Ever wondered about the history of that little yellow house just across the river from downtown Minneapolis? SEE: https://fluence-media.co/496VFUq
Share the love of MNGood and encourage others to sign up.
Enjoy the rest of the holiday season! We will return with more good in the new year.
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)
Want to manage your subscription to TheDailyAgenda.com? HERE: https://fluence-media.co/managesubscription
STOCKING STUFFERS
HOMECOMING: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “After a year of military training across the country to be a Green Beret, Dillan Niemi, 22, was met with a surprise from his family when returned to the Northland to be home for the holidays. His family’s goal was to make his arrival as special as possible.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/45epGjP
NEW BOOK: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “What would a book look like if it could fix the whole world? It might look like Sean Sherman’s latest, Turtle Island: Foods and Traditions of the Indigenous Peoples of North America. I consider this while fingering the single advance paper copy in the state, which Sherman has. We’re bending over it as the book lies on an empty, dusty table in an empty, echoing building none too far from the Mississippi River. I flip a page, gasp, flip a page, marvel—it’s one of those.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YHo0vy
DOGS: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “For Bethann Gondeck of Sauk Rapids, it was a mutt named Barnabee who lived on her uncle’s farm . . . After adopting Barnabee, Gondeck created a nonprofit to help others like him: senior dogs often overlooked because of mobility or health issues, or simply because they might not have many years left . . . While foster-based animal rescues have been proliferating across the state and the nation for years, just a couple in Minnesota focus on aging animals like Gondeck’s nonprofit, the St. Joseph-based Grey Face Rescue and Retirement.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49881eT
CAPI: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “As Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) continues its crackdown in the Twin Cities, the head of a Brooklyn Center-based nonprofit says much of the local immigrant and refugee population is ‘living in fear’ . . . With some families afraid to leave their homes, CAPI’s food shelf has began a direct delivery program for clients. The organization is also working to connect families with the resources they need.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4sgkplY
DULUTH: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “Runners finally crossed the finish line for the Lefsa Run on Saturday. The 5K was cancelled on its planned date of Dec. 13 due to cold weather . . . All Lefse purchases and donations from the run went to Safe Haven.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4pcpp8r
LEADING WITH GOOD
NEXT WEEK: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Federal prosecutors in Minnesota announced on Dec. 18 that they suspect half or more of the roughly $18 billion paid out to 14 high-risk state-run Medicaid programs, including autism services, since 2018 may be tied to fraud. ‘It’s a great time to start a nonprofit for kids with autism, isn’t it?’ [Sheletta Brundidge] joked. But the headlines are also providing an opportunity to help. Brundidge and her new nonprofit, SheMAD, are hosting an Autism Resource Fair for parents with autistic children on Jan. 2 in Minneapolis.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pOBotD
HIBBING: Via Mesabi Tribune, VERBATIM: “The Hibbing Police Department announced Monday the successful completion of its participation in this year’s Pink Patch Project, raising $4,160 for the Angel Fund to support local cancer patients and their families.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4j8KG1a
SHOPPING: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “With rising costs for necessities like health care, housing and groceries, a local nonprofit is doing its part to make the holiday season a little brighter for families. Brooklyn Center-based Community Emergency Assistance Programs (CEAP) set up a market where families could pick up free gifts to share with their little ones on Christmas.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/44KbZsS
DELIVERY: Via Alexandria Echo Press, VERBATIM: “Lots of hugs were shared, tears were shed and utter shock was witnessed as a rural Minnesota family was surprised with the Best Christmas Ever early Sunday afternoon, Dec. 14. More than two dozen people caravaned behind a Brewster Fire Truck to deliver gifts to Austin and Stephanie VandeKamp and their 6-year-old daughter, Callee, in Brewster, Minnesota, in Nobles County.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44F2ICg
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)
GOOD TEAMWORK
DRUMLINE: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “The rhythm is alive at TKO Drumline and Knockout Dance Team practice. There, dancers and drummers ages 5 to 18 are running through beats and choreography — routines that complement each other by design. Coach Byron Hawkins has been ushering kids through TKO for 20 years — 10 of them in Brooklyn Park . . . He founded the club to give kids a positive space outside of school and sports. It’s an added bonus that he’s passionate about drumming himself.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/495UHrr
SOLAR: Via Everlight, VERBATIM: “Everlight Solar proudly closed out the holiday season by giving back to communities across the Midwest. Team members from multiple offices volunteered and helped donate gifts to support local families and organizations in need . . . In Minneapolis, Minnesota, Everlight team members volunteered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities, supporting programming that provides a safe and engaging environment for youth. The Minneapolis offices also donated gifts to Children’s Minnesota, helping brighten the holidays for children and their families.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Yab5SO
CHILDCARE: Via AWBC, VERBATIM: “The Association of Women’s Business Centers (AWBC), in partnership with Stearns Bank, today announced early results from the new WBC Childcare Accelerator Award Program, revealing strong improvements in financial management, business planning, and operational readiness among licensed childcare providers across the first cohort. The program, funded by Stearns Bank’s $875,000 contribution, launched in Summer 2025 through seven Women’s Business Center hubs and is already demonstrating how targeted business support can strengthen childcare infrastructure nationwide.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/498J7fc
VIKINGS: Via Minnesota Vikings, VERBATIM: “During the month of December, the NFL promotes its ‘Inspire Change’ mission. The league’s social justice initiative is aimed at reducing barriers to opportunity, particularly in communities of color, and showcasing how the NFL family is working together to create positive change. The Vikings organization values the program and embraces its objective at all levels. This year, Vikings Employee Resource Groups partnered with Twin Cities nonprofits to serve the community and Inspire Change.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sb5xFh
Copyright © 2025 Fluence Media, All rights reserved.
You are receving this email because you opted in at our website.
Our mailing address is:
Fluence Media
PO Box 270031
Golden Valley, MN 55427