Wild win. Wolves lose (preseason)
The Twin Cities Marathon raised a record-high $1.4 million for charity this year. PIPRESS: http://fluence-media.co/3Wom9Lf
“Fancy Taco Bell’s” are coming to MN? BIZJOURNAL: https://fluence-media.co/4q5g6c5
News organizations across the political spectrum are refusing to sign the Pentagon’s new, more restrictive press policy. AXIOS: http://fluence-media.co/47nwvB5
Speaker Mike Johnson now predicts that the ongoing shutdown could become the longest in U.S. history. AP: http://fluence-media.co/4h8ooeZ
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From Sunday Take, State Demographer Susan Brower warns of slow growth and increased pressure on public budgets. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/42Bprhz
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DEMUTH: Sources say that Republican Speaker Lisa Demuth is inching closer to announcing a run for Governor. DeMuth is being recruited by some Republicans to enter the race. One historical dynamic doesn’t apply to Demuth – the tension to stay the legislative leader and run statewide. The reason: Republicans will not want to re-open the power sharing agreement in the House based on the tie with the DFL. That will avoid an internal caucus debate.
GOV RACE: via MPR, VERBATIM: “Republican Scott Jensen’s second run for Minnesota governor sounds like it’ll be influenced a lot by his first — a loss in 2022. The doctor and former state lawmaker said on MPR [that] he’s spent a lot of time assessing what went wrong. ‘I feel much more prepared this time. I’ve learned a lot,’ he said. … He criticized DFL Gov. Tim Walz’s calls for a special session after the Annunciation School and Church without having the votes to do so. … Jensen also said he plans to stay in the governor’s race through the primary next August, even if another candidate wins the party’s endorsement at the state convention.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4h9zuAw
SHUTDOWN: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “The first program in Minnesota to feel the impact of the federal government shutdown is one that helps enroll people in the food stamp program. Funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Outreach Program ended Oct. 1, the first day of the shutdown. The program, run largely by non-profits, helps eligible individuals and families access SNAP benefits. … The Trump Administration had asked Minnesota for a revised SNAP outreach plan, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture…did not approve it before the government shuttered, said Patrick Hogan, a spokesman for Minnesota Management and Budget. ‘Therefore, we have no access to fund it,’ Hogan said.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4haiiuK
LAYOFFS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The government shutdown is now stretching into another week, and there’s no end in sight. … Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought announced on Friday that layoffs were about to start and more than 4,000 federal workers would be at risk. … Ruark Hotopp, the national vice president of AFGE District 8, which represents many of the state’s federal employees, [said] he wasn’t yet aware of any layoff notices going out to federal workers in Minnesota, but the Environmental Protection Agency and Housing and Urban Development offices had told staffers that layoff notices were coming.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/48ZTBim
MSP: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport continues to operate smoothly despite the federal government shutdown…but it faces a test with a busy travel week. The Metropolitan Airports Commission, which owns and operates the airport, said in a statement that MSP airlines and the MAC have increased staffing levels for the heavy travel expected this week, when many families will be travelling with students out of school beginning Wednesday due to the annual Minnesota Educator Academy conference.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3J9SwKn
MORE: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “The airport expects about 19 percent more people coming through than usual between Wednesday and Sunday. Thursday is the anticipated busiest day, with 52,000 people expected to pass through security. … Extra staff will be working the information kiosks and guiding travelers through lobby areas. The airport has also added an extra pickup and drop-off lane in the Terminal 1 departures area.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4q8GgKJ
RESPONSE: via WCCO Radio, VERBATIM: “Minnesota DFL lawmakers are denouncing the ongoing government shutdown ahead of a busy MEA travel weekend. DFL leaders including state Rep. Emma Greenman joined community members in voicing concern over potential travel disruptions at MSP Airport because of the shutdown. … As the shutdown drags into its third week, Senator Zaynab Mohamed says it’s gone on too long and Minnesotans deserve better.” READ/LISTEN: http://fluence-media.co/4hfnFsI
HOSPITALS: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s hospitals thought they had a great idea to increase the money they receive for treating Medicaid patients by leveraging federal dollars. But the One Big Beautiful Bill Act threatens to shred that plan. … The at-risk proposal was approved by the state Legislature in June, and hospitals hoped it would bring them $1 billion in increased revenues every year. … A study by the American Hospital Association found that hospitals were paid just 88 cents for every dollar spent caring for Medicaid patients. … Yet the plan to raise hospital provider taxes ran into trouble when the One Big Beautiful Bill Act banned new provider taxes and capped existing provider taxes at 3.5%. … The previous cap on provider taxes for states like Minnesota was 6%.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/48nNMet
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HARRASMENT: via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “The Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) says it will review its internal policies after a protest by Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) members during an Essentia Health leadership meeting last week…Northern News Now received individual videos of the confrontation from the DECC, Essentia and the MNA. It shows MNA members confronting and chanting “shame” at Essentia workers who were attending the Essentia Health Leadership Conference on Oct. 7….According to the DECC, the protest was not approved or communicated to staff beforehand and created what officials described as a “verbally hostile environment.”… The DECC described the incident as the first time in its nearly 60-year history that one group renting a space disrupted another’s activities…Essentia Health also condemned the demonstration, calling it “unacceptable behavior from the MNA.” WATCH/READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qai5eY
(DISCLOSURE: Essentia is a client / sponsor of Fluence)
MPLS MAYOR: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The Israel-Hamas war hasn’t been core to the stump speeches, campaign flyers or social media messages of Mayor Jacob Frey or state Sen. Omar Fateh, his leading challenger, in the runup to this fall’s contest for Minneapolis mayor. But it’s there. … [The] war has exacerbated tensions between progressives and establishment Democrats all over the country. It’s a divide reflected in the positions of the city’s two leading candidates for mayor and underscored by their backgrounds: Frey is Jewish and Fateh is Muslim. … Fateh was an early critic of Israel’s response to the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas. He has called it genocide against Palestinians. Meanwhile, Frey has mostly tried to avoid the issue. A campaign spokesman said the mayor doesn’t think foreign policy should be a focus in city elections.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/477zlJd
STP MAYOR: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “While [Kaohly] Her and [Melvin] Carter are the bigger names in the [St. Paul mayor] race, there are three other challengers who are also making their mark. Yan Chen, a scientist who previously ran for a city council seat, believes the city’s budget has gotten out of control. She would like to see public safety looked at more broadly and would like district councils to have more direct input on city governance. … Mike Hilborn, a St. Paul business owner and second chance employer, says the city needs to cut both property and sales taxes, [and] do more to combat crime and expand shelter access. … Adam Dullinger, a licensed professional engineer and self-described urbanist, would like to reduce the city’s reliance on tax increment financing districts to attract businesses [and] think more about design and livability, such as adding pedestrian malls downtown.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3KT3zrP
CITY COUNCIL: via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “All 13 Minneapolis City Council wards are up for election this year, with around four dozen candidates vying for the seats. … A veto-proof progressive majority controls the City Council, but that could change if some moderate candidates win this election. Among the most highly watched races are Ward 5 [and] Ward 8. … Moderate Pearll Warren and progressive Ethrophic Burnett are seen as the leading contenders in a fairly crowded race for Ward 5. Progressive Soren Stevenson and moderate Josh Bassais are leading candidates for Ward 8. … Sahan Journal asked the candidates questions about key issues, including public safety, immigration policy, funding for a proposed new Timberwolves arena and the loss of federal funding from President Donald Trump’s administration.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3IWynrg
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)
COLUMBUS: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “It’s been more than five years since protesters tore down a statue of Christopher Columbus outside the Minnesota State Capitol, and Republican lawmakers in Washington want to know if it will ever return. In a letter sent to Gov. Tim Walz on Monday — recognized federally as Columbus Day — Reps. Tom Emmer, Brad Finstad, Michelle Fischbach and Pete Stauber asked if Minnesota is still in possession of the statue and whether there are any plans to display it to the public again. … The representatives also urged the governor to ‘ensure that state property and historical monuments are treated with the respect and legal protections they deserve.’” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/477zFrx
MORE: via New York Times, VERBATIM: “Columbus statues became a battleground in the wider confrontation over public monuments in 2020 during the racial justice protests that erupted after the murder of George Floyd. In the span of four months, more than 30 — including one in St. Paul — were dismantled [or] removed. … The Christopher Columbus statue that protestors toppled over on the state Capitol grounds in St. Paul in June 2020 remains in storage, according to the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/473fUkK
MORE: Via Rep. Michelle Fischbach, the letter to the governor is available online. EXCERPT: “While we recognize that Christopher Columbus has become a subject of debate in recent years, it is important to remember the significance his legacy holds for generations of Italian Americans. … Restoring the Columbus statue would signal Minnesota’s commitment to preserving history, honoring lawful process, and rejecting acts of vandalism as a means of political expression.” LETTER: http://fluence-media.co/4mYSG5b
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)
EPSTEIN: via Washington Examiner, VERBATIM: “House GOP leadership won’t push Republicans to vote against a bill to release all of the files related to Jeffrey Epstein when it inevitably comes to the floor after the government shutdown. Leaders don’t normally whip against privileged motions, Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) told the Washington Examiner, and the pending Epstein discharge petition…will not be an exception.” EMMER: “Whatever happens, happens. That is not the most important thing to Americans today. … As far as I’m concerned, it’s a non-issue. Whatever will be, will be.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/48sSTtZ
NY AG: via Office of the Atty. General, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison today joined a coalition of 22 attorneys general…in condemning the Trump Administration’s retaliatory prosecution of New York Attorney General Letitia James.” STATEMENT: “Since a New York state judge found Donald Trump liable for years of business fraud and illegal dealings in a case led by Attorney General James, Mr. Trump has repeatedly broadcast his desire to arrest and prosecute her. … None of us, whether our states’ top legal officials or members of the public, should stand idly by while justice is upended and this president uses the criminal legal system to pursue his personal vendettas.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4om3cVm
PROTESTS: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Another mass protest of the Trump Administration is taking place this weekend at hundreds of sites nationwide, including 69 cities across Minnesota. Nearly 20 ‘No Kings’ rallies are planned in the Twin Cities on Saturday. Another 52 events will happen in other parts of the state. About 2,500 events are planned throughout the country on Saturday.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3KSIygW
OCT 30: via AgriGrowth, VERBATIM: “Economic data from the first quarter of 2025 showed that Minnesota’s GDP decreased by 2.42% from the previous year, driven by mounting challenges in the agriculture industry. Minnesota’s agriculture and food sector has been a cornerstone of the state’s economic growth, often mitigating or cushioning recessions. To strengthen our agriculture and food economy, change is required. Minnesota AgriGrowth’s fall summit will continue the hard questions being asked at kitchen tables and board rooms: ‘How do we build a robust agriculture and food economy in Minnesota by 2040?’” AGENDA: https://fluence-media.co/3L2utxu (SPONSORED: AgriGrowth)
DWI: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Officials with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) are making changes to testing for suspected drunk drivers, as nearly 300 drunk driving tests are set to be reviewed. On Monday evening, BCA officials laid out new details about the problems used to check a person’s blood alcohol level. Human errors with the testing device have potentially impacted 275 drunk driving tests across five counties. … BCA officials say they’ve implemented a new process for replacing dry gas cylinders in DMT breath test instruments. Previously, law enforcement officers had to install the cylinders on DMT devices. Going forward, BCA officials will complete the change.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/3KKj59D
MORE: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The impact of faulty data from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension’s blood alcohol testing equipment continues to widen, but drunken driving arrests continued without issue over the weekend in Minnesota. By Monday afternoon, 82 people had been charged with drunken driving since Friday, when the BCA ordered statewide law enforcement to review DataMaster breath tests. … At a news conference Monday, BCA Superintendent Drew Evans said the machines were never fully taken offline and all it required was a five-minute check to make sure everything was operating correctly.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4okdFR7
POT: via WCCO Radio, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota State Patrol says they don’t yet have a clear picture of how much marijuana-impaired driving is impacting Minnesota roads. Drug evaluation program coordinator Tyler Millet says the patrol can’t say exactly how many impaired driving incidents involve marijuana because the state lacks extensive data on the issue right now. He says while troopers are seeing more of it anecdotally, they don’t yet have access to the high-tech oral swab kits that would help them track the trend, as those still need to be approved by the state legislature.” READ/LISTEN: http://fluence-media.co/3W4GS6C
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)
ANNUNCIATION: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “A new social media post by Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis seeks to focus on safety as a tenet in its ‘essential agreement’ developed by students. … The school’s ‘essential agreement’ currently reads that students represent values such as: kind, inclusive, brave and respectful. … The district says it will add ‘safe’ to its list of values going forward.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/47cb055
FORECLOSURES: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Housing foreclosures continue to rise across the country. New national data shows that foreclosure filings are up 17% compared to this time last year. … Beth Hyser, chief program officer at Neighborworks Home Partners, [said] pre-foreclosure notices in St. Paul have doubled in the past year, going from 600 to more than 1,200.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/48ZZEU6
WILDFIRE: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “Firefighters have continued making progress on putting the Crosby wildfire out. The fire, which was sparked by lightning on Oct. 8, is 70% contained as of Monday morning. The fire remains at 300 acres as overnight rain aided in preventing further spread. Minnesota DNR firefighters, along with three Conservation Corps of Minnesota Iowa crews, are working to improve containment lines and address hot spots. A portion of the Superior Hiking Trail within George H. Crosby Manitou State Park is [still] closed.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/4nIcxqs
DEER: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “It will be less than three weeks until hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans will don blaze orange and scour forests and fields across the state in search of a buck or doe. The official deer firearms season opens Saturday, Nov. 8, and the Minnesota DNR on Monday offered a forecast of sorts for the 2025 season, breaking down their scouting report into regions. … Deer populations continue to increase in southern Minnesota. … Deer populations remain robust and highly productive in central Minnesota. … Deer populations in most of the northeast region of Minnesota remain low. … The deer population is in good condition throughout the northwest part of the state.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/3WDgQaA
MPLS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Two events that have become synonymous with downtown Minneapolis will not happen in the future if a new organizer doesn’t materialize. The Downtown Council — the most recent organizer of Holidazzle and Aquatennial — is backing out of running such events, citing budgeting challenges and competing priorities. Adam Duininck, president and CEO of the business organization, said he and his team are hoping to hand off the planning to other groups who will continue the longstanding traditions or reimagine them.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4okbRaN
ST PAUL: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “A vital library in the St. Paul community is set to close at the end of this year for safety renovations, but not everyone is on board with the change. In the 2025 budget, the city council set aside $793,000 to renovate the library and increase staffing. … ‘Our community members have seen people who have chronic drug experiences on that corner. We have seen people who have psychotic episodes inside of the libraries,’ said Anika Bowie, St. Paul City Council member and Public Safety Committee chair. … [But] the AFSCME Local 1842 union represents some Rondo Community Library staff members, [and] members are not on board with the plan. … ‘Our concern is that the staff who work at Rondo, who know the building and know the community best, have not been involved in this process from the very beginning,’ said Isaac Mielke, president of AFSCME Local 1842.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/4759rWj
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)
ST CLOUD: via St. Cloud Live, VERBATIM: “As of late 2024, approximately 4,400 St. Cloud residents identified as Somali, according to city data. However, the community has very little representation in local and state politics. Hudda Ibrahim became the first Somali American to serve on the St. Cloud City Council in 2024. … Local activists say there needs to be more Somali Americans in local and state government, but there are still barriers for potential candidates to overcome. That is a topic of discussion going forward and was addressed [at] a panel hosted by KZYS, the local Somali-language radio station, and Project Optimist at the St. Cloud Library.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/47aVS84
ROCHESTER: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “A federal judge has scheduled a Dec. 18, 2025, settlement conference for a lawsuit filed by former Rochester City Council member Molly Dennis. … Judge Douglas Micko wrote his order, which was filed Friday, less than two weeks after a seven-month trial delay was approved. Dennis filed her lawsuit against the city in early 2024, claiming a March 6, 2023, City Council censure, as well as following actions, violated state and federal protections against discrimination based on her [ADHD] diagnosis.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4nSIIUm
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
PUTNAM: via St. Cloud Times, VERBATIM: “Two and one-half years after becoming chair of what’s now called the Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development Committee, state Sen. Aric Putnam, DFL-St. Cloud, has visited more than 100 Minnesota farms. Putnam told the St. Cloud Times he tours farms across the state and has met welcoming people along the way. ‘They’re so generous,’ Putnam said. ‘The farmers are so generous with their time and their houses.’ These visits have inspired policy ideas, he said, such as boosting the number of agricultural mental health providers to three.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4q6KEtF
RECESSION: The Hill quotes a Moody’s analysis that lists Minnesota among 22 states that “are either in a recession or on the verge of a downturn.” VERBATIM: “Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, said the state’s problems stem from a mix of slowed-down immigration, increasing tariffs and federal job cuts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4h532z8
TODAY: via news advisory from St. Paul Mayor Carter, VERBATIM: “Mayor Carter and local leaders will gather to demand state action on gun violence prevention. Together, they will unveil a unified set of ordinances that empower their local governments to protect the community—especially children—from the ongoing threat of gun violence.”
TOMORROW: via MN Senate, VERBATIM: “On October 15, Senate Capital Investment Committee Chair Senator Sandy Pappas (DFL-St. Paul) and members of the Capital Investment Committee will host 13 communities from Northeast Minnesota via Zoom to learn about 16 proposed projects requesting state matching funds, meet with local officials, and learn about their community needs.” The event is at 10:00 a.m.
TOMORROW: via a CTUL advisory, VERBATIM: “Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en la Lucha (CTUL) and North Star Policy Action (NSPA) will host a press conference at Minneapolis City Hall to release a new report outlining how the City can partner with community organizations to eliminate abuse in the non-unionized construction industry, [including] issues such as wage theft, misclassification, and assault.” The event is at 10:00 a.m.
SATURDAY: via Indivisible Twin Cities, VERBATIM: “On Saturday, October 18th at 1 PM, Twin Citians will join together at The Commons for a nonviolent rally and march at the second No Kings Twin Cities day of action. … Thousands of events, across Minnesota — from International Falls and Bemidji to Saint Cloud and Winona — and nationwide from Bangor, Maine to San Diego are already scheduled, with more events added daily.”
BDAYS: Rep. Harry Niska, WCCO Radio’s David Josephson, Broadcaster leader Wendy Paulson, lobbyist Larry Johnson, reporter David La Vaque, House staffer Spencer Johnson, State Farm’s Ethan Hellier
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