President-elect Trump’s favorability rating hit 50%, the highest since April of 2017. MORNING CONSULT: https://fluence-media.co/3ZPK1tG
Holidazzle returns to Nicollet Mall, but there’s no parade this time. MPLSSTPAUL: https://fluence-media.co/4gckwbw
Was Chicago Mix invented in St. Paul or Chicago? MPR: https://fluence-media.co/4g7z1NV
The new Drought Monitor released this morning shows slight improvement over last week. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3zN8TDo
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3ZObJ9U
This week, Rep. Angie Craig will be the guest on Sunday Take at 9AM on WCCO Radio.
On last weekend’s Sunday Take, U of MN President Rebecca Cunningham shared legislative priorities. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3BkGFFq
Blois
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TODAY: From Nathan O’Neal via KMSP-TV, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is announcing ‘significant litigation’ against a ‘major corporation’ in the gun industry on Thursday . . . Ellison will be joined by members of law enforcement to discuss the public safety implications of the state’s lawsuit, and he will also be joined by Minnesotans who have been personally affected by the illegal conduct alleged in Minnesota’s litigation.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ByGV3G
FBI SEARCH: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The FBI is searching at least two Minnesota autism centers Thursday morning as part of an investigation that it said revealed ‘substantial evidence’ of fraudulent Medicaid claims made by many companies participating in a state program to serve people under 21. Agents were searching at least two locations as of Thursday morning, according to a 54-page search warrant application: Smart Therapy Center’s business office in Minneapolis and Star Autism Center’s office in St. Cloud. A Star Tribune reporter observed FBI agents in the hallway of Smart Therapy Center’s office early Thursday morning. The searches are in connection with an investigation into fraud related to the state-funded Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI) health care program that serves people under 21 with autism spectrum disorder.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZqGjFa
MORE: Via Minnesota House GOP, VERBATIM: “The number of autism providers has increased 700% in the past five years, accompanied by a 3,000% increase in funding to those services including $400 million in 2023 and 2024 according to today’s search warrant. Federal investigators say they found ‘substantial evidence’ providers submitted fraudulent claims for services not provided or covered by the program. Additionally, the warrant shows at least twelve people charged in the Feeding Our Future case owned, received money from or were associated with autism centers that got state funding for providing services.” The release includes comments from House Speaker-designate Lisa Demuth, DEMUTH: “With this investigation’s links to a dozen individuals involved in the Feeding our Future scandal, I am calling on Governor Walz to order state agencies to immediately pause payments to anyone or any entity that is suspected or convicted of fraud in other state programs.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gcQ6WC
MNLEG: Via Minnesota Senate, VERBATIM: “Today, Senator Matt Klein (DFL-Mendota Heights), Senator Nick Frentz (DFL – North Mankato), Senator Judy Seeberger (DFL – Afton), Senator Grant Hauschild (DFL – Hermantown), Senator Ann Rest (DFL – New Hope), Senator Rob Kupec (DFL – Moorhead), Senator Aric Putnam (DFL – St. Cloud), and Senator John Hoffman (DFL – Champlin) announced the formation of the Blue Dog Coalition in the Minnesota Senate. The group of legislators represents a diverse range of communities from urban, suburban, regional hubs, and rural towns. The group looks forward to playing a role in the upcoming policy and budget discussions given the 67-67 split in the Minnesota State House, where the Senate voice could tip the balance.”
MPLS: Via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “During the last scheduled meeting of the year for the Minneapolis City Council on Thursday, councilors voted 9-4 to override Mayor Jacob Frey’s veto of their 2025 budget, which was passed late Tuesday night. As reported by 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS on Wednesday, Frey said he would veto a laundry list of amendments that added new spending . . . Frey had also said the $1.9 billion spending plan cuts from the city’s needs and adds more to the city’s wants. In addition, he said many of the programs the council puts money toward are unvetted.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iuPHAz
MORE: Via Council Member Emily Koski (who is running for Mayor), KOSKI: “Mayor Frey is the first in this City’s modern history, if ever, to veto a city budget. This is not an accomplishment, an act of leadership, or something he should be proud of—it’s a complete and total failure, and an act of reckless self-promotion at the cost of responsible governance. This City elected the Mayor to lead with integrity, not to distract with flashy publicity and spin tactics.”
MORE: From Star Tribune reporter Deena Winter via X, VERBATIM: “However, the Minneapolis City Council did NOT have enough votes to override the mayor's veto of resolution urging amnesty for pro-Palestinian protesters at University of Minnesota.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/3BtkWv8
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)
WOLVES/LYNX: From Dustin Nelson via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “The in-house audio and video team for the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Minnesota Lynx have voted to unionize.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41qFYoM
DULUTH: From Sophia Lauber via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “AFSCME Local 66 is demanding higher wages and dignity for the 500 city workers that the union represents. Members of the union hold positions in departments throughout the city and include plow drivers, library staff, utility operators, and water plant operators. Following negotiations with the City of Duluth, the union held a vote with 92% turnout in which 95% voted to reject the city’s latest offer and to authorize a strike.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/49wqSjF
MSU MANKATO: Via KTTC-TV, VERBATIM: “U.S. Representative Brad Finstad (R-MN) is calling for Minnesota State University-Mankato to fire a professor after a recent social media post concerning the killing of United Healthcare’s CEO. Rep. Finstad posted on X saying the professor should be forced to resign after allegedly posting on Facebook asking, ‘how long do we really need to look for Brian Thompson’s killer?’.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gb1ceS
COLD: Via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “Minnesota is dealing with the coldest air of the season so far early Thursday, with cold weather advisories up north through 10 a.m.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4ffinux
MORE: From Aaliyah Demry via KTTC-TV, VERBATIM: “Rochester Community Warming Center staff are preparing for a packed house as temperatures drop this week. The center provides dinner, showers, laundry and a place to sleep every night for those who need it and you won’t even need your ID.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3ZNbf3U
TARGET: Via Chain Store Age, VERBATIM: “As the holiday season enters its final two weeks Target Corp. is ramping up its offerings for shoppers . . . Most of the retailer's nearly 2,000 stores are open for extended hours of 7 a.m. to midnight local time through Monday, Dec. 23. On Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, stores will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. local time. All Target stores are closed on Christmas Day, Dec. 25 . . . Same-day delivery orders placed by 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve can be delivered to customer homes or sent to anyone on their shopping list.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZBaVnP
REBATES: From Walker Orenstein via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Kevin Bornfleth knows severe storms are getting stronger as climate change intensifies. The Minnesotan read about widespread blackouts hitting Texas during a 2021 winter cold snap. So Bornfleth, 54, decided to buy a $15,000 home battery system along with a new rooftop solar array at his home in Prior Lake . . . This kind of battery system is exactly what Minnesota’s DFL lawmakers want more people to install. In 2023, Democrats who controlled the Legislature approved $7 million in battery rebates that are available now for homes and small businesses as part of a state budget that included incentives for other climate-friendly technology like heat pumps, electric bikes and electric cars.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gwXsUU
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 in January. Follow on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.TheDailyAgenda.com/Podcasts. (SPONSORED: Minnesota Telecom Alliance)
LIST: Minneapolis ranks 16th for STEM job growth. From RCLCO via PRNewswire, VERBATIM: “Published annually since 2016, the STEMdex tracks and projects STEM job growth trends across the country by analyzing the economies of the largest metropolitan areas to understand which regions are attracting the jobs and employees of the future.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gvp38W
BEER: From Dustin Nelson via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Chaotic Good Brewing in Kasson will close its doors on Dec. 23, the company announced ‘with a flood of emotions and many tears’ on Tuesday. The southern Minnesota brewery opened in late 2022, and is still hoping that a new owner might be able to revive the company.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3D9dYvL
FISH: From Jeffrey McClure via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “Folks who love fishing Lake Superior might notice some changes to the species they catch in the years ahead. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced plans to no longer stock splake in the big lake. The fish is popular among anglers, and the move received considerable attention during their Lake Superior Fisheries Management meeting at the Lake Superior Visitor’s Center.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3Pd6s61
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)
ST. CLOUD: From Lauren Breunig via St. Cloud Live, VERBATIM: “Students from more than 600 families are experiencing homelessness right now, according to an ISD 742 school official. That number could go as high as 1,000 families by February as winter gets colder, said Cocoa Bynum, Transitional Education Services coordinator.” BYNUM: “The need is growing, and things get trickier as it becomes colder,” she said. “We’re focused on students so they’re in a place to focus on school when they’re in the classroom, not things like where they will sleep or what they’re going to eat.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZNHAI3
CALABRIO: From Cam Bonelli via Minne Inno, VERBATIM: “Call center software firm Calabrio said Wednesday it has acquired Echo AI, a developer of call-analysis software. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Like Minneapolis-based Calabrio, Echo AI makes software for the customer-contact sector.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iA1zkA
TODAY: From Eden Prairie-based C.H. Robinson via Business Wire, VERBATIM: “C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (Nasdaq: CHRW) a leading global logistics provider, will host an Investor Day in New York City today, Thursday, December 12, 2024, starting at 9:00 a.m. (ET).” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gz0tnF
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
FARM BILL: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The congressional wheels are in motion to extend the current farm bill into 2025. U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley tells Brownfield. “I hate to tell you there’s no doubt it’s going to be included in the Continuing Resolution, but that’s what we think is definitely happening. And I don’t know whether I need a daily update on it because I think it’s a forgone conclusion.” But the Iowa Republican says he’s not sure if ad hoc disaster assistance will be made available to farmers suffering financial hardships.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3Bx2gdO
FUNDING: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is investing $6.3 billion in rural and Tribal communities across 44 states to expand access to a clean and reliable electric grid, provide safe drinking water and create good-paying jobs.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ff9d1d
MORE: Details of projects funded including dozens here in Minnesota. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4ixGEik
BUTTERFLIES: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “U.S. wildlife officials announced a decision Tuesday to extend federal protections to monarch butterflies after years of warnings from environmentalists that populations are shrinking and the beloved pollinator may not survive climate change. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to add the butterfly to the threatened species list by the end of next year following an extensive public comment period . . . the proposed listing would generally prohibit anyone from killing or transporting the butterfly. People and farmers could continue to remove milkweed, a key food source for monarch caterpillars, from their gardens, backyards and fields but would be prohibited from making changes to the land that make it permanently unusable for the species.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4izVtB1
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PLAYERS: From Allison Kaplan via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “Players Health, the Minneapolis-based sports tech startup founded by former pro football player Tyrre Burks, closed a $60 million Series C funding round, the company announced Wednesday . . . The company said it will use the money to advance its AI-powered product personalization, for strategic mergers and acquisitions that broaden market reach and expand capabilities, and to grow its workforce.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fefv0Q
HORMEL: From Hormel via PRNewswire, VERBATIM: “Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL), a Fortune 500 global branded food company, today announced that Mike Clausman has been appointed to the new role of vice president, deputy general counsel and assistant secretary.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gxscoI
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
WICKED: From Torey Van Oot via Axios, VERBATIM: “Interactive sing-along screenings of ‘Wicked’ are coming to major movie theaters — including here in the Twin Cities.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZT8RYv
BDAYS: Secretary of State Steve Simon, health care leader Jennifer Myster, fmr. Rep. Ken Eken, public affairs pro Laura Harris, communication pro Maria Surma Manka, fmr. Commissioner John Linc Stine
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