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

>> ERIC: IT'S BEEN CALLED, MOSTLY BY US, THE MOST SUCCESSFUL LOCAL PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM IN THE PBS SYSTEM.

AND THIS WEEK, WE'RE HIGHLIGHTING 40 YEARS OF "ALMANAC."

WE'VE MOVED INTO THE BIG STUDIO AND HAVE A LIVE AUDIENCE HERE TO HELP US CELEBRATE.

>> CATHY: WE'VE DUG INTO THE ARCHIVES FOR SOME SPECIAL VIDEO, INVITED BACK SOME LONGTIME "ALMANAC" GUESTS AND FAMILIAR FACES.

IT'S GOING TO BE A FUN NIGHT.

STICK AROUND, THIS SPECIAL EDITION OF "ALMANAC" STARTS RIGHT NOW.

♪♪ >> "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.

>> ERIC: WELCOME TO THIS SPECIAL 40TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION OF "ALMANAC."

I'LL GET MY MIC ON.

WE'VE GOT A GREAT SHOW LINED UP FOR YOU WITH PLENTY OF FUN TAPE FROM THE ARCHIVES.

PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS, INCLUDING OUR FAVORITE CHILDREN'S AUTHOR KATE DICAMILLO, SOME SPORTS WITH LARRY FITZGERALD, A WEATHER CHAT WITH MARK SEELEY AND PAUL DOUGLAS, AND ALL FOUR LEGISLATIVE LEADERS.

>> Cathy: THAT IS A LOT.

WE'LL START TONIGHT WITH DEMOCRATIC U.S.

SENATOR AMY KLOBUCHAR.

THE SECOND-LONGEST SERVING MEMBER IN MINNESOTA'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION, SHE FIRST JOINED US ON THE "ALMANAC" COUCH BACK IN 1998 WHEN SHE WAS RUNNING FOR HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY.

SENATOR KLOBUCHAR HAS CELEBRATED SEVERAL "ALMANAC" MILESTONE ANNIVERSARIES WITH US.

AND SHE IS BACK.

HEY, THANK YOU.

>> WELL, THANKS, CATHY, ERIC, I WORE A SCARF IN YOUR HONOR, ERIC, FOR THE 40th AN ADVICE RE.

>> Eric: JOB WHAT TO SAY.

>> I WAS THINKING THIS SHOT IS NOT ONLY WHERE YOU GO INTO A DEEP DIVE BUT YOU HAVE AGE ICE-NICHING SEGMENT A FEW MINUTE LATER.

IT'S INCREDIBLE FOR OUR STATE AND THE POLITICS.

>> Eric: WHEN YOU WERE TESTIFYING AT THE CAPITOL TO MAKE SURE THAT MOTHERS HAD MORE THAN ONE NIGHT IN THE HOSPITAL -- >> YES.

>> Eric: DID YOU THINK IT WAS HEADING TO NUMBER 3 IN THE EWINGS SENATE?

>> NOT REALLY, NO.

I REMEMBER THINKING, I THINK I CAN GET THIS DONE BECAUSE I'M ALMOST ALL MEN ON THIS COMMITTEE.

I WAS LIKE A MOM IN TENNIS SHOES, I WASN'T IN ELECTED OFFICE ARGUING FOR THE 48-HOUR HOSPITAL STAY AND I THOUGHT THE MINUTE I USED THE WORD HE PEACE ON THE MEAL, THEY WERE GOING TO VOTE MY WAY BECAUSE THEY WERE TWO EMBARRASSED SO THAT WAS MY BEGINNING IN POLITICS.

[Laughter] >> Cathy: I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT, YOU'RE NOW NUMBER THREE IN THE DEMOCRATIC SENATE LEADERSHIP AND YOU'RE GOING TO FASHION SOME ECONOMIC POLICY.

TALK TO US ABOUT THAT.

>> SURE.

SO IT WAS VERY CLEAR IN THIS LAST ELECTION THAT WHILE WE HAD GOTTEN SOME GOOD THINGS DONE AND GOTTEN THROUGH THE PANDEMIC BETTER THAN A LOT OF COUNTRIES, THAT PEOPLE HAVE A LOT OF NEEDS RIGHT NOW, WANTS AND NEEDS FROM THE COST OF CHILD CARE TO HOUSING.

SO MY FOCUS WAS STEERING IN POLICY, THAT MEANS I GET TO STEER EVERYTHING, NO SMALL JOB RIGHT NOW.

IS TO REALLY PICK OUR BATTLES AND PICK THE THINGS WHERE WE WANT TO FIND COMMON GROUNDS AND THERE ARE THINGS AND WE HOPE WE CAN, AND THEN TO STAND OUR GROUND, AND THAT FIRST GROUND IS GOING TO BE THE OATH THAT I WILL TAKE ON JANUARY 3rd, WHICH IS TO PROTECT OUR CONSTITUTION, SPECIFICALLY TO SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO GO IN AND SEE BECAUSE I GOT TO SAY, IF THEY START GIVING MORE TAX CUTS FOR WEALTHY PEOPLE AND WE'VE GOT THE DEBT WHERE IT IS, THAT'S GOING TO BE A REAL PROBLEM FOR WORKING PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY SO I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO SEE SOME ARGUMENTS BUT I THINK YOU POTENTIALLY WILL SEE SOME COMMON GROUND, AS WELL.

>> Eric: SENATE HAS TO PASS THE NOMINEES FOR THE VARIOUS CABINET POSTS.

HOW'S THAT GOING TO PLAY OUT?

>> OH, IT'S GOING REAL WELL, ERIC.

[Laughter] SO, ACTUALLY, I THINK THE LAST TIME I SUPPORTED ABOUT HALF OF THE FORMER AND FUTURE PRESIDENT, PRESIDENT TRUMP'S NOMINEES, SO I'M SURE I'LL FIND SOME THAT I'LL SUPPORT.

BUT THERE HAVE BEEN OME REAL ISSUES.

MATT GATES RIGHT OUT OF THE GATE, SO TO SPEAK, VERY, VERY PROBLEMATIC AND YOU SEE PROBLEMS WITH THIS NOMINATION FOR THE FBI DIRECTOR, I PERSONALLY THINK THAT CHRISTOPHER REY, WHO WAS ACTUALLY PUT INTO PLACE BY DONALD TRUMP SHOULD BE ABLE TO SERVE OUT HIS TERM.

>> Eric: TWO YEARS LEFT, I THINK HE HAS.

>> RIGHT.

SO FOR ME IT IS THINGS LIKE BACKGROUND CHECKS, WHICH THEY'VE NOW AGREED TO DO.

I WAS WAY OUT FRONT ON THAT RIGHT AWAY, I FIGURED WITH LYING ATTORNEYS WHO WORKED FOR ANDY LUGER IN THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE OR THE MINNESOTA FBI HAVE TO TAKE THESE BACKGROUND CHECKS, THE PEOPLE WHO RUN THE AGENCY SHOULD HAVE TO DO IT.

>> E >> Cathy: I'M WONDERING ABOUT MINNESOTA NATIVE PETE HEGSETH, WHERE DOES HE ENDS UP?

>> I'M NOT SURE, I THINK THERE ARE SOME VERY PROBLEMATIC THINGS THERE.

I'M GLAD WE ARE NOW GOING TO DO THE BACKGROUND CHECK BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT OF REPORTS THAT ARE VERY CONCERNING.

I'M GLAD HE'S GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING, REMEMBER, THERE WAS TALK OF JUST MUTING PEOPLE IN DURING THE RECESSES.

I DON'T THINK A NUMBER OF REPUBLICAN SENATORS ARE GOING TO ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN AND ONE THING THAT HASN'T BEEN MENTIONED THAT'S CONCERNING IS THAT HE VERY RECENTLY SAID HE DOESN'T AVOR WOMEN IN COME WHAT.

AND THERE IS A WHOLE BUNCH OF WOMEN IN MINNESOTA THAT EVER SERVED OUR COUNTRY VALIANTLY WHO STRONGLY DISAGREE.

>> Eric: ONE THING THAT'S CHANGED IN 40 YEARS IS THE MAKE-UP OF THE DELEGATION.

SIX WOMEN, FOUR MEN.

>> THERE YOU GO.

WHEN I STARTED, IT WASN'T QUITE LIKE THAT.

>> Eric: YEAH.

>> AND I THINK THAT'S REMI EXCITING.

I THINK WE'RE THE ONLY STATE IN THE COUNTRY THAT HAS TWO WOMEN IN THE U.S. SENATE AND A MAJORITY WOMEN OVERALL IN THE CONGRESS, NOT TO MENTION OUR SPEAKER AND OUR -- WHO YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR FROM TODAY, I GUESS OUR SHARED SPEAKER AS WELL AS THE REPUBLICAN LEAD, AS WELL, IN THE HOUSE, LISA, AS WELL AS ERIN MURPHY.

SO WE HAVE SEEN JUST OVER YEARS WHEN YOU THINK OF WHEN "ALMANAC" STARTLED 40 YEARS AGO, I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY WOMEN WERE IN POWER.

>> Eric: NOT AS MANY AS NOW.

>> JOAN GROW, I DON'T KNOW WHAT YEAR SHE CAME IN BUT SHE WAS THE FIRST STAYED-ELECTED.

>> Eric: WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU COMING BY TO HELP US CELEBRATE.

>> IT WAS GREAT TO BE ON AND I JUST, AGAIN, WANT TO THANK YOU.

THIS IS ONE SHOW THAT DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS GO ON, A LOT OF STATES DON'T HAVE A PROGRAM LIKE THIS SO KEEP IT UP AND WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT 40 YEARS.

>> Eric: AMY KLOBUCHAR, EVERYBODY.

>> THANKS, EVERYONE.

>> Cathy: THANKS, SENATOR, SENATOR KLOBUCHAR.

THANK I FOUR STOPPING BY.

APPRECIATE THAT.

SO AS YOU ALL KNOW, TELEVISION SHOWS OFTEN REFLECT THE PERSONALITIES OF THE PEOPLE WHO CREATED THEM.

AND THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE WITH "ALMANAC."

AS WE CELEBRATE OUR SHOW'S 40TH YEAR, WE WANTED TO RECONNECT WITH THE TWO MEN WHO STARTED IT ALL, BRENDAN HENEHAN AND BILL HANLEY.

AS YOU'LL SEE, "ALMANAC"'S SENSE OF HUMOR, FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE, HAS A LOT IN COMMON WITH THEIR PERSONALITIES.

>> HI, MY NAME IS BILL HANLEY, I WAS THE ORIGINAL EXECUTIVE PRODUCER OF CONSCIOUS ALMANAC."

>> I'M BRENDAN HENEHAN, I WAS THE ORIGINAL PRODUCER OF "ALMANAC" AND WELCOME TO CO-CREATOR CUE CARD QUESTIONS.

THE FIRST ONE OF HOSE TERMLY IS THIS PINK ONE AND IT SAYS, HOW LONG DID YOU INITIALLY THINKING "ALMANAC" WOULD STAY ON THE AIR.

>> I DON'T NOW HOW LONG I THOUGHT IT WOULD STAY ON THE AIR.

I WAS HOPING FOR 18 MONTHS.

I WORKED AT THE TATION FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS BEFORE "ALMANAC" WENT ON THE AIR AND I WORKED ON THREE DIFFERENT FINAL SEASONS OF THREE DIFFERENT SERIES.

SO I FIGURED THIS WILL BE JUST LIKE THIS, WE'LL GET A YEAR, MAYBE TWO AND THEN WE'LL MOVE ON TO SOMETHING ELSE, SO... YEAH, SHORT RUN.

DID YOU SERIOUSLY CONSIDER ANY NAMES FOR THE SHOW BESIDES "ALMANAC"?

>> I DIDN'T.

I THOUGHT "ALMANAC" WAS A GREAT NAME.

BILL KEPT COMING UP WITH VERY STRANGE GAMES, WANTED TO CALL I WOULD WEATHER VANE.

>> WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER "ALMANAC'S GREATEST STRENGTH?

>> TO ME, THE STRENGTH OF THE SHOW WAS ALWAYS WAS -- IT WAS STATEWIDE.

IT WAS THE FIRST TV SHOW THAT ALL MINNESOTA COULD WATCH AT THE SAME TIME.

WE'D GET SUCH A SICK WHEN YOU WOULD SEE A STORY IN THE MEDIA AND THEY WOULD JUST SAY ALMANAC, THEY WOULDN'T SAY IT WAS A TV SHOW OR PBS, THEY WOULDN'T -- AS IF YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO KNOW WHAT THAT IS.

>> MOST SHOWS DON'T STAY ON THE AIR FOR 40 YEARS.

WHY HASN'T ALMANAC BEEN CANCELED?

[Laughter] GOOD QUESTION.

>> YEAH, I THINK IT HELPED THAT ALMANAC WASN'T THE MOST EXPENSIVE SHOW TO DO AND WE QUICKLY WITHIN A COUPLE OF YEARS GOT A GOOD CHUNK OF UNDERWRITING AND SUPPORT SO THE STATION, YOU KNOW, FRANKLY WOULD LOSE MONEY MANY TIMES IF THEY MADE THAT DECISION.

WHAT "ALMANAC" MOMENT WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO FORGET?

[Laughter] AGAIN, SO MANY.

>> THE ONE THAT COMES TO MIND FOR ME IS THE LUTHER DARVILLE TRIAL.

THIS IS A UNIVERSITY EXECUTIVE WHO WAS ON TRIAL FOR SOME -- SOMETHING AND IT WAS AN IMPORTANT TRIAL AND PEOPLE REALLY CARED ABOUT IT BUT, OF COURSE, THERE WAS O CAMERAS IN THE COURTROOM AND NO MICROPHONES IN THE COURTROOM.

AND SO SOMEONE CAME UP WITH THE VERY BRIGHT IDEA OF DOING DRAMATIC -- DOING DRAMATIC READING FROM THE TRIAL TRANSCRIPT WITH, LIKE, MUSIC STANDS AND HAVING FOUR OF US SITTING THERE AND -- >> LIVE ON THE AIR.

>> YEAH.

AND ABOUT HALFWAY THROUGH I THOUGHT, OH-OH, THIS -- THIS IS NOT GOING SO WELL.

>> A LOT OF CARDS.

>> THERE WERE A LOT HAVE OF CARDS.

DO YOU STILL WATCH ALMANAC EVERY WEEK?

NO, I DON'T.

>> I WATCH IT MOST WEEKS.

THE GREAT THING ABOUT BEING RETIRED FROM THE BUSINESS AND FROM THE ROLE IS THAT, YOU KNOW, I GO ON VACATION FOR A COUPLE WEEKS, I COME BACK, I DON'T FEEL THE NEED TO SIT DOWN AND IMMEDIATELY WATCH THE LAST TWO, THREE EDITIONS OF "ALMANAC."

DO YOU EVER CATCH YOURSELF HUMMING THE "ALMANAC" THEME SONG.

>> I CAN HONESTLY SAY I HAVE NEVER HUNDREDS HUMMED THE "ALMANAC -- >> OH, YOU HAVE TOO.

>> NO, I HAVE NOT.

>> I HAVE.

REMEMBER HOW WE CAME UP WITH, REMEMBER HOW THAT WAS CHOSEN ALONG WITH THE... ♪♪ YOO HOO!!

SINGING: CELEBRATION.

>> YOU KNOW, BILL AND BRENDON REALLY ARE LEGENDS IN THESE HALLWAYS AND I'M GLAD TO SAY THEY'RE IN THE ROOM TONIGHT.

WE ACTUALLY ALL WENT OUT TO LUNCH AFTER RECORDING THAT SEGMENT AND THE REMINISCING KEPT GOING, FOR A LONG TIME.

WHICH BRINGS US TO OUR NEXT PIECE OF VIDEO BECAUSE, NOW, WE'RE GOING TO REMINISCE WITH ALL OF YOU!

IT'S A SEGMENT WE'RE CALLING "40 YEARS OF "ALMANAC" IN FOUR MINUTES."

♪ ALMANAC THEME SONG ♪♪ >> GOOD EVENING, I'M JOE -- WELCOME TO "ALMANAC."

♪♪ >> JIMMY CARTER IS WITH US NOW TO TALK ABOUT THE MIDDLE EAST.

>> THE PALESTINIANS IN THE LEFT BANK IN GAZA ARE LIVING UNDERSTAND THE DOMINATION OF THE ISRAELIS FOR THE 18th YEAR.

THESE PALESTINIANANCE ARE NOT ALL TERRORISTS IN SPITE OF WHAT YOU MIGHT HER IN THIS COUNTRY.

[OVERLAPPING CONVERSATION] >> USA TODAY RAN A MAJOR FEATURE ON FEMALE CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR OFFICE ALL ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.

AND OF COURSE OUR STATE AUDITOR, ANNE CARLSON.

>> RAISING MONEY FRANKLY, NO MATTER WHAT SEX I AM HAS BEEN A PROBLEM.

>> YOU RAN AN ALD THAT SAID LITTLE CHILDREN SOMEONE EEL GET ANYONE -- >> EXCUSE ME, EXCUSE ME.

>> THEY SETTLED THE BUS STRIKE.

♪ SETTLED THE BUS STRIKE] >> THEY CAN RAISE MY FARE, CULT MY SERVICE, I DON'T CARE, TO END THE BUS STRIKE ♪♪ ♪ ROLL OUT THE BARREL ♪ >> YOU EVER BEEN INVOLVED IN THIS SORT OF THING NORTH LAST MONTH.

EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE.

>> A MATTER OF PUBLIC RECORD.

>> BUT WE HAVE MORE KIDS -- >> I'M NOT TALKING TO YOU.

I'M SORRY, I'M TOUCHING YOU, I DIDN'T WANT TO HURT YOU.

>> I'VE SPOKEN MORE IRON ORE BEHIND MY EARS.

>> THAT MUST BE LAKE MILLE LACS RIGHT THERE.

AND I ALWAYS DIDN'T DO GOOD COLD FRONTS.

>> A TORNADO WAS APPROACHING, YOU CAN'T GET OFF THE FREEWAY, WHAT DO YOU DO, CATHY?

>> I WOULD GO IN A DITCH.

>> YOU WOULD GO IN A DITCH.

>> I WOULD, TOO.

>> I DRIVE IN DITCHES ALL THE TIME, BUT -- [Laughter] >> I'LL JOIN HER IN THE DITCH.

>> OH, THANKS.

GET YOUR OWN DITCH.

>> WE'RE MAKING PROGRESS IN THE AREA OF EMPLOYMENT.

ENSURING THAT NOT ONLY WHEN SOMEBODY COMES INTO THE SYSTEM, THEY SEE PEOPLE THAT LOOK LIKE THEM BUT THAT WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

>> YOU SAID AT A PRESS CONFERENCE NOT LONG AGO THAT YOU DON'T' LOSE ANY SLEEP OVER MNsure, THAT WE SHOULD CELEBRATE -- >> I DON'T HAVE TO ANYMORE.

I DID BEFORE.

>> WOULDN'T IT BE COOL ON YOUR VERY OWN GRILL TO COOK A JUICY LUCY.

>> OUR PLAN FROM THE BEGINNING WAS TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE WERE SAFER AND I THINK THE MAYOR WAS ON BOARD WITH THAT.

♪♪ >> THANKS AGAIN TO OUR GRACIOUS HOST.

♪ PEACE ON EARTH, MERCY MILD, GOD AND SINNERS ♪♪ >> WHOO.

IT'S QUITE A WORKOUT.

>> THIS IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REDRESSED, SO YOU CAN SEE SOME OF THE RE-SURFACING THAT'S HAPPENING, THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OLD AND NEW.

>> PRINZ ALWAYS STRUCK ME AS BEING A SEEKER CREATIVELY AND ALSO SPIRIT WALLLY AND THE TWO KIND OF MELTED TOGETHER.

AM I RIGHT ABOUT THAT?

>> TOTALLY RIGHT ABOUT THAT.

>> Cathy: YOU SAID YOU THINK IN THE NEXT FOUR TO SIX WEEKS THAT COVID-19 -- THAT IT WILL BE IN THE U.S. >> WE SAW THIS AS EARLY AS LATE JANUARY AND PUT OUT A PUBLICATION FROM THE GROUP SAYING IT WOULD BE A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE IT WAS WORLD WIDE.

>> GEORGE FLOYD'S MURDER IS NEVER GOING TO BE FORGOTTEN.

>> >> WHEN YOU INCENTIVIZE PEOPLE NOT TO WORK, WHEN YOU SCARE PEOPLE FROM WORKING, INSTEAD OF SPREADING FALSE INFORMATION, BE PART OF THE SOLUTION.

WHEN YOU'RE THE EXECUTIVE OF THE STATE, YOU STAND UP AND TOOK RESPONSIBILTY OF THIS.

>> WHAT WE SAW IN 2020, EVERYONE HIT THE STREETS, BUT THERE WAS A MOVEMENT.

BUT A MOVEMENT LAYS LONG BEYOND THAT MOMENT N TIME.

>> WE HOPE YOU'LL SPEND HIS HOUR WITH S, SIT BACK, TRY TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THIS WEEK'S EVENTS.

WITH A LITTLE PERSPECTIVE AND MAYBE EVEN A LITTLE BIT OF HUMOR.

♪♪ >> Eric: OUR NEXT GUEST IS ONE OF OUR ABSOLUTE FAVORITES, PERHAPS BECAUSE SHE'S BEEN POKING FUN AT ME FOR ECADES NOW.

BACK IN 2001, A LOCAL CHILDREN'S AUTHOR NAMED KATE DICAMILLO WON THE NEWBERY AWARD.

WE TRACKED HER DOWN AND INVITED HER TO JOIN US THAT FRIDAY NIGHT.

THE REST, AS THEY SAY, IS HISTORY.

NOT ONLY IS KATE HERE TO CELEBRATE WITH US, SHE'S GOT A NEW BOOK OUT, "THE HOTEL BALZAAR," SECOND IN THE NORENDY TALES SERIES.

WELCOME BACK, KATE.

ON THIS NEW BOOK -- GLAD YOU'RE HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Eric: THERE IS A PARROT THAT USED TO BE A GENERAL, A KING WITH INSOMNIA, A KID SINGER WHOSE VOICE CHANGES AND -- >> DO YOU WANT ME TO -- DO YOU WANT ME TO EXPLAIN MYSELF?

>> Eric: WELL, I COULD -- >> YOU KNOW WHAT, WE WERE HAVING AN EXCHANGE UP HERE JUST A FEW MINUTES AGO WHEN THE CAMERA WASN'T ON.

>> Eric: YEAH.

>> AND, UM, ERIC ASKED ME HOW FAR I HAD GONE IN SCHOOL.

I SAID, OH, I JUST GOT A BACHELOR'S.

HE SAID, OH, YOU GOT A DEGREE?

AND I'M LIKE YOU WASTED THAT.

YOU SHOULD HAVE DONE IT ON AIR, YEAH.

>> Eric: I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO WORK THIS.

>> Cathy: DID HE GET THE STORY RIGHT?

>> DID HE GET THE STORY RIGHT ABOUT THAT STORY?

>> Cathy: YES.

>> THAT'S ALL TRUE, THAT'S ALL IN THE BOOK, YEAH.

IT'S GREAT BECAUSE THIS IS THE BEAUTIFUL THING ABOUT WRITING FICTION IS YOU CAN -- ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.

>> Eric: LIFE ALWAYS WINS, WAR DESTROYS EVERYTHING.

NOTHING TRULY ENDS.

QUIET LIGHT AND PEACE IS WHAT I'VE GOTTEN OUT OF YOUR BOOK.

>> WOW, THAT MAKES ME SOUND REALLY PROFOUND.

>> Eric: YEAH.

>> I MEAN THAT'S NICE OF YOU TO MAKE ME SOUND PROFOUND.

>> Eric: TRYING TO BOOST YOU UP.

>> YEAH, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

AND I WAS DOING AN EVENT ONCE WHERE A KID RAISED HIS HAND AND SAID, WHY IS IT THAT YOU PUT ALL THESE BIG IMPORTANT QUESTIONS IN BOOKS FOR KIDS?

AROUND I SAID BECAUSE KIDS ARE THE ONES WHO AREN'T AFRAID TO ASK THOSE QUESTIONS.

THE OLDER YOU GET, THE MORE AFRAID YOU GET THE MORE YOU ARE AFRAID TO ASK.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SAY ABOUT THAT, CATHY?

>> Cathy: KIDS ASK REALLY GOOD QUESTIONS.

>> AND THEY'RE NOT AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS, AND WE GET AFRAID.

MAYBE YOU DON'T GET AFRAID BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO ASK HARD QUESTIONS AT YOUR JOB.

>> Cathy: THAT'S TRUE.

>> WHAT'S THE HARD QUESTION?

>> Cathy: I DON'T HAVE A HARD QUESTION BUT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT YOUR STORY-TELLING.

I LOVE THE QUOTE YOU HAD, WE TELL EACH OTHER STORIES TO FEEL SAFE.

>> YEAH.

>> Cathy: DO YOU FEEL SEEN IN THE STORIES YOU TELL?

>> DO I FEEL SEEN?

IT'S ODD BECAUSE SOMETIMES I'LL SAY THIS TO KIDS WHEN I'M DOING AN EVEN N PERSON WITH THEM, THAT THERE IS A CONNECTION BETWEEN ME AND THE READER EVEN IF I NEVER MEET THEM AND I CAN FEEL THAT ENERGY AND THAT CONNECTION THROUGH STORY, AND SO, YEAH, IT MAKES ME FEEL SEEN.

AND I ALSO FEEL SEEN WHEN I'M READING A BOOK AND I FIND MYSELF IN A BOOK, AND ALSO I CAN SEE OTHER PEOPLE AND UNDERSTAND OTHER PEOPLE, EVEN LIKE SOMEBODY LIKE ERIC.

REMEMBER THAT BIT THAT Y'ALL DID WHERE YOU WERE CAUGHT BACKSTAGE READING DESPERO.

THAT WAS FUNNY.

THAT'S A CLIP WE SHOULD SHOW.

>> Eric: RAPID ATTENTION.

>> YEAH, YOU WERE BACK IN LIKE THE GREEN ROOM.

>> Eric: HOW MUCH OF YOUR LIFE -- WAS THIS A BIG PLAN THAT YOU HAD OR DID THIS JUST HAPPEN SERENDIPITOUSLY OR -- >> WHAT?

>> A LONG WAY FROM THE RED BALLOON BOOK STORE.

>> WAS THIS A PLAN?

NO, WHO WOULD HAVE PLANNED FOR SOMETHING THIS WONDERFUL TO HAPPEN.

MY GREAT DREAM WAS THAT I COULD SELL ENOUGH BOOKS THAT I COULD, LIKE, THEN WORK 30 HOURS A WEEK INSTEAD OF 40 HOURS A WEEK.

SO THAT WAS THE BIG, BIG PLAN, AND, YOU KNOW, I KNEW WITH -- BECAUSE WINN DIXIE, WHICH WAS THE FIRST BOOK THAT IF I SOLD 5,000 COPIES, I MIGHT BE ABLE TO DO ANOTHER BOOK SO THAT WAS THE BIG GOAL, TO SELL 5,000 COPIES.

>> Eric: YOU EVER GET RECOGNIZED IN THE BOOK STORE, GROCERY STORE OR -- >> YES.

YES, IT'S THE HAIR, I THINK.

IT'S NOT THE BOOKS, IT'S THE HAIR.

I WAS -- I WAS IN LINE AT THE GROCERY STORE THE OTHER DAY AND A LADY LOOKED ME UP AND DOWN AND SHE SAID, YOUR STORIES ARE A WILLING LOT BIGGER THAN YOU ARE.

[Laughter] >> Cathy: OH OOOOO.

>> I THOUGHT THAT WAS PRETTY WITTY.

BECAUSE I DO THINK THE STORIES ARE BETTER THAN I AM AND I'M JUST WALKING AROUND, A LITTLE SHORT PERSON.

I'M ALWAYS SURPRISED WHEN PEOPLE RECOGNIZE ME SO I DO THINK IT'S THE HAIR.

THE LAST TIME I WAS ON, ERIC AND I HAD THE SAME HAIRDO BECAUSE HE HAD REQUESTED IT AND -- >> Cathy: HE HAD THE COLONEL SAUNDERS THING.

>> Eric: I HAVE TO LEARN TO STAND ON MY OWN TWO FEET.

YOU CAN'T PROTECT ME FOREVER.

>> Cathy: ARE YOU STILL WRITING THE PAGES THAT YOU WRITE EVERY DAY?

>> THAT'S ONE OF ERIC'S FAVORITE -- YOU'RE SETTING HIM UP FOR A SOFTBALL BECAUSE IT DRIVERS HIM CRAZY HAT I WRITE TWO PAGES A DAY.

I ACTUALLY, THE FRIEND THAT I BROUGHT ALONG TONIGHT, I SAID, SHE'S LIKE ERIC IS GOING TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT OUR TWO PAGES A DAY AND I SAID, I WROTE THREE THIS MORNING SO THERE YOU GO.

>> Eric: THERE YOU GO.

NATIONAL TREASURE, KATE DiCAMILLO, GIVE HER A BIG HAND.

>> Cathy: YOU'RE THE BEST.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

>> ALWAYS A PLEASURE -- NO, YOU CAN SIT IF YOU WANT.

>> OH, I'M GOING.

>> Eric: OKAY.

EXIT STAGE LEFT.

[Laughter] WE'RE GOING TO HEAD BOOK TO THE OTHER SIDES OF THE STUDIO NOW, WHERE JG PRESTON IS STANDING BY.

>> YEP, I'M HERE, ERIC.

THANKS, FUN TO BE BACK.

I USED TO BE HERE QUITE REGULARLY DOING THINGS LIKE EATING SOAP, SINGING TO CHRISTMAS DISPLAYS, DELIVERING ESSAYS, AND HOSTING MUSIC SEGMENTS LIKE THIS ONE WITH THE STEELES BACK IN 1998.

WHEN I MOVED AWAY, JEARLYN STEELE BECAME "ALMANAC"'S MUSIC AMBASSADOR.

JEARLYN COULDN'T BE HERE TONIGHT BUT WE WANT TO SHARE A SHORT SNIPPET OF HER FAVORITE MUSICAL INTERVIEW.

BACK IN 2007, WE HIGHLIGHTED THE MINNESOTA OPERA'S WORLD PREMIERE OF "THE GRAPES OF WRATH" WITH COMPOSER RICKY IAN GORDON.

HE AND JEARLYN SAT DOWN AT THE PIANO AND HAD A GRAND TIME.

>> YOU REALLY HAVE TO DECIDE WHAT IT'S GOING TO BE FORMALLY.

YOU HAVE TO BREAK IT DOWN IN YOUR HEAD IN TERMS OF, OKAY, THIS IS HIM A BOOK AND IT'S NOT A PLAY OR A MOVIE, IT'S AN OPERA.

WHAT DO I THINK I CAN BRING TO THAT STORY?

SO, FIRST FOR ME, I HAD TO DECIDE FORMALTILY, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT IT WAS GOING TO BE A SORT OF BALLAD OPERA WHICH MEANS THAT IT WAS GOING TO HAVE ALL KINDS OF SET PIECES, ARIAS, DUETS, TRIOS, DANCES.

I BROUGHT IN A LIKE BRITTIST, A FANTASTIC LYRICIST AND I ALLOWED HIM TO HIRICKIZE THE STORY AND BREAK IT DOWN INTO THREE ACTION.

FINALLY, HE GAVE ME THE FIRST ACT AND WHEN I SAW THE FIRST ACT, HE DECIDED TO USE THE FIRST CHAPTER OF THE BOOK AS ALL ABOUT THE BIRTH OF THE DUST BOWL AND O MICHAEL WANTED TO SHOW THAT ON THE STAGE BUT OPENING THE PIECE WITH A FIELD OF GREEN CORN AND IN THE COURSE OF THIS NUMBER, WHICH IS CALLED THE LAST TIME THERE WAS RAIN, WE WOULD SEE THE CORN TURN BROWN AND EVENTUALLY FALL INTO THE STAGE AND NOTHING WOULD BE THERE BUT THESE CROPPERS AND THE DUST.

>> THE LAST TIME -- >> THE LAST TIME THERE WAS RAIN.

>> WHAT WOULD THAT SOUND LIKE?

>> OH, THIS IS SO -- I'LL JUST PLAY THE VERY BEGINNING OF HOW IT STARTED.

I FELT WE HAD TO SET UP THIS WORLD OF UTTER OPENNESS, RIGHT, JUST OPEN PRAIRIE, OPEN, YOU KNOW, SO HERE'S MY MUSIC FOR THE VERY START.

♪♪ >> AND THEN IT AM BEGINS.

>> THAT IS SO EXCITING.

♪♪ >> MARY: MINNESOTA SPORTS FANS ARE USED TO JOY THAT OFTEN TURNS TO DESPAIR.

WE MUST BE TALKING ABOUT THE MINNESOTA VIKINGS.

WE'RE ON ANOTHER ROLLER COASTER.

WE ALL KNOW THEY'VE NEVER WON A SUPER BOWL BUT THEY HAVEN'T EVEN APPEARED IN ONE SINCE BEFORE "ALMANAC" WENT ON THE AIR.

AND LARRY FITZGERALD HAS ALSO BEEN ON OUR SHOW SINCE 1997.

LARRY, ARE WE ALLOWED TO HAVE HOPE THIS YEAR?

>> YEAH, YOU HAVE TO, AS LONG AS YOU HAVE IT, YOU HAVE TO BE CONSISTENT AROUND GET BEHIND THEM AND I GUESS YOU CAN BLAME ME.

I GOT HERE IN '79 AND THE VIKINGS HAVEN'T BEEN NEAR A SUPER BOWL SINCE AND I'VE COVERED -- >> Mary: MAYBE YOU NEEDED LARRY, JR., ON THE SQUAD.

>> THEY HAD HIM AND SHOULD HAVE KEPT HIM.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT.

>> Mary: MAYBE THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE KEY TO GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL.

I LIKE THAT.

QUARTERBACK CONTROVERSY, WE'RE SEEING OUR OLD QUARTERBACK THIS WEEKEND.

HOW IS THAT GOING TO GO DOWN?

>> I THINK AT THE BEGINNING THEY'LL GIVE HIM A REAL STRONG WELCOME, YOU KNOW, AND THEN THEY'RE GOING TO TRY TO KILL HIM BECAUSE THE BOTTOM LINE -- >> Mary: FIGURE LaACTIVELY, NOT LITERALLY.

>> WELL, I MEAN, IN THIS POSITION, YOU HAVE TO GET TO THE QUARTERBACK AND SOMETIMES YOU HURT GUY BUT KIRK DID GREAT THINGS HERE.

UNFORTUNATELY ONLY ONE PLAY-OFF WIN IN ALL THOSE MILLIONS THAT THEY PAID HIM BUT HE'LL BE BACK HERE SUNDAY WITH ATLANTA TRYING TO GET THE 7th WIN.

THE VIKINGS HAVE WON FIVE IN A ROW, IF THEY CAN GET THEIR 6th, THEY'LL KEEP PACE WITH DETROIT AND REMEMBER THEY PLAY THE LYONS THE FINAL GAME OF THE SEASON.

KEVIN O'CONNELL HAS BEEN SPECIAL.

THIS WILL BE HIS 30th WIN IF HE CAN GET IT SUNDAY AND IN 24 OF THOSE WINS, THEY'VE BEEN BY ONE POSSESSION.

THAT'S EIGHT POINTS OR LESS AND SO I LIKE WHAT HE'S DOING.

HE'S GOT A TEAM THAT'S -- >> Mary: THEY'VE BEEN CLOSE, THAT SHOULD BODE WELL FOR PLAYOFFS AND BEYOND, PERHAPS?

>> I THINK THEY'RE A PLAYOFF TEAM, THERE'S NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT.

UNFORTUNATELY, THE PACKERS LOST A BIG ONE LAST NIGHT, THAT COULD HAVE HELPED THEIR CAUSE, BUT THE VIKINGS ONLY LOST SIMILARLY THE WAY THE PACKERS LOST LAST NIGHT.

LAST PLAY OF THE GAME, THEY JUST GOT TO GET AHEAD OF THE LIONS AND HAVE THEM CHANCING THEM.

IT'S DIFFERENT, LIONS CAN'T FIND FOOD IF THEY DON'T KNOW WHERE IT IS.

[Laughter] >> Mary: DO WE DARE SEE THE WORD SUPER BOWL?

10 AND 2 FEELS PRETTY GOOD.

>> IT DOES BUT THERE ARE TWO 11-1 TEAMS AHEAD OF THEM AND ONE OF THEM HAS WON A COUPLE OF SUPER BOWLS BACK TO BACK SO THE VIKINGS ARE IN POSITION.

THEY CAN PLAY WITH ANYBODY SO ENJOY THIS.

THIS IS SOMETHING SPECIAL BECAUSE I REMEMBER WHEN THE VIKINGS HAD THAT 16-1 YEAR WITH DENNIS GREEN, EVERYBODY THOUGHT IT WAS A GIVEN SITUATION THAT THEY WERE GOING TO WIN THE SUPER BOWL AND OF COURSE IT DIDN'T HAPPEN, SOME GUY MISSED A KICK ND THINGS CHANGED BUT RIGHT NOW THEY'RE IN IT AND I LIKE THE KIND OF TEAM THEY HAVE.

>> Mary: LARRY FITZGERALD, THANK YOU FOR GIVING US HOPE FOR ALMOST THREE DECADES NOW ON "ALMANAC" AND WITH THE VIKINGS.

>> THANK YOU.

WE'RE GOING TO HEAD UP ON ET BUT I DON'T SEE RIC AND CATHY.

WHO'S UP THERE.

>> MAN, I THOUGHT THEY WOULD NEVER LEAVE.

SO "ALMANAC" HAS BEEN AROUND A LONG TIME, AND WE'VE ALL BEEN DOING THIS FOR A WHILE.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE MONOLOGUE?

MINE WAS AT THE STATE FAIR.

I WAS DOING A BIT WITH ALL THE MILK I COULD DRINK, AND I HAD SOMEONE BUMP INTO ME AND SPILL MILK DOWN MY SHIRT.

I KNOW, HILARIOUS.

I FORGOT I HAD TO WALK AROUND THE REST OF THE DAY IN A WET SHIRT THAT SMELLED LIKE SPOILED YOGURT.

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

>> THE BATTERIES IN MY MICROPHONE PACK WENT OUT MID-MONOLOGUE.

THE TELEPROMPTER STOPPED ROLLING AND, AS I WAS PANICKING, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO, I FELT THESE HANDS FROM BELOW SNEAKING UP MY CHEST AND CLIPPING ON ANOTHER MIC.

FROM THAT DAY TO THIS, I CARRY A COPY OF MY MONOLOGUE IN MY POCKET.

SHELLETA, WHAT ABOUT YOU?

>> SOMETIMES, THE BEST PARTS OF THIS SHOW ARE THE THINGS THAT YOU DON'T SEE ON TV, THEY HAPPEN BEHIND THE SCENES.

LIKE THAT TIME I PUT ON A WIG FOR A BIT.

Y'ALL NOW I'M DRAMATIC, RIGHT?

I WAS TRYING TO CHANNEL SONNY AND CHER.

WOUND UP BEING MORE LIKE SONNY AND HAIR.

I WAS HAVING SO MUCH FUN, I ALMOST CHOKED.

WHAT ABOUT YOU, KEVIN?

>> I THINK THE ONE I GOT THE MOST RESPONSE IN WAS A COMMENTARY, WHEN THE VIKINGS LOST A PLAYOFF GAME AND I LOST IT.

LEADING ME TO PLEAD THE PLEAD TO THE HITCHES ON AIR, WAS IT TOO MUCH TO ASK, JUST ONE, TO DRINK OUT OF THE SKULL OF MY ENEMY?

I GOT A LOT OF FEEDBACK BUT IT WAS ALL POSITIVE.

>> THE VERY FIRST TIME I WAS ON "ALMANAC" WAS FOR THE YEAR-END QUIZ SHOW.

THEY TOLD ME TO BRING SOMETHING FESTIVE SO I BROUGHT HOLIDAY COCKTAILS FOR EVERYONE.

WHICH WAS BOTH VERY FUN AND HONESTLY, I BELIEVE MOST OF THE REASON THAT THEY EVER INVITE ME BACK ON.

SPEAKING OF WHICH, IT SEEMS LIKE WE SHOULD PROBABLY TOAST "ALMANAC" FOR 40 YEARS.

>> IT'S BEEN A GREAT RUN AND I'M ALREADY PLANNING A STAND-UP PIECE FOR THE 50th ANNIVERSARY SHOW.

I HOPE I CAN STILT STAND UP.

CHEERS, EVERYBODY.

>> CHEERS TO 40, EVERYBODY!!

WHOO!!

♪♪ >> SINCE WE'RE ALL SHARING DATES TO ANY, I LOOKED ALL THE A CALENDAR.

I WAS LOOKING AT THE CALENDAR THE OTHER DAY AND I REALIZED SOMETHING I ALMOST COULDN'T I HAVE BEEN DRAWING ILLUSTRATED ESSAYS FOR "ALMANAC" FOR 19 YEARS!

TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU, I WANTED TO MAKE AN ESSAY THAT CELEBRATES THIS WEIRD, WONDERFUL SHOW.

TAKE A LOOK.

>> David: WHAT ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO DO WITH A NUMBER LIKE 40?

40 MILES PER HOUR WHILE MERGING?

THAT'S NOT ENOUGH.

40 ANGRY SEA GULLS?

THAT'S TOO MANY.

HOW ABOUT 40 YEARS OF A SHOW LIKE "ALMANAC"?

IS THIS A 40 THAT MEANS ANYTHING?

ON NE HAND, OF COURSE, YES, "ALMANAC" IS MINNESOTA'S LONGEST RUNNING TELEVISION SERIES.

"ALMANAC" HAS BROADCAST MORE POLITICAL DEBATES THAN ANYONE ELSE.

"ALMANAC" HAS MANAGED TO STAY ON THE AIR THROUGH 127 PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATIONS.

BUT THESE ARE THE STATS WE ROLE OUT DURING A PLEDGE DRIVE.

TONIGHT I WOULD RATHER CELEBRATE THE 40 THINGS "ALMANAC" IS NOT.

IS ALMANAC FLASHY?

NO.

IS ALMANAC INTENTIONALLY ARGUMENTATIVE?

NOT VERY OFTEN.

IS ALMANAC CONSTANTLY CHASING THE LATEST FORMAT TRENDS?

UM, CLEARLY NOT.

I BRING UP THESE EXAMPLES BECAUSE THEY REPRESENT THE EVER-PRESENT TEMPATIONS OF THE TELEVISION INDUSTRY.

IF YOU WANT TO GO VIRAL, BOOK AN ARGUMENT.

IF YOU WANT TO IMPROVE YOUR RATINGS, EMBRACE PARTISAN TALKING POINTS.

IF YOU WANT TO MOVE THROUGH SOCIETY LIKE A WRECKING BALL, WELL, BASICALLY JUST DO EVERYTHING "ALMANAC" DOESN'T AND YOU GET THE POINT.

TONIGHT WE'RE CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF LISTENING, 40 YEARS OF THOUGHTFULNESS AND 40 YEARS OF RESISTING TEMPTATION GO WHICH AMERICAN PEOPLE CALL BORING BUT I WOULD ARGUE BORING IN A WAY THAT MATTERS.

IMAGINE IF WE WERE HERE TONIGHT CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF YAPPING SEA GULLS.

THAT'S ONE I WOULDN'T EVEN MENTION.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, "ALMANAC."

♪♪ >> WHEN IT COMES TO BIG MINNESOTA WEATHER EVENT, THE 1991 HALLOWEEN BLIZZARD HITS THE TOP OF MANY LISTS.

TONIGHT WE TASKED TWO OF OUR FAVORITE WEATHER NERDS WITH HIGHLIGHTING SOMETHING ELSE.

AND THEY CHOSE THE GREAT RED RIVER FLOOD OF 1997.

PAUL DOUGLAS FIRST APPEARED ON THE SHOW BACK IN 1985.

LOOK HOW OUNG HE LOOKS FROM KARE 11 TV.

HE HAS BEEN VISITING US ROUTINELY EVER SINCE.

MARK SEELEY HAS BEEN PART OF THE "ALMANAC" WEATHER FAMILY SINCE HIS FIRST APPEARANCE ON THE SHOW BACK IN 2006.

IT'S ALWAYS A TREAT TO HAVE THEM HERE TOGETHER.

HAPPY 40th.

THANKS FOR BEING WITH US ALL THIS TIME.

>> DELIGHTED TO BE WITH YOU.

>> Cathy: I THINK YOU CHOOSE A GOOD ONE HERE.

NOT A GOOD ONE, THE '97 FLOOD, WE ALL COVERED IT.

YOU CHOSE THE FLOOD, I'M TRYING TO REMEMBER PAUL DOUGLAS, IT WAS A LOT OF SNOW AND THERE WAS A FAST THAW.

WAS THAT THE MAIN ISSUE?

>> THE RED RIVER VALLEY SAW THREE TIMES THE NORMAL AMOUNT OF SNOW AND, YEAH, I MEAN, THERE WAS -- 120 INCHES OF SNOW, IT MELTED SUDDENLY, A LOT OF FACTORS AND WANT TO DRILL DOWN WITH MARK ON THIS BUT A COUPLE OF THINGS.

THE RED RIVER VALLEY IS UNIQUELY PRONE TO FLOODING.

IT'S FLAT AS A TABLE TOP AND INCONVENIENTLY, IT FLOWS NORTHWARD INTO CANADA.

SO A NUMBER OF MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES BUT A LOT OF SNOW AND, MARK, HOW MANY BLIZZARDS WERE THERE THAT WINTER?

>> THE WINTER OF MUCH 96-'97 PRODUCED 14 DECLARED BLIZZARDS BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE, THE LAST OF WHICH WAS QUITE FAMOUS ON THE NEWS BECAUSE IT WAS APRIL 5TH AND 6th, WHEN THE RESIDENTS UP AND DOWN THE RED RIVER VALLEY WERE SAND-BAGGING TO FIGHT THE FLOOD, SO HERE THEY WERE OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF A BLIZZARD SAND-BAGGING TO TRY TO FIGHT OFF THAT FLOOD.

AND IT WAS REMARKABLE.

I WAS PART OF THE INTERAGENCY TEAM THAT FORECASTED THAT FLOOD AND WE HAD REGULAR MEETINGS TO TRY TO GET PEOPLE UP AND DOWN THE RED RIVER VALLEY TO BUY FLOOD INSURANCE WELL HEAD OF TIME.

AND WE WERE FRUSTRATED BECAUSE WE COULDN'T CONVINCE EVERYBODY THAT THEY WERE REALLY GOING TO NEED IT THAT SPRING.

>> Cathy: AS A MATTER OF FACT, SOME OF THOSE ARE THE PHOTOS THAT YOU TOOK -- ARIEL SHOTS THAT YOU TOOK, I KNOW AND YOU HAPPENED TO SEE WHAT WAS LEFT OF THE GRAND FORKS HERALD NEWSPAPER BUILDING.

I MEAN, I THINK WE ARE ALL AT WCCO TV N '97 AND WHEN THAT THING WENT UP IN FLAMES -- BUT THEN THE PAPER PUBLISHED THE NEXT DAY.

>> SOMEHOW.

>> Cathy: AMAZING.

>> YEAH.

>> Cathy: BUT WHAT A STORY.

NOW, DID THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SCREW UP THE FORECAST RIVER FLOWS?

>> MY UNDERSTANDING, AND THERE'S SOME CONTROVERSY ABOUT THIS BECAUSE RIGHT BEFORE THAT LAST BLIZZARD AND THE MEGAFLOOD, THIS BIBLICAL FLOOD, THERE WAS AN OTHERWISE STORM AND THAT KNOCKED OUT POWER AND IT KNOCKED OUT POWER TO SOME OF THE RIVER GAUGES SO IN MANY RESPECTS, THE HYDROLOGISTS AT THE TIME -- I THOUGHT THEY DID AN AMAZING JOB, SETTING EXPECTATIONS, BUT THEY WERE FLYING BLIND.

THEY DIDN'T HAVE AS MANY DATA POINTS AS THEY HAVE NOW, AND BY THE WAY, A BILLION -- CLOSE TO A BILLION DOLLARS HAS GONE INTO STORM RENOVATIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS TO REDUCE THE ODDS OF THIS KIND OF RIVER FLOODING IN THE FUTURE.

AND HOPEFULLY IT WILL HOLD BUT THAT WAS A 200-TO 500-YEAR FLOOD FOR MANY SPOTS.

>> EAH, IT'S STILL THE RECORD ALL-TIME FLOOD CREST AT GRAND FORKS AND A NUMBER OF OTHER POINTS ALONG THE RED RIVER, HAVING FLOWN THAT WHEN I TOOK THOSE PHOTOS THAT WERE SHOWN TO THE VIEWERS, RECONAISSANCE FOR THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE, WE FLEW FROM FARGO UP TO PEMINBA AND ALONG THAT ROUTE E OBSERVED A RIVER BELOW US THAT WAS ANYWHERE FROM 4 TO 16 MILES WIDE WHICH WAS REMARKABLE BECAUSE IN SUMMER THAT CHANNEL IS MAYBE 120 OR 30 YARDS WIDE.

>> Eric: HOW MUCH MORE INFORMATION DO METEOROLOGISTS HAVE NOW THAN YOU DID -- YOU TALKED ABOUT THE DATA POINTS AVAILABLE THEN.

IS IT MUCH, MUCH MORE SCIENTIFIC NOW?

>> WE HAVE MORE DATA AND WE HAVE MORE MODELS BETTER MODELS, BETTER PHYSICS.

THERE'S BEEN A SLOW EVOLUTION, A SLOW IMPROVEMENT.

HOPEFULLY THAT KIND OF BIBLICAL FLOOD WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN IN OUR LIFETIME BUT WE'RE SEEING MORE FLOODING IN GENERAL AND IT BECAME REALLY DIFFICULT.

MARK AND I SPENT A LOT OF IME GOING BACK AND FORTH TRYING TO PICK ONE EVENT, THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY EVENTS, THERE'S BEEN A DIRTH OF WEATHER BETWEEN TORNADOES AND FLOODS AND BLIZZARDS BUT THIS ONE REALLY STOOD OUT.

THIS WAS A WHOLE 'NOTHER LEVEL, THE COULD BE AND THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO WERE DISPLACED FOR MONTH AFTER MONTH.

>> Cathy: YES.

>> Eric: YEAH.

>> IT PUT THIS IN A DIFFERENT CATEGORY.

>> Cathy: REALLY, WHEN IT COMES TO WHAT YOU BOTH HAVE DONE FOR THIS SHOW, YOU GUYS, WE CONTINUES DO WHAT WE DO WITHOUT YOU.

THE VIEWERS AND LISTENERS LOVE YOU SO THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US FOR 40 YEARS.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, IT'S BEEN A DELETE.

>> IT'S BEEN AN HONOR BUT CAN YOU PLEASE NOT HOW THOSE PHOTOS WHEN I WAS 12?

PLEASE?

>> Cathy: I KNOW.

THANK YOU.

WHILE WE GET OUR NEXT GUESTS SETTLED IN, KAOMI LEE IS ACROSS THE STUDIO.

>> THANKS, CATHY.

THIS MONTH, SEVEN YEARS AGO, I STARTED AS THE ONE GREATER MINNESOTA REPORTER ON "ALMANAC."

MAKES ME ONE OF THE NEW ONES.

FROM THE NORTHWEST ANGLE TO WORTHINGTON TO WINONA, I'VE BEEN BRINGING YOU STORIES ABOUT MINNESOTA LIFE.

HERE ARE SOME EXCERPTS FROM THOSE EARLY DAYS.

>> IN OLIVIA, BROTHERS LARRY AND ROWLEY TOOK THE CHANGE.

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

>> Reporter: ABOUT $75,000 OF THEIR OWN MONEY AND OTS OF SWEET EQUITY.

>> I THINK I HAVE 3 ITERATIONS OF THIS.

>> NECESSITY DESIGNED AND BUILD THEIR OWN SOLAR ARRAY, RIGHT IN ONE OF LARRY'S CORNFIELDS.

IT ALL STARTED WHEN SHE WAS IN THE FIFTH GRADE.

HER TEACHER, A WHITE HEALTH, STARTED SEXUALLY ABUSING HER.

>> AND IT WAS AT THAT TIME IN MY DEVELOPMENTAL PERIOD -- >> Reporter: HE HAD YOU PERFORM ORAL SEX.

>> OVER AND OVER, YEP.

AND THERE WAS A IME OF -- AND THAT'S WHEN PTSD STARTED BECAUSE I DON'T REMEMBER ANYTHING OF MY CHILDHOOD BEFORE FIFTH GRADE.

>> Reporter: KELLY HAS BEEN TRYING TO CRACK SEX TRAFFICKING CASES FOR THE FOND DU LAC PRICE DEPARTMENT FOR THE PAST YEAR.

SHE'S CURRENTLY LEADING THE TRIBES UNITED AGAINST SEX TRAFFICKING TASK FORCE.

SHE SAYS SEX TRAFFICKING IS A HUGE PROBLEM.

>> I THINK IT IS AT A CRISIS LEVEL.

THE CASES WE'RE WORKING TWO CASES, THE TASK ORCE RIGHT NOW AND THE STORIES RE -- THEY'RE HEART-BREAKING.

>> I FELT AS THOUGH IF YOU COULD TAKE THE BROWN INDIAN PERSON AND PUT HIM ON A REGISTRY AND EXPORT HIM BUT KEEP THE DOCTOR, YOU WOULD HAVE DONE IT IN A HEART BEAT AND SO I FELT BETRAYED.

>> Reporter: PASTOR MANDY FRANS WAS AN INTERN IF HE LOCAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.

SHE HERD ANTI-MUSLIM TALK IN AND AROUND HER CONGREGATION.

SHE SAID IT WAS SOMETHING SHE COULDN'T IGNORE.

>> IF WE'RE SAYING WE'RE CHRISTIANS AND WE'RE OPEN AND ACCEPTING, HOW -- BUT, YET, I'M HEARING PEOPLE SAY, YEAH, ALL MUSLIMS SHOULD BE ON A REGISTRY.

YES, ISLAM IS CANCER.

>> THEY'RE THIRD-GENERATION CANOE OUT FITTERS.

THEY RUN IT AT THE EDGE OF THE BOUNDARY WATERS CANOE AREA.

GETTING AWAY FROM IT ALL IS PART OF THE PLACE'S CHARM AND IT ALSO HAS CHALLENGES.

CLAIRE WHO'S NOW 30 RECALLS A HARROWING EXPERIENCE GIVING BIRTH TO THEIR DAUGHTER, KIT, TWO YEARS AGO.

>> SHE WAS BORN AT 2:30 a.m.

SO IT WAS A VERY FAST LABOR, WE GOT ON THE PHONE WITH OUR DOCTOR IN GRAND MARAIS AS WELL AS OUR DOCTOR IN DULUTH.

THERE'S NO CELL SERVICE BETWEEN US HERE AND TOTFE, SO WE KIND OF TOLD THEM WE'RE GOING TO HEAD OUT TO TOFTE.

WE'LL CALL YOU WHEN WE HIT HIGHWAY 61 AND AT THAT POINT WE HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION, WE GO LIFT TO GRAND MARAIS OR RIGHT TO DULUTH.

>> MARY: AS YOU'VE SEEN THROUGHOUT THE SHOW TONIGHT, FROM THE BEGINNING, "ALMANAC" HAS HAD A MAGICAL MIX OF SUBSTANCE AND LEVITY.

IT'S A TRADITION I'VE BEEN HAPPY TO NURTURE AND GROW FOR ALMOST THREE DECADES NOW AT THE CAPITOL.

FRANKLY, SOMETIMES I CAN'T BELIEVE THE FUN WE'VE HAD COVERING POLITICS.

MY FIRST MAJOR MEMORY OF "ALMANAC" IS THE GRUNSETH GUBERNATORIAL CAMPAIGN IMPLODING.

IN FACT, THE CANDIDATE CALLED MY HOUSE TO GIVE MY AP REPORTER THE SCOOP DROPPING OUT OF THE ELECTION.

>> BROUGHT THEM BACK TO THE HOUSE WHERE THEY SPENT THE NIGHT.

>> Mary: CARLSON WON AND THEN VENTURA SHOCKED THE WORLD.

WE WERE THERE AND TRAVELED WITH HIM TO HOLLYWOOD, JAPAN, CHINA AND CUBA, WHERE HE ASKED PRESIDENT CASTRO ABOUT JFK'S ATHAT IS SAYINGS.

>> EVERYBODY SAYS YOU'RE A COOK IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE OSWALD DID IT.

>> Mary: NECESSARY UMM WAS GOVERNOR TIM PAWLENTY WHO BROUGHT HIS HEALTHY SENSE OF HUMOR TO OFFICE.

WE SAT DOWN WITH ALL OF HIS SIBLINGS TO SHARE STORIES TIMMY AS A CAMPAIGN HE ENTERED AS AN UNDERGROUND, >> THE NEXT GOVERNOR WILL NEED TO BE MORE ACTIVE.

HOLD ON ONE SECOND.

THAT'S A LITTLE TOO ACTIVE.

MERGERS CONTINUE AND WE'RE GOING TO NEED TO... [Laughter] >> WHAT'S NEXT, THE WHOOPI CUSHION, ERIC?

>> Mary: WE KEPT HAVING FUN WITH CANDIDATES, CREATING A BUDGET EXERCISE ON A HOMEMADE HOCKEY RINK.

>> >> WELCOME BACK TO FAMILIAR TERRITORY HERE.

>> HUNDREDSING TERRITORY.

>> YOU SAND-GAGGED US ON THIS.

YOU DIDN'T TELL US WHAT WE WERE GOING TO BE DOING AND YOU HANDED US A BUNDLE OF MONEY.

>> Mary: BUDGET SLAP SHOT MADE A COMEBACK WITH NEW CANDIDATES WHO HAD EVEN MORE CONNECTIONS TO HOCKEY.

>> SHE FINALLY TWISTED ME AND SHE'S GOING TO GET ME TO TAKE THESE OFF OF WHERE WE HAVE TO TAKE THEM.

>> Mary: DAYTON WON THE RAISE FOR GOVERNOR AND EMMER WOULD GO ON TO LEADERSHIP IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE DAYTON MOMENTS IS WHEN HE WAS A U.S.

SENATOR AND KILLED SOME TIME ON STAGE.

>> SO GOOD, SO GOOD.

>> THE SNOW AND COLD DIDN'T SEEM TO DETER MANY HARDY MINNESOTANS.

>> Mary: U.S.

SENATOR AMY KLOBUCHAR MAY HAVE CREATED THE MOST MEMORABLE ONSTAGE MOMENT IN MINNESOTA POLITICS WHEN SHE LAUNCHED HER PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN IN A BLIZZARD.

>> I HAVE ALL OF YOU WHO ARE WILLING TO COME OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER.

>> Mary: WE CAN'T RESIST A GOOD VISUAL SO WHEN A DOZEN CANDIDATES WANTED TO REPLACE REPRESENTATIVE SABO -- >> STEP FORWARD -- STEP INTO THE BOX IF YOU ARE NOT A LAWYER.

>> LOTS OF LAWYERS.

>> GOT ALL THE ATTORNEYS OVER HERE.

HAND-SLAPPING.

[Laughter] PROUD TO BE A LAWYER.

>> Mary: SEEMS WE KEPT ELECTED OFFICIALS ACTIVE FOR YEARS RUNNING WITH SENATE LEADER SENJEM.

>> ONE FOOT AHEAD OF THE OTHER.

>> Mary: YOU HAVE TO LY BACK TOMORROW FOR THE HEALTH CARE VOTE.

WE COOKED WITH U.S.

SENATOR FLANKEN AND ATE FAIR FOODS WITH GOVERNOR WALZ LONG BEFORE HE BECAME A PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, FAMOUS FOR HIS AVERSION TO SPICE.

>> JALEPENO LIVELY AID.

IT'S NOT THAT SPICY.

MINNESOTANS WILL BE FINE, RIGHT?

>> YES, AND I AM THE QUINTESSENTIAL NO SPICE GUY.

♪♪ >> ERIC: WE'RE GOING TO END TONIGHT'S SHOW WITH, WHAT ELSE...

POLITICS!

ALL FOUR LEGISLATIVE LEADERS ARE HERE WITH US.

DFL SENATE MAJORITY LEADER ERIN MURPHY HOLDS THE LONGEST TENURE AS AN "ALMANAC" GUEST.

SHE FIRST APPEARED ON THE COUCH BACK IN 2004 AS A MEMBER OF OUR POLITICAL PANEL.

REPUBLICAN SENATE MINORITY LEADER MARK JOHNSON MADE HIS FIRST LIVE APPEARANCE ON THE SHOW VIA ZOOM IN 2022.

HOUSE LEADERS WITH US TONIGHT, DFL SPEAKER DESIGNATE MELISSA HORTMAN FIRST JOINED US IN 2008 AND ROUNDING OUT THE PANEL.

REPUBLICAN SPEAKER DESIGNATE LISA DEMUTH'S FIRST FRIDAY NIGHT APPEARANCE WAS A 2022 TAPED VISIT TO THE HOUSE FLOOR SHORTLY AFTER SHE WAS ELECTED TO LEAD HER CAUCUS.

WELCOME BACK, ALL OF YOU.

THANKS FOR COMING.

YOU'VE ALREADY -- YOU HAD SOME -- IT'S 67-67 IN THE HOUSE AND AFTER THE REVENUE FORECAST THAT SHOWED A SMALL SURPLUS GOING FORWARD, AND THEN DEEPER WATER IN THE YEARS TO COME, YOU'VE ALREADY GOTTEN SOME ORDERS TO GET DATA FROM STATE AGENCIES AND HOW SPECIFIC ARE YOU GETTING HERE?

>> WE'RE GOING TO BE VERY SPECIFIC WHEN WE GO AHEAD AND TALK WITH THOSE COMMISSIONERS AND THE AGENCIES, THE FACT THAT WE ARE TIED 67-67 MEANS THAT WE'LL HAVE CO-CHAIRS AND THE REPUBLICAN HOUSE CO-CHAIRS WANT TO HAVE THE AGENCIES COME IN AND TALK ABOUT THE NUMBER OF FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT EMPLOYEES, SO FTEs, HOW MANY ARE FILLED, HOW MANY RE NEW, HOW MANY ARE YET TO BE FILLED, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT ARE WORKING FROM HOME OR MAYBE IN THE OFFICE, HOW THEY'RE GOING TO COMBAT FRAUD AND HOW THEY CAN POSSIBLY COME UP WITH SOME SAVINGS IN THEIR AGENCIES.

>> Eric: DID THE FORECAST CHANGE HOW YOU SEE A SHARED GOVERNANCE IN THE HOUSE OR IS IT STILL FULL SPEED AHEAD WITH WHATEVER PLAN YOU GOT COOKING?

>> O, I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A VERY BIPARTISAN SESSION.

OBVIOUSLY 67-67, SHARED POWER, MEANS SHARED AND I THINK EVERYTHING THAT WE'VE DONE SO FAR IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH LEAD US TO 50% OF POWER FOR EACH ENTITY.

I'M VERY PRUDE WE ENDED THE CURRENT BIENNIUM WITH A $3.7 BILLION SURPLUS.

THE EXT BIENNIUM HAS A $616 MILLION SURPLUS AND WHEN WE LOOK OUT IN THE OUT YEARS, THERE ARE SOME REASONS TO BE CONCERNED.

THE ECONOMIC FORECASTERS AVE CHANGED SOME OF THEIR MODELING AND SO, CERTAINLY, THIS YEAR, WE SHOULD GET READY FOR THAT LONG TERM.

>> Eric: HOW MUCH DEPENDS ON THE FEDERAL, WHATEVER FEDERAL ACTION THERE IS?

>> WELL, RIGHT NOW WE CAN'T REALLY CONTROL THAT.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO BE COMING DOWN THE PIPE FROM THE FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION BUT, YOU KNOW, WHAT WE CAN CONTROL IS WHAT HAPPENS HERE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AND SO WE'RE REALLY GOING TO BE FOCUSED ON THAT AND DOING WHAT MINNESOTANS SENT US HERE TO DO ND THAT'S TO HAVE SOME BIPARTISAN BUDGETING GOING FORWARD THIS NEXT SESSION.

>> Cathy: YOU KNOW, THOSE OUT-YEARS DON'T LOOK THAT GREAT AND THERE WILL BE SOME FOLKS THAT MIGHT LOOK AT THAT AND SAY, DID Y'ALL KIND OF FIGURE THAT MIGHT HAPPEN, WHEN YOU WERE MAKING YOUR DECISIONS DURING THE BIG SESSION OF '23?

>> YOU KNOW, SPEAKER HORTMAN MENTIONED THIS, LIKE, THE FISCAL STATE IS STRONG IN MINNESOTA.

THE RESERVES, THE CARRY-FORWARD AND THE SURPLUS IN THE BUDGET THAT WE HAVE TO BALANCE IS STRONG.

BUT THERE'S A STORY BEHIND WHAT WE'RE SEEING IN THE OUT-YEARS AND IT'S A HUMAN STORY, AND IT IS THE INVESTMENT THAT WE HAVE MADE IN MAKING SURE OUR KIDS WITH SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES ARE GETTING THE CARE THAT THEY NEED AND THE PEOPLE DOING THAT WORK ARE BEING WELL PAID.

I THINK THERE IS A VALUES QUESTION EMBEDDED IN THAT AND WHILE WE THINK ABOUT WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IN TERMS OF THE BUDGET AND THE NUMBERS, WE CAN'T TAKE OUR EYE OFF THE VALUES OF MINNESOTANS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE DOING RIGHT BY THE PEOPLE.

>> Eric: TAX INCREASES OFF THE TABLE?

>> TAX INCREASES ARE DEFINITELY OFF THE TABLE.

WE JUST EXPERIENCED A 38% INCREASE IN OUR STATE BUDGET, THAT'S TAXES AND FEES ON EVERY MINNESOTAN.

THOSE ARE OFF THE TABLE FOR SURE.

>> Eric: WHAT ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT AS YOU'RE PART OF THE DESIGNATION?

>> I THINK THEY'RE VERY UNLIKELY.

>> Eric: THEN CUTS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO HAPPEN IN EDUCATION AND HUMAN SERVICES ARE TOUGH TO CUT.

>> WELL, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT STORIES AND THE STORY BEING TOLD IS ALSO THE FRAUD THAT HAS GONE ON IN THIS STATE SO MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE TAKING CARE OF THE DOLLARS THAT MINNESOTANS ARE ENTRUSTING TO THE MINNESOTA STATE GOVERNMENT.

AND THAT'S GOING TO BE A BIG FOCUS AND MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE HOLDING PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THAT.

>> Cathy: WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE, EXACTLY?

OBVIOUSLY, FEEDING OUR FUTURE IS THE ONE STORY BUT THERE'S BEEN OTHERS, OBVIOUSLY.

>> IF YOU LOOK, WHO'S BEEN HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THAT IN MINNESOTA STATE GOVERNMENT?

NOBODY HAS LOST THEIR JOB, NOBODY HAS GONE AWAY TO PRISON, THERE'S BEEN NOTHING LIKE THAT AND WE'VE LIST ALMOST A BILLION DOLLARS OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS DOING THAT.

SO WE HAVE TO DOUBLE DOWN AND FIGURE OUT HOW THAT LOOKS LIKE, HOW DO WE ADDRESS THAT GOING FORWARD.

>> BIG THANKS TO ANDY LUGER FOR PURSUING THAT AND MAKING SURE THEY'VE GONE TO JAIL.

>> Eric: U.S. ATTORNEY.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

BUT IN THE '23 LEGISLATURE, THE DEMOCRATS BOTH IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE MADE SURE THAT WE PUT IN PLACE POLICIES, I WAS THE AUTHOR OF THE LEGISLATION, THAT GAVE US NEW TOOLS IN THE LEGISLATURE AND THE ADMINISTRATION TO ROOT OUT AND PREVENT FRAUD.

THOSE THINGS ARE IN PLACE, SO WE WELCOME YOUR CONTINUED WORK ON THAT.

>> Eric: WHEN WILL YOU HAVE A PLAN TO GO FORWARD IN THE HOUSE?

IS IT GOING TO BE JANUARY 13th, THE NIGHT BEFORE YOU CONVENE OR -- WHAT ARE OUR PROSPECTS, WHAT SHOULD WE EXPECT IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS?

>> I THINK WE WORKED TOGETHER EARLY ON WHERE WE CAME UP WITH OUR COMMITTEES AND NAMED CO-CHAIRS.

WE'RE PUTTING SOMETHING OUR COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS FOR ALL THE MEMBERS.

THE REST OF THE POWER SHARING THAT WE NEED TO DO WILL CONTINUE BUT RIGHT NOW WE'RE ON HOLD.

WE POTENTIALLY HAVE TWO SPECIAL ELECTIONS, ONE IN ROSEVILLE, ONE IN SCOTT COUNTY, WITH 20 MISSING BALLOTS.

WE ONLY NEED A POWER SHARING AGREEMENT IF THERE'S TRULY A TIE AND SO THAT'S WHAT WE ARE WAITING ON.

>> Eric: WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?

>> REPUBLICANS WON'T BE ABLE TO WIN IN THE COURTS IN PLACES WHERE THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO WIN IN THE ELECTION.

CURTIS JOHNSON LIVES IN 40B AND THE COURT WILL CONCLUDE THAT.

BRAD TABKE WON IN THE DISTRICT HE REPRESENTS, I THINK 54A AND THE COURTS WILL ALSO CONCLUDE THAT.

>> BUT THIS WILL PROBABLY ENDS UP IN COURT, DON'T YOU THINK?

>> IT'S IN COURT RIGHT NOW.

ABSOLUTELY.

>> Cathy: ABSOLUTELY AND COULD PROBABLY LAST MAYBE A LITTLE WHILE?

>> ELECTION CONTESTS HAVE TO BE HEARD WITHIN 15 DAYS OF BEING FILED SO I EXPECT THAT BOTH OF THOSE CASES WILL BE RESOLVED BEFORE CHRISTMAS.

>> Eric: OW MUCH LAW-MAKING CAN GET DONE BESIDES THE BARE-BONES BUDGET STUFF?

I'M THINKING OF SPORTS GAMBLING AND THERE'S A MILLION OTHER ISSUES THAT WOULD NOT BE BUDGETARY, NECESSARILY, BUT -- OR IS IT JUST NOT EXPECT VERY MUCH?

>> I KNOW THAT WE ARE ALL, YOU KNOW, FASCINATED WITH THIS MOMENT OF A TIE AND A CLOSELY DIVIDED SENATE AND WE OFTEN TALK ABOUT MINNESOTANS BEING VERY DIVIDED.

WICKED LOOK AT THIS AND SAY WE'RE NOT ALL THAT DIVIDED, AT ALL.

THE WILL TO WORK TOGETHER IS THE ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION AND IF WE ARE WILLING TO WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE A BUDGET BALANCE, TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA AND ADVANCE POLICY, THERE'S NOT A SINGLE REASON IN THE WORLD WE CAN'T DO THAT.

IN MY CAUCUS, I'M SO PROUD TO BE THE MAJORITY LEADER, MY CAUCUS IS READY TO DO THAT WORK.

>> Eric: YOU SHARE THAT OPTIMISM?

>> WE CAN TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BALANCE A BUDGET AND THEN MOVE FORWARD.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THIS IS A REALLY HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY TO GET BALANCED LEGISLATION GOING FORWARD THAT WE HAVEN'T SEEN OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS O I'M EXCITED ABOUT THIS SESSION, ERIC.

>> LOTS OF GOOD THINGS HAPPENED IN DIVIDED GOVERNMENT BETWEEN '19 AND 2022 AND A LOT OF TEPS FORWARD ON THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC AND OTHER LEGISLATION SO I THINK THAT WILL CONTINUE.

>> Cathy: WE'LL SEE YOU OBVIOUSLY SESSION STARTS -- >> JANUARY 14th.

>> Cathy: THE 14th.

ALL RIGHT.

IN THE MEANTIME, WE WISH YOU ALL HAPPY HOLIDAYS.

>> Eric: THANKS VERY MUCH FOR COMING.

LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP.

>> CONGRATULATIONS TO 40 EARS.

>> CONGRATULATIONS.

>> ERIC: THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

SPECIAL THANKS TO EVERYONE HERE AND AT HOME THAT HELPED US CELEBRATE.

BEFORE WE GO, A SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT TONIGHT'S CREDIT ROLL.

THE NAMES YOU'LL SEE ON-SCREEN IN JUST ABOUT A MINUTE OR TWO ARE THE PEOPLE WHO WORKED ON TONIGHT'S SHOW.

BUT THE LIST OF PEOPLE WHO'VE CONTRIBUTED TO OUR SUCCESS FOR THE LAST FOUR DECADES IS SO MUCH LONGER.

WE'VE HAD THE PLEASURE OF WORKING WITH THE BEST LIVE TV PRODUCTION CREW IN THE BUSINESS, AND WE ARE GRATEFUL BEYOND WORDS.

>> Cathy: THEY ARE TRULY AMAZING.

THANKS TO THE SHOW'S CO-CREATORS, PRODUCING STAFF AND EVERYONE LSE WHO SUPPORTED US ALONG THE WAY, INCLUDING YOU, LONGTIME LOYAL VIEWERS, WE WOULDN'T BE HERE WITHOUT YOU.

IT'S BEEN A FUN RUN.

LET'S DO IT AGAIN NEXT WEEK, SHALL WE?

WE'LL HAVE A MORE TRADITIONAL VERSION OF THE SHOW, INCLUDING KICKING OFF THE HOLIDAY SEASON WITH MUSIC FROM THE STEELES.

LET'S JUMP-START THAT WITH THEIR FIRST HOLIDAY MUSICAL APPEARANCE ON THE SHOW FROM DECEMBER OF 1998.

HERE'S JEARLYN AND FAMILY WITH THEIR OWN VERSION OF SILENT NIGHT.

AS WE WATCH THE CREDITS ROLE, FOR ERIC LESLIE ESKOLA, I'M CATHY WURZER.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

♪ SILENT NIGHT HOLY NIGHT ♪ ♪ ALL IS CALM NO, ALL IS BRIGHT ♪ ♪ ROUND YON VIRGIN, MOTHER AND CHILD HOLY, HOLY INFANT SO TENDER AND MILD ♪ ♪ SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE ♪ ♪ SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE ♪♪ ♪ SILENT NIGHT, HOLY NIGHT ♪ ♪ SILENT NIGHT ♪ ♪ SILENT NIGHT ♪ ♪ HOLY NIGHT ♪ ♪ SHEPHERDS QUAKE ♪ ♪ AT THE SIGHT ♪ GLORIOUS BEAMS FROM HEAVEN AFAR ♪ CAPTIONED BY: VERITEXT/PARADIGM CAPTIONING WWW.VERITEXT.COM >> "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.

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