Ahead of the shutdown, Americans said they prefer spending cuts over tax increases to cut the deficit. GALLUP: https://fluence-media.co/4hfxJBY
The Twin Cities is the fifth most affordable rental market in the country. REALTOR.COM: https://fluence-media.co/3KMVGnW
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4n662ge
On Sunday Take, State Demographer Susan Brower warns of slow growth and increased pressure on public budgets. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/42Bprhz
Blois
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Fluence Advisory hosted a cannabis forum on the “State of Cannabis in Minnesota including an interview with Executive Director of the Office of Cannabis Management Eric Taubel.
POLARIS: Via The Wall Street Journal, VERBATIM: “Specialty vehicle manufacturer Polaris is getting out of the motorcycle business after reaching a deal to sell its Indian brand bike operation to Carolwood LP, a Los Angeles-based private-equity firm. The company didn’t disclose the terms of the sale but said divesting the business will boost its annualized adjusted earnings by $1 a share. Indian contributed about $478 million, or 7%, to Polaris’s revenues for the one-year period ending June 30.
Polaris Chief Executive Mike Speetzen said the sale would let the Minnesota-based manufacturer focus on the parts of its business that have the most potential for growth.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3WGDXB2
LAWSUITS: The Star Tribune looks at the volume of lawsuits from the Trump Administration involving Minnesota. VERBATIM: “The flurry of filings has led both Republicans and Democrats to sharply rebuke one another for what they see as using resources toward politically motivated lawsuits. But it’s also raised questions about which of the Trump administration’s legal maneuverings are posturing, which are part of an effort to test legal boundaries — and which could have a significant impact on the daily lives of Minnesotans.” QUOTE: “A lot of what the Trump administration is trying to do is get states and local governments to back down,” said David Schultz, professor of political science and legal studies at Hamline University. “Where we are now is where states like Minnesota are going to try to call the Trump administration’s bluff and go to court.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4n0dbhR
SHUTDOWN: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Minnesota senior U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D) is in Washington waiting to act on legislation to end the two-week-old government shutdown. She says President Donald Trump is going to need to get involved to break the stalemate. ‘I don’t think it’s gonna be right away today, but we’re sitting here ready to go,’ Klobuchar said. ‘We hope the House will return, and we also, I think the president will have to play a major role in getting this done.’ Appearing on the WCCO Morning News with Vineeta Sawkar, Klobuchar says there are still doubts they can find common ground with Trump.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4haydsL
RETAIL: Via announcement on the website for Gold Country, the Gopher sports gear retailer, QUOTE: “We’re excited to share that our business has been sold to Rally House. As part of this transition, our website is no longer in operation.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3W1NnXR
MORE: Via news release from Kansas-based Rally House, VERBATIM: “On October 1st, Rally House completed the acquisition of Gold Country, another family-owned company with deep roots in the Midwest. Gold Country operated Goldy’s Locker Room stores dedicated to Minnesota Golden Gophers fans and UW Shop locations serving the Wisconsin Badgers community. For years, both brands have been trusted by their local fan bases for authentic team gear and genuine, community-driven service. Through the Gold Country acquisition, Rally House added five new stores in Wisconsin and four new stores in Minnesota, bringing the company’s total store counts to 11 locations in Wisconsin and nine in Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4n5MRTF
TARGET: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Target started selling THC beverages at a handful of its Minnesota liquor stores last week, the first such items at any of its 2,000 stores nationwide. The Minneapolis-based chain joins thousands of other retailers — including grocery stores, liquor stores and gas stations — in the state offering THC drinks. But Target’s pilot run brings a new level of mainstream visibility to the low-dose cannabis market.” QUOTE: “It’s a monumental shift for the industry,” said Jason Dayton, co-founder of Minneapolis Cider Co., which makes the Trail Magic THC brand. “To have a retailer of the scope and size of Target deciding that they can legally sell it, that it’s good for their stores and their guests, is really validating for the years of work everyone in this category has put in.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48voET4
EDMUND FITZGERALD: Via The New York Times, VERBATIM: “Today, the Fitz, as many call it, is a touchstone of regional identity and tourism around the Great Lakes, where the 50th anniversary of the wreck will be commemorated in multiple locations next month. It’s a kind of Midwest Titanic — the largest of the more than 6,000 ships swallowed by the lakes over the centuries. But it’s also a disaster with no survivors and no obvious iceberg, which has inspired a long string of books, articles, documentaries and online debates about exactly why and how the celebrated steamer sank.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3KQYf8s
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)
NEXT YEAR: Via news release from the governor’s office, VERBATIM: “Governor Tim Walz announced today that Northfield will host the 2026 Minnesota Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener.” WALZ: “Ranked one of America’s best places to live, I am excited to put the spotlight on Northfield as the host of the 2026 Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener,” said Governor Walz. “Northfield is home to exceptional public lands and an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities, and I am thrilled to showcase this vibrant community as we carry on Minnesota’s time-honored pheasant hunting tradition.”
MN HOUSE: Via news release from POCI Caucus, VERBATIM: “Today, DFL Leader Zack Stephenson (DFL-Coon Rapids) announced the appointment of Rep. Cedrick Frazier (DFL-New Hope) as the DFL Co-Chair of the Ways and Means Committee. Rep. Cedrick Frazier makes Minnesota history as the first Black man to chair the Minnesota House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee.”
ST CLOUD: Via St. Cloud Live, VERBATIM: “As of late 2024, approximately 4,400 St. Cloud residents identified as Somali, according to city data. However, the community has very little representation in local and state politics. Hudda Ibrahim became the first Somali American to serve on the St. Cloud City Council in 2024 when she was selected to fill a vacant seat. Local activists say there needs to be more Somali Americans in local and state government, but there are still barriers for potential candidates to overcome. That is a topic of discussion going forward and was addressed Saturday, Oct. 11, a panel hosted by KZYS, the local Somali-language radio station, and Project Optimist at the St. Cloud Library.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/478s6Rh
MOVIES: Via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “St. Cloud hopes to bring major movie productions back to the city. Last week, St. Cloud approved an ordinance that makes the city ‘Hollywood certified’ under Explore Minnesota’s Film Ready Community Program. The certification under the state’s program makes it easier for production companies to get permits for filming.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/491dGor
POWER OUTAGES: Xcel Energy has a new Electric Outage Map, now available in both English and Spanish. QUOTE: “Our customers tell us how much they appreciate and rely on this feature. We’ve made user-friendly updates designed to help them stay informed and prepared, as part of our commitment to making energy work better.” MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3WBTvWR (SPONSORED: Xcel Energy)
SOCIAL DISTRICT: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “In November 2024, state lawmakers passed legislation that permitted Shakopee to establish a social district, a designated part of a city in which people are allowed to purchase alcoholic beverages from licensed businesses and consume them while walking through the specific area. After several months, the city’s social district pilot is finally here with two defined districts: one in its downtown, and another in the area around entertainment venue Canterbury Park.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48q45HL
SHOOTINGS: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Ramsey County Attorney John Choi is touting the success of a recent initiative he says is responsible for an increase in the number of nonfatal shooting cases being solved. ‘In a nonfatal shooting, the person who was shot is still alive,’ says Choi. And while they might be alive, they’re not necessarily interested in cooperating with police. ‘And the main reason is because they’re fearful for retaliation,’ he adds. Choi told WCCO’s Chad Hartman that they have developed a standalone unit where St. Paul Police treat nonfatal shootings like homicides.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/46TmAmQ
DARE: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “In a training room of the Maple Grove Police Department, Jolene Palmer attempted to calm an anxious group of police officers. ‘You don’t have to be nervous, you can be excited, and I hope you have the butterflies of excitement more than nervous because kids are the best people in the world,’ she said. ‘And you have the privilege of teaching them.’ Some of the officers — there were more than two dozen — hailed from nearby towns. Others, like a cop from the Bureau of Indian Affairs in New Mexico, made a long trek to the northwest Minneapolis suburbs. These officers were getting ready to deploy on their latest mission. But instead of responding to a 911 call, they’re headed to the classroom.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/43dbLcH
MINNEAPOLIS: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “One of Minneapolis’ most successful homelessness prevention programs is not accepting new referrals, and could run out of money by next spring unless the mayor and City Council can agree how to financially rescue it. Why it matters: The ‘Stable Homes Stable Schools’ program — which helps house 240 Minneapolis Public Schools families at risk of homelessness — has been championed as a success story by practically everyone in a divided City Hall. The program stars in Mayor Jacob Frey‘s first campaign ad. It’s also racing toward a ‘fiscal cliff,’ city officials warn.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/492FV6i
HOUSING: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “As the economic development director for People’s Energy Cooperative, Marty Walsh works to cultivate new customers to sell energy to. And in the region around a growing Rochester, there’s a lot of opportunity, especially as the Mayo Clinic expands its operations and grows its workforce. Now, for the first time, the co-op is getting directly involved in a new housing development, said Walsh. He’s seeking a developer for a five-acre plot owned by the co-op. The land, which the co-op is currently not using, is located a few minutes north of Rochester in Oronoco.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hau2gz
GRAND AVE: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Shoppers on St. Paul’s Grand Avenue now have to pay to park at one of the area’s busiest parking lots. A paid parking system has been recently implemented at the large parking lot at the northwest corner of Grand and Victoria, with the two, separately-owned portions of the lot both transitioning from free to paid parking.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3J5Ip9l
40 YEARS OF PARTNERSHIP: Flint Hills Resources and Ducks Unlimited (DU) are celebrating 40 years of partnership, a longevity landmark that makes Flint Hills one of DU’s longest-standing corporate partners. Working together over the past four decades, Flint Hills and DU have contributed to conserving more than 250,000 acres of wildlife habitat and natural areas in Minnesota and over 900,000 acres across North America. LEARN MORE: Flint Hills Resources and Ducks Unlimited Celebrate 40 Years of Partnership (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery)
HELIUM: Via news release from Pulsar, VERBATIM: “Pulsar Helium Inc. (AIM: PLSR, TSXV: PLSR, OTCQB: PSRHF), a leading helium exploration and development company, is pleased to announce that the drill rig and supporting equipment has been mobilized and is due to arrive at the Company’s flagship Topaz Project in Minnesota, USA this Wednesday. Up to ten additional wells are to be drilled, with the campaign designed to further define the geometry, extent, and productivity of the helium-bearing reservoir identified in previous drilling and flow-testing campaigns.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oh28BQ
HOTEL: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “A new boutique hotel in Minnesota is welcoming guests to a fully renovated, 110-year-old former flour mill. The Mill Hotel in downtown Fergus Falls will officially celebrate its grand opening Thursday, offering public tours of the repurposed mill. The 32-room hotel began operating with a soft opening in late July.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nQzqZ5
CRYSTAL: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “A longtime family-owned Crystal restaurant is here to stay — for now. Milton’s Vittles, Vino and Beer, located on Douglas Avenue, shared its plan to remain open through the end of November. Earlier this fall, the restaurant shared in a post that it planned to close on Oct. 31. The restaurant’s owner, Francine Weber, cited rising operation costs, equipment breakdowns and the limitations of being a 50-seat restaurant.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hiL7VW
BAKER: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “We’ve all seen the dazzling, terrifying spectacles of competitive baking, but what happens when the oven cools and the cameras stop rolling? We sat down with Plymouth resident Megan Carroll, who recently braved the challenges of Food Network’s ‘Halloween Baking Championship.’ Now running her micro-bakery, The Kindred Cottage, Megan shares her journey from recipe developer and food photographer to TV competitor, discussing everything from the wisdom learned on set to the pure joy of making things by hand.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oipZBm
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)
MEDIA: Via Insight News, VERBATIM: “The Center for Broadcast Journalism (CBJ) last week announced the appointment of media veteran Harry Colbert Jr. as its new Vice President. A respected figure in the journalism industry, Colbert will begin his tenure in November 2025, bringing a wealth of expertise and a vision for innovative programming that aligns with CBJ’s mission. Answering the urgent need and call to elevate, develop, and preserve independent Black media and its makers is among the top priorities for the organization . . . A former managing editor at MinnPost and editor-in-chief at North News—where he led the publication to receive three Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) awards and five first-place honors at the 2021 Minnesota Newspaper Association (MNA) awards—Colbert has a proven track record of excellence in journalism.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hdFo3B
ST PAUL: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Developers already building restaurants, offices and a hotel around St. Paul’s Allianz Field announced they’ve added plans for an outdoor ice skating rink and a flower garden to their project. Driving the news: Bill McGuire, the lead developer and Minnesota United FC‘s owner, revealed the new features at a neighborhood meeting last week.” READ/RENDERINGS: https://fluence-media.co/3W4w4oU
AIRPORT: Via The Points Guy, VERBATIM: “By the end of 2025, every Delta Air Lines hub will have a spiffy, semi-private check-in area for flyers who book its Delta One cabin. Between now and the end of this year, the Atlanta-based carrier expects to debut new dedicated Delta One check-in areas at Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), executives said Thursday. Up until now, those have been Delta’s only two domestic hubs without a specific, set-aside area for customers flying in its nicest cabin.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3JcoyFF
(DISCLOSURE: Delta is a Fluence client)
DULUTH: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “It’s a potentially big week for the Lester Park Golf Course property. At their meeting on Wednesday, the Duluth Planning Commission will take up a resolution that would recommend the city council approve the sale of that land to the Duluth Economic Development Authority. The 230 acres of city-owned land are currently zoned as parks and open space. If the sale is granted, it could be rezoned to a classification that would allow economic development.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/492T53c
ST CLOUD: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Red Robin will close one of its four remaining Minnesota locations this weekend. The St. Cloud restaurant at 3945 W. Division St. near the Crossroads Center will close on Sunday, an employee confirmed Monday to Bring Me The News.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nQyHqP
TOMORROW: Via Minneapolis Fed, VERBATIM: “The summer tourism season has come to an end, and the Minneapolis Fed and Hospitality Minnesota partnered on a September survey to gauge current economic activity and the near-term outlook of Minnesota’s tourism and hospitality businesses. Join analyst Haley Chinander for a free webinar that will cover the results of the survey. She will be joined by Angie Whitcomb (Hospitality Minnesota) in a Q&A session to dig deeper into survey findings.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4h9vEqZ
OCT 30: Via barchart, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis, Minnesota-based Xcel Energy Inc. (XEL) engages in the generation, purchasing, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity. With a market cap of $47.9 billion, Xcel operates through Regulated Electric Utility and Regulated Natural Gas Utility segments. The utilities giant is set to announce its third-quarter results before the market opens on Thursday, Oct. 30. Ahead of the event, analysts expect XEL to report an adjusted profit of $1.34 per share, up 7.2% from $1.25 per share reported in the year-ago quarter.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3W7lwp5
(DISCLOSURE: Xcel is a Fluence sponsor)
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
BRIM CAFE: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “A new cafe in the southwest metro may have just become my favorite spot for a healthy brunch. Driving the news: Brim Cafe & Coffee recently opened a second location on the border of Edina and Richfield serving brunch, lunch and dinner that is entirely gluten and seed-oil free.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4n6HXG1
BDAYS: Rep. Harry Niska, WCCO Radio’s David Josephson, Broadcaster leader Wendy Paulson, lobbyist Larry Johnson, reporter David La Vaque, House staffer Spencer Johnson, State Farm’s Ethan Hellier
Send us your tips at BloisOlson@gmail.com
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