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

>> CATHY: COMING UP ON "ALMANAC," U.S.

REPRESENTATIVE ILHAN OMAR, A LIVE PERFORMANCE FROM VOCAL ESSENCE, A COUCH FULL OF LEGISLATIVE LEADERS, AND MARY LAHAMMER WAS UP AT THE CAPITOL FOR THE OPENING OF THE 2026 LEGISLATURE.

>> Mary: A SOMBER AND SERIOUS START TO THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION WITH EW SECURITY MEASURES IN PLACE AT THE CAPITOL AFTER A VIOLENT YEAR IN THE STATE.

>> WE'VE GOT TO DO SOME THINGS AROUND GUNS.

>> 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.

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

MORE AT EDUCATIONMINNESOTA.ORG.

IN >> CATHY: ANOTHER FULL SHOW FOR YOU.

LATER IN THE HOUR, LEGISLATIVE LEADERS WILL JOIN US LIVE.

WE'LL HIGHLIGHT AN UPCOMING VOCAL ESSENCE PERFORMANCE WITH A LIVE ENSEMBLE.

WE'LL HEAR FROM HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY MARY MORIARTY ABOUT ONGOING EFFORTS TO INVESTIGATE TWO FATAL SHOOTINGS BY FEDERAL AGENTS IN THE MINNEAPOLIS AREA THIS WEEK.

>> Eric: MARY MORIARTY, THE HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY JOINS US.

WHAT DOES THE QUALITY AND THE QUANTITY OF THE EVIDENCE YOU'VE BEEN ABLE TO GATHER?

>> WE HAVE RECEIVED OVER 1,000 SUBMISSIONS TO OUR PORTALS, AND IF YOU RECALL, WE'RE DOING THAT BECAUSE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS BLOCKED OUT THE BCA FROM GIVING THEM ANY OF THE EVIDENCE THAT THEY'VE COLLECTED, IF THERE ACTUALLY IS AN INVESTIGATION IN EACH OF THE -- ACTUALLY, THERE ARE THREE CASES.

THE TWO FATAL SHOOTINGS AND THE ONE THAT WAS NOT FATAL.

SO, IT'S BEEN REMENDOUSLY SUCCESSFUL.

I KNOW WE'VE RECEIVED VIDEO AND INFORMATION THAT WE WOULD NOT OTHERWISE HAVE RECEIVED.

SO IT'S BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL.

>> Cathy: WHAT IS THE REASON, DO YOU KNOW, ARE YOU ABLE TO TELL US THE REASON THAT THE FEDS GAVE TO BLOCK THE BCA FROM INVESTIGATING?

DO WE HAVE A REASON?

>> WELL, WHEN RENEE GOOD WAS KILLED, I WAS ON THE PHONE TALKING TO SOMEBODY FROM THE U.S.

ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND THE BCA AND THE FBI, WHICH IS NORMAL, AND WE ALL HAD AN INFORMAL AGREEMENT, WHICH IS USUAL, THAT THE BCA WOULD BE PART OF THE INVESTIGATION.

AND THEN WE HEARD THERE WAS A DIRECTIVE FROM THE ADMINISTRATION TO STOP IT.

AND I THINK THAT E UNDERSTAND NOW, BECAUSE OF AN FBI AGENT WHO RESIGNED, WHO SAID THAT THEY WERE DIRECTED TO STOP, SO I THINK IT'S POLITICAL.

THIS PAST WEEK WE -- THE BCA WAS HAVING ONGOING DISCUSSIONS WITH THE FBI TO TRY TO GET ACCESS TO THE EVIDENCE IN THE PRETTI CASE, AND THOSE DISCUSSIONS WERE GOING ON OVER A PERIOD OF WEEKS.

THEY WERE GOING VERY WELL.

AND THEN THE ADMINISTRATION SENT SOMEBODY OUT HERE TO OVERSEE IT.

AND THAT'S WHEN I GUESS THAT PERSON TOOK A FEW DAYS TO GET UP TO SPEED AND THAT'S WHEN THE BCA WAS TOLD THEY ERE NOT GOING TO GET ANY INFORMATION.

>> Eric: I TALKED TO AN ATTORNEY WHO SAID, THANK GOODNESS FOR VIDEO.

>> YES.

>> Eric: FAIR NOUGH TO SAY?

>> FAIR ENOUGH TO SAY.

I MEAN, YOU KNOW, ON THE ONE HAND, PEOPLE HAVE SEEN THE VIDEO AND EVERYBODY HAS AN OPINION ABOUT IT.

AND I THINK WE GET A LOT OF, YOU'VE GOT THE VIDEO, HAT ELSE DO YOU NEED?

BUT IF WE DIDN'T HAVE THE VIDEO, WE WOULD BE IN A MUCH WORSE PLACE THAN WE ARE.

AND THAT'S TRUE BOTH FOR RENEE GOOD AND ALEX PRETTI.

THERE'S A LOT OF VIDEO, A LOT OF DIFFERENT VIEWS.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE DONE IS PUT SOME OF THE VIDEO, DIFFERENT IEWS, TOGETHER, AND WE CAN SEE IT FRAME BY FRAME AT THE SAME TIME FROM ALL DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS.

SO, YEAH, WE'RE PUTTING HAT TOGETHER.

WE'RE BEING VERY METHODICAL ABOUT COLLECTING EVIDENCE AS IS THE BCA.

WE'RE ALSO WORKING WITH OTHERS ABOUT THE FEDERAL ISSUES THAT WOULD LIKELY ARISE IF WE CHARGE.

>> Cathy: WHAT OTHER EVIDENCE WOULD YOU NEED TO FURTHER THIS CASE?

>> WELL, SOME OF THE THINGS WE WOULD LIKE, THAT WE WOULD NORMALLY HAVE, WOULD BE THE NAMES OF THE AGENTS THAT KILLED ALEX PRETTI.

THERE'S A PROPUBLICA ARTICLE OUT THERE THAT IDENTIFIES THEM BUT PEOPLE DON'T INTERNALIZE THE IDEA THAT WE DON'T HAVE CONFIRMATION OF THAT.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ISN'T EVEN SHARING THAT WITH US.

WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE PROTOCOLS AND POLICIES THAT WERE IN PLACE, WE'D LIKE TO HAVE THE PERSONNEL RECORDINGS, AND THE TRAINING RECORDS OF THOSE AGENTS.

THOSE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS WE'D LIKE, WE'D LIKE TO HAVE, AND WE HAVE MADE DEMANDS ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> Cathy: COULD YOU SUE TO GET THAT INFORMATION?

>> PEOPLE ASK, AND THIS IS A GREAT QUESTION, WHY DON'T YOU JUST GO OUT AND SUBPOENA THOSE THINGS?

WE COULD DO THAT IF IT WAS A STATE AGENCY, WE COULD JUST SEND A SUBPOENA AND WE COULD GET THAT INFORMATION.

YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO DO THAT TO A FEDERAL AGENCY.

THERE'S A PROCESS YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH.

IT'S CALLED THE TUEY PROCESS, IT'S NAMED AFTER A SUPREME COURT CASE.

IT'S MORE LIKE A DEMAND LETTER, AND YOU HAVE TO OUTLINE WHAT YOU WANT, WHY YOU WANT IT, AND WHY YOU SHOULD GET IT.

SO WE DID THOSE DEMANDS IN THE RENEE GOOD CASE.

THE DEADLINE FOR THEM TO GIVE US INFORMATION WAS THE 17th, SO THAT PASSED.

WE FILED THOSE SAME LETTERS IN ALEX PRETTI'S CASE THIS WEEK AND ALSO JULIO SOSA SOLAS, WE'VE GIVEN THEM A DEADLINE OF MARCH 3rd.

IF WE DON'T GET THE INFORMATION OF THAT WE'VE DEMANDED, THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE OF GOING TO COURT TO GET THAT INFORMATION.

>> Eric: IS IT A DYNAMIC SITUATION, COULD THE FEDS SOFTEN THEIR VIEW HERE?

>> YES.

I MEAN, THE ADMINISTRATION SEEMS TO CHANGE ITS IDEAS, ITS OPINIONS.

AND, SO, YES, AT SOME POINT IF THEY DECIDE TO GIVE US THE INFORMATION WE'RE SEEKING, THAT WOULD BE TERRIFIC.

BUT WHILE THEY'RE THINKING ABOUT THAT, WE'RE NOT WAITING FOR THAT TO HAPPEN.

WE ARE GOING THROUGH THE STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS THAT WE NEED TO GO THROUGH TO GET THE INFORMATION.

>> Cathy: FINAL QUESTION AND IT WILL BE THIS, WITH THE CHAOS IN THE U.S.

ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HERE IN MINNESOTA -- >> YES.

>> -- WITH ALL THOSE RESIGNATIONS, HOW DOES THAT COLOR HE SITUATION?

>> INTERESTINGLY, A LOT OF THE CASES THAT END UP IN THE U.S.

ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ORIGINATE IN OUR OFFICE.

THE U.S.

ATTORNEY'S OFFICE CAN BE VERY ELECTIVE ABOUT THE CASES THAT THEY PICK.

WE GET EVERYTHING.

AND, SO, WE'LL HAVE A CASE AND THEY'LL TELL US, OH, WE'RE GOING TO INDICT THAT CASE.

AND, SO, WE WILL CONTINUE PROSECUTING IT UNTIL OR UNLESS THEY DECIDE TO INDICT.

I HEARD THIS WEEK WE HAVE 50 CASES, 5-0 CASES THAT WE ARE PROSECUTING THAT THEY HAD SAID THEY WANTED TO INDICT.

AND, SO, WE'VE HAD MEETINGS WITH THE U.S.

ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO SAY, ARE YOU GOING TO DO IT, ARE YOU NOT?

WE ALSO KNOW THAT THERE ARE SOME LARGE DRUG CASES THAT ARE GOING TO COME TO US THAT WOULD NORMALLY GO TO THE U.S.

ATTORNEY'S OFFICE BECAUSE OF CAPACITY.

>> Eric: APPRECIATE YOU COMING OVER.

>> SO WE'RE HERE -- YEAH, WE'RE HERE TO PROSECUTE.

WE'RE NOT LOSING STAFF.

SO WE'RE IN GOOD SHAPE.

>> Eric: THANKS FOR SHARING.

>> Cathy: THANKS FOR SHARING.

APPRECIATE IT.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

♪ >> ERIC: THE ONGOING IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT IS ONE OF THE TOPICS WE ARE GOING TO COVER WITH TONIGHT'S FIRST GUEST.

DEMOCRATIC U.S.

HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE ILHAN OMAR SERVES MINNESOTA'S FIFTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, WHICH INCLUDES MINNEAPOLIS AND SEVERAL SURROUNDING HENNEPIN COUNTY SUBURBS.

REPRESENATIVE OMAR AND REPRESENTATIVE CRAIG HAD AN APPOINTMENT AT THE WHIPPLE BUILDING EARLIER TODAY.

AND HERE TO TELL US ABOUT THAT IS REPRESENTATIVE OMAR.

A BIT OF A SURPRISE WHEN YOU GOT THERE?

>> IT TRULY WAS.

I MEAN, THE PURPOSE OF THESE OVERSIGHT VISITS NOT BEING SCHEDULED IS THAT WE ARE ABLE TO ACTUALLY SEE TRULY WHAT IS TAKING PLACE HAD.

WHEN YOU SCHEDULE, THEN THERE'S A LOT OF TIME TO PREPARE AND WE FOUND OUT TODAY, BECAUSE WHEN WE GOT THERE, THERE WAS LITERALLY NO ONE, NOT A SINGLE -- >> Eric: NO DETAINEE.

>> NOT A SINGLE DETAINEE.

AND THE THING THAT WAS FASCINATING ABOUT THAT WAS WHEN WE IRST ENTERED, THEY TOLD US THERE WERE TEN.

AND AS WE MADE OUR WAY THROUGH, OH, THE TEN GOT PICKED UP EARLIER IN THE DAY.

THEN THEY'RE, LIKE, THERE MIGHT BE FIVE.

AS WE MADE OUR WAY THROUGH, I ASKED THAT WE BROUGHT, YOU KNOW, CONFIDENTIALITY RELEASE FORMS OR PRIVACY RELEASE FORMS, I WOULD LIKE TO PROVIDE TO THE FIVE THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE IN CASE ANGIE AND I MIGHT BE ONE OF THEIR REPS.

AND THEN THEY SAID, OH, WE CAN'T LET YOU INTO THE CELL -- WE CAN LET YOU INTO THE CELL AND HAVE YOU TALK TO THEM.

I SAID, I DON'T NEED TO GO INTO THE CELL.

I CAN SLIDE THE PAPERS, YOU KNOW, WE CAN LOOK THROUGH THE GLASS AND THEN, YOU KNOW, THEY MADE US SIT THERE, THEN AFTER A WHILE, THEY WERE, LIKE, ACTUALLY, THE LAST DETAINEES EFT AT 11:30.

AND OUR VISIT WAS AT 12:00.

>> Eric: SO WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THIS SITUATION THEN?

>> I THINK THEY WANTED TO MAKE SURE, BECAUSE THEY DID THE SAME THING TO SENATOR TINA SMITH WHO HAD HERS SCHEDULED EARLIER IN THE MORNING AT 10:00 A.M., I THINK IT WAS PURPOSEFULLY DESIGNED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DID NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO, ONE, SEE WHAT ACTUAL CONDITIONS DETAINEES WOULD BE HELD F THERE WERE ANY THERE, AND, TWO, TO AVOID EITHER THEM SPEAKING TO US OR US SPEAKING TO THEM.

AND I THINK, THREE, THEY JUST DIDN'T WANT US TO REPORTING THE KIND OF DETAINEES THEY MAY HAVE IN THERE.

>> Cathy: I'M WONDERING ABOUT THE .C.E.

DRAWDOWN IN YOUR DISTRICT.

IS IT OBVIOUS THATTING AGENTS ARE LEAVING?

>> IT IS NOT OBVIOUS.

AND TODAY THAT WAS PART OF THE CONVERSATIONS WE HAD WITH THEM.

THEY TOLD US THAT THE NUMBERS HAVE GONE FROM 3,000 TO UNDER 500.

BUT THAT'S I.C.E.

AGENTS.

THEY WOULDN'T TELL US HOW MANY OF THE BORDER PATROL AGENTS THAT MIGHT STILL BE IN THE STATE.

THEY ALSO WOULDN'T TELL US HOW MANY OF THE HI IS AGENTS THAT MIGHT STILL BE THERE.

THEY TOLD US 00 OR SO.

THEN WHEN WE TALKED TO THEM ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WOULD WE STILL BE SEEING, YOU KNOW, WHAT OUR CONSTITUENTS ARE REPORTING WHERE THERE WAS THESE MASS RAIDS IN NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE YOU CAN'T ACTUALLY TELL IF THEY'RE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE, THEY'RE STOPPING PEOPLE, AND THEY SAID, NO, WE'VE GIVEN A DIRECTIVE FOR PEOPLE NOT TO BE PROFILED, FOR THEM NOT TO BE RANDOMLY STOPPED, WE'RE ONLY GOING TO BE TARGETED.

BUT EARLIER IN THE MORNING, WE ALREADY HAD REPORTS WHERE THEY WERE BEING STAGED IN SCHOOLS, IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, IN FRIDLEY, IN MY DISTRICT, IN CRYSTAL, NEW HOPE, OTHER SAYS PLACES.

AND -- AND OTHER PLACES.

AND CERTAINLY HEAVILY IN NORTH MINNEAPOLIS.

WE ALSO HAD INCIDENTS WHERE THEY'RE DOING THAT IN CHURCHES AND PLACES OF WORSHIP.

>> Cathy: WHICH, OF COURSE, TOM HOMAN DENIED.

>> YES, WHAT THE DIRECTOR TOLD US, THAT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN.

IF CITIZENS SEE THIS HAPPENING, THEY SHOULD DOCUMENT IT, AND THAT WE SHOULD COME BACK WITH THAT DOCUMENTATION, SHOW TO THEM, IN WHICH I RESPONDED, I ALREADY HAVE LOTS OF DOCUMENTATION.

WHERE POLICE CHIEFS HAD TO RESPOND.

SO I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO SHARING THAT DOCUMENTATION WITH THEM.

>> Eric: DO YOU SUPPORT ABOLISHING I.C.E., DO YOU WANT TO REPLACE IT WITH SOMETHING?

>> YES, I MEAN, I.C.E.

IS A CREATION THAT REPLACED I.N.S.

AND I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO FIGURE OUT WHAT ACTUAL AGENCY WITH ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY THAT WE CAN PUT IN PLACE GOING FORWARD THAT CAN ACTUALLY CARRY OUT IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT THAT IS BOTH HUMANE AND LAWFUL.

>> Cathy: I'M CURIOUS, DO YOU THINK WE MIGHT SEE AGENTS AGAIN, MIGHT WE SEE AN INCREASE IN AGENTS IN THE MONTHS TO COME AS WE GET CLOSER TO THE ELECTION?

THERE'S SOME FEAR OF THAT.

>> YES, ACTUALLY, RIGHT AFTER I LEFT WHIPPLE, I WENT TO COLUMBIA HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL, AND MANY OF THESE STUDENTS WERE ASKING ME, YOU KNOW, HOW CONFIDENT DO YOU FEEL NOW THAT THEY'RE SAYING THEY'RE LEAVING THAT THEY MIGHT COME BACK BECAUSE WE'RE FEARFUL OF THAT.

AND WE KNOW THAT BACK IN JUNE, YOU KNOW, WE HAD THE SURGE, THEY TOLD US THEY WERE DRAWING IT DOWN AND THAT THEY WERE GOING TO END THAT OPERATION.

AND THEN MONTHS LATER, WE NOW HAVE METRO SURGE.

AND, SO, WE'RE NOT CONFIDENT, WE'RE NOT GOING TO STOP 'PAYING ATTENTION, WE'RE NOT GOING TO BECOME COMPLACENT, AND WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO PUSH THE ADMINISTRATION TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO NOT SEE THIS LEVEL OF SURGE THAT KIND OF REALLY CREATES TERROR AND HAS ESTABILIZED BOTH OUR ECONOMY, OUR STUDENTS' ATTENDANCE IN SCHOOLS, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE ARE TELLING US THERE'S 80% PARISHIONER ATTENDANCE THAT'S DOWN, ESPECIALLY IN CATHOLIC CHURCHES BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THEY'VE BEEN TARGETING, KNOWING THAT A LOT OF THE LATINO COMMUNITY ATTENDS CATHOLIC CHURCHES.

>> Eric: YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BOYCOTT THE STATE OF THE UNION?

>> I'M NOT BOY COGHT THE STATE OF THE UNION.

>> Eric: DEMOCRATS SEEM TO BE INTERESTED IN THAT OPTION.

>> YOU KNOW, I HAVE NEVER REALLY BOYCOTTED BECAUSE I THINK IT IS OUR HOUSE, AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO ALLOW TRUMP TO CHASE US OUT OF OUR HOUSE.

>> Eric: THE HOUSE CHAMBER.

>> YES, THAT'S OUR HOUSE, IT'S NOT HIS.

SO IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO BE THERE.

I'M ALSO TAKING, YOU KNOW, FOUR MINNESOTANS, FOUR CONSTITUENTS WHO HAVE BEEN DEEPLY IMPACTED, PHYSICALLY HARMED BY THE OPERATION, AND I WANT THEM TO BE THERE TO LOOK PRESIDENT IN THE EYE AS A REMINDER THAT HE HAS MOBILIZED AND WEAPONIZED THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGAINST HIS OWN CITIZENS.

>> Eric: APPRECIATE YOU COMING OVER.

THANKS VERY MUCH.

>> Cathy: GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> Eric: GOOD TO SEE YOU.

WE WANT ALL OF YOU AT HOME TO KNOW THAT WE CONTINUE TO INVITE ALL MEMBERS OF MINNESOTA'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION, DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS, TO JOIN US EACH WEEK ON THE SHOW.

WE HOPE TO HEAR FROM BOTH PARTIES IN THE NEAR FUTURE >> Cathy: IN EMPTY PRIVATE PRISON IN WESTERN MINNESOTA A SUBJECT OF A LOT OF SPECULATION THESE DAYS.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY IS IT LOOKING FOR MORE DETENTION SPACE.

BUT RESIDENTS IN APPLETON ARE SPLIT ON WHETHER THEY WANT AN I.C.E.

FACILITY THERE.

REPORTER KAOMI LEE WENT TO SWIFT IS COUNTY TO FIND OUT MORE.

>> SO THIS IS OUR MEMORIAL FOR OUR STREETS OF HONOR.

>> Kaomi: A MEMORIAL THAT HONORS APPLETON'S FALLEN HEROES.

FALLEN HERE IT HONORS SERVICE.

PEOPLE WHO DIED SERVING THEIR COUNTRY GOT A STREET NAMED AFTER THEM.

>> MY BROTHER WAS THE LAST ONE WHO GOT A STREET NAMED AFTER HIM, JESSE DIED IT IN BAGHDAD IN 2005.

IT LISTS THAT HE WAS IN THE NATIONAL GUARD.

HE WAS A 1999 GRADUATE FROM OUR LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL HERE.

>> Kaomi: APPLETON IS A SMALL FARMING COMMUNITY IN WESTERN MINNESOTA.

POPULATION 1392.

COMMUNITY TIES RUN DEEP.

BUT THE TOWN HAS STILL NOT RECOVERED AFTER ITS PRISON CLOSED IN 2010.

VANESSA LOCKA MEYER USED TO WORK THERE.

>> WE DIDN'T THINK THE PRISON WOULD SIT EFFORT FOR VERY -- EMPTY FOR VERY LONG.

AND WE DIDN'T THINK CERTAINLY IT WOULD BE 15 YEARS DOWN THE ROAD.

>> Kaomi: THE PRAIRIE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY S OWNED BY CORE CIVIC.

IT HAS A CAPACITY OF 1600 BEDS.

EVEN CLOSED, THE PRISON MAKES UP 1/3 OF THE CITY'S ANNUAL TAX BASE.

LATELY THERE'S BEEN SOME TALK OF THE PRIVATE PRISON RE-OPENING.

>> OUR MEDIAN INCOME IN TOWN IS $35,000 A HOUSEHOLD.

WE COULD DEFINITELY USE A BOOST HERE.

>> THERE WAS MORE PEOPLE IN THE PRISON THAN WE HAD IN TOWN.

>> Kaomi: BUSINESS OWNER SHAWN SWENSON REMEMBERS WHEN THE PRISON CLOSED.

>> IT AFFECTED EVERYTHING.

IT WAS THE HARDWARE STORE, THE GROCERY STORE.

EVEN THE HOSPITAL HURT.

>> Kaomi: SWENSON IS BETTING ON APPLETON'S COMEBACK.

HE TOOK ON BUSINESSES IN TOWN AFTER THEY CLOSED.

HIS NEW BAR IS DOING A LITTLE BETTER THAN BREAKING EVEN.

HE AND HIS WIFE ARE ALSO FIXING UP VACANT OR ABANDONED HOMES.

THE TOWN HAS ABOUT 20 OF THEM THAT NEED TO BE DEMOLISHED, EMPTY AFTER THE PRISON CLOSED.

HE'S ALL FOR PRISON OPERATING IN APPLE THAN TO AGAIN.

APPLETON AGAIN.

>> I WOULD BE CONCERNED WITH, DO WE NEED PROTESTERS HERE?

BECAUSE WE HAVE THE FACILITY, ON THE OTHER HAND, IF WE DID HAVE PROTESTERS, WE'D HAVE PEOPLE.

AND WHAT GOES WITH PEOPLE, MONEY.

ANY WAY WE GO WITH THIS IT CAN'T HURT US.

>> THE PRISON'S OWNER, CORE CIVIC HAS STAYED MUM.

IT SAID IN A STATEMENT, IT CONTINUES TO MARKET OUR PRAIRIE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY AND EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES WITH OUR GOVERNMENT PARTNERS FOR WHICH THIS SITE COULD BE A VIABLE SOLUTION.

WE HAVE CONTINUED TO TAKE STEPS TO ENSURE THE FACILITY IS PROPERLY MAINTAINED.

THERE ARE NO OTHER UPDATES OR ANNOUNCEMENTS TO PROVIDE AT THIS TIME.

BUT THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY IS LOOKING FOR DETENTION SPACE.

IN DECEMBER, IT OUTLINED A PLAN FOR A TWO-YEAR $20 TO $50 MILLION CONTRACT FOR DETENTION AND RANSPORTATION IN THE St.

PAUL AREA THE SECOND QUARTER OF THIS YEAR.

THE LOCATION, APPLETON, MINNESOTA.

HOWEVER, THIS MONTH AN I.C.E.

OFFICIAL SAID, WE HAVE NO NEW DETENTION CENTERS TO ANNOUNCE AT THIS TIME.

THE CITY'S ADMINISTRATOR DECLINED AN INTERVIEW.

BUT AFTER THE CLOSURE, E SAID THE PRISON MARKET VALUATION WENT FROM $21.5 MILLION TO $14 MILLION.

THAT HAD AN IMMEDIATE IMPACT TO THE TOWN'S TAX RATE.

AND IN JUST TWO YEARS, THE CITY'S WATER AND WASTE WATER REVENUE WAS IN THE RED BY A MILLION DOLLARS.

APPLETON LEADERS ARE ANXIOUS TO TURN THE PAGE.

>> THEY'VE BEEN GOOD, THEY'VE BEEN HONEST, AND, YOU KNOW, WE'VE EVEN ASKED MULTIPLE TIMES, IS THERE ANY CHANCE OF IT OPENING?

AND THERE'S NO CONTRACTS AT ALL RIGHT NOW.

THEY'RE JUST DOING THEIR MAINTENANCE.

AND JUST KEEPING IT UP SO IF SOMETHING DOES COME UP, THEN IT'S TURNKEY READY.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION RECENTLY ANNOUNCED A DRAWDOWN OF OPERATION METRO SURGE.

HE SAYS HE'S STILL HOPEFUL.

>> THE OPENING OF THE PRISON IS JUST NOT CONTINGENT ON I.C.E.

OR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THEY'RE STILL OPEN TO NEW CONTRACTS FROM OTHER STATES OR THE STATE OF MINNESOTA IF THEY WOULD EVER CHOOSE TO DO THAT.

>> IT'S VERY MIXED.

SOME DO NOT WANT IT OPEN AT ALL BECAUSE OF WHAT'S HAPPENING OUT THERE.

OTHERS, IT'S ECONOMIC.

>> Kaomi: GARY HENDRICKS IS IN HIS 30th YEAR AS A COUNTY OMMISSIONER.

HE'S ALSO A LOCAL BUSINESS OWNER.

>> SOMETIMES IT'S JUST NOT WHAT YOU SEE IN MINNEAPOLIS, WHAT YOU'RE HEARING FROM SOME OF THE OTHER DETENTION CAMPS.

YOU WANT PEOPLE TO BE TREATED WELL.

IF THEY'RE HERE ILLEGAL OR NOT, THEY'RE STILL HUMAN BEINGS.

>> Kaomi: ANDY PEARSON REPRESENTS A RURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE NONPROFIT.

HE SAYS, AREA RESIDENTS THEY'RE HEARING FROM SAY THEY DON'T WANT AN I.C.E.

FACILITY AS A NEIGHBOR.

>> REMEMBER THAT THIS IS CORE CIVIC THAT'S PROPOSING THIS.

THIS IS A BAD OPERATOR, TO BE HONEST.

THIS IS THE COMPANY HAT RUNS THE DETENTION CENTER THAT LITTLE 5-YEAR-OLD LIAM RAMOS WAS SENT TO IN TEXAS WHERE THERE'S A MEASLES OUTBREAK RIGHT NOW.

>> Kaomi: IN SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA, ARE WE SEEING THAT TYPE OF MASKED I.C.E.

AGENTS THAT WE'RE KIND OF SEEING IN THE TWIN CITIES AND St.

CLOUD?

>> OH, DEFINITELY.

I THINK THE COVERAGE IS DIFFERENT, AND, OF COURSE, IT'S NOT AS CONCENTRATED.

BUT WE HAVE HAD NEIGHBORS TAKEN.

YOU KNOW, CURE IS BASED IN MONTEVIDEO, MONTEVIDEO AS A -- HAS A LARGE LATINO POPULATION.

>> Kaomi: AND A SIZABLE MICRO NESIAN COMMUNITY IN NEAR MILAN.

LIFE GOES ON.

THE LAC QUI PARLE HIGH SCHOOL RECENTLY HAD AN ALL-SCHOOL SEND SWROF FOR THE DANCE TEAM GOING TO STATE.

AGAIN, COUNCIL MEMBER WAS THERE TO CELEBRATE WITH HER COMMUNITY.

AS FOR THE PRISON,... >> I HAVE SOME RESERVATIONS, BUT I DON'T HAVE A CHOICE EITHER.

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN, IF THE PRISON'S GOING TO OPEN, IT'S GOING TO OPEN.

SENDOFF.

♪ ♪ >> SO WE HAD A BEAUTIFUL WEEK GOING WHEN, ALL OF A SUDDEN, BOOM, SNOWSTORM.

BUT HERE IN MINNESOTA, WE KNOW BETTER THAN TO TRUST AN EARLY THAW.

WHENEVER MY BUDDY VICTOR SAYS, I SAY TO VICTOR, IT'S NICE OUT, HE'LL LAUGH AND SAY, WELL, THEN EAVE IT OUT.

YEAH, I WISH.

A WELCOME DISTRACTION IS THE WINTER OLYMPICS.

OR AS WE LIKE TO CALL IT, MINNESOTA VERSUS THE WORLD.

IT’S A PERFECT WAY TO CELEBRATE OUR TWO EMOTIONS.

FIRST, PASSIVE.

YOU'VE GOT CURLING, REFINED, PSYCHOLOGICAL, DIPLOMATIC, ROCKS MOVING AT THE SPEED OF TURTLES AT THE DMV SO I CAN ACTUALLY KEEP UP.

AND CURLING, THEY ADMIT WHEN THEY SCREW IT UP.

THEY TALK IT OUT.

HEY, SORRY, LOOKS LIKE I ACCIDENTALLY DIDN'T KICK YOUR STONE.

YOU DIDN'T MEAN IT, THOUGH.

STILL, HOW ABOUT IF WE JUST PUT IT BACK.

OKAY BY ME.

I'LL GET YOU A COLD ONE AFTER.

THAT SQUARES IT, DONE, CASE CLOSED.

SO NOW WE HAVE THE PASSIVE SIDE TAKEN CARE OF.

MINNESOTANS HAVE THE OTHER SIDE• HOCKEY.

WE LIVE IN THE STATE WHERE ANGST IS A VERB, A NOUN, AND A WAY OF LIFE.

COMBINE THAT WITH THE FACT WE SKATE BEFORE WE WALK.

AND YOU GOT SOMETHING.

WE EVEN DEDICATE AN ANNUAL SNOWSTORM TO OUR STATE HOCKEY TOURNAMENT.

OTHER STATES CLAIM HOCKEY LIKE THEY DO WITH PAUL BUNYAN.

WELL, YOU CAN HAVE PAUL BUNYAN.

KEEP YOUR CHOPPERS OFF OUR HOCKEY.

IT'S ALSO CHOCKFUL OF LESSONS FOR THE YOUNGSTERS.

PLAYERS STRIVE TO ACHIEVE GOALS, THERE ARE SAVES.

PENALTIES, TIMEOUTS, EVEN POINTS FOR ASSISTING SOMEBODY FOR CRYING OUTSIDE.

IT’S KINETIC, AERODYNAMIC, NEWTON'S THIRD LAW OF FORCE AND MOTION, A THERMAL HUB OF HIGHLY MOLECULAR POLYMER CHAINS.

AND IT’S FUN.

IT’S FAST AND COLD, JUST THE WAY WE LIKE IT.

BEST OF ALL, IT’S TEAMWORK, SOLIDARITY, ALL KINDS OF DIFFERENT STATES COMING TOGETHER AS HONORARY MINNESOTANS.

OR, AS I READ IN ONE POST, WHEN YOU MESS WITH ONE TATER TOT, YOU’VE MESSED WITH THE WHOLE HOTDISH.

SO AFTER THE GAME WHEN I’M THROUGH SCREAMING AT THE TUBE, KNUCKLE DEEP IN TOP THE TATER, GET ME A COLD ONE IN THE FOURTH PERIOD.

AND WE’RE ALL SQUARE.

♪ >> I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN WINONA.

AND GREW UP PLAYING SPORTS, BEING INVOLVED IN A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES IN SCHOOL.

MY FATHER WAS THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF WINONA FOR 16 YEARS.

BEGINNING WHEN I WAS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL.

AND THAT'S REALLY WHERE THE DESIRE TO GET INVOLVED IN PUBLIC OFFICE CAME FROM.

♪ >> CATHY: THE CHORAL GROUP VOCAL ESSENCE IS HIGHLIGHTING BLACK COMPOSERS IN A CONCERT THIS SUNDAY TITLED "WITNESS: SYMPHONY OF SPIRITUALS."

THE BLACK HISTORY MONTH TRADITION DATES BACK MORE THAN THREE DECADES AND WILL FEATURE BOTH TRADITIONAL SPIRITUALS AND CONTEMPORARY MUSIC.

HERE TO TELL US MORE, ASSOCIATE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR G. PHILLIP SHOULTZ.

IT IS SO GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

>> YEAH, YOU TOO, CATHY, IT'S BEEN A WHILE.

>> Cathy: I KNOW, RIGHT, EXACTLY.

37 YEARS?

>> UM-HUM.

>> Cathy: OH, MY OODNESS.

>> YEAH.

>> Cathy: TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE SPIRITUALS, TOO, BECAUSE THEY, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, ARE THE BACKGROUND FOR A LOT OF, OR I SHOULD SAY KIND OF LIKE THE BASIS FOR A LOT OF INFLUENCE AND SOME OTHER GENRES OF MUSIC.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SO I CALL IT THE FOUNDATIONAL SOUL OF AMERICAN MUSIC THERE, THEY'RE THE ROOT TESTIMONY SYSTEM, YOU KNOW -- ROOT SYSTEM, COUNTRY, BLUES, APPALACHIAN, FOLK MUSIC THERE, ROCK, ANYTHING, HAS ITS ROOTS IN THE NEGRO SPIRITUAL AND WE USE THAT TERM INTENTIONALLY TO KIND OF RECLAIM THAT MONIKER THAT WAS USED AGAINST OUR PEOPLE.

BUT THEY WEREN'T SEEN AS AMERICANS, THEY CREATED THIS BEAUTIFUL MUSIC THAT JUST GIVES US HEARTACHE, RIGHT, LAMENT, BUT ALSO HOPE FOR A BETTER DAY.

SO WE'RE EXCITED TO SHARE THIS PROGRAM WITH EVERYONE.

>> Cathy: THEY'RE SO BEAUTIFUL TO THE SPIRITUALS, YOU ALSO HAVE SOME NEW MUSIC.

>> YEAH, SO ASICALLY A LOT OF THE SPIRITUALS HAVE BEEN RECONSTRUCTED.

AND PUT TOGETHER WITH A SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA SO THAT YOU HAVE ECHOES OF GOSPEL IN THERE, LITTLE MOMENTS OF JAZZ IN THERE AS WELL.

BUT THERE'S STILL AT THE CORE OF THEM THEEs THESE EGRO SPIRITUALS AT THE CORE OF EVERYTHING WE'RE SINGING.

>> Cathy: WHAT IS THE JUSTICE MEDLEY.

>> WHO IS HERE WITH THE MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA NO NOT TOO MANY YEARS AGO, THEY COMMISSIONED HIM TO WRITE A PIECE, HE PUT SOMETHING TOGETHER, IN RESPONSE TO GEORGE FLOYD'S MURDER, PUT ALL THE FREEDOM SONG TOGETHER, WE SHALL OVERCOME, LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING, OH, FREEDOM OVER ME, WE SHALL NOT BE MOVED, AND HE PUT THEM TOGETHER IN A SYMPHONIC WAY, WHEREAS, IF YOU TOOK THE WORDS WAY IT WOULD SOUND LOO BEING A ORCHESTRA PLAYING BUT IF YOU KNOW THE WORDS YOU KNOW THE WORDS YO YOU CAN YOU COULD SING ALONG WITH IT.

>> YOU'RE DEALING WITH 200 SINGERS, ON ARC CENTRAL.

THAT'S A LOT OF PRESSURE.

>> IT'S FUN.

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL THING TO HAVE 230 SINGERS, FOUR DIFFERENT CHOIRS, SOME OF OUR ELDERS FROM VINTAGE VOICES AND THEN THESE FOLKS ARE PART OF OUR CHORUS, 120 MEMBERS, OUR PROFESSIONAL ENSEMBLE SINGERS, PLUS 40 PROFESSIONAL INSTRUMENTISTS ON STAGE, IT'S EXHILERATING, IT'S LIKE DRIVING A LAMB GORE BEGIN KNEE FOR -- LAMBORGHINI FOR AN HOUR.

>> IT'S SUNDAY, 4:00 P.M., NORTHROP AUDITORIUM.

WHAT DO WE GET TO HEAR TONIGHT?

WE'RE GOING TO SHARE SOMETHING THAT HAS A FOLK SONG AND THOSE SPIRITUAL, "THIS TRAIN IS BOUND FOR GLORY."

>> Cathy: ALL RIGHT, VOCAL ESSENCE.

♪ THIS TRAIN, THIS TRAIN, THIS TRAIN, THIS TRAIN ♪ ♪ THIS TRAIN, THIS TRAIN, THIS TRAIN, THIS TRAIN ♪ ♪ THIS TRAIN, THIS TRAIN, THIS TRAIN, THIS TRAIN ♪ ♪ THIS TRAIN IS BOUND FOR GLORY, THIS TRAIN ♪ ♪ THIS TRAIN IS BOUND FOR GLORY, THIS TRAIN ♪ ♪ THIS TRAIN IS BOUND FOR GLORY, DON'T CARRY NOTHIN' BUT THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE HOLY ♪ ♪ THIS TRAIN IS BOUND FOR GLORY, THIS TRAIN ♪ ♪ THIS TRAIN, THIS TRAIN, THIS TRAIN, THIS TRAIN ♪ ♪ THIS TRAIN ♪ ♪ THIS TRAIN, THIS TRAIN, THIS TRAIN, THIS TRAIN ♪ ♪ THIS TRAIN, THIS TRAIN, THIS TRAIN, THIS TRAIN, THIS TRAIN ♪ THIS TRAIN IS ♪ ♪ THERE IS JOY IN THAT LAND, THERE IS JOY IN THAT LAND, THERE IS JOY IN THAT LAND WHERE I'M BOUND, YES, WHERE I'M BOUND ♪ ♪ THERE IS JOY IN THAT LAND, THERE IS JOY IN THAT LAND ♪ ♪ YES, THERE IS JOY IN THAT LAND WHERE I'M BOUND ♪ ♪ I'M GLORY BOUND ♪ ♪ THIS TRAIN, THIS TRAIN, THIS TRAIN, THIS TRAIN ♪ ♪ THIS TRAIN, THIS TRAIN, THIS TRAIN, THIS RAIN ♪ ♪ THIS TRAIN, THIS TRAIN, THIS TRAIN, THIS TRAIN ♪ ♪ THERE IS PEACE IN THE VALLEY ♪ THIS RAIN IS BOUND FOR GLORY ♪ ♪ THIS TRAIN IS BOUND FOR GLORY, THIS TRAIN ♪ ♪ THERE IS PEACE ♪ ♪ THIS TRAIN IS BOUND FOR GLORY ♪ ♪ THERE IS EACE ♪ ♪ THIS TRAIN IS BOUND FOR GLORY THIS TRAIN ♪ ♪ GLORY BOUND ♪ ♪ THIS TRAIN IS BOUND FOR GLORY ♪ ♪ THIS TRAIN IS BOUND FOR GLORY ♪ ♪ THIS TRAIN IS BOUND FOR GLORY ♪ ♪ THIS TRAIN ♪ [ Applause ] >> FARMERS ILL SAY THE ONE PROBLEM WITH PROPERTY TAXES IS THAT WE HAVE TO PAY IT REGARDLESS IF WE'RE MAKING ANY MONEY OR NOT.

AND, REALLY, WHAT THAT AMOUNTS TO, IT'S AN INPUT COST, IT'S A COST THAT KEEPS GETTING HIGHER EVERY YEAR THAT THEY HAVE TO FIGURE INTO THEIR FINAL EQUATION.

>> Mary: COMMISSIONER HUGOSON SAID THE AVERAGE SOUTHERN MINNESOTA FARMER WOULD SAVE $700 A YEAR UNDER THE ADMINISTRATION'S COLLECTIVE BUDGET PROPOSALS.

>> WE AT THE STATE CAN'T CONTROL THE PRICES OF CORN BECAUSE THAT'S DONE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DICTATES THAT TO THE FARMER.

BUT I THINK WHAT WE CAN DO IS ATTEMPT TO, AS YOU SAID, CONTROL THE PRICE OF DOING BUSINESS.

♪ ♪ >> ERIC: THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGAN WITH A BIPARTISAN REMEMBRANCE OF THE LEADER LOST TO POLITICAL VIOLENCE, BUT WITHIN DAYS PARTISAN DIFFERENCE AGAIN DIVIDED LAWMAKERS.

AS REPORTER MARY LAHAMMER SHOWS US, THEY'RE ALL WORKING IN A CAPITOL WITH NEW HEIGHTENED SECURITY MEASURES.

[ BANGING GAVEL ] >> THE HOUSE WILL COME TO ORDER.

>> Mary: A SOMBER START TO SESSION AS LAWMAKERS REMEMBERED THE ASSASSINATED FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER MELISSA HORTMAN.

>> COLIN, SOPHIE, ENTIRE FAMILY, HARD TO COME UP WITH THE WORDS, BUT AS I THINK EIGHT MONTHS OF THIS TRAGEDY AND WATCHING YOU HAVE TO ENDURE NOT JUST THE LOSS BUT THE VERY PUBLIC GRIEVING, THE GRACE AND DIGNITY AND DECENCY THAT YOU'VE CONDUCTED YOURSELF IS A LESSON FOR ALL OF US.

>> ON JUNE 14th, HER BRIGHT LIGHT WAS EXTINGUISHED, ALONG WITH MARK AND GILBERT.

AND THAT DAY WAS THE START OF WHAT HAS BEEN THE LONGEST SUMMER AND THE HARDEST WINTER.

CHILDREN KILLED IN A CHURCH.

MINNESOTANS KILLED IN THE STREET.

[ Applause ] >> Mary: THE SENATE WELCOMED BACK SENATOR JOHN HOFFMAN WHO SURVIVED THE SAME ASSASSIN.

>> FOR THE MINNESOTA STATE TROOPERS WHO PROTECTED MY FAMILY AND ME IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM, THEY WERE THERE IN THE ICU AS I LEARNED TO WALK AGAIN AND ESTABLISHED A GOAL TO WALK UP THOSE CAPITOL STEPS WITH THEM.

THEY KEPT WATCH DURING OUR MOST VULNERABLE HOURS.

I AM GRATEFUL TO THEM FOREVER.

I RETURN CHANGED, BUT NOT DETERRED.

MORE CONVINCED THAN EVER THAT THE LEADERSHIP IS MEASURED NOT BY HOW WE RESPOND WHEN EVERYTHING IS GOING RIGHT, BUT HOW WE RESPOND IN OUR HARDEST HOURS.

MEMBERS, LET'S RISE ABOVE THE NOISE AND LET US GOVERN WITH HUMILITY AND LET US PROVE THROUGH OUR ACTIONS NOT JUST WORDS THAT DEMOCRACY IS STRONGER THAN FEAR.

>> Mary: SECURITY HAS CHANGED AT THE CAPITOL WITH WEAPONS SCREENINGS AND ADDITIONAL CHECKPOINTS.

IN THE FIRST WEEK, WITH MORE THAN 10,000 VISITORS, 51 PEOPLE CHECKED HAD LEGAL PERMITS TO CARRY FIREARMS AND SEVEN PROHIBITED ITEMS WERE DETECTED OR REDIRECTED.

VISITORS TO THE CAPITOL WILL NOW HAVE TO ENTER A NEW SECURITY CHECKPOINT WHEN THEY FIRST ENTER THE BUILDING AND LEGAL PERMIT CARRIERS CAN BRING A GUN INTO THE CAPITOL, BUT NOT INTO THE SENATE PUBLIC VIEWING GALLERIES BECAUSE THEY HAVE BANNED GUNS.

THE HOUSE AND SENATE CONTROL THEIR OWN SPACES.

>> WE'VE GOT TO DO SOME THINGS AROUND GUNS, MAKE IT SAFER.

WE'RE OBVIOUSLY GOING TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT'S BEFALLEN MINNESOTA UNDER THIS FEDERAL OCCUPATION.

I'M GOING TO PUT FORWARD ONCE AGAIN A COMPLETE PACKAGE ON FRAUD REDUCTION.

>> Mary: THE REPUBLICAN PRIORITY FOR SESSION REMAINS STOPPING FRAUD.

>> YOU HAD LEADERS, CITY AND STATE LEADERS, CALLING ON BUSINESSES TO SHUT DOWN.

FOR A DAY AND TO STRIKE.

AND THAT IS A CHOICE.

NOT ALL BUSINESSES CHOSE TO DO THAT.

>> MAKE MINNESOTA COMPETITIVE GOING FORWARD BUT THE IDEA THAT WE'RE GOING TO DO SOME SORT OF BAILOUT INSTEAD OF TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO FIX OUR BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT, I DON'T THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR.

>> Mary: DEMOCRATS ARE NOT GOING TO LET THE IMMIGRATION ISSUE OR TS IMPACT FADE.

>> THE RESULT OF OPERATION METRO SURGE, WHICH IS NOT OVER YET, I WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR, WE ARE STILL SEEING ACTIVITY IN OUR COMMUNITIES, WE ARE STILL HAVING OUR NEIGHBORS KIDNAPPED, WE ARE STILL HAVING OBSERVERS BEING AGGRESIVELY TARGETED AND PEOPLE BEING DETAINED.

THIS HAS BROUGHT GENERATIONAL DEVASTATION.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT TRUMP AND REPUBLICANS HAVE BROUGHT BECAUSE REPUBLICANS IN MINNESOTA WILL NOT STAND UP TO HIM.

>> Mary: BILLS WOULD MEAN NO MORE MASKS FOR ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND NO MORE UNMARKED VEHICLES.

>> LET'S STAND TOGETHER AS A DFL AND A MINNESOTA GOP AND SAY, NO MORE.

THIS IS THE KIND OF MOMENT IN HISTORY WHERE WE MUST SAY, NEVER AGAIN WILL WE ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN ANYWHERE, IN MINNESOTA OR ANY STATE IN THE UNITED STATES.

>> VOTERS ARE WATCHING.

AND VOTERS WILL HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE IF THEY DON'T STAND UP TO THIS ADMINISTRATION.

>> .C.E.

IS DESTROYING THE TRUST THAT POLICE DEPARTMENTS ACROSS MINNESOTA HAVE WORKED HARD TO REBUILD IN RECENT YEARS.

>> OUR DESIRE IS FOR I.C.E.

TO LEAVE AND NEVER TO RETURN.

BUT IF THEY DO RETURN, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE TOOLS IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN GO INTO COURT.

>> Mary: BUT REPUBLICANS ARE FURIOUS ABOUT AN EARLY SETBACK FOR A BIPARTISAN FRAUD BILL.

>> YOU DIDN'T BRING THIS BILL TO OUR ATTENTION.

WE ONLY LEARNED ABOUT THE CONTENT OF THE DE WHEN IT POSTED.

>> THE DE WAS NOT ADOPTED, THEREFORE, THERE IS NO DISCUSSION ON THE DE.

>> Mary: HOUSE REPUBLICANS WOULD PUT INCOME AND ASSET TESTS ON BENEFITS.

>> YOU MAY LOVE YOUR G WAGON, BUT IF YOU NEED TAXPAYERS TO PAY FOR YOUR FOOD, IT'S TIME TO SELL YOUR G WAGON.

>> WE ARE SEEING RECORDS AMOUNT OF FRAUD CROSS OUR STATE.

AND IT HAS JUST BEEN AN EPIDEMIC.

>> Mary: WHILE THE ISSUE ENDED THE GOVERNOR'S CAMPAIGN, HE'S NOT GIVING UP.

>> IF YOU'RE A REPUBLICAN AND YOU'RE SITTING THERE, YOU'RE SAYING, FRAUD IS THE BIGGEST ISSUE, YOU GOT NO BETTER PARTNER IN ME.

YOU TELL ME, IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT WILL FIX IT, WE'LL FIX IT.

BUT YOU DON'T GET TO MAKE STUFF UP.

>> ERIC: HERE WITH MORE ON OPENING WEEK AND A LOOK AHEAD TO THIS YEAR'S SESSION, ALL FOUR LEGISLATIVE LEADERS.

REPUBLICAN HOUSE SPEAKER LISA DEMUTH REPRESENTS DISTRICT 13A, WHICH INCLUDES STEARNS COUNTY.

DFL SENATE MAJORITY LEADER ERIN MURPHY REPRESENTS DISTRICT 64 IN ST.

PAUL.

REPUBLICAN SENATE MINORITY LEADER MARK JOHNSON HAILS FROM SENATE DISTRICT ONE, IN THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF THE STATE.

AND WE WELCOME THE NEWCOMER TO THE GROUP THIS SESSION, DFL HOUSE LEADER ZACK STEPHENSON FROM HOUSE DISTRICT 35A IN ANOKA COUNTY.

WELL, MADAM SPEAKER, IS THE SPIRIT OF HORTMAN AND HOFFMAN FADING FAST HERE?

>> I HOPE NOT.

>> Eric: HERE'S WHAT I WONDER BECAUSE GREG DAVIDS, MEMBER OF YOUR CAUCUS, LIKES TO SAY THAT YOU CAN'T TAKE THE POLITICS OUT OF POLITICS.

AND I THINK THAT'S WHERE WE ARE HERE AT THE END OF THE WEEK.

>> I THINK WHEN YOU LOOK BACK AT WHAT WE WERE ABLE TO DO LAST YEAR, AND THESE ARE 134 MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE THAT HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER BECAUSE OF THE TIE, WE PROVED WE COULD DO THAT LAST YEAR, AND I HOPE HOW WE STARTED ON TUESDAY, HOUSE MEMBERS, SENATE EMBERS, DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS, COMING TOGETHER IN AN EXCELLENT WAY TO REMEMBER MELISSA IS AND MARK AND THEIR DOG GILBERT AND TO CELEBRATE WITH THE HOFFMANS, I HOPE THAT CAN CONTINUE.

IT'S GONNA GET TENSE AND WE KNOW THAT.

BUT WE HAVE TO GET DOWN TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER THAT WE'RE ALL HUMAN AND WE HAVE TO EXTEND GRACE TO EACH OTHER.

>> Eric: WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I THINK THAT'S RIGHT.

AND I ALSO WOULD SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, THE SPIRIT OF HOFFMAN AND HORTMAN ISN'T THAT WE CAN'T DISAGREE.

IT'S THE WAY THAT WE DISAGREE.

WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO DISAGREE WITHOUT TREATING PEOPLE POORLY.

STILL RECOGNIZING THE HUMANITY IN OTHER PEOPLE.

AFTER ALL, WE COME FROM DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES, DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE STATE, IT'S NOT LIKE WE'RE GOING TO AGREE ON EVERYTHING AND THAT'S WHAT THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS IS ABOUT, SORTING THOSE THINGS BE THROUGH.

>> Cathy: BUT IT KIND OF WENT OFF THE RAILS A LITTLE BIT EARLIER THAN I THINK MOST PEOPLE WERE WONDERING.

THE INSPECTOR GENERAL IDEA, THE FRAUD INSPECTOR GENERAL IDEA WAS UP AND DIDN'T GO ANYWHERE IN COMMITTEE.

AND, SO, PEOPLE WERE WONDERING, OKAY, WELL THIS IS NOT A REALLY GREAT FIRST SIGN.

FOR COOPERATION.

WHAT DO YOU THINK, SENATOR?

>> YEAH.

I MEAN, YOU KNOW, THAT HAPPENED OVER IN THE HOUSE.

THE SENATE WAS ABLE TO PASS THAT LAST YEAR IN A VERY STRONG BIPARTISAN VOTE.

>> Eric: 60 VOTES OR SOMETHING.

>> 60-7 IS WHAT IT ULTIMATELY ENDED UP BEING ON THAT.

SO I THINK WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO SEE, PROBABLY A LITTLE BIT MORE IN THE SENATE, PROBABLY MORE COOPERATION ON THOSE BIPARTISAN BILLS GOING FORWARD THERE.

THAT'S WHAT I'M HOPING.

SO FAR THIS WEEK, WE'VE SEEN A LITTLE BIT OF THAT.

THERE'S BEEN A FEW BUMPY SPOTS, BUT, OVERALL, I THINK IT'S BEEN A LITTLE BIT CALMER TEMPERATURE OVER IN THE MINNESOTA SENATE.

>> Cathy: WOULD YOU AGREE?

>> SO, SENATOR GUSTAFSON WORKED ACROSS THE AISLE AND IN BOTH CHAMBERS TO BRING THAT BILL TO THE STRONG VOTE THAT WE PASSED WITH 60 VOTES.

I EXPECT THAT WE MAY SEE DIFFERENT PROPOSALS IN THE HOUSE.

BUT THAT'S PROGRESS ON THIS GOOD IDEA AND HOPEFULLY, YOU KNOW, THE HOUSE WILL FIND A PATH FOR A PROPOSAL OR PROPOSALS.

WE'LL WORK WITH THE ADMINISTRATION TO ACTUALLY GET SOMETHING ACROSS THE LINE THIS YEAR.

I WASN'T DISMAYED BY WHAT I SAW IN THE HOUSE YESTERDAY.

I THINK IT'S A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> Cathy: AND YOU'RE SHAKING YOUR HEAD.

>> NO, I AGREE.

I DON'T THINK IT WAS SUCH A BIG DEAL THAT THEY DIDN'T COME TO AN AGREEMENT ON THE FIRST MEANINGFUL DAY OF SESSION.

I MEAN, THIS IS A BIG IDEA, AND IT IS ONE OF GREAT CONSEQUENCE AND WE SHOULD TAKE OUR TIME TO DO IT RIGHT.

I'M NOT TROUBLED BY IT, THAT BILL, I GUESS, IS GOING TO BE HEARD AGAIN ON TUESDAY IN THE HOUSE.

WE'LL CONTINUE TO WORK ON IT.

AND I THINK IT WILL PASS IN THE END.

>> I WAS VERY SURPRISED WHAT HAPPENED IN THE STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE, WHERE THERE WAS A D.E OR A DELETE-ALL AMENDMENT THAT WAS ADDED TO HE BILL THAT COMPLETELY GUTTED THE BILL.

AND WE WERE TOLD, OR THE COMMITTEE AS TOLD THAT SENATOR GUSTAFSON HAD BEEN A PART OF THAT.

COME TO FIND OUT AFTER IT FAILED IN COMMITTEE AND IT FAILED ON THE HOUSE FLOOR THAT SENATOR GUSTAFSON PUT OUT A MESSAGE, PUT OUT A STATEMENT, SHE WAS NOT A PART OF THAT DE.

SO ALREADY THERE WAS A QUESTION OF, WHO WAS PART OF THOSE DECISION MAKINGS, WHY WAS IT COMPLETELY BLOCKED AND THAT IT HAPPENED ON THE HOUSE FLOOR AGAIN.

WE WERE A LITTLE SURPRISED BY THAT.

BUT IF WE'RE SERIOUS BOUT ENDING FRAUD AND WANTING AN OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL, AN INDEPENDENT OFFICE IN THE WAY THAT IT PASSED NEARLY BIPARTISAN IN THE ENATE, THEN WE HAVE TO BE SERIOUS AND TAKE THOSE VOTES.

>> Eric: IS THERE GOING TO BE AN AID PACKAGE FOR MINNEAPOLIS AND OTHER CITIES THAT WERE AFFECTED ECONOMICALLY BY THE I.C.E.

SURGE?

>> SO I WAS IN WILLMAR, MINNESOTA, LAST SUNDAY, AND THIS TOPIC CAME UP.

AND THE BUSINESS LEADERS THAT WERE THERE SAID, DON'T FORGET ABOUT US.

IF THERE'S GOING TO BE A SMALL BUSINESS PACKAGE OF SOME SORT OR A BUSINESS PACKAGE, RECOGNIZE THAT WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN MINNEAPOLIS AND St.

PAUL AND THE SUBURBS SURROUNDING HAS ALSO HAPPENED IN GREATER MINNESOTA AND THEY WANT US TO THINK STATEWIDE IF WE'RE GOING TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> Eric: IF IT'S PORTRAYED AS AILOUT TO MINNEAPOLIS I SUPPOSE IT WOULDN'T HAVE MUCH CHANCE.

>> WELL, LET'S LOOK AT THIS AS A PACKAGE THAT HELPS SMALL BUSINESS.

BUSINESS IN GENERAL ACROSS THE STATE.

I THINK BUSINESSES HAVE BEEN CALLING OUT SINCE AT LEAST 2023 ON A NUMBER OF ISSUES.

THE WAY HAT THE PAID FAMILY MEDICAL BILL WAS ROLLED OUT WAS VERY ONEROUS ON BUSINESS.

SAME WITH THE ESST.

I THINK THERE'S A NUMBER OF THINGS THERE THAT WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT CHANGING AS PART OF A RELIEF PACKAGE IF THAT'S GIVEN OUT.

IT'S GOT TO BE DONE THAT WE'RE ACTUALLY GIVING RELIEF.

NOW, PICKING OUT SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS OR SPECIAL INTEREST BUSINESS INDIVIDUALLY, IN A CERTAIN LOCATION OR AREA, PROBABLY NOT THE WAY TO DO T. BUT I THINK THERE ARE GENERALLY THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN TALKED ABOUT FOR YEARS NOW THAT WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT DOING FOR BUSINESS AND THIS MIGHT BE A GREAT TIME TO DO IT.

>> Eric: HOW DO YOU ENJIGGS THAT PACKAGE LOOKING?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT HAVING SOME RELIEF FOR THE SMALL BUSINESSES THAT WERE IMPACTED, LET'S REMEMBER THAT WE HAVE LIMITED RESOURCES A STATE.

ENVISION THAT PACKAGE LOOKING.

AND IT WAS VERY UNIQUE THE THING THAT HAPPENED TO THOSE SMALL BUSINESSES.

WE HAD A SITUATION WHERE EMPLOYEES WERE AFRAID TO GO TO WORK BECAUSE PEOPLE WERE BEING ARRESTED ON THE STREET ASED ON THE COLOR OF THEIR SKIN.

I MEAN, LAWFUL U.S.

CITIZENS CARRYING PASSPORTS, REALLY REMARKABLE CIRCUMSTANCE.

AND I THINK WE DO HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO HELP THE PEOPLE WHO WERE MOST IMPACTED BY THIS TOTALLY CATASTROPHIC EVENT THAT WAS DISASTROUS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES BUT ALSO DISASTROUS FOR THE FRAUD INVESTIGATIONS.

LET'S REMEMBER THAT FBI AGENTS WERE REASSIGNED TO INVESTIGATING FRAUD TO INVESTIGATING THESE IMMIGRATION MATTERS AND THE U.S.

ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, TOTALLY GUTTED, JOE THOMPSON RESIGNS IN PROTESTS WHEN HE WAS ORDERED TO INVESTIGATE RENEE GOOD'S WIFE RATHER THAN HER MURDER.

>> Cathy: MADAM SPEAKER, DO YOU THINK THE STATE HAS A ROLE IN HELPING BUSINESSES AFFECTED BY THE I.C.E.

RAIDS?

>> WHEN WE LOOK AT WHAT BUSINESSES NEED IN RELIEF, PAID MEDICAL FAMILY LEAVE, I'VE BEEN TO RESTAURANTS THAT HAVE HAD TO CLOSE PORTIONS DOWN BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE EMPLOYEES THERE, THAT HAS AFFECTED EVERY BUSINESS EVEN WITH JUST ONE EMPLOYEE.

YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT, THERE WERE CITY AND STATE LEADERS THAT WERE CALLING FOR BUSINESSES TO SHUT DOWN AND TO BOYCOTT ON A FRIDAY IN JANUARY.

THEY WERE CALLING FOR BUSINESSES TO SHUT DOWN.

SO TO ASK FOR RELIEF WHEN THAT WAS A CALL MADE TO USINESSES ISN'T EXACTLY FAIR.

>> YOU KNOW, I SPENT SOME TIME WITH A GENTLEMAN NAMED WILLIE GONZÁLEZ, AN AMERICAN CITIZEN, WHO OWNS A BUSINESS IN WILLMAR WHO WAS WRONGFULLY DETAINED AND HIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED RIGHT NOW.

I THINK WE HAVE TO THINK BEYOND THE TALKING POINTS ON THIS TOPIC AND RECOGNIZE THE REAL HARM THAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS CAUSED IN MINNESOTA.

>> Eric: HERE'S REALLY DEEP IN THE WEEDS, IT'S CALLED FEDERAL TAX CONFORMITY AND IT'S BORING UNLESS THERE'S SOMETHING INTERESTING IN THE FEDERAL TAX BILL, WHICH IS THIS TIME NO TAX ON TIPS AND NO TAX ON OVERTIME.

>> UM-HUM.

>> Eric: IT SEEMS LIKE A PRETTY BIG NUMBER WOULD IT PUT A BIG HOLE IN THE BUDGET, ARE YOU GUYS FOR THAT?

>> WELL, IT'S BEEN UNFORTUNATE, YOU KNOW, WE ENDED IN 2022 WITH A $18 BILLION SURPLUS.

AND WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THAT A NUMBER OF TIMES ON THIS PROGRAM.

UNFORTUNATELY, WHEN WE HAD ONE-PARTY CONTROL AND THE DEMOCRATS TOOK OVER, THAT WAS ALL SPENT.

AND WE'RE LOOKING AT DEFICIT POSITIONS RIGHT NOW.

YOU KNOW, SOME OF THESE THINGS THAT WE WILL HAVE TO FIGURE OUT A PATHWAY FORWARD FOR CONFORMITY.

WE'LL HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PRIORITY IS ON THOSE, BUT WE'VE GOT A FEBRUARY FORECAST COMING OUT THAT WILL HELP DETERMINE MORE OF THOSE ISSUES AS WE GET THROUGH THE YEAR.

>> Eric: YOU LIKE IT AS A CONCEPT ANYWAY?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT THOSE ARE CONCEPTS WE SHOULD BE CONSIDERING, FEDERAL TAX CONFORMITY IS SOMETHING WE ALWAYS LOOK AT WHENEVER THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MAKES BIG CHANGES AND IT WAS A HUGE BILL THAT WENT THROUGH WASHINGTON.

AND THERE WERE WINNERS AND THERE WERE LOSERS.

AND I THINK THAT WHEN WE LOOK AT THESE CONFORMITY DECISIONS HERE IN MINNESOTA, WE HAVE TO EVALUATE WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO WITH OUR LIMITED RESOURCES, ARE WE GOING TO MAKE THOSE WINNERS EVEN BETTER OFF WITH THOSE RESOURCES?

ARE WE GOING TO HELP SOME OF THE LOSERS OUT OF THAT BILL?

WHICH WERE LIKE HOSPITALS, FOR EXAMPLE, PARTICULARLY FOR HOSPITALS IN GREATER MINNESOTA.

WHO ARE JUST DEVASTATED BY THESE MEDICAID CUTS, NOT TO MENTION THE PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY GET MEDICAID, ALSO COUNTIES.

I MEAN, THERE ARE SOME IMPORTANT INSTITUTIONS AND PEOPLE IN MINNESOTA WHO WERE ABSOLUTELY DEVASTATED BY THE BIG BILL THAT PASSED WASHINGTON THIS SUMMER.

>> Cathy: SPEAKING OF TAXES, PEOPLE WERE PRETTY HOT, AS YOU ALL KNOW, LATE IN THE FALL WHEN THE TRUTH IN TAXATION HEARINGS WERE BEING HELD AND SOME PROPERTY TAX IN SOME COUNTIES HAVE GONE UP LIKE DOUBLE DIGITS -- DIGITS AND WE WERE THINKING AT FIRST, THIS IS GOING TO BE A BIG HOT ISSUE IN THE LEGISLATURE BUT IT'S KIND OF FALLEN AWAY BECAUSE OF THE NEWS OF THE DAY.

IS THERE ANY PROPERTY TAX RELIEF THAT YOU ALL WOULD LOOK AT?

>> WE WOULD LIKE TO LOOK AT A COMMISSION TO REALLY STUDY WHY OUR PROPERTY TAXES HAVE INCREASED ACROSS THE STATE, BUT, AGAIN, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT PEOPLE BEING HARMED, BUSINESSES BEING HARMED, HEALTHCARE SPECIFICALLY, PAID FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE, OVERREGULATION, A WORKFORCE STANDARDS BOARD, ALL OF THOSE THINGS MAKE BUSINESS IN MINNESOTA MORE EXPENSIVE.

WHETHER IT'S HEALTHCARE OR SCHOOL DISTRICTS, SMALL BUSINESSES, LARGE BUSINESSES.

SO TO JUST SAY WE NEED PROPERTY TAX RELIEF, WE HAVE TO LOOK WHAT HAS TAKEN PLACE, ESPECIALLY UNDER DEMOCRAT CONTROL IN '23 AND '24 THAT MADE A LOT OF THEE CHANGES BUT ROLLED THEM UT A LITTLE BIT LATER.

BUSINESSES IN MINNESOTA AND FAMILIES DO NEED RELIEF AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR.

>> Cathy: IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU MIGHT WANT TO -- ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT TWEAKING THE PAID FAMILY LEAVE?

>> I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT THAT, DEFINITELY, HOW IT IS AFFECTING BUSINESSES.

I KNOW THE MINNESOTA CHAMBER ANNOUNCED AT THEIR EVENT EARLIER THIS WEEK THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE DOING A SURVEY OF ALL OF THEIR SAYS TO KNOW HOW THEY'RE BEING IMPACTED.

REMEMBER, IT'S UP TO 20 WEEKS OFF, FIVE MONTHS OFF FOR EMPLOYEES.

NOW, GOOD EMPLOYEES ARE GOOD -- OR GOOD EMPLOYERS GIVE GOOD EMPLOYEES THEIR TIME OFF AS THEY NEED IT.

BUT A MANDATE ON ALL BUSINESSES IS NOT WHAT WAS NEEDED.

>> YOU KNOW, WE'RE INTERESTED VERY MUCH IN SUPPORTING ALL WORKERS.

AND PAID FAMILY LEAVE IS AN IMPORTANT WAY FOR YOU TO BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF SICK PARENT, A SICK SIBLING, A NEW BABY, AND 20 WEEKS, OF COURSE, IS FOR BONDING AFTER YOU'VE HAD A CHILD WITH A HIGH-RISK PREGNANCY.

ONE PIECE OF GOOD NEWS FROM TODAY, FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, AND I THINK UNDERSTANDING MINNESOTANS WOULD AGREE, S THE SUPREME COURT'S DECISION ON TRUMP'S TARIFFS.

THOSE HAVE LEVIED SO MUCH ADDITIONAL COST, LIKE $1,000 A FAMILY OVER THIS LAST YEAR, AND IT'S GOING TO TAKE SOME TIME TO UNDERSTAND AND UNWIND THAT BUT THOSE TARIFFS HAVE BEEN VERY UNPOPULAR, THEY'RE HURTING FAMILY BUDGETS.

THEY'RE CAUSING THE COST OF THINGS TO GO UP.

AND I'M REALLY GLAD THE COURT CHECKED THE PRESIDENT'S POWER AND WENT BACKWARDS ON THAT.

THE CONGRESS SHOULD HAVE DONE IT, THEY DIDN'T.

>> BUT, AGAIN, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE DON'T HAVE ANY CONTROL HERE AT THE STATE LEVEL.

SO WHAT WE'RE FOCUSED ON IS THE AFFORDABILITY OF LIFE ACROSS MINNESOTA.

ON THINGS THAT WE CAN CONTROL.

THINGS LIKE PAID FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE, THINGS LIKE THE TAX RATE THAT WE HAVE, THINGS THAT ARE IMPACTING OUR COUNTIES AND OUR CHOOLS THAT COULD BE SIMPLE POLICY CHANGE THAT HELP THEM SAVE MONEY DAY IN AND DAY OUT.

AND THAT'S GOING TO BE PRETTY IMPORTANT FOR US TO KEEP FOCUSED ON INSTEAD OF THE FEDERAL ISSUES THAT SEEM TO HAVE THE DEMOCRATS REALLY FOCUSED ON WHAT'S GOING ON OVER IN WASHINGTON, D.C., NOT WHAT'S GOING ON IN St.

PAUL AND ON MAIN STREET, DOWNTOWN MINNESOTA.

>> WELL, I THINK PAID FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE MAKES LIFE MORE AFFORDABLE.

>> DOES IT?

WHEN YOU'RE -- [ OVERLAPPING CONVERSATION ] >> ONE AT A TIME.

ONE AT A TIME.

>> WHICH ONE?

HIM OR ME?

>> PARENTS WERE NOT ABLE O STAY HOME WITH THEIR NEW BABIES OR TAKE CARE OF THEIR SICK PARENTS, IT'S NOT LIKE THOSE THINGS WERE HAPPENING WITHOUT CARE, PEOPLE WERE HIRING PEOPLE TO DO THAT WORK, CHILD CARE AND SENIOR CARE.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, I'VE GOT COUNTIES IN MY DISTRICT WHO ARE NO LONGER EMPLOYING MORE OFFICERS, THEY'RE NOT EMPLOYING MORE STAFF BECAUSE THEY KNOW THE COSTS ARE SO HIGH TO DO THIS THAT NO LONGER IS THERE THAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE FOLKS TO GET THOSE TYPES OF JOBS IN THE ABUNDANCE THAT OUR COUNTIES HAD BEEN PLANNING FOR.

SO I'VE SEEN THAT OVER AND OVER AGAIN IN MY EIGHT COUNTIES UP NORTH.

>> Cathy: SAY, QUICK QUESTION, BECAUSE YOU MENTIONED THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS SAID IT'S GOING TO CUT BILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM VARIOUS MINNESOTA PROGRAMS, EDUCATION, HEALTH PROGRAMS, DO WE KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY THAT COULD BLOW A HOLE IN THE STATE BUDGET AT ALL, HAS ANYONE FIGURED THAT OUT?

>> WE DON'T HAVE THAT INFORMATION.

WE'LL SEE IF IT TRULY DOES HAPPEN.

WHAT WE NEED TO O IS LOOK AT OUR STATE BUDGET WITH THE FORECAST THAT COMES OUT ON THE 27th AND KNOW WHAT CHANGES WE CAN MAKE HERE AND HOW WE CAN PLAN FOARTD FOR THE FUTURE.

>> REPUBLICANS REALLY DO LIKE TO PUT THEIR HEAD IN THE SAND AS WE WATCH THE TRUMP POLICIES RUBBER STAMPED BY THE REPUBLICAN CONGRESS AND HOW THEY'RE IMPACTING MINNESOTANS, OUR STATE BUDGET, OUR HEALTHCARE, FOOD SUPPORT, ET CETERA.

IT MIGHT BE HAPPENING IN WASHINGTON BUT PEOPLE HERE IN MINNESOTA WHO ARE ELECTED TO REPRESENT MINNESOTANS ARE VOTING FOR IT AND WE SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT AS WELL.

>> Eric: THANK YOU ALL FOR VOIPG US.

JOINING US.

BUSY WEEK.

GOOD LUCK DOWN THE TRAIL HERE.

>> Cathy: WE'LL SEE YOU SOON.

>> Eric: THANK YOU.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M MORE EXCITED ABOUT, THE SOCCER STADIUM IN THE MIDWAY AREA OR THE PALACE THEATER IN DOWNTOWN, YOU KNOW, AS A MUSIC FAN, THAT'S GOING TO BE GREAT, BUT THE SOCCER STADIUM IS ALREADY KIND OF SHOWING EXACTLY WHAT WE HAD HOPED IT WOULD ACCOMPLISH, WHICH WAS TAKING THE INVESTMENT OF Dr.

McGUIRE AND THE TEAM AND HIS CO-OWNERS, INVESTING IN THAT PIECE OF PROPERTY, PAYING FOR THAT STADIUM PRIVATELY AND WE KNEW IT WOULD SPUR GROWTH.

WHAT WE SAW THIS WEEK WAS REALLY AGGRESSIVE PLAN FOR WHAT WE CAN ACCOMPLISH THERE.

MORE RETAIL, MORE HOUSING, YOU KNOW, POTENTIALLY CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS, HOTEL, MOVIE THEATERS, THE SKY'S THE LIMIT FOR THAT SITE WHEN YOU HAVE THAT LEVEL OF INVESTMENT IN AN AREA THAT HAS DESPERATELY NEEDED IT FOR MANY DECADES.

>> CATHY: THAT WAS TEN YEARS AGO THIS WEEK.

AND WHILE THE AREA AROUND THE LOONS SOCCER STADIUM DOESN'T MATCH THE MAP WE JUST SAW, THERE IS A LOT OF CONSTRUCTION IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD.

WELL, NOW, FRIENDS, ONE OF MY FAVORITE PARTS OF THE HOUR, MINNESOTA HISTORY TIME!

LAST WEEK WE ASKED ABOUT A MYSTERY MINNESOTAN.

WE TOLD YOU THEY WERE ASSOCIATED WITH A DECADE OF UPS AND DOWNS FOR THE MINNESOTA TWINS - THE 1980S.

HE OR SHE WAS PART OF THE ORGANIZATION DURING THE GLORIOUS 1987 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON.

BUT WE ASKED ABOUT 1982, WHEN THE TWINS FINISHED DEAD LAST IN THE AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST.

OUR MYSTERY PERSON ACCOMPLISHED SOMETHING THAT SEASON THAT HAD NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE AND HAS NEVER HAPPENED SINCE.

ERIC THEN ADDED IN THIS EXTRA HINT - A FUTURE MEMBER OF THE TWINS ORGANIZATION WAS INVOLVED IN THIS HISTORIC EVENT.

OUR QUESTION FOR YOU WAS A TWO-PARTER.

WHO IS OUR MYSTERY PERSON, AND WHAT ONE-TIME HISTORIC FEAT DID THEY ACCOMPLISH IN THE SUMMER OF 1982?

WE CAUTIONED YOU TO LISTEN CAREFULLY TO THE DETAILS, BUT THESE NEXT FOUR CALLERS MAY HAVE DIALED A BIT TOO SOON.

>> CATHY: NO, NO, NO, AND NO.

BUT AT LEAST ALL THOSE ANSWERS WERE ABOUT THE TWINS.

FOR THIS WEEK'S RIGHT ANSWER, HERE'S JOHN.

>> CATHY: YES, JOHN, YOU ARE CORRECT.

THERE'S A NICE SHOT OF TOM BRUNANSKY IN THE 1982 SIGNATURE BABY BLUE JERSEYS.

THE ADDITIONAL FUN FACT ABOUT THAT INSIDE THE PARK HOMER?

THE BASES WERE LOADED WITHOUT ANYONE GETTING A HIT.

BREWERS INFIELDER PAUL MOLITOR UNCHARACTERISTICALLY MADE NOT ONE BUT TWO ERRORS IN THE INNING.

MOLLIE, OF COURSE, WOULD GO ON TO PLAY FOR THE TWINS AND BECOME TEAM MANAGER FOR FOUR SEASONS.

WE HAVE JUST ENOUGH TIME LEFT FOR ANOTHER TUNE FROM VOCAL ESSENCE.

YOU CAN GET DETAILS ON SUNDAY'S PERFORMANCE AT VOCALESSENCE.ORG.

TAKE A LISTEN AND WE'LL BE BACK NEXT WEEK.

TAKE CARE.

♪ ♪ I AM SINGING FOR A CITY, HALLELUJAH ♪ ♪ WE'RE SINGING INTO THE KINGDOM ♪ ♪ HALLELUJAH ♪ ♪ WE'RE SINGING INTO THE KINGDOM, HALL LAY LIEU ♪ ♪ OH, LORD ♪ ♪ MY FEET ARE ALWAYS TIRED 7 ♪ CHILDREN, ALL GLORY, HALLELUJAH ♪ ♪ OH, I HOPED TO SHINE GLORY WHEN THIS WORLD HAS GONE ♪ ♪ CHILDREN, ALL GLORY, HALLELUJAH ♪ ♪ THERE'S A BETTER DAY ACOMIN' ♪ HALLELUJAH ♪ ♪ THERE'S A BETTER DAY ACOMIN' ♪ GONNA LEAVE THIS WORLD OF SORROW ♪ ♪ HALLELUJAH ♪ ♪ GONNA LEAVE THIS WORLD OF SORROW ♪ ♪ HALLELU ♪ CAPTIONED BY: VERITEXT/PARADIGM CAPTIONING WWW.VERITEXT.COM ♪ >> "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY MEMBERS OF THIS PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

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