Are you working today? Traffic’s very light this week. Fluence is taking some time off from news. There will be plenty in 2026.
Thanks for reading…now some lunch – and cookies.
One sector that is continuing to show major change is media. Consider that next year the Star Tribune will print in Iowa. They “celebrated” the closing of the printing plant – and that means job losses. Long lead deadlines, and internal tensions will make 2026 a year to watch for them, and others…including MN Public Radio. Perhaps “media take” should be a regular note. Managing Editor Mike Maybay is thinking it through – let us know what you think. bloisolson@gmail.com
Every economic report from Minnesota with data this year showed headwinds. The future of the state will be debated in 2026.
Sleighs weren’t always just a Santa thing – in the late 1800s, 5,000 a year were built in Wisconsin. And much like the electric cars of today, some thought they were too quiet. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/45pq0MG
The “60 Minutes” story pulled from Sunday’s broadcast still ended up on a streaming service in Canada. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pSAVa8
The Justice Department released more Epstein files overnight. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3KLw5w9
From Gallup, the end of the year mood (hint: think less sugar plums, more coal). SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4qnSiPQ
Today’s final morning take of the year on WCCO-Radio, LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3YEoSRE
Sunday Take featured Rep. Kelly Morrison discussing her first year in Congress and her priorities for 2026. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/49463vT
Blois
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RUNNING….
14B: Via news release from Mike Conway, VERBATIM: “St. Cloud City Councilman Mike Conway announced today that he is running for the Minnesota House of Representatives in District 14A, an open seat following Representative Bernie Perryman’s decision to seek election to the Minnesota Senate. Conway
brings eight years of experience in local government and a long record of community
involvement to the race.”
SD51: Attorney Simon Trautmann Cordoza has announced he’s running as a DFLer to succeed Sen. Melissa Wiklund.
2026 SESSION: The majority and minority leaders in the Minnesota House and Senate sent out deadlines and breaks they’ve agreed to for the upcoming legislative session:
March 27: First and second deadlines
April 17: Third deadline
March 19 (8:00 a.m.) - March 20 (8:00 a.m.): Eid break
March 27 (5:00 p.m.) - April 7 (8:00 a.m.): Easter/Passover break
DRIVING THE NEWS
DREAM BIG: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “The Powerball jackpot has jumped to an eye-popping $1.7 billion, after the 46th drawing passed without a big winner.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4qnW5N4
BIG MOVIES: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “The largest IMAX screen in Minnesota has opened to the public just in time for the release of James Cameron’s ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash.’ Emagine Entertainment confirmed that the new IMAX screen opened on Friday at Emagine Lakeville movie theater.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4p81CWU
CHILD ABUSE: Via Star Tribune and ProPublica, VERBATIM: “A Minnesota senator wants to strengthen state laws meant to hold adults entrusted with children’s safety accountable for failing to report suspected child abuse, after an investigation by the Minnesota Star Tribune and ProPublica found that the leadership of a church in Duluth for years protected a child sex predator. Sen. Erin Maye Quade, DFL-Apple Valley, said she’s focused on situations where such an adult has concrete knowledge that a specific person is abusing children and nonetheless stays silent, allowing the abuse to continue.” QUOTE: “If you know an adult who is committing child sexual abuse, you need to report that,” she said. “For that, the penalties could be a lot higher.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4avhWgY
TECH: Via 3M, VERBATIM: “3M (NYSE: MMM) innovates critical solutions for the world’s leading companies and at CES 2026 it will showcase the latest technologies for the interconnected industries of consumer electronics, automotive, advanced manufacturing, and data center. The company will also debut an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered tool to accelerate customer innovation, powering businesses to experiment, simulate and create with 3M materials like never before.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44FTo15
POT: Via Minneapolis-based Vireo, VERBATIM: “Vireo Growth Inc. (CSE: VREO; OTCQX: VREOF) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Eaze Inc., a vertically-integrated cannabis retailer and delivery technology platform with operations in California, Florida and Colorado. Eaze has 65 active retail locations and has completed over 12 million deliveries.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jvgmOJ
SCHNELL: Via Senate Republican Caucus, VERBATIM: “State Senator Michael Kreun (R- Blaine) called for the Senate to take up the confirmation of Commissioner Paul Schnell at the Department of Corrections after a ‘Vote of No confidence’ was held at the Minnesota Sheriffs Association (MSA) Winter Conference.” KREUN: “For three years, Senate Democrats have allowed Commissioner Schnell to serve without Senate confirmation. With almost no media attention, they changed state law so confirmation of a Governor’s commissioners is no longer required for future administrations. That eliminates accountability at a time when Minnesota desperately needs more of it—not less. I call on Senate Democrats to immediately bring a confirmation vote for Commissioner Schnell to the Senate floor as soon as the legislature reconvenes. This isn’t the Minnesota we remember. We have done better, and we must do better again.”
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)
SHOPPING
TARGET: Via The Street, VERBATIM: “Target’s incoming CEO Michael Fiddelke believes that his chain needs to make meaningful efforts to improve its in-store experience. He talked a lot about those changes during Target’s third-quarter earnings call. As an avid Target shopper and retail observer, I’ve noticed longer cashier lines and frequent self-checkout delays when multiple machines require managerial assistance. This aligns with comments from Fiddelke, who stated on the Q3 earnings call that improving store operations and associate availability is a top priority.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4b45jcS
(WAY) UP NORTH: Via Business Insider, VERBATIM: “What if Santa (or Mrs. Claus) needed to make a Target run? The retailer has about 1,995 stores, and its northernmost location is just north of Anchorage, Alaska, in the city of Wasilla. Despite the numerous challenges of running a big box store in the frontier state — merchandise takes several weeks to arrive via boat — locations like the one in Wasilla do brisk business and help keep far-flung communities connected to the rest of the US.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44FLapC
CLEAN | RELIABLE | AFFORDABLE: Via Xcel Energy, VERBATIM: “We’re powering the Upper Midwest with clean, reliable, and affordable nuclear energy. For more than 50 years, our Prairie Island Nuclear Plant, located near Red Wing, MN, has been a workhorse of reliable, carbon-free energy. With two pressurized water reactors producing about 1,100 megawatts, Prairie Island generates enough electricity to power 1.5 million homes across the Upper Midwest. Unlike sources that depend on weather, nuclear energy delivers 24/7 reliability—providing the power we need today while protecting the environment for tomorrow.” LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4oCHdK9 (SPONSORED: Xcel Energy)
ICE IN MN
THIS MORNING: Via KARE-TV, VERBATIM: “Governor Tim Walz and Twin Cities community leaders met with reporters Tuesday to discuss the public safety of Minnesotans as the federal government continues to ramp up immigration efforts here. A release from the governor’s office says Walz, the mayors of both Minneapolis and St. Paul and other local community leaders will address what they call the ‘targeting’ of U.S. citizens in Minnesota by agents from a number of federal departments.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3YdztTs
MORE: From this morning’s news conference:
WALZ: “This is what happens when your own federal government wages war against you. This is what happens when they target communities for their own benefit.”
BISHOP RICHARD HOWELL, JR: “Fear is not how healthy communities are built. Trauma is not how children thrive. And separation is not justice.”
MAYOR FREY: “Crime is not the focus when you are tearing a father away from his family who has done nothing wrong. Crime is not the focus when you are detaining an American citizen for no reason other than the fact that he is Somali or he is Latino. Crime is not the focus when you’re dragging a pregnant woman through the street and crime is not the focus when you are specifically focusing on communities based on the color of their skin.”
MAYOR CARTER: “When I grew up in the St. Paul public schools and I learned in first grade and in second grade and in eleventh grade and twelfth grade, there’s a thing that makes America great. The thing that makes us know for a fact that this country is a beacon on the hill, is the fact that people can look from other countries, from other continents, from across the river, and risk it all to get here.”
LOOKING BACK
NONPROFITS: Via Sahan Journal, a look at how Minnesota nonprofits have fared amid funding cuts from the government and private sector. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qlE9Cy
THE METRO
NYE: Axios’ Kyle Stokes makes the case that Minneapolis City Hall is the perfect place for a New Year’s Eve celebration. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/492K0FX
MEDIA: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “KSTP-TV‘s chief meteorologist Ken Barlow has signed a new deal to extend his time with the Twin Cities station. Barlow, who has been with the Twin Cities’ ABC news affiliate since 2011, confirmed on his social media page that he has signed a ‘new multiyear contract that will keep me as Chief Meteorologist at KSTP-TV for years to come.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qjv3Gv
BROOKLYN CENTER: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “The Brooklyn Center City Council cut ties with its highest ranking employee on Friday, Dec. 19. The council fired City Manager Reggie Edwards in a 3-2 vote at a special meeting. It came after his annual performance review, which is closed from public view.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/48TyH4h
NORTH LOOP: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A huge bathhouse — not totally unlike the kind Roman emperors waded in many centuries ago — is arriving to Minneapolis’ North Loop neighborhood in 2027. Aptly named Bathhouse, this facility will take up what’s currently a parking lot at the corner of N. 3rd Street and N. 8th Avenue.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45ipVu7
UPTOWN: The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reports Curioso Coffee Bar is tripling its space so it can add an art studio and event space. READ: https://fluence-media.co/45pAZFU
BUSINESS EXCELLENCE: Flint Hills Resources was just awarded the 2025 Large Business of the Year award from the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce at their annual Business Excellence Awards celebration. The award celebrates the outstanding achievements of businesses that exemplify the thriving and growing spirit of Dakota County. The businesses honored make an impact and contribute to the continued success of our community. LEARN MORE: About the Pine Bend refinery. (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery)
AROUND MINNESOTA
PIPELINE: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources announced on Monday that it has reached an agreement with Enbridge Energy to address an aquifer breach. The settlement is related to the Line 3 pipeline replacement project at the Moose Lake site near Swatara in Aitkin County. In a press release, the DNR says Enbridge reported the upwelling of groundwater at the Moose Lake site in August 2022. Following extensive investigation, the DNR determined that there was a confined aquifer breach at the site.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3Lb3lNc
MORE: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “Under the agreement, Enbridge will fund $1.2 million in supplemental environmental projects chosen by the DNR, pay $300,000 in civil penalties, provide $100,000 for ongoing state monitoring at the site and post $1.2 million in financial assurance to cover potential future environmental impacts.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/452OP15
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)
COMMERCE
CLOSED: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “On the heels of being highlighted among the Twin Cities’ best new restaurants of 2025, Stonegarden has shuttered in south Minneapolis. The all-day breakfast and brunch spot opened last November at 5401 Chicago Ave., but its website now says the restaurant is ‘permanently closed.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4p9PQvh
BOUGHT: Via Victory Tire, VERBATIM: “Victory Tire & Auto, a trusted Minnesota name in complete auto repair since 1997, has announced the acquisition of Twin River Tire & Auto, a three-unit auto repair operation in Minnesota. This milestone marks Victory’s 27th location in Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45lPrPa
SOLD: Via Minnesota-based ShoreView, VERBATIM: “The Partners of ShoreView are pleased to announce the sale of Cornerstone Foodservice Group. ShoreView partnered with CFG in September 2016. At that time, the company, formerly known as Spring (U.S.A.) Corporation, was a designer and provider of small foodservice equipment for the hospitality sector.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4siJdd1
WHAT’S NEXT?
THE WEEK AHEAD: From bells to crafts to pancakes with zoo animals, Minnesota Monthly has an eclectic list of events over the holiday week. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4j8SU9v
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
CHESTNUTS ROASTING: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Indoor wood-burning fireplaces, particularly in public places, have become increasingly rare (read this reporter’s lament on the subject below the roundup), which makes them all the more special. This winter, ditch the screens and gather hearthside at one of Minnesota’s remaining collective firesides.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3L5ecbu
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