>> "ALMANAC" IS A PRODUCTION STATIONS OF MINNESOTA PUBLIC TELEVISION ASSOCIATION.

>> CATHY: IN THE NEXT HOUR WE'LL TALK ABOUT COVID CASES SURGING IN OUR STATE, WE'LL DEBATE RENT CONTROL IN ST. PAUL, AND WE'LL LEARN ABOUT A WELL-KNOWN CHARITY ON TRIAL.

THEN MARY LAHAMMER CHATS WITH A NEW LEADER FOR STATE REPUBLICANS.

>> Mary: WE'LL TALK WITH THE NEW REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIR DAVID HANN, WHO ONCE AGAIN, IS IN A LEADERSHIP POSITION FOLLOWING A CONTROVERSY.

>> LOOK, THE PARTY CHAIR'S JOB IS NOT TO BE THE CENTER OF THE POLITICAL UNIVERSE.

>> 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.

>> CATHY: IN A FEW MINUTES WE'LL DEBATE THE ST. PAUL RENT CONTROL AMENDMENT, AND MARY WILL PROFILE THE NEW CHAIR OF THE MINNESOTA REPUBLICAN PARTY.

PLUS WE'LL TREAT YOU TO A DAVID GILLETTE ESSAY.

BUT FIRST UP, THE REMARKABLE PERSISTENCE OF THE DELTA VARIANT.

>> ERIC: THE COVID SURGE HAS PEAKED IN THE SOUTH BUT IS HITTING THE UPPER MIDWEST HARD.

MINNESOTA IS NOW IN THE TOP TEN STATES WHEN IT COMES TO COVID CASES PER CAPITA.

OUR STATE IS EXPERIENCING ITS HIGHEST LEVELS OF CASES AND HOSPITALIZATIONS IN ALL OF 2021.

JAN MALCOLM IS MINNESOTA'S HEALTH COMMISSIONER.

COMMISSIONER, WHAT'S CAUSING ALL THIS?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, WE'VE HEARD LOTS OF -- I THINK IT'S ACCURATE THAT THIS IS LARGELY A PANDEMIC NOW OF THE UNVACCINATED.

AND WE HAVE TO REMEMBER, THAT INCLUDES EVERYBODY UNDER 12.

SO FAR THAT ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO BE VACCINATED.

SO WE'RE SEEING A REAL CONCERNING SPIKE AMONG PEDIATRIC CASES ASSOCIATED WITH SCHOOLS AND OTHERWISE, AND THERE'S JUST A LOT OF VIRUS OUT THERE.

>> ric: I WAS READING THE MANKATO FREE PRESS THIS MORNING IT SAID THE NINE-COUNTY SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA REGION, THEY HAD ONE PEDIATRIC BED AVAILABLE YESTERDAY.

>> YEAH, I MEAN, THE HOSPITAL CAPACITY IS VERY TIGHT, AND PEDIATRIC CAPACITY, EXTREMELY TIGHT.

THERE'S JUST NOT A LOT OF PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL BEDS, RESERVES FOR PEDES, ESPECIALLY ICU BEDS, THERE ARE ONLY EIGHT HOSPITALS IN THE STATE THAT HAVE ICU BEDS FOR PEDES AND ABOUT ALF OF THEM HAVE NO BEDS.

>> Cathy: THE GOVERNOR IS TALKING ABOUT VACCINE MANDATES FOR STAFFERS AND, OF COURSE, FACE MASKS, THAT KIND OF THING.

BUT BECAUSE HE DOESN'T HAVE THOSE EMERGENCY POWERS, DOESN'T THAT HINDER WHAT YOUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT CAN ACTUALLY DO FOR SCHOOLS?

>> VERY MUCH SO.

I MEAN, WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO BE REALLY CLEAR WITH OUR SCHOOL LEADERS THAT THE HEALTH GUIDANCE THAT WE'VE PUT OUT, CDC, IS NOT JUST A SUGGESTION.

THE GUIDANCE AND THE RECOMMENDATION IS THEY SHOULD REQUIRE UNIVERSAL MASKING AND REQUIRE TESTING ND ISOLATION AND QUARANTINE.

AND I THINK SOME HAVE TAKEN IT AS WELL, THESE ARE JUST RECOMMENDATIONS, BUT WE WANT TO BE CLEAR, THE RECOMMENDATION IS FOR REQUIREMENTS TO HAVE THAT PROTECTION IN PLACE BECAUSE RIGHT NOW WE'VE REALLY GOT A PATCHWORK QUILT.

>> Cathy: SO WHAT HAPPENS, BECAUSE AS YOU SAY, THESE CASES, COVID IS KIND OF BURNING THROUGH, LITERALLY, THE YOUNGER SET.

SO WILL THIS JUST HAVE TO BURN ITSELF OUT OR WHAT -- WHAT'S NEXT?

>> WELL, WE'RE, YOU KNOW, REALLY ANTICIPATING THE ARRIVAL OF THE APPROVAL FOR GROUP, AND WE ARE CONTINUING TO TRY TO PUSH AS MUCH AS WE CAN TO GET THAT 12 TO 17 GROUP VACCINATED BECAUSE ONLY ABOUT, YOU KNOW, 55% OF THEM ARE, SO THAT'S A LOT OF KIDS WHO ARE STILL VULNERABLE.

AND AS YOU SAY, THE DELTA VARIANT IS SO MUCH MORE TRANSMISSIBLE THAN THE EARLIER VARIANTS, AND I JUST -- I WORRY THAT THE PUBLIC IS KIND OF DISCONNECTED WITH HE REALITY OF, YOU KNOW, HOW MUCH VIRUS WE'VE GOT AROUND AND HOW TIGHT THE HOSPITAL SITUATION IS.

>> Eric: HAVE YOU EXPANDED TESTING CAPABILITY?

>> WE HAVE.

WE HAVE ABOUT SIX, I THINK, TESTING SITES IN THE METRO AND FOUR OR FIVE IN GREATER MINNESOTA AND WE'RE LOOKING TO POTENTIALLY ADD SOME MORE SITES WHERE THERE SEEM TO BE PARTICULAR GAPS IN TESTING.

WE'RE LENGTHENING HOURS, LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH IS STANDING UP MORE TESTING IN THEIR LOCATIONS, SO WE'RE VERY AWARE, THE GOOD NEWS IS, THE TESTING DEMAND IS WAY UP, PARTICULARLY FOR THOSE OVER-THE-COUNTER RAPID TESTS AND THERE'S, YOU KNOW, GOOD AND LESS GOOD USES OF THOSE.

BUT WE'RE ABSOLUTELY -- WE'VE GOT A STRONG KIND OF TESTING INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE STATE AND WE'RE TRYING TO RAMP IT ALL UP.

>> Cathy: YOU KNOW, THERE WAS -- THE CDC HAD SOME GUIDANCE EARLIER THIS WEEK ABOUT HOLIDAYS.

AND I'M WONDERING WHAT YOU THINK OF THAT.

WHAT SHOULD WE DO?

>> WELL, I THINK, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, IT WAS A PARTICULAR MESSAGE FOR TESTING IS A GOOD IDEA IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE AROUND FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND THAT IS CERTAINLY A GOOD IDEA.

WE JUST ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO URGE PEOPLE TO BE THOUGHTFUL ABOUT THAT, MAYBE HAVE SMALLER GATHERINGS AND TO -- BEST FIRST THING TO DO IS HAVE EVERYBODY BE VACCINATED, OF COURSE.

>> Eric: IF YOU'VE GOT A MODERNA SHOT, TWO SHOTS, CAN YOU GET A PFIZER BOOSTER?

>> IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED, NO.

>> Eric: OKAY.

>> AND, ACTUALLY, T'S KIND OF AGAINST THE RULES FOR PROVIDERS TO DO THAT.

>> Eric: OH.

>> WHEN THEY SIGN PARTICIPATION AGREEMENTS TO BE PART OF THE VACCINE PROGRAM, THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO FOLLOW THE CDC GUIDANCE PRETTY STRICTLY, AND THAT GUIDANCE IS NOT TO MIX AND MATCH FOR THE BOOSTERS.

I JUST HEARD TODAY, THOUGH, ON MINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO THAT THERE'S THE NIH IS DOING RIGHT NOW TESTS AND TRIALS OF EVERY CONCEIVABLE COMBINATION OF VACCINES.

SO WE COULD BE LOOKING AT SOME NEW INFORMATION, YOU KNOW, EARLY NEXT MONTH THAT WOULD MAKE IT MORE CLEAR WHAT COMBINATION AND WHAT ORDER IS THE MOST OPTIMAL.

>> Eric: YOU AND THE GOVERNOR GOT HIGHLY PUBLICIZED FLU SHOTS.

>> WE DID.

>> Eric: TELL US ABOUT THE UPCOMING SEASON.

>> WELL, THE MESSAGE THERE WAS, IT'S ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA TO GET A FLU SHOT, EVEN MORE A GOOD IDEA THIS YEAR.

THERE'S SO MUCH RESPIRATORY VIRUS CIRCULATING IN OUR HOSPITALS AND LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES ARE SO FULL WITH SUCH STAFFING PRESSURES THAT ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO STAY OUT OF THE HOSPITAL IS GOOD, OBVIOUSLY, FOR US, BUT IT'S GOOD FOR THE COMMUNITY AS WELL.

>> Cathy: SAY, BEFORE YOU GO, I HAVE TO ASK YOU THIS.

OBVIOUSLY YOU KNOW THE SPECIAL SESSION'S KIND OF HUNG UP ON A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT THINGS, INCLUDING WORRIES THAT THE SENATE MAY TRY TO OUST YOU, TO NOT CONFIRM YOU AND TO OUST YOU FROM YOUR POSITION.

WOULD YOU CONSIDER RESIGNING BEFORE THAT EVER WOULD HAPPEN?

>> YOU KNOW, I HAVEN'T GIVEN THAT REALLY ANY THOUGHT.

I'M REALLY FOCUSED ON THE WORK AT HAND.

I CERTAINLY HOPE THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN.

I HAVE NOT THOUGHT ABOUT THAT AT ALL.

>> Cathy: ALL RIGHT.

I APPRECIATE -- >> Eric: YOU THINK THERE WILL BE A SPECIAL SESSION?

>> I HOPE SO BECAUSE WE'VE GOT A LOT TO DO.

>> Eric: OKAY.

>> Cathy: ALL RIGHT.

APPRECIATE IT, COMMISSIONER.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

NICE TO BE HERE.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR COMING.

♪♪ >> CATHY: TWIN CITIES VOTERS HAVE RENT CONTROL ON THE BALLOT NEXT MONTH.

MINNEAPOLIS' BALLOT INITIATIVE WOULD ALLOW THE CITY COUNCIL TO COME UP WITH A RENT POLICY.

THE BALLOT QUESTION IN ST. PAUL WOULD CREATE A CITYWIDE RENT POLICY THAT WOULD LIMIT RENT HIKES TO 3% A YEAR.

TONIGHT WE'RE GOING TO FOCUS ON THE ST. PAUL AMENDMENT.

THE BALLOT AMENDMENT PETITION DRIVE WAS LED BY A COALTION CALLED KEEP ST. PAUL HOME.

TRAM HOANG IS WITH THAT GROUP.

SHE'S ON THE YES SIDE.

OPPOSING THE ST. PAUL RENT STABILIZATION AMENDMENT IS ADAM DUININCK.

HE'S WITH THE NORTH CENTRAL STATES REGIONAL COUNCIL OF CARPENTERS AND IS PART OF A COALITION OPPOSING THE AMENDMENT.

TRAM, WHAT'S THE PROBLEM THAT LED TO THIS PROPOSED RULE?

>> YEAH, THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

I THINK THE BIG HE -- THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WE'RE SEEING, IN OUR WORK TALKING TO RENTERS FOR DECADES, RIGHT, BECAUSE OUR COALITION CONSISTS OF ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN ON ON THE GROUND TALKING TO RENTERS FOR A LONG TIME, WHAT WE NOTICED WAS PEOPLE ASKING THIS QUESTION THAT WE COULDN'T ANSWER, AND THEY WOULD ASK, IS THERE ANYTHING PROTECTING ME FROM A RENT HIKE OF 200, 300, $400 AT A TIME?

AND, UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAD TO SAY NO, RIGHT?

IT'S A DIFFICULT QUESTION TO ANSWER WHEN YOU'RE AT SOMEONE'S DOOR, YOU WANT TO SUPPORT THEM, AND WE CURRENTLY DON'T HAVE ANY KIND OF PROTECTION.

AND FROM THE RESEARCH, WE ALSO KNOW THAT THIS ISSUE MOST DESPERATELY IMPACTS LOW-INCOME RENTERS AND RENTERS OF COLOR.

WE KNOW THERE ARE HUGE RACIAL HOME OWNERSHIP GAPS IN THE TWIN CITIES AND WHEN E LOOK AT St. PAUL, WE ALSO KNOW THAT PEOPLE OF COLOR RE MORE LIKELY TO BE RENTING.

THIS ISSUE ALSO HAS A RACIAL EQUITY IMPACT BUT IT ALSO IMPACTS A MAJORITY OF THE CITY BECAUSE THE MAJORITY OF St. PAUL RESIDENTS ARE RENTERS.

>> Eric: WHY DID YOUR COALITION OPPOSE IT?

>> WELL, OUR COALITION IS VERY SYMPATHETIC WITH THE IDEA OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND HAVING AN AFFORDABLE PLACE TO LIVE BUT I THINK WHAT IT COMES DOWN TO, WE REALLY ASK VOTERS TO STOP AND THINK ABOUT THE IMPLICATIONS OF RENT CONTROL POLICY.

AND THIS ONE WE THINK IS TOO STRICT, IT'S TOO NARROW.

IT PRESCRIBES A LOT, EVEN IN THE BALLOT AMENDMENT IN AND OF ITSELF AS OPPOSED TO GIVING FUTURE POLICY MAKERS MORE PARAMETERS TO WORK WITH.

SO WHEN IT COMES TO HOME OWNERSHIP, WE BELIEVE THE REAL ISSUE IS SUPPLY.

WHAT'S REALLY PRESSING THE MARKET RIGHT NOW, THERE'S NOT ENOUGH AFFORDABLE HOUSING, THERE'S NOT ENOUGH HOUSING UNITS, NOT ENOUGH APARTMENTS BEING BUILT, AND THAT'S AN IMPORTANT PART OF BOTH THE CONSTITUENCY THAT I REPRESENT BUT ALSO REALTORS, BUSINESS OWNERS AND OTHER PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> Cathy: WE DO HEAR ABOUT THAT UPPLY SHORTAGE.

>> YES.

WE AGREE, THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, THERE ARE NEEDS TO BE MORE HOUSING ACROSS THE INCOME SPECTRUM AND, YET, WE ALSO KNOW THAT EVEN AS WE BUILD MORE HOUSING, THERE'S NOTHING THAT PROTECTS THAT SMALL PORTION OF RENTERS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING EGREGIOUS RENT INCREASES.

>> Eric: DO WE KNOW HOW MANY LANDLORDS RAISE THE RENT MORE THAN 3% A YEAR?

>> YEAH, THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

DID A VERY DEEP DIVE INTO THE HOUSING MARKET AND FOUND THAT FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS, MEDIAN RENT HAS NOT INCREASED MORE THAN 3%.

AND, SO, THAT TELLS US THAT 3% IS ENOUGH, IT'S GENEROUS.

PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH PROPERTY TAXES, MAINTENANCE, AND ALL THE LIKE, EVEN AMIDST SOME ECONOMIC TURBULENCE, RIGHT, WITH THE FORECLOSURE CRISIS AND TIMES LIKE THAT.

>> Eric: SURE.

DOING SOME OF THE READING, ADAM, THIS WEEK, ONE F THE TALKING POINTS WAS THAT WENT ARE RENT CONTROL WOULD LEAD TO MARKET DISTORTIONS, COULD YOU LABOR RATE WHAT THAT WOULD MEAN?

>> THERE ARE DECISIONS BEING MADE RIGHT NOW, THERE ARE DEVELOPERS, PROPERTY WNERS, THAT ARE PUTTING A PAUSE ON WHETHER THEY BUILD PROJECTS HERE OR WHETHER THEY LOOK TO INVEST BOTH LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY IN MINNEAPOLIS OR St. PAUL.

SO I THINK IT HAS A DUAL EFFECT.

I THINK THERE COULD POTENTIALLY BE NATIONAL DOLLARS THAT AREN'T INVESTED IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT GO TO ANOTHER REGION.

I THINK SECOND EFFECT IS THAT YOU HAVE A HOLLOWED-OUT REGION WHERE MINNEAPOLIS AND St. PAUL HAVE DIFFERENT RULES AND GUIDELINES AND THEN PROJECTS HAPPEN IN OTHER CITIES, IN WEST St. PAUL OR St. LOUIS PARK OR OUTSIDE THE URBAN CORE AND WE WANT THAT DEVELOPMENT, THOSE PROJECTS HAPPEN ACROSS THE ENTIRE METRO REGION.

>> Cathy: I'M SURE YOU WOULD, TOO.

WHAT THAT ABOUT THAT ARGUMENT?

>> WHAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT IS WE PUT OURSELVES IN THE POSITION OF AN INVESTOR OR A PROPERTY OWNER.

WHEN WE DO THAT, WE KNOW THAT CONSISTENT AND RELIABLE RETURNS ARE WHAT THEY LOOK FOR, RIGHT?

WHEN YOU'RE DOING -- WHEN YOU'RE UNDERWRITING, YOU'RE LOOKING AT, YOU KNOW, WHAT IS THE RISK HERE?

AND IF, YOU KNOW, WORKING IN HOUSING FINANCE POLICY AND DEVELOPMENT, I HAVE LEARNED THAT WHEN SOMEONE IS ASSESSING A REAL ESTATE PRO FORMA WHAT THEY DON'T WANT TO DO IS INVEST N A DEVELOPER THAT IS BANKING ON REALLY EXCESSIVE RENT HIKES, RIGHT, BECAUSE THAT'S A VERY RISKY THING TO DO.

SO THE 3%, THE STEADY 3% THAT'S BASED ON HISTORY OF RENT INCREASES FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS, IS ACTUALLY QUITE CONSISTENT, RELIABLE, AND VERY MUCH LOW RISK WHEN WE THINK ABOUT WHAT INVESTORS LOOK FOR IN A TIMELINE.

>> Cathy: ADAM, DO YOU WANT TO MAKE A COMMENT ABOUT THAT?

>> YEAH, I JUST THINK, COMING BACK, THIS POLICY DEBATE HAS BEEN HAPPENING AT THE STATE LEVEL, THE PREVIOUS GOVERNOR, HAD A HOUSING TASK FORCE, MADE A LOT OF RECOMMENDATION,.

THE REAL ISSUE IS IS A LACK OF RESOURCES FROM THE FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT.

WE ADVOCATE FOR THOSE AS A ORGANIZATION, PARTNERS IN OUR COALITION, EVEN THOUGH WE OPPOSE RENT CONTROL, WE SUPPORT AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

WE WANT TO SEE THAT BUILT, WE WANT TO SEE IT HAPPEN.

I JUST THINK THERE'S A DIFFERENT WAY TO GO, THAT'S WHY CAN WE'RE ASKING VOTERS TO TAKE A PAUSE AND LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS AMENDMENT.

>> Eric: WHAT INCENTIVE WOULD A LANDLORD HAVE TO UPGRADE A UNIT OR, YOU KNOW, TO DO SOME NICE WORK, NEW COUNTER TOPS OR WHATEVER, WHAT WOULD BE THE VALUE OF DOING THAT FOR THE LANDLORD?

>> YEAH.

I THINK WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DOING THAT FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS.

EVEN WITH RENT INCREASES THAT ARE BELOW 3%.

SO I THINK THE MAIN THING TO THINK ABOUT IS, 3, WHEN WE THINK ABOUT NUMBERS, OH, THAT'S FEW, RIGHT?

BUT WHEN WE APPLY THAT TO WHAT MONTHLY IS, WHEN WE APPLY THAT TO WHAT OPERATING COSTS ARE, IT'S ACTUALLY A SIGNIFICANT JUMP.

MONTHLY RENT.

AND IT'S WHAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MANAGE PROPERTY WITH IN THE PAST 20 YEARS AND WE KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A POLICY THAT CAN BE AMENDED IN THE FUTURE AS WELL.

DUE TO THE STATE PREEMPTION, THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO ADD THIS TOOL OF RENT STABILIZATION TO OUR TOOLBOX AND A YEAR AFTER ITS IMPLEMENTATION, CITY COUNCIL WILL HAVE THE ABILITY, IKE WITH ANY OTHER ORDINANCE TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS AS NEEDED.

WHAT WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO DO HERE IS LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF THE HOUSING MARKET IN St. PAUL, MATCH OUR ORDINANCE WITH THE RESEARCH THAT'S SHOWN WHAT WORKS, AND ALSO CREATE OLICY THAT CAN THEN BE AMENDED IN THE FUTURE TO ADJUST TO ANY HISTORIC CHANGES THAT WE MIGHT FACE.

>> Eric: DUST OFF YOUR MET COUNCIL HAT FOR A SECOND, AFFORDABLE HOUSING'S ONE OF THE DEALS WITH THE MET COUNCIL, GOOD REGIONAL APPROACH TO THIS OR DOES IT LEND ITSELF TO THAT KIND OF A SOLUTION?

>> I SAY AGAIN, THE REGIONAL ANSWERS ARE MORE UNIFORM POLICY ACROSS THE COUNTIES AS OPPOSED TO ACROSS ONE CITY.

ONE CITY DOES THIS, ANOTHER CITY DOES THAT.

THERE'S A LOT OF OTHER POLICY PROVISIONS BEING PROPOSED AROUND THE REGION, INCLUSIONARY ZONING IS ONE, TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT, HOW DO WE CONNECT PEOPLE MORE TO TRANSIT AND IKE AND PEDESTRIAN OPTIONS, OTHER WAYS TO MOVE AROUND.

THOSE ARE WAYS TO KEEP HOUSING COSTS MORE AFFORDABLE AND I THINK A BETTER POLICY SOLUTION THAN A RENT CONTROL CHARTER AMENDMENT.

>> Eric: EXPECT A BIG TURNOUT ON ELECTION DAY IN St. PAUL?

>> WE'RE HOPING SO.

St. PAUL IS MAJORITY RENTERS, WE'RE HOPING TO SEE SOME HIGH TURNOUT.

>> Eric: GOOD DEBATE.

APPRECIATE YOU BOTH COMING DOWN.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING US.

>> Eric: YOU BET.

>> CATHY: OVER THE WEEKEND REPUBLICANS ELECTED A NEW PARTY CHAIR, DAVID HANN.

FOR MANY LONGTIME VIEWERS, HE'S A FAMILIAR FACE AS FORMER SENATE MINORITY LEADER.

AS REPORTER MARY LAHAMMER SHOWS US, HANN HAS PREVIOUSLY TAKEN A LEADERSHIP ROLE FOLLOWING CONTROVERSY.

>> Mary: ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, Mr.

CHAIR.

THESE ARE YOUR NEW DIGS, RIGHT?

>> YES.

THIS IS T. >> Mary: IT'S RATHER QUIET AT REPUBLICAN PARTY HEADQUARTERS THESE DAYS, AS THE NEW CHAIR WORKS TO RESET, RAISE MONEY, HIRE STAFF, AND GET SETTLED.

DO YOU HAVE AN OFFICE?

ARE YOU GETTING SETTLED?

OKAY.

>> WELL, YES.

IT'S NOT HARD TO GET SETTLED BECAUSE IF YOU'LL SEE, THERE'S REALLY NOTHING IN IT.

I DON'T EVEN HAVE A COMPUTER YET.

>> Mary: YOU'VE GOT MAPS.

>> I GOT MAPS.

I KIND OF KNOW WHERE WE ARE.

>> Mary: MAPS WILL BE IMPORTANT AS ONCE IN A DECADE REDISTRICTING IS UNDERWAY.

SOMETHING DAVID HANN SAW TWICE AS A STATE LAWMAKER THROUGH SOME TURBULENT TIMES.

>> SEPARATE OUR CHURCH AND STATE!

SEPARATE OUR CHURCH AND STATE!

>> LET US VOTE!

LET US VOTE!

>> Mary: FOLLOWING A CAUCUS CONTROVERSY SEX BE SCANDAL AND A DIVISIVE BALLOT TO OUTLAW SAME-SEX MARRIAGE, HANN HEADED INTO LEADERSHIP.

>> I HEARD FOLKS SAY, WE WANT A BORING CHAIR.

>> WELL, THEY'VE GOT ONE.

>> Mary: SO YOU'RE GOING TO EMBRACE THE, IT'S GOING TO BE SMOOTH AND BORING.

>> DURING THE ELECTION, PEOPLE WOULD ASK ABOUT THIS, AND I'D SAY, LOOK, THE PARTY CHAIR'S JOB IS NOT TO BE THE CENTER OF THE POLITICAL UNIVERSE.

THAT'S FOR OUR CANDIDATES.

WE WANT TO PROMOTE OUR CANDIDATES.

WE WANT TO PROMOTE OUR MESSAGE.

THE JOB OF THE PARTY CHAIR IS TO BUILD AN ORGANIZATION.

TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT ORGANIZATION IS CAPABLE OF BRINGING THIS MESSAGE OUT, WHICH IS ONE OF THE PURPOSES OF THE PARTY, AND THE SECOND IS TO WIN ELECTIONS.

>> THERE AS A ACCUMULATION OF THINGS, BUT IT MAYBE HAD TO DO WITH US REACHING TOO FAR.

PARTICULARLY INTO THE SOCIAL ISSUES AND THE GAY MARRIAGE ONE, I THINK, REALLY DID IN THE END HURT US.

>> Mary: BANNING GAY MARRIAGE LOST AT THE BALLOT BOX AND SO DID SOME LAWMAKERS.

>> WHAT A DAY FOR MINNESOTA!

GO CELEBRATE.

LOVE IS LOVE!

[ Cheers ] >> Mary: MARRIAGE EQUALITY QUICKLY PASSED INTO LAW, AND SUBURBS STARTED MOVING TOWARDS DEMOCRATS AND AWAY FROM REPUBLICANS.

>> WE WANT TO RESPECT EVERYONE AND THE LAW IS THE LAW, SO WE CERTAINLY RESPECT THE LAW.

>> Mary: REPUBLICANS THEN SURGED IN RURAL MINNESOTA, WINNING THE HOUSE AND SENATE IN 2016, BUT THE REPUBLICAN LEADER LOST HIS SEAT IN EDEN PRAIRIE.

>> WE KNEW THAT MY SEAT WAS GOING TO BE HEAVILY CONTESTED, WE KNEW THE DEMOGRAPHICS WERE CHANGING, WE KNEW THE DEMOCRATS WERE SPENDING A TON OF MONEY INTENS -- AGAINST ME.

AND WHAT I TOLD THEM, I TOLD THEM SINCERELY, LOOK, IF I HAD THE CHOICE TO DECIDE, WIN THE MAJORITY, LOSE YOUR SEAT, OR KEEP YOUR SEAT IS AND LOSE THE MAJORITY, WHAT WOULD YOU DO, I SAID I'D TAKE THE MAJORITY SEVEN DAYS A WEEK AND TWICE ON SUNDAY, BECAUSE THAT'S THE MISSION.

>> Mary: HANN SAYS HIS LOSS WAS MORE ABOUT TRUMP NOT BEING POPULAR IN SUBURBAN MINNESOTA, BUT HE DOES SHARE SOME OF THE FORMER PRESIDENT'S CONCERNS ABOUT THE ELECTION.

>> THAT SHOULD BE A CONCERN FOR EVERYBODY.

REPUBLICAN/DEMOCRAT, DOESN'T MATTER.

>> Mary: HOW ABOUT YOU, WHERE ARE YOU AT?

>> I THINK WE NEED TO DO EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE FEEL WHEN THEY OTE, THEIR VOTE IS BEING COUNTED, IT'S NOT BEING FOOLED WITH, SO WE NEED TO DO SOME THINGS TO REASSURE PEOPLE THAT THAT'S HAPPENING.

THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT WE CAN DO TO RESTORE CONFIDENCE, THAT'S GOING TO BE PART OF WHAT WE WORK ON.

ONE OF THE THINGS, FOR EXAMPLE, WE HAVE A STATE LAW THAT PERMITS A PARTY CHAIR, MAJOR PARTY, REPUBLICAN, DEMOCRAT, TO EVALUATE THE SOURCE CODES IN THE LECTION MACHINES, FOR EXAMPLE.

WE AN DO THAT.

AND WHAT I'VE TOLD PEOPLE, WE WILL DO THAT.

WE HAVE TO RAISE MONEY TO DO IT.

SO WE HAVE TO SET UP A SEPARATE FUND -- >> Mary: YOU DON'T THINK THAT'S A CONSPIRACY THEORY?

>> NO, IT'S IN THE LAW.

>> Mary: THE PERSON WHO WORKS AS A BUSINESS PROCESS ANALYST SAYS THE PARTY SHOULD HAVE AN EVALUATION OF FINANCES AND CLAIMS AGAINST THE PREVIOUS CHAIR COMPLETED SOON.

AND ADDS SOME, IF NOT ALL, OF THE MONEY FROM THE MAJOR DONOR INDICTED FOR SEX TRAFFICKING HAS BEEN DONATED AND WILL NOT BE USED.

WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU WANT TO SEND TO MINNESOTANS, 0 -- TO DONORS, TO VOTERS?

>> FIRST OF ALL, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY CAN HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THIS ORGANIZATION, THAT WE ARE CAPABLE TO DO THE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO DO.

AND WHAT PARTIES EXIST FOR, WHAT WE EXIST FOR IS WE WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND WHAT REPUBLICAN-ISM IS, SMALL R REPUBLICAN-ISM, THAT WHAT WE STAND FOR.

>> Mary: DO YOU THINK PUBLIC SAFETY COULD BE ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL ISSUES FOR THE PARTY?

>> I THINK SO.

I'VE TALKED TO A NUMBER OF THE CANDIDATES WHO ARE CURRENTLY CONTENDING TO BE THE NOMINEE, AND MANY OF THEM, MOST OF THEM, ARE USING THAT, TALKING ABOUT THAT AS AN ISSUE, ALONG WITH EDUCATION, WHICH IS ALWAYS A BIG ONE, BUT I THINK IN THE LAST YEAR, GIVEN THE KINDS OF DISRUPTION TO PEOPLE'S LIVES WITH THE PANDEMIC AND SO FORTH, AND INABILITY TO HAVE THEIR KIDS GO OFF TO SCHOOL, THOSE THINGS HAVE BECOME EVEN MORE ELEVATED.

>> Mary: IN THE END, REPUBLICANS ARE LOOKING TO BREAK A LONG STREAK OF LOSING STATEWIDE OFFICES, BUT HANN WON'T PICK AVORITES PRIOR TO TO AN ENDORSEMENT.

>> I THINK WE HAVE GOOD CANDIDATES.

I THINK WE'LL HAVE GOOD NOMINEE.

I THINK WE'RE GOING TO WIN.

♪♪ >> ERIC: THE OTTO BREMER TRUST IS A LARGE FOUNDATION IN MINNESOTA AND IT HAS AN UNUSUAL FEATURE.

THE PHILANTHROPIC TRUST OVERSEES THE BREMER BANK SYSTEM, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

BREMER BANK IS THE ONLY BANK IN THE UNITED STATES RUN BY A NONPROFIT.

CONFLICT BETWEEN THE FOUNDATION BOARD AND THE BANK'S BOARD HAS LED TO A CIVIL TRIAL IN RAMSEY COUNTY IN WHICH THE MINNESOTA ATTORNEY GENERAL IS SEEKING TO TOSS OUT THE FOUNDATION'S THREE TRUSTEES.

IT'S A COMPLICATED STORY, AND FREDERICK MELO IS HERE TO DECOMPLICATE IT.

HE'S COVERING THE TRIAL FOR THE ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS.

FRED, -- OH, I FORGOT TO SAY THIS, A WORD BEFORE WE BEGIN, THE BREMER TRUST IS A SUPPORTER OF TPT, INCLUDING "ALMANAC'S" ONE GREATER MINNESOTA INITIATIVE, WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE GOT THAT IN.

>> WHAT NONPROFIT HAVE THEY NOT TOUCHED?

THAT'S A BETTER QUESTION.

>> Eric: FIVE LAWSUITS.

BANK AGAINST TRUSTEES, TRUSTEES AGAINST THE BANK, BANK EMPLOYEES AGAINST TRUSTEES, HEDGE FUND AGAINST THE BANK.

HELP US.

>> THIS IS COMPLICATED.

AND YOU REALLY NEED TO START ALMOST 100 YEARS AGO.

THE GREAT DEPRESSION, OTTO BREMER, KIND OF THE SELF-MADE FLANNIST, BANKER, ENT AROUND DIGGING INTO HIS OWN FORTUNE TO SAVE BANKS ACROSS WISCONSIN, MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA AND OF COURSE, MINNESOTA.

HE WAS A St. PAUL GUY.

PHILANTHROPIST.

HIS BROTHER MARRIED A SCHMIDT, MARIE SCHMIDT FROM THE BREWING COMPANY.

HE WAS St. PAUL THREW AND THREW.

AND IN THE 40s, WE CREATED THIS PHILANTHROPY WITH THE INTENT IT WOULD HELP COMMUNITIES, RURAL FARMING COMMUNITIES.

AND IF ANOTHER GREAT DEPRESSION EVER CAME AROUND, THEY'D BE THERE TO BOOST THINGS.

>> Eric: WHAT ARE THE TRUSTEES ACCUSED OF?

>> WELL, THE TRUSTEES ARE ACCUSED OF TRYING TO SELL BREMER BANK, WHICH IS SOMETHING OTTO BREMER SAID, ABSOLUTELY DO NOT DO, UNLESS THERE'S SOME CRAZY UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCE.

SO THEY STARTED SELLING BANK SHARES TO HEDGE FUNDS A OUPLE YEARS AGO.

19 HEDGE FUNDS.

YOU KNOW, AGGRESSIVE EAST COAST BANKS.

WHILE THE BANK BOARD OF BREMER BANK SAID, ABSOLUTELY NOT.

WE'RE NOT INTO THIS.

AND THEY HAD SHOPPED AROUND, I THINK HUNTING BANK -- HUNTINGTON BANK, OLD NATIONAL BANK CAME KNOCKING ON THE DOOR, BMO HARRIS, THEY DECIDED NOT TO MERGE, NOT TO SELL.

TRUSTEES HAVE BEEN MOVING FORWARD WITH THESE SHARE SALES ANYWAY.

>> Cathy: ANY ISSUES WITH THE TRUST?

I MEAN, IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S PRETTY WELL RUN.

OR NO?

>> WELL, THAT'S KIND OF THE MILLION-DOLLAR QUESTION.

SELLING THE BANK WOULD CERTAINLY BRING $1.8 BILLION TO THE TRUST.

THERE WOULD BE A LOT MORE MONEY FOR LOCAL CHARITIES.

BUT TWO OF THESE TRUSTEES YEARS AGO KIND OF GOT RID OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THERE'S NO HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR, AND ASSIGNED THEMSELVES THE JOB OF BEING KIND OF ASSET MANAGERS.

SO THEY GET A CUT IF THE BANK SOLD.

>> Eric: ARE THEY RICH THEMSELVES?

>> THEY'D BE MILLIONAIRES.

IF THEY'RE NOT ALREADY, THEY'D BE MILLIONAIRES.

>> Eric: SOME OF THE -- ACCORDING TO OUR REPORTING, THERE'S BEEN SOME SORT OF DUBIOUS GRANTS, ORDWAY, COMO ZOO THAT REALLY MAY NOT FIT OTTO BREMER'S MISSION.

>> LIKE I SAID BEFORE, THESE ARE TREASURED, NONPROFIT INSTITUTIONS.

NOBODY'S KIND OF POINTING A FINGER AT THE COMO ZOO, THERE'S ONE OF THE LAST FREE ZOOS IN THE COUNTRY.

BUT IF YOU LOOK AT KIND OF OTTO BREMER'S FOUNDING DOCUMENTS, HE WAS VERY MUCH INTO JOB CREATION, NOT ANIMAL ADVOCACY.

HE LIKED YOUTH ENRICHMENT, BUT NOT FUNDING K-12 SCHOOLS.

WELL, ONE OF THE TRUSTEES, BRIAN LIPSCHULTZ SITS AS A TRUSTEE OF THE BLAKE SCHOOL, WHICH IS A PRIVATE SCHOOL, AND THEY GOT A $75,000 GRANT TO HELP LOW-INCOME KIDS FROM MINNEAPOLIS TAKE SUMMER CLASSES AND WEEKEND CLASSES AT BLAKE.

IS THAT A ONFLICT OF INTEREST OR IS THAT YOUTH ENRICHMENT?

THOSE KINDS OF QUESTIONS KEEP POPPING UP.

A MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE COMO ZOO, FOR THE SEAL AND SEA LIONS EXHIBIT, CLEARLY THAT'S ANIMAL HELP BUT IT'S ALSO HELPING St. PAUL AND BREMER WAS ALL ABOUT St. PAUL.

>> Eric: SURE.

>> Cathy: EYEBROW RAISER WAS THE TESTIMONY THAT JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SAYING THEY GAVE BACK LIKE A MILLION BUCKS TO BREMER TRUST.

>> A MILLION TWO WAS RETURNED TO BREMER TRUST JUST IN THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS.

AFTER, REALLY, WHAT THE DIRECTOR CALLED KIND OF A BROW BEATING, WHERE Mr. LIPSCHULTZ GOT HER ON THE PHONE AND SAID, YOU'RE GIVING AN AWARD TO THE BOARD CHAIR OF THE BANK.

THEY'RE THE ONES FIGHTING THIS BANK SALE.

THEY'RE THE ONES SUING US.

HOW DARE YOU?

WE GAVE YOU A MILLION TWO DOLLARS.

WE GET TO DIRECT, YOU KNOW, WHAT YOU DO, HOW YOU DO IT.

SHE WENT AND TALKED TO THE BANK PRESIDENT, SHE WENT AND TALKED TO HER BOARD OF JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT, THEY VOTED 30-1 AND SAID, THAT'S NOT HOW THIS GAME'S GOING TO BE PLAYED.

HERE'S YOUR MONEY BACK, HERE'S YOUR MILLION TWO.

>> Cathy: IS Mr. LIPSCHULTZ DUE TO TESTIFY?

>> YEAH, HE ACTUALLY STARTED THIS WEEK.

WE HAD THURSDAY AND FRIDAY OFF, THANK GOODNESS, AFTER EIGHT DAYS.

AND, YOU KNOW, HE OOK THE STAND AND SAID, YOU KNOW, FIND ME A GRANT THAT WAS NOT HELPING PEOPLE.

HE WAS CERTAINLY TRYING TO PRESENT HIMSELF AS A FLAN PITTS AND SOMEONE WHO WAS ALSO MONEY MINDED AND COULD ELEVATE THE WORK, MAKE IT MORE SOPHISTICATED.

>> Eric: DIDN'T HE MAKE THE POINT THAT EMERGENCY GRANTS WERE MADE AFTER COVID AND GEORGE FLOYD?

>> YEAH, THERE WERE A NUMBER OF GRANTS WHERE PROGRAM OFFICER HADN'T TOUCHED THEM, LIKE THE BLAKE GRANT AND THE COMO SALES AND -- SEALS AND SEA LIONS EXHIBIT.

THEY SAID, LOOK, SOME OF THAT WAS BEFORE COVID.

BUT THEY SAID, LOOK, THESE -- CERTAINLY AFTER THE UNREST, THE RIOTS, WE NEEDED TO GET MONEY OUT THE DOOR IN A HURRY.

>> Eric: SO THE QUESTION BEFORE THE JUDGE IS, SHOULD THE CURRENT TRUSTEES STAY IN PLACE?

IF THE JUDGE WOULD DISMISS THEM, WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO THE FOUNDATION THEN?

>> WELL, MINNESOTA ATTORNEY GENERAL, KEITH ELLISON, HAS THREE PEOPLE IN MIND, FORMER HENNEPIN COUNTY JUDGE, A WOMAN WHO USED TO WORK IN PHILANTHROPY, AND HE WANTS THOSE HREE PEOPLE SEATED.

SO THAT OPENS UP A WHOLE 'NOTHER CAN OF WORMS, HAVING THIS KIND OF PARTISAN ELECTED OFFICIAL KIND OF CHOOSING HOW THIS PRIVATE FOUNDATION IS NOW RUN.

>> Cathy: I UNDERSTAND THAT THE JUDGE'S OTHER OBLIGATIONS COULD FORESTALL THE TRIAL WE'RE HEARING?

>> OH, I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED IF HIS CONTINUED INTO 2022.

AT THIS POINT, WE'VE HAD EIGHT STRAIGHT DAYS OF TESTIMONY.

WE'RE ON BREAK FOR A COUPLE.

WE RETURN MONDAY THROUGH NEXT THURSDAY.

AND THEN I THINK THE JUDGE IS GOING TO HAVE TO MOVE ON TO OTHER CASES.

>> Eric: WE UNDERSTAND IT BETTER NOW.

THANKS, FRED.

>> THANKS.

>> Cathy: GREAT REPORTING, BY THE WAY.

>> Eric: YEAH, GREAT STUFF.

THANKS OR COMING.

>> THANK YOU.

>> ERIC: TWIN CITIES PBS' "RELISH" FOOD SERIES IS BACK FOR ANOTHER SEASON.

HOSTED BY CHEF YIA VANG "RELISH" WILL ONCE AGAIN EXPLORE THE WORLD OF FOOD THROUGH DISHES CREATED BY MINNESOTANS.

YOU CAN WATCH "RELISH" SATURDAYS AT 2:00 P.M. AS PART OF TPT'S BLOCK OF FOOD PROGRAMMING.

YOU CAN ALSO CATCH THE EPISODES FREE ONLINE BY GOING TO TPT.ORG.

HERE'S A TASTE OF TOMORROW'S PREMIERE EPISODE WHICH EXPLORES RECIPES FROM NEAR AND FAR.

>> A SINGLE INGREDIENT TELLS A STORY.

>> THIS IS BEAUTIFUL.

>> ABOUT A PERSON.

>> MY DAD USED TO MAKE THIS.

>> A PLACE.

>> SMELLS LIKE HOME.

[ Laughter ] >> A CULTURE.

>> SO WE LOSE THESE, WE LOSE EVERYTHING.

>> I'M CHEF YIA VANG.

>> THAT'S AWESOME.

>> I WANT TO IMPRESS MY PUERTO RICAN AUNTIE.

>> STEP INTO THE KITCHEN WITH LOCAL CHEFS.

>> OH, MY GOSH!

>> AS WE RELISH THE CUISINES AND CULTURES OF OUR NEIGHBORS.

♪♪ >> IN THIS EPISODE, IT'S A FAMILY AFFAIR AS MUSADA AND HER DAUGHTER MAKE DOUGH PAIZA, A TRADITIONAL AFGHAN DISH.

AS SHE MAKES HER GRANDMOTHER'S PUERTO RICAN DAY KAYO.

WE'RE GOING TO MEET WITH KARIN HERE AT THE STUDIOS IN LYNN HAUL.

KARIN.

>> HI.

>> HEY.

WHAT ARE WE GETTING INTO TODAY?

>> E ARE GETTING INTO POT ROAST.

>> THERE'S NOTHING LIKE THE SMELL OF A GOOD POT ROAST IN THE OVEN, I THINK.

>> THAT SMELL HITS YOU, IT'S ALMOST LIKE A WARM HUG YOU GET.

>> EXACTLY, LIKE DOWN TO YOUR SOUL.

>> WHAT ARE SOME F THE FIRST STEPS?

>> WE GO THE THE CHUCK ROAST, WE'RE GOING TO SEAR IT WITH A TINY BIT OF OIL, SALT AND PEPPER, JUST YOUR BASIC.

>> WHAT ARE SOME MEMORIES OF THIS DISH THAT YOU HAVE?

>> I GREW UP HAVING IT EVERY TIME I'D GO OUT TO MY GRANDPARENTS' HOUSE, IN THE TOWN OF DASSEL, A LITTLE SWEDISH IMMIGRANT FARM TOWN IN MINNESOTA.

♪♪ ♪ "RESPECT" ♪ LYRICS: WHAT YOU WANT, BABY, I GOT IT.

WHAT YOU NEED, DO YOU KNOW I GOT IT.

>> David: ONE OF THE THINGS WE'VE HEARD OVER AND OVER IN THIS AGE OF COVID IS THAT OUTSIDE IS BETTER THAN INSIDE.

FROM MY -- FOR MY FAMILY THIS HAS MEANT MANY AFTERNOONS SEEKING OUT UNDERUTILIZED PUBLIC PLAY SPACES.

NOW, WHEN I WAS A KID, EVERY PLAYGROUND HAD THREE THINGS IN COMMON.

METAL SLIDES FOR BURNING, TIRE SWINGS FOR SMASHING, AND TEETER TO THERS FOR -- TOTTERS FOR IGNORING.

TODAY WE LIVE IN A NEW REALITY AND IT FEELS PRETTY MUCH LIKE TUPPERWARE.

HERE'S ONE GOOD EXAMPLE.

NO SWINGS, NO SLIDES, JUST A BUNCH OF GREEN CIRCLES THAT LOOK LIKE THE PROPULSION SYSTEM FROM A DECOMMISSIONED SUBMARINE.

AND GUESS WHAT?

THE IDS LOVE IT.

>> THE BEST PLAYGROUND EVER!

>> HEY, LOOK AT THIS, THERE IS A SLIDE.

IT JUST DOESN'T HAVE EDGES.

OH, THAT'S KIND OF SCARY.

ANYWAY, IF YOU'RE SEARCHING YOURSELF, HERE'S A QUICK TIP.

LOOK FOR WATER TOWERS.

MOST OF THE NEW PLAYGROUNDS ARE TUCKED ALMOST DIRECTLY IN THEIR SHADOWS.

I CAN ONLY ASSUME CITY COUNCILS CONSIDER THIS A LAND USE WIN-WIN.

AND THEY'RE NOT COMPLETELY WRONG.

IN MANY CASES, HE SELF-SERVICE -- THE CELL SERVICE IS PHENOMENAL.

'I WANTED TO FINISH BY SHOWCASING ONE OF OUR RECENT FAVORITES.

THIS IS THE NEW ROPE UFO THING AT BAKER PARK NEAR MAPLE PLAIN.

AND IT'S FANTASTIC.

THERE ARE JUMPING HUMPS, HOBBIT HOLES AND WHAT I CAN ONLY DESCRIBE IS A TEETER TOTTER THAT'S TOO COOL TO IGNORE.

BY THE WAY, THE MENTAL ISN'T EVEN HOT ANYMORE.

PRETTY SURE THAT DEFIES PHYSICS.

THE WORLD REMAINS A TOUGH PLACE THESE DAYS, WE ALL KNOW IT.

AND THAT'S WHY IT BRINGS ME SO MUCH JOY TO TELL YOU, THE PLAYGROUNDS, THEY JUST KEEP GETTING BETTER.

♪♪ >> CATHY: THE GOPHER AND VIKING FOOTBALL SQUADS HAVE HAD THEIR WOES.

AND THAT HAS SOME MINNESOTA SPORTS FANS HOLDING OUT HOPES FOR THE WILD AND T-WOLVES.

IT'S A BUSY TIME OF YEAR FOR LARRY FITZGERALD.

OUR LONG-TIME SPORTS ANALYST DOES RADIO WORK FOR THE NATIONAL PROGRAMMING NETWORK.

WE WERE JUST TALKING OFF AIR ABOUT THE VIKES.

1-3.

WHAT'S GOING ON THERE?

>> WELL, I TRIED TO THROW THEM SOME HOPE, SOME PEOPLE SAY THROWING THEM A BONE, I SAY THEY'RE THE BEST 1-3 TEAM IN FOOTBALL.

THEY SHOULD HAVE BEAT CINCINNATI.

CINCINNATI'S IN FIRST PLACE, 3-1.

THEY SHOULD HAVE BEAT THE CARDINALS, THEY'RE UNDEFEATED.

THEY'RE 4-0.

AND YOU SAW WHAT HAPPENED AGAINST CLEVELAND.

I MEAN, THEY TOOK THE OPENING DRIVE RIGHT DOWN THEIR THROAT, BUT AFTER THAT, THEY COULDN'T GET IT DONE.

>> Eric: ARE ZIMMER AND SPIELMAN ON THE HOT SPEED?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

HOT SEAT.

THEY SIGNED AN EXTENSION IN 2020, AND THE EXPECTATIONS ARE FOR THEM TO PUT A FOOTBALL TEAM ON THE FIELD THAT'S GOING TO GET CLOSE TO DELIVERING WHAT VIKING FANS HAVE PASSIONATELY ABOUT PRAYING FOR, AND THAT'S A CHAMPIONSHIP-CALIBER TEAM.

THIS TEAM IS LOSE.

BUT I JUST DESCRIBED WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING.

AND, SO, THIS WEEK IS ANOTHER CHALLENGE FOR THEM, THEY'RE PLAYING SOMEBODY THAT'S BEHIND THEM, DETROIT, THEY'VE BEATEN THEM SEVEN IN A ROW.

BUT, DETROIT, YOU KNOW, REMEMBER, THEY GOT A SPIELMAN RUNNING THINGS OVER THERE, TOO.

>> Eric: YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT.

>> THE SPIELMAN THAT LOSES THIS WEEK IS GOING TO BE IN A LOT OF TROUBLE.

>> Eric: TIMBERWOLVES, I WATCHED THEM THE OTHER NIGHT, EXHIBITION GAME.

THEY LOOK GOOD.

>> YOU KNOW, THAT'S THE THING.

THEY LOOK GOOD, THEY TEASE YOU.

THEY GET YOU BEHIND THEM.

AND THEN THEY GET INTO THE SEASON, AND, YOU KNOW, THE REALITY IS, THEY WIND UP LOSING 50 PLUS GAMES.

THEY'VE GOT TALENT.

YOU KNOW?

THEY WERE RIGHT THERE WHEN THEY HAD TOM THIBODEAU.

BUT GLENN TAYLOR MADE THE ONE DECISION THAT PUSHED THEM BACK DOWN THE FLOOR, AND THAT WAS HE WOULDN'T SIGN JIMMY BUTLER, JIMMY BUTLER GOT OUT OF HERE.

MIAMI WAS IN THE FINALS, WHAT, TWO YEARS AGO.

>> Eric: RIGHT.

>> SO HERE THEY ARE AGAIN.

NEW COACH, Mr. FINCH, HE'S A GOOD GUY.

NEW OWNERS THAT ARE TRYING TO EVENTUALLY PUT ENOUGH MONEY INTO THE TEAM AND BUY IT.

BUT THE PROBLEM IS, THESE GUYS ARE GOING TO WANT A NEW ARENA.

>> Cathy: RIGHT.

>> Eric: WE'RE NOT READY FOR THAT KNIFE FIGHT.

>> Cathy: THE LEGISLATURE CAN'T GO FOR THAT.

>> Eric: MINNEAPOLIS -- IT WILL BE IN BLOOMINGTON, WON'T IT?

>> THEY SAID IT, WE'RE NOT GOING TO MOVE THE TEAM, BUT WE'RE GOING TO WANT A NEW NORTHEASTERN.

COME ON, YOU'VE EEN IN TARGET CENTER, THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT BEAUTIFUL.

IT'S FINE.

ARENA.

>> Cathy: WHAT HAPPENED TO THE TWINS THIS YEAR?

CAN YOU KIND OF PARSE THAT OUT FOR US?

>> I WAS TALKING TO DERRICK FOLGBY TODAY -- >> Eric: TWINS G.M.

>> IT JUST DIDN'T WORK FOR THEM.

AS YOU KNOW, THEY STARTED CUTTING THE TEAM LOOSE.

THEY SENT, YOU KNOW, ONE PLAYER HERE, ONE PLAYER THERE.

SO WE GOT TWINS PLAYERS ON PLAYOFF TEAMS NOW AND THOSE TEAMS ARE MOVIN' ON AND THE TWINS RE SHAKIN' THEIR HEAD, HOW ARE WE GOING TO BUILD THIS PITCHING STAFF UP?

YOU KNOW, WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?

THEY HAVE ENOUGH TALENT, I THINK, TO COMPETE AND TO BE A GOOD TEAM, BUT THEY'VE GOT TO DO THE RIGHT THINGS.

AND ONE OF THEM IS THEY BETTER FIND A WAY TO GET BYRON BUXTON SIGNED BECAUSE YOU CAN'T LET A PLAYER WITH THAT KIND OF ABILITY GET OUT OF HERE WHEN YOU WIN 75% OF THE GAMES THAT HE'S HEALTHY ENOUGH TO PLAY IN.

THAT'S BEEN THE CASE.

THE OTHER PART IS PITCHING, AND WE'RE GOING TO SEE IF THEY'RE OING TO BE ABLE TO PULL THIS THING TOGETHER.

BUT THEY'RE GOING TO GET AFTER IT AS SOON AS THE WORLD SERIES IS OVER.

>> Eric: WILD GOT KA -- CAPRICE OFF.

>> THEY BEAT THE BLACKHAWKS.

THEY HAVE THREE OVERTIME WINS.

THEY'VE GOT ONE MORE TO GO.

THEY'RE GOING TO CHALLENGE FOR A CHAMPIONSHIP JUST LIKE THEY DID LAST YEAR.

THEY LAST LOST TO VEGAS AND VEGAS WAS IN THE SEMIFINALS.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE RIGHT THERE BECAUSE THEY'RE TALENTED, HEY'RE WELL COACHED.

AND THE OWNER IS PUSHING THE RIGHT BUTTONS BECAUSE THEY'RE A TEAM THAT'S ON THE RISE AND THEY'RE NOT GOING TO TAKE A THEY GAVE UP A COUPLE OF REALLY VETERAN GUYS THAT PEOPLE LOVE AROUND HERE.

SO THEY FEEL LIKE THEY'RE GOING TO PUSH UNTIL THEY GET TO THE TOP.

>> Cathy: SO WE START WITH THE VIKINGS, WE'RE GOING TO END WITH THE FOOTBALL GOPHERS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> WELL, I'M WORRIED BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THEIR PLAYERS IS SITTING IN A HOSPITAL RIGHT NOW IN INDIANA.

THAT'S BEEN FIVE DAYS.

THEY WON'T TELL US WHAT IT IS.

BUT FIVE DAYS IN A HOSPITAL DURING THESE TIMES.

I HAVE MY CONCERNS.

THAT'S RUNNING BACK Mr. POTTS.

BUT THIS IS A BYE WEEK FOR THEM.

THE BIG 10 IS ABSOLUTELY LOADED.

IOWA'S NDEFEATED, PENN STATE'S UNDEFEATED.

THEY'RE PLAYING EACH OTHER, NUMBER 3, NUMBER 4 IN THE COUNTRY.

DON'T FORGET MICHIGAN'S UNDER DEFEATED.

AND OHIO STATE, THEY ALREADY PLAYED HEM, SO YOU CAN'T TAKE ANY STEPS BACK, BUT WHEN THEY COME OUT OF THIS BYE WEEK, THEY GOT TO GET AFTER IT.

>> Eric: I SURE HOPE THAT LARRY, JR., INVITES YOU TO CO-HOST HIS SIRIUS RADIO SHOW.

YOU'RE A RADIO VETERAN.

>> WELL, THANK YOU.

I WOULD LOVE THAT OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU'RE ASKING QUESTIONS TO TOM BRADY AND LARRY FITZGERALD, YOU'RE GOING TO GET SOME ANSWERS.

IF THE QUESTIONS ARE THE RIGHT ONES.

>> Eric: MY MONEY IS ON YOU, KID.

I THINK YOU MIGHT MAKE THAT.

THANKS FOR COMING.

>> HANKS FOR HAVING ME.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>> Cathy: THANKS, FITZY.

♪♪ >> ERIC: TWO WEEKS AGO WE FEATURED A DEBATE ON THE PUBLIC SAFETY CHARTER AMENDMENT IN MINNEAPOLIS.

IT'S SUCH A BIG STORY, WE'RE TAKING ANOTHER LOOK AT IT TONIGHT.

THE PUBLIC SAFETY AMENDMENT HAS DIVIDED CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND CONSTITUENTS ALIKE.

BUT AS "REPORT FOR AMERICA" AND "ALMANAC" DATA REPORTER KAYLAND JACKSON FOUND, PROPONENTS FROM BOTH SIDES AGREE THAT PUBLIC SAFETY IN MINNEAPOLIS HAS TO CHANGE.

>> IT IS GOING TO HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON POLICING IN THIS STATE.

REGARDLESS OF THE OUTCOME.

AND I THINK IT ALREADY HAS.

YOU KNOW, IT HAS SPARKED A VERY HEATED AND DIVISIVE CONVERSATION.

>> IT'S A SIMPLE QUESTION THAT'S ALREADY MAKING A HUGE IMPACT.

THE PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENT ASKS IF MINNEAPOLIS HOULD TURN ITS POLICE DEPARTMENT INTO A PUBLIC SAFETY AGENCY.

IN OTHER WORDS, POLICE OFFICERS MAY ORK WITH PROFESSIONALS IN MENTAL HEALTH, HOMELESSNESS, AND OTHER CHALLENGES IN ORDER TO ADDRESS PUBLIC SAFETY.

BUT THERE'S MORE THAT WOULD CHANGE.

IN A POLL BY THE "STAR TRIBUNE" FOUND THAT OPINIONS AROUND THIS ARE ANYTHING BUT SIMPLE.

THE POLL FOUND THAT 49% OF EARLY VOTERS SUPPORT REPLACING THE MINNEAPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT.

A SMALLER SHARE OF BLACK PEOPLE WHO WERE POLLED SAID THE SAME.

IN JUST 14% BLACK EARLY VOTERS WANT TO CUT THE SIZE OF MPD'S FORCE.

FOR CITY COUNCIL MEMBER ANDREA JENKINS, THE POLL RESULTS SPEAK TO BLACK RESIDENTS' NEED FOR MORE POSITIVE POLICE INTERACTIONS AND LESS NEGATIVE CRIME OUTCOMES, SHE SAYS THAT OVERHAULING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT COULD ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS ACROSS MINNESOTA.

>> MUGGINGS, PURSE SNATCHINGS, CARJACKINGS, THESE, IN MY MIND, ARE CRIMES OF DESPERATION, PEOPLE ATTEMPTING TO ACCESS RESOURCES THAT THEY AREN'T ABLE TO ACCESS OTHERWISE.

AND, SO, IF WE CREATE A SOCIETY THAT SUPPORTS FAMILIES, HEALTHCARE, CHILD CARE, HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES, EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, THAT GOES A LONG WAY TO REDUCING THE KINDS OF CRIMES OF DESPERATION THAT PEOPLE FIND THEMSELVES IN INNER-CITY COMMUNITIES AND EVEN IN RURAL COMMUNITIES AS WELL.

>> UT MANY PEOPLE, LIKE FORMER CITY COUNCIL MEMBER DON SAMUELS, SAY THAT THE QUESTION DOES NOT GIVE VOTERS THE FULL PICTURE.

CITY COUNCIL MEMBER PALMISANO SAYS THE AMENDMENT DOES NOT ADDRESS WHAT RESIDENTS REALLY NEED.

>> I DON'T THINK THAT THIS CHANGE RESULTS IN THE KIND OF SYSTEMIC IMPROVEMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY THAT PEOPLE ARE REALLY SEEKING.

THIS PROPOSAL, AT ITS CORE, IS -- WELL, IT'S ALSO ABOUT FUNDING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, BUT IT'S REALLY ABOUT WHO CONTROLS IT.

AND I DON'T THINK THAT WE GET TO TRANSPARENCY OR GREATER ACCOUNTABILITY BY SPLITTING THE AUTHORITY OF THIS DEPARTMENT ACROSS TWO BODIES OF GOVERNMENT HERE AND AN UNELECTED BUREAUCRAT, RIGHT?

WE ESSENTIALLY DEMOTE LAW ENFORCEMENT N THIS NEW STRUCTURE.

WE ADD ANOTHER MIDDLEMAN.

IT'S ONE PROPOSAL.

YOU DON'T GET TO TAKE LEGO PIECES APART AND CREATE WHAT YOU WANT TO NTERPRET IT TO MEAN BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THAT THAT WOULD END IN ANYTHING BUT, I GUESS, LANDING US ALL IN FRONT OF THE SUPREME COURT.

WE NEED TO STAY CLOSE AND KEEP EXPLAINING WHAT THE PETITIONERS' INTENT IS HERE.

>> NO MATTER HOW DIVISIVE THE ISSUE IS, PUBLIC VOTING ON THE MEASURE ENDS ON NOVEMBER 2nd.

AND NO MATTER WHAT THE RESULTS ARE, COUNCIL MEMBERS JENKINS AND PALMISANO SAY THAT SOMETHING IN THE ITY NEEDS TO CHANGE.

>> WE NEED TO RE-FUND OUR COMMUNITIES, INVEST IN JOB TRAINING, INVEST IN HOUSING, INVEST IN EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THESE COMMUNITIES, AS WELL AS HAVING AN ARMED POLICE FORCE TO DEAL WITH THE MOST VIOLENT AND HEINOUS ASPECTS OF OUR SOCIETY.

>> I THINK THE FUTURE OF PUBLIC SAFETY IN MINNEAPOLIS SHOULD BE A BOTH/AND.

APPROACH, WHERE PEOPLE CAN FIND THAT EMERGENCY RESPONSE BUT ALSO HAVE ALTERNATIVES, RIGHT, AND ALSO TO BUILD MORE ACCOUNTABILITY, MORE LASTING ACCOUNTABILITY WITHIN ALL OF OUR DEPARTMENTS.

♪♪ >> ERIC: MINNESOTA REPUBLICANS HAVE CHOSEN A NEW PARTY LEADER, LEGISLATIVE LEADERS ARE STILL DEBATING PANDEMIC HERO PAY, WHILE CONGRESSIONAL DEMOCRATS ARE HAVING TROUBLE AGREEING ON ANYTHING.

PLENTY TO TALK ABOUT WITH THIS WEEK'S DUO OF POLITICAL ANALYSTS.

ANNETTE MEEKS IS A REPUBLICAN.

SHE HEADS THE FREEDOM FOUNDATION OF MINNESOTA.

REPRESENTING DEMOCRATS TONIGHT, COREY DAY.

HE'S THE FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE STATE DFL PARTY.

COREY, WILL THERE BE A PECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION?

>> WELL, THUS FAR, IT DOESN'T SEEM SO.

I REALLY WISH THERE WAS ONE RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE A LOT OF THINGS WE NEED TO GET DONE.

I THINK THE GOVERNOR LAID OUT A VERY CLEAR PLAN WHEN IT COMES TO HOW WE NEED TO ATTACK COVID.

AND IT'S REALLY -- THE SENATE GOP IS PLAYING GAMES WITH PEOPLE'S HEALTH.

>> Eric: WHY IS THE GOP NOT TAKING THE SORT OF GET RID OF JAN MALCOLM PIECE OFF THE TABLE?

>> WELL, IF I WERE TO GIVE THEM SOME ADVICE, I'D SAY DO THAT.

HAVE HER CONFIRMATION HEARING.

BUT AS SOMEBODY WHO WENT THROUGH THAT MYSELF, I DON'T THINK THAT'S THE PROPER ROLE OF THE SENATE CONFIRMATION PROCESS, OF FIRING HIS COMMISSIONERS.

I BELIEVE THAT'S THE GOVERNOR'S JOB.

IF THEY DON'T AGREE WITH HIM AND CARRY OUT HIS MISSION, THAT'S HIS JOB TO FIRE THEM, NOT THE SENATE'S.

AND I THINK THEY DO A DISSERVICE BY DISTRACTING -- WE HAVE SOME SERIOUS ISSUES IN THIS STATE AND THEY'RE NOT BEING ADDRESSED BECAUSE WE'RE TOO BUSY FIRING COMMISSIONERS EVERY TIME THERE'S A SPECIAL SESSION.

SO THAT WOULD BE MY ADVICE, JUST A BIG DISTRACTION, THEY DON'T NEED RIGHT NOW, ESPECIALLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE COVID, THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY FOR SO MANY FAMILIES.

IT'S A TENUOUS TIME.

LET'S FOCUS ON SERIOUS ISSUES.

>> Cathy: THERE'S A BUNCH OF PEOPLE WHO WERE REALLY WONDERFUL FRONT-LINE WORKERS DURING THE PANDEMIC, THEY'RE KIND OF WAITING AROUND SAYING, AM I GOING TO GET PAID HERE OR WHAT?

SO WHY DO THESE TALKS CONTINUE TO STALL AT THE CAPITOL AROUND HERO PAY?

>> I WILL TELL YOU, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW WE DON'T LOOK AT THESE FOLKS WHO ARE THE PEOPLE WHO HELPED US AT OUR DARKEST TIME, THE PEOPLE WHO HELPED US PULL US THROUGH THE PANDEMIC, WHEN WE'RE SITTING HERE, THE MONEY IS ALREADY ALLOCATED, THE MONEY IS THERE.

THE FACT THAT WE'RE PLAYING POLITICS WITH THEIR BONUS PAY IS BEYOND ME.

WE REALLY NEED TO GET THIS FIGURED OUT, MAKE SURE THESE FOLKS ARE TAKEN CARE OF.

THEY TOOK CARE OF US WHEN WE NEEDED IT, E NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THEM RIGHT NOW WHEN THEY NEED IT.

>> I THINK PART OF WHAT HAPPENED HERE, EVERYBODY, THERE'S LOTS OF PEOPLE ON THAT LIST THAT WE THINK SHOULD BE AWARDED, WHEN EVERYTHING IS A PRIORITY, NOTHING IS A PRIORITY, THAT'S REALLY WHAT HAPPENED.

WE SAW A PLAN LAID OUT THAT SAID, LET'S DEAL WITH THE FRONTLINE HEALTHCARE WORKERS FIRST, CERTAIN POT OF MONEY, LET'S ALLOCATE THAT TOWARDS THEM, GIVE THEM A MEANINGFUL BONUS, NOT JUST A PITTANCE THAT THEY REALLY WOULDN'T EVEN NOTICE ONCE TAXES ARE TAKEN OUT, LET'S MAKE SURE THIS IS MEANINGFUL TO THEM.

THEN, IF WE HAVE MORE THAT ARE DESERVING, LET'S ALLOCATE THE MONEY FOR THEM IN THE NEXT SESSION.

>> I GUESS MY TAKE, I JUST DON'T WANT TO PICK AND CHOOSE WINNERS.

THERE WAS A LOT OF FOLKS WHO SHOWED UP AT THE STORES AND PLACES TO HELP US GET THROUGH THIS.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE TAKE CARE OF THOSE FOLKS.

AND I JUST DON'T BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD BE PLAYING POLITICS WITH THIS.

>> Eric: LET'S TALK COVID POLITICS FOR A SECOND.

I COUNTED UP IN THE GOVERNOR'S LETTER TO THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS, THERE WERE 13 BULLET POINTS THAT HE'D LIKE DEALT WITH IN THE SPECIAL SESSION CONCERNING COVID.

IS THAT TOO HEAVY A LIFT NOW THAT HE DOESN'T HAVE HIS EMERGENCY POWERS?

AND HE'S SAYING, REPUBLICANS, GET IN THE GAME.

>> I THINK THAT PROBABLY IS A PRETTY HEAVY LIFT RIGHT ABOUT NOW.

I THINK, AGAIN, WHEN EVERYTHING IS YOUR PRIORITY, NOTHING GETS DONE.

AND I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE PROBLEMS THE GOVERNOR HAS.

HE NEEDS TO COME TO THE LEGISLATURE, REMEMBER, HE CONTROLS HALF OF THAT LEGISLATURE, AND SAY, LET'S GET X, Y AND Z DONE, AND I THINK HE COULD DO THAT.

BUT, INSTEAD, HE PRESENTS THEM WITH A LAUNDRY LIST THAT'S AS LONG AS MY ARM, THAT MOST PEOPLE AREN'T REALLY THAT FOCUSED ON.

AND IT'S VERY HARD TO GET THEM, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE A VERY NARROWLY AND EVENLY DIVIDED LEGISLATURE TO GET STUFF DONE WHEN THE LIST SEEMS TO HAVE A LOT OF EXTRANEOUS THINGS THAT CAN WAIT.

>> I MEAN, I THINK MOST OF THE THINGS THE GOVERNOR'S FOCUSING ON IS HELPING US GET THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC.

I THINK TRYING TO GET FOLKS VACCINATED, TESTING, MAKING SURE THAT OUR FOLKS WHO ARE TEACHERS AND STUDENTS AND FRONT-LINE WORKERS RE VACCINATED, TAKEN CARE OF.

I THINK THOSE ARE THINGS THAT ARE GOOD FOR US.

I THINK THAT'S HELPING US.

I THINK RIGHT NOW LOOKING AT THIS IN THE CONTEXT OF TRYING TO THINK THAT PUTTING HESE COVID PROTOCOLS IN PLACE IS A LAUNDRY LIST, I JUST THINK ISN'T REALISTIC.

I THINK THIS IS HOW WE'RE GOING TO GET THROUGH THE PANDEMIC, WE'RE GOING TO HELP OUR ECONOMY AND HELP MINNESOTANS.

>> Cathy: LET'S TALK ABOUT NEW GOP PARTY CHAIR DAVID HANN.

HE'S THINKING ABOUT AN INQUIRY INTO THE ELECTIONS.

THAT'S GOING TO COST REPUBLICAN PARTY A LOT OF MONEY.

IS THIS WHAT THE PARTY SHOULD BE DOING NOW?

>> I THINK THAT'S PART OF WHAT THE PARTY SHOULD BE DOING.

I DO THINK THAT WE NEED TO MAKE IT EASY TO VOTE AND HARD TO CHEAT.

AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT MOST MINNESOTANS WANT.

THEY WANT CONFIDENCE THAT WHEN THEY MAIL IN THAT BALLOT OR THEY HAND IN THAT BALLOT IT'S COUNSELED AND IT'S COUNTED -- COUNTED AND IT'S COUNT ACCURATELY AND YOUR BALLOT COUNTS, YOUR BALLOT -- MY BALLOT COUNTS, AND COREY'S BALLOT COUNTS AND YOURS, TOO, ERIC.

AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE COUNTED ACCURATELY AND EACH COUNTY IS COUNTING THE SAME BALLOTS IN THE SAME WAY.

AND I THINK THAT'S A LEGITIMATE INQUIRY FOR THE PARTY TO HAVE.

I THINK IT'S GOOD THAT HE WANTS TO MAKE IT BIPARTISAN, THAT WE DO AN INQUIRY.

BUT I ALSO THINK HE ALSO STRESSED, I COMMEND HIM FOR THIS, BEING FORWARD LOOKING, 2022 IS GOING TO BE A GOOD YEAR FOR REPUBLICANS, NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.

AND I THINK HE'S TRYING TO '-- BUILD UP A WAR HEST AND BUILD UP THE CANDIDATES.

IT'S NOT ABOUT DAVID HANN, PARTY CHAIR, IT'S ABOUT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, AND I COMMEND HIM FOR THAT MESSAGE.

>> Eric: DOES ELECTION ISSUE HAVE ANY GRAVITY MOVIN'?

>> YOU KNOW, I JUST DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY CONTINUES TO LOOK BACKWARDS.

I MEAN, THIS ELECTION HAS BEEN LITIGATED, HE COURTS HAVE LOOKED AT IT, VOTES HAVE BEEN RECOUNTED, AND RECOUNTED AGAIN.

IT'S BEEN CLEAR THAT THIS ELECTION WAS FAIR.

I JUST DON'T BELIEVE, YOU KNOW, THE WAY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY KEEPS FOCUSING ON THIS, ALL OF A SUDDEN, THIS S UNFAIR.

WE'VE BEEN DOING MAIL-IN BALLOTS FOR YEARS.

THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOREVER.

WHEN IT COMES TO ABSENTEES.

THIS ISN'T SOMETHING NEW.

SO I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND -- I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE NEW CHAIR IS GOING TO -- I MEAN, I THINK WE'RE AA BETTER STATE WHEN WE HAVE TWO ROBUST PARTIES.

WHEN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY CONTINUES TO FOCUS ON THE PAST, IT MAKES THEM VERY HARD TO MOVE AND HAVE A BETTER FUTURE.

>> Cathy: DO YOU WANT O REBUT THAT?

>> I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF CONCERN ABOUT THE LAST ELECTION, NOT JUST IN MINNESOTA, NATIONWIDE.

THERE WAS A LOT OF PLACES WHERE IT JUST DIDN'T ADD UP, PEOPLE GOT VERY CONCERNED ABOUT SOME OF THE IRREGULATORS.

PLUS, I MUST ADD, WE HAD AN UNUSUAL ELECTION IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC.

AND WE'VE NEVER HAD TO DO THAT, THANK GOODNESS, AND HOPEFULLY WE NEVER WILL.

IRREGULARITIES.

BUT I HAVE A LOT OF CONFIDENCE IN OUR ELECTION PROCESS, I BELIEVE OUR COUNTY AUDITORS RUN, FOR THE MOST PART, VERY CLEAN ELECTIONS, BUT LET'S JUST MAKE SURE AND GIVE EVERYBODY THAT CONFIDENCE THEY NEED THAT IN 2022 WHEN THEY GO TO VOTE, HOWEVER THEY CHOOSE TO VOTE, THERE VOTE BE WILL COUNTED.

>> Cathy: SPEAKING OF ELECTIONS, ON MPR NEWS, NOT TO BLOW OUR HORN HERE, BUT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR PEGGY FLANAGAN WAS ASKED ABOUT, ARE YOU GOING TO BE RUNNING WITH GOVERNOR WALZ ON THE TICKET?

AND SHE SAID, THE PLAN -- THE PLAN IS TO BE AT THE TICKET.

COREY.

THE PLAN.

WELL, SHE DIDN'T SAY SHE WAS DEFINITIVELY GOING TO RUN WITH THE GOVERNOR.

>> LOOK, AS WE SIT HERE RIGHT NOW, PEGGY FLANAGAN IS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, GOVERNOR WALZ IS THE GOVERNOR, AND FROM WHAT I KNOW, FROM WHAT I SEE, THEY'LL BE THE TICKET NEXT YEAR.

I CAN'T WAIT TO SUPPORT THAT TICKET.

>> Eric: HOW ABOUT, YOU'RE A MINNEAPOLIS RESIDENT, I THINK.

>> I AM.

>> Eric: WELL, HOW DO YOU SEE THE POLICE AMENDMENT KIND OF MOLDING INTO POLITICS, FLOPPING INTO 2022?

>> WOW, JUST IT IS -- IT IS FRIGHTENING TO ME AS BOTH A BUSINESS OWNER AND A HOMEOWNER IN BUSINESS -- IN MINNEAPOLIS TO SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING.

AND THE IDEA THAT WE WOULD MAKE ANY SORT OF CUT TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, ESPECIALLY AFTER SOME OF THE ATROCITIES THAT OCCURRED THIS WEEK -- >> Eric: HOW DOES IT CUT POLITICALLY INTO 2022, IF IT DOES AT ALL?

>> THE POLICE FORCE IN MINNEAPOLIS, IT'S GOING TO HAVE NATIONWIDE RAMIFICATIONS, THE WHOLE COUNTRY IS WATCHING, TO SEE ARE YOU THAT CRAZY THAT YOU'RE GOING TO CUT YOUR POLICE WHILE MURDERS ARE UP, CARJACKINGS ARE UP?

I MEAN, I WON'T GET GAS IN THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS ANYMORE.

I'M TOO FRIGHTENED TO GET CARJACKED.

IT'S CRAZY.

>> Eric: IT'S DIVIDED DEMOCRATS A LITTLE IT.

>> YEAH, THERE'S TWO THOUGHTS OF MIND WHEN IT COMES TO THIS AMENDMENT.

I MEAN, I THINK THE REALITY IS, WE'RE ALL LOOKING FOR THE SAME THING WHEN IT COMES TO MAKING SURE THAT POLICE, THAT WE HAVE OUR POLICE FORCE, THAT IS TRANSPARENT, THAT IS SUPPORTED, HAS THE RIGHT RESOURCES.

I MEAN, I THINK WHAT WE ALL WANT TO SEE, MAKE SURE THAT WE SUPPORT OUR OFFICERS.

EITHER WAY, WHERE THIS AMENDMENT COMES DOWN, COME NEXT YEAR, THERE'S GOING TO BE A NEED FOR REFORM.

THERE'S NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE POLICE FORCE IN A DIFFERENT WAY, REIMAGINE IT.

ENHANCE OUR POLICE FORCE.O- SO I AGREE WITH THAT CONTEXT.

I'M A MINNEAPOLIS RESIDENT ALSO.

WE'VE SEEN THAT SPIKE IN CRIME.

THE LAST THING I WANT TO DO IS TAKE POLICE OFF THE STREET.

THAT GOES WITHOUT SAYING.

BUT ALSO I THINK WE NEED TO REIMAGINE A FORCE, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN I WANT TO DEFUND THEM OR TAKE MONEY OR RESOURCES AWAY FROM OUR POLICE OFFICERS.

>> Eric: REDISTRICTING, ANY EARLY CUTS AT THAT, OW THAT'S GOING TO LOOK?

>> OH, THAT'S GOING TO BE VERY INTERESTING, ISN'T IT?

I SPENT HE LAST TWO WEEKS UP IN GREATER MINNESOTA, AND, BOY, IT'S NOT ONLY AMAZING TO ME HOW EXCITED THEY ARE ABOUT THE 2022 LECTIONS, BUT THEY'RE ALREADY STARTING TO PROMOTE CANDIDATES AND IT'S REALLY QUITE ROBUST ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE.

THEY REALLY SEE A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES.

AND JUST A LACK OF CONFIDENCE BOTH IN GOVERNOR WALZ, IN HOW THE PANDEMIC HAS PLAYED OUT THERE, AND CERTAINLY IN THE PRESIDENT.

>> Cathy: COREY.

>> WELL, I MEAN, WE'VE WATCHED, THE ADMINISTRATION HANDLE THIS PANDEMIC, WE'VE SEEN US TURN A CORNER BECAUSE OF HE WAY WE'VE HANDLED THE PANDEMIC, THE GOVERNOR HAS DONE A GREAT OB IN THIS PANDEMIC, EVEN THOUGH WHEN HE HAS TO DEAL WITH A SENATE GOP WHO AT EVERY TURN SAYS NO AND HAS NOT COME UP WITH A PLAN WHAT WE AN DO TO MAKE SURE THAT MINNESOTANS ARE HEALTHY.

SO, LOOK, I FEEL EXTREMELY GOOD ABOUT REDISTRICTING.

I FEEL GOOD HOW WE'RE GOING TO DEPOSIT IN THE URBAN AREAS AND THE -- SUBURBS AND IN RURAL MINNESOTA.

IT'S GOING TO BE A GOOD YEAR FOR DEMOCRATS.

>> Eric: I WISH WE HAD MORE TIME BUT WE DON'T.

THANKS, PANEL.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.

>> CATHY: IT'S MINNESOTA HISTORY TIME.

LET'S JUMP RIGHT IN.

LAST WEEK'S QUESTION CONCERNED A UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA GRAD.

IN OCTOBER OF 1952 A TWIN CITIES NEWSPAPER NOTED THAT THIS PERSON, MOST DEFINITELY NOT SEEN HERE, WAS ATTENDING THE U.

SOON, THIS PERSON WAS MAKING NEWS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

WE TOLD YOU THAT IN THE FALL OF 1967, THIS MYSTERY GOPHER GRAD APPEARED ON THE COVER OF "TIME" MAGAZINE FOR ACHIEVING A NOTABLE "FIRST."

WE POLITELY ASKED YOU TO PROVIDE THEIR NAME.

WHAT U OF M GRAD WAS ON THE COVER OF "TIME" MAGAZINE IN THE FALL OF 1967?

IT TURNED OUT THAT THERE WERE A NUMBER OF MINNESOTANS "TIME"-COVER WORTHY BACK IN THE LATE '60S.

HERE ARE SOME WRONG GUESSES.

>> CATHY: BARNARD WAS AN INTERESTING GUESS.

HE WAS ON THE COVER OF "TIME" THAT YEAR AND GOT A DEGREE AT THE U OF M. BUT BARNARD STARTED HIS STUDIES IN MINNEAPOLIS NOT IN 1952 BUT IN 1956. WHO WAS THE GRAD WE SOUGHT?

A POLITICIAN.

TAKE IT AWAY, BILL, FROM NEW BRIGHTON.

>> CATHY: YES, CARL STOKES WAS A NATIVE OF CLEVELAND WHO RECEIVED A BACHELOR DEGREE FROM THE U OF M BEFORE BECOMING A LAWYER.

IN 1967, HE WAS ELECTED MAYOR OF CLEVELAND IN A RACE THAT GAINED NATIONAL ATTENTION.

STOKES WAS ELECTED TO A SECOND TERM IN 1969.

AFTER HIS POLITICAL CAREER HE SERVED AS A JUDGE AND AMBASSADOR.

DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE A GOOD HISTORY QUESTION FOR US?

REACH OUT BY CALLING US AT 651-229-1430 OR BY EMAIL AT ALMANAC@TPT.ORG.

FOR SHOW-CLOSING MUSIC, IT WAS THIS WEEK IN 1982 THAT THE GREAT CANADIAN FOLK SINGER STAN ROGERS PERFORMED IN THE KTCA STUDIOS.

IT WAS ONE OF HIS FEW AMERICAN TV RECORDINGS.

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

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

♪ AS WE WAIT FOR MY LOCK TO CYCLE, I SAY MY WIFE HAS JUST GIVEN ME A SON ♪ ♪ A SON, YOU CRY, IS THAT ALL THAT YOU'VE DONE ♪ ♪ SHE WEARS BLOSSOMS ♪ Captioned by: Paradigm Reporting & Captioning www.paradigmreporting.com ♪ HER SIGHS CATCH ON YOUR SHOULDER ♪ ♪ HER MOON-LIT EYES GROW OLD AND WISER HROUGH HER TEARS ♪ ♪ AND I SAY HOW ♪ >> "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.

"ALMANAC" IS A PRODUCTION OF TWIN CITIES PBS FOR THE