Once pennies begin to disappear, what will retailers do? From Stateline, a clever headline and some interesting takes. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4p4aX23
The New York Times details how a Reddit post led investigators to the suspect in the shooting at Brown University. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3L8FaiA
At the Kennedy Center this morning, workers were seen adding the President’s name to the signage. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4pNJKC7
The FBI is set to release more (but likely not all) Epstein files this afternoon. UPDATES: https://fluence-media.co/48XxPdC
On Sunday Take this week, Rep. Kelly Morrison after her first year in Congress, at 9AM on WCCO Radio. Tune-in.
Last weekend’s Sunday Take featured analysis of who Republicans want for governor and Anders Folk discussing his run for Hennepin County Attorney. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4oTaKic
Blois
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NEW THIS MORNING
EMERGENCY AID: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Minnesota is providing emergency funds to college students in need. Minnesota’s Office of Higher Education is sending $1 million in emergency aid to 10 colleges and tribal institutions across the state, giving students a lifeline when unexpected costs threaten their education.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3MJ1xeV
RETAIL: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Noir Luxury Refunds marketed itself as an expert in helping consumers get refunds from retailers. But its expertise was grounded in fraud, federal prosecutors say, and a Minnesota man is expected to be the 10th person to enter a guilty plea for the Noir racket. Noir’s operatives spanned the country, though the fraud ring was allegedly run from Egypt. It’s one of several online refund fraud rings to have surfaced in recent years, generating big losses at major retailers such as Amazon, Walmart and Minneapolis-based Target.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4j5uzl9
SPONSORSHIP: Via Winona-based Fastenal, VERBATIM: “Fastenal Company (Nasdaq: FAST), a global leader in industrial distribution and supply chain solutions, and the Belfast Giants, the only professional ice hockey team on the island of Ireland, have entered into a sponsorship agreement to enhance Fastenal’s brand exposure in Northern Ireland.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4s1q8ff
POLITICS: On WCCO-Radio this morning, Vineeta Sawkar talked with St. Paul Mayor-elect Kaohly Her – two weeks out from being sworn in – about the transition and what she has planned once in office. HER: https://fluence-media.co/4j7EYwG
MORE: Sawkar also talked with Kendall Qualls about his GOP straw poll win in the race for governor. QUALLS: https://fluence-media.co/4aVjUar
EARNINGS SEASON
WINNEBAGO: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “Winnebago Industries Inc. (WGO) on Friday reported fiscal first-quarter net income of $5.5 million. The Eden Prairie, Minnesota-based company said it had profit of 19 cents per share . . . The results beat Wall Street expectations . . . The recreational vehicle maker posted revenue of $702.7 million in the period, which also beat Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jfcT6I
US BANK: Via Bar Chart, VERBATIM: “The Minneapolis, Minnesota-based company is set to announce its fiscal Q4 2025 results soon. Ahead of this event, analysts forecast USB to report a profit of $1.18 per share, an increase of 10.3% from $1.07 per share in the year-ago quarter. It has surpassed Wall Street’s earnings estimates in the last four quarters.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3N8IbzT
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)
NATIONAL ISSUES HERE
50 YEARS: Via The 19th, VERBATIM: “It was likely one of the last pieces of city policy passed that winter, just before the New Year, a parting gift from a progressive city council. On December 30, 1975, Minneapolis became the first city to adopt a trans-inclusive LGBTQ+ non-discrimination ordinance. Fifty years later, the United States still lacks similar protections on a federal level.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4p5a89h
ICE ASSISTANCE: Via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Rural Minnesota sheriffs who have contracted with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain prisoners say they have been frustrated by delays for mandatory federal training, as well as pushback from immigration advocates and state officials who oppose such cooperation. Eight Minnesota counties have agreements in place to support ICE in one way or another under what are officially known as 287(g) agreements. The federal agencies responsible for training local officers to assist with these and other federal actions have yet to schedule the required sessions, sheriffs say.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49kHj3S
ACLU: via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “The American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota (ACLU) served a lawsuit Thursday against a Minnesota county over its sheriff’s agreement with federal immigration officials, arguing that it violates Minnesota law. … The ACLU’s clients argue that Freeborn County is misusing their tax dollars in the agreements.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qlKAG4
POT: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order directing Attorney General Pam Bondi to fast-track the rescheduling of marijuana as a Schedule III drug, a move that could bring swift and wide-ranging changes to Minnesota’s cannabis industry. Once finalized by the Drug Enforcement Administration, marijuana [will], for the first time, be formally recognized under federal law as having medical use. … The shift also lifts a major tax burden that has pinched Minnesota operators since the state legalized cannabis last year, while opening the door to expanded medical research.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3MCLYWh
(DISCLOSURE: Plift is a Fluence client)
CLEAN | RELIABLE | AFFORDABLE: Via Xcel Energy, VERBATIM: “We’re powering the Upper Midwest with clean, reliable, and affordable nuclear energy. For more than 50 years, our Prairie Island Nuclear Plant, located near Red Wing, MN, has been a workhorse of reliable, carbon-free energy. With two pressurized water reactors producing about 1,100 megawatts, Prairie Island generates enough electricity to power 1.5 million homes across the Upper Midwest. Unlike sources that depend on weather, nuclear energy delivers 24/7 reliability—providing the power we need today while protecting the environment for tomorrow.” LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4oCHdK9 (SPONSORED: Xcel Energy)
IN THE CITIES
MINNEAPOLIS: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “First Avenue and the Minnesota Orchestra secured financing for their long-planned North Minneapolis riverfront amphitheater on Wednesday, they confirmed to Axios . . . Minnesota Orchestra spokesperson Gwen Pappas said in an email that the project is now cleared for a spring 2026 groundbreaking and is still targeting a summer 2027 opening.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Y0umWH
ST PAUL: Via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “The St. Paul City Council voted 5-1 on Wednesday to award $2.95 million in tax increment financing to a private developer to demolish and redevelop three properties at the northeast corner of Grand and Victoria avenues, including the Victoria Crossing East Mall. Developer Ari Parritz and Afton Park Development, who plan a mixture of 90 apartments over 12,800 square feet of retail space, had requested the tax incentive, a request that has drawn opposition from different corners of the city.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44DTUN3
ROBBINSDALE: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “A member of the Robbinsdale City Council has announced that he’s stepping down at the beginning of January. Aaron Wagner, who represents Ward 4, submitted a letter of resignation to the city earlier this month, stating that Jan. 5, 2026 would be his last day.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45hLtXM
MEDIA: MinnPost this morning announced three new hires. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3Y4rwQn
GREATER MINNESOTA
POT: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “The City of Bemidji could be welcoming its first cannabis dispensary within city limits. The Bemidji Planning Commission held a public hearing on Dec. 18 to possibly approve a business permit for the applicant, but some residents and community leaders have voiced their concerns with where the store would be. Most of the residents’ concerns at the meeting came from the location of the proposed dispensary, which sits on Washington Ave. S/Highway 197. Right behind the building is the Gym Bin, a children’s gymnastics facility. Because the Gym Bin is classified as a business, it is not a protected facility under state cannabis ordinances.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/48XaNDG
OTTER TAIL: Via Fergus Falls-based Otter Tail, VERBATIM: “Otter Tail Corporation has appointed Mr. Chris Clark of Minnetonka, Minnesota, and Mr. Steve Rasche of St. Louis, Missouri, to the company’s Board of Directors, effective January 1, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/493CbzQ
BUSINESS EXCELLENCE: Flint Hills Resources was just awarded the 2025 Large Business of the Year award from the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce at their annual Business Excellence Awards celebration. The award celebrates the outstanding achievements of businesses that exemplify the thriving and growing spirit of Dakota County. The businesses honored make an impact and contribute to the continued success of our community. LEARN MORE: About the Pine Bend refinery. (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery)
HEALTH
FLU: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A influenza strain with a history of hitting the elderly and children hard has returned to Minnesota, where 35 schools have reported outbreaks and at least one switched to online learning this week after 1 in 5 students turned up sick.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sbduKI
MORE: Via MDH, Minnesota flu stats updated yesterday. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3Y10bib
HEALTHCARE: Via release from the Governor’s office, VERBATIM: “Governor Tim Walz today warned that Congress’s decision to recess without extending the enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits will cause health insurance costs to skyrocket for tens of thousands of Minnesotans, putting coverage at risk across the state and nation.” WALZ: “Congress had a choice,” said Governor Walz. “They could extend the ACA subsidies and keep health care affordable, or they could do nothing and force Minnesotans to pay hundreds more each month for the same coverage. By leaving town without acting, they have chosen inaction and allowed premiums to rise to unaffordable rates. Families cannot afford this, and the consequences will be immediate.”
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)
NEW BUSINESS
MINNEAPOLIS: Via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “At Sip of Silk, a Salvadoran-Palestinian café near the University of Minnesota campus, coffee and community come with the flavor of two cultures — and a compelling back story. The café, owned by Alejandro Soto Bonilla, Hanan Wazwaz, Ahmad Abuhadid and Danya Wazwaz, held its grand opening Nov. 2 after a couple of soft openings.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aV52ZF
ACQUISITION: Via Tamarack-based Talon, VERBATIM: “Talon Metals Corp. (TSX:TLO/OTC:TLOFF) is pleased to announce the signing of a share purchase agreement with Lundin Mining Corporation (TSX: LUN; Nasdaq Stockholm: LUMI). The Share Purchase Agreement provides for a that will result in the combination of Lundin Mining’s producing Eagle Mine and associated Humboldt Mill with Talon’s interest in the Tamarack Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Project and a prospective exploration land package of over 400,000 acres in Michigan.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pFCeJg
ACQUISITION: Via Gilbert-based MagIron, VERBATIM: “MagIron LLC today announced that it has entered into a binding Asset Purchase Agreement to acquire an iron ore pelletizing plant located near Reynolds, Indiana from the Receivership Estate of Altos Hornos De Mexico, S.A.B De C.V.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4akqtDj
WHAT’S NEXT?
TOMORROW: Via In the Heart of the Beast, VERBATIM: “We are partnering with several Twin Cities organizations and artists to bring warmth and light to the shortest day of the year. On December 20th we’ll gather from 6-9 pm, meeting at the Powderhorn Park Rec Center. Leading up to the event there will be community lantern workshops where you can make your own lantern puppet!” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4aU1MxK
THIS MONTH: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Fine dining restaurant Petite León is officially shutting down Dec. 31 to transition into Company Bar, a neighborhood cocktail spot with lower prices.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48VLYtb
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
HOLIDAY GIVING
RESTAURANT MERCH: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Gift procrastinators of the world, unite! Local restaurants have you covered. Covered, to be specific, in pom-pom-topped beanies from your favorite local diner, groovy tomato can hoodies, checkered pink hats for the kiddos, and cozy onesies for the babes. Also—it’s always a plus to channel some of those holiday dollars into the local restaurant industry, whether you’re popping in for a meal or a T-shirt or a tote bag.” LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4ajBXHc
ADVICE: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “With holiday gift-buying season in full swing, it can be easy to want to buy your child one more gift. But what’s more important is creating a strong family culture through quality time, a University of Minnesota family educator says.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pPypRU
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