Wild lose. Wolves host the Rockets tonight.
Minnesota Frost forward Kelly Pannek has an official beer thanks to Fulton Brewing. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4g3dllD
A Rosemount teenager will play in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. PIPRESS: https://fluence-media.co/49eR7Ld
Farm Bureau data says that on average, a Thanksgiving meal will be 5% cheaper this year compared to 2023. KARE: https://fluence-media.co/3ZoN8bQ
A JournoResearch analysis finds that in a typical holiday shopping season, Minnesotans report over 7,000 cases of fraud and lose nearly $480 per case on average.
Sec. Steve Simon has shared results from the “Minnesota Students Voting” mock election. Among over 130,000 students, Kamala Harris won 47.9% of the vote while Donald Trump earned 43.5%. TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4i3j9gJ
Agricultural trade groups are lobbying Donald Trump to spare farm workers from deportations. REUTERS: https://fluence-media.co/3Zrp3zZ
It’s chilly out there.
Happy National Cake Day!
Blois
Tips: bloisolson@gmail.com
If you’re looking for a speaker to synthesize the election results and the upcoming legislative session email bloisolson@gmail.com
The new season of the Fresh15 is here, first interviews are Reps.-elect Wayne Johnson (R) and Kari Rerauer (DFL). HERE: https://fluence-media.co/Fresh152024
Sign-up for Sports Take a weekly preview of the week ahead published on Thursdays. HERE: https://fluence-media.co/SportsTakeSignUp
CO-CHAIRS: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “One week ago, the House committee structure for the next two years was announced. Now we know who will co-chair the 23 committees. … Caucus speaker-designates — current House Minority Leader Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring) and current House Speaker Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park) — jointly released the choices Monday evening. Committee and division membership will be equally divided between DFLers and Republicans.” A list of all committee co-chairs for both parties can be read online. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/493Pxf7
RECOUNTS: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “A pair of DFL lawmakers remained on track to keep their House seats after their election counts were affirmed Monday. … Scott County officials certified the results of a House district recount, signing off on the 14-vote win for DFL Rep. Brad Tabke over Republican challenger Aaron Paul. But the result is likely headed to court [over] 20 or so absentee ballots that officials haven’t been able to account for… An attorney representing the Minnesota House Republican campaign brought up 20 or so absentee ballots that officials haven’t been able to account for. Those ballots were often referred to as “the elephant in the room” during the afternoon hearing…Election officials in Sherburne County also recounted ballots by hand in the contest between DFL Rep. Dan Wolgamott and Republican Sue Ek. Wolgamott lost one vote in the three-precinct recount but still led Ek by 190 votes overall. The results are expected to be certified next month.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZnTqIy
RESPONSE: via a Rep. Dan Wolgamott statement, WOLGAMOTT: “I’m satisfied that the results of this recount confirm what the voters decided on November 5th: once again, they’ve hired me to get things done for St. Cloud at the Capitol. … Now is the time to foster relationships beyond partisan divides to tackle the challenges facing Minnesota’s families. I look forward to working with my seatmate, Rep. Bernie Perryman, and my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to deliver results for St. Cloud.”
PAID LEAVE: Via DEED, the proposed rules for Minnesota’s upcoming paid family and medical leave program have been published online as a 19-page document. The agency is accepting public comments on the draft proposal until Jan. 3. DRAFT: https://fluence-media.co/4g5w2Fm
POT: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “A Ramsey County judge ordered Minnesota cannabis regulators to delay the first cannabis license lottery that was set for Tuesday morning. Judge Stephen Smith, after an hour-long hearing on four lawsuits filed against the Office of Cannabis Management, decided to delay the lottery to give four parties time to appeal to the state Court of Appeals. All four had sued to stop the lottery over their claims that they had been wrongfully denied entry into the lottery. … Plaintiffs [said] they were not given adequate explanation for their denials…[and] argued that OCM did not follow the law when it did not issue deficiency letters to all applicants with gaps in their applications.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40ZpJ1N
MORE: via Forum News Service, VERBATIM: “The social equity aspect [of the lottery] was amended into Minnesota’s cannabis law last session after it passed in 2023, and is an attempt to ‘repair the harm done to communities across the U.S. by decades of cannabis prohibition,’ as explained by Sen. Lindsey Port, DFL-Burnsville, an author of the bill. … Rep. Nolan West, who was among a handful of Republicans who supported the bill in its early stages, said he attributes much of the [licensing] delays to this social equity aspect.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fHCXVb
RESPONSE: via Office of Cannabis Management, STATEMENT: “While we are disappointed by the decision to prevent OCM from moving forward with the license preapproval lottery [today], we stand by the process used to review applications. Minnesota’s approach has always aimed to protect the integrity of a social equity license, and the rigorous review also allowed us to identify and prevent bad actors from entering the system. State statute sets high standards for applicants to successfully complete applications while also filtering out those with malicious intent.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3AYUKbq
ANOKAHENN: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “The Anoka Hennepin School board unanimously voted Monday night to cut hundreds of central office jobs to save the district millions of dollars…The plan also protects teachers from any layoffs in the short term. However, the district will have to reevaluate reductions again next year…The decision comes after months of discussion when the board learned it was facing a $26 million shortfall. It blames a convergence of factors including limited growth, elimination of pandemic relief funds, inflation and no additional revenue from the state or federal sources.” READ/WATCH:
VOTER FRAUD: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “A Hubbard County election judge charged with allowing 11 unregistered voters to cast ballots and an Itasca County woman accused of voting on behalf of her dead mother are two cases receiving a lot of attention over the last month in Minnesota. Through a data practices request, KARE 11 analyzed all election-related charges and convictions over the last four years. Since 2020, there have been 123 cases spread throughout the state. The most common crime is ‘ineligible voter knowingly votes,’ which has been charged 61 times since 2020.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3ZpmkYE
SD45: DFL state Sen. Ann Johnson Stewart of Minnetonka was officially sworn in yesterday after winning a special election in Senate District 45 earlier this month. Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy released a statement supporting Johnson Stewart. MURPHY: “She embraces the awesome responsibility of representing Senate District 45 and going to work on their behalf. She will bring experience on a wide range of issues, especially her expertise in infrastructure, transportation, workforce development and job creation.”
CABINET: via WCCO Radio, VERBATIM: “House Republican Whip and Minnesota 6th District Rep. Tom Emmer says he likes all the cabinet picks made so far by President-elect Donald Trump. Speaking to Blois Olson on WCCO's Sunday Take, Emmer says that Trump is doing what he promised to do.” EMMER: “Across the board, President Trump is nominating people who are going to shake up the status quo in Washington. That's not a bad thing. You can't fix Washington with Washington insiders. I think President Trump was given a mandate to make change and he's bringing outsiders in from around the country to get it done.” READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3VahtIy
DNC: via The Hill, VERBATIM: “The Democratic National Committee (DNC) will hold its leadership elections Feb. 1, 2025 [at] the party’s winter meeting. … The DNC will host four forums, mixed in-person and online, for candidates to present themselves. The forums will be held in January. … Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) said on Nov. 18 he would run for the spot. Minnesota state Democratic leader Ken Martin jumped in the following day, and multiple other names are being floated for the slot.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fOlk6w
CONGRESS: via Axios, VERBATIM: “House Democrats' internal fights over committee leadership heated up Monday with Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) announcing she will run to lead Democrats on the House Agriculture Committee. Craig is the second lawmaker to jump into the race against incumbent ranking member Rep. David Scott (D-Ga.). … [This] comes as Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) runs to unseat Natural Resources Committee ranking member Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), and Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) is expected to announce [soon] if he will run against Judiciary Committee ranking member Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.). … It is generally frowned upon to challenge an incumbent committee leader, but the Democrats' 2024 election losses [have] opened the floodgates.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Oqtkyg
From yesterday’s lunch take:
CRAIG: Via Rep. Angie Craig’s letter announcing her run for ranking member of the ag committee, QUOTE: “Over the past six years in Congress, I’ve been proud to work alongside many of you to deliver real results for America’s families, farmers, ranchers and producers. … At the same time, anyone who knows me knows I never shy away from standing up for my values. … I will continue to champion our shared priorities, working with Republicans where possible and standing firm where needed.” LETTER: https://fluence-media.co/3Omqg6r
HEGSETH: via Wall Street Journal, VERBATIM: “During his first term, Donald Trump would sometimes interrupt meetings on military or veterans’ issues to call [Minnesota native] Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host who impressed the president with a blunt style that mirrored his own. … But the very reasons that drew Trump to Hegseth are threatening to derail his nomination. He would come to the job never having led a large government agency or faced the scrutiny that comes with it. A 2017 sexual-assault allegation that he later paid his accuser to keep secret blindsided Trump transition officials and has left even some Republicans undecided about voting to confirm him.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Z1rnNP
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SCHOOLS: via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “Donald Trump made frequent promises during his 2024 presidential campaign to cut education funding to schools whose instruction did not align with his views of race and gender. Now that he has won the election, some advocates are gearing up to push back on those efforts, which they say could have a chilling effect on Minnesota schools. … ‘I worry about self-censorship among teachers and educators concerned about threats of enforcement, even though those threats are very unlikely to ever materialize because they’re not well-grounded in civil rights law and regulations,’ said Rachel Perera, a fellow in governance studies at [the] Brookings Institution.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3V7dg8t
MEDICARE: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Minnesota officials are warning that major health care providers across the state soon won’t accept certain Medicare Advantage plans, affecting coverage for more than 60,000 people. … With a little under two weeks until the deadline to sign up for 2025 coverage, Attorney General Keith Ellison and officials from state agencies handling aging and Medicare are trying to spread the word about providers dropping or changing Medicare Advantage plans. … The warning comes after numerous Minnesota health care providers said they’ll no longer accept Medicare Advantage plans from Humana in 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/499GsBj
RURAL EMS: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “The Arrowhead EMS Association has been awarded $5 million as part of a grant that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) hopes will improve and expedite post-crash care in rural communities and tribal areas. … Rural areas in Minnesota account for roughly a quarter of traffic crashes, but represent over half of the state’s fatal crashes. The seven-county, four-tribal nation region in northeast Minnesota averaged 9.88 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents between 2017 and 2021.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/498F16n
BRINGING SAFETY TO ‘THE NEXT LEVEL’: As part of Enbridge’s work on the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Reservation in northern Minnesota, Enbridge has brought in family-owned and Indigenous-owned Northern Lights Family Outfitters to fully outfit project workers right on the job site with personal protective equipment (PPE) from its 48-foot mobile trailer. “Enbridge really brings safety to the next level,” says Patti, a project liaison for Enbridge and the Fond du Lac Band. “It’s really helpful to have a mobile unit, especially for this kind of work.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3OQYmjn (SPONSORED: Enbridge)
ST PAUL: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Members of the St. Paul City Council have officially asked the mayor to cut up to $6 million in spending from the budget proposal he unveiled in August, with the goal of limiting the city’s 2025 property tax levy increase to no more than 5%. St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter’s $855 million budget proposal currently calls for a 7.9% levy increase, raising alarm with fiscal watchdogs and some everyday residents and council members. … Council President Mitra Jalali said not all council members were on board with the request to rein in spending, and the exact amount of a requested reduction is still up in the air.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4i3k5lf
MPLS: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Several blocks of Hennepin Avenue South in Minneapolis will reopen to cars Tuesday, ending several months of construction and detours. Mayor Jacob Frey announced the end of construction at a press conference Monday. ‘While I know this has been burdensome to many people, this was necessary,’ Frey said. … The fresh pavement features protected bike lanes, bus lanes and newly planted trees. City officials say the changes will make the busy road safer for pedestrians and drivers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eIi1wc
HENN CTY: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “After six months of bargaining, the AFSCME Council 5 union reached a tentative agreement with Hennepin County for around 4,000 employees. … The agreement includes a 4% wage increase for employees in 2025, 2026, and 2027, compounded annually. This is a significant increase from the county's opening offer of a 1%, 0.5%, and 0.5% increase over the next three years.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fIKzHg
HOUSING: via a TC Habitat press release, VERBATIM: “Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity is continuing construction at The Heights on St. Paul’s East Side as the deadline nears for contributions to the state’s new Housing Tax Credit and Contribution Fund. … Taxpayers can contribute from $1,000 to $2 million to the fund or to eligible projects like The Heights and receive a tax credit certificate that equals 85 percent of their total contributions. The fund provides loans to projects throughout the state. … The deadline to apply for contributions this year is December 6 at 5:00 p.m.” DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/3Zn58TF
TREES: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis will soon be getting a little greener, particularly in areas that need environmental improvements. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board received a $120,000 donation…to ‘enhance climate resilience in economically disadvantaged and environmentally justice-designated neighborhoods in Minneapolis,’ according to a release from the city. The money will be used to plant 1,000 native and climate-resilient trees in areas most in need. … Planting is expected to begin in 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3CLlNHO
PERMITTING REFORM FOR RESPONSIBLE INDUSTRIES: Jobs for Minnesotans is committed to advancing responsible industrial projects through a predictable, timely and transparent permitting process. Broad permitting reform for all responsible industries is essential to strengthening Minnesota’s communities and advancing our state’s clean energy future. (SPONSORED: Jobs for Minnesotans)
MINING: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has delayed a decision until late next year on a key permit for the proposed NewRange Copper Nickel project in northeastern Minnesota, the mine formerly known as PolyMet. The decision relates to the ‘Permit to Mine,’ one of several major permits issued in late 2018 and early 2019 by state and federal officials that NewRange needs. … Now, the DNR official charged with deciding on that permit has suspended proceedings until August 2025, following an announcement from NewRange about three months ago that it is studying several possible upgrades to the mine’s design.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/495cD4U
FOOD BANKS: via Office of the Governor, VERBATIM: “Ahead of the holiday season, Governor Tim Walz today announced $5 million in new funding to put food on tables across the state. Governor Walz made the announcement and joined volunteers to stock shelves at the Neighborhood House food shelf in St. Paul. … Funding is authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act and will support food shelves amid increased visits and strains on the emergency food system. Funding will also support eligible Tribal Nations and American Indian Food Sovereignty grantees.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3CLzdUa
LEAD PIPES: via an MDH press release, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) today announced that 100% of the state’s community water systems have completed an inventory of their service lines as part of a national effort to identify where lead pipes need to be replaced. … MDH estimates that of the 1.5 million service lines in Minnesota, just under 90,000 are made of lead. That total may increase as approximately 280,000 service lines will require additional verification. … ‘Nationally, Minnesota has one of the highest rates of completion for the service line inventories,’ said Sandeep Burman, manager of MDH’s Drinking Water Protection Section.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4i8a71W
FERTILIZER: via an MDA press release, VERBATIM: “The Agricultural Fertilizer Research and Education Council (AFREC) is looking for new members to join the council and help expand soil fertility research, education, and outreach in Minnesota. … The 2024 Minnesota Legislature expanded AFREC to include a new member who is ‘an expert in public health’ and a new member who is ‘an expert in water quality and has performed scientific research on water issues.’ … Applications are due December 20, 2024.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hXmH42
BEES: via Center for Biological Diversity, VERBATIM: “The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed to designate critical habitat for the rusty patched bumblebee under the Endangered Species Act, [giving] protections to places the critically endangered bee calls home. The proposal includes approximately 1.6 million acres across 33 counties in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin. … Today’s designation is the result of a lawsuit filed in 2021 by NRDC, the Center for Biological Diversity, and Friends of Minnesota Scientific and Natural Areas, which successfully challenged the Service’s 2020 decision denying critical habitat for the species.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4i79Jks
ECONOMICDEVELOPMENT: From Grand Rapids, a conversation about opportunities and challenges to economic growth in Greater Minnesota with Tuleah Palmer, CEO of the Blandin Foundation, Roy Smith of the IRRRB and Steve Loney from Kiesler Wellness Center. From workforce to energy costs, a thoughtful conversation on how leaders are working together to push the region’s economy forward. Mainstreet Minnesota is presented by Compeer Financial. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/MainstreetMN2
MANKATO: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “City and police officials attempted to reassure members of the Muslim community of Mankato recently after concerns about a suspected arson at a mosque. ‘We want to make sure that you’re able to continue to worship and that you feel safe in Mankato,’ said Jeremy Clifton, the city’s recently appointed director of public safety, before a gathering of about 40 at the Islamic Center of Mankato. … Members at the mosque said a man attempted to set a fire there as part of a ‘brazen’ act on Nov. 10. Police officials, however, said the Islamic Center of Mankato had not faced any threat, and a man was simply lighting firecrackers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4155joe
CHATFIELD: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “As their school district contemplates adopting an alternative calendar, students in Chatfield may find themselves having to attend classes for only four days a week in the future. Chatfield Public Schools has started researching the possibility of restructuring its schedule. A decision will be made on the matter in early 2025. The district recently hosted a public input session to gauge the community's reception of the proposal.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Ors3as
STEARNS CTY: via St. Cloud Live, VERBATIM: “Stearns County residents will have a chance to weigh in on the county’s proposed 2025 budget before commissioners officially adopt it during a Truth in Taxation public hearing on Tuesday, Dec. 3. … The hearing is one of the final stages of a nine-month process to create and adopt a new county budget. Since April 2024, the county department directors have compiled and presented their new budget requests, which were reviewed by the county commissioners. The commissioners approved a preliminary budget in September. In December, the commissioners must adopt the final budget and tax levy.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Op7fjB
WILD ABOUT READING: More than 500 Minnesota classrooms and 15,000 students are participating in the “Wild About Reading” program, a partnership with Flint Hills Resources which encourages students to read more using Minnesota Wild-branded posters, reading logs and bookmarks. Teachers set weekly reading goals and give certificates to students who complete the four-week program. Fun program incentives include classroom visits from the Wild’s mascot, Nordy, and the team dog, Rookie; a pair of tickets to a Wild home game, player-signed pucks and photos; and a pizza party for a classroom. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3O2nzH0 (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
DOWNTOWN: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The next decade could bring downtown Minneapolis a marquee outdoor ice rink, a Michelin star, consistent skyway hours and thousands more residents, if the Downtown Council’s 10-year plan comes to fruition. The business organization unveiled its vision Monday for downtown through 2035, including ambitious goals to transform Minneapolis’ urban core to meet new demands and desires. That starts with filling the gaps office workers left when remote and hybrid work became popular during the COVID-19 pandemic.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3V83T8l
BUSES: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “This winter, Metro Transit is promising to make D Line buses more predictable and less crowded. From Dec. 9 until March 21, Metro Transit will try what is called ‘headway-based scheduling’ on the state’s busiest route serving Brooklyn Center, north and south Minneapolis, Richfield, Bloomington, and the Mall of America.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3CMWUvy
FARM BILL: via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “It seems time has run out on getting a farm bill done during the lame duck session of Congress. … National Farmers Union president Rob Larew tells Brownfield: ‘What we can most hope for at this point is a package that includes some sort of disaster assistance over the last couple of years, as well as some measure of economic assistance for farmers and ranchers.’ … Minnesota Farm Bureau president Dan Glessing says the federation will continue pushing for the certainty of a five-year farm bill.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4g44hgh
MORE TAKES: Every day, we’re sharing significant political, business and other news in additional newsletters. If you love morning take, sign up for the other Fluence tip sheets HERE: fluence-newsletters.com
TODAY: via Office of the Governor, VERBATIM: “Governor Tim Walz and the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association will present Minnesota’s Thanksgiving turkey to celebrate the state’s nation-leading turkey industry.” MDA commissioner Thom Petersen will attend. The event is at 11:00 a.m.
BDAYS: networker Greg Rye, BMO’s Steve Stoup, Diversified Foods leader Sean Steichen, DOD’s Carlie Waible
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