Get ready for liquor store sticker shock – prices, especially on wine, are expected to go up when dry January comes to a close. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hzVrYx
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4hx9MFa
On Sunday Take House DFL Leader Melissa Hortman and GOP Rep. Kristin Robbins about the current state of the chamber. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4jLC4xF
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EMMER: Via The Wall Street Journal, VERBATIM: “President Trump tanked Rep. Tom Emmer’s ambitions to become speaker of the House a little more than a year ago. Since then, the two have become close, now working together to twist Republicans’ arms and keep the GOP agenda on track. The 63-year-old’s second term as House Republicans’ whip comes at a critical juncture, with the party now in charge of both chambers of Congress and the White House. Along with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R., La.), Emmer is under pressure to pass legislation and send it to Trump’s desk, while operating with an even thinner margin of error than in the last Congress, when defectors dumped the House speaker and routinely derailed bills.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3CCAayi
MITCHELL: From KMSP-TV’s Corin Hoggard via X, VERBATIM: “Sen. Jordan Rasmusson, (R-Fergus Falls), just moved to expel Sen. Nicole Mitchell as a result of her burglary arrest last year. DFL expected this, but they call for a recess before anything else happens. Requires 45 votes to expel her, so you may see some DFLers vote with GOP.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/3CcMfuc
MORE: Via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “A Becker County judge recently granted Mitchell’s request to delay her jury trial until after the 2025 legislative session is over . . . This news comes as the State Senate is currently tied 33-33 after the death of DFL Sen. Kari Dziedzic. The special election to fill her seat will take place this Tuesday.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40qcepW
MN HOUSE: DFL House floor leader Jamie Long talked with Vineeta Sawkar on WCCO-Radio’s The Morning News about what happens now that the state Supreme Court has ruled the House GOP’s work up until now was invalid because they did not have a quorum without DFLers in attendance. LONG: “We’re very fine to let the GOP be in control of the chamber until March which is when we expect to win a special election and be back to a tie. And when we’re in a tie, we just ask that we co-govern and get to work together.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4gjxd3w
ICYMI… morning take had comprehensive coverage of and reaction to Friday’s Supreme Court ruling and its impact on the Legislature going forward. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3WBIzZE
INSULIN: Via news release from the Attorney General, VERBATIM: “Attorney General Keith Ellison today announced a settlement with Novo Nordisk that guarantees that all Minnesotans, with or without insurance, can buy Novo Nordisk’s insulin products for $35 per month for the next five years. The settlement resolves the Attorney General’s 2018 lawsuit alleging that Novo Nordisk deceptively priced its insulin, a lifesaving drug used to treat diabetes, requiring uninsured and underinsured Minnesotans to pay astronomically high out-of-pocket costs based on the Wholesale Acquisition Cost, or list price, of the drugs.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40MQHsO
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
IMMIGRATION: From Ubah Ali via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “President Trump's promise of mass deportation is now in full swing as immigration agents sweep through communities . . . The White House posted that 538 undocumented immigrants have been arrested. Of them, 373 had criminal records including Cristofer Alexander Ramirez-Olivia of St. Paul. He was arrested Thursday after being convicted of fourth degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor in Minnesota back in 2018.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3CsVneb
REFUGEES: From Katelyn Vue via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “Fardowsa Abdi Aden rushed past the automatic doors at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and wrapped her sister, Amina Aden, in a hug . . . Fardowsa and her family, refugees of the Somali Civil War, traveled for four days so they could resettle in Minnesota. The reunion was a culmination of their immigration journey, a yearslong effort that was derailed years ago under Trump’s first presidency, and that they feared would stall again when he was re-elected in November.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hwIIpc
38TH & CHICAGO: From Jay Kolls via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “The old Speedway convenience store, now called ‘The People’s Way’ at the corner of 38th and Chicago at George Floyd Square, now has four private groups bidding to purchase the property. The property was bought by the city of Minneapolis after the Speedway closed and has been vacant for the past four-and-a-half years. City Councilmember Andrea Jenkins represents the area and she told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS not much is known about what the private groups would do with the property, but said it is a positive step toward progress and growth at George Floyd Square.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4haHYqh
PLYMOUTH: From Corey Bork via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “A company with German roots is eyeing Plymouth for its first U.S. facility. Alter Technology U.S., a subsidiary of Germany-based TÜV Nord Group, specializes in testing for high-reliability semiconductors, which must withstand extreme temperatures for long periods of time. The company is seeking state job funds to create a state-of-the-art testing hub in Plymouth.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Edv2RO
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)
REPORT: Via Office of the State Auditor, VERBATIM: “‘The trend of TIF districts finishing projects earlier continues,’ said Auditor Julie Blaha. ‘This is good news.’ Tax increment financing (TIF) is a financing tool established by the Legislature to support local economic development, redevelopment, and housing projects. TIF allows development authorities to fund these activities by using the additional property taxes, referred to as "tax increments", that are generated from the increased value of the new development. The Office of the State Auditor (OSA) provides education and conducts oversight activities that help ensure good stewardship of tax increment financing. The 2023 TIF Legislative Report covers 2023 activities reported in 2024.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Wzbeyy REPORT: https://fluence-media.co/4jvkf5E
NICOLLET MALL: From Tim Harlow via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Metro Transit riders catching buses on Nicollet Mall will be in for a new routine when routes shift onto other downtown Minneapolis streets. But that won’t happen for another year — at the earliest. Minneapolis, in partnership with Metro Transit, has come up with three options for moving buses onto other corridors, perhaps in 2026, as the city explores ways to ‘pedestrianize Nicollet Mall’ while at the same time improving transit service and making the downtown’s version of Main Street ‘more flexible and dynamic.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4axtYnM
PFAS: From Kirsti Marohn via MPR, VERBATIM: “Money from Minnesota’s settlement with 3M over ‘forever chemicals’ will soon be available for natural resources projects in the east Twin Cities metro. Under the 2018 settlement, Maplewood-based 3M agreed to pay the state $850 million for contamination from PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances . . . $20 million was set aside for enhancing water resources, wildlife habitat and outdoor recreational opportunities in the east metro. Seven years after the settlement, that funding is finally ready to be distributed.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3PRA49i
EDEN PRAIRIE: From Howard Thompson via KMSP-TV, VERBATIM: “Danish engineering company Danfoss says it is closing its plant in Eden Prairie, laying off 110 workers in the process, while shifting some operations to its other Twin Cities plant.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jz1wpN
ROSEMOUNT: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “The Clover pub in Rosemount is closing its doors after more than three years in business. The Irish-themed pub recently announced on social media that it plans to permanently close on Friday.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4az4x5k
MHA NATION-ENBRIDGE AGREEMENT: “IT’S AN AWESOME DAY” - Enbridge has sold its Plaza/Wabek Pipeline in North Dakota to the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara (MHA) Nation, paving the way for the MHA Nation to become the first Tribal shipper on the Enbridge liquids pipeline network. The pipeline will “create an avenue” from the MHA Nation’s Thunder Butte facility, notes Mark N. Fox, Chairman of the MHA Nation, “to move our very valuable assets and resources to the marketplace.” Adds Bernie Fox, Thunder Butte’s CEO: “I’m thankful to Enbridge, because now they’re part of our history. They’re our partner.” As part of Enbridge’s Indigenous inclusion strategy, “we want to provide even more opportunities,” says Mike Koby, VP of our U.S. Liquids Pipelines group, “to partner with the MHA Nation and other Tribal communities along our operations.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/47ozrun (SPONSORED: Enbridge)
U.S. STEEL: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “An asset manager is seeking to quash Nippon Steel's takeover of U.S. Steel and oust the leadership of the U.S. steelmaker after taking a stake in the company. Ancora Holdings Group, with $10 billion in assets, reported acquiring a 0.18% stake in the Pittsburgh company. It said Monday that U.S. Steel CEO David Burritt and the company's board have prioritized a sale to Nippon because they stand to receive more than $100 million if it goes forward.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hxcnPb
HENN CO: From Shannon Slatton via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Hennepin County is looking ahead in 2025. Commissioner Jeff Lunde discussed several Hennepin County initiatives in today’s Newsmakers segment, including what he described as a ‘desperate need’ for more police officers.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4hvHCdE
BLOOMINGTON: From Anthony Lonetree via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A new era of preschool programming will debut in the fall at Bloomington Public Schools, and the district reported early signs of success last week when enrollment opened at 8 a.m. Wednesday. Families registered about 76 kids during the first hour, according to Molly Hey, district supervisor of early learning services, who eyed the numbers on her laptop and said: ‘This is great.’ This fall, Bloomington is bringing together seven preschool sites under one roof — a repurposed Washburn Elementary School — a move it hopes strengthens grades K-12 enrollment in the future while also producing an all-important $1 million savings on the district’s 2025-26 bottom line.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40wE0kv
PODCAST: Sports Take's Howard Sinker was a recent guest on TC Jewfolk's "Who the Folk" podcast. He talks about Vikings, sports media, teaching college students, favorite foods and his journey from writing to editing. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4aAG9QW
MICHELIN: From Macy Harder via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “While Minnesota doesn’t have any Michelin-starred restaurants of its own (shockingly), local foodies can get a taste of the experience at Demi’s second annual North Star Series, starting in March. Throughout 2025, Chef Gavin Kaysen and the Demi team will host three one-night kitchen takeovers by distinctive Michelin-starred restaurants from California and New York City, offering guests a glimpse of the nation’s most renowned dining experiences.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4haDqQJ
TODAY: From Minneapolis-based Graco via Business Wire, VERBATIM: “Graco Inc. (NYSE: GGG) announced today that it will release its Fourth Quarter 2024 earnings after the New York Stock Exchange closes on Monday, January 27, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4h0xWYR
TOMORROW: From Medina-based Polaris via PRNewswire, VERBATIM: “Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII) announced today that it will release its fourth quarter and full year 2024 financial results on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, and will hold a conference call and webcast at 10:00 AM central time on the same day to discuss the results.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gZImr2
WEDNESDAY: From Eden Prairie-based C.H. Robinson via Business Wire, VERBATIM: “C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (Nasdaq: CHRW), announced today that it will issue its fourth quarter 2024 results after the market closes on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. The company will hold a conference call from 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm Eastern Time on the same day to discuss the quarterly results and answer live questions from the investment community.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/409bC7M
WEDNESDAY: From St. Louis Park-based Bridgewater via Business Wire, VERBATIM: “Bridgewater Bancshares, Inc. (Nasdaq: BWB), the parent company of Bridgewater Bank, today announced that it will release its fourth quarter 2024 financial results after the market closes on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. Bridgewater will then host a conference call and webcast to discuss the results on Thursday, January 30, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. Central Time.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/409vS9l
WEDNESDAY: From Roseville-based Hawkins via Globe Newswire, VERBATIM: “Hawkins, Inc. (Nasdaq: HWKN) announced today that it expects to release financial results for its fiscal 2025 third quarter ended December 29, 2024 after the market closes on January 29, 2025 at approximately 4:10 p.m. Eastern Time.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3E65khT
WEDNESDAY: From Minneapolis-based Ameriprise via Business Wire, VERBATIM: “Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (NYSE: AMP) plans to announce its fourth quarter 2024 financial results on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 after the close of the New York Stock Exchange. The company will host a conference call to discuss the results on Thursday, January 30, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. (ET).” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3E5Veh0
FRIDAY: Via Minneapolis-based Piper Sandler, VERBATIM: “Piper Sandler Companies (NYSE: PIPR), a leading investment bank, will release its fourth quarter and full year 2024 financial results prior to the opening of the market on Friday, January 31, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gb2bL2
From Friday’s Fluence newsletters:
AG EXPO: From Evan Berg via KIMT-TV, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Ag Expo began on Wednesday, Jan. 22, at the Mayo Clinic event center, a popular topic at the event was the status of Minnesota grains after an unusual growing season in 2024 and hopes for the year ahead in 2025. Ryan Caffrey, a vice president at CHS and Mark Mason a commodity advisor at Kluis Commodity Advisors led a panel on the state of Minnesota grains like corn and soybeans during the first day of the expo, and while yields were inconsistent for some producers, overall the pair said sales weren't overly impacted by the dry winter and heavy rain in the spring and summer of 2024.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4axfZOY
MORE: From ag commissioner Thom Petersen via X, VERBATIM: “Today in Mankato for @mncorn & @MNSoyGrowers Ag Expo, great to visit with farmers & vendors from all over state including @UMNExt! Probably biggest I’ve seen I many years.” PHOTO: https://fluence-media.co/4hsVnK6
MORE: From assistant ag commissioner Patrice Bailey via X, VERBATIM: “Assistant Bailey attending MN AgExpo 2025 in Mankato. It’s great to see the best of how special agriculture is in Minnesota.” PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/3CdHIHU
BONDING: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Governor Walz has introduced his 2025 infrastructure plan. Walz says his bonding bill expands on last year’s significant work and makes strategic investments to keep Minnesotans safe and healthy. ‘Heavily focused on maintaining what we have, it matters both in terms of usefulness but it also matters in how our bond rating is viewed.’ The Governor’s Infrastructure plan invests more than $144 million in water and transportation infrastructure, $5 million for flood mitigation and prevention, and $10 million for work on the Rapidan Dam.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3PQcoSu
ICE RINK: Form Aaliyah Demry via KTTC-TV, VERBATIM: “Kids in Grand Meadow now have a new place to enjoy winter activities. The community has a brand-new ice rink, thanks to a donation from the Grand Meadow Education Foundation. Sixth through 12th-grade students in Grand Meadow Public Schools are playing and learning about hockey and broomball out in the elements.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/40lWVyw
LACROSSE: From Aaron Nesheim via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “The Art Shanty Projects on Lake Harriet (Mde Unma in Dakota) kicked off on Saturday January 18, 2025, in negative temperatures. An excited crowd braved the tundra-like conditions to celebrate the return of an event that, due to warm weather, had a rough go in 2024.
Among the art exhibits dotting a section of the lake near the bandshell, Twin Cities Native Lacrosse hosted pickup games of Thakapsicapi (ball game in Dakota) on the sixteen inches of ice. The games were open to any who wanted to participate, and organizer John Hunter was on hand to teach people how to play and to share a brief history lesson of the game, which originated with Indigenous tribes.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3WwXk05
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DELUXE: From Minneapolis-based Deluxe via Business Wire, VERBATIM: “Deluxe, a trusted Payments and Data company, proudly announces the appointment of Brian Mahony as President of its Merchant Services business, effective February 3, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3PTTQ3U
DEADLINE: Via The Minneapolis Egotist, VERBATIM: “It’s time to submit your life-changing creative and design pieces. Entries for The Show 2025 are still open, but you’ve only got until Wednesday, January 29.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4juXiQ2
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
THIS WEEK: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “Want to see some true winter artistry? Head to the Minnesota Ice Festival’s inaugural Carver Cup Ice Sculpting Competition, where five award-winning teams from the United States (Alaska, Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, Oregon, and Texas) and the United Kingdom will transform 37,500 pounds of ice into unique sculptures.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42p7T98
BDAYS: Dakota Electric’s Peggy Johnson, Mining advocate and leader Julie Jucas, Minneapolis leader Lisa Goodman, St. Paul’s Robert Humphrey, mortgage pro Lisa Wells
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.
about morning take- Founded in 2010, morning take has grown to become the leading Minnesota morning newsletter on politics and news of the day. Published by Fluence Media since 2012 the mission is to "make you smarter" before breakfast.
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