23% of Gen Alphas spend 3-6 hours a day on social media by the time they’re age 9. MORNING CONSULT: https://fluence-media.co/4hvWidM
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3Lf4gfh
MIRAC member Montana Hirsch shared thoughts on immigration, activism and more for Sunday Take. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3L9llHx
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.
ACQUISITION: Via Reuters, VERBATIM: “[Minneapolis-based] Jamf said on Wednesday that private equity firm Francisco Partners has agreed to take the device management software maker private in an all-cash deal valued at $2.2 billion, sending its shares up over 15% in premarket trading. Vista Equity Partners, which acquired a majority ownership of Jamf in 2017 and owns about 34% of the company, will exit its investments upon the deal closing.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/432m7fC
HORMEL: Via The Wall Street Journal, VERBATIM: “Hormel Foods, the parent of pantry staples including Planters, Skippy and Spam, warned earnings in the latest quarter were squeezed by price pressures, bird flu and a fire that damaged its Arkansas peanut butter production facility . . . Hormel said it now expects sales for the fiscal fourth quarter will be toward the top end of its earlier guidance of between $3.15 million and $3.25 billion, but earnings per share on an adjusted basis will be about 8 cents to 9 cents below its target 38 cents to 40 cents for the three months to Oct. 26 . . . The company said its persistent inflation in key commodity inputs was higher than expected. It added it also was affected by the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza and pneumoviruses within the poultry industry.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ntDMnW
SPINOFF: Via GlobalData, VERBATIM: “Hormel Foods is spinning off its Justin’s brand of nut butters and chocolate snacks through an investment agreement with Forward Consumer Partners. In a transaction that is expected to close by the year-end, the New York-based private-equity firm is taking a 51% stake in Justin’s, which will become a standalone company with a new CEO.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Lc6iNk
DATA CENTERS: Via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “The City of Hermantown, muzzled by nondisclosure agreements, called a proposal ‘Project Loon’ in early planning documents. If approved, the project would comprise over 200 acres of the wooded Duluth suburb with 1.8 million square feet worth of AI data processors. Power and water consumption — and even the identity of the company that will use the campus — are still under wraps even as the project reaches the permitting stage. Jane Kirtley, a professor of media law and ethics at the University of Minnesota, said the phenomenon of elected officials signing secrecy agreements isn’t entirely surprising.” KIRTLEY: “Many of them are willing to sign their lives away in order to lure the businesses to their area.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hyZbe0
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)
ST PAUL: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “State Rep. Kaohly Her‘s central argument against incumbent St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter is that during his two terms, City Hall officials have been too slow to answer constituents, developers or lawmakers calling for help. Why it matters: Carter’s reelection chances likely hinge on whether voters buy this claim from his highest-profile challenger — especially with very little ideological daylight between the two Democrats.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nyNpBN
LEGISLATIVE SWAP: Via MPR, why Rep. Anquam Mahamoud (DFL-Minneapolis) and Rep. Cal Warwas (R-Eveleth) were recently mountain biking together near Chisholm. VERBATIM: “This excursion is part of a new legislative swap. It’s like a foreign exchange program, but for the adults elected to serve in the state Legislature. It’s sponsored by the Citizens League, a St. Paul nonprofit that promotes civility in politics and public policy. It’s among the first such programs in the nation, said Citizens League Executive Director Jake Loesch. So far, four pairs of legislators have participated, and more are signed up for next year.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3JjFo5F
TREES: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “Lawmakers from around the Great Lakes are hoping to make the area a little greener. Members from the Great Lakes Commission planted trees on Tuesday near Bayfront Festival Park. It’s part of the commission’s goal to plant 250 million of them around the Great Lakes by 2033.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4oojiOz
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)
SETZER: From Twin Cities resident Brian Setzer via Facebook, VERBATIM: “I’m heartbroken to share, due to serious illness, I am unable to perform and very regrettably have to cancel our Stray Cats tour. I know this affects so many people and I am devastated to have to deliver this news. I’ve been trying everything I can to go on and do these shows, but it is just not possible.” POST: https://fluence-media.co/47hhEYY
GOLF: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “LaunchPad Golf, a Canada-based series of indoor golf entertainment venues, made its entry into the U.S. market with an Oct. 4 opening at Prior Lake, bringing a new spot for year-round golfing to Minnesota. LaunchPad Golf’s two-story, 25,000-square-foot property is called The Meadows. It features 40 heated golf suites and a 160,000-square-foot driving range with radar technology for ball tracking. Plus, it has a bar on each floor and a full-service restaurant.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4npsEYX
PETS: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Scores of Minnesotans have joined the pet-sitting app Rover in recent years, turning their homes into makeshift doggy day cares to collect extra cash. Now, Shakopee is attempting to regulate at-home boarding businesses in response to a rash of gripes about canines barking at all hours of the day. The southern suburb joins other cities that have sought to minimize disruptions stemming from this 21st century side hustle, illustrating an increasingly common dilemma: how to support residents turning to the internet to earn additional income while respecting neighbors seeking peace and quiet.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/434o1fJ
PROPERTY TAXES: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “The city of Albert Lea, Freeborn County and the Albert Lea School District have all proposed to raise their tax levies for 2026 — by 8 percent for the city, 15 percent for the county and 6.7 percent for the school district. Even local officials who help set the levies know that there could be a compounding effect . . . A number of factors are having a snowball effect, from inflation to rising operating expenses to costs being passed down by the state and federal governments. It’s not just here in this city along the Iowa border in southern Minnesota. Sticker shock awaits many property owners across Minnesota as parcel-specific tax notices begin arriving in mailboxes soon.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hv4JWM
DULUTH: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “Three of four at-large Duluth City Council candidates spoke with Northern News Now on Tuesday about their priorities as Duluth faces a budget deficit of more than $7 million. The election is scheduled for next Tuesday, with four candidates competing for the two at-large council positions. Two district council seats are also on the ballot.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47fxOlJ
CELEBRATING 70 YEARS: The Pine Bend refinery in Rosemount is a landmark like no other – the tall columns and bright lights can be seen from miles away. Generations of workers have helped operate, maintain and transform the refinery, making it one of the nation’s most innovative and efficient energy facilities of its kind. This year, Flint Hills Resources celebrates 70 years of dedicated employees at the Pine Bend refinery who have produced the fuels that help move us forward. LEARN MORE: About the Pine Bend refinery (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery)
RECORDS: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “In today’s world of music streaming and viral fads, customers flock to Down in the Valley for media that’s tangible. ‘[Many people are] going back to analog. And they want a physical thing they can hold because everything in their world is kind of fake otherwise, you know, digital. Which is rad, you know?’ said Steven Williams, one of the new owners of Down in the Valley. Williams, a previous employee at the shop, says music will stay at the heart of the business. He joins Scott Farrell, another former employee, as the store’s new owners.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3JbZTkK
HORMEL: Via news release from Hormel, VERBATIM: “Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL) today announced the appointment of Paul Kuehneman as interim chief financial officer and controller, effective October 27, 2025. He will report to Jeff Ettinger, interim chief executive officer, and is accountable for the Company’s accounting, finance, treasury, and internal controls functions.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oGHmMh
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)
MINWAGE: Via Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, VERBATIM: “Bank of America has officially increased its U.S. minimum hourly wage to $25, fulfilling a pledge it made in 2021 to raise compensation to that level by 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47LKwsq
SPA: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Watershed Spa will soon have a second destination for communal bathing and holistic wellness in Minneapolis. Watershed founder Nell Rueckl announced Tuesday that she and her team are taking over the former Bev’s Wine Bar space at 250 N. Third Ave. in the North Loop neighborhood. She also shared plans for an expansion of Watershed’s original location at 514 Second St. SE near St. Anthony Main. Both are expected in 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47d0XxU
DAHLIA: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “Is this the year the pop-ups finally grab a permanent place? Local bakery Dahlia has been popping up around the Twin Cities for three years, and it’s finally moving into a shared Northeast Minneapolis space with MN Nice Cream starting in January.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3X7v6bP
TODAY: Via Minneapolis Public Housing Authority, VERBATIM: “Today, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey will join MPHA leaders to break ground on a new triplex the agency is building, enabled by the Minneapolis 2040 Plan and funded, in part, by MPHA’s tax levy. The agency is also breaking ground on a duplex in the Regina neighborhood, funded, in part, by MPHA’s tax levy. Across both properties, the city’s housing tax levy provided $1.25 million in funding.”
TONIGHT: Via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “This month marks the return of composer and multimedia artist Chris Strouth’s live film and music pairings at Minneapolis’ Parkway Theater, featuring new scores set to classic silent films. The season opens Oct. 29 with ‘The Phantom Carriage,’ an eerie and influential 1921 landmark of Swedish cinema.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qp6AR0
MONDAY: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Former Minneapolis Police Officer Tou Thao, the last officer convicted following the murder of George Floyd, is set to be released from prison.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/47i7Eik
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
GATSBY: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “The Great Gatsby and its dour depiction of the American Dream has become a high school classroom staple since its release 100 years ago. To celebrate the centennial of St. Paulite F. Scott Fitzgerald’s work, the Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library is holding a series of events. The crowning piece is an exhibition at the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) that opened in September and will run until March 22, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oGpZez
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