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

>> Eric: COMING UP ON "ALMANAC," DEVASTATING WILDFIRES AND HAD DOUSE AIR QUALITY.

WE'LL TALK WITH A REPORTER FROM THE GUNFLINT TRAIL AND A FOREST WILDLIFE EXPERT FROM THE MINNESOTA D.N.R.

REPUBLICAN U.S.

SENATE PRIMARY CANDIDATE IS HERE AND A TRIO OF POLITICAL REPORTERS INCLUDING MARY LAHAMMER WHO WAS AT THE GRANNY HAPPY HOUR BILL-SIGNING THIS WEEK.

>> WE'LL TALK TO THE BIPARTISAN BILL AUTHORS WHO HAVE BUILT AN EVEN MORE MEANINGFUL BOND AFTER TRAGEDY HIT THEIR DIVIDED DISTRICT.

>> THAT'S THE TRICK ON GETTING STUFF DONE, RIGHT, DANNY?

[ LAUGHTER ] >> HERE'S ANOTHER RICK.

>> 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.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

AND VANESSA DAYTON, THROUGH THE HEALTHCARE FOR ALL MINNESOTANS FUND, SUPPORTING ACCESSIBLE HEALTHCARE STATEWIDE.

>> Eric: WELCOME TO "ALMANAC."

COMING UP IN THE NEXT HOUR, REPUBLICAN U.S.

SENATE PRIMARY CANDIDATE ADAM SCHWARZE JOINS US, HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY MARY MORIARTY DISCUSSES FATAL FEDERAL AGENT SHOOTINGS OF ALEX PRETTI AND RENEE GOOD, KEVIN KLING HAS AN ESSAY, AND PRODUCING TEAM ALAUNA YUST AND DAVID CHECK OUT AN EXHIBIT AT THE HENNEPIN HISTORY MUSEUM.

>> Cathy: WE START TONIGHT WITH THE BIG WILDFIRES BURNING IN THE BOREAL FORESTS OF THE ARROWHEAD REGION IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA AND ACROSS THE CANADIAN BORDER IN ONTARIO.

SEVERAL OF THESE FIRES ARE ACTIVE IN THE BOUNDARY WATERS AREA CANOE WILDERNESS, WHICH CLOSED ON TUESDAY NIGHT.

JUST THE THIRD TIME IN ITS HISTORY THE ENTIRE WILDERNESS HAS BEEN COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN.

EVACUATION OF PADDLERS AND CAMPERS CONTINUES AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND.

WITH THE MAJORITY OF FIRES BURNING OUTSIDE THE BWCA, ROADS HAVE CLOSED AND THERE ARE SEVERAL AREAS OF EVACUATIONS IN ST.

LOUIS AND LAKE COUNTY NEAR ELY, MINNESOTA.

THE GUNFLINT TRAIL, LOCATED IN COOK COUNTY, HAS TWO SECTIONS UNDER THE READY OR SET STAGE BUT NO EVACUATION ORDERS YET.

FOLLOWING THIS FAST-MOVING STORY, COOK COUNTY-BASED JOURNALIST JOE FREDRICKS.

HE HEADS UP THE WEBSITE AND PODCAST “PADDLE AND PORTAGE."

HE JOINS US FROM ROCKWOOD LODGE AND OUTFITTERS ALONG THE GUNFLINT TRAIL.

IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN, JOE.

>> CATHY, GOOD TO EE YOU ALWAYS, ERIC, ALWAYS GOOD TO SEE YOU TOO.

>> Cathy: WE SHOULD PROBABLY TELL FOLKS THIS SITUATION IS HISTORIC IN TERMS OF THE SCOPE OF THE FIRES AND THE FACT THAT IT'S PRETTY UNUSUAL TO HAVE FIRES LIKE THIS, THE TIMING OF THEM, JULY IS NOT USUALLY FIRE SEASON, RIGHT?

>> MM, THAT'S RIGHT, YEAH.

I MEAN, MAY IS OFTEN THE TIME WE HAVE FIRES, IT'S NOT NHEARD OF THAT WE WOULD HAVE THEM IN THE SUMMER LIKE THIS.

LAST CLOSURE OF THE BWCA WHICH WAS THE GREENWOOD FIRE IN 2021 WAS IN AUGUST INTO LABOR DAY THAT YEAR.

SO IT'S NOT ALWAYS THE SAME TIME PERIOD BUT THE SCALE OF THESE AS OU'RE SAYING IS DEFINITELY WHAT'S GETTING THE ATTENTION.

>> Eric: WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT DEATHS, INJURIES AND VALUE OF PROPERTY LOSS?

>> THERE ARE NO INJURIES.

NO DEATHS, NO INJURIES, ERIC.

I MEAN, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT 10,000 PEOPLE, SOMEWHERE ESTIMATES OF 6 TO 10 IN BWC A AND I THINK WE CAN SAFELY SAY 10,000 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN VACATED FROM CANOE COUNTRY IN THE PAST THREE, FOUR DAYS THIS WEEK.

ALL WEEK BASICALLY.

AND IT'S AMAZING.

ED COORDINATION THAT'S TAKEN PLACE AND THAT EVERYBODY HAS GOTTEN OUT SAFELY.

ESTIMATES ARE THAT MOST PEOPLE NOW ARE OUT.

THERE WERE A COUPLE PEOPLE I KNOW THAT CAME OUT TODAY ON THIS SIDE OF THE WILDERNESS, THE EAST SIDE, THE GUNFLINT SIDE AS IT'S COMMONLY CALLED, SO MOST PEOPLE ARE OUT OF THE WILDERNESS NOW, NO INJURIES, NO DEATHS.

STRUCTURES, THERE HAVE EEN SOME POP-UP STRUCTURES AROUND THE ELY AREA WHERE A CABIN BURNED, I KNOW BURNTSIDE BUT NOTHING, I MEAN, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE WILDERNESS, YOU KNOW, THE BOUNDARY WATERS EING REMOTE AS IT IS NOW WE'RE GETTING REMOTE WITHIN THAT WILDERNESS, WHERE THE MAJORITY OF THESE FIRES ARE.

SO NOT MUCH IN THE WAY OF STRUCTURE DAMAGE.

>> Cathy: I WANT TO TALK ABOUT EVACUATIONS, JOE, IN JUST A MINUTE BUT FOR FOLKS MAYBE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THAT AREA OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA YOU'RE ON THE GUNFLINT, RIGHT, ON THE GUNFLINT SIDE.

IT SEEMS LIKE T'S WORSE AROUND ELY, WOULD THAT BE RIGHT >> DEFINITELY, YEAH.

THAT'S WHERE THE MAJORITY OF THIS IS BEING FELT IN TERMS OF CLOSURE OF THE FERNBERG CORRIDOR, SIMILAR TO THE GUNFLINT TRAIL, A GATEWAY TO THE BOUNDARY WATERS.

THAT ROAD WAS SHUT DOWN, PEOPLE WERE EVACUATED NOT JUST CANOEISTS, BUT PROPERTY OWNERS, RESORTS, PEOPLE THAT WERE STAYING UP THERE ON VACATION, THEY HAD TO VACUATE.

THAT WAS ON TUESDAY, IT WAS A HUGE PART OF THIS.

AND SO IT'S BEING FELT, I MEAN, THE DISS PLACEMENT TOO OF THESE CANOE CAMPERS THAT ERE EITHER THERE TO DO A TRIP OR HAD TO EVACUATE THE WILDERNESS PEOPLE LOOKING FOR PLACES TO STAY AND PLACES TO EAT AND SO FORTH, I KNOW SOMEBODY THAT SLEPT IN THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PARKING LOT ON MONDAY NIGHT WHEN THE EVACUATIONS STARTED.

SO, YEAH, IT'S BEING FELT IN ELY BUT IT'S CERTAINLY BEING FELT HERE TOO ON THE GUNFLINT, THERE'S NO CANOEISTS GOING INTO THE BOUNDARY WATERS, IT'S SHUT DOWN.

I'M HERE AT ROCKWOOD LODGE AS YOU AID AND ALL THE CANOES ARE BEHIND ME ON THE RACK HERE, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM.

LOT OF CANOES AND QUITE FRANKLY SPEAKING FROM THE BUSINESS ECONOMIC SIDE TESTIFIES THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY SITTING THERE AND ALL THE OUTFITTERS HAVE FULL RELUCTANCE OF CANOES RIGHT NOW.

>> Cathy: WOW.

LET'S TALK ABOUT A FAMILY YOU MET FROM TEXAS, FOLKS COMING OUT OF THE BWCA, TRYING TO FLEE THE FLAMES HAVE BEEN JUST HAIR-RAISING.

YOU MET A FAMILY FROM TEXAS, RIGHT, AND THEY GOT OUT?

>> BAILEY HIN, THE SHIN FAMILY FROM TEXAS THEY WERE UP HERE ON A CANOE TRIP ON THE ELY SIDE AND THEY HAD TO EVACUATE, SAME AS EVERYBODY ELSE, AND THEY KNEW THE CLOSURE WAS TAKING PLACE, WORD OF MOUTH REALLY STARTED O HAPPEN.

OF COURSE THE WILDERNESS RANGERS FOR FOREST SERVICE ARE ALSO IN SPREADING THE WORD BUT WORD OF MOUTH WAS A BIG PART OF THIS.

THIS KNEW IT WAS TIME TO GET GOING AND THE CAMPFIRE WHICH WAS BURNING NEAR ELY REALLY KICKED OFF EARLIER IN THE WEEK AND MADE A BIG RUN WHICH SET OFF THE CLOSURE OF THE FERNBERG AND THAT WAS HAPPENING BEHIND THEM, THIS FAMILY CAMPED AT A CAMPSITE AND THEY'RE PACKED UP TO GO AND IT REALLY TOOK OFF.

OTHER CANOEISTS WERE SHOUTING AT THEM, IT'S BEHIND YOU, YOU GOTTA GET GOING, GO NOW!

AND SHE VIDEOTAPED THEM GETTING IN THEIR CANOE AND LEAVING THE CAMPSITE, THEY LEFT STUFF, A NEW TENT THEY BOUGHT AT THE SITE, DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO GET IT.

AND THE VIDEO OF THAT IS POWERFUL TO SEE OF THE FIRE CLOSING IN ON THEM AT THEIR CAMPSITE.

THEY MADE IT OUT SAFELY OF COURSE BUT IT WAS LOSE, THERE WERE SIMILAR INCIDENTS IN QUETICO, CLOSE CALLS.

>> Eric: LIGHTNING STRIKES STARTED ALL OF THIS AND I WONDER IF THIS IS BEYOND THE NATURAL LIFE YCLE OF A FOREST.

>> WELL, YES, LIGHTNING TRIKES ON JULY 6TH WE HAD A STORM WITH NOT A LOT OF RAIN AND A LOT OF LIGHTNING AND THAT SPARKED THIS OFF AND WE HAD THAT HEAT.

WE WERE UP THE GUNFLINT MONDAY THIS WEEK, 103 DEGREES UP THE GUNFLINT TRAIL SO EXCESSIVE HEAT, WIND KICKED UP HOSE FIRES AND THERE'S SOMETHING KNOWN AS SPRUCE BUDWORM, IT'S KILLED A LOT OF BALSAM AND SPRUCE TREES ACROSS THE BWCA AND ALL OVER COOK LAKE, ST.

LOUIS COUNTY, SO THERE'S DRY DEAD TREES AND CONDITIONS WERE RIGHT FOR THIS TO OCCUR.

WHETHER OR NOT IT'S, YOU KNOW, NATURAL PART OF THIS SHOULD ALL BE HAPPENING, THERE'S PEOPLE THAT DEBATE, I THINK IT'S PROBABLY NOT THE RIGHT TIME NOW TO WEIGH IN ON THAT JUST BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF EMOTION TIED UP IN WHAT'S HAPPENED THIS WEEK.

BUT IT'S, FIRE IS A PART OF THE ECOSYSTEM HERE.

THAT WOULD BE A FAIR STATEMENT FOR SURE.

>> Cathy: JOE, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

ALWAYS GOOD TO TALK WITH YOU.

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF, OKAY >> I SURE WILL.

YOU GUYS TOO.

>> Cathy: WELL, THE FOREST SERVICE HELD A WIDE RANGING NEWS CONFERENCE THIS AFTERNOON.

JOE WAS THERE.

HERE'S SOME EXCERPTS FROM THE INCIDENT METEOROLOGIST, U.S.

SENATOR AMY KLOBUCHAR AND U.S.

CONGRESSMAN PETE STAUBER.

TAKE A LOOK, WE'LL ABE RIGHT BACK WITH MORE ON THE FIRES.

>> WE AS THE COMMUNITY GET COMPLACENT.

WE THINK EVERYTHING'S OKAY.

BECAUSE THE SMOKE'S GONE, MUST NOT BE ANY FIRE OUT THERE ANYMORE, RIGHT?

NO, THAT'S NOT THE CASE.

THE WIND IS JUST BLOWING THE SMOKE IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION, AND EVERYTHING OUT THERE WITHIN A DAY OR TWO AS SOON AS THAT SUN COMES OUT IS GOING TO DRY BACK OUT AGAIN AND IT'S GOING TO START TO MOVE ACROSS THE LANDSCAPE AGAIN.

>> THE THREE OF US ARE UNITED ON GETTING THE RESOURCES FOR THIS FIRE BECAUSE THIS IS NOT A TIME FOR DIVIDES, THIS IS A TIME FOR UNITY AND UNITY OF PURPOSE.

>> THIS IS MINNESOTA AT ITS BEST.

WE CAN HAVE OUR DIFFERENCES, WE ARE COMING TOGETHER, WE WANT TO SAVE EVERY LIFE THAT'S IN HARM'S WAY.

♪ >> Eric: JOINING US NOW WITH MORE ON THE WILDFIRE SITUATION, MIKE WARNKE.

HE'S A WILDFIRE ADMIN SUPERVISOR WITH THE FORESTRY DIVISION OF THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES.

HERE TOO, HEAD OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA'S DEPARTMENT OF SOIL, WATER, AND CLIMATE, BRENT WILLIAMS.

WELL, IKE, WHAT'S THE D.N.R.

'S RESPONSIBILITY IN THAT THIS IS A LARGELY FEDERAL LAND, CORRECT >> IT IS BY AND LARGE, BUT THE WHERE THE FIRES ARE BURNING BUT THE WAY WE WORK IN MINNESOTA IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FEDERAL AGENCIES.

NO ONE WANTS TO SEE A LINE STOP SOMETHING SO WE HAVE A COOPERATIVE RELATIONSHIP, WHOEVER'S CLOSEST IS GOING TO WORK ON THESE FIRES INITIALLY.

>> Eric: HOW COMPLICATED IS THE COORDINATION >> IT'S AS COMPLICATED WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO DO IT NOW WITH YEARS AND YEARS OF PRACTICE AND COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIP BUILDING AND TRAINING TOGETHER THAT COORDINATION IS MUCH MORE SEAMLESS.

>> Cathy: WE SHOULD TALK ABOUT HOW THIS ALL BEGAN.

JOE AND ERIC ND I WERE TALKING ABOUT THE LIGHTNING STRIKES THAT OCCURRED ARLIER THAT KIND OF STARTED THE BALL ROLLING HERE.

AND VERY DRY CONDITIONS UP THERE.

AS A CLIMATOLOGIST, LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> YEAH, CERTAINLY HAS BEEN WARM AS WE ALL KNOW.

AND AS WINDS GO, YOU DRY OUT YOUR SOIL MOISTURE AND AS WAS MENTIONED IN THE LAST SEGMENT IF YOU HAVE STANDING DEAD PLANT MATERIAL, IT'S ALL THE RIGHT CONDITIONS TO BURN.

>> Cathy: I'M WONDERING TOO HERE, BRENT, BECAUSE THERE WERE SOME SEVERE STORMS SWEPT ACROSS THAT PART OF THE REGION EARLY THIS MORNING, A LOT OF LIGHTNING OUT OF THOSE STORMS.

I WONDER IF WE'LL KNOW WHETHER THERE WILL BE MORE FIRES TO START BECAUSE OF THOSE STORMS THAT CAME THROUGH THIS MORNING.

>> YEAH, I THINK TIME WILL TELL.

THE, AS LONG AS WE HAVE THIS EXTENDED WARM PERIOD AND OVERALL DRYER CONDITIONS, SOMETIMES THE RAIN IS NOT ENOUGH TO STOP THINGS.

>> Eric: WHAT STRIKES YOU ABOUT THESE RECENT IMMEDIATE FIRES HERE THAT MIGHT BE DIFFERENT FROM PAST EPISODES?

>> WHAT'S STRIKING IS THE NUMBER THAT ARE ON THE LANDSCAPE AT ONE TIME.

THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT I THINK WE'VE EXPERIENCED IN A VERY, VERY LONG TIME, IS JUST THE SHEER NUMBER AND VOLUME SPREAD OVER A DISTANCE FROM SAY, WEST TO EAST OF NEARLY 100.

THAT'S THE UNUSUAL THING.

UNCOMMON TO HAVE A FIRE FROM A LIGHTNING STORM.

TO HAVE 20-SOME INITIATE FROM LIGHTNING EVENTS IS REALLY UNCOMMON.

>> Cathy: SPRUCE BUDWORM WAS MENTIONED, THAT BUG THAT REALLY HAS KILLED A LOT, ACRES AND ACRES OF TREES.

HOW -- CAN THE D.N.R.

DO ANYTHING ABOUT THAT IN TERMS OF TRY TO CLEAR SOME OF THAT OUT TO MITIGATE, TAKE THE FUEL OUT OF THE SITUATION IN A SENSE?

>> I THINK WE LOOK AT THE SCALE OF THE LANDSCAPE, THERE'S PARTS AND PIECES WHERE THROUGH D.N.R.

FOREST MANAGEMENT, WORK IS BEING DONE TO HARVEST WHAT YOU CAN AND REGENERATE WHAT YOU CAN.

WE'RE ALSO TALKING ABOUT A LARGE PORTION THAT IS IN THE BOUNDARY WATERS WILDERNESS AREA WHICH IS REALLY WHAT WILL HAPPEN WILL HAPPEN AND THERE'S NOT EFFORTS TO UNDERGO TO TREAT IT OR TAKE IT AWAY OR DO SOMETHING.

IT'S KIND OF THERE.

PART OF THE LANDSCAPE.

>> Cathy: SURE.

AND YOU MENTIONED, AGAIN, LOOKING AT THE CLIMATE CFSS CLIMATOLOGY WE'VE GOT CLIMATE CHANGE THAT WE ARE WATCHING AND SO MANY CHANGES HAVE OCCURRED IN MINNESOTA BECAUSE OF THIS AND I'M WONDERING IS THIS KIND OF A NEW NORMAL IN A SENSE?

ARE WE LOOKING AT WHAT WE CAN EXPECT IN THAT AREA OF THE STATE MOVING FORWARD?

>> IT'S HARD TO KNOW WHAT A NEW NORMAL IT LOOKS LIKE EXACTLY, BUT CERTAINLY WITH CHANGES TO THE CLIMATE SYSTEM, SLOW YEAR AFTER YEAR CHANGES YOU CAN, YOU CAN GET DRYER OR WETTER PERIODS, YOU TEND TO GET MORE EXTREME EVENTS WHEN THEY DO HAPPEN, SO MORE EXTREME WEATHER SYSTEMS.

AND THINGS GOING BACK TO THE PESTS, THE CHANGE IN CLIMATE SYSTEM CHANGES THE RANGE OF THESE PESTS AND THE VECTORS THAT THEY CARRY AS WELL SO THAT'S ANOTHER THING TO KEEP AN EYE ON.

>> Eric: IS THERE ANYTHING FOLKS IN YOUR BUSINESS ARE GOING TO BE STUDYING PARTICULAR TO THIS SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES?

>> YEAH, I THINK SO.

I THINK SOME OF THE THESE FIRES UP NORTH HAVE, ARE BURNING ON SOILS THAT HAVE A LOT OF PEAT IN THEM SO THEY TEND TO BE BURNING DEEPER AND MAYBE WOULD HAVE SOME RESURGENCE AFTER THE INITIAL FIRES ARE PUT OUT.

SO I THINK WE SHOULD EXPECT EXTENDED FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES THAT WOULD BE GOING ON FOR EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, WEEKS TO MONTHS PROBABLY.

AND AIR QUALITY IS KIND F MY BACKGROUND AREA AND SO I'M CONCERNED ABOUT A LOT OF THE HEALTH IMPACTS THAT ARE ON THE SMOKE THAT GOES DOWNWIND OF THESE FIRES AND THE EXPOSURE.

>> Cathy: BY THE WAY, SPEAKING OF THE SMOKE, HAVE YOU BOTH EVER SEEN AIR QUALITY INDICES THAT WE'VE SEEN THIS WEEK?

THOSE ARE JUST CRAZY.

>> NOT HERE IN MINNESOTA I HAVEN'T SEEN THAT.

JUST WE ARE SO CLOSE TO THE FIRES THAT ARE BURNING IT'S A REALLY HIGH CONCENTRATION.

WE'RE A LITTLE BIT AT THE MERCY OF THE WIND DIRECTION, SO RIGHT NOW IT'S A LITTLE FURTHER EAST, WE'RE EXPECTING IT TO CIRCLE BACK A LITTLE BIT HERE IN MINNESOTA.

SO I WOULD DEFINITELY URGE PEOPLE TO JUST SORT OF BE PREPARED BECAUSE THESE EVENTS MAY COME AND GO.

WE SAW A COUPLE DAY EXTENDED PERIOD BUT GOING FORWARD WE MAY SEE JUST SOME SHORTER, FEW HOURS AT A TIME WHERE IT'S REALLY BAD, SO HAVING AN N95 MASK THAT YOU CAN HAVE WITH YOU IF YOU'RE OUTDOORS AND INDOORS DOING THINGS LIKE RUNNING YOUR AIR CONDITIONER OR RUNNING AIR FILTERS, THERE'S GOOD HOME-BUILT AIR FILTER OPTIONS OUT THERE, THE CORSI-ROSENTHAL AIR FILTER WHICH IS A REALLY NEAT WAY OF, LOW COST, ABOUT A TENTH OF THE PRICE OF A COMMERCIAL AIR FILTER.

>> Cathy: MIKE, AS OU GO BACK TO THE OFFICES IN ST.

PAUL AND STANDARD COORDINATION AND KIND OF HELP YOUR TEAMS, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO BE THINKING ABOUT >> PRIMARILY WHAT I'M THINKING ABOUT FIRST AND FOREMOST IS A LITTLE BIT OF THE FORESHADOWING WHERE WE HAD MORE LIGHTNING TODAY, AND HOPEFULLY THAT DOESN'T DO SOMETHING, BUT ODDS ARE SOMETHING IS GOING TO OCCUR FROM THAT AND ON HOW LONG IT TAKES TO DETECT THAT AND HOW MUCH MORE FIRE IT ADDS TO THE LANDSCAPE.

AND ALSO THINKING HOW LONG OF A DURATION WE'RE INVOLVED WITH THIS IN TERMS OF ALL THE FIREFIGHTERS, COMMUNITY IMPACT, THIS IS GOING TO TAKE A LONG PERIOD OF TIME BEFORE THIS IS REALLY CONTROLLED AND CONTAINED AND I DON'T WANT TO SAY BACK TO A NORMAL STATUS BUT TO A POINT WHERE WE'RE NOT CONCERNED AND IT'S NOT IMPACTING PEOPLE'S LIVES.

>> Eric: GREAT INFORMATION FROM BOTH OF YOU, THANKS.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

APPRECIATE YOU.

♪ >> Kevin: THIS WEEK OUR HEARTS ARE WITH EVERYONE UP NORTH DEALING WITH THE WILDFIRES.

AND FOR SO MANY OF US ACROSS THE STATE, THE SMOKE HAS BEEN A REMINDER THAT MINNESOTA'S WILDERNESS IS BEAUTIFUL, BUT IT ALSO DESERVES OUR RESPECT.

IF THE AIR IS BAD WHERE YOU ARE, TAKE IT SERIOUSLY.

STAY INSIDE IF YOU CAN, LIMIT ACTIVITY OUTDOORS, AND IF YOU DO HAVE TO BE OUTSIDE, A GOOD MASK CAN MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE.

THE WHOLE STATE HAS ALSO BEEN HIT WITH A HEATWAVE.

WE REALLY DON'T DO HEAT WELL.

WE'RE A PEOPLE OF LAYERS.

WE ADD LAYERS TO EVERYTHING OUR FOOD, OUR CLOTHING, OUR EMOTIONS.

THE KEY IS KNOWING THE PROPER ORDER.

IN WINTER IT GOES: COAT, SWEATER, LONG JOHNS, EPIDERMIS, DERMIS, FEELINGS.

OH AND WITH EMOTIONS YOU WANT TO TAKE YOUR PASSIVE FIRST, THEN AGGRESSIVE, THEN ANOTHER LAYER OF PASSIVE TO FINISH IT OFF.

LET THE AGGRESSIVE JUST KIND OF PEEK THROUGH.

THIS CAN TAKE GENERATIONS OF PRACTICE BUT IT'S WELL WORTH IT.

THE PROBLEM WITH HEAT IS THERE'S ONLY SO MANY LAYERS YOU CAN PEEL OFF AND REMAIN PUBLIC.

IF YOU'VE EVER SEEN MY UNCLE COME OUT OF THE SAUNA, YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING.

NOBODY WANTS TO SEE THAT.

SO HERE'S HOW TO DEAL WITH THE HEAT IN A WAY MINNESOTANS CAN RELATE TO: LAYERS.

FIRST: SLIP, SLAP, SLOP.

SLIP ON A HAT, SLAP ON THE SUNGLASSES, AND SLOP ON THE SUNSCREEN.

DON'T BE SHY.

THINK OF SUNSCREEN AS MUSTARD, AND YOU ARE THE BRATWURST.

SERIOUSLY, SLATHER.

THEN THERE ARE INGESTED LAYERS: WATERMELON, ICE CREAM, LEMONADE, AND POP NOT SODA.

WE DON'T SAY "IGGY SODA," IT'S POP.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, DRINK PLENTY OF WATER AND DON'T WAIT UNTIL YOU'RE THIRSTY.

AND WHEN THE SMOKE FINALLY CLEARS, GET TO THE LAKE.

YOU'RE IN MINNESOTA, FOR CRYING OUTSIDE.

TEACH THE KIDS HOW TO CANNONBALL.

IT'S A LIFELONG SKILL THAT WILL SERVE THEM WELL.

AND IF YOU COOL OFF WITH THE GARDEN HOSE, LET THE WATER RUN A LITTLE FIRST.

THOSE BABIES ARE FLAMETHROWERS FOR THE FIRST TWO MINUTES.

SO THAT'S MY ADVICE.

HANG IN THERE, ESPECIALLY YOU FOLKS UP NORTH.

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES, TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER, CHECK IN ON YOUR NEIGHBORS, AND IF THE HEAT OR THE SMOKE IS GETTING TO YOU DON'T TRY TO GO THROUGH IT ALONE, FIND A COOL PLACE, GET HELP IF YOU NEED IT AND WE'LL ALL BE GRATEFUL WHEN MINNESOTA GETS BACK TO BEING MINNESOTA.

THANK YOU.

[ APPLAUSE ] ♪ >> Cathy: REGULAR IEWERS OF "ALMANAC" MAY REMEMBER ST.

CLOUD STATE PROFESSOR CHRISTOPHER LEHMAN WHO WROTE THE BOOK ON THE ONLY ENSLAVED PERSON TO FIGHT FOR AND WIN HER FREEDOM IN MINNESOTA.

ELIZA WINSTON.

PROFESSOR LEHMAN ALSO CO-CURATED AN XHIBIT ABOUT WIN STONE, ON DISPLAY RIGHT NOW AT THE HENNEPIN HISTORY MUSEUM IN MINNEAPOLIS.

PRODUCING TEAM DAVID LEIN AND ALAUNA YUST WENT TO CHECK IT OUT.

>> NO PHOTOS OF ELIZA INSTON SURVIVE, SO HENNEPIN HISTORY MUSEUM COMMISSIONED LOCAL ARTIST CHRISTOPHER AARON DEANS TO IMAGINE WHAT SHE MAY HAVE LOOKED LIKE.

ELIZA WAS BROUGHT HERE IN 1860 BY THE CHRISTMAS FAMILY, SOUTHERN SLAVEOWNERS.

TWO YEARS BEFORE STATEHOOD BETWEEN THE DRED SCOTT DECISION AND THE CIVIL WAR.

>> MINNESOTA WAS A TERRITORY AND THE LAW OF THE LAND WAS REGARDLESS OF MISSOURI COMPROMISE OR OTHER THINGS IN A TERRITORY, SLAVERY IS ALLOWED.

SO THERE HAD BEEN NINE YEARS OF PEOPLE SAYING I GUESS THIS IS THE LAW OF THE LAND.

>> ALTHOUGH MINNESOTA'S CONSTITUTION BANNED SLAVERY MANY ENSLAVED PEOPLE WERE BROUGHT HERE BY THEIR OWNERS WHO ALSO BROUGHT VALUABLE TOURISM DOLLARS.

HENNEPIN COUNTY SHERIFF RICHARD STOUT LOOKED THE OTHER WAY.

>> WE WERE SO EXCITED AT HENNEPIN HISTORY MUSEUM TO JOIN WITH PROFESSOR LEHMAN ON THIS STORYTELLING BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT WE HAD OBJECTS THAT REALLY ILLUSTRATED THE TOPIC IN WAYS THAT COULDN'T COME OUT IN A BOOK AS IT WAS.

ONE WAS THE ANGEL GABRIEL WHICH IS THE WEATHER VANE ON TOP OF THE WINSLOW HOUSE WHICH BECAME AN ICONIC FIGURE IN MINNEAPOLIS' EARLY HISTORY AND IT'S BEEN IN OUR COLLECTION FOR MANY DECADES NOW.

SO THE WINS LOW HOUSE IS WHERE THE CHRISTMAS FAMILY BROUGHT ELIZA WITH THEM IN JULY OF 1860, AND THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN STANDING AT THE TIME.

IT WAS STANDING OVER THE HOUSE WHEN ELIZA ARRIVED AT THE WINSLOW HOUSE.

>> SOME OF THESE STREETS HAVE CHANGED BUT MAIN STREET, SO THE ST.

ANTHONY THEATER WOULD BE HERE.

>> ALSO ON DISPLAY, A REPLICA OF THE HOTEL'S GUEST REGISTER, IMPORTANT TO ELIZA'S STORY.

>> WHEN THEY WERE CHECKING INTO THE HOTEL SHE DIDN'T EVEN HAVE A NAME, IT'S COLONEL CHRISTMAS, CR CHRISTMAS, WIFE, CHILD, AND NURSE.

AND SO WE'VE JUST STARTED O DELVE INTO CAN WE FIGURE OUT HOW MANY ENSLAVED PEOPLE STAYED AT THE WINSLOW HOUSE AND SO WE'VE DONE AN INITIAL SCAN TO SAY, ALL RIGHT, LOOKING AT THAT CODE IF IT'S AN OCCUPATION, IT'S MOST LIKELY AN ENSLAVED PERSON.

AT LEAST IF WE'RE COMING FROM A PLACE LIKE MISSISSIPPI.

>> AS PROFESSOR LEHMAN POINTS OUT IN HIS BOOK ELIZA NEVER BROKE THE LAW, ELIZA DETAILED THE LEVEL TO WHICH SHE OBEYED HER OWNERS EVEN WHEN ORDERED TO HIDE FROM ABOLITIONISTS.

>> MY MISTRESS WOULD SEND ME INTO THE WOODS AT THE BACK OF THE HOUSE.

I MINDED HER, BUT DID NOT GO VERY FAR, HOPING THEY WOULD FIND ME.

>> SHE WAS OBEDIENT AND PLANFUL, SAVED ONEY AND CLOTHING PREPARING FOR THE DAY SHE WOULD GAIN HER FREEDOM.

>> WAY BACK IN MEMPHIS SHE WOULD ANTICIPATING BEING FREE SOMETIME.

SHE WAS MARRIED TO A FREE BLACK MAN AND SHE WAS GOING TO BE FREE HERSELF AND SHE STARTED COLLECTING CLOTHING AND POSSESSIONS THAT SHE COULD CALL HER OWN.

AND SHE BROUGHT THIS WITH HER TO MISSISSIPPI WHEN SHE WAS SOLD DOWN TO MISSISSIPPI, AND SHE BROUGHT THIS WITH HER UP TO MINNESOTA WHEN SHE CAME WITH THE CHRISTMAS.

IT SHOWS HER PERSEVERANCE.

THIS WAS WHAT SHE WAS WORKING ON AS A MULTI-YEAR PROJECT.

I'M GOING TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN FOR MYSELF.

>> THE CALICO DRESS ON DISPLAY IS SIMILAR TO THE ONE ELIZA WORE TO THE COURTROOM BUT BEFORE THAT TRIAL COULD BEGIN SHE HAD TO ESCAPE.

AND FOR THAT SHE NEEDED HELP AND A PLAN.

>> SHE WAS TAKING SOME OF, SOME CLOTHING FROM HER OWNER TO EMILY GOODRICH GREY WHO WAS A LOCAL SEAMSTRESS, AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN WHO CAME FROM A LONG LINEAGE OF FREEDOM SEEKERS AND UNDERGROUND RAILROAD FOLKS.

THEY STARTED TALKING AND WE DON'T KNOW WHO SAID WHAT FIRST BUT EMILY SAID TO ELIZA, SO YOU WANT TO BE FREE, AND ELIZA SAID, YES, I WANT TO BE FREE.

AND THAT WAS REPEATED A COUPLE TIMES BECAUSE EMILY NEEDED TO KNOW THAT ELIZA WAS COMMITTED TO THIS BECAUSE IT WASN'T GOING TO BE EASY, IT HAD TO GO THROUGH.

>> IT'S STILL VERY MUCH THAT KIND OF UNDERGROUND RAILROAD EXPERIENCE WHERE SHE'S HIDING OUT, THERE'S FUGITIVES, ANGRY MOBS, THERE'S REAL PERIL.

>> EMILY AND ELIZA PLAN AN ESCAPE FOR A SUNDAY WHILE THE CHRISTMAS WENT TO CHURCH.

BUT THE FAMILY LEARNED OF THE PLAN AND HID ELIZA, SHERIFF STOUT EVENTUALLY GAVE INTO PRESSURE FROM THE ABOLITIONISTS AND INTERVENED.

THE CHRISTMAS ADMONISHED ELIZA TO STAY WITH THEM BUT HER DAYS OF ANSWERING HER ENSLAVERS WERE OVER.

>> MY MASTER ASKED ME IF I WOULD GO WITH HIM, NOT TO DO WRONG, I TOED HIM I WAS NOT GOING TO DO WRONG BUT I WOULD NOT GO WITH HIM.

YOU CAN JUST IMAGINE THE REACTION THAT GOT.

>> THE TRIAL WAS EXCEEDINGLY SHORT.

>> THE ATTORNEY FOR ELIZA STOOD UP AND SIMPLY READ THE ONE LINE IN THE ONSTITUTION THAT SAID SLAVERY SHALL NOT BE ALLOWED IN MINNESOTA AND THEN HE SAT DOWN.

>> THE PRO-SLAVERY SIDE HAS THEIR WHOLE LONG CASE AND THE OTHER ONE LITERALLY SAYS THERE SHALL NEITHER BE SLAVERY NOR INVOLUNTARY SERVITUDE IN THE STATE.

RESTS HIS CASE, BOOM, THAT'S THEIR WHOLE CASE.

>> MIC DROP INDEED.

IN THIS CASE GAVEL DROP FROM JUDGE CHARLES VANDERBERG, AN ABOLITIONIST WHO WOULD BE ELECTED TO THE MINNESOTA SUPREME COURT 120 YEARS LATER.

PAINTER DEANS IMAGINED ELIZA SEATED AT THE TABLE WITH A JUDGE SURROUNDED BY AB LISTICS.

WHEN THE JUDGE ASKED FOR HER NAME SHE SIMPLY REPLIED, ELIZA WINSTON.

♪ ♪ >> Eric: THIS WEEK SAW A SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT IN THE STATE'S INVESTIGATION OF THE KILLINGS OF RENEE GOOD AND ALEX PRETTI IN MINNEAPOLIS.

FEDERAL AUTHORITIES HAVE FINALLY SHARED THEIR EVIDENCE WITH THE HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AFTER MONTHS OF REFUSING TO COLLABORATE, AN UNPRECEDENTED MOVE THAT PROMPTED A LAWSUIT BETWEEN STATE OFFICIALS AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

WHAT DOES THIS SHARING MEAN FOR THE INVESTIGATIONS AND FOR ONGOING STATE AND FEDERAL RELATIONS?

HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY MARY MORIARTY IS HERE TO SHED LIGH ON THAT.

WHAT DID YOU GET AND HOW IMPORTANT IS IT?

>> I WOULD CHARACTERIZE THIS AS BEING MOMENTOUS BECAUSE WE HAD EVIDENCE FROM THE BCA, THE BURUE OF CRIMINAL APPREHENSION HAD DONE THEIR OWN INVESTIGATIONS BUT AS YOU KNOW THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TOOK A LOT OF THE EVIDENCE AWAY LIKE RENEE GOOD'S CAR, THE GUNS, AND THEY TOOK STATEMENT FROM AGENTS THAT WERE THERE.

SO WE AGREED TO SHARE EVIDENCE, SO WE GAVE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OUR U.S.

ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HERE, THE EVIDENCE THAT WE HAD ON ALL THREE CASES, AND THEY HAVE GIVEN US THE EVIDENCE THAT THEY HAVE.

>> THIS SEEMS LIKE IT WAS KIND OF AN ABRUPT DECISION, BECAUSE AS WE POINTED OUT IT'S BEEN QUITE SOME TIME.

HOW SHOCKED WERE YOU WHEN THIS -- HOW DID THIS HAPPEN I GUESS >> IT APPEARS ABRUPT TO PEOPLE OUTSIDE BUT WE HAD BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR WEEKS.

AND I SHOULD NOTE THAT EVEN AFTER RENEE GOOD WAS SHOT I WAS ON THE PHONE WITH THE BCA, THE FBI, AND THE U.S.

ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND IT WAS EVERYONE'S INTENTION TO SHARE EVIDENCE, BECAUSE EVERYBODY WANTED THE RELATIONSHIP TO BE THE SAME AND EXPECTED THE RELATIONSHIP WOULD BE THE SAME AS IT ALWAYS WAS.

IT WAS A BIT OF A SHOCK AT THAT TIME WHEN THE BCA GOT KICKED OUT OF THE INVESTIGATION.

AND SO CONVERSATIONS HAVE NEVER STOPPED BECAUSE I THINK THE LOCAL PEOPLE, LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT RECOGNIZED THAT THIS IS THE WAY IT SHOULD BE, THIS IS THE WAY IT HAS BEEN, AND THIS IS WHAT ALEX RETTI AND RENEE GOOD'S FAMILIES DESERVE AND IT'S WHAT THE COMMUNITY DESERVES AS WELL.

SO WE HAD BEEN WORKING ON THIS AGREEMENT, AND AS YOU KNOW WE FILED A LAWSUIT IN FEDERAL COURT TO ASK A JUDGE TO ORDER THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO HAND OVER THAT EVIDENCE, AND WE HAD ACTUALLY ASKED FOR A COUPLE OF CONTINUANCES ON THAT LAWSUIT BECAUSE WE ERE ENGAGED IN THESE CONVERSATIONS.

>> Cathy: DOES IT ALSO HELP TO HAVE DIFFERENT LEADERSHIP SAY IN HOMELAND SECURITY AND THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT?

>> YOU KNOW, I WANT TO DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN OUR LOCAL FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE ADMINISTRATION.

I -- WE HAD CONVERSATIONS, EXTENSIVE CONVERSATIONS WITH LOCALS HERE.

AND EVERYBODY WANTED TO GET BACK TO THE WAY THINGS HAD ALWAYS BEEN DONE.

BUT I CAN'T SPEAK TO THE ADMINISTRATION, I CAN'T SPEAK TO D.C.

ABOUT WHAT THEY KNEW, WHETHER THEY APPROVED OR ANYTHING OF THAT NATURE SO I CAN'T COMMENT, I DON'T HAVE INSIDE INFORMATION ON WHY THIS CHANGED.

I MEAN, I'M HOPEFUL THAT IT'S BECAUSE THE PEOPLE HERE, AND I THINK THIS IS TRUE, RECOGNIZED THAT THIS WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

BUT IT WILL BE INTERESTING AS WE ALL KNOW THERE WERE OTHER SHOOTINGS IN MAINE AND HOUSTON, TO SEE WHETHER THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHARES INFORMATION IN THOSE CASES AS WELL.

>> Eric: SO OES THIS AT ALL CHANGE THE LEGAL LANDSCAPE THAT COMES FROM THE SURGE, OR?

>> WELL, HERE'S THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS.

WE WERE IN THIS REALLY AWKWARD POSITION, YOU KNOW, AS PROSECUTORS, WE GET CASES FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT AND WE KNOW WHAT WE HAVE AND WE ALSO KNOW WHAT ISN'T AVAILABLE.

FOR INSTANCE, THEY CAN TELL US, WELL, THERE WERE NO BODY CAMERAS HERE, OR THERE WERE.

WE WERE IN THE SITUATION OF TRYING TO FIGURE OUT AND TRYING TO GUESS WHAT WE DIDN'T HAVE.

WE DIDN'T HAVE -- WE ONLY HAD ACTUALLY HEARD FROM THE MEDIA THAT THE FEDERAL AGENTS WHO INTERACTED WITH ALEX PRETTI WERE WEARING BODY CAMS BUT WE HAD NO IDEA WHETHER THEY WERE OR NOT.

WE DIDN'T HAVE THAT.

WE HAD NO IDEA WHAT THE AGENTS SAID, WE DIDN'T HAVE THE GUNS, THERE WERE NO TESTING THAT COULD BE DONE ON THAT.

WE DID NOT HAVE RENEE GOOD'S CAR, WE NOW HAVE THAT.

AND SO WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY OF THAT, SO THIS DOES CHANGE THE LANDSCAPE IN THAT WE WILL AND WE ARE GOING THROUGH THIS EVIDENCE, OUR TEAM'S BEEN WORKING OVER THE WEEKEND AND AT NIGHTS LOOKING AT ALL OF THIS EVIDENCE AND WE WILL BE ABLE TO SEE EVERYTHING AND THEN WE WILL BE ABLE TO REALLY MAKE AN EDUCATED DECISION ABOUT WHETHER CHARGES OR APPROPRIATE OR NOT.

>> Cathy: DO YOU HAVE A TIMELINE AT ALL?

>> YOU KNOW, I HAVE NOT FRUSTRATINGLY TO EVERYBODY, NOT HAD A TIMELINE BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO LIFT EVERYBODY'S EXPECTATIONS.

AND WE CAN'T HAVE ARTIFICIAL TIMELINES BECAUSE WE HAVE TO DO A THOROUGH JOB IN LOOKING AT THIS EVIDENCE.

WE HAVE TO SIT DOWN AND THEN LOOK AT THE LAWS THAT WE HAVE AND DECIDE WHETHER IT'S APPROPRIATE TO CHARGE, AND WE NEED TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION THERE.

WE NEED TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION FOR THE PEOPLE IN MINNESOTA FOR THE PRETTI AND GOOD FAMILIES, IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

SO WE WILL MAKE A DECISION WHEN WE'RE READY TO MAKE IT.

AND I UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S VERY FRUSTRATING TO PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> Cathy: I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT UP THE FAMILIES, I'M SURE THEY ARE VERY FRUSTRATED.

>> OH, I, YOU KNOW, THINK BACK TO WHEN THESE THINGS HAPPENED, AND THIS IS PART OF WHERE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WENT OFF HE RAILS.

AS FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OR COUNTY ATTORNEY OR ANYBODY THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE IMPARTIAL, TO COME OUT WITHIN HOURS AFTER PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SHOT AND KILLED AND CALL THEM DOMESTIC TERRORISTS AND MAKE UP, YOU KNOW, THINGS ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE CLAIMING HAPPENED IS JUST BEYOND THE PALE.

IT'S INAPPROPRIATE IN THAT ANYTIME THE GOVERNMENT TAKES THE LIFE OF A COMMUNITY MEMBER, THERE OUGHT TO BE AN INDEPENDENT, IMPARTIAL INVESTIGATION, AND TRANSPARENCY IN THAT INVESTIGATION AND THE DECISION MAKING.

BUT THESE POOR FAMILIES NOT ONLY DID THEY HAVE TO HEAR FROM THE MEDIA, I HAVE TO SAY, I KNOW, FOR INSTANCE, ONE OF OUR LOCAL MEDIA REPORTERS ACTUALLY TOLD ONE OF THE FAMILY MEMBERS THAT THEIR LOVED ONE WAS DECEASED.

THEY DID OT HEAR THAT FROM -- YEAH, YIKES.

AND THEN TO BE HEARING THAT THE ADMINISTRATION IS CALLING YOUR LOVED ONE A DOMESTIC TERRORIST IS REALLY PAINFUL AND THE FACT THAT THEIR OWN GOVERNMENT IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY TO DO AN INVESTIGATION SO THAT JUSTICE CAN BE DONE HERE HAS BEEN EXCEPTIONALLY PAINFUL FOR THEM.

>> Eric: WE'LL FOLLOW ALONG AS IT GOES FORWARD HERE.

THANKS A LOT.

>> YEAH.

THANK YOU.

♪ >> Eric: WE TURN OUR ATTENTION TO THE U.S.

SENATE RACE.

LESS THAN A MONTH AWAY UNTIL PRIMARIES AND ALMANAC CONTINUES MIDTERM COVERAGE WITH TONIGHT' HIGHLIGHTS FEATURING THE REPUBLICAN U.S.

SENATE PRIMECH.

>> NOW, SENATOR TINA SMITH IS RETIRING LEAVING AN OPEN SEAT IN THE U.S.

SENATE.

LAST MONTH WE SAT DOWN WITH THE LEADING DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES FOR THE RACE AND THIS WEEK WE INVITED THE LEADING REPUBLICANS TO JOIN US.

MICHELLE TAFOYA AND ROYCE WHITECAPS DID NOT RESPOND TO REPEATED INVITATIONS.

THE REPUBLICAN PARTY ENDORSED CANDIDATE, ADAM SCHWARZE DID AGREE TO JOIN US, PLEASED THAT HE'S ON "ALMANAC."

WELCOME.

>> HAPPY TO BE HERE, IT'S GREAT >> Cathy: WE'VE BEEN TOLD THAT YOU'RE A CONSTITUTIONAL CONSERVATIVE, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN EXACTLY >> WE WERE FOUNDED 250 YEARS AGO ON A FRAMER'S VISION OF AMERICA.

WHY I'M RUNNING FRANKLY IS LACK OF LEADERSHIP ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

WE'RE GETTING AWAY FROM THAT.

THERE'S TOO MUCH POWER IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BOTH IN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH ND CONGRESS, TO PUT IT PLAINLY THE BEST TAX DOLLARS NEVER LEAVES YOUR BANK ACCOUNT, MORE POWER TO FAMILY UNITS, MORE POWER TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO HAVE CONTROL OF THOSE TAX DOLLARS, DON'T HAVE THEM GO TO WASHINGTON, D.C., JUST NOT GOOD INVESTMENTS OF YOUR MONEY.

>> Eric: WHAT IS YOUR VIEW, RELATIONSHIP WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP IF ANY?

>> I HAVE NOT MET THE PRESIDENT, I HAVE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT HIS WHITE HOUSE TEAM ONCE A MONTH.

>> Eric: WHAT O YOU THINK OF HOW HE'S DOING >> I THINK HE'S BEEN GREAT, MILITARY GUY, 11 YEARS IN NAVY SEALS, NINE DEPLOYMENTS TO OVER 77 COUNTRIES, I THINK I HAVE MORE TIME DOWN RANGE THAN ANYBODY SERVING IN CONGRESS OR SENATE RIGHT NOW.

ON TOP F THAT I'M KIND OF A NERD.

GOT MY UNDERGRAD AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, MASTER'S AT HARVARD, INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, MASTER'S CERTIFICATES AT HARVARD, NUCLEAR DETERRENTS, MBA AT JOHNS HOPKINS, A UNIQUE INTERSECTION OF BOOTS ON GROUND, HAVING DONE CONVENTIONAL COMBAT, PEACE KEEPING, INTELLIGENCE OPERATIONS, WORKED WITH JUST ABOUT EVERY THREE-LETTER AGENCY UNDER THE SUN AND AN ETHICAL BACKGROUND AFTER MY EXPERIENCE.

I THINK PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS BEEN A WONDERFUL PRESENT FORCE IN INTERNATIONAL SPACES SPECIFICALLY ABRAHAM ACCORDS DURING THE FIRST TIME, SPECIFICALLY ANYBODY NOT NAMED PRESIDENT TRUMP WOULD HAVE GOT A PEACE PRIZE FOR.

THERE WAS THIS INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION REALLY GAINING ROOTS WHEN TRUMP 1.0 CAME ON THE SCENE CALLED ISIS AND ABOUT SIX MONTHS OF TRUMP 10 WE ELIMINATED ISIS OFF THE FACE OF THE EARTH BECAUSE HE ALLOWED US TO DO OUR JOB AGAIN.

>> Cathy: WHERE DO YOU BREAK WITH HIM IN ANY OTHER AREA?

>> THE REASON I'M RUNNING IS BECAUSE OF COVID AND THE DRACONIAN GOVERNMENT OVERREACH.

I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE FIRED ANTHONY FAUCI A LITTLE BIT SOONER.

OTHER THAN THAT I'M A PRETTY BIG FAN OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S POLICIES ESPECIALLY FOREIGN POLICIES.

>> Eric: YOU TALKED ABOUT THIS BEING THE YEAR OF THE OUTSIDER.

>> YEAH, YEAH.

, EXEC I WONDER IF YOU ARE FRUSTRATED AS PEGGY FLAN BEGAN SEEMS TO BE ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF DARK MONEY AND THE ROLE OF DARK MONEY IN PAINS, DUSHARE THAT WITH HER?

>> IT'S VERY FRUSTRATING, AGAIN I'M A POLITICAL NOBODY, LIFELONG PATRIOT TO OUR COUNTRY, AND D.C.

TRIED TO PARACHUTE A CANDIDATE INTO MY RACE AS WELL THAT HAS NO SUPPORT, NO POLITICAL BACKGROUND, NO POLICY THINGS TO BRING TO THE TABLE EXCEPT SHE'S BOUGHT AND PAID FOR BY D.C.

AS WELL.

THAT'S ONE THING YOU COULD PUT THAT PEGGY FLAN BEGAN AND I AGREE ON.

>> Cathy: WHY DO YOU THINK MICHELLE TAFOYA ISN'T SHOWING UP TO DEBATES?

DOESN'T REALLY SEEM LIKE SHE WANTS TO BE DEBATE YOU.

>> I DON'T WANT TO BE COCKY OR CAVALIER BUT I WOULDN'T WANT TO DEBATE ME EITHER.

I HAVE EXPERIENCE IN OLICY MATTERS, INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE, ON THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, ON THE ENERGY COMMITTEE, MY BIGGEST THING I HOPE IS MY LEGACY IN THE U.S.

SENATE IS PROMOTING NUCLEAR ENERGY TO SHEPHERD IN THE NEW WAVE OF ENERGY.

WHAT DOES SHE BRING TO THE TABLE?

I MEAN SHE HAD AN EARPIECE AND WALKED THE SIDELINES OR A DECADE AND THEY BROUGHT HER IN BECAUSE THEY COULD CONTROL HER.

>> Cathy: SHE'S GOT A LOT OF MONEY.

SHE RAISED MORE THAN $2 MILLION, NGIE CRAIG'S RACE SO FAR $5 MILLION.

IT LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE $211,000 IN THE BANK, IT'S PRETTY TOUGH TO RUN A CAMPAIGN THIS DAY AND AGE WITH THAT KIND OF MONEY.

>> WE RAISED $1.5 MILLION, THAT'S MORE THAN A CANDIDATE DID ALL OF LAST CYCLE, WE RAISED ENOUGH MONEY TO RE-SOUNDINGLY DOMINATE THE ENDORSEMENT, 63% OF THE ENDORSEMENT.

THE ENDORSED CANDIDATE FOR SENATE HAS NEVER LOST THE PRIMARY, AND I AM PRETTY CONFIDENT I WILL GO ON TO RAISE FUNDS NEEDED IN THE GENERAL.

NAVY SEALS IN GENERAL ELECTIONS,WARE 7 FOR 7.

[ LAUGHTER ] SO WE DON'T MISS THE TARGET.

WE WORK REALLY HARD AND WHICH OF THE CANDIDATES SHOWED UP TONIGHT?

YOU HAVE TO SHOW UP AND DO THE WORK.

ESPECIALLY AS A MINNESOTAN.

I'M NOT FROM BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA, MANHATTAN BEACH.

TO HAVE SHOW UP AND DO THE WORK HERE.

>> Eric: I WAS WITH YOUR WORK, I'LL SURPRISED YOU'VE BEEN INTERVIEWED AND SAY I'M A NO WAR GUY.

>> AGAIN, I'VE HAD MY BROTHERS DIE IN MY ARMS, THAT'S SOMETHING I'M HAPPY TO SAY THAT'S A PRETTY UNIQUE THING FOR A YOUNG AMERICAN BOY TO EXPERIENCE, I WAS 19, 20 YEARS OLD WHEN IT HAPPENED, I'VE LOST A LOT OF BROTHERS AND SISTERS DOWN THE RANGE AND FOR ANYBODY WHO'S ACTUALLY BEEN IN COMBAT ESPECIALLY A LOT OF COMBAT AND WHEN THEY GET OLDER THEY HATE WARS.

I DON'T KNOW, YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY ON MY TEAM WHO'S A PART OF MY CORE THEY HAVE TO READ MEDLEY BUTLER'S WAR IS A RACKET, IT'S A GREAT BOOK WRITTEN AFTER WORLD WAR II, YOU'D THINK IT WAS WRITTEN YESTERDAY ABOUT THE MILITARY INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX HOW THEY ALL GET RICH WHILE THE PEASANT AMERICANS SACRIFICE THEIR BLOOD SO I'M A BIG NO WARS GUY.

>> Cathy: GIVEN YOUR BACKGROUND AND RÉSUMÉ, PEOPLE WILL LOOK AT YOU AND SAY WHY DO YOU WANT TO GET INTO POLITICS >> YEAH, I NEVER THOUGHT IT WOULD BE RUNNING, IT WAS COVID, IT OPENED MY APERTURE, IT DIDN'T MILLION HOW SEXY THE NAVY SEAL MISSION I WAS DOING BEHIND THE SCENES, AFTER 20 YEARS OF SERVICE SACRIFICING A LOT FOR AMERICA, THE FEDERAL DRACONIAN POLICIES AND LOCAL POLICIES BOTH IN MINNESOTA AND OTHER STATES REALLY OPENED UP MY APERTURE TO LEADERSHIP MATTERS, AND THE MORE I WORK TO PREPARE MYSELF AND ACADEMICALLY GET MYSELF READY FOR THIS RACE BECAUSE I'VE BEEN PREPARING FOR A FEW YEARS NOW, I'M LIKE OH, MY GOSH, WE ARE TRULY ON THE WRONG DIRECTION AND AGAIN IT'S LARGELY BIPARTISAN PROBLEM.

HOW DID ROME FALL?

ROME WAS THE LAST WORLD HEDGEMON BEFORE THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

IT WASN'T FUNDED BY A -- ARMY OR DEEPER BLUE WATER NAVY, CIVIC DISCOURSE, POLITICAL CORRUPTION AND THAT WAS THE DEATH KNELL, AND I SEE A LOT OF SIMILARITIES TO THE GLIDE OF AMERICA.

>> HONOR TO BE HERE TONIGHT.

LOVE YOUR JACKET BY THE WAY.

>> Eric: OH, THANKS, APPRECIATE IT.

>> GOD BLESS YOU GUYS.

>> Eric: THE GOVERNOR HELD A BIPARTISAN BILL SIGNING THIS WEEK THAT FEATURED AUTHORS WHO MARY LAHAMMER ISCOVERED DEVELOPED A DEEPER CONNECTION DURING LAST SUMMER'S ATTACK ON ONE OF THOSE LAWMAKERS.

>> NOW WE CAN TOAST.

THERE IT IS.

>> IT'S NOT EVERY DAY BUBBLY IS STANDING BY FOR A BILL SIGNING.

>> HERE, HERE!

[ APPLAUSE ] >> BUT THE GRANNY HAPPY HOUR BILL IS NO RDINARY LEGISLATION.

>> I'M EXCITED.

NOW THAT I CAN ENJOY A GLASS OF PINOT GRIGIO WITH FRIENDS DURING EVENTS AND MAKE THESE MOMENTS EVEN MORE SPECIAL.

>> WHILE IT WAS A FAVORITE FEEL-GOOD BILL OF SESSION, ALONG WITH AN AGATE LICENSE PLATE CONTEST AND MEAT RAFFLE REFORMS.

>> ROLL OUT SOMETHING THEY'RE VERY PROUD OF.

>> THE GOVERNOR TAKES THIS SERIOUSLY.

>> I DO THINK IT'S SERIOUS ABOUT PERSONAL FREEDOMS.

>> TWO LAWMAKERS BEHIND THE BIPARTISAN BILL ALSO SEE THE POWER IN STANDING TOGETHER ON AN ISSUE THAT ORIGINATED IN THEIR DIVIDED DISTRICT.

>> IT'S A DIFFICULT DISTRICT TO REPRESENT BECAUSE OF THE STRONG FEELINGS THAT PEOPLE HAVE TODAY WITH THE PARTIES, THAT THEY ASSOCIATE WITH.

AND SO THAT PART'S HARD.

>> DID THEY LIKE THAT THE TWO OF YOU GET ALONG OR DISLIKE?

>> THEY LIKE IT BUT AGAIN THE POLARIZATION THAT'S HAPPENING WHEN DANNY TALKS ABOUT THE FURTHER WEST YOU GO, FURTHER EAST, YOU KNOW, THERE'S THAT DIFFERENT.

YOU GET SOME PUSHBACK BUT AGAIN YOU GOT TO DO THE RIGHT THING.

>> WAS THIS BILL THE RIGHT THING?

WAS THIS AN EASY THING?

>> IT WAS A GREAT THING!

SOME BILLS ARE EASY, SOME ARE HARDER.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T FIGURE THAT TRICK OUT.

THAT'S THE TRICK ON GETTING STUFF ONE, RIGHT, DANNY?

[ LAUGHTER ] >> HERE'S ANOTHER TRICK.

>> THESE TWO ARE FULL OF TRICKS TO GETTING THINGS DONE TOGETHER, EVEN IN DIVISIVE TIMES.

>> YOU HAVE TO FIND PEOPLE THAT ARE WILLING TO TRY TO SOLVE THEM WITH YOU.

IF YOU'VE BURNED EVERY BRIDGE THERE'S NO PEOPLE ANYMORE, YOU KNOW, SO BE HARD ON ISSUES, BE SOFT ON PEOPLE.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> TURNS OUT WHILE THE DEMOCRATIC SENATOR WAS RECOVERING FROM THE ASSASSIN'S BULLETS LAST SUMMER, THE REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE WAS PICKING UP THE WORK BEHIND THE SCENES.

>> DANNY DID ALL THE TOWN HALLS, HE BROUGHT IN LOTS OF PEOPLE AND HAD CONVERSATIONS.

HE WROTE THE WHOLE BILL.

>> AND YOU COULDN'T, I MEAN, YOU WERE PRETTY HONEST ABOUT THAT.

>> YEAH, I WAS -- >> HE WAS IN THE HOSPITAL.

>> I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL AND I JUST KEPT, DANNY WAS LIKE, YOU KNOW, I'M LIKE YOU GOT THIS, I GOT THIS, SO I BRING THE BILL TO MY COMMITTEE, RIGHT AND I'M JUST ALL I WAS TALKING ABOUT WAS THIS IS THE WORK THAT DANNY NADEAU DID, AND THE BILL WOULD HAVE DIED, PEOPLE IN HIS PARTY DIDN'T LIKE THE FACT THAT HE WAS DOING THIS BILL WITH ME.

>> THE CONGREGATE CARE ISSUE IS NOT AS BIG IN CHAMPLAIN AS IT IS IN BROOKLYN PARK, NOT MY DISTRICT.

HUGE ISSUE OVER THERE.

NEEDED TO BE ELEVATED, NEEDED TO BE TALKED ABOUT.

>> BUT BEYOND THE POLICY, PERSONAL CONNECTION DEEPENED IN THE LAST YEAR, IS THAT FAIR TO SAY, YOU TWO?

>> I THINK WE'VE ALWAYS HAD A GOOD, RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIP.

>> AND WHEN YOU GO THROUGH SOMETHING THE PEOPLE THAT ARE THERE FOR YOU AND THE PEOPLE THAT AREN'T YOU REMEMBER THAT.

>> OH, YEAH, YOU DO.

YOU KNOW, YOU BRING THAT UP, MARY, YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

YOU DO REMEMBER THAT.

>> YOU WERE IN A CARE FACILITY.

I GET THERE, I WALK IN THE DOOR AND HE HOPS OUT OF THE BED!

AND I'M LIKE, WHAT!

[ LAUGHTER ] IS GOING ON?

AND I WAS ABSOLUTELY AMAZED AT, YOU KNOW, HOW RAPIDLY THAT, NUMBER ONE, HE WAS HEALING BUT NUMBER TWO, HE WAS STILL KIND OF CONDUCTING BUSINESS.

>> NOT ONLY DOES THIS DUO HOPE THEY CAN SET AN EXAMPLE FOR OTHER LAWMAKERS, BUT THE GOVERNOR, WHO'S LEAVING OFFICE, HELD THEM P AS THE EPITOME OF EFFECTIVE BIPARTISANSHIP.

>> TWO PEOPLE WHO DESERVE A BIG PIECE OF THAT HERE WITH JOHN HOFFMAN AND DANNY NADEAU.

THESE TWO LEGISLATORS WHO ARE PART OF THIS BILL, BUT IT'S MUCH DEEPER THAN THAT.

MANY OF YOU KNOW THIS, MINNESOTA'S THE ONLY STATE IN THE COUNTRY THAT WE HAVE BASICALLY EQUALLY DIVIDED GOVERNMENT AND TO GET BUDGETS DONE AND TO GET THINGS DONE AND TO GET BIPARTISAN BILLS LIKE THIS DONE TAKES SKILLED LEGISLATORS WHO HAVE THE RESPECT ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

>> I THOUGHT IT WAS GENUINE, I THOUGHT IT WAS AUTHENTIC.

>> THERE'S NOT A LOT OF BIPARTISAN BILL SIGNINGS BE HONESTLY.

>> NO, THERE'S NOT.

ONCE YOU GET TO THE LEGISLATURE THERE'S A LOT OF TRIBALISM AND NEW MEMBERS COME IN AND I WAS LIKE THAT, YOU KNOW, BRIGHT EYED BUSHY TAILED I'M GOING TO CHANGE THE WORLD, AND THE PULL OF THE EDGES TO BRING YOU AWAY FROM WHERE YOU THINK YOU MIGHT WANT TO BE IS STRONG.

>> HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO SEE THE TWO OF YOU DOING THIS >> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT.

>> YEAH.

>> AND I THINK WE HAVE TO BE INTENTIONAL ABOUT IT.

AND I LOVE THE FACT THAT YOU'RE BEING INTENTIONAL ABOUT, YOU KNOW, STARTING THERE.

BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT EVERYBODY WANTS, YOU POLL ANY MINNESOTAN I MEAN 99% WILL SAY WHY CAN'T YOU GUYS JUST GET ALONG.

AND SOMETIMES MY RESPONSE TO THAT IS WE DO.

>> FIRST DOOR I KNOCKED ON IN BROOKLYN PARK, MINNESOTA AND THE GUY YELLS ACROSS THE THRESHOLD AT ME HE'S LIKE I DON'T CARE IF YOU'RE REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT, WILL YOU JUST PROMISE ME YOU'RE GOING TO GET SOMETHING DONE?

AND TO THAT POINT, YEAH, WE CAN GET SOMETHING DONE IF WE SET OUR EGOS ASIDE AND FOCUS ON WHAT'S GOOD.

RIGHT?

>> AND PUSH BACK ON THE EXTREMES IN OUR OWN PARTIES.

>> BOTH LAWMAKERS HAVE A RECORD OF STANDING UP TO THEIR OWN PARTY.

THE REPUBLICAN CALLED OUT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION DURING OPERATION METRO SURGE.

AND THE DEMOCRAT HAS TAKEN ON THE GOVERNOR'S ADMINISTRATION ON CHRONIC ISSUES IN HUMAN SERVICES.

>> NOT DEMOCRAT ENOUGH AND HE'S A R.I.N.O.

[ LAUGHTER ] IT'S LIKE, WHY ... ♪ >> Eric: AS NOTED EARLIER WE ARE LESS THAN A MONTH AWAY FROM PRIMARY DAY HERE IN MINNESOTA AND PRESIDENT TRUMP JUMPED INTO FRAY THIS WEEK BY ENDORSING REPUBLICAN BOB THAT TO REMEMBER CANDIDATE MIKE LINDELL.

LOTS OF POLITICAL NEWS AND HERE WITH US TO BREAK IT ALL DOWN... FROM KARE 11, HOST OF "ON THE RECORD" POLITICAL REPORTER DANNY SPEWAK.

ALONGSIDE HIM... ESME MURPHY OF WCCO-TV AND HOST OF "TALKING POINTS."

AND ROUNDING OUT THE GROUP IS MARY LAHAMMER FROM PBS, ALMANAC YOU CANS "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL."

ESME, WHAT DOES THE LINDELL NEWS, PRESIDENT TRUMP LINDELL NEWS DO TO THE CAMPAIGN >> I THINK IT PIVOTS HIM TO -- INTERNAL POLLS HE WAS ALREADY AHEAD AND I ACTUALLY LOOKED UP BATOLPEDIA SURVEYED PRIMARY ENDORSEMENTS, AND PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS ENDORSED 227- CAUMP HAS ENDORSED 227- CANDP HAS ENDORSED 227- CANDIDHAS ENDORSED 227- CANDIDATS ENDORSED 227- CANDIDATESENDORSED 227- CANDIDATES, DORSED 227- CANDIDATES, 22RSED 227- CANDIDATES, 220 ED 227- CANDIDATES, 220 OF 227- CANDIDATES, 220 OF T27- CANDIDATES, 220 OF THE- CANDIDATES, 220 OF THEM WON.

>> ESPITE THE BAD NEWS CYCLE THAT'S KEEP COMING, I WAS SAYING THIS AFTERNOON, CAMPAIGN COMPLAINT AGAINST LINDELL FOR HANDING OUT PILLOWS, HIS MYPILLOW PILLOWS AT THE DELANO PARADE, THERE'S BEEN A COMPLAINT FILED AGAINST HIM, THEY'RE WORTH SUBSTANTIAL MONEY, 30 SOMETHING DOLLARS, SO THAT WAS LEVELED AGAINST HIM.

AND EVEN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIR ISSUED PROBABLY WHAT I WOULD THINK IS THE STRONGEST STATEMENT TO DATE I HAVE SEEN THE CHAIR.

FIRST HE SAID WE'RE SURPRISED BY IT AND THEN HE SAID THIS CANDIDATE OWES TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN TAXES, THERE'S SOME SERIOUS ISSUES SO THERE'S SOME ELECTABILITY ISSUES.

IT WAS A MULTI-PARAGRAPH KIND OF DISPARAGEMENT OF HE LEADING POTENTIAL CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR, IT WAS REMARKABLE.

>> Eric: WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> WHAT AN INTERESTING DYNAMIC WE HAVE IN THIS REPUBLICAN PRIMARY.

THREE CANDIDATES, THE STATE HOUSE SPEAKER, TOP ELECTED REPUBLICAN IN STATE GOVERNMENT, THEN STATE PARTY NDORSED CANDIDATE, KENDALL QUALLS AND THEN PRESIDENTIAL ENDORSED CANDIDATE IN MIKE LINDELL AND THE STATE PARTY CRITICIZING THE PRESIDENT'S ENDORSEMENT, I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT, THE MOVING PARTS HERE ARE JUST ASTONISHING.

>> Eric: LISA DEMUTH GOT THE NRA ENDORSEMENT TODAY.

>> RIGHT, BUT SOMEBODY ELSE GOT THE PRESIDENT'S ENDORSEMENT.

I MEAN, I THINK IN THE END THAT'S THE ONE THAT COUNTS.

AND I THINK WHAT MARY SAID IS JUST REMARKABLE, THIS ANALYSIS OF WHAT LIKE THE CHAIR SAID, BOTH THE CANDIDATE AND THE PRESIDENT, I WAS JUST SHOCKED.

I DON'T THINK THAT'S EVER HAPPENED.

YOU KNOW, FOR TRUMP.

>> YEAH, UNPRECEDENTED DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING ANYMORE.

>> RIGHT.

>> BECAUSE EVERY WEEK WE GET UNPRECEDENTED IN MINNESOTA AND U.S.

POLITICS, IT'S JUST SURREAL.

IT'S A FUN TIME TO BE A POLITICAL REPORTER.

>> FOR SURE >> Cathy: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE U.S.

SENATE RACE HERE FOR A MOMENT ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE.

WE HAD BOTH ANGIE CRAIG AND PEGGY FLAN BEGAN HERE DEBATING ON "ALMANAC" AND THEY FOCUSED ON DARK MONEY IN THE CAMPAIGN TIE LARGE DEGREE AND I'M WONDERING WHERE YOU ALL SIT, DOES THE DARK MONEY, WHEN IT COMES FROM, DOES THAT HAVE SOME STICKINESS FOR VOTERS OR IS THAT TOO IN THE WEEDS >> I THINK THAT'S A REALLY GOOD QUESTION.

I'VE KIND OF WRESTLED WITH THIS AS WELL, PEOPLE THAT ARE REALLY INTO POLITICS ARE PAYING ATTENTION AND SEEING THE ADS BUT DOES THE GENERAL VOTER AT HOME REALLY THINK ABOUT IT, THEY MAY JUST SEE THE ADS ON TELEVISION.

I'VE ED WITH THAT OF HOW MUCH OF AN IMPACT THAT REALLY HAS, I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ALL THINK.

>> I THINK IT'S IN THE WEEDS.

I THINK PEOPLE SEE THE COMMERCIALS AND DON'T REALLY JUST DECIDE WHERE IT'S COMING FROM OR WHATEVER.

THAT IS A REAL FACTOR IN THIS RACE AND IT'S SOMETHING TO REALLY CONSIDER AND IT'S ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE AFTER THE PRIMARY.

>> HERE'S ONE THING THAT SURPRISED ME AND I HAD IT CONFIRMED BY A REPUBLICAN INSIDER TODAY, THAT ALL THE MONEY BEING SPENT IN THE .F.L.

PRIMARY, THE CRAIG VERSUS FLAN BEGAN COULD BE DRIVING INDEPENDENT LIBERTARIAN, EVEN REPUBLICAN VOTERS TO THE D.F.L.

PRIMARY, ANTI-FLANAG BEGAN, THIS, YOU KNOW, SOCIALISM IS COMING, THIS FEAR, WE'VE BEEN HEARING IT FROM TRUMP AT THE TIPPY TOP, THAT MAYBE AND I'VE HEARD DIRECTLY FROM REPUBLICAN VOTERS JUMPING OVER TO THE D.F.L.

PRIMARY BECAUSE THEY ARE SO MOTIVATED IN THE PRIMARY, AND THAT MEANS THEY SKIP, NOT JUST THE SENATE PRIMARY BUT THE GOVERNOR'S RACE.

AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE MEMBER OF A PARTY TO VOTE IN THE RHYMERY AND IF REPUBLICANS LOSE, SOME INDEPENDENT OR LIBERTARIAN MEMBERS MOTIVATED BECAUSE OF ALL THE MONEY BEING SENT, AND THE MESSAGE FROM THE TIPPY TOP, SOCIALISTS ARE COMING, COMMUNISTS ARE COMING, FEAR THAT, BECAUSE RIGHT FEAR IS A REALLY BIG MOTIVATOR.

AND COULD THAT MOTIVATE THAT PRIMARY RACE.

>> Eric: JANE FONDA ENDORSED PEGGY FLANAGAN.

>> I'M NOT SURPRISED.

I MEAN.

>> Eric: DO ENDORSEMENTS MATTER?

>> I DON'T THINK THEY DO MATTER.

I REALLY DON'T.

THERE'S BEEN A DEBATE ABOUT WHETHER ENDORSEMENTS MATTER FOR YEARS NOW AND I DO THINK THE EXCEPTION IS PRESIDENT TRUMP.

I REALLY DO.

I DON'T THINK THAT THEY DO MATTER.

>> AGREE WITH YOU THAT I THINK IT DEPENDS ON THE PERSON.

SOMEBODY IKE JANE FONDA.

>> I LIKE JANE FONDA, YOU KNOW, SHE'S A GREAT ACTRESS, BUT.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> AND DECADES OF KNOWING WHERE SHE STANDS N CERTAIN ISSUES, IT'S ALMOST LIKE A BAROMETER FOR PEOPLE, IF YOU'RE NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO THE RACE, OKAY, THAT'S THE PERSON THAT'S ON THAT SIDE.

THIS IS ANOTHER FASCINATING PRIMARY WHERE YOU HAVE TWO WELL KNOWN CANDIDATES WHO ARE RUNNING WELL OILED MACHINE CANDIDACIES RIGHT NOW, IT'S THE BIG LEAGUES, TWO THAT REALLY KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

>> FLANAGAN IT'S FREE MEDIA, IF SHE'S BEHIND IN THE MONEY RACE, CRAIG IS BRINGING IN THE MONEY SO FLANAGAN GETS FREE MEDIA EVERY TIME SHE GETS ANOTHER ONE OF THESE BIG ENDORSEMENTS AND SHE'S HAD A LOT OF MOMENTUM WITH ENDORSEMENTS AND EVERY TIME WE SHOW UP WITH CAMERAS AND IT'S FREE MEDIA.

>> Cathy: WE ARE NOT GOING TO ASSUME THE GOVERNOR IS GOING TO ENDORSE ANYONE?

GOVERNOR WALZ, DOES ANYONE WANT HIS ENDORSEMENT AT THIS POINT >> OUCH.

[ LAUGHTER ] I'M JUST ASKING THE QUESTION.

ASKING THE QUESTION.

>> I THINK IT'S A VERY GOOD QUESTION, CATHY, BUT OUCH.

>> GOVERNOR WALZ TO ME AND THIS IS JUST SEEING FROM THE OUTSIDE SEEMS TO SENSE THAT HE'S NOT INJECTING HIMSELF INTO THE STATE RACES, IT SEEMS VERY INTENTIONAL, I'VE NOTICED THAT.

>> CONGRESSIONAL BECAUSE HIS PAC DID ENDORSE IN HIS CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

>> IT SOUNDS LIKE THAT COULD GET COMPETITIVE BECAUSE A COUPLE PEOPLE SWITCHED THAT RACE, REPUBLICAN VERSUS DEMOCRAT TO MAYBE CONTESTED, THAT'S SOMETHING TO WATCH.

>> I THINK SO.

I THINK IT MIGHT BE, YEAH, COULD BE A SLEEPER.

>> I THINK THE FIRST AND SECOND DISTRICTS ARE REAL INTERESTING RIGHT NOW, JUST THOSE ARE ONES THAT YOU COULD SEE EITHER GOING EITHER WAY, TO BE HONEST.

>> Eric: PREPARATION FOR SOME ELECTION INTERFERENCE?

IS THAT BEHIND THE SCENES?

>> WELL, THE PRESIDENT'S PREPARING FOR IT, CERTAINLY WITH A PRIMETIME ADDRESS.

>> THE PRESIDENT'S SENDING OBSERVERS HERE TO MINNESOTA, I MEAN, AMY KLOBUCHAR ASKED TODD BLANCHE THAT IN HIS CONFIRMATION HEARING, ARE THERE GOING TO BE ARMED OBSERVERS AT OUR POLLS AND HE BASICALLY NO, I FOLLOW THE LAW BUT IT WASN'T REALLY A CONVINCING NO.

I MEAN, I THOUGHT THE EXCHANGE WAS VERY ILLUMINATING AND I THINK TO MANY PEOPLE CONCERNING.

>> Cathy: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT TURNOUT FOR PRIMARY?

WHAT DO WE THINK?

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING?

>> THAT'S REALLY HARD TO SAY, PROBABLY PRETTY LOW COMPARED TO WHAT PEOPLE MIGHT THINK BUT HIGHER THAN YOU NORMALLY SEE IN A PRIMARY.

>> Eric: 10% TO 10% TURNOUT WOULD BE THE RANGE I THINK.

>> RIGHT BUT SO MUCH MONEY SPEND, WOULDN'T IT BE REMARKABLE IF IT'S STILL PREPOSTEROUSLY LOW?

>> TWO YEARS IT WAS 12%, THEN 20 AND MAYBE 22% IN THAT RANGE, I THINK IT'S GOING TO E 20 TO 22% IN THAT RANGE.

>> Eric: WHAT'S TO BECOME OF THE NEW STATE FLAG?

30% LIKE IT.

>> NOT A LOT.

LEAVE IT TO THE NEXT LEGISLATURE PERHAPS.

>> Eric: CITIZEN VOTE MAYBE?

>> PUT IT ON THE BALLOT.

>> Eric: THERE YOU GO.

GREAT JOB, POLITICAL REPORTER PANEL.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING US.

>> Eric: SEE YOU SOON.

♪ >> I WANT TO RESPOND TO THOSE WHO HAVE RIDICULED MY SELECTION OF CHEAP SKATE AS THE AST PLACE FINISHER IN ST.

PAUL DERBY.

I'D JUST AS SOON FORGET THE MATTER BUT I'M UNABLE TO IGNORE THE OBSCENE PHONE CALLS, UNSIGNED HATE LETTERS AND THE INVESTIGATION THAT'S APPARENTLY UNDERWAY.

I CAN ONLY HOPE TO PUT THIS BEHIND ME AND WITH YOUR HELP, AND GOD'S PERHAPS I CAN PICK UP PIECES OF MY SHATTERED CREDIBILITY.

I MUST SAY AND NOT WITHOUT BITTERNESS THAT NOT ONE ALMANAC VIEWER OR STAFF MEMBER POINTED OUT THAT I CORRECTLY PICKED ARGENTINA TO WIN THE WORLD CUP IN SOCCER.

♪ ♪ >> Eric: ARGENTINA AND SPAIN ON THE PITCH THIS WEEKEND FACING OFF ON THE FINALS OF THE WORLD CUP AND MY PREDICTION?

I GOT FRIENDS ON BOTH SIDES, AND I'M WITH MY FRIENDS.

THIS WEEK I'VE GOT AN INDEX FILE QUESTION FOR YOU.

THE YEAR, 2023, PLACE, DULUTH IN FEBRUARY.

TEMPERATURE, MINUS 20.

AN EAGLE SCOUT HAS BEEN UTSIDE FOR MORE THAN 1,000 DAYS AND THE QUESTION IS WHO IS THIS OUTDOORSY MYSTERY MINNESOTAN AND WHAT WAS HIS FINAL NUMBER OF DAYS SLEEPING IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS?

AND A BONUS IF YOU KNOW THE DATE OF HIS FINAL NIGHT OF THE STREAK.

WE ANT TO HEAR FROM YOU WHETHER YOU'RE CALLING IN FROM HAND LAKE, EL BOW LAKE OR HEART LAKE UP IN REDBY, MINNESOTA.

651-229-1430 THE NUMBER TO CALL WITH ALL YOUR GUESSES, RIGHT OR WRONG OR YOU CAN DROP US A NOTE, LMANAC@TPT.ORG, THAT IS THE ELECTRONIC INBOX ADDRESS.

GOT ANOTHER QUESTION FOR YOU.

ARE YOU READY TO SEE MARY LAHAMMER AND ME NEXT TUESDAY FOR TRIVIA?

"ALMANAC" AFTER HOURS RETURNS JULY 21ST, PRIMARY ELECTION PREVIEW COMBINED WITH TRIVIA COMPETITION.

WE'LL BE THERE WITH SPECIAL GUESTS.

HEAD TO TPT.ORG/EVENTS FOR ALL DETAILS AND TO GRAB YOUR FREE -- FREE -- TICKET.

SHOW-CLOSING MUSIC, 1998, NEWS NIGHT MINNESOTA BROUGHT JAZZ PIANIST CAVIANI TO PERFORM.

TAKE A LISTEN.

AND 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 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.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

AND VANESSA DAYTON, THROUGH THE HEALTHCARE FOR ALL MINNESOTANS FUND, SUPPORTING ACCESSIBLE HEALTHCARE FO STATEWIDE.

"ALMANAC" IS A