In the market for a Cold War missile base? There’s one for sale in Dakota County. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hH1vQ5
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4hFDrgF
Sunday Take previewed Speaker Lisa Demuth’s campaign for governor, the Minneapolis mayoral race, and school board elections with Kyrstin Schuette. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3WACTik
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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.
BUSINESS
HORMEL: Via The Wall Street Journal, VERBATIM: “Hormel Foods is cutting 250 corporate and sales jobs as part of a restructuring, the food company that owns brands including Planters, Skippy and Spam said Tuesday. The company said it has implemented a voluntary early retirement program for a portion of its non-plant workforce and will close many open roles and cut positions across its office-based workforce. Hormel said it expects to incur restructuring charges of $20 million to $25 million from pension benefits, severance payments, employee benefit costs and stock compensation expenses.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oTaG2q
LIFE TIME: Via Zacks, VERBATIM: “[Chanhassen-based] Life Time Group Holdings, Inc. (LTH) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.41 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.34 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.26 per share a year ago . . . Life Time Group Holdings, which belongs to the Zacks Leisure and Recreation Services industry, posted revenues of $782.65 million for the quarter ended September 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.61%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $693.23 million.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47Kf50D
TENNANT: Via RTTNews, VERBATIM: “Tennant Company (TNC) announced a profit for third quarter that Decreased from the same period last year and missed the Street estimates. The company’s bottom line totaled $14.9 million, or $0.80 per share. This compares with $20.8 million, or $1.09 per share, last year . . . The company’s revenue for the period fel 4.0% to $303.3 million from $315.8 million last year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ovM2VS
MORE EARNINGS: Via Associated Press, reports from Minnesota-based companies:
OTTER TAIL: “Otter Tail Corp. (OTTR) on Monday reported profit of $78.3 million in its third quarter. The Fergus Falls, Minnesota-based company said it had net income of $1.86 per share. The power company and manufacturer posted revenue of $325.6 million in the period.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nDqaGG
INSPIRE: “Inspire Medical Systems Inc. (INSP) on Monday reported third-quarter earnings of $9.9 million. On a per-share basis, the Golden Valley, Minnesota-based company said it had profit of 34 cents . . . The results exceeded Wall Street expectations . . . The maker of devices for treating obstructive sleep apnea posted revenue of $224.5 million in the period, which also beat Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47JrfH6
TACTILE: “Tactile Systems Technology Inc. (TCMD) on Monday reported third-quarter net income of $8.2 million. The Minneapolis-based company said it had profit of 36 cents per share. The results exceeded Wall Street expectations . . . The medical device maker posted revenue of $85.8 million in the period, also beating Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47nJbIl
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)
TODAY
ON BALLOTS: Via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Minnesotans across the state will choose local leaders who will make consequential decisions about property taxes and how to spend the people’s money, as well as important policies affecting schools, parks, local roads and police. Voters in two state Senate districts will help determine control of the upper chamber, which currently stands at 33 Democratic-Farmer-Labor members and 32 Republicans senators. In 70 communities, Axios reported last month, voters will be asked to approve 96 funding measures worth well over $1 billion to pay for schools, including in St. Paul.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49z5xb6
MORE: Via MPR, information about what’s on ballots, candidate guides, and voting logistics. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4oyD7Te
BUCKET TRUCK: Via Xcel, VERBATIM: “On a crisp autumn morning in Waconia, Minnesota, Laketown Elementary buzzed with excitement as fifth-grader Grant Scotting kept his eyes trained on the parking lot. A birthday surprise for Scotting was in the works — and soon it rolled up: a shiny Xcel Energy bucket truck. Scotting, who has special needs and is nonverbal, is known for his love of Xcel Energy. His enthusiasm for the local energy company ranges from reporting outages on his family’s iPad to eagerly opening each monthly bill.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4oq7uei (SPONSORED: Xcel Energy)
TWIN CITIES
MINNEAPOLIS: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “An entity affiliated with local developer Sherman Associates is proposing an expanded data center in the former Wells Fargo operations center at 255 Second Ave. S. Currently vacant, the 549,500-square-foot office building sits atop an entire city block at the intersection of Washington and Third avenues, where Sherman Associates initially planned a $400 million mixed-use residential development known as Washington Yards, formerly Harmonia.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47nUQ9Z
MORE: A city staff report on the project which was considered at Monday’s Planning Commission meeting. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3XgYoot
WINTERAPOLIS: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “No more Holidazzle? No problem. Now there’s ‘Winterapolis.’ City leaders say the three-month celebration combines existing holiday and wintertime mainstays with new events and activities. Their aim is to make Minneapolis ‘America’s Winter City.’” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3JJyW84
RETAIL/RESTAURANTS
DAYTON’S: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Dayton’s Holiday Market, which is returning to downtown Minneapolis for the fifth year in a row, will spread even more holiday cheer this winter with its expansion to a second location. Edina mall Southdale Center will host the holiday shopping pop-up from November 20 through December 24 in its Dining Pavilion on the building’s second level, featuring crafts, artwork, gifts, and other unique finds from more than 50 local vendors.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oqFaca
CLOSING: Via Bring Me The News, Keys Café will end its 50+ year run in the Foshay Tower. READ: https://fluence-media.co/47FCss2
CLOSING: Via Facebook, Salut announced its closing at 50th and France. POST: https://fluence-media.co/4hL4mHO
CLOSING: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Maple Grove residents are losing a neighborhood hardware store. Jerry’s Hardware, located at 13151 Weaver Lake Rd. near Cub grocery store, is closing Dec. 31.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ooqryz
CELEBRATING 70 YEARS: The Pine Bend refinery in Rosemount is a landmark like no other – the tall columns and bright lights can be seen from miles away. Generations of workers have helped operate, maintain and transform the refinery, making it one of the nation’s most innovative and efficient energy facilities of its kind. This year, Flint Hills Resources celebrates 70 years of dedicated employees at the Pine Bend refinery who have produced the fuels that help move us forward. LEARN MORE: About the Pine Bend refinery (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery)
CRIME
PLACES OF WORSHIP: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “For the second time in as many weeks, congregants at a Minneapolis Catholic church were attacked by a group of would-be robbers . . . The incidents have sparked calls from the Council of Islamic-American Relations Minnesota (CAIR-MN) for police to step up its presence near places of worship in Minneapolis, which follows instances of vandalism in recent weeks of synagogues and mosques in the city.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qHxHqH
UOFM: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Investigators are still looking for suspects after a weekend fatal shooting near the University of Minnesota. Students on the University of Minnesota campus that WCCO’s Susie Jones talked to say they are still feeling shocked after that deadly shooting, a violent incident they say they were not told about by the University.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/47UL7YV
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)
GREATER MN
COAL: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “A Lake Superior coal transportation hub that handles million tons of coal annually will end operations in 2026. Midwest Energy Resources Company will not renew the Superior Midwest Energy Terminal’s lease, which is up June 30, according to parent company DTE Electric.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43epkZE
SNAP: Via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Larry Madigan Jr. expects November to be an unpredictable month for Cass Lake’s grocery store. Like at 3,600 other food retailers in Minnesota, customers can use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits at the city’s Leech Lake Market, located on the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe’s reservation. Amid the federal government shutdown, it’s unclear when or if customers will receive SNAP funds this month, cutting the northern Minnesota store off from a key source of revenue, said Madigan Jr., Leech Lake Market’s general manager.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qCYPqV
RED LAKE: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “The Red Lake Nation has released a statement regarding the impoundment of an aircraft following an emergency landing within the boundaries of the Red Lake Reservation. On October 15, Darrin Smedsmo of Roseau landed his plane on a road within reservation boundaries after the plane’s engine failed . . . Lakeland News reached out to Red Lake officials for several days seeking comment on this story but never heard back. But on Monday the Tribal Council issued a statement saying the Red Lake Nation maintains its sovereign authority over its lands, natural resources, and the safety and welfare of its citizens.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/47oLjQ7
AHEAD
THIS WINTER: iSmash is opening baseball-bat stress-relief “smash rooms” in St. Louis Park this winter. MSPBJ: https://fluence-media.co/3JJyAOM
BUSINESS UPDATES
CANADA: Via news release from St. Paul-based Ecolab, VERBATIM: “Ecolab Inc., a global sustainability leader offering water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions and services that protect people and the resources vital to life, is proud to announce the expansion of its exclusive partnership with The Home Depot. For the first time, Canadians can shop for cleaning solutions for commercial, industrial, and residential use under the Ecolab® Scientific Clean product line at more than 180 Home Depot retail stores across Canada and online.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Xh6RYN
WISCONSIN: Via news release from Plymouth-based DSG, VERBATIM: “DSG has announced it has signed a definitive agreement to purchase the assets and business of Quality Pumps in Madison, Wisconsin. The transaction is expected to close in early December.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hDct9a
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
FIREFIGHTERS: Via Insight News, VERBATIM: “On the edge of downtown Minneapolis sits the city’s busiest fire station: MFD Station 6. The station serves one of the city’s most vibrant yet historically underserved communities — one rich in culture, tradition and resilience. Engine 10, based at Station 6, is the city’s second busiest crew, responding to hundreds of fires, medical emergencies and other calls each year. Engine 10’s A Shift is also the Minneapolis Fire Department’s first all-Native firefighter crew.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3LHqxCE
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