Seeing the Northern Lights this week was a first for many people – including at 83-year-old Minnesotan for whom it was a life-long dream. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4nQHZSz
There’s a new mural at the underpass of Hiawatha and Lake Street. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/48dnIlF
There’s a new airplane at the Brainerd Airport – well, not exactly new – it’s a 1933 model. But don’t look for it out on the tarmac. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4oItDoP
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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:
HOUSING
MINNEAPOLIS: The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reports affordable housing developer Trellis plans to buy the Creamette Lofts in Minneapolis and has applied for an affordable housing loan from the city. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rdXB5M
VIKINGS: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “The Vikings are lending a hand to Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity in the east metro. It’s all a part of a week-long home build in Maplewood, helping connect local families with five new homes. The community effort puts Vikings players right in the middle of the action, installing flooring and drywall, including players like, right tackle Walter Rouse.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3M1fkgn
HONORING VETERANS
STORIES: Via WDIO-TV, VERBATIM: “In honor of Veterans Day, Northwoods Youth in Action hosted a veteran fair. Throughout the morning, local veterans visited Northwoods High School. They were met with gifts and students wanting to hear their stories. Students sat in pairs across from the veterans, asking them questions about their experience. Each person shared their time of service. To honor them and thank the veterans for their service, elementary students stopped by to give notes and drawings.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/47U72OF
PEQUOT LAKES: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “On a normal Tuesday morning, students at Pequot Lakes High School would be sitting in their classrooms learning about subjects like algebra and biology. But the lesson plan on Veterans Day focused on telling the stories of heroes from the Brainerd Lakes Area and beyond.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3WRfJo2
MUSEUM: Via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “A soldier plants his boot in the sand. The infantryman is a bronze sculpture. The sand, though, is authentic, straight from the beach that the U.S. Army’s 4th Division stormed on D-Day in 1944 . . . Within hangars outside of Granite Falls, the Fagen Fighters World War II Museum houses the exhibit, along with military aircraft and ground transport vehicles that have been added over time, as a way to preserve World War II history, said Ron Fagen, who opened it with his wife, Diane Fagen, in 2012.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oI7qqS
EMPLOYER: Via news release from Ameriprise, VERBATIM: “Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (NYSE: AMP) today announced it was named a 2026 Military Friendly Employer by VIQTORY, an organization that connects the military community to civilian employment, educational and entrepreneurial opportunities. This is the twelfth consecutive year Ameriprise has earned the distinction in recognition of its commitment and work to create an inclusive and supportive work environment for military community members.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3WVYuBV
EMPLOYER: Via news release from Walser, VERBATIM: “Walser Automotive Group is driving change once again, this time for Minnesota’s military community. On November 13, Walser will become the first automotive retailer in the state to be recognized as a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Company. This designation recognizes employers who actively support veterans, service members, and their families.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/481DaQH
WHAT’S AHEAD…
TODAY: Via WJON-Radio, VERBATIM: “There is another Fix-IT Clinic this Friday. The Stearns History Museum will host the fourth clinic at the Sherburne History Center in Becker from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. The free event is a partnership with Reuse Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43tcozh
TOMORROW: From Salvation Army via Facebook, VERBATIM: “Join us for our annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Red Kettle Kick-off in St. Paul’s Historic Rice Park, with refreshments, music, special appearances, and a tree lighting that’ll dazzle!” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3JTCRzl
NEXT YEAR: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “One of Minnesota’s subzero specialties will return to south Minneapolis in January, with a new set of one-of-a-kind shanties. The Art Shanty Projects, a public art project of shacks on a frozen lake created by the local artist community, will return to the icy surface of Bdé Umáŋ (Lake Harriet) on January 17 and remain until February 8.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3WYzXMC
NEXT YEAR: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “While hosting The Sheletta Show on WCCO Radio, Sheletta Brundidge did something she has never done. She welcomed a guest, Armetha Pihlstrom, founder and CEO of Pihlstrom Consulting Group (PCG), who said she had a surprise for Brundidge to share live with her listeners . . . Pihlstrom told Brundidge that she will be honored with the MLK Legacy Award on Jan. 17 at a dinner and awards ceremony at the Historic Lumber Exchange Event Center in Minneapolis.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4nUSFzJ
MORE AWARDS…
BRAINERD: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “Brainerd Community Action continued its tour of handing out community awards on Wednesday as they recognized the Non-Profit of the Year and Youth Volunteer of the Year. The non-profit recognized for their work in the community went to Smiles for Jake, an organization that aims to shed light on mental health issues and suicide prevention through outreach events held throughout the year.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4p9vJ0v
IDEAL TOWNSHIP: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “The Ideal Community Service Organization gave out their annual Volunteer of the Year award at their board meeting on Thursday. Tony Coffey was presented with the award for his contributions to various organizations around Ideal Township, located near the cities of Crosslake and Pequot Lakes.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4oJtwcy
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 AROUND MINNESOTA…
LASAGNA: Via KTTC-TV, VERBATIM: “A nonprofit is using a popular Italian dish to feed families during a time of need. Lasagna Love addresses food insecurity among families by providing lasagna to anyone around the globe as a simple gesture of kindness during a time of uncertainty and stress.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4442rZ5
INTERNS: Via WJON-Radio, VERBATIM: “The St. Cloud State University Career Center has launched a new program to award $1,200 stipends to select students working in unpaid internships this semester. The project, in partnership with SCSU’s offices of Financial Aid and Advancement and Alumni Engagement, is supporting students who chose to do internships in local nonprofit organizations.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rgV2zZ
EHAMBE: Via news release from ZERO Prostate Cancer, VERBATIM: “As the Minnesota Timberwolves prepare to tip off its third home game of a new season, Assistant Coach Moses Ehambe has stepped away from the sidelines temporarily to dedicate his time to something even closer to his heart: faith, family, and a fight that touches millions of men. Ehambe is embarking on a new chapter as an Ambassador with ZERO Prostate Cancer (ZERO), dedicating this season of his life to gratitude, healing, and helping more men get screened before it’s too late.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4peOf84
SCHULZE: Via news release from Children’s Minnesota, VERBATIM: “Children’s Minnesota is thrilled to announce the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation has committed a $5 million matching gift to the health system’s family needs program. This is the largest gift the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation has donated to Children’s Minnesota. The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation gift happens now through Dec. 31, 2026, matching donations to the Children’s Minnesota Together for Families Fund.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qYBlMR
TREASURE ISLAND: Via news release from Treasure Island, VERBATIM: “In conjunction with their Island Impact corporate social responsibility program, the Prairie Island Indian Community and Treasure Island Resort & Casino are ‘doubling down’ on charitable giving in 2026. For the first time, Treasure Island will showcase the power of collective giving by matching every dollar donated by its guests through the 2026 Charity of the Month program, which will raise an anticipated $1 million for local nonprofits.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oIwoXc
POLARIS: Via news release from Polaris, VERBATIM: “Today, Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII), announced it is donating more than $135,000 to off-road vehicles (ORV), all-terrain vehicles (ATV), and snowmobile riding clubs and organizations across the United States and Canada as part of their TRAILS GRANTS program. For nearly two decades, Polaris’ TRAILS GRANTS program has supported organizations and programs that promote safe and responsible riding, facilitate trail preservation, and help protect the environment and natural resources that are a part of the off-road trail systems.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nTP7Og
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