lunch take | Hormel Hints at More Spinoffs + Minneapolis Restaurant's ICE Experience
12.5.25
In an agreement announced this morning, Netflix will buy Warner Bros., (which includes HBO), for $82.7 billion. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iLlqy2
Late Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court lifted a lower court ruling blocking the Texas redistricting plan. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3MieJqV
More snow tomorrow. FORECAST: https://fluence-media.co/4pUe6Cp
Imagine your favorite out-of-town relative reading this Mesabi Tribune headline out loud: “Biwabik prepares for Weihnachtsfest festival”. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4oAf5qk
Fox 9 at 7:45 Sunday, and Sunday Take is at 9AM on Sunday morning on WCCO. Tune-in.
Last weekend’s Sunday Take on WCCO Radio was a recap of Thanksgiving week and previews what to watch this holiday season and into 2026. And a replay the recent interview he had with the new Saint Paul Mayor - elect Kaohly Her. The take focuses on how to revitalize our urban neighborhoods – especially St. Paul. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4pa02oi
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.
The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal analyzed Bureau of Labor Statistics data and found the three top-paying jobs in the Twin Cities are all for medical doctors who are making a little less than they did a few years back. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4pmyL2j
EARLIER TODAY: Via The New York Times, an update to a story shared in Thursday’s health take, VERBATIM: “After contentious debates and three failed attempts at a vote, a federal vaccine committee decided on Friday to end the decades-long recommendation that all newborns be immunized at birth against hepatitis B, a highly infectious virus that leads to chronic liver disease in most infected children.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48RC8Z0
TODAY: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Expect some tension at Minneapolis City Hall on Friday as council members make their final tweaks to next year’s $2 billion city budget. Why it matters: At Friday’s marathon ‘budget markup,’ Mayor Jacob Frey‘s critics will get one of their final chances to flex their veto-proof council majority before four incumbents leave office at year’s end.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4az9xsL
BUSINESS NEWS
HORMEL: Via The Wall Street Journal, VERBATIM: “Hormel Foods is hoping the steps it has taken to improve profitability will start yielding results, following what interim Chief Executive Jeff Ettinger said was a disappointing earnings performance in 2025. ‘Candidly, we fell significantly short of our earnings goal in navigating a dynamic consumer environment, elevated input costs and some unexpected setbacks,’ he said on a call with analysts Thursday.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48DcmGC
MORE: Via GlobalData, VERBATIM: “As Hormel Foods leans into the protein trend to support revenues and profits, the US retail and foodservice business has hinted at further portfolio pruning. The Justin’s brand of nut butters and chocolate snacks has already been spun-off into a venture with private-equity firm Forward Consumer Partners and Hormel Foods’ president John Ghingo suggested more are to follow.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48vCS6d
IPO: Via news release from Roseville-based Park Dental, VERBATIM: “Park Dental Partners, Inc., today announced the closing of its initial public offering of 1,535,000 shares of its common stock at a price to the public of $13.00 per share. The shares of common stock began trading on The Nasdaq Capital Market on December 3, 2025, under the symbol ‘PARK.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44aVR3i
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)
IMMIGRATION
ICE: From south Minneapolis restaurant Hola Arepa and owner Christina Nguyen via Instagram, VERBATIM: “We had an ICE scare yesterday and even though we’re afraid of the repercussions of being vocal, we feel that it’s also important to inform people that this is right at our front door. ICE is not some far away boogeyman. They are here right now, spreading fear in our community.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4rMFTqj
MORE: KARE-TV talked with Nguyen as well as general manager Naomi Rathke who interacted with the agents. RATHKE: “They said, ‘We don’t need one.’ I said, ‘Yes, you do,’” Rathke recalled. She then asked them to leave, noting that a signed warrant is required to conduct immigration operations inside a private business. Rathke and Nguyen believe the officers were using intimidation tactics to instill fear in the restaurant’s employees, including telling them that agents “have the place surrounded.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4oCxSBl
ST PAUL: Mayor Melvin Carter talked about the situation on Bloomberg’s Balance of Power show. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4iGRXoS
BIG PICTURE: From The New York Times:
FULL STORY: https://fluence-media.co/49Zr3pW
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)
ECONOMIC INDICATORS
HOUSING: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “The number of residential constructions in the Twin Cities metro declined in November, with ‘dips across all areas of the market,’ per Housing First Minnesota, referring to data collected by the Keystone Report research firm, which tracks new residential construction permits. The report describes a 48% decrease in multifamily units under construction compared to last November. There was also a 2% drop in building permits obtained by homebuilders for single-family homes.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ovsOyx
MORE: Via Housing First Minnesota, from the report:
REPORT: https://fluence-media.co/4azsVpr
BUDGET FORECAST: MinnPost’s Matthew Blake wasn’t satisfied with the “don’t worry your pretty little head about it” rhetoric he was hearing on the state’s financial situation. VERBATIM: “Prior to the publication of the forecast, Minnesota Management and Budget spokesperson Patrick Hogan answered my questions with the caveat, ‘To be honest, I doubt they would be helpful to your non-economist readers because it’s pretty technical stuff, but that’s the nature of forecasting.’ Sounds like a dare to me. Here is an attempt to make the forecast process palatable to all.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48zTVmb
AROUND THE CITIES
TAXES: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “City councils in Crystal and Golden Valley approved budget and levy increases on Tuesday, Dec. 2. Homeowners in Crystal will see a double-digit increase in their property tax levy for 2026 . . . Golden Valley’s property tax levy will increase 4.4 percent for 2026, bringing the total to $36.6 million.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44wzntR
WATER: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Apple Valley leaders know that ‘forever chemicals’ are coursing through the city’s water supply, but they can’t say for sure how the synthetic substances got there. Yet the mysterious origin of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, in nearly half of Apple Valley’s wells doesn’t change the fact that the city faces a $100 million bill to flush them from its system. And with outside sources unlikely to cover the whole project, residents are set to see their water rates rise to pay for the costly treatment plant upgrades. The dilemma reveals the local implications of one of the 21st century’s most challenging environmental crises. As ‘forever chemicals’ increasingly surface in wells across the Twin Cities area, small cities with limited resources now find themselves staring down enormous expenses to make drinking water safe for residents and satisfy federal regulators.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rAJp73
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)
THE NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
FRAUD: Via The Wall Street Journal, VERBATIM: “Massive fraud blamed on dozens of Minnesota residents of Somali descent has jumped to national attention, with House Republicans launching an investigation into how pervasive corruption in the state’s social-services system was allowed to fester under Democratic Gov. Tim Walz’s administration. The probe by the GOP-led House Oversight Committee deepens scrutiny of the scandal in Minnesota, where federal prosecutors say the fraud exceeded $1 billion and that dozens of people bilked taxpayers by setting up scam social-services companies. Close to 60 defendants have been convicted, and federal prosecutors last week charged the 78th person in a prong of the cases that authorities called ‘the largest Covid-19 fraud scheme in the country.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pVG2WK
RESPONSE: Via The New York Times, VERBATIM: “Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota on Thursday called President Trump’s recent tirades against Somalis in the state ‘vile,’ warning that xenophobic rhetoric could lead to bloodshed.” WALZ: “This creates danger,” Mr. Walz, a Democrat, told reporters during a news conference. “We know how these things go, they start with taunts, they turn to violence.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rDr0WX
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)
AROUND MINNESOTA
DINOSAUR: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “It’s hard to overstate how rare and exciting a dinosaur mummy is. And yes, the fossil called ‘Medusa’ could be a dinosaur mummy — the remains of an Edmontosaurus about 66 million years old that researchers believe contains a significant amount of skin and tendon tissue. It’s so rare that only about a dozen such fossils exist worldwide — and it’s come to Winona.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49VcSlL
WHAT’S NEXT?
TOMORROW: Via Insight News, VERBATIM: “The southbound Interstate 35W closure between I-494 and the I-35/I-35E/I-35W split scheduled for Dec. 6 has been postponed, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48rEuMI
HOLIDAY SEASON: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Holiday fun is in full swing across the Twin Cities. Why it matters: It’s the most wonderful time of the year. State of the (decked) halls: Here are some local happenings to help make the most of the season.” LIST: https://fluence-media.co/3MiaZWs
NEXT MONTH: Via RiverCentre, VERBATIM: “Everyone’s favorite Dog Show is BACK and better than ever! More than 1,200 canines in 197 breeds will compete for American Kennel Club (AKC) awards when Land O’Lakes Kennel Club presents its annual Dog Show at Saint Paul RiverCentre Friday-Sunday, January 2-4, 2026.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/48mGZ4o
NEXT MONTH: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “First Avenue‘s annual Best New Bands concert takes place on January 17, 2026, and spotlights the recent best of the Twin Cities music scene. From indie rock to dreamy pop, seven bands will take First Avenue’s Mainroom stage.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48kBp2m
NEXT MONTH: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “On Jan. 31, North Arbor Lake in Maple Grove will play host to the inaugural Mayor’s Ice Fishing Tournament. Experience Maple Grove partnered with the Maple Grove Lions Club to create the event, which will be part of a larger WinterFest celebration.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48ABY77
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
BELLACOUR: From Jason DeRusha via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “Sometimes a restaurant just feels right. Brand new, yet it feels like it’s been there for years. Warm and cozy, yet modern and impressive. Bustling bakery by day, sexy glowing bistro by night. Bellecour’s North Loop location had some soft open practice meals prior to opening Saturday night, I was there for a first look and first taste of the new, tightly constructed dinner menu.” READ/PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/4iC1zkA
BDAYS: Rep. Josh Heintzeman. SAT: United Heroes leader Shane Hudella, operative Allyssa Helgason, Care Providers lobbyist Kyle Berndt SUN: Comms pro Colin Cox, financial planner Alex Kronick
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