lunch take | Magnet Maker's New MN Factory + Target's New Accessible Self-Checkout
9.29.25
47% say they want leaders in DC to compromise – 24% prefer they stick to their political beliefs even if it means accomplishing little. GALLUP: https://fluence-media.co/4pMqzZu
The dog in Rembrandt’s 1642 “The Night Watch” has always been a mystery – until now. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/48GEuu1
Where do Minnesota business leaders prefer to golf? SURVEY: https://fluence-media.co/46NZGfn
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/42j2eAC
Sunday Take featured an extensive recap of the latest Minneapolis mayoral debate and what it could mean for the city’s future. LISTEN: http://fluence-media.co/3Iv9AdD
Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com
All Fluence Media tip sheets are now available to read and share online at our website, The Daily Agenda:
Sign-up for paid TheDailyAgenda and you’ll receive a morning take mug.
Earlier this year we launched a premium subscription option. Now we’re adding content for premium subscribers.
A monthly insight-filled briefing memo on Minnesota and Midwest issue and political dynamics.
Access to our Fluence Forum audio and videio assets.
A free morning take mug if you sign-up this week.
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.
SARTELL: Via Niron, VERBATIM: “Niron Magnetics has broken ground on a new state-of-the-art 1,500-ton-per-year permanent magnet manufacturing facility in Sartell, Minnesota. After nearly a decade of research and development in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy and the University of Minnesota, Niron Magnetics has successfully created one of the first commercially viable new magnet materials in decades, capable of producing superior permanent magnets. The groundbreaking marks a major milestone in Niron Magnetics’ ability to scale manufacturing of permanent magnets made from Iron Nitride, which exhibits exceptionally high magnetization and removes the need for rare-earth elements.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pNbJls
LAKE STREET: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Solcana Fitness owner Hannah Wydeven, like many fellow business owners along East Lake Street in Minneapolis, has for months picked up dirty needles, human waste and litter from her property. The disruption from a private homeless encampment near Lake and 28th Ave. came to a crescendo with a shootout on Sept. 15 that killed one and wounded six and heightened safety concerns of business owners, who say they have lost customers and money. The business owners have sympathy for those addicted or unhoused, but said they are fighting for survival. Many of the same owners suffered through pandemic restrictions and the fallout from George Floyd’s murder by police, which culminated in riots centered just down the street from the more recent shootings.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mHpfob
CUTS: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “As Minnesota legislators and others debate policies in response to the mass shooting last month at Annunciation Church and School in Minneapolis that killed two children and wounded 21 other people, an approach to try to prevent violent shootings is under threat from Trump administration funding cuts. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension program is called the Behavioral Threat Assessment Management team (BTAM). Its job is to set up systems to investigate threats that could lead to violence. The team brings together law enforcement with school administrators, faith leaders and others to intervene before someone turns to a violent act. The BTAM model is at the core of the state’s violence prevention efforts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3WdUoEN
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: Via KMSP-TV, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) says that all employees will be standing down from work after two contractors were killed . . . All MnDOT employees are mandated to observe a ‘safety stand down’ of all work on Sept. 29, MnDOT said. A safety stand down is a ‘deliberate pause’ in work to ‘reflect on the recent tragic loss of two contractors and to recommit to the safety of every person who works with or for MnDOT.’” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3VDEtzB
LINDELL: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “MyPillow founder Mike Lindell defamed the election technology company Smartmatic with false statements that its voting machines helped rig the 2020 presidential election, a federal judge in Minnesota ruled Friday. But U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Bryan deferred until future proceedings the question of whether Lindell — one of the country’s most prominent propagators of false claims that the 2020 election was a fraud — acted with the ‘actual malice’ that Smartmatic still needs to prove to collect any damages.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3IFDMmn
JOBS: The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reports industrial floor cleaner maker Nilfisk will shut down its manufacturing plant in Brooklyn Park and lay off more than 100 workers. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nNie6e
GRANTS: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “On Sept. 24, the Neighborhood Development Center (NDC) announced the second round of the Promise Act grant is open to applicants through Dec. 14. This marks the continuation of a 2023 program, overseen by the Department of Employment and Economic Development, to distribute $94.3 million in grants. Of those funds, $72 million was allotted for NDC to administer. The objective is to support businesses and nonprofits in communities defined as having been affected by structural racial discrimination, civil unrest, lack of access to capital, loss of population or an aging population, or lack of regional economic diversification.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nNlqi0
MINNEAPOLIS: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “A beloved Minneapolis music venue is launching a community-powered fundraising campaign in an effort to save the venue from closing. The Hook and Ladder Theater at East Lake Street and Minnehaha Avenue has been a staple in the neighborhood for the last decade, hosting everything from concerts and community gatherings. But a spike in costs, slow ticket sales, and changing audience habits have jeopardized the future of the venue.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3VGmvfG
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)
MEDIA: Via Insight News, VERBATIM: “The Center for Communication and Development (CCD), owner of ‘The People’s Station’ KMOJ Radio 89.9 FM, last week announced it is preparing to build a state-of-the-art broadcast and media facility in North Minneapolis. For nearly 50 years, KMOJ has served as the voice of the Black community in Minneapolis–St. Paul, broadcasting from the heart of North Minneapolis. With land secured at Lowry and Oliver, KMOJ is preparing to build its forever home.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Wd0sxn
AIRPORT: Via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “A decade-long $600 million renovation at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is set to be completed this fall. The goal was to reduce congestion, increase capacity and improve passenger flow in the pre-security area in Terminal 1, according to the Metropolitan Airports Commission.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3VGNYxN
TARGET: Via news release from Target, VERBATIM: “Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) today announced the launch of a first-of-its-kind accessible self-checkout experience, designed with and for guests with disabilities, including those who are blind or have low vision. Beginning this holiday season and continuing into early 2026, the solution will roll out to self-checkout stations across Target stores nationwide, as part of Target’s ongoing checkout improvements.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mDTmww
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)
PUMPKINS: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “A growing field of ‘pumpkin concierges’ will deliver custom-designed gourd displays for those willing to drop serious dollars on their seasonal decor. The big picture: Professional porch decorating is becoming big business, with services cropping up in cities ranging from Denver to Washington, D.C. At least two — Pumpkin Lane Delivery and Sota Pumpkins — have recently launched in the Twin Cities.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mQ9r2E
ZOO: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Zoo‘s Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular is back starting Friday evening. One of the season’s most unique events, the zoo puts thousands of hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns on display for a stroll-through event that is entering its seventh year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mG32H4
GOLDEN VALLEY: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “Since opening its doors in Eagan in 2022, Kitchen and Rail has become known for its bold flavors, community-first spirit, and irreverent energy. It quickly carved out a spot among the metro’s dining destinations, consistently drawing a loyal following for both its menu and atmosphere. Now, the restaurant is set to bring that same energy to the west metro, taking over the beloved former Mort’s Deli space in the Golden Valley Shopping Center.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gMQbRT
US BANK: Via barchart, VERBATIM: “The Minneapolis, Minnesota-based bank is expected to announce its fiscal Q3 earnings before the market opens on Thursday, Oct. 16. Before this event, analysts project this financial services company to report a profit of $1.11 per share, up 7.7% from $1.03 per share in the year-ago quarter. The company has surpassed Wall Street’s bottom-line estimates in each of the last four quarters.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gWMaun
NEXT WEEKEND: Via Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, VERBATIM: “Stillwater Harvest Fest 2025 brings giant pumpkins, riverfront fun, and family activities to downtown Stillwater, Oct. 11–12.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nUxNc7
NEXT MONTH: Via news release from Winona-based Fastenal, VERBATIM: “Fastenal Company (Nasdaq:FAST) announced the date and time for its conference call to review 2025 third quarter results, as well as current operations. The conference call will be broadcast live over the Internet on Monday, October 13, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. central time.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/488lV1S
NEXT YEAR: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “WE Fest, one of the country’s largest country music and camping festivals, will return to Detroit Lakes this coming summer for its 43rd year. From August 5-8, Soo Pass Ranch will welcome performers Thomas Rhett, Lainey Wilson, and Brooks and Dunn, who will headline the festival.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3VH4oGC
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
COFFEE: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “It’s National Coffee Day, and plenty of local shops are making moves across the metro.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3VIe5EF
PEACE: Via Duluth News Tribune, VERBATIM: “Richard Moe, a Duluth native credited with reshaping the office of the vice president of the United States and later strengthening historic preservation efforts across the country, died at 88. According to his daughter, Alexandra Moe, he died of complications from Parkinson’s disease Sept. 15, at an assisted living facility in Washington, D.C.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3KjSK1Z
BDAYS: Carver County’s Tom Workman, Minneapolis City Councilor Linea Palmisano, journalist Kevyn Burger
Send us your tips at BloisOlson@gmail.com
Fluence Media curates, produces and distributes specialized media products to thought leadership audiences across the Midwest and about the region. Our publications cover, politics, public policy, health care, agriculture, business, real estate, sports and more. Visit www.fluence-media.com to learn more.
about morning take- Founded in 2010, morning take has grown to become the leading Minnesota morning newsletter on politics and news of the day. Published by Fluence Media since 2012 the mission is to "make you smarter" before breakfast.
Copyright © 2025 Lunch Take, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
Fluence Media
PO Box 270031
Golden Valley, MN 55427