FINALLY FRIDAY
IVagabondo last night for dinner – David Fhima did it again – it was great, honoring Tony Sanneh. Appreciate Steve Silton for organizing.
Viking Packer week but it doesn’t feel like it. Prep Bowl weekend always makes for some fun games.
Wild are hot. Gophers are not. Timberwolves holding their own.
Mandami meets Trump today – cue the talker for the weekend. The sedition banter yesterday hit the mark for National Absurdity Day.
Gov. Walz will have a fundraiser Sunday after a week on a trade mission in Europe.
Next week should be quiet, a holiday week. We’ll publish M-W, and take a long weekend
Enjoy the mild temperatures this weekend — Thanksgiving will be cold. BMTN: https://fluence-media.co/3LXJaSZ
Fox News finds that 76% of voters view the economy negatively. A year ago, it was 70%. POLL: https://fluence-media.co/49qwdeh
Happy National Substitute Teacher Day…sorry for the junior high band prank to that sub.
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The latest insight from Fluence Advisory on the loss of institutional knowledge from the Minnesota Legislature. READ:https://fluence-advisory.com/insights/
RACES
SENATE RACE: via Democratic Majority for Israel, VERBATIM: “DMFI PAC today announced its first slate of Senate endorsements for the 2026 primary cycle, backing four Democrats running in some of the most competitive and consequential states in the country, [including] Rep. Angie Craig. … Each Senate candidate shares a steadfast commitment to strengthening the U.S.-Israel relationship and advancing the U.S.-led peace plan that will secure a safer, more hopeful future for Israelis and Palestinians.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44hJXEz
GOV RACE: via MPR, VERBATIM: “There was some subtle, yet seemingly important language change from GOP candidate Lisa Demuth in the governor’s race [this week]. When Demuth entered the race this month, she said it was her ‘intent’ to seek and abide by the Republican state convention endorsement next year. Observers noted it was short of a firm declaration that she would bow out if someone else gets the endorsement, rather than press on to an August primary. As recently as Nov. 9 , she didn’t commit to honoring the endorsement. … [But now], Demuth said without qualification: ‘I will be seeking the endorsement and abiding by the endorsement of the Republican Party here in the state of Minnesota.’ Not all of the candidates have made that pledge.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4870oER
TAKE: Republican operatives have openly said that the best chance of a Republican winning next November is to have a “better” candidate win the primary than the party’s endorsed candidate. Even 2022 endorsee Scott Jensen has said he’s going to a primary – on one ballot in 2022 then Mike Murphy led the endorsement fight. For more insight read our premium subscriber only Fluence Brief on - https://fluence-media.co/3KcKalE
RAMSEY CTY: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “A day after St. Paul City Council President Rebecca Noecker informed key supporters she plans to run for the District 5 seat on the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners next year, incumbent Rafael Ortega said he will defend the seat, which he’s held since 1994. ‘I fully intend to run for reelection,’ said Ortega, the Ramsey County Board chair. … Ortega [is] the board’s longest-serving member.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4obenzH
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RHETORIC
TRUMP: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “Minnesota officials are condemning a statement made by President Donald Trump that accused lawmakers of ‘seditious behavior, punishable by death’ in response to a video where they urged members of the military to not carry out illegal orders. …
Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy (D-St. Paul) shared the following statement. MURPHY: ‘Only months ago, our state was the site of a political terrorist attack on the Hortman and Hoffman families, an attack that threatened many Democratic members of the Legislature. Donald Trump’s threat to Democratic members of Congress is horrific and puts lives in danger.’ …
Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson (R-East Grand Forks) provided the following statement. JOHNSON: ‘Violent rhetoric has no place in politics, nor does selective partisan outrage about violent rhetoric. Gov. [Tim] Walz shamelessly joked about waking up to find out President Trump may have died, and Minnesotan Democrats were silent. … Minnesota Democrats should focus on what we can control here in Minnesota, rather than fanning political flames.’”
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)
LAW + ORDER?
ICE: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested 14 people on immigration violations in a raid at a St. Paul warehouse this week, the federal agency said Thursday. … Of the people arrested, one had past domestic abuse charges and one committed a felony by illegally re-entering the U.S., according to the [agency]. … St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter said in a Thursday statement: ‘ICE pepper-sprayed a crowd and injured residents with their vehicles…in a raid they now confirm overwhelmingly targeted law-abiding neighbors just trying to go to work. That didn’t make our city safer.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/483GURG
MORE: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “Business owners said they are feeling the effects of what they describe as growing fear in the immigrant community. Manny Gonzalez has owned Manny’s Tortas for 26 years. He says business has slowed. So has hiring. … Gonzalez says fellow Latino community members worry that immigration enforcement actions could happen at their workplace, and many are choosing to stay home and spend less.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3LXjR3s
STILLWATER: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “A plan to close Stillwater prison…is on pace [to finish] by 2029, even as some Stillwater staff and inmates say they want it to stay open. Minnesota Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell invited media on a tour of the facility on Thursday and said the phased closing is on pace to save $40 million as projected. As for skepticism from some lawmakers who wonder what will happen to the future of the state’s prison capacity, Schnell says he’s convinced capacity won’t be an issue.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4a4BKr6
FRAUD
MED FRAUD: Via KARE 11, new allegations of fraud in a Medicaid-funded state program. VERBATIM: “In an Eastside St. Paul apartment, 39-year-old Rick Clemmer was found dead. … The medical examiner cited an enlarged heart, but his mother, Mickey Clemmer, [said] ‘If they were really providing him the services they should have been, he would be here with me.’ … [Rick] moved into his own apartment supported by a Medicaid-funded program called Integrated Community Supports, or ICS. … Records obtained by KARE 11 show Rick’s ICS provider, Ultimate Home Health Services LLC, billed taxpayers $461.94 every single day, claiming to provide, on average, 12 hours of service daily. … [But] Mickey says she visited her son weekly and did not see Ultimate Home Health Services employees on-site.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4ocCf62
FEED FRAUD: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “The U.S. Attorney’s Office on Thursday announced charges against the 77th defendant in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme. Ousman Camara, 45, faces counts of wire fraud, federal programs bribery and money laundering. Prosecutors say Camara and his Minneapolis grocery store, K’s Dollar and Deli, were disqualified from SNAP benefits due to suspected fraud in 2015. Camara then enrolled the store in the Federal Child Nutrition Program under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4i9XIuN
JUDGE
APPEALS: via Office of the Governor, VERBATIM: “A merit selection panel [is] recommending four candidates for consideration to fill the upcoming vacancies on the Minnesota Court of Appeals. These vacancies will occur upon the retirement of the Honorable Louise Dovre Bjorkman and the Honorable Randall J. Slieter. One vacancy is at-large, and the other seat is designated for Minnesota’s Seventh Congressional District. … Stephanie Beckman is the chief judge of the Eighth Judicial District and is chambered in Meeker County. … Lisa Beane is a senior associate general counsel in the University of Minnesota’s Office of the General Counsel. … Liz Kramer is the solicitor general for the State of Minnesota. … Anne Rasmusson is the assistant chief judge of the Ninth Judicial District and is chambered in Polk County.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3XEzFdY
FEDERALBENCH: via Rep. Tom Emmer advisory, VERBATIM: “Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06), along with Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08), Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07), and Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) announced that a nominations committee will reconvene to interview and recommend candidates to President Donald Trump for the United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota. This comes after Chief Judge Patrick Schiltz of the District of Minnesota announced he will take semi-retired status next summer.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4r7t2yB
JUSTICE
SETTLEMENT: via Office of the Atty. General, VERBATIM: “Today, Attorney General Keith Ellison and a bipartisan coalition of nine states announced the filing [of] a proposed $7 million settlement to resolve claims against Greystar Management Services LLC as part of the coalition’s ongoing litigation against property management software company RealPage. … Minnesota’s share of the settlement is roughly $483,000. … The proposed consent decree, if approved by the court, would require Greystar to refrain from using any anticompetitive algorithm that generates pricing recommendations using its competitors’ competitively sensitive data.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3X2Od79
ICE: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Families and advocates say they’re trying to reach their loved ones who were detained at a St. Paul manufacturer during a federal law enforcement operation. … At a press conference and vigil outside Bro-Tex on Wednesday morning, immigrant rights advocates said the operation is sparking fear in the city, [and] COPAL is helping family members of two workers who were detained at the site get legal assistance. … St. Paul Mayor-elect Kaohly Her criticized the operation. She and other elected officials said federal agencies didn’t give them any information ahead of time.” HER: “Flooding our neighborhoods with ICE and other federal agents only heightens tensions on the ground, rather than calming it.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48680Ya
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)
ECONOMY
AG ECONOMY: via Minneapolis Fed, VERBATIM: “In most of the Ninth District, 2025 will go on the books as a strong year for crop production, even setting some records. But, according to an October survey of agricultural bankers by the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, those bountiful harvests are only a minor consolation to producers struggling with low commodity prices and uncertain international demand. … Farm incomes across the region fell [in Q3] compared with a year ago. … The outlook for the fourth quarter was pessimistic, with survey respondents expecting a further decrease in incomes.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48dY8Mk
POT TAX: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Since May, Gov. Tim Walz has signed cannabis compact agreements with five tribal nations, [expanding] tribal retail opportunities outside tribal lands. That means tribes also pay state taxes on products sold at those retail locations, and the compacts say that the state may enter into tax agreements and share that revenue from taxes with tribes. Those agreements have yet to be negotiated. … Department of Revenue spokesperson Ryan Brown [said] the agency is not actively negotiating tribal cannabis tax agreements at this time, [but] ‘Revenue will revisit Cannabis Tax Agreement negotiations with Tribal Nations after businesses have been in operation, and those expenses are known.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oRN3Yn
ISSUES
DATA CENTERS: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “When Dennis Dufrane learned five days ago that a private developer had proposed a 550-acre data center across the street from his house in Monticello, he immediately started reaching out to his neighbors. … Dufrane and many others in town have started forming organized opposition to the idea of data centers coming to Monticello, plunging this city of 15,000 into a national debate over the role of these facilities and where they should be built. … In Monticello, private developers have proposed not one, but two data centers.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3XGsbHr
CLIMATE: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Local governments in Minnesota and across the U.S. are preparing for more extreme weather to come. At least 22 Minnesota city, county, regional and tribal governments have published ‘climate action’ or resilience plans to mitigate the human and financial costs of future weather disasters, according to a report. … They include Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester, Duluth and 12 other communities with more than 10,000 Minnesotans. Mankato published its own climate action plan less than a year after the June 2024 flood inundated low-lying parts of town.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3X5kU3R
LGBTQ: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Dozens of people gathered in the Capitol rotunda Thursday to mark Transgender Day of Remembrance, an annual event to honor the memory of lives lost to anti-transgender violence. Elected officials and transgender advocates read off a proclamation from the governor’s office. … Rep. Leigh Finke, DFL-St. Paul, touted laws approved in 2023 that ban conversation therapy and offer legal protection for trans people who seek gender affirming care in Minnesota. But she said there was work to be done in raising awareness. … Minneapolis City Council member Andrea Jenkins [also] spoke.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3LP8Y3L
CONGRESS
INSULIN: via Rep. Angie Craig advisory, VERBATIM: “Representatives Angie Craig [and others] introduced the Affordable Insulin Now Act to help Americans with private insurance afford insulin. The Craig-authored bill would extend the $35 insulin cap for seniors on Medicare that was passed into law through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to all Americans with private insurance.” CRAIG: “Pharmaceutical companies have raked in record profits by price gouging consumers. … This bill is the next step in our fight to make insulin affordable for every American who needs it.”
SNAP: via Sen. Amy Klobuchar advisory, VERBATIM: “Senators Amy Klobuchar [and others] led the entire Senate Democratic Caucus in introducing the Restoring Food Security for American Families and Farmers Act of 2025. The legislation would repeal [the] cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) made in the Republican budget. … Representatives [including] Angie Craig [have] introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48oXHQl
PERMITTING: via Rep. Pete Stauber advisory, VERBATIM: “Today, Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08), a cosponsor of H.R. 4776, the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act, released the following statement after the House Natural Resources Committee advanced the comprehensive permitting reform package.” STAUBER: “From critical minerals in Northern Minnesota to clean water infrastructure and roads that every community needs, endless delays hurt families, raise costs, and kill American jobs. … I urge the full House to quickly pass the SPEED Act and finally deliver real permitting reform.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48oPPyh
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)
METRO
ST PAUL: via City of St. Paul, VERBATIM: “Today, Saint Paul Mayor-elect Kaohly Her announced the members of her team who will work with the current administration and city leaders to ensure a smooth transition into office. … Erica Schumacher – Transition Co-Lead. … Erica brings more than 20 years of public-sector leadership. … Hnu Vang – Transition Co-Lead. Hnu [has] extensive experience across state and federal government. … Nick Stumo-Langer - Transition Advisor. Nick [is] a Committee Administrator for the Minnesota House DFL Caucus. … Matt Wagenius - Communications Director and Press Secretary. Matt has over a decade of experience in political communication. … Bridget Hajny - Scheduler and Office Manager. Bridget is an accomplished Administrative Manager with more than 20 years of experience.”
MPLS: via Star Tribune’s Deena Winter, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis City Council voted 8-5 today to basically keep alive the city’s proposal for George Floyd Square, which allows traffic in the intersection. One year ago, the council nixed the plan in favor of a pedestrian mall option. Not a done deal.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4ptdR17
MORE: Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey discussed his reelection and third-term goals with WCCO Radio yesterday. READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/47TiTxV
BURNSVILLE: via Rep. Angie Craig advisory, VERBATIM: “Rep. Angie Craig announced that she secured $10,720,000 in federal funding for the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) to add hybrid diesel buses to its fleet and modernize the Burnsville Bus Garage. MVTA will receive $8,000,000 from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Low-or-No-Emission Grant Program to support its fleet expansion and $2,720,000 from DOT’s Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Grant Program to fund Phase IV of the Burnsville Bus Garage Modernization project.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/488z3SG
GREATER MN
ROCHESTER: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “Mayo Clinic significantly increased its financial assistance, or charity care, spending in 2024, according to its federal tax documents. Last year, the health system gave $129.8 million to patients who qualified for partial or total medical bill forgiveness through its charity care program. That figure matches what Mayo Clinic reported earlier this year, alongside a record-setting $1.3 billion operating margin, in an audited consolidated financial report.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48rdazq
BYRON: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “A new report from the Office of the State Auditor found that Byron Public Schools failed to properly document nearly $60,000 in credit card purchases in 2023 and 2024, at a time when the small southeastern Minnesota district was experiencing serious financial problems that created a huge budget deficit. … It’s the latest in a series of financial missteps for the Byron district, which serves about 2,300 students.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4o6jwZy
NEXT
TODAY: Gov. Tim Walz’s trade mission to Switzerland and Germany will end Friday, Nov. 21. The mission focused on growing the state’s exports of goods and services.
TODAY: via Dept. of Commerce, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Commerce and the Community Action Partnership of Hennepin County will host a roundtable discussion. … Commissioner [Grace] Arnold will moderate a conversation with lawmakers, agency officials, and community leaders on how new federal energy policies could reshape household budgets across Minnesota.” Panelists include Sen. Nick Frentz and Asst. Commissioner Lissa Pawlisch. The event is at 10:00 a.m. in Golden Valley.
TODAY: via NFSA advisory, VERBATIM: “The National Fire Sprinkler Association – Minnesota Chapter, in partnership with the Cottage Grove Fire Department and the State Fire Marshal Division, will host a ‘Holiday Fire Safety’ media briefing and live fire demonstration at 11:00 a.m.”
TOMORROW: The Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers will hold its annual gala in Minneapolis on Nov. 22. Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder will be the keynote speaker.
MONDAY: The Minnesota Senate subcommittee on federal impacts will hold a hearing at 10:00 a.m. Details are “to be announced.”
TUESDAY: via House GOP, VERBATIM: “Representative Dawn Gillman (R–Dassel) announced today that she will join students, educators, and community members at Glencoe-Silver Lake School to celebrate the district’s FFA Chapter winning the National FFA Chapter Title. … The celebration will take place on Tuesday [at] 9:50 a.m.”
NOV 30: via MNLEG advisory, VERBATIM: “On Sunday, November 30, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. (Parks’ Birthday), Rep. Samakab Hussein (DFL-Saint Paul), DFL Vice Chair of the House Legacy Committee, and Minnesota Senate Legacy Committee Chair Sen. Foung Hawj (DFL-Saint Paul), will be joined by Dr. Robin Hickman -Winfield, executive producer and CEO of SoulTouch Productions, Amy Mino, executive director of the Landmark Center, community members and legislative leaders at the Landmark Center to honor the legacy of Gordon Parks.”
DEC 2: via MDH advisory, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will hold a public hearing from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 2, covering several changes in services provided at Allina Health Faribault Medical Center. … Allina Health Faribault’s birth center will close on Dec. 1 with all labor and delivery services consolidated to Owatonna Hospital.”
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