There’s a new elementary school in Maple Grove. When it came to coming up with a new mascot, school colors, and logo, the district put the students in charge. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/46LaHzf
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70 YEARS OF STRONG JOBS AND ECONOMIC IMPACT: The Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery is Minnesota’s largest and most active work site, driving economic impact for local communities. The refinery is busy with plumbers and pipefitters, carpenters and electricians, engineers and environmental scientists, software and IT specialists - more than 1,000 full-time employees and at times more than 3,000 contractors working on-site on any given day. LEARN MORE: Careers at Pine Bend (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery)
All Fluence tipsheets are now available to read and share online at our website, The Daily Agenda:
THIS MONTH: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “The Eden Prairie-based Starkey Hearing Foundation, which pivoted away from its star-studded galas in 2019, is celebrating the success of its Institute’s training and education programs with a benefit concert this month. The Starkey Hearing Institute, with campuses in Zambia, the Philippines, and El Salvador, will showcase its work at ‘An Evening with Elton John,’ an Oct. 27 private benefit concert at The Armory in Minneapolis.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mZmKxE
FOOD SHELVES: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Big changes are coming to the nation’s largest program to combat hunger. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, was the subject of a huge budget cut in the Big Beautiful Bill Act. About $186 billion will be cut from SNAP through 2034. That’s got some local nonprofit leaders concerned about the future.” QUOTE: “SNAP is kind of the backbone, right? It is our safety net,” said Sophia Lenarz-Coy, executive director of The Food Group. “Food shelves are designed to kind of be the safety net to that safety net. And I think we’re all bracing for having to make really hard choices.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/42xzLak
THEATER: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Shelli Place and Alison Edwards didn’t feel past their primes when they realized, suddenly, there were no theater roles left for them anymore . . . After brainstorming a mission statement, goals, and funding options, Place and Edwards (along with Elena Giannetti, a third partner who is no longer involved) started Prime Productions: a Twin Cities–based theater company that celebrates voices of women ages 50-plus in all theater roles, from acting to directing to behind-the-scenes operations. They took on the roles of co-founders and co-artistic directors and, after finding and earning a grant that felt like kismet, began searching for their first play.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48jKYyY
TRASH: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “A program in Washington County and Ramsey County is helping small businesses find savings in their garbage. BizRecycling is a public program run by Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy (R&E), which has been in operation since 2013. It has supported over 4,000 local businesses with free resources to reduce waste, improve recycling, and operate more sustainably.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3KGw4ZU
CPR: Via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “A St. Paul police sergeant says God put her and other officers in the right place at the right time when a runner collapsed during the Twin Cities Marathon weekend 10k. Sgt. Colleen Rooney and three other officers gave CPR to the man, who’s in his early 40s and who’d gone into cardiac arrest during last October’s 6.2-mile race. He survived . . . Deputy St. Paul Police Chief Tim Flynn presented the department’s Life-Saving Award to Rooney, Sgts. Christopher Langr and Timothy Moore, and Officer Jonathan Schroeder on Thursday.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nLqkwE
FUNDRAISER: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Local musician Tony Milek has been in the hospital since mid-September facing a ‘life-threatening bone infection related to diabetes,’ according to a recently launched GoFundMe campaign. Milek is known to music fans as the frontman for Bermuda Squares, as well as time playing with bands like the Neo Neos, Sinks, and Retainers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nCqzdc
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Maria’s Voice, a nonprofit founded after a family lost its daughter to domestic violence in Maple Grove, strives to educate more people on the signs of violence. Its latest campaign focuses on men. ‘Most of the public doesn’t know the signs of domestic violence. So, when we founded Maria’s Voice — that was our mission. How do we educate people about the common signs of domestic abuse?’ said Lissa Weimelt. Weimelt’s daughter, Maria Pew, was killed in 2020 in an act of domestic violence.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3W1CiWC
RURAL: Via news release from Land O’Lakes, VERBATIM: “Land O’Lakes Inc., one of America’s premier agribusiness companies and farmer-owned cooperatives, is teaming up with Getty Images (NYSE: GETY), a preeminent global visual content creator and marketplace, to launch Repicturing Rural, a playbook offering both content and perspectives that brands and media can use to tell more authentic, elevated stories about rural America. This launch is tied to Land O’Lakes’ Modern Rural Collective (MRC) efforts, which is a network of storytellers, marketers and brands working to inspire a new narrative for both urban and rural communities rooted in mutual aspiration and authentic representation.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mZVpeS
HORMEL: Via news release from Hormel, VERBATIM: “For 15 years, Hormel Foods has marked Hunger Action Month by empowering its production facilities to support local hunger-relief efforts. Each facility receives a $10,000 donation, and team members play a central role in selecting the local organizations that receive the funds—ensuring the support goes directly to the communities where team members live and work. In September, Hormel Foods provided monetary donations to 46 organizations across the U.S. through this program, reinforcing its belief that meaningful change begins at home.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/472qad9
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)
TODAY: Via KTTC-TV, VERBATIM: “A friendly, mouth-watering competition is taking place in Albert Lea Friday for a good cause. The ‘Battle of the Border’ Barbecue Cook-off fundraiser is a tasty clash between the mayors of Albert Lea and Austin. It is hosted by ‘Stars Mentoring’, a Freeborn County nonprofit dedicated to connecting youth with positive mentors who can guide, encourage and inspire them.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3II0zOy
LEADER: Via ABC Newspapers, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Organization for Habilitation and Rehabilitation has named former Rise CEO Lynn Noren its 2025 Legacy Leader, recognizing her 46-year career and lasting impact on disability services across Minnesota. The Legacy Leader Award honors recently retired individuals who have made significant, long-term contributions to the field through leadership and service.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4q2adfy
BSU: Via Bemidji State University Alumni & Foundation, VERBATIM: “Bemidji State University is proud to unveil the 2025 class of distinguished alumni honorees. This year’s Outstanding Alumni Award recipients are Dr. Kenneth Anderson ‘03, Dr. Christine Imbra ‘80 and Tuleah Palmer ‘00, all of whom will be recognized for their exceptional achievements on campus and beyond. Additionally, Dr. Michael Herbert ‘79 has been named an Alumni Service Award winner for his significant volunteer and service contributions to the community, state and nation.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hcFzME
MORE: Via Lakeland PBS, a story about the ceremony for the honorees. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3IS250w
TREES: Via KAXE-Radio, VERBATIM: “The Bemidji State Alumni & Foundation launched a new fundraiser to replant trees on the university’s campus. The June 21 wind storm felled hundreds of mature trees on campus, some of which had been around since before Bemidji State began as a teacher’s college in 1919. Supporters are invited to sponsor a tree at $1,000 each. Each full donation comes with a plaque to recognize the donor and a sustainably sourced wooden gift.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3VUTDR5
STORM RESPONSE: Via Otter Tail Power, VERBATIM: “The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) presented us with the association’s Emergency Response Award for our outstanding restoration efforts during and after a devastating storm hit parts of our service area on June 20, 2025. Presented to EEI member companies twice a year, this award recognizes recovery and assistance efforts following service disruptions caused by extreme weather or other natural events.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4n8z92w
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