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

>> Eric: IN THE NEXT HOUR, WE'LL TALK WITH ST. PAUL MAYOR MELVIN CARTER ABOUT HIS PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.

WE'LL MEET THE NEW MINNEAPOLIS COMMUNITY SAFETY COMMISSIONER.

KAOMI LEE TELLS US ABOUT WORKER AND HOUSING SHORTAGES IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

AND MARY LAHAMMER HAS SOME GREAT NEWS ABOUT THE GREAT MINNESOTA GET-TOGETHER.

>> Mary: PREPARATIONS UNDERWAY FOR A ROBUST RETURN TO THE STATE FAIR.

WE'RE BACK TOO.

>> THIS IS REALLY A CELEBRATION OF HUMANITY.

>> Mary: WE'LL HAVE THE STORY.

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.

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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 JUST A FEW MINUTES, WE'LL MEET THE NEW COMMUNITY SAFETY COMMISSIONER IN MINNEAPOLIS AND FIND OUT WHY A HOUSING CRISIS IS INCREASING THE WORKER SHORTAGE IN GRAND MARAIS.

BUT FIRST, A PROPOSED ST. PAUL BUDGET THAT MAY RAISE SOME EYEBROWS.

>> Cathy: DURING HIS ANNUAL BUDGET ADDRESS ON THURSDAY, MAYOR MELVIN CARTER ASKED FOR A 15% INCREASE TO PROPERTY TAXES IN 2023.

SOME -- BUT NOT ALL -- OF THAT INCREASE WILL BE OFFSET BY REDUCING SOME FEES FOR RESIDENTS.

HERE TO EXPLAIN MORE, MAYOR MELVIN CARTER.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> GOOD TO BE ON.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> I HAVE A GOOD FRIEND WHO LIVES IN ST. PAUL AND HE SAID HE ALMOST HAD HEART FAILURE.

HOW MUCH OF THIS IS DUE TO THE SHIFTING IN THE COST OF STREET MAINTENANCE IN ST. PAUL?

>> THAT'S AN IMPORTANT QUESTION AND THANK YOU.

AND TELL YOUR FRIEND, I HAVE NO MORE FUN SAYING IT THAN HE HAS HEARING IT.

WE LOST THAT LAWSUIT.

WE APPEALED IT AND LOST THAT.

AND SORT OF RAN OUT OF TRACKS WITH THE COURT.

MORE THAN HALF OF THAT IS DUE TO JUST THIS SHIFT.

MORE THAN HALF OF THAT IS ABOUT $13.3 MILLION THAT WE FOR THE LAST, WHAT, 20 YEARS OR SO, WHO HAVE BEEN COLLECTING IN ASSESSMENTS FROM ST. PAUL PROPERTY OWNERS THAT INSTEAD OF COLLECTING THAT $13.3 MILLION IN ASSESSMENTS, WE'RE GOING TO COLLECT THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY, BUT IT SHIFTS FROM ASSESSMENTS TO PROPERTY TAXES.

SO THE AMOUNT THAT ACTUALLY IS ADDITIONAL REVENUE FOR THE CITY TO WORK WITH IS REALLY 7.6%, BUT TECHNICALLY SPEAKING, THAT PROPERTY TAX LEVY AMOUNT DOES END UP GOING UP AS A RESULT OF THE COURT CASE.

>> Cathy: IS THE PROBLEM IS THAT ST. PAUL HAS JUST TOO MUCH TAX EXEMPT PROPERTY?

>> ST. PAUL HAS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TAX EXEMPT PROPERTY BETWEEN THE UNIVERSITIES WE HAVE HERE, BETWEEN BEING THE CAPITOL CITY.

WE HAVE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TAX EXEMPT PROPERTY.

THAT STRUCTURE, THAT ASSESSMENT STRUCTURE, WAS BUILT TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT WAYS TO CAPTURE SOME REVENUE FROM THOSE PROPERTIES.

>> Eric: YOU CALL THIS AS A NUTS AND BOLTS BUDGET BUT I'M REALLY INTRIGUED TO HAVE LOANS, FORGIVABLE LOANS I GUESS TO CURRENT AND FORMER RESIDENTS OF RONDO?

>> IT CENTERS AROUND PUBLIC SAFETY, MAINTENANCE OF CITY STREETS AND CITY OWNED BUILDINGS, MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE CAN GET BUSINESS PERMITS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

AS A PART OF THIS KIND OF LOOK THROUGH OUR CITY BUDGET, WE HAVE TAKEN EXISTING EXISTING SPENDING IN OR AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST FUND, AND SO IT'S NOT NEW FUNDING, THIS PROGRAM THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT NOW.

IT'S A REPROGRAMMING OF EXISTING FUNDING.

WE ALL KNOW THE STORY OF OLD RONDO IN ST. PAUL HOW ONCE A THRIVING COMMUNITY WAS UPROOLTED TO BUILD I HURRICANES 94.

THAT THEY HAD IN THAT SPACE.

OUR GOAL IS TO CREATE A PROGRAM THAT WILL PROVIDE UP TO $100,000 IN FORGIVABLE LOANS FOR DESCENDANTS OF RESIDENTS WHO WERE DISPLACED ON OLD RONDO TO PURCHASE A HOME OR UP TO $85,000 IN FORGIVABLE LOANS TO RENOVATE A CURRENT HOME.

>> Eric: 160 SOME MILLION IN FEDERAL MONEY FOR SOME OF THIS WORK THAT MITIGATE A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.

>> THEY KO.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S GOTTEN US WHERE WE ARE AS CITY LEADERS IN THE PAST, FRANKLY, USING ONE-TIME DOLLARS TO PAY FOR ONGOING EXPENSES.

WE ALL KNOW IN OUR OWN PERSONALITY LIFE, IF I GET A HOLIDAY BONUS AT WORK, I CAN'T USE THAT TO GET A BIGGER HOUSE BECAUSE THAT'S AN ONGOING BILL.

THE SAME IS TRUE FOR THE CITY.

THE FEDERAL DOLLARS WE GOT, IT'S SIGNIFICANT, BUT IT'S ONE-TIME RESOURCES, AND IF WE HIRE STAFF WITH ONE-TIME RESOURCES, THEN WE'LL JUST BE SETTING THE CITY UP.

>> Cathy: WHAT WILL RESIDENTS GET FOR THEIR MONEY?

>> THE TOP QUALITY CITY SERVICES THAT WE'VE ALWAYS COME TO EXPECT.

LIKE I SAID, THIS BUDGET REALLY CENTERS AROUND INFRASTRUCTURE.

IT CENTERS AROUND ELIMINATING, DURING COVID, WE ENDED UP SEEING A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF PEOPLE, IT'S A GREAT PROBLEM TO HAVE, RENOVATING A HOME OR OPENING A NEW BUSINESS OR RENOVATING A BUSINESS OR SOMETHING ALONG THOSE LINES.

THAT COMBINED WITH THE TYPE OF WORKFORCE CHALLENGES THAT OF COMPANIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE HAD HAT HAS CREATED A BACKLOG.

WE WANT TO ADDRESS THAT SO THAT WE CAN HELP PEOPLE GET BACK TO WORK QUICKER.

AND SO THIS BUDGET REALLY CENTERS AROUND, LIKE SIDE, OUR STREETS, MAKING SURE THAT WE - DO A GREAT JOB ON THAT, FIXING UP CITY-OWNED BUILDING SO WE HAVE TOP-QUALITY INFRASTRUCTURE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND GETTING PEOPLE TO WORK.

>> Eric: EVENING THE LIMIT ON RENT INCREASES AND THE 15% PROPERTY TAX INCREASE, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR LANDLORDS AND RENTERS?

>> WELL, I'VE SAID SINCE THE BEGINNING AND WE'VE HAD THIS CONVERSATION A COUPLE OF TIMES THAT I BELIEVE E NEED SOME SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO THE ORDINANCE THAT WAS PASSED BY VOTERS THIS PAST FALL.

WE'VE BEEN MOVING THAT FORWARDS WITH THE CITY COUNCIL.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE ORDINANCE DOES ALLOW FOR IS FOR PROPERTY OWNERS TO COLLECT A REASONABLE RATE OF RETURN BASED ON THEIR OPERATING EXPENSES, SO THERE'S OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROPERTY OWNERS TO APPEAL THAT 3% AND GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS AND HAVE A HIGHER AMOUNT TO APPROVE THERE.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE CITY COUNCIL ACTING ON -- THEY'VE GOT A DRAFT PROPOSAL NOW, AN ORDINANCE IN FRONTS OF NEM, AS SOON AS THEY PASS IT, I LOOK FORWARD TO SIGNING IT.

I THINK WE'RE GOVERN SEE SOME OF THE PROJECTS THAT HAVE BEEN ON PAUSE START TO MOVE AGAIN.

>> Cathy: WE'RE CURIOUS ABOUT WHERE YOU WERE WITH THE PROCESS OF HIRING A NEW POLICE CHIEF.

>> WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT.

THAT'S A BIG THING FOR OUR CITY RIGHT NOW.

WE'VE HAD OUR EXAMINING COMMITTEE WORKING THROUGH THE SUMMER WORKING TO COLLECT CANDIDATES.

WE'VE GOT A LARGE CREW OF CANDIDATES THAT THEY'RE POURING THROUGH.

THEY'RE GOING TO SEND ME I THINK IN THE NEXT COUPLE WEEKS A SLATE OF FINAL FINALISTST.

WE'LL SOME PUBLIC PROCESS, AND WE STILL LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING A PERMANENT CHIEF IN PLACE THIS FALL.

IN THE MEANTIME, OUR INTERIM CHIEF HAS BEEN DOING AN AMAZING JOB.

>> Eric: AND DECEMBER WILL BE THE FINAL BUDGET?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR, HE CITY COUNCIL WILL HAVE PUBLIC HEARINGS ON EVERY ASPECT OF THAT.

WE INVITE EVERY PERSON, YOUR NEIGHBOR, YOUR FRIEND, WHO HAS THINGS TO SAY ABOUT ANY ASPECTS OF THAT BUDGET TO COME DOWN AND BE A PART OF THAT PROCESS.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR WALKING DOWN KELLOGG TO SEE US.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SEE YOU LATER.

♪ ♪ >> Eric: THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS HAS SEEN DEEP DIVISIONS AND TURMOIL WITHIN ITS COMMUNITIES AS PUBLIC SAFETY AND THE ISSUES OF POLICE REFORM HAVE DOMINATED THE BALLOT BOX AND ELSEWHERE FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

IN AN EFFORT TO MOVE AHEAD IN THE WAKE OF POLICE KILLINGS, PROTESTS, AND RISING CRIME, MAYOR JACOB FREY HAS CREATED A NEW POSITION THAT OVERSEES FIVE CITY DEPARTMENTS: POLICE, FIRE, 911, EMERGENCY SERVICES, AND NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY.

CEDRIC ALEXANDER WAS CONFIRMED AS THE CITY'S FIRST COMMUNITY SAFETY COMMISSIONER BY THE CITY COUNCIL EARLIER THIS MONTH.

ALEXANDER IS NEW TO MINNEAPOLIS BUT NOT TO THIS KIND OF WORK.

HE HAS FOUR DECADES OF EXPERIENCE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC SERVICE AROUND THE COUNTRY.

DR. ALEXANDER IS FINISHING UP HIS SECOND WEEK ON THE JOB BY JOINING US HERE ON "ALMANAC."

DOCTOR, THANKS FOR COMING.

>> THANK YOU OR HAVING ME.

SPHWHRE INTERESTED IN THE SCOPE OF YOUR POWERS.

CAN YOU HIRE A CHIEF?

CAN YOU NEGOTIATE A CONTRACT WITH THE OFFICERS?

CAN YOU CHANGE WARRIOR TRAINING TO SOMETHING ELSE?

CAN YOU GET RID OF THE COACHING OF OFFICERS AND REPLACE IT WITH FORMAL DISCIPLINE?

WHAT IS THE SCOPE OF YOUR AUTHORITY.

>> WELL, I MEAN, THAT PRETTY MUCH COVERS IT, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE CHOICE OF A CHIEF.

THAT'S REALLY GOING TO BE LEFT UP TO THE MAYOR.

>> Eric: YOU'LL HAVE SOME INPUT?

>> CERTAINLY, I WOO HAVE INPUT.

CONSIDERABLE INPUT.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, THAT WILL BE HIS DECISION.

SO A LOT OF AUTHORITY HAS BEEN GRANTED WITH THIS POSITION.

BOTH WRITTEN, AND I THINK EVEN THE MAYOR HAS MENTIONED THAT, EVEN DURING MY SWEARING IN CEREMONY.

SO THIS IS NEXT TO THE CITY.

THE POSITION IS NOT NEW TO ME.

THIS IS THE SAME POSITION I HELD ACTUALLY WHICH I WAS IN DEKALB COUNTY, GEORGIA, WHERE YOU BRING ALL YOUR PUBLIC SAFETY PLATFORMS TOGETHER, POLICE, FIRE, 911, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, OFFICE OF VIOLENCE PREVENTION IN THIS CASE HERE.

AND THE KEY IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE TALKING TO EACH OTHER-SHARING ESOURCES, BECKING FORCE MULTIPLIERS.

BECAUSE IN THE EVENT OF ANY LARGE EVENT, LET'S SAY CIVIL UNREST, WE USE THAT AS AN EXAMPLE, ALL OF THOSE PUBLIC SAFETY PLATFORMS PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN TERMS OF KEEPING COMMUNITIES SAFE.

AND THAT MEANS THAT WE HAVE TO BE COMMUNICATING WITH EACH OTHER.

WE HAVE TO BE SHARING RESOURCES.

WE HAVE TO BE PROBLEM SOLVING, EVEN BEFORE PROBLEMS COME ABOUT.

SO NAZ HUGE.

>> Eric: IN YOUR DECADES OF SERVICE, YOU KNOW THE BUREAUCRATIC SYSTEM.

AND I'VE HEARD?

TALK AROUND, SAY, WELL, HE'S KIND OF A HEAT SHIELD FOR MAYOR FREY, IN THAT IF THINGS GO WELL, MAYOR FREY WILL ET THE CREDIT, IF THINGS GO POORLY, HE CAN BLAME YOU.

>> WELL, THAT'S THE NATURE OF THE JOB.

I THINK ANY TIME WE TAKE ON THESE TYPES OF POSITIONS, WE'RE ALWAYS GOING TO BE IN THE POSITION IS WHETHER WE'RE SCRUTINIZED OR PRAISED.

UNDERSTANDING WHAT COMES WITH IT IS UNIQUE.

BUT I WOULDN'T GO AS FAR AS TO SAY THAT THE MAYOR WILL SEEK PRAISE IF THINGS GO WELL.

I THINK WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN HE AND I TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS GOING FORWARD HAS THE BEST PUBLIC SAFETY THAT IT CAN PROVIDE.

SO HE AND I WILL BE LEANING ON EACH OTHER.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE GOOD MOMENTS.

WE'RE GOING TO SHARE WINS AND THERE'S GOING TO BE TIMINGS, WE'RE GOING TO SHARE LOSSES.

THAT'S JUST THE NATURE OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND THIS ENVIRONMENT THAT WE'RE IN.

>> Cathy: DO YOU HAVE MEASURABLE OUTCOME OUTCOMES IN YOUR CONTRACT?

>> NO, WE DON'T HAVE WRITTEN MEASURABLE OUTCOMES.

BUT I THINK WHAT WE DO HAVE IN ANY OTHER PROFESSION, I'M GOING TO BE JUDGED ON MY MERIT AND WHAT IT IS THAT WE DO AND WE DON'T DO.

SO NEGLIGENCE, IN THIS CASE, A GREAT DEAL OF RESPONSIBILITY IN STANDING UP THIS OFFICE, IF YOU WILL, AND ALL THE RESPONSIBILITY THAT COMES ALONG WITH IT.

I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT, A NUMBER OF ELEMENTS HAVE TO BE COVERED IF WE'RE GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

IF I'M GOING TO BE DEFINED AS BEING SUCCESSFUL.

AND ONE S, HOW DO WE BEGIN TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS BACK IN THE COMMUNITY THAT LOST TRUST AND LEGITIMACY IN ITS POLICE DEPARTMENT?

THAT'S NUMBER ONE.

NUMBER TWO, HOW DO WE THRIVING ABOUT REDUCING CRIME THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY WHEN WE HAVE 300 LESS OFFICERS HAN BEDID LAST YEAR.

>> Eric: HOW CREATIVE CAN YOU UN?

>> WELL, I THINK YOU'VE GOT TO BE AS CREATIVE AS YOU CAN BE.

I THINK THE COMMUNITY PLAYS A SIGNIFICANT PART.

I THINK IT'S TWO THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO BE CRITICALLY AS WE GO FORWARD, BECAUSE RECRUITING POLICE OFFICERS IS A PROBLEM ACROSS THE COUNTRY, NOT JUST IN MINNEAPOLIS.

SO TWO THINGS VERY IMPORTANTLY COME TO MIND TO ME.

WE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO INTEGRATE TECHNOLOGY INTO OUR CRIME FIGHTING.

BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF GREAT TECHNOLOGY OUT THERE THAT IS GOING TO BE USEFUL FOR US.

AND NUMBER TWO, MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE GOT TO BUILD THOSE RELATIONSHIPS, BECAUSE YOU CAN'T HAVE PUBLIC SAFETY UNLESS YOU HAVE POLICE AND COMMUNITY WORKING TOGETHER.

ONE WORKING WITHOUT THE OTHER IS NOT GOING TO WORK IN ANY SOCIETY.

>> Cathy: DO YOU SEE CITIZEN PATROLS MAYBE A PIECE?

>> THAT'S ONLY ONE PIECE OF IT.

THE PEOPLE WHO DON'T TBLONG TO COMMUNITY PATROLS, PEOPLE WHO JUST LIVE IN NEIGHBORHOODS, PEOPLE WHO UNDERSTAND THAT IF THEY CALL POLICE, THEY CAN FEEL SAFE WITH IT.

IF THEY SEE SOMETHING HAPPENS, THEY FEEL THEY CAN MAKE A PHONE CALL, RIGHT?

THAT'S THE IMPORTANT PIECE, NOT JUST HAVING NEIGHBORHOOD WATCHES OR CITIZEN PATROLS.

THOSE ARE GREAT THINGS, BUT PEOPLE ACROSS THE NTIRE COMMUNITY PLATFORM HAVE TO FEEL THAT THEY HAVE A SENSE OF TRUST, AND -- IN THEIR POLICE DEPARTMENT IS SEEN AS LEGITIMATE TO THEM.

>> Eric: YOU SAT IN ON A CITIZENS LISTENING SESSION FOUR THE NEXT CONTRACT, AND YOU TOLD THE GROUP THAT WE HAVE TO GET PAST THE HISTORY OF THE MINNEAPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT.

THERE'S A TANGLES LONG HISTORY THERE.

>> QUELL, ABSOLUTELY.

I MEAN, THE REALITY OF IT IS, IT IS.

I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT, THE SAME WAY I ACKNOWLEDGE THE FACT THAT POLICING ACROSS THIS COUNTRY HAS HAD ITS STRUGGLES IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, SPECIFICALLY, SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TIME.

AND CERTAINLY IN RECENT YEARS, THE HORNL HORRIBLE INCIDENT AROUND GEORGE FLOYD, IT IS STILL THERE IN THE HEARTS AND MINDS AND TRAUMA THAT PEOPLE SUFFERED ALONG WITH THAT IN THIS COMMUNITY AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

BUT THE FACT IS THAT WE CAN'T CONTINUE TO LOOK FORWARD.

WE MUST NEVER FORGET MAY 25TH, 2020.

AND ALL THE OTHER EVENTS THAT MAY HAVE OCCURRED.

BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO LOOK FORWARD, BECAUSE IF WE CAN'T LOOK FORWARD, WE CAN'T BUILD A BETTER POLICE DEPARTMENT.

SO WHERE THOSE FAILURES HAVE TAKEN PLACE, WHERE THOSE MISSTEPS HAVE HAPPENED, WHERE THESE HORRIBLE EVENTS HAVE HAPPENED, E STILL GOT TO LOOK FORWARD BECAUSE WE STILL GOT 550 POLICE OFFICERS THAT COME EVERY DAY, AND DO THEIR JOB, WITH 250, 300 SHORTAGES, BUT THEY'RE STILL TAKING GUNS OFF THE STREET.

THEY'RE STILL MAKING SIGNIFICANT ARRESTS AND THEY'RE STILL GOING TO COMMUNITIES AND TRYING TO BUILD THOSE RELATIONSHIPS.

SO I THINK WE HAVE O LOOK AT THE THINGS WE ARE DOING WELL IN THIS MOMENT, BUT WE HAVE TO LOOK FORWARD, BUT WE NEVER CAN FORGET WHAT HAPPENED BEHIND US.

>> Eric: HOPE YOU'LL COME BACK AND GIVE US ERIODIC UPDATES.

AND WE'LL BE THE LAST TO WELCOME YOU TO MINNEAPOLIS.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

♪ ♪ >> Cathy: A LABOR SHORTAGE IS BEING FELT EVERYWHERE THESE DAYS, AND SUMMER TOURISM IN COOK COUNTY IS TESTING THOSE LIMITS.

EVERYONE AGREES MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS NEEDED, BUT IT'S ALSO A PRIME VACATION AND SECOND HOME DESTINATION, WHICH IS DRIVING UP PRICES.

"ONE GREATER MINNESOTA" REPORTER KAOMI LEE HIT THE ROAD EARLIER THIS MONTH TO FIND OUT WHY MANY WORRY ABOUT WHETHER THESE NORTH SHORE COMMUNITIES WILL BE ABLE TO SURVIVE.

>> Kaomi: PAT ELIASEN IS THE SHERIFF OF COOK COUNTY.

WITH A MILLION VISITORS PER YEAR, SUMMER IS A BUSY TIME FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 2,500 SQUARE MILES TO PATROL WHICH INCLUDES THE CITY OF GRAND MARAIS, GRAND PORTAGE RESERVATION, ALL THE WAY DOWN PAST SCHROEDER AND ALL THE WAY UP TO GUNFLINT TRAIL AND BWCA AND OUR JURISDICTION IS APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES OUT IN LAKE SUPERIOR AS WELL.

>> Kaomi: IT'S A LOT OF GROUND TO COVER FOR SEVEN DEPUTIES AND TWO SEASONAL OFFICERS.

>> WHEN WE'RE FULLY STAFFED, WE'LL HAVE THREE DEPUTIES ON ONE SHIFT.

>> Kaomi: WHEN YOU'RE FULLY STAFFED.

SO YOU AREN'T NOW?

>> WE ARE NOT.

>> Kaomi: ELIASEN IS HAVING TO DO SPEED PATROLS HIMSELF.

HIS DEPARTMENT IS NOW DOWN THREE DEPUTIES.

IT'S THE WORST SHORTAGE HE'S SEEN IN HIS 27 YEARS ON THE FORCE.

>> IT'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

YOU KNOW?

AND I HATE TO SAY THAT BECAUSE I DON'T LIKE TO PLACE BLAME ON ONE THING, BUT EVEN WITH OUR EXISTING DEPUTIES WHO ARE RENTING, IT'S DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO FIND A HOME TO BUY, BECAUSE THERE AREN'T A WHOLE LOT OF HOMES FOR SALE AND THE ONES THAT ARE FOR SALE, THE PRICE IS PRETTY SIGNIFICANT.

>> Kaomi: HOW SUSTAINABLE IS THIS?

>> HA, IT HAS TO BE SUSTAINABLE.

>> Kaomi: THERE'S A SIMILAR STRAIN IN HEALTHCARE SERVICES.

>> Kaomi: ARE PEOPLE OUT IN THE COMMUNITY SURPRISED TO SEE YOU BEHIND THE WHEEL RESPONDING?

>> YES.

[ CHUCKLES ] >> Kaomi: KIMBER WRAALSTAD IS CEO OF THE LOCAL HOSPITAL AND LONG-TERM CARE CENTER.

AS OF THIS YEAR, SHE ALSO DRIVES THE AMBULANCE AS AN EMERGENCY RESPONDER.

IT'S A ROLE SHE'S HAD TO TAKE ON.

SO HAS HER DIRECTORS OF NURSING, EDUCATION, AND EVEN HEAD OF H.R.

>> IT'S IN ALL AREAS.

IT IS IN AMBULANCE.

IT IS IN OUR NURSING HOME, THE HOSPITAL, LAB, HOME CARE.

SO ALL OF OUR AREAS, WE'RE LOOKING FOR STAFF.

IT'S VERY SIGNIFICANT AND IT'S VERY DIRE.

>> Kaomi: SHE HAS JOBS THAT CAN PAY UP TO $50 AN HOUR PLUS FULL BENEFITS.

BUT THE POSITIONS GO UNFILLED.

IN THE NURSING HOME, SHE'S GOT SIX EMPTY BEDS AND A LONG WAITING LIST, BUT NO STAFF.

>> THERE ARE MULTIPLE TIMES THAT WE HAVE ACTUALLY MADE AN OFFER TO SOMEBODY, AND THEY'VE COME AND SAID, "WELL, I CAN'T FIND HOUSING," SO THEN THEY DON'T SOME TO NORTH SHORE HEALTH.

>> IT'S PROBABLY THE NUMBER ONE PROBLEM WE HAVE IN COOK COUNTY.

>> Kaomi: BRIAN LARSEN IS EDITOR AND ASSISTANT PUBLISHER OF THE LOCAL PAPER.

WITH TOURISM 90% OF THE LOCAL ECONOMY, COOK COUNTY HAS ALWAYS BEEN A DESTINATION.

BUT COVID HAS SENT EVEN MORE PEOPLE THEIR WAY.

>> WE'RE THE ONLY COUNTY IN A SEVEN-COUNTY REGION THAT GREW IN POPULATION IN THE LAST CENSUS.

SO WE'RE NOT BIG.

WE'RE 5,600.

IT ADDS STRESS TO SOCIAL SERVICES THE AREA.

>> Kaomi: IN GRAND MARAIS, SERVICE INDUSTRY BUSINESSES ARE ALSO FEELING THE WORKER PINCH.

THEY HAVE TO OFFER TOP WAGES OR JUST SHUT THEIR DOORS, DURING THE SUMMER PEAK.

>> WHEREVER YOU LIKE.

OVER HERE, YOU CAN HAVE A BEAUTIFUL VIEW.

>> Kaomi: THIS YEAR, SOME RELIEF HAS COME.

YOUNG PEOPLE ON J-1 VISAS, LIKE DANIEL FROM ROMANIA, ARE BACK IN THE COUNTRY.

THEY HELP OUT DURING THE SUMMER, LIKE AT THIS BAR AND RESTAURANT OWNED BY LARSEN.

THEY STAY IN BUNKHOUSES OR NO-FRILLS TEMPORARY HOUSING.

BUT LARSEN SAYS IT DOESN'T SOLVE THE YEAR-ROUND PROBLEM.

>> PART OF THAT IS VACATION RENTALS.

OVERNIGHT STAYS.

PEOPLE HAVE BOUGHT THOSE AND THEY RENT THOSE OUT AND THEY MAKE A LOT OF MONEY.

BUT THEN THEY'RE NOT AVAILABLE FOR FAMILIES.

>> Kaomi: IT'S A PERCEPTION THAT IS LOOMING LARGE.

IN JUNE, COOK COUNTY SURVEYED 579 PEOPLE ABOUT SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTALS.

A THIRD REGARDED THEM SOMEWHAT UNFAVORABLY, AND ANOTHER 30% AS VERY UNFAVORABLY.

BUT SOME SAY THEY'RE AN EASY TARGET.

>> VACATION RENTALS HAVE BEEN HERE IN GRAND MARAIS AND AN IMPORTANT ROLE OF VACATIONING FOR MANY YEARS.

I FEEL LIKE NOW IT'S MORE IN THE LIMELIGHT, BECAUSE YOU SEE IT.

WHEREAS, BEFORE, THESE VACATION RENTALS WERE OPERATING BY WORD OF MOUTH, MAYBE WITH AN ARTICLE IN THE NEWSPAPER.

BUT WITH THESE BIG COMPANIES, SOCIAL MEDIA, ADVERTISING, IT'S VERY IN YOUR FACE.

>> Kaomi: PLUMMER AND HER HUSBAND HAVE TWO OFF-THE-GRID SHORT-TERM RENTALS ON AIR B&B.

IN FACT, I STAYED IN ONE BEFORE I ASKED PLUMMER FOR AN INTERVIEW.

IN REALITY, THERE'S ABOUT 270 SHORT-TERM RENTALS LICENSED WITH THE COUNTY.

SHE SAYS THAT'S ONLY 5% OF ALL HOUSING STOCK.

>> 5% IS STILL 5%.

HOWEVER, A MAJORITY OF THOSE ARE SECOND HOMES.

NOW IS SOMEONE GONG GO SAY YOU CAN'T HAVE A SECOND HOME, A THIRD HOME, A FOURTH HOME?

NO.

BUT THE EASIEST WAY TO POINT THE FINGER IS THE VACATION RENTALS.

>> Kaomi: UNLIKE THE MAJORITY OF SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTAL OWNERS, PLUMMER AND HER HUSBAND LIVE IN THE AREA.

SHE'S ALSO PART OF A COUNTY COMMITTEE WORKING ON RECOMMENDATIONS ON POLICY AND LICENSING.

THE COMMITTEE IS ALSO CONSIDERING WHETHER THERE SHOULD BE A MORATORIUM OR PERMANENT CAP.

DO YOU EEL LIKE AS A REALTOR FROM WHAT YOU'RE SEEING THAT THESE SHORT-TERM RENTALS, VACATION RENTALS ARE DRIVING UP PRICES?

>> DEFINITELY.

>> Kaomi: VIRGINIA DETRICK PALMER IS A SECOND-GENERATION REALTOR IN COOK COUNTY.

SHE SAYS AREA HOME SALES SHOT UP 20% LAST YEAR FROM THE YEAR BEFORE.

THE AVERAGE SALE PRICE WAS $362,000.

BUT THE MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME IN THE COUNTY IS $59,000.

>> ME, PERSONALLY, I STRUGGLE ON IT.

YOU KNOW, AND IT'S BECAUSE OF GROWING UP HERE, THAT I'M -- I'LL ALWAYS BE SLIGHTLY BIASED, THAT WE LIKE IT TO BE A COMMUNITY, BUT IT'S ONLY A HEALTHY COMMUNITY IF WE CAN SUSTAIN THE WORKFORCE.

>> Kaomi: WITH A BEAUTIFUL SETTING LIKE THIS, IT'S NOT HARD TO SEE WHY GRAND MARAIS REMAINS AN ATTRACTIVE PLACE TO LIVE.

BUT AREA LEADERS ARE NOW CHALLENGED WITH TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE RIGHT MIX OF WORKFORCE AND VISITORS TO KEEP THIS CITY SUSTAINABLE.

>> IN AN IDEAL WORLD, I WOULD WORK MYSELF OUT A JOB.

>> Kaomi: EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE COUNTY HIRED ITS FIRST EVER HOUSING REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY DIRECTOR.

JASON HALE SAYS THE FACT THAT HE'S HERE SHOWS THE COUNTY IS SERIOUS ABOUT WORKFORCE HOUSING.

HE SAYS A RECENT ANALYSIS SHOWS THE COUNTY NEEDS UP TO 620 MORE HOUSING UNITS BY THE END OF 2026.

>> THAT'S A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT NUMBER.

THAT'S 20 TO 25% OF THE HOUSING STOCK.

THAT'S AN UPHILL BATTLE FOR SURE.

>> Kaomi: HE SAYS THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE A DENT IS TO BUILD A LOT OF UNITS IN ONE FOOTPRINT.

AND HE'S ALREADY GOT AN IDEA.

>> WHAT I'M PROPOSING, THERE'S A BEAUTIFUL VIEW OF THE HARBOR, WHERE YOU CAN SEE THE LAKE ESPECIALLY IF YOU GO UP A LITTLE BIT, SO YOU CAN CAPTURE SOME VIEWS OF THE LAKE AND THE HARBOR AND YOU CAN CAPTURE VIEWS OF THE LITTLESIDE.

I'M HOPING TO, AND TALKING TO A COUPLE OF DEVELOPERS, TO BUILD A MULTI-FAMILY PROJECT.

>> Kaomi: IT'S CITY-OWNED PROPERTY ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN.

AND HE'S ASKING GRAND MARAIS TO HAND IT OVER FOR FREE.

AS THE DEVELOPER, THE H.R.A.

DOESN'T NEED TO MAKE A PROFIT.

A BUILDER IS ALREADY ON BOARD.

AND IF ALL GOES WELL, SHOVELS COULD HIT THE GROUND BY NEXT YEAR.

>> I REALLY WANT TO SHOW AND PROVIDE THE COMMUNITY SOME PROGRESS WHERE WE CAN POINT AND SAY HERE ARE SOME WINS THAT ARE HAPPENING.

♪ ♪ >> Eric: LEGENDARY JAZZ PIANIST BUTCH THOMPSON DIED EARLIER THIS WEEK AT THE AGE OF 78.

THE MINNESOTA NATIVE WAS THE ORIGINAL PIANO PLAYER ON "A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION."

HE PLAYED WITH ORCHESTRAS WORLDWIDE AND WAS AN EXPERT RAGTIME PIANIST.

HE PERFORMED ON TWIN CITIES PBS NUMEROUS TIMES, DATING BACK TO THE 1980S AND THE "NIGHT TIMES" VARIETY SHOW.

ONE OF THE PRODUCER'S FAVORITE BUTCH THOMPSON VISITS TO OUR STUDIOS WAS BACK IN DECEMBER OF 2005.

HE PERFORMED HIS OWN RENDITION OF "SILENT NIGHT" LIVE ON THE "ALMANAC" SET.

TAKE A LISTEN.

WE'LL BE BACK.

[ BLUESY PIANO MUSIC ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> Roy: AS I ADVANCE INTO SENIOR CITIZENSHIP, I ENJOY PAUSING FROM TIME TO TIME AND REVIEWING REMARKABLE EVENTS I HAVE EXPERIENCED.

FOR EXAMPLE: ATTEND A MAJOR CONCERT THESE DAYS, AND HOW DO AUDIENCE MEMBERS EXPRESS THEIR PLEASURE?

SURE.

THEY WAVE THEIR CELL PHONES IN THE AIR.

BUT I CLEARLY REMEMBER WHAT WE DID BEFORE CELL PHONES.

REMEMBER THE '70s?

YEP, WE HELD UP AND FLIPPED OUT OUR BIC LIGHTERS.

WE DID.

NOW LET ME TAKE YOU BACK EVEN FURTHER TO THE '50s.

PICTURE THIS: SOLDIER FIELD IN CHICAGO.

60,000 PEOPLE IN THE STADIUM FOR AN EVENT CALLED THE CHICAGOLAND MUSIC FESTIVAL.

COMPETING MUSICIANS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

AND ON FESTIVAL NIGHT, WINNERS PERFORMED BEFORE THOSE 60,000 PEOPLE.

AND AT ONE POINT IN THE PROGRAM, THE EMCEE CALLED FOR ALL THE LIGHTS TO BE SHUT OFF, AND ALL 60,000 IN THE STADIUM LIGHTED UP WOODEN MATCHES.

IT WAS AMAZING.

AND HOW, YOU MIGHT ASK, DID IT HAPPEN THAT 60,000 PEOPLE ALL HAD WOODEN MATCHES?

THE USHERS HANDED THEM OUT OF COURSE.

THAT'S HOW.

I WAS THERE.

WHEN THE LIGHTS CAME BACK, WE COULD SEE A GIANT CLOUD OF SMOKE RISING UP FROM THE CROWD.

60,000 MATCHES.

YOU MAY WONDER HOW I HAPPENED TO BE AT SOLDIER FIELD THAT NIGHT.

WELL, I WAS PART OF AN ACCORDION BAND FROM MINNEAPOLIS THAT COMPETED WITH ACCORDION BANDS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY.

ON THE NIGHT OF THE FESTIVAL, SHORTLY AFTER THE LIGHTING OF THE MATCHES, A THOUSAND ACCORDIONISTS MARCHED ONTO THE FIELD AND PLAYED.

A THOUSAND.

I WAS ONE OF THEM.

[ Applause ] ♪ ♪ >> Cathy: I WANT TO KNOW IF THERE'S VIDEO OF ROY FINDEN WITH HIS ACCORDION.

THE FIRST SEASON OF THE PBS SERIES "AMERICA OUTDOORS" WITH BARATUNDE THURSTON FINISHED ITS BROADCAST RUN LAST WEEK.

IF YOU'RE ALREADY MISSING THURSTON'S OUTDOOR ADVENTURES, WELL, YOU'RE IN LUCK.

THE FIRST EPISODE OF THE COMPANION DIGITAL SERIES, "AMERICA OUTDOORS: UNDERSTORY," PREMIERED ON YouTube THIS WEEK.

HERE'S A SNEAK PEEK.

>> WHY ARE HUNTERS SETTING UP TREE STANDS IN THE SUBURBS.

HOW ARE SURFERS USING SCIENCE TO SAVE HE REEFS?

AND WHAT'S DRIVING FOLKS TO LOOK FOR FOSSILS IN RIVERS FILLED WITH ALLIGATORS?

>> MY NAME IS BARATUNDE THURSTON.

I'M AN ACTOR, WRITER, SOMETIMES COMEDIAN AND OUTDOORS ENTHUSIAST, AND WHILE MAKING THAT SHOW, I GOT TO DO A LOT LIKE RUN ALONGSIDE AN ULTRA MARATHONER IN DEATH VALLEY, TRUDGE ACROSS THE GREAT DISMAL SWAMP AND PLAINS OF VIRGINIA.

IN AMERICAN OUTDOORS: UNDERSTORY, WE MEET FOLKS WHO ARE DISCOVERING NATURE.

THROUGH ALL THIS, I'VE LEARNED THAT OUR EXPERIENCE OF THE OUTDOORS IS VAST AND DIFFERENT.

AND SHAPED BY WHO WE ARE AS PEOPLE.

SO JOIN ME AS WE EXPLORE OUR UNIQUE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE OUTDOORS.

IT'S TIME FOR US TO GET OUTSIDE.

>> Cathy: OH, I LOVE THAT.

JOINING US NOW TO TALK MORE ABOUT THIS TWIN CITIES PBS PRODUCED DIGITAL SERIES, PRODUCER SUSAN THAO.

BY THE WAY.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: ON A FINE DIGITAL SERIES.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN "AMERICA OUTDOORS" AND "UNDERSTORY"?

>> SO "AMERICA OUTDOORS": UNDERSTORY "HAS ALL THE SPIRIT OF THE BROADCAST SHOW.

SO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THEMES, THEY'RE ALL THE SAME, BUT IT'S ON A DIFFERENT PLATFORM, SO IT'S ON A DIGITAL SPACE WHICH MEANS WE'RE APPROACHING THE STORY DIFFERENTLY.

WE'RE BASICALLY MEETING PEOPLE WHERE THEY'RE AT.

SO WHENEVER YOU'RE WATCHING OR YOU'RE STREAMING A YouTube, IT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

YOU CAN INTERACT WITH FOLKS.

YOU KNOW, THE FOLKS CAN INTERACT WITH FOLKS ON BE THE COMEPS AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

DIFFERENT APPROACH TO STORY TELLING BUT STILL THE SAME THEMES.

>> Eric: "UNDERSTORY" IS PRODUCED BY TPT.

BUT ARE SOME OF THE SEGMENTS FROM MINNESOTA?

>> "UNDERSTORY" UNFORTUNATELY IS NOT.

MAYBE IF THERE'S A SEASON TWO, THEN DEFINITELY, WE WOULD LOVE TO DO MORE OF MINNESOTA STORIES.

BUT JUST NOT IN THIS ONE.

>> Cathy: I THINK A FRIEND WHO DESCRIBES HERSELF AS BEING MILD TO MEDIUM OUTDOORSY.

>>HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?

>> JUST THAT.

I AM OUTDOORS-Y, AND I MEAN THAT I AM -- I LIKE BEING IN NATURE AND I LIKE TRYING NEW OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, BUT I WOULDN'T SAY I'M, LIKE, AN OUTDOORS PASSIONATE ENTHUSIAST.

I DON'T ROCK CLIMB, ALTHOUGH THAT WOULD BE GREAT.

SO I JUST DON'T HAVE A CERTAIN PASSION FOR PARTICULAR ACTIVITY.

BUT OUTDOORSY WOULD BE THE WORD.

>> Cathy: BUT DID YOU FIND YOURSELF THINKING, AH, I MIGHT WANT TO TRY THIS, OR THAT, AS YOU PRODUCED THE PROGRAM?

>> YES, YES.

SURFING FOR SURE.

I ACTUALLY DID TRY SURFING ONCE.

THAT WAS GREAT, SO FUN.

FALCONRY, WE TALK ABOUT FALCONRY AND JUST BONDING WITH THE BIRD, THE RAPTORS.

>> Eric: IS THAT WHERE YOU GET THAT BIG LEATHER GLOVE?

>> YEAH, WE TALK ABOUT THAT TOO, AND JUST GETTING HOUSE PLANTS.

I NEED TO GET MORE HOUSE PLANTS.

SO FOR SURE, LIKE, IT DEFINITELY HAS PUSHED ME TO TRY NEXT THINGS.

>> Eric: WHEN YOU'RE IN THE ELEMENTS, IT IS MORE CHALLENGING THAN IF YOU'RE IN A SET LIKE THIS?

>> YEAH, I WOULD DEFINITELY SAY IT'S DEFINITELY A LITTLE MORE CHALLENGING.

A LITTLE DIFFERENT AS FAR AS, LIKE, PRODUCTION AND WHATNOT TOO?

>> Eric: DID YOU IKE THE EXPERIENCE?

>> YEAH, YEAH, I LOVED THE EXPERIENCE.

YOU KNOW, JUST ESPECIALLY WORKING WITH THE OST.

HE'S GREAT.

SUPERSMART, SUPER TALENTED, INTELLIGENT, WITTY, JUST EVERYTHING YOU WOULD WANT IN A HOST.

SO WE WERE DEFINITELY BLESSED WITH THAT.

BUT DEFINITELY JUST DIFFERENT AS FAR AS FROM A STUDIO PRODUCTION OR EVEN BEING OUTDOORS.

WE ACTUALLY DID IT ALL REMOTELY.

SO THAT WAS -- THERE WAS A LOT OF COMPLICATIONS THERE TOO, BUT IT WAS A GREAT OM APPLY OCCASION, LOTS OF LEARNING.

>> Cathy: OKAY, SO GIVE US AN IDEA OF WHAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE WHEN WE WATCH THIS ON YouTube.

>> YES, SO YOU ARE GOING TO SEE SURFING.

YOU'RE GOING TO SEE PLANT PARENTING, FALCONRY, ROCK CLIMBING, FOSSIL HUNTING, AND EVEN A BOW HUNTER, SO ARCHERY.

SO THOSE ARE KIND OF THE SIX MAIN OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES THAT WE EXPLORE AND THE SIX PEOPLE THAT WE EXPLORE.

>> Eric: WHERE AND WHEN NOW?

>> WHERE AND WHEN?

NOW.

THE FIRST EPISODE IS OUT ALREADY.

YOU CAN WATCH IT ON PBS YouTube HANNEL.

YOU CAN WATCH IT ON THE PBS VIDEO APP, TPT.ORG AND ALSO PBS DURING BUT YouTube IS KIND OF WHERE YOU WANT TO GO.

>> Eric: AND HOW MANY EPISODES?

>> SIX EPISODES GLSSMENTSZ AND YOU'RE HOPING FOR A SECOND SEEN?

>> YES, HOPING.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR OMING OVER.

>> YOU ET.

♪ ?OATS ♪ >> Cathy: THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIR STARTS UP NEXT WEEK, AND WE'RE EXCITED TO RETURN TO THE MINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO BOOTH NEXT FRIDAY AT 11:00 A.M. AS OUR MARY LAHAMMER FOUND OUT, THE FAIR IS READY FOR A RETURN TO NORMAL IN MANY WAYS.

>> Mary: WHAT'S NEW AND DIFFERENT THIS YEAR?

>> EVERYTHING HAS FELT DIFFERENT SINCE JANUARY.

IT JUST FEELTZ FEELS LIKE MORE NORMAL ISSUES THAT WE'VE AD -- >> Mary: AND THAT'S GOOD?

NORMAL ISSUES ARE GOOD, RIGHT?

>> NORMAL ISSUES ARE GREAT.

RIGHT NOW, THAT WE'RE GETTING CLOSE, HAVE BEEN IN JUST A WHOLE DIFFERENT PLACE.

IT JUST FEELS RIGHT.

>> Mary: IS IT FAIR TO SUMMARIZE THE FAIR IS BACK?

>> I WOULD SAY SO, YES.

2020 WAS NO FUN.

YOU KNOW, BEING OUT OF BUSINESS WHEN YOUR BUSINESS IS BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER.

LAST YEAR, WE DIDN'T KNOW THERE'S BE A FAIR UNTIL MIDDLE OF MAY.

AND WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT MIGHT LOOK LIKE UNTIL JUNE.

AND REMEMBER IT WAS THAT ABOUT FIVE-WEEK WINDOW WHERE EVERYTHING WAS LOOKING GREAT.

AND THEN WE GET TO THE END OF JULY, FIRST PART OF AUGUST AND COVID'S BACK.

SO HOW YOU EAL WITH ALL OF THAT.

WE MADE IT HALF, AND WE GOT A FAIR, WHICH IS WAS GREAT TO THE PEOPLE THAT WERE HERE, HAD A FANTASTIC TIME.

AND AT THAT TIME THIS WAS THE BEST ATTENDED EVENT AT LEAST IN NORTH AMERICA.

MAYBE EVEN THE WORLD.

WITH 1.3 MILLION PEOPLE.

>> Mary: THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIR LAST YEAR?

>> SINCE THE START OF COVID, RIGHT.

>> Mary: THE TPT BOOTH WILL BE BACK AND IT'S ON THE NORTH END.

IT'S UNDER CONSTRUCTION RIGHT NOW.

THEY'RE DOING SOME UPDATES.

>> AND WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU BACK.

>> Mary: CAN WE ALL SAY THAT THE MINNESOTA STATE AIR IS THE BEST?

[ Cheers and applause ] AND WHILE WE'RE DOING TPT PLUGS, WE'RE ALSO BACK LIVE AT MPR.

HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO HAVE PEOPLE LIKE TPT AND MPR BACK HERE DOING SHOWS AND BRINGING CROWDS?

>> THIS PLACE IS ALL ABOUT MINNESOTA.

IT HAPPENS TO BE FRAMED UP LIKE A FAIR.

BUT THIS IS REALLY A CELEBRATION OF UMANITY, OF WHO WE ARE, IT'S ALL THE GOOD.

- SO TPT HERE, AND HAVING YOU BACK AND DOING PROGRAMMING FROM HERE, YOU CAN REALLY REFLECT THAT, AND THAT IS SO IMPORTANT.

WE NEED THAT SO MUCH.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT THE ISSUE AND CONCERN THAT IS ENCROACHING A BIT HERE, HE BROADER CONCERNS ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY, IN THE STATE, IN THE TWIN CITIES, AND AT THE FAIR.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO TELL PEOPLE?

>> THERE ARE ISSUES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

EVERYBODY'S LOOKING AT THINGS DIFFERENTLY.

2017 TWIENG WAS THE LAST TIME WE DID WHAT I GUESS YOU WOULD SAY WAS A NORMAL FAIR, PRE-PANDEMIC.

AND 2021, WE DOUBLED OUR PUBLIC SAFETY BUDGET AND WE'RE DOING THE SAME THING THIS YEAR.

WE HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE PUBLIC SAFETY PLAN.

THAT CENTERS ON OUR OWN POLICE DEPARTMENT.

AND THOSE NUMBERS HAVE BEEN IN THE NEWS, SOME LATELY.

WE'VE HIT OUR GOAL.

WE HAVE ALL THE OFFICERS WE NEED ERE.

>> Mary: DO YOU HAVE AN ESTIMATE OF HOW MANY PEOPLE YOU EXPECT?

ARE WE GOING TO BE BACK TO PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS?

>> WELL, IT DEPENDS ON HOW FAR BACK INTO PRE-PANDEMIC YOU GO.

I DON'T THINK ANY OF US EXPECT OR SHOULD, NOR HAVE WE PLANNED FOR ANY KIND F RECORD YEAR OR ANYTHING AND THAT, ND THAT'S THE BUZZ NOW, IT'S GOING TO BE A RECORD YEAR.

I DON'T THINK SO.

>> Mary: DO YOU HAVE ANY RESTRICTIONS, ANY RULES ON MASKING, VACCINATING, CUNEYHOLMES HERE?

>> NO, WE'RE FOLLOWING C.D.C.

GUIDELINES AND RIGHT NOW, THERE AREN'T ANY.

SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING.

AGAIN, IF YOU'RE COMFORTABLE AND YOU WANT TO WEAR A MASK INSIDE, GO FOR IT.

YOU WANT TO WEAR A MASK OUTSIDE, EY, YOU KNOW, THAT'S JUST FINE.

DO IT.

♪ ♪ >> Mary: WHAT DO YOU SENSE ABOUT THE APPETITE FOR PEOPLE TO GATHER AGAIN AT THIS TIME AND PLACE?

>> WE'VE DONE EVERYTHING TO PLAN THIS FAIR.

WE'RE SEEING MORE OF THAT, AND THAT DOES FEEL MORE NORMAL.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE SOCIAL BEINGS.

WE WANT TO BE TOGETHER.

WE ANT TO SHARE EXPERIENCES TOGETHER.

WE WANT POSITIVE EXPERIENCES.

YOU KNOW, WE GOT -- I GOT TO ASK, WHILE PEOPLE ARE GETTING USED TO DOING STUFF ONLINE, DO YOU THINK THEY'LL STILL WANT TO GO OUT?

OH, ABSOLUTELY.

>> Mary: IS THERE ANY EVIDENCE OR ANYTHING QUANTIFIABLE THAT YOU CAN POINT TO TO SAY, YEAH, THERE'S PROOF THAT PEOPLE ARE READY TO GATHER AND ARE GOING TO BE HERE?

>> IF WE LOOK AT, LIKE, PRE-FAIR TICKET SALES AND THAT KIND OF THING, YEAH, THEY'RE BACK UP WHERE THEY WERE BEFORE AND THAT'S I SUPPOSE A GOOD A INDICATOR AS ANYTHING.

EVERYTHING ELSE IS ANECDOTAL.

>> Mary: POLITICAL BOOTHS ARE ALL GOOD?

>> THEY'LL ALL BE HERE.

BUT HERE'S THE DEAL.

THERE'S TWO PARTIES THAT PEOPLE HERE HEAR A WHOLE LOT ABOUT.

AND THEN THERE'S 20 MORE HERE, MOST OF WHOM YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF BEFORE, SO COME AND TRY 'EM ALL.

>> Cathy: A REMINDER, YOU CAN COME OUT AND SEE US AT THE FAIR NEXT FRIDAY, AUGUST 26TH.

WE'LL BE BROADCASTING "ALMANAC" LIVE ON THE RADIO AT 11:00 A.M. FROM THE MPR BOOTH ON THE CORNER OF JUDSON AND NELSON.

+-FL THEN YOU CAN DASH HOME AND FIND YOURSELF IN THE AUDIENCE AS YOU WATCH THE TV VERSION IN OUR REGULAR 7:00 P.M. TIME SLOT.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

ERIC AND I JUST NEED TO WANDER OVER TO THE COUCH TO JOIN THIS WEEK'S ANALYST DUO.

♪ ♪ >> Eric: WITH STATE FAIR RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER, ELECTION SEASON IS HEATING UP HERE IN MINNESOTA.

TALK OF DEBATE DUCKING WAS IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK.

AND TUESDAY'S NATIONAL PRIMARY NEWS INCLUDED THE EXPECTED LOPSIDED LOSS OF REPUBLICAN HOUSE MEMBER AND TRUMP CRITIC LIZ CHENEY.

HERE WITH MORE, THIS WEEK'S POLITICAL ANALYST DUO.

BRIAN MCCLUNG IS A REPUBLICAN, A VETERAN OF GUBERNATORIAL CAMPAIGNS, AND A FORMER KEY STAFFER FOR GOVERNOR TIM PAWLENTY.

HERE, TOO, JAVIER MORILLO, DFLer, FORMER NATIONAL COMMITTEEMAN, AND LONGTIME PARTY ACTIVIST.

BRIAN, I HAD O WRITE THESE DOWN BECAUSE THERE'S SO MANY.

CROSS CURRENTS IN THE MIDTERM.

LIZ CHENEY.

FBI RAID.

COVID.

BITEN'S POOR POPULARITY.

ABORTION, JANUARY 6TH.

ET CETERA, ET CETERA.

DO ANY OF THESE NATIONAL THINGS HAVE A CHANCE TO AFFECT MINNESOTA VOTING IN NOVEMBER?

>> YEAH, NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.

IN FACT, WE'VE SEEN OUR ELECTIONS GET MORE NATIONALIZED OVER THE LAST SEVERAL CYCLES.

SO, YES, THOSE NATIONAL TRENDS WILL PLAY A PART.

BUT I THINK THE BROAD NATIONAL TRENDS ARE THE ECONOMY, INFLATION, GAS PRICES, AND PUBLIC SAFETY.

AND THOSE ARE THE ISSUES THAT WHEN YOU TALK TO MINNESOTANS, AND I TALK TO MY FRIENDS WHO ARE RUNNING FOR CONGRESS OR ONING FOR THE LEGISLATURE, THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE HEARING ABOUT FROM PEOPLE, AND THOSE BREAD AND BUTTER REAL LIFE ISSUES, THOSE ARE BENEFITING REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES RIGHT NOW.

>> I THINK THAT WAS TRUE VERY -- A LITTLE BIT AGO, BUT I THINK, ONE, THE DODD DECISION AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY, BOTH THE KANSAS ABORTION REFERENDUM, AS WELL AS LIKE C.D.-1 HERE WHERE DEMOCRATS REALLY OUTPERFORMED.

THE DEMOCRATS ARE ENERGIZES AND RIGHT NOW ON THE CONGRESSIONAL BALLOT, LIKE WHAT WE'RE EEING IS DEMOCRATS ARE ACTUALLY AHEAD IN A YEAR WHERE THEY'RE EXPECTED TO BE WALLOPED.

I THINK THAT'S BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE WAKING UP.

ONLY BELIEVES IN HOLDING PEOPLE TO JUSTICE IF IT'S DEMOCRATS AND OTHERWISE JUST STAND WITH AND BECOME A CULT OF PERSONALITY AROUND DONALD TRUMP.

>> HEY, I MEAN, THAT LAST PART, I DON'T DISAGREE WITH JAVIER.

I'M A REPUBLICAN WHO THINKS OTHER REPUBLICANS NEED TOO STAND UP TO WHAT DONALD TRUMP HAS DONE ABOUT THE LIES HE'S TOLD ABOUT THE 2020 ELECTION.

I'M SOMEBODY WHO THINKS THAT IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US, FOR THE LONG-TERM HEALTH F OUR DEMOCRACY, FOR REPUBLICANS TO DO THAT.

SO THAT PART IS FAIR.

BUT BACK TO WHAT I WAS TALKING /\ THE ISSUES THAT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE THINKING ABOUT WHEN THEY'RE GOING TO VOTE ARE, I'M WORRIED ABOUT THIS COMING RECESSION.

WHAT ARE GAS PRICES LIKE?

INFLATION IS EATING AWAY AT MY ABILITY TO BUY GROCERIES.

THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE THINKING ABOUT ALONG WITH PUBLIC SAFETY.

AND I STILL THINK THAT IT MIGHT NOT BE THE WAVE THAT IT WAS A FEW MONTHS AGO, LIKE JAVIER ISSYING, I THINK THAT'S REASONABLE.

BUT IDENTIFICATION OVERALL IT'S GOING TO BE A BIG YEAR FOR REPUBLICANS.

>> Cathy: BUT ISSUES CAN SHIFT.

YOU KNOW THAT, RIGHT?

I MEAN, WE STILL HAVE A LITTLE WAYS TO GO UNTIL NOVEMBER.

>> YEAH, NO, AND THERE HAVE BEEN A SERIES OF ISSUES THAT HAVE REALLY WOKEN UP DEMOCRATIC VOTERS TO SAY THAT, LIKE, THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT WHETHER YOU'RE HAPPY WITH THE ECONOMY OR HAPPY -- >> Cathy: AND YOUNG DEMOCRATIC VOTERS?

>> AND YES, ESPECIALLY FIRST HAVING PASSED THE CLIMATE BILL, THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT.

IS HUGELY IMPORTANT TO YOUNG VOTERS.

AND PEOPLE SEEING IS A, YOU KNOW, THAT ISSUES LIKE CHOICE, AND THE MESS THAT IT HAS BECOME.

YOU KNOW, REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN -- THEY'RE THE DOG THAT CAUGHT THE AMBULANCE ON THAT ISSUE AND PEOPLE ARE SEEING THESE NEWS STORIES DAY AFTER DAY ND IT IS WAKING DEMOCRATS UP.

>> Eric: BUT THE TURNOUT FOR DEMOCRATS IN THE PRIMARY WAS WAY DOWN FROM THE LAST COMPARABLE CYCLE.

>> YEAH, I MEAN, IT WAS, BUT, YOU KNOW, HERE'S THE OTHER THING ABOUT PRIMARIES IN MINNESOTA.

WE'RE REALLY BAD AT PRIMARIES, RIGHT?

TURN YOWFT WASOUT WAS 19%.

THAT'S TERRIBLE.

WE'RE GREAT AT GENERAL ELECTIONS.

ALMOST 80% OF VOTERS LAST TIME.

SO WE'RE NOT GREAT AT THESE ELECTIONS.

AND THERE WASN'T REALLY ANYTHING TO DRIVE A LOT OF DEMOCRATIC TURNOUT OTHER HAN C.D.-5.

>> AND WITH THAT, IT WAS -- DEMOCRATIC TURNOUT WAS DOWN, BUT WE GOT HIGHER NUMBERS OF VOTES THAN REPUBLICANS IN CONTESTED PRIMARIES.

>> Eric: HOW ABOUT WHEN SCOTT JENSEN TALKS ABOUT WALZ DOING THE BIDEN BASEMENT STRATEGY BY REFUSING TO DEBATE?

>> I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS.

I THINK PEOPLE DEBATES ABOUT DEBATES ARE JUST TIRESOME.

NO NE CARES.

I THINK THEY HAVE DEBATED.

THEY WILL DEBATE AGAIN.

THAT'S JUST, YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT'S JUST ILLINESS.

>> WELL, ERIC, WE DID THIS IN 2006.

I WAS THE GOVERNOR'S COMMUNICATION DIRECTOR FOR THE GOVERNOR.

AND WHAT WE DID WAS WE PICKED SIX DEBATES THAT WE WERE GOING TO DO.

AND MIKE ATCH, SOUNDS GREAT, I'LL DO THOSE SIX ALSO.

SO THAT'S WHAT THE WALZ TEAM OUGHT TO DO.

BECAUSE YOU KNOW YOU ARE GOING TO DEBATE.

AND SO HAVING THIS, LIKE, HE'S HIDING WHATEVER NONSENSE, I MEAN, IT'S NOT GOOD FOR THE WALZ CAMPAIGN FOR THAT TO BE IN THE "STAR TRIBUNE" OR FOR THAT TO BE ON TV NEWS REPORTS.

BUT THERE'S A WAY TO TAKE CARE OF THAT, AND THEN THEY WILL, AND THEN WE'LL ALL GET PAST IT.

>> Cathy: PEOPLE REALLY AREN'T PAYING ATTENTION NOW, THOUGH, RIGHT, I MEAN, NOT UNTIL AFTER THE FAIR.

IS THAT CORRECT?

>> I THINK IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR WHERE THERE'S ISSUES TO TALK BOUT, AND SO WE'LL DEBATE DEBATES.

>> Eric: DOES THE MONEY DIFFERENCE?

WALZ HAS QUITE A BIT MORE OF CAMPAIGN MONEY.

I KNOW THE OUTSIDE GROUPS ARE STARTING TO WEIGH IN.

>> IT DOES MATTER, I THINK, BECAUSE I THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE A CLOSE RACE, AND THAT'S WHAT WE HAVEN'T HAD A CLOSE GUBERNATORIAL RACE IN MINNESOTA SINCE 2010.

BUT IN THIS MINNESOTACAL ENVIRONMENT, IDENTIFICATION IT'S GOING TO BE CLOSE AND A MONEY DIFFERENTIAL OF THAT AMOUNT WELL SPENT, WELL UTILIZED CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

SO I DO THINK THAT MATTERS.

WHAT SCOTT JENSEN'S GOT TO DO IS PROVE THAT IT'S CLOSE ALL THE WAY THROUGH AND THEN GET THE R.G.A.

AND THER NATIONAL GROUPS TO COME IN BIG FOR HIM.

THEY'RE GOING TO MAKE THOSE KIND OF DECISIONS, YOU KNOW, POTENTIALLY THREE WEEKS OUT.

>> BUT, YOU KNOW, THE BIRK-JENSEN CAMPAIGN WHICH IS HOW IT SHOWS UP EVERYWHERE, CAN'T REALLY CONTROL MATT BIRK FROM BRINGING THE ISSUES BACK TO ISSUES THAT ARE FAVORABLE TO DEMOCRATS.

HE CAN'T HELP HIMSELF FROM, LIKE, CHANGING IS TEAMMATE'S POSITION ON IS A BOWRGS.

I DON'T KNOW WHETHER THEY'RE ON POSITION NUMBER FIVE ON THAT.

SO I THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE -- WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO SEE THE ISSUES MOVING TOWARDS THINGS THAT ARE ENCOURAGERRIZING DEMOCRATS.

>> Cathy: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE A.G.'S RACE.

>> IT'S GOING TO BE THE HOTTEST RACE STATEWIDE IDENTIFICATION ULTIMATELY.

AND MAYBE THE CLOSEST.

OR MAYBE THE ONE THAT FLIPS.

WHERE REPUBLICANS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO WIN.

, YOU KNOW, A RACE BETWEEN ELLISON AND WARDLOW FOUR YEARS AGO WAS RELATIVELY CLOSE.

IT WAS THE CLOSEST OF THE STATEWIDE RACES.

>> Cathy: I THINK HE LOST BY FOUR POINTS.

>> YEAH, BUT STILL, NOT A GREAT YEAR FOR REPUBLICANS REPUBLICANS THEN.

NOW WE'RE IN THE MIDTERM.

BIDESSEN PRESIDENCY.

SO IT'S GOING TO BE MUCH BETTER FOR REPUBLICANS.

AND SOME OF THE OUTSIDE GROUPS ARE ALREADY VERY EDGE GAUGED IN THAT.

>> Cathy: I NOTICED THAT.

>> I THINK WHERE WE ACTUALLY HAVE PEOPLE FOCUSED THAT SIM SCHULTZ HAS NEVER STEPPED FOOT IN A COURTROOM AND HIS PLANS FOR THE OFFICE LITERALLY MAKE NO SENSE, LIKE, KEITH ELLISON HAS NOT ONLY PROSECUTED DEREK CHAUVIN, BUT RETRIEVED, LIKE, TENS, HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS DOLLARS FOR MINNESOTA TAXPAYERS FROM BIG PHARMA.

I THINK HE HAS A SOLID RECORD TO RUN ON.

AND HE'LL BE GOOD.

>> Eric: I KNOW CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 2 WITH ANGIE CRAIG, THE D.F.L.

INCUMBENT IS BEING WATCHED NATIONWIDE.

AND I SEE THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE OPENED UP A FIELD OFFICE TODAY.

>> YEAH, C.D.-2 IS THE NUMBER ONE GREAL RACE IN THE STATE.

IT WAS I THINK IN THE TOP TEN CLOSEST RACES TWO YEARS AGO, NATIONALLY.

AND SO I KNOW FROM COMING CONVERSATIONS WITH FOLKS THAT THE N.R.C.C.

AND THERS ARE REALLY ENGAGED AND ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT TYLER KISTNER'S CHANCES HERE.

KEVIN MCCARTHY PUT HIM ON THE YOUNG GUNS LIST VERY EARLY.

IT'S GOING TO BE -- I LINK IN C.D.-2 SO I'M EXPECTING A FULL MAILBOX.

I'M EXPECTING A LOT OF ONLINE ADVERTISING.

IT'S GOING TO BE THE RACE THAT YOU SEE A LOT DUMPED INTO IN THIS STATE.

>> Eric: AND C.D.-1 >> THE RACE WAS MUCH CLOSER THAN ANYONE EXPECTED AND IT'S A RACE THAT THE "NEW YORK TIMES" POINTED TO TO SAY DEMOCRATS SEEM TO BE ENERGIZED THAT JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO WAS NOT THE CASE.

ANGIE CRAIG, LIKE, REALLY -- WAS QUITE THE SCARE.

SHE WAS NOT XPECTING IT TO BE AS CLOSE AS IT WAS LAST TIME AROUND.

BUT IT IS A VERY MODERATE DISTRICT.

AND SHE NEEDS TO KEEP ALL DEMOCRATIC VOTERS AND APPEAL MORE BROADLY.

>> Eric: POST-PRIMARY, ARE THERE ANY MURMURINGS ABOUT A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION?

>> YEAH, THERE ARE.

WE'VE HEARD SOME CONVERSATION ABOUT THAT, PARTICULARLY AROUND CAN WE GET A BONDING BILL TOGETHER?

AND KEEP IN MIND THAT SENATOR BAKKBACK IS NOT RUNNING FOR REELECTION, SO HE HAS TIME TO GO OUT AND KIND OF STIR THINGS UP HERE.

AND I THINK HE'D LIKE TO GET ONE DONE.

I THINK IT COULD BENEFIT BOTH REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS IF THEY DO IT WELL WELL.

SO I THINK THERE WOULD SOME CHATTER ABOUT THAT.

IF THAT CAN COME TO FRUITION, WE'LL SEE.

>> Eric: THE PLOT THICKENS.

>> Cathy: IT ALWAYS DOES.

>> Eric: THANKS, FELLAS.

GOOD STUFF.

♪ ♪ >> Eric: I'M STANDING NEXT TO THE BIG MONITOR, SO THAT MEANS IT'S HISTORY QUESTION TIME.

LAST WEEK CATHY STOOD IN THIS SAME SPOT AND ASKED YOU ABOUT A NOTABLE BOOK SIGNING THAT TOOK PLACE IN MINNEAPOLIS IN JUNE OF 1960.

A NOTED AUTHOR -- LIVING IN THE TWIN CITIES -- APPEARED AT THE DOWNTOWN POWERS DEPARTMENT STORE ALONG WITH THE SUBJECT OF THEIR BOOK.

THE BOOK'S SUBJECT WAS EVEN MORE WELL-KNOWN THAN THE AUTHOR.

THIS PERSON BEING ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS AMERICANS OF THE LAST CENTURY.

THE BOOK COST $4.95, AND THE MINNEAPOLIS NEWSPAPER PROCLAIMED THAT READERS WILL "WANT AN AUTOGRAPHED COPY FOR YOURSELF AND SEVERAL FOR GIFTS."

OUR QUESTION: WHAT FAMED AUTHOR AND BOOK SUBJECT DID A BOOK SIGNING IN MINNEAPOLIS IN JUNE OF 1960?

AS ALWAYS, WE START WITH THE WRONG ANSWERS FIRST.

>> Eric: YEAH, THANKS, JOEL, AND NICE TRY, EVERYBODY.

BUT Y'ALL MISSED THE MARK.

AS LONGTIME VIEWERS LIKE JOEL KNOW, NOW IT'S TIME FOR THE RIGHT ANSWER.

BUT WE DIDN'T GET ONE THIS WEEK.

SO HERE'S THE HIGHLIGHTS AGAIN.

NOTED AUTHOR LIVING IN MINNEAPOLIS AT THE TIME.

BOOK SIGNING AT THE DOWNTOWN POWERS DEPARTMENT STORE IN 1960.

SUBJECT OF THE BOOK WAS THERE AS WELL.

HERE'S A NEW DETAIL FOR YOU.

THE SUBJECT OF THE BOOK WAS FAMOUS BECAUSE OF SOMETHING THAT HE OR SHE DID IN THE WORLD OF PROFESSIONAL SPORTS.

AGAIN, WHAT FAMED AUTHOR AND BOOK SUBJECT DID A BOOK SIGNING IN MINNEAPOLIS IN JUNE OF 1960?

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU WHETHER YOU ARE CALLING FROM HOMER, BALL CLUB, OR STRIKE LAKE.

651-229-1430 IS THE NUMBER TO CALL WITH ALL OF YOUR GUESSES.

IF YOU'D RATHER TYPE THAN TALK, YOU CAN DROP US A NOTE.

ALMANAC@TPT.ORG IS WHERE YOU'LL FIND US.

I'LL GIVE YOU ONE MORE CLUE.

ONE OF THE HINTS CATHY GAVE YOU LAST WEEK INCLUDED THE NAME OF THE BOOK.

SO DON'T "WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR" TO GIVE US A CALL WITH YOUR GUESSES.

651-229-1430 IS THAT NUMBER ONCE AGAIN.

QUICK NOTE BEFORE WE GO TONIGHT.

AS WE HAVE MENTIONED SEVERAL TIMES, IN CASE YOU JUST TUNED IN, WE ARE EXCITED TO BE RETURNING TO THE STATE FAIR THIS YEAR.

BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, FOR MORE THAN A DECADE, TWIN CITIES PBS AND MPR NEWS WORKED TOGETHER TO CREATE AN EDITION OF "ALMANAC" AT THE STATE FAIR.

AND THIS YEAR, WE ARE BACK AT IT.

CIRCLE THE DATE ON YOUR CALENDAR.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26TH.

"ALMANAC" WILL BE RECORDED THAT DAY AT 11:00 IN THE MORNING AT THE MPR BOOTH NEAR THE DAIRY BUILDING.

WE'LL BE LIVE ON THE RADIO AND RECORDING THE SHOW FOR TV THAT EVENING ACROSS THE STATE.

AGAIN, YOU CAN WATCH "ALMANAC" IN ACTION LIVE AT THE FAIR, FRIDAY MORNING AT 11:00 ON AUGUST 26TH AT THE MPR STATE FAIR BOOTH NEAR THE CORNER OF JUDSON AND NELSON.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE.

WE HAVE JUST ENOUGH TIME FOR SOME SHOW-ENDING MUSIC.

THE PRODUCERS DUG IN TO THE VAULTS AND FOUND THIS GEM.

THIS WEEK BACK IN 2001, DAN NEWTON AND THE CAFE ACCORDION ORCHESTRA PERFORMED ON "NEWSNIGHT MINNESOTA."

TAKE A LISTEN.

AND DON'T FORGET TO JOIN US AT THE FAIR!

BE CAREFUL!

[ UPBEAT ACCORDION MUSIC BREARKS BREARKS ♪ [ UPBEAT ACCORDION MUSIC ] ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Captioning 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.

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

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.