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

>> Kaomi: "ALMANAC" JUST GOT A LITTLE BRIGHTER.

LOOK AT THAT.

THIS IS FROM VIEWER BRUCE IN WAYZATA WHO MADE THIS FOR US.

ISN'T THAT SWEET?

COMING UP ON THE PROGRAM.

OF COURSE WE HAVE THIS.

WE GOT THE SPARKLY TREES.

THEY'RE BACK IN STUDIO.

CANTUS WILL SERENADE US LIVE WITH SOUNDS OF THE SEASON.

KEVIN KLING HAS A CHRISTMAS STORY FOR US.

PROFESSOR SCHULTZ IS HERE TO TALK D.C.

POLITICS.

AND MARY LAHAMMER TRAVELED TO THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE STATE THIS WEEK.

>> Mary: WE'RE ON THE ROAD IN MARSHALL, ME METRO, FOR A REPUBLICAN DEBATE FOR GOVERNOR IN A CROWDED FIELD.

>> AT THIS TIME, NO.

>> NO.

>> NO.

>> I'M BEGUN STAY IN THE RACE -- >> I'LL ABIDE BY IT IF WE CAN ENDORSE SOMEBODY WHO CAN REALISTICALLY WIN.

>> NO.

YES.

>> 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.

DELTA DENTAL OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION: IMPROVING ORAL HEALTH AND HELPING COMMUNITIES THRIVE.

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

>> CATHY: WE HAVE ANOTHER FULL HOLIDAY SEASON SHOW FOR YOU TONIGHT.

THE RETRO ALUMINUM TREES ARE ADORNING THE STUDIO.

THE CHORAL GROUP CANTUS IS HERE LIVE.

KEVIN KLING HAS A CHRISTMAS STORY FOR US.

LARRY FITZGERALD WILL TALK VIKES AND MORE.

AND OF COURSE WE HAVE PLENTY OF POLITICAL NEWS TO COVER THROUGHOUT HOURS.

>> ERIC: NATIONAL POLITICS IS WHERE WE START TONIGHT.

ANOTHER BIG NEWS WEEK IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

THE SEIZURE OF AN OIL TANKER OFF THE COAST OF VENEZUELA.

A FAILED SENATE VOTE ON EXTENDING A.C.A.

INSURANCE SUBSIDIES.

MULTIPLE COURT CASES ACROSS THE COUNTRY RELATING TO IMMIGRATION RAIDS AND MORE.

PROFESSOR DAVID SCHULTZ TEACHES POLITICAL SCIENCE AT HAMLINE UNIVERSITY AND IS ALSO AN ADJUNCT LAW PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ST.

THOMAS.

WHAT I DIDN'T MENTION WAS THE DEMOCRATS ON THE HOUSE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE HAVE RELEASED A BUNCH OF BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOS FROM THE EPSTEIN ESTATE WITH PICTURES OF PEOPLE LIKE BILL GATES, LARRY SUMMERS, FORMER PRINCE ANDREW.

ISSUE?

>> YEAH, IT'S GOING TO BE AN ISSUE BUT WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THIS POINT IS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION DIDN'T NEED LEGISLATION TO RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES.

COULD HAVE ONE IT ANYHOW.

BUT THEY'RE ALSO CONCERNED TRUMP IS GOING TO REDACT AND NOT RELEASE EVERYTHING.

OKAY, WE'RE GOING TO RELEASE SOME STUFF AND KIND OF GOAD FOR FORCE HIM TO DO IT.

NOW, IS IT KIND OF PLAYING NASTY POLITICS?

YEAH, BUT ON THE OTHER HAND, THAT'S SORT OF THE GAME IN WASHINGTON RIGHT NOW IS BOTH SIDES ARE TRYING TO PLAY GOTCHA POLITICS.

>> Cathy: BEFORE WE ASK YOU ABOUT THE A.C.A.

EXTENSION, I WANT TO ASK ABOUT THAT OIL TANKER BEING SEIZED, THE U.S.

SEIZING THAT.

COULD THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION BE ACCUSED OF PIRACY?

>> YES.

ONE OF THE CLASSES I FINISHED TEACHING THIS SEMESTER IS MY INTERNATIONAL LAW, AND UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW, THAT'S A VIOLATION OF INTERNATIONAL LAW AT THIS POINT.

AND IT'S ARGUABLY ALSO A VIOLATION OF DOMESTIC LAW AND EXCEEDS PRESIDENTIAL POWER ESPECIALLY UNDER THE WATER WAR POWERS ACTION.

SO THIS COULD BE IEWED AS EITHER PIRACY OR AN ACT OF AGGRESSION.

I WOULD EXPECT ON ONE LEVEL, VENEZUELA COULD TRY TO GO TO THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE AND SAY THE U.S.

HAS ACTED ILLEGALLY.

>> Eric: A HOUSE COMMITTEE IS GOING TO TAKE ANOTHER STAB AT A HEALTH INSURANCE SUBSIDY BILL NEXT WEEK.

ANY PROSPECTS?

>> I DOUBT IT AT THIS POINT.

THE IRONY, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT -- BEFORE WE WENT ON THE AIR, THE IRONY OF THE WHOLE IDEA OF THE SUBSIDIES UNDER OBAMACARE OMES FROM MITT ALE ROMNEY AND MITT ALE ROMNEY'S PLAN FROM MASSACHUSETTS, AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE CLINTON HEALTHCARE REFORMS.

THESE WERE -- THE SUBSIDIES WERE ORIGINALLY WHAT?

THE IDEA OF USING MARKET DRIVEN PRINCIPLES TO BE ABLE TO IND AFFORDABLE CARE CARE.

BUT, NO, I DON'T THINK SO.

BECAUSE REMEMBER, NO REPUBLICANS VOTED FOR THE A.C.A.

ORIGINALLY.

AND THEY HAVE BEEN ADAMANT IN TERMS OF OPPOSED TO IT THE WHOLE TIME.

SO NOW THEY GOT WHAT THEY WANTED.

THEY'VE GOT THE REPEAL ESSENTIALLY OF OBAMACARE.

NOW THEY GOT TO DEAL WITH THE POLITICAL REPERCUSSIONS OF WHAT MAY FLOW FROM IT.

>> Cathy: THE A.C.A., THESE EXTENSION WAS ONE OF THE REASONS THAT WE HAD THE LONG SCHOENBERG ANYWAY, RIGHT?

SO I -- NO ONE'S GETTING ANYTHING OUT OF THIS, EXCEPT -- ESPECIALLY FOR THE AMERICAN PUBLIC.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY, IF THE GOAL AT THE END OF THE DAY IS TO SAY, HOW DO WE CREATE AFFORDABLE, QUALITY, DECENT HEALTHCARE FOR AMERICANS, SOMEWHERE ALONG THE LINE, THAT HAS COMPLETELY ESCAPED THE DEBATE.

THE DEMOCRATS DIDN'T WIN ON POLICY BUT THEY WON THE RHETORICAL BATTLE.

SO NOW THEY GET TO GO INTO THE 2026 CAMPAIGN, ASSUMING SOMETHING DOESN'T HAPPEN NEXT WEEK AND SAY, GUESS WHAT, THOSE DIRTY ROTTEN SO AND SOS LIKE THAT, IDN'T DO ANYTHING FOR HEALTHCARE.

THE REASON WHY YOUR PREMIUMS ARE GOING UP IS BECAUSE OF REPUBLICANS.

WHEN THEY DECIDED TO DO THE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL.

>> Eric: I.C.E.

IN THE TWIN TWIN CITIES, IS THERE LEGAL ACTION SURROUNDING THIS?

>> IF THE ACCOUNTS ARE ACCURATE, HERE, WE'VE GOT COUPLE THINGS GOING ON HERE.

ONE OF THEM IS, THEY MAY VERY WELL BE ARRESTING PEOPLE AND ENTERING PROPERTY WITHOUT DULY EXERCISED, EXECUTED WARRANTS.

THAT BECOMES A PROBLEM.

ON THE FLIP SIDE, WHAT I ALSO WANT TO POINT OUT HERE IS THAT I'VE HAD SOME PEOPLE CALL ME AND SAY, WELL, WHY DON'T THE LOCAL POLICE ARREST THE .C.E.

AGENTS FOR DOING THIS STUFF?

BECAUSE THEY CAN'T.

THE LOCAL POLICE CANNOT STOP THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FROM BEING ABLE TO EXECUTE THE LAW.

BECAUSE REMEMBER AT LEAST IN THEORY, IT'S ABOUT WHAT?

ABOUT I.C.E.

SAYING WE'RE LOOKING FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT LEGAL IN THE UNITED STATES.

AND DO THEY HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DO THAT?

YES.

BUT DO THEY HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO BE ABLE TO DO RANDOM STOPS AND ARREST PEOPLE OR ENTER PRIVATE PROPERTY WITHOUT WARRANTS?

THE ANSWER IS NO.

>> Cathy: THE TORY ABOUT THE INDIANA REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS REJECTING THE TRUMP BACKED REDISTRICTING PLAN.

WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THAT?

>> THAT IS REALLY QUITE SIGNIFICANT.

SO IF I WERE DOING A CHEER FOR SOMEBODY, MITCH DANIELS IS THRILLED AT THIS POINT.

REMEMBER, HE AN AGAINST TRUMP FOR PRESIDENT, AND MITCH DANIELS WAS PUSHING HARD.

BUT IT'S STARTING TO SHOW SOME CRACKS.

AND I SAY SMALL CRACKS IN THE TRUMP COALITION.

NOW, IF WE LOOK AT THE VOTERS, HIS ASE HAVE NOT MOVED FROM HIM.

WE KNOW THAT.

THE INDEPENDENTS HAVE.

BUT FOR SOME OF THE ELECTED OFFICIALS, LOOKING AT THE 2026 ELECTIONS, THERE IS A SENSE THAT THEY CAN'T DO EVERYTHING THAT TRUMP WANTS BECAUSE, REMEMBER, THEIR FIRST GOAL IS WHAT?

GETTINGRE-ELECTED.

>> Eric: ONLY 11 MONTHS UNTIL THE NEXT ELECTION.

>> YES, THAT'S TRUE.

[ Laughter ] >> Eric: THANKS, PROFESSOR.

>> HAPPY HANNUKUH.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> "ALMANAC" IS A PRODUCTION OF KTCA, CHANNEL 2.

>> GOOD EVENING.

I'M JOE SUMMERS.

AND WELCOME TO "ALMANAC."

IF YOU'RE A MINNESOTAN INTERESTED IN WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE STATE, IN ITS ARTS AND MEDIA, SPORTS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS, THEN WE ARE HERE AT CHANNEL 2 HOPE THAT YOU WILL BECOME A LOT FAMILIAR WITH THIS NAME, ALMANAC."

BECAUSE EVERY WEEK, WE HOPE YOU'LL SPEND THIS HOUR WITH US, SIT BACK, TRY TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THIS WEEK'S EVENTS.

WITH A LITTLE PERSPECTIVE AND MAYBE EVEN A LITTLE BIT OF HUMOR.

♪♪ >> Kaomi: WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT I.C.E.

OPERATIONS AND THEY CONTINUED THIS WEEK IN THE TWIN ITIES.

AND THERE HAS BEEN CRITICISM ABOUT ARRESTS, MADE DURING IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT, INCLUDING A NORTH MINNEAPOLIS WOMAN OBSERVING A RAID AND A YOUNG SOMALI AMERICAN MAN.

THE SOMALI COMMUNITY CONTINUES TO FEEL THE PRESSURE AFTER RENEWED COMMENTS FROM THE PRESIDENT AGAINST SOMALIS.

HAMSE WARFA IS A FORMER BIDEN APPOINTEE AND THE HIGHEST-RANKING SOMALI AMERICAN TO EVER SERVE AS A PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTMENT.

AND WE WELCOME YOU TO "ALMANAC."

>> THANK YOU, CONTRASTY, AND -- THANK YOU, KATHY AND IT'S GOOD TO BE HERE WITH YOU.

>> Cathy: YOU WROTE A POWERFUL OP ED FOR THE "STAR TRIBUNE."

YOU SAY, SOME OF THE LEADERS TRYING TO DIVIDE PEOPLE NOW ARE KIND OF LIKE SOMALI TRIBAL LEADERS THAT PRETTY MUCH TOMTORETHE COUNTRY APART.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT?

>> YEAH, FIRST OF ALL, I WROTE THAT PIECE BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, I'M A FATHER OF FOUR CHILDREN WHO CALL MINNESOTA HOME.

AND SO WHAT'S GOING ON AROUND THE WORLD NOW AND SPECIFICALLY IN OUR STATE, YOUNG PEOPLE ARE PAYING ATTENTION.

AND SO MY CURRENT WORK LEADING THE ORGANIZATION, WORLD SAVVY, I'M VERY CLOSE TO YOUNG PEOPLE.

I'M CLOSE TO SCHOOLS WHICH IS REALLY A KEY UNIT OF CHANGE IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND WHAT I'M HEARING AND SEEING IS EXACTLY WHAT I HAVE LEARNED AND SAW IN MY OWN COUNTRY OF ORIGIN, SOMALIA.

WHEN LEADERS CHOOSE TO USE POLITICAL STATEMENTS THAT DEMONIZES COMMUNITIES, IT HAS PROFOUND IMPACTS, ESPECIALLY WITH YOUNG PEOPLE.

AND SO I COULD NOT HELP MYSELF EXCEPT TO REALLY CALL THIS MOMENT THAT REQUIRES CLARITY AND COURAGE FOR ALL OF US TO THINK WHAT'S GOING ON AND HOW TO -- >> Eric: ARE YOU AT LL HARDENED BY THE SUPPORT THAT YOU'VE RECEIVED FROM THE GREATER COMMUNITY?

>> INDEED.

THERE WERE TWO HINGS THAT REALLY PLEASANTLY SURPRISED ME.

ONE IS THE WAY IN WHICH YOUNG SOMALI YOUTH RESPONDED TO THE MOMENT, USING THIS AGENCY, THEIR VOICE, TO SAY, ACTUALLY, WE'RE MINNESOTANS AND NO ONE CAN TAKE THAT AWAY FROM US.

MAJORITY OF SOMALIS IN THE STATE ARE YOUNG CHILDREN, ARE YOUNG PEOPLE.

AND THE SECOND IS THE RECOGNITION THAT SOMALIS ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS.

THAT THEIR NEIGHBORS REALLY CARE ABOUT THEIR NEIGHBORS.

AND I THINK THE FACT THAT THE TRUE MINNESOTA VALUES SHOWED UP IN THIS CRITICAL TENSE MOMENT SAYS A LOT ABOUT OUR STATE.

>> Cathy: HELP US OUT HERE.

FROM WHERE YOU SIT, WHY AND HOW HAS FRAUD RIPPLED THROUGH THE SOMALI COMMUNITY IN THE MANNER IN WHICH IT HAS?

>> SO IT'S, YOU KNOW, I WAS IN WASHINGTON, D.C., SERVING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WHEN THE CASES STARTED IN 2022.

YOU KNOW, FIRST OF ALL, I'M SPEAKING -- I'M MINNESOTAN OF SOMALI ORIGIN, SO IT'S REALLY -- IT'S IMPORTANT THAT I CLARIFY, BECAUSE NO ONE SINGLE PERSON CAN SPEAK THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

BUT FOR MY OBSERVATION AND INSIGHTS, YOU KNOW, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE COMMUNITY THAT'S CLOSE TO 100,000.

PROBABLY LESS THAN WHAT SOMALIS MAY SAY IN TERMS OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SOMALIS IN MINNESOTA, AND MORE -- I SHOULD SAY LESS THAN WHAT SOMALIS SAY AND MORE THAN WHAT THE STATE DEMOGRAPHIC NUMBERS SAY.

SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT THAT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A REAL ISSUE THAT HAS PROFOUND ROOT CAUSES.

ONE IS, MINNESOTA HAS BEEN KNOWN FOR -- AS A STATE THAT'S VERY GENEROUS.

A LOT OF REASONS WHY A LOT OF IMMIGRANTS COME TO MINNESOTA IS BECAUSE OF THE HISTORICAL GENEROSITY AND THE WELCOMING THAT NEW NEIGHBORS EXPERIENCE IN THE STATE.

UNFORTUNATELY, THERE ARE BAD ACTORS, AND THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SYSTEM THAT WAS MEANT TO BE VERY GENEROUS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE THE GREATEST NEEDS.

SO I THINK AS WE THINK ABOUT -- AS WE TALK ABOUT THE FRAUD IN THE SOMALI COMMUNITY, IT REQUIRES US TO LOOK FROM DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES.

ONE IS, THE YOUNG CHILDREN WHO ARE ACTUALLY VICTIMS OF THE SERVICES THAT WAS NEVER DELIVERED TO THEM.

SO THEY HAVE BEEN VICTIMIZED BY THE GREEDY, FRAUDSTERS, WHO USED THEIR NAME TO COLLECT MONEY FROM THE GOVERNMENT.

ON THE OTHER HAND, THEY ARE EXPERIENCING THE RACISM AND THE DISCRIMINATION, THE EXCLUSION LANGUAGE THAT'S COMING FROM SOME OF OUR LEADERS INCLUDING OUR HIGHEST OFFICE IN THE COUNTRY.

AND SO I THINK THIS REQUIRES SYSTEMIC LOOK WITHOUT USING THE SOMALI COMMUNITY AS A POLITICAL FOOTBALL.

AND SO MY PERSPECTIVE IS THAT AS SOMEONE WHO SERVED THE STATE'S WELFARE SYSTEM, THE PACE AND THE RACE IN WHICH THINGS ARE HAPPENING, THE PACE OF CHANGE, TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE, OUR GOVERNANCE STRUCTURES, ARE NOT KEEPING UP WITH THAT.

>> Eric: IS IT CLEAR WHERE THIS IS GOING, NEXT STEPS?

DO WE KNOW?

>> I -- IT'S MY HOPE THAT WE WILL USE OUR MINNESOTA VALUES AND THAT OUR PARTIES AND OUR LEADERS COME TOGETHER AND SAY, LET'S DEPOLITICIZE THIS.

LET'S NOT GENERALIZE THE COMMUNITIES THAT MIGHT BE -- WHERE WE HAVE A DISPRO PORTIONAL NUMBER OF THEM, YOU KNOW, WHO ARE INVOLVED IN THIS CASE.

AND LET'S COLLECTIVELY SIT DOWN AND LOOK, WHAT DOES OUR STATE NEED TO KEEP UP WITH BOTH THE GOOD CHANGES THAT ARE HAPPENING, BUT ALSO RESPOND TO THE BAD CHANGES THAT ARE HAPPENING.

AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED AS A STATE.

>> Cathy: REALLY, PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU WITH US TONIGHT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

OF >> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Eric: THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> KEVIN: MY DAD USED TO SAY WE SPEND THE FIRST HALF OF OUR LIVES RUNNING AWAY FROM HOME AND THE SECOND HALF TRYING TO GET BACK.

I REMEMBER ONE YEAR I WAS IN THAILAND OVER THE HOLIDAYS DIRECTING A PLAY WITH A GROUP OF KIDS WITH DISABILITIES.

WE DECIDED TO DO "A CHRISTMAS CAROL."

I HAD SORT OF FORGOT THAT I WAS IN A BUDDHIST COMMUNITY.

SO I ASKED IF THEY UNDERSTOOD CHRISTMAS, AND SOMEONE SAID "YES, OF COURSE.

IT'S WHERE YOU LIGHT A TREE ON FIRE IN YOUR LIVING ROOM AND EAT CANDY OUT OF OLD SOCKS."

I SAID GOOD ENOUGH.

BESIDES, THEY SAID THIS STORY IS REALLY ABOUT KARMA.

A MAN TRYING TO FIND HIS WAY HOME.

I LIKE THAT INTERPRETATION.

IT'S ONE OF THE REASONS I TELL MY EX-CATHOLIC FRIENDS, "DON'T THROW THE BATHWATER OUT WITH THE BABY."

THERE'S STILL SOME GOOD STUFF IN THERE.

I ALSO LEARNED IN THAILAND THEY LOVE THEIR GHOSTS.

THERE ARE SMALL SHRINES IN FRONT OF MOST HOUSES FOR ANCESTORS.

ALL KINDS OF LIMINAL CREATURES AND HORRIBLE HAUNTS.

ONE ACTUALLY WEARS HER ENTRAILS ON THE OUTSIDE LIKE A NECKLACE.

COOL, RIGHT?

CHRISTMAS-Y.

SO WE REPLACED DICKENS' GHOSTS WITH THEIR SPECTERS AND CALLED THE SHOW "SONG OF SON KRON."

SON KRON IS THEIR BIGGEST ANNUAL HOLIDAY.

ITS STORY GOES BACK TO BUDDHA AND A TIME OF UNFETTERED GREED AND CRUELTY SAVED BY THE SPIRIT OF COMPASSION.

AND IT WORKED.

THE SHOW WAS A HIT.

ONE NIGHT I WAS SITTING AROUND A FIRE, TALKING THROUGH A TRANSLATOR TO AN OLD MAN.

HE SAID HE HAD ENJOYED THE SHOW AND WAS IMPRESSED WITH THE TALENT OF THE KIDS.

THEN HE TURNED TO ME AND SAID, "IT'S GOOD TO HAVE YOU HOME."

I SAID, "THANK YOU, BUT I'VE NEVER BEEN HERE BEFORE."

HE SAID, "YES, YOU HAVE, LONG AGO, AFTER THE GREAT FLOOD.

YOU TOOK THE BOAT, AND WE KEPT THE DRUM, AND NOW THEY ARE TOGETHER AGAIN.

IT'S GOOD TO HAVE YOU HOME."

AND SUDDENLY, I DID FEEL HOME.

JOHN O'DONOGHUE, THE IRISH MONK, SAID THAT BEAUTY IS A HOMECOMING.

MY WISH THIS HOLIDAY SEASON IS THAT YOU FIND THE BEAUTY OF A WELCOME HOME.

♪♪ >> CATHY: FARMERS HAVE BEEN IN THE NEWS LATELY WITH TRADE AND TARIFFS.

ONE MINNESOTA PUBLICATION FOCUSES ON FARMING ON EVERY PAGE.

"THE LAND" NEWSPAPER HAS BEEN PUBLISHING FOR NEARLY FIVE DECADES.

REPORTER KAOMI LEE WENT TO SOUTHERN MINNESOTA TO FIND OUT MORE.

>> Kaomi: 71-YEAR-OLD FARMER GEORGE LIVES NEAR ST.

JAMES.

ONE OF HIS FAVORITE PAC TIMES IS READING THE LAND.

>> IT HELPS FARMERS KEEP UP WITH WHAT'S GOING ON, ANYTHING THAT'S NEW.

>> Kaomi: THE SAME YEAR THE LAND ALSO GOT ITS START.

IT IS PUBLISHED BY THE FREE PRESS MEDIA IN MANKATO.

ALL 24 PAGES FOCUS ON AGRICULTURAL LIFE, FROM CROP RESEARCH AND HUMAN INTEREST STORIES TO RECIPES.

>> IF YOU READ IT, AND THEN YOU SEE A NEIGHBOR, YOU SAY, DID YOU SEE THAT "THE LAND."

>> "THE LAND" REPRESENTS COMMUNITY.

>> I'VE DEFINITELY HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH READERS WHO REMEMBER OR PEOPLE THAT I'VE INTERVIEWED AND THEY'VE REMEMBERED SEEING "THE LAND" ON THEIR KITCHEN TABLE GROWING UP.

>> SHE SAYS SHE LOOKS FOR STORIES ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON IN FARMING AND POSITIVE HUMAN INTEREST STORIES.

>> IN THIS ISSUE, WE HAVE A FEATURE ABOUT FOUR FARMERS FROM IOWA WHO CREATED AG SHARE, SO THAT THEY COULD KIND OF COMPETE ON A BIGGER SCALE.

THEY SHARED EQUIPMENT.

HEARING THEIR STORY, I HOPE, WILL GIVE MAYBE MORE SMALLER SCALE FARMERS AN OPTION OF MAYBE THERE IS A WAY THAT THEY CAN INVEST IN BIGGER EQUIPMENT FOR THEIR OPERATION IF THEY WORK WITH OTHERS IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

>> Kaomi: COLE SAYS THERE ARE ALSO THOSE CHANCE MEETINGS WITH EVERYDAY PEOPLE.

ONE OF HER MOST MEMORABLE STORIES CAME FROM RIDING IN A COMBINE WITH A 90 YEAR OLD FARMER LAST YEAR.

>> HE HAD BEEN FARMING HIS LAND HIS WHOLE LIFE.

HE SHARED STORIES ABOUT MEETING HIS WIFE, GOING DANCING, RAISING A FAMILY.

AND YOU COULD JUST FEEL HOW IMPORTANT FARMING WAS TO HIM.

>> Kaomi: THE LAND RUNS WITH A STAFF OF FOUR AND MANY CONTRIBUTORS.

OFFICE MANAGER DEB PETERSON IS THE DPLIEW THAT MAKES SURE EVERYTHING STAYS ON SCHEDULE.

>> IT KIND OF RUNS ITSELF AT THIS POINT.

IT'S JUST, WE SED TO GO OUT EVERY WEEK AND WE GO HALF OF OUR PUBLICATION WOULD GO ORTH AND HALF WOULD GO SOUTH.

BUT NOW WE COMBINED THEM A COUPLE YEARS AGO.

SO NOW WE'RE A BIWEEKLY PUBLICATION.

SO THAT'S KIND OF EASED UP THE BURDEN A LITTLE BIT.

>> Kaomi: THE LAND IS COMING UP ON ITS 50TH YEAR, BUT YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE EVER HEARD ABOUT IT, THAT IS UNLESS YOU GREW UP AROUND A FARM.

IT HAS A CIRCULATION OF 15,000.

THE PAPER GOES OUT FOR FREE TO HOME DELIVERY SUBSCRIBERS OF THE MANKATO FREE PRESS.

ANOTHER 8,000 COPIES ARE MAILED OUT TO PEOPLE WHO SUBSCRIBE DIRECTLY.

>> IT'S A PUBLICATION WHERE WE DON'T ACTUALLY CHARGE A SUBSCRIPTION RATE FOR IT.

IF YOU LIKE THIS PUBLICATION, SEND US THE MONEY.

>> Kaomi: THE SUGGESTED DONATION IS $59 A YEAR, BUT THEY'LL SEND IT ANYWHERE IN MINNESOTA REGARDLESS.

IT SURVIVES WITH $100,000 IN ANNUAL VOLUNTARY SUBSCRIPTIONS AND ADVERTISING.

AS MORE NEWSPAPERS EMPHASIZE DIGITAL "THE LAND" IS AN OUTLIER.

ITS READERS PREFER PRINTED COPIES.

READERS ARE OLDER, IT'S BECOME A TRUSTED SOURCE OF INFORMATION IN FARM COUNTRY.

>> WE DON'T SORT OF HIDE AWAY FROM THE NEWS OF HAT'S HAPPENING IN, YOU KNOW, IN THE AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY.

IF THINGS ARE TOUGH OUT THERE, WE'RE GOING TO WRITE ABOUT THAT.

>> Kaomi: LIKE THIS EDITORIAL BY COLE.

SHE RECENTLY WROTE ABOUT TARIFFS AND MARKET PRICES.

>> WE SAW THAT WHEN THERE WAS A TRADE DEAL, SOYBEAN PRICES DID GO UP.

THERE WAS A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY FOR A WHILE FOR FARMERS.

AND I THINK THOSE CONVERSATIONS JUST, YOU KNOW, MADE ME THINK ABOUT THE VALUE, HOW WE PLACE OUR VALUES AND SOMETIMES THOSE VALUES ARE OUT OF OUR CONTROL.

>> HEAR ABOUT FARMERS WHEN THERE'S A CRISIS.

AND AGRICULTURAL MARKETS ARE ALWAYS UP AND DOWN.

THE GREAT THING ABOUT "THE LAND" IS THEY DON'T FOCUS ON THAT.

THEY FOCUS ON POSITIVES.

YES, THEY FOCUS ON THINGS GOING ON IN THE MARKETS, BUT THERE'S SO MANY OTHER THINGS.

>> Kaomi: KEN HAS BEEN A COLUMNIST SINCE 1989.

HE SAYS THE LAND HAS SURVIVED WHERE OTHER MINNESOTA AG PUB APPLY OCCASIONS HAVE FOLDED OR HAVE BECOME MORE NATIONAL IN FOCUS.

>> IN HIS ERA HAT WE'RE IN WITH A LOT OF INFORMATION THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE INTERNET AND NOW A.I.-GENERATED INFORMATION, THINK "THE LAND" STILL REPRESENTS KIND OF A TRUSTED SOURCE OF INFORMATION THAT PEOPLE KNOW WHAT THE SOURCES ARE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SO THIS IS WHERE THE OFFICE WAS BEFORE.

AND THESE ARE A LOT OF OUR NEWSPAPER ARCHIVES.

>> Kaomi: AN ARCHIVE OF THE NEWSPAPER IS KEPT UPSTAIRS.

EDITOR COLE SHOWS US OLDER -EDITIONS FROM THE '70s AND '80s.

>> SO HERE'S '82.

>> Kaomi: ITS COMMUNITY THROUGH YEARS, A FIFTH EDITION OF THE POPULAR COOK BOOK IS OUT, ALONG WITH THE NOSTALGIC CORN CASSEROLE, THERE'S ALWAYS SOMETHING NEW.

THAT IS THE RECIPE FOR "THE LAND'S" SUCCESS.

>> I LOVE THE IDEA OF SHIFTING WITH THE TIMES AND MAKING SURE WE ARE GIVING RELEVANT ARTICLES BUT AS FAR AS CHANGING THE STYLE OR ANYTHING, IT'S IMPORTANT FOR ME TO DO A REALLY GOOD JOB AND TO MAKE SURE IT'S A GREAT ISSUE.

♪♪ >> ERIC: THE MINNESOTA WILD'S INJURED PLAYER LIST KEEPS GROWING, BUT THEY STILL MANAGED TO BEAT THE DALLAS STARS ON THURSDAY NIGHT, HANDING ONE OF THE TOP TEAMS IN THE NHL JUST THEIR SECOND REGULATION LOSS ON THE ROAD.

THE FROST, THE PWHL REIGNING CHAMPS, HAVE STARTED THEIR SEASON WITH TWO WINS AND TWO LOSSES.

MEANWHILE THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS QUARTERBACK SITUATION REMAINS TOP OF MIND FOR ALL FANS.

LARRY FITZGERALD IS HERE.

WHEN HE'S NOT TALKING SPORTS WITH US, FITZY DOES RADIO WORK FOR THE NATIONAL PROGRAMMING NETWORK.

BLOCK BUSTER TRADE.

MARCO ROSS YI AND A COUPLE OF OTHER HIGH END PLAYERS GO TO VANCOUVER ALONG WITH A FIRST ROUND DRAFT PICK.

WILD GET QUINN HUGHES.

SOUTER TYPE OF IMPACT HERE ON THE STANDINGS, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I MEAN, AS GOOD AS THE WILD HAVE BEEN, THEY'VE GOT TREMENDOUS GOAL TENDING, NOW YOU'RE GOING TO PUT A DEFENSE MAN WHO CAN BE COUNTED ON.

AND HELP THAT GROUP.

IT TELLS YOU THE WILD ARE ALL IN.

YOU KNOW, THEY BELIEVE THAT THEY CAN TAKE THIS TEAM WHICH WENT THROUGH NOVEMBER, THEY LOST, WHAT, ONE GAME?

AND, YOU KNOW, THEY'VE PICKED IT UP IN DECEMBER.

SO I LIKE WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

AND WHEN YOU BEAT DALLAS, AND DALLAS HAS BEEN KNOCKING AT THE DOOR FOR THE LAST FIVE, SIX YEARS, THAT'S A REALLY GOOD SIGN.

>> Cathy: ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT ALL THE INJURIES?

>> YOU'RE ALWAYS CONCERNED ABOUT THINGS YOU CAN'T CONTROL.

THAT'S WHAT KICKED THE VIKINGS IN THE TEETH.

THEY SIGNED ALL THOSE GUYS FOR THE OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE LINES AND THEY CAN'T KEEP ANYBODY HEALTHY AND THEIR QUARTERBACK HAS PROVEN THAT HE HASN'T BEEN STABLE IN TERMS OF HIS PHYSICALITY.

SO INJURIES ARE VERY IMPORTANT, THE THINGS YOU CAN'T CONTROL.

>> Cathy: YOU MENTION THE VIKINGS.

I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT J.J.

MCCARTHY WOULD BE STARTING QUARTERBACK NEXT YEAR?

>> OH, YEAH.

>> REALLY?

AREN'T THEY KIND OF QUIETLY SHOPPING AROUND FOR SOMEBODY ELSE?

>> YOU LOOK AT THE EXPECTATIONS THEY HAD FOR HIM.

THEY STILL KNEW HE HADN'T PLAYED.

I THINK THESE LAST FOUR GAMES ARE GOING TO BE VERY IMPORTANT FOR HIM.

BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT GOING TO THROW $50 MILLION AT A GUY THAT CAN'T PROVE THAT HE'S A FRANCHISE TYPE QUARTERBACK.

I MEAN, THAT'S REALITY.

>> Eric: JOE BURROW, VERY UPSET IN CINCINNATI, HE COMES TO THE VIKINGS AND REUNITES WITH JEFFERSON FROM L.S.U.?

>> BURROWS?

>> Eric: YEAH.

NO?

>> WOW.

I DON'T SEE IT.

>> Eric: ALL RIGHT.

>> I MEAN, HE'S ALREADY MAKING A TON OF MONEY.

AND THE VIKINGS CERTAINLY BEING LAST IN THE NFC NORTH, THEY KNOW THEIR FANS AREN'T HAPPY WITH THIS.

I MEAN, BUT DIVISION, WE KNEW IT WAS BEGUN BE TOUGH GOING IN.

THE REALITY IS THEY JUST HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO STAND UP TO A REALLY DIFFICULT SCHEDULE, NOT WIN AT HOME.

AND HAVEN'T BEEN HEALTHY.

AND THAT COMBINATION HAS GOT THEM AT 5-8.

>> Cathy: DO YOU WORRY ABOUT THE WNBA?

THERE'S NO CONTRACT RIGHT NOW.

ARE THEY GOING TO PLAY THIS SEASON?

>> OH, YEAH.

THEY'RE TRYING TO DEAL WITH THE REALITY OF, YOU KNOW, IT COSTS MORE MONEY TO SEE GREAT PLAYERS.

AND SOME OF THESE OWNERS LOOKED AT THE SECOND TEAM, WHICH IS THE WNBA TEAM IN THEIR NBA FRANCHISE, AS, YOU KNOW, THEY JUST CARRYING IT, BASICALLY.

THEY CAN'T CARRY IT ANYMORE.

THESE PLAYERS HAVE SHOWN THAT THEY ARE DESERVING OF BIG CONTRACTS, AND MAJOR MONEY.

AND THAT'S WHY YOU KEEP SEEING THEIR ADDING TWO AND FOUR GAMES TO THE SCHEDULE EVERY YEAR BECAUSE THEY GOT TO AKE THAT MONEY UP.

>> Eric: IS THERE A SITUATION WHERE THE WOLVES CAN GET BACK TO THE NBA FINALS?

>> I DON'T THINK IT CAN HAPPEN THIS YEAR?

HAVE YOU SEEN WHAT'S GOING ON IN OKLAHOMA CITY?

>> Eric: THEY'VE ONLY LOST ONE GAME.

>> YEAH, THEY'VE LAYED 25 GAMES AND THEY'VE LOST ONE.

AND IN MY LIFETIME, I'VE ONLY SEEN THAT HAPPEN THREE TIMES.

THE BULLS AND THE GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS WHO THEY'RE PLAYING TONIGHT.

AND THIS TEAM THAT WON THE CHAMPIONSHIP LAST YEAR.

I MEAN, THE NBA IS TRYING, BUT, BOY, THEY'VE GOT A SUPER TEAM.

AND IT'S OCTOBE OKLAHOMA CITY.

>> Cathy: THE GOPHER FOOTBALL TEAM IS GOING TO THE RATE BOWL?

>> YEAH, PHOENIX.

HOW DO YOU LIKE THAT?

THEY'RE GOING TO BE PLAYING NEW MEXICO.

AND, YOU KNOW, YOU GOT TO GIVE P.J.

FLECK CREDIT.

HE WINS BOWL GAMES.

AND HE FINDS A WAY TO HAVE A TEAM THAT'S READY AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR, AND THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DEVELOP SOME PLAYERS BETWEEN NOW AND WHEN THEY PLAY.

BUT IT'S BEEN A DECENT YEAR FOR THEM.

I MEAN, TO FINISH 7-5, NOBODY TALKS ABOUT THEM BEING IN THE PLAYOFFS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

BUT THEY HAD A PRETTY DECENT YEAR.

THEY BEAT WISCONSIN.

THEY DIDN'T BEAT IOWA.

AND WE KNOW WHAT HAPPENED WHEN THEY PLAYED OHIO STATE.

>> Eric: NEXT TIME YOU COME WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE CRAZINESS OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL, BECAUSE IT'S NUTTY.

>> IT IS.

ALL THESE COACHES BEING FIRED OR MOVING ON TO DIFFERENT THINGS.

I MEAN, IT'S AMAZING.

BUT IT'S CREATED A NEW MARKET, THE N.I.L., THEY'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT THOSE ANYMORE.

THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT WHAT COACHES ARE MAKING.

>> Eric: AT PITT, LARRY JUNIOR WOULD HAVE MADE SOME MONEY.

>> ISN'T THAT AMAZING.

>> Cathy: SO HAPPY HOLIDAYS.

>> HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU BOTH.

♪♪ >> ADIA: IT'S ONE OF OUR FAVORITE TIMES OF YEAR HERE IN STUDIO "B."

THE SPARKLY TREES SIGNAL THE SHORT HOLIDAY SEASON ON THE SET.

AND THIS YEAR THE RETURN OF OUR FAVORITE CHORAL GROUP, CANTUS.

TODAY MARKS THE BEGINNING OF "THREE TALES OF CHRISTMAS," A TEN-DAY SHOW THAT HIGHLIGHTS CLASSIC CHRISTMAS STORIES, NEW AND OLD.

WELCOME BACK.

IT'S ALWAYS GREAT TO HAVE YO >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

WE'RE EXCITED TO BE HERE.

>> GREAT, ES, I'M ALWAYS EXCITED WHEN I EAR YOU'RE GOING TO OBJECT THE SHOW.

I LOVE TO LISTEN TO YOU ALL.

SO THIS HOLIDAY SHOW, WEAVES TOGETHER A FEW DIFFERENT STORIES.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

SO THIS YEAR IT'S THREE TALES OF CHRISTMAS.

AND SO WE'RE GOING TO BE TELLING THE STORY OF THE VELVEVELVETEEN RABBIT, THE NORTH EXPRESS.

WE TOOK THE SCORES FOR ORCHESTRA AND WE MANAGED TO REDUCE THEM NO VOCAL PARTS FOR US.

>> SO YOU ALL ARE SELF-MANAGED.

DID YOU DO THE ARRANGING YOURSELF?

>> WE DID.

DIFFERENT MEMBERS KIND OF VOLUNTEERED TO TAKE SOME OF THE DIFFERENT MOVEMENTS.

AND SO THAT OPENS OUR SECOND HALF OUR -- ONE OF OUR TALES OF OUR SHOW.

>> THAT'S AMAZING.

SO HOW DID YOU DECIDE TO DO THOSE THREE STORIES?

>> I THINK THERE'S SOMETHING REALLY SPECIAL AND POIGNANT ABOUT TELLING STORIES ESPECIALLY AS THE DAYS GROW SHORTER AND DARKER AND I THINK WE FIND COMFORT N THAT, AND THE VELVETEEN RABBIT AND THE POLAR EXPRESS, THERE'S SOMETHING TIMELESS.

AS AN ADULT OR EVEN AS WE GET OLDER, HEARING IT FOR THE HUNDREDTH TIME, THERE'S A MAGIC IN THAT AND JUST REMINDED OF THE POWER F BELIEF AND THE POWER OF LOVE IS JUST GREAT TO BE REMINDED OF.

>> SO WHERE CAN PEOPLE SEE YOU?

>> WE'RE ALL OVER THE PLACE.

WE HAVE TEN SHOWS COMING UP IN THE TWIN CITIES.

SO WE'RE IN MINNEAPOLIS, WE'RE IN ST.

PAUL, WE'RE IN SOME OF THE WESTERN SUBURBS.

IN THE SOUTHERN SUBURBS.

WE'LL EVENTUALLY BE IN STILLWATER ND IN ROCHESTER.

SO WE'RE EVERYWHERE.

AND YOU CAN CATCH US ONLINE.

WE HAVE A LIVE STREAM.

>> I SAW THAT.

>> YEAH, SO CHECK OUT CANTUSSINGS.ORG.

>> IS THAT LIVE?

>> IT IS.

WE RECORDED IT LIVE THIS MORNING AND IT'S ON DEMAND FOR A COUPLE WEEKS.

WE'RE GOING TO SING "CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE" BY VINCE GUARALDI MADE FAMOUS BY CHARLIE BROWN.

AND THEN AT THE END YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR SOME EXCERPTS FROM THE NUTCRACKER.

♪♪ >> ♪ CHRISTMASTIME IS HERE ♪ ♪ HAPPINESS AND CHEER ♪ ♪ FUN FOR ALL THAT CHILDREN CALL ♪ ♪ THEIR FAVORITE TIME OF YEAR ♪ ♪ SNOWFLAKES IN THE AIR ♪ ♪ CAROLS EVERYWHERE ♪ ♪ OLDEN TIMES AND ANCIENT RHYMES ♪ ♪ OF LOVE AND DREAMS TO SHARE ♪ ♪ SLEIGH BELLS IN THE AIR ♪ ♪ BEAUTY EVERYWHERE ♪ ♪ YULETIDE BY THE FIRESIDE ♪ ♪ AND JOYFUL MEMORIES THERE ♪ ♪ OH, CHRISTMASTIME ♪ ♪ IS ERE ♪ ♪ WE'LL BE DRAWING NEAR ♪ ♪ OH, THAT WE COULD ALWAYS SEE ♪ ♪ SUCH MAGIC THROUGH THE YEAR ♪ ♪ OH, THAT WE COULD ALWAYS SEE ♪ ♪ SUCH MAGIC ♪ ♪ THROUGH THE YEAR ♪ ♪ CHRISTMAS, CHRISTMAS, CHRISTMAS ♪ ♪ CHRISTMASTIME ♪ ♪ IS ♪ ♪ HERE ♪ ♪ [ Applause ] -♪♪ >> ERIC: REPUBLICANS IN RURAL MINNESOTA FLOCKED TO SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE ON A COLD SNOWY NIGHT TO SEE MANY CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR DEBATE.

THE ISSUES.

POLITICAL REPORTER MARY LAHAMMER HAD THE ONLY TV CREW THAT HIT THE ROAD TO SEE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ATTEMPTING TO STOP GOVERNOR WALZ FROM GETTING A THIRD TERM.

>> THIS IS A VERY, VERY, VERY EXCITING YEAR.

WE NEED TO TURN THIS STATE RED.

AND THIS IS -- THIS IS THE BEGINNING.

>> Mary: REPUBLICANS IN RURAL RED MARSHALL, MINNESOTA, WERE RARING TO GO.

>> WE HAVE ALL THE MONEY TO BEAT TIM WALZ IN NOVEMBER.

THE BAD NEWS IS, IT'S STILL IN YOUR POCKETS.

>> Mary: BEATING GOVERNOR WALZ WAS THE TARGET IN AN AUCTION THAT ANIMATED THE CROWD.

>> 35, 35 -- >> Mary: THE MAIN EVENT WAS THE NINE CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR SQUARING OFF.

>> I HAVE BEAT GOVERNOR WALZ AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE.

>> I AM RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR BECAUSE WE CAN DO BETTER.

WE CAN GET MINNESOTA BACK ON THE RIGHT TRACK AND MINNESOTA CAN PROSPER FOR EVERYONE.

SO I WILL STOP THE FRAUD.

>> Mary: CURRENT STATE LAWMAKERS ARE WELL KNOWN, BUT THERE ARE FRESH FACES IN THE RACE.

>> I'M A COUNTER-TERRORISM AND FOREIGN POLICY SPECIALIST.

>> THE BEST JOB I HAD IN THE MARINE CORPS WAS AS AN INFANTRY COMPANY COMMANDER.

>> I WAS A U.F.C.

FIGHTER.

>> CITY COUNCIL MEMBER IN ST.

CLOUD.

I WAS THE GUY THAT BROUGHT FORWARD THE REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT MORATORIUM IN 2017.

>> Mary: THIS CROWDED CONTEST IS AN INTERESTING MIX OF MANY NEWCOMERS AND A COUPLE OF CANDIDATES WHO HAVE RUN BEFORE INCLUDING KENDALL QUALS AND SCOTT JENSEN.

>> TIM WALZ AT ONE LEVEL IS AN IMPOSTER.

HE LIES READILY.

>> RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU'RE A REPUBLICAN AND YOU'RE TIRED OF LOSING EVERY ONE OF THESE STATEWIDE ELECTIONS.

>> Mary: COST OF LIVING WAS THE FIRST QUESTION.

NO SURPRISE, REPUBLICANS WANT TAXES CUT.

>> I FOUND OUT IN COLLEGE THAT THE EASIEST WAY FOR ME NOT TO SPEND MONEY WAS NOT TO HAVE ANY MONEY.

>> IF YOU WANT TO BUILD MINNESOTA, WE GOT TO DO WITH THE PLUMBERS AND ELECTRICIANS AND CARPENTERS.

>> HELP THE NEXT GENERATION GET STARTED IN LIFE AND EASE THE BURDEN OF THOSE RETIRED.

>> WE NEED TO REDUCE THE WASTE WITHIN STATE GOVERNMENT.

WE NEED TO REDUCE FRAUD AND THOSE THAT ARE CAUSING FRAUD.

AGAINST THE TAXPAYERS NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

>> GOVERNMENT SPENDING IS OUT OF CONTROL.

WE WENT FROM A $52 BILLION BUDGET IN 2023 TO A $72 BILLION BUDGET TWO YEARS LATER.

40% INCREASE.

MINNESOTANS DID IT -- GET A 40% INCREASE IN THEIR PAYCHECKS.

>> IT'S GOING TO BE VERY HARD TO GET PEOPLE TO MOVE TO MINNESOTA WHEN YOU YOU'VE GOT ONE OF THE HIGHEST TAX RATES IN THE COUNTRY.

>> WE NEED TO OPEN UP THE MINES IN THE NORTH.

WE ALSO NEED O START NOT JUST MINING BUT IL DRILLING HERE.

>> IF WE CUT D.E.I., WE'D SAVE $31 MILLION RIGHT THERE.

>> WE CAN END THE FRAUD.

WE CAN END SOCIAL SECURITY TAX.

WE CAN REDUCE, F NOT ELIMINATE, MANY TAXES.

>> Mary: CANDIDATES WERE ASKED FOR A POLICY OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S THEY DISAGREE WITH.

>> THE WAY THAT THE T TARIFFS WERE UNROLLED WAS PROBLEMATIC FOR ME.

>> WE HAVE TO GET A CANDIDATE ELECTED.

>> I UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGE THAT TARIFFS HAVE MADE, SPECIFICALLY WHEN IT COMES TO AGRICULTURE.

>> I SENT THE PRESIDENT LETTER BACK IN JULY ASKING FOR HELP FROM FEDERAL D.H.S.

TO DO A FULL AUDIT OF MINNESOTA D.H.S.

AND IT TOOK A LOT OF TIME TO GET A RESPONSE BUT THEY ARE FULLY ENGAGED.

SO MAYBE THE TIMING WAS A LITTLE OFF, BUT WE'RE VERY HAPPY TO HAVE OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS HELPING US WITH STOPPING THE FRAUD IN MINNESOTA.

>> I'M NOT A FAN OF THE NATIONAL DEBT.

OR THE ANNUAL DEFICIT.

>> IT IS SHOCKING AND AWE EFFECT REALLY KIND OF HURTS US ALL WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO THE MINORITIES.

>> WHEN THE PRESIDENT CALL A GROUP OF PEOPLE GARBAGE, I HAD A HARD TIME WITH THAT.

>> HE'S TOO SLOW TO ENDORSE CANDIDATES.

HE WAITS TOO LONG.

IT'S TOO SAFE.

>> I HAVE THE U.S.

DEBT CLOCK ON MY PHONE.

OUR DEBT PER CITIZEN RIGHT NOW IS $111,783.

WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS.

>> Mary: NEXT QUESTION IS IF THEY'D ABIDE BY THE ENDORSEMENT.

>> AT THIS TIME, NO.

>> NO.

>> NO.

>> YES.

AND HELL, YES.

>> I'M GOING TO STAY IN THE RACE AS LONG AS I'M THE BEST PERSON TO BEAT TIM WALZ.

>> I'LL ABIDE BY IT IF WE ENDORSE SOMEBODY WHO CAN REALISTICALLY WIN THE GENERAL ELECTION.

>> Mary: THE CONTENDERS WERE ASKED TO PROVE HOW THEY'D ATTRACT NONREPUBLICANS TO WIN STATEWIDE WHICH GAVE ELECTED OFFICIALS AN ADVANTAGE.

>> I AM THE ONLY CANDIDATE INCLUDING GOVERNOR WALZ THAT HAS NAMED MY LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

RYAN WILSON, HE IS IN THE ROOM WITH US TONIGHT.

AND HE CAME THE CLOSEST TO A STATEWIDE RACE IN 2022.

WE ARE PROVEN TICKET.

THAT CAN CROSS OVER, GET THE VOTES NEEDED.

IN GREATER MINNESOTA.

TO GET TURNOUT.

IN THE SUBURBS TO MOVE THOSE NUMBERS UP.

AND TO MAKE INROADS IN OUR METRO AREAS.

>> I HAVE A TRACK RECORD, WHEN YOU COMPARE MY STATS TO NYONE ON THIS DAIS, I OUTPERFORM ALL OF THEM.

AND I HAVE A TRACK RECORD OF GETTING CROSSOVER VOTERS IN SUBURBAN DISTRICTS AND WE NEED TO BRING SUBURBAN VOTERS BACK.

♪♪ >> CATHY: TODAY GOVERNOR WALZ ANNOUNCED A NEW HEAD TO COMBAT FRAUD, A BALLOONING ISSUE FOR THE GOVERNOR AND THE STATE.

HERE TO UNPACK THAT AND MORE IS THIS WEEK'S POLITICAL PANEL.

DFLERS WITH US TONIGHT: KARLA BIGHAM IS A FORMER STATE LAWMAKER, SERVING IN BOTH LEGISLATIVE CHAMBERS.

JEFF HAYDEN IS A FORMER SENATE DEPUTY MAJORITY LEADER, NOW A LEGISLATIVE LOBBYIST.

JOINING THEM ARE REPUBLICANS.

FRITZ KNAAK IS ANOTHER FORMER STATE SENATOR, NOW AN ATTORNEY IN PRIVATE PRACTICE.

NEW THIS WEEK ON OUR PANEL IS EMILY NOVOTNY CHANCE, FORMER WHITE HOUSE INTERN AND LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANT IN THE STATE SENATE.

SHE IS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MINNESOTA YOUNG REPUBLICANS AND THE YOUNGEST NATIONAL REPUBLICAN COMMITTEEWOMAN IN THE COUNTRY.

EMILY, WELCOME.

>> WELCOME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: NICE TO HAVE OU HERE.

YOU SAW THERE WAS A WHOLE LOT OF CANDIDATES.

THERE'S ANOTHER PERSON, MIKE LINDELL, WHO JUST ENTERED THE RACE ESTERDAY.

WHAT'S THE WORD ON HIM?

ARE FOLKS EXCITED?

>> I THINK IT'S AN EXCITING TIME TO BE A REPUBLICAN IN MINNESOTA.

I'M SURE THE MOST QUALIFIED WILL COME TO THE TOP.

>> YOU DIDN'T ANSWER THE QUESTION ABOUT MIKE LINDELL, TAKE A SWING AT THAT AS WELL?

>> I THINK EVERYONE'S WELCOME TO RUN FOR OFFICE.

>> Cathy: FRITZ KNAAK.

>> I'M NOT NEARLY THAT DIP EDIPLOMATIC.

THE ONES THAT CAN SHOW UP -- WALZ SHOULD BE VERY VULNERABLE.

AND WOULD BE FOR A CANDIDATE THAT CAN RAISE 5, $6 MILLION.

SO THE REAL QUESTION IS GOING TO BE FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE LOOKING FOR THE REAL CANDIDATE, IS WHICH ONE OF THAT CROWD CAN DO THAT.

AND THAT THINS UT THE GROUP PRETTY QUICKLY.

I LIKE THEM ALL.

THEY'RE ALL REPUBLICANS.

YOU'LL NEVER HEAR ME SAY A BAD WORD ABOUT ANY OF THEM.

SO I'LL GIVE YOU THAT.

BUT THERE'S MAYBE A COUPLE OF THEM THERE THAT MIGHT BE ABLE TO POSITION THEMSELVES TO BE THAT CANDIDATE.

>> Eric: YOU'RE SUBURBAN AND EXURBAN.

AND I WONDER, IS THERE OPPORTUNITY FOR REPUBLICANS THERE?

THEY NEED TO FIND VOTES BEYOND THE REPUBLICAN HARD CORE.

>> THEY DO, BUT I THINK TO QUOTE A GOOD FRIEND, FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND FRIEND OF THIS PROGRAM, PAT GAROFALO, SAID HE'D RATHER HAVE SCURVY THAN SEE MIKE LINDELL OR THE COWBOYS WIN THE SUPER BOWL.

SO THAT IS HOW SERIOUS OUR FRIEND PAT IS ON THIS.

IT'S GOING TO BE A COMPETITIVE YEAR NEXT YEAR.

IT ALWAYS IS.

EVERYBODY'S GOING TO COME UP, YOU KNOW, READY TO DELIVER THEIR MESSAGE.

AND I THINK IT'S A LITTLE EARLY WITH ALL THE CANDIDATES IN THE REPUBLICAN SIDE TO START TRYING TO HANDICAP A CASE THAT IS QUITE -- THERE'S A LOT OF GAME LEFT TO LAY.

>> Eric: GOVERNOR WALZ HAS APPOINTED A P PAW APPOINTMENT, TIM O'MALLEY TO BE THE ANTIFRAUD CZAR.

WHAT HE'S GOING TO DO?

>> I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA.

I'VE TALKED ABOUT IT A LOT.

WHEN YOU GET YOURSELF IN THESE SITUATIONS, YOU NEED TO HAVE SOMEONE THAT'S CREDIBLE, THAT'S SMART, THAT HAS A HISTORY IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

SO I THINK WHAT, FIRST OF ALL, THEY WILL DO IS BE ACCOUNTABLE AND THE FIRST THING HE SAID THAT I THOUGHT WAS REALLY GOOD WAS HE SAID HE REPORTS TO THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, NOT TO THE GOVERNOR.

WHICH SIGNALED THAT HE WASN'T GOING TO BE POLITICAL ABOUT THIS ISSUE.

HE WAS GOING TO ROOT IT OUT.

THEY HAVE A WHOLE HOST OF FOLKS THAT CAN HELP THEM START TO PREVENT IT.

BUT I APPLAUD THE GOVERNOR FOR GETTING SOMEBODY THAT NECESSARILY WASN'T IN HIS PARTY.

>> Cathy: TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE?

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

$1 BILLION IN FRAUD.

AND NOW THE GOVERNOR DECIDES TO PAY ATTENTION BECAUSE IT'S A NATIONAL ISSUE?

HE COULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING ABOUT THIS YEARS AGO.

IT'S LIKE ASKING THE MAN WHO SET YOUR HOUSE ON FIRE TO PUT IT OUT.

HE IS NOT EQUIPPED TO HANDLE THIS ISSUE.

>> I APPRECIATE THAT.

BUT THERE WAS A LOT OF THINGS THAT PEOPLE WERE DOING AND OFTEN HOW IT GOES THE PEOPLE WHO ARE THE CROOKS OFTEN ARE AHEAD OF LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THIS ISSUE.

SO I THINK IT'S TAKEN A BIT OF TIME.

YOU CAN'T SAY HE'S NOT DOING SOMETHING, THAT'S KIND OF A HAMSTER WHEEL -- >> WELL, ACTUALLY, YOU CAN SAY THAT IN THIS PARTICULAR, BECAUSE IT IS TOO LATE.

AND I DON'T KNOW HOW HE DIGS HIMSELF OUT OF THIS HOLE.

AND SOMETHING THAT ODDLY ENOUGH DIDN'T GET ENOUGH A LOT OF PRESS COVERAGE IN THIS STATE BUT DID IN THE "NEW YORK TIMES" WERE THE 400 STATE EMPLOYEES WHO SAID WE REALLY DON'T FEEL LIKE BEING BLAMED FOR THIS, SO THEY DID A RELEASE AND THEY LAID IT RIGHT ON THE LAP OF WALZ.

THEY SAID HE KNEW ABOUT IT TWO YEARS AGO.

THEY DON'T WANT ANY PART OF BEING BLAMED FOR IT AND HE NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

THESE ARE STATE EMPLOYEES AND IT WAS CONSIDERED IMPORTANT ENOUGH NEWS TO SHOW UP IN THE NEW YORK NEWSPAPERS BUT APPARENTLY NOT HERE.

BUT THAT TELLS ME THAT THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN REALLY BEEN GOING ON FOR QUITE A WHILE AND HE HAS CHOSE EVERYONE EEN OT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

>> I THINK TIM O'MALLEY, WHEN I WAS IN THE HOUSE, I WORKED WITH HIM, AND HE'S A FANTASTIC GUY, VERY CAPE BIBLE, VERY PROFESSIONAL.

I HOPE THAT WHATEVER IS DISCOVERED, FOUND, THROUGH THE RESEARCH THAT HE HAS -- THAT HE'S GOING TO DO, THAT IT LEADS TO PASSING SENATOR GUSTAFSON'S BIPARTISAN BILL ON THE O.I.G., THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL.

>> Eric: PASSED THE SENATE, DIED IN THE HOUSE.

>> YES, THAT WILL HAVE LONGEVITY, THAT WILL TRANSCEND ADMINISTRATIONS AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THE PUBLIC CAN TRUST IN BECAUSE THAT IS ULTIMATELY WHAT IS BROKEN.

AND SO I APPLAUD THE MOVE.

I THINK IT'S GREAT.

IT'S ON TOP OF WHAT HE'S ALREADY DONE, THE GOVERNOR, AND THE BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION THAT HAS BEEN PASSED IN THE LAST SESSION, THEY STILL HAVE MORE WORK TO O.

>> Cathy: SAY, ANOTHER TOPIC HERE.

WE BROUGHT THIS UP A LITTLE BIT LAST FRIDAY.

BUT SENATOR ABELER SPOKE OUT AGAINST SOME OF THE RHETORIC THAT WE'RE HEARING, ESPECIALLY PRESIDENT TRUMP.

WROTE A LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT.

I'M CURIOUS AS TO WHY WE AREN'T HEARING FROM OTHER REPUBLICANS ON THIS?

ABOUT THE RHETORIC?

>> I THINK IT'S INTERESTING TO HAVE SELECTIVE FOCUS ON THAT RHETORIC WHEN GOVERNOR WALZ IS CALLING REPUBLICANS NAZIS AND PRESIDENT BIDEN IS ALSO CALLING US GARBAGE.

>> Cathy: SO -- BUT CAN YOU EXPAND A LITTLE MORE ON THAT?

>> I CAN'T SPEAK TO EVERYTHING THE PRESIDENT SAYS, BUT I THINK IT'S INTERESTING THAT THERE WAS NO OUTRAGE FROM THE LEFT WHEN WE WERE CALLED GARBAGE BY PRESIDENT BIDEN OR GOVERNOR WALZ CALLED US NAZIS.

>> SO I JUST DON'T THINK THAT'S TRUE.

YOU'RE DOING PRETTY GOOD ON YOUR FIRST TIME OF NOT ANSWERING THE QUESTION.

WELL, NO, IT'S THE TRUTH.

WHAT HAPPENED, THERE WAS A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT DIDN'T LIKE THE RHETORIC THAT WAS COMING OUT OF DEMOCRATS, RIGHT?

AND SO I APPLAUD SENATOR ABELER.

HE'S A FRIEND, BEEN AROUND A LONG TIME.

YOU ALSO SEE MORE CANDIDATES KIND OF COMING FORWARD TO SAY THAT THAT RHETORIC WASN'T WHAT IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE.

BUT WHEN IT COMES TO AN ELECTED OFFICIAL, IT'S TIME TO PUT YOUR FOOT DOWN, SENATOR ABELER DID THAT AND NOBODY ELSE IN THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS DID.

>> I APPRECIATE THAT ABELER DID THAT.

I THINK THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT SOMEBODY SAID SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

BUT THE PROBLEM IS GOING TO BE WHETHER A FEW MORE REPUBLICANS SAY THAT.

I THINK WHAT HAPPENED EARLIER IN THE PROGRAM IS WHAT'S GOING TO BE NEEDED.

WHICH IS OU'RE GOING TO NEED SOME REALLY ANGRY PEOPLE IN THE SOMALI COMMUNITY TO STAND UP AND SAY, THAT'S NOT US, YOU KNOW, WE'RE ANGRY ABOUT IT.

WE'RE THE -- I LIKE THE COMMENT, HE PROBABLY DIDN'T LIKE HAVING TO SAY IT, BUT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE THE VICTIMS IN US TOO.

THOSE ARE OUR KIDS THAT WEREN'T GETTING FED AND GET SOME EOPLE TO ACTUALLY SHOW UP AND BE JEN WEBINARLY ANGRY AT BEING LABELS A BUNCH OF CROOKS.

THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL.

WE HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

>> THAT'S JUST NOT TRUE.

>> OH, NO, IT IS.

>> MAYBE WE READ DIFFERENT PAPERS.

MAYBE WE'RE IN DIFFERENT CIRCLES, BUT I HEARD PLENTY OF SOMALI LEADERS, ELECTEDS AND OTHERS AND PEOPLE THAT DELIVERED SERVICES THAT AID THIS ISN'T US.

BUT THE FOLKS THAT I TALK TO, I'VE HEARD THEM SAY THAT LOUDLY.

>> THAT'S AN ECHO CHAMBER EFFECT IN MY OPINION.

A LOT OF THOSE SAME PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE DEMOCRATS THAT AREN'T KNOWN IN THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.

AND THAT'S WHO HAS TO HEAR THIS -- [Overlapping conversations] >> AND PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF THE SOMALI COMMUNITY NEED TO STEP UP AND SAY IT'S NOT OKAY TO SAY THAT.

IT'S NOT TRUE.

AND NO GROUP OF PEOPLE, CITIZENS, HUMAN BEINGS, ARE GARAGE.

PLAIN AND SIMPLE AND IT SHOULD NOT BE NORMALIZED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

>> BUT IF PEOPLE NEED TO BE ANGRY ABOUT ANYTHING IT'S THE FRAUD.

AND -- >> FROM TRUMP?

YEP.

>> THE FRAUD HAVING TO DO WITH WHAT'S HAPPENED HERE.

THE BILLION -- ACTUALLY, IT'S PROBABLY CLOSER TO 5 BILLION NOW.

PEOPLE SHOULD BE MAD ABOUT THAT -- [Overlapping conversations] >> EXCUSE ME, BUT THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF EVIDENCE THAT SAYS THAT THOSE NUMBERS ARE INFLATED.

FRITZ, YOU JUST SAID $5 BILLION.

NO ONE HAS EVER SAID THAT.

>> YEAH, THEY HAVE.

>> THEY JUST DID SOMETHING IN THE "STAR TRIBUNE" TODAY THAT SAID THERE'S ABOUT 225 MILLION.

BUT TODAY THAT $5 BILLION ADDS TO THE RHETORIC THAT GETS PEOPLE UPSET THAT THEN ALLOWS PEOPLE TO THINK THAT IT'S OKAY FOR ARMED VIGILANTES OR WHAT LOOKS LIKE THEM TO TAKE PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS EVEN IF THEY'RE UNITED STATES CITIZENS.

>> AT WHAT POINT IS FRAUD UNACCEPTABLE?

>> IT'S ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE, BUT YOU CAN'T INFLATE IT.

>> IT'S NOT BEING INFLATED.

THE PEOPLE WHO REALLY DESERVE CREDIT ARE THE FOLKS AT CHANNEL 11.

THEY'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR TWO YEARS NOW.

EVERYBODY ELSE HAS BEEN IGNORING.

>> AND ALPHA NEWS.

>> BUT I'M TALKING ABOUT HAT WE CALL THE MAINSTREAM.

THEY'RE LOOKING AT TWO TO THREE.

AND I THINK THAT'S REALISTIC.

>> WHERE'S THE OUTRAGE ABOUT THE FRAUD AND THE MOST CORRUPT ADMINISTRATION THAT WE'VE SEEN IN THE TRUMP PRESIDENCY FROM BITCOIN TO MAKING SURE THAT THERE'S CONFLICT, LITERALLY, MAKING SURE THERE'S CONFLICT OF INTEREST IN, YOU KNOW, TRANSACTIONS WITH HIS CHILDREN.

>> OVERSEAS, RIGHT.

>> AND PASSING BILLS THAT ARE HALF A MILLION DOLLAR PAYOUTS TO SENATORS FOR SETTLEMENTS FOR THE JANUARY 6TH, YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST RIDICULOUS.

>> WELL, KARLA, THIS ORANGE MAN, ORANGE MAN, ORANGE MAN RESPONSE WE ALWAYS GET FROM THE DEMOCRATS IS GASLIGHTING.

>> IT IS FACT.

[Overlapping conversations] >> NO, THAT'S NOT GASLIGHTING.

WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS REAL.

>> Cathy: IT'S INTERESTING TO LISTEN TO YOU ALL AND I'M WONDERING THIS.

WE KNOW THE MEMORIAL, THAT SPEAKER ORTMAN WILL BE UP NEXT SESSION, AND HER PHOTO AND HER DESK AND THE FLOWERS AS A REMINDER FOR OLKS TO COOL IT.

BUT I DON'T KNOW IF HAT'S ABLE TO HAPPEN.

WHAT TO YOU THINK?

>> I THINK SO.

I MEAN, BUT I MEAN, YOU -- I DON'T WANT TO MISTAKE ME GETTING A LITTLE EXCITED AS INFLAMMATORY RHETORIC.

IT'S JUST THE ABILITY TO SAY I HAVE TO TELL THE TRUTH AND IF SOMETIMES I HAVE TO TURN UP THE VOLUME A LITTLE BIT JUST SO THAT YOU CAN HEAR IT, THAT'S OKAY.

BUT I DON'T DISLIKE ANY OF THESE FOLKS AND I WOULD HOPE THAT WE'RE NOT DEMONSTRATING THAT PEOPLE SHOULD BE DOING THE KIND OF THINGS THAT HAPPENED TO REPRESENTATIVE HORTMAN OR SENATOR HOFFMAN.

>> I THINK YOU HAVE TO GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE.

AND EVERY SINGLE THING THAT COMES OUT OF THE MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE AND IS SIGNED BY GOVERNOR WALZ IS BIPARTISAN, RIGHT?

SO THEY NEED EACH OTHER.

AND I THINK THAT IS WHERE PEOPLE NEED TO GET REFOCUSED AND RECENTERED ON.

>> Eric: ONLY 11 MONTHS UNTIL THE ELECTION.

THANKS, GUYS.

EMILY, NICE JOB.

THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: GOOD JOB, EMILY.

THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> THIS IS GOING TO ROLL OUT OVER A FAIRLY LONG PERIOD OF TIME.

THE FIRST DOSES OF VACCINE ARE GOING TO BE QUITE LIMITED AND REALLY TARGETED TOWARD HEALTHCARE WORKERS, AND PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN LONG-TERM CARE SETTINGS, AND WE WILL -- WE EXPECT TO BEGIN VACCINATING, WE HOPE, THE WEEK OF THE 21ST OF DECEMBER.

SO COMING VERY SOON.

>> Cathy: WOW, THAT WAS FIVE YEARS AGO.

IT SEEMS LIKE SUCH A LONG TIME AGO WE WERE STILL DOING THE MAJORITY OF OUR INTERVIEWS REMOTELY.

WOW.

SPEAKING OF TIMES PAST, IT'S HISTORY TIME.

WE HAVE ONE LAST INDEX FILE QUESTION FOR YOU BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS, AND IT'S A FUN ONE FROM THE WORLD OF POLITICS.

WE'RE HEADING INTO AN ELECTION YEAR.

Y'ALL KNOW THAT.

IT'S NOT A PRESIDENTIAL YEAR, BUT OUR QUESTION DOES CONCERN THE TOP TICKET IN THE COUNTRY, WHERE MANY CANDIDATES WITH TIES TO MINNESOTA HAVE FOUND THEMSELVES THROUGHOUT THE DECADES.

OUR TASK FOR YOU IS ACTUALLY QUITE STRAIGHTFORWARD.

NAME THE NATIVE-BORN MINNESOTANS WHO HAVE RUN AND LOST AS CANDIDATES FOR VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU WHETHER YOU ARE CALLING FROM FRANKLIN, MINNESOTA; DELANO, MINNESOTA; OR ROOSEVELT, MINNESOTA, UP NEAR LAKE OF THE WOODS.

651-229-1430 IS THE NUMBER TO CALL WITH ALL OF YOUR GUESSES, RIGHT OR WRONG.

YOU CAN ALWAYS DROP US A NOTE TOO.

OUR ELECTRONIC INBOX ADDRESS IS ALMANAC@TPT.ORG.

WHEN YOU'RE ONLINE, YOU CAN POP OVER TO OUR WEBSITE, TPT.ORG/ALMANAC.

YOU CAN CHECK OUT SHOWS FROM YEARS GONE BY OR REWATCH ANY PORTION OF TONIGHT'S SHOW.

SEE HOW MY HAIR'S CHANGED.

WE HAVE JUST ENOUGH TIME LEFT FOR ANOTHER TUNE FROM CANTUS.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE GROUPS.

A REMINDER THEIR HOLIDAY SHOW "THREE TALES OF CHRISTMAS" RUNS THROUGH DECEMBER 22ND AT LOCATIONS IN THE TWIN CITIES AND BEYOND.

YOU CAN CHECK OUT THE DETAILS ON THEIR WEBSITE, CANTUSSINGS.ORG.

TAKE A LISTEN.

AND WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

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