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

>> ERIC: IN THE NEXT HOUR WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT THE ONGOING FEDERAL TRIAL OF THREE FORMER MINNEAPOLIS POLICE OFFICERS AND LEARN HOW UNDERSTAFFFED HOSPITALS ARE FINALLY SEEING SOME RELIEF FROM OMICRON.

PLUS WE'LL HAVE SEVERAL STORIES ON THE CONTROVERSIAL PRACTICE OF NO-KNOCK POLICE RAIDS, INCLUDING A LOOK AT THE DEBATE AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

>> Mary: I'LL TALK PUBLICLY WITH TWO OF THE LEADING LAWMAKERS AS THE LEGISLATURE LOOKS TO MAKE A NUMBER OF CHANGES ON THE TOPIC.

>> VERY ENCOURAGING, HOPE THAT THEY'LL BE BIPARTISAN.

>> VERY PURPOSE OF THIS GOVERNMENT IS THE SAFETY OF ITS CITIZENS.

>> 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 STRENGHTEN RURAL MINNESOTA.

>> ERIC: IN A FEW MINUTES WE'LL CHECK IN ON THE FEDERAL TRIAL OF THREE FORMER MINNEAPOLIS POLICE OFFICERS AND TALK WITH ST.

CLOUD MAYOR DAVE KLEIS ABOUT WHAT HE WANTS LAWMAKERS TO ACHIEVE IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.

BUT FIRST UP, MORE DEBATE THIS WEEK ABOUT NO KNOCK WARRANTS.

>> CATHY: IN THE NINE DAYS SINCE AMIR LOCKE WAS SHOT AND KILLED DURING A POLICE RAID, MINNEAPOLIS HAS ISSUED A MORATORIUM ON NO-KNOCK WARRANTS, AND THE CITY HAS HIRED TWO NATIONAL EXPERTS TO HELP FASHION A NEW ARREST WARRANT POLICY.

WE ARE JOINED TONIGHT BY ONE OF THESE OUTSIDE EXPERTS.

DERAY MCKESSON IS THE CO-FOUNDER OF CAMPAIGN ZERO, A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION DEVOTED TO FINDING POLICY SOLUTIONS TO REDUCING POLICE VIOLENCE.

WELCOME TO "ALMANAC."

QUESTION FOR YOU.

WHAT ARE YOU SPECIFICALLY CONTRACTED TO DO FOR MINNEAPOLIS?

>> I'M ACTUALLY NOT CONTRACTED WITH THE CITY IN TERMS OF WE'RE NOT GETTING PAID, WE'RE VOLUNTEERING.

ALL OF OUR WORK IS PUBLIC.

WE RATED THE MINNEAPOLIS POLICY A 5.5 OUT OF 15 AND WE WORK WITH CITIES AND STATES ALL AROUND THE COUNTRY TO MAKE THEIR POLICIES BETTER.

>> ric: IS THE POLITICAL CLIMATE IN MINNEAPOLIS SO DIVISIVE ON PUBLIC SAFETY THAT ANY CHANGES ARE GOING TO BE HARD TO MAKE AND GET BUY-IN ACROSS THE BOARD?

>> NO, I THINK THERE'S ACTUALLY, LIKE, IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THERE'S CONSENSUS THAT SOMETHING HAS TO CHANGED, THE QUESTION IS, HOW MUCH CHANGE CAN HAPPEN.

THE BEST LAW, RESTRICTING NO-KNOCK IN MARYLAND, WE PALED IT A YEAR AGO.

SECOND BEST IS MAINE.

WHICH IS ALSO SORT OF OKAY.

NEVADA.

SO THERE'S SIX STATES THAT HAVE STATE-LEVEL RESTRICTIONS AND THEN THE DOJ, IN THREE CITIES.

SO HOPING THAT MINNEAPOLIS CAN BE THE FIRST PLACE TO 15.

I THINK THE MOST CONTENTIOUS THING IS THE WAIT TIME FOR POLICE OFFICERS BEFORE THEY CAN EXECUTE ANY SEARCH WARRANT.

SO IN MAINE AND MARYLAND, IT'S 20 SECONDS.

THE FIRST EVER RATES IN THE UNITED STATES, HOPING THAT MINNEAPOLIS CAN GET TO 30 SECONDS, WHICH WE STILL THINK IS THE FLOOR, NOT THE CEILING.

>> Cathy: ARE THERE OTHER WAYS TO DO NO KNOCK WARRANTS?

>> HERE'S THE CONFUSION.

YOU ACTUALLY DON'T NEED A NO KNOCK WARRANT TO DO A NO KNOCK RAID.

ALL OF OUR WORK IS ACTUALLY AROUND NO KNOCK RAID.

THERE'S A NO KNOCK WARRANT, THEN THERE'S WHAT'S CALLED A KNOCK ANNOUNCE.

A NO KNOCK IS THE POLICE BREAK DOWN THE DOOR AND.

A KNOCK ANNOUNCE IS THAT THEY SAY THEY'RE THE POLICE AND THEN THEY BREAK DOWN THE DOOR.

TO THE PERSON IN THE HOME, THE EFFECT IS THE SAME.

SO OUR CAMPAIGN IS ABOUT RESTRICTING EXECUTION OF ALL SEARCH WARRANTS SO THEY CAN'T TURN INTO SOMETHING ELSE.

TO YOUR POINT, NO, ACTUALLY WE DON'T NEED NO KNOCK WARRANTSMENT.

THE VAST COUNTRY IS THAT THEY'RE USED FOR DRUGS, AND THAT THEY RECOVER SO FEW PIECES OF DRUGS OR ANY EVIDENCE OF USE THAT IT DOES NOT WARRANT THE COST.

>> Eric: A JUDGE HAS TO SIGN OFF ON A NO KNOCK WARRANT, IS THAT NOT ENOUGH OF A SAFEGUARD?

>> NO.

WHAT'S INTERESTING ABOUT IT, YOU SHOULD ACTUALLY SEE OR PRESENT WHAT A WARRANT APPLICATION LOOKS LIKE.

IN MINNEAPOLIS OR ANY PLACE FOR THAT MATTER.

THERE IS SO LITTLE INFORMATION REQUIRED ON THE FRONT END THAT THE JUDGE REALLY, OR THE POLICE CHIEF, SOME PLACES HAVE PUT IN MECHANISMS THAT THE POLICE CHIEF HAS TO SIGN OFF, SO LITTLE IS INFORMATION IS REQUIRED ON FRONT END, SOMETIMES, WHEN WE LOOKED AT SOME STUDIES, THEY SHOWED THAT THE JUDGE IS MAKING DECISIONS IN 10 TO 15 SECONDS AROUND WARRANTS BECAUSE THERE REALLY IS LIKE TWO OR THREE SENTENCES.

SO PART OF OUR WORK IS ACTUALLY TO REQUIRE MORE INFORMATION THAN THE -- N WANT FRONT END FOR THE EXECUTION OF ALL SEARCH WARRANTS, REMEMBER, THESE ARE PLANNED ENCOUNTERS.

>> Cathy: YOU KNOW, I'M WONDERING, THESE ARE STILL USED BY POLICE DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

WHY?

>> SO THEY'RE RELATIVELY OF NEW, IT'S 50, 60 YEARS OLD, IT'S NOT A TACTIC THAT'S BEEN USED FOREVER.

I THINK THIS IS REALLY PART OF THE MILITARIZATION OF THE POLICE, THEIR S.W.A.T.

TEAMS FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE TO DO THIS TO RECOVER THINGS.

THIS IS DEFINITELY A MESSAGE ON THE WAR ON DRUGS.

AGAIN, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE DATA, WE LOOK AT DATA FROM LOUISVILLE, THE AVERAGE AMOUNT SEIZED IS ABOUT $250.

THAT IS REALLY NEGLIGIBLE FOR THE COST OF PEOPLE'S LIVES.

THESE ARE NOT ACTUALLY USED FOR DRUG KINGPINS OR EOPLE ENGAGED IN WHAT PEOPLE CONSIDER TO BE THE MOST VIOLENT CRIME.

EVEN IN AMIR'S CASE, REMEMBER, HE WASN'T EVEN ON THE SEARCH WARRANT.

YOU LOOK AT THESE THINGS.

THE ROOM FOR ERROR IS SO BIG.

THERE'S NO RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE PRESENCE OF NO KNOCK WARRANTS AND THE SOLVE RATE FOR POLICE DEPARTMENTS.

>> Eric: St. PAUL POLICE DEPARTMENT DOESN'T USE THEM, MINNEAPOLIS DOES.

I WONDER IF PAST PRACTICES IN MINNEAPOLIS AND THE CULTURE OF THE DEPARTMENT SUPERSEDE ANY TRAINING OR LAWS THAT COULD BE PASSED ABOUT THIS?

>> I DON'T KNOW IF IT SUPERSEDES.

SOMEBODY IN MINNEAPOLIS ASKED US TO, LIKE WE WERE TALKING WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS, THEY WERE,, LIKE, WHAT ABOUT St. PAUL?

THE St. PAUL POLICY IS ONLY A 6 OUT OF 15.

IT'S NOT A STELLAR POLICY.

THEY DID NOT BAN NO KNOCK WARRANTS, THEY JUST HAVEN'T USED THEM.

THE REASON THAT WE PUSH FOR STRUCTURAL CHANGE, THE STRUCTURAL CHANGE WILL LAST REGARDLESS OF WHO THE POLICE CHIEF IS.

IT LOOKS LIKE THERE'S LEADERSHIP IN St. PAUL THAT HAS NOT USED THESE, BUT THEY ARE NOT BANNED IN St. PAUL.

AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN THE LEADER CHANGES THAT THE PRACTICE STILL STOPS.

DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?

>> Cathy: YES, IT DOES.

SAY, I'M WONDERING, WHAT'S YOUR TIME FRAME?

DOES THE MAYOR GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF HEN HE WANTS SOMETHING DONE?

>> SO THE MAYOR PUBLICLY SAID THAT HE HOPES TO WRAP THIS UP IN IN THREE WEEKS, WHICH WOULD BE INCREDIBLE.

YOU KNOW, AT THIS POINT, THERE ARE STATES THAT CAN HELP US SEE WHAT IS POSSIBLE AND WHAT CAN BE DONE.

I'M HOPEFUL THAT BETWEEN THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE THAT EXISTS, BETWEEN THE COUNCIL'S PRESSURE, BETWEEN COMMUNITY PRESSURE AND THE MAYOR'S OFFICE THAT THIS CAN ACTUALLY MOVE PRETTY QUICKLY.

WE HAD OUR IRST MEETING WITH THE MAYOR'S OFFICE LAST WEEK.

WE HAVE TWO MEETINGS WITH THE MAYOR'S OFFICE COMING UP THIS WEEK.

AND I'M HOPEFUL THAT IN THE NEXT TWO OR THREE WEEKS THERE IS A POLICY ITH REAL LANGUAGE THAT'S HAMMERED OUT.

>> Eric: APPRECIATE YOUR TIME TONIGHT.

THANKS VERY MUCH.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

THANKS.

>> CATHY: STATE LAWMAKERS AT THE CAPITOL ARE ALSO EXPLORING MAKING MORE CHANGES TO PUBLIC SAFETY POLICY.

"ALMANAC'S" MARY LAHAMMER FOUND OUT THERE IS GROWING BIPARTISAN SUPPORT BEHIND NEW EFFORTS TO SUPPORT AND REFORM POLICING, ALONG WITH LIMITING THE USE OF NO KNOCK WARRANTS.

>> Mary: ANOTHER POLICE SHOOTING OF A BLACK MAN IN MINNESOTA HAS STUDENTS IN St. PAUL WALKING OUT OF CLASS AND MARCHING TO THE GOVERNOR'S RESIDENCE.

>> SAY HIS NAME!

>> AMIR LOCKE!

>> Mary: AS AMIR LOCKE'S FAMILY CALLED FOR CHANGE.

>> YOU SHOULDN'T BE GUNNED DOWN BY POLICE IN YOUR HOME OR IN A PLACE WHERE YOU THINK IS SAFE, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'VE BROKEN NO LAW.

>> Mary: DFL AWMAKERS JOIN THE CALL TO RESTRICT THE USE OF MANY NO KNOCK WARRANTS.

>> I KNOW YOU'VE PERSONALLY SHARED THAT YOU'VE REACHED OUT TO CHAIR WARREN LIMMER.

ANY PROGRESS THERE OR ANY HOPES OF GETTING THIS LEGISLATION THROUGH THE SENATE?

>> NOT YET.

BUT WE ARE STILL -- WE'RE STILL REACHING OUT.

MY FIRST REACHOUT, I WILL ADMIT, IT WAS A PUBLIC REACHOUT.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO REACH OUT AND CONNECT WITH OUR GOP COLLEAGUES, IN HOPES THAT WE'LL GET THEM TO COME ALONG WITH US.

>> Mary: THE SENATE IS HEARING AND VOTING ON A VARIETY OF PUBLIC SAFETY BILLS AND A LOT OF THEM BIPARTISAN SO FAR.

ARE YOU SURPRISED BY THAT?

>> I THINK THE RECENT POLICE ACTION HAS REALLY PUT A FOCUS OF THE LEGISLATURE ON THE WHOLE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

I'M NOT SO SURE WE'RE SO FAR APART RIGHT NOW IN CONCEPT.

>> Mary: EVEN ON NO KNOCK YOU THINK THERE COULD BE COMMON GROUND?

>> I THINK THERE'S A DIRECTION THAT I'VE AT LEAST HEARD.

>> Mary: DO YOU EXPECT A SPECIFIC HEARING IN YOUR COMMITTEE ON A BILL DEALING WITH NO KNOCK WARRANTS?

>> I THINK WE'LL EVENTUALLY GET TO THAT POINT.

>> Mary: HAVE YOU HEARD THE STATEMENTS FROM SOME OF THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES OR GOVERNOR AND THEIR OPENNESS TO LOOKING AT NO KNOCK?

DOES THAT GIVE YOU SOME HOPE THAT THIS COULD BE BIPARTISAN?

>> IT DOES GIVE ME HOPE.

AND REPRESENTATIVE HOLLINS CAN PROBABLY SPEAK TO THIS BILL BECAUSE SHE'S CARRYING THIS BILL.

I'VE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH OTHER PEOPLE FROM ACROSS THE AISLE.

>> WE HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH CERTAINLY HOUSE MEMBERS ON THE GOP SIDE THAT ARE INTERESTED IN, YOU KNOW, OPENING UP TO NEGOTIATIONS AND WE'VE EVEN HAD SOME TENTATIVE INTEREST FROM THE SENATE GOP SIDE.

>> I DON'T THINK ANYONE WANTS TO GO IN THE DIRECTION OF A TOTAL BAN ON NO KNOCK WARRANTS.

>> Mary: IF I CAN JUMP IN.

YOUR COUNTERPARTS IN THE HOUSE, HAVE THEY REACHED OUT?

>> NO, THEY HAVE NOT YET.

I GAVE A SIGNAL OUT TO OTHERS AND REPORTERS IN THE LAST FEW DAYS.

WE REALLY WANT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOING ON ON THAT PARTICULAR ARREST AND THAT NO KNOCK WARRANT.

>> Mary: YOU ARE FROM THE SUBURBS.

IT IS AN INCREASING ISSUE IN THE SUBURBS.

YOU ARE IN A VERY COMPETITIVE SWING DISTRICT.

IS THIS AN ISSUE YOU HAVE TO ACT ON IN ORDER TO WIN RE-ELECTION?

>> NOT FOR RE-ELECTION, NO.

THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT GOES TO THE VERY REASON WE HAVE GOVERNMENT.

ARTICLE I SECTION 1 OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION SAYS THE VERY PURPOSE OF THIS GOVERNMENT IS THE SAFETY OF ITS CITIZENS.

>> THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT IMPACTS ALL MINNESOTANS.

AND IT IMPACTS THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF ALL MINNESOTANS.

AND FOR THAT REASON, THINK THIS IS ESPECIALLY NONPARTISAN OR BIPARTISAN.

>> Mary: THE HOUSE IS CONTINUING TO LOOK AT A VARIETY OF CHANGES TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE.

>> WE HAVE TO GET CLEAR ON THE FACT THAT POLICE BRUTALITY IS NOT AN ISSUE FOR LACK PEOPLE, IT IS AN ISSUE FOR POLICE.

IT IS AN ISSUE FOR THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM.

>> Mary: REPUBLICANS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT BACKING OFF ON BAIL OR PUNISHMENT WITH A STEEP RISE IN CRIME.

>> THE CONCERN OF MINNESOTA IS TO DEAL WITH THE VIOLENT CRIME EPIDEMIC.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE HEAR IN THE NEWS CONTINUALLY.

>> Mary: THE SENATE IS MOVING A VARIETY OF PUBLIC SAFETY BILLS, INCLUDING FUNDING MORE BODY CAMERAS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> I UNDERSTAND MOVING FORWARD, AFTER BEING THERE 16 YEARS, THINGS CHANGE, AND I'M CERTAINLY GOING TO SUPPORT THE BILL.

I'M JUST KIND OF ONE OF THEM OLD HORSES.

>> Mary: AND NEW MONEY FOR THE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF OFFICERS HAS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

>> WE'RE DOWN 900 POLICE OFFICERS IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

AND AS SENATOR BENSON SAID, AOPERATION'S -- ATTRITION'S NEVER BEEN HIGHER IN THE STATE THAN IT IS RIGHT NOW AND IT'S NOT GOING TO STOP NLESS WE DO SOMETHING.

>> OPENING UP HIGHER EDUCATION TO PEOPLE WHO WANT TO GO INTO LAW ENFORCEMENT ISN'T GOING TO STOP A CARJACKING YESTERDAY.

IT STILL HAS A SENSE OF URGENCY TO T. >> I THINK IT WILL HELP OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT FOLKS AS WELL BECAUSE THEY NEED SOMEBODY ELSE TO HAVE THEIR BACK.

THEY'RE RUNNING ON EMPTY.

THEY'RE RUNNING THIN.

JUST BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE.

>> THESE STUDENTS NEED A FINANCIAL MEANS TO HELP THEM TO PAY FOR COLLEGE.

COLLEGE IS NOT CHEAP, NO MATTER WHERE YOU GO.

KNOLL AND THIS JOB DOES REQUIRE COLLEGE EDUCATION.

>> THIS YEAR OUR STARTING CLASS FIRST YEAR IS ONLY 12.

WE'RE HALF DOWN.

I ATTRIBUTE IT TO MANY THINGS, BUT ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS IS THE COST.

♪♪ >> ERIC: AS REGIONAL NEWS WAS STILL FOCUSED ON THE KILLING OF AMIR LOCKE BY A MINNEAPOLIS POLICE OFFICER, TRIAL RESUMED THIS WEEK IN A FEDERAL COURTHOUSE IN ST. PAUL FOCUSED ON THE ACTIONS OF THREE FORMER MINNEAPOLIS POLICE OFFICERS.

THEY ARE CHARGED WITH VIOLATING GEORGE FLOYD'S CIVIL RIGHTS WHEN HE WAS KILLED IN MAY OF 2020.

THE TRIAL WAS TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED LAST WEEK WHEN ONE OF THE DEFENDANTS CAME DOWN WITH COVID.

WE'VE BEEN FOLLOWING THE TRIAL WITH THE HELP OF SHANNON PRINCE, A NEW YORK ATTORNEY IN PRIVATE PRACTICE WHO FOLLOWS POLICE POLICY TRIALS CLOSELY.

COUNSELOR, I WAS IN COURT TODAY WATCHING THE PROCEEDINGS, AND THE GOVERNMENT WAS GOING LITERALLY SECOND BY SECOND WITH THE BODY CAM FOOTAGE.

IS THAT THE PROSECUTOR'S BEST FRIEND IN THIS CASE?

>> THINK THAT IT IS BECAUSE PEOPLE -- AND I THINK THAT THE FACT THAT WE HAVE THIS, THAT IT ALLOWS THE JURORS TO SEE JUST WHAT HAPPENED AND WHERE THESE OFFICERS HAD OPPORTUNITIES TO INTERVENE OR TO ATTEND TO GEORGE FLOYD'S MEDICAL NEEDS AND FAILED TO DO SO.

I THINK THAT THE PROSECUTION IS MAKING THE CASE THAT THERE WAS A BROAD PERIOD OF TIME, YOU KNOW, SECOND AFTER SECOND, MINUTE AFTER MINUTE, WHERE THESE MEN COULD HAVE TAKEN ACTION AND SECOND AFTER SECOND, MINUTE AFTER MINUTE THEY CHOSE NOT TO DO SO.

>> Cathy: DO YOU THINK THAT THE MPD'S TRAINING POLICIES ARE ON TRIAL HERE TOO?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I WAS PARTICULARLY SHOCKED, FOR EXAMPLE, BY THE TESTIMONY OF INSPECTOR KATIE BLACKWELL, WHO'S IN CHARGE OF TRAINING FOR THE MINNEAPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT.

THE DEFENSE, GOT HER TO ADMIT THAT SHE'S THE PERSON WHO MADE DEREK CHAUVIN A TRAINING OFFICER, THAT SHE SAW HIS RECORD OF HAVING NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND STILL THOUGHT THAT HE WAS A, QUOTE, UNQUOTE, ROLE MODEL.

AND THE REASON THAT TRAINING IS AT ISSUE IS BECAUSE THESE OFFICERS ARE BEING CHARGED WITH WILLFULLY VIOLATING GEORGE FLOYD'S CIVIL RIGHTS WHILE VESTED WITH POLICE AUTHORITY.

SO THE DEFENSE IS TRYING TO MAKE THE ARGUMENT THAT THESE OFFICERS DIDN'T RECEIVE PROPER TRAINING ON HOW TO USE THAT AUTHORITY IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> Eric: HOW ABOUT THE DEFENSE POSSIBLE ANSWERS TO THIS, ONE, BLAME CHAUVIN, TWO, THE OFFICERS WERE ROOKIES?

>> WELL, OFFICER KATIE BLACKWELL, ALSO SUPPORTS THE PROSECUTION, WHEN SHE TESTIFIED THAT OFFICERS ARE TRAINED TO INTERVENE IF THEY SEE A PEER USING UNREASONABLE FORCE, AND OFFICER ZIMMERMAN, WHO'S ONE OF THE MOST SENIOR PEOPLE ON THE, FOR SAID, IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU'RE A ROOKIE AND THE OFFICER IS SENIOR, TO USE HIS WORDS, EVERYONE WEARS THE SAME BADGE.

SO I THINK THE PROSECUTION IS PUTTING ON A GOOD CASE BY PUTTING ON WITNESS AFTER WITNESS WHO REINFORCES THE SAME MESSAGE, THAT NO MATTER WHAT YOUR ROLE ON THE FORCE AND HOW LONG YOU'VE BEEN ON THE FORCE, YOU STILL HAVE THAT SAME DUTY TO INTERVENE AND TO RENDER MEDICAL CARE TO SOMEONE IN CUSTODY WHO HAS MEDICAL NEEDS.

>> Cathy: THE NOT YET SEEN TO THIS POINT, THE VIDEO THAT HASN'T BEEN SEEN YET OF THE OFFICERS GOING UP TO THE HOMICIDE LIEUTENANT, KIND OF THE BOSS OF THE SCENE WHEN HE ARRIVED, DIDN'T LOOK GREAT.

THEY WEREN'T REALLY TERRIBLY TRUTHFUL ABOUT GEORGE FLOYD'S SITUATION TO THEIR BOSS.

>> RIGHT.

AND THE PROSECUTION HAS USED THIS VIDEO SO SKILLFULLY BECAUSE IT ALLOWS THEM TO ESSENTIALLY PIGEON HOLE THESE DEFENSE OFFICERS IF THEY TAKE THE STAND ON THE DEFENSE'S CASE WHICH MAY BEGIN NEXT WEEK.

ESSENTIALLY THESE OFFICERS ARE TESTIFYING OFF FOR THE PROSECUTION NOW THROUGH THE VIDEO AND THAT LIMITS WHAT THEY CAN SEE IN THEIR OWN DEFENSE AND IT ALSO RAISES ISSUES FOR THE PROSECUTION TO EXPLORE ON CROSS-EXAMINATION, SHOULD ANY OF THESE OFFICERS TAKE THE STAND.

>> Eric: SO WHAT IS THE DEFENSE LEFT WITH THEN?

>> WELL, THE DEFENSE CAN STILL TRY TO MAKE THE CASE THAT THESE OFFICERS WERE IMPROPERLY TRAINED.

I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED IF THEY BRING ON WITNESSES, INCLUDING WITNESSES WHO ARE OFFICERS OR POLICING EXPERTS, TO SAY THAT THE CULTURE OF POLICING TEACHES OFFICERS NOT TO CHALLENGE THE AUTHORITY OF SOMEONE MORE SENIOR.

AND, SO, THEY DO STILL HAVE A CASE TO BE MADE AND IT WILL GO TO THE JURY TO SEE WHETHER OR NOT TRAINING OR CULTURE IS MORE PERSUASIVE.

>> Cathy: THE JURY'S NOT SEQUESTERED.

AND I'M WONDERING, YOU KNOW, THE AMIR LOCKE SHOOTING BY MINNEAPOLIS POLICE, I WONDER HOW THAT AFFECTS THE JURY.

>> SO DAUNTE WRIGHT SHOOTING TOOK PLACE DURING THE TRIAL OF DEREK CHAUVIN AND THAT JURY WAS NOT SEQUESTERED UNTIL IT CAME TIME TO DELIBERATE.

BUT I THINK THAT MOST PEOPLE FEEL, MOST EXPERTS THAT THAT TRIAL WAS FAIR, AND, SO, I THINK ALSO THAT THE FACT THAT AMIR LOCKE WAS KILLED DURING THE TRIAL OF THESE OFFICERS WON'T COMPROMISE THE INTEGRITY OF THE PROCESS.

>> Eric: TALKING ABOUT THE DAUNTE WRIGHT CASE, FORMER OFFICER POTTER GETS SENTENCED A WEEK FROM TODAY.

ANY SPECULATION ON WHAT SHE MIGHT RECEIVE?

>> SO THIS IS AN INTERESTING CASE BECAUSE SHE WAS CONVICTED OF FIRST AND SECOND-DEGREE MANSLAUGHTER, WHICH MEANS THAT SHE CAN GET A MAXIMUM OF 15 YEARS, BUT THE SENTENCING GUIDELINES SUGGESTS THAT SOMEONE LIKE HER WITH NO CRIMINAL RECORD GET APPROXIMATELY SEVEN YEARS.

THE PROSECUTION HAS SAID THAT THAT SHOULD BE HIGHER BECAUSE OF FACTORS, FOR EXAMPLE, SUCH AS HER BEHAVIOR BEING PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS.

SHE SHOT AUNTE WRIGHT, HE LOST CONTROL OF HIS CAR AND THAT CAR HIT AN ELDERLY COUPLE.

THE HUSBAND SUFFERED SEVERE HEALTH CONSEQUENCES.

AND DAUNTE WRIGHT'S OWN GIRLFRIEND SUFFERED A BROKEN JAW AND A CONCUSSION.

NEU NOW, THE DEFENSE HAS SAID THAT KIM POTTER SHE HAD GET FAR LESS THAN SEVEN YEARS, THAT SHE SHOULD ONLY GET PROBATION.

AND I DON'T NECESSARILY FIND THEIR ARGUMENT COMPELLING.

FOR EXAMPLE, THE DEFENSE HAS SAID THAT IF KIM POTTER WERE TO GO TO PRISON AS A FORMER POLICE OFFICER, SHE COULD BE A TARGET.

BUT THE PROSECUTION CAN POINT OUT THAT WE SEND PEOPLE TO PRISON ALL THE TIME WHO CAN BE TARGETS, WE SEND GANG MEMBERS TO PRISON EVEN THOUGH THEY CAN BE TARGETED BY RIVAL MEMBERS.

>> Eric: CHARGES IN THE LOCKE CASE POSSIBLE?

>> I THINK SO.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF MINNESOTA IS INVESTIGATING THE CASE, ALONG WITH THE HENNEPIN COUNTY POLICE.

THE OFFICER WHO SHOT AMIR LOCKE HAS BEEN SUSPENDED.

HE HAS NOT BEEN TERMINATED YET.

AND I THINK THAT WHAT'S IMPORTANT IS THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WHO DOES NOT HAVE THE SAME DIRECT RELATIONSHIP WITH THIS POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT THE COUNTY DOES IS INVOLVED SO THAT THEY CAN MAKE A MORE UNBIASED SEARCH OF THE FACTS AND IF THEY SEE SUPPORTING EVIDENCE THEY WILL LIKELY BRING CHARGES.

>> Cathy: ALWAYS A PLEASURE HAVING YOU ON.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> ERIC: FOR ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE ON NO-KNOCK WARRANTS AND THE KILLING OF AMIR LOCKE, THIS WEEK MARY LAHAMMER SPOKE WITH ROB DOAR WITH THE GUN OWNERS CAUCUS.

THAT GROUP MADE NATIONAL NEWS, AND SOME PUSHBACK, LAST WEEK WHEN IT MADE A STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF AMIR LOCKE'S RIGHT TO DEFEND HIMSELF.

HERE'S AN EXCERPT OF MARY'S INTERVIEW THAT FIRST AIRED WEDNESDAY ON "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL."

>> Mary: YOUR LACK OF POLITICS THAT WEEK GAVE YOU NATIONAL, IF NOT INTERNATIONAL, ATTENTION.

EXPLAIN HOW AND WHY YOU DECIDED TO MAKE A STATEMENT IN THE AMIR LOCKE SHOOTING.

>> THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME WE'VE WADED INTO THESE CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES INVOLVING GUN OWNERS.

WE ISSUED A STATEMENT IN THE WAKE OF THE SHOOTING OF PHILANDO CASTILE AND WE GOT SOME COVERAGE.

>> Mary: HE HAD A PERMIT TO CARRY, WE SHOULD REMIND FOLKS, ANOTHER BLACK MAN SHOT BY POLICE WHO DISCLOSED HIS PERMIT TO CARRY.

>> RIGHT.

>> Mary: THAT'S WHY YOU LEANED IN, RIGHT?

>> YUP.

AND WE GOT -- WE HAD SOME PUSHBACK O THAT.

LATER THINGS CAME OUT THAT HE HAD THC IN HIS SYSTEM, WHICH ISN'T REALLY AN INDICATION OF ANYTHING OTHER THAN HE HAD USED THC AT SOME POINT IN RECENT HISTORY.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, OUR MESSAGE WAS THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS SHOULDN'T BE AFRAID OF SOMEBODY WHO VOLUNTEERS THE INFORMATION THAT THEY'RE LAWFULLY CARRYING.

AND THAT KIND OF SEGUES INTO THIS SITUATION, WHERE WE'VE GOT A PERSON WHO HAS EVERY RIGHT TO DEFEND THEMSELVES IN THEIR HOME.

>> Mary: AND ALSO NO KNOCK WARRANTS ARE CENTRAL TO THIS DEBATE.

DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS HAVE SAID, THE STATE NEEDS TO LOOK AT THIS.

ARE YOU AGREEING WITH THAT?

>> OH, ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK NO KNOCK WARRANTS ARE INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS FOR OFFICERS AND CITIZENS IN SOCIETY WHERE PEOPLE HAVE THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO DEFEND THEIR HOME.

IS NO KNOCK WARRANTS A VIABLE STRATEGY IN POLICING WHEN AT THE OTHER SIDE OF ANY DOOR IS SOMEBODY WHO MAY PERCEIVE YOUR ENTRY AS A THREAT AGAINST THEIR SAFETY AND HAS EVERY RIGHT TO DEFEND THEMSELVES.

♪♪ >> Eric: COVID CASES HAVE DROPPED BY NEARLY 50% IN THE PAST WEEK.

WHILE DEATHS AND HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS ARE DECLINING AS WELL.

BUT QUESTIONS REMAIN ABOUT THE ABILITY OF STRAINED HOSPITALS TO DEAL WITH FUTURE WAVES OF COVID.

Dr. RAHUL KORANNE AT THE MINNEAPOLIS HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION.

DOCTOR, ON THE FACE OF IT, IT SOUNDS LIKE GOOD NEWS UT I GUESS YOUR MEMBERS SEEM TO BE SAYING, IT'S ONLY A MODERATE IMPROVEMENT.

WHAT'S YOUR ASSESSMENT?

>> IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU THIS EVENING AGAIN.

YOU KNOW, YESTERDAY, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ANNOUNCED 39 DEATHS.

THERE'S STILL A LOT OF PATIENTS WITH COVID IN OUR HOSPITALS.

AND THE COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION CONTINUES TO BE HIGH.

SO I WOULD SAYS WE'RE CERTAINLY NOT OUT OF THIS PANDEMIC AND ACTUALLY WE'RE APPLYING LESSONS LEARNED, LOOKING AT WHAT WE NEED TO DO IN THE MONTHS AND YEARS AHEAD.

IT HAS BEEN A TOUGH TWO YEARS.

>> Eric: STAFFING LEVELS REMAIN STRETCHED?

>> STAFFING LEVELS ARE EXTREMELY STRETCHED.

YOU KNOW, IN SOME OF THE HOSPITALS THERE ARE, YOU KNOW, THOUSANDS OF OPEN JOBS.

YOU KNOW, IN THE LAST TWO YEARS OF THE PANDEMIC, ONE IN FIVE HEALTHCARE WORKERS NATIONALLY HAS LEFT THE INDUSTRY.

AND THREE MORE -- SO ONE IN THREE NOW ARE THINKING ABOUT LEAVING THE INDUSTRY.

JUST LAST WEEK, HE STATE D.E.E.D.

DATA CAME OUT THAT VALIDATED 40,000 OPEN POSITIONS IN THE HEALTH SERVICES INDUSTRY AND MANY MORE THOUSANDS THAT MAY BE OPEN IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS.

SO WORKFORCE IN HEALTHCARE IN THE HOSPITALS IS A CRISIS AND WE NEED HELP.

>> Eric: I'VE HEARD THE NURSES ASSOCIATION COMPLAIN ABOUT STAFFING LEVELS PREPANDEMIC.

AND I WONDER IF THAT'S COME BACK TO WORSEN THE SITUATION.

>> YOU KNOW, WE KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY'VE INTRODUCED A BILL, YOU KNOW, AND IT'S REALLY FROM THE PLAYBOOK OF THE NATIONAL UNION, NATIONAL UNITED UNION, AND IT'S REALLY ABOUT HOW TO HAVE RATIOS FOR JUST THAT ONE PROFESSIONAL IN THE HOSPITAL.

YOU KNOW, PATIENT CARE, ESPECIALLY COVID HAS SHOWN US, IS A TEAM SPORT.

IT'S NURSES AND RESPIRATORY THERAPISTS AND NURSING ASSISTANTS AND PHARMACISTS AND PHYSICIANS ALL TOGETHER.

THIS IS WHAT OUR MANAGERS AND OUR LEADERS DO DAY IN AND DAY OUT.

WE HAVE WORKED SO HARD BETWEEN MANAGEMENT AND LABOR IN THE LAST TWO YEARS TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITIES AND OUR PATIENTS.

WE WERE REALLY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE TONE OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE THAT THEY HELD LAST WEEK.

AND WE ABSOLUTELY OPPOSE ANY RATIO.

THE ONLY STATE THAT THIS HAS BEEN TRIED WITH THE NATIONAL UNION IS C CALIFORNIA.

IS CALIFORNIA.

AND MINNESOTA OUTCOMES SIGNIFICANTLY SURPASS WHAT CALIFORNIA DOES.

AND THE REST OF THE 49 STATES, WE'RE DOING GREAT.

WE NEED FLEXIBILITY TO SERVE OUR PATIENTS.

>> Eric: HAS THE PANDEMIC FORCED HOSPITALS TO CHANGE THEIR BUSINESS MODEL?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

NEU THE ONE THING THAT HAS KEPT US GOING IN SERVING PATIENTS IN COMMUNITIES IS INNOVATION.

WHEN WE ARE SO SHORT STAFFED IN OUR EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS AND IN OUR UNITS, THE ONLY WAY TO SERVE MINNESOTANS WHO COME IN WITH COVID OR SURGERIES OR NONCOVID IS TO PULL IN THE WHOLE CARE TEAM.

THAT MEANS LOOKING AT DIFFERENT WAYS THE TEAM CAN COME TOGETHER.

TELEHEALTH, WE TALKED ABOUT BEFORE, INNOVATION IS OING TO BE THE KEY TO HOW WE SUSTAIN, SURVIVE AND THRIVE IN THE FUTURE.

AND, SO, AGAIN, I COME BACK TO, WE MUST HAVE ALL THE LEVERS AT OUR DISPOSAL SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO SERVE ALL THE MINNESOTANS THAT NEED US.

AND RIGHT NOW WITH OUR STAFFING CRISIS, I'M REALLY WORRIED ABOUT OUR CAPACITY TO STAFF AND OUR CAPACITY TO PROVIDE CARE TO THOSE SURGERIES, TO THOSE COVID PATIENTS, AND TO THOSE NONCOVID PATIENTS.

I'M EXTREMELY WORRIED.

>> Eric: SO WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO FOLKS WHO ARE THINKING ABOUT A PROCEDURE OR A TEST, THOSE SORTS OF THINGS, IN THE MIDST OF THE PANDEMIC?

>> I WOULD SAY, KEEP YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR PRIMARY CARE ROVIDER STRONG.

YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHO WILL COORDINATE YOUR CARE.

WE ARE ABSOLUTELY GEARING UP TO HAVE MORE SURGERIES.

THERE'S PENT-UP NAN, WE KNOW THAT.

BUT WITH OUR CURRENT STAFFING CRISIS, WE ARE TRYING TO PRIORITIZE THOSE PATIENTS HIS, THE SURGERIES THAT NEED TO BE DONE, OUR E.D.s HAVE BEEN OPEN 24/7, OUR SURGERIES ARE INCREASING, BUT STAFFING CRISIS IS REALLY WORRISOME.

AND THAT'S WHERE I AGAIN COME BACK TO INNOVATION AND THE REST OF THE CARE TEAM, WE NEED THE WHOLE CARE TEAM TO WORK TOGETHER AND THAT'S WHAT OUR LEADERS DO.

DAY AND NIGHT, HOLIDAYS AND WEEKENDS.

>> Eric: Dr. KORANNE, THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, ERIC.

♪♪ >> CATHY: WE'VE BEEN CHECKING IN DURING THE PAST FEW WEEKS WITH MAYORS FROM AROUND THE STATE.

AND TONIGHT WE VENTURE TO CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

DAVE KLEIS IS A FORMER STATE LAWMAKER WHO HAS BEEN THE MAYOR OF ST.

CLOUD SINCE 2005.

MAKING HIM THE LONGEST-SERVING MAYOR IN THE CITY'S HISTORY.

AMONG THE TOPICS WE'LL TALK ABOUT, WHAT HELP HE WANTS FROM LEGISLATORS IN ST PAUL.

WELCOME BACK TO THE PROGRAM, MAYOR.

HOW ARE YOU?

>> I'M DOING WELL.

IT'S NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN OR AT LEAST BE IN THIS FORMAT, ANYWAY.

>> Cathy: WELCOME BACK.

EXACTLY.

WELCOME BACK.

LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT COVID IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

St.

CLOUD, OF COURSE, CENTRACARE IS ONE OF YOUR BIGGEST EMPLOYERS IN St.

CLOUD.

AND I KNOW THAT MANAGEMENT ASKED FOR A MASK MANDATE IN St.

CLOUD BUT YOU DIDN'T GO FOR IT.

WHAT HAPPENED THERE?

>> YOU KNOW, WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH CENTRACARE FROM THE BEGINNING, SINCE MARCH 13th, 2020, AND, YOU KNOW, ALL WORKING TOGETHER, TRYING TO DO AS MUCH AS WE CAN TO TRY AND PROTECT THE COMMUNITY, THE MANDATE, I DON'T BELIEVE THAT CITIES REALLY HAVE THAT ROLE OF MANDATING OR THAT AUTHORITY.

IN FACT, I KNOW THEY ASKED MYSELF AS MAYOR AND THREE OTHER MAYORS IN OUR AREA, AND, YOU KNOW, REALLY, THAT AUTHORITY DOESN'T REST IN ME.

AND EVEN IF IT DID, I HAD THE ABILITY TO MANDATE THAT.

OTHER CITIES ARE DIFFERENT.

MINNEAPOLIS, St. PAUL, DULUTH, ROCHESTER, THEIR CHARTERS AND WHAT THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO, THEY CAN DO THAT.

I CAN DO THAT FOR 72 HOURS, BUT THEY ASKED FOR I ASIX-WEEK MANDATE.

BUT, REGARDLESS OF EVEN IF I HAD THE AUTHORITY, I DON'T BELIEVE THAT'S THE ROLE OF THE CITY.

BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN I DIDN'T -- WE DIDN'T, IN FACT, ALL THE ALL THE MAYORS, WE ASKED, I BELIEVE IT'S ACTUALLY -- IT'S MUCH MORE EFFECTIVE, IN MY OPINION, TO ASK RATHER THAN THE DIVISION WE'VE HAD TWO YEARS OF STRONG DIVISION, POLARIZING THE ISSUE.

I SUGGESTED WHEN I TALKED TO THE CEO OF CENTRACARE AND I TALKED TO THE INCIDENT COMMANDER, Dr. MORRIS, WOULDN'T IT BE BETTER IF WE CAME TOGETHER IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, THE GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY, ALL THE MAYORS, ALL THE COMMUNITIES, AND ASK FOLKS TO DO THE RIGHT THING.

I'VE BEEN WEARING A MASK IN INDOORS, I'VE BEEN DOING ALL THE THINGS, I'M VACCINATED, I'VE HAD THE BOOSTER, I'M DOING ALL OF THOSE PROCEDURES THAT THEY ASK TO DO.

AND I WOULD BE WILLING TO GATHER WITH PEOPLE AND ASK, BUT I JUST DO NOT BELIEVE IT'S A MANDATE.

I TOLD THEM THAT WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN, INSTEAD, I DON'T BELIEVE THE CITIES, FIRST OF ALL, ARE GOING TO DO, EVEN IF THEY DID, THERE ARE 853 CITIES IN MINNESOTA.

WHAT I UNDERSTAND ABOUT SEVEN OF THEM DID THE MANDATE.

I JUST DIDN'T THINK IT WOULD BE EFFECTIVE, IT WOULD CREATE MORE DIVISION, IT WOULD BE BETTER TO DO AN ASK AND THAT'S WHAT WE DID.

AS I SAID, I SAID IT WOULD BE DIVISIVE, IT WAS DIVISIVE FOR TWO WEEKS AND IT REALLY DIDN'T DO WHAT THEY WERE ASKING TO DO.

SO MANDATES I JUST DON'T BELIEVE IS THE ROLE OF THE CITY.

>> Eric: OKAY.

>> I'D MUCH RATHER SEE AN ASK.

>> Eric: ALL RIGHT.

St.

CLOUD IS APPROACHING 70,000 IN POPULATION.

I THINK YOUR METRO AREA UP THERE IS 200,000.

AND GROWING.

BIG-CITY PROBLEMS COMING TO St.

CLOUD?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK WE'VE ALWAYS HAD ITY CHALLENGES.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE'RE STILL A REGIONAL CENTER IN MINNESOTA.

YOU KNOW, OUR CHALLENGE IS, I THINK, WITH ALL CITIES, YOU KNOW, WITH COVID, IN PARTICULAR, I THINK THE CITY HAS, LIKE, ALL CITIES IN HE COUNTRY, WORKFORCE ISSUES, IT'S A MATTER OF, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A HELP WANTED SIGN UP PRETTY MUCH IN EVERY BUSINESS THERE IS, AND GETTING EMPLOYEES.

AND THAT EVEN FROM A CITY PERSPECTIVE IS TOUGH TO DO.

SO OUR CHALLENGE S THAT AND, YOU KNOW, BUDGET ISSUES, YOU KNOW, WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

WE HOPE THERE'S SOME -- I KNOW WITH THE STATE'S BUDGET SURPLUS, OPEFULLY WE CAN ACCOMMODATE SOME OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, SOME OF OUR PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES.

BUT, YEAH, WE HAVE CHALLENGES LIKE EVERYONE ELSE WITH PUBLIC SAFETY.

BUT I THINK THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE WE HAVE S WHAT I HEAR FROM EMPLOYERS IS, REALLY, WORKFORCE.

SO E'RE FOCUSING ON QUALITY OF LIFE, TRYING TO GET PEOPLE TO COME TO OUR COMMUNITY, AND TO STAY IN OUR COMMUNITY TO WORK AND BE ENTREPRENEURS.

THAT'S OUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE RIGHT NOW.

>> Cathy: LAST TIME I TALKED TO YOU, MAYOR KLEIS, IT WAS A WHILE AGO, BUT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT SOME STRIFE BETWEEN FOLKS IN THE AREA AND NEW AMERICANS, SOMALI AMERICANS WHO WERE MOVING IN TO St.

CLOUD.

HOW'S THAT GOING?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK, YOU KNOW, WE WERE -- AND I THINK WE STILL ARE -- WE'RE DOING A LOT OF, IN MY OPINION, I THINK WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT BEFORE, IT'S RELATIONSHIP BUILDING.

MY FOCUS HAS BEEN, OUR TEAM, IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT AREA OF OUR TEAM IT IS, RELATIONSHIP BUILDING IS THE KEY TO ANY SUCCESS.

IT'S THE KEY TO PUBLIC SAFETY, OUR COMMUNITY POLICING, YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY WHAT WE WENT THROUGH AS A STATE AND AS A NATION OVER THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF WITH THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD, AND ALL OF WHAT TOOK PLACE IN A LOT OF PLACES, OUR COMMUNITY -- OUR RELATIONSHIP THAT WE HAVE BUILT, OUR COMMUNITY POLICING WAS A BIG PART OF US NOT HAVING THOSE SAME CHALLENGES.

SO WE CONTINUE, WHETHER IT'S NEW AMERICANS, OR WHETHER IT'S NEW PEOPLE TO OUR COMMUNITY, IT'S BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS.

I THINK THAT'S BEEN THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE WITH COVID OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS.

IT'S REALLY HARD TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS OVER ZOOM.

IT'S REALLY HARD TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WHEN THERE'S ISOLATION.

I THINK, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE LASTING THINGS THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO ET OUT F IS THE ISOLATION, THE ISSUES OF A LOT OF THE RESTRICTIONS THAT CAUSED A STRAIN ON LOT OF THE RELATIONSHIPS.

I'VE SEEN THAT MORE.

I'VE BEEN MAYOR FOR 17 YEARS.

IN THE LEGISLATURE FOR 11.

SO OVER THAT LONG PERIOD OF TIME, IN FACT, IT WAS THE LEGISLATURE, IT WAS BUILDING THE RELATIONSHIPS ACROSS MUCH OF THE PARTISAN TONE THAT WE HAD, YOU KNOW, WHEN I WAS A LEGISLATOR, WHEN WE STARTED, I THINK YOU GET MORE AND MORE DIVISION, THE LESS AND LESS YOU ARE CONNECTED TO PEOPLE.

AND I SEE THAT IN POLITICS.

I SEE THAT EVERYWHERE.

I SEE COVID EVEN AMPLIFY THAT EVEN MORE.

SO WE STILL HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO.

BUT THE RELATIONSHIPS WE'VE BUILT HAVE REALLY HELPED AND WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

WE REACH OUT.

I'VE GOT, YOU KNOW, SEVERAL TOWN HALL MEETINGS, I DO THIS THING CALLED DINNER WITH STRANGERS, I INVITE STRANGERS TO MY HOUSE, PEOPLE I DON'T KNOW, TO GET TO KNOW PEOPLE.

WE DO A LOT MORE OUTREACH AND RELATIONSHIP BUILDING, THAT'S THE KEY TO SUCCESS, I THINK, IN ANY COMMUNITY, ANY ENTITY IS TO, ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE ARE CHALLENGES, THE RELATIONSHIPS YOU HAVE ARE HELPFUL IN OVERCOMING THOSE CHALLENGES.

>> Eric: THE POWER IS BACK ON IN St.

CLOUD TONIGHT, SO THAT'S GOOD.

THANKS FOR YOUR TIME, MAYOR.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

NICE TALKING TO YOU AGAIN.

TAKE CARE.

>> THESE ARE THE GLOW FISH.

THEY WERE PURCHASED TO HELP OUT O -- TO HELP OUT WITH CABIN FEVER AND WHAT A MICROCOSM THEY ARE.

FOR STARTERS, THERE'S WINSTON, HE'S IMPULSIVE, A CREATURE OF CONSTANT MOTION.

UNFORTUNATELY, HIS PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS ARE HOPELESSLY REACTIONARY.

IF HE'S EVER TRULY CHALLENGED, HE WILL NOT RISE TO THE OCCASION.

THIS IS EBONY, SHE'S MORE CEREBRAL, SHE HARBORS COMPLICATED VIEWS ABOUT THE DISTRIBUTION OF RESOURCES AND IN A GALTARIAN SOCIETY.

HER IDEAS SOUND GOOD ON PAPER, BUT THEY'RE HARD TO IMPLEMENT IN THE REAL WORLD.

JOSH, HE'S A FAN OF DARWIN.

AT LEAST IN THE BUMPER STICKER SENSE.

THE STRONG EAT FIRST.

WHICH IS CONVENIENT, CONSIDERING HE REMAINS 'IN THE FLESH OF YOUTH.

I LOOK FORWARD TO WATCHING HIM REASSESS HIS ASSUMPTIONS IN MIDDLE AGE.

THE GENTLE-LOOKING ONE IS PORTLAND.

I LIKE HIM.

HE'S DIPLOMATIC AND GENEROUS OF SPIRIT.

BUT TRAGICALLY HE HAS NO SPARK.

HISTORY WILL NOT REMEMBER HIM.

STEPHANIE IS PIOUS.

SHE'S BEEN FORMULATING A SEMI RELIGIOUS MORAL CONSTRUCT GUIDED BY THE BUBBLE PATTERNS GENERATED BY THE AERATOR.

SHE CREEPS ME OUT.

THE SMALL ONES ARE THE DADDY I DON'TS, THEY HANG OUT DOWN BY THE WATER HEATER AND MAKE SARA CONTACT COMMENTS ABOUT -- SARCASTIC COMMENTS ABOUT EVERYBODY ELSE, LIFE HAS NO MEANING, IT'S A REAL ORIGINAL PERSPECTIVE.

AND FINALLY, THERE'S HERCULES, POOR HERCULES, HE GRACED US WITH HIS EARLY POTENTIAL BUT WE WILL NEVER KNOW THE STAR-SWEPT HEIGHTS TO WHICH HIS JOURNEY MAY HAVE CARRIED HIM.

IN A SHOW OF RESPECT, WE'VE ALLOWED HIS BODY TO LIE IN STATE, A TIP OF THE HAT TO THE FOLLY OF ALL THINGS MORTAL.

ANYWAY, THOSE ARE THE GLOW FISH.

AS YOU CAN TELL, CABIN FEVER IS NOT A PROBLEM IN THIS HOUSE.

♪♪ >> WHEN MY PARTY GAINED CONTROL OF THE HOUSE, I WAS OFFERED THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHAIR A COMMITTEE THAT I REALLY DIDN'T WANT TO CHAIR.

THE SPEAKER WISELY DRAGGED ME INTO IT.

AND, YOU KNOW, TRAGICALLY, YOU KNOW, TWO YEARS AFTER THAT GEORGE FLOYD WAS KILLED.

YOU KNOW, IT LEFT OUR COMMITTEE, YOU KNOW, MY CHAIRMANSHIP RIGHT INTO THE EYE OF THE STORE.

IT BROUGHT.

>> Mary: DID YOU FEEL LIKE YOU NEEDED TO STAY TO SEE THAT THROUGH?

TO GET SOME OF THE POLICE REFORMS THROUGH?

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE A LITTLE PROPHETIC, I SUPPOSE.

BUT, FRANKLY, THIS IS A PATTERN THAT WE'RE SEEING, IT'S CONTINUING, AND THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO INTERVENE.

>> ERIC: PUBLIC SAFETY AND POLICING ARE IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK.

SO IS INFLATION.

AND RUSSIA.

AND WHAT COUNTS AS LEGITIMATE POLITICAL DISCOURSE.

FOR THE NEXT TEN MINUTES WE'RE GOING TO TALK POLITICS AND POLICY.

HERE TO DO THAT, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST GREGG PEPPIN AND FORMER DFL LAWMAKER NOW LOBBYIST JEFF HAYDEN.

GREGG, JUST A REAL CYNICAL POLITICAL QUESTION FOR YOU.

DO THE POLITICIANS WANT A PUBLIC SAFETY SOLUTION OUT OF THIS LEGISLATURE OR ARE THEY HAPPY TO HAVE THE ISSUE UNRESOLVED FOR THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS?

>> OH, I THINK THAT THEY DEEP DOWN THEY WANT TO GET A SOLUTION ON THOSE AREAS THAT THEY CAN COME TO A COMPROMISE.

AND HAS BEEN DISCUSSED TONIGHT, NO KNOCK WARRANTS MAY BE ONE OF THEM.

BUT WHAT WE'RE REALLY SEEING, YOU KNOW, AT THE RISK OF SOUNDING OVERLY PARTISAN, YOU'VE GOT ISSUES IN MINNEAPOLIS THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO EXPORT TO THE REST OF THE STATE.

AND ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL PUBLIC SAFETY PACKAGE DOESN'T NECESSARILY WORK FOR THE SUBURBS OR FOR AREAS IN GREATER MINNESOTA.

AND IT'S FRUSTRATING, FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, TO SEE DFL POLITICIANS FROM THE TWIN CITIES THINK THAT THAT'S THE CASE.

AND IT'S JUST NOT.

AND, SO, I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE MUCH MORE OF A NUANCED CONVERSATION.

>> Eric: SENATOR HAYDEN, FORMER MINNEAPOLIS STATE SENATOR, WHAT ABOUT IT?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT IF YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THE ISSUE, SOME OF THE HIGH-PROFILE INCIDENTS HAVE BEEN IN MINNEAPOLIS OR THE SURROUNDING SUBURBS, BUT IF YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THE REPORT THAT COMMISSIONER HARRINGTON AND ATTORNEY GENERAL ELLISON, THEY WENT AROUND THE STATE A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO AND THERE WERE PROBLEMS ALL AROUND THE STATE.

SO WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO MY GOOD FRIEND, GREGG, I JUST DON'T THINK THAT'S TRUE.

I THINK THAT WE NEED TO HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN THAT DEALS WITH NO KNOCK WARRANTS AND PRETEXTUAL STOPS, P.O.S.T.

BOARD REVIEW ALL OVER THE STATE.

>> Cathy: DO YOU THINK THERE'S COMMON GROUND, SENATOR, ON NO KNOCKS?

>> I THINK THAT THERE MAY BE.

IT'S NOT A PANACEA.

WE GOT TO INVEST A LOT MORE IN PEOPLE, WE HAVE TO I DO ALLOT MORE IN TRAINING, BUT I THINK YOU SHOWED, Mr. DOAR TODAY FROM THE GUN RIGHTS ALLIANCE, OTHERS, I THINK SENATOR GAZELKA, SENATOR BENSON KIND OF WEIGHED IN, LOOKING LIKE THEY MIGHT SUPPORT THAT.

SO I THINK YOU MIGHT GET SOME BIPARTISAN SUPPORT ON THIS.

>> Eric: WHAT ABOUT THE SURPLUS, THE WALZ CHECKS SEEM TO KIND OF FAIL ON AT LEAST THE MARKETING OF THEM.

BUT I GUESS THERE'S SOME APPETITE FOR LARGER CHECK OUT OF THE SENATE, GREGG.

WHERE ARE WE HEADED THERE ON TAX RELIEF?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT THEY WILL REACH A COMPROMISE THERE.

WE'RE HEARING NOW THAT THE SURPLUS COULD BE AS MUCH AS $10 BILLION WITH NEW CORPORATE TAX REVENUES THAT CAME IN N JANUARY.

AND, SO, YOU KNOW, IT SHOULDN'T BE THAT DIFFICULT TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GIVE MONEY BACK TO MINNESOTANS.

OBVIOUSLY WE KNOW HISTORY SAYS THAT THOSE CAN BE SOME OF THE MOST CONTENTIOUS DEBATES.

BUT I THINK WE'RE GOING TO COME TO SOME AGREEMENT, WHETHER IT'S PAYMENT TO FRONT-LINE WORKERS, WHETHER IT'S TAX RELIEF.

THEY OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO GET THAT DONE.

>> Cathy: LOOKS LIKE WHEN IT COMES TO THAT HERO PAY, SENATOR, THE HOUSE COMMITTEE HAS PASSED A BILLION DOLLARS.

I DON'T KNOW, IS THE SENATE GOING TO GO WITH THAT?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK THEY SHOULD.

I THINK IT'S PRETTY SMART.

GOVERNOR WALZ AND THE SENATE CAME UP TO FULLY FUND UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE AT 2.7, WHICH IS HELPFUL TO BUSINESSES, SMALL BUSINESS ALIKE.

I TALKED TO SENATOR CHAMPION ABOUT THIS.

BUT, TAME, THE PEOPLE WHO WORK AT THOSE -- AT THE SAME TIME, THE PEOPLE HO WORK AT THOSE JOBS NEED THAT HELP.

SO TO REALLY EXPAND THAT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE FOLKS THAT WERE IN THE FRONT, NO MATTER IF THEY WERE A DOCTOR OR IF THEY WERE A BUS DRIVER, WHATEVER THAT MAY E, I THINK THAT THAT WOULD BE A SMART WAY.

AND THEY STILL WOULD HAVE A LOT OF MONEY THAT THEY'D HAVE TO FIGURE OUT.

SO I THINK AN EARLY BILL WITH U.I.

AND FRONT-LINE HERO BILL WOULD REALLY MAKE A LOT OF SENSE.

>> Eric: AND THE REPUBLICANS WOULD LIKE A CLEAN BILL, RIGHT, GREGG, WITHOUT ANY DFL ORNAMENTS ON IT?

>> I THINK THAT WOULD BE THE BEST WAY TO GO AND NOT TRY AND EXPAND IT BEYOND REALLY WHAT IS NECESSARY AND WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN ACTUAL, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE THAT WERE ON THE FRONT LINE.

AND, SO, RATHER THAN IT BEING KIND OF ANOTHER WAY TO GET MONEY OUT TO PEOPLE IN AN ATTEMPT TO MAYBE CURRY FAVOR OR, YOU KNOW, DARE I SAY, BUY VOTES, LET'S BE FOCUSED, LET'S BE REALISTIC, AND, YES, LET'S MAKE SURE THAT WE GIVE THE PEOPLE THAT DESERVE IT THE FUNDS THAT ARE AVAILABLE AND DO IT IN A WAY THAT'S FAIR.

>> YOU KNOW WHAT, I'LL SAY THIS.

I DON'T THINK THAT MY BARTENDER IN MINNEAPOLIS WHO GOT COVID TWICE THINKS THAT SOMEONE IS BUYING A VOTE.

HE LOST A LOT OF MONEY AND A LOT OF TIME.

SO I THINK THAT WE NEED TO KIND OF BRING THAT -- DEPOLITICIZE IT, AND WE ALL THE TIME TAKE TWO ISSUES AND PUT THEM TOGETHER FOR COMPROMISE SAKE.

>> Eric: HOW ABOUT THE GOP GOVERNOR'S RACE, GREGG?

JEFF COLE, VERY INTERESTING TWITTER AUTHOR SAID THAT THE REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN IS WAY TOO SLEEPY.

IS JENSEN THE FRONTRUNNER?

WHAT'S GOING ON?

>> WELL, I THINK AT THIS POINT, YEAH, I THINK THAT SENATOR JENSEN WOULD BE THE PERCEIVED FRONTRUNNER.

HE'S CLOSEST TO WALZ IN THE POLLS.

HE'S GOT GOOD FINANCIAL CUSHION.

HE DID WELL IN THE STRAW POLL.

BUT THINGS ARE VERY FLUID.

I WOULD DISAGREE WITH Mr. COLB.

I THINK IT S HEATING UP.

I THINK IT'S NOT A SLEEPY RACE, IT'S OING TO CONTINUE TO RAMP UP AS WE GO FORWARD HERE.

AND YOU'RE SEEING A LOT OF ACTIVITY TOWARDS THOSE ACTIVISTS, YOU'RE SEEING A LOT OF EMAILS, A LOT OF TWEETS, A LOT OF OUTREACH, A LOT OF PHONE CALLS TO THOSE FOLKS.

SO I THINK IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE TO RAMP UP AND I THINK THIS IS GOING TO REALLY BE A FUN THING FOR PEOPLE TO BE A PART OF.

>> Cathy: DO YOU HAVE A DOG IN THE RACE?

>> I DON'T AT THIS POINT, NO.

>> Cathy: OKAY.

SAY, I'M WONDERING, UST SAW THIS TODAY, EVIDENTLY FORMER MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL MEMBER DONE SAMUELS CONFIRMS TO OUR FRIENDS THAT HE'S THINKING ABOUT A RUN IN THE FIFTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT AGAINST ILHAN OMAR, CHALLENGING HER EITHER IN THE DFL PRIMARY OR RUNNING WITH A DIFFERENT PARTY AFFILIATION.

SENATOR HAYDEN, WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN HEARING THOSE RUMORS AS WELL.

I THINK THAT THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE FRUSTRATED, ESPECIALLY THIS PAST SUMMER.

THE CITY DIVIDED OVER THIS ISSUE OF QUESTION 2, DEFUND THE POLICE, HAVE A PUBLIC SAFETY GROUP, WHATEVER YOU CALL IT.

AND I THINK THAT DON WAS A LEADING VOICE IN THAT.

AND I THINK THAT THERE WERE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ENCOURAGED FORMER COUNCIL MEMBER SAMUELS TO RUN.

I THINK HE SPEAKS WELL, THEY THINK THAT HE SPEAKS FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

THAT WOULD BE AN INTERESTING RACE.

>> Eric: GREGG, YOU'VE BEEN THROUGH REDISTRICTING SEVERAL TIMES, I THINK, IN YOUR LONG AND DISTINGUISHED CAREER.

PAIRINGS AND RETIREMENTS, IS IT STILL SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY, THE RELEASE OF THE MAPS BY THE COURTS, I GUESS IT WOULD BE?

>> YEAH, I THINK IT WILL BE TUESDAY.

THERE'S SOME DISCUSSION IT COULD BE WEDNESDAY.

WE'LL FIND -- F THEY GIVE THE LEGISLATURE ALL DAY TUESDAY TO COME TO AN AGREEMENT, WHICH OBVIOUSLY THEY'RE NOT GOING TO DO, I THINK THAT THAT WEBSITE IS GOING TO BE JAM PACKED AND THAT IS A NONPARTISAN, BIPARTISAN KIND OF AN ISSUE WHERE PEOPLE ARE LOOKING AT THAT MAP, IT COMES OUT, ND TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT THE COURTS DO, WHAT THE JUDGES DO.

AND WHAT THAT MEANS FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

AND, SO, I KNOW THAT THE REPUBLICANS THAT I'VE TALKED TO ARE ANXIOUS, TO SAY THE LEAST, AS TO WHAT THOSE MAPS ARE GOING TO LOOK LIKE AND WHAT IT MAY MEAN FOR THEIR POLITICAL FUTURES.

>> Cathy: SENATOR HAYDEN, YOU'RE LAUGHING.

>> WELL, IT WILL BE INTERESTING WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE.

I THINK THAT THE POPULATION GROWTH WE KNOW HAS EEN IN THE TWIN CITIES, MINNEAPOLIS, IN PARTICULAR.

THE SEVEN-COUNTY AREA.

SO IF I WAS A REPUBLICAN, I'D BE A LITTLE ANXIOUS ABOUT WHAT THAT THOSE -- WHAT THOSE MAPS LOOK LIKE AND VERY NTERESTED IN WHAT THE CONGRESSIONAL MAPS LOOK LIKE.

I THINK YOU'LL FIND PEOPLE WILL GET IN, ESPECIALLY IN THE FIRST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, IF THE LINES ARE FAVORABLE FOR DEMOCRATS.

>> Eric: THE DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO NEED SOME ONGOING FUNDING, AREN'T THEY?

A LOT OF THIS SURPLUS MONEY, FEDERAL MONEY IS ONE TIME.

GREGG, I'M WONDERING IF LEGALIZING MARIJUANA FOR RECREATIONAL USE, MAY BE -- MAYBE SPORTS BETTING, SOME TAXES TO THOSE, THAT WOULD PROVIDE SOME ONGOING REVENUE.

IS THERE ANY CHANCE ANY OF THAT GETTING SETTLED THIS YEAR?

>> OH, BOY, I DON'T SEE EITHER.

YOU KNOW, I KNOW THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF DISCUSSION ON THE GAMBLING FRONT.

BUT IN TERMS OF LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA, I EAN, AT LEAST LOOKING AT THOSE FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF REVENUE, I THINK THOSE ARE NONSTARTERS.

FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE.

BECAUSE WE'VE GOT THIS HUGE BUDGET SURPLUS.

I THINK THAT HAT YOU'RE GOING TO SEE IS AN EMPHASIS AT LEAST ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE ON THE ECONOMY.

AND INFLATION AND THE IMPACT THAT INFLATION'S HAVING ON PEOPLE.

I THINK THAT'S REALLY GOING -- THAT AND PUBLIC SAFETY ARE THE MAIN ISSUES.

I DON'T SEE THESE OTHERS REALLY GETTING A LOT OF TRACTION.

>> Eric: WHAT DO YOU THINK, SENATOR?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT GAMBLING, FOR SURE, LOOKS LIKE THAT'S ON A BIPARTISAN WAVE, AND I THINK THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT REALLY WANT THAT TO HAPPEN IN THE EGISLATURE.

SO I THINK THAT THAT MIGHT BE SOMETHING.

MAYBE NOT EVEN FROM THE POINT OF JUST GONE KNOWING -- ONGOING REVENUE, WHICH IT WILL PROVIDE BUT ALSO THAT MINNESOTANS REALLY LIKE IT, APPARENTLY THEY LIKE THEIR PULL TABS AND OTHER THINGS.

SO I THINK THAT THAT MAY WORK.

I HAD THE BILL FOR ADULT-USE CANNABIS.

I DON'T SEE A PATHWAY FOR THAT IN THE SENATE YET THIS YEAR.

BUT MINNESOTA TENDS TO BE A LITTLE SLOW ON THAT AND THEY'RE KIND OF DRAGGING ALONG.

BUT I THINK THAT THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN SOONER THAN LATER.

I JUST DON'T SEE A PATH THIS YEAR.

>> Cathy: SAY, GOING BACK TO THE POLITICAL RACES HERE.

ERIC ASKED ABOUT THE REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR'S RACE AND I'M CURIOUS TO SEE WHAT YOU GUYS THINK.

THERE'S WORD THAT IT'S POSSIBLE THE WWCO RADIO'S CORY HEPULA MIGHT RUN FOR GOVERNOR, THINKING ABOUT IT, MAYBE UNDER ANDREW YANG'S THIRD-PARTY BANNER.

SENATOR HAYDEN, WHO WOULD HE SIPHON VOTES FROM IF HE DECIDES TO RUN?

>> YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW.

WCCO RADIO.

HE'S POPULAR, I JUST DON'T KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT HIS POLITICS.

AND, FRANKLY, Mr. YANG'S, YOU KNOW, FORWARD PARTY, I JUST DON'T KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT IT.

I WAS JUST TRYING TO KIND OF DO SOME RESEARCH ON IT AND FIGURE OUT IN MINNESOTA WHO'S PUSHING IT.

IT'S LIKELY TO PULL AWAY FROM DEMOCRATS, UT WE JUST DON'T KNOW.

MINNESOTANS ARE FICKLE.

AND IF IT GOES DOWN A LIBERTARIAN TRACK, YOU DON'T KNOW.

SO IT WILL BE INTERESTING.

>> Cathy: GREGG, OF COURSE, MINNESOTA HAS A HISTORY OF FOLKS WHO HAVE BEEN IN RADIO RUNNING SUCCESSFULLY FOR OTHER OFFICES.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> WELL, I THINK IT'S AN INTERESTING, INTRIGUING CANDIDACY.

I KNOW THAT THE WALZ TEAM IS VERY VERY WORRIED ABOUT A POTENTIAL CANDIDACY BY CORY HEPULA.

AS SENATOR HAYDEN SAID, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT HIS POLITICS ARE, REALLY, FOR THE MOST PART.

I'VE LISTENED TO HIM FROM TIME TO TIME.

BUT HE HADN'T COME -- HE HASN'T COME OUT ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

SO IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN WHERE HE'S GOING TO COME DOWN ON THOSE ISSUES THAT MAY IMPACT SOME OF THE VOTES.

AND, YOU KNOW, MAYBE THERE'S -- WE TALKED ABOUT THE DON SAMUELS, MAYBE THERE'S A BURGEONING GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT WANT TO COME FORWARD WITH THE FORWARD PARTY.

IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN.

BUT IT WOULDN'T SURPRISE ME IF THAT WERE THE CASE.

YOU.

>> Eric: JUST A MINUTE OR SO LEFT.

SENATOR HAYDEN, THE NATIONAL SCENE, HOW DOES IT DRIBBLE DOWN TO MINNESOTA FOR THE MIDTERMS?

>> YEAH, YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S PRETTY IMPORTANT.

AND, YOU KNOW, IF WE CAN FIGURE OUT INFLATION, IT LOOKS LIKE COVID IS GETTING UNDER CONTROL, YOU KNOW, WHO KNOWS WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE UKRAINE.

SO I THINK A LOT OF THOSE THINGS ARE GOING TO KIND OF HAVE AN IMPACT, YOU KNOW, WE KNOW THAT THE SITTING PRESIDENT USUALLY DOESN'T DO VERY WELL IN THE MIDTERMS.

HOWEVER, I THINK IF THE ECONOMY GETS BETTER, SUPPLY CHAIN -- THE SUPPLY CHAIN GETS BETTER, IT DOES FEEL LIKE BIDEN IS HAVING AN IMPACT.

BUT IT'S GOING TO BE TOUGH.

>> Eric: GREGG, IS THERE A TRUMP FACTOR ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE?

>> I THINK THERE'S LESS OF A TRUMP FACTOR ON THE REPUBLICAN SIGH.

I DO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS MORE OF A FOCUS, AS I SAID EARLIER.

YOU KNOW, IN '92 CLINTON, BILL CLINTON'S PHRASE, WAS, IT'S THE ECONOMY, STUPID.

I'M SUGGESTING THAT REPUBLICANS SAY, IT'S THE INFLATION, STUPID, BECAUSE THAT'S REALLY WHAT'S IMPACTING VOTERS ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASEMENT.

>> Eric: AND -- BASIS.

>> Eric: AND IS THERE ANY KIND OF FRACTIONING IN THE REPUBLICAN RANKS BETWEEN EMP TRUMPERS AND TRUMPERS OR NEVER TRUMPERS?

>> I MEAN, THAT'S OUT THERE.

IT'S LESS SERIOUS THAN IT WAS IN THE PAST.

AND I DO THINK THAT THAT'S GOING TO LESSEN OVER TIME.

>> Eric: CAN YOU NATIONALIZE IN MINNESOTA, SENATOR, MAKE IT A TRUMP -- MAKE TRUMP A FOCUS?

>> WELL, I CERTAINLY THINK, FORMER SENATOR JENSEN GETS THROUGH, THAT HE SMELLS AND LOOKS A LOT LIKE THE FOLKS THAT REALLY SUPPORTED TRUMP.

SO I THINK THAT THERE'S SOME ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

ESPECIALLY IF, IN PARTICULAR, SENATOR, FORMER SENATOR JENSEN GETS THROUGH TO BE THE CANDIDATE.

>> Cathy: WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> Eric: GREAT STUFF, MEN.

THANKS VERY MUCH.

>> Cathy: GOOD TO SEE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATION ] >> Mary: A BIPARTISAN BOWL FEST PROVED TO BE A USEFUL BONDING EXERCISE.

>> I THINK IT'S HARD TO BE JERKS TOWARDS PEOPLE THAT YOU'RE FRIENDS WITH.

IT'S MORE LIKELY THAT YOU'LL GET ALONG, ACCOMMODATE EACH OTHER A LITTLE BIT ALONG THE WAY.

HOPEFULLY IT WILL HELP THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

>> WE'RE THRILLED FOR THE INVITATION, THANK THE GOVERNOR FOR THAT.

THE SENATE JUST WANTS TO BE COMPETITIVE.

>> ric: I COVERED THAT FOR CCO BACK THEN.

BUT FOR OUR MINNESOTA HISTORY QUESTION WE VENTURE A BIT FURTHER BACK IN TME.

LAST TIME WE ASKED YOU ABOUT A VISIT BY A NOTED PERFORMER, NOT SEEN HERE, MAKING HIS OR HER MINNESOTA DEBUT IN NOVEMBER OF 1970.

THE 23-YEAR-OLD, SPORTING A CAPE, HAT AND SUNGLASSES, PLAYED MOSTLY ORIGINAL MATERIAL.

ONE EXCEPTION WAS A SPIRITED RENDITION OF "HONKY TONK WOMAN "BY THE ROLLING STONES.

WE ADDED FURTHER HINTS, TELLING YOU TICKETS WERE $4 AND AVAILABLE AT DAYTON'S, ELECTRIC FETUS, A PLACE CALLED THE OLD LAUGHING LADY IN ST. PAUL, AND THE GUTHRIE BOX OFFICE.

WHAT FAMED MUSICIAN MADE THEIR MINNESOTA DEBUT ON NOVEMBER 29, 1970?

WE HAD PLENTY OF GUESSES TO CHOOSE FROM WHEN WE COMPILED OUR LIST OF WRONG GUESSES.

AND AT THE TOP OF THE LIST, SORRY TO SAY, IS JEFF.

>> Eric: SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE.

TINY TIM WAS THE MOST POPULAR WRONG TRY BUT WE DROPPED A BUNCH OF HINTS, SUGGESTING THAT THE RIGHT ANSWER WAS BRITISH AND AMONG THE MANY CALLERS WITH THE CORRECT GUESS, T.O.

OUT OF RICHFIELD.

>> ERIC: YES, THE GUTHRIE WAS THE SETTING OF ELTON JOHN'S FIRST CONCERT IN MINNESOTA.

SARA FROM TRUMAN CALLED TO LET US KNOW THAT SHE'LL BE BACK IN THE CITIES IN MARCH WHEN ELTON JOHN STOPS HERE ON HIS FAREWELL TOUR.

DO YOU HAVE AN INDEX FILE QUESTION YOU THINK WE HAVEN'T ASKED?

LET US KNOW BY CALLING IN AT 651-229-1430 OR BY EMAIL AT ALMANAC@TPT.ORG.

REMINDERS BEFORE WE GO.

"ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL" AIRS EACH WEDNESDAY NIGHT DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

YOU CAN SEE IT AT 7:00 P.M. ON THE STATEWIDE MINNESOTA CHANNEL.

THAT'S THE SAME SERVICE WHERE YOU CAN WATCH LEGISLATIVE PROCEEDINGS FROM 8:00 TO 6:00 EACH WEEKDAY FROM NOW UNTIL NEARLY THE END OF MAY.

FOR SHOW-CLOSING MUSIC, THE BAND BLACK DIET PERFORMED ON TPT'S LOWERTOWN LINE MUSIC SERIES THIS WEEK BACK IN 2015.

HERE'S BLACK DIET PLAYING THEIR TUNE "FEVER."

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

COME BACK NEXT WEEK.

AND E CAREFUL.

♪ IF YOU GOT SOME CASH ♪ ♪ I WANT TO BE WITH YOU ♪ ♪ CAN I GIVE YOU A FEVER ♪ ♪ DID I GIVE YOU A FEVER ♪ ♪♪ >> DELICIOUS.

♪♪ ♪ CAN'T GET THROUGH A MEAL ♪ ♪ JUST GOTTA HOLD IT IN ♪ >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

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

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

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

ENBRIDGE: CONNECTING MINNESOTANS WITH ENERGY FOR OVER 70 YEARS.

MORE AT ENBRIDGE.COM/LINETHREEUS.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

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

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

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