TWIN CITIES PBS FOR THE STATIONS OF MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION.

>> CATHY: IN THE NEXT HOUR, WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT COMINGS AND GOINGS AT THE U.S. SUPREME COURT, MINNESOTA-BASED EFFORTS TO PASS THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT, GET A PEEK AT A NEW NATIONAL OUTDOORS SERIES, AND MARY LAHAMMER HAS SOMETHING FOR US, TOO.

>> Mary: WE'LL TALK ONE ON ONE WITH GOVERNOR JESSE VENTURA WHO ESTABLISHED A NONPARTISAN JUDICIAL PROCESS AND HAS SOME STRONG FEELINGS ABOUT THE CURRENT U.S. SUPREME COURT DECISIONS.

INCLUDING, ABORTION, THE ENVIRONMENT AND RELIGION.

>> THEY ARE NOT THERE TO SUBJECT US TO THEIR OWN PERSONAL OPINIONS.

>> 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 28 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

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DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

THE SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY: A TRIBAL NATION FOCUSED ON COMMUNITY AND COLLABORATION, ESPECIALLY IN TIMES LIKE TODAY.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

♪♪ >> CATHY: WE'LL GET TO THE VENTURA INTERVIEW A LITTLE LATER IN THE HOUR.

WE'LL ALSO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT A DECADES-LONG EFFORT IN MINNESOTA TO PASS THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT.

BUT FIRST UP TONIGHT, IT WAS A VERY BUSY WEEK IN WASHINGTON, D.C. >> ERIC: A SURPRISE WITNESS APPEARED AT THE JANUARY 6 HEARINGS EARLIER THIS WEEK, AND THE SUPREME COURT WAS A BUSY PLACE AS ONE JUSTICE LEFT, ANOTHER WAS SWORN IN, AND MORE DECISIONS WERE RELEASED AS THE COURT NEARED THE END OF ITS TERM.

HERE TO HELP US SORT THROUGH ALL OF THIS, DAVID SCHULTZ TEACHES POLITICS AT HAMLINE UNIVERSITY AND IS ALSO A VISITING LAW PROFESSOR AT THE U OF M. CASEY HUTCHINSON, AIDES TO MARK MEADOWS, SURPRISE WITNESS, DID THEY ARE TESTIMONY MEET THE HYPE?

>> IT MET THE HYPE.

IT WAS SIGNIFICANT IN A LOT OF WAYS.

LET'S GO BACK AND THINK ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE TALKED ABOUT A EW WEEKS AGO OF THE HEARINGS BEING LIKE A CRIMINAL TRIAL, ALTHOUGH NOT A CRIMINAL TRIAL, CHINA'S OPENING STATEMENT LAID OUT THE CASE, THEY'RE PLAYING WITH THE EVIDENCE HERE.

WHAT IS CRITICAL IS THE FACT THEY WANT TO POTENTIALLY CHARGE, I THINK IS WHAT THE COMMITTEE WANTS TO DO, IS CHARGE THE MADAM PRESIDENT WITH OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE, KNOWINGLY, CORRUPTTIVITY TRYING TO IMPEDE A GOVERNMENT HEARING OR FUNCTION.

THAT IS COUNTING ELECTORAL VOTES.

HER TESTIMONY WAS REALLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT HELPED TO ESTABLISH WHAT WE'RE GOING TO CALL CORRUPT INTENT.

HE KNEW, ACCORDING TO WHAT SHE SAID THERE, THAT THE DEMONSTRATORS WERE ARMED.

HIS COMMENTS WERE ESTABLISHING THE FACT THAT HE WANTED TO IMPEDE OR HALT SOMETHING THAT WAS LAWFUL.

IT WAS PRETTY IMPORTANT FROM A LEGAL POINT OF VIEW, AND THEN WE'RE STARTING TO SEE SOME EVIDENCE, SO I CAN PUT MY POLITICAL SCIENCE HAT ON AGAIN, PUBLIC OPINION SEEMS TO BE SUGGESTING THAT HER TESTIMONY WAS REALLY VERY IMPORTANT.

>> Cathy: DO YOU THINK SHE WAS CREDIBLE AN ASSET BECAUSE THERE ARE SOME WHO THINK SHE'S NOT AND OF COURSE THE PRESIDENT ATTACKED HER, AS WELL, BUT WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT HER CREDIBILITY?

>> GIVEN THE FACT THAT SHE WAS MAYBE NOT THE INNER INNER CIRCLE BUT SHE'S ONE OF THE HIGHEST RANKING PEOPLE FROM THE TRUMP WHITE HOUSE TO TESTIFY.

SHE REPORTED TO MARK MEADOWS, SHE WAS IN THE INNER CIRCLE.

THIS IS PRETTY IMPORTANT AND PRETTY DAMNING TESTIMONY FROM THE FACT THIS IS FROM OMEBODY WHO WAS LITERALLY THERE AND THERE'S REALLY NO EVIDENCE TO SORT OF SUGGEST THAT SHE'S LYING.

REMEMBER, SHE WAS UNDER OATH.

NO EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT SHE WAS -- HAS ULTERIOR MOTIVES FOR WHY SHE'S TESTIFYING.

IT WOULD BE, AGAIN, HARD TO IMPEACH HER, IF WE WENT INTO AN ACTUAL TRIAL.

>> Eric: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE ABORTION DECISION, MUCH DISCUSSED BUT I HEARD ONE OF THE ARGUMENTS FOR -- IN FAVOR OF THE OPINION THAT THIS AS NOT ABOUT ABORTION BUT IT WAS UPHOLDING SORT OF THE ORIGINALIST CONCEPT OF THE CONSTITUTION?

>> WELL, IF YOU ACCEPT THE IDEA THAT YOU SHOULD BE LOOKING AT THE CONSTITUTION FROM AN ORIGINALIST PERSPECTIVE, IT MAKES SENSE.

BUT THERE'S SOMETHING FUNDAMENTALLY WRONG WITH THAT PERSPECTIVE ON THINKING BOUT THE CONSTITUTION.

WE LIVE IN A POLITICAL SYSTEM, RATHER IN A LEGAL SYSTEM THAT'S CALLED COMMON LAW.

IT IS THE TEXT PLUS, IT IS JUDICIAL OPINIONS THAT FORM THE LAW.

WE'RE SUPPOSED TO ADHERE TO PRECEDENT.

JUDICIAL DECISIONS ARE THE LAW AND WHAT PERSONS WHO TAKE A POSITION TO SAY, WELL, ONLY GO BACK TO THE TEXT, THEY'RE COMPLETELY MISCONSTRUING OF WHAT THE NATURE OF WHAT AMERICAN CONSTITUTIONAL LAW AND OUR INTERLEGAL SYSTEM IS ABOUT WHICH IS, WHAT, BASED UPON NOT JUST RITTEN TEXT BUT JUDICIAL OPINION AND PRECEDENT ESTABLISHED BY JUDICIAL OPINION.

SO THE OPINION IN THE DOBBS CASE PRETTY MUCH SAID, WE'RE JUST GOING TO IGNORE HISTORY, WE'RE GOING TO IGNORE WHAT THE COURTS HAVE SAID AND REALLY ADAPTED A VERY WOODEN NOTION OF HOW TO THINK ABOUT THE CONSTITUTION.

>> Cathy: HOW MUCH DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE SUPREME COURT AS AN INSTITUTION WITH THAT RULING?

>> AN AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT.

EVEN BEFORE THAT DECISION WAS ISSUE, THE COURT'S APPROVAL RATING OR LET'S SAY TRUST IN IT WAS BELOW 50%.

THERE ARE SOME INDICATIONS NOW THAT IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO DROP, YOU KNOW, QUITE A BIT AS A RESULT OF THAT.

BUT WE HAVE TO THROW THAT ONE IN, ALSO THROW IN THE GUN DECISION, THROW IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL DECISION THAT CAME IN THE LAST FEW DAYS HERE.

THIS IS A COURT THAT IS PRETTY MUCH DRAMATICALLY GOING AGAINST PUBLIC OPINION BUT THE ABORTION ONE I THINK REALLY ALIENATED A LOT OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC GIVEN THE FACT THAT, WHAT, DEPENDING ON THE NUMBERS, 60% OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC SUPPORTS SOME VERSION OF ROWE VERSUS WADE.

>> Cathy: BUT HAVEN'T OTHER COURTS GONE AGAINST POPULAR PUBLIC OPINION?

>> THEY HAVE, THEY HAVE, AND THAT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT SOMETIMES THE COURT CAN BE COUNTER MAJORITY, THAT IS, GO AGAINST PUBLIC OPINION.

WHAT'S IMPORTANT ABOUT THIS ONE IS THE FACT THAT IN ALL THOSE OTHER CASES IT'S EVER DONE, IT HAS NEVER ISSUED AN OPINION THERE HAS TAKEN AWAY A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY OF IT REVERSING ITSELF AND SAYING, PEOPLE HAVE LESS CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS THAN 36.

THAT'S SIGNIFICANT.

>> Eric: GIVEN THE MAKE-UP OF THE COURT, THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN JUSTICE WAS ELEVATED THIS WEEK, JOINS THE COURT.

HOW MUCH INFLUENCE CAN SHE HAVE IN A 6-3 CONSERVATIVE COURT?

>> WELL, YOU'RE I RIGHTS, WITH HAVE-3, IT WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT AND I THINK IT'S ALSO YOU POINTED OUT, IT'S 6-3, NO ONE IS TALKING ABOUT NINE JUSTICES WHO ARE IMPARTIAL OR TALKING ABOUT THEIR I HAD CONTROLLING OR ORIENT ORIENTATION, THAT'S GOING BACK TO THE DYNAMIC OF THE COURT.

SHE'LL CHANGE THE DYNAMIC.

THE CURRENT JUSTICE WHO JUST RETIRED, BRIER, VERY INFLUENTIAL, VERY SMART BUT ALSO VERY LOW KEY.

HER REPUTATION ON THE BENCH IS A LITTLE BIT MORE AGGRESSIVE, MORE LIKE SOTOMAYOR, I THINK SHE'LL CHANGE THE DYNAMIC IN INTERESTING WAYS, MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CHANGE THE 6-3 BUT CERTAINLY GIVES A DIFFERENT FEEL TO THE COURT AT A TIME WHEN IT NEEDS TO REPRESENT MORE PEOPLE.

>> Eric: LOOKING AT THE TERM IN TOTAL, THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES OVER HISTORY WHERE THE SUPREME COURT HAS LED, THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN IT HAS FOLLOWED.

I WONDER HOW YOU SEE IT THIS TEMP IN THOSE WAYS?

>> IT IS LEADING IN THE SENSE IN THAT IT IS PUSHING WHAT CLEARLY IS A CONSERVATIVE AGENDA BUT IT'S ALSO, I THINK, TRAILING BECAUSE IF YOU LOOK AT PUBLIC OPINION, AGAIN, ON ABORTION, ON ISSUES SUCH AS ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL, THIS COURT IS DRAMATICALLY OUT OF STEP.

IT IS THE COURT OF 1936, A COURT HICH WAS STRIKING DOWN ROOSEVELT'S NEW DEAL LEGISLATION CONSISTENTLY, AND THEN EVENTUALLY WITH ROOSEVELT'S REELECTION, BASICALLY WAS CALLED THE COURT-PACKING PLAN, THREATENING TO CHANGE THE COMPOSITION, THE COURT HAD TO BASICALLY, WHAT, HAD TO BACK DOWN.

THAT'S WHERE I SEE US RIGHT NOW.

A COURT IN A VERY SIMILAR POSITION AS IT WAS ROUGHLY 1936.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR THE ANALYSIS.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU OVER.

>> Cathy: GOOD TO SEE YA.

>> MY PLEASURE.

THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> CATHY: AMENDING A STATE OR FEDERAL CONSTITUTION IS NO EASY FEAT, AS SUPPORTERS OF THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT CAN ATTEST TO.

MINNESOTA WAS THE 26TH STATE TO RATIFY THE FEDERAL ERA BACK IN 1973.

BUT BY 1982, A DEADLINE SET BY CONGRESS, THAT NUMBER HAD NOT REACHED THE REQUIRED 38 STATES NEEDED TO AMEND THE U.S. CONSTITUTION.

WITH LAST WEEK'S SUPREME COURT DECISION OVERTURNING ROE V. WADE, THE PUSH TO PROVIDE EQUAL PROTECTION REGARDLESS OF GENDER IN THE CONSTITUTION HAS GAINED NEW MOMENTUM.

FORMER DFL STATE REPRESENTATIVE BETTY FOLLIARD HAS LED ERA MINNESOTA SINCE IT BEGAN IN 2014.

IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

>> Cathy: HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN WHAT THE E.R.A.

WOULD DO IF IT'S ENSHRINED IN THE U.S. CONSTITUTION?

>> SO THE E.R.A.

WOULD PROVIDE LEGAL EQUALITY AGAINST SEX DISCRIMINATION.

I MEAN, WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS GET ON AN EVEN PLAYING FIELD HERE.

IT WILL MAKE SURE THAT IT'S FOR ALL WHEN WE SAY SEX DISCRIMINATION, WE CAN SAY GENDER OR SEX DISCRIMINATION, WE CAN USE EITHER WORD INTERCHANGEABLY, AND "ALL" MEANS "ALL."

AND IT WOULD ENSURE THAT THE CONSTITUTION HAS ZERO TOLERANCE FOR SEX DISCRIMINATION.

>> Eric: COULD IT OUTLAW -- BE USED TO OUTLAW SPECIFIC BENEFITS THAT ARE AIMED AT WOMEN?

>> NO, I DON'T BELIEVE SO, ERIC, I THINK IT'S GOING TO EXPAND OUR OPPORTUNITIES BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO PREVENT SEX DISCRIMINATION WHETHER IT'S IN THE WORKPLACE, WHETHER IT'S IN POLITICS, THE ECONOMY, AND SO IT'S GOING TO BENEFIT US, IT'S NOT GOING TO BE A PULL ON OUR RIGHTS.

>> athy: I THINK MANY PEOPLE FEEL, OR BELIEVE THAT IT'S ALREADY IN THE CONSTITUTION.

I MEAN, I THINK -- >> YEAH.

>> Cathy: BECAUSE OF ALL THE BACK AND FORTH.

I WAS -- MANY PEOPLE WERE SURPRISED THAT MINNESOTA DOESN'T HAVE AN E.R.A.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> Cathy: IN THE CONSTITUTION.

>> WE ARE -- AT E.R.A.

MINNESOTA, THE ORGANIZATION I FOUNDED, WE'RE WORKING ON BOTH A STATE AND A FEDERAL E.R.A., OF COURSE.

AND THE STATE E.R.A., IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE 26 STATES TODAY HAVE A STATE E.R.A., AND MINNESOTA'S NOT ONE OF THEM.

WE ARE NOT -- WE ARE UNEXCEPTIONAL IN THAT WAY, WHICH IS REALLY KIND OF EXTRAORDINARY BECAUSE IT'S SOMETHING THAT, YOU KNOW, FOR 40 YEARS, MOST OF THOSE E.R.A.s HAVE BEEN THERE IN STATE E.R.A.s.

THE OLDEST IS 140 YEARS OLD AN THAT'S CALIFORNIA AND IT SHOWS THAT THERE'S NOTHING APOCALYPTIC ABOUT THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT.

>> Cathy: WHAT'S THE HOLD-UP IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE OVER THERE?

>> SO, HERE IN MINNESOTA, IT'S BEEN THE SENATE.

IT'S BEEN, ONCE AGAIN, WE'VE GOT THIS ISSUE OF CERTAIN SENATE LEADERS WHO ARE ENTRENCHED IN THE IDEA F EXPANDING RIGHTS TO INCLUDE ALL AND IT'S THE SAME AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, ACTUALLY, BECAUSE IT'S THE SENATE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, TOO, THAT SOME FOLKS HAVE BEEN AROUND TOO LONG, MAYBE, OR THEY JUST DON'T GET IT YET.

>> Eric: WHAT WOULD THIS DO TO THE ABILITY OF WOMEN TO WIN DISCRIMINATION LAWSUITS IN THE CONSTITUTION, I ASSUME, IT WOULD PROVIDE A FIELD DAY FOR CONTINGENCY LAWYERS, FOR INSTANCE.

>> WELL, LET'S TAKE THE EXAMPLE OF RAPE.

TODAY ONLY LESS THAN 1% OF RAPE CASES ARE EVER -- GO TO THE COURTS, EVER ARE ADJUDICATED, AND LESS THAN 1% ISN'T A VERY GOOD RATE FOR ANYBODY, YOU KNOW.

WOMEN, MEN, NONBINARY INDIVIDUALS, LGBTQIA, ANYBODY THAT IS SUBJECTED TO SEXUAL VIOLENCE.

SO IT WOULD GIVE US STANDING IN THE COURTS TO BE ABLE TO GET SOME EQUALITY IN THAT, GET SEE, YOU KNOW, LEGAL RECOURSE.

>> Cathy: I'M WONDERING, THERE ARE SOME FOLKS WHO ARE THINKING, LOOK, IF YOU PASS THE E.R.A., THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING -- THAT COULD HELP DEAL WITH THE FALLOUT FROM ROE V. WADE, THE OVERTURNING OF ROE V. WADE.

DO YOU THINK THAT'S A GOOD IDEA TO HAVE THOSE TWO LINKED?

>> WELL, SO, ROE V. WADE AS DAVID SCHULTZ WAS SAYING HAS ROLLED BACK OUR RIGHTS HERE.

IT'S ACTUALLY DOING GREAT HARM TO US, AND SO THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT AND THE EMERGENCY NATURE OF IT IS EVEN MORE APPARENT.

IT WAS VERY APPARENT AT PRIDE.

WE HAD OVER 500 PEOPLE SIGN UP AND GIVE EMAILS AT THE PRIDE EVENT THIS PAST WEEKEND BECAUSE PEOPLE FEEL, OH, MY GOODNESS, LAWS CAN BE OVERTURNED, WE CAN LOSE OUR RIGHTS, AND IT AFFECTS MY FAMILY, IT AFFECTS MOST FAMILIES.

AND O WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S GOING TO GIVE US A HIGHER STANDARD OF SCRUTINY IN THE LAW, AND THE E.R.A.

HAS BEEN USED FOR ABORTION ISSUES IN NEW MEXICO, YOU PROBABLY KNOW THAT, RIGHT?

THAT IT DIDN'T EXPAND ABORTION ANYWHERE BUT IT PROTECTED WOMEN AND PEOPLE WITH UTERUSES FROM HAVING THEIR RIGHTS RESCINDED IN THAT STATE BECAUSE THEY HAD AN EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT IN THEIR STATE CONSTITUTION.

>> Eric: VERY TIMELY ISSUE TO WATCH.

THANK YOU FOR COMING OVER.

>> Cathy: GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> YOU BET.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> WELL, IT'S ALMOST THE FOURTH OF JULY, AND YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS: FIREWORKS.

NOISY, SCARY, POSSIBLY DEADLY FIREWORKS.

I KNOW IT'S WEIRD, BUT...

I DON'T LIKE FIREWORKS.

THAT'S KIND OF LIKE SAYING, "I HATE ICE CREAM" OR "I CAN'T STAND FLOWERS," CROTCHETY OLD GUY STUFF.

I THINK, REALLY, I'VE ALWAYS BEEN KIND OF AFRAID OF THEM.

MAYBE THE FIRST TIME YOU SEE THEM THEY'RE AMAZING, BUT I'VE BEEN AROUND FOR A WHILE, I GET IT.

THEY SOUND JUST LIKE LOUD, DANGEROUS BOMBS GOING OFF RIGHT OVER YOUR HEAD.

MY PARENTS WOULD TAKE US TO SEE THEM, AND I REMEMBER HIDING UNDER THE BACK SEAT, WORRIED THAT THE SPARKS WOULD LAND ON ME AND SET ME ON FIRE.

DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE NOTICED, BUT DOGS REALLY DON'T LIKE THEM.

OUR DOG WOULD SPEND THE FOURTH UNDER THE BED.

I'D OFFER TO GO INSIDE AND CHECK ON HER, AND END UP CRAWLING IN NEXT TO HER.

THESE DAYS, THE DISPLAYS SEEM TO LAST AN HOUR, AND EVERYONE IS STILL CHEERING FOR MORE.

YOU KEEP SAYING "THERE'S THE FINALE... OH, THAT'S THE...

HERE'S THE...

WAIT, THERE'S MORE.

THIS DIDN'T USED TO BE SUCH A PROBLEM.

WE ONLY HAD THEM ONCE A YEAR, JULY 4TH.

NOW THEY SEEM TO BE EVERYWHERE ALL THE TIME.

EVERY PICNIC, CONCERT, OR SPORTING EVENT HAS FIREWORKS AT THE END, I SUPPOSE SO PEOPLE KNOW WHEN TO LEAVE.

AT TARGET FIELD, THEY SEEM TO SHOOT OFF ROCKETS WHENEVER THE TWINS GET TO SECOND BASE.

THIS ALL STARTED IN ANCIENT CHINA, BACK WHEN THEY HAD ONLY SWORDS AND ARROWS, AS SHOWN IN THE HISTORICAL DOCUMENTARY, "MULAN."

SOMEONE WAS MIXING DIFFERENT CHEMICALS TOGETHER, LOOKING FOR THE ELIXIR FOR ETERNAL LIFE, BUT THEN A STRAY SPARK SET IT OFF AND CUT THAT PARTICULAR LIFE SHORT.

AND BOOM, GUNPOWDER WAS BORN.

IN HINDSIGHT, NOT NECESSARILY ONE OF HISTORY'S GREAT DISCOVERIES.

EVERYONE TELLS YOU, "FIREWORKS ARE JUST FOR FUN, THEY CAN'T HURT YOU."

THEN I BECAME A DOCTOR AND SPENT ONE 4TH OF JULY IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM.

THE TRAUMA SURGEONS WERE NOT BIG FANS, EITHER.

SO KATIE PERRY CAN BE A FIRE WORK IF SHE WANTS, NOT ME.

I'M WITH THE DOGS ON THIS ONE.

ENJOY THE HOLIDAY.

IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR ME N MONDAY, I'LL BE UNDER THE BED.

♪♪ >> ERIC: LAST WEEK MARKED 50 YEARS OF TITLE IX, A FEDERAL LAW THAT CREATED OPPORTUNITIES FOR FEMALE ATHLETES AT ALL LEVELS BY PROHIBITING THEIR EXCLUSION BASED ON SEX FROM PARTICIPATING IN ANY EDUCATION PROGRAM OR ACTIVITY RECEIVING FEDERAL MONEY.

HERE TO TAKE A LOOK BACK, AND AHEAD, AT THE WORLD OF TITLE IX FOR FEMALE ATHLETES, RACHEL BLOUNT, LONGTIME SPORTS WRITER FOR THE "STAR TRIBUNE."

FROM WHAT I GATHER, MOST OF THE COLLEGES, FOR INSTANCE, ARE HAVING A PRETTY GOOD SUCCESS WITH THE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR WOMEN ATHLETES BUT THEY'RE REALLY FALLING BEHIND ON THE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PART OF IT, IS THAT A FAIR SUMMATION OF WHERE WE ARE?

>> I THINK SO.

WOMEN RE STILL HAVING TO FIGHT AT ALL LEVELS, PROFESSIONAL AND COLLEGIATE LEVELS FOR THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO BE MUCH CLOSER TO WHERE IT IS FOR MEN, EVEN THOUGH THE LAW MANDATES EQUAL, EQUAL IS NOT ALWAYS HAPPENING AT THESE COLLEGES.

WE'RE SEEING THINGS, FOR INSTANCE, A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO WITH THE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL FINAL 4 WHERE THE WEIGHT ROOM FOR THE WOMEN CONSISTED OF A COUPLE OF BAR BELLS AND A DRINK STAND OR SOMETHING AND THE MEN HAD THESE LAVISH FACILITIES, SO WOMEN STILL ARE HAVING TO PUSH REALLY HARD FOR TRUE EQUALITY.

>> Cathy: YOU WOULD SAY THAT ATTITUDES HAVE CHANGED DRAMATICALLY TOWARD WOMEN IN SPORTS, RIGHT?

>> VERY MUCH SO, VERY MUCH.

SO IN FACT, SOMETHING I SAW RECENTLY THAT MADE ME SMILE WAS ON TWITTER, THIS PICTURE OF A LITTLE BOY, PROBABLY TEN YEARS OLD, AT A WNBA GAME CHANTING THE NAME OF HIS FAVORITE PLAYER, ASIA WILSON, FOR 15 MINUTES STRAIGHT UNTIL SHE CAME OVER AND GAVE HIM AN AUTO PHOTOGRAPH.

WE WOULD NEVER HAVE SEEN A LITTLE BOY SEEKING A AUTOGRAPH OF A WOMAN ATHLETE YEARS AGO, NEVER WOULD HAVE HAPPENED.

>> Cathy: I THINK IT'S ALSO INTERESTING THAT OUR COLLEAGUE, PATRICK REUSSE, ADMITTED HE WAS WRONG TO DISMISS WOMEN IN SPORTS.

>> THAT WARMED MY HEART.

IT WAS GREAT TO HEAR FROM A MAN WHO ONCE MADE THE ARGUMENT THAT THE SPORTS WERE WORTHLESS, NO ONE SHOULD WATCH THEM, A WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY, SAYING WOMEN HAVE PROVEN THAT THEY ARE STRONG, THEY ARE CAPABLE, THEY ARE GREAT ATHLETES, AND THEY ARE WORTHY OF RESPECT.

>> Eric: IS THE NEXT FRONT TIER KIND OF A FRONT OFFICE AND COACHING?

I NOTE IN THE NICE STORY YOU DID, EIGHT TEAMS IN THE WCHA FOR WOMEN HOCKEY, SIX MALE COACHES?

>> IT'S THOSE LEADERSHIP ROLES, THAT IS EXACTLY RIGHT, ERIC, BECAUSE THAT'S THE NEXT FRONTIER HERE.

EVEN IN THE COACHING POSITIONS, THE TUCKER SENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA JUST PUT OUT THEIR MOST RECENT COACHING REPORT CARD AND IT SHOWS THAT AMONG HEAD COACHES OF WOMEN SPORTS, AT THE NCAA DIVISION I LEVEL, NLY 43.4% ARE WOMEN AND THE PERCENTAGE IS RISING BUT VERY, VERY SLOWLY.

AT THE CURRENT RATE, IT WOULD TAKE 17 MORE YEARS BEFORE WE REACH 50-50 WITH MEN AND WOMEN COACHING WOMEN'S TEAMS IN DIVISION I NCAA.

>> Eric: FOR THE GOPHER PROGRAM, I WONDER WHAT THE INCLUSION OF SOUTHERN CAL AND UCLA IN THE BIG 10 WILL MEAN.

SEEMS TO ME THE TRAVEL COSTS WILL BE EXORBITANT.

>> THE TRAVEL COSTS WILL BE VERY HIGH AND ALSO MISSED CLASS TIME.

PEOPLE TEND TO FORGET ABOUT THAT.

IF YOU'RE TRAVELING TO THE COASTAL AREAS, THAT'S A LOT OF TIME OUT OF CLASS THAT THESE ATHLETES ARE GOING TO MISS SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO MAKE OF THAT RIGHT NOW, AND I'M NOT SURE HOW THAT'S GOING TO PLAY INTO WOMEN'S SPORTS BUT CERTAINLY THE COST OF RUINING THESE ATHLETIC PROGRAMS IS GOING TO GO UP, AND IT MAY PINCH -- WE MAY SEE MORE SPORTS DROPPED BECAUSE THESE TEAMS MAYBE BE PINCHED WITH THEIR FINANCES.

>> Cathy: SO IT WOULD BEHOOVE WOMEN'S SPORTS SUPPORTERS SO ARE NOT JUST SAY, WELL, WE'RE DONE, GOOD FOR US.

>> THAT IS THE LAST THING WE CAN DO.

AS MUCH AS FUN IT HAS BEEN TO CELEBRATE THE LAST 50 YEARS, THERE IS SO MUCH WORK LEFT TO DO.

>> Eric: HERE'S WHAT I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT, WOMEN'S PEAK YEARS OR PLAYING AND THEIR PEAK YEARS FOR CHILD BEARING ARE PRETTY MUCH THE SAME.

AND I WONDER -- ARE THERE MATERNITY BENEFITS OR DAY CARE OR -- HOW IS THAT ISSUE BEING DEALT WITH?

>> IT IS JUST NOW BEING DEALT WITH.

IT WASN'T DEALT WITH AT ALL FOR MANY YEARS.

ONE OF OUR WONDERFUL PARAOLYMPIC ATHLETES FROM MINNESOTA, THE SWIMMER, MALLORY WIGMAN JUST EXPLAINED TO ME THEY DIDN'T HAVE MATERNITY ROTECTIONS IN THE UNITED STATES UNTIL 2019.

>> Cathy: WHAT?

>> IF YOU GOT PREGNANT, YOU WOULD LOSE YOUR PLACE ON THE NATIONAL TEAM BECAUSE YOU COULDN'T COMPETE IN YOUR LATER PART OF YOUR PREGNANCY, SO YOU THEN OULDN'T MEET TIME STANDARDS OR GET THE POINTS OR WHATEVER ELSE YOU NEEDED TO HOLD YOUR PLACE AND YOU WERE JUST ON YOUR OWN.

WE'VE SEEN SPONSORS, NIKE, WAS DROPPING WOMEN ATHLETES THAT IT SPONSORED WHEN THEY BECAME PREGNANT AND THEN HAD SOME TIME OFF FROM COMPETITION.

THOSE THINGS EVER JUST NOW BEGUN TO CHANGE AND THERE'S BEEN A BIG MOVEMENT WITH WOMEN TO SAY, WE HAVE TO FIND WAYS AS A SOCIETY TO SUPPORT WOMEN THROUGH PREGNANCY AND CHILD REARING TO ALLOW THEM TO MAINTAIN THEIR STATUS AS PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES.

>> Cathy: ALL RIGHT, WOW.

INTERESTING STUFF, YOU DID A GREAT JOB.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> Eric: THANKS, RACHEL.

>> THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> CATHY: WHEN PBS PUT OUT A CALL FOR CONTESTANTS FOR ITS NEW COOKING COMPETITION SHOW, "THE GREAT AMERICAN RECIPE," A MINNESOTAN LANDED A SPOT IN THE KITCHEN.

WE'LL TALK WITH ST. LOUIS PARK NATIVE TONY SCHERBER IN JUST A MINUTE BUT, FIRST, HERE'S A QUICK LOOK AT WHAT HE COOKED UP FOR THE JUDGES LAST WEEK ON THE SHOW'S FIRST EPISODE.

♪♪ >> HEY, B.T.. >> WHAT DO YOU GOT?

>> THIS IS MY GO-TO MARINADE RIGHT HERE, IT HAS SOME SOY, GINGER, SESAME, LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK, A LITTLE SPICY.

>> THAT'S MONEY.

>> I'M TONY SHEER BEER, FROM MINNEAPOLIS MINNESOTA, 38 YEARS OLD.

MY PLATE IS KOREAN TACOS.

>> I WAS BORN IN SOUTH KOREA BUT ADOPTED WHEN I WAS ABOUT TWO YEARS OLD, IT WAS DIFFERENT GROWING UP IN THE MIDWEST BEING KOREAN AMERICAN, MY BROTHER AND I BOTH BEING ANOT DOD FROM KOREA, MY PARENTS DID EVERYTHING THEY COULD TO MAKE SURE WE WERE COGNIZANT AND AWARE OF OUR CULTURE.

MY COOKING IS SNORT KOREAN BUT WITH A MIDWEST NEAR.

>> THIS IS MADE OF ROBABLY WHEN I WAS IN COLLEGE, JUST KIND OF BEEN MORE DEVELOPED OVER TIME.

>> IT'S A FERMENTED RED BEAN PASTE AND HAS SOY, SESAME OIL, GARLIC AND SOME RED CHILLY KOREAN FLAKE.

IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR ME TO COOK KOREAN FOOD BECAUSE THAT'S WHO I AM.

HONESTLY, JUST LIKE I'M COOKING AT HOME.

DEFINITELY STRESSFUL BUT THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME I'VE MADE THESE TACOS, I COULD PROBABLY DO THIS IN MY SLEEP HOWEVER I'VE NEVER COOKED TACOS IN MY SLEEP IN 60 MINUTES.

>> Cathy: THIS WENT BY SO FAST.

YOU'RE NOT A CHEF.

>> NO, I WORK IN SOCIAL MEDIA FOR A COMPANY IN EDEN PRAIRIE CALLED ELEMENT ELECTRONICS.

>> Eric: HOW DOES ONE QUALIFY FOR THE SHOW?

>> I GOT WREAKED OUT TO BY ONE OF MY FRIENDS THROUGH INSTAGRAM MESSAGE AND SHE SAID, HEY, YOU SHOULD LOOK INTO DOING THIS AND I PUT IT OFF FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS THINKING THERE WOULD BE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THAT WOULD AMY.

WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO DO ABOUT ME?

A COUPLE WEEKS LATER, I GOT AROUND TO APPLYING, GOT A CALL FROM THE PRODUCER AND WAITED FOR ANOTHER COUPLE MONTHS, HONESTLY FORGOT THAT I EVEN INTERVIEWED FOR THE OPPORTUNITY AND THEN THEY CALLED ME AND SAID THAT, HEY, WE LOVE YOUR STORY AND WE WANT YOU ON.

>> >> Cathy: WHAT AVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT TV PRODUCTION?

>> THERE'S MUCH MORE BEHIND THE CENES THAN PEOPLE REALIZE.

THERE IS A LOT OF TIMES THAT WE'RE JUST STANDING OR IN THE BACKGROUND OF SOME SHOTS SO WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE'RE ALWAYS ON THE A GAME.

>> Eric: THIS DID NOT SEEM TO BE IN THE FIRST EPISODE YOUR SURVIVOR FIGHT TO THE FINISH, IT SEEMED A LITTLE MORE COLLEGIAL OR DID I READ THAT WRONG?

>> NO, I THINK YOU'RE DEFINITELY RIGHT.

THE OTHER CONTESTANTS ON THE SHOW, WE BECAME FAMILY VERY QUICKLY IN THE FIRST COUPLE DAYS PRIOR TO US FILMING OUR FIRST EPISODE AND YOU DEFINITELY HAVE SOME OF THAT FAMILY-FRIENDLY ORIENTATION BEHIND THE SHOW AND WE DEFINITELY WANT TO COMPETE AND PROVIDE THE BEST DISHES BUT WE ALSO WANT TO SHARE OUR STORIES OF WHO WE ARE AND HOW WE CAN RELATE TO EACH OTHER WITH FOOD.

>> Cathy: IF YOU BOTTLED THIS, ARE YOU SELLING THIS?

>> THIS IS MY HOT CHILI SCALE.

>> Eric: HOW HOT?

>> IN MINNESOTA, FOR A OR 7 BUT FOR MOST PEOPLE, AROUND THE 5 MARK.

>> Eric: HOW DO I MIX THIS INTO A MEAL?

>> YOU CAN TOP IT, WE LOVE UTILIZING IT IN THE MORNING WITH BREAKFAST, FREUD EGGS, AFTER CAD COULD TOAST, EVERYTHING IN THE MARINADE, AS WELL, SO TELL IT AT THE FARMERS' MARKED ON SATURDAYS AS WELL AS ON LINE.

>> Cathy: THERE MUST BE -- THERE IS A CERTAIN LEVEL, I'M SURE OF STRESS WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING IN FRONT OF JUDGES.

>> DEFINITELY, NO, THERE'S TIMES WHERE I REALLY JUST WANT TO BE ABLE TO PUT MY EST FOOT FORWARD AND MAKE SURE THE MEALS TASTE AMAZING TO THEM BUT THEY'RE OBVIOUSLY WELL-QUALIFIED CHEFS THAT HAVE TASTED MEANT OF OF AMAZING MEALS AS WELL AS THE OTHER COMPETITORS, AS WELL.

FOR ME, I WANT TO DO MY BEST AND AT THE END OF THE DAY JUST PROVIDE GOOD FOOD AND SHARE MY STORY.

>> Cathy: WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM THE JUDGES?

>> YOU KNOW, DEFINITELY SEASONING IS A BIG THICK FOR THEM AS WELL AS SPICE.

YOU GUYS MY SAY IN EPISODE 2 A LITTLE MORE OF THAT FROM THE COMPETITION BUT OVERALL, THEY'VE TASTED A LOT OF GREAT DISHES SO YOU HAVE TO PUT YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD.

>> Eric: CAN YOU BRING US UP TO DATE ON EPISODE ONE BECAUSE NUMBER 2 IS UP TONIGHT.

FOR FOLKS WHO MISSED THE FIRST ONE, WHAT DID WE MISS?

>> JUST THE INTROS OF A LOT OF GREAT COMPETITORS, THE STORIES OF HOW WE GOT INTO COOKING AS LONG AS WHY WE LOVE TO DO IT AND THEN IT'S JUST SURVIVE AND ADVANCE.

>> Eric: WHAT SLIDE DID YOU BRING HERE?

>> I BROUGHT THE APRON THAT WE BROUGHT, THE GREAT AMERICAN RECIPE APRON.

>> Eric: IS THAT AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE SOMEWHERE?

>> I'M NOT SURE, WE GOT THESE AS A LITTLE SWAG GIFT AS WELL AS A LITTLE SPATULA HERE SO DEFINITELY SOME FUN MEMENTOES THAT GO BEYOND THE MEMBER RES THAT WE HAD.

>> Cathy: SO YOU SAID THEY ASKED YOU ABOUT YOUR STORY AND WHY YOU GOT INVOLVED.

SO WHY DO YOU LIKE TO COOK?

>> I JUST LOVE TO BE ABLE TO SHARE MY FOOD WITH OTHER PEOPLE AND MAKE THEM HAPPY.

SOME PEOPLE SAY THAT FOOD AND KICKING IS THAT SIX V.UNOFFICIAL LOVE LANGUAGE SO FOR ME TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE MY FOOD OR OTHER PEOPLE AND SEE THEM HAPPY AND SHARE THEM A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT WHAT KOREAN COOK FOR EXAMPLE O.COOKING IS AS WELL AS THE CULTURE AND OTHER CUE SEASONS IS FANTASTIC.

>> Eric: SOCIAL MEDIA COOKING SITE.

>> THERE YOU GO.

I DO A LOT OF COOKING ON MY SOCIAL MEDIA.

>> Eric: I WISH I HAD YOUR FUTURE.

THANKS, MAN.

>> Cathy: GOOD LUCK, BY THE WAY.

THANK YOU, TONY.

>> CATHY: MOST STATEWIDE PBS VIEWERS, INCLUDING IN THE TWIN CITIES, DULUTH AND WESTERN MINNESOTA, CAN STICK AROUND AFTER "ALMANAC" ON FRIDAY NIGHT AND WATCH TONY COMPETE ON THE SECOND EPISODE OF "THE GREAT AMERICAN RECIPE" AT 8:00 P.M.

HE WON'T TELL US HUE HE DID.

OTHER GREATER MINNESOTA VIEWERS CAN QUICKLY CHECK YOUR LOCAL LISTINGS.

UP NEXT, DAVID GILLETTE HAS BEEN EYEING HIS NEIGHBORS' GARBAGE... ♪♪ >> David: MANY YEARS AGO, THERE WAS A BAIT SHOP MY FAMILY LOVED TO VISIT BECAUSE IT HAD A UNIQUE WAY OF ATTRACTING CUSTOMERS.

RIGHT NECK TO THE CHECK-OUT COUNTER, THEY INSTALLED A SOFT I SERVE MACHINE AND FOR SOMETHING LIKE 50 CENTS, YOU COULD MAKE YOURSELF THE TALLEST CONE YOU COULD POSSIBLY MAKE.

IT WAS LIKE A CARNIVAL GAME AND IT WAS HILARIOUS.

THE PROBLEM, AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, WAS THAT THE REGULARS GOT REALLY, REALLY GOOD AT IT.

AND THE ECONOMIC MODEL COLLAPSED, WHICH MEANS THE ICE CREAM MACHINE DISAPPEARED.

THE LESSON I TALKED FROM THIS IS THAT PEOPLE WILL ALWAYS PUSH THE LIMITS JUST A BIT TOO FAR FOR THEIR OWN GOOD, AND TO THIS DAY, I SEE THE EXACT SAME MINDSET PLAYING OUT IN ONE UNMISSABLE SPOT, THE AMERICAN TRASH CAN.

HERE IS A COMMON EXAMPLE.

I CALL IT THE HI, EVERYBODY, WE JUST MOVED IN.

I GET IT, THEY'RE DROWNING IN MOVING BOXES.

IT HAPPENS.

THIS ONE IS LESS EXCUSABLE.

WE'LL CALL IT RANDOM FOAM CUSHIONS.

NOTICE THE CHANGE IN VOLUME BETWEEN THE ACTUAL BIN AND THE AIR SPACE ABOVE IT.

NOT WHAT THE UNIVERSE INTENDED.

OVER HERE WE HAVE THE IN ORDER DICK TRACK DIDN'T SELL AT THE GARAGE SALE AND ITS CLOSE COUSIN, FOR SOME REASON I THOUGHT A ROWING MACHINE WOULD BE MORE FUN.

THE VARIETIES ARE ENDLESS, FRUSTRATED BY IKEA, WE KNOW THERE IS A RULE AGAINST YARD WASTE BUT COME ON, DOESN'T REALLY APPLY TO US.

AND NATURALLY MY WIFE SAID IT'S TIME TO CLEAR OUT THE GARBAGE OR CLEAR OUT MYSELF.

WHAT A MESS.

AND THAT EAVES US TO THIS ONE.

I SIMPLY CALL IT THE AUDACITY.

AS YOU CAN SEE, THERE'S NO PHYSICAL OR THEMATIC CONNECTION ETWEEN THE UPPER OBJECTS AND THE BASE LAYER, IT'S JUST A CHAIR ON TOP OF A SLEEPING BAG ON TOP OF A DISHWASHER RACK AND ON AND ON AND ON.

AND BY THE WAY, THIS, ALL OF THIS RIGHT HERE S WHY WE CAN'T HAVE CHEAP ICE CREAM IN BAIT SHOPS.

WHICH BRINGS US TO OUR FINAL EXAMPLE.

I CALL IT, WE HAD A GOOD BUSINESS IDEA BUT PEOPLE RUINED IT.

♪♪ >> ERIC: THERE'S A NEW OUTDOOR SHOW PREMIERING NEXT WEEK ON PUBLIC TELEVISION STATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

IT'S CALLED "AMERICA OUTDOORS" AND WAS CREATED BY TWIN CITIES PBS.

HERE'S A SNEAK PEEK.

>> WE THINK WE INVENT THINGS AND CREATE THINGS AND DEFINE OURSELVES BY OURSELVES BUT THAT'S NOT THE WHOLE STORY.

THE TRUTH IS, WE ARE CO-AUTHORS WITH THE WORLD AROUND US.

♪♪ >> MY NAME SELLING -- I'M A WRITER, ACTIVIST, SOMETIMES COMEDIAN.

>> CAN'T GET ANY FRESHER THAN THIS.

>> JUST PICKED IT.

>> AND I'M ALL ABOUT EXPLORING THE OUTDOORS THAT SHAPED US AS AMERICANS.

THIS COUNTRY IS WILD.

AND ITS NATURAL LANDSCAPES ARE AS DIVERSE AS ITS PEOPLE.

IS ADVENTURE RACING THE THING YOU DO WHERE YOU MAKE LIFE MUCH HARDER THAN IT NEEDS TO BE?

>> ALWAYS, ALWAYS.

[Laughter] >> WE ARE DIFFERENT, MAN.

[Laughter] >> SURFING.

>> WHAT DO YOU GET FROM IT?

>> TO RIDE ENGINEERING THAT IS COMPLETELY NATURAL AND THAT YOU HAVE TO BE THERE FOR AS IT'S LEAVING ITS LAST BREATH.

IT'S A REALLY PROFOUND EXPERIENCE.

SO THIS IS LIKE A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY FOR ME.

IT'S A LOT OF UNSOLVED BUSINESS.

IF YOU HAVE COMMUNITY THAT'S LIVED UP HERE ESCAPING SLAVERY, ITH THAT HISTORY, THERE WERE NO FUNERAL PROCESSIONS.

PEOPLE DIED IN THEIR SWAMP, THEIR BONES ARE STILL THERE, SO SOME OF THIS LAND OR AREA IS SACRED GROUNDS AND SHOULD BE PRESERVED.

>> MY JOY, JUST THIS VASTNESS, YOU GO EASTERN STATES AND SEE THE TREES AND YOU CAN'T SEE 50 FEET.

I DON'T LIKE THAT.

I LIKE TO SEE, YOU KNOW, THE DISTANCE, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE THINK, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE A HERMIT OR SOMETHING BUT I LIKE THE ISOLATION.

>> 2,000-MILE TRAIL, 6 MONTHS, YOU'RE PAUSING YOUR WHOLE LIFE WITH THIS.

>> OR ARE YOU STARTING YOUR LIFE?

>> DO ME A FAVOR.

CLOSE YOUR EYES.

WHAT DO YOU FEEL?

>> I FEEL LIKE I'M CALM.

I FEEL LIKE WHEN I'M IN THE MANMADE WORLD, YOU HAVE TO ACT A CERTAIN WAY BUILT WHEN I'M IN THIS SPACE, I DON'T HAVE TO DO ANY OF THAT STUFF.

TO ME THAT'S THE DE-STRESS THAT YOU CAN ONLY EXPERIENCE IN THE OUT OF DOORS.

>> I THINK YOU JUST DESCRIBED FREEDOM.

>> YES, I AGREE.

IT'S VERY MUCH FREEDOM.

♪♪ >> I DID IT.

I HIKED THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL!!

♪♪ >> CATHY: HERE IN MINNESOTA, FOR DECADES WE'VE HAD A NONPARTISAN PANEL HELP SELECT TOP JUDGES.

IT'S A TRADITION THAT THIRD-PARTY GOVERNOR JESSE VENTURA IS STILL PROUD OF TODAY.

THE OUTSPOKEN VENTURA SAT DOWN FOR A RARE INTERVIEW WITH MARY LAHAMMER TODAY WHERE HE SHARED HIS STRONG OPINIONS ON THE U.S. SUPREME COURT DECISIONS ON ABORTION, RELIGION, AND THE ENVIRONMENT.

>> Mary: I THINK THE AMERICAN PUBLIC AND THE WORLD IS LOOKING AT U.S. SUPREME COURT.

>> YEP.

>> Mary: I WANT TO TALK ABOUT YOUR PROCESS.

>> I APPROACH JUDGES LOOKING AT THEIR QUALIFICATIONS AND WHAT THEY HAD DONE AS A LAWYER.

I WANTED PEOPLE WHO HAD VAST COURTROOM EXPERIENCE, YOU KNOW, I DIDN'T WANT SOMEONE WHO HADN'T BEEN IN THE COURTROOM TO SIT AS A JUDGE NOW.

NO, I WANT SOMEONE WHO'S BEEN IN COURT.

AND I FORMED A PANEL OF VERY TRUSTED LAWYERS I KNEW.

>> Mary: WHY IS A NONPARTISAN JUDICIARY ESSENTIAL FOR DEMOCRACY TO WORK?

>> IT HAS TO BE NONPARTISAN BECAUSE THEY ARE HERE O RULE ON THE RULE OF LAW.

THEY ARE NOT THERE TO SUBJECT US TO THEIR OWN PERSONAL OPINIONS OF THAT LAW.

>> Mary: IS THE SPRUCE SUPREME COURT DOING THAT, IS THIS THEIR PERSONAL OPINIONS?

>> WELL, I WILL SAY THIS, THEY HAVE TWO LIARS ON THE COURT.

HOW DO WE FEEL ABOUT THAT?

>> Mary: BECAUSE OF THE SENATE HEARING, IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE REFERRING TO?

>> YES, I WATCHED THEM.

IF THEY WOULD HAVE SAID THAT TO ME, AND I WOULD HAVE APPOINTED THEM A JUDGE, RIGHT, I WOULD BE DOING EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO REMOVE THEM BECAUSE I DON'T WANT A JUDGE WHO'S LIAR.

A JUDGE HAS THE TITLE OF BEING HONORABLE.

I THINK I NAMED 73 JUDGES, IF I'M CORRECT.

I'M SO PROUD THAT ONE OF MY JUDGES WAS A FINALIST.

WILHEMIIN.

A WRIGHT.

>> Mary: OH, SHE WAS ONE OF YOURS.

>> YES, I PPOINTED HER ABSOLUTELY.

I WAS CHEERING HER ON, PUT HER ON THE SUPREME COURT.

AND YOU KNOW WHAT, THE HEAD GUYS OF MY PANEL WARNED ME WHEN I APPOINTED HER, SHE COULD ENDS UP ON THE SUPREME COURT.

I WAS TOLD THAT WHEN I ADOESN'TED HER.

THEY SAID YOU HAVE A SUPER STAR HERE.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT THE COURT'S DECISION THAT ESSENTIALLY OVERTURNS ROE V. WADE.

I WAS GOING BACK TO YOUR ADMINISTRATION AND REMEMBERING A VETO THAT YOU ISSUED AND I'VE TALKED TO SOME FOLKS IN YOUR ADMINISTRATION AND UPON REFLECTION AND UPON MY MEMORY, THE VETO OF THE 24-HOUR WAITING PERIOD FOR ABORTION WAS ONE OF THE HARDERS DECISIONS YOU HAD TO MAKE, WASN'T IT?

>> WHAT IT WAS -- I REMEMBER CHRISTINE JAX, Y HEAD OF EDUCATION, SHE NAMED IT THE WOMEN ARE STUPID BILL AND THAT'S WHAT I REFERRED TO IT THEN AS THE WOMEN ARE STUPID BILL BECAUSE -- AND HERE'S THE COMPROMISE I PROPOSED TO THE REPUBLICANS.

I SAID, KAY, I'LL SIGN THE 24-HOUR WAIT IF YOU INCLUDE ALECTIVE SURGERY IN IT, WHICH MEANS IF YOU'RE GETTING A VASECTOMY -- >> Mary: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE ISSUE OF ABORTION, THOUGH.

YOU INHERENTLY BELIEVE IN A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE -- >> ABSOLUTELY, AND THAT STEMS BACK TO MY MOM.

MY MOM WAS A WORLD WAR II VETERAN, A NURSE, SHE WAS THE HEAD NURSE IN SURGERY AT NORTH MEMORIAL HOSPITAL IN THE TWIN CITIES FOR THE MAJORITY OF HER CAREER, AND I REMEMBER AS A CHILD WHEN ROE V. WADE CAME INCOME THE RELIEF MY MOTHER HAD A HOME GOING, THANK GOODNESS.

I REMEMBER HER SAYING, YOU SHOULD SEE THE THINGS WE GET IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM, WATCHING BACK ALLEY ABORTIONS COME INTO THE EMERGENCY ROOM WHERE BOTH CHILD AND MOTHER, MANY TIMES PERISH.

>> Mary: I'M SURE YOU'VE HEARD THE RHO V. WEIGHED DECISION PUTS A LOT OF OTHER RIGHTS IN JEOPARDY, TOO, POSSIBLY SAME SEX MARRIAGE AND GAY RIGHTS, AND AS A GOVERNOR, YOU WERE THE FIRST GOVERNOR TO TRY TO INSTITUTE SAME-SEX PARTNER BENEFITS FOR STATE WORKERS.

>> >> WHICH THE REPUBLICANS IMMEDIATELY -- AND THE DEMOCRATS IMMEDIATELY BARGAINED AWAY AFTER I LEFT.

>> Mary: DO PEOPLE REMEMBER YOU STANDING UP FOR GAY RIGHTS, FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS, DO YOU THINK?

>> PROBABLY NOT BUT I CAN GO FARTHER THAN THAT, MARY.

I DRUG THE FIRST LADY OUT OF THE HOUSE TO GO DOWN AND MARCH AND PROTEST IN THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT WAY BACK IN THE '80s.

>> Mary: THE TWO OF YOU DID THAT.

AND SHOULD THAT STILL -- >> I MADE HER, I MADE HER.

>> Mary: SHOULD THAT PASS NOW?

REALLY.

YOU WERE A HIGH SCHOOL OFFICIAL COACH, YOU HAD SOME THINGS TO SAY ABOUT RELIGION.

WHAT DO YOU HINK OF THAT DECISION?

SHOULD OFFICIAL PLAYERS BE PRAYING WITH THEIR COACH?

>> I BELIEVE IN FREEDOM OF RELIGION.

I MYSELF, I AM AN AGNOSTIC ATHEIST, I GET ANGRY BECAUSE OUR SOCIETY SUBJECTS ME TO RELIGION.

>> Mary: CUTS WHAT YOU'RE DRIVING?

>> I'M DRIVING TWO TEST LaS NOW.

>> Mary: WHY?

>> WHY, BECAUSE I DON'T WANT A CARBON FOOTPRINT AND MINE RUN OFFER THE SUN, I DID MY ENTIRE HOUSE IN SOLAR.

>> Mary: DID YOU PAY ATTENTION TO THE VERY LAST SUPREME COURT DECISION, NOT ALLOWING THE ADMINISTRATION TO REGULATE -- HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT?

>> WELL, YOU'VE GOT RELIGION COMING INTO GOVERNMENT AGAIN BECAUSE ALL THOSE PEOPLE THAT DON'T BELIEVE IN CLIMATE CHANGE, THEY'RE ALL THE ONES THAT BELIEVE THE LORD'S GOING TO TAKE CARE OF US.

>> Mary: SO WHERE ARE YOU WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP ROYALTY NOW BECAUSE THIS IS A PERSON I THINK YOU USED TO CALL A FRIEND, HE CAME HERE, TALKED TO YOUR PEOPLE, HE STUDIED YOUR PLAY BOOK.

>> CERTAINLY HE DID, THAT WAS 20 YEARS AGO AND THAT WAS ALSO WHEN DONALD TRUMP SUPPORTED THE CLINTONS AND WAS PRO CHOICE.

I THINK THE QUESTION O ASK ME IS, WHY DID DONALD TRUMP CHANGE SO DRASTICALLY IN 20 YEARS FROM THE PERSON I MET 20 YEARS AGO?

>> Mary: WHY DO YOU HINK THAT -- >> THAT'S -- OR HIS OWN BENEFIT.

>> Mary: AND HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT?

WOULD YOU STILL WILL CALL HIM A FRIENDS, DO YOU RESPECT HIM?

>> OH, NO, NO, NOT AT ALL.

I THINK DONALD TRUMP IS THE WORST THING THAT'S HAPPENED TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, HIS PRESIDENCY, IT'S DIVIDED OUR COUNTRY.

>> Mary: ON THE FLIP SIDE, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT BIDEN?

>> BY DEAN, TO ME HE WON AS MORE OF A STOP TRUMP, ANTI-ANYTHING BUT, WHICH HAD TO HAPPEN, PLEASE.

I FEEL BIDEN IS A CAREER POLITICIAN.

>> Mary: COULD YOU PUT IT ON A SCALE OF ONE TO TEN, HOW INTERESTED IN RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT?

>> I ON'T DO IT JUST TO DO IT.

THERE'S OTHER THINGS IN LIFE THAT I WOULD PREFER DOING BUT MY PATRIOTISM IS ALWAYS IN THE BACK POCKET.

>> Mary: AND AND YOU'RE 70 RIGHT NOW.

>> YEAH.

>> Mary: IS IT SOMETHING YOU FEEL LIKE YOU WANT TO EMBARK ON?

>> IF I'M 05, I'M ALL IN.

IF I WERE 50 RIGHT NOW, ALL IN.

>> Mary: YOU TALK ABOUT BEING COURTED.

>> I WOULD LOVE TO DEBATE TRUMP.

>> ERIC: IT'S JULY 1ST AND STILL NO DEAL FOR A SPECIAL SESSION.

BUT THERE'S PLENTY OF CAMPAIGN ACTIVITY AROUND THE STATE IN THIS BIG ELECTION YEAR, AND I HAVEN'T EVEN MENTIONED ALL THE NATIONAL POLITICAL NEWS THAT IS REVERBERATING HERE IN MINNESOTA.

THIS WEEK'S ANALYST DUO IS SURE TO DO THAT FOR US.

BRIAN MCCLUNG IS HERE, REPUBLICAN, FORMER SPOKESPERSON FOR GOVERNOR TIM PAWLENTY, NOW IN THE P.R.

BUSINESS.

ON THE DFL SIDE OF THE COUCH TONIGHT, ABOU AMARA, FORMER STATE CAPITOL STAFFER, NOW AN ATTORNEY.

NOW, THC IS NOW BEING REGULATED IN BEVERAGES AND GUMMIES, AND HOW FAR IS THIS TO LEGALIZING MARIJUANA FOR RECREATIONAL USE AND WHY DIDN'T THE LEGISLATORS KNOW MORE ABOUT IT AT THE TIME?

>> WELL, THAT'S A SERIES OF GOOD QUESTIONS, ERIC.

>> Eric: TAKE WHAT YOU WANT.

>> I THINK THAT -- HEY, WELCOME TO MINNESOTA, POT IS HERE FOR YOU TODAY.

SO THIS IS INTERESTING.

FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, I THINK REPUBLICANS SHOULD BE MORE CLEAR AND TAKE THIS AS A WIN.

IT ALINES WITH THAT LIBERTARIAN PART OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY THAT I THINK IS REALLY AN IMPORTANT PIECE, LIKE LET'S ET GOVERNMENT OUT OF REGULATING THESE KIND OF ADULT DECISIONS, AND SO, YOU KNOW, IT IS CLEARLY A STEP TOWARDS THAT DIRECTION.

IT'S ABOUT HALF OF THE AMOUNT THAT'S IN TYPICAL MARIJUANA PRODUCTS IN RECREATIONAL STATES, SO OF COURSE, NOW, MINNESOTA IS AN OUTLIER, THE WAY WE ARE IN ALCOHOL.

I WONDER IF WE COULD ALSO MAYBE ACCIDENTALLY ALLOW TO GET RID OF 3.2 BEER AND HAVE BEER AND WINE IN GROCERY STORES, THAT WOULD BE GOOD, AS WELL, BUT WE'LL SEE WHERE IT HEADS.

>> WE'LL SEE WHERE IT'S HEADED.

IT'S HIGH TIMES IN MINNESOTA.

I THINK THIS IS GOOD, IT WILL NORMALIZE THE EXISTENCE OF THC WHICH WE GENERALLY KNOW IS NOT GOING TO HAVE MASSTIVE IMPACTS, SPECIALLY AT THE LOW DOSAGE LEVELS AND THAT WILL MOVE US ULTIMATELY IN THE WAY OF LEGALIZATION.

BUILT IT ALSO BUYS US TIME FOR PUBLIC SAFETY TO DEVELOP A SCHEME, IF WE WERE TO ALLOW MARIJUANA, IT HOUSE US TIME TO BUILD INS SYSTEMS SO THAT BY THE TIMES FOLKS ARE READY, WE CAN DO LEGAL POSSESSION.

>> Cathy: AREN'T YOU WORRIED ABOUT KIDS GETTING SOME OF THE STUFF, THOUGH?

>> THIS WOULD BE WITH ANY OF THESE THINGS, ALCOHOL AND EVERYTHING, SO WE DECIDED AS A SOCIETY TO ALLOW ADULTS TO BE ADULTS, AND PROTECT WHEN IT COMES TO OUR CHILDREN.

>> Eric: WE HAVE HAD SUCH A NEWS EXPLOSION IN THE LAST TEN DAYS OR SO AND HERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF POLLING ON STUFF LIKE VOTER ENTHUSIASM AND DO YOU LIKE THE SUPREME COURT AND POPULARITY RATINGS.

YOU ARE TWO YOUNG GUYS BUT GRIZZLED CAMPAIGN VETERANS, HOW MUCH ATTENTION SHOULD WE PAY TO POLLS IN JULY?

>> WELL, IT'S EARLY, RIGHT, AND THE WORLD CHANGES SO QUICKLY THESE DAYS.

SO I DON'T PUT A LOT OF WEIGHT ON POLLS IN JULY.

I DO PUT WEIGHT IN POLLS IN OCTOBER, RIGHT?

PEOPLE DO START TO LOCK IN AND SO THIS IS NOT LIKE PEOPLE MAKE DRAMATIC SHIFTS IN THE LAST WEEK OR TWO, AND ESPECIALLY WITH EARLY VOTING, PEOPLE BEGIN TO VOTE SOON, LIKE RIGHT NOW YOU CAN VOTE IN THE AUGUST PRIMARY.

AND SO THIS IS ESPECIALLY HEAD-TO-HEAD POLLS, I DON'T PUT A LOT OF WEIGHT IN THOSE BUT I DO PUT SOME WEIGHT IN THE POLLS AROUND WHAT MATTERS TO VOTERS AND WHAT'S MATTERING ARE THINGS LIKE INFLATION AND THE ECONOMY AND PUBLIC SAFETY AND THOSE ARE ISSUES THAT LARGELY ARE FAVORING REPUBLICANS RIGHT NOW.

SO ON HE ISSUE SET, WE ARE SEEING ISSUES TEED UP THAT LOOK LIKE A REPUBLICAN WIN.

>> I WOULD SAY TO EACH OF THOSE POLLS, GO TO PAGE 2, 3, 4, LOOK AT THE CROSS-TABS.

THIS EARLY BEFORE AN ELECTION, I'M NOT LOOKING TO POLLS TO SEE WHERE WE ARE, I'M LOOKING TO SEE WHERE DO WE NEED TO GET STRONGER SO FROM AN DFL PERSPECTSTIVE, I'M LOOKING AT CROSS TABS.

WE'VE HAD INCREASED ENTHUSIASM AMONG WOMEN AFTER THE PROPOSAL SORT DECISION TO OVERTURN ROWE VERY WADE, ANOTHER ONE WILL BE AROUND VOTING AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE.

THAT IS WHERE PEOPLE FEEL THAT DEMOCRACY IS ON THE LINE AND THAT COULD BE AN ISSUE TO ACTIVATE AFRICAN AMERICANS, SUBURBAN FOLKS AND SO I THINK THE POLLING REALLY AT THIS STAGE IS JUST ABOUT DIAGNOSING WHERE WE NEED TO BE BETTER GOING INTO THE FALL.

>> Cathy: SO I BET YOU SAW THAT TIM WALZ HAS A DECIDED EDGE OVER SCOTT JENSEN IN THE REAL CLEAR POLL AND THEN 538 WAS SAYING THE SAME THING.

>> YEAH, BUT AT THE SAME TIME -- >> Cathy: IT'S EARLY.

>> REAL CLEAR POLITICS ALSO MOVED THE STATE TO A TOSS-UP, SO MINNPOST HAD THE POLL AT 42 WALZ, 40 JENSEN, THAT'S VERY CLOSE AND THAT'S ALARMING.

NOW I QUESTION THE METHODOLOGY OF HAT POLL, IT WAS AN ENTIRELY ONLINE POLL.

OF COURSE, WHO NOT AS THEIR PHONES THESE DAYS, SO ALL OF THIS IS A LITTLE OPEN TO DEBATE.

BUT I THINK THE CLEAR THING HERE IS, IT'S A TIGHT RACE AND IT'S GOING TO BE A TIGHT RACE, AND THIS IS THE KIND OF ELECTION WHERE THE SMALL THINGS THAT YOU DO MATTER, AND SO ALSO I WOULD SAY, THOUGH, THAT WALZ AS A BIG FUNDRAISING ADVANTAGE RIGHT NOW SO E'S GOING TO HAVE SOME RESOURCES TO DO THINGS THAT MATTER.

SO WE'LL SEE IF SCOTT JENSEN AND MATT BIRK CAN CLOSE THE GAP THERE, IT'S A CLOSE RACE TODAY, IT WILL BE A CLOSE RACE IN NOVEMBER.

>> Cathy: ABOU?

>> YES, I THINK THIS IS SIMILAR TO 2010.

IF YOU LOOKED TOE POLLING IN 2001, MARK DAYTON, HE WAS RUNNING AGAINST CONGRESSMAN EMMER AND AT THE TIME, THE POLLING WAS ACTUALLY FAIRLY CLOSE, I BELIEVE WITHIN 5 POINTS AND YOU ULTIMATELY SAW, WE DID WELL AT THE STATE LEVEL AND I THINK THAT'S SIMILAR IN THIS ELECTION.

THERE MIGHT BE A NATIONAL SENTIMENT THAT IS DIFFICULT, HEADWINDS FOR DEMOCRATS, BUT AT THE STATE LEVEL, I SUSPECT, ALTHOUGH IT'S CLOSE NOW, IT WILL BE CLOSE BUT SOLID AS WE GET TO ELECTION DAY.

>> Eric: DO WE WANT AN EARLY PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY IN 2024?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

RIGHT?

I MEAN, HERE'S THE THING, MINNESOTA HAS SUCH A GREAT HISTORY OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND VOTING AND REALLY ETTING OUR CANDIDATES, SO WHY NOT BRING THAT TO THE PRESIDENTIAL PROCESS FOR BOTH PARTIES?

AND SO I THINK THAT YOU CAN MAKE A REALLY STRONG ARGUMENT FOR MOVING MINNESOTA UP.

I THINK THAT IOWA HAD SOME PROBLEMS LAST TIME.

>> Eric: WE STILL DON'T KNOW WHO WON.

>> RIGHT, WE STILL DON'T KNOW WHO WON IN IOWA SO I THINK MINNESOTA AS THE MIDWESTERN STATE IN THAT GROUP MAKES A LOT OF SENSE.

>> I AGREE, TWO REASONS.

FIRST, I THINK MINNESOTA IS MORE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND I SUSPECTS ALSO OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

AND SECOND, I THINK THIS MEANS ONCE MINNESOTANS CAN VOTE, WE CAN GO TO THE LAKES AND GO FISH YOU KNOW AND DO OUR SUMMER THINGS, WE DON'T HAVE TO WAIT AROUND FOR THE PRIMARY TO WORK WHERE PEOPLE DON'T SHOW UP, ANYWAY.

I THINK IT WILL ACTIVATE VOTERS TO BE ENGAGED.

>> Cathy: SOME DFLERS CAME OUT PROMOTING A FULL-TIME LEGISLATURE.

WHAT KIND OF IDEA DO YOU THINK THAT IS?

>> PLEASE, NO.

PLEASE ON MATCH OF EVERYBODY WHO WORKS IN GOVERNMENT RELATIONS AND AROUND THE CAPITOL, WE LOVE TO SEE THE LEGISLATORS FROM JANUARY TO MAY AND THAT'S JUST FINE.

I DO THINK THAT MINNESOTANS, SIMILARLY TO BEING ENGAGED IN ELECTIONS AND POLITICS [INDISCERNIBLE] APPRECIATE THE CONCEPT OF A CITIZEN LEGISLATURE.

I THINK IT CAN BE IMPROVED, RIGHT?

I THINK THAT THERE ARE THINGS WE COULD DO TO HELP MAKE IT MORE ATTRACTIVE TO RECRUIT MORE NEW CANDIDATES AND MORE DIVERSE CANDIDATES, BECAUSE T IS HARD TO SERVE IN THE LEGISLATURE -- >> Cathy: TO RAISE THE MONEY, TOO?

>> I WOULD RAISE THE SALARY.

I THINK THERE'S OTHER THINGS YOU CAN DO BUT I THINK GOING TO FULL TIME IS REALLY NOT THE ANSWER.

>> I THINK NONSTOP POLITICS WOULD BE AN ISSUE.

I DO THINK, ULTIMATE LIE, THEY SHOULD RAISE THE PAY AND I THINK THAT'S PART OF THE ISSUE BECAUSE IF YOU ASK A LEGISLATOR, WHEN THEY'RE GOING TO THE GROCERY STORE, THEY DON'T GET TO SAY TO A 2008, HEY, I'M I A PART-TIME LEGISLATOR, I'M NOT GOING TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, SEE ME IN JANUARY.

FOLKS EXPECT SERVES ALL-YEAR ROUND AND IF THEY DO, THEY SHOULD BE COMPENSATED FOR THOSE SERVICES.

IF YOU RAISE THE SALARIES A BIT TO MAKE IT COMPETITIVE, I THINK WE CAN KEEP THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION SHORT BUT ALSO REWARD FOLKS FOR PROVIDING SERVICES TO MINNESOTA.

>> Eric: ISN'T THE BUDGET, THOUGH, ISN'T THE DE FACTO DATE HEADED FOR JUNE 30th?

>> IT'S HEADED THAT WAY.

THE LEGISLATURE DOESN'T ACT UNTIL THEY'RE FORCED TO AND SO WE HAVE DEADLINES AND THE DEADLINE USED TO BE THE ADJOURNMENT DATE, RIGHT?

PEOPLE TOOK THAT ADJOURNMENT DATE SERIOUSLY -- >> Eric: THIRD WEEK OF MAY.

>> THIRD WEEK OF MAY AND WE REALLY WORKED HARD TO TRY TO FINISH UP AND SO YOU BACKED OUT THE COMMITTEE DEADLINES AND ALL THAT, AND NOW IT GOES DOWN TO THE TRIBUNAL AND YOU HAVE THESE IND OF HIND CLOSED DOORS, AND THAT ARE THE STAYED PROBABLY IN THE ARNE CARLSON AREA AND PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE OVER TIME, SO WE NEED TO IMPROVE ON THAT BECAUSE HAVING IT DRAG OUT TO A NEAR SHUTDOWN EVERY YEAR IS NOT GREAT.

>> Eric: YOU WERE A CHIEF AIDE TO A D.F.L.

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE AND I WONDER IF YOU SENSE THE SAME THING THAT BRIAN DOES THAT THE PROCESS WITH THE TWO LEADERS AND THE GOVERNOR MAKING THE DECISIONS IS THAT THE BEST WAY TO DO THINGS?

>> WELL, I THINK IT DEPENDS ON THE COMPOSITION OF THE LEGISLATURE AT THE TIME.

WHEN WE WERE IN CHARGE, IT WAS D.F.L.

CONTROLLED EVERYWHERE SO IT WAS UST CONVINCING OTHER DEMOCRATS ABOUT WHAT WE NEEDED TO GET ON THE SAME PAGE ABOUT.

IT'S A MUCH DIFFERENT CLIMATE HERE NOW WHERE YOU HAVE A DIVIDED LEGISLATURE AND THERE'S REALLY NO INCENTIVE GOES, PARTICULARLY BECAUSE THE SENATE REPUBLICANS DON'T ACTUALLY WANT ANYTHING.

I THINK PART OF THAT I RECALL GOAL WAS TO LEAVE THE $9 BILLION SURPLUS ON THE BOTTOM LINE, GO TO THE ELECTION AND SAY TO THE VOTERS, HEY, THEY'VE GOT YOUR MONEY, WE WANT TO GIVE IT BACK, GIVE US POWER.

I THINK LONG TERM WE WHITE WANT TO THANK ABOUT LEGISLATIVE OR POLICY CHANGES THAT FORCE LEGISLATORS TO GET THEIR JOB DONE BEFORE THAT DEADLINE IN MAY.

>> Eric: ANY CHANCE FOR A SPECIAL SESSION?

>> NO, ABSOLUTELY NOT.

>> NO, THERE'S JUST -- LIKE ABOU WAS SAYING, THERE'S NO INCENTIVE AND I THINK THESE LEGISLATORS LOOK AT IT AND SAY -- REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS IN PARTICULAR, SAY HEY, WE'RE GOING TO LEAVE THAT MONEY AND PUT US IN CHARGE AND WE'LL CUT TAXES PERMANENTLY AND GET IT BACK TO YOU.

>> Eric: THIS IS A MINDLESS SPECULATION FOR YOU GUYS.

TAKE AWAY JOE BIDEN AND TAKE AWAY DONALD TRUMP AND WHO ARE THE LIKELY PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES IN THAT SCENARIO IN 2024?

>> WELL, TWO NAMES TICK OUT TO ME, OBVIOUSLY THE VICE PRESIDENT, KAMALA HARRIS WILL BE A FRONT-RUNNER BUT ALSO AMY KLOBUCHAR, I THINK SHE SHOWED HER STRENGTH IN NEW HAMPSHIRE AND ON TOP OF THAT WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT, IF MINNESOTA BECOMES THE FIRST STATE IN THE MIDWEST, ALL OF A SUDDEN SHE CAN WIN TWO OF THE FIRST TWO STATES, THAT'S MOMENTUM GOING INTO SUPER TUESDAY, THOSE ARE THE TWO I'M LOOKING AT.

>> IT'S RON DESANTIS VERSUS ABLE A KLOBUCHAR AND YOU HAVE THE SNOW BIRD ELECTION, SO THE MINNESOTANS WHO ARE IN FLORIDA OR MINNESOTA WOULD HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO BE VOTING BUT THOSE ARE A COUPLE OF NAMES THAT COME TO MIND FOR MEE.

>> Cathy: WHAT DO YOU THINK SENATOR KLOBUCHAR LEARNED FROM THE FIRST RUN?

>> I THINK BEING SUCCESSFUL IN THEN M, I THINK SHE'S BEEN EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL, BUILD A COALITION HERE, BUT THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAS OTHER PINS IN THE TENDS, IF YOU WILL, THAT YOU REALLY HAVE TO AKE SURE YOU HAVE A COALITION WITH SO YOU'VE SEEN HELP LEAD ON VOTING RIGHTS AND ENGAGING WITH VOTERS IN GEORGIA, YOU'VE SEEN HER DO A BUNCH OF STUFF AROUND ANTI-TRUST, WHICH IS POOR IN THE SOUTH AROUND PARTICULAR INTEREST STREETS SO I THINK SHE'S REALIZED AS SUCCESSFUL AS SHE'S BEEN, AMERICA IS A BIG, DIVERSE COUNTRY AND YOU HAVE TO BUILD A COALITION BEYOND JUST THE MINNESOTA BASE.

I THINK SHE'S BEGUN TO DO THAT.

>> Eric: WHAT'S THE APPEAL OF RON ESANTIS, HE GOVERNOR OF FLORIDA.

>> WHAT HE'S DONE HE'S FOUND A WAY TO ENERGIES ARE ENERGIZE THE TRUMP ASE WHILE NOT BEING TRUMP.

HE'S PRESENTING A IFFERENT LOOK AT THAT AND AI THINK THAT HE'S IN FACT POTENTIALLY TEEING THIS UP TO RUN AGAINST TRUMP, IF TRUMP RUNS IN THE PRIMARY, AND SOME ARE MAKING THE ARGUMENT THAT HE COULD ACTUALLY FIND A WAY TO BEAT TRUMP AND THAT IT'S SORT OF AN OBAMA-CLINTON SITUATION WHERE OBAMA KIND OF CAME IN AND TOOK THAT AWAY FROM HER, EVEN THOUGH SHE HAD THE POWER STRUCTURE AND THE NATIONAL NAME I.D.

AND ALL THAT SO THAT COULD BE VERY INTERESTING.

>> Cathy: DO YOU THINK TRUMP IS GOING TO RUN AGAIN?

>> YES, YES, I DO.

HE CAN'T HELP HIMSELF, RIGHT?

HE LOVES THE STAGE, HE LOVES THE ATTENTION.

SO I THINK IT GIVES HIM THE BIGGEST POSSIBLE PLATFORM AND I THINK HE COULD EVEN ANNOUNCE BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.

>> THAT'S WHY QUIETLY I THINK REPUBLICANS ARE HOPING THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE INDIETS THE PRESIDENT AND THAT THE SENATE AND HOUSE ULTIMATELY DISQUALIFY DONALD TRUMP FROM RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT.

THAT'S THEIR HOPE BECAUSE IT CLEARS THE DECKS FOR TED CRUZ, GOVERNOR DeSANTIS AND OTHERS TO RUN AND SAY HEY, TRUMPISM, I'M GOING TO RUN AND I DON'T HAVE TO RUN AGAINST TRUMP HIMSELF.

>> Eric: SO MUCH GOOD STUFF, YOU GUYS.

>> Cathy: YEAH, THANK YOU.

>> CATHY: THE 2011 SHUTDOWN WAS THE LONGEST IN STATE HISTORY, WITH ALL BUT ESSENTIAL STATE SERVICES SHUT DOWN FOR 20 DAYS AND TENS OF THOUSANDS OF STATE WORKERS LAID OFF.

ALL THIS HISTORY TALK MUST MEAN THAT IT IS TIME FOR THIS WEEK'S INDEX FILE SECTION.

WE HAVE A NEW QUESTION FOR ALL OF YOU WATCHING AT HOME.

LET'S TRAVEL BACK IN TIME TO THE SUMMER OF 1930.

THE DATE, AUGUST 25TH.

THE TIME: 9:00 A.M.

THE MOMENTOUS OCCASION: A DEPARTMENT STORE OFFERS CUSTOMERS A MINNEAPOLIS "FIRST."

BILLED AS A "NEW MODERN CONVENIENCE," THIS NEW-FANGLED ITEM IS NOW UBIQUITOUS AROUND THE STATE.

YOUR TASK, IF YOU CHOOSE TO ACCEPT IT, TELL US WHAT THIS DEPARTMENT STORE CONVENIENCE IS.

EXTRA CREDIT IF YOU KNOW WHICH DEPARTMENT STORE PROVIDED THIS MODERN CONVENIENCE FOR ITS CUSTOMERS.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU WHETHER YOU ARE CALLING FROM THE SHORES OF BATHTUB LAKE, FAWCETT LAKE OR MIRROR LAKE.

ALL BODIES OF WATER LOCATED IN OUR FAIR STATE.

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

GIVE US A CALL AND CLAIM YOUR 20 SECONDS OF "ALMANAC" FAME.

THAT NUMBER AGAIN IS 651-229-1430.

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BEFORE WE GO, A COUPLE OF TUNE-IN REMINDERS FOR YOU.

IF YOU'RE WATCHING US LIVE ON FRIDAY NIGHT IN WESTERN MINNESOTA, DULUTH OR THE TWIN CITIES, DON'T TOUCH THAT REMOTE.

STICK AROUND THROUGH OUR SHOW CREDITS AND AT 8:00 P.M., YOU CAN SEE MINNESOTA NATIVE TONY SCHERBER COMPETE IN EPISODE TWO OF "THE GREAT AMERICAN RECIPE."

NEXT WEEK, AS YOU ARE RECOVERING FROM YOUR 4TH OF JULY ACTIVITIES, TUNE IN TO THE NATIONAL PREMIERE OF "AMERICA OUTDOORS WITH BARATUNDE THURSTON" ON TUESDAY, JULY 5TH AT 8:00 P.M. AND COME BACK HERE NEXT WEEK TO CATCH DAVID GILLETTE'S CONVERSATION WITH BARATUNDE.

WE HAVE JUST ENOUGH TIME LEFT FOR OUR SHOW-ENDING MUSIC.

THE PRODUCERS DUG INTO THE ARCHIVES AND CAME UP WITH ONE OF THEIR FAVORITE SUMMERTIME TUNES.

THIS WEEK IN 2008, THE GROUP "BOILED IN LEAD" JOINED US IN STUDIO AND SANG ABOUT...

FLYING CARP.

HAVE A SAFE 4TH OF JULY.

WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT.

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