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

>> ERIC: WE'LL COVER A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING TONIGHT.

MORE STATE AGENCY FRAUD, LAYOFFS AT THE SCIENCE MUSEUM, AND ONE OF OUR GUESTS IS COVERED IN FUR.

WE'LL LET YOU GUESS WHICH ONE.

PLUS, MARY LAHAMMER HAS BEEN UP AT THE CAPITOL.

>> Mary: WE'LL HIGHLIGHT BIPARTISAN EFFORTS TO INCREASE CIVILITY IN MINNESOTA POLITICS, FOLLOWING SO MUCH TRAGEDY.

>> I HAVE BEEN IN CONFLICT MY ENTIRE PROFESSIONAL LIFE.

>> WE'RE BOTH LAWYERS SO THAT MIGHT BE PART OF WHY WE CAN KIND OF BRIDGE THAT GAP.

>> Mary: THAT'S COMING UP ON "ALMANAC."

♪ >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

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MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

>> ERIC: WELCOME BACK.

TONIGHT, WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE SHUTTERING OF THE HOUSING STABILIZATION SERVICES PROGRAM AMID FRAUD ALLEGATIONS, WELCOME TWO BROADCAST LEGENDS ABOUT TO HIT THE STAGE AT THE CHANHASSEN DINNER THEATRES.

AND OUR POLITICAL PANEL IS STANDING BY.

>> Cathy: SURE IT.

BUT WE START TONIGHT WITH ECONOMIC NEWS.

IMPORT TAXES FOR PRODUCTS COMING INTO THE U.S. ARE NOW HIGHER THAN THEY HAVE BEEN IN A CENTURY.

LAST FRIDAY, PRESIDENT TRUMP FIRED THE HEAD OF THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS FOLLOWING A SLOW JOBS REPORT.

THAT’S WHY WE’VE INVITED LOUIS JOHNSTON TO JOIN US TONIGHT.

HE’S A PROFESSOR OF ECONOMICS AT THE COLLEGE OF SAINT BENEDICT AND SAINT JOHN’S UNIVERSITY.

ALWAYS GOOD TO SEE YA.

>> BRINGIN' THE GOOD NEWS.

>> Cathy: THE MARKETS WERE UP TODAY ON WHAT NEWS?

>> THEY WERE.

WELL, JUST ON THE FACT THAT THE TARIFFS HAVE GONE UP AND IT HASN'T CAUSED A COLLAPSE IMMEDIATELY.

SO IT'S LIKE, OKAY, WE GOT ANOTHER DAY.

>> Cathy: THE TAR IFF, EVIDENTLY THE REVENUE FROM THE TARIFFS, $50 BILLION A MONTH.

>> IT'S A LOT.

WHEN YOU RAISE TAXES FROM AN AVERAGE OF .5% TO ALMOST 20% ON GOODS COMING IN, YOU'RE GOING TO RAISE A LOT OF MONEY.

NOBODY EVER ARGUED OF THAT, IT'S WHAT THE EFFECT OF THAT GOING TO BE?

>> Eric: NOW, DOES THE SUPREME COURT GET A PIECE OF THIS ON THE PRESIDENT'S ABILITY TO DO THIS?

>> YES.

SO THE SUPREME COURT'S GOING TO RULE ON WHETHER THIS EMERGENCY DECLARATION THAT THE PRESIDENT HAS USED TO IMPOSE THESE TARIFFS ACTUALLY COVERS THE SITUATION THAT HE SAYS IT DOES.

SO, SINCE THE '30s, THE PRESIDENT HAS HAD THIS EMERGENCY -- THIS EMERGENCY POWER, THEY RARELY INVOKED IT, NOW HE'S GIVING IT A TRY.

>> Cathy: HOW SUCCESSFUL HAS TRUMP BEEN IN GETTING THESE CONCESSIONS?

THESE TRADE CONCESSIONS.

>> WELL, T'S EALLY HARD TO SAY.

THERE'S THAT OLD JOKE ABOUT HOW WHEN YOU STOP HITTING YOUR HEAD AGAINST THE WALL, IT FEELS GOOD BECAUSE YOU STOPPED.

I MEAN, WE STARTED THIS WHOLE THING WITH VIRTUALLY NO TARIFFS.

AND, SO, NOW THESE DEALS WE'VE COME UP WITH ARE HAVING INCREASED TARIFFS NOT ONLY ON GOODS COMING INTO OUR COUNTRY, BUT ON OUR PEOPLE SENDING GOODS ABROAD.

SO IT'S MAKING IT MORE DIFFICULT, NOT ONLY FOR PEOPLE TO TRADE WITH OTHER COUNTRIES TO BUY THEIR STUFF, UT TO SEND OUR PRODUCTS, OUR FARM PRODUCTS, OUR MANUFACTURED GOODS, THINGS LIKE THAT.

THAT'S GETTING GUMMED UP.

>> Eric: YOU'RE A PROFESSIONAL ECONOMIST, WHO WORKS WITH DATA.

>> YES.

>> Eric: AND I WONDER IF YOU FEEL THERE'S SOME MONKEY BUSINESS WITH THE LABOR STATISTICS.

>> ABSOLUTELY NOT.

I WAS SO DISTURBED WHEN THEY FIRED THE COMMISSIONER OF LABOR STATISTICS LAST WEEK.

THERE'S NO WAY HAT THERE'S ANY KIND OF RIGGING OR ANYTHING GOING ON.

THEIR METHODOLOGY IS CLEAR TO EVERYBODY, EVERYTHING THEY DO IS TRANSPARENT TO THE ENTIRE ECONOMICS AND STATISTICAL COMMUNITY, THEY'VE BEEN USING THESE METHODS IN ONE FORM OR ANOTHER BACK TO THE 1940s.

>> Cathy: BUT THERE ARE REVISIONS, THOUGH?

>> THERE ARE REVISIONS, BUT THAT'S BECAUSE AT HEART THIS IS A SURVEY.

THERE'S ONLY A FEW THOUSAND PEOPLE THAT ARE SURVEYED EVERY MONTH, AND AS NEW INFORMATION COMES IN, WE CAN ADD TO THAT TO GET A BETTER, CLEARER PICTURE.

>> Cathy: AND THOSE REVISIONS COULD NOT BE MANIPULATED?

>> NO, NO WAY.

>> Cathy: I'M WONDERING, THEN, ABOUT THE RIPPLES OF THE FIRING OF THE HEAD OF HE BUREAU OF LABOR STATS?

>> WELL, I THINK WHAT IT DOES, IT ADDS TO THE UNCERTAINTY THAT WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH EVER SINCE JANUARY 20th, WHICH IS, WHAT ARE THE TARIFFS GOING TO BE?

WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WITH OUR STATISTICAL GATHERING?

SAME THING WITH POTENTIALLY FIRING THE CHAIR OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE.

IS HE?

ISN'T HE?

IS HE GOING TO RESIGN?

IS PRESIDENT TRUMP GOING TO FIRE HIM?

WE JUST DON'T KNOW SO IT'S CONTRIBUTING TO THE BUSINESSES FREEZING UP AND SAYING, ALL RIGHT, WE JUST NEED TO BE CAREFUL, WE'RE JUST GOING TO HOLD ON ONE RIGHT NOW.

>> Eric: THE PRESIDENT OF THE MINNEAPOLIS FED ARE SAYING, TWO INTEREST CUTS ARE STILL POSSIBLE THIS YEAR.

WHAT WOULD THE IMPACT OF THAT BE?

>> NOT MUCH, BECAUSE UNLESS THEY DID SOMETHING REALLY UNEXPECTED, THEY'RE GOING TO BE A QUARTER OF A POINT, THAT'S HARDLY ANYTHING.

SO MAYBE INTEREST RATES MIGHT BE A HALF A PERCENTAGE LOWER THAN THEY ARE NOW BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

>> Cathy: CAN I GET BACK TO THE JOBS REPORT FOR JUST A SECOND HERE?

>> SURE.

>> Cathy: MANUFACTURING DOESN'T SEEM GREAT.

>> NO.

>> Cathy: NOW THAT SHOULDER OF CONCERN, ESPECIALLY, I WOULD THINK, TO THE PRESIDENT.

>> WELL, IT'S A REAL CONCERN BECAUSE ONE OF THE THINGS WE DON'T TALK WITH IMPORTS, A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT MANUFACTURERS USE TO GOODS IN THE U.S. ARE IMPORTED.

SO, YOU IMPORT SMALL PARTS, YOU IMPORT SPECIALIZED MOTORS, YOU IMPORT RAW MATERIALS.

AND THEN YOU BUILD THINGS IN THE UNITED STATES.

WELL, THOSE THINGS ARE GETTING MORE EXPENSIVE, SO MANUFACTURERS IN THE UNITED STATES, THEY'RE SLOWING DOWN THEIR PRODUCTION, THEY'RE SLOWING DOWN THEIR HIRING.

>> Eric: WE HAD FARM FEST DOWN IN MORGAN THIS WEEK.

>> UM-HUM.

>> Eric: WHAT'S THE REPORT FROM THE FARM?

>> WELL, THE REPORT SEEMS TO BE THAT IF YOU'RE GROWING SOYBEANS, YOU'RE GOING TO LOSE MONEY, NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU PRODUCE, BECAUSE THE PRICE IS LESS THAN PRODUCTION COSTS.

OTHER CROPS ARE NEAR THE MARGIN, BUT IT'S REALLY TOUGH TIMES.

THERE'S AN ARTICLE IN THE "STAR TRIBUNE" THAT I JUST CAUGHT ABOUT HOW THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE LOOKING FOR FORBEARANCE FROM FORECLOSURE HAS GONE WAY UP JUST IN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS.

>> Cathy: DO YOU REMEMBER WHAT THAT WAS LIKE IN THE '80s?

>> I DO.

I TELL THAT STORY IN MY ECONOMIC HISTORY CLASS AND IN MY INTRO CLASS.

I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THAT BECAUSE IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA WHERE I LIVE, THAT WAS A DEFINING EVENT.

AND IT COULD BE AGAIN.

>> Eric: IS THERE A FARM BILL IN OUR FUTURE?

>> RIGHT NOW THERE ISN'T, NOT IN CONGRESS.

>> Eric: OKAY.

>> Cathy: ALL RIGHT.

>> Eric: THAT'S WHERE IT WOULD COME FROM YOU.

>> YEAH, THEY'RE NOT DOING IT.

>> Cathy: WHAT ELSE ARE YOU GOING TO BE WATCHING IN THE NEXT MONTH?

>> ONE THING I'M GOING TO KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON, PRESIDENT TRUMP JUST APPOINTED A NEW FEDERAL RESERVE GOVERNOR, WHICH WASN'T EXPECTED, SOMEONE RESIGNED, NOW HE PUT IS CHAIR OF THE ECONOMIC ADVISORS TEMPORARILY IN THAT SEAT.

IS THAT GOING TO MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE AS TO HOW THE FED OPERATES?

IS HE GOING TO OPERATE AS SOMEBODY WHO IS KEEPING AN EYE ON WHAT'S GOING ON OR BE ANOTHER DISSENTING VOICE AT THE TABLE.

I'M GOING TO KEEP AN EYE ON THAT.

AND THEN I ALSO JUST WANT TO SEE WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN TO INFLATION IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS.

IS IT GOING TO START CREEPING UP AS THOSE TARIFFS COME IN TO BITE US.

>> Eric: ALWAYS GREAT STUFF.

THANKS FOR COMING DOWN.

>> Cathy: YEAH, APPRECIATE IT.

THANK YOU.

♪ >> GOVERNOR VENTURA HOSTED HIS WEEKLY WCCO RADIO SHOW TODAY FROM THE STANDDOWN.

THERE WERE SOME SURPRISE CELEBRITIES IN ATTENDANCE BUT THE PLIGHT OF VETERANS WAS THE ISSUE OF THE DAY.

>> AND I WANT TO THANK YOU, ALL THE VETERANS, THANK YOU FOR SERVING YOUR COUNTRY, FOR GETTING THE JOB DONE BECAUSE OUR FREEDOM HAS BEEN DEPENDENT UPON YOUR SACRIFICES AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE SO.

♪ ♪ >> Eric: ALLEGATIONS OF FRAUD WITHIN A STATE AGENCY PROGRAM, AND THIS TIME, THE TARGET, THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES HOUSING STABILIZATION PROGRAM, THE PROGRAM USES MEDICAID MONEY TO HELP PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND OLDER MINNESOTANS IND AND MAINTAIN HOUSING.

PAYMENTS TO 50 PROVIDERS HAVE BEEN HALTED AS THE INVESTIGATION UNFOLDS.

AJ LAGO IS A REPORTER WITH KARE 11, HE AND HIS INVESTIGATIVE TEAM HAVE DONE A TREMENDOUS JOB FOLLOWING THIS.

HARD TO HOUSE PEOPLE, REIMBURSED, THEY GET THE MONEY, THERE ARE NO SERVICES, IS THAT A FAIR SYNOPSIS?

>> THAT ABOUT SUMS IT UP.

I CAN GET UP AND LEAVE NOW.

I THINK YOU COVERED IT.

RIGHT NOW, I THINK, AS OF TODAY, WE'RE UP TO 77 DIFFERENT COMPANIES THAT HAVE BEEN BARRED FROM BILLING MEDICAID RIGHT NOW.

AND THAT'S JUST WITHIN THE LAST FEW WEEKS.

>> Eric: IS THIS A COMMON PROBLEM AROUND THE COUNTRY?

>> I DON'T KNOW THAT IT IS.

AND THAT IS WAS THIS -- AND THAT IS BECAUSE HIS HOUSING STABILIZATION IS A NEW MEDICAID EXPANSION PROGRAM, AND MINNESOTA WAS THE FIRST STATE IN THE COUNTRY TO PIONEER THIS AND IT'S ONLY BEEN AROUND SINCE 2020.

>> Cathy: SINCE IT'S ONLY BEEN AROUND SINCE 2020, HOWEVER, HOW DID THE STATE MISS THIS LATEST FRAUD?

>> BOY, IF WE HAD THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION.

>> Cathy: YEAH.

>> THIS WAS ESTIMATED TO COST ABOUT $2.6 MILLION A YEAR WHEN IT AS PASSED IN 2020.

NOT EVEN FOUR YEARS LATER, BY THE END OF 2024, IT'S OVER $104 MILLION.

IF THAT'S NOT SENDING UP RED FLAGS TO SOMEBODY, I DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL.

>> Eric: HOW DOES THE WORD GET AROUND SO QUICKLY TO WOULD-BE FRAUDSTERS THAT THIS IS AVAILABLE?

HOW DOES THAT COMMUNICATION WORK AMONG THOSE?

>> IT'S HARD TO SAY WHAT DIRECT COMMUNICATION IS, BUT YOU CAN CERTAINLY LOOK ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND SEE VIDEOS AND, YOU KNOW, FOLKS TALKING ABOUT, HEY, IT'S REAL EASY TO SET UP ONE OF THESE PROGRAMS.

YOU KNOW, TO START BILLING THIS WAY.

NOBODY'S ADVOCATING FRAUD IN THOSE VIDEOS YOU SEE ON TIKTOK OR ANYTHING.

BUT THE WORD QUICKLY SPREAD THAT THESE PROGRAMS ARE VERY EASY TO SIGN UP FOR.

>> Cathy: WELL, WHAT ABOUT THE CLIENTS, I MEAN, ARE THEY IN LIMBO NOW?

>> SOME CLIENTS PROBABLY ARE, BUT IT'S HARD TO TELL HOW MANY REAL CLIENTS THERE ACTUALLY ARE.

WHAT WE'VE BEEN FINDING WAS VERY OFTEN YOU'D HAVE, SAY, SOMEONE WHO IS FINISHING UP AN ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTER, THEY'VE BEEN LIVING IN A SOBER HOME, THEY'RE GOING O GRADUATE, A LOT OF THE FOLKS WE'VE BEEN TALKING TO HAVE BEEN DOING REALLY WELL, BUT NOW HEY NEED TO GET BACK ON THEIR FEET AND GET THEIR OWN PLACE.

THEY MAY HAVE JUSTICE INVOLVEMENT RECORD, THEY MAY HAVE EVICTIONS, YOU KNOW, IN THEIR PAST RENTAL HISTORY OR UNPAID ELECTRIC BILLS FROM, YOU KNOW, THEIR TIME IN ACTIVE ADDICTION.

AND, SO, IT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO FIND HOUSING AND LANDLORDS THAT WILL WORK WITH THEM.

AND THAT'S WHERE THIS PROGRAM IS SUPPOSED TO STEP IN AND MEET A REAL NEED.

BUT ALL THE FOLKS I'VE BEEN TALKING TO SAY THEY WERE SIGNED UP WITHOUT THEIR KNOWLEDGE OR IF THEY IGNED UP WITH SOMEBODY, THEY NEVER HEARD BACK FROM THEM OR THEY'D CALL AND CALL AND CALL AND NEVER GET A CALL BACK AND THEY'D GET FRUSTRATED AND GO FIND THEIR OWN PLACE EVENTUALLY.

>> Eric: CAN MONEY BE RECOUPED, CLAWED BACK?

>> THEY'RE CERTAINLY GOING TO TRY.

WE KNOW HAD THERE'S A FEDERAL INVESTIGATION THAT IS UNDERWAY, BUT, LIKE WE'VE SEEN WITH EVEN FEEDING OUR FUTURE, YOU KNOW, TELLING OMEBODY THEY HAVE TO PAY BACK THE MONEY DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN THEY HAVE THE MONEY STILL IN THEIR POCKET TO PAY IT ACK EVEN IF THEY'RE CONVICTED AND ORDERED TO.

>> Eric: SENTENCING YESTERDAY FOR A KEY FIGURE IN FEEDING OUR FUTURE.

>> YEAH.

>> Eric: WHAT'S THE UPDATE THERE?

HOW MANY HAVE BEEN CONVICTED?

HOW MUCH MORE IS THERE?

>> I BELIEVE THAT WAS JUST THEIR 50th CONVICTION IN FEEDING OUR FUTURE, AND BASED SOLELY ON WHAT I'M SEEING IN MY REPORTING, I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED IF WE TART SEEING NUMBERS LIKE THAT WITH THIS HOUSING STABILIZATION.

>> Cathy: INTERESTING.

I'M SURE YOU'VE BEEN TALKING TO LAWMAKERS.

YOU HAVE FEEDING OUR FUTURE, THE AUTISM CENTERS, THAT'S ANOTHER LARGE FRAUD THERE, YOU HAVE THE HOUSING STABILIZATION.

WHAT DOES THAT TELL YOU ABOUT THE LACK OF OVERSIGHT HAT VARIOUS STATE AGENCIES HAVE OVER THESE PROGRAMS?

>> THERE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE MUCH OVERSIGHT AT ALL, ESPECIALLY OF THESE MEDICAID EXPANSION PROGRAMS.

THEY'RE NOT LICENSED ENTITIES, YOU DON'T HAVE, YOU KNOW, SOMEBODY FROM DHS GOING IN AND CHECKING ON THEM, MAKING SURE THEY HAVE A REAL FACILITY, THE SAME WAY YOU WOULD WITH, SAY, AN ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTER THAT'S LICENSED.

THERE DOES NOT SEEM TO HAVE BEEN ANY OVERSIGHT.

I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU POSSIBLY COULD CLAIM THERE WAS OVERSIGHT.

>> Cathy: I'M WONDERING, BECAUSE I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN TALKING TO VARIOUS SOURCES, WHAT'S THE REACTION WITHIN DHS?

HAVE THEY SAID ANYTHING ABOUT THIS AT ALL?

AND WHAT'S NEXT FOR THEM?

DO WE KNOW?

>> IT DEPENDS ON WHO YOU TALK TO AT DHS.

NOW, OF COURSE, LEADERSHIP IS SAYING NOW THAT, YOU KNOW, NOT ANOTHER PENNY CAN GO TO FRAUDSTERS AND AD ACTORS.

AND YOU HAVE FOLKS BEHIND THE SCENES THAT ARE, YOU KNOW, DOING BACK FLIPS THAT THIS PROGRAM'S FINALLY BEING SHUT DOWN BECAUSE THEY SAY THEY'VE BEEN SCREAMING TO THE HEAVENS FOR QUITE SOME TIME BEHIND THE SCENES, AND, YOU KNOW, THAT THIS NEEDED TO HAPPEN.

BACK TO YOUR QUESTION ABOUT OVERSIGHT, WHAT I THINK IS HAPPENING, WHAT I'M SEEING IS THAT THERE IS MECHANISMS TO MAKE SURE THAT AN INDIVIDUAL RECIPIENT OF SOME OF THESE MEDICAID DOLLARS CAN'T COMMIT FRAUD.

AND THAT SEEMS TO BE WHERE ALL THE OVERSIGHT'S BEEN, AND EVEN YOU CAN LOOK AT WHAT'S COMING OUT OF WASHINGTON RIGHT NOW WITH TALKS ABOUT MEDICAID AND IT'S CRACKING DOWN ON INDIVIDUAL RECIPIENTS WHO MIGHT COMMIT FRAUD AND TURNING A BLIND EYE TO THESE BUSINESSES AND COMPANIES AND SO-CALLED NONPROFITS THAT ARE JUST PLUNDERING THE SYSTEM.

>> Eric: KARE-11.COM, YOU CAN FIND YOUR ARCHIVED REPORTS?

>> YOU CAN.

WE'VE CALLED OUR INVESTIGATION "ROARVE, INC." AND THAT IS ON COCHLEAR IMPLANT.

ON KARE11.COM.

>> Eric: GREAT WORK.

THANKS FOR COMING OVER.

"RECOVERY, INC." ♪ >> CATHY: THE SCIENCE MUSEUM OF MINNESOTA IS ONE OF THE LATEST CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS IN THE STATE TO ANNOUNCE STAFF LAYOFFS.

CUTS TO STATE AND FEDERAL GRANT DOLLARS PUT A STRAIN ON THE MUSEUM, WHERE ATTENDANCE LEVELS STILL HAVE NOT RECOVERED FROM THE PANDEMIC DROP.

JOINING US NOW IS ALISON BROWN, PRESIDENT AND CEO.

I WISH IT WAS UNDER BETTER CIRCUMSTANCES THAT YOU WERE HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

SO DO I.

>> Cathy: YOU'VE HAD SEVERAL ROUNDS OF PLAYOFFS, FOR GOODNESS SAKES.

THIS MOST RECENT ONE.

YOU ALSO HAD A LAYOFF, I THINK, IN 2023, OF COURSE, THERE WAS THAT BIG COVID LAYOFF OF ABOUT 150 PLUS.

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE WORKING FOR YOU RIGHT NOW?

>> WE HAVE ABOUT 220 EMPLOYEES AT THE SCIENCE MUSEUM.

AND WHEN WE STARTED, BEFORE THE PANDEMIC WE HAD ALMOST 500 EMPLOYEES AT THE MUSEUM.

>> Eric: WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GET THIS IN OFF THE TOP, THERE'S STILL STUFF TO SEE AND YOU'RE STILL OPEN?

>> YES, WE'RE STILL OPEN, IT'S A FANTASTIC TIME, COME HAVE A JOYFUL TIME AT THE SCIENCE MUSEUM AND WE STILL DO SCIENCE.

>> Eric: IS THE CHALLENGES OF DOWNTOWN St. PAUL PLAYED ANY IMPACT ON THE ATTENDANCE?

>> YES.

IT CERTAINLY HAS.

AND PEOPLE NOT BEING ABLE TO GET HERE, DRIVING, ALL THE ROAD CONSTRUCTION, -- >> Cathy: IT'S DIFFICULT.

>> PURPLE -- THE ORANGE BARRELS CERTAINLY IS A CHALLENGE AND WE KNOW THAT FROM THE SURVEYING THAT WE'VE DONE.

>> Cathy: SO IT CAME TO -- SOME NONPROFITS WERE PRETTY SURPRISED TO GET THEIR LEGACY MONEY CUT.

>> YES.

>> Cathy: AS MUCH AS IT WAS.

AND I SEE YOU LOST ALMOST HALF OF YOUR LEGACY MONEY.

>> YES, WE DID.

>> Cathy: YOUR STATE MONEY.

>> RIGHT.

>> Cathy: WERE YOU EXPECTING THAT?

>> NO, WE DID NOT EXPECT THAT.

IN FACT, INITIALLY IT WAS GOING TO BE FULLY CUT.

AND, SO, WE DID A LOFT ADVOCACY WORK TO GET BACK TO WHERE WE WERE.

TO HAVE BE ONLY CUT 40%.

I SAY ONLY, BUT THAT'S ON TOP OF EVERYTHING ELSE THAT WAS HAPPENING.

SO BETWEEN THE FEDERAL CUTS AND THE STATE CUTS, THOSE ARE OVER 18 POSITIONS OF THOSE.

>> Cathy: WHERE DO YOU NOW TRY TO FIND OTHER SOURCES OF REVENUE?

>> WELL, WE'RE WORKING HARD ON FUND-RAISING, WE'RE WORKING ON HARD TO REMIND PEOPLE WHEN THEY COME TO THE MUSEUM, YOU'LL HAVE A JOYFUL TIME.

WE'VE SEPARATED DURING THE PANDEMIC, WE NEED TO COME BACK TOGETHER AND HAVE THE SHARED EXPERIENCE.

>> Eric: WHAT DID YOU SAY TO SOMEBODY ON THE LEGACY COMMITTEE, A PERSON PASSING BY, WHY IT'S IMPORTANT FOR FULLY FUNDING THE MUSEUM?

>> WE NEED MORE PEOPLE GOING INTO SCIENCE, E NEED MORE PEOPLE GOING INTO S.T.E.M., REALLY, S.T.E.M.

IS A WAY WE'RE GOING TO SOLVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WE'RE FACING IN OUR SOCIETY.

AND PEOPLE REALLY FIND THEIR PATHWAY INTO S.T.E.M.

BY GOING TO THE SCIENCE MUSEUM.

THE ASTRONAUT IS GOING TO BE GOING OUT INTO OUTER SPACE IN ABOUT A YEAR, HE FOUND HIS PASSION BY GOING TO AN OMNI FILM AT THE SCIENCE MUSEUM, SEEING "DREAM ALIVE."

AND THAT'S WHAT HE SAYS IS HOW HE DECIDED TO BECOME AN ASTRONAUT.

HE LOVES GOING TO THE BOUNDARY WATERS, THAT INSPIRES HIM, I CAN HAVE A JOB WHERE I EXPLORE ALL THE TIME AND THAT'S WHAT STARTED HIS PASSION.

THIS IS A WAY THAT WE CAN INSPIRE PEOPLE TO SEE THEMSELVES IN S.T.E.M., WHO TRADITIONALLY DON'T SEE THEMSELVES GOING INTO THIS CAREER.

>> Eric: NOT JUST A KIDS THING?

>> GREAT PLACE FOR A DATE.

WE'RE DOING A LOT MORE ADULT PROGRAMMING, JUST HAVE A JOYFUL TIME COMING TOGETHER, BE TOGETHER WITH OTHER PEOPLE.

>> Cathy: I HEAR YOUR MESSAGE, I'M NOT DISAGREEING WITH IT IN ANY WAY, SHAPE OR FORM.

HOWEVER, I WONDER, ALL THESE NONPROFITS WHO HAVE HAD FEDERAL AND STATE FUNDING CUT, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FIGURE OUT, I SAY WE, I'M TALKING ABOUT PUBLIC MEDIA IN THAT RESPECT, TOO -- >> YOU BET.

>> Cathy: -- HOW DO YOU WANT TO MOVE FORWARD?

I'M WONDERING AS A MUSEUM, MAYBE ARE YOU DOING TOO MUCH?

DO YOU HAVE TO MAYBE TARGET AND MAYBE PARE BACK?

I MEAN, WHAT'S YOUR PLAN?

>> YEAH, THAT'S WHAT WE -- THAT'S PART OF HOW WE DID OUR PLANNING.

I HAVE TO SAY, THERE WERE TOUGH DECISIONS TO MAKE.

AND OUR -- ONE OF THE JOYS, OF COURSE, IS THAT OUR MISSION IS LIMITLESS, BUT OUR RESOURCES ARE NOT LIMITLESS.

SO WE HAD TO THINK ABOUT, WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT WE'RE GOING TO FOCUS ON?

AND WE'RE FOCUSING ON SCIENCE, WE STARTED AS A NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, WE'RE GOING TO FOCUS ON S.T.E.M.

EDUCATION, WE DO THAT STATEWIDE ALL AROUND THE STATE, WE REACH ALL 87 COUNTIES WITH OUR S.T.E.M.

EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

WE'RE GOING TO FOCUS ON WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, HOW TO INSPIRE PEOPLE TO GO INTO S.T.E.M.

AND THE MUSEUM EXPERIENCE.

MAKING SURE WE STILL HAVE A HIGH-QUALITY MUSEUM EXPERIENCE.

>> Eric: UNIONIZED EMPLOYEES, AFSCME COUNCIL 5 TALKED ABOUT A LITTLE BIT OF A LACK OF COLLABORATION.

WHAT'S YOUR RESPONSE TO THOSE CONCERNS?

>> WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE THAT WE HAVE AN AGREEMENT THAT THE EMPLOYEES RATIFIED AND IT HAPPENED THIS SPRING.

AND WE ARE FOLLOWING ALL THE CONTRACT THAT WE NEED TO DO TO GO THROUGH THAT.

SO WE LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING A GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR UNION.

>> Cathy: WERE THEY ABLE TO SIT DOWN WITH YOU AND HASH THROUGH SOME OF THESE CUTS, THOUGH, AS YOU WERE TRYING TO DECIDE HOW TO BE STRATEGIC GOING FORWARD?

>> WE DID THAT OURSELVES, AND THEN AS WE GO THROUGH, WE'RE FOLLOWING THE CONTRACT BECAUSE WE HAVE DIFFERENT SENIORITY PROCESS THAT WE EED TO GO THROUGH FOR SOME OF THE POSITIONS WHERE WE DIDN'T ELIMINATE ALL OF THE POSITIONS, THEN WE JUST DETERMINED THROUGH SENIORITY WHO GETS TO STAY AT THE MUSEUM.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE CAN'T KEEP EVERYBODY.

>> Cathy: DO YOU THINK YOU'VE RIGHTED THE SHIP AT THIS POINT?

>> NO, I THINK WE'RE STILL GOING TO HAVE HEADWINDS.

WE HAVE SOME GRANTS THAT HAVE BEEN CANCELED, SOME EDERAL GRANTS.

I KNOW IT'S GOING -- THERE ARE GOING TO BE CONTINUED PRESSURES.

WE JUST HEARD FROM THE ECONOMIST WHO WAS HERE, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE CONTINUED PRESSURES ON OUR EXPENSES, AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE CONTINUED PRESSURES AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, THAT'S GOING TO RIPPLE DOWN TO THE STATE.

SO WE ARE STILL BEING VERY CAUTIOUS.

>> Eric: KEEP US POSTED.

BEST OF LUCK.

>> GOOD LUCK.

>> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME ON.

>> Eric: YOU BET.

♪ >> ERIC: IT’S AUGUST, AND SEVERAL NEW STATE LAWS HAVE TAKEN EFFECT.

ONE OF THOSE NEW LAWS EXPANDS PROTECTIONS FOR A VERY SPECIFIC GROUP OF PEOPLE, THOSE WHO TRAIN SERVICE DOGS.

THE NEW LAW PROHIBITS LANDLORDS AND HOME OWNERS’ ASSOCIATIONS FROM CHARGING EXTRA FEES FOR SERVICE DOGS IN TRAINING.

JOINING US NOW IS ALYSSA GOLOB, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HELPING PAWS, AND MARYANNE MAHOWALD, WHO IS THAT ORGANIZATION'S VICE PRESIDENT.

THEY HAVE ALSO BROUGHT ALONG RUDY WHO IS A SERVICE DOG IN TRAINING.

WHAT KIND OF PROBLEMS WERE TRAINERS HAVING WITH HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATIONS?

>> SO, YOU KNOW, GOING INTO AN APARTMENT OR GOING INTO A HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATIONS, MANY OF THEM HAVE RULES AND LAWS ABOUT HAVING A DOG ON PREMISES OR YOU CERTAINLY HAVE TO PAY AN ADDITIONAL FEE TO HAVE A DOG.

AND E REALLY DO COUNT ON OUR VOLUNTEERS AT ALL OF THESE ACCREDITED SERVICE DOG AGENCIES TO MAKE EVERYTHING HAPPEN.

AND IF A VOLUNTEER LIVES IN AN APARTMENT AND NOW HAS TO PAY AN EXTRA FEE OR THE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION IS SAYING, NO, I DO NOT RECOGNIZE THIS AS A SERVICE DOG, IT REALLY KIND OF PUTS A GAP IN THE BRIDGE OF WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO.

AND, SO, THE LAW REALLY NOW SAYS, A SERVICE DOG IN TRAINING IS A SERVICE DOG AND ALL THOSE LAWS APPLY TO THEM AND THEY CANNOT CHARGE EXTRA, THEY CANNOT CHARGE A MAINTENANCE FEE, THEY CANNOT SAY, NO, AT YOUR HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TRAIN A SERVICE DOG.

>> Eric: GOT IT.

GOOD.

>> WE'RE THRILLED.

>> Cathy: TELL US A LITTLE BIT, WE HAVE KNOW ABOUT RUDY, OF COURSE, SO TELL US ABOUT RUDY AND HI -- HI, HELLO, HOW FAR IS HE IN HIS TRAINING?

>> RUDY JUST TURNED 2 ABOUT TWO EEKS AGO.

SO HE'S AT THAT POINT HERE THEY'RE DOING WHAT THEY CALL PREMATCHING, AND THIS IS WHERE APPLICANTS COME IN, AS YOU MIGHT KNOW, WE HAVE DOGS FOR PEOPLE WITH HYSICAL DISABILITIES, VETERANS AND FIRST RESPONDERS WITH PTSD.

AND WE DO SOME FACILITY DOGS, LIKE WE HAVE A COURTHOUSE DOG OVER HERE IN RAMSEY COUNTY, AND WE HAVE ONE IN STEARNS COUNTY AND WE HAVE ONE IN A MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY AND WE HAVE THEM IN SCHOOLS.

AND RUDY IS NOW IN THAT PROCESS OF SORT OF -- IT'S ALMOST LIKE SPEED DATING.

PEOPLE COME IN, THEY TRY THE DIFFERENT DOGS, AND THE HIGHER-UPS THAN ME KIND OF WATCH, THEY DECIDE, OH, THAT DOG DOES REALLY WELL WITH THAT PERSON AND THAT DOG HAS THE SKILLS, THE TEMPERMENT THAT THAT PERSON NEEDS.

>> Cathy: IS RUDY KNOWN AS -- THERE ARE SERVICE DOGS AND THERAPY DOGS.

>> EXACTLY.

AND THIS ORGANIZATION, HELPING PAWS, DOES SERVICE DOGS, YES.

>> Cathy: RIGHT.

>> Eric: THE HORTMAN FAMILY BIG INTO THIS.

I WAS AT THE NEWS CONFERENCE THEY HAD IN THE RECEPTION ROOM, AND SHE REALLY SEEMED TO TAKE THIS AS A REAL CAUSE FOR HER.

>> YEAH, HER AND THE ENTIRE FAMILY.

YOU KNOW, THEY BECAME ASSOCIATED WITH HELPING PAWS IN 2014 WHEN SOPHIE WANTED TO DO A SERVICE PROJECT TRAINING DOGS.

AND, SO, SOPHIE HORTMAN CALLED HELPING PAWS AND SAID, I WANT TO TRAIN A DOG.

SHE'S 17 YEARS OLD.

LIKE MARYANN SAYS, IT TAKES TWO AND A HALF YEARS TO TRAIN A DOG, SO SHE WAS OFF TO COLLEGE AND MARK TOOK OVER THE TRAINING.

>> Eric: BUT GILBERT DIDN'T PASS MUSTER OR THEY LIKED HIM SO MUCH THEY DIDN'T WANT TO LET HIM GO.

WHAT'S THE STORY >> SO AFTER THEY TRAINED MINNIE, WHO DID MATCH WITH A VETERAN AND IS STILL IN TRAINING, MELISA SAID, IT'S MY TURN, I WANT TO TRAIN A DOG.

AND SHE GOT PAIRED WITH GILBERT.

AND THEY DID TRAIN FOR TWO YEARS.

SHE CAME EVERY WEEK AND WORKED WITH GILBERT AND TRAINED THAT DOG.

AND, YOU KNOW, DOGS DON'T MAKE IT THROUGH OUR PROGRAM FOR ALL DIFFERENT REASONS.

AND THE REASON THAT WE WERE TOLD ABOUT GILBERT IS HE WAS JUST TOO FRIENDLY.

HE JUST WANTED TO SAY HI TO EVERYBODY AND COULDN'T REALLY FOCUS AND HIS PURPOSE WAS TO BE WITH MELISA AND MARK.

>> Eric: THAT'S GREAT.

>> Cathy: MARYANN, YOU'RE A HORSE PERSON.

SO YOU'VE TRAINED HORSES.

>> I AM A HORSE PERSON.

>> Cathy: TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE EASE WHEN IT COMES TO TRAINING A GUY LIKE RUDY.

>> THERE'S DEFINITELY TRANSFERABLE SKILLS, BECAUSE, AS YOU WELL KNOW, TRAINING HORSES, LIKE TRAINING DOGS, IT'S VERY NUANCED, YOU KNOW?

AND EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE ALL GOLDEN RETRIEVERS AND LABRADORS, THEY ALL HAVE THEIR OWN PERSONALITIES.

SO I'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR ABOUT EIGHT PLUS YEARS.

AND HE'S MY SEVENTH DOG.

AND WITH EACH ONE I LEARN SOMETHING ELSE.

JUST LIKE WITH EACH HORSE YOU RIDE, YOU KNOW, IT'S ALL A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT.

SO YOU JUST KEEP ADDING TOOLS TO YOUR TOOL BELT, AND SORT OF THE FUN OF PUZZLING OUT WHAT WORKS FOR EACH DOG IN TRAINING.

>> Cathy: WHAT DO YOU THINK PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND ABOUT SERVICE DOGS?

>> ABOUT SERVICE DOGS.

>> Eric: IT SAYS DON'T PET OFTEN.

>> IT DOES SAY DON'T PET, AND THAT'S MOSTLY FROM WHEN THEY'RE IN TRAINING.

NOW, WHEN A PERSON HAS A DOG, WE CALL THEM OUR GRADUATES HAVE A DOG, IT IS TOTALLY UP TO THEM, YOU KNOW, TO FIND -- YOU KNOW, TO SAY, YES, YOU MAY PET MY DOG, YES, YOU CAN.

AND, YOU KNOW, FOR THEM, A LOT OF TIMES IT'S A REALLY NICE SEGUE INTO HAVING A CONVERSATION WITH SOMEBODY.

>> Cathy: OKAY, SO NEXT STEPS IN TERMS OF YOUR ORGANIZATION, WHAT'S IN THE FUTURE FOR YOU?

>> WE'RE REALLY EXCITED, WE'RE IN A PLACE OF GROWTH RIGHT NOW, WHICH IS REALLY EXCITING.

WE CHANGED SOME OF OUR METHODS A LITTLE BIT, BASED ON SOME NEW RESEARCH OUT OF DUKE UNIVERSITY.

WHERE WE'RE REALLY STARTING TO TRAIN THE DOGS EARLY INTERVENTION, JUST LIKE KIDS' BRAIN DEVELOP BY THE TIME -- OR 90% OF THEIR BRAINS DEVELOP BY THE TIME THAT HEY'RE 5, IT'S THE SAME WITH DOGS, BUT 5 MONTHS.

AND, SO, WE'VE REALLY SHIFTED TO THE BEGINNING STAGES OF OUR TRAINING INSTEAD OF TRYING TO FIX PROBLEMS LATER, WE'RE GETTING THERE RIGHT IN THE BEGINNING, WE'RE TOUCHING PAWS, WE'RE PUTTING SCENTS UNDER THEIR NOSES, WHAT WE'RE FINDING IS THEY'RE HITTING THESE MILESTONES FASTER.

AND, SO, WHAT WE HOPE TO BE ABLE TO DO IS GRADUATE THEM FASTER.

WE HAVE ABOUT A THREE-YEAR WAIT LIST.

>> Cathy: OH, WOW.

>> Eric: OH, GEEZ.

>> SO WE REALLY WANT O GET PEOPLE OFF THAT WAIT LIST, GIVE THEM THEIR INDEPENDENCE THROUGH A SERVICE DOG.

AND, SO, NOW YOU CAN DO WHAT MARYANN IS DOING AND HELP TRAIN A SERVICE DOG.

>> Cathy: IT'S OKAY.

>> AND HE'S STILL IN TRAINING.

>> Cathy: I CAN TELL.

>> OR YOU CAN BE HOST HOME AND YOU AN JUST HOST A DOG.

>> Eric: WHAT WEBSITE FOR INFORMATION?

>> HELPINGPAWS.ORG.

>> Cathy: YOU'RE A GOOD BOY.

YOU'RE THE BEST BOY.

>> Eric: THANKS A LOT FOR COMING OVER.

RUDY WAS A STAR.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> Cathy: HE'S A STAR.

HE'S A GOOD GUY.

>> WE DON'T HAVE TO BE HERE AT ALL.

>> Cathy: GOOD GUY.

THANKS, RUDY.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> DOMINIC: VIRGINIA WOOLFE.

ELLEN DEGENERES.

JODIE FOSTER.

BILLIE JEAN KING.

MELISSA ETHERIDGE.

WHAT DO ALL THESE PEOPLE HAVE IN COMMON?

THEY ARE ALL LEFT-HANDED.

I MENTION THIS BECAUSE THIS COMING WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, IS INTERNATIONAL LEFT-HANDERS DAY.

SO LET’S EXPLORE THIS ORIENTATION SHARED BY ABOUT 10% OF THE POPULATION.

WE DON’T REALLY KNOW WHY PEOPLE ARE BORN LEFT-HANDED.

SCIENCE TELLS US THAT IT’S PROBABLY A MIX OF GENETICS, BRAIN WIRING, AND PRENATAL FACTORS.

ALTHOUGH PEOPLE DON’T CHOOSE IT, THERE’S A CENTURIES-LONG HISTORY OF PREJUDICE AGAINST LEFT-HANDED PEOPLE.

THIS IS CALLED SINISTRALITY BIAS, AND IT’S RESULTED, FOR EXAMPLE, IN GENERATIONS OF LEFT-HANDED SCHOOLCHILDREN BEING FORCED TO WRITE WITH WHAT — FOR THEM — WAS THE INCORRECT HAND.

WHICH BRINGS UP A POINT.

CAN YOU “CONVERT” SOMEONE WHO’S LEFT-HANDED?

SCIENCE TELLS US THIS ISN’T SUCH A GOOD IDEA.

FORCING THE NON-DOMINANT HAND TO TAKE OVER CREATES CONFLICTING NEURAL SIGNALS.

THIS CAN RESULT IN STUTTERING, DELAYED SPEECH DEVELOPMENT, LOW SELF-ESTEEM.

UGH.

PLUS, LOTS OF PEOPLE FORCED INTO RIGHT-HANDEDNESS SWITCH BACK IN THEIR LATER YEARS, ANYWAY.

LEFTIES TEND TO BE CREATIVE, AND IT’S PRETTY CLEAR THAT THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF LEFT-HANDED PEOPLE FAR OUTWEIGH THE ANTIQUATED SPIRITUAL AND CULTURAL BIASES.

IF MAMA DA VINCI HAD FORCED LITTLE LEONARDO TO PAINT WITH HIS RIGHT HAND, WE MIGHT NOT HAVE THE MONA LISA.

WRITERS LIKE TRUMAN CAPOTE AND TENNESSEE WILLIAMS WROTE MASTERPIECES LIKE “BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S” AND “THE GLASS MENAGERIE” HOLDING THEIR PENS WITH THEIR LEFT HAND.

AND WHAT WOULD THE MUSICAL WORLD BE WITHOUT SOUTHPAWS LIKE LADY GAGA AND DAVID BOWIE?

SO, IF YOU’VE GOT A LEFTY IN YOUR LIFE, GIVE ‘EM A HUG.

AND GIVE ‘EM SOME GRACE.

THEY’RE JUST TRYING TO GET BY IN A WORLD THAT WASN’T REALLY BUILT WITH THEM IN MIND.

♪ ♪ ♪ >> Cathy: HOW COOL IS THIS?

TWO BROADCAST LEGENDS JOIN US TONIGHT.

BUT THEY'RE NOT HERE TO TALK ABOUT THEIR TIME ON THE AIR.

THEY ARE HERE TO DISCUSS AN UPCOMING GIG ON THE STAGE.

DON SHELBY ANCHORED THE NEWS ON WCCO NEWS.

DON SHELBY IN THE HOUSE.

NANCY NELSON'S DISTINGUISHED CAREER IN BROADCASTING INCLUDES A 13-YEAR RUN ON WHAT'S NEW ON WHAT WAS THE FORMER -- WELL, KARE-11 NOW, W .

THEY RETURN TO THE CHANHASSEN DINNER THEATRES IN SEPTEMBER FOR "LOVE LETTERS."

IT’S A PLAY THAT EXPLORES THE LIVES OF TWO FRIENDS THROUGH THE LETTERS AND NOTES THEY EXCHANGE OVER THE COURSE OF HALF A CENTURY.

IT'S GREAT TO SEE YOU GUYS.

>> IT'S SO WONDERFUL.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW OLD YOU HAVE TO BE TO HAVE SOMEBODY CALL YOU A LEGEND?

JUST SAYING.

>> Cathy: HEY, IT'S GREAT TO BE A LEGEND.

>> Eric: IF THE SHOE FITS.

>> THANK YOU, ERIC.

>> Eric: WHAT KEEPS YOU GUYS COMING BACK TO THIS ROLE?

YOU'VE DONE IT BEFORE.

>> THIS IS THE THIRD TIME.

I'LL DO ANYTHING WITH DON SHELBY THAT WE CAN TALK ABOUT ON THE AIR.

[ Laughter ] >> AND WE TALK ABOUT IN THE PLAY.

SO, LET THAT BE SORT OF A WARNING TO THE POTENTIAL AUDIENCE.

>> YEAH.

>> WE HAVE KNOWN EACH OTHER FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS.

WE HAVE BEEN GREAT FRIENDS.

AND THIS OPPORTUNITY WAS PRESENTED TO NANCY, FIRST OF ALL, BY MICHAEL BRANDISI, THE LATE MICHAEL BRANDISI, THE FABULOUS ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF CHANHASSEN DINNER THEATRES.

AND SHE ASKED ME IF I WOULD BE HER PARTNER.

I GOTTA TELL YOU, THAT WAS AN UNBELIEVABLE THING TO HEAR FROM HER BECAUSE I KNOW SHE HAD DONE "LOVE LETTERS" WITH HER HUSBAND, BILL CARLSON.

>> Eric: OH, SURE.

>> AT THE OLD LOG THEATRE.

AND FOR HER TO ASK ME, BECAUSE MILLIE HAD PASSED AWAY, TO BE A PART OF THIS SHOW, I COULD NOT SAY NO.

>> Cathy: I DID NOT KNOW THAT.

>> WELL, WHEN DON SAYS, FRIENDS, OF OURSE, MILLIE AND DON TOGETHER FOR DECADES, SO I KNEW DON, AND WHEN BILLIE PASSED AWAY, DON WAS THE FIRST ONE THROUGH THE DOOR.

AND, OF COURSE, DID BILLIE'S MEMORIAL.

SO IT IS LOVELY AND COMFORTABLE AND WONDERFUL TO DO THIS WITH A FRIEND AND IT IS SUCH A GIFT TO US AT THIS CHAPTER.

>> YES.

>> SUCH A GIFT.

WE'VE BEEN DOING IT SINCE 2022.

THEY'D DROP US IN FOR THREE WEEKS, THEY DROP US IN AGAIN FOR THREE WEEKS.

AND AS LONG WE KEEP SELLING TICKETS, PLEASE COME, EVERYBODY COME, PLEASE, PLEASE COME.

THEY'LL KEEP LETTING US DO IT.

>> Cathy: NOW YOU READ SIDE BY SIDE, YES, RIGHT?

>> WE DO.

WHAT HAPPENS IS THE TWO CHARACTERS COME OUT ON STAGE, BECAUSE, AS YOU'VE SET IT UP, THIS IS ABOUT LETTERS, WE HAVE WRITTEN TO ONE ANOTHER FOR 50 YEARS.

WE JOIN THESE PEOPLE WHEN THEY'RE 9 YEARS OLD.

AND THEY START WRITING.

BILLIE NOT MILLEY.

YOU HAVE NOT SEEN A PLAY LIKE THIS OFTEN.

THE LETTER HE WROTE, WE SEE HER RESPOND OMEHOW.

SHE WRITES BACK.

WE KNOW IT BY HEART BECAUSE WE'VE DONE IT SO LONG, BUT TO THE AUDIENCE T LOOKS AS IF WE ARE READING OUR LETTER THAT WE HAVE JUST WRITTEN.

>> RIGHT.

>> IT'S UNUSUAL, E NEVER LOOK AT EACH OTHER AND WE NEVER MOVE OUT OF THE CHAIRS.

>> NEVER INTERACT.

THE ODDEST KIND OF STAGING, YOU'LL EVER SEE.

>> IT'S NOT BORING.

IT JUST SOUNDS LIKE IT.

>> IT'S NOT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE ACTING IS REACTING.

AND THAT MEANS YOU ARE PLAYING OFF OF THE PERSON, BUT WE NEVER SEE EACH OTHER.

WE NEVER LOOK AT EACH OTHER.

>> NOT UNTIL THE VERY END WHEN WE GET TO TAKE OUR BOW.

>> Cathy: OH, FOR GOODNESS SAKE.

YOU WORKED WITH THE FABULOUS LEGENDARY DAVE MOORE, WHO WAS AN ACTOR.

RIGHT.

>> ACTOR FIRST.

>> I DID TOO.

>> Cathy: HE WAS AN ACTOR FIRST.

YOU DID, TOO, RIGHT.

HE WAS AN ACTOR FIRST AND THEN, OF COURSE, JOURNALIST.

DID HE TELL YOU ANYTHING IN THE COURSE OF YOUR LONG RELATIONSHIP ABOUT HOW TO BE ON STAGE?

>> EVERYTHING.

>> Cathy: ECAUSE NOW YOU'VE DONE HOW MANY OTHER PRODUCTIONS BEYOND THIS ONE?

>> Z.

HE TAUGHT ME EVERYTHING I KNOW.

>> Cathy: WOW.

>> EVERYTHING.

AND IT WAS ALL PARTS THAT WERE MISSING IN ME.

HE TOLD ME, HE SAID, HE SAID, I AM -- HE WAS SPEAKING OF HIMSELF, I AM 10% JOURNALIST AND 09% ACTOR.

YOU'RE 90% JOURNALIST AND 10% ACTOR.

MAYBE WE CAN HELP EACH OTHER.

90% ACTOR.

AND I USED TO WATCH WITH AMAZEMENT THE WAY HE WOULD READ A STORY AND THE WAY HE WOULD COMMUNICATE.

BECAUSE IT'S ALL ABOUT COMMUNICATION.

NOT JUST READING A SERIES OR A LITANY OF FACTS, BUT BY COMMUNICATING THOSE FACTS TO PEOPLE, AND HE HAD IT OVER EVERYONE.

>> Eric: YOU SHARE THE DATES OF THE PERFORMANCES?

>> YES, WE'RE IN SEPTEMBER 3rd THROUGH THE 1st, JUST 15 PERFORMANCES.

YOU CAN GO TO CHANHASSENDINNERTHEATRES.COM.

AND, DON, THEY GO TO CHANHASSEN'S DINNER THEATRE'S FACEBOOK PAGE, BECAUSE WE'RE HERE, THE SPECIAL OFFER ON FACEBOOK ONLY, BUY ONE TICKET, GET THE SECOND TICKET FOR HALF PRICE.

SO MY TICKET COST FULL PRICE, DON'S TICKET IS HALF PRICE.

ISN'T THAT RIGHT?

>> AND FOR TPT AUDIENCES ONLY.

>> Eric: WAIT, THERE'S MORE.

>> WAIT.

>> OH, HERE WE GO.

>> Eric: AND YOU'RE THE HOST OF THE CHANHASSEN ALL YEAR, RIGHT, AREN'T YOU?

>> YES.

I'M ONE OF TWO -- WELL, ACTUALLY, FOUR OF US.

I GREET AND THEN I GO UP ON STAGE AND SAY, HEY, GLAD YOU'RE HERE.

>> Eric: OH, FUN.

>> I LOVE THE THEATER.

I LOVE THE SHOW.

I LOVE DON SHELBY, THAT THAT R THANK YOU FOR LETTING US BE HERE.

>> Eric: WE'VE GOT O RUN BUT YOU'VE GRACED OUR STAGE TONIGHT.

THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: ABSOLUTELY.

THANK YOU.

>> ERIC: EVER SINCE A GUNMAN TARGETED STATE LAWMAKERS EARLIER THIS SUMMER, WE'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR WAYS TO HIGHLIGHT LEGISLATORS WHO ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO LESSEN THE HEAT IN POLITICS.

REPORTER MARY LAHAMMER HAS ANOTHER BIPARTISAN DUO WHO ARE ATTEMPTING TO BRING MORE CIVILITY TO THEIR SHARED DISTRICT WITH THE HELP OF A NEW INITIATIVE FROM MAJORITY IN MIDDLE.

>> Mary: THIS REPRESENTATIVE AND SENATOR ARE FROM THE SAME DISTRICT BUT DIFFERENT PARTIES AND ARE STANDING TOGETHER TO SIGN THE CIVIC PLEDGE.

>> GOOD DAY FOR BLAINE.

>> YES.

>> I THINK IT'S GOOD TO HAVE MEMBERS OF THE OPPOSITE PARTY, OPPOSITE CHAMBER COME TOGETHER, MAKE A PLEDGE LIKE WE DID TODAY.

MAKE A STAND, BE LEADERS AGAINST POLITICAL VIOLENCE AND TONING DOWN OUR RHETORIC.

>> THIS IS A REFLECTION OF OUR DISTRICT.

I'VE ALWAYS FOUND THAT FOLKS IN 0 -- THAT FOLKS IN OUR DISTRICT, HEY'RE NOT THE ONES WHO ARE GOING ON X OR WHATEVER SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM TO READ, YOU KNOW, THE LATEST ATTACKS ON, YOU KNOW, ONE POLITICIAN OR ANOTHER.

THEY'RE FOLKS WHO, YOU KNOW, THEY SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT, I'M FOCUSED ON GETTING MY KID O SOCCER PRACTICE, HOCKEY PRACTICE.

YOU GUYS GO TO THE CAPITOL, WORK IN BIPARTISAN FASHION, GET THINGS DONE, THAT'S WHAT WE EXPECT YOU TO DO, NOT BE THROWING FLAMES BACK AND FORTH.

>> I KNOW THAT THERE IS STILL SOME FEAR OF PUBLIC EVENTS, SO THE FACT THAT YOU ALL WERE WILLING TO COME OUT AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THIS IS SUPER MEANINGFUL.

>> Mary: MAJORITIES IN THE MIDDLE'S EFFORT IS BORNE OUT OF HEARTBREAK.

AFTER THE POLITICAL ASSASSINATION OF SPEAKER EMERITA MELISSA HORTMAN AND ATTEMPTED MURDER OF SENATOR JOHN HOFFMAN WHO RECENTLY ADDRESSED THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF STATE LEGISLATURES.

>> I WANT TO SPEAK CANDIDLY ABOUT SOMETHING WE ALL FEEL.

THE CREEPING EROSION OF PUBLIC TRUST.

NOT JUST IN INSTITUTIONS BUT IN EACH OTHER.

IN THIS CLIMATE, WE MUST RECOMMIT OURSELVES TO GOVERNANCE OVER GRIEVANCE.

TO SERVICE OVER SELF.

AND TO ACTION OVER ANGER.

>> Mary: HOFFMAN HAS A LOT OF FRIENDS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

>> SENATOR HOFFMAN IS VERY UNIQUE, HE'S ONE OF A KIND, HE'S VERY GREGARIOUS HE'S VERY PERSONAL WITH THE MEMBERS OF OUR CAUCUS, THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.

I NEVER WOULD HAVE IMAGINED THIS FOR ANYBODY, BUT CERTAINLY HE WOULD BE THE LAST ONE.

>> Mary: REPRESENTATIVE, YOU SERVED WITH MELISSA HORTMAN, HOW ARE YOU DOLING, YOU GOT TO KNOW HER.

HOW ARE YOU DOING, WHERE ARE YOU?

>> IT'S TOUGH.

I'VE SAID SINCE JUNE 14th THAT THERE'S MULTIPLE LAYERS TO THIS.

YOU KNOW, IMMEDIATELY, YOU KNOW, WHEN THE ASSASSINATION AND IT IS SHOOTINGS FIRST HAPPENED -- AND THE SHOOTINGS FIRST HAPPENED, AND STILL TO SOME EXTENT TODAY THERE'S THIS LAYER OF PERSONAL SAFETY AND TRYING TO JUST FIGURE OUT HOW DO YOU MAKE SURE THAT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ARE SAFE, YOUR HOUSE IS SAFE.

THEN THERE'S, YOU KNOW, THE PERSONAL GRIEF AND THE TRAUMA OF LOSING A CLOSE FRIEND, A DEAR COLLEAGUE.

YOU'RE SPENDING HOURS AND HOURS DOING REALLY TOUGH WORK TOGETHER.

YOU DEVELOP THIS BOND THAT YOU R THAN THE TYPICAL WORKING RELATIONSHIP.

>> Mary: SECRETARY OF STATE STEVE SIMON KNEW HORTMAN A LONG TIME.

THEY WENT TO AW SCHOOL TOGETHER AND LATER SERVED IN THE LEGISLATURE TOGETHER.

>> SHE COULD BE A REAL FIERCE ADVOCATE, SHE COULD BE A FIGHTER, SHE COULD HAVE A SALTY TONGUE, BUT SHE ALSO KNEW THAT YOU COULD DISAGREE WITHOUT BEING DISAGREEABLE.

>> Mary: THE STATED GOAL IS TO CHOOSE COMMUNITY OVER CONFLICT, DIALOGUE OVER DIVISION, COURAGE OVER COWARDICE.

>> WHAT'S IT LIKE TO BE NEW TO THIS ENVIRONMENT WHERE SOMETHING HORRIFIC JUST HAPPENED?

>> WELL, I DON'T THINK YOU CAN REALLY PREPARE FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS.

AND I THINK EVERY MEMBER IS DEALING WITH IT IN THEIR OWN WAY.

AND I THINK WE HAVE TO ALLOW SPACE FOR THAT.

SOME PEOPLE ARE BACK TO NORMAL.

SOME PEOPLE ARE NOT.

>> WE JUST SAW EACH OTHER HERE, ALTHOUGH I WASN'T SURPRISED, BECAUSE I THINK THIS S TYPICAL OF THE WAY BOTH OF US GO ABOUT OUR WORK.

WE TRY TO WORK TOGETHER IN A BIPARTISAN FASHION.

HE'S A GOOD GUY.

WE MAY NOT ALWAYS AGREE ON EVERYTHING.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, HE'S A GOOD GUY.

>> Mary: IN THIS ERA F POLITICS, ELECTED OFFICIALS HAVE ECOME RELUCTANT TO SIGN PLEDGES OF ANY KIND.

SO IT WASN'T EXACTLY EASY TO GET LAWMAKERS TO AGREE TO THE CIVILITY PLEDGE.

>> WHO WOULD NOT SIGN THIS TYPE OF PLEDGE BOUT PEACEFUL, ABOUT NOT ENGAGING IN VIOLENCE?

THIS CHARACTER ASSASSINATION HAS GOT TO STOP.

>> Mary: THESE ARE THE FIRST LEADERS TO SIGN THE PLEDGE.

THE AIM IS TO MODEL A NEW STANDARD OF CIVIC BEHAVIOR IN MINNESOTA WHERE CAPITOL SECURITY HAS NOW REORGANIZED AND RAMPED UP, LIMITING ENTRANCES OLLOWING A BREAK-IN ON THE SENATE FLOOR AND THE FIRST MURDER OF A FEMALE POLITICIAN IN OUR COUNTRY.

>> I COME FROM A LITIGATION BACKGROUND, AND, SO, I HAVE BEEN IN CONFLICT MY ENTIRE PROFESSIONAL LIFE.

>> Mary: SHARE THAT, TOO, RIGHT?

>> WE ARE, WE'RE BOTH LAWYERS SO THAT MIGHT BE PART OF WHY WE CAN KIND OF BRIDGE THAT GAP.

>> I LEARNED EARLY ON THAT IN MY PROFESSION THAT IF YOU START POUNDING THE TABLE, TREATING PEOPLE POORLY, IMPUNING THEIR CHARACTER, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET VERY FAR.

>> Mary: THE CITIZENS LEAGUE HAS ALSO BEEN HIGHLIGHTING MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE CIVILITY CAUCUS, WHO SPEND THE DAY TOGETHER, VISITING COMMUNITY LEADERS, TOURING LOCAL BUSINESSES ND BUILDING CAMARADERIE.

>> I THINK WHEN WE'RE ALL BACK TOGETHER AT THE CAPITOL AGAIN, IN FEBRUARY, AND SHE'S NOT THERE, I THINK THAT'S WHEN IT'S REALLY GOING TO PROBABLY HIT THE HARDEST.

>> EVEN IF YOU IDENTIFY WITH ONE PARTY OR THE OTHER, HE VAST MAJORITY OF THOSE PEOPLE STILL WANT US TO WORK TOGETHER AND GET ALONG.

I TRY TO HIGHLIGHT THE WORK THAT I'VE BEEN DOING, YOU KNOW, THE BIPARTISAN WORK, BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT.

THEY DON'T HEAR ABOUT THAT ON THE NEWS.

THEY JUST HEAR ABOUT THE DIVISION.

AND, SO, THERE IS SOME GOOD BIPARTISAN WORK GOING ON, WE JUST NEED TO GET THAT WORD OUT THERE.

>> CATHY: WE’RE CERTAIN OF ONE THING HERE AT "ALMANAC."

THERE’S ALWAYS SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT WITH OUR POLITICAL PANEL.

THIS WEEK?

VOTER PRIVACY, SAFETY CONCERNS FOR LAWMAKERS, UPCOMING SPECIAL ELECTIONS, AND MORE FRAUD ALLEGATIONS.

LET’S GET RIGHT TO THE INTRODUCTIONS STARTING WITH THE REPUBLICANS.

BRIAN MCDANIEL IS A FORMER LEGISLATIVE STAFFER TURNED LOBBYIST AND STAND-UP COMEDIAN.

I ALWAYS LAUGH WHEN I HEAR THAT.

PREYA SAMSUNDAR IS A GOP STRATEGIST, AS WELL AS A FORMER COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR FOR THE RNC AND THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN.

REPRESENTING THE DFL SIDE OF THE AISLE IS SUSAN KENT, A FORMER STATE SENATE MINORITY LEADER AND A DFL LOYALIST, AND ABOU AMARA, A FORMER LEGISLATIVE STAFFER, NOW ATTORNEY.

YOU CAN TELL I'M AT THE END OF A VERY LONG WEEK, EVERYBODY.

MARY MORIARTY, ABOU, HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY, DID WE SEE THIS COMING?

IT SEEMED LIKE A PRETTY BIG SURPRISE THAT SHE'S NOT GOING TO RUN FOR RE-ELECTION.

>> I THINK FOR MANY OF US IT WAS A SURPRISE.

I THINK, YOU KNOW, THIS IS A PERSON OF CONVICTION, AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH HER, SHE IS A PERSON WHO BELIEVES IN WHAT SHE WAS SAYING, AND WE ALL SUSPECTED THAT SHE WOULD BE FROWNING A SECOND TERM, THE FACT THAT SHE'S NOT MAY BE AN INDICATION THAT SHE UNDERSTANDS THE MOMENT OF 2022 WAS VERY DIFFERENT THAN THE MOMENT OF 2026.

>> Cathy: WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT?

>> WELL, AT THE TIME WE'RE COMING OUT OF THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD, HUGE DEMANDS FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.

NOW WE'RE SITTING IN A MOMENT WHERE FOLKS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY, BOTH IN PSYCHOLOGICALLY BUT IN REAL TERMS.

PROSECUTORS WANT BACK TO THE BASICS, I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE A THEME OF THE 2026 CAMPAIGN.

>> Eric: IS THERE A LAW ENFORCEMENT COMPONENT TO THIS, GET TOUGH ON CRIME THAT SOMEBODY COULD BENEFIT FROM THE MORE CONSERVATIVE SIDE OF THING?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK THE REALITY IS, MORIARTY THOUGHT SHE WAS, YOU KNOW, AWED DIGSING -- AUDITIONING FOR A ROLE AS THE HEAD ATTORNEY FOR MINNESOTA FREEDOM FUND.

AND THE REALITY IS, SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THE CHIEF PROSECUTOR FOR THE PEOPLE OF MINNEAPOLIS.

AND SHE FUMBLED SOME MAJOR CASES.

SHE TOOK HER AUTHORITY AND HER POWER WAY TOO FAR TO THE POINT WHERE THE GOVERNOR OF MINNESOTA HAS TO STEP IN, FOR A COUNTY ATTORNEY, AND SAYS, YOU'RE WRONG, I NEED TO TAKE THIS BACK FROM YOU.

THAT IS A HUGE LAP IN THE FACE IF YOU'RE A COUNTY ATTORNEY.

THERE WAS A LOT RIDING AGAINST HER.

AND THE REALITY IS, MINNEAPOLIS AND St. PAUL ARE JUST FACING A MOMENT RIGHT NOW WHERE THE CITY IS IN DECLINE, FROM CRIME, FROM A LACK OF BUSINESSES WHO ARE WANTING TO SHOW UP, MORIARTY IS PART OF THE PROBLEM, AND SHE WAS GOING TO HAVE TO FACE A LOT OF QUESTIONS AND SHE WAS GOING TO HAVE TO GIVE SOME ACTUAL MEANINGFUL ANSWERS FOR WHAT SHE WAS GOING TO DO DIFFERENTLY, AND I JUST DON'T THINK SHE HAD THOSE ANSWERS.

>> Eric: WHAT'S OUR TAKE ON THE LIBERAL VERSUS SOCIALIST SCHISM IN THE PARTY?

>> FIRST, I JUST HAVE TO SAY, THE REPUBLICAN TALKING POINT ABOUT THE HELLSCAPE THAT IS MINNEAPOLIS IS A LITTLE OVERDONE.

YOU KNOW, THAT JUST -- YEAH, LET'S LEAVE THAT THERE.

>> Eric: WE'LL LET HER GET IN.

>> BUT, YOU KNOW, THE DFL CONTINUES TO BE A BIG TENT, DIFFERENT OPINIONS, IT IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE SCRAPPY BECAUSE WE CARE DEEPLY, BUT, YOU KNOW, WHEN THE END OF THE DAY COMES ALONG, WE'RE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD, FIGURE THIS OUT.

I DO THINK THIS IS INTERESTING.

I THINK IT WAS A SURPRISE.

AND WITH A LOT OF ANNOUNCEMENTS STILL SUPPOSEDLY TO COME, I THINK IT DID ADD SOME RIPPLES INTO THE POOL.

>> Cathy: CEDRICK FRAZIER MIGHT JUMP IN FOR CANDIDATE.

>> CEDRICK FRAZIER REPRESENTS MY PARENTS SO MAYBE IT'S TIME TO GET A McDANIEL IN THE STATE HOUSE, I DON'T KNOW, PROBABLY NOT.

BUT, YOU KNOW -- >> Eric: COUNTY ATTORNEY, THOUGH.

>> WE'VE HEARD HIS NAME ASSOCIATED WITH THIS.

I THINK THAT HE'S EXPLORING IT NOW.

I DO SUSPECT THAT THAT WILL TURN INTO AN ACTUAL CANDIDACY.

I THINK LOT OF PEOPLE WILL LOOK AT HIM AND SAY, WELL, HIS POLITICS AREN'T THAT DIFFERENT FROM MARY MORIARTY, BUT I THINK THAT AS FAR AS BRINGING, YOU KNOW, SHOULD IT BE HIM, I THINK THAT HE WOULD BRING A LITTLE BIT MORE STABILITY, BECAUSE MARY MORIARTY JUST DIDN'T REPRESENT THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT.

SHE DIDN'T EPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA VERY WELL, AND I THINK THAT THAT, YOU KNOW, LEADS TO LACK OF CONFIDENCE IN THE ROLE.

>> I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY, I DON'T THINK IT'S A SCHISM.

I THINK THIS IS A CONVERSATION HAPPENING IN THE PARTY, AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL, LOCAL LEVEL OF, STATE LEVEL.

SO, FOR EXAMPLE, WE HAVE A SENATE RACE IN MINNESOTA WITH PEGGY FLANAGAN AND CONGRESSWOMAN ANGIE CRAIG.

PHILOSOPHICALLY THAT'S KIND OF THE SAME THING WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE.

IN TERMS OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY RACE.

AND, SO, I DON'T ACTUALLY SEE IT AS A FIGHT.

IT'S A REAL CONVERSATION IN THE PARTY ABOUT WHICH DIRECTION WE WANT TO GO, AND IN THE CONTEXT OF TRUMP, WHAT DIRECTION WE WANT TO GO.

SO I THINK IT'S AN IMPORTANT CONVERSATION TO HAVE.

>> Eric: FRAUD.

REPUBLICAN GIFT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I MEAN, LOOK, AT THE END OF THE DAY, LIKE, I WAS TALKING TO SOMEBODY ABOUT THIS, YOU KNOW, JUST EARLIER THIS WEEK, AND I KIND OF COMPARED IT TO, YOU KNOW, BEING A COACH OF A TEAM, AS TIM WALZ LIKES TO CALL HIMSELF.

HE'S THE COACH OF MINNESOTA.

WELL, AS COACH, YOU'VE SEEN WHAT IS NOW BEING TOTALED CLOSE TO, WHAT, A BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF FRAUD THAT'S HAPPENED UNDER YOUR WATCH.

YOU KNOW, IT'S KIND OF LIKE MY DAD WHEN HE WAS WATCHING THE VIKINGS GROWING UP, I REMEMBER HIM YELLING AND SCREAMING ABOUT DENNY GREEN BEING A TERRIBLE COACH, THAT'S WHY THE VIKINGS WERE TERRIBLE.

IT CONTINUED CYCLE AFTER CYCLE AFTER CYCLE.

WELL, THE REALITY IS, TIM WALZ, YOU'RE THE COACH, YOU'VE BEEN IN THE SEAT FOR EIGHT YEARS, AND ALL THIS FRAUD HAS HAPPENED UNDER YOUR WATCH.

NOW YOU GOT TO OWN UP TO IT.

>> Eric: SENATOR?

>> WELL, HE ACTED DECISIVELY THIS WEEK.

EVERYBODY HAS AGREED AND WORKED ON POLICIES TO ADDRESS THE FACT THAT FRAUD IS NOT A GOOD THING.

NOBODY WANTS TAXPAYER MONEY GOING PLACES IT'S NOT INTENDED TO GO.

AND THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO NEED THOSE SERVICES, DESPERATELY, GOOD WORK HAS BEEN DONE IN THAT AREA TO HELP PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH HOMELESSNESS AND THAT IS IMPORTANT EXAMINE IT MATTERS.

ALSO, IF WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT FRAUD ND CORRUPTION, WE SURE OUGHT TO TALK ABOUT THE GUY WHO'S GOING TO PUT THE BIG 200 MILLION DOLLAR BALLROOM ON OUR WHITE HOUSE, AND THEN WE CAN TALK ABOUT THE CRYPTOCURRENCY AND WE CAN TALK ABOUT THE PRIVATIZING OF DETENTION CENTERS THAT ARE HORRIFIC AND IMPRISONING PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT ACTUALLY NECESSARILY ACCUSED OF DOING ANYTHING SUPER ILLEGAL.

SO, IF WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT FRAUD, LET'S REALLY TALK ABOUT WHAT'S GOING TO AFFECT THE LIVES OF A LOT OF MINNESOTANS.

>> THE PROCESSES ARE IN PLACE TO CATCH THIS TYPE OF FRAUD.

I THINK THAT THERE WASN'T THE WILL TO SAY NO TO NONPROFITS THAT REALLY DIDN'T HAVE A TRACK RECORD.

WE HAVE HUGE, YOU KNOW, NONPROFIT WORLD IN MINNESOTA WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE A PROVEN TRACK RECORD OF HELPING PEOPLE AND BEING GOOD STEWARDS OF THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA'S MONEY, AND THEY WERE SORT OF PUSHED ASIDE IN ORDER FOR -- TO GET SOME, YOU KNOW, NEWER PLAYERS INTO THE FIELD 8.

AND I THINK THAT THAT HAS HURT THE NONPROFIT SECTOR AS MUCH AS ANYTHING.

THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, THE GOVERNOR, THE WALZ ADMINISTRATION, THEY NEEDED TO SAY NO TO SOME OF THESE NEW NONPROFITS, THEY DIDN'T DO IT FOR FEAR OF A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE CAN GUESS, AND THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS.

A TRUE CRIME TO THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA.

>> Cathy: SO, THE LEGISLATION THAT WAS PASSED THIS PAST SESSION RELATED TO FRAUD, IS THAT GOING TO BE ENOUGH?

>> Eric: I THINK THERE WERE 18 SEPARATE BILLS.

>> Cathy: EXACTLY.

>> THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT CONTINUING TO DO THIS WORK IN NEXT SESSION.

I MEAN, EVERYBODY AGREES.

FIRST OF ALL, FRAUD IS EVER EVOLVING.

YOU CAN'T SLEEP ON IT, YOU'VE GOT TO CONSTANTLY STAY, TECHNOLOGY, EVERYTHING, IS GOING TO KEEP CHANGING.

AND I DO THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE OF BOTH PARTIES IN THE LEGISLATURE AND IN THE ADMINISTRATION HAVE BEEN TAKING THIS VERY SERIOUSLY.

>> I JUST DON'T THINK THAT THE ANSWER IS MORE GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT.

AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE'VE GOT.

>> Cathy: DID YOU SAY YOU DON'T THINK THE ANSWER IS MORE GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT?

>> I MEAN, I THINK THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE -- WE HAVE TO ENFORCE WHAT PROCEDURES ARE ALREADY IN PLACE, BUT I THINK JUST TAKING -- BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENED WAS, IN A LOT OF WAYS, THEY STOPPED FUNDING INDIVIDUAL NONPROFITS AND NOW THEY'RE GIVING THEM TO THE DEPARTMENTS, LETTING THE DEPARTMENTS DECIDE, AND THAT'S WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS ORIGINALLY.

AND I THINK THAT IS ABSOLUTELY THE WRONG WAY TO DO IT, AND THAT'S WHAT THEY CHOSE TO DO.

>> WELL, I JUST WANT TO SAY VERY QUICKLY, AS A FORMER CONSTITUENT OF MINE HAD A LETTER TO THE EDITOR IN THE "PIONEER PRESS" JUST THIS WEEK AND REMINDED US, THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF REPUBLICAN EMPHASIS ON SCALING BACK GOVERNMENT.

SO THAT'S WHY SOME OF THIS STUFF HAS BEEN SENT OUT INTO THE PRIVATE AND NONPROFIT SECTOR.

>> I MEAN -- >> TO SAY THAT WE HAVEN'T HAVE MORE GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT, WELL, OKAY, LET'S JUST HAVE MORE GOVERNMENT.

>> BETTER.

>> I MEAN, LIKE, THE REALITY- IS I MEAN, LIKE, THE REALITY- IS, MEAN, LIKE, THE REALITY- IS, ITEAN, LIKE, THE REALITY- IS, IT'SN, LIKE, THE REALITY- IS, IT'S L LIKE, THE REALITY- IS, IT'S LIKIKE, THE REALITY- IS, IT'S LIKE E, THE REALITY- IS, IT'S LIKE MO THE REALITY- IS, IT'S LIKE MOREHE REALITY- IS, IT'S LIKE MORE G REALITY- IS, IT'S LIKE MORE GOVEALITY- IS, IT'S LIKE MORE GOVERLITY- IS, IT'S LIKE MORE GOVERNMTY- IS, IT'S LIKE MORE GOVERNMEN- IS, IT'S LIKE MORE GOVERNMENT IS, IT'S LIKE MORE GOVERNMENT IS NOT GOING TO MAKE THIS BETTER.

LIKE, THE REALITY IS, IS THAT THERE WERE PROCESSES IN PLACE THAT THIS GOVERNMENT, THAT TIM WALZ'S GOVERNMENT FAILED TO IGNORE, BECAUSE THEY PUT -- I'LL BE THE ONE TO SAY IT -- BECAUSE THEY CHOSE TO PUT SOCIAL, YOU KNOW, LEFTIST AGENDAS AND THINGS THAT THEY PRIORITIZED AS A PARTY OVER THE ACTUAL DUE DILIGENCES THAT THEY NEEDED TO DO AS A STATE.

LIKE, THIS IS ALL POLITICS AT THE END OF THE DAY.

THEY CHOSE TO PUT PARTY POLITICS AHEAD OF THE ACTUAL PROCESSES IN PLACE.

AND AS A RESULT, THEY DECIDED, WELL, WE'RE JUST GOING TO, LIKE, NOT PAY ATTENTION TO THE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO DO.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO PAY ATTENTION BECAUSE THEY CHECK CERTAIN BOXES.

AND WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THAT STEP BACK.

AND THEY DID THAT AND NOW WE HAVE FRAUD.

>> TIM WALZ FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS SITUATION.

HE SHUT IT DOWN.

HE'S MADE IT CLEAR TO THE PEOPLE WHAT HE'S GOING TO DO MOVING FORWARD.

THERE'S A BIPARTISAN CONSENSUS ON FRAUD BEING BAD.

THAT IS NOT THE DEBATE.

THE DEBATE ACTUALLY IS ABOUT WHAT BRIAN JUST ALLUDED TO.

THERE'S A PHILOSOPHICAL DIFFERENCE AT THE CAPITOL ABOUT WHETHER WE NEED MORE GOVERNMENT TO ACTUALLY OVERSEE THESE PROGRAMS OR WHETHER WE NEED TO SCALE DOWN.

DOGE IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE.

WHEN YOU CUT GOVERNMENT, AT SOME POINT, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A RUN AMOK AND NOT ENOUGH EYES ON WHAT'S ACTUALLY HAPPENING.

WE HAVE TO BALANCE THE TWO PRINCIPLES AS WE MOVE FORWARD.

>> Cathy: BEFORE WE GO, CAPITOL SECURITY.

DID I WRITE THIS DOWN RIGHT, FOUR DOORS ARE OPEN NOW AT THE CAPITOL FOR FOLKS, IS IT TOO LITTLE TOO LATE HERE OR WHAT?

>> I THINK IT'S TOO LITTLE TOO LATE.

LET'S ALSO REMEMBER, THE ASSASSINATION DIDN'T HAPPEN AT THE CAPITOL.

I'VE BEEN UP THERE 26 YEARS.

WITHOUT INCIDENT.

HOWEVER, WE CAN'T BE NAIVE, BUT I THINK ANYTHING THAT SEPARATES THE PUBLIC FROM THE PUBLIC SERVANTS IS BAD SO WE HAVE TO HAVE IT BE AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE.

>> Eric: WHAT ARE YOUR COLLEAGUES SAYING ABOUT SAFETY?

>> YOU KNOW, WAS SAYING, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE BEEN HERE SINCE JUNE 14th AND I WAS THINKING ABOUT THAT ON MY WAY OVER HERE.

THIS HAS ALL HIT PEOPLE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COMMUNITY AND THE EXTENDED COMMUNITY SO HARD ON SO MANY LEVELS.

AND PEOPLE ARE JUST REALLY STRUGGLING, YOU KNOW.

BUT RECOGNIZING, THINKING ABOUT FAMILIES WHO HAVE HAD REALLY TOUGH CONVERSATIONS WITH THEIR KIDS AFTER THAT HAPPENED.

WE HAVE TO DO MORE.

AND I HAVE TOO MANY MEMORIES OF SITTING IN THAT SENATE CHAMBER DURING REALLY TOUGH DEBATES WITH A LOT OF SECURITY AND IT WAS SCARY.

AND WE NEED TO DO BETTER.

>> Eric: GOTTA GO, GOOD STUFF TONIGHT, PANEL, THANKS.

>> Cathy: YEAH, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> Eric: VERY GOOD.

>> I WANT YOU TO DO THIS WITH ME.

LET'S DO THIS TOGETHER.

WOULD YOU BE MY RUNNING MATE AND LET'S GET THIS THING N THE ROAD?

>> I WOULD BE HONORED, MADAM VICE PRESIDENT.

THE JOY THAT YOU'RE RINGING BACK TO THE COUNTRY, HE ENTHUSIASM THAT'S OUT THERE, IT WOULD BE A PRIVILEGE TO TAKE THIS WITH YOU ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> TIM WALZ FASHION HAS NOW NAME CAMO AND CARHART COOL AGAIN.

>> Mary: AS SOON AS THE NEWS BROKE THAT GOVERNOR WALZ WAS INDEED THE VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, MINNESOTANS IN THE GOVERNOR'S NEIGHBORHOOD GATHERED IN SUPPORT.

>> ERIC: IT’S TIME FOR THE INDEX FILE SECTION OF OUR PROGRAM WHERE WE TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF MINNESOTA HISTORY.

THIS WEEK, WE WANT YOU TO IDENTIFY A MYSTERY PERSON.

THIS PERSON, NOT SEEN HERE, LIVED AND WENT TO SCHOOL IN THE TWIN CITIES FOR A RELATIVELY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME IN 1984.

AFTER MOVING AWAY, HE OR SHE EMBARKED ON A VERY SUCCESSFUL CAREER AND IS HONORED IN A HALL OF FAME.

IN 2018, THIS PERSON RETURNED TO THE TWIN CITIES FOR WORK, AND WHILE IN TOWN VISITED THE SCHOOL HE OR SHE ATTENDED IN 1984.

OUR QUESTION IS SIMPLE, WHO IS THIS MYSTERY PERSON?

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU WHETHER YOU’RE CALLING FROM DETROIT LAKES, NEW YORK MILLS, OR LITTLE CANADA.

651-229-1430 IS THE NUMBER TO CALL WITH YOUR VERY BEST GUESSES.

OR YOU CAN EMAIL US AT ALMANAC@TPT.ORG.

WE'VE GOT JUST ENOUGH TIME FOR SOME SHOW-ENDING MUSIC.

IT WAS WAY BACK IN 1999 WHEN IRISH FOLK SINGER LIAM CLANCY AND HIS SON DÓNAL JOINED US TO PLUG THE MINNESOTA IRISH HERITAGE FAIR.

THE EVENT IS NOW CALLED THE IRISH FAIR OF MINNESOTA.

IT KICKED OFF TODAY ON HARRIET ISLAND AND IT RUNS ALL WEEKEND IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO DO.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

BE CAREFUL.

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