Did you spot “Bob Dylan” (aka actor Timothée Chalamet) yesterday? SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4gq8s6p
A brown Christmas is looking likely. FORECAST: https://fluence-media.co/4gk6lRu
On Sunday Take, University of Minnesota President Rebecca Cunningham on the investments needed to be competitive.. Tune-in on WCCO Radio at 9AM Sunday.
On last weekend’s Sunday Take, KARE 11’s John Croman on covering politics for over 30 years as he retires. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3Zxsbvj
Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com
TARGET: Via USA Today, VERBATIM: “A lawsuit against Target over its controversial 2023 Pride Collection can move forward, a Florida judge has ruled. The company's Pride Collection last year triggered backlash and boycotts from conservatives over LGBTQ-themed merchandise, including bathing suits designed for transgender people. The company pulled the items from store shelves as a result.” QUOTE: "Target embraced a radical transgender agenda targeting children and families through the corporation’s infamous 2023 'Pride' campaign," conservative group America First Legal, which filed the lawsuit, said in a statement, adding that the backlash "led to billions in losses." READ: https://fluence-media.co/41lUVs9
MORE: From The Wall Street Journal via Apple Podcasts, VERBATIM: “Target used to be a cheap and chic place to shop, but now the retailer is in a sales funk, losing market share to competitors like Walmart, Costco, and Amazon. WSJ’s Sarah Nassauer explores what happened to the beloved box store’s numbers and the strategies executives may be discussing to get back on target.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3VnwIOr
SCHOOL ABSENCES: From Elizabeth Shockman via MPR, VERBATIM: “Last year, the state Education Department determined more than 1 in 4 students missed at least 10 percent of school days due to unexcused absences or suspensions . . . Now, after months of quizzing students, advocates and school leaders on Minnesota’s high rates of absenteeism, some state lawmakers are ready to talk through their findings at the Capitol. They’re focused on better data collection, along with improving outreach to families and changes around transportation that could make it easier for kids.” QUOTE: “The hard part is, the root cause in every case is different, so there’s not a one-size-fits-all approach,” said Rep. Ben Bakeberg, R-Jordan, co-chair of the Student Attendance and Truancy Legislative Study Group who also works as a middle school principal. “We won’t be able to say … if we address X issue, it’s going to address attendance and truancy.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iziAM2
POT: From Corey Bork via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “On Tuesday, both the Golden Valley and Crystal city councils approved zoning code changes that dictate where marijuana retail business can be located. In Golden Valley, such businesses would have to be at least 500 feet from youth-oriented facilities, which include schools and playgrounds. Both city councils also gave initial approval to a registration ordinance. While the state and the new Office of Cannabis Management will control the licensing of marijuana businesses, the law lets cities conduct compliance checks.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZDvBwq
HEGSETH: From Ana Radelat via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Pete Hegseth told reporters Thursday that he still has Donald Trump’s full support to be defense secretary, but he was not able to tamp down concerns among key GOP senators this week that he deserves the job. Often accompanied by his wife Jennifer and former Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman, Hegseth made the rounds of the offices of Republican senators, promising some of them, including incoming Senate Armed Services Committee chair Roger Wicker, R-Miss., that if confirmed he would not drink.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4g0DBxq
MORE: Via The 19th, VERBATIM: “As Pete Hegseth tries to persuade senators to support him to lead the Department of Defense in the Trump administration, several lawmakers, women veterans and military advocates warn that his confirmation could be detrimental to women in the military and reverse progress in combating sexual assault in the Armed Forces.” QUOTE: “This is very concerning,” said [Rep. Veronica Escobar], a Democrat. “We have been trying to address recruitment for a long time, and women are a key component of that. This is the last thing we needed, and it is my hope that those members of the Senate who are committed to these reforms and who know how important women are in the military will have very candid conversations with him, and he will drop out.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gjZY0w
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
HOUSING: From Nick Halter and Sami Sparber via Axios, VERBATIM: “The median home price in the Twin Cities was about four times that of the median household income in 2023, according to a new Harvard study. Why it matters: While the metro area is still a relatively affordable place to live compared to other big cities, the trend line over the past 15 years has not been good.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41F5cjx
MORE: Via Harvard, an interactive map showing how the price-to-income ratio has changed over time. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/4fZHJxr
LOANS: Via ProPublica, VERBATIM: “A new settlement that will end a payday-like loan operation in Minnesota puts additional pressure on a Native American tribe that has been on the defensive for its high borrowing rates across the country. The Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians has been telling customers that its practices are allowable, but that stance has become harder to maintain. Shortly before Thanksgiving, the Wisconsin tribe agreed to settle a civil suit filed by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison alleging that LDF broke state law, which requires reasonable lending rates, by charging Minnesotans between 200% and 800% annual interest. The state also claimed LDF had violated statutes on consumer fraud, deceptive trade and false advertising.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3BegWyw
SECURITY: From Sarah Thamer and Erica Zurek via MPR, VERBATIM: “The fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson Wednesday morning on a New York City street in what police said was a “targeted” attack raises questions about the security of top executives. Local security experts say there are standard security measures typically provided to CEOs and executives in large corporations, but it depends on the company. Brad Brekke, chief business officer at Corporate Security Advisors, said security measures vary between companies based on culture. Those measures include physical security while traveling, cybersecurity and preventative strategies.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3VuL1AH
ST PAUL: From Katie Galioto via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The city of St. Paul is helping fund a lottery early next year. The jackpot: Free downtown co-working space and parking for six months. This small effort is part of a larger push to revitalize downtown St. Paul after the pandemic and subsequent rise of remote and hybrid work drained the commuter crowd. Like downtowns across the country, St. Paul’s urban core struggled to recover foot traffic as it grappled with high office vacancies, the loss of some long-tenured businesses and a rise in homelessness and addiction. The city is chipping in a few thousand dollars to help subsidize the program and its marketing.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3BsytTw
BRINGING SAFETY TO “THE NEXT LEVEL” - As part of Enbridge’s work on the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Reservation in northern Minnesota, Enbridge has brought in family-owned and Indigenous-owned Northern Lights Family Outfitters to fully outfit project workers right on the job site with personal protective equipment (PPE) from its 48-foot mobile trailer. “Enbridge really brings safety to the next level,” says Patti, a project liaison for Enbridge and the Fond du Lac Band. “It’s really helpful to have a mobile unit, especially for this kind of work. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3OQYmjn (SPONSORED: Enbridge)
COFFEE: From Alexzia Shobe via Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, VERBATIM: “SunBean Coffee is a newly established café in the Standish-Erickson neighborhood of South Minneapolis owned by Fred and Annie DuBose. Opened in February, SunBean has already developed a reputation for having an uplifting and welcoming environment . . . DuBose’s dream of opening a coffee shop began more than 20 years ago.” QUOTE: “I was always looking for a place that I felt comfortable in. As a Black man, he said coffee shops didn’t always feel very welcoming to me. “Due to that I usually just got my coffee and go. There was never a café where I wanted to just chill at so I wanted to create that space for me and others.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gn4dbO
RETAIL: Bring Me The News reports two retailers, Forever 21 and Duluth-based Maurices, will close their Mall of America stores this winter. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3OPgqtL
RETAIL: From Mars King via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Ikea, the popular Swedish furniture maker, has announced it will remain in Roseville and expand its offerings. The permanent store, called Ikea Roseville Plan & Order Point, will showcase pieces like cabinet fronts, kitchen knobs and closet systems and allow customers to meet with Ikea team members to plan and order home furnishing solutions, according to a company news release.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3BiqVD2
TRAIL: From Georgia Youngblood via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa is looking to expand the Willard Munger Trail.
The trail would connect Carlton, the Black Bear Casino Resort, and the Fond du Lac Tribal Community College. On Thursday, they asked the community for help during an open house at the school. Those who attended voted on three possible designs for sections of the trail, a concrete barrier, rumble strips, or grass.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/49o5NHY
AI: From Madison Roth via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “Deb Mallin sat at her kitchen table in Minneapolis with two books: Traction by Gino Wickman and The Art of the Start by Guy Kawasaki. She wrote down a mission statement, some core values, and a mantra: ‘Children first.’ This was the start of Mighty Doodle. Mighty Doodle is an AI generated ‘tutor’ for 1st through 4th graders to improve upon their reading, writing, and spelling skills. The app uses AI for voice and handwriting recognition to create individualized lessons for the child, ensuring a personal growth strategy. It launched in the Apple App store in October.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZrJCMz
CYTOTHERYX: From Jeff Kiger via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “A recent $2.05 million real estate deal cleared the way for Cytotheryx, a growing Rochester biotech company, to move into the former Waters Medical Systems facility to house its expansion.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3VqPAMC
NEXT WEEK: Via Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Chamber will be joined by more than 20 legislators at the Women in Business Minnesota: Annual Legislative Luncheon on Tuesday, December 10. The event will offer an exclusive opportunity for business leaders to connect with policymakers and gain valuable insights into how public policy will shape the business landscape in the 2025 Legislative Session. This year, the luncheon will feature introductions from newly elected and re-elected legislators, along with a keynote address from Brooke Lee, CEO of Anchor Paper Co.” MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4gnqQwB
THIS MONTH: Via Insight News, VERBATIM: “The Cultural Wellness Center announced that Midtown Global Market will host the Pan-African Kwanzaa Celebration taking place every day from Thursday, December 26 through Tuesday, December 31.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4g2VOu4
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
SUPCT: Via The Wall Street Journal, VERBATIM: “Several Supreme Court justices signaled a willingness Wednesday to let states prohibit transgender teenagers from obtaining puberty blockers and other treatments, but the outcome of the case appeared uncertain after one closely watched justice, Neil Gorsuch, said nothing during more than two hours of proceedings. The court heard arguments to decide the constitutionality of a 2023 ban enacted in Tennessee. The families of three transgender teens, along with the Biden administration, argued that the measure discriminates based on sex, therefore violating the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3CYzi6Z
CONGRESS: Via Stat, VERBATIM: “Negotiations over a large health care policy package are heating up this week as Congress hurtles toward a government funding deadline at the end of the month. Congressional Republicans on Tuesday made an offer to Democrats that included a three-year extension of pandemic-era telehealth flexibilities in Medicare, some reforms in how pharmacy middlemen operate, a Medicare pay bump for doctors, funding for community health centers, and extensions of public health programs in Medicare and Medicaid, according to a copy obtained by STAT.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49omH9k
MEDIA: From Deanna Pistono via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Every month, Rashmi Kandwal and Mary MacCarthy sit down in a recording studio in Minneapolis to discuss health conditions with three guests – a patient, a physician and someone involved in research, education, support and/or advocacy. Kandwal and MacCarthy are the executive director and a board member, respectively, of Healthcare MN, a Twin Cities-based organization focused on networking and connecting various health care innovators and professionals. Before launching the Patient Innovations podcast, Kandwal said the organization would make blog posts about founders of health care businesses. But as podcasts have become more popular, she thought it would be best to convert these posts to podcast format.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49FhE4N
CCTC: Via Catholic Charities Twin Cities, VERBATIM: “Catholic Charities Twin Cities announced today that it has selected Jamie Verbrugge as its next president and chief executive officer. Verbrugge will transition from his current role as City of Bloomington city manager over the next several weeks and formally assume the new position on January 21, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gqkJb3
LIFE TIME: From Chanhassen-based Life Time via PRNewswire, VERBATIM: “As one of the earliest clubs in its portfolio and ahead of its 30th anniversary, Life Time Highland Park is set to unveil a multi-million dollar transformation and 20,800-square-foot expansion on Dec. 7. Life Time (NYSE: LTH) opened the Highland Park club in November 1995.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3OJD9Yw
SKYWATER: From Bloomington-based SkyWater via Business Wire, VERBATIM: “SkyWater Technology (NASDAQ: SKYT), the trusted technology realization partner, announced that it has signed a preliminary memorandum of terms (PMT) valued at up to $16 million with the CHIPS for America program, which is administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce. This proposed funding would provide federal incentives to enhance production capabilities at SkyWater’s Minnesota facility.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZENvii
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
BARS: From Audrey Kennedy via Axios, VERBATIM: “Looking to escape the winter chill? Drink and be merry this holiday season at one of these three unique themed cocktail bars.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Zme0rI
BDAYS: Rep. Shane Hudella SAT: Care Providers lobbyist Kyle Berndt, DFL operative Justin Buoen, lobbyist Eric Myers, labor advocate Liz McLoone Dybvig
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