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

>> Cathy: YOU KNOW, EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT WE DO A LIVE SHOW.

IT'S CALLED "ALMANAC."

AND THIS IS IT.

WILDFIRES CONTINUING, A POLITICAL PANEL, MIKE OSTERHOLM HERE TO TALK RECORD-BREAKING MEASLES CASES, AND A PAIR OF ECONOMISTS ON INTERNATIONAL POLITICS RIPPLING BACK HOME IN MINNESOTA.

THAT'S WHERE MARY LAHAMMER IS IN THE LEAD UP TO PRIMARIES.

>> Mary: RALLIES, VISITS, TOWN HALLS ARE ALL IN INUNDATING THE STATE.

WE'LL ANALYZE IT WITH A P.R.

PRO.

>> IT'S MINNESOTA POLITICS.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

I KNOW SOMETHING WEIRD WILL HAPPEN.

>> 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.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

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

>> Cathy: GLAD YOU'RE WITH US.

THIS IS "ALMANAC."

ECONOMISTS BREAK DOWN EFFECTS FROM WILDFIRES AND THE IRAN WAR.

TONIGHT, MEASLES AT A RECORD HIGH -- MIKE OSTERHOLM IS HERE.

DR.

MARK DEPAOLIS HAS AN ESSAY.

ERIC NELSON MAKES HIS RESPONSIBILITIES COMMENTATOR DEBUT.

AND A POLITICAL PANEL IS WAITING ON THE COUCH WITH JUST OVER TWO WEEKS UNTIL PRIMARIES.

>> ERIC: BUT WE START TONIGHT WITH WILDFIRES.

FEDERAL OFFICIALS ARE ASSESSING THE ONGOING FIRES IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA INCLUDING THE BOUNDARY WATERS CANOE AREA.

U.S.

FOREST SERVICES SIGNALED SOME HOPE FOR ENTRY POINTS TO OPEN AS SOON AS JULY 30TH, BUT CONDITIONS COULD CHANGE.

HERE WITH US NOW FROM SUPERIOR HERE IN PERSON FROM THE MINNESOTA POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY, METEREOLOGIST MATT TARALDSEN.

HE ALSO REACHED OUT -- WE ALSO REACHED OUT TO MINNESOTA SIGNAL FOREST'S TOM HALL.

WHAT WOULD BE THE BEST WEATHER CONDITIONS GOING ORWARD?

>> BASICALLY WHAT WE HAD THE PAST WEEK HAS REALLY HELPED.

THE COOLER, WETTER TEMPERATURES -- OR COOLER TEMPERATURES AND WETTER CONDITIONS REALLY HELPED THE FOREST FIRE EFFORTS.

AND SO WE GOT LUCKY THE PAST WEEK.

BUT, YOU KNOW, GOING INTO THE NEXT WEEK, WE HAVE THE EXTREME HEAT WARNING OVER SOUTHERN MINNESOTA, HEAT ADVISORIES OVER NORTHERN MINNESOTA, ND SO WE'RE PROBABLY GOING TO BACK INTO AN ACTIVE PERIOD.

>> Cathy: ALTHOUGH I SEE THERE'S SOME GOOD RAIN HERE AFTER MIDNIGHTS.

IT'S OVERNIGHT CHGHT THE HUMIDITY'S USUALLY A LITTLE HIGHER.

>> THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

BUT OF COURSE IT'S COMING IN THE FORM OF THUNDERSTORMS.

AND SO ON THE TRADEOFF WE HAVE POTENTIAL LIGHTNING IGNITIONS.

THE FOREST SERVICE HAS BEEN GOOD ABOUT ENCOURAGE TING WISHING THE FIRES.

>> SOMEBODY ASKED ME JUST YESTERDAY ABOUT THE WILDFIRES AND THEY WERE SPARKED BY LIGHTNING.

SO HOW DOES THAT BALANCE OUT?

>> USUALLY, WHEN WE HAVE A THUNDERSTORM THAT GOES THROUGH, YOU'LL GET A LITTLE BIT OF RAIN FOR A LITTLE BIT OF TIME.

AND SO THE FIRES WILL KIND OF TAMPER DOWN IN THEIR INTENSITY, BUT AS THINGS GET WARM AGAIN, THEY BUMP RIGHT BACK UP.

>> Eric: WHAT IS THE POSSIBILITY FOR THIS EXTENDING INTO THE WINTER SEASON?

>> AT LEAST THE FIRES >> AT LEAST THE FIR FIRES BURNI, VERY HIGH.

OUR PARTNERS HAVE TOLD US THAT THE FIRES ARE LIKELY TO BURN UNTIL THE SNOW PUTS THEM ON.

THEY'RE BURNING ON OR SLIGHTLY WE LOW THE GROUND.

FROM THE AIR QUALITY PERSPECTIVE, THOSE FIRES DON'T LOFT A LOT OF SMOKE.

IT WON'T BE THE RAGING INFERNO THAT WE HAD LAST WEEK.

>> Cathy: YOU SPECIALIZE IN AIR QUALITY, AND THAT WAS JUST HORRIFIC LAST WEEK.

PEOPLE IN DULUTH, UP THE SHORE, INLAND, EVEN DOWN HERE IN THE TWIN CITIES.

IT WAS JUST TERRIBLE.

WHEN YOU SAW THOSE AIR QUALITY INDEX READINGS THAT WERE LIKE 1,000 AROUND ELY, WHAT DID YOU SAY?

>> I WAS SHOCKED.

WE WERE SUBSTANTIALLY ABOVE WHAT EVEN THE MODELS WERE PREDICTING.

AND WHEN YOU GET INTO THIS KIND OF, LIKE, CRAZY TAIL F, YOU KNOW, RECORD-BREAKING TERRITORY, IT'S REALLY HARD TO KEEP UP.

SO WE WENT HAZARDOUS, FIRST THROUGH THE ARROWHEAD.

FORECASTING A RECORD IS ALWAYS SCARY.

BUT IT VERIFIED AND IT VERIFIED REALLY ACROSS THE ENTIRE STATE.

>> Eric: WAS IT A >> Eric: WAS IT AIDE COMBO OF MINNESOTA AIR QUALITY AND CANADIAN AIR QUALITY?

>> I WOULD SAY SO.

THE FIRES IN MINNESOTA WERE REALLY THE MAIN CULPRIT, BUT REALLY THAT MIXED WITH LAKE SUPERIOR -- IT'S VERY COLD AND THE LITTLE PARTICLES THAT ARE IN FIRE ATTRACT WATER VICE VICE.

AND THEN THE LAKE KIND OF PUSHES IT IN AND HOLDS IT.

BOTH IN ITS LOCATION AND AT THE SURFACE.

AND SO THAT'S WHAT WE SAW IN DULUTH, WEST DULUTH WAS ACTUALLY EXCEEDED THE RECORD BY ALMOST DOUBLE.

>> Cathy: HOW IS AIR QUALITY UP THERE RIGHT NOW?

>> IT'S ACTUALLY PRETTY GOOD.

MOST OF THE SMOKE WE'VE HAD HAS BEEN FROM FIRES ALL THE WAY UP IN THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES.

SO THE FIRES IN MINNESOTA ARE SMOLDERING, WE JUST HAVEN'T HAD A LOT OF WIND TO PUSH THE SMOKE AROUND AND THE FIRES AREN'T LOFTING A LOT OF SMOKE.

>> Cathy: SO MONDAY, IT'LL BE PARTS OF THE BWCA WILL BE OPEN FOR DAY USE.

AND I'M WONDERING, FROM YOUR STANDPOINT AS A METEOROLOGIST, IS THAT A PRETTY GOOD MOVE GIVEN THE CONDITIONS?

>> I THINK SO, YEAH.

IT'S SOMETHING WE'RE WATCHING VERY CAREFULLY, AND WE'LL DEFINITELY ISSUE AN AIR QUALITY ALERT SHOULD WE SEE CONDITIONS START TO SPARK UP.

IF PEOPLE DO HAVE PLANS UP THERE, KEEP AN EYE ON THE FORECAST, THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE'S PAGE.

IF YOU ARE IN THE BOUNDARY WATERS, YOU HAVE THE WEATHER RADIO.

SO YOU CAN GET THAT ALERT THAT WAY.

>> Eric: TREMENDOUS.

WELL, YOU HANDLED HIS VERY WELL.

WE HOPED TO GET THE FOREST SERVICE.

BUT YOU ROSE TO THE OCCASION.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: THANKS, MATT.

APPRECIATE IT.

♪ >> CATHY: WHEN IT COMES TO SUMMER TOURISM, EVERY DAY IS A CRUCIAL DAY FOR BUSINESS.

WE WANTED TO GET SOME MORE PERSPECTIVE ON THE ONGOING WILDFIRE DEVASTATION ALONG WITH THE ROAD TO RECOVERY.

JOINING US NOW, LAKE COUNTY COMMISSIONER AND ELY-BASED NORTHWIND LODGE OWNER, JOE BALTICH.

GOOD TO SEE YOU, JOE.

>> GOOD TO BE HERE, THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU WERE AT A RIEND'S PLACE ON LAKE VERMILLION, IS THAT RIGHT?

YOU WERE EVACUATED?

>> YEAH, MY WIFE ANNETTE AND MY OG GEORGE, WE WERE ALL EVACUATED, A WEEK AGO THIS PAST TUESDAY.

SO WE -- I HAVE A RESORT AND WE HAD A FULL HOUSE IN.

LOTS OF PEOPLE.

AND ON TUESDAY MORNING, AT ABOUT -- I THINK THE ANNOUNCEMENT CAME AT 7:00.

I HAD TO GO AROUND TO ALL THE CABINS AND TELL EVERYBODY, YOU GOT TO EAT, YOU HAVE TO PACK UP AND GO.

AND EVERYBODY'S VACCINATION VACATION ENDED ABRUPTLY.

A LOT OF PEOPLE TOOK IT ALL IN STRIDE.

BUT HERE WAS SOME WIDE-EYED STUFF GOING ON TOO, BECAUSE THERE WERE KIND OF NERVOUS.

THE AY BEFORE WE HAD BIG COLUMNS OF SMOKE TO THE LEFT AND TO THE RIGHT DOWN AT OUR BEACH, AND THEY WERE NOWHERE NEAR US BUT BECAUSE IT WAS SO HOT, IT APPEARED THAT THOSE COLUMNS WERE LITERALLY A HALF A MILE AWAY AND THEY WERE MORE LIKE EIGHT MILES AWAY.

AND SO IT TENDED TO RATTLE SEVERAL PEOPLE EXCEPT FOR ONE CABIN.

WE COULD NOT FIND THE TWO GENTLEMEN.

THEY CAME BACK LATE.

I PUT A SIGN AT THEIR DOOR AND SAID, HEY, WE MIGHT HAVE TO EVACUATE YOU IN THE MORNING.

AND COME MORNING, THEY WERE GONE AGAIN.

THEY WERE TROUT FISHING.

FORTUNATELY, WE HAD CELL PHONE, WE COULD CALL HIM AND SAY YOU GUYS GOT TO BUG OUT.

>> Eric: HOW MUCH ECONOMIC DAMAGE HAS BEEN DONE TO WHAT I ASSUME IS A HEAVY TOURISM PART OF THE ECONOMY?

>> I'M IN LAKE COUNTY.

AND ELY, WE SPEAK ABOUT IT AS A REGION.

WHEN WE SAY SOMEBODY'S FROM ELY, IT'S A LARGE AREA THAT GOES FROM ST.

LOUIS COUNTY TO LAKE COUNTY.

AND SO FOR THAT REGION, WITH THE RESORTS AND THE OUTFITTERS, WE'VE GOT A WHOLE BUNCH OF OUTFITTERS WHO WENT FROM BEING, YOU KNOW, BUSY, PEAK SEASON BUSY, TO ZERO DOLLARS.

JUST ABSOLUTELY ZERO.

YOU KNOW, THEY'LL HAVE, YOU KNOW, 10, 12, 15 EMPLOYEES AND THEY'RE DOWN TO MAYBE ONE EMPLOYEE DOING WHATEVER.

YOU KNOW, NOTHING ACTUALLY.

AND SO THE IMPACT TO THE AREA IS GOING TO BE MASSIVE ONCE WE SETTLE THE DUST.

I KNOW IT WAS EXPENSIVE TO MY RESORT.

PER WEEK IT'S GOING TO BE EXPENSIVE.

AND FOR THE WHOLE AREA, I BET YOU IT'S GOING TO BE -- I BET YOU IT'S GOING TO BE IN THE MILLIONS, MILLION-DOLLAR RANGE SOMEWHERE, BECAUSE EVERYBODY SHUT DOWN.

I MEAN, FOR WHATEVER REASON.

YOU COULDN'T ACCESS THE BOUNDARY WATERS.

YOU STILL CAN'T IN OUR AREA.

JUST BECAUSE WE'VE GOT -- THAT FIRE THAT'S DIRECTLY NOTER FIRE THAT'S DIRECTLY N DIRECTLYF ELY IS QUITE LARGE, BUT IT'S MAINTAINING THE SAME FOOTPRINT, AND THE FIRE THAT WAS THREATENING US IS ALSO MAINTAINING THE SAME.

I'M MORE CONFIDENT NOW THAN EVER THAT WE'RE GETTING CLOSER TO THE END OF THIS, BUT, YOU KNOW, THAT COULD ALL CHANGE WITH A BIG WIND.

>> Cathy: RIGHT, EXACTLY.

NOW, YOU PAINTED A PRETTY DISMAL PICTURE OF BUSINESS.

BUT YOU'RE A COUNTY COMMISSIONER.

MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS HAVE SPENT A LOT TOO FIGHTING THESE FIRES.

DO YOU SEE A VALUE IN TRYING TO CONTACT THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS SAYING, HEY, LOOK, WE NEED A SPECIAL SESSION?

>> WELL, WE'RE KIND OF IN THAT SITUATION.

WHAT'S TODAY -- TUESDAY NIGHT, WE HAD A COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING.

IN TOIME, AT THE TOIME, LAKE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TRAVEL AROUND THE COUNTY TO HAVE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETINGS AMONGST OUR CONSTITUENCY IN THE COUNTY.

BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT ALWAYS ABLE TO COME TO A COUNTY BOARD MEETING, SO WE GO INTO THEIR COMMUNITY CENTER.

AND AT THE MEETING, WE PUT TOGETHER -- WE CALLED IT AN EMERGENCY SESSION RIGHT INSIDE OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING AND WE PASSED AN EMERGENCY DECLARATION.

AND THAT WAS SENT RIGHT OFF TO THE STATE, ASAP.

SO WE HAVE TO DECLARE IT.

AND THEN IT GOES INTO THE NEXT STEPS.

I CAN'T TELL YOU ALL OF THEM.

I KNOW OUR ADMINISTRATOR PULLED THIS OUT AND HANDED IT TO US AND IT WAS NEWS TO ALL OF US, BUT HE SAID WE NEED TO DO THIS.

AND SO FROM A COUNTY STANDPOINT, WE'RE GOING TO BE -- WE'RE ACTUALLY -- MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT WE'RE MEETING WITH THE GOVERNOR ON MONDAY.

THIS COMING MONDAY.

SO -- AND IT'S -- I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT -- ELL, NOBODY DOES.

I JUST CAME FROM A TOWN HALL AT VERMILLION COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN ELY WITH ROGER SKRABA AND GRANT HAUSCHILD CHILD, OUR LEGISLATORS, AND THEN A WHOLE BUNCH OF OTHER PEOPLE, RUKAVINA FROM THE IRRB, AND SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY AND MYSELF AND WE WERE DISCUSSING WHAT POSSIBILITIES EXIST.

BECAUSE THERE ARE BUSINESSES, A LOT OF THINGS AREN'T IN PLACE THAT ARE READILY AVAILABLE TO THESE ORGANIZATIONS, BUT EVERYBODY'S LOOKING.

AND FOR WHAT FITS.

AND WHAT WILL HAPPEN, BECAUSE WE'VE GOT SOME BUSINESSES WHO ARE SIMPLY GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE SOME KIND OF HELP.

>> Cathy: RIGHT.

I HEAR THAT.

>> BECAUSE ZERO DOLLARS IN THE PEAK SEASON, AND HERE'S THE OTHER PROBLEM -- >> Cathy: WELL, ACTUALLY, COMMISSIONER, I WISH WE HAD MORE TIME WITH YOU.

YOU ARE SO INTERESTING AND I FEEL BAD ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING ON UP THERE BUT WE GOT TO RUN.

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.

>> Eric: GOOD LUCK.

THANKS.

>> MARK: ONE NIGHT LAST WINTER, OUR POWER WENT OUT.

AS A DOCTOR, I WORRIED ABOUT PEOPLE WHO DEPEND ON ELECTRICITY TO STAY ALIVE.

WELL, I DID THINK OF THAT, BUT MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS, "HOW AM I GOING TO WATCH THE NEW EPISODE OF 'SHRINKING'?"

I SPENT THE NEXT FEW HOURS WANDERING AROUND THE HOUSE, CHECKING THE LAMPS, MAKING SURE THE BULBS WERE SCREWED IN ALL THE WAY.

ALL I COULD THINK OF WAS, "DON'T OPEN THE FRIDGE."

MY MOM ALWAYS SAID THAT DURING A BLACKOUT.

UNFORTUNATELY, ONCE YOU THINK OF IT, YOUR ONLY IMPULSE IS TO CHECK IN THE FRIDGE TO SEE WHAT WILL SPOIL.

WHEN WE WERE KIDS, ELECTRICITY WAS JUST SOMETHING THAT CAME OUT OF HOLES IN THE WALL.

WE HAD NO IDEA IT COULD GO AWAY.

WE NEVER EVEN KNEW YOU HAD TO PAY FOR IT.

MY DAD NEVER SHOWED US THE BILLS.

AS FAR AS WE KNEW, IT WAS JUST ALWAYS AROUND US, LIKE THE AIR.

NOW I UNDERSTAND WHY HE WOULD TURN OFF ALL THE LIGHTS +- WHENEVER HE CAME INTO A ROOM.

YOU FORGET HOW MANY THINGS DEPEND ON ELECTRICITY.

WHY SHOULDN’T I BE ABLE TO BRUSH MY TEETH OR MAKE COFFEE DURING A BLACKOUT?

THE PIONEERS COULD BUILD A TWO-STORY CABIN USING A FEW HAND TOOLS, AND I CAN'T EVEN JIGGLE A TOOTHBRUSH UP AND DOWN.

I KNOW THEY WERE ALL HARDY AND COULD SURVIVE MINNESOTA WINTERS THANKS TO THEIR BIG BUSHY BEARDS, BUT HOW DID THEY MAKE IT WITHOUT REGULAR SPORTS UPDATES OR WORDLE?

THEY COULD KILL THINGS FOR FOOD, BUT COULD THEY ORDER WOOLLY HATS WITH TWO-HOUR DELIVERY FROM AMAZON?

ANYWAY, FOR THE REST OF THAT EVENING I READ AN ACTUAL "BOOK," MADE OF PAPER, BY THE LIGHT OF ONE DIM CANDLE IN THE CORNER.

I DID ULTIMATELY SURVIVE, WITHOUT KILLING ANYTHING BUT A HALF BOX OF TRISCUITS.

EVENTUALLY THE POWER CAME BACK.

AND, WITH TEARS IN MY EYES, I OPENED MY COMPUTER TO SEE WHAT WORLD-SHAKING EVENTS I MISSED DURING THE LAST THREE HOURS.

NOTHING.

NOTHING HAD HAPPENED.

THE POWER OUTAGE DIDN’T EVEN MAKE THE NEWS.

I WAS SO DISAPPOINTED, I JUST LOGGED OFF AND WENT TO CHECK IN THE FRIDGE.

♪ >> ERIC: THE IRAN WAR HAS FLUCTUATED OIL PRICES AS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION CONTINUES STRIKES IN IRAN AND AROUND MAJOR SHIPPING ROUTES.

THE PRESIDENT SLAPPED TARIFFS ON COUNTRIES INCLUDING CANADA.

LOTS OF ECONOMIC NEWS NEAR AND FAR.

SO JOINING US, WE HAVE ECONOMIST AND FORMER LAWMAKER KING BANAIAN FROM ST.

CLOUD STATE UNIVERSITY.

ALONGSIDE HIM IS AMERICAN PUBLIC MEDIA ECONOMIST CHRIS FARRELL.

PROFESSOR, I WONDER WITH THE OIL PRICES AND WITH THE TARIFFS, IS THIS INFLATIONARY POTENTIAL?

>> THERE'S A POTENTIAL FOR INFLATION HERE.

IT'S ALREADY UNDER WAY.

AND I THINK THE PROBLEM IS WHETHER OR NOT WE GO EVEN HIGHER FROM HERE.

WE'VE ALREADY SEEN THE INCREASE IN PRICES IN OIL.

ALREADY COMING WEST TEXAS INTIMMEDIATE UP 16%.

WHICH MEANS THAT AT THE PUMP WE'RE ALREADY SEEING $4 GAS.

AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN HERE, I SAW DIESEL PRICES APPROACHING 5 AND A HALF.

>> I THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE HIGHER PRICES, JUST WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, HIGHER OIL PRICES AND THAT FILTERS THROUGHOUT THE ECONOMY.

BUT -- AND ALSO, YOU KNOW, POTASSIUM AND ALL THE THINGS THAT ARE GOING INTO FERTILIZER.

BUT ALSO, WE HAVE TARIFFS.

AND VERY BROAD-BASED TARIFFS.

NOW IT'S 10%, A COUPLE NATIONS, IT'S GOING TO E 12.5%.

THIS PUTS UPWARD PRESSURE ON PRICES AND COMPANIES HAVE ABSORBED A LOT OF THE TARIFF PRESSURE, BUT THERE'S JUST THE POINT WHERE THEY'RE NOT GOING TO ABSORB ANY LONGER.

AND JUST ONE FINAL POINT, IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE DATA CENTERS AND THE BUILDING OF THE DATA CENTERS AND ANYBODY WHO'S TRYING TO DO A HOME REMODELING PROJECT KNOWS THAT IT'S REALLY HARD TO GET PEOPLE TO COME AND DO THE WORK AND IF THEY'RE GOING TO DO THE WORK, THEY'RE GOING TO CHANGE YOU A PREMIUM.

I JUST THINK WE'RE SEEING A FILTERING THROUGHOUT THE ECONOMY OF HIGHER PRICES, A BIGGER BILL, GO TO THE GROCERY STORE, IT'S STILL SURPRISING HOW MUCH IT COSTS YOU TO BUY HOW LITTLE.

>> Cathy: SO THEN AFFORDABILITY IS STILL A BIG CAMPAIGN ?ISH AND REALLY, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT AFFORDABILITY, SERIOUSLY WHAT THE GOVERNMENT OR AN ELECTED LAWMAKER DO?

>> WELL, AT THIS POINT, NOT MUCH.

I MEAN, CONGRESS COULD ACTUALLY GO HAD ED AND ACTUALLY TAKE BACK SOME OF ITS POWERS.

GRANTS TO THE ADMINISTRATION.

IT'D BE NICE FOR THEM TO DO SO.

BUT WE NOW HAVE A CASE -- WE'LL PROBABLY SEE A COURT CASE FILED AGAIN ABOUT THESE NEW TARIFFS.

AND IN THIS CASE, THIS IS- PED IN THIS CASE, THIS IS- PERMIN THIS CASE, THIS IS- PERMIS THIS CASE, THIS IS- PERMISSIHIS CASE, THIS IS- PERMISSIONS CASE, THIS IS- PERMISSION TCASE, THIS IS- PERMISSION THASE, THIS IS- PERMISSION THAT , THIS IS- PERMISSION THAT COTHIS IS- PERMISSION THAT CONGIS IS- PERMISSION THAT CONGRE IS- PERMISSION THAT CONGRESSS- PERMISSION THAT CONGRESSS- ACTUALLY GAVE THE PRESIDENT BACK IN 1974.

AND IF THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS NOT HAPPEN ANYMORE, PERHAPS CONGRESS WOULD STAND UP AND DECIDE TO PULL BACK SOME OF THE POWERS GIVEN TO THEM.

>> YOU KNOW, THIS AFFORDABILITY, I THINK ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT'S MOVING TO THE FORE IS GOING TO BE ON HEALTHCARE, HEALTH INSURANCE BECAUSE OF THE SOME OF THE CHANGES THAT CAME ABOUT THE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL, LESS SUBSIDIES FOR THE -- IF YOU'RE BUYING ON HE AFFORDABLE CARE EXCHANGES, THE MEDICAID CUTS.

AND SO EVERYONE'S REALLY FEELING HIGHER HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS AND WHEN PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO TALK ABOUT AFFORDABILITY WITH HOUSING, CHILD CARE, HEALTH INSURANCE.

>> Eric: COULD I TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT FROM 30,000 FEET, CAN CAPITALISM AND SOCIALISM COEXIST?

AND IN OUR COUNTRY, ARE THEY ALREADY COEXISTING?

OR -- >> THE IDEALS OF CAPITALISM AND SOCIALISM ARE ALREADY COEXISTING, AND THEY COEXIST IN PRETTY MUCH EVERY COUNTRY FOR AS LONG AS WE'VE BEEN ALIVE AND EVEN BEFORE THAT.

SO I THINK THEY CAN COEXIST.

I THINK THERE'S ALWAYS THE QUESTION OF WHAT'S THAT COPE, HOW MUCH ARE YOU GOING TO TRUST THE MARKET TO ALLOCATE GOODS AND SERVICES AND HOW MUCH DO YOU WANT TO PUT A BRAKE ON IT THROUGH THE POLITICAL PROCESS?

THERE ARE REALLY ONLY TWO CHOICES, LETTING INDIVIDUALS IN POWER CHOOSE THOSE PRICES AND LETTING THE MARKET.

THIS IS AN ARGUMENT, ERIC, THAT'S BEEN HAPPENING FOR CENTURIES, REALLY.

>> YEAH, I MEAN, YOU KNOW, THINKING ABOUT -- WE'VE HAD SOCIAL INSURANCE, FOR EXAMPLE -- YOU THINK ABOUT SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICARE, MEDICAID.

AND THEN CAPITALISM, PAUL SAMUELSON, HE WOULD TALK ABOUT H.I.A.C.

AND THEY WOULD DEBATE AND THEY RESPECTED THEY EACH OTHER -- >> Eric: HE'S AN US TRIAGE ECONOMIST.

>> WELL KNOWN.

BUT IF YOU LOOK AT CAPITALISM, CAPITALISM INCLUDES THE UNITED STATES, IT INCLUDES DENMARK, IT INCLUDES SWEDEN, IT INCLUDES ALL KINDS OF -- IT'S AN INCREDIBLY ADAPTABLE SYSTEM.

SO I THINK THE KEY PART WHERE IT IS NOT COMPATIBLE IS WHEN YOU START TALKING ABOUT OWNING THE MEANS OF PRODUCTION, OR NATIONALIZATION, THEN YOU'RE ENTERING INTO A DIFFERENT REALM.

BUT A LOT OF DISCUSSION RIGHT NOW I THINK IS WITHIN -- UNDER THE RUBRIC OF AMERICAN CAPITALISM.

>> Cathy: INTERESTING.

>> YEAH, I REALLY THINK THAT WHEN PEOPLE SAY THEY WANT SOCIALISM, HEN THEY SAY THAT, AND YOU SAY, WELL, WHAT SYSTEM ARE YOU THINKING OF, THEY TYPICALLY WILL REFER TO THE SCANDINAVIAN COUNTRIES.

I THINK WE WOULD BOTH AGREE, SCANDINAVIAN COUNTRIES LIVE UNDER A SOCIALLY MARKETING ECONOMY.

USING THE POLITICAL PROCESS TO DO SO.

BUT TYPICALLY WHEN SOMEBODY SAYS SOCIALISM, OWNERSHIP OF THE MEANS OF PRODUCTION, AS CHRIS SAYS IS EXACTLY THE ISSUE, NO ONE REALLY IS SUPPORTING THAT IT WOULD SEEM.

>> NO, I MEAN, IT'S NOT SOVIET UNION OR CHINA.

>> Cathy: RIGHT.

THAT STORY THIS WEEK ABOUT THE A.I.

-- IT'S ABOUT A.I., HOW IT WAS KIND OF ESCAPED AND HACKED INTO THE SYSTEM OF ANOTHER A.I.

COMPANY.

I MEAN, .I.

RUN AMOK, RIGHT?

DO WE REALLY UNDERSTAND WHERE ALL OF THIS GOING?

WE DON'T.

IN TERMS OF THE -- HOW IT COULD AFFECT THE ECONOMY, THE WORKFORCE, SHOULD THERE BE GUARDRAILS?

IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS JUST THE HORSE IS RUNNING OUT OF THE BARN AT THIS POINTS.

>> I THINK A BIG PART OF IT IS, YOU READ THESE FORECASTS, MASSIVE UNEMPLOYMENT.

WE DON'T KNOW.

I MEAN, IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW, JUST RIGHT NOW, THAT'S HAPPENING AT A LOT OF COMPANIES, A.I.

IS SUPPLEMENTING.

NOW, DOES THAT CHANGE IN A COUPLE OF YEARS.

AND THE RUN AMOK I THINK HAS REALLY BROUGHT FORWARD THIS ISSUE, THE WORD YOU JUST MENTIONED, GUARDRAILS AND UNDERSTANDING BETTER WHAT'S GOING ON HERE.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK IS DRIVING A LOT OF WHY WE'RE CERTAINLY WHAT IS GOING ON, AS YOU HAVE IEW ON, AS YOU HAVE IE UKRAINE, YOU HAVE -- YOU KNOW, THE WAR WITH IRAN, THE TARIFFS, AND THEN YOU HAVE THE UNCERTAINTIES ABOUT A.I.

NO WONDER EVERYONE IS CONFUSED.

>> Eric: IS IT A THREAT OR A POTENTIAL GOOD PARTNER?

>> IT'S BOTH, RIGHT?

WE DON'T KNOW.

EVERY TIME WE DEVELOP A NEW TECHNOLOGY WE GO, WHAT'S IT GOING TO DO?

AND WE WORK OUR WAY TO A SOLUTION.

IT'S NOT A MATTER OF EVERYTHING OR NOTHING.

IT'S A MATTER OF SETTING UP -- I THINK GUARDRAILS IS A GOOD TERM FOR HIS.

MAYBE OU NEED A GUARDRAIL, ANOTHER GUARDRAIL THERE.

THE STORY WAS VERY SENSATIONAL, CATHY, BUT AT THE END OF HE DAY, DO E ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT HAPPENED, AND HOW MUCH DAMAGE WAS DONE?

WE DON'T.

>> Eric: YOU GUYS WERE TREMENDOUS.

THANK YOU.

♪ >> CATHY: MEASLES CASES IN THE U.S.

HAVE HIT A RECORD HIGH THE CDC ANNOUNCED EARLIER TODAY THAT THERE HAVE BEEN 2,318 CONFIRMED CASES THIS YEAR.

WITH MORE THAN FIVE MONTHS LEFT IN 2026, THAT NUMBER LIKELY WILL RISE AS VACCINATION RATES CONTINUE TO FALL, CONCERNING MANY HEALTH OFFICIALS.

HERE WITH MORE, WORLD-RENOWNED EPIDEMIOLOGIST AND THE HEAD OF THE U OF M'S CENTER FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASE RESEARCH AND POLICY, MIKE OSTERHOLM.

ALWAYS GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

IT'S GOOD TO BE HERE.

>> Cathy: WE SHOULD OF COURSE MENTION MEASLES WAS ERADICATED QUITE SOME IME AGO.

>> ACTUALLY, IF I COULD HAVE AN ADDENDUM TO THAT.

ERADICATION IS COME THE VIRUS IS GONE FROM THE WHOLE WORLD.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE DID WITH SMALLPOX.

AND ELIMINATION, AND WE HAVE ELIMINATED IT IN NORTH AMERICA AND HAVE DONE THAT SUCCESSFULLY FOR ALL THOSE DECADES.

>> Cathy: WELL, IT'S BACK.

WHY?

>> IT IS AN UNDER VACCINATION ISSUE.

WE JUST DON'T REALIZE HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO KEEP KIDS VACCINATED, BECAUSE IN FACT, WHEN YOU'RE IN SUCCESSIVE YEAR EFFORTS, PEOPLE SAID IT'S NOT A PROBLEM.

AND SO THEY AREN'T GETTING VACCINATED AND THAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENING.

AND UNDERSTANDING HOW INFECTIOUS THIS VIRUS IS.

THIS IS A HIGHLY INFECTIOUS VIRUS.

AND IT WAS REALLY BROUGHT HOME IN 1991 WHEN WE HAD THE INTERNATIONAL SPECIAL OLYMPICS HERE IN MINNEAPOLIS.

A 12-YEAR-OLD ARGENTINEAN BOY WALKED IN WITH MEASLES.

AND THAT NIGHT, WEND ED UP TRANSMITTED THE VIRUS TO TWO PEOPLE THAT SAT IN THE FAR, FAR SEATS OF RIGHT FIELD SEATS.

BECAUSE THE AIR WAS COMING OUT BEHIND THE PLATE AND BOUNCING THAT UP THERE.

THAT'S HOW INFECTIOUS THIS VIRUS IS.

>> Cathy: YOU MENTIONED YOUNGER KIDS NOT BEING VACCINATED.

BUT THERE ARE FOLKS LIKE US OF A CERTAIN AGE WHO GOT REVACCINATED BECAUSE THE VACCINATION WE RECEIVED AS KIDS ISN'T AS POTENT ANYMORE.

>> IF YOU WERE BORN BEFORE 1957, ALMOST EVERYONE IS PROTECTED FROM HAVING MEASLES.

WHEN THEY WERE IN THIRD GRADE.

AND SO THAT'S NOT AN UNUSUAL SITUATION.

WHAT OU'RE TALKING ABOUT IS THE VACCINE FROM ROUGHLY, FOR THOSE FROM 1957 ON, THAT -- AND SO WE DID UPDATE THAT VACCINE FOR THEM.

BUT BASICALLY, THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE VACCINES WE HAVE, UNLIKE WHAT WE SEE WITH INFLUENZA AND COVID, THIS IS A LIFELONG IMMUNITY WITH TWO SHOTS.

>> Eric: DURING COVID, WE HEARD THE TERM HERD IMMUNITY.

>> WE'RE GETTING FURTHER AND FURTHER AWAY FROM IT, WHAT HERD IMMUNITY MEANS IS SO MANY PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY PROTECTED THAT IF YOU HAVE 2 OR 3% OF THE POPULATION THAT ARE NOT, THE CHANCE IS SO LOW.

THAT ACTUALLY WORKED FOR MUCH OF THE PAST 20 YEARS.

NOW WE AVE SO MANY, HOWEVER, THAT ARE NOT PROTECTED, THAT ARE NOW IN CLUSTERS, WHERE THEY SOCIALIZE TOGETHER, THEY GO TO SCHOOL TOGETHER, ET CETERA.

AND THEN THE OTHER PHENOM YA WE'RE HAVING, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME EVER, CONGENITAL MEASLES, WE HAVE SO MANY WOMEN TODAY OF CHILD BEARING AGE THAT ARE NOT EXPECT OF PROTECTED ARE GETTING INFECTED WHILE THEY HAVE BASICALLY ARE PREGNANT AND WE'RE NOW SEEING THE RESULTS OF THESE BABIES, IT'S TRAGIC.

AND SO, AGAIN, THIS IS ANOTHER REASON FOR THE PUBLIC TO BE AWARE OF WHY THIS VIRUS IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT ISSUE AND ONE THAT WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT.

OF ALL THE VACCINES WE HAVE, THIS IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE, SAFEST VACCINE WE HAVE.

WITH LIFELONG IMMUNITY.

>> I WAS TALKING TO MY DOCTOR, SHE SAID COVID HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE WAY DOWN.

SO THAT'S REALLY GOOD NEWS.

>> I HAVE BEEN CELEBRATING ALL SUMMER THAT WE ACTUALLY HAVE HAD THE LOWEST FOR INFLUENZA, COVID, AND RSV IN THE LAST SEVEN YEARS.

BUT NOW WE'RE STARTING TO SEE IT PICK UP IN THE WESTERN STATES.

SO WE'LL HAVE TO SEE WHAT THAT MEANS.

WE'RE DUE IN A SENSE FOR ANOTHER WAVE OF COVID BECAUSE OF THE WANING IMMUNITY.

AGAIN, UNLIKE MEASLES VACCINE WHICH IS LIFELONG, WITH COVID, HAVING HAD IT OR HAVING GOTTEN THE SHOT, YOU PROBABLY HAVE RELATIVELY GOOD PROTECTION FOR A FEW MONTHS.

>> Eric: WHAT DO WE DO WITH LETTUCE?

>> WELL, RIGHT NOW, THIS IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST DEBACLES I'VE EEFER I'VE EEF EVER SEEN IN PUBLIC HEALTH IN MANY YEARS.

>> Eric: THAT'S SAYING SOMETHING.

>> THIS IS A COMPLICATED OUTBREAK, TRUST ME.

IT'S NOT JUST ONE COMPANY THAT DID IT.

BUT ONE COMPANY IS SURELY VERY INVOLVED.

AND THIS IS ONE WHERE IT'S A CHALLENGE BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT WE DON'T HAVE A GOOD TEST THAT BASICALLY CAN HELP US DITCH RENTATE THE DIFFERENT STRAINS OF THE THING.

SO WE CAN'T TELL YOU IF THESE CASES HERE ARE ALL THE SAME OR ARE THEY THREE DIFFERENT OUTBREAKS?

BUT THE PUBLIC HEALTH COMMUNITY MESSAGING HAS BEEN TERRIBLE.

WHEN MR.

KENNEDY SAYS THAT THE GOVERNMENT'S ON TOP OF THIS THING, THEY'RE SO BURIED, IT'S INCREDIBLE.

AND JUST TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF WHAT D.O.G.E.

DID, THERE WAS A GROUP AT C.D.C., OF THE 11-MEMBER TEAM, THEY HAD THEIR, HIGHLY QUALIFIED TEAM, SEVEN GOT D.O.G.E.ED AND THEN LEFT.

THAT IS A SHADOW OF ITS ONCE VERY PROSPEROUS SELF.

WE'RE IN THE DARK OF ABOUT IT.

I WILL SAY, JUST REMEMBER ONE THING.

ON A DAILY ASIS IN THIS COUNTRY, WE USUALLY SERVE 150 MILLION SERVINGS OF LEAFY GREENS, EVERY DAY.

SO THE RISK IS STILL, VERY, VERY LOW.

BUT I THINK WE'RE ALMOST OUT OF THE WOODS WITH THIS ONE.

>> Eric: WE CONSUME 10 BILLION POUNDS OF LETTUCE ANNUALLY.

IT'S A LOT.

>> Eric: ARMED WITH THAT INFORMATION, OFF YOU GO.

♪ >> ERIC: THE LYNX HAVE HIT THE ALL-STAR BREAK ON TOP OF THE WNBA.

ON WEDNESDAY, STAR PLAYER NAPHEESA COLLIER RETURNED FOR HER FIRST GAME OF THE SEASON AND LED THE SCORING.

BUT THE TEAM BARELY MISSED HER WITH THE SCORING DUO OF ALL STAR ROOKIE OLIVIA MILES AND KAYLA MCBRIDE LEADING THE WAY THE FIRST HALF OF THE SEASON.

THE OTHER PRO BASKETBALL TEAM IN TOWN, THE TIMBERWOLVES, FAILED TO LAND SUPERSTAR LEBRON JAMES.

HE REVEALED EARLIER TODAY THAT HE IS HEADING TO PHILADELPHIA.

HERE TO TALK HOOPS AND MORE, ERIC NELSON, LONGTIME TWIN CITIES SPORTS REPORTER AND CO-HOST OF THE RADIO SHOW "10,000 TAKES."

LYNCH LOOK LIKE LYNCH LOOK LIEN LYNX LOOK LIKE E LOADED.

>> THEY REALLY ARE.

HAVE THAT NUMBER ONE SEED RIGHT NOW AND THEY'VE ONLY HAD NAPHEESA COLLIER FOR ONE GAME.

HAD A DOUBLE-DOUBLE.

I MEAN, SHE HIT THE COURT RUNNING.

BUT THIS OLIVIA MILES, SHE'S JUST A ROOKIE PHENOM.

SHE'S GOING TO PROBABLY ET SOME M.V.P.

VOTES.

>> Cathy: LEBRON JAMES, I WAS KIND OF HOPING WE COULD WATCH HIM PLAY FOR THE WOLVES.

>> YOU'LL GET ONE CHANCE.

>> Cathy: THAT WAS A SNOW BALL'S CHANCE, WASN'T IT?

>> I THINK MINNESOTA MADE AN EFFORT, AT LEAST PUBLICLY.

THAT WAS THE SPIN.

HEY, WE'RE GOING TO THROW EVERYTHING AT LEBRON.

THERE WAS A FIT HERE.

THE TIMBERWOLVES NEED A POWER FORWARD.

THEY HAD LEMELO BALL.

THEY ANT COURTING LEBRON.

A LOT OF US THOUGHT CLEVELAND, FULL CIRCLE, HE'S FROM OCTOBER FULL CIRCLE, HE'S FROM OCTOB FR, PHILADELPHIA S AMERICA'S BOOING CAPITAL.

>> Eric: DO WE OWE TOM POHLAD AN APOLOGY?

I REALIZE THE AMERICAN LEAGUE IS VERY WEAK.

>> ABSOLUTELY, WELL, I THINK THE KEY IS, ARE THE TWINS GOING TO DO ANYTHING BETWEEN NOW AND THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS.

WE KNOW WHAT HAPPENED A YEAR AGO.

IT WAS A LIQUIDATION, IT WAS A FIRE SALE AND FANS BECAME VERY APATHETIC.

IF THEY ADD A PIECE, BECAUSE THERE'S ONLY TWO GOOD TEAMS.

THE NEW YORK YANKEES AND TAMPA BAY RAYS.

EVERYTHING ELSE IS WIDE OPEN.

WHY NOT MINNESOTA?

PROBABLY EVERY TWINS FAN OUT THERE IS SAYING, JUST DON'T GET RID OF GUYS.

NOW, RYAN JEFFERS BEING MENTIONED IN THE TRADE WINDS AS A CATCHER WHO MIGHT BE BELT.

I THINK ADD TWO BULLPEN PIECES.

BUT HERE'S THE AD THING, DURAN IN PHILADELPHIA AND LOUIE VARL YENNED, BOTH WERE IN THE CALL STAR GAME, IF THE TWINS HAD BOTH THOSE GUYS IN THEIR BULLPEN.

IF THEY WERE HERE, MINNESOTA'S BE IN FIRST BY ABOUT FIVE GAMES IN THE CENTRAL.

>> Cathy: HEY, YOU OF COURSE ARE A VIKINGS REPORTER.

I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT TRAINING CAMP IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER.

SO WHAT ABOUT THE VIKES?

>> I MEAN, ALL EYES ON KYLER MURRAY, J.J.

MCCARTHY.

I THINK WHO'S GOING TO BE Q.B.2 IS ALMOST AS FASCINATING AS WHO'S GOING TO BE Q.B.-1.

THE OTHER THING IS, THEY ALL HAVE TO STAY ON THE IELD.

LAST SEASON, J.J.

MISSED A TON OF GAMES.

SO DOES KYLER.

SO DID CARSON.

>> Eric: WHAT HAPPENED WITH MCCARTHY.

HE WAS SO HIGHLY REGARDED.

WHAT HAPPENED?

>> THERE'S A FEW THEORIES.

WHEN HE WAS AT MICHIGAN, THEY WERE A DOMINANT RUNNING TEAM.

THEY WON THE NATIONAL TITLE.

BUT HE WASN'T NECESSARILY A GUY PUTTING UP CARTOON-LIKE PASSING NUMBERS EVERY WEEK.

BUT I THINK WHAT HAPPENED HERE IN MINNESOTA IS, THEY GAVE HIM THE JOB A YEAR AGO BEFORE HE EARNED IT.

OBVIOUSLY WE KNOW THEY COULD HAVE HAD SAM DARNOLD IF THEY WANTED TO FORK OUT THE MONEY.

I THINK AARON ROGERS WANTED TO PLAY HERE -- >> Cathy: OH, COME ON.

>> HE GOT INJURED RIGHT AWAY AGAIN AND HERE WE ARE, KYLER MURRAY IS THE SAME SPOT SAM DARNOLD WAS IN TWO YEARS AGO.

IF HE GOES OUT AND PRODUCES, HE'S GOING TO WIN THE N.F.L.

LOTTERY.

>> Cathy: ARE YOU MUCH A GOLFER?

I DON'T REMEMBER.

3M OPEN, T.P.C., BLAINE.

>> AND THAT'S ONLY HAPPENED A FEW TIMES ON THE P.G.A.

TOUR.

I WAS LOOKING AT SOME HEADLINES BEFORE WE STARTED THIS SEGMENT.

ESPN HAD IT AS THEIR LIKE TOP FIVE STORY OF THE DAY, BEHIND LEBRON.

SO, YEAH.

>> Cathy: WOW, WE SHOULD ALSO SAY THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

YOU ARE THE PERFECT PERSON TO BE IN THIS SEAT HELD BY ARRY FITZGERALD.

>> Eric: AND THEY WERE OF COURSE SHARED THE MIC AND GREAT FRIENDS.

>> WELL, NOBODY CAN REPLACE LARRY.

HIS CHICAGO WHITE SOX ARE IN FIRST PLACE.

HE WOULD BE TELLING US THAT NOW.

BUT HAVE ME BACK ANY TIME.

>> Cathy: ABSOLUTELY.

ERIC NELSON, GOOD TO SEE YOU.

♪ >> I DON'T WANT TO ALARM ANYONE.

BUT PUPPETS HAVE TAKEN OVER CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY.

I'M TALKING OLD PUPTHS, NEW PUPPETS, SHADOW PUPPETS, GIANT PUPPETS, EVEN MAKED PUPPETS.

>> ERIC: RECORD SPENDING IS SURGING INTO THE STATE IN THE PRIMARY ELECTION THAT'S UNUSUALLY COMPETITIVE FOR DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS.

POLITICAL REPORTER MARY LAHAMMER HAS SOME CONTEXT ON WHY THIS YEAR COULD BE DIFFERENT.

>> WELCOME TO "ALMANAC" AFTER HOURS, TRIVIA EDITION!

[ Cheers and applause ] VERY EXCITING.

>> Mary: PEOPLE WHO PARTICIPATE IN TRIVIA AND POLITICS PACKED A BREWERY ON A PERFECT SUMMER NIGHT, EAGER TO TALK ABOUT MINNESOTA'S UPCOMING PRIMARY ELECTION.

>> I THINK THAT REPUBLICANS REALLY HOPE THAT PEGGY FLANAGAN -- >> GO CRAZY, PUNCH A HIGHER FLOOR ... >> Mary: DEMOCRATS ARE DOMINATING THE NEW CYCLE HERE, AS A THOUSAND PEOPLE SHOWED UP AT THE PLACE PRINCE MADE FAMOUS.

THIS TIME IT WAS FOR U.S.

SENATE PEGGY FLANAGAN'S RALLY WITH BERNIE SANDERS.

>> THAT WAS A TELLING MOMENT TO HAVE THAT KIND OF CROWD AND THAT KIND OF ENERGY.

AND I DO THINK THIS IS WHAT YOU'RE SEEING IN PRIMARIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN 2026, IS THE PASSION IS ON THE SIDE OF PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATES OR COMPREHENSIVE CANDIDATES, THE FOLKS THAT ARE IN THE MIDDLE ARE NOT SEEING THAT.

>> THE ONLY MINNESOTA DEMOCRAT WHO VOTED FOR DONALD TRUMP'S IMMIGRATION BILL WAS ANGIE CRAIG.

[ CROWD BOOING ] AND SHE STOOD BY THAT VOTE FOR 14 MONTHS.

WHILE OUR COMMUNITIES WERE BEING TERRORIZED.

>> THE INCREDIBLE COURAGE THAT YOU AND MINNESOTANS SHOWED IF STANDING UP TO TRUMP'S DOMESTIC ARMY, I.C.E.!

WAS SHOWING THE WORLD HOW TO FIGHT BACK AGAINST BRUTALITY AND ILLEGAL ACTIONS AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL ACTIONS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MINNESOTA!

[ Cheers and applause ] >> Mary: WHEN DONALD TRUMP'S I.C.E.

TERRORIZED OUR TOWNS, ANGIE CRAIG TOOK TO THE STREETS AND TOOK THEM ON.

>> Mary: THE AGGRESSIVE ADS TAKE ON THE INTRAPARTY ATTACKS ON HERE, AS DEMANDING WORK IN D.C.

LIMITS HER CAMPAIGNING BACK HOME.

>> I HAVE THIS -- SERVE AS THE RANKING MEMBER OF THE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE.

OF COURSE WITH THE RED RIVER VALLEY IS AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF THE ECONOMY HERE.

BUT IT ALSO PUTS ME RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF RURAL HEALTHCARE.

AND THE CHALLENGES THAT WE HAVE.

IN RURAL COMMUNITIES.

WITH HEALTHCARE THAT MAY LOOK JUST A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THAN IN AN URBAN SETTING.

>> I'M VERY UPSET WITH WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE NUTRITION TITLE IN THE FARM BILL.

>> THIS IS A REALLY HARD THING WHEN YOU'RE A MEMBER OF CONGRESS AND YOU'RE RUNNING FOR OFFICE, YOU'RE RUNNING FOR HIGHER OFFICE IS THAT THEY NEED YOU OUT THERE TO VOTE AND THEY HAVE SUCH A CLOSE MARGIN IN THE U.S.

HOUSE THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE REALLY NOT LETTING PEOPLE OFF THE HOOK O GO AND CAMPAIGN AND DO OTHER THINGS.

SO CONGRESSWOMAN CRAIG IS GOING TO TRY TO USE THAT TO HER ADVANTAGE.

SHE'S GOING TO TRY TO SHOW, I'M A PERSON WHO'S HERE GETTING THE JOB DONE, STANDING UP FOR MINNESOTANS WHERE IT COUNTS.

>> Mary: WITH MORE MONEY SPENT IN THIS DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY RACE THAN ANY IN STATE HISTORY, WHAT ISN'T GETTING MUCH ATTENTION IS THE REPUBLICAN SENATE CONTEST, WHICH INCLUDES A FAMOUS NFL MEDIA PERSONALITY WHO'S ECLIPSING THE ENDORSED CANDIDATE.

>> WE'RE WORKING HARD TO REACH REPUBLICAN VOTERS IN EVERY CORNER OF THE STATE AND WITH YOUR HELP WE CAN MAKE SURE WE TURN OUT EVERY LAST REPUBLICAN VOTE.

>> Mary: THE MEDIA PROFESSIONAL AND THE REPUBLICAN RACE ISN'T DOING ANY MEDIA, MICHELLE TAFOYA.

>> SHE IS PLAYING IT CAUTIOUS, RIGHT?

AND I THINK SHE IS LOOKING AT THE RACE AND SHE HAS A SIGNIFICANT NAME I.D.

ADVANTAGE.

SHE HAS A SIGNIFICANT FUNDRAISING ADVANTAGE, AND SO SHE'S LOOKING AND SAYING WHY WOULD I ENGAGE AND ELEVATE ADAM SCHWARZE.

>> Mary: FOR DECADES, THE ENDORSEMENT HAS HELD THROUGH THE PRIMARY ELECTION, BUT THIS YEAR WILL BE THE ULTIMATE TEST.

>> THAT'S THE KEY QUESTION NOW IN 2026.

CAN THE TAFOYA CAMPAIGN, CAN LINDELL OR LISA DEMUTH, CAN THEY GET MORE CASUAL REPUBLICAN VOTERS TO ACTUALLY SHOW UP IN A PRIMARY?

AND THAT'S AN OPEN QUESTION.

WE WON'T KNOW UNTIL AUGUST 11TH.

I THINK IT WOULD BE HEALTHY FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY TO HAVE SOMEBODY WIN THE PRIMARY WHO'S NOT AN ENDORSED CANDIDATE.

I DO THINK THAT TRYING TO DEMOCRATIZE WHO THE REPUBLICAN STATEWIDE NOMINEE IS BY HAVING THEM WIN A PRIMARY ELECTION WOULD BE A GOOD THING.

>> Mary: THE PRESIDENT PICKING A DIFFERENT CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR THAN THE ONE DELEGATES ENDORSED, AND NOT THE HOUSE SPEAKER LISA DEMUTH, MAKES MINNESOTA POLITICS SEEM EVEN MORE SURREAL.

>> HE HAS MY COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT.

I HAVE NO IDEA -- >> I'M NOT ELECTEDDABLE, BUT WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> I'M VERY EXCITED THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP ENDORSED MIKE LINDELL.

>> FOR BASE REPUBLICAN VOTERS, THE TRUMP ENDORSEMENT HAS A LOT MORE WEIGHT AND VALUE THAN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY MINNESOTA ENDORSEMENT.

IT'S MINNESOTA POLITICS.

AND, YOU NOW, I ALWAYS SAY, I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN, I KNOW SOMETHING WEIRD WILL HAPPEN.

>> FIVE PEOPLE WERE HIT ON MAKELET AVENUE -- >> Mary: PUBLIC SAFETY COULD RISE UP AS A CAMPAIGN SLEEPER ISSUE.

>> NINE PEOPLE WERE SHOT THERE.

>> Mary: FOLLOWING A SPATE OF MASS SHOOTINGS.

GUN CONTROL ADVOCATES WENT TO A COMPETITIVE SUBURBAN DISTRICT FOR A RUINED DISTRICT FOR A RUIN ROUNDTABLE.

>> THIS ISN'T SOMETHING THAT'S UNACHIEVABLE.

THERE ARE REAL THINGS THAT WE KNOW THAT WORK THAT WE CAN IMPLEMENT.

>> GUN VIOLENCE CONTINUES TO AFFECT OUR COMMUNITIES.

I WOKE UP THIS MORNING AND HAD TO SEND A TEXT TO MY FRIEND TO MAKE SHIEWSH HER AND HER HOUSE MATES WERE OKAY, BECAUSE SHE LIVED IN UPTOWN, TWO BLOCKS AWAY FROM ONE OF THE MASS SHOOTINGS.

>> Mary: AFTER AN ORGANIZED LOBBYING EFFORT FAILED TO GET A VOTE IN A DIVIDED GOVERNMENT LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION, ACTIVISTS WILL PUSH THE ISSUE ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL WITH DEMOCRATS FEELING MOTIVATED.

>> LET'S GO VOTE!

♪ ♪ >> ERIC: THE BIG POLITICAL NEWS THIS WEEK WAS THE FEDERAL SENTENCING OF VANCE BOELTER FOR THE ASSASSINATION OF MELISSA AND MARK HORTMAN AND THE SHOOTING OF JOHN AND YVETTE HOFFMAN LAST YEAR.

BOELTER WILL BE SERVING 40 YEARS PLUS TWO LIFE SENTENCES FOR THE CRIME.

MEANWHILE ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, TRUMP-ENDORSED GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE MIKE LINDELL FACED SCRUTINY OVER HIS VOTER REGISTRATION, AND NICOLE MITCHELL IS THROWING HER HAT BACK INTO THE POLITICAL RING IN WOODBURY.

HERE TO BREAK IT ALL DOWN FOR US IS TONIGHT'S POLITICAL PANEL.

DEMOCRATS UP FIRST TONIGHT.

RYAN WINKLER IS A FORMER MAJORITY LEADER OF THE MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

WITH HIM IS TARA ERICKSON, A FORMER JOURNALIST AND LONGTIME LOBBYIST UP AT THE CAPITOL WHO NOW WORKS AS A CONSULTANT.

REPUBLICANS ON THE COUCH WITH THEM: ANNETTE MEEKS, FORMER CONGRESSIONAL STAFFER AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CANDIDATE WHO NOW HEADS UP THE FREEDOM FOUNDATION OF MINNESOTA.

AND ROUNDING OUT THE GROUP, BRIAN MCDANIEL IS A FORMER LEGISLATIVE STAFFER, NOW A LOBBYIST AND STAND-UP COMEDIAN.

GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL.

WELCOME TO ONE AND ALL.

JUST THE RECENT DAYS OF MIKE LINDELL.

GETS THE TRUMP ENDORSEMENT.

IS THE LEADING REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR CANDIDATE IN THE ST.

PAUL, KSTP POLL.

THEN HE ANGERS THE GRASS ROOTS OVERAMNESTY FOR UNDOCUMENTED.

WHAT'S THE DEAL?

WHAT'S GOING N IN THAT REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR PRIMARY?

>> WELL, I THINK THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU NOMINATE SOMEBODY WHO'S REALLY NOT QUALIFIED FOR THE JOB.

AND CLEARLY MIKE LINDELL HAS COME OUT THIS WEEK SHOWING NOT ONLY HIS INEXPERIENCE, BUT ALSO JUST HIS TONE DEAFNESS TO WHAT REPUBLICANS TAND FOR.

I'VE NEVER HEARD ANY REPUBLICAN IN THE LAST 20 YEARS COME OUT AND STAND FOR AMNESTY FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE ILLEGALLY AND HE LED WITH THAT WHICH WAS JUST AMAZING.

I WENT THROUGH THE 18-PAGE PLAN.

HE'S QUOTING LABOR UNIONS.

HE TOOK IT ALL DOWN, BY THE WAY, TODAY.

I GUESS NOW HE'S DECIDED HE'S NOT FOR THAT.

>> Cathy: IT'LL BE INTERESTING WHAT HE SAYS NEXT FRIDAY, BECAUSE HE'S GOING TO BE DEBATING KENDALL QUALS ON THE COUCH HERE.

SO WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

BUD I'M WONDERING, THAT POLL, THE STP, SURVEY USA POLL, HAD A 22% UNDECIDED.

WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THAT WHEN YOU SAY 22% UNDECIDED WITH LINDELL LEADING, FOLLOWED BY SPEAKER DEMUTH, BUT 22% UNDECIDED?

>> WELL, I MEAN, I THINK THAT THE REPUBLICAN BASE IS GETTING A LOT OF MIXED MENTALES RIGHT NOW.

I WISH THEY QUO THINK FOR THEMSELVES A LITTLE BIT MORE.

BUT, YOU KNOW, A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, PEOPLE WERE OUTRAGED THAT WE WOULDN'T SUPPORT THE REPUBLICAN ENDORSED CANDIDATE UNTIL THE PRESIDENT DECIDED THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO OR THAT WE SHOULDN'T FOLLOW KENDALL QUALS WHO WAS THE ENDORSED PERSON.

AND THEN AFTER HE ENDORSES MIKE LINDELL, PRESIDENT TRUMP SAYS I DON'T REALLY KNOW MUCH ABOUT THE OTHER GUYS.

ONE'S THE REPUBLICAN ENDORSED CANDIDATE.

AND THE OTHER ONE ON THE REPUBLICAN SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE WHO HAS SUCH A HUGE MONETARY ADVANTAGE OVER THE OTHER CANDIDATES.

SO I THINK THAT PEOPLE NEED TO THINK FOR THEMSELVES AND I THINK THAT THAT 22% ARE PEOPLE THAT PROBABLY THOUGHT THEY WERE GOING TO GO ONE WAY.

NOW THEY'RE KIND OF WAITING TO SEE HOW THIS ALL SHAKES OUT AND THE ONES THAT WAITED ARE PROBABLY HAPPY AFTER HEARING THE MIKE LINDELL AMNESTY PLAN.

>> Eric: 40%, 40%, MORE MONEY FROM CRAIG, BUT FLANAGAN BRINGS IN THESE BIG TIMERS.

>> I THINK IT'S ANYBODY'S GUESS HOW THAT ONE IS GOING TO TURN OUT.

I MEAN, CERTAINLY LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR FLANAGAN HAS FOCUSED ON TURNING OUT PEOPLE WHO ARE ANGRY ABOUT I.C.E., ANGRY AT THE DEMOCRATIC ESTABLISHMENT, PEOPLE WHO WANT TO SUPPORT PEOPLE LIKE GRAHAM PLATTNER IN MAINE UNTIL THEY DON'T.

AND REPRESENTATIVE CRAIG IS TRYING TO BRING OUT MORE OF AN ESTABLISHMENT ND WE'RE NOT SEEING A LOT OF THOSE VOTERS OUT THERE THIS YEAR.

I THINK FROM FROM A DEMOCRATIC STANDPOINT, WE WOULD HAVE TWO GREAT U.S.

SENATORS EITHER WAY.

I THINK BOTH WOULD BE STRONG IN THE GENERAL ELECTION.

BUT WHERE THIS GOES, AND WHAT'S HAPPENING, AND MINNESOTA AMONG DEMOCRATS, UP IN THE AIR.

>> Cathy: MONDAY OF COURSE IS THE MPR SENATE DEBATE BETWEEN RAIG AND FLANAGAN.

I WONDER WHAT MOVES THE NEEDLE IN THAT RACE FOR VOTERS.

>> I THINK VOTERS ARE EALLY HOPING THAT THAT ANGIE CRAIG MAYBE TALKS A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT HER VOTE ON THE LAKEN RILEY, FOR SURE.

THERE'S MORE THINGS ABOUT THE FACT THAT SHE'S PRETTY TIDE TO CRYPTO.

AND I THINK THAT IS STARTING TO MAKE PEOPLE A LITTLE BIT NERVOUS.

SO SHE WAS THE ONLY DEMOCRAT TO GO AND SPEAK AT THIS BIG CRYPTO CONFERENCE.

AND I THINK THAT IS ALSO GETTING DEMOCRATIC VOTERS A LITTLE BIT NERVOUS.

SO I THINK THOSE ARE A FEW THINGS SHE'S GOING TO ANSWER FOR.

>> Eric: ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, MICHELLE TAFOYA WIDENING HER LEAD.

>> IT SHOWS HOW HARD IT IS TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THE REPUBLICANS ARE BECAUSE THEY'RE BEING VERY PRAGMATIC WHEN IT COMES TO THE U.S.

SENATE RACE.

I THINK MICHELLE TAVIA WOULD BE THE BEST CANDIDATE TO RUN AGAINST EITHER DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE.

THE DEMOCRATS ARE HAVING THE SAME BATTLES WITH, YOU KNOW, PROGRESSIVES AND MODERATES THAT REPUBLICANS ARE.

AND IF IT'S ANGIE CRAIG, YOU KNOW, ARE THOSE SUPER PROGRESSIVE, YOU KNOW, D.S.A.

TYPE PEOPLE, ARE THEY GOING TO SAY, WE DON'T LIKE KLOBUCHAR, WE DON'T LIKE ANGIE CRAIG, AND THEN THAT'S GOING TO HURT KEITH ELLISON AND OTHER PEOPLE DOWN THE TICKET.

>> I THINK IT'S INTERESTING, LIKE, WHEN YOU WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT TAFOYA, WHEN I THINK ABOUT SOME OF THE CANDIDATES I GUESS ON YOUR SIDE OF THE AISLE RIGHT NOW, THEY JUST DON'T SEEM TO HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE IN A LOT OF STUFF AND I JUST FEEL LIKE THE DEMOCRATS RIGHT NOW, I MEAN, YOU HAVE JUST TWO REMARKABLE WOMEN WHO ARE RUNNING TO BE U.S.

SENATE AND THEN WE HAVE "MY PILLOW" GUY AND A FORMER NEWS CASTER -- >> I THINK EXPERIENCE IS JUST NOT VERY 2026, THOUGH.

[ Laughter ] >> I THINK MICHELLE TAFOYA'S GREATEST STRENGTH IS SHE'S A GREAT COMMUNICATOR.

YOU'LL SEE A HUNDRED PEOPLE LINED UP TO SHAKE HER HANDS AND GET A PHOTO WITH HER.

SHE HAS A GREAT HUMAN CONNECTION AND I THINK THAT'S REALLY WHAT THIS RACE IS, WHILE THE DEMOCRATS CONTINUE TO DESTROY EACH OTHER.

>> Cathy: IF MIKE LINDELL WINS THE PRIMARY, WHAT DOES THAT DO FOR THE CANDIDATES UP AND DOWN THE BALLOT OOT REPUBLICAN SIDE?

>> WELL, LET'S SAY WE'VE HAD BETTER DAYS IF THAT'S THE OUTCOME.

WE SAW WHAT HAPPENED WHEN WE HAD WEAK CANDIDATE FOUR YEARS AGO.

MIKE JENSEN -- OR SCOTT JENSEN, PARDON ME, WE LOST CONTROL OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE AS A RESULT OF THAT.

A STRONG CANDIDATE, CAN I PUT IN A PLUG?

WHEN EMMER CAME WITHIN, HE HAD AN EXCELLENT RUNNING MEAT -- >> Eric: YOU.

>> WHEN HE CAME IN WITHIN A HAIR OF WINNING THE GOVERNOR IN 2010, WE CARRIED BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 40 YEARS.

THAT'S WHY A LOT OF PRAGUE IN PC VOTERS WILL ALSO LOOK AT LISA.

>> Eric: WHAT ARE LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES HEARING AT THE DOOR?

>> SURE, I MEAN, A LOT OF THINGS YOU HEAR ABOUT IN THE POLITICAL CONVERSATION, LEGISLATORS DO HEAR ABOUT FRAUD, THEY DO HEAR ABOUT THE ECONOMY, THEY DO HEAR ABOUT COSTS OF LISTENING.

THERE'S A LOT OF DISSATISFACTION AND ANGER AT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AND I THINK ON THE DEMOCRATIC BASE SIDE, THERE'S A LOT OF FRUSTRATION SIDE THAT MORE ESTABLISHMENT DEMOCRATS ARE FAILING TO HAVE STOPPED TRUMP.

I THINK IT BEARS REPEATING, IN AMERICA TODAY, ALL POLITICS IS TRUMP.

IT DOMINATES EVERYTHING.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, THAT READ AT THE DOOR IS GOING TO BE -- I MEAN, THERE'S NO REASON TO THINK THAT AN UNPOPULAR PRESIDENT WHO IS DISHING UP MORE AND MORE PROBLEMS OR THE AVERAGE AMERICAN IS GOING TO DO ANYTHING OTHER THAN SINK REPUBLICAN CHANCES.

>> Eric: ATTORNEY GENERAL ELLISON IS FACING A PRETTY STIFF CHALLENGE.

>> I THINK THE REPUBLICANS WITH RON SCHUTZ, THEY HAVE A CANDIDATE, UNLIKE SOME OF HE OTHER RACES, HE DOESN'T HAVE A PRIMARY.

HE'S GOT PRETTY DECENT FUNDRAISING NUMBERS.

I THINK THAT ATTORNEY GENERAL ELLISON IS GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT AT THE WHIM OF, IS THIS GOING TO BE A PROGRESSIVE YEAR FOR THE DEMOCRATS, OR SOMETHING THAT'S MORE MODERATE.

>> AMY KLOBUCHAR IS AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET -- >> IT'LL BE THE U.S.

SENATE THAT WILL BE AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET.

AND I WOULD ALSO ADD FOR RON SCHUTZ, JULY 28TH, A SIGNIFICANT TELEVISION BUY, BY A D.C.

GROUP IS GOING UP ON THE AIR.

>> JUST GOING TO SAY, THERE IS A BIG I.E.

GROUP THAT IS BUYING UP FOR AGAINST ELLISON.

>> HE HAS HIS NEGATIVES ARE HIGHER THAN HIS POSITIVES AND HE'S IN A HEAP OF TROUBLE.

>> Cathy: THERE'S ALL KINDS OF RACES OF COURSE, NICOLE MITCHELL, FORMER D.F.L.

STATE SENATOR WHO HAD SOME LEGAL TROUBLE, OBVIOUSLY.

RESIGNED.

SHE'S RUNNING FOR WOODBURY CITY COUNCIL.

>> WHY NOT?

[Overlapping conversations] [ Laughter ] >> IF YOU WERE ADVISING FORMER SENATOR MITCHELL, IS THIS THE RIGHT THING TO DO?

>> YOU KNOW, I MEAN, HONESTLY, LOOK AT SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT REPUBLICANS RUN AT TIMES.

I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW WHY SHOULD WOULD EVER WANT TO GET BACK INTO THE FRAY.

YOU KNOW, THIS WASN'T SOMETHING LITTLE THAT SHE DID.

AND OBVIOUSLY HE WAS CONVICTED OF BREAKING INTO SOMEBODY'S HOUSE AND TERRIFYING AN ELDERLY WOMAN.

I MEAN, IT'S -- I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND RUNNING AGAIN.

AND PROBABLY PUTTING MYSELF OUT THERE.

>> WELL, I THINK THAT SHE HAS DEFINITELY LEARNED HER LESSON, BECAUSE WHEN SHE GOES DOOR KNOCKING NOW, SHE DOESN'T STAY.

>> DOES IT DURING THE DAY.

>> Cathy: SAYS THE COMEDIAN.

>> THE DEMOCRATS DON'T BELIEVE ANYBODY'S GUILTY OF ANYTHING.

SO HERE WE GO.

>> Cathy: REALLY QUICK.

SPECIAL SESSION TO HELP FOLKS UP NORTH?

>> Eric: AND PACKAGE IT UP WITH THE I.C.E.

RELIEF PACKAGE?

>> I HINK THE CHANCES IS CLOSE TO ZERO.

>> WE ALL AGREE ON THAT.

>> Eric: WOULDN'T THAT BE A NICE TIDY PACKAGE?

>> SHOULD, COULD, ABSOLUTELY, ERIC.

BUT NOT -- THIS IS POLITICS.

>> NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

NOT THIS YEAR.

>> Eric: ALL RIGHT, I'VE LEARNED SOMETHING JUST NOW.

>> Cathy: NICELY DONE, PANEL.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

♪ ♪ >> ONE OF THE TALLEST STRUCTURES ON ST.

PAUL'S SKYLINE IS UNDER OING A TWO AND A HALF YEAR, $35 MILLION RENOVATION.

42 MILES OF MORTAR AND 90-YEAR-OLD BRICKS ARE BEING BLASTED THE NEW WAVE WAY ... ♪ ♪ >> Cathy: ALL RIGHT, WE NOW TURN OUR ATTENTION UP TO DULUTH, FOR OUR INDEX FILE QUESTION.

LAST WEEK ERIC ASKED ABOUT AN EAGLE SCOUT THAT HAD BEEN SLEEPING OUTSIDE FOR A LONG STRETCH OF DAYS.

NIGHTS.

OUR QUESTION FOR YOU WAS: WHO IS THIS OUTDOORSY MYSTERY MINNESOTAN, AND WHAT WAS HIS FINAL NUMBER OF DAYS SLEEPING IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS?

BONUS IF YOU KNOW THE DATE OF HIS FINAL NIGHT OF THE STREAK.

A FEW OF YOU CALLERS SEEMED FAMILIAR WITH THE STORY, BUT SOME LANDED OUTSIDE THE MARK.

>> Cathy: I LOVE FRITZ IN SLEEPY, EYE.

YES, YOU'RE RIGHT, FRITZ, ISAAC ORTMAN IS THE MYSTERY MINNESOTAN, BUT... HIS OUTSIDE STREAK ACTUALLY EXTENDED BEYOND THOSE THREE YEARS.

SO TAKE YOUR GUESSES IN TERMS OF HOW LONG THAT AS AND GET BACK TO US.

651-229-1430 IS THE NUMBER TO CALL WITH ALL YOUR GUESSES, RIGHT OR WRONG.

YOU CAN ALSO DROP US A NOTE.

ALMANAC@TPT.ORG IS OUR ELECTRONIC INBOX ADDRESS.

NEXT WEEK, WE HAVE OUR GUBERNATORIAL REPUBLICAN DEBATE.

YOU PROBABLY HEARD ME TALK ABOUT THAT.

TUNE IN NEXT FRIDAY, LIVE ON "ALMANAC."

WE HAVE JUST ENOUGH TIME FOR SOME SHOW-CLOSING MUSIC.

HERE IN THE STUDIO BACK IN 2009, STEVE KAUL AND THE BRASS KINGS WERE PREVIEWING THEIR UPCOMING GIG IN RED WING.

TAKE A LISTEN.

GOOD NIGHT.

♪ >> ♪ THERE'S A BUSTED BUICK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ♪ ♪ WITH $300 WORTH OF ANTIQUE CHROME ♪ ♪ A GREEN PATINA ON RUSTED BONES ♪ ♪ AND SILVER LETTERS SPELLING DYNAFLOW ♪ ♪ SILVER LETTERS SPELLING DYNAFLOW ♪ Captioned by: Veritext/Paradigm-Captioning Www.veritext.com >> "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.

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