From the State of Hockey, a first – Friday’s Wild game versus the Colorado Avalanche will be available to stream in the Ojibwe language. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3JXGrsl
On The Daily Show, Minnesota chef Sean Sherman talked about his new book and how food can promote curiosity and empathy. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/481TjH1
Above all, we are thankful for the many people in Minnesota who do good. Their effort, dedication, and kindness inspired this newsletter.
Share the love of MNGood and encourage others to sign up.
Have a happy Thanksgiving!
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:
Want to manage your subscription to TheDailyAgenda.com? HERE: https://fluence-media.co/managesubscription
REASONS TO BE THANKFUL
MINNEAPOLIS: Via The Imprint, VERBATIM: “Handwritten notes from foster youth cover the white tablecloths that adorn the Sabathani Community Center in South Minneapolis before Thanksgiving each year — time capsules dating back a dozen years in some cases. Beneath plates of roast turkey, fried chicken, herb-speckled mac and cheese, and candied yams, one note reads: ‘Semaj was here!!! 11-21-19.’ Kids and adults with backgrounds in foster care have been coming to the center for more than a decade to meet with old friends, fill up on a hearty meal and play Uno or Connect 4. They gathered yet again Thursday, at an annual event organized by Connections to Independence, a local nonprofit that helps foster youth between 14 and 24 transition into adulthood.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oirmzI
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “How to boost student attendance has been a hot topic for state lawmakers and community advocates — and beginning this school year, for 244 high school sophomores at Washington Technology Magnet School in St. Paul, too. The students surveyed classmates, and researched attendance improvement strategies, and came up with a range of ideas that include offering more field trips and artist or author visits, as well as $25 gift card incentives — and boldly enough — a shift to a four-day week.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rhV7mD
SHOES: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “A nonprofit with ties to Plymouth is using shoe donations to help eliminate hunger. Good in the ‘Hood has a program called Shoe Away Hunger, through which the organization collects used shoes. Those same shoes are then sold for an affordable price — although some sponsored giveaways feature free shoes — and the proceeds are used to buy food.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/47YVevY
SPAGHETTI: Via Owatonna People’s Press, VERBATIM: “While there wasn’t a pair of dogs enjoying a plate of spaghetti to the tune of ‘Bella Notte’ Thursday night, there were plenty of attendees for the Steele County Humane Society’s Give to the Max Day fundraiser. Hosted at Torey’s Supper Club, the fundraiser was part of Give to the Max Day.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48p00lA
CHALLENGES
NONPROFIT FINANCES: Via KARE-TV, VERBATIM: “Minnesota nonprofits are reporting increasing financial strain and rising demand for services, even as donors set a new record for the state’s annual Give to the Max Day. At the Neighborhood Development Alliance in St. Paul, a sign on the door tells visitors that service hours have been reduced.” QUOTE: “For this last quarter, I had to reduce the service hours,” said Maria Steffel, the organization’s executive director. “The funding is gone, but the needs are still there.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3Xhdjz9
GOOD PEOPLE
RESCUE: Via KARE-TV, VERBATIM: “School bus driver Mebal Kaanyi was finishing her route near Chandler and Owasso Boulevard on Thursday when she saw a young boy running toward Lake Owasso. ‘I see this little guy coming, running down the street,’ Kaanyi recalled. ‘He was crying and running. He was not dressed. He was in, I think, undies and just a short-sleeve shirt. He did not have a sweatshirt on him. He did not have shoes on him. It was cold that day.’ At the time, Kaanyi did not know that the boy had been reported missing by his aunt, who called 911 to report that her nephew had run off and couldn’t be found.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3M1aLmr
BUILDING COMMUNITY: Via Marshall Independent, VERBATIM: “A Marshall resident has received a statewide honor for working to build community. But Julie Walker said she’s just one of many people working to make the Marshall area a better place.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43SymvL
MURAL: Via Minnesota Sports and Events, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Sports and Events, in partnership with USA Hockey and the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship Local Organizing Committee, today proudly announced Ojibwe-Cree artist Shawna Boulette Grapentine of Warroad, Minn., as the commissioned creator of the newly unveiled Land of 10,000 Rinks mural, a vibrant cultural centerpiece that will welcome fans from around the world to Minnesota this winter. The mural, now revealed publicly for the first time, was developed as part of MNSE’s year-long Assist26 community initiative and brings together Indigenous teachings, Minnesota’s hockey heritage, and the natural beauty of the State of Hockey.”
MORE: From Youth Hockey Hub via X, the mural. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4oiKZaN
SENSES: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “For some Minnesotans, a Vikings game, a trip to the Science Museum or even a stop at Costco can be overwhelming due to the noise and crowds. But a statewide initiative, Sensory-Friendly Minnesota, aims to make everyday spaces more accessible for people with sensory processing differences. Fraser, a Minnesota nonprofit that provides autism, mental and behavioral health and disability care, leads Sensory-Friendly Minnesota. The initiative hopes to create ‘10,000 Ways to Belong,’ inspired by the state’s ‘Land of 10,000 Lakes’ nickname.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ik9wLb
FASHION SHOW: Via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “Fashion Fest was an evening of fabulous fashions, incredible auction items, sensational shopping experiences, and an opportunity to win designer handbags.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4ijw66s
HUNGER: Via KDHL-Radio, VERBATIM: “Every December in Rochester, while many are juggling travel plans and holiday shopping, there’s a local crew quietly making sure kids don’t go hungry when school shuts down for winter break. The group is called Operation One More, and it’s one of those grassroots efforts that proves how far a simple idea can go when a community gets behind it.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3LWKBRS
RETIREMENT: Via news release from the Great Plains Institute, VERBATIM: “The Great Plains Institute announced today that President and CEO Rolf Nordstrom will retire from the organization on July 31, 2026, concluding a transformative 20-year tenure that defined the organization’s local and national impact, reach, and leadership in the energy and climate space. Under Nordstrom’s leadership, GPI has grown from five employees to over 80 dedicated professionals spread across 23 states and Washington, D.C., and has an annual budget of $17 million. It expanded from a small regional nonprofit to a nationally recognized organization, forging and facilitating some of the most respected energy, climate, and industrial innovation forums in the country.”
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 MUSIC
NEXT MONTH: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “A Maple Grove musician is planning to spread some Christmas cheer this holiday season, but folks will have to bundle up for it. ‘I produce an event called ‘Grooves & Foods’ at Town Green every summer, and I thought, it would be great to do something like that in the winter,’ said Mick Sterling, a musician from Maple Grove.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4aanI7h
ORCHESTRA: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “Isaac Thompson was a serious violinist. He played in the Minnesota Youth Symphony and earned a master’s in violin performance from the University of Texas at Austin. But the Shoreview native apparently lacked—something. ‘A mentor of mine kind of gave me a dose of reality,’ he recalls, sitting in his small white office in downtown Minneapolis’ Orchestra Hall: ‘‘You know, you’re a decent violinist,’’ the mentor said, ‘‘but perhaps you should explore this other track.’’ He moved into management, and he’s been exceptional at it. Thompson started as president and CEO of the Minnesota Orchestra last month.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pozf7s
GOOD FUN
WALKER: Via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “A new exhibition designed for children but just as valuable for their play-starved grown-ups opened at the Walker Art Center on Nov. 20, turning museum galleries into playrooms. With climbable sculptures, interactive art stations, a giant jigsaw puzzle and kid-centric films, ‘Show and Tell: An Exhibition for Kids’ emphasizes play and discovery.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ivfQj1
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