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

>> Eric: COMING UP ON "ALMANAC" WE'LL TALK WITH MARK SEELEY ABOUT GROWING DROUGHT CONDITIONS AND FIRE DANGER AROUND THE STATE, FRED MELO IS HERE ON A PRIMER ON THE ST. PAUL BALLOT INITIATIVE TO FUND CHILDCARE.

A POLITICAL PANEL FILL THE COUCH, MARY LAHAMMER HEADED SOUTHEAST OF THE TWIN CITIES ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.

>> THIS WEEK'S RACE TO WATCH TAKES US TO THE HASTINGS/COTTAGE GROVE AREA FOR AN OPEN SEAT IN A DISTRICT THAT'S ALWAYS COMPETITIVE.

>> WE CAN FLIP THIS DISTRICT.

>> I THINK THAT PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR BALANCE.

>> THAT'S COMING UP ON "ALMANAC."

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

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

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

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

AND PAINTCARE.

HELPING MINNESOTANS RECYCLE LEFTOVER PAINT.

MORE AT PAINTCARE.ORG.

>> Eric: FULL SHOW FOR YOU TONIGHT.

PLENTY OF LOCAL AND NATIONAL POLITICS.

WE'LL HEAR FROM A MINNEAPOLIS COMPANY THAT HAS CREATED A NEW KIND OF MAGNET.

MARK DEPAOLIS PONDERS THE ARRIVAL THE INTERNET IN MEDICINE AND WILLIAM COPE MOYERS SHARES HIS STORY OF OPIOID ADDICTION.

>> Cathy: WE START TONIGHT WITH DEEPENING DROUGHT AROUND THE STATE.

AFTER A RECORD DRY SEPTEMBER THERE'S BEEN NO MEASURABLE OCTOBER RAINFALL IN THE TWIN CITIES AND REALLY MUCH AROUND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

DROUGHT MONITOR MAP NOW SHOWS NEARLY A THIRD OF THE STATE IN SEVERE DROUGHT AND THERE ARE BURNING RESTRICTIONS ALL AROUND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

MARK SEELEY IS THE AUTHOR OF "MINNESOTA WEATHER ALMANAC" AND PROFESSOR EMERITUS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

THERE'S A FIRE GROWING IN PINE COUNTY, AND WE'VE HAD RED FLAG BARNINGS, ALMOST ALL EXCEPT TWO COUNTIES, WHICH I DON'T THINK I'VE SEEN IN RECENT MEMORY.

>> I THINK THAT'S QUITE REMARKABLE FOR ALL OF US IN THE WEATHER COMMUNITY, CATHY.

SINCE THE LAST DECADE OR TWO WHEN WE'VE BEEN USING THE RED FLAG, AND THE CRITERIA, I WOULD REMINDER VIEWERS, LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY BELOW 30%, WINDS OF 20 TO 30 MILES AN HOUR WITH GUSTS OVER 30 MILES AN HOUR AND OF COURSE DANGEROUS LANDSCAPE FIRE CONDITIONS.

AND IS I'VE NEVER SEEN THAT.

I'VE NEVER -- I DON'T DISPUTE THAT PROBABLY SOMETIME IN OUR HISTORY BEFORE THE WEATHER SERVICE USED RED FLAG WARNINGS, WE'VE PROBABLY HAD THE TYPES OF WEATHER CONDITIONS THAT WOULD HAVE WARRANTED 85 OF OUR 87, IF NOT ALL 87 OUNTIES, BUT THAT WAS VERY UNUSUAL.

IT CAPTURED HE ATTENTION OF THE WEATHER COMMUNITY AS WELL.

AND I DID UNLESS THAT THE RELATIVE HUMIDITY VALUES WENT DOWN FOR MANY COMMUNITIES IN MINNESOTA, WENT DOWN BETWEEN 14 AND 19%, WHICH IS REMARKABLY LOW.

>> Cathy: WOW.

>> Eric: NOW, IS THERE A WEATHER PATTERN CAUSING THIS, OR STATIONARY FRONT OR SOMETHING THAT'S JUST KIND OF HOVERING OVER THE AREA?

>> Cathy: OF COURSE WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS EFFECTS ON OUR WEATHER BUT I WONDER WHAT ABOUT THAT?

>> YEAH.

WELL, WE DO HAVE DISPLACEMENT OF THE JETSTREAM FURTHER NORTH THAN NORMAL FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR.

SO, AND WE ALL KNOW WEATHER GOES FROM WEST TO EAST ACROSS OUR NORTH AMERICAN CONTINENT.

SO THINGS HAVE BEEN STEERED EITHER NORTH OR SOUTH OF US PRETTY CONSISTENTLY SINCE THE END OF AUGUST, ERIC.

AND SO REALLY IN FACT CATHY AND I HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS IN RECENT WEEKS, WE CAN CHARACTERIZE THIS AS A FLASH DROUGHT EVOLUTION, BECAUSE REALLY IT'S BEEN OVER THE LAST FIVE OR SIX WEEKS THAT WE'VE TAKEN A DIVE AND THE PRECIPITATION EFICITS ARE RECORD-SETTING OR CLOSE TO RECORD-SETTING SINCE THE END OF AUGUST FOR MOST PLACES IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

>> Cathy: CAN YOU SEE, THEN, THAT IS CLIMATE CHANGE PERHAPS, IS IT A FLASH DROUGHT A SIGNAL OF CLIMATE CHANGE?

BECAUSE WE'VE NOW AD SEVERAL OF THESE FLASH DROUGHTS.

>> WELL, MANY CLIMATOLOGIES WOULD ARGUE IT IS.

AND IT'S TIED TO ANOTHER FEATURE OF OUR CLIMATE THAT IS ASSOCIATED WITH CLIMATE CHANGE, WHICH IS AMPLIFIED VARIABILITY.

SO WHEN WE'RE WET, WE'RE REALLY, REALLY WET LIKE WE WERE TALKING EARLIER IN THE YEAR WHEN YOU HAD PAUL DOUGLAS AND I ON IN JULY, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT WE WERE ON A RECORD-SETTING WET PACE ALMOST STATEWIDE, ALMOST EVERYWHERE IN THE STATE.

AND NOW WE'VE TAKEN A DIVE IN THE OTHER DIRECTION, BUT TO AN EXTREME.

AND SO IT'S THE MAGNITUDE OF THIS GREAT INCREASE IN VARIABILITY THAT PLAYS INTO THE FLASH DROUGHT AND IS IN FACT AN ASSOCIATED SYMPTOM WITH CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> Eric: CAN THE SOIL STORE SOME PRECIPITATION, OR?

>> OH, ABSOLUTELY.

IN FACT, THE SOIL, WE ALL KNOW THAT OUR TREMENDOUS AGRICULTURE IN OUR STATE, ERIC, DEPENDS ON THE SOIL MOISTURE RECHARGE, ESPECIALLY IN THE FALL SEASON.

>> Eric: COULD THAT HAPPEN WITH ALL THIS DROUGHT?

>> WE CAN STILL GET THERE IN THE SOILS REMAIN UNFROZEN, WHICH THAT'S THE SILVER LINING.

ALL OF THE OUTLOOKS SUGGEST OUR REST OF OUR AUTUMN'S GOING TO BE MILD AND KEEP THE SOILS FROM FREEZING EARLY, SO IF WE CAN TRANSITION 2019ER PATTERN, WE CAN -- WINTER PATTERN WE CAN PUT A LOT MORE STORAGE IN THE SOIL.

>> Cathy: I WONDER HERE -- WE'RE GOING TO PUT YOUR MIC ON, -- WE'RE GOING TO BE HONEST WITH VIEWERS, WE'RE HAVING A MIC PROBLEM HERE TODAY, SO THERE YOU GO.

>> THERE WE GO.

>> Cathy: I'M CURIOUS, THEN, THAT'S THE HOPE TO GET MOISTURE.

BUT DOESN'T DROUGHT BEGET DROUGHT?

IT'S HARD TO BREAK A DROUGHT.

>> YES, ONCE YOU'RE IN IT, IT'S HARD, THE TRANSITION ISN'T EASY TO GET BACK INTO WETTER PATTERN.

THE SURROUNDING LANDSCAPE IS SO CONSIDER DRY THAT AS AIR MASSES PASS OVER IT, ON APPROACH TO MINNESOTA, FOR EXAMPLE, FROM WHATEVER TRAJECTORY THEY'RE COMING, THEY'RE OVER A DRYER LANDSCAPE AND THEY'RE DRYING OUT.

SO THEY'RE NOT -- LOSE THE CONTINUITY OF THAT MOISTURE, THAT'S ABSOLUTELY TRUE.

>> Eric: DO WE KNOW ABOUT A WINTER OUTLOOK?

>> IT'S KIND OF IFFY RIGHT NOW, ERIC.

IT DID COME OUT THIS WEEK, THE NEW REVISED OUTLOOK, AND I'M SEEING THE PATTERN IS TO BE MILDER THAN NORMAL FOR THE EARLY PART OF WINTER BUT NOT NECESSARILY WETTER.

IT'S KIND OF ROLL OF THE DICE.

AND THEN MAYBE THE SECOND HALF OF WINTER WE MIGHT SEE SOME COLDER THAN NORMAL TEMPERATURES SET IN AND WE MIGHT SEE SOME DECENT SNOWFALLS.

>> Cathy: OH, REALLY?

>> YES.

>> Cathy: OKAY, LET'S HOPE FOR THAT, THEN.

I CAN'T EVEN BELIEVE I SAID THAT BUT LET'S HOPE FOR THAT.

>> FINGERS CROSSED.

>> Cathy: THERE YOU GO.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

THANKS, MARK SEELEY.

APPRECIATE IT.

♪♪ >> Eric: THERE'S JUST 17 DAYS LEFT UNTIL ELECTION DAY, WHICH MEANS WE ARE NEARLY RUNNING OUT OF FRIDAY NIGHTS TO TALK PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS WITH OUR ROTATING GROUP OF POLITICAL SCIENTISTS.

JOINING US TONIGHT LARRY JACOBS HEADS UP THE CENTER FOR POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE AT THE U OF M'S HUMPHREY SCHOOL.

THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA IS ALSO THE ACADEMIC HOME OF MICHAEL MINTA.

WELCOME BACK.

SEVEN, PEW SAYS 7% OF VOTERS ARE STILL PERSUADABLE IN THE SWING STATES.

DOES THAT SEEM LIKE A HIGH NUMBER OR NOT?

>> MIGHT BE A LITTLE LOWER, BUT THAT SEEMS ABOUT RIGHT.

>> Eric: WHAT CAN HAPPEN IN THE NEXT 17 DAYS TO CHANGE STUFF?

>> WELL, I ACTUALLY THINK A GOOD NUMBER OF THOSE PEOPLE ARE LEANING A CERTAIN WAY.

I THINK IF YOU'RE UNDECIDED DOESN'T MEAN YOU'RE TOTALLY UNDECIDED.

YOU MAY HAVE A VIEW ABOUT THE INCUMBENT PARTY.

YOU MAY HAVE A VIEW ABOUT INFLATION GOING UP.

AND SO I WOULD ASSUME THAT AMONG THOSE UNDECIDED THE PROBABLY, YOU KNOW, MORE THAN NOT ARE GOING TO TILT TOWARDS THE CHALLENGER, DONALD TRUMP.

SO IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT POLLS AND SAY, OH, HEY'RE EQUAL, NO, YOU GOT TO FACTOR IN THE UNDECIDED.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE A CONSCIOUS EFFORT TO THINK MAYBE TWO-THIRDS OF THOSE UNDECIDED ARE GOING TO GO FOR THE OUT-PARTY, DONALD TRUMP, THEN YOU'RE REALLY GOING TO BE MISLED.

IT'S NOT THE POLL'S FAULT, IT'S OUR FAULT AND HOW WE INTERPRET THEM.

>> Cathy: SO WHERE MIGHT THE LEANERS -- I MEAN, WHAT -- ERIC'S QUESTION IS A GOOD ONE.

WHAT COULD HAPPEN TO REALLY DERAIL EVERYTHING GOING INTO THE ELECTION AND WHERE MIGHT THE LEANERS THEN GO?

IS >> YEAH, I DON'T -- I MEAN, THEY KEEP TALKING ABOUT THIS OCTOBER SURPRISE.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S GOING TO ACTUALLY HAPPEN.

I MEAN, I THINK THE CAMPAIGNS ARE REALLY TRYING TO DECIDE HOW THEY'RE GOING TO MOBILIZE THESE VARIOUS VOTERS, RIGHT?

ARE THEY GOING TO HAVE THESE SOULS TO THE POLLS, RE YOU GOING TO HAVE TRANSPORTATION TO GET PEOPLE OFF -- I MEAN, THE DECISION ISN'T JUST BETWEEN THE CANDIDATES, RIGHT?

IT'S A DECISION BETWEEN WHETHER YOU'RE GOING TO VOTE OR NOT OR JUST GOING TO TAY HOME.

AND SO SOMETIMES IF IT'S DIFFICULT, I MEAN, I CAN'T IMAGINE ANOTHER HURRICANE COMING, BUT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S POSSIBLE TOO.

>> Cathy: SOMETHING IN THE MIDDLE EAST REALLY IGNITE AND DERAIL THINGS OR NO?

>> I DON'T KNOW, THIS HAS BEEN SUCH A HAPPENING ELECTION.

I MEAN, WE HAD TRUMP'S CONVICTIONS, YOU KNOW, BACK WHEN, WE'VE HAD BIDEN GO AND THEN LEAVE.

YOU KNOW, A LOT OF STUFF HAPPENING AND THERE HASN'T BEEN LIKE A TOTAL SHAKEUP, AND PARTICULARLY WITH DONALD TRUMP.

SO I DON'T THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE THIS CATACLYSMIC EVENT THAT'S GOING TO SHAKE THINGS UP.

I THINK THE ELECTION IS SET UP AS A REFERENDUM ON THE IN PARTY.

IT'S NOT GOING TO BE A CHOICE OVER, YOU KNOW, DONALD TRUMP AND HIS FLAWS.

IT'S GOING TO BE THINK THINGS ARE GOING WELL?

WELL, REWARD HARRIS.

IF NOT, THEN PUNISH HER.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE SEEING.

WE'RE SEEING VERY HIGH CONCERN WITH INFLATION, WE'RE SEEING, YOU KNOW, VERY HIGH UNPOPULARITY OF JOE BIDEN.

>> Eric: WHERE DID THE JOY GO OF THE HARRIS/WALZ TICKET?

THEY SEEMED TO HAVE CRANKED UP THE ANTI-TRUMP RHETORIC A LITTLE BIT?

>> WELL, BECAUSE NEGATIVE CAMPAIGNING WORKS, RIGHT?

SO LARRY WAS SAYING THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO MAKE THIS A REFERENDUM ON THE INCUMBENCY BUT THE DEMOCRATS ARE SPENDING A LOT OF TIME TRYING TO MAKE IT A REFERENDUM ON DONALD TRUMP.

AND IT'S A VERY DIFFICULT -- THIS IS A REALLY WEIRD RACE, RIGHT?

WHERE YOU HAVE A FORMER PRESIDENT WHO'S RUNNING, SO HE'S NOT THIS OUTSIDER, THEN YOU HAVE THE CURRENT VICE PRESIDENT AND THEY'RE BOTH TRYING TO POSITION THEMSELVES OF THEMSELVES AS THE THE CANDIDATE OF CHANGE.

AND SO I THINK THAT IT'S VERY DIFFICULT FOR ANYONE -- I THINK THE JOY, THE JOY'S PROBABLY STILL THERE, THE JOY OF KNOCKING YOUR CANDIDATE, YOUR OPPONENT DOWN AS MUCH AS YOU CAN IN ORDER TO WIN.

>> YEAH, I THINK, YOU KNOW, JOY TOOK SECOND PLACE TO WINNING.

>> YEAH.

>> AND I THINK RIGHT NOW YOU'RE GETTING DOWN TO SOME REALLY HARD NUMBERS AND FOR THE HARRIS CAMPAIGN, I THINK THEY'RE GOING NEGATIVE BECAUSE THEY CAN SEE THAT THEY COULD VERY WELL LOSE THIS ELECTION.

THE FACT SHE TOOK A HUGE RISK OF GOING ON FOX TO DO AN INTERVIEW WHICH, YOU KNOW, FRANKLY, THIS WAS ONE OF THE TOUGHEST INTERVIEWS WE'VE SEEN OF A PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE.

SHE DID FANTASTIC, AND SHE WAS VERY STRATEGIC.

SHE AS REALLY HITTING DONALD TRUMP HOPING TO DEPRESS THE FOX WATCHER REPUBLICAN TURNOUT.

THAT WAS HER STRATEGY.

HIGH RISK, THOUGH.

>> Cathy: I WONDER, WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE GENDER GAP HERE?

I MEAN, HARRIS IS IN TROUBLE WITH MEN, BUT TRUMP'S IN TROUBLE WITH WOMEN.

AND HOW DO YOU REACH THOSE GROUPS THE NEXT TWO WEEKS?

>> YEAH, I THINK WHAT YOU'RE SEEING IS THAT TRUMP AND REPUBLICANS THEY ARE SAYING, YOU KNOW, WHAT TRUMP JUST SAID I'M THE I VPF -- FATHER OF IVF AND MAKING THESE THINGS AND THEN KIND OF BACK PEDALING A LITTLE BIT ON ABORTION, SO THAT'S PART OF A PLAY TO TRY TO GET WOMEN AND GAIN SUPPORT.

KAMALA HARRIS, SHE'S, YOU KNOW, GOING ON FOX, SHE'S ALSO ON THE CHARLEMAGNE THE GOD, SO SHE'S DOING ALL THESE DIFFERENT EFFORTS TO TRY TO APPEAL TO MEN.

WE'LL SEE IF IT WORKS.

AND ALSO PARTICULARLY THERE'S, YOU'VE HEARD BARACK OBAMA SCOLDING BLACK MEN THAT YOU'RE NOT SUPPORTING KAMALA HARRIS AT THE SAME RATES THAT BLACK WOMEN ARE DOING THAT, AND SO I THINK SHE'S TRYING TO SHORE UP THAT BECAUSE THERE IS SOMEWHAT OF A GAP BETWEEN BLACK MEN AND BLACK WOMEN, BUT STILL LET'S NOT LOSE SIGHT THAT BLACK MEN ARE THE SECOND LARGEST GROUP THAT'S SUPPORTING KAMALA HARRIS AND THE DEMOCRATS.

>> Eric: WHO MIGHT HAVE THE BETTER GROUND GAME?

>> WELL, IT DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.

->> Eric: GET OUT THE VOTE.

>> VOTER REGISTRATION MATTERS A WHOLE LOT, LOOKS LIKE REPUBLICANS HAVE THE EDGE THERE.

NUMBERS CAME OUT IN PENNSYLVANIA AND IT LOOKS LIKE THE EPUBLICANS ARE AS LOSE AS WE'VE SEEN IN A QUARTER OF A CENTURY IN TERMS OF VOTER REGISTRATION.

DEMOCRATS HAVE A SLIGHT ADVANTAGE AND WE'RE SEEING THAT IN OTHER STATES STATES.

ON THE OTHER HAND IN TERMS OF DOORKNOCKING AND KIND OF THE TRADITIONAL GET OUT THE VOTE EFFORT, IT LOOKS LIKE DEMOCRATS MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT BETTER ON THAT.

BUT KAMALA HARRIS NEEDS 2020 SORT OF RECORD HIGH TURNOUT TO MAKE THIS A RACE, AND WILL SHE GET IT?

GEORGIA CAME OUT WITH EARLY VOTING NUMBERS AND THEY WERE HISTORIC.

THEY HAD NEVER SEEN THOSE KIND OF NUMBERS BEFORE, THAT'S WHAT KAMALA HARRIS IS GOING TO NEED.

>> Eric: WELL, WE MAYBE HAVE ONE MORE WEEK BEFORE THE ELECTION FOR FRIDAY NIGHT PRESIDENTIAL TALK.

WE'LL HAVE TO ROLL IN YOUR CLASSES TO GET MORE -- [ LAUGHTER ] THANKS, GUYS.

>> Cathy: THANKS.

>> THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> THERE HAS BEEN NO EVIDENCE, NO COMPLAINT FROM ANY TACONITE COMPANY THAT THEY CANNOT EXPAND OPERATIONS BECAUSE OF PERMITTING.

I DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU GET THIS.

YOU DON'T -- >> JIM, HEY SAID THEY'RE NOT GOING TO SPEND $10 MILLION TO DO THAT.

>> I WASH MORE IRON ORE BEHIND MY EARS AND BETWEEN MY TOES THAN YOU'VE SEEN IN YOUR LIFE.

I KNEW THAT IRON MINING INDUSTRY, I GREW UP IN IT.

AND I'M NOT GOING TO ACCEPT THAT STUFF FROM YOU.

♪♪ >> Cathy: A ST. PAUL NOVEMBER BALLOT MEASURE IS FACING PUSHBACK FROM THE CITY'S MAYOR, MELVIN CARTER.

THIS MONDAY CARTER WAS CRITICAL OF THE CITY BALLOT QUESTION ASKING VOTERS ABOUT INCREASING PROPERTY TAXES ANNUALLY TO FUND CHILD CARE SUBSIDIES.

CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT MITRA JALALI IS URGING A "NO" VOTE WHILE SEVERAL MEMBERS ARE SUPPORTING A "YES" VOTE.

THEY'RE PUSHING A "YES VOTE."

FRED MELO OF THE "PIONEER PRESS" HAS BEEN COVERING THE STORY.

I'M TRYING TO REMEMBER THE LAST TIME A MAYOR CAME OUT SO STRONGLY AGAINST A BALLOT QUESTION LIKE THAT.

PEOPLE CAN AGREE THAT AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE IS IMPORTANT, BUT HE'S -- HE'S DOWN ON THIS ONE.

>> HE IS SUPREMELY DOWN ON THIS ONE.

HE ASKED A WHOLE BUNCH OF REPORTERS TO MEET HIM ON SHORT NOTICE ON MONDAY FOR KIND OF A HEART TO HEART ABOUT ALL THE DIFFERENT WAYS THAT THIS WOULD JUST BE UNENFORCEABLE.

HE SAYS, EVEN IF IT PASSES WE'RE AUTHORIZED TO RAISE TAXES FOR CHILDCARE, THAT DOESN'T MEAN I'M GOING TO DO IT.

IT MAY NOT BE A MANDATE SO THAT WILL PROBABLY LAND IN LAWYERS, DEPENDING UPON HOW THE VOTE GOES.

BUT, YES, HE IS AGAINST THIS.

>> Eric: THE COSTS ESCALATE.

IT'S KIND OF A TRADITIONAL THING WHERE YOU GET A PROGRAM GOING, SPEND A LITTLE BIT OF MONEY, GET A CONSTITUENCY, AND THEN LET THE COSTS INCREASE AND IT'S HARD TO GET RID OF IT, ISN'T THAT KIND OF WHAT THE DEAL IS?

>> IT'S LOCKING IN THE CITY FOR TEN YEARS OF PROPERTY TAX INCREASES, 2 MILLION THE FIRST YEAR, 4 MILLION THE SECOND, 6 MILLION -- SO TOPS OUT AT 20 MILLION IN YEAR TEN.

SO IT REALLY TAKES ABOUT TEN YEARS TO REALLY GET GOING SO WE'RE NOT GOING TO SEE THAT MANY KIDS SUBSIDIZED IN THE FIRST COUPLE YEARS, REALLY YEAR FOUR AND FIVE.

>> Eric: SUPPORTERS OF IT SAY THE MAYOR THINKS THE VOTERS ARE STUPID, WHAT'S THAT ALL ABOUT?

>> WELL, MEAN, VOTERS UNDERSTAND, TALKING TO COUNCIL MEMBER REBECCA WHO'S DONE A LOT OF DOORKNOCKING IN FAVOR.

SHE SAID IT TAKES A COUPLE YEARS TO GET VOTERS ROLLING, CHILDCARE IS A BIG ISSUE, YOU NEED SUBSIDIES, SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE, FOR YOUNG KIDS, BABIES, ZERO TO FOUR IS WHAT THIS PROGRAM WOULD COVER AND VOTERS ARE PATIENT.

THEY'LL WAIT FOR IT TO GET ROLLING.

>> Cathy: THIS IS A PRETTY BIG PROPERTY TAX INCREASE AND YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT WHAT ELSE IN THE CITY?

PAYING OFF MEDICAL DEBT AND MAYBE REPARATIONS?

I MEAN, THERE'S A LOT OF MONEY THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE.

>> AND OUR TAX BASE IS KIND OF SHAKY.

DOWNTOWN BUILDINGS SOME OF THEM ARE LOST VALUE, SOME OF ARE GOING UP FOR AUCTION, OFFICE BUILDINGS THAT ARE EMPTY.

AS DOWNTOWN VALUES GO DOWN SOMEBODY HAS TO ABSORB ALL OF THE PROPERTY TAXES THAT BUILDING WOULD HAVE PAID BECAUSE WE HAVE TO FILL POTHOLES AND PAY POLICE AND TEACHERS AND ET CETERA.

THAT'S PART OF THE MAYOR'S WORRY I THINK.

THERE'S ALSO CONCERN HOW MANY KIDS ARE REALLY GOING TO BENEFIT FROM THIS.

WE'RE HEARING IT COULD BE 4,000 TO 7,000 OVER THE COURSE OF THE ENTIRE PROGRAM DIVIDE BY 10, THAT MIGHT ONLY BE 400 A YEAR IN A CITY OF 20,000 KIDS THE MAYOR SAYS, HEY, THAT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

FUND THIS SOME OTHER WAY, FIND THIS A DIFFERENT KIND OF LEVELED GOVERNMENT TO INSTITUTE THIS.

>> Eric: ADVOCATES SAY HOW MANY PEOPLE WOULD BE ELIGIBLE?

IS THERE AN INCOME LIMIT?

>> YEAH, IT'S 185% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL.

SO YOU'RE LOOKING HE A, YOU KNOW, MAYBE A UNIVERSE OF 10,000 KIDS WITHIN THAT AREA.

OTHER KIDS FROM FAMILIES WHO MAKE MORE THAN THAT MIGHT GET, YOU KNOW, SLIDING SCALE SUBSIDIES.

IF ALL THE MONEY COMES TOGETHER AND THERE'S A IFS THERE.

THE MAYOR SAYS THIS MONEY WON'T LAST, IT WON'T EVEN COVER -- >> Eric: YOU NEED CHILDCARE WORKERS AND INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> AND THAT'S A WHOLE 'NOTHER ISSUE.

THE CHILDCARE INDUSTRY HAS SAID WE'VE HAD A LOT OF WORKERS LEAVE BECAUSE $15 AT TARGET VERSUS HOLDING A BABY ALL DAY THAT'S SCREAMING AND CRYING, LOT MORE LIABILITY.

THIS DOESN'T REALLY ADDRESS THE SHORTAGE OF LABOR.

SO THAT'S KIND OF ANOTHER DEBATE WHETHER THIS REALLY GETS AT THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM.

AT THE SAME TIME, SUBSIDIES THAT STABILIZE CHILDCARE FACILITY OR CREATE NEW AT-HOME DAY CARES COULD OPEN UP SOME SLOTS AND THAT'S WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT.

>> Cathy: INTERESTING IN TERMS OF THE POLITICS OF THIS.

PROGRESSIVES ARE BEING PITTED AGAINST PROGRESSIVES.

WHAT ABOUT THAT?

>> YEAH.

I MEAN, IT'S TOUGH, THERE'S A GROUP CALLED ISAIAH WHICH IS LIKE AN INTERFAITH SOCIAL JUSTICE COALITION AND REALLY HAD AN INTERNAL DEBATE.

THEY HAVE A WHOLE CHILDCARE WING WITHIN THEM AND THEY DECIDED NOT TO TAKE A STAND BE, THEY WERE GOING TO SIT THIS ONE OUT.

IT WAS TOO DIVISIVE.

SO, YES, THEY HAD PROGRESSIVE VERSUS PROGRESSIVE.

I DON'T HINK ANYONE'S EVER CALLED MAYOR CARTER WHO IS THE STATE KIND OF DEPUTY CZAR OF EARLY LEARNING ANYTHING BUT LEFT OF CENTER AND HE'S VERY MUCH AGAINST THIS, SO.

>> Eric: LET'S SAY THIS PASSES.

WHAT WOULD HAPPEN NEXT?

>> YEAH, WELL, THIS LIVES WITHIN THE CITY.

SO THE CITY WOULD PROBABLY HAVE TO THROUGH THE OFFICE OF FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT CREATE A WHOLE NEW STAFFING INFRASTRUCTURE.

I THINK THE PLANS CALL FOR FOUR TO SEVEN EMPLOYEES AND PROGRAM MANAGER AND EVALUATOR AND THEN GET ROLLING, PROBABLY 135 INFANTS IN THE FIRST YEAR.

>> Cathy: BUT AS YOU SAY, HE COULD DECIDE TO NOT IMPLEMENT IT, IS THAT RIGHT?

>> THAT'S WHAT HE'S THREATENED.

WE'LL SEE WHAT THE LAWYERS SAY.

>> Cathy: I WAS GOING TO AY THAT CAN'T BE LEGAL?

>> THE DEVIL'S ALWAYS IN THE DETAILS OF THE LAW.

THE BALLOT QUESTIONS SAYS THIS AUTHORIZES A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.

DOESN'T SAY MAYOR CARTER, YOU ARE MANDATED TO DO ANYTHING.

THAT'S HIS INTERPRETATION.

I'VE TALK TO PEOPLE WHO FEEL VERY STRONGLY OTHERWISE.

>> Eric: NEVER DULL IN THE SAINTLY CITY.

>> NEVER DULL IN THE SAINTLY CITY.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> Cathy: YOU'VE GOT A GREAT BEAT.

♪♪ >> NEXT TIME YOU GO TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR, ASK THEM A TOUGH QUESTION, LIKE “WHAT ARE CUTICLES MADE OF?” AND WATCH WHAT THEY DO.

THEY MIGHT SCRATCH THEIR CHIN THOUGHTFULLY, OR MAYBE THEY’LL FIND SOME EXCUSE TO LEAVE THE ROOM AND GO LOOK IT UP ONLINE.

THE INTERNET CHANGED EVERYTHING.

BACK IN MEDICAL SCHOOL, WHEN WE NEEDED ANSWERS WE HAD TO -- ACTUALLY, I DON’T EVEN REMEMBER.

IT WAS SO LONG AGO.

I DO REMEMBER WE HAD BIG PILES OF HEAVY TEXTBOOKS.

IT WAS SO DEPRESSING-- WE COULDN’T EVEN LIFT ALL THE THINGS WE WERE SUPPOSED TO LEARN.

I STILL HAVE A SHELF OF MEDICAL TEXTBOOKS NEXT TO MY DESK, ALTHOUGH SOME OF THEM ARE FROM 1997.

I KNOW, THAT SOUNDS BAD, BUT SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE.

WE STILL HAVE THE SAME NUMBER OF KIDNEYS OR TONSILS, UNLESS SOME SURGERY WAS INVOLVED.

NOW WE DON'T NEED ALL THOSE HEAVY BOOKS.

TOO BAD.

THAT WAS LIKE THE ONLY EXERCISE I GOT.

SOME DOCTORS COULD USE MORE MUSCLE MASS ANYWAY.

NOW WE’LL BE LIKE SEA ANEMONES WITH REALLY STRONG TYPING FINGERS.

BUT LOTS OF MEDICAL STUFF DOES CHANGE, ALMOST DAILY.

NEW MEDICINES POP UP.

NEW RESEARCH PROVES THAT SOME SOLID, HARD FACTS YOU LEARNED IN MEDICAL SCHOOL ARE NOW EXACTLY 100% WRONG.

SORRY, FISH OIL DOESN’T WORK, AND YOU DON'T REALLY LOSE HALF YOUR BODY HEAT THROUGH YOUR HEAD.

OF COURSE, PATIENTS THINK, “WHY COULDN'T I JUST LOOK THINGS UP ON THE INTERNET MYSELF?” BECAUSE YOU’D NEED TO KNOW HOW TO SPELL WORDS LIKE, “EOSINOPHILIC ESOPHAGITIS.” PLUS, EVEN IF YOU KNOW WHICH MEDICINE YOU NEED, YOU'D STILL NEED A PRESCRIPTION, UNLESS YOU CAN WHIP UP A BATCH OF AMIODARONE IN YOUR KITCHEN.

THE OTHER QUESTION IS: WHEN WILL A.I.

TAKE OVER MEDICINE AND MAKE DOCTORS OBSOLETE?

JUDGING BY THE A.I.

MATERIAL CURRENTLY ON THE INTERNET -- MOSTLY COMPUTER-ALTERED PHOTOS OF GINGER AND MARY ANN -- I THINK WE’RE PROBABLY OKAY FOR A WHILE.

IN THE MEANTIME, I'VE STILL GOT MY OLD TEXTBOOKS.

THEY REMIND ME OF MEDICAL SCHOOL, A TIME WHEN WE HAD TO REMEMBER EVERYTHING, TAKE TESTS EVERY SATURDAY MORNING, GET TORTURED BY POMPOUS DOCTORS ON HOSPITAL ROUNDS -- ACTUALLY, NOW THAT I’M THINKING ABOUT IT, I’M STOPPING AT THE RECYCLING CENTER TOMORROW.

♪♪ >> Eric: MINNEAPOLIS-BASED COMPANY NIRON MAGNETICS HAS DEVELOPED A NEW TYPE OF MAGNET THAT COULD REDUCE U. S. RELIANCE ON CHINA FOR THE CRITICAL COMPONENT FOUND IN EVERYTHING FROM CELLPHONES TO E.V.

MOTORS TO WIND TURBINES.

THE MAGNETS ARE MADE WITHOUT SO-CALLED RARE EARTH ELEMENTS WITH TECHNOLOGY THAT ORIGINATED IN A U OF M. HERE WITH MORE ON THE FIRST NEW MAGNETIC MATERIAL IN 40 YEARS, NIRON’S CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER FRANK JOHNSON.

SAY, THE PROCESS IS CALLED A CLEAN EARTH MAGNET.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> Eric: DEFINE THAT FOR US.

>> WELL, WE CALL IT THE CLEAN EARTH MAGNET BECAUSE AS YOU MENTIONED WE DON'T USE ANY OF THE CRITICAL MINERALS FOUND IN OTHER TYPES OF MAGNETS.

THESE INCLUDE THINGS LIKE RARE EARTH ELEMENTS WHERE THERE IS ONLY A SIGNIFICANT SUPPLY OF THEM OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES.

THE MAIN COMPONENTS OF OUR MATERIALS IS JUST IRON AND NITROGEN, MAKES UP ABOUT 99% OF THE MATERIAL AND WE CAN SOURCE THOSE ANYWHERE.

THE IRON CAN COME FROM STEEL AND THE NITROGEN CAN COME FROM AMMONIA.

>> Cathy: HOW DID YOU DISCOVER THIS?

WHAT WAS THE SPARK THAT LED TO THE DISCOVERY OF THIS OR IMPLEMENTATION AS YOU DEVELOPED IT?

>> SO THE MATERIAL AND THE COMPOUND HAS BEEN KNOWN FOR MANY MANY YEARS, DECADES.

BUT WHAT PROMPTED THE INTEREST IN THIS ABOUT TEN YEARS AGO WAS A REDUCTION IN THE AMOUNT OF RARE EARTHS THAT WERE IMPORTED INTO THE COUNTRY.

AND THAT PROMPTED THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY WITHIN THE U.S. GOVERNMENT TO FUND THE NUMBER OF RESEARCH PROJECTS, ONE OF WHICH WAS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, TO LOOK AT ALTERNATIVES THAT DIDN'T USE RARE EARTHS AND THAT'S WHAT THIS TECHNOLOGY WAS BORN OUT OF.

>> Cathy: YOU HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF A -- SHOW FOLKS WHAT YOU HAVE IN THE BOX THERE, CURIOUS, YEAH.

>> SO THIS IS A DEMONSTRATION OF HOW WE MAKE THE MAGNET.

THE STARTING MATERIAL, AW MATERIAL IS ESSENTIALLY RUST, HIGHLY ENGINEERED RUST.

IT'S NOT A CRYSTALLINE, SO THERE IS KEY TO OUR PROCESS SO AS WE PROCESS IT WE TURN IT INTO A VERY MAGNETIC COMPOUND.

AND THEN AS THE MATERIAL PROGRESSES THROUGH THE PROCESS, THE COMPOUND BECOMES EVEN MORE MAGNETIC.

>> Cathy: OH, RIGHT.

>> Eric: WHERE WOULD YOU START COMMERCIALIZING THIS?

WHAT INDUSTRIES OR INDUSTRIES WOULD BENEFIT FROM SOMETHING LIKE THIS?

>> WELL, MAGNETS ARE USED IN A HUGE VARIETY OF APPLICATIONS, YOU'LL FIND THEM IN AUDIO COMPONENTS, SPEAKERS, YOUR CELL PHONE HAS ABOUT 18 MAGNETS NOT JUST IN THE SPEAKER BUT ALSO IN THE STABILIZING SYSTEM FOR THE CAMERAS, THEY'RE IN HARD DRIVES, THEY'RE IN TRACTION MOTORS, BUT THERE'S ALSO DOZENS OF MOTORS AND OTHER ACTUATORS AND SENSORS THROUGH THE CAR THAT CAN USE MAGNETS.

>> Eric: DOES THIS HELP THE IRON RANGE IN THESEERN MINNESOTA?

>> IT USES IRON.

>> Eric: THEY HAVE A LOT OF RUST UP THERE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT, THEY HAVE A LOT OF RUST.

I THINK THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MAGNET PRODUCED IT PROBABLY A SMALL FRACTION OF THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF STEEL PRODUCED IN THE COUNTRY BUT CERTAINLY ONE OF OUR RAW MATERIALS COULD BE STEEL OR IRON ORE THAT COULD COME FROM UP NORTH.

>> Cathy: HOW MUCH PUBLIC MONEY DO YOU THINK YOU MIGHT NEED TO GET THIS UP AND RUNNING?

>> WE'VE HAD A VERY SUCCESSFUL PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP.

MUCH OF OUR EARLY RESEARCH FUNDING CAME FROM THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, BOTH THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE.

AND WE HOPE TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE WORKING IN THAT MODEL COUPLED WITH PRIVATE CAPITAL AS WELL.

>> Eric: HOW DOES SARTELL GET INTO THE MIX HERE?

>> A OUPLE OF WEEKS AGO WE ANNOUNCED THAT OUR FIRST MANUFACTURING PLANT IS GOING TO BE LOCATED IN SARTELL.

THAT IS GOING TO ENABLE US TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF MATERIAL THAT WE CAN PROVIDE BY A COUPLE OF ORDERS OF MAGNITUDE AND BE ABLE TO SUPPLY OUR FIRST CUSTOMERS.

WE EXPECT TO GET THAT ONLINE N A COUPLE OF YEARS, AND IT WILL PROBABLY EMPLOY ABOUT 200 PEOPLE.

>> Cathy: WOW, OKAY.

SO THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF YOU TAKING RESEARCH AND MONETIZING IT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> Cathy: WHICH IS PROBABLY, HOW IS THAT VIEWED IN TERMS OF OTHER INDUSTRY?

PRETTY DECENT THING?

>> WE THINK IT'S A VERY GOOD EXAMPLE OF SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION FROM EARLY STAGE FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH THAT WAS DONE IN THE LABORATORY, AND BEING ABLE TO TAKE THAT THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT THAT'S NEEDED TO BRING IT TO A FULL SCALE PRODUCT.

THERE'S A LOT OF WORK THAT IS OF THE SCALE THAT CAN'T BE DONE IN A UNIVERSITY LABORATORY BUT ISN'T QUITE READY TO BE BROUGHT ONTO THE MARKET RIGHT AWAY, SO THERE NEEDS TO BE KIND OF AN INCUBATION AND DEVELOPMENT PERIOD.

>> Eric: DOES THIS GET INVOLVED WITH CHINA TRADE ISSUES?

>> WELL, NOT DIRECTLY, RIGHT?

BUT WE DO SEE THIS MATERIAL AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO RARE EARTH CONTAINING MATERIALS THAT COME FROM OVERSEAS INCLUDING CHINA.

WHAT WE VIEW THIS AS AS A BY TO BASICALLY SECURE THE SUPPLY CHAIN FOR THESE MATERIALS, YOU KNOW, CHINA IS GROWING, IT NEEDS THESE MATERIALS FOR ITS OWN ECONOMY.

>> Eric: URE.

>> THE DEMAND FOR THESE TYPES OF MAGNETS IS GOING TO INCREASE DRAMATICALLY AND WE VIEW THIS AS AN ALTERNATIVE IN ADDITION TO OTHER MAGNET MANUFACTURING FACILITIES BEING MADE.

>> Eric: VERY INTERESTING, APPRECIATE YOU COMING BY EVEN WITH THE SHOW AND TELL, IT WAS GREAT.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> Eric: FORMER MINNESOTA CONGRESSMAN RICK NOLAN HAS DIED AT THE AGE OF 80.

THE DFL STATE PARTY ANNOUNCED THE NEWS EARLIER TODAY WITHOUT A DEATH DATE OR CAUSE.

NOLAN SERVED TWO DIFFERENT STINTS IN CONGRESS MORE THAN 30 YEARS APART.

HE REPRESENTED MINNESOTA'S OLD 6TH DISTRICT FROM 1975 TO 1981.

THEN SERVING AS THE 8TH DISTRICT CONGRESSMAN FROM 2013 TO 2019.

NOLAN WAS REMEMBERED TODAY AS A CHAMPION OF THE NORTHLAND AND COLORFUL POLITICIAN.

HERE'S A MEMORABLE NOLAN MOMENT FROM A 2014 CONGRESSIONAL DEBATE.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> I GREW UP IN A IME WHERE THE LAKES AND RIVERS WERE SO POLLUTED THEY WERE CATCHING ON FIRE.

THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER WHERE WE LIVE YOU'D GO DOWN THERE IN THE SPRING AND THERE WOULD OF THERE WERE TOILET PAPER AND CONDOMS AND TURDS HANGING ON EVERY BRANCH AND THAT WAS THE GOOD STUFF.

IT WASN'T THE TOXIC STUFF.

[ LAUGHTER ] ♪♪ >> "BROKEN OPEN: WHAT PAINKILLERS TAUGHT ME ABOUT LIFE AND RECOVERY" IS A NEW MEMOIR FROM HAZELDEN PUBLISHING AND WILLIAM COPE MOYERS.

HIS FIRST MEMOIR "BROKEN" EXPLORED MOYERS' ADDICTIONS FOLLOWED BY ATTEMPTS AT TREATMENT.

HE WOULD GO ON TO RECOVERY, MAINTAIN SOBRIETY FOR TWO DECADES, AND BECOME A NATIONAL ADVOCATE AND PUBLIC SPEAKER FOR THE HAZELDEN BETTY FORD FOUNDATION, BUT LATER FACED A NEW KIND OF ADDICTION TO OPIOIDS.

HERE WITH US NOW, AUTHOR AND VICE PRESIDENT OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS AT HAZELDEN BETTY FORD FOUNDATION, WILLIAM COPE MOYERS.

IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME, CATHY.

>> Cathy: ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

YOU WRITE ABOUT SOBRIETY IS JUST A PIECE OF RECOVERY.

TALK ABOUT THAT.

>> WELL, OF COURSE SOBRIETY IS AN IMPORTANT STATE OF BEING FOR A LOT OF US, PARTICULARLY FOR ME.

BUT THERE ARE GOING TO BE TIMES PERHAPS WITH THIS CHRONIC DISEASE WHERE SOBRIETY IS NOT NECESSARILY ATTAINABLE OR SOMETHING YOU CAN'T HOLD ONTO.

THAT HAPPENED TO ME.

WHY I WAS ABLE TO STAY THE COURSE, IF YOU WILL IS I HOLD ONTO THE FACT THAT I HAD HOPE AND HOPE FOR ME WAS MY RECOVERY.

THE FACT THAT EVEN WHEN I WAS STRUGGLING WITH PAIN PILLS AND MY SOBRIETY I STILL LIKED BEING A MAN IN RECOVERY, I LIKED BEING A GOOD CITIZEN, AN ENGAGED FATHER.

I LIKED BEING ALL THOSE THINGS THAT I HAD TO FIND AS SUCCESS.

FOR ME SOBRIETY IS AN IMPORTANT STATE BUT RECOVERY IS A JOURNEY.

>> Cathy: YOU KNOW, BECAUSE YOU HAVE BEEN SOBER FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS NOW, DO YOU STILL CONSIDER YOURSELF IN RECOVERY?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> Cathy: IS THAT A LIFELONG PROCESS?

>> IT IS LIFELONG PROCESS, AND, AGAIN, PART OF IT IS SOBRIETY BUT ALSO OTHER PARTS OF IT ARE JUST BEING A OOD PERSON, STRIVING TO BE HAT DECENT CITIZEN.

ABSOLUTELY I COUNT MY RECOVERY FROM THE DAY I BEGAN IT BACK IN 11989.

>> Eric: DO YOU HESITATE GOING PUBLIC, WAS THAT STIGMA OR SHAME OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT?

>> WELL, ERIC, THAT'S A GOOD EEQUIPMENT I KNEW IF WE WANTED TO SMASH THE STIGMA WHICH HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE GOAL OF THIS ORGANIZATION, BE HAZELDEN BETTY FORD IS TO DO THAT WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE RECOVERED.

SO I USED THAT STORY AT ST. PAUL ROTARY CLUB MEETING, I SHARED MY STORY THAT NOT ONLY WAS I A ROTTARRIAN, BUT A MAN IN RECOVERY WITH ADDICTION.

I FOUND THE POWER OF STORIES, NOT ALL THE GRITTY DETAILS NECESSARILY BUT REVEALING WHO I AM, WHAT I AM AND WHY THAT'S IMPORTANT TO ME.

BEING A PUBLIC ADVOCATE FOR HAZELDEN BETTY FORD IS THE BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO EMARCH IT COMES WITH RISKS BUT I WOULDN'T CHANGE ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

>> Cathy: NOW, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO FOLKS THAT YOU BECAME ADDICTED TO OPIOIDS -- YOU WERE TAKING LEGITIMATE PAINKILLERS, RIGHT?

WAS IT SOME KIND OF A DENTAL SITUATION?

>> YES.

YES, I HAD A DENTAL SURGERY THAT BECAME COMPLICATED WITH CHRONIC PAIN.

I WAS PRESCRIBED OPIATES BY WELL MEANING DENTISTS AND I TOOK THEM BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO SUFFER.

BUT I LIKED THEM.

AND I NEVER USED OPIATES IN ALL THE OLD DAYS IN MY USING, I WAS A CRACK COCAINE ADDICT AND AN ALCOHOLIC.

AND THERE I AM ALL OF A SUDDEN I LIKED THOSE PAIN MEDS, AND I COULDN'T GET OFF OF THEM ON OF MY OWN FREE WILL.

I COULDN'T GET OFF OF THEM BY MY PROGRAM OF RECOVERY I'D BEEN USING FOR DECADES.

I COULDN'T GET OFF OF MEMO EVEN WITH MY FAITH.

I NEEDED AN ANTICRAVING MEDICATIONING IN 2016 FOR ME TO QUIET THIS CRAVING BRAIN AND GET BACK ON TRACK.

>> Cathy: AND IT WORKED.

>> AND IT WORKED, HERE AM.

>> Eric: YOU HAVE ALL THESE ADVANTAGES, YOU'RE A WHITE GUY, COME FROM A FAMOUS FAMILY.

FOR A LOW INCOME PERSON, MINORITY PERSON IN YOUR SHOES, TELL A DIFFERENCE HOW THAT WOULD WORK OUT.

>> YEAH, ERIC, THANKS FOR ASKING THAT QUESTION.

CORNERSTONE OF MY ADVOCACY AT HAZELDEN BETTY FORD IS ADDICTION DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE.

BUT E KNOW RECOVERY DOES, WE KNOW PEOPLE OF OTHER COLORS, FROM DIFFERENT SOCIOECONOMIC BACKGROUNDS, PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE INSURANCE THEY DON'T HAVE THE SAME OPPORTUNITY THAT I HAVE.

95% OF THE PATIENTS AT HAZELDEN BETTY FORD USE INSURANCE TO ACCESS OUR TREATMENT, THAT'S AD GOO THING.

BUT THERE'S TOO MANY WHO CAN'T USE THEIR INSURANCE OR THEY DON'T HAVE INSURANCE.

SO I AM ALWAYS ADVOCATING FOR EXPANDING ACCESS TO CARE AND FOR THE RECOVERY SUPPORT THAT PEOPLE OF ALL COLORS FROM ALL NEIGHBORHOODS OF THE TWIN CITIES AND MINNESOTA EED SO THAT WE CAN BE PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY, ENGAGED CITIZENS, GOOD PARENTS, AND SO ON.

>> Cathy: THANKS FOR BRINGING UP PARENTS.

YOUR SON CAME HOME FROM COLLEGE AND THOUGHT HE HAD A PROBLEM TOO.

WHAT WENT THROUGH YOUR MIND?

>> I WAS READY TO HELP HIM AND I THOUGHT, OH, MY GOODNESS, THANK GOODNESS I GAVE MY CHILDREN THAT EXTRA TOOL IN THEIR TOOLBOX GROWING UP.

YOU KNOW, THEY'RE THE PRODUCT OF TWO ALCOHOLIC PARENTS, RECOVERING PARENTS BUT MY CHILDREN ARE MUCH MORE VULNERABLE.

SO I ALWAYS SAID TO MY KIDS, KIDS, IF YOU CHOOSE TO USE, YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CHOOSE THE OUTCOME.

IN WHICH CASE IT'S OKAY TO COME TO ME OR YOUR MOTHER AND ASK FOR HELP.

CATHY AND ERIC, OVER THE DECADES AND YEARS AND I CHRONICLE THIS IN THE BOOK, ALL THREE OF MY HILDREN HAVE COME TO ME AND ASKED FOR HELP WITH SUBSTANCES AND ALL THREE OF THEM ARE RECOVERING IN THEIR OWN RIGHT TODAY.

>> Cathy: AND THEY'RE DOING ALL RIGHT.

>> THEY'RE OING GREAT.

THEY'RE DOING GREAT.

ONE LIVES IN NEW YORK, ONE LIVES IN SEATTLE, ONE LIVES IN BOSTON, AND I'M PROUD OF THEM.

>> Eric: BROKEN OPEN, WILLIAM COPE MOYERS.

>> Cathy: T'S SO GREAT TO SEE YOU.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

NOW, FRIENDS WITH CONTROL AT THE CAPITOL AT STAKE WE'VE BEEN FEATURING LEGISLATIVE RACES TO WATCH.

REPORTER MARY LAHAMMER HAS BEEN TRAVELING THE STATE TO HIGHLIGHT THE TOP TEN CONTESTS THAT COULD DECIDE THE BALANCE OF POWER AT THE CAPITOL.

THIS WEEK SHE'S IN HASTINGS.

>> I'M JEN FOX, I'M RUNNING FOR THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

>> THIS DEMOCRAT KNOWS HER COMMUNITY.

>> I'M A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF HASTINGS, I GREW UP HERE, I'VE BEEN AN ADVOCATE AND ACTIVIST FOR MANY NON-PROFITS AND DIFFERENT COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS.

>> HEY THERE, I'M TOM DIPPEL, RUNNING FOR THE HOUSE SEAT IN THE DISTRICT.

>> THE REPUBLICAN HAS DEEP TIES HERE TOO.

>> WE'RE RIGHT OFF THE MISSISSIPPI WHICH I GREW UP ON MY WHOLE LIFE.

I LOVE THE NATURAL RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE HERE IN THE STATE, AND CERTAINLY WE NEED TO DO EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN TO PROTECT THE BEAUTY THAT WE SEE HERE.

>> WE HAVE THIS PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL BARRIER OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND I'M TRYING TO BRIDGE THAT GAP A LITTLE BIT.

KNOWING THAT THERE ARE, THEY'RE JUST DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES.

GREW UP ON GREY CLOUD ISLAND AND THEN MOVED UP BEHIND ARK HIGH SCHOOL A LITTLE BIT AFTER I GRADUATED, AND THEN ANOTHER HOME BECAME AVAILABLE DOWN THERE IN THE AREA THAT I REALLY LOVED.

WE MOVED DOWN THERE WITH OUR KIDS AND NOW WE LIVE DOWN ON THE END OF GREY CLOUD ISLAND.

>> NOW WITH AN OPEN SEAT IN DISTRICT 41B, THESE RIVER CITIES WILL HAVE THEIR SAY ON A NEW REPRESENTATIVE.

>> I'D LOVE YOUR SUPPORT IN NOVEMBER.

BOTH COTTAGE GROVE AND HASTINGS VOTE FOR THE PERSON THEY BELIEVE IN, NOT NECESSARILY THE PARTY.

I KNOW THAT'S WHY I'M A STRONG CANDIDATE IN THIS RACE BECAUSE I KNOW MY COMMUNITY APPRECIATES THE WORK THAT I'VE PUT IN.

>> THERE WAS A PIN AT 310 T UP WHERE SOMEBODY HAD NOT TALKED TO US YET.

THE COMMUNITY IS REALLY TIGHT-KNIT.

EVERYBODY HAS TAKEN TIME TO INVEST, WHETHER IT'S BUSINESSES.

I HAVE A LOCAL BUSINESS JUST UP HIGHWAY 61 AND WE LOVE OUR COMMUNITIES.

SO THERE HASN'T BEEN A HUGE REASON TO LEAVE AND THAT'S WHY MANY PEOPLE STAY.

>> LAST TIME THIS RACE IN HASTINGS WAS DECIDED BY ABOUT 2 PERCENTAGE POINTS WHICH S JUST OVER 400 VOTES.

THIS TIME WITH AN OPEN SEAT IT COULD BE EVEN CLOSER.

>> IT'S SO TOUGH BECAUSE THAT WAS THE FIRST RACE AFTER REDISTRICTING SO WE'RE COMPARING AN APPLE TO AN APPLE.

IF WE CAN GAIN TEN MORE VOTES A PRECINCT WE CAN FLIP THIS DISTRICT.

WE ARE GOING TO WORK OUR BUTTS OFF TO MAKE SURE THAT MINNESOTA IS STRONG.

>> I HINK PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR BALANCE.

I WAS ASKED TO RUN FOR QUITE A LONG TIME BY MULTIPLE PEOPLE.

I HAVE SIX KIDS AND I ALWAYS SAID I'M NOT RUNNING UNTIL OUR LAST KID IS OUT OF DIAPERS.

IT'S A DIFFICULT FIELD TO ENTER INTO, BUT MY DESIRE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY THAT WE GREW UP IN AND REALLY TO TRY TO SERVE EVERYBODY THAT LIVES HERE WELL.

>> HI, WENDY.

>> SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESS.

>> FOX IS A BUSINESS OWNER OF A BREWERY IN TOWN, AND PUBLIC SERVICE AFTER WORKING IN STATE GOVERNMENT SHE TURNED TO THE LOCAL SCENE.

>> I'VE BEEN IN MY FIRST TERM IN LOCAL CITY COUNCIL.

I WROTE MY MASTER'S THESIS ON THE EFFICACY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

I REALLY BELIEVE THAT IS WHERE PEOPLE GET THE MOST SERVICE, THE MOST ESOURCES, THE MOST OPPORTUNITIES IN THE WORLD.

AND WE AS LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT STATE HELP RIGHT NOW.

>> I'LL BE PRAYING FOR YOU.

>> I APPRECIATE THAT GREATLY.

>> DIPPEL OPENED A PRIVATE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL WHERE HIS KIDS ATTEND AND RUNS A BUSINESS AROUND DENTISTRY.

>> I HAVE TO MANAGE BUDGETS AND EVERY MANAGER AND DEPARTMENT HAS A DIFFERENT IDEA OF HOW TO DO THINGS EST.

I HAVE TO WORK THROUGH THOSE ISSUES WITH THEM.

WE HAVE TO MEET BUDGETS, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT THINGS ARE NOT ONLY RUNNING, BUT RUNNING EFFICIENTLY, AND WE USE THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE APPROPRIATELY.

>> BOTH ARE HEARING ABOUT THE SAME TOP CONCERN FOR VOTERS HERE.

>> I WORK OR THE OTHER SIDE AND I'M SO SORRY.

>> ARE YOU LIKE -- >> DOORKNOCK.

>> YOU'RE ONE OF THE CANVASSERS?

>> YEAH.

>> THE ISSUES THAT I TALK ABOUT AT THE DOOR, CLEAN WATER, IT'S ENORMOUS, WE HAVE PFAS, EVERYONE HAS PFAS.

THIS IS A LOCAL ISSUE RIGHT NOW, IT SHOULD BE A STATE ISSUE, AND THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO DO.

I WANT TO WORK WITH OUR LEADERSHIP AND MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A PERSPECTIVE OF TAKING CARE OF ALL MINNESOTANS FROM, FREE FROM FOREVER CHEMICALS.

>> WE DON'T DRINK THE WATER.

WE HAVE A SYSTEM.

>> FOR SURE.

>> THE WATER ISSUE IN HASTINGS HERE WHERE THEY HAVE TO INSTALL WATER FILTRATION SYSTEMS AT MULTIPLE MAJOR WELLS.

THIS IS GOING TO COST THE CITY ABOUT $70 MILLION.

SOMEBODY HAS TO STEP IN AND ADVOCATE FOR THE CITY.

IF HASTINGS ISN'T INCLUDED THAT'S GOING TO POTENTIALLY CAUSE WATER BILLS TO RISE OVER 400%.

WE SHOULD NEVER PUT PARTISANSHIP AHEAD OF THINGS THAT ARE FUNDAMENTAL TO LIFE.

>> IT'S A DISTRICT THAT HAS HAD DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATION.

>> I'M SURE YOU'VE ALREADY HEARD THIS FROM NY CANDIDATE BUT PEOPLE ARE TIRED OF US.

[ LAUGHTER ] WE ARE CONSTANTLY ON THE DOORS, WE'RE CONSTANTLY MAILING THINGS.

>> AFTER JUST ONE TERM THE REPUBLICAN INCUMBENT IS NOT RUNNING AGAIN AFTER FINDING THE LEGISLATURE A FRUSTRATING PLACE IN THE MINORITY.

>> I THINK EVERY SINGLE REP THAT I'VE EVER TALKED TO HAS SAID THAT THIS IS A VERY DIFFICULT JOB, AND THE KIND OF PERSON THAT LIKES A CHALLENGE.

♪♪ >> Eric: IN CASE YOU DIDN'T HEAR ME SAY IT EARLIER IN THE HOUR, THERE'S JUST 17 DAYS BEFORE ELECTION DAY.

WITH THE NICE FALL WEATHER WE SUSPECT A HIGH LEVEL OF DOORKNOCKING THIS WEEKEND.

AN ACTIVITY SOME OF THIS WEEK'S POLITICAL PANELISTS HAVE ENGAGED IN DURING THEIR LIFETIME.

DEMOCRATS UP FIRST TONIGHT.

SARA LOPEZ IS A PARTY ACTIVIST AND POLICY DIRECTOR AT UNIDOS MINNESOTA.

ABOU AMARA, A FORMER LEGISLATIVE STAFFER TURNED ATTORNEY.

REPUBLICANS ON THE COUCH, FRITZ KNAAK IS A FORMER STATE SENATOR NOW ATTORNEY, ALWAYS A REPUBLICAN LOYALIST.

ANNETTE MEEKS IS A FORMER CONGRESSIONAL STAFFER AND LT.

GOVERNOR CANDIDATE WHO NOW HEADS THE FREEDOM FOUNDATION OF MINNESOTA.

SENATOR, I'VE BEEN INTERESTED IN THE DEBATE OVER DIVIDED GOVERNMENT AT THE STATE LEVEL.

I LOW THE GENE PELOWSKI, THE RETIRING D.F.L.

LONG TIME SERVER DOWN IN SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA, HE'S A DEMOCRAT, SAID DIVIDED GOVERNMENT WOULD BE GOOD.

LORI STUDEVANT SAID DIVIDED GOVERNMENT IS OKAY EXCEPT NOTHING GETS DONE.

>> WELL, IT'S GREAT IF YOU AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THE PARTY IN CONTROL IS DOING.

IT TAKES THE SMALLEST, THINNEST OF MAJORITIES TO REALLY, REALLY ENGAGE IN SOME RADICAL BEHAVIOR.

AND I THINK AT A TIME YEARS AGO WHEN YOU SAW LARGE MAJORITIES OF ONE PARTY, THEY TENDED TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE REFLECTIVE OF THE STATE AS WHOLE.

YOU'D HAVE A CERTAIN RURAL ELEMENT, IN FACT, THE RURAL ELEMENT RAN THE SENATE WHEN I WAS THERE.

AND SO THERE WAS A TENDENCY TO TRY TO REACH FOR THE MIDDLE OR THERE WAS A VALUE IN REACHING FOR THE MIDDLE.

THAT'S NOT THERE.

AND SO I THINK THE THINKING IS IS THAT WE GET DIVIDED GOVERNMENT, PEOPLE ARE GENERALLY OKAY WITH IT.

IF YOU GET SOME KIND OF DIVIDED GOVERNMENT YOU GET A LITTLE BIT MORE RESTRAINT IN WHAT COMES OUT.

>> YEAH, I THINK THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN TRUE 20 OR 30 YEARS AGO, I DON'T THINK THAT'S TRUE TODAY.

I THINK PART OF IT IS THE COMPOSITION OF WHO GETS INTO OUR STATE LEGISLATURE.

IT USED TO BE DEMOCRATS OFTEN WENT INTO RURAL AREAS AND NOW IT'S PREDOMINANTLY SUBURBS AND REGIONAL CENTERS.

THAT'S POINT NUMBER ONE, I THINK IT'S A VERY DIFFERENT COMPOSITION.

AND SECOND I THINK PEOPLE REMEMBER A DECADE OF GRIDLOCK SO THE RASS IS ALWAYS GREENER.

RIGHT NOW SOME FOLKS, THE MINORITY ARE SAYING THERE'S BEEN TOO MUCH HAPPENING, WELL, FOR TEN YEARS WE DIDN'T GET A LOT OF THINGS DONE.

NOW WE FUNDED SCHOOLS, E MADE SURE KIDS GET FED, WE GOT INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACE.

I THINK THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER BUT I THINK MINNESOTANS BY AND LARGE WANT THEIR GOVERNMENT TO WORK FOR THEM.

>> I THINK JUST THE OPPOSITE.

I THINK IT WENT TOO FAR TO THE LEFT AND THERE'S GOING TO BE A RECKONING ON NOVEMBER 5TH OF PEOPLE SAYING LET'S BRING IT BACK.

THEY DON'T WANT GRIDLOCK BUT THEY DO WANT LEGISLATURE TO PAY ATTENTION TO ISSUES OF IMPORTANCE.

ISSUES OF IMPORTANCE ARE NOT THE TOP OF THE LIST OF WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE D.F.L.

IN '23 AND '24.

IT'S FAMILY, ECONOMY, AND GETTING FAMILY BUDGETS AHEAD OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT BUDGET, NOT SPENDING IT ALL AND RAISING IT 38%.

>> Cathy: SARA, YOU DON'T THINK THAT THE TRIFECTA WILL FALL APART?

>> I DON'T THINK THE TRIFECTA WILL FALL APART.

WE WERE ABLE TO HAVE INCREDIBLE WINS, RIGHT TO ORGANIZE, PROTECTING FAMILIES, THE LIST IS ENDLESS, AND I DO THINK THAT -- THE NATURE OF POLITICKING HAS CHANGED.

OUR COUNTRY'S MORE POLARIZED THAN EVER AND I DON'T THINK BOTH PARTIES USED TO BE WHAT THEY USED TO BE.

SO I REALLY, REALLY THINK THAT UNFORTUNATELY BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION DOESN'T EXIST ANYMORE AND IF YOU WANT TO GET ANYTHING DONE I DO AGREE IN THINGS CONSIDER ARE HAVE TO GET DONE ON A PARTISAN BASIS.

>> Eric: MPR HAD AN INTERESTING STORY I WANT TO RUN BY YOU.

SAYING THAT CANDIDATES ON BOTH SIDES ARE HAVING PERSONAL PROBLEMS EXPOSED AND THE OLD VETTING STYLE HAS GONE AWAY.

I WONDER IF THAT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH LACK OF VETTING AT THE LOCAL LEVEL OR WHAT'S YOUR THOUGHT OF VETTING OF THESE FOLKS THAT PROBLEMS TURN UP ON THE CAMPAIGNING?

>> HOW MUCH TIME DO WE HAVE?

HONESTLY, THIS IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS WE HAVE WITH THE CAUCUS SYSTEM AND IT'S NOT A REPUBLICAN PROBLEM, IT'S NOT A D.F.L.

PROBLEM, IT'S EVERYBODY'S PROBLEM BECAUSE WE DON'T GET THE BEST CANDIDATES TO COME FORWARD IN EITHER PARTY.

WE GET THE PARTY EXTREMISTS HO CAN GET IN DOORS.

THEY CAN GET IN THAT PROCESS AND THAT'S WHO THE PARTIES NOMINATE REGARDLESS OF WHAT WE MIGHT KNOW ABOUT SOME OF THEIR BACKGROUNDS, IT DOESN'T MATTER.

AND WE END UP HAVING TO FIGHT THOSE BATTLES IN NOVEMBER THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FOUGHT BACK IN MARCH WHEN WE NOMINATE CANDIDATES AND PUT THEM ON A PRIMARY BALLOT AND PICK THE BEST CANDIDATE, NOT JUST THE ONE WHO CAN SURVIVE THE ENDORSING PROCESS.

>> Cathy: BOU, IT DOES SEEM THERE'S MINIMAL VETTING DOWNBALLOT, WOULD YOU AGREE WITH THAT?

>> I THINK THERE WAS A TIME AND PLACE OUR MEDIA AND OTHER THINGS UNDERSTOOD, CERTAIN THINGS AREN'T REALLY NEWS AND TODAY WITH SOCIAL MEDIA EVERYTHING IS NEWS.

THERE'S CONSTANT FEEDING OF NEWS.

I THINK IT'S A REFLECTION OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND CONTINUOUS ENGAGEMENT CYCLE WHEREAS MAYBE IN DIDN'T EXIST 20 OR 30 YEARS AGO.

>> RUNNING FOR OFFICE HAS COMPLETELY CHANGED AND I FEEL LIKE FOR EXAMPLE THE FOLKS ABOUT TO RETIRE A LOT OF PEOPLE DIDN'T THINK ABOUT SUCCESSION PLAN, ABOUT INVESTING AND WHO'S GOING TO SUCCEED THEM.

AND I THINK THAT'S ALSO VERY IMPORTANT WHEN YOU ARE RUNNING FOR OFFICE, THINKING BOUT STAYING IN OFFICE, BUT THINKING ABOUT, OKAY, WHAT'S NEXT FOR MY DISTRICT, AND INVESTING IN THAT LEADERSHIP WITHIN THE DISTRICT IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT.

>> I WOULD AGREE WITH ABOU A LITTLE BIT ON THIS.

I THINK THE LEVEL OF SCRUTINY THAT EXISTS NOW DIDN'T EXIST BEFORE, AND NOT ONLY THAT, IT ISN'T JUST THAT THE PRESS ISN'T VETTING THEM AND THE PARTY ACTIVISTS AREN'T VETTING THEM, IT'S WHEN IT IS FOUND OUT IT'S ANYTHING IS A WEAPON, EVERYTHING IS WEAPONIZED.

THERE'S CERTAIN RULES ABOUT NOT CRITICIZING SOMEBODY FOR FAMILY PROBLEMS AND THOSE KINDS OF THINGS THAT WERE FOLLOWED AND UNSPOKEN RULES THAT ARE GONE, YOU'RE RIGHT.

I MEAN, POLITICS IN THAT REGARD HAS CHANGED.

SOME OF THESE ELECTIONS ARE JUST ABSOLUTELY BRUTAL IN TERMS OF THE PERSONAL STUFF THAT'S GOING BACK AND FORTH.

>> ALSO WHAT'S ACCEPTABLE IN THE DISCOURSE, RIGHT?

BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE 2016 COMPLETELY CHANGED WHAT'S ACCEPTABLE IN THE DISCOURSE AND WHAT'S ACCEPTABLE WITHIN THE POLITICAL DISCUSSION.

>> I THINK THE BIGGER PROBLEM IS A LOT OF CANDIDATES THAT WOULD MAYBE RUN ESPECIALLY FOR STATEWIDE OFFICE WILL NOT PUT THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH THIS PROCESS.

>> EXACTLY RIGHT.

>> IT'S A MEAT GRINDER THAT REQUIRES SO MUCH OF THEIR TIME, SO MUCH OF THEIR PERSONAL RESOURCES THAT THEY LOOK AT THIS ONLY TO BE, HAVE SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED 40 YEARS AGO OR 30 YEARS AGO WHILE THEY WERE IN COLLEGE AND YOUNG AND FOOLISH AND WEREN'T WE ALL AND I'M SO THANKFUL FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM DIDN'T EXIST BACK THEN BUT THEY EXIST TODAY AND THAT'S PART OF THE PROBLEM THEY HAVE TO LIVE IN THAT WORLD.

>> Cathy: SAY, DO YOU WANT TO TALK SPECIFIC RACES?

DO YOU THINK DEAN PHILLIPS WILL BE STAYING IN D.F.L.

HANDS?

>> YES, I THINK THERE'S NO QUESTION ON THAT.

WHERE THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAS BEEN DONE IT'S IN SUBURBAN AFFLUENT SUBURBS, I DON'T THINK THE REPUBLICANS HAVE A CHANCE THERE.

>> YEAH, I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE WORK THAT ANN JOHNSON STEWART HAS BEEN DOING OF THE, SHE'S EEN DOORKNOCKING SUPER HARD.

AND THAT'S GOING TO CARRY THE DISTRICT I BELIEVE.

>> I REALLY LIKE TAD JUDE.

>> I DO TOO.

>> HAVING SAID THAT, IT'S INTERESTING HOW WE'VE SEEN A TRANSITION IN THE SOUTHWESTERN SUBURBS.

THEY ARE TRENDING AND I STILL THINK OF THEM AS BEING PURPLE MORE THAN -- BUT THEY'RE TRENDING AND THEY'VE BEEN TRENDING BLUE FOR DECADES NOW.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A LONG REACH AND LONG TIME BEFORE REPUBLICANS EVEN IN THIS KIND OF AN ELECTION YEAR WHERE INTERESTING THINGS MIGHT HAPPEN, IT'S KIND OF A TOUGH REACH FOR THE REPUBLICANS TO GRAB THAT ONE.

>> Eric: KSTP DID A POLL IN THE SECOND DISTRICT, ANGIE CRAIG THE D.F.L.

INCUMBENT, JOE TEIRAB AS THE REPUBLICAN.

ANGIE CRAIG IS UP EIGHT POINTS IN CD2, TRUMP IS UP TWO.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE CRAIG/TRUMP VOTERS?

>> I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF SPLIT VOTERS.

I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO MAYBE WILL VOTE FOR AMY KLOBUCHAR BUT COME BACK TO THE REPUBLICAN SIDE IN THE STATE CANDIDATE.

AND THE TEIRAB RACE, FIRST OF ALL, WHAT A SUPERIOR CANDIDATE WE HAVE.

>> Eric: HE'S NOT GETTING SUPPORT FROM THE REPUBLICAN -- >> WELL, -- BACK IN 2018 THAT NUMBER WAS 48 MILLION, THAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HAVING HIGHLY CONTESTED RACES.

BUT ANGIE CRAIG IS NOT OVER 50%.

SHE SHOULD BE, HER REELECT SHOULD BE A LOT HIGHER.

>> CRAIG/TRUMP VOTERS?

>> THERE'S GOING TO BE A SMALL SECTION OF, BUT ABORTION IS GOING TO DECIDE THE SECOND DISTRICT.

THIS IS A IDDLE CLASS SUBURBAN DISTRICT LARGELY ND ABORTION IS THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE FOR SUBURBAN WOMEN, THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO MAKE THIS ELECTION.

>> SUBURBAN WOMEN IS GREATLY IMPORTANT IN THIS ELECTION.

>> YOU HOPE.

>> I WOULD SAY THE ECONOMY IS IN THE SECOND DISTRICT AND I LIVE OUT THERE.

>> IT DOESN'T TELL YOU HOW PEOPLE GOING TO VOTE.

YOU MIGHT BE VOTING DEMOCRAT BUT ECONOMY --, THAT'S WHY ABORTION TELLS YOU WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO VOTE.

>> ABORTION IS REALLY QUITE DOWN THE LIST.

I AGREE SUBURBAN WOMEN, ESPECIALLY SUBURBAN WHITE WOMEN TEND TO BE FOCUSED IN THE SUBURBS BY DEFINITION.

BUT AS A PRACTICAL MATTER AND OVERALL IT'S NOT GOING TO BE A DRIVING FORCE IN MOST ACES.

IT MIGHT MATTER IN THREE.

IT CERTAINLY IS GOING TO BE HAVE SOME IMPACT IN THE NORTHERN PART OF TWO, BUT IN THE END IT'S NOT GOING TO BE THE DRIVER IN THAT ELECTION.

>> Cathy: I'VE HEARD FROM A LOT OF SCHULTZ PEOPLE IN THE EIGHTH DISTRICT, WANTED TO KNOW WHERE THE COVERAGE IS OF HE RACE, HOW STRONG IS STAUBER UP IN THE EIGHTH?

WILL HE WIN?

>> VERY STRONG, HE'S GOING TO WIN PROBABLY WITH CLOSE TO 60% AND I ALSO BELIEVE THIS WILL BE THE FIRST RACE WHERE WE SWEEP ALL OF THOSE CONTESTED RACES, THE REPUBLICANS WILL SWEEP ALL OF THEM IN THE IRON RANGE.

>> Eric: TAUBER IGHT BE A REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE IN '26?

>> I SURE HOPE HE'S THINKING ABOUT IT.

>> Eric: OKAY.

>> STRONG VOTE-GETTER.

I THINK THERE WILL BE QUITE A FEW COMING FORWARD.

AND JOE TEIRAB IF HE'S NOT SUCCESSFUL THIS TIME, I HOPE AND PRAY HE RUNS AGAIN BECAUSE HE'S A TERRIFIC CANDIDATE.

>> IF WALZ LOSES AND ASSUMING THAT HE WILL, HE'S GOING TO BE DAMAGED GOODS IN MINNESOTA AND A LOT OF PEOPLE RUNNING AGAINST HIM.

>> Eric: SENATOR SMITH, IS SHE RUNNING?

SHE SAID SHE PLANS TO RUN.

>> IT'S FULL SPEED AHEAD RIGHT NOW, SHE'S RAISING MONEY, DOING THE WORK, I THINK SHE'S RUNNING.

>> YEAH, I THINK SHE'S RUNNING.

>> Eric: GOTTA GO, GUYS.

GOOD STUFF.

♪♪ >> LOOK, IF YOU TAKE US BACK TO THE BUGGY AND HORSE DAYS OF SPEND AND TAX, THE COUNTRY WILL BE CONFUSED AND DAZED.

>> I BELIEVE YOU'RE FLIP-FLOPPING YOUR PHRASES, Mr. PRESIDENT.

>> OOH, YA, YOU CALL HIS A NO HOLDS BARRED DEBATE?

EXCUSE ME, BUT A CAGE MATCH WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE EDUCATIONAL.

♪♪ >> Eric: IT'S HARD TO EXPLAIN HOW POLITICAL PUPPET THEATER STARTED BUT TRUE CONFESSIONS.

SOME LONGTIME ALMANAC STAFFERS REMAIN SAD THAT IT ENDED.

BUT I SAY IT'S TIME TO MOVE TOO ROAD TO THIS WEEK'S INDEX FILE SECTION.

LAST WEEK CATHY ASKED VIEWERS IN BECKER COUNTY TO PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THE QUESTION ABOUT A MYSTERY PLACE NOT A MYSTERY PERSON.

WE TOOK YOU BACK IN TIME TO THE 1930S.

A STRUCTURE IN DETROIT LAKES CLAIMED TO BE THE SMALLEST BUILDING OF ITS TYPE IN THE WORLD.

COMMON AT THE TIME, THIS TYPE OF STRUCTURE REMAINS POPULAR TODAY.

YOUR TASK WAS QUITE SIMPLE: TELL US WHAT THIS STRUCTURE IS AND WHERE IT IS TODAY.

NOT MANY OF YOU GOT THIS ONE WRONG.

HERE'S THE HALL OF SHAME DUO FOR THIS WEEK.

>> THE ANSWER TO THIS WEEK’S INDEX FILE QUESTION IS A COVERED BRIDGE, AND IT’S NOW BEEN MOVED TO ZUMBROTA.

THANKS VERY MUCH!

>> I BELIEVE THE INDEX FILE QUESTION ANSWER IS THE WAYSIDE CHAPEL, JUST NORTH OF LUVERNE, MINNESOTA, WHICH COMFORTABLY SEATS FOUR PEOPLE.

IT’S JUST RIGHT ON HIGHWAY 75 IN ROCK COUNTY.

>> Eric: JUST A QUICK NOTE THAT OFTEN OUR HINTS ARE HELPFUL.

BECKER COUNTY IS NOT HOME TO EITHER OF THE CITIES WE NOTED ABOVE.

WE DIDN'T FOOL MANY OF YOU, INCLUDING SEVERAL OF OUR REGULAR CALLERS HERE'S FRITZ.

>> A MINIATURE GAS STATION, THREE AND A HALF FEET BY FOUR FEET, A STANDARD STATION WAS IN WHAT IS NOW THE GRAYSTONE BUILDING IN DETROIT LAKES IN THE '30S IS NOW IN THE LOWER LEVEL OF THE BECKER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

LOVE THE SHOW.

THIS IS FRITZ IN SLEEPY EYE.

>> YES, FRITZ THE WORLD RECORD SETTING STRUCTURE WE SOUGHT WAS THIS TINY GAS STATION IN DETROIT LAKES.

THERE'S A NICE OLD PHOTO OF IT IN ITS ORIGINAL LOCATION BEFORE IT WAS MOVED TO THE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

NEWS ACCOUNTS FROM EARLIER THIS YEAR STILL CLAIM IT HOLDS THE RECORD FOR THE WORLD'S SMALLEST GAS STATION.

YOU CAN LOOK IT UP.

BEFORE WE GO, A REMINDER TO VISIT US ON THE WEB.

HEAD TO TPT.ORG/ALMANAC WHERE YOU CAN CHECK OUT ANY PART OF TONIGHT'S SHOW YOU MAY HAVE MISSED.

YOU CAN ALSO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR UPCOMING "ALMANAC AFTER HOURS" SPECIAL EVENTS.

ALMANAC IS TURNING 40 YEARS OLD THIS YEAR.

AND BEFORE OUR BIG CELEBRATION IN DECEMBER, WE ARE HOSTING TWO TRIVIA MAFIA NIGHTS.

ONE IN ROCHESTER NEXT WEEK, AND ONE JUST ACROSS THE RIVER IN MINNEAPOLIS AT THE END OF THE MONTH.

MORE DETAILS AND A LINK TO SIGN UP ARE ON THE WEBSITE AT TPT.ORG/ALMANAC.

NOW, MAKE SURE YOU CLICK CAREFULLY ON THE LINK FOR THE CITY YOU WANT TO DRIVE TO.

JUST ENOUGH TIME LEFT FOR SOME SHOW-ENDING MUSIC.

THIS WEEK BACK IN 2017 MUSICIAN AND AVID CYCLIST BEN WEAVER PLAYED FOR US HERE IN STUDIO B. WEAVER USED TO BIKE TO ALL OF HIS GIGS AROUND THE STATE.

WONDER IF HE IS STILL DOING THAT?

ANYWAY, TAKE A LISTEN.

BE CAREFUL.

SEE YA.

♪♪ >> SINGING: LATE IN THE EVENING LIKE BEES MOVING POLLEN AROUND BUILDS A FIRE AND A PIT OF STONES TORE AT THE PETALS JUST TO SEE AND I TALKED TO THE WOLF, BUT I WAS NOT SURPRISED WHEN THE WOLF TALKED BACK TO ME ♪♪ WELL, I'M BENDING AND SHAKING AND I DON'T SPEAK A BLOOD LESS TONGUE AND TIME WILL CLEAN THE BONES, BUT TODAY IS UP TO US ♪♪ DON'T LOSE THE ROOTS FOR THE SAKE OF THE BRANCH DON'T LET THE RIVER SLIP OUT THROUGH THE CRACKS A MOOSE IN THE ROAD A RAVEN AND A CROW BRING THE GOOD TIMES WITH YOU WHEN YOU GO ♪♪ WELL, I'M JUMPIN' AND SHOUTIN', AND I REFUSE TO LOOK AWAY ♪♪ STANDIN' UP THROUGH THE SWORDS, GOT ME PINNED DOWN YESTERDAY LIKE A ROCK ... >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

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

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

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

AND PAINTCARE.

HELPING MINNESOTA PAINT SMARTER TO PREVENT WASTE.

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"ALMANAC" IS A RODUCTION OF TWIN CITIES PBS FOR THE STATIONS OF MINNESOTA PUBLIC