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WEEKEND…
Two good days for fall activities, be careful with your back and the leaves. Childhood rival Tony Sanneh, and nonprofit leader was named to the US Soccer Hall of Fame. Congrats.
Gophers at Oregon tonight. Vikings host the Bears Sunday.
Purple Rain the Musical won’t be here forever…
MSP flight cancellations are improving today as the pre-shutdown status quo returns. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/3JTLPwk
Months after Gov. Tim Walz angered unions with work-from-home changes, DNC Chair Ken Martin did the same.NYT: https://fluence-media.co/4qZxzmo
AP-NORC finds that Donald Trump’s approval rating is at 36% overall and 28% among Independents. Notably, 1 in 3 Republicans disapprove Trump’s handling of the economy and healthcare. POLL: https://fluence-media.co/47UXqTQ
Blois - tips: bloisolson@gmail.com
Sunday Take had St. Paul Mayor-elect Rep. Kaohly Her sharing how her rise has been “accidental”, what her father’s words have meant, and how she and the late Speaker Melissa Hortman didn’t start on the right foot. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4hMn3uA
The latest insight from Fluence Advisory on the loss of institutional knowledge from the Minnesota Legislature. READ:https://fluence-advisory.com/insights/
FRESH
Not sure how long it will last but all four newly elected members of the Minneapolis City Council are pledging collaboration. On some level the policy proposals are so far apart, but the spirit is a good thought — Pearll Warren, Elizabeth Shaffer, Soren Stevenson and Jamison Whiting — released a joint statement pledging to “prioritize collaboration and mutual respect” at work. EXCERPT: “They invite their council colleagues and Mayor Jacob Frey to join them in this renewed spirit of partnership. Following one of the city’s most contentious election cycles in recent memory, all four newly elected council members agree it’s time for a culture shift at City Hall. … All four incoming council members emphasize that they will evaluate every policy on its merits, [and] not by those who propose it.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47FFgGT
A major issue emerging for 2026…via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Property owners across Minnesota could be asked to come up with nearly $1 billion more for city, county and other local government operations, according to data released Thursday. … The first statewide look at preliminary levies shows the maximum that taxes can rise — and it amounts to 6.9% more in total for 2026. … City and county tax levy increases average between 8% and almost 9%. For townships, it’s 5.6% higher than last year. Special jurisdictions, such as housing or development authorities and watershed districts with taxing power, are proposing a 4.6% change to their levies on average. … Final levies must be set by Dec. 29.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3LFZTKw
CD7: via InForum, VERBATIM: “Rep. Heather Keeler, DFL-Moorhead, announced her campaign for Congress in Minnesota District 7 on Thursday, Nov. 13. She seeks to challenge incumbent Republican Rep. Michelle Fischbach in the November 2026 election… KEELER: “I think it’s really important that we have everyday real people that are stepping up right now, and particularly in the areas of health care, food insecurity, access to mental health, education,” Keeler said. “Those are all things I’ve spent really my whole lifetime working on, long before I ever sat in the seat for 4A.”…Erik Osberg, of Wadena, is also running as a Democrat for the Seventh Congressional District seat. Fischbach has held the seat since 2021.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4p5H95r
TALKERS…
On ending the shutdown, next week’s House vote to release the Jeffrey Epstein files Rep. Tom Emmer on the Next Up podcast with Mark Halperin and Megyn Kelly Emmer shared his views, and more. His segment begins at the 24-minute mark. PODCAST: https://fluence-media.co/4nWzBRJ
While Democrats keep amplifying, and media keep reporting, but Rep. Tom Emmer told Punch Bowl News yesterday that he doesn’t care how many Republicans vote for releasing the Jeffrey Epstein files next week. READ: https://fluence-media.co/480DkYt
In Texas, Gov. Tim Walz win an interview with Jennifer Palmieri, contributing editor at Vanity Fair and co-host of Showtime’s “The Circus.” Walz discussed national politics, his vice presidential run, what he thinks other states can learn from Minnesota, and more.. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4nYjhjb
MORE: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Gov. Tim Walz boasted about Minnesota’s education system to a Texas audience on Thursday. He said Minnesota’s graduation rates are improving, free school meals set students up for success and universal pre-kindergarten education gives students a leg-up. But Minnesota doesn’t have universal pre-K. On top of that, child care in Minnesota is among the most expensive in the nation. … Minnesota lawmakers in recent years have taken steps to open up more free, voluntary pre-kindergarten seats, but it’s far from enough to cover all pre-K students. … The National Institute for Early Education Research [has] ranked Minnesota 37th in the nation for preschool enrollment.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/481HFL5
ROBBINS: GOP Rep. Kristin Robbins spoke to St. Cloud Live e. VERBATIM: “One of Robbins’ strengths is that she’s a Republican representing a purple district in the Minneapolis suburbs, she said. To win a statewide office, Robbins believes Republicans need to build a winning coalition. ‘We need Greater Minnesota voters to show up…and then we need to win back the suburbs,’ Robbins said. … To connect with voters, Robbins plans to make campaign stops in all 87 Minnesota counties. After Thursday, she was more than a quarter of the way there. … [Robbins] said she is not seeking President Donald Trump’s endorsement, but would ‘welcome it’ if she got it.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nZr54u
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BUCKET TRUCK: via Xcel Energy, VERBATIM: “On a crisp autumn morning in Waconia, Minnesota, Laketown Elementary buzzed with excitement as fifth grader Grant Scotting kept his eyes trained on the parking lot. A birthday surprise for Scotting was in the works — and soon it rolled up: a shiny Xcel Energy bucket truck. Scotting, who has special needs and is nonverbal, is known for his love of Xcel Energy. His enthusiasm for the local energy company ranges from reporting outages on his family’s iPad to eagerly opening each monthly bill.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4oq7uei (SPONSORED: Xcel Energy)
DC POLICIES…
SNAP: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “The end of the government shutdown won’t end the saga over food stamp funding. Left unsolved is whether, and how, the Trump Administration will carry out its threat to financially punish states like Minnesota that released full benefits to food stamp recipients last weekend. … Minnesota could lose the roughly $40 million it was slated to receive from the USDA to administer the food stamp program. … Or, Minnesota could be required to pay back the difference between the partial payments the USDA says were authorized and the full payments that the USDA says were not. That could cost the state about $27 million. … Minnesota’s Department of Children, Youth and Families says it has ‘not received additional information from the USDA.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4peA4jo
HEMP: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Makers of hemp-derived THC beverages and edibles in Minnesota are gearing up to fight for their industry’s survival after Congress approved a bill that would effectively ban their products. Hemp businesses and allied trade groups are preparing for an intense lobbying effort against the change. … They will have one year until it takes effect to persuade wary federal lawmakers to reverse course. … ‘[The ban] will put many companies’ entire existence at risk,’ said Ryan Kopperud, vice president of growth for Duluth-based Wild State Cider’s THC product line. … Wild State and associated trade groups have been doing everything they can to get the attention of members of Congress, Kopperud said. ‘We’ve been calling as much as is reasonable,’ he said.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hXd06h
There might be a flip-flop for Attorney General Keith Ellison on hemp…statement, ELLISON: “I have been in communication with leaders in Minnesota’s hemp industry to listen to their concerns about how the recent government funding bill will affect their businesses. I am committed to partnering with advocates to create a responsible path forward. … Several years ago, Minnesota created a robust regulatory framework for the legalization of lower potency hemp products. That framework has helped ensure hemp products in Minnesota are safe to consume, packaged accurately and appropriately, and not sold to underage buyers. … I urge Congress to follow Minnesota’s model [by] working with both industry and regulators to develop a responsible regulatory infrastructure.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43x8qWd
SENATE RACE: via MPR, VERBATIM: “U.S. Rep. Angie Craig is not quite ready to join those seeking to publicly call for the removal of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer as Democratic leader. … Craig was asked if she would support Schumer returning as leader if she’s elected to the Senate next year. … CRAIG: ‘I haven’t committed to backing him or anyone else in this Senate race…but right now, in this country, if you don’t understand that this is not business as usual, this isn’t normal times in this country, then you’re really not paying attention.’ … Craig’s DFL opponent for the Senate nomination, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, also is noncommittal for now about Senate leadership.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3WVHCeK
HIGHER ED…
UMN: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “The University of Minnesota’s Board of Regents unanimously passed a resolution Thursday stating that University of Minnesota Physicians violated its obligations to the university and endangered the future of the university’s medical school when it negotiated a recent agreement with Fairview Health Services. The resolution said the physicians group overstepped its authority [by] negotiating terms to fund the university’s medical school for the next 10 years without prior consultation with the U. It gives the university’s president authority to explore the ‘likely reduction in academic or mission support funding.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/481Kqfp
RESPONSE: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “State legislators are raising questions about the new deal, with DFL Senator Ron Latz writing the agreement raises significant questions about how the University of Minnesota Medical School would continue its core mission.” LATZ: “The University of Minnesota is an essential partner in this health system, and absent their involvement in this agreement, significant questions remain about the future operations of the M Health Fairview system. Instead of shutting out University leadership, it’s time for all parties to be at the table.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oGWkCw
FED FUNDS: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “Higher education officials from across Minnesota testified before a state Senate subcommittee on Thursday about the impact of federal grant cuts by the Trump Administration, which have cost public and private institutions millions of dollars in research funding. Over the past year, the University of Minnesota has seen 101 federal awards terminated or suspended. … Leaders from several private institutions also testified about disruptions in federal funding. … DFL Sen. Alice Mann warned that such cuts could be devastating.” MANN: “We cannot train the next generation of scientists without appropriate funding. What also occurs when we halt research programs is that the work they’re currently working on is lost.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/43xeSfT
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)
THE CITIES…
BLUE LINE: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “The Blue Line Extension is still years away from completion, but Hennepin County has long been engaged in an effort to garner public support for the $3.2 billion light rail project. A series of videos on the Blue Line Extension’s YouTube channel titled ‘Community Voices’ features men and women offering personal accounts of how the project will benefit [them]. … Hennepin County says the participation of each person was ‘entirely voluntary’ and ‘unpaid,’ but 5 INVESTIGATES found several of those featured in the videos are also connected to organizations that received government contracts to do work for the Blue Line Extension.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4hZDXWH
MPD: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis police shared [data] about the effectiveness of its investigators and the challenges they’re facing in keeping up with high caseloads. The focus was on case clearance rates in 2024. … The presentation outlined some of the city’s serious crimes, some of which — including homicides — had a relatively high clearance rate, while others did not. Of the data shared, MPD had the highest rate with domestic assaults, clearing nearly 80% of cases, followed by homicides at nearly 70% — [but] the 335 criminal sexual conduct cases had a 20% clearance rate, and of the 10 crime categories presented, four had single-digit clearance rates.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3LMRDZb
ST PAUL: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Construction crews [will] add a U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility at Holman Field, St. Paul’s downtown municipal airport. Construction contractor Shaw Lundquist Associates was issued a building permit for the $15.6 million project. … Jeff Lea, a spokesperson for the MAC, said Wednesday that the downtown St. Paul airport receives dozens of chartered international corporate flights, and the new general aviation facility will replace ‘an extremely small existing CBP location.’ … Construction [will] be funded with federal and state grants and General Airport Revenue bonds.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4p2235q
SLP: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A $6 million movie theater revamp, new mixed-use apartments and a wave of restaurants and shops are reshaping St. Louis Park’s West End — and shaping the next generation of one of the Twin Cities’ busiest suburban hubs. … The 49-acre district has become a bright spot in the metro’s struggling office market, with vacancy rates continually among the lowest in the Twin Cities. … As of the third quarter of 2025, only 12.8% of West End offices were vacant — the lowest rate of any major corridor — compared with 30.8% in downtown [Minneapolis] and 22.1% across the metro.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3WV7s2o
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)
ISSUES
HEALTHCARE: via St. Cloud Live, VERBATIM: “Across the state, people are bracing for health care and insurance costs to skyrocket. An estimated 90,000 Minnesotans will experience a premium increase, on average, of 21.5% in 2026. … Some DFL lawmakers held a town hall to listen to and address concerns on Thursday. … DFL Floor Leader Rep. Jamie Long, DFL-Minneapolis, House Health Committee Co-Chair Rep. Robert Bierman, DFL-Apple Valley, and Rep. Kristi Pursell, DFL-Northfield, joined [Rep. Dan Wolgamot, DFL-St. Cloud,] at the event. … Long [said] an estimated 60,000 people are expected to drop their insurance because they cannot afford it.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3LGTZsv
CHILDCARE: via Sen. Amy Klobuchar advisory, VERBATIM: “U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and John Curtis (R-UT) introduced the bipartisan Convening Operations Assistance for Childcare Heroes (COACH) Act in the Senate. This bipartisan bill aims to support child care providers by directing the Small Business Administration (SBA) to create and maintain an up-to-date resource guide specifically for small child care businesses, providing them with the necessary tools to establish and sustain their operations. Companion legislation in the House of Representatives was introduced by Representatives [including] Pete Stauber (R-MN).” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oFF80h
PENNIES: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “Though the US Treasury struck a final batch of ceremonial pennies on Wednesday, there is still no federal guidance for rounding transactions once retailers run out. … [Golden Valley-based] Down in the Valley record store is just beginning to learn the cost of the coin’s demise. … Scott Farrell, owner of Down in the Valley, [said] ‘We’re hearing from our banks [that] pennies are going to be hard to come by, and we’re going to have to come up with a solution for that.’ … Farrell says Down in the Valley will likely round transactions up or down to the nearest nickel. … ‘We’re still 30% cash transactions,’ Farrell said. ‘For us, that’s just another thing that we’re going to have to explain to our consumer at the point of sale.’” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/49iL6PR
MOVE: via MPR, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota government’s famed utility player has another assignment. Michael Vekich, appointed by a string of governors to a string of roles, is now a member of the Minnesota Racing Commission for a term that runs through 2031.”
GREATERMN…
NEW ULM: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “For more than a century, Hermann the German has looked out over New Ulm. … But beneath the 28-foot-tall statue of the ancient Cheruscan chieftain is an aging base — a large pedestal with columns that sits atop a small museum damaged by water over the last 128 years. … Now New Ulm, a city that loves to showcase its German heritage, faces a monumental choice: either repair the base crumbling under Hermann’s feet or take it all apart and rebuild anew. … Repairing the structure would maintain the monument’s character. Reconstruction would involve taking the structure apart, seeing what’s salvageable and rebuilding it with new materials. [But] due to the hidden nature of the water damage, reconstruction might actually cost less.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49PVazQ
ROCHESTER: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “Dozens of people toured the newly built Southeast Minnesota Youth Shelter, where up to 12 teens at a time can stay while facing homelessness. … Dan Pfarr, president and CEO of 180 Degrees, which operates the shelter, [said] staff and teens moved from the old VonWald Youth Shelter, which has since been torn down. … The new building, located on the same 7-acre property south of Rochester, is larger than its predecessor. It features 12 individual bedrooms, with space to expand to 16 in the future. … The 12,000-square-foot building cost $10 million, with funding from Olmsted County, the city of Eyota and Stearns Bank. … Sen. Carla Nelson, R-Rochester, [said] ‘I am particularly pleased to think about the youth, who have this beautiful facility, now filled with light and love.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43ujvra
NORTHFIELD: via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “The forceful arrest of an undocumented Northfield house painter this week has sparked outrage in Minnesota and beyond, with thousands of people resharing videos of the arrest. The arrest occurred Tuesday morning as Adan Nunez Gonzalez, his nephew and another coworker arrived at a worksite on a residential street in Northfield. The three men had just arrived at the jobsite when immigration officers surrounded their SUV. … A series of videos posted online then capture officers breaking into the SUV, pointing a gun at Nunez Gonzalez and pulling him out to arrest him. … He has no criminal history in Minnesota, according to public records.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oyQSS0
WHAT’S NEXT
TODAY: via Rep. Angie Craig advisory, VERBATIM: “Representative Angie Craig will attend the ribbon cutting ceremony for the TH13 trail extension in Prior Lake. She will be joined by Prior Lake Mayor Kirt Briggs, State Representative Ben Bakeberg and Prior Lake City Administrator Jason Wedel as well as local, Scott County and Tribal leaders.” The event is at 10:45 a.m.
TODAY: via MIRAC advisory, VERBATIM: “As Minneapolis City Council negotiates a 2026 contract with the Police Federation, local organizers are keeping one urgent issue front and center: how will MPD respond to [ICE]? … [MIRAC] will hold a press conference demanding ‘No Consequences? No Contract!’ at the Public Service Building [at] 12:00 p.m. on Friday.”
MONDAY: via MN House, VERBATIM: “From 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Reps. Leigh Finke (DFL-Saint Paul), Heather Keeler (DFL-Moorehead), Liish Kozlowski (DFL-Duluth), and Brion Curran (DFL-White Bear Lake) will hold a town hall on the rights of gender expansive and trans Minnesotans with Outfront Minnesota, Fergus Area Pride, and SAGA Youth.”
TUESDAY: DFLer Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger and Republican Michael Holmstrom, Jr. will be sworn in for Minnesota Senate terms following their special election victories this month. The Senate will once again have 34 Democrats and 33 Republicans.
WEDNESDAY: via MN Chamber, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Chamber will host its 2025 Economic Summit: Minnesota’s Economic Imperative next Wednesday. … This initiative will bring together business leaders, innovators and policymakers. … The event will also feature the release of the 2026 Business Benchmarks report, an annual data-driven analysis of Minnesota’s economic competitiveness.” The event is at 9:30 a.m. in Eagan. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/49zCIf1
DEC 4: MMB Commissioner Erin Campbell, state economist Anthony Becker and state budget director Ahna Minge will present Minnesota’s November 2025 budget and economic forecast on Thursday, Dec. 4 at 12:00 noon.
BDAYS: Star Tribune’s Kim Hyatt, popcorn magnate Angie Bastian, Axios’ Nick Halter. SAT: union leader and legislative candidate Robyn Gulley, SUN: Hospitals advocate Bob Hume, yoga instructor Trisha Folk, lobbyist Tony Kwilas
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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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