An Amsterdam-bound Delta flight returned to MSP Sunday because of a mechanical issue. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hi9EcX
Bob Dylan added more Upper Midwest shows. STRIB: https://fluence-media.co/3CMPwAm
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3Qn4joV
Sunday Take discusses Capitol security, what the Democrats need to do to win and further analysis of Ken Martin’s DNC chair election featuring TPT Almanac’s Mary Lahammer. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4jJBIHy
Blois
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MN SENATE: The Minnesota Senate today, on a vote of 34 to 33, ended the power-sharing agreement, putting the DFL in control.
MORE: From Minnesota Senate Information via X, VERBATIM: “Senator Bobby Joe Champion has been elected as President of the Senate.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/3CBTXhC
MORE: From Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus via Facebook, VERBATIM: “Senate Democrats are voting to end bipartisanship today. For three weeks, every Minnesotan had their voice heard. Unfortunately, all those Democrats who praised the virtues of bipartisanship will now fall in line with their political party.”
MORE: From Minnesota Senate via YouTube, Senator Judy Seeberger (DFL-Afton) spoke fondly of the Senate’s session up until now working on “consensus-building common sense bills.” SEEBERGER: “It is my hope that that will continue. Unfortunately, I don’t have the assurances from everyone in my caucus that we will. It has been a difficult weekend leading up to today. I have struggled with what I have heard from my constituents, what they want to see me do to represent them, because quite frankly, I have a fair number of constituents in my district that do not feel represented by what we have done in the legislature over the past two years.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3Q0aQp8
EARLIER: Via Minnesota Senate, VERBATIM: “Today, Senator Doron Clark (DFL-Minneapolis) will be sworn in to the Minnesota Senate as the 67th member. Last week, Senator Clark was elected to fill the vacancy in Senate District 60, left after the passing of Senator Kari Dziedzic late last year.”
AMENDMENT: From Christopher Ingraham via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “A Republican senator is proposing an amendment to the state Constitution that would radically alter the structure of the Senate and effectively lock in Republican control of the chamber for the foreseeable future. Like the House, the Senate is currently apportioned by population, ensuring that each senator represents a similar number of Minnesotans. But SF 696, authored by Eric Lucero of Saint Michael, would assign one senator to each Minnesota county, creating a legislative body with 87, rather than 67 members. The change would dramatically shift the balance of power in the Senate toward voters in small, rural counties.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Q2fT8t
SPORTS BETS: Via MN Senate, VERBATIM: “Today, Senator John Marty (DFL - Roseville) introduced Senate File 978, the only proposed sports betting bill with necessary safeguards to protect Minnesota from the serious problems caused by online sports betting. ‘Minnesotans already can bet on sports – with family, friends, co-workers – anyone. The issue under consideration at the capitol is whether we will allow a predatory sportsbook market to take advantage of Minnesotans,’ said Sen. Marty.”
(DISCLOSURE: Sports Betting Alliance is a client and sponsor of Fluence)
CD3: From Torey Van Oot via Axios, VERBATIM: “Minnesota's newest member of Congress is teaming up with her fellow physicians turned politicians to launch the U.S. House's first Democratic Doctors Caucus. The big picture: U.S. Rep. Kelly Morrison (D-Deephaven) tells Axios that standing up for ‘access to life saving’ and affordable health care will be one of her top priorities during her first term in Washington.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3PZb1Bd
CIVICS: From Mara Klecker via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “In today’s political climate, history and civics teachers are tasked with finding strategies to teach controversial topics without letting their class devolve into partisan debate. Minnesota has revamped and boosted its civics and social studies requirements in recent years. But even adults can’t always agree on what should be taught or allowed in classrooms, making schools a stage for political and cultural clashes. That has teachers — and several organizations who support them — brainstorming strategies, rules and lesson plans around civic discourse.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jHZovR
WILD ABOUT READING: More than 500 Minnesota classrooms and 15,000 students are participating in the “Wild About Reading” program, a partnership with Flint Hills Resources which encourages students to read more using Minnesota Wild-branded posters, reading logs, and bookmarks. Teachers set weekly reading goals and give certificates to students who complete the four-week program. Fun program incentives include classroom visits from the Wild’s mascot, Nordy – and the team dog, Rookie; a pair of tickets to a Wild home game, player signed pucks and photos; and a pizza party for a classroom. LEARN MORE: Wild About Reading SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources
FLOODING: From Hannah Yang via MPR, VERBATIM: “Blue Earth County is busy trying to get ahead of the warming weather on several key infrastructure projects — especially the County Road 9 Bridge. Floodwaters breached round the Rapidan Dam in June last year, also damaging the nearby bridge. Blue Earth County voted to remove the historic Rapidan Dam in August. Work is already underway on replacing the bridge. County Engineer Ryan Thilges said a temporary causeway and makeshift diversion channel is built. He added officials are watching weather forecasts to make sure needed bridge work is out of the way before the thaw.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aHA7hg
ST PAUL: From Winter Keefer via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “A 7-0 St. Paul City Council vote on Jan. 22 made the capital city the last of Minnesota’s 25 largest municipalities to add administrative citations — non-criminal fines — to the city’s toolbelt for ordinance enforcement. Before the amendment, the city could either issue a warning and hope for compliance or take someone to court — there was no in between. Administrative citations serve as an enforcement middle ground, allowing the city to enforce a civil fine rather than seek a criminal charge.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42DrOkI
HOUSING: Via Minnesota Senate, VERBATIM: “A Minnesota Senate committee on January 30 considered two bills aimed at improving safety for renters and homeowners, including a proposal by Senator Rich Draheim (R-Madison Lake) to allow landlords to conduct background checks on non-residents organizing in rental buildings.” QUOTE: https://fluence-media.co/4gl8f3W
BONDING: From Shannon Slatton via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Rep. Ned Carroll (DFL-Plymouth) recently toured the Plymouth city center to highlight a need to enhance infrastructure and more in that area. A key focus is reimagining Plymouth’s city center, which includes drainage improvements, a fourth ice sheet at the ice center, and a new parking ramp.” QUOTE: “There’s already been transportation improvements around there in terms of roundabouts as well as drainage,” explained Carroll. “It’s making it a more attractive place.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4aLJUTv
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.-Elect Kari Rehauer
Rep.-Elect Wayne Johnson
Rep. Elect Julie Greene
Rep. Elect Keith Allen
Rep. Elect Peter Johnson
Follow on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.TheDailyAgenda.com/Podcasts. (SPONSORED: Minnesota Telecom Alliance)
REAL ESTATE: From Nick Halter via Axios, VERBATIM: “A downtown Minneapolis office tower that sold for $200 million in 2016 has traded hands again, but this time for just $6.25 million — a 97% discount. Why it matters: On its surface, this is a shocking drop in value that feels like doom for downtown and the city — but the price that local group Onward Investors paid for Ameriprise Financial Center makes sense when you look behind the curtain of the economics of owning office properties in our new era of hybrid work.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hJd8oj
CONVERSIONS: In the Pioneer Press, Frederick Melo writes about three downtown St. Paul buildings slated to be converted from office to residential. VERBATIM: “If all three projects open in the next year or two, the corners of downtown closest to Rice Park will soon welcome a surge of new residents, while taking some 800,000 square feet of underutilized office space off the downtown market . . . To complete office-to-residential conversions in decades-old properties, each project is counting on no small amount of public funding or specialty financing.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jJ9RYc
MUSK: Via Bloomberg, VERBATIM: “Elon Musk’s Tesla Inc. is spearheading an effort to block new tariffs on graphite imports from China, pitting Donald Trump’s richest backer against the president’s favorite economic tool. Graphite is an essential component in the lithium-ion batteries that power electric vehicles, and China makes more of it than any other country. It is currently subject to US tariffs of 25% . . . The showdown is an early test of Musk’s influence within an administration he helped bring to power, and in which he holds his own quasi-governmental role.” QUOTE: “It’s an obvious conflict,” said Richard Painter, a professor of corporate law at the University of Minnesota who was the top ethics lawyer in President George W. Bush’s White House. “This is the problem – we don’t know whether he’s in the government or out of it.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jTd5se
“IT’S OUR PEOPLE’S LIVES THEY SAVE” - The Cass Lake Fire Department, located on the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Reservation in northern Minnesota, serves an area of 400 square miles, three counties, the city of Cass Lake and the Reservation. A foundational Enbridge donation has helped the department begin plans for building a new fire hall to replace its current home base, which the fire department has outgrown. “Our top needs are health and safety—having a decontamination hot zone, and another is training capacity,” says Robert, the chief of Cass Lake FD. Adds Diane, an Enbridge Tribal liaison and a Leech Lake Band member: “We want to see what the needs are out in the communities, and the fire department here is so important to everyone’s safety and well-being . . . it’s our people’s lives they save.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3RfodC9 (SPONSORED: Enbridge)
TODAY: From Melissa Turtinen via KMSP-TV, VERBATIM: “A movement aimed at demonstrating how vital immigrants are to the U.S. economy is planned for Monday in Minnesota and across the country. Big picture view: It's called A Day Without Immigrants, with the movement encouraging immigrants to refrain from going to work, school and shopping to highlight the essential role immigrants play in the economy and local communities.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Eg3on9
REFUGEES: From Katelyn Vue via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “About 6,500 refugees were expected to resettle in Minnesota this fiscal year, but the future for several thousand of those refugees is in limbo because of several presidential executive orders. President Donald Trump signed an executive order in the last several days canceling the arrival of thousands of refugees who were approved to immigrate to the United States, and another order that halts federal funding for agencies that help refugees. Refugee resettlement agencies and foreign-aid programs in Minnesota are scrambling to maintain their services, with one St. Paul-based organization laying off most of its employees across the globe.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3X8LJVl
BROOKLYN PARK: From Kevin Miller via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “With President Donald Trump bringing significant changes to immigration policy at the federal level, some Brooklyn Park residents raised concerns about the role of local law enforcement during a city council meeting. ‘I really would like to express that there is a lot of support in our community to try and protect the immigrant population that we have in our midst here in Brooklyn Park,’ resident Paula Weakly said at the Jan. 27 meeting. She was one of several residents who spoke on the issue. Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley says his department is leaving immigration enforcement to members of ICE and federal agencies.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40WHYV0TE: Every day, we’re sharing significant political, business and other news in other newsletters. If you love lunch take, sign up for the other tip sheets.
TOMORROW: From Sun Country via Globe Newswire, VERBATIM: “Sun Country Airlines (NASDAQ: SNCY) will hold its fourth quarter and full year 2024 earnings call on Tuesday, February 4 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40cvbfv
TOMORROW: From Brooklyn Park-based CVRx via Globe Newswire, VERBATIM: “CVRx, Inc. (NASDAQ: CVRX), a commercial-stage medical device company focused on developing, manufacturing and commercializing Barostim, an innovative extravascular implantable neuromodulation device for patients with cardiovascular diseases, today announced that it plans to release fourth quarter 2024 financial and operating results after market close on Tuesday, February 4, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gbBXbB
WEDNESDAY: From Hopkins-based Digi via Business Wire, VERBATIM: “Digi International Inc. (NASDAQ: DGII) will release its financial results for the first fiscal quarter 2025 on Wednesday, February 5, after market close, at approximately 4:00 p.m. ET.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jkCsmk
WEDNESDAY: From Minneapolis-based Deluxe via Business Wire, VERBATIM: “Deluxe (NYSE: DLX), a Trusted Payments and Data company, will report fourth quarter and full year 2024 financial results on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, following market-close.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40IIjKO
THURSDAY: From Brooklyn Park-based Clearfield via Globe Newswire, VERBATIM: “Clearfield, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLFD), the leader in community broadband fiber connectivity, today announced that it will release results for the first quarter of fiscal 2025, ended December 31, 2024, on Thursday, February 6, 2025, after the close of the market. The company will host a conference call at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time (4:00 p.m. Central time) to discuss its financial results with the investment community.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42o98FH
THURSDAY: From Minneapolis-based Xcel via Business Wire, VERBATIM: “On Thursday, February 6, 2025, Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) will host a conference call to review fourth quarter and year end 2024 financial results. The earnings report will be released prior to the market open on the same date.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4h0hRBM
FRIDAY: From Maple Plain-based Protolabs via Business Wire, VERBATIM: “Protolabs (NYSE: PRLB) announced today that it will issue its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2024 before the opening of the market on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025. Protolabs will host a conference call to discuss the results at 8:30 a.m. EST on the same day.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Wm6c8B
SATURDAY: Via Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, VERBATIM: “Taking place on Saturday, February 8th, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., The Black Market is a monthly event that celebrates the richness of Black entrepreneurship and culture in the Twin Cities. Whether you’re in the mood for shopping, eating, or simply exploring, this market brings together local vendors, food trucks, and live performances in a unique environment that highlights the creative spirit of the community.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hHlPQk
From Friday’s Fluence newsletters:
TARIFFS: Via CBC News, VERBATIM: “Manitoba is one of Canada's biggest hog producers with millions being annually shipped to, and processed in, the U.S. So the threat of 25-per-cent tariffs being levied on Canadian goods, including the agriculture sector, is worrisome for farmers in southern Manitoba. ‘We obviously don't want it. Nobody really wants this or needs it,’ said John Nickel, who has nearly 6,000 sows — and piglets being born daily — at his two hog farms near Lowe Farm and Tolstoi. The hogs are sold to a farm in Minnesota, with Nickel sending a truck load there every week. He's not sure what the full extent of tariffs would do to his production but says it would be challenging to find an alternative market to sell the livestock.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3EdRudu
CROP INSURANCE: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A farm management analyst is stressing the importance of crop insurance as farmers plan for the upcoming growing season. Kent Thiesse with the Green Solutions Group in southern Minnesota suggests risk management cannot be overlooked.” THIESSE: “We saw a good example last year that good crop insurance policies really saved a lot of people where we had a lot of crop loss due to excessive rain, flooding, and that type of thing.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4gD0E0V
MARCH 7: From Our Rescue via PRNewswire, VERBATIM: “Our Rescue, a global non-governmental organization dedicated to combating sex trafficking and child exploitation, is marking International Women's Day with ‘Comedy for a Cause: Shining the Light in the Darkness of Human Trafficking.’ The event, in partnership with Rock What You've Got, takes place on March 7, 2025, at the Woman's Club of Minneapolis. The event combines humor and heartfelt performances to raise awareness of the realities of sex trafficking and child exploitation, while inviting attendees to join the fight to arrest predators and empower survivors.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hfQ7tp
TOYS: From Derek James via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Toy Library aims to help families save money and reduce waste while providing access to educational and engaging toys. Rebecca Nutter is one of four moms who started the library in 2014. They started lending toys in library meeting rooms until the inventory became too large to move . . . In 2017, the nonprofit moved into the space inside the church. Since then, two additional branches have opened. The newest location on the east side of St. Paul is thanks to a $50,000 grant from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3WAlRB5
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BORDER FOODS: Via news release from New Hope-based Border Foods, VERBATIM: “Border Foods has announced Aaron Engler as its new chief executive officer (CEO), in addition to his current role as president of Border Foods and Marvin Development. Aaron will succeed his uncle, Lee Engler, who previously served as CEO of the family-owned franchisee for 28 years and will remain at Border Foods as chairman, overseeing the current Board of Directors.”
COLD PLUNGE: From Chanhassen-based Life Time via PRNewswire, VERBATIM: “As more people seek programs and amenities to optimize their wellness routine, Life Time (NYSE: LTH) is taking recovery to new depths with the addition of cold plunges at more than 70 of its athletic country clubs nationwide by summer 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hlgsX8
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
MOCKTAILS: From Kyle Stokes via Axios, four drinks he enjoyed during Dry January. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/3WGN5WU
BDAYS: WCCO Radio’s Sheletta Brudidge, Jax Café’s Bill Kozlak, fmr. Rep. Phil Krinkie, The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski, fmr. Lt. Gov. Yvonne Prettner Solon, fmr. Mpls Councilor Gary Schiff, fmr. Sen. Al DeKruif
Fluence Media curates, produces and distributes specialized media products to thought leadership audiences across the Midwest and about the region. Our publications cover, politics, public policy, health care, agriculture, business, real estate, sports and more. Visit www.fluence-media.com to learn more.
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