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

>> Cathy: COMING UP ON "ALMANAC" THE HEAD F OF THE MINNESOTA HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION BRINGS US UP TO SPEED ON WHY EMERGENCY ROOMS AROUND THE ACROSS ARE STILLING UP.

PAUL DOUGLAS IS HERE WITH PREDICTIONS AND WE HAVE PLENTY TO COVER WITH OUR POLITICAL PANEL.

>> THERE'S CHAOS AT THE CAPITOL WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF A TIED SENATE AND MAYBE A TIED HOUSE AND ALL KINDS OF LEGAL MANEUVERING THAT THE NEW REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIR IS DIVING INTO.

>> WELL, I DON'T THINK I'M BORING.

>> 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 WHILE ADVANCING SOCIAL EQUITIES.

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

>> Cathy: WELCOME ACK, IT'S OUR FIRST LIVE "ALMANAC" OF 2025 AND WE HAVE A LOT TO COVER TONIGHT.

THE MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL HAS APPROVED A FEDERAL CONSENT DECREE, WE'LL LOOK BACK AT A VISIT BY FORMER PRESIDENT CARTER TO THIS SHOW AND PLENTY OF POLITICS TO PREVIEW THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> Eric: WE START TONIGHT WITH THE INFLUX OF INFLUENZA, RSV, NOROVIRUS AND COVID-19 THAT IS KEEPING EMERGENCY ROOMS AROUND THE STATE BUSY, SOME EVEN OVERFLOWING.

HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS ARE CALLING IT A "QUAD-DEMIC" AND WARNING THAT WAIT TIMES IN ERS COULD BE LONGER THAN USUAL.

DR. RAHUL KORANNE IS BACK TO WALK US THROUGH THIS.

HE HEADS THE MINNESOTA HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION.

HOW UNIQUE IS IT TO HAVE THIS FOUR-PACK OF ILLNESS AT THE SAME TIME?

>> WELL, EVERY WINTER SINCE COVID HAS ARRIVED WE'VE HAD COVID AND THESE OTHER VIRUSES.

WHAT'S DIFFERENT THIS TIME IS ALL FOUR ARE SURGING AND SPIKING.

WE'VE SEEN FLU HOSPITALIZATIONS GO UP TEN TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH.

WE'VE SEEN NOROVIRUS DOUBLE IN THE LAST MONTH SINCE THANKSGIVING.

SO WE ARE REALLY STRETCHED RIGHT NOW.

EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS ARE FULL.

WE ARE HAVING TO PUT PATIENTS IN HALLWAYS AGAIN.

I MEAN THIS IS LIKE FIVE YEARS AGO COVID-STYLE STRETCHED THEN RIGHT NOW, ERIC.

>> Cathy: AND ARE WE LOOKING AT THE FACT THAT OF COURSE AS YOU SAY THE VIRUSES HAVE BEEN OUT THERE, THE HOLIDAYS OF COURSE BROUGHT EVERYONE TOGETHER SO THERE WAS THE SPREAD.

HOW ARE VACCINATION RATES?

>> WELL, VACCINATION RATES, WE ALWAYS HAVE WORK TO DO ON THAT.

AND WE ARE RECOMMENDING EVERYBODY GET A VACCINE, THE RIGHT FOLKS IF THEY NEED MORE THAN ONE, YOU KNOW, GET THAT BASED UPON WHAT THE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE.

SO WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, ALL HANDS ON DECK TO TRY TO MAKE SURE, YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY GETS A VACCINE OR AND ENCOURAGING IT WITH OUR EMPLOYEES AS WELL.

BUT WE'RE BACK TO THE BASICS AGAIN, CATHY.

YOU KNOW, WASH YOUR HANDS, COVER YOUR COUGH, AND IT'S REALLY HARD, I WAS AT A LARGE CONFERENCE TODAY AND HOW DO YOU NOT SHAKE HANDS?

BUT REALLY RIGHT NOW YOU DO NOT WANT TO GET SICK, ESPECIALLY IF YOU AVE DIABETES, HEART DISEASE, LUNG DISEASE, YOU DO NOT WANT TO BE IN THE HOSPITAL BECAUSE WE ARE REALLY FULL.

>> Cathy: LET ME ASK YOU THAT, IN TERMS OF CONTEXT THEN.

SO YOU SAY THAT WE'VE NOT REALLY SEEN THESE NUMBERS IN A WHILE.

HOW IS STAFFING, STILL PROBLEMATIC THEN?

IS THAT ALSO IN THE MIX?

>> YEAH, ONE IN SIX HEALTH CARE JOBS ARE OPEN AS OF THE 2024 DATA.

WE HAVE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF JOBS OPEN, AND OUR HEALTH CARE STAFF ARE PART OF OUR COMMUNITIES.

THEY ARE SICK WITH NOROVIRUS, THEY ARE SICK WITH INFLUENZA, THEY HAVE COVID.

THEIR KIDS AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE COVID.

SO THEY'RE SAYING STAYING HOME AND WE WANT THEM TO STAY HOME, BUT THAT STRETCHES OUR RESOURCES AND OUR CARE CAPACITY QUITE A BIT.

SO LIKE I SAID RIGHT NOW OUR ICUs ARE FULL, SOME OF OUR TRAUMA HOSPITALS IN THE LAST 24 HOURS, YOU KNOW, THERE WERE A COUPLE OF HOURS WHERE THEY HAD TO DIVERT SOME PATIENTS BECAUSE WE NEED TO MAINTAIN TRAUMA CAPACITY, ESPECIALLY WITH THE SLICK ROADS THAT WE HAD YESTERDAY.

SO IT'S HOUR BY HOUR.

WE'VE CONVENED LEADERS FROM MANY HOSPITALS, WE ARE TALKING TO THEM ON A DAILY BASIS, I JUST GOT A BRIEF BEFORE COMING HERE.

THINGS ARE STILL PRETTY TRICKY.

SO WHAT MY MESSAGE IS RIGHT NOW TO MINNESOTANS IS WE ARE HERE TO SERVE YOU 24/7.

OF COURSE COME INTO THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT IF YOU NEED US, BUT IF YOU THINK YOU DON'T HAVE A URGENT OR EMERGENT SITUATION, UTILIZE YOUR PRIMARY CARE, UTILIZE AN URGENT CARE CLINIC, UTILIZE VIRTUAL CARE.

THERE ARE NURSE LINES THAT YOU CAN CALL.

BUT IF YOU COME IN, YOU MIGHT HAVE TO WAIT A LONG TIME AND YOU MIGHT PREVENT SOMEBODY THAT IS HAVING A REAL STROKE OR A HEART ATTACK FROM GETTING THE TIMELY CARE THAT THEY NEED.

WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN, WE NEED HELP.

>> Eric: IS THERE A PERCENTAGE OF FOLKS THAT USE THE EMERGENCY ROOM OR URGENT CARE AS A PRIMARY MEDICAL SITUATION, OR?

>> WELL, WE DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THE PERCENTAGE IS.

BUT WE DO KNOW THAT THERE ARE PATIENTS THAT DO THAT.

WE ARE REALLY TRYING TO STRESS HAVE A PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER.

YOU KNOW, IF YOU JUST USE CONVENIENCE CARE AND YOU DON'T THINK YOU NEED A PRIMARY CARE, THAT'S NOT THE WAY TO GO.

EVERYBODY NEEDS A PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER THAT CAN SHEPHERD YOU THROUGH YOUR LIFE JOURNEY.

THE OTHER PIECE, UNFORTUNATELY THAT IS ALSO HAPPENING DUE TO THE FIRES AND THE LARGE SNOWSTORM THAT WE HAD IS IS WE'RE BACK AT I.V.

FLUID SHORTAGES.

SO IT'S ALL COMING AT US AT THE SAME TIME AND OUR NOT FOR PROFIT HOSPITALS IN MINNESOTA ARE STRUGGLING.

SO MY MESSAGE TO MINNESOTANS IS LET'S DO WHAT WE'RE DOING, YOU DON'T WANT TO BE IN OUR HOSPITALS RIGHT NOW, WE'RE REALLY FULL.

BUT THE OTHER PIECE NEXT WEEK THE LEGISLATURE CONVENES, WE REALLY NEED THE LEGISLATURE TO FOCUS ON WHAT WE'VE GOT IN MINNESOTA, WHICH IS MOST OF OUR HOSPITALS ARE NOT FOR PROFIT.

WE ARE STRESSED AND STRETCHED THIN.

PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO US AND PRIORITIZE US.

YOU MAY NEED US ANY HOUR.

>> Eric: WE'LL LEAVE IT THERE.

APPRECIATE YOU COMING UP HERE, DOCTOR.

ON THURSDAY, FUNERAL SERVICES WERE HELD FOR FORMER PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER AT THE NATIONAL CATHEDRAL.

40 YEARS AGO THE 39TH PRESIDENT APPEARED ON "ALMANAC" IN ITS VERY FIRST SEASON.

INTERVIEW INCLUDED ASSESSING THEN-PRESIDENT REAGAN AND A PREDICTION FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN THE NEXT TWO ELECTIONS.

TAKE A LOOK.

>> IN ANY SOCIETY, YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE POWERFUL, RICH, WHITE, PROSPEROUS, ININFLUENTIAL, AND ORDINARILY A POLITICAL LEADER ENCOURAGES THOSE PEOPLE IN A POSITION OF AUTHORITY OR INFLUENCE TO SHARE UPON OTHERS, TO LOOK UPON OTHERS WITH COMPASSION AND CONCERN AND ALSO THAT THE TAX SYSTEM SHOULD NOT CONTINUE TO FAVOR JUST THOSE WHO ARE RICHEST AND THAT SORT OF THING.

WE DISCUSSED EARLIER I THINK ALL OF THE PREVIOUS PRESIDENTS HAVE BEEN ON THE SIDE OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT.

WE'VE BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT OTHERS WHO WERE SUFFERING.

AND I THINK THAT RONALD REAGAN HAS MADE US FEEL THAT IN SOME WAYS THOSE WHO ARE RICH AND POWERFUL DESERVE TO BE, AND THAT PEOPLE WHO MIGHT BE ON WELFARE OR MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN WELL EDUCATED ARE THAT WAY BECAUSE THEY ARE SOMEHOW INFERIOR OR HAVEN'T DONE THEIR SHARE OR HAVEN'T TAKEN CARE OF THEMSELVES AND WHO DELIBERATELY WANT TO BE GENT ON SOCIETY.

HE'S EVEN SAID PEOPLE WHO SLEEP ON OPEN GRATES IN WASHINGTON DO THAT BECAUSE THEY'D RATHER SLEEP ON A GRATE THAN HAVE A GOOD HOUSE.

>> HAVING SAID THAT, THOUGH, THE REPUBLICANS HAVE UT TOGETHER A WINNING COMBINATION LIKE THEY HAVEN'T HAD FOR YEARS AND WHAT DO YOU THINK THE DEMOCRATS OUGHT TO DO ABOUT IT?

>> I THINK YOU'LL SEE IN 1986 THE DEMOCRATS WILL BE VERY SUCCESSFUL IN KEEPING THE HOUSE BUT ALSO GAINING MAJORITY IN THE SENATE.

THAT WILL BE THE FIRST INDICATION AND I THINK SEE WHETHER I'M IGHT OR WRONG.

I THINK WE HAVE A VERY OOD CHANCE TO WIN IN 1988.

♪♪ >> Cathy: EARLIER THIS WEEK, THE MINNEAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL APPROVED A FEDERAL CONSENT DECREE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, MANDATING POLICE REFORMS FOLLOWING THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD AND INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE DEPARTMENT'S USE OF FORCE.

THE 171-PAGE DOCUMENT PROHIBITS OFFICERS FROM HANDCUFFING MINORS, ADDS PROTECTIONS FOR MEMBERS OF THE PRESS, AND OUTLINES A NEW "COACHING" PROCEDURE, AMONG OTHER CHANGES.

REACTIONS TO THE CONSENT DECREE HAVE BEEN MIXED.

WE'VE BEEN FOLLOWING THIS STORY WITH YOHURU WILLIAMS, A HISTORIAN WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS AND DIRECTOR OF THE SCHOOL'S RACIAL JUSTICE INITIATIVE.

IT'S GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

>> GOOD TO BE HERE.

>> Cathy: SO PRESIDENT TRUMP TAKES OFFICE JANUARY 20TH, AND I'M WONDERING, HE'S SAID HE WANTS TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE D.O.J.

COULD THIS FEDERAL DEAL FALL APART WITH THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS UNDER A TRUMP ADMINISTRATION?

>> IT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO AND THAT'S WHY THERE WAS THIS BIG PUSH NOW.

REMEMBER, THE FEDS CONDUCTED THAT STUDY BACK IN JUNE OF 2023.

SO WE'VE HAD THAT REPORT FOR A LONG TIME NOW.

THE FEAR WAS THAT IF WE WAITED UNTIL JANUARY 20TH AND THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION CAME IN THE D.O.J.

UNDER TRUMP WERE NOT ALLOW THAT WORK TO PROCEED.

THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED WITH CHICAGO A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO.

AND SO THAT'S WHY THERE WAS THIS PUSH RIGHT NOW TO MAKE SURE YOU GOT THAT CONSENT DECREE SIGNED BY THE CITY COUNCIL.

NOW THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS CAN MOVE FORWARD.

>> Cathy: SIGNED, SALED AND DELIVERED, CAN'T BE RESCINDED.

>> CAN'T BE RESCINDED.

>> Eric: THE ASSISTANT U.S. ATTORNEY ON THE CASE SAID MINNEAPOLIS P.D.

IS OFFER TO A SPRINTING START WITH THE DECREE.

DO YOU BUY THAT?

IS >> I BUY THAT BECAUSE WE'RE THE FIRST COMMUNITY IN THE HISTORY OF THE NATION TO HAVE TWO CONSENT DECREES.

WE HAVE ONE FROM THE STATE, MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS, AND NOW THE FEDERAL CONSENT DECREE.

THAT REALLY GAVE MINNEAPOLIS A HEADSTART ON MANY OF THE THINGS THAT ARE OUTLINED IN THE FEDERAL CONSENT DECREE AS WELL.

THAT'S WHY YOU HAD SO MANY PEOPLE AT THIS POINT SAYING THEY'RE OFF TO A GOOD START BECAUSE THEY'VE BEGUN TO ADDRESS SOME OF THESE ISSUES THAT ARE IN THE FEDERAL CONSENT DECREE AS WELL.

>> Cathy: ANYTHING SURPRISE YOU IN THAT FEDERAL CONSENT DECREE?

>> NOTHING SURPRISED ME BUT THE RESPONSE OF COMMUNITY WAS INTERESTING.

BECAUSE WHAT WE DIDN'T GET GIVEN THE SHORTENED PERIOD HERE WAS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMUNITY TALK-BACK.

GENERALLY SPEAKING THIS WOULD GO TO A JUDGE AND THE JUDGE WOULD OPEN THAT UP FOR COMMUNITY COMMENT AND WE DIDN'T GET THAT.

SO THERE WAS SOME FOLKS COMPLAINING ABOUT RIGHTFULLY A LITTLE BIT OF LACK OF TRANSPARENCY NOT REALLY KNOWING WHAT WAS HAPPENING DURING THAT CLOSED DOOR SESSION AND NOT REALLY FINDING OUT WHAT WAS IN THE REPORT UNTIL AFTER THE WORK WAS DONE.

>> Eric: THE MONITORING AGENCY IS SOMETHING CALLED EFFECTIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR ALL.

WHAT'S THEIR ROLE?

>> ALEFA WILL DO THE MONITORING THEMSELVES, THEY REALLY WILL MONITOR THE PROGRESS AND MAKE SURE THE DEPARTMENT IS MAKING PROGRESS TOWARDS METRICS.

>> Eric: HOW WILL YOU AS AN INDIVIDUAL THAT'S, YOU NOW, VERY INVOLVED IN THIS, HOW RE YOU GOING TO MONITOR PROGRESS OR HOW ARE YOU GOING TO ASSESS HOW IT'S GOING?

>> WELL, I'M LOOKING SPECIFICALLY WITH THE FEDERAL DECREE AT THE PROVISIONS THAT DEAL WITH CONSTITUTIONAL POLICING, SO FIRST AMENDMENT, FOURTH AMENDMENT, 14TH AMENDMENT, AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, AND VARIOUS OTHER FEDERAL ANTI-DISCRIMINATORY PROVISIONS WHICH WOULDN'T BE COVERED BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS BECAUSE THAT'S JUST THE STATE HUMAN RIGHTS ACT.

SO I'LL BE LOOKING AT THOSE ELEMENTS AS WELL AS THE DISCRIMINATORY POLICING AT THE MINNESOTA -- THAT THE MINNESOTA HUMAN RIGHTS DECREE, DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS DECREE LAID OUT.

>> Cathy: WHAT COULD OSSIBLY HINDER PERMANENT CHANGE?

WE GOT THIS ON APER, WE'VE HAD THIS QUICK START.

WHAT COULD DERAIL IS IT IT?

>> I THINK A LOSS OF WILL AND WE'RE SEEING THAT NOW IN NEW ORLEANS AND OTHER COMMUNITIES.

SO A SPRINT TO TRY TO GET TO THE POINT WHERE WE SAY THE WORK IS DONE, A LACK OF TRANSPARENCY WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT COULD BE A PROBLEM.

WE COULD HAVE A SITUATION WHERE THIS LINGERS ON FOR, YOU KNOW, DECADES, WHICH IS THE CASE OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, UNDER CONSENT DECREE FOR ALMOST TWO DECADES.

PEOPLE ARE SAYING NOW THEY'RE THINKING FOUR YEARS FOR MINNEAPOLIS, I THINK THAT'S OPTIMISTIC AND HOPEFUL.

BUT I THINK IT CAN BE ACHIEVED IF EVERYONE REMAINS KIND OF DIALED IN IN TERMS OF THE WORK ITSELF.

>> Cathy: DOES BRIAN O'HARA HAVE TO REMAIN CHIEF TO MAKE THIS WORK?

>> IDEALLY, NO.

I THINK THAT THE COMMUNITY IS BETTER SERVED BY SOMEONE WITH O'HARA'S EXPERIENCE GIVEN WHAT HE WAS ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH IN NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, I WOULD HATE TO GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS AGAIN AND REALLY HAVE TO CHANGE MIDSTREAM, BRINGING A NEW CHIEF AND DISRUPTING THAT WORK.

>> Eric: WILL CRIME GO DOWN IN MINNEAPOLIS?

>> WELL, THE NUMBERS ARE GOOD RIGHT NOW.

AT LEAST -- >> Eric: MURDERS ARE UP.

>> MURDERS ARE UP BUT IN OTHER METH RICKS IT LOOKS LIKE CRIME IS FRACKING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

THE QUESTION FOR US IS LESS ABOUT WHETHER CRIME WILL GO DOWN AND WHETHER WE HAVE CONFIDENCE IN OUR POLICE TO DO THE JOB IN A WAY THAT'S REFLECTIVE AND RESPECTFUL OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.

AND THAT'S REALLY WHAT FOLKS ARE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT HERE IS THAT THIS IS LESS ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS IN TERMS OF CRIME, IT'S MORE IN TERMS OF WHAT WE EXPECT FROM OUR POLICE AND HOW THEY CONDUCT THEMSELVES AND WORKING WITH THE PUBLIC AND ENGAGING THE PUBLIC.

AND THAT WOULD INCLUDE THINGS THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH YOUR KIND OF CLASSICAL CRIMINAL CATEGORIES, HOW THEY ENGAGE THE PUBLIC, HOW THEY DEAL WITH YOUTH, SO ON AND SO FORTH.

SO I THINK THOSE QUESTIONS ARE ALSO TOP OF MIND.

>> Eric: THANK YOU FOR LEADING US THROUGH THIS, WE ALWAYS APPRECIATE YOUR PAST EXPERTISE AND LOOK FORWARD TO BEING WITH YOU IN THE FUTURE.

>> ALWAYS GOOD TO BE WITH YOU.

>> Eric: THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> WE'RE GOING INTO OUR 41ST YEAR HERE AT "ALMANAC" ON TPT AND WOULD YOU BELIEVE I'VE BEEN DOING MONOLOGUES FOR 17 OF THOSE YEARS?

THEY SENT ME DOWN TO NASA TO DO A STORY ABOUT KATHERINE JOHNSON, THE WOMAN WHO HELPED SAVE THE APOLLO SPACE MISSION FOR WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH.

I EVEN GOT TO TALK TO JUSTIN JEFFERSON OF THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS HOW THEY'VE GOT OUR CLUTCHING OUR PEARLS AND CLENCHING OUR TEETH AND BITING OUR NAILS EVERY WEEK WHEN THEY GOT THOSE LAST MINUTE, LAST-SECOND GAMES.

I HAVE DONE EVERYTHING FROM WEARING WIGS TO PUTTING ON VAMPIRE COSTUMES.

BUT IT'S TIME I TAKE IT UP A NOTCH.

AFTER 17 YEARS, IT AIN'T EASY BEING BREEZY.

SO I'VE GOT TO LOOK AROUND ME AND FIND SOME INSPIRATION, IT CAN'T JUST BE ALL ABOUT POLITICS, POP CULTURE, AND SPORTS.

THIS CHRISTMAS I SAW SOMETHING THAT CHANGED MY LIFE.

NO, IT WASN'T SANTA SNEAKING IN TO DELIVER CHRISTMAS PRESENTS FOR MY KIDS.

BUT I TELL YOU, IT INSPIRED ME TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX, TO DO MY MONOLOGUES IN A TOTALLY DIFFERENT WAY!

BUT AFTER CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF "ALMANAC," T'S TIME FOR THE MONOLOGUES TO GO BIG.

I MEAN, REALLY BIG!

I MEAN, WE GOT TO DRAW INSPIRATION FROM SOME OF THE BIGGEST NAMES IN MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT!

I'M TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE LIKE BEYONCE.

♪♪ BUT FIRST I GOT TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET ON THIS HORSE.

♪♪ >> Eric: RIDE 'EM, SHELETTA.

LONG STORY SHORT, COLD OUT THERE.

PAUL DOUGLAS PACK TO TELL US HOW LONG HE THINKS THE COLD WILL LAST AND WHAT CHANCE WE HAVE FOR SNOW THIS WEEKEND.

WHEN PAUL ISN'T ON OUR AIRWAVES YOU CAN CATCH HIS PRECISIONS AT THE STAR TRIBUNE, IN HIS SPARE TIME HE RUNS HIS OWN WEATHER PRAEDICTIX.

IT'S NOT -- IS THIS COLD?

>> IT'S 20S, ERIC!

20 DEGREES ABOVE ZERO.

>> Cathy: SUCK IT UP.

>> AND WHEN PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THE POLAR VORTEX, NO, IT'S JANUARY, IT'S WINTER.

>> Eric: ILLUSTRATE THIS WITH SOME GRAPHICS.

>> ALL RIGHT, IF I MUST, I'LL DIVE RIGHT IN.

>> Eric: YES, SIR.

>> WE'RE NOT FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS THIS WINTER.

WE HAVE THE COLD FIRMLY IN PLACE BUT WHERE'S THE MOISTURE?

CHECK OUT SOME OF THESE AMOUNTS.

WE SHOULD HAVE SEEN 22 INCHES IN THE TWIN CITIES, UP TO 8.7, HALF AN INCH SO FAR IN JANUARY.

DULUTH SHOULD HAVE SEEN 40.7.

A FRACTION OF THAT.

GOOD GRIEF.

AND EVEN INTERNATIONAL FALLS SHOULD BE UP AROUND 34.5.

THAT'S NORMAL.

OUR WEATHER IS NEVER NORMAL BUT YOU CAN SEE THAT WE ARE RUNNING QUITE A SNOWFALL DEFICIT.

HAS ME CONCERNED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT DROUGHT SAILING INTO SPRING.

WE'LL SEE.

THIS IS SNOW COVER.

YET TO GO WAY UP -- YOU HAVE TO GO WAY UP NORTH 4 INCHES ON THE GROUND DULUTH, 8 INCHES INTERNATIONAL FALLS, FRIENDS IN THE BRAINERD LAKES, THAT'S A FRACTION OF WHERE WE SHOULD BE.

>> Cathy: THAT'S -- NO.

>> ALL THESE BUSINESSES, MOM AND POP AND BIG CORPORATIONS THAT RELY ON SNOW, THEY'RE HURTING.

ONCE AGAIN THIS WINTER, I THINK THINGS WILL TURN AROUND.

THAT IS A LOW CONFIDENCE PREDICTION, BUT I THINK THE LATTER HALF OF WINTER WILL BE SNOWIER,WARE NOT EVEN HALFWAY THROUGH BUT I DO THINK IT WILL PICK UP IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH.

THE PROBLEM WITH MARCH SNOWS, IT SNOWS HALF A FOOT, IT'S GONE IN TWO DAYS.

WE NEED IT NOW.

LOOKING AT HEATING DEGREE DAYS FROM THE WEATHER SERVICE, WE'VE SAVED 17% ON HEATING OSTS BECAUSE WE HAD SUCH AN ABNORMALLY MILD AUTUMN.

IN FACT, RIGHT INTO EARLY DECEMBER IT WAS RELATIVELY WARM.

NOW WE'RE GETTING A JOLT OF REAL MINNESOTA COLD.

ONLY SIX SUBZERO NIGHTS SO FAR, BY THE WAY.

SO IT HASN'T BEEN THAT BAD.

THIS IS LOOKING AHEAD, THE GFS MODEL FROM NOAA, 20S INTO SUNDAY, COUPLE OF COLD DAYS NEXT WEEK, MAYBE A THAW LATE NEXT WEEK.

AND THE FORECASTS HINTING WE COULD SEE HIGHS CLOSE TO ZERO BETWEEN THE 20TH AND 24TH.

CIRCLE YOUR CALENDAR.

>> Eric: ALL RIGHT.

>> Cathy: YES.

>> DOES ANYBODY DO THAT?

>> Cathy: NO.

>> Eric: I DO.

>> YEAH.

LOOK, I'M GOB SMACKED AS A METEOROLOGIST JUST TRACKING, FOLLOWING WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING WITH THESE FIRESTORMS.

RECORD SETTING FIRE FOR L.A., PROBABLY AMERICA'S COSTLIEST WILDFIRE.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN IMPACTED, BUT BY THE WAY, THIS IS THE LATEST DATA WHICH STILL SHOWS THESE FIRES BURNING, YOU KNOW, 20,000 ACRES UP NEAR ALTA DEENA AND PASADENA AND PALISADES AND MALIBU.

THE WINDS ARE FINALLY EASING UP BUT HERE'S THE DEAL -- >> Cathy: WOW.

>> -- HOW DO YOU DEFEND AGAINST HURRICANE-FORCE WINDS IN A SEVERE DROUGHT, THESE EMBERS TRAVEL FIVE, SIX, SEVEN MILES AWAY FROM THE BLAZES.

PEOPLE WHO THOUGHT THEY WERE SAFE, WELL AWAY FROM THE VEGETATION -- >> Cathy: THAT'S MAZING.

>> Eric: ISN'T JANUARY SUPPOSED TO BE THEIR WET MONTH?

>> IT IS, THIS IS THE WET SEASON.

>> Cathy: H, MY GOSH.

>> LAST YEAR AT THIS TIME CALIFORNIA HAD ATMOSPHERIC RIVERS AND FLOODING WHICH CAUSED A SPIKE IN VEGETATION BUT FOR THE PAST 8 MONTHS IT HASN'T RAINED.

I THINK THEY'VE GOTTEN 1,600THS OF AN INCH OF RAIN.

MOST OF THIS IS NATURAL.

THEY HAD A STORM OVER ARIZONA WHICH WHIPPED UP WINDS WITH, 30, 70, 80 MILES AN HOUR, BUT THE CLIMATE SCIENTISTS I'M IN TOUCH WITH SAY THE REAL FACTOR HERE IS THE FACT THAT THE BACKGROUND WARMING DRIVE OUT THE VEGETATION FASTER.

YOU HAD TINDER-DRY CONDITIONS.

RAKING THE FORESTS, COULD THAT HAVE -- I DON'T PRETEND TO KNOW, THAT IS WAY ABOVE MY PAY GRADE.

BUT WE DO KNOW THE LAST YEAR, THE WARMEST YEAR ON RECORD FOR THE WORLD, FOR THE UNITED STATES AND FOR MINNESOTA, THE TREND CONTINUES.

AND IT'S REALLY THE NIGHTTIME LOWS THAT ARE WARMING MUCH FASTER THAN DAYTIME HIGHS.

WE'VE HAD OUR FAIR SHARE OF BIG BLAZES HERE IN MINNESOTA.

THE HINCKLEY FIRE.

>> Eric: YEP.

>> WE ARE NOT IMMUNE TO WILDFIRES.

BUT AGAIN, WE HAVE A MUCH WETTER CLIMATE THAN L.A., SO IF WE HAD HIGH WINDS FOR A FEW DAYS IT WOULD PROBABLY BE ACCOMPANIED BY RAIN OR SNOW.

I WANT TO BELIEVE THAT COULDN'T HAPPEN HERE AGAIN.

>> Eric: EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINING AS USUAL.

>> I'M TRYING.

>> Cathy: HAPPY NEW YEAR.

>> I'LL WORK ON THE SNOW.

GOOD TO SEE YOU TOO.

>> Cathy: THANKS.

SEE YOU LATER.

♪♪ >> I NEVER APPROACH THINGS THAT THERE'S EVER A SAFE SEAT, IT'S SUPER IMPORTANT THAT WE INCLUDE ALL CONSTITUENTS IN CONVERSATIONS, THAT'S HOW I SERVED ON THE EDINA SCHOOL BOARD TOO.

I DOORKNOCKED EVERYBODY, I HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH PEOPLE ACROSS THE AISLE THAT I KNEW WEREN'T GOING TO VOTE FOR ME AND I GOT A LOT OF TEXTS FROM THEM ON ELECTION NIGHT CONGRATULATING ME.

I THINK A LOFT SUBURBS IN THE METRO INCLUDING EDINA COMMUNITY ARE TAKING A STAND WITH THEIR VALUES, WE'RE GOING TO TREAT PEOPLE AND LET PEOPLE LOVE WHO THEY WANT TO LOVE, LET PEOPLE LIVE HOW THEY WANT TO LIVE AND MAKE SURE PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS AND AFFORDABILITY AND NOTHING IS HELD AGAINST THEM.

I THINK THAT'S AN IMPORTANT PIECE TO ACTUALLY HOW MINNESOTANS LIVE.

WE MOVED TO MINNESOTA NOT KNOWING ANYBODY, CHOSE EDINA, BUT I WILL TELL YOU EDINA IS A PASSIONATE ENGAGED COMMUNITY AND WE GET A LOT OF STUFF DONE.

♪♪ >> Cathy: IN SEPTEMBER WE MET THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA'S NEW PRESIDENT REBECCA CUNNINGHAM.

WE TALKED AT THAT TIME ABOUT ENROLLMENT AT THE U, A POSSIBLE FAIRVIEW/U OF M HOSPITAL DEAL, AND THE LEGISLATURE.

WITH A FEW MORE MONTHS UNDER HER BELT AND THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE LOOMING WE THOUGHT IT WAS A PRETTY GOOD TIME TO CHECK BACK IN WITH PRESIDENT CUNNINGHAM.

WELCOME BACK.

>> GREAT TO BE HERE.

>> Cathy: SAY, MPR HAD A STORY ABOUT SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN SOUTHERN MINNESOTA PREPARING FOR POSSIBLE MASS DEPORTATIONS BECAUSE THEY HAVE SO MANY LATINO STUDENTS AND I'M WONDERING WITH THE NUMBER OF INSURANCE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, ARE YOU PREPARING FOR MASS DEPORTATIONS?

WHAT'S THE PLAN IF THAT HAPPENS?

>> INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AND FACULTY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A VIBRANT PART OF OUR UNIVERSITY IN SHARING AND EXCHANGES IDEAS AND WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD RESOURCES, EXISTING RESOURCES IN HOW TO HELP OUR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS NAVIGATE THE POLICIES AND RULES OF THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

>> Cathy: AND WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE, THOUGH?

ARE YOU HEARING FROM STUDENTS WHO MIGHT BE CONCERNED OR FACULTY?

>> I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF INTEREST IN WHAT WILL HAPPEN, WHAT CHANGES WILL COME, AND WE HAVE RESOURCES TO HELP PROVIDE OUR FACULTY AND STUDENTS WITH THOSE AS THINGS CHANGE AND HELP UNDERSTAND WHAT THOSE CHANGES ARE AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR THEM, THOSE ARE THINGS THAT WE'VE ALWAYS DONE.

>> Eric: U OF M DOES HAVE A POLICE FORCE AND DO YOU HAVE AN ABILITY TO SAY DON'T COOPERATE WITH THE FEDS WHEN THEY COME IN AND DEPORT PEOPLE, OR?

>> THE UNIVERSITY POLICE FORCE IS FOCUSED ON CAMPUS SAFETY, WHICH SAFETY HAS ALWAYS BEEN A REALLY IMPORTANT PART OF OUR CAMPUS, AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO ALWAYS WORK ON HOW WE CAN ENSURE THE SAFETY OF OUR CAMPUS, BUT THESE THINGS THAT WE'LL ALL HAVE TO LEARN TOGETHER IN A NEW ADMINISTRATION.

>> Cathy: SO WHEN YOU WERE HERE WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY WORKING TO REACQUIRE THEIR TEACHING HOSPITALS THAT FAIRVIEW HAS BEEN -- OWNS AND HAS BEEN RUNNING WITH THE U OF M, RIGHT?

SO I'M WONDERING, HOW ARE THOSE TALKS GOING?

ON CFSS I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THEY'RE PROBABLY PRETTY INTERESTING.

>> TALKS ARE REALLY INTERESTING AND ONGOING, WE'RE CERTAINLY WELL WITHIN THE DEEP PHASE OF NEGOTIATIONS WITH OUR FAIRVIEW PARTNERS.

I'LL HAVE MORE UPDATES WHEN THE RESULTS OF THOSE TALKS CAN BE PUBLIC.

BUT IN THE MEANTIME THE UNIVERSITY CONTINUES TO PROVIDE AMAZING HEALTH CARE, YOU HEARD EARLIER FROM YOUR EARLIER GUEST ON THE WORKFORCE SHORTAGES AROUND THE STATE.

THE UNIVERSITY IS POISED TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE 70% OF THE HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE THAT WE DO ACROSS THE STATE NOW.

SO I THINK, YOU KNOW, PART OF OUR STATE BUDGET REQUEST THIS YEAR IS INDEED AROUND HOW WE CAN CONTINUE TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF MINNESOTA.

AND WE HAVE IN THAT REQUEST WE HAVE THE ABILITY WITH GOOD STATE PARTNERSHIP TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL 3,000 HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS, NURSES, PHYSICIANS, VETS, TECHS, ALL ACROSS THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, AND TO TRIPLE THE AMOUNT OF MOBILE HEALTH AND TELEHEALTH PROVIDERS TO REALLY REACH ACROSS GREATER MINNESOTA.

SO WE'RE WORKING ON LOTS OF WAY THAT'S WE CAN IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF MINNESOTANS.

>> Cathy: YOU ENTIONED YOUR LEGISLATIVE REQUEST.

LAST SESSION YOU WERE ASKING FOR $950 MILLION.

IS THAT THE PRICE TAG TO REACQUIRE THE HOSPITALS FROM FAIRVIEW?

>> NO THE STATE REQUEST WE HAVE IN RIGHT NOW, THAT'S A SEPARATE NEGOTIATION AN CONVERSATIONS.

>> Cathy: OKAY.

>> Eric: ARE YOU DOING SOME MISSIONARY WORK AT THE LEGISLATURE?

I KNOW YOUR PREDECESSOR DIDN'T ACTUALLY LIGHT IT ON FIRE OVER THERE.

>> I'M HAVING A GREAT TIME AT THE LEGISLATURE.

I'M GETTING TO KNOW -- >> Eric: WHAT KIND OF RECEPTION ARE YOU GETTING?

>> I THINK PEOPLE ARE INTERESTED IN THE GREAT WORK THAT THE UNIVERSITY DOES AND I'VE BEEN HAPPY TO SHARE WITH THEM MY IMPRESSIONS COMING INTO THE STATE FOR THE GREAT ASSET THAT WE HAVE, WHAT AN AMAZING, WHAT THE VALUE IS FOR THE PUBLIC INVESTMENT THAT THEY PROVIDE AND TAXPAYERS PROVIDE FOR THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AND HOW WE PROVIDE THAT.

YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN REALLY CLEAR, WE WORK HARD TO MAKE SURE WE STRETCH EVERY DOLLAR.

WE LOOK FOR EFFICIENCIES ALL THE TIME, JUST THIS PAST YEAR WE LOOKED AT, FOR EXAMPLE, HOW WE LOOK AT THE CONTENT THAT'S BEING PUBLISHED IN OUR LIBRARIES AND HOW WE'RE MANAGING THAT AND REPURPOSE THAT OVER A QUARTER MILLION DOLLARS TO MAKE SURE WE'RE USING TAXPAYER DOLLARS REALLY EFFICIENTLY.

BUT THE VALUE THAT WE HAVE FOR THE STATE IS CERTAINLY BEYOND THAT, I TALKED ABOUT THE HEALTH CARE COMPONENT AND HOW WE IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF MINNESOTA.

YOU KNOW, I'LL REMIND YOU WE PROVIDE, FOR EXAMPLE, MAYO DOWN THE ROAD PROVIDES GREAT CARE TO A MILLION PEOPLE AROUND THE GLOBE.

WE PROVIDE GREAT CARE TO A MILLION PEOPLE ACROSS MINNESOTA WITH UNIVERSITY -- WITH UNIVERSITY SERVICES AND PROVIDE THE HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE ALSO FOR THE STATE.

I THINK THE -- WE'RE ALSO THE OTHER PARTS OF OUR STATE REQUESTS ARE ALSO AROUND RESEARCH, HOW WE REALLY MAKE, PARTNER WITH INDUSTRY AND MAXIMIZE THAT INDUSTRY RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP TO BRING FEDERAL DOLLARS TO THE STATE TO PLACES LIKE INDUSTRY AROUND GREEN STEEL AND SUSTAINABLE STEEL ACROSS THE IRON RANGE IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

>> Eric: WE'LL HAVE TO CONTINUE THIS, GETTING THE HOOK HERE.

WE GOT TO GET ROLLIN'.

BUT ALL THE BEST IN THE SESSION.

>> Cathy: THANKS SO MUCH.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> Eric: NICE, THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> HELLO THERE.

I WANTED TO START 2025 WITH A MESSAGE OF GRATITUDE.

LIFE GETS EDGY WITH OUR CYNICAL WORLD VIEWS AND FRANTIC PURSUITS.

IT'S EASY TO FEEL LIKE A SULLEN TEENAGER.

BUT SINCE MOST OF US DON'T LIVE IN FRANCE, ROLLING OUR EYES AT EVERYTHING ISN'T PRODUCTIVE.

WHAT MIGHT HELP THOUGH IS GRATITUDE.

GRATITUDE COMES OFF AS VERY AW, SHUCKS, ANDY GRIFFITH AMERICANA, BYGONE TO A TIME WHEN PEOPLE DIDN'T HAVE TO SPECULATE WHETHER DON KNOTTS WAS DEAD OR NOT.

GRATITUDE IS VERY MUCH ALIVE, IT JUST LOOKS DIFFERENT.

CONFIRMATION TEXTS, NOTIFICATIONS FROM VARIOUS APPS AND SMALL PHYSICAL GESTURES ARE THE NORM.

THESE AREN'T SO BAD, THEY JUST LACK AN AMOUNT OF FOCUS THAT HELPS YOU REALIZE HAT LIFE IS SO LOVELY.

GRATITUDE DOESN'T HAVE TO BE COMPLEX OR OVERLY INTIMATE.

IT CAN SIMPLY BE YOU SAYING KIND THINGS OR GIFTING WRITTEN WORDS.

IF THAT FEELS TOO STRANGE OR INTIMATE, GO IN THE OTHER DIRECTION, HARD.

TRY FOR A BUSHEL F BEERS OR SWORDS!

I'VE NEVER TURNED DOWN EITHER OF THOSE THINGS AND I CAN'T IMAGINE A PERSON WHO WOULD!

JUST ENJOY THOSE TWO THINGS AT THE SAME TIME, OTHERWISE YOU'LL HAVE A VERY SHORT 2025.

AND IF ALCOHOL AND WEAPONRY AREN'T FOR YOU, MAYBE LOOK INWARD TO FIND SOMETHING UNIQUE TO YOURSELF.

I WANT 2025 TO BE A GOOD YEAR FOR YOU, AND THAT'S ONLY GOING TO BE THE CASE IF YOU'RE WILLING TO REFLECT AND SHARE ALL OF THE THINGS THAT YOU THINK ARE GOOD.

SO PRACTICE SOME GRATITUDE.

YOU'LL REALLY ENJOY IT.

AND BELIEVE ME WHEN I SAY HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

♪♪ >> Eric: IT'S A REALLY TRADITION, THE YMCA HOLDS ITS STUDENT YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT PROGRAM IN EARLY JANUARY BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION STARTS, AND WELCOMES STUDENTS TO THE CAPITOL FOR A MULTI-DAY MOCK LEGISLATURE.

STUDENTS MEET UP, THEY DRAFT BILLS, BRING THEIR LEGISLATION THROUGH COMMITTEE, EVEN DEBATE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

SO JOINING US NOW IS ADDY BERG, A SENIOR AT LAKES INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE ACADEMY, EMI REN, SENIOR AT MOUNDS VIEW HIGH SCHOOL, PROUD MUSTANG.

AND WESLEY FREIBERG IS A JUNIOR AT JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL.

WELCOME TO "ALMANAC."

PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE.

WHAT GOT YOU INTERESTED IN THIS PARTICULAR ACTIVITY?

>> I BEGAN AS AN EIGHTH GRADER AND MY FIRST YEAR I WAS IN THE SENATE AND I WROTE MY BILLS ON ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND ALL OF THAT, THAT JUST GOT ME SUPER INTERESTED IN THE LEGISLATURE AND THE PROCESS OF PASSING BILLS BECAUSE IT WAS SOMETHING I WAS SUPER PASSIONATE ABOUT.

THAT PASSION TURNED INTO WANTING TO BECOME MORE OF A LEADER AND TAKE ON THE LEADERSHIP ROLE OF RUNNING THE SENATE.

AND THAT BROUGHT ME TO THE PRESIDENCY IN THE END.

>> WESLEY, WHAT'S YOUR ORIGIN STORY?

>> WELL, I FOUND OUT ABOUT YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT, THE CENTER FOR YOUTH VOICE, BRANCH OF THE "Y" THAT DOES ALL THIS THROUGH A BOOTH AT THE STATE FAIR.

MINNESOTAN THROUGH AND THROUGH.

I HAD A PAMPHLET I GOT AS A SIXTH GRADER THAT I HELD ONTO FOR TWO YEARS BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO JOIN ND I'VE JUST EXPLORED AND DOVE IN IN THAT TIME.

>> Eric: EMI, WHAT ABOUT YOU?

>> LET ME TELL YOU I'VE BEEN INTERESTED IN POLITICS SINCE I WAS YOUNG BUT ESPECIALLY WHEN I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE COURTS PROGRAM, I MIGHT WANT TO GO TO LAW SCHOOL IN THE FUTURE, MIGHT WANT TO BE A LAWYER, AND I WENT AND THOUGHT OH, MY GOSH, THIS IS SO INTERESTING, THIS IS SO COOL TO PRETEND TO BE A LAWYER AND ALL THE COURT CASES AND EXPLORE A DIFFERENT ASPECT OF GOVERNMENT.

WHEN PEOPLE THINK OF GOVERNMENT THEY THINK OF BILLS, BUT REALLY THE JUDICIAL SECTOR IS A BIG PART OF THAT, RIGHT?

>> Cathy: RIGHT, SO ERIC AND I ARE OLD POLITICAL REPORTERS, AND I WONDER WHEN WE HAVE SO MUCH POLARIZATION AND MISTRUST AND DISTRUST AROUND POLITICS, YOU GUYS ARE REALLY EXCITED WHICH MAKES US FEEL WONDERFUL.

BUT I'M WONDERING, WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE LEVEL OF POLITICAL POLARIZATION IN THIS COUNTRY AS A YOUNG PERSON?

>> HONESTLY, IT IS A LITTLE BIT DISHEARTENING TO SEE PEOPLE BEING SO HARSH ON EACH OTHER AND REALLY SPREADING HATE INSTEAD OF KINDNESS.

BUT BEING AT YIG I THINK BRINGS MAZE A LOT OF HOPE.

-- ME A LOT OF HOPE.

SEEING PEOPLE WHO HAVE SIMILAR GOALS FOR THE FUTURE OF POLITICS WHERE WE WANT TO CREATE LIKE A RESPECTFUL SPACE WHERE EVERYBODY'S OPINIONS ARE HEARD JUST LIKE WE DO IN OUR YOUTH LEGISLATURE.

>> ALSO WE DON'T HAVE ANY POLITICAL PARTIES WHATSOEVER AT YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT.

IT'S SOLELY FOCUSED ON MAKING SURE PEOPLE GET CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.

WE DON'T CARE IF YOU'RE A DEMOCRAT, RIGHT, EFT, WHATEVER, WE JUST WANT YOU TO LEARN ABOUT PROCESSES, VOTING, OUR SYSTEMS AND MAKING PEOPLE PARTICIPATE IN THOSE ILLS BECAUSE IT'S POLARIZING.

>> I'M 17.

>> 17.

>> 17.

>> Eric: HOW ABOUT 17-YEAR-OLDS VOTING?

IT COMES UP AT THE LEGISLATURE.

YOU GUYS ARE HIGH INFORMATION PROSPECTIVE VOTERS DOUBT DO YOU THINK IT WOULD WORK?

16, 17?

>> THAT'S A TRILLION INTERESTING QUESTION.

OUR MOTTO IS DEMOCRACY MUST BE LEARNED BY EACH GENERATION.

ONE OF OUR PROGRAMS THAT ISN'T DIRECTLY RELATED TO YOUTH IN GOVERNMENT, THIS CONFERENCE BUT ANOTHER PROGRAM OF THE CENTER FOR YOUTH VOICE IS OUR STUDENTS VOTING PROGRAM.

WE HAD IT IN ALMOST 500, MORE THAN 500 SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE.

WE HAD LIKE 200,000 KIDS VOTE.

>> Eric: WOW.

>> OUR GOAL IS TO INSTILL THE MISSION OF DEMOCRACY, THE IDEA OF DEMOCRACY, CIVILITY AAS WELL IN THESE YOUNG PEOPLE.

WHETHER OR NOT VOTING PAT 17 IS A GOOD IDEA, WITH US I THINK IT WOULD BE AND WE NEED TO SPREAD THAT IDEA TO OTHERS.

>> Eric: YEAH, WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK?

>> SOMETHING I ACTUALLY FIND REALLY INTERESTING ABOUT THAT IS THAT AT LEAST ONCE MAYBE EVEN TWO OR THREE TIMES A YEAR A BILL COMES UP IN THE LEGISLATURE THAT STUDENTS HAVE WRITTEN THAT WANTS TO LOWER THE VOTING AGE TO I FEEL LIKE I'VE SEEN 16 IS USUALLY THE MOST COMMON AGE.

>> LOWEST IS 14 THIS YEAR.

YEAH, I WAS GOING TO SAY I'VE SEEN LOWER.

IT'S SOMETHING YOUTH RE PASSIONATE ABOUT ESPECIALLY IN A PROGRAM LIKE THIS, WE WANT TO HAVE A VOICE, SO.

>> Cathy: ARE THERE OTHER ISSUE THAT'S THE MINNESOTA LEGISLATURE SHOULD TAKE UP THAT YOUNG PEOPLE ARE REALLY PASSIONATE ABOUT?

>> WELL, I MEAN, HUGE ONE IS PROTECTION IN SCHOOLS, RIGHT?

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE SCARED TO GO TO SCHOOL THESE DAYS.

THEY'RE ORRIED ABOUT GUN CONTROL AND ALL THOSE TYPES OF THINGS AND I BELIEVE THERE WAS ACTUALLY A BILL PROPOSED IN THE LEGISLATURE WHERE YOU COULD TEACH SELF-PROTECTION IN CLASSES.

AND SO IT'S REALLY INTERESTING TO SEE HOW PEOPLE INTERACT WITH THE EDUCATION SYSTEM IN THESE TIMES AND ALSO LIKE WHAT THEY THINK IS REALLY IMPORTANT, BECAUSE THAT'S WHY WE PASS ALL THE BILLS AND THEN WE CREATE A BOOK FROM THOSE AND THEN WE SEND THOSE TO THE ACTUAL LEGISLATURE, THAT WAY THEY CAN SEE WHAT WE'RE DOING AND SEE WHAT WE CARE ABOUT AND MAYBE MODEL SOME OF THEIR OWN BILLS OFF OF IT.

, HAVE YOU FOUND YOUR CAREER PATHS ALREADY?

>> I'M HOPING TO GO INTO ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES OR PUBLIC POLICY.

HOPEFULLY A MIX OF THE TWO.

>> Eric: WESLEY?

>> MY WORK AT YOUTH AND GOVERNMENT LIKE EMI'S IS MORE LOGISTICS, FUND-RAISING, BACKGROUND, SOCIAL MEDIA BEHIND THE SCENES, WORKING WITH THE STATE OFFICE, THE ADULTS AT THE "Y" THAT PUT THAT ON.

I'VE GOTTEN TO KNOW THE "Y" REALLY WELL AS AN ORGANIZATION AND THAT'S WHERE I MIGHT SEE MYSELF.

>> Eric: CAREER PATH.

LAW SCHOOL IT SOUNDS LIKE.

>> LAW SCHOOL BUT ALSO ECOMING A FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER THROUGH THAT LAW DEGREE.

I'D LOVE TO WORK WITH GETTING PEOPLE VISAS, GREEN CARDS, ALL THOSE THINGS AS AN IMMIGRANT CHILD MYSELF.

SUPER PASSIONATE ABOUT AND Y.I.G.

HAS ENABLED ME TO BE IN THESE SPACES.

>> Cathy: WHAT A JOY TO HAVE YOU ALL HERE.

>> Eric: I WISH I HAD YOUR FUTURES.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> Eric: GOOD LUCK AND THANKS FOR COMING.

THE CAST AT THE CAPITOL CONTINUES TO CHANGE BY THE DAY.

LAWSUITS ARE LOOMING, THE NEW REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIR IS PART OF MORE THAN ONE OF THE LAWSUITS AND HOUSE DEMOCRATS ARE THREATENING NOT TO SHOW UP ON THE FIRST DAY.

OUR LONGTIME CAPITOL REPORTER MARY LAHAMMER GIVES US DEEPER CONTEXT ON ALL OF THIS.

>> THE CLERK PRO TEM WILL CALL THE ROLL.

>> THE SECRETARY OF STATE MUST CONVENE THE SESSION ON THE FIRST DAY, AND ONLY THAT PRESIDING OFFICER CAN DECIDE IF THERE'S ENOUGH MEMBERS PRESENT FOR A QUORUM TO BEGIN WORK.

>> STEVE SIMON WILL BE THE PRESIDING OFFICER AND HE WILL DETERMINE WHETHER QUORUM IS PRESENT OR NOT.

>> THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE CONFIRMS THAT WITHOUT 68 MEMBERS PRESENT, WHICH NEITHER CAUCUS HAS, HE WILL CONCLUDE THERE'S NO QUORUM AND WILL ADJOURN.

REPUBLICANS SAY WITH AT LEAST ONE D.F.L.

SEAT NOT FILLED ON THAT FIRST DAY, THEY WILL ATTEMPT TO ELECT LEADER DEMUTH AS SPEAKER.

>> THERE IS NO LONGER A TIE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

DEMOCRATS WILL BE COMING IN WITH 66 MEMBERS.

WHAT THAT DOES IS THAT GIVES US AN ORGANIZATIONAL MAJORITY.

>> MULTIPLE LEGAL CASES HAVE ALL THE LAWYERS IN LEADERSHIP JUMPING INTO ACTION.

>> HOW MUCH DOES IT HELP TO BE LAWYERS MAYBE -- [ LAUGHTER ] >> AYBE A LITTLE.

AND, YOU KNOW, MAYBE 20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE SERVING IN THE MINNESOTA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SOME OF THESE THINGS ARE ABSOLUTELY CLEAR.

>> THE LAWYER WHO'S THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY LEADER DESIGNATE SAYS IF DEMOCRATS FAIL TO SHOW AND DENY A QUORUM, THEY'LL START RECALL ELECTIONS AGAINST THEM.

THE MINNESOTA CONSTITUTION SAYS THAT THE GROUNDS FOR RECALL ARE MISFEASANCE OR NONFEESANCE OF OFFICE, IT'S CLEAR AND LEGISLATORS ARE SPECIFICALLY REFERENCES IN THAT.

WE THINK NONFEESANCE OF OFFICE MEANS ANYTHING WITH LEGISLATORS NOT SHOWING UP FOR WORK.

>> THE D.F.L.

SPEAKER SAYS IF THE NEW REPUBLICAN SPEAKER DOESN'T HONOR THEIR PREVIOUS POWERSHARING AGREEMENT DEMOCRATS WILL DENY AND STAY HOME IN THEIR DISTRICTS.

>> WE DON'T PLAN TO ENGAGE IN MALFEASANCE, ONE OF THE TACTICS A LEGISLATOR CAN USE IS DENIAL OF QUORUM.

>> REPUBLICANS PLAN TO KEEP A DEMOCRAT FROM SHAKOPEE FROM TAKING OFFICE AFTER VOTES WERE LOST IN HIS RACE.

>> KNOWING THAT THERE WERE 20 BALLOTS THROWN AWAY MEANS THAT THERE WERE 20 DISENFRANCHISED VOTERS.

EVERY VOTER SHOULD HAVE THEIR VOTE FAIRLY COUNTED.

>> IT'S A BIT IRONIC THAT ON JANUARY 6TH WE'RE TALKING ONCE AGAIN ABOUT STEALING AN ELECTION BUT IN THE REPUBLICAN PRESS CONFERENCE THEY WERE VERY CLEAR THAT THEY INTEND TO USE A TEMPORARY SITUATION WHERE THEY HAVE A ONE-VOTE ADVANTAGE BUT NOT A MAJORITIES TO KICK OUT A DULY ELECTED MEMBER.

>> ALSO IN THE MIDDLE OF ALL THIS CHAOS AT THE CAPITOL IS A BRAND NEW REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIR WHO'S PART OF A LAWSUIT ON A SPECIAL ELECTION THE GOVERNOR CALLED FOR A HOUSE SEAT.

>> I GOT INVOLVED 20 YEARS AGO AND I DIPPED MY TOE IN THE WATER AND THEN HERE I AM AS THE CHAIR.

>> YEAH, THIS IS MORE THAN DIPPING, THIS IS DIVING HEAD-FIRST.

>> YEAH, WELL, IT DIDN'T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.

BUT I'LL TELL YOU I WASN'T REALLY PLANNING O DO THIS QUITE HONESTLY.

I WASN'T EVEN THINKING ABOUT IT, IT WASN'T ANYTHING I WAS ANGLING TOWARD BUT A FEW PEOPLE I TRUST CONTACTED ME.

>> HIS FIRST BIG PRESS CONFERENCE WAS ABOUT SUING THE GOVERNOR FOR THE TIMING OF CALLING A SPECIAL ELECTION, NO SMALL ACT.

>> WHEN I GOT ELECTED I THOUGHT I WAS GETTING INTO THE POLITICAL BUSINESS BUT IN FACT I GOT INTO THE FIREHOSE DRINKING BUSINESS.

>> DID YOU KNOW WHAT YOU WERE GETTING INTO?

>> NO.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> BECAUSE IT'S BEEN A BUSY START.

>> HONESTLY I KNEW SOME OF IT, I KNEW THE TECHNICAL STUFF, I'D BEEN ON THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND INVOLVED IN POLITICS INCLUDING RNC, BUT THE HAPPENING PARTICULARLY THIS LAST WEEK IS AN EYE-OPENER.

>> ESPECIALLY WE ARE STARING DOWN HISTORY IN THE MINNESOTA STATE CAPITOL, POTENTIAL OF A TIED SENATE AND TIED HOUSE AND MAYBE JUST CHAOS AND STALEMATE FOR SEVERAL WEEKS.

DID YOU THINK YOU'D BE SEEING THAT?

>> I THINK THAT'S PROBABLY AN ISSUE FOR THE SENATE AND HOUSE CAUCUS, THEY GOT TO BATTLE THAT OUT.

MY VIEW IS WHEN I CAME INTO THIS, IT WAS ALL BLUE, DEMOCRAT ALL THE WAY AROUND SHO NOW WE'RE BEGINNING TO NIP AT THE EDGES.

THE NATION LOOKS AT US AS BEING A BLUE STATE.

WE'RE NOT REALLY, WE ARE A RED STATE AND A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW IT.

>> ARE WE PURPLE?

>> WELL, OF COURSE WE ARE, WE ARE THE VIKINGS STATE.

>> THE CHAIR IS A FORMER FOOTBALL COACH NVOLVED WITH YOUTH SPORTS ALONG WITH SERVING ON THE WAYZATA CITY COUNCIL.

>> I KEPT HEARING FOLKS SAY WE WANT A BORING CHAIR.

>> WELL, THEY GOT ONE.

>> HE OUSTED DAVID HAHN WHO VOWED TO BE BORING AFTER SCANDAL PLAGUED THE PARTY ALONG WITH POOR FUND-RAISING.

>> IF YOUR COMPETITOR OUTFUNDS YOU 8 TO 1 OR 10 TO 1 YOU'RE AT A DISADVANTAGE.

>> DO YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT JOB THAN THAT NOW?

>> WELL, I DON'T THINK I'M BORING.

TALK TO SOME PEOPLE.

I NEVER THOUGHT OF IT THAT WAY.

I'M A MARINE.

I'M A FIGHTER PILOT.

I CAN'T AFFORD TO BE BORING IN THAT CONTEXT BECAUSE THE PEOPLE AROUND ME WON'T LET ME.

>> UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP REPUBLICANS WILL WIN THE STATE.

>> WELL, THAT'S WHAT I'M COMMITTED, CAMPAIGN STARTED YESTERDAY FOR NEXT YEAR.

IT STARTED YESTERDAY.

♪♪ >> Cathy: GOSH, IT'S BEEN A BUSY WEEK IN MINNESOTA POLITICS.

LEGISLATIVE SESSION WILL KICK OFF WITH COURT CASES, SPECIAL ELECTIONS, POSSIBLE TIES AND A WHOLE LOT OF UNANSWERED QUESTIONS.

GOING TO DIVE RIGHT IN WITH THIS WEEK'S FORMER LAWMAKER PANEL.

FORMER HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER RYAN WINKLER IS HERE.

KARLA BIGHAM, FORMER STATE SENATOR AND HOUSE MEMBER.

ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE OF THINGS FORMER STATE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER AMY KOCH AND FORMER SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE KURT DAUDT.

SPEAKER DAUDT, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE FACT THAT -- [ LAUGHTER ] SECRETARY SECRETARY OF STATE SIMON SENT THAT LETTER THAT SAYS THAT IT'S A QUORUM AT 68.

I'M WONDERING WILL THIS WIND UP IN COURT?

>> IT PROBABLY WILL IF HE REMAINS STEADFAST WITH THAT POSITION AND HE THINKS HE'S GOING TO COME IN AND DO A ROLL CALL AND THEN SAY THERE'S NO QUORUM AND GAVEL OUT.

THE PROBLEM IS, AND DON'T KNOW IF HE'S THOUGHT ABOUT IT OR NOT BUT IT'S NOT ADDRESSED IN HIS LETTER OR ANYWHERE ELSE, THE SECRETARY OF STATE NOWHERE HAS THE AUTHORITY TO JUDGE THE RULES OF THE HOUSE, THE CONSTITUTION FOR THE HOUSE, THE -- ANY OF IT.

IT -- OUR CONSTITUTION DOESN'T ENVISION THAT.

AND IT ACTUALLY CREATES A CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS.

WE WILL BE WITHOUT -- IF THAT HAPPENS, WE WILL BE WITHOUT A LEGISLATURE FOR LIKELY MORE THAN A MONTH.

AND THE HOUSE JUDGES ITS OWN RULES, IT WILL DETERMINE WHETHER IT'S MEETING THE CONSTITUTION, AND IT DOES THAT THROUGH ITS OWN PROCESS.

VOTES, MAKING A POINT OF ORDER AND THEN OVERTURNING THE RULING OF THE SPEAKER AND WHOEVER HAS THE MOST VOTES WINS, THAT'S THE WAY THAT IT WORKS.

IF SOMEBODY DOESN'T LIKE THAT, IF THEY FEEL HARMED BY THAT THEY CAN TAKE THAT TO COURT.

BUT THE SECRETARY OF DOES NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES HAVE THAT AUTHORITY.

>> THERE IS NO OF REPRESENTATIVES WITHOUT 68 VOTES.

IT DOESN'T EXIST.

IT'S 68 PEOPLE MILLING AROUND IN A ROOM TALKING TO EACH OTHER UNTIL YOU GET TO 68.

THE STATE CONSTITUTION HAS NOT BEEN TESTED ON THE LANGUAGE.

BUT THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HAS ALWAYS USED 68 VOTES AS A STANDARD FOR PASSING BILLS.

YOU WOULD AGREE WITH THAT, 68 VOTES FOR PASSING BILLS, ALL BEEN THAT WAY.

AND THE STATE CONSTITUTION SAYS HAS THE SAME LANGUAGE FOR PASSING BILLS AND FOR A QUORUM.

IT IS 68.

THE VAST MAJORITIES OF STATES -- >> WE'VE HAD SPEAKERS WITH 67 VOTES -- >> WE'VE LITIGATED THIS -- WITH THAT 68 YOU'RE JUST PEOPLE MILLING AROUND A ROOM.

>> BUT SETTING ASIDE THE QUORUM WHICH MINNESOTANS DON'T GIVE A FROG'S FAT PATOOT ABOUT, THIS IS ABOUT LEGISLATORS NOT SHOWING UP THE FIRST DAY.

>> Eric: AND GETTING PAID.

>> WELL, ITS NOT CLEAR, I DON'T THINK THEY GET PAID BECAUSE THEY DON'T ORGANIZE.

MINNESOTANS DON'T CARE ABOUT A QUORUM, THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT THE SPEAKER OR MAJORITY LEADER, APOLOGIZE TO Y'ALL, BUT THEY DON'T.

THEY CARE ABOUT THE WORK GETTING DONE.

AND WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IS THERE'S GOING TO BE, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT WHY WE'RE ARGUING ABOUT THIS QUORUM WHICH THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT, THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE NOT SHOWING UP ON THE FIRST DAY FOR A JOB THEY RAN FOR AND PEOPLE ELECTED THEM TO GO TO THE HOUSE AND VOTE.

>> LOOK, I WASN'T SPEAKER, BUT -- IT'S 68 VOTES, WE ALL KNOW THAT.

THE HOUSE NEEDS TO TAKE SOME ADVICE FROM THE SENATE WHICH I WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH LEADER MURPHY AND LEADER JOHNSON WHERE THEY ARE HAVING PRODUCTIVE, FRUITFUL CONVERSATIONS ABOUT HOW THEY ARE GOING TO GET THROUGH THE BEGINNING PART OF SESSION HERE.

AND THAT IS WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO.

THEY -- TO AMY'S POINT, STOP FIGHTING EACH OTHER, START FIGHTING FOR MINNESOTA.

START FIGHTING FOR THE ISSUES THAT MINNESOTANS CARE ABOUT.

AND THAT'S WHAT THEY NEED TO START FOCUSING ON.

>> BUT IT TAKES BOTH SIDES TO PUT DOWN SWORDS.

>> Cathy: THAT'S TRUE, SO IF D.F.L.ERS DO BOY BOYCOTT THE FIRST COUPLE WEEKS OF SESSION WHO WINS THE BATTLE OF PUBLIC OPINION ON THIS, TO YOUR -- >> I THINK TO BELIEVE THE REPUBLICANS DO -- >> NOBODY IS.

>> AND MINNESOTANS DO LOSE BUT IF DEMOCRATS DO THAT THE NONPARTISAN STAFF THAT WORK SO HARD TO MAKE THEM ALL LOOK GOOD IS NOT GOING TO GET PAID FOR A MONTH.

AND THAT'S PRETTY HARSH.

>> IT'S THE REPUBLICANS MAKING THE CHALLENGES, IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY.

YOU NEED EACH OTHER TO PASS THINGS.

>> WELL -- OR THEY COULD ALL SHOW UP ON THE FIRST DAY OF SESSION AND TAKE A VOTE FOR SPEAKER AND THE ONE WITH THE MOST VOTES WINS.

>> IT DOESN'T NEED TO BE THIS WAY.

>> -- IT WASN'T THE REPUBLICANS THAT DETERMINED CURTIS JOHNSON DIDN'T LIVE IN HIS DISTRICT, IT WAS A COURT AND HE COULD NOT BE SEATED.

A COURT, NONPARTISAN COURT.

>> THE DEMOCRATS ARE NOT APPEALING IT.

THAT'S HOW BLATANT IT WAS, THEY BROKE THE LAW AND CHEATED -- >> REPUBLICANS HAVE CHALLENGED THE TABKE ELECTION AND THEY'RE NOT -- >> THAT'S IN SHAKOPEE.

>> AND THEY'RE NOT WILLING TO ABIDE BY THE DECISION OF THE COURT, THEY'RE SAYING THEY'RE GOING TO IGNORE THE COURT'S DECISION AND NOT SEAT HIM ANYWAY.

THERE IS A DISTRICT -- >> THEY'VE ALREADY SAID THEY WON'T.

>> THEY SAID THEY DON'T CARE.

>> THEY DON'T CARE.

>> AND YOU HAVE GOT A SPECIAL ELECTION SCHEDULED FOR JANUARY 28TH SO PEOPLE IN ROSEVILLE CAN HAVE ACTUAL REPRESENTATION AND THEY'RE TRYING TO STOP THAT ELECTION FROM HAPPENING TOO.

>> AND JUST LIKE A QUORUM -- >> ITS JUST TURNS OUT THEY DON'T WANT THE DEMOCRATS TO HAVE 67 PEOPLE IN THE HOUSE SO THEY CAN HAVE THIS ARGUMENT -- >> HAS JUST LIKE A QUORUM THE LAW IS VERY CLEAR THAT THE HOUSE WILL DETERMINE WHETHER THAT MEMBERS GETS SEATED OR NOT, NOT A JUDGE.

>> THE HOUSE CREATED LAWS FOR AN ELECTION CONTEST, THE HOUSE AND SENATE CREATED THESE STATUTES, THEY HAVE TO BE FOLLOWED, THE LEGISLATURE HAS TO BE BOUND BY THE LAWS THEY HAVE PASSED.

>> Eric: GOING BACK TO THE ROSEVILLE SEAT, THOUGH, WHY IS IT UP TO REPUBLICANS TO BAIL OUT THE DEMOCRATS WHEN IT WAS THE DEMOCRAT'S CANDIDATE THAT VIOLATED THE RESIDENCY?

IS >> IT ISN'T.

>> THERE'S A SPECIAL ELECTION COMING UP, LET'S CFSS LET THE VOTERS DECIDE.

>> WE DON'T HAVE TO PUT THE STATE ON HOLD TO WAIT FOR THE DEMOCRATS TO FINALLY GET IT RIGHT AFTER THEY BROKE THE LAW.

AND THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE ASKING MINNESOTANS TO DO AND THEY'RE NOT GOING TO NOT PAY NONPARTISAN STAFF FOR A MONTH TO GET THERE?

LET'S SHOW UP, DO OUR JOBS ON THE FIRST DAY OF SESSION AND VOTE AND WHOEVER HAS THE MOST VOTES WIN JUST LIKE IN 2025.

>> THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA ELECTED 67 DEMOCRATS AND 67 REPUBLICANS.

>> NO, THEY ELECTED 67 REPUBLICANS AND 66 DEMOCRATS.

>> NO, THAT DISTRICT, THOSE VOTERS DID NOT KNOW THAT CANDIDATE DIDN'T LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

>> CHEATED?

IS >> HE LIED, HE LIED.

>> YOU'RE GOING TO SET SOMETHING UP FOR TWO YEARS?

THAT'S THE OTHER ISSUE HERE TOO, SO I MEAN, LOOK -- >> IT'S NOBODY'S FAULT BY THE DEMOCRATS.

>> -- TOWARDS THE ISSUE THAT MATTER TO MINNESOTANS AND LOOK WHAT WHAT THEY SENT THE MESSAGE OF FOCUSING ON THE ISSUES, STOP FIGHTING EACH OTHER.

>> BUT TO THAT, SENATOR BIGHAM, THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA WANT THEM TO GET TO WORK.

THEY HAVE A BUDGET THAT'S DUE.

THAT IS CLEAR -- >> THAT'S TRUE, 68 PEOPLE TO GET TO WORK.

>> Cathy: I'M WONDERING WHERE IS THE OVERNOR ON THIS, CAN HE CALL A SPECIAL SESSION?

>> NO, BUT -- >> HE COULD.

>> AND -- LAY OUT A PLAN AND A SCHEDULE FOR EVERYBODY TO HAVE A FRUITFUL AND VERY PRODUCTIVE SESSION AND THE GOVERNOR DOES LEAD VERY WELL DURING TIMES OF CRISIS SO GET THEM ALL IN A ROOM -- >> WELL, WHERE IS HE NOW?

>> Eric: IT WOULD HAVE TO BE SET UP FOR HIM TO GET A WIN, HE WOULDN'T WALK IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS AND -- >> E'S GOT TO HAVE A LEGISLATURE THAT IS ACTUALLY CALLED TO ORDER.

>> IN THE END -- >> AND THEY GOT TO HAVE LEADERS >> .

>> THE GOVERNOR COULD CALL A SPECIAL SESSION BUT THEY WOULD HAVE THIS NEW PROBLEM.

>> Eric: WHEN THE SMOKE CLEARS, FEBRUARY, MARCH, WHENEVER, WHAT DOES THIS PORTEND FOR A BUDGET?

>> THAT'S THE DRAMA P FRONT, IN THE END THEY ARE ALMOST DEAD-EVEN ANYWAY.

RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

>> IN THE END ALL OF THIS IS GOING TO COME DOWN TO ABSOLUTELY ALL FOUR CAUCUSES AND THE GOVERNOR AT A TABLE.

SO ACTUALLY THE DRAMA JUST MAKES IT HARDER IN MARCH AND APRIL AND MAY TO GET WHAT REALLY NEEDS TO GET DONE.

>> I THINK THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE SEEING IN NEW HOUSE LEADERSHIP THAT MAYBE DOESN'T HAVE THE EXPERIENCE OF SPEAKER DAUDT BECAUSE THEY SHOULD REALIZE THEY'RE THEY'RE JUST MAKING IT HARDER TO DO WHAT THEY ALL HAVE TO DO IN THE END.

>> IN REALITY THEY'RE CHASING A TITLE AND I HAD THAT TITLE AND THERE IS POWER THAT GOES WITH IT, YOU GET TO APPOINT COMMITTEE CHAIRS AND APPOINT MEMBERS TO COMMITTEES BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY YOU DO NEED 68 VOTES TO HAVE A BILL AND HAVING THIS ADVERSARIAL BATTLE AT THE BEGINNING MAKES IT MUCH TOUGHER AND IS IT WORTH IT FOR A TITLE THAT REALLY IF YOU ELECT A SPEAKER UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCE THEY'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE ANY POWER, IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE OTES TO BACK IT UP YOU DON'T HAVE THE POWER.

>> AND A SHUTDOWN, WHO'S GOING TO GET BLAMED FOR IT?

THE PERSON WITH THAT GAVEL.

>> WE'LL SEE.

>> Cathy: SOUNDS LIKE IT WILL BE REALLY INTERESTING.

WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH SENATOR MITCHELL?

>> SO DISAPPOINTING.

>> Eric: SHE WANTS TO DELAY HER TRIAL UNTIL AFTER SESSION.

>> WHAT'S GOING ON WITH HER, I DON'T THINK ANYBODY REALLY KNOWS.

>> SO DISAPPOINTING.

I REPRESENT THE BEST PART OF WOODBURY, HAS THE BREWERY.

IT'S O DISAPPOINTING WHAT SHE'S DONE TO THE COMMUNITY AND BODY TO BE HONEST, SHE SHOULD HAVE RESIGNED A LONG TIME AGO.

>> Eric: DEMOCRATS NEED THAT VOTE, RIGHT?

IT'S 33-33 WITHOUT HER.

>> THE SENATE, IT'S 33-33 GOING IN BECAUSE OF THE UNFORTUNATE DEATH OF SENATOR KARI DZIEDZIC, AND THEY TRIAL MAKES THE REAL WILD CARD OUT OF THE SENATE.

DON'T SLEEP ON THE SENATE BECAUSE OF THIS TRIAL AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RESOLVED EIGHT MONTHS AGO.

SHE SHOULD HAVE DONE THE RIGHT -- THEN, NOW SHE SHOULD HAVE STEPPED DOWN.

THERE IS SO MUCH ABOUT WHAT SHE DID, SHE CAN FIGURE THAT OUT AND SORT IT OUT IN COURT BUT SHE SHOULD NOT BE SERVING IN THE SENATE AND NOT REPRESENTING PEOPLE IN WOODBURY AND SHE SHOULD HAVE HAD GOOD CONSCIOUS TO STEP OWN.

>> AND LET'S END ON THIS.

[ LAUGHTER ] ALL OF THESE GOOD FOLKS, REMEMBER KARI DZIEDZIC, THEY'LL BE BETTER OFF.

>> Eric: THE PANEL HAS OLVED ANOTHER ONE.

CONGRATULATIONS.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> Cathy: THERE WE GO.

GOOD LUCK NEXT WEEK.

>> Eric: GREAT STUFF.

REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

THANKS A LOT.

♪♪ >> SAY, FRIENDS, THE SEELEY COMPANY IS ABOUT TO MAKE YOU THE OFFER OF THE CENTURY!

>> RIGHT!

GO AHEAD, TELL 'EM.

>> TELL 'EM WHAT?

>> TELL 'EM ABOUT THE SEELEY THREE FREE SHEET OFFER?

>> WHAT SEELEY THREE FREE SHEET OFFER?

>> THE SEELEY FREE SHEET OFFER YOU GET WHEN YOU BUY WHATEVER IT IS YOU BUY TO GET THE THREE SEELEY FREE SHEETS.

>> WHAT WOULD I WANT WITH THREE FREE SHEETS?

>> NOT YOU, YOU DUMBBELL, THE PEOPLE WATCHIN!

>> THE LEGENDARY DAVE MOORE.

IT IS MINNESOTA HISTORY TIME, FRIENDS.

WE'RE GOING TO QUICKLY REVIEW THE QUESTION WE ASKED IN DECEMBER.

WE ASKED IT IN DECEMBER FOR GOODNESS SAKES.

THE YEAR IS 1998, A MINNESOTA PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAM IS NEARING THE END OF THEIR SEASON.

IN A HIGH SCORING CONTEST WON BY MINNESOTA NOT ONE BUT TWO LEAGUE RECORDS WERE SET.

WHAT TWO PROFESSIONAL SPORTS RECORDS WERE SET IN A 1998 GAME?

THAT'S THE QUESTION.

WRONG ANSWERS ALWAYS GO FIRST.

>> NEW YORK YANKEES PITCHER DAVID WELLES STAYED UP ALL NIGHT BEFORE A PERFECT GAME AGAINST THE TWINS ON MAY 17TH, 1998.

>> IT WAS DECEMBER 26TH, THE VIKINGS BEAT THE THEN-TENNESSEE OILERS 26-16 TO BECOME THE HIGHEST SCORING TEAM IN NFL HISTORY.

IN ADDITION GARY ANDERSON SET A RECORD FOR ABOUT NUMBER OF POINTS BY A KICKER A SEASON.

>> THE ANSWER TO THIS WEEK'S INDEX FILE QUESTION IS THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS WHO SET A RECORD FOR MOST POINTS IN AN NFL REGULAR SEASON.

>> OKAY.

THE LAST TWO ANSWERS WERE THE RIGHT TEAMS AND PLAYERS, BUT NOT THE RIGHT GAME OR RECORDS.

NO ONE GOT THIS THING RIGHT.

SO WE'RE GOING TO ADD MORE DETAILS FOR YOU.

ON DECEMBER 13TH, 1998, THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS AND THE BALTIMORE RAVENS DID SOMETHING TOGETHER TO SET AN NFL RECORD THAT STILL STANDS TODAY.

IN THE SAME GAME, BE GARY ANDERSON SET A RECORD THAT HE WOULD BREAK HIMSELF LATER IN THE MONTH.

WHAT TWO NFL RECORDS WERE SET ON DECEMBER 13TH, 1998?

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU WHETHER YOU'RE CALLING IN FROM THREE ISLAND LAKE, FOOTBALL LAKE OR VIKING TOWNSHIP WHICH IS IN MARSHALL COUNTY.

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

YOU CAN DROP US A NOTE, ALMANAC@TPT.ORG.

BEFORE WE GO A COUPLE OF TUNE IN REMINDERS FOR YOU.

AS YOU'VE HEARD THE LEGISLATURE RETURNS TO THE CAPITOL NEXT WEEK.

YOU CAN WATCH FLOOR ACTION, COMMITTEE ACTION AND A WHOLE LOT MORE BY TUNING INTO THE STATEWIDE MINNESOTA CHANNEL ON A BS STATION NEAR YOU.

AND OF COURSE DON'T FORGET TO JOIN MARY LAHAMMER WEDNESDAY NIGHTS, "ALMANAC AT THE CAPITOL," LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. ON THAT SAME STATEWIDE MINNESOTA CHANNEL.

JUST ENOUGH TIME LEFT FOR SOME SHOW-ENDING MUSIC.

THIS WEEK BACK IN 2017 WILLIE MURPHY VISITED THE STUDIO ND PERFORMED FOR US.

TAKE A LISTEN.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK WHEN GOVERNOR TIM WALZ AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS WILL JOIN US LIVE IN THE STUDIO.

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