Are consumers tiring of influencers? More than half of adults say there are too many out there. MORNING CONSULT: https://fluence-media.co/3WIAm5z
NOAA’s winter outlook suggests a colder and snowier winter ahead. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4ohYl7A
On Sunday Take, State Demographer Susan Brower warns of slow growth and increased pressure on public budgets. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/42Bprhz
Blois
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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.
RECESSION: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Minnesota is one of 22 states at high risk of a recession, according to a new analysis from Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics. Why it matters: It’s just one economist’s opinion, but Zandi’s 50-state index highlights real pain points in Minnesota’s economy: a creeping unemployment rate; and a growing toll from broader forces like trade wars, an immigration crackdown and federal job cuts. What they’re saying: Nationally, ‘my takeaway is not that the economy is in recession, but it’s pretty darn close,’ Zandi tells Axios’ Emily Peck.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43qDx5E
MORE: From Mark Zandi via X:
TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4o6YCKE
ST PAUL: Via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “A lack of support and a surplus of red tape were some of the issues raised as downtown St. Paul business owners met Thursday with members of the Minnesota Legislature that represent the area. ‘Remember when (we heard) all of these stories of how much downtown was the pulse of not only entertainment, but family and business and culture and arts?’ said Rep. María Isa Pérez-Vega, a Democrat who represents downtown and also serves as chair of the St. Paul Delegation in the Minnesota House. ‘I don’t see that fizzling away,’ she said. Several people at the meeting expressed the desire for more communication around resources that are available to small-business owners. One entrepreneur pitched the idea of a small-business liaison or task force that could answer questions and alert business owners to resources, grants and other opportunities.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43nsjyM
GROCERIES: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Amazon has expanded its same-day and grocery delivery operations in the Twin Cities with a new facility in Golden Valley. The online retail giant can now make same-day deliveries of high-demand items within an 800 square-mile area that includes downtown Minneapolis, St. Paul and the south metro.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4onSrll
MINNEAPOLIS: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “In Minneapolis’ odd-year city elections, a small set of deeply engaged voters can play kingmaker. Turnout data from the last three mayoral races indicate that as residents of Ward 13 vote, so goes the city’s highest office. Ward 13 encompasses the affluent neighborhoods of Armatage, East Harriet, Fulton, Kenny, Linden Hills and Lynnhurst, where the average household income is over $100,000 and most people own their homes. While each ward’s population is roughly the same, residents in this southwest corner of the city flex outsized political influence by consistently hitting the polls harder than any other ward.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hlXhNQ
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)
SNAP: Via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “The U.S. Department of Agriculture has informed states that there are insufficient funds to pay for SNAP benefits in November — unless Congress passes a spending bill by the end of the month. SNAP benefits, also referred to as food stamps, help low-income families buy food. About 440,000 Minnesotans rely on SNAP. Most of them are children, seniors and people with disabilities. The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families instructed counties to stop approving new SNAP applications, effective Wednesday. That means families in need won’t be able to get approved for benefits until the shutdown ends.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43gtEHI
MORE: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Nicole Worlds, financial assistance manager for Health and Human Services for Faribault and Martin Counties in southern Minnesota, says the prolonged federal government shutdown, with no end in sight, is causing a lot of uncertainty and fear among those who rely on these benefits to feed their families.” WORLDS: “They’re frightened. We’re talking about people feeding their children. And grown-ups, they’ll do what they need to take care of themselves; but for kids, when parents can’t feed their children, they panic,” Worlds said. “And they’re just at a loss. They’re not sure what they’re going to do … if the food shelves are going to be overrun and their benefits don’t happen, they’re just worried. They’re very scared.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4ohTras
POWER OUTAGES: Xcel Energy has a new Electric Outage Map, now available in both English and Spanish. QUOTE: “Our customers tell us how much they appreciate and rely on this feature. We’ve made user-friendly updates designed to help them stay informed and prepared, as part of our commitment to making energy work better.” MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3WBTvWR (SPONSORED: Xcel Energy)
VANDALISM: Via KARE-TV, VERBATIM: “At least five consecutive days of vandalism have damaged more than 100 cars in parts of Minneapolis, leaving both residents and police frustrated. After dealing with multiple large-scale vandalism incidents earlier in the year, MPD confirms a new spree began Oct. 9, impacting neighborhoods in the city’s third and fifth precincts. On that day, and four days after (ending Oct. 13), at least 124 vehicles were reported damaged.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/46XBhFs
NARCAN: Via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “Students at Edina High School will be among the first in Minnesota entrusted with carrying and administering naloxone, a drug used to reverse opioid overdoses. The Edina School Board unanimously approved the policy on Monday in light of a change in state law that allows students in grades 9-12 to possess naloxone — commonly known by the brand name Narcan — and use it on another student. Students do not need permission from a school nurse to carry the drug.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4nWSu83
STORM DAMAGE: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “People affected by the June wind storm in the Bemidji area will have more time to get in-person help in applying for low-interest federal loans. The Small Business Administration (SBA) Loan Outreach Center in Bemidji has extended its closure until October 25 at 2 p.m. The previous deadline was one week earlier on October 18.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4ouCIRD
RENTALS: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “The rising number of Duluth homes being used as Vrbo’s and Airbnbs has city leaders looking to take action. The mayor, pitching a pause on new vacation rental licenses to prevent harm to the housing market. Vacation properties were already a hot topic around here, even before this new proposal. This is just the latest iteration of the discussion surrounding short-term rentals and their impact on the availability and affordability of housing in Duluth. The moratorium being proposed would pause people’s ability to get a license to rent short-term vacation units for a year.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4qh3deY
70-YEAR LEGACY OF CONTINUOUS TRANSFORMATION. Innovation has been synonymous with the Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery since it was established 70 years ago. Today, Pine Bend operates with cutting-edge leak detection technologies, the largest solar installation of its kind, a community-driven water-recycling system, and numerous other advancements. These innovations have allowed Pine Bend to produce more of the fuels and other products we all need, while continually finding ways to use fewer resources and minimize emissions. LEARN MORE: Environmental, Health, and Safety at Pine Bend refinery (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery)
WORKFORCE: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “Across the nation and in the Northland, women are ushering industries to new heights, like aviation and welding, while igniting the trades with their impressive work. Duluth native Taran Dimberio, a 20-year-old aviator, feels most amazed behind the control panel . . . With barriers beginning to blur in the Northland, Ascent Aviation has noticed a significant shift. Over the past four years, Chief Flight Instructor Quentin Potter says there’s been a steady climb of women taking an interest in the trade. According to Potter, in the first year, 1/10th of the class was women, Taran’s year had 2/10, and this year the program has 3/10.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4nTFlwa
POT: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe now has two cannabis dispensaries operating within the reservation. Just 16 months after the first band-operated dispensary was opened in Walker, Sweetest Grass now has a second location in Cass Lake.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/48uyV1U
BYRON: Via KTTC-TV, VERBATIM: “Byron City Council made several votes Tuesday on the future of a proposed municipal cannabis business. The council’s first vote authorized land adjacent to Highway 14 where the current Park & Ride is to be split off into its own lot. It would provide a space for a new business space to be built, the preferred location for a cannabis dispensary, and avenues for progression depending on whether the city wants to operate a cannabis business or lease it to a third-party operator . . . The second vote approved a delay in the design of the building, allowing the council to evaluate changing costs.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4792und
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)
HISTOSONICS: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “HistoSonics, the Minnesota medtech startup behind a novel treatment destroying harmful liver tumors with bubbles, has raised an additional $250 million and gained another high-profile backer. Tech entrepreneur Peter Thiel and other investors have infused the Plymouth-based company with this additional capital, which brings HistoSonics’ total fundraising to more than $550 million, CEO Mike Blue said. The company will use the funds to accelerate growth in more regions of the world and explore applications of its tumor-fighting technology in organs such as the brain, Blue said.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nVAL0D
MINNEAPOLIS: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “A sushi and Thai restaurant is closing in Minneapolis after more than a decade. Soberfish announced this week that it’s closing its doors for good on Nov. 15 at 2627 E. Franklin Ave. in the Seward neighborhood. Ownership did not provide a reason behind the decision.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qfvVwB
NEW: Via Eater, VERBATIM: “Welcome to the Eater Twin Cities Heatmap, a collection of exciting new restaurants and pop-ups that have opened or reopened in the last six months or so. Minneapolis and St. Paul’s resilient restaurant community continues to find creative ways to introduce diners to fantastic and unexpected food and drink.” MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3JjwJ2Z
NEXT MONTH: From Split Rock Lighthouse via Facebook, VERBATIM: “2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Join us on Monday, November 10 at Split Rock Lighthouse as we honor the 29 crew members who were lost.” POST: https://fluence-media.co/4ncwSDs
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
DYLAN: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “If you couldn’t get enough of legendary folk and blues singer-songwriter Bob Dylan’s performance last month at Huntington Bank Stadium to celebrate Farm Aid’s 40th anniversary, then you’re in luck. After nearly 70 years of creating music that has resonated with audiences across genres and generations, you’d think that we would have already heard all that there is to hear from Dylan, yet it seems that the Hibbing-born icon always has more to share with the world. The next bit is a new box set as part of the singer’s Bootleg Series, featuring recordings from the early years of his career, with many made in his home state.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42NRgTT
BDAYS: lobbyist Will Damman, journalist Angela Greiling Keane. SAT: lobbyist and horsewoman Erin Buie, Rep. Athena Hollins, WCCO Radio’s Steve Simpson. SUN: Judge Sara Grewing, philanthropist Andrew Dayton, photographer Meghan Doll, WCCO-TV’s Ellen Mohs
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