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

>> ERIC: WE'VE GOT LOTS OF INTERESTING THINGS TO TELL YOU ABOUT ON TONIGHT'S SHOW.

WE'LL FIND OUT WHAT THE NEW PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA IS PLANNING, EPIDEMIOLOGIST MICHAEL OSTERHOLM WILL FILL US IN ON THE NEW COVID VACCINE, AND MARY LAHAMMER WILL TELL US ABOUT A HOTLY CONTESTED RACE FOR THE MINNESOTA HOUSE.

>> Mary: WE'LL TAKE YOU TO ANOTHER VERY COMPETITIVE SWING SEAT.

THIS TIME WE'RE IN THE NORTH METRO IN A DISTRICT THAT STRETCHES FROM NORTH OAK -- OAKS TO CENTERVILLE.

>> A BATTLE GROUND FOR SURE.

>> I WANT TO BRING OUR COMMUNITY TOGETHER.

>> 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 27 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

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

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

AND PAINTCARE: HELPING MINNESOTANS RECYCLE LEFTOVER PAINT.

MORE AT PAINTCARE.ORG.

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

>> ERIC: COMING UP OVER THE NEXT HOUR, HOW BLOCKING THE SALE OF U.S. STEEL TO A JAPANESE COMPANY COULD AFFECT THE IRON RANGE, HOW SOLAR PANELS AND CROPS CAN CO-EXIST IN THE SAME FIELD, AND PROJECT SUCCESS CELEBRATES 30 YEARS OF HELPING STUDENTS MEET THEIR GOALS.

>> CATHY: BUT FIRST, MINNESOTA GOVERNOR AND DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR VICE-PRESIDENT TIM WALZ CAMPAIGNED IN THE BATTLEGROUND STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA THIS WEEK.

IT'S THE FIRST TIME THAT HE'S BEEN ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL WITHOUT VICE-PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS SINCE SHE PICKED HIM AS HER RUNNING MATE.

MEANWHILE, HARRIS IS ALSO IN PENNSYLVANIA GETTING READY FOR A DEBATE WITH FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP ON TUESDAY.

JOINING US VIA ZOOM WITH HER THOUGHTS ON POLITICS FROM A NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE IS ANGELA GREILING KEANE.

SHE'S THE NEWS DIRECTOR AT BLOOMBERG GOVERNMENT, A FORMER WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT, AND A NATIVE OF THE GREAT STATE OF MINNESOTA.

IT'S BEEN A LONG WEEK HERE, ANGELA.

HOW ARE YA?

IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> IT'S BEEN A LONG SUMMER IN POLITICS.

>> Cathy: IT HAS BEEN.

TELL ME ABOUT THIS UPCOMING TRIP.

OBVIOUSLY GOVERNOR WALZ WAS IN PENNSYLVANIA IN THE INTRODUCTION THERE BUT HEARD IT'S GOING TO GO TO VEGAS, RENO AND TEXAS?

>> HE IS REALLY A KEY PART OF THE HARRIS-WALZ CAMPAIGN.

I WAS AT THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION TWO WEEKS AGO AND HE REALLY STOLE THE SHOW WITH HIS SPEECH, SO IT COMPLETELY MAKES SENSE THAT THEY ARE PUTTING GOVERNOR WALZ ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL IN KEY STATES THAT THEY WANT TO WIN.

TEXAS IS A LITTLE BIT SURPRISING, IT'S A STATE THAT DEMOCRATS ALWAYS SAY THAT THEY EXPECT TO TURN BLUE.

THEY HAVE SENATE RACE THERE THAT'S AT LEAST INTERESTING, IF NOT COMPETITIVE, BUT THE FACT THAT THEY ARE SENDING HIM TO SPEND TIME IN TEXAS SHOWS HAT DEMOCRATS MUST HAVE SOME NUMBERS THAT THEY THINK MAKE THEM OPTIMISTIC ABOUT MAKING INROADS IN THAT STATE.

>> Eric: I WANT TO ASK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE TUESDAY DEBATE AND I WONDER IF AS MUCH OF THE PREPARATION GOES TO CRAFTING NICE STATEMENTS, SHORT STATEMENTS AS SOUND BYTES TO BE PLAYED ON THE NEWS AFTER THE DEBATE IS OVER.

I WONDER IF YOU CAN TELL US WHAT KIND OF PREP IS GOING ON.

>> YEAH.

KAMALA HARRIS RIGHT NOW IS IN PITTSBURGH, SHE'S BEEN THERE ALL DAY BUT DIDN'T MAKE ANY PUBLIC APPEARANCES.

SHE APPARENTLY IS HOLED UP DOING DEBATE PREPMENT THIS DEBATE IS AMAZINGLY IMPORTANT.

WE ALL REMEMBER THAT THE FIRST PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE OF HAD THIS SEASON IS THE REASON SHE IS THE CANDIDATE AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET SO SHE NEEDS TO THINK ABOUT WHAT SHE SAYS.

SHE'LL BE EXPECTED TO GO INTO MORE DETAIL ON POLICY THAN SHE HAS SO FAR BUT HER DEMEANOR AND CERTAINLY THOSE ZINCKERS, STAYING CALM WHILE DONALD TRUMP MOST LIKELY WILL NOT BE CALM, THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO BE WATCHED CLOSELY AND CAN MAKE OR BREAK THE DEBATE FOR HER.

>> Cathy: SOMEBODY USED TO TELL ME THAT THE FIRST HALF HOUR OF A DEBATE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT, IS THAT RIGHT?

>> I THINK SO.

PEOPLE HAVE SHORT ATTENTION SPANS.

MORE OF THE POPULATION THAN ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE UNITED STATES IS ON THE EAST COAST SO THEY'RE MORE LIKELY TO TUNE IN EARLY.

PEOPLE ON THE WEST COAST MIGHT COME IN LATER BUT THE FIRST HALF HOUR IS WHAT WILL LEAVE THE IMPRESSION -- OF COURSE THE OTHER THING THAT CAN LEAVE AN IMPRESSION IS A GAFF.

IF ANYTHING GOES WRONG, IF THAT MOMENT SHOULD GO VIRAL, THAT WILL SURRENDER ANY GOOD FEELINGS FROM EARLY IN THE DEBATE.

>> Eric: WHAT ABOUT EARLY VOTING?

HOW IS THAT AFFECTING THINGS AND HAVE THE REPUBLICANS DECIDED THAT EARLY VOTING IS IN THEIR BEST INTEREST?

>> I THINK THE PARTY OPERATIVES HAVE CERTAINLY DECIDED THAT.

THEY KNOW HOW IT WORKS AND EVERY VOTE COUNTS IN STATES LIKE PENNSYLVANIA THAT WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT, BUT DONALD TRUMP HAS STILL BEEN ERRATIC ON WHAT HE SAID ABOUT EARLY VOTING THAT'S UNLIKELY TO CHANGE BUT I THINK THE PARTY VERALL UNDERSTANDS THAT IT NEEDS TO BE PART OF THEIR STRATEGY, PARTICULARLY IN THE STATES THAT ARE DOING TO BE CLOSE.

>> Cathy: SAY, LET ME ASK YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THIS U.S. HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBPOENAING -- ISSUING SUBPOENAS TO GOVERNOR WALZ AND THE MINNESOTA EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ABOUT THE FEEDING OUR FUTURE SCANDAL.

THIS IS OF COURSE A REPUBLICAN-LED COMMITTEE.

I PRESUME IF HE WASN'T ON THE TICKET, THEY WOULDN'T CARE ABOUT THIS?

WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THAT INVESTIGATION, DO YOU KNOW?

>> I THINK THAT'S FAIR TO ASSUME.

THE REPUBLICANS HAVE -- ANY OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE HAS SUBPOENA POWERS SO NOT JUST REPUBLICANS, THEY JUST HAPPEN TO BE IN CHARGE OF THE HOUSE RIGHT OW BUT WE SEE THESE SORT OF THINGS WHEN THEY WANT TO SHED LIGHT ON AN ISSUE.

OBVIOUSLY IT'S AN EFFECTIVE TACTIC, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IT SO IT'S WORKED FOR THEM.

AS ANOTHER EXAMPLE, FORMER NEW YORK GOVERNOR, ANDREW CUOMO IS TESTIFYING NEXT WEEK ALSO IN N OVERSIGHT HEARING ABOUT THE COVID DEATHS THAT OCCURRED IN NURSING HOMES IN NEW YORK BACK IN 2020, SO OVERSIGHT COMMITTEES HAVE WIDE RANGE TO LOOK AT WHAT THEY WANT AND OFTEN IT IS A WAY TO BRING SOMETHING THEY WANT INTO THE HEADLINES.

>> Eric: AS YOU TALK TO VOTE YEARS AND OPENTIVES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, ARE YOU GETTING THE IDEA THAT IT'S BASE ECONOMY A KIND FLIP RIGHT NOW OR WHAT WOULD YOU SAY THE STATE OF THE RACE IS?

>> THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE?

I THINK THE A TOSS-UP AT THIS POINT.

THERE'S TOO MANY VARIABLES TO KNOW F IT'S LEANING ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

POLLING FOR THE MOST PART IS FAVORING HARRIS BUT WE ALL KNOW THAT POLLING IN THE LAST SEVERAL LECTION CYCLES HAS BEEN UNRELIABLE.

REPUBLICANS ARE LESS LIKELY TO RESPOND TO POLLS THAN DEMOCRATS AND AS POLLING CHANGES, AS PEOPLE'S PHONE USE CHANGES, IT'S HARDER TO GET ACCURATE READS VIA POLLS SO I THINK THAT BOTH CAMPAIGNS THINK IT'S A TOSS-UP.

THEY ARE CERTAINLY -- NETS ONE OF THEM IS RUNNING THAT I CAN THEY ARE THE LEADER.

THEY'RE ACTING AS AN UNDERDOG WOULD, ATTACKING THE OTHER ONE, THAT'S WHAT YOU SEE FROM CANDIDATE WHO DO NOT THINK THEY HAVE IT LOCKED UP.

>> Cathy: ANGELA, ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.

>> GREAT O BE HERE.

>> Eric: THANKS.

♪♪♪ >> ERIC: A NEW SCHOOL YEAR IS UNDERWAY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA WHICH HAS A NEW PRESIDENT.

REBECCA CUNNINGHAM BECAME THE U'S 18TH PRESIDENT IN JULY.

SHE CAME TO MINNESOTA FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN WHERE SHE WAS A VICE PRESIDENT FOR RESEARCH AND INNOVATION AND AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN.

YOUR PREDECESSOR DID NOT HAVE A PARTICULARLY GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LEGISLATURE.

I ONDER IF YOU'VE HAIRED THAT AND ARE YOU DOING SOME REPAIR WORK?

OF COURSE THE STATE DOES PROVIDE PART OF YOUR FUNDING.

>> I'VE BEEN OVER TO MEET MANY FOLKS OVER AT THE LEGISLATURE OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS.

BEEN ALL OVER THE STATE REALLY LEADING WITH LISTENING AND MEETING WITH MINNESOTANS ALL OVER THE STATE FROM THE STATE FAIR TO FARM FEST.

OBVIOUSLY THE STATE PARTNERSHIP IS TREMENDOUSLY IMPORTANT.

WE'RE A BIG PARTNER OF THE STATE AND WE'RE PROVIDING WORKFORCE, EDUCATION, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SO OF COURSE I'M VERY I WANTED IN THE LEGISLATURE AND OUR PARTNERSHIP TOGETHER.

>> Cathy: THERE WAS, OF COURSE, IT'S BEEN KIND OF QUIET OVER THE PAST FEW MONTH OR SO BUT DURING SESSION, THERE WAS A LOT OF TALK ABOUT WHAT TO DO WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA HOSPITAL AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH FAIRVIEW.

AND IT'S BEEN KIND OF A MESS.

WHERE DOES IT STAND RIGHT NOW AND WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO?

>> SO I'M EALLY INTERESTED IN HOW WE THINK BIGGER ABOUT HEALTH FOR THE UNIVERSITY BROADLY, ABOUT HOW WE DELIVER A GREAT HEALTH FOR THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA NEEDS US TO DELIVER THAT AMAZING HEALTH CARE AND HEALTH WORKFORCE FOR THE STATE, AND WE STAND READY TO DO THAT.

WE PROVIDE AN MAZING WORKFORCE.

WE PROVIDE INNOVATION AND CURES.

WE PROVIDE A LOT OF THE TRAINED WORKFORCE ACROSS THE STATE, IF YOU WORK IN COMMUNITY, ANYWHERE YOU ARE ACROSS THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, YOU ARE LIKELY BEING TREATED BY A UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA TRAINED PHYSICIAN, NURSE, DENTIST, THAT ALL THROUGHOUT.

AND SO THIS WILL BE A BIG PART OF MY PRESIDENCY MOVING FORWARD AND WE'RE IN ONGOING NEGOTIATIONS ON THE BEST FUTURE PATH FOR US AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH OUR PARTNERS AT FAIRVIEW AS WE WORK ON HOW WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DELIVER TOP-NOTCH COMPARE FOR OUR PATIENTS.

>> Cathy: I KNOW THAT PROBABLY, HE WILL I'M BEATING YOUR LEGISLATIVE PREVENTION REQUEST MIGHT INCLUDE FOR THE "U" HOSPITALS.

THERE WAS AN EYE-POPPING REQUEST LAST SESSION THAT LAWMAKERS LOOKED AT AND SAID, WOW, THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY.

WHAT DUKE YOU MIGHT ASK FOR IN THIS UPCOMING SESSION?

>> IN THE REQUEST THAT WAS OUT IN THE DOCKET TODAY, YOU'LL SEE WE CERTAINLY ARE THINKING ABOUT HOW WE BUILD A BIT AND IMPROVE AND MAINTAIN THE HEALTH OF MINNESOTA ACROSS OUR HEALTH SCIENCES SCHOOLS BROADLY, FROM DELIVERING MORE TRAINED VETS TO DELIVERING BETTER RURAL HEALTH CARE, TO IMPROVING OUR NURSING WORKFORCE.

SO YOU'LL SEE HAT RIGHT NOW AND AS THE FALL UNFOLDS AND WE GET INTO WENT, YOU'LL PROBABLY SEE MORE ABOUT OUR FUTURE NEGOTIATIONS AND OUR THOUGHT FOR THE HOSPITAL.

>> Eric: THE END OF AFFIRMATIVE ACTION.

DOES THAT AFFECT THE "U" AT ALL?

>> SO, YOU KNOW, WE JUST HAD OUR BIGGEST CLASS ENTERING SINCE 1965, OVER 7300 STUDENTS, 1300 TRANSFER STUDENTS, THAT'S JUST IN THE TWIN CITIES HERE.

ACROSS GREATER MINNESOTA WE HAVE ENROLLMENT UP BROADLY.

WITH THAT WE HAVE OUR MOST DIVERSE CLASS.

ALMOST EVERY STATE REPRESENTED, COUNTRY AROUND THE GLOBE SO WE'RE DOING JUST WONDERFULLY IN DIVERSITY.

>> Cathy: I'M WONDERING, NEW SCHOOL YEAR MIGHT INCLUDE SOME PROTESTS, PERHAPS, ON CAMPUS.

SOME UNIVERSITIES SAY THEY'LL STOP PRONOUNCEMENTS ON BIG PUBLIC ISSUES AND I WAS JUST LISTENING TO NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO THIS MORNING, THEY WERE TALKING TO THE PARLIAMENT OF WESLEYAN AND HE SAYS, IN DOING SO, IN STOPPING PRONOUNCEMENTS ON ISSUES, HE THINKS THAT LEADERS ARE ABDICATING RESPONSIBILITY TO LEAD IN THE DISCUSSION.

WILL WE SEE YOU OUT FRONT IN POLICY DISCUSSIONS OR IS THAT TOO FAR AFIELD?

>> I PUT OUT A STATEMENT YESTERDAY ON WHAT THE COMMUNITY CAN EXPECT TO ME ON STATEMENTS TO THE COMMUNITY SO THE UNIVERSITY SHOULD BE AN ARENA AND WHEN I FEEL THAT WHEN A UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT TAKES A FIRM STANCE ON AN ISSUE, WE SHUT DOWN THAT DEBATE IN THAT ARENA.

THERE ARE SOME FOLKS ON CAMPUS THAT WILL FEEL THEY PERHAPS CAN'T HAVE THEIR VOICE HEARD.

THE COMMUNITY WILL HEAR FROM ME ABOUT ISSUES THAT IMPACT THE UNIVERSITY'S OPERATIONS, RESEARCH, TEACHING, EDUCATIONAL MISSION, CERTAINLY THE SAFETY AND WELLNESS OF THE CAMPUS AND THE UNIVERSITY WILL HEAR FROM ME FOR THINGS THAT WE NEED TO BE CELEBRATING TOGETHER.

THE UNIVERSITY -- THE COMMUNITY LARGELY WILL NOT BE HEARING FROM ME ON THE MAJORITY OF GLOBAL AND POLITICAL EVENTS AND THAT WAS MY STATEMENT YESTERDAY.

>> Eric: DISINVESTMENT FROM ISRAEL?

>> UH-HUH.

>> Eric: ARE THE REGENT TAKING A LOOK AT THAT?

I KNOW THERE'S NOT AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY INVOLVED BUT -- >> LAST WEEK, THE BOARD DECLINED THE REQUEST FOR DIVESTMENT FROM ISRAEL AND PUT FORWARD -- >> Eric: ARE YOU ON BOARD WITH THAT?

>> SO THE REGENTS BEGAN THIS POLICY AND LOOKING AND TALKING TO THE COMMUNITY LAST MAY BEFORE I STARTED, HAD ONGOING CONVERSATIONS THROUGH JUNE, TOOK A LOOK AT IT AGAIN IN JULY AND THEN BROUGHT -- THEY BROUGHT THAT FORWARD IN AUGUST FOR A VOTE.

THEY'VE ASKED MY ROLE IN THIS, THEY CAN ENVISION A TIME, THERE MAY BE SOMETHING IN THE FUTURE BY WHICH TO DIVEST FROM AND THEY'VE ASKED MY ADMINISTRATION TO PUT TOGETHER A PROCESS FOR WHICH THAT COULD HAPPEN IN FUTURE YEARS.

>> Eric: JUST A MINUTE LEFT.

HOW DO YOU ENVISION HIGHER EDUCATION IN GENERAL CHANGING BETWEEN NOW AND, SAY, 2034?

SEEMS LIKE IT'S AN INSTITUTION RIPE FOR CHANGE ACROSS THE BOARD.

>> I MEAN, IT'S RIPE FOR CHANGE IN MANY WAYS ALTHOUGH FUNDAMENTALLY WE'RE COMMITTED, CERTAINLY, ACROSS THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, TO FREEDOM INSTANTLY A RESIDENTIAL EXPERIENCE, WITH BRINGING THE INNOVATIONS THAT WE LEARNED FROM COVID AND ONLINE LEARNING WHERE APPROPRIATE.

THE ROLES WERE CERTAINLY CHANGED SOME WITH A.I.

AND THOSE WILL BE CHANGES WE ADOPT IN THE SAME WAY, TOOLS THAT WE ADOPTED THE CALL LATER.

THE WORKFORCE NEEDS WILL CHANGE AND THE UNIVERSITY WILL CHANGE ALONG WITH THEM.

>> Eric: WE APPRECIATE YOU COMING OVER AND WE HOPE YOU'LL BE A FREQUENT VISITOR.

>> I WOULD LOVE THAT.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR COMING.

THANKS.

>> Cathy: THANKS THANKS.

♪♪♪ >> POP QUIZ: HOW MANY SCHOOLS ARE REPRESENTED IN THE BIG TEN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE?

IF YOU ANSWERED 10, YOU REALLY HAVE NOT BEEN PAYING ATTENTION.

THE CONFERENCE HASN’T BEEN TRUE TO ITS NAME SINCE PENN STATE JOINED IN 1990.

TODAY, THE ONCE MIDWEST-CENTRIC BIG 10 HAS OFFICIALLY BECOME A COAST-TO-COAST CONFERENCE, ADDING OREGON, WASHINGTON, USC AND UCLA FOR A TOTAL OF 18 TEAMS.

AND OF THOSE 18 SCHOOLS, HOW MANY OF THEIR FOOTBALL TEAMS LOST IN THE FIRST WEEK OF THE SEASON?

IT IS TO WEEP.

BACK IN THE GLORY DAYS, BY WHICH I MEAN LAST YEAR, THE CONFERENCE WAS DIVIDED INTO THE POWERHOUSE EAST DIVISION AND THE LAME-O WEST DIVISION.

BACK THEN, A GOPHER FOOTBALL DIEHARD COULD AT LEAST DREAM OF A SCENARIO IN WHICH A WEAK SCHEDULE AND AN ANY-GIVEN-SATURDAY WIN IN THE CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP COULD CONSPIRE TO GIVE GOLDY THE BIG 10 TITLE.

THIS WOULD, IN TURN, EARN A TRIP TO THE PROMISED LAND OF PASADENA TO PLAY IN THE GRANDDADDY OF ALL BOWL GAMES.

THIS, FOR THE RECORD, IS A TRIP THAT TEAM GOLDY HAS NOT TAKEN AS LONG AS I’VE BEEN ALIVE.

I CONFESS THAT I POSSESS THE INDOMITABLE, DARE I SAY RECKLESS, HOPE OF THE MINNESOTA SPORTS FAN.

AND I AM COGNIZANT OF THE OLD JOKE ABOUT THE WIZENED, LONG-SUFFERING GOPHER SEASON TICKET HOLDER WHOSE LAST REQUEST WAS TO HAVE SIX LINEMEN SERVE AS HIS PALLBEARERS, HE WANTED TO GIVE THE TEAM A CHANCE TO LET HIM DOWN ONE LAST TIME.

AND SO, I AM TAKING MATTERS INTO MY OWN HANDS.

NEXT MONTH, SOME FRIENDS AND I ARE HOPPING ON A PLANE TO LOS ANGELES FOR AN AWAY GAME AGAINST UCLA.

CHANCES ARE, THAT’S THE CLOSEST THE GOPHERS WILL GET TO THE ROSE BOWL IN MY LIFETIME.

CLEAR CLEAR ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ >> CATHY: A NEW VACCINE IS NOW AVAILABLE WHICH IS DESIGNED TO PROTECT PEOPLE FROM GETTING REALLY SICK IF THEY ARE INFECTED WITH COVID-19.

JOINING US NOW TO TALK ABOUT THE NEW VACCINE AND WHO SHOULD GET IT IS EPIDEMIOLOGIST MICHAEL OSTERHOLM.

HE'S THE DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASE RESEARCH AND POLICY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

WE GET TO COVID -- GREAT TO SEE YOU IN THE STUDIO.

I'M GOING TO GET TO COVID HERE IN A MINUTE BUT I WAS JUST IN THE DRESSING ROOM AND THE ASSOCIATED PRESS SAID THERE WAS A PATIENT IN MISSOURI WHO TESTED POSITIVE WITH BIRD FLU WITH NO KNOWN CONTACT.

IS THIS AN ANOMALY OR LIKE THE CANARY IN THE COAL MINE?

>> IT'S QUOTED IN THE PAPER AS SAYING IT'S NO BIG DEAL.

WHEN WE DO ROUTINE FLU INVESTIGATION, WE GET THE ISOLATE.

WE WOULD EXPECT, FOR EXAMPLE, WITH NIAGARA TOWER BIRDS, IF YOU'RE OUT WORKING IN YOUR YARD AND BY A BIRD FEEDER, YOU MIGHT HAVE AN ACTION FROM THE BIRDS THAT WERE THERE AND FLEW ON.

WE HAVE NO IDEA WHETHER THERE WERE ODDS CASES, HE DID NOT TRANSMIT TO OTHERS WHEN HE WAS AFFECTED AND IS DOING WELL.

HE'S RECOVERING.

>> I'VE READ SEVERAL ARTICLES THIS WEEK SAYING THAT THE INCREASED SPREAD OF COVID DURING THE SUMMER IS UNUSUAL BECAUSE IT'S A SUMMER BUT I'VE TOLD US TIME AND TIME AGAIN IT'S NOT SEASONAL.

>> IT'S NOT.

>> Eric: I'M CONFUSED.

>> UNFORTUNATELY THEY'RE TRYING TO CONFUSE YOU BUT I'LL HAPPY YOU, OKAY?

AGAIN, WE'VE HAD TEN PEAKS OF CASES SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC AND IF YOU LOOK, THEY'RE EVENLY DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT THE SEASONS.

SO THE ONLY THINGS THAT MAKE COVID SEASONAL IS IT OCCURS IN ALL SEASONS.

YOU CAN TAKE THAT.

THE SECOND PART IS, I'LL KIND OF A COMBINATION OF EVENT AS WE'VE TALKED ABOUT BEFORE.

IT'S WHEN YOU HAVE WANING IMMUNITY, MEEK AT 4 TO SIX MONTH AFTER YOU WERE PREVIOUSLY VACCINATED OR INFECTED, YOUR IMMUNITY STARTS TO ANE, JUST LIKE WE SEE WITH FLU VACCINES.

THE OTHER THING THAT'S REALLY DRIVING THIS IS WHAT WE CALL VARIANTS.

WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THESE NEW VARIANTS AND EACH TIME THEY SHOW UP AND THEY FIND A NEW WAY TO ESCAPE SOME OF THE IMMUNITY THAT WE HAVE.

SO WHEN YOU GET A COMBINATION OF A NEW VARIANT AS WELL AS WANING IMMUNITY, THAT'S WHEN YOU SEE THE SURGES.

I CAN SURELY THINK BASED ON WHAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW, WHICH WE'RE HAVING LOT OF ACTIVITY, MARCH, APRIL, WE COULD PROBABLY SEE ANOTHER PEAK AGAIN.

IT'S JUST THAT'S THE WAY WE GOT TO COME O EXPECT THIS.

>> Cathy: BY THE WAY, IS ANYONE TESTING ANYMORE?

I MEAN, I ASK ABOUT THE HOME TESTS.

DO THEY STILL WORK?

WE KNOW THEY'RE NOT AS ACCURATE AS THE PCR TESTS IN THE LAB, RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

>> Cathy: BUT AS THE VIRUS IS MUTATING, ANY CONCERN ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE?

>> THE KIND OF TESTS YOU HAVE AT HOME ARE NOT SUSCEPTIBLE TO CHANGING WITH THE VARIANTS SO YOU CAN STILL PICK IT UP AND WE'RE SEEING LOT OF INFECTIONS RIGHT NOW.

THIS MAY BE ONE OF THE MOST BIGGEST TITLE IN THE POST-PANDEMIC THAT I'VE SEEN, I CAN TELL YOU HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE RIGHT NOW THAT ARE TESTING POSITIVE.

WE HAVE NOW A NUMBER OF PEOPLE REPORTING HAVING BEEN AT THE FAIR ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY WHO ARE NOW CASES ON TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY.

SO THE GOOD NEWS IS IT'S A MUCH MILDER ILLNESS, YOU KNOW, WE'RE STILL SEEING ABOUT 1200 DEATHS A WEEK IN THIS COUNTRY SO IT'S STILL A REAL ISSUE BUT IT'S MORE OF A MILDER FLU-LIKE ILLNESS AS OPPOSED TO WHAT WE WERE SEEING BEFORE.

>> Cathy: DO YOU RECOMMEND PEOPLE TEST OR JUST -- >> I DO ONLY BECAUSE, AGAIN, THESE 1200 DEATHS WE JUST TALKED ABOUT WE'RE HAVING EVERY WEEK, THEY'RE MAINLY IN PEOPLE WHO ARE 65 OR OLDER OR PEOPLE WITH UNDERLYING IMMUNE CONDITIONS.

I DON'T WANT TO GO SOMEWHERE IF I HAVE COVID AND I MAY BE EXPOSING SOMEBODY WHO IF THEY GOT IT COULD BE A SERIOUS ILLNESS AND THEY COULD DIE.

SO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO TEST FOR THAT REASON JUST SO I KNOW HOW TO LIMIT MYSELF SO I DON'T AFFECT OTHERS.

>> Eric: TELL US ABOUT THE NEW VAC KEEN AND WHEN WE SHOULD GET IT?

>> THEY'RE DEER ADVICES ON AN OLDER ONE WHICH ALL THEY DID WAS UPDATE THE VIRUS PIECE.

THERE'S ONE FROM PFIZER AND NE CALLED NOVAFAX, IT HAS KIND OF A KICK A- >> Eric: WHAT DO YOU LIKE?

>> I LIKE THE NOVA VAX MYSELF.

I'M GOING TO GET I WANT WHEN THE TIME IS UP.

YOU CAN GET IT TWO MONTHS AFTER THE PREVIOUS DOSE OF THE VACCINE, IT WAS FOUR, OR YOUR PREVIOUS ILLNESS, THREE MONTHS AND I SAY PARTICULARLY IN THOSE HIGH-RISK GROUPS FOR SERIOUS ILLNESS, I WOULD KEEP GETTING AS MANY VACS NECKACHES AS YOU CAN BECAUSE WE'VE CLEARLY SHOWN IT DOES REDUCE SERIOUS HOGS O.HOSPITALIZATION DEATHS TO BE VACCINATED.

>> Eric: THE ANTI-VACS CROWD IS PRETTY VOCAL ABOUT IT.

I THINK 14% PEOPLE IN MINNESOTA ARE UP TO DEALT.

HOW DO YOU FIGHT ALL THAT?

>> WELL, AGAIN, IF I HAD TO CONTINUE TO PRIORITIZE, I WOULD SAY THE HIGH-RISK PEOPLE BUT LET ME GIVE YOU A VERY SOBERING FACT.

WE HAD A BIG EVENT THIS PAST WEEK.

IF YOU FOLLOW WHAT'S HAPPENING IN EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS, THE AGE GROUP THAT IS ALWAYS HAD A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF POSITIVE COVID PEOPLE HAVE BEEN IN THE 65 AND OLDER AGE GROUP, 4.8% OF THE PEOPLE THERE.

LAST TWO WEEKS AGO, KILLED 11 AND YOUNGER HAD THE SAME LEVEL AS DID THE OLDER.

THIS WEEK, KIDS HAD ABOUT 5.8% ARE POSITIVE, ONLY 3.7% OVER.

SO WE'RE SEEING A REAL TAKE ON KIDS, THEY'RE KIDS IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM FOR A REASON AND IT'S COVID.

SO, AGAIN, IF YOU CAN DO IT, I WOULD GET MY OWN CHILDREN VACCINATED.

>> Cathy: SAY, WHAT ABOUT THE FLU SEASON THIS SEASON?

>> STILL QUIET.

YOU KNOW, I TELL PEOPLE HOLD ON TO THE FLU SHOT.

I KNOW I MAY NOT BE POPULAR ONLY BECAUSE I WANT TO GET IT AS CLOSE AS I CAN TO WHEN FLU ACTIVITY PICKS UP.

WE TALKED ABOUT THIS, THE FLU VACCINE LOSES ABOUT 2 TO 12% OF ITS EFFECTIVENESS EVERY MONTH AFTER YOU GET VACCINATED.

SO IF I GET VACCINATED IN AUGUST AND DON'T SEE FLU UNTIL DECEMBER, I'VE LOST UP TO 40% OF THE PROTECTION OF THAT VACCINE.

SO WE TRY TO GET THAT AS CLOSE TO THE FLU SEASON, THAT'S COMING, AND I WILL GET MY FLU SHOT WINS WE START TO SEE THE PICKISM IN CASES AND I'LL COME AND TELL YOU WHAT THAT IS.

>> Eric: ALWAYS GOOD INFORMATION, DOCTOR.

THANKS FOR COMING.

>> Cathy: THANKS FOR COMING OVER.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> CATHY: MINNESOTA HAS LOST NEARLY 600,000 ACRES OF FARMLAND OVER THE LAST DECADE.

MOST OF THAT IS DUE TO URBAN SPRAWL.

BUT AS MORE RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS LIKE WIND AND SOLAR GET APPROVED IN RURAL AREAS, SOME COMMUNITIES WORRY ABOUT THE IMPACTS.

REPORTER KAOMI LEE WENT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT AGRIVOLTAICS, WHERE AGRICULTURE AND SOLAR CO-EXIST ON THE SAME LAND.

>> Reporter: IN A QUITE PASTURE IN MINNESOTA, SOME CUT CRINGE EDGE RESEARCH IS BEING WATCHED AROUND THE WORLD.

>> IT'S PROBABLY WOULD BE OF THE HOT TOPICS IN THE LYFT WORLD RIGHT NOW IS ACTUALLY CAN YOU PUT COWS UNDERNEATH SOLAR PANELS?

>> Reporter: IT'S CALLED AGRIVOLTAIC, MIXING AGRICULTURE WITH SO ALREADY ENERGY.

HINES HAS BEEN STUDYING THIS FOR THE PAST SEVEN YEARS.

>> SOME PEOPLE WERE GRAZING SHEEP UNDER THOSE PANELS AND WE'RE GRAZING DAIRY HERE.

WE DO NOT HAVE SHEEP ON SITE SO IT WAS, LIKE, WELL, WHY CAN'T WE PUT COWS UNDERNEATH THOSE PAGES INSTEAD OF SHEEP.

>> Reporter: THE SILVER PROGRAMS ARE SIX TO EIGHT FEET OFF THE GROUND.

HERE 100 DAIRY COWS GRAZE AROUND THE TWO PANELS, SPACED 20 FEET APART.

THIS MALL ARRAY GENERATES 30 KILOWATTS OF ELECTRICITY.

THAT'S ENOUGH TO POWER A SMALL TO MEDIUM-SIZED FARM AND THIS E.V.

CHARGER.

BUT WHAT'S IN IT FOR THE COWS?

>> SHADE.

THAT'S THE BIG REASON.

THE COWS CAN BE UNDER IT DURING THE HOT PART OF THE DAY AND UTILIZE IT AS A SHADE STRUCTURE TO HELP REDUCE HEAT STRESS.

>> Reporter: AND HE SAYS LOWERING A COW'S BODY TEMPERATURE CAN HELP WITH FERTILITY AND MILK PRODUCTION.

>> A GRADUATE STUDENT KIRSTEN SHARP, THIS WAS HER MASTER'S RESEARCH AND SHE ACTUALLY FOUND THAT YOU CAN REDUCE THE BODY TEMPERATURE OF A COW BY ONE DEGREE FAHRENHEIT BY HAVING THEM UNDERNEATH THE SOLAR PANELS.

>> Reporter: BESIDES SHADE, THE PANELS CREATE THEIR OWN MICRO CLIMATE AND TRAP IN MOISTURE, ANOTHER SITE IS BEING BUILT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA-MORRIS.

SO FAR, HINES SAYS THE COWS AND THE SALT ALREADY PANELS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CO-EXIST.

>> ACTUALLY A LOT OF FARMERS ARE EXCITED BY IT BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT OF OH HE-LIKE SOLAR INSTALLATIONS GOING UP AND FARMERS ARE INTERESTED IN SOLAR.

THEY JUST DON'T WANT TO SEE VALUABLE FARMLAND BEING TAKEN AWAY.

>> Reporter: SOME COMMUNITIES HAVE BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT LARGE-SCALE CONVERSION OF PASTORAL AGRICULTURAL LAND LIKE THE ONE BEHIND ME.

THAT'S WHY PROPONENTS OF AGRIVOLTAICS WANT TO PROVE THAT DUAL USE CAN WORK ON CONVENTIONAL CROPS.

IN OLIVIA, BROTHER LARRY AND RALEIGH ROUNDHORSE TOOK THE CHALLENGE.

WITH ENGINEERING BACKGROUNDS -- >> WE'VE DONE LOTS OF CRAZY INSIDE OVER THE YEARS, FROM BUILDING OUR OWN TRACTOR BACK IN THE '70s.

>> Reporter: ABOUT $75,000 OF THEIR OWN MONEY AND LOTS OF SWEAT QUILT.

>> I THINK I HAVE 23 ITERATIONS OF THIS.

>> Reporter: THEY DESIGNED AND BUILT THEIR OWN SOLAR ARRAY, RIGHT IN ONE OF ARRY'S CORNFIELDS.

>> YOU LOOK AROUND THE COUNTRY, THERE IS A A LOT OF AGRI VOLTAIC PROJECTS, TYPICALLY GEARED FOR VEGETAL CROPS OR GRAZING ANIMALS UNDERNEATH THEM, THAT SORT OF THING.

REALLY.

SEEN ANYBODY ATTEMPTING TO DO THIS.

>> Reporter: THEY HAD TO START THEIR OWN ELECTRICAL SERVICE.

THEY SOURCED ALL OIL PIPES AND SET SOLAR PANELS UP 14-FEET HIGH.

THE PANELS AUTOMATICALLY TRACK AND MOVE WITH THE SUNLIGHT.

A METER CHECKS THE WIND SPELLED.

IT TELLS THE PANELS WHAT TO DO.

>> THE ANOMETER SPINS IN THE WIND AND THE FASTER IT PINS, THE HIGHER THE WIND IS AND IT STOPS TILTING.

IT'S TOLTSLY LAT.

>> Reporter: THEY SAY IT SHADES ONLY 7.5% -- 7.5% OF THE GROUND.

>> IT'S SPREAD OUT OVER THE DAY.

ANY GIVEN DAY, YOU HAVE CLOUDS THAT GO OVER, TOO, SO IT'S KIND OF ALMOST THE SAME THING.

>> Reporter: IT WILL GENERATE 36 KILO WATTS OF POWER.

THEY CAN SELL WHAT THEY DON'T USE BACK TO THE GRID.

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA RESEARCHERS WILL MONITOR SOIL AND CLIMATE CONDITIONS, AND HOW WELL THE CORN AND SOYBEANS DO.

>> HAVING A SYSTEM WHERE YOU CAN BOTH GET ELECTRICITY AND STILL GROW YOUR CROP IS A MUCH BETTER USE OF CROP LAND AND A MUCH EASIER SELL TO FARMERS.

>> Reporter: THE FULL FIRST YEAR OF DATA WILL BE VAILABLE NEXT FALL.

THEY HELPED SET UP THE PROJECT AND WORKED WITH THE LOCAL CO-OP.

HE ESTIMATES THE BROTHERS WILL SEE A RETURN ON INVESTMENT IN LESS THAN 5 YEARS >> >> I WILL THIS WILL REALLY BE AN EYE-OPENER TO PROVE TO THE SMALL CO-OP, THAT THIS DOESN'T HURT THEIR BOTTOM LINE, MIGHT EVEN HELP IT.

♪ >> MEDIA REPORTS THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN IS EXPECTED TOLL OPPOSE THE SALE OF THE U.S. STEEL PLANT TO JAPAN.

IF THAT HAPPENS, IT COULD HAVE A BIG IMPACT ON MINNESOTA'S IRON RANGE.

U.S. STEEL EMPLOYS HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE AT ITS TACONITE MINES IN KIWI WATSON.

WITH US NOW IS JERRY BURNS.

WHAT'S AT STAKE FOR THE IRON RANGE IN THIS BATTLE OF WHO'S GOING TO OWN U.S. STEEL?

>> FIRST OFF, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

WHAT'S AT STAKE IS, YOU KNOW, AS U.S. STEEL CEO DAVID BIRD ALLUDED TO YESTERDAY, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THEY CAN SORT TURNING DOWN BLAST FURNACES IF THEY DON'T GET THIS DEAL THROUGH AND YOU LOOK AT KEEWATIN AND MINTAC ON THE RANGE AND THEY PRODUCE 16 MILLION TONS OF IRON ORE PELLETS A YEAR THAT FEED BLAST FURNACES.

KEETAC IS SOMEWHAT SHIELDED BY THAT BECAUSE THEY HAVE PELLETS THAT ARE ACTUALLY AT THE CENTER OF WHAT NIPON STEEL WOULD WANT TO PURCHASE.

BUT WITH THE -- WITH THE IRON ORE THAT FEEDS THE BLAST FURNACES, THERE'S CERTAINLY A PALLET THAT AS THE FURNACES SHUT DOWN, WE COULD SEE SOME DECREASED PRODUCTION OUT OF THESE MINES, POSSIBLE IDLES.

>> Eric: AND JOB LOSS?

>> POTENTIALLY, YES.

>> Cathy: SAY, JERRY, I'M WONDERING, IS THIS LIKE A BUSINESS DECISION CAUGHT BETWEEN A POLITICAL DECISION, RIGHT?

I MEAN, THERE SEEMS LIKE YOU HAVE THE BUSINESS PART OF IT AND THEN THE POLITICS.

>> YEAH, I MEAN, IT'S HARD TO TELL WHAT -- WHAT U.S. STEEL IS TRYING TO GET AT WITH WHAT CEO BIRD SAID YESTERDAY BECAUSE, CERTAINLY, THE POLITICS ARE DRIVING THE -- EVERYONE NOT BACKING THIS NIPON DEAL AND THERE'S NATIONAL SECURITY IMPLICATIONS WITH IT, CERTAINLY, BUT IF THIS WAS NOT AN ELECTION YEAR, I THINK WE WOULD BE HAVING A MUCH DIFFERENT DISCUSSION ON THIS DEAL.

THE BUSINESS SIDE OF IT, IT'S HARD TO TELL WHAT THEY -- WHAT U.S. STEEL REALLY WANTS TO DO WITH WHAT THEY SAID YESTERDAY.

>> Eric: CLEVELAND CLIFFS IS STANDING BY READY TO SWOOP IN, I GUESS, HUH?

THAT'S ANOTHER -- >> WELL, ALWAYS READY.

>> Eric: WHAT'S THEIR ROLE IN THIS, IF ANY?

>> WE DON'T KNOW YET BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, IF THIS GETS BLOCKED BY THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AND THIS DEAL FALLS THROUGH, IT DOESN'T GUARANTEE CLEVELAND GETS ANYTHING.

THEY WOULD STILL HAVE TO GO THROUGH A SALE PROCESS, STILL HAVE TO BE ACCEPTED.

THE UNITED STEELWORKERS HAVE SAID THE PEOPLE THAT I TALKED TO THAT NIPON, THEY DON'T WANT TO GO BACK TO AN INDEPENDENT U.S. STEEL, THEY WANT CLIFFS BUT ULTIMATELY THAT REALLY DOESN'T GUARANTEE CLIFFS ANYTHING SO THEY'RE SITTING IN THE WAIT BUT THEY'RE KIND OF LIKE THE REST OF US, THEY HAVE TO LET THIS PLAY UT.

>> Cathy: SAY, WHAT DO HE UNION FOLKS THINK BILL CLIFFS VERSUS NIPON?

>> AS THEY LIKE TO SAY, WE'VE BEEN MINING FOR 130 YEARS AND THEY COULD PROBABLY ADD ON TO THAT THAT FOR 130 YEARS THEY'VE BEEN FIGHTING WITH U.S. STEEL OR OTHER COMPANIES AND THAT'S REALLY KENNELED TO U.S. STEEL WHERE IT'S BEEN THIS CONTENTIOUS RELATIONSHIP, WHETHER IT BE HOW U.S. STEEL SHIFTED MONEY FROM MONN VALLEY IN PITTSBURGH TO PURCHASE BIG RIVER STEEL AND THE ELECTRIC ARC FURNACES THERE, AND IT'S BEEN INTERESTING BECAUSE CLIFFS HAS REALLY GENERATED A GREAT RELATIONSHIP WITH THE UNION.

LORENZO GONZALEZ, THEIR CEO, HAS DONE A LOT OF ON-THE-GROUND WORK, BEING HERE ON THE RANGE AND WORKING WITH THE UNION AND WHEN THE CONTRACT ARE UP TO SET THE STANDARD FOR THE OTHERS.

SO THEY'RE READY TO BACK CLIFFS.

BEYOND THAT, WE'RE NOT SURE.

>> Eric: GIVE US YOUR WEBSITE SO PEOPLE CAN GET INVOLVED IN LEARNING ABOUT THIS AND OTHER IRON RANGE ISSUES.

WHAT'S THE WEBSITE?

>> YEAH, SO IT'S IRONRANGE TODAY .COM ND WE'VE ON Facebook, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, ALL THAT.

>> Cathy: ALL RIGHT.

>> Eric: GOOD LUCK WITH THE ENTERPRISE.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

>> Cathy: THANKS, JERRY.

>> Eric: THANK YOU.

♪♪♪ >> CATHY: FOR THE PAST 30 YEARS, THE MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN PARTNERING WITH THE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION CALLED PROJECT SUCCESS TO PROVIDE INSTRUCTION AND EXPERIENCES THAT COMPLEMENT THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM.

PROJECT SUCCESS HAS RECENTLY EXPANDED ITS PROGRAMMING INTO THE MANKATO SCHOOL DISTRICT.

JOINING US NOW TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PROJECT SUCCESS IS THE FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ADRIENNE DIERCKS.

ALSO WITH US IS VERNON ROWE, THE PRINCIPAL AT NORTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL IN MINNEAPOLIS WHICH UTILIZES PROJECT SUCCESS PROGRAMMING.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU BOTH WITH US.

THANK OU SO MUCH FOR SPENDING FROM YOUR FRIDAY WITH US.

>> HAPPY TO BE HERE.

>> Cathy: ADRIENNE, I'VE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROGRAM BUT THAT'S OKAY BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO SCHOOL US NOW.

WHAT NEED DOES YOUR GROUP PROVIDE?

WHAT NEED IS YOUR GROUP FILLING AT THIS POINT?

>> WE ALWAYS SAY WE WORK TO CONNECT STUDENTS TO THEIR PURPOSE AND I'LL SAY THAT A LITTLE HISTORY, WE'RE 30 YEARS OLD AND WAY BACK THEN, AMONG MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS GRAD, CLASS OF '84, AND THAT'S NOT UNNY, VERN.

>> Cathy: OKAY, I'M WITH YA ON THIS ONE.

[Laughter] IT'S ALL RIGHT.

>> AND BACK THEN, WHEN MYSELF AND OTHERS, WE CREATED PROJECT SUCCESS, IT WAS TO ANSWER THE QUESTION, WHAT IF YOUNG PEOPLE STARTING AT 11 COULD EXPLORE AND DISCOVER NOT ONCE BUT OVER SEVEN YEARS WHO AM I, WHAT'S OUT THERE IN THE WORLD AND WHAT DO I WANT TO DO IN THAT WORLD.

SO WE PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES OF EXCELLENCE.

WE NEVER TELL A STUDENT ANYTHING WHAT TO DO OR WHAT THEY SHOULD DO OR WHAT THEY NEED.

WE PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES, WORKSHOPS, EXPERIENCES, OF EXCELLENCE OR ALL STUDENTS SO THEY GET TO EXPLORE THOSE THINGS.

>> Eric: WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME OF THE PROJECTS THAT HAVE BEEN MOST SUCCESSFUL FOR YOUR STUDENTS?

>> SO, I WOULD SIT BACK AND I WOULD AVE TO SAY I'VE BEEN A PART OF PROJECT SUCCESS EVEN AS A TEACHER AND AS AN ADMINISTRATOR NOW.

AND OVER THAT TIMEFRAME, PROJECT SUCCESS -- I'M FROM CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ORIGINALLY, SO -- AND DURING THAT TIMEFRAME, I'VE NEVER EVER BEEN TO A PLAY PERFORMANCE.

BEING FROM CHICAGO -- >> Eric: A STAGE PLAY.

>> A STAGE PLAY, NEVER SAW ONE OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

I WAS A TEACHER AT NY MIDDLE SCHOOL AT THE TIME AND PROJECT SUCCESS WAS A PART OF, YOU KNOW, THE PROGRAM, THERE WAS A PARTNERSHIP WITH MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THEY HAPPENED TO BE ONE OF THE PARTNERS AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL AND I SAW MY FIRST PERFORMANCE.

WHAT WAS THE NAME OF THAT FIRST PERFORMANCE?

[Overlapping Conversation].

>> NORSE FUNK.

>> OKAY.

I WAS MESS RISED BY IT, NEVER BEEN TO ANYTHING LIKE THAT BEFORE.

>> Cathy: YOUR KIDS MUST BE THE SAME WAY, RIGHT?

>> I'M A MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL FOR, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE I PROBABLY GOT STUCK THERE A LITTLE BIT.

[Overlapping Conversation].

>> Cathy: DOING THE LORD'S WORK.

>> YEAH, THANK YOU.

WHAT I'VE ACTUALLY SEEN IS THAT KIDS GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO FINALLY EXAMINE GENIUS AND THE KIDS PUT ON PERFORMANCES.

SO I'M GOING TO INVITE YOU GUYS TO ACTUALLY SEE A PERFORMANCE BECAUSE WE USUALLY HAVE ONE IN MARCH, AT NORTHEAST MIDDLE SCHOOL AND THE KIDS DO THE PERFORMING, HEY DO THE MUSICAL AND THEY GET TO CHOOSE THE MUSICAL AND PROJECT SUCCESS HAS PUT THAT ON SO NOT ONLY DO THE KIDS GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THINGS, THEY ALSO BECOME A PART OF THOSE TYPE OF THINGS AND WE HAVE SELL-OUT PERFORMANCES SO YOU GOT TO GET THE TICKETS EARLY.

BUILT THE REALITY IS THAT'S WHAT ACTUALLY PROJECT SUCCESS HAS DONE FOR OUR KIDS.

>> Eric: HOW DID THE BOUNDARY WATERS GET INVOLVED IN THIS?

>> WELL, CATHY, WHEN YOU ASK WHAT'S THE NEED, STUDENTS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED INSIDE OF 'EM THIS.

THEY ARE DREAMERS.

WHEREVER THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES, THEY WANT TO SUCCESS.

WE ALWAYS SAY IGNITE, GROW AND THEY WANT THAT.

SO THE THEATER IS ONE WAY STUDENTS FIGURE OUT THEY BECOME PART OF THE COMMUNITY, IT'S I A SPRINGBOARD FOR DISCUSSION.

I WOULD ONE OF OUR FIRST INTERNS 30 YEARS AGO SAID THE GROUND AGREE WATERS SAVED ME.

GOING TO THE WILDERNESS.

CAN WE TAKE STUDENTS THERE?

WE WERE JUST GROWING THE PROGRAM, WE DID THEATER, WE WENT TO THE GUTHRIE, THE PENUMBRA, THE STATE, OVERU OF M, ALL AT NO COST AND BARRIERS TAKEN AWAY.

WE SAID WE'RE NOT DOING ANYTHING IN THE SUMMER.

LET'S TAKE 15 STUDENTS FROM THE SCHOOL TO THE BOUNDARY WATERS FOR 7 DAYS.

PEOPLE SAID, THAT'S YEAH' BUT WE DID IT.

THE STUDENTS WE WENT WITH HAD NEVER BEEN AND THAT'S GROWN NOW WHERE OVER 200 STUDENTS IN THE SUMMER NOW FROM ALL OVER MINNEAPOLIS MIDDLE SCHOOL.

>> Cathy: SOUNDS LIKE IT'S WORKING GREAT IN MADAM PRESIDENT BUT YOU WANT TO GO TO MANKATO.

WHY DO YOU WANT TO GO TO MANKATO?

>> WELL, WE -- SOMEBODY ERIC MOORE ONE HAVE THE EVALUATORS AT MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS SAID YOU KNOW WHAT, PROJECT SUCCESS WORKS.

HE SAID IN THE BOUNDARY WATERS, THE MUST CAMPS, THE WORKSHOPS, THE COLLEGE TOURS, HE SAID, THEY IMPACT GPA AND AHE THOUGHT GPA WAS THE GREATEST REDICTOR TO SUCCESS.

SO WHEN WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE SOMETHING THAT WORKS AND WE KNOW THERE IS A NEED AND WE KNEW WE WANTED O GROW BUT WE HAD TO KEEP THE QUALITY SO WE WORKED WITH EVERAL SUPERINTENDENTS AND THE DECISION CAME AND WE FOUND THE TEAM AND THE RESOURCES AND WE LAUNCHED IN MANKATO LAST JANUARY IN BOTH MIDDLE SCHOOLS, SIXth ANDth GRADE.

IT'S AN INCREDIBLE PARTNERSHIP AND NOW WE ARE ADDING 8th GRADE THIS YEAR.

>> Cathy: SO WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO DO THIS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL VERSUS, SAY, HIGH SCHOOL?

>> WE DO BOTH.

>> Cathy: YOU DO BOTH.

>> BUT WHY START.

>> I'LL TELL YOU WHY WE START AND THE REASON FOR THAT IS PEOPLE WILL SIT BACK AND SAY THE TRANSITION FROM MIDDLE SCHOOL TO HIGH SCHOOL ABOUT THE BIGGEST TRANSITION THAT KIDS MAKE AND IT REALLY ISN'T.

THE BIGGEST TRANSITION IS IN ELEMENTARY TO IDDLE SCHOOL AND WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT DURING THAT TIME FRAME, OUR KIDS ARE TRYING TO LEARN WHO THEY ARE.

THEY'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THEY FELT IN.

WHEN THEY GET OPPORTUNITIES LIKE, YOU KNOW, ADRIENNE WAS TALKING ABOUT AT THE WOUND AGREE WATERS, TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING THEY NEVER THOUGHT THEY'D BE ABLE TO DO, TO BUILD THE CONNECTIONS AND FRIENDSHIPS DURING THAT TIME FRAME, IT SETS A STANDARD FOR KIDS THAT KNOW THEY DO BELONG.

I SIT BACK AND I SAY TO MANY HAVE OH OUR FOLKS THAT, YOU KNOW, MY INTERESTING THING ABOUT ALL OF THIS S THE FACT THAT I DON'T WANT TO MAKE LIFE BETTER FOR KIDS, BETTER IS RELATIVE.

WHAT'S BETTER FOR YOU, WHAT'S BETTER FOR ALL OF US THAT'S SITTING UP HERE, THAT'S TOTALLY DIFFER, RIGHT?

WHAT I WANT TO DO IS GIVE YOU OPPORTUNITIES TO CHOOSE WHAT YOUR BETTER IS, OKAY?

PROJECT SUCCESS ALLOWS THOSE TYPE OF OPPORTUNITIES TO PRESENT THEMSELVES.

WHEN KIDS FIND THEIR JAM AND GENIUS FROM THOSE TYPE OF THINGS AND THAT'S WHAT'S MOST IMPORTANT.

>> Cathy: WE APPRECIATE YOU SCHOOLING US HERE.

>> THAT'S GYM CLASS.

>> Eric: HOW DO PEOPLE GET INVOLVED OR GET INFORMATION, IS THERE A WEBSITE OR -- >> I ALWAYS SAY CALL ME.

IT'S ON THE WEBSITE.

>> Eric: WHAT'S THE WEBSITE?

>> PROJECT SUCCESS.ORG.

WE ARE HERE, GIVE US A CALL, EMAIL US BUT RIGHT NOW IN MINNEAPOLIS AND MANKATO AND GROWING.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR COMING.

I GOT TO READS SOMETHING HERE.

>> ERIC: CONTROL OF THE MINNESOTA HOUSE IS ONE OF THE IMPORTANT THINGS THAT VOTERS WILL DECIDE DURING THIS YEAR'S ELECTION.

MARY LAHAMMER HAS BEEN TRAVELING THE STATE BRINGING US A LOOK INSIDE RACES TO WATCH.

THIS WEEK IT'S A TRUE BATTLEGROUND NORTH OF THE METRO WITH MANY INDEPENDENT VOTERS UP FOR GRABS.

>> MY NAME IS ELIOT LANGUAGEN, YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE.

>> HE WORE THROUGH FOUR PAIR OF BOOTS DOOR-KNOCKING WHEN HE FLIPPED THE HOUSE SEAT 36A N THE LAST ELECTION WITH A UNIQUE MESSAGE.

>> A CRAZY WORLD WE'RE LIVING IN, JUST WANT TO RESTORE SANITY.

I'M OUT FRONT WITH IT, NOT A HUGE TRUMP GUY.

I DON'T LIKE THINKS CHARACTER.

I THINK THAT BEING YOUNG IS A SUPER POWER IN POLITICS AND PEOPLE WANT TO SAY CHANGE AND DIFFERENT IDEAS THAT. '

THE SAME AS WE'VE BEEN USED TO.

>> Mary: YOU MADE HISTORY, THE FIRST REPUBLICAN GENERAL DIDDER.

>> I THINK I JUST GOT A FLYER FROM YOU TODAY.

>> COOL.

WE DID NOT TEE THIS UP, PEOPLE.

>> Mary: THE FL CHALLENGER IS RUNNING FOR THE FIRST TIME AND SHE'S EAGER TO ENGAGE AND LISTEN TO VOTERS, AS WELL.

>> A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE AFFECTING, YOU KNOW, OUR FAMILIES AND OUR LIVELIHOODS AND, YOU KNOW, THE ECONOMY, OBVIOUSLY, AND...

PRETTY SERIOUS SO WE HAVE TO SEE HOW IT TURNS OUT.

>> Mary: TELL US WHY THE HECK YOU WANT TO RUN IN TODAY'S DAY AND AGE.

>> I GET THAT ON THE DOORS ALL THE TIME AND I KNOW I'VE GOT INCREDIBLE SKILLS TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY.

WHEN PEOPLE OPEN UP THE DOOR AND THERE ARE SO MANY MOMS AND DADS AND I BREAK THE ICE WITH MY NAME IS JANNELL CALHOUN, I AM RUNNING FOR THE MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, I WANT TO BRING OUR COMMUNITY TOGETHER.

>> Mary: HERE'S WHAT'S FASCINATING ABOUT THIS GENUINE SWING DISTRICT.

CANDIDATES AND CONSTITUENTS ARE INCREDIBLY OPEN TO CONVERSATIONS THAT MIGHT SEEM UNCOMFORTABLE AT FIRST.

>> WELL, I'M A DEMOCRAT SO I WANT TO KNOW WHERE YOU'RE AT ON THIS.

>> I'M ON THE REPUBLICAN TICKET BUILT I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND, MAN.

STILL WANT TO WORK FOR YOU REGARDLESS OF THE PARTY.

THIS IS A BATTLE GROUND FOR SURE BUT THAT ALSO PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE WE GET TO TALK TO FOLKS OF EVERY SINGLE WALK OF LIFE IN THIS DISTRICT.

WE HAVE NORTH OAKS, VERY WELL INFORMATION, LOTS OF DOCTORS, LAWYERS, YOU GO TO LINO LAKES AND HAVE A TRAILER PARK WHERE IT'S POTENTIALLY A UNION PLUMBER.

WE GET TO TALK TO EVERYBODY AND UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS THAT THEY'RE FEELING ABOUT POLITICS.

>> Mary: THE CANDIDATE FOR DISTRICT 36A.

>> IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO CARRY THE CONSTITUTION AND THAT'S A [INDISCERNIBLE] THOUGHT PROCESS AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE SEEING IN POLITICS TODAY.

IT'S VERY SAD.

>> IT'S SO DIVISIVE AND PAINFUL FOR PEOPLE.

I HAVE TALKED TO A LOT OF H.R.

PROFESSIONALS THAT ARE JUST THROWING THEIR HANDS UP IN THE AIR, WANTING OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO COME TOGETHER AND I'VE GOT THAT SKILL SET.

>> Mary: THIS NORTH METRO SEAT HAS SWUNG BACK AND FORTH.

IT WAS DECIDED BY 100 FOLKS THE ELECTION BEFORE LAST.

>> THERE ARE TICKETS PUT IN THIS AREA, THE PEOPLE WANT TO TALK TO THEIR REP, THEY WANT TO KNOW THEY CAN TRUST THEM AND THEY'RE NOT SOME CRAZY WHACKO THAT THEY SEE ON FOX NEWS.

>> Mary: BUILT DOES THAT HAUNT YOU A LITTLE BIT?

>> YEAH, THAT NUMBER STICKS WITH YA BUT IT ALSO DRIVES YOU TO KNOCK ON MOOR DOORS, GET TO MORE PEOPLE.

>> I DIDN'T SEE IT AS AN IMPORTANT COMPETITIVE DIRECT.

>> Mary: BUT IT IS, RIGHT?

>> IT IS, IT IS, BUT I'M A HUMAN BEING, SO IS THE OTHER PERSON.

WE'RE HERE TO SERVE, WE WANT TO SERVE WELL AND IT'S THE VISION OF THE FUTURE.

I SEE A VISION OF UNITY, I SEE A VISION OF COLLABORATION.

>> Mary: VOTERS HERE ARE ALSO CLEAR THEY WANT TO SEE MORE UNITY.

>> I THINK THERE'S JUST A LOT OF EXTREMES RIGHT NOW AND I THINK SEEING PEOPLE KIND OF HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE RESPECT FOR EACH OTHER.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF FOLKS THAT FEEL AS IF THE STATE ISN'T WORKING FOR THEM ANYMORE.

THEY SEE THAT THEIR BUDGETS ARE BEING STRETCHED TO THE LIMIT.

THEY SEE PUBLIC SAFETY WHICH IS SIMPLY NONEXISTENT EVEN IN THE TWIN CITIES, EVEN IF IT'S NOT IN THE MAJORITY, I THINK WE CAN WORK ALONGSIDE DEMOCRATS.

THERE'S STILL WORK TO BE DONE BUT IT WON'T BE A CAREER.

>> ANY FEEDBACK ON WHAT'S IMPORTANT FOR YOU AND WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE HAPPEN WITH THE HOUSE HAVING ...

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SEE DIVERSITY, YOU KNOW, THAT THERE WOULD BE MORE DIVERSITY IN OUR COMMUNITY.

>> Mary: THE ENTIRE CONTROL OF THE HOUSE AND STATE GOVERNMENT COULD BE DECIDED IN RACES LIKE THIS.

HOW DOES THAT FEEL?

S-I'M HERE TO SERVE, I'M HERE TO ROLL UP MY SHELVES AND SEE THE DEPTH AND BREADTH AND THE BEAUTY OF OUR DISTRICT, NOT JUST THE OUTDOOR BEAUTY BUT THE BEAUTY OF THE PEOPLE.

I WANT TO SEE OUR STATE DO WELL.

>> Mary: THE TWO CANDIDATES MIGHT HAVE SIMILAR GOALS BUT DIFFERENT LIFE EXPERIENCES.

>> JUST DROPPING BY, SEEING WHAT'S TOP OF MIND FOR YOU GUYS AMONGST ALL THE POLITICAL NONSENSE.

>> Mary: HOW LONG ABOUT HOW BEING AN ATHLETE PREPARED YOU FOR POLITICS?

>> I LEARNED A TON OF INVALUABLE PLACES.

WE NEED TO BE GOOD MEN FIRST.

>> Mary: YOU PLAYED HIGHER THAN THAT.

>> St. PAUL SECRETARY FOR JUST A LITTLE BIT.

>> Mary: TALK ABOUT THAT A A LITTLE BIT.

>> THIRD STRING CATCHER, DIDN'T GET MAYBE AT-BATS BUILT I LOVED IT.

>> I'M LEARNING AS WE GO AND I THINK IT'S ABOUT MAKING CONNECTIONS WITH PEOPLE.

BEING A FLIGHT ATTENDANT, EVERYBODY IS EQUAL.

WE'VE ALL GOT A SEAT ON THE PLANE, RIGHT?

HOW DO I SERVE, HOW DO I PROTECT, HOW DO I EDUCATE IF A PASSENGER IS SCARED, NERVOUS OR ANXIOUS?

HOW DO WE HOLD THEIR HAND VERBALLY.

HOW DO WE SUPPORT THEM, HOW DO WE CARE FOR THEM?

>> CATHY: CONTROL OF THE MINNESOTA HOUSE IS JUST ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WILL BE DECIDED DURING THE ELECTION THIS FALL.

JOINING US NOW WITH THOUGHTS ON THAT AND OTHER POLITICAL TOPICS ARE A COUPLE OF POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSORS.

YOU ALL KNOW KATHRYN PEARSON.

SHE TEACHES AT THE TWIN CITIES CAMPUS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

AND JOINING US FOR THE FIRST TIME IS TIM LINDBERG.

HE'S A POLI SCI PROFESSOR AT THE U OF M'S CAMPUS IN MORRIS.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

OH, MY GOODNESS.

LET'S TALK ABOUT DOWN-BALLOT RACES, SHALL WE, PROFESSOR PEARSON.

NOW THAT GOVERNOR WALZ IS WITH THE VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE ON THE DEMOCRATIC TICKET, WHAT DO WE THINK MIGHT HAPPEN TO SOME OF THE OWN-BALLOT RACES ESPECIALLY WITH THE HOUSE RACES?

>> IT IS SIGNIFICANT BUT SORT OF TO BACK UP, THE GENERAL PICTURE, POLITICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH SHOWS, IN MINNESOTA AND NATION-WIDE, TICKET-SPLITTING IS WAY, WAY, WAY DOWN.

SO IT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN CRITICAL RACES FOR SURE BUT IN GENERAL, PEOPLE VOTE THEIR PARTY ON ALL RACES ON THE BALLOT.

SO ENTHUSIASM ABOUT THE TOP OF THE TICKET IS REALLY KEY FOR THESE DOWN-BALLOT RAISES.

AND WE KNOW, THOUGH, THAT THE LEGISLATURE OF COURSE VERY CLOSELY DIVIDED.

THE DFL HAS A NARROW EDGE AND THERE'S ONLY ONE SENATE RACE ON THE BALLOT UILT IT WILL CONTROL IN MINNESOTA THE OUTCOME, SO HAVING GOVERNOR WALZ ON THE TICKET AS THE VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE IS I THINK ENERGIZING TO A LOT OF DEMOCRATS AND THE DEMOCRATS ARE ALSO ENERGIZED ABOUT HARRIS AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DFL HAVE SKYROCKETED SINCE JULY 21st WHEN PRESIDENT BIDEN STEPPED ASIDE SO IT WILL HAVE HUGE IMPLICATIONS.

>> Eric: DO VOTERS HAVE A TENDENCY AND I THINK YOU STUDY VOTER BEHAVIOR QUITE A BIT.

DO LATE-DECIDING VOTERS, DO THEY GO EN MASSE TO ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER OR DO THEY DIVIDE UP OR IS THERE ANY DATA ON THAT?

>> I THINK IT DEPENDS ON THE ELECTION, DEPENDS ON THE LAST-MINUTE SORT OF WHAT HAPPENS, WE USED TO CALL IT OCTOBER SURPRISE BUT IT MAY NOT HAPPEN IN OCTOBER ANYMORE WITH ALL THE EARLY VOTING SO I THINK THE -- YOU KNOW, IT REALLY DEPENDS ON, YOU KNOW, JOBS REPORTS, BIG SCANDALS, EVENTS THAT MIGHT OCCUR.

THOSE TYPES OF THINGS CAN REALLY SHIFT THAT, AND I ALSO THINK THAT'S WHY THE DEBATE NEXT WEEK IS A REALLY IMPORTANT STEPPING STONE FOR AMALA HARRIS, IN SHOWING THAT SHE'S PREPARED FOR THAT PERIOD OF TIME.

>> Eric: HERE'S A THEORY.

HARRIS, HAS SHE REACHED HER PEAK?

SUCCESSFUL CONVENTION, SUCCESSFUL GETTING ID OF BIDEN AND SHE COMES IN.

DFL AND DEMOCRATIC UNITY.

SUCCESSFUL CONVENTION.

IS THERE ROOM FOR GROWTH THERE OR IS THIS -- AS HIGH AS SHE'S GOING TO GET?

>> I THINK THAT'S AN OPEN QUESTION.

TYPICALLY BOTH PARTY'S CANDIDATES RECEIVE A BOUNCE AFTER THE CONVENTION AND THINGS TEND TO LEVEL OFF A LITTLE BIT BUT I THINK IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN WHAT LEVELING OFF MEANS.

TYPICALLY, IN MOST ELECTION YEARS, POLITICAL SCIENCE DEBATES ACTUALLY DON'T MATTER THAT MUCH.

THE PEOPLE WHO PAY ATTENTION HAVE ALREADY MADE UP THEIR MINDS AND THE CANDIDATES ARE RELATIVELY SORT OF EVEN.

BUT, OBVIOUSLY, THIS CYCLE, THE DEBATE WAS HUGE, IT'S WHAT CAUSED PRESIDENT BIDEN TO STEP ASIDE, EVENTUALLY, SO BECAUSE HARRIS IS SO NEW IN THIS ROLE AS THE CANDIDATE, I THINK THIS DOES -- THIS DEBATE REALLY DOES MATTER BUT I THINK THE BOTTOM LINE IS IT'S GOING TO BE A CLOSELY DIVIDED ELECTION THAT COMES DOWN TO A FEW KEY SWING STATES.

>> Eric: SHOULD SHE BE DOING BETTER OR DO WE NOT KNOW THAT?

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

I THINK AT THIS POINT IN TIME, I THINK JUST BEING ABLE TO KEEP THAT MOMENTUM GOING THAT SHE'S HAD SINCE SHE STEPPED IN AND TOOK THAT MANTLE IS REALLY IMPRESSIVE IN TERMS OF YOU DON'T NECESSARILY SEE THAT LONG OF A BOAST AND I THINK IT ALSO WAS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE DEMOCRATS BECAUSE OF THE BOOST THAT TRUMP GOT FROM THE AEMP THED ASSASSINATION AND HIS CONVENTION BOOST, AS WELL.

>> ONE WAY IN WHICH THE PARTIES ARE NOT EVEN AND THEY TEND TO BE EVEN IN A PRESIDENTIAL RACE IN A YEAR, IS FUNDRAISING.

DEMOCRATS ARE DOING VERY, VERY WELL IN FUNDRAISING AROUND WHEN BIDEN WAS IN THE RACE, IT WAS DROPPING OFF DRAMATICALLY.

THAT IS AN IMPORTANT INDICATOR AND IT PROVIDES THE CANDIDATES WITH THE ABILITY TO HIRE STAFF, HAVE GET OUT THE VOTE EFFORTS IN KEY SWING STATES AND RUN ADS.

>> Cathy: SO THE POLLS ARE SHOWING OBVIOUSLY A TIGHT RACE, WE KNOW THAT.

HOW MUCH STOCK SHOULD WE PUT IN THESE POLLS?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S REALLY INTERESTING ABOUT POLLS AND PEOPLE WILL AY, YOU KNOW, THEY WERE OFF IN 2016 AND THEY'RE OFF IN 2020 AND THE OFF-YEARS, PEOPLE OFTEN PAY LESS ATTENTION BUT IT DEPENDS ON WHAT POLLS YOU'RE LOOKING AT.

YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE NATIONAL POLLS AND SHOWING A DEAD RACE.

THAT DOESN'T MATTER BECAUSE THE DEMOCRATS WON IN 2016, IF YOU'RE WORRIED ABOUT THE NATIONAL RACE.

WHAT REALLY MATTERS IS WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE KEY STATES AND I THINK THAT'S WHERE YOU SEE A REALLY GOOD SHOWING FOR THE DEMOCRATS WITH KAMALA HARRIS IS THAT IN THESE KEY, YOU KNOW, BATTLE GROUND STATES, SHE'S DOING MUCH BELTS THAN PRESIDENT BIDEN WAS DOING THIS SUMMER.

>> Eric: ABORTION QUESTIONS AND ABORTION QUESTIONS ON BALLOTS.

>> VERY HELPFUL FOR DEMOCRATS, SO EVER SINCE DOBBS, ABORTION HAS BECOME A KEY WINNING ISSUE FOR EMOCRATS BECAUSE OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF PUBLIC OPINION ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

IT WAS A DIFFERENT SCENARIO BEFORE DOBBS WHEN REPUBLICANS WERE MORE MOTIVATED BY HE ISSUE, EVEN AS PUBLIC OPINION STILL SKEWED IN DEMOCRATS' FAVOR SO I THINK WE'LL HEAR VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS TALK ABOUT ABORTION A LOT AND THEN THE BALLOT MEASURES CERTAINLY HELP DEMOCRATIC TURNOUT, AS WELL.

>> Cathy: YOU MENTIONED PENNSYLVANIA.

PENNSYLVANIA IS A KEY STATE, RIGHT?

YOUR COLLEAGUE, PROFESSOR SCHULTZ, THINKS THAT PERHAPS KAMALA HARRIS MAILED A MISS IN PICKING WALZ VERSUS GOVERNOR SHAPIRO, BECAUSE THERE'S ALL THIS ATTENTION ON PENNSYLVANIA, MIGHT HE BE RIGHT?

>> NO DOUBT, PENNSYLVANIA'S 19 ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTES ARE CRITICAL BUT HAT DOESN'T MEAN SHE MADE A MISTAKE.

SHE'S LOOKING FOR GUY GRAPHICAL BALANCE, A SORT OF BACKGROUND BALANCE AND HE'S SHOWN THAT HE'S GREAT ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL AND ENERGIZING CROWDS, HE JUST SHOWED THAT IN ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA, AND GETTING THE SUPPORT OF LABOR UNIONS WHICH IS REALLY CRITICAL, AS WELL, SO, CLEARLY, PENNSYLVANIA IS IMPORTANT BUT HE RINGS BALANCE WHICH IS HELPING IN PENNSYLVANIA AND MANY OTHER OF THOSE KEY SWING STATES, AS WELL.

>> Cathy: LOOKS LIKE FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP THOUGHT HE HAD A PRETTY GOOD SHOT AT MINNESOTA BUT LOOKS LIKE HE'S KIND OF RETRENCHING A BIT?

>> YEAH, I THINK LOOKING AT THE POLLING DATA, THEY EPT SAYING THEY HAD POLLING DATA THAT LOOKED BETTER AND PEOPLE WERE LIKE SHOW US THE POLLING DATA.

I THINK MINNESOTA IS PROBABLY OUT OF REACH.

IT WILL BE SORT OF ON THAT EDGE OF BEING A BATTLE GROUND STATE BUT I THINK IT IS A GOOD THING HE PULLED BACK BECAUSE HE HAS TO FOCUS NOT OKIE STATES HE NEEDS TO WIN.

>> Eric: I HEAR THE BELL.

CLASS IS OVER.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

>> Eric: THANKS.

♪♪♪ >> I GUESS I WOULD LIKE THE TWINS IF THEY WERE INTERESTED TO COME, MAKE A DEAL, GO TO THE LEGISLATURE AS WE DID WITH THE MINNESOTA WILD AND BUILDING THE XCEL ENERGY ARENA AND SEE IF WE CAN'T ONVINCE THE LEGISLATURE TO DO SOMETHING.

I DO HOLD OUT HOPE, TALKED TO THE GOVERNOR THIS AFTERNOON, ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF MAYBE A DEAL BEING STRUCK WITH THE TRIBES AND SOME GAMBLING REVENUE TO HELP PERHAPS BUILD A BALLPARK AND I THINK THAT'S PROBABLY HOLDS THE MOST PROMISE AT THIS POINT.

♪♪♪ >> ERIC: THIS IS THE POINT IN THE SHOW WHEN WE USUALLY FIND OUT WHO KNEW THE ANSWER TO LAST WEEK'S MINNESOTA HISTORY QUESTION.

BUT WE STUMPED YOU THIS TIME.

NO ONE CORRECTLY GUESSED THE NAME OF OUR MYSTERY MINNESOTAN.

SO, LET'S GIVE IT ANOTHER SHOT WITH A FEW MORE CLUES.

OUR MYSTERY PERSON WAS BORN IN BELFAST, IRELAND, IN 1863 AND EVENTUALLY SETTLED IN WHAT WE NOW CALL SOUTH ST. PAUL.

IN 1885, THEY BEGAN A 36-YEAR CAREER, WHICH HELPED MAKE TRAVEL SAFE ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.

THEIR DEDICATION TO THIS JOB EARNED THIS PERSON A PLACE IN THE NATIONAL RIVERS HALL OF FAME.

AND THEY ARE ALSO THE SUBJECT OF A SONG BY SINGER/SONGWRITER CHARLIE MAGUIRE.

YOUR TASK IS SIMPLE: TELL US WHO IS THIS MYSTERY MINNESOTAN AND WHAT MADE THEM FAMOUS?

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU WHETHER YOU ARE CALLING FROM JANESVILLE, ROBBINSDALE OR DUNDAS, MINNESOTA.

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

YOU CAN ALWAYS DROP US A NOTE, TOO.

OUR ELECTRONIC INBOX IS ALMANAC@TPT.ORG.

WHILE YOU'RE ONLINE, HOP ON OVER TO OUR WEBSITE TPT.ORG/ALMANAC, YOU CAN REWATCH ANY PORTION OF TONIGHT'S SHOW.

OR CHECK OUT ONE FROM THE PAST THAT YOU MAY HAVE MISSED.

THAT'S ALL AT TPT.ORG/ALMANAC.

WE HAVE JUST ENOUGH TIME LEFT FOR SOME SHOW-ENDING MUSIC FROM THE ARCHIVES.

THIS WEEK IN 2007, SINGER/SONGWRITER ELIZA GILKYSON WAS IN THE STUDIO PERFORMING A SONG CALLED "GREEN FIELDS."

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

BE CAREFUL.

♪ ONCE THERE WERE GREEN FIELDS, KISS HAD BY THE SUN.

♪ ONCE THERE WERE VALLEYS WHERE RIVERS USED TO RUN.

♪ ONCE THERE WERE BLUE SKIES WITH WHITE CLOUDS HIGH BOVE.

♪ ONCE THEY WERE PART OF AN EVERLASTING LOVE ♪ ♪ WE WERE THE LOVERS WHO STROLLED THROUGH GREEN FIELDS ♪ ♪ GREEN FIELDS ARE GONE NOW GO, PARCHED BY THE SUN ♪ ♪ GONE FROM THE VALLEYS WHERE RIVERS USED TO RUN.

♪ GONE WITH A COLD WIND THAT SWEPT INTO MY... >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY• GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 27 MINNESOTA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES.

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

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

AND PAINTCARE: HELPING MINNESOTA PAINT SMARTER TO PREVENT WASTE.

MORE AT PAINTCARE.ORG.

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

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

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