A winter weather advisory is in effect until 3 this afternoon. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3YL2zL6
The new Drought Monitor released this morning shows more than 90% of the state is in drought with 51% severe. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3zN8TDo
How much Halloween candy should you buy? Axios has a map that might help. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3C8vBvh
Today’s 6:20 morning take on WCCO Radio with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4hoXzD5
Sunday Take featured the only scheduled debate in the race for U.S. Senate between incumbent Amy Klobuchar and challenger Royce White. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4eYBKsw
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MORIARTY: From Torey Van Oot via Axios, VERBATIM: “Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty isn't on the ballot this year, but she's still showing up in campaign ads. State of play: GOP-aligned groups are funding mail pieces and digital spots seeking to tie vulnerable Democrats to the progressive prosecutor, whose charging decisions have at times prompted public backlash. And those Democrats are distancing themselves publicly in response. Driving the news: Axios has spotted the tactic used against Ann Johnson Stewart, the DFL's candidate in the high stakes Senate special election, and Rep. Zack Stephenson, a swing-district Democrat who works as a prosecutor in the Hennepin County Attorney's office.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3AmVBm8
SD45: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Meet Kathleen Fowke and Ann Johnson Stewart. The lone Senate race Tuesday involves voters around Lake Minnetonka, and the outcome will determine the power in the Senate the State Capitol. They made their cases for election on The WCCO Morning News with Vineeta Sawkar.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4hrHRHc
ELECTION INTEGRITY: Via ProPublica, VERBATIM: “Earlier this month, subscribers to the Wisconsin Law Journal received an email with an urgent subject: ‘Upholding Election Integrity — A Call to Action for Attorneys.’ The letter began by talking about fairness and following the law in elections. But it then suggested that election officials do something that courts have found to be illegal for over a century: treat the certification of election results as an option, not an obligation. The large logo at the top of the email gave the impression that it was an official correspondence from the respected legal newspaper, though smaller print said it was sent on behalf of a public relations company. The missive was an advertisement from a new group with deep ties to activists who have challenged the legitimacy of recent American elections.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fsbDK8
VOTERS: Via MPR, stories about a pair of demographics and their potential impact as voters. ARAB-AMERICAN: https://fluence-media.co/3UvRzyp NATIVE AMERICAN: https://fluence-media.co/3Ah0H3f
MORE: From Pulane Choane via Insight News, VERBATIM: “On KFAI 90.3FM’s The Conversation with Al McFarlane, a panel of community leaders engaged in a raw and thought-provoking discussion that reflected both the urgency and complexity of the 2024 U.S. presidential election. With just weeks remaining until election day, the conversation weaved between concerns over voter apathy, the erosion of trust in political systems, and the role of U.S. foreign policy in driving disillusionment among voters.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4f3vyiY
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT: Flint Hills Resources makes fuels and other products people need and use every day, products that help keep Minnesota moving. The company does this while prioritizing safety and environmental stewardship and contributing meaningfully to the community. STEWARDSHIP WITH A PURPOSE: Four pillars of stewardship (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
SOCIAL VULNERABILITY: From Alexzia Shobe via Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, VERBATIM: “The Social Vulnerability Index developed by the Centers for Disease Control classifies areas into levels of vulnerability—‘least,’ ‘some,’ ‘significant,’ and ‘most’—based on socioeconomic factors, including poverty, unemployment, access to transportation, and crowded housing. Ramsey and Hennepin counties rank high in vulnerability due to economic and historical barriers that disproportionately impact Black, Latino, and Native American communities. For example, out of 43 ZIP codes in Hennepin County, 17 are classified as ‘most’ vulnerable, and 12 ZIP codes in Ramsey County share that highest ranking.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YqJ1KE
LONG PRAIRIE: From Christopher Vondracek via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The school district superintendent dressed up as the school mascot, Thor, on football nights. He read the graduation address in both English and Spanish. He set up office hours in the cafeteria, granting easier access for students. But now, two months into the school year, Daniel Ludvigson is gone. Or rather, ‘on special assignment,’ according to the terminology of the Long Prairie-Grey Eagle School Board, which voted 4-3 earlier this month to remove him as superintendent. The move came weeks after voting to not renew his contract, which expires at the end of the school year in June . . . The dismissal is the latest blow in this central Minnesota community on the edge of the prairie. Over the last nine months, the town of 3,400 residents and seat of Todd County has lost its mayor, a city manager, two school board members, and now its superintendent.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48sCu6C
EAGAN: From Dan Niepow via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “When 3M announced two years ago that it would spin off its health care business into a separate company, many Minnesotans feared the new entity would eventually relocate out of state. An announcement from Gov. Tim Walz’s office this week indicates the new company is likely to stay put. On Wednesday, the governor’s office said that Solventum plans to invest $209 million on a new research and development facility in Eagan.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Alb1Ho
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BROOKLYN CENTER: From CCX Media via YouTube, VERBATIM: “Brooklyn Center has a vision to create a new downtown. That vision was put on hold in recent years, but now it's back in the forefront. The so-called ‘Opportunity Site,’ 80 acres of land located north of Highway 100 and east of Shingle Creek Parkway, is ripe for redevelopment. The city council approved a master plan for the site this week.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3NKDGJ0
BRINGING SAFETY TO “THE NEXT LEVEL” - As part of Enbridge’s work on the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Reservation in northern Minnesota, Enbridge has brought in family-owned and Indigenous-owned Northern Lights Family Outfitters to fully outfit project workers right on the job site with personal protective equipment (PPE) from its 48-foot mobile trailer. “Enbridge really brings safety to the next level,” says Patti, a project liaison for Enbridge and the Fond du Lac Band. “It’s really helpful to have a mobile unit, especially for this kind of work. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3OQYmjn (SPONSORED: Enbridge)
COLLEGE: From Adam Platt via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “With the recent growth in test-optional admissions, where students are not required to submit scores from standardized tests such as the ACT and SAT—ostensibly because of their bias against kids from certain backgrounds—the ‘personal statement’ has grown in significance, accounting for 25% of applicant’s weighting at some schools. A local communications entrepreneur is trying to scale in that space, offering admissions essay consulting to high school juniors and seniors.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ec0E6u
BENTLEYVILLE: From Madisan Green via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “The Bentleyville Tour of Lights attracts more than 300,000 people each year making the winter wonderland a navigation nightmare at times . . . The traffic jams, as well as expanding the areas explored by visitors, is what led the Downtown Duluth organization to offer a shuttle from four different locations in downtown and Canal Park over 15 years ago . . . ‘When Bentleyville came to the Bayfront Park, we just really said, ‘I think this is something that’s important to be able to get people all the way around, get them into our restaurants, or allow them to park in Canal Park or downtown,’’ said Kristi Stokes, president of Downtown Duluth. However, Stokes said there is a shift in the community’s top concerns in recent years causing the organization to reevaluate its budget.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3Yv7Jti
SLEEP NUMBER: Via Chain Store Age, VERBATIM: “Sleep Number Corp. has joined the ranks of retailers searching for a new chief executive. The mattress and bedding retailer announced that company veteran Shelly Ibach plans to retire as chair, president and CEO, effective no later than the company's 2025 annual shareholders meeting. Ibach, Minnesota's longest tenured female leader of a public company, has served as CEO for the past 12 years. She joined the company in 2007.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3NPbPHI
EARNINGS: Via Zacks, VERBATIM: “Sleep Number (SNBR) came out with a quarterly loss of $0.14 per share versus the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $0.20. This compares to loss of $0.10 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items. This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of 30% . . . Sleep Number , which belongs to the Zacks Furniture industry, posted revenues of $426.62 million for the quarter ended September 2024, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.99%.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4huRCo0
NEW HOPE: From Emily Haugen via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “The city of New Hope’s long-awaited public works expansion project has come to a close. Public Works Director Bernie Weber and Mayor Kathi Hemken cut the ribbon on the city’s newly-expanded public works building. After the council approved the preparation of plans in January 2021, the project came together in two phases.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3NKDjOC
NOTE: Every day, we’re sharing significant political, business and other news in other newsletters. If you love lunch take, sign up for the other tip sheets HERE: fluence-newsletters.com
TODAY: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “Among the events happening for Halloween on Thursday is the Sanford Center’s annual Treat Street in Bemidji. Local businesses sponsor a table for kids to visit and trick-or-treat at for free.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hrvACC
TOMORROW: Via Red, White and Brew, VERBATIM: “The Red, White & Brew MN movement calls on Minnesotans to join us in celebrating Nov. 1 as Celebrate MN Beer Day at Your Local Brewery—a day to raise a glass to the incredible skill, creativity, and dedication of Minnesota’s brewers. However, it’s spooky that Minnesotans can’t buy craft beers in Minnesota grocery and convenience stores. What’s even scarier? Minnesota is the last state still stuck with 3.2 beer licensing.” MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3tIe6tJ MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3Ux66Kx
(DISCLOSURE: Red, White and Brew is a client of Fluence Media)
SATURDAY: From Kevin Miller via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “A Brooklyn Center church is keeping a tradition alive while offering a chance to get your holiday shopping done early. Brooklyn United Methodist Church, located at 7200 Brooklyn Blvd., is preparing for its 51st Fall Bazaar and Craft Sale.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eaUP9J
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
RIVER: From Larry Lee via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Shipping on the upper Mississippi River upstream from Lynxville, Wisconsin will end December 9th this year. Patrick Moes with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St Paul District tells Brownfield that’s when winter maintenance will begin on three of their lock and dam facilities.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eVkd4l
PAYMENTS: Via USDA, VERBATIM: “The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing payments this week to agricultural producers impacted by natural disasters, including $143 million in crop insurance indemnities for Florida producers impacted by Hurricane Milton and about $92 million for livestock producers, nationwide, who faced increased supplemental feed costs as a result of forage losses due to 2022 qualifying drought and wildfire.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YIW2Aj
WEATHER: From North Dakota Agricultural Weather Network’s Daryl Ritchison via X, VERBATIM: “The new @NDAWNmesonet Morris station in cooperation with the @MNagriculture is now up and running and available on our websites. It's on the West Central Research & Outreach Center. A couple of pictures from the station including a pheasant checking on the new station.” PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/3YHlc2p
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EARNINGS: Via Associated Press, earnings reports from Minnesota-based companies:
XCEL: “Xcel Energy Inc. (XEL) on Thursday reported third-quarter earnings of $682 million. On a per-share basis, the Minneapolis-based company said it had profit of $1.21. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring costs, came to $1.25 per share.
The results missed Wall Street expectations . . . The utility posted revenue of $3.64 billion in the period, also missing Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4e9bk5V
C.H. ROBINSON: “C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc. (CHRW) on Wednesday reported third-quarter net income of $97.2 million. The Eden Prairie, Minnesota-based company said it had net income of 80 cents per share . . . The results surpassed Wall Street expectations . . . The trucking company posted revenue of $4.64 billion in the period, which also topped Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3UrXXa7
API: “APi Group Corporation (APG) on Thursday reported third-quarter earnings of $69 million. The New Brighton, Minnesota-based company said it had profit of 23 cents per share. Earnings, adjusted for amortization costs and non-recurring costs, were 51 cents per share. The company posted revenue of $1.83 billion in the period.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48BB4Ha
HAWKINS: “Hawkins Inc. (HWKN) on Wednesday reported net income of $24.1 million in its fiscal second quarter. On a per-share basis, the Roseville, Minnesota-based company said it had profit of $1.16. The chemical maker posted revenue of $247 million in the period.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4edGd9k
SUN COUNTRY: Via Zacks, VERBATIM: “Sun Country Airlines Holdings, Inc. (SNCY) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.06 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.03 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.14 per share a year ago . . . Sun Country Airlines , which belongs to the Zacks Transportation - Airline industry, posted revenues of $249.47 million for the quarter ended September 2024, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.81%.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YGRV7X
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
AD: Via the Minneapolis Egotist, VERBATIM: “The Real Dumb Coupon campaign, developed by Rise and Shine, stars the chief digital officer of Supercuts, John Davi, reading and responding to mean posts, while presenting the first-of-its-kind reverse coupon.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3Ylcqpe
STEVIE: From DwntwnMplsDon via X, VERBATIM: “When you go to Eggy's Minneapolis Diner on a Tuesday for a late breakfast, you never know who you will see... especially after just seeing him in concert on Sunday night. An honor & privilege to meet Stevie Wonder” PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/3YqK5y8
If you like podcasts, listen to Beers with Blois... https://fluence-media.co/3vkqhMN
BDAYS: Mayor of Jordan Mike Franklin, DFL Vice Chair Marge Hoffa, Land O’ Lakes’ Jaime Makepeace, media veteran Mary Niemeyer