Republicans are losing ground with Americans when it comes to being seen as protectors from international threats and keeping the country prosperous. Democrats, however, don’t seem to be gaining as a result. GALLUP: https://fluence-media.co/4okL66F
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/471037w
Sunday Take featured property owner Jim Rubin and Star Tribune columnist Eric Roper discussing the recent ups and downs of Minneapolis from two perspectives. LISTEN: http://fluence-media.co/4qf2085
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.
3M: Via The Wall Street Journal, VERBATIM: “3M Co. third-quarter net income fell, but sales were higher and the diversified manufacturer boosted its adjusted-earnings forecast for the year. The St. Paul, Minn., maker of Post-it notes on Tuesday said third-quarter earnings totaled $834 million, or $1.55 a share, down from $1.37 billion, or $2.48 a share, a year earlier. Stripping out certain one-off items, 3M logged adjusted earnings of $2.19 a share, eclipsing the mean analyst estimate of $2.07 a share, as per FactSet. Third-quarter sales rose 3.5% to $6.52 billion, handily beating the average Wall Street target of $6.25 billion.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49kXLBw
MORE: Via Bloomberg, VERBATIM: “3M Co. raised its profit forecast for the second straight quarter as Chief Executive Officer Bill Brown’s effort to revitalize the conglomerate gains traction despite ongoing challenges from economic volatility. Adjusted earnings will be $7.95 to $8.05 a share, up from a prior range that topped out at $8, the company said in a statement Tuesday that revealed better-than-expected quarterly results. Analysts had predicted $7.94 on average in estimates compiled by Bloomberg. Total sales will grow more than 2.5%.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49gfmL1
DATA CENTER: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “A controversial proposed data center in northeast Minnesota received a key approval Monday evening, when the Hermantown City Council voted for a zoning change that allows the massive development to continue to move forward. The 4-0 vote to rezone the property about eight miles west of Duluth came after a marathon meeting that lasted nearly six hours and ended just before midnight. More than 50 residents of Hermantown and nearby communities addressed the council, most pleading with council members to reject the zoning change, or at least table it.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3JjSJux
PINE ISLAND: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “A St. Paul-based environmental nonprofit is suing a southeastern Minnesota city, alleging the environmental review of a proposed data center fell ‘woefully short’ of the requirements in state law. The Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA) alleges key details about the proposed project in Pine Island were omitted from the review, which MCEA also alleges failed to analyze the project’s impacts, such as to water, electricity, noise and light.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43xh9rl
AG: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison will seek a third term after announcing his re-election bid on Tuesday morning. Ellison, first elected to the office in 2018, noted a number of cases spearheaded by his office which noted, ‘has taken on the powerful on behalf of Minnesotans.’” ELLISON: “I’m running for re-election to keep Minnesota a fair place, where rule of law prevails over power and privilege,” Ellison said in a press release. “Since Minnesota elected me seven years ago, we’ve won tough fights to help Minnesotans afford their lives. We don’t bow down to kings in America, not presidents, not billionaires, not giant corporations, because everyone deserves to afford their life.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/49kQhOW
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)
MINNEAPOLIS: Via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “At the urging of environmentalists and immigrant advocates, the Minneapolis City Council is considering an ordinance that would funnel more money to home and property owners who work towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions. A proposed ordinance to increase franchise fees, which are a percentage of gas and electric bills that goes to the city, was introduced Oct. 9. The proposal would steer proceeds from those increased fees to programs that help property owners finance improvements to boost energy efficiency and decrease emissions.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47iy5TN
TRANS ATHLETES: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “A discussion among Brainerd School Board members regarding Title IX and a federal policy barring transgender athletes from participating in girls’ and women’s sports was sparked during a work session earlier this month . . . Board members DJ Dondelinger, Stephanie Etterman, and Randy Heidmann have joined more than a hundred school board members from across Minnesota in signing a letter urging state leaders and the Minnesota State High School League to comply with the federal stance.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/47jY7G0
BUCKET TRUCK: Via Xcel, VERBATIM: “On a crisp autumn morning in Waconia, Minnesota, Laketown Elementary buzzed with excitement as fifth-grader Grant Scotting kept his eyes trained on the parking lot. A birthday surprise for Scotting was in the works — and soon it rolled up: a shiny Xcel Energy bucket truck. Scotting, who has special needs and is nonverbal, is known for his love of Xcel Energy. His enthusiasm for the local energy company ranges from reporting outages on his family’s iPad to eagerly opening each monthly bill.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4oq7uei (SPONSORED: Xcel Energy)
APPLES: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Production of Honeycrisp apples has increased roughly fivefold nationally since 2011 as orchards chase consumer demand for the Minnesota-created variety. Why it matters: Honeycrisp ‘changed everything,’ says Jim Bair, the president and CEO of USApple. Before its debut, spending more than 99 cents per pound of apples was unthinkable.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4o1xZXD
RETAIL: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “If it’s true that a rising tide lifts all boats, then the coming of Gucci, Max Mara, and around 30 other retailers this year to Southdale Center seems to be stimulating a round of new store openings at malls across the Twin Cities.” QUOTE: “When the marketplace is stronger, it makes us all better,” says Jill Renslow, MOA’s chief business development and marketing officer. “Keeping local dollars here versus having that spending go out of state is important.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4obCxL9
CURLING: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “The 2025 Pan Continental Curling Championships are taking place in the United States for the first time ever, and two Iron Range cities are hosting a wide range of international talent. Forty teams from twenty-five different countries are all competing for bids to the 2026 Curling World Championships. For some competitors and fans, that means the travel to get to Northern Minnesota is quite extreme.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/42Pr23r
TODAY: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “A section of Grand Avenue will reopen Tuesday after five months of road construction that interrupted some retailers’ bottom lines. The city will hold a celebration event from 4 to 6 p.m., marking the reopening of the area — Grand Avenue between Macalester and Wheeler streets.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ho6PHV
LOTTERY: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Changes are coming to the annual New Year’s Day Minnesota Millionaire Raffle, including a new prize tier. The Minnesota Lottery announced Monday that tickets for this year’s millionaire raffle go on sale Tuesday, Oct. 21, with a new $20,000 prize tier added to mark the game’s 20th anniversary.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48YnkbN
RECORDS: The Minneapolis/St Paul Business Journal reports record store Down in the Valley has been sold to two of its employees. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3L3V5hG
40 YEARS OF PARTNERSHIP: Flint Hills Resources and Ducks Unlimited (DU) are celebrating 40 years of partnership, a longevity landmark that makes Flint Hills one of DU’s longest-standing corporate partners. Working together over the past four decades, Flint Hills and DU have contributed to conserving more than 250,000 acres of wildlife habitat and natural areas in Minnesota and over 900,000 acres across North America. LEARN MORE: Flint Hills Resources and Ducks Unlimited Celebrate 40 Years of Partnership (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery)
PRINCE: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “For the past year, I’ve spent every Thursday locked into an abandoned bank vault with thousands of Prince artifacts, attempting to piece together stories about the immense impact of our hometown hero through arrangements of photos, posters, newspaper clippings, purple drapery, and easels. So, so many easels. Much like Dayton’s put together window displays each winter to get shoppers in the holiday spirit, a small team of us had been tasked with Prince-ifying empty storefronts and windows ahead of the pre-Broadway premiere of Purple Rain, the new musical inspired by Prince’s iconic soundtrack and film that made its debut on October 16.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47iCXYK
WOLVES: Via Timberwolves and Lynx, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Timberwolves, in collaboration with the Prince Estate and Nike, today announced the return of the fan-favorite Prince-Inspired City Edition uniform as part of the NBA’s 2025 Nike City Edition Remix campaign. First introduced in 2018, and exclusively worn for the 2018-18 season, the purple-laced uniform quickly became the most beloved City Edition in Timberwolves history, celebrating the life, legacy, and unmistakable sound of Minnesota’s own Prince.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3WLlun4
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)
XCEL: Via Xcel Energy, VERBATIM: “Xcel Energy today named Bria Shea as president, Xcel Energy – Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota, effective immediately. Shea will oversee the operating company’s strategic planning, financial results and operational outcomes, leading teams focused on customer, community, regulatory, legislative and government affairs.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47nztVa
(DISCLOSURE: Xcel is a Fluence sponsor)
ALBERT LEA: Via Albert Lea Tribune, VERBATIM: “The Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce has hired a new executive director with almost two decades of leadership in communications, digital marketing, media production and business development. Valerie Lockhart started in the position Oct. 6 and has already jumped into the role with both feet as she prepares for the organization’s annual meeting on Tuesday.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3WPJnKa
BRAINERD: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “For months, the Brainerd School Board has been discussing its looming budget deficit, with parents and teachers alike speaking out against the board’s inaction on deciding whether or not to hold a referendum. Now, students are voicing their frustration as well. Multiple current Brainerd High School students spoke at last week’s school board meeting and voiced their frustrations about the latest ideas on how to deal with the district’s financial issues.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3Wj5bhb
NEXT MONTH: Via news release from Minneapolis-based Tactile, VERBATIM: “Tactile Systems Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: TCMD), a medical technology company providing therapies for people with chronic disorders, today announced that third quarter of fiscal year 2025 financial results will be released after the market closes on Monday, November 3, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3WSVW7q
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
HALLOWEEN: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “Halloween season is here in full force, which means it’s time to dive into all things spooky—and what’s better than curling up on the couch with a scary movie, creepy podcast, or bone-chilling read to get you in the spirit? Whether you’re a die-hard horror fan or prefer something that won’t keep you up at night, there’s a variety of bingeable content with Minnesota connections to explore this Spooky Season.” LIST: https://fluence-media.co/3KWW8QF
BDAYS: Mayo’s leader Erin Sexton, Telecom leader Brent Christensen, Sen. Jason Rarick, Pro Democratic troller Aaron Rupar, attorney Peder Larson
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