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

>> Cathy: GLAD OU'RE WITH US.

IN THE NEXT HOUR, ATTORNEY GENERAL ELLISON WILL EXPLAIN HIS DECISION NOT TO APPEAL THE RECENT STATE COURT RULING ON ABORTION.

WE'LL TALK ABOUT NATIVE AMERICAN BOARDING SCHOOLS IN LIGHT OF THE POPE'S VISIT TO CANADA.

SHARON STITELER WILL STOP IN TO TALK BIRDING.

AND THEN MARY LAHAMMER LOOKS AT A BUILDING PROJECT NEAR THE STATE CAPITOL.

>> Mary: AN EMPTY HISTORIC HOSPITAL JUST UP THE STREET FROM THE STATE CAPITOL IS BEING REIMAGINED.

WE'LL HAVE THE SOAR, >> IT'S A VERY LOVELY EELD ART DECO BUILDING.

>> THIS IS A REALLY IMPORTANT PART OF THE CAPITOL AREA.

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

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

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY... GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 28 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

>> CATHY: LATER IN THE HOUR, WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE EARNING POWER OF MINNESOTA'S COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

DAVID GILLETTE WILL HAVE AN ESSAY.

AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE POPE'S APOLOGY CONCERNING INDIGENOUS BOARDING SCHOOLS.

BUT FIRST UP, A CONTROVERSIAL DECISION BY ATTORNEY GENERAL KEITH ELLISON.

>> ERIC: THURSDAY, MINNESOTA'S A.G.

ANNOUNCED THAT HIS OFFICE WILL NOT APPEAL A RECENT STATE COURT DECISION THAT RELAXED SEVERAL MINNESOTA ABORTION RESTRICTIONS.

ATTORNEY GENERAL KEITH ELLISON JOINS US.

GENERAL, THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

THIS INCLUDED STUFF LIKE 24 HOUR WAITING PERIOD, PARENTAL NOTIFICATION FOR MINORS SEEKING AN ABORTION.

WHY DID YOU NOT TO PURSUE AN APPEAL.

>> WELL, WE VIGOROUSLY DEFENDED THE STATUTE FOR THREE YEARS.

WE SPENT $600,000 IN TERMS OF SALARY IN DEFENDING THE STATUTE.

AND AFTER READING THIS OPINION, WHICH WAS 140 PAGES, CAREFULLY WRITTEN, WE JUST CAME TO THE CONCLUSION HAT THE LIKELIHOOD OF SUCCESS WAS VERY LOW.

AND THE EXPENSE OF PURSUING ANPEEL WOULD BE HIGH AND WE DECIDED IT WAS NOT IN THE INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE.

>> Eric: ID IT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL STAND ON ABORTION RIGHTS.

>> THANKS FOR ASKING.

NO, IT DIDN'T.

THIS WAS STRICTLY A LEGAL DECISION FOR ME.

AND LET ME JUST REMIND EVERYBODY, WE MAKE DECISIONS NOT TO APPEAL REGULARLY.

WHEN WE MAKE DECISIONS O APPEAL REGULARLY, THE KIM POTTER CASE, WE DID NOT APPEAL THE SENTENCE EVEN HOUGH IT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY BELOW THE GUIDELINES.

WE DIDN'T APPEAL THE OTTO BREMER DECISION.

THERE'S DECISIONS THAT WE DON'T APPEAL ALL THE TIME AND THERE'S ONES THAT WE DO.

ISABUT FOR IN THIS REGARD, IT IS A LEGAL DECISION, NOT A POLITICAL ONE.

>> Cathy: WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO PEOPLE LOOK, YOU GET TO PICK AND CHOOSE?

>> PART OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS TO HELP SET THE LEGAL POLICY OF THE STATE AND THAT MEANS THAT YOU WILL DECIDE AS ATTORNEY GENERAL WHETHER TO PURSUE AN APPEAL IN SOME CASES AND WHETHER NOT TO.

AND THAT'S WHAT MY JOB IS, TO LOOK AT THE LIKELIHOOD OF SUCCESS, AND WEIGH THAT AGAINST THE COST AND EXPENSE.

AND THEN OF COURSE FACTOR IN THE IMPORTANCE OF FINALITY SO THE PEOPLE KNOW WHAT THE LAW IS GOING TO BE.

NOW, THERE'S NOTHING THAT FORECLOSES THE LEGISLATURE FROM TAKING THESE ISSUES UP.

AS LONG AS THEY ARE CONSISTENT WITH WHAT JUDGE GILL BEGAN HAS DECIDED IN THESE CASES.

JUDGE GILLIGAN, A RAMSEY COUNTY COUNTY JUDGE, THIS CASE WAS VERY WELL BRIEFED.

WE BROUGHT NUMEROUS MOTIONS TO DISMISS.

WE FOUGHT THIS CASE.

WE -- HE CALLED US VIGOROUS ADVOCATES IN DEFENSE OF THE STATUTE.

BUT THERE ARE TIMES WHEN IT'S JUST NOT IN THE INTEREST OF THE STATE TO APPEAL.

AND THIS ONE IS ONE OF THOSE.

>> Cathy: CAN OTHER PARTIES APPEAL?

>> THEY AN TRY.

THAT'S CALLED A MOTION TO INTERVENE.

AND I'M SURE THAT SOMEBODY'S THINKING OF IT RIGHT NOW.

>> Eric: I'M JUST -- THIS IS GOING TO BE AN ISSUE IN THE CAMPAIGN AND T'S GOING TO E AN ISSUE FOR LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS TO COME, I'M SURE.

FROM YOUR PERSONAL LEGAL POINT OF VIEW, HOW DO YOU BALANCE THE RIGHTS OF ADULTS AND THE UNBORN?

>> WELL, FOR -- FROM A LEGAL STANDPOINT, WE REPRESENT THE -- WE REPRESENT THE STATE AND DEFEND THE STATUTE.

THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE DONE.

NOW, POLITICALLY, I ACTUALLY VOTED AGAINST THESE STATUTES WHEN I WAS A STATE LEGISLATOR.

YOU ALL HAVE BEEN KNOWING ME FOR A LONG TIME.

WHEN I WAS A STATE LEGISLATOR, I VOTED NO ON THESE STATUTES.

BUT WHAT I -- BUT THE LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS ARE DIFFERENT FROM MY OWN PERSONAL POLITICS.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS, I HAVE TRIED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE SEPARATE THESE THINGS.

AS ATTORNEY GENERAL, I HAVE A DUTY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DEFEND THE STATUTES, UNLESS THEY'RE CLEARLY UNCONSTITUTIONAL, OR PREEMPTED BY STATE LAW.

THE LAWS THAT WERE RAISED HERE, EACH THOUGH I DIDN'T THINK THEY WERE GOOD POLICY, THEY WERE NOT UNCONSTITUTIONAL, SO DEFENDED THEM AGAIN FOR THREE SOLID YEARS.

WE HAVE DEFENDS THIS CASE OR THESE STATUTES.

WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABANDONING OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO DEFEND THESE TATUTES.

BUT WE'RE NOW AT THE POINT WHERE THE JUDGE HAS DECIDED THE CASE AND I'VE DECIDED THAT APPEALING IS NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE TATE.

>> Cathy: I WANT TO ASK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT SOMETHING YOU BROUGHT UP EARLY ON AFTER ROE AND WAS PROTECTING WOMEN WHO COME TO MINNESOTA FOR AN ABORTION.

HOW WILL YOU DO THAT, I'M CURIOUS?

>> YEAH, WELL, THERE'S A FEW WAYS.

ONE IS THAT RIGHT NOW THERE'S A NUMBER OF STATES THAT WANT TO PROSECUTE PROVIDERS AND WOMEN WHO IF THEY LEAVE THE STATE, COME HERE, GET AN ABORTION AND THEN GO BACK.

AND THEN OF COURSE THERE'S THE ISSUE OF FOLKS WHO PROVIDE, MAYBE PERHAPS BEING EXTRADITED BACK TO ANOTHER STATE.

MY POSITION IS THAT IN MINNESOTA, PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO TRAVEL HERE.

THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO DO WHAT IS LEGAL TO DO HERE.

AND IF ANYONE TRIES TO INTERFERE WITH THEIR RIGHT TO TRAVEL OR THEIR RIGHT TO GET AN ABORTION IN MINNESOTA, WE WILL SHOW UP IN THAT COURT AND WE WILL DEFEND THEIR RIGHT TO COME HERE AND TO DO WHAT'S LEGAL TO DO IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

>> Eric: IS MINNESOTA ONE OF THE MORE INSULATED STATED WITH THE STATE CONSTITUTION AND WITH THE DOE V. GOMEZ.

>> YES, AS A MATTER OF FACT, I WOULD SAY THAT RUE.

IN THE UPPER MIDWEST, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ILLINOIS AND MINNESOTA.

MICHIGAN, THE RIGHT HAS BEEN FLIPPED AWAY FROM PEOPLE'S RIGHTS.

WISCONSIN'S SAME THING.

IOWA, THE DAKOTAS, WE ARE AN ISLAND IN THE STATES FOR A WOMEN'S RIGHT TOO CHOOSE.

>> ERIC: A REMINDER THAT KEITH ELLISON FACES ELECTION THIS FALL.

LAST WEEK, WE HAD PARTY-ENDORSED REPUBLICAN ATTORNEY GENERAL CANDIDATE JIM SCHULTZ ON OUR SHOW.

NEXT WEEK, HIS REPUBLICAN PRIMARY CHALLENGER DOUG WARDLOW WILL BE IN OUR STUDIO.

WE HOPE TO ARRANGE AN "ALMANAC" DEBATE THIS FALL BETWEEN KEITH ELLISON AND HIS ULTIMATE REPUBLICAN OPPONENT.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

♪♪ >> CATHY: THIS EVENING, POPE FRANCIS LEAVES CANADA AFTER AN EVENT-FILLED WEEK THAT SAW THE PONTIFF APOLOGIZE FOR THE CATHOLIC CHURCH'S ROLE IN THE ABUSE AT INDIGENOUS BOARDING SCHOOLS.

THE POPE'S APOLOGY WAS REJECTED AS INSUFFICIENT BY THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT AND BY MANY FIRST NATIONS PEOPLE.

OF COURSE, THE UNITED STATES IS ALSO STRUGGLING WITH ACCOUNTABILITY REGARDING THE LEGACY OF RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS FOR NATIVE AMERICANS.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES BETWEEN AMERICAN AND CANADIAN BOARDING SCHOOLS IS U OF M HISTORIAN BRENDA CHILD.

CHILD WAS BORN ON THE RED LAKE OJIBWE RESERVATION AND HAS AUTHORED MANY BOOKS ON NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY.

PROFESSOR, IT'S GREAT TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: SAY, WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE POPE'S APOLOGY?

>> WELL, IT WAS INTERESTING.

AND I GUESS I WAS MOST INTERESTED IN WHAT SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES ARE READING POSTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND WHAT OTHERS IN CANADA IN PARTICULAR WERE SAYING ABOUT HIS APOLOGY.

AND I WROTE IT DOWN A COUPLE -- JUST A SENTENCE OR SO BECAUSE I WANTED TO GET EVERYTHING RIGHT.

HE SAID THAT HE WAS DEEPLY SORRY FOR THE WAYS IN WHICH, REGRETTABLY, MANY CHRISTIANS SUPPORTED THE COLONIZING MENTALITY OF THE POWERS THAT OPPRESSED INDIGENOUS PEOPLES.

AND I THOUGHT THAT PRAISING WAS VERY INTERESTING BECAUSE HE SAID, MANY CHRISTIANS WERE RESPONSIBLE.

AND HE DIDN'T REALLY SAY THE CATHOLIC CHURCH ORGANIZATION WAS RESPONSIBLE.

EVEN THOUGH THE CATHOLIC CHURCH OPERATED ABOUT 70% OF THE RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS IN CANADA.

>> Eric: AND IT WASN'T QUITE TRUE IN THE U.S., RIGHT?

THE CATHOLIC HURCH INVOLVEMENT?

>> RIGHT, SO THERE WERE MISSION SCHOOLS RUN BY MANY CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS, BUT IN THE UNITED STATES, WE HAD A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO INDIAN EDUCATION, IN THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DIDN'T FORM OUT INDIAN EDUCATION TO CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS, BUT RATHER, ESTABLISHED THEIR OWN INDIAN SCHOOL SYSTEM.

SO DATING FROM CARLISLE, THE FIRST OF THESE BOARDING SCHOOLS, FAMOUS BECAUSE OF JIM THORPE, WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1879, FOR THE NEXT 50 YEARS, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OPERATED 25 OFF-RESERVATION FEDERAL BOARDING SCHOOLS, A LOT OF THEM NOT SO FAR EAST AS CAR LYLE BUT A LOT OF THEM IN THE MIDWEST OR ALL THE WAY OUT TO CALIFORNIA.

AND SO THAT WAS THE AY THINGS WORKED IN THE UNITED STATES.

IT WASN'T THE CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS SO MUCH.

>> Cathy: WHAT WERE THE GOALS OF THESE SCHOOLS.

>> OH, GOSH, I, YOU KNOW, THIS IS -- THE 50 YEARS THAT INDIAN EDUCATION WAS, YOU KNOW, THE BOARDING SCHOOLS.COMINGBOARDING SCHOOLS DOMINATED INDIAN EDUCATION, IT WAS THE ERA OF CULTURAL IS A SIM WILL A, SO PEOPLE AT THE TIME THOUGHTS THAT NATIVE PEOPLE DIDN'T NEED TO PRESERVE OR KEEP THEIR SPIRITUAL TRADITIONS OF THEIR OWN OR MAIN TIN THEIR LANGUAGES OR CULTURES.

>> Eric: WELL, IN THE HEIGHT OF IRONY, THEY CALL IT AMERICANIZING NATIVE AMERICANS.

>> AMERICANIZING WAS SRT OF THESORT OFTHE LANGUAGE -- >> Eric: AND OF COURSE NATIVE AMERICANS WERE HERE FIRST.

>> ABSOLUTELY, RIGHT.

BUT THE OTHER THING I'D LIKE TO POINT OUT ABOUT THE BOARDING SCHOOL ERA THAT 50 YEARS IN THE UNITED STATES THAT IT DOMINATED INDIAN EDUCATION, THIS WAS ALSO THE TIME OF THE BIG LAND GRAB OR MAYBE THE SECOND BIG LAND GRAB AFTER THE TREATY ERA, BECAUSE AFTER THE IS ALLOTMENT ACT, AND DON'T NEED O GET INTO ALL OF THE SPECIFICS OF THE LAND POLICIES, BUT THE BOARDING SCHOOLS WERE REALLY WENT HAND IN HAND WITH THESE LAND POLICIES OF LATE 19TH AND EARLY 20TH CENTURY.

HERE IN MINNESOTA, WE THINK OF THIS BEING THE BIG ERA OF DISPOSSESSION FOR NATIVE PEOPLE.

AND I KNOW THE EXAMPLE THAT WE OFTEN GIVE IN MINNESOTA, AND EVEN HISTORIANS AND SCHOLARS ACROSS THE COUNTRY WILL MAKE REFERENCE TO THE WHITE EARTH RESERVATION WHICH ENDED UP LOSING OVER 90% OF THEIR LAND BASE IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE ALLOTMENT ACT.

SO THE BOARDING SCHOOLS WERE TO BE THE PLACE WHERE NATIVE PEOPLE WERE RETRAINED TO BE MANUAL LABORERS AND TO GO OUT INTO SOCIETY, BECAUSE WE DIDN'T REALLY NEED A HOMELAND ANYMORE.

>> Cathy: SO THIS WAS OF COURSE IN CANADA, THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT REPARATIONS, AND MANY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS HAVE BEEN PAID OUT TO INDIGENOUS PEOPLES IN CANADA.

BUT REALLY, WHEN IT COMES TO REPARATIONS, IS IT MORE MONEY OR IS IT A RETURN OF THE LAND THAT NATIVE FOLKS WANT?

>> YEAH, I THINK THAT GETS INTO A REALLY COMPLICATED AREA.

IN THAT THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, FOR EXAMPLE, HAS NOT PAID OUT VERY MUCH MONEY AT ALL.

IN ANADA.

BUT THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA DID, BECAUSE THERE WAS THIS LARGE CLASS ACTION CONSTITUTE BROUGHT FORWARD BY INDIGENOUS PEOPLE THAT REALLY FOCUSED ON THE RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS.

BUT IN THE U.S., YOU KNOW, WHENEVER NATIVE PEOPLE KIND OF GO TO COURT, AND -- OR VEN WHEN THEY'RE SUCCESSFUL GOING TO COURT, LIKE IN THE CASE OF THE LAKOTAS SAYING, THE BLACK HILLS WERE ILLEGALLY TAKEN FROM THEM IN THE EARLY 1870s, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WANTS TO SETTLE MONEY ON NATIVE PEOPLE, BUT LAKOTAS AND OTHER TRIBES INCLUDING MY OWN, I'M RED LAKE OJIBWE, WE ALWAYS SAY, WELL, THAT'S -- WE REALLY WANT THE LAND BACK.

WE DON'T ALWAYS WANT FINANCIAL SETTLEMENTS.

BUT THAT'S BEEN SORT OF THE RULE IN THE U.S. >> Eric: HOW WOULD YOU GRAI THE U.S. GOVERNMENT RESPONSE?

I KNOW THERE'S SOME EFFORT IN THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT TO FIND UNMARKED GRAVES AND IDENTIFY THEM.

HOW WOULD YOU RATE THE U.S.

RESPONSE?

>> HMM, WELL, THAT'S AN INTERESTING ISSUE AS WELL.

AND I GUESS I, YOU KNOW, REALLY APPLAUD DEB HOLLAND AND THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND THE BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS FOR TRYING TO GET A, YOU KNOW, PERSPECTIVE N THIS HISTORY.

YOU KNOW, IF YOU LIVED IN CANADA, THERE WOULD BE NO PERSON IN CANADA WHO HADN'T HEARD OF RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS AND RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL HISTORY.

AND THAT'S CERTAINLY NOT THE CASE IN THE UNITED STATES.

SO I THINK THEY'RE TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THAT ERA A LITTLE BIT BETTER.

NOW, IN CANADA, THE RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS LASTED SO PEOPLE, MY GENERATION, WOULD HAVE ATTENDED A ESIDENTIAL SCHOOL.

I ALWAYS TALK ABOUT IT IN TERMS OF MY GRANDMOTHER OR MY GREAT-GRANDFATHER WHO WENT TO CARLISLE, SO THE RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS KIND OF LASTED 50 YEARS LONGER IN CANADA, SO THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE WHO ARE AROUND WHO TALK ABOUT IT.

AND FOR US, IT'S A LITTLE BIT MORE DISTANCE, BECAUSE IN THE U.S., WE MOVED INTO PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE 1930s UNDER F.D.R.

IN GREAT NUMBERS.

>> Cathy: BEFORE YOU GO, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO BE WATCHING FOR?

>> OH, WHAT AM I GOING TO BE WATCHING FOR?

I'M VERY INTERESTED IN WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT AND THE BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS RIGHT NOW, AND I MIGHT GET A CHANCE TO KIND OF PARTICIPATE IN THE SECOND HALF OF THAT CONVERSATION AFTER THE REPORT'S BEEN ISSUED.

>> Eric: COME BACK AND SEE US WHEN YOU HAVE THAT INFORMATION.

THANKS, PROFESSOR.

>> YES, THANK YOU.

>> Eric: YOU BET.

♪♪ >> ERIC: FOR THE PAST YEAR AND HALF, BETHESDA HOSPITAL IN ST. PAUL SERVED AS A HOMELESS SHELTER AND COVID CARE SITE, BUT NOW THE HOSPITAL WHO CURRENTLY OWNS IT HAS GRAND PLANS TO REIMAGINE THE OFTEN FORGOTTEN FACILITY.

AS MARY LAHAMMER SHOWS US, THE LOCATION IS IMPORTANT JUST UP THE HILL FROM THE HISTORIC STATE CAPITOL.

>> Mary: UP THE HILL FROM THE STATE CAPITOL, PERHAPS ENJOYING AN EVEN BETTER ELEVATED VIEW, SITS THE EMPTY BETHESDA HOSPITAL.

DR. WILLIAM MAYO, OFFICIALLY DEDICATEDDED THE BUILDING AT AN OPENING ATTENDED BY 5,000 PEOPLE INCLUDING GOVERNOR FLOYD B. OLSON BACK IN 1932.

NOW THE UNUSED BUILDING AND ADJACENT PARK ARE OWNED BY FAIRVIEW AND ARE READY TO BE REIMAGINED.

>> IT'S A VERY LOVELY OLD ART DECO BUILDING HAT HAS SERVED THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY HERE FOR A HUNDRED YEARS NEARLY.

>> Mary: THE CAPITOL AREA ARCHITECTURAL AND PLANNING BOARD IS INVOLVED IN ADVISING WHAT BECOMES OF THE PROPERTY BECAUSE OF THE PROXIMITY TO THE CAPITOL.

>> THIS IS A EALLY IMPORTANT PART OF THE CAPITOL AREA, THE BETHESDA HOSPITAL.

IT'S BEEN HERE FOR DECADES.

AND SO MANY DIFFERENT PEOPLE, NOT JUST IN ST. PAUL, UT IN THE REGION, HAVE BEEN TO BETHESDA, EITHER THEMSELVES, OR WITH RELATIVES, AND SOME IMPORTANT MEDICAL BREAKTHROUGHS HAPPENED HERE AS WELL.

SO THIS IS A PLACE OF MEANING AND SENTIMENT FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

>> Mary: AS SOON AS THIS FALL, THE DEMOLITION AND RECONSTRUCTION COULD BEGIN ON THE OUTDATED BUILDING THAT JUST DOESN'T FIT MODERN MEDICAL NEEDS.

DETAILS LIKE THE DECO SCONCES AND STONE FREEZE ACCENTS COULD BE SAVED FOR REUSE ALONG WITH THE HISTORICALLY IMPORTANT STATUE OUT FRONT BY MINNESOTA SCULPTOR PAUL GRANDLAND, WHICH DEPICTS AN ANGEL DESCENDING DOWN INTO WATER.

>> IT'S ATTRACTIVE.

>> IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT I THINK TO THE WHOLE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

GRAND LUND HAS WONDERFUL SKULL AWPTURES THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO HAVE THAT CONNECTION THAT TAYS HERE.

THERE ALSO WAS AN ART PROGRAM IN HERE.

AND I THINK BRINGING THAT BACK AND EXPRESSING THAT CROSS ACROSS THIS SITED AS A MEMORY OF WHAT HAPPENED HERE AND THE VALUE OF ART WOULD BE REALLY HELPFUL.

>> THE FACILITY AS IT CONSTRUCTED DOESN'T WORK FOR THE NEW ONE.

ABOUTBUT THE DESIGNERS WITH THE APPLICANT GROUP HAVE BEEN WORKING REALLY HARD ON A DESIGN THAT WILL LOOK NICE IN PLACE AND THAT STILL RESPECTS THE SLIGHT LINES FROM THE CAPITOL.

WE'RE JUST TWO BLOCKS OFF THE CAPITOL, SO WHEN WE LOOK DOWN THE STREET, WE CAN SEE THE CAPITOL RIGHT THERE.

>> Mary: REIMAGINE WOULD -- BEDS THAT ARE URGENTLY NEEDED IN THE STATE.

>> WE AT FAIRVIEW ARE DEEPLY COMMIT AID TO THE CARE, THE MENTAL HEALTH CARE OF THE PATIENTS THAT WE SERVE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WE'RE VERY PROUD OF THE FACT THAT WE'RE THE LARGEST MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDER IN THE STATE.

>> TOGETHER FAIRVIEW AND ACADIA WILL CONTINUE THE HEALING TRADITION IN AS WE BUILD A NEW STATE OF THE ART BEHAVIORAL HEALTH HOSPITAL O - PROVIDE URGENTLY NEEDED CARE FOR THE COMMUNITY.

WE'LL ALSO BRING MORE THAN IT HUNDRED NEXT JOBS.

>> ALL THE ATTENTION GOES TO THE FRONT OF THE CAPITOL, RIGHT?

I THINK THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE UP HERE, THEY VALUE THE PARK VERY MUCH.

AND IN ALL OUR NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS, THAT'S WHAT THEY WANTED, IS THE PARK GOING TO STAY?

ARE YOU GOING TO MAINTAIN IT?

IT'S REALLY SPECIAL TO US.

>> I DON'T THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK OF THIS AREA BEHIND THE CAPITOL AS BEING MEANINGFUL TO THE CAPITOL BUT IT REALLY IS.

AND THIS IS WHERE A LOT OF RESIDENTIAL ACTIVITIES ARE HAPPENING.

>> Mary: THE ONCE SWAMPY AREA WAS FAMED SENATOR THE FROGS WHO USED TO RING OUT GREETING THE ARRIVALS.

NOW THE FROGTOWN ASSOCIATION AND PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN CAPITOL HEIGHTS ARE ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN WHAT HAPPENS HERE.

THE CURRENT PRIVATE GREEN SPACE IS TUCKED AWAY BUT BELOVED AND WILL REMAIN REWORKED IN THE NEW PLANS.

>> CASS GILBERT WAS REALLY STRONG ON AXES.

HIS NOTION ORIGINALLY WAS THE AXES WENT ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE RIVER.

HIGH BRIDGE WAS ALIGNED AND THEN THERE WAS AN OBJECT LIST AT THE TOP OF CHEROKEE HEIGHTS.

BUT THEN THAT WAS JUST AS IMPORTANT HIS AXES HERE.

THERE WILL BE A ROUND ABOUT HERE AND THERE'S A COMMITMENT TO DOING SOME ART AND A FEATURE THAT COMEMENT RATES THE TONIGHT HILL HERE AS WELL.

>> Alauna: THE CAT BOARD IS COMING OFF THE ENORMOUS TOP TO BOTTOM CAPITOL RESTORATION AND STILL CARES FOR THE PAST AND WANTS TO BE GOOD STEWARDS OF THE FUTURE FOR CRAGSES FOR SUSTAINABILITY AND LIVEABILITY GOING FORWARD.

>> IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT ANYTHING IN THE CAPITOL AREA, PARTICULARLY A BUILDING THAT WILL BE SO BIG HAS GOOD QUALITY DESIGN, GOOD MATERIALS.

BEING OFF THE CAMPUS ITSELF AND KIND OF IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, I THINK WE'RE MORE OPEN TO SOME VARIETY.

>> Mary: AND IT'S LITERALLY ON A STREET CALLED CAPITOL, RIGHT?

THE CONNECTION'S QUITE LITERAL.

CASS WOULD CARE, WOULDN'T HE?

>> YES, HE DEFINITELY WOULD CARE WHAT HAPPENS BACK HERE.

AND I THINK WE ALL SHOULD CARE ABOUT THAT.

BEHIND THE CAPITOL IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS IN FRONT OF THE CAPITAL TOO.

AND I THINK THAT'S THE ROLE OF THE C.A.T.

BOARD TOO IS TO BE STEWARDS OF ALL OF THIS AREA AND MAKE SURE THE RIGHT THINGS ARE DONE AT THE RIGHT QUALITY.

♪♪ >> Cathy: LIKE MOST MINNESOTANS, I LOVE OBSERVING BIRDS AND FEATURES AND OUT IN THE WILD.

THEY ARE JUST FASCINATING CREATURES.

OUR NEXT GUEST FEELS THE SAME WAY.

WE VISIT WITH SHARON STITELER, A.K.A.

BIRDCHICK.

SHE JOINS US FOR OUR SUMMER BIRDING CHAT FROM ALASKA WHERE SHE IS DOING WORK FOR THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE.

ARE YOU NEAR DENALI?

>> I AM IN DENATIONAL DEDENATIONAL DENALI I FEEL LIKE I'M A LIFETIME MOVIE CLICHE.

WOMAN GETS DIVORCED, SURVIVES A ANDEMIC, AND TAKES A WEIRD JOB IN ALASKA.

>> Cathy: HEY, LET'S TALK BIDERS, SHALL WE?

>> YES, YEAH.

KWRE6D, AND IT'S INTERESTING, A BIRD THAT I DIDN'T PLAN ON TALKING ABOUT, BUT JUNC OF COURSE OF OS THAT WE SEE IN MINNESOTA, THAT WILL BE HEADED TO MINNESOTA PRETTY SOON.

BUT RIGHT NOW BIRDS THAT YOU SHOULD BE SEEING IN MINNESOTA IS OUR HUMMING BOARD ACTIVITY IS GOING TO INCREASE GREATLY AT FEEDERS.

THERE'S THIS CRAZY PHRASE CALLED POST-BREEDING DISPERSAL, WHICH MEANS THE YOUNG ARE LEAVING THE NEST AND THE FEMALES ARE PUSHING THEM OUT OF THE TERRITORY AND THEY HAVE TO FIND THEIR OWN PLACE, AND SO WE'RE GOING TO START SEEING MORE HUMMINGBIRDS AT OUR FEEDERS BETWEEN NOW, ALL THROUGH AUGUST AND INTO SEPTEMBER AND EARLY OCTOBER.

>> Eric: SHARON, AS WE SHOW THE GOLD FINCH, I WANT YOU TO IMITATE THE FLIGHT CALL, WHICH IS KIND OF A, WHAT, POTATO CHIP?

IS THAT WHAT IT IS?

>> SOME PEOPLE WILL SAY, POTATO CHIP.

POTATO CHIP.

OR SOME PEOPLE AY PA-CHICK-REE.

BUT YEAH, THEY HAVE A UNDER YOU LATING FLIGHT.

>> Cathy: AND THEY'RE NESTING, IS THAT RIGHTED?

>> YEAH, THEY ARE THE LATEST NESTERS.

THEY DON'T START REALLY GETTING SERIOUS ABOUT NESTING UNTIL JULY.

SO THEY ARE -- THEY ARE INCUBATING GGS RIGHT NOW.

THEY ARE FEEDING YOUNG.

FUN FACT: THEY ARE HARD CORE VEGETARIANS.

AND, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T LIKE COW BIRDS BECAUSE THEY LAY THEIR EGGS IN OTHER BIRDS NESTS.

>> Eric: NOW WITH THE INTERGO BUNTINGS, DO I ATTRACT THEM TO MY FEEDER WITH THIS IS ALE AND NIGER?

>> THEY'RE A LITTLE PARTICULAR.

DURING MIGRATION, YOU CAN SEE THEM WITH NIJER AND MILLETT AND SUNFLOWER CHIPS.

BUT THIS TIME OF YEAR, WHERE THERE ARE A LOT OF INSECTS, THAT'S WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO BE.

ALONG THE RIVER RIGHT NOW, THEY LIKE TO BE NEXT TO WATER.

AND THEY HAVE A SONG, SOME PEOPLE DESCRIBE IT AS FIRE FIRE, WHERE, WHERE, HERE, HERE, SEE IT, SEE IT.

BUT IF YOU HEAR THAT KIND OF BOUNCY TWO NOTE CADENCE, YOU LOOK TO THE TOPS OF THE TREES AND THERE'S USUALLY A MALE INTERGO BUNTING SINGING.

SO URBAN.

>> Cathy: AN URBAN BIRD?

WHO KNEW?

>> YEAH, VERY RBAN.

>> Cathy: OKAY.

SAY, LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT A BIRD THAT YOU'RE SEEING.

YELLOW LEGS.

>> YES, SO THEY'RE A YPE OF SHORE BOARD AND I WOULD WAGER PEOPLE WHO AREN'T INTO BIRDS HAVE SEEN THEM.

AND SHORE BIRD MIGRATION STARTS IN JULY IN MINNESOTA.

AND THEY START OUT UP HERE IN ALASKA, WHERE THEY HANDLE OUT IN TREES, WHICH IS WEIRD, BUT THEY RUN AROUND ON MUD FLATS.

AND THEY KIND OF GO -- SO THOSE BIRDS THAT ARE PASSING THROUGH, SOME OF THOSE MAY HAVE BEEN UP HERE WHERE I'VE BEEN SPENDING THE SUMMER, LAYING EGGS.

>> WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE IN THE BIRD SPECIES IN ALASKA COMPARED TO MINNESOTA?

>> IT'S CRAZY.

I MEAN, THERE'S SOME WEIRD DUCKS UP HERE.

THE EIGERS ARE PARTICULARLY CRAZY.

SOMETHING FREAKING ME OUT THIS WEEK, SO ALL THE YOUNG ARE JUST LEAVING THE NEST, AND ALL THE BIRD SONG HAS STOPPED, SO IT'S SUPER QUIET AND WE DON'T HAVE ANY CRICKETS OR CICADAS SINGING AND IT'S REALLY SILENT UP HERE AND IT'S FREAKING ME OUT BECAUSE I'M USED TO MINNESOTA.

IT SHOULD BE SUPER LOUD BUT IT'S SUPER QUIET.

>> Cathy: WELL, WE'RE GOING TO SEND YOU SOME BIRD SONG HERE.

WE'LL RECORD AND SEND IT TO MAKE YOU FEEL A LITTLE IT MORE AT HOME.

SAY, OKAY, SO AT THE BEGINNING OF THE CONVERSATION, YOU MENTIONED SLED DOGS.

WHAT'S WITH THAT?

>> SO DENALI NATIONAL PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY IS THE ONLY NATIONAL PARK THAT EMPLOYS DOGS AND WE HAVE SLED DOGS, AND I ACTUALLY LIVE CLOSE TO THE KENNELS AND WE HAVE HAD PUPPIES THIS SUMMER AND IT'S THE 100TH YEAR OF KENNELS.

AND SO PART OF MY DUTY IS I CAN SIGN UP FOR PUPPY SOCIALIZATION TIME.

AND WE IS A ALSO HAVE A LIVE CAM, SO IF YOU JUST GOOGLE DENALI PUPPY LIVE CAM, YOU CAN WATCH THE PUPPIES AND RIGHT NOW I AN HEAR A LITTLE BIT OF ACTIVITY GOING ON.

WE HAVE A 4:00 P.M.

PROGRAM IN ALASKA WHERE WE DO A PUPPY RUN.

AND SO THE PUPPIES COME OUT AND MEET THE AUDIENCE, AND THEN THEY KIND OF RACE BACK TO THEIR KENNELS FOR DINNER TIME.

IT'S INSANELY CUTE.

>> Cathy: YOU'RE NOT HEARING ANY WOLVES, BY THE WAY, BEHIND YOU?

>> SO OFFED, YEAH, SO IF THE HOWLING COMES FROM THAT DIRECTION, IT'S THE KENNELS, BUT IF IT COMES FROM THAT DIRECTION, IT'S A WOLF.

>> Eric: WE'VE GOT 15 SECONDS FOR YOU TO PLUG YOUR BOOK.

>> OH, YEAH, I WROTE A BOOK THIS SUMMER CALLED BIRD WATCHING FOR BEGIN YES, SIRS IN NORTH AMERICA AND I JUST SIGNED ANOTHER BOOK CONTRACT FOR THE LANGUAGE OF BIRDSES.

>> Eric: I WISH I HAD YOUR FUTURE.

, THANKS, SHARON.

>> COME VISIT.

I HAVE A GUEST ROOM!

>> Cathy: OH, DON'T WORRY, WE WILL!

SEE YOU LATER.

♪♪ >> SOME PEOPLE SNEEZE WHEN THEY STEP INTO THE SUNLIGHT.

SOME PEOPLE ARE DOUBLE JOINTED AND CAN BEND THEIR FINGERS IN HORRIFIC DIRECTIONS.

AND SOME PEOPLE JUST REALLY, REALLY CAN'T STAND OLIVES.

EVERY PERSON I'VE EVER MET HAS BEEN GIVEN A FEW UNIQUE QUIRKS LIKE THESE, AND THEY USUALLY KNOW ABOUT THEM FROM A VERY EARLY AGE BECAUSE THE WORLD HAS A WAY OF POINTING THESE THINGS OUT.

WHAT I FIND MUCH MORE INTERESTING ARE THE QUIRKS WE DON'T EVEN KNOW ARE QUIRKS, AND WE ONLY STUMBLE ACROSS THEM LATER IN LIFE, IF WE EVER DO AT ALL.

HERE'S MY EXAMPLE, AND PLEASE JUST HUMOR THIS BECAUSE I KNOW IT'S A BIT OUT THERE.

LET'S PRETEND AN AIL JEN SPACESHIP LANDS IN YOUR YARD AND THE ALIEN SAYS, HEY, YOU AND YOUR FAMILY WANT TO HOP ON BOARD AND SEE MY PLANET?

NOW, TO THIS QUESTION, I WOULD IMMEDIATELY SAY YES.

I MEAN, I MIGHT PUT ON MORE COMFORTABLE SHOES, BUT I'D STILL BE ON THAT SPACESHIP IN SECONDS.

AND I ALWAYS ASSUMED THIS WAS THE NORMAL ANSWER.

IT AWRNS OUT, IT'S NOT.

THE IDEA SOUNDS STUPID TO, WELL, JUST ABOUT EVERYBODY.

PEOPLE SAY THINGS LIKE, THEY'RE FROM SPACE, WHAT IF THEY DON'T HAVE FOOD YOU CAN EAT?

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

THEY JUST FLEW ACROSS THE GALAXY AND SPOKE IN PERFECT ENGLISH.

I'M SURE THEY CAN PRINT A BIG MAC?

WHAT IF THEY WANT TO DISSECT YOU?

OH, COME ON, IF THEY WANTED A PRISTINE HUMAN SPECIMEN, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO PICK AN AMERICAN.

I'M JUST A SKIN BAG FULL OF MICRO PLASTICS AND BASIC MACS.

AT THIS POINT I USUALLY GET THE LOOK, WHICH IS WHAT MAKES ME REALIZE MY UNIQUE QUIRK ISN'T SOME SORT OF DISTURBING FINGER JOINTS.

IT'S APPARENTLY A DEEPLY MISGUIDED TRUST IN THE BETHEY HAVE LANES OF SPACE ALIENS WHICH IS ACTUALLY WHY I'M MAKING THIS VIDEO.

IF THE LIENS ARE WATCHING AND THEY'RE HOPING FOR A WARM WELCOME, THEY BETTER COME TO ME FIRST.

I'LL BE THE GUY WEARING COMFORTABLE SHOES.

♪ >> ERIC: THE LYNX SEASON IS WINDING DOWN.

THE VIKINGS ARE STARTING UP.

AND WE HAVE QUITE A BIT OF SPORTS TO TALK ABOUT.

THE AURORA NEARLY WON A CHAMPIONSHIP IN ITS INAUGURAL SEASON.

AND TWINS STILL IN FIRST PLACE BUT ARE THEY A PRETENDER?

LET'S TALK TO LARRY FITZGERALD, VETERAN SPORTS REPORTER IN THE TWIN CITIES.

ON THE VIKINGS, NEW COACH, NEW FRONT OFFICE.

WHAT RE YOUR FIRST IMPRESSIONS?

>> TODAY I WAS OUT THERE.

IT WAS THE BEGINNING OF TRAINING CAMP IN EAGAN, MINNESOTA.

USED TO TAKE 169 DOWN TO MANKATO FOR SO MANY YEARS BUT OF COURSE IT'S RIGHT HERE IN THE MEMBERSHIP AREA AND THE VIKINGS HAVE A LOT OF EXCITEMENT AROUND THIS FOOTBALL TEAM BECAUSE THEY'VE GOT A FRESH INFUSION OF ENERGY FROM A GENERAL MANAGER.

WHO SOME PEOPLE DON'T THINK KNOWS ENOUGH ABOUT FOOTBALL.

BUT HE'S, YOU KNOW, ANALYTICS GUY AND HE'S COMING IN HERE WITH A BACKGROUND FROM THE 49ERS AND THE BROWNS.

AND SO HE'S GOT THE RIGHT COACH, KEVIN O'CONNELL NL,.

>> Eric: HAS THE ROSTER CHANGED ENOUGH?

>> THEY'RE GOING TO GET SOME PEOPLE BACK, LIKE DANIELLE HUNTER.

THEY'RE GOING TO PLAY A NICKEL DEFENSE SO THEY'RE GOING TO TRY TO FORCE TEAMS AND QUARTERBAKST TO THROW INTO LOW AREAS WHERE THEY'VE GOT FOUR LINE BACKERS WITH FIVE AND TEN YARDS TO PROTECT.

AND SO IF THEY GET THE HEAT UP FRONT, THEY'RE GOING TO BE GOOD.

THAT'S WHY THE OFFENSE WITH JUSTIN JEFFERSON AND KIRK COUSINS AND THIELEN, THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GET IT DONE.

AND THEY'VE GOT A TERRIFIC RUNNING BACK, SO THEY'VE GOT A TEAM WITH THE OFFENSIVE KNOWLEDGE OF THE GUY THAT JUST WON THE SUPER BOWL, TAKEN A QUARTERBACK WHO HAS KNOWLEDGE WITH WHEN HE WAS IN WASHINGTON, HE'S GOING TO TAKE ALL THOSE BAD PLAYS OUT.

GO, VIKINGS.

>> Cathy: DO YOU THINK KIRK COUSINS WILL GET ALONG WITH THIS HEAD OACH VERSUS THE PROBLEMS HE HAD LAST YEAR?

>> THAT WAS MORE MIKE ZIMMER.

HE'S AIL STUBBORN GUY, HE'S A DEFENSIVE GUY, BUT HE HAD ISSUES WITH THE QUARTERBACK.

THAT'S WHY HE CHANGED SO MANY OFFENSIVE COORDINATORS.

BUT THIS GUY CAN PLAY.

YOU LOOK AT HIS NUMBERS, YOU SAY HOW IN THE WORLD DOES HE LOSE.

I SAY, TAKE THE OVER.

BECAUSE HE'S GOT GREAT RECEIVERS.

THEY BELIEVE THEIR TIGHT END FROM ALABAMA IS GOING TO BE FINALLY BE HEALTHY, AND IF THEY GET ALL THESE OF THOSE RECEIVERS ON THE FIELD AND PROTECT HIM, THEY'RE GOING TO BE TOUGH TO STOP.

>> Eric: TWINS ARE FIRST IN THE CENTRAL.

ARE THEY BUYERS OR SELLERS HERE AT THE TRADE DEADLINE?

>> I'D BE BUYERS.

WITH THEIR ULLOPINION, WHICH HAS BEEN HORRENDOUS.

THEY'RE PLAYING SAN DIEGO THIS WEEKEND.

WOULDN'T WE LIKE TO BE THERE?

THEY GOT SWEPT BY THE BREWERS IN THE BORDER BATTLE AND THEY CAN'T BEAT THE YANKEES, HAVEN'T BEAT HOUSTON.

SO THEY'VE GOT SOME PROBLEMS AND THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FIX THE WAY THEY PLAY BETWEEN THE SIXTH INNING AND THE NINTH INNING IF THEY'RE GOING TO BE A TEAM.

>> Eric: I WANT TO TURN YOU INTO A FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT FOR A SECOND.

IS KAPRIZOV COMING BACK?

>> I DON'T KNOW HOW IN THE WORLD HE GOT INTO THAT CARD SWITCHING ISSUE, BUT THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE WILD WON'T EVEN TOUCH IT.

BUT THREBL THEY CAN FIND A WAY TO GET THROUGH THIS AND HE CAN COME BACK HERE AND CONTINUE HIS ELEVATION TO BE ONE OF THE BEST PLAYERS IN THE NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE?

>> Eric: AND BRITTANY GREENER, >> IT'S GOING TO COME TO THAT.

THEY'RE GOING TO LET A NASTY CONVICTED GUY WHO'S BEEN KILLING PEOPLE FOR YEARS, TRADE FOR TWO AMERICANS TO GET THEM OUT OF JAIL TO BRING THEM BACK.

I JUST THINK IT'S HORRIBLE.

BUT IT'S WHAT WE CALL THE WAY THE WORLD ROLLS, THIS DAY, AND IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT BRITTANY GOT HERSELF IN THIS BIND.

BUT IF YOU'RE ON DRUGS OR YOU USE CANNABIS OR WHATEVER, YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO GET AWAY WITH IT IN AMERICA, EVEN IF YOU GOT A DOCTOR THAT SAYS YOU NEED IT FOR HEALTH PURPOSES, BUT DON'T TRY TO TAKE IT ACROSS THE BORDER.

>> Cathy: TOUGH SEASON FOR THE LYNX.

>> IT HAS.

SHE'S OBVIOUSLY LOST HER ALL-STAR FORWARD AND SHE'S HAD PLAYERS IN AND OUT OF THE LINEUP, BUT WITH SEVEN OR SIX GAMES LEFT RS THEY'RE NLY TWO GAMES AND IF THEY CAN PUT A STREAK TOGETHER, THEY SNATCH THAT LAST SPOT.

>> Eric: GOPHERS IN THE BIG TEN WEST, THIRD?

>> OH, MY GOODNESS, THAT'S WHERE IT STARTS.

LAST YEAR THEY BEAT THE BADGERS AND SO LET'S SEE IF THEY CAN DO IT AGAIN AND FIND A WAY TO -- IF THEY DON'T WIN THE WEST THIS YEAR, CAN YOU IMAGINE WHAT IT'S GOING TO BE LIKE WITH USC AND UCLA GETTING INTO THAT GROUP?

IT'S GOING TO BE CRAZY.

>> Eric: APPRECIATE YOU COMING BY.

>> THANK YOU, AND DON'T FORGET S PRONS IS THIS WEEKEND, THE FIRST COURSE THIS WEEKEND AT HIHIAWATHA.

>> Eric: YOU WON 18 HOLES THERE?

YES, ABSOLUTELY.

>> Cathy: ALL RIGHT, THANKS, FITZY.

♪♪ >> TANE: SHOULD MINNESOTA GET A NEW STATE FLAG?

A BILL LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION WOULD HAVE STARTED THE PROCESS OF ASKING MINNESOTANS WHAT THEY WOULD WANT ON A NEW FLAG.

NOW, I AM NOT MUCH AN ARTIST, BUT I TOOK A CRACK AT A NEW STATE FLAG!

IT'S PURPLE!

WHICH IS VERY NONPARTISAN ND IT'S A TRIBUTE TO PRINCE AND I'M PRETTY SURE THAT NO OTHER STATE HAS PURPLE IN THEIR FLAG.

AND THEN THERE'S THIS TREE, BECAUSE MINNESOTA HAS A LOT OF TREES.

AND IT'S ONE OF ONLY TWO THINGS I KNOW HOW TO DRAW.

>> DESTINY: TANE!

I'’M SORRY, BUT YOUR FLAG ISN'’T AN HONEST DEPICTION OF OUR STATE.

BEHOLD!

MY NEW MINNESOTA STATE FLAG!

LET'’S EMBRACE OLD MAN WINTER.

PUT THE RUTHLESS COLD FRONT AND CENTER.

YET EVEN THIS ICY VISAGE, A TRUE MINNESOTAN STANDS AT THE CENTER IN SHORTS AND SANDALS.

>> TANE: THAT SEEMS KIND OF BLEAK, DESK NEA.

>> DESTINY: I ADDED A DISCLAIMER THAT IS IT ACTUALLY VERY NICE HERE IN SUMMER.

>> CHRIS: A STATE FLAG NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING THAT INSPIRES PEOPLE.

THAT STRIKES FEAR INTO THE HEARTS OF PEOPLE FROM OTHER STATES.

>> TANE: DOES IT, CHRIS?

>> CHRIS: MAY I PRESENT MY NEW MINNESOTA STATE FLAG AND MASCOT, ACTION LOON!

SHE'’S GOT RED EYES THAT STARE STRAIGHT THROUGH YOUR SOUL.

SHE'’S NOT SOCIAL WITH ANYONE OUTSIDE HER IMMEDIATE POD, JUST LIKE MOST MINNESOTANS!

SHE MAY NEVER STEP ONTO LAND, BUT THAT WON'’T STOP HER FROM KICKING WISCONSIN'’S BUTT.

AND I LEFT THE OLD STATE FLAG IN THE CORNER, SO FOLKS WHO STILL LIKE THAT ONE WON'’T FEEL LEFT OUT.

>> DESTINY: THAT'’S NOT A FLAG.

IT'’S JUST A 2-D ACTION FIGURE THAT'’S PROBABLY CARRYING DISEASE.

>> CHRIS: OH, AND AN EVIL SNOWMAN WIZARD IS BETTER?

>> OKAY, WELL, I DON'T, THIS SEEMS A LOT HARDER THAN I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE.

SO WHY DON'T YOU SEND IN YOUR IDEAS FOR A NEW STATE FLAG?

[ Applause ] ♪♪ >> CATHY: FOR THE NEXT FEW MINUTES, WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT AN OPEN LETTER THIS WEEK IN THE ST. PAUL "PIONEER PRESS" NEWSPAPER.

CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY ECONOMIST BRUCE CORRIE ADDRESSED HIS LETTER TO MINNESOTA CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR, INVITING THEM TO THOUGHTFULLY ENGAGE WITH COMMUNITIES WITH COLOR WHILE ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

PROFESSOR CORRIE CRUNCHES NUMBERS FOR A LIVING, AND HIS ARGUMENT IS THAT FULLY 20% OF MINNESOTA IS NOW AFRICAN, LATINO, ASIAN, OR NATIVE AMERICAN.

AND THE STATE'S COMMUNITIES OF COLOR HAVE AN ECONOMIC WORTH OF $1.4 TRILLION.

GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN, PROFESSOR.

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME.

>> YEAH, IT'S LIKE COMING HOME.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

WHY DID YOU WANT TO WRITE THIS LETTER?

>> I THINK THERE'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY AND A NECESSITY.

AN OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE WE HAVE THESE MMENSE TALENTS OF THE PEOPLE, AND A NECESSITY, I THINK NO ONE WILL, THE PERSON WHO WINS THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, WOULD HAVE TO EARN THE TRUST OF THE PEOPLE, AND IN THIS VERY TIGHT COMPETITIVE RACE FOR THE GOVERNORSHIP THAT CAN BE MAKE A DIFFERENCE OF WHO IS THE NEXT GOVERNOR.

>> Eric: HOW MUCH OF THE CAN'T ADDRESSING OF THIS ISSUE IS KIND OF SYMBOLISM OR PANDERING OR A PHOTO OP TWO WEEKS BEFORE ELECTION DAY?

>> I'D LIKE TO SAY THAT THE -- WHAT I SUGGESTED IN THE LETTER WAS T THREE WAYS TO FLIP THE CURRENT NARRATIVE.

>> Eric: TELL US.

>> ALL RIGHT?

SO THE FIRST WAY IS WE ARE TRADITIONALLY USED OF THE A LOT OF PEOPLE EXTENDING THEIR HAND TO THE LEADER.

WELCOME US.

WE ARE HIRE TO HELP.

THE CANDIDATE NEEDS TO FLIP IT AND SAY, OFFER THEIR HAND, TO THE COMMUNITY.

IN FACT, OFFER BOTH HANDS AND SAY, WELCOME.

WE NEED YOU IN MINNESOTA.

THE SECOND THING THAT WE NEED TO FLIP IS THE OLD MIND-SET OF A DEFICIT MOLD.

YOU SEE THE DENIAL OF VALUE OF A HUMAN BEING IS THE FOUNDATION OF RACISM.

AND YOU HAVE TO FLIP THAT AND CELEBRATE THE VALUE OF THE COMMUNITIES, THE $1.4 TRILLION ECONOMY IS BIGGER THAN THE G.D.P.

OF MEXICO.

AND THE MANY TALENTS THAT THEY BRING TO THE COMMUNITY, THAT WILL ENERGIZE PEOPLE TO BUILD MINNESOTA.

AND THE THIRD THING THAT WE NEED TO FLIP IS OUR SHORT-TERM THINKING.

WE TEND TO THROW A DOLLAR HERE AND A DOLLAR THERE AND WE EXPECT MIRACLES TO HAPPEN.

WE SHOULD INVEST -- LET'S SAY WE HAVE A $12 BILLION SURPLUS, AT LEAST 20% OF THAT SHOULD GO INTO LONG-TERM STRATEGIES.

>> Eric: AT SOME POINT, INK HAS TO BE ON PAPER AND IF IT TAKES LEGISLATION, A BILL HAS TO BE INTRODUCED, PASSED.

WHAT ARE SOME CONCRETE SPECIFICS?

>> I THINK YOU GO WITH -- I LIKE WHAT THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED IN THE -- IN A PLAN RECENTLY.

FOR MINNESOTA.

SO YOU HAVE THESE DIFFERENT ELEMENTS OF THE ECONOMY FROM WORKFORCE, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, HEALTHCARE, EDUCATION.

AND EACH ONE OF THOSE AREAS, THERE'S SOME GOOD STRATEGIES THAT YOU CAN IMPLEMENT, AND MANY OF THESE IDEAS WERE ON THE TABLE IN THIS LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

BUT THEY WERE NOT FUNDED ALSO TO THE TENT STAPH WE NEED TO.

THE EXTENT THAT WE NEED O.

AND SO WE TAKE SOME IDEAS WHAT I'M VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT IS IN EVERY AREA, NEIGHBORHOOD, A LOW INCOME NEIGHBORHOOD, WE HAVE TO HAVE THIS INFRASTRUCTURE FOR WEALTH BUILDING LIKE BUSINESS INCUBATORS, PEOPLE ARE VERY ENTREPRENEURIAL, PLACES TO LAUNCH THEIR IDEAS, GROW THEIR IDEAS, DEVELOP IT.

>> Cathy: AND DO BIPOC COMMUNITIES THINK THEY'RE BEING SHUT OUT?

>> I THINK THERE'S NOT ENOUGH ACCESS AND FROM THE EXPERIENCE THAT WE'VE SEEN, IF THEY'RE GIVEN THE ACCESS, THEY'LL TAKE CARE OF THE OPPORTUNITY.

SO WE NEED TO INVEST AND -- IN A WIDER, STRONGER, MORE INTENTIONAL LONG-TERM MANNER, SO THAT THE KIND OF ENERGY THAT YOU MIGHT SEE, IF YOU'VE EVER GONE TO THESE POP-UM MARKETS LIKE BLACK MARKET OR -- >> Cathy: YES -- >> YOU SEE WHAT VIBRANT ENERGIES, OR THE MALLS.

HOW COULD WE MAGNIFY THAT?

>> Cathy: HAVE YOU RECEIVED ANY FEEDBACK FROM ANY OF THE CANDIDATES ON THIS LETTER?

>> I'M STILL WAITING, BECAUSE I THINK I THINK THE FIRST TEST BECAUSE AS I MENTIONED TO YOU, THEY HAVE TO MAKE THE OUTREACH FROM THEIR OWN -- TO REALIZE THAT THIS IS AN IMPORTANT THING THAT THEY NEED TO DO BECAUSE MINNESOTA IS WAITING FOR THEM TO DO IT.

>> Eric: JUST 30 SECONDS LEFT.

IT'S UNFAIR TO ASK YOU, BUT 1.8% UNEMPLOYMENT IN MINNESOTA AS A WHOLE.

7% UNEMPLOYMENT HMONG BLACK MINNESOTANS.

WHAT'S GOING ON THERE?

>> YEAH, I THINK WHAT WE FIND HERE IS A MISMATCH BETWEEN WHERE THE OPPORTUNITY IS, AND WHERE THE TALENT IS, AND SOME PEOPLE FACE BIGGER BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT SUCH AS HAVING THE -- NEEDING THE SKILLS AND THE ENVIRONMENT THAT COULD HELP THEM GET THAT FIRST STEP INTO THE DOOR.

AND SO THOSE KIND OF ADDITIONAL KIND OF RESOURCES AND ATTENTION NEED TO BE GIVEN TO THEM.

>> Eric: WISH WE HAD MORE TIME.

ALL THE BEST.

♪♪ >> ERIC: ATTORNEY GENERAL ELLISON'S DECISION NOT TO APPEAL THE STATE ABORTION RULING, FUNDRAISING DATA FOR CANDIDATES ON THE FALL BALLOT, AND OF COURSE WE'RE JUST TEN DAYS AWAY FROM A PRIMARY ELECTION.

IF WE CAN'T FIND SOMETHING INTERESTING TO TALK ABOUT FOR THE NEXT TEN MINUTES, WE WILL HAVE FAILED MISERABLY.

ANDY BREHM JOINS US.

HE'S A REPUBLICAN PARTY ACTIVIST, FORMER CONGRESSIONAL STAFFER.

JEFF HAYDEN IS HERE TOO.

HE'S A DEMOCRAT, FORMER STATE LAWMAKER, NOW A LEGISLATIVE LOBBYIST.

SAY, SENATOR, DEAN PHILLIPS, THIRD DISTRICT CONGRESSMAN, APPARENTLY IS THE FIRST LAWMAKER IN THE COUNTRY TO SAY, JOE BIDEN, DON'T RUN AGAIN.

>> YEAH -- THAT SURPRISED ME A LITTLE BIT.

I'M NOT SURE WHAT CONGRESSMAN -- WHAT DEAN HAS DECIDED TO DO.

>> Eric: IS THAT A PREIVE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ATTITUDE AMONG DEMOCRATS?

>> I MEAN, THE PRESIDENT IS A LITTLE LONG IN THE TOOTH, AS THEY SAY.

BUT THERE IS A PROCESS THAT WE GO THROUGH TO VET EACH ONE OF THE CANDIDATES ON EITHER SIDE.

SO I'M NOT SURE WHAT HE MAY KNOW OR WHAT HE'S SEEING.

BUT I THINK THAT MIGHT BE A LITTLE PREMATURE.

>> Eric: HOW ABOUT PRESIDENT TRUMP RUNNING AGAIN?

I KNOW YOU HAVEN'T BEEN A BIG FAN, BUT IS HE STILL IN A PLACE WHERE HE CAN WIN THE NOMINATION?

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

I MEAN, THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS A LONG BENCH OF TALENT FOR THIS ELECTION.

YOU'VE GOT RON DEASSISTANT YIS, THE GOVERNOR OF TEXAS, NICKI HALEY.

THE POTENTIAL CANDIDATES GO ON AND OA.

I THINK DONALD TRUMP IS YESTERDAY'S NEWS.

I REALLY DON'T TALK TO MANY REPUBLICANS THAT GET VERY EXCITED ABOUT HIM.

SO I THINK THAT'S A GOOD THING FOR THE PARTY AND THE COUNTRY.

>> Cathy: SO REPUBLICANS SCOTT JENSEN IS EVIDENTLY MODERATING ON ABORTION, DOESN'T THINK IT'S GOING TO E AN ISSUE THIS FALL.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT?

>> WELL, I THINK, YOU KNOW, I THINK HE'S ARTICULATED A BETTER POSITION, A RIGHT POSITION.

AND I DON'T THINK THIS ELECTION IS GOING TO BE ABORTION.

IT'S REALLY ALL THAT GOVERNOR WALZ AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR FLANAGAN TALK ABOUT.

BUT PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT INFLATION.

THEY'RE CONCERNED ABOUT CRIME.

I DON'T TALK TO MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE TALKING ABOUT ABORTION, OTHER THAN DEMOCRATIC ACTIVISTS.

SO I KNOW THAT IT SEEMS LIKE GOVERNOR WALZ WOULD LIKE THE ELECTION TO BE ABOUT THAT, BUT I DON'T THINK T'S GOING TO BE.

>> YEAH, I APPRECIATE THAT.

PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT ABORTION.

PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT IT.

WOMEN ARE TALKING ABOUT IT.

I'M NOT SURE, MAYBE WE HANG OUT AT TWO DIFFERENT PLACES.

I THINK PEOPLE ARE ALSO TALKING ABOUT CRIME AND INFLATION, BUT CERTAINLY, ESPECIALLY ACTIVISTS, ESPECIALLY WOMEN IN PARTICULAR, AND PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT WOMEN ARE REALLY TALKING ABOUT THIS ISSUE.

IT'S ALSO AN EROSION, RIGHT?

LIKE, IF YOU LOSE THAT RIGHT, THEN WHAT HAPPENS?

I'M AN INTERRACIAL ARRIAGE.

DO WE LOSE THAT, RIGHT?

WHAT HAPPENS TO SAME-SEX SERVE MARRIAGE?

SO I THINK PEOPLE ARE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THAT?

>> Eric: WHAT IS THE -- BY ANY TRADITIONAL CONVENTIONAL STANDARD, IT SHOULD BE A HUGE REPUBLICAN YEAR IN THIS MIDTERM.

BUT IS THERE SO MUCH GOING ON AND SO MUCH UNCERTAINTY HAT THAT MAY NOT BE THE CASE OR IS IT A FOREGOING TO CONCLUSION THAT EPUBLICANS WILL DO GREAT?

>> I THINK REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO DO WELL.

I MEAN, PEOPLE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE STATE OF THINGS, PARTICULARLY IN HERE IN MINNESOTA.

WE'RE A STATE THAT'S LOSING POPULATION, THAT'S LOSING BUSINESS.

THAT HAS A MEMBERSHIP AREA THAT'S COMPLETELY DYSFUNCTIONAL BEING DISINTEGRATED BY CRIM.

AND WHAT OU HEAR FROM THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS, THIS IS THE STATUS QUO.

GET USED TO IT.

>> YEAH, YOU KNOW, I MEAN, PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT CRIME, BUT I MEAN, E HAVE 1.8 UNPLOIMGHT, RIGHT?

WE GOT SOME THINGS TO DO IN TERMS OF AFRICAN MINERALS, RIGHT?

THE ECONOMY IS GOOD.

THE TAX COFFERS ARE WORKING WELL.

WE JUST GOT UPGRADED IN THE BOND RATING FROM THE FOLKS IN NEW YORK.

SO IT'S A NICE TACTIC LIKE THE REPUBLICANS TO SAY THE SKY IS FALLING.

IT'S ACTUALLY NOT.

>> Cathy: ALTHOUGH WE ARE HEADING INTO A RECESSION, POSSIBLY?

>> WELL, YEAH, BUT MINNESOTA SEEMS TO BE FARING WELL.

SO NOT THAT'S THAT THEY ARE NOT PROBLEMS IN A MEMBERSHIP AREA.

BUT WHEN I KEEP LOOKING AT THE ECONOMIC INDICATORS IN MINNESOTA, IT DOESN'T SEEM TO TREND THE SAME WAY THAT IT DOESN'T NATIONALLY.

>> I THINK EVERY AY MINNESOTANS ARE FEELING IT VERY MUCH.

I MEAN, PEOPLE ARE WATCHING THEIR WAGES.

BE DISSIPATED BY, YOU KNOW, THIS INFLATION.

GAS PRICES.

I MEAN, I'M NOT TRYING TO MAKE -- YOU KNOW, BE DRAMATIC ABOUT IT, BUT WORKING PEOPLE ARE REALLY SUFFERING INCLUDING HERE IN MINNESOTA AND THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE SOLUTIONS.

>> AND WE CERTAINLY ARE GETTING IT FROM THE REPUBLICANS.

THE REPUBLICANS ARE WHY WE DIDN'T GET THE LEGISLATURE DONE.

SO THAT INERTIA, THAT IDEA OF WE'RE HEADING INTO A REALLY STRONG TAIL WIND -- >> Eric: DOES THE FUNDRAISING MATTER?

YOU KNOW, THE DEMOCRATS HAVE A LOT OF UNION PAC MONEY AND THEY'RE OUTRAISING THE REPUBLICANS UP AND DOWN THE BALLOT.

IS THAT AN ISSUE?

>> YOU KNOW, THAT'S HARD TO SAY.

IT IS AN UNUSUAL YEAR.

PEOPLE ARE VERY PASSIONATE.

THE IMPACT OF MONEY, YOU KNOW, WHO KNOWS?

PEOPLE SEEM VERY INTERESTED IN THESE RACES.

SO WE'LL SEE.

THERE'S NO QUESTION DEMOCRATS HAVE AN ADVANTAGE WHEN IT COMES TO MONEY.

THEY ALWAYS HAVE IN MINNESOTA.

BUT I THINK THIS YEAR, PEOPLE ARE PRETTY PASSION PASSIONATE ABOUT TANNED WE'LL GET PEOPLE OUT TO VOTE.

>> I WAS IN A DEMOCRATIC SENATE WHERE WE HAD A LOT OF MONEY AND WE LOST.

SO IT STILL COMES DOWN TO GOOD CANDIDATES, VOTER CONTACT, AND THEN MAKING LIKE YOUR CASE AT THE DOORS AND I THINK WHAT'S DEMOCRATS HAVE TO DO.

>> Cathy: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY'S RACE AND I BRING IT UP BECAUSE IT'S THE MOST POPULOUS COUNTY IN THE STATE.

THAT'S QUITE A RACE ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE.

>> YEAH, IT'S REALLY A FIGHT THAT'S TURNED INTO A THREE-WAY BATTLE BETWEEN MARY MORE MORIARTY, RYAN WINKLER AND -- SO IT'LL BE INTERESTING TO KIND OF FIGURE OUT HOW DO YOU KIND OF DIFFERENTIATE THEM ALL.

WITH ARTHA PROBABLY BEING THE MOST LAW AND ORDER, YAN SORT IN THE MIDDLE AND MARY THE PROGRESSIVE.

>> Cathy: AND TAD JUNE ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE.

>> HE'S CLEARLY MY FAVORITE AND SHOULD BE THE FAVORITE 6 ANYBODY WHO WANTS WANTS TO SEE HENNEPIN COUNTY RESTORED TO ORDER.

I THINK HE'S THE ONLY ONE IN THE MIX THAT'LL PUNISH THE CRIMINALS.

>> Eric: HAVE WE FIGURED OUT C.D.-1 ON OCTOBER 9TH WITH THE SPECIAL ELECTION AND THE PRIMARY?

IT'S COMPLICATED DOWN DAILY.

>> IT IS VERY COMPLICATED.

BUT THAT AREA IS PRETTY STRONG REPUBLICAN AT THIS POINT.

I THINK THERE'S BEEN AN EVOLUTION.

AND I'M CONFIDENT THAT THEY'LL CONTINUE TO BE REPRESENTED BY A REPUBLICAN.

>> Eric: ETTINGER DOWN THERE, THE FORMER HORMONE ALE EXECUTIVE?

>> YEAH, HE SEEMS LIKE HE'S A MODERATE.

HE'S RUN THAT COMPANY VERY WELL.

HE'S GOT AN AG BACKGROUND.

SO IT SOUNDS LIKE HE'S A GREAT CANDIDATE.

THERE'S SOME REALLY KIND OF EXTREME CANDIDATES IN THE LEGISLATIVE RACES DOWN THERE, SO I WONDER HOW THAT WILL FARE OUT.

>> Cathy: AUGUST 9TH IS THE PRIMARY.

WHAT ARE YOU GUYS GOING GUYS GOING TO BE OF WASSING FOR?

>> I THINK THE CONGRESSWOMAN OMAR'S DON SAMUELS RACE IS INTRIGUING.

THE FUNDRAISING NUMBERS SUGGEST THAT IT'S COMPETITIVE.

>> I'LL JOIN IT.

IT'S A DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY.

I'D LIKE TO SEE DON SAMUELS DO WELL.

>> Eric: ARE YOU GUYS UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THE DEMOCRATS AROUND THE COUNTRY PLAYING N REPUBLICAN PRIMARIES TO GET A LESS DESIRABLE CANDIDATE FOR THE GENERAL?

>> OH, I THINK IT'S TERRIBLY IRRESPONSIBLE.

THERE'S SOME REPUBLICANS LIKE ME THAT HAVE FOUND THE TRUMP MOVEMENT VERY DANGEROUS.

AND HAVE BEEN FIGHTING AGAINST IT AND WE'VE HEARD FROM THE DEMOCRATS HOW DANGEROUS THIS AND I AGREE WITH IT, BUT THEN TO GO AHEAD AND SUPPORT CANDIDATES THAT ARE IRRESPONSIBLE CANDIDATES, IT'S TOTALLY IRRESPONSIBLE.

AND I THINK IT'S EALLY OUTRAGEOUS.

>> YEAH, IT FEELS TWO TIMES A HALF, HOWEVER, THAT'S HOW POLITICS WORK.

I'LL REMIND ANDY THAT THE REPUBLICANS DID IF WITH THE MARIJUANA CANDIDATES IN THE LAST LEGISLATIVE CYCLE.

IT'S THE PART OF POLITICS THAT I DON'T THINK PEOPLE LIKE, BUT IT'S NOT NUSUAL.

>> Eric: IS GLOBAL WARMING BUDGET BILL THAT APPARENTLY IS GOING TO BE PASSED IN CONGRESS, IS THAT ADDED TO THE DEBATE AT ALL?

HELP DEMOCRATIC MORALE IF NOTHING ELSE?

>> WELL, IT'S REALLY ABOUT THE CLIMATE.

IT'S ABOUT THE PLANET.

AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING TO ADD A STIMULUS AND HELP PEOPLE KIND OF MOVE TOWARDS WHERE WE NEED TO GO.

AND I DO THINK IT UNIFIES THE PARTY.

I THINK THAT THE MANCHIN SIDE OF THE PARTY VERSUS THE PROGRESSIVES ARE STARTING TO COME TOGETHER.

>> A LOT OF IT JUST SIMPLY CORPORATE WELFARE.

WE'VE TRIED THAT.

IT'S HOW WE'VE GOTTEN THESE HIGH INFLATION RATES.

KEEPING TAXES DOWN, KEEPING REGULATION DOWN SO THE PRIVATE SECTOR CAN CONTINUE TO BE ROBUST IN THE EVEN IN THE FACE OF HIGH INTEREST RITES.

>> Cathy: SO IS T POSSIBLE THAT AFTER THE AUGUST 9TH PRIMARY, THE LEGISLATURE COULD IMROA BACK INTO SPECIAL SESSION?

OR IS THAT JUST A DEAD ISSUE?

>> WELL, PEOPLE LIKE ME CERTAINLY HOPE SO.

THERE WAS LOT OF THAT WAS LEFT ON THE TABLE.

AND I HAVE A LOT OF FOLKS THAT I REPRESENT.

BUT I DO THINK THERE IS A WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY IGHT AFTER -- ESPECIALLY ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE TO COME BACK, KIND OF GET THEIR WORK DONE, AND THEN GO INTO THE -- AND THEN GO INTO THE ELECTION CYCLE.

SO I'M HOPING SO.

>> Eric: WOULD REPUBLICANS HAVE ANY INTEREST IN THAT?

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

I THINK ST. PAUL IS GOING TO LOOK A LOT DIFFERENT AFTER NOVEMBER AND I THINK REPUBLICANS WANT TO KEEP OUR FOCUS ON THAT.

WE COULD BE ABLE TO DO SOME HISTORIC THINGS FOR THE STATE.

>> WE COULD DO IT NOW TODAY, THOUGH.

>> Eric: A LOT GOING ON.

THANKS, FELLAS.

♪♪ >> CATHY: IT'S A POP QUIZ, MINNESOTA HISTORY STYLE.

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION HAS TO DO WITH MAYO CLINIC IN ROCHESTER.

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OUR QUESTION CONCERNS A BASEBALL GREAT WHO HAD SURGERY AT MAYO IN 1966 TO ADDRESS A SHOULDER PROBLEM.

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>> ♪ 'CAUSE, OH, MY LORD ♪ ♪ IF BACK THEN I COULD TELL WHERE WE'D BE NOW ♪ ♪ I'D-A RUN LIKE HELL ♪ ♪♪ ♪ EIGHT, NINE, TEN ♪ ♪ WHO SAID THAT ALL GOOD MEN ♪ ♪ MUST KILL AND DIE FOR LIBERTY?

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