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

>> ERIC: WE'LL HEAR ABOUT A MINNESOTA-BASED AID ORGANIZATION WITH A RAPID RESPONSE TEAM ON THE POLISH-UKRAINIAN BORDER.

KAOMI LEE WILL SHOW US A THEATER IN NEW LONDON THAT IS BRINGING ART AND PERFORMANCE TO THAT COMMUNITY.

AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT A NEW FILM FOCUSING ATTENTION ON MURDERED AND MISSING INDIGENIOUS WOMEN.

ALL THAT AND THE WEEK'S POLITICS TOO.

THAT'S ALL NEXT 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/LINE3US.

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.

>> ERIC: LATER IN THE HOUR WE'LL TALK ABOUT THE RETIREMENT OF STATE SENATOR TOM BAKK.

WE'LL PREVIEW A NATIONAL FILM ABOUT MURDERED AND MISSING INDIGENOUS WOMEN.

AND PAUL DOUGLAS WILL STOP BY TO TALK ABOUT OUR EMERGING SPRING-LIKE WEATHER.

>> CATHY: BUT FIRST UP IN THE HOUR, THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN UKRAINE.

THE UNITED NATIONS NOW SAYS THAT MORE THAN THREE MILLION REFUGEES HAVE LEFT UKRAINE IN THE PAST THREE WEEKS.

MANY OF THEM HAVE GONE WEST TO POLAND.

WITH MOST MEN STAYING BEHIND TO FIGHT, NEARLY ALL OF THE REFUGEES ARE WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

ONE OF THE ORGANIZATIONS ON THE GROUND NEAR THE POLISH BORDER IS ALIGHT, A MINNESOTA-BASED REFUGEE AID ORGANIZATION.

ALIGHT RECENTLY SENT A RAPID RESPONSE TEAM TO THE AREA.

ALLISA JORDAN IS PART OF THAT GROUP.

SHE JOINS US TONIGHT FROM POLAND.

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Cathy: WHAT ARE CONDITIONS LIKE ON THE GROUND IN POLAND?

>> IN POLAND, WE'VE SEEN OVER TWO MILLION PEOPLE CROSSING THE BORDER.

OUR TEAM HAS BEEN HERE SINCE THE END OF FEBRUARY ALREADY, AT ONE OF THE BUSIEST CROSSING POINTS, AND WE'RE SEEING OVERWHELMINGLY WOMEN AND CHILDREN CROSSING.

THEY'RE DISTRESSED, THEY'VE COME FROM A TRAUMATIC SITUATION, AND THE NEED IS VERY GREAT.

>> Eric: YOUR OTTO IS DO THE DOABLE.

AND I WONDER WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE FOR ALIGHT IN POLAND?

>> IT LOOKS VERY DIFFERENT EVERY DAY, ESPECIALLY GIVEN AN EVER-CHANGING EMERGENCY CONTEXT.

SO SOME DAYS IT MEANS THAT WE ARE GIVING OUT ITEMS TO HELP PEOPLE STAY WARM, HATS, BLANKETS, SCARVES, MITTENS, GLOVES, BUT OTHER DAYS IT CAN LOOK COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.

YESTERDAY OUR TEAM ACTUALLY COORDINATED A GROUP OF SIX ETHIOPIANS HELPING GET THEM SAFE PASSAGE OUTSIDE OF UKRAINE, OUTSIDE OF THE WAR ZONE, AND INTO POLAND.

AND WE'RE NOW WORKING WITH THEM ON SEEKING ASYLUM.

WE'RE OING THE SAME FOR A GROUP OF AFGHANS AND CAMEROONIANS AS WELL.

DOING THE DOABLE TO US IS REALLY JUST ABOUT PAYING ATTENTION TO THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS AND DOING WHAT WE CAN WHEREVER WE CAN TO HELP.

>> Cathy: DO THE AJORITY OF REFUGEES THINK THAT THEY'RE GOING TO GO BACK HOME?

AND DOES IT ACTUALLY WORK OUT THAT WAY, IN YOUR EXPERIENCE?

>> WELL, THIS IS A VERY DIFFERENT SITUATION, AND, UNFORTUNATELY, IT DOES NOT LOOK LIKE THAT MAY BE HAPPENING SOON.

CERTAINLY FAMILIES ARE HOPING THAT THEY'LL BE ABLE TO RETURN HOME SOON, AND THAT IS WHY WE ARE SEEING SO MANY COME TO POLAND AND STAY IN POLAND, INSTEAD OF GOING FURTHER AFIELD.

IT'S A COUNTRY THAT'S CLOSER TO HOME AND MORE FAMILIAR FOR MANY UKRANIANS.

HOWEVER, AS LONG AS THE CONFLICT CONTINUES, WE WILL NEED TO KEEP SUPPORTING THE POLISH COMMUNITY IN ORDER TO CONTINUE SUPPORTING REFUGEE FAMILIES THAT ARE ARRIVING HERE.

>> Eric: I'M GUESSING IT'S A LITTLE CHAOTIC OP THE RELIEF SIDE WITH SO MANY GENCIES WANTING TO HELP.

I KNOW THAT YOUR GROUP HAS BEEN ABLE TO KIND OF COORDINATE AND GET SYSTEMS GOING AND SO FORTH.

HAS THAT BEEN A CHALLENGE?

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY.

IT'S OVERWHELMING THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT WANT TO HELP AND RESPOND.

AND WHAT WE'RE SEEING HERE IS SO MANY VOLUNTEERS ALSO FROM POLAND AND ACTUALLY VOLUNTEERS FROM POLAND WHERE SOME OF -- WERE SOME OF THE FIRST PEOPLE THAT WERE ON THE FRONT LINES BEFORE EVEN ORGANIZATIONS LIKE OURS.

SO WHAT WE'RE DOING WITH DOING THE DOABLE IS REALLY COMING ALONGSIDE THEM TO AMPLIFY THE WORK THAT THEY'RE ALREADY DOING AND REALLY HELP TO KIND OF CREATE THOSE SYSTEMS AND ORGANIZE A BIT TO BE ABLE TO RESPOND TO THE NEEDS THAT WE'RE SEEING AS PEOPLE CROSS.

>> Cathy: YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TALKED TO, IN THE PAST, FOLKS FROM ALIGHT AS THEY DID THEIR WORK IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD.

AS YOU SAY, THIS IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT.

ARE YOU HELPING WITH SHELTER AS WELL?

IN THOSE PHOTOGRAPHS YOU JUST SHOWED THERE, I DON'T SEE WHAT I WOULD PRESUME TO BE SHELTER FOR FOLKS.

WHERE ARE THEY GOING?

>> RIGHT.

WE ARE NOT HELPING WITH SHELTER IN THIS CASE, IN THE WAY THAT WE USUALLY WOULD IN SUCH CONTEXT.

IT IS A VERY DIFFERENT SITUATION.

MOST FOLKS ARE GOING -- MANY ARE ACTUALLY GOING STRAIGHT TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS THAT THEY HAVE WITHIN THE COUNTRY R, YOU KNOW, FURTHER INTO EUROPE AS WELL.

BUT MANY ARE STAYING AT RECEPTION CENTERS, AND MANY ARE LOOKING FOR THEIR NEXT SOLUTION FOR HOUSING.

SOME ARE STAYING IN TEMPORARY HOUSING UNTIL THEY FIGURE OUT LONGER TERM.

KIND OF SEE HOW THE SITUATION DEVELOPS.

SO WE ARE OOKING TO PROVIDE HOUSING RESOURCES BECAUSE WE'RE SEEING THAT THAT IS A VERY BIG GAP IN THE SITUATION.

THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE ARRIVING THAT JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT THEIR NEXT STEP MAY BE.

>> Cathy: BECAUSE OF THIS SITUATION, ARE THE REFUGEES, BECAUSE MANY ARE WOMEN, ARE THEY OPEN THEN TO EXPLOITATION?

DO YOU WORRY ABOUT THAT?

HOW DO YOU HELP THEM?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

PROTECTION IS SOMETHING THAT ALIGHT HAS A LOT OF EXPERIENCE IN AND THAT WE'VE BEEN KEEPING AN EYE ON FROM THE VERY BEGINNING OF THIS RESPONSE.

AS YOU MENTION, WITH SO MANY WOMEN ND CHILDREN CROSSING WITHOUT MEN, WITHOUT THE STRUCTURE OF THE FAMILY THAT THEY'RE USED TO KIND OF MOVING WITH, WE DO SEE THAT THAT'S A VERY VULNERABLE POPULATION.

AND AS MUCH AS PEOPLE HAVE THE BEST OF INTENTIONS, EXPLOITATION IS POSSIBLE IN SITUATIONS LIKE THIS.

SO THE WAYS THAT WE'RE HELPING IS TO BOTH EQUIP THE VOLUNTEERS THAT ARE SERVING AT THESE BORDER CROSSINGS AND RECEPTION POINTS WITH SOME BASIC PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST AID AND PROTECTION KNOW-HOW AS WELL.

SO WE ARE KIND OF HELPING THEM TO GET EQUIPPED WITH PROTECTION SERVICES AND UNDERSTAND WAYS THAT WE CAN BE HELPING AND WE'RE LOOKING MORE AND LONGER TERM AS WELL, HOW WE MIGHT PROVIDE MORE PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT TO THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN THAT WE SEE CROSSING.

>> Cathy: WE APPRECIATE YOUR WORK.

WE KNOW YOU'RE PROBABLY VERY TIRED.

IT'S ABOUT, WHAT, MIDNIGHT OR 1:00 IN THE MORNING RIGHT NOW IN POLAND.

SO THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> Eric: ALL THE BEST.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

♪♪ >> ERIC: ON SUNDAY MORNING THE WEATHER CALENDAR TEARS OFF A PAGE, AND WINTER TURNS TO SPRING.

IT'S A PERFECT TIME TO ASSESS WHAT TYPE OF WINTER WE'VE HAD.

HERE TO DO THAT IS PAUL DOUGLAS.

PAUL WEARS MANY HATS IN ADDITION TO HIS JAUNTY "ALMANAC" CAP, "STAR TRIBUNE" COLUMNIST, WCCO RADIO HOST, AERIS WEATHER EXECUTIVE.

CONGRATULATIONS ON ALL THAT.

>> THANK YOU, YEAH.

>> Eric: THIS FIRST QUESTION IS SO DETAILED, I'VE WRITTEN IT DOWN.

DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH DATA TO REVIEW WITH THE HELP OF 21st CENTURY ECHNOLOGY THE WINTER THAT WAS?

>> I DO.

>> Eric: LET'S DO IT.

>> I DO.

AND I'M GLAD YOU ASKED THAT QUESTION.

>> Eric: THANK YOU.

>> BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE WONDERING.

IT WAS A REAL WINTER.

IT WAS A TOUGH WINTER, BY RECENT STANDARDS.

THE WINTERS HAVE BEEN TRENDING MILDER.

THIS IS Y DRIVEWAY SUNDAY MORNING.

MAN, THERE'S A GLACIER FORMING.

AND MOST OF THAT HAS ALREADY MELTED.

BECAUSE THE SUN ANGLE NOW, THE SUN IS AS HIGH IN THE SKY AS IT WAS BACK IN LATE SEPTEMBER.

BUT TO YOUR POINT, ERIC, THREE DEGREES COLDER IN THE TWIN CITIES, COLDEST SINCE 2014.

SO THE COLDEST WINTER IN EIGHT YEARS.

AND IN ADDITION, IT WAS 10 INCHES SNOWIER THAN AVERAGE.

>> Cathy: REALLY?

REALLY?

>> FOR THE METRO AND MOST OF CENTRAL AND NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

SO THE SNOW LOVERS ARE HAPPY.

27 SUBZERO NIGHTS.

AVERAGE IS ABOUT 23.

SO A FEW MORE NIGHTS BELOW ZERO THAN AVERAGE.

THE BIG STORY, AT LEAST FOR ME, CRAZY WINDS.

I MEAN, AND KENNY BLUMENFELD, PROFESSOR, SENIOR CLIMATOLOGIST AT THE MINNESOTA DNR, HE TOLD ME TODAY, 46 DAYS THIS WINTER WITH WINDS GUSTING OVER 30 MILES AN HOUR.

>> Cathy: GET OUT.

>> AND THAT, HE SAID, SMASHES THE PREVIOUS RECORDS.

NOW, THE DATA ONLY GOES BACK ABOUT 9 YEARS WITH THE AN MOM METER, THE WIND MACHINE THAT THEY'RE USING RIGHT NOW.

BUT JUST WILD WINDS WITH THIS PARADE OF CLIPPERS THAT CAME THROUGH.

SO THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT REALLY STOOD OUT.

AND, YEAH, IT WAS A PRETTY GOOD WINTER FOR SNOW LOVERS.

WE HAD ABOUT 47 INCHES TO DATE, LESS OVER FAR SOUTHERN MINNESOTA, AMPLE SNOW UP NORTH, MARQUETTE, ABOUT 175.

THERE'S THE DEVIATION FROM AVERAGE.

SO ABOUT THREE INCHES SNOWIER THAN AVERAGE IN THE METRO.

FIVE NCHES SNOWIER THAN AVERAGE IN St.

CLOUD.

SIX INCHES MORE THAN NORMAL UP IN DULUTH.

QUITE A BIT LESS JUST TO THE SOUTH AND EAST.

LA CROSSE, EAU CLAIRE.

AND THE SNOW IS GOING FAST.

MUDDY MARCH MELTDOWN MADNESS, OFFICIALLY A TRACE OF DIRTY SNOW AT THE AIRPORT AT MSP INTERNATIONAL.

PLENTY OF SNOW CENTRAL AND NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

BUT IT'S MELTING GRADUALLY.

AND THAT'S GOOD NEWS FOR THE FLOOD THREAT.

ACCORDING TO NOAA, EVERYTHING IN YELLOW, JUST A SLIGHT RISK OF RIVER FLOODING.

THE REAL CONCERN IS RED RIVER VALLEY, AGAIN, UP TOWARDS FARGO AND MOORHEAD COULD BE SOME BAD SITUATIONS, ESPECIALLY IF WE GET HEAVY RAIN IN THE COMING WEEKS.

EVERYTHING IN BROWN, THE DROUGHT IS EXPECTED TO GET WORSE, TO PERSIST OR WORSEN.

>> Eric: WOW.

>> MOST OF MINNESOTA, INCLUDING NORTHERN MINNESOTA AND MUCH OF WISCONSIN, THE DROUGHT IS FORECAST TO EASE BETWEEN NOW AND LATE JUNE.

SO FINGERS CROSSED THAT MAYBE WE WON'T HAVE TO BE TALKING ABOUT THE D WORD.

LA NIÑA, THE COOL PHASE OF THE PACIFIC, WE THOUGHT IT WAS FADING, WE THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BECOME NEUTRAL, BUT THE LA NIÑA IS HANGING ON.

WHAT THAT MEANS IS THAT IT MAY NOT BE A FAST FORWARD SPRING.

60° ON SUNDAY.

WE ALL WANT WARMTH.

BUT IT MAY BE SOMETHING OF AN ABBORERATION.

SPRING MAY TAKE ITS SWEET OLD TIME.

AND A FEW MORE SLUSHY ADVENTURES.

EVEN BY THE IDDLE OF NEXT WEEK, THE MODEL IS HINTING AT SLUSHY SNOW.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE MORE ACTIVE WEATHER SEASON, POSSIBLY A TORNADO SEASON.

WE'VE BEEN LET OFF PRETTY EASY IN RECENT YEARS.

BUT BECAUSE THE COLD IS LINGERING LONGER, I THINK THAT COULD SET THE STAGE FOR A COMBUSTIBLE WEATHER ATTERN.

AND MAYBE A BUSIER HURRICANE SEASON.

HERE'S MY EXTENDED FORECAST.

FOR THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.

[ Laughter ] >> Cathy: YES.

>> Eric: THAT'S A BAIT AND SWITCH.

>> WELL -- >> Eric: YOU KNOW WHAT?

>> I CAN'T WAIT FOR NEIGHBORS TO START COMPLAINING ABOUT THE HUMIDITY.

>> Cathy: OH, SURE.

>> AND THE BUGS AND THEIR ALLERGIES.

BUT, YEAH, SHORTS AND SMILES ARE COMING.

WE'RE GOING TO GET A NICE TASTE THIS WEEKEND.

SUNDAY HOULD BE FLAWLESS.

60°, LIGHT WINDS.

>> Cathy: HAPPY SPRING TO YOU, BY THE WAY.

>> SUNDAY, YES.

THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: SUNDAY.

SO I'M WONDERING, YOU KNOW, THE WINTER WAS ODD, THOUGH, DO YOU SUPPOSE, WITH THE ROLLER COASTER TEMPERATURES THAT WE'VE SEEN?

IT WAS COLD, YES, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WOULD POP BACK UP, SLAM BACK DOWN 30 DEGREES.

IT WAS REALLY ODD.

>> BECAUSE OF THE PREPONDERANCE OF CLIPPERS.

JANUARY AND FEBRUARY, WE DIDN'T REALLY GET THE BIG BEEFY STORMS COMING UP FROM TEXAS LOADED WITH MOISTURE FROM THE GULF OF MEXICO.

IT WAS A PARADE OF CLIPPERS.

AHEAD OF EVERY CLIPPER IT WOULD WARM UP 20, 30, 40 DEGREES.

BEHIND THE CLIPPER, THESE A LITTLE AT SPHERIC VACUUM CLEANERS SUCK IN COLD AIR AND TEMPERATURES WOULD DROP 20, 30 DEGREES.

SO, YEAH, HE ROLLER COASTER EFFECT WAS EXTRAORDINARY.

AND THAT'S SOMETHING ELSE THAT KENNY BLUMENFELD FROM THE DNR SAID WAS VERY UNUSUAL ABOUT THIS WINTERMENT BUT WE'RE THROUGH THE WORST OF IT.

IT'S ONWARD AND UPWARD.

IT'S GOING TO GET BETTER.

>> Eric: YOU'RE A HERO, THANK YOU.

>> HARDLY.

BUT THANK YOU.

>> Eric: YOU BET OF THE.

>> Eric: YOU BET.

>> ERIC: RURAL COMMUNITIES ARE UNDERGOING A LOT OF CHANGE, AND OFTEN ARTISTS ARE BEHIND IT.

BUT IT'S NOT JUST ART THAT'S BEING MADE.

"ONE GREATER MINNESOTA" REPORTER KAOMI LEE VENTURED TO NEW LONDON IN KANDIYOHI COUNTY AS SHE LOOKS AT WHAT RURAL REVITALIZATION LOOKS LIKE TODAY.

♪ WE GOT A MOJO LIKE THAT ♪ >> ON A RECENT SATURDAY EVENING, PEOPLE GATHERED IN A CENTURY ON OLD THEATER TO MOVE THEIR FEET AND ENJOY THE LIVE MUSIC.

♪♪ >> IT HAPPENED IN NEW LONDON.

IT'S A RURAL COMMUNITY OF LESS THAN 2,000 PEOPLE, HOURS WAY FROM A MAJOR CITY.

BUT ITS THEATER IS THRIVING.

>> I GREW UP GOING TO SCHOOL HERE, STARTED KINDERGARTEN, IN FACT.

>> BETHANY WAS ADOPTED FROM KOREA AND SPENT HER CHILDHOOD IN NEW LONDON.

EVENTUALLY LIFE TOOK HER TO BIGGER PLACES.

>> I ALWAYS NEW I'D BE BACK.

MY ADOPTED FAMILY OWNED PROPERTY THAT HAD BEEN IN THE FAMILY FOR GENERATIONS, SINCE 1868, I BELIEVE.

SO I'M FOURTH GENERATION TO OWN THAT PROPERTY AND TO LIVE THERE.

>> WHEN THE LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL GAVE UP USING AN OLD THEATER IN TOWN, BETHANY SAW AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET INVOLVED.

>> THEY KEPT IT IN REALLY GOOD SHAPE.

THE PAST BOARD MAINTAINED THE BUILDING.

THEY INSTALLED SOME KIND OF SOLAR PANELING IN THE BACK, THEY INSTALLED L.E.D.

LIGHTS.

>> MAJOR REPAIR WORK WAS ONE IN THE '80s.

IT JUST NEEDED SOME NEW ENERGY, LIKE A NEW LOGO WITH A LUNAR MOTH, A STROBE IGHT, AND REMOVING THE OLD THEATER SEATS.

>> WE ARE SITTING IN THE NEW LONDON LITTLE THEATER AUDITORIUM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FLOOR.

THIS IS WHAT I LIKE TO CALL THE DANCE FLOOR.

AT ONE POINT IT USED TO BE THE BASKETBALL COURT.

THE STAGE USED TO BE AN AUCTION HOUSE FOR LIVESTOCK, LIKE WAY WAY BACK.

SO THE BUILDING HAS HISTORY.

IT'S 101 YEARS OLD THIS YEAR.

>> HISTORIC THEATERS ARE DISAPPEARING ACROSS RURAL MINNESOTA.

BUT IT'S PEOPLE LIKE BETHANY THAT'S KEEPING THE LITTLE THEATER HERE IN NEW LONDON ALIVE.

>> THE THEATER, LITTLE THEATRE, HAD ALWAYS BEEN A PLACE FOR COMMUNITY THEATER AND PLAYS, AND THAT REALLY WASN'T MY EXPERTISE.

I'VE DONE PERFORMANCE ART, WHICH IS A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT FORM AND BEEN IN MANY BANDS, RAN A COUPLE MUSIC VENUES WHILE I WAS IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC.

SO WHEN I LOOKED AT THIS SPACE, I THOUGHT, GOSH, YOU COULD DO SO MANY THINGS WITH THE STAGE LIKE THIS, WITH THE LIGHT SYSTEM LIKE THIS.

BUT WE NEED A BAR TO MAKE IT PAY FOR IT ITSELF.

>> THE THEATRE RUNS ON VOLUNTEERS LIKE BETHANY, WHO IS THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR.

VOLUNTEERS EVEN PITCHED IN TO BREAK GLASS FOR THIS MOSAIC BY ARTIST MARIA NOVAK.

BETHANY SAYS IT WAS ALSO IMPORTANT FOR HER TO BE PART OF CHANGE IN NEW LONDON.

>> WITH EVERYTHING GOING ON IN THE WORLD IN LATE 2019 AND 2020, ONE THING GROWING UP HERE, I REALLY FELT WAS THERE WASN'T SPACE FOR BIPoC PEOPLE TO ACTUALLY EXPRESS THE LIVES THEY WERE EXPERIENCING.

>> BETHANY HAS HERSELF BEEN TURNED AWAY FOR PLAYS BECAUSE OF NONINCLUSIVE CASTING.

>> IT BECAME OBVIOUS TO ME, I CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT.

I CAN MAKE A SPACE FOR THINGS LIKE THAT TO HAPPEN.

>> BETHANY'S WORKING TO DIVERSIFY THE PROGRAMMING AT THE LITTLE THEATRE.

SHE'S NOT AFRAID TO GET CREATIVE, LIKE BRINGING IN A BURLESQUE ACT, HAVING AN OPEN MIC OR HOSTING A HAUNTED HOUSE.

>> RURAL PLACES ARE UNDER A LOT OF TRANSITION AND CHANGE.

>> NONPROFITS, SPRINGBOARD FOR THE ARTS, OPENED AN OUTPOST IN FERGUS FALLS A DECADE AGO.

IT WANTED TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF RURAL ARTISTS.

IT RECENTLY OFFERED BETHANY AND OTHERS A $10,000 UNRESTRICTED STIPEND TO HELP SUPPORT THE WORK THEY'RE ALREADY DOING.

THE ARTISTS ALSO RECEIVE MENTORING AND NETWORKING TO OVERCOME SOLATION.

>> WE HAVE REALLY JUST SEEN THE CRITICAL ROLE ARTISTS ARE PLAYING IN THESE RURAL SPACES.

THEY'RE NOT JUST DOING ART FOR THE SAKE OF ART.

THEY ARE HOSTING GATHERINGS THAT PUSH CONVERSATIONS FORWARD THAT HELP DENTIFY SOLUTIONS AND EXPERIMENT WITH NEW IDEAS AND WITH THE WAY THAT RURAL ECONOMIES HAVE CHANGED, YOU KNOW, WE NEED NEW IDEAS TO HELP THESE COMMUNITIES STAY IN TACT.

>> THIS IS THE GREEN ROOM.

>> BESIDES THE THEATRE, BETHANY WEARS A LOT OF OTHER HATS.

SHE WORKS AT THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER.

SHE ALSO SERVES ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION.

ARTS ALLIANCE AND FOOD CO-OP.

>> WHAT DO WE GOT HERE?

>> LOTS OF LUNAR MOTHS.

>> ONE MIGHT SAY BETHANY AND THE THEATRE ARE LIKE MOTHS IN THIS COMMUNITY ART PROJECT, WHERE TOGETHER THEY CAN MAKE SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL.

>> THIS THEATRE IS SUCH A VITAL PART OF KEEPING THIS COMMUNITY ALIVE.

>> I THINK SO.

I THINK WE'RE DOING A LOT TO TRY AND RAISE THE AWARENESS OF HOW ART HELPS COMMUNITY, IN GENERAL, HOW IT CAN BE A WAY TO SOLVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS AND BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER.

♪♪ >> CATHY: EARLIER THIS YEAR, A DIRECTOR WAS NAMED FOR A NEW STATE OFFICE FOCUSED ON MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS WOMEN.

IT'S THE FIRST OFFICE OF ITS TYPE IN THE NATION.

NATIVE AMERICANS MAKE UP ABOUT 10% OF ALL MURDERED GIRLS AND WOMEN IN MINNESOTA, VASTLY MORE THAN ITS SHARE OF THE POPULATION.

TWIN CITIES PBS HAS MADE A FILM TO HIGHLIGHT THIS CRISIS.

"BRING HER HOME" TELLS THE STORY OF THREE INDIGENOUS WOMEN WHO HAVE BEEN FIGHTING TO BRING ATTENTION TO THIS PROBLEM, AND IN THE PROCESS HONORING THEIR RELATIVES.

HERE'S A CLIP FROM THE DOCUMENTARY IN WHICH WE MEET ARTIST ANGELA TWO STARS.

[ Laughter ] >> ARE YOU GOING TO GET UP FOR BREAKFAST?

I SEE YOU HAVE A CHIPOTLE CUP IN YOUR ROOM.

YOU LIKE HAVING ANTS?

>> YEAH.

>> AS AN ARTIST AND A CURATOR, I'M INTERESTED IN ARTWORK THAT HIGHLIGHTS ISSUES IMPACTING THE NATIVE COMMUNITY.

>> THIS IS A PIECE DONE BY JAMES AUDIO, IT'S TITLED "OUT THERE."

IT TOTALLY BROUGHT LIKE A FLASHBACK TO ME OF, LIKE, WATCHING MY DAD WHEN I WAS A KID GO OUT TO LOOK FOR MY GRANDMA, AND WE WERE IN THE CAR, WE WERE DRIVING HOME, AND HE PULLED OFF ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WALKED OUT INTO THE WOODS.

AND I REMEMBER, LIKE, WATCHING MY DAD KIND OF DISAPPEAR INTO THE WOODS, AND I WAS SCARED BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID THAT HE WOULD COME RUNNING BACK OUT AND SAY THAT HE'D FOUND HER BODY.

YOU KNOW?

THAT IS THE ROLE THAT, YOU KNOW, FAMILIES TAKE ON WHEN SOMEONE GOES MISSING IS, YOU KNOW, THEY GO OUT AND SEARCH THEMSELVES.

>> Cathy: HERE TO TALK MORE ABOUT THIS DOCUMENTARY IS LEYA HAIL, THE FILM'S DIRECTOR.

SHE'S A TWIN CITIES PBS PRODUCER AND IS FROM THE SISSETON WAHPETON DAKOTA AND DINE NATIONS.

GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN, REALLY, BEAUTIFUL WORK, REALLY POWERFUL WORK.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: THANKS FOR DOING IT.

TELL ME ABOUT THE PROCESS, YOUR APPROACH.

THREE WOMEN, AN ARTIST, A POLITICIAN AND AN CTIVIST.

YOU COULD HAVE DONE IT ANY DIFFERENT WAY BUT YOU DID IT THIS WAY.

WHY?

>> I CHOSE TO FOLLOW THESE THREE STRONG INDIGENOUS WOMEN THAT HAD A PARTICULAR CONNECTION TO THIS EPIDEMIC, WHETHER THAT BE THROUGH A FAMILY MEMBER OR THEMSELVES, AND I CHOSE TO FOLLOW PERSONAL STORIES TO TRY MY BEST TO CONNECT VIEWERS EMOTIONALLY TO THESE STORIES, YOU KNOW, INSTEAD OF FOCUSING ON, LIKE, DATA AND STATISTICS AND, YOU KNOW, LIKE STORIES THAT MAY NOT RESONATE TOO MUCH BUT WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT PERSONAL STORIES AND OVERCOMING TRAGEDY AND LEARNING, FINDING WAYS TO HEAL FROM IT, I THINK THAT RESONATES A LOT BETTER WITH VIEWERS, ESPECIALLY VICTIMS.

SO THAT'S WHY I CHOSE TO FOCUS ON PERSONAL STORIES.

>> Eric: I LOVE THE QUOTE IN THE DOCUMENTARY, YOU'RE EITHER AT THE TABLE OR ON THE MENU.

AND I THINK PROJECTS LIKE THIS GET YOU A SEAT AT THE TABLE, DON'T YOU THINK?

>> DEFINITELY.

THAT WAS ONE OF MY FAVORITE QUOTES AS WELL.

>> Cathy: TALK A BIT MORE ABOUT ANGELA TWO STARS.

SHE SEEMS REALLY INTERESTING.

>> YES.

SHE IS ALSO -- SHE ALSO COMES FROM THE SISSETON WAHPETON DAKOTA PEOPLE, THE SAME BAND THAT I COME FROM AS WELL.

I WAS REALLY CONNECTED TO HER STORY, PERSONALLY.

I REALLY LIKED HOW SHE UTILIZES ART TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT WE'RE FACING.

AND ALSO TALK ABOUT THE CONNECTION TO HISTORICAL TRAUMA AND BEING REMOVED FROM OUR ANCESTRAL HOMELAND.

SO THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF THAT HISTORY AND THAT CONNECTION OF BEING REMOVED FROM YOUR -- OR DISCONNECTION OF BEING REMOVED FROM YOUR HOMELAND WITHIN THE STORY AS WELL.

SO I DEFINITELY RELATED TO HER STORY.

>> Eric: WHAT CAN BE DONE TO MAKE MEN ACCOUNTABLE?

>> I HOPE THAT WHEN VIEWERS, ESPECIALLY MEN, WATCH THIS, I REALLY WANT THEM TO SEE, I GUESS YOU CAN SAY, THE STRENGTH AND THE IMPORTANCE THAT WE AS WOMEN BRING TO THE TABLE.

I FEEL LIKE A LOT OF OUR TRADITIONAL VALUES, WE HAVE VERY UNIVERSAL VALUES AMONG OUR TRIBAL GROUPS WHERE WE VIEW WOMEN AS BEING REVERENT, WE VIEW THEM AS BEING VERY POWERFUL, INFLUENTIAL LEADERS IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

BUT WITH COLONIZATION COMING AND GENERATIONS OF COLONIALISM THAT KIND OF FLIPPED ON ITS HEAD, AND WE ARE TRYING TO RECLAIM THAT AGAIN.

SO I'M EALLY HOPING THAT MEN WILL SEE THAT AND WILL RESONATE WITH THAT AND WILL CARRY THOSE TRADITIONS THAT WE ONCE HAD, BUT IN TODAY'S SOCIETY AND INCORPORATE THAT INTO OUR EVERYDAY LIVES.

>> Cathy: ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT NATIVE MEN OR ALL MEN, WHITE MEN?

YOU KNOW, WHO ARE THE PERPETRATORS HERE?

>> W -- WHEN I SAY "MEN," I GET I'M TALKING TO ALL MEN BECAUSE, LIKE I SAID, WHEN IT CAME TO LONG AGO, PRECOLONNIZATION, EVEN OUR OWN MEN HAD THIS UNDERSTANDING, BUT IT WAS NON-NATIVE PEOPLE THAT CAME HERE THAT BROUGHT THIS PAY TRIARCHY MENTALITY WITH THEM THAT REALLY HAD AN INFLUENCE AND IMPACT ON OUR PEOPLE.

PA TRIARREST CAN I.

AND I BELIEVE THAT JUST WANTING TO BE A PART OF MAINSTREAM SOCIETY AND WANTING TO FIT IN, A LOT OF OUR TEACHINGS WERE TAKEN AWAY FROM US THROUGH EDUCATION, SUCH AS BOARDING SCHOOLS.

SO I JUST REALLY THINK THAT THIS TOPIC IS UNIVERSAL TO ALL PEOPLE.

>> Cathy: WHAT HAS TO BE DONE TO BRING THESE MEN TO ACCOUNT?

YOU KNOW?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

ALL I CAN DO IS JUST SHARE A WOMAN'S, A NATIVE WOMAN'S PERSPECTIVE, AND HOPING THAT PEOPLE WILL SEE THE STRENGTH AND BEAUTY OF US AND WANT TO TAKE CARE OF US AND PROTECT US.

SO I'M REALLY HOPING THAT SHARING POSITIVE MESSAGES AND UPLIFTING COMMUNITIES WILL HELP PEOPLE SEE THAT.

>> Eric: NOW YOU'RE NO STRANGER TO THIS, BUT THIS HAS A NATIONWIDE VIEWING ON MONDAY.

>> YES.

I'M VERY EXCITED FOR IT.

AND EXCITED TO GET THESE STORIES OUT THERE TO MANY COMMUNITIES AS POSSIBLE.

>> Eric: AND AS WE SAY, CHECK YOUR LOCAL LISTINGS.

>> YES.

>> Eric: FOR THE TIME AND PLACE.

>> Cathy: REALLY PROUD.

THANK YOU.

>> Eric: GREAT STUFF.

THANKS SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU OR HAVING ME.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

>> CATHY: "BRING HER HOME" WILL AIR ON MANY PBS STATIONS NEXT MONDAY NIGHT.

CHECK YOUR LOCAL LISTINGS FOR THE TIME IN YOUR AREA.

WE'LL SWAP OUT GUESTS AND BE RIGHT BACK.

>> RIGHT NOW THE WORLD IS EXPERIENCING A PANDEMIC, SEVERAL HUMANITARIAN CRISES, AND MORE THAN A FEW DIFFERENT FLAVORS OF CATASTROPHE.

IT'S COMPLETELY UNDERSTANDABLE TO SEE ALL OF THIS AND BECOME DOUR, BUT RECENTLY I'VE STARTED TO NOTICE A RECURRING REACTION FROM THOSE AROUND ME.

SMUG SATISFACTION.

A FEW NEGATIVE NELLIES AND PESSIMISTIC PERRYS ARE WATCHING WHAT ARE EASILY THE WORST DAYS OF THIS CENTURY AND ARE APPLAUDING THEIR OWN MISERY.

WHAT'S WORSE IS THAT THEY'RE USING THESE DARK TIMES TO JUSTIFY ANY AGENDA THEY HOLD SACRED.

AND TO THAT I HAVE TO SAY, HOW CONVENIENT FOR YOU.

CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AND OUR COLLECTIVE AGONY.

OUTSIDE OF MARRIAGE, I NEVER KNEW YOU COULD TAKE PAIN AND WIELD IT INTO A TALKING POINT.

I'M NOT GOING TO WASTE MY TIME TALKING TO THOSE THAT CAPITALIZE OFF OF DRAMA.

INSTEAD, I'M GOING TO TALK THE HUMAN BEINGS WHO BELIEVE IN SOMETHING REAL - HOPE.

I KNOW HOPE IS A LITTLE CORNY, AND IT'S REPRESENTED BY A COLOR THAT I DO NOT LOOK GOOD IN, BUT ITS VALUE IS MORE PRESENT NOW THAN EVER.

HOPE DOESN'T ASK YOU TO IGNORE DARK MOMENTS, IT ASKS YOU TO SEE THEM, MAKE SMALL TALK WITH THEM, AND CONTINUE ON YOUR WAY FOR SOMETHING BETTER.

HOPE DEMANDS THAT YOU TRY.

BECAUSE UNLIKE THOSE LAZIER VIRTUES LIKE COMPASSION OR TRUTH, HOPE HAS WORK IN THE MORNING AND CAN'T WAIT AROUND FOR YOU TO BE YOUR BEST SELF.

HOPE REMINDS US THAT IN ORDER TO BE PREPARED FOR THE BEST DAYS OF OUR LIVES, WE NEED TO SLOG THROUGH THE WORST NIGHTS OF OUR LIVES.

SO TO THOSE THAT WOULD SEE THIS TERRIFYING MOMENT WE'RE LIVING IN AND SMILE, I SAY, ENJOY YOURSELF.

BECAUSE BEFORE YOU KNOW IT A BRIGHTER DAY WILL CERTAINLY COME.

♪♪ >> NOW, WE HAVE A SPECIAL INCENTIVE FOR YOU TONIGHT.

OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS, MANY OF YOU HAVE BEEN CALLING TO COMMENT ON ERIC'S SCARF.

YOU LOVE IT OR YOU HATE IT.

OR YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND IT.

WELL, TONIGHT YOU CAN VOTE WITH YOUR MEMBERSHIP.

YUP.

CALL AND WHILE YOU'RE STARTING RENEWING OR UPGRADING YOUR PLEDGE TO PUBLIC TELEVISION, WHISPER TO THE OPERATOR EITHER SAVE THE SCARF OR KILL THE SCARF!

IF WE GET JUST 40 SUCH "KILL" VOTES, IT'S OFF WITH THE SCARF UNTIL FALL.

OTHERWISE ERIC CAN USE HIS GOOD JUDGMENT.

AND YOU KNOW WHAT THAT IS.

AND FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO MAY THINK THIS IS JUST ANOTHER GIMMICK AIMED AT GETTING YOU TO SUPPORT PUBLIC TELEVISION, YOU'RE RIGHT.

>> ERIC: THE BASEBALL LOCKOUT HAS ENDED.

THE T-WOLVES ARE ON FIRE.

AND THE VIKINGS NEW COACHING STAFF IS PREPARING ITS NEXT MOVES.

THREE GOOD REASONS TO HAVE LARRY FITZGERALD IN THE STUDIO TONIGHT.

THE VETERAN SPORTS REPORTER MAKES MONTHLY "ALMANAC" VISITS, AND YOU CAN CATCH HIM AROUND TOWN ON THE RADIO DIAL.

YOU HAD THIS ABOUT SIX WEEKS AGO, BUT WHAT DO YOU THINK OF CURT COUSINS' CONTRACT RESTRUCTURING?

>> WELL, THE REALITY IS MOST FANS THAT I TALKED TO THAT I READ ABOUT, THEY'RE NOT HAPPY ABOUT IT BECAUSE THEY WANT TO MAKE A CLEAN CUT.

YOU FIRED A COACH, YOU FIRED A GENERAL MANAGER AND THEY'VE BEEN AND THEY BOUGHT IN ON THIS BELIEF THAT WHEN YOU PAY GUARANTEED MONEY TO A QUARTERBACK, 84 MILLION FOR THE FIRST THREE YEARS, THEN 66 FOR THE NEXT TWO, THAT HE IS SUPPOSED TO PUT YOU A LEVEL AHEAD OF WHERE YOU'RE AT.

KIRK COUSINS.

ONE PLAYOFF WIN AND ONE PLAYOFF APPEARANCE.

AND, SO, THE FRANCE NOT HAPPY ABOUT IT.

BUT THEY'RE GOING TO GIVE THIS NEW REGIME A CHANCE TO DO WHAT THEY NEED TO DO BECAUSE, REMEMBER, MIC ZIMMER WAS A DEFENSIVE HEAD -- MIKE ZIMMER WAS A DEFENSIVE HEAD OACH.

THAT WAS WHERE HE SPENT MOST OF HIS TIME.

HE MADE SOME MISTAKES.

HE HIRED HIS SON, YOU KNOW, THE NEPOTISM THING, AND THE DEFENSE WAS HORRENDOUS THE LAST TWO YEARS.

AND HE PAID THE PRICE.

>> Eric: YEAH.

>> EVEN THOUGH HE HAD A GOOD TYPE OF -- HE HAD A GOOD RECORD HERE AND THAT TYPE OF THING.

THE OTHER PART OF IT WAS, HE DIDN'T HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE QUARTERBACK.

AND IN THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE, THAT IS SO IMPORTANT THAT A HEAD COACH AND A QUARTERBACK ARE ON THE SAME PAGE, HEY'RE TALKING, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE BEING PUMPED UP, AND, YOU KNOW, THE NEW HEAD COACH, HE'S GOT A SPECIALTY IN DOING THAT.

HE JUST WON A SUPER BOWL WITH A QUARTERBACK WHO PLAYED IN HIS FIRST YEAR WITH THE RAMS.

AND, SO, I THINK VIKINGS FANS NEED TO BE PATIENT AND WATCH THIS THING.

ZIMMER AND, LET'S FACE IT, SPIELMAN, LEFT THIS TEAM IN A MESS.

THE SALARY CAP IS JUST, WHOO, THEY HAVEN'T BE SIGNED ANYBODY OF, YOU KNOW, THAT WILL GET YOUR ATTENTION.

BUT THEY'RE TRYING TO DO THE LITTLE THINGS TO PUT A TEAM TOGETHER THAT THEY CAN PUT ON THE FIELD THAT CAN GO GET IT FOR MINNESOTA BECAUSE THE PACKERS ARE COMING BACK TO THE VIKINGS BECAUSE THEY LET ONE OF THE GREAT PLAYERS IN FOOTBALL GET TRADED TO THE RAIDERS.

AND I WANT TO TELL YOU THAT IS HUGE.

>> Eric: WIDE RECEIVE OFFER.

>> ABSOLUTELY, YEAH.

>> Eric: WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE IMBERWOLVES?

>> I THINK THE TIMBERWOLVES ARE ONE OF THE BEST TEAMS IN THE NBA.

SINCE THE ALL-STAR BREAK, YOU CAN'T ARGUE WITH THAT.

THEY'RE 9-2.

THEY'RE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF A SOFT SCHEDULE, YOU KNOW, BEATING OKLAHOMA CITY, BEATING PORTLAND, BEATING THE LAKERS.

THEY'RE ALL BAD TEAMS.

BUT TOMORROW, TARGET CENTER, BORDER BATTLE, THE WORLD CHAMPIONS ARE HERE.

SO IT'S GOING TO BE A EST FOR HOW GOOD THEY REALLY ARE.

YOU KNOW, PATRICK BEVERLEY HAS BROUGHT A PSYCHOLOGICAL, A PHYSICAL, AND A DYNAMIC TO THE TEAM.

THE TIMBERWOLVES HAVE SWAG.

YOU KNOW?

THE SWAG'S WORKIN'.

BUT I'D RATHER WAIT UNTIL THEY GET IN THE PLAYOFFS BEFORE THEY START SHOWIN' EVERYBODY THEY HAVE IT.

>> Eric: TWINS NEED PITCHING IN A HURRY.

>> WOW.

>> Eric: THEIR PAYROLL IS LIKE $87 MILLION OR SOMETHING.

RIDICULOUS.

>> YOU KNOW, THAT LOCKOUT WAS HORRENDOUS FOR ALL OF BASEBALL.

FOR ALL OF THE FANS.

IT ELIMINATED THE WINNER -- WINTER TALKS AND ALL THE DEALS THAT HAPPENED, THAT TYPE OF THING BEHIND THE SCENES.

NOW YOU GOT THREE WEEKS TO GET YOUR TEAM TOGETHER, SIGN WHO YOU CAN SIGN, IF YOU HAVE A BUDGET TO DO IT.

AND, SO, THE TWINS, I MEAN, LOOK AT THAT DEAL THEY JUST MADE WITH THE YANKEES, THAT WAS JUST TO SAVE $50 MILLION AND THE I CAN'T YANKEES -- YANKEES TOLD THEM, HEY, YOU THROW IN THE HORTSTOP, WE GOT A DEAL.

THE TWINS GAVE UP ON THEM.

THAT TELLS ME THAT THE TWINS THINK THAT THEY'VE GOT SORT OF A LITTLE WINDOW OF A YEAR OR TWO.

>> Cathy: NOW, IF THE T-WOLVES ARE WINNING, AND THEY ARE, I WAS KIND OF DISAPPOINTED THE WILD WERE LOOKING PRETTY GOOD THERE FOR A WHILE, NOW THEY JUST KIND OF BUMPIN' ALONG.

>> WELL, THEY'RE THIRD IN THE CENTRAL.

AND RIGHT NOW THEY'VE GOT A GREAT CHANCE TO MOVE UP.

THEY PLAN A SEASON-LONG FRANCHISE RECORD, NINE STRAIGHT HOME GAMES.

AND O THEY'RE JUST 1-1.

THEY PLAY THE BLACKHAWKS TOMORROW.

THE BLACKHAWKS AREN'T VERY GOOD.

BUT THEY TONIGHT -- BUT THEY HOPE TO GET A WIN TOMORROW AND TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD.

BECAUSE YOU GOT TO HAVE THE HOME FIELD, THE HOME ICE, IN THIS CASE, IN THE NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE, IF YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A CHANCE TO REALLY MAKE A DENT AND GET CLOSE TO THAT STANLEY CUP TROPHY.

>> Eric: NOW, JACK BUCK AND TROY AIKMAN ARE GOING TO MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL ON ESPN, COULDN'T LARRY JR. GET IN THERE FOR THE FOX OPENING?

>> YOU KNOW WHAT?

THAT COULD HAPPEN.

I JUST DON'T SEE IT.

LARRY LIKES DOING THE SIRIUS F.M.

>> Eric: E'S ON THE RADIO.

>> HE'S BEEN WORKING WITH TOM BRADY ON THAT, Mr. GRAY.

THEY'VE BEEN DOING A GOOD JOB WITH THAT FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

THEY WENT FROM WEST WOOD 1 TO SIRIUS XM.

AND OF COURSE HE'S BUSY BEING THE PART OWNER OF THE HOTTEST TEAM IN THE NBA, THE PHOENIX SUNS.

THEY'RE TRYING TO GET BACK AND GET LARRY A CHAMPIONSHIP RING.

YOU KNOW, AS A PART OWNER.

AND DON'T ORGET, YOU KNOW, THE TIMBERWOLVES ARE GOING TO BE IN THE MIX WITH THAT BECAUSE THEY'RE BOTH IN THE WESTERN CONFERENCE.

SO THEY MIGHT HAVE TO PLAY THEM.

>> Eric: I HOPE HE'S TAKING CARE OF HIS OLD MAN.

>> Cathy: ET'S HOPE SO.

>> YES.

>> Eric: FITZY, THANKS, MAN.

>> THANK YOU.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> Cathy: SEE YOU LATER.

♪♪ >> Mary: HAS IT BEEN A HARDER STRETCH, YOU KNOW, IN THE LAST COUPLE YEARS TO BE REPRESENTING LAW ENFORCEMENT?

>> RESTING LAW ENFORCEMENT, NO.

THAT'S MY FAMILY.

REPRESENTING LAW ENFORCEMENT, NO.

THAT'S MY FAMILY.

IT REALLY TRULY IS MY SECOND FAMILY.

MY DAD WAS, AS YOU KNOW, SHERIFF IN KITTSON COUNTY YEARS AGO.

WHEN I WAS AN ADOLESCENT, WE MOVED INTO THE JAIL, AND MY MOTHER COOKED FOR THE PRISONERS, WE LIVED IN THE FRONT PART OF THE JAIL AND THE JAIL WAS IN THE BACK PART.

THEY WOULD LEAVE TOWN TO GO TO A CONVENTION, I WOULD BE THE JAILER AS AN ADOLESCENT.

IT WAS A JOB I JUST MOLDED RIGHT INTO, WANTED O BE IN.

WHEN I COME DOWN HERE NOW, YOU KNOW, THERE'S CHALLENGES.

THERE'S CERTAINLY BEEN SOME CHALLENGES OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

I'M VERY SAD ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON RIGHT NOW IN THE WORLD OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.

AND THE WAY THEY'RE BEING TREATED.

AND I WANT TO BE PART OF THAT FIXINGS, IF I CAN.

>> CATHY: THE RETIREMENT NEWS AT THE CAPITOL KEEPS COMING.

YESTERDAY FORMER SENATE LEADER TOM BAKK ANNOUNCED HE WOULD NOT SEEK RE-ELECTION IN THE FALL.

MARY LAHAMMER DID A PROFILE OF BAKK LAST SPRING AFTER HE AND SENATOR DAVID TOMASSONI ANNOUNCED THEY HAD SET UP AN INDEPENDENT CAUCUS AT THE CAPITOL.

>> TAKE A LOOK AT THIS THING.

LARGELY BUILT BY HAND.

>> IT MEANT A LOT TO ME TO BE ABLE TO COME BACK TO THE CAPITOL.

I SPENT A LOT OF TIME FROM 2013 TO 2016 WORKING ON THE CAPITOL RENOVATIONS.

IF THERE EVER AS A GOOD TIME FOR A CARPENTER TO BE A LEADER OF THE SENATE, THAT WAS IT.

SO I SET UP THE TAX CHAIR OFFICE IN THE CORNER, WHERE SENATOR TOMASSONI IS.

AND THEN MY OFFICE IS ACTUALLY GOING TO BE A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ROOM FOR THE TAX CHAIR.

>> Mary: BAKK SAID HE DESIGNED THIS WING OF THE CAPITOL FOR THE TAX CHAIR, A JOB HE ALSO ONCE HELD AND THAT EXPERTISE IS ONE OF THE REASONS HIS NEW CAUCUS CALLED ON HIM.

>> GOING INTO THE ELECTION CYCLE, I WAS ONE OF THE CANDIDATES IN MINNESOTA THAT WAS ENDORSED BOTH BY THE AFL-CIO AND BY THE MINNESOTA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

AND I'VE ALWAYS WORKED HARD AT THAT.

I LEARNED AT A PRETTY YOUNG AGE THAT IF BUSINESSES DON'T MAKE MONEY, THEY CAN'T PAY WAGE INCREASES.

>> Mary: >> Cathy: TOM BAKK'S RETIREMENT IS ONE OF THE TOPICS IN THE NEXT TEN MINUTES AS WE CHAT WITH A PAIR OF CAPITOL REPORTERS.

BRIAN BAKST IS ON THE LEGISLATIVE BEAT FOR MINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO NEWS.

RICARDO LOPEZ COVERS THE CAPITOL FOR THE MINNESOTA REFORMER WEBSITE.

BRIAN, TOM BAKK RETIREMENT, WAS THAT A BIG SURPRISE?

>> YOU KNOW, I HAD BEEN TALKING WITH TOM BAKK FOR SEVERAL MONTHS ABOUT WHAT HE MIGHT DO, AND HE MADE CLEAR THAT HE WAS REALLY TORN OVER IT.

I MEAN, HE'S BEEN AT THE CAPITOL FOR ALMOST 30 YEARS IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

HE WAS A IG POWER PLAYER FOR A LOT OF THOSE YEARS.

AND HE SAID THAT HE JUST DIDN'T WANT TO MAKE THE WRONG DECISION, MEANING HE DIDN'T WANT TO RETIRE TOO EARLY OR IF HE HAD WORK LEFT.

I DON'T THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE A TOM BRADY SITUATION WHERE HE REVERSES IN A COUPLE WEEKS.

HE WAS GOING TO FACE MAYBE A HARDER PATH TO RE-ELECTION THAN HE HAD IN THE PAST, HE WAS RUNNING AS AN INDEPENDENT, THE POTENTIAL OF FACING BOTH A REPUBLICAN AND A DEMOCRAT.

SO I THINK SOME OF IT WAS POLITICAL CALCULATION.

BUT ALSO HIS GOOD BUDDY, DAVID TOMASSONI, WHO YOU SAW IN THAT PIECE, IS LEAVING.

AND HE FELT LIKE IT WAS TIME TO GO.

>> Eric: IRRRB?

>> HE'S BEEN MENTIONED IN THE PAST AS A POSSIBLE COMMISSIONER.

OBVIOUSLY THERE'S A COMMISSIONER THERE NOW.

BUT THIS -- TOM BAKK HASN'T REALLY HAD THE BEST RELATIONSHIP WITH GOVERNOR TIM WALZ.

REMEMBER THAT HE'S KIND OF SIDED WITH PAUL GAZELKA ON A LOT OF THINGS.

HE'S EVEN DONATED MONEY TO PAUL AZELKA, WHO'S RUNNING AGAINST TIM WALZ.

SO I WOULDN'T BET ON THAT.

WE CAN'T REALLY SAY THAT TOM BAKK IS DONE FOR GOOD.

THERE MIGHT BE A CHANCE THAT HE'LL GET BACK INTO GOVERNMENT AT SOME POINT.

>> Cathy: DOES IT MEAN, YOU KNOW, THE STYLE AND THE FORM OF DEAL AKING THAT SENATOR BAKK WAS KNOWN FOR, IT'S KIND OF FALLEN BY THE WAYSIDE?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, HE'S DEFINITELY A LAWMAKER WHO, YOU KNOW, SORT OF HARKENS BACK TO A DIFFERENT ERA IN THE LEGISLATURE.

I MEAN, AS BRIAN HAS NOTED BEFORE ON TWITTER, HE DOESN'T TWEET.

SO, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A -- THERE'S DEFINITELY A NEW WAVE OF LAWMAKERS WHO ARE OUNGER, WHO ARE MORE SORT OF SOCIAL MEDIA SAVVY.

AND HE'S NOT LIKE THAT.

RIGHT?

HE'S A VERY KNOWN QUANTITY.

AND I THINK HE'S VERY MUCH SOMEONE WHO HAS PRIDED HIMSELF ON THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT HE'S BUILT AT THE CAPITOL.

AND I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, IT REALLY STUNG WHEN HE WAS NO LONGER LEADER OF THE CAUCUS ON THE SENATE DFL SIDE.

>> Eric: NOW, SESSION AT LARGE END GAME.

I SEE BOTH SIDES SETTING EACH OTHER UP, THE DEMOCRATS AS THE SENATE WON'T MEET UNMET NEEDS, THE SENATE SAYING, THE HOUSE IS STANDING IN THE WAY OF PERMANENT TAX RELIEF.

IF THEY GET THEIR FLOOR VOTES AND SOMEONE TO BLAME, THIS COULD REALLY END WITH A BIG NOTHING BURGER, COULDN'T IT?

>> DO YOU REMEMBER THE MOVIE BREWSTER MILLIONS?

HE INHERITED THIS MONEY, HE HAD 30 DAYS TO PEND 10% OF IT, THEN HE GOT THE REST.

THIS KIND OF FEELS LIKE IT.

THEY HAVE SO MONEY, THERE'S NO REASON WHY THEY CAN'T SATISFY EVERYBODY AND DO OME TAX CUTS, DO SOME SPENDING, DO THE PANDEMIC PAY, HELP THE BUSINESSES OUT WITH THE UNEMPLOYMENT FIX.

BUT NOBODY SEEMS TO WANT TO GIVE A LITTLE BIT TO GET THAT STARTED.

>> YEAH, I MEAN, SOME OF THAT WE'VE SEEN AS, YOU KNOW, OVER THE LAST TEN YEARS, IS THAT AS THE LEGISLATORS -- AS THE LEGISLATORS -- LEGISLATURE'S BECOME MORE PARTISAN, WE'VE SEEN PEOPLE DIG IN THEIR HEELS, UNLESS THERE'S A REAL DEADLINE, YOU KNOW, VERY LITTLE GETS DONE UNLESS THERE'S AN ACTUAL DEADLINE.

>> Eric: HOW DOES THIS SET UP THE NOVEMBER ELECTION IF WE HAVE LESS RATHER THAN MORE COMING OUT OF THE SESSION?

>> I MEAN, THEY ALL COULD LOOK PRETTY BAD IF THEY ARE SITTING ON THIS PILE OF $9 BILLION PLUS ANOTHER BILLION DOLLARS IN FEDERAL MONEY, WHICH THE GOVERNOR WOULD GET THE AUTHORITY TO SPEND IF THEY DON'T PEND IT.

YOU KNOW, MELISSA HORTMAN HAS MADE THE REMARK THAT SHE THINKS THAT REPUBLICANS FEEL SO GOOD ABOUT THEIR HAND THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO TANK THIS SO THEY HAVE ALL THAT MONEY TO SPEND NEXT YEAR IN THE POTENTIAL OF HAVING A COMPLETE REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE, MAYBE EVEN REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR, WHICH THEY HAVEN'T HAD HAT COMPLETE CONTROL OF GOVERNMENT FOR AS FAR AS THEY'VE BEEN PARTISAN DESIGNATION AT THE LEGISLATURE.

YESTERDAY SENATOR JEREMY MILLER DISPUTED THAT.

HE SAID IT WAS LAUGHABLE THAT THEY WEREN'T LOOKING FOR A DEAL.

THEY REALLY WANT TAX CUTS.

IT'S JUST A MATTER OF HOW MUCH EACH SIDE IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO BEND ON A LITTLE BIT TO GET THE OTHER SIDE ENOUGH TO DO THE DEAL.

>> Eric: HE'S ON MESSAGE, EVERY QUESTION SAID, PERMANENT -- >> ONGOING TAX RELIEF.

IT RINGS IN YOUR SLEEP.

>> Eric: YEAH.

>> EVERY WEEK, EVERY MONTH, EVERY YEAR.

THAT'S HIS MOTTO.

>> Eric: ON MESSAGE.

>> Cathy: SAY, I'M WONDERING HERE, I WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR STORY ABOUT THE PUSH FOR A BILL TO ALLOW THE MEDICAL BOARD AND DOCTORS' COMMENTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT FOR FOLKS?

>> YEAH, THERE HAVE BEEN A COUPLE SORT OF REPUBLICAN BILLS ON THE SENATE SIDE THAT HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED THAT TOUCH ON THIS IDEA OF MEDICAL FREEDOM, RIGHT?

WE'VE GOT, YOU KNOW, FORMER SENATOR SCOTT JENSEN IS DELETING -- IS THE LEADING CANDIDATE FOR ONE BIG REASON, BEING THAT HE HAS BEEN SOMEONE ON THE RIGHT AND SORT OF THE ANTIVAX MOVEMENT THAT HAS BEEN SEEN AS SPEAKING TRUTH, RIGHT?

BUT, YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY A LOT OF HIS COMMENTS HAVE GOTTEN A LOT OF PUSHBACK.

HE'S BEEN -- HE'S NO LONGER ON TIK TOK BECAUSE THEY DEEM SOME OF HIS VIDEOS TO BE MISLEADING OR INCORRECT.

AND, SO, WHEN YOU HAVE LEGISLATION LIKE THIS, IT'S BEING COUCHED AS THIS IDEA OF FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS, AND, SO, IT'S INTERESTING THAT ONE OF THE CO-SPONSORS ON THE BILLS IS SENATOR MICHELLE BENSON, I THINK THAT SPEAKS A LITTLE BIT TO WHAT THE BASE IS EXPECTING FROM REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS.

THERE'S ANOTHER BILL THAT WAS INTRODUCED THAT WOULD ALLOW PHARMACISTS TO PRESCRIBE IVER AMERICA APPROXIMATE CONTINUE, RIGHT, WHICH IS A DRUG THAT EARLY ON SEEMED TO HAVE SHOWN SOME PROMISE FOR TREATING COVID.

IER HAVE AMERICA CONTINUE.

SINCE THE MEDICAL CONSENSUS HAS BEEN T'S NOT.

>> Cathy: IT'S AN ANIMAL -- >> IT'S NOT AN APPROPRIATE MEDICAL TREATMENT, SOMETIMES, FOR COVID.

IVER MECTIN.

IT'S INTERESTING TO SEE THAT THESE BILLS ARE BEING INTRODUCED.

I'M NOT SURE THAT LEGISLATION WILL GET A HEARING.

IT'S SENDING A MESSAGE.

>> Eric: GAS TAX HOLIDAY?

>> IT SEEMS UNLIKELY.

THEY WOULD HAVE TO BACKFILL THAT BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT GOING TO DEPLETE THE ROAD FUND.

THE GAS TAX IS DEDICATED TO TRANSPORTATION.

IT'S ONE OF THOSE IDEAS, AND LEADER DAUDT OF THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS, IN THE HOUSE, MAKES THE POINT THAT IF YOU DO A GAS TAX HOLIDAY THAT BLINKS OFF IN OCTOBER, PEOPLE WILL FEEL THAT PINCH IMMEDIATELY RIGHT BEFORE THEY GO TO VOTE.

>> Eric: THAT'S TRUE.

>> SO DEMOCRATS HAVE TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT THEY'RE ACTUALLY ASKING FOR.

>> Eric: AND ARE THE -- NOW THE GOVERNOR HAS UPPED THE ANTE ON THE WALZ CHECKS.

>> UM-HUM.

>> Eric: 500 TO INDIVIDUAL, 1,000 A COUPLE.

>> RIGHT.

YEAH, I MEAN, I THINK INITIALLY THE SENSE WAS THAT THOSE AMOUNTS MAY HAVE BEEN A LITTLE PALTRY BUT I THINK THAT WAS WHAT HE PROPOSED INITIALLY BECAUSE THE SIZE OF THE SURPLUS AT THE TIME, BUT NOW THAT IT'S GROWN LARGER, I THINK IT REALLY DOES SEND HOME THAT MESSAGE THAT PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, CAN BENEFIT FROM SOMETHING LARGER LIKE THAT, ESPECIALLY AFTER BEING CONDITIONED TO THE PREVIOUS SORT OF COVID RELIEF PAYMENTS THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAD AUTHORIZED.

>> AND SOME OF THE CALCULUS THERE IS, IF EVERYONE'S SAYING, GIVE THE MONEY BACK, HERE'S ONE ROUTE TO GIVE IT BACK.

DEMOCRATS ARE REALLY LEERY ABOUT DOING IT ON A LONG-TERM BASIS BECAUSE IF SOMETHING WOULD TURN THE CHI, IT'S HARD TO -- TURN IN THE ECONOMY, IT'S HARD TO RAISE A TAX RATE.

IF YOU DO IT ONE TIME, IT'S NO SKIN OFF OUR BACK IF SOMETHING CHANGES.

BUT IF IT'S ONGOING, IT'S REALLY HARD TO KIND OF FILL THAT IN.

SO THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE TRYING TO GUARD AGAINST.

>> Cathy: TALK POLITICS.

I DID NOT HEAR -- SORRY -- DIDN'T HEAR THE INTERVIEW THAT MY COLLEAGUE DID WITH SENATOR JENSEN TODAY ON MPR.

BUT WHAT ARE YOU GUYS HEARING IN TERMS OF THE GOP SIDE OF THINGS?

WHO IS THE PRESUMPTIVE FRONTRUNNER, IS IT SCOTT JENSEN?

>> I THINK SENATOR -- OR FORMER SENATOR SCOTT JENSEN IS DEFINITELY THE FRONTRUNNER AT THIS POINT IN TERMS OF MONEY RAISED, IN TERMS OF HIS PROFILE, IN TERMS OF WINNING THE STRAW POLE.

I THINK HE'S A PRETTY STRONG CONTENDER, BUT I THINK THERE ARE A NUMBER OF FOLKS WITHIN THAT PARTY WHO THINK IF HE'S THE CANDIDATE TO FACE GOVERNOR WALZ 'IN THE FALL, IT'S NOT GOING TO LOOK GOOD FOR THEM OVERALL.

>> Eric: HE KIND OF ANSWERED ONE OF THE QUESTIONS ABOUT, HE WORKED WITH PLANNED PARENTHOOD AND MATT BIRK, HIS RUNNING MATE NOW IS VERY ANTIABORTION, CATHOLIC, SEVEN KIDS, WHATEVER.

BIRK.

SO MAYBE THAT TAKES CARE OF THAT WHATEVER QUESTIONS ABOUT HIS PLANNED PARENTHOOD JOB.

>> WELL, SCOTT JENSEN WILL POINT OUT THAT HE DID HIS RESIDENCY AS PART OF A PLANNED PARENTHOOD ASSOCIATED THING.

HE WASN'T DOING THEIR -- A LOT OF THEIR DAY-TO-DAY STUFF.

BUT HE DID ANSWER THE QUESTION, IF ROE V. WADE IS STRUCK DOWN BY THE SUPREME COURT, WOULD YOU SEEK MORE ABORTION RESTRICTIONS AND SEEK TO BAN IT?

HE CAME OUT, I WOULD TRY TO BAN ABORTION IN MINNESOTA.

OBVIOUSLY THAT WOULD TAKE QUITE A HEAVY LIFT BECAUSE THE STATE HAS A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO THE STATE SUPREME COURT DECISION.

THERE'S A LOT OF APPETITE OUT THERE AMONG REPUBLICANS WHO THINK MAYBE THIS IS TIME TO PUSH THE ISSUE.

BUT THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS FOR SOME OF THE INDEPENDENT VOTERS, THEY MIGHT BE TURNED OFF BY IT.

>> Cathy: INTERESTING STORY THAT I SAW ABOUT HOW THE DFL'S FUTURE IN RURAL MINNESOTA IS PRETTY BLEAK.

>> UM-HUM.

YEAH, I MEAN, I THINK THAT THAT IS -- SOME OF THAT HAS HAPPENED FOR DEMOCRATS IN MINNESOTA FOR SOME TIME.

BUT I THINK WHAT WAS INTERESTING IS THAT I SAW A COUNTERPART TO THAT SORT OF QUESTION, RIGHT, ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE REPUBLICAN BRAND IN THE CITIES, RIGHT, WHERE THE POPULATION IS GENERALLY, AND WE'VE GOT A APIDLY DIVERSIFYING STATE THAT DOES NOT OOK THE WAY IT ONCE WAS.

BUT, YEAH, I MEAN, I THINK DEMOCRATS REALLY DO STRUGGLE BECAUSE ON SOME CULTURAL ISSUES IN RURAL PARTS OF THE STATE, YOU KNOW, FOLKS FEEL VERY DIFFERENTLY.

>> Eric: WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO BE ABLE TO LEGALLY BET ON THE PACKERS?

[ Laughter ] >> WELL, LARRY FITZGERALD TOLD ME NOT TO BECAUSE THEY LET ADAMS GO.

BUT IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S STILL A LONG SHOT FOR THIS YEAR.

>> Eric: OH, IT IS?

>> THERE ARE TWO COMPLETELY PROPOSALS IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

AND TIME IS GOING TO RUN PRETTY SHORT ON THE SESSION PRETTY SOON.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY, YOU SAY, YOU KNOW, FOR THE INDIAN GAMING ASSOCIATION, FOR THE TRIBES, I THINK THEIR HAND IS MUCH STRONGER IN THIS BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR HAS SAID, YOU KNOW, HE WOULD NOT SIGN LEGISLATION THAT THE TRIBAL NATIONS DIDN'T SUPPORT.

>> Eric: I PERKED UP A LITTLE BIT WHEN THE TRIBES SAID THEY WERE INTERESTED IN THE HOUSE VERSION.

>> RIGHT.

>> Eric: SO I THOUGHT, WELL, MAYBE THAT HAS SOME LEGS NOW.

>> BUT THE TRACKS ARE NOT INTERESTED IN SOMETHING THAT LEAVES THEM OUT, OBVIOUSLY.

>> Eric: AND THE BAR OWNERS WOULD LIKE A TASTE, TOO.

>> THEY MIGHT, YEAH.

>> Cathy: LET'S GO BACK TO POLITICS.

FIRST DISTRICT, WHAT ARE YOU HEARING?

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S GOING TO BE AN INTERESTING PRIMARY.

I MEAN, I THINK THAT ONE OF THE BIG CONSIDERATIONS THAT I THINK IS MAYBE THERE MIGHT BE SOME CONFUSION WITH HAVING ONE SORT OF SPECIAL ELECTION UNDER OLD MAPS AND THEN A PRIMARY UNDER THE NEW MAPS.

BUT, I MEAN, I THINK THAT RACE GOT REALLY SHAKEN UP OR AT LEAST GOT A LOT OF ATTENTION WITH THE ENTRY OF FORMER MN G.O.P.

WOMAN JENNIFER CARNAHAN, SO I THINK I'M CURIOUS TO SEE HOW THAT WILL GO, BUT THERE ARE SOME OTHER CANDIDATES IN THAT RACE THAT COULD BE VERY INTERESTING TO SEE IF THEY MAKE THAT JUMP.

>> TEN CANDIDATES ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, EIGHT ON THE DFL SIDE AND THEN TWO MARIJUANA PARTY CANDIDATES WILL GO STRAIGHT TO THE AUGUST 9th GENERAL -- SPECIAL GENERAL ELECTION.

BUT IT'S EASY TO SEE A SCENARIO WHERE SOMEBODY WINS THE PRIMARY ON EITHER SIDE WITH 20, 25% OF THE VOTE.

>> Eric: YEAH.

>> IT WILL BE INTERESTING.

>> Cathy: ALSO CURIOUS, WHAT DID YOU GUYS THINK OF CORY HELP LAJUMPING INTO THE RACE AS A THIRD-PARTY CANDIDATE?

AND WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE NEWS CONFERENCE?

>> WE DIDN'T HAVE A LOT OF ANSWER TO QUESTIONS ON WHETHER HE -- WHERE HE STOOD ON THINGS.

HE'S TALKING ABOUT BEING A CANDIDATE TO BRING BOLD INNOVATIVE IDEAS AND WHEN YOU ASK HIM FOR SOME OF THOSE IDEAS, WE'RE STILL WAITING.

HE'S CLEARLY GOING TO BE A POTENTIAL FACTOR IN THE RACE BEING THAT IT WON'T TAKE MANY PERSONAL, OF THE VOTE FROM A THIRD-PARTY CANDIDATE TO REALLY MAKE THIS A CLOSER RACE OR EVEN TIP THE RACE.

IT'S STILL -- IT'S STILL HARD TO SEE HIM BREAKING THROUGH TO BE ON THE SAME LEVEL AS THE REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE BUT WHO KNOWS.

>> I THOUGHT IT WAS INTERESTING THAT HE IS SOMEONE WHO VOTED FOR TIM WALZ, VOTED FOR PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN AND IS TRYING TO SORT OF -- I MEAN, I THINK YOU HAVE TO CONTRAST YOURSELF AS A CANDIDATE.

BUT THE OTHER THING IS, IT'S REALLY EXPENSIVE TO UN STATEWIDE.

WHILE HE MIGHT BE KNOWN TO SOME PEOPLE IN THE STATE, VIA TV, I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW WHO HE IS.

>> Eric: WELL, BOTH PARTIES ARE KIND OF PUSHING OUT MODERATES, BOTH PARTIES.

SO MAYBE THERE'S A LANE THERE FOR SOME.

>> THERE MIGHT BE A LANE, BUT THERE ALSO LIKE A BASE ELECTION YEAR WHERE PEOPLE ARE FEELING LIKE -- THE REPUBLICANS FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE THE CHANCE FOR THE TRIFECTA, DEMOCRATS ARE FEELING LIKE WE NEED TO GET WALZ, EVEN IF WE DON'T NECESSARILY WALZ, WE NEED TO GET HIM BACK IN.

>> Eric: A LOT OF MONEY S GOING TO BE SPENT THIS CYCLE, DON'T YOU THINK?

>> >> Cathy: ABSOLUTELY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> YEAH.

HE SAID THANKS, FELLAS.

GREAT STUFF.

>> Cathy: GOOD TO SEE YOU.

THANKS.

>> ERIC: LET'S JOURNEY TO INDEX FILE LAND.

LAST TIME WE ASKED YOU ABOUT SOMETHING FROM 50 YEARS AGO.

THIS MONTH IN 1972, A FAMED COUPLE WAS FEATURED ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THE "MINNEAPOLIS TRIBUNE" AND MANY OTHER PAPERS AFTER THEY ANNOUNCED THEY WERE SEPARATING.

THE FAMED HUSBAND, HOWEVER, SAID THAT "“THE WEDDING RING WOULD ALWAYS STAY ON MY FINGER, I WILL ALWAYS LOVE HER."”.

HE BLAMED THE DEMISE OF THEIR RELATIONSHIP IN PART ON BEING BROKE.

- WE TOLD YOU THIS NOTED HUSBAND DIDN'’T LIVE IN MINNESOTA AT THE TIME, BUT WOULD LATER LIVE HERE.

WE ALSO INFORMED YOU HE WOULD GO ON TO MARRY TWO MORE TIMES.

OUR QUESTION: WHAT FUTURE MINNESOTAN MADE NATIONAL MARITAL HEADLINES IN MARCH OF 1972?

AS USUAL, WE GOT A GOOD ASSORTMENT OF WRONG ANSWERS.

AND THAT LIST STARTS WITH VIEWER RICK.

>> Eric: WRONG, BUT TRY AGAIN YOU TWO AND THE REST OF YOU AS WELL.

NONE OF THOSE POWER COUPLES WERE THE ONE WE WERE SEEKING.

SO WHO WAS THE COUPLE IN QUESTION?

AMONG THE RIGHT CALLERS WAS GWENDOLYN.

SHE'S ALL YOURS.

>> ERIC: YES, TINY TIM, WHO WOULD LATER LIVE AND DIE IN THE TWIN CITIES, WAS THE NATIONAL CELEBRITY FEATURED ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THE "MINNEAPOLIS TRIBUNE" IN MARCH OF 1972 WHEN IT WAS ANNOUNCED HE HAD SEPARATED FROM MISS VICKI.

YOU MAY REMEMBER THE COUPLE WAS MARRIED ON THE "TONIGHT SHOW" IN 1969.

KEEP THE CALLS COMING.

AS ALWAYS, WE LOVE TO GET COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS.

TWO DOZEN OF YOU CALLED IN LAST WEEK WITH THOUGHTS ABOUT KYELAND JACKSON'S STORY ON MEDICAID ESTATE RECOVERY.

KYELAND IS PPREPAING FUTURE STORIES ON THE TOPIC SO KEEP THE THOUGHTS COMING.

651-229-1430 IS OUR VOICEMAIL.

EMAIL IS ALMANAC@TPT.ORG.

REMEMBER TO TUNE IN TO "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL" WEDNESDAY NIGHTS FROM NOW UNTIL THE END OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

YOU CAN FIND IT 7:00 P.M. EACH WEDNESDAY ON THE STATEWIDE MINNESOTA CHANNEL.

NEXT WEEK I'LL BE FILLING IN FOR MARY AND HOSTING THE SHOW.

I HOPE YOU TUNE IN.

THE MINNESOTA CHANNEL IS THE SAME PLACE YOU CAN WATCH THE DAILY HAPPENINGS AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

THAT'S EACH WEEKDAY FROM 8:00 TO 6:00 UNTIL THE END OF MAY.

FOR SHOW-CLOSING MUSIC, THIS WEEK IN 2013 THE CHORAL GROUP CANTUS STOPPED BY STUDIO B AND SANG FOR US.

THEY ALWAYS SOUND GREAT.

LET'S LISTEN TO THEM AS WE GET READY TO ROLL THE CREDITS.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

BE CAREFUL.

♪♪ Captioned by: Paradigm Reporting & Captioning www.paradigmreporting.com ♪ ♪ >> "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.

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

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