In an interview with USA Today, President Biden said he believes he could have won reelection. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3PqZmL1
The Blue Ox Music Festival returns to Eau Claire this summer. LINEUP: https://fluence-media.co/3DJlaPv
RIP Suburbs’ Beej Chaney. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fNPyWo
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3PsEyTx
Sunday Take had new GOP Alex Plechash to discuss how he feels about primaries, fundraising and the GOP opportunity. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3WaJ8cL
Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com
FEES: From Nick Halter via Axios, VERBATIM: “While many businesses have changed their systems to comply with the new state ban on so-called ‘junk fees,’ the Minnesota DNR is still tacking on reservation fees to campsite reservations. Why it matters: The move to force businesses to display the full price of goods and services up front was touted as a consumer-friendly law that would allow Minnesotans to have the actual cost of something and compare prices. What we found: The Minnesota DNR is still adding an $8 ‘reservation fee’ to book a campsite, so a $25 campsite becomes $33 upon checkout.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fUOC2m
ATV TRAILS: From Ryan Hayes via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “A new University of Minnesota study shows the major economic impact ATV trails have on our region and state. The University of Minnesota extension unveiled their findings from an economic impact study Tuesday on ATV trails in Minnesota. The study found that in 2023 the trails generated $36.1 million in economic activity and supported 300 Minnesota jobs. State Senator Grant Hauschild said he plans to take these findings to St. Paul to advocate for more state funding for the trails.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4gCc8SZ
OWLS: From Rob Timmons via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “An irregular but popular winter visitor is stirring the interest of Minnesota birdwatchers, wildlife specialists and even the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Snowy owls, which typically migrate this time of year from the Canadian Arctic to the warmer climes of Minnesota and other parts of the northern U.S., are being sighted more than normal, said Andy Forbes, a U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service biologist in Bloomington.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4h68rET
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT: Flint Hills Resources makes fuels and other products people need and use every day, products that help keep Minnesota moving. The company does this while prioritizing safety and environmental stewardship and contributing meaningfully to the community. STEWARDSHIP WITH A PURPOSE: Four pillars of stewardship (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
CHURCH & STATE: From Christopher Ingraham via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Minnesota earns high marks for policies and constitutional protections for the separation of church and state, according to the latest annual rankings from American Atheists, a nonprofit advocacy group. Minnesota is one of 15 states — and alone in the upper Midwest — with what the organization calls strong protections for religious equality.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40mNuQu
MORE: Via American Atheists, states in green are ones with “strong protections for religious equality.”
REPORT: https://fluence-media.co/4fUZ0Hf
MPD: From Kyle Stokes via Axios, VERBATIM: “The newly unveiled federal consent decree for the Minneapolis Police Department calls for a lot of the same changes as an earlier state reform plan — but the oversight document does include some new requirements. Why it matters: Though advocates and officials say Minnesota’s settlement agreement was robust, a federal consent decree (if approved) would add another layer of court oversight to a troubled department.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4h2Gw8Q
MORE: From Ben Henry via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “The largest and most diverse class of its kind in years, that’s how the Minneapolis Police Department is describing its next cadet and community service officer (CSO) class. Tuesday, inside a north Minneapolis church, the class of 32 received a warm welcome from city and state leaders.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3BXNbSY
ROBBINSDALE: From Kevin Miller via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “A familiar face will lead the embattled Robbinsdale Area School Board into 2025. The board has elected Greta Evans-Becker as its new chair at its first meeting of the year. Evans-Becker — who was re-elected to the board in fall 2024 — served as chair in 2023. However, she was ousted from the role by her colleagues.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3DIPytt
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.-Elect Kari Rehauer
Rep.-Elect Wayne Johnson
Rep. Elect Julie Greene
Rep. Elect Keith Allen
Rep. Elect Peter Johnson
Follow on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.TheDailyAgenda.com/Podcasts. (SPONSORED: Minnesota Telecom Alliance)
MY PILLOW: Via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “A Minnesota judge has ordered Mike Lindell's MyPillow to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in a lawsuit from a package delivery company. In the judgment filed last month in Hennepin County, MyPillow Inc. was ordered to pay $777,729.73 to DHL. The payment includes a principal amount, accrued interest, attorney's fees and more.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4j9UxmS
FREE BEER: From Dustin Nelson via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “The game is afoot. Can Can Wonderland and Saint Paul Brewing have launched ‘The Hunt for the Golden Beer Can,’ a treasure hunt through public lands around St. Paul. The prize for the city's best sleuth will be a private party worth $1,000 at the arcade and beer for a year from the brewery.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3C0Yt8T
LISTENING, LEARNING AND REDEFINING INDIGENOUS PARTNERSHIPS - “We want to build partnerships with Indigenous Nations. We continue to listen to and learn from Indigenous leaders and communities, and that’s informing how we engage communities in B.C. and across North America,” said CEO Greg Ebel of Enbridge’s approach to be the “first-choice partner” for Indigenous Nation interested in pursuing energy infrastructure opportunities. READ MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3Yht20R (SPONSORED: Enbridge)
DULUTH: From T Kaldahl via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “The City of Duluth is receiving $11 million to repair the Aerial Lift Bridge. Tuesday, federal lawmakers announced the funding to repair the historic landmark. The grant, provided through USDOT’s RAISE program, will rehabilitate the historic bridge. Improvements will include replacing deteriorated sections, structural repair, and replacing the sidewalks.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3DLVzp3
BROOKLYN PARK: From Emily Haugen via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Brooklyn Park has big-picture plans for undeveloped space near highways 169 and 610: its BioTech Innovation District. The city is welcoming public feedback for that area later this month. Community Development Director Tim Gladhill said there are 700 undeveloped acres in the northwest area of Brooklyn Park.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/40mRTTF
ST PAUL: From Christine Schuster via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Slow-cooked meats and around two dozen side dishes, ranging from guacamole and homemade salsas to mashed potatoes, are on the menu at a new counter-service restaurant opening soon in St. Paul. Siblings and second-generation entrepreneurs Luna and Anthony Ramirez said Tres Bandidos will open in early February at 143 Snelling Avenue North, in the former Red's Savoy Pizza spot next to Dunkin' Donuts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/422qEPl
RETAIL: From Madeline Nachbar via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Do you smell that? It’s NYC-based perfumery Le Labo making its North Loop debut. The luxury fragrance brand’s scents began in Grasse, France, the perfume capital of the world, before exploding in New York City.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fURDjc
JAN 20: Via Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, VERBATIM: “The 35th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Breakfast is here, bringing together the Twin Cities community to honor Dr. King’s timeless legacy of justice, equality, and unity.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40598Y9
THIS MONTH: From Torey Van Oot via Axios, VERBATIM: “Minnesotans observing a ‘Dry’ — or ‘Damp’ — January have no shortage of options for sipping sans alcohol during their monthlong break from booze.” LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4jm4ONh
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
UNITEDHEALTH: Via Reuters, VERBATIM: “Three UnitedHealth-owned insurance companies collectively must pay over $165 million for engaging in widespread deceptive conduct that misled thousands of consumers in Massachusetts into unknowingly buying supplemental health insurance, a state court judge has ruled. Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell on Monday hailed Suffolk County Superior Court Judge Helene Kazanjian's decision, saying it awarded the state the largest civil penalties it has ever recovered under the state's consumer protection law.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fIBcqc
FISH: From Mike Mosedale via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “In a study published in the December issue of the academic journal Science of The Total Environment, researchers from the University of Minnesota, the Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Geological Survey and other agencies collected walleye and perch from 21 Minnesota lakes — 12 infested with zebra mussels, nine uninvaded — and then tested for mercury. The results of the three-year survey are alarming: In lakes with zebra mussels, mercury levels in walleyes were found to be on average 72 percent higher than in walleyes from uninvaded lakes. For perch, the number is an astonishing 157 percent.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gIdfAp
THIS MONTH: Via Insight News, VERBATIM: “Sweet Potato Comfort Pie (SPCP) of Golden Valley, Minnesota, will host its 10th annual celebration of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Sunday, January 19, 2025, 1:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m., at the Metropolitan Ballroom in Golden Valley.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Waa6RX
VOLUNTEER: From Katelyn Vue via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “When Zenebech Aly first immigrated to Rochester, Minnesota, in 2010, she couldn’t sit still as she waited for authorization to work legally in the country. She was constantly busy where she last lived, the United Arab Emirates, working for a construction company after she left her home country of Ethiopia . . . She started volunteering at the Intercultural Mutual Assistance Association, a nonprofit that serves immigrants and refugees in southeast Minnesota, and has since logged thousands of hours helping new immigrants transition to life in the United States.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Ppoj9S
LAKE SUPERIOR: From Hannah Morgan via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “A handful of folks from the Twelve Holy Apostles Orthodox Church braved the frigid waters of Lake Superior to honor Epiphany. It took place after the church held services Monday morning to celebrate the Christian holiday. Then, they gathered in Canal Park to have their annual blessing of the waters. After reading prayers, the priest took a wooden cross and threw it into the lake.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3ZYwkqU
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BOWLING: Via The Minneapolis Egotist, VERBATIM: “Storm Bowling, a leader in bowling innovation, and Skully Rebels Creative Brigade, a cutting-edge creative agency, are thrilled to announce their collaboration on a bold new project: The Knock’m Downs. This animated web series breathes life into bowling pins, showcasing the daily beatings they endure and their comical ways of recovering—whether it’s a soothing massage or unwinding with a cocktail.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4j0gLbf
FRANCIS: From Cam Bonelli via Minne Inno, VERBATIM: “Francis Medical Inc., a Twin Cities med-tech manufacturer that's developing a way to treat prostrate and other cancers with water vapor, said Tuesday it raised $80 million in its latest equity funding round. The Maple Grove-based company, spun off from the former NxThera Inc., plans to use proceeds from the round to fund a clinical trial of its Vanquish device in the treatment of prostate cancer.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4agDLP5
GRACO: From Minneapolis-based Graco via Business Wire, VERBATIM: “Graco Inc. (NYSE: GGG) announced today that it will release its Fourth Quarter 2024 earnings after the New York Stock Exchange closes on Monday, January 27, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4h0xWYR
BRIDGEWATER: From St. Louis Park-based Bridgewater via Business Wire, VERBATIM: “Bridgewater Bancshares, Inc. (Nasdaq: BWB), the parent company of Bridgewater Bank, today announced that it will release its fourth quarter 2024 financial results after the market closes on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. Bridgewater will then host a conference call and webcast to discuss the results on Thursday, January 30, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. Central Time.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/409vS9l
ECOLAB: From St. Paul-based Ecolab via Business Wire, VERBATIM: “Ecolab will host a live webcast to discuss its 2024 fourth quarter results. A news release containing fourth quarter results is expected to be issued before market open on February 11, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3DIMvBg
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
FILM: Via The Minneapolis Egotist, VERBATIM: “39 Seconds tells the true-life story of one of baseball’s greatest players you’ve likely never heard of. This film was created entirely in Minnesota, featuring local actors, crew, and post-production talent.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4h6eOYL
WINGS: Via Eater Twin Cities, VERBATIM: “Game day or not, the demand for good wings never wavers. Juicy and handheld, wings are an excellent vessel for flavor — and though they’re messier than the average knife-and-fork chicken dinner, there are few better ways to eat chicken. From sweet honey barbecue to fiery buffalo sauce, here’s a trail of places around the Twin Cities to get a wing fix.” LIST/MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3C72tjD
BDAYS: Rep. Bernie Perryman, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, marketer Janet Rosseth, agency leader Tracy Call, MNCU communicator Julia Miller, fmr. Rep. David Bly
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.
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