The UofM’s Mapping Prejudice project is adding Stearns County to those it plans to comb for racial covenants in property records. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/40Jvgcf
In northeast Minnesota, bird watchers are enjoying an influx of owls the likes they haven’t seen in 20 years. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4gbfJq7
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WILD ABOUT READING: More than 500 Minnesota classrooms and 15,000 students are participating in the “Wild About Reading” program, a partnership with Flint Hills Resources which encourages students to read more using Minnesota Wild-branded posters, reading logs, and bookmarks. Teachers set weekly reading goals and give certificates to students who complete the four-week program. Fun program incentives include classroom visits from the Wild’s mascot, Nordy – and the team dog, Rookie; a pair of tickets to a Wild home game, player signed pucks and photos; and a pizza party for a classroom. LEARN MORE: Wild About Reading SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources
TOMORROW: From Matt Mikus via MPR, VERBATIM: “If it’s a bit too cold to enjoy the Winter Carnival (although it’s never too cold, just add more layers) you could consider creating your own ice castle online. Community arts organization 825 Arts in St. Paul will host an ice castle contest online through the video game Minecraft on Saturday, partnering with a local historian to share the history and creativity of ice sculptures at the Winter Carnival.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4awWOos
ICE RINK: Form Aaliyah Demry via KTTC-TV, VERBATIM: “Kids in Grand Meadow now have a new place to enjoy winter activities. The community has a brand-new ice rink, thanks to a donation from the Grand Meadow Education Foundation. Sixth through 12th-grade students in Grand Meadow Public Schools are playing and learning about hockey and broomball out in the elements.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/40lWVyw
LACROSSE: From Aaron Nesheim via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “The Art Shanty Projects on Lake Harriet (Mde Unma in Dakota) kicked off on Saturday January 18, 2025, in negative temperatures. An excited crowd braved the tundra-like conditions to celebrate the return of an event that, due to warm weather, had a rough go in 2024.
Among the art exhibits dotting a section of the lake near the bandshell, Twin Cities Native Lacrosse hosted pickup games of Thakapsicapi (ball game in Dakota) on the sixteen inches of ice. The games were open to any who wanted to participate, and organizer John Hunter was on hand to teach people how to play and to share a brief history lesson of the game, which originated with Indigenous tribes.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3WwXk05
DONOR: From Alicia Tipcke via WDIO-TV, VERBATIM: “An act that seemed as simple as signing up for a school campaign, helped save someone’s life. Last spring Owen Leach, now a redshirt freshman with the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) men’s basketball team, just so happened to run across a group of Bulldog football players campaigning for the NMDP, formerly known as the National Marrow Donor Program and Be The Match. ‘Some were just like, ‘Hey, come over here and do it.’ And I was like, ‘Why not?’ So I took a cheek swab, sent it away, and then that was kinda it. That’s kinda how it all started,’ Leach recalled. Then, this past October 29 Leach received an email that he matched with a patient in need. Without hesitation, he agreed to help. In January the Glyndon, Minnesota native was then flown out to Phoenix to have his stem cells harvested, and donated to a perfect stranger.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4jwcYm0
STORIES: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “2025 marks 50 years since Hmong people started immigrating to Minnesota. To commemorate the milestone, a local organization is working to preserve the stories of 50 years and beyond. Minnesota Zej Zog, a nonprofit that works to preserve Hmong culture, is opening an exhibit this weekend in St. Paul called ‘Of Distance and Time.’ The exhibit captures the stories of Hmong moms, grandmothers and aunts over the age of 65.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3CmOI5a
HATS: From Sarah Alain via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “On average, 14 babies are delivered a day at Maple Grove Hospital. Each come with one-of-a-kind looks and families who anxiously await their arrival. ‘It’s just really fun to get to see those families and congratulate moms and talk to excited grandparents in the lobby,’ said Jennifer Nelson, manager of volunteer services. Not only all are loved, all receive a special gift. Ever since the hospital opened its doors 15 years ago, parents have received a hand-knitted hat for their bundle of joy.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/40wA8A0
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.-Elect Kari Rehauer
Rep.-Elect Wayne Johnson
Rep. Elect Julie Greene
Rep. Elect Keith Allen
Rep. Elect Peter Johnson
Follow on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.TheDailyAgenda.com/Podcasts. (SPONSORED: Minnesota Telecom Alliance)
PRINCIPAL: From Jadie Jones via KQDS-TV, VERBATIM: “One ‘awesome’ local principal has won the Minnesota Principal of the Year award. Mr. Awsumb at Proctor Middle School didn’t go into the job for winning awards, but spent some time sharing with us the dedication that led to getting that recognition.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4geL5w6
HEALING: From Jasmine McBride via Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, VERBATIM: “In a world where challenges often feel overwhelming, the need for envisioning and cultivating a thriving future has never been more critical. The 2025 BIPOC Thriving Future Horizon Story Circle Gathering, hosted by Maji ya Chai Land Sanctuary in partnership with the Collective Acceleration Network and The Coven St. Louis Park, offers a transformative opportunity to imagine a world where communities of color can truly thrive.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4h7VtHc
SWIMMING: From Kyra Miles via MPR, VERBATIM: “Donned in the best Spider-Man and American flag swimsuits, preschoolers from Piedmont Elementary trickle into the downtown Duluth YMCA for their safe swim lessons. It’s their third week and they know their stuff. Before getting into the water their instructor quizzes them: ‘What color does a lifeguard wear?’ she asks. ‘Red!’ they shout back. ‘Being comfortable around water opens up the world of water recreation to you, and as any Minnesotan knows, that's where a lot of us get our joy,’ said Sherry Williams, the director of Duluth’s Head Start program who launched the six-week preschooler classes four years ago. She believes it’s Minnesota’s only program to offer swim lessons during the school day.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3CverIA
BOWLING: From Matthew Freeman via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “Less than a year after forming, Lead for Inclusion and MNeurodivergent Bemidji, two Bemidji area non-profits, have partnered together to provide social and leadership opportunities for neurodivergent people. Neurodivergence is a term that refers to how different people’s brains process information in different ways, especially in relation to conditions like autism and ADHD . . . Both organizations are partnering together to provide three weeks of bowling fun for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4jtxYK3
DFSTC: Via Dress for Success, VERBATIM: “Dress for Success Twin Cities is celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2025, marking a key milestone in the local nonprofit’s mission to empower women to achieve economic independence. Since opening its doors in January 2010, Dress for Success Twin Cities has transformed the lives of countless individuals through community support and innovative programs.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gftdky
POLARIS: From Medina-based Polaris via PRNewswire, VERBATIM: “Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII), the global leader in powersports, today announced it is offering free snowmobile rides at more than 50 participating Polaris Adventures Outfitter locations across the country. This program builds on Polaris' long history of helping people experience the joy and adventure of winter.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4js9GjO
HISTORY: From Sydney Dick via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “The Beltrami Historical Society in Bemidji has started a major endeavor with changes in all of their artifact storage. With over one million historical items in the museum, there are thousands of boxes between the two floors. Thanks to a Legacy Grant from the Minnesota Historical Society, the History Center will be able to renovate their entire upstairs to help preserve the artifacts, some of them centuries old.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/40LZBH2
GRANTS: From Dustin Nelson via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has unveiled 1,474 awards for 2025 that will be given to organizations across the country. Among those are 35 grants going to arts organizations and individuals around Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42Ld0Rl
NEW NAME: Via KAAL-TV, VERBATIM: “United Way, a nonprofit organization, announced a new name change Thursday. What was once known as United Way of Olmsted County will now be United Way of Southeast Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40KAh47
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