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

>> ERIC: THERE'S A TENTATIVE GOVERNOR WALZ WILL BE LIVE IN STUDIO TO TALK ABOUT THAT AND COVID AND OTHER TOPICS.

WE'LL LEARN ABOUT STEPS MINNEAPOLIS IS TAKING TO TRY TO REDUCE VIOLENCE.

ROY FINDEN WILL CELEBRATE THE WONDER OF LILAC BLOOMS.

AND MARY LAHAMMER IS FOCUSED THIS WEEK ON EDUCATION.

>> Mary: EDUCATION WAS A BIG WINNER IN THE GLOBAL BUDGET DEAL.

I'LL HAVE THE DETAILS.

>> NICE!

IT'S WORKING!

>> 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 ELECTRICITY AND RELATED SERVICES TO 28 CO-OPS IN MINNESOTA.

A TOUCHSTONE ENERGY COOPERATIVE.

DELTA DENTAL OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION: MAKING DENTAL CARE POSSIBLE FOR MINNESOTANS IN NEED.

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

ENBRIDGE: CONNECTING MINNESOTANS WITH ENERGY FOR OVER 70 YEARS.

MORE AT ENBRIDGE.COM/LINETHREEUS.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

♪♪ >> ERIC: LAST WEEK WE WERE JOINED IN STUDIO BY SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE MELISSA HORTMAN AND SENATE MAJORITY LEADER PAUL GAZELKA.

THEY LAID OUT THEIR EXPECTATIONS OF THE FINAL DAYS OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> CATHY: ON MONDAY THE FRAMEWORK OF A LEGISLATIVE DEAL WAS ANNOUNCED, ALTHOUGH THE WORK WON'T BE FINISHED UNTIL A SPECIAL SESSION IS CONVENED IN JUNE.

TONIGHT WE ARE JOINED BY GOVERNOR TIM WALZ TO GET HIS PERSPECTIVE ON THE COMPROMISE DEAL.

GOOD TO SEE YOU, GOVERNOR.

SAY, GOVERNOR, I'M WONDERING, THERE'S A LOT OF TIME BETWEEN NOW AND POSSIBLY JUNE 14th WHEN THE SESSION IS UNDERWAY.

HOW SOLID IS THIS TENTATIVE DEAL?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, I THINK IT'S PROGRESS, AND I'M PROUD OF MINNESOTA ONCE AGAIN.

I'M PROUD OF SPEAKER HORTMAN AND LEADER GAZELKA.

WE IDEALOGICALLY ALL THREE DON'T ALIGN, BUT WE UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOOD FOR MINNESOTA.

AND WE CAME OUT WITH SOME OF THE UNIVERSAL OVERARCKING PRINCIPLES AND SOME BUDGET TARGET NUMBERS AROUND MONEY.

AND THEN IT GOES ACK TO WHERE IT SHOULD, IT GOES BACK TO THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEES.

I FEEL SOLID ABOUT THAT.

THERE'S RESPECT THAT GOES INTO THIS.

THERE'S AGREEMENT THAT IS ARE MADE MONGST THE LEADERSHIP.

AND THEN THOSE CHAIRS AND THEIR MEMBERS WORK IT OUT.

SO I FEEL VERY CONFIDENT WE'LL GET IT.

I KNOW THERE'S SOME TOUGH THINGS THAT NEED TO BE DONE, BUT MINNESOTANS EXPECT US TO MAKE THOSE TOUGH DECISIONS.

>> Eric: HOW WILL YOUR EMERGENCY POWERS CHANGE, IF AT ALL?

>> WELL, I DON'T -- AT THIS POINT IN IME, IT'S A TALKING POINT.

BASICALLY WHAT'S LEFT IS VACCINATIONS.

I HAVE TO BE BLE TO -- YOU HAVE TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY SO FEMA WILL HELP YOU.

THAT'S WHY 45 STATES TILL HAVE IT IN PLACE.

AND THERE'S BASICALLY NOT MUCH ELSE LEFT.

I THINK THE ISSUE AROUND MITIGATIONS, WHETHER IT WAS MASK EARING OR THOSE TYPES OF THINGS, I THINK THOSE BEING GONE HAVE PROBABLY TAKEN SOME OF THE AIR OUT OF THAT BALLOON.

BUT WE'RE BASICALLY DONE.

AND I KEEP SAYING, THE LAST FEW THINGS ON THERE, EVICTION MORATORIUM, THAT'S BEEN OVER AT THE LEGISLATURE FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

I WILL SIGN WHATEVER AGREEMENT THEY COME UP WITH TO MAKE SURE THERE'S AN OFF RAMP.

I THINK FOR THE MOST ART, PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT WE'RE OVER A LONG HAUL AND SOME OF THOSE EMERGENCY POWERS, IF YOU WILL, ARE JUST TRIGGERS FOR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT.

>> Cathy: WHILE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE MASK MANDATE HERE, THE CDC, I KNOW, CAUGHT YOU AND MDH AND ALMOST EVERYBODY ELSE OFF GUARD WITH THEIR DECISION THAT FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TO WEAR MASKS AND THOSE WHO ARE NOT FULLY VACCINATED SHOULD CONSIDER WEARING MASKS.

AND BECAUSE MINNESOTANS, YOU KNOW, THERE'S ONLY, WHAT, A LITTLE OVER 50% OF MINNESOTANS ARE FULLY VACCINATED, WHY IS THAT THE SMART THING TO DO WHEN WE'VE BEEN SO CAUTIOUS TO THIS POINT?

>> WELL, WE LISTENED TO CDC, FIRST OF ALL.

AND WE WERE TAKEN BY SURPRISE A LITTLE BIT.

AND THAT 50% INCLUDES, OF COURSE, ALL CHILDREN, ALL THE WAY DOWN.

WE'RE APPROACHING ABOUT 65%, THOSE 16 AND POSITIVE.

AND ABOVE.

SO WE WERE GETTING CLOSE.

OUR PLAN WAS TO GET TO 70%, WHICH AGAIN IS NOT A CARVED IN STONE NUMBER BUT IT IS ONE THAT SAW ITSELF PLAY ITSELF OUT IN MARCH AND APRIL.

BY HAVING MORE PEOPLE VACCINATED, THAT SURGE WAS HELD BACK DOWN.

SO CDC FEELS COMFORTABLE WITH THIS.

I THINK THE HARD PART OF IT WAS, MINNESOTANS DID AN INCREDIBLE JOB WITH THIS.

WE HAD A PRETTY HIGH COMPLIANCE RATE AMONG MASKING.

THE DECISION WAS, TRYING TO BUSINESSES AND MUNICIPALITIES HAVE TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS.

I THINK WHAT PEOPLE SAW, IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN REALLY FRUSTRATING TO HAVE A STATEWIDE MASK MANDATE BUT IT ADDED CONSISTENCY.

IT'S TOO EARLY YET TO TELL.

WE USUALLY HAVE ABOUT A 7 TO 10-DAY LAG PERIOD.

WE'RE AT DAY SEVEN.

OUR NUMBERS STILL CONTINUE TO DECREASE.

OUR POSITIVITY RATE STILL CONTINUES TO GO DOWN.

SO PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WITHOUT MASKS FOR A WEEK, AND WE'RE NOT SEEING A BUMP.

DOESN'T MEAN IT COULDN'T HAPPEN.

WE'LL WATCH FOR THE NEXT WEEK OR SO.

>> Eric: ARE YOU GOING TO COME UP WITH SOME OTHER ENTICEMENTS, SOME GIMMICKS, LOTTERY TICKETS, 'VE SEEN GIFT CARDS IN OTHER TATES TO ENCOURAGE MORE COMPLIANCE?

>> I THINK SO.

AND, AGAIN, I WAS JUST OUT AT THE V.A.

WITH THE V.A.

SECRETARY TODAY AND THEY MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT.

MINNESOTA VETERANS HAVE TAKEN THE VACCINE AT THE HIGHEST RATE OF ANY STATE IN THE NATION.

MINNESOTANS ARE STILL DOING REALLY WELL WITH THIS.

I'VE SAID I DON'T SHAME PEOPLE WHO HAVEN'T TAKEN IT.

I WANT EDUCATION TO GET THEM THERE.

THERE ARE MULTIPLE REASONS WHY PEOPLE HAVEN'T BEEN VACCINATED.

ONE THING WE'RE DOING IS TAKING THE VACCINE TO THEM.

BUT I DO THINK THERE'S PROBABLY YOUNGER FOLKS, A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF FOLKS, IF YOU CAN ENTICE THEM JUST A LITTLE BIT, IT MIGHT MAKE A DIFFERENCE SO WE HAVE A PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAMS THAT HAVE BEEN INVOLVED.

YOU SAW THE St. PAUL SAINTS OFFER FREE TICKETS.

I THINK, YOU KNOW, I SAID IT MAY BE GIMMICK CAN I BUT IT GETS SOMEBODY A SHOT, I'M WILLING TO DO IT, AND I DON'T THINK IT HURTS.

IT DOESN'T HURT ANYTHING.

I DO, THOUGH, WANT TO NOTE THAT WHEN YOU'RE GIVING AWAY SOME OF THESE PRIZES AND THINGS, YOU KNOW, THERE'S FOLKS THAT ARE IN KIND OF A POSITION OF A LITTLE MORE WEALTH WHERE THEY'RE ABLE TO EVEN GO TO A BASEBALL GAME.

I'M TALKING ABOUT VACCINATING PEOPLE WHO WORK IN FARM FIELDS AND MIGHT NOT HAVE ENGLISH AS THEIR FIRST LANGUAGE.

THOSE TYPE OF INCENTIVES DON'T WORK THERE.

WE JUST HAVE TO KEEP DOING THE HARD WORK OF GETTING IT TO THEM.

>> Cathy: LET'S GO BACK TO THE LEGISLATURE FOR A MOMENT BECAUSE I'M THINKING THAT SOME KIND OF POLICE REFORM, WE'VE BEEN TOLD, MAY COME OUT OF THIS UPCOMING SEEING, CAN -- SESSION, WE'LL SEE.

THERE'S 12 DFL PROPOSALS AROUND POLICE REFORM.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE SENATE, AND WHAT MIGHT COME OUT OF A SPECIAL SESSION?

>> I KNOW MINNESOTANS UNDERSTAND THIS.

THEY KNOW WE CAN'T CONTINUE ON THIS WAY.

WHEN WE TALK, WE CAN'T ALSO HAVE TALKING POINTS THAT ARE POLITICAL HITS, DEFUND POLICE OR ALL POLICE AREN'T DOING THEIR JOBS RIGHT.

WE ALL KNOW THAT THIS IS ABOUT COMMUNITIES FEEL SAFE.

WE DO KNOW THAT YOU SHOULD NOT DIE BEING PULLED OVER FOR A MINOR OFFENSE.

THAT BEING SAID, I THINK THERE'S GREAT POTENTIAL AROUND SOME OF THESE PRETEXTUAL STOPS.

I THINK THERE'S WORK THAT CAN BE DONE THERE.

I KNOW WE'RE WORKING HARD TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S MORE CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT, USING THE P.O.S.T.

BOARD, THINGS THAT WE CAN O, BUT WE NEED THE LEGISLATURE TO MOVE ON SOME OF THOSE THINGS.

AND, AGAIN, THE NO-KNOCK WARRANT IS ANOTHER ONE.

THOSE JUST LEAD TO VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS.

AND, SO, I'M HEARING THAT ALSO FROM THE POLICE.

I WAS TALKING TO A METRO KNOW, WE'RE PUT IN POSITIONS- WHERE WE END UP IN PHYSICAL CONFRONTATIONS OVER A $2 FARE.

WE HAVE TO FIGURE THAT OUT.

NO ONE WANTS IT.

>> Eric: GOVERNOR, THE SHOOTINGS OF THE THREE PRETEENS IN NORTH MINNEAPOLIS HAS RIVETED ATTENTION, I THINK, ON THE COMMUNITY GUN PLIGHT THAT'S GOING ON IN NORTH MINNEAPOLIS AND ELSEWHERE IN THE CITY.

IN 2006 GOVERNOR PAWLENTY CALLED ON STATE TROOP TOWERS HELP IN MINNEAPOLIS.

TROOPERS TO HELP IN MINNEAPOLIS.

ANYTHING LIKE THAT ON YOUR AGENDA?

WELL, WE CERTAINLY WATCH AND LISTEN.

CITIES ARE RESPONSIBLE AND IN CHARGE.

IT MAKES SENSE THAT COMMUNITIES KNOW WHAT'S BEST FOR THEM.

THE STATE IS THERE IN A SUPPORT ROLE.

WE'RE LISTENING TO HEM WHERE THEY'RE AT.

AT THIS POINT IN TIME, THERE'S NOT A PLAN TO DO SO.

BUT I, ALONG WITH, I THINK, EVERYONE ELSE, AND I CALLED ONE OF THE FAMILIES TODAY THAT LOST A CHILD, AND THOSE CALLS ARE JUST UNBELIEVELY HEARTBREAKING FOR THE FAMILY, THEY DON'T WANT TO HEAR FROM ME ABOUT WHAT'S THERE.

BUT WHAT THEY DID SAY, IS THERE ANY WAY WE CAN ALL JUST WORK TOGETHER TO FIGURE THIS OUT?

THERE'S OO MANY GUNS.

AND THEY ALSO SAID, WE NEED THE POLICE TO E THERE TO HELP US.

THESE ARE FOLKS IN NORTH MINNEAPOLIS, AND, SO, AT THIS POINT IN TIME I THINK WE'RE AT THE PLACE THAT THERE'S SOME GOOD STRATEGIES BEING LAID OUT.

THE COMMUNITY KNOWS THAT THIS IS A SUMMER THAT CAN GO ONE OF TWO WAYS.

IT CAN GO IN A DIRECTION WHERE WE START GETTING A HANDLE ON THIS A LITTLE MORE.

AGAIN, MINNESOTA, UP UNTIL THIS YEAR, WAS RANKED 46th IN TERMS OF SAFETY STATE.

BUT WE KNOW WE NEED TO TACKLE IT.

WE'RE THERE TO TRY AND SUPPORT IN ANY WAY WE CAN.

>> Cathy: I'M CURIOUS, WHILE WE'RE ON THE SUBJECT OF GUN VIOLENCE AND POLICING, A COUPLE WEEKS AGO WE HAD ATTORNEY GENERAL ELLISON ON THE PROGRAM, AND HE GAVE HIS FULL SUPPORT BEHIND WASHINGTON COUNTY PETE ORPITT AND HIS PROSECUTION OF THE CASE DEALING WITH THE FORMER BROOKLYN CENTER POLICE OFFICER WHO SHOT AND KILLED DAUNTE WRIGHT.

THAT'S GOING TO BE -- THAT'S NOW AS OF TODAY THE A.G.'S OFFICE IS GOING TO BE PROSECUTING ENTITY.

AND I'M CURIOUS, DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THAT DECISION?

>> AS I SAID EARLIER, I'VE CERTAINLY EARD FROM FOLKS, AND I TALK TO -- I'VE TALKED TO THE FAMILIES.

I AM NOT AN ATTORNEY.

I LISTEN TO THOSE FOLKS THAT ARE AROUND ME.

I HAVE COMPLETE CONFIDENCE IN ATTORNEY GENERAL ELLISON AND I LISTEN TO HIM.

I THINK WHAT'S COME OUT OF THIS, WHAT HE SAID, WE KNOW WE NOW HAVE HE BEST PROSECUTION TEAM IN THE COUNTRY.

WE SAW THAT.

AND IT'S A PARTNERSHIP, UNDERSTANDING THAT COUNTY ATTORNEYS DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES IN MANY CASES.

AND NEITHER DOES ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, TO BE QUITE CANDID, THEY NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THEIR BUDGET'S THERE.

I THINK THIS PARTNERSHIP, AFTER IT WORKED WITH THE PROSECUTION OF DEREK CHAUVIN AND THE CONVICTION, I THINK IT'S A MODEL THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FELT COMFORTABLE WITH.

OBVIOUSLY COUNTY ATTORNEY ORPITT DID AND, AS I SAID, I TALKED TO THE FAMILY, THEY MADE IT CLEAR TO ME, THIS WAS THE ARRANGEMENT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE.

OF COURSE, I TALK TO ALL PARTIES INVOLVED IS AND I THINK THIS IS THE BEST OUTCOME.

>> Eric: ARE YOU RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION?

AND MAYBE YOU CAN'T ANNOUNCE IT BEFORE THE END OF THE SESSION.

>> Cathy: YOU COULD DO IT RIGHT HERE ON "ALMANAC," THAT WOULD BE FINE.

>> Eric: UNLESS YOU WANT TO MAKE SOME NEWS.

WHAT IS YOUR PLAN FOR TIMING TO TELL US WHAT YOUR DECISION WILL BE ABOUT RE-ELECTION?

>> YEAH, WE CERTAINLY HAVE TO GET THROUGH THE SESSION.

BUT I MADE IT CLEAR THAT I THINK JUST WITH THE THINGS THAT WERE HAPPENING ITH COVID, GET TO A MORE SUSTAINABLE PLACE, WHICH I THINK WE'RE RIGHT ON THE VERGE OF DOING, AND THEN THE TRIALS THAT WE HAD AND SOME OF THOSE THINGS.

AND THEN GO OUT AND LISTEN TO MINNESOTANS.

I THINK WHEN YOU MAKE A DECISION TO RUN, THERE BETTER BE FOLKS ASKING YOU TO DO THAT.

NOT JUST BECAUSE OF THE NUMBERS YOU NEED, BUT IS THAT WHAT'S RIGHT FOR MINNESOTA?

I THINK WE'VE SHOWN LEADERSHIP.

MY TEAM HAS.

I THINK I'VE SURROUNDED MYSELF WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE.

AND WE WANT TO SIT DOWN AND HAVE THAT CONVERSATION TO CONTINUE TO SERVE IF THAT'S WHAT MINNESOTANS WANT.

>> Eric: WITH YOUR BACKGROUND AS A MEMBER OF CONGRESS, I'M VERY CURIOUS ABOUT YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE SPEAKER TALKING ABOUT A FULL-TIME LEGISLATURE, A LONGER LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

GOOD, BAD, INDIFFERENT, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, I TRUST THE SPEAKER TO NOTE THINGS.

AND SHE BROUGHT UP A REALLY INTERESTING POINT ABOUT OUR POPULATION'S DOUBLED SINCE 1960, THE COMPLEXITY OF SOME OF THE ISSUES.

I WILL SAY, AS A LONGTIME MEMBER OF CONGRESS, JUST GOING YEAR ROUND IS NO ASSURANCE THAT YOU'RE GOING TO GET ANYTHING DONE.

I THINK THAT THERE MAY BE N THAT, I THINK WE ASK SO MUCH OF THESE LEGISLATORS WHO ARE PART TIME, IT'S NOT PART TIME, ESPECIALLY FOR LEADER GAZELKA AND SPEAKER HORTMAN, IT'S FULL TIME FOR THEM.

BUT I THINK WHAT'S AT HEART HERE IS IS THAT WE'VE GOT TO FIGURE OUT A WAY THAT COMPROMISES ONCE AGAIN -- WHERE COMPROMISE IS ONCE AGAIN SEEN AS A VIRTUE.

AGAIN, I WANT TO BE CLEAR, NOT PATTING OURSELVES ON THE BACK BECAUSE WE GOT SOMETHING DONE AT THE LAST MINUTE AND THEN WENT INTO SPECIAL SESSION, BUT IT IS THE IDEA THAT THERE WAS RESPECTFUL COMPROMISE AND NONE OF US GOT EVERYTHING WE WANTED.

AND, SO, I THINK IT HAS PROBABLY MORE TO DO WITH THAT.

I DO THINK MINNESOTANS SHOULD NOTE THAT THESE FOLKS, YES, IT'S PUBLIC SERVICE, YES, THEY PUT THEIR LIVES ON HOLD, BUT IT ISN'T FULL TIME, BUT THEY'RE ASKED TO WORK AS IF IT'S FULL TIME.

>> Cathy: YOU KNOW, I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE ASKED ME, WHY IS IT THAT THE LEGISLATURE CANNOT GET THEIR WORK DONE DURING A REGULAR SESSION?

WE KEEP GOING INTO SPECIAL SESSION.

WHATs YOUR ANSWER TO THAT?

>> IT'S THAT INABILITY TO COMPROMISE.

IT JUST -- IT HAS TO HAVE A DEADLINE IN IT.

AND I'VE ASKED THIS, WHY NOT MOVE UP THE DEADLINE TO APRIL?

AND IF WE'RE NOT GOING TO HOLD HEARINGS, AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO THAT, T WOULD MAKE SENSE.

I PUT MY BUDGET OUT ON THE 20th AND WE DON'T REALLY START DEBATE -- AND THIS YEAR I WAS MUCH CALMER, I THOUGHT YOU STARTED TO WORK RIGHT AWAY.

YOU DON'T.

IT STARTS THE LAST WEEK OR SO.

SO MAYBE CHANGING THE CALENDAR.

BUT I THINK IT'S THE NATURE OF A DELIBERATIVE BODY.

AND THIS IDEA THAT THE BASE, THE BASE VOTERS VIEW IT AS A WEAKNESS IF YOU COMPROMISE ON THINGS RATHER THAN FINDING A SOLUTION THAT WORKS FOR EVERYONE.

>> Eric: GOVERNOR, THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

GLAD TO HAVE YOU.

ALL THE BEST DOWN THE TRAIL.

THANKS.

>> THANK YOU, BOTH.

>> ERIC: THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION WILL HEAD TO OVERTIME AS LAWMAKERS AND THE GOVERNOR ARRIVED AT BROAD BUDGET TARGETS ON THE DAY PRESCRIBED FOR ADJOURNMENT.

THERE IS A LOT OF POLICY LANGUAGE STILL TO WORK OUT, BUT ONE AREA IS CERTAIN.

EDUCATION IS GETTING SIGNIFICANT NEW MONEY.

MARY LAHAMMER REPORTS.

>> Mary: KIDS SITTING SIDE BY SIDE AT SCHOOL, IT'S AN IMAGE OF NORMALCY LONG SOUGHT AND THIS MAY CONTINUE FOR MONTHS TO COME WITH ADDITIONAL SCHOOL FUNDING COME THROUGH IN A GLOBAL BUDGET DEAL AT THE END OF THE REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> ONE OF THE BIG PIECES OF IT, THE ONE WE'VE BEEN ASKING FOR SINCE JANUARY, WAS TO REE UP THE FUNDING FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN THAT'S MEANT TO BE USED FOR ENRICHMENT EDUCATION FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO STUDENTS.

>> WHAT DO YOU SAY TO GOVERNOR WALZ?

>> HI!

>> Mary: THIS WAS A VICTORY FOR THE GOVERNOR, WHO SAYS SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS WERE PLANNING ON THE PAYDAY THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PROVIDED AND THE STATE SIMPLY HAD TO APPROVE.

>> THEY ALREADY PLANNED FOR SUMMER.

THEY KNEW WE WERE GOING TO GET THIS DONE.

I'M SORRY THAT THEY HAD TO WAIT.

BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS, I THINK FOR OUR STUDENTS IS, YOU HAVE SCHOOL DISTRICTS ALL ACROSS THE STATE ADAPTING WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO FOR ENRICHMENT, FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND THEY'RE LOOKING OVER THE LONG HAUL.

>> NICE!

IT'S WORKING.

>> NICE.

[ Applause ] >> YEAH!

>> Mary: OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ARE -- >> OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ARE RESILIENT AND OUR ADMINISTRATORS AND OUR TEACHERS HAVE JUST STEPPED UP.

THEY'VE BEEN CREATIVE.

THEY HAVE MET STUDENTS WHERE THEY'RE AT.

BUT ALSO HAVE MET FAMILIES DURING A TIME THAT HAS BEEN REALLY DIFFICULT.

>> Mary: THE GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BOTH STILL HAVE SCHOOL-AGE KIDS AND SAY NOTHING COMPARES WITH IN-PERSON LEARNING AND THEY'RE EAGER TO EXTEND THAT THROUGH SUMMER.

>> I THINK ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS THAT WE HAVE THE CHANCE TO SEE HERE IS OUR STUDENTS ENGAGE, THEY'RE LEARNING, THEY'RE NOT ONLY LEARNING FOR THEMSELVES BUT THEY'RE PARTNERING AND THEY'RE TEAMING, THEY'RE SUPPORTING EACH OTHER, THEY'RE CHEERING EACH OTHER ON WHEN THEY'RE SUCCESSFUL AND THEY'RE ALSO CHEERING EACH OTHER ON WHEN THEY HAVE A SMALL FAILURE AND THEY HAVE A CHANCE TO LEARN.

>> Mary: THERE'S EXTRA MONEY FOR PRESCHOOL, SOME KIDS HAVE ENTIRELY MISSED OUT ON THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR TWO YEARS NOW AND ADVOCATES HAVE MADE THEIR FRUSTRATIONS CLEAR BY COMING TO THE CLOSED CAPITOL DURING SESSION.

>> ASK YOU TO DO IS GO OUTSIDE.

>> WHAT WE WANT IS THESE GRANTS THAT WE HAVE FOR PROVIDERS TO E 75% DEDICATED TO RAISING WAGES FOR STAFF.

WE WANT FUNDING INTO THE CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

>> Mary: BUT REACHING LAWMAKERS IN PERSON PROVED NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> SENATOR?

CAN YOU GIVE THIS TO -- TO WHO?

>> SENATOR ABELER.

>> YOU CAN IVE IT TO I AM HAD.

THANK YOU!

>> WE HAVE A PETITION HERE SIGNED BY OVER 1,200 PROVIDERS, TEACHERS, AND FAMILIES, IN 221 COMMUNITY-BASED CENTERS ACROSS THE STATE IN 47 CITIES ACROSS MINNESOTA.

ABOUT THE FEDERAL FUNDING COMING IN TO THE STATE FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD.

>> Mary: THROUGHOUT SESSION, LAWMAKERS WERE REMINDED THAT KIDS COUNT ON US, THROUGH A VARIETY OF EVENTS CARRIED OUT IN AMERICAN.

IN PERSON.

>> WE HAVE BEEN RISKING OUR LIVES TO COME IN O WORK EVERY DAY TO MAKE SURE THAT THE CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE EDUCATED AND CARED FOR IN THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE.

>> I AM AN ESSENTIAL WORKER AS WELL.

I DEPEND ON DAY CARE IN ORDER FOR ME TO GO TO WORK.

IT IS HARD TO FIND UALITY AND AFFORDABLE DAY CARE FOR MY DAUGHTER, MY DISABLED CHILD.

>> Mary: EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS AND PROVIDERS SAY THEY'VE BEEN CHRONICALLY UNDERFUNDED AND ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS INFUSION OF FEDERAL FUNDS.

>> IT'S TIME FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE DEEP INJUSTICE EMBEDDED IN OUR CURRENT FRAGMENTED SYSTEM AND BEGIN THE WORK TOWARD A MORE JUST SYSTEM.

>> WE'RE CALLING ON GOVERNOR WALZ TO MAKE A SEAT AT THE TABLE FOR US.

IT WOULD BE AN HONOR TO SIT WITH MY BLACK AND BROWN BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO HAVE STRUGGLED THROUGH THIS SYSTEM THAT DOESN'T WORK ANYMORE.

WE NEED MINNESOTA TO SET A PRECEDENT FOR THE REST OF THIS COUNTRY THAT WHEN WE DO COME TOGETHER, GOOD THINGS CAN HAPPEN.

>> ERIC: THANKS TO THAT $75 MILLION IN FEDERAL AID, SUMMER SCHOOL WILL BE BUSY IN MINNESOTA.

THE MONEY WILL PAY FOR TUTORING AND CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION, PLUS FIELD TRIPS AND MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT SUMMER SCHOOL AND MUCH MORE, MINNESOTA'S EDUCATION COMMISSIONER HEATHER MUELLER.

COMMISSIONER, ARE YOU GOING TO BE ABLE TO USE SUMMER SCHOOL TO KIND OF ASSESS HOW FAR BEHIND SOME INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS MIGHT BE?

WHAT'S GOING TO BE THE ASSESSMENT PROCESS OF THAT?

>> WELL, I THINK WHAT WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO WITH THE SUMMER PROGRAM, AND IT'S REALLY GOING TO GET A SENSE OF WHERE OUR STUDENTS ARE, AND GIVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO NOT ONLY LOOK AT THAT ACADEMICALLY BUT WE'LL BE ABLE TO HELP THE MENTAL HEALTH OF OUR STUDENTS.

WE KNOW THAT NOT EVERY STUDENT IS GOING TO PARTICIPATE IN SUMMER PROGRAMS AND, SO, WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO UTILIZE ALSO OUR FALL TO REALLY LOOK AT EACH INDIVIDUAL STUDENT AND REALLY SEE WHERE THEY RE ACADEMICALLY AND THEN DETERMINE HOW BEST TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> Cathy: HOW SHOULD TEACHERS BE SUPPORTED AS THEY TRY TO HELP STUDENTS WHO HAVE LOST MORE THAN AN CADEMIC YEAR AND ARE STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES?

I MEAN, HOW CAN THEY HELP ADDRESS THIS WITH STUDENTS AND PARENTS?

>> WELL, I THINK A COUPLE OF THINGS ARE IMPORTANT TO NOTE.

IS THAT, FIRST, OUR STAFF, OUR TEACHERS IN OUR CLASSROOMS, OUR SCHOOL LEADERS HAVE ALWAYS WORKED WITH STUDENTS WHO HAVE EITHER BEEN BEHIND ACADEMICALLY OR HAVE STRUGGLED WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND THOSE CONCERNS CONTINUE TO COME TO THE FOREFRONT.

WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT OUR STAFF HAVE DONE AN AMAZING JOB ACROSS THE STATE IN EALLY WORKING TO TRY TO MAINTAIN RELATIONSHIPS, PARTNER WITH FAMILIES AND DETERMINE, REALLY, HOW BEST TO HELP TO SUPPORT STUDENTS.

AND, SO, AS WE LOOK AT WHAT WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE, ONE OF THE THINGS IN OUR SUMMER PROGRAM IS TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS AND SERVICES IN OUR SCHOOL-LINKED MENTAL HEALTH GRANT, PARTNERSHIP WITH HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, TO REALLY MAKE SURE THAT IN ADDITION TO SUPPORTING OUR STUDENTS IN THEIR MENTAL HEALTH, THAT WE'RE ALSO HELPING TO SUPPORT OUR STAFF.

ALSO SOME OF THOSE PLACES WILL COME IN PROVIDING ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO HELP TO REALLY PROVIDE THE TYPES OF PROGRAMS AND SUPPORTS THAT OUR TEACHERS NEED IN ORDER TO NOT ONLY ASSESS WHERE OUR STUDENTS ARE BUT TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE INSTRUCTION.

>> Eric: THE STATE OF IOWA HAVE BANNED THE MASK MANDATES FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND I WAS TALKING TO A PARENT TODAY THAT SAID EVEN TEACHING PHONICS TO HER CHILD WAS DIFFICULT WHEN THE TEACHER HAD A MASK ON BECAUSE THE STUDENT COULDN'T SEE THE LIPS.

WHICH IS PART OF PHONICS.

INSTRUCTION, I GUESS.

WHAT ABOUT A BAN ON MASK MANDATES IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS?

>> WELL, I THINK A COUPLE OF THINGS TO NOTE IS THAT AS WE LOOK TO THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, THE SAFE LEARNING PLAN CONTINUES TO BE IN PLACE AND THE REASON FOR THAT IS BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT OUR YOUNGEST LEARNERS HAVE NOT AD THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE ANY ACCESS TO A VACCINE.

THAT WAS ALSO INCLUSIVE OF OUR 12 TO 15-YEAR-OLDS UP UNTIL LAST WEEK.

KNOWING THAT, THAT CONTINUES TO PUT OUR SCHOOLS AND OUR STUDENTS IN A TYPE OF JEOPARDY.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ABLE TO PROTECT THEM AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

IT IS IN LINE WITH THE CDC.

AND WE ARE RECOGNIZING THAT WHAT THE CDC HAS SAID IS THAT IN SCHOOLS IT CONTINUES TO BE RECOMMENDED.

NOW, WITH THE GOVERNOR'S ANNOUNCEMENT AND SHIFT COMING ON MAY 28th, WE ALSO KNOW THAT AS THE SAFE EARNING PLAN COMES O AN END, WHICH IS ON THE VERY LAST EACHER CONTACT DAY, HEN THERE WILL BE SOME SHIFTS IN WHAT THAT WILL LOOK LIKE AS WE BEGIN SUMMER.

AND AS THE GOVERNOR SAID EARLIER, AS WE LOOK AT WHAT'S COMING UP IN THE FALL, IT REALLY GIVES US A CHANCE TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT MASKS ARE APPROPRIATE AND WHAT THE CDC GUIDANCE IS RECOMMENDING AND WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO RELY ON THE SCIENCE JUST LIKE WE HAVE THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE PANDEMIC.

>> Cathy: COMMISSIONER, SHOULD THERE BE A COVID VACCINE REQUIREMENT FOR SCHOOL ATTENDANCE THIS FALL?

>> AT THIS POINT IN TIME WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE SOME VACCINES THAT REQUIRED FOR SOME STUDENTS TO BE ABLE TO ATTEND BUT THAT'S NOT A CONVERSATION THAT WE HAVE HAD AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

>> Eric: THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE CALLED THIS HISTORIC FUNDING FOR K-12 EDUCATION.

AND HOW WILL THAT MONEY BE USED, IF IT WILL BE, TO REDUCE THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP?

>> WELL, IN ADDITION TO, I THINK, THE FUNDING THAT WE'VE IDENTIFIED FOR THIS SUMMER, WHAT WE'RE REALLY LOOKING TO BE ABLE TO DO WITH THE FUNDS THAT HAVE COME IN, WITH THE FEDERAL DOLLARS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, AS WELL AS WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR IN THE BUDGET AND IN THE LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE IS TO REALLY NOT ONLY FOCUS ON OUR ACADEMIC SUPPORTS BUT LOOK AT OUR SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL SUPPORTS AND OUR MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS.

AND I THINK WE HAVE TO BE REALLY HONEST ABOUT THE FACT THAT THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP IS NOT AN ACHIEVEMENT GAP ALONE, AND WHEN WE TALK ABOUT ACHIEVEMENT GAP, IT NOT ONLY PUTS IT SQUARELY ON THE SHOULDERS OF OUR STUDENTS BECAUSE IT FEELS AS THOUGH SOMEHOW THERE'S A -- THERE'S SOME TYPE OF REMEDIATION THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN, WHAT IT REALLY IS, WE ALSO HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THAT THAT ACHIEVEMENT GAP IS CREATED BY A NUMBER OF SYSTEMS AND STRUCTURES, SOME OF WHICH ARE INHERENTLY IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM AND SOME ARE OUTSIDE OF THAT.

WE RECOGNIZE WE HAVE ACCESS GAPS, WE HAVE OPPORTUNITY GAPS, WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE -- HAVE ACCESS, THEY'RE PARTICIPATING AND THEY'RE REPRESENTED AND THAT'S WHERE WE'RE REALLY GOING TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THOSE OUTCOMES.

AS WE LOOK AT PROGRAMMING, THOSE ARE SOME OF THE KEY AND FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES THAT WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO BUILD UPON.

>> Cathy: SO FINAL QUESTION HERE.

BECAUSE OF COVID, I'M SURE DISTRICTS HAVE LEARNED WHAT WORKS AND HAT DOESN'T.

AND DISTRICTS HAVE GOTTEN PRETTY CREATIVE.

AND I'M CURIOUS, WILL OUR DEPARTMENT SUPPORT DISTRICTS THAT MAY WANT TO TRY DIFFERENT MODEL OF ATTENDANCE NEXT YEAR BASED ON WHAT WORKED FOR THEM?

>> WELL, I THINK WHAT WE NEED TO LOOK AT, WE STILL HAVE MINNESOTA STATUTES THAT WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO FOLLOW.

THE INNOVATION OF OUR SCHOOL LEADERS AND OUR SCHOOL BOARDS AND OUR TEACHERS AND FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES HAS BEEN UNPRECEDENTED.

AND, SO, WHAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO IS REALLY LEARN, I THINK, WHAT CONTINUES TO WORK AND HOW WE WANT TO SHIFT.

BUT WE KNOW THAT IN AN AREA LIKE ATTENDANCE, WE DO STILL HAVE SOME OF THOSE PIECES THAT ALIGN WITH THE STATUTE.

WE HAVE LEARNED THAT ATTENDANCE IS REALLY ABOUT ENGAGEMENT.

AND, SO, WE ALSO KNOW THAT SCHOOLS ARE REALLY DOING A LOT AROUND ENGAGEMENT TO ENSURE THAT THEY CAN CONTINUE TO BUILD THOSE RELATIONSHIPS.

THERE ARE WAYS TO CONTINUE TO BE INNOVATIVE AND STILL MEET THE INTENT AND THE SPIRIT OF THE LAW.

>> Eric: HOW ABOUT THE TEACHERS OF COLOR, DID ENOUGH GET DONE URING THE SESSION OR WILL ENOUGH GET DONE TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF TEACHERS OF COLOR?

>> WE KNOW THAT OUR TEACHERS OF COLOR AND INDIGENOUS TEACHERS IS A REALLY IMPORTANT COMPONENT TO CONTINUE TO BUILD INTO EDUCATION.

WE RECOGNIZE THAT JUST IN GENERAL, WE HAVE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT CHOOSING EDUCATION BECAUSE, ONE, IT IS A DEDICATED PROFESSION AND IT IS A HARD PROFESSION AND IT IS REWARDING.

AND WE ALSO KNOW THAT THROUGHOUT THIS PANDEMIC, TEACHING HAS NOT LOOKED LIKE ONE OF PEOPLE'S FAVORITE THINGS TO BE ABLE TO DO.

BUT THOSE OF US WHO HAVE LIVED IN EDUCATION OUR ENTIRE PROFESSIONAL LIVES KNOW THAT IT IS ONE OF THE BEST PROFESSIONS IN THE WORLD.

AND WE ALSO KNOW THAT OUR STUDENTS, ALL STUDENTS, BUT SPECIFICALLY OUR STUDENTS OF COLOR, INDIGENOUS STUDENTS AND OUR BLACK STUDENTS BENEFIT BY DIVERSIFYING OUR WORKFORCE.

SO WE NEED OUR STUDENTS TO SEE THEMSELVES IN THEIR WORK, SEE THEMSELVES IN WHO'S TEACHING THEM AND STANDING IN FRONT OF THEM, AND, SO, THAT CONTINUES TO BE ONE OF THE GOALS THE GOVERNOR, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR REALLY ARTICULATED IN THEIR DUE NORTH PLAN.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR THE TIME, COMMISSIONER, APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> CATHY: THE NEWS HAS BEEN HORRIFIC.

IN THE PAST THREE WEEKS THREE CHILDREN IN MINNEAPOLIS HAVE BEEN SHOT, CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE OF AN INCREASE IN GUN VIOLENCE IN THE CITY.

ON WEDNESDAY, THE LATEST VICTIM, 6-YEAR-OLD ANIYA ALLEN, DIED FROM HER INJURIES.

CITY AND COMMUNITY LEADERS ARE DESPERATELY TRYING TO FIND A SOLUTION TO THE CRISIS.

ONE APPROACH THAT HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE IN OTHER CITIES IS A PROGRAM THAT USES "VIOLENCE INTERRUPTERS."

MINNEAPOLIS IS CURRENTLY TRAINING SUCH A GROUP, AND THEY WILL BE ON THE JOB NEXT MONTH.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT VIOLENCE INTERRUPTERS ARE AND HOW THEY MIGHT HELP IS SASHA COTTON.

SHE HEADS THE MINNEAPOLIS OFFICE OF VIOLENCE PREVENTION.

THANKS FOR BEING IN THE STUDIO.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> Cathy: WHAT ARE VIOLENCE INTERRUPTERS?

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THEM TO SOMEONE?

>> YEAH, SO WHEN WE THINK ABOUT VIOLENCE INTERRUPTERS, WE'RE REALLY THINKING ABOUT PEOPLE WHO HAVE CREDIBILITY IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

OFTENTIMES PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH GUN VIOLENCE, WHETHER THAT'S AS A PERPETRATOR OR A VICTIM, PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCE IN WHAT WE WOULD CALL THE LIFE, THAT LIFE OF, YOU KNOW, STREET VIOLENCE, GANG VIOLENCE, BUT WHO HAVE MADE THE HEAVY LIFT OF CHANGING THEIR OWN LIVES, WHO HAVE RELATIONSHIPS AND CREDIBILITY WITH THOSE WHO MAY ACTIVELY BE INVOLVED WITH THE VIOLENCE AND WHO CAN REACH OUT AND TOUCH THEM AND COMPEL THEM TO MAKE DIFFERENT CHOICES.

>> Cathy: HOW WOULD THEY WORK IN A SITUATION?

>> YEAH, SO WE'RE ACTUALLY RIGHT NOW WORKING WITH CURE VIOLENCE GLOBAL, WHICH IS N INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION THAT DOES THIS WORK OF TRAINING INTERRUPTERS AND HAS DEVELOPED THIS NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL MODEL.

AND, SO, WE REALLY FEEL LIKE IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE'RE FOLLOWING THE SCIENCE.

WE JUST CONCLUDED OUR MANAGER TRAINING YESTERDAY, AND THEY WILL BE BACK IN JUST A EW WEEKS TO TRAINING ALL OF OUR VIOLENCE INTERRUPTERS.

SO WE'RE, AGAIN, LEANING INTO THE SCIENCE OF WHAT CURE VIOLENCE HAS SEEN IN OTHER CITIES, WHICH IS SIGNIFICANT REDUCTIONS IN VIOLENCE.

BUT WHAT IT REALLY LOOKS LIKE IS STREET OUTREACH, PEOPLE BEING OUT AND ACTIVELY VISIBLE IN COMMUNITY IN THE HOT SPOTS WHERE GUN VIOLENCE IS HAPPENING AND MAKING THE RELATIONSHIPS, EXACERBATING RELATIONSHIPS THAT THEY HAVE, MEDIATING CONFLICT, AND ENSURING THAT THOSE WHO ARE MOTIVATED TO COMMIT VIOLENCE HAVE OPPORTUNITIES O DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

>> Eric: YOUR OFFICE WAS CREATED BACK IN 2018.

I THINK HE BUDGET HAS TRIPLED SINCE THEN.

AND I'M WONDERING IF YOU'RE GETTING WHIPLASH BY THE INCONSISTENT MESSAGING AND ACTIONS BY THE CITY COUNCIL.

YOU KNOW, ONE MONTH IT'S DISMANTLE THE POLICE.

SIX MONTHS ATER, IT'S WHERE ARE THE POLICE?

HOW HAVE YOU NAVIGATED ALL THAT?

>> YOU KNOW, WE ARE REALLY TRYING HARD TO STAY THE COURSE.

ONE OF THE THINGS, AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, WE'RE VERY FOCUSED ON IS THE USE OF EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE.

AND, SO, WE HAVE THREE HARD-CORE ANCHORED PROGRAMS, OUR CUE VIOLENCE IS THE NEWEST OF THOSE, THE MINNEAPOLIS INTERRUPTER MODEL, ALONG WITH OUR GROUP VIOLENCE INTERVENTION AND OUR HOSPITAL-BASED WORK CALLED NEXT STEP, WHICH ARE REALLY ANCHORED IN NATIONAL BEST PRACTICE.

SO IT DOES GIVE US SOME CLEAR DIRECTIVE ABOUT HOW WE CAN GO ABOUT DOING OUR WORK THAT ALLOWS TO TRY OUR BEST TO STAY OUT OF THE APPLY CAL FRAY.

>> Cathy: YOU'VE GOT A LOT OF PROGRAMS GOING ON BUT STILL PEOPLE ARE GETTING SHOT IN MINNEAPOLIS.

POLITICAL FRAY.

SO I'M WONDERING, WHAT'S YOUR IDEA AS TO EALLY HOW LONG SOME OF THESE PROGRAMS, HOW FAST CAN THEY WORK IN ORDER TO KEEP PEOPLE ALIVE?

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

YOU KNOW, THE CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES AROUND VIOLENCE IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS ARE JUST UNACCEPTABLE AND WE ARE WORKING HARD TO BUILD OUT MODELS THAT WE THINK CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

WE KNOW THAT WE'VE SEEN SOME OF THE WORK THAT WE WERE DOING PRIOR TO EVEN THE OFFICE'S DEVELOPMENT HAVE REALLY SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON GROUP AND GANG VIOLENCE AND OBVIOUSLY THE INCIDENCE WITH COVID, PEOPLE BEING CONFINED TO THEIR HOMES, BEING LOSING JOBS, REALLY JUST THE MENTAL HEALTH TOLL THAT ISOLATION HAS PLAYED ON PEOPLE ARE EXACERBATING SOME OF THE VIOLENCE THAT WE'RE SEEING.

BUT WE ARE VERY COMMITTED AND WE BELIEVE THAT THE STRATEGIES WE'RE USING, AS WE MAGNIFY THEM, CAN REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

>> Cathy: DO YOU WORRY AT ALL, SASHA, ABOUT THE COMMUNITY PATROLS THAT ARE GOING TO BE IN PLACE HERE ON THE NEAR NORTH SIDE OF MINNEAPOLIS?

IS THAT REALLY SOMETHING THAT IS WORKABLE?

>> YOU KNOW, THESE ARE FOLKS THAT WE ARE WORKING WITH WHO ARE FROM THESE COMMUNITIES.

THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE RELATIONSHIPS.

AND WE BELIEVE THAT THESE SOLUTIONS HAVE TO BE ROOTED IN COMMUNITY.

THAT WE EMBODY THE SLOGAN IN OUR OFFICE CALLED MINI APPLE US, IT TAKES ALL OF US TO PREVENT VIOLENCE.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE VERY SAFE WHILE THEY'RE OUT THERE ON THE STREETS, THAT'S WHY THE TRAINING IS SO IMPORTANT.

WE DO BELIEVE THAT THIS WORK CAN BE DONE IN A SAFE WAY.

>> Eric: WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF COUNCIL MEMBER CUNNINGHAM'S STORY THAT MORE PEOPLE HAVE DIED IN LOGAN AND LOWRY IN MINNEAPOLIS THAN 38th AND CHICAGO, AND I'M WONDERING IF THE PRETEEN SHOOTINGS OF THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS, IS THAT GOING TO FOCUS THE DEBATE AWAY FROM THE HIGH-PROFILE POLICE ACTIVITY AND MORE TO HE GUN PLAY IN MINNEAPOLIS?

>> I CERTAINLY WON'T SPECULATE ON WHAT OUR CITY COUNCIL OR OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE DOING RIGHT NOW, BUT WHAT I WILL SAY IS ACROSS THE CITY WE ARE SEEING INCREASES IN GUN VIOLENCE THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE AND OUR GOAL IS REALLY TO ADDRESS THAT IN ANY CORNER OF THE CITY WHERE WE'RE SEEING IT.

>> Cathy: BEFORE YOU GO, I'M CURIOUS, YOU'RE DOING A LOT OF WORK, BUT I'M WONDERING, WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ON WHAT SHOULD THE COURT SYSTEM BE DOING TO TRY TO KEEP STREETS SAFE?

>> YOU KNOW, WE REALLY LOOK AT THE ISSUE OF PUBLIC SAFETY AS AN ECOSYSTEM.

AND EACH ONE OF US HAS A ROLE TO I PLA.

IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT -- TO PLAY.

IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT AS WE'RE BUILDING OUT VIOLENCE PREVENTION STRATEGIES, WE'RE WORKING HAND IN HAND WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND THE COURTS TO MAKE SURE THERE'S A BALANCED APPROACH.

WE KNOW THAT THE EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE THAT WE'RE EXPERIENCING IS NOT ONE DIMENSIONAL AND OUR SOLUTIONS CAN'T BE EITHER.

>> Eric: YOU HOW MANY OF THESE INTERRUPTERS ARE OU GOING TO HAVE ON THE STREET, STARTING IN JUNE?

>> YES, STARTING N JUNE.

WE DO HAVE SOME PILOTED TEAMS THAT STARTED LAST YEAR HAT ARE ROLLING OVER.

THE FULL TEAMS WILL BE OUT IN JUNE.

RIGHT NOW WE'RE ANTICIPATING THAT EAMS WILL BE ANYWHERE FROM 15 TO 20 PEOPLE, WE'LL HAVE SIX TEAMS.

SO CLOSE TO 100 FOLKS THAT WILL BE OUT THERE ON THE STREET ON ANY GIVEN DAY.

REALLY WORKING TO BE A VISIBLE ANTIVIOLENCE PRESENCE.

>> Cathy: ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

GOOD LUCK.

>> Eric: THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> OH, BOY!

IT'S MY FAVORITE TIME OF YEAR.

NOT BECAUSE THE DAYS ARE GETTING LONGER.

AND NOT BECAUSE THE DAYS ARE GETTING WARMER.

NO.

I LIKE THIS TIME F YEAR BECAUSE OF THE LILACS.

OH, SURE, THERE ARE APPLE BLOSSOMS, THERE ARE CHERRY BLOSSOMS.

BUT NOTHING QUITE AS ELEGANT AS A LOVELY LILAC.

BACK IN THE '30s, WPA PROJECT PLANTED 7,000 LILAC BUSHES ALONG A 12-MILE STRETCH OF HIGHWAY 100.

7,000.

IT'S STILL KNOWN AS LILAC WAY.

SEE WHY I THINK THEM SO SPECIAL?

I EVEN MADE A POEM.

A LILAC LULLABY.

HEAR THE SWAYING LEAVES MAKE THE MELODY.

WHILE ALL THE BRANCHES KEEP THE TIME.

IT'S A LILAC LULLABY.

VO LUP SHUS BLOSSOMS FILL THE SPRING AREA -- AIR, THEIR POWER ENGAGING LL OF OUR SENSES.

A LILAC LULLABY.

THE FRAGRANCE IS JOYFUL, WE GRATEFULLY INHALE.

A BREEZE BRINGS THE JOY TO OUR LIPS AND WE LONG FOR A TASTE.

A LILAC LULLABY.

THE LULLABY IS BRIEF.

BUT MEMORY WILL KEEP IT ALIVE.

UNTIL THE MUSIC AND THE FRAGRANCE AND THE FEELING RETURN WITH ANOTHER LILAC LULLABY.

[ Applause ] >> Cathy: YAY!

>> HI, I'M KAOMI LEE AND YOU MIGHT RECOGNIZE THIS IGURE BEHIND ME, CHIEF BEMIDJI.

AND IT'S TIME FOR OUR ANNUAL "ALMANAC" VIEWER SURVEY.

IT'S TIME FOR YOU TO WEIGH IN AND TELL US HOW WE'RE DOING IN OUR COVERAGE IN GREATER MINNESOTA.

IT JUST TAKES TEN MINUTES.

GO TO TPT.ORG/SURVEYS.

AND THANKS.

♪♪ >> ERIC: REPORT FOR AMERICA'S KYELAND JACKSON, WHOSE DATA STORIES HAVE BEEN FEATURED ON "ALMANAC" IN THE PAST YEAR, HAS HOSTED A SERIES OF DIGITAL REPORTS THIS SPRING CALLED "TRIAL AND TRIBULATION."

THE SERIES LOOKS AT THE ISSUES RAISED BY THE KILLING BY POLICE OF GEORGE FLOYD.

IN THIS WEEK'S EPISODE, "TRIAL AND TRIBULATION" ASKS, WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

HERE'S AN EXCERPT FROM THE REPORT.

>> IF WE REALLY CARE ABOUT OUR PEOPLE AND WE CARE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS, WE WOULD WANT TO STOP PUTTING IN PRACTICES AND POLICIES THAT WILL CONTINUE TO CREATE THE ENVIRONMENT THAT WE ALREADY SAY WE DON'TMENT.

>> -- DON'T WANT.

>> STOP THE CONVERSATION ABOUT GOOD APPLES AND BAD APPLES.

LET'S START REALIZING THAT OUR SYSTEMS ARE BUILT AND CONSTRUCTED IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT TENDS TO HARM COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THAT LONG HAUL, RIGHT, THE LONG HAUL OF ENSLAVEMENT, LONG HAUL OF JIM CROW, LONG HAUL OF MASS APPROXIMATE INCARCERATION, LONG -- OF MASS INCARCERATION, LONG HAUL OF UNEMPLOYMENT, DISENFRANCHISEMENT, RIGHT, AND LACK OF WEALTH-BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES.

SO IF WE DO THE WORK IN A CLEAR, VALUE-CENTERED WAY, MAN, I THINK WE CAN GO A LONG WAY.

RIGHT?

BUT WE TEND TO WANT TO FIX, LET'S IVE MORE RAINING TO POLICE.

STOP TRAINING THE POLICE.

START ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY.

>> CAN WE LOOK INTO HOW MISDEMEANOR TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS ARE BEING ADDRESSED?

YOU KNOW, WHY IS THIS A PRIORITY?

WHY IS THIS A CRIME?

>> IF SOMEBODY IS GETTING PULLED OVER IN A TRAFFIC STOP BECAUSE THEY HAVE EXPIRED TABS, ARE THESE REALLY CRIMES THAT NEED A POLICE RESPONSE, ESPECIALLY A HEAVY-HANDED ONE?

OR ARE THESE THINGS THAT ARE SORT OF CIVIL INFRACTIONS OR OTHER CRIMES OF NEED?

>> MAKE SURE THAT, ONE, YES, ALL FIRST OFFENDERS GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET ACCESS TO RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PRACTICES.

I'M A PRODUCT OF SECOND CHANCES.

IF I'M NOT GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW THAT I CAN BE REDEEMABLE, THEN, YEAH, YOU'RE JUST FURTHER SETTING ME UP TO BE IN THE SYSTEM.

>> A LOT OF BLACK PEOPLE FORGET THAT WE NEED TO BE WELL.

AND WE'VE BEEN SOCIALIZED TO THINK, YOU KNOW, OH, THAT'S SELFISH.

AND MY THOUGHT IS THAT HOW ARE WE DEMONIZING SELF-PRESERVATION?

LIKE WE DIDN'T SURVIVE THE MIDDLE PASSAGE WITHOUT HAVING SOME SELF-PRESERVATION.

WE SHOULD CONTINUE THAT.

>> BLACK PEOPLE, PEOPLE OF COLOR ARE PRETTY RESILIENT IN THIS COUNTRY, IF WE WEREN'T, KNOWN THIS COUNTRY'S ISTORY.

BLACK EOPLE WERE BROUGHT FROM AFRICA TO GO OUT AND GIVE FREE LABOR TO BUILD THIS COUNTRY, RIGHT?

SO WE HAVE TO ALK ABOUT THAT.

>> I THINK IF WE ACTUALLY GRAPPLED WITH THE TRUTH AND ADDRESSED IT AND ACKNOWLEDGED IT AND MADE AMENDS FOR THE ATROCITIES THAT HAVE HAPPENED HERE, WE WOULD BE A LOT FURTHER.

YOU MAY NOT HAVE TO TALK ABOUT RACE ANYMORE BECAUSE WE WOULD HAVE DEALT WITH IT.

♪♪ >> CATHY: NEXT WEEK IS THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD.

TWIN CITIES PBS WILL DEVOTE MORE THAN A DOZEN HOURS OF PROGRAMMING TO THEMES OF RACIAL JUSTICE.

"ALMANAC" NEXT FRIDAY WILL TAKE A FULL-HOUR LOOK AT WHAT HAS CHANGED SINCE THE DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD, AND WHAT WORK REMAINS.

NEXT TUESDAY NIGHT TPT WILL AIR THE DOCUMENTARY "SAY HIS NAME: FIVE DAYS FOR GEORGE FLOYD" BY FILMMAKER CY DODSON.

DODSON LIVES IN SOUTH MINNEAPOLIS AND TOOK HIS CAMERA TO THE STREETS FOR FIVE DAYS AFTER FLOYD'S MURDER.

THE POWERFUL DOCUMENTARY WILL HAVE ITS BROADCAST PREMIERE ON TPT AND WILL BE AVAILABLE TO STREAM FOR FREE STARTING NEXT TUESDAY AT TPT.ORG.

HERE'S AN EXCERPT FROM THAT FILM.

>> AND I'M GOING TO SPEAK TO MY AFRICAN AMERICANS.

EVERYTHING YOU EVER GOT AS A PEOPLE YOU EITHER HAVE TO FIGHT FOR IT OR YOU HAVE TO DIE FOR IT!

♪♪ >> THAT'S SOMEBODY'S BROTHER, SON, UNCLE, THAT WAS A HUMAN LIFE.

SLAVERY'S OVER.

WE'RE NOT EXPECTING IT NO MORE.

IT'S DONE.

>> DON'T SHOOT!

DON'T SHOOT!

♪♪ >> THIS IS OUR HOME, MAN.

WE'RE SUPPOSED TO TAKE CARE OF OUR CITY, MAN, NOT DESTROY IT.

>> WE DON'T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN.

WE DON'T WANT OUR COMMUNITY TORE UP.

WE'RE HERE TO BE A COMMUNITY BUT WE CAN'T WHEN WE'RE STILL BEING MURDERED BY THE HANDS OF THE SAME PEOPLE WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO BE PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITY.

>> DO YOU HEAR ME?

>> GEORGE FLOYD.

>> SAY HIS NAME.

>> GEORGE FLOYD.

>> SAY HIS NAME.

>> GEORGE FLOYD.

>> SAY HIS NAME.

♪ HUMMING ♪ >> CATHY: "SAY HIS NAME" WILL AIR NEXT TUESDAY NIGHT ON TPT AT 9:00 P.M.

MANY PBS VIEWERS WILL BE ABLE TO WATCH THE FILM ON THE WORLD PROGRAM SERVICE, CARRIED BY MANY PUBLIC TV STATIONS.

CHECK YOUR LOCAL LISTINGS TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS DOCUMENTARY AND THE OTHER SPECIAL PROGRAMS THAT WILL BE FEATURED ON TWIN CITIES PBS IN THE NEXT TEN DAYS, GO TO TPT.ORG/ONEYEARLATER.

>> ERIC: ARTS ORGANIZATIONS HAVE STRUGGLED IN THE PAST YEAR AS AMERICANS WEREN'T GOING OUT TO PLAYS AND MUSEUMS AND CONCERTS.

AND MANY OF US WERE FACING ECONOMIC STRUGGLES THAT LIMITED PERSONAL GIVING.

THIS WEEK THE FORD FOUNDATION, WORKING WITH REGIONAL FOUNDATIONS, ANNOUNCED THAT TEN MINNESOTA ARTS ORGANIZATIONS LED BY PEOPLE OF COLOR WOULD RECEIVE $7 MILLION IN FOUNDATION SUPPORT.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE NEED FOR THIS PROGRAM IS DEANNA CUMMINGS WITH THE MCKNIGHT FOUNDATION.

ALSO JOINING US IS SOMEONE FROM ONE OF THE RECIPIENT ARTS ORGANIZATIONS.

MARY ANN SERGIO IS WITH INDIGENOUS ROOTS, A ST. PAUL-BASED ORGANIZATION THAT SUPPORTS INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND COMMUNITIES OF COLOR THROUGH ARTS AND ACTIVISM.

DEANA, I SUPPOSE THE DEMAND FOR THIS OUTSTRIPPED WHAT EVEN YOU COULD PROVIDE.

I'M SURE THE DEMAND IS STRONG?

>> 100%, YEAH.

YEAH.

THE INITIATIVE IS $12.6 MILLION FUND IN TOTAL THAT IS INFUGZ NEW RESOURCES -- INFUSING NEW RESOURCES INTO MINNESOTA TO SUPPORT BLACK, INDIGENOUS, ASIAN AMERICAN AND LATIN X ARTS AND CULTURE ORGANIZATIONS.

IT'S CALLED THE AMERICA'S CULTURAL TREASURES INITIATIVE.

AND IT'S INTENDED TO REALLY HIGHLIGHT THESE JEWELS IN OUR REGION WHO HAVE GIVEN SO GENEROUSLY TO THE VIBRANCY AND LIVABILITY AND WELCOMING NATURE OF OUR TWIN CITIES.

>> Cathy: I BELIEVE WE'RE GETTING ABOUT $500,000 IN A GRANT.

THIS MUST BE AMAZING FOR YOUR BUDGET.

>> MOST DEFINITELY IS GOING TO MAKE A HUGE IMPACT ON THE WORK THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY DOING AND THE FUTURE WORK IN THE NEXT GENERATION OF YOUNG FOLKS, YOUNG ARTISTS AND ORGANIZERS THAT WILL BE COMING OUT OF INDIGENOUS ROOTS.

>> Cathy: I KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO BE PROBABLY -- WELL, WHAT'S YOUR PLAN FOR USING THE MONEY?

I KNOW YOU'VE GOT AN OPERATING BUDGET.

WILL YOU DO ANYTHING NEW WITH THE MONEY?

>> YOU KNOW, FOR US, IT'S REALLY JUST IMPORTANT TO KEEP IN PULSE WITH THE COMMUNITY, WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND REALLY LISTEN TO THE NEEDS OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AND WHAT THEY NEED AND WANT TO SEE IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS.

AND, SO, FOR US TO SAY SOMETHING NEW MAY BE DIFFERENT IN EACH GENERATION, BUT IT'S DEFINITELY GOING TO HELP US FOCUS MORE ON THE WORK AND NOT NECESSARILY ALWAYS TRY TO FIGURE OUT FUNDING FOR PROGRAMMING OR FUNDING FOR ARTISTS AND ORGANIZERS.

FOR US IT'S JUST REALLY IMPORTANT TO SHARE HE ABUNDANCE.

SO THIS FUNDING, THIS RESOURCE, IS REALLY GOING TO BE A HUGE CHANGE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD THAT WE'RE ABLE TO SHARE THIS RESOURCE WITH EVERYONE THAT WE CONNECT WITH.

>> Eric: WILL THIS COMPLEMENT WHAT'S DONE THROUGH THE LEGACY FUND FOR THE ARTS?

IS IT IN COMPETITION WITH IT?

IS IT COMPLEMENTED?

ARE THEY NOT DOING ENOUGH?

TELL US ABOUT THAT DYNAMIC.

>> WE HOPE IT'S COMPLEMENTARY.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S REALLY UNIQUE ABOUT THIS INITIATIVE AND EXTRAORDINARY ABOUT THIS INITIATIVE IS THAT THIS IS FUNDING THAT IS ON TOP OF OUR CURRENT GIVING.

THE FORD FOUNDATION REQUIRED US TO MATCH THEIR GIFT AND THEY SAID THIS GIFT NEEDS TO BE ON TOP OF WHAT YOU WERE ALREADY PLANNING TO GIVE.

SO THE WAY I THINK BOUT IT IS, THIS IS NOT JUST A DIVIDING THE PIE UP DIFFERENTLY.

THIS IS REALLY MAKING THE PIE BIGGER, AND, AGAIN, REALLY SPOTLIGHTING JEWELS, ORGANIZATIONS THAT REALLY CONTRIBUTE GENEROUSLY AND MAKE OUR STATE A BETTER PLACE.

>> Cathy: TELL ME, SINCE THE CAMERA'S ON YOU, HOW RARE IS IT FOR FOUNDATIONS TO ALL WORK TOGETHER ON SOMETHING LIKE THIS?

>> THIS IS UNIQUE BECAUSE IT IS NATIONAL, REGIONAL, AND LOCAL.

AND IT IS MAKING THE PIE BIGGER.

I THINK THAT WE HAVEN'T SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE IN TERMS OF AN EFFORT THAT IS ON TOP OF OUR CURRENT FUNDING, THAT IS NATIONAL, REGIONAL, AND LOCAL, THAT IS INTENDED TO REALLY SPECIFICALLY THINK ABOUT THE FUTURE BEYOND THE PANDEMIC AND HOW THESE ORGANIZATIONS CAN COME OUT ON THE OTHER SIDE STRONGER THAN EVER BEFORE.

>> Eric: DO YOU THINK THIS TYPE OF PROGRAM MIGHT DRAW INTEREST FROM ARTISTS AROUND THE COUNTRY, MIGHT BE A MAGNET FOR MINNESOTA?

>> MOST DEFINITELY.

YOU KNOW, THE TWIN CITIES, THE JUST IN THE CITY OFANGING,- St. PAUL, OVER 51% OF OUR RESIDENTS IDENTIFY AS BLACK, BROWN, NATIVE OR INDIGENOUS.

SO FOR US TO HAVE THAT SHIFT IN DEMOGRAPHICS, IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT THE SHIFT IN RESOURCES AND QUITABLE RESOURCES IN FUNDING SHOULD REPRESENT THAT AS WELL.

SO WE'RE DEFINITELY GOING TO SEE A LOT OF SHIFTING, NOT ONLY HERE IN MINNESOTA, IN THE TWIN CITIES, UT IN THE MIDWEST AS WELL.

AND, SO, WE'RE REALLY GRATEFUL TO E ABLE TO BE ON THE RECEIVING END OF McKNIGHT FOUNDATION AND FORD FOUNDATION'S FUNDING.

>> Cathy: AS YOU KNOW, I MEAN, YOU'VE GIVEN OUT SO MANY GRANTS OVER THE YEARS, OU KNOW, THE ONPROFITS ARE ALWAYS SO GRATEFUL.

AND MOST FOUNDATIONS WILL GIVE A GRANT AND SAY, FOR A SPECIFIC PROGRAM, AND IT'S KIND OF SOMETIMES ONE-TIME MONEY.

>> YEAH.

>> Cathy: SO HOW ARE YOU HOPING YOUR GRANTEES WILL SUSTAIN THE GROWTH THAT COULD COME FROM THIS GRANT?

>> SURE.

SO, ONE OF THE THINGS WE COMMITTED TO IS THAT THIS FUNDING IS OVER TIME.

SO IT'S FIVE YEARS OR MORE.

BUT, SECONDLY, WE HOPE THAT LOCAL FUNDING PARTNERS, LIKE THE BUSH FOUNDATION AND THE JEROME FOUNDATION, WHO ALSO CONTRIBUTED TO THIS FUND, WILL STEP INTO THE OPPORTUNITY SO THAT WHEN WE GET TO THE END OF THAT FIVE YEARS, THERE'S A GREATER POOL OF FUNDING AVAILABLE.

SO WE HOPE TO GROW THE FUND BEYOND THE $12.6 MILLION AND INVITE FUNDING PARTNERS FROM ALL AROUND THE STATE AND THE REGION TO BE A PART OF THIS EFFORT AS WELL.

>> Cathy: GOING BACK TO MARY ANNE, I KNOW YOU SAY YOU'RE GOING TO BE LISTENING TO THE COMMUNITY IN TERMS OF WHAT YOU DO NEXT, BUT DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS YOU WANT TO SHARE RIGHT NOW?

AND CAN YOU TELL FOLKS HOW CAN THEY -- WHAT WILL THEY SEE WHEN THEY INTERACT WITH YOUR GROUP?

>> I THINK, YOU KNOW, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER IS, IT'S ALWAYS GREAT TO RECEIVE FUNDING FROM FOUNDATIONS AND GRANTS, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU NEED TO HAVE INPUT FROM, YOU KNOW, THE NEIGHBORS AND THE BUSINESS OWNERS AND THE PEOPLE THAT REALLY CREATE OUR SPACES AND OUR NEIGHBORHOODS INTO WHAT THEY ARE.

AND FOR US, ONE OF THE BIG PROJECTS THAT WE'RE WORKING ON RIGHT NOW IS THE CULTURAL CORRIDOR ON EAST SEVENTH STREET.

AND, SO, IT'S MAKING SURE THAT ARTISTS, BUSINESS OWNERS, YOUTH, ELDERS, EVERYONE IN OUR COMMUNITY AS A SAY IN THE THINGS THAT THEY WANT TO SEE IN TERMS OF PUBLIC ART, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, WE KNOW THAT GENTRIFICATION IS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS IN A LOT OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, ESPECIALLY THE GRANT RECIPIENTS THAT ARE LOCATED IN CERTAIN NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE AND, SO, FOR US, IT'S REALLY ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE BUILDING GENERATIONAL WEALTH, THAT THIS FUNDING -- THAT FUNDING SUCH AS THIS LARGE IS GOING TO STRETCH OUT NOT JUST FOR THE FIRST TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE YEARS BUT LITERALLY SEVEN GENERATIONS FROM NOW, EIGHT GENERATIONS FROM NOW BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THESE ARE JUST FOUNDATIONS AND SEEDS THAT ARE GOING TO BLOSSOM INTO SOMETHING SO MUCH MORE.

AND, SO, TO BE NAMED INDIGENOUS ROOTS, WE'RE GLAD THAT WE'RE STRENGTHENING THE FOUNDATION OF OUR ROOTS SO THAT IT BLOSSOMS INTO SOMETHING FRUITFUL IN THE FUTURE.

>> Eric: IS ONE SIDE BENEFIT OF THIS MIGHT BE TO KEEP SOME TROUBLED KIDS OFF THE STREET AND GIVE THEM AN UTLET THAT MIGHT BE MORE CREATIVE AND PROFITABLE TO THEM IN THE COMMUNITY?

>> EAH, I THINK MANY OF THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE GRANTEES -- THAT OUR GRANTEES DO DEEP WORK WITH YOUNG PEOPLE.

MARY ANNE SAID, INDIGENOUS ROOTS, ONE OF THE BIG COMPONENTS OF THEIR WORK IS TAPPING INTO YOUNG PEOPLE'S CREATIVITY, PROVIDING YOUNG PEOPLE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE PRODUCTIVE, TO BE SEEN, TO HAVE THEIR GENIUS SHINE.

SO I THINK WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS, ROOTED IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, THEY TEND TO SORT OF RUN THE GAMUT, WORKING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE ALL THE WAY TO ELDERS THAT ARE SORT OF DEEPLY EMBEDDED IN THE WAY THEY GO ABOUT THEIR WORK.

>> Cathy: OKAY.

FINAL QUESTION.

DEANNA, MAYBE THIS IS FOR YOU, THIS IS OVER TIME, AS YOU SAY, FOR FIVE YEARS, TO SPECIFIC ORGANIZATIONS, DO YOU SEE THAT MAYBE, AS YOU STRENGTHEN THESE ORGANIZATIONS, OTHERS MIGHT POP UP, OTHERS THAT ARE RUN BY BIPOC INDIVIDUALS?

>> YEAH, SO THE NEXT PHASE OF THIS INITIATIVE IS CALLED SEEDING CULTURAL TREASURES, AND THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

ONE OF HE THINGS WE TALK ABOUT AT THE McKNIGHT FOUNDATION IS THAT OFTEN BIPOC ARTISTS AND ARTS ORGANIZATIONS DON'T EVEN HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE BORN.

SO THE IDEA IS THAT WE'RE SEEDING WHAT WE HOPE WILL BE FUTURE GROWTH AND FUTURE INSTITUTIONS LIKE INDIGENOUS ROOTS AND THE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT WERE NAMED REGIONAL CULTURAL TREASURES THIS WEEK.

>> Cathy: ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, BOTH, FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Eric: GOOD LUCK TO YOU.

ALL THE BEST.

>> ERIC: IT'S MINNESOTA HISTORY TIME.

LAST WEEK WE ASKED YOU ABOUT A WARTIME HOLIDAY.

IT WAS CHRISTMAS EVE 1944.

AND PEOPLE AROUND THE GLOBE LISTENED TO A RADIO SPECIAL CALLED "PEACE ON EARTH WITH GOOD WILL TOWARD MEN" ON THE NBC RADIO NETWORK.

A 125-MEMBER CHOIR FROM MINNESOTA WAS FEATURED IN THE BROADCAST.

MINNESOTANS TUNED IN TO KSTP RADIO TO HEAR THE CHOIR SING "ALL GLORY LAUD AND HONOR."

LOCAL NEWSPAPERS PROMOTED THE BROADCAST WITH PICTURES OF CHOIR MEMBERS.

YOUR JOB WAS SIMPLE.

NAME THAT CHOIR.

WHAT MINNESOTA CHOIR WAS FEATURED ON NBC WORLDWIDE RADIO ON CHRISTMAS EVE 1944?

THIS IS THE LAND OF 10,000 CHOIRS, SO WE HAVE AN IMPRESSIVE RANGE OF WRONG GUESSES.

TAKE A LISTEN.

>> ERIC: NICE PLUG FOR ALL THOSE CHOIRS.

BUT THEY WERE NOT THE ANSWER TO OUR QUESTION.

ONLY ONE HOUSEHOLD CALLED IN WITH A CORRECT GUESS.

JIM AND KAREN, HERE'S YOUR 15 SECONDS OF "ALMANAC" FAME.

>> ERIC: YES, THE RIGHT ANSWER WAS FEATURED IN THE LATEST MINNESOTA EXPERIENCE DOCUMENTARY "ARMED WITH LANGUAGE."

THE NISEI CHOIR FROM THE MINNESOTA JAPANESE LANGUAGE SCHOOL, HEARD HERE, WAS FEATURED IN THAT NBC BROADCAST.

BY THE WAY, THERE WAS A ST. OLAF CONNECTION TO THE NISEI CHOIR.

THE CHOIR WAS DIRECTED BY A OLE GRAD.

>>> SEVERAL NOTES BEFORE WE GO.

REMINDERS TO FILL OUT THE ANNUAL "ALMANAC" VIEWER SURVEY.

YOU CAN FIND THAT AT TPT.ORG/SURVEYS.

AND TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE WEEK OF RACIAL JUSTICE PROGRAMMING AS MINNESOTA REMEMBERS GEORGE FLOYD, FIND OUT MORE BY GOING TO TPT.ORG/ONEYEARLATER.

ONE FINAL REQUEST.

FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS, TPT HAS BEEN DEVELOPING A MULTIMEDIA SERIES CALLED "BE MY GUEST," COMPRISED OF FOUR EVENTS AND A SERIES OF VIDEOS.

WE WANTED TO HOST YOU IN PERSON, BUT DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, WE'RE CONNECTING STATEWIDE VIRTUALLY INSTEAD.

JOIN MUSLIM AND NON-MUSLIM FOLKS ACROSS MINNESOTA TO CONNECT AROUND FOOD AND TREASURED TRADITIONS.

OUR FIRST VIRTUAL EVENT "RELIGIOUS CELEBRATIONS" IS ON THURSDAY, JUNE 3, FROM 6:00-8:00 P.M, FEATURING ZAKARIA ABUKAR OF HADEEAH MEDIA, ARTS EDUCATOR AYAN OMAR, JOHN EMERY OF THE ISLAMIC RESOURCE GROUP, AND MORE.

THE EVENT MAY BE VIRTUAL BUT THE BONUS IS THAT THE FOOD WILL BE REAL!

SIGN UP BY SUNDAY NIGHT IF YOU WANT TO SCORE A FREE MEAL, GIFT CARD, AND GOODIE BAG!

YOU CAN RSVP BY GOING TO TPT.ORG/EVENTS.

THAT AGAIN IS TPT.ORG/EVENTS.

>>> FOR SHOW-CLOSING MUSIC, FOUR YEARS AGO THIS WEEK THE OLD-TIME HILLBILLY BAND THE ROE FAMILY SINGERS APPEARED ON TPT'S LOWERTOWN LINE MUSIC SERIES.

HERE'S THE GROUP SINGING THE TUNE "JACK MALONE."

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

BE CAREFUL.

♪ STORY OF OLD JACK MALONE ♪ ♪ JACK MALONE IS ALONE ♪ ♪ HE'S GOT NO FRIENDS O HOLD HIS HAND ♪ ♪ NOW JACK MALONE DRIVES AN OLD CHEVY TRUCK ♪ ♪ THE TRUCK NEVER GOT STUCK ♪ ♪ JACK MALONE 7 ♪ JACK MALONE ♪ Captioned by: Paradigm Reporting & Captioning www.paradigmreporting.com ♪♪ >> OH, THAT'S THE REVEREND Dr. STEVE.

[ Cheers ] ♪ WELL, JACK MALONE TOOK LSD ♪ ♪ JACK MALONE ♪ ♪ OH, JACK MALONE ♪ >> COME ON, ADAM.

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

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY· GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING ELECTRICITY AND RELATED SERVICES TO 28 CO-OPS IN MINNESOTA.

A TOUCHSTONE ENERGY COOPERATIVE.

DELTA DENTAL OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION: INVESTING $25 MILLION TO IMPROVE DENTAL CARE FOR MINNESOTANS IN NEED.

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

ENBRIDGE: CONNECTING MINNESOTANS WITH ENERGY FOR OVER 70 YEARS.

MORE AT ENBRIDGE.COM/LINETHREEUS.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

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