The U.S. Postal Service today announced it will continue accepting packages from China and Hong Kong – it announced a suspension of those packages yesterday. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gqzOc1
What does a Jeep look like after spending 13 years in a Minnesota lake? SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4hHYIoE
Heavy snow is headed our way this weekend. FORECAST: https://fluence-media.co/40ZnDhY
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3WMZngu
Sunday Take discusses Capitol security, what the Democrats need to do to win and further analysis of Ken Martin’s DNC chair election featuring TPT Almanac’s Mary Lahammer. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4jJBIHy
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SCHOOLS: From Frankie McLister via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “The Trump Administration now says it may dismantle the Department of Education. So, what could happen to Minnesota kids and schools if it goes away? ‘The nation's report card was released this week, and the news is not good,’ said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. ‘It showed that U.S. students had record low reading comprehension scores last year.’ Dr. Joe Nathan resides in Minnesota and has advised former presidents on the topic.” QUOTE: "The department does fundamentally four things. It says you may, you must, you can't... and here's money," Nathan said. "The president has said that he wants to send money directly to school districts and states." WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3WN4q0z
HIRING: From Nathan Bowe via Detroit Lakes Tribune, VERBATIM: “Concerned about the grim outlook for state and federal funding, Becker County is going back to its former policy of having the full board approve all new hires. Two or three years ago, to speed up the hiring process, the county started allowing department heads to go ahead and fill vacancies without full board approval, as long as the position was already funded . . . storm clouds are brewing at both the state and federal levels, said Commissioner Barry Nelson, who pushed for tightening up the hiring process.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3WM5W2I
FLUORIDE: From Kirsti Marohn via MPR, VERBATIM: “At the Franklin Arts Center in Brainerd, actors with the Stage North Theatre Company are rehearsing their upcoming show, ‘Fluoride, the Musical,’ featuring tap-dancing teeth and dentists in white coats carrying giant toothbrushes. Playwright Roger Nieboer started working on the script more than a year ago, before anyone knew fluoride would be back in the headlines. Nieboer lives in Mora, but has written other plays about Brainerd history, including robber Baby Face Nelson’s 1933 bank heist. Nieboer said he’s always been fascinated by the story of Brainerd’s resistance to fluoridation, led by what he describes as ‘a motley band of people of all different political stripes.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hnJDZx
GEN MILLS: From Brooks Johnson via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Chazmo the alien declares Totino’s pizza rolls ‘the most snackable pizza in the universe’ in the first General Mills Super Bowl ad in more than a decade. Never mind the universe, General Mills is just hoping the message reaches the coasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40HJ2uN
WILD ABOUT READING: More than 500 Minnesota classrooms and 15,000 students are participating in the “Wild About Reading” program, a partnership with Flint Hills Resources which encourages students to read more using Minnesota Wild-branded posters, reading logs, and bookmarks. Teachers set weekly reading goals and give certificates to students who complete the four-week program. Fun program incentives include classroom visits from the Wild’s mascot, Nordy – and the team dog, Rookie; a pair of tickets to a Wild home game, player signed pucks and photos; and a pizza party for a classroom. LEARN MORE: Wild About Reading SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources
SHIPPING: From Ryan Hayes via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “C. Reiss has moved its operations from Duluth to Superior and their nearly $23 million project is up and running. The location on Winter Street sat dormant for decades but has been owned by C. Reiss for years. The project was six years in the making and was funded entirely through government grants and the company itself.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4jDOPu5
RETAIL: From Adam Uren via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “South Dakota-based retailer Furniture Mart USA has completed the acquisition of Twin Cities chain Becker Furniture and its seven Minnesota locations. The acquisition was announced on Tuesday, ending more than 45 years of Huseby family ownership of Becker Furniture, with current owner Joel Huseby joining the Furniture Mart USA leadership team.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aLGC2I
MALLS: The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal’s J.D. Duggan talked with local real estate brokers who say the pending closure of Macy’s stores at Burnsville Center and Maplewood Mall unlocks real estate that had been tied up for decades, giving the malls an opportunity to re-think those spaces. READ: https://fluence-media.co/410fn1d
SOUTHDALE: Via Southdale Center, VERBATIM: “Simon, a real estate investment trust engaged in the ownership of premier shopping, dining, entertainment and mixed-use destinations, today announced the addition of new retailers to Southdale Center, continuing the total transformation of suburban Minneapolis’ premier shopping and dining destination.” LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4aMXupM
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)
SEX TRAFFICKING: From Susan Du via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A controversial anti-sex trafficking group is planning to relocate to Minnesota and hoping to set up shop in a new city-owned public safety facility in Minneapolis. The prospect that the group, Our Rescue, might be selected to train police on sex trafficking in the new South Minneapolis Community Safety Center has drawn criticism from Minnesota anti-trafficking leaders who call Our Rescue’s approach outdated and poorly informed.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42JSQHo
ANOKA CTY: From Renée Cooper via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “Anoka County will spend $2.75 million to settle a lawsuit with a former inmate, according to the law firm that brought the case. Deyonta Green was 25 years old when he was booked into the Anoka County Jail in 2022. A few days later, he was hospitalized, according to the lawsuit he filed two years later. The complaint alleged jail staff denied Green access to ‘critical healthcare’ for days, resulting in ‘…severe and long-lasting…’ medical issues.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3WOJczh
ROBBINSDALE: From Kevin Miller via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Sharon Brooks, a controversial figure on the Robbinsdale Area School Board, submitted her resignation just ahead of the board’s Feb. 3 meeting. Her term was to run through December 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aUepXB
WBL: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “A $226 million high school renovation and addition is complete in White Bear Lake after several years of construction. The transformation of the White Bear Lake Area High School's former North Campus creates a single high school for grade 9–12 students within the White Bear Lake Area School District.” READ/PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/4gsoT1u
AWARD: Via Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association, VERBATIM: “Last night, at the 2025 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association CattleCon event in San Antonio, TX, a Minnesota family from Blackduck was awarded as the Region III 2025 Environmental Stewardship Award Program winners.”
MORE: We’ll have more details on this later today in ag take.
MHA NATION-ENBRIDGE AGREEMENT: “IT’S AN AWESOME DAY” - Enbridge has sold its Plaza/Wabek Pipeline in North Dakota to the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara (MHA) Nation, paving the way for the MHA Nation to become the first Tribal shipper on the Enbridge liquids pipeline network. The pipeline will “create an avenue” from the MHA Nation’s Thunder Butte facility, notes Mark N. Fox, Chairman of the MHA Nation, “to move our very valuable assets and resources to the marketplace.” Adds Bernie Fox, Thunder Butte’s CEO: “I’m thankful to Enbridge, because now they’re part of our history. They’re our partner.” As part of Enbridge’s Indigenous inclusion strategy, “we want to provide even more opportunities,” says Mike Koby, VP of our U.S. Liquids Pipelines group, “to partner with the MHA Nation and other Tribal communities along our operations.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/47ozrun (SPONSORED: Enbridge)
DINING CLUB: From Audrey Kennedy via Axios, VERBATIM: “An exclusive national dining club is partnering with some of the metro's buzziest restaurants for off-the menu five-course meals that could run guests less than $100 per person. The big picture: Bûcheron, Hyacinth and Oro by Nixta will host the first three events by Tasting Collective, a New York-based dining club that partners with local chefs at top restaurants to serve five-course meals at $75 per person before tax and tip.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aPVptu
EARNINGS: Via Associated Press, reports from Minnesota companies:
TECHNE: “Techne Corp. (TECH) on Wednesday reported fiscal second-quarter earnings of $34.9 million. On a per-share basis, the Minneapolis-based company said it had profit of 22 cents. Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, were 42 cents per share. The results beat Wall Street expectations . . . The maker of medical testing and diagnostic products posted revenue of $297 million in the period, which also beat Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hNxlK1
CVRX: “CVRx Inc. (CVRX) on Tuesday reported a loss of $10.7 million in its fourth quarter. On a per-share basis, the Minneapolis-based company said it had a loss of 43 cents. The results fell short of Wall Street expectations . . . The medical device company posted revenue of $15.3 million in the period.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3CES5o6
DAYFORCE: “Dayforce Inc (DAY) on Wednesday reported fourth-quarter net income of $10.8 million. On a per-share basis, the Minneapolis-based company said it had profit of 7 cents. Earnings, adjusted for stock option expense and amortization costs, came to 60 cents per share. The results beat Wall Street expectations . . . The provider of human-resources software and services posted revenue of $465.2 million in the period, also exceeding Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4huUNMb
SATURDAY: Via Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, VERBATIM: “On Saturday, February 8, 2025, the Minneapolis Convention Center will host one of the most impactful civic engagement events of the year—the Community Connections Conference.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3CEhazx
APRIL: From Alexandra Tostrud via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “The Professional Women’s Hockey League announced the PWHL Breakthrough Cup, a tournament designed to bring girls of all ages together April 4-6, and Blaine’s NSC Super Rink will be its first home.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hmqeIE
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
FOOTBALL: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “NFL medical officials are pointing to players choosing new helmet models as a reason concussions continue to decline. Why it matters: The number of head injuries in football is the lowest it's been since tracking began in 2015, according to the league. By the numbers: Diagnosed concussions are down 17% compared to last season.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jG6LnD
NEXTGEN: From Delane Cleveland via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “When you’re in high school, you don’t always have a clear vision of the path ahead. But students like Aaratrika Mondal have a head start. She and the other students in Wayzata High School’s Honors Mentor Connection program are paired with an industry expert to help them on a year-long research project. Mondal’s focus is in biology.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4hmiq9v
AUTO SHOP: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “A Minnesota immigrant and refugee organization is asking for the public’s help rebuilding a St. Paul auto shop after it was destroyed in a fire. SKD Auto Tek, located at 80 West Cottage Avenue, caught fire on Jan. 11, with its ownership saying surveillance video showed two masked individuals entering the property carrying a red container, and leaving without it.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40HfygE
STREET SIGNS: From Emily Haugen via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “When you look around a city, you can see signs everywhere. Each small street sign holds a lot of information. For most, it holds the street name, type and block. In Golden Valley’s case, you can even tell which city you’re in by glancing at its street signs. Those signs also hold more when it comes to cultural significance. Golden Valley Historical Society is helping to preserve those pieces of history with its vintage street sign sale.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3Ej4H4M
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API: From New Brighton-based APi via Business Wire, VERBATIM: “APi Group Corporation (NYSE: APG) announced today that it intends to release its financial results for the three months and full year ended December 31, 2024, before the market opens on Wednesday, February 26, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hoTSN8
SUNOPTA: Via Eden Prairie-based SunOpta, VERBATIM: “SunOpta Inc. (Nasdaq:STKL) (TSX:SOY), an innovative and sustainable manufacturer fueling the future of food, today announced that the Company will issue financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 28, 2024 after the markets close on Wednesday, February 26, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42OcAcV
AVI: Via Eden Prairie-based AVI, VERBATIM: “AVI Systems, a leader in communication and collaboration solution design, integration and support, today announced the promotion of five leaders from within the company. These promotions are part of the company’s strategic evolution to support rapid growth and further position AVI Systems as a trusted, strategic advisor to its customers.” LIST: https://fluence-media.co/3Eq17Ge
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
MEDIA: From Nick Halter via Axios, VERBATIM: “Minnesota never had Jim Crow laws, but that didn't prevent decades of injustices against Black Americans who came north looking for better opportunities. Driving the news: The Star Tribune's new six-episode ‘Ghost of a Chance’ podcast tells this story through the lives of Harry and Clementine Robinson, a Black couple who bought a house in predominantly white Southwest Minneapolis in 1917.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3EpUpQy
CONS: From Dustin Nelson via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Minnesota is home to dozens of comic book, gaming, and other pop culture conventions every year. The list of events is gigantic, showcasing a diverse and encompassing community of gamers, artists, and fans that host everything from intimate gatherings with niche interests to massive events with alluring guests.” LIST: https://fluence-media.co/42PErZU
BDAYS: Xcel’s John Marshall, food guy Shawn Taher, media guy Neal Justin
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