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

>> ERIC: COMING UP ON "ALMANAC," STATE PARTY CHAIRS LIVE IN THE STUDIO, KEVIN KLING PREVIEWS AN UPCOMING SHOW, DR.

MARK DEPAOLIS IS OUT AT THE FAIR, AND MARY LAHAMMER WITH A LOOK AT WHAT'S ON YOUR BALLOT.

>> Mary: A BALLOT QUESTION WILL BE IN FRONT OF EVERY SINGLE MINNESOTA VOTER THIS NOVEMBER.

A CAMPAIGN TO EXPLAIN THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT KICKED OFF THIS WEEK, WE'LL TALK TO THE BIPARTISAN MEMBERS.

HOW DID THIS DO IN THE HOUSE?

>> UNANIMOUS.

>> IN THE SENATE?

>> IN THE SENATE, IT'S A FREAKIN' LOVE FEST OVER THERE, IT WAS BEAUTIFUL.

>> 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 1.7 MILLION PEOPLE THROUGH ITS MEMBER-OWNER COOPERATIVES AND CUSTOMERS.

DELTA DENTAL OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION: IMPROVING ORAL HEALTH AND HELPING COMMUNITIES THRIVE.

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

AND VANESSA DAYTON, THROUGH THE HEALTHCARE FOR ALL MINNESOTANS FUND, SUPPORTING ACCESSIBLE HEALTHCARE STATEWIDE.

FUNDING FOR "VOICES RISING TWIN CITIES" PBS STORIES FOR AMERICA'S 250TH REPORTING ON "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE, IN PART, BY MINNESOTA'S ARTS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE FUND.

>> ERIC: WELCOME TO "ALMANAC."

WE HAVE A JAM-PACKED SHOW FOR YOU, BUT FIRST SOME HEADLINES.

THE SHAKOPEE CITY COUNCIL MET THIS TUESDAY TO DEBATE FLOCK CAMERAS, A GROWING ISSUE FOR CITIES.

GLORIA STEINEM DIED THIS WEDNESDAY AT THE AGE OF 92.

I.C.E.

OFFICER CHRISTIAN CASTRO WAS TAKEN INTO FEDERAL CUSTODY FOR MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS REGARDING THE SHOOTING OF JULIO SOSA-CELIS IN MINNEAPOLIS.

>> CATHY: WE START TONIGHT WITH THE U.S.

JOBS REPORT FOR AUGUST.

LAST MONTH SAW AN INCREASE OF JOBS WITH AN EMPLOYMENT RATE HOLDING.

LOUIS JOHNSTON TEACHES ECONOMICS AT THE COLLEGE OF ST.

BENEDICT AND ST.

JOHN'S UNIVERSITY.

IN COLLEGEVILLE.

GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: SO THOSE U.S.

JOB FIGURES WERE PRETTY STRONG.

WAS THAT A SURPRISE?

>> I HINK IT WAS TO THE PEOPLE WHO TRY TO PREDICT THOSE KINDS OF THINGS.

I AVOID TRYING TO PREDICT THAT KIND OF THING.

BUT, YES, BUT, YES.

BUT, YES.

>> >> Cathy: WHAT TO IT DO THE MINNESOTA JOB FIGURES LOOK LIKE IN COMPARISON?

>> THEY'VE BEEN QUITE GOOD, TOO.

IF YOU LOOK YEAR OVER YEAR, JOB GROWTH M MINNESOTA HAS BEEN SLIGHTLY FASTER AS A WHOLE.

>> Eric: WAGES KEEPING UP WITH INFLATION?

>> IT DEPENDS ON WHAT YOUR OCCUPATION IS.

FOR THE MOST PART YES, BUT THEY'RE NOT EXCEEDING IT.

IF INFLATION IS 3.5%, WE'RE SEEING WAGE INCREASES IN ABOUT THAT AREA.

>> Cathy: SO WHO'S MAKING THE MOST MONEY HERE?

>> WELL, IT DEPENDS ON YOUR SKILLS.

AND I EVEN HATE THAT TERM.

WHAT IS IN MORE DEMAND.

SO, CERTAIN OCCUPATIONS HAVE MORE DEMAND FOR THEM.

AND SO PEOPLE WHO WORK WITH, NOT WITH ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, COMPUTERS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, THEIR WAGES ARE GROWING FASTER, WHEREAS, PEOPLE WHO DON'T DO THAT.

THEY'RE SEEING THEIR WAGES NOT GROW AS FAST.

PART OF THAT IS BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE CHURNING AROUND WITH IMMIGRANT LABOR.

THERE ARE JOB OPENINGS IN AREAS THAT NOW THE EMPLOYERS HAVE TO RAISE THOSE WAGES IF THEY'RE GOING TO GET SOME PEOPLE TO WORK IN THEM.

>> Eric: WITH EMPLOYMENT, IS THE EMERGES OF AI KIND OF THE LIVE HAND GRENADE ROLLING AROUND ON THE FLOOR?

>> IT IS.

WHAT IS IT GOING TO DO?

IS IT GOING TO REPLACE HE JOBS AND MAKE THE -- OR MAKE THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE JOBS MORE PRODUCTIVE?

AND RIGHT NOW WE JUST DON'T KNOW.

SUPPORTS THE IDEA OF EEPING THE RATES STEADY OR RAISING THEM, BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT RISING UNEMPLOYMENT.

NEXT FRIDAY IS THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX.

THAT'S WHEN THE INFLATION NUMBERS COME OUT.

IF THAT SHOWS THAT IT'S HIGHER THAN BEFORE, YOU CAN ALMOST GUARANTEE A RATE INCREASE.

ON THE OTHER HAND, IF INFLATION IS AT THE SAME LEVEL OR MAYBE CUTTING BACK, THEY'LL PROBABLY WAIT.

>> Eric: WHAT'S WITH THE BEEF ACTIVITY?

>> WELL, YOU'RE TRYING TO KEEP THE BEEF PRICES FROM GOING UP BY IMPORTING IT FROM ARGENTINA.

IT'S -- IT WON'T MAKE VERY MUCH DIFFERENCE.

>> Cathy: LET'S TALK ABOUT GAS PRICES BECAUSE EVERYONE'S TALKING ABOUT THAT.

NOW OBVIOUSLY THIS IS THE LABOR DAY HOLIDAY WEEKEND AND GAS PRICES ARE GOING TO BE A LITTLE HIGHER.

>> RIGHT.

>> Cathy: BUT I WAS AT THE FAIR.

FARMERS ARE COMPLAINING BITTERLY ABOUT HIGH DIESEL PRICES.

>> DIESEL, YES, IS ESPECIALLY HIGH.

PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE FACT THAT THERE'S THIS BOTTLENECK IN REFINING CAPACITY AND THE ABILITY TO TAKE CRUDE OIL, WHICH EVEN IF THAT PRICE ISN'T GOING UP VERY MUCH, BEING ABLE TO TURN IT INTO THE PRODUCTS THAT PEOPLE NEED.

WE JUST DON'T HAVE THE CAPACITY.

PART OF THAT IS THE CLOSING OF THE STRAITS OF HORMUZ, THERE'S A LOT OF REFINING CAPACITY IN THERE THAT'S JUST BEEN CUT OFF.

>> Eric: RISING HEALTHCARE COSTS.

I WONDER WHAT THAT'S GOING TO DO TO THE ECONOMY.

>> IT'S NOT GOING TO BE GOOD.

EVERYBODY'S HEALTHCARE PREMIUMS ARE GOING UP.

THAT'S ANOTHER WAY TO THINK ABOUT THE QUESTION EARLIER ABOUT WAGES.

EVEN IF YOUR WAGE IS GOING UP, IF THE COST OF YOUR HEALTHCARE'S GOING UP EVEN FASTER, YOUR REAL INCOME IS PROBABLY SHRINKING.

>> Cathy: IS THAT DUE TO -- I WONDER ABOUT THE HEALTHCARE COSTS.

WHY IS THAT HAPPENING?

IS IT BECAUSE THERE ARE JUST SO MANY OF US ARE AGING, GETTING SICKER OR WHAT?

>> THAT'S PART OF IT.

THERE'S ALSO BEEN A BIG SHIFT IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR HEALTHCARE AND, IN PARTICULAR, MEDICAID PAYMENTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

AND, SO, THEY'RE HAVING TO MAKE UP FOR THAT -- HOSPITAL SYSTEMS, HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS HAVE TO MAKE UP FOR SOME OF THOSE LOST REVENUES BY RAISING PREMIUMS.

>> Eric: COULD YOU EXPLAIN THE IMPORTANCE OF THE BOND MARKET IN A MINUTE?

>> YES.

>> Eric: GO AHEAD.

>> EVERY INTEREST RATE IN THE UNITED STATES IS BASED ON WHAT THOSE INTEREST RATES ARE.

SO, IF YOU WANT TO GET A HOME MORTGAGE OR IF YOU WANT TO BUY A CAR, WE TAKE THOSE INTEREST RATES AND MARK IT UP OFF OF THOSE.

SO SINCE BOND INTEREST RATES ARE GOING UP, ALL INTEREST RATES ARE GOING UP.

>> Eric: SO THIS IS REALLY KEY TO -- IT'S PART OF THE PICTURE FOR ECONOMIC RECOVERY?

>> HUGE PART OF THE PICTURE.

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

DATA CENTERS.

WE ARE SEEING THIS AS A BURGEONING CAMPAIGN ISSUE AS WE HEAD INTO THE MIDTERMS.

WHAT'S THE -- WHAT'S THE RESEARCH AS TO WHETHER THEY REALLY ARE ECONOMIC DRIVERS?

>> THEY REALLY AREN'T IN THE SENSE OF THEY GENERATE A LOT OF CONSTRUCTION JOBS, WHEN YOU FIRST BUILD THEM, UT THEN AS YOU GET THEM ONLINE, THEY NEED ALMOST NO LABOR AT ALL.

SO, IT'S A REAL TRADE-OFF BETWEEN, DO YOU WANT A SHORT-TERM BOOST TO EMPLOYMENT BY BUILDING THE DATA CENTERS VERSUS A LONG-TERM, OKAY, IT'S NOT REALLY GOING TO DO VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ECONOMY.

>> Eric: AND IT'S BECOME KIND OF A POLITICAL ISSUE.

>> Cathy: IT IS.

>> IT HAS.

>> Eric: UNITED LIBERALS AND CONSERVATIVES.

>> IT HAS.

>> Cathy: GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR COMING OVER.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND.

STATE FAIR, OF COURSE, WRAPS UP THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

MISSING THIS YEAR WAS JEFFREY UNTIEDT OF UNTIEDT FARMS, WHO SUPPLIED CORN AT THE FAIR AND IN MINNESOTA UNTIL HIS DEATH THIS PAST JULY.

WE WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO REMEMBER HIM, AND HERE HE IS FROM 2024 TALKING ABOUT WORKER CONDITIONS ON HIS FARM.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> RIGHT AFTER HIGHWAY 25.

>> FARMER JERRY UNTEIDT OF WAVERLYLY SHOWS US ANOTHER HOME FOR HIS WORKERS, HE'S GOT ABOUT EIGHT OR NINE OF THESE.

>> THIS UNIT HERE WE USUALLY PUT OUR MARRIED COUPLES IN SO THAT THEY CAN STAY OGETHER AND HAVE THEIR OWN BEDROOM AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> JERRY, THIS IS A REALLY NICE HOUSE.

I MEAN, IT'S NOT LIKE A BARRACK-STYLE HOUSE.

>> NO.

WE TRY TO TELL PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, OUR GOAL IS TO HAVE THESE WORKERS AND WE WANT A STABLE WORKFORCE.

AND THE WAY YOU HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE COMING BACK EACH EAR IS STABLE WORKFORCE IS TO HAVE HAPPY WORKERS.

>> IT'S A HOME HE SAYS EVEN HE WOULD LIVE IN.

IT'S A BENEFIT HE MUST PROVIDE TO AMERICAN WORKERS, TOO.

IF HE COULD FIND THEM.

THESE DAYS, LABOR SHORTAGES ARE EVERYWHERE.

OF ELIMINATING TURNOVER IS A TOP PRIORITY FOR UNTIEDT, HE RELEASE ON FOREIGN H2A WORKERS TO KEEP HIS FLOWER AND VEGETABLE BUSINESS GOING.

>> THIS ISN'T JUST THE UNTIEDT THING, MOST PEOPLE THAT USE THIS PROGRAM, THEY REALIZE THAT THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE.

♪ ♪ >> EVERY YEAR THERE'S A LIST IN THE NEWSPAPER WITH ALL THE NEW OODS AT THE STATE FAIR, INCLUDING A BUNCH OF STUFF I CAN'T EVEN PRONOUNCE.

THEY ALWAYS HAVE WEIRD NAMES LIKE UNCRUSTED BURGER OR SMASHADILLA, BUT USUALLY THEY'RE A COMBINATION OF TWO OR THREE THINGS THAT DON'T REALLY GO TOGETHER ANYWAY, LIKE DECORATION DEEP-FRIED SWEET CORN SNOW CONES, LIKE TAKING THREE DIFFERENT FOODS AND STICKING THEM TOGETHER SO YOU'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHICH THING MADE YOU SICK.

I'M SURE SOME PEOPLE GET EXCITED ABOUT THIS LIST, CLIPPING IT, GETTING IT LAMINATED IN CASE THEY SPILL SYRUP OR HOT SAUCE ON IT OR BOTH.

BUT NO ONE COULD POSSIBLY EAT EVERYTHING ON THIS LIST.

THEY ENDED UP TAKING THE SKY RIDE TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM WHERE THEY WOULDN'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY LEFT FOR THE CO-PAY.

FOR ME, I DON'T MUCH CARE ABOUT ANY NEW FOODS.

I GO FOR THE OLD STUFF.

THE GREATEST HITS, THE TRADITIONAL AYS TO STUFF YOURSELF SILLY AT THE FAIR.

I WANT THE CLASSICS.

THE YOT ROCK OF FAIR FOODS.

I HAVE IT ALL PLANNED OUT.

ONCE INSIDE, I GRAB A SNOW CONE, THEN STOP FOR FRENCH FRIES BEFORE MAKING MY WAY TO THE DAIRY BUILDING FOR A SHAKE, THEN I HAVE WHATEVER CHOCOLATE-DIPPED THING IS CLOSEST, BEST OF ALL, HEAD TO THE MINI DONUT BOOTH.

SMALLER THAN REGULAR DONUTS, WHICH IS GOOD, EXCEPT THEY COME IN A BAG WITH 11 OF THEIR FRIENDS.

DIPPED IN SUGAR, SO YOU CAN HANG ON TO THEM IN A CROWD, THEY ARE LIKE HEAVEN WITH A HOLE IN THE MIDDLE.

SADLY, THEY CAN ALSO BE A QUICK TICKET TO A CORNEA ANGIOPLASTY, SO I MAKE SURE TO SHARE WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

IT'S A CRUEL WORLD.

EVENTUALLY I'M FULL, AND I WADDLE BACK TO THE BUS WITH VISIONS OF FAT AND SUGAR DANCIN' IN MY HEAD.

ON MY FACE AND OFTEN ON MY SHIRT.

REMEMBER, I TELL MYSELF ON THE WAY HOME, IT'S ONLY ONCE A YEAR.

THANK GOODNESS!

I MIGHT BE THE ONLY -- THAT MIGHT BE THE ONLY REASON I'M STILL ALIVE.

♪ >> Cathy: IN STATE HISTORY, ONLY ABOUT HALF OF THE PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS HAVE PASSED.

POLITICAL REPORTER MARY LAHAMMER HAS SOME MORE CONTEXT ON THIS UNDER THE RADAR BALLOT QUESTION.

>> MINNESOTA PROVED THAT LOVE IS BIGGER THAN GOVERNMENT.

[ Cheers and applause ] >> Mary: UNLIKE ALL OF THE ATTENTION AND EMOTION HAT ACCOMPANIED THE MARRIAGE AMENDMENT IN 2012, THE LATEST BALLOT QUESTION FOR HE PERMANENT SCHOOL FUND IS DECIDEDLY UNCONTROVERSIAL AND UNDER THE RADAR.

YOU DON'T GO INTO THIS LIGHTLY.

>> NO, NO, NO, NO.

THIS IS A PROJECT THAT WE HAVE BEEN, OR AT LEAST I HAVE BEEN KIND OF CONTEMPLATING THE WHOLE TIME THAT I'VE BEEN AT THE LEGISLATURE.

THIS IS FOR OUR STUDENTS.

I MEAN, THIS IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

IT HITS CLOSE TO HOME.

AND WE KNOW THAT OUR SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE ARE STRUGGLING TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THEIR STUDENTS BECAUSE BECAUSE OF -- >> THE FOREFATHERS OF THE STATE AID THIS ISSUE OF PUBLIC EDUCATION NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING EVERY VOTER IN MINNESOTA WORKS ON.

SO THIS BALLOT INITIATIVE FOR THE PERMANENT SCHOOL TRUST LUNDS IS AN -- LANDS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO EDUCATE EVERYONE WHAT THIS IS, AND HOW WE'RE NOT GOING TO BENEFIT THE STUDENTS NOW ABOUT THE IN THE FUTURE.

A BIPARTISAN GROUP OF STATE LEGISLATORS JOINED SCHOOL BOARDS AND ADMINISTRATORS TO LAUNCH A CAMPAIGN TO A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT THAT WOULD DISTRIBUTE MORE MONEY TO ALL OF MINNESOTA'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS WITHOUT RAISING TAXES.

>> WE'RE REALLY EXCITED TO KICK OFF THIS NCREDIBLE CAMPAIGN.

>> WHAT WE HAVE TO DO AS TEACHERS, IF WE WANT SUCCESS FOR OUR STUDENTS, WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO DIG DEEPER, DEEPER IN OUR POCKETS.

WE'RE CONTINUALLY PULLING OUT MONEY FOR SCHOOL SUPPLIES.

>> THE DRUM BEAT YOU HEAR AS A PARENT OF KIDS IN PUBLIC SCHOOL IS ABOUT FUNDING.

AND CUTS TO FUNDING.

>> THIS IS REALLY, IN MANY WAYS SEEMS TO BE TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE AND IT KIND OF IS.

>> Mary: THE MEASURE'S AIM IS TO MODERNIZE THE STATE'S PERMANENT SCHOOL FUND, A TRUST CREATED IN STATEHOOD IN 1858.

THAT PAYS PUBLIC SCHOOLS USING REVENUE FROM TIMBER SALES, MINERAL LEASES, AND INVESTMENT RETURNS ON PUBLIC TRUST LAND.

>> WE HAVE NOT TOUCHED THAT LANGUAGE SINCE STATEHOOD.

SO, IN 166 YEARS, IT HAS STAYED JUST THE SAME.

>> BEING FROM THE RANGE, PERMANENT SCHOOL TRUST FUNDS ARE EVERYWHERE.

RIGHT?

AS THE STATE GREW AND DEVELOPED, THESE LANDS THAT USED TO BE IN EVERY COUNTY, EVERY TOWNSHIP, MOST OF THEM, OVER 70% OF THEM ARE IN MY NECK OF THE WOODS, THE COUNTIES I REPRESENT.

AND HOW WE MANAGE THOSE LANDS, WHETHER IT BE TIMBER SALES, TACONITE MINING, 89% OF IT EVERY YEAR COMES FROM U.S.

STEEL MINNTAC.

>> WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A LOT OF MONEY, THE SCHOOL FUND HOLDS MORE THAN $2 BILLION, AND PAID OUT ABOUT $2-- 2.5% OF ITS VALUE.

THIS AMENDMENT WOULD INCREASE THAT TO ABOUT 4.5% GOING TO PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS.

THIS IS POPULAR.

IT UNANIMOUSLY PASSED THE HOUSE.

BIPARTISAN, HOW DID THIS DO IN THE HOUSE?

>> UNANIMOUS.

>> Mary: AND THE SENATE?

>> I'M TELL YOU, IN THE HOUSE, I TELL PEOPLE, IT WAS LIKE A FRICKIN' LOVE FEST OVER THERE.

>> Mary: SO WHAT HAPPENED IN THE SENATE?

>> IT AS BEAUTIFUL.

IN THE SENATE IT DID NOT GO AS WELL.

WE HAD ABOUT TWO DOZEN SENATORS THAT DECIDED NOT TO VOTE FOR THIS.

>> WHEN IT PASSED THE HOUSE UNANIMOUSLY, I DON'T THINK THAT'S EVER HAPPENED WITH A BALLOT QUESTION.

THEY COULDN'T FIND ANOTHER TIME.

THERE WAS OTHER TIMES WHEN WE DIDN'T HAVE A FULL LEGISLATURE AND IT WAS UNANIMOUS, BUT WE NEVER HAD 134-0.

SO I THINK THAT'S A REALLY POWERFUL WAY TO EDUCATE.

>> Mary: OTERS WILL SEE THIS QUESTION ON THEIR BALLOT.

SHALL THE MINNESOTA CONSTITUTION BE AMENDED TO INCREASE THE FUNDING GOING TO ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS FROM THE PERMANENT SCHOOL FUND, WHICH IS A FUND THAT SUPPORTS SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITHOUT RAISING INDIVIDUAL INCOME OR PROPERTY TAXES EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2027.

OF >> THIS IS MONEY THAT IS DUE TO THE KIDS.

I MEAN, WE USED TO JOKE, WE TALK ABOUT THIS, EVERY KID IN MINNESOTA IS A TRUST FUND KID BECAUSE OF THE PERMANENT SCHOOL TRUST FUND.

>> WHEN YOU HAVE A PAYOUT WITH A BUNCH OF HOLES IN IT, THERE'S LEAKS ALL OVER THE PLACE, IT ISN'T GOING TO MEET ALL THE NEEDS THAT WE WOULD LIKE, TO IT'S NOT GOING TO FULLY FUND OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION, BUT IT IS DEFINITELY GOING TO HELP.

I MEAN, FOR EVERY STUDENT, IT COULD BE ANYWHERE BETWEEN 30 AND $35 ADDITIONALLY.

>> Mary: SO THERE'S STILL LOCAL CONTROL?

>> 100%.

AND THAT'S THE BEST PART ABOUT THESE FUNDS.

THEY COULD BE USED FOR ANYTHING.

THE ARKING LOT IS ALL BUSTED UP AND THE BUSES ARE HAVING TROUBLE GETTING OVER IT.

THESE DOLLARS CAN HELP FIX IT.

>> Mary: BLANK VOTE ON A QUESTION COUNTS AS A NO VOTE.

VOTERS ARE A LITTLE ANGRY, A LITTLE MAD AT GOVERNMENT, CONCERNED ABOUT FRAUD.

ARE YOU CONCERNED THAT THAT COULD BE A NO VOTE?

>> I KIND OF DON'T.

BECAUSE THIS IS SUCH A POSITIVE THING.

THIS IS SUCH AN EXCITING THING.

THIS IS SOMETHING FOR OUR STUDENTS, FOR OUR COMMUNITIES.

SO MANY OF THE SCHOOLS THAT ARE CLOSING.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF HYPER PARTISAN ISSUES THAT HAVE PEOPLE PULLING US APART.

THIS CONSTITUTIONAL BALLOT INITIATIVE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BRING MINNESOTA TOGETHER.

>> ERIC: THE LATEST IN THE ONGOING EXAMINATION OF THE IMPACT OF OPERATION METRO SURGE COMES FROM A NEW REPORT FROM THE SAHAN JOURNAL.

AS STUDENTS ARE GETTING READY TO START THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR, REPORTERS FOR THE JOURNAL DOVE INTO ENROLLMENT DATA FROM SCHOOLS AND DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE, AND FOUND THAT AROUND 1,700 STUDENTS STOPPED ATTENDING SCHOOL EARLIER THIS YEAR DURING THE FEDERAL SURGE.

WHY DID THEY LEAVE, HOW MANY CAME BACK, AND HOW DOES THE DATA COMPARE TO PREVIOUS YEARS?

SAHAN JOURNAL'S BECKY DERNBACH IS HERE TO BREAK DOWN HER REPORTING.

WELCOME BACK.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THESE KIDS?

>> THESE >> THE FOUND THAT ABOUT 1,700, S YOU SAID, LEFT.

BUT THE DATA DOESN'T SHOW WHERE THEY WENT.

I TALKED TO A LOT OF EDUCATORS, A LOT OF ADVOCATES AND HEARD STORIES ABOUT STUDENTS WHO WENT OUT OF STATE FOR THE SURGE, WHO WENT BACK TO THEIR HOME COUNTRIES AND SELF-DEPORTED, WHO MOVED IN WITH RELATIVES IN ANOTHER CITY AND SOME WHO NEVER CAME BACK TO SCHOOL.

AND, SO, YEAH, I MEAN, I'LL BE INTERESTED TO SEE WHAT THE NUMBERS LOOK LIKE IN THE FALL.

I SPOKE TO A STUDENT NAMED ALLESANDRO WHO GOES TO MIDDLE SCHOOL IN St.

PAUL, HIS FAMILY JUST LEFT IN THE NIGHT AND WENT TO NEW YORK DURING THE SURGE WHEN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD WAS REALLY UNDER SIEGE.

AND THEY ENDED UP COMING BACK.

HE HAD TROUBLE ADJUST TO GO NEW YORK.

HE HAD TO TAKE THE SUBWAY TO SCHOOL.

IT WAS PRETTY OVERWHELMING FROM GOING TO BEING CLOSED UP IN YOUR HOUSE TO BEING IN A SUBWAY WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE SO HE WAS HAPPY TO COME BACK.

AND SOME CAME BACK.

BUT SOME DIDN'T.

>> Cathy: SO YOU CAN'T REALLY TELL JUST HOW MANY ARE BACK AT THIS POINT.

SO THAT'S FOR THE REPORTING -- FURTHER REPORTING FOR YOU.

>> YEAH, SO THE REPORTING I GOT WAS OCTOBER 1 DATA AND MARCH 1 DATA.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THOSE POINTS IN TIME WAS 1,700.

AND NOW, OF COURSE, STUDENTS ARE GOING BACK TO SCHOOL.

>> Cathy: EXACTLY.

YOU KNOW, WE HAD A CHANCE TO TALK TO FOLKS IN FRIDLEY, THE FRIDLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT.

>> YEAH.

>> Cathy: OF COURSE, THEY HAVE A NUMBER OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE LANGUAGE LEARNERS.

>> YES.

>> Cathy: THEY WERE WORRIED ONCE THE SURGE STARTED, THEY WERE GOING TO SEE THEIR ENROLLMENT NUMBERS DROP OFF, THAT ACTUALLY DIDN'T HAPPEN.

THEY HAVE HIGHER ENROLLMENT NUMBERS.

I'M WONDERING, DID YOU RUN INTO THAT AT ALL IN ANY OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS?

>> I THINK IT'S TOO EARLY TO SAY WHAT FALL ENROLLMENT LOOKS LIKE.

I TALKED TO FRIDLEY FOR MY STORY AS WELL.

AND, SO, THEY -- THEY HAD LOST ABOUT 55 STUDENTS BETWEEN OCTOBER AND MARCH OF LAST YEAR, THAT'S ABOUT 2% OF THEIR ENROLLMENT.

AND SO WHAT THE FALL NUMBERS LOOK LIKE, THEY MAY BOUNCE BACK, THEY MAY NOT.

BUT ANOTHER ISSUE GOING ON IS ALSO THAT THERE ARE VERY FEW ENGLISH LEARNERS ARRIVING IN MINNESOTA RIGHT NOW.

AND, SO, I TALKED TO SARAH CARANZA, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MULTILINGUAL IN ST.

PAUL PUBLIC SCHOOLS, SHE SAID THE DROP STARTED IN 2025, AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SECOND TRUMP ADMINISTRATION BECAUSE NORMALLY THEY GET A LOT OF NEW IMMIGRANT STUDENTS WHO ARE LEARNING ENGLISH AND NOW THE BORDERS EFFECTIVELY CLOSED, THERE ARE HISTORICALLY LOW LEVELS OF REFUGEES.

SO IT IS ALSO DEALING WITH THE DECLINING BIRTH RATE AND WE ACTUALLY LOSE MORE RESIDENTS TO OTHER STATES THAN WE GAIN.

AND, SO, THOSE ARE FACTORS THAT HAVE BEEN SHRINKING SCHOOL ENROLLMENT.

SO IMMIGRATION HAS HELPED FUEL IT, SO NOW THAT'S NOT HAPPENING AS MUCH.

>> Eric: THE HEADCOUNT OF STUDENTS IS VITAL TO THEIR FUNDING.

>> CORRECT.

>> Eric: SO EVEN A LOSS OF A COUPLE HUNDRED STUDENTS, I ASSUME, HAS AN IMPACT FINANCIALLY.

>> Eric: YEAH.

SO IN St.

PAUL, THEY ENDED UP HAVING A $14 MILLION BUDGET SHORTFALL THIS YEAR.

AND THEY ENDED UP CUTTING ENG BE GLISH LANGUAGE TEACHERS, AND THEY CUT COUNSELORS, OO.

THOSE ARE THE STAFFERS THAT SUPPORT THE STUDENTS, WHO ARE REALLY AFFECTED BY METRO SURGE AND NOW THEY WON'T HAVE THOSE SAME LEVELS OF SUPPORT.

>> Cathy: I WONDER, TOO, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT NUMBERS AND STUDENT NUMBERS AND FINANCES, I'M CURIOUS, THOUGH, WHETHER YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT MAYBE THE EMOTIONAL EFFECTS OF -- THE KIDS WHO CAME BACK HAVE GOT TO BE TRAUMATIZED, I WOULD THINK.

>> RIGHT, YEAH.

AND, I MEAN, YEAH, I MEAN, THEY REALLY WENT THROUGH A LOT, YOU KNOW.

I WAS TALKING ABOUT ALLESANDRO, HE, YOU KNOW, REALLY HAD A HARD TIME ADJUSTING IN NEW YORK, HIS SELF-ESTEEM WAS DROPPING, HIS GRADES WERE DROPPING, HE HAD BEEN CLOSED UP IN HIS HOUSE WITHOUT ENOUGH FOOD FOR MONTHS LEADING UP TO THE FAMILY'S DECISION TO LEAVE, AND, YOU KNOW, I MEAN, KIDS REALLY DID GO THROUGH A LOT, AND THERE'S A LOT OF TRAUMA, AND I THINK THAT HOSE ARE EFFECTS THAT WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE SEEING FOR A LONG TIME TO COME.

>> Eric: YOU AND YOUR DATA TEAM DO A TREMENDOUS JOB MINING ALL OF THIS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Eric: ALL THESE FIGURES.

THANKS FOR COMING OVER.

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY, OF COURSE.

>> ERIC: APPLETON OFFICIALS ARE GETTING SOME FINANCIAL RELIEF.

THIS WEEK, CORECIVIC AND THE CITY AGREED TO A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING.

THE FEDERAL PRISON CONTRACTOR HAS AGREED TO PAY THE CITY MORE THAN $1.2 MILLION PER YEAR TO OFFSET THE LOSS OF TAX REVENUE AFTER THE PRISON WAS SOLD TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

REPORTER KAOMI LEE CONTINUES OUR COVERAGE IN SWIFT COUNTY.

>> COME ON IN.

>> LOOKS LIKE SOME GOOD BONES, SHAWN.

>> YEAH.

>> NO ONE OWNS MORE BUSINESSES IN APPLETON THAN SHAWN SWENSON.

ONE OF THEM IS FLIPPING HOUSES.

HE'S DONE 25 OF THEM.

>> THE YEAR I STARTED BUSINESS IN TOWN HERE WAS THE YEAR THEY CLOSED THE PRISON.

SO THINGS HAVE BEEN HARD EVER SINCE.

>> THAT WAS IN 2010.

'HE STARTED BUYING UP ABANDONED HOMES AND BUSINESSES AS WORKERS LEFT TOWN.

>> I WASN'T GOING TO SET ANYTHING UP STRICTLY TO ACCOMMODATE IF THE PRISON OPENED.

BECAUSE I DIDN'T THINK IT WOULD OPEN.

>> BUT LAST MONTH, CORECIVIC ANNOUNCED IT SOLD THE 1600-BED PRISON TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY.

SWENSON SAYS THAT WILL INCREASE LOCAL HOME PRICES AND MORE FOOT TRAFFIC WILL BE GOOD FOR HIS OTHER BUSINESSES TOO.

>> EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS IN TOWN NOW IS GOING TO BE REACTION.

IT'S GOING TO BE, AS WE NEED.

WE'LL FILL THE VOIDS.

I THINK WE'RE GOING TO START SEEING OTHER TYPES OF BUSINESSES LOOKING AT IT, TOO.

SO THAT WILL BE GOOD, OUTSIDE COMPANIES COMING IN.

>> ABOUT 150 PEOPLE ATTENDED AN INFORMATIONAL FORUM LAST MONTH AT THE LOCAL VFW, IT WAS ORGANIZED BY REPUBLICAN STATE SENATOR TORRE WESTROM AND REPRESENTATIVE PAUL ANDERSON.

CONGRESSWOMAN MICHELLE FISCHBACH URGED OPTIMISM.

>> I CAN'T STRESS NOUGH, 500 JOBS.

500 JOBS.

UP AND DOWN, YOU KNOW, MY DISTRICT IS THE WESTERN HALF OF MINNESOTA.

AND SO MANY OF THOSE -- SO MANY OF THE SMALL TOWNS WOULD LOVE TO SEE 500 JOBS.

>> BUT THERE ARE ONLY TEN HOMES FOR SALE IN APPLETON, AND OFFICIALS SAY ADDING HUNDREDS OF DETAINEES AND PRISON EMPLOYEES AND THEIR FAMILIES WILL INCREASE COSTS FOR CITY SERVICES.

>> IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.

YOU KNOW, SOMEONE'S NOT GOING TO UNLOCK THE DOOR TOMORROW AND 1600 FOLKS ARE GOING TO WALK IN.

WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO BUILD UP TO THOSE THINGS.

WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS A LOT OF THE ISSUES THAT ARE COMING DOWN RIGHT NOW.

AND, SO, WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU DO THAT.

>> THROUGH LOCAL OFFICIALS, CORECIVIC SAID THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY AT AN ADULT I.C.E.

DETENTION FACILITY WAS 35 TO 56 DAYS IN 2026.

>> THE MAJORITY OF INDIVIDUALS CARED FOR AT THE FACILITY WILL BE PROCESSED FOR DEDEPORTATION.

WE WILL NOT RELEASE ANY INDIVIDUALS FROM THE FACILITY DIRECTLY INTO THE APPLETON COMMUNITY UNLESS AN INDIVIDUAL RESIDES IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA.

>> CORECIVIC SAID NO CHILDREN WILL BE HELD IN APPLETON.

SOME IN THE AUDIENCE VOICE DISAPPROVAL ABOUT I.C.E.

>> MY GOD, OF COURSE WE NEED JOBS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

BUT THERE'S SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG, YOU KNOW, WITH OUR IMMIGRATION POLICY.

AND IT'S DOWNRIGHT STUPID TO TAKE ALL THOSE WORKERS OUT OF THEIR JOBS AND HOUSE THEM OUT HERE, MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF OUR TAX MONEY.

>> I UNDERSTAND THIS MOVE DOES NOT SIT WELL WITH EVERYBODY.

THERE ARE SOME WHO DO NOT LIKE WHAT THE FACILITY IS GOING TO BE USED FOR.

THESE ARE FEDERAL ACTIONS AND ARE RULES OF LAW.

IN MY OPINION, THE HOLDING OF DETAINEES IS GOING O CONTINUE ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

WHETHER OR NOT THE PROCESS GOES ON HERE AT APPLETON.

>> THE CORECIVIC PRIVATE PRISON HAS BEEN EMPTY FOR MORE THAN 15 YEARS.

SENATOR WESTROM SAID THE WALZ ADMINISTRATION HAD THE OPTION OF LEASING BEDS THERE AFTER THE STATE PRISON IN STILLWATER CLOSED.

ULTIMATELY, LAWMAKERS BANNED PRIVATE FOR-PROFIT PRISONS IN 2023.

>> I DON'T WANT TO MAKE THIS POLITICAL, BUT IT WASN'T MY PARTY THAT OPPOSED IT.

I PUSHED HARD, I WAS FRUSTRATED WE COULDN'T GET THAT THROUGH.

>> ACCORDING TO THE DEDEPORTATION DATA PROJECT, I.C.E.

ARRESTS HAVE QUADRUPLED IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

DEPORTATIONS HAVE RISEN BY NEARLY FIVE TIMES.

ONE DEMOCRAT LAWMAKER SAYS HE'S CONCERNED ABOUT THE TREATMENT OF DETAINEES IN PRIVATE PRISONS.

>> THE OTHER THING WE KNOW IS THAT I.C.E.-RUN DETENTION FACILITIES HAVE ALSO HAD LOTS OF PROBLEMS AROUND THE COUNTRY, WITH A HIGHER DEATH RATE, INHUMANE CONDITIONS, SO THERE ARE A LOT OF REASONS TO OPPOSE THIS KIND OF A PRISON.

>> THIS WEEK CORECIVIC -- AND 1.2 MILLION ANNUALLY STARTING NEXT YEAR.

CORECIVIC IS UNDER A FIVE-YEAR MANAGEMENT CONTRACT TO RUN THE FACILITY.

THE AGREEMENT WOULD HELP THE CITY OFFSET LOST TAX REVENUE AND COSTS FOR INCREASED SERVICES LIKE PUBLIC SAFETY.

THE ARRANGEMENT CAN BE CANCELED AT ANY TIME.

[ ANIMAL SOUNDS ] >> AT THE SWIFT COUNTY FAIR SUPPORTERS OF THE PRISON WERE NOT HARD TO FIND.

THIS FARMER WAS VISITING FROM CLARA CITY.

HE SAID SMALL TOWNS NEED MORE INDUSTRY, EVEN A PRISON.

>> ANYTHING TO BRING XTRA DOLLARS INTO T EXTRA JOBS, PEOPLE FIX THEIR HOUSES UP, MORE TEACHERS, MORE RESTAURANTS.

YES.

THAT'S HOW YOU BUILD YOUR MAIN STREET.

>> DONALD YOUNG IS A RETIRED DAIRY FARMER FROM BENSON, ABOUT 20 MILES AWAY.

HE SAYS HE SUPPORTS I.C.E.

DETAINMENT OF UNDOCUMENTED PEOPLE.

>> WHAT ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO SAY, WELL, WE'RE JUST TRYING TO HAVE A BETTER LIFE AND FEED OUR FAMILY.

>> BUT THEY CAN COME HERE LEGALLY.

THEY CAN COME HERE LEGALLY AND HAVE THAT BETTER LIFE IF THAT'S WHAT THEY WISH.

YOU KNOW?

AND THOSE THAT WE'VE HAD HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF PEOPLE COME LEGALLY.

♪ I'M NOT AFRAID, NO ♪ ♪ I AM NOT AFRAID ♪ >> MEANWHILE, I.C.E.

PROTESTERS GATHERED FOR THEIR WEEKLY ACTION.

BRUCE MEYER IS THE SEVENTH GENERATION IN HIS FAMILY TO LIVE IN APPLETON.

>> THIS ISN'T US.

THIS IS NOT THIS TOWN.

AND I DON'T WANT THIS TO REPRESENT THIS TOWN.

>> HE SAYS HE WAS ACTIVATED BY WHAT HAPPENED IN MINNEAPOLIS THIS PAST WINTER.

>> WHAT'S THE NEXT STEP?

ARE THEY GOING TO BE GOING ON OUR SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS?

THEY'RE GOING TO USE THIS I.C.E.

POLICE FORCE TO COME AND AKE THE GUNS AWAY FROM EVERYBODY?

>> CATHY: KEVIN KLING IS BACK HERE IN THE STUDIO WITH US, BUT THIS TIME HE'S HERE TO TALK ABOUT HIS UPCOMING PERFORMANCES AT THE OPEN EYE THEATRE THIS SEPTEMBER.

HERE WITH US NOW, KEVIN KLING.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

THE ONE-PERSON SHOW IS CALLED UNRAVELED.

>> SHAKESPEARE SAYS THE WORDS LEAVE OF CARE.

BUT IT'S ABOUT -- IT TAKES PLACE, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE ODYSSEY AND THE GREEKS, AND THE FATES, IT WAS SAID YOUR FATE WAS DETERMINED BY THREE SISTERS.

THREE WOOFERS.

AND ONE SPUN THE THREAD, ONE MEASURED THE THREAD AND ONE CUT THE THREAD.

SO IT'S TAKING THAT METAPHOR AND USING IT AS A WAY TO UNRAVEL A PERSON'S LIFE AND SEE WHAT THOSE THREADS ARE.

>> Cathy: YOU GOT ME WORRIED.

I WAS THINKING UNRAVELED, IT WAS GOING TO BE SOMETHING SAD FOR YOU.

>> NO.

>> Eric: WAS IT EASY TO PICK A THREAD THROUGH THE WHOLE PERFORMANCE, WHERE STUFF RELATED TO EACH OTHER?

>> NO, IT WASN'T.

NO, IT'S BEEN A JOB.

IT'S BEEN REALLY EXCITING.

I MEAN, TO TAKE A THREAD IN YOUR LIFE AND FOLLOW IT AND WHO COMES THROUGH, HAT ARE THE INTERSECTIONS, WHO COMES THROUGH, WHAT THREADS ARE TIED TO YOUR OWN, WHEN DO YOU HANG BY A THREAD.

I MEAN, THERE'S ALL THESE DIFFERENT WAYS OF USING THAT METAPHOR.

BUT WE ALL HAVE THOSE THREADS AND WE ALL HAVE THOSE ATTERNS THAT THEY FORM.

THIS IS THE OTHER THING.

SO THAT'S SOME OF THE PLAY.

BUT IT'S MOSTLY FUNNY.

>> Cathy: GOOD.

>> YEAH.

>> Cathy: WHAT A ONE-PERSON PLAY MUST BE FAIRLY EASY TO DEAL WITH, ONE-PERSON PERFORMANCE MUST BE PRETTY EASY TO DEAL WITH.

>> YEAH.

TO DO IT?

>> Cathy: YEAH.

>> IT IS PRETTY EASY.

>> Cathy: DON'T YOU WORRY ABOUT IT?

IT'S -- YOU'RE ALL BY YOURSELF.

>> NO, IF YOU FORGET, NOBODY KNOWS ABOUT IT.

>> Eric: YOU HAVE A COLLEAGUE ON STAGE WITH YOU?

>> MY FRIEND, ROB WITMER, IS AN INCREDIBLE COMPOSER AND MUSICIAN.

HE'S REALLY THE HEART OF THE HE PIECE, REALLY THE REASON TO COME SEE THIS THING.

HE PLAYS THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE THING, UNDERSCORES, COMES IN WITH MUSIC AND HE'S ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT.

>> Eric: YOU DISCUSS YOUR MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT?

>> A LITTLE BIT AT THE END, YEAH, YEAH.

BECAUSE THAT'S DEFINITELY A THREAD.

>> Eric: YEAH.

>> THAT WAS A LIFE CHANGER, YEAH.

>> Cathy: I'M KIND OF CURIOUS ABOUT THE JOY AND THE CHALLENGES OF SPINNING STORIES.

YOU SEEM TO HAVE -- YOU'VE GOT THIS TREASURE TROVE OF STORIES.

IT'S JUST SO GREAT TO LISTEN TO YOU.

BUT ARE THERE CHALLENGES IN THE CREATION OF ALL THIS.

>> THERE ARE BECAUSE I THINK THAT STORIES ARE A CRAFT, YOU KNOW.

I MEAN, IT'S A REASON PLAYWRIGHT IS WRITTEN THE WAY IT IS.

IT ISN'T PLAY RIGHT, IT'S WRITTEN PLAYWRIGHT, AS IN A WHEEL WRIGHT, A A WHEEL GETS A WHEEL THROUGH, A PLAYWRIGHT IS TRYING TO GET THE STORY THROUGH.

PART OF THE CRAFT, I LOVE THAT PART ABOUT IT, JOHN BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGER SAID, STORIES BRING MEANING TO EXPERIENCE.

SO YOU WANT TO HAVE THAT MEANING IN THERE.

YOU WANT TO BRING SOMETHING, ESPECIALLY TO THIS DAY.

JOHN BURGER.

THAT'S WHAT THIS PLAY IS REALLY ABOUT, WHAT CAN I OFFER THIS UDIENCE ON THIS DAY?

AND, SO, IT'S REALLY -- A STORYTELLER IS REALLY BEHOLDEN TO THE MOMENT THEY LIVE.

>> Eric: HOW DO YOU PLACE IN PRIORITY BEING FROM MINNESOTA AND WRITING ABOUT MINNESOTA?

BECAUSE IT SEEMED LIKE IT'S -- WHAT YOU WOULD SAY -- A TARGET-RICH ENVIRONMENT.

>> OH.

>> Eric: MINNESOTA WOULD BE.

>> IT TOTALLY IS.

I UST -- I LOVE OUR -- I MEAN, MINNESOTA'S SENSE OF HUMOR.

LAST YEAR I DID A SHOW UP NORTH, AND A WOMAN COMES UP TO ME AFTER THE SHOW.

SHE'S CLEARLY SMILING.

SO I SAID, DID YOU ENJOY THE SHOW?

AND SHE SAID, SHE LIKED EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE FEELINGS.

AND I WAS, LIKE, MINNESOTA, I JUST LOVE YOU SO MUCH.

THAT'S OUR PEOPLE.

[ Laughter ] YOU KNOW, IT'S LIKE... IT'S SO GREAT THE WAY WE TALK, THE WAY WE ARE, THE FOOD.

I TRAVEL THE WORLD... [ AUDIO DIFFICULTIES ] I TRAVEL THE WORLD TELLING STORIES ABOUT MINNESOTA.

OLE AND LENA JOKES GO OVER SO BIG IN IRELAND, YOU WOULDN'T BELIEVE IT.

>> Cathy: WE WERE TALKING OFF AIR, CAN WE PEEL BACK THE LAYERS HERE, WE ALWAYS TALK OFF AIR, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE TIMES WE'RE IN.

YOU SAID, WE ARE IN EPIC TIMES.

AS A STORYTELLER, YOU DON'T KNOW HOW THIS IS GOING TO END.

>> HUM-UM.

>> Cathy: BUT AS A STORYTELLER, HOW DO YOU HELP THE REST OF US FIGURE OUT HOW WE SHOULD BE IN THIS TIME?

>> WELL, THERE'S A PANT THEEON OF STORIES THAT COME BEFORE US.

AND, SO, WE CAN TAKE A LOT OF THOSE STORIES, A LOT OF THOSE MYTHS, A LOT OF THOSE THINGS, I THINK THAT'S WHY THE ODYSSEY IS SO POPULAR RIGHT NOW IS BECAUSE HE GOES THROUGH A TRAUMATIC PERIOD, AND COMES OUT THROUGH THE OTHER SIDE.

AND, SO, WHAT KIND OF STORIES CAN WE BRING FROM THE PAST, FROM OUR LIVES THAT HELP US UNDERSTAND THIS MOMENT?

YOU KNOW, WHEN PEOPLE SAY, TELL A STORY ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON RIGHT NOW, WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE THRESHOLD, WE'RE COMING THROUGH THE THRESHOLD.

BUT WE HAVE STORIES FROM THE PAST THAT CAN HELP US.

AND THE THING, TOO, ABOUT A STORY RIGHT NOW IS, WHEN I TELL A STORY ABOUT MY LIFE, IT DOESN'T CONTROL ME ANYMORE.

IT'S IN MY VERNACULAR, IT'S HOW I SEE THE WORLD, SO WHEN YOU'RE TELLING STORIES, YOU NOT ONLY TAKE CONTROL OF THE WORLD, BUT IT PRESENTS A FUTURE, AND IT GIVES YOU SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO.

BECAUSE THAT'S THE TRAJECTORY OF THE STORY.

>> Eric: YOU COME FROM A RICH HISTORY OF STORYTELLERS, BECAUSE I'M THINKING THAT STORYTELLING IS THE SECOND OLDEST PROFESSION.

[ Laughter ] >> YEAH, IT IS.

THAT'S WHAT YOU TELL ABOUT.

>> Cathy: EXACTLY.

OKAY.

WHERE AND WHEN FOR FOLKS WHO TO GET TICKETS AND SEE IT.

>> WHERE AND WHEN, OPEN EYE THEATRE, IT STARTS SEPTEMBER 10 AND RUNS THROUGH THE 20th.

THERE'S A MATINEE, WE JUST ADDED ON THE LAST WEEKEND, ON SATURDAY.

BECAUSE IT'S SELLING -- IT REALLY IS SELLING FAST.

>> Cathy: OH, GOOD.

>> AND IT'S GOING TO BE REALLY REALLY FUN.

>> Eric: CAN'T WAIT.

>> Cathy: MY DEAR, YOU ARE A MINNESOTA TREASURE.

>> OH, THANK YOU.

YOU ARE, TWO.

BOTH OF YOU.

>> Cathy: APPRECIATE T. HAVE A WONDERFUL TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Eric: THANKS.

>> ERIC: "DEMOCRACY DEMANDS THE WISDOM AND VISION OF ITS CITIZENS.” CONGRESS MADE THAT BOLD DECLARATION WHEN IT ESTABLISHED THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES.

THIS SUMMER, THE MINNESOTA HUMANITIES CENTER AND DANGER BOAT PRODUCTIONS HAVE BEEN TOURING THE STATE, EXTRACTING WISDOM FROM CITIZENS THROUGH COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS AND IMPROV COMEDY.

WE’RE FOLLOWING ALONG AS PART OF OUR VOICES RISING: STORIES FOR AMERICA’S 250TH INITIATIVE.

HERE’S WHAT HAPPENED IN ONE NORTHERN TOWN.

GLEMLY, MINNESOTA, WAS FOUNDED ON TWO INDUSTRIES.

EMILY, INNESOTA.

LOGGING AND TOURISM.

>> THE LIFE OF WILLIAM H. ANDREWS, WRITTEN BY LYDIA BRYANT ANDREWS.

LET'S SEE.

THEY WOULD HAVE MY GREAT GREAT UNCLE, MAYBE ONE MORE.

>> ANNA IS A VOLUNTEER AT GO NORTH MN, A NONPROFIT THAT PROMOTES AREA BUSINESSES, SUPPORTS TOWN IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, AND PRESERVES THE HISTORY OF THE AREA.

>> FRANKLY, THE WAY THAT I MAKE MY INCOME RIGHT NOW IS LOGGING STILL, JUST LIKE MY ANCESTORS.

I HAVE A TREE FARM, WE'RE LOGGING THIS SUMMER, AND IT'S EXCITING.- ITCITING.- IT'STING.- IT'S SNG.- IT'S SCA.- IT'S SCARY TO CUT DOWN ALL MY TREES.

>> ANNA INHERITED LAND THAT SITS ON THE LARGEST DEPOSIT OF MANGANESE IN NORTH AMERICA AND A PROPOSED MINING SITE.

>> IT'S HARD FOR ME TO HEAR PEOPLE SAY, IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN, BECAUSE IT'S BEEN HAPPENING TO ME AND MY FAMILY FOR GENERATIONS.

>> SHE'S FACED PRESSURE TO GIVE UP THE LAND FOR YEARS.

>> SOMETIMES I JUST FEEL TIRED, YOU KNOW, LIKE I JUST WANT TO LIVE MY LIFE AND NOT HAVE TO CONTEND WITH THESE GEOPOLITICAL ISSUES, YOU KNOW.

IT WOULD BE NICE TO JUST BE ABLE TO LIVE OUR LIVES AND BUILD OUR COMMUNITY.

IF WE DIDN'T HAPPEN TO BE THE PLACE WHERE THIS MANGANESE DEPOSIT IS, WE WOULDN'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS.

WE WOULDN'T HAVE TO HAVE HESE CONCERNS AND THESE QUESTIONS.

>> MANGANESE HAS MULTIPLE USES, INCLUDING THE PRODUCTION OF HIGH-STRENGTH STEEL AND LITHIUM ION BATTERIES T. CAN ALSO BE A NEUROTOXIN WITH POTENTIAL FOR SEVERE HEALTH COMPLICATIONS.

ACCORDING TO NORTH STAR MANGANESE, THE COMPANY HOPING TO MAKE THE HINE A -- THE MINE A REALITY, THERE'S ENOUGH SUPPLY TO SUPPORT EXTRACTION FOR 20 YEARS.

>> I AM ORIGINALLY FROM THE OTHER IRON RANGES AND SPENT A LOT OF TIME GROWING UP IN THE GRAND RAPIDS AREA AND THEN WHEN I MOVED HERE, THE VERMILLION MINES THAN SHUT DOWN, ND THE AMOUNT OF FAMILIES THAT WERE DISLOCATED AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS THAT HAPPENED BECAUSE THE MINE SHUT DOWN.

SO MY CONCERN WITH THIS IS, WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF IT.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT IF ANYTHING HAPPENS WITH THIS THAT OUR PEOPLE ARE TAKEN CARE OF.

>> IN A TOWN WITH A POPULATION AROUND 850, THERE ARE JUST AS MANY OPINIONS ABOUT THE MINE.

>> HELLO, EMILY, MINNESOTA!!!!

[ Cheers and applause ] >> AT THE RECENT SKETCHES OF EMILY IMPROV SHOW, A LARGE NUMBER OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS GATHERED TO LEARN MORE.

>> MAGDAMESE, WHAT IS IT, WHY DO I CARE?

>> TESTING RIGHT OUT OF THE WELL.

>> 470 PARTS PER MILLION.

>> HAVE A FEW LAUGHS.

>> I WANT TO TELL YOU THAT, I THINK THAT IT'S TIME FOR US TO TAKE OUR RELATIONSHIP TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

>> WELL, BEFORE YOU DO THAT, I HAVE TO OPEN THIS UP TO PUBLIC REVIEW.

>> OKAY.

[ Laughter ] >> AND HARE THEIR OPINIONS ABOUT THE PROPOSED MINE.

THE WISDOM OF THE PEOPLE WAS LOUD AND STRONG ON BOTH SIDES OF THIS DEMOCRATIC DEBATE.

>> PEOPLE DON'T WANT IT.

>> PEOPLE DON'T AT THE PRESENT TIME, BUT THE PEOPLE THAT DO WANT IT ARE THE ONES THAT -- >> ARE THERE SOME LOCALS THAT WANT IT?

>> WELL, YEAH, YEAH.

PROPERTY OWNER.

YOU KNOW.

THE PEOPLE THAT WOULD BE SUPPORTING THE MINE WORKERS THAT WILL BE COMING IN.

>> ALSO IN ATTENDANCE, RICK SANDRY, THE FOUNDER OF NORTH STAR ANGANESE, THE COMPANY'S STRATEGY CENTERS AROUND EMILY'S DEPOSIT, AS THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO MANGANESE MINES IN OPERATION IN THE U.S.

FOR GOOD REASON.

>> WE HAVE FIVE TO TEN TO 15 TO 20 YEARS OF STUDY, MAYBE 50, 100, 100 PLUS MILLION DOLLARS OF EVALUATIONS.

WE HAVE TO PASS IN THE END ABOUT 900 QUESTIONS THAT HAVE TO BE ANSWERED.

AND EVERY ONE OF THEM HAS TO HAVE A CHECKMARK.

IF THERE'S A SINGLE ONE THAT DOESN'T GET CHECKED, PROJECT DOESN'T GO AHEAD.

SO IT'S A HARD BUSINESS.

>> A HARD BUSINESS THAT HAS MANY PEOPLE CONCERNED ABOUT WATER QUALITY.

WHILE THE ENVIRONMENTAL EVIEW PROCESS DOES NOT HAVE SET TIMELINES, JOY ANDERSON THINKS OF THE EMILY MANGANESE MINE AS PRE STAGE ZERO, STILL, SHE SAYS, IT'S THE IDEAL TIME TO GET INFORMED.

>> BEING INVOLVED IN THESE KINDS OF DECISIONS, OUR LAW ALLOWS TO YOU DO THAT.

MINNESOTA'S SET -- MINNESOTA SET UP ITS ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PROCESS SPECIFICALLY SO THAT PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THE COMMUNITIES COULD BE INVOLVED IN THE DECISIONS IN THE PLACES WHERE THEY LIVE.

AND, SO, MINNESOTA LAW GIVES US THIS AMAZING OPPORTUNITY, NOT ALL STATES HAVE A LAW LIKE THIS.

>> WE JUST STARTED PUTTING OUR TIME IN TO TRYING TO GET INFORMATION OUT THERE THAT WAS WELL SOURCED, SUPPORTABLE, SCIENTIFIC TO THE EXTENT WE COULD GET IT.

>> DAN BRENNAN TALKED TO SCORES OF EMILY RESIDENTS WHILE DOOR KNOCKING AS A CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE.

POLITICS, HE SAID, ARE NOT NECESSARILY AN INDICATOR OF SOMEONE'S LEANINGS ABOUT THE MINE.

>> EVEN THOUGH WE'RE 20 MILES NORTH OF CUYUNA, THIS AREA WAS NEVER A MINING AREA.

AND THIS WHOLE ECONOMY AND WAY OF LIFE AROUND LAKES AND WOODS AND GETTING OUT IN NATURE, THIS CULTURE ISN'T THAT CULTURE.

THE OPPORTUNITY IN SMALL TOWNS IS THAT DEMOCRATIC, THAT CLASSIC SMALL D, WHERE YOU ACTUALLY GET TO DO IT FACE TO FACE.

>> BY DAY, DAN IS AN ESTATE ATTORNEY AND SPENDS A ARGE AMOUNT OF TIME THINKING ABOUT FUTURE GENERATIONS.

>> IT MATTERS FOR EVERYBODY WHO COMES AFTER US AND IF WE'RE GOING TO BE GOOD STEWARDS, THEN WE CAN'T JUST CONSIDER OURSELVES IN THIS.

♪ ♪ >> CATHY: WE'RE ENDING THE SHOW TONIGHT TALKING WITH THE CHAIRS OF THE TWO MAJOR STATE PARTIES.

POLITICAL CANDIDATES HAVE BEEN OUT AT THE STATE FAIR ALL WEEK, CAMPAIGN ADS ARE ALL OVER THE AIRWAVES, AND QUESTIONS ABOUND REGARDING THE STATE OF MAIL-IN VOTING HEADING INTO THE MIDTERMS.

HERE TO DISCUSS THEIR PARTIES' POSITIONS AND CANDIDATES, RICHARD CALRBOM IS THE CHAIR OF THE MINNESOTA DEMOCRATIC FARMER LABOR PARTY.

JOINING HIM IS ALEX PLECHASH, CHAIRMAN OF THE MINNESOTA GOP.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU BOTH HERE ON A HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

CHAIR PLECHASH, I'M GOING TO START WITH YOU, A FEDERAL JUDGE EARLIER TODAY IN BOSTON BLOCKED THE PRESIDENT'S PLAN TO IMPLEMENT NEW MAIL-IN BALLOT RESTRICTIONS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT?

THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS JUDGE HAS DONE THIS.

>> WELL, THAT'S ACTUALLY NEWS TO ME.

IT'S A LITTLE HARD FOR ME TO REACT TO THAT.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE PARTY IS DEFINITELY FOCUSED ON, MAKE SURE THAT ELECTIONS ARE FAIR, THAT THERE'S GOOD INTEGRITY IN THOSE, SO WE'RE GOING TO BE FOCUSED ON THAT.

AND TO THE EXTENT THAT WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THINGS, WE WILL.

>> Cathy: I'D LIKE TO ASK CHAIR CARLBOM THE SAME THING.

>> FIRST, YOU KNOW, FIRST AND FOREMOST, SECRETARY OF STATE STEVE SIMON WOULD TELL YOU, NOTHING'S CHANGED IN MINNESOTA.

THE WAY WE VOTE IS VERY SAFE AND SECURE.

THE VOTE IS COUNTED LOCALLY BY LOCAL ELECTIONS OFFICIALS.

AND IF PEOPLE WANT TO MAIL IN THEIR BALLOT, IT WILL BE COUNTED.

WE'RE VERY CONFIDENT, THEY CANNOT CHANGE THE RULES OF THE GAME THIS LATE.

AND I TRUST THAT OUR MAIL-IN BALLOTS WILL BE COUNTED.

>> Eric: DO YOU FELLAS SEE ANY ISSUES ON ELECTION DAY AS FAR AS INTIMIDATION, DISRUPTIONS?

DO YOU THINK ALL OF THAT TALK IS OVERBLOWN?

>> I REALLY DON'T HEAR ABOUT IT.

WE'RE NOT FOCUSED ON IT.

WE'RE FOCUSED ON GETTING PEOPLE OUT TO VOTE, WHETHER IT'S EARLY VOTING OR ON ELECTION DAY.

WE'RE NOT REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT IT.

>> WE KNOW THAT BECAUSE OF METRO SURGE, PEOPLE WERE VERY CONCERNED AROUND PRECINCT CAUCUSES ABOUT I.C.E.

AGENTS SHOWING UP.

SO THERE CONTINUES TO BE A CONCERN THAT FEDERAL AGENTS WILL BE DEPLOYED TO MINNESOTA LEADING UP TO NOVEMBER 3rd.

WHAT I WILL SAY IS, WE TRAINED 10,000 CONSTITUTIONAL OBSERVERS IN JUST 48 DAYS AT THE DFL.

AND NOW WE'RE RETRAINING THEM TO BE POLL PROTECTORS, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GIVE PEOPLE CONFIDENCE THAT THE POLLING LOCATIONS WILL BE SAFE AND SECURE.

>> Cathy: WHAT DO YOU THINK OF POLL PROTECTORS?

>> WELL, WE DON'T CALL THEM POLL PROTECTORS, WE CALL THEM POLL WATCHERS.

I THINK THAT'S A GOOD THING.

THERE SHOULD BE A GOOD BALANCE OF PEOPLE ATCHING TO MAKE SURE THAT THE THINGS ARE BEING DONE THE RIGHT WAY.

>> Cathy: SAY, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE STATE FAIR OFF AIR HERE.

YOU HAVE NOT GONE YET.

YOU'VE BEEN THERE FOR SIX DAYS.

SO WHAT ARE YOU HEARING IN TERMS OF YOUR CANDIDATES AT THE FAIR?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

FIRST AND FOREMOST, THEY'RE LISTENING TO THE VOTERS.

I THINK DOUG CHAPIN, WHO'S RUNNING AGAINST TOM EMMER AID THAT IT'S LIKE A REVERSE DOOR KNOCK, WHERE EVERYBODY COMES TO YOU AND OU GET TO HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS.

WHAT WE'RE HEARING IS THAT THE AFFORDABILITY CRISIS IS REAL AND IT'S CAUSING A LOT OF ANXIETY.

THE ECONOMIC CHAOS BECAUSE OF TARIFFS ON CANADA TWO WEEKS AGO AND THE UNENDING WAR IN IRAN, IT'S REALLY CREATING A LOT OF DISCONTENT, WHETHER YOU'RE IN THE CATTLE BARN OR THE HOG BARN OR YOU'RE TALKING TO PEOPLE AT THE DFL BOOTH, THEY'RE ALL TALKING ABOUT THE COST OF LIVING.

AND THEY'RE ESPECIALLY CONCERNED ABOUT HEALTHCARE.

>> athy: CHAIR PLECHASH, WHAT ARE YOUR FOLKS HEARING?

>> WELL, INTERESTING, WE SEE A LOT OF ENERGY... [ AUDIO DIFFICULTY ] A LOT F PEOPLE COMING UP TO OUR CANDIDATES WHO DO SHOW UP, ARE HEARING, INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, I'VE NEVER VOTED REPUBLICAN BEFORE BUT I'M GOING TO VOTE REPUBLICAN THIS TIME.

OR THEY SAID, I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A DEMOCRAT BUT I'M GOING TO VOTE FOR YOU NOW BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE TOTALLY FED UP WITH THE FRAUD THAT'S BEEN GOING ON IN OUR STATE AND THE LACK OF ATTENTION TO IT BY THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION.

SO, WE'RE PRETTY CONFIDENT, A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE EALLY JAZZED UP ABOUT THIS ELECTION.

>> Eric: ALONG THE LINES, MAYBE YOU'VE SEEN A COMMERCIAL FROM A WESTERN WISCONSIN ASSEMBLY MAN, AND HE'S RUNNING FOR ELECTION, AND HIS TAG LINE IS, KEEP THE MINNESOTA MESS OUT OF WISCONSIN.

>> I HAVE NOT SEEN THAT COMMERCIAL.

BUT WHAT I WOULD SAY TO YOU IS, SENATOR AMY KLOBUCHAR IS RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR, SHE HAS A PLAN TO FIGHT FRAUD.

SHE THE ONLY CANDIDATE IN THIS RACE WHO HAS ACTUALLY PROSECUTED AND SENT FRAUDSTERS TO PRISON WHEN SHE WAS A PROSECUTOR IN HENNEPIN COUNTY.

AND, SO, HER PLAN FOR A TOP HAD BOTTOM AUDIT ON DAY ONE I THINK IS VERY REASSURING TO MINNESOTANS.

WHEN IT COMES TO FRAUD, IT'S ABOUT THE SECOND OR THIRD ISSUE THAT WE'RE HEARING FROM VOTERS, AFFORDABILITY, HEALTHCARE ARE NUMBER ONE AND TWO ALL THE TIME.

>> Eric: KEEP THE MINNESOTA MESS OUT OF WISCONSIN.

>> I WOULD AGREE WITH THAT STATEMENT.

WE ON'T WANT THE MESS THAT WE'VE BEEN EXPERIENCING BEING EXPORTED ANYWHERE.

WE'D LIKE TO FIX IT IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

UNLIKE WHAT YOU'VE BEEN HEARING, FRAUD IS THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE FOR US.

PEOPLE ARE REALLY BRINGING IT UP.

THEY'RE SICK AND TIRED OF IT.

THERE ARE POLL THAT IS SHOW THAT 85% OF PEOPLE ARE DISGUSTED WITH THE FRAUD, THAT SPANS BOTH PARTIES.

AND ONE THING THAT KIND OF BECAME AN EPIPHANY TO ME THIS WEEK WAS THAT WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT FRAUD, THERE'S KIND OF LIKE TWO PERSPECTIVES.

THERE'S THE REPUBLICAN PERSPECTIVE AND THERE'S THE DEMOCRAT PERSPECTIVE, IF I MAY.

YOU KNOW, FROM THE REPUBLICAN POINT OF VIEW, FRAUD IS LOOK AT ALL THE MONEY THAT WAS WASTED.

MONEY THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN TAXED, SO ON.

WE LOST THIS MONEY, IT WENT OVERSEAS, WHEREVER.

THAT'S THE PERSPECTIVE, MAYBE, OF A REPUBLICAN.

THE DEMOCRAT PERSPECTIVES, WE'RE ALSO FED UP WITH FRAUD BECAUSE THINK ABOUT ALL THE MONEY THAT DIDN'T GO TO HELP THE PEOPLE IT WAS SUPPOSED TO HELP.

SO, BOTH SIDES ARE REALLY AFFECTED BY THAT.

>> Cathy: MAKE A COMMENT TO THAT AT ALL?

>> WELL, I WOULD SAY THAT I THINK 100% OF PEOPLE ARE FURIOUS AND ANGRY ABOUT THE FRAUD.

THAT WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT T. WE NEED TO GET A HANDLE ON IT.

AND I THINK AMY KLOBUCHAR HAS THE BEST PLAN IN TERMS OF WHO'S RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR TO ADDRESS IT HEAD ON.

SO I'M CONFIDENT THAT AMY HAS THAT PLAN.

YES, ANY PENNY THAT WAS STOLEN FROM TAXPAYERS IS BHORRENT AND WE NEED TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO PROSECUTE PEOPLE WHO STOLE IT.

>> Eric: LEGISLATIVE RACES, WHAT ARE YOU HEARING?

IT'S A COIN FLIP AT THE LEGISLATURE RIGHT NOW.

SO CLOSE.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM YOUR LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES?

>> EVERYBODY SEEMS TO BE PRETTY OPTIMISTIC IN MOST PARTS OF THE STATE.

WE KNOW WHICH SEATS ARE SECURE.

WE KNOW WHICH SEATS ARE ON THE EDGE.

AND WE'RE OCUSING A LOT OF OUR ENERGY THERE.

BUT REALLY FOCUSING MOSTLY AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET.

AND I WOULD COUNTER THE CHAIR OVER HERE, CHAIR CARLBOM, AND I DON'T BELIEVE THAT AMY KLOBUCHAR IS THE BEST CANDIDATE FOR THIS AT ALL.

I MEAN, WE GOT INTO THIS MESS, EVERYTHING THAT'S GONE ON -- WRONG WITH INNESOTA, BE IT FRAUD OR EDUCATION OR COST OF LIVING CAN BE PUT AT THE DOORSTEP OF THE DFL.

YOU KNOW, AMY'S A 30-YEAR CAREER POLITICIAN.

YOU KNOW, LAST 30 YEARS IN WASHINGTON.

AND PEGGY FLANAGAN'S NEVER DONE ANYTHING BUT BE IN POLITICS.

AND KEITH ELLISON ALSO, THE LAST NEARLY THREE DECADES HAS BEEN IN GOVERNMENT.

AND IT'S GOVERNMENT THAT'S ACTUALLY PRODUCED THIS PROBLEM.

SO, WHY WOULD WE TRUST THAT THE PEOPLE WHO PUT US INTO THIS MESS ARE GOING TO BE THE SAME PEOPLE TO GET US OUT OF THIS MESS?

>> Cathy: WHY WERE YOU TRUST HOUSE SPEAKER LISA DEMUTH TO GET THE STATE OUT OF THIS MESS?

>> SHE'S BEEN A TERRIFIC LEGISLATOR, GOOD BACKGROUND AS WELL, SHE'S GOT SOME REAL IDEAS ON REAL ISSUES THAT REPUBLICANS CAN FIX AND THE DEMOCRATS HAVE ACTUALLY PUT US INTO IT.

>> I THINK THE PROBLEM FOR THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES IN 2026 IS THAT THEY'RE EITHER IN LOVE WITH DONALD TRUMP OR THEY'RE AFRAID OF HIM, AND EITHER WAY IT'S NOT GOOD FOR MINNESOTA.

WE HAVE LISA DEMUTH, WHO SAYS THAT TARIFFS ARE A GOOD THING.

AND THAT'S JUST NOT TRUE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AND FAMILIES IN THE STATE.

MICHELE TAFOYA SAYS YOU SHOULD HAVE A STIFF UPPER LIP, BE MORE PATRIOTIC, SUPPORT THE WAR IN IRAN THAT'S DRIVING UP THE HIGHEST DIESEL FUEL COSTS EVER.

AND, SO, I THINK REPUBLICANS, THEIR PROBLEM IS THAT MINNESOTANS HAVE A VERY CLEAR CHOICE.

DO YOU WANT TO STAND WITH DEMOCRATS WHO ARE STANDING WITH YOU AND FIGHTING ON YOUR BEHALF?

OR DO YOU WANT TO STAND WITH REPUBLICANS WHO ONLY STAND WITH DONALD TRUMP?

>> Eric: IMMIGRATION ISSUES?

>> WELL, I'D LIKE TO JUST END ON THIS.

>> Eric: GO AHEAD.

>> THE LAST TIME I CHECKED DONALD TRUMP IS NOT ON THE BALLOT.

AND THE PEOPLE IN MINNESOTA WORRIED ABOUT MINNESOTA ISSUES.

DONALD TRUMP IS NOT THAT.

>> Eric: DO YOU EXPECT HIM TO BE INVITED TO MINNESOTA OR HAS THAT DECISION BEEN MADE YET?

>> IT'S NEVER EVEN TALKED ABOUT.

I CAN'T ANSWER THAT.

IF HE WANTS TO COME, HE CAN COME.

BUT WE'RE FOCUSED ON LOCAL RACES.

YOU KNOW, WHAT'S GOING ON HERE IN MINNESOTA.

>> I THINK THE CHALLENGE FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, AGAIN, IS THAT -- WELL, DONALD TRUMP IS NOT ON THE BALLOT, WHEN LISA DEMUTH WAS ASKED VERY CLEARLY, WHAT IS ONE THING YOU DISAGREE WITH DONALD ON TRUMP, SHE COULDN'T ANSWER.

[ AUDIO DIFFICULTY ] SHE WAS ASKED BY THREE DIFFERENT REPORTERS.

>> Cathy: WHY IS THAT SO CLOSE, ACCORDING TO POLLS?

>> WELL, I THINK EVERYBODY'S LOOKING AT THESE RACES.

I ASSUME THAT EVERY ONE OF THESE RACES IS GOING TO BE CLOSE, YOU KNOW.

IN MY POLITICAL BACKGROUND, WE'VE LWAYS SAID, RUN LIKE YOU'RE TEN POINTS DOWN, DON'T TAKE ANYTHING FOR GRANTED.

SO WE'RE GOING TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN.

I'VE SEEN NUMBERS THAT LOOK LIKE KEITH ELLISON'S GAINING GROUND AND HE'S GOING TO BE, I THINK, OUT OF THE MARGIN OF ERROR SOON IN TERMS OF THE POLLING THAT'S HAPPENING.

SO I FEEL GOOD ABOUT THE POSITION HE'S IN.

HE'S IN A BETTER POSITION THAN IN '26 THAN HE WAS IN '22.

I'LL SAY, OUR GROUND GAME IS UNBELIEVABLE.

THIS LAST WEEK WE CROSSED 1.2 MILLION DOORS KNOCKED IN MINNESOTA.

IN 2026 ALONE.

THAT'S 380,000 DOORS AHEAD OF WHERE WE WERE JUST WO YEARS AGO.

THAT KIND OF GROUND GAME IS GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT KEITH ELLISON'S, AMY KLOBUCHAR, PEGGY FLANAGAN, STEVE SIMON FILIPVICH GETS LECTED.

>> WE'VE GOT A HECK OF A GROUND GAME.

I'D LIKE TO GO BACK TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL RACE SPECIFICALLY.

RON CHUTES IS OUR CANDIDATE AND HE'S ONE OF THE BEST LAWYERS IN AMERICA.

SCHUTZ.

HE WAS A GENERAL PARTNER, MANAGING PRINCIPAL, ONE OF THE LARGEST LAW FIRMS IN MINNESOTA.

HE IS VERY VERY QUALIFIED TO BE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

WHERE KEITH ELLISON, ON THE OTHER HAND, GOING BACK TO FRAUD, HE WAS VERY AWARE OF WHAT WAS GOING ON, HE EVEN MET WITH SOME OF THESE PEOPLE, TOOK MONEY FROM SOME OF THESE PEOPLE.

HE WAS IN THE POSITION TO ACTUALLY EXECUTE THE FRAUD, TO COMBAT IT.

AND, INSTEAD... [ AUDIO DIFFICULTY ] THE FEDS HAD TO COME IN.

>> Cathy: SO YOUR GROUND GAME IS PRETTY GOOD.

GIVE US A SENSE OF WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE RIGHT NOW.

>> WE HAVE QUITE A FEW FIELD OFFICES MANNED RIGHT NOW, WE'RE SCALING IT UP, MONEY'S COMING IN.

WE'RE GOING TO DO A HECK OF A JOB ON DOOR KNOCKING, PHONE CALLING, A LOT OF PHONE BANKS.

SIMILAR NUMBERS TO WHAT THE CHIEF -- THE CHAIR HERE OF HE DFL IS SAYING.

WE HAVE A SIMILAR THING GOING ON IN OUR SIDE.

IT'S GOING TO BE A HORSE RACE, I THINK.

>> Eric: EARLIER PRIMARY, ANYBODY?

>> WE SHOULD TALK ABOUT IT.

>> SAY AGAIN.

>> Eric: WOULD YOU LIKE AN EARLIER PRIMARY.

>> I THINK WE SHOULD TALK ABOUT IT AGAIN, AS WELL.

>> Eric: AND THE FUTURE OF THE ENDORSEMENT SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE?

>> THAT'S A LEGISLATIVE MATTER.

AS A CHAIR OF A PARTY, WE HAVE TO DO WHAT THE LEGISLATURE TELLS S WE HAVE TO DO.

NOW WE WILL GO FULL FORCE.

IF THAT GETS CHANGED BY THE LEGISLATURE, THAT'S WHAT WE'LL DO.

>> 100% OF DFL-ENDORSED CANDIDATES WON ON PRIMARY ELECTION NIGHT IN MINNESOTA, FIRST TIME THAT'S EVER HAPPENED, AND WE HAVE 201 CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR THE LEGISLATURE.

THE REPUBLICANS FAILED TO RECRUIT IN 20 OF THOSE RACES.

>> Eric: OUT OF TIME.

GO THAT GO.

>> Cathy: GENTLEMEN, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> Eric: THANK YOU.

>> YOU COULD BE DOWN IN FLORIDA.

WHY ARE YOU STILL DOING THIS?

>> I LOVE MY JOB.

I ALWAYS TELL THIS STORY, WHEN I WAS IN THIRD GRADE, WE HAD A TEACHER NAMED Mrs.

NETTLETON, WE LIVED IN THE DEPRESSION AGE, I WAS WALKING TO THIS SCHOOL, JOHN OLSON, HE LOOKED ON THE GROUND, THERE WAS A BROKEN WATCH.

IT WAS TERRIBLE.

IT WAS NOTHIN'.

THE BAND WAS FINE.

AND HE USED TO E LOOKING AT THAT WATCH ALL THE TIME, GIVING THE TEACHER THE IMPRESSION THAT IT WAS TIME.

AND SHE SAID TO HIM, JOHNNY, I HOPE SOMEDAY YOU GET A JOB, YOU DON'T HAVE TO LOOK AT YOUR WATCH.

I GOT THAT JOB.

>> ERIC: SID HARTMAN, 20 YEARS AGO.

NOW ONTO OUR INDEX FILE QUESTION.

THE YEAR IS 1920 IN DAKOTA COUNTY.

A GROUP OF PEOPLE MAKE NATIONAL VOTING HISTORY.

AMONG THEM IS ONE PERSON WHO IS BELIEVED TO BE THE FIRST PERSON TO PERFORM THIS ACT.

OUR QUESTION FOR YOU IS SIMPLE.

WHO IS THIS MYSTERY MINNESOTAN AND WHAT GROUNDBREAKING ACTION DID THEY TAKE?

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU WHETHER YOU ARE CALLING FROM TRUMAN, LINCOLN, KENNEDY OR HARDING, MINNESOTA.

YOU CAN GIVE US A CALL AT 651-229-1430.

OR DROP US A NOTE.

THE ELECTRONIC INBOX IS ALMANAC@TPT.ORG.

BEFORE WE GO TONIGHT, WE WANT TO TAKE TIME TO HONOR A DEARLY BELOVED COLLEAGUE WHO DIED LAST WEEK AFTER A LONG BATTLE WITH CANCER.

>> CATHY: MIKE PHILLIPS, AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN AS MIKEY OR PHILLY, WORKED AS A VIDEOGRAPHER AT MINNESOTA PBS FOR MORE THAN FOUR DECADES.

HIS AWARD-WINNING WORK WAS PART OF MORE PRODUCTIONS THAN WE CAN COUNT, INCLUDING NEWTON'S APPLE, SCI GIRLS, DRAGONFLY TV, RELISH, AND, OF COURSE, "ALMANAC."

PHILLY ALWAYS WENT THE EXTRA MILE TO GET THE PERFECT SHOT.

WHETHER IS WAS STANDING ON TOP OF A VEHICLE OR RIDING A HORSE OR PUTTING ON SKATES.

>> ERIC: SPECIAL THANKS TO FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND COLLEAGUES FOR SHARING PHOTOS AND STORIES WITH US THIS WEEK OF MIKEY DOING HIS AMAZING WORK.

WE LEAVE YOU TONIGHT WITH JUST A SMALL SAMPLE OF MIKEY AT WORK.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

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FUNDING FOR "VOICES RISING TWIN CITIES" PBS STORIES FOR AMERICA'S 250TH REPORTING ON "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE, IN PART, BY MINNESOTA'S ARTS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE FUND.

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