WINDY WEDNESDAY
Feels windy out there, ¾ of an inch in St. Louis Park.
The best holiday for rest and family is upon us, travel safe and soak up the family.
Today we should all be thankful for snowplow drivers.
St. Thomas MBB wins the Summit League. Wild and Wolves play tonight. Badgers in town to battle for the Ax Saturday – bundle up. Frost in Seattle – a game to watch. Here’s your cheat sheet on sports while dealing with know-it-all uncles. ST: https://fluence-media.co/49HFxL4
Should be quiet, Governor Tim Walz has no public events scheduled between Wednesday, November 26 and Sunday, November 30, 2025.
The U of M will release three new grape varieties for the first time in 45 years. AXIOS: https://fluence-media.co/4pAW9J2
After very mixed reviews, “Purple Rain” finished its run in Minnesota. Is there a large national audience? STRIB: https://fluence-media.co/483hy7O
We’re not feeling great about the economy, U.S. consumer confidence has fallen by over 21% since last year. BLOOMBERG: https://fluence-media.co/48G3mAP
Enjoy the long weekend — morning take will return Monday.
It’s National Cake Day – Edina should be extra.
Share the newsletter with friends and let us know what the buzz about 2026 is at the table. Keep the gravy on the plate, despite disagreeing with an annoying relative about politics.
We are thankful for you – our readers.
Blois - tips: bloisolson@gmail.com
Rep. Brad Finstad was on Sunday Take discussing agriculture, immigration, the government shutdown and more. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/48BQRpV
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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/
HOMELAND SECURITY
ICE: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Federal authorities on Tuesday took at least two people into custody in St. Paul during an operation that drew protesters and led to law enforcement using chemical irritants and firing less-lethal munitions into the crowd [in] a residential area. … Federal agents on the scene [were from] Homeland Security Investigations, part of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. … St. Paul Police later confirmed their officers used ‘chemical irritants.’ … MPR News photojournalist Kerem Yücel [was] among those hit by the less-lethal munitions. He was taken from the scene by ambulance and released shortly after.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3M17MdN
MORE: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “According to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security, ICE agents were arresting one person, who they say was from Honduras and in the country illegally. DHS said the person had a criminal history. … Gov. Tim Walz addressed the raid on social media Tuesday afternoon, saying the state was unaware of the operation in advance.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3XUYnH6
MORE: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Police Chief Axel Henry said his department got reports of rocks and sticks being thrown at agents. At least one protester was seen hurling a rock into the smoke-filled air. … Mayor Melvin Carter [described] footage of a woman standing in front of a vehicle and being blasted in the face with a chemical irritant at point-blank range — an incident that, he said, raises questions about whether the city’s values of de-escalation and minimal force ‘were upheld.’ Carter said Henry has begun a full review of every use of force during the response.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3JZww5A
MORE: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Two state lawmakers — Rep. Athena Hollins of St. Paul and Rep. Liish Kozlowski of Duluth — were among those hit by law enforcement deploying gas, spray or projectiles, as were City Council Member HwaJeong Kim and several journalists. … St. Paul has a separation ordinance that says city employees are not authorized to enforce federal immigration policies, and Police Chief Axel Henry said the city’s officers had not violated it or made arrests. … ‘Police officers are not doing immigration enforcement, but we do have a responsibility to make sure that laws aren’t broken in our city,’ Henry said. The city’s officers were called to the [scene] to assist when protesters broke the perimeter established by federal agents, the police department said.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3XCTLpj
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MINNESOTA
13A: via St. Cloud Live, VERBATIM: “A St. John’s University student has officially entered Central Minnesota politics, hoping to replace Rep. Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, to represent District 13A. William Bugbee, who goes by Ben, officially launched his campaign. … Bugbee, 21, of Paynesville, described himself as a ‘lifelong resident, community volunteer and conservative advocate.’ … His platform focuses on affordability, boosting the economy and ‘pushing back against the overwhelming influence of far-left ideology.’ … Demuth [has] represented 13A since 2018.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49LxsFb
ECONOMY: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s economy is diverging, with growth largely benefiting those who are already well off while the rest of the state slips backward. … While much of the state’s economy hinges on federal policy or global trends, state officials do have levers they could pull. … Turning cost-burdened renters into stable, comfortable renters, and making it possible for more renters to buy homes, is the single most impactful change to bend the diverging arms of the ‘K’ back towards each other, economists said. … Economists describe a situation where workers at the bottom and middle of the labor market face longer [job searches], fewer lateral opportunities and more difficulty moving into stable, higher-paying roles. Economists cited workforce training and development as a critical way that the state can address this disconnect.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3XiMtXy
SNAP: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “The state agency in charge of administering [SNAP] said it has not used a new state law that allows agencies to withhold public assistance payments amid allegations of fraud. The revelation came after 5 INVESTIGATES began asking the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) for information on fraud [prevention] in the program. … A DCYF spokesperson said that ‘rather than simply withholding payments for 60 days,’ the department complies with another state law that disqualifies SNAP recipients from the program. But that statute stops payments to individuals only after they’re ‘found to be guilty.’” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4obCYUR
In an excerpt from fmr. Racing Commission Chair Dr. Camile McArdle’s letter the Paulick Report, VERBATIM: “During my 32 years on the Commission I have never been told that our mission statement was wrong. So imagine my reaction a couple of weeks ago when I was called to the Capitol to be chastised for “allowing” the Commission to approve a change in the card room floor plan for an existing card game (two years ago!) and to approve Historical Horse Racing (well over a year ago). Both of these upgrades were designed to ultimately help the race tracks increase purses. I was told that these actions on the part of the Commission were “embarrassing.”
Deeper via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “In an interview, McArdle said that it has been her impression that the governor’s office has favored gaming at the state’s tribal reservations. … She said the governor’s office informed her that the commission should just regulate the tracks and not help them. [McArdle] pointed out that the commission’s stated mission is not just oversight but ‘to promote the horse racing and breeding industry.’ … Raymond Dehn, a member of the nine-person gubernatorial-appointed commission, said that he sympathized with McArdle’s frustration. ‘Horse racing in Minnesota is struggling, and there seems to be no support from the governor,’ said Dehn.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3XQk7UB
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)
WASHINGTON + MN
MNSEN: via New York Times, VERBATIM: “A group of influential liberal senators is directly challenging Senator Chuck Schumer’s approach to the midterm elections. … The coalition of at least half a dozen senators, who call themselves the ‘Fight Club,’ is unhappy with how Mr. Schumer [supports] candidates aligned with the establishment. … The senators — who include Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, Tina Smith of Minnesota, Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts — reflect the widespread doubts among the Democratic base that party leaders in Congress have a strong vision. … Their first public move [minus Smith] was a joint video offering a group endorsement of Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan. … The senators are convinced that [Schumer] is pushing donors toward specific Senate candidates, [including] Angie Craig in Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4acKHyG
MORE: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “A [Political Action Committee] is running ads on behalf of U.S. Rep. Angie Craig in her bid for Senate. Center Forward, a centrist-focused PAC most recently funded by Chevron, has dropped more than $600,000 on digital ads for Craig. It’s the first major independent expenditure in the Democratic primary between Craig and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48AMMTO
HOUSING: via Office of the Atty. General, VERBATIM: “Attorney General Keith Ellison and a coalition of 20 other plaintiffs filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for [changing] access to long-term housing and other services. … HUD [is] reducing the amount of grant funds that can be spent on permanent housing and project renewals and putting new unlawful conditions on access to the funding, [including] requirements that providers only recognize two genders [and] punishing providers in localities that do not enforce strict anti-homeless laws.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48dqy9a
ECONOMY
TARIFFS: via Rep. Kelly Morrison advisory, VERBATIM: “Representative Kelly Morrison (MN-03) introduced the Small Business Restoring Equity for Local Importers through Economic Fairness Act – the ‘Small Business RELIEF Act’ – which would exempt small business owners from [Pres. Donald] Trump’s global baseline tariffs and provide refunds to the small businesses who were forced to pay them.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49FSi8J
EXPO: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “An international exposition celebrating all things horticulture is coming to the United States for the very first time. The A1 International Horticultural Expo is set to be held in Dakota County from May through October, 2031. The expo is organized by the International Association of Horticultural Producers, [and] they estimate more than 4 million will visit the six-month Minnesota event. … Dakota County Commissioner Joe Atkins [said] there is expected to be more than a billion dollars in private investment and economic activity from the event.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4ok08bR
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)
RED FLAG: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “Police in Mankato have filed more Extreme Risk Protection Orders than any other department in Minnesota since the state’s ‘red flag’ law went into effect, outpacing departments in larger cities like Minneapolis, Bloomington and Duluth. … The Mankato Department of Public Safety has filed 25 Extreme Risk Protection Orders, confiscating more than 60 firearms. … In Mankato, the Red Flag law has become an integral part of an officer’s training. ‘We do it at our line level, which I think just puts us in a unique position compared to some other policing agencies across the state of Minnesota,’ said [Public Safety Director Jeremy] Clifton.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/48GdPMD
MOVE: House DFL communications director Sorcha McGuire announced she’s moving to the Senate DFL in the same role on Dec. 1. Adam Kopel and Ted Modrich will handle House communications in the interim.
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)
ACROSS MN
STILLWATER: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “A nonprofit that has been working for years to bring an indoor pool and community center to the Stillwater area has entered into an agreement to purchase the current Lake Elmo Elementary School site for $4.25 million. Stillwater Area Public School District officials announced on Tuesday morning that the district is selling the property [to] Valley Community Center Partners Inc. … The nonprofit is planning to build a new community center on the site. Among the planned amenities: an aquatics facility, fitness and recreation spaces, courts for multiple sports, youth activity areas, gathering spaces and programs serving people of all ages and abilities.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3XP2X9R
DETROIT LAKES: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “The food grown by farmers near this western Minnesota town will soon be put to more and better use. Potatoes grown in the Red River Valley could be mashed and diced for school lunches. Peppers could become salsa. … Such are the possibilities envisioned by members of Manna Food Co-op [with] the help of a new commercial kitchen. Funded by a federal grant, the kitchen will strengthen Manna’s connection to local food producers, a core principle for co-ops.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pB0BaI
GRANT: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “The city of Grant has hired longtime area city administrator Kristina Handt to be its new interim city administrator and treasurer. Her first day on the job was Monday. Handt takes over the position from Kim Points, who had held the position for 20 years. The Grant City Council and Points mutually agreed earlier this month that her last day of employment would be Dec. 31, said Mayor Jeff Giefer. Giefer said Tuesday that he could not give details surrounding the separation agreement.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Kqrzmn
THE WEEK
TODAY: via Conversation Curator, VERBATIM: “A community-driven Pop-Up Pantry organized by 4 Black and Brown Minneapolis women will provide hot meals, winter coats, and essential sanitary items to help local families prepare for the winter season.” The event is at 2:00 p.m.
SUNDAY: 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 3: via MN House, VERBATIM: “Rep. Cedrick Frazier (DFL-New Hope) will hold a town hall meeting on gun violence prevention from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 3. He will be joined by Rep. Mike Freiberg (DFL-Crystal) and a panel of local community advocates and members from the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office.”
BDAYS: American Swedish Institute’s Molly Steenson In the coming days… real estate guy Eric Nordquist, PPMN CEO Ruth Richardson, comms pro Anna Long, business leader John Francis, Goff’s Sara Swenson, Fox 9’s Chenue Her, Rep. Roger Skraba
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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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