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

>> ERIC: COMING UP ON "ALMANAC," WE'LL MEET MINNESOTA'S NEW CHIEF JUSTICE, CANTUS IS HERE LIVE IN STUDIO B, A POLITICAL PANEL FILLS THE COUCH, AND MARY LAHAMMER HAS A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO SHARE.

>> Mary: WE'LL MARK THE END OF AN ERA FOR ONE OF OUR OWN.

>> IT'S MY JOB URING THE WEEK TO GET THE SHOW READY TO GO.

>> BLOOD, SWEAT AND TEARS FOR KARI FOR "ALMANAC."

>> SHE'S DONE THE HARD WORK.

>> I WOULD AGREE WITH YOU THAT SHE IS THE EMBODY.

OF WHAT THIS SHOW IS ALL ABOUT.

>> I'M GOING TO MISS HER.

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

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

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY: GREAT RIVER ENERGY, PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 1.7 MILLION PEOPLE THROUGH ITS MEMBER OWNER COOPERATIVES AND CUSTOMERS.

DELTADENTAL OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION, IMPROVING ORAL HEALTH AND HELPING COMMUNITIES THRIVE.

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

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

>> Cathy: WELCOME TO "ALMANAC."

WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A QUICK LOOK AT SOME OF THE BIGGEST STORIES AROUND THE REGION THIS WEEK.

MESABI METALLICS BEGAN BLASTING OUTSIDE OF NASHWAUK.

THE ORE PRODUCERS WILL FEED THE IOWA MILL.

ON WEDNESDAY, THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FILED A COMPLAINT ACCUSING MINNESOTA JUDGES OF VIOLATING ETHICS RULES.

ON THURSDAY, THE FAMILY OF RENEE GOOD SUED THE U.S.

GOVERNMENT OVER HER KILLING BY A FEDERAL AGENT IN MINNEAPOLIS DURING OPERATION METRO SURGE.

THEY'RE SEEKING UNSPECIFIED DAMAGES FOR WRONGFUL DEATH, CONSPIRACY AND OTHER VIOLATIONS.

BUT WE START TONIGHT WITH NATIONAL POLITICS.

THE MID-TERM ELECTIONS ARE JUST A LITTLE MORE THAN FOUR WEEKS AWAY.

NOT THAT WE'RE COUNTING.

SEVERAL CLOSE CONGRESSIONAL RACES ARE HEATING UP AROUND THE COUNTRY AND PRESIDENT TRUMP IS CONTINUING HIS QUEST TO USURP THE SPENDING POWER OF CONGRESS.

KATHRYN PEARSON IS BACK.

ONE OF HER SPECIALTY IS CONGRESS.

CONGRESS ADJOURNED FOR THE MIDTERMS.

LET US LOOK AT THE OVERALL SESSION, WHAT'S THE VERDICT ON IT?

>> WELL, IT'S A VERY MIXED VERDICT.

AND ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE EXPECTATIONS THAT SORT OF TRUMP AND A REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED HOUSE AND SENATE SET AT THE OUTSET, THEY'VE REALLY GOTTEN -- THEY'VE SORT OF MISSED OUT ON THE SECOND YEAR.

YOU KNOW, IN THE FIRST YEAR OF THIS UNIFIED REPUBLICAN PARTY CONTROL, THEY PASSED THE SO-CALLED BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL, WHICH HAD TAX CUTS, A LOT OF SPENDING CUTS, PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNED IT ON THE FOURTH OF JULY, A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AND A HALF AGO, AND THE REPUBLICANS WERE CELEBRATING, THINKING THEY HAD MORE MOMENTUM.

AFTER, THAT THE THINGS REALLY STALLED.

THERE WAS A HOUSING BILL BUT A LOT OF UNMET DEMAND, BANNING MEMBERS FROM SORT OF OWNING STOCK OR THE AI INDUSTRY ASKING CONGRESS TO EGULATE IT, CONGRESS SORT OF FAILING TO DO SO, THE HOUSE ADJOURNING A FEW WEEKS AGO WHEN REALLY CONGRESS HAD WORK LEFT TO DO.

I GUESS THE GOOD NEWS IS, OFTEN AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR WE'RE IN A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AND THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

BUT, YOU KNOW, CONGRESS DID NOT IVE UP TO THE EXPECTATIONS THAT REPUBLICANS SET FOR THEMSELVES.

>> REASONS FOR THAT?

>> NARROW MARGINS, FOR ONE.

AND THEN ALSO DESPITE UNIFIED PARTY CONTROL, SORT OF A LACK, I THINK, OF GOOD COMMUNICATION WITH THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS.

THUNE, AN EXPERIENCED REPUBLICAN MAJORITY LEADER, GETTING RUSTRATED WITH THE PRESIDENT, VICE VERSA, MIKE JOHNSON LEAVING A FEW WEEKS AGO SO MEMBERS COULD CAMPAIGN IN TOUGH DISTRICTS.

>> Cathy: SO I WONDER HOW WHEN YOU LOOK AT, SAY, THE GREAT BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL, AS A PIECE OF LEGISLATION, HOW DOES THAT STACK UP?

>> WELL, IT WAS A SIGNIFICANT PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

IT HAD MAJOR TAX CUTS, MAJOR SPENDING CUTS.

IT CERTAINLY MET SOME OF THE REPUBLICANS' SPENDING GOALS AND GOALS TO REDUCE TAXES.

SO THAT WAS A SIGNIFICANT PIECE OF LEGISLATION, PASSED AS A RECONCILIATION BILL SO IT ONLY NEEDED REPUBLICAN SUPPORT BUT THEN THERE WERE A LOT OF PROMISES TO FOLLOW UP WITH MORE RECONCILIATION BILLS AND THAT JUST DIDN'T HAPPEN.

SO IF YOU LOOK AT THE LATEST SORT OF TRUMP'S END RUN AROUND CONGRESS, THIS $810 MILLION RESCISSIONS BILL, WHY DIDN'T REPUBLICANS DO THAT IN A SECOND RECONCILIATION PACKAGE?

AGAIN, IT'S A UNIFIED REPUBLICAN CONGRESS AND TRUMP SEEMS TO BE AT ODDS WITH HIS OWN MEMBERS EVEN AS HE IS TELLING THEM, YOU KNOW, CAMPAIGN SORT OF WITH ME.

>> Eric: THE SITUATION WHERE YOU HAVE -- WHERE YOU HAVE -- I'VE LOST MY TRAIN OF THOUGHT.

GO AHEAD.

>> Cathy: THAT'S OKAY.

SAY, I WANT TO ASK ABOUT THE REPUBLICANS AND TRUMP, IN TERMS OF NOT BEING MAYBE ON THE SAME PAGE.

SOME SEEM LIKE THEY'RE SKITTISH AND ARE RUNNING AWAY FROM HIM.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> >> Cathy: LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> EVERY MIDTERM ELECTION IS A REFERENDUM ON THE INCUMBENT PRESIDENT EVEN THOUGH THE PRESIDENT IS NOT ON THE BALLOT.

BUT SOME MIDTERM ELECTIONS ARE SET UP TO BE WAVE ELECTIONS FOR THE OUT PARTY.

SO, YOU KNOW, 2010, DEMOCRATS LOSE 64 SEATS BECAUSE PRESIDENT OBAMA IS UNPOPULAR.

2018, REPUBLICANS LOST 40 SEATS BECAUSE TRUMP WAS UNPOPULAR.

THEY'RE JUST FEWER COMPETITIVE SEATS.

REPUBLICANS HAVE ALSO SORT OF GAINED IN THE REDISTRICTING WARS, MAYBE ABOUT NINE SEATS.

SO THERE ARE NOT THAT MANY SEATS IN PLAY.

BUT IT'S A VERY NARROW MARGIN AND, SO, THE REPUBLICANS WHO ARE FACING COMPETITIVE ELECTIONS DON'T WANT TO BE SEEN WITH AN UNPOPULAR PRESIDENT.

>> Cathy: SO THEN I'M WONDERING, WHAT DO THE SMART PEOPLE THINK COULD CONGRESS FLIP TO DEMOCRATIC CONTROL?

>> THINK IT'S DEFINITELY POSSIBLE AND, IN FACT, LIKELY THAT CONGRESS WILL FLIP TO DEMOCRATIC CONTROL.

BUT IT WON'T BE ONE OF THESE BIG WAVES THAT WE'VE SEEN IN THE PAST BECAUSE THERE JUST AREN'T HAT MANY COMPETITIVE SEATS.

SO MAYBE IT'S, YOU KNOW, A MARGIN OF FIVE DEMOCRAT SEATS, MAYBE UP TO 15, BUT I PREDICT THAT THE NEXT CONGRESS WILL HAVE A PRETTY NARROW HOUSE MAJORITY, WHICHEVER PARTY IS IN CONTROL.

>> Eric: HOW FAR ALONG IS THE 2028 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN?

>> WELL, I WAS JUST TELLING MY 150 STUDENTS IN MY CAMPAIGNS AND ELECTIONS CLASS, I GUARANTEE, RIGHT AFTER THE MIDTERMS, WE WILL E SEEING A FLOOD OF ARTICLES ABOUT SORT OF WHO'S AHEAD IN THE ENDORSEMENT CONTEST, THE FUND-RAISING CONTEST.

SO I THINK, YOU NEGOTIATION ONCE THE MIDTERMS ARE OVER AND ATTENTION SHIFTS, I THINK WE WILL SEE A LOT OF DEMOCRATS SORT OF GEARING UP.

HOW MANY OF THEM WILL ACTUALLY RUN, I THINK IS TO BE DETERMINED.

BUT IT WILL BE A COMPETITIVE FIELD, AND THEN ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, YOU NOW, OBVIOUSLY JD VANCE IS A CONTENDER, MARKO RUBIO, TED CRUZ, SOME FAMILIAR NAMES.

BUT, AGAIN, YOU KNOW, WILL TRUMP SORT OF REALLY ANOINT ONE OF THEM?

I DON'T KNOW.

>> Cathy: ALL RIGHT.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

AS ALWAYS.

>> Eric: THANKS A LOT.

>> Cathy: THANKS.

>> THIS IS MY FAVORITE TIME OF YEAR AND IT'S ALSO THE WORST TIME OF YEAR FOR ME TO GET ANY WORK DONE BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY BIRDS MOVING THROUGH MY YARD RIGHT NOW, I'M CONSTANTLY STARING OUT THE WINDOW.

>> Cathy: IS WHO'S LEAVING RIGHT NOW?

WHO HAVE YOU SEEN?

>> WELL, WE HAVE A HUGE BLUE JAMIE CONGRATULATIONS THAT'S PASSING THROUGH.

BLUE JAY MIGRATION THAT'S PASSING THROUGH.

A LOT OF AIR IN NATIVE SPARROWS PASSING THROUGH, A LOT OF YOUNG ONES THAT DON'T KNOW HOW TO SING.

OH, SAM, PEABODY.

AND MY BIRDS ARE LIKE, OH,-HHHH SAM PEA-AAA BODY.

>> ERIC: TWO NEW MINNESOTA SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE TRYING OUT FOUR-DAY SCHOOL SCHEDULES THIS YEAR FOR THE FIRST TIME.

ELY AND CLINTON-GRACEVILLE-BEARDSLEY JOIN A DOZEN OTHER DISTRICTS THAT HAVE CLASS FOUR DAYS A WEEK INSTEAD OF FIVE.

REPORTER KAOMI LEE WENT TO ONE DISTRICT THAT’S BEEN ON THIS SCHEDULE FOR YEARS AND WHY IT WORKS FOR THEM.

>> HERE WE GO, DEFENSE, 1, 2, 3.

3.

DEFENSE.

>> Kaomi: 18-YEAR-OLD AUSTIN IS A DEFENSIVE LINEMAN ON OWINGLY HAVE I'S HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM.

BESIDES BEING A NINE-MAN TEAM, THERE'S SOMETHING ELSE DIFFERENT.

HIS SCHOOL ONLY HAS CLASSES FEWER DAYS A WEEK AND IT'S BEEN LIKE THAT 18 YEARS.

THEY HAVE CLASS TUESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.

HE STARTS HIS DAY AT 7:40 AND ENDS AT 3:40.

MONDAYS ARE OFF.

>> I KNOW THAT IT'S LONGER THAN OTHER SCHOOLS, BUT IT FEELS -- I MEAN, IT'S BEEN NORMAL TO ME, I'VE GONE HERE MY WHOLE LIFE, BUT IT DOESN'T FEEL EXCESSIVELY LONGER EVEN THOUGH WE GO MAYBE AN HOUR LONGER.

>> HAVING MONDAYS OFF MEANS FLEXIBILITY FOR MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS OR PART-TIME JOBS.

FOOTBALL PRACTICES CAN START IN THE MORNING AND END MIDDAY.

THE SENIORS ALSO TAKING COLLEGE CLASSES.

HE SAYS ACADEMIC UPSIDES TOO.

>> HAVING A SHORTER WEEK, KIDS TEND TO GET BURNED OUT LESS.

I THINK THAT OUR TEACHERS DO A PRETTY GOOD JOB COVERING THE MATERIAL AND I THINK WE'RE LEARNING JUST AS WELL AS ALL THE SCHOOLS AROUND US.

>> Kaomi: OGILVIE STARTED A FOUR-DAY SCHOOL WEEK BECAUSE OF FINANCIAL SAVINGS.

THE SAVINGS AMOUNT TO $300,000 A YEAR.

SUPERINTENDENT KEVIN RICKY WAS NOT AT OGILVIE AT THE TIME OF THE CHANGE BUT HE SAYS IT NOW WOULD BE HARD TO GO.

>> ON APPROXIMATELY AN $8 MILLION BUDGET, JUST BY HAVING 24 LESS DAYS, THAT'S 24 DAYS YOU DO NOT HAVE TO RUN THE SCHOOL BUSES, THAT'S 24 DAYS YOU DON'T HAVE TO BUY GROCERIES, THAT'S 24 DAYS TO DO FOOD SERVICE.

>> Kaomi: WITH FOOD AND GAS PRICES AT ALL-TIME HIGHS, THAT'S MEANING.

AND HE SAYS OGILVIE STUDENTS ARE IN THE CLASSROOM JUST AS LONG AS THEIR FIVE-DAY PEERS.

>> WE STILL DO THE SAME NUMBER OF INSTRUCTIONAL HOURS, BUT WE DO IT ON LESS DAYS.

YES, OUR DAY STARTS A ITTLE BIT EARLIER, AND FINISHES A LITTLE BIT LATER, TO MEET THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENT FOR INSTRUCTIONAL HOURS.

>> Kaomi: RICKY SAYS NEARLY ALL THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING UNITS ARE SET UP ON PAID HOURS, NOT DAYS.

AND HE SAYS STAFF, PARENTS, AND STUDENTS LIKE THE FLEXIBILITY.

IN A RECENT SURVEY, ABOUT 80% SAID THEY WANTED THE FOUR-DAY WEEKS TO CONTINUE.

>> I AM THE TECHNOLOGY COORDINATOR, I'M ALSO ONE OF THE TESTING ADMINISTRATORS AND THE YEARBOOK ADVISOR.

>> Kaomi: COLEMAN IS A MOM OF FOUR, AGE 24 TO 14.

THE DISTRICT WAS SMALL WHEN THE DISTRICT CONVERTED AND THERE WERE MIXED FEELINGS AT THE TIME.

>> PROBABLY AGAINST MAYBE THE LONGER SCHOOL DAY FOR THE YOUNGER CHILDREN.

AND AT THE TIME I HAD YOUNGER KIDS.

BUT I FELT IT WAS STILL WORTH IT TO HAVE THAT EXTRA FAMILY TIME ON THE WEEKEND AND TO GET IN THEIR APPOINTMENTS ON MONDAYS AND TO NOT TO MISS SCHOOL FOR THAT.

>> Kaomi: AS A TEACH EVERY -- TEACHER, SHE WAS HOME WITH HER KIDS ON MONDAYS.

NEIGHBORS AND FAMILY MEMBERS WERE AVAILABLE TO PITCH IN.

OGILVIE WORKS WITH LOCAL FOOD SHELVES TO SEND HOME BACKPACKS OF FOOD FOR FAMILIES IN NEED.

COLEMAN SAYS MANY PARENTS FOUND THEY SAVED MONEY OVERALL.

>> NORMALLY ON A HORTER SCHOOL DAY THEY WOULD HAVE HAD TO HAVE THEIR KID GO TO DAY CARE AFTER SCHOOL.

HAVING THE LONGER DAY TUESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, ELIMINATED THAT FOR A LOFT PARENTS.

>> Kaomi: SAVINGS, YES, BUT WHAT ABOUT EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES?

OGILVIE'S MINNESOTA REPORT CARD IN 2025 SHOWED A 92% GRADUATION RATE, BUT TESTS RESULTS WERE MIXED.

PARENT CARL BOUDREAU PULLED HIS TEEN DAUGHTER OUT OF THE DISTRICT TWO YEARS AGO.

>> IF 60% OF THE CHILDREN ARE STRUGGLING WITH MATH AND READING, BUT, YET, 96% OF THEM ARE GETTING GRADUATED, OW IS THAT?

BECAUSE IT DOESN'T REALLY SEEM LIKE THE NUMBERS ADD UP.

>> Kaomi: THE DISTRICT SAYS THAT THE REPORT CARD IS A SNAPSHOT AND DID NOT ACCOUNT FOR STUDENTS WHO DON'T PERFORM WELL ON TESTS.

THE STATE'S TEACHER UNION SAYS WHETHER A DISTRICT GOES TO A FOUR-DAY WEEK IS A LOCAL DECISION.

>> THERE'S REALLY NO RESEARCH TO SUPPORT THAT THINGS ARE A LITTLE BIT BETTER OR A LITTLE BIT WORSE.

IT'S JUST WE DON'T HAVE THAT MUCH RESEARCH YET ON THE IMPACT ON STUDENT LEARNING.

>> Kaomi: BUT THE FOUR-DAY WEEK MAY BENEFIT RURAL DISTRICTS WITH A OW TAX BASE.

TEACHER SALARIES IN OGILVIE ARE AMONG THE LOWEST IN THE STATE.

306 OUT OF 330 DISTRICTS.

AN EXTRA FREE DAY ALLOWS THEM TO SUBSTITUTE TEACH IN OTHER DISTRICTS.

>> USUALLY FOR 40-WEEK APPLICATIONS, IT'S COST EFFECTIVENESS.

SO THE DISTRICT IS PROPOSING A PLAN WHERE TRANSITION TO GO A FOUR-DAY WEEK WILL SAVE THEM MONEY AND USUALLY IT'S TO IMPROVE INSTRUCTIONAL QUALITY.

>> Kaomi: LEADER IS PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT DIRECTOR AT THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

SHE SAYS THERE'S CURRENTLY 14 DISTRICTS IN THE STATE ON A DISTRICTWIDE FOUR-DAY WEEK SCHEDULE.

ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE ISN'T THE MAIN CRITERIA FOR APPROVAL.

PLANS FOR DISTRIBUTING FOOD, DAY CARE OPTIONS, AND PRIOR OUTCOMES ARE ALSO CONSIDERED.

MORE DISTRICTS HAVE APPLIED EACH YEAR.

>> IT'S NOT A LOT, JUST FIVE YEARS AGO WE ONLY HAD LESS -- WE ONLY HAD HALF OF THE DISTRICTS WE HAVE NOW.

>> Kaomi: HER SAYS OGILVIE'S TRACK RECORD WAS A IG REASON MDE RENEWED ITS APPLICATION.

THIS PARENT DRIVES FROM NEARBY MORA, SHE SAYS SHE DOESN'T MIND A LONGER DAY FOR HER 6-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER.

>> THE DAYS ARE LONGER, EIGHT-HOUR SCHOOL DAY, THEY GET THE THREE DAYS OFF BUT LONGER SCHOOL DAYS.

I KNOW IT ELPS MOST PARENTS THAT WORK, YOU KNOW.

♪ ♪ >> CATHY: THE MINNESOTA STATE SUPREME COURT HAS A NEW TOP JUDGE.

ON THURSDAY, ASSOCIATE JUSTICE THEODORA GAITAS TOOK THE OATH TO BECOME CHIEF JUSTICE THEODORA GAITAS.

SHE WAS APPOINTED TO THE COURT IN 2024 AFTER STINTS AS A PUBLIC DEFENDER, DISTRICT COURT JUDGE, AND A MEMBER OF THE MN COURT OF APPEALS.

WELCOME, MADAM CHIEF JUSTICE, GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I'M DELIGHTED TO BE HERE.

>> Cathy: YOU KNOW, HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE YOUR JOB TO SOMEONE WHO REALLY DOESN'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT THE COURT SYSTEM?

>> WELL, IT'S BASICALLY THREE JOBS.

I AM GOING TO CONTINUE FUNCTIONING AS A SUPREME COURT JUSTICE, SO PARTICIPATING WITH MY COLLEAGUES TO DECIDE SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS THAT COME BEFORE THE COURT, WRITING OPINIONS.

SO THAT'S ONE OF THE JOBS.

THE SECOND JOB IS LEADING THE COURT, MAKING SURE THAT ALL OF THE JUSTICES ARE ON THE SAME PAGE AND PROVIDING GUIDANCE FOR THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COURT.

AND THEN THE THIRD JOB IS REALLY THE ENORMOUS JOB, AND THAT IS BEING THE HEAD OF THE ENTIRE JUDICIAL BRANCH.

>> Eric: IN THE '27 LEGISLATIVE SESSION I GUESS CHIEF HUDSON WAS TALKING ABOUT ASKING FOR TEN MORE JUDGES, MAYBE A 10% PAY INCREASE FOR JUSTICES AND JUDGES.

WHAT'S THE RATIONALE BEHIND THOSE FIGURES?

>> YEAH, SO THE MINNESOTA JUDICIAL SYSTEM IS FACING SOME BIG CHALLENGES AHEAD.

WE DID A CAREFUL STUDY OF HOW JUDGES ARE SPENDING THEIR TIME, AND THE RESULTS OF THAT STUDY SHOW THAT WE ARE SHORT ABOUT 30 TO 33 JUDGES HERE IN MINNESOTA.

AND WE NEED A PLAN TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE ENOUGH JUDGES TO GET ALL OF THAT WORK DONE AND, SO, E'LL BE ASKING THE LEGISLATURE IN 2027 FOR TEN NEW JUDGESHIPS.

AND THE CONCERN WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH JUDGES TO DO THE WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE IS THAT THE PUBLIC IS AFFECTED AT EVERY LEVEL.

OF COURSE, THE COURTS DEAL WITH PUBLIC SAFETY.

THAT'S SOMETHING WHERE WE'RE -- THAT'S SOMETHING WE'RE ALL VERY FAMILIAR WITH.

JUST ABOUT EVERY MINNESOTAN HAS SOME ENCOUNTER WITH THE JUSTICE SYSTEM AT SOME POINT.

PROBATE, FOR EXAMPLE, AND WHEN THE COURTS ARE UNDERJUDGED, THEY ARE NOT AS EFFICIENT AND BACKLOGS OCCUR.

THIS IS ALSO A BIG AREA OF CONCERN FOR BUSINESS.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T THINK ABOUT THE IMPACT THAT AN INEFFECTIVE SYSTEM HAS ON BUSINESS IN A STATE.

SO THESE ARE CHALLENGES THAT WE WANT TO GET AHEAD OF BY REQUESTING NEW JUDGESHIPS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO SERVE THE PUBLIC EFFECTIVELY.

>> Cathy: YOU NO, I'M WONDERING -- YOU KNOW, I'M WONDERING, IF THERE'S A LACK OF JUDGES, WOULDN'T BE THE FEEDER SYSTEM BE ATTORNEYS, RIGHT?

AND THERE'S A LACK OF ATTORNEYS, I UNDERSTAND, AS WELL?

>> YES.

IN GREATER MINNESOTA, N PARTICULAR, WE ARE NOW SEEING A PHENOMENON THAT IS BEING REFERRED TO AS LEGAL DESERTS WHERE THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH LAWYERS IN SOME AREAS TO SATISFY THE LEGAL NEEDS THAT EXIST IN THOSE PARTICULAR AREAS.

AND THAT IS A REAL PROBLEM.

>> Cathy: WHY DO YOU THINK THAT IS?

WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THAT?

>> THERE SEEMS TO BE A POPULATION LOSS AND PERHAPS PEOPLE ARE NOT AS INTERESTED IN GREATER MINNESOTA PRACTICE AS THEY USED TO BE.

AND SOME OF THE LAW SCHOOLS ARE TRYING TO GET AHEAD OF THAT PARTICULAR PROBLEM.

I KNOW THAT St.

THOMAS LAW SCHOOL HAS AN AFFINITY GROUP FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN PRACTICING LAW IN GREATER MINNESOTA.

AND I THINK THOSE KINDS OF EFFORTS EARLY ON, ENCOURAGING YOUNG ATTORNEYS TO PURSUE CAREERS IN GREATER MINNESOTA COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

BUT CURRENTLY THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT WE'RE FACING.

>> Eric: ARE THREATS INCREASING AGAINST JUDGES?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

YES.

JUDICIAL SECURITY IS A BIG CONCERN, AND WE WERE FORTUNATE ENOUGH DURING THE LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION TO GET SOME FUNDING TO HELP US ADDRESS THAT PROBLEM.

BUT CERTAINLY IT IS ONE OF MY TOP PRIORITIES AS I'M BEGINNING MY TENURE AS CHIEF JUSTICE, MAKING SURE THAT OUR JUDGES THROUGHOUT THE STATE ARE SECURE.

>> Cathy: CAN I ASK YOU A PERSONAL QUESTION?

>> SURE.

>> Cathy: DO YOU GET THREATS?

>> YOU KNOW, I HAVE HAD ISSUES IN THE PAST, YES, CERTAINLY.

I THINK ALMOST EVERY JUDGE HAS -- ESPECIALLY JUDGES IN THE DISTRICT COURT LEVEL.

THESE ARE JUDGES WHO ARE MAKING VERY CONTROVERSIAL DECISIONS, THEY'RE HAVING FACE-TO-FACE INTERACTIONS WITH INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE OFTEN UNHAPPY WITH HOSE DECISIONS.

AND THAT IS A PLACE WHERE THREATS ARE OFTEN INITIATED, UNFORTUNATELY.

YES, I MYSELF HAVE HAD CONCERNING SITUATIONS.

>> Cathy: BEST OF LUCK.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Eric: CONGRATULATIONS.

THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

>> SHELETTA: THIS HAS BEEN A WHIRLWIND WEEK FOR MINNESOTA SPORTS FANS.

THE UPS AND DOWNS OF IT ALL HAD ME ON THE COUCH CHATTING WITH MY THERAPIST.

NOW I’M ON UPPERS-AND-DOWNERS TRYING TO REGULATE MY HORMONES.

LISTEN, MANAGING MY EMOTIONS DURING MENOPAUSE IS A CAKE WALK COMPARED TO TRYING TO KEEP COOL IN THE FALL WHEN TEMPS DROP AND THE LYNX, VIKINGS, AND GOPHER FOOTBALL TEAM HEAT THINGS UP.

LET’S START WITH THE LYNX.

THE UPSIDE: THE LADIES MADE WNBA HISTORY.

YES, HONEY!

THE DOWNSIDE: THEY WERE ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE RECORD BOOKS BECOMING THE FIRST #1 SEED TO BE ELIMINATED BY A #8 TEAM IN THE PLAYOFFS.

NOW ON TO THE VIKINGS.

SKOL!

THE UPSIDE: THEY BEAT THE BRAKES OFF THE PACKERS, BUCS AND BEARS.

I HAVE NO DOUBT WE WILL MOLLY-WHOP THOSE WHALES — I MEAN, [CHUCKLE] DOLPHINS ON SUNDAY.

THE DOWNSIDE: OUR STAR PLAYER, JUSTIN JEFFERSON, IS HURT AND HIS RETURN TO THE FIELD IS “MURKY” SO WE NEED A MIRACLE.

I’M GOING TO PUT JJ ON MY CHURCH’S SPECIAL NEEDS PRAYER LIST.

AND FINALLY, GOPHERS FOOTBALL.

THE UPSIDE: THAT HISTORIC BARN BURNER GAME AGAINST WASHINGTON LAST SATURDAY NIGHT THAT DIDN’T END UNTIL SUNDAY MORNING WAS EPIC.

FOLKS ARE STILL TALKING ABOUT IT.

THE DOWNSIDE: AFTER PJ FLECK WIPED THE BLOOD FROM LINEBACKER MAVERICK BARANOWSKI’S MOUTH AND SMEARED IT ON HIS FACE, AS A MOTHER, BEFORE I TAKE MY KIDS OVER TO HUNTINGTON BANK STADIUM TOMORROW TO WATCH THE MATCH-UP AGAINST MICHIGAN, I HAVE TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE DRESSED TO PREVENT COLD AND FLU AS WELL AS COMMUNICABLE DISEASES.

>> ADIA: I'M HAPPY TO BE HERE WITH ONE OF OUR FAVORITE GROUPS.

THE CHORAL GROUP CANTUS KICKS OFF THEIR NEW SEASON LATER THIS MONTH WITH A FALL CONCERT SERIES ENTITLED "SIMPLE GIFTS."

THE VOCAL ENSEMBLE SAYS IT IS AN ANSWER TO THE DEEPLY PERSONAL QUESTION "WHAT ARE YOU GRATEFUL FOR?"

WELCOME BACK TO "ALMANAC."

>> THANKS SO MUCH, GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> YEAH, IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN, PAUL.

SO TALK ABOUT THE THEME OF GRATITUDE FOR YOUR FIRST CONCERT SERIES OF THE SEASON.

THE TITLE IS "SIMPLE GIFTS, PERSONAL STORIES AND MUSIC OF GRATITUDE."

WHAT EXACTLY DOES THAT MEAN FOR YOU ALL?

>> YES, FOR US, WE WERE LOOKING FOR A WAY TO KIND OF LEAN INTO ONE OF OUR VALUES, WHICH IS VULNERABILITY.

AND, SO, IT'S A CHANCE FOR US TO SHARE SOME REALLY PERSONAL STORIES ABOUT GRATITUDE IN OUR OWN LIVES AND HOW IT INTERSECTS WITH OUR MUSIC MAKING, AND I THINK FOLKS ARE REALLY GOING TO RESONATE WITH THESE STORIES FROM STAGE AND THERE'S ALSO A REPERTOIRE THAT FOLKS WILL RECOGNIZE.

>> YEAH.

I'M EXCITED.

I MEAN, I WAS LOOKING AHEAD AND I SEE A FEW THINGS IN THE REST OF THE SEASON THAT LOOK PRETTY EXCITING.

TELL US ABOUT WHAT ELSE THEY CAN EXPECT.

>> WE'VE GOT OUR CHRISTMAS SHOW, AS USUAL.

WE'RE GOING TO BE EVERYWHERE OVER THE TWIN CITIES AND WE'RE ALSO GOING TO BE TOURING FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS BEFORE THAT ACROSS THE COUNTRY, WHICH IS REALLY EXCITING.

WE'VE GOT OUR SPRING SHOW, WE'RE DOING A COVER SHOW THIS YEAR WITH ABBA, MUSIC OF ABBA, WHICH WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT, AND THEN WE HAVE A CHAMBER SERIES THIS SUMMER, WITH PIANO AND IT'S GOING TO BE THE MUSIC POETRY BY WALT WITTMAN, ARRANGEMENTS OF MUSIC, SO IT'S GOING TO BE REALLY REALLY GORGEOUS.

>> YEAH, I BELIEVE IT.

YOU HAVE BEEN GOING FOR MORE THAN 30 SEASONS, RIGHT.

>> YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT.

>> YEAH, SO HOW DO YOU CHANGE FROM SEASON TO SEASON IN THE WORK YOU DO?

>> YEAH, SO ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS ABOUT CANTUS, WE'RE COLLABORATIVE, THERE'S NO ONE PERSON N CHARGE.

SO THE EIGHT OF US SPEND A LOT OF TIME IN MEETINGS.

WE PROBABLY MEET TWO OR THREE TIMES A MONTH, TALKING ABOUT WHAT DO WE WANT TO DO NEXT YEAR, WE HAVE ABOUT SIX DIFFERENT PROGRAMS WE DO EVERY YEAR.

AND, SO, WE THROW A LOFT IDEAS ON THE WHITEBOARD AND FIGHT IT OUT A LITTLE BIT.

BUT WE REALLY LOVE THAT WORK, GETTING TO CHOOSE PROGRAMS AND THEMES THAT WE FEEL ARE RELEVANT, THAT REFLECT ON WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE WORLD AND ALSO HOPEFULLY ARE RELATABLE TO FOLKS.

>> WONDERFUL.

WHAT IS THE DATE OF OUR CONCERT, THE FIRST DATE?

>> SO WE'RE COMING UP IN A COUPLE WEEKS, IN OCTOBER, YOU'VE GOT ME ON A GOTCHA QUESTION, BECAUSE I SHOULD KNOW THAT OFFHAND.

>> THEY CAN LOOK IT UP ON YOUR WEBSITE, RIGHT?

>> I WANT TO PERSONALLY APOLOGIZE TO OUR PUBLICIST, SO SORRY.

CHECK US ON CANTUSSINGS.ORG.

>> YEAH, WHAT ARE YOU SINGING TONIGHT?

>> SIMPLE GIFTS, A SHAKER TUNE THAT PEOPLE WILL RECOGNIZE.

AND LATER ON IN THE PROGRAM, BOBBY McFERRIN'S, "THE GARDEN."

>> WONDERFUL.

CANTUS.

♪ TIS A GIFT TO BE SIMPLE ♪ ♪ TIS A GIFT TO BE FREE ♪ ♪ TIS THE GIFT TO COME DOWN WHERE YOU ARE TO THEE ♪ ♪ AND WHEN WE FIND OURSELVES IN THE PLACE JUST RIGHT ♪ ♪ TWILL WILL BE IN THE VALLEY OF LOVE AND DELIGHT ♪ ♪ WHEN TRUE SIMPLICITY IS GAINED ♪ ♪ TO THEN WE SHANT BE ASHAMED ♪ TO TURN, TURN WILL BE OUR DELIGHT ♪ ♪ TILL THY TURNING, THY TURNING BECOMES ♪ ♪ WHEN TRUE SIMPLICITY IS GAINED ♪ ♪ TO BOW AND TO BEND WE SHANT BE ASHAMED ♪ ♪ TO TURN, TURN WILL BE OUR DELIGHT ♪ ♪ TILL BY TURNING, TURNING WE COME RIGHT ♪ ♪ TILL BY TURNING, TURNING ♪ ♪ WE COME RIGHT ♪ ♪ TIS A GIFT TO BE SIMPLE, TIS A GIFT TO BE FREE ♪ ♪ TIS A GIFT TO COME DOWN WHERE WE ARE TO BE ♪ ♪ AND WHEN WE FIND OURSELVES IN THE PLACE JUST RIGHT ♪ ♪ 'TWILL BE IN THE VALLEY OF LOVE AND DELIGHT ♪ ♪ WHEN TRUE SIMPLICITY IS GAWHEN TRUE SIMPLICITY IS GAINEN TRUE SIMPLICITY IS GAINED TRUE SIMPLICITY IS GAINED ♪RUE SIMPLICITY IS GAINED ♪RUE SIMPLICITY IS TO BOW AND TO BEND WE SHAN 'T BE ASHAMED ♪ ♪ TO TURN, TURN, WILL BE OUR DELIGHT ♪ ♪ 'TILL BY TURNING, TURNING, WE COME ROUND RIGHT ♪ ♪ WHEN TRUE SIMPLICITY IS GAINED ♪ ♪ TO BOW AND TO BEND WE SHANT BE ASHAMED 7 ♪ TO TURN ♪ ♪ TURN ♪ ♪ WILL BE OUR DELIGHT ♪ ♪ TILL BY TURNING, TURNING WE COME ROUND ♪ ♪ RIGHT ♪ ♪ >> ERIC: AS PART OF MINNESOTA PBS'S "VOICES RISING: STORIES FOR AMERICA'S 250TH INITIATIVE," A NEW SERIES ENTITLED "PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS" EXAMINES THE- FAPPINESS" EXAMINES THE- FAMIINESS" EXAMINES THE- FAMILIESS" EXAMINES THE- FAMILIARS" EXAMINES THE- FAMILIAR W EXAMINES THE- FAMILIAR WORXAMINES THE- FAMILIAR WORDSMINES THE- FAMILIAR WORDS ONES THE- FAMILIAR WORDS OF S THE- FAMILIAR WORDS OF THTHE- FAMILIAR WORDS OF THEHE- FAMILIAR WORDS OF THEHE- COUNTRY'S FOUNDING FATHERS AND CONTEXTUALIZES IT AS THE UNITED STATES MARKED ITS 250TH BIRTHDAY.

THE NEW THREE-PART SERIES HOSTED BY AMANDA BRINKMAN PREMIERES NEXT MONDAY.

LET'S TAKE A QUICK LOOK.

♪ ♪ >> AMERICANS MAY SEEM DIVIDED.

BUT WE'RE UNITED IN THE PURSUIT OF AT LEAST ONE THING.

HAPPINESS.

MY NAME IS AMANDA BRINKMAN.

I'VE SPENT YEARS TRAVELING ACROSS THE COUNTRY UNCOVERING SOME OF THE MYSTERY AND MEANING BEHIND THIS ELUSIVE THING WE ALL WANT.

>> HEY, GUYS.

>> JOIN ME AS I MEET AMERICANS ON THEIR OWN INCREDIBLE PURSUITS, DISCOVERING HAPPINESS AND SOME SERIOUSLY UNEXPECTED PLACES.

>> WHOO!

>> YEAH, YOU DID IT!

>> WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE SELF-EVIDENT.

>> THAT ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL.

>> THAT EVERYONE'S CREATED EQUAL.

>> THAT THEY'RE ENDOWED BY THEIR CREATOR.

>> WITH CERTAIN UNALIENABLE RIGHTS.

>> CERTAIN UNALIENABLE BITES.

>> CERTAIN UNALIENABLE RIGHTS.

>> AND AMONG THESE ARE LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS.

♪ ♪ >> WITH A BIT F SHOCK, I'VE OFFICIALLY BEEN DRAWING CARTOONS FOR "ALMANAC" FOR 20 YEARS.

20 YEARS, MAKING ILLUSTRATED ESSAYS.

THIS LED ME TO WONDER, WHAT IF I TOOK EVERY LINE I'VE EVER DRAWN, EVERY SQUIGGLE AND EVERY ZIGZAG AND I STRAIGHTENED THEM OUT AND PUT THEM ALL TOGETHER, HOW LONG A LINE WOULD THAT BE?

SOMETHING IMPRESSIVE TO THE MOON AND BACK.

LET'S DO SOME QUICK MATH, THREE FEET PER DRAWING, WORKS OUT TO ABOUT FOUR MILES.

THAT IS NOT THE ANSWER I WAS HOPING FOR.

ANYWAY, THE REAL QUESTION I FOUND MYSELF ASKING IS, WHY HAVE I STAYED WITH "ALMANAC?"

I MEAN, YES, THERE WAS A TIME WHEN TV WAS THE ONLY GAME IN TOWN, BUT TODAY EVERYONE KNOWS THERE'S YouTube.

THERE'S A GLOBAL AUDIENCE JUST A FEW CLICKS AWAY.

WHY HAVE I SPENT 20 YEARS ON A BROADCAST TOWER IN THE TWIN CITIES METRO?

ITCHING THE ANSWER IS THAT -- I THINK THE ANSWER, IS THAT MORE THAN VIEWS, MAYBE EVEN MORE THAN MONEY, I JUST LIKE FRAMING, I LIKE CONTEXT, AND I LIKE MINNESOTA'S CIVIC CULTURE.

IT'S SOMEHOW REASSURING TO ME THAT MY CARTOONS, WHATEVER THESE THINGS ARE, ARE PART OF A SHOW THAT ELEVATES POLITICAL DISCOURSE AND RATIONAL DEBATE.

YOU SEE, I MAY BE A GOOFBALL PERSONALITY MYSELF, BUT THE PLANET I WANT TO LIVE ON IS A PLANET THAT'S THOUGHTFUL, CURIOUS, AND PREDICTABLE.

I GUESS WHAT I'M SAYING IS THAT IF YOU'RE OING TO DRAW A LINE THAT'S FOUR MILES LONG, YOU'RE GOING TO BUNDLE IT UP AND SHOVE IT SOMEWHERE, THERE ARE WORSE PLACES TO SHOVE IT THAN A SHOW LIKE "ALMANAC."

AND I'M NOTHING BUT GRATEFUL FOR THE 20 YEARS YOU'VE ALL GIVEN ME.

THANKS FOR WATCHING, EVERYBODY.

♪ >> CATHY: THIS IS THE LAST SHOW THAT OUR LONGTIME PRODUCER KARI KENNEDY WILL BE AT THE HELM AS SHE LEAVES US FOR RETIREMENT.

TO SAY WE’LL MISS HER IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT.

OUR MARY LAHAMMER CAPTURED SOME FINAL THOUGHTS FROM THOSE OF US WHO KNOW KARI BEST IN THIS TRIBUTE.

>> Mary: BEHIND THE SCENES IS WHERE THE UNSUNG HEROES OF TELEVISION WORK.

>> I THINK OF MYSELF AS THE PERSON WHO HAS TEN DIFFERENT PLANS IN PLACE BECAUSE SOMETHING ALWAYS GOES WRONG AND I DON'T WANT NIP AT HOME TO KNOW -- AND I DON'T WANT ANYONE AT HOME TO KNOW IT WENT WRONG.

SOP I DECIDE WHAT I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE ON THE SHOW.

>> Mary: FOR NEARLY FOUR DECADES, KARI KENNEDY HAS BEEN A DRIVING FORCE BEHIND MINNESOTA'S MOST TRUSTED AND RESPECTED PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM "ALMANAC."

>> Cathy: KARI IS METICULOUS, SHE'S VERY FUNNY, SHE'S GOT A WICKED SENSE OF HUMOR THAT I THINK PEOPLE DON'T TRULY UNDERSTAND OR APPRECIATE AND I DO.

SHE ALSO IS JUST SO HONEST.

SHE IS JUST HONEST AS THE DAY IS LONG.

AND I LOVE HER.

AND I'M GOING TO MISS HER TERRIBLY.

>> Eric: KARI IS VERY DEDICATED.

SHE TOOK THE MANTEL OF -- LEADERSHIP AFTER BRENDEN RETIRED, BLOOD, SWEAT AND TEARS FOR "ALMANAC" AND FOR NEWS IN GENERAL.

>> SHE'S IN YOUR EAR.

>> Cathy: KARI KENNEDY IS IN MY EAR, YES.

SHE LIVES IN MY HEAD.

>> Eric: ONE NIGHT WE HAD A GUEST BAIL AT LIKE 5:45 AND THE SHOW STARTS AT 7:00 AND WE'RE IN THE BRIEFING ROOM AND SHE CALMLY WENT ON HER PHONE, CAME UP WITH AN EXTRA GUEST THAT WE HADN'T HAD BEFORE, PUT IT TOGETHER, SEEMLESSLY PUT THE SHOW TOGETHER, THE AUDIENCE HAD NO IDEA THAT WE WERE SCRAMBLING FOR A GUEST AN HOUR EFORE THE SHOW STARTED.

AND THAT REALLY WAS EMBLEMATIC OF HER ABILITY TO TAKE CHARGE IN A CRISIS.

>> WE WEREN'T ON TELEVISION.

AND, SO, -- AND ERIC AND CATHY COULDN'T KNOW, YOU CAN'T TELL THEM THAT BECAUSE THEY CAN'T KNOW BECAUSE WE STILL HAVE TO DO THE SHOW.

THAT'S PROBABLY ONE OF THE BIGGEST DISASTERS EVER.

>> YOU KIND OF MANAGE CHAOS?

>> YES, IT'S CONTROLLED CHAOS.

>> Mary: AS SUPERVISING PRODUCER AT "ALMANAC," KENNEDY PLAYED A PIVOTAL ROLE IN SHAPING THE CONVERSATIONS, JOURNALISM AND STORIES THAT HAVE HELPED OUR STATE BETTER UNDERSTAND THE ISSUES THAT MATTER MOST.

>> Eric: THE SHOW IS A LITTLE BIT OF A TIGHTROPE WALK BECAUSE YOU WANT TO BE CURRENT FROM WHAT IS HAPPENING AT THE END OF THE WEEK BUT WANT TO GIVE SOME CONTEXT TO STUFF THAT HAPPENED EARLIER IN THE WEEK.

SO THERE'S A MAGIC THERE TO BLEND THE TWO.

AND SHE'S VERY GOOD AT DOING THAT.

>> Cathy: KARI KENNEDY ABSOLUTELY IS THE JOURNALISTIC BACKBONE OF "ALMANAC."

ABSOLUTELY.

SHE'S GOT GREAT NEWS JUDGMENT AND I TRUST HER IMPLICITLY, WHICH YOU DO NEED TO TRUST YOUR PRODUCERS IMPLICITLY, LIKE, WITH YOUR LIFE, IN A SENSE.

SO I TRUST HER JUDGMENT, WHEN SHE SAYS SOMETHING THAT THERE MIGHT BE A QUESTION, GO WITH HER BECAUSE SHE'S GOT GOOD INSTINCTS.

>> Mary: THAT TRUSTED, THOUGHTFUL, BALANCED APPROACH, KARI HAS ALWAYS BEEN A FIERCE ALLY AND A LOYAL PARTNER IN MAINTAINING OUR JOURNALISTIC CREDIBILITY AND NONPARTISAN APPROACH.

SHE'S DONE THE HARD WORK, WORKED THE LONG HOURS, WE'VE BEEN IN CONSTANT CONTACT, NIGHTS, WEEKENDS.

WORKING THROUGH WHAT'S BEEN A TOUGH TIME IN POLITICS AND MEDIA.

>> I ALWAYS SAY, IT'S MY JOB DURING THE WEEK TO GET THE SHOW READY TO GO.

ONCE I GET INTO THE CONTROL ROOM, I HAND IT OFF TO THE CREW AND THE DIRECTOR.

AND IT'S OUR FABULOUS DIRECTOR SCOTT'S JOB TO MAKE SURE THAT THE CONTROLLED CHAOS HAPPENS.

HE IS DIRECTING THE SHOW.

>> KARI IS ALWAYS CONSISTENT AND CONFIDENT IN HER DECISIONS WHEN SHE'S RUNNING THE SHOW.

>> DESCRIBE WHAT KARI DOES BEHIND THE SCENES WITH YOU?

>> OH, BOY, WHAT DOESN'T KARI DO BEHIND THE SCENES?

SHE'S THE, I WOULD SAY, THE FIELD GENERAL.

AND SHE TAKES US INTO BATTLE, NOT THAT THE SHOW IS A BATTLE, BUT IT'S LIVE TELEVISION.

>> Mary: KARI'S PROFESSIONALISM, INTEGRITY, AND COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE HAVE STRENGTHENED NOT ONLY "ALMANAC" BUT ALL OF MINNESOTA PBS WHO COUNTED ON HER AS A TRUSTED COLLEAGUE.

>> SHE TRUSTS THAT I'M GOING TO BE THERE WHEN I NEED TO BE THERE TO HIT THE MARK THAT I NEED TO HIT.

AND THAT'S GOOD LEADERSHIP.

>> I THINK FOR OUR VIEWERS, THEY CAN COME TO EXPECT A POLISHED PRODUCT ON THE AIR, SOMETHING THAT'S BIPARTISAN, NONPARTISAN, AND SOMETHING THAT GIVES THEM INFORMATION THAT THEY CAN USE IN THEIR WEEK-TO-WEEK LIFE.

>> Mary: HOW HARD IS IT TO SAY GOOD-BYE TO HER NOW?

>> IT'S GOING TO BE TOUGH BECAUSE SHE'S A CONSTANT.

HAS BEEN A CONSTANT.

EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT WHEN I'M IN THE BOOTH OVER THERE, I CAN TURN TO THE RIGHT AND SHE'S ALWAYS THERE.

>> WE ARE LOSING OUR LEADER.

IT'S THE END OF AN ERA HERE AT "ALMANAC."

>> WE ARE VERY MUCH A FAMILY HERE.

MANY OF US HERE HAVE WORKED HERE FOR A LONG TIME.

MANY OF US AVE MANY REPS HERE.

THERE'S A LOT OF EXPERIENCES, A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE, AND THE PEOPLE THAT WORK BEHIND THE SCENES.

>> I WISH WE DIDN'T HAVE TO MAKE THIS VIDEO.

WE'RE GOING TO MISS HER.

>> THIS IS DEFINITELY THE END OF AN ERA.

>> Mary: "ALMANAC" HAS MARKED MANY MILESTONES WITH BIPARTISAN CELEBRATIONS, HERALDED BY TOP POLITICAL LEADERS.

>> Eric: ALL FOUR LEGISLATIVE LEADERS ARE HERE WITH US.

>> Mary: AND NOTABLE NAMES WHICH WOULDN'T HAPPEN WITHOUT KARI KENNEDY MAKING THE CALL.

>> THESE AREN'T JUST COLLEAGUES AND THIS ISN'T JUST A JOB, IS IT?

>> NO, I MEAN, I'VE BEEN HERE SINCE I WAS 23 YEARS OLD.

THIS IS MY SECOND FAMILY.

I STARTED HERE BEFORE I HAD CHILDREN.

AND I HAVE GRANDDAUGHTERS NOW.

I HAVE SPENT MY ENTIRE ADULT LIFE HERE.

>> Cathy: I'M GOING TO MISS KARI'S VOICE IN ME EAR, TOO.

HONESTLY.

IT'S THE VOICE OF CALM.

IN STORMS THAT SOMETIMES LOOK LIKE THEY'RE GOING TO SWAMP THE SHOW BUT THEY NEVER DO BECAUSE SHE'S AT THE HELM.

>> Mary: I THINK IN SO MANY WAYS KARI IS "ALMANAC," WHEN YOU SAY SHE'S FUNNY, SHE'S SMART, SHE'S FAIR.

I MEAN, SHE IS THE EMBODIMENT OF THE SHOW'S VALUES, ISN'T SHE?

>> Cathy: I WOULD AGREE WITH YOU THAT SHE IS THE EMBODIMENT OF WHAT THIS SHOW IS ALL ABOUT.

SHE TRULY IS.

YEAH.

YOU'RE RIGHT.

I THINK THAT THAT IS A REALLY GREAT WAY TO DESCRIBE HER.

SHE'S EVEN A LITTLE QUIRKY.

>> Eric: I'M GOING TO MISS HER.

>> Mary: HOW HARD IS IT TO LEAVE YOUR BABY?

>> IT'S REALLY HARD.

YOU KNOW, I HAVE DEDICATED MYSELF TO THIS PLACE.

SOMETIMES PERHAPS TO THE DETRIMENT OF OTHER THINGS IN MY LIFE.

>> ERIC: ELECTION DAY IS NOW JUST A LITTLE MORE THAN FOUR WEEKS AWAY.

THAT SHOULD GIVE US PLENTY TO TALK ABOUT WITH THIS WEEK'S VERSION OF THE POLITICAL PANEL SO LET'S DIVE RIGHT IN.

DEMOCRATS UP FIRST TONIGHT.

JAVIER MORILLO IS A LONGTIME UNION AND PARTY ACTIVIST AND A FORMER NATIONAL COMMITTEEMAN FOR THE DNC.

TARA ERICKSON IS A LONGTIME LOBBYIST UP AT THE CAPITOL WHO NOW WORKS AS A CONSULTANT.

REPUBLICANS ON THE COUCH TONIGHT, FRITZ KNAAK IS A FORMER STATE SENATOR NOW AN ATTORNEY IN PRIVATE PRACTICE.

ROUNDING OUT THE GROUP TONIGHT, ANDY BREHM, A FORMER PRESS SECRETARY FOR U.S.

SENATOR NORM COLEMAN, NOW A LAWYER AND COLUMNIST FOR THE MINNESOTA STAR TRIBUNE.

CAN MINNESOTA TURN REPUBLICAN?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PURPLISH STATE.

AND, YOU KNOW, MY PARTY HASN'T DONE ITSELF MANY FAVORS IN TERMS OF HAVING COMPETITIVE STATEWIDE CANDIDATES.

THIS YEAR IS DEFINITELY EXCEPTION TO THAT.

WE HAVE ROCK STAR ALENT, I THINK, ACROSS THE BOARD.

SO, YES, I THINK THESE ARE ABSOLUTELY COMPETITIVE RACES.

I HINK THE ELECTORATE IN GENERAL HAS FATIGUE OF CONSTANT DFL CONTROL.

THEY DON'T LIKE THE WAY THE THINGS ARE IN MINNESOTA.

THEY THINK THE STATE WE LOVE CAN DO BETTER.

I CERTAINLY FEEL THE SAME WAY.

SO ABSOLUTELY IT'S GOING TO BE A COMPETITIVE NOVEMBER.

>> YOU KNOW, I'M HOPING THAT IT'S NOT GOING TO BE COMPETITIVE.

I DO BELIEVE THAT WITH SOME OF THE I.E.

MONEY THAT REPUBLICANS ARE BRINGING INTO THE STATE THAT -- >> Cathy: INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURE MONEY.

>> YES, YOU ARE KIND OF LIKE MARY WITH THE ACRONYMS.

[ Laughter ] INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURE MONEY COMING INTO THE STATE.

IT IS KIND OF THE FIRST TIME THAT I FEEL LIKE REPUBLICANS ARE DEFINITELY NIPPING AT THE HEELS, YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY ON THE STATEWIDE RACES.

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, THERE IS A WONDERFUL ISSUE, IF YOU CAN CALL IT WONDERFUL, THAT'S THE FRAUD ISSUE THAT'S PERVADING ALL OF THIS THAT THE REPUBLICANS CAN CAPITALIZE ON.

AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN MEMORY THAT WE SEE REPUBLICANS BEING RELATIVELY WELL FUNDED.

WE'VE BEEN ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE OUTSIDE FUNDING SOURCES AND OUTSPENT SOMETIMES THREE OR FOUR O ONE IN OUR ELECTIONS.

THAT ISN'T GOING TO BE TRUE THIS YEAR.

SO WE'VE GOT VERY GOOD CANDIDATES.

IT IS COMPETITIVE.

I THINK ANDY'S RIGHT, I THINK PEOPLE ARE A LITTLE TIRED OF THE BRAND.

AND IT'S POSSIBLE, MORE THAN POSSIBLE, I THINK AT LEAST A COUPLE OF THOSE STATEWIDE RACES, IT'S GETTING LIKELY THAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE REPUBLICANS WIN.

>> Cathy: WELL, JAVIER, WHAT ABOUT SOME OF THE ENERGY AROUND OPERATION METRO SURGE, YOU KNOW, THE APPEARING GATHER AROUND THAT, DOES THAT HELP DEMOCRATS?

>> AND IT'S LINGERING AND IT IS SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE WILL NOT FORGET FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

NOT TO MENTION JUST THE MOOD OF THE ELECTORATE, JUST GENERALLY, THE EXCITEMENT TO VOTE ON THE ISSUE AND ELECTIONS, EVEN N MINNESOTA, ARE MORE AND MORE NATIONALIZED.

SO I'M VERY, YOU KNOW, COUNTING ON DFL EXCITEMENT TO GET PEOPLE OUT TO VOTE.

>> Cathy: I'M SENSING THAT YOU GUYS DO NOT AGREE WITH THIS.

>> WELL -- [ OVERLAPPING CONVERSATION ] >> I REALLY DON'T.

I MEAN, I THINK SOMETIMES THAT'S THE CASE.

I MEAN, THERE'S NO QUESTION THAT DONALD TRUMP IS UNPOPULAR IN MINNESOTA, UNPOPULAR NATIONWIDE.

A LOT OF US ARE DISAPPOINTED WITH HOW HE'S DOING.

BUT I THINK MINNESOTA VOTERS AREN'T GOING TO BE VOTING BASED ON A LAME DUCK PRESIDENT THAT'S GOING TO BE GONE IN TWO YEARS.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE VOTING BASED ON THE STATE OF THINGS IN MINNESOTA.

ELECTING THE RIGHT PERSON WHO THEY FEEL IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THE CHANGES NEEDED.

SO I REALLY DON'T THINK THE ELECTION'S GOING TO BE ABOUT DONALD TRUMP, AS MUCH AS DEMOCRATS WANT.

THERE'S TOO MUCH HERE.

POLL AFTER POLL SHOW THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES THAT MINNESOTANS HAVE RIGHT NOW IS FRAUD.

THEY TRUST REPUBLICANS MUCH MORE THAN DEMOCRATS ON THAT ISSUE.

>> POLL AFTER POLL SHOWS THAT THE TOP ISSUE FOR VOTERS IS THE ECONOMY, IS THE STATE OF THINGS AS THEY ARE.

I THINK, YOU KNOW, REPUBLICANS WOULD LIKE PEOPLE TO GO INTO THE VOTING BOOTH THINKING ABOUT FRAUD ND DEMOCRATS WOULD LIKE PEOPLE TO GO INTO THE VOTING BOOTH THINKING ABOUT ECONOMICS.

AND WE'LL SEE HOW THAT TURNS OUT.

>> WELL, I DO THINK, THOUGH, THAT IT IS TRUE THAT -- I THINK AND JAVIER WAS RIGHT WHEN HE SAID IT EARLIER -- THAT IS SOMETHING OF A FADING ISSUE.

METRO SURGE IS -- SO IT WILL BE INTERESTING, FROM MY POINT OF VIEW, TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS NOW THAT WE'VE GOT THE LAWSUIT OUT WHERE THAT ISSUE'S BEING RAISED AGAIN, WHETHER OR NOT THAT BECOMES SOMETHING HAT THE MEDIA CAN FOCUS ON AGAIN AND HOPEFULLY AS FAR AS THE DEMOCRATS ARE CONCERNED RESURRECT THAT ISSUE.

>> LIKE IT'S NOT A FADING ISSUE.

WHAT HAPPENED IN THIS STATE IS ABSOLUTELY HORRIFIC AND IT IS THE REASON WHY PEGGY FLANAGAN BEAT ANGIE CRAIG BY 20 POINTS, THAT THE POLLS DIDN'T SEE COMING.

WE ERE OCCUPIED BY OUR OWN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THIS IS NOT A SLEEPER ISSUE.

THIS IS STILL FRONT AND CENTER.

I THINK ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME.

I'M STILL ON SIGNAL CHATS.

THIS IS NOT A DEAD ISSUE.

>> AND WE'RE BEING THREATENED WITH MORE.

THE PRESIDENT IS SAYING THERE'S A POSSIBILITY OF HAVING A MILITARY AT POLLING PLACES, I.C.E.

AT POLLING PLACES.

>> APPARENTLY MARTIAL LAW'S ON THE TABLE.

I MEAN, THESE ARE SCARY TIMES.

>> BUT THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE U.S.

SENATE RACE.

I MEAN, LISTEN, MANY OF US WERE CONCERNED WITH HOW METRO SURGE OPERATED.

MYSELF INCLUDED.

I SAID SO ON THIS COUCH.

MICHELE TAFOYA IS AN INDEPENDENT THINKER, THIS IS SOMEBODY WHO SAID FOR DONALD TRUMP NOT TO RUN IN 2024, SHE'S A VERY SMART, CAPABLE PERSON WHO CAN THINK FOR HERSELF AND SHE'S NOT GOING TO BE NECESSARILY A RUBBER STAMP FOR THIS ADMINISTRATION.

LET ME FINISH, GIVAIRE.

LET'S -- JAVIER.

LET ME FINISH.

LET ME FINISH.

I THINK SHE'S MADE IT CLEAR THAT SHE'S AN INDEPENDENT THINKER, SHE AGREES THAT THAT WAS A PROBLEMATIC EPISODE FOR SURE, AS MANY REPUBLICANS DO.

BUT I THINK, AGAIN, ARE WE GOING TO REALLY ELECT A U.S.

SENATOR BASED ON A PROTEST VOTE FOR A PRESIDENT WHO'S GOING TO BE GONE IN TWO YEARS?

I DON'T THINK SO.

>> Eric: DOJ HAS ISSUED SOME INDICTMENTS FOR VOTER FRAUD IN MINNESOTA.

>> YES, THEY HAVE.

>> Eric: ELECTION ATTORNEY, TELL US WHAT'S GOING ON.

>> THEY'VE INDICTED SOME PEOPLE FOR VOTER FRAUD.

WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS ON THIS.

THEY'VE BEEN ACTUALLY AROUND, AND I KNOW THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE HAS BEEN AROUND CONDUCTING ACTIVE INVESTIGATIONS IN MINNESOTA, WHICH HAS CAUSED SOME CONSTERNATION.

I'M GOING TO WAIT AND SEE.

>> Cathy: ANY COMMENT, JAVIER, ABOUT THIS?

>> MICHELE TAFOYA AND OTHERS, SHE ACTUALLY PRAISED THE OPERATION METRO SURGE.

SHE SAID THAT I.C.E.

TREATED CHILDREN WELL, WHEN TALKING ABOUT THE CHILD WHO WE ALL SAW IN THE BUNNY HAT WHO WAS KIDNAPPED IN FRONT OF HIS PARENTS.

>> Cathy: HOW ABOUT ANOTHER TOPIC.

STATE LEGISLATIVE RACES.

THERE ARE ABOUT, WHAT, 25 COMPETITIVE SEATS, RIGHT?

>> YEAH.

>> Cathy: OUT OF THE 201.

SO HOW ARE THOSE BREAKING DOWN?

>> AGAIN, A LOT OF THE -- THERE'S A LOT OF THE INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURE GROUPS ARE SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY, ESPECIALLY ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, ON A COUPLE OF THOSE RURAL DEMOCRATIC SEATS.

SO GRANT HAUSCHILD, I'M FROM THE IRON RANGE, HE'S THE KIND OF REMAINING DEMOCRAT.

HE HAS JUST A LITTLE BIT OF THE RANGE, BUT THE ORTH SHORE AND HERMANTOWN, THAT RACE IS GOING TO PROBABLY GO NEAR $2 MILLION, I MEAN, THAT'S REALLY UNHEARD OF.

>> Cathy: IN A LEGISLATIVE RACE?

>> IN A STATE LEGISLATIVE RACE.

RIGHT NOW THEY'RE AT LIKE $1.3 MILLION.

AND ROB KUPEC UP IN MOORHEAD, THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT THEY ARE SPENDING AGAINST HIM.

SO THAT'S DEFINITELY A COUPLE OF THE SPOTS HERE THEY'RE REALLY LOOKING TO PICK UP SEATS.

THEY ONLY NEED ONE.

BUT, YOU KNOW, I THINK, AGAIN, WITH WHAT HAPPENED WITH OPERATION METRO SURGE, ITH HOW UNPOPULAR PRESIDENT TRUMP IS, AND THE LAWLESSNESS OF THIS ADMINISTRATION, I THINK THAT YOU'RE GOING TO SEE SOME SUBURBAN SEATS.

SO WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS THERE.

FLIP TO DEMOCRATS.

>> I THINK THAT'S THE RIGHT BREAKOUT, REPUBLICANS ARE REALLY GOING AFTER THE OUTSTATE SEATS.

I THINK THE FEELING IS, CHANCES ARE REALLY GOOD FOR REPUBLICANS OUT THERE WITH THAT TARGETING.

I ALSO AGREE THAT THE FLIP SIDE OF THAT IS YOU'RE SEEING SOME EFFORTS BEING PUT INTO SUBURBAN RACES WHERE IT'S POSSIBLE YOU MIGHT SEE SOME KIND OF TURNAROUND IN THE METRO.

BUT ALL IN ALL, I'M FEELING PRETTY GOOD ABOUT REPUBLICAN PROSPECTS FROM WHAT I'M HEARING.

>> Eric: IS THE MOOD OF THE VOTERS ANGER?

>> YES.

>> Eric: AND ARE ANGRY VOTERS MORE LIKELY -- ANGRY PEOPLE MORE LIKELY TO VOTE?

>> WELL, I WOULD SAY YES.

AND IT'S THE ONE ISSUE THAT THE DEMOCRATS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO MAKE GO AWAY, AND THAT'S THE FRAUD ISSUE.

IT STAYS PERSISTENT.

IT DOESN'T DISAPPEAR WITH HEADLINES IN THE MINNEAPOLIS PAPER, FOR EXAMPLE, SAYING, OH, AMY KLOBUCHAR DOESN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT FRAUD, THANK GOODNESS, THAT KIND OF THING.

NO, EVERYBODY UP AND DOWN THE TICKET'S GOING TO HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THAT FRAUD ISSUE.

AMY KLOBUCHAR'S WHOLE STRATEGY GEEK TO BE -- WHOLE STRATEGY IS HOW CLOSE DOES SHE GET TO THE DFL IN MINNESOTA, HOW FAR AWAY DOES SHE HAVE TO BE IN ORDER TO GET -- AND THE QUESTION SHE'S GOING TO HAVE TO ANSWER, IF SHE'S ELECTED, WHO WITH HER, DOES GOING TO BE THE SAME PEOPLE?

IN WHICH CASE YOU MAY SEE VOTERS A LITTLE RELUCTANT TO SUPPORT HER OR IS IT GOING TO BE A NEW GROUP AND WHO ARE THEY GOING TO BE.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SAY, WITH STUFF AROUND THE FRAUD, I WOULD LIKE SOME REPUBLICANS TO TAKE SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING.

THE SENATE REPUBLICANS CONTROLLED THE SENATE FOR SIX YEARS.

WE HAVE HAD FRAUD IN THESE PROGRAMS FOR DECADES.

IT IS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE.

NOBODY WANTED TO PUT ONEY INTO SYSTEMS TO UPDATE ANY OF THESE SYSTEMS.

AND, SO, THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME ACCOUNTABILITY AS WELL FROM REPUBLICANS WHO HAVE LSO BEEN IN CHARGE OF BOTH BODIES.

>> GOOD FOR YOU FOR MAKING THAT ARGUMENT.

I MEAN, GOOD LUCK WITH THAT.

I MEAN, THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA HAS BEEN RUN BY DEMOCRATS NOW FOR ALMOST 16 YEARS STRAIGHT.

THEY HAVE HAD COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

THEY ALSO HAD COMPLETE CONTROL OF STATE GOVERNMENT FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS, JUST A FEW YEARS AGO WHEN THEY BALLOON SPENDING BY 40%.

THIS IS ONE OF THE ROBLEMS.

YOU'VE GOT SO MUCH MONEY FLOWING THROUGH St.

PAUL THAT IT'S HARD TO KEEP TRACK OF.

YOU KNOW, REPUBLICANS SHOULD BE ACCOUNTABLE, I DON'T THINK SO.

YOU KNOW, GAIN, WE NEED TO CLEAN UP THIS.

REPUBLICANS HAVE A JOB TO HELP BE PART OF THE SOLUTION.

THEY'RE TRYING TO DO THAT.

BUT, AGAIN, THIS IS ON GOVERNOR WALZ'S WATCH AND PEGGY FLANAGAN'S WATCH AND THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

>> Eric: OVER AND OUT, THANKS, PANEL.

>> Cathy: GOOD JOB.

THANKS, YOU GUYS.

>> IT'S DEDICATED TO MY MOM, AND I THINK THAT'S PART OF THE REASON THAT I FORGOT ABOUT T. I STARTED IT THE YEAR THAT SHE PASSED AWAY.

AND I THINK THAT IT WAS JUST A LITTLE BIT TOO CLOSE TO HOME.

SO I HAD TURNED FROM WORKING ON THAT TO WORKING ON THE STORY OF THE SQUIRREL THAT GETS SUCKED UP IN THE VACUUM CLEANER, THAT'S ONE OF YOUR FAVORITES.

>> Eric: YOU'VE HAD TOAST, THE PIG.

>> TOAST, PIG, VACUUM CLEANERS, SQUIRREL.

>> Cathy: SHE'S WORRIED ABOUT THE GOAT IN HERE.

>> YOU SHOULD WORRY ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THE GOAT WOULD APPROVE OF YOU.

♪ >> THAT THRILLS ME!

>> Eric: KATE'S THE BEST.

THE END OF THE HOUR IS NEAR AND SO IT IS MINNESOTA HISTORY TIME!

LAST WEEK CATHY TOOK US BACK TO LATE SEPTEMBER OF 1994.

AN "ALMANAC" GUEST TRAVELED FROM MORE THAN 100 MILES AWAY TO SIT AT THE TABLE HERE IN STUDIO B. HE OR SHE BROUGHT ALONG A LARGE PROP.

THIS GUEST BOLDLY ANNOUNCES THAT THE "GOAL" IS TO SET A WORLD RECORD WHEN THE SCALE MODEL BECOMES LARGER THAN LIFE REALITY.

OUR QUESTION WAS QUITE SIMPLE FOR YOU - WHAT "BIG THING" WAS THE FOCUS OF THE "ALMANAC" CONVERSATION IN SEPTEMBER OF 1994?

WE OFFERED EXTRA CREDIT FOR GUEST NAME OR DETAILS ON THE CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING THE EVENTUAL WORLD RECORD.

APPARENTLY YOU DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH HINTS ON THIS ONE, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS ONE OF THE HISTORY FACTS ON SCREEN EARLIER IN THE SHOW.

WE DIDN'T GET MANY CALLS.

HERE'S A COUPLE OF WRONG ANSWERS.

>> ERIC: AH, NO, THERE WAS NOT A LARGE-SCALE MODEL OF A STURGEON ON THE "ALMANAC" TABLE.

THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN COOL.

THE PRODUCERS' OTHER FAVORITE ANSWER CAME IN VIA EMAIL, FROM VIEWER THERESA, WHO HAD VOWED TO STOP RESEARCHING OUR HISTORY QUESTIONS BUT DECIDED TO TURN TO AI TO HELP HER OUT.

THIS WAS THE BEST THAT COPILOT COULD DO FOR HER.

THE BIG THING WAS THE MODEL OF DARWIN'S OF MINNESOTA WORLD'S LARGEST BALL OF TWINE.

>> ERIC: WELL, TERESA, YOU ARE RIGHT THAT IT DOESN'T COUNT.

BECAUSE AI WAS NOT RIGHT.

IN FACT, I THINK VIEWERS WHO CLAIM TO HAVE USED AI TO RESEARCH THE INDEX FILE QUESTION ARE O-FER IN THE RIGHT ANSWER COLUMN.

FOR TONIGHT'S RIGHT ANSWER, WE TURN TO STEVEN OUT OF RICHFIELD.

>> ERIC: YES, STEVEN, YOU ARE CORRECT.

ON SEPTEMBER 23, 1994, EVELETH BUSINESS OWNER JERRY FREMMER BROUGHT A SCALE MODEL OF A GIANT HOCKEY STICK AND PUT IT ON THE TABLE IN STUDIO B. A REAL GIANT WOODEN STICK WAS EVENTUALLY BUILT IN EVELETH, THEN AT SOME POINT REPLACED BY ANOTHER ONE.

AFTER SOME CONTROVERSY, THE GIANT WOODEN HOCKEY STICK WAS GIVEN A WORLD RECORD.

WANT MORE DETAILS?

I'D SUGGEST YOU GIVE GOOGLE A TRY AND NOT AI.

WE HAVE JUST ENOUGH TIME LEFT FOR ANOTHER SONG BY CANTUS.

REMINDER THEIR FALL CONCERT SERIES IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER.

YOU CAN FIND ALL THE DETAILS ON THEIR WEBSITE, CANTUSSINGS.ORG.

>> Cathy: BY THE WAY, BEFORE THEY START TO SING, ONE FINAL GOOD-BYE TO OUR BELOVED, BELOVED PRODUCER KARI KENNEDY, THESE ARE GOING TO BE FOR YOU MY FRIEND.

GO HAVE AN ADULT BEVERAGE.

>> Eric: ENJOY FRIDAY NIGHTS.

>> Cathy: BYE-BYE.

♪ VOCALIZING ♪ ♪ AND THERE WAS DAY AND THERE WAS NIGHT ♪ ♪ AND THERE WAS DARK AND HERE WAS LIGHT ♪ ♪ THERE WAS THE EARTH, THERE WAS THE SKY ♪ ♪ AND THERE IN THE TREE THERE CRAWLED A LIE ♪ ♪ VOCALIZING ♪ ♪ THERE IN EDEN THERE WAS GOOD ♪ THERE IN THE GARDEN WHERE THE TREE OF LIFE STOOD ♪ ♪ THERE IN THE GARDEN WHERE THE TREE OF LIFE STOOD ♪ ♪ THERE THE SNAKE WAS, THERE WAS PAIN ♪ ♪ AND WE'RE TRYIN' TO GET BACK TO THE GARDEN AGAIN ♪ ♪ TRYIN' TO GET BACK TO THE GARDEN AGAIN ♪ ♪ VOCALIZING ♪ >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY GREAT RIVER ENERGY, PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 1.7 MILLION PEOPLE THROUGH ITS MEMBER OWNER COOPERATIVES AND CUSTOMERS.

DELTADENTAL OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION, IMPROVING ORAL HEALTH AND HELPING COMMUNITIES THRIVE.

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

EDUCATION MINNESOTA, THE VOICE FOR PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE, MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

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

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