It’s the time of year for holiday markets. Minnesota Monthly has a guide. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3LJs63h
How do you keep up the holiday cheer? Advice from holiday production performers. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oa5bLR
More proof the State of Hockey has no age limit – we found two stories of Minnesotans skating into their 80s. MESABI TRIBUNE: https://fluence-media.co/3LP4zhf FORUM: https://fluence-media.co/4rhsKW2
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Blois
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)
All Fluence tipsheets are now available to read and share online at our website, The Daily Agenda:
MINNESOTA GENEROSITY
GIVE TO THE MAX: Via GiveMN, VERBATIM: “Tens of thousands of donors from Minnesota and around the country came together to give more than $37.8 million to over 6,000 organizations during yesterday’s Give to the Max Day, the 17th annual statewide giving event for Minnesota nonprofits and schools. This year’s giving total surpassed $37.1 million, breaking last year’s record.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iegfGj
THE NEED: Via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “In 2025, nonprofits have reported an increase in the need for their services, just as people have less to give to keep the services running. Former soccer star Tony Sanneh started the Sanneh Foundation to offer youth and family resources. When asked, Sanneh said he has noticed a change in people’s charitable giving habits over the last year or so, adding that donations have dropped, while demand for the Sanneh Foundation’s services has grown.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4oLVaWg
MEDIA: Via Minnesota Spokesman recorder, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s annual season of giving has arrived, and this year Spokesman-Recorder is calling on supporters across the state to help carry its community programming farther than ever before. As Give to the Max Day approaches on November 20, the organization is launching a fifty thousand dollar campaign to expand its outreach, wellness programming, and Sister Spokesman events into new Minnesota communities.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oVnEgq
ROCHESTER: Via KIMT-TV, VERBATIM: “Andy Boysen, a community engagement assistant, at the Landing MN, says Give To The Max Day helps nonprofits get the most out of fundraising through things like matching campaigns that double the money donated with help from community sponsors. The Landing says this year it is hoping to raise $24,000 for meals and medical services for the Rochester homeless population with help from $12,000 matching gift from a group called the Champions of the Landing.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/47TdzdZ
TWIN CITIES: Via KARE-TV, VERBATIM: “For the Constellation Fund in Minneapolis, this is a chance to raise funds for people in need in the Twin Cities. The organization aims to reduce poverty through research, housing, education and employment opportunities.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3KbMuJE
CATS: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “At the Wildcat Sanctuary near Sandstone, founder Tammy Thies says every cent makes a difference. ‘We don’t know if it’s a small little bobcat that somebody’s gonna call us about or, you know, 15 or seven big cats,’ says Thies. And that seven isn’t a random number for Thies. That is the number of lions they just took in, and those lions eat a lot of expensive meat. 150 rescued big cats are living out their days on the sanctuary’s 220 acres, something this former advertising pro, who was incensed by the way animals were treated during photo shoots, couldn’t be more proud of.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4rd0HqA
RADIOTHON: From WCCO-Radio’s Jason DeRusha via Facebook, VERBATIM: “One day. All our @wccoradio shows. $350,000 to Interrupt Homelessness with Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities. THANK YOU! It’s an amazing commitment by WCCO Radio and our parent company Audacy to turn over the broadcast day to one cause - we couldn’t do it without the best partners and listeners in the world!” PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/3K6y0uA
MORE: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “The amount raised during this year’s event brings the overall fundraising total to nearly $5 million since it began in 2003. ‘Our fans’ generosity isn’t just a donation — it’s dignity, hope, a warm meal and a bed for someone who needs it most. THIS is what it means to be a Good Neighbor,’ said Brad Lane, Brand Manager/Program Director of WCCO.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3KfOoZQ
STEPPING UP…
HOCKEY: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “The Duluth and hockey community has stepped up to help some of the city’s youngest hockey players after their center was vandalized. Piedmont Youth Hockey Association board members discovered the vandalism at their hockey arena building on Sunday. Leaders reported the crime to the police and put out a call to action on social media. After posting the damage online, about 35 volunteers showed up to help clean up on Sunday. Since then, donations have started pouring in.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ifHPDh
BEMIDJI: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “Twice a year, 100+ Women Who Care Bemidji Area comes together to give away thousands of dollars donated from women in the community to a local nonprofit. This past Thursday, the group raised a record-breaking amount to give to a local food shelf. Well over 100 women who live in the Bemidji area gathered at the South Shore Hotel for the organization’s fourth-ever meeting. The group has raised a total of just over $43,000 in its past three events combined.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4oRIRI7
CURBSIDE: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “In the aftermath of a historic government shutdown, many people are looking for help. Luckily, many also want to lend a helping hand. A Brooklyn Park woman is among those who’ve stepped up to support those in need. CCX News caught up with Katy Burke last Thursday, as she stocked the the makeshift food pantry in her front yard.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4icH1ih
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)
AROUND THE STATE…
BEMIDJI: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “Every year, the First City of Lights Foundation adds a new Christmas light display to downtown Bemidji ahead of the annual Night We Light celebration, and this season is no different. Bemidji is known as Paul Bunyan’s hometown, so when the First City of Lights Foundation teamed up with Bemidji’s 7 Brew Drive-Thru Coffee for a new display, it’s only fitting that Paul Bunyan would be able to enjoy it as well with a giant hot chocolate mug.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4aaVadQ
THEATER: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “You head to the gym for your physical health, but what about exercising your mind? That’s the idea behind ‘The Happiness Gym,’ now running at Mixed Blood in Minneapolis. ‘Researchers call it flourishing,’ said Alejandro Tey, who co-directed Mixed Blood’s version of the show. Built on research into ‘flourishing,’ the show gives audiences concrete ideas for how to improve their own happiness.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3X4ruHT
MUSEUM: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “The Great River Children’s Museum, which opened this past June in St. Cloud, has exciting exhibits that encourage development and facilitate understanding for the surrounding community of kids. The museum’s eight exhibits have already welcomed thousands of families, covering factors of everyday life in Minnesota such as the changing weather, community engagement, exploring, the Mississippi River, engineering, nature, crafting, and play with a framework of inclusion.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48sEAF5
CARINGBRIDGE: Via news release from Bloomington-based CaringBridge, VERBATIM: “With more than 27 years of experience supporting families through health journeys, CaringBridge today releases a 2025 Impact Report: Online Health Communities’ Impact on Caregiver Loneliness and Overwhelm. The longitudinal study analyzes data from 609 CaringBridge authors over an average of 82 days, offering new evidence that online health communities can measurably reduce caregiver loneliness and overwhelm, and CaringBridge functions as essential health infrastructure, filling a critical gap between clinical care and home-based caregiving.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4phAQvO
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