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

>> Eric: COMING UP ON "ALMANAC" SECRETARY OF STATE STEVE SIMON JOINS US, WE'LL PREVIEW THE UPCOMING BROADCAST WARS I GOT FILM, HOUSE LEADERS HORTMAN AND DEMUTH ARE HERE.

MARY LAHAMMER, BACK AT THE CAPITOL.

>> A INNESOTA PARTY CHAIR IS VYING FOR A NATIONAL POST AND AT THE STATE CAPITOL, THERE'S A NEW LEGISLATIVE LEADER IN THE MIX.

THEY'RE BOTH SEEN AS RISING STARS IN THEIR PARTIES.

>> WE'VE WON EVERY SINGLE STATEWIDE ELECTION, 22 ANY ROW.

>> THERE'S NOT REALLY A MINORITY PARTY THAT DOESN'T HAVE A VOICE.

>> 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: IN THE EXT HOUR WE'LL PREVIEW THE BIG BROADCAST WARS I GOT FILM PREMIERING NEXT WEEK, DO A LITTLE HOLIDAY BAKING TO KICK OFF THE SEASON.

LOTS OF POLITICS FOR YOU.

HOUSE LEADERS DEMUTH AND HORTMAN ON THE COUCH, PROFESSOR SCHULTZ IS HERE TO LOOK AT THE WORK OF THE TRUMP TRANSITION TEAM.

>> Cathy: YEP, AND POLITICS IS WHERE WE START TONIGHT.

ON THURSDAY THE STATE CANVASSING BOARD CERTIFIED THE RESULTS OF THE 2024 GENERAL ELECTION BUT THERE'S STILL PLENTY OF POST-ELECTION FALLOUT TO TALK ABOUT.

MINNESOTA IS CURRENTLY LEADING THE NATION IN VOTER TURNOUT AND QUESTIONS REMAIN ABOUT RECOUNTS IN STATE HOUSE RACES.

MINNESOTA SECRETARY OF STATE STEVE SIMON JOINS US RIGHT NOW, HIS OFFICE OVERSEES OTING AND ELECTIONS IN MINNESOTA.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> Cathy: SAY, I'M WONDERING ABOUT THE RECOUNT IN THE BRAD TABKE RACE, REPRESENTATIVE TABKE IS IN THE SHAKOPEE AREA.

HE STILL LEADS THAT RACE BY 15 VOTES.

BUT THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME DISCREPANCY WHEN IT COMES TO ABSENTEE BALLOTS, 21 ABSENTEE BALLOTS IN QUESTION.

THIS WHOLE THING IS GOING TO HEAD TO COURT.

HOW UNUSUAL THAT?

>> IT'S NOT THAT UNUSUAL, THE BIGGEST INSTANCE WAS THE COLEMAN-FRANKEN FIGHT IN 2008.

I'M NOT SAYING THIS IS GOING TO BE LIKE THAT.

OUR ELECTION SYSTEM IS ALMOST LIKE A SWISS ARMY KNIFE, THERE'S A TOOL FOR EVERYTHING AND THE OOL WHEN YOU HAVE THIS DISCREPANCY IS TO GO TO COURT.

AND A JUDGE IS GOING TO END UP WHAT TO DECIDE IN THESE PARTICULAR BALLOTS.

I THINK THEY'LL HAVE MORE TO SAY, THOUGH, ON MONDAY.

MONDAY IS THE DAY WHEN THE CAN HAVE BEEN CANVASSING BOARD IN SCOTT COUNTY MEETS AND I THINK WE'RE GOING TO KNOW MORE AFTER THAT.

>> Eric: JIM SCHULTZ FROM THE CONSERVATIVE PRIVATE BUSINESS COUNCIL IS CALLING FOR A NEW ELECTION.

IS THAT DO-ABLE?

>> WELL, THAT'S NOT FOR ME TO SAY, THAT'S FOR A JUDGE CAN DECIDE.

AND A JUDGE CAN ORDER ANY NUMBER OF REMEDIES.

THAT IS ON THE MENU I WOULD SUSPECT.

ANOTHER ONE MIGHT BE SOMETHING.

BUT IT'S NOT FOR OUR OFFICE TO SAY, THAT'S REALLY FOR A COURT AND JUDGE TO HANDLE.

>> Eric: IN THE ST.

CLOUD AREA, DAN WOLGAMOTT THE D.F.L.

INCUMBENT WAS UP BY 190 VOTES BUT LATE NUMBERS WERE REVERSED WHAT WAS GOING ON.

RECOUNTS FOR NEXT WEEK AS WELL?

>> THAT'S FOR THIS COMING MONDAY ACTUALLY.

THEY'RE GO GOING TO HAVE HAVE TE RECOUNT.

IT'S A LIMITED RECOUNT, THREE PRECINCTS IN SHERBURNE COUNTY, THOSE WERE THE ONES THAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY BE RECOUNTED AND THEY WILL BE.

AND I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY AGAIN WE'RE GOING TO KNOW A LOT MORE THERE AS WELL.

THE SHERBURNE OUNTY FOLKS HAVE EXPLAINED THEMSELVES, EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENS IN TERMS OF THE COUNTY.

REMEMBER, ALL THAT COUNTING OF THE BALLOTS GOES ON AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, NOT SOMETHING OUR OFFICE DOES BUT Y DESIGN THAT'S A DECENTRALIZED SYSTEM, IT HAPPENS IN THOUSANDS OF PLACES ACROSS MINNESOTA AND THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO SHOW THEIR WORK ON MONDAY.

>> Cathy: DOES IT SEEM TOO THERE ARE MORE INSTANCES THIS TIME AROUND OF SITUATIONS DEALING WITH ABSENTEE BALLOTS AND THE COUNT?

OR IS IT JUST BEING WE ARE HYPERFOCUSSED ON POTENTIAL PROBLEMS?

>> NO, I DON'T THINK THAT THERE'S PARTICULARLY HIGHER INCIDENCE OF THAT KIND OF THING.

EVERY CYCLE YOU HAVE A COUPLE OF EXAMPLES OF THIS KIND OF THING, GOING BACK YEARS AND REALLY DECADES.

IT'S GOOD THAT WE'RE FOCUSING ON THIS.

THERE SHOULD BE MORE ATTENTION OF THE MCS OF COUNTING THE VOTES AND LET THE PUBLIC COME IN AND.

WATCH AS MUCH AS THEY CAN AS THEY WILL BE ABLE TO DO ON MONDAY IN SHERBURNE COUNTY AS WELL.

>> Eric: WITH LL THE VARIOUS WAYS TO VOTE DOES IT INVITE MORE POTENTIAL FOR FRAUD AND ABUSE AND SO FORTH?

>> NO, I DON'T THINK SO.

WE HAD JUST SHY OF 40% OF MINNESOTANS VOTE BEFORE THE ELECTION EITHER IN-PERSON ABSENTEE OR BY MAIL.

AND WE HAVE SECURITY FEATURES IN INNESOTA THAT ALMOST NO OTHER STATE HAS.

WE HAVE THREE, TRIPLE LAYER OF SECURITY WHEN IT COMES TO VOTING EARLY IN-PERSON AND BY MAIL AND THAT PUTS US IN A REALLY GOOD PLACE FROM THE STANDPOINT OF INTEGRITY AND SECURITY.

SO, NO, I THINK IT'S A VERY SECURE WAY TO VOTE AND IT'S TIME TESTED IN MINNESOTA AND AROUND THE COUNTRY.

>> Cathy: WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THE D.F.L.

CANDIDATE IN ROSEVILLE WHO EVIDENTLY HAD AN APARTMENT IN ROSEVILLE BUT FOLKS SAY HE DIDN'T LIVE THERE, THERE'S RESIDENCY QUESTIONS AROUND THIS, AND OF COURSE WITH THE 46-46 TIE THIS COULD BE KIND OF A BIG DEAL.

I'M WONDERING ABOUT RESIDENCY ISSUES AND HOW OFTEN THEY CROP UP.

>> RIGHT, OCCASIONALLY I WOULD SAY.

VIEWERS MIGHT REMEMBER OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS THERE WERE A COUPLE RESIDENCY ISSUES.

THERE WAS EVEN ONE MEMBER, I WON'T NAME HIM, WHO WAS KICKED OUT OF THE LEGISLATURE BASICALLY, THE SUPREME COURT ORDERED HIM TO LEAVE THE LEGISLATURE IN 2017.

SO IT HAPPENS OCCASIONALLY.

WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL HERE BECAUSE THAT IS NOW IN COURT, IT'S POSSIBLE THAT OUR OFFICE WILL BE DRAWN NTO THAT OR ASK FOR COMMENT ON THAT SO I HAVE TO BE A LITTLE CAREFUL ABOUT COMMENTING BUT IT REALLY IS UP TO THE COURT AT THIS POINT TO DECIDE DID HE OR DIDN'T HE LIVE WHERE HE SAID HE LIVED.

>> Eric: SECRETARY OF STATE STEVE SIMON THANKS FOR JOINING US.

>> YOU BET.

MY PLEASURE.

>> Eric: THANKS.

♪♪ >> Eric: TURNING OUR ATTENTION NOW TO WASHINGTON, D.C. AND THE INCOMING ADMINISTRATION'S TRANSITION PLANS.

PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMP HAS WASTED NO TIME NAMING HIS CHOICES FOR CABINET POSITIONS, BUT HAS RUN INTO SOME CONTROVERSY.

EARLIER THIS WEEK HIS FIRST CHOICE FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL, FORMER REPRESENTATIVE MATT GAETZ WITHDREW AFTER FACING OPPOSITION FROM SENATORS IN BOTH PARTIES.

DAVID SCHULTZ IS BACK.

SHAPES YOUNG MINDS AT HAMLINE UNIVERSITY, ALSO AN ADJUNCT LAW PROFESSOR AT UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS.

THERE ARE FOUR REPUBLICAN SENATORS, COLINS, AMERICAOWSKI, AND CURTIS FROM UTAH THAT SEEMS LIKE THEY'RE READY TO STAND AGAINST TRUMP WHEN THEY FEEL IT'S NEEDED.

IS THAT GOING TO BE ENOUGH TO CLOG THINGS UP?

IS >> I DON'T THINK AT THIS POINT.

THE REPUBLICANS STILL HAVE ENOUGH VOTES TO BE ABLE TO CLEAR THE SENATE, POTENTIALLY THOSE FOUR, BUT I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO STAND BEHIND TRUMP.

>> Cathy: WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THE SPEED OF THE TRANSITION?

DOES IT SEEM QUICK TO YOU OR PRETTY NORMAL SPEED?

>> THIS IS ACTUALLY FAIRLY QUICK.

THINK ABOUT 8 YEARS AGO WHEN TRUMP FIRST WON.

IT TOOK HIM A LONG TIME TO SORT OF REALLY PUT TOGETHER HIS TRANSITION TEAM AND REALLY TO GET HIS PRESIDENCY UP AND RUNNING.

AND I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS HE'S LEARNED MAYBE AFTER HAVING HAD ALREADY A FIRST TERM UNDER HIS BELT IS HOW TO MOVE MUCH MORE QUICKLY.

HE SEEMS MUCH MORE ELIBERATE AND MUCH BETTER PLANNED THIS TIME IN TERMS OF WHAT HE WANTS TO ACCOMPLISH.

THE FACT THAT HE KEEPS SAYING HE WANTS TO ROLL OUT A BUNCH OF EXECUTIVE ORDERS ON THE FIRST DAY, THIS IS I WOULD JUST SAY A MUCH BETTER WAY FOR SOMEBODY TO TAKE OVER IN TERMS OF A PRESIDENCY.

>> Eric: IS THERE A THEME RUNNING THROUGH HIS PICKS SO FAR?

>> IT DEPENDS ON HOW YOU VIEW THIS.

YOU KNOW, FOR SOME PEOPLE THEY MIGHT SAY THAT HE'S PICKING NONTRADITIONALLISTS BECAUSE WHAT HE WANTS TO DO IS TO BASICALLY SHAKE UP THE BUREAUCRACY.

IF YOU'RE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE EQUATION YOU'RE GOING TO SAY THAT, WHAT, HE'S PICKING PEOPLE WHO ARE BASICALLY NOT QUALIFIED FOR THE POSITION.

I'M NOT GOING TO RENDER JUDGMENT ON EITHER OF THOSE HERE.

BUT I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S THE CHALLENGE FOR TRUMP THAN IT WAS 8 YEARS AGO AGO WHEN HE FIRST TOOK OFFICE, THERE'S TWO IMPULSES.

IMPULSE ONE IS TO BE ABLE TO MOVE HIS AGENDA.

IMPULSE NUMBER TWO IS TO SHAKE UP THE BUREAUCRACY.

IT'S KIND OF HARD TO DO BOTH OF THEM AT THE SAME TIME AND THAT REALLY COMPROMISED HIS ABILITY TO ACCOMPLISH A LOT OF THINGS IN HIS FIRST TERM.

RIGHT NOW IT'S STILL LOOKING LIKE HE WANTS TO SHAKE UP MORE THAN HE DOES WANT TO MOVE HIS AGENDA.

>> Cathy: SAY, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE AGENDA.

HE DOESN'T HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF TIME BEFORE THE MIDTERMS TO GET SOME STUFF DONE.

>> YOU'RE CORRECT, AND HE'S ALSO, WHAT, A LAME DUCK RIGHT OFF THE BAT.

HE'S ALREADY IN HIS SECOND TERM AT THIS POINT.

I THINK HIM AND THE REPUBLICANS HAVE I'M GOING TO ARGUE ABOUT A YEAR, A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN A YEAR TO DO SOMETHING.

THE REASON WHY I SAY THAT IS THAT THEY HAVE A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY RIGHT NOW WHERE THEY'VE GOTTEN THE ATTENTION OF WORKING CLASS AND MIDDLE CLASS IN AMERICA, AND IF THEY CAN NOW DELIVER LET'S SAY THREE OR FOUR THINGS THAT WILL SHOW UP, SHOW UP BY ELECTION TIME IN 20 -- GOT TO GET THIS RIGHT -- 2026, THEY HAVE A CHANCE OF BASICALLY REALIGNING THE ELECTORATE FOR A GENERATION IF NOT MORE.

>> ARE ELON MUSK AND TRUMP GOING TO GET ALONG LONG-TERM?

>> EGO THERE, I DON'T KNOW.

AWFUL LOT OF EGO THERE.

IT ALL DEPENDS ON IF THEIR AGENDAS ARE MATCHING AT THIS POINT.

IT'S ALWAYS KIND OF HARD TO FIGURE OUT WHAT MUSK'S AGENDA IS.

HE CLEARLY WANTED TRUMP ELECTED.

HE CLEARLY HAS HIS VIEWS ON THINGS, BUT SO DOES TRUMP.

AGAIN, HERE'S AN EXAMPLE WHERE I THINK MUSK WANTS TO DO SOMETHING, I THINK, I'M NOT QUITE SURE IT IS, AND IT'S NOT CLEAR IF TRUMP WANTS TO ACCOMPLISH SOMETHING BEYOND MAKING PERMANENT THE TAX CUTS, SO COME BACK TO THIS -- IN THE FIRST TERM.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> MY PLEASURE.

THANK YOU.

♪♪ ♪♪ >> FOR MANY MINNESOTANS THE STAR TRIBUNE'S ANNUAL HOLIDAY COOKIE CONTEST IS IIS A FAVORITE THIS TIME OF YEAR.

IN 2018 A COLLECTION OF THE AWARD WINNING RECIPES WAS PUBLISHED.

THE GREAT MINNESOTA COOKIE BOOK WAS UPDATED THIS YEAR TO BECOME THE ULTIMATE MINNESOTA COOKIE BOOK.

AUTHORS LEE SVITAK DEAN AND NELSON OVERSAW THE CONTEST FOR YEARS.

AND THEY'RE HERE O DO SOME BAKING WITH US.

WELCOME TO "ALMANAC."

WHAT ARE WE MAKING TODAY?

>> ALMOND PALMIAS HICH IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE RECIPES IN THE BOOK.

SHE TOOK A RECIPE SHE EALLY LOVED AND MADE A CHEATER VERSION USING PUFF PASTRY.

AND ARRIVE AT A PARTY WITH IS EVERYBODY THINGS YOU REALLY FUSSED.

BUT IT'S REALLY EASY.

THE MOST DIFFICULT STEP IS ROLLING THE DOUGH.

THIS IS THE MOST DIFFICULT THING IN THE ENTIRE RECIPE AND LOOK AT HOW EASY IT IS.

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS TO HAVE IT NEAT MIDDLE AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE REALLY BEAUTIFUL COOKIE WHICH WE'LL SHOW YOU AT THE END OF THE SHOW.

>> WHILE YOU'RE ROLLING, LEE, WHAT MAKES A MINNESOTA COOKIE?

>> WELL, FOR OUR PURPOSES IT WAS BAKERS MOSTLY FROM MINNESOTA WHO SENT IN THEIR ENTRIES AND SO MOST OF THE RECIPES ARE FROM THEM.

BUT REALLY IS ALSO INCLUDES ELEMENTS OF MINNESOTA FOR THE INGREDIENTS AND ALSO FOR INSPIRATION FROM -- FOR CREATING NEW COOKIES.

SO WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO WHO'VE GONE TO CHOCOLATE STORES AND FIGURE OUT SOMETHING OUT THAT THEY WANT TO DO AS A COOKIE AND RESTAURANTS AS WELL.

SO.

>> AND WHY DO A SECOND BOOK?

>> WELL, THE FIRST BOOK CAME OUT HAD 15 EARS OF RECIPES AND WE ENDED OUR PARTICIPATION AT 20 YEARS AND E WITH THOUGHT THIS IS NOTHER GOOD MARKER FOR US.

AND ACTUAL WHEN OUR FIRST BOOK CAME OUT THE FIRST QUESTION SOMEONE ASKED ME AT A BOOK SIGNING WAS WILL YOU BE UPDATING THIS BOOK?

AND I'M LIKE IT'S BEEN OUT FOR A WEEK, BUT, OKAY, YEAH, WE'LL UPDATE IT AFTER 20 YEARS.

>> HOW DID YOU KEEP IT FRESH AFTER ALL THESE YEARS?

>> I THINK WHAT WAS INSPIRING TO US WAS IT WAS REALLY THE READERS, THE BAKERS WHO SENT IN THE ENTRIES WHO JUST KEPT CREATING NEW AND NEW THINGS AND WORKING OFF OF TRENDS SO IT WAS ALWAYS A VERY CREATIVE CONTEST AND SOMETHING WAS NEW EVERY SINGLE YEAR AND THAT REALLY PUSHED THINGS FORWARD.

>> OKAY.

WELL, WE'LL BE BACK LATER IN THE SHOW.

♪♪ >> Cathy: THAT WAS A TIME WHEN PEOPLE WOULD STOP AND WATCH THE LOCAL 6 AND 10:00 P.M. NEW SHOWS.

WHAT YOU DIDN'T KNOW WAS THERE WERE PITCHED BATTLES THE BEHIND THE SCENES WHERE A LOT OF MONEY WAS SPENT TO GET YOU TO WATCH KSTP, WCCO, WTCN OR KMSP.

YOU CAN EXPERIENCE WHAT IS THE FASCINATING HISTORY OF TWIN CITIES TV NEWS DURING A NEW DOCUMENTARY, BROADCAST WARS I GOT, THIS COMING TUESDAY NIGHT AT 7:00 P.M. ON TWIN CITIES PBS.

>> THERE WAS A TIME WHEN PEOPLE WOULD STOP WHAT THEY WERE DOING TO WATCH THE EVENING NEWS.

>> THE LOCAL NEWS WAS EVERYTHING.

>> THE MORAL HIGH GROUND DOESN'T MAKE THEM ANY MONEY UNLESS IT MAKES YOU NUMBER ONE.

>> WE WERE REMINDED OF RATINGS ALL THE TIME.

>> IT'S JUST SHOW BIZ.

>> IT WAS CUTTHROAT, SERIOUSLY.

>> TOO PERSONAL TO MAKE SENSE.

>> THEY MIGHT NOT LIKE WHAT THEY'RE SEEING, BUT THEY'RE WATCHING.

>> WELL, THANK YOU.

YOU SON OF A ... [ DRAMATIC MUSIC ] >> Eric: ONE OF THE STARS OF THE DOCUMENTARY IS LEGENDARY KSTP POLITICAL REPORTER AND ANCHOR MARCIA FLUER.

CATHY WAS COPRODUCER ON THE FILM SO I TURN THE TABLES AND ASK THEM BOTH QUESTIONS.

>> Cathy: OH, NO.

>> Eric: WHAT LED YOU TO THIS SUBJECT MATTER?

>> Cathy: EARLY IN MY CAREER I WORKED WITH VETERAN BROADCASTERS WHO WERE BIG DEALS IN TWIN CITIES TV NEWS, AND THEY TOLD GREAT STORIES, THEY TELL ABOUT THIS INCREDIBLE TIME OF CHANGE TO THE '60S UNTIL ABOUT THE MID-'80S, TONS OF NEW TECHNOLOGY, MORE NEWS GATHERING, MORE PEOPLE OF COLOR AND MORE WOMEN ENTERING NEWS ROOMS AT THAT POINT.

>> Eric: WERE YOU ONE OF THE FIRST WOMEN TO ANCHOR?

>> YES, I WAS >> Eric: DID YOU FACE SEXISM?

>> OH, MY GOSH, DID I EVER.

THEY ONLY LET THE BOYS DO THE MORNING CUT-IN INS, BUT I ANNANNOYENOUGH, HE SAID NOBODY O DO IT, SO YOU CAN DO IT ON MONDAY BUT WE'LL BOTH BE GONE ON TUESDAY.

MONDAY I SHOWED UP AT 4:30 AND DID ALL THE WRITING AND THINGS THAT THE ANCHOR DID.

HE CALLED ME AFTERWARDS AT THE OFFICE AND I WAS TERRIFIED BECAUSE I REALLY NEEDED A JOB.

I SAID AM I FIRED?

AND HE SAID, NO, AS A MATTER OF FACT STANLEY HUBBARD CALLED DOWN AND ON OFB LOVED YOU AND WANTS YOU TO DO T FOREVER.

>> Eric: WHAT ROLE DID BROADCAST CONSULTANTS HAVE IN THE CAREERS OF YOU AND OTHERS?

>> WELL, I REALIZED VERY EARLY ON THAT I WAS BEING TESTED IN THE MARKETPLACE.

AND ONE OF THE FIVE NEWS DIRECTORS THAT I WORKED FOR SLIPPED AND TOLD ME THAT NOBODY DOESN'T LIKE SARAH LEE AND NOBODY DOESN'T LIKE MARCIA FLUER.

>> Cathy: AHH.

>> SO I KNEW I HAD A JOB FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER WEEK.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> Eric: YEAH.

>> Cathy: JUST GLASS SHARDS -- >> I DO, FROM BREAKING SO MANY CEILINGS.

I HAD A NEWS DIRECTOR WHO KEPT GIVING ME THESE ASSIGNMENTS ABOUT THE FIRST WOMAN PILOT, THE FIRST WOMAN -- WASHER AND BLAH, BLAH, BLAH.

AND FINALLY I SAID IF I WEREN'T HERE WOULD SOMEBODY BE DOING THIS STORY?

AND HE SAID NO, AND I SAID, WELL, WHY DO I WANT TO DO IT?

NO THE NEXT THING I KNEW HE WENT TO A STORY THAT WAS PUT ON BY ALL WOMEN AND THEY SAID WHERE'S YOUR WOMAN REPORTER?

AND HE SAID SHE'S DOING REAL NEWS.

>> Cathy: GOOD.

>> Eric: OH!

WHEN YOU LOOK BACK DOWN THAT ERA, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, WHAT IMMEDIATELY COMES TO MIND, ARE YOU GOOD, AD, OR UGLY?

>> IT DEPENDS ON THE DAY.

I WORKED FOR SOME REALLY GOOD PEOPLE.

I ALSO WORKED FOR SOME REALLY TERRIBLE PEOPLE.

AND IT WAS HARD GETTING STARTED IN SOMETHING I HAD NO BUSINESS DOING.

TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH, I WAS DOING AN EXIT INTERVIEW ABOUT OUR OLD SINGING GROUP AND A FLOORMAN SAID TO ME, KSTP'S LOOKING FOR A NEW TOKEN WOMAN AND I THINK YOU WOULD BE -- >> Eric: YOU'RE THE TOKEN.

>> YOU BET.

>> Cathy: ERIC ASKED ABOUT CONSULTANTS AND I WONDER, DO YOU THINK CONSULTANTS, DID THEY RUIN TV NEWS, DID THEY HELP TV NEWS?

WHAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE FOR YOU?

IS >> THEY DIDN'T DO IT ANY GOOD, LET'S PUT IT THAT WAY.

BECAUSE THEY TOLD PEOPLE -- PEOPLE WERE ASKING WHAT THEY WANTED TO SEE AND THEN WE STOPPED TELLING THEM WHAT THEY NEEDED TO KNOW AND THAT IS WHERE I THINK THE LINE WAS DRAWN WITH CONSULTANTS.

THAT'S WHERE TV NEWS HAS FALLEN SHORT.

>> Cathy: AND OF COURSE CONSULTANTS STEPPED IN AT WCC TV IN THE LATE '60S WHEN EKSTP WAS NUMBER ONE FOR DECADES AND OF COURSE THE OWNERS OF W CCO TV SAID WE'RE GETTING KICKED AROUND HERE AND BROUGHT IN MCEW AND HOFFMAN AND LET'S TRY SOMETHING, WHAT IF WE MADE DAVE CHAT WITH BUD AND LOOSEN IT UP A LITTLE BIT AND THAT WAS THE SCENE TONIGHT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> Cathy: NUMBER ONE AND TOPPLED KSTP.

SO CONSULTANTS REALLY DID HAVE THEIR FINGERS IN LOCAL TV NEWS FOR CERTAIN.

>> WHEN I STARTED I THINK WE WERE NUMBER FOUR IN A THREE-STATION MARKET.

AND IT DIDN'T TAKE VERY LONG FOR THEM TO FIGURE UT THAT IF THEY KEPT CHANGING THINGS OX ENOUGH THEY WERE GOING TO COME UP WITH THE RIGHT RECIPE AND THE RIGHT RECIPE WAS RON MAJORS AS THE MAJOR ANCHOR.

AND WITHIN A YEAR AND A HALF TO TWO YEARS, WE WERE NOT ONLY NUMBER ONE, BUT WE HAD A 52 SHARE OF THE MARKET.

>> Eric: WHICH IS HUMONGOUS.

>> ABSOLUTELY UNBELIEVABLE.

IT WAS A PRINTING PRESS FOR MONEY.

>> Eric: HOW MUCH OF THE RATINGS PRESSURE FELL FROM THE SALES TEAM AND MANAGEMENT DOWN TO THE REPORTERS?

>> WE NEVER DEALT WITH THE SALES TEAM BUT BELIEVE ME, THE PRESSURE WAS TO BE ON.

>> Eric: HOW DID THAT MANIFEST ITSELF?

>> WELL, THERE WERE MEETINGS.

I MEAN, REAL HONEST MEET WHERE'S STANLEY HUBBARD SAID WE'RE GOING TO BE NUMBER ONE.

I'M NOT GOING TO STAY HERE FOREVER.

YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO WORK YOUR FANNIES OFF AND WE'RE GOING O GET THERE OR YOU'RE GONNA BE GONE.

>> Eric: YOU WERE PESSIMISTIC, YOU DID A Q & A WITH CATHY LAST NIGHT AND YOU WERE PRETTY PESSIMISTIC ABOUT JOURNALISM'S FUTURE.

>> IT ISN'T THE FUTURE, IT'S THE PRESENT.

I REALLY THINK THAT I -- WHEN I STARTED, I STARTED IN POLITICS.

THEY PUT ME AT MINNEAPOLIS CITY HALL.

TELL ME WHO'S IN MINNEAPOLIS CITY HALL ANYMORE.

>> Cathy: WELL, THEY MIGHT PICK UP A G.A.

ASSIGNMENT.

>> RIGHT.

IF YOU'VE GOT A CAT ISSUE AND YOU WANT TO PUT YOUR CATS ON A LEASH, THEN YOU'VE GOT A NEWS STORY AND YOU GO TO MINNEAPOLIS CITY HALL.

>> Eric: BEFORE WE RUN OUT OF TIME DO YOU WANT TO PLUG WHEN IT'S ON?

>> Cathy: I WANT TO TALK ABOUT WHAT MARCIA JUST SAID ABOUT NEWS.

THE REASON IT WAS SO INTERESTING TO SEE HUNDREDS OF HOURS OF VIDEOTAPE OF ALL THE NEWS CASTS WAS THE QUALITY OF NEWS.

NEWS MATTERED AT THAT TIME AND THE QUALITY OF JOURNALISM IN THIS MARKET WAS REALLY RIVAL OF ANYTHING IN THE NATION.

>> Eric: HOW CAN WE SEE IT?

>> Cathy: YOU CAN SEE IT LIVE TUESDAY 7:00 P.M. ON TPT, AND YOU CAN DOWNLOAD IT ON THE PBS APP.

>> Eric: I DID PRETTY GOOD SOLO INTERVIEWER.

>> Cathy: NOT BAD.

>> AND YOU CAN COME TO MY HOUSE AND I'M GOING TO RUN IT CONTINUOUSLY IN A LOOP FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.

>> Eric: MARCIA FLUER, EVERYBODY!

>> Cathy: PIONEER.

THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> Eric: LAST MONTH AN ANONYMOUS DONOR STEPPED UP TO SAVE A HOMEWORK AFRICAN AMERICAN HOME IN FERGUS FALLS.

THE DONOR PAID A NEARLY $8,000 PLUS INTEREST PAST-DUE STREET ASSESSMENT.

THE PROPERTY WAS ONCE THE HOME OF OF ONE OF THE CITY'S PIONEERS AND ITS FIRST PLAQUE RESIDENT, PRINCE HONEYCUTT.

REPORTER KAOMI LEE TRAVELED TO OTTER TAIL COUNTY TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT LONNYCUTT AND THE COMMUNITY HE HELPED SUSTAIN.

>> THIS IS MY SECOND GRADE CLASS.

>> JEFFREY TATE STOOD OUT AMONG HIS CLASSMATES.

NOT ONLY WAS HE THE ONLY AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENT IN HIS SECOND GRADE CLASS, HE WAS ALSO THE LAST OF A GROUP OF AFRICAN AMERICANS WHO CALLED THE CITY HOME AFTER ARRIVING IN THE LATE 1800S.

>> I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN FERGUS FALLS.

MY MOTHER WAS BORN AND RAISED IN FERGUS FALLS, AND MY FATHER WAS ONE OF THE FIRST 85.

>> IN 1898, 18 AFRICAN AMERICAN FAMILIES ARRIVED BY TRAIN FROM CAMPBELLSVILLE, KENTUCKY.

>> WHAT WERE FOLKS LOOKING FOR?

>> A BETTER LIFE, YOU KNOW, A CHANCE TO OWN PROPERTY.

>> FEW WERE ABLE TO FARM AND REALIZE THAT DREAM, BUT MANY FOUND JOBS AS JANITORS, LABORERS, AND COOKS.

>> ALL OF THEM DID WELL.

NOW, COMPARED TO WHAT YOU MEAN BY WHAT'S DID WELL?

THEY TOOK CARE OF THEIR FAMILIES, MAINTAINED THEIR HOUSEHOLDS AND THEY MADE A LIVING FOR THEMSELVES.

>> MANY OWNED HOMES ALONG STATEN BECKER-FINN AND MEMBERS AVENUE.

THEY EVEN FORMED THEIR OWN BLACK CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH.

A 1919 CYCLONE, TWO WORLD WARS, AND THE DEPRESSION CHANGED THINGS.

AMOS' RELATIVES RELOCATED TO MINNEAPOLIS IN SEARCH OF NEW OPPORTUNITIES.

OTHERS FOLLOWED SUIT.

BUT THEIR MEMORY AND STORIES OF FERGUS FALLS NEVER LEFT.

>> THINGS ARE INTERESTING.

>> AMOS, WHO GREW UP IN NORTH MINNEAPOLIS, HAS BEEN COMPILING THE HISTORY OF THE FIRST 85.

THERE WAS A REUNION OF DESCENDANTS A DOZEN YEARS AGO.

AND MORE RECENTLY, A GATHERING TO CELEBRATE FERGUS FALLS' FIRST BLACK RESIDENT, PRINCE ALBERT HONEYCUTT.

>> IN 1896 HE RAN FOR MAYOR OF FERGUS FALLS.

HE DID NOT WIN THE ELECTION, BUT HE RAN A GOOD CAMPAIGN.

HE HAD A LOT OF RESPECT.

>> HE OWNED A BARBERSHOP AND WAS A FIREMAN.

HE ALSO HELPED MEMBERS OF THE FIRST 85 TO FIND JOBS AND RESETTLE.

>> PRINCE ALBERT HONEYCUTT WENT FROM BEING THE ONLY BLACK IN FERGUS FALLS TO PLAYING A PART IN THE TOWN'S BLACK POPULATION BECOMING THE LARGEST OUTSIDE THE TWIN CITIES.

>> A FEW YEARS AGO HONEYCUTT DREW THE ATTENTION OF ERIC BERG, THEN A PHILOSOPHY COLLEGE PROFESSOR N ILLINOIS.

NAMELY, HONEYCUTT'S ROLE IN FERGUS FALLS' FIRST SEMI PROFIRST BASEBALL TEAM.

>> IT WAS EXTRAORDINARILY UNUSUAL TO HAVE A MIXED TEAM.

NOT ONLY A MIXED TEAM, HONEYCUTT FOUNDED THE TEAM.

THEY CALLED THEMSELVES THE NORTH STARS.

>> HE FOUND COPIOUS NEWSPAPER COVERAGE ABOUT HONEYCUTT AND HIS STRIKING INROAD ROADS INTO AREA SOCIETY.

>> THEY PLAYED ALL THOSE SMALL TOWNS, THEY WENT AS FAR AS WAHPETON BRECKINRIDGE TO PLAY IN PERHAM, ET CETERA.

WOULD HAVE BEEN QUITE A SHOCK ON THEIR HANDS HAVING AN AFRICAN AMERICAN PLAYER AND TEAM CAPTAIN.

>> MISSY HERMES HAS BEEN A STEWARD OF HONEYCUTT'S ARCHIVES FOR NEARLY THREE DECADES.

SHE SAYS MANY OF THE CIVIC LEADERS OF THE TIME UNDERSTOOD AND RESPECTED HOW AR SOMEONE LIKE HONEYCUTT HAD COME.

>> THEY HAD SERVED IN THE UNITED STATES CIVIL WAR IN THE UNION ARMY AND MANY OF THEM HAD BEEN IN THE SECOND MINNESOTA VOLUNTEER REGIMENT, WHICH HAD SERVED A MAJORITY OF THE WAR IN TENNESSEE AND KENTUCKY.

>> WHEN THE FIRST 85 ARRIVED, SHE SAYS SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY HAPPENED.

>> YOU COULD NOT SAY, WELL, THIS IS THE BLACK NEIGHBORHOOD, SO WE'RE GOING TO MAKE YOU ALL LIVE HERE.

THAT DID NOT HAPPEN IN FERGUS FALLS.

THIS WAS AN INTEGRATED CITY WITH INTEGRATED CEMETERIES, INTEGRATED CHURCHES, INTEGRATED SCHOOLS, AND INTEGRATED NEIGHBORHOODS.

>> THERE HE IS.

>> OKAY.

SO THERE'S PRINCE.

NANCY ANN, THAT'S HIS SECOND WIFE.

>> HONEYCUTT IS JOINED BY OTHER MEMBERS OF THE FIRST 85 AND THEIR DESCENDANTS IN THE CEMETERY.

ALTHOUGH THE LIVING DESCENDANTS RESIDE ELSEWHERE, THEIR FAMILY'S IMPRINT HERE REMAINS, AS DOES HONEYCUTT'S HOUSE.

>> WE WANT TO DO A MUSEUM FOR HONEYCUTT AND HIS CONTRIBUTION, WHICH IS REALLY INVEST.

HE DID A LOT OF THINGS ACROSS CULTURAL LINES.

>> MINISTRIES TOOK OVER THE HOUSE IN 2016.

THE MINISTRY IS FUND-RAISING.

>> WE WANT TO JUST HIGHLIGHT WHAT HE DID AND THE ORIGINAL 85 AND ALL ALL THEY DID TO BRING THE COMMUNITY TO WHAT IT IS.

>> MEET THE TATES.

ALTHOUGH THEY LIVE IN URBAN AMERICA NOW, THESE ARE THE CHILDREN OF RURAL MINNESOTA.

>> NOW IN THEIR 70S, THESE FIRST 85 DESCENDANTS WANT TO KEEP THE HISTORY ALIVE.

>> TO HAVE THAT HOUSE THERE S A MUSEUM AND NOT ONLY HAVE INFORMATION ABOUT PRINCE HONEYCUTT AND HIS FAMILY, BUT THE REST OF THE FAMILIES THAT CAME TO FERGUS FALLS AND MADE THAT THEIR HOME AT THAT TIME.

♪♪ >> Cathy: JOHN DONALDSON MAY BE THE GREATEST BASEBALL PITCHER YOU HAVE NEVER HEARD OF.

NEXT MONTH AT MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL'S WINTER MEETINGS, THAT COULD CHANGE.

DONALDSON APPEARS ON THE 2025 CLASSIC BASEBALL ERA COMMITTEE HALL OF FAME BALLOT.

THE NEGRO LEAGUE STAR TOURED THE COUNTRY PLAYING TOWN BALL FOR DECADES, INCLUDING IN MANY COMMUNITIES AROUND MINNESOTA.

HE PITCHED MORE THAN 600 GAMES, WINNING MORE THAN 400 OF THEM.

THE ONLY FILM THAT EXISTS OF JOHN DONALDSON IN UNIFORM IS THIS HISTORIC 39-SECOND-LONG FILM SHOT IN ERGUS FALLS IN THE SUMMER OF 1925.

HIGHLIGHTING THAT ARE FILM AND TELLING THE STORY OF DONALDSON'S CAREER HAS BEEN A DECADES-LONG PASSION PROJECT FOR BASEBALL HISTORIAN PETER GOTON.

WELCOME BACK TO THE SHOW.

>> SO GREAT TO BE HERE.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> Cathy: I LOVE VINTAGE FILM.

THAT IS A GREAT PIECE.

>> IT'S A WONDERFUL THING TO HAVE BECAUSE WE CAN SEE HOW HE THROWS THE BALL.

WE CAN TALK ABOUT PRINCE HONEYCUTT AND GREAT OLD BLACK BASEBALL PLAYERS, BUT, LOOK, WE CAN WATCH HIM AND HE COMES ALIVE AND THAT'S HELPFUL FOR HIS CASE.

>> UNKNOWN SUPERSTAR, HE HAD A GREAT CAREER.

>> HE CERTAINLY DID, HE'S KNOWN TO HAVE MORE WINS AND STRIKEOUTS THAN ANY SEGREGATED PLAYER IN THE HISTORY OF BASEBALL.

PLAYED 137 CITIES IN MINNESOTA, MORE THAN THE HALL OF FAMERS WE LOVE AND KNOW, MAUER, MOLITOR, WINFIELD AND JACK MORRIS COMBINED.

AND THIS IS EARLY 1900S.

JOHN DONALDSON IS A BASEBALL SUPERHERO AND PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW THAT.

>> Eric: YOU'VE BEEN AT THIS AT LEAST SINCE 2005.

WHAT'S THE HOLDUP?

WHAT'S THE DEAL AGAINST HIM GETTING IN?

>> WELL, MINDS HAVE CHANGED A LOT SINCE THEN ABOUT HIS GREATNESS AND WHAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO FIND OUT.

WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT SOMEBODY WHO'S A COOKIE CUTTER HALL OF FAME CANDIDATE.

THIS GUY IS A HUGE, HUGE PERSONALITY IN TERMS OF THE INTEGRATION OF BASEBALL.

AND THE INTEGRATION OF AMERICA >> Eric: HE WAS A SCOUT FOR THE WHITE SOX.

>> HE DEFINITELY WAS THE FIRST BLACK SCOUT.

HE BROKE THE COLOR-BARRIER IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL FOR SCOUTS.

1949, THE CHICAGO WHITE SOX -- THE BOLD THING OF ANNOUNCING THEY'VE HIRED AN AFRICAN AMERICAN SCOUT.

FIRST TIME IT HAD EVER HAPPENED AND IT WAS JOHN DONNALSON.

HE'S SO BIG IN TERMS OF THE INTEGRATION OF OUR NATION AND THE WAY THAT JACKIE ROBINSON CAME AFTER.

LOOK, WE'RE ON A BALLOT NOW WITH 7 OTHER PLAYERS.

7 OTHER GREAT PLAYERS.

YOU'RE NOT A COOKIE CUTTER BASEBALL PLAYER IF YOU MAKE A HALL OF FAME BALLOT AND THAT'S KIND OF LIKE COOKIES WE HAD HERE BEFORE, RIGHT?

ANYWAY, SO IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE -- THE ONLY PERSON ON THAT BALLOT THAT HAS THE GREATNESS OF JOHN DONALDSON IS TRULY HIM, RIGHT?

THE OTHER GUYS ON THERE OWE THEIR BALLOT TO JOHN DONALDSON'S LEGACY.

>> Cathy: WHY DON'T WE KNOW MORE ABOUT JOHN?

DO YOU THINK IT MIGHT ACTUALLY BE A LITTLE EASIER TO GET HIM INTO THE HALL OF FAME NOW THAT THE NEGRO LEAGUE RECORDS ARE PART OF BASEBALL HALL OF FAME HISTORY?

>> THAT DEFINITELY S PART OF IT.

THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE GREAT NEGRO LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYERS, THAT'S CERTAINLY A PART OF GETTING HIM ON THIS BALLOT.

BUT HE DID ALL THESE THINGS BEFORE THE LEAGUE STARTED.

HE DID ALL THESE THINGS WHEN IT WAS MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO INTEGRATE BASEBALL, AND HE DID IT ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES.

WE HAVE HIM IN 800 DIFFERENT TOWNS.

THIS IS WHAT SEGREGATION DID AND THE REASON WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT IT MORE IS SEGREGATION WORKED ON JOHN DONALDSON'S LEGACY.

THE REASON YOU DON'T KNOW WHO HE IS AND PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHO HE IS IS BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T WANT HIM TO BE KNOWN.

THEY PUSHED HIM WAY OUT TO PLACES WHERE HE HAD TO GO PLAY THAT MAJOR LEAGUERS NEVER WERE.

BUT EVERYBODY THERE KNEW THAT HE WAS A MAJOR LEAGUE TALENT AND THEY'D COME OUT IN THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE.

WE HAVE GAMES THAT HE OUTDREW, GAMES THAT HE PITCHED IN OUTDREW GAMES THAT HAPPENED IN COMIN' SKI PARK IN CHICAGO.

AND THESE GAMES ARE HAPPENING IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE AND IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT JOHN DONALDSON'S LEGACY WAS SOMETHING EVERYONE ELSE BUILT OFF AND THIS IS WHY HE'S SIGNIFICANT IN THIS BALLOT.

THERE'S OTHER CANDIDATES IN THIS LIST THAT ARE GREAT BASEBALL PLAYERS BUT THE BASEBALL HALL OF FAME IS CHOCK-FULL OF THESE GUYS ALREADY.

OTHER ON THIS BALLOT, SIX OF THEM HAVE BEEN ON AT LEAST 18 BALLOTS 'TIL NOW.

THIS IS JOHN DONALDSON'S SECOND BALLOT.

ALL THESE OTHER GUYS HAVE BEEN LOOKED OVER, PARSED OVER, PICKED OVER FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS AND WE'RE GETTING THE RESURGENCE OF JOHN DONALDSON A HUNDRED YEARS LATER.

>> Eric: HOPE HE ETS IN AND I HOPE YOU'RE THERE AT THE CEREMONY.

>> Cathy: GREAT TO SEE YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Eric: YOU BET.

♪♪ >> Aron: WE’RE ONE WEEK AWAY FROM THANKSGIVING, WHICH MEANS I’M ONE WEEK AWAY FROM ONE OF THE MOST STRESSFUL DINNERS MY FAMILY HOLDS.

SEE, I LOVE MY FAMILY.

THEY’RE GREAT, LOVING PEOPLE, AND SEEING THEM IS A REAL TREAT.

BUT WHEN IT COMES TO PLANNING EVENTS, MY FAMILY HAS THE ORGANIZATIONAL POWERS OF THREE-LEGGED HORSE: JUST A LOT OF STOPPING AND STARTING FOLLOWED BY A BANG.

INDIVIDUALLY, MY FAMILY IS COMPOSED OF BRILLIANT, DEDICATED ADULTS WHO CAN ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING, BUT COLLECTIVELY THEY ARE A TEAM OF SARCASTIC, EASILY OFFENDED PROCRASTINATORS.

FOR STARTERS, THERE IS NO COMMUNICATION.

WE HAVE NO GROUP CHAT, PLANNING MEETING, OR DISCUSSION.

INSTEAD, WE HAVE LOOSE EXPECTATIONS THAT SEEM OBVIOUS WHEN ALONE BUT ARE CLEARLY ABSURD WHEN SPOKEN.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU WANTED ME TO BAKE THREE CAKES?

THERE ARE ONLY FIVE OF US.

HOW DO YOU EXPECT ME TO KNOW THAT YOU’RE ON A FAD DIET THAT DOESN’T INCLUDE SUGAR?

AND OF COURSE, THERE’S BUTTER IN THE MASHED POTATOES, THERE’S NEVER NOT BEEN.

THANKSGIVING WITH MY FAMILY IS A LOT LIKE JAZZ; EVERYBODY IS DOING THEIR OWN THING AND IT’S A LOT MORE ENJOYABLE ONCE YOU START DRINKING.

AND I THINK THAT’S KIND OF THE POINT.

YOUR FAMILY IS A GROUP OF PEOPLE YOU ODDLY MYTHOLOGIZE ONCE YOU STOP SEEING THEM.

THEY BECOME BETTER OR WORSE IN A WAY THAT IS OUT OF TOUCH WITH REALITY.

BUT ONCE YOU HAVE DINNER WITH THEM, YOU’RE FORCED TO RECOGNIZE THE MEMBERS OF YOUR VERY SPECIFIC TRIBE.

AND FOR BETTER OR WORSE, YOU NEED TO COMPENSATE FOR THEM, BECAUSE THEY’RE ABSOLUTELY COMPENSATING FOR YOU.

SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, TO MY MOTHER, SISTER, AUNT, AND COUSIN: FOR THIS THANKSGIVING, I WILL BE BRINGING TWO SIX-INCH CAKES AND THE MASHED POTATOES.

I WILL ARRIVE AROUND NOON.

PLEASE, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, CAN SOMEONE BRING THE WINE, AND SPEAKING OF WHICH, I DO NOT PLAN ON LEADING THE PRAYER THIS YEAR.

I DID IT LAST TIME, AND YOU ALL HAD NOTES.

I HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A GREAT THANKSGIVING, AND BY THAT, I MEAN ONE THAT IS NOT TOO STRESSFUL.

♪♪ >> WE'RE BACK WITH LEE SVITAK DEAN AND NELSON, AUTHORS OF THE ORIGINAL AND UPDATED VERSIONS OF THE STAR TRIBUNE COOKIE BOOK.

LET'S CHECK OUT THE FINISHED COOKIES.

>> WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF POWDERED SUGAR ON THE TOP AND THEY'LL BE READY TO EAT.

>> THOSE LOOK FABULOUS.

RICK, HOW DID YOU JUDGE THE WINNERS?

THERE'S PROBABLY SO MANY RECIPES THAT CAME IN.

>> OVER THE COURSE OF 20 YEARS WE GOT ABOUT 5,000 RECIPES.

>> WOW.

>> WE WERE REALLY LOOKING FOR THINGS THAT WERE, YOU KNOW, ORIGINAL NATIONALITY, DID THEY LOOK GREAT, OF COURSE DID THEY TASTE GREAT, DID THEY USE SOME KIND OF UNUSUAL INGREDIENT WE'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE, AND WE DIDN'T WANT TO REPEAT OURSELVES BECAUSE WE WERE BUILDING UP AN ARCHIVE SO WE WERE LOOKING FOR THAT AS WELL.

>> WHAT ARE SOME OF THE TRENDS YOU'VE SEEN OVER THE YEARS?

>> EARLY ON WE SAW SOME RECIPES THAT HAD BROWNED BUTTER, THEY STARTED MOVING INTO DIFFERENT KINDS OF NUTS, TAPPING INTO LIQUEURS, THERE WAS REALLY A BIGGIE FOR A WHILE.

AND WE HAD SOME UNUSUAL INGREDIENTS.

>> ONE YEAR WE GOT SIX OR SEVEN ENTRIES THAT ALL INCLUDED KALE.

FOR SOME REASON KALE WAS VERY BIG THAT YEAR.

IT DOESN'T BELONG IN A COOKIE BY THE WAY.

>> THEY DIDN'T WIN, RIGHT?

NO.

>> THEY DIDN'T WIN, NO.

>> AND WHAT HAVE WE GOT HERE WITH OUR COOKIE ASSORTMENT?

>> WE HAVE FIVE COOKIES HERE.

THESE ARE TWO OF MY FAVORITE.

THIS INVOLVES FRESH CRANBERRIES AND PECANS AND YOU SWIRL THEM.

THE CHOCOLATE ADDS CHILI AND CINNAMON FLAVORS KIND OF LIKE MEXICAN HOT CHOCOLATE.

>> OVER HERE WE HAVE ALMOND CHERRY MARZIPAN REFRIGERATOR COOKIES, MOLASSES COOKIES WITH ORANGE AND FRESH GINGER THAT'S REALLY GOOD.

CANDIED GINGER, RATHER.

AND HERE WE HAVE CANDIED CORNMEAL COOKIES THAT HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF ROSEMARY IN IT, THAT REALLY ADDS A NICE HOLIDAY FLAVOR.

>> WELL, IT SMELLS TERRIFIC N SET HERE.

AND IT'S THE 22ND YEAR OF THE CONTEST AND THIS YEAR'S WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN THE STAR TRIBUNE PAGES ON DECEMBER 5TH.

THE ULTIMATE MINNESOTA COOKIE BOOK IS ON SHELVES NOW.

RICK AND LEE, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> Eric: THE RECOUNT IN THE CLOSEST LEGISLATIVE RACE IN THE STATE IS DONE AND A D.F.L.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE HAS DECLARED VICTORY, ASSURING A TIE IN THE HOUSE.

BUT REPUBLICANS ARE NOT RULING OUT LEGAL ACTION.

ALL OF THIS AS LEGISLATIVE LEADERS MET WITH THE GOVERNOR THIS WEEK.

MARY LAHAMMER HAS THE STORY OF THE NEW UP AND COMING LEGISLATIVE LEADER ALONG WITH A STATE PARTY CHAIR WHO'S RUNNING FOR A NATIONAL POSITION.

>> THAT'S WHY I'M RUNNING FOR CHAIR OF THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE.

>> MINNESOTA D.F.L.

PARTY CHAIR KEN MARTIN IS OFFICIAL IN THE RACE FOR NATIONAL CHAIR, RUNNING ON HIS RECORD HERE.

>> WE BUILT A WINNING COALITION AND DELIVERED RESULTS.

SINCE THEN WE'VE WON EVERY SINGLE STATEWIDE ELECTION, 22 IN A ROW.

AND WE WERE THE LAST OF THE BLUE WALL STATES STILL STANDING.

>> MARTIN IS THE LONGEST SERVING PARTY CHAIR IN MINNESOTA HISTORY.

WE'VE BEEN TRACKING HIS RISE AS WE AND THE STATE BEGAN TO SEE LOTS OF NATIONAL PRESS.

>> HOW ABOUT THE NATIONAL ATTENTION COMING YOUR WAY?

>> LOOK, I'VE BEEN ELECTED THREE TIMES BY MY PEERS TO LEAD OUR ASSOCIATION, ASSOCIATION OF STATE DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEES AND WILL BE THE LONGEST STANDING PRESIDENT OF THAT ASSOCIATION, NOT THAT THAT'S A GREAT TITLE OR ACCOLADE BUT WHAT WE'VE DONE HERE IS REALLY THE MODEL AROUND THE NATION, PEOPLE LOOK AT MINNESOTA AND HOW YOU BUILD INFRASTRUCTURE TO WIN ELECTIONS.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY IT'S A THANKLESS JOB TOMORROW A PARTY CHAIR, YOU DON'T NEED TO BE TOLD, IT IS A [ BLEEP ] JOB.

>> BEFORE WALZ WAS PICKED FOR V.P., THE STATE DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEES MET IN MINNESOTA JUST LAST YEAR.

>> YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN YOU WILL HAVE POWER AGAIN SO LET'S USE IT NOW.

GENERATIONS OF MINNESOTANS WILL BE TALKING ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED IN THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> WHAT ABOUT OVERREACH AND YOU'RE TOUTING TOO MUCH?

>> I DON'T THINK IT'S OVERREACH.

THE PACKAGE THAT WE PUT TOGETHER OT ONLY IMPROVES PEOPLE'S LIVES IN THE STATE, BUT OVERALL THERE'S GENERAL SUPPORT FOR WHAT WE WERE ABLE TO O.

>> BUT REPUBLICANS MADE GAINS AT THE STATE CAPITOL IN THE MOST RECENT ELECTION LIKELY RESULTING IN A TIE IN THE LEGISLATURE.

STILL MARTIN IS TOUTING HIS OUTSIDER STATUS.

>> HERE'S THE THING.

IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A CREATURE OF D.C., THAT'S NOT ME.

BUT I DO KNOW HOW THE D. N. C. WORKS AND HOW IT ISN'T WORKING.

I KNOW HOW TO LISTEN TO THE VOTERS, TO THOSE WHO FEEL CAST ASIDE BY DEMOCRATS.

>> AT THE STATE CAPITOL HOUSE REPUBLICANS MET FACE-TO-FACE BEHIND CLOSED DOORS TO FIGURE OUT THEIR ROLE IN A TIED CHAMBER WITH A NEW DEPUTY LEADER WHO'S SEEN AS A RISING STAR IN THE PARTY.

>> YOU ARE TECHNICALLY STILL A FRESHMAN RIGHT NOW AND NOW YOU'RE IN LEADERSHIP.

HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN?

>> GOING INTO THIS NEW 67-67 TIE, ALMOST THE MAJORITY, I WAS HONORED TO BE ASKED BY THEM TO STEP INTO THIS LEADERSHIP ROLE.

IT'S ESSENTIALLY THE SAME THING AS MAJORITY-ISH LEADER.

I THINK THAT THE OTHER CAUCUS IS GOING TO HAVE A PERSON IN THAT POSITION WHO IS FUNCTIONING VERY MUCH LIKE THE MAJORITY LEADER.

THAT'S PROBABLY HOW IT'S GOING TO GO, I GUESS I SHOULDN'T SAY EXACTLY HOW THINGS ARE GOING TO BE STRUCTURED BECAUSE A LOT OF THAT IS UP IN THE AIR.

THERE'S NOT REALLY A MINORITY PARTY THAT DOESN'T HAVE A VOICE.

>> NISKA IS AN EXPERIENCED DEBATER AND ATTORNEY, CLERKING FOR TWO FEDERAL JUDGES.

HE'S BEEN INVOLVED IN POLITICAL PAINS AT EVERY LEVEL.

>> WE LIKE TO COMPETE AND WE LIKE TO WIN, BUT ALSO A LOT OF US ARE HERE BECAUSE WE WANT TO GET SOME THINGS DONE AND TO AT LEAST BE ABLE TO HAVE BOTH SIDES AT THE TABLE AND HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT ARE THOSE THINGS THAT ARE COMMONSENSE THINGS THAT MAYBE SOME DEMOCRATS SUPPORTED BUT THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD IN A TRIFECTA.

TAXPAYERS REALLY DIDN'T GET BACK MONEY FROM THE SURPLUS, THE STATE BUDGET GREW INCREDIBLY, YOU KNOW, 38% BUDGET GROWTH.

THERE WAS A LOT OF NEW TAXES, NEW REGULATION, AND FAIRLY EXTREME SOCIAL POLICY AGENDA.

I THINK A LOT OF VOTERS SAID THAT'S NOT THE RESPONSIBLE GOVERNANCE THAT WE THOUGHT WE WERE GETTING.

NOW IT'S ON US AS REPUBLICANS TO SHOW HAT WE CAN BE THE ADULTS IN THE ROOM, THAT EGG WE CAN BE RESPONSIBLE.

>> WAS IT OVERREACH?

>> WELL, I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT YOU COULD LOOK AT ANY OTHER TWO-YEAR PERIOD OF TIME IN MINNESOTA AND CALL SOME OTHER PERIOD OF TIME OVERREACH AND NOT CALL THE LAST TWO YEARS OVERREACH.

I MEAN, IT WAS MY FIRST TERM IN THE LEGISLATURE AND SO I HAD A FRONT ROW SEAT TO REALLY WHAT I THINK WERE A LOT OF MISGUIDED POLICY DECISIONS.

>> THE REPUBLICAN FROM RAMSEY OFTEN LEADS WITH HIS FAITH.

>> TO CONTROL FAITH ORGANIZATIONS.

MY FAITH IS PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ABOUT ME.

IT SHAPES EVERYTHING THE WAY I SEE THE WORLD, THE WAY I THINK I SHOULD BEHAVE TOWARDS OTHER PEOPLE, THE WAY I SHOULD LISTEN TO OTHER PEOPLE'S OPINIONS, IT TELLS ME THAT I DON'T KNOW EVERYTHING, THAT NONE OF US KNOW EVERYTHING, AND WE ALL NEED TO HAVE GRACE WITH OTHER PEOPLE.

>> HE SAYS HIS STYLE AND BELIEF SYSTEM DIFFER FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP, BUT APPRECIATES HIS POLICY APPROACH.

HE NOTES THAT SIX DISTRICTS VOTED DEMOCRATIC FOR PRESIDENT BUT PICKED A REPUBLICAN IN THE HOUSE.

>> THIS IS ANOTHER STAGGERING DEVELOPMENT IN MINNESOTA.

>> FIRST MET PETE WHAT HE WAS RUNNING FOR U.S. SENATE IN 2012.

HE'S OBVIOUSLY A VERY ENERGETIC, RTICULATE VOICE FOR I THINK THE RANK AND FILE IN THE MILITARY.

I SENT PETE A TEXT CONGRATULATING HIM ON HIS NOMINATION.

>> DO YOU SHARE SOME OF THE CONCERNS ABOUT SOME OF THE ISSUES OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND MAYBE SOME OF THE ISSUES WITH TATTOOS?

ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT THAT?

>> WE'LL SEE WHAT COMES OUT IN TERMS OF SOME OF THE QUESTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN RAISED, INVESTIGATIONS THAT HAVEN'T GONE ANYWHERE IN THE PAST.

♪♪ >> Cathy: STATE CAPITOL IS GOING TO BE AN INTERESTING PLACE THIS UPCOMING SESSION.

THE HOUSE SPECIFICALLY A TIE APPEARS LIKELY.

REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS WILL HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO SHARE POWER TO GET THINGS DONE.

JOINING US NOW, THE TWO HOUSE LEADERS WHO HAVE ALREADY STARTED WORKING ON THAT TASK.

REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE LISA DEMUTH HAS BEEN ELECTED SPEAKER DESIGNATE BY HER CAUCUS.

THAT IS THE TITLE D.F.L.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE MELISSA HORTMAN HAS BESTOWED UPON HER AS WELL BY THE D.F.L.

CAUCUS.

SPEAKER DESIGNATE HORTMAN, I'LL START WITH YOU.

THE ACLU MINNESOTA, YOU PROBABLY KNOW THIS, THINKS A SPECIAL SESSION SHOULD BE CALLED WHILE THE D.F.L.

TRIFECTA IS STILL IN PLACE -- I KNOW THE GOVERNOR HAS TO CALL A SPECIAL SESSION -- BUT THEY WANT A SPECIAL SESSION CALLED TO TAKE UP THE ERA AND SANCTUARY STATE LEGISLATION, WOULD YOU BE OPEN TO THAT?

>> I DON'T THINK WE'VE HAD A CHANCE TOE LOOK AT WHAT THE ACLU HAS REQUESTED OF US IN-DEPTH FOR THE GOVERNOR AND SENATE MAJORITY LEADER AND I TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION.

I DON'T BELIEVE THAT WE HAD THE VOTES TO PASS THE E.R.A.

THROUGH THE SENATE LAST YEAR WHEN WE SENT IT OVER SO I DON'T THINK THAT WOULD CHANGE NOW.

AND THEN WITH REGARD TO THE OTHER LEGISLATION THAT WAS MENTIONED, I DON'T KNOW THAT THAT EVER EVEN MADE IT OUT OF A COMMITTEE.

SO I DON'T THINK THAT THERE IS THE SUPPORT TO GET THOSE TWO THINGS THROUGH IN A SPECIAL SESSION.

>> Cathy: AND YOU WILL AGREE?

>> I WOULD AGREE BUT IF THE GOVERNOR CALLS A SPECIAL SESSION WE'LL SHOW UP, BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE WOULD BE THE VOTES.

>> Eric: THERE WAS PRETTY RAW FEELINGS AT THE END OF THE SESSION LAST YEAR, EARLIER THIS YEAR.

>> THERE WERE.

>> Eric: AND I WONDER, I HEARD SENATOR JOHNSON SAYING TRUST HAS TO BE RE-ESTABLISHED AND YOU SEEM TO GET ALONG VERY WELL AND HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP, BUT IS IT PRETTY DEEP IN THE RANK AND FILE WHAT HAPPENED AT THE END OF THE SESSION?

>> YOU KNOW, THE WAY THE SESSION ENDED LAST YEAR IT WAS WHAT I WOULD CONSIDER DISRESPECTFUL TO THE INSTITUTION.

SPEAKER DESIGNATE HORTMAN AND I GET ALONG VERY WELL.

WE'VE WORKED AND BUILT THAT RELATIONSHIP OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS.

THAT'S WHAT I'M LOOKING FORWARD GOING FORWARD WITH A 4 -- 67-67 TIE, WE HAVE GOT TO WORK TOGETHER EARLIER AND MORE THAN WE HAVE AND I THINK WE'RE ABLE TO DO THAT.

>> Eric: YOU TALKED ABOUT A FRESH START.

FLESH THAT OUT, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN EXACTLY?

>> I THINK WE HAVE TO LOOK GOING FORWARD.

WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY.

EVERY LEGISLATURE IS EXPECTED BY THE VOTERS TO DELIVER A STATE BUDGET ON TIME.

SO THAT IS OUR TASK.

IN A TIED HOUSE WE HAVE TO HAVE COMMITTEE CHAIRS WHO WILL WORK TOGETHER.

AND THEY HAVE TO START KIND OF LOOKING FORWARD AND NOT LOOKING BACK.

I DON'T THINK IT'S TO ANYBODY'S BENEFIT TO RELITIGATE THE LAST THREE WEEKS OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN 2024.

I THINK MINNESOTA VOTERS, WE'VE HAD A NEW ELECTION, THEY HAVE SENT NEW FOLKS TO ST. PAUL, MANY OF THE FOLKS WHO ARE NOW COMING TO ST. PAUL WEREN'T THERE THEN, AND THEY COME WITH NEW IDEAS AND I THINK VOTERS HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO EXPECT THAT WE'LL GET OUR WORK DONE.

>> Eric: ARE YOU TEXTING MEMBERS ON THE OTHER SIDE WHO MAY BE AMENABLE TO FLIPPING AND CREATING A 68 VOTE?

>> I KNOW THAT THERE'S CONVERSATIONS ON BOTH SIDES >> Eric: HAVE YOU MADE ANY CALLS?

>> YOU HAVE TO ASK, RIGHT?

I KNOW A FEW OF OUR MEMBERS HAVE BEEN APPROACHED, I KNOW A FEW REPUBLICAN MEMBERS HAVE BEEN APPROACHED.

IT WOULD BE LEGISLATIVE MALPRACTICE TO NOT ASK.

>> I WOULD AGREE.

>> Cathy: ANY N INTEREST IN ANYBODY FLIPPING?

MAKE SOME NEWS RIGHT NOW IF YOU'D.

>> RIGHT NOW WE ARE PLANNING FOR A 67-67 TIE.

THERE IS THE RECOUNT IN SHAKOPEE AS YOU TALKED ABOUT.

IF THAT WOULD CHANGE, THAT WOULD CHANGE IN OUR FAVOR.

RIGHT NOW WITH THE 67-67 TIE THAT'S THE WAY WE'RE PLANNING.

>> Cathy: YOU MENTIONED THE COMMITTEE CHAIRMANSHIPS, CHAIRPERSONSHIPS, AND I LOVE HISTORY, LOOKING BACK IN '79, DIFFERENT TIMES AND DIFFERENT MAKE-UP OF THE LEGISLATURE, BUT ARE THERE LESSONS TO BE LEARNED?

THAT POWER SYSTEM WORKED UNTIL IT DIDN'T.

>> IT DIDN'T REALLY WORK VERY WELL.

I THINK WHEN WE LOOKED AT IT, THINK WE BOTH SEPARATELY REJECTED IT.

AND I THINK WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT, YOU CAN TELL THAT ONE PARTY WAS TRYING TO GET AN ADVANTAGE OVER THE OTHER PARTY AND THAT THEY WERE CONSTANTLY THEN BATTLING FOR THAT ADVANTAGE TO GO BACK AND FORTH.

AND SO THEY PLAYED GAMES LIKE WHEN SOMEBODY WOULD LEAVE COMMITTEE THEY'D TAKE A VOTE.

BUT THEN THE PERSON WOULD COME BACK AND THEY'D REVOTE.

AND WE KNEW WE DIDN'T WANT TO GO DOWN THAT PATHWAY, THAT STUFF IS KIND OF SILLY.

>> AND EQUAL 50/50 SHARING OF TWO CHAIRS, COCHAIRS IN EACH COMMITTEE IS WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT AND EQUAL NUMBER OF MEMBERS.

THIS S GOING TO FORCE THE ABILITY TO WORK TOGETHER FROM THE VERY START OF SESSION.

SO I DON'T ANTICIPATE US HAVING A BUMPY END TO SESSION.

I THINK THE BUMPS ARE GOING TO BE FELT EARLY ON AND WE'LL WORK THROUGH THOSE AS WE GO.

>> Eric: HOW ABOUT USING THIS AS A WAY TO LOOK AT THE TEMPORARY RULES OF THE HOUSE, AND DO THINGS IKE LIMIT THE -- 5,000 BILLS LAST SESSION OR SOMETHING?

IT WAS CRAZY.

>> OVER 6,000.

OVER 6,000 BILLS.

>> Eric: OKAY, I WAS EVEN UNDERSHOOTING IT.

AND THEN LIMIT DEBATES, THOSE SORTS OF THINGS, ANY MOOD TO DO THAT?

>> I THINK THERE ARE DEFINITELY PROPONENTS.

I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THE PROPONENT OF LIMITING WHAT WE CAN ASK FOR UR STAFF.

RIGHT NOW YOU CAN ASK FOR UNLIMITED BILLS TO BE DRAFTED AND UNLIMITEDS.

THAT'S OTALLY UNREALISTIC FOR THE PEOPLE WHO WORK THERE.

I'LL BE ASKING OUR CAUCUS TO BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES AND AT THE SAME TIME I ASK US TO DO THAT INTERNALLY.

WE'LL BE WORKING TO SEE IF WE CAN NEGOTIATE ON THE RULES TO HAVE FEWER BILLS INTRODUCED.

>> Cathy: I WONDER ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THE CAUCUSES.

HOW WILL YOU KEEP YOUR CAUCUSES TOGETHER?

BECAUSE EVEN IN THE BEST OF TIMES, CAUCUSES CAN BE A LITTLE FRACTIOUS, AS IT WERE.

SO WHAT'S THE PLAN?

>> WE'VE ALREADY HAD A COUPLE OF CAUCUS MEETS AND WE'VE GOT 14 NEW MEMBERS THAT ARE IN WITH US AND WE WANT TO REALLY BUILD OUR TEAM TOGETHER AS IT STANDS.

WE HAD SOME RETIREMENTS AND SO STARTING THAT WORK EARLY IS WHAT OUR INTENT IS AND THEN WE'LL BE CAUCUSING AGAIN A COUPLE OF TIMES IN DECEMBER TO REALLY BUILD THE RELATIONSHIP.

IT'S ALWAYS A CHALLENGE.

YOU'VE GOT IN OUR CASE 67 MEMBERS THAT ARE READY TO SERVE AND HAVE INDEPENDENT VIEWS, BUT REALLY PULLING TOGETHER AND LOOKING AT THE BIG PICTURE IS WHAT WE NEED TO DO.

>> Eric: HOW ABOUT EARLY AGREEMENT ON A GOOD OLD FASHIONED BIPARTISAN PROPERTY TAX RELIEF BILL?

EVERYBODY'S GETTING THEIR NOTICES.

>> THEY ARE, YES.

>> Eric: AND THEY'RE A LITTLE EYE-OPENING IN A LOT CASES.

>> THE BIG QUESTION THERE IS LOCAL CONTROL, RIGHT?

THAT'S ONE OF THE ISSUES WE DEBATE VERY HOTLY AT THE LEGISLATURE IS WHAT THE THE PROVINCE AND THE CITIES AND COUNTIES AND IN HOW MANY CASES DO WE TELL THEM EXACTLY HOW TO RUN THE GOVERNMENT AT THEIR LEVEL.

THEY'RE CLOSER TO THE VOTERS, IT'S EASIER TO GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR COUNTY COMMISSIONER THAN YOUR -- >> Eric: SO WHERE DOES THE BUCK STOP?

>> I HINK THAT PROPERTY TAX LIMITATIONS IS OMETHING WE'VE DEFINITELY TALKED ABOUT AT THE STATE LEGISLATURE BUT THEY'VE NEVER GOT VERY BECAUSE WHETHER YOU'RE A REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT, YOU DON'T REALLY WANT TO TELL ALL THE MAYORS AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS IN YOUR DISTRICT WHAT TO DO.

>> Eric: BUT YOU'RE HELPING THEM.

>> LOCAL CONTROL.

>> Eric: SELF-STARTERS.

>> I THINK EVERYTHING IS ON THE TABLE, I WOULD NEVER SAY NO.

BUT AS A FORMER SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER I UNDERSTAND FULLY THE CHALLENGES THAT SCHOOLS ARE FACING THAT IMPACTS THE AMOUNT THEY GET FROM THE STATE BUT ALSO THE PROPERTY AXES, THAT'S WHERE TRUTH IN TAXATION AND SHOWING UP AT YOUR MEETINGS AT A LOCAL LEVEL MATTER.

>> Cathy: SO I KNOW YOU ALL MET WITH THE GOVERNOR THIS WEEK.

HE'S OBVIOUSLY BACK AFTER BEING DEFEATED ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL AND I'M WONDERING WHAT KIND OF RELATIONSHIP MIGHT YOU TWO HAVE WITH THE GOVERNOR UNDER THIS POWER-SHARING AGREEMENT?

WHAT ROLE DOES HE PLAY AT THIS POINT?

>> I REALLY BELIEVE THAT THE POWER-SHARING AGREEMENT HAS TO BE BETWEEN THE TWO OF US SITTING HERE.

THAT IS WHAT WE ARE CHARGED WITH, WHAT THE VOTERS OF MINNESOTA SENT US TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO DO WITH EQUAL POWER SHARING.

WE'VE GOT TO FIGURE THAT OUT AT A LEGISLATIVE LEVEL.

>> Eric: I DON'T WANT TO BE SEXIST IN ANY WAY, TWO MEN DOING IT, ISN'T THAT GOING TO BE BETTER?

TESTOSTERONE LEVEL IS DOWN, YOU'RE NOT JUST GOING FOR POWER AND AUTHORITY AND ALL THAT >> I DON'T THINK IT'S GENDER, I THINK IT'S PERSONALITY.

I THINK YOU COULD HAVE TWO MEN WHO WOULD GET ALONG THIS WELL, WE JUST HAPPEN TO BE WOMEN WHO ARE IN THIS SPOT.

>> I WOULD AGREE.

IT'S NOT NECESSARILY JUST WOMEN, WE WANT TO GET THE WORK DONE.

>> Eric: THERE'S NO GENDER BONUS HERE.

>> I DON'T BELIEVE SO.

>> Cathy: I'M WONDERING, BEFORE YOU GO, WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS?

DO YOU STILL HAVE TO DO SOME MORE WORK?

WHAT ARE THE NEXT FEW STEPS HERE?

I KNOW THE HOLIDAYS ARE UPON US HERE TOO.

>> RIGHT, WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE WORK TO DO.

WE DECIDED ON THE COMMITTEE STRUCTURE.

WE DECIDED THERE WILL BE COCHAIRS AND EQUAL NUMBERS OF MEMBERS ON BOTH SIDES AND WE'RE CONTINUING TO TALK ABOUT ALL THE REST OF IT.

>> Eric: REALLY APPRECIATE YOU GUYS SHOWING UP, IT WAS GREAT TO HAVE YOU AND BEST OF LUCK ON ALL SIDES.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> Eric: YOU BET.

THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> HE WASN'T INTERESTED IN WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO HIMSELF SO MUCH AS HOW HE'D HELP OTHER PEOPLE.

HE WAS MORE INTERESTED IN PEOPLE WHO WERE DISENFRANCHISED OR DISADVANTAGED THAN HE WAS FOR PEOPLE WHO HAD MADE IT.

HAS SO I THINK THAT GRABS EVERYBODY TO REALIZE THAT.

>> I ALWAYS LOOKED AT GOVERNOR ANDERSON AS A PERSON WHO ULTIMATELY DEFINED COMMUNITY.

HE WAS EMBRACING, HE WAS ENVELOPING, HE WAS THOUGHTFUL, HE WAS INVOLVED.

I REMEMBER ONE TIME HE SAID EACH OF US HAS THREE CAREERS IN US.

WHEN YOU LOOK BACK, YOU KNOW, THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT HE DID.

♪♪ >> Eric: VERY FULL SHOW TONIGHT BUT WE DO NOT WANT TO SKIP OUR HISTORY SECTION SO HERE'S A SPEEDY VERSION.

LAST TIME WE WENT BACK IN TIME TO OCTOBER 1987 AS THE END OF THE MONTH DREW NEAR, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF MINNEAPOLIS DID SOMETHING THAT BROUGHT JOWL TO TENS OF THOUSANDS OF MINNESOTANS.

YOUR TASK, WELL, IT WAS SIMPLE.

TELL US WHAT THE FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF MINNEAPOLIS DID IN LATE OCTOBER 1987.

NOW, AS USUAL CALLERS WITH THE WRONG ANSWERS GOIN' FIRST.

>> "I THINK THE ANSWER TO TONIGHT’S INDEX FILE QUESTION IS THE FEDERAL RESERVE PUT A PIÑATA OUT IN FRONT OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE BANK.

THEY FILLED IT WITH COINS, AND GAVE AWAY A LITTLE OF THAT >> "THE ANSWER TO THIS WEEK’S INDEX FILE QUESTION IS THAT THE PRESIDENT OF THE MINNEAPOLIS FED DRESSED UP LIKE A DOLLAR BILL AND WENT TRICK OR TREATING IN MINNEAPOLIS."

>> "THE ANSWER TO YOUR INDEX FILE QUESTION MIGHT HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE FEDERAL RESERVE AND SETTING UP THE MINNESOTA STATE LOTTERY BENEFITING OUR BEAUTIFUL OUTDOORS IN MINNESOTA."

>> Eric: ALL INTERESTING GUESSES, AND ALL OF THEM WRONG.

WE DIDN'T FOOL MANY OF YOU, THOUGH, BUT OF COURSE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WERE INVOLVED, NOW, AND SEVERAL CALLERS NOTED THEY WERE THERE THAT DAY, INCLUDING ALISON.

>> "THE FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF MINNEAPOLIS BROUGHT JOY TO MINNESOTANS IN OCTOBER 1987 BY DROPPING SHREDDED OLD CURRENCY AT THE TWINS PARADE WHEN THEY WON THE WORLD SERIES.

WE WATCHED FROM MARQUETTE BANK AS IT FELL ON ELOISE’S TEAM."

>> Eric: YOU'RE CORRECT.

TWIN CITIES FANS LINED THE STREETS OF MINNEAPOLIS ND ST. PAUL, SHOWERED THEIR BASEBALL HEROES WITH MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

YOU SEE, THE FEDERAL RESERVE HAD DONATED ONE TON OF SHREDDED, OUT OF CIRCULATION MONEY THAT WAS USED FOR THE CONFETTI THAT YOU SEE HERE ON THE COATS OF THE TWINS PLAYERS.

COUPLE REMINDERS FOR YOU BEFORE WE GO.

DON'T FORGET TO TUNE INTO THE BROADCAST WARS I GOT PREMIERE NEXT TUESDAY NIGHT, 7:00 ON TWIN CITIES PBS OR YOU CAN CHECK IT OUT ON THE PBS APP.

AND SPEAKING OF NEXT WEEK, "ALMANAC" TEAM TAKING SOME TIME OFF AFTER THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY.

WE WILL BE BACK HERE IN TWO WEEKS WITH THE BIG 40TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL SHOW.

IF YOU MISSED THE TUESDAY NIGHT PREMIERE OF BROADCAST WARS I GOT, Y CATCH IT NEXT FRIDAY NIGT 7:00 IN THE "ALMANAC" TIME SLOT.

JUST ENOUGH TIME FOR SOME MUSIC TO END THE SHOW.

20 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK, THE STEELES KICKED OFF THE HOLIDAY SEASON FOR US.

TAKE A LISTEN.

BE CAREFUL.

♪♪ >> LET'S LINE THAT BASKET WITH LOVE FIRST, SHALL WE ♪♪ I WILL GIVE YOU LOVE, JOY THAT'S SO DIVINE.

I CAN GIVE YOU MANY THINGS MONEY CANNOT BUY AND IF YOU WANT DIAMONDS, ALL THOSE BRILLIANT THINGS I'LL BE SURE TO SEE THAT YOU GET JUST THE ONES YOU NEED ... ♪♪ WHATEVER YOU DESIRE DEEP INSIDE YOUR HEART SHARE WITH ME A SECRET, ALL YOU REALLY ARE WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR CHRISTMAS?

WHAT DO YOU WANT THIS YEAR?

WHAT DO YOU NEED?

I'LL GIVE YOU WHAT YOU WANT WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR CHRISTMAS?

OOH WHAT DO YOU WANT THIS YEAR?

WHAT DO YOU NEED?

I'LL GIVE YOU WHAT YOU WANT ♪♪ OH, YEAH, >> "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.