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

>> ERIC: WELCOME BACK TO "ALMANAC."

WE'LL TALK ABOUT A RURAL PRISON TURNED IMMIGRANT DETENTION CENTER, WILDFIRES UP NORTH, AND ELECTION INTEGRITY.

OUR POLITICAL SCIENCE DUO IS STANDING BY.

AND MARY LAHAMMER HAS BEEN TRACKING A SWING DISTRICT AHEAD OF TUESDAY'S PRIMARIES.

>> Mary: WE'LL HAVE A RACE TO WATCH.

IT'S AN OPEN HOUSE SEAT IN THE NORTH METRO, AND REMEMBER, THE HOUSE ENDED UP TIED THE LAST TIME.

>> ABSOLUTELY NO REGRETS ON ELECTION NIGHT NO MATTER HOW THINGS SHAKE OUT.

>> THIS IS ONE OF THE GREAT SWING DISTRICTS IN THE STATE.

>> 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.

FUNDING FOR "VOICES RISING: TWIN CITIES PBS STORIES FOR AMERICA'S 250TH" REPORTING ON "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY MINNESOTA'S ARTS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE FUND.

>> ERIC: FULL SHOW FOR YOU TONIGHT.

A BOREAL FOREST EXPERT IS HERE.

TANE DANGER IS HERE WITH THOUGHTS ON DEBATES, AND WE'LL SEE IF IMPROV COMEDY AND DEMOCRACY PAIR WELL.

>> CATHY: BUT WE START THE HOUR WITH NEWS THAT THE PRAIRIE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY IN APPLETON HAS BEEN SOLD TO THE U.S.

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY.

THE PRISON CLOSED IN 2010 AND WILL REOPEN AS AN IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT DETENTION CENTER AS SOON AS THIS FALL.

THE PRICE TAG WAS $495 MILLION.

"ALMANAC" REPORTER KAOMI LEE WAS IN APPLETON EARLIER THIS YEAR TO LOOK AT THE PRISON.

SHE JOINS US NOW.

WELL, NOT EXACTLY A SURPRISE.

I MEAN, WHEN YOU WERE OUT THERE, YOU SAW SOME MOVEMENT.

THERE WERE WORK CREWS ON THE SCENE TRYING TO DO SOME REPAIRS.

SO WE SAW THIS KIND OF COMING DOWN THE PIKE, RIGHT?

>> YEAH, I MEAN, THERE'S BEEN RUMORS FOR OVER A YEAR ABOUT PEOPLE WERE WONDERING WHAT COULD HAPPEN.

I MEAN, THERE HAD BEEN TALK ABOUT, WOULD THIS BE AN I.C.E.

DETENTION FACILITY OR WHAT COULD THEY DO?

BUT, YOU KNOW, REALLY, THERE'S WAS A LINE OF COMMUNICATION WITH CITY LEADERS AND CORE CIVIC -- >> AND CORE CIVIC OWNS THE PROPERTY?

>> YES, T'S A PRIVATE PRISON.

AND THEY'VE OWNED IT SINCE THE '90s.

BUT EVEN THEN WHEN I WAS THERE IN FEBRUARY, CITY OFFICIALS DID NOT KNOW.

JUST THAT THEY SAW, LIKE EVERYONE ELSE, THAT THE WORK CREWS WERE THERE, IMPROVING THE HVAC SYSTEMS, KEEPING THINGS, YOU KNOW, REGULAR MAINTENANCE.

GHE HOW DO YOU EXPECT THE OPPOSITION FOR SUPPORT FOR THIS TO BREAK DOWN?

>> WELL, LIKE YOU CAN IMAGINE, EVERYONE'S THE SAME PAGE THAT YOU TALK TO.

THEY WANT THE BEST FOR APPLETON.

THE PRIVATE PRISON CLOSED 16 YEARS AGO.

THERE'S EMPTY STOREFRONTS.

THERE'S ABOUT 20 I LP DATED BUILDINGS, HOUSES THAT THE CITY DEEMS SHOULD COME DOWN.

THERE'S ALSO OTHER HOMES THAT ARE RUN DOWN, AND THAT'S BECAUSE WHEN YOU'VE GOTH ABOUT 400 WORKERS LEFT WHEN THE PRISON CLOSED, LESS PEOPLE IN THE GROCERY STORES, BUY THINGS, BUYING GAS AND THE CITY REALLY KIND OF EMPTIED OUT.

SO EVERYONE'S ON THE SAME PAGE, BUT THERE ARE DIFFERENT WWAYS -- DISAGREEMENT ON HOW TO GO ABOUT IT.

PROGRESSIVE VOICES AND ACTOR VISITS WHO SAY MAYBE, YOU KNOW, AS AN I.C.E.

DETENTION FACILITY AND DETAINING IMMIGRANTS IS NOT REALLY MORALLY RIGHT.

AND ISN'T REALLY THE BEST SOLUTION FOR THIS.

AND THEN YOU'VE GOT OTHERS SAY, WELL, THIS COULD BRING BACK PEOPLE, AND PEOPLE COULD MEAN MONEY.

AND MORE INVESTMENT AND SO IT -- THERE'S TWO -- I MEAN, EVERYONE -- I THINK IT'S A COMMUNITY WHERE PEOPLE WORK WITH THEIR NEIGHBORS AND GO TO CHURCH TOGETHER.

AND SO HEY WANT TO BE UNIFIED, BUT THERE'S DIFFERENT DISAGREEMENT ABOUT THE END RESULT.

>> Cathy: SO IS THIS A DONE DEAL?

CAN PEOPLE WEIGH IN ON IT?

> >> Kaomi: IT IS A DONE DEAL.

IT LOOKS LIKE THE COUNTY -- THE COUNTY OFFICE HAS THE DEED IN PLACE.

SO THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OWNS THE FACILITY.

AND SO -- BUT THERE IS GOING TO BE -- I SPOKE TO STATE SENATOR TOREY WESTROM, WHO IS A BIG SUPPORTER, CAME OUT WITH A PRESS RELEASE THIS WEEK, SUPPORTS THE NEWS.

HE'S GOING TO HAVE A TOWN FORUM ON AUGUST 20TH AT THE V.F.W.

AND THAT'S GOING TO BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO COME OUT AND VOICE THEIR OPINIONS, SUPPORT OR OPPOSITION.

ASK QUESTIONS.

AND MAYBE BY THAT TIME, THAT'LL BE IN TWO WEEKS, THERE WILL BE MORE ANSWERS, BECAUSE AT THIS POINT THERE'S NOT A LOT OF INFORMATION.

>> Eric: RIGHT NOW THE DETAINEES -- IS IT MAINLY EL PASO WHERE THEY'RE GOING NOW?

>> YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY'LL BE COMING.

THEY SAY THAT BY THE END OF THIS YEAR, THEY'LL TART TO SEE SOME OF THE DETAINEES FILLING UP THE SLOTS.

THERE'S ABOUT 1600 BEDS THERE.

AND BY THE END OF SECOND QUARTER NEXT YEAR, IT SHOULD BE AT FULL CAPACITY INCLUDING, YOU KNOW, HUNDREDS OF WORKERS.

I >> Cathy: SEE KNOW THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO ARE EXCITED THAT THIS COULD BE AN ECONOMIC BOON TO A STRUGGLING TOWN, BUT I'M WONDERING BECAUSE NOW THE FEDS OWN THIS AND IT WAS A PRIVATELY OWNED PRISON, I WONDER WHAT THE TAX IMPLICATIONS WOULD BE FOR THIS?

>> WELL, IT COULD, THE TAXES, THE FACILITY PAYS, OF COURSE CIVIC PAID THIS YEAR, WAS $494,000.

THAT'S ANNUALLY.

AND THAT'S FOR AN IDLE FACILITY.

THAT'S ABOUT 30% OF THEIR TAX BASE.

SO STARTING NEXT YEAR, THEY -- THAT COULD BE GONE.

AND AS WE KNOW, IT'S A FEDERAL FACILITY.

THEY ARE EXEMPT FROM STATE AND LOCAL TAXES.

BUT I TALKED TO CITY ADMINISTRATOR JOHN OLINGER WHO SAID HE SPOKE TO SOMEONE NAMED KELLY DURHAM AT CORE CIVIC WHO TOLD HIM THAT THEY -- WHO ASSURED HIM THAT THEY WILL MAKE APPLETON WHOLE AND THEY ARE RIGHT NOW CRAFTING A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING TO THAT EFFECT.

WHAT THAT MEANS?

I THINK IT'S A WAIT AND SEE.

BUT HOPEFULLY I THINK THE CITY LEADERS HOPING THAT THERE'S AN OFFSET HERE.

>> Eric: A LITTLE BIT MORE AFTER SENATOR WESTROM'S MEETING.

I KNOW YOU'LL BE N TOP OF IT.

>> WE SURE WILL.

>> ERIC: GOVERNOR WALZ ANNOUNCED AN END TO THE STATE'S PEACETIME EMERGENCY FOR WILDFIRES IN AND AROUND THE BOUNDARY WATERS THIS WEEK.

DOZENS OF BUSINESS OWNERS ARE STILL URGING AN ECONOMIC RELIEF PACKAGE FROM STATE LEADERS.

MEANWHILE, MORE ENTRY POINTS HAVE OPENED FOR OVERNIGHT USE.

OUR OWN KAOMI LEE TRAVELED TO ELY TO TALK WITH SOME BUSINESS OWNERS AND CAMPERS RETURNING TO THE AREA.

>> Kaomi: ON A RECENT MORGUE, A GROUP OF SIX MEN GATHERED AT ELY OUTFITTING COMPANY.

THERE WERE THERE FOR A FOUR-DAY CANOE TRIP NTO THE BOUNDARY WATERS.

>> I'M HERE WITH MY BROTHER-IN-LAWS AND MY DAD AND MINNEAPOLIS UNCLE AND WE ARE HEADING OUT INTO THE BOUNDARY WATERS.

>> Kaomi: THEY WERE THE FIRST GROUP THE OUTFITTERS HAD SEEN IN WEEKS.

>> THIS IS THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY SUMMER FOR THE BUSINESS.

>> Kaomi: WHICH SHOULD BE SUMMER OF CELEBRATION HAS BEEN ANYTHING BUT.

>> WE'RE JUST STARTING TO GET CAUGHT UP ON OUR TRIP CANCELLATIONS.

>> Kaomi: NORMALLY AT THIS POINT OF YEAR, THE RENTAL GEAR IS NEARLY ALL OUT THE DOOR.

THIS YEAR, THE SHELVES ARE FULL.

>> THIS SHOULD BE THE BUSIEST TIME OF OUR BUSY SEASON.

YOU KNOW, I LOOKED AT OUR JULY YEAR OVER YEAR, AND OUR JULY, LAST I LOOKED WAS DOWN 65% IN SALES OVER LAST YEAR.

IT'S FAIR TO CALL IT AN ECONOMIC CRISIS FOR ELY BUSINESSES.

>> Kaomi: LOCAL BUSINESSES ARE STILL REELING FROM WEEKS OF LOST REVENUE FROM THE JULY 7TH LIGHTNING FIRES.

THE FIRES ENGULFED NEARLY 65,000 ACRES IN THE U.S.

THAT'S NEARLY TWO TIMES THE SIZE OF THE CITY OF ST.

PAUL.

AUTHORITIES CLOSED THE ENTIRE BWCA FOR TWO WEEKS IN JULY.

SOME PARTS HAVE JUST REOPENED.

FIRE EXPERTS CALL THIS ONE -- >> PERSISTENT, NAGGING ALMOST MAYBE.

SO SOME SIGNIFICANT GROWTH OVER THE 13, 4, 15TH TIME FRAME.

BASICALLY THE FOOTPRINT THAT IT LOOKS LIKE NOW.

WE'VE NOT SEEN A LOT OF FIRE SPREAD SINCE.

BUT THERE'S A LOT OF HEAT OUT THERE.

>> Kaomi: AT THE PEAK, MORE THAN A THOUSAND FIREFIGHTERS AND INTERAGENCY PERSONNEL WERE ON THE CENE.

GONZALEZ SAYS A SPRING DROUGHT AND A LAYER OF DRY UNDERBRUSH MADE FOR VULNERABLE CONDITIONS.

AND IT'S NOT OVER.

>> THIS COULD LIKELY BE ANOTHER MONTH, MONTH AND A HALF, TWO MONTHS OF HAVING TO WATCH THIS THING.

>> Kaomi: LAST WEEK'S TEMPORARY COOLDOWN AND RAIN HELPED.

70-YEAR-OLD BEAVER SEA PLAN STATIONED IN ELY ALSO SAW ACTION.

THEY HELPED MILLIONS OF GALLONS F WATER.

HOT SHOT CREWS TOOK PART IN RISKY OPERATIONS GOING DEEP INTO THE WILDERNESS WITH CANOES.

HUNDREDS LEARN TO CANOE FOR THE FIRST TIME.

>> THESE ARE VERY UNIQUE TOOLS.

THEY PROVIDE US A LOT OF ACTEDS TO DO THINGS THAT GROUND RESOURCES ACCOUNTS.

>> MORE THAN $40 MILLION HAS BEEN SPENT ON THE ENTIRE OPERATION.

NEARLY A THOUSAND STRUCTURES HAVE BEEN TREATED FOR PROTECTION.

RESIDENTS REGROUPED INTO ZONES, READY, SET AND GO.

>> WE'RE NOT A NON-PROFIT.

WE'RE NOT A BUSINESS.

WE JUST MET AT A COFFEE SHOP ONE MORN.

>> AN ALL-VOLUNTARY ELY COMMUNITY RESPONSE TEAM SPRAINING UP TO HELP EVACUEES AND OTHERS WITH RESOURCES.

>> WE SAW THAT THERE WAS EVACUATIONS HAPPENING AND HAT PEOPLE WERE LIKELY TO BE DISPLACED SO WE WANTED TO CREATE SOME KIND OF SYSTEM WHERE ALL PEOPLE'S OFFERS FOR HOUSING, FOOD, DROPPING OFF N-959 MASKS COULD BE CATALOGED, AND THEN AS NEEDS CAME IN, WE WERE ABLE TO MATCH THOSE NEEDS.

>> THERE WAS A GOOD WEEK OF SLEEPLESS NIGHTS.

>> Kaomi: ELY RESIDENT BETHANY CREATED A POSTER THAT REFLECTS THE CURRENT MOOD.

ELY STRONG HAS BECOME AN UNOFFICIAL MOTTO.

>> WE HAVE A UGE RANGE OF POLITICS HERE IN ELY.

BUT IT DOESN'T MATTER.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE'RE ALL NEIGHBORS.

>> Kaomi: THAT SENTIMENT SEEMED TO BE SHARED DESPITE BIG STATEWIDE RACES LOOMING, POLITICAL SIGNS WERE SCARCE.

>> MANY OF US ARE CONCERNED ABOUT ELY RIGHT NOW.

WHO YOU'RE FOR, OR WHO YOU'RE AGAINST.

WE ALL JUST NEED TO COME TOGETHER RIGHT NOW, MAKE SURELY ELY AND THE AREA IS OKAY.

>> Kaomi: EVEN AS SOME ACCESS POINTS REMAIN RESTRICTED, LOCALS SAY, THERE'S STILL PLENTY OF PLACES TO GET INTO A CANOE AND PADDLE.

>> I THINK IT'S STARTING TO PICK BACK UP A LITTLE BIT NOW WITH THE MESSAGE GOING OUT THAT ELY IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS, ELY IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS.

IT WAS VERY INTERESTING TO SEE THE IMPACT ON, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE COMING IN BEFORE AND AFTER.

>> Kaomi: LOCALS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE ECONOMY.

GOVERNOR WALZ CARRIED BUT DECIDED AGAINST CALLING FOR A SPECIAL SESSION.

>> EIGHT NOW I'M LUCKY TO EE ONE PERSON COME INTO THE STORE AND ASK SERIOUS QUESTIONS AND SHOW ME THAT THEY'RE A SERIOUS CUSTOMER.

>> Kaomi: THAT'S A DISAPPOINTMENT FOR REDFETED OUTDOORS, WHO SAW THEIR FOOT TRAFFIC EVAPORATE.

THEY SPECIAL MOLD CANOES MADE IN LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN, AND CAMPING SUPPLIES.

THIS IS THEIR FIRST YEAR HAVING A FLAGSHIP STORE IN ELY.

YOU RELY ON SEASONAL STAFF AND RIGHT NOW THOSE STAFF MEMBERS ARE OUT OF A JOB, AND ARE THEY ALL ABLE TO STICK AROUND?

>> Kaomi: RODNEY OF ROCHESTER AND HIS FAMILY DIDN'T HAVE TO CANCEL THEIR BWRA TRIP THIS YEAR, BUT THEY DIDN'T LEAVE FROM THEIR ORIGINAL ENTRY POINT.

>> I WASN'T WORRIED.

WE HAD A CONTINGENCY PLAN.

BUT WE THINGS THINK THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN, AND THEN WE GOT A CALL FROM THE OUTFITTERS THAT WE GOT PERMITS.

>> Kaomi: INSTEAD THEY DROVE AN HOUR AWAY TO NEWLY OPENED ENTRY POINT 34, ISLAND RIVER, THE TRIP WAS TO BE A BONDING EXPERIENCE.

AFTER A RECENT DEATH IN THE FAMILY.

AND A WAY TO HEAL IN NATURE.

♪♪ >> CATHY: MINNESOTA'S FORESTS ARE CHANGING ALONG WITH THE CLIMATE.

OUR NORTHERN BOREAL FORESTS ARE PART OF A MUCH LARGER EKE SO SYSTEM THAT'S UNDER STRESS BECAUSE OF RISING TEMPERATURES, AND AS WE'VE JUST SEEN, INCREASED RISK OF WILD FIRES.

LEE FRELICH IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA'S CENTER FOR FOREST ECOLOGY.

HE JOINS US NOW WITH A LOOK AT OUR FOREST FUTURE.

WELCOME BACK.

SO WE SHOULD SAY, AND OF COURSE YOU KNOW THIS, WILDFIRES ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF HOW A FOREST REGENERATES, BUT I AM WONDERING, PROFESSOR, IF THERE'S A DOUBLE WHAMMY HERE WITH CLIMATE HANGE LAYERED ON TOP OF ANY?

>> YES, THERE IS.

SO IT GETS WARMER EARLIER IN THE SPRING.

STAYS ARMER LONGER IN THE FALL.

THERE'S A LOT MORE TIME FOR EVAPORATION.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, OUR EARLY SUCCESSIONAL FOREST THAT HAD BEEN CUT BY THE EUROPEAN SETTLERS WERE BIRCH AND ASPEN, AND NOW THEY'VE SUCCEEDED TO INTERPRETERS.

WE'VE HAD A RETURN OF SEVERAL BIG FIRES IN THE LAST 20 YEARS.

>> Eric: O MANAGEMENT.

FOREST CHANGES DUE TO THESE CONDITIONST CHANGING?

>> YES, AND IT'S AFFECTS THE FOREST TOO.

SO LOGGING CAN CHANGE IT TO BIRCH AND ASPEN, WHICH IS WAY LESS FLAMMABLE.

AND EXTREMELY FREQUENT FIRE OR WIND STORMS FOLLOWED BY FIRE CAN ALSO EXTERMINATE THE CONFERS AND CHANGE IT TO BIRCH AND ASPEN.

WE'RE ACTUALLY SEEING THAT HAPPEN THROUGHOUT THE BOREAL FOREST, IN ALASKA, ACROSS CANADA AND NORTHERN SCANDINAVIA, AND EVENTUAL THERE'LL BE SO MUCH BIRCH AND ASPEN, IT'LL PUT A DAM PER ON THE FIRES.

BUT THAT'S DECADES AWAY.

>> Cathy: I'M WONDERING ABOUT HOW CLIMATE CHANGE MIGHT FUEL, IF THAT'S THE RIGHT WORD TO USE, AN INFESTATION OF PESTST LIKE THE SPRUCE BUDWORM COMES TO MIND, WHICH CAN REALLY CAUSE HAVOC.

>> YEAH, WHEN THE TREES ARE UNDER DROUGHT STRESS, THEY CAN'T DEFEND THEMSELVES AGAINST INSECTS AND WARMER CLIMATES MEAN THAT SOME INSECTS CAN HAVE TWO GENERATIONS IN ONE SUMMER INSTEAD OF JUST ONE, SO THEY CAN HAVE AN UTBREAK.

SO YEAH, CLIMATED CHANGE INTERACTS WITH INSECTS AND THEY INTERACT WITH FIERES BY CREATING DEAD TREES.

WIND STORMS ARE MORE SEVERE THAN THEY USED TO BE IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.

THEY CREATE DEAD TREES THAT ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO BURNING, AND SO IT'S LIKE EVERYTHING GOING IN THE ONCE IN THE DIRECTION OF BIG FIRES.

>> Cathy: I REMEMBER WHEN YOU WERE AST ON THE SHOW, HERE'S THE QUOTE, YOU SAID THAT YOU WERE PRETTY WORRIED THAT MINNESOTA WILL START LOOKING LIKE KANSAS SOON.

WELL, FAIRLY SOON.

>> YEAH, MY 2070, IT EASILY COULD.

IF EVAPORATION STARTS TO OUTSTRIP PRECIPITATION.

SO WE GET A NEGATIVE WATER BALANCE.

AND UR CURRENT PROJECTIONS SHOW THAT THE WESTERN BOUNDARY WATERS WILL BECOME PRAIRIE BY THE END OF THIS CENTURY.

WHEREAS THE EASTERN BOUNDARY WATERS IS MORE LIKELY TO TRANSITION FROM BOREAL FOREST TO TEMPERATE FOREST WHICH IS MAPLE AND OAK.

>> Eric: SOME SOMETHING POLICY MAKERS CAN DO?

>> IT'S A LITTLE BIT TOO LATE TO CHANGE THESE THINGS.

I MEAN, THE BOREAL FOREST ASK A BIG THING, AND ONCE IT'S IN MOTION, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO STOP IT.

SO THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING 30 YEARS AGO.

>> Cathy: SO YOU CAN'T -- I MEAN, THERE WERE EFFORTS UNDER THE D.N.R.

'S PURVIEW.

THEY WERE PLANTING WHITE PINE UP THERE AND SOME OTHER SPEES SPECIES.

>> WELL, THE WHITE PINE S ONE OF THE MOST FLEXIBLE IN TERMS OF CLIMATE.

IT'S THE RED PINE, THE JACK PINE, AND SOME OF THE OTHER BOREAL SPECIES, HE SPRUCES THAT WOULD REALLY BE IN DAIJ DAR OF DEZ APPEARING.

THE YEAH, THE TEMPERATE WILL HAVE SOME WHITE PINE IN, BECAUSE IT'S BOTH A BOREAL AND A TEMPERATE TREE.

IT DOESN'T WANT TO BE CLASSIFIED.

>> Eric: I FOUND SOME OPTIMISM.

YOU SAY THAT THE OUTDOOR RECREATION BENEFITS WILL BE GOOD EXCEPT FOR CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING.

>> YEAH, YEAH, THE LONGER THE WARM EASON, IT TURNS OUT, THE MORE RECREATION THERE IS.

YEAH, WE JUST ID A STUDY OF THAT.

I JOINED FORCES WITH AN ECONOMIST, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, AND VERY INTERESTING TO SEE THAT THERE WOULD BE A LOT MORE RECREATIONAL USE IN A WARMER CLIMATE.

>> Eric: DEER HUNTERS?

>> YEAH.

>> Eric: WHAT'S IN IT FOR THEM?

>> MORE DEER IN A WARMER CLIMATE IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA?

>> Cathy: YEAH, BUT DON'T THEY CAUSE HAVOC WITH TREES?

>> THEY DO WITH CERTAIN SPECIES LIKE WHITE CEDAR AND WHITE PINE, BUT A WARMER CLIMATE WILL ALLOW MORE DEER TO SURVIVE THERE.

>> Eric: HAVE YOU GOT I TOLD YOU SO BONE IN YOUR BODY?

>> YEAH, I DO.

ACTUALLY, I DECIDED THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN IN 1988 WHEN WE HAD THAT REALLY HOT SUMMER.

AND A ROT OF YEARS HAVE GONE BY SINCE THEN AND IT LOOKS LIKE WHAT I THOUGHT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN IS PRETTY MUCH HAPPENING.

>> Cathy: THAT'S DEPRESSIONING, THOUGH?

>> YEAH, IT'S DEPRESSING TO BE RIGHT ALL THE TIME.

>> Eric: APPRECIATE YOUR KNOWLEDGE.

>> YEAH, USER WELCOME.

>> Eric: THANK YOU.

♪♪ >> TANE: WE'RE ENTERING THE THICK OF ELECTION SEASON.

THERE ARE RACES UP AND DOWN THE BALLOT, FROM SCHOOL BOARDS TO STATE LEGISLATURE TO CONSTITUTIONAL AND FEDERAL OFFICES.

YOU ARE GOING TO HEAR ENDLESS CAMPAIGN AS, SPEECHES, PLEAS FOR DONATIONS.

IT'S ALWAYS A FUNDRAISING DEADLINE.

BUT THERE'S ONE THING YOU SHOULD EXPECT TO HEAR FROM EVERY CANDIDATE BEFORE YOU GIVE THEM ANYTHING.

EVERY CANDIDATE IN EVERY RACE OUGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN A REAL, LIVE, FORUM OR DEBATE.

THEY OUGHT TO GET ON STAGE WITH THEIR OPPONENT AND ANSWER SUBSTANTIVE QUESTIONS POSED BY A TENACIOUS MODERATOR.

VOTERS, DO NOT SETTLE FOR SOME TOOTHLESS EXERCISE IN POLITICAL GAS-BAGGERY, WHERE A POLITE BUT FECKLESS VOLUNTEER FROM A HISTORIC, WELL-MEANING, BUT RULE-OBSESSED LEAGUE ASKS EACH CANDIDATE "HOW WILL YOU MAKE OUR COMMUNITY BETTER?"

GIVES EACH PERSON ON STAGE TWO MINUTES TO SAY WHATEVER THE HECK THEY WANT, INCLUDING NOT EVEN ANSWERING THE QUESTION, AND THEN MOVES TO THE NEXT CANDIDATE.

I'M TALKING ABOUT DEBATES WITH REAL MODERATORS, NOT JUST TIMEKEEPERS.

MODERATORS SHOULD LEAD DYNAMIC OPEN-ENDED DEBATES, RESEARCH WHAT PEOPLE HAVE SAID BEFORE, PUSH FOR SPECIFICS, AND NOT BE AFRAID TO HAVE CANDIDATES CLASH, EXPOSING HOW THEY'D ACTUALLY BE DIFFERENT IN OFFICE.

YOU SHOULD EXPECT ALL CANDIDATES TO GO THROUGH A GRILLING LIKE THAT BEFORE THEY WIN OFFICE.

'CAUSE GUESS WHAT.

IF YOU DO GET ELECTED, THERE ISN'T A SCRIPT.

THE ISSUES FACING YOU AREN'T GOING TO SUBMIT THEMSELVES AHEAD OF TIME FOR YOU TO FORMULATE A CONCISE 30-SECOND ANSWER THAT YOU CAN THEN FOCUS GROUP AND POLL TEST BEFORE EVER SAYING IT OUT LOUD.

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO TOUGH STUFF, DEAL WITH UNEXPECTED CHALLENGES, AND WORK WITH PEOPLE WHO REALLY DON'T AGREE WITH YOU ON A LOT OF THINGS.

THAT'S GOVERNANCE.

IF YOU WOULDN'T HIRE SOMEONE TO WORK FOR YOU OR BABYSIT YOUR KIDS WITHOUT HAVING A REAL CONVERSATION WITH THEM FIRST, WHY WOULD YOU ELECT SOMEONE TO RUN OUR STATE OR OUR COUNTRY WITHOUT THEM TALKING TO YOU FIRST?

SO, VOTERS, EVEN IF YOU'RE ALREADY DEEPLY COMMITTED TO A PARTICULAR SIDE IN A RACE, ASK YOUR CANDIDATES TO GET UP AND FACE THEIR OPPONENT AND THE TOUGH QUESTIONS.

IF THEY'RE SO RIGHT, THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW THAT TO A BROADER AUDIENCE.

AND IF THEY'RE NOT RIGHT OR THERE ARE FLAWS IN THEIR ARGUMENT, WHICH THERE USUALLY ARE WITH POLITICIANS, IT'S BETTER FOR US TO ALL SEE THAT NOW.

DEBATE IS GOOD FOR DEMOCRACY.

I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING WE CAN ALL AGREE ON.

SO LET'S SEE IT IN EVERY RACE IN MINNESOTA THIS FALL.

♪♪ >> Eric: AS WE JUST HEARD, DEMOCRACY AIN'T EASY.

BUT MAYBE IMPROV COMEDY CAN HELP?

THAT'S THE IDEA BEHIND DANGER BOAT PRODUCTIONS' STATEWIDE TOUR.

THEY'VE PARTNERED UP WITH THE MINNESOTA HUMANITIES CENTER TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER FOR OPEN CONVERSATION AND TURN THEIR HOPES AND CONCERNS INTO LIVE IMPROV.

WE'RE FOLLOWING ALONG AS PART OF TWIN CITIES PBS'S "VOICES RISING: STORIES FOR AMERICA'S 250TH INITIATIVE."

HERE'S A LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED IN ALBERT LEA.

>> A FEW THEMES EMERGED QUICKLY DURING OUR VISIT TO ALBERT LEA IN FREEBORN COUNTY.

ONE, VOLUNTEERISM KEEPS THE COMMUNITY GOING.

>> I TRIED TO OLUNTEER.

I WAS PLANTING FLOWERS ON THE -- >> TWO, IT'S A CERTIFIED BLUE ZONE.

WHERE PEOPLE GENERALLY LIVE LONGER THAN AVERAGE.

>> ♪ I'M GOING TO LIVE TO 117 ♪ ♪ BLUE ZONE ♪ ♪ BLUE ZONE ♪ ♪ >> AND, THREE, PEOPLE HAVE LOTS OF FEELINGS ABOUT THE TOWN'S MAYO CAMPUS LOSING MANY OF ITS KEY SERVICES DUE TO CONSOLIDATION.

>> WELCOME TO FREEBORN COUNTY, I HOPE YOU'RE NOT PREGNANT.

>> THE SKETCHES OF FREEBORN COUNTY EVENT MIRROR THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS, BRINGING PEOPLE FROM THE AREA TOGETHER TO TALK ABOUT ALL KINDS OF ISSUES THE COMMUNITIES ARE FACING.

>> OUR IMPROV CAST IS GOING TO BE COMING AROUND.

TELL THEM ALL THE THINGS, EVERYTHING YOU THINK THAT SOMEBODY SHOULD KNOW AND MAYBE THINGS YOU THINK PEOPLE SHOULDN'T KNOW, BUT IT'LL MAKE FOR A GOOD SHOW.

AND THEY ARE GOING TO BRING THOSE STORIES TO LIFE THROUGH ENTIRELY UNSCRIPTED IMPROV THEATER.

>> OKAY,ER SO GIVE ME SOME DETAILS.

I WANT TO HEAR SOME DETAILS.

>> THEY HAVE THIS KI SHOW UP THERE.

A LOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE PARTICIPATE.

>> HERE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS YOU GOT TO SEE.

>> I'M REALLY PROUD BECAUSE I WAS PART OF A SCULPTURE WALK IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND SO WE HAVE I THINK 12 AROUND AND THEY'RE ALL PRETTY WALKABLE TO EACH OTHER.

>> YOU CAN WALK AROUND BOYD.

WE JUST LOVE THAT.

>> THEN THE CAST COMPARED NOTES.

>> THEY WANT THIS TO BE AN ART SCENE.

THEY WANT TO SEE THE BLUE ZONES EXPAND EXPAND TO REALLY FOCUS ON THE IDEA OF BELONGING AND COMMUNITY.

>> COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOR FREE, KIND OF ONE OF THOSE HIDDEN THINGS, GEMS THAT PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT.

THEY DON'T HAVE UBER.

THEY JUST HAVE ALAN THE GUY.

>> NO BOWLING ALLEY.

THEY USED TO HAVE A BOWLING ALLEY.

THEY'RE SAD ABOUT MAYO BECAUSE IT'S ONLY A CLINIC, SO YOU CAN'T HAVE A BABY HERE, YOU CAN'T HAVE PROCEDURES.

YOU HAVE TO DRIVE HALF AN HOUR TO OWATONNA OR AUSTIN.

>> AND THEN IT WAS SHOW TIME.

>> THE IMPROVISED PERFORMANCE OF SKETCHES OF FREEBORN COUNTY!

[ Cheers and applause ] >> I AM SO GLAD HAT I MOVED HERE AS A RETIREE.

BECAUSE I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO RELAX.

I AM BUSY EVERY SINGLE NIGHT!

>> I KNOW!

I KNOW!

WE HAVE GOT WIND-DOWN WEDNESDAYS, MUSIC ON THURSDAYS.

YOU KNOW WHAT?

IT'S BECAUSE WE'RE A BLUE ZONE.

WE LIVE SO LONG THAT THERE'S SO MUCH TO DO.

>> I ALSO MOVED HERE AS A RETIREE FOR THE WOMEN.

>> ME TOO AND >> ♪ WELL, I THINK WE SHOULD BUY A HOSPITAL ♪ ♪ >> NOW YOU'RE TALKING.

[ Laughter ] >> OU RIDE A GOOD SEAT.

>> YEAH.

>> BUT ARE YOU A COUNTY SEAT?

AND NOW THE RACE FOR THE COUNTY SEAT IS ABOUT TO BEGIN.

WE HAVE ALBERT LEA AS THE WINNER!

>> YES, A FATEFUL HORSE RACE IS THE REASON ALBERT LEA BECAME THE SEAT OF FREEBORN COUNTY.

BUT THE CITY AS NAMED FOR AN ENGINEER.

LEE SURVEYED MUCH OF SOUTHERN MINNESOTA IN THE 1830s, LONG BEFORE STATE HOOD.

HE BECAME AN ENGINEER FOR THE CONFEDERATE ARMY WHILE HIS SON FOUGHT FOR THE UNION.

LEE'S MORTALLY WOUNDED SON DIED IN HIS ARMS DURING THE BATTLE OF G GALVESTON ANY WHICH BOTH FOUGHT FOR OPPOSING SIDES.

A STATUE OF A UNION SOLD ANSWER TANDS TALL AND WHILE THE CITY HAS DEBATED A NAME CHANGE, FOR NOW IT REMAINS.

WE CAUGHT UP WITH A COUPLE OF ATTENDEES INCLUDING BOB FERNELIUSLAND.

THE CITY'S LONG HASTERY OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IS ON FULL DISPLAY HERE.

>> IT'S BEEN REALLY FUN BECAUSE PEOPLE COME BACK.

AND THEY HAVE STORIES ABOUT THE SCHOOLS.

AND OTHER BUILDINGS IN THE VILLAGE.

SO I THINK IT REALLY REPRESENTS WHAT FREEBORN COUNTY USED TO BE.

>> BOB ENJOYED THE IMPROV, BUT NOT AS MUCH AS HE APPRECIATED DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES ABOUT THE PLACE HE HAS LIVED FOR DECADES.

>> I'D REALLY LIKE TO FIND OUT WHAT OTHER COMMUNITY PEOPLE SAID WE NEEDED.

AND IT WAS SO GOOD TO BE AT A PLACE WHERE IT WAS SO UPBEAT AND POSITIVE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY.

>> WE ALSO VISITED THE FARMERS' MARKET.

TO CATCH UP WITH ALBERT LEA'S FORMER MAYOR GENE EATON WHO NOW HEADS THE -- SHE'S A STRONG PROPONENT OF THE AREA.

>> IT'S A WONDERFUL PLACE FOR SENIORS AS YOU SAW LAST NIGHT.

THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS TO DO.

WE'RE A COMMUNITY OF VOLUNTEERING, HELPING OTHERS.

BUT IT'S ALSO A GREAT COMMUNITY TO RAISE YOUR FAMILY.

AND PEOPLE MAY NOT REALIZE IT, BUT YOUNG PEOPLE DO MOVE BACK HERE.

IT'S A VIBRANT PLACE WITH OUR LAKES, OUR DOWNTOWN, OUR MANY, MANY EVENTS.

IT'S A GREAT PLACE TO RAISE A FAMILY OR TO RETIRE.

>> JEAN AGREES THAT OPEN CONVERSATION WAS THE STAR OF THE IMPROV SHOW.

EVEN WHEN IT CAME TO DIFFICULT ISSUES.

>> WE STILL HAVE SOME DIVISIVENESS WITH OUR HEALTHCARE, PRO, CON, A LOT OF MAYO SIGHTINGS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT LAST NIGHT, BUT THOUGHT IT WAS SO POSITIVE.

>> AS THE CITY OF ALBERT LEA CELEBRATES THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF NATION HOOD, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT HERE IS STRONG, AND WHAT COULD BE MORE IMPORTANT TO A THRIVING DEMOCRACY THAN A COMMUNITY COMMITTED TO MOVING ITSELF FORWARD, ESPECIALLY THROUGH THE STRUGGLE?

[ Applause ] ♪♪ >> CATHY: FIVE STATES HELD THEIR PRIMARY ELECTIONS THIS WEEK, AND MINNESOTA IS SET TO HAVE OUR OWN NEXT TUESDAY.

THE NOVEMBER MIDTERMS WILL BE HERE BEFORE WE KNOW IT, AND ALL OF THESE ELECTIONS ARE SET AGAINST A BACKDROP OF OFTEN PARTISAN BATTLES OVER THE INTEGRITY OF OUR VOTING SYSTEMS.

CASE IN POINT, OUR OWN COUCH WAS HOST TO A GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE LAST WEEK WHERE TWO CANDIDATES MADE SEVERAL QUESTIONABLE CLAIMS ABOUT HOW OUR STATE'S ELECTIONS ARE CONDUCTED AND ALLEGATIONS OF FRAUD IN THE PAST.

THIS WEEK, WE WANT TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT, SO WE'VE INVITED JOE MANSKY TO JOIN US TONIGHT.

HE IS A FORMER STATE ELECTION DIRECTOR AND WAS ALSO AN ELECTION MANAGER FOR RAMSEY COUNTY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

WHO KNOWS MORE ABOUT ELECTIONS THAN MOST PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> NICE TO BE HERE AGAIN.

>> Cathy: HANKS.

THE TWO CANDIDATES TALKED ABOUT DEAD PEOPLE VOTING, UNDOCUMENTED PEOPLE VOTING.

FELONS VOTING.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO START?

>> WELL, LET'S TAKE THE DEAD PEOPLE.

WE GET ON A REGULAR BASIS -- WE, I'M SPEAKING OF COURSE IN THE PAST -- THAT ELECTION OFFICIALS GET ON A REGULAR BASIS THROUGH THE SECRETARY OF STATE, FROM THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, THE DEATH CERTIFICATES OF THE PEOPLE WHO PASS AWAY.

AND WHEN I WAS AT RAMSEY COUNTY, I ALSO HAD MY STAFF CHECK THE "PIONEER PRESS" AND THE "STAR RIBUNE" OBITUARIES EVERY WEEK.

SO THE IDEA THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF DEAD PEOPLE ON THE, YOU KNOW, AS PART OF THE OTER REGISTRATION SYSTEM, IS COMPLETELY UNTRUE.

AS FAR AS THE, YOU KNOW, THE CONVICTED FELONS, I WAS ON GOVERNOR DAYTON'S ELECTION INTEGRITY COMMISSION A FEW YEARS BACK, AND ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS WE MADE WAS, LET'S LET NON-INCO INCARCERATED FELONIES VOTE.

AND SO NOW THEY DO.

SO THAT IS NOT A PROBLEM HERE IN MINNESOTA.

AND -- ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT I KNOW PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT IS THE PEOPLE HO ARE NOT CITIZENS.

AND I DID HEAR A COMMENT ABOUT PEOPLE GETTING THE DRIVER'S LICENSES AND SO OCTOBER IT'S DIRECTLY IN OUR STATE LAW.

IF YOU REGISTER TO VOTE AUTOMATICALLY AS A SEQUENCE OF EITHER GETTING A NEW LICENSE OR RENEWING ONE, IT SAYS IN BLACK AND WHITE, YOU MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF U.S.

CITIZENSHIP.

SO THE ISSUES THAT I THINK HAVE BEEN BANDIED ABOUT ARE JUST COMPLETELY WITHOUT ANY BASIS IN FACT.

>> Eric: VOTING MACHINES COME INTO QUESTION.

>> YOU KNOW, I STARTED DOING RECOUNTS, HAND COUNTS OF PAPER BALLOTS, I'M DATING MYSELF NOW, 42 YEARS AGO.

AND I -- I CAN AY THAT I HAVE LITERALLY HAND COUNTED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF BALLOTS.

AND HERE'S WHAT I LEARNED FROM THAT.

THAT WHEN YOU HAVE A BUNCH OF ELDERLY PEOPLE WORKING AT 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, 11:00 AT NIGHT, COUNTING THESE PAPER BALLOTS BY HAND, THAT MISTAKES WILL BE MADE.

AND THAT'S WHAT I WAS SEEING WHEN I WOULD GO OUT IN THE FIELD IN THE '80s AND '90s.

THAT I SEE WHERE THEY WERE DOING THE PAPER BALLOTS.

I WAS SEEING ON AVERAGE FIVE VOTE COUNTER ERRORS FOR EVERY THOUSAND BALLOTS I COUNTED.

WHEN WE WENT TO THE OPTICAL SCAN SYSTEM, WE REDUCED THAT FROM FIVE ERRORS PER THOUSAND TO TWO ERRORS PER 10,000.

SO JUST BY CHANGING THE TECHNOLOGY, AND TAKING AWAY THIS LABORIOUS TASK THAT WAS BEING DONE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, WE VASTLY IMPROVED THE ACCURACY OF OUR VOTE COUNTING.

WE DO NOT WANT TO GO BACKWARDS.

WE WANT TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD.

WE WANT O IMPROVE OUR TECHNOLOGY TO MAKE THE VOTE COUNTING EVEN MORE ACCURATE THAN IT IS TODAY.

>> Eric: COLEMAN-FRANKEN RECOUNT.

>> Cathy: WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT THAT AFTER THE SHOW TOO.

BECAUSE WE ALL COVERED IT.

>> I WAS THERE.

>> Cathy: AND YOU WERE THERE, EXACTLY?

>> Eric: FRAUD?

>> IF THERE WAS NE, AND I HAD INFORMAL CONVERSATIONS BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, WE WERE A PART OF THAT INCESSANT ELECTION CONTEST THAT WENT ON FOR A LONG TIME.

BUT I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH, YOU KNOW, FORMER SENATOR KNAAK, AND WITH BEN GINSBURG AND BOTH OF THEM TOLD ME, YOU KNOW, THEY WERE LOOKING FOR INSTANCES OF FRAUD THAT THEY COULD BRING IN FRONT OF THE JUDGES.

WELL, I WAS -- I WAS IN COURT A LOT.

I SPENT EIGHT DAYS ON THE STAND DURING THAT TRIAL.

AND TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THERE WAS NOT A SINGLE INSTANCE OF FRAUD RAISED IN FRONT OF THE THREE JUDGES.

AND IF THERE HAD BEEN, GIVEN HOW CLOSE THE RACE WAS, WASN'T YOU THINK THAT SOMEONE WOULD HAVE BROUGHT IT UP?

>> Cathy: NOW IT WAS ALSO BROUGHT UP AS YOU SAW THAT THERE'S UPSET OVER THE SECRETARY OF STATE STEVE SIMON NOT HANDING OVER VOTING ROLLS TO THE FEDS.

BUT THEY SAID, OF COURSE, THAT SECRETARY SIMON HAS TO DO IT.

HE DOES NOT.

>> HE DOES NOT AS A MATTER OF FACT.

HE IS CARRYING OUT HIS STATUTORY DUTY, WHICH IS TO PROTECT YOUR DATA.

YOU KNOW, YOU FILL OUT A VOTER REGISTRATION APPLICATION WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT WHEN YOU GIVE IT TO US, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE CARE OF IT.

I MEAN, DO YOU WANT TO HAND OVER YOUR PRIVATE DATA TO US, NOT KNOWING THAT AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE WE'RE GOING TO GIVE IT OVER TO SOME OTHER PARTY WHO'S GOING TO USE IT FOR PURPOSES COMPLETELY UNRELATED TO THE ELECTION ACTIVITY?

>> Eric: LIKE PAUL HARVEY -- THE REST OF THE STORY.

>> THERE YOU GO.

>> Eric: THANKS, MAN.

♪♪ >> WHITE CASTLES AND STUFFING, SUE, THIS NEVER OCCURRED TO ME.

>> WELL, YOU REW UP IN MINNESOTA, YOU'D LOVE WHITE CASTLES.

>> BUT IN STUFFING?

>> IT'S SO EASY.

BECAUSE MOSTLY YOU JUST USE BREAD OR BREADTH CRUMBS OR WHATEVER.

AND THIS, YOU CAN USE THE WHOLE WHITE CASTLE.

YOU CAN GET THEM FROZEN AT THE SUPERMARKET NOW.

OR YOU CAN GET THEM THERE AND RIP THEM UP, DO THAW THEM OUT.

BIG CHUNKS, LITTLE CHUNKS, WHATEVER SIZE, MAYBE LITTLE, BUT THEY DO GET MUSHY AFTER A WHILE.

♪♪ >> ERIC: ANOTHER ELECTION SEASON TRADITION, SELECTING COMPETITIVE LEGISLATIVE CONTESTS THAT COULD DECIDE CONTROL AT THE CAPITOL.

OUR LONGTIME POLITICAL REPORTER MARY LAHAMMER HAS HER FIRST "RACE TO WATCH" OF 2026 WITH NO INCUMBENT AND TRULY INDEPENDENT VOTERS.

>> Mary: THE AREA'S MANY LAKES ARE THE PERFECT PLACE TO TAKE REFUGE FROM THE SUMMER HEAT IN THIS RACE TO WATCH, IN HOUSE DISTRICT 36A, IN SUBURBAN NORTH METRO, AN OPEN SEAT THAT HAD BEEN HELD BY REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE ELLIOTT ENGEN, WHO WAS SEEKING STATEWIDE OFFICE FOR AUDITOR, BUT A HIGH-PROFILE DUI ARREST DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION AFFECTED WHAT WAS PROMISING POLITICAL CAREER.

>> HI.

I'M SEBASTIAN STAWS, I'M RUNNING FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE HERE IN THIS AREA.

>> OH, NICE TO MEET YOU.

>> I'M 23 YEARS OLD.

THIS DISTRICT DOES HAVE A PRECEDENT FOR ELECTING YOUNGER REPRESENTATIVES.

ELLIOTT ENGEN IS STILL I BELIEVE THE YOUNGEST MEMBER OF THE MINNESOTA TATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE WANT.

I THINK PEOPLE WANT NEW LEADERS IN STALL ST.

PAUL.

PEOPLE ARE TIRED OF CORRUPT CAREER POLL TISSUE EVERYBODIES AND LOBBYISTS.

I'M NOT EL YONT ENGEN AND I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT.

BUT OF COURSE I WISH HIM WELL ON HIS FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

>> I LIKE SEEING YOUNGER PEOPLE RUNNING FOR OFFICE.

>> Mary: THE YOUNG REPUBLICAN RUNNING IS A LIFELONG MINNESOTAN, SERVING AS A LEGISLATIVE TAFFER WHO WEPT TO RAMSEY COUNTY TO FORCE COMMISSIONERS TO ADDRESS MILLIONS IN PROPERTY TAXES SPENT WITHOUT AUDITS.

>> I'M SURE THERE'S A LOT OF GOOD THAT MANY OF THESE GROUPS DO.

BUT THEY SHOULD NOT BE TAKING MONEY FROM PROPERTY TAX DEPARTMENTS.

>> HI, JIM DEMAY, CAN I BOTHER YOU FOR A MINUTE?

>> Mary: THE ESTABLISHED DEMOCRAT HAS BEEN ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY WITH YOUTH HOCKEY AND SOCCER ALONG WITH SERVING ON THE SCHOOL BOARD WHERE HE SAYS HE CHAMPIONED COLLEGE CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES, SAVING FAMILIES MILLIONS IN TUITION COSTS.

>> WHEN I RUN FOR SCHOOL BOARD, THE CONVERSATION IS VERY FOCUSED ON SCHOOLS.

WHEN YOU GET TO THE DOOR ERE, I USUALLY TALK TO FOLKS ABOUT WHO I AM AND ASK THEM WHAT THEIR PRIORITIES ARE, AND THEN I TELL THEM THAT I'M A DEMOCRAT AND HERE ARE SOME OF MY IDEAS BUT YOU GET SOME REACTIONS, BOTH POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE WHEN YOU REVEAL YOUR POLITICAL PARTY.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THE SCHOOL BOARD.

BUT I AM REALLY CONCERNED.

>> WHAT WE'RE LOOKING IS PROBABLY A CLOSE LEGISLATURE AGAIN.

I DON'T SEE ANY BIG WAVE OUT THERE.

AT ALL, YOU KNOW, FOLKS ARE WANT TO KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO TO HELP THE COMMUNITY AND WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO TO HELP THEIR FAMILIES.

AND I GOT TO TELL YOU, ESPECIALLY WITH INDEPENDENTS THEY'RE LOOKING FOR MORE BIPARTISANSHIP.

THEY DON'T LIKE THE TONE, THEY DON'T LIKE THE ARGUMENTATIVE.

THEY DON'T LIKE THE POLITICAL GRAND-STANDING AND THE SPEECHES.

>> Mary: THIS NORTH METRO HOUSE SEAT WAS CLOSE.

IT CAME DOWN TO ABOUT 600 VOTES WHICH WAS 2.8 PERCENTAGE POINTS APART, AND THIS TIME, THE INCUMBENT REPUBLICAN IS NOT RUNNING, SO DEMOCRATS THINK THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY.

>> THESE LITTLE ONES ARE SO IMPORTANT FOR US.

>> Mary: DEMAY WAS A PROFESSOR OF BUSINESS, SO HE GETS THE ECONOMIC ISSUES ESPECIALLY AFFORDABILITY PROBLEMS AMILIES ARE FACING.

>> PEOPLE ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE COST OF THINGS FROM THEIR PROPERTY TAXES TO THEIR HOME INSURANCE, TO THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE.

TO THEIR CHILD CARE FOR THEIR KIDS.

IT'S A LOT OF TALK BOUT BIG TICKET ITEMS.

YOU KNOW, YEAH NOBODY WANTS TO PAY $4 FOR GAS, NOBODY WANTS TO PAY $7 FOR A SLAB OF BACON, BUT A LOT OF OUR DISCUSSIONS ARE BIG TICKET THINGS.

I PAY $1,500 A MONTH FOR INSURANCE AND IT DOESN'T COVER ANYTHING.

MY HOMEOWNER'S INSURANCE HAS DOUBLED.

MY PROPERTY TAX WENT UP 15% NEXT YEAR.

>> I'M JUST FOCUSED ON TATE ISSUES IN THE STATE LEGISLATOR.

>> Mary: STOSS CALLS HIMSELF A NEXT GENERATION CANDIDATE READY TO TACKLE THE ISSUE OF FRAUD IN STATE GOVERNMENT IN PARTICULAR.

>> PEOPLE HAVE SEEN WHERE D.F.L.

LEADERSHIP HAS TAKEN MINNESOTA.

WE'VE SEEN UNPRECEDENTED LEVELS OF FRAUD.

HALF OF ALL MINNESOTA STUDENTS CANNOT READ AT GRADE LEVEL.

I JUST READ A STUDY THAT SAID WE WENT FROM SIXTH PLACE IN EDUCATION TO 19TH IN LESS THAN TEN YEARS.

I THINK PEOPLE KNOW WHAT D.F.L.

LEADERSHIP IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE BECAUSE WE JUST CAME OUT OF THE DFL TRIFECTA IN HE PREVIOUS TERM AND NOW WE HAVE A DIVIDED GOVERNMENT, ESPECIALLY A DIVIDED TATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, I THINK PEOPLE KIND OF KNOW WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO GET WITH, YOU KNOW, D.F.L.

LEADERSHIP.

AND MY MESSAGE IS, I WANT TO SHOW PEOPLE WHAT NEW LEADERSHIP CAN PROVIDE, WHAT I CAN DO.

>> Mary: THEY UNDERSTAND AND EMBRACE THE INDEPENDENCE AND COMPETITIVE NATURE OF THIS SWING DISTRICT THAT COULD END UP EITHER WAY ONCE THE WEATHER TURNS COOLER AND THE NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION EVENTUALLY ARRIVES.

BUT BEFORE THAT, THERE'S MORE DOORS TO KNOCK, SINCE EACH STOP COULD MAKE THE DIFFERENCE.

>> I DON'T THINK MOST PEOPLE KNOW THEY LIVE IN A SWING DISTRICT OUT HERE, EXCEPT I DO TALK TO A TON OF INDEPENDENTS.

INDEPENDENTS ARE THE MAJORITY OF FOLKS IN THIS DISTRICT.

THERE'S MORE NDEPENDENTS THAN THERE ARE DEMOCRATS OR REPUBLICANS AND THAT'S WHY THIS IS ONE THE GREAT SWING DISTRICTS IN THE STATE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT, POLITICAL SEASON.

>> IT IS.

>> I'M JUST FOCUSED ON WORKING AS HARD AS I POSSIBLY CAN SO THAT, YOU KNOW, AT THE END OF THE DAY, I CAN SAY I WORKED AS HARD AS POSSIBLE AND I CAN HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO REGRETS ON ELECTION NIGHT.

>> YOU GOT MY VOTE.

♪♪ >> CATHY: AS YOU'VE HEARD THROUGHOUT THE SHOW, MINNESOTA'S PRIMARY ELECTION IS TUESDAY.

THE STATE'S ANNUAL FARMFEST EVENT HOSTED THE FINAL PRE-PRIMARY FORUMS WITH CANDIDATES FOR CONGRESS, GOVERNOR, AND U.S.

SENATE.

THIS WEEK SAW SEVERAL OTHER STATES HOLD THEIR PRIMARIES, WHICH INCLUDED A WIN FOR PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATE ABDUL EL-SAYED IN MICHIGAN.

WHAT MIGHT THAT PORTEND FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND THE SIMILAR MATCH-UP IN MINNESOTA BETWEEN ANGIE CRAIG AND PEGGY FLANAGAN?

HERE TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION AND MANY MORE, A PAIR OF POLITICAL SCIENTISTS.

DAVID SCHULTZ IS A POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR AT HAMLINE UNIVERSITY.

HE ALSO TEACHES LAW AT ST.

THOMAS AND THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.

THE U OF M IS ALSO HOME TO PROFESSOR MICHAEL MINTA, WHERE HE CHAIRS THEIR POLITICAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT.

WELCOME, BOTH OF YOU.

PROFESSOR MINTA, I KNOW YOU GOT YOUR PhD IN MICHIGAN, AT MICHIGAN, SO LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED IN MICHIGAN THIS WEEK.

WHAT'S THE MESSAGE OUT OF THAT STATE, THAT PARTICULAR RACE?

>> OWED, WOW, IT'S THE D.S.A., DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST, I MEAN, IT'S A BIG VICTORY, RIGHT?

I MEAN, THEY WENT UP AGAINST THE ESTABLISHMENT AND THEY'VE SHOWN THAT IN A MIDWESTERN STATE IT'S NOT NEW YORK, IT'S NOT SOME LIBERAL, IT'S HERE THEY CAN WON.

AND I THINK HALEY STEVENS WHO WAS THE ESTABLISHMENT CANDIDATE OUTSPENT EL-SAYED TEN TO ONE.

AND SO I MEAN I THINK HIS RACE SAYS THAT THAT TYPE OF CANDIDATE CAN WIN.

AND SO I THINK THE ESTABLISHMENT THERE, YOU KNOW, THE CONCERNS ABOUT ELECTABILITY, BUT, YOU KNOW, EL-SAYED SAID BASICALLY THEY OUTSPENT ME TEN TO ONE AND SHE STILL LOST, SO WHAT DOES THAT SAY ABOUT THE ELECTABILITY?

SO I THINK THAT'S GOING TO GIVE A LOT OF CANDIDATES ACROSS THE NATION THAT YOU CAN RUN AND WIN ON THESE PROGRESSIVE AGENDAS.

>> Eric: ESTABLISHMENT DEMOCRATS SHOULD BE FEARFUL OF THIS OR EXCITED THAT THE TENT MAY BE EXPANDING?

>> A LITTLE BIT OF BOTH.

GENERALIZE FROM ONE STATE TO THE REST OF THE COUNTRY.

I MEAN, THE POLLS WERE SUGGESTING HE WAS GOING TO WIN MUCH BIGGER THAN HE DID, AND SO IT WAS NARROWING.

REMEMBER, A LONG TIME AGO, THIS WAS A STATE THAT ANOTHER ANTIESTABLISHMENT ANDIDATE, JESSE JACKSON, DID EXCEEDINGLY WELL IN.

AND I THINK -- WHAT I THINK THE ESTABLISHMENT DEMOCRATS ARE MISSING RIGHT NOW IS THE ANGER THAT MOST PEOPLE HAVE ABOUT THE STATUS QUO.

IS THAT I STILL COME BACK AND SAY, IT'S THE MILK, BREAD, AND EGGS ISSUE.

IS THAT PEOPLE ARE UPSET ABOUT BASIC COST OF LIVING THINGS AND I THINK THE CHALLENGE FOR ESTABLISHMENT DEMOCRATS RIGHT NOW IS, WHAT IS THEIR MESSAGE THAT THEY HAVE TO SORT OF SAY TO THE PEOPLE THAT, YEAH, YOU DON'T LIKE THE STATUS QUO.

BUT WHAT DO WE HAVE AS AN ALTERNATIVE?

AND SO ELECTRIFICATIONS, WHAT HE DID WAS TO SAY HE STATUS QUO IS NOT GOOD, I'VE GOT AN ALTERNATIVE MESSAGE.

>> AND THEY CAN ENERGIZE THESE YOUNGER VOTES.

HE DID REALLY WELL IN THESE COLLEGE TOWNS LIKE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, MICHIGAN STATE.

SO HE DID REALLY WELL, SO DEMOCRATS KEEP WORRYING THAT, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THEIR PROBLEMS IS GETTING PEOPLE TO GET OFF THE COUCH AND GO TO THE POLLS AND OTE AND CANDIDATES LIKE THAT, THEY BRING A LEVEL OF EXCITEMENT THAT GET -- NOW, AGAIN, YOUNGER VOTERS DIDN'T TURN OUT AS MUCH AS THEY THOUGHT, BUT STILL, IN A CLOSE ELECTION LIKE THAT PARTICULAR ELECTIONS, IT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IF YOU CAN JUST BE EXCITED ABOUT YOUR CANDIDATE AND ALSO THE MESSAGE.

THEY DON'T WANT THE SAME PROMISES.

THEY WANT YOU TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT HOUSING PRICES.

HEALTHCARE.

TUITION.

>> Cathy: ARE THE SAME UNDERPINNINGS THEN IN THE RACE, THE RAIG AND FLANAGAN RACE?

>> THERE'S A LOT OF IT THERE AND I THINK THE BIG CHALLENGE ALSO, AND WHAT WE CAN'T TELL ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.

FIRST, TO WHAT EXTENT DID METRO SURGE SORT OF RADICALIZE THE DEMOCRATS HERE?

BUT TWO IS THAT ESPECIALLY FLANAGAN IS COUNTING ON A LOT OF YOUNGER VOTERS TO SUPPORT HER.

THE QUESTION'S GOING TO BE, IS SHE GOING TO GET THEM TO COME OUT?

AND I DON'T KNOW.

NONE OF US REALLY KNOW AT THIS POINT.

IF SHE DOES, SHE WINS THIS ONE.

I THINK.

BUT CAN SHE GET THEM OUT?

IN HE SAME WAY IT HAPPENED IN MICHIGAN?

I JUST DON'T KNOW.

>> AND SHE'S HOPING SHE HAS BETTER ORGANIZATION TOO.

SO IT'S ABOUT WHO HAS THE BETTER GROUND GAME.

SO OBVIOUSLY ANGIE CRAIG HAS OVER THE AIR WAVES.

HOW MANY COMMERCIALS HAVE YOU SEEN?

BUTSBUT SHE'S THINKING HER GROUD OPERATION IS GOING TO BRING HER HOME.

>> Eric: ARE WE GOING TO SEE THE POWER OF A TRUMP ENDORSEMENT ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE WITH MIKE LYND ALE?

>> I THINK IT DOES.

I THOUGHT FOR MONTHS THAT HE WAS GOING TO WIN THE NOMINATION AT THIS POINT.

AND I THINK TRUMP'S -- HE SORT OF HAD TRUMP'S ENDORSEMENT SEVERAL MONTHS AGO.

I THINK IT CARRIES HIM ACROSS AT THIS POINT.

AND EVEN THOUGH THERE'S THE ALLEGATIONS THAT CAME OUT IN THE LAST FEW DAYS ALL ABOUT ILLEGAL CAMPAIGNING ACTIVITY, I DON'T THINK THAT'S GOING TO AFFECT HIS BASE.

IF I HAVE TO GO ON A LIMB AT THIS POINT, AND LOOKING AT THE POLLS, I THINK HE PULLS IT OFF.

>> YEAH, I DON'T KNOW.

I GO BACK AND FORTH ABOUT THIS.

I'M LIKE, HE EFINITELY -- MIKE LINDELL DEFINITELY HAS THE GREATER NAME RECOGNITION, BUT WHEN I LOOK AT LISA DEMUTH WHO IS THE HOUSE SPEAKER, SHE HAS THAT ORGANIZATION, SHE'S WELL KNOWN, PEOPLE KNOW HER, I THINK SHE CAN TURN OUT THE VOTE.

AND YOU SAW THE POLLS.

IT'S -- SHE'S SHRUNK THE GAP BETWEEN THE TWO.

IT'S JUST GOING TO -- DOES HE HAVE THE TYPE OF ORGANIZATION THAT GET VOTERS OUT?

SO YOU CAN KNOW SOMEBODY, BUT THAT DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN YOU'RE GOING TO GO OUT AND VOTE FOR THEM.

>> I WAS IN GREATER MINNESOTA EARLIER THIS WEEK TO GIVE A TALK AND FOR WHATEVER IT MEANS HERE, ONCE I GOT TO BE ABOUT 30 MILES OUTSIDE OF THE TWIN CITIES, ANY SIGNS FOR DEMUTH DISAPPEARED AND ALL'S I SAW WAS LINDELL SIGNS.

>> Cathy: YOU MENTIONED THE POLLS, THE KSTP SURVEY POLLS, AND THERE ARE PRETTY HIGH UNDECIDES IN NOT ONLY THE CRAIG, FLANAGAN RACE BUT THE GUBERNATORIAL RACE AS WELL.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> MOST PEOPLE AREN'T UNDECIDED AT THIS POINT.

I MEAN, THE PRIMARY IS ALMOST HERE.

THEY MAY NOT WANT TO REVEAL THEIR REFERENCES TO THE POLLSTERS.

HOW THOSE UNDECIDED BREAK, WE DON'T KNOW.

USUALLY SOMETIMES THEY BREAK EVENLY, BUT IN A VERY CLOSE RACE AS WE THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE, IT COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN WHO'S GOING TO WIN.

>> Cathy: I WAS SUPPOSE POLLING IN A PRIMARY IS GOING TO BE HARD TOO?

>> I MEAN, THE KSTP POLL CAN GIVE US BROAD, ACROSS THE BOARD, BUT THEY DIDN'T HAVE BIG ENOUGH NUMBERS TO REALLY SORT OF GET US DOWN TO HOW ARE YOUNGER PEOPLE VOTING.

THAT WOULD REQUIRE MUCH LARGER NUMBERS THAN THAT POLL REALLY HAS HERE.

BUT AGAIN, I THINK YOUR POINT IS ABSOLUTELY -- STILL COMING BACK TO IT HERE IS STILL CORRECT HERE.

IT'S GOING TO BE WHAT WE'RE NOT SEEING IS THE GROUND GAME.

WHAT WE'RE NOT SEEING AT THIS POINT IS WHO'S ACTUALLY OUT THERE, I DON'T KNOW, I WAS GOING TO SAY DOOR KNOCKING, I WAS GOING TO PHONE CALLING, SOCIAL MEDIAING, WHATEVER IT IS AT THIS POINT.

>> Cathy: YOU'RE SEEING A LOT OF ADS, THOUGH.

>> Eric: ARE THEY COUNTER PRODUCTIVE AT SOME POINT.

>> I THINK MOST OF THE RESEARCH SHOWS THERE'S A SATURATION POINT.

BUT I MEAN, BUT I THINK IT'S REALLY GOOD, LIKE, TO HAVE ADS, RIGHT?

LIKE, IF YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY, LIKE THAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENING, LIKE KENDALL QUALLS AND MANY OF THESE OTHERS, PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHO THEY ARE, AND SO YOU DON'T HAVE THESE ADS ESPECIALLY IN A STATE LIKE MINNESOTA, PEOPLE DON'T KNOW YOU ARE.

IT'S JUST A PRODUCT.

>> AND I THINK WHAT THE ADS ALSO DO IS TO REMIND PEOPLE, WHAT?

THERE'S AN ELECTION.

WE ALSO DON'T GENERALLY KNOW THAT UGUST PRIMARIES DON'T HAVE THE BEST TURNOUT.

AND MINNESOTA, MOST PEOPLE, THE SECOND WEEK OF AUGUST, ARE NOT EXACTLY THINKING ABOUT GETTING OUT AND VOTING AT THIS POINT, YOU KNOW?

THIS IS THE LAST TWO WE WEEKS BEFORE THE STATE FAIR.

PEOPLE ARE OFF DOING WHATEVER THEY DO AT THIS POINT.

SO THE ADS DO HELP TO REMIND PEOPLE THAT THERE'S AN ELECTION.

AND AGAIN YOUR POINT WELL TAKEN HERE IS THAT HERE'S VERY FEW PEOPLE WHO ARE TRULY UNDECIDED ABOUT WHO THEY'RE GOING TO VOTE FOR.

THEY MAY BE UNDECIDED ABOUT WHETHER THEY'RE GOING TO VOTE.

>> Eric: SOME OF THE POLLING TAKES NTO ACCOUNT, LEANERS, THEY'RE UNDECIDED BUT THEY'RE LEANING ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

IS THAT HOW YOU PUSH PEOPLE TO MAKE A CHOICE HERE?

>> AND IT HAPPENED IN MICHIGAN, RIGHT, AND IN PRIMARIES.

SO MICHIGAN WAS OPEN PRIMARY.

OPEN PRIMARY HERE IN MINNESOTA.

SO I MEAN IF YOU'RE ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE AND YOU THINK OKAY, WELL, I KNOW THESE CANDIDATES ARE GOING TO WIN, HEY, I MIGHT STEP IN AND DECIDE TO VOTE ON THIS -- I MEAN, MOST RESEARCH SHOWS THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN OFTEN, BUT THEY COULD, THOUGH, IF YOU THINK THIS RACE, YOU COULD REALLY MAKE MORE OF A DIFFERENCE IN THIS RACE.

>> Cathy: INTERESTING, OKAY.

SAY, GENTLEMEN, BEFORE WE GO, I LIKE TO TOSS IT TO MY COHOST WHO'S GOT A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT.

>> Eric: MY MOM TURNS 100 TOMORROW.

[ Applause ] >> OH, WOW!

>> Eric: AND SHE WILL BE ON HER CALL EVERY SATURDAY MORNING WITH FRIENDS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ON ZAMORA TALKING POLITICS AND PUBLIC POLICY.

>> Cathy: AND SHE LOVES YOU GUYS.

>> Eric: AND SHE'S A BIG FAN OF YOU GUYS, BY THE WAY.

SO, MOM, LOVE YOU, WE'LL SEE YOU TONIGHT LATER ON.

>> Cathy: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

>> WELL, LET'S HOPE YOU GET THOSE GENES!

>> I HOPE.

>> Cathy: THANKS, GENTLEMEN.

WE APPRECIATE.

♪♪ >> WE SAY THAT IF IT'S THE POLICY OF THE WEALTHY AND THE POWERFUL, THE POLICY OF THIS ADMINISTRATION, THE POLICY OF TOO MANY POLITICIANS, AND THE POLICY OF BANKS TO TAKE AWAY FROM HAVE-NOTES AND GIVE TO HAVES, THEN TOGETHER WE WILL NOT ACCEPT THAT POLICY!

WE CANNOT ACCEPT THAT POLICY!

AND WE WILL DEFEAT THAT POLICY AS LONG AS IT TAKES!

♪♪ >> Cathy: WOW, PROFESSOR WELLSTONE BEFORE HE BECAME SENATOR WELLSTONE.

PBS "NEWSHOUR" CAUGHT THAT MEMORABLE MOMENT AND MISSPELLED THE NAME OF CARLETON COLLEGE.

THE TIME HAS COME, MY FRIENDS, FOR THE MINNESOTA HISTORY PORTION OF THE PROGRAM.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE PARTS OF THE WHOLE SHOW.

A COUPLE OF WEEKS BACK, WE ASKED YOU ABOUT A RECENT EVENT.

THE YEAR: 2023.

THE PLACE: DULUTH IN FEBRUARY.

THE TEMPERATURE: NEGATIVE 20.

A DULUTH AREA SCOUT HAS BEEN SLEEPING OUTSIDE FOR MORE THAN A THOUSAND DAYS.

I'M NOT KIDDING.

OUR QUESTION FOR YOU WAS A TWO-PARTER.

WHO IS THIS OUTDOORSY MYSTERY MINNESOTAN?

AND WHAT WAS THE FINAL NUMBER OF DAYS HE SLEPT IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS?

BONUS IF YOU KNOW THE DATE OF HIS FINAL NIGHT OF THE STREAK.

SEVERAL OF YOU GOT THE FIRST HALF RIGHT LAST TIME, BUT NO ONE COULD FILL IN THE FINAL DETAILS, SO WE ASKED AGAIN.

HOW DID YOU DO THE SECOND TIME AROUND?

THESE NEXT TWO CALLERS DELIVERED A GLASS HALF EMPTY.

>> CATHY: SORRY, STEVE.

AND, STEVE.

BUT YOU'RE MISSING THE IMPORTANT DETAILS.

WHAT WAS THE FINAL END NUMBER OF DAYS THAT EAGLE SCOUT ISAAC ORTMAN SLEPT OUTSIDE?

HERE'S HIS SUMMER CO-WORKER WITH THE DEETS.

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

EAGLE SCOUT ISAAC ORTMAN ENDED HIS STREAK OF SLEEPING OUTSIDE ON APRIL 18, 2026, THE SIXTH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS FIRST NIGHT.

THAT WAS JUST A FEW MONTHS AGO.

WHAT THE HECK?

HERE'S ISAAC ABOUT THREE YEARS INTO THAT RUN WITH A LITTLE SNOW OUTSIDE THE TARP.

DOES ANYONE KNOW HY HE DID THIS, BY THE WAY?

I WANT TO KNOW.

SPECIAL THANKS TO ISAAC'S MOM, MELISSA, FOR HELPING US OUT WITH THIS QUESTION.

WE HAVE JUST ENOUGH TIME FOR SOME SHOW-CLOSING MUSIC.

IT WAS THIS WEEK BACK IN 2014 THAT MOLLY MAYER JOINED US TO PREVIEW THE LOWERTOWN GUITAR FESTIVAL.

ENJOY THE TUNE.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

♪♪ >> ♪ FOX GOT A HOLE ♪ ♪ BIRD HAS A NEST ♪ ♪ I AIN'T GOT NO HOME TO LAY MY HEAD ♪ ♪ RIVER GOT THE BED AND SAND'S GOT THE SHORE ♪ ♪ I AIN'T GOT A PLACE IN THIS WORLD NO MORE ♪ ♪ BIRD FLY SOUTH WHEN WIND TURNS COLD ♪ ♪ FOLLOW YOU WHEREVER YOU GO ♪ ♪ BIRD FLY HIGH, BIRD FLY LOW ♪ ♪ FOLLOW YOU WHEREVER YOU GO ♪ Captioned by: Veritext/Paradigm-Captioning Www.veritext.com >> "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.

FUNDING FOR "VOICES RISING: TWIN CITIES PBS STORIES FOR AMERICA'S 250TH" REPORTING ON "ALMANAC" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY MINNESOTA'S ARTS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE FUND.

"ALMANAC" IS A PRODUCTION