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

>> CATHY: WE'LL CHECK IN WITH THE MAYORS OF ST. PAUL AND DULUTH AS THEY PRESENT THEIR VISIONS FOR 2022.

WE'LL PREVIEW THE FEDERAL TRIAL OF THREE FORMER MINNEAPOLIS POLICE OFFICERS.

AND WE'LL REMEMBER COMEDIAN LOUIE ANDERSON.

ALL THAT AND THIS STORY FROM MARY LAHAMMER.

>> Mary: JUST AHEAD OF THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION, THE GOVERNOR REVEALS HIS BONDING BILL FOR STATE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.

WE'LL TAKE YOU ON SITE.

>> IT'S EXCITING.

WE'VE GOT OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS MINNESOTA.

THESE ARE JOBS IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

>> Mary: THAT'S COMING UP ON "ALMANAC."

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

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

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

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

ENBRIDGE: CONNECTING MINNESOTANS WITH ENERGY FOR OVER 70 YEARS.

MORE AT ENBRIDGE.COM/LINETHREEUS.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

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

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

>> CATHY: LATER IN THE HOUR, WE'LL TALK ABOUT A NEW SOURCE OF DATA FOR OMICRON, PREVIEW THE FEDERAL TRIAL OF THREE FORMER MINNEAPOLIS POLICE OFFICERS, AND KEVIN KLING WILL BE IN STUDIO RECITING A SONNET IN HONOR OF WINTER.

BUT FIRST UP IN THE HOUR, A CHECK-IN WITH THE MAYOR OF MINNESOTA'S SECOND LARGEST CITY.

>> ERIC: WE'RE STARTING THE YEAR BY VISITING WITH MAYORS FROM AROUND THE STATE.

LAST WEEK WE TALKED WITH THE MAYOR OF ST. PETER.

TONIGHT ST. PAUL MAYOR MELVIN CARTER JOINS US TO TALK ABOUT BUDGETS, COVID, AND PUBLIC SAFETY, AMONG OTHER TOPICS.

YOUR HONOR, WELCOME.

YOU'VE ALLED THE PANDEMIC YOUR BIGGEST CURRENT CHALLENGE.

AND I WONDER HOW YOUR 40-DAY VACCINE OR TEST MANDATE FOR CITY LICENSED RESTAURANTS AND VENUES IS GOING.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I APPRECIATE YOU HAVING ME ON.

OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A ONGOING CHALLENGE FOR US THAT STRETCHED US THIN OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

LISTEN, IF WE'RE BEING HONEST, WE'RE ALL TIRED OF THE PANDEMIC.

WE AREWE ARE TIRED OF SOCIAL DISTANCING AND I FEEL LIKE I GET A HEADACHE EVERY TIME I PUT ON A MAST.

WE ALSO HAVE TO KNOW THAT E ARE STILL IN AN EMERGENCY.

THAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING RECORD BREAKING LEVELS OF INFECTION AND HOSPITALIZATION RATES THAT ARE ONCE AGAIN STRETCHING OUR I.C.U.

CAPACITY, SO WE HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING WE AN.

AS CHALLENGING AS I KNOW THAT REQUIREMENT THAT WE JUST PUT INTO PLACE FOR MINNEAPOLIS AND ST. PAUL ARE, WE ALSO KNOW THAT THEY'RE ANOTHER AS CHALLENGING AS THE SHUTDOWNS THAT WE SAW A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.

WE HAVE TOOLS TO DEFEAT THIS PANDEMIC.

WE HAVE THE VACCINE.

WE HAVE WAYS TO TO APPROACH THIS AND WAYS THAT WE DIDN'T TWO YEARS AGO AND IT'S INCUMBENT UPON US TO DO EVERY SINGING THING WE CAN.

>> Cathy: THE NEWS OUT OF MINNEAPOLIS TODAY IS THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL RESTAURANTS SUING THE CITY AND MAYOR FREY OVER THE MANDATE.

ARE YOU EXPECTING SIMILAR, A SIMILAR SUIT FOR ST. PAUL?

>> WE HAVEN'T SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT SO FAR FOR ST. PAUL.

AGAIN, OUR GOAL IS TO DO EVERY SINGLE THING WE CAN TO PROTECT OUR RESIDENTS, OUR WORKERS, OUR BUSINESSES.

FROM BOTH THE HEALTH AND THE ECONOMICS IMPACTS OF THE PANDEMIC.

AND THITIONZ IN LINE WITH THAT COMMITTEDMENT.

>> Eric: THERE WERE A RECORD NUMBER OF HOMICIDES IN ST. PAUL LAST YEAR.

I WONDER WHAT YOUR FEELING IS ABOUT THE SORT OF NTICRIME STRATEGY YOU'VE GOT GOING IN ST. PAUL.

>> I APPRECIATE THE QUESTION.

WE EXPERIENCED SOME OF THE MOST HORRIFIC EVENTS IN CITY HISTORY LAST YEAR THAT THAT WERE JUST HARD TO GET THROUGH.

THESE FUNERALS, WE HAD TOO MANY OF THEM AND THEY WERE CHALLENGING AND HARD TO GET THROUGH.

AS WE LOOK TO WHAT'S CAUSING THAT AND WHAT CAN HE CAN DO TO MOVE FORWARD, THE FIRST PLACE WE LOOK IS OBVIOUSLY OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT.

AS I COMPARE OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT TODAY TO FOUR YEARS AGO WHEN I TOOK OFFICE, IT STRIKES ME THAT OUR OFFICERS RESPOND MORE QUICKLY TO MOST TYPES OF THE 911 CALLS.

WE USE LESS FORCE WHEN WE GET THERE.

WE SOLVE A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF VIOLENT CRIME AND WE'RE AT A TEN-YEAR LOW IN OFFICER PAYOUT SETTLEMENTS.

WE'RE INVESTING IN OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT AND LOOKING FORWARD TO GRADUATING OUR LARGEST POLICE ACADEMY IN CITY HISTORY JUST NEXT MONTH.

BUT WE ALSO KNOW THAT OUR ARE POLICE OFFICERS CAN'T DO IT BY THEMSELVES.

THEY NEED OUR HELP.

AND SO WE'RE MOVING FORWARD A SET OF SOCIAL WORKERS WHO DID HELP RESPOND TO NON-EMERGENCY 911 CALLS SO OUR POPULARS CAN FOCUS ON VIOLENT CRIME.

AND WE'VE LAUNCHED OUR FIRST CITY'S NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY WHO HAS A STAFF, MAKING THE TYPE OF INVESTMENTS AND INTERVENTIONS IN PEOPLE AND PLACES THAT CAN HELP REDUCE THE RISK THAT SOMETHING TERRIBLE WILL HAPPEN IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> Cathy: YOU HAVE A CHALLENGE, THOUGH.

LONG-TIME CHIEF AXTELL IS LEAVING.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR IN A NEW CHIEF?

>> ERTAINLY A CHALLENGE.

CHIEF AXTELL'S DEPARTURE TAKES A INSTITUTION, A STRONG PERFORMINGANCE THAT I JUST SAID THAT OUR DEPARTMENT IS EXPERIENCING RIGHT NOW IS BASED LARGELY ON HIS LEADERSHIP AND INVESTMENTS THAT WE'VE MADE TOGETHER IN THE DEPARTMENT.

BECAUSE HE'S BEEN A STRONG LEADER, THAT'S WHAT MAKES ME CONFIDENT THAT WE CAN ENDURE A TRANSITION, WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF TALENT, A LOT OF SKILL AND A LOT OF TALENTED CANDIDATES, POTENTIAL CANDIDATES IN OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT.

LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT PROCESS.

WE'LL DO IT BY ENGAGING COMMUNITY MEMBERS, SAME AS WE'VE ENGAGED COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN EVERY CABINET HIRE THAT I'VE EVER MADE AND I'M CONFIDENT THAT WE'LL CONTINUE TO SEE THE ST. PAUL POLICE DEPARTMENT CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE EXCELLENCE, THE PROFESSIONALISM, THE SERVICE THAT OUR ST. PAUL RESIDENTS HAVE GROWN TO DEPEND ON.

>> Cathy: SOUNDS THAT LIKE YOU'D BE LOOKING TO REPLACE THE CHIEF FROM WITHIN.

WOULD YOU LOOK TO WITHOUT, THOUGH?

AN OUTSIDE CANDIDATE, PERHAPS?

>> OH, WE'LL ABSOLUTELY CONDUCT A NATIONAL SEARCH.

WE OWE IT TO OUR OFFICERS AND WE OWE IT TO OUR RESIDENTS TO IDENTIFY THE BEST PERSON TO LEAD OUR DEPARTMENT FORWARD IN THIS TIME.

OBVIOUSLY THIS TIME IS FUNDAMENTALLY DIFFERENT AS WE'VE ALL LEARNED THAT WE HAVE TO CONTINUALLY THINK AND RETHINK OUR APPROACHES TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

THE ONLY THICK WE KNOW FOR A FACT IS THE OUTCOMES WE WILL GET IF WE CONTINUE TO APPROACH PUBLIC SAFETY IN THE WAYS THAT WE ALWAYS HAVE, AND SO WE'LL ABSOLUTELY CONDUCT A NATIONAL SEARCH.

I DISPECT OUR INTERNAL CANDIDATES TO FARE VERY WELL BECAUSE OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT IS I BELIEVE THE BEST PLANET -- THE BEST DEPARTMENT ON THE PLANET.

AND SO WE'LL SEE HOW THAT GOES.

>> Eric: RENT CONTROL, DID I READ AN INTERVIEW YOU DID WITH THE "STAR TRIBUNE" CORRECTLY THAT YOU SUPPORTED THE RENT CONTROL ORDINANCE THAT WAS ON THE BALLOT, BUT YOU ASSUMED YOU CAN CHANGE IT OR MODIFY IT SOMEHOW.

IS THAT CORRECT?

>> I SAID BEFORE ELECTION DAY THAT I WAS GOING TO VOTE FOR IT.

AND THAT I THOUGHT IT NEEDED TO CHANGE SIGNIFICANTLY UTILITY P. I HEAR SOME FOLKS SORT OF TALKING ABOUT IT AS THOUGH IT CANNOT BE CHANGED, AND IF THAT'S THE CASE, IT'S PROBABLY THE FIRST SUCH LAW IN AMERICAN HISTORY.

OUR U.S. CONSTITUTION IS WRITTEN TO BE CHANGED AND IN THE SAME WAY OUR CITY CODE HAS TO EVOLVE CONSTANTLY.

AND SO THIS IS ABOUT BRINGING TOGETHER COMMUNITY MEMBERS, BRINGING TOGETHER LANDLORDS AND LOW-INCOME RENTERS AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPERS TO DEVELOP A SOLUTION.

WE KNOW THAT WE HAD KNOW THAT WE HAVE CHALLENGES WITH REGARD TO GROWTH.

WE NEED THOUSANDS MORE HOUSING UNITS, WHICH IS WHY I'M ASKING THE CITY COUNCIL TO PASS AN EXEMPTION FOR NEW HOUSING CONSTRUCTION AND WE ALSO KNOW WE HAVE CHALLENGES AROUND EQUITY, THAT WE HAVE CHILDREN IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS WHO MOVE FIFE AND SIX TIMES IN A SCHOOL YEAR BECAUSE THAT'S HOW MANY TIMES THEY'RE MOVING.

WE LOST FIVE PEOPLE IN ST. PAUL LAST WINTER JUST BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE A WARM PLACE TO SLEEP.

THAT IS SOMETHING WE CAN'T ACCEPT.

THIS IS WHY WE HAVE TO MOVE FORWARD ON THIS AND WE'RE COMMITTED TO FINDING THE RIGHT ANSWER, THE RIGHT POLICY MIX THAT CAN HELP US.

>> Eric: WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THE GUARANTEE INCOME PILOT THAT YOU HAVE.

I'M KIND OF INTERESTED IN THE REPARATIONS FOR BLACK RESIDENTS.

THERE'S A COMMISSION THAT HAS SOME RECOMMENDATIONS UNDER CONSIDERATION.

CAN FEDERAL MONEY BE USED FOR A REPARATIONS PROGRAM?

I SUPPOSE THAT DEPENDS ON HOW WE END UP MOVING FORWARD.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS WE GET FROM THAT GROUP.

WE DON'T HAVE THOSE CONCLUSIONS YET.

WE DON'T HAVE A PROGRAM WRITTEN UP.

SO THERE'S NOT REALLY A WAY TO SAY WHETHER FEDERAL MONEY WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR THAT OR NOT BECAUSE WE'RE STILL IN THE PROCESS OF CRAFTING IT.

I THINK IT'LL BE A GOOD COMPLEMENT TO OUR GUARANTEED INCOME WORK THAT YOU DESCRIBED.

OUR COLLEGE-BOUND ST. PAUL INITIATIVE THAT WE'VE LAUNCHED TO START EVERY CHILD BORN IN OUR CITY WITH A $50 IN A SAVINGS ACCOUNT.

OUR DEPARTMENT WHOSE GOAL IS TO BUILD THE ECONOMICS OF THIS CITY BY HELPING TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY CHILD, EVERY FAMILY CAN ACHIEVE THEIR FULL ECONOMIC POTENTIAL.

SO MORE TO COME.

GLEF APPRECIATE YOU COMING, MAYOR.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME ON.

>> Eric: YOU BET.

>> ERIC: HANG TIGHT.

UP NEXT, ANOTHER MAYORAL CHAT.

EMILY LARSON OF DULUTH WILL BE OUR GUEST.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

♪ ♪ >> CATHY: MAYOR EMILY LARSON PRESENTED HER PROPOSED BUDGET TO THE DULUTH CITY COUNCIL THIS WEEK.

SHE JOINS US TO TALK ABOUT TAXES, MASK MANDATES, AND WHAT HELP STATE BONDING MONEY MAY PROVIDE HER CITY.

AGREED TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

WELCOME BACK.

>> THANK YOU.

SO GREAT TO BE HERE.

>> Cathy: I UNDERSTAND THAT IN THE GOVERNOR'S BONDING REQUEST, BONDING PLAN, THERE IS MONEY FOR SPIRIT MOUNTAIN, THE SKI AREA OUTSIDE OF DULUTH.

BOY, THAT HAS BEEN AN AREA THAT HAS LONG HAD SOME PROBLEMS.

WHAT ARE YOU HOPING FOR WITH THIS MONEY?

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY TRUE, CATHY.

I'M SO EXCITED.

VERY GREAFTFUL THAT THE GOVERNOR RECOGNIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF STATE BONDING TO THIS REGIONAL ASSET.

THE SPIRIT MOUNTAIN WAS CREATED BY ENABLING LEGISLATION IN 1973.

BY THE MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE.

65% OF USERS ARE FROM MINNESOTA.

BUT NOT FROM DULUTH.

ONLY 20% OF USERS ARE FROM DULUTH.

IT IS AN INCREDIBLE ASSET, ONE OF THE FEW GOLD IDE MOUNTAIN BIKE FACILITIES ON THE PLANET.

WE JUST HAD OLYMPIC LEVEL SKIERS ON THE NEW NORDIC SYSTEM THERE.

SO VERY EXCITING THAT WE ARE IN THE BONDING PROPOSAL.

VERY HAPPY THAT THAT RECOMMENDATION TO PROCEED WITH THIS PROPOSAL, A $24 MILLION INVESTMENT, 12 MILLION OF WHICH WOULD COME THROUGH THE GOVERNOR AND POTENTIAL BONDING THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE, THAT WAS THE NUMBER ONE RECOMMENDATION FROM A TASK FORCE THAT CONVENED ON SPIRIT MOUNTAIN.

AGAIN, PRIOR TO THAT, IT HAD BEEN YEAR TO YEAR, HOW ARE WE GOING TO PATCH THIS TOGETHER?

WHAT IS IT THAT WE'RE DOING?

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS, WE ARE FINISHING THE SEASON WELL AND READY TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> Eric: HOUSING, DULUTH IS A HOT HOUSING MARKET.

AND IT'S -- ARE YOU LOOKING AT RENT CONTROL STUFF?

OR ARE YOU LOOKING AT FEDERAL AND STATE MONEY TO HELP YOU OUT?

WHAT'S THE LAN?

>> WE ARE NOT LOOKING AT RENT CONTROL.

WE ARE USING A THIRD OF THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDS TO INVEST IN HOUSING.

WE ARE JUST LAUNCHED AND ANNOUNCED A HOUSING TRUST FUND THAT WE HOPE O LEVERAGE ABOUT $8 MILLION ALL TOLD, THAT WOULD BE ABOUT $26 MILLION INVESTED IN HOUSING.

ABSOLUTELY WEIGHTED TOWARDS AFFORDABILITY.

WE ACTUALLY ANTICIPATE BRINGING FORWARD SOME OF THE FIRST PROPOSALS TO MEET THAT A.R.P.

FUNDING AND SUBSIDY TO MEET AFFORDABILITY GOALS IN THE NEXT FEW COUNCIL MEETINGS, REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IT.

BUT IN THE LAST FOUR TO FIVE YEARS, WE'VE BROUGHT ON 1700 NEW UNITS OF HOUSING FOR CITY OF OUR SIZE, 86,000, THAT'S SIGNIFICANT.

WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

MUCH, MUCH, MUCH MORE TO DO.

WE ALSO ARE WORKING ON THE WARMING CENTER TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE YEAR-ROUND SAFE PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO BE FOR WARMTH AND EXPANDING SHELTER.

>> Cathy: DULUTH HAS LONG HAD BAD ROADS.

[ Laughter ] AND I KNOW THAT FOR A FACT.

HOW ARE YOU DOING ON INFRASTRUCTURE AND MAKING THOSE REPAIRS?

>> I'M SO EXCITED TO TALK ABOUT THIS.

SO A FEW YEARS AGO, WE PASSED A SELF-TAX, A SALES TAX, HALF PERCENT DEDICATED FULLY TO STREETS.

PRIOR O THAT, WE HAD REALLY PATCHED WHAT THE FUNDING WAS FOR STREETS, GETTING JUST A FEW MILES DONE EVERY YEAR.

WE ARE GETTING 27 MILES OF ROAD DONE.

WE ARE REALLY SEEING HUGE INVESTMENT PAYING OFF THERE.

AND I THANK THE VOTERS WHO CHOSE THAT PATH FOR US TO DO.

IT DID HAVE TO BE RATIFIED BY THE LEGISLATURE.

BUT WE ARE GETTING MORE MILEAGE DONE THAN HAS EVER BEEN DONE IN THE CITY OF DULUTH, AND YOU ARE RIGHT, WE HAVE A LOT OF MILEAGE THAT NEEDS TO GET DONE.

SO WE ARE JUST GETTING STARTED BUT IT'S TREMENDOUSLY EXCITING, AND WE DO PAIR THAT WITH THE FEDERAL PROJECTS, WITH, YOU KNOW, COUNTY AND STATE PROJECTS.

WE HAVE THE BIG CAN OF WORMS HIGHWAY PROJECT UNDER WAY.

THAT'S ABOUT $300 MILLION.

SO A TON OF INVESTMENT HAPPENING RIGHT NOW IN THE CITY OF DULUTH.

AND IT'S JUST A REALLY EXCITING TIME FOR US.

>> Eric: THERE ARE BIG PLANS TO RENOVATE THE HISTORIC DULUTH RMORY AND I'M WONDERING IF THAT'S GOING TO PROVIDE TOO MUCH COMPETITION FOR EXISTING VENUES.

>> YOU KNOW, I ACTUALLY DON'T THINK SO.

WE ARE SEEING SUCH TREMENDOUS INTEREST IN THIS COMMUNITY.

BOTH FROM WITHIN.

WE ARE EXTREMELY CREATIVE ECONOMY.

WE GENERATE MORE THAN $40 MILLION JUST IN CREATIVE ECONOMY ALONE.

WE HAVE A NEW AND EXPANDED FILM INCENTIVE THAT IS DRAWING NATIONAL ATTENTION.

WE HAVE A NATIONAL ARTS CELEBRATION CALLED "CATALYST FESTIVAL" THAT HAPPENS EVERY YEAR.

SO IN TERMS OF VENUE AND CREATIVITY, THERE IS A HUGE AMOUNT OF DEPTH.

WE'RE ALSO SEEING INCREDIBLE EXPANSION AND INVESTMENT IN THE CITY OF DULUTH.

WE HAVE WELL OVER 7,000 PERMITS GOING OUT THE DOOR EVERY YEAR.

THIS YEAR IS OUR HIGHEST CONSTRUCTION PERIOD.

$560 MILLION WORTH OF CONSTRUCTION IN THE CITY OF DULUTH ALONE.

SO THERE'S ROOM TO GROW.

WE'RE GROWING AS A POPULATION.

BUT WE'RE ALSO GROWING IN OUR DEPTH AND THE COMPLEXITY.

PRODUCTS WE'RE BRINGING ONLINE.

>> Cathy: SO NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA, MAYOR, HAS HIGH COVID NUMBERS.

AND I KNOW YOU KNOW THAT.

CITY COUNCIL IN DLIEWTSD TURNED DOWN A MASK MANDATE.

YOU STEPPED IN AND IMPLEMENTED A MASK MANDATE ON YOUR OWN.

DID YOU DO SO WITH SOME POLITICAL TREPIDATION?

>> NO.

I DIDN'T.

BECAUSE IT WAS SO CLEARLY THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

I UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS POLITICALLY TRICKY IN SOME CASES.

HOWEVER, WE HAVE HIGH ATES.

WE HAVE AN EXHAUSTED COMMUNITY.

OUR LARGEST EMPLOYERS ARE HOSPITALS.

THEY HAVE BEGGED US AND ASKED US TO DO ALL THAT WE CAN TO SUPPORT THEM SO THEY CAN SUPPORT US.

AND F WE HAVE TO GO IN THERE, WE HAVE HAD A MASK MANDATE IN PLACE FOR OUR OWN STAFF AND OUR OWN FACILITIES.

IT WAS NOT POLITICALLY DIFFERENT OR DIFFICULT.

IT WAS VERY CLEAR TO ME THAT THIS WAS THE DIRECTION WE NEEDED TO GO.

THE COUNCIL HAD CHOSEN THEIR OWN PATH PREVIOUSLY.

THAT DIDN'T WORK OUT.

WE DID DO THE DILIGENCE WE NEEDED TO REACH OUT TO OUR PARTNERS, THE STATE, THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AND THEN WE JUST PRESSED GO AND -- >> Eric: OKAY -- >> AND IT'S GOING.

>> Cathy: ALL RIGHT, MAYOR LARSON, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR JOINING US.

♪ ♪ >> Eric: THE OMICRON SURGE APPEARS TO HAVE PEAKED ON THE EAST COWSES.

BUT HERE IN THE MIDWEST THE NUMBERS ARE STILL GROWING ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO HOSPITALIZATIONS AND DEATH.

DAVID MONTGOMERY HAS BEEN CRUNCHING NUMBERS FOR TWO YEARS NOW.

THIS WEEK HE'S BEEN PAYING ATTENTION TO A NEW SOURCE OF COVID DATA, WASTEWATER.

DAVID, WELCOME BACK, WHAT DOES THE WASTEWATER LEVELS TELL US ABOUT COVID IN MINNESOTA?

>> WELL, IT'S AN INTERESTING -- WE'VE BEEN FOLLOWING THESE NORMAL COVID METRICS LIKE CASE COUNTS AND HOSPITALIZATIONS AN DEATHS FOR TWO YEARS NOW.

BUT JUST IN THE PAST WEEK OR SO, WE INALLY GOT DATA FROM THE MET COUNCIL WHICH HAS BEEN DOING ANALYSIS OF THE WASTEWATER PLANT IN THE TWIN CITIES.

IT TURNS OUT THAT WHEN WE USE THE BATHROOM, IF YOU'VE GOT COVID, LITTLE VIRAL PARTICLES END UP IN OUR WASTE.

AND IF YOU TAKE A SAMPLE AT THE WASTEWATER PLANT, YOU CAN MEASURE WHAT THE CONCENTRATION OF THOSE PARTICLES IS AND COMPARE THAT OVER TIME.

AND IT TURNED OUT THAT THIS ACTUALLY MATCHES UP REALLY CLOSELY TO CASE COUNTS.

BUT IT'S FASTER.

YOU CAN SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH COVID EARLIER BY LOOKING AT THIS WASTEWATER.

ALL THAT LAG TIME TAKES A WHILE.

>> Cathy: SO -- AND THIS IS ACTUALLY A LITTLE MORE PERHAPS ACCURATE AT HIS MOMENT, DAVID, BECAUSE BIG DELAYS IN DATA COLLECTION, IS THAT RIGHT?

>> YEAH, RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE OF THE HUGE SURGE OF NEW COVID TESTS AND CASES THAT EVERYONE'S GOING THROUGH, WE'RE SEEING ABOUT AN AVERAGE DELAY OF ABOUT EIGHT DAYS BETWEEN WHEN PEOPLE TAKE A TEST AND WHEN IT'S FINALLY RELEASED AS PART OF THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH'S DATA.

AND SOMETIMES IT'S EVEN LONGER THAN THAT, 10, 12 DAYS.

WE GOT SOME DATA POSTED THE OTHER DAY FROM JANUARY 3RD, MORE THAN 2,000 CASES THAT WERE FINALLY RELEASED.

SO THIS NORMAL DATA WE'RE RELYING ISN'T VERY USEFUL WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT WHAT HAPPENS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

BUT FORTUNATELY WE'VE GOT THIS WASTEWATER DATA, FOR THE TWIN CITIES METRO, NOT OR THE WHOLE STATE.

IT IS SOME GOOD NEWS.

>> Cathy: WE WANT TO CONTINUE TALKING ABOUT THIS, WHAT'S THE HOLD UP ON THE STATE LEVEL ABOUT THE TESTS?

>> THERE HAVE BEEN SOME ELAYS FROM THE LABS THEMSELVES THAT WERE HIT BY THESE OVERWHELMING DEMAND FOR TESTS WHEN LOTS OF PEOPLE WERE GETTING SICK IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS.

AND THEN ON TOP OF THAT, SOME OF THEIR STAFF WENT OUT WITH COVID.

BUT IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S RECEDING.

RIGHT NOW THE BIG SLOW-DOWN IS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ITSELF.

WHEN THESE LABS SEND IN THESE RESULTS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, THE DEVELOPMENT OF HEALTH THEN GOES THROUGH THAT AND CHECKS THEM, TO MAKE SURE, FOR EXAMPLE, THEY'RE NOT DUPLICATES.

IF I MIGHT HAVE TAKEN THREE TESTS IN ONE SITTING, MAYBE THAT MIGHT COME BACK AS THREE PEOPLE, AND THE PROBLEM IS THAT TAKES TIME.

AND WITH SO MANY CASES RIGHT NOW, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HAS FALLEN BEHIND.

AND NOW IT'S OFTEN TAKING, YOU KNOW, WE'RE USED TO DATA BEING UP TO DATE WITHIN ABOUT A WEEK OR SO AFTER THE SAM BALE DATE.

AND NOW WE'RE SEEING UP TO TWO WEEKS IN SOME CASES.

>> Eric: WHAT DO THE TRENDS LOOK LIKE IN DIFFERENT REGIONS AROUND THE STATE?

>> AGAIN, IT'S REALLY HARD TO SAY WHAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW BECAUSE OF THE DATA LAGS WHICH IS HAPPENING EVERYWHERE.

THE BEST DATA IS IN THE TWIN CITIES WHICH GOT HIT WITH THIS OM KRON SPIKE FIRST.

AND IF YOU LOOK AT THIS WASTEWATER DATA, THE COVID CONCENTRATION OF THE TWIN CITIES METRO, LOOKS LIKE IT PEAKED AROUND JANUARY 10TH OR SO AND STARTED FALLING.

EVENTUALLY WE'LL EXPECT TO SEE CASE COUNTS REFLECT THAT.

BUT WITH ALL THIS LAG WE'LL PROBABLY REALIZE THE CASES HAVE FALLEN LONG AFTER THE CASES HAVE ACTUALLY STARTED FALLING.

>> Cathy: BUT AREN'T HOSPITALIZATIONS AND DEATHS ALSO A LAGGING INDICATOR.

SO CASES MAY BE FALLING, BUT -- >> YEAH, SO THROUGHOUT THIS WHOLE PANDEMIC, CASES HAVE BEEN THE EADING INDICATOR.

HOSPITALIZATION'S A LITTLE SLOWER, AFTER SOME GETS SICK, IT USUALLY TAKES THEM A COUPLE DAYS BEFORE THEY GET SO SICK THAT THEY NEED TO GET HOSPITALIZED AND DEATHS CAN TAKE MANY WEEKS AFTER YOU GET SICK.

HOSPITALIZATIONS RIGHT OW, STATEWIDE, THE STATE IS LAGGING BY ABOUT SIX DAYS OR SO ON AVERAGE.

BUT WHAT WE SHOW SO FAR IS ATZ OF SIX DAYS AGO, HOSPITAL EXPWHAITIONS WERE STILL GOING UP.

OF COURSE, WE WOULD EXPECT, EVEN IF THIS WAVE HAS PEAKED IN THE TWIN CITIES, IT HASN'T PEAKED IN THE REST OF THE STATE.

>> Cathy: SO GIVEN THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT DATA, AND THEN THE MAYO MODEL THAT SHOWS THAT WE MIGHT PEAK NEXT WEEK, ARE THEY KIND OF -- IT LOOKS LIKE THEY'RE KIND OF LINING UP TOGETHER IN A SENSE.

>> RIGHT.

THE GREATER MINNESOTA GENERALLY STARTED SEEING ITS SURGE ABOUT TWO WEEKS AFTER THE METRO HIT ITS.

SO WE SHOULD PROBABLY ROUGHLY - EXPECT THE METRO TO PEAK ABOUT TWO WEEKS AFTER THE TWIN CITIES.

WHICH WOULD MEAN THAT WE COULD SEE THIS DATA WOULD START FALLING ABOUT EXT WEEK.

BUT AGAIN IT MIGHT TAKE US AN EXTRA WEEK OR TWO TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S HAPPENING BECAUSE OF ALL THESE DELAYS.

IT'S HARD TO SAY, IF THE METRO IS GOING DOWN AND THE REST OF STATE'S GOING UP, WHO KNOWS HOW THAT'S GOING TO BALANCE OUT.

COVID DOESN'T HIT EVERYWHERE STATEMENT.

SO FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT COVID IS WHERE THEY ARE, IF YOU'RE IN THE TWIN CITIES, LEVELS ARE STILL VERY HIGH, BUT THEY LOOK LIKE THEY'RE HEADING THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

GREATER MINNESOTA WE DON'T HAVE THIS WASTEWATER DATA IN A PUBLIC FORM.

BUT ALL INDICATIONS ARE THAT INFECTIONS ARE STILL ON THE RISE OUTSIDE UOF THE METRO.

>> Cathy: GOT IT.

YOU DO A GOOD JOB, DAVID MONTGOMERY.

THANK YOU.

>> Eric: THANKS, DAVID.

♪ ♪ >> THIS TIME OF YEAR, WHEN WINTER HAS US IN ITS ICY GRIP, SOME OF US FIND COMFORT AROUND THE FIRE.

OTHERS BELIEVE IT TO BE A KIND OF PENANCE, THAT WE WOULD NEVER KNOW THE WARMTH WITHOUT THE COLD, TRIUMPH WITHOUT LOSS, THAT YOU CAN ONLY LOVE AS DEEPLY AS WE GRIEVE.

I DON'T KNOW.

SOME OF US ACTUALLY LIVE HERE ON PURPOSE.

WE FEEL WHEN YOU FREEZE PARADISE, IT LASTS A LITTLE LONGER.

THE MUFFLED SOFTNESS IN A NEW SNOW, OR THOSE CRISP NIGHTS WHEN THE STARS SEEM TO SIT IN YOUR LAP.

WINTER IS MY BROTHER'S FAVORITE TIME OF YEAR.

WHEN SOMEONE ASKS HIM IF HE EVER WANTS TO GO SOMEWHERE FOR THE WINTER, HE SAYS, "YEAH, I WANT TO GO SOMEWHERE, BUT IT WOULD BE HERE."

SHAKESPEARE WENT AS FAR AS TO COMPARE HIS LOVER TO A SUMMER'S DAY IN HIS "SONNET 18."

"SHALL I COMPARE THEE TO A SUMMER'S DAY?

THOU ART MORE LOVELY AND MORE TEMPERATE.

ROUGH WINDS DO SHAKE THE DARLING BUDS OF MAY.

AND SUMMER'S LEASE HATH ALL TOO SHORT A DATE."

HE GOES ON A BIT TO FURTHER DESCRIBE LOVE IN TEMPERATE ATMOSPHERIC ANOMALIES, AND IT'S A BEAUTIFUL POEM.

BUT I ALWAYS FELT THAT LOVERS FROM THE OTHER END OF THE THERMOMETER SHOULD HAVE VOICE AS WELL, SO I PENNED A MINNESOTA VERSION OF "SONNET 18."

SHALL I COMPARE THEE TO A WINTER'S NIGHT?

THOU ARE MORE PRISTINE AND STILL.

ROUGH WINDS OCTOBER'S LEAVES ALIGHT.

AND WINTER'S HEAT EXACTS ALL TOO GREAT A BILL.

SOMETIMES A COLD STARE, EVEN FROM HEAVEN'S EYE, OR HIDES BEHIND A GREY COUNTENANCE, AND SOMETIMES DRIFTS SUBSIDE FROM AN UNSEASONABLE WARMING STINT.

BUT THY ETERNAL WINTER WILL NOT QUIT ITS STAY, NOR 'LEASE ITS GRIP ON THY POSITION, NOR SHALL SPRING BOAST NEW LIFE IS ON ITS WAY WHEN PAUL DOUGLAS' FORECAST VOWS EXTENSION SO LONG AS WE CAN BREATHE AND EYES CAN SEE THAT BREATH SO LONG YOUR WARM EMBRACE LIVES IN ME, AND BEYOND DEATH.

♪ ♪ >> Cathy: ST. PAUL NATIVE ACTOR AND COMEDIAN LOUIE ANDERSON DIED OF CANCER TODAY AT THE AGE OF 68.

ANDERSON STARTED HIS COMEDY CAREER IN THE 1970S, AND HIS VERY FIRST TELEVISED STAND UP ROUTINE WAS ON KTCA.

TWIN CITIES PBS WORKED WITH ANDERSON ON SEVERAL BROADCAST PROJECTS OVER THE YEARS, INCLUDING A 1986 COMEDY SPECIAL CALLED "LAND O' LOONS."

HERE'S A CLASSIC STAND-UP BIT FROM THAT SHOW.

>> I DON'T LIKE TRAVELING.

I ESPECIALLY DON'T LIKE PLANES.

I DON'T LIKE AIRPORTS.

WORDS THAN THAT, YOU KNOW WHAT I HATE, TAKING PEOPLE TO THE AIRPORT.

THEY ALWAYS TRICK YOU INTO IT.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING TOMORROW?

NOTHING.

[ Laughter ] GOOD, COULD YOU GIVE ME A RIDE TO THE AIRPORT?

WELL, WHAT TIME'S THE FLIGHT LEAVE?

THEY'RE NO LONGER YOUR FRIEND.

WELL, I LEAVE AT 6:00.

I LIKE TO GET THERE AN HOUR EARLY.

SO IF YOU COULD PICK ME UP AT 5:00 A.M., UH -- AND THEY'RE GOING ON VACATION.

YOU DRIVE, GET THERE, THEY'RE OUT IN THE BOULEVARD WITH THE HULA SKIRT ON.

GET IN!

THEY'RE CHEERFUL.

AT LEAST THERE'S NO TRAFFIC.

WELL, THERE WILL BE.

YOU DROP 'EM OFF.

IT'S 5:08.

YOU'RE ALL WOUND UP.

5:08.

WHERE CAN I GO?

YOU PULL INTO A 7-11.

IT'S THE ONLY THING OPEN.

AND THEY'VE BEEN UP ALL NIGHT TOO.

SO -- DRINKING COFFEE, HI, HI, HOW ARE YOU, GOOD.

>> CATHY: NEAL JUSTIN WAS TALKING TODAY TO PEOPLE WHO KNEW LOUIE.

HE'S A MEDIA REPORTER FOR THE: "STAR TRIBUNE."

SAY, NEIL, ALMOST EVERYBODY HAS A LOUIE ANDERSON STORY.

I'M WONDERING THE COMMON THEMES.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

IDENTIFICATION THE COMMON THEME IS THAT LOUIE'S WARM-HEARTED PRESENCE ON STAGE WAS TRUE IN REAL LIFE TOO.

LIKE YOU SAID, IT SEEMS LIKE EVERYBODY HAS A LOUIE STORY.

AND HE TREATED YOU LIKE A BUDDY.

EVERYBODY FEELS LIKE HE WAS THEIR FRIEND.

AND THAT'S RARE WHEN YOU MAKE IT BIG IN HOLLYWOOD LIKE LOUIE DID.

AND HE SHOWED IT BY RETURNING TO MINNESOTA TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

EVEN PLAYING SMALL VENUES, BARS AND TAVERNS IN THE SUBURBS, IN PART TO TRY OUT NEW MATERIAL, BUT ALSO BECAUSE HE WANTED TO STAY CONNECTED TO MINNESOTA.

>> Cathy: YOU KNOW, LIZZ WINSTEAD HAD A REALLY LOVELY TWEET TODAY AND SHE SAID, LOUIE ANDERSON FLEW BACK FROM L.A. TO OPEN FOR ME THE FIRST TIME I WAS I HEAD LINED AS A COMCOMIC.

IT'S TRUE.

I MEAN, HE REALITY WAS THE MINNEAPOLIS COMEDY SCENE.

CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT.

THERE WAS A REALLY INTERESTING GROUP OF COMICS AT ONE POINT THAT WORKS OUT AT MICKEY FINN'S.

>> YEAH, HE GOT STARTED AT MICKEY FINN'S AND IS FIRST MOST IMPORTANT EXPOSURE TO THE REST OF THE COUNTRY WAS "THE TONIGHT SHOW" WITH JOHNNY CARSON IN 1984.

>> Eric: HE JUST KILLED IN THAT.

JOHNNY EVEN COMES OUT OF HIS CHAIR AND GOES OVER TO LOUIE AND GLAND GLAD HANDS WITH HIM A LITTLE BIT.

MUST HAVE BEEN A BIG MOMENT FOR HIM.

>> YOU HAD TO BE ON THE TONIGHT SHOW.

AND THEN IF YOU GOT INVOTED TO COME OVER TO THE COUCH, THAT WAS SORT OF IS A ANOINTED.

THAT WAS A SAINTHOOD.

AND LOUIE GOT THAT INVITATION ON HIS VERY FIRST TIME.

IF YOU LOOK AT ANY GREATEST HITS, THAT FIRST LOUIE APPEARANCE IS ALMOST ALWAYS ON THERE.

WHAT WAS GREAT ABOUT LOUIE WAS EVEN AFTER THAT, HE STAYED CONNECTED TO MINNESOTA.

AND SERVED AS A MENTOR, AS LIZZ SAID AND SO MANY COMICS TODAY.

I'M GLAD YOU SHOWED THAT CLIP FROM KTCA, ONE OF HIS SPECIALS.

THOSE SPECIALS HAD A BIG INFLUENCE ON A LOT OF LOCAL YOUNGSTERS THAT WERE INTERESTED IN COMEDY.

I WAS TALKING TO K.P.

ANDERSON TODAY, WORKING WITH NORM MCDONALD AND D.L.

HUGHLY AND HE REMEMBERS SEEING THOSE SPECIALS ON TPT AND THAT WAS HIS FIRST INTRODUCTION TO COMEDY AND THAT WAS HIS FIRST THOUGHT OF, BOY, I COULD DO THAT.

AND HEN TO HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH LOUIE AFTERWARDS.

YOU KNOW, LIEW YEA WAS A GREAT MENTOR.

I HAD A CHANCE TO GO TO COMEDY CLUBS WITH HIM AND HE WOULD SORT OF WHICH IS PER IN MY EAR DURING THE SHOW, SORT OF OVERING PLAY BY PLAY ANALYSIS AND IT WAS AS EDUCATIONAL AND ENLIGHTENING AS ANY CLASS YOU COULD HAVE ON COMEDY.

>> Eric: HE HAD A WONDERFUL COMEBACK, WON AN EMMY FOR A SHOW ON FX WHERE HE PLAYED WOMAN.

>> YEAH, LOUIE HAD SOME HARD TIMES AFTER THE '80s.

HE HAD A SIT-COM THAT DIDN'T DO VERY WELL.

HE WAS LET GO FROM "FAMILY FEUD."

HE ENDED UP ON A REALLY BAD REALITY SHOW AT ONE POINT.

AND THEN "BASKETS" CAME ALONG AND BASICALLY PLAYED HIS MOM.

HE WON A MMY HIS FIRST YEAR.

AND I WAS ABLE TO BE WITH THEM THROUGH THAT PROCESS AND WATCH THIS COMEBAKST, REALLY, ONE OF THE GREATEST COMEBAKST IN SHOW BUSINESS HISTORY AND HE TREATED IT WITH KINDNESS AND HUMBLENESS AND GRATITUDE.

BUT IT REALLY IS ONE OF THE GREAT SHOW BUSINESS STORIES.

>> Cathy: WHAT WAS HE WORKING ON TOWARD THE END OF HIS LIFE?

>> HE WAS ALWAYS BUILDING A NEW STAND UP ACT.

HE WAS ONE OF THOSE COMICS THAT BELIEVED THAT EVERY YEAR YOU NEED TO START OVER.

AND EVEN THOUGH HE WOULD DO HIS GREATEST HITS HE WAS ALWAYS WORKING ON SOMETHING ELSE.

THE LAST TIME I CHATTED WITH HIM AT LENGTH WAS HE WAS DOING A COUPLE GIGS IN VEGAS, AND HE WAS PREPARING -- THIS WAS DURING THE COVID CRISIS, SO HE WASN'T ON THE ROAD.

BUT HE WAS STILL DOING A FEW GIGS IN VEGAS IN THE HOPES HE WOULD BE HITTING THE ROAD AGAIN.

HE KEPT HIS HEALTH ISSUES TO HIMSELF.

MOST PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF FAMILY DIDN'T REALLY KNOW THAT HE WAS SUFFERING FROM CANCER.

JUST ASSUMED THAT HE WOULD BE BACK ON THE ROAD.

HE TALKED ABOUT DOING MORE TELEVISION.

HE EVEN JOKED WITH ME AT ONE POINT THAT HE'D LOVE TO DO A SPINOFF OF CHRISTINE BASKETS, THE CHARACTER THAT HE PLAYED, AND SADLY, WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO SEE THAT.

>> Cathy: WOW, WHAT A GREAT JOB YOU'VE DONE AND WHAT A FRIEND YOU WERE TO HIM TOO.

THANK YOU, NEIL JUSTIN.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> Eric: THANKS A LOT, NEIL.

♪ ♪ >> Eric: SOMETHING CALLED STARRY STONE WORT IS THE LATEST INVASIVE ALGAE THREATENING MINNESOTA LAKES AND THERE'S AN EFFORT UNDER WAY TO INCREASE BOAT CLEANING TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF STARRY.

JEFF FORESTER DIRECTING THE ADVOCATES THAT'S MADE UP OF LAKE ASSOCIATIONS AND THE LIKE.

JEFF, YOU'RE ARMED WITH A MILLION-DOLLAR GRANT FROM THE LEGISLATURE.

TO CREATE SELF-SERVE BOAT CLEANING STATIONS ON TARGETED LAKES.

TELL US ABOUT THAT EVIDENT AND TELL US ABOUT THE ALGAE.

>> WELL, THE EFFORT IS TO PUT THE EQUIPMENT WHERE BOATERS NEED IT.

IN ORDER TO CLEAN, DRAIN, AND DRY.

WE LOOKED, YOU KNOW, AT RESEARCH, AND IT'S PEOPLE THAT'S MOVING THIS SPECIES AROUND.

AND WE LOOKED AT DATA ON THE EDUCATION EFFORTS, AND PEOPLE UNDERSTAND A.I.S., THEY UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S A THREAT, THEY CARE, AND THEY TAKE SOME OF THE STEPS, BUT NOT ALL OF THEM ALWAYS.

AND RESEARCH FROM MULTIPLE SOURCES POINTS TO THE FACT THAT THEY DON'T HAVE THE TOOLS THEY NEED.

SO, FOR INSTANCE, YOU KNOW, DRY, DRAIN YOUR BOAT, ONE OF THE MOST USED TOOLS ON THESE BOAT CLEANING STATIONS IS THE PLUG WRENCH.

SOME PEOPLE CAN'T GET THEIR PLUGS OUT.

BUT THEY ALSO HAVE WET-DRY VACS, GRABBING TOOLS, SCRAPING TOOLS.

THEY HAVE OVERHEAD AND UNDER CARRIAGE LIGHTS.

SO IT'S A REALLY NICE TOOL AND YOU CAN DO A REALLY GOOD JOB CLEANING YOUR BOAT WITH ONE.

>> Eric: HOW DOES THIS COMPLEMENT THE ON SCREEN INSPECTORS?

>> IT CAN KIND OF RELIEVE THE PRESSURE ON THEM SO PEOPLE CAN SHOW UP FOR THE INSPECTION, YOU KNOW, HAVING GONE THROUGH THEIR BOAT MAYBE ONCE MORE, IT'LL, YOU KNOW, MOSTLY IMPACT PEOPLE LEAVING THE SITE.

WE HAVE STARRY STONE WORT WHICH IS AN INVASIVE ALGAE IN I THINK IT'S 19 LAKES NOW, SO OUR PLAN WAS TO PUT THESE STATIONS AT ACCESSES ON THOSE 19 LAKES TO SHIELD OTHER LAKES.

SO IT'S A LOT ABOUT OUTGOING INSPECTION, WHICH, YOU KNOW, INSPECTORS DON'T NECESSARILY DEAL WITH AS MUCH.

AND, YOU KNOW, AS A WAL YESTERDAY FISHER MAN, I LIKE TO FISH AT NIGHT OFTEN, AND THERE'S NO INSPECTOR THERE, YOU KNOW, AT ALL AT NIGHT.

GLI THE >> Eric: THE CURRENT BOAT CLEANING RATE IS 95%.

>> WE HOPE SO.

I MEAN, THE DATA'S, YOU KNOW, THE 5% IS KIND OF THE VIOLATION RATE AT THE CCESS.

BUT IT'S HIGHER ON THE ROAD.

SO WHEN THEY DO ROADSIDE INSPECTIONS, THEY CAN END UP WITH VIOLATION RATES AS IGH AS 30%.

SO I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT HEN THEY'RE GOING TO A CONTROLLED ACCESS, THEY EED TO HAVE THEIR BOAT CLEANED.

BUT, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THOSE MORE REMOTE ACCESSES, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE ACCESSES WE'RE DEALING WITH, WE HAD TO PLOW TO GET IN TO GET THE EQUIPMENT IN, SO THEY'RE DOWN A DIRT OAD, SO THAT'S KIND OF NICE TO HAVE THE EQUIPMENT IN THOSE PLACES AS WELL.

>> Eric: WHAT'S AT STAKE FOR LAKESTORE PROPERTY OWNERS?

>> I WOULD MAKE THE CASE THAT IT'S NOT JUST LAKESHORE PROPERTY OWNERS.

IT'S ANYONE WHO USES THE LAKE.

STARRY STONE WORT GROWS ANYWHERE FROM 2 TO 25 FEET DEEP.

ITS GROWTH IS -- YOU CANNOT GET BOAT THROUGH IT.

IT CROWDS OUT ALL THE OTHER VEGETATION.

SO IT REALLY IS A BIG PROBLEM.

CORONIS WHICH WAS THE FIRST LAKE IN THE STATE TO GET IT, INVESTED 800 MILLION -- OR $800,000 THE VERY FIRST YEAR TO TRY AND KNOCK IT BACK AND DEAL CAN IT.

AND IT EXPANDED.

AND FOOTPRINT ON THE LAKE.

AND NOW THEY SPEND ABOUT $200,000 A YEAR JUST TRYING TO KEEP IT OUT OF ONE ACCESS, SO KEEP THE ACCESS OPEN SO PEOPLE CAN GET IN AND USE THE LAKE.

>> Eric: YOU'RE BEGUN GOING TO NEED SOME ONGOING FUNDING.

>> PERHAPS A LITTLE BIT.

LAKE ASSOCIATIONS DEAL A LOT WITH AQUATIC PLANT MANAGEMENT IN THE STATE.

WHEN AN INVASIVE SPECIES IS DISCOVERED IN A LAKE, THE D.N.R.

DOESN'T HAVE FUNDING TO MANAGE IT.

SO THAT USUALLY FALLS TO THE LAKE ASSOCIATION.

AND SO THOSE MONIES ARE IMPORTANT AS WE MOVE FORWARD.

THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW CASES, LIKE SYLVIA IN WRIGHT COUNTY WHERE THEY DISCOVERED IT EARLY, THEY HAD A REALLY AGGRESSIVE MONITORING PROGRAM, SO PEOPLE WERE CONSTANTLY LOOKING.

THEY FOUND IT EARLY.

THEY USED A COMBINATION OF HAND PULLING AND CHEMICAL TREATMENTS.

IT'S STILL THERE, BUT IT'S NOT INVASIVE.

SO THERE'S, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN CONTROL IT IF YOU CAN CATCH IT EARLY.

SO THAT KIND OF EARLY DETECTION AND THEN RAPID RESPONSES IS A REALLY IMPORTANT PIECE AND THAT TAKES FUNDING.

>> Eric: JEFF FORESTER, THANKS FOR JOINING US.

ALL THE BEST.

THANKS.

>> IT WAS A PLEASURE TO BE HERE.

AND STAY WARM.

♪ ♪ >> Eric: STATE SENATE REPUBLICANS JUST WRAPPED UP THEIR TOUR OF PROPOSED STATE BONDING PROJECTS.

THIS WEEK, GOVERNOR WALZ RELEASED WHAT WOULD BE A RECORD-SETTING AMOUNT OF CAPITAL INVESTMENTS.

REPORTER MARY LAHAMMER PROVIDES SOME CONTEXT ON THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH'S BIG BONDING BILL.

>> HI, EVERYONE.

>> Mary: HARD HATS ARE ON AND THE BONDING SEASON HAS BEGUN AS THE GOVERNOR UNVEILS HIS PROPOSAL FOR STATE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.

>> THAT'S WHAT A BONDING BILL IS.

IT'S ABOUT OUR PEOPLE.

IT'S ABOUT OUR PEOPLE.

WE TALK ABOUT THE ROADS, THE ROADS MOVE PEOPLE, GOODS, AND IDEAS.

THESE BUILDINGS ARE PLACES WHERE, YES, IT CREATES JOBS, BUT IT'S PLACES WHERE WE TEACH AND WE PLAN FOR THE FUTURE.

IT'S AN EXCITING TIME.

LET'S GO SEE.

>> Mary: PEOPLE MUST BUILD A SUPER MAJORITY AT THE CAPITOL TO BACK THE BILL TO BORROW WHAT'S EXPECTED O AGAIN SURPASS A BILLION DOLLARS OF PROJECT.

>> HOLDING THIS UNDER A BILLION DOESN'T MAKE SENSE ANYMORE.

AND I THINK NOW WHEN THEY SEE THIS, AND AGAIN, IT'S UNDER WHAT OUR -- IT'S RESPONSIBLE.

YOU DON'T MAX YOUR CREDIT CARDS OUT.

>> Mary: BUT REPUBLICANS ARE RELUCTANT FOR NOW TO APPROVE ANOTHER RECORD-SETTING BILLION-DOLLAR BONDING BILL LIKE THEY DID TWO YEARS AGO.

TO HELP FUND PROJECTS LIKE THIS ONE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

>> I GRADUATED FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

WITH A DEGREE IN CHILD PSYCHOLOGY.

AND AMERICAN INDIAN STUDIES.

AND THIS PLACE AND THIS SPACE, I WALK THE HALLS AS A STUDENT HERE.

ALSO HAD MEETINGS WITH MY GRADUATE STUDENT ADVISOR, WHILE SITTING ON THE FLOOR, BECAUSE THERE WASN'T ENOUGH ROOM IN THE OVERCROWDED OFFICE TO BE ABLE TO MEET.

>> YES, AND THE AESTHETICS OF THIS EXTERIOR -- >> Mary: NOW THE U'S INSTITUTE OF CHILD DEVELOPMENT, HOUSED IN A HISTORIC BUILDING IS PRESERVING PARTS OF PAST BUT EXPANDING TO FIT THE FUTURE.

>> WE'RE VERY EXCITED AS YOU MIGHT IMAGINE TO JOIN YOU IN ANNOUNCING OVER $213 MILLION IN BONDING AND INVESTMENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY THROUGH EXACTLY WHAT THE COMMISSIONER, THE GOVERNOR, AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WERE ALKING ABOUT AROUND ASSET PRESERVATION, OR PARTICULARLY IN THIS OCCASION, HIGHER EDUCATION ASSET PRESERVATION I.

>> Mary: THE GOVERNOR'S BONDING BILL IS FOR 2-POINT BILLION DOLLARS FOR LOCAL JOBS AND PROJECTS.

38% IS FOR ASSET PRESERVATION.

21%, INFRASTRUCTURE.

16%, HOUSING.

AND 14% COMMUNITY AND EQUITY.

>> BLACK, NATIVE, AND COMMUNITY OF COLOR-LED ORGANIZATIONS ARE INCLUDED IN OUR BONDING BILL.

AND WE THINK IT'S PRETTY GOOD WORK.

>> Mary: SEEING PROJECTS IN PERSON IS IMPORTANT FOR POLICY MAKERS.

HIGHER EDUCATION OFTEN GETS A LARGE SLICE OF THE FINAL PRODUCT.

AND THE STATE'S FISCAL WATCHDOGS SAY PRESERVING EXISTING ASSETS LIKE THESE IS VITAL AND THE STATE HAS THE DEBT CAPACITY.

>> THIS IS A RECOMMENDATION THAT TAKES CARE OF STATE'S EXISTING ASSETS AND MOVES US FORWARD INTO THE FUTURE.

>> MINNESOTA'S FISCAL STATE IS STRONG.

AS YOU WELL KNOW.

WE HAVE THE CAPACITY TO BE ABLE TO SERVICE OUR BONDS.

AND WE'RE PROPOSING ABOUT $2.7 BILLION IN ALL OF THE BONDING PROPOSALS.

>> THIS WHOLE SIDE OF THE BUILDING IS A COLLABORATIVE STAIR THAT REALLY CONNECTS EVERYBODY, STUDENTS, PATIENTS OR, YOU KNOW, PARENTS AND PATIENTS.

>> LIKE THE GOVERNOR, THIS STUDENT CAME TO THE UNIVERSITY FROM NEBRASKA >> I'M WANTING TO BE A DOCTOR FOR AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER.

AND BECAUSE OF THAT END GOAL AND THAT CAREER GOAL IN MIND, I STARTED MY EDUCATION JOURNEY HERE AT THE UNIVERSITY.

WE HAVE PROFESSORS AND STAFF THAT ARE COMPASSIONATE ABOUT WHAT THEY DO.

AND DELIVER THE BEST EDUCATION.

AND NOW WHAT WE NEED IS JUST A SPACE TO PROVIDE IT IN.

>> THE OUTSIDE OF THE OLD BUILDING NOW WILL BE EXPRESSED ON THE INSIDE.

>> Mary: THERE'S STILL A BACKLOG OF PROJECTS ACROSS THE STATE, OLD AND NEW, UPGRADES TO CODES, AND ACCESSIBILITY.

>> IF YOU DON'T TAKE CARE OF YOUR INFRASTRUCTURE, THE VALUE GOES DOWN, AND THESE ARE ASSETS THAT BELONG TO THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA.

>> Mary: THE GOVERNOR SAYS THIS PROPOSAL DOVE-TAILS AND DOES NOT SUPPLANT THE $7 BILLION OF FEDERAL FRAWLS INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDS ALSO COMING TO THE STATE.

>> THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME PLACES WE NEED SOME ATCHING FUNDS.

OTHERS ARE NOT.

BUT THAT PROPOSAL, COUPLED WITH THE LAST BONDING BILL, AND THIS BONDING BILL, MAKES A HUGE DENT IN THAT BACKLOG.

♪ ♪ >> ERIC: JURY SELECTION BEGAN -- AND FINISHED -- AT THE FEDERAL COURT BUILDING IN DOWNTOWN ST. PAUL THURSDAY.

THREE FORMER MINNEAPOLIS POLICE OFFICERS STAND TRIAL ON FEDERAL CHARGES CONNECTED WITH THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD IN 2020.

THE THREE ALSO AWAIT A STATE TRIAL FOR FLOYD'S DEATH.

THIS TRIAL IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE DEREK CHAUVIN AND KIMBERLY POTTER TRIALS.

THERE IS NO VIDEO FROM THE COURTROOM.

THE JURY IS NOT LIMITED TO HENNEPIN COUNTY, BUT WILL BE DRAWN FROM STATEWIDE.

AND, AS WE MENTIONED, THIS IS IN FEDERAL COURT, NOT STATE COURT.

HERE TO WALK US THROUGH WHAT THESE CHANGES WILL MEAN, TWO LEGAL ANALYSTS WHO HAVE BEEN HELPING US UNDERSTAND POLICE TRIALS FOR MORE THAN A YEAR NOW.

MARK OSLER IS A FORMER FEDERAL PROSECUTOR, NOW A PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS LAW SCHOOL.

SHANNON PRINCE IS A NEW YORK ATTORNEY IN PRIVATE PRACTICE WHO FOLLOWS POLICING TRIALS CLOSELY.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AGAIN.

MARK OSLER, JUDGE MAGNUSON TOOK MATTERS INTO HIS OWN HANDS AND REALLY SPREAD OUT THE JURY SELECTION, A DAY VERSUS TWO WEEKS FOR CHAUVIN.

WHY THE DIFFERENCE?

>> WELL, JUDGE AGNUSON MADE IT CLEAR FROM THE VERY START THAT HE WANTS THIS TRIAL TO O QUICKLY BECAUSE OF THE COVID PANDEMIC.

AND ONE THING THAT WE SAW HAPPEN WAS THAT WHERE, WITH THE CHAUVIN TRIAL, JUDGE CAHILL WAS ALLOWING THE PARTIES TO ASK QUESTIONS, TALK TO EACH JUROR INDIVIDUALLY, JUDGE MAGNUSON TOOK A VERY DIFFERENT APPROACH, HANDLED IT HIMSELF AND DEALT WITH THE JURORS IN TWO GROUPS, TWO LARGE GROUPS INSTEAD.

>> Cathy: MS.

PRINCE, THIS JURY IS NOT VERY DIVERSE.

IT'S GOT MOSTLY ALL WHITE INDIVIDUALS ON IT.

WILL THAT MATTER?

>> ELL, WE KNOW FROM THE KIM POTTER VERDICT THAT A PREDOMINANTLY WHITE JURY CAN CONVICT A WHITE OFFICER OF MISCONDUCT AGAINST A BLACK PERSON.

HOWEVER, WE ARE SEEING A LOT OF QUESTIONING ON THE FACT THAT THIS JURY IS DISPROPORTIONATELY WHITE.

HOWEVER, ON THE OTHER HAND, IT'S NOT TOO DISCRIMINATION DISCRIMINATION PROPORTIONATELY WHITE GIVEN MINNESOTA'S DEMOGRAPHICS.

MINNESOTA IS ABOUT 0% WHITE.

THIS JURY IS ABOUT 88% WHITE.

>> Eric: PROFESSOR OSLER, WHAT DOES THE PROSECUTION HAS TO PROVE IN THE CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATION TRIAL?

>> YEAH, HERE, THEY'RE GOING TO -- THE IVIL RIGHTS VIOLATION THAT'S AT ISSUE IS THAT THE SEIZURE OF THE BODY OF GEORGE FLOYD IS AN UNLAWFUL SEIZURE, WHICH SOUNDS A LITTLE ODD.

AND WHAT THEY'VE CHARGED AGAINST THE DEFENDANTS IS IN THE FIRST INSTANCE, IN COUNT TWO, WHICH REMAINS, THAT THEY DIDN'T INTERVENE TO HELP GEORGE FLOYD.

AND THE THIRD COUNT, WHICH INCLUDES OFFICER -- FORMER OFFICER LANE, THAT THEY DIDN'T PROVIDE ADEQUATE MEDICAL ATTENTION QUICKLY ENOUGH.

AND GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE, BECAUSE HERE WHAT THEY'RE SHOWING ISN'T WHAT SOMEBODY DID BUT WHAT THEY DIDN'T DO.

AND THAT IS GOING TO INVOLVE, FOR EXAMPLE, PROOFS THAT THERE WAS A DUTY FOR THEM TO ACT.

SO THERE'S ADDITIONAL CHALLENGES FOR THE PROSECUTORS HERE.

>> Cathy: THAT THEY HAD A DUTY TO ACT.

BUT, OSH, I'M WONDERING, MS.

PRINCE, A COUPLE OF THESE OFFICERS ON TRIAL WERE ROOKIES.

>> WELL, THEY WERE ROOKIES, THEY WERE JUST DAYS INTO THEIR JOB AND THEY WERE LIKELY TO INVOKE THEIR INEXPERIENCE AS A DEFENSE.

BUT ON THE OTHER HAND, DEREK CHAUVIN ACTUALLY SAID IN HIS STATEMENT FROM WHEN HE PLED GUILTY TO HIS FEDERAL CHARGES THAT OFFICERS ARE TRAINED TO INTERVENE WHEN ANOTHER OFFICER - USES UNREASONABLE FORCE.

AND EX--OFFICER TOU WAS 11 YEARS INTO HIS POLICING CAREER.

>> Eric: PROFESSOR, I THINK JUDGE MAGNUSON TOLD THE PROSPECTIVE JURORS THAT THE CHAUVIN RESULT IS NOT RELEVANT.

BUT HOW ON EARTH WOULD THEY NOT BE ABLE TO KIND OF REFER BACK TO THAT AS THEY CONSIDER THIS CASE?

>> YEAH, I THINK STARTING WITH THE OPENING STATEMENTS ON MONDAY, WE ARE GOING TO BE HEARING ABOUT DEREK CHAUVIN AGAIN.

AND OF COURSE, AS PART OF THE DEFENSE, WHEN THE JUDGE SAID THAT, I DON'T THINK HE'S SAYING THAT NO ONE CAN MENTION IT DURING THE TRIAL, BECAUSE IT'S REALLY DEARIC CHAUVIN'S ACTIONS WERE THE CENTER OF ATTENTION AND THESE WERE SECONDARYSECONDARY PLAYERS AND YOU CAN CERTAINLY BET THAT THEY'RE GOING TO POINT TO CHAUVIN AS THE PERSON TRULY RESPONSIBLE.

>> Cathy: DO YOU EXPECT, MS.

PRINCE, SIMILAR WITNESSES IN THIS TRIAL?

>> WE WILL BE SEEING SOME OF THE SAME WITNESSES.

WE KNOW, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT THE FIREFIGHTER WHO TESTIFIED IN THE CHAUVIN TRIAL WILL BE TESTIFYING IN THIS TRIAL, BUT WE'LL BE SEEING SOME DIFFERENCES IN HOW THOSE WITNESSES PRESENT THEMSELVES.

SO, FOR EXAMPLE, THE FIREFIGHTER TESTIFIED IN HER OFFICIAL UNIFORM.

SHE WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO DO SO IN THIS TRIAL BECAUSE THE JUDGE RULED THAT SHE WASN'T IN HER UNIFORM AT THE SCENE OF THE MURDER.

THE OFFICERS DID NOT PERCEIVE HER TO BE A FIREFIGHTER, SO THE JURY NEEDS TO SEE HER THE WAY THE OFFICERS DID.

ONE DIFFERENCE, THOUGH, IS THAT THE THE GIRL WHO WITNESSED FLOYD FLOYD'S MURDER WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TESTIFY.

IT COULD ELICIT SYMPATHY.

AND THE JUDGE FOUND THAT ARGUMENT COMPELLING.

>> Eric: PROFESSOR, IS IT POSSIBLE THAT DEREK CHAUVIN COULD TESTIFY?

>> IT'S POSSIBLE.

AND IN FACT, IF YOU READ SOME OF THE -- THE PLEA AGREEMENT OF DEREK CHAUVIN, IT DOES SEEM THAT IT WAS CRAFTED IN A WAY THAT WOULD LIMIT THE THINGS THAT DEREK CHAUVIN COULD SAY.

FOR EXAMPLE, IT INCLUDES THIS LANGUAGE.

THE DEFENDANT, WHICH IS CHAUVIN, DID NOT HEAR OFFICER LANE PRESS THE POINT ABOUT TURNING GEORGE FLOYD ON HIS SIDE AND DID HEAR OR OBSERVE OFFICER LANE DO ANYTHING ELSE TO TRY TO GET OFFICER CANE OR THE DEFENDANT OFF MR.

EMPLOYED.

FLOYD.

>> Eric: WELL, MS.

PRINCE, CHAUVIN WOULDN'T HAVE EVEN BEEN ON THE SCENE, I RECOLLECT, IF IT HADN'T BEEN THAT THE ROOKIE OFFICERS WERE HAVING TROUBLE GETTING MR. FLOYD INTO THE CAR, ISN'T THAT CORRECT?

>> ES, THAT'S CORRECT, BUT I DON'T THINK THAT THESE OFFICERS ARE CULPABLE OR CALLING DEREK CHAUVIN TO THE SCENE.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE JUDGE AID ON IF THEY FAILED TO ACT IN ACCORDANCE WITH TRAINING IF THEY IN FACT DID RECEIVE TRAINING THAT THEY HAD A DUTY TO INTERVENE IF THEY SAW AN OFFICER BEHAVING UNREASONABLY.

AND IT'LL BE ABOUT THE DECISIONS THEY MADE IN THE TO MOMENT.

IT IS ENOUGH THAT OFFICER LANE SAID, SHOULD WE TURN THRESHOLD FLOYD ONTO HIS SIDE?

IS IT ATTENDING TO GEORGE FLOYD'S MEDICAL NEEDS RNTLE TO ATTEMPTING TO TAKEN FLOYD FLOYD'S PULSE AND THEN VERBALLY NOTES HE OULDN'T FIND IT.

IT'S GOING TO BE ABOUT WHAT THESE OFFICERS DIDN'T DO AFTER CHAUVIN RRIVED AT THE SCENE.

>> WELL, THINK THERE'S A STRONG CHANCE IS HE VERY LEAST THAT WE'LL SEE KING AND LANE TESTIFY.

THAT THEY ARE THE ROOKIES.

THEY'RE THE ONES WHO HAVE THE MOST TO GAIN BY TESTIFYING.

OFFICER TAO, THERE'S THE QUESTION OF HIS PRIOR DISCIPLINARY HITS AND THE CHANCE OF THAT COMING IN ON CROSS-EXAMINATION, THAT THEY MAY WANT TO AVOID.

>> Cathy: MS.

PRINCE, UNLIKE THE STATE TRIAL, THIS FEDERAL TRIAL IS NOT GOING TO BE TELEVISED.

SO WE'RE KIND OF BACK TO SKETCH ARTISTS AND THAT KIND OF THING, LIKE IN THE OLD DAYS.

I'M WONDERING, WILL THAT MEAN THAT THERE WON'T BE THE ATTENTION PAID TO THIS TRIAL AS WE HAD TO THE OTHERS?

>> I THINK THE WORLD IS WATCHING THIS TRIAL CLOSELY, AND EVEN JUDGE MAGNUSON HAS SAID THAT HE FEELS THERE'S TOO MUCH ATTENTION ON THIS TRIAL.

ONE LEGACY, THOUGH, OF THE DEREK CHAUVIN TRIAL IS IT REIGNITED THE DEBATE ABOUT WHETHER CAMERAS SHOULD BE ALLOWED IN FEDERAL COURT, INCLUDING EVEN IN THE SUPREME COURT.

THE PRESENTATION OF THE CAMERAS IN DEREK CHAUVIN'S STATE TRIAL WAS SEEMED TO BE UNOBTRUSIVE.

IT DIDN'T HINDER THE PROCEEDINGS.

IN CONTRAST, IT ALLOWED FOR TRANSPARENCY, AND IT WAS A MEDIUM OF CIVIC EDUCATION.

SO I THINK THAT WE WILL SEE THE IMPACT OF THAT STATE TRIAL ON THE CONVERSATION ABOUT CAMERAS IN COURTS FOR A GOOD WHILE TO COME.

>> Eric: JUST A QUICK MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION, PROFESSOR.

WHY THE TIMING OF THIS FEDERAL TRIAL FIRST, STATE TRIAL SECOND.

>> OH, IT'S HARD TO TELL.

I MEAN, IT'S ALWAYS PARTLY HAPPENSTANCE.

BUT I THINK THERE'S A SENSE THAT THE -- WITH THE STATE TRIAL, THAT WITH THIS ONE, LETTING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GO FIRST, ALLOWS THAT PERHAPS THERE'LL BE A SENTENCE THAT COULD BE FOLDED INTO THE -- IF THEY COULD THEN PLEAD GUILTY IF THEY'RE CONVICTED TO THE STATE CHARGES AND GET A SENTENCE THAT'LL RUN AT THE SAME TIME.

A CONCURRENT SENTENCE.

>> Eric: ALL RIGHT, THANKS VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

TERRIFIC JOB TONIGHT.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

♪ ♪ >> Cathy: BOY, THAT WAS 1999, WOW.

IT'S MINNESOTA HISTORY TIME.

HERE'S OUR QUESTION FROM LAST WEEK.

IT CONCERNED A WELL-KNOWN MINNESOTAN -- MOST CERTAINLY NOT SEEN HERE -- WHO TOOK PART IN A TRIP TO VISIT AMERICAN TROOPS IN VIETNAM IN 1966.

THE GROUP VISITED HOSPITALS AND BATTLE AREAS, A TWO-WEEK TOUR SPONSORED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

HERE ARE TWO FURTHER HINTS.

THIS MINNESOTAN MADE NEWS IN 1965 THAT CATAPULTED HIM OR HER TO NATIONAL FAME.

AT THE GROUP'S FIRST STOP, THEY HAD DINNER IN A MESS HALL, AND TROOPS WATCHED A FILM THAT THE GROUP HAD BROUGHT WITH THEM.

THE QUESTION IS SIMPLE: WHAT NOTED MINNESOTAN WENT ON A TOUR OF VIETNAM IN NOVEMBER 1966?

AS ALWAYS, WHEN IT COMES TO OUR INDEX FILE QUESTIONS, MANY CALL, BUT FEW ARE CHOSEN.

LET'S START WITH WRONG GUESSES.

>> Cathy: OOSTLED, ROSS, NOT -- OOH, ROSS, NOT QUITE.

THOUGH VICE PRESIDENT HUMPHREY MADE A VISIT TO VIETNAM IN FEBRUARY OF 1966, NOT NOVEMBER.

WE RECEIVED TWO RIGHT ANSWERS TO OUR QUESTION.

DAN FROM NEW HOPE AND GREG FROM NEW PRAGUE.

WE FLIPPED A COIN, AND GREG WON.

>> Cathy: GREAG FROM NEW PRAGUE, YES.

HERE'S A PHOTO OF THE GROUP OF AMERICAN BASEBALL PLAYERS ON THAT VIETNAM TRIP.

THAT IS A HECK OF A PHOTO.

STAN MUSIAL ALSO MADE THE TRIP.

HARMON KILLEBREW IS IN THE MIDDLE WITH THE CAMERA SLUNG ACROSS HIS CHEST.

WONDER WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PHOTOS HE SNAPPED.

DO YOU HAVE A HISTORY QUESTION YOU THINK WE MAY NOT HAVE ASKED?

AFTER ALL THESE YEARS?

LET US KNOW.

SEND YOUR THOUGHTS VIA EMAIL AT ALMANAC@TPT.ORG.

OR CALL OUR VOICEMAIL: 651-229-1430.

WE HAVE ANOTHER ASSSIGNMENT FOR YOU THIS WEEK.

WE HAVE ANOTHER ASSIGNMENT FOR YOU THIS WEEK.

WE KNOW THAT MANY VIEWERS FIND OUR CLOSED CATPIONING SERVICE USEFUL.

IF SO, WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU WITH A LITTLE TESTIMONIAL.

TO DO THAT, YOU CAN EMAIL US AT ALMANAC@TPT.ORG.

OR USE OUR VOICEMAIL AT 651-229-1430.

A NOTE BEFORE WE GO.

A NUMBER OF YOU CONTACTED US LAST WEEK CONFUSED AFTER SPORTS COMMENTATOR LARRY FITZGERALD SAID THAT VIKING QUARTERBACK KIRK COUSINS' CONTRACT HAD BEEN EXTENDED THROUGH 2026.

COUSINS IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONTRACT THROUGH 2022, AND WHILE AN EXTENSION IS STILL POSSIBLE, NO NEW CONTRACT ARRANGEMENT HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED.

WE ONCE AGAIN DIP INTO THE TPT VAULTS SO WE ALL HAVE SOMETHING TO LISTEN TO AS WE ROLL THE CREDITS.

THIS WEEK IN 1980, LEON REDBONE, HE OF THE DISTINCTIVE BEARD AND VOICE, STOPPED BY THE KTCA STUDIOS AND PLAYED A TUNE.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT WEEK.

[ UPBEAT MUSIC ] ♪ ♪ >> ♪ YOU OUGHTA SEE MR. JONES ♪ ♪ WHEN HE RATTLES YOUR BONES ♪ ♪ OLD COLONEL BROWN FOOLIN' 'ROUND LIKE A CLOWN ♪ ♪ MS. VIRGINIA, PAST 83 ♪ ♪ SAID, "I'M FULL O' PEP ♪ ♪ FULL O' PEP ♪ ♪ WATCH YOUR STEP, WATCH YOUR STEP ♪ ♪ ONE-LEGGED JOE ♪ DANCIN' AROUND ON HIS TOE ♪ ♪ THREW AWAY THE CRUTCHES ♪ HOLLERED, "LET HER GO" ♪ ♪ FOR I'M BETTIN' ♪ ♪ HAIL, THE GANG'S ALL HERE ♪ ♪ FOR ALABAMA JUBILEE ♪ ♪ YEAH ♪ ♪ ♪ Captioning by: Paradigm Reporting & Captioning www.paradigmreporting.com >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

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