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

>> ERIC: COMING UP ON "ALMANAC," MORE LEGAL ACTION RELATING TO OPERATION METRO SURGE.

BIRDCHICK IS HERE WITH SUMMERTIME BIRDING TIPS.

POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSORS FILL THE COUCH.

AND MARY LAHAMMER HIGHLIGHTS A UNIQUE EXCHANGE PROGRAM.

>> Mary: WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT THE CONTINUED WORK TO INCREASE CIVILITY AND BIPARTISANSHIP IN POLITICS WITH A PROGRAM THAT HAS LAWMAKERS VISIT EACH OTHER'S DISTRICTS TO GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER BETTER.

>> WHEN YOU CAN LOOK AT PERSON AS A PERSON AS OPPOSED TO LOOKING AT THEM FROM A STANDPOINT OF A PARTY OR A PARTICULAR POSITION THEY TAKE, IT BREAKS DOWN BARRIERS IN A HURRY.

>> AND IT'S MORE FUN.

>> 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 1.7 MILLION PEOPLE THROUGH ITS MEMBER-OWNER COOPERATIVES AND CUSTOMERS.

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

DELTADENTALMN.ORG/TPT.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

AND VANESSA DAYTON, THROUGH THE HEALTHCARE FOR ALL MINNESOTANS FUND, SUPPORTING ACCESSIBLE HEALTHCARE STATEWIDE.

>> ERIC: WELCOME TO "ALMANAC."

COMING UP IN THE NEXT HOUR, A LOOK AT ST.

PAUL'S CITY BUDGET WOES, A SNEAK PEEK AT A NEW TWIN CITIES PBS INITIATIVE FOCUSED ON AMERICA'S 250TH BIRTHDAY.

AND A TRIO OF POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSORS BREAKS DOWN ACTION AND INACTION IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

>> CATHY: WE START TONIGHT WITH THE WEEK'S BIG LEGAL NEWS.

MINNESOTA'S CHIEF FEDERAL COURT JUDGE PATRICK SCHILTZ BLOCKED A HALF DOZEN SUBPOENAS AGAINST GOVERNOR WALZ, THE MAYORS OF MINNEAPOLIS AND ST.

PAUL, AND OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS FOR THEIR ACTIONS DURING OPERATION METRO SURGE.

IN HIS 29-PAGE OPINION, JUDGE SCHILTZ CHARACTERIZED THE SUBPOENAS AS "ABUSE OF THE GRAND JURY" PROCESS.

JANE KIRTLEY IS A U OF M PROFESSOR EMERITA, RECENTLY RETIRED FROM LEADING THE SILHA CENTER.

SHANNON PRINCE IS AN ATTORNEY BASED IN HOUSTON AND A NATIONAL EXPERT ON USE OF FORCE.

THANKS TO YOU BOTH.

SHANNON, I AM GOING TO START WITH YOU.

JUDGE SCHILTZ IS AN INTERESTING INDIVIDUAL.

HE'S A BUSH APPOINTEE.

HE'S A JUDGE WITH DECENT CONSERVATIVE CREDENTIALS.

GIVE US A SENSE OF HOW UNUSUAL SUCH A POINTED OPINION IS.

>> WELL, IN A TIME IN WHICH WE'VE SEEN INCREASED POLITE SIZATION, THE STORY OF THE MINNESOTA SUBPOENAS IS AT ITS CORE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN POLITICAL ACTORS TRY TO WEAPONIZE THE JUSTICE SYSTEM, BUT THE JUSTICE SYSTEM REFUSES TO BE WEAPONIZED.

SO ESSENTIALLY THESE SUBPOENAS DEMANDED THAT MINNESOTA'S GOVERNOR AND OTHER ELECTED EFFICIENTS TURN OVER RECORDS ABOUT HOW THE STATE AND CITY HANDLED ITS FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT.

BUT THE JUDGE FOUND THAT THIS WAS NOT A LEGITIMATE VEG TREASM EFFORT.

IT WAS ERELY RETALIATION BECAUSE THE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT HAD LAWFULLY LIMITED THEIR -- WITH FEDERAL IMMIGRATION OPERATIONS.

AND THE CONTEXT MAKES THIS MOTIVE EVEN CLEARER.

MINNESOTA AND MINNEAPOLIS HAD SUE ED IN FEDERAL COURT TO BLOCK THE SURGE.

THE PRESIDENT RONLTSED RHETT RETRIBUTION, AND THEN THIS JUDGE, WHO IS CONSERVATIVE LIKE THE PRESIDENT -- WAS PROMISED AND THERE WILL THE SUBPOENAS DESERVED TO BE QUASHED.

AND I THINK WHAT THIS SHOWS IS THIS JUDGE IS WILLING TO TAKE A STAND AND SAY THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE OF LEFT VERSUS RIGHT OR CONSERVATIVE VERSUS LIBERAL BUT THE RULE OF LAW AND THE WEAPONZATION OF THE RULE LAW.

>> Eric: ARE THEE SUBPOENA RECIPIENTS IN THE CLEAR NOW?

>> WELL, OW THAT THE SUBPOENAS HAVE BEEN QUASHED, NOT ONLY ARE THEY SAFE FROM HAVING TO PRODUCE THESE DOCUMENTS, BUT NOW WE EE GOVERNOR WALZ BEING INSPIRED TO BRING HIS OWN F.O.I.A.

REQUEST AGAINST THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

SINCE A FEDERAL JUDGE HAS NOW CONCLUDED THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS RETALIATING RETALG AGAINST THE STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS, THAT GOVERNOR WALZ WANTS TO SEE WHAT IS THE CAN DEPTH AND THE BREADTH OF THIS RETALIATION AND HAS A F.O.I.A.

REQUEST AGAINST A RANGE OF FEDERAL AGENCIES TO SEE WHO'S RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RETRIBUTION, WHICH AGENCIES ARE INVOLVED, WHAT ACTIONS DO THEY TAKE AND ACTS OF INSURVIVOR REGULATION.

>> Eric: WHAT ABOUT THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST HERE?

IS IT SOMETHING THAT COULD BEAR A LOT OF FRUIT OR IS IT A FISHING EXPEDITION?

>> I'M CONFIDENT THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO SAY IT'S A FISHING EXPEDITION.

THAT'S WHAT THEY DO.

IT IS QUITE BROAD.

IT USES A LOT OF KEYWORDS, WHICH THE QUESTION, ARE THEY IN RECORDS AND COMMUNICATIONS THAT ARE SUBJECT TO THE LAW?

AND IT DOESN'T MOVE QUICKLY.

EVEN IF THEY WERE TO RESPOND IN GOOD FAITH, IT COULD TAKE MONTHS O GET ANY KIND OF A SUBSTANTIVE RESPONSE.

>> Cathy: HOW UNUSUAL IS SOMETHING LIKE THIS TO OCCUR WHEN AN ELECTED EFFICIENT, A PUBLIC OFFICIAL ASKS THE GOVERNMENT FOR CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS IN A SENSE?

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S UNUSUAL.

THESE AREN'T CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS.

THEY ARE AT WORST I WOULD SAY INVESTIGATORY RECORDS.

BUT THEY COULD STILL BE SUBJECT TO A FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT EXEMPTION.

THIS SHOWS US THAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN SO UNUSUAL IN ITS WEAPONZATION OF THE POWERS OF GOVERNMENT.

THAT UNUSUAL RESPONSES ARE NECESSARY.

SO IT'S UNUSUAL FOR A GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL TO FILE A FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST, BUT OF COURSE GOVERNOR WALZ CAN DO SO.

>> Eric: SHANNON, 15 ANTI--I.C.E.

PROTESTORS WERE ARRESTED AND INDICTED ON CONSPIRACY CHARGES.

I WONDER HOW THIS IS BEING HANDLED IN OTHER STATES.

IS THIS HAPPENING IN ALL.

I.C.E.

VISITED STATES?

>> WELL, WE ARE SEEING A PATTERN OF THESE PROSECUTIONS BEING BROAD ACROSS STATES BUT WHAT WE'RE ALSO SEEING IS A PATTERN OF THESE PROSECUTIONS BEING DISMISSED, DOWN GRADED FOR EXAMPLE FROM FELONIES TO MISDEMEANORS OR ENDING IN ACQUITTALS BECAUSE THE EVIDENCE IS SIMPLY NOT SUPPORTING THE CHARGES.

ONE JUDGE EVEN CALLED A RECENT INDICTING DOCUMENT THAT -- AGAINST AN ANTI--I.C.E.

PROTESTOR PERPLEXING.

NOW, WHAT CONCERNS ME IN MINNESOTA IS THAT THE U.S.

ATTORNEY HAS SAID THAT IT DOESN'T MATTER IF THE CASES ARE GETTING DISMISSED.

ESSENTIALLY THAT SHE'S BRINGING THE CASES ND LET THE CHIPS FALL WHERE THEY MAY.

BUT HEALTHICALLY PROSECUTORS ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BRING CASES THAT THEY DON'T BELIEVE THEY CAN PROVE BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT.

OTHERWISE, THE PROCESS ITSELF BECOMES THE PUNISHMENT.

>> Cathy: SAY, I'M WONDERING, PROFESSOR, ITH THE FLURRY OF LEGAL ACTION AROUND ALL OF THIS, HOW DOES THIS AFFECT HOW THE GENERAL PUBLIC VIEWS GOVERNMENT?

AND, YOU KNOW, THE LEGAL SYSTEM?

AS WE COVER IT IN THE NEWS MEDIA?

>> WELL, WE KNOW THAT THE PUBLIC HAS A LACK OF FAITH IN HOW THE SYSTEM OPERATES.

THIS IS JUST, I THINK, CONTRIBUTING TO THIS.

WE HAVE HE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION BRINGING CRAZY KINDS OF ACTIONS, UNPRECEDENTED KIND OF ACTIONS, LABELING PEOPLE AS DOMESTIC TERRORISTS, GETTING THROWN OUT BY THE COURTS.

AND YOU'RE LEFT WITH THIS GREAT DIVIDE WHICH SAYS ON THE ONE HAND, OH, PEOPLE ARE GETTING OFF ON A TECHNICALITY, VERSUS THIS IS RETRIBUTION, THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE LAW.

IT REALLY UNDERMINES I THINK THE PUBLIC FAITH IN THE SYSTEM, AND AS A LAWYER, I'M REALLY DISMAYED BY IT, BECAUSE I AGREE WITH WHAT SHANNON SAID.

WE ASSUME THAT OUR PROSECUTORS ARE GOING TO PROCEED IN GOOD FAITH, AND THAT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WHAT'S GOING ON HERE.

>> Eric: SHANNON, ANY IDEA ABOUT NEXT STEPS LEGALLY HERE?

>> WELL, NEXT STEP IS THE ARRAIGNMENT.

THAT MEANS THAT EACH PERSON WILL BE FORMALLY ADVISED OF THE CHARGES AGAINST THEM AND THEY WERE ENTER THEIR PLEA OF GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY.

BUT WHETHER THIS INDICTMENT WILL SURVIVE JUDICIAL SCRUTINY.

FEDERAL INDICTMENTS ARE RARELY DISMISSED OUTRIGHT, BUT AN UNUSUALLY HIGH NUMBER OF THESE PROTEST RELATED CASES HAVE BEEN TOSSED FOR INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE.

THAT HISTORY MATTERS.

IT SHOWS THAT COURTS INCLUDING CONSERVATIVE COURTS ARE WARY OF CRIMINALIZING POLITICAL EXPRESSION.

AND THIS INDICTMENT WITH ITS MIX OF LEGAL AND NON-LEGAL BEHAVIOR IS LIKELY TO FACE THAT SAME SCRUTINY.

>> Cathy: ALL RIGHT, JANE KIRTLEY, AND PRINCE KIRTLEY, AND PRIN SHANNON PRINC, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.

>> Eric: GOOD TO SEE YOU BOTH.

THANK YOU.

♪ >> THIS COULD BE A BLUEPRINT OF HOW TO DO THIS, CERTAINLY POLICE OFFICERS KNOW THAT THEY CAN AND MAYBE WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE OR ACCOUNTABLE.

BUT I'LL ALSO SAY, HAVING BEEN A PART OF MANY SENTENCES, SENTENCES DON'T BRING BACK THE PERSON.

THEY DON'T REALLY PROVIDE CLOSURE.

AND WE CAN MOVE ON, BUT NOTHING IS EVER GOING TO BE THE SAME FOR GEORGE FLOYD'S FAMILY, AS WE COULD SEE.

♪ ♪ >> LEADERS IN ST.

PAUL ARE WORKING ON NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET, AND OFFICIALS FACE A HISTORIC CHALLENGE: A $26 MILLION FUNDING GAP, LIKELY THE BIGGEST ON RECORD FOR THE CAPITAL CITY.

WHAT WILL THIS MEAN FOR CORE CITY SERVICES, EFFORTS TO REVITALIZE DOWNTOWN, AND THE EXPERIMENTAL SOCIAL PROGRAMS INTRODUCED BY THE PREVIOUS MAYOR?

IN TIMES LIKE THIS, WE LOOK TO ST.

PAUL "PIONEER PRESS" REPORTER FRED MELO.

WELCOME BACK.

>> THAT'S A REALLY KIND INTRODUCTION.

THANK YOU.

>> Eric: WELL, YOU EARNED IT.

>> APPRECIATE IT.

>> Eric: NOW THE AYOR AND THE COUNCIL RESIDENT ARE SAYING THAT WE'RE GOING TO OPEN THREE KYWAYS.

>> THERE'S AN EFFORT.

THE MAYOR'S OFFICE IS DOING THE BEST THEY CAN.

BUT YEAH, THERE'S BEEN SOME HOLES IN THE SKYWAY SYSTEM WHICH IS A BIG PART OF WHY PEOPLE MOVE TO DOWNTOWN ST.

PAUL.

>> Eric: WHAT'S CAUSED THE SHORTFALL?

>> THE 26 MILLION, SO EVERY YEAR -- BECAUSE OF INFLATION, BECAUSE OF LABOR COSTS GOING UP, JUST THE COST OF FILLING POT HOLES, THERE'S A GULF BETWEEN THE REVENUE YOU EXPECT TO COME IN AND THEN KIND OF WHAT ALL OF THAT COSTS.

THE GULF IS NOTHING NEW.

BUT EVEN ADJUSTING FOR INFLATION, 26 MILLION IS ESPECIALLY HIGH.

I THINK INFLATION IS A IG PART OF THAT.

BUT THERE'S ALSO A LOT OF THE STUFF THE CITY DOES.

WE HAVE MORE PARKS THAN ANY CITY OTHER THAN WASHINGTON, D.C.

SO THE MAYOR SAYS EVERYTHING'S ON THE TABLE.

SHE HASN'T RULED OUT ANY CUT OR REDUCTION.

I SAID, HEY, COULD YOU LET SOME STAFF GO, LET PROGRAMS GO?

SHE JUST KEPT SAYING EVERYTHING'S ON THE TABLE.

>> Cathy: HOW ABOUT REVENUE STREAMS?

>> THERE IS THIS HALF-CENT: WE ADDED A ONE-CENT SALES TAX ON TOP OF THAT FOR THINGS LIKE ROADS AND PARKS.

SO AS SALES GOES P, AND THEY DO BECAUSE OF INFLATION, SO THINGS ARE MORE EXPENSIVE, YOU GET MORE SALES TAX ROM THAT.

SO THAT'LL ADD A COUPLE MILLION, MAYBE AN VEN EXTRA 4 MILLION.

SO THAT'LL BUMP THAT 26 NUMBER DOWN.

BUT THE BIGGEST DRIVER IS REALLY PROPERTY TAXES.

THAT'S REALLY WHAT -- UNLESS THE STATE SAYS, HERE'S A BUNCH OF MONEY -- >> Cathy: AND THEY'RE ALREADY HIGH IN ST.

PAUL.

>> THE TAXES ARE VERY HIGH IN ST.

PAUL.

I DON'T THINK ANYONE'S DISAGREEING WITH THAT.

>> Cathy: HEY, I'M WONDERING, DID FORMER MAYOR CARTER LEAVE A MESS FOR MAYOR HER.

DID SHE KNOW WHAT SHE WAS GETTING INTO WHEN SHE GOT INTO OFFICE?

OFFICE?

>> THAT'S A GOOD OFFICE.

HE WOULD NOT CALL IT A MESS.

IT'S A LOT OF MONEY.

I THINK SHE CAME IN EYES WIDE OPEN AS A STATE REPRESENTATIVE.

THE CITY REPRESENTATIVES, THE LOBBYISTS, YOU KNOW, THEY WERE CONSTANTLY ARE UP AT THE STATE CAPITOL SAYING STATE AID HAS NOT INCREASED WITH INFLATION.

IF IT HAD, IF IT HAD JUST KIND OF KEPT PACE, WE'VE BEEN GETTING TENS OF MILLIONS DOLLARS MORE.

SO I THINK SHE WAS AWARE OF SOME OF THAT.

BUT, YEAH, THIS IS A MAYBE A LITTLE SURPRISE.

>> Eric: THE COUNCIL HAS BEEN PROPOSING 40% INCREASE IN PAY FOR CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.

THEY MUST HAVE KNOWN THE SALARY WHEN THEY -- >> YEAH, I MEAN, THEY MAKE $79,000.

IT'S A PART-TIME JOB OFFICIALLY.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THAT.

THEY HAVE OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT.

AND THIS COUNCIL MORE SO THAN IN PREVIOUS COUNCILS, YOU HAVE A COUPLE PEOPLE WHO RUN NON-PROFITS.

ONE'S A CIVIL ENGINEER.

THIS COUNCIL'S REALLY BUSY OUTSIDE OF COUNCIL HOURS.

DURING OPERATION METRO SURGE, THE PANDEMIC, ALL THESE BIG ISSUES, IT'S NOT REALLY WORKING THAT WELL.

I THINK EVERYONE CKNOWLEDGES THAT.

IS BUMPING THEIR SALARY TO $112,000 FIX THAT THERE'S A LOT OF QUESTIONS THERE.

>> Cathy: OW LIKELY WOULD IT BE THAT THE T. PAUL CITY COUNCIL WOULD MOVE TO A FULL-TIME STATUS?

>> YEAH, I DON'T EVEN THINK THE NELSON YANG AS THE COUNCIL MEMBER PROPOSING IT, SHE DOESN'T WANT THE WORD "FULL-TIME IN THERE.

SO WE CAN KIND OF MAKE AND CHOOSE FOR OURSELVES OR OWN HOURS.

A LOT OF THIS IS GOING TO AVE TO GET SORTED OUT TO GET APPROVED BY VOTERS.

>> Eric: AND WHAT'S THE MECHANISM?

A BALLOT QUESTION?

>> A CITY CHARTER AMENDMENT HAS A COUPLE DIFFERENT STEPS.

THERE'S A CHARTER COMMISSION.

IF THE ENTIRE CITY COUNCIL IS UNANIMOUS, MAYBE THEY CAN AVOID BALLOT.

THERE'S SOME LEGALESE THERE.

>> Eric: WILL THERE BE A STATUE OF CRAIG LEOPOLD SOMEWHERE.

>> HE OWNS THE WILD, THEY JUST BOUGHT THE ST.

PAUL HOTEL.

THEY'RE RENOVATING THE ST.

PAUL HOTEL.

THERE'S SOME BIG THINGS HAPPENING IN ST.

PAUL.

SECURIAN JUST PUT $50 MILLION DOWNTOWN INTO A NEW GYM AND REFURBISHING SPACES.

JAZZ DPESES VAL WAS JAZZ DPESES VAL FESTIVAL WAS GR.

>> Cathy: YOU GOT SOME OTHER STUFF THAT'S KIND OF -- >> I'M TRYING TO PUT ALL THAT ASIDE.

I WROTE ABOUT THAT THIS WEEK.

TWIN CITIES.COM.

THERE'S ESCALATORS THAT JUST HAVE A BIG X IN FRONT OF THEM.

>> Eric: I WALKED BY PEDRO PARK.

IT'S GREAT!

>> LET'S BE POSITIVE.

THANK YOU.

♪ >> A FEMP WEEKS AGO, COMPLETELY OUT OF NOWHERE, OUR CLOTHES DRYER STOPPED WORKING.

AND OF COURSE THERE'S NEVER A GREAT TIME FOR THINGS LIKE THIS TO HAPPEN.

BUT THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR WITH ITS GRADUATION PARTIES AND TRIPS TO THE BEACH AND BASICALLY MULTIPLE WARDROBE CHANGES EVERY SINGLE DAY, THAT IS A PARTICULARLY BAD TIME.

THE ADDED COMPLICATION WAS THAT IT WAS SO HUMID OUR CLOTHES JUST WOULDN'T DRY ON THE CLOTHES LINE.

SO OUR HOUSE QUICKLY BECAME AN 18TH CENTURY GARMENT FACTORY.

THE DEHUMIDIFY YEAR CRANKED UP TO 11.

NOW, THERE'S AN UNDENIABLE- IRW, THERE'S AN UNDENIABLE- IRON THERE'S AN UNDENIABLE- IRONY HERE'S AN UNDENIABLE- IRONY WHRE'S AN UNDENIABLE- IRONY WHEN'S AN UNDENIABLE- IRONY WHEN T AN UNDENIABLE- IRONY WHEN THIN UNDENIABLE- IRONY WHEN THINGUNDENIABLE- IRONY WHEN THINGS DENIABLE- IRONY WHEN THINGS LINIABLE- IRONY WHEN THINGS LIKEABLE- IRONY WHEN THINGS LIKE TLE- IRONY WHEN THINGS LIKE THI- IRONY WHEN THINGS LIKE THIS IRONY WHEN THINGS LIKE THIS HAPPEN TO ME.

BECAUSE I AM SOMEONE WHO'S ALWAYS BEEN ATTRACTED TO STORIES OF CIVILIZATION COLLAPSE.

ONE DAY WE'RE STREAMING DISNEY PLUS AND THE NEXT WE'RE FIGHTING FOR OUR SURVIVAL WITH SHARPENED STICKS.

WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE TO EXPERIENCE A TRANSITION LIKE THAT.

BUT THEN I GET EVEN THE FAINTEST WHIFF, ONE SINGLE IS A APPLIANCE GOES DOWN, AND I REALIZE, H, NO, NO, NO, NO, THAT WOULD IN FACT BE FAR BEYOND ANYTHING I COULD HANDLE.

AND THAT'S WHY I'VE STARTING TELLING MYSELF THAT IS A APPLIANCE FAILURE IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE COSMIC PLAN, NOT BECAUSE IT PREVENTS US FROM GOING TO THE BEACH, BUT BECAUSE IT REMINDS US THAT WE'RE PRETTY LUCKY TO GO TO THE BEACH AT ALL.

♪ ♪ >> CATHY: AS PART OF TWIN CITIES PBS'S "VOICES RISING: STORIES FOR AMERICA'S 250TH INITIATIVE," "ALMANAC" IS TRAVELING TO FIVE COMMUNITIES ACROSS MINNESOTA WHERE IMPROV COMEDY BECOMES A CATALYST FOR HONEST CONVERSATIONS ABOUT PEOPLE'S CONCERNS, HOPES, AND DREAMS.

TOGETHER, THESE STORIES OFFER A FRESH LOOK AT DEMOCRACY, NOT AS AN INSTITUTION, BUT AS SOMETHING WE BUILD THROUGH LISTENING, DIALOGUE, AND COMMUNITY.

HERE WITH MORE, TANE DANGER REPRESENTS DANGER BOAT PRODUCTIONS, THE IMPROV HALF OF THE PARTNERSHIP BEHIND THE COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS.

KEVIN LINDSEY HEADS UP THE MINNESOTA HUMANITIES CENTER, THE OTHER HALF OF THE PARTNERSHIP.

TANE, YOU GET TO SIT ON THE COUCH.

THAT'S PRETTY EXCITING FOR YOU.

>> IT IS.

THIS IS A TOTALLY DIFFERENT UNIVERSE OVER HERE.

IT'S GREAT.

>> Cathy: I KNOW, IT'S KIND OF RAREFIED AIR.

YOU'RE PROFILING COMMUNITIES.

THIS IS DINNER, CONVERSATION, AND IMPROV.

IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING LIKE THE KHAN HASESSEN, I DON'T KNOW.

WHAT WHAT'S THE DEAL?

>> IT IS A LITTLE LIKE THAT.

BUT WHAT MAKES IT REALLY SPECIAL IS THAT WE GET INVITED INTO THESE COMMUNITIES AND WE HAVE THIS WONDERFUL DINNER.

WITH HOPEFULLY A BIG BROAD CROSS-SECTION OF THE TOWN.

AND PEOPLE TALK TO EACH OTHER ABOUT THEIR HOPES AND THEIR FEARS AND THE THINGS THAT THEY REALLY LOVE ABOUT THEIR COMMUNITY AND THE THINGS THEY SEE AS CHALLENGES.

BUT THEN AS YOU SAID, OUR CAST IS LISTENING TO ALL OF THAT, AND THEN THEY BRING IT TO LIFE ON STAGE.

SO IT IS A SPECIAL KIND OF SHOW BECAUSE IT IS IN THAT TOWN ABOUT THAT TOWN.

>> Eric: HOW DID THE HUMANITIES CENTER GET INVOLVED IN THIS?

>> WELL, OOKING AT THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR HUMANITIES, IT TALKS ABOUT DEMOCRACY AND THE ISDOM OF ITS CITIZENS.

WISDOM COMES FROM LISTENING TO YOUR NEIGHBOR REALLY AUTHENTICALLY AND TRYING TO BUILD A DEMOCRACY REALLY REQUIRES YOU TO WORK TOGETHER.

>> Cathy: BUT GOSH, AS YOU KNOW, LISTENING AUTHENTICALLY?

THAT'S A SKILL AND IT'S HARD.

ARE FOLKS GIVEN POINTERS WHEN THEY ATTEND THESE GATHERINGS TO KNOW WHAT QUESTIONS TO ASK BUT HOW TO LISTEN?

>> WELL, WE START OUT EACH OF THE PROGRAMS, TANE DOES A NICE JOB SETTING THE TABLE FOR THE CONVERSATION.

SOMETIMES HUSBANDS NEED TO BE REMINDED THAT THEY MIGHT GET A ELBOW BY THEIR WIVES TO SETTLE DOWN A LITTLE BIT.

BUT REALLY, EVERYBODY DOES LISTEN AND THEY DO APPRECIATE.

AND I THINK KNOWING THAT THEY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A TALK BACK IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

>> Cathy: TANE?

>> RIGHT, YEAH, WE'VE DONE THESE FOR TWO YEARS ALL OVER MINNESOTA.

AND I THINK THERE WAS, LIKE, A LITTLE BIT OF NERVOUSNESS WHEN WE FIRST STARTED.

OH, WOULD PEOPLE REALLY LISTEN?

WOULD THEY POTENTIALLY LIKE SPARK SOMETHING THERE?

EVERYWHERE WE WENT, EVERYBODY IS REALLY WONDERFUL ABOUT, REALLY BEING INTERESTED AND CURIOUS IN WHAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE TO SAY.

AND AS KEVIN SAID, I THINK THAT THE TWO THINGS ARE, ONE, IN PART, LIKE, WE'RE NOT ASKING THEM TO FILL OUT A REPORT.

WE'RE NOT SITTING THERE WITH A CLIPBOARD ABOUT THEIR TOWN.

THEY ARE HELPING INFORM WHAT'S GOING TO BE, LIKE, A REALLY FUN, HOPEFULLY VERY FUNNY SHOW.

AND THEN AS KEVIN SAID, WE DO A TALK BACK TEND SO THEY GET THE LAST WORD ABOUT SAYING, HEY, YOU DO THIS THING ABOUT OUR TOWN AND THAT WAS REALLY FUNNY, BUT THE SECOND TIME, YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT SMOKY THE BEAR, BUT HE'S ACTUALLY FROM THE TOWN OVER OR WHATEVER IT IS.

>> Cathy: I'M WONDERING, WHEN YOU GUYS HAVE THE CONVERSATIONS, IS THERE A WAY TO -- BECAUSE I THINK ONE AND DONE KIND OF THING, IT JUST GOES INTO THE EITHERRER.

IS THERE A WAY TO SAVE THESE STORIES OR THESE CONVERSATIONS.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'M REALLY HAPPY ABOUT THE PROJECT, AND I THOUGHT THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN OVER TIME AND IT'S NOW COME TO THIS POINT.

WE HAD CITIES COME AND ASK US TO BE PART OF THEIR CIVIC ENGAGEMENT CITY PLANNING KIND OF EFFORTS.

SO THREE OUT OF THE TEN TOWNS THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE VISITING THIS SUMMER, WE'RE GOING TO BE PART OF THAT.

SO IT'LL BE CONVERSATION ABOUT MINING.

THERE'LL BE A CONVERSATION ABOUT DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT.

AND THEN IT'LL BE BROADLY ABOUT WHAT VISION YOU WANT FOR ONE OF THE CITIES.

>> Eric: I'M WONDERING ABOUT PREACHING TO THE CHOIR.

FOLKS THAT SHOW UP ARE ALREADY COMMITTED TO THE PREMISE.

AND I WONDER, IS ANYBODY COME UP WITH A WAY TO GET TO THOSE THAT AREN'T PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN DIALOGUE?

>> THIS -- YOU ARE SINGING MY SONG.

THIS IS WHY -- THIS IS WHY I REALLY BELIEVE, LIKE, THERE IS ACOMBDAY AND PERFORMANCE ELEMENT OF THIS, REALLY MATTERS, BECAUSE IF I DID SAY TO YOU, HEY, WOULD YOU LIKE O COME AND HAVE A TOUGH CONVERSATION WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS ABOUT ALL OF THE CHALLENGES IN YOUR TOWN?

THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO GO TO THAT.

I WOULD GO TO THAT.

BUT IT IS A SELECT NUMBER OF PEOPLE.

WHEREAS, WHEN WE GO TO A TOWN AND WE SAY, HEY, WE'RE GOING TO COME TO TOWN AND WE ARE GOING TO BRING NEIGHBORS TOGETHER.

THERE'S GOING TO BE A FREE MEAL, WHICH REALLY HELPS.

>> Eric: THAT HELPS.

>> AND THEN THERE'S GOING TO BE A SHOW ABOUT YOUR TOWN THAT YOU INSPIRED.

THAT DOES BRING, LIKE, A VERY DIFFERENT GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO COME FOR THAT, AND WE ABSOLUTELY -- I MEAN, IF YOU DON'T ELIEVE ME, COME TO ONE OF THESE.

WE REALLY DO GET FOLKS FROM ALL DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS AND WALKS OF LIFE AND PARTS OF TOWN WHO COME AND ACTUALLY REALLY WANT TO BE PART OF THIS- BEALLY WANT TO BE PART OF THIS- BECALY WANT TO BE PART OF THIS- BECAUS WANT TO BE PART OF THIS- BECAUSE ANT TO BE PART OF THIS- BECAUSE THT TO BE PART OF THIS- BECAUSE THEYTO BE PART OF THIS- BECAUSE THEY'R BE PART OF THIS- BECAUSE THEY'RE E PART OF THIS- BECAUSE THEY'RE LIPART OF THIS- BECAUSE THEY'RE LIKERT OF THIS- BECAUSE THEY'RE LIKE, OF THIS- BECAUSE THEY'RE LIKE, I F THIS- BECAUSE THEY'RE LIKE, I JUTHIS- BECAUSE THEY'RE LIKE, I JUSTIS- BECAUSE THEY'RE LIKE, I JUSTIS- KIND OF GOT TO SEE HOW THIS THING WORKS.

>> Cathy: AND WHERE ARE THE COMMUNITIES, BY THE WAY?

>> YES, SO WE'RE GOING TO TEN DIFFERENT PLACES ALL ACROSS MINNESOTA THIS SUMMER AND FALL.

AND SO WE ARE GOING EVERYWHERE FROM OUT TO EMILY, MINNESOTA, AND MONTEVIDEO, WE ARE GOING BACK TO ROCHESTER, WHICH WE HAVE GONE TO BEFORE.

WE ARE GOING UP TO BIG FORK, EDGE OF THE WILDERNESS.

NORTH OF GRAND RAPIDS.

WE ARE GOING TO ALBERT LEA.

WE ARE GOING TO RED WING.

>> LUGER >> LUG LUVERNE.

>> THANK YOU.

NOW I'M LOSING TRACK OF WHAT I SAID.

>> MARSHALL.

>> Eric: GIVE THE SOUTHWEST PART OF THE STATE OME LOVING.

>> YEAH, WE ARE.

I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT LUVERNE, BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE A VERY BEAUTIFUL SPACE THAT WE'RE IN.

>> Cathy: OH, THAT THEATER IS GORGEOUS.

>> SO WE REALLY TRY AND GET ALL OVER, AND BIG TOWNS, SMALL TOWNS, ALL DIFFERENT PARTS -- >> Eric: AND WE'LL HAVE PIECES ON THE AIR.

>> YES, AND WE ARE VERY EXCITED, YOU ALL ARE COMING ALONG, AND SO PEOPLE ON TPT WILL BE ABLE TO SEE WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE.

>> Eric: THANK YOU.

>> CATHY: THANKS SO MUCH, YOU TWO.

AS WE JUST NOTED, AMERICA'S 250TH IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER.

PART OF OUR LOOK BACK HERE AT TWIN CITIES PBS IS A "MINNESOTA EXPERIENCE" DOCUMENTARY PREMIERING ON MONDAY THAT GOES BACK TO AMERICA'S 200TH BIRTHDAY AND THE YEARS LEADING UP TO THE BICENTENNIAL IN MINNESOTA.

HERE'S AN EXCERPT FROM THAT FILM, "SUMMER OF '76," THAT HIGHLIGHTS THE BICENTENNIAL VERSION OF FARMFEST.

TAKE A LOOK.

♪ ♪ >> FARMFEST, BILLED AS AMERICA'S BICENTENNIAL SALUTE TO AGRICULTURE, IT HAD A LOT GOING FOR IT AS FAR AS THE CONCEPT AND THE IDEAS.

RIGHT UTSIDE OF LAKE CRYSTAL, MINNESOTA, AND THIS IS BLUE EARTH COUNTY, A VERY LARGE AREA ON A COUPLE OF FARMS, FROM THIS HILL THAT'S ALL SEEDED IN ALFALFA RIGHT NOW, HAT'S GOING TO BE THE GRAND STAND AREA.

IT WAS SET UP WITH EXHIBITS AROUND AGRICULTURE, A FARM MACHINERY.

THERE WAS EVEN A MUSEUM OF AMERICAN AGRICULTURE.

THEY HAD A NUMBER OF BIG NAME PERFORMERS.

EVERYBODY FROM LORETTA LYNN TO GLEN CAMPBELL.

THIS WAS A PERIOD IN AMERICAN SOCIETY WHEN WE WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF A RAPID TRANSFORMATION FROM AN AGRICULTURE SOCIETY TO ONE THAT'S MORE URBAN AND POST-INDUSTRIAL.

AT THE SAME IME, AGRICULTURE WAS STILL A SIGNIFICANT PILLAR OF AMERICA'S ECONOMY.

>> THIS WAS A TIME WHEN MINNESOTA'S FARMERS WERE EXPERIENCING HIGH ANXIETY, WITH ONE OF THE WOSHESZ DROUGHTS IN THE STATE'S HISTORY LEADING TO DEVASTATING LOSSES.

AND JUST A YEAR EARLIER, PRESIDENT FORD VETOED A FARM BILL THAT WOULD HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY HELPED FARMERS.

FARMFEST WAS MEANT TO BOOST MORALE N RURAL AREAS WHILE ELEVATING THE IMPORTANCE OF FARMERS IN THE NATIONAL CONVERSATION.

AS THIS WAS ALSO AN ELECTION YEAR, JIMMY ARTER AND HIS RUNNING MATE, WALTER MONDALE -- >> THAT THE CONSUMERS CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY.

>> IF IT HAD BEEN SOMETHING OF LESS SIGNIFICANCE, THEY WOULD NOT HAVE SHOWN UP.

BUT THEY DID.

>> WHILE ORGANIZERS HAD HIGH HOPES TO ATTRACT OVER A MILLION PEOPLE TO FARMFEST.

TORRENTIAL RAINS AND MUDDY CONDITIONS KEPT THE ATTENDANCE TO A STILL IMPRESSIVE 300,000.

>> WE LOOK BACK NOW AND THINK IT AS A LARGE DISAPPOINTMENT.

HOWEVER, STILL AN AWFUL LOT OF PEOPLE FOUND THEIR WAY TO BLUE EARTH COUNTY, MINNESOTA.

POLITICAL CANDIDATES SHOWED UP, BECAUSE AGRICULTURE AND RURAL VOTERS AND SMALL TOWN VOTERS WERE STILL A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF GETTING ELECTED AND GETTING ELECTED IN MINNESOTA.

♪ ♪ >> DOMINIC: MY LIFE HAS TAKEN A COUPLE OF QUINTESSENTIALLY MINNESOTAN TWISTS SINCE THE LAST TIME I STOOD NEXT TO THIS MONITOR.

AT THE END OF MAY, I PULLED AN ENGORGED DEER TICK OFF MY... WELL, NEVER MIND WHERE.

A FEW WEEKS LATER, I WOKE UP FEELING LIKE MY INSIDES HAD BEEN TOPPED OFF WITH EMBALMING FLUID.

YEP.

LYME DISEASE.

AND IT IS EVERY BIT AS FUN AS PEOPLE TELL YOU IT IS.

AND THEN, JUST LAST WEEKEND, NICKY AND I WERE RETURNING FROM A FATHER/SON ROAD TRIP ACROSS IOWA AND WISCONSIN.

IN BROAD DAYLIGHT, AND BEFORE I COULD EVEN REGISTER WHAT HAPPENED, OUR WESTBOUND RENTAL CONNECTED FORCEFULLY WITH A SOUTHBOUND DEER.

ALSO, JUST EXACTLY THE GOOD TIME YOU'D THINK IT’D BE.

NOW, YOU MIGHT FILE THIS UNDER "BAD LUCK IN THE LAND OF 10,000 LAKES."

BUT I CONFESS THAT MY MAIN TAKE-AWAY FROM THESE EXPERIENCES HAS BEEN ONE OF... GRATITUDE.

TICK-BORNE ILLNESSES CAN LAY YOU OUT FOR WEEKS, AND THE AFTER-EFFECTS CAN LAST MUCH LONGER THAN THAT.

BUT THANKS TO A PERSISTENT WIFE, A SYMPATHETIC URGENT CARE CLINIC, AND THE MIRACLE OF DOXYCYCLINE, THE WORST PART OF MY BOUT WITH LYME DISEASE LASTED ONLY A FEW DAYS.

AS FOR OUR ENCOUNTER WITH THE WHITETAIL?

THE RENTAL CAR COMPANY WAS SURPRISINGLY UNDERSTANDING.

MY INSURANCE COMPANY HANDLED THINGS IN TWO PHONE CALLS.

AND BECAUSE THAT BUCK DIDN'T BOLT OUT OF THE WOODS A HALF-SECOND EARLIER, I COME TO YOU TONIGHT AS A STORY RATHER THAN A STATISTIC.

IN PHILANTHROPY, WE SOMETIMES TALK ABOUT WORKING FROM AN "ASSET-BASED PERSPECTIVE" RATHER THAN A "DEFICIT-BASED" ONE.

THAT'S A FANCY WAY OF SAYING, LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE.

THAT IS NOT ALWAYS EASY THESE DAYS.

BUT I THINK IT'S WORTH THE EFFORT.

MAYBE SHIFTING OUR ATTITUDE IS THE FIRST STEP TO SHIFTING OUR REALITY.

[ Applause ] ♪ >> CATHY: THE SUMMER SOLSTICE WAS LAST SUNDAY THE 21ST, SO WE ARE NOW OFFICIALLY INTO THE NEW SEASON.

THE SUN IS SHINING.

LEAVES ARE GREEN.

IT'LL BE UNNECESSARILY HOT NEXT WEEK.

AND IT'S ALL TO THE SOUNDTRACK OF BIRDSONG.

WHICH BIRDS?

WELL, THE BEST PERSON TO ANSWER THAT IS SITTING ACROSS FROM ME NOW, SHARON STITELER, A.K.A.

BIRDCHICK.

ALWAYS GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> I FEEL LIKE I'M GOING TO GET REPLACED.

[ Laughter ] THE NEXT TIME, THERE'S JUST GOING TO BE A DOG SITTING HERE.

>> Cathy: FOR PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T SEE THE TEASE, YOUR BELOVED PARTY PANTS, SHE'S A VERY GOOD GIRL.

LET'S TALK ABOUT BIRDS.

NESTING BIRDS, WHAT'S UP WITH THEM?

THEY'RE ALL -- THEY'RE JUST SO BUSY.

>> THEY ARE.

AND SO SOME BIRDS WILL HAVE MORE THAN ONE BROOD IN THE SUMMER TIME.

SO THERE ARE A LOT OF ROBBINS RIGHT NOW THAT ARE RENESTING AND BUILDING NESTING AGAIN EVEN THOUGH THEY ALREADY HAVE SOME BABY ROBBINS OUT THERE.

THE VOLUNTEER WHO WAS BRINGING ME UP SAID, ARE THERE JUST MORE ROBBINS THAN USUAL AND I WAS LIKE, YOU'RE SEEING ALL THE YOUNG ONES LEARNING TO FLY.

IT IS LEGAL AS LONG AS THERE ARE NO EGGS IN THERE TO REMOVE THAT NESTING MATERIAL, IF IT'S DOING IT SOMEPLACE UNSAFE LIKE ON A LIGHT FIXTURE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

BUT ONCE THERE ARE EGGS, YOU GOT TO LEAVE IT ALONE.

>> Eric: THE DAYS BECOME SHORTER NOW.

ARE THEY PREPARING FOR THEIR TRIP SOUTH >> THAT'S A REALLY OOD QUESTION.

>> Eric: THAT'S WHY I MAKE THE GOOD MONEY.

>> Cathy: IT'S A DEPRESSING QUESTION.

>> MID-JULY, SHORE BIRDS.

DISPLSES STOP IT!

>> CATHY'S GOING TO SLAP ME.

THE OTHER THING WITH THAT IS THAT WE HAVE GOALED FINCHES THAT ARE JUST ABOUT TO START THEIR NESTING SEASON.

SO DON'T GET DEPRESSED ABOUT MIGRATION SEASON HAPPENING EARLY.

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BUILD THEIR NESTS UNTIL MID-JULY ANYWAY.

>> Cathy: THAT IS ACTUALLY A SURPRISE, BECAUSE I HOUGHT THEY'D BE OUT AND ABOUT.

>> THEY EAT A LOT OF SEEDS AND THEY ALSO ARE LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT KIND OF FIBERS FOR THEIR NESTS.

SO THEY HAVE TO WAIT FOR THAT TO BE AVAILABLE.

WELL, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF OTHER BIRDS SPECIFICALLY GO FOR INSECTS.

IT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY COW BIRDS CAN'T SURVIVE IN A GOLDFINCH NEST.

AND SO WHEN A PARASITE LIKE A COW BIRD LAYS AN EGG IN THEIR NEST, IT DOESN'T SURVIVE.

>> Cathy: YOU BROUGHT UP THE FACT THAT THEY ARE EATING SEEDS.

IS THAT WHY NOT AS MANY BIRDS ARE COMING TO FEEDERS?

>> YES, ORIOLES >> YES, ORIOL ORIOLES >> YES, ORIOL ORIOL ORIOLES IN , THEY'LL SLOW DOWN ON GRAPE JELLY BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO RAISE THEIR KIDS ON A SUGAR DIET, SO THEY'LL GO FOR INSECTS.

>> Eric: ARE THE BIRD WATCHING HOT SPOTS THE SAME EVERY YEAR?

OR DO THEY JUMP AROUND?

>> SO THIS IS FASCINATING, YES, THE BIRDING HOT SPOTS ARE THE SAME, BUT SOMETIMES WE GET WILD CARDS, A WEEK AND A HALF AGO WE HAD A BOBBY IN KANDIYOHI COUNTY.

IT WAS, LIKE, A SECOND MINNESOTA RECORD.

AND YEAH, SOMEBODY JUST POSTED IT ON ONE OF THE BIRDING GROUPS.

THIS IS HANGING OUT AT DIAMOND LAKE.

AND EVERYBODY'S FREAKING OUT, DIAMOND LAKE THAT MINNEAPOLIS?

BUT NO, IT WAS -- >> Eric: HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN?

>> SOMETIMES BIRDS GET CARRIED BY VARIOUS WINDS.

SOMETIMES THEIR BRAIN CHEMISTRY IS A LITTLE WEIRD AND SAYS, HEY, YOU SHOULD GO FAR AWAY FROM THE OCEAN.

THERE ARE ALL SORTS OF THINGS BUT IT'S PART OF WHAT MAKES BIRDING FUN IS YOU GET SOMETHING THAT A BIRD YOU SHOULD ONLY SEE, YOU KNOW, IN THE OCEAN SHOWING UP IN THE MIDDLE OF MINNESOTA.

>> Eric: YOU HAVE ONE OF THOSE AUDUBON LOGS WHERE YOU LIST HOW MANY SPECIES YOU'VE SEEN?

>> I USE E-BIRD, AND I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT.

I'M REALLY INTO THE SUMMER PATCH BIRDING.

SO I'M DOCUMENTING NOT ONLY, LIKE, WHAT BIRDS I'M SEEING, BUT YOU CAN ALSO JUST, LIKE, PRESS A BUTTON AND MAKE A NOTE OF RECENTLY FLEDGED YOUNG OR BUILDING A NEST IF YOU HAPPEN TO NOTICE THAT, AND THAT'S VERY VALUABLE INFORMATION TO BIOLOGISTS ALL OVER THE WORLD.

>> Eric: HOW MANY TIMES DO YOU HAVE IN YOUR LOG?

>> I COULDN'T TELL YOU THE EXACT NUMBER, BECAUSE I'M A TERRIBLE LISTER, IT'S DEFINITELY IN THE DEFINITELY IDEFINITELY IN THE TS BUT ON A GOOD DAY IN SPRING MAI GAITION, MAI GAITIMIGRATION, I CAN GET 50 SPECIES.

>> Cathy: WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP BIRDS IN THE HEAT?

>> PUT OUT WATER AND KEEP IT SHALLOW.

IF YOU HAVE THE DISHES THAT GO UNDER YOUR POTTED PLANTS, THAT'S A PERFECT SITE FOR BIRD BATHS.

PUT SOME ROCKS IN IT AND ANOTHER THING IS HAVE MOVING WATER, EVEN IF IT'S SOMETHING AS SILLY AS PUTTING YOUR GARDEN HOSE INTO THE BIRD BATH AND JUST TURNING IT ON AND MAKING THAT SOUND OF RUNNING WATER FOUR TEN MINUTES.

THE SOUND REALLY ATTRACTING BIRDS.

>> Cathy: ESPECIALLY WHEN IT IS LIKE 100 DEGREES OR BETTER?

>> YEAH, BIRDS ARE GOING TO WANT TO BATHE.

DON'T PUT OUT ICE WATER.

THEY'RE NOT PREPARED TO O THAT.

DON'T DO IT THAT WAY.

BUT GETTING HYDRATION IS DEFINITELY IMPORTANT.

BUT HEY DON'T EXPERIENCE HEAT IN THE SAME WAY WE DO.

SO PUTTING ICE WATER OUT FOR BIRDS IS NOT A GOOD IDEA.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU, PARTY'S LAYING DOWN NOW.

SHE'S FINE.

>> SHE'S A GOOD GIRL.

SHE'S A GOOD GOVERNMENT DOG.

>> Eric: WE'LL SEE YOU AT THE FAIR.

>> YES!

>> Cathy: OKAY, THANKS.

♪ >> ERIC: EVER SINCE THE POLITICAL ASSASSINATION HERE IN MINNESOTA, WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR SOLUTIONS TO INCREASE CIVILITY.

THE CITIZENS LEAGUE'S LEGISLATIVE EXCHANGE IS AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF THE WORK BEING DONE IN THE COMMUNITY TO HELP LAWMAKERS CONNECT ACROSS THE AISLE.

POLITICAL REPORTER MARY LAHAMMER TAKES US ALONG FOR THE RIDE.

>> Mary: THE PERFECT SUMMER DAY STARTS AT A CHARMING COMMUNITY CAFE.

IT INCLUDES A STROLL THROUGH A SUBURBAN PARK FOR THIS LEGISLATIVE DUO STRIVING FOR A FRESH TAKE ON CIVILITY.

>> YOU TWO DID PICK EACH OTHER?

>> YEAH.

>> Mary: TELL ME WHY YOU PICKED >> MOSTLY BECAUSE I WANTED TO LEARN A LOT MORE ABOUT THE METRO AND ESPECIALLY THE SUBURB COMPONENT TO THE TWIN CITIES BECAUSE THEY DEAL WITH SOMETHING SUBSTANTIALLY DIFFERENT FROM THE COMMUNITY I REPRESENT DOWN IN FARIBAULT AND ANESVILLE AND BACK TOWARDS KENYON, WANAMINGO.

IT WOULD BE CARLY BECAUSE WE HAVE KIDS ABOUT THE SAME AGE AND A LOT OF THE SAME INTERESTS AND EVERYTHING.

AND THIS WOULD BE FUN.

>> Mary: OW DOES THIS HELP BREAK DOWN THAT GEOGRAPHIC DIVIDE?

>> I THINK JUST BEING ABLE TOLL VISIT SOMEBODY IN THEIR HOME TURF IS A LOT OF FUN.

IT'S A WHOLE DIFFERENT SIDE OF THEM AS AN INDIVIDUAL, AS A PERSON.

AS A PARENT.

AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, BEING ABLE TO SEE WHAT WE DO ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS AND SOME OF THE CORPORATIONS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND THE PEOPLE THAT WE'RE SERVING WHEN WE COME TO THE LEGISLATURE, AND IT, OU KNOW, HELPS US TO REMEMBER THAT IT'S NOT JUST REPRESENTATIVE ALLEN FROM THAT AREA.

IT IS REPRESENTATIVE ALLEN AND ALL OF HIS CONSTITUENTS.

>> Mary: THIS SCHEDULED STOP IN EDEN PRAIRIE IS PART OF THE LEGISLATIVE EXCHANGE PROGRAM FROM THE NONPARTISAN CITIZENS LEAGUE.

>> WE'VE BEEN RUNNING THE LEGISLATIVE EXCHANGE SINCE APRIL OF 2025.

AND TODAY IS OUR TENTH VISIT WITH OUR SIXTH PAIR OF LEGISLATORS.

>> Mary: DID THIS BECOME EVEN MORE IMPORTANT AND PRESSING AFTER THE HORRIFIC ASSASSINATION THAT HAPPENED HERE?

>> OH, I THINK, IT DID WITHOUT QUESTION.

WE STARTED THIS UNDER HE IDEA, YOU KNOW, WE'RE A CLOSELY DIVIDED LEGISLATURE AND WE HAVE A LOT OF IMPORTANT WORK TO DO.

MINNESOTA'S A GREAT PLACE OR A PROGRAM LIKE THIS.

BUT TO FEEL THE IMPACT OF THAT HORRIFIC EVENT LAST SUMMER, AND HAVING POLITICAL VIOLENCE AND POLITICAL ASSASSINATIONS HIT SO CLOSE TO HOME, I THINK IT JUST HOWN SUCH A LIGHT FOR US ON THE IMPORTANCE OF TONING DOWN THAT RHETORIC OF UILDING THOSE REAL RELATIONSHIPS, OF REAL HUMAN BEINGS WHO ARE LOCATED TO SERVE THEIR COMMUNITIES, NOT DEMONIZING THE OTHER SIDE, BUT WORKING TOGETHER, BEING CURIOUS, UNDERSTANDING EACH OTHER, WE NEED A LOT MORE OF THAT AND THIS PROGRAM CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THAT JUST A LITTLE BIT, JOB WELL DONE I THINK.

>> I WAS AT A LAST DAY OF SCHOOL PARTY AND WAS CHATTING UP ANOTHER DAD WHO ENDED UP BEING THE POLICE OFFICER WHO CAME TO MY HOME ON JUNE 14TH AND BROKE THE NEWS TO MY HUSBAND AND I BOUT WHAT HAPPENED.

THAT SENSE OF COMMUNITY -- >> IT'S FINDING THOSE COMMON THINGS THAT WE HAVE, BESIDES JUST COMMONALITY IN POLICY AND COMMONALITY IN THE WAY WE LOOK AT THINGS, BUT ALSO ON A PERSONAL LEVEL.

UNDERSTANDING WHERE THEY'RE COMING FROM AND WHEN I COME FROM AND, YOU KNOW, BEING ABLE TO UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER, IT MAKES -- IT MAKES THE JOB A LOT EASIER TO BE ABLE TO DO BECAUSE WHEN YOU LOOK AT A PERSON AS A PERSON AS OPPOSED TO LOOKING AT THEM FROM THE STANDPOINT OF A PARTY OR A PARTICULAR OSITION THEY TAKE, IT BREAKS DOWN BARRIERS IN A HURRY.

>> AND IT'S MORE FUN.

>> IT'S WAY MORE FUN.

>> Mary: SCHOOLS, HOUSING, CHILD CARE, ALL EMERGED AS CLEAR COMMONALITIES.

EVERYTHING YOU'VE BROUGHT UP ARE THINGS YOU AGREE ON.

DOES THAT SURPRISE YOU?

>> NOT REALLY.

I MEAN, THE MORE YOU SIT DOWN AND TALK WITH PEOPLE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ISLE, YEAH, WE MIGHT DISAGREE ON 10 OR 15 TO 20% OF THE ISSUES.

BUT SURPRISINGLY, 80% E CAN AGREE ON AND FIND COMMONALITY AND FIND SOME COMMON GROUND ON.

IT'S JUST WHETHER OR NOT WE'RE AS LEGISLATORS WILLING TO PUT IN THE EFFORT.

>> BEND TO THE DETAIL LEVEL OF HOW -- GETTING DOWN TO SPLITTING HAIRS ON SOME OF THAT STUFF.

>> Mary: AFTER A VISIT TO FLYING CLOUD AIRPORT, A BONDING BILL CONCEPT CAME UP WHICH NEEDS ACROSS THE AISLE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

>> IT'D BE FUN TO GET THE FULL COMMITTEE THERE TO LOOK AT IT.

>> SECOND BUSIEST AIRPORT IN THE STATE.

>> Mary: SO THIS IS REALLY A BLEND OF POLICY AND PERSONAL.

>> YES.

>> Mary: WAS THAT THE INTENT?

DID YOU KNOW THAT?

>> WELL -- >> WELL -- [ Laughter ] >> Mary: ALSO, THIS WEEK, THE GROUP, "MAJORITY IN THE MIDDLE," RELEASED ITS STATE OF BIPARTISANSHIP REPORT THAT SHOWED BIPARTISAN GOVERNING REMAINS STEADY WHILE POLITICAL FAIR FANARRATIVES AMPLIFY DIVISION.

>> THE MOST REALISTIC THING TO KEEP IS CO-PRESENTING BIPARTISAN BILLS.

>> Mary: "MAJORITY IN THE MIDDLE" ALSO CREATED A CIVILITY PLEDGE FOR FFICIALS TO SIGN FOLLOWING THE ASSASSINATIONS.

BOTH OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS HAVE BEEN HIGHLIGHTING EACH OTHER'S NONPARTISAN WORK AND EXTEND THEIR REACH OUTSIDE THE CAPITOL.

>> WE'RE ALSO NOT COMPLETELY OPPOSITE.

WE'RE HUMAN BEINGS.

WE'RE MINNESOTANS.

WE LIVE HERE.

WE LOVE THIS PLACE.

WE ALL WANT TO TAKE CARE OF IT.

WE HAVE DIFFERENT DEAS ABOUT HOW THAT HAPPENS, BUT THE BEST WAY TO FIGURE OUT A PATH FORWARD TO FIND THAT COME ON GROUND TO WORK TOGETHER IS FOR LEGISLATORS TO ACTUALLY HAVE THOSE RELATIONSHIPS WITH EACH OTHER AND YOU AND I BOTH KNOW THAT THE CAPITOL IS PHYSICALLY BUILT TO KEEP THEM APART IN SO MANY WAYS.

YOU CAN'T REPLICATE SOME OF THE EXPERIENCES THAT COME OUT OF THESE TRIPS BY READING ABOUT THEM OR SEEING IT BRIEFLY.

YOU GOT TO DO IT.

YOU GOT TO BE THERE IN PERSON, SPEND TIME TOGETHER, THAT STUFF MATTERS.

IT REALLY CHANGES YOUR PERSPECTIVE.

AND I THINK YOU GET THOSE MOMENTS OF, AH, I SEE WHY THIS IS SO IMPORTANT NOW.

>> Mary: THIS FALL, THIS PAIR OF LAWMAKERS WILL ONCE AGAIN HIT THE ROAD TOGETHER TO VISIT REPRESENTATIVE ALLEN'S AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT IN SOUTHERN MINNESOTA AFTER THOROUGHLY ENJOYING A FULL TOUR OF THE WEST METRO IN A WINNEBAGO.

DO YOU HOPE THIS IS INFECTIOUS WHEN YOUR COLLEAGUES SEE, HEY, THIS IS FUN, THIS IS GOOD OFF SESSION STUFF TO DO.

>> YEAH, I HOPE SO.

IT'S A GREAT EXPERIENCE.

I'VE HEARD FROM THE OTHER LEGISLATORS THAT HAVE DONE THIS AND HEY CAN'T SAY ENOUGH GOOD STUFF ABOUT IT.

>> IT'S A REALLY AWESOME OPPORTUNITY.

♪ ♪ >> ERIC: THIS WEEK'S POLITICAL NEWS INCLUDES A FLURRY OF U.S.

SUPREME COURT RULINGS, PRIMARY RESULTS AROUND THE COUNTRY, AND A POTENTIAL LEGISLATIVE LOGJAM IN THE NATION'S CAPITOL.

JUST THREE OF THE TOPICS OUR TRIO OF POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSORS WILL TACKLE TONIGHT.

MICHAEL MINTA TEACHES POLITICAL SCIENCE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

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

CINDY RUGELEY HEADS UP THE POLI-SCI DEPARTMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, DULUTH.

ALL RIGHT, WHAT DO THESE ALL HAVE IN COMMON, PROFESSOR RUGELEY?

THE S.A.V.E.

ACT, F.I.S.A., AND HOUSING.

>> NOT MUCH.

[ Laughter ] >> Eric: I MEAN, WHAT IS -- SORT T OUT FOR US.

>> I MEAN, ONE OF THEM HAS ACTUALLY PASSED.

[ Laughter ] >> Eric: THAT'S THE HOUSING.

>> THE HOUSING ONE HAS PASSED AND IT'S BEING HELD UP.

AND, YOU KNOW, THE PRESIDENT DOESN'T HAVE TO SIGN IT.

IF THEY SEND IT TO HIM FOR IT TO BECOME LAW.

SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT AT ALL.

THE S.A.V.E.

ACT IS SOMETHING THAT THE SENATE JUST DOESN'T WANT.

AND I MEAN, I THINK IT'S BIPARTISAN THAT THEY DON'T WANT IT.

F.I.S.A., I -- THAT'S ALMOST ONE -- I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE HOLDING IT HOSTAGE OR WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THAT ONE.

I MEAN, IT'S JUST GOING INTO -- DYSFUNCTION RIGHT NOW.

IN WASHINGTON.

>> Eric: SO IT'S -- THE PROCESS IS NOT WORKING THE WAY IT WAS INTENDED, APPARENTLY?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, THE S.A.V.E.

ACT, I SAW A QUOTE THAT THE PRESIDENT PUT ON SOCIAL MEDIA SAYING THAT HE MIGHT BE THE LAST REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT IF THE S.A.V.E.

ACT ISN'T PASSED.

THIS HIGH STANDARD OF NOT JUST A PHOTO I.D., BUT ALSO A PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP.

AND SO THAT MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT.

I MEAN, IMAGINE, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE TRYING TO GO IN, AND THEN YOU GOT TO PRODUCE YOUR BIRTH CERTIFICATE OR MAYBE YOU HAVE A PASSPORT.

SO IT'S A BAR WHERE MANY DEMOCRATS ARE SAYING IT OBVIOUSLY IS A BARRIER TO GETTING PEOPLE TO VOTE.

AND I ALSO THINK T WOULD PROBABLY HAVE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES ALSO FOR REPUBLICAN VOTERS ALSO TO HAVE TO TRY TO COME UP WITH THAT DOCUMENTATION.

>> HERE'S THE SIMILARITY ACROSS THOSE THREE PIECES OF LEGISLATION.

THE RUPTURE.

REPUBLICAN PARTY IS NOW RUPTURED.

YOU USED TO HAVE A TRIFECTA AS S OF A YEAR AGO.

REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT, REPUBLICAN CONGRESS.

IT DOESN'T WORK ANYMORE.

YOU'VE GOT A PRESIDENT WHO IS JUST FIRED UP AND MAD.

AND YOU WOULD THINK THAT THE REPUBLICANS WERE HIS ENEMY.

I THOUGHT ONE OF THE MOST TELLING QUOTES OF THIS WEEK WAS A REPUBLICAN LEADER IN THE SENATE SAYING, WILL THE PRESIDENT HELP US SURVIVE?

SO, US BEING THE SENATE REPUBLICANS.

THEM BEING THE WHITE HOUSE AND DONALD TRUMP.

AND THAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENED.

THAT'S WHAT THESE THREE HAVE IN COMMON.

AND IT'S AN EXTRAORDINARY SITUATION.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MICHAEL MENTIONED IS ONE OF THE CONCERNS THAT SENATOR THUNE HAD WHEN HE SAID THIS IS GOING TO HURT REPUBLICANS A LOT, YOU NOW, AS FAR AS VOTER TURNOUT.

AND I MEAN, IT IS THE REGISTRATION AND ALL, BUT IT'S ALSO DOING AWAY WITH THINGS LIKE VOTE BY MAIL WHICH HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE DIRT.

AND SO I MEAN, IT'S JUST -- IT KIND OF -- IT'S JUST GOING TOO FAR.

AND I -- I DON'T THINK HE'S GOING TO GET IT.

BUT WHO KNOWS.

>> THE HOUSING ACT WAS ONE OF THESE BIPARTISAN BILLS.

LARGE ILL DOING A LOT.

I MEAN, YOU HAD SENATOR ELIZABETH WARREN FROM THE PROGRESSIVE SIDE PLAYING AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN TERMS OF LIMITING THE ROLE OF INSTITUTIONAL INVESTORS.

YOU KNOW, YOU WANT WALL STREET INVOLVED IN HOUSING.

AND THEN IT GOT BOGGED DOWN.

WHY?

BECAUSE THE PRESIDENT DIDN'T WANT TO SIGN IT.

IT PASSED.

IT WENT TO HIS DESK.

THEY HAD THE, YOU KNOW, THE WHOLE THING SET UP FOR HIM TO SIT DOWN AND REPUBLICANS WERE GOING TO LAUNCH A WHOLE CAMPAIGN ABOUT HOW THEY'RE FIGHTING FOR AFFORDABILITY, AND HE PULLS IT JUST TO BE VINDICTIVE.

>> Cathy: WHAT DID YOU SAY, PROFESSOR RUGELEY ABOUT MAIL IN VOTING, OLD AS DIRT?

OKAY.

WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF THE APPEALS JUDGE BLOCKING THE EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT WOULD LIMIT MAIL BALLOTS?

DID I MISS THAT?

I MEAN -- THAT WAS -- THERE WAS THAT RULING?

>> YEAH, THERE WAS ONE, AND I MEAN, BLOCKED IT, AND AGAIN, HE ISSUED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER, AND THEY SAID NO, YOU CAN'T DO THAT, BECAUSE YOU'RE INTERFERING WITH STATE -- WHAT IS IT?

STATE PREROGATIVE.

AND FUNDAMENTALLY, I THINK THAT'S TRUE.

I DON'T THINK IT'LL BE IN EFFECT FOR THE MIDTERMS.

>> Cathy: ARE WE DONE THEN NOW, DO YOU THINK WITH ANY OTHER CHALLENGES TO HOW WE MIGHT VOTE IN NOVEMBER?

FROM THE ADMINISTRATION?

OR SOMETHING ELSE MIGHT POP UP?

>> NO.

>> E'RE JUST WARMING UP.

THERE'S GOING TO BE ALL SORTS OF, YOU KNOW, EFFORTS BY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE COUNTER-MOBILIZATION BY VOTING RIGHTS GROUPS TO TRY TO MOBILIZE PEOPLE OR PROTECT, YOU KNOW, I THINK WE'RE, YOU KNOW, STRAP IN.

THERE'S GOING TO BE A REAL BATTLE.

>> AND I THINK THERE ARE GOING TO BE -- I THINK THERE STILL WILL BE SOME TYPE OF LEGISLATIVE OR LEGAL CHALLENGES, BUT THERE'S ALSO FEAR THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH MIGHT USE IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS, BRINGING THEM OUT TO THE POLLS.

I MEAN, SIMILAR, REALLY, TO THE '60s, OF FORMS OF INTIMIDATION, RIGHT?

SO JUST THE THREAT OF MAYBE HAVING I.C.E.

OFFICIALS AT THE POLLS MAY DETER SOMEBODY -- PEOPLE WHO ARE CITIZENS WHO ARE ALLOWED TO VOTE MAY NOT EVEN SHOW UP.

>> Eric: THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS HAD A BIG NIGHT ON PRIMARY WEEK THIS WEEK.

THOSE ARE DEEP BLUE STRICTS AND DOES IT STRANS AND DOES IT STRA TRANSLATE INTO GENERAL ELECTION WINS?

>> I THINK IT'D BE INTERESTING.

I THINK THERE'S A BIG MOVE FOR CHANGE.

I THINK PEOPLE JUST WANT SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

>> I AGREE.

I THINK, YOU KNOW, WHETHER YOU'RE A DEMOCRATIC OR REPUBLICAN PARTY, THIS IS THE NAME OF THE GAME IS CHANGE.

AND A PUSH BACK AGAINST THE LEADERSHIP.

BUT, YOU KNOW, MAMDANI, SWEEPING THE CANDIDATES THAT HE HAD ENDORSED IN PRIMARIES IN NEW YORK CITY, THAT WAS A -- THAT WAS A CONFIRMATION OF A PROGRESSIVE STRATEGY, OF MOBILIZATION, STAKE OUT AN POPULIST MESSAGE AND IT'S GOING TO EXCITE VOTERS, NON-VOTERS AND YOUTH.

BUT THERE'S THE OTHER SIDE OF IT FOR CANDIDATES REINING IN MORE MODERATE COMPETITIVE DISTRICTS AND STATES, AND THERE YOU'VE GOT TO PERSUADE THEM.

YOU'VE GOT TO PERSUADE THE SINGLE, YOU KNOW, THE SWING VOTER, SO I DON'T THINK IT HAS AS BROAD AN IMPACT AS MAYBE THE MEDIA COVERAGE IS SUGGESTING.

>> Eric: IS THERE DATA ON HOW THE IRAN WAR IS AFFECTING POLITICS?

I SEE WITH THE U.S.

STRUCK SOME TARGETS IN IRAN AFTER IRAN DRONED A CARGO SHIP.

SO I WONDER IF THERE'S A POLITICAL IMPACT HERE.

>> I MEAN, I THINK THAT YOU'VE SEEN POLLS WHERE IT'S -- THE STRONG REPUBLICANS, M.A.G.A., THEY'RE FOR IT.

BUT I THINK THE INDEPENDENTS AND DEMOCRATS ARE AGAINST THE IRANIAN IN TERMS OF THAT WAR.

AND SO IN TERMS F HOW IT WILL DRIVE TURNOUT, I DON'T KNOW.

I MEAN, WARS AREN'T GOOD FOR INCUMBENT ADMINISTRATIONS, BUT IT COULD PLAY A ROLE IN TERMS OF REPRESSING THE REPUBLICANS THAT COME OUT.

ALONG WITH ALL THE ECONOMIC CONDITIONS THAT ARE DRIVING -- >> I THINK THAT'S A TOUGH THING WITH THE WAR AND WITH EVERYTHING ELSE IS THAT IT'S JUST BAKED INTO TRUMP.

AND I MEAN, I DON'T THINK THAT THERE'S JUST ONE THING WITH TRUMP THAT'S CAUSING HIS NUMBERS TO FALL SO QUICKLY.

I JUST THINK IT'S EVERYTHING.

>> Eric: IMMIGRATION AND THE COURTS?

>> WELL, CERTAINLY, IMMIGRATION USED TO BE A GOOD ISSUE FOR DONALD TRUMP.

>> RIGHT.

>> NOT SO MUCH.

I MEAN, THE ISSUE HERE, AND THIS IS A CONSTANT, WHICH IS THE PRESIDENT TENDS TO DRIVE THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS, AND THE PRESIDENT'S PARTY TENDS TO LOSE.

THIS TIME WE'VE GOT A PRESIDENT WHO'S APPROVAL RATING IS, YOU KNOW, MAYBE IN THE 30s OVERALL.

BUT THEN YOU KIND OF LOOK AT THE INDEPENDENTS, IT'S ACTUALLY IN THE 20s.

AND YOU LOOK ON ECONOMIC ISSUES, AND IT'S ALSO TERRIBLE.

THERE'S ONLY A QUARTER OF AMERICANS WHO THINK THAT THE WAR IN IRAN WAS WORTH THE COST.

SO THIS IS LIKE A -- JUST A CURSE.

AND REPUBLICANS ARE PUSHING INTO A WIND.

THAT IS A REAL DRAG.

>> Cathy: YOU KNOW, YOU ALL ARE PROBABLY HISTORIANS TO A CERTAIN EXTENT IN TERMS OF POLITICAL HISTORY, ALSO PROBABLY EXCITES YOU AND YOU'RE INTERESTED IN IT AS POLITICAL SCIENTISTS.

I WONDER WHAT YOU'VE MADE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT COMPARING THE PRESIDENT, PRESIDENT TRUMP TO FORMER PRESIDENT NIXON IN TERMS OF BOTH HE MAINTAINS WERE VICTIMS OF THE DEEP STATE.

HE ALSO THOUGHT THAT WAREGATE WOULDN'T BE A SCANDAL NOWADAYS.

WHAT DID YOU MAKE OF THAT?

>> WELL, FOR ONE THING, HE WAS AT THE NIXON FOUNDATION, AND IF J.D.

VANCE IS GOOD AT ANYTHING, IT'S KISSING UP.

I COULDN'T BELIEVE HE SAID IT.

I MEAN, YOU KNOW, IT'S A THREE.

DIFFERENT THING BECAUSE THE REASON THAT RICHARD NIXON RESIGNED IS BECAUSE REPUBLICANS WENT TO HIM AND SAID IT'S NOT LOOKING GOOD FOR YOU DOWN AT THE HOMETOWN.

AND SO WHAT HE SAID ABOUT DEEP STATE AND ALL THAT, IT JUST WASN'T TRUE.

AND SO COMPARING TRUMP TO NIXON, THERE'S PROBABLY BETTER PEOPLE THAT I'D WANT TO BE COMPARED TO, BUT I MEAN -- >> WHY NOT RONALD REAGAN?

>> THAT'S IT.

>> THERE'S SOMEONE WHO ENJOYS POPULARITY.

OBVIOUSLY AND THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

BUT, YOU KNOW, AMONG MANY AMERICANS FOR SOME OF THE THINGS HE DID.

NIXON, THE PROBLEM FOR NIXON IS, HE SAID BAD THINGS ON TAPES, AND JUDGE WAS RELEASING THE TAPES.

AND YOU HAD A UNANIMOUS DIVISION DIVISIDECISION BY THE SUPREME CT TO RELEASE THOSE TAPES AND GAME UP.

AND I THINK THAT WOULD HAPPEN.

>> Eric: WELL, HE DIDN'T HAVE THE VOTES IN CONGRESS.

SO YOU CAN TALK ALL YOU WANT, BUT IF YOU AIN'T GOT THE VOTES, YOU AIN'T GOT THE VOTES.

>> AND IT'S THE REPUBLICANS THAT WERE TELLING HIM, IT'S JUST NOT THERE FOR YOU.

AND SO THAT'S THE REASON HE RESIGNED.

>> Eric: ARE WE GETTING A LITTLE OF D.S.A.

AND TRADITIONAL DEMOCRATS IN THE MINNESOTA D.F.L.

SENATE PRIMARY, FLANAGAN AND ANGIE CRAIG?

>> OH, IT'S A GREAT RACE.

I TELL YOU, IF YOU LIKE POLITICS, THIS IS A TERRIFIC RACE BECAUSE YOU'VE SEEN PEGGY FLANAGAN MOBILIZE THE PROGRESSIVES.

IT'S THE MAMDANI STRATEGY.

ON THE OTHER HAND, YOU'VE GOT ANNIE CRAIG, SHE'S GOT A LOT OF MONEY AND THOSE INDEPENDENT GROUPS ARE DOING SOME OF THE DIRTY WORK OF ACCUSING ANGIE CRAIG OF TAKING P.A.C.

MONEY.

>> Cathy: AND IT WAS QUITE A DISCUSSION WE HAD HAD ON THE COUNTY LAST WEEK WITH THOSE TWO.

>> Eric: THANK YOU, GUYS.

♪ >> WILL THIS BE A WIDE OPEN FAIR THIS YEAR, JERRY WILL YOU MAKE ANY CONCESSIONS FOR THE VIRUS?

>> WE HAVE BEEN PLANNING WHAT-IFST SINCE LAST MAY.

WE DON'T KNOW.

IF THINGS CONTINUE TO PROGRESS THE WAY THEY ARE, THEN IT SURE LOOKS LIKE IT.

>> ERIC: THE STATE FAIR DID RE-OPEN LATER THAT SUMMER WITH NO PANDEMIC RESTRICTIONS, BUT ATTENDANCE WAS SPARSE.

IT'S BEEN A COUPLE OF WEEKS SINCE I STOOD BY THE BIG MONITOR AND ASKED YOU ALL TO ANSWER A MINNESOTA HISTORY QUESTION, SO LET'S REVIEW.

THE YEAR IS 1973.

AND A MINNESOTA NATIVE IS THE PERSON OF THE HOUR AT A SWANKY PORTRAIT UNVEILING IN THE RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING.

MANY NOTABLE GUESTS ATTENDED THE EVENT, INCLUDING THREE NUNS FROM MINNESOTA.

OUR QUESTION FOR YOU SEEMED SIMPLE.

WHAT MINNESOTAN WAS HONORED WITH A PORTRAIT UNVEILING IN THE U.S.

CAPITOL IN OCTOBER OF 1973?

HOW DID YOU DO?

THESE NEXT FOUR CALLERS MISSED THE MARK.

>> ERIC: ALL FOUR OF THOSE GUESSES WERE MINNESOTANS.

BUT THEY WERE ALL INCORRECT.

IN FACT, WRONG ANSWERS WERE ALL WE RECEIVED.

LET'S QUICKLY REVIEW THE DETAILS, WITH SOME ADDED INFORMATION FOR YOU.

IT'S 1973.

A MINNESOTAN'S PORTRAIT IS UNVEILED IN THE RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING.

THIS MINNESOTA NATIVE WAS BORN IN WASECA.

AFTER ATTENDING COLLEGE IN OMAHA AND THEN SERVING IN WORLD WAR I, HE SETTLED IN GARY, INDIANA, AND SPENT MORE THAN THREE DECADES IN CONGRESS.

WHAT MINNESOTAN WAS HONORED WITH A PORTRAIT UNVEILING IN THE U.S.

CAPITOL IN OCTOBER OF 1973?

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU WHETHER YOU ARE CALLING FROM BETSY ROSS POINT, FLAG ISLAND REEF, OR BIG AMERICAN ISLAND.

651-229-1430 IS THE NUMBER TO CALL.

YOU CAN ALWAYS DROP US A NOTE TOO: ALMANAC@TPT.ORG.

VIEWER TOM, ARE YOU WATCHING?

THIS IS YOUR QUESTION!

YOU KNOW THE ANSWER!

COUPLE OF HOUSEKEEPING NOTES BEFORE WE GO.

WE WANT TO CONNECT WITH ALL OF YOU IN PERSON NEXT MONTH.

"ALMANAC: AFTER HOURS" RETURNS ON JULY 21ST.

IT'S A PRIMARY ELECTION PREVIEW COMBINED WITH AN "ALMANAC" TRIVIA COMPETITION.

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THE "ALMANAC" TEAM IS TAKING SOME TIME OFF FOR THE JULY 4TH HOLIDAY, BUT YOU CAN STILL TUNE IN NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT, JULY 3RD, FOR A SPECIAL EDITION OF THE SHOW.

MARY LAHAMMER VISITS WITH GOVERNOR WALZ AND A HANDFUL OF RETIRING LAWMAKERS IN THEIR LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS.

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THIS WEEK BACK IN 2022, CANTUS JOINED US IN STUDIO.

TAKE A LISTEN.

AND BE CAREFUL.

♪ ♪ >> >> ♪ I AM SITTING HERE WANTING MEMORIES TO TEACH ME TO SEE THE BEAUTY OF THE WORLD THROUGH MY OWN EYES ♪ ♪ YES, I AM SITTING HERE WANTING MEMORIES TO TEACH ME TO SEE THE BEAUTY OF THE WORLD THROUGH MY OWN EYES ♪ ♪ YOU USED TO ROCK ME IN THE CRADLE OF YOUR ARMS ♪ ♪ YOU SAID YOU'D HOLD ME UNTIL THE PAINS OF MINE WERE GONE ♪ ♪ YOU SAID YOU'D COMFORT ME IN TIMES LIKE THESE ♪ ♪ AND NOW I NEED YOU ♪ ♪ AND YOU ARE GONE ♪ ♪ SO I AM SITTING HERE WANTING MEMORIES TO TEACH ME ♪ ♪ TO SEE THE BEAUTY IN THE WORLD THROUGH MY OWN EYES ... ♪ Captioned by: Veritext/Paradigm-Captioning Www.veritext.com >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

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