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

>> Cathy: WELL, LOOK AT HERE, WE'VE GOT A SHOW.

COMING UP ON "ALMANAC," LARRY FITZGERALD IS HERE TO CHAT FALL SPORTS.

CHILDREN'S THEATRE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR RICK DILDINE WILL GIVE US A PEEK AT THE NEW SEASON.

WE'LL HAVE PLENTY OF NATIONAL AND LOCAL POLITICS.

AND MARY LAHAMMER HAS BEEN TRACKING SPECIAL SESSION POLITICS AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

>> Mary: GROUPS ARE ORGANIZING IN A NEW WAY TO PUT SUSTAINED PRESSURE ON A GOVERNOR TO CALL A SPECIAL SESSION TO ADDRESS GUN VIOLENCE.

>> THE DEMOCRATS MAY NOT HAVE THE VOTES.

>> MY FAITH COMPELS ME TO ACT.

>> Mary: THAT'S COMING UP N "ALMANAC."

♪ >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY... GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 1.7 MILLION PEOPLE THROUGH ITS MEMBER-OWNER COOPERATIVES AND CUSTOMERS.

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

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

>> CATHY: WE HAVE A FULL SHOW FOR YOU TONIGHT.

IN THE NEXT HOUR WE'LL TALK SPORTS WITH LARRY FITZGERALD AND THE NEWSHOUR'S FRED DE SAM LAZARO IS BACK WITH A PREVIEW OF HIS LEONARD PELTIER PROFILE.

AG COMMISSIONER THOM PETERSEN WILL EXPLAIN HOW THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN IS HITTING MINNESOTA FARMERS.

>> ERIC: AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN IS WHERE WE START TONIGHT.

WE'VE HIT DAY TEN AND THE STALEMATE IN WASHINGTON, D.C., CONTINUES.

ANGELA GREILING KEANE IS THE BLOOMBERG GOVERNMENT NEWS DIRECTOR, WHICH MEANS SHE OVERSEES COVERAGE OF ALL THINGS POLITICAL IN THE NATION'S CAPITOL.

SHE'S ALSO A MINNESOTAN AND WE'RE HAPPY TO HAVE HER HERE IN PERSON TONIGHT AS SHE IS HOME VISITING FAMILY.

GREAT TO SEE YOU.

WHAT'S THE CENSUS ON WHO'S GOING TO BLINK FIRST ON THE SHUTDOWN?

>> IT'S NOT LOOKING LIKE IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN SOON.

WE WERE PREPARED TO HAVE OUR JOURNALISTS STAY THIS WEEKEND, THE SENATE'S TRYING TO GET THINGS DONE, BUT THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

THE SENATE IS COMING BACK ON TUESDAY, AND THE HOUSE IS SET TO BE OUT.

SPEAKER JOHNSON IS NOT BRINGING HIS MEMBERS BACK, HAKEEM JEFFRIES, MINORITY LEADER IN THE HOUSE, SAID TODAY THAT HE IS BRINGING DEMOCRATS BACK, BUT, OF COURSE, DEMOCRATS ARE NOT IN POWER.

SO THEY ARE GOING TO BE THERE MOSTLY FOR SHOW TO KIND OF MAKE A POINT THAT REPUBLICANS ARE NOT THERE, BUT WE'RE KIND OF PREPARING TO BE IN FOR THE LONG HAUL.

>> Cathy: THE HOUSE HAS BEEN IN RECESS FOR ALMOST, WHAT, FOUR WEEKS?

>> YES.

>> Cathy: THERE'S THE NEW DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE FROM ARIZONA AND THERE'S REFUSAL TO SEAT HER.

DOES THIS HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE EPSTEIN FILES?

>> MAYBE.

THE WOMAN FROM ARIZONA WHO YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, SHE WAS JUST ELECTED IN A SPECIAL ELECTION TO SUCCEED HER LATE FATHER.

SO SHE WANTED TO BE SWORN IN, SHE HAD PLANE TICKETS FOR HERSELF AND HER FAMILY TO COME TO D.C., EXPECTED SHE'D BE SWORN IN, BUT THE HOUSE HASN'T CONVENED.

THEY COULD TECHNICALLY SWEAR HER IN IN PRO FORMA SESSION, BUT UNLIKELY TO DO SO AND SHE WOULD BE A VOTE TO -- ONE MORE VOTE TRYING TO RELEASE MORE EPSTEIN FILES.

AND, SO, THAT ABSOLUTELY COULD BE A FACTOR, THAT HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT.

>> Eric: IN THE SENATE, THE DEMOCRATS HAVE TO PROVIDE SOME VOTES.

WHAT IS DIFFERENT NOW?

THEY'RE PLAYING HARD BALL THIS TIME.

BACK IN MARCH IN A SIMILAR SITUATION, THEY DID NOT.

THEY DID COME TO AN AGREEMENT.

>> ORRECT.

WELL, THAT MARCH ACTION DID NOT WORK OUT SO WELL FOR CHUCK SCHUMER.

HE TOOK A LOT OF HEAT FROM HIS OWN PARTY.

HE'S ALSO UNDER PRESSURE FOR HIS AGE, FOR NOT STANDING UP ENOUGH IN GENERAL TO THIS ADMINISTRATION.

SO THE FACT THAT HE CAVED SO QUICKLY BACK IN MARCH, EVEN THOUGH HE THOUGHT IT WAS THE RIGHT MOVE, OF COURSE, DID NOT ENDEAR HIM TO HIS BASE.

SO, HE WOULD LIKE TO RETAIN HIS POSITION IN LEADERSHIP, HE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE DEMOCRATS TAKE BACK THE SENATE, THAT WOULD BE HARD, BUT, NONETHELESS, THAT'S IS JOB, AND, SO, HE, BIGGER PICTURE, HAS NO POLITICAL INCENTIVE, REALLY, TO DO THIS TIME WHAT HE DID LAST TIME.

>> Cathy: YOU KNOW, I GUESS FEDERAL LAYOFFS STARTED TODAY.

THE PRESIDENT WAS TALKING ABOUT THAT.

I KNOW REPORTERS ARE SCRAMBLING TO FIND OUT HOW MANY -- >> 4,100.

YUP, I WAS TALKING WITH COLLEAGUES AT BATHROOM BERG LAW JUST BEFORE I CAME HERE, THERE WAS A COURT FILING THAT DISCLOSED THE NUMBER.

>> Cathy: 4,100, HOW CHAOTIC WILL NEXT WEEK BE IN WASHINGTON?

>> IT COULD BE.

REMEMBER THAT WE'VE ALREADY HAD TENS OF THOUSANDS OF GOVERNMENT MPLOYEES CUT BY DOGE EARLIER IN THE YEAR.

WE HAD A BIG CHUNK TAKE THE FORK IN THE ROAD BUYOUT, IF YOU WILL, THAT TOOK EFFECT JUST, YOU KNOW, A WEEK AND A HALF AGO, ON OCTOBER 1st, THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR.

SO THIS IS ON TOP OF THOSE CUTS THAT HAVE ALREADY COMPOUNDED.

>> Cathy: DO WE HAVE ANY SENSE AS TO HOW GOVERNMENT IS FUNCTIONING?

>> NOT AS WELL AS IT WOULD, PROBABLY, IF THERE WERE MORE PEOPLE IN IT.

IT'S A LITTLE HARD TO SAY HOLISTICALLY, BUT WE IN MANY OF OUR -- AND IS MANY OF OUR COMPETITORS, OF COURSE, ARE LOOKING AT THE EFFECTS OF GOVERNMENT CUTS.

WE HAD A STORY HIS WEEK BY OUR HEALTH REPORTER, ABOUT CHALLENGES TO THE ORGAN DONATION SYSTEM.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S ALL SORTS F THINGS THAT YOU MIGHT NOT THINK OF AS BEING RELATED TO FEDERAL FUNDING, BUT THEY ARE EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY THROUGH GRANTS OR AUTHORIZATIONS AND SO ON.

SO THERE'S ALL SORTS OF TRICKLE-DOWN EFFECTS.

RIGHT NOW ABOUT 2/3 OF FEDERAL WORKERS ARE ACTUALLY WORKING BECAUSE THEY'RE EITHER CONSIDERED, QUOTE, UNQUOTE, ESSENTIAL WORKERS OR THEY ARE WORKING ON PROGRAMS THAT ARE STILL FUNDED, DESPITE THE FEDERAL FUNDING HAVING LAPSED.

BUT THAT NUMBER WILL DECREASE IF THIS GOES ON LONGER.

>> Eric: TELL US ABOUT THE IMPRESSION OF PRESIDENT TRUMP, THE NATIONAL GUARD, PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST, SHUTDOWN.

HIS HAND IS IN ALL OF THIS.

>> OF COURSE.

YES.

MIDDLE EAST, THERE'S ACTUALLY DEMOCRATIC PRAISE FOR HAVING HELPED REACH A DEAL THERE.

AND HE'S ANNOUNCED THIS EVENING THAT HE'S GOING TO GO TO CAIRO AND JERUSALEM EARLY NEXT WEEK.

HE WANTS TO BE THERE WHEN THE 20 HOSTAGES ARE RELEASED.

SO THAT'S CLEARLY A WIN.

HE'S FEELING GOOD ABOUT THAT.

AND SO ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE, OF COURSE, NOT ONLY IN THE U.S.

BUT AROUND THE WORLD.

SHUTDOWN AND NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS, THERE'S CLEARLY MUCH MORE DIVISION, NO CONSENSUS ON WHETHER THOSE THINGS ARE GOOD OR BAD, REALLY DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU ARE ON THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM.

BUT THOSE ARE THINGS THAT ARE ENERGIZING HIS BASE, MAYBE NOT THE SHUTDOWN IF IT GOES ON TOO LONG, BUT NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS, ABSOLUTELY.

NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS IN DEMOCRATICALLY LED CITIES ARE A WIN FOR THE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT AND OF COURSE A RALLYING POINT FOR DEMOCRATS ON THE OTHER SIDE.

>> Cathy: ANY CRACKS IN THE WALL WHEN IT COMES TO THE REPUBLICANS?

I'M THINKING MARJORY TAYLOR GREEN COMES TO MIND.

>> YEAH, ONE OF OUR REPORTERS INTERVIEWED HER WEDNESDAY.

THIS WAS AFTER SHE POSTED ON X, FORMERLY TWITTER, THAT SHE PERSONALLY HAS ADULT CHILDREN WHO WOULD BE FFECTED BY THE END OF THE TAX CREDITS UNDER THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT FOR HEALTHCARE.

SO SHE POSTED A VERY LONG POST ABOUT HOW SHE THINKS -- WELL, SHOULDN'T SAY DEMOCRATS ARE RIGHT -- BUT EFFECTIVELY THINKS DEMOCRATS ARE RIGHT IN WANTING TO EXTEND THE TAX CREDITS.

SO, IN MY COLLEAGUE'S INTERVIEW WITH ER, SHE SAID- THTERVIEW WITH ER, SHE SAID- THATRVIEW WITH ER, SHE SAID- THAT, IEW WITH ER, SHE SAID- THAT, YOW WITH ER, SHE SAID- THAT, YOU WITH ER, SHE SAID- THAT, YOU KNTH ER, SHE SAID- THAT, YOU KNOW ER, SHE SAID- THAT, YOU KNOW, R, SHE SAID- THAT, YOU KNOW, SH SHE SAID- THAT, YOU KNOW, SHE'HE SAID- THAT, YOU KNOW, SHE'S SAID- THAT, YOU KNOW, SHE'S NOAID- THAT, YOU KNOW, SHE'S NOTID- THAT, YOU KNOW, SHE'S NOTID- GOING TO VOTE TO END THE SHUTDOWN, BUT SHE DOES THINK THAT REPUBLICANS NEED TO JUMP ON THAT PIECE.

>> Eric: GREAT TO SEE YOU IN PERSON.

THANKS FOR COMING OVER.

>> GREAT TO BE HERE.

>> Cathy: SO GREAT TO HAVE YOU.

HAVE A GREAT TIME HERE.

>> Eric: THANKS.

♪ >> CATHY: WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE THE FEDERAL SHUTDOWN CONVERSATION WITH A LOOK AT HOW THE STALEMATE IN WASHINGTON IS AFFECTING FARMERS HERE IN MINNESOTA.

THOM PETERSEN IS MINNESOTA'S AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER, GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> THANKS.

>> Cathy: FARMERS SEEM LIKE THEY'RE RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF EVERYTHING AT THIS POINT, YOU'VE GOT THE TARIFFS, THE TARIFF WAR, ESPECIALLY THE SOYBEAN FARMERS, CHINA'S NOT BUYING ANY SOYBEANS.

AND THERE WAS A STORY ABOUT THE PRESIDENT SLAPPED 100% TARIFF ON CHINA, IS THAT CORRECT?

SO, WHAT ARE FARMERS TO DO?

>> WELL, IT'S, FRANKLY, CATHY, IT'S EXHAUSTING AT THE MOMENT.

YOU KNOW, EVERY DAY WE COULD CHECK AND SEE WHAT'S THE CHANGE TODAY.

YOU KNOW, THE UNCERTAINTY S REALLY, YOU KNOW, COMPLICATING.

AND THINK ABOUT THIS, TOO, FARMERS RIGHT NOW, THEY'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF HARVEST.

I WAS IN THE RED RIVER VALLEY YESTERDAY MEETING WITH FARMERS, AND THEY'D TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO HARVEST, THEY DON'T HAVE TIME TO STOP AND THINK ABOUT THIS.

BUT IT'S ON THE BACK OF THEIR MIND.

I CAN SEE THE STRESS IN THEIR EYES AND THEIR THOUGHTS AS YOU TRY TO THINK ABOUT, I HAVE TO GET MY CROP OFF RIGHT NOW, BUT IN THE BACK OF MIND, I'M WONDERING, WHERE'S THIS CROP GOING TO O?

YOU KNOW?

SO WHEN WE LOOK AT THIS, YOU'RE DEALING WITH A SHUTDOWN, WE HAVE AVIAN INFLUENZA COMING BACK, IT'S A LOT OF THINGS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

AND A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY.

>> Eric: MEDIATION LEVELS BACK TO THE MID '80s NUMBERS?

>> WELL, THAT'S ONE INDICATOR THAT I LOOK AT.

YOU KNOW, UNFORTUNATELY, EVERY MONTH, ERIC.

AND WE'VE SEEN IN JULY, FIVE TIMES THE AMOUNT OF MEDIATIONS THAT WE HAD FROM JULY OF '24, FOUR TIMES THE AMOUNT OF MEDIATIONS IN AUGUST.

SO YOU HAVE HUNDREDS OF FARMERS GETTING MEDIATION NOTICES THAT THEY'RE BEHIND ON EITHER A FARM PAYMENT, A TRACTOR PAYMENT, A FEED PAYMENT.

YOU KNOW, AND THAT'S CONCERNING.

TO ME, THAT'S A RED FLAG.

WE SEE, YOU KNOW, INCREASED BANKRUPTCY NUMBERS, YOU KNOW, WE SEE OTHER PIECES.

A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY.

>> Cathy: WAS THIS BREWING BEFORE THE PRESIDENT WAS ELECTED?

>> YOU KNOW, IT KIND OF WAS.

YOU KNOW, IF YOU GO BACK AND YOU LOOK AT PRICES, YOU KNOW, ACTUALLY PRICES TODAY ARE SIMILAR TO WHAT THEY WERE A YEAR AGO, YOU NOW, BUT THESE PROLONGED PRICES ARE A CONCERN.

THE PROBLEM IS NOW IS THE DISCOUNTS THAT FARMERS AVE TO GET TO MOVE THE PRODUCT OR WHERE IT'S GOING TO GO.

IT'S GOING TO DRIVE PRICES FURTHER DOWN.

AND, SO, WE HAD SOME OF THIS BREWING AND IT'S JUST ADDED TO IT, FOR SURE.

>> Cathy: I WONDER, FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR AT ALL WITH THE AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY, YOU AY FARMERS ARE GETTING THE BEANS IN AND THE CORN, TOO, SOON.

IF THERE'S NO MARKET FOR THE BEANS, WHERE DO THEY GO?

>> RIGHT NOW, IT'S REALLY INTERESTING TO ASK, AND THAT'S WHAT EVERY FARMER I TALK TO, WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR SOYBEANS?

YOU KNOW?

SO WHAT THEY'RE TELLING ME, THEY'RE BIDDING THEIR BEANS IS WHAT I HEARD YESTERDAY.

SO THEY'RE PUTTING THEM IN BINS.

BINNING THEIR BEANS.

IF THEY HAVE STORAGE, THAT'S THE TOP PRIORITY RIGHT NOW.

AND THEN HOP THE -- AND THEN HOPE THE MARKET COMES BACK.

THAT'S NOT ALWAYS THE CASE, A LOT OF FARMERS WHEN THEY HARVEST THE BEANS, THEY GO ON A TRAIN, GO OUT TO THE P & W AND OUT TO CHINA, WHEREVER.

RIGHT NOW FARMERS ARE TRYING TO SELL THEIR CORN, PILE THEIR CORN AND SELL THEIR WHEAT.

SO WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

SO IF YOU CAN PUT YOUR BEANS IN A BIN AND THEN HOPE THOSE PRICES REBOUND, WERE YOU THE -- BUT THE PROBLEM IS, IF YOU DON'T HAVE BINS, WHICH A LOT OF FARMERS DON'T, THAT'S AN ISSUE.

>> Eric: BAILOUT FOR FARMERS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT?

>> YOU KNOW, NOBODY WANTS THAT, YOU KNOW, AND EVERYTHING.

BUT, YOU KNOW, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSITION FOR SOME OF OUR FARMERS.

AND I THINK IT'S UNFORTUNATELY IMPORTANT THAT WE DO SOMETHING TO HELP THOSE FARMERS.

BUT 0 TO ME, IT'S A BAND-AID, YOU KNOW.

BECAUSE THEN WHAT?

YOU KNOW, WHAT ARE WE OING TO DO NEXT YEAR?

WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO, WE, YOU KNOW, LOST SOME OF THESE MARKETS, THERE'S A LOT OF UNSURETY.

I WAS JUST IN IRELAND WITH THE GOVERNOR LAST WEEK, YOU KNOW, AND THE PART ABOUT AMERICA, THE UNITED STATES BEING A RELIABLE TRADING PARTNER, TO ME, THAT'S SOMETHING WE WORKED ON, WE BUILT THOSE RELATIONSHIPS, AND I'M CONCERNED THAT WE'RE LOSING THEM.

>> Cathy: AND A BAILOUT WOULD AFFECT -- WOULD REALLY HELP THE LARGER FARMERS, RIGHT?

>> IT REALLY WOULD.

AND THAT'S A REALLY GOOD POINT, CATHY, BECAUSE IT'S NOT JUST, YOU KNOW, WE GET A LOT OF, YOU KNOW, THINGS ON SOYBEAN FARMERS RIGHT NOW.

BUT WE HAVE A LOT OF SMALLER FARMERS THAT HAVE BIG GRANTS CUT.

THE VEGETABLE FARMERS, THE DEPARTMENT, WE LOST $18 MILLION IN GRANTS FOR FARM TO SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND LOCAL FOOD PURCHASING.

YOU KNOW, AND, AGAIN, THOSE FARMERS CAN'T ACCESS OFFICES RIGHT NOW WITH THE USDA SHUT DOWN.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF STRESS AMONG LOTS OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF FARMERS.

ONE THING I WOULD SAY, OUR CATTLE MARKET'S STRONG.

SO I ALWAYS LOOK FOR THE BRIGHT SPOTS, YOU KNOW, THAT IT'S NOT ALL DOOM AND GLOOM.

SO THERE'S SOME POSITIVES.

>> Cathy: ALL RIGHT.

GOOD TO SEE YA.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR COMING.

>> Cathy: LAST EBRUARY, LONGTIME ACTIVIST LEONARD PELTIER RETURNED HOME AFTER SPENDING 50 YEARS MIND BARS.

BEHIND BARS.

PELTIER HAS BEEN A SYMBOL OF THE INDIGENOUS RIGHTS MOVEMENT FOR GENERATIONS AND WAS A PROMINENT MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN MOVEMENT FOUNDED IN MINNEAPOLIS IN THE LATE 1960S.

FRED DE SAM LAZARO TRAVELED TO NORTH DAKOTA AND TALKED WITH PELTIER LAST MONTH.

THE FULL PROFILE WILL AIR MONDAY NIGHT ON THE PBS "NEWSHOUR."

YOU CAN CHECK THAT OUT RIGHT HERE ON TWIN CITIES PBS OR YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL PBS STATION.

TO PIQUE YOUR INTEREST, HERE'S A PREVIEW FOR YOU.

>> CAN YOU SEE THAT SCREEN OR IS IT TOO SMALL?

>> IT'S TOO SMALL.

>> HIS SIGHT IS IMPAIRED AMONG SEVERAL HEALTH PROBLEMS.

TIME IN PRISON COMPOUNDING THE TOLL OF TIME ITSELF.

>> PLAY.

WELCOME HOME, UNCLE LEONARD.

>> TIME HAS BROUGHT HELPFUL TECHNOLOGY AND AT HIS HOME TODAY, LEONARD PELTIER IS SURROUNDED BY MEMORIES AND ART, MUCH OF IT HIS OWN WORK.

>> THAT'S A DRAWING OVER HERE.

I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO BE AN ARTIST.

AND THEN I PAINTED MURALS AND STUFF BEFORE I WENT TO PRISON.

AND WHEN I GOT THERE, I PROBABLY PAINTED THREE, FOUR HOURS A DAY AND THIS GUY WAS A MODERN-DAY MEDICINE MAN.

>> THAT SUSTAINED HIM THROUGH THE DECADES IN FEDERAL PRISONS, HE SAYS, AS DID MORAL SUPPORT OF FANS AND CELEBRITIES WORLDWIDE.

>> THIS WAS GIVEN TO ME.

>> ONE PRIZE POSSESSION, THE SCULPTURE OF AN ANCIENT INDIGENOUS WARRIOR SENT TO HIM BY THEN BOLVIAN PRESIDENT.

>> THE FIRST FULL-BLOODED INDIAN PRESIDENT ON THIS CONTINENT.

I'M VERY PROUD OF IT.

>> THIS HOME WAS BOUGHT FOR HIM BY HIS SUPPORTERS.

A MODEST TWO-BEDROOM RAMBLER.

BUT AFTER A LIFE IN POVERTY OR PRISON, IT'S AN UNIMAGINABLE LUXURY.

>> I WALKED IN THE DOOR, I SAID, THIS IS MY HOME?

THIS IS WHAT YOU GUYS BOUGHT ME?

THEY SAID, YEAH.

YOU SACRIFICED FOR US.

THIS IS YOURS.

♪ ♪ >> I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE GENERATION BEFORE US.

THINK ABOUT EVERYTHING HAT LEONARD, THE AMERICAN INDIAN MOVEMENT DID.

>> AND WE'RE GOING TO KEEP CALLING FOR LEONARD'S FREEDOM.

>> NICK TILSON, WHO HEADS THE INDIGENOUS ADVOCACY GROUP, INDIAN COLLECTIVE, HELPED LEAD THE MOST RECENT CAMPAIGN TO BRING PELTIER HOME, LITERALLY.

INCLUDING A ROUSING WELCOME EARLIER THIS YEAR.

♪ ♪ >> THEY DIDN'T WAIT FOR THINGS TO BE PERFECT.

THEY IDN'T WAIT FOR A STRATEGIC PLAN.

WHEN THEY SEEN THE INJUSTICE, THEY DID SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

AND, SO, FOR ME, ONE OF THE BIG THINGS THAT'S BEING A BIG INSPIRATION FROM HIM -- >> WE WERE CALLED EVERY GODDAMN NAME YOU COULD BE CALLED SO THE PUBLIC WOULD HATE US.

WE WEREN'T THOSE PEOPLE.

>> AT 81, LEONARD PELTIER IS AS ANGRY AS EVER.

UNAPOLOGETIC FOR A LIFELONG EFFORT TO DRAW ATTENTION TO THE LITANY OF INDIGENOUS GRIEVANCES.

>> ALL WE WERE TRYING TO DO IS SAVE A RACE OF PEOPLE FROM BEING TERMINATED.

GODDAMN, THEY TREATED -- THEY ENSLAVED US, KILLED US, MASSACRED US.

RAPED OUR CHILDREN.

ENSLAVED OUR CHILDREN.

>> LEONARD PELTIER SAYS HE FELT HIS FIRST CALL TO ACTIVISM AS A YOUNG TEEN HERE ON TURTLE MOUNTAIN RESERVATION IN NORTH DAKOTA.

A SMALL, ISOLATED CHIPPEWA COMMUNITY THAT CONGRESS WAS CONSIDERING TERMINATING IN THE 1950s.

TERMINATION WAS PART OF A LARGER POLICY OF ASSIMULATING INDIGENOUS PEOPLE, AND IT WOULD HAVE ENDED ALL FEDERAL SUPPORT FOR THE COMMUNITY HERE.

TURTLE MOUNTAIN WAS EVENTUALLY SPARED TERMINATION, BUT THE YOUNG PELTIER DID FEEL THE STING OF ASSIMILATION POLICIES.

PLACED WHEN HE WAS 9 IN AN INDIAN BOARDING SCHOOL.

THE CHILDREN WERE FORCIBLY REMOVED FROM THEIR FAMILIES WITH THE GOAL OF ERASING THEIR NATIVE LANGUAGE AND CULTURE.

MANY SCHOOLS WERE RIFE WITH ABUSE.

>> ALL OF OUR HAIR BUZZ CUT OFF.

THEY WOULD START INDOCTRINATING US INTO THE WHITE CULTURE, EDUCATION, WHATEVER YOU WANT -- WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT.

AND WHEN WE CONTINUED TO BE REBELLIOUS ABOUT IT, WE WOULD GET THE HELL BEAT OUT OF US.

>> FEDERAL POLICIES ALSO RELOCATED MILLIONS OF NATIVE AMERICANS TO URBAN CENTERS AND CONFISCATED VAST SWATHS OF MINERAL-RICH LANDS BEYOND THOSE CEDED IN TREATIES.

>> CATHY: HERE WITH MORE, PBS "NEWSHOUR" CORRESPONDENT FRED DE SAM LAZARO.

SPENDING TWO FRIDAYS IN A ROW WITH US, FRED.

WE ARE HONORED, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> MY HONOR.

>> Cathy: YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY Mr.

PELTIER'S EASING BACK INTO LIFE ON THE OUTSIDE.

I'M CURIOUS ABOUT THE ANGER THAT HE FLASHES EVERY SO OFTEN.

WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF THAT?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, THIS IS A MAN WHO MARRIED THIS CAUSE, OR SIGNED ON VERY VERY EARLY.

IT IS SOMETHING IN HIS DNA THAT DRIVES EVERYTHING THAT HE DOES.

AND HE DID HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO PLEA FOR SOMETHING LESS OVER THE YEARS.

AND YOU'LL HEAR THIS IN THE WHOLE PIECE WHEN IT GOES ON.

>> Eric: TWO CONSECUTIVE LIFE SENTENCES.

>> TWO CONSECUTIVE.

IN A PROCESS THAT A ARGE CHORUS OF LEGAL EXPERTS AGREED WAS NOT FAIR AND IN A PROCESS THAT WOULDN'T FLY TODAY FROM ALL ACCOUNTS.

HE WAS A VICTIM OF SEVERAL CIRCUMSTANCES.

HE HAD TWO CO-DEFENDANTS IN THE TRIAL WHO WERE TRIED AND ACQUITTED IN CEDAR RAPIDS.

LEONARD PELTIER FLED TO CANADA AND HAD TO BE EXTRADITED BY WHICH TIME THE VENUE WAS CHANGED TO FARGO FOR HIS TRIAL, AND HAD HE BEEN TRIED WITH IS CO-DEFENDANTS, WE WOULDN'T BE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION TODAY.

>> Eric: BUT, YOU KNOW, THE FBI IS STILL MAD.

THE FORMER CHIEF, CHRISTOPHER RAY, CALLED HIM A REMORSELESS KILLER, SAID HIS RELEASE IS AN AFFRONT TO THE RULE OF LAW.

>> THAT HAS BEEN THE SOURCE OF THE MOST VIGOROUS RESISTANCE, NOT THE ENTIRETY OF IT, TO ANY CLEMENCY FOR HIM.

AND YOU HAD PRESIDENTS FROM CLINTON, THE BUSHES, TO OBAMA WHO RESISTED.

AND I THINK IT'S A TESTAMENT TO THE POWER OF THE FBI IN MANY RESPECTS, IF YOU TALK TO EXPERTS, THEY SAY, NOBODY WOULD LIKE TO GO UP AGAINST AN FBI, AND LET OUT OF PRISON AN ALLEGED COP KILLER, YOU'LL HEAR THAT A LOT ON OUR PIECE AS WELL.

SO IT'S A TESTAMENT O THE FBI'S POWER AND, IN FACT, JOE BIDEN RELEASED THIS MAN TO HOME CONFINEMENT, IT'S NOT A PARDON, IT'S A COMMUTE STATION.

HE HAS TO -- COMMUTATION.

HE HAS TO GET A PASS TO GO ANYWHERE OUTSIDE OF A 100-MILE RADIUS FROM WHERE HE LIVES NOW, WHICH IS FOR MOST MEDICAL CARE, FOR EXAMPLE.

SO IT'S VERY VERY LIMITED.

AND BIDEN'S COMUATION HAPPENED IN THE LAST 30 MINUTES OF HIS PRESIDENCY, WHICH TELLS YOU SOMETHING.

COMMUTATION.

AND ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING TRIVIA THAT I LEARNED IN ALL OF THIS PROCESS IS THE THING THAT CLINCHED IT FOR BIDEN THAT HASN'T HAPPENED WITH ALL THE PREVIOUS PRESIDENTS WAS HE HAD GONE TO NAVAJO TO APOLOGIZE FOR INDIAN BOARDING SCHOOLS AND THE LEGACY OF THE INDIAN BOARDING SCHOOLS.

AND ON THE WAY BACK ON AIR FORCE ONE, SOME OF THE ELDERS INFORMED HIM THAT LEONARD PELTIER HAD BEEN IN THE INDIAN BOARDING SCHOOL.

AND A LOT OF PEOPLE THEORIZE THAT THAT IS, IN FACT, HOW -- >> Eric: GAVE HIM THE IDEA.

>> -- THEY CLINCHED THIS.

SO HE'S NOT HAPPILY EVER AFTER BUT HE'S A LOT BETTER OFF.

>> Cathy: DID HE TALK AT ALL, FRED, ABOUT -- OBVIOUSLY HE WAS A LEADER WITH A.I.M.

WHO'S TO TAKE UP THE MANTEL NOW?

>> YOU SAW IN OUR CLIP HERE, NICK TILSON, WHO LEADS AN ORGANIZATION BASED ON THE PINE RIDGE RESERVATION CALLED INDIAN COLLECTIVE.

HE IS ONE OF THE KEY LEADERS OF INDIGENOUS AMERICA OR INDIGENOUS GLOBAL IN MANY WAYS.

THEY FUND A NUMBER OF AGENCIES AND NONGOVERNMENT GROUPS ACROSS INDIAN COUNTRY.

AND THERE'S A LOT OF -- THERE'S A LOT OF INDIAN RESERVATIONS AND NATIONS WITH A LOT OF NEED AS WELL.

NICK TILSON IS A KEY PLAYER.

HE AS LEADER IN BRINGING PELTIER BACK, FOR EXAMPLE.

>> Eric: HE WAS A UNIFIER, REALLY, AMONG THE NATIVE POPULATION OF THE COUNTRY -- >> PELTIER YOU MEAN?

>> Eric: YEAH.

AS A SYMBOL OF SOCIAL JUSTICE GONE WRONG.

>> YEAH, I MEAN, HE WAS A VERY POWERFUL SYMBOL.

IN PART, YOU KNOW, SHROUDED IN THIS MYSTIQUE ABOUT BEING IN PRISON FOR SO LONG.

NEAR MYTHICAL FIGURE.

>> Eric: RIGHT.

>> AND IT'S SORT OF ODD TO WALK INTO A TYPICAL, YOU KNOW, TWO-BEDROOM RAMBLER IN NORTH DAKOTA AND SEE A GENTLEMAN WELCOMING YOU TO HIS KITCHEN.

>> Cathy: DID ANYTHING ABOUT YOUR VISIT SURPRISE YOU?

YOU GOT TO ACTUALLY SIT DOWN TO TALK TO HIM.

>> I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT.

BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, NOT A LOT HAD BEEN NOWN ABOUT THIS MAN.

YOU KNOW, AT THE LEVEL OF WHAT HIS PERSONALITY WAS LIKE.

I MEAN, THERE WAS SOME EPIC WORKS, YOU KNOW, PETER McTHEESON, FOR EXAMPLE, WROTE A HUGE BOOK CALLED "IN THE SPIRIT OF CRAZY HORSE," WHICH IS AN EPIC COMPILATION OF THAT WHOLE PERIOD.

I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU SAW SOME INNATE CHARM AND PERSUASION, PERSUASIVE POWER IN A MAN WHO IS STILL FRAIL.

HIS HEALTH IS VERY FRAIL.

>> Eric: NEWSHOUR ON MONDAY.

>> Cathy: YES.

>> NEWSHOUR ON MONDAY, AND SUBSEQUENT TO THAT, UNDERTOLDSTORIES.ORG IS ALWAYS THERE.

>> Eric: ALWAYS GREAT TO HAVE YOU.

>> Cathy: SEE YOU LATER.

THANK YOU.

♪ ♪ >> AGAIN TONIGHT, "ALMANAC" BREAKS NEW GROUND.

SURE, WE WERE THE FIRST MINNESOTA NEWS PROGRAM TO BE SIMULCAST IN STEREO.

BUT WE AREN'T RESTING ON OUR LAURELS, LAURELS.

NO, NO, NO, NOW WE'RE THE FIRST TWIN CITIES NEWS SHOW TO BE ROADCAST LIVE TO NORTHERN MINNESOTA, THANKS TO OUR FRIENDS AT WDSE IN MY HOMETOWN OF DULUTH, HI, GRANDMA, HI, UNCLE HAROLD, HI, ANNIE.

>> ERIC: FALL IS OFTEN A SEASON OF DISAPPOINTMENT FOR MINNESOTA SPORTS FANS, AND THIS YEAR IS A SPECTACULAR EXAMPLE.

THE TWINS SEASON ENDED SO POORLY THEIR MANAGER WAS FIRED.

THE VIKINGS QUARTERBACK CONCERNS CONTINUE.

THE LYNX FAILED TO MAKE THE WNBA FINALS.

BUT, ALAS, THE MINNESOTA WILD GAVE US A GLIMMER OF HOPE BY BEATING ST.

LOUIS 5-ZIP IN THEIR SEASON OPENER THURSDAY NIGHT.

LARRY FITZGERALD IS HERE.

WHEN HE IS NOT TALKING SPORTS WITH US HERE IN STUDIO B, FITZY DOES RADIO WORK FOR THE NATIONAL PROGRAMMING NETWORK.

PHEE, WNBA.

WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN?

>> Cathy: DOESN'T THE COMMISSIONER HAVE TO LEAVE?

>> WOW.

I WOULD THINK SHE'D HAVE TO GO, BECAUSE NAPHEESA COLLIER'S GOTTEN A LOT OF SUPPORT FROM THE BODY OF THE PLAYERS.

YOU KNOW, THEY'RE TRYING TO GET A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT DONE, AND CATHY ENGELBERT, TO ME, IS SEEMING LIKE SHE'S JUST TRYING TO PUSH THIS THING ASIDE.

>> Eric: COMMISSIONER.

>> YEAH, AND I DIDN'T SAY THIS, I WAS MISQUOTED ON THAT.

BUT SOMEHOW THEY'VE OT TO COME TOGETHER AND HAVE A MEETING WHERE THEY COME OUT AND TALK ABOUT WHAT SHE REALLY SAID ON THE RECORD, OFF THE RECORD, AND TRY TO MOVE FORWARD BECAUSE THIS IS TERRIBLE FOR THE WNBA FINALS TO HAVE THIS HANGING OVER IT.

>> Cathy: I'M WONDERING ABOUT THE VIKINGS.

I DID NOT WATCH THEM IN EUROPE.

WHAT DID YOU THINK?

>> WELL, THEY WERE FORTUNATE.

I THOUGHT CLEVELAND OUTPLAYED THEM, THEY RAN 440 YARDS, THE VIKINGS HAD TWO OPPORTUNITYOVERS AND EVEN HAD A KICK HIT A WIRE.

I'VE NEVER HEARD OF THAT BEFORE, HANGING IN THE STADIUM.

BUT THEY'VE GOT TO DO THEIR HOMEWORK THE NEXT TIME THEY GO OVER TO LONDON, WHICH WILL BE SUNDAY WHEN DENVER PLAYS THE NEW YORK JETS.

BUT THE VIKINGS ARE 3-2, THEY'RE IN A FORTUNATE POSITION, I THINK, CONSIDERING THEIR STARTING QUARTERBACK WENT DOWN.

THEY'VE HAD A TON OF INJURIES.

I DON'T KNOW IF I'VE SEEN A VIKINGS TEAM HAVE THIS KIND OF INJURY SITUATION, I MEAN, THEY PLAYED WITH THREE STARTERS OUT OF THE OFFENSIVE LINE OVER IN LONDON, BUT THEY WERE ABLE TO BEAT THAT CLEVELAND BROWN TEAM, FEISTY CLEVELAND BROWN TEAM THAT GAVE UP ON JOE FLACKO LAST WEEK.

>> Eric: ARE THE VIKINGS USING McCARTHY'S INJURY AS KIND OF COVER TO -- BECAUSE HE'S NOT YET READY?

AND THAT WENTZ IS DOING WELL ENOUGH?

>> THAT'S A PRETTY GOOD ANALOGY.

I DON'T THINK SO.

I WAS SHOCKED TO FIND OUT THAT HE SPRAINED HIS ANKLE IN THAT SECOND GAME AGAINST THE ATLANTA FALCONS.

IT WAS LIKE NEWS TO ME.

I SAID, OH, REALLY?

HE WALKED PRETTY STRAIGHT IN THE LOCKER ROOM AFTER THE GAME.

BUT I THINK THEY REALLY BELIEVE IN THE ABILITY OF CARSON WENTZ AND HIS EXPERIENCE AND HOW HE'S KIND OF LIFTED THIS TEAM IN A WAY THAT IT NEEDED IT BECAUSE WHEN JJ WAS IN THERE, ALTHOUGH HE WAS DOING HIS BEST AND TRYING TO MAKE THE PLAYS, THEY WERE ALWAYS A LITTLE BIT OFF OR SOMETHING.

YOU KNOW?

AND, SO, I THINK IT'S GOOD TO JUST LET THIS PLAY OUT.

AND LET HIM CONTINUE TO PLAY CARSON UNTIL THEY DECIDE THAT JJ IS 100%, AND READY TO PICK IT UP.

>> Cathy: I THOUGHT THE WILD LOOKED PRETTY GOOD IN THAT FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON.

>> IT WAS IMPRESSIVE, CONSIDERING, YOU KNOW, THEY'VE GOT A 28-YEAR-OLD PLAYER WHO'S ON THE BRINK OF BEING A SUPER STAR IN KIRILL KAPRIZOV AND THEY GAVE HIM ALL THIS MONEY, AND, YOU KNOW, THIS IS THE STATE OF HOCKEY, AND EVERYBODY'S BEEN PRAYING AND TALKIN' ABOUT -- WE WANT THE STANLEY CUP, OKAY?

IS THIS TEAM GOING TO BE CAPABLE OF BEING ABLE TO COMPETE.

GUSTAVSSON LOOKS PRETTY GOOD IN GOAL, I MEAN, WHEN HE'S GOT 12 SHUTOUTS ALREADY IN HIS CAREER, HE'S A YOUNG GUY, THAT'S A GOOD SIGN.

>> Eric: YOUR TIMBERWOLVES, PRETTY MUCH THE SAME CAST, MAYBE A LITTLE DEEPER BENCH?

>> I THINK A LITTLE DEEPER BENCH.

YOU KNOW, THEY'VE GOT QUITE A BIT OF EXPERIENCE ON THAT TEAM.

AND ANTHONY EDWARDS IS CONTINUING TO, YOU KNOW, HE'S LIKE A JET, STILL FLYIN' AND GRAZING HIS GAME.

IF HE -- RAISING HIS GAME.

IF HE CONTINUES TO RAISE HIS GAME, THEY'RE GOING TO BE KNOCKING AT THE DOOR, BEING IN THE FINALS THIS YEAR.

>> Eric: IS DILLINGHAM READY TO EXSPELL CONNOLLY AT POINT GUARD.

>> I THINK O. HOW LONG CAN CONNOLLY PLAY?

>> Eric: 37, 38.

>> WHEN E PLAYS, HE'S LIMITED FROM THE STANDPOINT, HE CAN'T GET UP AND DOWN THE FLOOR WITH THESE GUYS FOR 48 MINUTES, HE CAN PLAY IN SPURTS.

BUT HE'S STILL VERY VALUABLE TO THEM IN TERMS OF HIS ABILITY TO BREAK DOWN WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO IN THE OFFENSE TO THE YOUNGER GUYS.

>> Eric: YEAH.

>> WHO KIND OF LOOK OVER IT.

>> Eric: WE'LL HEAR YOU ON THE RADIO.

>> LOOK FORWARD TO IT.

THANK YOU.

>> Eric: THANKS, MAN.

>> Cathy: THANKS, FITZY.

SEE YOU LATER.

>> FOR ME, ATTENDING PROFESSIONAL CONFERENCES IS A COUPLE-TIMES-A-YEAR KIND OF THING FOR MY JOB.

BUT CALENDARS COLLIDED AND I FOUND MYSELF ATTENDING TWO SUCH EVENTS THIS WEEK.

THERE WAS A JOURNALISM GATHERING IN NORTH CAROLINA, AND THEN THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE MINNESOTA COUNCIL OF NONPROFITS WRAPPED UP THIS AFTERNOON JUST A FEW BLOCKS FROM HERE AT RIVERCENTRE.

THE OBJECTIVES OF SUCH EVENTS ARE NETWORKING, EDUCATION, AND TRYING TO REMEMBER A COUPLE THINGS YOU WROTE DOWN IN YOUR NOTEBOOK.

SURVIVING REQUIRES SOME DISTINCT SKILLS.

LET’S SAY THAT YOU RUN INTO SOMEONE WHO LOOKS FAMILIAR, BUT WHO YOU CAN’T QUITE PLACE.

THE STRATEGY IS TO GREET THEM, “HEY!” AND THEN MAKE GENERIC CONVERSATION WHILE YOU FURIOUSLY RACK YOUR BRAIN FOR THEIR NAME.

OH, THERE ARE NAMETAGS.

BUT THEY’RE INVARIABLY DANGLING JUST NORTH OF THE BELLY BUTTON, AND — NO MATTER HOW SUBTLE — THE DOWNWARD GAZE IS A TELL.

AT THE END OF THE FIRST DAY, THERE’S SOME KIND OF RECEPTION.

BECAUSE THE HOTEL COULDN’T QUITE ACCOMMODATE YOUR DIETARY RESTRICTIONS — AND EVERYONE AT THESE THINGS HAS DIETARY RESTRICTIONS — YOU’RE STARVING.

AND SO THERE YOU ARE — A YELLOWTAIL CHARDONNAY IN ONE HAND, A TEENY PLATE OF CARROTS STICKS AND HUMMUS IN THE OTHER — AND THERE’S A COLLEAGUE YOU HAVEN’T SEEN SINCE THE LAST CONFERENCE.

YOU REMEMBER THE NAME, THANK GOD, BUT THEN A DIFFERENT CALCULUS BEGINS.

DO I KNOW THIS PERSON WELL ENOUGH TO HUG?

NO.

SHAKE HANDS?

CAN I BALANCE THE TINY PLATE ON TOP OF THE PLASTIC WINE GLASS?

IT’S AN EXTROVERT’S GAME AND — EVEN FOR THIS EXTROVERTED VETERAN OF VARIOUS CONFERENCES, SUMMITS AND CONVENINGS — IT CAN BE EXHAUSTING.

HEY!

I KNOW.

MAYBE I SHOULD HIT THE CONFERENCE CIRCUIT TEACHING A SESSION ABOUT HOW TO ATTEND A CONFERENCE.

AND, YES, DON’T WORRY: THE POWERPOINT SLIDES WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE.

♪ >> CATHY: A BRAND-NEW SEASON HAS KICKED OFF FOR THE CHILDREN'S THEATRE COMPANY.

CTC'S CURRENT PRODUCTIONS INCLUDE "ROALD DAHL'S THE ENORMOUS CROCODILE," A SPRAWLING MUSICAL FILLED WITH DANCING AND PUPPETS.

AMONG THEM, AS THE NAME SUGGESTS, IS A BIG SNAPPING CROCODILE.

AND THE SEASON STARTED THIS SEPTEMBER WITH "TREASURE ISLAND."

BRINGING AUDIENCES PIRATES, SWORD FIGHTS, AND MUSIC.

AT THE HELM THIS YEAR AS DIRECTOR OF "TREASURE ISLAND" IS RICK DILDINE, CTC'S ARTISTIC DIRECTOR.

IT'S GOOD TO HAVE YOU BACK.

WE HAD I YOU A FEW MONTHS AGO.

YOUR FIRST OPPORTUNITY TO DIRECT THE CHILDREN'S THEATRE.

YOU'RE USED TO DIRECTING SHAKESPEARE.

>> SO IT'S KIND OF SURPRISING I CHOSE TREASURE ISLAND, A NICE CLASSIC, LANGUAGE-DRIVEN STORY.

SO, YES, DIRECTING DEBUT N THE TWIN CITIES, I WANTED TO PICK SOMETHING ADVENTUROUS, SOMETHING UPBEAT, AND THIS REALLY HELPED SHOWCASE WHO I AM AS A STORYTELLER.

>> Eric: I REALLY THOUGHT IT WAS INTERESTING, ONE OF THE CLIPS I SAW ONLINE, YOU'RE MAKING THIS KIND OF A PLEA FOR KIDS TO LIMIT THEIR SCREEN TIME.

>> YEAH,th, IT'S A CALL TO ACTION TO GO OUT AND HAVE AN ADVENTURE.

GO OUT AND FIND YOUR OWN JOY.

PUT THE SCREEN DOWN AND GO OUT AND MAKE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE.

>> Cathy: WHAT WAS THE ADVENTURE FOR YOU IN THIS PARTICULAR PRODUCTION?

>> WELL, I GREW UP ON A FARM IN RURAL ARKANSAS IN THE '80s, SO WE HAD TO MAKE OUR OWN FUN A LOT OF TIMES.

AND WHAT I DID WAS, YOU KNOW, I WAS RAWN TO THIS YOUNG BOY WHO LIVES A PRETTY SMALL EXISTENCE, AND THEN ONE DAY A PIRATE, WHO'S ABOUT TO DIE, PUTS A TREASURE MAP IN HIS HAND.

AND SAYS, "GO FIND THE TREASURE."

THAT, FOR ME, IT'S A GREAT SENSE OF JOY TO THROW YOURSELF INTO SOMETHING YOU DON'T KNOW.

>> Eric: WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES DEALING WITH THESE YOUNG ACTORS?

ARE THEY PRETTY HIP, PRETTY SMART?

DO THEY TAKE DIRECTION?

>> THEY KEEP E ON MY TOES.

YEAH, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE THEY ARE LOOKING AT THIS TEXT WITHOUT CYNICISM.

YOU KNOW?

THEY'RE OOKING AT IT RIGHT IN THE MOMENT OF HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT IT, IT KEEPS ME ON MY TOES, KEEPS ME SHARP, AND IT'S AN ABSOLUTE JOY TO GO TO WORK EVERY DAY.

>> Eric: HAVE THEY GOT CHOPS?

>> OH, YES, ARE YOU KIDDING ME, ABSOLUTELY!

WE HAVE TWO YOUNG MEN WHO ARE SWITCHING OUT IN THE LEAD ROLE OF "TREASURE ISLAND," AND EVERY DAY THEY AMAZE ME.

THEY COULD EASILY STEP ON ANY STAGE IN NEW YORK.

>> Cathy: WOW!

>> Eric: WOW!

>> EASILY.

>> Cathy: NOW, THE PAST YEAR, I'M SURE IT'S BEEN QUITE INTERESTING, JUST GETTING UP TO THE FIRST-YEAR MARK, WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST SURPRISES HERE AT CTC?

>> OH, WOW.

WELL, I'LL SAY FOR THE TWIN CITIES, IT'S JUST THE AMOUNT OF ARTS AND CULTURE HERE, THE COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING COMMUNITY ACTIVES.

YOU KNOW -- ACTIVITIES.

THIS IS THE SIXTH THEATER THAT I'VE LED, I'VE LIVED ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, AND I DON'T THINK I'VE ENCOUNTERED A CITY QUITE LIKE THIS THAT IS JUST SO PROUD OF WHO IT IS AS THE TWIN CITIES BUT WHO IT IS AS MINNESOTA.

>> Eric: HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE TO COPE WITH WHATEVER FEDERAL FUNDING OR STATE FUNDING DECISIONS HAVE BEEN MADE?

>> SURE.

YEAH, YOU KNOW, WE WERE LUCKY, WE HAD ALREADY RECEIVED OUR FUNDS FOR THE YEAR FROM THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS.

YOU KNOW, WE ARE LUCKY THAT WE'RE ABLE TO MANAGE HOSE MOMENTS, BUT THE REAL HIT FOR THAT NATIONAL FUNDING IS THE SMALLER ARTS ORGANIZATIONS.

THEY'RE TAKING THE BIG HIT.

>> Cathy: OKAY, SO TALK ABOUT THE ENORMOUS CROCODILE AND THE OTHER PRODUCTIONS WE'RE GOING TO SEE THIS YEAR.

>> SO THE ENORMOUS CROCODILE IS REALLY REALLY SPECIAL BECAUSE IT IS OUR FIRST PARTNERSHIP WITH NETFLIX.

NETFLIX ACTUALLY OWNS ALL OF ROAD DAHL'S INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, SO WE PARTNERED ITH NETFLIX, THE FIRST NATIONAL TOUR IS LAUNCHING RIGHT HERE IN THE TWIN CITIES.

IT IS ONE HOUR OF ABSOLUTE MAYHEM FUN.

I MEAN, I WATCHED 300 KIDS WATCH THE SHOW TODAY.

IT WAS LIKE A ROCK PARTY.

IT'S INVENTIVE PUPPETRY, AMAZING MUSIC.

AND LIKE I SAID, IT'S COMING OVER FROM LONDON, AND IT'S ABOUT TO GO TO L.A.

AFTER THIS.

AND THEN WE HAVE "HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS" AFTER THIS.

>> Eric: WIZARD OF OZ N '26.

>> WIZARD OF OZ, YES.

AND THE GRINCH IS A CHRISTMAS TRADITION.

AND I GREW UP THE ONE TIME OF YEAR IT CAME ON, REALLY CELEBRATING THE NOSTALGIA AND THE TRADITION OF IT.

>> Cathy: EVEN THE FLYING MONKEYS.

>> FLYING MONKEYS, WE'RE LIVING IN POST-WICKED WORLD WITH WIZARD OF OZ NOW.

C THAT'S RIGHT, THAT'S RIGHT.

WE'RE JUST SO CURIOUS.

>> Eric: COME BACK AND SEE US.

>> Cathy: WE WISH YOU ALL THE BEST.

>> ERIC: AFTER QUESTIONS FROM THE PRESS THIS WEEK, GOVERNOR WALZ APPEARED TO BACKTRACK ON PLANS TO CALL A SPECIAL SESSION.

THIS AS A WEEK-LONG PRAYER VIGIL IS UNDERWAY AT THE CAPITOL.

POLITICAL REPORTER MARY LAHAMMER COVERS THE NEW SUSTAINED PRESSURE FOR ACTION AGAINST GUN VIOLENCE.

>> Mary: CLERGY ARE COMING TO THE CAPITOL DELIVERING A MESSAGE FOR THE GOVERNOR.

>> THIS IS NOT JUST A POLICY FAILURE, IT IS A FAILURE OF MORAL IMAGINATION.

>> AMEN.

>> 700 CLERGY TELLING US TO HAVE A VOTE ON THIS.

I MEAN, THE PUBLIC IS ASKING.

58% PEOPLE WANT TO DO THAT.

BUT GET THIS VERY CLEAR.

THE DEMOCRATS MAY NOT HAVE THE VOTES.

I DON'T KNOW.

BUT THE DEMOCRATS ARE SAYING, WE GO INTO SPECIAL SESSION, WE'RE GONNA VOTE ON AN ASSAULT WEAPON BAN AND HIGH-CAPACITY MAGAZINE.

THE REPUBLICANS ARE SAYING, WE ARE NEVER GOING TO HAVE A VOTE ON HIGH-CAPACITY MAGAZINES, THAT'S WHAT THEY MADE CLEAR, BOTH IN PRIVATE AND PUBLICLY.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING YOUR PRAYERS, YOUR PRESENCE, AND YOUR COURAGE TO THE SHARED WORK OF FAITH IN ACTION.

>> Mary: SEVEN DAYS OF PRAYER FROM 700 CLERGY FROM 64 COUNTIES ALL SIGNED THE CALL TO ACTION.

>> MY FAITH COMPELS ME TO ACT.

>> I HAVE TWO KIDS IN THE MINNEAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND I DROVE BY SANFORD MIDDLE SCHOOL ON MY WAY TO GET HERE TODAY, AND SAID A LITTLE PRAYER FOR MY BABY INSIDE, YOU KNOW.

I KNOW SHE'S SAFE THERE.

>> WE PROMISE THAT THE GOVERNOR, SENATORS, AND REPRESENTATIVES WILL NOT STAND ALONE.

>> Mary: WHAT ABOUT YOUR CONGREGATION AND YOUR COMMUNITY?

DO THEY APPROVE WHAT COULD BE LOOKED AT AS POLITICAL ACTIVISM?

>> YES.

MY ONGREGATION IS A SPIRITUALLY PROGRESSIVE OPEN AND AFFIRMING CONGREGATION.

MANY IN MY CHURCH WORK OR THE GOVERNMENT AND THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST IS A JUSTICE-CENTERED DENOMINATION.

I'VE HAD PEOPLE IN MY CONGREGATION WHO HAVE BEEN LAID OFF DUE TO THE CURRENT WHITE HOUSE ADMINISTRATION.

I HAPPEN TO HAVE GROWN UP WITH MIKE MOISKY, WHO IS IS THE FATHER OF ARPER, WE GREW UP TOGETHER, WENT TO SCHOOL TOGETHER, WENT TO CHURCH TOGETHER.

>> Mary: SO FAR THE POLITICAL DIVIDE HAS KEPT THE GOVERNOR FROM CALLING A SPECIAL SESSION BECAUSE BILLS NEED BIPARTISAN SUPPORT TO PASS.

>> OUR CHILDREN AWAIT THE STATE'S ANSWERS.

[ Applause ] >> Mary: FROM THE STATE CAPITOL TO OUT IN THE COMMUNITY, A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT GROUPS ARE PUTTING SUSTAINED POLITICAL PRESSURE ON LEADERS.

>> LET'S TAKE A MOMENT OF SILENCE.

TO REMEMBER THE LIVES OF HARPER AND FLETCHER, WHO DIED DURING THEIR SCHOOL MASS AT ANNUNCIATION CHURCH AND SCHOOL ON AUGUST 27, AND MAY WE ALSO HOLD IN OUR HEARTS THE 18 CHILDREN AND THREE ADULTS WHO WERE WOUNDED DURING THE SHOOTING.

>> Mary: IN THE POLITICAL SWING DISTRICT OF STILLWATER, THE CHILDREN'S DEFENSE FUND OF MINNESOTA JOINED LOCAL OFFICIALS.

>> WE SEE ALL THE HATE ND VITRIOL, WHEN ANYBODY TALKS ABOUT GUN CONTROL OR TRYING TO MAKE A CHANGE, IT'S REALLY HARD FOR ORGANIZERS, ELECTED OFFICIALS, TO BE UP HERE TO DO THIS.

>> IT'S TIME TO WORK TOGETHER.

IT'S TIME TO MAKE COMPROMISES.

IT'S TIME FOR COMMON-SENSE GUN LAWS, IT'S TIME TO BAN ASSAULT WEAPONS AND HIGH-CAPACITY MAGAZINES.

THE LIFE YOU MIGHT SAVE MIGHT BE THAT OF YOUR CHILD, YOUR GRANDCHILD, OR A CHILD IN YOUR COMMUNITY.

>> Mary: TEACHERS AND STUDENTS SAY THEY'RE TIRED OF ACTIVE SHOOTER DRILLS.

>> I CAN PROTECT THEM JUST A TEENY BIT LONGER AND DON'T HAVE TO TELL THEM WHY WE'RE REALLY HIDING.

WHY WE'RE REALLY PROTECTING, YOU KNOW, WHAT WE'RE REALLY PRACTICING FOR.

SORRY.

>> IT FEELS LIKE EVERY WEEK WE'RE READING ABOUT ANOTHER TRAGEDY IN A SCHOOL JUST LIKE MINE.

BEING A FRESHMAN IN HIGH SCHOOL IS HARD ENOUGH, MAKING NEW FRIENDS, THE STRESS OF SCHOOL WORK, WORRYING ABOUT WHAT SPORTS TEAM I WILL MAKE, GETTING TO MY BUS STOP ON TIME AND SO MUCH MORE.

ON TOP OF THAT, WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO FEAR FOR MY LIFE EVERY DAY AT SCHOOL?

>> Mary: AND MOMS DEMAND ACTION HAS CONTINUED A LONG PUSH FOR MORE GUN CONTROL.

>> GUN VIOLENCE HAS NOW BECOME THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS, MORE THAN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENTS AND CANCER.

LET THAT SINK IN.

>> WE ARE ALLED TO ACT NOW.

TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN FROM ANOTHER MASS SHOOTING.

WE OWE THAT TO FLETCHER AND WE OWE THAT TO HARPER.

AND WE OWE THAT TO LYDIA, SOPHIA, PABLO, VIVIAN, VICTOR, DAVID, ESTELLA, ASTORIA, AND THE ANY MORE CHILDREN WHO WERE AT ANNUNCIATION THAT DAY AND WHO ARE GRIEVING, HEALING, PRAYING, AND WORKING HARD TO REGAIN THEIR CHILDHOODS.

I WANT TO TELL THEM THAT OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR STATE ARE GOING TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN.

>> Mary: IN THE END, STILL ONLY THE GOVERNOR CAN CALL A SPECIAL SESSION.

>> I'M GOING TO BE AT TOWN HALLS WITH SOME OF THESE FOLKS, THESE PARENTS, AND WITH THESE CLERGY AND WITH, YOU KNOW, DOCTORS AND WITH OTHERS, AND JUST SAYING, AND, AGAIN, I WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR, I'M JUST ASKING YOU TO STATE YOUR OPINION ON THIS.

IF THIS IS A BAD IDEA, I RESPECT THE DEMOCRACY.

>> IT MAKES NO SENSE TO HAVE MILITARY-GRADE ASSAULT WEAPONS WITH HIGH-CAPACITY MAGAZINES AS A PART OF OUR CULTURE IN THE UNITED STATES.

IT MAKES NO SENSE THAT WE CAN'T PASS REASONABLE LEGISLATION AND POLICY AROUND GUNS.

♪ ♪ >> ERIC: AS WE DISCUSSED AT THE TOP OF THE HOUR, WE'RE NOW MORE THAN A WEEK INTO A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN WITH NO END IN SIGHT.

NEITHER PARTY SEEMS TO BE BUDGING, WHICH IS ALSO THE SITUATION HERE IN MINNESOTA OVER GUN CONTROL, THAT LED GOVERNOR WALZ TO SOFTEN HIS CALLS FOR A SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

PLENTY OF GRIST FOR THE MILL TONIGHT, SO LET'S DIVE IN WITH OUR PANEL.

DEMOCRATS UP FIRST.

KARLA BIGHAM IS A FORMER STATE LAWMAKER WHO HAS SERVED IN BOTH LEGISLATIVE CHAMBERS, SHE'S NOW A WASHINGTON COUNTY COMMISSIONER.

WITH HER IS SARA LOPEZ, PARTY ACTIVIST AND POLICY DIRECTOR AT UNIDOS MINNESOTA.

REPUBLICANS JOINING THEM, ANNETTE MEEKS IS A FORMER CONGRESSIONAL STAFFER AND LT.

GOVERNOR CANDIDATE WHO NOW HEADS THE FREEDOM FOUNDATION OF MINNESOTA.

AND LAST, BUT NOT LEAST, BRIAN MCDANIEL IS A FORMER LEGISLATIVE STAFFER TURNED LOBBYIST AND STANDUP COMEDIAN.

COMMISSIONER, I WANTED TO TALK TO YOU, HAVING SERVED IN BOTH CHAMBERS.

>> SURE.

>> Eric: IS IT MUCH OF A SURPRISE THAT THERE REALLY CAN'T BE A SPECIAL SESSION WITHOUT A PRIOR AGREEMENT?

>> THAT'S THE STANDARD.

I MEAN, IT'S WHAT YOU WANT TO DO TO JUST HAVE THE AGREEMENT TO MAKE IT GO SMOOTH.

YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK IT'S AS MUCH A SURPRISE BUT, YOU KNOW, IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT -- ONE, IT DOESN'T MEAN IT'S STILL NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

I'M GOING TO SAY THAT.

BUT I ALSO WILL SAY THAT THE CONVERSATION STILL IS HAPPENING, THE PRESSURE'S STILL THERE, YOU'RE SEEING THE CONVERSATION ALL OVER THE CITIES AND THE STATE AND THE STAKEHOLDERS THAT WANT TO HAVE ACTION TAKEN BECAUSE MINNESOTANS EXPECT ACTION TO HAPPEN.

>> Cathy: AND, BRIAN -- >> YEAH.

>> Cathy: -- THE GOVERNOR NOW SAYS HE WANTS TO HAVE TOWN HALL MEETINGS TO PUT PRESSURE ON THOSE REPUBLICANS AND THOSE DEMOCRATS WHO WOULD NOT VOTE FOR GUN CONTROL.

SO I WONDER, HOW EFFECTIVE WOULD THAT BE TO PUT PRESSURE, TO KEEP THAT PRESSURE ON?

>> PROBABLY NOT VERY EFFECTIVE.

I MEAN, THIS SHOWS HOW FAR OUT IN FRONT OF EVEN DEMOCRATS THE GOVERNOR GOT ON THIS.

HE DIDN'T TALK TO LEGISLATIVE LEADERS IN EITHER PARTY OR IN EITHER BODY.

AND THE DANGER OF CALLING A SPECIAL SESSION IS THAT THE GOVERNOR CAN CALL A SPECIAL SESSION, HE CAN'T END IT.

SO I THINK THAT PRESS CONFERENCES OR TOWN HALL MEETINGS IS WHAT HE SHOULD HAVE DONE FROM THE BEGINNING BECAUSE HE CAN CONTROL THAT.

HE CAN'T CONTROL THE LEGISLATURE.

AND HE SHOULDN'T TRY.

>> Eric: SARA, DOES THE GUN ISSUE HAVE ENOUGH ENERGY TO BE A FACTOR WHEN LEGISLATORS ARE UP ON THE BOLT IN 2026?

>> I MEAN, I'M A NEW MOM, YOU KNOW, THE FACT THAT I HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THAT FOR MY CHILD IS NCREDIBLY DIFFICULT.

SO, ACTION HAS TO BE TAKEN.

I'M REALLY GLAD THAT THERE'S AN ORGANIZING EFFORT BEHIND IT.

YOU MIGHT NOT THINK THAT IT'S EFFECTIVE, BUT I DO BELIEVE THAT ORGANIZING AND HAVING THE CONVERSATION, PUTTING A LOT OF PRESSURE MIGHT BE ABLE TO PUSH THE ISSUE FORWARD, SIMPLY BECAUSE WE OWE IT FOR OUR CHILDREN.

>> I DON'T THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE A SPECIAL SESSION, AND I THINK THE GOVERNOR REALLY BLEW IT FROM THE START.

AS BRIAN SAID, HE DIDN'T CONSULT WITH THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS, STRIKE ONE.

STRIKE TWO WAS, THERE IS NO PROPOSAL FOR LEGISLATIVE LEADERS TO TAKE TO THEIR CAUCUSES AND SAY, HERE'S WHAT WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ON IN A POTENTIAL SPECIAL SESSION.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

WHAT CAN WE DO TO IMPROVE THIS?

IS THIS A GOOD OPTION?

WILL THIS SOLVE THE PROBLEM?

AND STRIKE THREE HAS BEEN, HE'S JUST -- HE THROWS THIS STUFF OUT THERE AND THEN HE DOESN'T SAY ANYTHING FOR WEEKS ON END.

WE'VE BEEN ALKING ABOUT A SPECIAL SESSION FOR OVER A MONTH.

AND THERE'S STILL NO ACTION.

I DON'T THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE ONE.

I THINK IT'S JUST SOME SORT OF KABUKI THEATER THAT WE KEEP GOING THROUGH BECAUSE WE ALL FEEL SO AWFUL.

>> YOU JUST DON'T WANT -- THE VOTERS DO NOT WANT THEIR KIDS THINKING ABOUT THIS IN SCHOOL, WORRYING ABOUT THIS IN SCHOOL, AND THE TRAGEDIES THAT HAVE HAPPENED THIS SUMMER ARE GOING TO HAVE AN IMPACT BECAUSE PEOPLE WANT ACTION.

MINNESOTANS WANT ACTION.

THIS HAS GOT TO STOP.

THIS IS NOT A PARTISAN ISSUE.

WE HAVE TO TAKE ACTION ON IT.

AND I DO BELIEVE IT WILL HAVE AN IMPACT.

AND BE A DISCUSSION NEXT YEAR.

>> SIMPLY PUT, WHEN THERE'S A WILL, THERE'S A WAY.

>> YES.

>> ND THERE'S NO WAY, BECAUSE THERE'S NO WILL IN THIS SITUATION.

>> WERE YOU WE'RE -- BUT WE'RE HEARING, WE WANT ACTION, AND AS ANNETTE SAID, ACTION ON WHAT?

MY WIFE IS A TEACHER, I STILL HAVE A DAUGHTER THAT'S IN HIGH SCHOOL.

I HAVE SKIN IN THE GAME ON THIS, TOO.

THERE'S NOTHING TO TALK ABOUT YET EXCEPT THE NEED TO DO SOMETHING.

THE DFL HAD A TRIFECTA A YEAR AGO AND THEY COULDN'T PASS A LOT OF THESE THINGS THAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT NOW.

IF THEY HAVE THE VOTES NOW, WELL, THEY'LL HAVE THE VOTES IN FEBRUARY, JUST AS MUCH AS THEY'D HAVE THEM RIGHT NOW.

>> Cathy: THANKS FOR BRINGING UP FEBRUARY.

WHAT DO YOU THINK COULD POTENTIALLY COME UP NEXT SESSION THAT COULD PASS?

HARDENING OF SCHOOLS?

I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW, HAVING OFFICERS IN SCHOOLS?

I HAVE NO IDEA.

>> I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THEY REALLY BLEW IT TWO YEARS AGO IS THEY DEPRIVED THE PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND THE PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS OF ANY FUNDING OR SCHOOL SAFETY.

SO WE'VE LEFT THOSE KIDS COMPLETELY VULNERABLE, WHICH IS JUST HORRIFIC, ALL CHILDREN MATTER.

AND ALL CHILDREN SHOULD FEEL SAFE IN THEIR SCHOOLS.

SO TO NOT PROVIDE THAT FUNDING WHEN THEY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY, THEY SHOULD HAVE.

SO, I THINK SOMETHING LIKE THAT IS LIKELY TO COME UP.

I THINK THERE'S ALSO A LOT OF AGREEMENT, PROBABLY EVEN AMONGST ALL OF US, THAT WE DO HAVE A MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEM IN THIS COUNTRY THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

IT DOESN'T NEED TO BE A DRACONIAN THING, BUT WE NEED TO SET ABOUT SYSTEMATICALLY, WHAT ARE WE GOING O DO WITH FOLKS WHO DESPERATELY NEED HELP?

>> I ALSO THINK YOU SHOULDN'T BE ABLE TO POP OFF 113 WOUNDS IN -- ROUNDS IN SUCH A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.

I THINK THERE'S AN AGREEMENT ABOUT THAT, TOO.

I THINK THERE'S MORE AGREEMENT THAN PEOPLE WANT TO PROBABLY TALK ABOUT RIGHT NOW.

AND IN FEBRUARY, I THINK ALL THINGS ARE ON THE TABLE, TO BE HONEST.

>>ITY DFL LEGISLATORS WHO VERY MUCH STRONGLY OPPOSED GOING BACK TO SPECIAL SESSION FOR LOTS OF DIFFERENT REASONS.

ONE, THERE IS NO AGREEMENT.

THAT TAKES THEM AWAY FROM THEIR FAMILIES, IT TAKES THEM AWAY FROM THEIR JOBS.

TWO, THEY HAVE SAFETY CONCERNS.

YOU KNOW, WE LEARNED IN THE WORST WAY POSSIBLE THAT WE CANNOT PROTECT LEGISLATORS, AND IF YOU BRING THEM ALL TO THE CAPITOL FOR CERTAINLY SOMETHING AS KIND OF HOT BUTTON AS THIS, THERE'S A DANGER THERE.

AND REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS FEEL THAT.

WE NEED TO HAVE A LOT MORE DISCUSSION BEFORE THIS BECOMES SOMETHING VIABLE.

THIS IS SOMETHING WHERE THE GOVERNOR MIGHT HAVE HAD HIS HEART IN THE RIGHT SPOT, BUT HE DID NOT DO THE HOMEWORK THAT HE NEEDED TO MAKE THIS SUCCESSFUL.

>> FEAR SHOULDN'T DIRECT US -- >> THEY HAVE THE VOTES, IT DOESN'T MATTER HY.

>> Eric: THERE WAS A NORTH STAR SUMMIT THAT WAS ORGANIZED BY THE "STAR TRIBUNE."

AND THE GOVERNOR, WITH THE GOVERNOR PRITZKER FROM ILLINOIS, THE GOVERNOR SAID HE EXPECTS TO BE ARRESTED.

BY I.C.E.

>> I WAS THERE.

>> Eric: OH, YOU WERE ONE OF THE EGG HEADS WHO WAS THERE.

>> I WAS THERE.

I WAS ABOUT TEN FEET FROM WALZ AND PRITZKER.

AND, YOU KNOW, THAT QUESTION CAME UP AND WHEN THEY ANSWERED IT, I KNEW IT WAS GOING TO BE A BIG EAL.

IN THE ROOM, IT WASN'T THAT HYSTERICAL.

THE QUESTION WAS, WAS A LOT MORE NUANCED THAN THAT.

BUT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN ILLINOIS, MY HOME STATE, GIVES ME AS A RENEE LOT OF CONCERN -- GIVES ME AS A REPUBLICAN A LOT OF CONCERN.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE PARTY OF STATE RIGHTS?

IF WE'RE ALL OF A SUDDEN TAKING TEXAS NATIONAL GUARDSMEN WHO HAVE NEVER BEEN TO ILLINOIS AND SAY, HERE, DON'T COORDINATE WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT BUT GO CLEAN UP THE STREETS.

THAT'S NOT GOOD.

I WAS JUST IN CHICAGO ABOUT A WEEK AGO.

I CAN TELL YA, WRIGLEYVILLE IS FINE.

>> GO CUBS.

>> WHAT HAPPENED TO FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY?

$1.6 MILLION PER DAY.

AND THE COMPLETE DERELICTION OF THE FOURTH AMENDMENT, RIGHT?

SO IT'S INCREDIBLY SCARY.

AND IT'S AN OVERREACH F GOVERNMENT.

>> YOU KNOW WHAT'S INCREDIBLY SCARY?

THOSE OF US WHO USED TO LIVE DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS, THAT'S REALLY SCARY.

THE CRIME AND THE RAMPANT SHOOTING, THE VIDEO THAT WE SAW, I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY OF YOU WATCHED "A PRECARIOUS STATE" LAST WEEK, BUT IT IS DOWNRIGHT SCARY WHEN YOU SEE PEOPLE WALKING DOWN THE STREET AND REALIZING, THAT GUY HAS A GUN.

AND IT'S HORRIFIC WHAT'S HAPPENED TO OUR DOWNTOWNS, AND TO SOME OF OUR COMMUNITIES THAT ARE VERY UNSAFE.

SPEAKING OF CHICAGO, AS SOMEBODY WHO GREW UP IN ILLINOIS AS WELL, THERE ARE AREAS THERE THAT ARE JUST DOWNRIGHT KILLING SCONES ON -- ZONES ON WEEKENDS.

>> Cathy: CRIME RATES ARE DOWN NOW.

>> I DRIVE THROUGH DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS WITH MY 3-MONTH-OLD ALL THE TIME, AND I CAN ASSURE YOU, WE ARE NOT AT WAR.

>> Eric: TRAMPLING ON STATE'S RIGHTS, SOME OF THE DEMOCRATS HAVE AID.

>> I THINK WHAT'S HAPPENING, WE HAVE CITIES THAT ARE OUT OF CONTROL.

AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED IN WASHINGTON, D.C., AGAIN, I LIVED THERE FOR 14 YEARS, IT'S OUTRAGEOUS HOW BAD CRIME HAD GOTTEN THERE AND NOBODY WOULD DO ANYTHING.

>> WELL, GIVE THEM MONEY.

GIVE THEM THE FUNDING TO DO IT.

>> EXACTLY.

>> DON'T IMPEDE ON STATE RIGHTS.

>> YEAH.

>> I MEAN, IT ISN'T A LAUGHING MATTER WHEN THIS PRESIDENT IS GOING AFTER FORMER ATTORNEY GENERALS IN NEW YORK AND JAMES COMEY.

I MEAN, IT IS RETRIBUTION.

AND, SO, IT ISN'T A JOKE.

IT'S REAL.

AND IT WAS A FAIR QUESTION TO ASK.

>> Cathy: I'M WONDERING ABOUT THE FEDERAL SHUTDOWN.

HOW LONG DO YOU THINK THIS IS GOING TO LAST?

>> 11th DAY?

>> I THINK IT'S GOING TO GO MAYBE -- MAYBE NOT NEXT WEEK, BUT THE WEEK AFTER.

YOU KNOW, THE HOUSE HAS PASSED A CONTINUING RESOLUTION.

WE'RE WAITING ON THE SENATE.

WE HEAR A LOT ABOUT THAT THE REPUBLICANS ARE IN CHARGE OF ALL THREE BRANCHES, THAT'S ONLY KIND OF TRUE BECAUSE YOU NEED 60 VOTES IN THE SENATE AND THE REPUBLICANS DON'T HAVE 60 VOTES IN THE SENATE.

SO WHEN THE REPUBLICANS SAY, WELL, IT'S CHUCK SCHUMER'S FAULT, TO A CERTAIN EXTENT IT IS.

AND HE IS, YOU KNOW, NOT PROVIDING THE VOTES, HE'S NOT REQUIRED TO.

BUT THAT IS WHY, YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT WE ARE CLOSER THAN WE THINK TO GETTING SOMETHING THAT MAYBE AT LEAST GETS US TO THE END OF THE YEAR.

>> Eric: REAL QUICK, WALZ'S RUNNING MATE, YOU WANT TO MENTION A NAME OR TWO?

>> NO.

>> BIGHAM.

>> THE SHUTDOWN WILL AST UNTIL THE REPUBLICANS START NEGOTIATING WITH THE DEMOCRATS ON AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE FOR OUR FARMERS, FOR OUR SMALL BUSINESS FOLKS, WORKING FOLKS, IT'S A REAL ISSUE, AND THE DEMOCRATS AREN'T GOING TO BACK DOWN.

>> AND I'VE GOT THE SOLUTION TO THAT.

WE SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN RID OF OBAMACARE WHEN WE HAD THE CHANCE, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT'S DRIVING THE PRICES, AND THAT'S WHAT'S DRIVING THE SHUTDOWN.

>> Eric: THE GUN WENT OFF.

>> Cathy: SIT DOWN.

WAIT, WHERE ARE YOU GOING?

>> Eric: OH, YOU'RE ON.

>> Cathy: I'M ON.

SIT DOWN.

THANK YOU.

♪ >> WE HAD A GOOD MEETING THIS AFTERNOON.

AND WENT THROUGH A SERIES OF ISSUES THAT ONE OR MORE LEADERS OR I BROUGHT FORWARD FOR POSSIBLE CONSIDERATION IN A SPECIAL SESSION.

DURING THE COURSE OF THAT DISCUSSION, I THINK IT BECAME CLEAR THAT THE ONE ISSUE THAT THERE SEEMS TO BE CONSENSUS ON IS THE GOPHER STADIUM.

>> Cathy: I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT WAS GOVERNOR PAWLENTY 20 YEARS AGO.

20 YEARS AGO.

WOW!

IT'S MINNESOTA HISTORY TIME!

LAST WEEK WE TOOK YOU BACK TO 1965.

WHEN A LONG COLD WINTER WAS FOLLOWED BY HEAVY APRIL RAIN, LEADING TO RECORD-BREAKING FLOODS IN REGIONAL RIVERS.

OUR MYSTERY PERSON QUESTION CONCERNED A ROAD, ONE OF THOSE RIVERS, AND THE HIGH WATERS IN MID-APRIL.

35W FLOODING LED A BELOVED MINNESOTAN TO USE UNORTHODOX TRANSPORTATION TO GET TO WORK ONE CHILLY AFTERNOON.

OUR TASK FOR YOU WAS SIMPLE.

WHO IS THIS MYSTERY MINNESOTAN AND HOW DID HE OR SHE GET TO WORK THAT SPRING DAY?

SIMPLE INDEED.

WE RECEIVED JUST ONE WRONG ANSWER.

TOM FROM MINNETONKA WAS THE ONLY CALLER WE FOOLED.

>> CATHY: WELL TOM, RIGHT RIVER BUT THE REST OF THE ANSWER IS NOT RIGHT.

A LOT OF YOU CALLED OR WROTE IN WITH THE FULL CORRECT ANSWER.

HERE'S THE PRODUCER'S PICK.

>> CATHY: THANK YOU, DON, FOR THOSE KIND WORDS.

YES, TWINS STARTING PITCHER JIM KAAT AND SEVERAL OTHER PLAYERS FOUND THEMSELVES MAROONED IN BURNSVILLE ON OPENING DAY IN 1965.

THERE'S AN OLD SPORTING NEWS ARTICLE THAT CHRONICLED THEIR ADVENTURE.

KAAT CALLED FORMER TEAMMATE PAUL GIEL, WHO WAS THE SPORTS DIRECTOR AT WCCO RADIO AT THE TIME, AND ARRANGED FOR THE 'CCO TRAFFIC CHOPPER TO FLY THEM TO MET STADIUM.

IN BLOOMINGTON.

THE TWINS, BY THE WAY, BEAT THE YANKEES IN EXTRA INNINGS THAT DAY.

AND THE 1965 TEAM WOULD GO ON TO APPEAR IN THE WORLD SERIES.

I LOVE THAT.

TIME NOW FOR SOME SHOW-ENDING MUSIC FROM OUR HALLOWED ARCHIVES.

TEN YEARS AGO THIS WEEK, MY FAVORITE GROUP, CANTUS PERFORMED FOR US FROM TPT'S FANCY NEW STREET SPACE.

TAKE A LISTEN AND WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

♪ MY LORD GOD ♪ ♪ I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE I AM GOING ♪ ♪ I DO NOT SEE THE ROAD AHEAD OF ME ♪ ♪ I CANNOT KNOW FOR CERTAIN WHERE IT WILL END ♪ CAPTIONED BY: VERITEXT/PARADIGM CAPTIONING WWW.VERITEXT.COM ♪ I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE I AM GOING ♪ ♪ GOING ♪ ♪ I DO NOT SEE THE ROAD AHEAD ♪ OF ME ♪ ♪ AND THE FACT THAT I THINK THAT I AM FOLLOWING YOUR WILL >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY... GREAT RIVER ENERGY: PROVIDING WHOLESALE POWER TO 1.7 MILLION PEOPLE THROUGH ITS MEMBER-OWNER COOPERATIVES AND CUSTOMERS.

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

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

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