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

>> ERIC: MICHAEL OSTERHOLM PREVIEWS HIS NEW BOOK AND TALKS VACCINATION CHANGES, WE'LL CHECK IN WITH ST.

PAUL PUBLIC SCHOOLS' NEW SUPERINTENDENT, AND THE MINNESOTA LATINO MUSEUM IS HERE.

AND MARY LAHAMMER HAS BEEN TRACKING GOVERNOR WALZ'S THIRD-TERM ANNOUNCEMENT AND THE GUN VIOLENCE WORKING GROUP AT THE CAPITOL.

>> Mary: GOVERNOR WALZ ANNOUNCES HIS RE-ELECTION PLANS, RUNNING IN RESPONSE TO LIVES LOST TO GUN VIOLENCE, WHILE LAWMAKERS HERE AT THE CAPITOL HEAR FROM PARENTS.

>> WE WILL KEEP COMING!

WE WILL KEEP SPEAKING!

UNTIL OUR CHILDREN ARE SAFE!

>> IT WAS EXTREMELY IMPACTFUL.

>> 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.

>> ERIC: THE BIG POLITICAL NEWS THIS WEEK?

GOVERNOR WALZ HAS ANNOUNCED A RUN FOR A THIRD TERM.

WE'LL DEVOTE THE END OF THE SHOW TO THE ANNOUNCEMENT AND MORE MINNESOTA POLITICS WITH A STORY FROM MARY LAHAMMER AND OUR PANEL OF FORMER LAWMAKERS.

AND KAOMI LEE WILL LOOK AT WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH MEDICAID UP NORTH.

>> CATHY: BUT WE START THE HOUR WITH ECONOMIC NEWS.

THE FEDERAL RESERVE LOWERED INTEREST RATES WEDNESDAY AGAINST A BACKDROP OF A WEAKENING NATIONAL LABOR MARKET AND RISING PRICES.

PROFESSOR LOUIS JOHNSTON IS BACK TO DECIPHER IT ALL FOR US.

HE TEACHES ECONOMICS AT THE COLLEGE OF ST.

BEN'S AND ST.

JOHN'S UNIVERSITY.

IN COLLEGEVILLE.

TOMORROW IS THE 40th ANNIVERSARY OF FARM AID.

GOT THE BIG CONCERT AT THE U OF M.

>> IT IS.

YUP.

>> Cathy: GOSH, 40 YEARS AGO, THE FARM ECONOMY WAS TERRIBLE.

>> IT WAS.

>> Cathy: TRACTOR CADES AND ALL THAT.

>> IT WAS.

>> Cathy: HOW IS IT LOOKING NOW?

>> THEY'RE IN TOUGH SHAPE RIGHT NOW.

AND THE BIG PROBLEM RIGHT NOW IS THE EXPORT MARKET.

SO, FOR EXAMPLE, MINNESOTA FARMERS HAVE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO SELL A SINGLE SOYBEAN TO CHINA THIS YEAR, EVEN THOUGH THAT'S THEIR BIGGEST MARKET.

CHINA HAS BASICALLY DECIDED, WE CAN'T COUNT ON THE UNITED STATES FOR AGRICULTURAL IMPORTS, SO WE'RE GOING TO GET IT FROM BRAZIL, PERU, WHEREVER WE CAN GET IT OUTSIDE THE U.S., THAT'S WHERE WE'RE GOING.

>> Cathy: EXAMINE THIS IS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE PRESIDENT'S DECISIONS?

>> DIRECT RESULT, UM-HUM.

>> Eric: 3.5% UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR MINNESOTA.

>> MINNESOTA'S JOB MARKET IS LOOKING PRETTY GOOD, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMPARE IT WITH SOME OF THE STATES AROUND IT.

THEIR UNEMPLOYMENT ATES ARE HIGHER.

JOB GROWTH IS STRONG.

WHAT I'M CONCERNED ABOUT IS THE SECTORS.

SO, WE'RE SEEING GROWTH IN PLACES LIKE CONSTRUCTION, THAT'S GOOD.

HEALTHCARE.

BUT GOVERNMENT, NOT SURPRISINGLY, HAS FALLEN.

AND MANUFACTURING.

WE'VE BEEN LOSING JOBS IN MANUFACTURING.

SO THAT'S SOMETHING TO KEEP AN EYE ON.

>> Eric: IMMIGRANT WORKFORCE, THAT'S THE OTHER SHOE I'M WAITING TO DROP BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T SEEN THINGS REALLY AFFECT THAT YET.

BUT IN PLACES LIKE MEAT PACKING, THE DAIRY INDUSTRY, THINGS LIKE THAT, THAT'S GOING TO REALLY START TO PUT A CRIMP IN THAT.

>> Cathy: THE RATE CUT, WAS IT DECENT OR NOT ENOUGH?

>> WELL, I DON'T THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE CUT AT ALL.

SO IF YOU'RE ASKING ME, I WOULD HAVE JUST KEPT THINGS WHERE THEY'RE AT.

PRESIDENT TRUMP OBVIOUSLY THINKS THEY SHOULD CUT A LOT MORE.

THE BOARDED TO GO FOR A QUARTER PERCENT, MOSTLY I THINK THEY DID THAT BECAUSE THE FINANCIAL MARKETS ALREADY THOUGHT THEY WERE GOING TO.

SO THEY DIDN'T ANT TO DISAPPOINT THEM.

WELL, THEY ALREADY BAKED THAT IN, WE DON'T WANT TO SURPRISE THEM AND UPSET THEM.

>> Cathy: SO THAT DECISION, THOUGH, IS POLITICALLY CHARGED.

>> IT WAS VERY -- AND IT'S A TERRIBLE THING TO BE SITTING AT THE FEDERAL RESERVE TABLE RIGHT NOW.

YOU HAVE ONE GOVERNOR THAT WAS JUST APPOINTED BY PRESIDENT TRUMP.

WHO DECIDED HE'S ONLY GOING TO TAKE A LEAVE OF ABSENCE FROM THE WHITE HOUSE AND NOT RESIGN.

YOU'VE GOT ANOTHER ONE ACROSS THE TABLE WHO PRESIDENT TRUMP IS TRYING TO FIRE.

AND TRYING TO REMOVE.

AND THEY'RE BOTH SITTING THERE AT THE TABLE, ALONG WITH THE CHAIR OF THE FED, WHO THE PRESIDENT'S PRETTY CLEAR HE WANTS GONE.

GOTTA BE A PRETTY TENSE MEETING.

>> Eric: IS THIS JUST SORT OF BELTWAY, PALACE INTRIGUE OR IS THERE SOME LASTING PROBLEM THAT IT'S GOING TO CAUSE?

>> NO.

THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE TRADITIONALLY THE FEDERAL RESERVE HAS BEEN DIVORCED FROM POLITICS, IN THE SENSE THAT THE MORE INDEPENDENT A CENTRAL BANK IS, THE LOWER THE INFLATION RATE IS.

AND, SO, IN THE U.S., WE HAVE REALLY TRIED TO DO THAT.

PRESIDENT TRUMP IS UPSETTING ALL OF HAT.

HIS ATTITUDE IS THAT THE FEDS SHOULD BE -- THE FED SHOULD BE CONTROLLED BASICALLY BY THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

WHEN, UNDER THE CONSTITUTION, IT'S CLEAR THAT CONGRESS IS SUPPOSED TO CONTROL IT.

IT SAYS THEY HAVE THE POWER TO COIN MONEY AND REGULATE THE VALUE THEREOF.

AND THEY CREATED THE FED TO DO THAT.

AND HE'S BASICALLY TRYING TO TAKE THAT POWER.

>> Eric: UNION PACIFIC AND NORFOLK SOUTHERN HAVE MERGED.

>> THE FIRST TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD, THE FIRST LITERALLY PACIFIC TO ATLANTIC RAILROAD IN U.S.

HISTORY.

>> Eric: WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR MINNESOTA AND FOR TRUCKERS IN MINNESOTA?

>> WELL, IT PROBABLY WON'T AFFECT US THAT MUCH BECAUSE UNION PACIFIC AND NORFOLK SOUTHERN ARE MOSTLY IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN PARTS OF THE UNITED STATES.

BUT IT WILL PUT PRESSURE ON TRUCKING RATES IN THE SENSE THAT TRUCKERS NOW WHO ARE TRYING TO CONNECT EAST COAST PORTS WITH THE WEST COAST ARE GOING TO HAVE TO LOWER THEIR RATES.

THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO BE MORE COMPETITIVE BECAUSE NOW YOU CAN GO END TO END, YOU CAN GET SOMETHING IN NORFOLK AND TAKE IT OFF IN LOS ANGELES.

>> Cathy: SO GETTING BACK TO THOSE SOYBEANS AND THE FARMERS.

SO, IF THIS KEEPS GOING ON, WHAT HAPPENS TO THE MINNESOTA AG ECONOMY?

>> THEY GET INTO DEEP TROUBLE.

SO, FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU CAN'T SELL THOSE SOYBEANS, WHAT ARE THESE FARMERS SUPPOSED TO PRODUCE?

AND WHERE ARE THEY SUPPOSED TO SELL IT?

THEY COULD START TO MOVE INTO OTHER GRAINS, BUT RIGHT NOW WE HAVE AN ECONOMY THAT'S SET UP TO GROW CORN, PRIMARILY, SOYBEANS, PRIMARILY, AND TO EXPORT MOST OF THAT STUFF.

WITHOUT THAT, WHO KNOWS.

>> Cathy: DO THE FEDS THEN, COME IN AND MAYBE HAVE SOME SORT OF PRICE SUPPORT PROGRAM?

>> WELL, THAT'S ONE OPTION.

MANY FARMERS GROUPS HAVE BEEN SAYING THEY NEED PAYMENTS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO SUPPORT THEM.

YOU COULD HAVE PRICE SUPPORTS, YOU COULD HAVE OME KIND OF PROGRAM TO BUY UP SOME OF THE SURPLUS.

THERE'S A LOT OF POSSIBILITIES, BUT, YOU KNOW, WE SPENT THE LAST 40 YEARS GOING AWAY FROM THAT TRYING TO INCREASE EXPORTS AND NOT HAVE PRICE SUPPORTS.

NOW WE'RE GOING TO FLIP THE WHOLE THING OVER AGAIN.

>> Eric: WE'LL HAVE YOU BACK.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.

>> Eric: THANKS.

>> YOU, TOO.

♪ >> ERIC: OUR NEXT GUEST IS A FAMILIAR FACE WITH A NEW BOOK.

"THE BIG ONE: HOW WE MUST PREPARE FOR FUTURE DEADLY PANDEMICS" EXAMINES THE NATION'S HANDLING OF THE COVID-19 CRISIS IN ORDER TO IDENTIFY NECESSARY PREPARATIONS FOR FUTURE VIRUSES.

MICHAEL OSTERHOLM LEADS THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA'S CENTER FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASE RESEARCH AND POLICY.

YOU'VE GOT A UNIQUE FORMAT FOR THE BOOK, I GOTTA TELL YOU.

IS IT SCIENCE FICTION, SCIENCE FACT OR A COMBINATION?

>> WELL, THE SCIENCE FICTION PART, WHICH YOU'RE REFERRING TO, WE ACTUALLY START OUT THE BOOK WITH A SCENARIO OF WHAT COULD REALLY HAPPEN.

SO THIS ISN'T SCIENCE FICTION IN THAT SENSE.

IT'S A REALITY CHECK.

AND EACH CHAPTER BUILDS FROM THAT FICTIONAL PIECE, THEN GOES INTO THE NONFICTION PART.

BUT IT TIES TOGETHER SO PEOPLE CAN UNDERSTAND WHY AT THIS TIME IN THE PANDEMIC RE WE WORRIED ABOUT THIS OR WE NEED TO DEAL WITH THAT.

SO IT'S REALLY TO TRY TO PROVIDE A ROAD MAP OF WHAT A PANDEMIC WOULD LOOK LIKE.

AND AS MUCH AS PEOPLE THINK THAT COVID WAS REALLY BAD AND, OF COURSE, LOSING ONE AND A HALF PERCENT OF OUR POPULATION DYING FROM COVID IS BAD, BUT A MUCH MORE SEVERE PANDEMIC OF 10 TO 12, 20% OF PEOPLE DYING IS A REALITY.

AND WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT AND WE'RE NOT PREPARED FOR IT.

>> Cathy: AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A VIRUS, PERHAPS, THAT WOULD BE STRONGER AND FASTER, IN A SENSE, THAN COVID?

>> WELL, COVID WAS PRETTY FAST.

SO IF IT WAS THIS FAST, IT WOULD STILL BE A PROBLEM.

BUT INSTEAD OF THE 1.5% OF THE POPULATION DYING, LITERALLY, WE COULD EE MORE.

REMEMBER, THERE WERE TWO CORONAVIRUSES, THE SAME KIND OF VIRUS AS COVID THAT HIT US IN 2003 WITH SARS, AND 2012 WITH MERS.

THEY WERE NOT HIGHLY INFECTIOUS BUT THEY KILLED 20 TO 35% OF THE PEOPLE THAT GOT IT.

AND WE NOW HAVE VIRUSES THAT HAVE THE MACHINERY TO BE TRANSMITTED IKE COVID AND HAVE THE SAME PACKAGE ON BOARD THAT COULD KILL, LIKE ERS AND SARS.

AND, SO, WE HAVE TO BE MUCH BETTER PREPARED AND, UNFORTUNATELY, WE'RE GOING JUST THE OPPOSITE WAY RIGHT NOW.

>> Cathy: YOU KNOW, YOU AND I WERE TALKING EARLIER IN THE WEEK, AND I ALMOST FELL OFF MY CHAIR WHEN YOU SAID THAT THERE ARE ALREADY BATS IN CAVES IN CHINA THAT ARE HARBORING SOME REALLY SERIOUS VIRUSES.

>> YEAH.

THERE'S ANIMALS ALL AROUND THE WORLD.

AND REMEMBER RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE NEVER HAD THE KIND OF EXPOSURE TO THESE VIRUSES THAT WE DO NOW.

WHY?

BECAUSE TO FEED 8 BILLION PEOPLE ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH, WE'RE EATING MORE BUSHMEAT, WE'RE NOW GOING INTO THE DARKER JUNGLES, WHERE NOT ONLY THE PLANT FLOOR IS MORE DYNAMIC, BUT ALSO THE SAME THING WITH THE VIRUSES AND SO FORTH.

SO WE'RE HAVING MORE EXPOSURES.

WE HAVE A MAJOR NEW EBOLA OUTBREAK RIGHT NOW IN THE DRC.

YOU KNOW, AND, SO, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S REALITY.

WE HAVE TO BE BETTER PREPARED.

>> Eric: YOU SAID WE'RE NO BETTER OFF THAN WE WERE IN THE SPANISH FLU OF 918.

>> WELL, JUST ABOUT.

I MEAN, LET ME JUST GIVE OU A CASE IN POINT BECAUSE IT REALLY TIES THE FUTURE TO NOW.

IF WE HAD AN INFLUENZA PANDEMIC RIGHT NOW LIKE AN 1918 PANDEMIC WITH THE CURRENT ABILITY TO MAKE VACCINES FOR FLU, WE USE CHICKEN EGGS FROM THE 1940s AND CELL CULTURE.

IN THE FIRST YEAR TO 15 MONTHS OF THE PANDEMIC, WE COULD MAKE ENOUGH VACCINE TO COVER ABOUT A QUARTER OF THE WORLD.

THAT'S IT.

WE HAD GREAT HOPES WITH THIS NEW MRNA TECHNOLOGY THAT WE COULD ADOPT IT FOR FLU THAT, IN FACT, WE COULD MAKE ENOUGH VACCINE IN THE FIRST YEAR TO DELIVER TO THE WHOLE WORLD.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THOSE SCENARIOS ARE MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DEATHS.

AND WE JUST GOT RID OF ALL OF OUR MRNA RESEARCH WORK IN THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT JUST PULLED IT OUT.

>> Cathy: LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING.

AS YOU SAY, THEY PULLED THAT.

THERE'S ALSO, OF COURSE, -- THERE'S A MESS WHEN IT COMES TO VACCINES IN THIS COUNTRY.

SO, THE COMMITTEE THAT MAKES THE DECISIONS MET THIS WEEK, AND IT SEEMED VERY CONFUSING AND KIND OF DISACCORDING.

-- DISORGANIZED.

>> YOU KNOW, THINK I'VE SEEN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT COUNCILS OPERATE WITH MORE FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITY THAN I SAW AT THIS COMMITTEE HEARING.

AND I WATCHED THE WHOLE TWO DAYS.

TODAY I SAW A VOTE BEING TAKEN THAT LITERALLY BLEW ME AWAY.

THEY VOTED WHETHER OR NOT TO REQUIRE EVERY PERSON IN THIS COUNTRY WHO WOULD GET A COVID SHOT TO AVE TO HAVE A PRESCRIPTION ISSUED FIRST.

NOW, HOW MANY OF US CAN GET IN TO SEE A PHYSICIAN IN A TIMELY WAY THAT WE COULD GET A PRESCRIPTION FROM THEM?

WELL, FORTUNATELY, THE VOTE WAS 6-6, IT DIDN'T PASS.

BUT THAT RECOMMENDATION AS SUCH STILL GOES ON TO THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF THE CDC AND THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, I.E., Mr.

KENNEDY.

AND AT THIS POINT, THEY COULD PUT THAT INTO PLACE.

IT WOULD NOT SURPRISE ME IF THIS WEEK WE FIND OUT, YOU CAN'T GET YOUR SHOT WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION.

TALK ABOUT A BARRIER TO ENTRY.

TALK ABOUT HOW HARD IT WILL BE FOR PEOPLE TO GET VACCINE.

>> ric: SO LIKE LOCKDOWNS, THE PLEXIGLAS AT A CHECKOUT COUNTER, MASKING, STAY SIX FEET AWAY, NONE OF THAT WAS HELPFUL?

>> IT WAS NOT.

AND, IN FACT, IT GAVE, WHAT I CALL, HYGIENE THEATER TO THE WHOLE RESPONSE.

AND THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS I TRY TO DO IN THE BOOK.

YOU KNOW, I'M AS HONEST AS I CAN BE.

WHY?

BECAUSE WE HAVE TO BE BETTER PREPARED FOR THE FUTURE.

WE CAN'T GLOSS OVER THE MISTAKES THAT WERE MADE.

WE NEED TO BE HUMBLE AND COME FORWARD AND SAY THAT.

AND THERE'S A MODEL FOR.

THIS YOU KNOW, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY, FORTUNATELY, TO WORK AT HHS, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, RIGHT AFTER 911, I -- 9/11, I SPLIT MY TIME BETWEEN THE UNIVERSITY AND THERE.

I WATCHED THE EARLY DAYS OF THE 9/11 COMMISSION.

NONPARTISAN EFFORT THAT REALLY LOOKED AT WHAT CAUSED 9/11 TO HAPPEN, WHAT COULD WE DO DIFFERENTLY.

AND IT HAD TREMENDOUS IMPACT FOR THE FUTURE.

WE'VE DONE NONE OF THAT WITH THIS OVID PANDEMIC.

WE DON'T HAVE ANY CLUE, NECESSARILY, WHAT IT WAS THAT WE COULD DO BETTER.

>> Eric: THE BIG ONE, IT'S AVAILABLE AT ALL THE USUAL OUTLETS?

>> I GUESS SO.

THAT'S WHAT I HEAR.

>> Eric: GOOD LUCK WITH YOU IT.

>> Cathy: GOOD TO SEE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>> CATHY: STATE OFFICIALS ARE WAITING FOR NEW RULES ON MEDICAID CUTS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THE CHANGES ARE A RESULT OF THE RECONCILIATION BILL THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNED INTO LAW IN JULY.

REPORTER KAOMI LEE WENT TO COOK COUNTY TO FIND OUT WHAT THIS COULD MEAN FOR ONE NORTHERN COMMUNITY.

>> Kaomi: DAWN DAVISON LIVES ON PASTORAL DOUBLE TRACK LAKE IN GRAND MARAIS, THE VIEW FROM HIS DOCK IS SPECTACULAR, YOU BUT THE 74-YEAR-OLD'S LIFE IS FAR FROM COMFORTABLE.

>> I HAVE A DISEASE CALLED CIPD, WHICH IS CHRONIC INFLAMMATORY DEMILATING, POLYNEUROPATHY.

>> Kaomi: HE SAYS IT'S AN AUTO I AUTOAUTOIMMUNE DISEASE WHERE THE LINING OF THE NERVES IS EATEN UP BY HIS OWN BODY'S IMMUNE SYSTEM.

>> IT'S A STRANGE DISEASE, YOU LITERALLY USE THE REFLEXES IN YOUR KNEES.

>> Kaomi: EVEN SIMPLE THINGS LIKE WALKING CAN BE DIFFICULT.

RELIEF IS HE CAN GET TREATMENT AT NEARBY NORTH SHORE HEALTH.

>> I GET IMMUNOGLOB YIN IV HERE AT THE LOCAL HOSPITAL.

THE TREATMENTS TAKE JUST UNDER SEVEN HOURS EACH, IT'S EVERY OTHER WEEK.

>> Kaomi: NOW HE'S WORRIED WILL WHETHER THAT WILL CONTINUE.

CONGRESS PASSED THE RECONCILIATION BILL THIS SUMMER.

SUPPORTERS SAY IT WILL REDUCE MEDICAID SPENDING BY ELIMINATING FRAUD AND ABUSE.

BUT OTHERS ESTIMATE THAT MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WILL LOSE THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE BY 2034, EVEN THOSE WHO QUALIFY.

IN MINNESOTA, STATE OFFICIALS ESTIMATE 140,000 PEOPLE WILL LOSE COVERAGE.

DAVISON ISN'T ON MEDICAID, HE HAS PRIVATE INSURANCE.

STILL, HE FEARS THE CUTS COULD PUT ALL SERVICES AT RISK, INCLUDING HIS TREATMENTS.

>> THEY WOULD HAVE TO CUT BACK ON STAFFING, WHICH WOULD TAKE AWAY SOME PROGRAMS.

>> Kaomi: THE ALTERNATIVE WOULD BE A TWO-1/2-HOUR DRIVE TO DULUTH.

>> IT'S ONE OF THOSE QUESTIONS I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ASK, WELL, WHAT KEEPS YOU UP AT NIGHT?

>> Kaomi: THE CEO SAYS SHE'S CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT THE LAW SAYS AND DOESN'T SAY.

ONE THING SHE DOESN'T WANT TO DO IS SCARE THE PUBLIC.

>> THERE'S A LOT IN THERE AND WE JUST DON'T KNOW.

WE HAVE TO BE NIMBLE, WE HAVE TO PAY ATTENTION.

AND WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO LOOK AT WHAT MIGHT BE HAPPENING, WHAT'S COMING DOWN, AND THEN HOW COULD THAT IMPACT US.

>> Kaomi: NORTH SHORE HEALTH IS A RURAL-BASED CRITICAL ACCESS HOSPITAL WITH 16 BEDS.

IT HAS AN ANNUAL GROSS REVENUE OF $27 MILLION.

MEDICAID ACCOUNTS FOR 15% OF THAT.

THE PROVIDER ALSO HAS HOME CARE, COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICES, AND 37 NURSING HOME BEDS.

>> WELL, I KNOW THAT 50% OF OUR HOME CARE PATIENTS ARE COVERED BY MEDICAID.

I KNOW THAT 85% OF OUR NURSING HOME RESIDENTS ARE COVERED BY MEDICAID.

YOU KNOW, WHEN I TALKED ABOUT HOME CARE, IF THERE ARE GREAT IMPACTS, IS THAT A SERVICE LINE THAT WE HAVE TO ELIMINATE?

IS SENIOR SERVICES AND AND OUR NURSING HOME A LINE THAT WE HAVE TO ELIMINATE?

>> Kaomi: UNDER FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES, PEOPLE EARNING JUST OVER $15,000 OR LESS A YEAR ARE ELIGIBLE.

BUT MAIN WILL NOW BE SUBJECT TO NEW WORK REQUIREMENTS.

THE NEW LAW REQUIRES PEOPLE UNDER 65 TO WORK 80 HOURS A MONTH OR BE IN SCHOOL PART TIME.

THERE ARE SOME EXCEPTIONS.

BUT FOR MENTALLY ILL PEOPLE, EXPERTS SAY IT WILL BE HARDER TO GET COVERAGE.

>> THE PROBLEM IS, WHEN YOU'RE NEW IN THIS DIAGNOSIS, 24 YEARS OLD, RIGHT, HAVING THEIR FIRST SCOTT COUNTY EPISODE, YOU'RE NOT -- PSYCHOTIC EPISODE, YOU'RE NOT YET DECLARED ISABLED AND IT TAKES A LONG TIME TO BE DECLARED DISABLED BY THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION.

>> Kaomi: AND THERE WILL BE NEW PAPERWORK, A LOT OF IT.

SHE SAYS CERTIFICATION AND RECERTIFICATION EVERY IX MONTHS COULD TAKE AN AVERAGE OF EIGHT MONTHS TO EVEN GET A RESPONSE.

MUCH OF THE PROCESSING WORK WILL FALL TO COUNTIES, BUT WITH LITTLE ATTACHED FUNDING.

SUE ABDERHOLDEN SAID SHE FEARS MANY ELIGIBLE PEOPLE WILL FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS.

>> AND THEN YOU KIND OF DESTABLIZE THE WHOLE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM BY HAVING PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE INSURANCE AND NOW YOU HAVE A LOT OF UNCOMPENSATED CARE.

AND YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO CAN'T ACCESS CARE, WHICH COULD INCREASE, FRANKLY, PEOPLE WHO ARE HOMELESS, ENDING UP IN OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

>> Kaomi: JOHN CONNOLLY IS THE STATE'S MEDICAID IRECTOR.

HE SAYS, MANY PROVISIONS OF THE LAW ARE NOT GOOD FOR THE STATE.

>> SOME PROVIDERS WILL HAVE LOWER PAYMENTS.

THE STATE WILL HAVE MORE LIMITATIONS ON ITS ABILITY TO RAISE REVENUE FOR THE PROGRAM TO, AGAIN, JUST SUPPORT MEDICAID BROADLY AND ALSO SPECIFICALLY PROVIDER PAYMENT.

SO WE'VE BEEN VERY CLEAR, I THINK, FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE DISCUSSION OF THIS LEGISLATION AND WHAT BECAME LAW THAT WE WERE VERY WORRIED ABOUT ITS IMPACTS.

>> Kaomi: LIKE OTHER STATES, DHS IS NOW WAITING FOR THE NEW RULES FOR IMPLEMENTATION FROM THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES.

THE LAW APPROPRIATES $200 MILLION NATIONWIDE FOR STATES TO MAKE THE CHANGES.

HOWEVER, DHS ESTIMATES IT WILL COST $165 MILLION IN MINNESOTA ALONE.

NORTH SHORE HEALTH CEO KIMBER RALSTAD SAYS SHE REACHED OUT TO REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN PETE STAUBER.

>> I SHARED MY CONCERNS.

I'M THANKED FOR MY CONCERN.

NO REAL RESPONSE, NO.

>> Kaomi: STATES CAN APPLY TO CMS FOR GRANTS FROM A NEWLY ESTABLISHED $50 BILLION RURAL HEALTH FUND.

IN REPLY O "ALMANAC," CONGRESSMAN STAUBER SAID, I SUPPORTED THIS CRITICAL BILL BECAUSE IT DIRECTLY BENEFITS RURAL HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS LIKE NORTH SHORE HEALTH.

THE RULE HEALTH TRANSFORMATION PROGRAM IS THE SINGLE LARGEST INVESTMENT IN RURAL HEALTHCARE IN AMERICAN HISTORY.

MORE SPECIFICALLY, IT ALLOCATES 10 BILLION ANNUALLY FROM 2026 TO 2030 TO THE CENTERS OF MEDICAID SERVICES.

50% OF THIS FUNDING WILL BE EVENLY DISTRIBUTED ACROSS STATES, WHILE THE OTHER ALF IS BASED ON EACH STATE'S RURAL POPULATION AND HE NUMBER OF RURAL FACILITIES.

THIS GUARANTEES MINNESOTA AT LEAST $100 MILLION PER YEAR TO KEEP RURAL HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS OPEN.

>> WE FELT THAT IT WAS JUST AS SAFE AS THE TWIN CITIES IN TERMS OF HEALTHCARE DELIVERY.

>> Kaomi: SAM AND HIS WIFE MOVED THEIR YOUNG FAMILY FROM GRAND MARAIS TO THE TWIN CITIES URING THE PANDEMIC.

NOW HE'S ON THE BOARD OF NORTH SHORE HEALTH.

THE HOSPITAL LOSES MONEY EACH YEAR.

EVEN WITH A $1.8 MILLION PROPERTY TAX LEVY TO MAKE UP FOR SHORTFALLS.

MOVED FROM THE TWIN CITIES TO GRAND MARAIS.

>> AS A HOSPITAL, THERE AREN'T MANY ANCILLARY BUSINESSES THAT WE CAN RUN.

♪ ♪ >> ERIC: EARLY VOTING KICKED OFF TODAY IN MINNESOTA, AND ST.

PAUL VOTERS WILL SEE A BALLOT QUESTION ON BOOSTING SCHOOL FUNDING.

THIS IS PART OF A BROADER POTENTIAL TAX HIKE FOR THE CITY.

OUR NEXT GUEST JOINED US AFTER HER FIRST WEEK ON THE JOB AND RETURNS, NOW PAST HER FIRST 100 DAYS.

ST.

PAUL PUBLIC SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT STACIE STANLEY.

WELCOME BACK.

THE NEWS OF THE DAY FOR OF SCHOOLS IS THE SAFETY ISSUE.

>> YEAH.

>> Eric: WHAT ARE YOU AND THE BOARD DOING AND WHAT WOULD HELP FROM THE LEGISLATURE?

>> YEAH.

WELL, FIRST OF ALL, I JUST WANT TO SAY, IN THE FIRST 100 DAYS, I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH MANY PEOPLE, INCLUDING OUR CHIEF OF POLICE FOR St.

PAUL, POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND WE JUST HAVE REALLY STRONG RELATIONSHIP AND HAVE BUILT THAT SO THAT WE CAN HAVE THAT STRONG RELATIONSHIP.

AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE OUR INTERNAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM WITHIN OUR DISTRICT.

NOW, WE COULD ALWAYS USE MORE SAFETY DOLLARS.

THAT'S FOR SURE.

AND WE'RE JUST KIND OF WAITING TO HEAR WHAT THE GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO DO, IF WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT SPECIAL SESSION, AND WHAT THOSE CONVERSATIONS WILL BE.

I'M ACTUALLY REACHING OUT TO OUR LEGISLATORS, REACHING OUT TO OUR MAYOR, ALL OF THOSE THINGS SO THAT WE CAN BE PREPARED, YOU KNOW, IN OUR ADVOCACY EFFORTS.

>> Cathy: WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE IDEA THAT HAS BEEN FLOATED BY SOME LAWMAKERS TO BRING BACK SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS?

I THINK YOU ALL PROBABLY PULLED BACK ON SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS IN 2020.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT MAYBE BRINGING THEM BACK IN?

>> YEAH, WELL, I WILL TELL YOU, THAT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST QUESTIONS THAT I HAD WHEN I MET WITH OUR CHIEF OF St.

PAUL POLICE, AND WHAT HE SHARED, AND I AGREE WITH HIM, AFTER BEING THERE FOR FOUR MONTHS, AND REALLY SEEING THE STRONG RELATIONSHIP, THE FACT THAT WE ARE ABLE TO HAVE OUR SAFETY LIAISONS RIGHT IN OUR SCHOOLS, BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE KIDS ALL THE TIME, WE'RE ABLE TO HAVE MANY MORE THAN WE WOULD HAVE FOR SROs, HE SAID THAT HE REALLY LIKES THIS MODEL, AND I REALLY SUPPORT HIM WITH THAT.

FUL.

>> Eric: YOUR $51 MILLION SHORT IN A BILLION-DOLLAR BUDGET.

YOU CAN'T TAP RESERVES FOREVER.

YOU GET BELOW THE GUIDELINES.

>> YEAH.

>> Eric: YOU'RE GOING TO THE VOTERS.

>> WE ARE.

>> Eric: WHAT'S THE PITCH?

>> SO, ACTUALLY WE SURVEYED OUR VOTERS TO FIND OUT IF, FIRST OF ALL, IF THEY WOULD BE INTERESTED IN, YOU KNOW, WHAT THEIR APPETITE WAS FOR LEVY BACK IN JUNE.

AND 78% OF OUR RESIDENT FAMILIES SAID THAT THEY WOULD COMPLETELY SUPPORT A REFERENDA IF IT MEANT WELL MAINTAINING OUR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS.

YOU KNOW, ST.

PAUL PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAS SOME AMAZING PROGRAMS, WHETHER IT IS CAREER AND COLLEGE READINESS, WHETHER IT IS OUR LANGUAGE AND CULTURE PROGRAMS, WHETHER IT IS A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE TO SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS AND TO GIVE THEM A BROAD-BASED EDUCATION.

WE DEFINITELY HAVE THE BASICS, AND WE HAVE THAT BROAD-BASED EDUCATION.

REALLY RIGHT NOW I DON'T WANT TO TAKE THAT FOR GRANTED, THOUGH -- >> Eric: SOUNDS GOOD, LIKE THERE'S SUPPORT.

>> SOUNDS GOOD.

THERE IS SUPPORT.

AND WE LSO KNOW THAT WE'RE OUT THERE TALKING TO THE PUBLIC.

I AM EETING WITH AS MANY PEOPLE AS I POSSIBLY CAN, SO IS MY SENIOR EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE INFORMING PEOPLE ABOUT WHAT THIS MEANS FOR US.

I TELL FOLKS, THIS IS NOT ICING ON THE CAKE.

THIS IS THE CAKE.

THIS IS TO MAKE SURE WE KEEP OUR PROGRAMS.

>> Cathy: AND I HEAR WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, THAT OU SAY THAT YOU GOT SOME SUPPORT.

YET, RAMSEY COUNTY COMMISSIONER REASON I CAN'T MORAN IS WORRIED ABOUT FOLKS MOVING OUT OF St.

PAUL BECAUSE OF HIGH TAXES, AND MAYOR CARER IS LOOKING -- CARTER IS LOOKING AT RAISING TAXES, RAMSEY COUNTY, TOO.

ISN'T A TOUGH ROW TO HOE, ISN'T IT?

>> IT'S A TOUGH SPACE, FOR EVERY ONE DOLLAR OF OUR TAXPAYERS' DOLLARS IN St.

PAUL, 23 CENTS GOES TOWARD THE SCHOOLS.

AND MY PREDECESSORS HAVE DONE THEIR VERY BEST TO JUST BE REALLY JUDICIOUS WITH THEIR TAX DOLLARS.

RENA MORAN.

AND AT THE SAME TIME, WE KNOW THAT WE ARE GOING TO NEED THOSE EXTRA DOLLARS IN ORDER TO KEEP OUR PROGRAMS AT THE PLACE THEY'RE AT.

>> Eric: THE LEGISLATURE TOUTED IN 2023 RECORD-HIGH EDUCATION FUNDING.

WHERE DID ALL THAT MONEY GO?

>> WELL, RECORD-HIGH EDUCATIONAL FUNDING, AND WE REALLY APPRECIATE THAT THEY HELPED US WITH SOME OF THOSE CROSS-SUBSIDIES AND, STILL, IF EDUCATION BASIC FORMULA HAD KEPT UP WITH INFLATION SINCE 200 3, ST.

PAUL PUBLIC SCHOOLS ALONE WILL STILL HAVE $50 MILLION MORE PER YEAR.

2003.

SO WE APPRECIATE THE EXTRA FUNDS.

YOU HAD THE ECONOMIST ON.

HE'S TALKING ABOUT THE COST OF SUPPLIES.

YOU ACTUALLY HAD THE SEGMENT ON MEDICAID.

WE ACTUALLY DO THIRD-PARTY BILLING.

THAT'S $5 MILLION.

SO THESE ARE ALL DOLLARS THAT WE COULD POSSIBLY LOSE, AND THESE ARE ALL DOLLARS THAT HELP TO KEEP OUR SYSTEM GOING.

>> Cathy: NOW, I KNOW YOU WANT TO BE POSITIVE, BUT IF THIS REFERENDA FAILS, WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN?

>> YEAH.

WE WOULD LOSE THE ARTS, WE WOULD LOSE MUSIC IN OUR SCHOOLS.

RIGHT NOW WE HAVE INCREDIBLE LANGUAGE PROGRAMS.

ACROSS THE DISTRICT FOR A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT LANGUAGES.

WE PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION FOR THOSE BECAUSE WE REALLY WANT OUR STUDENTS TO HAVE EQUITABLE ACCESS.

WE'D HAVE TO LOOK AT TRANSPORTATION FOR THOSE.

WE WOULD HAVE TO LOOK AT, WHAT DOES SAFETY AND SECURITY LOOK LIKE, YOU KNOW, PAYING FOR THAT.

ALL OF THAT COMES OUT OF GENERAL FUND.

>> Eric: YOU'VE OT A TOUGH JOB.

APPRECIATE YOU COMING VER.

>> Cathy: GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN, TOO.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

TAKE CARE.

>> Cathy: YOU TOO.

♪ >> I'M TANE DANGER HERE ON NICOLLET MALL IN BEAUTIFUL DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS.

FOR DINNER DU NORD, IT'S A DINNER FOR MORE THAN 2,000 PEOPLE ACROSS SEVEN BLOCKS OF NICOLLET MALL, WITH 40 DIFFERENT RESTAURANTS!

LET'S GO SEE.

♪ ♪ >> IT SOUNDED LIKE SO MUCH FUN TO SIT DOWN AND EAT WITH 2,000 PEOPLE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

JUST THE FUN AND LOVE CELEBRATING MINNEAPOLIS.

>> YEAH.

>> HAS ANYBODY MADE A NEW FRIEND?

>> OH, YEAH!

>> YES!

>> YES!

>> YEAH, WE'RE RIENDS.

>> THEY'RE COMING OVER TOMORROW.

>> ADAM DUININCK, PRESIDENT AND Z OF THE DOWNTOWN COUNCIL.

>> WE'RE DOWNTOWN.

>> ROCKIN'.

>> SEEMS PRETTY GOOD.

>> YES.

>> YOU SHOULD SET UP A TABLE FOR 2,000 PEOPLE EVERY THURSDAY.

>> MAYBE WE SHOULD DO IT EVERY THURSDAY.

I LOVE THAT IDEA.

>> HI, WHAT'S YOUR NAME?

>> RUBY.

>> WHAT'S THIS?

>> THIS IS OUL TO SOUL BARBECUE.

WE DO MEMPHIS BARBECUE, WE HAVE DRY RUB, WE O CATFISH AND ALL SOUTHERN SIDES.

>> WE'RE DOING A THING FOR TPT PUBLIC TELEVISION.

[ Cheers ] >> TPT!

TPT!

[ CHANTING ] TPT!

TPT!

>> HAY, TANE, I'M KIM BARTMAN, I'M HERE WITH OUR RESTAURANT BARBETTE.

>> WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT NORTH TO DO DINNER IN THE MIDDLE OF DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS?

>> WELL, IT'S LIKE CAMPING.

BUT FANCIER.

>> AND YOU GOT, IT LOOKS LIKE YOU GOT GOOD WINE GOING, TOO?

>> WELL, IT'S NOT DINNER IF IT'S NOT GOOD WINE.

>> ANTASTIC!

[ Cheers ] >> HOW IS THAT?

>> PROBABLY BETTER THAN THE BRUSSEL SPROUTS.

>> FANCY.

IT'S A FANCY MEAL.

>> HAPPY DINNER DU NORD, EVERYONE.

>> CATHY: HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH KICKED OFF MONDAY, WITH EVENTS AROUND THE STATE THROUGH MID OCTOBER.

ON RASPBERRY ISLAND IN ST.

PAUL, THE MINNESOTA LATINO MUSEUM'S ALEBRIJES EXHIBIT BRINGS LARGER-THAN-LIFE PAPER MACHE SCULPTURES TO LIFE.

A NEW TWIN CITIES PBS DOCUMENTARY FROM PRODUCER SERGIO RAPU FOLLOWED THE MUSEUM, WHICH DOESN'T YET HAVE A BUILDING, LEADING UP TO THE EXHIBIT.

HERE'S A CLIP FROM THAT DOCUMENTARY.

>> THIS IS THE FUTURE OF OUR COUNTRY, THIS IS THE FUTURE OF OUR STATE.

A LOT OF TIMES LATINO KIDS JUST FEEL LIKE THEY MAYBE DON'T BELONG HERE.

WE GET A LOT OF MESSAGES, NEGATIVE MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNMENT OR FROM MEDIA AND, SO, FOR US IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO CREATE SPACES WHERE KIDS, YOUTH, ADULTS, EVERYONE IN OUR COMMUNITY FEEL WELCOME AND INCLUDED.

>> WE ARE GOING TO INSTALL 16 OF THESE GIANTS AT RASPBERRY ISLAND.

WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS PROJECT FOR FIVE YEARS.

THIS EXHIBIT IS ESSENTIALLY AN OUTDOOR MUSEUM QUALITY EXHIBIT.

WITHOUT THE BUILDING.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT RASPBERRY ISLAND IS PART OF HARRIET ISLAND REGIONAL PARK.

THIS IS THE LOCATION WHERE WE WANT TO BUILD THE MINNESOTA LATINO MUSEUM.

SO, EFFECTIVELY WHAT WE'RE DOING IS PLANTING THE SEED IN THE COMMUNITY'S IMAGINATION OF WHAT A USEUM COULD LOOK LIKE, AND THEN INVITING PEOPLE TO COME ENJOY THE ART AND ALSO CO-CREATE THE ART WITH US.

>> CATHY: WE JUST SAW MINNESOTA LATINO MUSEUM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AARON JOHNSON-ORTIZ, AND HE JOINS US NOW IN STUDIO.

WITH SOME AMAZING ART.

THANKS FOR COMING.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> Cathy: THIS IS A BIG, BIG DEAL.

MINNESOTA'S LATINO POPULATION IS 6% OF THE POPULATION.

AND AND THIS WOULD BE HUGE TO HAVE A MUSEUM.

THERE ISN'T ANYTHING LIKE THIS RIGHT NOW, RIGHT?

>> THERE ARE NO LATINO MUSEUMS ANYWHERE IN THE UPPER MIDWEST.

AND, SO, WE WOULD BE THE FIRST IN MINNESOTA AND ALSO IN THE REGION.

>> Cathy: OKAY.

>> Eric: THE ARTS PLAY WHAT KIND OF ROLE IN KIND OF TELLING THE STORY OF THE COMMUNITY?

>> YEAH.

SO I'M A MURALIST MYSELF.

AND THE MEXICAN MURALIST MOVEMENT WAS BUILT ON THE CONCEPT OF TELLING STORY THROUGH IMAGES.

AND, SO, FOR US, WE LIKE TO SHARE HISTORY AND OUR WAY OF BEING IN THE WORLD THROUGH POETRY, THROUGH MUSIC AND THROUGH VISUAL ART AS WELL.

>> Cathy: THE ALEBRIEJES YOU BROUGHT ONE WITH US, WE'VE GOT TO GET A SHOT OF THIS, I LOVE THE COLORS, THE VIBRANCY.

THIS IS INCREDIBLY COOL.

EXPLAIN THIS.

>> YEAH, SO THIS PIECE SPECIFICALLY WAS DONE BY TWO VISITING INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS FROM MEXICO CITY.

AND IT WAS NFLUENCED BY THEIR RESIDENCY RIGHT HERE IN MINNESOTA.

AND, SO, YOU CAN SEE IT HAS A RIVER IN HIS HAND AND A CORN STALK.

AND A CORN STOCK.

AND THE REFERENCE POINT IS OFTENTIMES PEOPLE THINK THAT LATINOS CAME IN THE 1990s, BUT ACTUALLY THE CONNECTION TO MIDDLE AMERICA, MESOAMERICA HAS BEEN THOUSANDS OF YEARS.

SO CORN ARRIVED IN THE UPPER MIDWEST 1,000 YEARS AGO AND WAS DOMESTICATED IN CENTRAL MEXICO 10,000 YEARS AGO.

>> Eric: WHAT MATERIALS ARE USED TO MAKE THIS?

>> THIS IS PAPER MACHE AND ACRYLIC PAINT.

>> Cathy: OH, MY GOSH, OKAY.

SO THERE ARE STATUES AND ART LIKE THIS THROUGHOUT RASPBERRY ISLAND?

>> YES.

>> Cathy: BIG, BIG ONES, TOO.

>> YES, THEY'RE MONUMENTAL.

THERE'S 17 OF THEM RANGING FROM SOME THAT ARE FOUR FEET TALL ALL THE WAY UP TO 16 FEET TALL.

>> Cathy: OKAY.

SO TELL ME ABOUT THE MEANING OF THE SITE OF WHERE THESE ARE TO THE LATINO COMMUNITY IN St.

PAUL.

>> YEAH.

SO AS I MENTIONED, THE RIVER HAS ENORMOUS CONNECTION TO MEXICO, TO CENTRAL AMERICA, AND TO THE CARIBBEAN.

MY MOM, WHO'S A POET, ALWAYS TALKS ABOUT THE RIVER AS AN UMBILICAL CORD TO OUR HOMELANDS.

AND THEN, OF COURSE, SINCE THE 1880s, THE FIRST MEXICAN IMMIGRANTS CAME TO MINNESOTA AND CAME ALONG THE RIVER AND ESTABLISHED THEMSELVES ON THE WEST SIDE FLATS, WHICH IS THE REGION RIGHT BEHIND HARRIET ISLAND.

AND THE FIRST MEXICAN OF MINNESOTA WAS ON THE WEST SIDE FLATS SO WE WANT TO RECOVER THAT HISTORY.

>> Eric: WHERE DO YOU START WITH FUND-RAISING, CORPORATIONS, NONPROFITS, GOVERNMENT?

>> MAYBE ON TELEVISION, HOPEFULLY THEY'LL SEND US SOME DONATIONS.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A LOT OF SUPPORT FROM THE STATE OF MINNESOTA FOR THE EXHIBIT.

WE'VE ALREADY WELCOMED ABOUT 200,000 PEOPLE TO RASPBERRY ISLAND.

IT'S ALREADY ONE OF THE MOST WELL-ATTENDED EXHIBITS, ART EXHIBITS IN MINNESOTA HISTORY.

SO WE'RE VERY PROUD OF THIS WORK.

AND WE KNOW THAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE SOME TIME TO BUILD A MUSEUM, BUT WE WILL GET THERE.

>> Cathy: OKAY.

SO TELL US ABOUT THE ENTHUSIASM OF THE COMMUNITY.

>> YEAH.

YOU KNOW, I HAVE MET PEOPLE WHO HAVE LIVED THEIR WHOLE LIVES ON THE WEST SIDE AND THEY HAD NEVER ONCE VISITED RASPBERRY ISLAND.

THIS IS CRAZY.

THERE'S PEOPLE WHO LIVE DOWNTOWN WHO HAVE NEVER BEEN DOWN THERE.

SO WE UT THIS EXHIBIT THERE.

THERE WAS REALLY NOTHING GOING ON AT RASPBERRY ISLAND.

ALL OF A SUDDEN WE SAW CROWDS OF PEOPLE FROM THE DOWNTOWN AREA, FROM THE WEST SIDE, FROM THE GREATER METRO AREA, WE'VE EVEN SEEN PEOPLE FROM OUT OF STATE COME TO RASPBERRY ISLAND TO SEE THE EXHIBIT.

>> Cathy: YOU'VE GOT TO HELP US OUT HERE, IN TERMS OF THE WHIMSICAL NATURE OF THESE, WHAT'S THE STORY?

>> WELL, IT'S, AS YOU'RE POINTING OUT, SOME CRAZY CREATURE, FANTASTICAL CREATURE, OFTENTIMES IT'S THE COMBINATION OF DIFFERENT ANIMALS.

IN THIS CASE WE HAVE A SORT OF LYNX, DEER, TURTLE, SNAKE COMBINATION GOIN' ON.

AND IT'S FROM MEXICAN OLK ART, AND OFTENTIMES HAS VERY COLOR AND DECORATIVE PATTERNS WITH IT.

>> Eric: KEEP US POSTED ON PROGRESS, WILL YOU?

THIS IS A GREAT PROJECT.

>> Cathy: LOVE IT.

>> WE'VE GOT FIVE WEEKS LEFT ON THE EXHIBIT.

IT CLOSES ON OCTOBER 26th.

SO PLEASE COME TO RASPBERRY ISLAND.

>> Cathy: ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR COMING.

>> Cathy: GOOD LUCK, TOO.

THANK YOU.

♪ >> MARK: APPARENTLY, I'VE NOW REACHED THE AGE WHERE PEOPLE HAVE A "BAD KNEE."

MY PROBLEM IS I'M NOT SURE WHICH ONE IS THE BAD ONE.

MY CURRENT GOOD KNEE USED TO BE MY BAD KNEE.

NO REASON, JUST ONE DAY IT STARTED ACTING UP.

IT DIDN’T HURT ALL THE TIME.

ONLY WHEN I WOULD RUN, OR WALK, OR STAND STILL, OR LIE DOWN.

IT WAS FINE WHILE WATCHING TV.

I CAN DO THAT FOR HOURS, WHICH IS LIKE MY VERSION OF A MARATHON.

GRADUALLY IT GOT BETTER.

MEANWHILE, THE OTHER KNEE, WHICH IS NOW THE BAD KNEE, WAS ONCE THE GOOD KNEE, BUT NOW SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE, MAYBE FROM TRYING TO MAKE UP FOR THE GOOD ONE, WHICH USED TO BE BAD.

SO NOW THE FIRST KNEE IS THE GOOD KNEE, WHICH USED TO BE BAD BUT IS NOW GOOD COMPARED TO THE NEW BAD KNEE.

IT’S NOT TERRIBLE.

IT HURTS DURING THE DAY, ACHES AT NIGHT.

WHEN I STAND UP, IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMEONE CRUSHING TRISCUITS WITH A ROLLING PIN.

IT’S ONLY RELATIVELY BAD -- IT WASN’T TRYING TO BREAK INTO MY ONLINE BANK ACCOUNT OR ANYTHING.

SO I GOT A KNEE BRACE.

GENERALLY, IF SOMETHING HURTS, YOU DON'T WANT TO SQUEEZE IT.

YOUR KNEE STILL HURTS, AND, PLUS, YOU GET LITTLE DENTS IN YOUR LEG.

A BRACE REALLY ONLY WORKS BEFORE IT STARTS HURTING.

YOU PROBABLY HAVE TO START EARLIER, LIKE IN KINDERGARTEN.

I ALSO TRIED PUTTING ICE ON IT.

THEN IT HURTS AND IT'S FREEZING.

THE NEXT STEP IS WHEN THE BAD KNEE STARTS GIVING OUT, AND THAT’S WHEN YOU SUDDENLY FALL OFF THE CURB AND LAND IN TRAFFIC.

I THINK IT’S TRYING TO GET RID OF THE GOOD KNEE.

THEN IT WOULDN’T BE THE BAD KNEE ANY MORE.

IT WOULD BE THE ONLY KNEE.

SO YOU GO TO YOUR DOCTOR.

THEY DO AN X-RAY AND SEND YOU TO ANOTHER DOCTOR WHO CAN INSTALL BRAND-NEW KNEES.

THIS DOESN'T WORK WITH MOST OTHER BODY PARTS.

GENERALLY, YOU HAVE THE SPLEEN YOU ORIGINALLY GOT.

BUT THAT’S THE WORST-CASE SCENARIO.

I’M NOT SHOPPING FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS YET.

MEANWHILE, I NEED MY KNEES.

TURNS OUT EVERY DAY IS LEG DAY.

I HAVE TO DO SOMETHING, WHILE I STILL HAVE A LEG TO STAND ON.

>> Cathy: NICE!

[ Applause ] ♪ >> ERIC: LAWMAKERS AT THE CAPITOL ARE LOOKING FOR SOLUTIONS TO GUN VIOLENCE AND SCHOOL SAFETY IN OUR STATE.

THE ISSUES ARE EMOTIONAL AND THE POLITICS ARE DIFFICULT.

AS MARY LAHAMMER REPORTS, GUN CONTROL IS ONE OF THE MAIN ISSUES GOVERNOR WALZ IS TALKING ABOUT NOW THAT HE IS OFFICIALLY RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION.

>> WE'VE SEEN TERRIBLE TIMES THIS YEAR.

I'M HEARTBROKEN AND ANGRY ABOUT THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE WE LOST TO GUN VIOLENCE.

>> Mary: GUN VIOLENCE WAS FRONT AND CENTER IN GOVERNOR WALZ ANNOUNCING AN ATTEMPT T AN UNPRECEDENTED THIRD TERM.

THE DEMOCRAT HAS REPUBLICAN CHALLENGERS, BUT D.C.

IS WHAT HE MENTIONED.

>> AND I'LL NEVER STOP FIGHTING TO PROTECT US FROM THE CHAOS, CORRUPTION AND CRUELTY COMING OUT OF WASHINGTON.

>> Mary: THIS AFTER PRESIDENT TRUMP SAID WALZ NEVER ASKED HIM TO LOWER FLAGS FOR THE ELECTED OFFICIAL ASSASSINATED HERE.

>> I'M NOT FAMILIAR, THE WHO -- >> THE MINNESOTA HOUSE SPEAKER, A DEMOCRAT, WHO WAS ASSASSINATED THIS SUMMER.

>> Mary: THE ISSUE OF GUN VIOLENCE AND SCHOOL SAFETY BROUGHT BIG CROWDS TO THE CAPITOL.

>> WE'RE HERE BECAUSE OF ANOTHER FIREARM TRAGEDY IN MINNESOTA.

IT'S BEEN A TOUGH SUMMER.

>> Mary: THE MOST MEMORABLE AND MOVING MOMENTS OF THE DAYS OF HEARINGS ON GUN VIOLENCE AT THE CAPITOL CAME FROM THE PARENTS OF ANNUNCIATION WHO SHARED THEIR VERY RAW ANGER AND PAIN.

>> I WOULD DO ANYTHING TO SAVE MY CHILD'S LIFE.

WOULDN'T YOU DO THE SAME FOR YOURS?

IF THERE WAS A PERSON SHOOTING INTO A CROWDED ROOM WHERE YOUR CHILD WAS INNOCENTLY SITTING, HOW CAN YOU BE COMFORTABLE WITH THE SHOOTER HAVING EASY ACCESS TO LEGALLY BUY AN AR-15 CAPABLE OF FIRING FF MORE THAN 100 BULLETS A MINUTE?

>> MY HUSBAND AND I HEARD GUNSHOTS FROM OUR KITCHEN.

MY HUSBAND KNEW IMMEDIATELY WHAT THEY WERE.

I DIDN'T WANT TO BELIEVE IT.

NOT HERE.

NOT IN OUR ENABLED.

NOT IN UR NEIGHBORHOOD.

BUT THEN THE SECOND ROUND OF SHOTS ANG SHOT, AND MY HUSBAND SAID, THOSE SHOTS CAME FROM THE SCHOOL.

I RAN.

I RAN TOWARD THE SCHOOL.

MY HEART POUNDED IN THE PIT OF MY STOMACH.

MY MIND WAS FLOODED WITH IMAGES OF MY CHILDREN SHOT AND LYING DEAD IN THEIR OWN POOL OF BLOOD.

I EXPERIENCED A LEVEL OF FEAR AND HORROR I NEVER KNEW EXISTED.

>> Mary: PARENTS DEMANDED LAWMAKERS BAN ASSAULT RIFLES AND HIGH-CAPACITY MAG DISEENS.

>> WHAT YOU NEED TO DO IS TO LOOK INTO THE EYES OF MY 7-YEAR-OLD AT NIGHT, AND SHE LOOKS AT ME AND TELLS ME SHE CAN'T GO TO SLEEP BECAUSE SHE'S AFRAID THERE'S A HOOTER IN THE HOUSE.

MAG SCENES.

-- MAGAZINES.

THIS IS OUR FAMILY'S NEW REALITY.

AND THIS IS THE REALITY THAT SO MANY OF THE FAMILIES IN OUR ANNUNCIATION COMMUNITY ARE SUFFERING.

>> Mary: MOMS SAY THEY WON'T GO AWAY.

>> THE MOTHERS, WE WILL KEEP COMING!

WE WILL KEEP SPEAKING!

UNTIL OUR CHILDREN ARE SAFE!

AND UNTIL THEY CAN REST THEIR HEADS SAFELY AT NIGHT.

>> DAVID WAS SHOT AT THE FIRST SCHOOL MASS OF THE YEAR.

HIS SPLEEN WAS LACERATED.

SHRAPNEL SCATTERED THROUGH HIS LEFT SIDE.

BULLETS GRAZED THE BACK OF HIS HEAD.

>> SHE HAS MULTIPLE BULLET FRAGMENTS LODGED IN HER HEAD WHICH WILL MOST LIKELY BE THERE FOR THE REST OF HER LIFE.

LITERALLY PRAYING, LITERALLY PRAYING NEXT TO ONE OF HER BEST FRIENDS WHO WAS MURDERED.

IN COLD BLOOD Y THIS MONSTER.

>> AS A MOM, DID SEEING AND HEARING THOSE MOMS HAVE AN IMPACT?

>> IT WAS EXTREMELY IMPACTFUL.

I HAD TEARS.

I THINK A STAFF PERSON WAS KIND ENOUGH TO BRING ME TISSUES.

IT WAS HEART WRENCHING TO LISTEN TO THEIR STORIES, ABSOLUTELY.

>> Mary: ON THOSE ASSAULT WEAPON BANS, ANYTHING -- HAVE YOU MOVED ON THAT AT ALL?

>> NO.

I HAVEN'T SPOKEN WITH THOSE PARENTS.

THEY HAVEN'T MET WITH THEM.

THEY DON'T CARE TO.

>> Mary: DOCTORS DETAILED WHAT ALL THE BULLETS DID TO SO MANY SMALL BODIES.

>> I EVALUATE EVERY SINGLE CHILD THAT CAME THROUGH OUR OPERATING ROOM THAT DAY AS THEY CAME BY THE DESK.

I'M HAUNTED BY THE LOOKS IN THEIR EYES.

THE LOOKS OF HORROR AS IF THEIR SENSE OF SAFETY AND CHILDHOOD HAD JUST BEEN SNUFFED OUT IN SECONDS.

>> ASSAULT RIFLES TURN SURVIVABLE INJURIES INTO FATAL ONES.

THEY TURN SMALL TRAGEDIES INTO MASS TRAGEDIES.

>> Mary: THE FAITH COMMUNITY ALSO APPEARED TOGETHER.

>> THE MINNESOTA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE SUPPORTS A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO PROTECTING INNOCENT LIVES FROM THE PLAGUE OF GUN VIOLENCE.

>> Mary: GUN RIGHTS ADVOCATES SAY GUN CONTROL DOESN'T WORK AND THEY WANT AN EMPHASIS ON MORE MENTAL HEALTH.

>> THERE'S NO BACKGROUND CHECK THAT CAN DETECT SOMEBODY'S INTERNAL CRISIS.

>> EVIL IS REAL.

EVIL IS COMMITTED TO VIOLENCE.

EVIL TARGETS OUR CHILDREN AND INNOCENT MEN AND WOMEN ACROSS THE STATE AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> YOU KNOW, WE TALKED ABOUT DIFFERENT TYPES OF SOLUTIONS HERE.

I WILL START OUT WITH, ARMED POLICE OFFICERS IN THE SCHOOL.

I KNOW THAT'S REPREHENSIBLE TO SOME PEOPLE, AND I KNOW -- I WISH WE WEREN'T AT THAT STATE.

>> I KNOW THIS WORKING GROUP IS TARGETED TOWARDS THE GUN VIOLENCE.

IN MY PERSPECTIVE, IT'S ABOUT HOW DO WE PROTECT OUR CHILDREN?

>> Mary: PARTISAN LINES ARE APPEARING.

>> HOW MANY CHILDREN HAVE TO DIE BEFORE WE TAKE ACTION?

>> I AM ANGRY.

I AM OUTRAGED.

THIS HAS BEEN A SUMMER OF DEVASTATION.

DEVASTATION THAT VISITED US, THAT VISITED OUR COLLEAGUES.

>> THE GRAVITY OF THE HARM AND THE INJURIES TO THESE CHILDREN WERE CLEARLY THE RESULT OF BEING ABLE TO REEL OFF A TON OF BULLETS IN A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.

>> THINGS HAVE CHANGED.

AND I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ANY MORE THIS OR THAT, IT'S THIS AND THAT.

IT'S MENTAL HEALTH AND IT IS COMMON-SENSE GUN LAWS.

IT'S BOTH THESE THINGS.

♪ >> CATHY: CAN GOVERNOR WALZ BECOME THE STATE'S FIRST GOVERNOR TO SERVE THREE FULL TERMS?

WHO KNOWS?

BUT OUR PANEL OF FORMER LAWMAKERS WILL HAVE THOUGHTS ABOUT THAT, ALSO SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT NEW GUN CONTROL MEASURES ARE POSSIBLE AND NEWS THAT LONG-SERVING STATE SENATOR ANN REST HAS ANNOUNCED SHE IS RETIRING AT THE END OF THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

LET'S DIVE RIGHT IN.

ON THE COUCH TONIGHT, DEMOCRAT AND FORMER MINNESOTA HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER RYAN WINKLER.

HE'S JOINED BY FELLOW DEMOCRAT AND FORMER STATE SENATOR JEFF HAYDEN.

REPUBLICANS TONIGHT ARE FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER KURT DAUDT AND FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE PAT GAROFALO.

SENATOR HAYDEN, GOVERNOR'S HAVING HIS CAMPAIGN KICKOFF TONIGHT, FRIDAY NIGHT, IN DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS.

YEAH.

AND TONIGHT KSTP AND SURVEY U.S.A.

CAME OUT WITH A POLL THAT SHOWS THAT 47% OF MINNESOTANS APPROVE OF THE GOVERNOR'S JOB PERFORMANCE AND 47% DISAPPROVE.

BUT THAT'S THE LOWEST JOB APPROVAL NUMBERS HE'S AD IN ABOUT FOUR YEARS.

>> YEAH, I MEAN, THE GOVERNOR'S HAD KIND OF A TOUGH YEAR AND HE'S CERTAINLY HAD A TOUGH COUPLE OF MONTHS.

AND I DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY TOOK THE SURVEY.

BUT I THINK HE'S COMMITTED TO MAKING THE STATE BETTER.

BUT THIS ISSUE OF FRAUD AND SOME OF THESE OTHER ISSUES, I THINK ARE PROBABLY WEARING ON HIS JOB APPROVAL.

>> Cathy: I TALKED TO HIM THIS MORNING, SPEAKER DAUDT, AND WE'VE TALKED A LOT ABOUT FRAUD.

>> YEAH.

>> Cathy: AND HE SAID THERE WILL BE MORE CASES OF FRAUD TO COME OUT IN THE OPEN.

BUT HE SAYS EASES DOING ALL HE CAN TO TAMP THAT DOWN.

>> WELL, I THINK HIM SAYING HE'S DOING ALL HE CAN IS THE PROBLEM, RIGHT?

HE'S NOT AND HE HASN'T.

AND, REALLY, THERE'S BEEN ZERO OVERSIGHT OF THE FRAUD.

THERE'S BEEN MORE FRAUD UNDER THIS GOVERNOR THAN UNDER ANY OTHER GOVERNOR IN ANY OTHER STATE IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY.

THIS IS BEYOND AN EPIDEMIC.

AND I THINK TAXPAYERS CAN FIGURE OUT THAT WHEN YOU ANNOUNCE RE-ELECTION ON A TUESDAY, AND PUT OUT A PRESS RELEASE THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE TOUGH ON FRAUD ON WEDNESDAY, THAT THAT'S NOT REAL.

>> Eric: YOU KNOW, TO EXTEND THE LIFE OF A PRODUCT, ADVERTISERS WILL SAY, IT'S NEW AND IMPROVED.

AND I WONDER, DOES THAT FIT ANYWHERE INTO THE GOVERNOR'S PROJECTION FOR A CAMPAIGN?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, I THINK POLL NUMBERS RIGHT NOW MAYBE EXPRESS SOME SKEPTICISM FROM VOTERS THAT THE GOVERNOR SHOULD RUN FOR A THIRD TERM, WE'VE SEEN SOME VARIATION, I THINK THAT TIM WALZ HAS THE ENERGY, DEDICATION, PASSION TO SHOW VOTERS WHAT WOULD BE DIFFERENT OR WHAT WOULD BE BETTER IN A THIRD TERM.

I THINK WE'RE JUST GETTING STARTED.

AND I THINK HE CERTAINLY HAS THE ABILITY TO CONVINCE MINNESOTANS THAT HE'S GOT THE ENERGY TO DO THE JOB AND REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

>> Eric: YOU'RE RUNNING AGAINST SOMEBODY, YOU KNOW.

IF YOU'RE AN INCUMBENT -- >> ME?

>> Eric: IF YOU'RE A GOVERNOR LOOKING FOR A THIRD TERM, YOU'RE RUNNING AGAINST SOMEBODY.

AND DOES HE STACK UP BETTER WITH WHATEVER THE REPUBLICANS ARE PUTTING FORWARD AS A CANDIDATE OR CANDIDATES?

>> WELL, I MEAN, WHEN YOU'VE RUN AND YOU'VE BEEN IN OFFICE -- FIRST OF ALL, ERIC, CATHY, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME ON.

>> Eric: YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> THAT WHEN YOU'VE BEEN IN OFFICE FOR EIGHT YEARS, T'S REALLY TOUGH TO MAKE THE CASE THAT THE THINGS YOU HAVEN'T GOTTEN DONE REQUIRE ANOTHER FOUR YEARS.

>> Eric: WE'RE NOT DONE YET WAS PART OF THE VIDEO.

>> RIGHT.

BUT I THINK THE MOST LIKELY SITUATION WE'RE GOING TO SEE IS THAT TIM WALZ, HE'S GOING TO BE RUNNING AGAINST DONALD TRUMP.

THAT'S WHO HE'S GOING TO RUN AGAINST.

HE'S NOT GOING TO RUN AGAINST HIS REPUBLICAN OPPONENT.

ANY TIME WE HAVE STUFF LIKE FRAUD COMING UP OR THE $18 BILLION SURPLUS COMING UP OR OTHER ISSUES THAT WERE EXPOSED ON HIS CAMPAIGN FOR VICE PRESIDENT, HE'S GOING TO PIVOT BACK TO REMIND LEFT-LEANING VOTERS THAT IF YOU VOTE FOR A REPUBLICAN, YOU'RE VOTING FOR DONALD TRUMP.

AND THAT'S GOING TO BRING A VISCERAL REACTION.

NOW, THAT'S NOT GOING TO HELP BRING MINNESOTANS TOGETHER.

IT'S NOT GOING TO IMPROVE GOVERNANCE.

BUT IT VERY WELL MAY BE AN EFFECTIVE POLITICAL STRATEGY.

WE JUST DON'T KNOW.

>> Cathy: I WON DER WILL THERE BE ANY OTHER NEW NAMES TO SURFACE ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE OF THINGS TO RUN AGAINST TIM WALZ?

>> I WOULD THINK NOW THAT WE KNOW TIM WALZ IS RUNNING FOR A THIRD TERM, YOU LIKELY COULD SEE SOME ADDITIONAL PEOPLE COME FORWARD.

I THINK THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO ARE WAITING TO FIND OUT, AM I RUNNING AGAINST TIM WALZ OR IS THIS RUMOR ABOUT AMY KLOBUCHAR TRUE?

RIGHT?

BECAUSE THOSE ARE TWO COMPLETELY DIFFERENT WORLDS.

SO I THINK IT'S ENTIRELY POSSIBLE.

>> AND FROM THE REPUBLICAN PERSPECTIVE, IF YOU LOOK AT THE U.S.

SENATE RACE RIGHT NOW, YOU'VE SEEN A RELUCTANT BY MANY PEOPLE TO RUN, BECAUSE THEY IKE THE IDEA OF POSSIBLY RUNNING AGAINST LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR PEGGY FLANAGAN.

THEY DO NOT LIKE THE IDEA OF RUNNING AGAINST CONGRESSWOMAN ANGIE CRAIG.

AND BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO LET THEIR POLITICAL FORTUNES HANG ON WHO'S GOING TO WIN A PRIMARY, THAT'S KEPT REPUBLICANS AWAY FROM IT.

NOW THAT WE KNOW THAT GOVERNOR WALZ IS GOING TO BE THE NOMINEE, NOW WE'RE GOING TO SEE HOW -- YOU KNOW, IT'S THE REPUBLICANS' TURN TO SEE WHO'S GOING TO RUN.

AND I THINK YOU'LL SEE OTHER NAMES COME FORWARD.

MY OPINION IS, RIGHT NOW, KRISTIN ROBBINS IS PROBABLY THE FRONTRUNNER, NOT FOR THE ENDORSEMENT, BUT PROBABLY IN A PRIMARY.

BUT VERY WELL COULD BE OTHER CANDIDATES WHO GET IN.

THAT'S THE THING ABOUT MINNESOTA POLITICS.

UNDERSTAND THIS, THAT NATIONWIDE, IN THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS, THERE'S ALWAYS ONE GOVERNOR'S RACE THAT GETS NATIONALIZED.

THAT HAS THE MOST ATTENTION, MOST MONEY.

AND YOU JUST DON'T HAVE VERY MANY COMPETITIVE STATES ANYMORE.

ASSUMING THAT GOVERNOR WALZ IS THE NOMINEE AND ASSUMING THAT REPUBLICANS PUT FORWARD A TIER ONE CANDIDATE, THE PREMIER GOVERNORSHIP RACE IN THE NATION IS GOING TO BE THE MINNESOTA GOVERNOR'S RACE.

>> Eric: SENATOR, YOU DO A LOT OF INGLING WITH LEGISLATORS, EVEN IN THE OFF SEASON.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> Eric: I'M WONDERING HOW EXCITED PEOPLE ARE FOR A SPECIAL SESSION IF THERE'S NO PREAGREEMENT, WORRIED ABOUT CAPITOL SAFETY, TAKING TIME AWAY FROM THEIR FAMILY FOR NO APPARENT REASON IF THEY CAN'T PASS SOMETHING?

>> YEAH, I DON'T THINK THAT THERE IS A GREAT INKLING TO GET INTO A SPECIAL SESSION, FIRST OF ALL, THEY DON'T HAVE THE FULL COMPLEMENT OF FOLKS, BECAUSE WE'RE STILL ROLLING ON WITH THESE SPECIAL ELECTIONS.

BUT WHAT I DO LIKE IS WHAT THEY'RE DOING IS THESE WORKGROUPS.

AND THEY CAN DO THAT.

SO WE JUST -- YOU JUST SHOWED ALL OF THE FOOTAGE OF THE GUN -- OR THE SCHOOL SHOOTING WORKGROUP.

I THINK THERE'S A CAPITOL SECURITY WORKGROUP.

SO I DO THINK THAT LEGISLATORS ARE READY TO COME TOGETHER TO START GETTING SOME WORK DONE.

AND THEN BE EADY IN FEBRUARY TO START FIGURING OUT WHAT THEY CAN AGREE UPON.

>> Eric: BUT THE GOVERNOR WANTS VERYBODY ON THE RECORD, I THINK IS WHAT HE SAID, WHETHER SOMETHING PASSES R NOT.

>> WELL, THAT'S ALWAYS THE ISSUE IN A LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

DO YOU WANT TO GO FOR THE BIG, YOU KNOW, THE BIG ACCOMPLISHMENT AND F IT FALLS SHORT, BLAME HE OTHER SIDE?

OR DO YOU WANT TO TRY TO ACCOMPLISH SOMETHING AND GO HOME WITH A SMALLER WIN?

USUALLY AT THE LEGISLATURE IT'S BETTER TO TAKE A REAL WIN THAN IT IS TO MAKE A POLITICAL POINT.

>> I STILL MAINTAIN THAT THERE'S NO CHANCE HE'S CALLING A SPECIAL SESSION.

AND THERE NEVER WAS.

I THINK HE'S ONLY TRYING TO GET THE MEDIA OFF OF THE FRAUD ISSUE.

WHICH HE'S MODERATELY DONE SUCCESSFULLY.

BUT PEOPLE AREN'T GOING TO FORGET ABOUT THE FRAUD.

AND THE REALITY IS, ON THE GUN CONTROL STUFF, THE VOTES AREN'T THERE.

AND THE REALITY IS, ON THE ISSUE, IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO FIX.

IF THERE'S 44 MILLION ASSAULT-STYLE WEAPONS OUT THERE ALREADY IN THE COUNTRY, BANNING THE SALE OF NEW ONES DOESN'T GET THE OLD ONES.

AND, YOU KNOW, I MADE THE CASE A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO THAT THERE'S REALLY NO DIFFERENCE, OTHER THAN THE APPEARANCE BETWEEN AN ASSAULT-STYLE RIFLE AND 95% OF ALL FIREARMS SOLD, INCLUDING ALL FIREARMS USED FOR HUNTING.

>> THERE IS PROBABLY A LIMIT ABOUT WHAT CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS AND IN THE NEXT YEAR.

BUT IF THERE ISN'T A SUSTAINED EFFORT OVER A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS OR TEN YEARS TO START TO CHANGE THE CULTURE AND THE EXPECTATIONS ABOUT WHAT KIND OF WEAPONS CAN BE FREELY BOUGHT AND SOLD, IN CITIES AND SMALL TOWNS ROUND THE STATE AND AROUND THE COUNTRY, WE'RE NEVER GOING TO PUT A LID ON THIS.

WE'RE NEVER GOING TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS SAFETY.

SO IT HAS TO START SERIOUSLY SOMETIME, AND IF IT'S NOT GOING TO START NOW IN MINNESOTA, I DON'T KNOW WHEN IT EVER WOULD.

>> RYAN, YOU BRING UP THIS POINT ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WE WERE TALKING BEFOREHAND, ALL OF US, ALL OF US ARE EXPERIENCED LEGISLATORS, YOU KNOW, ALL OF US HAVE BEEN HAPPY TO DROP OUR GLOVES AND ENGAGE IN THE RHETORICAL FIGHT.

YOU KNOW?

AND DO THOSE THINGS.

BUT THIS SEEMS LIKE PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS TIME RIGHT NOW.

NOT ONLY IN MINNESOTA BUT IN AMERICA.

AND I RECOGNIZE THAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE LEADERS, THE PEOPLE WHO RIGHT NOW SHOULD BE SAYING, WE NEED TO TURN DOWN THE VOLUME AND CALM DOWN, AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL AND TO A CERTAIN DEGREE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, THEY'RE NOT DOING THAT.

AND LIKE WE CAN COMPLAIN ABOUT THAT, BUT THE IMPORTANT THING IS, ALL OF US NEED TO DO MORE JUST TO, AGAIN, WE CAN HAVE OUR DIFFERENCES, WE CAN FIGHT ABOUT STUFF, VERBALLY, VIOLENCE IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.

AND WE REALLY REALLY NEED LEADERSHIP THAT'S CALMING PEOPLE DOWN.

THIS IS NOT -- THIS IS NOT SUSTAINABLE AND IT'S NOT GOOD.

REGARDLESS F THE POLICY DEBATES THAT ARE TAKING PLACE.

>> Cathy: YOU KNOW, BEFORE WE GO, WE SHOULD PROBABLY TALK ABOUT SENATOR REST DECIDING NOT TO RUN FOR RE-ELECTION.

SHE'S BEEN AROUND FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

>> SHE HAS.

>> Cathy: I'M SURE PROBABLY -- WELL, SHE WAS ON THE SSASSIN'S HIT LIST.

>> YES.

>> Cathy: THAT WOULD SCARE THE DAYLIGHTS OUT OF ANYBODY.

>> THEY WENT BY HER HOUSE.

SENATOR REST, I SERVED WITH HER A LOT, SHE WAS CERTAINLY A MENTOR ON A LOT OF ISSUES, AND SHE WAS QUICK TO TELL ME WHEN I WAS WRONG.

[ Laughter ] LIKE THAT'S THE DUMBEST THING I EVER HEARD OF IN MY LIFE, SHE PROBABLY TOLD ME THAT MORE THAN ONE TIME.

HOWEVER, SHE WAS POWERFUL, SHE WAS SMART, SHE WAS -- SHE IS A LEADER.

AND I THINK THAT -- I DO LIKE THE IDEA THAT SENATOR REST IS GOING OUT KIND OF ON HER OWN TERMS AND SHE CAN GET HER FLOWERS.

THAT HAPPENED FOR ME FROM MY PREDECESSOR, SENATOR BERGLIN AND OTHERS.

I THINK THAT THAT'S A REALLY NICE WAY FOR A PHENOMENAL LEGISLATIVE CAREER.

>> Eric: ONLY LEGISLATOR TO CHAIR THE TAX COMMITTEE IN BOTH CHAMBERS.

>> Cathy: THAT'S RIGHT.

>> INTERESTING.

>> THAT EXPERIENCE MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE AT CERTAIN POINTS, ESPECIALLY TO NEGOTIATING AT THE END OF SESSION.

>> Eric: THERE WILL BE SOME DOMINOES FALLING NOW IN YOUR DISTRICT.

>> IT TURNS OUT THE HOUSE DISTRICT I LIVE IN IS GOING TO BE OPEN.

>> THIRD TIME'S THE CHARM.

[ Laughter ] >> I THOUGHT IT WAS CHARMING EVERY TIME.

[ Laughter ] >> Eric: ARE YOU MAKING AN ANNOUNCEMENT TONIGHT?

>> NO, I'M NOT MAKING AN ANNOUNCEMENT TONIGHT.

>> Cathy: BUT YOU'RE LOOKING AT RUNNING?

>> ERIC, I'M CONSIDERING MOVING TO THE DISTRICT TO RUN AGAINST RYAN.

[ OVERLAPPING CONVERSATION ] >> IF YOU NEED A DOWN PAYMENT, LET ME KNOW.

>> RIGHT NOW MY WIFE IS WATCHING, HE JUST SAID WHAT?

>> Eric: REMEMBER NOW THAT DONALD TRUMP ONLY LOST MINNESOTA BY FOUR PERCENTAGE POINTS.

>> YEAH.

>> YEAH.

>> Eric: SO -- >> YEAH, I MEAN, GREP -- AGAIN, AT THE END OF THE DAY, THIS IS GOING TO BE COMPETING NARRATIVES.

>> YEAH.

>> GOING INTO NEXT YEAR.

ONE SIDE IS GOING TO WANT PEOPLE TO FOCUS ON DONALD TRUMP, THE OTHER SIDE IS GOING TO FOCUS ON WHAT HAS BEEN A DECAYING GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR EXPERTISE.

>> Cathy: GOOD TO HAVE YOU ALL.

♪ ♪ >> IT'S GOOD TO BE BACK.

>> DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT, JOE BIDEN, MADE HIS FIRST STOP IN MINNESOTA IN DULUTH.

>> HERE ON THE IRON RANGE, YOU CAN SEE THE RESILIENCE AND THE GRIT OF THE COMMUNITIES THAT MELT AMERICA, METALS ARE MADE OF.

>> I AM THRILLED TO BE BACK IN THE GREAT STATE OF MINNESOTA.

>> Mary: TRUMP HAS ALSO VISITED DULUTH.

IT WAS HIS FIRST STOP TO A STATE HE DIDN'T WIN AFTER BEING ELECTED PRESIDENT.

>> WE CAME THIS CLOSE TO WINNING THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

>> Mary: THE SAME DAY AS THE BIDEN VISIT, THE PRESIDENT IS SCHEDULED TO TOUCHDOWN IN BEMIDJI.

>> ERIC: THERE'S ALWAYS MORE TO TALK ABOUT THAN WE CAN FIT INTO AN HOUR.

BUT WE DO OUR BEST.

WE'VE REACHED THE PORTION OF THE SHOW WHERE WE ASK YOU THE QUESTIONS.

THIS WEEK, WE TRAVEL BACK IN TIME 44 YEARS.

IN 1981, A NEW YORKER MADE THEIR WAY TO MINNESOTA, WHERE THEY WOULD EVENTUALLY MOVE PERMANENTLY.

IT WAS A NOTABLE TRIP FOR SEVERAL REASONS, INCLUDING THE LENGTH OF TIME IT TOOK AND THE MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION.

WE WANT TO KNOW, WHO WAS THIS MYSTERY NEW YORKER TURNED MINNESOTAN, AND HOW DID THEY GET HERE?

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU WHETHER YOU'RE CALLING FROM HORSESHOE LAKE, MORGAN MINNESOTA OR EVEN SAVAGE, MINNESOTA.

651-229-1430 IS THE NUMBER TO CALL WITH YOUR ANSWERS.

FOR THE TYPISTS OUT THERE, EMAIL US YOUR ANSWERS.

WE CHECK THEM ALL.

THAT'S ALMANAC@TPT.ORG.

WE'LL LET YOU KNOW NEXT WEEK WHO WAS RIGHT AND WHO WAS NOT.

WE HAVE JUST ENOUGH TIME FOR SOME SHOW-ENDING MUSIC.

IT WAS THIS WEEK WAY BACK IN 1998 THAT THE LATE "SPIDER" JOHN KOERNER PERFORMED FOR US IN STUDIO.

SPIDER JOHN WAS PART OF THE WEST BANK MUSIC SCENE THAT INSPIRED A YOUNG BOB DYLAN WHO HAS ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK THAT HE WILL JOIN WILLIE NELSON, NEIL YOUNG, JOHN MELLENCAMP, AND DAVE MATTHEWS AT FARM AID 40 IN MINNEAPOLIS TOMORROW.

HERE'S "SPIDER" JOHN KOERNER.

STAY SAFE.

BE CAREFUL.

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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 TELEVISION ASSOCIATION.