A Monday court ruling restores some of the collective bargaining rights Wisconsin workers lost under a law passed in 2011. AP: https://fluence-media.co/3CTdDx0
Kendrick Lamar and SZA will play U.S. Bank Stadium in April.
Former Viking Randy Moss says he’s “battling something internal” and asked social media followers for prayers. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4gdn2xS
Today’s 6:20 morning take on WCCO Radio with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3VnUs4P
On Sunday Take, KARE 11’s John Croman on covering politics for over 30 years as he retires. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3Zxsbvj
Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com
Fluence Media tip sheets have a new home on the web via Substack. As part of our transition, we’re introducing The Daily Agenda, a news site that will be home to all the newsletters, podcasts and other content and allow us to grow with our audience.
After 14 years, it’s time for morning take, and the family of Fluence Media tip sheets to refresh. Your newsletters will keep coming, but they will be in Substack form and delivery. Substack has been a major accelerator in the growth of independent and innovative media channels and Fluence believes it’s the best channel for the future with our growing audience.
Other newsletters will make the transition in the coming days. Like any tech change, we may have some issues. I ask for your patience and feedback.
As we add your subscription to Substack you will get all the Fluence publications, but you can adjust your subscriptions in Substack.
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EXAMPLE:
CARGILL: Via CNN, VERBATIM: “Cargill, the megasized Minnesota-based food production giant, is laying off about 5% of its global workforce as food commodity prices drop. Cargill is America’s largest privately held company, according to Forbes, and is also the world’s largest agricultural commodities trader. In a statement to CNN on Monday, the company said the changes are part of ‘a long-term strategy’ set earlier this year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gg7iKB
US STEEL: Via The New York Times, VERBATIM: “President-elect Donald J. Trump said on Monday night that he would block a Japanese company’s proposed acquisition of U.S. Steel upon taking office, declaring that he would not allow the iconic American business to be owned by a foreign firm. That was in line with sentiments Mr. Trump expressed on the campaign trail this year, but it was his first time weighing in on the transaction since winning the presidential election last month. Some analysts had expected that there could be a way forward for the deal after the political pressure subsided, but Mr. Trump’s remarks suggested that there would be little chance for it to close.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49mw3SX
ST PAUL: From Katie Galioto via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Alexandra Johnson was searching for a storefront to move her dog sporting equipment business, Jack and the Pack, out of her garage. The old Heartthrob Cafe space on the ground floor of downtown St. Paul’s Wells Fargo Place had been vacant for more than a decade.
All they needed was a matchmaker. Enter the nonprofit St. Paul Downtown Alliance, which has been pairing small businesses with empty storefronts through its Grow Downtown program since 2022. ‘It’s been more successful than we thought it would be,’ said Joe Spencer, the Downtown Alliance’s president. ‘And also more impactful.’ He and other downtown boosters are touting the program as a win-win-win: Business owners get free retail space for six months without having to commit to a long-term lease.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZeZaDj
RESIDENTIAL: Via Stateline, VERBATIM: “Nearly a fifth of office space across the country sits empty, a record high vacancy rate that’s expected to keep growing. Seeking both to boost their economies and ease their housing shortages, cities are taking steps to encourage the conversion of unused office space into much-needed housing . . . Regulatory hurdles — such as outdated building codes, minimum unit sizes and natural light requirements — push up costs. Cities are trying a variety of ways to overcome these obstacles. In September, Minneapolis peeled away several regulations in an effort to encourage conversions, including removing public hearing requirements, requiring less intensive traffic studies, and exempting converted buildings from the typical requirement that 20% to 30% of units be rented at below-market rates.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eYSm2k
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)
SPORTS BETS: Via Journo Research, VERBATIM: “A new study by sports betting site GamingToday.com has revealed where in America online fantasy sports leagues are most popular. The research analyzed Google Keyword Planner data on searches for the most popular fantasy sports leagues, including football, basketball, baseball, hockey, and soccer. The results highlight where in America people are most enthusiastic about creating their fantasy rosters and competing with fellow fans. Minnesota ranks as the state most engaged with fantasy sports in the U.S. With an average monthly search volume of 123,653, Minnesotans searched for the analyzed terms at a rate of 2,155 searches per 100,000 residents. While the average state conducts 1,283 searches per 100,000 residents monthly, Minnesota’s rate is 68% higher.”
(DISCLOSURE: Sports Betting Alliance is a client of Fluence Advisory)
OUTDOORS: From Kyle Stokes via Axios, VERBATIM: “A growing number of Minnesotans' livelihoods depend on how much fun you have outdoors — and new data suggests you're having a lot of fun. The big picture: Outdoor recreation pumped $13.5 billion into Minnesota's economy in 2023, a federal report shows. Minnesota's outdoor economy grew faster (+10.5% vs. 2022) and made up a bigger share of the state's GDP (2.8%) than national averages.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41gbZQh
ST CLOUD: From Jenny Berg via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “She’s an author, a small-business owner and a nonprofit director. And after a successful interview on Monday, Hudda Ibrahim holds another prominent role as the first Somali American member of the St. Cloud City Council. The City Council appointed Ibrahim to the seven-member board after interviewing nine candidates for the Ward 3 seat left vacant by Mayor-elect Jake Anderson, who will take office in mid-January.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Zhw6eg
XCEL: Via Energy News Network, VERBATIM: “A top executive with Minnesota’s largest utility says data center growth will not prevent it from meeting the state’s 100% clean electricity law, but it may extend the life of natural gas power plants into the next decade. ‘As we take all of that coal off the system — even if you didn’t add data centers into the mix — I think we may have been looking to extend some gas (contracts) on our system to get us through a portion of the 2030s,’ said Ryan Long, president of Xcel Energy’s division serving Minnesota and the Dakotas. ‘Adding data centers could increase the likelihood of that, to be perfectly honest.’ Long made the comments at a Minnesota Public Utilities Commission conference this fall exploring the potential impact of data centers on the state’s 2040 clean electricity mandate.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZxPVPV
H.B. FULLER: From Dan Niepow via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “Vadnais Heights-based adhesives maker H.B. Fuller is selling one business unit and buying two foreign companies. On Monday, the Minnesota company announced that it sold its flooring business for about $80 million to Pacific Avenue Capital Partners, a Los Angeles private equity firm. H.B. Fuller, which employed around 7,200 people around the world as of December 2023, said the deal will result in the loss of about $160 million in annual revenue . . . Meanwhile, H.B. Fuller leaders expect the acquisition of two European medical adhesive companies to make up for loss of revenue from the sale.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fXfJKU
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)
SLEEP NUMBER: Via Simply Wall St, VERBATIM: “Those following along with Sleep Number Corporation (NASDAQ:SNBR) will no doubt be intrigued by the recent purchase of shares by insider Patrick Hopf, who spent a stonking US$654k on stock at an average price of US$14.53. That purchase boosted their holding by 900%, which makes us wonder if the move was inspired by quietly confident deeply-felt optimism. Notably, that recent purchase by Patrick Hopf is the biggest insider purchase of Sleep Number shares that we've seen in the last year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZAxqu6
MORE: Hopf is one of four candidates nominated to Sleep Number’s board by the company’s largest shareholder, Stadium Capital Management. Via Monday statement from Stadium, VERBATIM: “Today we are writing to inform you that we have nominated four exceptionally qualified directors with capital allocation, product innovation, business turnaround and unrivaled industry experience for election to Sleep Number’s Board at the upcoming Annual Meeting. We did not come to this decision lightly, as we strongly prefer private engagement with the management teams and boards of our portfolio companies on ideas for value creation and improved governance. In this case, our hand has been forced because Sleep Number’s Board is unwilling to work with its largest shareholder to add new directors to the boardroom to ensure an independent CEO search, and most concerningly, seems intent on continuing on its current perilous path.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fUhEjj
BETTY DANGER’S: From Nick Halter via Axios, VERBATIM: “Betty Danger's, the Northeast Minneapolis restaurant with a Ferris wheel, has finally sold. Why it matters: The eye-catching ‘country club’ and mini-golf course has sat mostly vacant since August 2022 as owner Leslie Bock has tried to unload it.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3VkmcYa
RETAIL: From Christine Schuster via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “China-based lifestyle store MINISO, known for its collaborations with Disney, Sanrio, Pokémon and many other iconic brands, has arrived in Minnesota. Minnesota's first MINISO officially opened Nov. 23 inside St. Cloud's Crossroads Center shopping mall.” READ/PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/4fXbwa9
MAPLE GROVE: From Emily Haugen via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Inside what looks like an oversized cottage in Maple Grove is a winter wonderland. It’s a store called The Woods, which sells gifts, home decor and all sorts of Minnesota knickknacks . . . Dave Looney co-owns the shop with his wife, Linda. He said a big chunk of their business comes through at this time of year.” LOONEY: “November and December is about 45 percent of our year’s business. So, it’s very important.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4eYxcBl
HOUSING: From Andrew Hazzard via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “Azad Lassiter patted the foot-thick walls at a home he’s building on Queen Avenue in north Minneapolis. The walls will provide thermal insulation, a key principle of passive house construction, Lassiter explained. A builder with 17 years of experience, he serves as the Real Estate Project Manager at Urban Homeworks, a Minneapolis-based nonprofit that focuses on housing justice. Passive homes are built to specific standards to lower their carbon footprint while ensuring maximum energy efficiency and comfort.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ibxMPf
FRIDAY: From Madeline Cisneros via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Looking for a smashing time? Check out the British Arrows Awards at the Walker Art Center from December 6 through January 4. Add the awards to your holiday events lineup and enjoy 73 minutes of the best in UK moving image advertising.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ii5cvu
DEC 18: From General Mills via Business Wire, VERBATIM: “General Mills, Inc. (NYSE: GIS) plans to report results for its fiscal 2025 second quarter on December 18, 2024.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41hIPR0
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
AG OUTLOOK: Via RFD-TV, VERBATIM: “With a new year on the horizon and a new administration coming into office, many producers are already planning ahead, including the Minnesota Farm Bureau, which is underscoring its top priorities for the 2025 legislative session. State President, Dan Glessing spoke with RFD-TV’s own Suzanne Alexander on key priorities, recent cabinet member announcements, and Farm Bill momentum.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4giyGrv
FARM BILL: Via Republican Governors Association, VERBATIM: “Today, 17 Republican governors sent a joint letter to Congress expressing their concerns about the delayed passage of an updated Farm Bill. In the letter, the governors argued that the reauthorization of a Farm Bill and immediate assistance in the interim will allow farmers and ranchers to do what they do best—provide for America and feed the world.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4idJTeB
JET FUEL: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Sustainable aviation fuel is generating a lot of interest as an emerging market for crops. But Minnesota Farm Bureau vice president Carolyn Olson says a lot of uncertainty remains. ‘Surrounding some of the tax credits and whether or not Minnesota farmers will qualify for those.’ She tells Brownfield Minnesota has the biofuel infrastructure in place to help the SAF market grow.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3ZiAJof
(DISCLOSURE: Delta Air Lines is a client of Fluence Advisory)
Subscribe to other Fluence newsletters: fluence-newsletters.com
DONALDSON: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “Donaldson Co. (DCI) on Tuesday reported fiscal first-quarter earnings of $99 million. The Minneapolis-based company said it had profit of 81 cents per share. Earnings, adjusted for restructuring costs, were 83 cents per share. The results exceeded Wall Street expectations . . . The maker of filtration systems posted revenue of $900.1 million in the period, also surpassing Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3B0TkgN
BAO BAO BUNS: From Cam Bonelli via Minne Inno, VERBATIM: “A year after launching a food company, entrepreneurs Caitlin Higgins and Ed Zhang are succeeding in building demand for their bao, the steamed buns popular in Chinese cuisine. Hopkins-based Bao Bao Buns, which was founded by the duo in November 2023, now has its products sold frozen at Nikkolette's Macarons in Plymouth and St. Paul, West Side Wine & Spirits in St. Louis Park, Honey & Rye Bakehouse in St. Louis Park and Fletcher's Ice Cream in Minneapolis. The buns are also on the menu at places like Caphin Minneapolis Vietnamese Coffee and Cobble Social House in Minneapolis.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Be2kiD
75 YEARS: From Matthew Freeman via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “The Buena Vista Ski Area has been a staple of the Bemidji Community for quite some time; for 75 years in-fact. Our reporter Matthew Freeman stopped by the Ski Area during their annual ‘Ski Patrol Fundraiser’ to get the owners’ and workers’ reactions to the anniversary.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3OAzLPo
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
DRINK: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “The menu at Northern Tap House in Plymouth features a December special you won't find anywhere else. The $100 Seafood Bloody ‘is back and better than ever’ the restaurant advertised in a recent Facebook post, which has since gone viral.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3CWeSvr
CHRISTMAS: From Stacy Brooks via Eater Twin Cities, VERBATIM: “For anyone less-than-excited at the prospect of spending Christmas in the kitchen, these Twin Cities restaurants offer festive, piping hot meals. Here’s where to dine on Christmas Day around Minneapolis and St. Paul.” LIST/MAP: https://fluence-media.co/481slwH
BDAYS: Rep. Matt Norris, communication pro Paul Omodt
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