lunch take | No More Pennies at Kwik Trip + MN Company's 1.4 Million Customer Data Breach
10.3.25
When it comes to candidate credentials, Americans prefer military service over government or business experience. GALLUP: https://fluence-media.co/3KqwALw
Tune-in Sunday at 9 AM on WCCO Radio for Sunday Take for a discussion on trends and data related to the economy of our region.
Last weekend’s Sunday Take featured an extensive recap of the latest Minneapolis mayoral debate and what it could mean for the city’s future. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4q4IZ8j
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.
DATA BREACH: Via news release from Minneapolis-based Allianz, VERBTIM: “Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP, a preeminent national consumer rights law firm, is investigating claims on behalf of people who have been impacted by the Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America data breach. Allianz, headquartered in Minneapolis, announced that the personal information of customers may have been stolen as part of a data breach which occurred in July 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mQzpmq
MORE: Via Security Week, VERBATIM: “Only Allianz Life in the US was impacted, the company said, adding that most of its roughly 1.4 million customers were likely affected, without sharing an exact number. This week, however, the company notified the Maine Attorney General’s Office that the breach affects the data of 1,497,036 ‘Allianz Life customers, financial professionals, and select Allianz Life employees’.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nAVRRP
BIPARTISANSHIP: Via WDIO-TV, VERBATIM: “Minnesota politics have become more bipartisan this year with both DFLers and GOP members collaborating on bills. The Majority in the Middle released its third ‘The State of Bipartisanship’ report. It analyzes the comprehensive bill authorship of the Minnesota legislature. The 2025 edition marks the first budget-year-to-budget-year comparison between 2023 to 2025. Shannon Watson the Executive Director of the nonpartisan, nonprofit organization says the report provides new insights into how shared power and political polarization are shaping lawmaking in the state.” QUOTE: “In 2023 the House had 20% bipartisan bills were heard that went to 35%. In the Senate in 2023 it was 31% went to 39% in 2025,” Watson said. “Individual legislators also rose to the occasion, 192 of 201 legislators carried at least one bill with a co-author from the opposite party.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/478QDH2
JOBS: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “In Minnesota alone, the number of those in ‘long-term’ unemployment nearly doubled since last year, reaching more than 21,000, according to the state Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). It’s a symptom of a ‘no hire, no fire’ job market: Economic uncertainty has kept employers from hiring, but the recent memory of struggling to rehire after mass pandemic layoffs has so far prevented large-scale cuts.” QUOTE: “In a nutshell, the story is that it’s a good time to hold on to the job you have,” said Nancy Vanden Houten, lead U.S. economist at Oxford Economics, “but if you’ve lost a job or you’re looking for your first job, it’s a very difficult environment.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pS7uW1
PENNIES: Via KEYC-TV, VERBATIM: “A staple piece of American currency will no longer be found inside cash registers of a popular midwest convenience store. Kwik Trip announced Thursday that the company is rolling back on the penny at all 900 locations and at its Kwik Star locations. Instead, cash transactions will be rounded down to the nearest five-cents.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/42Wet6l
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)
ICE: From St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter via Facebook, VERBATIM: “I am deeply concerned by workers being arrested on a Saint Paul job site today by masked agents who refused to identify themselves. This kind of secretive, fear-driven enforcement has become a hallmark of the president’s approach—and it has no place in our city or our country. Let me be clear: Saint Paul Police will never be used as immigration enforcement. Our officers will always identify themselves, and they will always wear clearly visible SPPD markers.” POST: https://fluence-media.co/433TOgH
FOOD SHELF: Via KARE-TV, VERBATIM: “A Golden Valley food shelf is bouncing back after a power outage forced it to dump thousands of pounds of food. Two weeks ago, a storm rolled through, and lightning struck a telephone pole outside PRISM‘s building.” QUOTE: “About 6,000 pounds of food is what we needed to get rid of altogether, 648 half gallons of milk,” [Executive Director Michelle Ness] said. “It’s just really unfortunate the need is so high in the community. We want that food to be going into the kitchen of community members and certainly not down the drain.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4o6WNgK
MARVIN: Via Warroad-based Marvin, VERBATIM: “Marvin has opened its newest manufacturing facility at 9820 Leavenworth Road in Kansas City, Kansas. The 400,000-square-foot facility will be an important hub for the manufacturing, fabrication and assembly of the company’s industry-leading fiberglass window and door solutions.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Irej00
ACQUISITION: Via news release from Eagan-based All In One, VERBATIM: “All In One Accounting, the strategic accounting team for mission-driven nonprofits and growth-minded entrepreneurs, today announced the acquisition of New Economy, a Rhode Island-based accounting firm specializing in growth-focused businesses. The acquisition closed in September 2025 and represents a significant milestone in All In One Accounting’s strategic expansion to serve entrepreneurs nationwide.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pQFSAq
E-BIKES: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Some Twin Cities suburbs are raising alarms over electrified bikes and scooters zipping down streets and trails, some of them at illegal speeds. Why it matters: E-bikes have exploded in popularity, but cycling advocates say education — and regulation about which devices are allowed — hasn’t kept up with the boom. What they’re saying: ‘The technology has outpaced routine and common sense,’ Eden Prairie Police Chief Matt Sackett told Axios.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3KyPoIr
SHUTDOWN: Via CNN, VERBATIM: “At the height of hurricane season in the US, the National Flood Insurance Program isn’t able to write new policies during the shutdown, said Daniel Schwarcz, a professor of insurance law at the University of Minnesota. The program, backed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), offers federally backed flood insurance to homeowners.” SCHWARCZ: “If you already have an insurance policy, it’s still in effect,” Schwarcz said. “The shutdown affects the ability of the NFIP to actually renew an insurance policy or issue a new policy, but it doesn’t undermine the validity or enforceability of an insurance policy that’s already been issued.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3IQRItM
SUN COUNTRY: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “Sun Country, ‘the disciplined airline,’ may not be a great marketing slogan, but the approach is working for the MSP-based carrier as its peers lose altitude. The recent disclosure that so-called ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) Spirit would leave the market Dec. 1—as part of an extended draw-down of operations post-bankruptcy—was not good news for consumers hoping to fly cheaply to Detroit or Atlanta. Yet it was a seeming vindication of the strategy Sun Country has maintained.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nwr7RM
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)
ST PAUL: Via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “After losing most of its tenants and falling behind on property tax payments, the U.S. Bank Center in downtown St. Paul is heading to auction next month, at a starting minimum bid of $1 million. Outgoing property owner Madison Equities listed the 25-story office tower as 58% occupied in a sales memorandum in May 2024, but that was before U.S. Bank announced its intention last October not to renew its lease on nine floors.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3VK30TB
ROBBINSDALE: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “A former member of the Robbinsdale Area School Board wants to take her one-time colleagues to court. Sharon Brooks, who resigned from the board in February 2025, filed a civil suit against the board this September. She’s seeking $5 million in damages. In the civil complaint, Brooks accused the board members serving from 2024-2025 of ‘racism and colorism; abuse of power (discrimination, harassment, ect.); defamation of character (libel and slander); [and] intentionally caused massive harm and suffering.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mLEqg8
VIRGINIA: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “A new public safety building has been a long time coming for the city of Virginia. ‘Behind me, behind all of us, is the people’s building. This is your building,’ said Virginia’s Mayor Larry Cuffe, who led a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Virginia Public Safety Building. On Thursday, the $32 million facility, which had been in the works for two decades, officially opened its doors as it welcomed the community to tour the facility they asked for.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4nH6UsQ
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)
BEER: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “There have been many twists and turns in Dangerous Man Brewing Company‘s 12 years in business: A long while spent as a pillar of the Cities’ craft beer scene, from the time that Sarah Bonvallet and Rob Miller founded the brewery in 2013 until its Northeast Minneapolis taproom closed in 2023; a bumpy attempted transition out to Maple Lake; an eventual complete end of production in spring of this year. But after a few chutes, here’s a ladder: Jeremy Kuhns of Rafters Brewing has purchased Dangerous Man’s brand and production facility, and will bring the brewery back to life while working closely with Miller.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/46CLXJu
BEMIDJI STATE: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “Students, faculty, and alumni gathered for a block party on the Bemidji State campus on Thursday, where a number of activities were held for the community and thousand-dollar scholarships given out to students. The celebration was held to officially launch the university’s For the North campaign, which aims to raise $25 million to support student success, facility upgrades and faculty excellence, and enrollment and recruitment.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/489eWFR
CRYSTAL: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “A memorial statue at Crystal’s Becker Park that honors slain 10-year-old Barway Collins was pushed over earlier this summer. Some people had speculated that the statue was missing because it had been stolen. Crystal Police Chief Brian Hubbard said someone pushed the statue off its base in either late May or early June.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3IWbcx7
DULUTH: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “While most students at Denfeld High School are used to hearing pianos in the music room, there’s a much bigger instrument hiding in plain sight. Inside the school’s historic auditorium sits a genuine pipe organ, once played by world-renowned artists and used for major community events. But not a single note has been heard in decades. The pipes are tucked away throughout the walls of this historic space and now, a restoration effort is tuning up to bring them back to life.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3WpgnIU
TOMORROW: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “On Saturday, the Bemidji Symphony Orchestra will premiere a piece that celebrates the 50th anniversary of Voyageurs National Park. The piece is titled ‘Sky-Tinted Water,’ after the Dakota word Mni Sóta.
Composer Marko Bajzer served as artist-in-residence at Voyageurs last fall and said he was inspired to write the piece by his month-long canoe trip through the park.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gRHq9v
MONDAY: The John Ireland Blvd bridge over I-94 in St. Paul will close for a year. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3VNwrUU
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
WEDDING CHAPEL: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “In Eva Johnson’s eyes, there are two main challenges when it comes to planning a wedding: they’re often expensive, and they tend to look pretty similar from one to another. Looking to change that, Johnson spent over a year searching for the perfect space to open the ‘dive bar of wedding venues,’ eventually finding that in a former storage building in North St. Paul.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mL25xa
BDAYS: fmr. Rep. Mike Osskopp, PR pro Teresa McFarland, organizer Dan Cramer. SAT: journalist Brandon Stahl, attorney Matt Entenza, ag guy Dave Ladd, reporter Walker Orenstein, business leader Tom Gegax SUN: biotech lobbyist Lilly Melander, fmr. Commissioner Sandy Layman
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