Vikings win.
Three people were killed, including the suspect, and at least six were injured during a school shooting in Madison, WI. BMTN: https://fluence-media.co/3ZVeaYh
An analysis of test scores, STEM initiatives and other metrics by JournoResearch claims Minnesota is the 10th “smartest” state in the U.S. and 1st in the Midwest.
Since 2020, confidence in the courts across the other OECD countries has been stable, while the U.S. has seen a sharp decline -- 24 percentage points -- in the past four years. The resulting 20-point gap in confidence between the U.S. and the median of OECD nations in 2024 is the largest in the Gallup trend, which dates to 2006. GALLUP: https://fluence-media.co/4gAoFWD
Donald Trump issued his first comments on the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, calling it “a cold-blooded, horrible killing.” FOX: https://fluence-media.co/4gB5hZr
Happy National Say it Now Day….send your thoughts.
Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com
From Sunday Take, Rep. Angie Craig on the state of the Democratic party, her political future and possibility of a Farm Bill. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3BxVV20
LUGER: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “U.S. Attorney for Minnesota Andrew Luger told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS he will resign his position in January, with no specific date, sometime before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump…Luger has so far also charged 70 suspects in connection with the $250 million Feeding Our Future fraud scheme and said Minnesota has a problem right now with fraud perpetrated against the government. QUOTE: “I think there needs to be a lot more done, and people need to have serious conversations and getting to the root of this and stopping it before it happens,” Luger said. “I just see it and no other state had a Feeding Our Future. We did. No other states have had the kinds of problems we’ve had with government fraud, but other states have problems we don’t have.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4gfvwVR
MORE: Last week on WCCO Radio with Chad Hartman, US Attorney Luger on key elements of fighting fraud, including the latest FBI autism raids. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3ZW68yp
MORE: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Four Minnesota U.S. House members formed a nomination committee to help recommend candidates to President-elect Donald Trump for anticipated open positions, including U.S. Attorney for Minnesota. It comes as the current U.S. Attorney for Minnesota Andrew Luger confirmed [that] he will step down. … Republican U.S. Reps. Tom Emmer, Pete Stauber, Brad Finstad and Michelle Fischbach formed the nominations committee. … The committee [is] accepting applications through Friday.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/41zTjuT
TEIRAB: One name that is buzzing for US Attorney is failed CD2 candidate Joe Teirab
TODAY: Minnesota’s 10 electors will convene to cast their votes for president and vice president at 12:00 noon today, with Sec. Steve Simon attending the electoral college assembly meeting. Minnesota law voids the votes of “faithless” electors who support a candidate that did not win the state, so all votes will be counted for Vice Pres. Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz.
CRAIG: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A U.S. House panel that decides committee assignments has recommended Rep. Angie Craig serve as the ranking Democrat on the powerful House Agriculture Committee. The House Steering and Policy Committee’s decision to back Craig was made on the first ballot. … [Craig] was locked in a tight three-way race with incumbent ranking member Georgia Rep. David Scott and longtime California Democrat Rep. Jim Costa. A source familiar with the race said Craig received 34 votes, Costa 22 and Scott just 5. … The full House Democratic caucus will still need to vote on committee leadership elections, [which] is expected [today].” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3BGzeIL
MORE: via Axios, VERBATIM: “[David] Scott, 79, is the latest in a series of septuagenarian Democratic committee leaders pushed out by relatively younger colleagues in preparation for the incoming Trump Administration. Scott has faced longstanding health challenges, which prompted [Angie] Craig, 52, and Rep. Jim Costa, 72, to challenge him. … Steering recommendations are rarely rejected.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41CuVZx
RESPONSE: via a Rep. Angie Craig statement, CRAIG: “I am humbled to have earned the recommendation of the Steering and Policy Committee to serve as Ranking Member of the House Committee on Agriculture. I’m ready to help us win back rural Americans, and with them, a strong Democratic Majority. I look forward to earning the support of my colleagues across the full Democratic caucus [today].”
54A: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “A Minnesota judge saw a challenged state House race boiled down to its essence as an election trial opened Monday. … [Attorneys] framed the case in competing terms: Would validating the election be fair to 20 or so Shakopee residents whose ballots went missing in a race decided by fewer votes than that — or would tossing out the entire race disenfranchise more voters because special elections tend to elicit low turnout? How that gets answered is important not only for DFL Rep. Brad Tabke and GOP candidate Aaron Paul, [but for] control of the state House. … The trial in Scott County reconvenes Tuesday.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3BygWtd
MORE: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “The mystery of the 20 missing ballots appears to be solved in Scott County, where a House race decided by 14 votes could determine control at the Capitol. DFL attorneys argue they can ensure confidence in the outcome by asking the voters now identified as casting those ballots. They'd only need to confirm four of the 20 voters cast ballots for their candidate. GOP attorneys argue the clerk's error destroys election integrity, so a new election must be held. They called four of the 20 voters as witnesses, [and] each of them said they voted for the Republican candidate.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3Bvv9Y2
From yesterday’s lunch take:
TUTORING: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “In March 2023, Abdijalil Sheik-Yusuf went before the Minnesota Senate Taxes Committee with a critical plea. Not enough parents could take advantage of a state tax credit for low-income families for tutoring services from companies like his, Success Tutoring. … What lawmakers were unaware of at the time were the many disgruntled parents who say Success Tutoring [has] outsourced instruction to foreign teachers online whom their kids couldn’t understand. Nor did lawmakers anticipate the outrage those parents would feel when they would later find thousands of dollars missing from their tax refunds to pay debts to Success Tutoring [for] services they say their kids barely used and didn’t benefit from.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iB702S
RESPONSES: Minnesota Republicans were quick to criticize the recent reports of tutoring services misconduct.
● Via a House GOP Leader Lisa Demuth statement, DEMUTH: “Today’s report alleging predatory practices targeting low-income, immigrant families [is] deeply troubling and demands a full investigation to determine if criminal activity is involved. These allegations highlight the critical need for stronger oversight in public programs to ensure taxpayer dollars are protected. House Republicans stand ready to deliver the accountability and oversight needed to restore trust in state government.”
● Via a GOP Sen. Michael Kreun statement, KREUN: “The way this program is set up, parents are signing away their tax returns to a company that claims to tutor children, but their money is being signed away before results are even seen. … Democrats continue to fund untested nonprofits with taxpayer dollars, and then ignore the negative outcomes harming families across the state. We must prohibit private companies from hiding behind state-funded programs while they take advantage of Minnesotans.”
Sign up for lunch take at our new website: https://fluence-media.co/4eZwLa7
SIGNUP: Fluence Advisory is hosting fmr. MMB Commissioners Jim Schowalter and Tom Hanson for a conversation about the budget forecast and process. REGISTER: https://fluence-media.co/MNBudget2025
IPHILLIPS: via a U.S. House press release, VERBATIM: “Today, Rep. Dean Phillips delivered his final speech to his fellow Members of Congress on the floor of the House of Representatives. Rep. Phillips was first elected to serve in Congress in 2018.” QUOTE: “[Last year], I reflected on my dad and the one million other Americans who’ve been killed in service to our country since 1776. And I thought — they did not sacrifice their lives for members of Congress to act like kindergartners. … As I bid farewell, I humbly ask all members of the next Congress to call on your better angels and act with courage — not cowardice.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3VJxVzP
SWASTIKAS: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “A Jewish temple in Minneapolis was defaced with swastikas early Monday. Minneapolis police said they’re investigating swastikas found spray-painted on the doors and a pillar at Temple Israel. … Both Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemned the incident, calling it a hate crime. ‘No matter one’s ethnicity, race, or religion, when any group is targeted, it’s on all of us to condemn it,’ said Frey, who attends Temple Israel. … Police said they are investigating the incident, including monitoring video cameras in the area. There have been no arrests.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3OZfmUk
RESPONSES: Yesterday’s synagogue vandalism received swift condemnation from Minnesota officials.
Via Attorney General Keith Ellison, QUOTE: “[This] is a direct threat to Jewish Minnesotans and a stark reminder to all of us that we must stand with each other to protect our shared values and one another. My Office is monitoring the situation and will never hesitate to step in to protect Minnesota's Jewish community, our religious freedoms, and basic human decency.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3DkfZW9
Via Rep. Dean Phillips, QUOTE: “To whomever did this to my synagogue in [Minneapolis] this morning, you will be pursued, you will be arrested, and I hope you spend the full five years behind bars — albeit it in a prison that will seem like a Ritz Carlton compared to the Nazi concentration camp you deserve.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4iII7Cz
Via Sec. Steve Simon, QUOTE: “Temple Israel in Minneapolis [is] my lifelong synagogue. This is more than an act of vandalism, it’s an attack on the Jewish community. If the goal was intimidation, it will fail. Temple Israel and all synagogues will continue to welcome people, Jews and non-Jews alike, who come in friendship.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/49L1Ddl
POCI: via a House DFL press release, VERBATIM: “This week, the Minnesota House People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus met to discuss priorities and elect new leadership. Representative Cedrick Frazier (DFL-New Hope) and Representative Liish Kozlowski (DFL- Duluth) were appointed to co-chairs of the caucus and Representative María Isa Pérez-Vega (DFL-Saint Paul) was elected vice chair. … Formed in 2017, the POCI Caucus prioritizes strengthening equity and inclusion in Minnesota while dismantling racism.”
MPLS: Minneapolis resident Soren Stevenson announced he is running for City Council in Ward 8 again. Stevenson tried to unseat incumbent Council Member Andrea Jenkins last year, but he came up short by less than 40 votes. STEVENSON: “I am a renter in the Lyndale neighborhood, a union member, and a survivor of police violence. I’m running for City Council in Ward 8 because my neighbors deserve a kinder, safer Minneapolis. That future isn’t just necessary — it’s within reach.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3Bxa9Qy WEBSITE: https://fluence-media.co/4geWZqH
SPPS: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “Minnesota's second-largest school district will soon have a new superintendent. Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) is hosting the three finalists this week. Each day, a new candidate is visiting the district for a full day. On Monday, Dr. Rhoda Mhiripiri-Reed took part in school visits, virtual sessions and a public interview. Mhiripiri-Reed has been the superintendent of Hopkins Public Schools since 2017. … Dr. Brenda Cassellius [visits] the district on Tuesday. Cassellius previously served as superintendent of Boston Public Schools. … On Wednesday, the final candidate is Dr. Stacie Stanley. She's currently the superintendent of Edina Public Schools.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4gjW344
FLOYD: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “A federal judge on Monday allowed defense attorneys for Derek Chauvin to examine George Floyd’s heart tissue and bodily fluids as part of the former Minneapolis police officer's challenge to his federal civil rights conviction. … Chauvin argues that Eric Nelson, his original attorney in the state and federal cases, failed to inform him about an email from a Kansas pathologist, Dr. William Schaetzel, [who] opined that Floyd died of a heart condition. … In an order, U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson writes that defense experts may examine Floyd's [remains].” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41EwaHQ
PARDON: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Jim Carlson, a head shop owner found guilty in 2013 on dozens of felony charges after experts said he sold enough synthetic drugs to cause a public health crisis in Duluth, had his sentence commuted [by] President Joe Biden. Carlson received a 17½-year sentence after a jury found him guilty on 51 of 55 felony counts. … Long lines of addicts were drawn to his store, called the Last Place on Earth, to the consternation of other downtown businesses. A business owner next door said Carlson’s store had made it ‘like a crack neighborhood.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gjRve0
RESPONSE: via a Rep. Pete Stauber post, STAUBER: “As a former Duluth police officer, I saw firsthand the devastating impact that Jim Carlson’s synthetic drugs took on downtown Duluth. These drugs ruined many lives, tore apart families, destroyed businesses, and the negative impact is still being felt in our community today. I stand with Sheriff Ramsay, our entire law enforcement community, and every commonsense Duluthian in condemning this despicable decision. I don’t know who ran this up the chain to the White House, but I find it to be disturbing and negligent.” TWEETS: https://fluence-media.co/49IJVqM
LISTENING, LEARNING AND REDEFINING INDIGENOUS PARTNERSHIPS: “We want to build partnerships with Indigenous Nations. We continue to listen to and learn from Indigenous leaders and communities, and that’s informing how we engage communities in B.C. and across North America,” said CEO Greg Ebel of Enbridge’s approach to be the “first-choice partner” for Indigenous Nations interested in pursuing energy infrastructure opportunities. READ MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3Yht20R (SPONSORED: Enbridge)
AMAZON: via a Sen. Tina Smith press release, VERBATIM: “Today, the Senate Labor Committee released a report endorsing Senator Tina Smith’s (D-MN) legislation to end dangerous quota systems at Amazon warehouses. The report detailed Amazon’s mistreatment of warehouse workers under the corporation’s productivity quota system, [finding] that Amazon warehouses recorded over 30% more injuries than the warehousing industry average in 2023. … The first listed solution in the report is bipartisan legislation spearheaded by [Smith and others], the Warehouse Worker Protection Act, which would prohibit dangerous quota systems like Amazon’s.” REPORT: https://fluence-media.co/3BAi0Nl
GUN CTRL: via States Newsroom, VERBATIM: “More than two years after the U.S. Supreme Court fundamentally expanded its interpretation of the Second Amendment, federal courts throughout the country continue to strike down state restrictions on gun ownership. … In July, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit upheld a lower court’s ruling that found Minnesota’s age restriction on residents carrying a handgun in public also was unconstitutional. … While Minnesota’s minimum age requirement for possessing a firearm was struck down this year, similar restrictions in states such as Colorado, Florida and Pennsylvania are still going through federal appeals courts and could have a different outcome.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZVCaKV
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)
FOOD: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “A new program coming to the Twin Cities is looking to keep food out of landfills and get it to people who need it. The organization Food Connect will start operating in the cities in the new year, expanding on its existing work in several cities across the country. It partners with food shelves, school districts and emergency meal sites to transport donated food. The organization is coming to the area through a partnership with GreenLight Twin Cities.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gE9WtW
WATER: via an MDH press release, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) gathered today with partners from the City of Minneapolis, the City of Saint Paul and the Minnesota Rural Water Association at Saint Paul Regional Water Services to celebrate the past half century of safe public drinking water. Fifty years ago today, on Dec. 16, 1974, the Safe Drinking Water Act was signed into law, marking the first time a national set of regulations and standards would be followed by all public water suppliers in the United States.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49HD3Kv
EAGLES: The U.S. House passed Rep. Brad Finstad’s legislation to formally document the bald eagle as the official national bird. Via a statement, FINSTAD: “Today, we rightfully recognize the bald eagle as our official national bird — bestowing an honor that is long overdue. … It has been an honor to work with my colleagues in Congress and the National Eagle Center in Wabasha to bring forward this bipartisan legislation.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49JADv2
FRESH15: The latest season of Fresh15 includes interviews with new Minnesota House members. So far five new members have shared their goals, background and fun facts before they take office in a historic session in January. Follow on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.TheDailyAgenda.com/Podcasts. (SPONSORED: Minnesota Telecom Alliance)
BROOKLYN PARK: via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “After launching the Alternative Response Team (ART) in January 2023, Brooklyn Park Police Inspector Elliot Faust says they've seen mental health calls decline for the first time in a decade. ‘We found a lot more success than I think we were initially expecting,’ Faust said. … Because of this success, Brooklyn Park police are growing the program to help more people. In the first year and a half of the program, there were two people on the Alternative Response Team that worked together. The department has since expanded to a second team of two.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4fmIuiY
CROW WING CTY: via Brainerd Dispatch, VERBATIM: “Crow Wing County commissioners will meet [tonight] as they host a hearing on the 2025 budget, levy and capital improvement plan. The County Board is expected to take action on the final budget and levy at the meeting. … Crow Wing County set its 2025 preliminary property tax levy at $47,741,458, representing a 3.99% increase from 2024. The county estimates total revenues of $108,946,556, which is an $8,662,219 increase from 2024. The property tax levy brings in 43.8% of levy revenues.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fkQQYC
ST CLOUD: via St. Cloud Live, VERBATIM: “A harvesting equipment manufacturer is preparing a $3.9 million addition to its facility in the St. Cloud Airport Business Park. Geringhoff was issued a building permit from the city of St. Cloud totaling $3.92 million for a 40,500-square-foot single-story addition to the existing building. The project, spearheaded by Bradley Stramm Construction, will include precast walls with structural steel. Ben Omann, project manager, said the new construction will allow for additional capacity for Geringhoff and is expected to be completed in the spring.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3VIUSTF
BEMIDJI: via Bemidji Pioneer, VERBATIM: “U.S. Sens. Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar, both D-Minn., have announced nearly 130 new clean energy projects across rural Minnesota with one set for Bemidji. The $15,629,305 investment seeks to save farms and rural small businesses $18,414,061 on their energy bills per year. … The project includes Beltrami County, awarding Bemidji $94,850 to purchase and install a 48-kilowatt solar array for a commercial and residential cabinet factory with an annual saving of $21,226 and 60,466 kilowatt hours per year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3OZ3KRf
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:
HIGHER ED: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Minnesota this year has wiped out tuition bills for thousands of students applying to its public colleges. But big costs remain for some families. That’s because paying for college requires paying for more than just tuition. North Star Promise, the state’s new free-tuition program for families earning less than $80,000 a year, is advancing in making college less expensive for low- and middle-income families. But it doesn’t mean college is suddenly affordable.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZFo2nH
MEAT/POULTRY: via a DLI press release, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) issued a report detailing recommendations for meat and poultry processing workers to fulfill a requirement of the Safe Workplaces for Meat and Poultry Processing Workers Act (Safe Workplaces Act) passed in 2023. Among other things, the law required the agency to hire a worker rights coordinator and to report annually about recommendations to promote better treatment of meat and poultry processing workers. The report covers the implementation of the Safe Workplaces Act.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZwFWJq REPORT: https://fluence-media.co/3ZDN1YK
FERTILIZER: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Agriculture wants to build a green fertilizer industry in the state. Officials believe a grant program will encourage agricultural cooperatives and rural electric cooperatives to get into the fertilizer business. ‘It's brand new to the state, and it is actually the first of its kind in the nation,’ said MDA Energy and Environment section leader Megan Lennon. Researchers at the University of Minnesota Morris have worked for years to develop the technology to make ammonia using wind energy. That research is now ready to become a distributed fertilizer production industry, said Lennon.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Dm5Bx1
MORE TAKES: Every day, we’re sharing significant political, business and other news in your inbox and on our new website, The Daily Agenda. If you love morning take, sign up for the other Fluence tip sheets and share our web content with your friends. SIGNUP: https://fluence-media.co/4eZwLa7
TODAY: Governor Tim Walz has no public events scheduled.
TODAY: Hunter’s Harvest is hosting its annual Holiday Meal Drive kick-off at 9:00 a.m. in collaboration with Beyond the Yellow Ribbon to provide donated goods to veterans, first responders and their families. Minnesota Veterans Affairs Commissioner Brad Lindsay will attend.
WED: Fluence Advisory is hosting fmr. MMB Commissioners Jim Schowalter and Tom Hanson for a conversation about the budget forecast and process. REGISTER: https://fluence-media.co/MNBudget2025
BDAYS: operative Denise Cardinal, General Mills’ Tess Hohman, lobbyist Nancy Haas, Ameriprise’s Kathleen McClung
SHARE: Signing up for Fluence tip sheets is easy. Please share with your friends, colleagues and family. HERE: http://bit.ly/2019FluenceTipSheets
TIPS: How do we get the best news and most buzzed about stories? Send us your tips at BloisOlson@gmail.com
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 © 2024 Fluence Media, All rights reserved.
Thanks for reading The Daily Agenda! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.