Wolves win. Wild lose.
Sports Take comes out this afternoon featuring the unstoppable Anthony Edwards, a perfect storm for the Gophers and a preview of tonight’s Vikings game.
I-94 in downtown St. Paul will be closed from Friday to Monday. PIPRESS: http://fluence-media.co/4ngTbrq
Minnesota’s first snowflakes of the season were seen in International Falls yesterday. NWS: https://fluence-media.co/476Ro3z
Hillary Clinton will speaking in Minneapolis on Jan. 23, 2026. DETAILS: http://fluence-media.co/3J1MnA6
The U.S. is imposing new sanctions on Russia’s two biggest oil companies. AXIOS: https://fluence-media.co/47isOLQ
What are Minnesota’s favorite Crayola colors? KARE11: https://fluence-media.co/4osKOKo
Americans’ approval rating of Congress has declined by 11 percentage points to 15%, similar to approval a year ago. Nearly four in five U.S. adults, 79%, now disapprove. GALLUP: https://fluence-media.co/4hpkRsL
Happy National Boston Cream Pie Day.
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AUDITOR: Expect State Rep. Elliot Engen to announce his campaign for State Auditor today. From his news release, VERBATIM: “I will expand the office of the Auditor and raise the bar by proactively working to expose fraud and corruption. I’ll fight for Minnesota families and the working class, not special interests and the political class. It’s time to ennd the machine of political corruption and fraud.”
SCHOOLS: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Nicollet is one of at least 69 school districts across the state that are holding special elections this fall, asking voters to approve tax increases to cover the cost of operating expenses, building construction and capital projects…A 5 INVESTIGATES analysis of ballot questions submitted to Minnesota’s Secretary of State back in August revealed nearly a quarter of districts are requesting an increase in the operating levies and are asking voters to approve a building bond or capital levy. In addition to the multi-million dollar building bond, Nicollet is also asking for an increase in the district’s operating levy. The property tax increase for a median-priced home in the district would be nearly $400 per year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49dvTiQ
MPS: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Educators at Minneapolis Public Schools say they’ll take a strike authorization vote this week, after a late-night bargaining session that started Tuesday ended with no contract deal. … The union said that voting on whether to authorize a strike will take place between Thursday and Monday. … If the union chooses to call a strike, it is required to give the district at least 10 days’ notice before stopping work. In the meantime, contract talks will continue. The union and the district have another mediation session scheduled next week.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4qmN1sH
GUN CTRL: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus told St. Paul officials this week that they will sue if the city enacts an ordinance regulating firearms. St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and suburban mayors last week called again on the state to repeal a preemption law that bars cities and counties from regulating firearms. … The [St. Paul] City Council introduced the ordinance at its Wednesday afternoon meeting and a public hearing is slated for Nov. 5. The Council is scheduled to vote on the ordinance Nov. 12. … ‘The St. Paul City Council is trying to make a political statement with an illegal ordinance, and they know it,’ said Bryan Strawser, Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus chairman, in a Wednesday statement.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47mpv6g
SECURITY: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “On Monday, the committee that is charged with making recommendations for capitol security meets. There have been some changes to security protocols since the June attack on state legislators in their homes, but so far there haven’t been any substantial moves, such as metal detectors or harder screening for visitors. The upcoming meeting will include a review of security at other capitol buildings around the country as well as a special assessment from a consultant, the Axtell Group. The Department of Public Safety as well as the top security personnel for the state House and Senate are also due to provide updates.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3J8qsHr
DATA CENTERS: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Just north of Cannon Falls along Highway 52 sits more than 250 acres of farmland. If approved by city council members, it could become the site of a massive data center — a $30 billion investment over the next 20 years. But some residents are worried. … The data center will generate an estimated $30 million in tax revenues over the next two decades. Cannon Falls City Administrator Jon Radermacher says the project will bring hundreds of jobs to the area. … [But] Anna Lundahl says she’s concerned about what could happen in the long term.” LUNDAHL: “I don’t know how much water these people are going to use, and how is it going to affect our electrical bills, how much is it going to affect our property values.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/4onsCm1
MORE: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “The small northeastern Minnesota city of Hermantown has delayed consideration of two permits for a controversial proposed data center after a group opposing the project filed a request for additional environmental review of the proposal. The move came less than 24 hours after the Hermantown city council unanimously approved rezoning more than 200 acres for the project about eight miles west of Duluth, despite vocal opposition. … The state’s environmental review rules do not allow governmental agencies to make final decisions on a project until the petition is dismissed or an EAW is completed, if one is ordered.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4ovP3Vo
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FED FUNDS: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Minnesota school districts received nearly $1.3 billion in federal funding to support students in public K-12 schools during the 2023-2024 school year, according to a new online tracker of federal funding from the Minnesota Department of Education. This is a relatively small amount compared to the total spent by state government and local school districts — around 8% of Minnesota’s education funding comes from federal investments.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4oxXorF DASHBOARD: http://fluence-media.co/4ottGnH
UMN: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Seven months after it was approved by the Board of Regents, a University of Minnesota directive on institutional speech that was implemented amid campus turmoil over the war in Gaza continues to draw fire from the faculty. Regents were slated to discuss the policy at their October meeting but opted not to do so, despite having received several reports from academic groups concerned about its impact on the university community and compliance with free speech rights.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/47E0eG4
FAIRVIEW: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Fairview Health Services is alerting tens of thousands of patients with UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage insurance that they might lose in-network access to doctors and hospitals at one of Minnesota’s largest health care providers. … Fairview, which runs M Health Fairview, and UnitedHealthcare officials confirmed this week to the Minnesota Star Tribune an impasse over new contract terms that would most directly affect about 33,000 active patients at the health system.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3WlDAMl
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)
IVF: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Miraya Gran is the kind of person who Republican President Donald Trump and his administration say they are going to help with new policies on in vitro fertilization. It took a second mortgage on her Minnesota house and a family fundraiser to afford the IVF treatment she needed to have her first child in 2021. … But Gran doesn’t have much hope left that IVF costs will drop enough after Trump’s announcement at the White House on Thursday, Oct. 16. The president said his administration negotiated steep discounts on a key fertility drug. … Gran said that isn’t good enough. The drug prices are only a portion of what makes treatment expensive. One IVF cycle ranges between $12,000 and $25,000 on average but can cost more depending on medical needs. Many people require more than one round of IVF to get pregnant.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/49f3pFk
SNAP: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Counties across the state of Minnesota are warning residents about the impending impact of the federal government shutdown on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. … Ramsey County warned food benefit recipients their payments will not be issued for November until the shutdown ends, or until the state receives further guidance from the federal government. The county also included resources for local organizations that provide no or low-cost food. … Other counties across the state, including St. Louis County and Scott County, have issued similar warnings to residents.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4qf2Am2
MN DFL: Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy and Sen. Liz Boldon (D-Rochester) spoke to the Rochester Post Bulletin about DFL town halls, shutdown effects, gun control proposals, the impact of fraud on public trust and more. MURPHY: “None of us like that there are people defrauding our government. It sucks. The thing that I want to make sure we don’t do in the course of that is undermine the services necessary for vulnerable people, people with disabilities, and people who are aging.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/48IP3wU
BUCKET TRUCK: via Xcel Energy, VERBATIM: “On a crisp autumn morning in Waconia, Minnesota, Laketown Elementary buzzed with excitement as fifth grader Grant Scotting kept his eyes trained on the parking lot. A birthday surprise for Scotting was in the works — and soon it rolled up: a shiny Xcel Energy bucket truck. Scotting, who has special needs and is nonverbal, is known for his love of Xcel Energy. His enthusiasm for the local energy company ranges from reporting outages on his family’s iPad to eagerly opening each monthly bill.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4oq7uei (SPONSORED: Xcel Energy)
POT: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s new recreational marijuana market is off to a rocky start as some newly-licensed dispensaries can’t find product to sell. Many businesses are at the mercy of growers, who were licensed in June, and now must wait for their cannabis to be wholesale-ready. … The executive director of the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), Eric Taubel, acknowledged the frustration businesses are facing. He added that the office is currently prioritizing the approval of more licenses to increase supply. … However, he also said there’s no set timeline for when the product will hit dispensary shelves.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/4nnMggi
SUGARBEETS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “In the rural stretches of western Minnesota’s border with North Dakota, Donald Trump won by big margins in 2024, and many are staunch supporters of his policies. But the momentum of [Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s] signature ‘Make America Healthy Again’ philosophy — targeting production agriculture and America’s sweet tooth — has run into a stubborn wall of farming cooperatives invested in protecting both. Harvests from the roughly 3,500 farms across the Red and Minnesota River valleys produce a third of the beet sugar in the U.S., resulting in 21,000 jobs and $3.1 billion for the state’s economy.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4qCZUz0
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)
SCHOOL BOARD: via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s largest school district could swing to the right or left in this fall’s school board election. The six-member Anoka-Hennepin school board, which represents 13 suburban communities in the north metro, faces frequent gridlock over issues with a 3-3 political split. This election could tilt the balance of power, with implications for the district’s budget, curriculum, and top leadership. Three of the six seats, which represent distinct geographic areas within the district, are up for election this year.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3LpEJA0
SETTLEMENT: via Office of the Atty. General, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced today that he reached a settlement with Pelican Rapids-based nonprofit organization, Dan Ottoson Ministries, Inc., after uncovering evidence that the organization engaged in conflicted transactions and self-interested lending. The settlement requires Dan Ottoson Ministries to repay $238,000 in self-dealing loans and change governance deficiencies that allowed the improper loans to occur.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4nmWiyj
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)
CERTIFICATION: via Office of the Governor, VERBATIM: “Governor Tim Walz today announced that Minnesota has again been certified platinum – the highest possible recognition – for evidence-based decision making. The certification was awarded by Results for America, a non-profit dedicated to advancing the use of data to drive government. … Minnesota is one of only three states to be certified platinum in 2025 and is the only state to win the highest honor available all eight years since Results for America created a state standard.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4o7DeFp
FLOOD GRANTS: via a DNR press release, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has selected eight projects for funding under the Flood Hazard Mitigation Grant Assistance Program. Under this program, the state provides cost-share grants to local governments for capital improvement projects designed to mitigate flood risks and impacts. … The 2025 Legislature appropriated $9 million to the DNR to be allocated through the competitive grant program.” READ/LIST: http://fluence-media.co/4nlbmMS
ST PAUL: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “A cyberattack hit the City of St. Paul’s government systems in late July. … Jaime Wascalus, director of Technology and Communications for the City of St. Paul, [said] about 75% of the city systems are back online. … In a few weeks, Wascalus said an outside forensic firm’s review should have a report back to the city on the extent of the data taken, to see if any possible resident or worker data was involved.” WASCALUS: Our critical systems are all up and running. If you are doing business with the city, you likely won’t even know that we had a security incident. [But] it will probably take a few more months to get to a higher percentage of our systems up and running.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/49hadSW
FOREST LAKE: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “The last time a school board member in Forest Lake resigned midterm was in February 2003 when Rebecca Otto stepped down after being elected to the Minnesota House. … Rob Raphael was appointed to fill the remainder of Otto’s term. He took office on May 5, 2003. The Forest Lake Area School Board plans to follow a different process this time around. School board member Luke Hagglund, whose term expires on Jan. 4, 2027, has announced plans to resign at 11:59 p.m. Thursday — right after this week’s school board meeting. … The board plans to vote on a resolution appointing Forest Lake resident Scot Doboszenski to fill the remainder of Hagglund’s term. Hagglund said he plans to vote on Doboszenski’s appointment.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/43yEt85
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)
ROCHESTER: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “At Art Heads Studio in downtown Rochester, [the] owner Leah Bee [has] recently doubled the size of the shop by moving next door, which she says she couldn’t have done without a $55,000 Main Street grant from the Minnesota Department Of Employment and Economic Development. Hers is one of about 100 bBECKER: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “The Becker community is voicing its frustrations after the United States Postal Service announced [last week] that retail and delivery operations will move to Monticello. … The owner of the building, who leases it to the USPS, told the Postal Service that he wouldn’t renew the lease. Becker Mayor Mark Kolbinger says the owner told the USPS that in 2022. The lease expires October 31, 2025. ‘U.S. Postal Service had 40 months to come up with a plan,’ Kolbinger said.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/475yD0o
ROSEMOUNT: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Rosemount city officials have released more information as to why the city’s police chief was put on administrative leave this month, saying internal complaints prompted the move. Mikael Dahlstrom has been on paid administrative leave since Oct. 1. … ‘The City can confirm that it has received several internal complaints about Chief Mikael Dahlstrom,’ officials said in a brief statement posted on the city’s website. … Deputy Chief Carson Thomas continues to lead the police department in light of Dahlstrom’s absence.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4qlMk2C
CHISAGO CTY: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “Chisago County parents are raising concerns about school safety due to classrooms without doors. … Third-floor classrooms at Chisago Lakes Middle School [currently] use curtains as barriers, which many feel are insufficient for lockdown situations. A failed $64 million tax referendum in May aimed to address these safety issues. However, with its failure, the school district is left with the same security measures as before.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/3WDUaHz
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
TRANS SPORTS: via AP News, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Supreme Court on Wednesday sent the case of a transgender athlete who wants to compete in the women’s division at weightlifting events back to a lower court to determine whether USA Powerlifting has a ‘legitimate business purpose’ for excluding her. The state’s highest court ruled that the group’s policy that bars JayCee Cooper from competing in its women’s division is ‘facially discriminatory’ under the Minnesota Human Rights Act, which protects transgender individuals against discrimination based on sexual orientation.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hjaPta
RESPONSE: via Larry Maile, USA Powerlifting past president, STATEMENT: “We are pleased to have prevailed on one of the claims and disappointed with other findings in the ruling. … In the interest of fairness and to better serve all of our competitors — including the protected class of female-born individuals — USAPL created an open MX division for transgender and nonbinary athletes. This common sense, inclusive approach is an indication of our continued commitment to fair play. … Minnesota is trending against both federal law and broad public consensus.”
ENERGY: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “North Dakota, Montana and three Southern states want to block a $22 billion plan for power lines across the Midwest that Minnesota says it needs to transition to carbon-free energy. The states argue that the federal government should stop the grid upgrade because otherwise their customers will be paying higher rates to subsidize clean energy projects in other states. But Xcel Energy, Minnesota’s largest electric utility, called the North Dakota complaint ‘utterly meritless.’ Xcel and other Minnesota utilities argue the transmission projects are needed for a reliable grid as coal plants retire and new AI data centers, electric vehicles and appliances are causing a surge in demand.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3WWjDf7
(DISCLOSURE: Xcel Energy is a client and sponsor of Fluence)
TODAY: via US House advisory, VERBATIM: “Representative Kelly Morrison (MN-03) will join Minnesota Department of Commerce Commissioner Grace Arnold, small business owners, Medicaid recipients, and Minnesotans whose health care is threatened due to Republican health care cuts for a press conference highlighting the need for immediate action to address the health care crisis.” The event is at 10:30 a.m. in Brooklyn Park.
TODAY: via MN Senate advisory, VERBATIM: “Members of the Senate Select Subcommittee on Federal Impacts on Minnesotans and Economic Stability will hold a roundtable discussion in Richfield to discuss the ongoing federal government shutdown, including the current and potential effects on federal workers and programs in Minnesota.” The event is at 11:30 a.m.
TODAY: Secretary of State Steve Simon’s will travel to Marshall, Pennington, and Red Lake counties to meet with county election officials and community development organizations.
TODAY: via WIAOFC, VERBATIM: “The family of Stephen Washington…is demanding transparency and accountability from the Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC), the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), and the Chisago County Sheriff’s Department following his death at Rush City Prison on October 9, 2025. … The Washington family is calling for a full, independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Stephen’s death and for immediate transparency from state officials. Community members, advocates, and media are invited to attend the press conference.” The event is at 2:00 p.m.
TOMORROW: Secretary of State Steve Simon’s office will travel to Kittson, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, and Roseau counties to meet with high school students and county election officials.
SATURDAY: via MN DFL advisory, VERBATIM: “Former Congresswoman and gun violence prevention advocate Gabby Giffords will join elected officials, gun safety organizations, doctors, educators, survivors, and community members from across Minnesota to stand up for gun violence prevention at a town hall in Waconia this Saturday.”
SATURDAY: Protect Minnesota will host its “all coalition meeting” in St. Paul to discuss the future of gun violence prevention efforts in the state. The event is at 10:00 a.m.
BDAYS: WCCO Radio’s Josh Wheeler, activist Elianne Farhat, attorney John Bessler, TV host Lindsey Hayes
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