

>> I THINK THAT WILL GET DONE, THERE SEEMS TO BE APE CON CENSUS IF THIS LEGAL ANNABIS MARKET HAS TO WORK THEY HAVE TO GET THINGS MOVING AND THEY HAVE TO GET PLANTS IN THE GROUND, ENOUGH TO SERVE THE MARKET AND SO I THINK THAT WHAT THEY'RE GOING DO IS PASS A BILL THAT WILL ALLOW FOR THESE PROVISIONAL LICENSES, THE RETAIL AND CULTIVATION AND SOME OTHER ASPECTS AND THEY'LL BE ABLE TO AT LEAST SET UP THEIR OPERATIONS, NECESSITY WON'T BE ABLE TO TOUCH THE PLANTS UNTIL THOSE RULES ARE FINAL SOMETIME EARLY -- >> Eric: MONDAY HOUSE -- >> Cathy: I'M SOME WERE.

WHERE ARE WE WITH A PERMANENT LEADER FOR THE OFFICE OF CANNABIS MANAGEMENT?

ARE WE STILL LOOKING FOR SOMEBODY?

>> STILL NO HIRE.

THEY HAVE SOME STAFFING AND I THINK CHARLENE IS STILL THE INTERIM, A VETERAN OF THE CAPITOL, WORN A LOT OF HATS THERE AND BECOME AN EXPERT.

>> THE TIMELINE HAS BEEN LATE SPRING OR EARLY SUMMER SO WE'RE KIND OF IN THAT BALLPARK RIGHT NOW.

>> Eric: STATE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENTS, HEARING IN THE HOUSE ON MONDAY.

SENATE HAS DIFFERENT WORDING.

WHERE IS THAT HEADED?

>> ABSOLUTELY AND IT DEPENDS ON WHEN YOU WANT ON THE BALLOT, THE HOUSE AND STATES?

HAVE DIFFERENT YEARS.

THERE IS A THOUGHTS OF MAYBE YOU DON'T WANT TO MUDDY THE BALLOT UP AND KEEN IT CLEAN FOR THE ENTIRE STATE HOUSE BEING UP NOW IN 2024, SO THE HOUSE WANTS TO PUSH IT OUT TO 2026 BUT THEN THERE IS A THOUGHT, IS THERE AN ENTHUSIASM GAP, PEOPLE NOT EXCITED ABOUT EITHER OF THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES, DO DEMOCRATS NEED TO PUSH ENTHUSIASM SO T WILL BE INTERESTING IF THAT GETS FIGURED OUT.

>> Eric: AFTER YOU LOOK AT AURORA BOREALIS, YOU CAN UNFURL THE NEW PLAYING.

>> YES, AND I HAVE TO DECIDE IF I WANT TO GO THERE AND WITNESS IT WITH MY OWN EYES OR LIT THE PHOTOGRAPHERS DO THE WORK, WATCH THE VIDEO LATER.

>> Eric: IS IT A POPULAR FLAG?

>> I THINK PEOPLE ARE JUST -- THEY DELETES LIKE IT OR THEY DON'T AND IT'S HARD TO REALLY TELL AT THIS POINT BECAUSE IT'S NOT UP THERE ON BUILDINGS.

YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE ME TODAY BECAUSE DANA FERGUSON IS GETTING UP AT 4:45 TO BE THERE FOR THAT.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU, DANA.

>> Mary: THE POLLS SHOW IT'S NOT POPULAR BUT CHANGE ISN'T NECESSARILY POPULAR.

>> Eric: DIDN'T THE REPUBLICANS IN THE HOUSE PUTS UP AN AMENDMENT THAT GOT BEAT, RIGHT?

ON THE FLOOR?

>> Cathy: SAY, I WANT TO GO BACK TO SOMETHING EARNING SAID.

THE SPEAKER SAID THE SPORTS BETTING IS STILL VIABLE.

DO WE KNOW WHAT A DEAL MIGHT BE, THE TRACKS WERE -- TRACKS ARE NOT HAPPY ABOUT IT.

>> Eric: CHARITABLE GAMBLING IS A PART OF IT.

>> Mary: BUT IF YOU THEY WOULD REPUBLICANS VOTES TO GET IT THROUGH, YOU NEEDS THE TRACKS.

SO THAT'S THE DIAL.

>> THE QUESTION IS HOW MUCH MONEY YOU GIVE THE TRACK ATTENTION AT THIS POINT.

>> EMS, REPUBLICANS WOULD LIKE THAT.

>> EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES TO RURAL PROVIDERS, THAT WILL BE PROBABLY SOMEWHERE IN THE TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, THAT'S AT LEAST THE TALKING POINT, THE TALKING RANGE RIGHT NOW.

IT WILL BE TIED TO VOTES FOR THE BONDING BILL.

>> Eric: AND HOW ABOUT SOME KIND OF LOCAL OPTION FOR RANKED CHOICE VOTING.

>> THAT'S ALSO ON THE FLOOR ON MONDAY.

>> Mary: BUSY DAY ON THE HOUSE FLOOR ONDAY.

WATCH YOUR LEGISLATIVE TV ON STATEWIDE MINNESOTA CHANNEL.

[ Laughter ] >> Eric: HOW DOES THIS SET UP THE 2024 HOUSE CAMPAIGNS?

>> Mary: THEY CAN JUST RUN ON EVERYTHING THEY PASSED LAST YEAR, EVEN IF THIS IS A DO-KNOCK SESSION.

THEY WERE COMPLETELY PREPARED TO DO THAT.

>> ERIC, I'M SURPRISED THAT YOU DIDN'T MENTION DONALD TRUMP IS COMING THIS WEEK, -- NEXT WEEK ON FLY BECAUSE PRETTY MUCH THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE IS GOING TO DICTATE A LOT OF DOWN-BALLOT RACES, AS WELL.

>> Eric: STUFF IS ALL NATIONALIZE ARE THED, IS THAT TRUE?

>> IT IS, AND WE ASKED TOM EMMER TODAY ABOUT IT HE WAS IN BLAINE DOING HIGHWAY 5 AND HE SAID, LOOK, HE'S GOING TO BE ON THE BALLOT AND WE'LL GET BEHIND HIM, NO QUESTIONS ASKED.

SO THERE YOU GO.

>> Cathy: WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING WAS THAT TRUMP APPEARANCE AT THE GOTCH DINNER?

>> THOUGH O.WHO SNOWS?

IT'S HIS ONE ORR TWO CAMPAIGN APPEARANCES OF THE WEEK BECAUSE HE'S IN OURTS FOR FOUR DAYS A WEEK SO THE FACT THAT'S' COMING FOR THE G.O.M.B.S.

DINNER, SEEMS LIKE HE HAS AN EYE ON MICHIGAN AND WISCONSIN -- >> Eric: HE FELT LIKE BACK IN THE DAY, HE WOULD HAVE TAKEN MINNESOTA.

>> Mary: IT RAISES MONEY.

>> ARE YOU GOING TO GET YOUR NAZ REED TATTOO?

>> Eric: I'VE ALREADY GOT IT BUT I'M NOT GOING TO SHOW YOU WHERE IT IS.

>> GO WOLVES.

>> Cathy: THAT'S DISGUSTING.

[Laughter] ♪♪ >> I THINK YOUR ARTICLE SAID THAT, LIKE, HALF THE RUNS HAVE BEEN HOMERUIN RELATED.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> AND TARGETS THEY WOULD AS A TRADITIONAL DEATH VALLEY FOR HOME RUNS.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

THAT WAS -- WELL, BEARABLE SORTS OF CHANGED THAT YEAR.

LOOK AT THE GUY WITH THE ANGELS.

WELL, I THINK IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF THAT, THE STRINGS ARE A LITTLE TIGHTER BECAUSE THERE'S NO QUESTION, THE TWINS ARE THIRD OR FOURTH IN BASEBALL IN HOME RUNS.

THEY HIT, WHAT, EIGHT IN TORONTO AND OUTSCORED THEM LIKE 20-1.

♪♪ >> CATHY: BASEBALL FANS OUT THERE MAY REMEMBER THE 2019 TWINS WENT ON TO SET A SINGLE SEASON MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL RECORD FOR HOME RUNS, EARNING THE NICKNAME OF "THE BOMBA SQUAD."

BUT THEY STILL DIDN'T MANAGE TO BEAT THE NEW YORK YANKEES IN THE FIRST ROUND OF THE PLAYOFFS THAT YEAR.

LET'S STAY IN THE WORLD OF BASEBALL FOR THE HISTORY PORTION OF TONIGHT'S SHOW.

BUT TRAVEL BACK IN TIME A BIT TO WHEN THE METRODOME WAS HOME TO OUR MINNESOTA TWINS.

THE YEAR IS 1985.

THIS WEEK'S MYSTERY MINNESOTAN APPEARS ON KSTP'S TWIN CITIES LIVE PROGRAM.

IN RESPONSE TO A VIEWER'S QUESTION, THIS LOCAL CELEBRITY CLAIMS THAT HE OR SHE RECENTLY HIT A HOME RUN IN THE METRODOME.

HERE'S A HINT FOR YOU, THE HOME RUN WAS NOT DURING AN OFFICIAL BASEBALL GAME BUT DID INVOLVE OUR MYSTERY PERSON'S PROFESSION.

OUR QUESTION FOR YOU, WHO IS THIS MYSTERY MINNESOTA CELEBRITY?

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU WHETHER YOU ARE CALLING FROM BROKAW CREEK, JENNINGS BAY, OR HUNTLEY MINNESOTA DOWN NEAR THE IOWA BORDER.

651-229-1430 IS THE NUMBER TO CALL.

EXTRA CREDIT ALWAYS GOES TO THE VIEWERS WITH THE MOST DETAILS ABOUT THE EVENT IN QUESTION.

YOU CAN DROP US A NOTE TOO, ALMANAC@TPT.ORG IS OUR ELECTRONIC INBOX.

WHILE YOU'RE ONLINE, MAKE SURE TO STOP BY OUR WEBSITE: TPT.ORG/ALMANAC.

YOU CAN CHECK OUT ANY PORTION OF TONIGHT'S SHOW YOU MAY HAVE MISSED OR DIVE INTO OUR ARCHIVES TO CHECK OUT AN OLD FAVORITE.

THAT'S ALSO WHERE YOU HAVE ONE LAST CHANCE TO FILL OUT THIS YEAR'S "ALMANAC" VIEWER SURVEY.

IT'LL BE THERE THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

IT'S A WAY FOR US TO LEARN ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE AS WE PLAN UPCOMING SHOWS.

YOU CAN FILL OUT THE SURVEY ONLINE BY GOING TO TPT.ORG/ALMANACSURVEY.

FOR TONIGHT'S SHOW-ENDING MUSIC, HERE'S A PRODUCER FAVORITE FROM THE ARCHIVES.

THIS WEEK BACK IN 2018, THE "PLUCKED UP STRING BAND" MADE THE LONG DRIVE DOWN FROM GRAND MARAIS TO PROMOTE THE RELEASE OF THEIR FIRST, AND SADLY ONLY, ALBUM.

TAKE A LISTEN AND COME BACK NEXT WEEK.

IT'S FINAL FRIDAY AND WE'LL FILL THE COUCH WITH LEGISLATIVE LEADERS.

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES, AND HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY.

♪ SOMETIMES WHEN YOU BREAK YOUR BACK, IT MIGHT JUST BE BAD KARMA, SO WHY NOT COME AND VISIT ME AND I'LL EXPLAIN TO JAMB A ♪♪ ♪ THE RULINGS, IF YOU PLAY, MY SON, YOU MIGHT AS WELL START SINGING A TUNE ♪♪ CAPTIONED BY: VERITEXT/PARADIGM CAPTIONING WWW.VERITEXT.COM ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ LET'S TALK ABOUT THEM STARRY TELLERS WE ALL KNOW, THE DREAMS THAT SEEM TO GO WITH THE... >> "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.

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"ONE GREATER MINNESOTA" REPORTING ON "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE OTTO BREMER TRUST, WHOSE MISSION IS INVESTING IN PEOPLE, PLACES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN OUR REGION.

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