CHILLY WEATHER, HOT POLITICS
The politics in Minnesota is getting hot.
Budget forecast day for those who celebrate. The “tails” might not be as worrisome if forecasters accounted a cut in services for a lack of spending from federal cuts. Regardless, this and the February forecast will set the tone for next year’s Governor’s race. We’ll have a full report in lunch take…
Last night, the TCB 100 event was good connection for the local ecosystem of leaders. Nice work Adam Platt, great to meet Erik Tormoen. Notables on the list included Strib EIC Kathleeen Hennessy, along with PFAS crusher Mielle Bellanca, and Womaness CEO Sally Mueller , Rise and Shine’s Matt Burgess, Ballinger Leafblad’s Jamie Millard, OCM’s Eric Taubel.
Many great leaders, but St. Thomas President Rob Vischer had two key takeaways – first is that Minnesota is a net exporter of college students. More meaningful was his counsel to leaders – “elevate your gaze”.
Meanwhile Rep. Walter Hudson and Sen. Eric Pratt were at Mar-A-Lago. PIC: https://fluence-media.co/48P7ZcJ
Congrats to Nico on a BIG10 win last night for Gopher MBB. Bigger Congrats to Hannah Murphy and the Seattle Torrent on their first win. Wolves in New Orleans. Wild in Calgary tonight. Sports Take later today…
If you still need gifts, the Wolves and Lynx have a locker room liquidation sale at 9 a.m. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/4iF8rOf
2025’s most popular songs in Minneapolis were by Kendrick Lamar, Alex Warren and Chappell Roan, Spotify says. MPR: https://fluence-media.co/4auoLiG
ADP payrolls decreased by 32,000 in November, with small businesses shedding 120,000 jobs — the most in one month since May 2020. BLOOMBERG: https://fluence-media.co/3Y56lxt Stay tune for Minnesota numbers.
Donald Trump pardoned a CEO who was charged with conspiracy by the Trump Administration in July. CNN: https://fluence-media.co/4owyl88
I’ll be moderating a legislative panel for CEEM this morning - with Sen. Nick Frentz, Sen. Andrew Mathews, Rep. Tom Murphy, Rep. Patty Acomb and Deputy Commissioner Pete Wyckoff see you there.
See some of you tonight at Hospitality MN’s Award Dinner.
It’s National Cab Franc Day - perfect by the fire tonight.
Blois - tips: bloisolson@gmail.com
Sunday Take on WCCO Radio this week was a recap of Thanksgiving week and previews what to watch this holiday season and into 2026. And a replay the recent interview he had with the new Saint Paul Mayor - elect Kaohly Her. The take focuses on how to revitalize our urban neighborhoods – especially St. Paul. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4pa02oi
Want to manage your subscription to TheDailyAgenda.com ? HERE: https://fluence-media.co/managesubscription
The latest insight from Fluence Advisory on the loss of institutional knowledge from the Minnesota Legislature. READ:https://fluence-advisory.com/insights/
FIRST…
FIRST: via news release later this morning from the Madel for Governor campaign, VERBATIM: “The Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis has endorsed Chris Madel for Governor of Minnesota. Madel is seeking the Republican Party’s endorsement to defeat DFL incumbent Tim Walz…The Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis is the union for Minneapolis police officers and represents over 580 officers up to the rank of captain who are employed by the City of Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. It is one of the largest non-affiliated law enforcement unions in the state of Minnesota.”
TODAY: MMB Commissioner Erin Campbell, state economist Anthony Becker and state budget director Ahna Minge will present Minnesota’s November 2025 budget and economic forecast at 12:00 noon. Gov. Tim Walz will then answer press questions before House and Senate DFL leaders take over at approximately 1:30 p.m. Republicans are expected to respond after that.
DETAILS: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s budget forecast will [start] discussions about what lawmakers can accomplish in 2026. … However, results could be murkier than in prior forecasts because some amount of employment and inflation data won’t be available [due to] the federal government shutdown. … Minnesota could see a mixed bag on the horizon. A report wrapping up the last budget showed the state came out with about $1 billion more on the bottom line than previously projected, but October revenues came in lower than anticipated.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rJ6Kn9
NEXT
LINDELL: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell has filed paperwork to run for governor of Minnesota, creating a campaign committee that will allow him to raise money [if he runs]. … Lindell told the Minnesota Star Tribune that his run for governor ‘isn’t 100% yet,’ but he intends to announce his decision at a news conference next week. ‘I am going to announce either way on Dec. 11,’ Lindell said. … Most of the GOP candidates have openly welcomed [Pres. Donald] Trump’s endorsement, but a run by Lindell — a close friend of the president — could dash their hopes of winning Trump’s backing.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49UxScn
NOTE: If Mike Lindell does run for governor, he would be the 12th Republican candidate seeking the office in 2026. Lindell should run for Senate, if he wants the attention he usually gets.
DEMUTH: Speaker Lisa Demuth announced her campaign platform for criminal justice and judicial appointments. Via a release, VERBATIM: “Demuth [will] appoint judges that put victims over criminals and uphold the rule of law…appoint top attorneys from around the state to the judicial selection commission…provide transparency to judicial decisions by shining a light on judicial decisions that radically deviate from sentencing guidelines…propose an increase in judicial salaries [and] remove all diversity, equity, and inclusion from any selection of judges.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4auEP3X
A new level of insight and information….
Fluence Media introduces more - Insider Analysis & Insight from TheDailyAgenda.com
Regular deep-dive political analysis and breaking news
Monthly insight-filled briefing memo on Minnesota and Midwest economy
Early access to our Fluence Forum audio and video assets.
A morning take mug
ZOOM IN
GOP: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Last year, Donald Trump wanted people like Salman Fiqy on his side. Fiqy, of Burnsville, said Trump’s campaign reached out to ask him to help get members of Minnesota’s Somali community to publicly endorse [Trump]. … Now, he’s rethinking his support for the president and all Republicans in Minnesota after days of attacks that culminated in Trump calling Somalis ‘garbage.’ … Trump’s comments threaten to unravel gains that Minnesota Republicans have made in the Somali community. [Last year], some predominantly Somali precincts near downtown Minneapolis shifted to the right.” FIQY: “[The] Minnesota GOP didn’t come and support or show any sympathy or didn’t show any reassurance to Somalis in Minnesota. What is the point of affiliating with them?” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4owrVpy
TRUMP: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “While announcing rollbacks to fuel efficiency standards [yesterday], President Donald Trump went on a rant about Somalis in Minnesota. The president was asked about a statement Mayor Jacob Frey made on Tuesday saying he was proud Minneapolis was home to the largest Somali population in the United States. Trump insulted Mayor Frey, calling him ‘a fool,’ and then proceeded to blame Somalis for ‘destroying Minnesota.’” QUOTE: “What the Somalian people have done to Minnesota is not even believable. … That beautiful state, it’s a hellhole right now.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/49W2NoG
MORE: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis City Council member Jamal Osman is inviting President Donald Trump to the city to better understand the Somali community. Osman made the invitation during a press conference held on Wednesday. … Osman said in a message directed to President Trump that many Somalis are ‘as American as you are’ and that he’d like to change his perspective.” OSMAN: “I would like to invite you to Minneapolis. Put down the hamburger and come grab some sambusa.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4apWs4Y
RESPONSE: via JCRC, STATEMENT: “The Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas (JCRC) condemns President [Donald] Trump’s remarks referring to Minnesota’s Somali community as ‘garbage.’ … Minnesota’s Somali community — like all communities — is diverse, complex, and not a monolith. Treating any group as one undifferentiated mass is itself a form of dehumanization. As Jews, we carry the memory of what happens when people are spoken about as less than human. … These echoes cannot be ignored.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48gMW2G
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)
DETAILS
ICE: via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “Several Minnesotans [were] detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) this week as part of an immigration crackdown. … Advocates report a series of actions across the Twin Cities, with federal agents appearing outside homes, showing up in cars with Uber stickers, knocking on doors in the immigrant-dense Cedar-Riverside towers in Minneapolis, and targeting local Somali malls and a Latino day laborer spot. … About a dozen elected officials gathered [yesterday] to mobilize efforts in responding to ICE arrests. … Speakers [included] state Rep. Aisha Gomez, Rep. Mohamud Noor, Sen. Omar Fateh and Minneapolis Council Member Jamal Osman. … The total number of arrests over the past few days is still unclear.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44HIBDp
VISAS: via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Tuesday said that half of the visas in Minnesota are ‘fraudulent,’ [but] Noem did not provide evidence. … [WCCO] reached out to the department seeking that data and also more information about the process for investigating allegations of fraud for visas. A spokesperson has not yet responded. … Ana Pottraz Acosta, visiting professor at the Immigration and Human Rights Clinic at the University of Minnesota Law School, said the 50% figure ‘doesn’t sound plausible’ based on her two decades of experience as an immigration attorney. … Acosta added that the rate of immigration fraud is relatively low overall.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4oBOV6y
CLEAN | RELIABLE | AFFORDABLE: via Xcel Energy, VERBATIM: “We’re powering the Upper Midwest with clean, reliable, and affordable nuclear energy. For more than 50 years, our Prairie Island Nuclear Plant, located near Red Wing, MN, has been a workhorse of reliable, carbon-free energy. With two pressurized water reactors producing about 1,100 megawatts, Prairie Island generates enough electricity to power 1.5 million homes across the Upper Midwest. Unlike sources that depend on weather, nuclear energy delivers 24/7 reliability — providing the power we need today while protecting the environment for tomorrow.” LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4oCHdK9 (SPONSORED: Xcel Energy)
CONGRESS
INVESTIGATION: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Rep. James Comer (R-Kentucky), the chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform committees, announced he has launched an investigation into the widespread fraud in Minnesota’s social services programs. … The committee requested ‘documents, communications, and records’ from Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison. They have until Dec. 17 to respond. … The Governor’s Office said [in a statement]: ‘We look forward to working together. While the Governor has been working to ensure fraudsters go to prison, the President has been letting them out.’” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4pNHMBd
MINING: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The U.S. House Natural Resources Committee sent broad requests for information to three environmental groups this week, looking for evidence that they ‘colluded’ with Biden Administration officials to stop mining in Superior National Forest. The requests, signed by Rep. Pete Stauber, [questioned] the cancellation of the leases for the Twin Metals copper-nickel mine. … Stauber [alleges] the three environmental groups improperly met with Biden officials in the Department of Interior in 2021, at the same time they were suing the administration over Twin Metals. … The congressional request does not carry the legal power of a subpoena.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pIFvHh
VETERANS: via Rep. Tom Emmer advisory, VERBATIM: “Congressman Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) participated in a Veteran Stakeholder Roundtable with members of U.S. House leadership and former Sherburne County Veterans Service Officer Bruce Price. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee Mike Bost (R-Ill.), and members from Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) joined Emmer and Price to discuss legislation impacting the veteran community.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rAjBYF
MORE: via Rep. Kelly Morrison advisory, VERBATIM: “Representative Kelly Morrison (MN-03) spoke on the House floor in strong support of the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2025. This legislation delivers a 2.8% cost-of-living increase for veterans receiving disability benefits, ensuring their payments keep pace with rising costs. Rep. Morrison is a proud cosponsor of the bipartisan bill, and is calling on her colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support its passage.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/445DYmm
CONSERVATION: via Rep. Brad Finstad advisory, VERBATIM: “Today, Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01), member of the House Committee on Agriculture, introduced the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Modernization Act, legislation that makes improvements to CRP by utilizing science-based targeting of acreage for enrollment.” FINSTAD: “CRP enrollment has become more about acres and dollars than true conservation, often incentivizing producers to take prime farmland out of production. The CRP Modernization Act [would] restore the focus of CRP to serving the conservation needs of farmers and landowners by targeting CRP acres toward the most vulnerable land.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pRycNQ
ISSUES…
CBD: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “An impending federal ban on intoxicating hemp-based products also means scores of wellness products used by Minnesotans to treat pain, anxiety and sleeplessness will be illegal. Many of these CBD products contain small amounts of THC. … That means popular CBD gummies, tinctures, oils, capsules and lotions that are part of a booming industry would no longer be legal under federal law, joining gummies and drinks that contain much more hemp-derived THC on the federal hit list.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48iUdPC
HOMELESS: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “A lawsuit against the city of Minneapolis filed over the clearing of a homeless encampment has been dismissed. The lawsuit challenged Mayor Jacob Frey’s efforts to clear Camp Nenookaasi. … The lawsuit argued it caused emotional distress to those living in the encampment when it was cleared multiple times since January 2024. However, a federal judge ruled no reasonable jury would find the mayor’s actions extreme or outrageous, dismissing the challenge.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4owzlJq
JUDGE: via Office of the Governor, VERBATIM: “Governor Tim Walz today announced the appointment of Jessica Palmer-Denig as chief administrative law judge at the Court of Administrative Hearings. … Palmer-Denig will begin serving upon the completion of Tim O’Malley’s term as temporary chief judge, for a term expiring on June 30, 2031.”
BUSINESS EXCELLENCE: Flint Hills Resources was just awarded the 2025 Large Business of the Year award from the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce at their annual Business Excellence Awards celebration. The award celebrates the outstanding achievements of businesses that exemplify the thriving and growing spirit of Dakota County. The businesses honored make an impact and contribute to the continued success of our community. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/46lTpIs (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
BIG GOVT
ST PAUL: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “St. Paul’s ‘no frills, no fun’ budget plan was put to bed Wednesday, with a few more frills and fun than previously proposed by Mayor Melvin Carter. … The St. Paul City Council voted 7-0 to adopt the city’s 2026 spending plan, including the 5.3% property tax levy increase proposed by the mayor, following some $6.7 million in last-minute budget amendments. The added spending, taken from $2.5 million in increased paramedic transport fees billed to insurance, as well as staff vacancies and other budget shifts, will not result in a further increase to the tax levy. … Council President Rebecca Noecker [said] the city budget process was more transparent than any she had been involved with in previous years.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pMtyAo
MPLS: via Minneapolis City Council, VERBATIM: “The 38 proposed amendments to the Mayor’s recommended budget were published and are available to the public. The Minneapolis City Council will begin voting on the proposed amendments Friday. … Budget Chair and Council Vice President Aisha Chughtai [said] ‘The submitted budget amendments reflect the Council’s desire to restore essential programming that was cut in the proposed budget, increase oversight, and deliver for residents on housing, climate, and safety. Proposed amendments change roughly 1% of the $2 billion City Budget and ensure essential services won’t be impacted.’”
HENN CTY: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “Policy changes are in the works at the Hennepin County Jail after the sheriff’s office agreed to a settlement [regarding] trans people when they are in custody. The settlement involves the 2023 case of a trans man who was moved from the men’s to the women’s jail unit, despite the fact that he had transitioned more than a decade earlier. Gender Justice says a corrections officer reclassified the inmate based on assumptions about his anatomy, asked ‘invasive questions about his genitalia,’ and ignored the man’s verbally stated preference to be housed with males. … [The] settlement requires the sheriff’s office to use an inmate’s self-reported gender identity as the primary means of determining their housing assignment.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3MEKcDJ
GREATER MN
BELTRAMI CTY: via Bemidji Pioneer, VERBATIM: “The Beltrami County Commissioners finalized the 2026 budget and officially set the property tax levy increase at 9.63%. … The budget included a cut to Bemidji and Blackduck public libraries of over $170,000, lowering funds from $437,725 to $265,162 — the state-mandated minimum. … The board approved the vote 4-1, with District 2 Commissioner Joe Gould as the sole dissenting vote. Ahead of the vote, Gould made four attempts to amend the budget to either fully or partially fund the libraries using salary savings, American Rescue Plan Act reserves, or the $700,000 contingency fund built into the budget — or a combination of the three. … No amendment was successful.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Kb5Vmb
SLAYTON: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A Slayton child care center on the brink of closure received a financial lifeline this week. The Murray County Board of Commissioners approved as much as $500,000 in loans on Tuesday to Wonder World Preschool — the only licensed child care center in the county in Minnesota’s southwest corner. Supporters say the decision will help Wonder World, which faces eviction from St. Ann’s Catholic Church in July and must raise capital to construct a new facility — estimated to cost about $2.1 million — before time runs out.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pQVT8U
NEXT…
WHAT’S NEXT
TODAY: Governor Tim Walz will discuss the state’s November economic forecast.
TODAY: Reps. Andrew Myers, Danny Nadeau and Ben Bakeberg — all members of the Suburban Solutions Caucus — will host a town hall in Shorewood at 9:30 a.m. discussing “solutions to Minnesota’s housing needs,” per a release.
TODAY: via Senate DFL, VERBATIM: “Members of the Senate Select Subcommittee on Federal Impacts on Minnesotans and Economic Stability will tour a hemp-derived THC manufacturing business in Burnsville and meet with leaders in the THC drink industry, including brewery owners and delivery drivers.” The event is at 11:30 a.m.
TODAY: Reps. Cal Warwas (R-7B) and Anquam Mahamoud (D-62B) are participating in the next Minnesota Legislative Exchange today. Via Citizens League, the pair is “spending the day together in south Minneapolis, visiting with civic and community leaders and organizations, touring local businesses, and learning about the communities’ residents, needs and priorities.” The event is at 11:45 a.m.
TODAY: via ISAIAH, VERBATIM: “At 1 p.m., faith leaders across religions and backgrounds will gather to denounce the recent targeting and attacks President [Donald] Trump and his administration have made against Somali-Americans living in Minnesota.”
TODAY: via IRRR Board, VERBATIM: “A special meeting of the Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) Board will be held on Thursday, Dec. 4 at 3:30 p.m.” AGENDA: https://fluence-media.co/4osbMBy
TODAY: via MN House, VERBATIM: “From 7:00 – 8:00 pm, Representative Kristi Pursell (DFL-Northfield) and DFL members of the House Health Committee will host a listening session focused on rural healthcare affordability in Red Wing, Minnesota.”
TOMORROW: The Minneapolis City Council will begin voting on 38 proposed city budget amendments at 10:00 a.m.
MONDAY: Nine Republican candidates for governor are scheduled to appear at a forum in Marshall on Monday, Dec. 8 at 6:00 p.m. The invited candidates are Chris Madel, Lisa Demuth, Kristin Robbins, Scott Jensen, Kendall Qualls, Jeff Johnson, Brad Kohler, Patrick Knight and Phillip Parrish. Lyon County Republicans plan to livestream the event on Facebook.
BDAYS: civic leader John Stanoch, photographer Jerry Holt, golfer and writer Jerry Zgoda, editor Nicole Lee-Norfleet
SPEAKER: If you’re looking for a speaker about the “Signal vs. Noise” dynamic of today’s politics and the 2026 election. EMAIL: BloisOlson@gmail.com.
SPONSORS: Sponsorships are available to reach over 30,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheets and website, TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com.
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.
Fluence Media curates, produces and distributes specialized media products to thought leadership audiences across the Midwest and about the region. Our publications cover, politics, public policy, health care, agriculture, business, real estate, sports and more. Visit www.fluence-media.com to learn more.
about morning take: Founded in 2010, morning take has grown to become the leading Minnesota morning newsletter on politics and news of the day. Published by Fluence Media since 2012 the mission is to “make you smarter” before breakfast.
Copyright © 2025 Fluence Media, All rights reserved.