More than half of Americans predict the stock market will rise in 2026. In a Gallup poll, they also offered predictions for labor union strikes, Russian power, crime, and inflation. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/45u3KBn
In a year-end interview, Wild owner Craig Leipold said “we’re on a roll and we’re enjoying it.” Read the story HERE: https://fluence-media.co/49F40Qs
Minnesota and South Dakota switched spots on U-Haul’s list of growth states – a ranking based on the count of one-way rentals. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4jtWAmy
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3LxtQg5
DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek discussed the state’s new paid leave program on Sunday Take. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/49in59J
The latest MNSider Fluence Brief – What does President Trump saying “Mike Lindell deserves to be Governor.” mean to the GOP race. READ: https://fluence-media.co/48R7fnM
Health Care will remain a top issue into 2026, the State of Health Care Fluence Forum panels from last week are now available in podcast form. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/FluenceForumPodcast
Want to manage your subscription to TheDailyAgenda.com ? HERE: https://fluence-media.co/managesubscription
The latest insight from Fluence Advisory on the loss of institutional knowledge from the Minnesota Legislature. READ: https://fluence-advisory.com/insights/
Blois
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THE ANNOUNCEMENT
NO QUESTIONS: Governor Tim Walz held a brief news conference this morning to announce he will not seek re-election. He did not take questions. He did, however, take a few swipes at those across the political aisle. Via KMSP-TV, WALZ: “We’ll win the fight against the fraudsters. But the gamesmanship we’re seeing from Republicans is only making that fight harder. We’ve got Republicans here in the state legislature playing hide and seek with potential whistleblowers. We’ve got conspiracy theorist right-wing YouTubers breaking into our daycares, demanding access to our children. We’ve got the President of the United States demonizing our Somali neighbors and wrongfully confiscating funds that Minnesotans rely on.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4pl2yaN
ICYMI: Morning Take broke the news that Governor Tim Walz will end his bid for a third term. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3YpmuOK
WHO IS RUNNING?
KLOBUCHAR: Via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “A source close to Senator Amy Klobuchar tells 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS Chief political reporter, Tom Hauser, ‘in the event Governor Walz decides not to run, she will likely run for governor. The source says she is ‘getting outreach from people encouraging her to run, and is seriously considering it.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aLKTp6
MORE: From Hauser via X, VERBATIM: “. . . she’s been consistently the most popular statewide politician in our polling for years. However, her approval dropped from 50% in September to 47% in December when no MN politician was above 50%. Her disapproval remains low, 33% in September to 38% in Dec.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4qBeZQB
ELLISON: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “After leading or joining dozens of lawsuits against some of the Trump administration’s most unpopular policies, Attorney General Keith Ellison can say he’s been taking on Republicans all year. Ellison is currently seeking re-election as attorney general and has not said whether he would run for governor if Walz didn’t.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YUtRxF
ALSO: Secretary of State Steve Simon is a potential candidate.
PHILLIPS: From former Congressman Dean Phillips via X, VERBATIM: “I have no intention to run for Minnesota Governor or US Senate. But I stand at the ready to assist common sense candidates committed to reducing the cost of living, improving education and public safety, addressing corruption, and restoring competency in governance.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/3YpcW6m
EARLIER
STATEMENT: The Governor sent out a statement announcing his decision. From that statement via WCCO-Radio, WALZ: “Every minute I spend defending my own political interests would be a minute I can’t spend defending the people of Minnesota against the criminals who prey on our generosity and the cynics who prey on our differences. So I’ve decided to step out of the race and let others worry about the election while I focus on the work.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49giUwF
DOTS: Fluence Media’s Blois Olson told Vineeta Sawkar what he was learning, beginning Friday – telltale signs that something was happening, including how the Governor was acting, a Sunday meeting with Senator Amy Klobuchar, and a news conference scheduled with no announced agenda. QUOTE: “Then I learned he had an all-staff meeting this morning. And, there’s no reason to call an all-staff meeting or a meeting with your campaign team unless you’re gonna drop out of the race.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4snLVOg
REACTION
EMMER: From Rep. Tom Emmer via X, VERBATIM: “My official statement: GOOD RIDDANCE!” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4pl33BH
QUALLS: Via Kendall Qualls for Governor, QUOTE: “Tim Walz’s two terms as governor have been a total failure for Minnesota as rampant fraud, out-of-control crime, sky-high prices and declining schools are holding Minnesota back. Walz is terrified to run on his record. But it doesn’t matter if the DFL props up Amy Klobuchar or any other candidate, they share Walz’s record of failure and incompetence.”
ROBBINS: Via Kristin Robbins for Governor, QUOTE: “Tim Walz and his staggering fraud could not outrun our investigations and the momentum we have in this race. He knows he will lose in November, and would rather give up than take responsibility. Anyone Walz handpicks to run for governor will own the fraud and failures of this administration.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4pp8Oya
DFL: “Tim and Gwen Walz have served Minnesota with a deep commitment to servant leadership,” said Minnesota DFL Party Chair Richard Carlbom. “We’re grateful for the years Governor Walz has spent in public service delivering for Minnesotans as a public-school teacher, National Guardsman, member of Congress, and as our Governor. We respect his decision to not seek a third term. True to form, he is choosing to spend the remainder of his term focused on governing, improving lives, and standing up for Minnesota.”
ELLISON: Via KARE-TV, QUOTE: “Tim Walz is a remarkable leader, and Minnesota has benefitted immensely from the compassion he brought to his decades of public service. Tim banished hunger from Minnesota classrooms, signed universal background checks into law, and passed paid family leave. He built a record of standing up for people who need it - from the LGBTQ+ community to working-class families to teachers and more. Tim’s legacy is one of putting people first and delivering for Minnesotans in every corner of our state, and that’s a legacy to be damn proud of.”
DNC: Also from KARE-TV, from Democratic National Committee Chair (and former DFL Chair) Ken Martin, QUOTE: “Today’s decision is entirely consistent with who Tim is. Tim has always believed that leadership isn’t about preserving your own power — it’s about using it to make a difference for as many people as possible. He doesn’t measure success by elections won, but by classrooms strengthened, families supported, and communities that are better off because he fought for them. That kind of leadership is rare, and it’s exactly what our country needs more of right now.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3N5hSeg
GOVERNORS: Via Democratic Governors Association, from Chair Andy Beshear, QUOTE: “Governor Tim Walz has been a true leader who has delivered results that will make life better for Minnesota workers and families for years to come . . . No matter who decides to run or how much national Republicans want to spend, the DGA remains very confident Minnesotans will elect another strong Democratic governor this November.”
LIUNA: “Under Governor Walz’s leadership, Minnesota construction laborers have logged record work hours for six of the last seven years,” said Joel Smith, President and Business Manager of LIUNA Minnesota and North Dakota. “That’s because Walz has prioritized fixing Minnesota’s roads, bridges, and water infrastructure, putting Laborers to work. Thank you, Governor Walz.”
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)
PILING ON
TRUMP: Via Newsweek, VERBATIM: “President Donald Trump told reporters aboard Air Force one on Sunday, about Walz: ‘It’s almost not even believable. This very stupid low IQ governor, he’s a very stupid man because you know, I had to campaign against him with JD and he’s a stupid man and he’s a corrupt politician and the Somalians are ripping off our country to the tune of looks like $19 billion but that’s only what they can find.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3NbTaZu
MORE: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “In recent weeks, Trump pushed his agencies to investigate Minnesota on multiple fronts and threatened to withhold money for day care, nutrition and transportation programs if the governor’s administration didn’t bend to data demands or policy changes.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YqYqeh
FED FUNDS: via AP News, VERBATIM: “President Donald Trump’s administration announced [last week] that it’s freezing child care funds to Minnesota and demanding an audit of some day care centers [featured in] a viral video. … Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services Jim O’Neill [said] he has demanded Gov. Tim Walz submit an audit of these centers that includes attendance records, licenses, complaints, investigations and inspections. … The Administration for Children and Families provides $185 million in childcare funds annually to Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49egHQW
MORE: Via ABC News, a Health and Human Services official said the pause on child care funding will extend to all 50 states, not just Minnesota. Funds will be released “only when states prove they are being spent legitimately,” the official said. READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4jnewzg
MN GOP: Speaker Lisa Demuth said in a press call last week that the Minnesota GOP had been “working with Nick Shirley” on his recent viral video that accused metro childcare centers of fraud and sparked national backlash. But Shirley denied their involvement, saying on X that Demuth’s claims are “completely false” and he has “no idea who she is.” Demuth later clarified on X that Shirley “deserves all the credit,” but “some of the information used in Nick’s video was compiled by our staff.” TWEETS: https://fluence-media.co/3YR73yL https://fluence-media.co/3MZW7fL
MORE: Star Tribune’s Deena Winter reports that Joe Marble, a Republican staffer in the Minnesota House, first brought the childcare centers to the attention of David Hoch, a former GOP candidate for governor and attorney general who appeared in Nick Shirley’s viral video and escorted him around the metro. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jm92EG
MAYORS: A letter signed by 241 mayors and addressed to the Governor and legislators expressed “deep concern” and “growing frustration” with the financial situation of the state, citing metrics that put Minnesota solidly in the bottom half of states in several categories. From the letter, QUOTE: “We, as mayors, can only support our cities for so long before the heavy hand of state mandates and financial pressure demands more than our communities can provide. Although state statute requires a balanced budget, relying on one-time surplus dollars to support ongoing commitments has created structural strain—reducing the state’s ability to sustain existing programs or invest in new ones in the years to come. Our state owes it to our citizens to practice responsible fiscal management and to stop taxing our families, seniors, and businesses out of Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jJZvI5
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)
THE BUSINESS ECONOMY
BUSY BABY: Marketplace checked back in with Beth Benike, founder of Oronoco-based Busy Baby. In a previous interview, Benike talked about her optimism for 2025 – she’d just bought a warehouse for what once had been a home-based business, and had contracts to get her product into Target and Walmart. She’s since made deals for international markets. BEINKE: “On the flip side it’s just been an awful awful year . . . I’m now in forbearance with my bank and the [warehouse] property is for sale, I’m gonna lose my warehouse. So that’s not fun. I have cashed in my retirement. I have drained my savings. I didn’t pay myself all summer. Had to let my brother go . . . we still are hanging by a thread.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3N3nju4
RESTAURANTS: Via MplsStPaul, a look back at restaurants that closed in 2025. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4q33IbT
ACQUISITION: Via Chicago-based CohnReznick, VERBATIM: “CohnReznick, a leading professional services firm, today announced a strategic acquisition of Minneapolis, MN-based Smith Schafer & Associates, effective January 1, 2026. With three offices in the market, Smith Schafer’s local expertise establishes an important expansion in the Midwest for CohnReznick and significant growth opportunity for the combined organization.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bgHSx0
MERGER: Via Cozen O’Connor, VERBATIM: “Am Law 100 firm Cozen O’Connor today announced it has completed its acquisition by merger of Moss & Barnett, one of Minnesota’s leading law firms. The combination adds more than 50 attorneys to Cozen O’Connor’s Minneapolis footprint — further advancing its strategic buildout across the Midwest and bringing the firm’s overall roster to over 1,000 attorneys located in 35 offices across two continents.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qDLz4v
CITY POLITICS
MINNEAPOLIS: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “The Minneapolis City Council kicks off a new term Monday with four new members — and the potential for a very different vibe. Why it matters: Mayor Jacob Frey won reelection, and his left-wing critics lost a council seat, costing them the veto-proof majority they used for two years to seize the reins at City Hall . . . Frey’s allies also didn’t win a majority, setting the stage for either gridlock or a new era of compromise — and the December budget deal suggests Frey and the council are ready to bargain.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pnGHPW
ST PAUL: Via MplsStPaul, a wide-ranging interview with new St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her about her past, her work in the legislature and her decision to run for mayor against her former boss. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YTgHRA
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)
MINNESOTA IN 2026
BALANCE OF POWER: Via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Minnesota political observers are fixated on the race for governor, but the 2026 elections are also about whether one party can wrest control of the could-not-be-closer state Legislature that is 101 DFL members to 100 Republicans. The DFL is plotting to take control of purplish northern suburbs, while the Republican strategy might come down to total domination of northern Minnesota. All 201 legislative seats will be up for grabs in the 2026 election, though recent voting patterns suggest only a few dozen of those races will be truly competitive.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49kGpTR
US SENATE: From The Wall Street Journal, an updated map showing Minnesota’s open U.S. Senate seat one level shy of “safely Democrat.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4qvjDQ0
ELECTRICITY: Via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Minnesota already gets more than half of its electricity from wind, solar, nuclear and other resources that don’t emit planet-warming carbon dioxide or air pollutants that harm human health. Power plants here emit 50% less greenhouse gas than 20 years ago, according to Clean Energy Economy Minnesota. Under state law, Minnesota’s power sector needs to go 100% clean by 2040, and there’s a sense among state policymakers, utility leaders and energy system experts that the easy part may soon be over.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49mb8zM
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)
MINNESOTA HISTORY
MONDALE: Via MPR, a campaign to add Vice President Walter Mondale’s childhood home in Elmore to the National Register of Historic Places. It was the site of the announcement of Geraldine Ferraro as his running mate in his bid for President. VERBATIM: “Mondale’s visit with Ferraro in 1984 is the historical moment that makes the Mondale house special, because it reset expectations about what a presidential ticket could look like, said Josh Manske, whose family owns the house. But it’s also about what the house means to the town, he said.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45AZ90c
ROBBINSDALE: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “A rest stop in Robbinsdale known for its historic ‘beehive’ fireplace has been added to the National Register of Historic Places, according to Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and city officials. The Graeser Park roadside parking area, located at 4400 Lakeland Ave. N. off Highway 100, underwent years of restoration after falling into disrepair.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4q7M3A4
WHAT’S NEXT?
THIS MONTH: Via Minneapolis-based Graco, VERBATIM: “Graco Inc. (NYSE: GGG) announced today that it will release its Fourth Quarter 2025 earnings after the New York Stock Exchange closes on Monday, January 26, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qyLgrt
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
2026: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Will you allow me to kick off this annual January column with a quick little We Were Right About Pistachio Last Year nod? Thanks. It’s always dicey, this crystal ball business, but sometimes we hit. And for the record, we can now stop with all the pistachio-ing of everything, agreed? After such a chaotic year, I’m happy to report that your gut health will be top of mind, but not as obsessively (here’s hoping). Let’s dig into what 2026 has in store, maybe.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4q9RrTg
BDAYS: today fmr. Sen. Christine Eaton, St. Paulite Beth Commers – a few belated include Hennepin County Sheriff Dawana Witt, fmr. morning take writer Luke Kolar, fmr. Twins President Dave St. Peter, Rep. Jeff Backer, Twins scribe Aaron Gleeman, Blaze CU’s Tim McNiff, insurance leader Adam Axvig, fmr. Rep. Jeremy Kalin, DOC’s Sara Barrow, business leader Jay Ettinger
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