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

>> CATHY: COMING UP ON "ALMANAC," WE'LL PREVIEW NEXT WEEK'S VICE-PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE, MEET THE NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTOR FROM THE CHILDREN'S THEATRE COMPANY, TALK ABOUT A ROLLER COASTER WEEK FOR MINNESOTA SPORTS FANS WITH LARRY FITZGERALD.

AND MARY LAHAMMER HEADED OUTSIDE THE METRO FOR THIS WEEK'S LEGISLATIVE RACE TO WATCH.

>> Mary: OUR RACE TO WATCH TAKES US TO HE St.

CLOUD AREA, WHERE A FRESHMAN INCUMBENT IS TRYING TO HOLD ONTO HER SEAT IN A RAPIDLY CHANGING AREA.

>> I THINK IT SHOCKED A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT IT BECAME 50-50.

>> BE EXCITED TO ACTUALLY PARTICIPATE IN AMERICAN DEMOCRACY.

>> Mary: 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.

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

AN AWARD-WINNING CHILDREN'S BOOK DUO IS HERE WITH THEIR LATEST CREATION.

LARRY FITZGERALD WILL TALK ABOUT A VERY BUSY SPORTS WEEK.

LOTS OF POLITICS, INCLUDING MARY LAHAMMER'S LATEST LEGISLATIVE RACE TO WATCH.

>> ERIC: AND POLITICS IS WHERE WE START TONIGHT.

NEXT TUESDAY NIGHT DEMOCRATIC VICE-PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE MINNESOTA GOVERNOR TIM WALZ WILL TAKE THE DEBATE STAGE AND FACE OFF AGAINST REPUBLICAN VICE-PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE U.S.

SENATOR J.D.

VANCE.

IT IS THE FIRST AND ONLY SCHEDULED DEBATE BETWEEN THE V.P.

CANDIDATES AND WILL BE THE FIRST TIME WE SEE EACH IN THIS UNSCRIPTED SETTING.

DANA FERGUSON IS PART OF THE POLITICS TEAM OVER AT MPR NEWS AND SHE'LL BE HEADING TO NEW YORK CITY TO COVER THE DEBATE DANA, WELCOME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Eric: TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT STRATEGY FOR THE DEBATE.

I'VE BEEN READING THIS WEEK THAT THE REPUBLICANS ARE SAYING, GETTING UNDER WALZ'S SKIN EARLY AND OFTEN.

>> RIGHT.

THAT'S WHAT WE'VE HEARD A LITTLE BIT.

AND WE KNOW THAT THE WALZ CAMPAIGN IS EMPLOYING TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY PETE BEAUTY JUDGE TO STAND IN AS -- BUTTIGIEG TO STAND IN AS VANCE.

MEANWHILE, CONGRESSMAN EMMER IS REHEARSING AS GOVERNOR WALZ WITH VANCE.

PRACTICING SOME OF THE MINNESOTA-ISMS, THINGS THAT THE GOVERNOR DOES.

BUT, YES, THEY HAVE SAID THAT THEY KNOW THAT THE GOVERNOR CAN GET SORT OF FIRED UP IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS IF HE'S PRESSED.

AND I THINK THEY WILL TRY TO TAP INTO THAT ON TUESDAY.

>> Cathy: HE CAN GET A LITTLE PRICKLY AT TIMES.

>> YES.

>> Cathy: YES, EXACTLY.

WHAT DO YOU THINK, WHICH MINNESOTA-CENTRIC TOPICS MIGHT COME UP DURING THE COURSE OF THAT DEBATE?

>> I WOULD ANTICIPATE THAT WE'RE GOING TO HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNOR'S RESPONSE TO THE RIOTS IN 2020, FOLLOWING GEORGE FLOYD'S MURDER.

WE'VE BEEN HEARING QUITE A BIT ABOUT THE FEEDING OUR FUTURE FRAUD SO, THAT LIKELY WILL COME UP.

AND THEN I THINK SOME OF THE CHANGES THAT WERE MADE IN 2023 BY THE DFL-LED LEGISLATURE AND SIGNED INTO LAW DEALING WITH ABORTION, POSSIBLY SOME OTHER POLICIES HAT REPUBLICANS VIEW AS A LITTLE BIT TOO FAR LEFT FOR THE WHOLE OF THE COUNTRY.

>> Eric: HOW ABOUT HIS MANY TRIPS TO CHINA?

COULD THAT COME UP?

>> IT'S POSSIBLE, AND WE KNOW THERE ARE CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS THAT ARE GOING TO PROBE THAT ISSUE BEING LED BY REPUBLICANS.

SO THERE COULD BE AN EFFORT THERE TO TIE HIM TO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT IN SOME WAY.

ALTHOUGH THERE'S NO INDICATION THAT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT EXISTS.

>> Cathy: I WONDER WHAT J.D.

VANCE GOES AFTER FIRST IN TERMS OF -- I WONDER IF HE'LL BRING UP THE GOVERNOR'S MILITARY CAREER.

>> I THINK HE COULD.

AND HE MIGHT MAKE IT MORE OF A SERIES OF COMMENTS BOUT THE WAY THAT THE GOVERNOR MISSPEAKS OR SAYS THINGS THAT AREN'T NECESSARILY ACCURATE.

SO THAT VERY WELL COULD BE ONE OF THEM.

THE GOVERNOR'S FAMILY HISTORY USING IUI, INTRAUTERINE, I'M NOT EVEN GOING TO GET THE ACRONYM RIGHT, ASSISTIVE REPRODUCTIVE SERVICES, RATHER THAN IVF, SO JUST GOING TO THE POINT THAT SOME OF THE INACCURACIES OR JUST THE WAY THAT HE SPEAKS DOESN'T LWAYS MATCH UP WITH WHAT HAS HAPPENED.

>> Eric: PART OF THE CBS RULES, THERE WILL BE NO FACT CHECKING BY THE ANCHORS.

>> I THINK THAT BOTH CANDIDATES MIGHT BENEFIT FROM THAT.

BUT THE PUBLIC COULD SEE A NEGATIVE IN THAT.

I KNOW THAT REPUBLICANS LAST TIME, WHEN FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP DEBATED VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS, A LOT OF TRUMP SUPPORTERS SUGGESTED THAT IT WAS A NEGATIVE FOR THE FORMER PRESIDENT, THAT THAT IVE FACT CHECKING AS OCCURRING.

SO IT COULD CHANGE THE TENOR OF THAT DEBATE.

>> Cathy: I BET YOU'RE HOPING TO ACTUALLY GET TO TALK TO THE GOVERNOR IN NEW YORK BECAUSE, REALLY, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TRIED -- WE ALL HAVE, ALL THE NEWS ORGANIZATIONS HERE IN MINNESOTA HAVE TRIED TO TALK TO HIM.

AND HE'S JUST NOT BEEN AVAILABLE.

>> RIGHT.

IT WOULD BE GREAT TO HAVE SOME TIME.

I KNOW OTHER MEMBERS OF THE MINNESOTA PRESS CORPS HAVE ALSO BEEN TRYING TO GET THAT TIME AND MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE KEEPING UP ITH THE GOVERNOR ON, YOU KNOW, WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA, WHAT'S GOING ON ON HE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, AND THE MOST THAT WE'VE REALLY HAD IN THE LAST MONTH AND A HALF OR SO WERE TWO SHOUTED QUESTIONS AT THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIR.

SO OPEN INVITATION TO THE GOVERNOR'S STAFF, PLEASE GIVE US SOME ONE-ON-ONE TIME.

>> Cathy: WELL, HE'S PRETTY TIGHTLY CONTROLLED.

>> HE IS.

>> Cathy: ON THE TRAIL.

AND THAT'S BY DESIGN.

>> YES.

THEY'RE HOPING TO KEEP HIM REALLY ON NARRATIVE, AVOIDING QUESTIONS THAT COULD SORT OF DERAIL HIM OR GET HIM OFF TRACK, SAY THINGS THAT THEY DON'T WANT TO DELVE INTO, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY HAVE A VERY SHORT TRAJECTORY BEFORE ELECTION DAY THAT IS GETTING SHORTER EVERY DAY.

>> Eric: NOT TO BE THE HYPE MAN FOR THE DEBATE, BUT I WONDER SINCE THERE APPARENTLY WON'T BE A SECOND PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE, I WONDER IF THIS RAISES THE STAKES A LITTLE BIT OR VIEWERSHIP FOR THIS DEBATE?

>> I THINK IT VERY WELL COULD.

THIS COULD BE THE CLOSING SALBO IN THIS WHOLE THING, AND THE V.P.

THE CANDIDATES GET TO BE THE ONES TO DELIVER THE FINAL PUNCH FOR THEIR TOP TICKET FOLKS AND MAKE THE CASE FOR WHY ONE OR THE OTHER WOULD BE THE BETTER INDIVIDUAL TO LEAD THE COUNTRY.

SO I ANTICIPATE THEY'RE BOTH GOING TO BE COMING OUT SWINGING.

>> Cathy: THERE WAS THE MINNESOTA POLL THIS WEEK, WHERE MINNESOTA VOTERS WERE ASKED ABOUT WALZ'S FAVORABILITY AND J.D.

VANCE'S FAVORABILITY RATINGS.

WHAT DID THAT SHOW EXACTLY?

>> IT SHOWS THAT THE GOVERNOR IS EVEN IN TERMS OF FAVORABILITY, 53ISH PERCENT SAID THEY FIND HIM AVORABLE.

52 SAID THEM FIND HIM UNFAVORABLE.

BY CONTRAST, J.D.

VANCE HAD A HIGHER UNFAVORABLE RATING COMPARED TO THE FAVORABILITY.

THAT MIGHT BE THAT FOLKS HERE DON'T KNOW HIM AS WELL, HE'S NOT THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE.

SENATOR OF THE STATE.

>> Cathy: GOOD LUCK IN NEW YORK, SAFE TRAVELS.

>> THANKS, I APPRECIATE IT.

>> Cathy: THANKS FOR COMING OVER.

♪♪♪ >> CATHY: THE LAND AROUND ST. ANTHONY FALLS, OR ITS LESSER-KNOWN NAME OWAMNIYOMNI, COULD SEE A RETURN TO DAKOTA TRIBAL NATIONS.

SINCE 2016, THE NONPROFIT OWÁMNIYOMNI OKHÓDAYAP, FORMERLY FRIENDS OF THE FALLS, RESTORE FIVE ACRES IN THE AREA AND PRESERVE DAKOTA'S HISTORY.

MOST RECENTLY, THE ORGANIZATION SELECTED SEATTLE-BASED DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE FIRM.

JOINING US NOW, THE PRESIDENT OF OWÁMNIYOMNI OKHÓDAYAP SHELLEY BUCK AND THE NONPROFIT'S PROJECT ADVISOR KJERSTI DUVAL.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU BOTH WITH US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

SAY, SHELLY, THIS IS FIVE ACRES OF LAND, IS IT NEAR THE STONE ARCH BRIDGE IN ST. ANTHONY FALLS, WHERE IS IT EXACTLY, WHICH SIDE?

>> IT IS RIGHT THERE BY THE STONE ARCH BRIDGE, IT'S UNDERNEATH THE STONE ARCH BRIDGE, ON BOTH SIDES OF THE STONE ARCH BRIDGE, ON THE, WHAT IS THAT, EAST SIDE?

>> YUP.

>> Cathy: FOR FOLKS NOT FAMILIAR, WHY ARE THE FALLS SACRED TO THE DAKOTA?

>> IT'S A PLACE THAT HAS A POWERFUL SPIRIT.

IT'S A PLACE WHERE OUR PEOPLE WOULD GO TO GIVE PRAYER, GIVE THANKS.

IT WAS ALSO A PLACE WHERE WE WOULD DO TRADE, TREATIES WITH OTHER TRIBES, AND THERE WAS A PLACE CALLED SPIRIT ISLAND WHERE SOME OF OUR DAKOTA WOMEN WOULD GO AND GIVE BIRTH.

>> Eric: WHAT'S THE BUREAUCRATIC PATH FOR THIS THING?

IS THERE A LOT OF COOKS IN THE KITCHEN?

>> OH, YES.

I THINK MAYBE EVERY COOK IS IN THE KITCHEN.

FOR THIS LAND CONVEYANCE.

IT'S FEDERALLY OWNED RIGHT NOW.

BUT OWAMNIYOMNI HAS A 25-YEAR LEASE AND WE'RE WORKING TOWARDS A CONVEYANCE OF TITLE.

AND THAT INVOLVES MANY PARTNERS, INCLUDING THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND THE MINNEAPOLIS PARK BOARD.

THAT WILL BE, YOU KNOW, A LITTLE WAYS OUT THERE, BUT WE'RE TAKING ONE STEP AT A TIME.

>> Eric: HOW DO YOU ENVISION WHEN IT'S COMPLETED?

WHAT MIGHT FOLKS SEE THERE?

>> WE'RE HOPING TO DO 100% LAND RESTORATION.

SO WE KNOW THAT WE'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO FULLY RESTORE IT TO ITS ORIGINAL CONDITION PHYSICALLY, BUT THAT SPIRIT OF THE SACRED PLACE IS STILL THERE.

WE WANT TO HONOR THAT.

AND, SO, WE REALLY WANT TO HAVE 100% LAND RESTORATION.

THERE WAS AN OAK SAVANNAH THERE AT ONE TIME.

WE WANT TO RESTORE SOME OF THE FLOWING WATER WHERE IT ONCE WAS.

SO THERE'S GOES TO GO SOME GREAT THINGS.

WE WANT TO, WITH WHAT WE'RE DOING AT THE SITE, WE REALLY WANT TO BRING BACK THE HEALTH OF NOT ONLY THE RIVER AND THE LAND BUT ALSO OUR OTHER RELATIVES, THE PLANTS, THE ANIMALS, THE FISH.

REALLY BRING BACK LIFE THERE, WHICH WE'VE ALREADY STARTED WITH SOME MUSKRATS.

>> Cathy: YOU MENTIONED THE RELATIONSHIPS, AND I'M WONDERING, YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT LAND RESTORATION, NOT NECESSARILY LAND OWNERSHIP, BECAUSE IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, UNDER DAKOTA CULTURE, YOU DON'T REALLY OWN THE LAND, THE LAND IS NOT REALLY YOURS TO OWN, WOULD THAT BE RIGHT?

>> YEAH.

>> Cathy: YOU'RE IN RELATIONSHIP TO IT?

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

OWNERSHIP OF LAND IS A FOREIGN CONCEPT FOR NATIVE PEOPLE.

BUT OBVIOUSLY WE LIVE IN THE WORLD TODAY AND OWNERSHIP IS PART OF OUR XISTENCE NOW.

BUT O.O.

WOULD OWN THE LAND IN FEE TITLE, AND WE WOULD WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FOUR DAKOTA TRIBES HERE IN THE STATE TO WORK ON WHAT THEY WANT TO SEE THERE, WHAT PROGRAMS WE'RE GOING TO DO THERE, AND REALLY WHAT HAPPENS THERE.

>> Eric: IS IT RARE FOR THE NATIVE TO TAKE THE LEAD IN SOMETHING -- THE NATIVES TO TAKE THE LEAD IN SOMETHING LIKE THIS?

>> I HAVE NEVER SEEN A PROCESS LIKE THIS.

TRULY DAKOTA-LED, TRIBAL ENGAGEMENT.

SHELLY HAS BROUGHT THIS PROCESS TO BEAR THAT IS UNPRECEDENTED, IN MY OPINION BE, YES.

>> Eric: HOW LONG HAS THIS BEEN PERCOLATING?

HAD >> WELL, THE ORGANIZATION'S BEEN AROUND SINCE 2016.

THEY DIDN'T INCLUDE THE DAKOTA TRIBES UNTIL 2018.

>> YEAH, YEAH.

>> AND THEN WHEN I CAME ON BOARD IN 2023, WE REALLY PUSHED FORWARD WITH THE FOUR DAKOTA TRIBES AND REALLY HAVE GUIDED IT IN THAT DIRECTION FROM THEN ON OUT.

>> Cathy: TELL ME ABOUT THE CONVERSATIONS, THE MANY CONVERSATIONS YOU'VE HAD WITH THE OTHER DAKOTA TRIBES.

WHAT'S BEEN YOUR PITCH TO THEM IN TERMS OF WHY IT'S IMPORTANT AND WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE WITH THEIR COOPERATION?

>> WITH WORKING WITH THE FOUR DAKOTA TRIBES, MOST OF THEM ALREADY KNOW ABOUT IT BEING A SACRED SITE.

>> Cathy: SURE.

>> IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE KNOW ABOUT, BUT NOT ALL OF US KNOW ABOUT IT BECAUSE THROUGH BOARDING SCHOOL AND OTHER ATROCITIES THAT HAPPENED, WE LOST A LOT OF THAT KNOWLEDGE.

BUT THOSE THAT KNOW ABOUT IT, THEY WERE EXCITED ABOUT IT.

THEY'RE ALWAYS A LITTLE LEERY AT FIRST, YOU KNOW KNOW WHEN SOMEBODY WANTS TO BRING TRIBES INTO A PROJECT, A LOT OF TIMES THEY WANT THEM TO FOOT THE BILL FOR IT.

BUT, HONESTLY, TRIBES SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY OR STOLEN LAND AND THIS IS STOLEN DAKOTA LAND.

SO WE'RE ARE WILLING TO DO THE FUND-RAISING NEEDED TO RESTORE THE LAND TO THE WAY THE DAKOTA TRIBES WOULD LIKE, AND THEN WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THEM ON WHAT HAPPENS TO THE SITE AND HOPEFULLY IN THE FUTURE, THEY WILL WANT TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF IT AND WE WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO TURN IT OVER TO THEM AND STILL WORK WITH THEM ON FUND-RAISING.

>> Eric: WHAT'S THE PATH FORWARD NOW FROM HERE?

>> WELL, WE HAVE A CONSULTANT TEAM ON BOARD, WE'RE WORKING THROUGH ALL OF THE COMPLIANCE MATTERS THAT COME WITH A FEDERAL CONVEYANCE AND ALSO WITH OUR LOCAL PARTNERS, THE MINNEAPOLIS PARK BOARD AND THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS.

OF COURSE, TRIBES ARE FRONT AND CENTER AND, SO, WE'RE WORKING ON A CONSENSUS-BASED DECISION-MAKING PROCESS THAT INVOLVES DAKOTA KNOWLEDGE KEEPERS, AS WELL AS TRIBAL COUNCILS.

>> Eric: DO YOU JUST GET PEOPLE AROUND THE TABLE AND DO IT?

OR IS IT AGENCY BY AGENCY?

OR HOW DO YOU CONVENE TO MAKE SURE DECISIONS ARE MADE?

>> WE HAVE NOW HAD FOUR MULTIAGENCY PARTNERING SESSIONS, AND YOU REALLY HAVE TO GET EVERYONE IN THE ROOM TOGETHER IN ORDER TO GET THROUGH SOME OF THOSE REGULATORY KNOTS, AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE DOING.

SO, YOU KNOW, LOOKING FORWARD TO -- >> Eric: HOW HAVE YOU FOUND THE BUREAUCRATIC PROCESS?

>> THE BUREAUCRATIC PROCESS HAS BEEN VERY VERY FRUSTRATING.

I'M NOT -- IT'S NOT FOREIGN TO ME, COMING FROM TRIBAL LEADERSHIP.

I'M USED TO DEALING WITH THAT.

BUT JUST SOMETHING LIKE THIS, IT JUST SEEMS TO EASY -- IT JUST SEEMS SO EASY AND SIMPLE AND SOMETHING THAT EVERYONE IS SUPPORTIVE OF, FROM THE RESIDENTS THERE, TO PEOPLE THAT LIVE OUTSIDE OF THE AREA, TO THE CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND ALL THESE DIFFERENT AGENCIES, IT'S JUST AMAZING HOW ONG IT'S TAKING TO DO THE SMALL LITTLE FIVE ACRES BECAUSE OF THE BUREAUCRATIC PROCESS.

>> Cathy: WHAT IS THE JOY IN THIS WORK FOR YOU?

BECAUSE YOU MENTIONED SOME OF THE LAND IS STARTING TO KIND OF OME BACK TO THE WAY IT WAS.

YOU MENTIONED THE MUSKRATS, YOU KNOW.

>> YES.

>> Cathy: WHAT'S THE JOY IN THE WORK?

>> FOR ME AS A DAKOTA WOMAN, REALLY BEING ABLE TO HELP OUR RELATIVES.

WE HAVE A DIFFERENT WORLDVIEW, SO WE SEE THE LAND, THE WATER, THE PLANTS, THE ANIMALS AS RELATIVES.

AND I FEEL WHEN YOU SEE SOMETHING IN THAT WAY, YOU TEND TO TREAT IT BETTER.

AND TO REALLY BRING THAT BACK AND TO HONOR A PLACE THAT MY ANCESTORS USED TO WALK AND USED TO PRAY AT AND COME AND DO TRADE AT AND TO REALLY HONOR THAT -- THE SACRIFICES THAT THEY MADE TO GET ME TO WHERE I AM TODAY JUST MAKES ME REALLY HAPPY AND TO SEE OUR RELATIVES LIKE THE MUSKRATS, LIKE THE EAGLES, COMING BACK IS JUST REALLY EXCITING AND I JUST CAN'T WAIT TO SEE MORE AND MORE COME BACK.

>> Eric: KEEP US POSTED ON PROGRESS, WILL YOU?

>> DEFINITELY.

>> Cathy: GREAT.

>> WE'D LOVE TO COME BACK AND GIVE YOU UPDATES, HAVE YOU ON SITE, GIVE YOU A TOUR.

>> Cathy: WE'LL TAKE YOU UP ON THAT.

>> Eric: ALL THE BEST.

THANKS FOR COMING.

.

>> MARK: SUMMER IS OVER.

THE STATE FAIR IS GONE, LIKE BRIGADOON, EVAPORATED BACK INTO THE MIST.

THE LEAVES WILL SOON BE HISTORY.

AS ANY PARENT KNOWS, WE ARE NOW WELL INTO THE NEXT PHASE IN OUR GLORIOUS, EVER-CHANGING CYCLE OF SEASONS, WHICH IS BACK-TO-SCHOOL SHOPPING.

I LOVE BACK TO SCHOOL.

I WAS IN SCHOOL HALF OF MY LIFE.

MY LAST DAY OF MEDICAL SCHOOL WAS THE DAY I TURNED 30, SO EVEN NOW, FALL MEANS BACK TO SCHOOL, EVEN IF I DON’T ACTUALLY GO.

THIS IS THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH.

I HAVE BEEN BUYING NEW CRAYONS ALMOST EVERY FALL MY WHOLE LIFE.

SOMETIMES I COLOR.

MOSTLY, I JUST SMELL THEM.

IT’S OKAY — IT SAYS ‘NON-TOXIC’ RIGHT ON THE BOX.

NOTHING SMELLS AS GOOD AS A NEW BOX OF CRAYONS.

WHEN I WAS A KID, WE ALWAYS HAD BOXES OF EIGHT COLORS, AND ONE OF THEM WAS WHITE.

LATER WE COULD AFFORD THE 24 OR EVEN THE 48 BOX, BUT WE COULD NEVER AFFORD THE TESLA MERCEDES CADILLAC OF CRAYONS, THE LARGE 64-BOX, WITH THE BUILT-IN SHARPENER.

THIS IS LIKE THE BEST MARKETING DEVICE EVER INVENTED.

IT ENCOURAGES KIDS TO PEEL OFF THE PAPER AND CARVE AWAY MOST OF THE CRAYON, USING IT UP EVEN FASTER THAN PRESSING REALLY HARD TO GET THAT SHINY, GLOSSY LOOK.

FOR YOU PARENTS, REMEMBER, NO MATTER WHAT YOUR CHILD SAYS, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SPEND THE EXTRA MONEY FOR THE LARGER 64 BOX OF CRAYONS.

NO RULE SAYS YOUR CHILD HAS TO BE POPULAR.

THEY COULD ALWAYS BECOME TEAM MANAGER FOR THE CHESS CLUB OR THE AUDIO-VISUAL AIDE WHO RUNS THE SPOTLIGHT DURING THE HOMECOMING DANCE INSTEAD.

BY BECOMING HOPELESS GEEKS, THEY WILL BE PERFECT CANDIDATES FOR MEDICAL SCHOOL.

THEN THEY CAN AFFORD THE BIGGEST, BEST BOX OF CRAYONS AROUND.

I MYSELF NOW OWN A SUPER-DELUXE BOX OF 96.

IT INCLUDES COLORS THAT ARE NOT EVEN FOUND IN NATURE, LIKE ‘MOROSE’ AND ‘EPHEMERALD GREEN.’ IT DOESN'T COME WITH A SHARPENER, NO, IT COMES WITH A YEAR’S SUBSCRIPTION TO A SHARPENING SERVICE.

I WAS SO HAPPY, UNTIL I FOUND OUT THEY NOW MAKE AN EVEN BIGGER BOX, WITH 120 DIFFERENT COLORS.

I MAY NEED TO GET A SECOND JOB.

>> Cathy: NICE!

[ CLAPPING ] ♪ SINGING IN GLOBAL LANGUAGE ♪ >> CATHY: DO YOU KNOW WHAT KIDS REALLY ENJOY DOING AS SOON AS THEY ARE ABLE TO TALK?

SAYING NO.

WELL, A NEW INTERACTIVE CHILDREN'S BOOK ENTITLED "MR. FOX'S GAME OF NO," RELEASED EARLIER THIS MONTH, AND OUR PRODUCERS HAD TO SAY YES WHEN THE CREATORS OFFERED TO STOP BY TO GIVE US A DEMONSTRATION OF THEIR LATEST RELEASE.

FULL DISCLAIMER - ERIC AND I HAVE BEEN KEPT IN THE DARK UP UNTIL NOW.

WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN SO WE'RE GOING TO DIVE RIGHT IN.

AUTHOR DAVID LAROCHELLE AND ILLUSTRATOR MIKE WOHNOUTKA, ARE WITH US, THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

DAVID, I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO ASK YOU RIGHT NOW, BEFORE YOU EVEN LAUNCH IN, CAN I ASK, WHAT WAS THE SPARK HERE BEHIND THE IDEA FOR THE BOOK?

>> YOU KNOW, SOME OF MY BOOKS I KNOW EXACTLY WHERE I GOT THE IDEA FROM, AND FOR THIS BOOK, I HAVE NO IDEA.

OTHER THAN BOTH MIKE AND I LIKE TO PLAY GAMES.

AND WE'RE IN A GAME NIGHT GROUP THAT WE EET IN THE WINTER TO PLAY GAMES.

SO MAYBE THAT'S WHERE THE IDEA CAME FROM.

>> Cathy: OKAY.

ALL RIGHT.

>> WELL, WE'RE IN YOUR HANDS, GO AHEAD.

>> WELL, JUST THE BEST WAY, WE'LL JUST READ A FEW PAGES FROM THE BOOK, HOW WOULD THAT BE?

>> Cathy: YES, ABSOLUTELY.

>> I'M THE AUTHOR.

MIKE IS THE ILLUSTRATOR.

AND THIS REALLY IS A GAME.

SO WE WOULD NEED A GAME PLAYER, CATHY, WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO PLAY?

>> Cathy: OH, SURE, YES.

>> GOOD.

EXCELLENT.

SO, -- AND MIKE'S BEAUTIFUL ARTWORK, GOES LIKE SO.

HURRY, HURRY, HURRY, STEP RIGHT UP FOR A BATTLE OF WITS AND TEST YOUR RAIN WITH MY NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE GAME OF NO!

HERE'S HOW IT WORKS.

EVERY TIME I ASK QUESTION, YOU HAVE TO SAY NO.

>> Cathy: PERFECT.

>> IF YOU ACCIDENTALLY SAY YES, THEN YOU HAVE TO GO ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE BEGINNING OF THE BOOK AND START OVER.

READY TO PLAY?

>> Cathy: NO.

[ Laughter ] >> I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO GET YOU.

>> Cathy: YOU MIGHT HAVE TIPPED ME OFF, OKAY.

>> OOPS, DID YOU SAY YES?

>> Cathy: YEAH, I PROBABLY DID.

[ Laughter ] >> YOU DID.

YOU DID NOW.

>> Cathy: OKAY.

>> IF YOU DID, WE HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE BEGINNING.

>> Cathy: YES, OKAY.

>> OH, YOU SAID YES AGAIN.

WE DO HAVE TO GO BACKING TO THE BEGINNING.

HURRY HURRY HURRY, STEP RIGHT UP FOR THE BATTLE OF WITS AND TEST YOUR BRAIN WITH MY NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE GAME OF NO.

HERE HOW IT WORKS.

EVERY TIME I ASK A UESTION, YOU HAVE TO SAY NO.

IF YOU ACCIDENTALLY SAY YES, THEN YOU HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE BEGINNING OF THIS BOOK AND START OVER.

ARE YOU READY TO PLAY?

>> Cathy: MAYBE.

[ Laughter ] KEEP GOING.

[ Laughter ] >> OOPS, DID YOU SAY YES OR MAYBE?

IF YOU DID, THEN GO BACK TO THE BEGINNING AND TRY AGAIN.

YUM, LOOK WHAT WAS JUST DELIVERED.

A GIANT STRAWBERRY SUNDAE WITH WHIPPED CREAM, SPRINKLES AND THREE A ENORMOUS CHOCOLATE-COVERED CHERRIES.

OH, IT MELLS SCRUMPTIOUS.

WOULD YOU LIKE A TASTE?

>> Cathy: YES, I WOULD.

[ Laughter ] >> OH, YOU'RE A PUSHOVER.

>> Eric: YOU'RE MISSING THE POINT OF THIS, I THINK.

>> WELL, IF YOU SAID NO, THAT'S TOO BAD, I GUESS I'LL HAVE TO EAT IT ALL MYSELF.

(GULP).

THAT IS HOW THE BOOK GOES.

>> Cathy: THAT IS SO CUTE, SO VERY CUTE, I LOVE THAT.

NICE ILLUSTRATIONS.

>> THANK YOU, CATHY.

>> Cathy: WALK US THROUGH, I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO ASK AN ILLUSTRATOR THIS QUESTION, SO WHEN YOU TALKED TO DAVID, YOU TALKED ABOUT THE CONCEPT OF THE BOOK, ARE YOU JUST LET FREE TO DO WHATEVER YOU THINK YOU MIGHT WANT TO DO IN TERMS OF THE CONCEPT OR HOW DOES THAT WORK EXACTLY?

>> YEAH.

USUALLY.

THIS IS UNLIKE WORKING WITH DAVID, USUALLY AS THE ILLUSTRATOR, THAT'S ALL I GET IS THE MANUSCRIPT.

>> Cathy: OKAY.

>> NO ILLUSTRATION NOTES, JUST THE WORDS ON THE PAGE.

BUT WITH DAVID, IT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

DAVID, MOST OF HIS STORIES ARE A LITTLE MORE VISUAL, SO HE ACTUALLY GIVES ME A BOOK DUMMY WITH SOME ERY SIMPLE ILLUSTRATIONS, THEN I JUST HAVE TO TAKE THEM AND MAKE THEM MY OWN, MAKE Mr. FOX A LIKABLE CHARACTER, YEAH.

THAT'S KIND OF THE PROCESS.

>> Eric: ARE YOU ON ZOOM TRADING IDEAS BACK AND FORTH, ARE YOU IN THE SAME PLACE?

>> NO, NOT AT ALL.

ACTUALLY, IT'S VERY UNUSUAL THAT THE AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR EVEN KNOW EACH OTHER.

FOR MOST PICTURE BOOKS, THEY TRY VERY HARD TO KEEP THE TWO PEOPLE APART.

THEY DON'T EVEN TALK TO EACH OTHER AT ALL.

BUT MIKE AND I ARE IN THE SAME WRITING GROUP, SO OUR EDITOR HAS HAD A HARD TIME KEEPING US FROM TALKING ABOUT EACH OTHER.

>> Cathy: WHY DO THEY DO THAT?

THAT SEEMS SILLY.

>> THE REASON IS THAT, AS AN AUTHOR, I'LL WRITE THE STORY, I'M ADDING MY CREATIVE IDEAS, WHEN IT'S TURNED OVER TO THE ILLUSTRATOR, MIKE, HE SHOULD BE FREE TO COME UP WITH HIS OWN IDEAS.

AS OPPOSED TO ME SAYING, OH, THE GIRL SHOULD BE IN A RED DRESS, AND THE DOG SHOULD BE A POODLE.

WITH A GOOD BOOK -- >> Eric: HOW DID YOU MEET?

HOW DID YOU START WORKING TOGETHER?

>> SO DAVID AND I ERE ACQUAINTANCES IN THE CHILDREN'S BOOK COMMUNITY.

THEN I JOINED DAVID'S WRITER'S GROUP TEN YEARS AGO AND DAVID BROUGHT THIS WONDERFUL BOOK TITLED MOO, AND I TOLD HIM I WANTED TO BE THE ILLUSTRATOR FOR THAT BOOK AND THAT WAS TEN YEARS AGO.

>> OUR FIRST BOOK TOGETHER CAME OUT.

AND Mr. FOX IS OUR EIGHTH BOOK TOGETHER.

>> Eric: HOW MANY CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THIS STYLE ARE THERE OUT THERE?

IS THIS A NICHE THING, PRETTY WIDESPREAD, THESE TYPE OF BOOKS?

>> PICTURE BOOKS DO YOU MEAN?

>> Eric: YEAH, IN THIS FORMAT.

>> INTERACTIVE, GOING BACK AND FORTH?

>> Eric: YEAH, WELL, AS OPPOSED WHAT A DAY-TO-DAY DiCAMILLO MIGHT DO.

THIS IS A DIFFERENT FORMAT, OBVIOUSLY.

>> KATE IS A STAR, FOR SURE, EVERYONE IN MINNESOTA, WE LOVE HER, WE'RE LUCKY WE KNOW HER.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PICTURE BOOKS THAT COME OUT EVERY YEAR, HUNDREDS, THOUSANDS OF THEM, REALLY.

AND -- HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF THEM, REALLY.

IT'S A TOUGH TOUGH JOB TO GET YOUR BOOK NOTICED.

WE HAVE A WONDERFUL PUBLISHER AND EDITOR RIGHT NOW WHO TREAT US SO WELL.

>> Eric: WHAT AGE GROUP WOULD THIS BE APPROPRIATE FOR?

>> I WOULD SAY PRESCHOOL UP TO SECOND GRADE.

>> Cathy: I DID PRETTY WELL.

>> YOU DID.

THE SECOND GRADERS ARE PRETTY SHARP.

>> Eric: SAY THE NAME OF THE BOOK.

>> "Mr. FOX'S GAME OF NO WHY.

>> Eric: -- NO."

>> Eric: HOLIDAY-GIFT-GIVING SEASON IS UNDERWAY.

>> Cathy: I BET YOU ARE WORKING ON SOMETHING?

>> WE BOTH ARE.

>> THIS IS SOMETHING I WROTE AND WILL BE ILLUSTRATING, IT COMES OUT NOT UNTIL 2026, BUT IT'S TITLED "BEAR'S MAGIC SHOW."

IT'S A PICTURE BOOK.

>> Cathy: COOL.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR COMING.

BEST OF LUCK TO YOU GUYS.

>> Cathy: DAVID'S GOT TO DO SOMETHING.

>> AND I'M WORKING ON A SERIES OF BOOKS THAT I'M BOTH WRITING AND ILLUSTRATING.

>> Cathy: OH.

>> THOUGH I -- THOUGH I'M NO MIKE, I'M DOING THE BEST I CAN.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU, BOTH, FOR BEING HERE.

SO MUCH FUN.

.

>> THE VIKINGS HEAD TO GREEN BAY THIS WEEK AFTER REMAINING UNDEFEATED.

AND THE MINNESOTA LYNX SWEPT THEIR FIRST-ROUND PLAYOFF SERIES BY NAPHEESA COLLIER.

LARRY FITZGERALD IS BACK.

WHEN HE'S NOT VISITING US HERE IN STUDIO B, YOU CAN HEAR HIS RADIO WORK ON THE NATIONAL PROGRAMMING NETWORK.

>> Eric: ARE HEADS GOING TO ROLL FOR THE TWINS SEASON?

>> SOMETHING IS UP WHEN THEY REDUCED THE PAYROLL BY $37 MILLION.

IT LOOKED LIKE THEY COULD GET AWAY WITH IT.

BUT WHEN YOU START LOSING GUYS LIKE CORREA, BUXTON, AND THEN YOU HAVE A PITCHER, LIKE, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THEIR TOP GUYS GO DOWN, YOU KNOW, THAT TELLS YOU THAT YOUR PLAN IS NOT GONNA WORK WITH THAT KIND OF A BUDGET.

AND WE'RE SEEING IT.

THIS HAS BEEN A MISERABLE MONTH.

THEY CAN'T BEAT TEAMS FROM THE NATIONAL LEAGUE.

WE SAW THAT WITH THE MARLINS, 100-LOSS TEAM, COME IN HERE, TAKE TWO OUT OF THREE, WHEN THEY ABSOLUTELY HAD TO WIN.

AND IT'S JUST REALLY FRUSTRATING TO COVER A TEAM THAT'S PLAYING ARRESTED, BUT JUST DON'T HAVE THE -- PLAYING HARD, BUT JUST DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO GET IT DONE.

>> Cathy: I WAS NOTICING ON SOCIAL MEDIA, NOT THAT THAT'S ANY GREAT BAROMETER, FANS NOT HAPPY AT ALL, THERE WERE A NUMBER OF FANS CALLING FOR THE POHLADS TO SELL THE TEAM.

THEY WOULDN'T DO THAT, OBVIOUSLY?

>> NO.

THEY'RE THE RICHEST OWNERSHIP IN BASEBALL.

SO MONEY'S NOT AN ISSUE.

IT NEVER HAS BEEN.

THAT'S WHY IT SURPRISED ME THAT THEY WOULD DROP $37 MILLION ON THEIR PAYROLL THIS YEAR.

THAT TELLS ME THAT THEY WERE PLANNING ALL ALONG TO TRY TO DEVELOP GUYS THIS SEASON AND HOPE THAT THE GUYS THAT THEY LONG TERM WOULD BE ABLE TO PLAY 100 GAMES, 125 GAMES, THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN THIS YEAR.

CORREA WITH THE FOOT.

BUXTON CONTINUES TO HAVE INJURIES.

AND THEN YOU LOSE KEMPLER, ONE OF YOUR KEY GUYS IN RIGHT FIELD.

SO IT JUST HASN'T WORK OUT FOR THEM.

>> Cathy: HOW ABOUT ROCCO BALDELLI, SHOULD HE GO?

>> HE'S Mr. ANALYTICS, OKAY, HE BELIEVES IN HIS SYSTEM OF DOING THINGS.

>> Cathy: HOW THAT'S WORKIN'?

>> I JUST DON'T AGREE WITH SOME OF THE DECISIONS HE MADE THIS YEAR.

WHEN YOU HAVE A GUY ON SECOND, OR SECOND AND THIRD, NOBODY OUT, AND HE LET HIS GUYS GO UP THERE FREE SWINGING, HEY, PLAY BASEBALL THE WAY IT'S INTENDED.

YOU GET GUYS ON BASE, GET THEM AROUND.

BUNT SOMEBODY OVER, DO WHATEVER YOU GOT TO DO, SQUEEZE BUNT, BUT DON'T JUST THINK A GUY'S GOING TO HIT A HOMERUN.

THEY HIT THE RECORD A FEW YEARS AGO.

SO THAT'S HY HE LEANS THAT WAY.

>> Eric: BEFORE WE GET TO THE VIKINGS, THE LYNX ARE OVERACHIEVING FROM WHAT THE PRESEASON IS GOING TO TELL US.

BUT I WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT-OUT TO CANDICE WILLALS, SHE SEESMS LIKE A REAL SPARK PLUG.

>> SHE'S A TERRIFIC POINT GUARD.

THIS IS THE WINNINGEST TEAM IN LYNX HISTORY.

THE SCHEDULE WAS INCREASED THIS YEAR TO 40 GAMES, AND THEY WON 30 GAMES, 30-10, AND WON SEVEN OF THEIR LAST EIGHT AND THEY DIDN'T EVEN PLAY ANYBODY AGAINST THE LOS ANGELES SPARKS IN THE LAST GAME.

BUT NAPHEESA COLLIER, TWO-TIME OLYMPIAN, IT'S TIME TO GIVE THAT LADY SOME LOVE.

SHE IS AN OUTSTANDING FUNDAMENTAL BASKETBALL PLAYER.

SHE PLAYED AT CONNECTICUT.

THEY'RE RUMORED TO WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS LOAFER THERE.

SHE'S -- OVER THERE.

SHE'S GOT A MISSION ON BUILDING HER OWN.

THESE TWO FIRST GAMES HAVE BEEN ABSOLUTELY UNBELIEVABLE.

TO SCORE 37 AND 41 IN PLAYOFF GAMES AND FOR THEM TO SCORE 100 POINTS IN EACH GAME.

NO TEAM IN THE HISTORY OF THE WNBA HAS DONE WHAT THIS TEAM HAS DONE.

SO I'M EXCITED TO SEE HOW THEY FAVOR GAINST A VERY EXPERIENCED CONNECTICUT TEAM COMING IN ON SUNDAY.

>> Cathy: BIG HAT TIP TO CHERYL REEVE, SHE'S A GREAT COACH.

>> OLYMPIC COACH.

SHE'S TRYING TO DO THE DOUBLE, WIN THE OLYMPICS, THEN WIN THE WNBA CHAMPIONSHIP.

I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY'S EVER DONE THAT.

>> Eric: VIKES FOR REAL?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THIS TEAM IS COMMITTED.

YOU OT TO GIVE THE GUYS AT THE TOP CREDIT.

YOU KNOW, O'CONNELL ND KWESI, MAN, THEY PUT THIS TEAM TOGETHER PIECE BY PIECE.

THEY LEANED ON A GAME LIKE SAM DODGE, KNOWING THAT HE HAD N UPSIDE FROM THE FACT THAT HE GOT PICKED NUMBER ONE OVERALL.

HE'S BEEN IN THE LEAGUE SEVEN YEARS.

AND I SAID EARLIER ON THIS PROGRAM, THAT IF HE DON'T TURN IT OVER, THEY'RE GOING TO BE GOOD BECAUSE HE'S GOT A HECK OF AN ARM AND HE THROWS THE FOOTBALL AND CAN DO WHAT THEY NEED HIM TO DO AND THAT IS, GET IT TO JUSTIN JEFFERSON.

>> Cathy: I'M SORRY.

>> THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

>> Cathy: PRETTY TOUGH GAME, THOUGH, DON'T YOU THINK, AT LAMBEAU?

>> GREEN BAY SAY GOOD TEAM.

THEY WERE IN -- IS A GOOD TEAM.

THEY WERE IN THE PLAYOFFS.

THEY CAME IN HERE LAST YEAR, 6-7, SMASHED THE VIKINGS, WENT ON TO WIN FOUR IN A ROW.

THAT'S WHY THEY'RE ONE OF THE FAVORITES GOING INTO THIS YEAR.

THE VIKINGS WON DOWN THERE LAST YEAR WHEN KIRK COUSINS TORE HIS ACHILLES.

THIS YEAR, IF THEY CONTINUE TO STAY HEALTHY, CONTINUE TO PLAY THE WAY THEY'VE BEEN PLAYING ON DEFENSE, THIRD DOWN, THERE'S NO TEAM IN FOOTBALL AS GOOD AS THE VIKINGS.

THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY STOPPING PEOPLE ON THIRD DOWN AND THAT'S THE DOWN YOU HAVE TO WIN IN FOOTBALL.

>> Eric: THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR EXPERTISE, YOUNG MAN.

>> IT'S GOOD TO BE WITH YOU GUYS, ALWAYS.

>> Cathy: ALWAYS.

THANKS, FITZY.

>> Eric: GREAT TO SEE YA.

>> Eric: FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NEARLY THREE DECADES, THE CHILDREN'S THEATRE COMPANY HAS A NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTOR.

RICK DILDINE TOOK OVER THE REINS ON AUGUST 1st THIS YEAR, STEPPING INTO THE ROLE THAT PETER BROSIUS HELD FOR THE PAST 27 YEARS.

HE JOINS CTC FROM THE ALASKA SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL, ONE OF THE THE LARGEST SUCH FESTIVALS IN THE COUNTRY.

WELCOME TO "ALMANAC."

>> THANK YOU, THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> Eric: HAT ATTRACTED YOU TO THIS JOB?

>> I'M A SHAKESPEARE GUY FROM THE SOUTH WHO DOESN'T HAVE KIDS.

BUT THE REPUTATION OF CHILDREN'S THEATRE COMPANY IS INTERNATIONAL.

THE WORK IS PHENOMENAL.

AND WHEN I GOT THE PHONE CALL, I JUMPED AT THE OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE OF THE REPUTATION OF THE PLACE.

>> Eric: WOW.

>> Cathy: IT'S A LITTLE HARD.

YOU'RE STEPPING INTO SOME BIG SHOES, OBVIOUSLY.

HOW DO YOU -- HOW DO YOU PLAN OR HOW DO YOU START WORKING YOUR WAY TOWARD PUTTING YOUR STAMP ON THE CHILDREN'S THEATRE COMPANY?

>> YEAH, YEAH, SO PETER LEFT ME IN GREAT SHAPE.

WE HAVE A HUGE PIPELINE OF WORK, SO THIS COMING YEAR RIGHT NOW, PETER PLANNED IT, BUT TWO WEEKS AGO, I LAID OUT WHO WILL BE MY FIRST SEASON STARTING IN 2025.

SO WE GOT WORKS IN THE PIPELINE COMING FROM OVERSEAS, NEW WORKS, IT'S AN EXCITING TIME AT CHILDREN'S THEATRE COMPANY.

>> Eric: SOUNDS LIKE YOU HOPE TO BRING SOME DIVERSITY, MAYBE EXPAND THE DEMOGRAPHIC OF THE CUSTOMERS.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

YOU KNOW, OUR SWEET SPOT HAS BEEN 5 TO 12-YEAR-OLDS, BUT WE'RE INTERESTED IN GROWING OUT THAT FULL PIPELINE OF PROGRAMMING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.

YOU KNOW, SOMETHING THAT IS EXCITING FOR ME IS THAT NEARLY A THIRD OF OUR AUDIENCE ARE COMING WITH THEIR GRANDPARENTS.

THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT GOT ME INTO THEATER WAS MY GRANDPARENTS ENCOURAGING THAT.

AND WE GOT GREAT PROGRAMMING FOR ALL AGES.

>> Cathy: LET ME ASK YOU A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THAT, IF I COULD.

WHEN IT COMES TO BROADENING THE AUDIENCE AND MAYBE GETTING MAYBE LDER KIDS IN THEN, IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO GET?

>> YEAH.

>> Cathy: WHEN IT COMES TO MAYBE MORE DIVERSITY, WHAT KIND OF PRODUCTIONS MIGHT BRING THOSE SORTS OF MAYBE TEENS, MORE DIVERSE TEENS IN, PERHAPS?

>> YOU KNOW, WE'VE GOT A PHENOMENAL SHOW RIGHT NOW CALLED ZIP ZAP CIRCUS, THAT FEATURES 19 TO 20-YEAR-OLDS FROM SOUTH AFRICA.

THE TALENT IN THESE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN IS ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL, THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO KEEP SHOWING IS THE TALENT COMING FROM YOUNG PEOPLE.

>> Eric: AS YOU BUILD PLAYS, A SEASON OF PLAYS AS YOU GO FORWARD, COMMERCE AND -- COMMERCE AND ART SOMETIMES COLLIDE.

>> YOU KNOW, -- >> Eric: WHAT'S THE BALANCE THERE?

>> I THINK YOU CAN HAVE BOTH OF THEM.

YOU KNOW, YOU CAN HAVE GREAT ARTISTIC SHOWS AND GREAT FINANCIALLY SUCCESSFUL SHOWS.

CTC HAS A HISTORY OF MOVING SHOWS TO BROADWAY.

WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT'S ARTISTICALLY EXCITING AND ALSO COMMERCIALLY VIABLE AS WELL.

AND WE'RE GOING TO BE DEVELOPING MORE PROJECTS LIKE THAT.

>> Cathy: TELL US A LITTLE BIT, BECAUSE CTC HAS BEEN GROUNDBREAKING IN A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT WAYS, AND HAS HAD SOME VERY -- NOT CONTROVERSIAL, I WOULDN'T SAY THAT -- BUT, YOU KNOW, WORKS THAT HAVE BEEN TALKERS.

YOU KNOW, THAT HAVE SAID SOMETHING ABOUT SOCIETY.

YOU KNOW?

WOULD YOU BE GOING IN THAT DIRECTION AT ALL?

>> YOU KNOW, I'M FOR ANYTHING THAT CENTERS THE VOICE OF YOUNG PEOPLE AND ANYTHING THAT'S ON THEIR MIND.

THE FIRST SEASON THAT I'M PLANNING THAT I LAID OUT, JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO WITH MY STAFF, IS AN ENTIRE SEASON WHERE A YOUNG PERSON IS THE PROTAGANIST, IT IS THE YOUNG PERSON WHO'S LEADING THE STORY.

SO IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT'S ON THE MINDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE, I'M READY TO TALK ABOUT IT.

>> Eric: WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THE ART SCENE IN GENERAL IN THE TWIN CITIES?

>> OH, IT'S PHENOMENAL.

I MEAN, IT'S ONE OF THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY.

YOU KNOW, COMING HERE, THE NUMBER OF THEATERS, MUSEUMS, THERE'S SO MUCH TO DO.

I'M NOT SHORT ON THINGS TO DO.

>> Cathy: NOW, YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO GO TO THE STATE FAIR RIGHT OFF THE BAT WHEN YOU WERE HERE, DID YOU?

>> OF COURSE I DID.

MY STAFF TOOK ME IMMEDIATELY.

WE HAD A GREAT TIME.

I ATE A FRIED RECESS CUP -- REESE'S CUP.

>> Eric: GOOD FOR YOU.

>> THOSE COOKIES, MARTHA'S KISS, OH, MY GOSH.

>> Cathy: YOU GET TO LOOK FORWARD TO WINTER HERE.

>> I GOT MY COAT.

MARTHA'S COOKIES.

>> Cathy: WE'RE SO HAPPY, BEST OF LUCK TO YOU.

>> Eric: NEW CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS SHOW MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ARE POURING INTO COMPETITIVE LEGISLATIVE RACES ACROSS THE STATE.

THIS WEEK MARY LAHAMMER'S RACE TO WATCH TAKES US TO THE St.

CLOUD AREA.

>> THIS IS GOING TO BE DAVID AND KATHERINE.

DAVID IS A HARD REPUBLICAN AND KATHERINE IS AN INDEPENDENT.

>> WHAT IS THEIR LAST NAME?

>> Mary: IN DISTRICT 14A IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, VOTER DATA IS SPECIFIC AND PROLIFIC N A TARGETED RACE WITH A REPUBLICAN INCUMBENT TRYING TO HELP HER PARTY TAKE BACK CONTROL AT THE CAPITOL.

>> I'M REPRESENTATIVE BERNIE PERRYMAN.

>> Mary: OVERLOOKING THE LAKE IN St. AUGUSTA'S HE AREA'S INDEPENDENT HISTORY IS WELL KNOWN FOR THEIR LOVE OF INDEPENDENCE PARTY GOVERNOR JESSE VENTURA.

WANTED TO RENAME THEIR NAME VENTURA.

SO IS IT STILL IND OF AN INDEPENDENT LIBERTARIAN-TYPE COMMUNITY POLITICALLY?

>> A LITTLE BIT SHIFTING SINCE VENTURA DAYS BECAUSE THIS IS AN AREA THAT PEOPLE -- THERE'S MORE HOUSING, THERE'S MORE PEOPLE THAT HAVE MOVED HERE SINCE VENTURA DAYS.

SO THEY'RE BRINGING DIFFERENT POLITICS WITH THEM HERE.

CONSERVATIVE, YET A LITTLE BIT OF SPICE OF MODERATE THROWN IN.

>> Mary: IN THE POPULATION CENTER OF St.

CLOUD, THE NEW DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE KNOWS HIS COMMUNITY WELL.

>> St.

CLOUD IS A BIG PART OF THE DISTRICT, IT'S ALSO PART OF THAT -- OF THE DISTRICT THAT'S GROWING RAPIDLY, DIVERSELY.

MY DISTRICT, FOR EXAMPLE, HAVE ABOUT 20% PEOPLE OF COLOR, A LOT OF IMMIGRANTS.

I WAS PRIVILEGED ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO, YOU KNOW, NAVIGATE THE SYSTEM BETTER THAN A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT PROBABLY COULDN'T.

WHEN I CAME TO THIS COUNTRY, I HAVE NO HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA, NOW I HAVE A MASTER'S DEGREE IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION.

>> IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR, YOU KNOW?

AND COMING BACK AGAIN.

>> OKAY.

>> SHOWING YOU SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE DONE.

AND WILL DO.

>> Mary: LAST TIME, THE REPUBLICAN REACHED OUT TO HER CHANGING COMMUNITY.

SHE HAS HER LITERATURE TRANSLATED INTO SOMALI AND IS HIRING STAFF FROM THE GROWING ETHNIC GROUP.

>> St.

CLOUD IS A SMALL TOWN, BUT IT'S A BIG TOWN.

IT'S GROWING AND PEOPLE STILL HAVE THAT PERCEPTION OF BEING A SMALL CENTRAL MINNESOTA TOWN.

BUT IT'S BECOMING A RURAL CENTER.

DIVERSITY'S HERE AND WE HAVE TO EMBRACE IT.

IF YOU DON'T REALIZE IT, THEN YOU'RE KIND OF PUTTING BLINDERS ON.

SO, FOR ME, FROM THE VERY BEGINNING WHEN I SAW THE LANDSCAPE CHANGING, I REACHED OUT.

>> MY BROTHER, HOW YOU DOIN'?

>> I DON'T KNOW, NECESSARILY, IF SHE APPEALS TO THE COMMUNITY IN GENERAL.

BUT I THINK AS A NEW CANDIDATE, SHE HAS TO MOVE AROUND, TALK TO PEOPLE.

WHAT I DO RIGHT NOW IS MOSTLY TELLING PEOPLE THAT I'M A BETTER OPTION, I'M A BETTER CANDIDATE.

I WILL BE MORESPECTIVIVE.

I REACH OUT TO -- MORE EFFECTIVE.

I REACH OUT TO THOSE PEOPLE AGAIN, TALK TO THEM, LET THEM KNOW I'M RUNNING THIS TIME AROUND.

>> Mary: THE St.

CLOUD AREA HAS A DEMOCRATIC SENATOR, A DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE AND ONE REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE, WHO WON IN AN UNEXPECTEDLY CLOSE RACE.

>> AFTER THE REDISTRICTING TWO YEARS AGO, I THINK IT SHOCKED A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT IT BECAME 50-50.

SO IT IS A LITTLE BIT MORE OF 50-50, OT A GIVEN.

AND AS YOU KNOW, I ONLY WON BY 199 VOTES.

WHAT I WAS BEING TOLD GOING INTO THE ELECTION, IT'S NOT NECESSARILY A RED WAVE ANYMORE, IT'S ORKING HARD, TALK TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND CONNECT.

>> WE LOST ONLY LESS THAN 200 VOTES IN THIS SEAT.

SO THEY DO KNOW THAT.

I DO EDUCATE THEM ABOUT THAT.

THEY KNOW THAT IT'S A REALLY CLOSE CALL.

THESE PEOPLE ARE EXCITED.

SOME OF THEM, THIS IS THEIR FIRST TIME IN THEIR LIFETIME VOTING FOR SOMEONE.

DEMOCRATIC, RIGHT?

SO THEY'RE EXCITED TO ACTUALLY PARTICIPATE IN AMERICAN DEMOCRACY.

>> I'M ABDI.

>> I'VE HEARD ABOUT YOU A FEW DIFFERENT TIMES.

>> Mary: THEY'RE BOTH BUSINESS OWNERS AND INCREDIBLY ENGAGED IN THEIR COMMUNITIES IN A VARIETY OF WAYS.

HIS DAY CARE COMPANY HAS HAD ISSUES WITH REGULATIONS.

>> CHILD CARE FOR THE RIGHT REASONS, WE HAVE BEEN REGULATED.

BECAUSE WE'RE TAKING CARE OF LITTLE KIDS, AND I TOOK MY JOB AS A CHILD CARE OWNER VERY SERIOUS.

IT'S A BIG ISSUE, ESPECIALLY IN GREATER MINNESOTA.

WE DO HAVE A VERY FEW SLOTS OF CHILD CARE AVAILABLE IN OUR REGION.

AND I HAVE BEEN PERSONALLY PART OF LEADERS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT HAVE BEEN TRYING TO INCREASE THAT.

>> HAVE YOU DECIDED ON THE INDIVIDUAL -- >> STILL FIGURING IT OUT.

>> STILL FIGURING IT OUT, OKAY.

>> Mary: PERRYMAN TRIES TO RESIST POLITICAL LABELS EVEN IN THE PARTISAN ERA.

>> I HAVE A SAYING, I WATCH MY OWN BOBBER, I CAN'T WORRY ABOUT THE EXTERNAL NOISE THAT'S BEING CREATED BECAUSE OF AN OPPONENT.

AT THE DOORS, THEY'RE NOT REALLY TALKING ABOUT THAT SPECIFIC.

THEY'RE JUST STILL SPEAKING ABOUT LIVABILITY, AFFORDABILITY, OUR WORKFORCERS AND -- OUR WORKFORCE, ND QUALITY OF VALUES.

>> I'LL PRETTY MUCH VOTE FOR ANYBODY WHO TELL ME THEY HATE WHAT TRUMP IS DOING.

>> OH, I'M YOUR GUY.

>> Mary: IN A COLLEGE TOWN, EDUCATION IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE AS WELL.

>> WHEN I'M IN THE MAINSTREAM COMMUNITIES TALKING TO FOLKS, EDUCATION FREQUENTLY COMES UP.

WE DO HAVE A SHORTAGE OF WORKERS, WITHOUT IMMIGRATION, WITHOUT HAVING THE RIGHT PEOPLE HERE TO WORK FOR THOSE JOBS, WE WON'T BE ABLE TO FILL IN THOSE POSITIONS.

WHEN POLITICIANS TALK ILL F OTHER PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY IMMIGRANTS, WE DO FACE BACKLASHES.

>> IS IT ALL GOOD OR DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS?

>> ALL GOOD.

>> ALL GOOD.

ANYTHING TO -- ANYTHING I CAN ANSWER FOR YOU TO KEEP THAT?

>> WE NEED AN ABSENTEE BALLOT.

>> I'M DOING THIS BECAUSE OF THE 25 YEARS THAT THIS COMMUNITY GAVE TO ME, WHAT THEY OFFERED TO ME, I WILL NEVER FIND AGAIN.

I'LL TELL YOU WHAT REALLY HIT HOME, I GOT DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER IN 2018.

AND YOU THINK YOU'RE ALL ALONE, BUT, NO.

♪♪♪ >> Cathy: HOW MANY DIFFERENT WAYS THAT WE CAN SAY THAT POLITICS, ESPECIALLY THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE IS DOMINATING THE NEWS EACH AND EVERY WEEK?

WE'RE GOING TO SKIP THAT EXERCISE AND JUMP RIGHT INTO THIS WEEK'S PANEL BECAUSE IT'S POLITIC, IT'S IMPORTANT.

DEMOCRATS UP FIRST TONIGHT.

ABOU AMARA IS A DFL LOYALIST, FORMER LEGISLATIVE STAFFER TURNED ATTORNEY.

THE LEGISLATURE IS WHERE REPRESENTATIVE JAMIE BECKER-FINN CALLS HOME, AT LEAST UNTIL HER RETIREMENT IN JANUARY.

REPUBLICANS WITH US ONIGHT, AMY KOCH IS A FORMER STATE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER AND JEN DE JURE NET IS BACK, SHE'S A LONGTIME POLITICAL OPERATIVE AND VETERAN OF MANY A CAMPAIGN.

JEN, THAT PIECE, MARY FOCUSED IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CANDIDATES THAT YOU'RE WORKING WITH HEARING AT THE DOORS?

>> WELL, I HEAR THAT CANDIDATES ARE OUT AND THEIR BASE IS REALLY FIRED UP.

I MEAN, THERE'S BEEN SOME EARLY WORK BY MANY ORGANIZATIONS AND GROUPS TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE RETURN THEIR BALLOTS EARLY AND UNDERSTAND THE POWER OF THAT, BASICALLY A HURRICANE'S COMING, GET OUT OF THE WAY, CLEAR THE LANE SO THAT PEOPLE CAN REALLY HIT THAT LAST BIT REALLY HARD.

AND I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF TALK ABOUT THE ECONOMY.

TO BE HONEST, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE VOTE THEIR POCKETBOOKS.

AND ALL YOUR CHOICES ARE MADE FOR YOU IF YOU DON'T HAVE MONEY IN YOUR POCKETBOOK.

AND I THINK PEOPLE ARE REALLY FEELING THE IMPACTS OF THAT.

SO, FROM WHAT I HEAR, THERE'S BEEN SOME GOOD RECEPTION AT THE DOORS.

EVERYONE'S GOING TO RUN AND WORK REALLY HARD THROUGH THE LAST FEW WEEKS OF THE ELECTION.

AND I THINK I'M CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC.

>> Eric: YOU SAID ON THE PODCAST, YOU CAN TELL MORE BY DOOR KNOCKING THAN YOU CAN BY A POLL.

WHAT DO YOU HEAR?

>> 100%.

I'M ALSO HEARING THE SAME THING.

I'M HEARING THAT, NOT AS MUCH ABOUT THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE, WHICH SURPRISED ME, BECAUSE THAT HAS BEEN AT THE TOP FOR SO MANY PEOPLE.

A LOT ABOUT THE ECONOMY.

AND I THINK THAT WHILE EVERYONE THOUGH 2022 WAS GOING TO BE THAT, OF COURSE, WE KNOW IT WASN'T, IT WAS ABOUT THE DECISION, THE DECISION ON ABORTION, I THINK THIS YEAR COULD BE HE YEAR WHERE THE ECONOMY IS PLAYING, YOU KNOW, INFLATION IS JUST THROUGH THE ROOF.

>> YEAH, IT'S LIKE A SHIFT, I MADE SOME CALLS.

I'M HEARING TWO CALLS, MAINLY, ONE OF THEM IS ABORTION, ABORTION IS STILL A TOP ISSUE, PARTICULARLY IN THE SUBURBS WHERE DEMOCRATS NEED TO DO WELL, AND THE SECOND IS ACTUALLY AN EXCITEMENT AROUND THE DEMOCRATS MAKING A CHANGE WITH BIDEN.

SO I THINK THAT'S AN ENTRY POINT FOR A LOT OF MIDDLE OF THE VOTERS WHO ARE SAYING, THE DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO GO WITH BIDEN, THEY DIDN'T LIKE THAT, THEY CHANGED, I LIKE THAT.

>> Eric: REPRESENTATIVE?

>> THAT'S ABSOLUTELY WHAT I'M HEARING, THE SAME THING.

ESPECIALLY IN THE SUBURBS.

I'M IN ROSEVILLE AREA, AND I THINK, ABSOLUTELY, I MADE A COUPLE PHONE CALLS TODAY TO CHECK IN WITH FOLKS WHO ARE SPENDING A LITTLE MORE TIME ON THE DOORS THAN ME THIS TIME AROUND.

ABORTION IS STILL TOP OF MIND FOR A LOT OF FOLKS.

>> Cathy: HEY, I HEAR THERE'S THIS BIG DEBATE NEXT WEEK.

WE MIGHT WANT TO TALK ABOUT THAT.

I BET YOU'RE GOING TO WATCH.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO BE WATCHING FOR?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK I EXPECT THE GOVERNOR TO BE HIMSELF.

HE ALWAYS BRINGS HIMSELF AND IS WHO HE IS.

AND I THINK THAT'S WORKING FOR HIM, TO BE HONEST.

I'VE HAD A LOT OF QUESTIONS FROM PEOPLE, LIKE, OH, YOU MOST KNOW THE GOVERNOR, IS HE REALLY LIKE THAT?

AND HE REALLY IS THAT GUY.

>> YET, I BET J.D.

VANCE IS GOING TO HIT HARD EARLY, IF YOU GET UNDER THE GOVERNOR'S SKIN, HE CAN GET A LITTLE PRICKLY.

>> A COUPLE THINGS.

WALZ IS GOING TO BRING THE FOLKSCY ENERGY, RIGHT, THAT PEOPLE HAVE REALLY RESPONDED TO.

BUT HE'S GOT TO WATCH HIS FACTS.

HE'S GOT TO WATCH GETTING A LITTLE HOT UNDER THE COLLAR.

J.D.

VANCE, HE'LL HAVE ALL THE FACTS AND ALL THE POLICY BUT HE'S GOT TO BE REAL.

HE HAS GOT TO BRING HIMSELF BECAUSE ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, HE HAS BEEN -- I DON'T KNOW WHO HE'S BEEN, BUT T'S BEEN AWKWARD AND IT'S NOT BEEN FRIENDLY.

>> YEAH, TO ME, THIS IS A BEER VERSUS WINE ELECTION.

WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS, YOU WANT TO MAKE J.D.

VANCE BOTH SEEM EXTREME BUT ALSO OUT OF TOUCH.

RIGHT?

AND I THINK TIM WALZ IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATE TO MIDDLE-CLASS AMERICANS SAY, HOW MANY PEOPLE DO YOU KNOW THAT WORK AT HEDGE FUNDS, MAKE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, SPEAKING TO MIDDLE CLASS OF AMERICANS, PROVIDING AN ENTRY POINT.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE WINE THING CAME FROM.

HE CAME FROM A DRUG-ADDICTED HOUSEHOLD WITH NO MONEY, TOTALLY BROKE.

SURE, HE WENT TO COLLEGE ON SCHOLARSHIP, AND MADE SOMETHING OF HIMSELF.

WHY ARE WE MAKING PUTTING HAT DOWN IN AMERICA TODAY?

THAT'S RIDICULOUS.

YOU KNOW, IN AMERICA, WE WORK HARD AND IF YOU COME FROM NOTHING, YOU CAN BE SOMETHING.

I CAN SAY THAT FOR MYSELF AND MANY OTHER PEOPLE I KNOW.

WHY ARE THE DEMOCRATS MAKING FUN OF THAT?

>> I DON'T HEAR IT MAKING FUN OF IT.

I HEAR PEOPLE POINTING OUT THE DIFFERENCE IN THE TYPE OF PERSON AND WHAT THEY BRING TO THE RACE AND WHAT THEY BRING TO POLITICS.

YOU KNOW, SOME PEOPLE GET INTO POLITICS BECAUSE THEY LOVE ATTENTION.

AND SOME PEOPLE GET INTO POLITICS BECAUSE THEY LOVE THE POLICY AND THEY WANT TO DO THE RIGHT THING FOR PEOPLE.

AND I THINK THERE REALLY IS A JUXTAPOSITION, CLEARLY, THERE'S A MAN WHO REALLY LIKES ATTENTION, AND THEN THERE'S MAN WHO'S BEEN IN PUBLIC SERVICE HIS WHOLE LIFE.

POINTING OUT THE DIFFERENCE ISN'T UNFAIR.

>> Cathy: WHERE DOES J.D.

VANCE START, IN TERMS OF, I ASKED THAT TO DANA, TOO, THE MINNESOTA-CENTRIC TYPE TOPICS THAT HE COULD HIT WALZ ON?

>> I THINK HE'S GOING TO HIT THE OVERALL CAMPAIGN ON MINING, FRACKING, SORT OF JOBS, JOBS, JOBS, PARTICULARLY IN THOSE MICHIGAN, PENNSYLVANIA, KIND OF THE RUST BELT PART OF THE COUNTRY.

I THINK HE'S GOING TO HIT ON IMMIGRATION.

TRUMP VERY MUCH SCREWED UP THAT QUESTION IN THE DEBATE.

AND J.D.

'S GOING TO HAVE TO COME WITH A REALLY STRONG ANSWER.

AND HE'S ALSO GOING TO HIT ON THE ECONOMY.

HOW CAN YOU IGNORE INFLATION?

HOW CAN OU IGNORE THE NUMBERS OUT THERE?

PEOPLE ARE REALLY HURTING.

HE'S GOING TO COME IN STRONG WITH THOSE.

>> Eric: FEEDING OUR FUTURE, GEORGE FLOYD, MILITARY RECORD.

32 TRIPS TO CHINA.

IS THERE A BROAD RANGE OF THINGS THAT VANCE COULD GO AFTER?

>> LOOK, THOSE ARGUMENTS ARE GOING TO BE MADE, IF YOU LOOK AT THE POLLING, THOSE ARGUMENTS ARE NOT WORKING.

RIGHT NOW IF YOU LOOK AT HE POLLING, TIM WALZ HAS A PLUS 7 FAVORABILITY.

WHERE'S, VANCE HAS NEGATIVE 15 DISFAVORRABLE.

WHAT THAT TELLS YOU, THESE ARGUMENTS ARE BEING LITIGATED.

J.D.

VANCE'S ARGUMENT IS NOT WORKING AND TIM WALZ'S IS.

>> IN TIM WALZ'S OWN STATE, 6%, AND TODAY A POLL CAME OUT 3%.

>> LAST TIME I CHECKED, THAT'S STILL INNING.

>> THAT'S WITHIN THE MARGIN OF ERROR.

>> NO, IT'S NOT.

>> A LITTLE HUSTLE AT THE END MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

HERE'S THE THING.

WHY ISN'T ANYONE IN GOVERNOR WALZ'S ADMINISTRATION EVER HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR FRAUD OTTER THINGS THAT HAPPEN?

NOBODY'S FIRED AT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR THE FAILURE OF EDUCATION POLICY.

NOBODY'S FIRED OVER FEEDING OUR FUTURE AND ALL THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT WERE SPENT.

NO ONE'S EVER ACCOUNTABLE.

THOSE ARE FAIR POINTS.

AND SOMEONE NEEDS O ANSWER.

BUT NOBODY MAKES A DECISION ON THE PRESIDENCY BASED ON THE VICE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE.

THAT'S THE TRUTH.

>> Eric: IS THE HOUSE UP FOR GRABS OR WHAT'S YOUR SENSE OF PUTTING ON YOUR ANALYST HAT?

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

I THINK PRE THE SHIFT TO HARRIS, I THINK THAT WAS A VALID FEAR, BUT I THINK THERE IS A HUGE SHIFT.

I KNOW IN THE COMMUNITIES THAT I SPEND TIME IN, ESPECIALLY IN THE SUBURBS, EVEN, HONESTLY, DRIVING ACROSS THE STATE TO VISIT FAMILY, THE AMOUNT OF -- THE NUMBER OF HARRIS/WALZ SIGNS AND THE PALPABLE EXCITEMENT, I HAVEN'T SEEN HANDMADE SIGNS LIKE THIS SINCE THE FIRST OBAMA ELECTION, AND I THINK FOR A LOT OF FOLKS THAT REAL TRUE EXCITEMENT IS THERE AND IT'S CATCHING ON.

>> Cathy: SO, AMY KLOBUCHAR'S GOING TO DEBATE ROYCE WHITE ON WCCO RADIO.

DOES THAT SURPRISE YOU?

>> IT'S SO LATE IN THE GAME.

I MEAN, IN SOME PARTS OF THE SUBURBAN METRO, 70% OF THAT VOTE WILL BE IN WAY BEFORE THAT DEBATE.

SO, IT'S OCTOBER 27th, IT'S IN THE WANING DAYS.

I'M SURE EVERYONE WILL POP POPCORN BECAUSE WHO KNOWS WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AT THAT DEBATE.

AND THAT RACE WILL COME TO AN END AND WE ALL KNOW WHERE ITS CONCLUSION WILL E. >> Eric: I WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING THAT I'M ONLY HALF SERIOUS ABOUT, UT I THINK IT COULD BE IMPORTANT.

HOW MUCH FUN IS SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE GOING TO HAVE WITH WALZ?

I MEAN, WITH HIS GESTURES.

I GUESS -- IT HELP SARAH PALIN BACK IN THE DAY?

>> NO, WELL, IT ACTUALLY HARMED SARAH PALIN, RIGHT?

THERE WERE SO MANY PEOPLE CONFUSING SARAH PALIN'S QUOTES WITH TINA FEY'S QUOTES.

I'M VERY SERIOUS, TOO.

THEY ACTUALLY DO SORT OF START TO HAVE A MOVEMENT ON THE ELECTORATE, FOR SURE.

SO, YOU KNOW, WE'LL SEE.

I HAVEN'T HEARD WHO'S PLAYING J.D.

VANCE, AND I HAVEN'T HEARD WHO'S PLAYING WALZ.

IT'S GOING TO BE ALMOST AS FUN TO WATCH THE DEBATE AS THE "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE" AFTERWARDS.

>> Eric: DO YOU THINK IT'S GOING TO BE FEATURED IN THE COLD OPEN WHEN "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE" OR WILL IT BE MORE OF -- >> I THINK IT WILL BE -- >> I THINK IT WILL BE A COLD OPEN.

I THINK IT WILL BE A LEAD.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT, HERE'S WHY.

TIM WALZ IS STILL LARGELY UNKNOWN TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

IT'S MOMENTS LIKE THAT CAN INTRODUCE THE FIGURE THAT IS TIM WALZ TO THOSE VOTERS.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT ON A POLITICAL LEVEL.

>> Cathy: SPEAKING OF WALZ TO VOTERS, I HEAR HE'S GOING TO BE AT THE GOPHER/MICHIGAN FOOTBALL GAME THIS WEEKEND.

PRESIDENT TRUMP IS REALLY MAKING A PLAY FOR YOUNGER MALE VOTERS, RIGHT?

SO WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE GOVERNOR AT THE FOOTBALL GAME?

MAKES ACCEPTS, OF COURSE -- MAKES SENSE, OF COURSE.

>> HE'S A FOOTBALL GAME, SPORTS GUY.

>> Cathy: YOUNGER DEMOGRAPHIC ON A COLLEGE CAMPUS.

>> YEAH, I MEAN, I DON'T THINK THAT, LIKE, ATTENDING A SPORTING EVENT ALONE IS GOING TO DO MUCH OF ANYTHING.

BUT I THINK, AGAIN, THE GOVERNOR S WHO HE IS.

AND E'S THE KIND OF GUY WHO GOES TO FOOTBALL GAMES.

SO I THINK HE'S GOING TO GO TO SOME FOOTBALL GAMES.

I'VE PERSONALLY GONE TOY AMINNESOTA UNITED GAME WITH HIM BEFORE.

HE ACTUALLY IS THAT GUY WHO LOVES SPORTS.

AND LOVES THE COMPETITION.

>> Eric: HOW ARE THE REPUBLICANS DOING AT PEELING OFF SOME OF THE TRADITIONAL DEMOCRATIC PARTS OF THE CONSTITUENCY GROUPS?

>> YOU KNOW, THOUSANDS OF CALLS HAVE BEEN MADE, AND I'VE GOTTEN TO HEAR SOME F THEM ON HOW THEY'VE GONE.

OUT IN RURAL MINNESOTA, GREATER MINNESOTA, I THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE A ROAR, LIKE NO ONE'S EVER SEEN BEFORE.

AND THOSE, I FEEL PRETTY GOOD ABOUT.

NOW, WHEN YOU GET PAST, LET'S SAY, ROGERS AND GET A LITTLE BIT CLOSER TO THE METRO, YOU KNOW, I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF WORK THAT STILL NEEDS TO BE DONE IN THAT FIRST AND SECOND-TIER SUBURBAN RING.

ONCE YOU GET OUT A LITTLE BIT INTO WRIGHT COUNTY, FURTHER OUT, I'VE DRIVEN THIS STATE, 38,000 MILES BACK AND FORTH, LISTENED TO THOUSANDS OF CALLS, I THINK THAT OUT THERE PEOPLE WANT TO MAKE THEIR VOICE HEARD AND THEY'RE GOING TO DO IT VERY VERY LOUDLY.

>> MAYBE VISIT SOME RESERVATIONS, TOO.

>> Eric: YEAH.

>> I THINK SO.

>> Eric: THE MONTH THAT IS LEFT, ARE MINDS GOING TO BE CHANGED?

OR ARE WE STATIC FOR THE NEXT MONTH?

WHAT'S THE STATE OF THE RACE?

>> TO ME, THIS IS REALLY AN INTENSITY RACE NOW.

AT THIS STAGE OF THE CAMPAIGN, YOU'RE STILL TRYING TO KEEP STATES ON THE MAP, NORTH CAROLINA, ARIZONA.

BUT YOU'RE LSO GOING TO THE MIDDLE TO LOW PROPENSITY VOTERS, WHO VOTED IN MAYBE ONE OF THE LAST FOUR ELECTIONS, KNOCKING ON DOORS, DRAGGING THEM TO THE POLLS, THE CLOSER YOU GOAT ELECTION DAY, THE MORE YOU WANT TO MOVE UP THE SCALE ON THE PROPENSITY OF THE VOTERS.

>> THE OTHER THINGS THAT'S INTERESTING, THE REPUBLICANS ARE NOW FOCUSED ON ABSENTEE BALLOT, WHICH THEY HAD NOT IN 2020, 2022.

IN FACT, IN 2020, VERY MISTAKENLY TALKED DOWN THE ABSENTEE BALLOT.

>> Eric: IS PRESIDENT TRUMP HELPING THAT, THOUGH?

>> YEAH, HE HAS.

[ OVERLAPPING CONVERSATION ] >> WHOLE THING ACROSS THE STATE ON THAT.

>> AND THAT'S A FACTOR THAT HAS NOT BEEN IN THE LAST TWO CYCLES AND WILL HAVE AN IMPACT.

>> Eric: I'M GETTING THE HOOK FROM ACROSS THE HALL.

>> Cathy: NICELY DONE.

>> Eric: THANKS, PANEL.

>> TALK TO YOU LATER.

>> KIDS, DON'T SMOKE CIGARS, BUT I'M AN ADULT.

AND, ACTUALLY, I WAS OUT IN LALA LAND, HOLLYWOOD, THIS WAS ACTUALLY GIVEN TO ME BY SHARS NAGGER AND HE SAID IT WAS A BIG ONE, I DON'T KNOW WHERE IT CAME FROM.

I'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT.

IT DIDN'T HAVE ANY LABELS ON IT OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

>> Cathy: SO I'M BY THE BIG MONITOR, MUST BE TIME TO REMIND YOU OF LAST WEEK'S HISTORY QUESTION, PLAY SOME WRONG ANSWERS, RIGHT ANSWER.

BUT WE'RE GOING TO DO THINGS A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY TONIGHT.

WE DID RECEIVE A HANDFUL OF WRONG ANSWERS, INCLUDING A COUPLE OF HALF RIGHT ANSWERS.

BUT WE WANT YOU TO GET THE FULL DEAL.

SO WE'RE GOING TO ASK YOU THE QUESTION AGAIN.

HERE IS 1923.

IT'S SPRINGTIME IN St. PAUL.

THERE'S A NICE MAP OF THE TWIN CITIES FROM THAT ERA.

A BIG CEREMONY TAKES PLACE IN AN INTERSECTION NEAR THE OLD FEDERAL COURTHOUSE BUILDING IN DOWNTOWN St. PAUL.

AN IMPORTANT St. PAUL FIGURE DOES SOMETHING FOR THE FIRST TIME ON A NEWLY INSTALLED TALL STRUCTURE THAT WILL BECOME UBIQUITOUS AS TIME MARCHES ON.

WE WANT TO KNOW WHO PERFORMED THIS HISTORIC FIRST.

A COUPLE OF YOU ALLED TO TELL US WHAT THIS PERSON DID BUT NOT WHO HE IS.

MAYBE MITCHELL, THE POET, IS WATCHING TONIGHT AND CAN HELP US OUT WITH THE NAME OF THE St. PAUL PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICIAL WHO FLIPPED THE SWITCH THAT DAY.

651-229-1500 IS THE NUMBER TO CALL WITH ALL OF YOUR CLEVER ANSWERS, RIGHT OR WRONG.

651-229-1500 -- 651-229-1430 IS THAT NUMBER ONCE AGAIN.

YOU CAN ALWAYS DROP US A NOTE INSTEAD.

YOU CAN FIND THE ELECTRONIC IN BOX AT ALMANAC@TPT.ORG.

WHERE'S THE CLOCK?

JUST ENOUGH TIME LEFT FOR OME MUSIC FROM THE ARCHIVES.

15 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK, SPEAKING IN TONGUES JOINED US HERE IN STUDIO B.

TAKE A LISTEN TO THE QUARTET OF PERCUSSIONISTS.

WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE NEXT WEEK.

♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ >> "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 EQUITY.

DELTADENTALMN/TPT.

EDUCATION MINNESOTA, MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

AND PAINTCARE, ELPING MINNESOTANS PAINT SMARTER TO PREVENT WASTE.

MORE AT PAINTCARE.ORG.

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