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

>> ERIC: TONIGHT ON "ALMANAC," U.S. REPRESENTATIVE ANGIE CRAIG JOINS US LIVE, WE'LL HEAR FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE KRISTIN ROBBINS ABOUT THE STATE'S NEW WHISTLEBLOWER PORTAL, AND MARY LAHAMMER HAS BEEN COVERING THE LATEST AT THE CAPITOL.

>> Mary: THE GOVERNOR IS TAKING ON THE PRESIDENT, WHILE FEDERAL WORKERS HERE IN MINNESOTA SHARE THEIR FEARS.

>> THEIR DAYS ARE NUMBERED.

[ Cheers ] >> WE CAN'T SUSTAIN THE KIND OF SPENDING.

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

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

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

>> ERIC: WELCOME BACK TO "ALMANAC."

WE'VE GOT AG COMMISSIONER THOM PETERSEN STANDING BY, A MIDDLE EAST EXPERT IS HERE WITH THE LATEST, AND WE'LL TALK SPORTS WITH LARRY FITZGERALD SENIOR.

>> CATHY: BUT WE'RE STARTING TONIGHT WITH U.S. DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE ANGIE CRAIG OF MINNESOTA'S SECOND DISTRICT.

WE'VE GOT A LOT TO COVER WITH THE TOP DEMOCRAT ON THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, SO LET'S DIVE RIGHT IN.

WELCOME BACK TO "ALMANAC," REPRESENTATIVE CRAIG.

>> IT'S SO GOOD TO BE BACK.

>> YOUR DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES THINK YOU AN GET A FARM BILL DONE BY SEPTEMBER.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I THINK THEY'RE OPTIMISTIC.

I THINK SOME OF IT DEPENDS ON WHAT HAPPENS IN THIS BUDGET PROCESS, MOVING FORWARD THE TAX BILL.

THEY WANT TO CUT N THE HOUSE, $230 BILLION FROM MY COMMITTEE, AND THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN DO THAT IS BY ROLLING BACK S.N.A.P.

BENEFITS FOR NEEDY AMERICANS.

SO, WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

I CERTAINLY WANT TO GET A FARM BILL DONE.

I'VE EXTENDED MY HAND TO THE CHAIRMAN TO WORK WITH HIM ND CERTAINLY WITH EVERYTHING HAPPENING, WITH THIS ADMINISTRATION, WITH THE TARIFFS, WITH THE FROZEN CONTRACTS, WITH THE CONTRACTS THAT THEY REN'T HONORING, BOY, MY FARMERS AND OUR FARMERS NEED HELP.

>> Cathy: I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT UP S.N.A.P., BECAUSE, OF COURSE, NUTRITION PROGRAMS ARE ROLLED INTO THE OVERALL FARM BILL.

IT'S BEEN TALKED ABOUT IN THE PAST.

MAYBE THEY SHOULD BE TAKEN OUT OF THAT FARM BILL.

SHOULD THEY?

>> NO, ABSOLUTELY NOT.

THE COALITION THAT HAS COME TOGETHER ARE THE FAMILY FARMERS THAT GROW THE FOOD, AND THE NUTRITION ADVOCATES AND ALL OF THE GROCERY STORES AND THE TRUCK DRIVERS WHO DRIVE IT, IT'S ALL A COALITION, THINK ABOUT IT.

$28 BILLION GOES TO FAMILY FARMERS FROM THAT S.N.A.P.

INVESTMENT.

EVERY DOLLAR INVESTED IN S.N.A.P.

BRINGS BACK A $1.50 TO THE U.S. CONOMY.

IT'S ACTUALLY A GREAT INVESTMENT FOR OUR COUNTRY, AND WE GET TO FEED NEEDY SENIORS, VETERANS, AND HUNGRY CHILDREN.

>> IMPACT OF TARIFFS ON THE FEDERAL AG ECONOMY.

>> WELL, THE UNCERTAINTY IS DRIVING BUSINESSES AND FAMILY FARMERS CRAZY.

THIS ACROSS-THE-BOARD TARIFF ONE DAY AND THEN PULLING IT BACK THE NEXT MAKES PLANNING COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS FOR FAMILY FARMERS.

I MEAN, WHAT DO YOU PLANT AT THIS -- PLAN AT THIS POINT IN TIME?

LOOK, WHEN THE PRESIDENT DID THIS BEFORE IN HIS FIRST ADMINISTRATION, $30 BILLION IN EXPORTS FROM OUR FARMERS WENT TO SOME OTHER COUNTRY.

PEOPLE JUST -- MEXICO, CHINA, THEY JUST DIDN'T BUY FROM US.

AND RIGHT NOW THAT IS WHAT IS AT RISK IN OUR COUNTRY, AND, LOOK, SOME TARIFFS COULD BE STRATEGIC.

FROM TIME TO TIME.

BUT THE ACROSS-THE-BOARD TARIFFS AND THINKING THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS IS SOMEHOW GOING O STABLIZE THE AMERICAN ECONOMY, THEY'RE NOT FOCUSED ON LOWERING COST AND THAT'S WHAT THEY PROMISED TO DO.

>> Eric: REFRESH OUR MEMORY, IN THE FIRST TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, DIDN'T THEY DO THAT SOME TARIFFS, AND DID IT END UP BEING DIRECT PAYMENTS TO FARMERS AS KIND OF A MAKEUP.

>> YEAH, NO, THEY HURT FARMERS LIKE CRAZY AND DID SOMETHING CALLED A MARKET FACILITATION PROGRAM, WHERE $27 BILLION FROM THE COMMODITY CREDIT CORPORATION WAS PAID TO FAMILY FARMERS.

THAT FUND ONLY HAS $4 BILLION IN IT RIGHT NOW.

SO, FARMERS ARE HURTING, AND, REMEMBER, ERIC, FARMERS ARE NOT IN AS GOOD A SHAPE AS THEY WERE AT THE START OF THE FIRST TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

COMMODITIES PRICES ARE LOW, CORN, SOYBEANS, REALLY IMPORTANT TO MINNESOTA.

AND INPUT COSTS ARE REALLY HIGH.

THE PRESIDENT PROMISED TO COME IN AND LOWER THE COST FOR BUSINESSES AND EVERYDAY AMERICANS, AND THEY HAVE DONE EVERYTHING BUT THAT.

THEY'RE MAKING IT WORSE.

>> Cathy: SAY, A FEDERAL JUDGE TODAY BLOCKED THE DISMANTLING OF THE CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AGENDA'S BEING PUSHED THROUGH, AS YOU KNOW, VIA EXECUTIVE ORDER, THEN BEING MEDIATED BY JUDICIAL ACTION.

I'M WONDERING, HOW MUCH LASTING DAMAGE DO YOU THINK IS BEING DONE TO THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH, BECAUSE OF CONGRESSIONAL INACTION?

>> WELL, THIS HAS BEEN ONE OF MY BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENTS, IS THAT MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES ARE GIVING UP THE POWER OF LEGISLATING.

I MEAN, THIS COUNTRY WAS BUILT ON THE FACT THAT WE HAVE CO-EQUAL BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT.

I'M LOOKING FOR THREE PATRIOTS, STILL, IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY THAT CAN STAND UP TO THIS ADMINISTRATION.

WHEN WE THINK ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING FROM A JUDICIAL PERSPECTIVE, THIS IS AN AREA WHERE SO FAR WE'VE ACTUALLY SEEN SOME WINS.

I KNOW IT TAKES TIME.

I KNOW IT'S GOING TO BE HARD TO BUILD THESE THINGS BACK.

ANOTHER EXAMPLE, U.S.A -- USAID, BEING CHALLENGED IN COURT, DISMANTLING THAT, CONGRESSIONALLY APPROPRIATED PROGRAM.

BUT THIS IS AN AREA WHERE DEMOCRATS AND ALLIES ARE FIGHTING BACK AND WE'RE WINNING.

>> Eric: ABOUT YOUR FUTURE, YOU'RE ON A PATH, IF AND WHEN DEMOCRATS TAKE CONTROL OF THE HOUSE, TO JOIN BOB BERGLIN, COLLIN PETERSON AS A MINNESOTAN CHAIRING THE HOUSE AG COMMITTEE.

WHY ON EARTH WOULD YOU WANT TO RUN FOR SENATE?

>> WHY ON EARTH?

LOOK, THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA, TOO, ARE FANTASTIC.

AND THEY HAVE BEEN SUCH A BLESSING TO BE ABLE TO SERVE.

I'M TALKING TO MINNESOTANS ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT IT'S THE RIGHT DECISION FOR ME TO OFFER MYSELF TO SERVE ALL OF MINNESOTA.

WHAT I DO KNOW, ERIC, IS THAT I NEED TO BE IN THE IGHT AND WHEREVER THAT FITS BEST FOR THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA, BECAUSE THERE'S GOING TO BE A WHOLE LOT THAT WE HAVE TO STAND UP TO THIS ADMINISTRATION ON OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT THREE PLUS YEARS.

AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO REBUILD THIS COUNTRY.

AND I'VE BEEN ABLE TO PROVE THAT, YOU KNOW, MY STYLE OF FOCUSING INTENSELY ON PEOPLE'S POCKETBOOK ISSUES, WHETHER YOU CAN PUT MORE MONEY IN THEIR POCKET, LOWER COST AND KEEPING OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE, WHETHER THAT'S FROM GUN VIOLENCE OR FROM THE SCURGE OF FENTANYL IS WORKING IN THE SECOND DISTRICT, WHICH IS A D PLUS 1 DISTRICT.

>> Eric: WHEN WERE YOU GOING TO MAKE A DECISION ONE WAY OR THE OTHER?

>> IT WILL BE WEEKS, CERTAINLY, BUT NOT MONTHS.

AND IN THE MEANTIME, LOOK, I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT I CAN DO IS TO KEEP TALKING TO THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA.

IN FACT, I'M STILL -- BECAUSE I'M LOOKING FOR THOSE THREE PATRIOTS ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE OF THE AISLE, NOT ONLY AM I GOING TO HAVE AN N-PERSON TOWN HALL IN MY CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, HERE, DURING THE NEXT APRIL DISTRICT WORK PERIOD, BUT I'M ACTUALLY GOING TO GO TO THE OTHER FOUR CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS, REPRESENTED BY MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES.

BECAUSE IF THEY WON'T COME AND FACE THE VOTERS, I THINK THEIR VOTERS DESERVE SOMEBODY FROM CONGRESS TO COME TALK TO THEM.

>> Cathy: IT SOUNDS AS THOUGH SHE MIGHT BE THINKING, POSSIBLY, ABOUT GETTING YOURSELF IN FRONT OF OTHER VOTERS, SAY, STATEWIDE, PERHAPS.

>> WELL, I AM.

AND I'LL SEE.

AND THERE WILL BE AN ANNOUNCEMENT SOON.

>> Cathy: OKAY.

THANK YOU.

>> Eric: WE'LL AWAIT YOUR ANNOUNCEMENT.

THANKS VERY MUCH.

>> Cathy: APPRECIATE IT.

TAKE CARE.

>> CATHY: WE HAVE INVITATIONS OUT TO SEVERAL MEMBERS OF MINNESOTA'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION.

WE HOPE TO CONNECT WITH EACH OF THEM SOON.

SEE YOU IN A SECOND.

>> WHEN I WAS YOUNG, A LOT OF FARMERS WERE DEMOCRAT.

THAT ISN'T THE CASE TODAY.

YOU CAN LOOK AT THE ELECTION RESULTS OVER THE LAST 0, 15 YEARS, AND THOSE FOLKS HAVE MOVED TO THE REPUBLICAN SIDE.

AND IT'S AN ECONOMIC MESSAGE THAT I BELIEVE IS ONE OF THE REASONS THEY HAVE MADE HAT MOVE.

I HAD A NUMBER OF PEOPLE COME TO ME AND ASK ME TO DO THIS, AND THEY'VE ASKED ME BEFORE.

IN POLITICS A LOT OF IT IS TIMING.

>> Mary: YUP.

>> AND THE TIMING WAS RIGHT.

BUT ALSO THERE WAS CLEARLY A NEED FOR GOOD PEOPLE TO STEP UP.

THIS IS A RELATIONSHIP PLACE.

YOU BUILD RELATIONSHIPS.

AND I'M STARTING THAT PROCESS.

YOU KNOW, I'M JUST LOOKING FORWARD TO GIVING AND SERVING AND I LOVE MINNESOTA.

SO THAT'S WHY I'M HERE.

>> >> ERIC: FRAUD, WASTE, AND ABUSE CONTINUE TO BE THEMES IN THE LEGISLATURE THIS SESSION.

THIS WEEK, THE HOUSE FRAUD COMMITTEE LAUNCHED A WHISTLE BLOWER PORTAL, AND CALLED ON LAWMAKERS TO STOP EARMARKING DIRECT FUNDS TO NON-PROFITS.

REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE KRISTIN ROBBINS HEADS THE HOUSE FRAUD COMMITTEE AND JOINS US NOW.

THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

WHAT IS THE PORTAL?

TELL US ABOUT IT.

>> YES, IT'S A NEW WEBSITE THAT LAUNCHED.

WWW.MNFRAUD.COM.

AND PEOPLE CAN SUBMIT AREAS WHERE THEY HAVE SEEN OR EXPERIENCED FRAUD OR ARE CONCERNED ABOUT IT, NOT NECESSARILY IF IT'S, YOU KNOW, IDENTIFIED, BUT JUST THAT THEY HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT SOMETHING.

AND, HONESTLY, IT'S BEEN OFF THE CHARTS, AS I WAS LEAVING TODAY, THEY TOLD ME THERE'S BEEN 530 SUBMISSIONS SINCE IT OPENED ON, I THINK, WE ANNOUNCED IT ON MONDAY OR TUESDAY.

>> Cathy: DO YOU THINK IF THIS WEBSITE WOULD HAVE BEEN UP AND RUNNING THAT SOMEBODY WOULD HAVE CAUGHT THE FEEDING OUR FUTURE, HAT MASSIVE FRAUD SCHEME A LITTLE EARLIER?

>> I HOPE SO.

AND I HOPE THAT THE THINGS THAT ARE BEING SUBMITTED, WE HONESTLY HAVEN'T HAD TIME TO TRIAGE IT BECAUSE IT'S DEADLINE HE WEEK, BUT WE WILL GO THROUGH EVERYTHING, OUR STAFF WILL O THROUGH AND SOME THINGS WILL BE ACTIONABLE, SOME THINGS MAY NOT.

AND, YOU KNOW, THIS GIVES US A PLACE TO SORT OF TRIAGE EVERYTHING AND MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT IT CAREFULLY.

>> Eric: I WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE PRACTICE OF SENDING MONEY TO NONPROFITS BY NAME, VERY SPECIFICALLY, IT'S A BILLION ONE OR SOMETHING IN 2023.

>> YES.

>> Eric: HOW DID THAT GET STARTED?

AND WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON IF IT SHOULD CONTINUE?

>> SO, THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THE OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR HAS REPEATEDLY SAID HAT THESE LEGISLATIVELY NAMED GRANTS, SOME PEOPLE CALL THEM EARMARKS.

>> Eric: EARMARKS.

>> ARE REALLY NOT BEST PRACTICE BECAUSE THEN SINCE THE AGENCIES HAVE TO PROVIDE IT, BECAUSE IT'S MANDATED IN LAW, THERE'S A LITTLE LESS OVERSIGHT GIVEN TO THE GROUP THAT'S RECEIVING THE MONEY JUST BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO GET IT ANYWAY.

>> Eric: THEY BYPASSES THE SCREENING PROCESS, DON'T THEY?

>> THEY BYPASS THE SCREENING PROCESS.

THERE'S BEEN MORE OF AN EFFORT BY SOME OF THE AGENCIES TO SAY, WE'RE GOING TO DO RISK MANAGEMENT, REQUIRE THE REPORTS, DO ALL OF THE THINGS.

IN OTHER AGENCIES THAT HASN'T BEEN THE CASE.

WE'RE TRYING TO CHANGE THE CULTURE IN A LOFT WAYS ACROSS STATE GOVERNMENT ABOUT FRAUD, AND ONE OF THE WAYS TO POLICE OURSELVES IS TO ASK FOR NO LEGISLATIVE EARMARKS.

SO OUR BIPARTISAN COMMITTEE, WITH LEAD PINTO, WE SENT A LETTER THIS WEEK TO ALL OF OUR COLLEAGUES ASKING THAT THEY'S TRAIN FROM LEGISLATIVE EARMARKS.

SO, WE'LL SEE HOW SUCCESSFUL WE ARE.

AT LEAST IN HOPEFULLY LIMITING IT.

>> Cathy: GETTING BACK TO THE REPORTS THAT YOU RECEIVED SO FAR THROUGH MNFRAUD.COM, DO YOU THINK THERE'S ANOTHER FEEDING OUR FUTURE FRAUD OUT THERE?

>> BASED ON THE WHISTLEBLOWER REPORTS I'VE BEEN TAKING ACTUALLY SINCE JANUARY WHEN THE COMMITTEE OPENED UP, I WOULD SAY THERE ARE SERIOUS PROBLEMS STILL GOING ON WITH SEVERAL PROGRAMS.

AND WE REALLY NEED TO FOCUS ON MAKING SURE THAT THE STATE AGENCIES HAVE THE TOOLS AND THAT AGENCY GRANT MANAGERS ARE REQUIRED TO GO THROUGH THE TRAINING OF HOW TO MANAGE GRANTS.

BECAUSE RIGHT NOW IT'S RECOMMENDED, BUT IT'S NOT REQUIRED.

AND I THINK THAT'S ANOTHER RECOMMENDATION THE O.L.A.

HAS HAD FOR YEARS.

THAT PEOPLE WHO MANAGE THESE GRANTS SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO GO THROUGH THE TRAINING.

AND I THINK THAT'S N EFFORT WE ARE GOING TO BE FOCUSING ON.

>> Cathy: ARE YOU GETTING ANY PUSHBACK FROM NONPROFITS TO THIS?

>> YES, I MEAN, SOME OF THE NONPROFITS HAVE REACHED OUT AND SAID, DON'T PAINT US ALL WITH A BROAD BRUSH, NOT EVERYONE'S BAD.

AND I'VE ALWAYS SUPPORTED THAT.

BUT THERE ARE BAD ACTORS.

AND IT'S NOT NECESSARILY NONPROFITS ONLY.

RIGHT?

SO THOSE HAVE BEEN SOME OF THE HIGH-PROFILE ONES.

BUT THIS IS -- THE BIGGER PROBLEM IS WHERE PEOPLE PREY ON MINNESOTANS AS A BUSINESS MODEL, SO THEY ARE PREYING ON OUR MOST VULNERABLE CITIZENS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THEM BY NOT EITHER GIVING SERVICES OR PROVIDING SUBSTANDARD SERVICES AND THEN MAKING MONEY OFF THAT.

SO, IT'S REALLY RYING TO GET AT THOSE PLACES WHERE FEEDING OUR FUTURE IS AN EXAMPLE, WHERE THEY'RE USING IT AS A BUSINESS MODEL TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HARDWORKING TAXPAYERS AND OUR VULNERABLE CITIZENS.

>> Eric: WITH SO CLOSE IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE, A GOVERNOR WITH HIS OWN PLAN, HOW DO YOU SEE THE FINAL PRODUCT BEING FORMED HERE?

>> SO THE GOVERNOR HAD A FRAUD PACKAGE THAT OUR COMMITTEE HEARD ON MONDAY.

AND THAT IS MOVING IN PIECES IN DIFFERENT COMMITTEES.

AND THEN OUR FRAUD COMMITTEE, I PUT IN BILL BASE N ALL THE HEARINGS WE'VE HAD SO FAR, WITH SOME DIFFERENT ELEMENTS FROM WHAT THE GOVERNOR HAS, AND THEN WE HAVE SOME OTHER BILLS THAT THE REPUBLICANS HAVE PUT FORWARD FOR AN INSPECTOR GENERAL OFFICE AND FOR FISCAL NOTE ABOUT FRAUD.

SO WE HAVE SOME OF OUR OWN IDEAS.

SO I THINK IN THE END, SEVERAL OF THE GOVERNOR'S PIECES, ESPECIALLY ABOUT CREATING NEW CRIMES FOR PUBLIC THEFT AND KICKBACKS, THAT'S ANOTHER THING IN ONE OF MY BILLS, I THINK WE'LL HAVE AGREEMENT ON SEVERAL THINGS, AND THEN HOPEFULLY IN THE NEGOTIATIONS WE'LL GET MULTIPLE THINGS THROUGH.

BECAUSE FRAUD IS NOT A PARTISAN ISSUE.

AND THERE ARE GOOD IDEAS ON BOTH SIDES.

AND WE NEED TO CRACK DOWN ON IT.

>> Eric: WE'LL BE WATCHING.

>> Cathy: WE WISH YOU WELL.

>> Eric: THANKS VERY MUCH FOR COMING OVER.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

>> Eric: YOU BET.

>> KEVIN: HERE IN MINNESOTA WE ARE COMING UP TO THE FIVE MINUTES WE CALL SPRING.

AND IN A COUPLE DAYS WE HAVE APRIL FOOL'S DAY WHERE WE CELEBRATE THE PEOPLE THAT DON’T THINK WE’LL STILL GET ONE MORE BLIZZARD.

AS A KID EVERY YEAR ON THIS DAY THE NEWSPAPER WOULD HAVE AN OUTLANDISH HEADLINE, LIKE “THREE-HEADED BOY CATCHES 800-POUND FISH.” BUT THESE DAYS THAT WOULD BE LIKE “FINALLY SOMETHING THAT MAKES SENSE."

BUT I’M HERE TO DEFEND THE REAL FOOLS FOR THEY ARE MY PEOPLE.

TRUE FOOLS BRING BALANCE TO AN ALL TOO SERIOUS WORLD, A HERO FOR OUR TIMES.

NOT BOUND BY REGRETS OF THE PAST OR THE ANXIETIES OF THE FUTURE, LIVING IN THE MOMENT, BRINGING, AS IT SAYS IN CORINTHIAN'S, 'FOOLISH THINGS TO SHAME THE WISE.'

THERE ARE HOLY FOOLS, WISE FOOLS THERE ARE FOOLISH FOOLS• IF YOU DON’T KNOW WHO THE FOOL IS IN THE ROOM IT’S PROBABLY YOU.

GERALD VEZNER, UP IN WHITE EARTH, TALKS OF THE ANNISHINABE, ONE OF THE FIRST NATIONS OF THIS LAND, WHO HAD WHAT WERE CALLED IRONY DOGS.

THEY WERE DOGS THAT IN SERIOUS COUNCIL MEETINGS WOULD BARK WHEN THERE WAS NO IRONY IN THE ROOM.

ALL GREAT FOOLISHNESS HOLDS A GRAIN OF TRUTH.

DURING MEDIEVAL TIMES, THERE WAS A FEAST OF FOOLS.

A GREAT PARTY WHERE THE WHOLE TOWN PARTICIPATED AND FOR ONE DAY THE LOWEST OF LOWS TRADED PLACES WITH THE KING.

I’VE BEEN TOLD A LOT GOT DONE THAT DAY.

SHAKESPEARE’S FOOL IN KING LEAR BRINGS WISE COUNSEL TO THE AGING KING.

SHAKESPEARE ALSO WROTE THAT THE LOVER, THE LUNATIC, AND THE POET ARE IN IMAGINATION ALL ONE.

IT’S TRUE.

WHETHER ROMEO AND JULIET OR OLE AND LENA.

LOVE MAKES FOOLS OF US ALL.

LOVE THRIVES IN FOOLISHNESS OFTEN LEADING A PERFECTLY FINE MINNESOTAN TO SUDDENLY BE GIVEN OVER TO OUTBURSTS OF POETRY OR PERFORMING PASSIONATE DISPLAYS ON JUMBOTRONS.

SO WELCOME TO THE SHIP OF FOOLS.

CLIMB ABOARD.

WE'VE BEEN EXPECTING YOU.

TAKE THE IRONY DOG FOR A WALK.

GIVE OVER TO AN ACT OF PASSION.

COME ON OVER TO THE LIGHT SIDE.

AND IF YOU’RE WORRIED ABOUT BEING CALLED A FOOL, DO WHAT I DO AND CALL YOURSELF ONE FIRST AND BEAT THE RUSH.

[ Applause ] >> CATHY: FUNDING CUTS, AGRICULTURAL TARIFFS, AND NOW AVIAN FLU IN A STEARNS COUNTY DAIRY HERD.

GOOD THING AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER THOM PETERSEN IS HERE TO TALK ABOUT HOW THE STATE IS RESPONDING.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU BACK.

NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> THANKS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> Cathy: SO THE STEARNS COUNTY HERD, NOW, WAS THIS THE SAME HERD THAT HAD BIRD FLU EARLIER?

>> IT IS A FARM THAT HAS -- HAVE IT THIS LAST UMMER, AND WE'VE SEEN THAT, TOO, IN POULTRY, WHERE WE'VE HAD FARMS THAT HAVE BEEN INFECTED AGAIN.

AND, SO, AGAIN, KIND OF A LIGHTER DETECTION ON THAT HERD, BUT, STILL, A DETECTION, AND SOMETHING THAT WE, YOU KNOW, WATCH VERY CLOSELY.

WE DON'T WANT IT TO BLOW INTO SOMETHING BIGGER.

IT IS INTERESTING, VIRUS, UNFORTUNATELY, WE'VE LEARNED A LOT ABOUT VIRUSES THE LAST FEW YEARS, SIMILAR TO COVID, IT CHANGES, ADAPTS, WE KNOW THE VIRUS IS AROUND, TOO, WE HAVE DETECTIONS IN WASTE WATER, FOR EXAMPLE, SO WE WANT TO, YOU KNOW, CONTROL IT AS MUCH AS WE CAN.

>> Cathy: YOU KNOW, PEOPLE ALWAYS WANT TO KNOW, YOU SEE -- IT'S SO SAD WHEN YOU SEE POULTRY PRODUCERS HAVING TO DESTROY WHOLE FLOCKS, RIGHT?

IT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT WITH DAIRY HERDS OR CATTLE, RIGHT?

>> IT IS.

SO FOR A DAIRY FARM, WHAT THEY'LL SEE IS A LOSS OF PRODUCTION, YOU KNOW.

SO MAYBE IT'S 10%, 30%, 40%, BUT EVEN THAT FOR A DAIRY FARMER, THAT'S A DROP IN YOUR INCOME.

AND IT'S REAL CONCERNING, IT'S A LOT OF WORK, TO MOVE OWS INTO A SICK PEN, THINGS LIKE THAT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, I JUST WANT TO REMIND THE PUBLIC, TOO, PASTEURIZED MILK IS SAFE TO DRINK, THE FARMERS STILL WORK TO MOVE THAT THROUGH THE HERD QUICKLY.

BUT WHAT IT IS, IT'S FATAL TO POULTRY.

AND, SO, MINNESOTA, WHERE OUR DAIRY FARMS ARE, IS A LOT WHERE OUR POULTRY FARMS ARE.

AND, SO, THE MORE WE CAN, YOU KNOW, CONTROL IT, KEEP IT ON THOSE FARMS, AND MOVE ON, AND, SO, AGAIN, WE'RE IN A TESTING PROTOCOL RIGHT NOW IN MINNESOTA.

WE'VE TESTED ALMOST 1500 DAIRY FARMS IN THE LAST THREE WEEKS AND IT'S JUST THAT ONE FARM THAT WE'VE HAD TEST POSITIVE.

>> Eric: HOW DO YOU ISOLATE IT?

HOW DO YOU KEEP IT FROM SPREADING?

>> WE DO A QUARANTINE ON THAT PARTICULAR FARM.

AND THEN WORK CLOSELY WITH THAT FARM.

FARMERS DO A GREAT JOB.

THEY WORK CLOSELY ON BIOSECURITY, WORK ON THOSE METHODS, AGAIN, WE HAD THIS THIS SUMMER.

ON NINE DIFFERENT SITES.

AND WE WERE ABLE TO MOVE IT THROUGH THIS SUMMER.

BUT, AGAIN, YOU KNOW, WE ALSO, YOU KNOW, IF IT GETS INTO THE POULTRY, THAT COULD BE A BIGGER ISSUE.

>> I'M WONDERING, WITH THE INCOMING BIRD MIGRATION, I'M ASSUMING YOU ALL ARE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR AN UPTICK IN BIRD FLU, WITH CUTS ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL, DOES SURVEILLANCE ALSO SCALE BACK, THOUGH?

>> WELL, I THINK IT'S NOT JUST SURVEILLANCE, IT'S ALL THE THINGS THAT WE NEED.

SO WHETHER THAT'S TESTING, WHETHER THAT'S, YOU KNOW, DOLLARS FOR ASSISTING THOSE FARMERS, VETERINARIANS, YOU KNOW, WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF -- FORTUNATELY, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO KEEP OUR FUNDING, KEEP OUR STREAMS, BUT IT'S BEEN A STRUGGLE SEEMS, YOU -- SOMETIMES, YOU SEE THINGS WHERE PEOPLE ARE LAID OFF, PUT ON PROBATIONARY, THE NEXT DAY THEY'RE HIRED BACK.

SO WE'RE WORKING VERY HARD, THE SECRETARY, I DO GIVE HER CREDIT, BROOKE CRAW LISTENS, USDA SECRETARY, BIOSECURITY APPROXIMATE PLAN IS A TOP PART OF THAT.

WE'LL CONTINUE TO WORK ON IT.

BUT THE MORE WE CAN HAVE SURETY ON OUR RESOURCES, ON OUR EMPLOYEES, THINGS LIKE THAT WILL BE HELPFUL.

>> Eric: WHAT ARE YOU ASKING THE LEGISLATURE TO DO?

>> WELL, IN MINNESOTA, YOU KNOW, WE'VE WORKED REALLY HARD BIPARTISANLY TO HAVE AN EMERGENCY COUNT.

WHEN WE FIRST GOT BIRD FLU IN 2015, WE WERE ABLE TO SECURE SOME DOLLARS AT THAT POINT.

EMERGENCY ACCOUNT.

AND IN 2022, WE WERE ABLE TO PUT SOME MONEY IN OUR EMERGENCY ACCOUNT, SO HE GOVERNOR HAS $4 MILLION IN HIS BUDGET, WHEN WE HAD OUR PRESS CONFERENCE THIS WEEK, UNIQUE, TOO, THAT ALL FOUR OF OUR AGRICULTURAL LEADERS, DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS, STOOD THERE WITH THE GOVERNOR TO SUPPORT OUR EFFORTS AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO WORK ON THAT.

>> Cathy: SO SPRING PLANTING IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER.

OF COURSE, WE'VE GOT THE BIG SPRING SNOWSTORM HERE THIS WEEKEND.

BUT I'M WONDERING, IT'S SO DRY, WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM FARMERS AS YOU HEAD INTO SPRING PLANTING?

>> WELL, IT'S AMAZING, I WAS JUST SITTING HERE WATCHING THAT THERE'S FARMERS ACTUALLY PLANTING IN SOUTHERN MINNESOTA, PLANTING OATS IN MARCH.

AND, SO, THAT IS REALLY INTERESTING TO SEE IF THOSE SOIL TEMPERATURES START TO WARM, THE THINGS ARE INCREDIBLY DRY.

YOU KNOW, A LOT OF MINNESOTA IS IN WHAT WE CALL A D 2, EVERY THURSDAY MORNING I OPEN THE DROUGHT MONITOR, PRAY FOR RAIN, NOT TOO MUCH RAIN, BUT WE DO NEED SOME RAIN ACROSS THE STATE.

>> Eric: I SAW IN CONGRESS, THE COMMITTEES ARE LOOKING AT IMPROVEMENTS TO FARM TO MARKET ROADS.

IS THAT AN ISSUE IN MINNESOTA?

>> YOU KNOW, MINNESOTA, WE'RE SMACK DAB IN THE MIDDLE OF THE COUNTRY, AND THAT'S WHAT SERVES US WELL.

YOU KNOW, THINK BOUT MINNESOTA, WE CAN SHIP BY RAIL TO THE WEST COAST, WE CAN SEND THINGS OUT OF THE DULUTH PORT TO EUROPE, WE AN SEND STUFF DOWN THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER TO NEW ORLEANS.

BUT TRUCKS MOVE THAT A LOT.

SO THOSE FARM TO MARKET ROADS, BRIDGES, YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY THIS TIME OF YEAR, YOU GET POSTINGS ON WEIGHT LIMITS SO ALWAYS IMPORTANT.

>> Cathy: ALL RIGHT.

>> Eric: WISH YOU WELL.

>> Cathy: GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> ERIC: GOVERNOR WALZ MIGHT HAVE ANGERED STATE WORKERS BY CALLING THEM BACK TO IN PERSON WORK, BUT HE IS MAKING A POINT TO STAND WITH FEDERAL WORKERS AFFECTED BY DECISIONS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

POLITICAL REPORTER MARY LAHAMMER TAKES A LOOK AT THE GOVERNOR'S NATIONAL TRAVELS AND FEDERAL WORKERS SPEAKING OUT IN THE STATE.

>> Mary: GOVERNOR WALZ HAS BEEN HOLDING TOWN HALLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND IN HIS OLD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT IN MINNESOTA, GOING ON OFFENSE AGAINST THE ADMINISTRATION IN D.C. >> YOU HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO ADDRESS YOUR GOVERNMENT FOR A REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES.

AND I THINK WE HAVE A FEW GRIEVANCES THAT WE MIGHT WANT TO BRING UP.

BUT YOU DIDN'T COME HERE TO COMPLAIN.

YOU CAME HERE TO LIFT P. >> TIM WALZ S SORT -- SORT OF APOLOGIZE SAYS, BUT THEN HE MOCKS THE RIGHT.

THIS CLOWN IS ALL OVER THE PLACE.

>> THIS GUY BUGS ME IN A WAY THAT IS PROBABLY UNHEALTHY.

[ Cheers ] >> BUT -- BUT -- I HAVE TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT BEING A SMART ASS, I WAS MAKING A JOKE, THESE PEOPLE HAVE O SENSE OF HUMOR, THESE ARE THE MOST LITERAL PEOPLE, MOST LITERAL PEOPLE.

BUT MY POINT IS, THEY'RE ALL MAD, AND I SAID SOMETHING THAT I PROBABLY SHOULDN'T HAVE ABOUT A COMPANY.

>> I THINK THAT'S QUITE SAD, BUT I THINK GOVERNOR WALZ, UNFORTUNATELY, IS LIVING A SAD EXISTENCE AFTER HIS DEVASTATING DEFEAT ON NOVEMBER 5th.

>> Mary: THE FORMER VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE DEFENDS HIS TRAVEL DURING THE LETTING -- LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> I HAVE A NATIONAL PLATFORM, WE'VE GOT REPUBLICAN FOLKS THAT DON'T WANT TO ADDRESS THE ILLEGAL ACCESS OF OUR SOCIAL SECURITY RECORDS, THE IRING OF V.A.

EMPLOYEES, A ROGUE ADMINISTRATION.

>> EACH ONE OF HESE, HOW IN THE WORLD ARE WE GETTING AMERICANS TO THINK THAT BILLIONAIRES ARE LOOKING OUT FOR THEIR BEST INTEREST?

>> Mary: FEDERAL WORKERS IN MINNESOTA ARE COMING FORWARD, UNION LEADERS SAY THEY HAVE PROTECTIONS SO THEY CAN SPEAK UP WHERE THEIR COLLEAGUES FEAR THEY CANNOT.

>> THEY CAN ALSO BE THREATENED WITH JAIL TIME AND FINES.

FOR BEING EMPLOYED AND SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT OR LEAKING ANY INFORMATION TO THE PRESS OR ANYTHING ONLINE AS WELL.

SO THAT'S WHY MANY EMPLOYEES DON'T COME FORWARD.

>> Mary: THE USDA WORKERS SAY THE CUTS ARE TTACKS ON FARMERS.

>> IT BOILS DOWN TO INTEGRITY AND BEING GOOD PEOPLE, BECAUSE THESE ARE PEOPLE'S LIVELIHOODS IN JEOPARDY.

>> Mary: THE TSA WORKER, ADDS, NATIONAL SECURITY IS AT STAKE AND AIR TRAVEL AS WE KNOW IT.

>> WHEN DO WE WANT IT?

>> NOW!

>> DOGE IS RUN BY VERY UNSERIOUS PEOPLE, MAKING VERY SERIOUS DECISIONS.

>> Mary: THE V.A.

WORKER SAYS THEY'RE ALREADY SHORT STAFFED AND WONDERS IF ANYONE IN WASHINGTON CARES ABOUT VETERANS OR FEDERAL WORKERS.

>> NONE OF THESE RECKLESS ACTIONS ARE ABOUT MAKING GOVERNMENT MORE EFFICIENT.

THIS IS ABOUT PUTTING TAX CUTS FOR MILLIONAIRES, BILLIONAIRES AND BIG ORPORATIONS ON OUR GOVERNMENT'S BALANCE SHEET.

>> Mary: REPUBLICANS REMIND US OF THE SURPLUS THAT THE DFL TRIFECTA SPENT.

>> I HOPE YOU'RE CONTACTING GOVERNOR WALZ BECAUSE WHAT HE'S DOING IS CAUSING OVERALL A BUDGET -- A BUDGET DEFICIT OR A $20 BILLION -- MILLION-DOLLAR CUT TO ANOKA-HENNEPIN SCHOOLS.

>> AND I DON'T WANT CITIZENS IN MINNESOTA TO THINK THE SKY IS FALLING HERE BECAUSE T'S NOT.

THE ELECTIONS WERE CLEAR IN NOVEMBER.

AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT CITIZENS OF THIS COUNTRY SAID WE CAN'T SUSTAIN THE KIND OF SPENDING.

>> I CAN'T HELP BUT THINK BACK TO JUST TWO SHORT YEARS AGO WHEN WE HAD $18 BILLION IN A SURPLUS.

IF WE HAD JUST HELD BACK 1/3 OF THAT, WE'D HAVE WAY MORE THAN ENOUGH MONEY RIGHT NOW TO ADDRESS THESE POTENTIAL FEDERAL CUTS, WHICH HAVEN'T HAPPENED YET.

>> Mary: IN RESPONSE TO THE PROPOSED FEDERAL CUTS, DFL LAWMAKERS ANNOUNCED THE PROTECT MEDICAID, NOT MILLIONAIRES ACT, ADDING A NEW TOP TIER OF INCOME TAXES.

>> WHAT IT SAYS THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO PAY FOR TAX CUTS FOR MILLIONAIRES AND BILLIONAIRES AND CORPORATIONS ON THE BACKS OF MINNESOTA'S CHILDREN OR ANY OTHER VULNERABLE MINNESOTAN.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT PLANET WE'RE LIVING ON!

THAT ANYONE WOULD BE SO CRUEL TO THINK THAT THAT WAS OKAY.

I JUST DON'T.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW WE CONTINUE TO APPLAUD THE HOARDING OF WEALTH, THE HOARDING OF MORE WEALTH THAN ANY ONE PERSON COULD POSSIBLY SPEND IN A LIFETIME.

>> WITHOUT MEDICAID, WE WILL LOSE OUR MEDICAL CARE, OUR HOME, AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BUY FOOD.

>> IT'S MY JOB, AS THEIR STATE REPRESENTATIVE, TO PROTECT THE HEALTHCARE THEY NEED TO SURVIVE.

>> WE, AS SENATOR MANN SAID, ARE NOT GOING TO LET PEOPLE DIE BECAUSE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL THEY HAVE JUST GIVEN UP ON DEMOCRACY.

>> TODAY THE ISRAELI ILITARY LAUNCHED AIR STRIKES IN BEIRUT IN RESPONSE TO ROCKET FIRE IN NORTHERN ISRAEL.

AND THE DEATH TOLL IN GAZA HAS PASSED 50,000.

WE SAT DOWN WITH NATHAN STOCK OF THE MIDDLE EAST INSTITUTE -- THAT'S A NONPARTISAN THINK TANK JUST BEFORE THE 2024 ELECTION, AND HE IS BACK.

THERE'S A LOT TO TALK ABOUT.

FIRST, I WANT TO FIND OUT WHAT DO YOU THINK IT WOULD TAKE TO GET DIPLOMACY STARTED AGAIN, GIVEN THESE MOST RECENT INCIDENTS?

>> WELL, IN FAIRNESS, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS HAD SOME SUCCESSES.

IN THE LAST COUPLE MONTHS.

IT SEEMS PRETTY CLEAR THAT BEFORE HE CAME INTO OFFICE, PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ENVOY PUT A LOT OF PRESSURE ON THE PARTIES, IN PARTICULAR, THE GOVERNMENT OF ISRAEL, TO GET A CEASE-FIRE AGREEMENT BETWEEN ISRAEL AND GAZA.

AND IT'S WORTH NOTING THAT THAT AGREEMENT WENT INTO EFFECT IN MID JANUARY AND HELD INTO EARLY MARCH.

THAT AGREEMENT AS THE SAME BASIC DEAL THAT'S BEEN ON THE TABLE SINCE MAY OF LAST YEAR.

HAMAS HAD BASICALLY AGREED TO THAT DEAL.

>> Eric: AND THEN WHAT HAPPENED?

>> AND ISRAEL HAD NOT.

>> Eric: AND WHAT HAPPENED?

>> WELL, PRESIDENT'S ENVOY -- PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ENVOY LEANED ON THEM AND TWISTED ARMS IN A WAY THAT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAD NOT AND THEY GOT A DEAL.

AND IT'S THAT'S SINCE UNRAVELED AND WORTH UNPACKING WHAT'S HAPPENED SINCE.

>> Eric: DO DOMESTIC POLITICS GET INVOLVED IN THE EQUATION?

>> VERY MUCH SO.

NETANYAHU'S IS THE MOST CONSERVATIVE IN ISRAELI HISTORY.

WHEN HE AGREED TO THE CEASE-FIRE IN JANUARY, ONE OF HIS COALITION PARTNERS LEFT THE GOVERNMENT IN PROTEST.

SO IT LEFT THE PRIME MINISTER WITH A VERY SLIM MAJORITY IN THE ISRAELI CAN I NECESSARY SET.

AND HE WAS FACING DEADLINE THIS MONTH, WHERE HE MIGHT HAVE FACED ELECTIONS HAD HE NOT BROUGHT THAT COALITION PARTNER BACK IN, HE HAD ANOTHER ONE THREATENING TO BOLT.

KNESSET.

AND, SO, IT'S HARD NOT TO THINK THAT HIS DOMESTIC POLITICAL FORTUNES WERE NOT A MAJOR DRIVER IN THE HOSTILITIES.

IN THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, YOU'VE SEEN THE LARGEST PROTESTS IN ISRAEL AGAINST THE WAR AND AGAINST NETANYAHU THAN WE'VE SEEN IN MONTHS, AND YOU HAD AT THE PROTEST A FORMER MA SAD DIRECTOR CALLING THIS THE WAR OF NETTEN -- >> Eric: IND OF THE NETWORK -- >> Cathy: THERE ARE ALSO LARGE ANTI-HA HAS APPROXIMATE PROTESTS AS WELL.

WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THAT?

>> THAT'S STRIKING.

NEU ANTI-HAMAS.

SO HAMAS WON A PALESTINIAN ELECTION MANY YEARS AGO BUT THEY HAVE NOT HAD A DEMOCRATIC MANDATE IN TERMS.

THE TERMS IN OFFICE OF ALL THOSE ELECTED OFFICIALS EXPIRED A LONG TIME AGO AND THEY NEVER ALLOWED NEW ELECTIONS.

SO THEY HAVE RULED WITHIN GAZA IN A FAIRLY AUTHORITARIAN WAY FOR YEARS.

AND BEFORE THIS WAR, PERIODICALLY, THERE WERE PROTESTS AGAINST HAMAS, THERE WERE PEOPLE ARRESTED, DETAINED, BEAT UP, THAT HAPPENED FROM TIME TO TIME.

THAT WAS A RESPONSE TO HAMAS' AUTHORITARIAN GOVERNANCE, AND THE GENERAL MISERY OF THE ISRAELI-IMPOSED SIEGE.

THE FACT THAT YOU'RE SEEING A PROTEST IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WAR IS QUITE STRIKING.

AND IT'S GOTTA BE INDICATIVE OF JUST HOW UTTERLY EXHAUSTED AND FED UP PALESTINIANS IN GAZA ARE WITH HAMAS, BUT ALSO THE BROADER SITUATION.

>> Eric: DOES THE PLO, THE OLD YASSER ARAFAT ORGANIZATION, THAT I GUESS, IS ON THE WEST BANK, DO THEY COME INTO PLAY IN THIS AT ALL?

ARE THEY JUST BYSTANDERS?

>> THEORETICALLY, THE PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT, WHO'S BASED IN THE WEST BANK, YOU KNOW, HAS SOME AUTHORITY OVER PALESTINIANS IN GAZA AS WELL, IN PRACTICE, THEY HAVEN'T EXERCISED ANY SORT OF GOVERNING AUTHORITY INSIDE GAZA IN MANY YEARS AND THEY HAVE BEEN INCREASINGLY POLITICALLY SIDELINED.

>> Cathy: SAY, IN TERMS OF PROTESTS, I WONDER WHAT YOU THINK OF THIS, I MEAN, WE HAVE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS, GRAD STUDENTS, WHO ARE -- THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S CRACKING DOWN ON SOME WHO HAVE BEEN A PARTY TO PRO PALESTINIAN PROTESTS.

AT THE U OF M, YESTERDAY, THERE WAS A GRAD STUDENT, INTERNATIONAL GRAD STUDENT, DETAINED BY I.C.E.

SO I'M WONDERING, WHAT YOU MAKE OF THIS?

AND HOW DOES THIS ALL FIT TOGETHER, PERHAPS?

>> WELL, I THINK EVERYONE IN THIS COUNTRY HAS THE RIGHT TO FREE EXPRESSION, NUMBER ONE.

NUMBER TWO, I THINK UNIVERSITIES HAVE A PARTICULAR DUTY TO ENSURE FAIR EXPRESSION AND EXCHANGE OF IDEAS.

AND PROVIDED STUDENTS AREN'T ENGAGING IN VIOLENCE OR PROPERTY DAMAGE, THEY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO SPEAK.

EVEN IF YOU ARE A NONCITIZEN, YOU HAVE SOME RIGHT TO DUE PROCESS, AND THE IDEA THAT SOMEONE COULD BE DETAINED SIMPLY BECAUSE OF SOMETHING THEY'VE SAID, CERTAINLY DOESN'T SIT WELL WITH ME.

>> Eric: APPRECIATE YOU SHARING YOUR EXPERTISE.

THANKS FOR COMING OVER.

>> Cathy: GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> Eric: GOOD TO SEE YOU.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

♪♪ >> THERE'S A TRAIL NEAR MY HOUSE I ABSOLUTELY LOVE.

I GO THERE YEAR ROUND.

FOR EXERCISE, FOR CHEWING ON IDEAS, AND FOR JUST GENERALLY GETTING OUT OF THE HOUSE.

NOW, IN THE SPRING, THIS TRAIL DEVELOPS A LOT OF UDDLES.

AND AS EVERY HIKER KNOWS, WHEN A PUDDLE FORMS ON A TRAIL, PEOPLE WILL VERY QUICKLY CREATE AN EXTEMPORANEOUS BYPASS ROUTE.

IT'S USUALLY OFF TO THE SIDE, IT'S OFTEN MUDDY AND FULL OF FOOTPRINTS AND THERE'S RARELY ANYTHING MORE THAN A FEW STICKS TO BALANCE ON, BUT SOMEHOW IT'S ALWAYS JUST ENOUGH TO SORT OF WOBBLE AND SLOSH YOUR WAY AROUND.

AND, SO, THAT'S WHAT WE DO.

WE BYPASS.

WHAT WE DON'T DO, AS HUMANS, IS TURN AROUND.

BECAUSE WE'RE STUBBORN AND WE DON'T LIKE TO TURN AROUND.

IF WE START A HIKE, WE WANT TO FINISH A HIKE.

IF THERE'S CONSTRUCTION ON THE WAY TO OUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT, WE REROUTE THE GPS AND GET THERE ANYWAY.

IF SOMEONE DISAGREES WITH US POLITICALLY, WE MAKE UP ALL SORTS OF CONVOLUTED ARGUMENTS JUST TO AVOID CHANGING OUR DIRECTION.

THESE ARE ALL BYPASS ROUTES.

AND I THINK WE DO THIS BECAUSE, WHETHER WE REALIZE IT OR NOT, AT EVERY SINGLE MOMENT IN OUR LIVES WE'RE CARRYING AROUND AN OBJECTIVE.

A GOAL.

A SENSE OF WHERE WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE AND HOW WE'RE SUPPOSED TO GET THERE.

AND FOR HUMANS, SETTING DOWN A GOAL IS REALLY PAINFUL.

IT'S MORE PAINFUL THAN WET FEET, IT'S MORE PAINFUL THAN SPENDING OUR LIVES IN TRAFFIC, IT'S EVEN MORE PAINFUL THAN LOSING A FRIEND TO SOME HURRICANE CIRCULAR POLITICAL -- TO SOME CIRCULAR POLITICAL ARGUMENT.

THE PROBLEM IS THESE DAYS, WE'RE WALKING DOWN A LOT OF TRAILS WE MIGHT NOT WANT TO WALK DOWN.

I'M TALKING ABOUT A DESTABLIZING CLIMATE, AUTONOMOUS COMPUTERS AND INTERCONTINENTAL MISS SILLS THAT CAN -- MISSILES THAT AN BLOW UP CITIES.

I DON'T THINK WE WANT TO BYPASS THESE.

IN FACT, I'M FAVOR IN TURNING AROUND COMPLETELY.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE ARE STUBBORN.

CASE IN POINT, ABOUT HALFWAY THROUGH WRITING THIS ESSAY, I DECIDED IT WASN'T VERY GOOD.

BUT INSTEAD OF TRYING SOMETHING ELSE, ELL, HERE WE ARE.

♪♪ >> ERIC: THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM HAS A NEW HEAD COACH.

A HOPKINS HIGH ALUM LEADS U-CONN ON A QUEST FOR ANOTHER NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.

AND THE TWINS BEGAN A NEW SEASON YESTERDAY WITH A LOSS IN ST. LOUIS.

LOTS TO TALK ABOUT WITH LARRY FITZGERALD, SR.

WHEN HE’S NOT CHATTING WITH US, FITZY DOES RADIO WORK WITH THE NATIONAL PROGRAMMING NETWORK.

NICO MEDVED, ROSEVILLE, LOCAL KID.

CAN HE DO BETTER THAN THE RECENT PAST?

>> WELL, HE DID HAVE SOME SUCCESS AT COLORADO STATE, THERE'S NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT, TOOK THEM TO THE TOURNAMENT THREE TIMES.

HE'S A LOCAL GUY.

HE JUMPED ON THIS OPPORTUNITY.

AND I THINK HE CAN DO WELL, IF THE INNER BODY OF MINNESOTA SPORTS, IN TERMS OF THE CORPORATE COMMUNITY AND THOSE THAT HAVE MADE THEIR DETERMINATIONS ON HOW BASKETBALL PLAYERS SHOULD BE OR NOT SUPPORTED, THAT'S GOING TO BE BIG.

BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T HAVE A SOLID NIL SITUATION, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO KEEP YOUR BEST PLAYERS.

I DON'T CARE WHO'S COACHING YOU.

AND, SO, HE'S GOING TO NEED THAT.

AND I THINK FROM WHAT I'M HEARING, SOME OF THE COMMUNITY IS BEGINNING TO STEP UP.

>> Cathy: HE SEEMED BULLISH ON WILLIAMS ARENA YESTERDAY, TOO.

>> YOU KNOW WHAT?

THAT'S A UNIQUE SITUATION BEING IN THAT BUILDING.

>> Cathy: IT IS.

>> AND I TELL YOU, WHEN THEY'RE PLAYING WELL, AND CAN PULL AN UPSET, GET THAT CROWD INVOLVED, THERE'S NO SETTING LIKE IT IN SPORTS.

>> Cathy: NOW IT LOOKS LIKE SOME FORM OF COACH, BEN JOHNSON, HAD A PROBLEM KEEPING PLAYERS.

THEY WERE KIND OF DRIFTING AWAY.

IS THAT BECAUSE OF THE MONEY SITUATION?

>> ABSOLUTELY, ABSOLUTELY.

>> Cathy: OR NOT GREAT COACHING?

>> WHEN PLAYERS FIND OUT WHAT THEY'RE GETTING AT OHIO STATE, MICHIGAN, YOU KNOW, THAT'S NOT GOOD, BECAUSE THEY'RE LOOKING AT SUCH A SHORT SHELF OF LIFE FOR THEM, AND THEIR ASPIRATIONS TO TRY AND REACH THE GOALS THAT THEY'VE SET FOR THEMSELVES AND THEN THEY START LOOKING AT THE PROGRAM AND SAY, WHAT AM I DOING HERE?

AND THAT'S WHAT IT IS.

I THINK THE NEW DAY AND AGE, THE LAST SIX, SEVEN YEARS OF SPORTS HAS BEEN NIL DEPENDENT, AND YOU LOOK AT THE SCHOOLS THAT HAVE SOLID, YOU KNOW, NIL SITUATIONS, THEY'RE DOING JUST FINE IN THIS SYSTEM.

YOU KNOW, LOOK AT THE COACHES, I MEAN, THEY LEAVE ONE PLACE, GO TO ANOTHER ONE, THAT'S NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE.

USUALLY IT TAKES A FEW YEARS TO GET A JOB IF YOU LOSE ONE.

>> Eric: TRUE OR FALSE, INTEREST IN THE MINNESOTA TWINS HAS NEVER BEEN HIGHER?

>> Cathy: OOH, WELL -- >> YOU KNOW WHAT, I DON'T KNOW IF I WOULD SAY THAT.

I WOULD SAY THAT THE INTEREST IN THE TWINS IS DEPENDENT ON THEM PLAYING BETTER THAN THEY DID LAST YEAR.

A LOT OF FOLKS GOT A BAD TASTE IN THEIR MOUTH THE WAY THEY FINISHED LAST YEAR.

>> Eric: IT WAS TERRIBLE.

>> I SAW SOMETHING WHERE THEY SAID THEY HAD 154 DIFFERENT LINEUPS.

HOW CAN YOU WIN WITH 154 DIFFERENT LINEUPS?

IT'S JUST NOT GONNA HAPPEN.

YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE SOME CONSISTENCY.

YOU GOT TO BE STRONG UP THE MIDDLE.

AND, YOU KNOW, THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO DO EITHER OF THOSE LAST YEAR.

>> Eric: BULLPEN DECENT?

>> YEAH, YEAH, THEY'VE GOT SOME PITCHING.

I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO BE COMPETITIVE.

I GOT 'EM FOR 80 WINS.

BUT IT MIGHT TAKE 85.

>> Cathy: WHO'S INTERESTED IN BUYING THIS TEAM?

>> THAT'S AMAZING, ISN'T IT?

YOU KNOW, WE CAN'T GET ALEX RODRÍGUEZ, YOU KNOW, E'S SUPPOSEDLY A BASEBALL GUY, BUT HE WANTS TO BE AN NBA GUY, HE WANTS TO SIT COURT SIDE, THAT TYPE OF THING.

HE HAS NO INTEREST IN BUYING THE TWINS.

BUT SOONER OR LATER, SOMEBODY'S GOING TO STEP UP AND CUT A CHECK.

>> Eric: GOOD IS THE VIKING FRONT OFFICE?

THEY SEEM TO HAVE DONE A LOT OF BUSINESS THIS OFF SEASON.

>> I THINK THE VIKINGS ARE A BIG SECRET IN THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE.

AND I WAS OUT THERE THIS WEEK WITH QUASI ADOLF OMEN SAW -- >> Eric: THE GENERAL MANAGER.

>> I ASKED THE QUESTION, WHY HAVEN'T YOU GOTTEN AN EXTENSION?

DIDN'T YOU HIRE KEVIN O'CONNELL, KEVIN IS THE COACH OF THE YEAR, HE GOT A BIG EXTENSION, HE'S HERE QUARTERBACK AND AN OFFENSE.

>> Eric: WHAT DID HE SAY?

>> HE SAYS, YOU KNOW WHAT, I'M NOT GOING TO PUT MYSELF IN A POSITION WHERE I'M CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT SOMEBODY ELSE IS DOING AND GETTING.

I'M GOING TO TRUST THE ORGANIZATION THAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT.

BUT WHETHER YOU BELIEVE IT TO BE TRUE OR NOT, MOST OBSERVERS BELIEVE THAT HE DOESN'T KNOW FOOTBALL THE WAY THEY THINK HE SHOULD KNOW FOOTBALL.

HE'S AN ANALYTICS GUY, AND THAT MIGHT BE TRUE, BUT ANALYTICS, NO ANALYTICS, HE'S FOUND WAY TO GET THIS TEAM TO 34 WINS.

>> Eric: YEAH.

>> AS A GENERAL MANAGER IN THREE YEARS.

AND THREE OF THE GUYS THAT HE DRAFTED IN THE FIRST ROUND, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THEM BROKE HIS LEG IN LONDON, THE OTHER ONE WAS KILLED.

AND THEN, OF COURSE, JJ McCARTHY, HE'S JUST GUY.

>> Eric: NO AARON RODGERS, HUH?

>> NO, AARON IS NOT COMING.

IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT 40 MILLION TO BRING HIM IN THERE, THEY >> Cathy: NO.AT KIND OF MONEY.- I LOVE PAIGE BUECKERS FROM HOPKINS, WHAT A STAR FOR UCONN.

SHE'S HE GOING TO BE IN THE WNBA DRAFT, RIGHT?

>> SHE MIGHT BE THE FIRST PLAYER TAKEN.

BASICALLY ASSURED SHE'S GOING IF TO THE FIRST PLAYER TAKEN IN THE GRAFT -- DRAFT.

THREE TIMES, ALL AMERICAN, THREE TIMES TO HE FINAL FOUR.

BUT SHE'S TRYING TO DO WHAT PLAYERS THAT GO TO CONNECTICUT GO THERE FOR, THAT'S TO WIN THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, AND THEY MIGHT HAVE THAT CHANCE, NOW THAT THAT OPENING WITH THE INJURY TO JUJU WATKINS AND USC HAPPENED LAST WEEK.

>> ric: HAVE YOU TEE'd IT UP YET?

>> NO, I HAVEN'T.

I'VE BEEN GETTING IN SHAPE.

I'M MAKING SURE I CAN KEEP MY SPEED, YOU KNOW, GOING TO THE BALL.

>> Eric: ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT.

LARRY FITZGERALD, SR., EVERYBODY.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: THANKS.

>> CATHY: WE'VE GOT PLENTY TO COVER WITH THIS WEEK'S POLITICAL PANEL, WITH ANOTHER SPECIAL ELECTION IN THE MINNESOTA SENATE AND STATE EMPLOYEE UNIONS NOT TERRIBLY HAPPEN WITH THE -- HAPPY WITH THE GOVERNOR'S ORDER TO RETURN TO WORK, AT LEAST PART TIME.

LET'S DIVE IN, STARTING WITH REPUBLICANS.

PAT GAROFALO, FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND CURRENT PRESIDENT OF THE MINNESOTA GROCERS ASSOCIATION.

ANDY BREHM, FORMER PRESS SECRETARY FOR U.S.

SENATOR NORM COLEMAN, NOW A LAWYER AND COLUMNIST FOR THE STAR TRIBUNE.

DEMOCRATS WITH THEM.

ABOU AMARA IS A FORMER LEGISLATIVE STAFFER, NOW LAWYER.

AND WINTANA MELEKIN IS A PARTY ACTIVIST AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZER.

ABOU, THERE'S GOING TO BE, EVIDENTLY, UNION WORKERS PROTESTING OUTSIDE THE GOVERNOR'S RESIDENCE TOMORROW.

WHY DID THE GOVERNOR DECIDE TO POKE THE UNION BEAR WITH THIS ORDER TO GO BACK TO WORK?

>> LOOK, I DON'T THINK IT'S POKING THE BEAR, I THINK IT'S LOOKING AT AN ECONOMIC REALITY, PARTICULARLY IN THE TWIN CITIES, BUT, REALLY, ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

YOU'RE SEEING A HALLOWING OUT OF METROPOLITAN CENTERS.

>> Cathy: STATE WORKERS TO HELP METROPOLITAN CENTERS.

>> IF I WAS A STATE WORKER, I'D LIKE TO BE HOME AS WELL.

HE'S TRYING TO BALANCE TWO THINGS HERE, RIGHT?

MAKING SURE PEOPLE ARE GOING BACK TO DOWNTOWNS, LIKE St. PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS.

WE'VE SEEN, FOR EXAMPLE, GROCERY STORES CLOSE BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T HAD THE FOOT TRAFFIC.

STATEMENT, GIVING WORKERS FLEXIBILITY THE THIS IS A LABOR MANAGEMENT ISSUE, THEY'RE GOING TO WORK IT OUT.

THE POINT THE GOVERNOR IS POINTING TO, IS AN IMPORTANT ONE THAT ALL OF US NEED TO BE CONSIDERING.

>> I THINK, YOU KNOW, I LIKE TO CREDIT MYSELF FOR THAT.

I WROTE IN THE STAR STRIB UNI"ON MONDAY THAT HE SHOULD DO THIS.

I'M SURE THE GOVERNOR IS FOND OF TAKING MY ADVICE.

STAR TRIBUNE.

I'M JOKING.

>> Eric: WHY IS HE DOING SOMETHING THAT THE REPUBLICANS HYPOTHETICAL HIM TO DO, THE EMPLOYEE UNIONS ARE BIG DEMOCRATIC DONORS AND SUPPORTERS.

>> LET'S REMEMBER WHAT HE'S DOING.

50% OF THE TIME, THIS ISN'T A BIG ASK.

PRETTY TONE DEAF FOR THESE UNIONS TO BE PUSHING BACK ON SOMETHING THAT MOST OF US IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR ARE DOING ANYWAY.

ALSO, St. PAUL'S IN DEEP DEEP TROUBLE.

MAYOR CARTER'S FOR RE-ELECTION THIS YEAR.

PEOPLE ARE PRETTY EXHAUSTED WITH STATE EMPLOYEES NOT BEING IN THE OFFICE.

>> Eric: WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF IT?

>> AS SOMEONE WHO LIVES DOWNTOWN, I DO THINK WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT A PLAN TO BOOST THE ECONOMIC REVENUE.

I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS THE EXACT RIGHT THING.

I THINK WHAT SHOULD HAVE OCCURRED, WE SHOULD HAVE BROUGHT LABOR EXAMINE WORKERS TO THE TABLE TO MAKE A DECISION AND A PLAN THAT MADE SENSE, ON A TIMELINE THAT CONSIDERED WHAT THE NEEDS ARE OF DOWNTOWN AND WORKERS.

YOU CAN DO BOTH AND YOU SHOULD ALWAYS CHOOSE TO DO BOTH.

>> Cathy: WHAT DO YOU THINK WAS BEHIND THE GOVERNOR'S DECISION?

>> St. PAUL'S DYING.

IT'S IN TROUBLE.

AND IT NEEDS HELP.

AND ONLY THESE FRINGE UNIONS WOULD THINK THAT BEING ASKED TO SHOW UP IN THE OFFICE HALF THE TIME IS SOMEHOW PROVOCATIVE OR CONTROVERSIAL.

AND, SO, I THINK IT'S JUST A SIGN OF THE TIMES.

OUT IN REAL MINNESOTA, WHERE PEOPLE ARE SHOWING UP AND WORKING, THEY DON'T REALLY VIEW THIS AS ANYTHING OTHER THAN JUST MORE UNION WHINING FROM GOVERNMENT WORKERS.

>> Eric: MEDICAID CUTS, AND WHAT HAPPENS AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, THE GOVERNOR'S GOT SOME CUTTING.

REDUCING THE RATE OF GROWTH, I SUPPOSE, IS THE MORE -- IS THIS GOING TO BE A PROBLEM IN, LIKE, GREATER MINNESOTA?

WHERE THE NURSING HOMES AND THE HOSPITAL ARE KIND OF THE MAJOR EMPLOYERS.

WHERE ARE WE HEADED HERE?

HOW TOUGH ARE THESE VOTES GOING TO BE FOR LAWMAKERS TO TAKE?

>> LOOK, DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN SAYING THIS FOR YEARS.

THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, FEDERAL FUNDS, PARTICULARLY AROUND MEDICAID, DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACT GREATER AMERICA, GREATER MINNESOTA.

AND O, WHEN YOU HAVE A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT IS HOSTILE TO PROGRAMS THAT ARE GOING TO HELP THOSE FOLKS, I THINK WHEN YOU PLAY STUPID GAMES, YOU WIN STUPID PRIZES.

THIS IS GOING TO BE ONE OF THOSE MOMENTS, WE'RE GOING TO SEE WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOES, IF IT CUTS MILLIONS AND BILLIONS F DOLLARS, FOLKS ARE OING TO FEEL IT.

IT'S NOT GO TO BE SOME ABSTRACT THING, YOU'RE GOING TO FEEL IT ON THE GROUND.

>> FIRST OF ALL, LET'S REMEMBER, THERE WAS AN HISTORIC EXPANSION OF MEDICAID UNDER PRESIDENT BIDEN OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

SO REINING SOME OF THAT IN IS PRUDENT, PARTICULARLY WHEN YOU'VE GOT A ATIONAL DEBT LIKE WE DO AND THE COUNTRY'S GOING BANKRUPT.

SO WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT PEOPLE FEELING T, AGAIN, THERE'S THIS REMARKABLE EXPANSION OF THE WELFARE STATE UNDER PRESIDENT BIDEN THAT DONALD TRUMP IS SIMPLY PARING BACK.

I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYTHING EXTREME ABOUT THAT.

>> IF YOU TAKE A LOOK AT, THERE'S A REPORT THIS WEEK IN THE W "WALL STREET JOURNAL," THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS SPENDING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO PAY FOR MEDICAID INSURANCE TO THE SAME PEOPLE IN TWO SEPARATE STATES.

BASICALLY INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE DOUBLE DIPPING.

THAT'S THE SORT OF CUT THAT I THINK THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO STOP WASTING MONEY ON.

AND WE HAVE $2 TRILLION DEFICIT.

>> Cathy: YOUR FRIEND IS COMPLETELY DISAGREEING WITH YOU.

>> INSURANCE COMPANIES SHOULD DOUBLE DIP, YOU'RE IN FAVOR OF THAT?

>> THERE'S NO QUESTION, CAN WE BE MORE EFFICIENT?

THE QUESTION IS YES.

WHEN YOU'RE DEALING WITH A SCALE OF 60, 70, 80 BILLION DOLLARS, POINTING TO 80 MILLION HERE, PENNIES ON THE DOLLAR, FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGING THE SYSTEM.

>> CAN WE AGREE THAT THE HHS DEPARTMENT AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL SHOULD NOT HAVE 40 COMMUNICATION OFFICES, CAN WE AGREE ON THAT?

CAN WE PARE THAT DOWN TO MAYBE LIKE 15 OR 10?

DO WE REALLY NEED 40?

>> Eric: WHERE ARE THE DEMOCRATS IN RESPONDING TO PRESIDENT TRUMP?

IS IT LET HIM BURY HIMSELF?

THEY MIGHT SAY.

OR IS IT TAKE HIM ON FRONTALLY?

OR IS THERE A CONSENSUS?

>> I DON'T THINK THERE'S A CONSENSUS.

I THINK THERE'S FOLKS ON EVERY SIDE OF THE SPECTRUM TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE BEST WAY TO APPROACH IT.

AND KNOWING THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE FOUR YEARS OF THIS ADMINISTRATION, AND FOLKS ARE TRYING TO PRIORITIZE WHAT MAKES THE MOST SENSE.

>> Eric: WHAT TIM WALZ'S ROLE HERE?

>> I THINK TIM WALZ IS IN THAT SAME POSITION.

I THINK HE HIMSELF IS FIGURING OUT, DO I RUN FOR GOVERNOR, DO I RUN FOR PRESIDENT IN FOUR YEARS?

AND I THINK HE'S, HIMSELF, IS PROCESSING.

I THINK FOLKS GOT VERY UPSET THAT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY DIDN'T TALK ABOUT THE WORKING CLASS, BUT THEY'RE NOW SEEING THE REPUBLICAN PARTY S DROPPING THE WORKING CLASS.

AND PUNISHING THEM BY TAKING AWAY THEIR HEALTHCARE, BY INCREASING THE COST OF LIVING WITH TARIFFS, AND FOLKS ARE NOW RE-ASSESSING AND QUESTIONING, DID THEY MAKE A MISTAKE IN NOVEMBER, AND THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY'S PREPARING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO RESPOND IN THE BEST WAY.

>> Cathy: THE GOVERNOR DID SAY, I HAVE A NATIONAL PLATFORM, SO WHY SHOULDN'T WE USE IT?

>> I THINK HE THINKS HE DOES.

I DON'T HEAR FROM ANY DEMOCRATS CLAMORING FOR TIM WALZ, WHO'S PRETTY FAR LEFT GUY AND I THINK WAS REGARDED AS NOT A PARTICULARLY SUCCESSFUL RUNNING MATE ON THE NATIONAL STAGE.

THE GOVERNOR, I THINK, IS DELUSIONAL, I THINK HE LIKES CROWDS, I THINK HE LIKES BEING IN THAT FORMAT.

BUT I DON'T THINK HE'S DOING HIMSELF ANY FAVORS, CERTAINLY NOT THE STATE, IT'S PRETTY EMBARRASSING.

>> THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, WHEN A ARTY IS HISTORICALLY OUT OF POWER, THIS IS A NATURAL PROCESS FOR DEMOCRATS OR REPUBLICANS TO COMPETE FOR WHAT THE VISION OF THE PARTY'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE MOVING INTO THE FUTURE.

NO DIFFERENT IN 2016 WHEN BARACK OBAMA DESTROYED BOTH REPUBLICANS AND YOU GUYS WERE GOING INTO 2016, DECIDING WHAT WAS GOING TO BE THE FUTURE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND YOU CHOSE DONALD TRUMP.

>> YEAH, BUT -- >> LE BE HONEST HERE, OKAY.

THIS LAST MONTH HAS BEEN A VERY DIFFICULT MONTH FOR THE FAR LEFT FRINGE OF THE DFL.

THEY STARTED OUT -- DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

THEY STARTED OFF BY CRITICIZING THE ADMINISTRATION FOR DEPORTING VENEZUELAN GANG MEMBERS TO EL SALVADOR, BLEW UP SCHUMER BECAUSE HE OULDN'T REFUSE TO SHUT THE GOVERNMENT NOW.

THEY'RE SO UPSET, THEY'RE BURNING UP ELECTRIC CARS, THE LEFT FRINGE IS.

SO WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE FAR LEFT IS HAVING ALMOST ITS TEA PARTY-LIKE MOMENT.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THIS.

YOU GUYS MADE BIG NEWS TONIGHT.

ANGIE CRAIG'S INTERVIEW, SHE'S RUNNING.

SHE'S RUNNING -- >> Cathy: I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU ALL THAT.

AND I WANT TO GET BACK TO THAT IN JUST A MINUTE.

PUT A PIN THAN IN THE WALZ THING HERE.

>> LOOK, HE'S BEEN HANDED A PLATFORM.

I MEAN, PEOPLE KNOW HIM ACROSS THE COUNTRY BECAUSE HE RAN FOR PRESIDENT.

OF COURSE, HE HAS A PLATFORM.

HE SHOULD BE ON THE NATIONAL STAGE.

WILL HE BE THE NOMINEE ULTIMATELY?

TIME WILL TELL BUT HE SHOULD BE OUT THERE MAKING HIS CASE.

>> Eric: ANGIE CRAIG.

>> HIS.

>> Cathy: DID YOU GET TO SEE THE INTERVIEW?

>> Eric: WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> GOOD FOR HER.

YOU KNOW, I WOULDN'T BE THE -- SHE WOULDN'T BE THE CANDIDATE OF MY CHOOSING, I THINK I WOULD WANT SOMEONE THAT'S READY TO PRIORITIZE PROGRESSIVE ISSUES.

YOU CAN'T DENY THAT SHE'S WILDLY POPULAR.

YOU CAN'T DENY THAT THERE WOULD BE FOLKS THAT WOULD BE INTERESTED IN THAT.

I THINK WHAT THE PARTY NEEDS NOW IS A PROGRESSIVE CHAMPION.

>> Eric: YOU GOING TO HAVE SERIOUS CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR AND ENATOR?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THESE RACES ARE UP FOR GRABS, MINNESOTA IS A 50-50 STATE.

YOU'RE RIGHT, WE'VE HAD POOR STATEWIDE CANDIDATES IN THE PAST.

I THINK WE CAN DO BETTER.

I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE LOOKING AT THESE RACES, AND I THINK REPUBLICANS WILL DO WELL.

>> Cathy: REPRESENTATIVE CRAIG DID SOUND LIKE SHE WAS INTERESTED.

>> AS SHE SHOULD BE.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE CANDIDATES WHO HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL AT THE STATEWIDE LEVEL, AMY KLOBUCHAR, TINA SMITH, SHE FITS THE PROFILE.

SHE CAN SPEAK TO THE SUBURBS, SHE CAN SPEAK TO GREATER MINNESOTA.

I THINK SHE HAS A BROAD APPEAL.

TO THE POINT ABOUT US BEING A 50-50 STATE, THAT MAY BE TRUE, BUT YOU'VE LOST 100% OF THE TIME SINCE 2006.

>> THAT CUTS DEEP, MAN.

>> Eric: YOU'RE A FORMER LEGISLATIVE VETERAN WHO'S BEEN PART OF DEAL MAKING OVER THERE.

HOW DO YOU ENVISION THE SESSION ENDING WITH THE SO CLOSE MARGINS?

>> WELL, SO, FIRST OF ALL, WE HAVE SHARED GOVERNMENT, SO REPUBLICAN REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS HAVE TO WORK -- REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS HAVE TORQUE WORK TOGETHER.

I'M CONFIDENT THAT DEMUTH, HORTMAN, MAJORITY LEADER MURPHY, CAN GET TOGETHER AND CUT A DEAL.

I'M NOT WORRIED ABOUT THAT.

YOU'RE SEEING IN IN MINNEAPOLIS AND St. PAUL PRIMARILY RIGHT NOW.

THE CONFLICT IS NOT REPUBLICAN/DEMOCRAT, IT'S NOT LEFT VERSUS RIGHT.

THIS IS DFL VERSUS DSA, THE DEMOCRAT SOCIALISTS OF AMERICA.

THIS IS THE FAR LEFT SIDE.

AND IT'S TRUE.

THE DSA RIGHT NOW HAS THE UPPER HAND.

>> Eric: DON'T YOU HAVE ACTION FOR LIBERTY ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE?

>> ACTION FOR LIBERTY DOESN'T HAVE A MAJORITY OF THE MINNEAPOLIS AND St. PAUL CITY COUNCIL.

>> I THINK MINNESOTA HOUSE REPUBLICANS HAVE TO HUMBLE THEMSELVES.

THEY HAVE HALF OF ONE CHAMBER.

DEMOCRATS CONTROL EVERYTHING ELSE.

YOU ARE NOT GOING TO GET WHAT YOU WANT OUT OF THIS POLITICAL SESSION, MARGINALLY YOU MIGHT, BUT THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE ELECTED IN MINNESOTA ARE DEMOCRATS.

>> THE DEMOCRATS HAVE ALREADY CONCEDED THEY SPENT TOO MUCH MONEY AND THEY ANT TO CUT SPENDING, THERE'S A DEFICIT.

>> Eric: HOW DO YOU SEE HE SESSION UNFOLDING IN 30 SECONDS?

>> I FEEL REALLY EXCITED.

I FEEL I HAVE A LOT OF BELIEF THAT HORTMAN AND MURPHY CAN FIGURE OUT A WAY TO LEAD A BIPARTISAN SESSION AND ACTUALLY DELIVER SOME WINS FOR OUR STATE.

>> Eric: PEACE IN THE VALLEY.

THANKS, PANEL.

>> Cathy: MAYBE.

THANKS.

>> WE'RE ABOUT TO DO SOMETHING I DON'T THINK HAS EVER BEEN DONE ON THE SENATE FLOOR, AND THAT IS TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO VOTE DIFFERENTLY IN LOCATIONS AROUND HERE AND, FRANKLY, EVEN SOME NOT HERE.

>> THIS IS A HISTORIC TIME, BUT WE ARE REACTING TO EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCES.

[ BANGING GAVEL ] >> THE HOUSE WILL COME TO ORDER.

>> WITH SOME MISGIVING ND RELUCTANCE, I OFFER THIS RESOLUTION TO PERMIT THE HOUSE TO MEET REMOTELY.

I THINK THAT THIS IS A PRACTICE THAT SHOULD NOT BE USED EXCEPT IN THE MOST EXTREME CASES, SUCH AS THOSE THAT WE ARE IN TODAY.

>> ERIC: IT'S INDEX FILE TIME.

LAST WEEK, WE ASKED YOU ABOUT SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED IN JANUARY, 1925.

A NEWSPAPER OUT EAST HIGHLIGHTED A MINNESOTA "THING" THAT MADE INTERNATIONAL NEWS.

IT WAS HERALDED AS THE LARGEST OF ITS KIND, MEASURING 60 FEET LONG, CONTAINING MORE THAN 400 POUNDS OF A NATURAL SUBSTANCE AND NEEDING MULTIPLE PEOPLE TO HOLD IT UP.

OUR QUESTION WAS SIMPLE: WHAT WAS THIS RECORD-BREAKING THING THAT MADE INTERNATIONAL NEWS IN 1925?

DESPITE ALL THAT USEFUL INFORMATION, SOME OF YOU COULDN'T COME UP WITH THE ANSWER WE "KNEADED" TO HEAR.

>> Eric: HOPE YOU DO, DAVE.

ALL WRONG.

BUT FOR THE CORRECT ANSWER, WE KNEW OUR OLD FRIEND, MITCHELL, THE POET, WOULD RISE TO THE OCCASION.

>> Eric: REALLY GOOD.

YEAH.

THAT'S RIGHT.

IN 1925 THE LANCASTER NEW ERA NEWSPAPER, BASED IN LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA, PUBLISHED PHOTOS OF WHAT THEY DECLARED WAS THE LARGEST LOAF OF BREAD EVER MADE.

IT USED OVER 400 POUNDS OF FLOUR AND WAS BAKED IN THE "FLOUR CITY" OF MINNEAPOLIS.

THAT'S ABOUT ALL THE INFORMATION WE HAVE.

IF YOU KNOW ANYTHING MORE ABOUT THIS RECORD-SETTING LOAF, LET US KNOW.

YOU CAN ALSO LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THIS WEEK'S SHOW ON THE ALMANAC COMMENT LINE.

YOU CAN ALSO DROP US A NOTE AT ALMANAC@TPT.ORG.

WHILE YOU'RE ONLINE, HOP ON OVER TO OUR WEBSITE AND CHECK OUT SHOWS FROM THE ARCHIVES.

TPT.ORG/ALMANAC.

FOR MORE POLITICAL NEWS, BE SURE TO TUNE IN FOR "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL" WITH MARY LAHAMMER- LIVE FROM THE HOUSE GALLERY WEDNESDAYS AT 7:00 PM ON THE STATEWIDE MINNESOTA CHANNEL.

YOU CAN ALSO CATCH HOUSE AND SENATE FLOOR ACTION, COMMITTEE HEARINGS AND MORE LEGISLATIVE COVERAGE ON THE SAME STATEWIDE CHANNEL.

BEFORE WE GO, HERE'S A MUSICAL PERFORMANCE THAT TOOK PLACE IN THIS VERY STUDIO 20 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK.

THE ARTIST WAS SINGER/SONGWRITER HALEY BONAR WHO IS NOW KNOWN SIMPLY AS HALEY.

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK AND BE CAREFUL.

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