2 cents?
The penny is dead…long live the penny. The New York Times has an obituary for pennies. RIP: https://fluence-media.co/4nXab6y
Gopher hoops looked completive last night…that was nice. Sports Take out later today…
The 43-day federal shutdown ended last night. CBS: https://fluence-media.co/47BvAgG
The shutdown is ending, but flight cancellations at MSP still increased today. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4oZGLFy
TargetSmart finds that Virginia voters under 30 shifted to the left more than any other demographic from 2024 to 2025 — a trend that’s likely to continue in other states. DATA: https://fluence-media.co/47VdepV
The Star Tribune’s Ali Kaplan’s new newsletter is a great read – today she talks about consumers stockpiling cash via Thrivent intel. READ: https://fluence-media.co/49jr3Rm
Today is National Dream Destination Day….I want to escape to an overwater bungalow someday. Where’s yours?
Blois - tips: bloisolson@gmail.com
Sunday Take had St. Paul Mayor-elect Rep. Kaohly Her sharing how her rise has been “accidental”, what her father’s words have meant, and how she and the late Speaker Melissa Hortman didn’t start on the right foot. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4hMn3uA
The latest insight from Fluence Advisory on the loss of institutional knowledge from the Minnesota Legislature. READ:https://fluence-advisory.com/insights/
FIRST
One of the DFL’s top agitators of a few years ago will announcevia email later this morning that he is hoping to return to the Minnesota House. DFLer and fmr. Rep. Ryan Winkler an attorney and entrepreneur will announce later this morning he’s seeking the seat 43B. Winkler understands the balance between provocateur and policymaker. A former majority leader, he’ll bring some sage wisdom back to the caucus. Here’s an excerpt from the email. VERBATIM: “I’m launching my campaign today and here’s what it’s all about: shared prosperity. That means making sure every Minnesotan has a fighting chance — access to healthcare, affordable housing, quality childcare, meaningful work, and vibrant communities. It means backing workers and struggling families, encouraging businesses to grow locally, and holding powerful interests accountable so government works for the people.
If you believe in:
· Jobs that pay enough to build a life you’re proud of
· Housing that families can actually afford
· Strong public schools that prepare every kid for the future
· Communities where families feel safe and neighbors look out for each other
· Childcare and paid leave so parents can work and thrive
· A politics that builds trust instead of stoking fear
…then we are on the same team.”
FED DYSFUNCTION
DEAL: via NPR News, VERBATIM: “The House of Representatives has approved a bill that funds the government through Jan. 30, bringing a close to the longest government shutdown in history, one that saw millions of Americans affected and ended with little political gain. … Six Democrats joined their Republican colleagues to get the bill over the finish line. … Two Republicans [voted] no. The final vote was 222 to 209. … President Donald Trump [signed] the bill on Wednesday night, paving the way for many federal workers to return to work on Thursday. … Congress will still have to pass nine other appropriations bills before the continuing resolution ends.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oGstds
MORE: All eight members of Minnesota’s congressional delegation voted along party lines on the bill to end the record-length federal shutdown. Axios has a list of which lawmakers broke ranks. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4pb2Lxr
RESPONSE: GOP Rep. Pete Stauber and DFL Rep. Angie Craig put out statements explaining their votes on the bill to open the government.
STAUBER: “I was proud to vote YES to reopen the government after over 40 days of Democrats weaponizing the American people to appease their far-left activists. In September, House Republicans passed a clean CR to fund our military, SNAP benefits for low-income families, and essential services, but Democrats, including Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, chose political games over the American people and it backfired. I was proud to put an end to their game.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/489OSK5
CRAIG: “I have said from the beginning of this shutdown that I refuse to abandon the tens of thousands of Minnesotans who could lose their health coverage. … I voted against this so-called ‘deal’ today because Minnesotans are asking their leaders to stand up to the Trump Administration and fight for them when it matters most. Minnesota, I heard you loud and clear. It’s past time for us to lower costs for working folks in this country, and this bill doesn’t do that.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/49Qudfr
HEMP: The finalized deal to end the federal shutdown still includes a ban on hemp/THC products that will affect Minnesota businesses. Via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Minnesota [is] a national leader in the hemp-derived THC industry. But it’s now in jeopardy following concerns on Capitol Hill that some unregulated products are getting into the hands of kids. Those in the business say [a ban] would end the industry as we know it. … The [bill] would ban hemp-derived cannabis products containing more than .4 milligrams of THC per serving — most products, though, in Minnesota right now have more than 10 times that amount. … According to state data, more than $11.5 million in sales tax revenue was generated by hemp-derived cannabis products in 2024.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4p5vZh0
MORE: In the Senate, Minnesota Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith previously voted against including a ban on hemp/THC in the shutdown deal.
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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)
GUNS
ST PAUL: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “The St. Paul City Council unanimously approved an ordinance regulating firearms Wednesday, saying they want to be ready to put it in place if state law changes. Minutes after, the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus filed a lawsuit against the city, as the group had said it would if the ordinance was enacted. … St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and suburban mayors [want] the state to repeal a preemption law that bars cities and counties from regulating firearms. … St. Paul is the first city of 17 in a coalition to pass such an ordinance.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oE3Huw
RESPONSE: via Bryan Strawser, chair of the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, STATEMENT: “This illegal ordinance will immediately have a chilling effect on peaceable gun owners in our capital city. It’s unfortunate that the City Council and Mayor have chosen to waste taxpayer dollars defending a performative ordinance that clearly violates state law.”
MORE: via Lyndsey Olson, St. Paul City Attorney, STATEMENT: “[We’re] ready to defend our authority to prepare for swift public-safety action — while respecting the rights of responsible gun owners — if state preemption is ever lifted. Contingent ordinances are a common legal tool used in many areas of law, and despite the MN Gun Caucus’s strong rhetoric, they have not been found to violate state firearm preemption law.”
HEALTHCARE
FAIRVIEW: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “An estimated 125,000 patients in Minnesota are in limbo as a contract dispute between United Healthcare and M Health Fairview drags on. Fairview patients recently began receiving letters in the mail letting them know health services may soon be out-of-network if a deal between the two parties isn’t made. … If a deal isn’t reached, M Health Fairview will become an out-of-network provider for United Healthcare plan holders starting on January 1.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hWnO4p
ICYMI: Yesterday’s lunch take extensively covered the latest dispute between Fairview and the U of M, including internal documents. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3LXjplK
HEATING: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “80,000 Minnesotans have applied for energy assistance [and] now wait to find out when it might arrive. … Lissa Pawlisch is assistant commissioner for federal and state initiatives at the Minnesota Department of Commerce. … When the shutdown does end, Pawlisch says it could take up to a month before people in Minnesota receive heating assistance. … After the state receives funding, Pawlisch says it will take just a couple of days for the state to distribute that money to people.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nOmCRV
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)
LAW + ORDER
METRO TRANSIT: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “In an effort to promote safety on public transit systems in the Twin Cities, Metro Transit announced Wednesday that there will be an increase in Metro Transit police officers, agents and staff presence on rides. … Officers are expected to not only increase their visible presence on rides, but also show an increase in proactive enforcement. … According to Metro Transit, the agency is at its highest staffing rate since 2021, with a current total of 116 police officers and 26 Community Service Officers, close to 100 TRIP Agents by the end of the year and more than 200 supplemental security officers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4p6g1mS
DEATH PENALTY: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “A federal prosecutor said Wednesday that the government is still deciding whether to seek the death penalty against the man accused of killing former DFL House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark at their home in June. … Assistant U.S. Attorney Harry Jacobs [said] the office will make its own recommendation before presenting it to department leaders in Washington. The ultimate decision on the death penalty is up to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. … The Minnesota Legislature outlawed capital punishment in 1911, but it remains an option at the federal level.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3K0cJmi
MORE: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “The government shutdown is causing delays in the federal case. The prosecution says they’ve mostly completed their discovery of evidence — turning over 130,000 pages of documents, 825 hours of audio and video, and 2,000 pictures — [but] the defense added that it’s taking longer than usual to download and review evidence due to the government shutdown and asked for a few-month delay in the case. … More information on the death penalty decision could come in January.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3LWgWbc
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)
STATEWIDE
STILLWATER: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “The parents of children whose images were allegedly used by an employee of Stillwater Area Public Schools to produce child pornography using artificial intelligence placed district officials on notice Wednesday that they plan to sue the district. … Imran Ali, a Stillwater attorney who is representing the two sets of parents planning to sue, [said] there has been a growing pattern of school employees across the state abusing their positions of trust. During a news conference on Wednesday, he urged school district officials and state lawmakers to establish strict policies governing staff use of personal cellphones and images of children in their care.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4owwyRe
HERMANTOWN: via Duluth News Tribune, VERBATIM: “An anticipated showdown slated for next week that promised to pit supporters and opponents of a controversial proposed data center against one another will have to wait. Dan Lessor, a vice president for Mortenson Development Inc., informed Hermantown city officials this week that the firm will not push ahead with permit requests that had been scheduled for consideration by the city’s planning and zoning commission. … This change of course follows a petition to the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board requesting a more in-depth review of the project in the form of an environmental assessment worksheet, as well as in the wake of a subsequent lawsuit filed Nov. 5 by the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy and a grassroots group of concerned citizens that have united under a shared banner called Stop the Hermantown Data Center.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4p74wM0
DULUTH: via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “Last December, law enforcement lost a critical resource — a local forensics lab — when a decade-old evidence collection practice ended. After months of waiting, a new facility in Duluth is almost ready to open. … With no explanation as to why the data collection was being denied by the judges, St. Louis County leaders and DPD decided it was time to take matters into their own hands. … The lab could be fully operational as soon as next week. The facility will be located at the West Duluth Police Station.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4oxwCjL
ST CLOUD: via St. Cloud Live, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Housing Commissioner Jennifer Ho visited St. Cloud on Wednesday, Nov. 12, to highlight a housing project aimed to place low- and moderate-income residents into twin homes. Dreamliner Estates, led by Ryan Daniel, Emmanuel Oppong and Eunice Adjei, plans to construct 34 single-family units in south St. Cloud. The project will roll out in phases, and the first one, with four units, is expected to open by next summer.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48ajI5n
WHAT’S NEXT
TODAY: Governor Tim Walz will speak at the Texas Tribune Festival.
TODAY: via MN Senate, VERBATIM: “On Nov. 12-13, Senate Capital Investment Committee Chair Senator Sandy Pappas (DFL-St. Paul) and members of the Capital Investment Committee will travel to 12 communities in Northwest Minnesota to learn about proposed projects requesting state matching funds, meet with local officials, and tour project sites.” Sen. Jordan Rasmusson will attend Thursday. SCHEDULE: https://fluence-media.co/4p1LKG6
TODAY: The Minnesota Senate subcommittee on federal impacts will hold a hearing on higher education and terminated federal grants. The event is at 10:00 a.m.
TODAY: Rep. Betty McCollum will host a virtual town hall on Zoom at 12:00 noon to discuss the government shutdown and her opposition to a deal that could end it. The event will also be livestreamed on YouTube and Facebook.
TODAY: via Starbucks Workers United, VERBATIM: “Union baristas and allies in Saint Anthony will hold a rally on ‘Red Cup Day’ Thursday afternoon protesting Starbucks [after] union baristas have authorized an open-ended unfair labor practice strike.” The event is at 4:00 p.m.
TOMORROW: via MIRAC advisory, VERBATIM: “As Minneapolis City Council negotiates a 2026 contract with the Police Federation, local organizers are keeping one urgent issue front and center: how will MPD respond to [ICE]? … [MIRAC] will hold a press conference demanding ‘No Consequences? No Contract!’ at the Public Service Building [at] 12:00 p.m. on Friday.”
MONDAY: DFLer Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger and Republican Michael Holmstrom, Jr. will be sworn in for Minnesota Senate terms following their special election victories this month. The Senate will once again have 34 Democrats and 33 Republicans.
WEDNESDAY: via MN Chamber, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Chamber will host its 2025 Economic Summit: Minnesota’s Economic Imperative next Wednesday. … This initiative will bring together business leaders, innovators and policymakers. … The event will also feature the release of the 2026 Business Benchmarks report, an annual data-driven analysis of Minnesota’s economic competitiveness.” The event is at 9:30 a.m. in Eagan. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/49zCIf1
DEC 4: MMB Commissioner Erin Campbell, state economist Anthony Becker and state budget director Ahna Minge will present Minnesota’s November 2025 budget and economic forecast on Thursday, Dec. 4 at 12:00 noon.
BDAYS: public affairs pro Steve Veverka, fmr. Rep. Keith Franke, attorney Thomas Kane, comms guy John Schadl, sports guy Judd Zulgad
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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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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.
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