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

>> Eric: COMING UP ON "ALMANAC" THE FEDERAL FRAUD INVESTIGATION AT UNITEDHEALTHCARE, THE BIRDCHICK IS BACK WITH SUMMER BIRDING TIPS, KAOMI LEE TRAVELS TO ROCHESTER TO LEARN MORE ABOUT A NON-PROFIT THAT CONNECTS MIGRANT FARMERS WITH LAND.

>> AT LEAST TWO MORE SPECIAL ELECTIONS ARE COMING IN WHAT'S BEEN AN UNPRECEDENTED YEAR IN POLITICS, WE'LL PUT INTO CONTEXT.

>> NEVER COUNT ON A SPECIAL.

I WAS ELECTED IN A SPECIAL.

>> I WOULD LOVE TO GET IN THERE AND WE'RE GOING TO BE PLAYING BIG IN BOTH AREAS.

>> 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.

>> Eric: COMING UP IN THE NEXT HOUR, SHARON STITELER AKA BIRDCHICK IS BECOME BACK WITH SOME SUMMER BIRDING ADVICE, WE'LL DIG INTO THE HISTORIC MINNEAPOLIS MAYOR'S RACE.

KAOMI LEE TRAVELED TO ROCHESTER TO LEARN MORE ABOUT A NON-PROFIT THAT CONNECTS MIGRANT FARMERS WITH LAND, AND WE WILL FILL THE COUCH WITH POLITICOS.

>> Cathy: INDEED WE WILL, BUT FIRST WE'RE GOING TO START WITH THE FEDERAL INVESTIGATION INTO MEDICARE FRAUD AT EDEN PRAIRIE BASED UNITEDHEALTH GROUP.

ON THURSDAY THE COMPANY DISCLOSED IT IS COOPERATING WITH A U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE INVESTIGATION.

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL FIRST REPORTED THE DOJ INVESTIGATION IN MAY.

CHRISTOPHER SNOWBECK COVERS HEALTH INSURANCE AND THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY FOR THE MINNESOTA "STAR TRIBUNE."

SO IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> Cathy: WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ALLEGED MEDICARE FRAUD SPECIFICALLY WITH THE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PROGRAMS.

FOR FOLKS NOT FAMILIAR, WHAT IS THAT?

>> SURE, YEAH, MEDICARE ADVANTAGE GOES BACK TO THE '90s.

REALLY GOT GOING IN THE MID-2000s A LOT MORE.

THIS IS A PRIVATIZED VERSION OF MEDICARE.

IF YOU'RE A SENIOR YOU HAVE A CHOICE, YOU CAN STAY WITH THE ORIGINAL GOVERNMENT PROGRAM OR YOU CAN GET THOSE BENEFITS THROUGH A PRIVATE PLAN.

THAT'S MEDICARE ADVANTAGE.

IT'S A LITTLE MORE THAN HALF OF ALL SENIORS NOW WHO ARE IN MEDICARE ADVANTAGE.

SO THESE PLANS HAVE BECOME A LOT MORE POPULAR.

THEY OFFER EXTRA BENEFITS THAT ARE KIND OF ATTRACTIVE TO FOLKS.

THEY SOMETIMES CAN BE MORE AFFORDABLE, IF YOU'RE IN ORIGINAL MEDICARE YOU GET A MEDIGAP SUPPLEMENT USUALLY, THERE'S A PRICE DIFFERENCE.

MEDIGAPS CAN BE A LITTLE PRICEY, SO, YEAH.

>> Eric: AND THE ALLEGATION IS THAT THEY INFLATED THE DIAGNOSIS TO GET MORE, MAKE IT MORE SERIOUS SO THEY GET MORE REIMBURSEMENT, IS THAT A SIMPLE WAY TO SAY IT >> WERE YEP, THAT'S THE ESSENCE OF IT.

THE ISSUE ITH INSURANCE, YOU DON'T WANT INSURERS TO AVOID PEOPLE WHO ARE SICK, YOU WANT THEM TO COVER EVERYBODY.

BUT TO DO THAT, TO MAKE THAT WORK YOU DO RISK ADJUSTMENT, IN OTHER WORDS YOU PROVIDE EXTRA FUNDING TO INSURERS THAT HAVE PEOPLE WITH MORE HEALTH PROBLEMS.

AND SO THERE'S LIKE A FAIRNESS KIND OF THING THERE.

BUT IN ORDER TO DO THAT YOU NEED DATA ON THE PEOPLE YOU'RE COVERING.

AND THE ALLEGATION IS THAT UNITED HAS USED SOME ADMINISTRATIVE TACTICS BASICALLY TO KIND OF PUMP UP THESE RISK SCORES.

>> Cathy: IN THE PAST UNITED HEALTH HAS BEEN QUITE AGGRESSIVE AGAINST THOSE WHO ARE INVESTIGATING THEM, THEY'VE BEEN AGGRESSIVE AGAINST LAWSUITS.

SO WAS THIS KIND OF A BIG DEAL TO SAY, YES, ACTUALLY, WE ARE BEING INVESTIGATED AND WE ARE COOPERATING.

>> YEAH, IT WAS A -- TO ME IT WAS A NOTABLE SHIFT IN THE TONE BECAUSE THE WALL STREET JOURNAL REALLY HAS LED STORY FOR ABOUT A YEAR OW.

AND PARTICULARLY SINCE THE WINTER, YOU KNOW, I'VE KIND OF NOTED THE COMPANY'S RESPONSES HAVE GOTTEN STRONGER AND STRONGER IN SORT OF VERY DISMISSIVE.

AND SO TO ME IT WAS A NOTABLE SHIFT AND KIND OF MORE LIKE, YOU KNOW, I CAN'T REMEMBER OFFHAND THE EXACT WORDING BUT I MEAN IT'S BEEN STRONG DENIALS, AND NOW ACKNOWLEDGMENT.

>> Eric: THIS HAS BEEN A REALLY WEIRD TIME FOR UNITED.

THEY HAD THE EXECUTIVE SHOT AND KILLED IN NEW YORK, STOCK WENT DOWN, I DON'T KNOW, WAS IT 40 POINTS OR SOMETHING, THERE'S A NEW CEO.

KIND OF SHAKING THE FOUNDATIONS OUT THERE, OR?

>> YEAH, IT'S A TOUGH TIME TO BE SURE.

AND, YOU KNOW, THE MEDICARE BUSINESS IS PART OF THE PROBLEM.

I MEAN, THAT'S PART OF WHY THE STOCK FELL SO MUCH IN THE SPRING.

THEY MISSED THEIR FINANCIAL GUIDANCE IN LARGE MEASURE BECAUSE OF THE MEDICARE BUSINESS NOT BEING WHAT THEY THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE.

COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER AS THE CEO WAS OUT THE OLD CEO WAS COMING BACK IN.

SO THERE'S AN EARNINGS CONFERENCE ON TUESDAY, EVERYBODY SHOULD TUNE IN FOR.

BUT I MEAN, THE INVESTORS ARE SUPER INTERESTED BECAUSE THE OLD CEO STEVE HEMSLY HAD TREMENDOUS GROWTH AND SO THERE'S INTEREST TO SEE LIKE WHAT'S HIS PRESCRIPTION ON THIS.

>> Cathy: HOW MUCH OF A SURPRISE IS THIS INVESTIGATION IN THAT, WAS THE SYSTEM SET UP FOR THIS KIND OF A PROBLEM?

>> WELL, HMM.

I WOULD SAY RISK ADJUSTMENT IS ONE OF THE BIG CHALLENGES WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT HOW TO LIKE MAKE THE SYSTEM FAIR BOTH IN TERMS OF EVALUATING LIKE HOW MUCH PROVIDERS SHOULD MAKE AND HOW WE SHOULD ASSESS LIKE THE QUALITY OF PROVIDERS TOO.

LIKE IN ALL CASES, IF YOU WANT TO FAIRLY EVALUATE PROVIDERS AND THEN COMPENSATE THEM ACCORDINGLY, YOU NEED TO ADJUST FOR THE ISK OF PATIENTS, RIGHT.

BECAUSE WE'RE ALL DIFFERENT.

AND SO IT'S ONE OF THE REAL CHALLENGES IN THE INDUSTRY.

>> Cathy: SAY, FINAL QUESTION, AND IT WOULD BE THIS.

AS THIS INVESTIGATION GOES FORWARD, I'M WONDERING, IS UNITEDHEALTH KIND OF TOO BIG TO FAIL?

ARE THEY ABLE TO WEATHER SOMETHING LIKE THIS?

>> FINANCIALLY I WOULD THINK YES.

I MEAN, THE STOCK ANALYSTS, YOU KNOW, THE ESTIMATES ON WHAT KIND OF FINES THEY COULD PAY WITH THIS, I MEAN, I DON'T -- IT'S A HUGE COMPANY.

I THINK THERE'S A MORE FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION GOING FORWARD ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE VERTICALLY INTEGRATED, THEY'RE IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT PARTS OF HEALTH CARE AND THEY ARE GETTING CRITICISM ON THAT.

>> Cathy: ALL RIGHT.

YOU'RE REALLY GOOD AT THIS.

GOOD TO SEE YOU CHRIS.

APPRECIATE IT.

WE'RE GOING TO BE FOLLOWING THIS STORY BVIOUSLY AS IT UNFOLDS.

EARLIER THIS WEEK MINNEAPOLIS LOST A LONGTIME COMMUNITY MEMBER.

JOE MINJARES DIED ON MONDAY AT THE AGE OF 79.

MINJARES WAS A HOLLYWOOD CHARACTER ACTOR, A COMIC, A PLAYWRIGHT, AND A LONGTIME MINNEAPOLIS RESTAURANT AND THEATER OWNER.

BACK IN 2017 THE TWIN CITIES PBS SERIES "CLOSE THE GAP" PROFILED MINJARES.

HERE'S AN EXCERPT THAT HIGHLIGHTS HIS YEARS AS THE OWNER OF PEPITOS RESTAURANT AND THE PARKWAY THEATER RIGHT NEXT DOOR IN SOUTH MINNEAPOLIS.

TAKE A LOOK AND WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

SO IN MY BUSINESS DECISIONS I REALIZE THAT I HAVE TO REALLY CONSIDER THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> IN THE DECADES SINCE HE OPENED PEPITOS A LANDMARK AND LATINO BUSINESS AND NEIGHBORHOOD CORNERSTONE THE RESTAURANT AND ITS SPINOFFS HAVE BECOME A REAL ENGINE IN SOUTH MINNEAPOLIS.

>> HOW YOU DOING?

>> WE EMPLOY PROBABLY 150 PEOPLE NOW.

WHEREAS WHEN WE STARTED IT WAS JUST ME.

>> IT'S THE ORIGINAL RESTAURANT.

THIS IS A PHOTO OF ME, ROSIE PEREZ, AND MARISA TOMEI.

>> IN ADDITION TO BEING A RESTAURANT HE'S EEN SEEN ON SCREENS AND IN PLAYS.

THAT EMERGED OUT OF HIS OWN FAMILY'S DEEP ROOTS HERE.

>> HERE'S AN OLD ARMY PHOTO.

>> WHEN JOE MINJARES GOT OUT OF THE ARMY IN THE LATE '60s HE TOOK ON ANOTHER SERIOUS CHALLENGE, OPENING A RESTAURANT.

>> ARLOS, CARLOS.

>> I THOUGHT, YOU KNOW, I COULD DO THIS.

AND THEN I ASKED MY MOTHER IF SHE'D COME ND HELP ME WHIP UP SOME MEXICAN FOOD AND THE REST IS HISTORY.

IT MEANT LOTS AND LOTS OF HOURS, WHICH WAS NOT A PROBLEM FOR ME BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT WE DO.

THAT'S WHAT LATINO PEOPLE DO, THEY WORK.

♪♪ >> GROWING UP I WOULD HEAR A DEROGATORY TERM WAS "LAZY MEXICAN."

BUT I HAD NEVER MET ONE.

HERE'S THE WHOLE FAMILY ABOUT TWO YEARS AFTER WE BOUGHT THE RESTAURANT.

>> THE PHOTOS THAT LINE THE WALLS OF THE EXPANDED PEP PETEOS TELL THE STORY OF HOW THE BUSINESS HAS BEEN A FAMILY AFFAIR.

>> THE RESTAURANT IS THE CENTERPIECE OF OUR FAMILY, IT REALLY IS.

>> IT'S AN OLD RELIABLE MEMBER OF THE FAMILY.

HOW YOU DOING HERE, GOOD?

>> JOE HAS STRONG CUSTOMER LOYALTY AND SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY BUT HE ADMITS HE'S RUN INTO INTOLERANCE.

>> THAT OTHER GARBAGE HAS ALWAYS PLAYED INTO IT THE RACISM, THE JEALOUSIES.

THOSE THINGS ARE AS IMPORTANT AS YOU MAKE THEM.

COME ON IN.

I'VE ALWAYS BEEN AWARE OF MY SURROUNDINGS.

HOW ARE MY DECISIONS GOING TO AFFECT THE NEIGHBORHOOD?

>> EVER THE ENTREPRENEUR, JOE MINJARES HAS TAKEN ON A NEW BUSINESS CHALLENGE IN THE CHICAGO ND 48TH STREET BUSINESS DISTRICT.

HE BOUGHT THE ADJACENT PARKWAY THEATER, ONE OF THE FEW REMAINING NEIGHBORHOOD CINEMAS IN THE TWIN CITIES.

A SINGLE SCREEN NEIGHBORHOOD MOVIE HOUSE IS A TOUGH BUSINESS PROPOSITION.

BUT JOE SEES IT AS A POIGNANT ADDITION TO HIS EFFORTS IN THE DISTRICT.

>> I CAN SAVE SOMETHING THAT'S REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT, IMPORTANT PART OF HISTORY.

>> JOE LEARNED MORE ABOUT COMPLEX HISTORY OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN HE TALKED TO THE AGING SON OF THE PARKWAY'S ORIGINAL OWNER AND LEARNED OF THE DE FACTO SEGREGATION THAT WAS COMMON IN TWIN CITIES BUSINESSES IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE 20TH CENTURY.

>> I SAID WHAT WOULD YOU DO WHEN A BLACK PERSON CAME IN HERE OR AN INDIAN, LATINO?

>> WELL, WE DIDN'T GET TOO MANY OF THEM, OF COURSE, BUT HE SAYS WHEN THEY CAME IN WE SAID I'M RIGHT OVER HERE, RIGHT HERE.

THE MORE I GOT TO THINK ABOUT IT, EVERY TIME I GO BY HERE THERE'S JUST SOMETHING, IT'S LIKE PASSING A CHURCH OR SOMETHING.

BECAUSE I KNOW DAMN WELL EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE SITTING HERE, THEY WERE GETTING SOME ENJOYMENT FROM UP THERE.

AND NOW ONE OF THEM IS OWNING THE THEATER, SO IT'S KIND OF A COOL STORY I THINK.

♪♪ >> Eric: A RECENT STUDY HEADED UP BY THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH FOUND A DECLINE IN ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE RELATED TO PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH.

THE RESULTS FROM 2010 TO 2022 SAW LOSSES NATION-WIDE FOR THESE SERVICES IN HOSPITALS.

JULIA INTERRANTE FROM THE U OF M'S RURAL HEALTH RESEARCH CENTER, CO-AUTHOR ON THIS NEW REPORT AND IS HERE WITH MORE.

THANKS FOR COMING OVER.

WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES FACING THIS PARTICULAR PART OF MEDICINE?

>> YEAH, SO MATERNITY CARE SERVICES, INCLUDING LABOR AND DELIVERY AT HOSPITALS, THE WAY IT'S FINANCED YOU REALLY NEED A LARGE NUMBER OF BIRTHS TO BE ABLE TO COVER THE HIGH FIXED COSTS OF PROVIDING THE SERVICE LINE, AND THAT'S REALLY CHALLENGING IN A LOT OF RURAL COMMUNITIES WHERE THE NUMBER OF BIRTHS IS QUITE LOW AND IN SOME PLACES DECLINING AS WELL.

>> Cathy: I WAS SURPRISED TO HEAR THAT 40% OF RURAL HOSPITALS IN MINNESOTA DON'T HAVE LABOR AND DELIVERY.

IS THAT BECAUSE THE AGING OF RURAL MINNESOTA AND THERE'S JUST NOT A MARKET IN A SENSE FOR THOSE SERVICES?

>> THAT IS PART OF IT, UT THERE ARE STILL PEOPLE THERE GIVING BIRTH THAT NEED ACCESS TO SERVICES.

AND WHEN YOU'RE IN A RURAL COMMUNITY AND YOU LOSE ACCESS TO YOUR LOCAL PLACE TO GIVE BIRTH SOMETIMES THAT THEN MEANS DRIVING HOURS TO A PLACE TO GIVE BIRTH AND THAT CAN BE ESPECIALLY CHALLENGING FOR LOWER INCOME RURAL RESIDENTS WHO MAY HAVE DIFFICULTIES WITH FINDING ACCESS TO RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION, THEN YOU HAVE ADDED DIFFICULTIES OF HAVING A JOB THAT ALLOWS TIME OFF WORK IF YOU NEED TO GO EARLY IN PREPARATION FOR GIVING BIRTH.

IF YOU HAVE OTHER CHILDREN YOU ALSO HAVE TO FIGURE OUT CHILDCARE ARRANGEMENTS AS WELL SO IT KIND OF COMPOUNDS ON THE PROBLEMS THAT THESE FAMILIES FACE.

>> Eric: YOU LOOKED AT ALL 50 STATES.

FINDER THERE'S SOME STATES DOING IT BETTER OR THERE ARE SOME EST PRACTICES OUT THERE?

>> YEAH, WE DEFINITELY FOUND SOME VARIATION ACROSS STATES.

THERE WERE ONLY THREE STATES THAT WE FOUND THAT DIDN'T HAVE ANY OBSTETRIC SERVICE LOSS DURING THE PERIOD.

SOME STATES SAW A LOT MORE.

THERE WERE 7 STATES THAT WE FOUND THAT HAD AT LEAST A QUARTER OF THEIR HOSPITALS LOSE OBSTETRICS SERVICES DURING THE STUDY PERIOD.

WHEN WE RESTRICTED THAT TO JUST RURAL COMMUNITIES, THERE WERE 12 STATES THAT HAD A QUARTER OR MORE OF THOSE RURAL HOSPITALS LOSE OBSTETRICS SERVICES.

THERE ARE DIFFERENCES IN THE WAY THAT MEDICAID REIMBURSES IN DIFFERENT STATES THAT WE DO KNOW, BUT ON AVERAGE, MEDICAID TYPICALLY PAYS FOR ABOUT HALF THE COST THAT PRIVATE INSURANCE REIMBURSES FOR CHILDBIRTH SERVICES SO THAT CAN BE REALLY CHALLENGING IN STATES AND RURAL COMMUNITIES WHERE A LARGER PROPORTION OF THE BIRTHS ARE AMONG THOSE WHO ARE, BIRTHS ARE COVERED BY MEDICAID.

>> Cathy: I WAS JUST GOING TO ASK, SO THE MAJORITY OF PATIENTS COVERED BY MEDICAID THAT WE'RE SEEING HERE, THAT PART OF THE PROBLEM THEN THE REIMBURSEMENTS?

>> YEAH, THE REIMBURSEMENT IS A REALLY BIG CHALLENGE TO THAT.

IT'S NOT JUST THE FINANCES TOO, THERE'S WORKFORCE CHALLENGES AS WELL.

A LOT OF THAT'S TIED UP INTO THE FINANCES.

THERE'S SOME OR A COMMUNITIES THAT WE'VE TALKED TO WHERE THERE ARE ONE OR TWO MATERNITY CARE CLINICIANS WHO ARE ATTENDING BIRTHS IN THESE COMMUNITIES SO IF ONE RETIRES OR ONE LEAVES, THAT CAN BE REALLY CHALLENGING TO FIND A NEW CLINICIAN TO COME IN AND STAY THERE.

>> Cathy: ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT A PHYSICIAN LIKE AN OBGYN?

>> MOST OF THE TIME N RURAL COMMUNITIES IT'S MORE OFTEN FAMILY PHYSICIANS ATTENDING BIRTHS.

SOME RURAL COMMUNITIES ALSO HAVE MIDWIVES ATTENDING BIRTHS BUT IT'S ALSO NURSING STAFF THAT ARE THERE SUPPORTING CLINICIANS WHO ARE ATTENDING BIRTH THAT ARE REALLY IMPORTANT TO MAINTAINING ACCESS TO QUALITY SERVICE AND SUPPORTING THOSE DOCTORS AS WELL.

>> Cathy: YOU MENTIONED THAT OF COURSE AS HOSPITALS ARE NOT OFFERING LABOR AND DELIVERY SERVICES, MANY OF THEM ARE NOT IN RURAL AREAS AND WOMEN HAVE TO GO TRAVEL LONG DISTANCES TO GET TO THE PLACE TO GIVE BIRTH, I'M WONDERING HOW DANGEROUS IS THAT?

>> YEAH, SO WE HAVE FOUND IN OUR OWN PRIOR RESEARCH THAT WHEN A COMMUNITY LOSES ACCESS TO OBSTETRICS SERVICES, IN THE IMMEDIATE TERM WE SEE HIGHER RATES OF PRETERM BIRTH BUT AGAIN AS YOU JUST MENTIONED THAT CLOSURE IS ALSO ASSOCIATED WITH LONGER DISTANCES TO CARE, AND THERE'S SOME RESEARCH THAT HAS INDICATED LONGER TRAVEL DISTANCE AND CHILDBIRTH IS RELATED TO HIGHER RATES OF MATERNAL DEATH AND POOR INFANT OUTCOMES AS WELL.

WE ALSO SEE HIGHER RATES OF BIRTH OUTSIDE OF HOSPITALS WHEN THIS HAPPENS, SO SOMETIMES THOSE ARE PLANNED HOME BIRTHS BUT SOMETIMES IT'S PEOPLE ON THEIR WAY TO A HOSPITAL TO GIVE BIRTH THAT HAVE THE CHILD ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.

>> Cathy: OH, MY GOSH.

>> THIS IS NOT THE WAY I WOULD WANT TO GIVE BIRTH, I DON'T THINK NYONE ANTS THAT AS AN IDEAL WAY TO BRING A CHILD INTO THE WORLD.

>> Eric: HOSPITALS AT THE TABLE TRYING TO WORK OUT SOMETHING OR WHAT'S THE LEVEL OF COOPERATION?

>> I THINK IT'S CHALLENGING AND COMPLEX LIKE I SAID.

FINANCIAL PIECE AND REIMBURSEMENT, THERE'S ALSO WORKING FORS CHALLENGES, THIS IS A CHALLENGE ACROSS THE U.S. AND ESPECIALLY IN RURAL COMMUNITIES.

THERE IS PROGRAMS TO DO PERINATAL REGIONALIZATION WHERE THERE'S CONNECTIONS AND COMMUNICATION BETWEEN RURAL PROVIDERS IN URBAN CENTERS WHO DEAL WITH MORE COMPLEX PATIENTS TO HANDLE SOME OF THOSE COMPLEX BIRDS.

NOT EVERY PLACE HAS THAT SET UP BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF COMMUNITIES THAT ARE TRYING TO DO THAT.

AND ALSO TRYING TO INCREASE SOME WORK ON PROVIDER TO PROVIDER TELEHEALTH SO AGAIN THOSE RURAL PROVIDERS HAVE THE PERSON THAT THEY CAN CALL WHEN THEY HAVE A COMPLEX SITUATION THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH.

>> Eric: GETTING THE HOOK, GOTTA RUN.

>> Cathy: YOU DID GREAT.

THANKS SO MUCH.

♪♪ >> Cathy: SINCE 2019, A ROCHESTER NON-PROFIT HAS BEEN HELPING TO CONNECT IMMIGRANT FARMERS WITH LAND.

ABOUT 250 FARMERS ARE CURRENTLY HARVESTING LOCAL FOOD THROUGH THE VILLAGE AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVE.

REPORTER KAOMI LEE WENT TO OLMSTEAD COUNTY TO LEARN ABOUT HOW THESE NEW AMERICANS ARE PRESERVING CULTURAL FOODWAYS.

>> VALERIE OF ROCHESTER CONNECTS TO HER ROOTS THROUGH FARMING.

[ SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE ] >> THIS TRILINGUAL NEW AMERICAN WORKS AS A NURSE.

SHE FOLLOWED HER HUSBAND TO MINNESOTA IN 2010.

A BUSY MOM TO 7 KIDS, GROWING HER FOOD ON AN ACRE OF LAND OUTSIDE THE CITY BRINGS HER PEACE.

>> I GREW UP WITH PARENTS FARMING ON A DAILY BASIS.

>> WHAT ARE YOU FARMING HERE?

>> SO VEGETABLES, MAINLY COLLARD GREENS, KALE, SWISS CHARD, GREEN BEANS, CUCUMBER.

>> IT'S A HOBBY THAT SUSTAINS IN ORE WAYS THAN ONE.

SHE GROWS FOOD THAT SHE CAN SELL AT A LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET AND TO THE FOOD BANK.

SOME OF HER HARVEST ARE HERITAGE VEGETABLES.

IT'S PRODUCE THAT SHE AND HER FRIENDS CAN'T EASILY FIND.

>> I COULDN'T FIND IT AT WAL-MART OR HYVEE.

WE EAT PUMPKIN LEAVES, WE EAT NIGHTSHADE.

-YOU'RE GOING TO THE STORE, YOU CAN'T FIND THOSE.

>> SHE SNAPS OFF SOME MILD TASTING, TENDER A.M.ANNTH LEAVES.

>> EVEN THE SEEDS CAN BE EATEN.

IN VALERIE'S KITCHEN THESE GREENS ARE THROWN INTO A STIRFRY ITH SPICES.

>> WE USE A LOT OF GARLIC, ONION, GINGER.

AND HOT PEPPER.

>> GROWING HER OWN FOOD KEEPS HER FAMILY'S COSTS DOWN.

LAND AROUND ROCHESTER IS EXPENSIVE.

NEW AMERICANS LIKE VALERIE ARRIVE WITH FARMING SKILLS BUT OFTEN END UP IN CITY APARTMENTS WITH NO ACCESS TO LAND.

>> THE COOPERATIVE WAS FOUNDED REALLY ON THE PREMISE THAT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF NEW AMERICANS THAT ARE LOOKING FOR LAND ACCESS TO GROW CULTURALLY SPECIFIC FOODS.

AND THEN A LOT OF THOSE PEOPLE AS WELL ARE LOOKING TO DEVELOP THEIR OWN FARMING BUSINESS OR FOOD BUSINESS.

>> IT ALL STARTED IN 2019 AND ONE DISUSED FARM TURNED OVER BY THE LOCAL FOOD BANK.

NOW THE VILLAGE HAS SIX LOCATIONS AND 22 ACRES IN FOOD PRODUCTION.

THERE ARE NOW ABOUT 250 FARMERS.

THE SLAPPED DIVVIED UP INTO SMALL PLOTS THAT RUN FOR AS LITTLE AS $20 A SEASON.

>> ONCE SOMEONE HAS A PLOT, THEY RETAIN THAT PLOT INDEFINITELY UNLESS THEY'RE UNABLE TO CARE FOR IT.

BUT WE LIKE TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO REALLY INVEST IN THEIR PLOT, THEY INVEST IN THE SOIL, THEY INVEST IN THE WEED MANAGEMENT AND SO WE LIKE TO LET THEM RETAIN THAT PLOT.

>> THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AG, MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF AG, MAYO CLINIC, AND SOUTHERN MINNESOTA INITIATIVE FOUNDATION ARE MAJOR DONORS.

SHE SAYS THEIR FARMERS COME FROM DIVERSE COUNTRIES LIKE CAMBODIA, KENYA, AND MEXICO.

IN OLMSTED COUNTY 11% OF RESIDENTS ARE FOREIGN BORN, HIGHER THAN THE STATE AVERAGE.

THAT'S MORE THAN A 30% INCREASE OVER 2013.

THESE FARMERS FROM ALL OVER THE GLOBE ARE NOW FARMING SIDE BY SIDE.

>> I THINK IT'S JUST REALLY A TRUE STORY OF RESILIENCE.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE WHO SPENT TIME IN REFUGEE CAMPS, THEY'VE SEEN THEIR HOMES AND THEIR COMMUNITIES JUST TAKEN OVER OR DESTROYED, AND THEY'RE JUST ABLE TO COME HERE AND BUILD AND CONTINUE WITH WHAT THEY LOVE AND WHAT THEY KNOW.

>> SOME OF THE PRODUCE GOES TO HUNGER RELIEF.

>> THE PRODUCE THAT A LOT OF OUR LOCAL FARMERS PROVIDE, ESPECIALLY THE VILLAGE, IS FANTASTIC.

IT'S BEAUTIFUL PRODUCE, IT'S FRESH, IT GOES FROM HARVEST REALLY TO THE FOOD SHELF.

ALMOST THE SAME DAY.

>> CHANNEL 1 IS SOUTHEASTERN MINNESOTA'S LARGEST FOOD ASSISTANCE PROVIDER.

IT HAS $75,000 LEFT ON A GRANT TO BUY FROM HE VILLAGE FARMERS.

>> WE HAVE PRODUCE THAT A LOT OF TIMES OUR TEAM DOESN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT IT IS, WE'LL HAVE TO WRITE ON IT WHAT IT IS.

BUT ALL OF THE GREENS, LEMONGRASS, THINGS THAT ARE MEANINGFUL TO THE PEOPLE THAT ARE GROWING IT ARE GOING TO BE VERY SIMILAR TO A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE RECEIVING THE PRODUCT.

>> AT THE FARMER'S MARKET, VALERIE'S GREENS ARE FRESH AND AFFORDABLE AT THREE DOLLARS A BUNCH.

DUN SE CONTRIBUTORY NEGLIGENCEO IS ORIGINALLY FROM MEXICO.

>> WE'VE BEEN WITH THE VILLAGE I THINK LIKE 7 YEARS AND I THINK THIS IS OUR FOURTH YEAR SELLING WITH THE VILLAGE TOO.

>> MOST OF WHAT SHE SELLS ARE VEGETABLES SHE GREW UP EATING.

EATING.

IN THE SUMMER, WE SELL A LOT OF WHAT WE CALL PAPILLO, VERY STRONG FLAVOR.

WE CALL IT LIKE CILANTRO'S COUSIN.

>> SHE SAYS THE VILLAGE HAS HELPED HER GROW.

>> BEFORE WE GREW AT A FARM WITH THEM WE GREW A SMALL GARDEN OUTSIDE OF THE APARTMENT.

BUT WHEN I MET THEM THAT MAKES MY LIFE MORE BETTER BECAUSE WE CAN SELL LIKE A LITTLE BUSINESS.

>> BEING CLOSE TO THE LAND KEEPS HER CLOSE TO HER MEMORIES.

>> I GO THERE WITH NO SHOES AND I GO AND WALK AND IT MAKES ME FEEL LIKE I'M IN MY COUNTRY.

♪♪ >> Eric: IT'S LATE JULY.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE LOCAL CARDINALS, FINCHES, AND HUMMINGBIRDS ARE UP TO?

ME EITHER.

BUT LUCKY FOR ALL OF US, WE HAVE AN EXPERT RIGHT HERE THAT CAN HELP US OUT.

SHARON STITELER IS BACK.

>> HEY!

>> Eric: KNOWN AS THE BIRDCHICK WORLDWIDE.

WELCOME BACK.

>> I AM SO HAPPY TO BE HERE.

>> Eric: NOW, LET'S GET RIGHT TO THE PHOTOS.

>> OKAY, YEAH, YEAH.

>> Eric: WE GOT TO START WITH THE CARDINALS WITH A BABY.

>> YES, SO THIS TIME OF YEAR THERE ARE A LOT OF CARDINALS COMING OUT AND THE YOUNG LOOK AN AWFUL LOT LIKE THE FEMALES AND ONE OF THE WAYS THAT YOU CAN TELL THEM APART IS THAT THE YOUNG BIRDS WILL HAVE A BLACK BEAK TYPICALLY.

AND THEN BEFORE THE FALL THEY'LL GO THROUGH MOLT SO YOU'LL GET SOME GOING THROUGH THAT GAWKY TEENAGE PHASE ESPECIALLY THE MALES BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO GET ALL RED AND SPOTTY.

THEN WE HAVE THE ZOMBIE CARDINAL ISSUE.

THIS IS A COMMON QUESTION I GET THIS TIME OF YEAR WHERE CARDINALS MOTEL IN A REALLY WEIRD WAY AND THEY LOSE ALL THE FEATHERS ON THEIR HEAD AND HAVE BLACK SKIN.

SO IT'S KIND OF LIKE A REVERSE TURKEY VULTURE.

I GET A LOT OF CALLS THAT WHAT IS HIS, IS THIS A MURDER PEEP IN MY BACKYARD?

>> Eric: THEY NEED HAIR CLUB FOR BIRDS.

>> IT WILL GROW BACK, IT'S JUST THEY DON'T LOOK AS PRETTY SO IT'S NOT YOUR DEAD BALD RELATIVE IN YOUR YARD JUST A REGULAR CARDINAL HAVING A ROUGH MOLT.

>> Eric: GOOD TO KNOW.

>> Cathy: I'M SURPRISED THERE ARE BABIES OUT THERE, SHOULD I BE?

>> NO, THERE ARE A LOT OF BIRDS LEAVING THE NEST RIGHT NOW AND GOLD FINCHES ARE JUST GETTING STARTED WITH THEIR NESTING IN JULY.

>> Cathy: WHAT?

THAT'S SO LATE.

>> THEY ARE LATE BUT THEY NEED ALL THE SEEDS THAT ARE COMING OUT LATE IN SUMMER.

THEY'RE PRIMARILY VEGETARIAN SO THEY DON'T NEED THE INSECTS QUITE LIKE OTHER BIRDS LIKE CARDINALS AND ROBINS DO SO THEY NEED SEEDS TO BE ABUNDANT FOR THEIR YOUNG AND TEND TO NEST VERY LOW, TEND TO NEST IN YOUNGER TREES.

BUT GOLD FINCHES ARE JUST BUILDING THEIR NESTS RIGHT NOW.

>> Cathy: YOU MENTIONED SEEDS, HANG ON, SEEDS.

I WONDER WITH ALL OF THE RAIN WE'VE HAD, DELUGE OF RAIN, IF THOSE WHO FEED THE BIRDS SHOULD CHANGE THEIR SEEDS?

>> YES, THAT IS, I AS ACTUALLY GOING TO BRING THAT UP, I WAS THINKING ABOUT THAT YESTERDAY WHEN I WAS WALKING PARTY.

>> YOUR DOG, PARTY PANTS.

>> YEAH.

ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE FEEDING SEEDS OUT OF THE SHELL IT CLUMPS AND GETS FUNGUS-Y REALLY FAST.

WE'VE HAD RAIN, RUN YOUR FINGER THROUGH THE FOOD PORTS, OR IF IT'S A TUBE SHAKE IT UP AND GET THAT SEED LOOSENED UP.

IF IT LOO LOOKS FUZZY, IF IT LOOKS MOIST IN THERE PUT IN FRESH SEED.

>> Eric: HOW ABOUT AIR QUALITY?

DOES IT AFFECT THE BIRDS AND MIGRATION ANY WAY?

>> Cathy: WE'RE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SMOKE AND THE BIRDS.

>> I'M SURE IT DOES BUT THAT IS SCIENCE WE HAVE NOT CAUGHT UP TO YET.

WE WERE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION ABOUT THE WILDLIFE REHABILITATION CENTER DURING THAT BAD AIR QUALITY DAY THEY WERE FINDING A LOT OF HUMMINGBIRDS NOT DOING WELL AND NEEDED TO RECOVER.

AND HUMMINGBIRDS, I WANTED TO POINT OUT THEIR NESTING IS COMING TO A CLOSE.

THEY MAKE THESE MAZING TINY LITTLE NESTS WITH SPIDER WEBS AND PEGGING IT WITH LIGHTLY LICHENS.

BUT THEIR YOUNG ARE GOING TO BE LEAVING THE NEST AND AUGUST IS ONE OF THE EST TIMES TO GET HUMMINGBIRDS AT YOUR FEEDERS.

IF YOU'VE BEEN BUMMED YOU HAVEN'T SEEN A LOT OF HUMMINGBIRDS THIS SUMMER MAKE SURE YOUR NECTAR IS FRESH, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S HOT CHANGE IT EVERY OTHER DAY.

RATIO IS FOUR WATER TO ONE PART SUGAR.

YOU CAN MAKE A PITCHER AND EVERY OTHER DAY RINSE OUT THE FEEDER AND PUT IN FRESH MIX.

>> Cathy: HOW BIG WOULD THOSE LITTLE BIRDS BE?

>> WHEN HUMMINGBIRDS LEAVE THE NEST THEY'RE THE SAME SIZE AS ADULTS.

THEY'RE ESSENTIALLY THE WEIGHT THEY'RE GOING TO BE AS AN ADULT.

ONE OF THE REASONS WHY THEY USE SPIDER WEBS IS BECAUSE THE NEST STRETCHES AS THE CHICKS GROW.

THE NEST STARTS SMALL AND THEN THE SPIDERWEBS MAKE IT NICE AND STRETCHY.

>> Cathy: I ALMOST HATE TO ASK THIS QUESTION.

WHO'S LEAVING RIGHT NEXT?

IS ANYBODY LEAVING?

>> SHORE BIRDS ARE MIGRATING THROUGH.

YEAH, ACTUALLY MIGRATION'S GOING TO KICK IN IN EARNEST DURING THE STATE FAIR.

I'LL BE AT THE ASK US ABOUT BIRDS BOOTH AND WE'RE ALWAYS THERE WITH OUR BINOCULARS AND GET A TON OF WARBLERS, WE'VE SEEN NIGHT HAWKS PASSING THROUGH DURING THE STATE FAIR.

RIGHT NOW IT'S SHORE BIRDS PRIMARILY BUT AROUND THE TIME OF THE STATE FAIR IT'S GOING TO GET SERIOUS.

DON'T WORRY IT, LASTS WELL INTO DECEMBER.

>> Cathy: ASK US ABOUT BIRDS BOOTH.

>> IN THE D.N.R.

BUILDING, RIGHT BY THE MINNESOTA ORNITHOLOGISTS UNION.

>> WE'RE GOING TO SEND TONS OF PEOPLE OVER THERE >> WE LOVE TO ANSWER BIRD QUESTIONS.

>> Cathy: SAY HI TO ARTY FOR US.

>> I WILL!

>> Eric: THANKS.

♪♪ >> TWO WEEKS AGO THEY TOLD ME NO MATTER WHAT CAME OF THIS, THEY SAID WE WILL GIVE YOU THE DAY AFTER YOU FILE TO GO ON THE AIR TO SAY MORE OR LESS GOODBYE TEMPORARILY TO ALL OF THE FANS THAT LISTEN, AND THEN THEY PULLED THAT FROM ME LAST NIGHT.

I ASKED, WELL, AREN'T I GOING TO BE ALLOWED TO GO ON TOMORROW LIKE YOU SAID AND THEY SAID NO.

THAT'S THE PART THAT BOTHERS ME MORE THAN ME ACTUALLY GETTING PULLED FROM THE AIRWAVES.

>> ARE YOU BOTHERED ENOUGH TO NOT GO BACK IN NOVEMBER?

>> NO, WE HAVE A GREAT RELATIONSHIP AND I ENJOY DOING RADIO AND I DON'T THINK THAT THERE WILL BE ANY PROBLEM WITH THAT.

BUT THE PROBLEM THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN THAT MAY STOP ME FROM GOING BACK IS I'M GOING TO BE THE NEXT GOVERNOR.

♪♪ >> Aron: HAPPY JULY, EVERYONE.

LIKE ALL OF YOU, I’VE BEEN ENJOYING THE SUMMER WITH MY LOVED ONES.

JUST PALLING AROUND WITH PEOPLE WHO, LIKE ME, NEED AIR CONDITIONING AND SUNSCREEN.

THIS SUMMER, I’VE BEEN VERY CONSCIOUS OF MY COMMUNITY.

MAINLY BECAUSE THEY’VE BEEN ARTIFICIALLY DEFINED FOR ME MY ENTIRE LIFE.

LIKE EVERY TIME I GO TO A COMMUNITY POOL, I’M FORCED TO EXAMINE MY COMMUNITY AND I’M ANNOYED BY IT.

-DO THE SHIRTLESS MASSES I SEE AT THE POOL REALLY REPRESENT MY COMMUNITY?

ARE THE OLD MEN DOING LAPS THE ELDERS I SHOULD BE LOOKING TO FOR WISDOM?

ARE THE CHILDREN, WHO ARE INAPPROPRIATELY RUNNING, THE FUTURE LEADERS I SHOULD BE GUIDING?

AND IS THE LIFEGUARD WATCHING IT ALL, THE AUTHORITY FIGURE I SHOULD BE RESPECTING?

IT SEEMS SO ARBITRARY!

ON TOP OF ALL OF THAT, THE COMMUNITY POOL SEEMS TO BE FILLED WITH THE GREATEST NUMBER OF STRANGERS I’VE EVER SEEN.

I’VE NEVER RUN INTO A SINGLE FRIEND, COLLEAGUE, LOVED ONE, YOU NAME IT AT THE COMMUNITY POOL.

I’VE RUN INTO MORE ACQUAINTANCES AT THE AIRPORT THAN AT THE COMMUNITY POOL!

THESE PEOPLE AREN’T MY COMMUNITY MEMBERS!

THEY’RE NOTHING LIKE MY COMMUNITY MEMBERS!

MEMBERS OF MY COMMUNITY KNOW NOT TO HOG THE LOUNGE CHAIRS.

MEMBERS OF MY COMMUNITY RESPECT THE NO-DIVING SIGNS POSTED ON THE WALLS.

AND FURTHERMORE, MEMBERS -OF MY COMMUNITY WOULD NEVER CHEAT AT MARCO-POLO!

BUT IT DOES MAKE ME WONDER.

WHAT WOULD IT TAKE TO MAKE THE WEIRDOES AT THE POOL A PART OF MY COMMUNITY?

CERTAINLY MORE THAN THE SOLIDARITY FORGED FROM TRYING TO BEAT THE HEAT.

MAYBE CONVERSATIONS.

MAYBE MEALS.

MAYBE EVENTS DEDICATED TO HIGHLIGHTING OUR HUMANITY.

MAYBE EVEN THIS.

REGARDLESS OF WHAT WE COME UP WITH, I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE, NOW MORE THAN EVER WE NEED COMMUNITY.

I JUST THINK WE NEED TO BE MORE INTENTIONAL ABOUT BUILDING IT.

BECAUSE RIGHT NOW, OPENING UP A POOL JUST ISN’T ENOUGH.

♪♪ >> Cathy: MINNEAPOLIS DEMOCRATS GATHERED LAST WEEKEND TO ENDORSE A CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR.

AND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NEARLY TWO DECADES, THE CITY CONVENTION RESULTED IN AN ENDORSEMENT.

STATE SENATOR OMAR FATEH BEAT TWO-TERM INCUMBENT MAYOR JACOB FREY TO GET THAT NDORSEMENTS.

FREY'S CAMPAIGN IS CONTESTING THE RESULTS.

DEENA WINTER COVERS THE CITY OF -MINNEAPOLIS FOR THE MINNESOTA "STAR TRIBUNE."

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

EXPLAIN FOR FOLKS, WHY IS THE FREY CAMPAIGN APPEALING?

>> BASICALLY THEY'RE ARGUING THAT THE NUMBER OF VOTES CAST WEREN'T NEARLY ENOUGH WHEN THEY DID COUNT THEM DURING THE EVENING OR DURING THE DAY THAT THERE WEREN'T AS MANY AS YOU WOULD EXPECT TO BE, WHY WOULD PEOPLE GO TO THE CONVENTION AND BE THERE ALL DAY IN SOME CASES FOR MANY HOURS AND NOT VOTE TO ENDORSE ANYONE, THEY DID A FEW VOTES DURING THE DAY, BUT THAT'S THE CRUX OF WHAT THEIR ARGUMENT IS CENTERING AROUND, LIKE WHY WOULD ALL THESE PEOPLE SHOW UP AND DIDN'T VOTE.

>> Eric: IT'S A REAL GRUDGE MATCH, THE D.F.L.

KIND OF THE TRADITIONAL HUMPHREY TYPE DEMOCRATS AND THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS WHICH SENATOR FATEH IS PART OF.

AND THAT WAS REALLY SHOWN PRETTY DEEPLY AT THE CONVENTION, THAT'S KIND OF SURFACED NOW I GUESS.

>> EAH, I MEAN, FATEH IS GETTING A LOT OF ATTENTION NATIONALLY NOW BECAUSE OF THE COMPARISONS THAT ARE BEING DRAWN WITH ZOHRAN MAMDANI IN NEW YORK CITY AND PEOPLE ARE SAYING HE'S THE MAMDANI OF MINNEAPOLIS AND SO ON BECAUSE MAMDANI IS ALSO A EMOCRATIC SOCIALIST AND THERE ARE SOME SIMILARITIES, THEY'RE BOTH YOUNG, THEY'RE BOTH IN THEIR 30s, THEY'RE BOTH DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS, AND MUSLIM, BUT THERE ARE ALSO SOME BIG DIFFERENCES.

SO WE'RE GOING TO BE WRITING A LOT MORE ABOUT DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS IN THE COMING DAYS.

>> Cathy: I'M GLAD YOU SAY THAT BECAUSE I THINK THERE'S PROBABLY SOME VIEWERS SAYING CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS BELIEVE IN?

>> YEAH, I MEAN THINK BERNIE SANDERS, YOU KNOW, WHAT OES HE STAND FOR, YOU KNOW, POWER TO THE PEOPLE.

TAKING POWER FROM CORPORATIONS AND GIVING IT TO THE PEOPLE AND FAKING FOR WORKER RIGHTS AND -- FIGHTING FOR WORKER RIGHTS AND FIGHTING INCOME INEQUALITY, AOC, ANOTHER EXAMPLE.

I GUESS IF MAMDANI WINS IN NEW YORK CITY HE'D PROBABLY BE THE MOST PROMINENT DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST AS FAR AS MUNICIPAL ELECTION.

>> Eric: WHAT COMES WITH THE D.F.L.

ENDORSEMENT AT THE CITY LEVEL?

>> WELL, NORMALLY MONEY, BUT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN MINNEAPOLIS IS PRETTY BROKE RIGHT NOW.

I THINK WE SAW THAT WITH THE PRICES OF SOME OF THE SANDWICHES AT THE CONVENTION THAT WE WROTE ABOUT BEFORE THE CONVENTION.

IN CFSS AND LIKE TABLE TABLES AND SWEETS THEY BLAMED REALLY BIG AMOUNTS ALTHOUGH BLAMED TARGET CENTER FOR THAT.

DON'T THINK THEY HAVE A LOT OF MONEY BUT VOTER INFORMATION AND SO ON GOES TO THE ENDORSED PERSON AND OF COURSE HE'S GETTING A LOT OF ATTENTION NOW TOO.

>> Eric: WHY IS FREY SO UNPOPULAR?

>> OH.

>> Eric: WITH THAT GROUP, WHO KNOWS CITYWIDE, BUT.

>> I THINK IN MINNEAPOLIS IT'S A PRETTY LIBERAL CITY AND, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A PRETTY TRONG CONTINGENT OF DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS AND VERY PROGRESSIVE PEOPLE, LOOK AT THE CITY COUNCIL, THEY'RE, YOU KNOW, FURTHER TO THE LEFT THAN FREY AND THEY'RE CONSTANTLY SEEM TO BE BICKERING OVER THINGS.

AND I JUST THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LOUD CONTINGENT OUT THERE THAT WANTS TO ELECT SOMEONE MORE PROGRESSIVE THAN FREY.

BUT I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'LL SUCCEED.

>> Cathy: MOST ONVENTIONS, POLITICAL CONVENTIONS, WE'VE ALL COVERED A BUNCH OF THEM, USUALLY THE DELEGATES LEAVE UNIFIED BUT THIS IS CLEARLY ANYTHING BUT IN MINNEAPOLIS, RIGHT?

HOW IS THAT FALL ELECTION SHAPING UP?

BECAUSE MINNEAPOLIS HAS GOT RANKED CHOICE VOTING SO FREY WILL RUN AGAINST FATEH, RIGHT?

>> YEAH, AND THERE ARE A COUPLE OTHER CANDIDATES IN THE ACE TOO, DWAYNE DAVIS, JAZZ HAMPTON, BRENDA SHORT, IT WILL BE RANKED CHOICE OF COURSE.

I THINK THAT THERE'S NO LOVE LOST BETWEEN THEM, YOU KNOW, IT SEEMS LIKE HAMPTON AND DAVIS AND FATEH ARE SORT OF ALL UNIFYING AND SAYING VOTE FOR ANY OF US BUT FREY.

SO, YOU KNOW, I EXPECT IT'S GOING TO BE A KNOCK DOWN, DRAG OUT FIGHT 'TIL NOVEMBER.

>> Eric: ANY RUMBLINGS ABOUT FUTURE CHANGES IN HE ENDORSEMENT PROCESS FOR MINNEAPOLIS D.F.L.?

IT WAS KIND OF A CLUSTER.

>> YOU KNOW, ONLY FROM A LAWMAKER I JUST TALKED TO A LITTLE BIT AGO WHO WILL BE ON THE SHOW LATER.

BUT THAT'S, I HAVEN'T HEARD ANY BIG PUSH FOR THAT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, MOST OF THE TALK THAT I'VE HEARD SINCE THE CONVENTION IS THAT THIS IS KIND OF HOW IT ALWAYS IS AND YOU SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR THE SORTS OF THINGS THAT HAPPENED AND I HAVE NOT HEARD ANY BIG OUTCRY.

>> Eric: WE'LL BE READING.

THANKS A LOT.

WE'LL CHECK IN WITH DEENA AGAIN ALONG THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

STATE IS ON PACE NOW TO BREAK THE RECORD FOR SPECIAL ELECTIONS IN ONE YEAR IN AN INCREDIBLY VOLATILE POLITICAL YEAR.

POLITICAL REPORTER ARY LAHAMMER HAS BEEN DIGGING INTO THE HISTORY BOOKS, TALKED WITH CURRENT AND FORMER REPUBLICAN SENATE LEADERS AFTER THE LOSS OF ANOTHER SENATE.

>> I DO.

>> CONGRATULATIONS.

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> SO MANY SPECIAL ELECTIONS BROUGHT NEW MEMBERS INTO THE LEGISLATURE ALL SESSION LONG.

>> WOULD YOU PLEASE WELCOME REPRESENTATIVE GOT FREED.

>> WITH THE CONVICTION OF SENATOR NICOLE MITCHELL AND HER RESIGNATION ALONG WITH THE DEATH OF SENATOR BRUCE ANDERSON, THAT ADDS TWO MORE SPECIAL ELECTIONS JUST IN THE SENATE.

>> I FIRST MET BRUCE WHEN I WAS A VOLUNTEER SECRETARY FOR OUR LOCAL BPOU AND WENT TO BREAKFAST AT PERKINS WITH REPRESENTATIVE ANDERSON, HE WAS IN THE HOUSE AT THE TIME, AND I WAS JUST SO STARSTRUCK.

HE AND DOTTIE HIS FIRST WIFE WERE SO INSTRUMENTAL IN GETTING ME ELECTED, THEY TAUGHT ME THE ROPES, HELPED ME DOORKNOCK, HELPED ME PHONE CALL.

I REALLY OWE THEM.

AND I THINK WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW IS WRIGHT COUNTY IS SUCH A DARK RED DISTRICT NOW, EVERYBODY ASSUMES THAT'S HOW WRIGHT COUNTY IS, IT WAS NOT.

BRUCE ANDERSON, WHEN I WAS GROWING UP IT WAS ABLUE, IT WAS A BLUE HOUSE MEMBER, DEMOCRAT NOVEMBER >> HE'S KIND OF CREDITED WITH CHANGING IT.

>> HE 1000% DESERVES IT, IT CHANGED WITH BRUCE AND A FEW OTHERS.

>> HIS COMMITMENT TO THE SERVICE WHETHER IT WAS THE ARMY OR AIR FORCE, STATE LEGISLATURE SERVED IN BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

>> AND HONESTLY HE WAS NEVER A PROBLEM FOR YOU, WASN'T HE ONE OF THE EASIER MEMBERS YOU COULD HAVE IN YOUR CAUCUS?

>> HE WAS ONE WHO WOULD COME WITH IDEAS VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT THE IDEAS THAT HE HAD BUT HOW CAN WE GET THOSE ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

AND SO DID IT IN A WAY THAT DIDN'T CAUSE DRAMA.

>> A SOLICITING CHARGE AND RESIDENCY CHALLENGE ARE SCANDALS THAT ROCKED BOTH PARTIES AND BOTH CHAMBERS AHEAD OF MORE SPECIAL ELECTIONS.

>> SO WE'RE LOOKING AT TWO SENATE SEATS THAT MIGHT NOT BE SUPER COMPETITIVE IN A SPECIAL.

>> I THINK SO.

THE ONLY, SO, ONE, NEVER COUNT ON A SPECIAL.

I WAS ELECTED IN A SPECIAL.

NOW, I WON BUT I ONLY WON 52% WHICH ALWAYS BUGGED ME.

BUT ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN.

SO AND THEN IN WOODBURY NICOLE MITCHELL'S GOING TO BE ON THE BALLOT AND I'M SURE THE DEMOCRATS VERY SMARTLY ARE GOING TO TRY TO MAKE THIS ABOUT TRUMP.

>> DO YOU THINK THEY'RE BOTH STILL COMPETITIVE TODAY OR NOT?

>> WELL, I DON'T THINK THINK SENATOR ANDERSON'S DISTRICT, HE HAS DONE SUCH A GREAT JOB OF EXEMPLIFYING CONSERVATIVE IDEALS FOR REPUBLICANS IN THAT DISTRICT AND I THINK HE'S REALLY TAKEN THAT OFF THE PLATE.

I THINK WHAT SENATOR MITCHELL HAS DONE OVER IN THE WOODBURY DISTRICT HAS DAMAGED THE DEMOCRAT BRAND AND BROUGHT TO LIGHT WHAT THAT STANDS FOR AND GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO VOICE HERE ARE THE REPUBLICAN PRINCIPLES.

WE'RE GOING TO BE PLAYING BIG IN BOTH AREAS.

>> THE HOUSE HAS A SPECIAL ELECTION SCHEDULED IN THE SAFE D.F.L.

SEAT TO REPLACE SPEAKER EMERITA MELISSA HORTMAN AFTER HER SHOCKING ASSASSINATION.

THE SENATE STARTED SESSION TIED AND DOWN A MEMBER AFTER THE PASSING OF FORMER MAJORITY LEADER KARI DZIEDZIC.

IT ALL FEELS UNREAL TO EVERYONE AT THE CAPITOL.

>> IT'S UNPRECEDENTED AND, YOU KNOW, I REMEMBER WHEN I RAN IN MY SPECIAL THERE WERE TWO OTHERS SO THERE WERE THREE OF US AT THE SAME TIME.

LIKE PEOPLE WERE JUST LIKE, OH, THERE'S SO MANY SPECIAL SESSION -- OR SPECIAL ELECTIONS.

THIS IS JUST, I MEAN, WE'RE AT DOUBLE THAT.

>> SCANNING STATE HISTORY ALL THE WAY BACK TO 1849, ONLY ONE YEAR IN INNESOTA HISTORY HAD AS MANY SPECIAL ELECTIONS AS EXPECTED THIS YEAR.

THE NUMBER IS SIX AND THE YEAR WAS 1994 WHEN SEVERAL STATE LAWMAKERS ELEVATED TO HIGHER OFFICE, INCLUDING JOANN BENSON FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND BILL LUTHER TO CONGRESS.

>> THERE'S NO QUESTION IT WAS A VOLATILE SITUATION.

>> SENATOR OMAR FATEH JUST WON THE D.F.L.

ENDORSEMENT FOR MINNEAPOLIS MAYOR.

IF HE'S LECTED THAT COULD TRIGGER A RECORD-BREAKING SEVENTH SPECIAL ELECTION IN ONE YEAR.

>> GOT TWO SOCIALISTS HERE WHO ARE FRONTRUNNERS TO BE MAYORS OF MAJOR CITIES, IS THIS THE FUTURE OF THE DEMOCRATS?

>> I THINK IT REALLY SHOWS THE SLANT OF THE DEMOCRAT PARTY RIGHT NOW.

IT'S MOVING FURTHER AND FURTHER LEFT AND DISTRICTS LIKE WOODBURY I THINK MOST OF THE POPULATION THERE WOULD NOT AGREE WITH THE POLITICS OF MINNEAPOLIS OR OMAR FATEH.

>> MORE FRAUD HAS COME TO LIGHT.

IS THAT GOING TO BE PART OF THE MESSAGING TOO IN THESE SPECIAL ELECTIONS?

>> ABSOLUTELY, IT'S TIME FOR THIS TO END.

AFTER THE TRIFECTA THAT'S HAPPENED IN THE STATE AND THE WAY THAT THOSE AGENCIES ND THOSE ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE REALLY PUSHED FORWARD THIS FRAUDS, LET'S TAKE A NEW APPROACH, WE GOT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE HOLDING OUR ELECTEDS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THAT, THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE, ALMOST A BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF KNOWN FRAUD IN THE STATE, HOW IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE?

>> YOU DID SEE A TIE ALREADY THIS SESSION, YOU GOT TO COLEAD.

COULD THESE SPECIALS PUT YOU IN THE MAJORITY?

>> WELL, THEY ABSOLUTELY COULD.

>> WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN THERE?

AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S ONLY JULY, MARY.

IT'S ONLY JULY.

>> AND DEPENDING HOW MANY HOUSE MEMBERS IN A CLOSELY DIED CHAMBER DECIDE -- DECIDE TO RUN FOR THE TWO OPEN SENATE SEATS THAT COULD TRIGGER AN EIGHTH AND NINTH SPECIAL ELECTION, SHATTERING ALL PREVIOUS RECORDS.

>> WOULD YOU RECOMMEND A HOUSE MEMBER FOR THE SENATE SEAT, ANY OF THOSE?

>> I THINK THEY SHOULD LOOK AT IT.

YOU'VE GOT THE NAME, YOU'VE GOT THE FUND-RAISING, MOVE CAMPAIGN FROM THE HOUSE TO SENATE, MOVE OVER CAMPAIGN FUNDS.

>> LET'S NOT GO DOWN QUITE YET, WE'RE FOCUSED ON THESE BUT YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT, THERE COULD BE MORE.

>> IN THE END EVERYONE IN POLITICS SEEMS READY FOR IT ALL TO SLOW DOWN.

>> I WOULD LIKE IT TO BE QUIETER.

I WOULD LIKE THE NORMAL PATTERN OF THESE SPECIALS TO PLAY OUT.

I WOULD LIKE TO END THE YEAR A LITTLE QUIETER THAN WE HAVE BEEN JUST FOR EVERYONE.

THERE'S BEEN TREMENDOUS LOSS.

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF SADNESS.

>> THIS YEAR HAS BEEN UNBELIEVABLE.

>> I THINK WE COULD TURN THE CALENDAR, I THINK WE'RE READY FOR THAT AT THIS POINT AND JUST HAVE A NORMAL YEAR AND I HOPE THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS GOING FORWARD.

♪♪ >> WITH THE RESIGNATION OF SENATOR NICOLE MITCHELL THIS AFTERNOON, FRIDAY AFTERNOON THE NUMBER OF SPECIAL ELECTIONS THIS YEAR CONTINUES TO GROW, THAT'S JUST ONE OF THE MANY TOPICS WE'LL COVER WITH THIS WEEK'S VERSION.

POLITICAL PANEL.

REPUBLICANS UP FIRST FRITZ KNAAK IS A FORMER STATE SENATOR AND NOW PRACTICING ATTORNEY.

ANNETTE MEEKS IS A FORMER CONGRESSIONAL STAFFER AND FORMER LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CANDIDATE.

NOW HEADS THE FREEDOM FOUNDATION OF MINNESOTA.

DEMOCRATS WITH THEM, KARLA BIGHAM, FORMER SENATOR, NOW WASHINGTON COMMISSIONER.

LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT AT LEAST, JAVIER MORILLO, COMMITTEEMAN AND UNION ACTIVIST.

LET'S TALK ABOUT MITCHELL.

SHE SAID INITIALLY SHE WAS GOING TO WAIT UNTIL AUGUST TO LEAVE SO SHE JUMPED TODAY.

I'M WONDERING HOW COMPETITIVE WILL THAT RACE BE, THAT SPECIAL ELECTION IN WOODBURY?

>> I MEAN, I THINK THE DISTRICT IS VERY, HAS EEN VOTING DEMOCRATIC IN RECENT ELECTIONS SO IT SHOULD BE A GOOD RACE FOR DEMOCRATS.

SPECIAL ELECTIONS I THINK BOTH PARTIES ALWAYS NEED TO BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT SPECIAL ELECTIONS BECAUSE THEY'RE VERY LOW TURNOUT AND YOU CAN HAVE A BIG IMPACT.

AND SO WITH BOTH PARTIES WILL BE I ASSUME VERY BUSY WITH ALL THESE SPECIALS COMING UP.

>> Eric: YOU'RE FROM OUT THAT WAY, HER DISTRICT.

>> YES, I REPRESENT ONE PRECINCT THE WOODBURY, THE BEST ONE, IT HAS THE BREWERY.

>> Eric: HER LEGACY, IS THAT A BROADER PROBLEM FOR DEMOCRATS IN '26?

>> IT'S A GOOD DAY FOR WOODBURY, I'M GOING TO SAY THAT, FOR THE LAST SESSION AND A HALF THEY HAVEN'T HAD PROPER REPRESENTATION AND THEY DESERVE IT.

I WOULD SAY THAT I DON'T EXPECT THIS TO CHANGE, IT WILL BE A DEMOCRAT SEAT.

SPECIALS ARE SPECIAL.

IT'S A PLUS 14 SEATS I WOULD SAY.

>> Eric: FOR DEMOCRATS.

>> FOR DEMOCRATS.

THE CANDIDATES THAT HAVE ANNOUNCED, BOTH REPRESENTATIVES ARE STRONG AND HAVE REALLY SHOWN P FOR THE COMMUNITY IN A VERY BIG WAY.

PICKING UP I THINK THE SLACK A LITTLE BIT OF THE SENATOR.

AND SO I THINK THEY'VE REALLY DONE A GOOD JOB AND I THINK IT'S GOING TO MAINTAIN BLUE.

>> Eric: WHAT KIND OF SHAPE IS THE D.F.L.

BRAND IN?

YOU HAD MORE FRAUD, HOUSING STABILIZATION PROGRAM, YOU HAD THE WACKY D.F.L.

CONVENTION IN MINNEAPOLIS.

MITCHELL -- >> I THINK OF IT AS UIT A TYPICAL D.F.L.

CONVENTION.

>> Eric: OKAY, SENATOR MITCHELL BRINGS THAT THE WHOLE THING UP AGAIN.

IS THE BRAND DAMAGED OVER IT THERE?

>> OVERALL I THINK IT'S DAMAGED.

PROBABLY NOT IRREPARABLY BUT CERTAINLY DAMAGED STATE AND NATIONALLY TOO.

THERE'S A LOT OF WORK THAT THEY HAVE TO DO TO BRING PEOPLE BACK INTO THE FOLD, SO TO SPEAK.

>> I THINK THEY'RE REALLY DAMAGED.

ESPECIALLY HERE IN THIS STATE.

I JUST CAME FROM A LEGISLATIVE CONVENTION OF 1500 STATE LEGISLATORS FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY AND YOU SIT THERE AND YOU LISTEN DEMOCRATIC OR REPUBLICAN ALL THE GREAT THINGS STATES ARE DOING AND THEY LOOK AT YOU AND SAY WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOUR STATE, I DIDN'T HEAR THAT ONCE, I DIDN'T HEAR THAT TWICE, I HEARD IT THAT OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

PEOPLE THINK THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH US.

WE HAVE RAMPANT FRAUD AND NOBODY'S DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT, IT'S LIKE THE GOVERNOR WANTS TO BLAME REPUBLICANS FOR BRINGING IT UP.

>> I THINK IT'S SURREAL WE'RE TALKING ABOUT BRAND DAMAGE ABOUT DEMOCRATS WHEN WE HAVE ONE OF THE MOST CORRUPT ADMINISTRATIONS IN THE HISTORY OF MANKIND RIGHT NOW.

LIKE WITH THE WHITE HOUSE BEING FOR SALE TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER AND THEM EXTORTING CBS AND OTHER MEDIA COMPANIES AND LAW FIRMS INTO ABIDING, LIKE WE ARE LIVING IN EXTRAORDINARY TIMES WHERE A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FROM THE TOP TO BOTTOM, IS PUSHING AN AGENDA THAT IS NOT ONLY DEEPLY UNPOPULAR, BUT VERY MUCH IS BASED ON FRAUD.

SO LIKE WHAT THE ELECTION WILL BE ABOUT NEXT EAR IT WILL BE A NATIONALIZED ELECTION AS THEY ALL HAVE BEEN IN RECENT YEARS, AND I WOULD PUT THE DEMOCRATIC BRAND UP AGAINST THE REPUBLICAN BRAND ANY DAY.

>> I THINK ANNETTE MADE -- >> WHEN TRUMP HAS NOT DELIVERED ON WHAT HE HAD CAMPAIGNED ON, WHEN THINGS ARE MORE EXPENSIVE, WHEN THINGS ARE MORE IN CHAOS AND RIGHT NOW HE'S CURRENTLY NEGOTIATING IT SOUNDS LIKE SOME SORT OF DEAL FOR JEFFREY EPSTEIN'S PARTNER.

>> COSON SPIRATTOR, YEAH.

>> AND CAN'T SHAKE SCANDAL AFTER SCANDAL AFTER SCANDAL AND KEEPS COVERING THINGS UP TO TRY TO GET OUT OF THE HEADLINES, YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT, IT'S REALLY CONFOUNDING WE'RE EVEN TALKING ABOUT THE FACT THAT DEMOCRATS ARE THE ONES THAT ARE HAVING ANY SORT OF SCANDAL HERE.

>> I MIGHT HAVE MISSED THAT CAMPAIGN THAT YOU SAW LAST YEAR, THE ONE I SAW WAS DONALD TRUMP SAYING HE WAS GOING TO SECURE THE BORDER.

HE DID.

DONALD TRUMP SAYING HE WAS GOING TO MAKE THE TAX CUTS THAT HAVE BEEN IN EFFECT SINCE 2017 PERMANENT.

HE DID.

>> HE SAID HE WAS NOT GOING TO CUT MEDICAID.

HE DID.

HE SAID HE WAS NOT GOING TO FAVOR THE ELITES, HE'S DOING EXACTLY THAT.

HE SAID HE WOULD RELEASE THE EPSTEIN FILES, HE'S NOT DOING THAT.

THERE'S A WORLD OF HURT THAT PEOPLE ARE FEELING AND WILL FEEL.

>> IS ANYBODY -- >> HERE'S THE PROBLEM -- >> NOT GOING TO MAKE INFLATION WORSE THROUGH TARIFFS.

>> THE QUESTION WAS WHETHER OR NOT FRAUD FOR EXAMPLE IS GOING TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE DEMOCRATS THIS YEAR AND WHETHER THEY HAD ANY PROBLEMS HERE AND WHAT IS ALWAYS THE RESPONSE?

LOOK AT THE ORANGE GUY, YOU KNOW.

EVERYTHING THAT YOU HEAR ALWAYS GETS TURNED AROUND TO BE SOMETHING ABOUT HOW AWFUL TRUMP IS AND IT'S NOT WORKING FOR YOU.

>> I'LL TELL YOU WHAT IT IS -- >> I WANT TO FINISH UP ON THIS BUSINESS ABOUT THE FRAUD, THOUGH, BECAUSE YOU BROUGHT THAT UP.

RIGHT NOW IT'S TIM WALZ'S BIGGEST PROBLEM.

HE'S GOT LIKE 40% NEGATIVES GOING ON OUT THERE ASK AND IF YOU ASK THOSE PEOPLE WHAT DO THEY NOT LIKE ABOUT TIM WALZ IT'S ABOUT THE FRAUD.

THAT'S AN ISSUE AND YOU'RE SAYING NO ONE'S DOING ANYTHING, WELL, SOMEBODY IS, UNFORTUNATELY FOR THEM AND I HAVE TO BELIEVE THERE'S SOME DIRECTION FROM WASHINGTON COMING ON THIS, BUT THAT'S BEEN THE PROSECUTION AND THAT'S BEEN THE FEDERAL PROSECUTION AND THEY'RE FOLLOWING THROUGH AND THIS THING IS NOT GOING TO GO AWAY.

SO ONE WAY OR ANOTHER YOU CAN'T WISH IT AWAY WHICH IS WHAT TIM WALZ IS ESSENTIALLY TRYING TO DO, THAT'S SO LAST YEAR.

>> -- DECISIVE ACTION THROUGH EXECUTIVE ORDER WITH HIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE BCA, DREW EVANS WHO IS WONDERFUL.

THEN DURING THE SESSION IN A BIPARTISAN MANNER THE LEGISLATURE ENACTED LEGISLATION THAT ALLOWED FOR CLAWBACK AND STOPPING PROGRAMS THAT -- >> Cathy: PEOPLE WOULD SAY IT WAS TOO LITTLE TOO LATE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> Cathy: GIVEN THE AMOUNT OF FRAUD WE'VE SEEN, THOUGH.

>> A BILLION DOLLARS.

>> MORE THAN THAT, YOU KNOW.

->> SO THE ACTIONS THAT THE LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR TOOK WERE DURING SESSION AND THERE'S MORE WORK TO BE DONE, IT IS A SERIOUS ISSUE, IT'S ALL HANDS ON DECK WHETHER IT'S THE FEDERAL, STATE, OR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

I MEAN, COUNTIES ARE THE MOST AUDITED LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT I WILL SAY.

SO I'M JUST TELLING YOU IT'S A VERY SERIOUS SUBJECT BUT THINGS ARE, YOU KNOW, BEING DONE ABOUT IT AND THERE'S A LOT MORE WORK THAT NEEDS TO GET DONE.

AND THERE WILL BE IN THE COMING SESSION.

>> Cathy: SPEAKING OF THE GOVERNOR.

>> THE OIG WILL BE AN ISSUE AND TOPIC.

>> >> Cathy: SPEAKING OF THE GOVERNOR HE'S EVIDENTLY GOING TO WAIT UNTIL AFTER THE FAIR TO DECIDE WHAT HE'S GOING TO DO.

>> Eric: JAVIER HAS A THEORY.

>> I OULDN'T CALL IT MY THEORY.

WHAT HE ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK THAT HE WAS -- THAT IF HE RAN FOR REELECTION AS GOVERNOR HE WOULD NOT RUN FOR PRESIDENT.

I THINK THERE WERE A LOT OF HEADLINES NATIONALLY FROM SAYING LIKE, WELL, HE'S SAYING HE'S OT GOING TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT.

I THINK HE MIGHT JUST BE SAYING HE'S NOT RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR, WE DON'T KNOW.

I DON'T HAVE ANY SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE ON THAT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, I THINK WE VERY -- THAT MAY VERY WELL BE THE ANNOUNCEMENT WE HAVE , EXEC HOW LONG IS THE LINE FOR GOVERNOR AT THE -- AT THE FILING COUNTER?

>> Cathy: LET ME SAY THIS, THOUGH.

DIDN'T YOU SAY PERPICH GOING TO THE FAIR DIDN'T YOU SAY HE KNEW HOW HE WAS STANDING WITH VOTERS THE FIRST COUPLE DAYS.

FAIR.

MIGHT THEN WALZ GO TO THE FAIR AND SEE WHERE HE IS AND THEN MAKE A DECISION?

>> I THINK THE DIFFERENCE IS GOVERNOR PERPICH WENT INTO THE FAIR WITH HIS EARS OPEN AND I THINK GOVERNOR WALZ WANTS TO GO INTO THE FAIR WITH HIS EYES CLOSED AND EARS CLOSED BECAUSE HE DOESN'T WANT TO HEAR WHAT PEOPLE HAVE TO SAY.

PEOPLE ARE PRETTY DOGGONE ANGRY ABOUT THE DIRECTION OF OUR STATE AND FOR EXAMPLE WHAT THE LEGISLATURE COULD HAVE DONE AND THE GOVERNOR DID NOT SUPPORT THIS IS HAVE AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATOR OF SPECIAL PROSECUTOR THAT CAN LOOK INTO THESE THINGS EVERY TIME THEY HAPPEN HERE IN THE STATE.

THAT LEGISLATION WENT NOWHERE AND I THINK HE'S GOING TO GO OUT TO THE FAIR AND PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GIVE HIM -- >> -- LEGISLATION THAT -- IN THE HOUSE?

>> GIVE HIM SENATEFUL OF HOW ANGRY THEY ARE ABOUT WASTE, FRAUD, AND ABUSE IN THE ADMINISTRATION.

>> IF HE DECIDES TO NOT RUN, THEN WHAT?

>> I THINK IT HAS MORE TO DO WITH THE RESPECT OF SPEAKER HORTMAN AND HER SPECIAL ELECTION, THE DISTRICT OF HER SPECIAL ELECTION PASSING.

I THINK THE MEDIA NEEDS TO BACK OFF A LITTLE BIT, GIVE HIM SOME SPACE, GRACE.

>> BACK OFF?

>> BACK OFF THE GOVERNOR?

>> HE'S GRIEVING.

>> WELL, THE FLUFF PIECE THAT THE "STRIB" DID, WHERE IS HE GETTING ANY PRESSURE AT ALL FROM THE MEDIA IN THIS?

NOWHERE.

>> ASKING IF HE'S RUNNING AGAIN.

>> THAT'S ALL HIM.

THAT'S NOT ANYBODY REALLY ASKING QUESTIONS -- >> -- SEVEN YEARS, FRITZ.

>> THIS IS THE GOVERNOR WHO SAID HE WOULD ANNOUNCE RIGHT AFTER THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

HE WAS GIVEN A GRACE PERIOD BECAUSE OF HER ASSASSINATION.

>> WOW, OKAY.

>> I THOUGHT THAT WAS A GOOD LENGTHY TIME TO GRIEVE.

>> ELECTION'S IN WELL OVER A YEAR.

>> RIGHT.

>> Eric: IF THERE'S NO WALZ ON THE BALLOT FOR GOVERNOR IN '26, KEITH ELLISON, STEVE SIMON.

>> I'VE HEARD HAT, YOU KNOW, SEE IF ANGIE CRAIG STAYS IN THE SENATE RACE IF SHE WERE TO JUMP IN, SHE MIGHT JUMP IN FOR GOVERNOR.

I THINK THE GOOD THING, THE GOOD NEWS FORM DEMOCRATS IS THAT UNLIKE REPUBLICANS WHO HAVE NOT WON STATEWIDE IN THIS STATE FOR DECADES NOW, WE HAVE A DEEP BENCH F PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN ELECTED STATEWIDE AND LEADERS WHO WOULD MAKE GREAT STATEWIDE CANDIDATES.

>> Eric: WOULD THAT SHAKE LOOSE OTHER REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES?

>> I WOULD EXPECT IT WOULD BUT IT'S A GOOD POINT.

THE FACT IS WE DON'T HAVE ANY OBVIOUS PEOPLE OUT THERE AND IT'S A CONCERN AND IT'S ALSO A PROBLEM UP AND DOWN THE TICKET.

>> I THINK IT WOULD BE BAR THE DOOR, THERE WILL BE A LOT OF REPUBLICANS STANDING IN LINE.

>> I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT.

>> Eric: GOOD STUFF FOR A THURSDAY -- JULY FRIDAY NIGHT.

THANKS.

♪♪ >> NOW, WHAT'S THIS?

>> THAT'S HER CHITTERING OUND.

>> IS SHE HAPPY?

>> THAT'S JUST HER TALKING SOUND.

SHE'S JUST KIND OF ADDING TO THE CONVERSATION HERE.

I HEAR HER FAVORITE FOOD IS POCKET GOPHER HEADS.

>> YUMMY!

>> YES, DON'T GET BETWEEN HER AND A POCKET GOPHER HEAD.

>> WE USED TO HAVE MORE ANIMALS VISIT HERE IN THE STUDIO.

ANYWAY, TIME FOR THE MINNESOTA HISTORY PORTION OF THE SHOW AND THIS WEEK'S EFFORT IS ONE OF OUR MYSTERY PERSON SPECIALTIES.

SO THE PRODUCER IS ONCE AGAIN ASKING ME TO TALK IN A SILLY VOICE, SO HERE GOES.

[ SPEAKING IN SOUTHERN ACCENT ] "I WAS BORN IN OCTOBER OF 1979 IN EAST GERMANY.

MY FAMILY MOVED TO ST. PAUL IN THE EARLY 1990S AND I GRADUATED FROM ST. PAUL CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL IN 1997.

I AM NOT A HOUSEHOLD NAME IN MINNESOTA OR ANYWHERE AROUND THE WORLD, BUT THE "PRODUCT" I HELPED CO-FOUND IN 2005 IS NOW WORLD RENOWNED.

I WAS THE FIRST PERSON TO DO SOMETHING WITH THIS "PRODUCT" THAT IS NOW DONE MILLIONS O EVERY DAY.

SO WHEN AM I?

AHEM.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU WHETHER YOU'RE CALLING IN FROM MODUM CEMETERY OR COMPUTER AVENUE IN BLOOMING BETO.

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

YOU CAN DROP US AN E-MAIL NOTE, ALMANAC@TPT.ORG, THE ELECTRONIC ADDRESS.

WHILE YOU'RE ON THE INTERNET GOOGLE MAY BE A GOOD RESEARCH TOOL HIS WEEK.

EXTRA CREDIT TO ANY FORMER TPT STAFFER WHO CALLS IN WITH THE RIGHT ANSWER AND NOTE THEIR CONNECTION TO THIS FIRST THING THAT THIS MYSTERY MINNESOTAN DID.

JUST ENOUGH TIME FOR SOME SHOW-ENDING MUSIC FROM THE ARCHIVES.

THIS WEEK, 2013, AWARD-WINNING NASHVILLE SONGWRITER JERRY VANDIVER VISITED US IN STUDIO B.

IN ADDITION TO WRITING COUNTRY SONGS THAT HAVE SOLD MORE THAN 15 MILLION RECORDS, JERRY SPENDS A LOT OF TIME IN A CANOE IN THE BOUNDARY WATERS AND HE HAS OF COURSE WRITTEN ABOUT HIS EXPERIENCES IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

TAKE A LISTEN TO "CAMP COFFEE."

BE BACK NEXT WEEK, AND BE CAREFUL.

♪♪ >> LYRICS: CRAWL OUT OF THE TENT, FIRST THING I DO FIRE UP THE POCKET ROCKET, START THE BREW WAIT FOR A WHIFF OF THAT WAKE-ME-UP AROMA AND THEN I'M IN A HAPPY CAMPER MOMENT WITH MY HANDS AROUND THE MUG I'M WATCHIN THE MIST RISE THE FIRST HOT SIP OPENING MY EYES FRENCH PRESS, GROUND FRESH, DIPPING BACK PERCOLATOR, IN THE CASE CHAFFE, GORMET, SPECIAL BLEND YOU KNOW I SAY THE TIME WITH MY MORNING CUP CAMP COFFEE ♪♪ LATER TONIGHT WHEN DINNER'S LONG GONE CAMPFIRE'S STARTED AND THE DISHES ARE DONE MY BLUE MUG'S WAITING WITH MY CAFFEINE FIX AND A LITTLE EXTRA SOMETHING THROWN INTO THE MIX WITH MY HANDS AROUND THE MUG WATCHIN THE SUNSET THE FIRST HOT SIP HOW GOOD CAN IT GET SWISS MISS, CHOCOLATE CHIP, DUNK A LITTLE COOKIE IN IT JIM BEAM, IRISH CREAM, MAKER'S MARK, AMARETTO ... 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.

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