Isaiah Rodgers earned the first PFF perfect grade for his Sunday performance. SI: https://fluence-media.co/46AlJWD
Lynx President Carley Knox and Coach Cheryl Reeve have joined Minnesota Aurora FC as investors. SEE: http://fluence-media.co/3Ke4va6
Fmr. Sen. Nicole Mitchell is scheduled to be sentenced today.
The Trump Administration is recommending that pregnant women avoid Tylenol due to a new Harvard study — but one of the study’s authors says they’re “jumping the gun.” NPR: https://fluence-media.co/4mAbTtV
ABC has ended Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension, putting his show back on the air tonight. CNBC: https://fluence-media.co/3Kyrrki
Former KSTP anchor Stan Turner has passed away after a three-year battle with cancer. KSTP: http://fluence-media.co/46jWhpz
Today is National Great American Pot Pie Day.
Blois - tips: bloisolson@gmail.com
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
AUDIENCE: Sponsorships are available to reach over 30,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheets and website, TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com.
CAPITOL: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “The Advisory Committee on Capitol Security met for just the second time since the shootings of two Minnesota state lawmakers in their homes in June. The committee is working on recommendations to forward to the full Minnesota Legislature. … The committee heard a presentation from the National Conference of State Legislatures on how other states handle security at their state capitols. Of the 42 states that responded to a questionnaire, 33 have metal detectors and nine do not, including Minnesota. … The security committee also received an update from the Minnesota State Patrol regarding the hiring of additional Capitol security officers and the assignment of more troopers to the Capitol.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/4gCpnE5
MORE: via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “Among the ideas in focus for the Minnesota panel, which includes a bipartisan slate of lawmakers, DFL Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and state Supreme Court Chief Justice Natalie Hudson, are limiting firearms at the Capitol and installing metal detectors. … FLANAGAN: ‘I thought it was fairly overwhelming that 33 capitols across the country have some type of screenings or metal detectors…but what the actual details look like here for Minnesota, we'll need to talk about that as an advisory committee.’ … Rep. Jim Nash, R-Waconia, who has been a part of the advisory panel for 11 years, urged caution before making any judgments so early in the process. … NASH: ‘I don't think we have the votes to bring metal detectors and screenings in. There's a long way to go.’” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/46uTDMj
MORE: via Survey USA/KSTP, VERBATIM: “Meanwhile, according to results of our exclusive new KSTP/SurveyUSA poll, 79% of Minnesotans surveyed say metal detectors should be installed, while just 9% say they should not.”
KIRK: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Turning Point USA’s ‘The American Comeback Tour’ stopped in Minneapolis at the University of Minnesota on Monday with conservative personality Michael Knowles stepping in for Charlie Kirk, the Turning Point founder who was assassinated while speaking at a Utah college campus Sept. 10. Minnesota was the first stop since Kirk’s death for the nationwide tour of college campuses. … The U confirmed that the attendance count for the event was 1,673 people, [while] nearly 100 people had gathered outside Mayday Books on Cedar Avenue to protest. … In the aftermath of Kirk’s death, Knowles [said] ‘We should forgive our enemies who trespass against us and prevent them from trespassing again in the future.’ … Knowles pointed out that Kirk’s wife, Erika, has forgiven the assassin. Meanwhile, Knowles said, the state of Utah is pursuing the death penalty. ‘There is no contradiction between those two things,’ he said.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/46k3ENL
STUDENTS: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “For Gen Z, [Charlie Kirk’s] assassination adds to an already polarized campus climate. … ‘That could have happened literally where we’re sitting right now,’ said Benjamin Lindeen, 23, who graduated from [UMN] last spring. … The challenges Generation Z is facing, from a bleak economic future to loneliness and rates of depression, do not help, according to Lindeen. These factors make buying into radical and polarizing content easier. ‘It’s kind of like a disease of despair,’ Lindeen said. … At Minnesota’s flagship university, 41% of students said it is acceptable in at least rare cases to use violence to stop someone from speaking on campus.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4nhDT6N
MSU: via a Rep. Brad Finstad press release, VERBATIM: “Today, Rep. Brad Finstad (MN-01), once again called on Minnesota State University, Mankato to demand the immediate resignation of Professor Kevin Parsneau following repeated instances of inflammatory comments. … Finstad condemned Parsneau’s latest comments in the wake of the tragic assassination of Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk. On social media, Parsneau referred to Kirk as a ‘POS who died of the violence he promoted happening to others,’ and later added, ‘Ignoring that racist POS is the only thing the Vikings did right Sunday… In 2024, Parsneau drew national attention after posting that it would be “disappointing if (UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s assassin) was a one-off killer instead of a serial killer.” After which, Finstad called for the University to demand his resignation.’” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3Vv7Y6t
TAKE: Imagine being a political science student at Minnesota State Mankato and having a debate with Parsneau in class and wondering how he might grade or treat you as a student. I’m recalling some of my toughest professors, but never would they have taken this tone. You have a professor supporting violence – seems like a line too far, even for academia.
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VACCINES: via an MDH press release, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) today announced it is endorsing existing COVID-19 vaccine recommendations from professional medical associations for the 2025-26 vaccine. … Focusing on recommendations from these professional medical associations is a departure from prior years when the agency primarily relied on promoting federal vaccine recommendations. MDH is making this change to provide recommendations for Minnesotans seeking science-based decision-making guidance. … The department also issues [a] standing order/protocol giving pharmacists the option to provide COVID-19 vaccines to patients.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4myVDJE
MORE: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “The [guidance] recommends that all people over 6 months old should have the option of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine without additional barriers. The vaccine is strongly recommended by the associations for children under two years, pregnant women, children and adults with high-risk conditions, and adults age 65 and older. MDH also issued a protocol that ‘empowers pharmacists to offer COVID-19 vaccination broadly.’” READ: http://fluence-media.co/425uc2C
CONGRESS: GOP Rep. Tom Emmer has shared a letter sent by DFL members of the Minnesota House and Senate to members of the state’s U.S. congressional delegation. In the letter, dated Sept. 18, the DFLers urged their federal counterparts to vote against a continuing resolution to fund the government and “oppose any budget that enables the erosion of democratic norms, harms vulnerable communities, or advances the authoritarian tactics of the Trump Administration.” Emmer responded on social media that enabling a government shutdown would “protect illegal aliens, crime, and fraud.” LETTER: http://fluence-media.co/3W8RLE9
DESPITE THE CHALLENGES OF RURAL HEALTH CARE, ESSENTIA IS RECOGNIZED FOR PROVIDING TOP CLINICAL CARE: According to the latest report from Minnesota Community Measurement, a statewide resource on health care quality, costs and equity, Essentia ranked as a high performer with 19 of 20 clinical quality metrics scoring above statewide averages. According to Dr. Maria Beaver, chief quality and patient safety officer at Essentia: “This is a testament to the amazing care provided by all our clinical care teams and all our colleagues who support them.” LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4dCxy1D (SPONSORED: Essentia Health)
ENCAMPMENT: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “Negotiations took a step backwards Monday between the City of Minneapolis and the man who owns a property that turned into a homeless encampment. Last week, the city and Hamoudi Sabri told a judge they were close to a resolution, so he put off deciding whether to give the city a restraining order. … [However], Sabri wanted a resolution to the court case with the city within 30 days. The city wanted up to 90 days, taking the fight into December and past the mayoral election. The camp is currently clean, and the case is now back in a judge's hands. With negotiations ended, his ruling could come at any time.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/4pCtOCU
MORE: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “City attorneys are urging Judge Thomas Conley to make his decision whether to issue an injunction against Sabri, whose property was the site of a shooting injuring seven people last week. ‘The parties had a fulsome discussion but were unable to come to any substantive agreements on the underlying situation and the legal claims involving encampments on Defendants’ properties,’ Assistant City Attorney Sharda Enslin wrote in a status update to Judge Conley.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/3IAudFe
REFERENDUMS: Via KSTP, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) shared a complete list of school districts in the state that will ask voters for additional taxpayer funding through ballot referendums this November. Dozens of districts are requesting levy increases to cover expenses related to infrastructure, technology, security and more. DATA: http://fluence-media.co/3KhioEn
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)
SOLAR: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Even as the Trump Administration retreats on the nation’s clean energy ambitions, the economics of solar power — now the least expensive form of electricity in many places — is winning over some skeptics in rural America. After hearing about the savings, the Pelican Rapids City Council members [voted] unanimously. Pelican Rapids, a city of just 2,600 people, would install its first solar system, [and] eight more towns were about to do the same. … U.S. energy costs are rising more than twice as fast as inflation, according to the Energy Information Administration. That, too, likely is influencing the adoption of solar in rural America, said Barry Rabe, a former environmental policy professor.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4nQibqp
PLASTIC: via WCCO Radio, VERBATIM: “The State of Minnesota is starting to address the plastics problem closer to home, but they're only at the beginning stages of understanding how deep the issue even is. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says a state-funded report detailing just how many microplastics are in Minnesota’s surface, drinking, and groundwater is expected to be released next year, marking the first statewide snapshot of its kind. State Hydrologist David Duffey says because this is still an ‘emerging issue,’ they're working to understand the scope of the problem before proposing any regulations to the Minnesota Legislature in 2026.” READ/LISTEN: http://fluence-media.co/4290vxL
PFAS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Two of the oldest and most toxic PFAS chemicals will remain in a federal cleanup law, keeping the onus for the industrial pollution on the companies that created it, the Environmental Protection Agency has decided. … EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has pushed to shrink the size of the agency, [but] said he had ‘heard loud and clear from the American people, from Congress, and from local municipalities about this particular issue.’ … One question that remains with the EPA’s latest decision is how the cleanup law will be applied to municipal wastewater treatment facilities. … Elizabeth Wefel, an attorney who represents greater Minnesota utilities, [said] the agency has signaled it will not enforce cleanup law against water treatment plants as Congress works on a law that would shield them from liability.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4gFdTzC
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)
DOWNTOWN: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “If the Minnesota Legislature doesn’t come through next year with funding for a top-to-bottom renovation of the recently-renamed Grand Casino Arena in downtown St. Paul, what’s the likelihood of the [Wild] moving? … Matt Majka, chief executive officer of the Minnesota Wild, [said] ‘St. Paul is our home. We believe in this city and we’re going to make it happen.’ … Majka joined St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter and representatives of the city council, the St. Paul Downtown Alliance, Securian, Sherman Associates, the St. Paul Saints, the St. Paul Area Chamber and Morrissey Hospitality for an hour-long forum on the future of downtown St. Paul. … The forum drew consensus among the group that the capital city’s historic downtown draws thousands of visitors when major events are happening at Grand Casino Arena, Rice Park and Mears Park, but it struggles to draw outsiders when there aren’t.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3IB8VqX
ST PAUL: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “St. Paul voters will get to weigh in this election on a charter amendment that would allow the City Council to issue fines for ordinance violations. … Supporters of the ballot measure, including St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, say the ability to issue fines is a necessary middle ground, as the charter presently only allows for criminal penalties when people don’t follow the rules. That’s unusual for major Minnesota cities, including Minneapolis, where administrative fines are a tool for enforcement. … If the charter amendment passes, the council would be able to implement fines in 90 days and would need to consider and pass fines for each ordinance separately.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4mrZbx6
MPLS: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “After five years, the future of the Minneapolis third precinct, burned in the days after George Floyd's murder, is now clearer. Renderings of the potential plans were shown to a Minneapolis City Council committee Monday afternoon. Those plans include an addition to the west side of the building. … The council unanimously approved a contract with an architecture firm to design plans for the site. … Construction is anticipated to begin in early 2026, and will continue into early 2027.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/4mOrNRD
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)
RAMSEY CTY: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “AFSCME union members representing Ramsey County workers are opposing the county’s proposal to close its Detox and Withdrawal Management Program. … The [unions] called on the county to reconsider the closure in order ‘to prioritize community health and safety over short-term budgetary decisions.’ … County officials earlier this month shared their proposed budget for 2026 and 2027 which includes closing the program on Dec. 31 if the budget is approved. The proposed budget also includes the reduction of 43 staff positions, most of whom work for the program. Those services would then transition to community providers, according to county officials.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/47Q3lLI
STEARNS CTY: via St. Cloud Live, VERBATIM: “Stearns County commissioners will review the county’s flexible work policy at its Tuesday, Sept. 23, meeting. The policy was previously discussed in a work session over the summer, where commissioners Jeff Bertram and Joe Perske raised questions about its effectiveness. The commissioners will also…consider approving the 2026 preliminary budget and property tax levy.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/46uEWJe
WASECA CTY: via a Sen. Tina Smith press release, VERBATIM: “Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced an award for Waseca County to strengthen workforce training and development. The award will be used to develop a new manufacturing workforce training facility in Waseca, Minnesota. The new center will house classrooms, a mechatronics skills training area, and a computer numerical control (CNC) training area. The project will create 50 jobs.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/48qy6qM
WATER PARK: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Mall of America and Bloomington officials are nearing a financing agreement that would pave the way for a $338 million water park nearly eight years in the making. Why it matters: MOA officials believe the massive indoor water park would help maintain the mall's status as a major destination. But that effort was sidetracked for years due to COVID, ballooning construction costs and heightened interest rates that made borrowing almost impossible. This appears to be a breakthrough.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gTexK9
40 YEARS OF PARTNERSHIP: Flint Hills Resources and Ducks Unlimited (DU) are celebrating 40 years of partnership, a longevity landmark that makes Flint Hills one of DU's longest-standing corporate partners. Working together over the past four decades, Flint Hills and DU have contributed to conserving more than 250,000 acres of wildlife habitat and natural areas in Minnesota and over 900,000 acres across North America. LEARN MORE: Flint Hills Resources and Ducks Unlimited Celebrate 40 Years of Partnership (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery)
CROOKSTON: via a Sen. Tina Smith press release, VERBATIM: “Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced an award for the city of Crookston to upgrade infrastructure in the city’s east side industrial park. The new infrastructure will include a roadway, water, and wastewater lines that will add 73 acres of developable lots to the industrial park. The project will create 75 jobs.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4nDSskI
OTSEGO: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Property taxes in one Minnesota city could go up 19%. The Otsego City Council [took] a first vote on the increase on Monday night. City Administrator Adam Flaherty says the increase is because Otesgo is starting its own fire department and building a new fire station. … The Otsego City Council will take a final vote on the tax hike in December.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3VyuQ54
SCANDIA: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “It’s been more than 15 years since the Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota began purchasing easements from property owners to extend the popular Gateway Trail into Scandia. Now, that work is finally coming to fruition. City officials next month expect to approve the plans and specifications for a trailhead on city-owned land near Meister’s Bar & Grill along with a tunnel under Oakhill Road (Washington County Road 52) and a one-mile trail connecting the two, said City Administrator Kyle Morell. The estimated cost of the project is $4.6 million. Construction could start in May and should be complete by the end of 2026, he said.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4282hPE
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
POT: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Whether it comes from courtrooms or the Capitol, Minnesota’s cannabis laws look in need of clarification in response to wide interpretations by cities. Local governments by law can cap the number of cannabis retailers, place restrictions on where businesses are located and set hours of operation. Prohibition is a step too far — [but] cities are using the law’s language, or finding areas not addressed by the law, to achieve similar ends, however, raising questions that may end up being hashed out by judges or lawmakers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3I8cgOg
ENROLLMENT: MPR News looked at rising enrollment in Minnesota universities, including at University of Minnesota Rochester, which saw an 80% increase in first-year enrollment over last year. VERBATIM: “UMR president Lori Carrell said the big surge in enrollment is due to a lot of factors. Last year, she said enrollment was down due to confusion around changes to the college financial aid program. From 2020-2023, enrollment fluctuated in part due to the pandemic. But Carrell said the school recently revamped its recruitment strategy, focusing on students who are naturally passionate about health care, and who might not otherwise have access to college.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3VOgsG9
E15: via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee is looking to avoid a repeat of last year’s failure to pass year-round nationwide E15 legislation. Minnesota Democrat Angie Craig tells Brownfield she’s optimistic lawmakers can find a pathway before the end of 2025.” CRAIG: “But we’ve been here before. At the end of the year last year, we thought we were going to be able to finally get this across the finish line, and it got ripped out of the bill at the last moment. So again, Republicans are going to have to step up and fight for this.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/46hUBwL
TODAY: via Office of the Governor, VERBATIM: “Governor Tim Walz will host a roundtable [today] to highlight how President [Donald] Trump’s H.R.1 will spike health care costs for Minnesotans. Insurer filings show premiums are set to jump 16.2% in the individual market and 12.7% in the small group market, the steepest increases since 2017. Rates will be announced October 1, and families are expected to pay more starting January 1.” The event is at 11:15 a.m.
TODAY: via an MN House advisory, VERBATIM: “On Tuesday, September 23, the House Capital Investment Committee will begin their first regional tour of the fall, starting with communities in Northwest Minnesota. This bipartisan tour will visit sites of proposed investment in state infrastructure, which will be considered for inclusion in a 2026 Capital Investment Bill.”
THURSDAY: The state Senate’s Judiciary and Public Safety committee will meet at 10:30 a.m. to provide an update on the closure of Minnesota Correctional Facility - Stillwater. DETAILS: http://fluence-media.co/46g6XFE
FRIDAY: via Citizens League, VERBATIM: “Citizens League is proud to host a 2025 Minneapolis Mayoral Candidate debate on Friday, September 26. This debate is presented in partnership with the Minneapolis Regional Chamber and the Minneapolis Downtown Council, and will be co-moderated by Mary Lahammer, Political Reporter & Anchor, Twin Cities PBS; and Blois Olson, Sunday Take Host, WCCO Radio and CEO, Fluence Media.”
BDAYS: MN Grocer’s Pat Garofalo, Rep. Mike Freiberg, Rep. Jim Nash, KTTC’s Robin Wolfram, Team Emmer’s Jen Niska, fmr. KARE 11 GM John Remes
Send us your tips at BloisOlson@gmail.com
IN MEMORIAM: morning take from now to the future is in memory of Melissa Hortman her accessibility, leadership and commitment to public service.
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