An analysis from Morning Consult finds politically conservative American consumers underestimate the potential impact tariffs could have on retail prices. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/41FeKLc
Wishing for a snowy Christmas? There’s a chance. FORECAST: https://fluence-media.co/4iIvirY
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4gDkQQC
On Sunday Take, Rep. Angie Craig on the state of the Democratic party, her political future and possibility of a Farm Bill. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3BxVV20
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CRAIG: Via The Hill, VERBATIM: “House Democrats voted Tuesday to make Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) their top member on the House Agriculture Committee, choosing a junior member of the powerful panel over a more veteran lawmaker who was also vying for the seat. Craig, in her third term, defeated Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calif.), the second-ranking member of the committee, who has been on Capitol Hill for two decades. The vote took place behind closed doors, and by secret ballot, in the basement of the Capitol. The tally was 121 to 91.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iUtf4b
MORE: Via Farm Bureau, from president Zippy Duvall, QUOTE: “Rep. Craig has a long history of working in a bipartisan manner to advance the needs of America’s farmers and ranchers. Her leadership is needed now more than ever, as farmers face economic headwinds including inflation, high supply costs and decreasing commodity prices. Those challenges can quickly become a crisis if they’re not addressed with a new, modernized farm bill.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gEGAeC
MORE: Via statement from Rep. Craig, QUOTE: “I just won my D+1 district by nearly 14 points because my farmers and rural constituents know that I’ll meet them where they’re at, I’ll listen to their concerns and I’ll work with whoever I can to improve their lives. I look forward to leading my Democratic colleagues in the spirit of Minnesota’s Second District: that means not defaulting to the status quo of Washington, DC. It means working to find compromise where we can, but fighting for our values where we must.”
EAGLE: From the National Eagle Center via PRNewswire, VERBATIM: “The National Eagle Center in Wabasha, MN, in collaboration with a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators and House Representatives, has successfully led the legislative effort to designate the Bald Eagle as the country's official national bird. The bill, which passed the U.S. Senate last July, today passed the House of Representatives and now advances to the President's desk for final approval.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fppfFM
DRONES: From Jason Rantala via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “Mysterious drone sightings have been popping up, particularly around the East Coast, with multiple reports in states like New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. On Dec. 11, Chelsie Jolley said she captured several bright orbs on video outside her home in Roseville. ‘I'd say I saw at least six,’ said Jolley. If it weren't for the recent increase in drone sightings, Jolley said she may not have been looking quite as hard at the skies.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4fDK68x
MINNEAPOLIS: From Deena Winter via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Mayor Jacob Frey found one more piece of legislation to veto before year’s end: The City Council’s denial of raises for some of the city’s highest-paid employees. The council voted 7-6 Thursday to deny 4% cost-of-living raises to about 160 appointed city employees who make six-figure salaries, beginning at about $109,000 and topping out at $348,000, according to the Frey administration.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41zglSP
DULUTH: From Peter Passi via Duluth News Tribune, VERBATIM: “When it comes to the city’s share of property taxes, local homeowners stand to catch a bit of a break next year. The Duluth City Council unanimously approved an ordinance Monday night that would boost the 2025 levy by 1.85% — an increase that should be almost fully covered by more than $789,000 in tax revenues to be generated by new construction this past year. Mayor Roger Reinert hailed the budget for holding tax growth to essentially zero for owners of existing local properties that have not appreciated significantly in value — a feat last accomplished in 2014.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3P22f4I
TOURISM: From Dan Hanger via KQDS-TV, VERBATIM: “As the city of Duluth gets ready to welcome in its new tourism marketing agency, Madden Media of Arizona, for the next two years, Mayor Roger Reinert told FOX 21 Monday that the goal during this new contract is to build Visit Duluth back up to a Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) that will once again handle all of the city’s marketing and the financial decisions around that – not City Hall. Visit Duluth did just that for more than 80 years before former mayor Emily Larson sent that contract through an RFP process, which ended up going to Bellmont Partners out of the Twin Cities.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4gkLLAI
VENEZUELANS: From Elza Goffaux and Cynthia Tu via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “One in four Venezuelans has fled the country in recent years due to the country’s political and economic turmoil. While most landed in neighboring countries, more than 500,000 are currently in the U.S., where many are eligible for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or another program, humanitarian parole. But the election of Donald Trump has made the future uncertain for many Venezuelans, as he has threatened to scale back programs that shield more than 1 million immigrants and carry out the largest mass deportations in U.S. history. Ana Pottratz Acosta, an immigration attorney who teaches at the Mitchell Hamline School of Law, advises those who do not have U.S. citizenship to talk to a lawyer and get in the safest position possible.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3OYgpno
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)
ANDERSEN: From Liz Fedor via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “The presidential election dominated the headlines in 2024, but the conscientious work of Andersen Corp. employees is earning headlines as the year draws to a close. The Bayport, Minnesota-based manufacturer announced Monday that it is rewarding its workforce with $50.8 million in profit sharing. With more than 13,000 employees, Andersen said that it’s paying up to $3,923 to each eligible employee.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gixc0J
SOLAR: From Ava Kian via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Two nonprofit groups have teamed up to help a solar cooperative get off the ground in west-central Minnesota. The West Central Initiative and Solar United Neighbors are leading the Lakes & Prairies Solar Co-op as it takes sign-ups through the end of March with plans to begin rooftop projects in the spring and summer.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iDdnTj
NEXT MONTH: Via 3M, VERBATIM: “Each January, the world’s biggest brands gather in Las Vegas for the most powerful tech event on the planet, CES, to unveil ground-breaking innovations that shape our future. At CES 2025, 3M will showcase how we serve as ‘uncomplicators,’ empowering our customers with advanced material science solutions to tackle their toughest challenges. For our teams, CES is also a celebration of the work we’re doing in fields like mobility, climate tech, consumer products and data centers. Here’s a look at what we’re bringing to the tech event in 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fppII2
ACQUISITION: Via Eden Prairie-based Arctic Wolf, VERBATIM: “Arctic Wolf and BlackBerry Limited (NYSE: BB; TSX:BB), two global leaders in security software and services, today announced they have entered into a definitive agreement for Arctic Wolf to acquire BlackBerry’s Cylance endpoint security assets. Cylance is the pioneer of AI-based endpoint protection trusted by thousands of organizations around the world. With this acquisition, Arctic Wolf ushers in a new era of simplicity, flexibility, and outcomes to the endpoint security market, delivering the security operations results customers have been asking for.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZE8KQo
PHDATA: From Cam Bonelli via Minne Inno, VERBATIM: “A San Francisco private equity firm has acquired a majority stake of Twin Cities tech firm PhData, the companies said Monday. Gryphon Investors said it led a recapitalization deal that gave it a controlling interest in PhData, which provides consulting on data, AI and managed services. Current PhData management, including CEO Ryan Bosshart, will retain a significant equity stake, according to a statement from Gryphon.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Dm3NUP
ECOLAB: Via Investing, VERBATIM: “[St. Paul-based] On Tuesday, Ecolab Inc (NYSE:ECL) received a stock rating upgrade from a BMO Capital analyst. The firm's stock was raised from Market Perform to Outperform along with a new price target of $290.00. The positive adjustment comes after a period of solid performance by the company, which has delivered a 26% return year-to-date and maintains a market capitalization of $70 billion. According to InvestingPro data, 11 analysts have recently revised their earnings estimates upward for the upcoming period, signaling growing confidence in the company's prospects.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gfsq3W
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)
GYM: From Madison Roth via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “Adam Thielen. C.J. Ham. Alex Mattison. Chad Greenway. They’re names many Minnesota Vikings fans have heard before as they’ve all played for the team at some point in their careers. But they’re also connected through ETS Performance: a Midwestern sports training facility for athletes of all ages. With its headquarters located in Woodbury, ETS has steadily grown to 43 locations since it was established in 2010.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gz8AQQ
CENTERPOINT: From Andrew Hazzard via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “CenterPoint Energy reached a settlement with several consumer advocate groups and government agencies that will keep residential bills around current levels and halve the amount of membership dues for a controversial gas association the company can pass on to customers. The proposed settlement, filed with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) on December 4, will raise CenterPoint residential gas rates by 5.2% — or about $50 per year for most customers compared to 2023 levels. That’s around half of the 10.3% increase initially proposed by the company.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3OTP85D
BRINGING SAFETY TO “THE NEXT LEVEL” - As part of Enbridge’s work on the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Reservation in northern Minnesota, Enbridge has brought in family-owned and Indigenous-owned Northern Lights Family Outfitters to fully outfit project workers right on the job site with personal protective equipment (PPE) from its 48-foot mobile trailer. “Enbridge really brings safety to the next level,” says Patti, a project liaison for Enbridge and the Fond du Lac Band. “It’s really helpful to have a mobile unit, especially for this kind of work. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3OQYmjn (SPONSORED: Enbridge)
WELLSTONE: From Sheila Mulrooney Eldred via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “On a Monday morning in mid-October, a group of area bus folks gathers inside a repair bay at Benjamin Bus in Northfield. The people are from different companies and different areas of the state, but they’ve joined forces to help a friend with a project: to make the late Senator Paul Wellstone’s famous green bus ready to roll again.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZXNKoY
PEACE: From Kevin Miller via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “The Brooklyn Park community is mourning the loss of a leader who recently passed away. Grace Powelson, formerly Grace Arbogast, died on Dec. 13. She was 87-years-old. She was mayor of Brooklyn Park after Jesse Ventura in the 1990s, and served through the early 2000s.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3P2fD98
NEXT MONTH: Via City of Bloomington, VERBATIM: “The City of Bloomington is partnering with Launch Minnesota to host Walk in Wednesdays for Startups and Small Businesses. Hosted by Hiromi Yokoi from NextStage, these monthly open house sessions spotlight the wealth of startup resources available, at no cost, and help entrepreneurs connect with experts in their area.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3OYcN4O
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
AQUACULTURE: From Dan Kraker via MPR, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is looking for public input on its new draft state aquaculture plan — the first update to the plan in more than 35 years. ‘What we are trying to do in the planning process is getting the word out to folks about what aquaculture is, what it can do for the state, and how we can basically create an economically and environmentally sustainable aquaculture industry,’ explained Don Schreiner, a fishery specialist with the Minnesota Sea Grant Program at the University of Minnesota. Most aquaculture in the state is currently for bait fish and for fish stocking programs. The last state plan doesn’t even mention raising fish for food.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZZPr5u
NEXTGEN: Via Morning Ag Clips, VERBATIM: “The average Minnesota farmer is 57 years old, and with each passing year another generation looks to take the leadership mantle and lead the family farm. For more than 40 years, the American Soybean Association (ASA) Corteva Agriscience Young Leader Program has provided valuable training for farmers early in their careers. The 2024-2025 Young Leader Class features two Minnesotans: Raymond DeMars and Rebecca Sip, who recently began representing Norman County on the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA).” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gyLfii
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DOWNTOWN: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Downtown Minneapolis' 57-story Wells Fargo Center sold this month to a trio of investor groups. Minnetonka-based Onward Investors on Thursday announced it had partnered with Cross Ocean Partners and Neuberger Berman on the acquisition of the city's third-tallest building. The tower, designed by César Pelli, opened in 1987.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZXTeAc
REMER: From Miles Walker via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “The Remer community got into the holiday spirit for the town’s 13th annual Christmas Crawl last weekend. Organized through the Remer chamber of commerce, the Christmas Crawl gives residents an opportunity to get together and see what businesses along main street have to offer for the season.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/49Dna7X
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
RETAIL: From Allison Kaplan via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “Polo Ralph Lauren is the latest brand announced as part of Southdale’s major makeover. A sign went up on Monday at the Edina shopping center, between the new Kowalski’s Market and Kate Spade, which is also under construction.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iGVDq1
CHIPOTLE: From Izzy Canizares via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Fresh off of opening new restaurants in Dinkytown and Eden Prairie in November, Chipotle is adding two more Minnesota locations to its portfolio this month. The burrito giant has confirmed that its third eatery in Maple Grove and first in Monticello will open in December.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3OZQzzG
BDAYS: operative Denise Cardinal, General Mills’ Tess Hohman, lobbyist Nancy Haas, Ameriprise’s Kathleen McClung
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