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

>> CATHY: TONIGHT ON "ALMANAC," WITH EARLY VOTING UNDERWAY AND ELECTION DAY DRAWING NEAR, THE LEADING CANDIDATES FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL ARE HERE FOR A LIVE CONVERSATION ON THE "ALMANAC" COUCH.

PLUS, THREE BIG HEALTHCARE MERGERS IN MINNESOTA ARE IN THE WORKS.

KAOMI LEE FINDS OUT WHY CONSOLIDATION IS SO POPULAR IN 2026.

AND MARY LAHAMMER BACK ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

>> I'M MARCY SMITH, I'M RUNNING TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY IN THE STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

>> TOM McKIE, RUNNING FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE.

>> Mary: WE'RE IN MAPLE GROVE, WHERE BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE SEATS ARE OPEN AFTER THE RETIREMENTS OF POPULAR INCUMBENTS.

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE SEES THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY.

>> THIS IS A COMPETITIVE, TRULY 50-50 DISTRICT.

IT IS AS PURPLE AS PURPLE GETS.

>> IT DEFINITELY IS FEELING COMPETITIVE, ESPECIALLY LATELY.

>> 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.

DELTADENTAL 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.

>> CATHY: THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON THIS CRISP FALL FRIDAY.

HERE'S A LOOK AT THE WEEK'S TOP HEADLINES FROM ACROSS MINNESOTA.

MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS REMAIN FOLLOWING MONDAY'S RAID OF CONGRESSWOMAN ILHAN OMAR'S WASHINGTON, D.C., HOME.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTS HER PHONE WAS SEIZED AND RELATIVES HAVE BEEN SUBPOENAED IN A CRIMINAL PROBE.

STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE URGING ANYONE WHO IS NOT VACCINATED AGAINST MEASLES TO DO SO.

TWO GREATER MINNESOTA COMMUNITIES IN TODD AND FILLMORE COUNTY ARE EXPERIENCING OUTBREAKS.

ALL 25 OF THE NEW CASES INVOLVE UNVACCINATED PEOPLE.

RIDESHARE COMPANY HOURCAR OFFICIALLY SHUT DOWN ITS EVIE SERVICE AS OF THURSDAY.

THE MINNESOTA NONPROFIT SAYS RISING INSURANCE AND OPERATIONAL COSTS WERE TOO GREAT TO OVERCOME.

AND... OPERATION METRO SURGE AND FRAUD TOOK THE SPOTLIGHT IN A U.S.

SENATE DEBATE EARLIER TODAY.

REPUBLICAN MICHELLE TAFOYA AND DFLER PEGGY FLANAGAN OFFERED A STARK CONTRAST ON MINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO.

TAKE A LISTEN.

>> MICHELE TAFOYA SUPPORTS THE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL AND THE CUTS TO MEDICAID AND TO S.N.A.P.

WHAT THIS BILL HAS DONE AND WILL DO IS THAT 170,000 MINNESOTANS ARE GOING TO LOSE ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE.

>> LISTEN, IT IS RICH TO HEAR MY OPPONENT TALK ABOUT LOST ACCESS TO PROGRAMS WHEN UNDER HER WATCH, WHILE SHE WAS SECOND IN COMMAND OF THIS STATE, MINNESOTA SAW BILLIONS AND BILLIONS AND BILLIONS OF FRAUD DOLLARS WALK OUT THE DOOR TO FRAUDSTERS, WHILE MEDICAID WAS GUTTED.

WHILE FEEDING OUR FUTURE WAS GUTTED.

ALL OF THAT MONEY LEFT THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

THIS HISTORIC FRAUD HAPPENED UNDER HER WATCH, AND SUDDENLY SHE'S LOOKING OUT FOR MEDICAID AND S.N.A.P.

SELL IT TO SOMEONE ELSE, PEGGY.

THIS WAS NOT ABOUT PEACEFUL PROTESTING.

THIS WAS ABOUT VIOLENCE AND CRIMINAL CONDUCT.

AND SHE SHOULD KNOW BECAUSE SHE HAS PARTICIPATED IN ILLEGAL PROTESTS IN THE PAST AS WELL.

>> TWO MINNESOTANS ARE DEAD DUE TO DONALD TRUMP'S I.C.E.

MICHELE TAFOYA WAS A-OKAY WITH ALL OF IT.

USED IT IN HER CAMPAIGN ROLLOUT VIDEO.

>> THAT IS A HIDEOUS STATEMENT.

>> SAID THAT RENEE GOOD WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR HER OWN GOOD.

MINNESOTANS ARE SMARTER THAN THIS NEW MICHELE TAFOYA WHO HAS SHOWN UP IN THIS FINAL CAMPAIGN.

GIVE ME A BREAK.

>> CATHY: IN ABOUT A HALF HOUR WE'LL HAVE OUR OWN LIVE MINNESOTA ATTORNEY GENERAL DEBATE.

BUT, FIRST, CONTROL AT THE CAPITOL IS UP FOR GRABS WITH A TIED STATE HOUSE AND ONE-VOTE MARGIN IN THE SENATE.

POLITICAL REPORTER MARY LAHAMMER HAS A DOUBLE-DOSE OF COMPETITIVE POLITICS FOR YOU IN HER LATEST RACE TO WATCH WITH AN OPEN HOUSE AND SENATE SEAT.

>> LET'S SEE HERE, OH, ACTUALLY, I THINK WE'RE RIGHT ABOUT THERE.

>> I HAVE A GOOD FEELING.

THIS ONE'S GOING TO BE HOME.

>> Mary: THIS RACE TO WATCH IS DISTRICT 37A, INCLUDES CORCORAN, INDEPENDENCE, MAPLE PLAIN, MEDINA AND PART OF MAPLE GROVE.

AFTER THE RETIREMENT OF REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE KRISTIN ROBBINS, IT'S AN OPEN SEAT.

>> Mary: WHAT WAS THAT MOMENT LIKE HAVING THAT FAREWELL UP AT THE SPEAKER'S DESK?

>> H, IT AS JUST WONDERFUL.

LOOKING AT ALL MY COLLEAGUES.

>> HI, WELL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, FIRST OF ALL, I'M DARCI SMITH, I'M RUNNING TO SERVE OUR STATE IN THE STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

>> Mary: DARCI SMITH IS TRYING TO FLIP THE SEAT AS A LONGTIME REALTOR.

>> S A REAL ESTATE AGENT IS MY JOB IS TO ADVOCATE FOR MY CLIENT -- >> Mary: THAT SOUNDS LIKE A PIVOT TO POLITICS.

>> THAT'S WHY I'M RUNNING, ULTIMATELY, I THINK THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE THAT ARE WILLING TO SEE BOTH SIDES AND FIND THE SOLVE IN BETWEEN THAT MAKES THE MOST PEOPLE HAPPY.

>> TOM McKEE, RUNNING FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE.

>> Mary: REPUBLICAN TOM McKEE IS MAYOR OF CORCORAN.

>> CORCORAN HAS HAD A LOT GOING ON, HAS HAD A LOT GOING ON WITH THE LAST TEN YEARS.

WITH ALL THE GROWTH, IT'S EXCITING STUFF SO, I'M HAPPY TO HELP OUT HOPEFULLY IN A DIFFERENT CAPACITY.

>> Mary: YOU SEE OPEN SEAT, OPPORTUNITY, THOSE TWO THINGS GO TOGETHER, DON'T THEY?

>> YEAH.

>> Mary: HOW IMPORTANT IS IT THAT IT'S OPEN?

>> IT'S A UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCE IN THIS DISTRICT, BOTH IN THE HOUSE RACE AND IN THE SENATE RACE, WHERE IT'S NOT -- THERE'S NOT AN INCUMBENT, BUT IT'S NOT LIKE AN INCUMBENT WAS PUSHED OUT OR NOT LIKED THERE, BOTH SENATOR LIMMER AND REPRESENTATIVE ROBBINS, BOTH SUCCESSFUL ND LIKED AND SUCCESSFUL LEGISLATORS.

JUST SO HAPPENED THAT THE TIMING MATCHED UP.

>> Mary: THE SENATE DISTRICT 37 IS ALSO AN OPEN SEAT WITH THE RETIREMENT OF REPUBLICAN WARREN LIMMER, WHO EXITED URGING COMMON GROUND.

>> WE CAN'T SURVIVE LONG AS A NATION THAT WAY.

WE HAVE TO COME TO COMMON GROUND.

AND WE HAVE TO REALIZE THAT TWO OR MORE PARTIES ARE NOT GOING TO AGREE AT THE SAME TIME ABOUT THE SAME ISSUES ENDORSING CONVENTION -- >> Mary: CAN IT FLIP?

IS IT REAL COMPETITIVE?

>> ANY DISTRICT IN MINNESOTA CAN FLIP.

>> IT OPENS THE PLAYING FIELD COMPLETELY, RIGHT?

ESPECIALLY IN STATE POLITICS, I THINK THAT MINNESOTA STATE POLITICS HAS IN THE PAST BEEN KIND OF BORING IN A WAY.

>> Mary: THAT'S ALLOWED.

>> AND WE LIKE IT THAT WAY, RIGHT?

SO WHEN YOUR INCUMBENT'S DOING A GOOD JOB YOU JUST VOTE FOR YOUR INCUMBENT.

AND, SO, TO NOT HAVE AN INCUMBENT TO RUN AGAINST, IT REALLY DOES OPEN THE PLAYING FIELD AND GIVES US -- GIVES BOTH SIDES A GREAT CHANCE TO CONNECT WITH THE VOTERS AND LET THEM CHOOSE.

SO TO HAVE TWO OPEN SEATS THAT WE'RE RUNNING FOR AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO FLIP AN ENTIRE DISTRICT TO BLUE AND ALL WOMEN IS PRETTY EXCITING.

>> A TON OF EXPERIENCE FROM SENATOR LIMMER AND REPRESENTATIVE ROBBINS TO DIFFERENT KINDS OF EXPERIENCE TO, YOU NOW, NEW FACES ENTIRELY.

BUT THAT'S NOT NECESSARILY A BAD THING.

>> Mary: HOW COMPETITIVE DOES IT FEEL, HOUGH?

>> IT'S DEFINITELY FEELING COMPETITIVE, ESPECIALLY LATELY.

UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCE WHERE WE HAVE THE INCUMBENTS THAT HAVE BEEN VERY HELPFUL, HAVE BEEN GREAT ENTORS, CAN LEARN A LOT FROM.

BUT I DON'T, MY OPPONENT DOESN'T, NO ONE REALLY HAS THE NAME RECOGNITION IN THESE RACES.

>> Mary: IN HE LAST ELECTION CYCLE, THE INCUMBENT REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE WON BIG, BY 14 PERCENTAGE POINTS.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THE PRESIDENT BARELY WON BY LESS THAN HALF A PERCENTAGE POINT.

SO NOW THAT IT'S AN OPEN SEAT, THAT STAT ALONE SAYS THIS SHOULD BE COMPETITIVE.

>> WAS 121 VOTES THAT SEPARATED TRUMP AND AMALA.

>> Mary: SO THIS IS COMPETITIVE.

>> THIS IS A COMPETITIVE TRULY 50-50 DISTRICT.

IT IS AS PURPLE AS PURPLE GETS.

WE HAVE THE HIGHEST VOTER TURNOUT IN THE STATE.

AND I LIKE IT THAT WAY.

>> I'VE KIND OF RUN MY RACES FOR MAYOR, THE SAME WAY I'M DOING THIS, I HOPE THAT I'M PUTTING IN THE WORK, AND IT'S PAYING OFF LIKE IT SHOULD, LIKE I'M HEARING, THINGS ARE GOING WELL, BUT I ALSO LIKE TO RUN LIKE I'M FOUR OR FIVE POINTS BEHIND THROUGH THE FINISH LINE BECAUSE IF YOU DO THAT, YOU DID YOUR ALL.

[ KNOCKING ] >> Mary: THE DEMOCRAT IS EMPHASIZING EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE, AND AFFORDABILITY.

>> WHAT KINDS OF THINGS ARE IMPORTANT TO YOU?

>> COST OF LIVING, ESPECIALLY HEALTHCARE RIGHT NOW.

>> YEAH.

>> BECAUSE THEY UST CANCELED MY POLICY.

>> I KNOW.

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE.

>> YEAH.

>> I'VE BEEN MEETING SO MANY FOLKS THAT ARE LOSING THAT.

>> SO I'M WORRIED.

>> YEAH.

CHILD CARE IS HUGE.

WE HAVE SO MANY YOUNG PROFESSIONAL FAMILIES THAT ARE JUST GETTING STARTED AND HAVE LITTLE ONES, AND I'M HEARING OVER AND OVER AGAIN THAT THE COST OF DAY CARE IS GETTING CLOSE TO THAT OF A MORTGAGE.

>> GO BACK UP THIS WAY.

>> Mary: THE REPUBLICAN IS RUNNING ON AFFORDABILITY, PUBLIC SAFETY, AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> GOTTA STOP THE BLEEDING.

>> YES, WE DO.

REAL QUICK.

>> TOO MANY OTHER FAMILIES MOVING OUT OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

>> YUP.

>> THEY'RE LEAVING.

>> THERE ARE.

AND BUSINESSES.

YUP.

>> ARE LEAVING.

WE NEED PEOPLE LIKE YOU.

>> FRAUD, AFFORDABILITY, PROPERTY TAXES.

YOU KNOW, PUBLIC SAFETY, WE'RE LOSING A GREAT ADVOCATE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY IN OUR DISTRICT, IN OUR STATE WITH SENATOR LIMMER.

I'M HOPEFUL THAT I, ALONG WITH W INCOMING PERSON CAN REPLACE THE VOICE HE HAD INSTANTLY, AS AN INCOMING FRESHMAN, BUT I THINK A NUMBER OF PEOPLE TOGETHER CAN HELP FILL THAT VOID.

>> Mary: THE OVERALL NATIONAL TONE CAN'T BE IGNORED IN THESE ELECTIONS THIS YEAR.

>> IT HAS ABSOLUTELY SHIFTED FROM THE TIME THAT WE STARTED HITTING THE DOORS IN SPRING UNTIL NOW.

I WOULD SAY, YOU KNOW, WE'RE GETTING A LOT MORE OF PEOPLE THAT JUST WANT TO TURN THE TEMPERATURE DOWN.

THEY'RE REALLY UPSET ABOUT THE DEEP DIVISION THAT WE'RE SEEING, THEY'RE UPSET ABOUT SOME OF THE HATRED THAT'S FLYING FROM BOTH SIDES.

AND THEY REALLY WANT SOMEONE THAT'S JUST WILLING TO COME DOWN TO EARTH AND LEAD THEM WITH EMPATHY AND UNDERSTANDING AND JUST GET BACK TO BEING REASONABLE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE'RE GONNA GO ACROSS HERE.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO GO BACK.

AND I'M FOCUSED ON THE ISSUES THAT ARE FACING MINNESOTANS RIGHT NOW AND THERE'S A LOT OF THEM.

>> CATHY: SWEEPING CHANGES TO FEDERAL HEALTHCARE POLICY TAKE EFFECT NEXT YEAR AS PART OF HR1, OR THE ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL ACT.

MANY SAY IT’S CAUSING A RISE IN THE NUMBER OF HEALTHCARE MERGERS BEING PROPOSED, INCLUDING SEVERAL HERE IN MINNESOTA JUST THIS YEAR.

REPORTER KAOMI LEE LOOKS AT THE LATEST BETWEEN HEALTH PARTNERS AND ESSENTIA.

>> IT IS UPSETTING THAT IT IS THAT WAY.

>> Kaomi: SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE, LIKE OLD FRIENDSHIPS BETWEEN BOB MARONE AND JERRY OSBERG, THEY'VE KNOWN EACH OTHER FOR 60 YEARS AND STILL MEET UP REGULARLY IN ELK RIVER.

>> EVERY WEEK, EVERY THURSDAY AT THE OLD MAIN.

>> BUT THER THINGS DO CHANGE.

THE MEN ARE LEARNING ABOUT FEDERAL CHANGES TO THEIR HEALTHCARE PLANS.

>> EVERYTHING ALWAYS SEEMS TO COME DOWN TO MONEY.

>> IT DOES.

IT'S THE ALMIGHTY DOLLAR.

>> THE CARE FOR THE PEOPLE, IT SEEMS TO GET MORE LACKLUSTER.

>> Kaomi: WHERE THEY GET THEIR HEALTHCARE MIGHT CHANGE, TOO.

LAST MONTH NORTH MEMORIAL HEALTH MERGED WITH SANFORD HEALTH OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

CALIFORNIA-BASED SUTTER HEALTH HAS ANNOUNCED PLANS TO BUY ALLINA HEALTH.

>> MERGERS, I DON'T CARE IF IT'S IN THE HEALTH INDUSTRY, THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, BLAH BLAH BLAH, BIG SWALLOW UP LITTLE.

>> Kaomi: AND NOW A THIRD MERGER HAS JUST BEEN ANNOUNCED.

>> WHEN WE LOOK TOWARDS THE FUTURE, THE QUESTION WAS, HEALTHCARE NEEDS O CHANGE.

AND WE THEY'D TO CHANGE WITH IT.

>> aomi: A COMBINED $12.5 BILLION SYSTEM.

WE SPOKE TO CEO DAVID HERMAN AT THE MAJOR SYSTEM'S PREMIER HOSPITAL, COMPLETE WITH VIEWS LIKE THIS OF LAKE SUPERIOR.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF AI THAT'S COMING INTO HEALTHCARE, PERHAPS NOT SO MUCH FROM THE DELIVERY SIDE RIGHT NOW AS WE WOULD LIKE, BUT FROM THE ADMINISTRATIVE SIDE, THAT REQUIRES INVESTMENT.

CHANGES IN THE EHR TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT, THAT REQUIRES INVESTMENTS.

WORKFORCE, WORKFORCE IS CHALLENGE FOR US, UP HERE PARTICULARLY IN RURAL CLINICS.

>> Kaomi: ESSENTIA HAS CLINICS IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA, EASTERN NORTH DAKOTA, AND NORTHERN WISCONSIN.

HEALTHPARTNERS IS THREE TIMES LARGER AND CENTERED IN THE TWIN CITIES, CENTRAL MINNESOTA AND WESTERN WISCONSIN.

IT ALSO HAS AN INSURANCE BUSINESS LOOKING FOR MORE CUSTOMERS.

THE COMBINED SYSTEM WOULD HAVE NEARLY TWO DOZEN REGIONAL HOSPITALS.

>> TO GIVE GREATER ACCESS TO CARE, GREATER AFFORDABILITY TO CARE, I THINK THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT DELIVERING CARE IN RURAL SETTINGS OFFER US RIGHT NOW IS SOMETHING THAT DOVETAILS WITH SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT WE'RE FACING FROM A FINANCIAL PERSPECTIVE.

>> Kaomi: FINANCIAL HEADWINDS ARE BREWING, INVESTMENTS IN AI AND TELEHEALTH ARE COSTLY, HEALTHPARTNERS LOST 1% OF ITS REVENUE LAST YEAR.

FEDERAL REIMBURSEMENT CUTS IN MEDICARE AND MEDICAID TAKE EFFECT NEXT YEAR.

BOTH SYSTEMS INSIST IT'S NOT AN ACQUISITION.

>> I THINK THEY BOTH NEED EACH OTHER.

>> Kaomi: INDEPENDENT HEALTHCARE ANALYST ALAN BAUMGART TEN SAYS HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS LIKE HEALTHPARTNERS AND ESSENTIA ARE TRYING TO GET LARGE TOWER RIDE OUT THE STORM.

>> IT'S PARTLY IN RESPONSE TO THE ALLINA/SUTTER DEAL, THAT IT'S A VERY COMPETITIVE MOVE AS VIEWED BY HEALTHPARTNERS THAT THIS LARGE ALIFORNIA SYSTEM IS NOW CHALLENGING IT IN ITS CORE MARKETS.

>> THESE SYSTEMS SAY MERGERS CAN RESULT IN EFFICIENCIES AND OPPORTUNITIES.

ACROSS ARKETSHIP EXPANDS THE BASE.

>> IN AN ENVIRONMENT LIKE MINNESOTA, HERE THE POPULATION'S GROWING SLOWLY SLOWLY, WHERE THE DEMAND HEALTHCARE IS GROWING SLOWLY, IF AT ALL, EOPLE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT MAINTAINING AND, IF POSSIBLE, GROWING THEIR MARKET SHARE AND WORRIED THAT IF THEY DON'T, BY GROWING, THEY'LL BE LEFT BEHIND.

>> Kaomi: HE SAYS MERGERS WITHIN THE SAME MARKET RARELY RESULT IN COST SAVINGS TO CONSUMERS.

EFFICIENCIES INCREASE PROFITS, NOT PATIENT DISCOUNTS.

HEALTHCARE ACQUISITIONS AND MERGERS HAVE BECOME MORE COMMON THESE DAYS, AND THAT HAS THE STATE'S NURSES UNION CONCERNED.

>> FIRST AND FOREMOST IS ACCESS AND QUALITY OF CARE FOR OUR PATIENTS AND COST OF CARE.

AND THEN, SECONDLY, IS PROTECTION FOR THE WORKERS ON THE INSIDE OF THE BUILDING.

>> Kaomi: CHRIS RUBISH IS PRESIDENT OF THE MINNESOTA NURSES ASSOCIATION AND AN RN AT ESSENTIA HEALTH St.

MARY'S IN DULUTH.

BOTH SYSTEMS HAVE SAID HERE WON'T BE ANY CLOSURES AS A RESULT OF THE MERGER.

>> WE'RE SEEING THAT WITH A LOT OF SYSTEMS, INCLUDING ESSENTIA, YOU KNOW, CLOSING OR REDISTRIBUTING RURAL SERVICES AND DIRECTING PATIENTS FURTHER AND FURTHER AWAY TO LEVEL ONE TRAUMA CENTERS, LIKE HERE IN DULUTH.

AND I THINK THAT'S A CONCERN.

A LOT OF RESIDENTS IN MINNESOTA, NORTHERN WISCONSIN, THE DAKOTAS LIVE IN RURAL COMMUNITIES.

AND FOR A LOT OF PATIENTS VIRTUAL ACCESS TO CARE IS NOT THE SAME.

KAYE SCRUTINY OVER THE MERGER HAS REACHED THE CAPITOL.

IT STILL REQUIRES THE APPROVAL OF ATTORNEY GENERAL KEITH ELLISON WHO HAS TAKEN IT UNDER REVIEW.

IF GREEN LIT, THE MERGER WOULD TAKE EFFECT IN JANUARY.

ANALYST BOMB GARTER SAYS THE RECENT SANFORD NORTH MEMORIAL DEAL CAN ACT AS A BLUEPRINT.

>> I LOOK AT THAT AS A MODEL THAT THE KIND OF SCRUTINY THAT THE ESSENTIA HEALTH PARTNERS DEAL WILL GET AND WHAT THE LIKELY OUTCOME IS IN TERMS OF WHAT KIND OF REQUIREMENTS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WILL IMPOSE IN ORDER TO GET HIS APPROVAL.

>> IT'S SOMETHING THESE FRIENDS IN ELK RIVER WILL BE WATCHING.

>> WOULD THINK IF YOU MERGE THAT YOU COULD ALL PUT YOUR EGGS IN ONE BASKET AND MAYBE THINGS WOULD COME DOWN.

NO, WHAT I'VE BEEN HEARIN' ON THE TV IS HEALTHCARE'S GOING TO GO UP EVEN MORE.

IT ALWAYS GOES UP.

NOTHING EVER GOES DOWN.

>> ADIA: WE ARE NOW HALFWAY THROUGH SPOOK-TOBER.

AS YOU'RE MAKING YOUR HALLOWEEN PLANS, I RECOMMEND YOU CHECK OUT A STORY FOLLOWING THE GODDESS OF DEATH HERSELF AS SHE IS CAST DOWN TO LIVE AS A MORTAL ON EARTH.

THAT IS THE STORY OF 'THE MANY DEATHS OF LAILA STARR,' A NEW OPERA LAUNCHING THE 2026 SEASON OF THE MINNESOTA OPERA.

COMPOSER KAMALA SANKARAM IS HEAR TO TELL US ABOUT IT AND WE'LL HEAR THE TALENTED SINGERS THEMSELVES IN A MOMENT.

WE DO ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE MN OPERA ORCHESTRA RECENTLY UNANIMOUSLY AUTHORIZED A STRIKE OVER CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS.

THOSE NEGOTIATIONS ARE ONGOING AND ALL PARTIES HOPE TO RESOLVE THEM BEFORE THE SEASON OPEN.

SO, KAMALA, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

WE HEARD JUST A TEENY BIT ABOUT THE PIECE.

CAN YOU TELL US WHICH EXCERPTS WE'RE GOING TO HEAR TONIGHT AND WHO IS PERFORMING THEM.

>> THIS IS BASED ON THE ACCLAIMED NOVEL AND IT IS THE FIRST OPERA, TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THAT HAS BEEN COMPOSED BY TWO WOMEN OF SOUTH ASIAN DESCENT.

>> AMAZING.

>> SO WHAT WE'RE GOING TO HEAR, WE'RE GOING TO HEAR TWO EXCERPTS.

THE FIRST IS THAT LAILA STARR, WHO WAS PREVIOUSLY THE GODDESS OF DEATH, HAS NOW COME TO EARTH AND DIED AND, SO, PRANA, THE GOD OF LIFE, IS GOING TO REINCARNATE HERE AND THIS IS HER AURIA THE FIRST TIME THAT HE BRINGS HER BACK.

AND THEN AT THE END OF THE PROGRAM, WE WILL HEAR A DUET BETWEEN LAILA AND DARIUS SHAW, WHO IS GOING TO INVENT IMMORTALITY.

AND WE HAVE WONDERFUL SINGERS, AS WELL AS OUR HEAD OF MUSIC AT MINNESOTA OPERA, THE HEAD OF MUSIC IS OPERA IS MARINO.

WE W>> WHO'S ON THE PIANO TONIGHT?

>> OH, YES, THIS IS MARIO.

>> OH, WONDERFUL.

SO YOU SAID IT'S BASED ON A GRAPHIC NOVEL?

>> YES.

>> THAT'S AMAZING.

HOW DID THAT COMMISSION, HOW DID THAT COME TOGETHER?

>> WELL, I HAVE TO SHARE SOMETHING KIND OF PERSONAL ABOUT THIS PIECE, WHICH IS THAT THIS GRAPHIC NOVEL IS SOMETHING THAT I DISCOVERED FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF MY SISTER IN 2019.

SHE HAD A VERY AGGRESSIVE FORM OF CANCER.

SHE WAS GONE IN LESS THAN A YEAR.

AND THEN THE PANDEMIC HAPPENED.

AND WE WERE ALONE AND ISOLATED AND GRIEVING.

AND THEN COMING OUT OF IT, I VISITED MY OTHER SISTER AND FOUND THIS COMIC BOOK AND THE THEMES WERE SO RESONANT BECAUSE IT REALLY IS ABOUT WHAT IS T THAT MAKES US HUMAN, WHAT IS LIFE, WHAT IS DEATH, WHAT IS IMMORTALITY, WHAT IS MORTALITY.

AND THE THINGS THAT CONNECT US AND BRING US TOGETHER.

>> YES.

WONDERFUL.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT.

>> SO, AS A MODERN COMPOSER, ONE OF THE WAYS THAT I DO THAT IS DRAWING ON DIFFERENT KINDS OF MUSICAL GENRES AND STYLES.

BECAUSE IT IS SET IN CONTEMPORARY MUMBAI, THE PIECE IS BUILT ON THE INDIAN RAGA SYSTEM, WHICH IS INDIAN CLASSICAL MUSIC, BUT THEN THERE'S ALSO A PARTY, SO THAT'S THE EDM, AND THE CHRONICLE IS THE CARNATIC, WHICH IS SOUTH INDIAN MUSIC, THE FORM OF VOCAL PERCUSSION TO REALLY PUT US IN THE WORLD OF THE GODS, THE GODS DO NOT SING, THEY ONLY SPEAK.

>> THAT'S WONDERFUL.

>> YES.

>> I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HEAR ABOUT WHEN IT IS, OCTOBER 31st IS THE WORLD PREMIERE WITH THE MINNESOTA OPERA AND WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, THE MANY DEATHS OF LAILA STARR.

♪ HER HAIR WINDS DOWN HER BACK AND PULLS AT ME ♪ ♪ NEVER HAS THERE BEEN, NOR WILL THERE BE ANYONE I COULD WITH RAVEN HEAD ♪ ♪ AND MEANS THE WORLD TO ME ♪ ♪ WHAT IS LIFE WITHOUT HER ♪ ♪ WHO WOULD I BE ♪ ♪ I'D BRING YOU BACK A THOUSAND TIMES OVER ♪ ♪ A THOUSAND TIMES ♪ ♪ PLEASE STAY WITH ME ♪ ♪ JUST FOR THIS MOMENT ♪ ♪ YOUR CHEST FULL OF THE BREATH OF LIFE I WHISPERED THROUGH YOUR LIPS ♪ ♪ AND JUST FOR A MOMENT OU NEED ME, YOU NEED ME TOO ♪ ♪ AND I, THE GOD, WOULD DIE A THOUSAND TIMES OVER ♪ ♪ TO LIVE A MOMENT WITH YOU ♪ ♪ JUST THIS MOMENT ♪ ♪ JUST THIS MOMENT ♪ >> CATHY: FOR THE REST OF THE HOUR, WE WILL HAVE A DEBATE WITH THE LEADING CANDIDATES FOR MINNESOTA ATTORNEY GENERAL.

REPUBLICAN RON SCHUTZ HAS OVER 40 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AS A TRIAL LAWYER, AND WHILE THIS IS HIS FIRST RUN FOR PUBLIC OFFICE, HE WAS RECENTLY A FINALIST FOR U.S.

ATTORNEY FOR THE DISTRICT OF MINNESOTA.

WITH HIM IS INCUMBENT DFLER KEITH ELLISON, CURRENTLY THE 30TH ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR THE STATE, AND BEFORE THAT HE SERVED OVER A DECADE IN THE U.S.

HOUSE REPRESENTING MINNESOTA'S FIFTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

THE FORMAT WILL BE TYPICAL FOR AN "ALMANAC" DEBATE.

IT'S NOT REALLY A DEBATE, IT'S A CONVERSATION.

NO TIMED RESPONSES, NO OPENING STATEMENTS, NO PODIUMS OR STOPWATCHES, NO FORCED FORMALITY.

OUR GOAL, FRANKLY, IS CONVERSATION.

-- IS A SPIRITED CONVERSATION.

WE'RE GOING TO START RIGHT NOW.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> Cathy: THANKS FOR JOINING US.

>> GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> Cathy: GLAD TO HAVE YOU BOTH HERE.

I'M GOING TO START WITH WHAT'S IN THE NEWS.

RECENT VIOLENCE AMONG A SMALL -- [ AUDIO DIFFICULTY ] >> LEADERSHIP OP THE ISSUE -- LEADERSHIP ON THE ISSUE, THERE WERE SOME KIDS WHO WERE THREATENING EACH OTHER ONLINE FROM THE SOUTH SIDE, IN BURNSVILLE, AND WE ACTUALLY BROUGHT A CIVIL NUISANCE ACTION AGAINST TWO GROUPS THAT WERE THREATENING TO FIGHT AT THE STATE FAIR.

WE WORKED WITH RAMSEY COUNTY ATTORNEY JOHN CHOI AND RAMSEY COUNTY SHERIFF JOHN FLETCHER AND MADE SURE WE BROUGHT THESE FOLKS INTO COURT.

MOST OF THEM SAID THEY'D STAY AWAY FROM THE FAIR ALTOGETHER.

BUT THE FAIR WAS VERY PEACEFUL, EVERYBODY HAD A GOOD TIME AND THERE WERE NO REPORTED INCIDENTS.

WE ALSO WORKED WITH CLERGY, WE ALSO WORKED WITH PEER ENGAGERS, AND THOSE -- ALL THOSE EFFORTS TOGETHER BROUGHT ABOUT A MORE -- A SAFE FAIR.

NOW, I THINK WE CAN REPLICATE THESE THINGS THE COMMUNITY, WHICH WE SHOULD DO.

BUT I PROPOSE A MULTIFACETED APPROACH.

LAW ENFORCEMENT, BUT ALSO COMMUNITY, ALSO OUR CLERGY ALL TO MAKE A SAFER COMMUNITY.

>> Cathy: Mr.

SCHUTZ, WHAT WOULD YOU DO IN THIS INSTANCE IF YOU'RE ATTORNEY GENERAL?

>> ELL, I'LL GET TO THAT IN A MINUTE, BUT THERE'S SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN REALLY BOTHERING ME, CATHY, AND THAT IS THAT KEITH ELLISON RECENTLY CALLED MY SUPPORTERS RACIST AND BIGOTS.

AND THOSE INCLUDE MY WIFE, MY CHILDREN, MY FRIENDS AND MY 93-YEAR-OLD MOTHER.

AND WHEN MY 93-YEAR-OLD MOTHER SAW HIS VIDEO CLIP OF THAT, SHE WAS REALLY UPSET.

AND I THINK HE SHOULD APOLOGIZE.

PERHAPS IT WAS IN THE HEAT OF THE MOMENT BUT HE BASICALLY SAID, WHO'S GOING TO COME OUT AND VOTE, IS IT GOING TO BE THE RACIST AND BIGOTS, WHICH MEANS MY SUPPORTERS, OR IS IT GOING TO BE -- BECAUSE YOU CALLED -- I'VE GOT THE WHOLE QUOTE, I'M MORE THAN HAPPY TO PULL IT OUT.

>> Cathy: OKAY.

TO MY QUESTION FIRST.

>> CATHY, I'M NOT PLAYING THAT GAME.

HE CAN PLAY THAT GAME ALL HE WANTS.

I'M HERE TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS.

AND THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, THAT THIS RACE IS ABOUT AFFORDABILITY.

THIS RACE IS ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> Cathy: WE CAN TALK ABOUT THAT LATER ON.

HOWEVER, I DO WANT TO YOU ANSWER MY QUESTION.

IF YOU WERE ATTORNEY GENERAL, WHAT OULD YOU DO IN THIS INSTANCE, AS WE'RE WATCHING THIS SMALL GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS WREAK HAVOC IN THE TWIN CITIES?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT IT ALL STARTS WITH THE WHOLE ATTITUDE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TOWARD LAW ENFORCEMENT AND LAW AND ORDER IN GENERAL.

I HAVE THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE LARGEST LAW ENFORCEMENT ADVOCACY GROUP IN THE STATE, THE MINNESOTA POLICE AND PEACE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION.

AND WE AVE A DECIMATED POLICE FORCE IN MINNEAPOLIS.

WE HAVE AN ATTORNEY GENERAL IN THE -- BE AND A HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY WHO SIMPLY ARE NOT FRIENDS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.

AND THIS IS WHAT LAW ENFORCEMENT TELLS ME.

ALL RIGHT.

THEY FEEL THEY'RE NOT SUPPORTED.

AND THEY FEEL THAT THEY'RE UNDER ATTACK ALL THE TIME.

>> Cathy: SO AS ATTORNEY GENERAL, WHAT WOULD YOU DO IN THIS INSTANCE?

>> IN THIS PARTICULAR INSTANCE, WHAT I WOULD DO IS TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE WAS COORDINATION AND EFFORTS.

FOR ONE THING, IF YOU'VE GOT ALL THESE DISPARATE GROUPS OUT THERE NOT COORDINATING, THAT'S AN INEFFICIENT USE OF RESOURCES.

SO I THINK YOU NEED TO BRING GROUPS TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY COMBAT THIS SITUATION.

AND -- AND, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU UNDERSTAND THAT, YOU KNOW, STATEMENTS TRYING TO PAINT THE ENTIRE SOMALI COMMUNITY WITH THE ACTIONS OF A SMALL GROUP, A GANG, PERHAPS, IS NOT PRODUCTIVE.

IT IS ABSOLUTELY NOT PRODUCTIVE.

>> Cathy: AND YOU WOULD AGREE AS WELL?

>> OF COURSE.

>> Cathy: ALL RIGHT.

>> I'VE CLEARLY STOOD AGAINST OVERGENERALIZATION AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

I DON'T THINK IT ACTUALLY HELPS, BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE, I TOLD YOU WHAT I WOULD DO.

I HAVE ORKED WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND BROUGHT A SAFER COMMUNITY IN SPECIFIC INSTANCES.

I CAN GO ON AND TALK TO YOU ABOUT HOW WE HAVE SUED KIA AND00 DIE AND BROUGHT DOWN THE AUTO THEFT.

>> Cathy: I'M GOING TO DEFINITELY GET TO THAT, TOO.

>> GOOD.

>> Cathy: I DO WANT TO TALK -- THE ULK OF THE WORK OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE IS CIVIL LEGAL WORK AND ADVISING STATE AGENCIES, NOT CRIMINAL ENFORCEMENT.

BUT THE GOVERNOR ASKED THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO TAKE OVER THE MURDER CASE FROM HENNEPIN COUNTY.

AND I'M WONDERING, Mr.

SCHUTZ, SHOULD THE ATTORNEY GENERAL INTERVENE MORE FREQUENTLY IN LOCAL CASES?

>> WELL, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS LIMITED IN HIS ABILITY TO INTERVENE IN LOCAL CASES.

THE ONLY WAY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CAN COME INTO A WHAT I WOULD CALL A TYPICAL FELONY CASE LIKE A MURDER OR RAPE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, THERE ARE ONLY TWO CIRCUMSTANCES, ONE IF HE IS INVITED IN BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND THE SECOND IS IF THE GOVERNOR DIRECTS OR ORDERS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO TAKE OVER A CASE.

AND, SO, THE KEY ISSUE HERE IS HAVING GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, SO THAT THEY UNDERSTAND THAT IF THEY'RE RESOURCE CONSTRAINED IN A CASE THAT THEY CAN COME TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE CAN COME IN AND HELP.

AND THERE MAY BE CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE IN HENNEPIN COUNTY, FOR EXAMPLE, MY VIEW OF LAW ENFORCEMENT IS THE OPPOSITE OF MARY MORIARTY'S.

I THINK THAT SHE'S SOFT ON CRIME.

AND IF THERE'S A SUCCESSOR TO HER IN THAT OFFICE WHO SHARES HER VIEW, AND I THINK THEY'RE NOT BEING EFFECTIVE AND AGGRESSIVE IN PROSECUTING SOME CASES, I WILL ASK WHOEVER'S GOVERNOR TO ALLOW ME TO COME IN ON OCCASIONS TO DO THAT.

>> Cathy: NOW, YOU WERE A LITTLE UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THIS, I BELIEVE, RIGHT?

>> WELL, HERE'S THE THING.

THE 87 COUNTIES OF MINNESOTA, THE PEOPLE VOTE FOR THEIR COUNTY ATTORNEY, AND, SO, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY HAS THEIR OWN ELECTION CERTIFICATE, THEIR OWN LEGITIMACY.

SO I THINK THAT YOU OUGHT TO USE THE POWER TO ASK THE GOVERNOR TO COME INTO A CASE ONLY VERY ADVISEDLY.

NOW IN THE McKEEVER CASE, LOOK, I HAD FAMILY MEMBERS, CHURCH MEMBERS, COMING TO SAY, THIS MAN -- THESE PEOPLE MURDERED OUR DAUGHTER, WE NEED YOU TO DO SOMETHING.

SO I DID.

WENT TO THE GOVERNOR, SAID, LOOK, I NEED THAT CASE.

AND WE SENT THE MAIN ORGANIZER TO PRISON FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE.

AND OTHERS GOT LENGTHY PRISON TERMS AS WELL.

SO IT'S NOT SOMETHING I WOULD NEVER DO.

BUT I THINK THAT IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO HAVE STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE COUNTIES.

CATHY, LET ME POINT OUT, WHEN I GOT TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, WE HAD ONE AND A HALF FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT PEOPLE DOING PROSECUTION.

NOW WE GOT 12.

I'VE LED THE PROSECUTION OVER 169 CONVICTIONS AND WE'RE DOING MORE EVERY DAY.

IN FACT, I LED A CONVICTION DOWN IN WINONA WHERE A TEACHER WAS CONVICTED OF SEXUALLY ASSAULTING THREE KIDS AND OF COURSE I LED THE CASE FOR THE PEOPLE WHO MURDERED GEORGE FLOYD AND SUCCESSFULLY GOT CONVICTIONS THERE.

>> Cathy: SAY, CAN WE TALK ABOUT METRO SURGE?

>> YES, PLEASE.

>> Cathy: RON SCHUTZ, AN YOU CRITIQUE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S PERFORMANCE DURING METRO SURGE?

>> I THINK THAT KEITH ELLISON FAILED IN HIS ROLE BY NOT ASKING FOR MORE CALM IN METRO SURGE.

THERE IS A FINE LINE BETWEEN EXERCISING YOUR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS, EVEN AGGRESIVELY EXERCISING YOUR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS, AND STEPPING OVER THE LINE AND ENGAGING IN PHYSICAL CONFRONTATIONAL BEHAVIOR WITH THE I.C.E.

OFFICERS.

AND THAT LINE, I THINK, WAS CROSSED REPEATEDLY.

I'M NOT SAYING THAT ATTORNEY GENERAL ELLISON URGED PEOPLE TO DO THAT.

I WOULD NOT ACCUSE HIM OF THAT.

BUT I THINK THAT HE COULD HAVE DONE MORE URGING PEOPLE NOT TO CROSS THAT LINE AND HAVE PHYSICAL CONFRONTATIONS ITH THE I.C.E.

OFFICERS.

SCREAM AT THEM, YELL AT THEM, EXERCISE YOUR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS, BUT NOWHERE -- BUT KNOW WHERE TO DRAW THE LINE.

AND YOU CAN LOOK AT THE RECORD, YOU CAN LOOK AT GOVERNOR WALZ, YOU CAN LOOK AT ATTORNEY GENERAL ELLISON, THINK NEVER SAID THAT, THEY NEVER SAID, DON'T STEP OVER THAT LINE AND ENGAGE IN PHYSICAL CONFRONTATION.

>> Cathy: CRITIQUE YOUR PERFORMANCE.

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, PERHAPS THE MOST POWERFUL PERSON IN THE WORLD, SAID HE WANTED RETRIBUTION AND RECKONING ON MINNESOTA, HE REPEATED THE FALSE CLAIM THAT HE WON MINNESOTA THREE TIMES, AND OF COURSE, HE DIDN'T.

THEN HE SENT IN THE LARGEST DEPLOYMENT IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES OF ARMED MASKED AGENTS TO THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

SO, I DID WHAT ANY REASONABLE ATTORNEY GENERAL WOULD DO.

I SUED THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR VIOLATING OUR TENTH AMENDMENT RIGHTS.

I TOOK THEM TO COURT, WE ARE STILL PURSUING HAT LITIGATION.

BUT, CATHY, I DIDN'T STOP THERE.

I ENGAGED JD VANCE, I ACTUALLY SUGGEST HIM OUT, WENT TO THE VICE PRESIDENT, SAID, MR.

VICE PRESIDENT, YOU ARE UNDER MISTAKEN IMPRESSION IF YOU THINK WE'RE NOT FULFILLING OUR LEGAL OBLIGATIONS REGARDING IMMIGRATION.

I WENT TO TOM HOLEMAN AND ACTUALLY HAD A PRETTY FRUITFUL WITH HIM, HE SAID, LOOK, I KNOW WE GOTTA GET OUT OF HERE.

AND I SAID, THE SOONER THE BETTER.

WE'VE HAD ALEX PRETTI SHOT DOWN AND KILLED, WE HAD RENEE GOOD KID, WE HAD HULE JOE SOLAS SOLAS SHOT, TOO.

AND I COULDN'T DISAGREE WITH RON MORE.

>> Cathy: SHOULD YOU HAVE ASKED FOR CALM, TO Mr.

SCHUTZ POINT, SHOULD YOU HAVE TAKEN THE BULLTY PULPIT?

>> I ASKED FOR THE CONSTITUTION TO BE OBSERVED.

I ASKED FOR PEOPLE TO OBEY THE LAW, THAT'S WHAT I DID.

LOOK, SOMEHOW IT'S AMAZING THAT RON, THE ONLY THING HE THINKS THAT WENT WRONG IS THAT PEOPLE PROTESTED.

THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO PROTEST.

>> AND I SAID THEY HAVE -- THEY ABSOLUTELY HAVE A RIGHT TO PROTEST.

BUT THINK DON'T HAVE A RIGHT TO ENGAGE IN PHYSICAL CONFRONTATION.

AND THEY CROSSED THE LINE AND YOU NEVER ASKED FOR CALM.

>> SO LET ME JUST E CLEAR HERE.

MINNESOTANS WERE SO TERRIFIED THAT THEY WEREN'T GOING TO WORK.

WE HAD TO SET UP A WHOLE NETWORK TO HELP BRING FOOD TO PEOPLE JUST BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T LEAVE THE HOUSE.

SMALL BUSINESSES WENT OUT OF BUSINESS BECAUSE WORKERS COULD NOT COME TO WORK.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS TO BLAME IN THIS.

THAT'S WHY I SUED HEM.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE SUING THEM RIGHT NOW.

>> Cathy: IF YOU WERE ATTORNEY GENERAL DURING THIS TIME, WOULD YOU HAVE SUED THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT?

>> I WANT TO GO BACK AND LOOK AT -- BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'RE GOING TO ASK IT -- WHAT I DID AFTER THE ALEX RETTI SHOOTING.

>> NOT MUCH.

>> I ISSUED A PUBLIC STATEMENT, IT'S ON MY WEBSITE, IF YOU WANT TO LOOK IT UP.

I ISSUED A PUBLIC STATEMENT CALLING FOR A JOINT FEDERAL AND STATE INVESTIGATION OF THOSE KILLINGS.

AND I DID THAT WITHIN DAYS AFTERWARDS AND I GOT TO TELL YOU, THAT DID NOT MAKE MY POPULAR IN CERTAIN CIRCLES IN WASHINGTON, D.C., BUT IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO, AND F THE EVIDENCE OUT OF THOSE INVESTIGATIONS LEADS TO PROOF THAT THERE SHOULD BE PROSECUTIONS, THEY HOULD BE PROSECUTED.

I WILL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO DO THAT.

I'M THE ONLY PERSON IN THIS RACE WHO'S ACTUALLY STOOD BEFORE JURIES AND PROSECUTED PEOPLE ERSONALLY FROM BEGINNING TO END AND PUT THEM IN JAIL.

I DID THAT AS A MILITARY PROSECUTOR.

>> SO, LOOK, ANYBODY IN HENNEPIN COUNTY, IN MINNESOTA, KNOWS THAT KEITH ELLISON IS A TRIAL LAWYER AND TRIED MANY -- >> I'VE TALKED TO -- LET ME TELL YOU.

THE REVIEWS ARE NOT GOOD.

THEY'RE NOT GOOD.

>> I'M NOT GOING TO DROP INTO THAT LITTLE GAME.

YEAH, I WAS A CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER.

[ OVERLAPPING CONVERSATION ] >> WELL, I WAS A CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER, I PICKED MANY JURIES, RON, AND PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT IT.

YOU KNOW, YOU CAN TRY TO BERATE MY SERVICE, IF YOU WANT.

>> I'M NOT BERATING YOUR SERVICE.

I'M A TRIAL LAWYER, YOU'RE A POLITICIAN.

>> LET ME JUST SAY THIS, RON.

THE BOTTOM LINE S, IN OPERATION METRO SURGE, THIS IS WHERE THIS QUESTION STARTED, I STOOD UP FOR MINNESOTANS.

I STOOD UP FOR THE VICTIMS, PRETTI AND GOOD AND SOSA SEW LEASE AND YOU SENT OUT A PIECE OF PAPER.

I TALKED TO PEOPLE LIKE HOLEMAN AND JD VANCE, WE WERE, IN FACT, FOLLOWING THE LAW.

YOU STINT OUT A PAPER.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN US S NIGHT AND DAY.

>> YOU'RE A SITTING ELECTED OFFICIAL.

I'M A CIVILIAN.

HOLEMAN IS NOT GOING TO CAULK TALK TO ME.

I RELEASED A PRESSLEY HE I RELEASED A PRESSLEY PRESS PRES RELEASE.

>> YOU ERE THE CHAIR FOR THE CENTER OF THE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE.

YOU WERE PROMINENT REPUBLICAN VOICE.

IF YOU WOULD HAVE LIFTED YOUR VOICE AND SAID, DO NOT SEEK RETRIBUTION AND RECKONING AGAINST MY STATE, I THINK SOMEONE WOULD HAVE LISTENED.

YOU DIDN'T DO THAT.

WHICH IS A SHAME.

>> I CALLED FOR THE JOINT FEDERAL AND STATE INVESTIGATION AT THAT POINT OF THOSE SHOOTINGS.

>> AND THEY'RE IGNORING YOU TO THIS DAY.

>> I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO INVESTIGATE THOSE CASES.

>> WELL, I AM INVESTIGATING THOSE CASES, LIKE I INVESTIGATED THE FLOYD CASE.

>> Cathy: AND THAT'S STILL IN LITIGATION.

ALL RIGHT.

HEY, WE DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT WHEN WE HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS, WE INTERRUPT EVERY SO OFTEN, WE HAVE THESE LIGHTNING ROUNDS.

KIND OF FUN QUESTIONS THAT ARE SHORT, OKAY.

SO WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A QUICK BREAK.

>> SURE.

>> Cathy: OKAY.

LIGHTNING ROUND.

MY LAWYER FRIENDS SAY, WHEN YOU'RE IN COURT, AND YOU'RE LITIGATING, YOU'RE BEFORE A JUDGE, ATTORNEYS USUALLY HAVE A PERSONALITY, WHAT'S YOUR COURTROOM PERSONALITY?

>> INTENSE AND AGGRESSIVE.

>> EFFECTIVE.

>> Cathy: THANK YOU.

YOU GO -- YOU'VE BEEN ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL ALL DAY LONG.

WHAT'S YOUR GO-TO LATE-NIGHT SNACK WHEN YOU GET HOME?

>> OOH, WHATEVER MY WIFE, MONICA, HAS IN THE REFRIGERATOR, SHE'S ALWAYS READY FOR SOMETHING, I LOVE THAT LADY, SHE'S LOOKING OUT FOR ME ALL THE TIME.

>> Cathy: LATE-NIGHT SNACK AFTER YOU GET DONE CAMPAIGNING?

>> I TRY TO AVOID LATE-NIGHT SNACKS.

>> Cathy: IF YOU WERE NOT A LAWYER, WHAT OTHER CAREER PATH WOULD YOU HAVE BEEN CHOSEN?

>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION, I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE -- I MIGHT HAVE GONE TO BUSINESS SCHOOL.

I MEAN, I RAN A BIG LAW FIRM, AND I'VE ALWAYS HAD KIND OF A BUSINESS BENT, I'VE REPRESENTED A LOT OF SMALL BUSINESSES.

>> Cathy: SO MAYBE BUSINESS.

>> LIKE DEALING WITH PEOPLE.

AND I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN IN BUSINESS AS OPPOSED TO LAW.

>> Cathy: OTHER CAREER PATH?

>> I DID GRADUATE WORK IN ECONOMICS, THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY MY SERVICE AS ATTORNEY GENERAL AND MY SERVICE AS A MEMBER OF CONGRESS IS ABOUT AFFORDING YOUR LIFE.

>> Cathy: SO YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN ECON -- >> I WOULD HAVE WORKED ON MAKING SURE WE HAVE A FAIR ECONOMY, MAYBE I WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ECONOMIST.

>> Cathy: ECON PROFESSOR.

>> WELL, MAYBE.

BUT I WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE OF A HANDS-ON GUY, MAKING URE WORKERS GOT THE WORK THEY NEED AND PEOPLE GET THE HOUSING THEY NEED.

>> Cathy: I'M GOING LET YOU ASK A QUESTION OF EACH OTHER.

WOULD YOU PLEASE ASK A QUESTION OF YOUR OPPONENT?

>> SO, RON, AFTER I WORKED HARD TO GET MAP ACT PASSED THROUGH THE STATE LEGISLATURE, WHICH IS A BILL THAT LENGTHENS SENTENCES FOR FRAUDSTERS, THAT GOT 18 MORE NEW PEOPLE TO HELP WORK ON FRAUD AND PROSECUTION, AND GAVE US MORE AUTHORITY TO GO BACK AND GET RESTITUTION, WHY DID YOU OPPOSE THE BILL WHICH REPUBLICANS EVEN VOTED FOR?

>> BECAUSE I DO NOT BELIEVE IN REWARDING FAILURE.

THE MOST RECENT REPORT BY THE OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL CAME OUT JULY 1, 2026, GAVE, IN ESSENCE, A D MINUS, IN HE IN H ESSENCE, I HAVE A COPY, TOO.

[ OVERLAPPING CONVERSATION ] >> I'M GLAD WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IT.

>> WE CAN QUOTE.

BUT IT ONLY GOT CONDITIONALLY -- >> Cathy: HANG ON.

>> GLAD WE'RE TALKING.

>> -- RECERTIFIED.

THEY SAID ONE OF THE REASONS THEY WEREN'T COMPLYING WITH THE FEDERAL LAW AND REGULATIONS, INCLUDING, THIS IS INCREDIBLE, MISMANAGEMENT OF THE FEDERAL GRANT MONEY.

>> OKAY.

SO, CATHY.

>> Cathy: GO AHEAD.

>> THE WORD "STAFFING" IS RIGHT THERE.

>> Cathy: THAT'S TRUE.

>> THE WORD STAFFING, BECAUSE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SAID WE DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE.

SO WHAT I DID -- WHAT DID I DO?

I GOT THE PEOPLE.

>> Cathy: THE 18 STAFFERS.

>> RIGHT THERE, STAFFING.

AND I WENT AND GOT 'EM.

AND RON TRIED TO STOP IT.

>> THIS IS A D MINUS.

>> THERE'S NO LETTER GRADE ON HERE.

YOU'RE LYING TO THE PEOPLE.

LOOK, IF YOU'RE LISTENING TO THIS SHOW, HE'S TRYING TO AY THERE'S SOME D MINUS.

THERE'S NO LETTER GRADE.

RON SCHUTZ JUST LIED TO YOU FOLKS.

>> THIS LETTER RIGHT HERE, THIS ONE, THIS ONE.

>> Cathy: SO YOU GOT THAT PASSED.

>> READ THAT.

READ THAT.

>> Cathy: HANG ON, FOLKS.

>> READ THIS.

READ THIS PART.

>> Cathy: E'RE ON TV, SO ACTUALLY, WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO HERE, I WANT TO ASK ABOUT THE FACT THAT -- >> MINNESOTA IS USES TS RESOURCES EFFECTIVELY TO INVESTIGATE CASES OF POSSIBLE FRAUD IN MINNESOTA.

>> Cathy: I WILL SAY THIS.

THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO SAY YOU WERE TOO SLOW OUT OF THE GATE TO PROSECUTE THESE FOLKS.

>> THEY'RE WRONG.

>> Cathy: TOO SLOW.

>> IT'S SIMPLY INCORRECT, YEAH.

>> Cathy: THIS IS BEFORE THE 18 STAFFERS WERE HIRED, THOUGH.

>> WELL, THERE'S TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.

>> Cathy: OKAY.

>> RIGHT, RIGHT.

SO, HERE'S THE THING.

RON JUST TOLD EVERYBODY THAT I CANNOT PROSECUTE ANY CASES OTHER THAN MEDICAID FRAUD UNLESS THE COUNTY PULLS ME N OR THE GOVERNOR APPOINTS ME THE CASE.

SO, WHEN IT COMES TO CASES LIKE FEEDING OUR FUTURE, I DON'T HAVE ANY LEGAL AUTHORITY TO PROSECUTE THAT CASE.

>> Cathy: I SEE.

>> SO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I MEAN?

>> Cathy: YEAH.

>> SO WHAT DID WE DO?

WE WORKED WITH OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS -- >> YOU CAN PROSECUTE THOSE CASES.

>> LET ME FINISH.

>> Cathy: HANG ON.

I WANT TO HEAR THIS.

>> WE WORKED WITH OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY GOT THE SEARCH WARRANTS ISSUED, THAT THE INDICTMENTS ISSUED AND THAT THE CONVICTIONS OCCURRED.

>> Cathy: SO YOU'RE KIND OF SAYING YOUR HANDS WERE TIED AT THE BEGINNING?

>> I WOULDN'T SAY TIED.

YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE JURISDICTION TO FILE A CRIMINAL LAWSUIT.

>> Cathy: GOT T. I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU.

>> HE HAD JURISDICTION IN MANY OF THOSE CASES BECAUSE THEY INVOLVE -- WELL, HE HAS JURISDICTION OVER EDICAID FRAUD CASES.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> HE HAS JURISDICTION OVER MEDICAID FRAUD CASES AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IN MINNESOTA IS THE PRIMARY REGULATORY AUTHORITY FOR NONPROFITS, AND MANY OF THESE GROUPS INVOLVE, THESE COMPANIES THAT WERE SET UP, WERE NONPROFITS AND HE COULD HAVE SHUT THOSE NONPROFITS DOWN.

>> WE DID SHUT THEM DOWN, RON.

>> WELL, NOT SOON ENOUGH.

>> RON, THEY'RE HUT DOWN.

>> YOU SAT IN A MEETING WITH THOSE FRAUDSTERS -- >> Cathy: ONE AT A TIME.

>> -- AND THEN YOU TOOK CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS FROM PEOPLE THAT YOU HAD TO GIVE BACK.

>> WELL, THANK YOU FOR TELLING EVERYBODY THAT THEY WERE GIVEN BACK, RON.

>> WELL, FOUR YEARS LATER.

>> BECAUSE YOU -- >> FOUR YEARS LATER.

>> Cathy: ONE AT A TIME.

[ OVERLAPPING CONVERSATION ] >> FOUR YEARS LATER.

>> Cathy: HANG ON.

>> RON -- >> FOUR YEARS LATER.

FOUR YEARS LATER.

>> Cathy: HANG ONE, ONE AT A TIME.

>> YOU STILL HAVE CAMPAIGN DONATIONS FROM BASHIER WHO DEFRAUDED THE GOVERNMENT FOR $1.6 MILLION AND THEY GAVE YOU MONEY.

HAVE YOU GIVEN THOSE CAMPAIGN -- >> Cathy: IS THAT TRUE?

>> YEAH, IT'S TRUE.

>> THEY HAVE BEEN SUPPORTERS OF MINE.

>> YEAH, YEAH, AND THEY GOT HIT WITH -- SUED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT $1.6 MILLION.

>> AND MADE NO ADMISSION -- >> RON, WILL YOU GIVE THE MONEY BACK?

>> THEY MADE NO ADMISSIONS -- >> RON -- >> -- OF GUILT.

STOP, STOP, STOP, IT'S A CIVIL -- >> Cathy: WE'RE GETTING IN THE WEEDS A LITTLE BIT, GENTLEMEN.

>> THE FEEDING THE FUTURE PEOPLE WENT TO JAIL.

>> YOU THINK SOMEBODY GIVES BACK $1.6 MILLION FOR NOTHING?

NO EXPOSURE THANK YOU.

I'LL LET THAT SIT RIGHT THERE.

>> Cathy: WOULD YOU LIKE TO ASK YOUR OPPONENT A QUESTION?

>> YEAH, I'D LIKE TO KNOW IF HE'S GOING TO APOLOGIZE FOR MAKING THE COMMENT THAT ALL MY SUPPORTERS ARE RACISTS AND BIGOTS, I ASKED THEY BEGINNING, I WANT AN OWN.

>> Cathy: CAN YOU GIVE FOLKS AN IDEA FOR WHAT'S HAPPENING FOR FOLKS WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR OF WHAT'S HAPPENING, YOUR PERCEPTION OF WHAT HAPPENED.

>> ON THE 22nd OF SEPTEMBER, HE WAS FILMED ON VIDEO AT THE EVENT AT THE MINNEAPOLIS CONVENTION CENTER AND HE GOES ON, TALKS ABOUT A POLL RESULT, SAYS, MY OPPONENT'S AHEAD, HE'S BEATING ME BY TWO POINTS.

AND THEN HE SAYS, THIS IS WHAT YOU CALL A BASE ELECTION.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT A BASE ELECTION IS?

THAT MEANS WHOEVER GETS THEIR BASE OUT, THAT'S WHO'S GOING TO WIN.

NOW IS THE BASE OF PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE IN FREEDOM, JUSTICE, COMPASSION AND MERCY, THE PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE IN THE QUALITY OF HUMAN BEINGS AND THE DIGNITY OF HUMAN BEINGS SHOW UP TO VOTE OR WILL THE BIGOTS AND RACISTS SHOW P AND VOTE?

>> Cathy: AND YOU'RE SAYING THAT ATTORNEY GENERAL KEITH ELLISON IS CALLING -- >> HOW CAN YOU INTERPRET THAT OTHERWISE THAN GOING AFTER MY PEOPLE.

>> RON, RON, RON -- >> YOU CAN APOLOGIZE FOR THAT.

>> I'M NOT GOING TO BUY INTO YOUR DELIBERATE MISCONSTRUCTION OF WHAT I SAID.

>> I READ IT EXACTLY.

>> RON.

YOU'RE RIGHT ABOUT, I'M ASKING FOR PEOPLE WHO CARE ABOUT FREEDOM, JUSTICE, MERCY TO SEW UP TO VOTE.

>> YOU CALLED ANYBODY WHO'S NOT VOTING FOR OU A RACIST AND A BIGOT, KEITH, YOU DID IT, YOU CAN'T DENY IT.

>> RON, LET ME TELL YOU, MAN, ANY SENSIBLE PERSON KNOWS THAT YOU'RE MISCONSTRUING -- >> WHY ARE YOU USING THE TERMS RACISTS AND BIG RACISTS AND BI BIGOTS IN TERMS F THIS ENDORSEMENT?

I AM NOT SEEKING THE ENDORSEMENT OF DONALD TRUMP.

>> Cathy: HANG ON, HANG ON, GENTLEMEN.

>> RON.

>> Cathy: IF THE PRESIDENT -- >> COME ON.

>> Cathy: THE PRESIDENT'S TALKING ABOUT COMING TO MINNESOTA NEXT WEEK.

IF HE DOES, IF HE INVITES YOU ON STAGE WITH HIM, WOULD YOU ACCEPT?

>> I WILL ANSWER THAT QUESTION, BUT FIRST... YOU'VE GOT TO PROMISE ME YOU'RE GOING TO THE ANTI-SYSTEM QUITE COMING TO MINNESOTA NEXT WEEK, ARE YOU GOING TO PAL AROUND WITH HIM.

THE ANSWER O YOUR QUESTION IS NO.

>> Cathy: WOULD YOU LIKE O ANSWER HIS QUESTION?

>> LOOK, I'VE GOT A FULL SCHEDULE.

I DON'T KNOW WHO HE'S TALKING ABOUT.

>> Cathy: I HAVE ANOTHER ISSUE I WANT TO ASK YOU ALL.

I'VE GOT TO MOVE ON.

THERE ARE A LOT OF MINNESOTANS WATCHING THIS.

>> SURE.

>> Cathy: AND Y'ALL -- THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS IG SIGNIFICANT AUTHORITY OVER -- HAS SIGNIFICANT AUTHORITY OVER HEALTHCARE ARKET IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

THERE ARE 400,000 MINNESOTANS WHO FOUND OUT THAT THEIR MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS WON'T BE AVAILABLE NEXT YEAR.

I UNDERSTAND MEDICARE'S A FEDERAL PROGRAM, I GET THAT, BUT THIS LOOKS LIKE KIND OF MARKET CONTRAPTION.

>> FORCE A COMPANY TO OFFER A MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN.

YEAH, MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN.

I MEAN, THEY ARE RESPONDING TO MARKET FORCES.

I DON'T THINK IT'S WITHIN THE POWER OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE TO SAY, YOU MUST OFFER THIS GOOD OR SERVICE.

UNLESS I'M MISSING SOMETHING.

I DON'T THINK IT'S WITHIN THE POWER OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

>> Cathy: ANYTHING?

>> YEAH, I DISAGREE WITH RON.

>> YOU CAN ORDER THEM TO OFFER THOSE PLANS?

>> RON, YOU'VE BEEN INTERRUPTING A LOT.

I'M TRYING TO ANSWER CATHY'S QUESTION.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE HAS A LOT OF POWER TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE, THAT'S WHAT I'VE BEEN DOING.

WHEN WE NEGOTIATED THE OVERSIGHT AGREEMENT BETWEEN NORTH MEMORIAL AND SANFORD, WE MADE SURE THAT ACCESS STAYED WHERE IT WAS IN ALL OF OUR NEGOTIATIONS.

THE QUESTION IS, YOU GOT TO MAINTAIN OR EXPAND ACCESS.

THIS HAS BEEN SOMETHING THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON AND HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL DOING.

WE'VE WORKED ON MEDICAL BILLING.

AND MADE SURE THAT THAT HAS BEEN DONE FAIR.

WE WORKED ON MEDICAL DEBT.

WE WORKED N LOWERING PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICES.

I'M AS WORRIED ABOUT THIS AND ALL OF THE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL TYPE CUTS AND ALL THESE THINGS ARE VERY VERY SERIOUS.

AND, RON, HE DID SAY HE WANTED TO KNOW IF DONALD TRUMP WOPTD TO PLAY A ROLE IN THIS RACE, WHICH IS CLEARLY A REQUEST FOR AN ENDORSEMENT.

WANTED TO PLAY A ROLE.

AND HE ALSO SAID THAT DONALD TRUMP DIDN'T DO NYTHING WRONG.

>> I NEVER AID ANY SUCH THING.

>> YOU LSO SAID, I DON'T THINK DONE AL TRUMP WOULD DO ANYTHING ILLEGAL.

>> LOOK AT THE TAPE.

NEVER SAID IT.

>> BUT LET ME GET BACK TO THE POINT.

RON ALSO SAID -- >> CAN YOU ORDER A COMPANY TO PROVIDE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS?

THAT'S THE QUESTION.

NO, YOU CANNOT ORDER A COMPANY TO PROVIDE A MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN.

>> WE CAN REQUIRE THAT COMPANIES ABIDE Y THE LAW AND AS NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT BENEFIT FROM TAX-EXEMPT STATUS, WE CAN USE OUR AUTHORITY TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY DO EVERY SINGLE THING THEY CAN TO EXTEND ACCESS AND WE DO IT EVERY DAY, RORNTION AND IF YOU DON'T THINK WE CAN DO T MAYBE THAT'S WHY YOU SHOULDN'T BE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

>> ARE YOU SAYING YOU HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO SAY TO A COMPANY, YOU MUST PROVIDE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN?

YOU THINK YOU HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DO THAT?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW WHAT, RON?

YOU HAVE A LACK OF IMAGINATION AND CERTAINLY A LACK OF WILL POWER.

>> OH, I DO NOT HAVE A LACK OF IMAGINATION OR WILL POWER, TRUST ME, MY FRIEND.

>> I DON'T.

I THINK CREATIVELY ABOUT THESE THINGS.

>> Cathy: SAY, I'VE GOT TWO MINUTES LEFT.

SO, ATTORNEY GENERALS IN THE PAST, WE'VE COVERED Y'ALL HAVE TAKEN ON TOBACCO COMPANIES AND OPIOID MANUFACTURERS.

>> YUP.

HAD >> Cathy: FINANCIAL FRAUD AND THE LIKE.

IF YOU ELECTED ATTORNEY GENERAL, WHAT INDUSTRY WOULD FACE THE MOST SCRUTINY UNDER YOUR ADMINISTRATION?

>> WHOSE LAW FIRM SUED THE TOBACCO COMPANIES?

IT WAS ROBBINS KAPLAN, MY LAW FIRM.

>> THAT WAS MIKE CIRESI WHO SUPPORTS ME.

>> WAIT.

AND WHICH LAW FIRM FILED THE CASES AGAINST THE OPIOIDS CASE WHEN I WAS CHAIRMAN OF THE FIRM, SIGNED OFF ON THAT, AS A MEMBER OF OUR EXECUTIVE BOARD, SUING THE OPIOID COMPANIES.

I HAVE NO PROBLEM SUING BAD ACTORS.

I'M THE ONLY NE, AGAIN, IN THIS RACE THAT HAS STOOD UP BEFORE JURIES, PERMANENTLY TRIED CASES AGAINST MAJOR CORPORATIONS AND WON TENS AND TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

>> Cathy: SO WHAT INDUSTRY -- >> I HAVE NO PROBLEM TAKING ON BAD ACTORS.

>> Cathy: WHAT INDUSTRY WOULD YOU FOCUS ON IF YOU'RE ELECTED TO EXAMINE?

>> ANY INDUSTRY THAT'S HARMING MINNESOTANS.

>> Cathy: ALL RIGHT.

RE-ELECTED, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

>> OH -- >> Cathy: ABOUT A MINUTE LEFT.

>> WELL, ABSOLUTELY.

SO, FIRST OF ALL, RON HAS 174 CONFLICTS OF INTEREST THAT HE HAS NOT MENTIONED YET.

HE ACTUALLY REPRESENTS -- [ OVERLAPPING CONVERSATION ] >> Cathy: I REALLY WISH I WOULD HAVE HAD MORE TIME ON THIS.

GO AHEAD.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WERE ELECTED TO ANOTHER TERM?

>> I WOULD CONTINUE TO SUE THOSE TOBACCO COMPANIES WHICH RON PROFITS PROFITS FROM, HEOINES A LOT OF PHILIP MORRIS.

ELI LILLY, WHICH RON AGAIN HOLDS VAST AMOUNTS OF.

>> SO DOES THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

THEY OWN ABOUT $500 MILLION WORTH OF THAT STOCK.

>> 174 REASONS WHY PEOPLE SHOULD NOT VOTE FOR YOU.

>> WELL, THAT'S NOT TRUE, KEITH.

>> IT'S ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

>> YEAH.

>> Cathy: ALL RIGHT.

SO, GENTLEMEN, I THINK I HAVE TIME TO JUST SAY THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Cathy: FOR EING HERE WITH US.

WE APPRECIATE T.

>> THANK YOU, RON.

IT'S BEEN A SPIRITED CONVERSATION.

>> YOU WANTED A SPIRITED DEBATE, CATHY.

DID WE DELIVER A SPIRITED DEBATE?

>> Cathy: SO FOLKS WANT MORE INFORMATION, WHERE'S YOUR WEBSITE?

>> WWW.RONFORMNAG.COM.

>> I ASK FOR YOUR VOTE, COME ON OUT, NOVEMBER 3rd, KEITHELLISON.ORG, LET'S WIN THIS THING.

>> Cathy: ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU, APPRECIATE IT.

WE HAVE JUST ENOUGH IME, FRIENDS, FOR SHOW-ENDING MUSIC.

WE RETURN TO THE LOVELY SOUNDS OF THE MINNESOTA OPERA LIVE IN STUDIO THIS EVENING.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

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