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

>> IN THE NEXT HOUR WE'LL TALK ABOUT NEW GUIDANCE ON BOOSTER SHOTS FOR COVID.

WE'LL ALSO HEAR ABOUT AQUIFER DAMAGE DURING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ENBRIDGE LINE THREE PIPELINE AND WE'LL LEARN ABOUT AN EFFORT TO PRESERVE FARMLAND IN MINNESOTA.

PLUS MARY LAHAMMER BRINGS US AN EXAMPLE OF LAWMAKERS WORKING TOGETHER.

>> WE'LL TAKE YOU FOR AN INSIDE LOOK BEHIND THE SCENES WITH SENATORS TOMSONSONI AND BAKK AS THE MOST IMPORTANT BILL OF THEIR STORIED CAREERS IS SIGNED INTO LAW.

>> FOR SENATOR TOMASSONI, IT'S HIS NUMBER ONE PRIORITY.

>> THAT'S COMING UP ON ALMANAC.

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

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY... GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 28 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

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

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

ENBRIDGE: CONNECTING MINNESOTANS WITH ENERGY FOR OVER 70 YEARS.

MORE AT ENBRIDGE.COM/LINETHREEUS.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

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

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

>> Cathy: HEY, WELCOME TO ALMANAC, LATER IN THE HOUR WE'LL HEAR ABOUT A PLAN TO PRESERVE MINNESOTA FARMLAND AND ONGOING CONCERNS ABOUT THE LINE THREE PIPELINE.

FIRST UP IN THE HOUR, AN ADDITIONAL BOOSTER SHOOT SHOT AND A WORRISOME NEW VARIANT OF OMICRON.

>> Eric: THIS WEEK THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT APPROVED A SECOND COVID BOOSTER SHOT FOR AMERICANS VOLUNTARY 50.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT AND THE NEW EMERGENCE OF THE BA.2 VARIANT WITH OUR NEXT GUEST.

DR. MICHAEL OSTERHOLM HEADS THE DEPARTMENT OF RESEARCH AND POLICY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA AND HAS BEEN OINING US THE FIRST FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH DURING THE PANDEMIC.

DOCTOR, WELCOME, ON THE STAR TRIBUNE WEBSITE THIS AFTERNOON, NUMBER OF U.S. COVID PATIENTS AT A RECORD LOW.

YOU BUY IT?

>> I DO.

IT'S GREAT NEWS, ACTUALLY.

WE ARE UNFORTUNATELY, THOUGH, IN A VERY SIMILAR SITUATION TO WHERE WE WERE EXACTLY ONE YEAR AGO.

WHEN AT THAT TIME WE SAW CASE IF NUMBERS DROPPING RAPIDLY FROM THAT PEAK, VACCINES WERE FLOWING AND PEOPLE WERE DECLARING INDEPENDENCE FROM COVID AND YOU SAW WHAT HAPPENED WITH DELTA AND OMICRON.

I THINK WE'RE IN A BETTER POSITION NOW THAT MORE PEOPLE ARE IMMUNE BUT WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE NEXT VARIANTS COMING DOWN THE PIKE ARE GOING TO DO.

>> COVID LEVELS ARE INCREASING IN TWIN CITIES WASTEWATER.

WE KNOW THAT.

LESS THAN 70% OF OLDER AMERICANS HAVE HAD A FIRST BOOSTER SHOT SO AS THE NUMBERS GO UP ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT WHAT COULD HAPPEN?

>> I AM WORRIED ABOUT WITH REGARD TO ANYONE WHO HASN'T HAD AT LEAST ONE OF THOSE BOOSTER SHOTS AND HOPEFULLY WITH THIS NEW RECOMMENDATION THOSE OVER 50 GET AT LEAST TWO.

IF YOU LOOK WHAT'S HAPPENED AROUND THE WORLD AND IN EUROPE IN PARTICULAR, THOSE COUNTRIES THAT HAVE A LARGE NUMBER OF THEIR POPULATION OVER AGE 60 VACCINATED WITH NOT ONLY THE TWO SERIES, BUT THREE AND NOW POTENTIALLY WORKING ON THE FOURTH DOSE, THERE THEY'VE SEEN STILL LARGE OUTBREAKS OF CASES BUT THEY HAVE SEEN A GREATLY REDUCED OCCURRENCE OF SERIOUS ILLNESS, HOSPITALIZATIONS AND DEATHS.

AND I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE A VERY IMPORTANT POINT.

SECOND POINT IS WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN THIS COUNTRY IN THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS WITH BA.2.

IF THERE'S ANY WORD ANYBODY CAN TAKE HOME FROM TONIGHT IN MY COMMENTS, IT'S HUMILITY.

RIGHT NOW WHEN YOU LOOK AT BA.2 IN SOME COUNTRIES IN EUROPE, BA.2 VARIANT IS GROWING RAPIDLY AND CASE NUMBERS ARE GROWING RAPIDLY.

IN SOME COUNTRIES BA.2 THE NUMBER OF VIRUS I SAYOLATES ARE GROWING RAPIDLY BUT CASES AREN'T NECESSARILY THAT HIGH.

AND THEN IN SOME COUNTRIES CASES ARE HIGH AND BA.2 ISN'T THERE.

SO I THINK THIS IS VERY MUCH LIKE WHAT WE EXPERIENCED ONE YEAR AGO WHEN THE ALPHA VARIANT EMERGED OUT OF EUROPE, EVERYBODY THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO CUT THROUGH THE U.S. UICKLY AND IN FACT ONLY MINNESOTA AND MICHIGAN GOT HIT VERY HARD.

SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE NEXT FEW MONTHS ARE GOING TO BRING BUT I CAN TELL YOU THIS VIRUS IS NOT DONE WITH US EVEN THOUGH WE MAY BE DONE WITH IT.

>> RIGHT, YOU'VE SAID THAT BEFORE.

LAWMAKERS AS YOU KNOW HAVE SEEN AMERICANS ARE SICK OF THE PANDEMIC SO ALL IF NOT MOST OF THE MANDATES HAVE BEEN LIFTED AT THIS POINT.

HOW DISTORTED DO YOU THINK THE AMERICAN PUBLIC'S ASSESSMENT OF ACTUAL RISK OF COVID IS BECAUSE OF THAT?

>> WELL, I THINK WITH TIME THE ASSESSMENT IS CLOUDED BIT BY FATIGUE.

WE ACTUALLY SAW THIS IF YOU GO BACK TO THE 1918 PANDEMIC OF INFLUENZA IN THAT YEAR IT ACTUALLY LASTED INTO 1920.

PEOPLE DON'T OFTEN REALIZE THAT.

AND IT WAS INTERESTING BECAUSE IN 1918 AND 1920, OR UP TO 1919 PEOPLE ACTUALLY WOULD DO WHAT THE PUBLIC HEALTHS RECOMMENDED.

BY 1920 THEY SAID FORGET IT, WE'RE DONE AND FOLLOWED VERY FEW OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS AT THE TIME.

I THINK WE'RE AT THE SAME PLACE.

REMEMBER THIS SPRING, MOST OF THE GOVERNORS AROUND THE COUNTRY MADE DECISIONS TO RELAX THE MANDATES.

IT WASN'T BASED ON PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURES OR HOW MANY CASES WERE OCCURRING LARGELY, IT WAS ABOUT READING THE TEA LEAVES THAT THE PUBLIC WAS REALLY DONE WITH THIS.

AND SO WE DO HAVE A CHALLENGE RIGHT NOW.

HOPEFULLY WE CAN CONTINUE TO GET PEOPLE VACCINATED BUT PEOPLE ARE REALLY DONE WITH THIS PANDEMIC.

>> Eric: THERE IS A $10 BILLION COVID PACKAGE FLOATING AROUND CAPITOL HILL.

I GUESS THEY'RE CLOSE TO A DEAL AND YOU WERE QUOTED I THINK IN THE NEW YORK TIMES RECENTLY SAYING THAT ALL OF THIS POLITICAL AND LEGISLATING HAS KIND OF HELD HOSTAGE VACCINES AND TREATMENTS.

>> YES, IN FACT IN THAT ARTICLE I TALKED ABOUT PLAYING WITH INFECTIOUS DISEASE FIRE AND THAT'S SIGNAL WHAT WE'RE DOING RIGHT NOW.

THIS IS FOOLISH NOT TO SUPPORT VACCINES, GETTING DRUGS AND PURCHASED AND DISTRIBUTED, GETTING TESTING DONE.

REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED WITH DELTA, WE WEREN'T READY FOR THAT SURGE, WE COULDN'T GET TESTED AND GET DRUGS TO PEOPLE.

PEOPLE DIED BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T HAVE ACCESS TO THAT ACTIVITY.

SAME THING HAPPENED WITH OMICRON, HOW MANY TIMES DO WE HAVE TO LEARN THIS?

SO ANY INVESTMENT WE MAKE RIGHT NOW IS ACTUALLY A MAJOR COST SAVINGS.

IF I CAN PARAPHRASE AN OLD COMMERCIAL FROM SEVERAL DECADES AGO YOU CAN PAY ME NOW OR PAY ME LATER.

THE OTHER PIECE OF IT IS ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL THEY'RE ALSO CUTTING FUNDING FOR THE INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF VACCINES AND AS LONG AS THIS PICK'S GOING ON ANYWHERE MUTATING AND TRANSFERRED FROM PERSON TO PERSON ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD IT'S A RISK TO US.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT JUST HUMANITARIAN AID, THIS IS ABOUT BEING STRATEGIC AND THE FACT THAT WE DON'T EE THAT RIGHT NOW I THINK THAT ALSO IS REALLY SHORT-SIGHTED.

>> BECAUSE YOU'VE SAID TIME AND AGAIN AND IT'S TRUE THAT THE VIRUS IS NOT DONE WITH US AT THIS POINT BUT MOST PEOPLE ARE DONE WITH THE PANDEMIC WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE LONG-TERM RAMIFICATIONS OF OVID, THE PHYSICAL RAMIFICATIONS OF THIS?

>> YOU KNOW, CATHY, THIS IS GOING TO BE A LEGACY ISSUE THAT I REALLY WORRY ABOUT.

ANYWHERE FROM THREE TO 20% OF PEOPLE WHO GET COVID, WHETHER SERIOUSLY ILL OR IN MANY CASES IT STARTS OUT AS A VERY MILD ILLNESS GO ON TO DEVELOP THIS LONG COVID.

BRAIN FOG, REAL DAMAGE THAT OCCURS TO THE BRAIN.

WE SEE DAMAGE IN THE LUNGS AND THE HEART.

THIS SEVERE FATIGUE.

INABILITY TO ACTUALLY CONCENTRATE OR GO TO WORK.

VERY PAINFUL MUSCLES.

THIS IS ALL PART OF LONG COVID THAT WE REALLY DON'T QUITE REALLY UNDERSTAND YET.

BUT WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO'VE BEEN INFECTED AND YOU THINK ABOUT 3 TO 20% OF THEM HAVING LONG COVID THIS IS GOING TO PUT A REAL, REAL DENT INTO OUR WORKFORCE, IT'S GOING TO CAUSE HEALTH CARE COSTS TO RISE EVEN MORE AND WE'RE JUST OT PREPARED FOR EVEN THAT PART OF THE COVID PANDEMIC.

SO IF YOU DON'T WANT TO, YOU KNOW, WORRY ABOUT GETTING HOSPITALIZED, I'M YOUNG, I'M HEALTHY, DON'T WORRY ABOUT IF I GET COVID, I'LL DO FINE, KNOW THAT YOU'RE STILL AT HIGH RISK FOR LONG OVID AND THAT IS BY ITSELF FOR ME NOUGH REASON TO SAY GET VACCINATED.

YOU DON'T WANT TO TRY YOUR LUCK WITH THIS VIRUS.

>> Eric: HOW ARE WE DOING ON TREATMENTS?

THE ORSE MEDICINE STUDY I GUESS PROVED TO BE INEFFECTIVE.

>> IVERMECTIN.

>> THAT WASN'T A SURPRISE, BUT, YEAH, YOU'RE RIGHT.

I THINK THE CHALLENGE WE HAVE RIGHT NOW, ERIC WITH TREATMENTS, MONO COLLEGE ANTIBODIES WE LOST ONE THIS WEEK BECAUSE THE BA.2 VARIANT IS RESISTANT TO IT AND THE VARIANTS HAVE MADE THAT MONO COLLEGE INEFFECTIVE.

OTHER DRUGS ARE THERE BUT WE'RE SURELY HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING PEOPLE TO GET THEM.

AGAIN YOU HAVE TO GET TESTED, YOU HAVE TO O IT WITHIN THE FIRST FIVE DAYS OF YOUR ILLNESS SO WE HAVE A LOT MORE WORK TO DO THERE.

BUT THE FUTURE I THINK IS GOING TO BE VERY BRIGHT THAT WAY, IT'S JUST RIGHT NOW WE DON'T HAVE THE COMMUNITY CAPABILITY TO QUICKLY TEST PEOPLE, GET THEM ON TREATMENT IN THE NUMBERS THAT WE NEED TO.

>> SO EARLIER THIS WEEK OUR FRIENDS AT THE MAYO CLINIC SAID, YEAH, LOOKS LIKE NUMBERS ARE GOING TO GO UP SO START PREPARING.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY PEOPLE SHOULD DO O PREPARE?

-- SOCIAL EVENTS AND TRAVEL, THAT KIND OF THING, ET YOUR MASKS READY?

>> FIRST OF ALL THEY HAVE TO PREPARE SAYING IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO BE ANGRY WHEN IT STARTS TO HAPPEN AGAIN.

I THINK THE GROUP THAT I CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON ARE THOSE WHO ARE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED, THE OLDER POPULATION THAT HAVEN'T BEEN VACCINATED.

BASICALLY IF THEY GET INFECTED, THE LIKELIHOOD OF SERIOUS ILLNESS, HOSPITALIZATION AND DEATH IS SO MUCH HIGHER.

THEY ARE AFRAID TO GO IN PUBLIC AND RIGHTFULLY SO, ALL IT'S GOING TO TAKE IT ONE INFECTION AND THAT'S HISTORY FOR THEM.

I THINK THAT ONE OF THE GROUPS WE CONTINUE TO WITH IS HOW TO BEST PROTECT YOURSELF, FULLY VACCINATED, WEARING AN N9595 LESS PRESS OPERATORROR.

PLEASE KNOW THAT CLOTH MASKS DO NOT PROTECT AT ALL.

WE KNOW THE PUBLIC'S GOING TO DO WHAT THE PUBLIC'S GOING TO WANT TO DO.

I THINK OUR JOB RIGHT NOW IS TO MINIMIZE SERIOUS IMPACT AS MUCH AS WE CAN.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR THE INSIGHT, DOCTOR, THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

IT IS DEADLINE WEEK.

BUT THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK, AND PERHAPS THE ENTIRE SESSION, WAS THE FIRST BIG BILL SIGNING CEREMONY IN TWO YEARS.

MARY LAHAMMER HAS A UNIQUE LOOK WITH INSIDE ACCESS TO THE KEY PLAYERS BEHIND THE GROUNDBREAKING ALS RESEARCH BILL.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> AN UNPRECEDENTED BILL FUNDING A.L.S.

RESEARCH IS LAW.

THE BILL SIGN DESCRIBED BY MANY AS THE MOST EMOTIONAL EVENT AT THE CAPITOL ALSO RETURN TO THE GOVERNOR'S RECEPTION ROOM TWO YEARS AFTER A PANDEMIC CHANGED EVERYTHING.

WE WERE THERE WITH UNIQUE ACCESS TO THE LAWMAKER WHO INSPIRED THE GROUNDBREAKING LEGISLATION AS THE IRON ORE ALLIANCE BESTOWED ITS FIRST EVER HARD ROCK MINER'S AWARD ON IRON RANGE SENATOR DAVID TOMASSONI.

>> HELLO.

HOW ARE YOU?

>> >> Mary: TOMASSONI TOLD ME HE WAS GOOD AND SO HAPPY TO BE HERE TODAY BACK AT THE CAPITOL AFTER WORKING REMOTELY WHILE MANAGING HIS A.L.S.

>> I'M SO GLAD YOU'RE HERE TODAY.

YEAH, I BET YOU'RE VERY HAPPY.

THIS IS A BIG DEAL THIS BILL SIGNING, HUH?

>> THE FORMER HOCKEY PLAYER COULDN'T RESIST A JAB AT MY HOMETOWN TEAM WHO RECENTLY LOST IN THE STATE TOURNAMENT.

>> HOW DID EDINA DO?

YOU KNOW HOW EDINA DID.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> Mary: HIS WELL KNOWN WIT WAS ON FULL DISPLAY ALL DAY LONG, INCLUDING PEAKING THROUGH VISUALLY CUED COMPUTER ASSISTED TECHNOLOGY.

>> YOU KNOW, THE GOVERNOR CALLED ME SHORTLY AFTER MY DIAGNOSIS, TOLD ME THAT HE WOULD SUPPORT WHATEVER I WANTED.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> I RECEIVED SIMILAR ASSURANCES FROM SPEAKER HORTMAN AND MAJORITY LEADER MILLER.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> MAYBE I SHOULD HAVE ASKED FOR MORE.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> $20 MILLION FOR A.L.S.

RESEARCH AND 5 MILLION FOR CAREGIVERS ARE THE SPECIFICS BEHIND THE BILL SHEPHERDED BY SENATOR TOM BAKK.

>> IT'S BEEN EMOTIONAL.

>> OF COURSE IT HAS.

>> HE'S TOMASSONI'S BEST FRIEND, OFFICE MATE, FELLOW DEMOCRAT TURNED INDEPENDENT WHO'S ALSO LEAVING THE LEGISLATURE AFTER DECADES OF SERVICE.

>> SOME DAY SOMEONE WILL BE DIAGNOSED WITH A.L.S.

AND THEY WON'T BE TOLD THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO, GO HOME AND DIE.

THIS COUNTRY IS BETTER THAN THAT, AND SO IT'S, OF ALL THE BILLS I'VE CARRIED HERE OVER THE DECADES, I HAVE NEVER EVER CARRIED ONE THAT HOLDS THE PROMISE FOR SO MUCH HOPE.

FOR PEOPLE.

MAR>> Mary: AND SOMEONE SO NEAR AND DEAR TO YOU.

OBVIOUSLY THE RESEARCH WON'T HELP HIM IN TIME BUT.

>> FOR SENATOR TOMASSONI, IT'S HIS NUMBER ONE PRIORITY TO HELP OTHERS.

I MEAN, THAT SPEAKS REMARKABLY ABOUT WHO AS A PERSON.

HE COULD HAVE EASILY HOLED UP AND KIND OF RODE TO THE END.

>> DAVID, THANK YOU FOR YOUR GREAT FRIENDSHIP.

THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO BE PART OF THIS WHOLE PROCESS AND THANK ALL OF YOU, MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE FOR YOUR OVERWHELMING SUPPORT OF THIS.

CAN'T SAY THANK YOU ENOUGH.

THANK YOU.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> Mary: AN IRON RANGER FROM THE HOUSE ALSO EXPRESSED HIS DEEP APPRECIATION FOR HIS MENTOR.

>> IF THERE'S ONE THING THAT ANYONE CAN LEARN FROM SENATOR TOMASSONI, LOVE SOLVES EVERYTHING AND HATE SOLVES NOTHING.

AND SENATOR TOMASSONI, I LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY HEART, MY DEAR FRIEND.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> YOU SEE A BIPARTISAN WIDE NET THAT WAS CAST TO TRY AND ATTACK THIS ISSUE IN A WAY THAT HASN'T BEEN DONE IN ANY STATE BEFORE, AND I'M JUST INCREDIBLY PROUD TO WATCH WHAT'S HAPPENED HERE, THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION IS HERE TO BE SIGNED.

>> Mary: WITH GRIDLOCK AND PARTISANSHIP GENERALLY GRIPPING POLITICS THESE DAYS, THIS FAST MOVING BIPARTISAN BILL PROVIDES A WELCOME RELIEF.

>> THIS SEEMS LIKE THIS MIGHT BE THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE WHOLE SESSION, IS VERYTHING DOWNHILL FROM HERE THIS YEAR?

[ LAUGHTER ] >> BONDING IS BIG.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> I TOLD YOU WE WERE A ONE-TWO PUNCH.

[ LAUGHTER ] ♪♪ >> Cathy: THE MINNESOTA DNR HAS NOW ACKNOWLEDGED THAT A TOTAL OF THREE AQUIFERS WERE BREACHED DURING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE 300-MILE ENBRIDGE LINE THREE PIPELINE.

LINE THREE WAS COMPLETED LAST YEAR AND RUNS ACROSS THE NORTHERN PART OF THE STATE.

THE MOST EXTENSIVE AQUIFER DAMAGE WAS IN ST. LOUIS COUNTY WHERE A BREACH HAS RESULTED IN A LEAK OF MORE THAN 200 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER.

EFFORTS TO PLUG THE LEAK ARE ONGOING.

KIRSTI MAROHN IS A REPORTER FOR MINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO NEWS SHE'S BEEN COVERING THE ENBRIDGE STORY FOR EARS.

BEFORE WE BEGIN, A REMINDER THAT WHILE ENBRIDGE IS A SPONSOR OF ALMANAC, IT HAS NO SAY IN OUR EDITORIAL DECISIONS.

IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANKS, KIRSTI, FOR BEING HERE.

WE KNOW THAT LINE THREE PROTESTERS KNEW ABOUT THESE AQUIFER BREACHES AND THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT THEM FOR A WHILE.

WHY DID IT TAKE SO LONG FOR STATE OFFICIALS TO GET IN ON THE THING?

>> WELL, WE KNEW ABOUT THE ONE THAT HAPPENED NEAR THE CLEAR BROOK TERMINAL IN NORTHWESTERN MINNESOTA.

THAT ONE HAPPENED WAY BACK IN JANUARY OF 2021.

WE DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THESE OTHER TWO THAT THE DNR WAS INVESTIGATING.

THEY WOULDN'T RELEASE ANY DETAILS UNTIL LAST WEEK WHEN THEY SAID THEY'VE COMPLETED THEIR INVESTIGATION.

SO WE FOUND OUT THERE WERE TWO MORE, YOU MENTIONED THE ONE IN LA SALLE CREEK AND HUBBARD COUNTY AND THIS PRETTY BIG ONE IN ST. LOUIS COUNTY NEAR THE FOND DU LAC RESERVATION.

AND IT'S TILL LEAKING, IT'S BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCED BUT THEY'RE WORKING TO REPAIR THAT ONE >> Eric: WHAT ARE THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF THIS >> WELL, THIS IS NOT AS SERIOUS AS LIKE AN OIL SPILL.

THERE'S CONCERN, THEY APPARENTLY PIERCED TOO FAR DOWN INTO THE AQUIFER.

THAT IS WATER THAT THEY WEREN'T AUTHORIZED TO TAKE AND IT IS LEAKING.

ENBRIDGE SAYS THEY'RE REPLACING THE WATER BACK INTO THE SAME AREA.

THEY SAY THERE SHOULDN'T BE SERIOUS LONG-TERM ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS BUT IT IS CONSIDERED AN UNAUTHORIZED TAKING OF GROUNDWATER.

>> Cathy: IS IT PRETTY EASY TO PUNCTURE THE AQUIFER?

>> WELL, WE'RE NOT QUITE SURE EXACTLY HOW IT HAPPENED.

IT SOUNDED LIKE THERE WAS SOME SHEET PILING USED TO KEEP THE TRENCHES FROM CAVING IN.

IT MUST HAVE PIERCED TOO LOW.

BUT THIS DOES CONFIRM LIKE I SAID YOU SAID SOME OF THE CONCERNS THAT THE HYDROLOGY OF THIS AREA IS VERY COMPLEX, THERE'S JUST A LOT OF WATER UP IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

AND APPARENTLY THERE WERE SOME IMPACTS.

>> Eric: THE FINE TO THE COMPANY WAS, WHAT, $20,000 I THINK AND THERE'S A BILL IN THE LEGISLATURE IN THE HOUSE ANYWAY TO UP THE PENALTY?

>> YEAH, YOU KNOW, THEY ARE -- ENBRIDGE HAS PAID OVER $3 MILLION FOR THE CLEARBROOK, THAT PUNCTURE.

BUT THE ACTUAL ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY WAS ONLY LIKE YOU SAID $20,000.

THE DNR IS SAYING THEY DON'T HAVE THE TOOLS, THE ENFORCEMENT TOOLS TO REALLY HOLD ACCOUNTABLE VIOLATORS OF THIS, YOU KNOW, LONG-TERM KIND OF MORE SERIOUS SERIOUS TYPE OF VIOLATION.

SO THEY'RE ASKING FOR LEGISLATION THAT WOULD GIVE THEM MORE TOOLS TO TRY AND ENFORCE THESE PERMITS.

>> Cathy: IS THAT CONTROVERSIAL, THE BILL, THE LEGISLATURE TO GIVE THEM MORE TOOLS FOR ENFORCEMENT?

>> IT IS.

THERE'S SOME OPPOSITION FROM CITIES, THE LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA CITIES IS OPPOSING AS IT IS IN CURRENT FORM.

THAT'S BECAUSE A LOT OF CITIES DRAW WATER FROM GROUNDWATER OR LAKES AND IVERS.

THEY'RE CONCERNED THEY MIGHT BE FORCED TO INSTALL COSTLY INFRASTRUCTURE OR MAKE UPGRADES OR CHANGE THEIR WATER SOURCE IF THEY WERE ORDERED TO.

THERE'S ALSO OPPOSITION FROM FARMERS WHO IRRIGATE THEIR CROPS USING GROUNDWATER.

THEY'RE CONCERNED ABOUT BEING HIT WITH SOME REALLY BIG PENALTY OR MAYBE EVEN CRIMINAL CHARGES IF THEY WERE TO EXCEED THEIR PERMIT, PERMIT -- THE AMOUNT OF WATER THEY'RE ALLOWED TO USE.

>> Eric: IF THE STATE PENALTY WAS $20,000 AND YOU SAID THEY PAID 3 MILLION, WHERE DID THAT COME FROM OR WHAT DID THAT GO TO?

>> YEAH, THAT WAS OTHER TYPES OF MITIGATION AND THEY HAVE TO CONTINUALLY MONITOR THE WATER IN THAT AREA.

SOME OF IT GOES INTO AN ES CROW FUND.

BUT THE ACTUAL PENALTY ITSELF, THE ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTY WAS JUST 20,000.

>> IT'S NOT MOVING IN THE SENATE, IT'S GOING IN THE HOUSE.

BUT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE IT'S GOING TO GET THROUGH THE SENATE.

DOES THE DNR HAVE SOME OTHER POWERS OF MONITORING OR SUPERVISION THAT THEY COULD DO WITH RULE MAKING OR JUST ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT THE LEGISLATURE?

>> WELL, THEY SAY THAT THEY ARE WORKING ON A COMPREHENSIVE ENFORCEMENT RESOLUTION THAT WILL HOLD ENBRIDGE ACCOUNTABLE FOR ALL THREE OF THOSE BREACHES.

THAT COULD INCLUDE MORE MONETARY PENALTIES, WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE, BUT, YOU KNOW, I THINK THIS WILL BE A CONCERN IN THE FUTURE FOR FUTURE PROJECTS, ESPECIALLY ONES AS IG AS THIS ONE.

>> Cathy: SO YOU MENTIONED THAT ENBRIDGE SAYS IT'S PUTTING BACK THE WATER THAT HAS BREACHED OUT OF THAT ST. LOUIS PUNCTURE?

>> ALL THREE, YEAH.

>> Cathy: OKAY.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN EXACTLY?

>> WELL, THEY, YOU KNOW, THEY DO TREAT IT OR REMOVE SEDIMENT AND THEY DO TRY TO REPLACE IT IN THAT SAME AREA SO IT SHOULD STAY IN THE SAME HYDROLOGICAL AREA.

BUT THERE IS CONCERN ABOUT WHETHER THERE ARE LONG-TERM IMPACTS TO THAT.

>> Cathy: OKAY.

WOW.

INTERESTING STORY.

>> Eric: THANKS, KIRSTI.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU, GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> Eric: YOU BET.

>> Cathy: WELL, AS YOU KNOW, MINNESOTA HAS MORE THAN 25 MILLION-ACRES OF PARTNERLAND, IT'S A LOT, BUT FOR A NEW IMMIGRANT OR A NEW FARMER, HIGH LAND COSTS MEAN OWNING THEIR OWN FARM IS OFTEN JUST A PIPE DREAM.

IN THIS NEXT STORY ONE GREATER MINNESOTA REPORTER KAOMI LEE WENT TO RICE COUNTY AND FOUND A FARMER WHO'S MAKING THAT DREAM A REALITY.

>> INSIDE 50-YEAR-OLD KOU LOR'S HOUSE IS LIKE A PHOTO GALLERY OF SURVIVAL AND FAMILY, FROM WHEN HE WAS A FARMER N LAOS, REFUGEE CAMPS IN THAILAND TO NOW HIS HIS LIFE WITH BAO AND THEIR NINE CHILDREN.

>>LOR HAS BEEN WORKING THE LAND FOR AS LONG AS HE CAN REMEMBER, AS DID HIS PARENTS.

>> FARMING IS IN YOUR BLOOD.

>> YEAH.

FARMING IS MY BLOOD IS, MY LIFE.

>> WHEN HE ARRIVED AS A REFUGEE 30 YEARS AGO, LOR HOPED TO FARM BUT MINNESOTA'S HIGH LAND PRICES WERE OUT OF REACH.

[ SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE ] >> INSTEAD, HE AND HIS FAMILY HAD TO RENT, WORKING LONG HOURS OVER SOIL THEY DIDN'T OWN.

THEY HAD TO RENT PARCELS AT DIFFERENT LOCATIONS, MOVING WHENEVER A LANDLORD SOLD THE LAND.

SOMETIMES THEY'D EVEN HAVE TO LEAVE BEHIND CROPS STILL IN THE GROUND.

>> I HAVE LIVED HERE FOR 6 YEARS NOW, SO IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME AND I THINK OVER THE YEARS MY LOVE FOR HIS PLACE HAS JUST GROWN.

IT'S BEEN A LABOR OF LOVE FOR FARMER LYNN REEK.

>> THESE TWO ARE HALF SISTERS.

>> BUT AT 68, SHE CAN NO LONGER DO THE HARD DEMANDS OF THE JOB.

BUT IN HER HEART IT HAD TO GO TO ANOTHER FARMER.

FEW WANTED TO GET INTO THE DAIRY BUSINESS AND THE MIX ROLLING HILLS AND FLAT LANDS MEANT IT DIDN'T WORK AS CONVENTIONAL CROP LAND.

>> I'VE LAID AWAKE MANY A NITRITE FIGURE OUT WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AND IF IT CAN HAPPEN BEFORE I GO BANKRUPT.

>> THEY TOLD REEK THEY COULD PAY HER THE FAIR MARKET VALUE OF THE LAND OF $385,000 IF SHE AGREED TO N EASEMENT THAT RESTRICTS THE LAND TO FARMING PERMANENTLY.

>> THE VALUATION OF THE PROPERTY FALLS BECAUSE THAT DECREASES WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH THE LAND.

YOU CAN'T TURN IT INTO A HOUSING DEVELOPMENT FOR 40 PEOPLE ANYMORE.

>> THE NEW VALUE OF 230,000 IS MORE AFFORDABLE, MAKING IT WITHIN REACH FOR AN IMMIGRANT FARMER LIKE KOU LOR.

THE DIFFERENCE IN PRICE ENDS UP BEING THE COST OF EASEMENT PAID BACK TO AFT.

>> IN THIS CASE IT'S A COMMUNITY EFFORT.

SO THE COMMUNITY HAS REALLY COME TOGETHER TO RAISE THIS MONEY.

RENEWING THE COUNTRYSIDE AND AMERICAN FARM LAND TRUST AND TONS OF ORGANIZATIONS, MILL CITY FARMERS MARKET, ALL OF MY CUSTOMERS, EVERYBODY HAS CONTRIBUTED TO HELP PAY FOR THE EASEMENT.

>> NON-PROFIT RENEWING THE COUNTRYSIDE ADVOCATES FOR LOCAL FARM ECONOMIES.

IT HELPED BROKER THE DEAL.

>> IT'S REALLY EXCITING FOR THESE TWO FAMILIES BUT IT'S ALSO TO ME SUPER EXCITING IN TERMS OF A NEW MODEL THAT WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO PUT IN PLACE IN MINNESOTA TO BE ABLE TO HELP MORE BEGINNING AND EMERGING FARMERS GET ON THE LAND.

>> ADVOCATES SAY SCALING UP A PROGRAM FOR AG EASEMENTS LIKE THE ONE GOING ON THIS FARM IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH PHILANTHROPY ALONE.

THAT'S WHY VOTERS IN ONE MOAT ROE COUNTY DECIDED TO DO SOMETHING.

>> RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT PROTECTING FARMLAND.

>> SO CONCERNED THAT 20 YEARS AGO RESIDENTS VOTED TO RAISE THEIR TAXES TO ESTABLISH A CONSERVATION AND FARMLAND EASEMENT PROGRAM.

THE 20 MILLION RAISED WAS SPLIT WITH 10 MILLION GOING TO PROTECT FARMLAND.

WEST SAYS THEIR PROGRAM BECAME A MODEL FOR THE MIDWEST AND IT'S STILL THE ONLY COUNTY IN MINNESOTA TO PROTECT FARMLAND THROUGH EASEMENTS.

>> DO YOU THINK THE STATE SHOULD GET INVOLVED WITH FUNDING AGRICULTURE EASEMENTS?

>> I THINK THE STATE SHOULD.

THE COUNTY'S PLAN WAS THE BASIS FOR A STATE AGRICULTURAL PROTECTION PLAN THAT ALLOWED US TO APPLY FOR ND RECEIVE FEDERAL FUNDING, TO ASSIST IN PROTECTING FARMLAND.

THE STATE HAS NOT IMPLEMENTED THEIR PROGRAM.

>> ACCORDING TO THE USDA, THE STATE HAS LOST A MILLION ACRES OF FARMLAND SINCE 1987 AND HAS NEARLY 20,000 FEWER FARMS.

THE STATE DOES HAVE SEVERAL PROGRAMS FOR FARMLAND PROTECTION.

BUT IN 2008 LEGISLATIVE AUDIT FOUND THAT PROGRAMS DESIGNED FOR GREATER MINNESOTA, QUOTE, CAN HELP CONTROL THE SHAPE AND PACE OF DEVELOPMENT, BUT ARE NOT ADEQUATE TO PRESERVE FARMLAND FOR THE LONG-TERM.

OTHER FINDINGS RAISED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROGRAM'S CRITERIA, ENFORCEMENT, AND CONSISTENCY.

STATE AG OFFICIALS AGREE THAT A RETOOLING OF THESE 40-YEAR-OLD PROGRAMS IS NEEDED.

FOR LYNN REEK, HER TIME ON THE FARM HAS COME TO A BITTERSWEET END.

>> WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR YOU TO BE ABLE TO SELL THIS TO A FAMILY LIKE THE LORES?

>> IT'S VERY HEARTWARMING AND IT GIVES ME JOY.

I'M VERY HAPPY THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO LIVE HERE AND ENJOY THIS PLACE.

AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, THE PIECE AND QUIET AND THE BEAUTY THAT EXISTS HERE WILL BE A SOLACE FOR THEM.

>> KOU LOR AND HIS WIFE WILL BE ONE OF ONLY TWO HMONG FAMILIES THAT THEY KNOW THAT OWN THEIR OWN FARMS IN MINNESOTA.

SHE SAYS, THIS PIECE OF LAND, IT JUST DOESN'T BELONG TO US, BUT TO THE WHOLE COMMUNITY.

THE FRESH PRODUCE WILL BE GROWN FOR ALL.

♪♪ >> NOR ROSEN BECAME ONE OF THE PEOPLE YOU WANTED TO GO TO.

LET'S TAKE THE VIKINGS STADIUM FOR INSTANCE.

>> YOU DON'T WORK ON A BILL THIS HARD TO HAVE IT FAIL.

>> THAT WAS NOT EASY LIFTING.

HOW DID YOU DO IT?

>> NOBODY WANTED THAT BILL.

THE COMBINATION OF KNOWING HOW TO DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS AROUND THE CAPITOL, HAVING A HOUSE MEMBER, REPRESENTATIVE MAURY LANKING, AND GOVERNOR DAYTON COULD NOT HAVE DONE THAT WITHOUT THE THREESOME AND NEVER IN MY 20 YEARS HAVE I EVER HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK SUCCINCTLY WITH THE GOVERNOR AND THE HOUSE AND MOVE SOMETHING FORWARD WITH DIFFERENT PARTY LINES.

IT WAS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY THAT I WAS VERY BLESSED TO BE A PART OF AND THE FIRST TIME I SAW THE STADIUM WHEN IT WAS BEING BUILT, I DID BREAK DOWN AND I CRIED.

IT'S A GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENT FOR THE STATE.

♪♪ >> I GOTTA CALL COMCAST AND UPGRADE MY XFINITY HOME SECURITY SYSTEM.

YOU SEE, I HAVE THE BASIC LEVEL RIGHT NOW BUT I'M GONNA NEED THAT ULTIMATE PACKAGE.

YOU KNOW, THE ONE WITH EXTRA CAMERAS AND WINDOW SENSORS CAUSE IT AIN'’T SAFE TO SLEEP IN MY OWN HOUSE, AT LEAST NOT ON APRIL FOOLS'’ DAY.

YOU SEE, THESE BRUNDIDGE BABIES TAKE THIS PARTICULAR HOLIDAY VERY SERIOUSLY.

THEY COULDN'T WAIT UNTIL I NODDED OFF ON THE COUCH FTER LUNCH TO WRAP ME UP LIKE A MUMMY IN EXPENSIVE 2-PLY, ULTRA CHARMIN, MIGHT I ADD, AND THE FEW SHEETS OF TOILET PAPER THAT WERE LEFT OVER AFTER THEY COCOONED ME, THEY HUNG THAT STUFF ALL OVER MY BEDROOM, EVEN FROM THE CEILING FAN!

THEN OF COURSE THERE'S THE HEFTY PAPER TOWEL MAZE THEY SET UP.

FEELS LIKE I'VE BEEN PLAYING HOPSCOTCH ALL DAY JUST TRYING TO WALK FROM THE LIVING ROOM TO THE KITCHEN TO GET THEM A SNACK.

IT WAS ALL FUN AND GAMES UNTIL WE WENT TO THE STORE TOTO STOCK UP ON TOILET PAPER AND THE SHELVES WERE EMPTY.

NOW, NOBODY AT MY HOUSE IS FOOLIN' AROUND ANYMORE.

I BY YOU THE NEXT TIME MY KIDS DECIDES TO PULL THEIR LITTLE T.P.

PRANKS FOR APRIL FOOLS' DAY ON THEIR MAMA, THEY'LL CHECK THE NEWS TO SEE HOW THE SUPPLY CHAIN IS IMPACTING HOUSEHOLD ESSENTIAL ITEMS.

♪♪ >> Eric: GORDAN PARKS WAS IA 20TH CENTURY RENAISSANCE MAN, FAMED PHOTOGRAPHER, FILMMAKER, COMPOSER AND WRITER.

PARKS SPENT HIS YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTHOOD IN ST. PAUL, AND THIS SPRING THE CITY IS REMEMBERING HIS REMARKABLE LIFE IN A PLAY AT THE HISTORY THEATRE.

THE PLAY IS INSPIRED BY GORDON PARKS'’ MEMOIR "“A CHOICE OF WEAPONS.

"” THE PLAY "“PARKS"” WAS WRITTEN BY HARRISON DAVID RIVERS IN COLLABORATION WITH ROBIN HICKMAN-WINFIELD.

GORDON PARKS WAS HICKMAN'’S GREAT UNCLE.

SO ROBIN, WELCOME BACK.

>> IT'S ALWAYS GREAT TO BE BACK WITH YOU, MY FRIENDS.

>> Cathy: GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> Eric: I JUST LOVE THE INSPIRATION, A CHOICE OF WEAPONS WHICH I GUESS MEANS THAT THE PEN AND THE CAMERA ARE MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD WHEN IT COMES TO SOCIAL JUSTICE?

>> ABSOLUTELY, ABSOLUTELY.

AND HIS LIFE JOURNEY HAS SHOWN US THAT, HAS SHOWN YOUNG PEOPLE THAT, AND I THINK THAT WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO HIM.

HE OFTEN TOLD YOUNG PEOPLE, SHOOTING MY CAMERA PROVED TO BE MORE POWERFUL THAN SHOOTING A GUN.

>> Cathy: I I WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE TO YOU PERSONALLY FOR YOU TO CONNECT YOUR UNCLE'S LEGACY TO YOUNG PEOPLE.

DID HE ASK YOU TO DO THIS OR DID YOU JUST TAKE IT ON?

>> I THINK THAT IT'S BEEN, IT WAS SOMETHING I THINK THAT WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO HIM AND IMPORTANT TO I KNOW MY FATHER AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS, THAT THEY MATTERED, YOU KNOW, BUT I TRY TO JUST INFLUENCE YOUNG PEOPLE, INFUSE HIS LEGACY IN THE LIVES OF YOUNG PEOPLE.

I AM SO BLESSED TO TEACH AT GORDON PARKS HIGH SCHOOL.

WE HAVE IN THE STUDIO WITH US TONIGHT A GORDON PARKS SCHOLAR FROM GORDON PARKS HIGH SCHOOL WHO'S ALSO A MEMBER OF "DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE."

MY LAST VISIT WITH UNCLE GORDON BEFORE HE PASSED AWAY IN NEW YORK.

HE HAD TEARS IN HIS EYES AND HE SAID, BABY, WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN TO BLACK BOYS?

WHAT DID I REALLY DO?

SO HE QUESTIONED DID HIS LIFE MAKE A DIFFERENCE, AND WE HAD MANY CONVERSATIONS ABOUT YOUNG PEOPLE.

AND I SAID UNCLE GORDON, I REMINDED HIM OF THE MANY TIMES I INFUSED HIS WORK AND LIFE IN YOUNG PEOPLE.

THE WORK AT RED WING CORRECTIONAL ACILITY WHERE YOUNG MEN INCARCERATED READ "A CHOICE OF WEAPONS" AND WROTE HIM LETTERS HAT HE WOULD ANSWER.

AND I SAID I PROMISE YOU, YOUR LEGACY ND YOUR LIFE WILL NOT BE IN VAIN.

>> Eric: THE PLAY IS NOT ABOUT A ACCOMPLISHED ARTIST, IT'S KIND OF ABOUT A EMERGING ARTIST'S YOUNGER YEARS.

>> HIS YOUNGER YEARS.

>> Eric: WHY THAT POINT OF VIEW?

>> BECAUSE, AGAIN, WE NEED TO KNOW THE INFLUENCE OF HIS MOTHER, WE NEED TO KNOW THE INFLUENCE OF THE RONDO COMMUNITY ON HIS LIFE.

WE NEED TO KNOW THAT HE ENDURED SOME OF THE SAME TRAGIC EXPERIENCES THE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN EXPERIENCE TODAY, THAT BEFORE THE FAME CAME THE POVERTY, THE VIOLENCE, THE RACISM.

AND SO ONE OF MY YOUNG CHOICE OF WEAPONS FELLOWS ASKED ME ONE DAY, WELL, IF YOUR UNCLE WHERE TO ASK YOU THE QUESTION ABOUT WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO YOUNG BLACK MEN TODAY, WHAT WOULD YOU TELL THEM?

AND SEEING THEM SUCCESSFULLY JOURNEY IN HIS FOOTSTEPS AND SEEING THE GORDON PARKS HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARS EXPERIENCE THE PLAY LAST THURSDAY, AND I AID, YES, AND I GOT TO TELL HARRISON THIS, WE DID IT.

THEY LOVED IT.

AND DURING INTERMISSION, THERE'S A SONG IN THE PLAY, I'LL SAY THIS ONE SONG.

THE CHILDREN'S SONG, THERE'S A HOLE IN MY BUCKET, DEAR LIZA.

RIGHT?

AND I WENT IN INTERMISSION WENT TO THE HALL, AND THIS TALL BIG STRONG YOUNG BROTHER WAS SINGING THE SONG.

AND I SAID UNCLE GORDON, THEY ARE GOING TO BE OKAY, BECAUSE THEY ARE GOING TO EMBRACE YOUR LEGACY AND BE TRANSFORMED.

THEY'LL BE OKAY.

AND SO THE PLAY DID IT.

>> Eric: WHO PLAYS GORDON PARKS IN THE MOVIE?

OR THE PLAY, SORRY.

>> KEVIN BROWN.

OUTSTANDING CAST.

THE DIRECTOR, THE PLAYRIGHT WRIGHT, HARRISON, RON ALUSO, MY PARTNER AT HISTORY THEATER.

IT WAS AN AMAZING PARTNERSHIP.

THE MUSIC DIRECTOR, I WATCHED HIM GROW UP IN MY UNCLE'S CHURCH AND HE DIDN'T READ MUSIC, JUST LIKE UNCLE GORDON.

SO HE WALKED IN UNCLE GORDON'S FOOTSTEPS.

EVERYTHING ABOUT IT AS SETU JONES THE SET DESIGNER, I'VE KNOWN HIM SINCE I WAS KNEE HIGH TO A DUCK.

WE WERE ON A TALK BACK AFTER THE SHOW LAST SUNDAY AND HE SAID THIS HAS BEEN A SACRED JOURNEY, AND IT HAS BEEN, IT HAS BEEN.

>> Cathy: SPEAKING OF JOURNEYS WE SHOULD TELL FOLKS THAT DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE IS BACK.

>> IT'S BACK!

>> Cathy: FOR FOLKS WHO DON'T REMEMBER ND ARE TOO YOUNG TO REMEMBER DON'T BELIEVE THE HOPE.

EXPLAIN THE GENESIS OF THE ORIGINAL AND THE FACT THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BRING IT BACK.

>> 20-PLUS YEARS AGO DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE STARTED HERE, SUSAN ROSEN, GRANDDAUGHTER OF PAUL ROSEN, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER AT THE STATION AND I BIRTHED DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE WAS PRODUCED FOR AND BY YOUNG PEOPLE OF COLOR AND IT WAS JUST AN AMAZING JOURNEY BACK THEN AND OUR FEARLESS LEADER HERE AT TPT SYLVIA STROBER APPROACHED ME ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND SAID, HEY, WHY ISN'T HYPE STILL HAPPENING, WOULD YOU CONSIDER BRINGING IT BACK?

AND WE'RE BACK.

>> Eric: THAT'S GREAT.

>> WE RECRUITED SOME YOUNG PEOPLE, AND IN FACT THE FIRST IS ABOUT THE GORDON PARKS PLAY.

>> Eric: THEY HAD ACCESS BACK STAGE AND EVERYTHING?

>> EVERYTHING, AND INTERVIEWED THE TWO LEADING ACTORS.

>> THESE YOUNG KIDS ARE GOING TO LEARN HOW TO DO -- CREATE THEIR OWN MEDIA.

>> THEIR OWN MEDIA AND ALSO THEY'RE GOING TO BE GROUNDED IN UNCLE GORDON'S LEGACY AS WELL.

>> Eric: NOW, THERE IS A STREAMING OPTION FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKENDS, RIGHT, FOR THE PLAY.

>> FOR THE PLAY, ABSOLUTELY.

YOU CAN STREAM IT.

>> Eric: AND WHEN DOES HYPE GET BACK?

DO WE KNOW WHEN?

>> THIS FIRST HYPE CREW WILL BE KIND OF LEPPING TO PLAN, ENVISION, AND NEXT SEASON, HYPE WILL BE BACK AND T'S, AGAIN, GOING TO BE EXCITING AND I'M SO EXCITED AND JUST KIND OF EMOTIONAL TO BE BACK HERE AS A PART OF THE TPT FAMILY.

>> Eric: WELL, THEY GOT TO CLONE YOU BECAUSE YOU'RE SO BUSY, YOU NEED TO BE TWINS.

>> WELL, I DON'T KNOW -- AGAIN, IT'S MY TIME AND I'M JUST SO EXCITED THAT MY ANCESTORS ARE SMILING.

BUT I THINK WHEN WE TALK ABOUT WHEN THE WORLD WATCHES MINNESOTA FOR ALL OF THE WRONG REASONS, THAT WE'RE SHOWING THIS IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE WHEN BLACKBLACK LIVES MATTER.

>> Cathy: WHAT A PERFECT WAY TO END IT, WE'RE GOING TO LEAVE IT RIGHT THERE.

I'M SO HAPPY YOU'RE BACK.

>> Eric: THANKS, ROBIN.

♪♪ >> HI, I'M TANE DANGER, THIS IS A BRAND NEW SHOW CALLED, HEY!

WHAT'S COOKIN' ON THIS BUS?

WHERE WE GET ON A BUS AND WE SEE IF WE CAN MAKE BREAKFAST BY THE TIME WE GET TO OUR FINAL STOP.

LET'S GET COOKIN'!

I LIKE TO PEEL AND CUT MY ONIONS WITH A WOODEN SPOON.

TA-DA!

GONNA POUR THIS IN.

THEY CALL IT A HREE EGG OMELET FOR A REASON.

ADD A LITTLE BIT OF MILK, NOT TOO MUCH.

I LIKE TO WHISK IT UNTIL YOU GET TO THE NEXT STOP.

THAT'S HOW YOU KNOW WHEN YOU'RE DONE.

YEAH, THAT'S GOOD.

OKAY.

KEY THING FOR COOKIN' ON THE BUS, YOU'RE GOING TO WANT A GOOD CUTTING BOARD.

IF YOU WANT TO LEARN HOW TO MAKE THIS ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS WATCH MY OTHER SHOW, NEW YANKEE BUS STOP.

AND WE'RE DONE!

A COMPLETE THREE-EGG VEGETABLE OMELET JUST IN TIME FOR OUR FINAL STOP.

BON APERTIT, BUS RIDERS!

♪♪ >> Cathy: A RECORD NUMBER OF BILLS HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED IN ST. PAUL IN THIS LEGISLATIVE CYCLE BUT IT HAS BEEN SLOW GOING GETTING BILLS PASSED.

THE A.L.S.

RESEARCH BILL CREATED TO HONOR THE LEGACY OF SENATOR DAVE TOMASSONI IS AN EXCEPTION, YOU SAW THAT EARLIER IN THE PROGRAM, PASSED WITH OVERWHELMING SUPPORT.

THE BILL WAS IGNED INTO LAW WEDNESDAY.

WILL THE COOPERATION OF THE A.L.S.

BILL BE A SIGN OF THINGS TO COME?

AMY KOCH IS A REPUBLICAN AND FORMER SENATE MAJORITY LEADER.

JEFF.SENATOR HAYDEN, I KNOW YOU WERE A SEAT MATE WITH SENATOR TOMASSONI.

IT'S A SAD STORY BUT THE A.L.S.

BILL IS A REALLY NICE EXAMPLE OF BIPARTISAN.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK DAVID EXUDED THAT.

SO SENATOR TOMASSONI WORKED WELL ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

WE WORKED WELL IN THE URBAN AREAS, SUBURBAN AREAS AND RURAL AREAS.

SO I THINK THAT IT'S NOT SURPRISING TO ME THAT WE COULD GET THAT DONE.

AS THE REST OF THE SESSION GOES I'M NOT SO SURE BUT I WAS SO GLAD TO SEE DAVID GET THAT RECOGNITION.

>> Eric: THE OPTIMISM AT THE START OF THE SESSION WHEN THERE WAS $9 BILLION TO PLAY WITH AND TO SPEND AND INVEST OR CUT TAXES, DO WE HAVE KIND OF A LESS, LESS IS GOING TO GET DONE VIBE RIGHT NOW, OR?

>> NO, I WOULDN'T SAY LESS IS GOING TO GET DONE.

I FEEL THERE'S A DEAL TO BE MADE HERE.

I THINK THERE CAN BE TAX RELIEF.

I THINK THERE CAN BE SOME SPENDING.

THE D.F.L.

HOUSE AND THE GOVERNOR WANT TO SEE.

THERE'S A DEAL TO BE CUT, I JUST THINK THAT, AND WE'RE GOING TO MAYBE TALK ABOUT THIS, BUT THE POLITICS OF THE ELECTION COMING AND HOW IT'S PLAYING OUT WITH THE ENDORSEMENTS AND PRESSURE THAT'S BEING PUT ON EXISTING LAWMAKERS BACK HOME TO SORT OF GO TO THEIR PARTISAN CORNERS IS DEFINITELY STARTING TO PLAY OUT IN THE LEGISLATURE.

>> Eric: BECAUSE OVER THE YEARS I WOULD BE TOLD LET'S SEE THIS BILL UP FTER MY CONVENTION.

>> RIGHT, RIGHT.

ABSOLUTELY.

, IS THAT WHAT'S GOING ON?

>> YEAH, I THINK SO, IT'S REALLY HAPPENING NOW WE SEE WHAT'S GOING ON ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, YOU NOW, SENATOR PRATT LOST HIS ENDORSEMENT BATTLE, SENATOR HOUSLEY WAS TAKEN MUCH DEEPER THAN SHE NORMALLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN.

THEY'RE BOTH FINE LEGISLATORS.

I THINK THAT HAS SCARED FOLKS AND THAT HAS HAPPENED ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE AS WELL.

I'VE BEEN UNFORTUNATELY ON THAT SIDE OF THINGS.

I THINK T DOES DEPENDING ON WHO YOU ARE IT MAKES YOU NOT REALLY WANT TO GET MOVING UNTIL YOU AT LEAST GET THAT DONE.

>> Cathy: OKAY, ONCE YOU GET THAT DONE, YOU KIND OF KNOW WHERE YOU'RE HEADING, THEN WHAT?

>> RIGHT.

WELL, THEN, THEN IT'S GOING TO COME DOWN TO CHAIRS AND LEADERSHIP TO BE ABLE TO IT DOWN WITH EACH OTHER.

THE BILLS, BY THE AY, ON THE HOUSE SIDE THAT ARE OMING OUT IS THE OMNIBUS BILLS, BUDGET BILLS, AND SENATE SIDE COULDN'T LOOK MORE DIFFERENT.

I MEAN, THEY ARE, SOMETIMES THEY'RE, YOU KNOW, KIND OF CLOSE -- UNIVERSE, O IT IS GOING TO BE A REAL CHALLENGE FOR CHAIRS TO SIT DOWN AND TRY TO HAMMER OUT A DEAL BUT ULTIMATELY THEY NEED DIRECTION FROM THE TOP TWO.

BUT THERE'S BEEN NO TARGETS SO YOU CAN KIND OF SEE THE BIG TOP NUMBERS.

NO ONE'S PUT THAT OUT, SO WE DON'T HAVE EXCEPT FOR THE GOVERNOR'S BIG TOP NUMBERS WE DON'T HAVE ANY BIG TOP NUMBERS FROM EITHER THE SENATE OR HOUSE.

>> Eric: ON THE POLITICAL SIDE WHEN SOMEBODY SAYS I'D JUST SOON HAVE THE ISSUE THAN THE BILL PASS SO I CAN CAMPAIGN ON IT.

WHAT EXACTLY IS THAT STRATEGY ALL ABOUT IT?

>> WELL, I THINK PEOPLE ARE GOING BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITIES AND SAYING THEY FOUGHT HARD, THEY FOUGHT HARD ON THE ISSUE AND TO GET THE BILL PASSED MEANS THEY HAVE TO HAVE SOME COMPROMISE AND NOW THAT WE'RE IN KIND OF EXTREME POLITICS RIGHT NOW, THAT MEANS IF YOU COMPROMISE THAT'S A BAD WORD TO A LOT OF PEOPLE.

IT WAS A GOOD THING FOR AMY AND I BUT RIGHT NOW FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT'S A BAD WORD.

>> Eric: AND I THINK FAMILY AND SICK LEAVE IS AN EXAMPLE OF THIS.

BOTH CHAMBERS HAVE A BILL ADDRESSING, BUT MUCH DIFFERENT PROGRAMS TO IMPLEMENT IT.

>> RIGHT, RIGHT.

BUT THEY HAVE SOMETHING, RIGHT?

SO THERE'S -- WHEN YOU HAVE SOMETHING WHERE PEOPLE ARE SAYING, OKAY, THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, WE HAVE TOTALLY DIFFERENT APPROACHES, HOW DO WE WORK TOGETHER, THAT MAKES SENSE, THAT'S HOW IT WORKS.

AND YOU CAN KIND OF LIKE NOT LIKE THE PROCESS, BUT THAT'S HOW THE WHOLE, THE ENTIRE THING WAS SET UP, YOU KNOW, BY OUR FOUNDING FATHERS, THAT'S HOW IT'S SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN.

SO, BUT IT IS MORE AND MORE YOU SEE PARTISAN OLITICS REARING THEIR HEADS NOT JUST IN D.C., IT'S HAPPENING IN ST. PAUL AND EVEN MORE SO IN AN ELECTION YEAR.

>> Cathy: GETTING BACK TO THE FAMILY LEAVE BILL BECAUSE YOU'RE RIGHT BOTH SIDES HAVE COMPLETELY DIFFERENT BILLS BUT BECAUSE BOTH SIDES DO HAVE A BILL UP IS IT POSSIBLE TO GET SOME KIND OF AN AGREEMENT YET THIS SESSION?

>> I MEAN, THEIR APPROACHES ARE MUCH DIFFERENT, AND THIS IDEA OF IF YOU GO HOME AND SAY THAT I TRIED BUT WE DIDN'T DO IT, IS THAT GOING TO BE GOOD ENOUGH?

IT SOUNDS LIKE THAT THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE WANT, BUT THE IDEA IS LIKE ON THE G.O.P.

SIDE IT'S GOING TO BE MUCH MORE OF A FREE MARKET KIND OF PROCESS WITH INSURANCE KIND OF SETUP, AND THE DEMOCRATS WANT GOVERNMENT TO BE MUCH MORE INVOLVED, IMAGINE THAT.

SO I DON'T KNOW KIND OF WHERE THEY GO UNLESS THEY SIT DOWN AND ACTUALLY AVE THE CONVERSATION.

AMY SAID THIS BEFORE, YOU KNOW, WE'RE NOT EVEN GETTING TARGETS, WE'RE NOT EVEN GETTING INTO THAT ROOM WE USED TO GET INTO IN THAT CONFERENCE ROOM WHERE WE LOOKED ACROSS EACH OTHER AND FIGURED OUT WHAT WE AGREED ON AND FIGURED OUT OUR DIFFERENCES.

THAT'S NOT HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

>> I ALSO THINK IT'S NO SURPRISE THAT THE FAMILY LEAVE ACT CAME FROM SUBURBAN REPUBLICANS BECAUSE IT'S THE SUBURBS IS SORT OF WHERE THESE MAJORITIES ARE WON AND LOST AND THE REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN LOSING GROUND IN THE SUBURBS FOR THE LAST FEW CYCLES, PICKING UP GROUND IN GREATER MINNESOTA BUT LOSING IN THE SUBURBS.

SO FROM A POLICY AND BILLS AND LEGISLATURE PERSPECTIVE, REPUBLICANS GOT TO PICK UP THOSE SEATS TO HOLD ONTO THE MAJORITY IN THE SENATE AND PICK UP THE MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE.

>> Eric: IS SKEPTICISM WARRANTED ON THE PUBLIC SAFETY BILL THAT GOT OUT OF SENATOR LIMMER'S COMMITTEE TODAY EVEN?

BUT COULDN'T YOU TAKE THE PREVENTION STAFF STUFF FROM THE HOUSE AND GET TOUGH STUFF FROM THE IS THAT TRUE, PUT IT TOGETHER AND I WONDER AGAIN IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WILL TAKE TO THE VOTERS.

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT YOU CAN DO THAT, BUT FOLKS ARE GOING TO WANT, ESPECIALLY THE COMMUNITIES THAT I USED TO SERVE, THEY WANT SOME REFORM IN THE POLICE TOO AND THAT SEEMS TO BE WHERE THE LINCHPIN IS GOING TO BE IN THE SENATE, RIGHT?

AND SO I DON'T KNOW, FRANKLY, IF THEY'RE GOING TO AGREE UNLESS THEY SEE THAT.

YOU KNOW, PEOPLE READ THE POLLS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S IMPORTANT BUT I CAN TELL YOU AS A FUNDAMENTAL CORE TO THE FOLKS THAT I USED TO REPRESENT, REALLY SOME POLICE REFORM IS REALLY WARRANTED.

>> Cathy: SENATOR KOCH?

>> WELL, AND REPUBLICANS, THIS ISN'T, IT IS GOING TO BE AN ELECTION ISSUE BUT THEY'RE HEARING THIS FROM THEIR CONSTITUENTS THAT THEY WANT TO SEE POLICE FUNDING, THEY WANT TO SEE POLICE TRAINING, THEY WANT TO SEE AN EMPHASIS ON LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THEY DIDN'T LIKE THE MESSAGE OF DEFUND THE POLICE, THEY DON'T LIKE THE CRIME SPIKES THAT THEY'RE SEEING, NOT JUST IN MINNEAPOLIS AND ST. PAUL BUT ACROSS, YOU KNOW, EVERYWHERE.

AND SO, YES IT'S SPLITTING UP POLITICALLY BUT ALSO REPUBLICANS IN THEIR DISTRICTS ARE HEARING ABOUT THIS BACK HOME SO BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT BACK HOME, IT'S IMPORTANT TO THEM.

>> Cathy: SAY, I WONDER ABOUT OUR POLITICAL REPORTER SAID ON MONDAY THE BILL IS UP, A LOT OF THINGSTHINGS IN THAT OMNIBUS BILL.

ONE THAT MAKES THE PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY VOTING LIST PUBLIC AND ALSO THE LIVESTREAM ABSENTEE BALLOT PROCESSING.

WHAT COMES OUT OF THIS SESSION IF ANYTHING WHEN IT COMES TO ELECTION?

>> I THINK ELECTION LAW CHANGES IN AN ELECTION YEAR ARE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE.

BECAUSE IF I AM THE REPUBLICANS I'M GOING TO PUT MY BILLS AND WHY AM I GOING TO MAKE ANY COMPROMISE ON THE D.F.L.

SIDE ON THE BILLS AND FOR D.F.L.ERS WHY WOULD THEY ACCEPT CLANGS FROM THE REPUBLICANS, IT'S VERY TOUGH.

>> IT'S ALWAYS BEEN VERY BIPARTISAN.

I KNOW GOVERNOR DAYTON SAID IF IT WASN'T BIPARTISAN HE WASN'T GOING TO DO IT, SO I THINK THE SPIRIT IS STILL THAT THEY HAVE TO AGREE.

>> Eric: ELECTIONS ARE TOUGH BECAUSE THE INCUMBENTS GOT THERE ON THE CURRENT SYSTEM AND YOU'RE ALL EXPERTS ON THE CURRENT SYSTEM AND CHANGE IT HARD.

>> YEAH, AND WE'RE PRETTY HAPPY WITH THE CURRENT SYSTEM IF WE'RE SITTING IN THAT SEAT.

>> Eric: IS COVID GOING TO BE AN ISSUE?

>> I FEEL LIKE IT'S NOT, I FEEL LIKE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GO IN THERE AND GO TO THEIR CONVENTIONS.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT VARIANT IS COMING BUT I HAVE A FEELING THAT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD AND DEAL WITH IT.

>> Eric: IT'S A HALLMARK OF SOME REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL CAMPAIGNS.

>> I THINK THAT THE PANDEMIC AND COVID IS NOT GOING TO BE ALIVE FROM LIKE POLICY AND FUNDING BUT I THINK SORT OF A LOOKBACK ON WHAT HAPPENED AND ALL OF THE REGULATIONS AND ALL OF THE SHUTDOWNS THAT WERE PUT IN PLACE AND WHAT I'M HEARING IS, YOU KNOW, NEVER AGAIN.

WE NEVER WANT TO -- WE NEVER WANT TO HAVE THAT KIND OF GOVERNMENT MOVEMENT EVER AGAIN, THAT'S WHAT I'M HEARING FROM REPUBLICAN DELEGATES AND KIND OF THE PARTY -- >> Eric: CALL OUT FROM THAT VERY TOUGH REPORT ON THE RESPONSE TO THE GEORGE FLOYD RIOTING?

>> YEAH, THAT WAS TOUGH.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT ACTUALLY HAS LEGS TO THE CAMPAIGN BUT IT CERTAINLY POINTED FIRST PAGES AT A LOT OF FOLKS TO SAY WE WEREN'T READY FOR THAT ISSUE AND THERE WAS A LOT OF MISCOMMUNICATION AND PEOPLE NOT UNDERSTANDING WHAT THEIR JOB WAS.

IT COULD, I DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL GET BACK TO NOVEMBER.

>> Cathy: GETTING BACK TO SESSION AND SPENDING AND THAT KIND OF THING, THE CLOCK IS TICKING ON FEDERAL COVID MONEY, RIGHT?

IF LAWMAKERS CAN'T DECIDE HOW TO SPEND IT, DOESN'T IT GO TO THE GOVERNOR?

HOW BIG OF A PROBLEM OR DEAL IS THAT?

>> THAT MIGHT BE THE GREAT DEAL LIKE EVERYBODY WALKS AWAY AND REPUBLICANS SAY THAT THEY'LL WAIT 'TIL NEXT YEAR, THEY THINK THAT THEY'RE GOING TO WIN AND THAT THE GOVERNOR WINS BECAUSE HIM AND THE DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO SPEND THAT MONEY, THAT MIGHT BE THE DEAL.

>> YEAH, IT'S ABOUT $1.2 BILLION SO IT'S HARDLY CHUMP CHANGE AND IT HAS O BE SPENT.

THERE'S TIME TICKING ON THE SPENDING OF THAT MONEY.

AND THE DEAL WAS IT WAS SET ASIDE LAST YEAR FOR THE LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR TO SIDE ON IT AND THEY DIDN'T IT JUST FALLS BACK I THINK IT'S JUNE THE GOVERNOR'S GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE DECISIONS ON THAT.

>> Eric: MARY CARL SO, GREAT LOBBYIST DID CALCULATING AND BECAUSE OF REDISTRICTING AND RETIREMENTS AND SO FORTH, 500 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IS LEAVING THE LEGISLATURE.

GOOD, BAD, INTERINDIFFERENT?

>> THAT'S A LOT.

YOU WANT NEW VOICES AND NEW BLOOD BUT THAT IS AN AWFUL LOT.

I THINK THEN THE STAFF AND BUREAUCRATS START RUNNING THE PLACE AND NOBODY ELSE WILL KNOW WHAT TO DO.

>> YEAH, I THINK THE EXPERIENCE IS LEAVING FRANKLY AND WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE, BUT WOMEN ARE LEAVING, WE'RE GOING TO BE SOMEHOW WE WERE ALREADY SO SMALL AND WE'RE GOING TO BE EVEN LESS NOTICE LEGISLATURE.

SO THIS REDISTRICTING ROUND AND THIS ELECTION, I LIKE A CHANGE ELECTION BUT THERE'S SOMETHING THAT'S TOO MUCH AND I THINK THAT OVER A THIRD OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE ARE GOING TO BE BRAND NEW AND I THINK THAT'S UNFORTUNATE.

>> Eric: TWO SENATORS HERE BUT I WANT TO SALUTE A FORMER HOUSE STAFFER BILL MARX, FISCAL ANALYST 40 YEARS I THINK.

>> YEAH, I SPENT THREE YEARS IN THE HOUSE, SO HE WAS GREAT, BILL WAS SMART, SMART AS A WHIP, UNDERSTOOD THE PROCESS WELL AND CONSUMMATE PROFESSIONAL NO MATTER WHO WAS IN CHARGE.

>> I CAN SEE SPENDING 40 YEARS IN THE SENATE, HARD TO FATHOM IT IN THE HOUSE.

I'M JUST KIDDING, HOUSE PEOPLE!

[ LAUGHTER ] >> Eric: YOU GUYS GET YOUR WIGS AND OFF YOU GO.

ALL RIGHT, FOLKS.

♪♪ >> IT'S OFFICIAL.

THANKS A LOT.

JUST VERY EXCITED TODAY.

FILED CANDIDACY TO UN FOR GOVERNOR OF MINNESOTA.

INCREDIBLE HONOR, CERTAINLY BEEN A PRIVILEGE OF MY LIFE TO REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF SOUTHERN MINNESOTA OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS.

>> Eric: THAT WAS CONGRESSMAN TIM WALZ FIVE YEARS AGO THIS WEEK.

LET'S DIP INTO SOME OLDER MINNESOTA HISTORY.

LAST TIME WE ASKED YOU ABOUT SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED 35 YEARS AGO LAST WEEK.

WE OLD YOU A BIG MERGER MADE FRONT PAGE NEWS HERE ND ELSEWHERE WHEN A MINNESOTA BASED ORGANIZATION ANNOUNCED THAT IT WAS GOING TO COMBINE WITH TWO OTHER WELL KNOWN GROUPS TO FORM WHAT IT WAS BILLED AT THE TIME WAS THE WORLD'S LARGEST ORGANIZATION OF ITS TYPE.

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

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

WHAT BIG MERGER FEATURING A MINNESOTA ORGANIZATION WAS ANNOUNCED IN LATE MARCH OF 1987?

YOU KNOW THE DRILL.

WE ASK QUESTIONS AND YOU CALL IN WITH A WIDE ASSORTMENT OF WRONG GUESSES.

HERE'S SOME PROOF.

>> THIS IS JANE FROM THE PRAIRIE.

AND I THINK THE ANSWER TO THIS WEEK'S QUESTION IS THE ERGER OF PILLSBURY AND GENERAL MILLS.

I HOPE I WIN!

>> HELLO, THIS IS BRIAN FROM ST. LOUIS PARK AND I BELIEVE IT WAS LAND O'LAKES AND CENEX.

>> REPUBLIC AIRLINES AND -- AIRLINES MERGED.

>> THE UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD, THE BURLINGTON NORTHERN RAILROAD, AND THE SANTA FE RAILROAD.

I THINK THOSE THREE WERE GOING TO MERGE.

ANYWAY, THAT'S MY WILD GUESS.

>> BY THE WAY, THE PILLSBURY AND GENERAL MILLS MERGER WAS BY FAR THE MOST POPULAR GUESS BUT GENERAL MILLS DIDN'T PURCHASE PILLSBURY UNTIL 2001.

SO WHAT WAS THAT MARCH 1987 MERGER THAT MADE BIG NEWS?

ONLY ONE CALLER HAD THE RIGHT ANSWER.

JERRY OUT OF MINNEAPOLIS, TAKE A BOW.

>> I THINK IT'S THE AMERICAN LUTHERAN CHURCH THAT MERGED WITH TWO OTHER LUTHERAN CHURCHES TO BECOME THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF AMERICA.

THANK YOU, BYE.

>> YES, THE MERGER RESULTED IN THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA WAS A BIG DEAL.

IT INDEED CREATED THE LARGEST LUTHERAN DENOMINATION IN THE WORLD.

IN CASE YOU'RE WONDERING THE ELCA IS HEADQUARTERED IN CHICAGO.

NOW, DO YOU HAVE A GOOD QUESTION YOU THINK WE SHOULD ASK?

LET US KNOW.

651-229-1430.

THAT'S THE VOICE MAIL LINE.

YOU CAN ALSO SEND BY E-MAIL, ALMANAC @TPT.ORG.

YOU CAN WATCH MARY LAHAMMER AND HER GUESTS EACH WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT 7:00, STATEWIDE MINNESOTA CHANNEL, THAT'S THE SAME FREE BROADCAST ERVICE WHERE YOU CAN WATCH THE APPENINGS AT THE STATE LEGISLATURE EACH WEEKDAY FROM NOW UNTIL THE END OF MAY.

SOME SHOW CLOSING MUSIC.

THIS WEEK SIX YEARS AGO, MEMBERS OF THE TWIN CITIES GAY MEN'S CHOIR PERFORMED FOR OUR LIVE SHOW FROM THE TP LOBBY.

LOT OF ROOM DOWN THERE.

LET'S LISTEN TO THE CHOIR AS WE GET REALLY TO ROLL THE PRODUCTION CREDITS.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

BE CAREFUL.

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

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY... GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 28 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

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

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

ENBRIDGE: CONNECTING MINNESOTANS WITH ENERGY FOR OVER 70 YEARS.

MORE AT ENBRIDGE.COM/LINETHREEUS.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

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

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

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