OF TWIN CITIES PBS FOR THE STATIONS OF MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION.

>> ERIC: IN THE NEXT HOUR WE'LL TACKLE BIG TOPICS SUCH AS CLIMATE CHANGE AND COVID.

ALSO IN THE LINEUP, A KEVIN KLING ESSAY AND A LOOK AT THE ONLY ASIAN MARKET IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

THEN MARY LAHAMMER EXAMINES THE POLITICS OF INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> Mary: THE TRILLION-DOLLAR FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE BILL WILL BRING BILLIONS TO MINNESOTA AND DEMOCRATS ARE TOUTING THE INVESTMENTS AS THEY FACE A REPUBLICAN HEAD WIND.

>> INFRASTRUCTURE WEEK IS FINALLY HERE.

>> WE'RE ALREADY SEEING THE EIGHTH MOST AMOUNT OF MONEY.

>> Mary: WE'LL HAVE THE STORY 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 STRENGHTEN RURAL MINNESOTA.

>> ERIC: IN A FEW MINUTES WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE NEW BIG FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE BILL, OUR STATE'S FIRST BIG SNOWSTORM OF THE SEASON, AND KEVIN KLING WILL STOP BY WITH AN ESSAY.

BUT FIRST UP IN THE HOUR... >> CATHY: THE UNITED NATIONS CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE IS IN OVERTIME TODAY IN SCOTLAND.

WE'RE JOINED NOW BY ONE OF THE MINNESOTANS WHO PRESENTED AT THE CONFERENCE, DR. LAALITHA SURAPANENI.

SHE'S A PROFESSOR AT THE U OF M MEDICAL SCHOOL, PRACTICES AT M HEALTH FAIRVIEW, AND SHE STUDIES THE HEALTH CONSEQUENCES OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

SO NICE TO HAVE YOU HERE.

WELCOME.

IS THERE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

>> Cathy: YOU WERE PART OF A PRETTY LARGE MINNESOTA DELEGATION, THE U OF M HAD A CONTINGENT THERE.

WHAT WERE YOUR INITIAL REACTIONS?

>> IT WAS VERY EXCITING TO BE PART OF SUCH A LARGE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY WORKING WITH A LOT OF COMMUNITIES WHO ARE ALREADY EXPERIENCING THE HEALTH IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND ADVOCATING TO GOVERNMENTS AND WORLD LEADERS THAT WE NEED TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION NOW TO PROTECT THE HEALTH OF OUR PLANET AND OUR HEALTH.

>> Eric: YOUR POINT OF VIEW IS BASICALLY CALLING CLIMATE CHANGE A HEALTH ISSUE.

>> EXACTLY.

>> Eric: CAN YOU FLESH THAT OUT A LITTLE BIT FOR US?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

YOU KNOW, OUR HEALTH AND THE HEALTH OF OUR PLANET ARE VERY INTRICATELY RELATED.

AND GROWING UP, YOU KNOW, IN INDIA, I SAW HOW EXTREME HEAT, DROUGHT, AND POOR AIR QUALITY WAS IMPACTING THE HEALTH OF MY PATIENTS, AND HERE I AM HALFWAY ACROSS THE WORLD PRACTICING IN MINNESOTA, AND I STILL SEE PATIENTS WHO ARE COMING IN WITH AIR POLLUTION AFFECTING THEIR HEALTH.

SO, FOR EXAMPLE, AN ASTHMA ATTACK OR A HEART ATTACK ON DAYS WITH POOR AIR QUALITY.

WE'RE ALSO SEEING LOTS OF HEALTH EFFECTS LIKE WORSENING ALLERGIES, LYME DISEASE BECAUSE OUR WINTERS ARE HEATING UP AS WELL.

SO BOTTOM LINE IS CLIMATE CHANGE IS A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE AND IT'S AN ISSUE OF HEALTH EQUITY BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THOSE WHO HAVE DONE LEAST TO CAUSE CLIMATE CHANGE ARE BEING IMPACTED THE MOST.

>> Cathy: EXPLAIN THAT, PLEASE, FOR FOLKS AND DRILL DOWN FOR BIPoC COMMUNITIES, THEY ARE HIT THE HARDEST.

>> RIGHT.

YEAH.

SO WE SEE, YOU KNOW, OVER AND OVER AGAIN THAT LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES AND COMMUNITIES OF COLOR ARE EXPERIENCING THE WORST IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE, WHETHER THAT'S RIGHT HERE IN MINNESOTA.

SO, FOR EXAMPLE, DATA FROM OUR POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY SHOW THAT COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AND LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES ARE EXPOSED TO MORE AIR POLLUTION.

SORE IF YOU ICTURE WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT ALL ACROSS THE WORLD, WE SEE THAT DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACTS ARE BEING FELT BY THOSE WHO PRODUCE THE LEAST.

>> Eric: WELL, THERE IS THE KIND OF THE U.S., CHINA, INDIA CONTINGENT, THE BIG POLLUTERS VERSUS THESE DEVELOPING COUNTRIES.

>> UM-HUM.

>> Eric: CAN THAT BE ADDRESSED?

IT SOUNDS CHALLENGING.

>> RIGHT.

SO THAT'S PART OF -- YOU KNOW, I WAS PART OF THE UNIVERSITY DELEGATION, BUT ALSO PART OF AN INTERNATIONAL HEALTH COMMUNITY OF DOCTORS AND NURSES THAT ARE ADVOCATING TO OUR LEADERS THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT AT A GLOBAL LEVEL AND LOOKED AT WITH THE LENS OF HEALTH BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S ABOUT OUR HEALTH AND THE HEALTH OF FUTURE GENERATIONS.

NEU.

>> Cathy: I WAS LISTENING TO SOMEBODY THIS MORNING, FROM SCOTLAND, AND THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT THE BALANCE BETWEEN MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION.

>> RIGHT.

>> Cathy: BUT WE CAN'T ADAPT OUR WAY OUT OF THIS, RIGHT?

>> NO, YEAH.

YOU'RE RIGHT.

SO, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE WE ARE DELAYING TAKING ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND WE'VE BEEN DOING THAT, RIGHT, WE'VE BEEN HEARING ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE HAVE TO ACT ON THE CLIMATE AND EVERY DAY WE DON'T TAKE ACTION, THE CLIMATE CRISIS IS WORSENING.

NOT ONLY APT TO -- NOT ONLY DO WE HAVE TO REDUCE EMISSIONS, BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO DEVELOP MORE RESILIENCE SO THAT WE CAN ADAPT OUR COMMUNITIES TO THE HEALTH IMPACTS WE'RE FACING.

>> Eric: I HEARD ONE OF THE COMMENTATORS AY THIS MORNING THAT THE U.N.

PROCESS IS THE LAST BEST HOPE TO SAVE THE PLANET.

HYPERBOLE OR NOT?

>> RIGHT.

YOU KNOW, SO, I WOULD LIKE TO THINK ABOUT IT.

I THINK ABOUT IT VERY MUCH IN TERMS OF HUMAN HEALTH, AND JUSTICE TOWARDS OUR COMMUNITIES, RIGHT?

SO WHEN WE SAY THINGS LIKE, THIS IS OUR LAST HOPE, THAT PUSHES US INTO DESPAIR AND INACTION.

BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT A KID WHO HAS ASTHMA AND, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE BEING ADMITTED TO THE HOSPITAL FROM POOR AIR QUALITY, YOU CAN'T SAY, AH, WELL, THIS YEAR DIDN'T GO WELL.

SO, YOU NOW, TOUGH LUCK, KID, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO SAY THAT, RIGHT?

SO THAT'S WHY WE AS A HEALTH COMMUNITY ADVOCATE TO LOOK AT CLIMATE CHANGE THROUGH A CLIMATE JUSTICE LENS AND A HEALTH EQUITY LENS.

SO EVERY BIT THAT WE DO, THE WARMING THAT WE CAN AVERT, THAT'S BENEFIT TO OUR HEALTH.

>> Eric: ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC?

>> YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK WE HAVE A CHANCE, YOU KNOW?

WE HAVE TO DO OUR PART.

WE HAVE TO HOLD OUR LEADERS ACCOUNTABLE TO TAKE ACTION.

YEAH.

>> Cathy: SO NOW THAT YOU'RE BACK, WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO DO?

>> RIGHT.

SO, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF PLEDGES MADE.

SO I WOULD SAY LOOK AT POLICIES, NOT PLEDGES, RIGHT?

LIKE WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE PLEDGES ARE ACTUALLY PUT INTO ACTION, SO OUR WORK BEGINS NOW, IS TO WORK WITHIN MY COMMUNITY, HEALTH COMMUNITY, AND THE FRONTLINE COMMUNITIES WHO ARE BEING IMPACTED THE MOST BY CLIMATE CHANGE AND TAKE ACTION, MAKE SURE THAT WE IMPLEMENT THOSE PLEDGES INTO POLICIES.

>> Cathy: DOCTOR, THANK YOU.

WE APPRECIATE YOU COMING BACK.

AND LOOK FORWARD TO WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

>> Eric: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> CATHY: MONDAY PRESIDENT BIDEN WILL SIGN THE BIG BUILD BACK BETTER BILL.

HERE IN MINNESOTA SOME MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WERE EAGER TO HIGHLIGHT THE BILLIONS OF LOCAL INVESTMENTS FOR ROADS, BRIDGES AND INTERNET ACCESS.

AS MARY LAHAMMER REPORTS, INFRASTRUCTURE IS AN ISSUE THAT DIVIDES THOSE LIKELY ON THE BALLOT FOR CONGRESS NEXT YEAR.

>> Mary: STATE AND FEDERAL LEADERS ARE AGER TO ANNOUNCE THE IMPACT F TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS.

>> THIS IS A GREAT DAY FOR MINNESOTA.

LET ME JUST START BY SAYING THAT.

>> Mary: PHILLIPS FLIPPED A SEAT FROM REPUBLICAN TO DEMOCRAT BASED ON SOME BIG PROMISES.

>> WE DID SO IN THE SPIRIT OF TRYING TO RESTORE SOME FAITH IN OUR GOVERNMENT.

NOT AN EASY TASK IN THIS DAY AND AGE.

I CAN'T THINK OF ANYTHING THAT BETTER EMBODIES THAT SPIRIT THAN WHAT WAS ACCOMPLISHED IN CONGRESS LAST WEEK.

>> Mary: BUT THE BIPARTISAN BUILD BACK BETTER BILL HAD BIPARTISAN -- OPPOSITION.

OMAR VOTED AGAINST IT BECAUSE WHAT WAS LEFT OUT FOR CHILD CARE, AND CLIMATE CHANGE.

UNIVERSAL REPUBLICAN OPPOSITION, INCLUDING NEW CONGRESSWOMAN MICHELLE FISCHBACH, WHO TURNED HER RURAL SEAT FROM DEMOCRAT TO REPUBLICAN.

>> I CAN TELL BY THE TIGHTNESS OF MY PANTS, I AM A MILLENNIAL.

>> Mary: THE TOP CANDIDATE FOR REPUBLICANS TO PICK UP THIS TIME AROUND IS DEMOCRAT ANGIE CRAIG, WHOSE SOUTH METRO AND EXURBAN IS AGAIN.

[ Indiscernible ] HOW DO YOU THINK IT'S LOOKING?

>> REPUBLICAN PARTY LOOKED AT THIS AS ONE OF THE MOST YOU WILL HAVE ?EECIALTS IN THE COUNTRY.

VULNERABLE SEATS IN THE COUNTRY.

SINCE I JUMPED INTO THE RACE IN APRIL TO MAKE ANOTHER RUN AT IT, THINGS CONTINUE TO LOOK GOOD.

>> YOU KNOW, PEOPLE LIKE DEAN AND I, E STEPPED OUT OF OUR PRIVATE SECTOR CAREERS TO RUN FOR CONGRESS BECAUSE WE WANTED TO DO WHAT WERE COMMON-SENSE PUBLIC POLICY ACROSS OUR COUNTRY.

SOMEONE ONCE ASKED ME, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO?

AND I SAID, WELL, I WANT TO FIX THE DAMN ROADS.

>> Mary: THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THE BIPARTISAN BILL DOES, ALONG WITH CREATING AN ESTIMATED 2 MILLION JOBS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

HIGHLIGHTED AN AREA THE PANDEMIC REVEALED EVEN MORE NEED FOR FUNCTIONAL INTERNET ACCESS.

>> THERE ARE 65 BILLION DOLLARS SET ASIDE TO BE INVESTED ACROSS AMERICA, TO BRING HIGH-SPEED INTERNET TO ALMOST EVERY COMMUNITY.

AND WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

WHEN WE THINK ABOUT RURAL COMMUNITIES AND THE WAYS N WHICH WE'VE LEFT THEM BEHIND OVER THE YEARS, THIS HAS BECOME HIGH-SPEED INTERNET, AN ABSOLUTE NECESSITY IN THE 21st CENTURY.

>> Mary: THOSE LEFT BEHIND IN RURAL COMMUNITIES -- REPUBLICANS IN SEVERAL ELECTION CYCLES AND KIRSCHNER IS BETTING ON THOSE VOTES.

>> Mary: PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS A BIG FAN OF INFRASTRUCTURE.

WANTED INFRASTRUCTURE WEEK.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS PACKAGE?

>> LET'S BE HONEST.

THERE'S NO QUESTION, WE NEED TO MODERNIZE OUR INFRASTRUCTURE.

I'M A BIG FAN OF INFRASTRUCTURE.

THAT'S ONE OF THE TWO THINGS THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD INVEST IN.

>> Mary: IF I CAN JUMP IN, IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU DON'T DISLIKE THIS BILL.

>> YOU KNOW, THERE WAS $50 BILLION OF THIS BILL I ACTUALLY DID LIKE.

JUST, UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S LESS THAN HALF OF WHAT THE BILL IS ACTUALLY GOING TOWARDS.

>> Mary: AND THEY SAY NO TAX INCREASES.

THAT WAS PART OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE THIS WEEK.

>> PRESS CONFERENCE IS SAYING ONE THING BUT THEN THE BILL AND ACTUALLY DOING ANOTHER.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT, THEY ARE INCREASING THE TAX ON OIL AND NATURAL GAS.

IT'S GOING TO HIT AMERICANS, ESPECIALLY IN MINNESOTA, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SNOW ON SATURDAY, SO YOUR HEATING BILL'S GOING TO START GOING UP.

>> Mary: DEMOCRATS SAY MINNESOTANS WON'T SEE ANY TAX INCREASES.

THE STATE'S HEAD OF TRANSPORTATION, WHO'S ALSO A FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER, CAN'T WAIT TO EPLOY THE NEW RESOURCES.

>> MINNESOTA HAS SOME REALLY SIGNIFICANT FUNDING GAPS IN THE TRANSPORTATION AREA.

THIS DOESN'T ERASE LL OF THOSE GAPS.

BUT, BOY, IT GOES A LONG WAY TO HELP US CLOSE A NUMBER OF THE GAPS.

SPECIFICALLY FOR BRIDGES.

AS WELL AS HELPING US ADDRESS WHAT IS THIS VERY BIG BRIDGE BUBBLE THAT WE HAVE IN THE STATE.

MANY OF OUR BRIDGES ARE A LITTLE OVER 50 YEARS OLD.

THEY START TO NOT AGE AS WELL.

AND WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO TACKLE A NUMBER OF THESE.

WE'RE ALSO ABLE TO ACCELERATE A NUMBER OF PROJECTS.

>> Mary: N A STATE WHERE A BRIDGE FELL DOWN URING A REPUBLICAN ADMINISTRATION, DEMOCRATS ARE READY TO HAVE CONCRETE INVESTMENTS TO TOUT AND TAND WITH UNION WORKERS WHO HAVE BEEN COURTED WAY FROM THE STATE'S UNIQUE DEMOCRAT DEMOCRATIC FARMER LABOR PARTY.

>> FOR MONTHS, MORE THAN 3,000 MINNESOTA, NORTH DAKOTA MEMBERS, FAMILY MEMBERS, SENT MESSAGES TO THEIR REPRESENTATIVES URGING THEM TO PASS THIS BILL.

I CANNOT THANK OUR MEMBERS, FRIENDS, AND FAMILY MEMBERS ENOUGH FOR COMING TOGETHER AND FIGHTING FOR CREATIONS OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF LIVING-WAGE JOBS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> AFTER 30 YEARS OF TRYING TO GET THIS DONE, IN SOME OF THE MOST DIVIDED TIMES IN OUR NATION'S HISTORY, ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT SESSIONS OF CONGRESS IN HISTORY, WE GOT IT DONE.

IT'S A BIPARTISAN PLAN.

IT'S A DARN GOOD DAY FOR MINNESOTA.

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

>> MINNESOTA, INFRASTRUCTURE WEEK IS FINALLY HERE.

IN AMERICA.

AND I COULD NOT BE MORE PROUD TO BE PART OF THIS.

>> ERIC: GALE-FORCE WINDS ON LAKE SUPERIOR, THE FIRST BLIZZARD WARNINGS OF THE SEASON, WITH BIG SNOW UP NORTH, THE MILD FALL CERTAINLY CAME CRASHING TO A HALT.

JUST IN TIME FOR OUR MONTHLY VISIT WITH PAUL DOUGLAS.

WHEN NOT DOING HIS "ALMANAC" GIG, YOU CAN FOLLOW PAUL ON WCCO RADIO, STARTRIBUNE.COM, AND AT AERIS WEATHER.

WELL, THE WINDS OF NOVEMBER CAME ON TIME.

>> THEY WERE HOWLING.

>> Eric: WE GOT SOME INCREDIBLE VIDEO.

CHUCK OLSON.

>> Cathy: POOR CHUCK WAS HANGING ONTO A TREE.

>> OH, MY GOODNESS.

>> Cathy: AS HE WAS SHOOTING THIS.

BY TOFTE.

THOSE ERE PRETTY DECENT WAVES.

>> THE WINDS WERE UP AROUND 60 MILES AN HOUR.

SO OME -- YEAH, THE GALES OF NOVEMBER.

GORDON LIGHTFOOT WAS RIGHT, RIGHT?

>> Cathy: RIGHT.

>> Eric: WHAT HAVE YOU GOT IN THE WAY OF VIDEO THAT MIGHT EXPLAIN THE ENTIRE WEATHER PICTURE FOR US IN THIS SEGMENT?

>> THIS IS TELEVISION, RIGHT?

SO I NEED VISUAL AIDS.

>> Cathy: IT HELPS.

>> Eric: IT COULDN'T HURT.

IT HELPS ME.

>> METEOROLOGICAL AUTUMN TO DATE, AND I CAN'T REMEMBER A NICER, SUNNIER AUTUMN.

IT REALLY HAS BEEN BEAUTIFUL.

THAT IS MY EDITORIAL FOR THE EVENING.

WE'VE HAD A MILD.

[ Indiscernible ] AND MOST OF THIS IS OVER 7 DEGREES ABOVE AVERAGE LAST MONTH.

OVER 6 DEGREES WARMER.

ALL OF THIS JUICE AMPLIFIED BY A WARMING CLIMATE, A WARMER CLIMATE IS FLAVORING ALL WEATHER NOW.

BUT MOST OF THIS IS NATURAL VARIABILITY.

SO HERE'S THE DEAL.

NEU THE DROUGHT IS EASING.

WE'RE STILL EXPERIENCING SOME MODERATE DROUGHT IN THE METRO.

BUT THESE NUMBERS RELEASED, DROUGHT-FREE NOW, MUCH OF CENTRAL AND SOUTHWESTERN MINNESOTA.

THE WORST CONDITIONS STILL UP NORTH.

BUT, AGAIN, THINGS ARE GETTING BETTER.

AND, AGAIN, EVERYBODY IN A HUBBUB WITH SNOW IN THE FORECAST.

IT REALLY ISN'T THAT UNUSUAL FOR NOVEMBER.

ON AVERAGE, THE LATEST 30-YEAR DATA WE GET OUR FIRST COATING, 10th OF AN INCH NOVEMBER 5th.

OUR FIRST ONE-INCH SNOWFALL HERE IN THE TWIN CITIES IS USUALLY NOVEMBER 21st.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO COME A BIT EARLIER THIS YEAR.

THIS IS THE EUROPEAN MODEL.

IS VET LET AN A.

>> Cathy: PLEASE, STOP IT.

DON'T EVEN GO THERE.

>> I'M SORRY.

WE'RE ALL STILL IN SEVENTH GRADE.

>> Cathy: YES.

>> ANYWAY, ONE OF THESE IS GOING TO DIVE BOMB TOMORROW NIGHT.

MOST OF THE LIGHT SNOW.

IT'S GOING TO BE A QUICK BURST.

TEMPERATURES GO BELOW FREEZING IN THE METRO AFTER ABOUT 6:00 P.M. DURING THE DAY TOMORROW, NO PROBLEMS.

BUT TOMORROW NIGHT COULD BE A LITTLE ICY AND DICEY.

I'M THINKING ONE TO THREE INCHES, BEST CHANCE OF THREE.

NORTH OF I-94.

NORTHERN SUBURBS OF THE TWIN CITIES.

MUCH OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA WILL GET ABOUT THREE INCHES OF SNOW.

AND, AGAIN, IT'S GOING TO MELT.

WE'RE GOING TO BE BACK IN THE 50s AS EARLY AS TUESDAY.

THIS IS NGO YA'S GFS MODEL WHICH SUGGESTS THAT NEXT WEEK IS CHILLY BUT DRY.

I DON'T SEE ANY MEGA STORMS BETWEEN NOW AND THANKSGIVING.

THIS IS NOAA'S LONG-RANGE CLIMATE RANGE FOR THE WINTER.

SHOWING A MILD BIAS FOR MUCH OF THE UNITED STATES, INCLUDING MINNESOTA, COLDER FOR ALASKA AND WESTERN CANADA.

SNOW LOVERS, IT COULD GO EITHER WAY.

WE'RE IN A LA NIÑA COOL PHASE WHICH TENDS TO FAVOR -- [ Indiscernible ] BUT, AGAIN, THE SIGNALS SUGGEST MAYBE WETTER FOR THE GREAT LAKES IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST.

I THINK WE'LL HAVE A WHITE CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR.

NOT SO SURE ABOUT A WHITE THANKSGIVING.

I'M JUST RELIEVED THAT WE'RE COMING OUT OF THE DROUGHT.

I DON'T THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A POLAR VORTEX WINTER.

I'D BE AMAZED IF WE HAVE AS MUCH OLD AIR AS WE DID FEBRUARY OF LAST YEAR.

BY THE WAY, STAY OFF THE ICE.

>> Cathy: YES.

>> AND I LOVE THIS GRAPHIC.

NOTICE ON THE RIGHT, 12 TO 15 INCHES OF ICE REQUIRED FOR A PICKUP TRUCK OR AN S.U.V.

AND AT LEAST 25 TO 52 INCHES FOR A WOOLLY MAMMOTHMENT.

>> Cathy: YES: >> THIS IS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN ALASKA AND I WANTED TO SHARE.

>> Cathy: YOU HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOR.

SAY, THE LA NIÑA PATTERN, IF IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE A WETTER PATTERN, DOES THAT MEAN -- IS THAT SNOW OR ICE?

>> IT COULD BE A MIX, I MEAN, THE INCIDENCE OF ICE HAS QUADRUPLED IN MID-WINTERS SINCE 2000.

SO YOU CAN'T BE ASSURED, EVEN IN JANUARY, THAT IT'S GOING TO BE ALL SNOW.

THAT'S ONE OF THE BIG CHANGES THAT I'VE NOTICED, MARK SEELEY HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS A LOT, AND, SO, YEAH, IN THEORY, IT SHOULD MEAN MORE SNOW.

OUR WINTER'S BECOMING COMPRESSED, THE SNOW STARTS LATER, SPRING ARRIVES EARLIER, IT ALL COMES IN ONE CONCENTRATED BLAST.

SO WE'LL SEE.

BUT DON'T ASSUME WE'RE GOING TO SEE A RERUN OF FEBRUARY OF LAST YEAR.

THE WEATHER RARELY REPEATS.

SOMETIMES IT RHYMES.

>> Eric: I'M GOING TO GET THAT STITCHED ON A PILLOW.

THAT WAS COOL.

THANKS, PAUL DOUGLAS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: SEE YOU LATER.

>> SEE YA.

♪ SNOW, SNOW, SNOW ♪ ♪ IT WON'T BE LONG BEFORE WE'LL ALL BE THERE WITH SNOW ♪ ♪ SNOW, SNOW ♪ >> CATHY: FOR WEEKS DATA WATCHERS WERE EXPECTING THE PEAK IN THE FOURTH WAVE OF COVID.

BUT THE STORY HERE AND ELSEWHERE IS A BIT MESSY.

IN RECENT WEEKS MINNESOTA'S COVID CASE COUNT HAS GONE UP AND DOWN AND BACK UP.

DEATHS AND HOSPITALIZATIONS AND POSITIVE TEST RATES ALL REMAIN HIGH HERE.

MY MPR NEWS COLLEAGUE DAVID MONTGOMERY HAS BEEN TRACKING COVID FOR MONTHS.

HE'S A DATA REPORTER.

YOU WROTE, MY FRIEND, THAT MINNESOTA'S COVID-19 OUTBREAK IS GOING FROM BAD TO WORSE WITH NO SLOWDOWN IN SIGHT.

NEU THAT DOES NOT -- THAT'S NOT GOOD.

>> IT'S NOT WHAT WE WANTED TO HEAR, NO.

YOU KNOW, FOR WEEKS, MONTHS NOW WE'VE ALL BEEN WATCHING, WAITING FOR THIS PEAK.

THIS WAVE'S ONE ON FOREVER.

BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS HAPPENING A FEW WEEKS AGO.

EVERYTHING'S TURNED AROUND.

CASES ARE UP, POSITIVITY RATES ARE UP, HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE UP, DEATHS ARE UP.

EVERYTHING IS GOING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.

>> Eric: VACCINATIONS AND HOSPITALIZATIONS AND DEATHS DROPPED DRAMATICALLY.

>> SOME INTERESTING DATA TODAY FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

THE DIFFERENT CASE VACCINATION -- CASE HOSPITALIZATION RATES AND DEATH RATES BY VACCINATION STATUS.

AND THIS IS OBSERVATIONAL DATA, IT'S NOT QUITE AS RELIABLE AS A RANDOMIZED STUDY.

BUT WHAT IT BASICALLY SHOWS, THE MOST RECENT DATA THEY AVE AVAILABLE, UNVACCINATED IS ABOUT FOUR OR FIVE TIMES AS LIKELY -- MORE LIKELY TO GET CASES THAN PEOPLE WHO ARE VACCINATED AND PEOPLE WHO ARE UNVACCINATED ARE ABOUT 16 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO GET HOSPITALIZED OR DIE FROM COVID.

>> Eric: 16 TIMES.

>> 16 TIMES THAT'S WHAT WE OBSERVED IN THE DATA HERE IN MINNESOTA.

>> Cathy: I KNOW YOU WERE LOOKING AT -- [ Indiscernible ] AND THAT DOESN'T LOOK TERRIBLY GREAT.

>> WE'VE GOTTEN SOME DATA RECENTLY ON INFECTION RATES.

IT IS HAPPENING.

IT'S STEADY, BUT IT'S A RELATIVELY FLAT, IT'S ON AVERAGE TODAY ABOUT 2% OF ALL CONFIRMED CASES ARE SOMEONE WHO'S HAD COVID BEFORE.

HAD A CONFIRMED CASE, NOT EVERY CASE OF COVID GETS CONFIRMED.

[ Indiscernible ] >> UP DRAMATICALLY.

MORE THAN 50% OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS.

>> Eric: WHAT WOULD YOU SAY THAT IS, IS THAT ALARMING?

WHAT KIND OF ADJECTIVE WOULD YOU PUT ON THAT?

>> THE SCARIEST PART IS WE'RE SEEING THE CASES RISE AT ABOUT THE SAME RATE THAT WE SAW THEM RISE LAST YEAR WHEN WE GOT HIT BY THE TERRIBLE SECOND WAVE ACROSS THE BOARD.

AND THE 8 FACT THAT CASES ARE RISING RIGHT NOW IS NO GUARANTEE THAT THEY'LL CONTINUE TO RISE AT THAT RATE FOR WEEKS TO COME.

THEY COULD.

THINGS COULD SLOW DOWN.

THAT'S CERTAINLY WHAT WE'RE ALL HOPING FOR.

BUT, YOU KNOW, CASES ARE HEADED IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.

THEY'RE BOTH GROWING AND THEY'RE ACCELERATING.

>> Cathy: I WAS TALKING TO CHRIS EHRESMANN -- KRIS EHRESMANN EARLIER THIS WEEK, HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY THIS CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO IMMUNITY, AND THAT PEOPLE AREN'T WEARING MASKS, THEY'RE NOT SOCIAL DISTANCING, IS THAT HE READ YOU'RE GETTING?

>> IT'S HARD TO SAY FROM THE MACRO-LEVEL DATA WHAT THE INDIVIDUAL FACTORS ARE.

CERTAINLY WE SEE WAVES TEND TO SPREAD FROM REGION TO REGION.

THE WHOLE UPPER MIDWEST RIGHT NOW IS SORT OF SEEING CASES RISE.

MINNESOTA IS ONE OF THE WORST HIT OF THE UPPER MIDWEST STATES.

MINNESOTA IS RISING MORE QUICKLY.

>> Eric: WHAT DO THE AUTHORITIES THINK MIGHT BE THE IMPACT OF GETTING THE YOUNGER KIDS VACCINATED >> YOU HAVE TO GET YOUR SECOND SHOT TO GET THAT FULL IMMUNITY FOR PEOPLE WHO HAD THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON ANYWAY.

SO THIS TAKES TIME.

THAT SAID, CERTAINLY A MONTH AGO, THESE CASES WERE BEING DRIVEN IN LARGE PART BY CHILDREN BEING CAUGHT.

WHICH IS SORT OF ONE OF THE BIGGEST UNVACCINATED POPULATIONS LEFT IN THE COUNTRY.

SO, YOU KNOW, GETTING 50% OF SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN CONCERN.

[ Indiscernible ] LOWEST CASE RATES RIGHT OW AND VICE VERSA.

>> Cathy: WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED AS A DATA REPORTER THROUGH THIS TIME?

>> ONE OF MY BIGGEST LESSONS IS ALWAYS WAIT A FEW WEEKS BEFORE -- MINNESOTA'S DOING GREAT.

AND OTHER STATES ARE BEING HIT.

YOU THINK, H, WE'RE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT.

BUT THEN ODDS ARE, DECENT CHANCE THAT WE'LL HIT TOO.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF HUMILITY IN WATCHING THESE STATS AND WATCHING THIS DISEASE WRECK ITS STRING OF HAVOC ACROSS THE UNITED STATES AND THE WORLD.

[ Indiscernible ] >> THE NEAR FUTURE, EVERYTHING IS GOING TO KEEP ON GOING UP.

THERE'S NO SIGN OF ANYTHING SLOWING.

[ Indiscernible ] >> Cathy: THEN YOU HAVE THANKSGIVING COMING UP.

>> ANY LARGE GATHERING THEORETICALLY COULD.

THERE'S A LOT OF -- [ Indiscernible ] >> KEVIN: SEVERAL YEARS AGO I'M WITH MY NEPHEW AT THE GROCERY STORE.

HE WAS PROBABLY 6 OR 7 YEARS OLD.

THERE WAS A SQUASH IN A BIN WITH ANOTHER SMALL SQUASH GROWING ON ITS SIDE.

MY NEPHEW SAID, "LOOK, UNCLE KEVIN, A DIFFERENTLY ABLED SQUASH."

I SAID, "THAT'S RIGHT, JARED.

WHICH ONE SHOULD WE BUY?"

AND THEN HE SAID, "THAT ONE.

IT'S THE MOST INTERESTING."

I LOVED THAT KID SO MUCH AT THAT MOMENT AND HOPED THAT MAYBE I HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH HIS WORLDVIEW.

THAT SAME NEPHEW IS NOW GROWN AND HE AND HIS WIFE JUST HAD A BABY THIS LAST SUMMER.

I'VE BEEN TOLD EVERY BABY LOOKS LIKE EITHER E.T.

OR WINSTON CHURCHILL.

AND, YEAH, BUT SHE'S SO BEAUTIFUL.

STRONG LIKE THE PAST, AND SO FRAGILE LIKE THE FUTURE.

WHEN I LOOK AT HER I THINK I SEE GLIMPSES OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS, PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS, EVEN UNCLES AND AUNTS, PEOPLE SHE CARRIES BUT WILL NEVER KNOW.

AND EVERYONE WAS SO DIFFERENT WITH TASTES, POLITICS, SENSE OF HUMOR, BUT SOMEHOW WE WERE ALL A FAMILY.

CHARLES DARWIN SAID OUR SPECIES IS DEFINED BY WHAT MAKES US THE SAME, BUT OUR SURVIVAL DEPENDS ON WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT.

AND THIS IS THE TIME OF THE YEAR WHEN WE TAKE THESE DIFFERENCES AND GATHER THEM TOGETHER TO GATHER.

THE WORD CONJURES IMAGES OF COMMUNITY, SHARING, IN CHURCH BASEMENTS, LIVING ROOMS, CABINS, MOSQUES, SCHOOLS, SYNAGOGUES, AND CONCERT HALLS.

JOINED BY BLOOD, A COMMON LANGUAGE, FAITH, FOOD.

TO GATHER DOESN'T MEAN TO AGREE.

IT'S A CHOICE.

TO BE TOGETHER.

A FULFILLED PROMISE.

A RECOGNITION.

A NEST, WHERE WE BELONG.

I BRING WHO I AM TO WHO WE ARE.

OUR HERD, FLOCK, PACK, A CONSTELLATION, EACH STAR CONTRIBUTING A BIT OF LIGHT TO THE VAST DARKNESS.

EACH INSTRUMENT A VOICE IN THE SILENCE.

>> ERIC: OUR "ONE GREATER MINNESOTA" REPORTER KAOMI LEE FOUND AN ASIAN FOOD MARKET IN AN UNLIKELY PLACE - IN THE SMALL TOWN OF SOLWAY IN BELTRAMI COUNTY.

SHE DISCOVERED HOW ONE KOREAN-AMERICAN WOMAN HAS BEEN INTRODUCING THE CUISINE OF HER NATIVE COUNTRY TO NORTHERN MINNESOTA FOR NEARLY TWO DECADES.

>> DRIVING WEST ON HIGHWAY 2 IN BEMIDJI, YOU MIGHT BLINK AND PASS RIGHT BY THE BEST-TASTING EGG ROLL YOU'VE EVER HAD.

BUT EVERY WEEK A KOREAN WOMAN MAKES A THOUSAND EGG ROLLS BY HAND.

WHY SO MANY?

SHE CAN'T KEEP UP WITH THE DEMAND.

SHE HAS BEEN IN BUSINESS 18 YEARS.

>> OH, HELLO.

I'M KAOMI.

>> NICE MEETING YOU.

>> NINIA MEANS BEAUTIFUL SOUND IN KOREAN AND THE SOUNDS OF DELICIOUSNESS FROM HER KITCHEN ARE JUST THAT.

BESIDES PREPARED FOODS, LIKE KIMCHI AND HER FAVORITE PORK EGG ROLLS SHE SELLS RAMEN AND NEOGURI AND AN ARRAY OF SAUCES AND OTHER ITEMS NOT TYPICALLY FOUND AT A LOCAL GROCERY STORE.

IN THIS LITTLE TOWN OF SOLWAY, MINNESOTA, OF ABOUT 100 PEOPLE.

BUT HER BUSINESS IS FLOURISHING AND THAT'S BECAUSE OF WORD OF MOUTH.

>> I COME TO THE UNITED STATES IN 1970.

>> THREE LATER LATER -- THREE YEARS LATER, SHE MET HER HUSBAND, TROY.

THEY EVENTUALLY FOUND THEIR WAY TO MINNESOTA.

>> THIS IS FROM KENTUCKY.

HE LIKES COOL PLACE -- COLD PLACE, FISHING.

SO THEY COME HERE FISHING.

I COME HERE ONE YEAR, I'LL TRY IT.

>> FINALLY, I WAS ABLE TO TASTE HER GOOD COOKING MYSELF.

THE EGG ROLLS WERE CRISPY AND FLAVORFUL.

POTATO NOODLES WERE GARLICY AND DELICIOUS.

THE AND -- AND THE BEEF WAS SWEET AND SAVORY.

SHE EVEN SHOWED ME PHOTOS OF HOW SHE'S HOSTED GATHERINGS FOR KOREAN ADOPTEES OVER THE YEARS.

BUT IT WASN'T LONG BEFORE A CUSTOMER WAS PICKING UP ON ORDER.

THIS TIME FOR EIGHT DOZEN EGG ROLLS.

>> MOST OF THIS IS GOING TO THE TWIN CITIES TO MY SISTER AND SHE'S SO EXCITED THAT SHE CAN -- I HAVEN'T BEEN DOWN BECAUSE OF THE COVID BUT SHE SAID, OKAY, SHE'S NEVER -- THIS IS THE ONLY PLACE YOU CAN GET GOOD ONES.

>> HE'S HUMBLE ABOUT THE MARK SHE'S MADE IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

ONE DAY SHE MIGHT RETIRE AND SELL IT ALL.

BUT FOR NOW, SHE'S HAPPY TO BE HERE.

>> I JUST COME TO THE UNITED STATES, I WANT TO BE BETTER LIFE, YOU KNOW.

SO KOREA, IT WAS HARD, YOU KNOW.

BUT THIS COUNTRY, YOU GO UP, YOU CAN DO.

>> CATHY: THIS WEEK FOR THE FIRST TIME IN DECADES, MINNESOTA HAS A NEW LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR.

JAMES NOBLES HAS RETIRED AND JUDY RANDALL HAS TAKEN HIS PLACE.

SHE WAS SELECTED THIS WEEK FOR THE POST BY A BIPARTISAN GROUP OF LAWMAKERS.

THE TRANSITION WILL NOT BE ABRUPT.

RANDALL HAS WORKED IN THE LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR'S OFFICE FOR 20 YEARS.

WELCOME BACK TO THE PROGRAM.

CONGRATULATIONS.

>> THANK YOU.

IT'S NIGHT TO BE HERE.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

HIS YOU BET -- >> Eric: YOU BET.

>> Cathy: WHERE DO YOU THINK Mr. NOBLES' ABSENCE WILL BE FELT THE MOST IN THE OFFICE?

>> HE HAD A REALLY LARGE PRESENCE NOT JUST IN THE OFFICE BUT IN THE STATE GOVERNMENT AND IN THE LEGISLATURE IN GENERAL.

I THINK THERE WILL BE A TIME OF TRANSITION T. WILL PERMEATE THE OFFICE.

BUT, REALLY, THE WORK OF THE OFFICE WILL CONTINUE.

WE ARE A STAFF OF 50 TO 60 PEOPLE WHO ARE COMMITTED TO LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT, GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY, PRODUCING REPORTS THAT ARE ACCURATE, OBJECTIVE, TIMELY AND USEFUL.

THAT'S KIND OF OUR MANTRA AND THAT WORK WILL CONTINUE.

>> Eric: MINNESOTA HAS KIND OF A REPUTATION AS A CLEAN GOVERNMENT STATE.

BUT I WONDER IN YOUR YEARS THERE, HOW MUCH WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE IS THERE IN STATE GOVERNMENT.

ARE WE AS GOOD AS WE THINK WE ARE?

>> WE'RE PRETTY GOOD.

BUT THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT.

I WOULD SAY.

>> Eric: DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES WAS ONE THAT YOU'VE TACKLED.

IS THAT KIND OF LIKE THE PENTAGON OF STATE GOVERNMENT?

I MEAN, IT SEEMS LIKE AN AWFUL BIG AGENCY.

>> IT IS A LARGE AGENCY.

AND THERE'S A LOT OF STATE MONEY AND FEDERAL MONEY THAT GOES THROUGH THERE.

SO THERE'S CERTAINLY A LOT OF WORK FOR OUR OFFICE TO DO THERE.

>> Cathy: THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO DON'T UNDERSTAND, OF COURSE, WHAT YOU DO.

YOU'RE AT A COCKTAIL PARTY, HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE WHAT YOU DO TO SOMEONE?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

I'D SAY WE ARE THE WATCHDOG OVER THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH ON BEHALF OF THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH.

AND THEN I USUALLY GET PUZZLED LOOKS WHEN I SAY THAT.

SO THEN I SAY, WE TRY TO HELP MAKE STATE GOVERNMENT WORK PROPERLY.

>> Eric: DO YOU HAVE EVALUATIONS IN THE PIPELINE READY TO BE RELEASED HERE OR WHAT'S THE SCHEDULE FOR RELEASING WHATEVER OU'RE WORKING ON CURRENTLY?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE HAVE FIVE EVALUATIONS UNDERWAY RIGHT NOW.

THEY'LL BE RELEASED HOPEFULLY IN FEBRUARY.

>> Eric: ANYTHING JUICY?

>> WELL, YOU'LL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE.

>> Eric: OH, SHUCKS.

HOW ABOUT THE ROSTER OF STUFF THAT THE LEGISLATIVE AUDIT COMMISSION WANTS YOU TO DO?

>> WELL, THAT IS A LONG LONG LIST.

BUT I CAN TELL YOU AT LEAST THE REPORTS WE'RE WORKING ON RIGHT NOW.

THEY REALLY RUN THE GAMUT.

WE'RE LOOKING AT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S ROLE IN ADDRESSING THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP.

>> Eric: OOH.

>> SO THAT'S ALWAYS INTERESTING.

WE'RE LOOKING AT EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES SO, AMBULANCES ACROSS THE STATE.

VERY INTERESTING SYSTEM.

WE'RE LOOKING AT A -- KIND OF A SMALL PROGRAM IN THE POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY RELATED TO PETROLEUM REMEDIATION SO LEAKS OF PETROLEUM TANKS, THINGS LIKE THAT AND WHAT PCA DOES TO HELP REMEDIATE THAT.

>> Eric: HAVING LOOKED AT YOUR REPORTS OVER THE YEARS, YOU TURN TO THE BACK PAGE AND THE AGENCY RESPONDS, WE HAVE IMPLEMENTED MOST OF THE SUGGESTIONS THAT THE O.L.A.

HAS SAID.

DO YOU FIND COOPERATION WITH THE AGENCIES OR DOES IT VARY PERSON TO PERSON?

>> MOST AGENCIES ARE COOPERATIVE.

THEY UNDERSTAND OUR ROLE.

THEY WANT TO DO A GOOD JOB.

I MEAN, IN A LOT OF WAYS IT'S KIND OF A FREE CONSULTING SERVICE FOR THEM.

>> Eric: AND DO YOU GET YOUR POWER BY SHINING JUST SUNLIGHT ON THE PROBLEM, IS THAT KIND OF WHERE YOU GET YOUR AUTHORITY OR IS IT THE LEGISLATURE BACKING YOU UP OR HOW DOES THAT ALL WORK?

>> IT'S ALL OF THAT.

I MEAN, THE LEGISLATURE HAS GIVEN US REALLY BROAD AUTHORITY IN LAW.

AND THEN I THINK REALLY OUR POWER, IF YOU WILL, COMES FROM THE CREDIBILITY OF OUR REPORTS.

>> Cathy: BY THE WAY, HOW LONG DOES A REPORT NORMALLY TAKE FROM START TO FINISH?

>> A PROGRAM EVALUATION TYPICALLY TAKES AROUND NINE TO TEN MONTHS TO DO.

TEAMS WORKING ON THAT FULL TIME.

>> Eric: HOW OFTEN DO YOU GET A EMERGENCY CALL, THERE'S SOME CONTROVERSY THAT ARISES AND YOU GET A CALL FROM THE CHAIR OF THE LEGISLATIVE AUDIT COMMISSION, BIPARTISAN, BICAMERAL GROUP, AND SAYS, GO LOOK AT THIS RIGHT NOW, DOES THAT EVER HAPPEN?

>> CERTAINLY WE GET THOSE PHONES CALLS AND CERTAINLY PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE US DO THAT.

>> Eric: HOW DO YOU PRIORITIZE?

>> WE HAVE A RUNNING LIST OF PROJECTS THAT PEOPLE WANT US TO DO AND WE HAVE A TEAM THAT MEETS EVERY OTHER WEEK AND WE REVIEW THEM AND WE SEE WHAT MAKES SENSE.

SOME THINGS CAN BE HANDLED BY OTHER FOLKS.

AND SOME THINGS CAN BE HANDLED UNIQUELY BY US.

>> Cathy: YOU'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR 20 YEARS AND NOW YOU'RE THE HEAD.

WHAT KEEPS YOU GOING.

WHAT IS IT ABOUT THE JOB THAT REALLY EXCITES YOU?

>> YOU'RE CONSTANTLY LEARNING.

I MEAN, I HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH ABOUT WHAT STATE GOVERNMENT DOES AND WHAT IT'S INVOLVED WITH AND, SO, I THINK THAT'S REALLY INTERESTING AND EXCITING.

AND I REALLY LIKE MAKING IT WORK BETTER.

AND I'VE SEEN OUR REPORTS HAVE THAT IMPACT.

AND THAT'S REALLY SATISFYING.

>> Cathy: WE'RE GLAD YOU'RE BACK ON "ALMANAC."

HOPE YOU VISIT OFTEN.

>> THANK YOU.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> Eric: BEST OF LUCK.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Eric: THANKS.

>> ERIC: SINCE WE'VE LAST MET, CONGRESS PASSED THE TRILLION-DOLLAR INFRASTRUCTURE BILL, LEGISLATION WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AND OPPOSITION.

INFLATION IS UP.

THE PRESIDENT'S APPROVAL RATING IS DOWN.

ALL GOOD TOPICS FOR A TRIO OF POLITICAL SCIENTISTS.

LARRY JACOBS HEADS THE CENTER OF POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE AT THE U OF M'S HUMPHREY SCHOOL.

DAVID SCHULTZ TEACHES POLITICS AT HAMLINE UNIVERSITY.

WE ARE JOINED AGAIN BY ZOOM BY CYNTHIA RUGELEY, HEAD OF THE POLITICAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT AT UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA DULUTH.

WELCOME, ONE AND ALL.

LARRY JACOBS, NOVEMBER 2nd FROM St. PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS TO VIRGINIA AND NEW JERSEY, ARE THERE SOME TAKEAWAYS THAT MIGHT MESH?

>> WELL, I THINK VIRGINIA AND NEW JERSEY OBVIOUSLY WERE A BACKLASH AGAINST THE DEMOCRATS AND YOU SAW, I THINK, JOE BIDEN'S POOR APPROVAL RATING, THE ECONOMY, AND, YOU KNOW, OTHER DISASTERS KIND OF ROLL OVER THE DEMOCRATS.

MINNEAPOLIS IS A VERY DIFFERENT STORY.

YOU HAD A SOCIALIST ELECTED, YOU HAD, OU KNOW, SEVERAL CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO WERE ELECTED WHO WERE STILL FIGHTING FOR THE PUBLIC SAFETY BALLOT INITIATIVE, BUT THEN YOU HAD A GROUP OF FOUR CITY COUNCIL MEMBER INCUMBENTS WHO WERE DEFEATED AND I THINK THEY WERE SEEN AS TOO RIGID AND IDEALOGICAL.

YOU ADD -- YOU HAD THE PUBLIC SAFETY BALLOT INITIATIVE DEFEATED BUT TO ME THERE LOOKS THERE'S STILL SUPPORT FOR IT.

THE MAYOR WAS ELECTED WITH MORE POWER.

HE CAME OUT AND SAID, FULL STEAM AHEAD T -- T LOOKS TO ME LIKE THE RENT STABILIZATION INITIATIVE WAS PASSED.

SO, I DON'T KNOW, MINNEAPOLIS LOOKS TO ME, I'D SAY MAG MARKETICALLY PROGRESSIVE.

>> Cathy: WHAT DO YOU THINK, PROFESSOR?

>> IT'S INTERESTING.

I WAS GOING TO SAY IT'S STILL LEFT OF CENTER CITY.

BUT IT SORT OF MOVED MORE CENTRIST IN SOME SENSE HERE.

>> Cathy: EVEN WITH THE SOCIALIST DEMOCRATS ELECTED, SEVERAL OF THEM WERE?

>> I THINK YOU CAN OVERALL SAY THAT.

WHEN I WAS THINKING BOUT ALL ALONG, THIS WAS GOING TO BE AN ELECTION THAT IS REALLY GOING TO BE ABOUT THE POLICE REFORM AMENDMENT, THAT DROVE ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING.

AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, IF WE THINK ABOUT HOW IT CASCADED OUT, IT LOST THE MAYOR WHO OPPOSED IT, MANY OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO SUPPORTED IT ALSO LOST.

BUT HOW I DESCRIBE THAT ELECTION IN SOME SENSE WAS A COUPLE THINGS.

AND MAYBE IT CONNECTS MINNEAPOLIS TO VIRGINIA AND SO FORTH.

IT'S A MESSAGING ISSUE.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT.

FOR GOOD OR FOR BAD, WHEN NINE COUNCIL MEMBERS STOOD UP IN A PARK IN MINNEAPOLIS AND SAID DEFUND THE POLICE, THAT'S WHAT IT GOT NOTED AS.

AND AT A TIME WHEN YOU HAVE, WHAT, ISING CRIME RATES AND CARJACKINGS, I USUALLY THINK THAT, WHAT, FEAR KICKS IN.

AND I THINK THERE WAS THIS ALMOST NIXONAN SENSE OF A SILENT MAJORITY OUT THERE THAT I ANTICIPATED WAS GOING TO SHOW UP TO VOTE EXAMINE THEY DID SHOW UP TO VOTE.

>> Eric: PROFESSOR, WHAT'S YOUR TAKE ON NOVEMBER 2nd?

>> YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK IT WAS A SURPRISE WHAT WE SAW HAPPEN IN VIRGINIA.

MAYBE NEW JERSEY A LITTLE BIT JUST BECAUSE THE POLLS WERE SO DIFFERENT.

BUT IT'S NOT UNUSUAL IN ELECTIONS THAT ARE MID-TERM ELECTIONS OR NEAR MID-TERM ELECTIONS FOR THE PARTY THAT'S NOT IN THE WHITE HOUSE TO GAIN SEATS.

I MEAN, A PRESIDENT, WHEN THEY BECOME, I MEAN, IT'S LIKE FROM DAY ONE, THEY START LOSING SUPPORT AND MOST MIDTERM ELECTIONS GO PRETTY ROUGH FOR THE PARTY IN POWER.

I AGREE WITH YOUR -- WITH LARRY THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT MINNEAPOLIS, IT WAS INTERESTING, BUT LOCAL ELECTIONS ALWAYS ARE.

I MEAN, THEY'RE UNPREDICTABLE IN MANY MANY WAYS.

NEU.

>> Cathy: SAY, ANOTHER TOPIC HERE, FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S EXECUTIVE POWERS LEGAL FIGHT.

I'LL BEGIN WITH YOU, PROFESSOR.

>> OKAY, SO, RIGHT NOW, YOU KNOW, EXISTING CASE LAW, UNLESS U.S. SUPREME OURT OVERTURNS AND IT'S ALWAYS POSSIBLE THEY COULD CHANGE IT, WHILE EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE EXISTS, PRESIDENTS DO HAVE THAT, IT'S LIMITED TO START WITH, IT'S LIMITED BY THE FACT THAT IF CONGRESS OR THE COURTS HAVE A NEED TO INVESTIGATE CRIMINALITY EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE GIVES.

AND, TWO, ONLY EXISTING PRESIDENTS CAN CLAIM EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE, NOT PREVIOUS PRESIDENTS IN TERMS OF THEIR RECORDS BECAUSE, WHY?

THEY NOW BELONG TO THE WHITE HOUSE OR SO FORTH LIKE THAT.

SO, UNLESS THE SUPREME COURT CHANGES IT, ULTIMATELY TRUMP DOES LOSE ON THIS ONE.

BUT I PUT THAT CAVEAT IN THERE BECAUSE IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE CURRENT SUPREME COURT, YOU KNOW, IF THEY TAKE THE CASE MIGHT MODIFY SOMETHING BUT RIGHT NOW I WAS NOT SURPRISED BY THE DISTRICT COURT OPINION, THE COURT OF APPEALS OPINION, I WAS A LITTLE SURPRISED BY.

>> Eric: GRAND JURY HAS INDICTED STEVE BAN NAN, CONTEMPT OF CONGRESS, IMPLICATIONS THERE.

>> WELL, I THINK THIS IS A REAL BATTLE.

KIND OF LIKE REPOSITIONING BACK TOWARDS THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH.

THEY HAVE ISSUED SUBPOENAS, THEY'RE PROBABLY, I THINK, GOING TO GET THE TRUMP RECORDS AND NOW WE'VE GOT BANAIAN ON THE ROPES.

I THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME ACCOUNTABILITY HERE.

I DON'T THINK BANNAN'S GETTING OFF SCOT-FREE, HE DOESN'T HAVE DONALD TRUMP THERE AS HIS GET OUT OF JAIL FREE CARD.

>> Eric: THE FAMOUS, INFAMOUS STEEL DOS SAY WAS, I GUESS, BEEN DISCREDITED THE PAST WEEK OR SO.

HAS THE NEWS MEDIA CAUGHT UP WITH THAT STORY?

>> "THE WASHINGTON POST" TODAY RETRACTED A STORY THAT THEY RAN BACK IN 2017, SO, YEAH, I THINK THAT THEY ARE CATCHING UP WITH IT.

I MEAN, IF YOU GO BACK TO THAT, IT WAS A WEIRD DEAL WHERE NOBODY EVEN HEARD OF IT UNTIL ABOUT TWO WEEKS AFTER THE ELECTION.

AND THEN IT POPPED UP IN AN ONLINE NEWSPAPER.

AND KIND OF GAINED TRACTION FROM THERE.

BUT, YEAH, I THINK THE MEDIA IS STARTING TO CATCH UP WITH IT.

AND WITH "THE WASHINGTON POST" DID TODAY WAS PRETTY MUCH UNPRECEDENTED FROM WHAT I SAW, RETRACTING A STORY THAT RAN FOUR YEARS AGO.

>> Eric: WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> YEAH, WAS GOING TO SAY, PART OF WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT HERE ALSO, TOO, IS THE FACT THAT I THINK A LOT OF THE MEDIA JUMPED ON SORT OF A BUNCH OF STORIES THAT LET'S SAY 30 OR 40 YEARS AGO THEY WOULD HAVE 0 GONE THROUGH A LOT MORE ORROBORATION FIRST BEFORE THEY RAN THE STORY.

BUT BECAUSE OF THE PRESSURES OF ONLINE JOURNALISM, PSEUDOJOURNALLIST SITES AND SO FORTH, THEY FEEL THE PRESSURE TO HAVE TO RUN WITH STUFF NOW IN WAYS THAT THEY WOULDN'T HAVE DONE, LET'S SAY, DURING KIND OF THE GLORY DAYS, "THE WASHINGTON POST," WOODWARD AND BURNSTEIN ERA.

SO WE'RE GOING TO SEE, I SUSPECT, A LOT MORE STORIES COME OUT N THE NEXT FEW YEARS OF WHERE THEY RAN WITH THINGS, BUT NOW AS THEY'RE STARTING TO GO BACK AND DIG INTO THEM AGAIN, THEY MIGHT FIND OUT THAT, WHAT, THEY JUMPED THE GUN TOO QUICKLY.

>> Cathy: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE BUILD BACK BETTER BILL, THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL.

IT STARTED OUT IN A BIPARTISAN MANNER, BUT IT ENDED IN A BIPARTISAN DEAL, YOU KNOW.

HOW BIG F A DEAL WAS THIS?

>> THE INFRASTRUCTURE PART OF IT, THEY SPLIT IT.

THE INFRASTRUCTURE PART WAS PASSED ON A VERY STRONG BIPARTISAN BASIS.

IN THE SENATE, LO AND BEHOLD, ALL THESE MONTHS LATER, BEING BIPARTISAN DOESN'T LOOK SO COOL.

AND THE FEW REPUBLICANS WHO DID VOTE FOR IT, IN THE HOUSE, WHICH WAS KEY, GAVE THE WINNING MARGIN ARE NOW IN TROUBLE.

THEY'RE BEING HOUNDED AND GETTING SOME PRETTY NASTY THREATS.

I THINK IT'S A BIG DEAL.

THE CHALLENGE FOR THE DEMOCRATS TO CONVERT THIS INTO POLITICAL CAPITAL, IT'S GOING TO TAKE TIME.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE TIME TO GET THE CONTRACTS OUT.

IT'S GOING TO GET TIME TO DO THE BUILDING.

SO THIS IS KIND OF A NEW DREAM AMONG DEMOCRATS WHO RUN ON THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS, COME BACK IN FIVE YEARS BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO TAKE A WHILE, YOU KNOW, THE RIBBON CUTTING, SURE, BUT IT'S NOT GOING TO REALLY PENETRATE.

THE BIG PART THAT WE'RE REALLY KIND OF IN THE CRUX OF, AND IT'S GOING TO COME UP THIS WEEK, IS WHETHER THE PROGRESSIVE SIDE OF IT -- CLIMATE, SOCIAL WELFARE SPENDING -- WHETHER THAT IS GOING TO PASS IN THE SENATE.

IT'S ALREADY PASSED, OR IT'S GEARING UP TO PASS IN THE HOUSE.

AND YOU'VE GOT A BIG PROBLEM IN THE SENATE BECAUSE YOU'VE GOT JOE MANCHIN IS CLEARLY EVEN MORE SKEPTICAL THAN HE WAS BEFORE.

BECAUSE OF RISING INFLATION.

>> Eric: PROFESSOR, ILHAN OMAR, THE FIFTH DISTRICT CONGRESSWOMAN, VOTED NO ON THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL.

IF SHE -- HER OTE WAS NEEDED IF PELOSI HAD NEEDED HER VOTE, WOULD SHE HAVE VOTED YES, BUT WHEN THE REPUBLICANS CAME ON BOARD, SHE COULD AFFORD TO VOTE NO?

WHAT'S GOING ON THERE?

>> THAT'S WHAT I THINK WAS HAPPENING.

I THINK THAT SHE AND OTHER PROGRESSIVES, YOU KNOW, THE GROUP THAT'S KIND OF EFERRED TO AS THE SQUAD, IF SPEAKER PELOSI NEEDED THEIR VOTES, THEY WOULD HAVE GIVEN IT TO HER, BUT I THINK THAT WITH THE REPUBLICAN VOTES, IT WAS SAFE FOR THEM TO DO THAT.

AND THEY REPRESENT A DIFFERENT CONSTITUENCY AND HAVE DIFFERENT GOALS.

AND, SO, YEAH, I THINK THAT -- AND IT'S NOT NCOMMON FOR THAT TO HAPPEN, FOR MEMBERS TO SAY, HEY, I'M GOING TO VOTE AGAINST THIS UNLESS YOU REALLY NEED IT.

>> I WANT TO FOLLOW UP ON SOMETHING THAT LARRY SAID HERE BECAUSE I THINK IF DEMOCRATS WANT TO RUN ON POLICY, AND WANT TO RUN ON ACCOMPLISHMENTS, THEY HAVE A PROBLEM, THOUGH.

PEOPLE DON'T USUALLY WIN ON POLICY AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

THEY WIN ON IMAGES AND THEMES.

AND I'M THINKING ABOUT TWO PROBLEMS THAT THE DEMOCRATS FACE GOING INTO THIS YEAR.

IT'S GOING TO BE CHRISTMAS AND GAS TANKS.

IS THAT WITH THE SUPPLY CHAIN PROBLEM, IF PEOPLE START NOT TO GET THEIR CHRISTMAS PRESENTS, HAVE PROBLEMS GETTING WHATEVER THE GOODIES ARE, HANUKKAH, CHRISTMAS PRESENTS, AND IF THE GAS PRICES KEEP GOING UP, THOSE ARE THE KIND OF IMAGES, EVERY TIME YOU FILL UP YOUR GAS TANK, PEOPLE GET ANNOYED.

THOSE ARE LETHAL.

>> YEAH, I AGREE WITH THAT.

I THINK ALSO THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS, IT'S ABOUT TURNOUT.

>> YEAH.

>> IT'S AN INTENSITY ELECTION.

AND WHEN I LOOK AT THE RESPONSE IN VIRGINIA TO THIS PARENTAL RIGHTS, THE DEMOCRATS HAVE NOTHING ON THE SHELF.

THAT'S GOING TO MATCH THAT LEVEL OF INTENSITY.

TALKING ABOUT INFRASTRUCTURE, ROAD PROJECTS, I MEAN, MAYBE WE COULD GET EXCITED ABOUT IT, BUT MAYBE NOT.

I MEAN, BUT, YOU KNOW, GETTING PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR HOUSES TO VOTE, BASED ON THAT, I DON'T SEE IT HAVING A CHANCE.

SO THE BIG CHALLENGE FOR DEMOCRATS IS, ARE THEY GOING TO HAVE THE USUAL DROP-OFF IN TURNOUT AND RIGHT NOW 'D SAY PROBABLY YES.

>> Cathy: PROFESSOR ROUGELY, DO YOU AGREE WITH THIS?

>> I DO AGREE WITH IT.

AND, I MEAN, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT INFLATION AND YOU THINK ABOUT GAS PRICES, IT'S UNDERSTANDABLE, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU GO TO THE GROCERY STORE THAT THINGS COST A LITTLE BIT MORE MONEY.

YOU KNOW WHEN YOU GO TO THE GAS TANK, I MEAN, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE, AND IT'S NOT ANYTHING ANYBODY COULD HAVE DONE ABOUT IT, DUE TO THE TEXAS FREEZE, GAS AND, YOU KNOW, UTILITY BILLS ARE GOING TO GO UP DURING THE WINTER.

AND, SO, YEAH, I MEAN, IT IS DIFFICULT IN A MIDTERM ELECTION.

I MEAN, IF DEMOCRATS MANAGE TO, YOU KNOW, PICK UP SEATS, IT WOULD CERTAINLY FALL AGAINST HISTORIC TRENDS.

I THINK IT'S ABOUT, WHAT, TWO OR THREE TIMES SINCE WORLD WAR II WHEN THE POWER IN POWER IN THE NEAR TERM ACTUALLY PICKED UP SEATS.

SO, AGAIN, IT IS TOUGH.

AND THE ECONOMY IS A DOMINANT ISSUE.

AND WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL, YOU SAY, WE'RE BRINGING YOU BROADBAND AND THEY'RE GOING TO SAY, WELL, WHERE IS IT?

SO IT DOES TAKE TIME FOR THESE KIND OF THINGS TO GET THROUGH.

>> YEAH.

SO THERE'S ISSUE HERE.

IT'S CALLED REDISTRICTING.

>> UM-HUM.

>> AND REPUBLICANS HAVE MANY MORE SEATS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO CONTROL BECAUSE THEY HAVE POWER OF THE GOVERNOR'S SEAT, CONTROL OF THE LEGISLATURE.

SO YOU COMBINE WHAT OUR COLLEAGUE IS SAYING ABOUT THE USUAL CURSE ON THE PARTY THAT CONTROLS THE WHITE HOUSE, WITH THE REDISTRICTING ADVANTAGE AND DEMOCRATS ARE IN REAL TROUBLE, REMEMBER, THE REPUBLICANS ONLY NEED TO PICK UP NET FIVE SEATS TO HAVE THE MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE.

AND IF YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT MINNESOTA, WE'VE SEEN THIS PATTERN OF NATIONAL ELECTIONS BEING NATIONALIZED.

DOWN TO THE STATE LEVEL.

NEU SO GOVERNOR WALZ, HE'S GOING TO BE UNDER CLOUD OF LOW BIDEN APPROVAL RATINGS AND ALL THE THINGS WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IN TERMS OF INFLATION, SUPPLY SIDE ISSUES, IT COULD BE A BAD ENVIRONMENT FOR DEMOCRATS EVERYWHERE.

>> IT'S REALLY A TOUGH ONE.

I DID A PIECE IN MINNPOST, I THINK IT WAS MINUTE POST A FEW WEEKS AGO, AND SAID THAT WALZ REALLY NEEDS TO WORRY AT THIS POINT BECAUSE ONCE HE'S BELOW 50% RIGHT NOW, THIS IS GOING TO BE MIDTERM ELECTIONS, BIDEN'S NOT POPULAR.

YOU'VE GOT COVID, YOU'VE GOT THE ECONOMY, A WHOLE BUNCH OF THINGS GOING HERE, IT'S GOING TO BE A TOUGH ELECTION FOR HIM.

I ALSO THINK WITH THE REDISTRICTING, EVEN IF THE DEMOCRATS GET A LITTLE BIT BUMP IN MINNESOTA, IT'S GOING TO BE REALLY HARD FOR THEM TO PICK UP THE SENATE AND VERY HARD TO HOLD ONTO THE HOUSE.

>> Eric: JUST GOT A MINUTE LEFT.

WOKENESS ON THE RUN OR WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I THINK IT'S -- YOU KNOW, IT IS ON THE RUN.

I MEAN, I THINK IT'S SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE JUST GET ANNOYED BY MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE.

IT'S REAL HIS JUST TO SAY, TO BLAME EVERYTHING ON WOKENESS AND IT SEEMS TO BE WORKING.

THERE'S O QUESTION THAT WHAT WE'RE SEEING IN THIS ELECTION AND WHAT WE'VE SEEN IN RECENT ELECTIONS ARE CULTURAL WAR ISSUES.

>> Eric: ACTIVISTS AND THE BASE DON'T JIVE ON THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

>> THE BASE IS NOT AS WOKE AS THE ACTIVISTS ARE.

>> I THINK YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT HERE.

I MEAN, THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT DEMOCRATS FACE.

THEY'VE GOT A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF THEIR ACTIVIST WING THAT'S REALLY DRIVING THINGS AT A LOT OF DIFFERENT LEVELS.

REMEMBER, BIDEN RAN AS A CENTRIST AS A MODERATE HOPING TO PICK UP THE SUBURBSMENT THE FAR LEFT OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND THE AGENDA THEY HAVE ISN'T GOING TO HOLD THE SUBURBS FOR THE DEMOCRATS.

>> Eric: I HEAR THE BELL RINGING.

CLASS DISMISSED.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

>> ERIC: LET'S ALL HAVE A BIT OF FUN WITH MINNESOTA HISTORY TRIVIA.

LAST WEEK WE TRAVELED BACK TO THE SUMMER OF 1928.

WE TOLD YOU MORE THAN 140,000 MINNESOTANS OVER THE COURSE OF MULTIPLE DAYS WENT TO WATCH AN EVENT AT THE KENWOOD ARMORY, SEEN HERE.

FINALLY, THE WINNING TEAM - LABELED AS DARK HORSES BY LOCAL MEDIA - EMERGED AND COLLECTED MORE THAN $1,000 IN PRIZE MONEY.

MORE THAN $100,000 WAS COLLECTED IN ADMISSION FEES.

THE MINNEAPOLIS STAR NEWSPAPER WAS NOT IMPRESSED WRITING, "PEOPLE ARE PRETTY FREE WITH THEIR MONEY AND NOT PARTICULARLY SQUEAMISH ABOUT THE QUALITY OF THEIR RECREATION."

THE PAPER REFERRED TO THE - EVENT AS "FREAK AMUSEMENT."

WE WANTED YOU TO TELL US WHAT EVENT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

WHAT DID MORE THAN 140,000 PEOPLE RUSH TO SEE AT THE KENWOOD ARMORY IN THE SUMMER OF 1928?

WE START WITH THE TWO MOST CREATIVE WRONG GUESSES WE RECEIVED.

>> ERIC: RICK AND JEFF, YOU JUST DEMONSTRATED THAT IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT ANSWER, YOU CAN STILL GET YOUR 15 SECONDS OF FAME WITH A CREATIVE WRONG GUESS.

SO WHAT WAS THE RIGHT ANSWER?

LET'S CELEBRATE THE RETURN OF CALLERS TOM AND HANNAH.

>> ERIC: YES.

THE EVENT AT THE KENWOOD ARMORY, WHICH STOOD NEAR THE PARADE STADIUM GROUNDS IN MINNEAPOLIS, WAS A DANCE MARATHON THAT LASTED TWO WEEKS.

HERE'S A PHOTO OF THE VERY TIRED WINNERS MARIE PEARSON AND OTTO JOHNSON.

WHILE MANY ASSOCIATE DANCE MARATHONS WITH THE GREAT DEPRESSION, THE CRAZE ACTUALLY STARTED BEFORE THEN.

DO YOU HAVE AN INDEX FILE QUESTION FOR US?

SEND US YOUR RESEARCH AT 651-229-1430 OR EMAIL US AT ALMANAC@TPT.ORG.

FOR SHOW-CLOSING MUSIC, WE REACH INTO THE TPT VAULTS.

THIS WEEK IN 2009 RED HOUSE RECORDING ARTIST JOHN GORKA PAID US A VISIT.

LET'S LISTEN TO HIM AS WE ROLL THE CREDITS.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT TIME.

AND BE CAREFUL.

♪♪ ♪ I THINK OF YOU ♪ >> "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 STRENGHTEN RURAL MINNESOTA.

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