Cancellations began this morning at MSP – you can track the totals HERE: https://fluence-media.co/47szWqi
The Trump administration this morning asked a federal appeals court to pause a judge’s order to fully fund SNAP. READ: https://fluence-media.co/43Mc7HG
Sunday Take will be a breakdown of the upset of the year in St. Paul….at 9AM on WCCO Radio.
Last weekend’s Sunday Take previewed Speaker Lisa Demuth’s campaign for governor, the Minneapolis mayoral race, and school board elections with Kyrstin Schuette. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3WACTik
Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com
All Fluence Media tip sheets are now available to read and share online at our website, The Daily Agenda:
A new level of insight and information….
A new level of Insider Analysis & Insight from TheDailyAgenda.com
Today’s the last day of our founding member pricing, sign-up at the lower rate today.
Sign-up for paid TheDailyAgenda and you’ll receive a morning take mug.
Earlier this year we launched a premium subscription option. Now we’re adding content for premium subscribers.
A monthly insight-filled briefing memo on Minnesota and Midwest issue and political dynamics.
Access to our Fluence Forum audio and videio assets.
A free morning take mug if you sign-up this week.
Fluence Advisory hosted a cannabis forum on the “State of Cannabis in Minnesota including an interview with Executive Director of the Office of Cannabis Management Eric Taubel.
MONEY
BANKRUPTCIES: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Bankruptcies are up across the U.S., a sign Americans are running out of road as the cost of living continues to rise. Filings in Minnesota have jumped more than 20% each of the past three years, outpacing the country as a whole. The trend seems unlikely to slow. And after years of consumers propping up the post-COVID economy, a spending slowdown due to ballooning debt could help tip the country into a recession.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47LoLI6
MED DEBT: Via Stateline, VERBATIM: “A new Trump administration rule issued late last month would override state laws [including in Minnesota] that prevent consumers’ credit reports from including medical debt, potentially weakening financial protections for millions of Americans. In recent years, more than a dozen states have taken steps to keep medical debt from hurting residents’ credit scores, passing laws with bipartisan support. But new guidance from the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau repeals a Biden-era rule that allowed states to impose their own bans.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3WJblr6
POLITICS
DEMOCRATS: Via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Democratic leaders are jubilant about the party’s sweep in Tuesday’s elections and Democratic National Committee chair Ken Martin is among those celebrating. ‘Democrats are back,’ crowed Martin, the former Minnesota DFL Party chairman. Since taking the reins of the national Democratic Party in February, Martin has suffered brutal criticism from party insiders who accused him of failing to unify the fractured and disillusioned party and prevent infighting.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47LyHRU
BROADBAND: Comcast is rewriting the broadband playbook in the Twin Cities. From neighborhood networks to next-gen tech, we’re delivering community-first internet connectivity with no contracts, no surprises. The new Xfinity package means unlimited data, blazing-fast, reliable speeds and a 5-year price guarantee, plus free mobile for a year. It’s not the old Comcast — it’s a bold new era of connection. Let’s power the future, together. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/Comcast2025-1 (SPONSORED: Comcast)
MN IMPACTS
U OF M: Via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “When Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a pause to all new student visa interviews in May, university officials worried the move could jeopardize the numbers of international students in Minnesota and throughout the country. Now, enrollment data from the University of Minnesota show that changes to the visa process resulted in a significant drop in new students from India — one of the top home countries for U of M international students. New Indian international student enrollment at the U declined by more than a quarter this fall compared to last year, Sahan Journal’s data analysis shows.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hNSIMb
RULING: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “A federal appeals court panel ruled on Thursday that managers of a suburban Twin Cities Home Depot store acted lawfully when they banned an employee from writing a Black Lives Matter slogan on their uniform.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47tPBWl
BUCKET TRUCK: Via Xcel, VERBATIM: “On a crisp autumn morning in Waconia, Minnesota, Laketown Elementary buzzed with excitement as fifth-grader Grant Scotting kept his eyes trained on the parking lot. A birthday surprise for Scotting was in the works — and soon it rolled up: a shiny Xcel Energy bucket truck. Scotting, who has special needs and is nonverbal, is known for his love of Xcel Energy. His enthusiasm for the local energy company ranges from reporting outages on his family’s iPad to eagerly opening each monthly bill.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4oq7uei (SPONSORED: Xcel Energy)
TWIN CITIES
CAMERAS: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis’ new cameras intended to reduce speeding on city streets seem to be having the desired effect. Transportation Planning Manager Ethan Fawley says speeding is down 30% since they were installed at five locations a month ago, primarily due to signage in the camera areas and the initial warnings the city put out. He says the pilot program will add 13 more cameras next year in hopes of building on that success.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4qHqpmJ
ST PAUL: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “HealthPartners is seeking state permission to expand Regions Hospital in St. Paul by as much as 85 beds, a response to rising patient demand and the closing of some inpatient units at nearby hospitals. The request in some ways contradicts Minnesota health care leaders, who have claimed hospitals have plenty of open beds but not enough doctors and nurses to staff them. In a public filing, HealthPartners, which owns Regions, said the hospital is often overcrowded. That complicates its role as a safety-net hospital for Ramsey County and as one of the Twin Cities’ three major trauma centers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49G68b8
CUTS & SHUTDOWN
ROAD TRIP: Via MPR, the story of a Minnesota family who hit the road last fall, “roadschooling” their twins via national parks. VERBATIM: “Goepfert began to notice a significant dip in morale among park workers in February. In March, the family made it to Texas, New Mexico and Arizona and encountered reduced hours and cuts to programming, which was part of her roadschooling curricula. ‘There’s a big part in almost every Junior Ranger book: talk to a ranger and ask them about their job. And it was harder and harder to find rangers to do that,’ she recalled. Fewer tours were available. She also observed more volunteers cropping up in front-facing jobs at the parks as rangers. Bathrooms weren’t clean. As visitor season peaked in July, Goepfert saw visitors upset with rangers, and rangers grew short with visitors as they were forced to keep up the facade of fully functioning parks while taking on additional responsibilities.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qM8dZj
ECONOMIC INDICATORS
REPORTS: Via Associated Press, earnings reports from Minnesota-based companies:
SOLVENTUM: “Solventum Corp. (SOLV) on Thursday reported third-quarter net income of $1.27 billion. On a per-share basis, the Maplewood, Minnesota-based company said it had profit of $7.22 . . . The results exceeded Wall Street expectations . . . The health care company posted revenue of $2.1 billion in the period, which also beat Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/481WD4P
ANI: “ANI Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ANIP) on Friday reported third-quarter net income of $26.6 million, after reporting a loss in the same period a year earlier. The Baudette, Minnesota-based company said it had net income of $1.13 per share . . . The results exceeded Wall Street expectations . . . The drugmaker posted revenue of $227.8 million in the period, which also beat Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nEYMrX
NOG: “Northern Oil and Gas Inc. (NOG) on Thursday reported a loss of $129.1 million in its third quarter. On a per-share basis, the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based company said it had a loss of $1.33 . . . The results topped Wall Street expectations . . . The independent oil and gas company posted revenue of $556.6 million in the period.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3LtmBp9
LIFECORE: “Lifecore Biomedical, Inc. (LFCR) on Thursday reported a loss of $10 million in its fiscal first quarter. The Chaska, Minnesota-based company said it had a loss of 29 cents per share. The agricultural and food packaging products company posted revenue of $31.1 million in the period, which beat Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oyHTjO
CANTERBURY: Via Gaming America, VERBATIM: “Canterbury Park Holding has reported its financial results for the third quarter of 2025, as both net revenue and net income fell from the prior year period, with the operator reporting a total revenue of $18.3m, equating to a decrease of 5%. Net income for Q3 2025 came in at just $487,000, representing a decrease of 75.9% and said to be primarily attributed to reduced casino revenues partially as a result of low hold early in the quarter. The operator’s adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter of 2025 fell 14.2% for a total of $2.8m throughout the period.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3WFqWIh
AGRIBANK: Via Stock Titan, VERBATIM: “AgriBank (NASDAQ:AGRIP) reported third-quarter 2025 results on Nov 6, 2025 showing continued strength in profitability, credit quality, liquidity, and capital. Key metrics: Net income of $749.6 million for the nine months ended Sept 30, 2025; ROA of 51 bps vs. a 50 bps target; Net interest income $870.6 million, up 13.3% YTD; Total loans $171.9 billion (+$7.3 billion vs Dec 31, 2024); Total capital $10.3 billion (+$800.2 million YTD); Liquidity 168 days (well above 90-day minimum).” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47KhPv0
40 YEARS OF PARTNERSHIP: Flint Hills Resources and Ducks Unlimited (DU) are celebrating 40 years of partnership, a longevity landmark that makes Flint Hills one of DU’s longest-standing corporate partners. Working together over the past four decades, Flint Hills and DU have contributed to conserving more than 250,000 acres of wildlife habitat and natural areas in Minnesota and over 900,000 acres across North America. LEARN MORE: Flint Hills Resources and Ducks Unlimited Celebrate 40 Years of Partnership (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery)
OUTDOORS
DNR: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources still doesn’t have a target launch date for a new mobile app and online licensing system set to roll out this year. Why it matters: The tech upgrade, originally set to debut in March 2025, is meant to streamline and ‘modernize’ applications and paperwork for Minnesotans who hunt, fish, boat and drive off-road vehicles.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3LkJsDp
INVASIVES: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the presence of zebra mussels in Big Sand Lake, located near Dorset in Hubbard County. A Big Sand Lake property owner contacted the DNR after finding an adult zebra mussel on a personal watercraft lift being removed from the lake for the season.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/47AeAWE
BUSINESS
BANKRUPTCY: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Rusco has officially filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, with court records revealing the New Hope-based company is at least $100 million in the red. According to bankruptcy court records filed in Delaware this week, the company estimates they have up to $10 million in assets, just a fraction of its liabilities.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3WIV1Xu
HOTELS: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Amid a concerning economic forecast for the lodging industry, low occupancy rates and public reputations that have grown increasingly unsavory, several of Brooklyn Center’s 10 hotel owners have expressed interest in offloading their properties. Those same properties are also garnering interest from developers. That’s according to Brooklyn Center officials, who addressed the issue during a recent city council meeting. Those plots could potentially be redeveloped or the existing buildings could be converted into new uses, according to city staff.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3WLwSiV
ROCHESTER: Via KTTC-TV, VERBATIM: “Rochester has been selected as one of six cities nationwide to participate in the Regulatory Justice Initiative: Expanding Access to Small Business Opportunity. The program is led by the Mayors Innovation Project in partnership with Cities Work at the Institute for Justice, with the intent to make starting and growing small businesses easier.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3X3nCXH
FRESH15: The latest season of Fresh15 includes interviews with new Minnesota House members. So far, five new members have shared their goals, background and fun facts before they take office in a historic session this January.
Rep. Kari Rehrauer
Rep. Wayne Johnson
Rep. Julie Greene
Rep. Keith Allen
Rep. Peter Johnson
Follow on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.TheDailyAgenda.com/Podcasts. (SPONSORED: Minnesota Telecom Alliance)
CITY NOTES
BLOOMINGTON: Via City of Bloomington, VERBATIM: “Bloomington residents consider the overall quality of the city’s natural environment, preservation of natural areas, quality of open space, recycling services and yard waste pick-up services to be key assets according to the 2025 National Community Survey. Resident sentiments are also on the rise for police, crime prevention and animal control with an increase of about 10 points from the 2024 survey.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ovrjkV
MINNEAPOLIS: Via Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, VERBATIM: “The Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA) marked a milestone in expanding affordable housing on Wednesday, October 29, breaking ground in South Minneapolis on a new triplex in the Windom neighborhood and a duplex in Regina. The projects are funded in part by MPHA’s tax levy, with the city’s housing levy contributing $1.25 million to both developments.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47Q5HIT
BUSINESS NOTES
RED COW: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Red Cow is bringing back its holiday pop-up events, including a new one in the western suburbs. For the third year, Red Nose Room will take over the restaurant’s Uptown Minneapolis location from Nov. 21 through Jan. 4. Meanwhile, the Twin Cities-based chain will launch the new Snow Globe Social in Wayzata on Nov. 25.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Lqol2p
GREEN GIANT: Via news release from Green Giant, VERBATIM: “This Thanksgiving, Green Giant, the iconic canned vegetable brand, proudly celebrates its 100th anniversary by partnering with Jamal Hinton and Wanda Dench — the duo whose heartwarming Thanksgiving tradition began by chance with a simple text and inspired millions. To mark the occasion, Green Giant is hosting Jamal and Wanda’s 10th Thanksgiving together, complete with their favorite holiday recipes made with Green Giant canned vegetables. Green Giant’s canned vegetable products began in 1925 in the Minnesota River Valley, with a mission to bring quality vegetables to American families.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hTii2I
MEDIA: From former Syracuse, New York reporter Conor Wight via X, VERBATIM: “I’m joining the incredible team @WCCO @CBSNews in Minneapolis. It’s a Minnesotan return to where I got my professional debut as a student covering the NH primary in 2020 for KAALTV!” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3Xn1QxT
PEACE: Via Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, VERBATIM: “Wallace ‘Jack’ O’Neil Jackman, fondly known as Jackie or Jack, peacefully passed away on October 27, 2025. Born in Des Moines, Iowa, and moving to Minnesota at the age of 13, Jack grew up in a family whose roots ran deep in community and service. He was the beloved son of Launa Quincy (Jackman) Newman and Wallace O’Neil Jackman, and was lovingly guided by Cecil E. Newman, who became a father figure in his life. This bond later inspired Jack to become co-publisher of the Minneapolis Spokesman and St. Paul Recorder, now the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder (MSR).” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qMi5SR
AHEAD
NEXT WEEK: Via news release from Minnetonka-based DiaMedica, VERBATIM: “DiaMedica Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: DMAC), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel treatments for preeclampsia and acute ischemic stroke, announced today that its third quarter 2025 financial results will be released after the markets close on Wednesday, November 12th. DiaMedica will host a live conference call on Thursday, November 13th at 8:00 AM Eastern Time / 7:00 AM Central Time to provide a business update and discuss financial results.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43R3f3v
THIS MONTH: Via Insight News, VERBATIM: “As long-awaited construction is set to begin next spring on Highway 65 in Blaine, the Minnesota Department of Transportation invites the public to learn more about the four-year project between 97th Avenue and 125th Avenue/Main Street in Blaine.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hNm5y8
NEXT MONTH: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Organizers of the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championships held a celebration today with a special fan and media event at the Huntington Bank Rotunda inside the Mall of America. It was quite the spectacle at the Mall as we are just now 50 days away from the start of World Junior Championships, which are being hosted in Minnesota for the first time.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3WK371R
NEXT YEAR: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Just as the American Swedish Institute (ASI) will pull out all of the stops for its 75th annual holiday celebration Tomte Tales: Legends of Winter—the charming and cozy Nordic-inspired festival that transforms its historic Turnblad Mansion into a picturesque winter wonderland—to close out the year with a bang, it will start off 2026 with another. In the upcoming year, the museum and cultural center will host multiple exhibitions that represent a breadth of traditional techniques, including textile work and photography, in a changing world.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nHG42Q
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
ST JOHN’S: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “At sunset on Nov. 1, the historic halls of St. John’s Abbey filled with a deep reverence toward the Benedictine laws and principles on which it was built. Low lighting and long candlelit tables stretched under arched ceilings dressed with jars of hand-made pickles, local ceramic-ware, and a healthy share of Brother Justus Whiskey. Around 250 guests gathered to celebrate The Storied Table’s inaugural harvest dinner: a five-course feast envisioned by James Beard winning chef and author, Jody Eddy, and brought to life by Chef Mateo Mackbee and Pastry Chef Erin Mackbee, a duo whose food honors both ancestry and earth.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49ClVYr
BDAYS: cookie leader Tina Rexing, Ramsey County Commissioner Garrison McMurtey, radio legend Tom Barnard, singer Erin Livingston, Lisa DeMuth advisor Ben Golnik. SAT: Fluence’s wise guy Bruce Gordon, A4L provocateur Jake Duesenberg, Fox 9’s streaming host Amy Hockert, lobbyist leader Chas Anderson. SUN: Senate DFL media guy Marc Kimball, attorney and lobbyist Sam McCollough
Send us your tips at BloisOlson@gmail.com
Fluence Media curates, produces and distributes specialized media products to thought leadership audiences across the Midwest and about the region. Our publications cover, politics, public policy, health care, agriculture, business, real estate, sports and more. Visit www.fluence-media.com to learn more.
about morning take- Founded in 2010, morning take has grown to become the leading Minnesota morning newsletter on politics and news of the day. Published by Fluence Media since 2012 the mission is to "make you smarter" before breakfast.
Copyright © 2025 Lunch Take, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
Fluence Media
PO Box 270031
Golden Valley, MN 55427