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

>> CATHY: IN THE NEXT HOUR, WE'LL TALK ABOUT LOW UNEMPLOYMENT AND HIGH INFLATION, A TENTATIVE DEAL IN THE MINNEAPOLIS TEACHERS STRIKE, AND WE'LL PREVIEW A NEW ONLINE OUTDOORS SERIES HERE AT TWIN CITIES PBS.

PLUS, MARY LAHAMMER TAKES A LOOK AT THE ONGOING UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE DEBATE AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

>> Mary: AS LAWMAKERS STILL STRUGGLE TO FIND AGREEMENT ON UNEMPLOYMENT TAXES TAXES ANOTHER STATE IS TRYING TO SWOOP IN AN STEAL MINNESOTA BUSINESSES.

>> THE BENEFIT OF MONTANA IS OUR ECONOMIES ARE VERY SIMILAR.

>> Mary: WE'LL HAVE THE STORY.

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.

DELTA DENTAL OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION: IMPROVING ORAL HEALTH WHILE ADVANCING SOCIAL EQUITIES.

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

ENBRIDGE: CONNECTING MINNESOTANS WITH ENERGY FOR OVER 70 YEARS.

MORE AT ENBRIDGE.COM/LINETHREEUS.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

"ONE GREATER MINNESOTA" REPORTING ON "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE OTTO BREMER TRUST, WHOSE MISSION IS INVESTING IN PEOPLE, PLACES, AND OPPORTUNITIES IN OUR REGION.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT IS PROVIDED BY THE BLANDIN FOUNDATION, WORKING TO STRENGTHEN RURAL MINNESOTA.

>> CATHY: GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME.

IN A FEW MINUTES, WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE TENTATIVE DEAL IN THE MINNEAPOLIS TEACHERS STRIKE, REFUGEE CROSSINGS ALONG MINNESOTA'S NORTHERN BORDER, AND TELL YOU ABOUT A NEW OUTDOORS SERIES HERE AT TPT.

BUT FIRST UP IN THE HOUR, THE STATE OF MINNESOTA'S ECONOMY.

>> ERIC: UNEMPLOYMENT IN MINNESOTA IS AT A 20-YEAR LOW MEANWHILE, INFLATION IS AT A 40-YEAR HIGH.

ADD IN GLOBAL UNCERTAINTY DUE TO THE WAR IN UKRAINE, AND THERE'S PLENTY TO TALK ABOUT.

LOUIS JOHNSTON IS AN ECONOMIST AT THE COLLEGE OF ST. BENEDICT AND ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY.

PROFESSOR, MINNESOTA AT 2.7 JOBLESS.

NATIONAL, 3.8.

>> PRETTY DARN NICE.

>> Eric: WHY THE SPREAD?

>> WELL, MINNESOTA HAS A MORE DIVERSIFIED ECONOMY AND ALWAYS TENDS TO HAVE AN UNEMPLOYMENT RATE THAT'S ABOUT A PERCENTAGE POINT BELOW THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

SO WE DIDN'T GO QUITE AS HIGH UP DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> Eric: THERE'S, LIKE, THREE JOB OPENINGS FOR EVERY AVAILABLE WORKER.

>> ISN'T THAT AMAZING?

THAT'S A PRETTY NICE THING TO HAVE.

BUT WE'VE GOT TWO THINGS GOING OCTOBER WE'VE GOT PEOPLE WHO LEFT THE LABOR FORCE THROUGH THE PANDEMIC AND DIDN'T COME BACK.

AND THEN WE'VE GOT A SKILL MISS MATCH.

WE'VE GOT PEOPLE WHO ARE LOOKING FOR JOBS WHO CAN'T FIND THEM BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE QUITE THE RIGHT MIX OF SKILLS.

SO, FOR EXAMPLE, MAYBE A TOOL AND DIE PLACE NEEDS SOMEONE TO DO WORK THERE, BUT YOU DON'T HAVE SOMEONE WHO KNOWS THOSE SKILLS.

AND SO THEY'RE UNEMPLOYED.

THEY WANT YOU.

BUT THEY CAN'T MAKE A MATCH.

>> Cathy: IS THAT WHERE SOME EMPLOYERS ARE NOW DOING ON THE JOB TRAINING?

>> EXACTLY, BECAUSE NOW IT WORTH IT FOR THEM.

BEFORE IT WAS, WELL, WE'LL LET THE TECHNICAL TECHNOLOGY OR SOMEWHERE ELSE TRAIN THEM.

>> Cathy: LET'S TALK ABOUT INFLATION, BECAUSE THIS S GOING TO BE KIND OF A PROBLEM HERE.

LET'S GO BACK IN THE '70s HERE.

THE LAST TIME WE SAW SOMETHING LIKE THIS?

>> IGHT, SO THE LATE '70s, EARLY '80s.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT MOST PEOPLE WHO ARE NDER 50 HAVE NEVER XPERIENCED BEFORE AND I THINK THAT'S FREAKING THEM UT A LOT.

>> Eric: HERE'S ONE THING I DON'T GET.

THE FUEL IS, LIKE, 4% OF G.D.P.

WHY IS IT SO MUCH MORE INFLUENTIAL THAN THAT PALTRY NUMBER?

>> ONE IS, THAT IT HAS GONE UP SO MUCH.

THE PRICE OF CERTAIN LIKEDS OF FUEL HAVE GONE UP 40, 50% IN THE COURSE OF A YEAR SO THE INCREASE IS SO BIG.

AND THEN EVEN THOUGH IT'S A ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF G.D.P., IT ENDS UP SHOWING UP IN ALL OTHER PARTS OF G.D.P.

SO A BOX OF CORN FLAKES YOU HAVE TO SHIP THEM, PRODUCE THE CELLOPHANE.

IT STARTS TO SHOW UP IN ALL THESE DIFFERENT PLACES AND PRETTY SOON PRICES ARE STARTING TO GO UP EVEN FASTER THAN THEY WOULD HAVE IF ALL YOU HAD TO DO WAS PUT GAS IN YOUR TANK.

>> Cathy: YOU THINK IT'S GOING TO EASE THIS FALL?

>> I'M HOPING.

I MEAN, I THINK IT WILL IF WE DON'T HAVE ANOTHER SHOCK.

THAT'S ALWAYS THE ISSUE.

IS IF WE DON'T HAVE SOMETHING ELSE COME ALONG.

BUT GIVEN THAT OIL PRESTONS HAVE ONE UP, I DON'T SEE THEM GOING A LOT HIGHER.

SO WE'VE HAD THE SHOCK.

SO IT'S NASTY, BUT WE'VE HAD IT.

WE'VE HAD THE SHOCK OF WHEAT PRICES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

THOSE FUTURES PRICES ARE ALREADY BAKED IN, GUESS, PUN INTENDED, TO BREAD AND EVERYTHING ELSE IN THE FUTURE.

SO WE'RE SEEING THOSE NUMBERS NOW.

I DON'T SEE ANYTHING THAT'S GOING TO CAUSE THEM TO GO UP ON IN THE FUTURE.

I ONLY SEE THINGS THAT WOULD KEEP THEM CONSTANT.

>> Cathy: HOWEVER, HOW HIGH WILL INTEREST RATES NEED TO GO?

>> THERE'S THE QUESTION.

SO SOME PEOPLE ARE SAYING YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO RAISE INTEREST RATES SOMEWHERE IN THE RANGE OF 4, 5, 6% AND RIGHT NOW THEY'RE AT, LIKE, A QUARTER OF A PERCENT.

SO THE PLAN RIGHT NOW FOR THE FEDERAL RESERVE IS TO RAISE INTEREST RATES SOMEWHERE BETWEEN A QUARTER AND A HALF PERCENT EVERY SIX WEEKS FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR.

WELL, MAYBE THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO RAISE THEM MORE.

THAT'S -- NOBODY KNOWS.

THAT'S THE BIG UNCERTAINTY RIGHT NOW IS WE JUST DON'T KNOW HOW HIGH WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO RAISE INTEREST RATES BEFORE WE START TO SEE INFLATION START TO COME DOWN.

>> Eric: DO AMERICAN WHEAT GROWERS GET SOME BENEFIT WITH UKRAINE, THE BREAD BASKET OF EUROPE IDLED.

>> THEY DEFINITELY DO, EVEN THOUGH THE PEOPLE WHO BUY WHEAT ARE GOING TO FIND IT MORE EXPENSIVE, THE PEOPLE SELLING IT ARE GOING TO BE A LOT MORE HAPPIER.

WHEAT, SOYBEANS, IT'S GOING TO HURT A LITTLE BIT, THOUGH, BECAUSE A LOT OF THE PHOSPHATES AND OTHER MINERALS THAT ARE'D FOR FERTILIZER COME OUT OF THERE TOO.

>> Eric: WAGES, WHERE WE HEADED?

>> THAT'S WHERE I AM REALLY CONCERNED RIGHT NOW.

THEY'RE GOING UP, BUT THEY'RE NOT GOING UP AS FAST AS INFLATION.

SO THAT'S WHERE YOU START TO GET THE PROBLEM AT THE HOUSEHOLD LEVEL.

AND SO THEIR STANDARDS EVICTION LIVING ARE EITHER STAGNATING OR GOING DOWN.

>> Cathy: I WANT TO GO BACK TO THE INTEREST RATES.

IF YOU RAISE INTEREST RATES TOO MUCH, THOUGH, HOW ABOUT A RECESSION?

>> WELL, IN A SENSE, THAT'S WHAT THE FED WANTS TO DO, THEY WANT TO COOL THE ECONOMY DOWN BUT NOT TOO MUCH.

AND SO THEY'RE HAVING TO BALANCE RIGHT NOW.

THE TERM THAT'S GOING AROUND A LOT IS, CAN THEY PULL OFF A SOFT LANDING?

CAN THEY BRING THE AIRPLANE IN AND JUST HAVE IT TOUCH DOWN NICELY.

>> THE MARKETPLACE MORNING REPORT THIS MORNING, THEY WERE TALKING TO SEVERAL ECONOMISTS WHO THINK CHANCES ARE GOOD THAT WE COULD SEE A RECESS.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ODDS WOULD BE.

MAYBE RIGHT NOW I WOULD SAY 25%, BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, IF YOU RAISE INTEREST RATES, YOU CAN'T KNOW WHAT THE REPERCUSSIONS ARE GOING TO BE IN TERMS OF THINGS LIKE THE HOUSING MARKET, AUTOMOBILES AND ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF, STARTS TO RIPPLE THROUGH AND MAYBE IT'LL BE WORSE THAN YOU THOUGHT.

>> Eric: YOU COULD EXPLAIN THIS STUFF FOR A LIVING YOU KNOW?

>> I COULD.

MAYBE I SHOULD.

>> Eric: THANKS, PROFESSOR.

>> ERIC: LET'S KEEP THE ECONOMICS THEME GOING.

DESPITE A RECENT DEADLINE WITH REAL CONSEQUENCES FOR BUSINESSES, MINNESOTA LAWMAKERS ARE TRADING OFFERS AND STILL TRYING TO AGREE ON UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE.

THAT LED ANOTHER STATE TO TRY TO SWOOP IN AND ENTICE MINNESOTA BUSINESSES TO MOVE THERE.

MARY LAHAMMER HAS A CONVERSATION ABOUT THE EFFORT JUST AS THE STATE POSTS RECORD LOW UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS.

>> Mary: MONTANA DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE, SCOTT OSTERHOLM, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US FROM YOUR STATE.

THIS ALL STARTS FROM A LETTER, A LETTER THAT WENT TO THE MINNESOTA CHAIM CHAIM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, TRYING TO ENTICE THEM TO MOVE TO YOUR STATE BECAUSE OF OUR TAX ISSUES ESSENTIALLY.

HAVE YOU HAD ANY TAKERS?

>> WELL, WE CERTAINLY HAVE A MULTIPLE AMOUNT OF COMPANIES FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY THAT HAVE EXPRESSED INTEREST IN COMING TO MONTANA.

>> Mary: YOUR NAME AND CONTACT INFO ARE IN THAT LETTER.

CAN YOU TELL ME IF YOU DID DEFINITELY HEAR FROM MINNESOTA BUSINESSES?

>> WELL, I CAN TELL YOU I HAVE HEARD FROM MINNESOTA BUSINESSES.

I WAS ON THE PHONE WITH AN INDIVIDUAL JUST HERE A DAY OR SO AGO.

>> WE SAW THAT OF COURSE, AND, YOU KNOW, GOVERNORS FROM TIME TO TIME WILL RUN CAMPAIGNS OR SOMETIMES GIMMICKS ON THAT FRONT AND WE APPRECIATE THE FRIENDLY COMPETITION.

I THINK IT'S A OOD THING.

IT'S A HEALTHY THING.

I THINK THE GOVERNOR'S NOTE ON THAT HAD RELATED TO OUR ABILITY TO GET NEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TAXES TAKEN CARE OF.

WE WOULD CONCUR THAT THE MONTANAM.MINNESOTATHEMINNESOTA GOVERNOR SHOULD -- >> Mary: YOU MENTIONED SPECIFICALLY THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE, NOT A PROBLEM IN MONTANA.

>> I WOULD SAY THAT EVERY STATE HAS TO HAVE -- WE HAVE TO HAVE SOME TAXES OBVIOUSLY TO RUN OUR STATE BUT BEING CONSISTENT AND PREDICTABLE IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

MONTANA HAS SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY, BUT IT'S NOT JUST FOR ANYONE.

RIGHT?

YOU KNOW AS WELL AS WE DO THAT, YOU KNOW, MINNESOTA HAS FOUR SEASONS.

A REAL FOUR SEASONS.

WHICH A LOT OF THE OTHER COUNTRY DOESN'T, AND SO DOES MONTANA.

AND WE ENJOY THAT.

>> Mary: YEAH, I'VE BEEN TO MONTANA ON RECRUITING VISITS WITH MY DAUGHTER, AND I HAVE LEARNED HAT MONTANA HAS SOME SIMILAR ASSETS AS MINNESOTA.

YOU KNOW, A LOT OF BEAUTY.

LOW UNEMPLOYMENT.

SPORTS TEAMS.

BUT ALSO SOME SIMILAR CHALLENGES OF WORKFORCE SHORTAGES.

HOUSING SHORTAGES.

CAN YOU REALLY ACCOMMODATE MORE BUSINESSES COMING THERE?

>> YES, I THINK WE HAVE.

THE BENEFIT OF MONTANA IS WE HAVE LAND AND WE HAVE AVAILABILITY.

>> THERE ARE BORDERING STATES WHO SPEND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN MARKETING TRYING TO PULL OUR TOWN INTO THEIR STATE AND LOOKING AT THE DEMOGRAPHIC NUMBERS, THIS IS A TIME WHERE MINNESOTA HAS TO BE MORE ASSERTIVE.

WHEN I FOUND OUT THAT OUR MARKETING BUDGET AT D.E.E.D.

WAS ZERO, MY JAW HIT THE FLOOR.

BECAUSE OUR JOB AS A DEPARTMENT TO MARKET OUR STATE TO BUSINESSES AND TALENT AROUND THE WORLD AND ONE OF THE MAJOR COMPONENTS OF OUR BUDGET THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION FOR DEERD DEERD IS NEW IS MARKETING DOLLARS.

JOINUSMN.COM.

IT'S OUR FRONT DOOR.

THAT THEY CAN UNDERSTAND WHY MINNESOTA?

WHY WOULD YOU COME ERE?

LET ME TELL YOU, THERE'S A THOUSAND AND ONE REASONS.

?RAWM HOW ARE YOUR LABOR SHORTAGES BECAUSE MINNESOTA JUST YESTERDAY ANNOUNCED RECORD LOW UNEMPLOYMENT.

2.7%.

ARE YOU IN THAT SYSTEM TIGHT LABOR MARKET?

>> YEAH, WE'RE IN THAT SAME ARENA AT 2.7%, I THINK IT'S RIGHT AROUND IN THAT SAME AREA.

SO I THINK AGAIN, OUR ECONOMIES ARE VERY SIMILAR.

>> STILL BEST IN THE NATION.

CERTAINLY LOWER LOWEST IN THE NATION.

A STRONG WORK ETHIC THAT MINNESOTANS HAVE TRADITIONALLY SHOWN REMAINS ONE OF OUR ADVANTAGES COMPETITIVELY AS WE LOOK ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> Mary: ONE MORE QUESTION BECAUSE THERE IS A HIT SHOW "YELLOWSTONE."

RANCH EGG IS THE ONLY BUSINESS WHERE TO SURVIVE IS TO BREAK EVEN.

>> Mary: AND I'M WONDERING WHETHER IT'S HURTING OR HELPING.

>> WE KNOW IT'S THE NUMBER ONE SHOW ON TV AND OWBILITY OUR FILM BUREAU HAS WORKED WITH THE PRODUCERS AND EVERYTHING ON THIS.

I'D SAY IT'S MADE MONTANA WELL KNOWN.

FORTUNATELY, WHAT HAPPENS IN - YELLOWSTONE DOESN'T NECESSARILY HAPPEN IN MONTANA BUT IT CERTAINLY CREATED NOTE RITE.

THERE'S BUSINESSES THAT COME -- >> Mary: THE BUSINESS ISN'T THAT ROUGH AND TUMBLE?

>> NOT QUITE.

>> Mary: OKAY.

♪ ♪ >> CATHY: EARLY THIS MORNING, A TENTATIVE DEAL WAS REACHED THAT WILL LIKELY END THE FIRST TEACHERS STRIKE IN MINNEAPOLIS IN A HALF CENTURY.

IF TEACHERS AND SUPPORT STAFF VOTE TO APPROVE THE CONTRACT, LIKELY THIS WEEKEND, MINNEAPOLIS STUDENTS MAY BE IN THE CLASSROOM MONDAY AFTER TWO WEEKS OFF.

THREE WEEKS OFF.

BECKY DERNBACH IS AN EDUCATION REPORTER FOR "SAHAN JOURNAL."

SHE'S ALSO A MEMBER OF THE "REPORT FOR AMERICA" CORPS.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU BACK.

>> THANK YOU.

GOOD TO BE BACK.

>> Cathy: A LOT OF PARENTS ARE WATCHING.

WILL THE KIDS GO BACK TO CLASS ON MONDAY?

>> I THINK THAT THE DISTRICT SAYS YES.

THE TEACHES SAY IT'S A LITTLE BIT MORE COMPLICATED.

THEY STILL HAVE TO VOTE ON IT AND THEY ALSO HAVE TO VOTE ON A RETURN TO WORK PLAN.

SO I WOO SAY TO PARENTS, YOU SHOULD BE PREPARED TO BE SENDING KIDS BACK TO SCHOOL ON MONDAY, BUT ALSO, THINGS COULD CHANGE.

THINGS ARE FLUID.

BUT I THINK IT'S LIKELY.

>> Eric: UNION LEADERSHIP SAYING IT WILL BE RATIFIED.

>> THEY EXPECT IT TO BE RATIFIED.

BUT THE TEACHERS HAVEN'T ACTUALLY SEEN THE CONTRACT YET, AND SO THEY CAN'T VOTE ON IT AND THEY CAN'T DECIDE.

>> Eric: CALLED THIS A HISTORIC AGREEMENT.

DOES SHE HAVE A CASE?

>> YEAH, THERE WERE DEFINITELY SOME IMPORTANT THINGS IN HERE.

THERE WERE MAJOR WAGE GAINS FOR EDUCATION SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS WHO HAVE -- WHO HAVE BEEN EARNING, YOU KNOW, LESS THAN $35,000 AND REALLY JUST DEVOTING THEIR ALL TO THESE STUDENTS FOR A LONG TIME AND NOW THEY'RE GOING TO BE EARNING MORE AND GETTING CLOSE TO THAT.

CLASS SIZE CAPS ARE IN THE CONTRACTS FOR THE FIRST TIME, SOME MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS AND YEAH I THINK THERE ARE CERTAINLY SOME THINGS HERE TO BE CALLED HISTORIC.

>> Cathy: DID TEACHERS GET THE MONEY THEY WANTED?

>> WELL, TEACHERS HAD ORIGINALLY ASKED FOR A 20% WAGE INCREASE.

THEY DID NOT GET THAT.

THE DEAL HAS 2% THIS YEAR AND 3% NEXT YEAR, WITH ALSO A $4,000 ONE-TIME BONUS THIS YEAR.

THAT'S A LOT LESS THAN THEY WANTED, BUT 3% IS ALSO MORE THAN THEY'VE GOTTEN IN ANY YEAR THIS CENTURY.

>> Eric: WHAT ARE LABOR AND MANAGEMENT SAYING ABOUT WHAT THIS WILL DO TO REDUCE THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP OR DECLINING ENROLLMENT?

>> I THINK THE HOPE IS THAT STABILIZING THE STAFFING WILL HELP STABILIZE THE STUDENTS AS WELL.

BUT IT'S A LITTLE BIT HARD TO HAVE DIRECT -- TO BE SURE ABOUT DIRECT LINKS THERE.

>> Cathy: MINNEAPOLIS IS FACING A MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR SHORTFALL, SO HOW IS THE DISTRICT PAYING FOR THIS NEW CONTRACT?

>> YEAH, SO THEY HAD ONCE HOPED THE LEGISLATURE MIGHT COME THROUGH WITH SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR EDUCATION.

THAT HASN'T HAPPENED YET.

YOU KNOW, IT MAY HAPPEN LATER THIS SESSION.

WE'LL SEE.

BUT THEY ARE ALLOCATED AN ADDITIONAL -- I CAN'T SPEAK -- >> Cathy: YOU'RE TIRED I KNOW.

>> YEAH, THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO REARRANGE THEIR BUDGET A LITTLE BIT.

AND ABOUT ANOTHER HALF MILLION, I BELIEVE, TO TEACHERS, SO THEY'RE JUST -- THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE SOME CUTS FROM OTHER AREAS IN THEIR BUDGET.

>> Eric: NOT SURPRISINGLY, NOT EVERYBODY WAS ON THE SAME PAGE AND THERE'S BEEN SOME SQUABBLING AT THE DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS.

ONE OF THE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS QUIT.

AROUND SUPERINTENDENT GRAPH'S CONTRACT.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE WOUNDS TO HEAL DO YOU THINK?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION AND I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, A TENSE SITUATION LIKE THIS CAN REALLY EXPOSE SOME FIZZURES AND I THINK WE'RE SEEING SOME OF THAT.

WE'LL SEE HOW IT PLAYS OUT.

>> Cathy: AS YOU WERE SAYING, THREE WEEKS OFF FOR STUDENTS, AND I'M WONDERING HOW THAT'S MADE UP?

>> YEAH, SO THAT HASN'T BEEN DECIDED YET.

THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE DISTRICT AND THE TEACHERS ARE STILL WORKING ON TODAY.

THEY HAVE TO AGREE ON THAT TOO.

SO THERE ARE A COUPLE OF OPTIONS.

THEY COULD EXTEND THE SCHOOL YEAR INTO JUNE A BIT.

THEY COULD LENGTHEN THE SCHOOL DAY.

AND THEY'RE ALSO TALKING ABOUT RESCHEDULING SOME PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAYS.

SO THEY'RE WORKING ON THAT.

I KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE ARE REALLY EAGER TO KNOW WHAT THE REST OF THE CALENDAR IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE, AND THAT'S BEING DECIDED AND THERE HOULD BE ANSWERS SOON, BUT WE DON'T KNOW YET.

>> Cathy: DON'T KNOW IF YOU TALKED TO ANY OF THE TEACHERS ON THE LINE HERE TODAY, BUT DID THEY SAY THAT THE STRIKE WAS WORTH IT?

>> THEY WERE HOPEFUL AND CAUTIOUS.

THEY WERE WAITING TO SEE THE DEAL.

YOU KNOW, I THINK A LOT OF THEM THOUGHT IT WAS NECESSARY AND WERE GLAD TO SEE GAINS FOR EDUCATION SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS.

BUT THEY WERE I THINK WITHHOLDING JUDGMENT ON THE CONTRACT UNTIL THEY SEE IT.

>> Cathy: SO OBVIOUSLY STILL SOME WORK TO DO HERE IN TERMS OF TALKING.

>> YES.

THERE'S -- WE'RE STILL WAITING ON A LOT OF PIECES OF INFORMATION.

>> Cathy: LL RIGHT.

BECKY, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

♪ ♪ >> ERIC: IN JANUARY CAME SHOCKING NEWS OF THE DEATH OF A FAMILY OF FOUR NEAR THE CANADIAN BORDER.

THE FAMILY, IMMIGRANTS FROM INDIA, HAD BEEN TRYING TO WALK IN FRIGID WEATHER FROM CANADA TO THE UNITED STATES.

THEY WERE FOUND FROZEN JUST FEET FROM THE BORDER.

FRED DE SAM LAZARO IS A TWIN CITIES-BASED REPORTER FOR THE "PBS NEWSHOUR."

THIS WEEK, HIS STORY ABOUT THE TRAGIC DEATHS ON THE BORDER AIRED NATIONALLY.

IN A MINUTE, WE'’LL TALK TO FRED ABOUT HIS STORY, BUT FIRST LET'’S TAKE A LOOK AT PART OF HIS REPORT.

>> ON THE MORNING OF JANUARY 19TH, SIEMER HEARD A FATEFUL RADIO CALL.

>> ONE OF OUR AGENTS HAD ENCOUNTERED A VAN IN AN AREA THAT WE KNEW HAD SOME POTENTIAL TRAFFIC GOING, THAT IT WAS A NATIONALIZED U.S. CITIZEN WITH TWO MIGRANTS FROM THE COUNTRY OF INDIA IN THE VEHICLE WITH HIM.

WE'RE ABOUT A HALF MILE AWAY FROM THE BORDER.

AND SO EVERYTHING KIND OF HAPPENED WITHIN THIS HALF MILE.

>> THEY ARRESTED THE DRIVER, FLORIDA RESIDENT TEVE SHAND, AND SOON THEREAFTER, FOUR MORE MIGRANTS WALKING DOWN THIS ROAD.

>> ONE OF MY ACTS OPENED UP ONE OF THE BACK PACKS AND IN THAT WERE CLOTHING FOR A TODDLER, ALONG WITH A DIAPER AND SOME MEDICINE SOWBL FOR A CHILD.

>> THAT TRIGGERED A GROUND AND AIR SEARCH BY U.S. AND CANADIAN AUTHORITIES.

>> WE ARE NOW IN A POSITION TO CONFIRM THE IDENTITIES OF THE VICTIMS.

THEY ARE ALL FROM THE SAME FAMILY AND ARE ALL INDIAN NATIONALS.

>> JUG DISH AND VAISHALI PAT YELL AND THEIR CHILDREN WERE FOUND.

>> THERE'S REALLY NOTHING OUT THERE.

THERE'S NO CELL PHONE SIGNAL TO CALL FOR ELP.

>> SCOTT GOODE IS THE -- >> SMUGGLERS DO NOT CARE ABOUT HUMAN LIFE.

THEY ONLY CARE ABOUT MONEY.

SO WHEN SOMEBODY COMES UP AND TELLS YOU I CAN GET YOU INTO THE U.S. AND IT'S ONLY GOING TO COST THIS MUCH, THE REAL COST IS YOUR LIFE.

>> ERIC: FRED DE SAM LAZARO, WELCOME BACK TO THE PROGRAM.

IN ADDITION TO HIS "NEWSHOUR" DUTIES, HE HEADS THE "UNDER-TOLD STORIES" PROJECT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS.

HOW PREVALENT IS THIS BORDER ACTIVITY?

>> THIS IS PROBABLY THE MOST TRAGIC, I HOPE, EXCEPTION.

TO A TRAFFIC THAT IN THIS CASE UNLIKE THE SOUTHERN BORDER, SEES UNAUTHORIZED FOOT TRAFFIC IN EITHER DIRECTION.

PEOPLE GOING IN BOTH DIRECTIONS FOR DIFFERENT KINDS OF REASONS.

>> Eric: AND IT'S A 4,000-MILE BORDER.

>> THE GRAND FORKS SEGMENT IS ABOUT A TENTH OF THAT, SO ABOUT 400 MILES.

IN A NON-PANDEMIC YEAR, THE BORDER PATROL WILL HAVE ABOUT 200 TO 250 APPREHENSIONS.

THIS IS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO ESSENTIALLY SNEAK IN.

AND NOW WITH THE PAN PANDEMIC TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS OR TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS BEING LIFTED, THEY ARE EXPECTING TO SEE AN UPTICK IN FOOT TRAFFIC.

IN RAFFIC IN UNAUTHORIZED CROSSINGS.

>> Cathy: DO YOU KNOW, FRED, WHAT SPURS THE MIGRANTS TO TAKE THE ROUTE OF RELYING ON SMUGGLERS RATHER THAN THE LEGAL PATH?

>> COMPLICATED QUESTION, I'LL TRY AND SIMPLIFY.

IT BOILS DOWN TO INTERM NABL WAITS FOR LEGAL PATHED.

FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS, POLICY REASONS, THAT'S ONE.

THERE IS, IN THE WAKE F THE PANDEMIC GOING TO BE AN EVEN WORSE PROBLEM OF DISPLACED PEOPLE.

WE HAD 82 MILLION, I DON'T THINK COUNTING THE UKRAINIANS.

WORLDWIDE OF PEOPLE DISPLACED FROM WHERE THEY WERE BORN, WHERE THEY LIVED, OR A VARIETY OF REASONS SEEKING SAFE HEAIVEN FROM ECONOMIC TURMOIL, FROM PERSECUTION, POLITICAL PERSECUTION, PERSECUTION FOR THEIR SEXUAL PREFERENCE, A VARIETY OF REASONS PEOPLE ARE DISPLACED AND LOOKING TO GO SOMEWHERE.

THEY'RE EXTREMELY VULNERABLE TO A VERY SOPHISTICATED GLOBAL INDUSTRY IN HUMAN TRAFFICKING THAT IS I DARE SAY A MULTIBILLION-DOLLAR INDUSTRY.

>> Eric: U.S. AND CANADA TO DO HAVE AN ASYLUM AGREEMENT.

>> FOR SOME REASON THESE TWO COUNTRIES CAME TOGETHER IN 2004 AND SAID WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A SAFE COUNTRY AGREEMENT.

IF YOU ARE FLEEING GHANA, FOR EXAMPLE, AND COMING TO NORTH AMERICA AND YOU LAND IN THE UNITED STATES, YOU'VE GOT TO APPLY FOR ASYLUM IN THE COUNTRY WHERE YOU LAND.

YOU GO TO NEW YORK AND SHOW UP IN THUNDER BAY, YOU'LL BE SENT BACK TO THE UNITED STATES.

YOU HAVE TO APPLY IN THE COUNTRY WHERE YOU FIRST LAND.

AND VICE VERSA IN CANADA.

THE LOOPHOLE IN ALL OF THIS IS THAT IT DOES NOT APPLY ANYWHERE IN BETWEEN OFFICIAL BORDER CHECKPOINTS, SO IF YOU WALK IN, THE BORDER, SOMEWHERE OUTSIDE OF IT, AND GET TO MINNESOTA, GET TO BRAINERD, GET TO WHEREVER, AND APPLY, THEN YOU CAN BE PROCESSED FOR ASYLUM.

AND WHAT THAT DOES IS IT ENCOURAGES IN THE MINDS OF, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE WHO STUDY THIS, THIS IS ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO CROSS IRREGULARLY.

AND IT DOESN'T ACCRUE TO ANYONE'S ADVANTAGE REALLY.

AND THAT'S THE REASON WHY, YOU KNOW, THESE PEOPLE WERE WHERE THEY WERE.

ON JANUARY 19TH.

IN A LIZZARD.

>> Cathy: OH, THOSE CONDITIONS ARE HORRIBLE.

I'M WONDERING.

I KNOW YOU TALKED TO TWO MEN FROM GHANA WHO TRIED TO CROSS IN 2016.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM?

>> THESE TWO MEN ACTUALLY WENT IN THE NORTHERN DIRECTION.

THEY'RE GHANAIANS, IT WAS 2017, I BELIEVE, OR LATE 2016, DONALD TRUMP HAD JUST BEEN ELECTED AND CANADA HAS A REPUTATION OF BEING MUCH MORE HOSPITABLE TO ASYLUM SEEKERS THAN THE UNITED STATES, AND I THINK THAT IS FAIRLY ACRE ACCURATE TO SAY.

CANADA DOES NOT DETAIN MIGRANTS, AND SO THESE TWO GENTLEMEN, AFTER THE ELECTION OF 2016, DECIDED TO HIKE UP TO CANADA.

THEY WERE DROPPED OFF NEAR THE BORDER, AND TOLD TO WALK IN.

VERY SIM SIMILAR TO WHAT HAPPENED TO THE INDIAN FAMILY.

THESE GUYS, FORTUNATELY, WERE ABLE TO FLAG DOWN A -- A SEMITRUCK.

AND WERE RESCUED.

BUT T A CATASTROPHIC COST TO THEM, BECAUSE BETWEEN THE TWO OF THEM, ONLY ONE THUMB SURVIVED.

THEY LOST ALL OF THEIR FINGERS.

>> Eric: DO THE FOLKS THAT ARE ON THE BORDER PATROL THAT YOU TALKED TO, DO THEY SAY MOST OF THE RESOURCES AND POLITICAL ATTENTION IS ON THE SOUTHERN BORDER AND WE'RE KIND OF THE LEFT BEHIND GROUP OR NOT?

>> NOT REALLY.

IT'S A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES.

MOTHER NATURE IS PROBABLY THEIR BIGGEST ALLY.

THIS IS THICKLY FORESTED FORESTED TERRAIN.

THIS IS TERRAIN THAT'S AQUATIC IN MANY PARTS, IF IT'S NOT THICKLY FORESTED.

SO THE, YOU KNOW, THEY -- IT'S A DIFFERENT KIND OF DYNAMIC ON THE NORTHERN BORDER.

IT IS FOR SURE LESS STRESSFUL THAN THE SOUTH FOR SHEER VOLUME REASONS, BUT BY THAT TOKEN, PSYCHOLOGICALLY, IT IS PROBABLY AN ATTRACTIVE TARGET TO COME TO BECAUSE IT'S PERCEIVED AS BEING UNDERPATROLLED.

>> Cathy: QUESTION, WHAT'S THE SOLUTION HERE?

IS IT A WAY TO TIGHTEN UP THE ASYLUM AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES?

I MEAN, HOW TO PREVENT SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENING?

>> I COULD TAKE THE REST OF THE HOUR AND WE DON'T HAVE THAT TO TALK ABOUT THE COMPLEXITY OF THIS ISSUE.

BUT FUNDAMENTALLY, WHAT YOU HAVE GLOBALLY IS A LOT OF UPHEAVAL FOR ECONOMIC REASONS, FOUR POLITICAL REASONS, FOR SURE WAR THAT'S GOING ON.

AND FOR THE SHEER VOLUME THAT'S OUT THERE, THERE S AN INDUSTRY THAT'S RESPONDING TO TRANSPORTING THESE FOLKS.

SO I DON'T HAVE ANY -- THERE ARE NO SIMPLE ANSWERS.

TO THIS QUESTION.

IT'S WAY ABOVE Y PAY GRADE.

>> Eric: AND THIS IS ARCHIVED ON THE PBS "NEWSHOUR" WEBSITE?

>> THANK YOU FOR ASKING.

OR YOU CAN FIND THE STORY ON OUR PROJECT AT ST. THOMAS, UNDERTOLD STORIES.ORG.

>> THANKS.

♪ ♪ >> I'’M A SUPERHERO FAN.

GROWING UP, THE X-MEN WERE MY FAVORITE.

I REMEMBER TRYING TO DRAW ROGUE ON MY GROCERY BAG TEXTBOOK COVER DURING A.P.

HISTORY AND FAILING MISERABLY.

THE IDEA OF SUPERHEROES IS SEDUCTIVE.

SOMEONE WHO WILL SWOOP IN AND MAKE ALL THE BAD STUFF GO AWAY?

YES, PLEASE.

SOMEONE WHO WILL SHOULDER THE BIG BURDENS SO THE REST OF US CAN SLEEP?

10 OUT OF 10, WOULD RECOMMEND.

IT DIDN'’T TAKE ME LONG TO SEE THE TENSION BETWEEN HAVING SUPERPOWERS AND THE INABILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN RUN-OF-THE-MILL HUMANITY.

THE X-MEN WERE REVILED, BUT WHEN SOMEONE DECIDED TO DESTROY THE WORLD, THEY STILL SHOWED UP.

THEY COULD HAVE SAID, "“OH, YOU'’RE IN TROUBLE?

OKAY, WELL, WE'’RE GOOD OVER HERE, SO, PEACE!

"” I COULDN'’T HELP BUT THINK OF AMERICA'’S SUPERHERO FIXATION DURING JUDGE KETANJI BROWN JACKSON'’S CONFIRMATION HEARING.

ANY SUPREME COURT NOMINEE WALKS A TIGHTROPE, BUT JUDGE JACKSON'’S IS "“FUN-SIZED."

NO MATTER WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN GOING ON INSIDE, SHE MAINTAINED THAT SUPERHUMAN PATIENCE BECAUSE SHE HAD TO.

BEING THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN TO DO, WELL, ANYTHING BIG MEANS NO LOST TEMPER, NO LUXURY OF ORDINARY HUMANITY.

HER SUPER HUMANITY IS EXPECTED WITHOUT EXCEPTION.

DESPITE WHAT SHE WAS UP AGAINST, JUDGE JACKSON STILL SHOWED UP.

HOWEVER FAR SHE GOES IN THE PROCESS, I WON'’T THINK OF HER AS A SUPERHERO.

FOR ME, SHE GETS TO BE A REGULAR, HUMAN HERO.

♪ ♪ >> CATHY: CHANCE YORK IS AN ENTERTAINER, A RAPPER, TEACHES YOGA, AND LOVES THE OUTDOORS.

HE'’S ALSO UP FOR ANY CHALLENGE.

THAT MADE CHANCE THE PERFECT HOST FOR A NEW TPT ONLINE SERIES CALLED "“OUTSIDE CHANCE.

"” THE SERIES HAS NOW LAUNCHED, AND TONIGHT IS A GREAT TIME TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT.

ONE OF THE FIRST EPISODES FEATURES ROCK CLIMBING, SOMETHING THAT CHANCE WAS A BIT LEERY OF SINCE HE ADMITS THAT HE'’S AFRAID OF HEIGHTS.

LET'’S TAKE A LOOK AT HOW THINGS WENT WHEN CHANCE VENTURED TO TAYLORS FALLS TO LEARN A NEW SKILL WITH THE HELP OF GUIDE JANELL RIEGER.

THIS SERIES WAS PRODUCED BY RYAN KLABUNDEE AND LUKE HEIKKILA.

>> FOR OUR TOP RUN ON TAYLORS FALLS, WE NEED TO BUILD ON NATURAL ANCHORS.

WE MAKE SURE THAT THE ANCHOR IS GOOD AND SNUG.

GIVE A GOOD TUG ON IT.

>> LET ME JUST MAKE SURE.

OKAY.

[ Laughter ] [ ROCK MUSIC ] ♪ ♪ >> IT'S GOING DOWN.

SHE'S ACTUALLY GOING TO GO UP FIRST.

SHOW ME THE WAY.

I'M GOING TO BELAY HER.

SHE ALREADY WALKED ME THROUGH TYING IN, BELAYING.

GOT IT.

>> YEAH, I'D RECOMMEND JUST KEEP GOING IN THIS CORNER.

FINDING THOSE HIGH FEET.

NICELY DONE.

SO YOU'RE GOING TO BREAK DOWN.

>> ALL RIGHT.

HOLDING THE BRAKE.

>> AND THEN, YEP, YOU'RE GOING TO SLOWLY LET ME DOWN.

WHOO!

NICELY DONE!

>> NOW I GOT TO GET MY SHOES ON?

>> MM-HMM.

>> WHEW!

HOLY CRAP.

>> YEAH!

YOU GOT THIS.

DON'T FORGET TO LOOK BEHIND YOU.

BEAUTIFUL.

♪ ♪ >> YEAH-AH!

WHOO-HOO!

>> YEAH!

>> Cathy: OH, YOU DID IT, CHANCE, WELCOME TO "ALMANAC."

FOR A PERSON WHO'S AFRAID OF HEIGHTS, YOU DID GREAT.

>> I MADE IT TO THE TOP AND BACK DOWN WITHOUT SERIOUS INJURY.

[ Laughter ] >> Cathy: YOU KNOW, WHAT WAS -- WHEN YOU WERE FIRST ASKED TO DO THIS SHOW, WHAT WAS ENTICES ABOUT IT?

WHY DID YOU SAY YES?

>> EVERYTHING, REALLY.

I LIKE -- I LIKE DOING STUFF I'VE NEVER DONE, WHICH IS HOST A SHOW.

AND I LOVE BEING OUTDOORS AND I LIKE PUTTING MY -- PUTTING MY PHYSICALITY TO THE TEST.

AND, YEAH, PRETTY MUCH, THEY, YOU KNOW, MADE IT APPEALING.

>> Eric: YOUR PHILOSOPHY ABOUT THE OUTDOORS AND NATURE, I THINK MAYBE SUMMED UP IN THE LAKE SUPERYEAR PISODE.

YOU SAID, DON'T LET YOUR COMFORT ZONE BECOME A CAGE.

TELL US ABOUT THAT.

>> IT'S KIND OF RELATED TO MY PHILOSOPHY AROUND, LIKE, PRACTICING YOGA.

YOUR COMFORT ZONE IS REALLY WHERE YOU LEARN THE MOST ABOUT YOURSELF.

AND IN THE CENTER OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO LEARN AS MUCH AS ON THE EDGE OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE.

NOT NECESSARILY LEAVING YOUR COMFORT ZONE, BUT BEING ON THE EDGE IS WHERE YOU CAN SEE DIFFERENT EMOTIONS, DIFFERENT THOUGHTS, DIFFERENT PATTERNS COME UP.

AND OBSERVE, AND, YOU KNOW, DECIDE IF IT'S SERVING YOU OR IF IT'S HOLDING YOU BACK.

>> Eric: BUT HOW DO YOU FEEL LIKE WHEN YOU DO THE ROCK CLIMBING OR YOU'RE IN LIKE SUPERIOR IN 30-DEGREE WATER.

IS IT A GREAT SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT?

>> OF COURSE.

YOU KNOW, THE NATURE OF THE BODY IS MEANT TO BE LIVED.

SO, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE ALL THESE NATURAL CHEMICALS, ENDORPHINS AND DOPAMINE, AND WHEN YOU DO THINGS, YOU GET REWARDED.

SO IT'S NATURAL HIGHS.

THAT -- THAT EPISODE WITH THE ROCK CLIMBING, THERE'S SOME -- I'M -- I PRETTY MUCH CAN'T SPEAK AT THE END OF JUST, LIKE, HOW ELATED I WAS.

YOU KNOW, PURE JOY, REALLY.

BUT IT WAS TERRIFYING.

THE FIRST PART.

THE COLD WATER, YOU KNOW, I FEEL PRETTY, I GUESS PREPARED FOR THAT STUFF.

DUE TO JUST, LIKE, GETTING TO KNOW MYSELF THROUGH VARIOUS CHALLENGES.

SO I WAS READY.

>> Cathy: THE MINNESOTA D.N.R.

'S BEEN TRYING FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS TO GET BIPOC FOLKS INTO THE OUTDOORS AND WHY DO YOU THINK PEOPLE OF COLOR ARE NOT SURE, OR THERE SEEMS TO BE A BARRIER TO THEM?

WHAT IS THAT EXACTLY?

>> I THINK IT'S AT LEAST PARTLY HISTORIC.

ESPECIALLY IN MINNESOTA.

I THINK PEOPLE OF COLOR ARE CONCENTRATED IN URBAN AREAS.

AND LEAVING -- LEAVING WHAT'S FAMILIAR IS ALREADY CHALLENGING.

AND I DON'T KNOW, THERE'S PROBABLY A LOT OF -- THERE'S PROBABLY A LOT OF FACTORS BEES BUT I THINK THAT'S THE BIGGEST ONE, FAMILIARITY, I GUESS IDENTITY TOO.

YOU MIGHT NOT SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE OF COLOR OUT DOING DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES LIKE THAT.

SO I GUESS, YOU KNOW, FOR ME, IT'S ALWAYS BEEN PART OF MY LIFE.

BUT I DON'T KNOW IF I'M AN EXCEPTION.

BUT I DEFINITELY WOULD LIKE TO SEE A LOT MORE PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF GIVING IT A TRY.

>> Cathy: AS A MATTER OF FACT YOU HAD A REALLY NICE MOMENT WITH JANELL, YOUR ROCK CLIMBING GURU.

YOU GOT TO THE TOP AND YOU CHATTED FOR THE NEED FOR MORE BIPOC MENTORS IN THE OUTDOORS.

WE'RE GOING TO PLAY A CLIP OF THAT.

>> I'M A YOGA INSTRUCT YOUR.

I'M, LIKE, IN THE COMMUNITY AND I'M ALWAYS TRYING TO TEACH EVERYBODY AND I OFTEN RUN INTO PEOPLE BEING LIKE, OH, YOGA, THAT'S JUST FOR WHILE WHITE PEOPLE OR WOMEN?

DO YOU RUN INTO ANY OF THAT AS A CLIMBING PERSON OF COLOR?

>> WHEN I FIRST FOUND CLIMBING, I WAS LIKE, WHAT?

THIS EXISTS?

AND THEN I LOOKED AROUND I WAS MET WITH SO MUCH, LIKE, BULLYING, SUBTLE RACISM WHEN I SHOWED UP THE CRAGS, SEXISM.

AM I EVER GOING TO LEARN ANY OF THIS CONTENT, BECAUSE IT'S ONE OF THE MOST INTIMIDATING SPORTS THAT I'VE EVER URSUED.

AND THAT BEING SAID, THAT'S WHY MENTORSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY WAS SO VITAL AND I COULDN'T FIND ANYONE THAT LOOKED LIKE ME THAT COULD TEACH ME.

I'M GOING TO TAKE THIS A LITTLE BIT FURTHER.

I'M GOING TO BECOME A MOUNTAIN GUIDE.

AND THAT WAY I CAN CREATE A WHOLE CREW OF JUST BEAUTIFUL BIPOC CLIMBERS THAT ARE INDEPENDENT, KNOWLEDGEABLE AND FEEL LIKE THEY BELONG IN THESE OUTDOOR SPACES.

>> Cathy: I LIKE THAT SENSE OF BELONGING, FEEL LIKE YOU BELONG THERE.

NOW THAT YOU'RE GETTING NEW SKILLS, WHICH ONES ARE GOING TO STICK WITH YOU?

>> ROCK CLIMBING, I WOULD PROBABLY SEE MYSELF DOING AGAIN.

NOT ALL THE TIME.

BUT, I DON'T KNOW, MOUNTAIN BIKING REALLY STRUCK A NERVE.

I WAS LIKE HIS IS VERY COOL.

AND, YOU KNOW, KIND OF REMINDED ME F MY CHILDHOOD, RIDING A BIKE AND NOT BEING TOO FAR -- NOT LIVING TOO FAR FROM THE RIVER BOTTOMS IN BLOOMINGTON, HAS A PRETTY EXTENSIVE TRAIL SYSTEM OUT THERE.

SO MY KIDS ARE OF BIKING AGE, SO THEY THINK IT'S COOL AND IT'S SOMETHING WE CAN DO AS THE WHOLE FAMILY.

SO BIKING FOR SURE.

BUT ALL OF IT.

ALL OF -- >> Cathy: DID YOU TRY FISHING, BY THE WAY?

>> YEAH, WE DID A SHORE FISHING EPISODE.

I LOVE -- I USED TO FISH A LOT WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, BUT JUST BEING A PARENT, BUSY, I DON'T DO IT AS MUCH.

BUT THAT WAS -- THAT BROUGHT ME BACK AND REMINDED ME OF THE IMPORTANCE OF, LIKE, JUST GETTING OUT THERE AND DOING IT.

>> Eric: YouTube AND THE TPT SOCIAL CHANNELS?

>> YOU CAN FIND IT ONLINE.

WE RELEASE A NEW EPISODE EVERY TWO WEEKS.

>> Eric: WHAT'S COMING UP?

>> THE NEXT ONE IS GEO CACHE OFCACHING, IT'S LIKE A PHONE APP.

PRETTY INTERESTING.

I'VE NEVER DONE THAT BEFORE AND MINNESOTA'S A PRETTY BIG HOT SPOT.

THERE'S A BIG COMMUNITY IN MINNESOTA.

AND THERE'S A BUNCH OF REALLY GOOD EPISODES.

WE GOT, YOU KNOW, SHORE FISHING, MOUNTAIN IKING, URBAN FARMING.

>> Eric: UNLIMITED CHALLENGES FOR YOU.

>> THERE'S A LOT TO DO OUTSIDE IN MINNESOTA.

>> Eric: SAFE TRAVELS, MAN.

>> HEY, APPRECIATE YOU.

♪ ♪ >> Mary: WHAT DO YOU SAY TO PEOPLE THAT ARE UPSET THAT YOU ARE NOT RUNNING AGAIN AND HAT A MAN IS RUNNING IN THE DISTRICT YOU COULD HAVE RUN IN?

>> WE ALL BELIEVE WE HAVE A PATH ONE WAY, AND LIFE HAPPENS.

SO IT'S A PAUSE I SAY.

I'M NOT GOING TO BE AWAY FROM PUBLIC SERVICE.

BUT I WON'T BE A STRANGER TO THE LEGISLATURE.

AND I SAY I'M GOING TO SUPPORT OTHER PEOPLE LIKE ME, OTHER WOMEN WHO HAVE LITTLE KIDS WHO WANT TO COME INTO PUBLIC OFFICE, KNOWING THAT IT'S REALLY HARD AND THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR WOMEN LIKE ME TO STAY IN POLITICS FOR THE LONG HAUL, BECAUSE IT IS A DIFFICULT -- AND A BIG SACRIFICE.

LIKE I SAID TO MY CAUCUS, IT'S ABOUT A TEAM, IT'S NOT ABOUT ONE PERSON.

IT'S ABOUT WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH TOGETHER.

I'M ACTUALLY VERY FLATTERED OF HEARING SO MUCH OF THAT EMOTION.

IT'S BEEN HEART-WARMING.

♪ ♪ >> ERIC: MINNESOTA LAWMAKERS ARE NOW HALFWAY THROUGH THIS YEAR'’S LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

AND IT'’S AN INTRIGUING ONE.

THERE IS A MASSIVE BUDGET SURPLUS, BUT LITTLE AGREEMENT AS TO WHAT TO DO WITH THE MONEY.

THE BACKDROP TO ALL THIS?

GLOBAL UNCERTAINTY AND LOOMING FALL-TIME ELECTIONS.

LET'’S HAVE SOME SPIRITED CONVERSATION COURTESY OF TWO WILY LEGISLATIVE WATCHERS.

ABOU AMARA IS A DEMOCRAT, A LAWYER, AND A FORMER LEGISLATIVE STAFFER.

GREGG PEPPIN IS A REPUBLICAN ACTIVIST AND STRATEGIST.

FORMER LEGISLATIVE STAFFER.

AND WE WELCOME BOTH YOU GUYS.

GREGG, 60 DAYS TO GO.

THE HOUSE AND SENATE HAVE DRAMATICALLY DIFFERENT WAYS TO GET THERE, BUT THEY'RE BOTH TALKING ABOUT MEDICAL AND FAMILY LEAVE.

>> YES.

>> Eric: NOW DOES THAT MEAN THERE'S GOING TO BE A COMPROMISE OR BOTH SIDES HAVE PUT SOMETHING ON THE FLOOR AND VOTE FOR IT AND GO DOOR KNOCK AND SAY, YEAH, WE PUT FORWARD SOMETHING BUT THE OTHER SIDE SCREWED IT UP.

>> THE PROPOSALS ARE PRETTY FAR APART.

THE DEMOCRAT PROPOSAL WANTS TO CREATE A BRAND-NEW BUREAUCRACY, UP TO 300 EMPLOYEES.

COST EMPLOYERS A BILLION DOLLARS.

THE REPUBLICAN PROPOSAL IS A LOT MORE AMENABLE I THINK TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY CERTAINLY.

IT'S MORE OF A PRIVATE SECTOR DRIVEN INITIATIVE.

THERE ARE ABOUT 25% OF THE EMPLOYEES WHO DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO PAID LEAVE.

AND THIS REALLY GIVES -- AND THERE'S A LOT OF COMPANIES WHO ALREADY PROVIDE IT, VERY GENEROUS BENEFIT.

AND SO THIS ALLOWS THAT TO CONTINUE, BUT ALSO PERMITS OTHER EMPLOYERS WHO DON'T HAVE IT TO DO IT VIA THIS INSURANCE PRODUCT.

>> WELL, DEMOCRATS ARE EXCITED THAT REPUBLICANS FINALLY REALIZED THEY'RE LOSING ON THE ISSUE OF PAID FAMILY LEAVE.

WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR MORE THAN A DECADE.

THE ISSUE IS WHEN YOU ACTUALLY GET INTO THE SUBSTANCE OF THE PROPOSAL, IT DOESN'T ADDRESS THE SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM HERE.

HALF OF MINNESOTA'S WORKFORCE ARE WOMEN.

AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE AN INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN WOMEN LEAVE THE WORKFORCE TO GIVE BIRTH, BOTH WOMEN AND MEN, THEY CAN STAY WITH THEIR CHILDREN FOR THOSE REALLY CRITICAL MONTHS.

WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THAT, WE'LL CONTINUE TO DO SO.

>> Cathy: OKAY, SO IS THERE ANY HOPE, ANY LIGHT, DAYLIGHT BETWEEN THESE TWO COMPETING PROPOSALS?

COULD ANYTHING HAPPEN AT ALL?

>> WELL, IF IT'S ALL OR NOTHING, NO, THEN THERE WILL BE NOTHING.

IF THERE'S A WAY THAT THEY CAN MERGE THE TWO PROPOSALS WHERE PERHAPS THEY KEEP THE INSURANCE PRODUCT OR THEY SCALE DOWN THE SIZE OF THE BUREAUCRACY, MAYBE THERE'S SOME LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL THERE.

>> Eric: LET'S SAY THE SCENARIO IS BONDING BILL, TAX RELIEF, A LITTLE K-12 K-12 FUNDING, HIT THE TRAIL, TAKE IT TO THE ELECTION.

GOVERNOR ALZ WAS SAYING HE'S CONCERNED THAT MUCH LESS WILL BE DONE THAN MORE EVEN WITH THIS HUMONGOUS SURPLUS.

WHAT'S THE OUTLOOK?

>> YEAH, IT'S CONCERNING.

WE HAVE A HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY WITH A $9 BILLION SURPLUS TO INVEST IN THE PEOPLE THAT GOT US THROUGH THE PANDEMIC, THE TEACHERS, THE FIRST RESPONDERS AND REPUBLICANS ARE SAYING WE ACTUALLY HAVE TO MAKE A CHOICE.

THEY'RE SAYING WE HAVE TO SAY BUSINESSES, WHICH I AGREE WITH, AND DEMOCRATS AGREE WITH, BUT THEY HOULDN'T BE INVESTING IN THE PEOPLE.

WE CAN DO BOTH.

WE CAN INVEST IN THE PEOPLE AND IN THE BUSINESSES.

>> BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT THEY'RE SAYING.

THE REPUBLICANS HAVE SAID WE HAD A $250 MILLION DEAL LAST YEAR.

AND THEY HAVE SAID, LET'S STICK WITH THAT NUMBER.

YOU DEMOCRATS, YOU FIGURE OUT WHERE IT'S GOING TO GO.

>> Eric: THIS IS THE HERO GRANTS -- >> YES, TO THE FRONT-LINE WORKERS OR WHATEVER.

AND THE REPUBLICANS HAVE SAID, YOU FIGURE -- HERE'S THE NUMBER, YOU DECIDE WHERE IT'S GOING TO GO.

TO ME, THAT'S A VERY GOOD COMPROMISE.

THERE IS A LOT OF MONEY OUT THERE.

IF WE WANT TO REWARD OTHER PEOPLE, IF WE WANT TO PROVIDE BENEFITS TO OTHER PEOPLE, WE CAN DO THAT THROUGH TAX RELIEF.

LET'S HELP EVERYBODY THROUGH PERMANENT TAX CUTS.

>> THAT MAKES MY POINT.

YOU'RE SAYING 250 MILLION AS IF THAT'S ALL THE MONEY WE HAVE.

WE HAVE A $9 BILLION SURPLUS.

IT IS A FALSE CHOICE.

WE CAN INVEST IN EVERYBODY WHO HELPED US AND WE CAN HELP OUR BUSINESSES.

>> Eric: ARE YOU ADVISING LEADER MILLER ON THE REPUBLICAN SENATE SIDE?

BECAUSE EVERY -- HE'S MESSAGE DISCIPLINE JUST DELUXE.

EVERY TIME I HEAR IM TALK, IT'S, WE'RE GOING TO GO FOR PERMANENT ONGOING TAX RELIEF.

AND THAT SEEMS TO BE THE HALLMARK OF THE SESSION.

>> IT'S EASIBLE AND IT'S DOABLE AND IF YOU DIRECT THAT TAX RELIEF TO THE PEOPLE AT THE BOTTOM RUNG OR THE MIDDLE RUNG, IT IMPACTS EVERYBODY.

AND SO THAT'S A BETTER WAY TO DO IT ON A GOING FORWARD BASIS.

THAN JUST A ONE-TIME CRUMBS.

AND THAT'S WHAT WOULD HAPPEN UNDER THE EXISTING DEMOCRAT PROPOSAL.

>> WE ARE ENTERING AN UNCERTAIN ECONOMY.

ALTHOUGH WE HAVE A $9 BILLION SURPLUS, THERE'S A GLOBAL WAR, POTENTIALLY WORLD WAR III WITH UKRAINE.

THE IDEA THAT WE WOULD SET PERMANENT TAX CUTS GOING INTO THE FUTURE COULD SET THE STATE UP FOR FINANCIAL RUIN.

WE SHOULD NOT BE MAKING STRUCTURAL CHANGES AT A TIME WHEN WE COULD BE FACING WORLD WAR III.

>> WE HAVE RAINY DAY FUNDS, THOSE WILL CONTINUE TO BE REPLENISHED.

THOSE ARE THERE FOR THAT PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

ABOVE AND BEYOND THAT, IT'S THE STATE TAKING TOO MUCH MONEY.

WE KNOW THAT.

AND YOU'VE GOT THE HUGE INFLUX OF FEDERAL MEF.

MONEY.

IT'S TIME TO GIVE SOME OF THAT MONEY BACK, AND WE CAN DO IT.

>> TEARCHES DID NOT TAXES DID NOT GO UP ONCE IN MINNESOTA IN THE LAST THREE YEARS.

THIS IS A RESULT OF A GROWING ECONOMY AS A RESULT OF JOE BIDEN AND HIS ADMINISTRATION.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE SEEING HERE, IT'S GROWTH.

REPUBLICANS ALWAYS TALK ABOUT GROWTH AS OPPOSED TO TAXES.

WE SHOULD BE EXCITED THAT WE'RE SEEING GROWTH.

AND 2.7% UNEMPLOYMENT IN MINNESOTA.

THE LOWEST WE'VE SEEN IN A QUARTER OF A CENTURY.

>> AND EARLY 8% INFLATION AS WELL.

>> PUTIN IS TO FLAME FOR THAT.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE FULL PICTURE HERE.

>> Cathy: WHERE IS A DEAL ON PUBLIC SAFETY?

THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS KIND OF TALKED AT THE BEGINNING OF SESSION.

>> YOU'RE SEEING BOTH AT THE MUNICIPAL LEVEL AND MINNEAPOLIS AND ST. PAUL ALSO AT THE STATE LEGISLATURE, DEMOCRATS ARE ACTUALLY PUTTING MONEY INTO RECRUITING AND RETAINING LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

AND SO I THINK THERE IS SOME OVERLAP IN ERMS OF, WE UNDERSTAND WE'VE GOT TO GROW POLICE OFFICERS IN CERTAIN PARTS OF THE STATE.

DEMOCRATS HAVE PUT FORTH PROPOSALS TO DO THAT.

AND THEN REALLY AROUND TRAINING.

I THINK TRAINING MIGHT BE AN AREA YOU'LL SEE SOME BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

IN THOSE INTERACTIONS OFFICERS SEE PEOPLE THEY'RE SERVING.

>> THERE IS AN OVERLAP.

AS ABOU SAID WITH THE RAE CUTEMENT, THE RETENTION, THE TRAINING.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S A LITTLE BIT MORE TROUBLING WITH THE DFL PROPOSAL IS THEY WANT TO FUND MONEY THROUGH NONFEDERALNON-PROFITS TO GET TO, YOU KNOW, VARIOUS COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE'VE SEEN WHAT'S HAPPENED WITH THAT.

WHEN THERE'S A FLOOD OF MONEY.

YOU'VE SEEN THE FEEDING OUR FUTURE.

THERE'S FRAUD IN THE TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WITH THAT.

THE REPUBLICANS WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT MONEY GOES RIGHT TO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THEY'VE GOT SOME DIFFERENT PROPOSALS ON SENTENCING AND ON -- OR CAR-JACKING, INCREASED PENALTIES FOR CAR-JACKING AND FOR ORGANIZED RETAIL THEFT.

SO I THINK WE CAN HAVE AN AGREEMENT THERE, BUT THERE'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE SOME GIVE AND TAKE.

>> Eric: AS TWO DISTINGUISHED FORMER STAFFERS, GARY ARLSON, THE GREAT LOBBYST CAME UP WITH A SPREADSHEET THAT SAID THAT THE LEGISLATURE IS GOING TO LOSE 400 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE GOING INTO 2023.

WHAT'S THAT GOING TO MEAN IN TERMS OF WORK AT THE CAPITOL?

>> CERTAINLY, THAT'S A LOSS.

BUT WE HAVE THAT PERIODICALLY.

IT'S NOT UNUSUAL THAT THERE'S A TURNOVER LIKE THAT.

AND, YOU KNOW, I DON'T BELIEVE IN TERM LIMITS.

SO I THINK THAT FRESH FACES AND NEW BLOOD IS GOOD FOR THE PROCESS AND IT BRINGS IN SOME NEW IDEAS.

>> I THINK IF YOU LOOK AT MINNESOTA'S HISTORY, THERE'S ALWAYS BEEN THESE MOMENTS WHERE THERE'S BIG MASSIVE CHANGES.

WHETHER IT BE THE MINNESOTA MIRACLE AND THE MASSACRE THAT RESULTED FROM IT.

AND SO YOU'LL HAVE THESE MOMENTS IN HISTORY.

WE ARE ENTERING ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE.

FOR THE FOLKS WHO ARE LEAVING, I THINK IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG FOLKS TO STEP IN, NEW BLOOD, AND WHAT IS THE MINNESOTA WE'RE IF FACING IN THE 21ST CENTURY.

>> Cathy: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE ELECTIONS.

WHAT ARE YOU GUYS HEARING OUT THERE WHEN IT COMES TO THE LEGISLATIVE RACES SPECIFICALLY?

>> WELL, I THINK REPUBLICANS BELIEVE THE REDISTRICTING WAS A FAIR PROCESS.

THERE'S A FEW IS A NATIONALLIES IN SM.

SOME OF THE LINES.

CERTAINLY AT THIS POINT IN TIME THERE'S A TAIL WIND WITH REGARD TO WHERE REPUBLICANS ARE AT VERSUS DEMOCRATS ON THE NATIONAL AND THE STATE LEVEL.

AND SO I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF OPT OPTIMISM THAT REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO HAVE THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE AND FRANKLY I THINK WE'RE GOING TO BE -- DO VERY WELL IN SOME OF THE STATEWIDE RACES.

>> DEMOCRATS, BY MY COUNT, THERE ARE 58 SEATS N THE METRO AND THE REGIONAL CENTERS THAT ARE EITHER HELD BY DEMOCRATS OR LEANING DEMOCRATS.

FOR THE STATE HOUSE, YOU ONLY NEED 68 VOTES.

YOU ADD IN DULUTH, MANKATO, ST.

CLOUD, ROCHESTER, ALL OF A SUDDEN DEMOCRATS HAVE A VERY CLEAR PATH TO MAINTAIN THE MAJORITY IN THE STATE HOUSE.

IN THE SENATE, REALLY JUST THE FLIP SIDE F THAT WITH HALF OF THE VOTES HELP.

AND SO DEMOCRATS FEEL VERY GOOD ABOUT TAKING THE SENATE.

GIVE TIM WALZ A DEMOCRATIC HOUSE AND A SENATE, SOME REAL THINGS CAN HAPPEN IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

>> Eric: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE U.S. SUPREME COURT PROCESS OF CONFIRMATION.

THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE THIS WEEK QUESTIONING THE JUDGE.

YOU'RE A LAWYER.

DO YOU LIKE THE PROCESS?

>> WELL, I THINK WHEN YOU PUT CAMERAS IN FRONT OF SOMETHING, IT CAN SOMETIMES HANGE THE INCENTIVES FOR THOSE THAT ARE ACTING IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA.

AND SO IN THIS CASE, I THINK YOU SAW SENATOR TED CRUZ, SENATOR JOSH HAWLEY AND OTHERS REALLY ACTING IN JUST BAD FAITH.

THEY HAVE A REAL ESPONSIBLE ROLE HERE AND SOME ACTORS AREN'T ACTING IN FAITH.

I THINK PERSONALLY, KETANJI BRUNE JACKSON ONE OF THE MOST QUALIFIED.

IT'S HURTFUL, BECAUSE SO MANY PEOPLE WORK THEIR LIVES TO GET INTO NEZ THESE POSITIONS, AND WHEN YOU'RE DISRESPECTED BY PEOPLE WHO ARE FRANKLY LESS QUALIFIED THAN YOU.

>> KAVANAUGH -- >> THE PROCESS DOES NEED TO BE IMPROVED.

ABOU IS RIGHT.

YOU GET CAMERAS, RADIO, WHEN IT'S BROADCAST LIVE, IT'S KIND OF A PLATFORM FOR BOTH PARTIES TO DO HAT.

AND I KNOW THAT AT LEAST ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE THERE WAS SOME HOPE THAT IT WOULD BE HARD-HITTING QUESTIONS AND RESPECTFUL.

OBVIOUSLY WHEN YOU GET POLITE KEAMPOLITICAL AMBITION IN THERE, PEOPLE TEND TO RUN WITH THAT.

>> Cathy: ALREADY, SO I WANT TO GO BACK TO POLITICS FOR JUST A MOMENT.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE CONGRESSIONAL RACES.

WHAT ARE YOU GUYS HEARING OUT THERE IN TERMS OF WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE EIGHTH, THE SECOND?

>> WELL, HERE ARE RUMORS THAT STATE REPRESENTATIVE JENNIFER SCHULTZ MAY BE JUMPING IN THE RACE IN THE EIGHTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

SHE IS A VERY STRONG CANDIDATE WHO HAS CREDIBILITY BOTH WITH KIND OF THE LEFT PART OF THE PARTY, BUT HAS GOOD RELATIONSHIPS WITH FOLKS ON THE RANGE.

SEE THE INFRASTRUCTURE WE HAVE IN THE EIGHTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

I'M NOT AS CERTAIN ABOUT THE FIRST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

BUT VERALL I FEEL PRETTY GOOD ABOUT WHERE WE ARE.

ULTIMATELY WE CAN LOSE SOME SEATS AND STILL MAINTAIN THE FIRST.

>> THERE ARE TO CANDIDATES IN THE -- 20 CANDIDATES IN THE FIRST.

IT MEANS IT'S GOING TO BE ONE HECK OF A RACE.

>> ND THE WINNER GETS 800 VOTES.

>> Eric: THE PRIMARY IS IN MAY?

>> MAY 24 EIGHTH.

YEAH, FULL DISCLOSURE, I'M WORKING WITH MATT BEND YA IN THAT RACE.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR SAYING THAT.

>> IT'S GOING TO BE A GET OUT THE VOTE EFFORT.

BECAUSE THE TURNOUT'S LIKELY GOING TO BE LOW.

SO WHICHEVER CANDIDATE CAN MOBILIZE THEIR VOTERS WILL WIN.

>> Eric: YES OR NO.

WILL COVID BE A HUMONGOUS ISSUE IN OVEMBER?

>> NO.

>> MAYBE.

>> Cathy: MAYBE?

>> THAT WASN'T YOUR CHOICE.

BUT GOOD STRADDLING.

THANKS, FELLAS.

♪ ♪ >> CERTAINLY IT'S AN HONOR.

IT'S A REAL PRIVILEGE.

TO BE JOINING THE MINNESOTA GOPHER FAMILY.

AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SPENDING LOTS OF TIME WITH MANY OF YOU.

I WANT TO JUST TELL YOU THAT I FEEL THE LOVE.

♪ ♪ >> Cathy: I REMEMBER HIM.

HEY, IT'S 7:52.

AND THAT MEANS IT'’S TIME FOR OUR WEEKLY MINNESOTA HISTORY QUESTION.

LISTEN CLOSELY.

WE ARE ASKING ABOUT SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED 35 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK.

A BIG MERGER MADE FRONT PAGE NEWS HERE AND ELSEWHERE WHEN A MINNESOTA-BASED ORGANIZATION ANNOUNCED THAT IT WAS GOING TO COMBINE WITH TWO OTHER WELL-KNOWN GROUPS TO FORM WHAT WAS BILLED AS THE WORLD'’S LARGEST ORGANIZATION OF ITS TYPE.

THE MERGER WAS MADE FINAL BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

WE WANT YOU TO THINK OF THE LATE '80S, MINNESOTA MERGERS, AND THEN ANSWER THIS QUESTION.

WHAT BIG MERGER FEATURING A MINNESOTA-BASED ORGANIZATION WAS ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK IN 1987?

IF YOU THINK YOU KNOW THIS ONE, WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU WHETHER YOU ARE CALLING IN FROM BAKER LAKE, BROWNIE LAKE, BUTTER LAKE, OR FLOUR LAKE, ALL REAL BODIES OF WATER IN THE NORTH STAR STATE.

PARK IN THE GREAT STATE OF MINNESOTA.

651-229-1430 IS THE NUMBER TO CALL.

EMAIL WORKS TOO.

ALMANAC@TPT.ORG IS THE WAY TO GO THERE.

AS WE TOLD YOU A FEW MINUTES AGO, THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS NOW HALFWAY DONE.

REMEMBER TO TUNE IN TO "ALMANAC: AT THE CAPITOL" WEDNESDAY NIGHTS FROM NOW UNTIL THE END OF MAY.

YOU CAN FIND IT AT 7:00 P.M. EACH WEDNESDAY ON THE STATEWIDE MINNESOTA CHANNEL.

THE MINNESOTA CHANNEL IS THE SAME PLACE EACH WEEKDAY YOU CAN WATCH LIVE FLOOR ACTION, NEWS CONFERENCES, AND OTHER HAPPENINGS AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

DURING THE WEEKDAY.

THAT'S MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY FROM 8:00 A.M. TO 6:00 P.M. FOR SHOW-ENDING MUSIC, WE DUG DEEP INTO THE TPT ARCHIVES.

IT WAS THIS WEEK BACK IN 1999 THAT TEX-MEX ACCORDION LEGEND SANTIAGO JIMENEZ, JUNIOR, STOPPED BY THE STATION AND PLAYED HERE IN STUDIO "B" ON OUR "NEWSNIGHT MINNESOTA" PROGRAM.

LET'S ALL LISTEN TO THE THREE-TIME GRAMMY NOMINEE AS WE ROLL THE CREDITS.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

TALK TO YOU LATER.

♪ ♪ >> [ SINGING IN SPANISH ] ♪ ♪ >> [ SINGING IN SPANISH ] ♪ ♪ >> [ SINGING IN SPANISH ] ♪ ♪ >> [ SINGING IN SPANISH ] ♪ ♪ >> ♪ OH, HONEY ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> [ SINGING IN SPANISH ] ♪ ♪ Captioning by: Paradigm Reporting & Captioning www.paradigmreporting.com >> "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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ENBRIDGE: CONNECTING MINNESOTANS WITH ENERGY FOR OVER 70 YEARS.

MORE AT ENBRIDGE.COM/LINETHREEUS.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

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