The State Patrol counted 577 crashes as of 9:00 Wednesday night. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4fCTAkS
Today’s 6:20 morning take on WCCO Radio with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/40Rrhea
Sign-up for Sports Take a weekly preview of the week ahead published on Thursdays. HERE: https://fluence-media.co/SportsTakeSignUp
On Sunday Take, fmr. Rep. Pat Garofalo and Secretary of State Steve Simon discuss the recounts, election integrity and more. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4fLY7lr
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DROUGHT: The new Drought Monitor released this morning shows 16% of the state in severe drought, down from 46% a week earlier. It reflects data as of Tuesday, so it doesn’t take into account Wednesday’s precipitation. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3zN8TDo
GAETZ: Via The New York Times, VERBATIM: “Matt Gaetz, the former representative whom President-elect Donald J. Trump wanted as his attorney general, has withdrawn from consideration. Sexual misconduct allegations against Mr. Gaetz had drawn much scrutiny, including from senators who would vote to approve him for the position.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3OlvFui
EARLIER: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar (D) is sounding the alarm about President-elect Donald Trump's pick for Attorney General, Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz (R).” KLOBUCHAR: "We must have these hearings," she says. "We must ask the questions, and we must do the checks on people's backgrounds. That's why I am so pissed off about this ethics report." LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3ARZwYe
HEGSETH: Via CBS News, VERBATIM: “A woman told police she was sexually assaulted in 2017 by Pete Hegseth after he took her phone, blocked the door to a California hotel room and refused to let her leave, according to a detailed investigative report released late Wednesday. Hegseth, a Fox News personality and President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be defense secretary, told police at the time that the encounter had been consensual and denied any wrongdoing, the report said.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3Zk6xut
LOTTERY: Via report released this morning by the Office of the Legislative Auditor, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota State Lottery (Lottery) generally did not have adequate internal controls to ensure compliance with significant legal requirements and industry standards we tested. We identified a number of internal control weaknesses related to retailers, scratch games, physical security, system access management, vulnerability and configuration management, and incident response and disaster recovery. The Lottery generally complied with the significant legal requirements we tested, but there were some specific instances of noncompliance related to background checks for retailers, retailers continuing to sell lottery tickets with expired contracts, reimbursement for lost or stolen scratch game tickets, and system access management.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/492wemq
MORE: Via OLA, the full report including a response from Lottery Executive Director Adam Prock. PROCK: “Lottey leadership is committed to promoting a healthy culture and will work to implement the OLA’s recommendation for change. The Lottery has remediated most of the findings and is addressing the remaining issues as promptly as possible.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3V4Bsbv
GOOGLE: Via news release from the Attorney General’s office, VERBATIM: “Today, Attorney General Ellison joined a coalition of state attorneys general and the Justice Department in proposing a robust package of remedies to end Google’s unlawful monopoly over internet search engines and to restore competition to benefit consumers. In December 2020, Attorney General Ellison and a bipartisan coalition of 38 state attorneys general filed a lawsuit alleging that Google illegally maintains its monopoly power over general search engines through anticompetitive contracts and conduct. In a landmark decision in August 2024, a D.C. federal district court judge ruled that Google violated federal antitrust laws by illegally maintaining a monopoly in online search and search text ads, finding that ‘Google is a monopolist, and it has acted as one to maintain its monopoly.’”
MORE: Via U.S. District Court, the AGs’ proposed final judgement. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3CPfgvB
TARGET: Via CNBC, VERBATIM: “After its biggest earnings miss in two years and stock plunge, Target laid some of the blame on the recent U.S. ports strike, citing higher freight costs it absorbed as a result of preemptive action to move more product into the U.S. ahead of October. But cargo container trade data reviewed by CNBC tells a more nuanced tale. The port strikes, which stretched from New England to Texas, wound up lasting only a few days, but many companies, including Target, had rerouted and pulled forward shipments, loading up on inventory to make sure they had the merchandise needed for the holiday season.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/411lyT1
PRODUCING FUELS THAT HELP KEEP MINNESOTA MOVING: Flint Hills Resources, one of the Midwest’s leading producers s of transportation fuels is hiring! With openings in IT, accounting, engineering, operations, procurement and asset management, Flint Hills Resources’ goal is to match talented individuals with their passions and interests to truly shine. APPLY TODAY: Flint Hills jobs (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
NEW LAWMAKERS: From Michelle Griffith via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “The Reformer reached out to all 22 new members. Some haven’t responded yet. (Email us!) The following five new members spoke with the Reformer about why they ran for office and what they hope to accomplish at the Legislature.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fzf0zx
WEDDINGS: From Feven Gerezgiher via MPR, VERBATIM: “Katie Rehani, 39, and Jessica Giordano, 40, were among a handful that exchanged short vows on Sunday at a free marriage license signing event hosted by The Little Wedding Co. at Queermunity, a new social space for LGBTQ+ people in Minneapolis’ Uptown neighborhood . . . The deciding factor for them, and other couples, was the result of the 2024 election: Republican control of the federal government. ‘I want to be able to not have things taken from me,’ said Rehani.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fI46HW
ALBANY: From Nick Longworth via KMSP-TV, VERBATIM: “A student questionnaire for freshmen at Albany Area Secondary School in central Minnesota intended to be part of a lesson on communication has parents fuming over material that the school district admits to being ‘inappropriate.’ A concerned parent who asked to remain anonymous reached out to FOX 9 to provide information regarding a student questionnaire provided to freshmen students during the week of Nov. 11-15. The alleged material asks how they might communicate with their partner a desire to be more ‘adventurous in the bedroom,’ offering a range of options in a multiple choice section.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3OfkSC4
OSSEO: From Kevin Miller via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “A new set of policies and procedures could allow school staff members to confiscate cell phones and other devices at schools across the Osseo Area School District. The school board heard the first reading of the policy on Nov. 19. A vote on the policy is expected next month. If approved, the policy would ban elementary and middle school students from using their cell phones during the school day.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3OqP9h3
AI: From Amelia Roessler via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Many colleges and universities are exploring ways to include artificial intelligence (AI) in teaching, learning and research in order to provide students with opportunities to learn more about the technology. Schools including the University of Minnesota and the University of St. Thomas have created programs and curriculum aimed at building student literacy in AI and ensuring students are ready to pursue opportunities after graduation. Many institutions are concerned about falling behind and therefore are working on AI-related strategies, according to an EDUCAUSE AI Landscape study done in February.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3V3sNGj
‘I GOT INTO THIS INDUSTRY TO HELP PEOPLE’ - Taylor, a first-generation descendant of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, is a member of Enbridge’s Tribal engagement team in Wisconsin. She loves getting out into Tribal communities to educate people on Enbridge’s purpose and to help them understand opportunities in the trades. Taylor enjoys her role at Enbridge, where she feels valued and appreciated as a member of the team. She believes Enbridge will continue to make an impact with Indigenous communities through the company’s Indigenous Peoples Policy. Taylor’s dedication to helping others and her commitment to her heritage drive her every day, and her work at Enbridge is a testament to the company’s commitment to social responsibility. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3P3wqK9 (SPONSORED: Enbridge)
LIST: Studio MPLS is on Creative Boom’s list of most popular design studios in the world. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4fV30Io
MOVE: From Dan Niepow via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “The former CEO of Chuck E. Cheese’s parent company is taking the helm of a global fitness brand with Minnesota roots. On Thursday, Purpose Brands LLC – the newly renamed merger of Orangetheory Fitness and Self Esteem Brands – announced that Tom Leverton has been named CEO. Woodbury-based Self Esteem Brands is the parent of Anytime Fitness, Basecamp Fitness, and other brands.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Z0RuUZ
GOLF: Via Hazeltine, VERBATIM: “Totton P. Heffelfinger founded Hazeltine National Golf Club in 1962 to provide a pure golf experience and build a championship golf course for the Twin Cities area. Hazeltine anchored its mission to three core tenets: tradition, championship golf, and exceptional member experiences. Remaining true to our history and tradition, we're proud to unveil Vision 2040: Hazeltine's Long-Range Plan.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4fVkkgm
WOODBURY: From Topgolf via PRNewswire, VERBATIM: “Topgolf announced today it recently broke ground on a three-level venue in Woodbury, Minnesota, set to open in late 2025. This is the second venue in Minnesota in addition to an existing venue in Minneapolis – Brooklyn Center.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3CFj8PQ
CANTERBURY: From Dustin Nelson via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Officials with Canterbury Park have submitted a request to the Minnesota Racing Commission for a 51-day thoroughbred and quarter-horse racing season in 2025. The proposed season would run from May 24 through Sept. 20. The track hopes to conduct the races largely on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, with six Thursday races planned.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YYx3Im
MURPHY: Via Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, VERBATIM: “The North Side of Minneapolis is mourning the untimely death of one of its most dedicated advocates, Phillip Murphy, the founder of the popular crime reporting Facebook group True North Minneapolis – Legacy. Known for his unflinching commitment to documenting the realities of life on the city’s North Side, Murphy’s passing leaves a significant void in both the community and the group he built from the ground up.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49hLzzP
NOTE: 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 HERE: fluence-newsletters.com
TOMORROW: From Mark Freie via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Day one of the Prep Bowl at U.S. Bank Stadium on Friday will look a little familiar for those watching the first championship game of the day as Class A kicks off at 9 a.m. featuring Springfield and Minneota.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4fYSG28
NEXT YEAR: From Minnesota Ice Festival via PRNewswire, VERBATIM: “Get ready for an unforgettable winter experience as The 2025 Minnesota Ice Festival will open to the public at Viking Lakes in Eagan on January 10, 2025, and will run through February 16, 2025 . . . At the centerpiece will be the world's largest ice maze ever constructed, aiming for a Guinness World Record.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3CG4oAo
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
WOTUS: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “American Farm Bureau is eager to see how the Trump administration handles the Waters of the U.S. rule. AFBF senior director of government affairs Courtney Briggs says WOTUS continues to cause a lot of confusion for farmers and ranchers.” BRIGGS: “And I think a lot of people thought that this issue was solved last year when the Supreme Court handed down their decision in Sackett versus EPA, but unfortunately what we’re hearing in the countryside is there’s more confusion than ever.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3OjBKaU
CHRISTMAS TREES: From Jeff Wagner via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “It's one of the latest harvests of the year, and the fresh scent pine and fir trees emit can, in a way, be bittersweet. ‘The fields that we're harvesting this year have been part of us for eight years or more, and we've watched them grow up,’ John Krueger said. ‘And now, they're going to be cut down.’ Krueger is the third-generation owner of Krueger's Christmas Tree Farm. While he finds joy in knowing the evergreens will make a family happy, they might not realize the effort it took to reach these towering heights.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3CDTdIi
RETAIL: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “Eight Minnesota retailers who demonstrate excellence in locally grown and produced products have been named a 2025 Minnesota Grown Retailer of the Year by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Minnesota Grown program, in partnership with the Minnesota Grocers Association (MGA). Along with awards given by region, a new beer, wine, and spirits award was given to recognize excellence in liquor stores.” LIST: https://fluence-media.co/3Zc7e8V
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DULUTH: From Dan Hanger via KQDS-TV, VERBATIM: “The city of Duluth is one step closer to announcing which company will land the city’s new multimillion-dollar tourism marketing contract. In all, 26 businesses applied for the job during the Request For Proposals process. Of that number, a selection committee has chosen their top five.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3OkR8Uj
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
ST PAUL: From Emily Bright for MPR’s Art Hounds series, VERBATIM: “Architectural historian Marjorie Pearson of St. Paul wants people to know that the new, expanded wing of the Minnesota Museum of Art, commonly known as the M, is now open in the historic arcade of the Endicott building in downtown St. Paul. The major renovation triples the available exhibit space for Minnesota’s oldest art museum.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3CF7pki
PENUMBRA: Via Insight News, VERBATIM: “Penumbra Theatre, 270 North Kent Street Saint Paul, presents Black Nativity, its enduring holiday tradition that celebrates the spirit of the season with Langston Hughes’ lyrical adaptation of the Nativity story.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3V3ZweJ
BDAYS: Catholic Charities Elizabeth Lyden, Mariucci Arena’s Craig Flor, financial fixer Michael Vekich, water advocate Isis Stark
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