lunch take | More Target Workers Return to Downtown, MN Leaders Take Sides on Federal Cuts
9.9.25
Southbound 35W was down to a single lane near County Road 10 in Mounds View – a school bus was involved in a crash. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4pdqy0n
Tech and retail employers are most-admired by Gen Zers with travel and financial services not far behind. MORNING CONSULT: https://fluence-media.co/4pfNkoo
New test scores show American eighth-graders losing ground in science, math, and reading. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nfHgdK
Could Minnesota host a major tennis event? If not, what would it take to get us there? TCB: https://fluence-media.co/42mqzoW
Palmer’s Bar in Minneapolis closes Sunday. It’s not going away quietly. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3V4NiCa
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4ggtEwz
A teacher, and a police officer. A DFLer and a Republican. On Sunday Take, a discussion with GOP Rep. Jeff Witte and DFL Sen. Steve Cwodzinski on how the state should move forward after the Annunciation Church mass shooting. LISTEN: http://fluence-media.co/3V1bEg9
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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.
DOWNTOWN MPLS: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Today marks the start of Target’s mandate that employees in its largest business unit return to headquarters three days a week. The mega retailer is downtown’s second-largest employer behind Hennepin Healthcare and serves as an emotional anchor, as much as a numerical one, for Minneapolis’ central business district . . . Several Target employees en route to Tuesday’s general session at Target Center declined to comment on the record about the retailer’s push to bring staff back into the office. Many said they already live in the Minneapolis area and weren’t concerned about commuting downtown three days a week. But others expressed confusion about why some divisions, namely Target’s commercial unit, were asked to return to the office while others were not.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gfVGIw MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3JVf55O
MNLEG: Via MN House GOP, VERBATIM: “House Speaker Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, released the following statement on the election of Rep. Zack Stephenson to lead the DFL caucus.” DEMUTH: "Leader Stephenson has a difficult job ahead, stepping into the shoes of Speaker-Emerita Melissa Hortman. I hope that we can build a strong working relationship based on respect and our shared priority of making life better for Minnesotans. I look forward to continuing our important bipartisan work as 'Team House', begun by Melissa and I last session." SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3JY1Ktb
NORTH SHORE: Via WDIO-TV, VERBATIM: “The Cook County/Grand Marais Joint Economic Development Authority (EDA) is launching a community planning effort to shape the future of Taconite Harbor, one of the region’s most historic and visible industrial sites. With support from a $200,000 Community Energy Transition Grant from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), the project will explore redevelopment opportunities to benefit Cook County and the broader region.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45UrLCo
BROOKLYN PARK: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “The city of Brooklyn Park is envisioning a significant long-term growth plan that aims to increase its tax base and benefit its diverse population. That vision is called the ‘Northwest Growth Area Plan.’ City leaders are focusing on more than 700 undeveloped acres in Brooklyn Park’s northwest corner by Highway 610 and Highway 169. They believe it could be a hub for biotech innovation and create new, in-demand housing.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4n3jr9G
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)
SNAP: Via news release from Rep. Brad Finstad, VERBATIM: “Today, Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01), chairman of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture, led his colleagues in sending a letter to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, raising serious concerns about the state’s administration of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), considering historic reforms signed into law earlier this year as part of the budget reconciliation package (H.R. 1). In the letter, the Members highlight faulty decisions by the Walz Administration that have undermined program integrity, placed unnecessary burdens on counties, and squandered taxpayer dollars intended to serve vulnerable individuals and families.” LETTER: https://fluence-media.co/3V8RSPS
MORE: Via House Agriculture Committee Democrats, Ranking Member Angie Craig’s opening statement from today’s Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee, CRAIG: “There were no subcommittee hearings before my colleagues cut food assistance by $186 billion through the Republican budget earlier this year. We can’t talk about state options without putting them in the broader context of that partisan process which resulted in a massive unfunded mandate onto states and counties. I met with Minnesota’s SNAP administrators last week here in DC. Counties in my state are wondering how they’ll successfully make the programmatic changes demanded by the Republican budget, while also cutting staff due to the major reduction in administrative funding. A reduced workforce also makes it harder to participate in state options that make program operations more effective and efficient.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mVXitP WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/47ANIrj
GRANT: Via news release from the Governor’s office, VERBATIM: “Governor Tim Walz today sent a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem urging her to restore the Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention grant, which was abruptly cancelled in July. The letter follows earlier appeals from Department of Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson and Minnesota’s congressional delegation, including Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, and Representatives Angie Craig, Betty McCollum, Ilhan Omar, and Kelly Morrison.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4no8hMn
FED IMPACTS: Via Senate DFL, VERBATIM: “Today, the Senate DFL Caucus is announcing the formation of the Select Subcommittee on Federal Impacts on Minnesotans and Economic Stability. This committee, unique in state history, will help communities prepare for cost increases and lost services caused by the budget bill passed by Congress, and understand how decisions made by Donald Trump and his cabinet will impact Minnesotans.” QUOTE: “Preparing for our work in the 2026 session means reckoning with the impact of Donald Trump’s administration, and the Senate DFL Caucus is doing just that,” said Senator Lindsey Port, chair of the select committee. "In light of the chaos and devastation this government has wrought on Minnesota, in only its first eight months, we have begun to plan for the challenges and choices ahead of us. We would be foolish not to. We can’t fix everything Trump is breaking. But we have to recognize the unprecedented moment we’re in, and begin to find the best way through it for the people of Minnesota.”
UOFM: Via Monday email from the University of Minnesota Office of Human Resources to students, faculty, and staff, QUOTE: “It is our understanding that Teamsters-represented employees will begin to strike within the next 24 hours. While this is disappointing, please be assured that the University is prepared to continue vital services to meet the needs of our students, faculty, staff and community. Some delays or minor disruptions may occur. We appreciate your patience.”
MORE: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “Teamsters Local 320, the union representing the University of Minnesota workers, walked off the job Monday night at the Crookston and Morris campuses. University of Minnesota Duluth workers joined the picket line at 4 a.m. Tuesday. According to the union, the University of Minnesota failed to meet the needs of 1,400 workers across its system.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pgbSxI
ST THOMAS: Via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Court of Appeals panel has issued the University of St. Thomas at least a partial legal victory in a tussle with neighbors over a new Division I basketball and hockey arena on campus. Homeowners near the St. Paul campus calling themselves Advocates for Responsible Development have fought the 5,300-seat Lee and Penny Anderson Arena on multiple fronts, filing legal claims alleging the $183 million facility lacked proper environmental review and mitigation for traffic and parking, emissions, soil erosion, ice rink refrigerants and bumblebee habitat.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3JY18DT
HOMELESS: Via Governing, VERBATIM: “A Nazarene ministry in St. Paul‘s working-class East Side. An aging Lutheran congregation in Roseville. A nondenominational megachurch in Maple Grove. Three vastly different churches are on the leading edge of a Minnesota experiment in treating chronic homelessness by building tiny home villages — known as Sacred Settlements — on their land for society’s hardest-to-house people . . . Federal law exempts religious property owners from zoning codes that would typically hinder secular builders, as long as they use their land to further their mission. Settled, the nonprofit behind Sacred Settlements, argues that serving the poor is aligned with all major world religions.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3V9sk5c
FIRE: Via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “Authorities are investigating a fire last Friday on property belonging to Dar-Al Farooq Islamic Center in Bloomington as a potential arson. However, Bloomington Fire Chief Ulie Seal told Sahan Journal that as of late Monday afternoon, he has ‘no indication or no reason to believe that this fire was a hate crime’ . . . CAIR-MN is calling for an investigation to determine whether there was a possible bias motive for the fire, especially given past attacks on the mosque.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3V911b1
HABITAT: The Pine Bend Bluffs along the Mississippi River in Dakota County is a key migration corridor for millions of songbirds and 40% of North America’s waterfowl and shorebirds. This area also provides habitat to the rare, rusty patched bumble bee that was discovered in the Pine Bend Bluffs in 2019 and 2020. Collaboration among Friends of the Mississippi River, Great River Greening and Flint Hills Resources volunteers help to restore this natural area to pre-settlement conditions. The Pine Bend Bluffs has earned Wildlife Habitat Council Conservation Certification since 2001. The site recently earned gold certification, making the Pine Bend Bluffs currently the only gold certified site in Minnesota and the first ever in the metro area. WATCH: Flint Hills Resources: Certified Gold by the Wildlife Habitat Council (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery)
MINNEAPOLIS: Via Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, VERBATIM: “One of the nation’s largest Black-owned architectural firms unveiled early plans to transform the former Minneapolis Third Police Precinct building into a Minneapolis Democracy Center on August 25, alongside proposals from two local groups competing to operate a new community space within the building.” READ/RENDERINGS: https://fluence-media.co/3JSet0G
BEMIDJI: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “The June 21st storm that swept through the Bemidji area has and continues to have lasting impacts on the community. Our reporter Matthew Freeman tells us how the storm will even affect 2026 as well. This year brought some unique, unforeseen, but very real budget problems for the city of Bemidji. ‘This is a less than typical, situation this year than we’ve had in the past.’ says Rich Spiczka, Bemidji City Manager. Bemidji City Council members shared some of their perspectives to hopefully leave the meeting with a better understanding to set a framework for the city’s final levy for 2026.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4miGKes
CRYSTAL: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “A beloved restaurant in Crystal has announced plans to close, but its fate might not be sealed just yet. Milton’s Vittles, Vino and Beer announced on Facebook that it plans to close the restaurant along Douglas Drive on Halloween.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3JRstrz
MINNEAPOLIS: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “When Little Bird owners Alison and Steve McMullen lived in New York City’s West Village, there was an embarrassment of deli riches. ‘Bleecker Street was full of great sandwiches,’ Alison said. When the couple moved back to Minnesota, she said ‘there were two things we were missing: gelato and a great sandwich culture.’ The couple took on gelato first, launching Little Bird Gelato and quickly growing its wholesale business. It’s now found at several Twin Cities restaurants and in select freezer cases, much to delight of its legions of fans. Now they’re ready for the next step with Little Bird Delicatessen.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48785fR
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)
ZEBRA MUSSELS: Via DNR, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources confirmed the presence of zebra mussel larvae in White Earth Lake, near the town of White Earth in Becker County. White Earth Nation invasive species staff contacted the Minnesota DNR after lab analysis showed microscopic zebra mussel larvae, called veligers, in White Earth Lake water samples. Although adult zebra mussels have not been found during follow-up searches of White Earth Lake, the presence of veligers suggests reproducing zebra mussel populations.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3HT8Izg
MAPLE GROVE: Via news release from BAE, VERBATIM: “BAE Systems (LON: BA) officially opened a 247,000-square-foot engineering and product development facility in Maple Grove, Minnesota today. The new site serves as a critical innovation hub focused on engineering and product development for the U.S. military and its allies.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3IhlkAd
CHS: Via Inver Grove Heights-based CHS, VERBATIM: “CHS Inc., the nation’s leading agribusiness cooperative, has announced it intends to return $120 million in cash patronage and equity redemptions to its owners in calendar year 2026. The planned distribution demonstrates the company’s commitment to sharing profits with its owners and strengthening rural communities. Based on business done with CHS in fiscal year 2025, which ended on Aug. 31, 2025, the CHS Board of Directors has elected to return $30 million in cash patronage and $90 million through equity redemptions to CHS owners.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gcvfUe
SATURDAY: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Though trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith may not remember it, the multi-instrumental artist Douglas R. Ewart once sat next to him in the trumpet section of jazz artist Muhal Richard Abrams’s big band. Ewart remembers that experience as critical to his own development as an artist. Now, decades later, Ewart will take the stage with Smith, as well as pianist and composer Amina Claudine Myers, to celebrate a group that Abrams helped found.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pgktAt
NEXT MONTH: Via news release from Chanhassen-based Life Time, VERBATIM: “Life Time (NYSE: LTH), today announced the October debut of its much-anticipated LT Games, presented by Ten Thousand, a unique hybrid-athlete competition that sets a new standard in the emerging field of hybrid fitness competitions.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3I8HOU2
FALL: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “To help you make the most of Minnesota’s brief yet beautiful autumn season, local festivals are a great place to start.” LIST: https://fluence-media.co/3JNeOll
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
HOPKINS: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “What is going on in Hopkins? That sleepy little raspberry town on the west side seems to be having a moment. And it’s not just the attention it’s receiving as the hometown of a nationally recognized patron saint like Paige Bueckers (for whom the town renamed itself for a day on May 16th). It’s that, seemingly suddenly, it might become a hot little food neighborhood.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mdSL4F
BDAYS: Star Tribune’s Ali Kaplan, Rep. Natalie Zelenznikar, marketer Heidi Humphrey, lobbyist Rachel Stuckey
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