Lynx eliminated. Vikings lose in Dublin. Twins lose to end the season
USA loses the Ryder Cup.
The Timberwolves have finalized their Training Camp roster, with media availabilities beginning Tuesday.
Spirit Airlines will discontinue service at MSP Airport by the end of the year. KARE: http://fluence-media.co/4nvL636
A church in Michigan was attacked yesterday, at least four victims are dead along with the suspected shooter. NBC: https://fluence-media.co/4gUhOZC
The president will meet leaders from both parties today for last-minute negotiations before a government shutdown. POLITICO: http://fluence-media.co/3WewNUs
Governor Tim Walz is in Dublin.
Sunday Take featured an extensive recap of the latest Minneapolis mayoral debate and what it could mean for the city’s future. LISTEN: http://fluence-media.co/3Iv9AdD
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After 40+ years in the legislature, Sen. Ann Rest is retiring at the end of her current term. On Sunday Take, an exit interview reflecting on her time in office and the shifts she’s seen over the years. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4gvKcki
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AMENDMENT: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz proposed a new option Saturday for addressing gun violence: A constitutional amendment to ban the sale and possession of assault rifles in the state. WALZ: “The state would have the voters take a vote because we know it’s super popular,” Walz said in a discussion with New York Times journalist Lulu Garcia-Navarro at the MinnPost Festival at Westminster Presbyterian Church in downtown Minneapolis… A possible constitutional amendment was news to House Speaker Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring. A Demuth spokesperson said Saturday that the idea had not been discussed in meetings the past few weeks between the governor and legislative leaders.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/46HzlQ1
SPECIAL SESSION: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “A few dozen gathered for a rally on the steps of the Minnesota Capitol on Saturday to demand state lawmakers convene a special session to address gun reform. Moms Demand Action, Students Demand Action, faith leaders, and parents and other members of the Annunciation Catholic School community led the ‘Don’t Look Away’ rally. The event was held exactly one month after a shooter opened fire at Annunciation Church and School. … The crowd called on state lawmakers to ban assault-type weapons and high-capacity magazines. Among them was St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter. Carter, earlier this month, stood with several mayors calling for the same statewide bans.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/3KiTzYT
MORE: via MPR, VERBATIM: “Gov. Tim Walz says he still plans to call a special session on firearm violence prevention, even if it means making some members of his party take tough votes. The governor told reporters [last week] that he’s still working with legislative leaders on a package of proposals spanning assault style and high-capacity magazine bans, mental health supports and school security funding. Republicans and some moderate Democrats have expressed apprehension about the proposed firearm bans.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3InQE0p
FRAUD: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Minnesota officials have suspended payments to providers of another Medicaid-funded program, citing ‘credible allegations of fraud.’ … Shireen Gandhi, temporary commissioner of the Department of Human Services (DHS), told state lawmakers that the department’s inspector general has found instances where providers billed for services under Minnesota’s Integrated Community Supports (ICS) program, but clients never received them. … In a letter to lawmakers Friday, Gandhi said the DHS has suspended payments to 11 program providers and 17 affiliated providers in different Medicaid-funded programs. … Rep. Dave Pinto, DFL-St. Paul, said the fraud committee had discussed possible malfeasance in the ICS program in a hearing last week. He said he was glad the DHS was halting payments. … Sen. Jordan Rasmusson, R-Fergus Falls, said Minnesotans with disabilities ‘deserve integrity, accountability and service, not being exploited to fund a criminal enterprise.’” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4nsNg3y
MORE: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “After years in hospitals, Brandon said his [ICS] home care services provider got him into a Maple Grove home with around-the-clock care in March. Now, the provider says he’s days away from going back to the ICU. … Larkin Hoffman Law Firm Shareholder Matthew Bergeron provides legislative and legal counsel for the Residential Providers Association of Minnesota. In an interview on Sunday, he said he’s heard of about 200 clients in similar situations. He said he’s largely unaware of why any of these payments were stopped. … Bergeron said, at the end of the day, ICS was created to get people out of the hospital, and now they may be headed back.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/3KIGyrs
DEMUTH: Speaker Lisa Demuth spoke to WCCO-TV yesterday to discuss a possible special session, the latest DHS fraud allegations and more. QUOTE: “The House Republicans, me as speaker, we’re ready to come in as soon as the governor does call the special session. … In the House, though, we have a very unique situation with the [67-67] tie. Anything that is done in committees, and then as it makes its way to the House floor, has to be bipartisan. … What most Minnesotans want, as you actually get into conversations, is they want our communities to be safe…and the way we approach that is very, very vast.” WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/4gIFdNj
MAYOR RACE: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and challenger state Sen. Omar Fateh repeatedly clashed Friday morning in the city’s first mayoral debate of the 2025 election. Five candidates sat side by side on stage for the debate. … But as the candidates spelled out their visions for downtown Minneapolis, public safety, and housing, the most intense exchanges came between the two elected officials on the panel: Fateh and Frey. Fateh repeatedly accused Frey of bullying his way through city business and creating an office that doesn’t work well with county and state partners. Frey, pointing to Fateh’s 2020 campaign for the state Senate, highlighted Fateh’s past support for defunding the Minneapolis police, a position Fateh has since moderated.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3IL8kmD
From Friday’s lunch take:
FREY/FATEH: via WCCO Radio, VERBATIM: “It was Frey and Fateh in the spotlight, the incumbent mayor touting successes in public safety and downtown revitalization, and the challenger critical from the opening statements. ‘It’s the same bullying tactics, not only with our residents, but with our city council members, and community, and has resulted in two terms of failure,’ said Fateh. Frey stood by his accomplishments, and bristled when Fateh suggested the Minneapolis City Council has been fair to him. ‘We need a civility in political discourse,’ said Frey. ‘We need to be able to talk to each other with respect.’” READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3IhWG2D
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MNLEG: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s District 34B officially has a new state representative. On Friday, Xp Lee was sworn in to fill the late Rep. Melissa Hortman’s seat. Lee formerly served on the Brooklyn Park City Council and came out ahead of Ruth Bittner in a special election. … His swearing-in means the Minnesota House of Representatives is again split 67-67 between the DFL and GOP. … Lee said he’s committed to upholding Hortman’s legacy.” LEE: “While I am honored, I have never lost sight of the tragedy that brought us to this moment. … I’m going to do everything I can to make a brighter future a reality for all of us.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/46pAvAI
GOV RACE: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell is moving closer to a run for Minnesota governor, saying he has re-established residency in the state after recently living in Texas. … Candidates for governor must live in the state for at least one year before the general election. In an interview [last] week, Lindell said he also has polled hypothetical matchups against DFL Gov. Tim Walz, who is seeking a third term, and other Republicans running for governor. ‘We’re about 99% there,’ Lindell said of a possible gubernatorial campaign.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4mAUb9p
TAKE: Mike Lindell in the Governor’s race would be a disaster for the Republican party’s hopes in 2026
ICE: via National News Desk, VERBATIM: “The White House released a list of nearly 30 elected officials — all of them Democrats — who the Trump Administration said incited violence against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents throughout the U.S. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker were at the top of the list, which was published just days after a suspect opened fire on an ICE facility in Texas. … One detainee was killed, and two others were critically wounded. No ICE personnel were hurt.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3KoeZ6Q
MORE: Via The White House, a press release titled “Democrats’ unhinged crusade against ICE fuels bloodshed” lists quotations from dozens of elected officials, including two Minnesotans, who voiced criticism of ICE or its agents. VERBATIM: “Gov. Tim Walz smeared ICE as the ‘modern-day Gestapo.’ … Rep. Ilhan Omar said ICE agents are ‘vile and beyond cruel,’ and that the agency should be abolished.” LIST: http://fluence-media.co/46IdI22
FBI: via CBS News, VERBATIM: “Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, said Sunday that she finds it ‘appalling’ that President Donald Trump alleged that the FBI had placed agents into the crowd as ‘agitators’ during the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. ‘They were brought in because we needed help,’ Klobuchar said. … FBI Director Kash Patel [has] clarified in a post on X on Saturday that 274 FBI agents ‘were thrown into crowd control’ on Jan. 6.” KLOBUCHAR: “Nowhere was it found that the FBI was acting as agitators. In fact, they were called in when there was such a delay in bringing in the military to assist.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/4nXC52I
BROADBAND: Comcast is rewriting the broadband playbook in the Twin Cities. From neighborhood networks to next-gen tech, we’re delivering community-first internet connectivity with no contracts, no surprises. The new Xfinity package means unlimited data, blazing-fast, reliable speeds and a 5-year price guarantee, plus free mobile for a year. It’s not the old Comcast — it’s a bold new era of connection. Let’s power the future, together. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/Comcast2025-1 (SPONSORED: Comcast)
BROADBAND: Comcast is rewriting the broadband playbook in the Twin Cities. From neighborhood networks to next-gen tech, we’re delivering community-first internet connectivity with no contracts, no surprises. The new Xfinity package means unlimited data, blazing-fast, reliable speeds and a 5-year price guarantee, plus free mobile for a year. It’s not the old Comcast — it’s a bold new era of connection. Let’s power the future, together. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/Comcast2025-1 (SPONSORED: Comcast)
CRAIG: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Rep. Angie Craig, a Democratic congresswoman representing a purple district in southern Minnesota and a candidate for U.S. Senate, appeared on the popular podcast ‘The Bulwark’ [last week], chatting with host Tim Miller about everything from Democrats in rural areas and a crunch on farm country, to why she showed up at a crypto summit this summer. … She also sent a message to the chamber she hopes to gain membership to, the U.S. Senate, in a stand-off that could lead to a shutdown.” QUOTE: “Don’t cave. Care more about democracy more than decorum over in the Senate.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/470Dv6E PODCAST: http://fluence-media.co/42NPrpR
FOOD BANKS: via AP News, VERBATIM: “Directors of food pantries say the task of making sure people are fed is getting harder because of diminishing food supplies, increasing demand and an overwhelming reliance on volunteers, many of whom are retirees with ages up into their 80s. … Younger volunteers are increasingly seeking out what the Minnesota Alliance of Nonprofit Advancement calls ‘event-based’ volunteering — one-time efforts with no commitment to future shifts. … Second Harvest Heartland in Minnesota had to turn away thousands of pounds of food in early September because the country’s second-largest food bank didn’t have enough people to sort and package it, volunteer engagement director Julie Greene said. As a result, food pantries in Minnesota and western Wisconsin had less food to give out.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3IEvyee
NONPROFITS: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “The White House [announced] the possible prosecution of non-governmental organizations and foundations that the Trump Administration determines support political violence. The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits sent a statement to its more than 2,000 members [last] week warning that ‘nonprofits face a new round of threats as the White House blames ‘radical left NGOs’ for political violence despite no evidence.’” STATEMENT: “While the Administration may claim they are only targeting the nonprofits who support domestic terrorists, they’re setting the stage for a completely subjective execution of political power.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4nB64xx
SEX ED: via Office of the Atty. General, VERBATIM: “Today, Attorney General Keith Ellison co-led a coalition of states in suing the federal government in response to threats from the Trump Administration to pull funding for longstanding teen reproductive and sexual health education programs from states unless educators avoid any language affirming young people’s gender identity or acknowledging a spectrum of gender identities. The 16-state coalition, plus the District of Columbia, is suing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) over this cruel, arbitrary, and illegal effort to deny support to young people for purely political reasons. The states of Washington and Oregon are co-leading the lawsuit alongside Minnesota.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4pLCoiE
SUMMER SAVINGS: via Xcel Energy, VERBATIM: “Home cooling can account for about half of your summertime electric bill. Here are five simple, effective ways to boost energy efficiency in your home and save money.
1. Ceiling fans cool you, not the room.
2. When away, adjust your thermostat.
3. Hot air belongs outside.
4. Cook smarter to stay cooler.
5. Let nature dry your clothes — plus, your chores can wait until evening.”
(SPONSORED: Xcel Energy)
USPS: via a Rep. Angie Craig press release, VERBATIM: “Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig demanded answers from the United States Postal Service (USPS) leadership on the status of the new New Prague post office following reports from a local news organization that their newspapers were not being delivered to their subscribers on time. In a letter to USPS Postmaster General David Steiner and MN-ND District Manager Angela Bye, Rep. Craig wrote, ‘I write to you to express my strong concern regarding reports of continued poor mail delivery performance in New Prague, Minnesota, and request further clarification regarding the timeline for the opening of the new Post Office location in New Prague, Minnesota.’” LETTER: http://fluence-media.co/3KKJHaf
JUDGE: via Office of the Governor, VERBATIM: “Governor Tim Walz today announced the appointment of Stefanie Menning as a District Court Judge in Minnesota’s Fifth Judicial District. Menning will replace the Honorable Allison L. Krehbiel and will be chambered in St. Peter in Nicollet County. … Menning is an assistant county attorney in the Scott County Attorney’s Office.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3WdRDTY
DUCKS: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “As the duck hunting season opens in Minnesota this weekend, the state Department of Natural Resources says waterfowl populations are slightly higher than they were a year ago. But the DNR says the populations are significantly lower than they were years ago as waterfowl habitat dries up. Dry conditions across Minnesota this past year have reduced the amount of wetlands in the state, which waterfowl need to breed. Even with less of its vital habitat, bird populations remain steady from the previous year, thanks to last-minute rainfall during the nesting season.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/42LWmQs
ST PAUL: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “When St. Paul officials find that a landlord has allowed a property to fall into disrepair or failed to abide by the city’s rent control ordinance, or an employer is not offering paid sick time, there’s precious few tools at their disposal. They can yank a business license or a fire certificate of occupancy, leaving workers unemployed and tenants homeless, or file lawsuits or criminal charges, initiating a court process that may take years to resolve. [But] St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter is fully on board with a long-standing effort to amend the city charter and allow the city council to roll out administrative citations, or non-criminal fines for those who break city ordinances. … Amending the city charter to allow the council to craft administrative citations now falls to voters, who will find a question to that effect on their Nov. 4 ballots.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3IMl6kO
FRIDLEY: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “One of Minnesota’s few inpatient addiction treatment units will close in a few months. Nurses say some will suffer due to the decision by Allina Health, but healthcare system leaders say this type of care has evolved. … Allina Health says the clinic will close on Feb. 20, 2026, but adds the ‘majority of patients requiring medical detox services will continue to access services through general admission at both campuses of Mercy Hospital, as well as through medical units and outpatient services’ throughout its system.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/4gMsx8m
HASTINGS: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Founded in 1858, the Hastings Police Department will soon bid farewell to its 56th chief of police. Hastings Police Chief David D. Wilske has announced his plans to retire after working nearly 30 years in law enforcement. Wilske’s retirement will be effective March 31, 2026, according to a city news release. … The city of Hastings will begin preparations for a leadership transition in the coming months, with details to follow.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4nMj8zU
70-YEAR LEGACY OF CONTINUOUS TRANSFORMATION: Innovation has been synonymous with the Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery since it was established 70 years ago. Today, Pine Bend operates with cutting-edge leak detection technologies, the largest solar installation of its kind, a community-driven water-recycling system, and numerous other advancements. These innovations have allowed Pine Bend to produce more of the fuels and other products we all need, while continually finding ways to use fewer resources and minimize emissions. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3VASKg4 (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
DULUTH: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “A recent study of Duluth’s housing market shows what many home buyers and renters in Duluth and many greater Minnesota communities are experiencing firsthand — the housing market is tight and increasingly expensive, whether you’re looking to buy or rent. The report from Maxfield Research and Consulting shows the city needs to add nearly 9,000 housing units of all types by 2035 — nearly triple the number of units the same group estimated the city needed to add in its previous study conducted in 2019.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/42eBQrz
SARTELL: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “Niron Magnetics broke ground Friday on a 190,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Sartell, representing the largest private investment for the city in decades. The groundbreaking event drew hundreds of people and even pulled together leaders from opposite sides of the political spectrum, including Gov. Tim Walz and U.S. Representative and Majority Whip Tom Emmer. … The facility is expected to create 175 high-tech manufacturing jobs in the initial stages and could eventually expand to more than 300 employees. … The facility is expected to open by the end of 2028.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/46FwiaW
BEMIDJI: via Bemidji Pioneer, VERBATIM: “During a joint informational meeting between Northern Township and Bemidji on Aug. 28, Bemidji made a final offer to bring both parties back to the negotiation table to avoid the upcoming contested boundary trial. Northern Township rejected Bemidji’s offer and countered with its own on Sept. 9. Then, [last week], the Bemidji City Council formally declined Northern Township’s counteroffer. Since neither offer was approved, the two municipalities will continue with the contested boundary trial that formally opened July 15 and will reconvene on Monday, Sept. 29, with two dedicated weeks of court time.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3KsbhZO
TODAY: The Minneapolis DFL announced that on Monday, Sept. 29, the state party will hear an appeal of the vote to revoke Sen. Omar Fateh’s mayoral endorsement earlier this year. The hearing is open to the public and starts at 6:00 p.m.
TODAY: Governor Tim Walz will attend a roundtable with the Minnesota Vikings, the NFL, and Mayo Clinic. Later in the morning, he will meet with His Excellency Simon Harris, Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister), Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Minister for Defence. Governor Walz will then tour the Parliament and attend a luncheon with Irish Parliamentarians. In the evening, he will participate in a roundtable at University College Dublin and attend a Minnesota delegation reception.
WEDNESDAY: The Minnesota Senate’s subcommittee on federal impacts will hold a hearing at 12:00 noon to discuss “changes to eligibility and funding cuts to SNAP by federal action,” among other hunger-related topics. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/3VFpUve
THURSDAY: via a Senate DFL advisory, VERBATIM: “Senator Bobby Joe Champion (DFL-Minneapolis) and Reps. Esther Agbaje (59B) and Fue Lee (59A) will host a Town Hall Meeting for constituents on Thursday, October 2 at the Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center [in] Minneapolis. Dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m., followed by discussion of current issues from 6:15 to 8 p.m.”
BDAYS: Carver County’s Tom Workman, Minneapolis City Councilor Linea Palmisano, journalist Kevyn Burger
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