Wild shutout the Blues. Columbus at home this weekend.
Gopher Men’s Hockey lost to BC last night.
Gopher Homecoming vs. Purdue. Loons host the Galaxy.
Colgate hockey opener at BU…see you Monday.
The Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener starts today in Ortonville. WCCO: http://fluence-media.co/43dGmqB
Parts of I-94 in St. Paul will be closed this weekend. KARE: http://fluence-media.co/4h0EVl8
The team behind ABC’s defunct FiveThirtyEight page started a new polling analysis site: FiftyPlusOne. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4h9mqey
A Morning Consult survey of partisanship finds that only five states have a majority of residents leaning toward one ideology. The “reddest” state is Wyoming at 55% conservative, while the “bluest” is Vermont at 42% liberal. Hawaii and Nevada are the most moderate, tied at 33%. Minnesota at 32 percent Liberal, 35 percent Conservative and 25 percent moderate. SURVEY: http://fluence-media.co/4h0zanw
Next week a significant Fluence Media announcement…
Happy National Metric Day.
Blois - tips: bloisolson@gmail.com
Fluence Advisory is getting ready to host its next Fluence Forum – The State of Health Care. Email bolson@fluence-advisory.com for more information and sponsorship information.
Fluence Advisory is hiring an executive administrator. POST: https://fluence-media.co/4oqit7J
What are the headwinds and tailwinds of the regional economy? - Sunday Take featured UMN’s Myles Shaver discussing the current state of the headquarters economy in Minnesota. LISTEN: http://fluence-media.co/3IPKVR8
AUDIENCE: Sponsorships are available to reach over 30,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheets and website, TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com.
DFLSENATE: In a recent polling memo from the Flanagan for Senate campaign, VERBATIM: “This more recent PPP poll of the general election shows Flanagan (68 percent favorable) with higher favorability ratings among Democrats than Congresswoman Angie Craig (57 percent favorable). Moreover, when PPP tested negatives against both candidates (see language below), only 32 percent of Democrats said they raised very or somewhat serious concerns about Flanagan compared to 69 percent who said Craig’s negatives raised very or somewhat serious concerns. Both candidates perform equally well in a general election matchup with a generic Republican in the initial vote and the informed vote. And both candidates perform equally well after negatives” MEMO: https://fluence-media.co/48X3Yn8
WAITING: Still waiting to see Flanagan’s Q3 fundraising.
EARLY VOTES: via Star Tribune’s Deena Winter, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis City Clerk Casey Carl says nearly 5,000 people have voted early in the city election, a new record for 20 days in. There are 26 days to go [until] Election Day. The city will also have pop-up sites again this year.” TWEET: http://fluence-media.co/3WxiD0S
MPLS MAYOR: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Mayor Jacob Frey, aiming for his third term leading the city, is outraising his opponents and bringing in money from more individual donors across the city than any other candidate, campaign finance data show, but his major competitors have areas of donor strength. At least 552 people living in Minneapolis donated to Frey’s campaign between August 2024 and the end of July, the most recent disclosure deadline. That’s over 200 more donors than his three opponents combined. … [Omar] Fateh has 156 donors across Minneapolis. The average donation to his campaign is $186, notably less than the other major candidates in the race. … While more than half of Fateh’s fundraising comes from outside Minneapolis, most of that is from other parts of Minnesota.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3VYpfFy
From yesterday’s lunch take:
SPENDING: via Axios Twin Cities, VERBATIM: “Some of Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey‘s wealthiest supporters have mounted their own half-million-dollar campaign to bolster Frey’s reelection effort — and to swing City Council races in his favor. The independent expenditure effort gives Frey a financial edge on his opponents. … In Frey’s corner: ‘All of Mpls’…has spent nearly $344,000 on swaying city races as of late September. An offshoot group, ‘Thrive Mpls,’ spent another $46,000. A third group, ‘We Love Minneapolis PAC’…has spent nearly $122,000 to bolster Frey-aligned council candidates.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3KIdkJt
STP MAYOR: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “The Capitol City’s five official mayoral candidates gathered [to] air their differences before a live audience, making their case on massive issues like downtown’s shaky future and immigrant protections, as well as the literal nuts and bolts of city leadership. The forum, the second in 24 hours as the campaigns hit their race pace, featured incumbent Mayor Melvin Carter, his most-prominent challenger, DFL state Rep. Kaohly Her, along with Yan Chen, Adam Dullinger and Mike Hilborn. … Every candidate agreed that St. Paul needs more housing, and soon, but the field split on how to make it happen. … The evening’s tensest moments came as candidates described how they’d shield St. Paul’s most vulnerable communities from overzealous federal law enforcement agencies.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4q2zCG1
Support our work…
Sign-up for paid TheDailyAgenda and you’ll receive a morning take mug.
Earlier this year we launched a premium subscription option. Now we’re adding content for premium subscribers.
A monthly insight-filled briefing memo on Minnesota and Midwest issue and political dynamics.
Access to our Fluence Forum audio and videio assets.
A free morning take mug if you sign-up.
LINDELL: via Business Insider, VERBATIM: “Mike Lindell isn’t getting a soft landing. On Thursday, Liberty Vote acquired Dominion Voting Systems, the election technology company that scored a mammoth $787.5 million settlement in its defamation lawsuit against Fox News. In the weeks ahead of the acquisition, Dominion quietly settled other defamation lawsuits [at] Liberty’s [request]. … Liberty Vote is run by Scott Leiendecker, who previously served on the St. Louis City Board of Elections as the Republican director. … [But] Dominion is still suing Lindell, the My Pillow CEO. … Lindell told Business Insider that Leiendecker’s history of working as a Republican election director would not halt his mission to end the existence of all voting machines.” QUOTE: “He’s going to come and say, ‘Oh, Mike, if we drop this, will you be a good boy and not talk about the machines?’ It ain’t happening.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4q56HRI
NATL GUARD: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Minnesota is ready to take the Trump Administration to court if the president sends military forces here like he has to Chicago and other cities. Gov. Tim Walz, who served in the National Guard for 24 years, told reporters this week he already is trying to map out what a possible federal mobilization would look like and is working with Attorney General Keith Ellison to assess the state’s rights in such a scenario.” ELLISON: “We’re reviewing all possible legal strategies, we’re in regular contact with the states going through this now and we’ll be ready to uphold the law, including the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 that bars the president from using the military as a police force.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3Wu53LJ
MORE: via WCCO Radio, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara says he’s concerned about the potential of the National Guard being deployed to Minnesota by the Trump Administration.” O’HARA: “I’m not worried about me. I’m worried about the state of this community. … It [could] have that spiral out of control, potentially violent, potentially a riot, and potentially something that could give the justification for what these people want to do and federalize things, and make the situation that much worse.” READ/LISTEN: http://fluence-media.co/4qb65tV
SHUTDOWN: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “On the ninth day of the federal government shutdown, Rep. Tom Emmer, R-6th District, took aim at Minnesota’s Democratic senators, Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith. At a GOP leadership press conference, which House Republicans decided this week to hold every morning, Emmer, the Majority Whip, said Klobuchar and Smith have voted six times ‘to shut the government down, or keep it shut down.’ … Smith reacted on X to Emmer’s attacks, [saying] ‘You’re spending a lot of time tweeting at me and not a lot of time negotiating how to get out of a shutdown.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ohU0kR
MORE: via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “Some Minnesotans in the state’s 6th Congressional District are speaking out against their congressman’s budget bill vote. They’re calling on Republican Rep. Tom Emmer to restore health care funding and end the government shutdown. … About three dozen people tried to meet Emmer at his Chaska office Wednesday to discuss the impacts of the proposed health cuts on Minnesota.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/3KGorCF
SENATE RACE: Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan announced that state Rep. Katie Jones (D-Minneapolis) has endorsed her campaign for U.S. Senate.
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)
AI: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “Xcel Energy has announced plans to install 38 cameras that will help detect wildfires across Minnesota. Right now, the utility company has installed two cameras, one in Clear Lake and the other in Mankato, with plans to install the remaining 36 cameras by the end of 2026. … The cameras use artificial intelligence and ultra-high definition video to scan for smoke and heat signatures, and they can detect these abnormalities up to 10 miles away. Human analysts monitor the cameras, and they notify fire officials once a smoke detection has been verified.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/48X7v4R
(DISCLOSURE: Xcel Energy is a client and sponsor of Fluence)
UMN: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “The University of Minnesota Board of Regents is finalizing a request for more than $280 million from state lawmakers for a major revitalization plan. If the financial request gets the green light from the board, the request will slide to the desk of state legislators to approve in the next legislative session. University leaders say around a third of the money would be used to upgrade and renovate its dental school — the only one in the state. Another third would be used for enhancement projects at U of M and Minnesota State-owned colleges and universities. The remaining $84 million will be used to replace two buildings.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/4oeq0q2
MORE: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “The historic Eastcliff mansion long owned by the University of Minnesota has been sold, but there won’t be a new face on the block overlooking the Mississippi River. In an effort to cut down on university costs, the Board of Regents approved the sale of Eastcliff in St. Paul to the University of Minnesota Foundation. The transaction was structured so the school will maintain access to the property. The sale was approved by a 9-2 vote on Thursday. The sale price is $2.2 million. … The 1.62 acres of land will remain under university ownership.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/472cdMk
TRANS SPORTS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “As the Trump Administration promises ‘imminent enforcement action’ against Minnesota for its policy allowing transgender athletes to play girls’ high school sports, the state’s top Democrats are struggling to navigate what’s become a thorny political issue. Democrats across the state have condemned the Trump Administration’s actions, which threaten state education funding. But many stop short of saying where they stand on the policy itself. … Minnesota is facing a Friday deadline from the administration to take action, though it’s unclear if the federal government will issue any kind of sanctions by that date.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4nCuLts
OCT 30: via AgriGrowth, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s agriculture and food sector has been a cornerstone of the state’s economic growth, often mitigating or cushioning recessions. To strengthen our agriculture and food economy, change is required. Minnesota AgriGrowth’s fall summit will continue the hard questions being asked at kitchen tables and board rooms: ‘How do we build a robust agriculture and food economy in Minnesota by 2040?’” SIGNUP: https://fluence-media.co/3L2utxu (SPONSORED: AgriGrowth)
DAYCARE: via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “During the next legislative session, Minnesota lawmakers are scheduled to redraft all of the state’s day care regulations, including safety rules. One legislator who will lead that effort is Republican lawmaker Rep. Nolan West, whose daughter suffered abuse at a day care where two employees were ultimately charged. … West [has] proposed a series of bills, including requiring warnings on how to recognize abuse, expanding background checks, making cameras mandatory [and] preserving video for 90 days. … [Previously], West was only able to get cameras into day cares that had been found to have a maltreatment violation, and he was only able to get the requirement for keeping video for 28 days. He says he will be back to demand tougher requirements in 2026.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/46INOwe
SUMMER SAVINGS: via Xcel Energy, VERBATIM: “Home cooling can account for about half of your summertime electric bill. Here are five simple, effective ways to boost energy efficiency in your home and save money.
1. Ceiling fans cool you, not the room.
2. When away, adjust your thermostat.
3. Hot air belongs outside.
4. Cook smarter to stay cooler.
5. Let nature dry your clothes — plus, your chores can wait until evening.”
(SPONSORED: Xcel Energy)
HEALTHCARE: via a Rep. Kelly Morrison press release, VERBATIM: “Today, U.S. Representative Kelly Morrison (MN-03), a doctor for more than 20 years, joined the U.S. House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee to highlight how President [Donald] Trump and his Republican majority have created a health care crisis.” MORRISON: “The Republican policies of gutting Medicaid and now threatening to not extend the ACA premium tax credits…will cause tens of millions of Americans to lose their health insurance. Such a drastic increase in uninsured Americans will have dire consequences for clinics and hospitals already struggling to stay above water.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4q0C1Rt
VACCINES: via Office of the Governor, VERBATIM: “Governor Tim Walz and First Lady Gwen Walz today received their COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations, underscoring that Minnesotans will continue to have the freedom to access life-saving vaccines.” WALZ: “In Minnesota, we are guided by science and we believe in medical expertise. In Minnesota, your health decisions are between you and your doctor, not politicians in Washington.”
CHILDCARE: via a Rep. Ilhan Omar press release, VERBATIM: “Today, Representative Ilhan Omar (MN-05) re-introduced the Federal Worker Childcare Protection Act, legislation to ensure that federal employees who are furloughed or required to work without pay during the ongoing lapse in federal funding are eligible to be reimbursed for childcare expenses incurred during the shutdown. … Under the legislation, any federal employee impacted by the lapse in funding beginning on or about October 1, 2025, and who continues to pay for childcare, would be eligible for reimbursement.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4mRXfhP
SUMMER SAVINGS: via Xcel Energy, VERBATIM: “Home cooling can account for about half of your summertime electric bill. Here are five simple, effective ways to boost energy efficiency in your home and save money.
1. Ceiling fans cool you, not the room.
2. When away, adjust your thermostat.
3. Hot air belongs outside.
4. Cook smarter to stay cooler.
5. Let nature dry your clothes — plus, your chores can wait until evening.”
(SPONSORED: Xcel Energy)
WILDFIRES: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “A part of the Superior Hiking Trail will be temporarily closed due to the Crosby wildfire in northern Minnesota. … The portion of trail will close at 8 a.m. Friday, Oct. 10. … The [accompanying] state park is currently staying open. Fire officials say a weather change expected on Friday will shift the winds from the south to northwest, which could push the fire toward the Superior Hiking Trail. The wildfire has expanded to 160 acres, but is 25% contained. … Steep terrain is making it difficult for firefighters to access the fire, which is primarily in a remote ridge area of George H. Crosby Manitou State Park. This is along the Lake Superior North Shore between Duluth and Lutsen, about 10 miles southwest of Tofte.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/4mWFKg4
PAID LEAVE: via a DEED press release, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development today announced Paid Leave is rolling out new tools to help Minnesotans prepare for the program’s launch on Jan. 1. … Paid Leave launched an online payment calculator that workers can use to estimate how much they could receive in payments if approved for benefits. Employers can also use this tool to see how much of an employee’s usual pay they could receive from the state while on leave. … Paid Leave also recently began answering Minnesotans’ questions through a dedicated Contact Center phone line. … A new checklist to help employers prepare for Paid Leave is also now available.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/48nALSf
SETTLEMENTS: via an MDHR press release, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Human Rights today announced settlement agreements in two separate cases involving blatant workplace sex discrimination that violated Minnesota’s civil rights law. … [MDHR] found Lakes Concrete Plus, located in Bemidji, violated the Minnesota Human Rights Act when the company fired a concrete truck driver because she is a woman. … Lakes Concrete Plus [must] pay the former employee $45,000 for lost wages. … [MDHR] found Key Lime Air, which operates flight services in Thief River Falls, violated the Minnesota Human Rights Act when the company refused to hire a qualified job applicant for a flight attendant position because he is a man. … Key Lime Air must pay the former job applicant approximately $45,000 for damages.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4pXQ765
MOVE: via an OHE press release, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s P-20 Education Partnership (MNP20) has named Mandy Janssen as the initiative’s deputy director. … Prior to joining MNP20, Janssen served as a Solutions Development Director at GPS Education Partners.”
MPLS: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Under a new ordinance, landlords [will] have to come before the Minneapolis City Council for a vote if they want to renew their rental licenses. The council will have the ability to revoke Tier 3 licenses, but authors of the ordinance say the goal is not to do that but instead to apply pressure so property owners fix what needs fixing. Tenants will also be able to speak at public hearings for the votes. The council passed the ordinance Thursday, 12-0. Council member Jeremiah Ellison was not present. … The ordinance will not go into effect until 2027, which council members said will give property owners time to get their properties up to code.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4pZsSsB
MORE: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “A busy stretch of north Minneapolis could soon see much-needed development on land that’s been vacant for well over a decade. … Hennepin County and the City of Minneapolis are ready to transform this space at the intersection of Lowry and Penn avenues. They’ve narrowed it down to five potential projects that offer plenty of housing options. … The community still has time to weigh in before a final project is approved, likely by the end of the year. … Because no project has been finalized yet, it’s too early to tell how much it will cost.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/48jM7GP
ST PAUL: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “A new stormwater system at the Highland Bridge development collects runoff and filters it before it can reach the Mississippi River. Nathan Campeau, the vice president and senior water resources engineer for Barr Engineering, said the system removes phosphorus and trash. Traditional stormwater systems generally don’t do filtration and send water directly into rivers or lakes. … The underground system cleans an estimated amount of 64 million gallons of stormwater annually. Campeau said the new system also protects the Mississippi River and Hidden Falls Creek from erosion.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3J4pyvq
40 YEARS OF PARTNERSHIP: Flint Hills Resources and Ducks Unlimited (DU) are celebrating 40 years of partnership, a longevity landmark that makes Flint Hills one of DU’s longest-standing corporate partners. Working together over the past four decades, Flint Hills and DU have contributed to conserving more than 250,000 acres of wildlife habitat and natural areas in Minnesota and over 900,000 acres across North America. LEARN MORE: Flint Hills Resources and Ducks Unlimited Celebrate 40 Years of Partnership (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
WOODBURY: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Before this year, Jeffrey Dahl was a Woodbury resident like any other — but now, in his new role as city administrator, he is serving the community to help it thrive, he said. … Dahl was selected by the Woodbury City Council to fulfill the role of city administrator. The council spent months searching for the right fit, and Dahl beat out four other candidates. … Before Dahl, city administrator Clint Gridley served for 21 years. Dahl said the impact Gridley made on the city is invaluable, and his reputation is that of being an extremely effective and warm leader. Following in Gridley’s footsteps meant having big shoes to fill.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4o8qHAV
ROBBINSDALE: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “More than five years after police shot a man in crisis in Robbinsdale, the city has approved a deal to settle a lawsuit against the police officer. Tuesday, the Robbinsdale City Council unanimously approved a nearly $3.2 million settlement for Adam Nelson, who was shot by Crystal Police Sgt. Geoffrey Kusick during the July 12, 2020, incident. Even though Kusick worked for another city, Robbinsdale is responsible for the claim because it happened after a mutual aid request.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/48jMe5d
BEMIDJI: via Bemidji Pioneer, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison paid a visit to Bemidji [this week] to touch on a myriad of topics before opening the floor to questions, comments and concerns. Ellison, presenting to a small crowd of roughly 50 at the United Methodist Church, first focused on his primary concerns, which included birthright citizenship, tariffs, federal funding and grants, litigation regarding state data privacy, defending state laws against federal overreach and what those who have been negatively impacted by the Trump Administration can do. He detailed these issues through the numerous lawsuits Minnesota has filed with the federal government.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/48jOutd
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
HENN ATTY: via a Folk campaign press release, VERBATIM: “Anders Folk, a life-long Minnesotan, U.S. Marine, former Acting United States Attorney, and former senior official in the U.S. Department of Justice under President Joe Biden, today announced his campaign for Hennepin County Attorney. Folk will focus on restoring public safety in Hennepin County, bringing back common sense to criminal justice, and protecting Hennepin County’s most vulnerable residents.”
FORFEITURES: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Minnesota law enforcement agencies seized and kept over $6 million in cash, vehicles and other property in 2024, according to the state auditor’s most recent asset forfeiture report. That’s 14% more than in 2023. The Minneapolis Police Department netted almost three times as much — $469,566 compared to $157,375 — from state forfeitures in 2024 compared to 2023. In many cases, Minnesota law enforcement agencies took the valuables from people who had yet to be convicted of a crime but are suspected of a crime, which is legal under current law.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/46H9uJc
WATER: via an MDH press release, VERBATIM: “Well-known threats such as arsenic, nitrate and lead now compete with newer threats such as PFAS and a dwindling workforce for the attention and resources of those charged with protecting Minnesota’s drinking water. Fortunately, the state now has its first-ever Drinking Water Action Plan, which outlines strategies for protecting drinking water from source to tap over the next 10 years. Officials celebrated the launch of the plan today at the New Brighton Water Treatment Plant.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48oSVmu
TODAY: Governor Tim Walz will attend the LiUNA Infrastructure Summit. He’ll be at the Pheasant opener this weekend.
WEDNESDAY: via a CTUL advisory, VERBATIM: “Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en la Lucha (CTUL) and North Star Policy Action (NSPA) will host a press conference at Minneapolis City Hall to release a new report outlining how the City can partner with community organizations to eliminate abuse in the non-unionized construction industry, [including] issues such as wage theft, misclassification, and assault.” The event is at 10:00 a.m.
OCT 18: via Indivisible Twin Cities, VERBATIM: “On Saturday, October 18th at 1 PM, Twin Citians will join together at The Commons for a nonviolent rally and march at the second No Kings Twin Cities day of action. … Thousands of events, across Minnesota — from International Falls and Bemidji to Saint Cloud and Winona — and nationwide from Bangor, Maine to San Diego are already scheduled, with more events added daily.”
BDAYS: business leader Laura Boyd, Essentia’s Mychal Vlatkovich, attorney Tina Syring, Baker Tilly’s Will Roach, Post Bulletin’s Dené Dryden, St. Louis Park Councilor Tim Brausen, retired Packer fan Patti Cullen, lobbyist Phil Stalboerger SAT: WCCO’s Craig Schroepfer, retired photojournalist Joe Berglove SUN: leader Allison O’Toole, activist Kyrstin Schuettte, once a Senator Ted Mondale, fmr. Gov. candidate Cory Hepola
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.
Thanks for reading The Daily Agenda! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.