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

>> Eric: COMING UP ON ALMANAC LOTS OF ELECTION YEAR POLITICS, PAUL DOUGLAS STOPS BY FOR A FALL WEATHER CHAT.

SHELETTA BE BRUNDIDGE HAS SUGGESTION FOR SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE.

MARY AHAMMER LOOKS AT TUESDAY NIGHT'S VP DEBATE.

>> WE'LL ANALYZE GOVERNOR WAL WALZ'S VICE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE WITH SOMEONE WHO'S DEBATED WITH HIM BEFORE.

>> WE STARTED TO TURN A PAGE NATIONALLY.

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

PAUL DOUGLAS IS HERE WITH AN UPDATE ON DRY CONDITIONS AROUND THE STATE.

BIRDCHICK IS BACK WITH A LOOK AT FALL MIGRATION PATTERNS IN THIS WARM WEATHER.

WE'LL TALK ABOUT SAFETY IN DOWNTOWN ST. PAUL AS ART CRAWL BEGINS WITH A COMMUNITY MOURNING THE VIOLENT DEATH OF AN ARTIST.

>> Cathy: INDEED, WE START TONIGHT WITH WHAT WILL FILL MUCH OF OUR HOUR, POLITICS.

ON TUESDAY NIGHT VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES JD VANCE AND TIM WALZ SQUARED OFF IN NEW YORK IN WHAT IS LIKELY THE FINAL DEBATE IN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION THIS FALL.

MARY LAHAMMER HAS THIS LOOK AT HOW THE V.P.

DEBATE DIFFERED FROM THE TOP OF THE TICKET'S DEBATE.

>> MINNESOTA'S DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR TIM WALZ AND OHIO'S REPUBLIC SENATOR, JD VANCE.

>> WALZ INITIALLY SEEMED NERVOUS ABOUT THE FIRST QUESTION ON A GLOBAL CONFLICT.

>> IT'S CLEAR AND THE WORLD SAW IT ON THAT DEBATE STAGE A FEW WEEKS AGO A NEARLY 80-YEAR-OLD DONALD TRUMP TALKING ABOUT CROWD SIZES IS NOT WHAT WE NEED IN THIS MOMENT.

>> WHO HAS BEEN THE VICE PRESIDENT IN THE LAST THREE AND A HALF YEARS, AND THE SER ANSWER CAN YOUR RUNNING MATE, NOT MINE.

DONALD TRUMP HAS MADE THE WORLD MORE SECURE.

>> THERE IS A PAUSE, THERE IS A REALITY CHECK.

AND I THINK OF IT LIKE YOU AND I, LIKE I SED TO HAVE THAT PAUSE EVEN BEFORE A BIG RADIO SHOW OF ELECTION NIGHT, RIGHT?

NOW 30 YEARS LATER YOU DON'T.

THIS WAS THE LARGEST STAGE HE'D EVER BEEN ON.

>> OLSON HAS MODERATED SEVERAL GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE WITH WALZ.

>> TIM WALZ IS NOT A PERSON WHO LEARNS A CANNED ANSWER.

>> THERE WAS I THINK A PLANNED ZINGER THAT I DON'T THINK LANDED.

>> NO, IT DIDN'T LAND.

ISSUES HE'S COMFORTABLE ABOUT HE'S GOING TO BE FINE.

>> DISASTER RESPONSE WAS MORE IN THE GOVERNOR'S WHEELHOUSE.

VANCE WAS READY ON IMMIGRATION.

>> WHEN SHE CAME INTO OFFICE SHE SAID SHE WAS GOING TO DO THIS.

REAL LEADERSHIP WOULD BE SAYING I SCREWED UP, WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK TO DONALD TRUMP'S IF BORDER POLICY.

>> TALKING ABOUT STORIES AND BRINGING ATTENTION TO THIS, THAT VILIFIED LOTS OF PEOPLE WHO WERE HERE LEGALLY, THERE'S CONSEQUENCES FOR THIS.

>> NOTED THAT GOVERNOR WALZ TOOK COPIOUS NOTES OFTEN PUTTING HIS HEAD DOWN TO RIGHT, IN CONTRAST TO ADVANCES' STYLE.

>> THE RULES WERE YOU WEREN'T GOING TO FACT CHECK ME.

>> YOUR MICS ARE CUT.

>> BOTH HAD TO DEFEND DISCREPANCIES IN THEIR RECORDS.

>> I'VE NOT BEEN PERFECT, I WILL TALK A LOT, I WILL GET CAUGHT UP IN THE RHETORIC AND I WAS ASKED ABOUT THAT SUMMER AND I ISSPOKE.

>> IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE WAY THEY ASKED IT THAT CAUGHT HIM OFF GUARD.

IT WAS A SIMPLE ANSWER AND HE COULDN'T DELIVER IT ON THREE TRIES UNTIL THE END.

>> TRUMP DELIVERED FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

A LOT OF THINGS FRANKLY I DIDN'T THINK HE'D BE ABLE TO DELIVER ON.

WHEN YOU SCREW UP, MISSPEAK, WHEN YOU GET SOMETHING WRONG AND CHANGE YOUR MIND YOU OUGHT TO BE HONEST WITH THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ABOUT IT.

IT'S ONE OF THE REASONS, MARGARET, WHY I'VE DONE SO MUCH INTERVIEWS.

>> AND VANCE, YOU NEED TO CLARIFY HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT TRUMP, DO YOU THINK HE DID BETTER ON THAT?

>> I THINK HE DID BETTER BUT I DON'T THINK HE DID WELL.

>> SENATOR VANCE SAID TWO WRONGS DON'T MAKE A RIGHT.

IN MINNESOTA WE RESTORED ROE V. WADE, WE MADE SURE WE PUT WOMEN IN CHARGE OF THEIR HEALTH CARE.

WE TRUST WOMEN, WE TRUST DOCTORS.

>> MY PARTY WE'VE GOT TO DO SO MUCH BETTER OF A JOB AT EARNING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE'S TRUST BACK ON THIS ISSUE, WHERE THEY FRANKLY JUST DON'T TRUST US.

>> HERE, WALZ WAS MORE CONFIDENT AND AGGRESSIVE.

>> IT'S NOT THE CASE, IT'S NOT TRUE.

THAT'S NOT WHAT THE LAW SAYS.

>> ABORTION I THOUGHT VANCE HUMANIZED IT MORE THAN ANY REPUBLICAN WHICH THEN ALLOWED GOVERNOR WALZ TO JUST GO TO PROJECT 2025, I STILL THINK THAT IS A COMPELLING ISSUE THIS YEAR.

>> GUN VIOLENCE PROVED PERSONALITY.

>> I GOT A 17-YEAR-OLD AND HE WITNESSED A SHOOTING AT A COMMUNITY CENTER PLAYING VOLLEYBALL.

>> I DIDN'T KNOW THAT YOUR 17-YEAR-OLD WITNESSED A SHOOTING.

I'M SORRY ABOUT THAT.

>> APPRECIATE YOU SAYING SO.

>> CHRIST HAVE MERCY, IT IS AWFUL.

>> THEY BOTH HAD THOSE MOMENTS AND I WOULD ACTUALLY SAY THE GRAVITY OF RECOGNIZING ELECTION RESULTS IS PROBABLY MORE IMPACTFUL ON THIS ELECTION THAN WHETHER OR NOT TIM WALZ WAS T TIANANMEN SQUARE 30 YEARS AGO.

>> WALZ' FUTURE, I HEAR SO MANY COMMENTATORS SAYING HE NEVER WANTS THE JOB, DOUBLE THAT?

>> I THINK HIS TEAM HAS ASPIRATIONS FOR HIM.

I THINK HE HAS ASPIRATIONS.

>> HE SAID JANUARY 6TH THE PROTESTERS OUGHT TO PROTEST PEACEFULLY.

WHAT HAPPENED ON JANUARY 20TH?

JOE BIDEN WON AND DONALD TRUMP LEFT THE WHITE HOUSE.

>> THE ONLY PERSON THERE WAS MY SON AND HIS DOG WHO WAS RUSHED OUT CRYING BY STATE POLICE.

DID HE OSE THE 2020 ELECTION?

>> TIM, I'M FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE.

>> THAT IS A DAMNING NON-ANSWER.

>> DEMOCRACY AND PROTECTING DEMOCRACY AND HONORING PEOPLE'S VOTES IS A TOP HREE ISSUE THIS YEAR.

>> AGAIN?

>> AGAIN, IT IS A SWING VOTER ISSUE.

>> THIS APPEARED LESS PARTISAN THAN EXPECTED.

>> I ENJOYED TONIGHT'S DEBATE AND I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF COMMONALITY ON THESE THINGS, AND I THINK I HAVE A LOT IN COMMON WITH THE SENATOR.

>> ME TOO, MAN.

>> WE NEEDED TO TURN THAT PAGE NATIONALLY.

I THINKS THING I HEAR THE MOST FROM PEOPLE, WHY CAN'T WE BE MORE CIVIL.

AT LEAST PEOPLE SAW OPTIMISM IN THE DIALOGUE AND DISCUSSION.

THAT IS THE WAY ATHLETES COMPETE.

THEY SHAKE HANDS AT THE END OF THE COMPETITION.

♪♪ >> Cathy: JOINING US WITH MORE ANALYSIS AND A LOOK AHEAD AT THE FINAL 31 DAYS ON THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN TRAIL, JOHN MCCORMICK IS A NATIONAL POLITICAL REPORTER WITH THE "WALL STREET JOURNAL" AND A MINNESOTA NATIVE WHO HAS WORKED AT "BLOOMBERG NEWS," "THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE," "THE DES MOINES REGISTER," AND "THE ROCHESTER POST BULLETIN."

GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN, JOHN.

>> HEY, THANKS FORKING HAVING ME.

>> Cathy: THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME.

I KNOW YOU WATCHED THE DEBATE AND IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THERE WAS A LOT OF NEGATIVE OLLOW-UP FROM THAT DEBATE N TUESDAY NIGHT.

ANY POLLING TO SHOW IN THE NEEDLE HAS MOVED AT ALL IN THIS RACE?

>> NOT YET, THERE WERE SOME OF THOSE INSTANT POLLS THAT SAID BOTH OF THEM DID FAIRLY WELL.

I DON'T THINK ANYBODY WAS REALLY EXPECTING THIS DEBATE TO MOVE THE NEEDLE.

THE PRESIDENTIAL ONE HARDLY DID, IF IT DID, MAYBE A POINT OR TWO.

SO CERTAINLY THE VICE PRESIDENTIAL PROBABLY WON'T, THEY TRADITIONALLY DON'T UNLESS SOMEBODY REALLY HAS A TERRIBLE NIGHT AND THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN FOR EITHER OF THESE GUYS.

AS THE PIECE MENTIONED THE MINNESOTA GOVERNOR WAS, DID SEEM NERVOUS AT THE BEGINNING.

KIND OF THAT IF YOU'RE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 61 NORTH AND A DEER JUMPS OUT IN THE HEADLIGHTS, THERE WERE A COUPLE MOMENTS LIKE THAT WHERE HE JUST KIND OF SEEMED A LITTLE OUT OF HIS ELEMENT.

BUT HE DID GET HIS FOOTING.

AS DAVID AXELROD THE DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST ALWAYS SAYS THIS BUSINESS ABOUT RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT FOR THAT MATTER IS A LOT HARDER THAN IT LOOKS.

>> SAY, YOU'VE DONE SOME WRITING ON THE MISSTATEMENTS THAT GOVERNOR WALZ HAS ADOPTED TO.

INSPITE OF THAT HE'S GOING ON JIMMY KIMMEL, HE'S GOING ON 60 MINUTES, HE'S GOT A BIG PODCAST COMING UP.

WHAT'S AT PLAY HERE?

>> YEAH, I THINK THEY'RE TRYING TO LET TIM WALZ BE TIM WALZ A LITTLE BIT MORE IN THIS HOME STRETCH SO I THINK BOTH THE TOP OF THE TICKET AND THE VICE PRESIDENTIAL RUNNING MATE ARE GOING TO BE OUT THERE DOING A LOT MORE NATIONAL MEDIA.

YOU KNOW, I'M SURE WALZ WILL PROBABLY BE ASKED ABOUT SOME OF THESE MISSTATEMENTS, SOME PEOPLE WOULD CALL THEM FALSEHOODS.

I GUESS IN MINNESOTA YOU COULD CALL THEM FISHING TALES.

HE DOES SEEM TO HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF A PATTERN OF JUST EXAGGERATING THINGS A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN HE NEEDS TO.

YOU KNOW, HIS -- NOBODY WOULD HAVE BLAMED HIM IF HE HAD LISTED ON HIS OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY THE ACTUAL RETIREMENT RANK THAT HE HAD FROM THE NATIONAL GUARD BUT INSTEAD IT WAS ONE NOTCH HIGHER AND THIS BUSINESS ABOUT WHEN HE WAS IN CHINA, YOU KNOW, HAS BECOME OF A BIT OF A DISTRACTION, HE OBVIOUSLY WAS ASKED ABOUT IT IN THE DEBATE.

AND ON WEDNESDAY HE DID FEEL THE NEED TO SORT OF CLARIFY THINGS.

HE CAME OUT AND ID A GAGGLE WITH REPORTERS TRAVELING WITH IMHAD AND SAID, HEY, I NEED TO SPEAK MORE CLEARLY.

AND IS I THINK SOME OF THIS IS JUST GROWING PAINS.

HE'S NOT USED TO SORT OF THE MASSIVE AMOUNT OF ATTENTION THAT HE'S GETTING RIGHT NOW.

>> Cathy: SAY, WONDER IF THERE WILL BE ANY LEGS TO THE CNN REPORT, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE SEEN IT YET, ABOUT SOME OF THE WASTE AND FRAUD AND ABUSE IN THE WALZ ADMINISTRATION, FEEDING OUR FUTURES SCANDAL, THAT KIND OF THING, CNN DID A PRETTY DECENT IN-DEPTH REPORT ON THAT TODAY AND I'M WONDERING, MIGHT THAT HAVE SOME LEGS?

>> I WAS ACTUALLY SURPRISED THAT HE WAS NOT ASKED BOUT THAT IN THE DEBATE.

I WAS KIND OF SURPRISED ABOUT SEVERAL THINGS THAT HE WASN'T ASKED ABOUT.

YOU KNOW, THEY NEED TO PACK IN A LOT OF QUESTIONS BUT THAT WAS ONE THAT I THOUGHT HE WOULD GET ASKED ABOUT.

I THOUGHT HE WOULD GET ASKED ABOUT HIS RESPONSE, YOU KNOW, FOLLOWING, DURING THE RIOTS IN MINNEAPOLIS, FOLLOWING GEORGE FLOYD'S DEAD DEATH.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, I WAS SURPRISED THAT FEEDING OUR FUTURE DIDN'T COME UP.

MAYBE 06 MINUTES ILL ASK HIM ABOUT IT, WE'LL SEE.

>> Eric: SAY, IF THE HARRIS TICKET LOSES PENNSYLVANIA IS WALZ BEING SET UP TO BE THE SCAPEGOAT THAT GOVERNOR SHAPIRO WASN'T PICKED AS THE SECOND CHOICE?

>> YOU DO HEAR THAT FROM SOME PEOPLE THAT, BOY, MAYBE PENNSYLVANIA WOULD ALREADY BE IN THE BANK HERE, AND IT ISN'T.

IT'S LOOKING VERY CLOSE JUST LIKE MICHIGAN AND WISCONSIN.

AND SHE REALLY DOES NEED PROBABLY ALL THREE OF THOSE STATES TO HAVE A FAIRLY GOOD SHOT OF WINNING THE PRESIDENCY.

SO, YEAH.

YOU KNOW, DO PEOPLE HAVE SECOND DOUBTS ABOUT THIS?

I DON'T KNOW, I DON'T HAVE ANY REPORTING TO BACK THAT UP, BUT, YOU KNOW, CERTAINLY YOU DO HEAR SHAPIRO'S NAME COME UP AND PEOPLE KIND OF SAYING WHAT F THAT HAD HAPPENED.

AND HE'S A VERY POLISHED GUY, HE'S SMOOTHER THAN WALZ IS.

YOU KNOW, OF COURSE PART OF WALZ'S CHARM IS HE IS THIS SORT OF MIDWESTERN UNCLE TYPE THAT PEOPLE DO SEEM TO LIKE, INDEPENDENTS AND DEMOCRATS DO SEEM TO THINK THAT HE'S A FAIRLY NORMAL GUY IN SORT OF RESPONDING TO SOME OF THESE MISTAKES AND GAFFES THAT HE'S MADE HE'S SAID THAT, I'M JUST A FORMER HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER AND I SPEAK LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE AND I MAKE MISTAKES SOMETIMES SO ATHAT'S SORT OF BEEN HIS APPROACH TO IT.

>> Cathy: HE'S A 20-YEAR POLITICIAN THOUGH TOO, RIGHT?

>> CORRECT, MORE THAN A DECADE IN CONGRESS AND TWO TERMS AS THE GOVERNOR.

>> Cathy: THAT'S RIGHT.

SAY, BEFORE YOU GO, YOU'RE ON THE TRAIL.

I MEAN, WHAT, 31 DAYS REMAIN.

WHAT, WHAT MIGHT BE AHEAD OF US DO YOU THINK?

WHAT ARE YOU EXPECTING HERE?

>> WELL, I THINK IT'S GOING TO REMAIN CLOSE, YOU'RE STARTING TO SEE SOME OF THE BIG SURROGATES COME OUT, BARACK OBAMA IS GOING TO BE IN PENNSYLVANIA NEXT WEEK CAMPAIGNING FOR THE DEMOCRATS, HE'S GOING TO BE REALLY RAMPING UP HIS TRAVELS.

YOU SAW BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN MAKE AN ENDORSEMENT OF THE DEMOCRATIC TICKET.

I COULD SEE A SITUATION WHERE HE DOES SOME SORT OF OUTDOOR SHOW OR CONCERT.

AND SO I THINK T'S GOING TO BE JUST CONSTANT ACTIVITY REALLY ON BOTH SIDES.

WISCONSIN, YOU KNOW, THE LATEST POLL MARKET UNIVERSITY POLL, LAW SCHOOL POLL I SHOULD SAY HAD HER UP BY 4 POINTS IN WISCONSIN BUT I DON'T THINK ANYBODY BELIEVES THAT ANYBODY'S GOING TO WIN THAT STATE BY THAT MUCH.

IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE ONE, TWO, OR THREE POINTS LIKE IT TYPICALLY HAS BEEN IN RECENT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS.

GOING TO SEE A TON OF ACTIVITY.

>> Cathy: JOHN, IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

GOOD LUCK.

>> THANK YOU, TAKE CARE.

>> Eric: THANKS, JOHN.

>> Cathy: WE'LL BE BACK WITH MORE ON THE ELECTION.

♪♪ >> Eric: WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TONIGHT'S ELECTION THEME WITH OUR NEXT GUEST.

EARLY VOTING BEGAN TWO WEEKS AGO TODAY HERE IN MINNESOTA.

THAT'S JUST ONE OF THE THINGS WE'LL GET AN UPDATE ON FROM SECRETARY OF STATE STEVE SIMON.

WELCOME BACK.

ATTORNEY GENERAL ELLISON IS OUT TODAY WITH VOTING SAFETY PAGE ON HIS WEBSITE.

AND I WONDERED IF YOU'RE IN THE POSITION TO ADVOCATE INCREASED LAW ENFORCEMENT OR NATIONAL GUARD ON ALERT, OR ANY OF THAT STUFF BASED ON U.S. HIS WARNINGS HERE?

>> YEAH, WELL, WE WORK PRETTY HAND IN GLOVE ON THIS LECTION STUFF.

I WOULD SAY THIS, WHEN T COMES TO PUBLIC SAFETY WE HAVE REALLY GOOD LAWS IN MINNESOTA, PARTICULARLY WHEN IT COMES TO POLLING PLACE SAFETY, WE WANT IT TO BE SORT OF A TRANQUIL OASIS, THAT'S THE GOAL.

BUT WE'RE READY AND MORE IMPORTANTLY OUR LOCAL PARTNERS, OUR TEAMMATES ARE READY THE NEED ARISES, IF SOMEONE'S DISRUPTIVE THEY HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO CALL IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> Cathy: LET'S TALK ABOUT EARLY VOTING.

WHAT HAVE YOU SEEN SO FAR?

IS IT RUNNING AHEAD OF OTHER YEARS?

BEHIND?

>> HERE'S WHAT'S INTERESTING.

SO AS OF LAST NIGHT WE HAVE 107,000 BALLOTS, 107, ALL RIGHT IN.

THAT IS MORE THAN DOUBLE WHAT IT WAS IN 2016.

NOT AS MUCH AS 2020, AND 2020 IS A WEIRD OUTLIER BECAUSE THAT WAS COVID, AND EVERY -- JUST SKY HIGH, LIKE IT WAS ON ROCKET FUEL, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO WANTED TO VOTE ABSENTEE FOR OBVIOUS REASONS DURING COVID.

SO MAYBE THE BEST COMPARISON IS 2016, I KNOW THAT'S EIGHT YEARS AGO BUT JUST ABOUT DOUBLE WHAT IT WAS THEN.

>> Eric: WITH THE NEW AUTOMATIC OF VOTER REGISTRATION PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED THAT SOME NONCITIZENS MAY BE VOTING.

>> RIGHT.

>> Eric: CAN YOU REASSURE US ON THAT SOME >> I CAN REASSURE YOU ON THAT.

THE LAW IS REALLY CLEAR, CRYSTAL CLEAR.

THE ONLY RECORDS THAT ARE FORWARDED TO OUR OFFICE OR SHOULD BE ARE THE ONES WHERE PEOPLE HAVE SHOWN PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP.

YOU HAVE TO SHOW A PASSPORT, YOU HAVE TO SHOW NATURALIZATION PAPERS OR BIRTH CERTIFICATE.

IT IS TRUE THAT EARLIER THIS SUMMER THERE WERE A COUPLE OF GLITCHES WHERE THAT WAS NOT DONE BUT WE CAUGHT THEM, THAT'S THE GOOD NEWS AND WE ASKED AND THEY AGREED AT THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, THEY'RE THE ONES WHO RUN DRIVER'S LICENSE, THAT ETHER GOING TO ADD, THEY ALREADY HAVE, SOME NEW SECURITY PRECAUTIONS AND PROCEDURES AND I FEEL GOOD ABOUT THAT.

>> Eric: DO YOU KNOW WHERE GEOGRAPHICALLY HE AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION IS TAKING BLAISE OR IS THAT DATA NOT AVAILABLE YET?

>> OH, IN TERMS OF AROUND THE STATE?

>> Eric: YEAH, GEOGRAPHICALLY.

>> I THINK WE COULD LOOK AT THAT, I HAVE NOT SEEN ANY SORT OF SPREAD BUT AS THE WEEKS GO ON THERE'S NO REASON WE COULDN'T LOOK AT THAT.

>> Cathy: HOW DID YOU FIND THAT WAS AN ISSUE?

JUST CURIOUS.

>> WELL, A COUPLE PEOPLE TOLD US THERE WAS.

WE WERE ABILITIED I BELIEVE INITIALLY BY SOMEONE THIS SUMMER WHO SAID HEY, I THINK IT WAS A SELF-REPORT, SOMEONE WHO SAID I SHOULDN'T HAVE RECEIVED THIS BALLOT, WE LOOKED INTO IT, TALKED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND FIGURED OUT A WAY TO GET BEYOND IT AND FIX IT, FIRST OF ALL, TO MAKE SURE WITH GOOD MEASURES IN PLACE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN AND WE FEEL GOOD ABOUT IT.

>> Eric: BALLOT MISERABLING AROUND THE STATE.

>> YES.

>> Eric: AND THAT REALLY ISN'T UNDER YOUR PURVIEW, IS IT OR IS IT?

>> NO, IT'S NOT BUT WE'RE ALL A TEAM HERE AND OUR TEAMMATES AT THE LOCAL AND COUNTY LEVEL ARE OUTSTANDING.

INCLUDING ESPECIALLY THE ONES WHO MADE A COUPLE OF MISPRINT ERRORS.

JUST TO PUT THIS IN PERSPECTIVE, WE HAVE THOUSANDS, I MEAN THOUSANDS OF SEPARATE BALLOT COMBINATIONS, BALLOT STYLES, FORMATS ACROSS MINNESOTA, EACH NE F THOSE HAS 20 OR 30 CONTESTS SO IN THE GRAND SCHEME OF THINGS THIS IS REALLY A MICROSCOPIC LEVEL OF INACCURACY.

VERY SMALL, A COUPLE OF COUNTIES MADE MISTAKES WITH MISPRINTS BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS WE FIXED IT AND FIGURED OUT A BY TO FIX IT GOING FORWARD.

WE WENT TO COURT, GOT IT FIXED, EVERYONE WHO VOTED WITH A MISPRINTED BALLOT GOT CONTACTED AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO-OVER.

>> Cathy: GIVEN -- HEIGHTENED AWARENESS, THESE ARE KIND OF DINGS, THOUGH, SOME PEOPLE LOOK AT THIS AND SAY, WELL, IS THERE ANY OTHER PROBLEMS THAT MIGHT BE OUT THERE?

HOW DO YOU TAMP THAT DOWN?

>> NO, I UNDERSTAND THAT.

I'LL AID IT FROM THE BEGINNING STARTING TWO MONTHS AGO MY TWO BIG WISHES FOR THE ELECTION IF I COULD WAVE A MAGIC WAND, HIGH TURNOUT AND LOW DRAMA.

WHEN IT COMES TO LOW DRAMA, I CAN PUT THIS STUFF IN PERSPECTIVE, NOT TO DENY OR CONCEAL THESE MISTAKES WHEN THEY HAPPEN, BASICALLY SAY, LOOK, FOLKS, LET'S PUT THIS IN PERSPECTIVE.

MINNESOTA HAS A STELLAR RECORD GOING BACK DECADES, THERE'S EVERY REASON TO EXPECT THIS CYCLE QING THINGS ARE GOING TO BE REALLY GOOD AGAIN.

>> Cathy: SAY, VOTER REGISTRATIONS A LOT OOZE BEEN SAID ABOUT TAYLOR SWIFT, EFFECT AND ALL OF THAT.

HAVE YOU NOTICED ANUP STICK IN VOTER REGISTRATION AND DO WE KNOW WHO THOSE PEOPLE ARE THAT ARE SIGNING UP AT ALL?

>> WE DEFINITELY DID.

WE'VE BEEN ASKED A NUMBER OF TIMES WHETHER AFTER TAYLOR SWIFT'S STATEMENT APART FROM STATING A PREFERENCE IN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION SHE SAID HEY, REGISTER, REGISTER, REGISTER, AND WE DID NOTICE A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN THE WEEK OR TEN DAYS FOLLOWING IN TERMS OF VOTER REGISTRATIONS IN MINNESOTA.

PROBABLY TRACEABLE TO THAT, WE CAN'T PROVE THAT.

WHERE THEY'RE COMING ROM, WHAT AGES WE DON'T KNOW THAT YET.

>> Eric: IF YOU ROUND UP I THINK THE TURNOUT WAS 80% LAST TIME?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> Eric: HOW MUCH MORE BLOOD IS HERE IN THE TURNIP?

>> THAT WAS PRETTY SKY-HIGH.

I'M GOING TO ARTFULLY DODGE GIVING YOU AN EXACT NUMBER BUT WE'LL BE IN THE 70S, WHAT WE'RE GUNNING FOR AS ALWAYS IS TO BE NUMBER ONE IN AMERICA JUST LIKE NATURE INTENDED.

AND WE HOPE TO BE BACK ON THAT METAL STAND WITH A GOLD MEDAL THIS TIME.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR COMING BY.

GOOD STUFF.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK OU.

>> Cathy: YOU BET.

♪♪ IS WE WERE ALL ON THE EDGE OF OUR >> Sheletta: EVERYBODY WAITED.

WE WERE ALL ON THE EDGE OF OUR SEATS.

WE KNEW THE AMAZING MAYA RUDOLPH WOULD PLAY KAMALA HARRIS ON "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE" DURING POLITICAL SKITS.

BUT WHO WOULD THEY CHOOSE TO BE TIM WALZ?

JIM GAFFIGAN DID THE HONORS AND HONEY, HE NAILED IT.

HE MADE THE LAND OF 10,000 LAKES LOOK GOOD ON NATIONAL TV, I TELL YOU.

BUT I HAVE TO ADMIT WHILE I WAS IMPRESSED WITH GAFFIGAN’S IMPERSONATION OF COACH WALZ, I HAVE A BONE TO PICK WITH THE SNL WRITERS.

MM-HMM.

THEIR JOKES WERE GOOD, DON’T GET ME WRONG.

BUT LORNE MICHAELS SHOULD DO HIMSELF A FAVOR AND HIRE SOME MINNESOTA WRITERS IF HE’S GOING TO KEEP THE "BIG DAD ENERGY" JOKES COMING.

BECAUSE THOSE NEW YORKERS JUST DON’T KNOW A THING ABOUT US.

CASE IN POINT, THEY MADE A JOKE ABOUT MENARDS HAVING A SALE.

10% OFF, THEY SAID.

HA!

MENARDS AIN’T NEVER HAD 10% OFF ANYTHING, IT'S ALWAYS 11%.

THEN THEY TRIED TO SAY GOVERNOR WALZ SHOPS AT COSTCO TO BUY CLOTHES, WHEN WE KNOW GOOD AND WELL ANY SELF-RESPECTING MINNESOTA MAN BUYS HIS SUITS AT MILLS FLEET FARM.

THEY JOKED THAT TIM WALZ TOOK THE JOB AS KAMALA HARRIS’ RUNNING MATE BECAUSE HE WAS A TEACHER AND NEEDED THE MONEY.

THAT AIN’T THE CASE.

BECAUSE WE DO RIGHT BY OUR TEACHERS HERE IN MINNESOTA SO, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE PRODUCERS, I BELIEVE YOU HAVE A PROBLEM.

AND I KNOW SOMEONE WHO CAN SOLVE IT FOR YOU.

YOU NEED A MINNESOTA COMEDY WRITER.

AND IT JUST SO HAPPENS THAT I AM A MINNESOTA COMEDY WRITER.

CALL ME UP OFF THE BENCH.

I'VE GOT A NOTEBOOK FILLED WITH YOU-BETCHA ONE-LINERS AND HILARIOUS HOTDISH STORIES.

PUT ME IN TO WRITE JOKES FOR COACH, LORNE MICHAELS.

I’M READY TO PLAY TODAY.

CAUSE THE WRITERS YOU GOT NOW, THEY ARE DOING IT ALL WRONG.

THEY HAD TIM WALZ DOING THE MACARENA IN THAT OPENING SCENE LAST WEEK WHEN I HAVE IT ON GOOD AUTHORITY THAT HIS FAVORITE DANCE MOVE IS THE BUMP.

♪♪ >> Cathy: FALL IN MINNESOTA.

WHEN THE LEAVES ON THE TREES TURN BRILLIANT COLORS BEFORE THEY DROP TO THE GROUND.

CRISP COOL DAYS AND EVENINGS PREPARE US FOR THE LONG WINTER AHEAD.

BUT THIS YEAR'S COLORS ARE A LITTLE MUTED AFTER A ROLLERCOASTER SUMMER AND FALL OF FLOODWATER FOLLOWED BY WARMER THAN AVERAGE FALL TEMPERATURES AND THE DRYEST SEPTEMBER ON RECORD IN MINNESOTA PAUL DOUGLAS IS BACK.

WHEN HE'S NOT VISITING US HERE IN STUDIO B YOU CAN READ HIS WEATHER MUSINGS IN THE "STAR TRIBUNE."

IN HIS SPARE TIME HE RUNS HIS OWN WEATHER COMPANY, PRAEDICTIX.

GOOD TO SEE YOU, MY FRIEND.

SUPER-SIZED SUMMER.

I MEAN, IT'S REALLY -- BECAUSE, REALLY, SEPTEMBER IT WAS LIKE AUGUST.

>> TODAY IS AUGUST THE 65TH.

[ LAUGHTER ] IF ANYBODY ASKS.

YOU WANT TO CONFUSE A NEIGHBOR.

IT IS AMAZING.

AND SOME OF THIS IS NATURAL VARIABILITY.

SOME OF THIS, SYMPTOMS OF A WARMING ATMOSPHERE.

YOU CAN HAVE BOTH.

AND IT'S A TREND WE'RE SEEING WARMER WEATHER DEEPER INTO AUTUMN.

>> Cathy: I BET YOU'VE GOT THINGS TO SHOW US.

>> I DO -- YEAH, IT'S SHOW AND TELL FOR A WEATHER GUY.

>> Cathy: YES, IT IS.

>> MODERATE DROUGHT IS EXPANDING ACROSS THE STATE.

YES, IT'S DRY.

WE HAD THE DRYEST SEPTEMBER ON RECORD.

6/100 OF AN INCH OF RAIN.

MODERATE DROUGHT BACK IN MUCH OF SOUTHERN MINNESOTA AND CENTRAL INNESOTA AS WELL.

BY THE WAY, WE'VE HAD A 7-MONTH BOATING SEASON IN MINNESOTA.

THERE WERE BOATS IN THE WATER IN APRIL, THERE WERE BOATS IN THE WATER TODAY.

BUT OF COURSE, AND WHO WOULD HAVE PREDICTED THIS AFTER ONE OF THE WETTEST SUMMERS ON RECORD, AINFALL WENT OFF A CLIFF RIGHT AROUND LABOR DAY AND BURN RESTRICTIONS IN EFFECT, ESPECIALLY OVER THE ARROWHEAD.

SO, YEAH,, EWE NEED RAIN.

DROUGHT IS CREEPING BACK, WE'RE IN KIND OF A WINDY PATTERN ND THAT'S GOING TO ACCELERATE THE DRYING OF THE SOIL.

ALL RIGHT.

SO AS I MENTIONED, IT IS WARMING UP SINCE 1970, ACCORDING TO CLIMATE CENTER.

MOST OF MINNESOTA, 3 TO 5 DEGREES WARMER THAN AVERAGE DURING AUTUMN.

THAT IS IN FACT A TREND.

I MEAN, THINK ABOUT IT, WHEN I GOT HERE IN '83 THE FIRST FROST WAS OCTOBER 3RD, THAT WAS THE AVERAGE.

NOW IT'S OCTOBER HE 11TH.

AND IT KEEPS GETTING PUSHED LATER AND LATER.

WHICH SOME PEOPLE FIND DELIGHTFUL, OTHER PEOPLE REALLY WANT TO ENJOY AUTUMN.

NO EL NINO TO SAVE US THIS WINTER.

WE'RE HEADING NTO A COOL PHASE OF PACIFIC OCEAN WATER AND ODDS FAVOR A COLDER WINTER THAN LAST YEAR.

I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A PIONEER WINTER.

AND ODDS FAVOR MORE SNOW THAN THE PALTRY PITTANCE OF 29.5 INCHES LAST INTER.

AVERAGE IS 54.

AND I THINK MY SPIDEY SENSE, MY GUT FEEL, COULD BE NAUSEA, IS THAT WE WILL SEE MORE PILES OF FROZEN WATER THAN LAST YEAR.

I WOULD SAY SOMEWHERE IN THE 50, 55-INCH RANGER.

GIVE OR TAKE 30.

AND LOOK AT THIS, IT'S GOING TO COOL OFF A LITTLE BIT AFTER LOW 80S ON SATURDAY, IT'S GOING TO BE IN THE LOW 60S ON SUNDAY, THEN BACK INTO THE 70S.

WE COULD SEE A COUPLE OF DAYS UP AROUND 80 IN MID-OCTOBER.

NOW, GRANTED FAR NORTH METRO, MUCH OF CENTRAL TO NORTHERN MINNESOTA HAS SEEN THE FIRST FROST BUT HERE IN THE IMMEDIATE METROS, THE SUBURBS I DON'T THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE FROST FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER TWO WEEKS.

AND BY THE WAY, I MEAN, HELENE.

I THINK METEOROLOGISTS ALONG WITH EVERYBODY ELSE KIND OF LOOKING IN HORROR AT WHAT HAPPENED IN THE SOUTHEAST.

IT WAS BAD ENOUGH FOR FLORIDA, AND THEN YOU HAVE THIS INCREDIBLE SWATH OF BIBLICAL RAINS.

20, 30, 40 INCHES OF RAIN.

AND I'M NOT ALONE, I'M NOT THE ONLY METEOROLOGIST WHO SAYS THE SAFFIR SIMPSON SCALE, YOU KNOW, CATEGORY ONE, CATEGORY THREE, CATEGORY FIVE, IT DOESN'T ACCOUNT FOR WHAT'S HAPPENING INLAND.

AFTER THE STORM COMES ASHORE.

SAFFIR SIMPSON IS FIXATED ON LANDFALL, HOW STRONG WILL THE WINDS BE, HOW HIGH WILL THE SURGE, UPWELLING OF WATER AS THE HURRICANE COMES ASHORE.

BUT IT SAYS NOTHING, IT DOESN'T SET EXPECTATIONS FOR FLOODING HUNDREDS OF MILES INLAND DAYS AFTER LANDFALL.

AND SO NOAA DID A GREAT JOB, THEY TALKED ABOUT FLOODING IN PLACES LIKE ASHEVILLE, CHATTANOOGA, BUT IN THE FOG OF WAR IT KIND OF GOT LOST IN THE SAUCE.

EVERYBODY IS FIXATING -- PEOPLE ON THE COAST, HERE COMES THE HURRICANE.

AND SO WE NEED A BETTER AY I THINK TO SET EXPECTATIONS AND TO LEVERAGE SOCIAL MEDIA AS WELL S LEGACY MEDIA.

>> Cathy: SPEAKING OF EXPECTATIONS I KNOW YOU SAID THAT LA NINA TRADITIONALLY IS COLDER AND SNOWY, RIGHT, SNOWIER.

BUT WITH CLIMATE CHANGE, IS THAT REALLY TRUE NOW?

>> IT'S TAKING THE EDGE OFF.

>> Cathy: OKAY.

>> THAT COOL TREND.

SO, I MEAN, EVERY NOW AND THEN WE GOT WALLOPED WITH A REAL PIONEER WINTER.

IT HASN'T HAPPENED IN A LITTLE WHILE.

2014 WAS A TOUGH WINTER.

MOST WINTERS ARE TRENDING MILDER EVEN THE LA NINA WINTERS ARE TRENDING MILDER.

THERE WILL BE COLD FRONTS AND SNOW, ENJOY THIS HONEYMOON, AND PRAY FOR RAIN.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR THIS WONDERFUL AUDIO AND VISUAL PRESENTATION.

>> THIS IS TV, RIGHT?

>> Eric: THANKS, MAN.

>> Cathy: WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION OF UNSEASONABLY WARM WEATHER AND THE WORLD OF BIRDS.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK WITH THE BIRDCHICK.

♪♪ >> Eric: WE JUST HEARD ABOUT THE HOT DRY WEATHER THIS FALL LEADING TO BURNING RESTRICTIONS AND MORE AROUND THE STATE.

BUT HOW DOES THIS IMPACT THE BIRDS THAT NORMALLY START HEADING SOUTH THIS TIME OF YEAR?

LUCKILY WE HAVE AN EXPERT, WE'VE CALLED IN BIRDING EXPERT TO HELP WITH THAT QUESTION, SHARON STITELER, BETTER KNOWN AS BIRD CHICK.

GREAT TO SEE YOU.

>> Cathy: WELCOME BACK.

>> I'M SO EXCITED TO BE HERE.

I'M HAVING THE BEST TIME.

I HAVE FALL MIGRATION MIGRATION GOING ON.

>> Eric: IS IT AFFECTED BY THE WEATHER?

>> IT'S NOT REALLY THE COLD THAT CAUSES BIRDS TO GO AWAY, IT'S MORE THE PHOTO PERIOD, THE LENGTH OF DAY.

A LOT OF OUR HUMMINGBIRDS ARE GOING TO BE START LEAVING THIS WEEK.

IF YOU HAVE A REMNANT HUMMINGBIRD THIS IS THE TIME IN OCTOBER THEY START TO GET OUT OF HERE.

SOME BIRDS ARE GOING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS BECAUSE IT'S A LITTLE WARMER, WE MIGHT HAVE MORE INSECTS AVAILABLE AND THAT'S GOING TO HELP THEM FUEL UP A LITTLE BIT.

>> Cathy: TAKE UP AND THEN GO.

>> Eric: WE'VE GOT SOME PHOTOS, CAN YOU NARRATE THEM?

>> YES, I CAN.

>> Cathy: THIS OBVIOUSLY LOOKS LIKE IT'S SOME KIND OF A RAPTOR.

>> YEAH, THAT WAS TAKEN AT HAWK RIDGE.

I WANTED TO TELL EVERYBODY THERE'S STILL PLENTY OF TIME TO ENJOY HAWK RIDGE.

>> Cathy: NEVER BEEN.

>> WHAT?

>> Cathy: I KNOW, SHOCKING, YOUR MOUTH IS AGAPE.

>> I'M DISAPPOINTED IN YOU, CATHY.

>> Eric: WELL, WE ALL ARE.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> HAWK RIDGE IS AMAZING.

THIS IS SHOWING A ROUGH LEGGED HAWK.

OCTOBER IS MY FAVORITE TIME AT HAWK RIDGE BECAUSE THAT'S WHEN YOU GET THE SEXIER HAWKS COMING THROUGH.

THE NORTHERN GRASSHAWK, THAT IS THE SEXIEST HAWK IN MINNESOTA.

IT IS A GREAT TIME TO ENJOY DULUTH.

OCTOBER 12TH IS SOMETHING CALLED GLOBAL BIG DAY AND US IN A GROUP OF BIRDERS THAT PARTICIPATED IN GLOBAL BIG DAY, BUT THIS IS, IT'S A DAY WHERE YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO DOCUMENT ANY BIRD THAT YOU SEE AND HEAR ON OCTOBER 12TH.

YOU CAN ENTER IT INTO E-BIRD, IT IS AN APP OR DO IT AT E-BIRD.ORG, IT'S FREE.

BUT IT GIVES US A SNAPSHOT OF HOW BIRDS ARE MING INTO OCTOBER.

YOU CAN DO LIKE I HOST A PARTY, YOU COME TO MY HOUSE AND SIT OUTSIDE AND WATCH BIRDS ALL DAY, WE MIGHT HAVE OCTOBER FEST AND SOME CHEESE BUT WE SIT AROUND AND WATCH THE BIRDS FLY OVER US.

>> Cathy: WE'LL BE OVER.

THANK YOU, WE'LL BE THERE.

THIS LOOKS LIKE ANOTHER KIND OF A RAPTOR.

>> YEAH, THIS IS MINNESOTA'S SMALLEST OWL, THE SAWET OWL AND THEY ARE MIGHT BE RATING THROUGH AND I HAVE THIS ON GOOD AUTHORITY, MY FRIEND TOLD ME HIS WIFE HAS STARTED BANDING THEM THIS WEEK.

YOU MIGHT FIND TEENY TINY OWLS IN YOUR BACKYARD.

THE BEST WAY TO FIND THEM IS LISTEN FOR ANGRY CHICKADEES.

THEY'RE JUST OUT THERE GOING DEE-DEE-DEE-DEE.

THIS IS A WARBLER, ALSO KNOWN AS A BUTTER BUTT.

THEY ARE OUR MOST COMMON WARBLER MOVING THROUGH RIGHT NOW.

AND THEY SOUND LIKE THEY'RE KISSING TOWARDS YOU, YOU HEAR THIS KIND OF [ SMACKING LIPS ] SOUND OUTSIDE.

>> Eric: HOW PLENTIFUL OF THOSE?

>> I WAS LOUSY WITH THEM THIS MORNING.

>> Cathy: THEY'LL BE HERE A DAY OR TWO THEN RIGHT?

>> A FEW WEEKS, THEY'RE PASSING THROUGH.

BLUEBIRDS ARE ALSO STARTING TO SHOW.

MY FRIEND RENEE IN THE SOUTH METRO HAD A GROUP OF ABOUT THREE SHOW UP AND SHE ORMALLY DOESN'T HAVE THEM.

WOULDN'T BE A AD IDEA TO PUT SOME MEALWORMS OUT IN CASE THEY SHOW UP.

BUT ALWAYS HAVE THOSE NATIVE PLANTS READY IF YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT NATIVE PLANTS THOSE ARE THE BIRDS YOU WANT TO ATTRACT.

AND THESE, THE WHITE-THROATED SPARROWS THEY'RE MOVING THROUGH AND IT'S THE KIDS AND THEY DON'T KNOW THEIR SONG REALLY WELL, SO YOU NORMALLY YOU HEAR THAT [ WHISTLING ] AND RIGHT NOW IT'S KIND OF [ WHISTLING ] SO IT'S GREAT LISTENING TO ALL THOSE TEENAGERS.

>> Eric: GIVE US AN IDEA OF WHAT THESE SPACE AGE BINOCULARS ARE.

>> I HAD TO BRING THESE IN, THESE ARE THE MOST RIDICULOUS BINOCULARS, THEY HAVE MERLIN BUILT IN AND WILL IDENTIFY BIRDS FOR YOU.

YES, AND ALSO IDENTIFY MAMMALS.

IF I'M TRYING TO GET SOMETHING ON A BIRD AND THEY CAN'T SEE IT, IT WILL SHOW SPARROWS INSIDE TO SHOW THEM WHERE I'M LOOKING TO SEE THE BIRD.

>> Eric: DO OLD SCHOOL BIRDERS RESENT THIS TYPE OF TECHNOLOGY?

>> OH, WHAT DON'T THEY RESENT.

BUT, NO, FOR A BEGINNER IT'S FASCINATING.

I DON'T NEED MERLIN BECAUSE I KNOW ALL THE BIRDS ALREADY BUT IT WORKS WORLDWIDE.

THIS WILL IDENTIFY OVER 8,000 SPECIES OF BIRDS.

>> Eric: WHAT'S THE EVERY DAY LOW PRICE OF THESE?

>> WELL, I'LL TELL YOU WHAT, IT'S $100 AN OUNCE AND IT'S 47-OUNCES.

4700 BUCKS IF YOU WANT A CAMERA -- BINOCULARS.

>> Cathy: CHEESE, CRACKERS AND SCHELL'S, OCTOBER FEST AT YOUR HOUSE.

WE'RE THERE.

>> GREAT TO SEE BOTH OF YOU.

>> Eric: GREAT STUFF.

FANTASTIC.

♪♪ >> Cathy: THE ANNUAL ST. PAUL ART CRAWL RETURNS TO THE CITY’S LOWERTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD TONIGHT, BUT THIS YEAR’S OPENER IS SHADOWED BY TRAGEDY.

LAST WEEK, A MEMBER OF THE LOWERTOWN LOFTS ARTIST COOPERATIVE WAS SHOT AND KILLED WHILE PAINTING A MURAL FOR THE ACT OF VIOLENCE ACCORDING TOM- POLICE INVESTIGATIONS.

STATE REP. MARIA ISA PEREZ-VEGA, WHOSE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT INCLUDES LOWERTOWN, WAS IN THE AREA AT THE TIME OF THE SHOOTING.

SHE ALSO ATTENDED A COMMUNITY GATHERING LAST WEEKEND AT A LOCAL RESTAURANT.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

HOW ARE YOU DOING?

>> HOLDING UP.

YOU KNOW, DAY BY DAY.

AND CONNECTING WITH OUR COMMUNITY, OUR NEIGHBORHOOD OF LOWERTOWN, OUR ST. PAUL RESIDENTS.

CONSTITUENTS.

CHECKING IN ON EACH OTHER.

SO THROUGH THIS TRAGEDY, THERE'S LIGHT THAT ARTISTS BRING IN A SPACE AND PARTICULARLY THROUGH THE ARTS WITH HEALING.

AND SO BEING THAT I'M AN ARTIST, OUR FIRST SENSIBILITY WHEN THIS TRAGEDY HAPPENED AND OCCURRED WAS TO CONTINUE THE ART, TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATIONS OF HOW WE CAN HEAL TOGETHER IN LOWERTOWN.

>> Eric: IS THIS ISOLATED OR IS THIS A QUESTION OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO LOWERTOWN?

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE IT?

>> I THINK YOU GUYS HAVE KIND OF SEEN ME GROW UP AROUND LOWERTOWN AS AN ARTIST AND WE'VE SEEN THE CHANGES, YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE SOMEONE WHO LIVES OR WORKS IN LOWERTOWN TO SEE THIS.

CHANGES ARE TREMENDOUS.

FOLKS CAN SAY IT'S COVID AND PANDEMIC AFTERMATH BUT WE'VE SEEN PRE-COVID THAT THERE'S CONCERNS WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND DISPLACEMENT AND HOUSING.

WE CAN'T JUST TALK ABOUT ONE SECTOR OF POLICY NOW COMING IN AS A LEGISLATOR OF THIS DISTRICT TO BRING AWARENESS OF, YES, GUN VIOLENCE.

BUT ALL OF THESE INITIATIVES ARE BRAIDED TOGETHER TO SAY WE NEED TO WAKE UP AND BE CONSISTENT WITH THIS, AND THIS IS GOING TO TAKE ACTION FROM STATE TO CITY AND LOCAL AND IMPLEMENTATION THAT THERE IS AN EPIDEMIC THAT'S HAPPENING IN EVERY DOWNTOWN, RIGHT?

BUT WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO TOGETHER SO WE'RE NOT A REPLICA.

>> Cathy: I WONDER, TONIGHT IS FRIDAY NIGHT.

THE CRAWL STARTS TODAY, TONIGHT.

WE'RE NOT MORE THAN, WHAT, TWO BLOCKS AWAY AT THIS POINT, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE HAD A CHANCE TO GO OVER YET TONIGHT, YOU WILL I'M SURE.

ANY SENSE AS TO HOW PEOPLE, WHAT PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT?

I KNOW THERE'S A HEIGHTENED POLICE PRESENCE DOWN HERE RIGHT NOW.

IN DOWNTOWN.

BUT, I DON'T KNOW, WHAT ARE PEOPLE SAYING TO YOU?

>> PEOPLE ARE SAYING THAT WE NEED TO CELEBRATE THE ARTISTRY THAT CARRIE'S LEGACY IS GOING TO BE CONTINUED.

>> Cathy: CARRIE KWOK THE ARTIST.

>> THAT'S RIGHT, WHO WAS TRAGICALLY MURDERED.

AND WHO WAS NEW TO LOWERTOWN BUT BECAME ENGAGED RIGHT AWAY.

I WAS ABLE TO HOLD A COUPLE CONVERSATIONS OVER A CU CUP OF COFFEE WITH CARRIE AT LOST FOX, JUST HAVING A BEER OR COFFEE, HOW SHE CAN HELP AND BECOME CIVICALLY ENGAGED IN OUR COMMUNITY.

SHE WAS NEW BUT SHE WAS PASSIONATE ABOUT LOWERTOWN, SHE LOVED THE ARTS AND THE IMPACT THAT ARTS HAD IN EVERY SECTOR.

SO THERE'S FOLKS LIKE THE GODFATHER OF LOWERTOWN TEKUMBA AKIN WHO LIVES IN THE SAME RESIDENCY, COMPLEX AS CARRIE.

THEY'RE HOLDING VIGIL WITH THE CANVASS BECAUSE THAT IS THE RENAISSANCE THAT WE UTILIZE TO RESISTANCE OF PEACE.

AND THAT'S WHAT THE ART CRAWL IS INFLUENCING.

I THINK IT'S A VIBRATION THAT IS BEING CANVASSED FROM LOWERTOWN THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE CITY OF ST. PAUL.

>> Eric: AS A STATE REP I WONDER IF YOU SEE THIS AS LEGISLATION CAN BE EFFECTIVE OR IS THIS A CULTURAL THING THAT IS GROUND LAWMAKERS?

>> NO, THIS IS DEFINITELY AN IMPACT FOR THE LAWMAKERS.

YOU KNOW, WE'VE BEEN WORKING HARD IN MY FIRST TERM TO ADDRESS GUN VIOLENCE, DEMANDING JUSTICE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN LOST OR CONTINUE TO LIVE THROUGH THIS TRAUMA OF EXPERIENCING WHAT GUN VIOLENCE DOES TO OUR COMMUNITIES, TO OUR SCHOOLS, TO OUR KIDS AND THE FUTURE.

I THINK ABOUT THE HARD WORK THAT REPRESENTATIVE, MY COLLEAGUE REPRESENTATIVE AELA BERG HAS DONE, AND THAT THESE ARE THE CONVERSATIONS THAT SHOULD BE NONPARTISAN.

THESE ARE THE CONVERSATIONS THAT WE HAVE TO ADDRESS SAFETY SO THESE TRAGEDIES DON'T CONTINUE TO HAPPEN DAILY.

>> Cathy: DO YOU THINK NEXT SESSION BECAUSE THE SUSPECT WHO HAS BEEN SHOT AND KILLED BY POLICE EVIDENTLY WAS A FELON AND HAD A GUN, WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO HAVE A GUN.

DO YOU SEE MAYBE NEXT SESSION TIGHTENING RESTRICTIONS?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> Cathy: AND PENALTIES.

>> ABSOLUTELY, ABSOLUTELY.

AND I LOOK FORWARD TO BEING SOMEONE TO BE VOCAL ABOUT THAT AS WELL.

>> Cathy: ALL RIGHT.

>> Eric: VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS AND CONTINUE ON WORKING ON THESE ISSUES IN OWERTOWN.

>> THANK YOU FOR ADDRESS, LOWERTOWN IS A BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITY AND NEIGHBORHOOD AND WE HOLD CARRIE'S MEMORY AND WE'RE GOING TO DO SOMETHING AS LOCAL ARTISTS TO HOLD THAT TIGHT.

THANK YOU.

>> Eric: THANKS.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> FOR A UNIQUE NEWS OPTION EVERY NIGHT PBS OFFERS AN ALTERNATIVE BROADCAST.

TAKE A LOOK.

TONIGHT ON NEWS NIGHT.

>> PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION IN MINNEAPOLIS IS ONE OF FEW THAT PRODUCES A DAILY LOCAL NEWS SHOW.

IS CONSIDER IT TO BE THE MOST SOLID LOCAL NEWS CAST IN THE COUNTRY.

NEWS NIGHT DOESN'T HAVE ANY BELLS AND WHISTLES, NO FLASHY GRAPHICS, NO CHOPPER 5, NO SPORTS SCORES, AND THERE IS NOD ADVERTISING.

>> COMMERCIAL TELEVISION SEES ITS VIEWERS AS CONSUMERS, WE SEE OUR VIEWERS AS CITIZENS.

♪♪ >> Eric: AS NOTED EARLIER IN THE HOUR, TUESDAY'S VICE-PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE WAS MARKED BY CIVILITY AND QUESTIONABLE CLAIMS FROM BOTH CANDIDATES.

ADD IN PLENTY OF SPARRING OVER DISASTER RELIEF FOR HURRICANE HELENE VICTIMS AND THE ESCALATING CONFLICT IN THE MIDDLE EAST AS WE HEAD INTO THE FINAL MONTH BEFORE THE ELECTION, A LOT TO TALK ABOUT.

SO LITTLE TIME FOR THIS DISCUSSION TO TAKE PLACE.

REPUBLICANS UP TONIGHT, BRIAN MCDANIEL, FORMER LEGISLATIVE STAFFER NOW LOBBYIST AND STANDUP COMEDIAN.

WELCOME BACK AUSTIN ALTENBURG, FORMER PRESS SECRETARY FOR FORMER WISCONSIN GOVERNOR SCOTT WALKER AND SENATOR JOHNSON.

FORMER SENATE MAJORITY LEADER IS WINTANA MELEKIN, PARTY ACTIVIST AND VETERAN NOW OF REPRESENTATIVE ILHAN OMAR'S REELECTION CAMPAIGN.

DO YOU PROGRESSIVES KIND OF WORRY THAT KICKK CHANEY IS ALL OF A SUDDEN ENDORSING KAMALA HARRIS?

BACK IN THE DAY HE WAS LIKE THE DEVIL INCARNATE FOR DEMOCRATS.

>> I STILL THINK HE IS BUT I THINK IT'S MORE EVIDENCE THAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS FALLING APART AND THEIR COALITION IS JOINING OURS BECAUSE WE ARE BUILDING A ENTED THAT FITS MORE FOLKS.

I FEEL CONFIDENT THAT THE PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT AND OTHER DEMOCRATS WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP OUR VALUES AHEAD.

>> Eric: IS THIS REPUBLICANS FOR HARRIS A THING?

>> I MEAN, IT'S NOT A REAL THING.

WHAT IT REALLY IS IS REPUBLICANS REJECTING DONALD TRUMP.

A LOT OF THAT IS BECAUSE DONALD TRUMP DOESN'T WANT THEM AND DOESN'T PLAY WELL WITH OTHERS IN A LOT OF RESPECTS.

I'M NOT THINKING THAT THIS IS ALL OF A SUDDEN FORMER MORE MODERATE REPUBLICANS BECOMING DEMOCRATS, THIS IS A VERY SPECIFIC THING.

>> Cathy: WHAT DO YOU THINK, AUSTIN?

>> I WOULD AGREE 100%.

THERE'S ALSO SOME DEMOCRATS THAT HAVE GONE REPUBLICANS, TALK ABOUT TULSI GABBARD FOR ONE, SHE WAS IN PARTY LEADERSHIP, FOR GOODNESS SAKES.

AND KICKK CHANEY AND LIZ CHANEY THEY REPRESENT A BYGONE ERA OF POLITICS.

>> TULSI GABBARD IS NO DICK CHANEY AND I THINK WHEN YOU LOOK AT A COALITION THAT GOES FROM BERNIE SANDERS TO KICK CHANEY, IT SAYS SOMETHING -- AND MANY ARE FINDING THEIR WAY TO SAY I CAN'T VOTE FOR THAT AND KAMALA HARRIS IS SERIOUS ABOUT TRYING TO DO IT DIFFERENTLY.

>> Cathy: WHAT WOULD YOU THINK IF HARRIS WINS, I BELIEVE SHE SAID SHE MAY PUT SOME REPUBLICANS IN THE CABINET.

WHAT WOULD BE - WHAT WOULD YOU THINK OF LIZ CHENEY WOULD END UP IN THE CABINET?

>> I THINK THAT'S A REALLY INTERESTING IDEA, IT WOULD DEPEND WHERE AND WHAT ROLE, I THINK EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS LIZ CHENEY AND HARRIS, THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENCES IN POLICY, THEY BOTH SAY SO.

BUT I HINK IN THE RIGHT AREA, A LOT OF DEMOCRATS AND I THINK HAM OF KAMALA HARRIS HAS PROVEN AND THIS HISTORICALLY IM WALZ HAS AS WELL THE MORE VOICES AND PERSPECTIVES MAKES US BETTER.

THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH HAVING PEOPLE ON THE TEAM TO LUNCH TO IDEAS.

>> Cathy: SO THERE WAS A DEBATE ON TUESDAY.

WHAT DID YOU THINK OF IT?

>> I THINK JD VANCE DID A FANTASTIC JOB.

I THINK THE DEMOCRATS CLEARLY HAD A GOAL TO PAINT HIM AS CHAOTIC AND THEY WANTED TO CONTINUE HAT NARRATIVE AND HE COMPLETELY REBUFFED THAT NARRATIVE.

HE WAS CALM, HE WAS COLLECTED, HE ARTICULATED HIS POLICY POSITIONS IN A WAY THAT WE HAVEN'T SEEN IN A WHILE.

HE ARTICULATED THIS NEW REPUBLICAN VISION OR THIS EVOLUTION THAT THE PARTY'S UNDERGONE IN A WAY THAT I DON'T THINK WE'VE SEEN ON A NATIONAL STAGE BEFORE AND I THINK IT WAS A REALLY STRONG MOMENT FOR IMHIM.

>> Eric: HOW ABOUT WALZ HAVES VANCE HERE, WHAT DID YOU THINK?

>> YEAH, I THINK WALZ DID A PHENOMENAL JOB AND I THINK ONE THING TO TALK ABOUT IS THAT JD VANCE WENT IN THERE HONESTLY PRETENDING TO BE WALZ, PRETENDING TO BE THIS PERSON OF SUBSTANCE AND CHARACTER BECAUSE HE KNOWS THE TOP OF THE TICKET IS A COMPLETE FAILURE AND HE KNOWS THAT TIM WALZ IS VERY CREDIBLE AND RESPECTABLE AND HONEST AND HE TRIED TO REPLICATE THAT.

HE WASN'T ABLE TO DO IT AS GOOD AS WALZ AND I FEEL LIKE ALZ IS GOING TO BE, IS A GREAT ADDITION AND IS GOING TO HELP US GET TO THE VICTORY.

>> WELL, I THINK, I DO THINK TIM WALZ DID A REALLY GOOD JOB.

I THINK THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT WAYS TO GRADE DEBATE PERFORMANCES.

ONE IS WHO IS THE BEST MOST POLISHED YALE DEBATER AND THEN WHO LEAVES PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE FEELING PRETTY GOOD ABOUT WHAT THEY STAND FOR AND I THINK TIM WALZ DID A PRETTY GOOD JOB OF THAT.

I THINK IT WAS INTERESTING TO WATCH JD VANCE SPEAK IN A POLISHED WAY BUT VERY DISHONEST ABOUT POLICIES HE AND TRUMP REPRESENT FOR THE FUTURE.

>> AS A STANDUP OMIC, JIM GAFFIGAN, WHAT DID YOU THINK >> WELL, I MEAN, HE NAILED THE MANNERISMS FOR SURE.

I THINK IT WAS VERY FUNNY AND PROBABLY EVEN TIM WALZ THOUGHT THAT WAS VERY FUNNY.

BUT WHAT, YOU KNOW, TYING BACK TO THE LAST TOPIC, THE JIM GAFFIGAN TIM WALZ WAS NOT THE TIM WALZ THAT WAS ON TAGE FOR THE DEBATE.

THAT TIM WALZ HAD BEEN KIND OF OVERLY PACKAGED.

YOU COULD JUST HEAR THAT HE WAS TRYING TO REMEMBER STUFF THAT, YOU KNOW, BUTTE BEGINNING HAD TOLD HIM TO SAY AND IT REALLY TRIPPED HIM UP, TOOK AWAY HIS GLASSES SO HIS EYES WERE LOOKING BULGEY SO WHILE I THINK WHILE HE HAS DONE AND THE ROLLOUT OF TIM WALZ HAS GONE VERY SMOOTHLY I THINK THIS KIND OF PUTS A STOP TO HIS USEFULNESS AND NOW YOU'RE GOING TO SEE IT BE TRUMP, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE IT BE HARRIS AND VANCE AND WALZ ARE GOING TO GO INTO THE BACKGROUND WHICH IS, YOU KNOW, NORMAL FOR VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES.

>> Cathy: BEFORE WE GET OFF THIS TOPIC, THOUGH, WERE YOU SURPRISED THAT JD VANCE DIDN'T BRING UP ISSUES LIKE WALZ'S LEADERSHIP DURING THE UNREST AFTER GEORGE FLOYD'S DEATH?

THE FEEDING OUR FUTURES SCANDAL, I MEAN, THERE WERE THINGS WE WERE THINKING WERE GOING TO COME UP.

>> NOT AT ALL AND I THINK IT WAS EXTREMELY SMART NOT TO.

IT'S NOT ABOUT WALZ, IT'S ABOUT HARRIS.

AND HE FOCUSED ON THAT 100% OF THE TIME.

HE MENTIONED.

FACT THAT SHE'S BEEN THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR THE LAST THREE AND A HALF YEARS SO IF WE'RE UNHAPPY WITH WHERE THINGS ARE, YOU KNOW, SHE'S HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT AND SHE HASN'T AND THAT'S WHAT HE FOCUSED ON.

>> Eric: HAVE YOU DETECTED WHERE HARRIS HAS MOVED TO THE MIDDLE A BIT?

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO NOT NOTICE.

YEAH.

>> Eric: AND YOUR REACTION TO THAT IS WHAT?

>> I FEEL LIKE I ALSO SAW THAT WITH JOE BIDEN AND THEN I SAW HIM BECOME PRESIDENT AND DO THINGS LIKE STUDENT DEBT RELIEF, I SAW HIM FUND HISTORICALLY BLACK UNIVERSITIES AND UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES AND WHILE I WOULD PREFER FOR FOLKS TO CAMPAIGN ON THE LEFT I DO FEEL CONFIDENT THAT WITH HARRIS AS A WIN OF THE MAJORITY OF CONGRESS WHICH LEADS TO THE PROGRESSIVE POLICIES I WANT TO GET DONE, SO I SEE A BIGGER PICTURE.

>> Cathy: ALL RIGHT.

I WONDER, BY THE WAY, I WANT TO GO BACK TO WALZ FOR JUST A MOMENT HERE AND HELP ME OUT, IF YOU WOULD.

SO DAVID AXELROD, FORMER OBAMA ADVISOR, WAS CRITICAL OF WALZ'S PERFORMANCE DURING THAT DEBATE AND HE THOUGHT HE NEEDED MORE SEASONING WHEN IT CAME TO TV INTERVIEWS WHICH HE DOESN'T DONE MANY AT ALL, NOW HE'S GOING TO DO 60 MINUTES, HE'S GOING TO DO JIMMY KIMMEL AND SOME OTHER HINGS.

DO YOU THINK THAT'S HELPFUL, HURTFUL, WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT?

>> I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA AND I THINK HE'LL O WELL.

>> Cathy: KEPT HIM UNDER WRAPS TO THIS POINT.

>> WELL, IT'S ALSO BEEN A VERY SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME WITH A LOT GOING ON.

SO I THINK THIS IS ALL PLAYING OUT GIVEN THAT IT'S ESSENTIALLY A 100-DAY CAMPAIGN AND HE HADN'T EVEN BEEN PART OF IT THAT WHOLE TIME, I THINK THEY'RE TAKING THE STEPS AND HE'S OUT THERE AND TALKING TO PEOPLE.

AND INTERVIEWS, GREAT, HE'LL DO FINE.

>> Eric: SAY, AUSTIN -- WELL, GO AHEAD, BRIAN.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY I DON'T THINK IN THAT DEBATE THAT WOULD GIVE PEOPLE CONFIDENCE THAT HE COULD BE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES SHOULD SOMETHING TO HAPPEN TO KAMALA HARRIS AND IT'S UNFAIR TO ASSUME HE WOULD BE EXPECTED TO BE THAT.

BUT THE WAY WHEN WE GOT THE QUESTION ABOUT CHINA AND TO NOT HAVE THE QUESTION ABOUT CHINA AND TO KIND OF SAY I'M JUST A KNUCKLEHEAD WHO GOT WRAPPED UP IN THE RHETORIC, THAT IS WHAT NEEDS THE SEASONING.

GOING ON PERSONALITY PROGRAMS IS ONE THING, GOING ON SOMEPLACE WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO GET HAMMERED WITH QUESTIONS ABOUT ALL THE THINGS YOU TALKED ABOUT, THAT'S VERY DIFFERENT AND I DON'T THINK THAT HE'S READY FOR THAT.

>> Eric: AUSTIN, I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT SOME OF THE DEMOCRATS ARE SAYING LET'S EXPAND THE MAP, COMPETE IN IOWA, TEXAS, FLORIDA, EVEN NEBRASKA, APPARENTLY THERE'S AN INDEPENDENT SENATE CANDIDATE THERE DOING WELL.

IS THERE ANY PROSPECTS FOR THOSE TO BE IN PLAY HERE AT THE END?

>> I DON'T BELIEVE SO, I THINK YOU CAN LOOK AT WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING AND WHERE THE CANDIDATES ARE GOING.

HARRIS IS PARKING HERSELF IN MICHIGAN, WISCONSIN, PENNSYLVANIA.

AS SHE SHOULD, SHE'S TRYING TO SHORE UP HER BLUE WALL.

TRUMP IS GOING TO NORTH CAROLINA, GEORGIA.

WISCONSIN IS GOING TO BE A TOSSUP IN HER BLUE WALL, WE'LL SEE, THE POLLS SHOW IT'S A DEAD HEAT.

>> Eric: WHY IS HE GOING TO CINCINNATI AND CLEVELAND?

>> SPECIFICALLY I DON'T KNOW BUT I THINK WHAT'S INTERESTING IS YOU'RE SEEING BECAUSE OF WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE STATE LEVEL PARTIES, FLORIDA, FOR EXAMPLE, WOULD NOT BE ON ANYBODY'S BINGO CARD RIGHT NOW FOR A CONVERSATION BUT WHAT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAS DONE IN FLORIDA AND WITH THE ABORTION INITIATIVE ON THE BALLOT THERE ARE DYNAMICS THAT ARE IN PLAY THAT BECAUSE OF THE ORGANIZING AND BECAUSE OF THE FUNDING FOR DEMOCRATS AROUND THE COUNTRY IN SURPRISING STATES THAT JUST PUT THINGS IN PLAY IN A WAY THAT MIGHT NOT SURPRISE -- MIGHT SURPRISE PEOPLE.

>> YEAH, I ABSOLUTELY AGREE.

I THINK THE MAP HAS EXPANDED.

I THINK WHAT HARRIS AND WALZ ACCOMPLISHED IN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME VERY MUCH PUTS MORE STATES IN PLAY PARTICULARLY IN TEXAS AND SOME OF THE STATES YOU LISTED.

YEAH, MILLIONS OF DOLLARS MAY NOT AUTOMATICALLY BE GOING THERE BUT WE ARE SEEING GROUND WORK, WE'RE SEEING IT IN THE LEVEL OF VOLUNTEERS SIGNING UP, LEVEL OF REQUESTS FOR SUPPLIES AND I THINK THAT WE WILL SEE NOT A CLOSE RACE BUT ACTUALLY A PRETTY SUBSTANTIAL LEAD WITH WHAT HARRIS AND WALZ HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BUILD.

>> Cathy: I'M CURIOUS AND I DIDN'T LISTEN, O SORRY, THE MPR DEBATE TODAY BETWEEN ANGIE GAG AND JOE TEIRAB, ANY FIREWORKS AT ALL?

>> I DON'T KNOW IF I'D CALL IT FIREWORKS, I LIVE IN THE SECOND SO I'VE BEEN KIND OF LIVING AND BREATHING ALL OF THIS.

IT'S REFRESHING TO HAVE TWO CANDIDATES WHO HAVE GOOD BACKGROUNDS, KNOW WHAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT, CAN ACT IN A RESPECTFUL WAY AND CAN DO -- EACH OF THEM CAN DO THE JOB.

SO DOWN THERE WE HEAR SO MUCH ABOUT THIS AND THE DEBATE TODAY, I THINK I WAS KIND OF YELLING A LITTLE BIT SAYING, OH, YOU MISSED THAT, YOU COULD HAVE HIT A LITTLE ARDER ON THIS.

BUT FOR THE MOST PART I THINK THAT IF REGULAR CITIZENS WERE WATCHING THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPRESSED.

>> Eric: I'M GETTING A HOOK.

>> Cathy: YEAH, BE CAREFUL.

DON'T FALL VER.

>> Eric: SEE YOU LATER.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> Cathy: WHAT WAS THAT?

♪♪ >> I NEED THE FREE PRESS BECAUSE I CAN'T BUY IT.

I'M NOT GOING TO HAVE $5 MILLION TO SPEND AND I'VE GOT TO DELIVER THIS MENTAL AS CREATIVELY AS I CAN.

I'VE BEEN GOING ALL OVER THE STATE, EVERY EDITOR, TV, RADIO STATION THAT WILL HAVE ME ON DESPERATELY TRYING TO RAISE MONEY SO I AN DELIVER MY MESSAGE.

♪♪ >> Eric: AND OF COURSE MANY OF YOU MAY REMEMBER THAT DEAN BARKLEY WOULD BECOME A U.S.

SENATOR FOR TWO MONTHS IN LATE 2002 AND EARLY 2003.

HE WAS APPOINTED BY THEN-GOVERNOR JESSE VENTURA TO COMPLETE THE TERM F THE LATE SENATOR PAUL WELLSTONE.

LET'S MOVE ONTO ANOTHER HISTORY LESSON FOR YOU AND THIS WEEK'S INDEX FILE SECTION.

LAST WEEK WE RE-ASKED A QUESTION THAT HADN'T BEEN ANSWERED YET.

HERE'S THE DETAILS.

THE YEAR IS 1923.

SPRINGTIME IN ST. PAUL.

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

A BIG CEREMONY TAKES PLACE AT 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.

LAST WEEK CATHY ADDED SOME DETAILED HINTS ABOUT THAT PERSON AND THEN ASKED YOU TO TELL US WHO PERFORMED THIS HISTORIC FIRST.

HERE'S A SMALL COLLECTION OF OUR FAVORITE WRONG ANSWERS FROM THE LAST TWO WEEKS.

>> “THE ANSWER TO THIS WEEK’S TRIVIA QUESTION IS KNUTE NELSON PARTICIPATED IN THE GROUNDBREAKING OF THE I.D.S.

TOWER IN 1923.

THIS IS GEOGRAPHICALLY-CHALLENGED STEVE AND SUE AT PEARL LAKE.

THANK YOU!

>> “WARREN BURGER RODE AN ELEVATOR.

>> “I THINK IT WAS F. SCOTT FITZGERALD IN FRONT OF THE LANDMARK CENTER, BACK THEN THE OLD COURTHOUSE.

AND HIS STATUE’S IN RICE PARK.

THANK YOU."

>> Eric: NONE OF THOSE ANSWERS ARE EVEN CLOSE.

BUT WE ARE HAPPY TO REPORT THAT SEVERAL OF YOU GOT IT RIGHT THIS TIME.

TAKE IT AWAY, JANET.

>> “HELLO!

I LOVE LISTENING TO THE INDEX FILE QUESTIONS.

I’VE NEVER CALLED IN BEFORE, BUT I THINK THE FIRST TRAFFIC SIGNAL IN ST. PAUL WAS INSTALLED IN APRIL OF 1923 AT 5TH AND ST. PETER STREETS.

AND THE CITY’S PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSIONER FRANK MATSON IS THE MAN WHO FLIPPED THE SWITCH FOR IT.

IF I’M RIGHT THAT WOULD BE LOVELY!

I SO MUCH ENJOY WATCHING THE SHOW."

>> Eric: YES, JANET, YOU ARE CORRECT.

CALL AGAIN.

THERE'S A NICE PHOTO OF ST. PAUL CITY PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSIONER FRANK MATSON TURNING ON THAT FIRST BRAND NEW TRAFFIC LIGHT IN DOWNTOWN ST. PAUL.

HARD TO IMAGINE A DOWNTOWN WITH JUST ONE TRAFFIC SIGNAL NOWADAYS.

THINK YOU HAVE A MINNESOTA HISTORY QUESTION WE HAVEN'T ASKED IN THE LAST 40 YEARS?

651-229-1430 IS THE NUMBER TO CALL WITH ALL OF YOUR CLEVER SUGGESTIONS.

651-229-1430, THE NUMBER AGAIN.

YOU CAN ALWAYS DROP US A NOTE INSTEAD.

YOU'LL FIND OUR ELECTRONIC INBOX AT ALMANAC@TPT.ORG.

JUST ENOUGH TIME LEFT FOR SOME MUSIC FROM THE ARCHIVES.

TEN YEARS AGO THIS WEEK THE STEELE FAMILY SINGERS STOPPED BY STUDIO B AND PREVIEWED THEIR UPCOMING "COLORS OF GERSHWIN" CONCERT FOR US.

TAKE A LISTEN.

BE CAREFUL.

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