Wild win.
Did you read yesterday’s Sports Take? HERE:
Vikings in Nashville this weekend. Fans should travel well.
PWHL teams, including the Frost, are being added to EA’s “NHL 25” video game. MPR: https://fluence-media.co/3UW071R
An interactive map from MDH will tell you if your building has lead service pipes or not. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/4hwU2me
Vandals stole $40,000 worth of trees in St. Paul this week. STRIB: https://fluence-media.co/3Z69mPq
North Dakota elected its first female representative this year, making Mississippi the only state that has never sent a woman to the U.S. House. 19TH: https://fluence-media.co/40NrO0x
Tune-in to Sunday Take at 9AM.
Blois
Tips: bloisolson@gmail.com
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Leaders Melissa Hortman and Lisa Demuth on Sunday Take READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3ABO3Mf
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POT: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “For the first time since legalization, the state of Minnesota is suing a business for allegedly selling illegal marijuana products at two locations. … Minnesota's Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) is suing the retailer Zaza for alleged sales of joints, flower and vapes well above the current legal limit for retail sales. The state legalized recreational marijuana 15 months ago, but licensed and legal retail sales are still months away – 0.3% is the maximum allowable THC level, but inspectors found flower at up to 23%. The violation means Zaza would likely be ineligible for any cannabis licenses when the state gets around to giving those out.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4ftU4d7
MORE: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “The OCM’s inspections not only confirmed that defendant was selling illegal cannabinoid products, but that defendant attempted to conceal its unlawful sales,” the Hennepin lawsuit states. “For example, during initial inspections by the OCM of a related cannabinoid retail business, one of the employees would stall the OCM’s inspector while another would remove the illegal products from the store in a backpack through the backdoor… The inspections and violations involve the alleged sale of not-yet-legal cannabis products, some of which will likely become legal once the state starts retail sales under the 2023 recreational cannabis law. While there are retailers who have registered with the state to sell hemp-derived edibles, there are not yet licensed retailers to sell high-potency cannabis from marijuana plants…After that earlier inspection, OCM would use two inspectors, stationing one at the back door to prevent anyone from leaving. Still, even after finding illegal products hidden in the store, an employee refused to allow inspectors to search a backpack held by the employee.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fOKgKx
REALITY: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Rising costs and regulations in the city are driving restaurateurs to outlying areas hungry for change….” “The difference between operating a restaurant here in Minneapolis versus the suburbs, there’s a huge difference there, and I feel like a lot of people don’t understand that,” said Chris Ikeda, the chef and owner of Lake & Irving on Lake Street in Uptown, and Pau Hana in Savage.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ezEHP7
COUNCIL: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The Minneapolis City Council voted 9-3 Thursday to create a new Labor Standards Board of workers and employers that would recommend industry regulations. … Labor unions support the idea, and some council members say it would be a more democratic way of considering workplace standards. But the proposal has faced strong pushback from local and national industry groups who oppose creating another layer of government that would give workers a say in business regulations. … Based on Thursday’s vote, the council appears to have enough votes to override a [mayoral] veto.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Ob7YFc
MORE: via Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey’s office, STATEMENT: “Mayor Frey has been clear and consistent in his support for a Labor Standards Board that is balanced and fair, but the council’s proposal was never that. He will be meeting with stakeholders from both the business and labor communities over the coming days to determine next steps.”
DETAILS: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “The new board would advise the City Council on labor policies [by making recommendations]. It would be made up of an equal number of representatives for employers, employees and other community members, like labor policy experts and consumers. … The council’s proposal suggests that three of the board’s 15 seats will be appointed by the mayor. … Some council members pushed to pause the measure, echoing calls from opposition in the business community to delay a vote and hold a public hearing. The council voted against any delays.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3UUydTR
ST PAUL: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “A closely-watched zoning proposal before the St. Paul City Council would ban all future restaurant drive-throughs citywide, while creating new rules limiting pharmacy and bank drive-throughs near public transit stations. … The proposal had pit the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce, some advocates for the disabled and individual franchise owners against proponents of greater pedestrian access and walkability. … Council Member Rebecca Noecker [had] asked the city council to delay a vote on the zoning changes until September 2025. … Noecker’s proposal for a year-long delay was approved 6-1, with Council President Mitra Jalali opposed.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40HLNhf
CRIME: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “St. Paul leaders, including Mayor Melvin Carter and Police Chief Axel Henry, addressed a recent trend of violence throughout the city during a news conference on Thursday. City officials say there have been nine homicides in St. Paul in the past two months, driven largely by guns and bad decisions. Drug use, drunkenness and mental health issues have also played a role in the string of shootings. … Carter highlighted a number of efforts by the city to cut down on violence in the community and at home, echoing Henry’s remarks that the only way intervention can happen is if someone speaks up.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4eMv7IZ
HENN CTY: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The Hennepin County jail was granted a three-week extension to reduce its inmate population on Thursday after missing the deadline for a state-issued mandate over alleged staffing and well-being check violations. The jail still had more than 120 people over the limit set by the state, but it will now have until Dec. 5 to [comply]. … Earlier in the day, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Megan Larson said the office is still working to reduce the population, even as it intends to request an appeal.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Z7kuf2
FLOYD SQR: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “A group of businesses at George Floyd Square are suing the City of Minneapolis and Mayor Jacob Frey for $30 million over losses they attribute to concrete barriers and a lack of policing in the area. All five businesses in the lawsuit are owned by the same family and operate out of the same building. … The plaintiffs allege these factors created unreasonable barriers to access their businesses and made their clientele feel unsafe due to rising crime in the area. They further claim the barricades and lack of policing amounted to an ‘unlawful taking’ of the property.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3CqMMYV
DOWNTOWN: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “In downtown St. Paul, mid-grade and low-rent office spaces have experienced a hefty uptick in vacancies. … About 40% of downtown’s competitive office market has been listed for sale, spanning a combined 3 million square feet. … Overall, nearly a third of the competitive, non-owner occupied office space in and around downtown sits empty. Those findings are according to the Greater St. Paul Building Owners and Managers Association, which recently released its annual St. Paul office space market report. … Competitive, non-owner occupied office space increased from 22% vacancy in 2023 to 32% vacancy. That’s up from just over 20% vacancy a decade ago.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40Uf8VA
HOUSING: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The Minneapolis City Council was unable to override Mayor Jacob Frey’s recent veto of an ordinance that would give some organizations first dibs on buying certain rental housing units in an effort to preserve affordable housing. … Frey wrote in his veto letter that ‘now is not the time to make it harder to invest in our city’s housing stock.’ He said while he agrees with the goal of preserving affordable housing, he doesn’t believe the ordinance will accomplish that in the current housing market.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48TjmPh
GAETZ: via an MN DFL press release, VERBATIM: “Today, the Minnesota DFL Party called on the Republican members of Minnesota’s Congressional delegation to release the ethics report detailing the findings of a bipartisan investigation into former Rep. Matt Gaetz and the sexual misconduct allegations he is facing. Hours after being announced as Donald Trump’s pick for Attorney General, Gaetz abruptly resigned to try to block the release of the report. Minnesota’s GOP Representatives in Congress are in a unique position to push for the release of the ethics report — Rep. Michelle Fischbach sits on the House Ethics Committee and Majority Whip Tom Emmer is the third highest ranking member of the House of Representatives.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3UU9Ky1
MORE: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s two U.S. Senators, Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, both say they will oppose the Gaetz nomination. ‘Even many Republicans already are looking askance at this nomination,’ Smith [said] Thursday. Klobuchar issued a statement questioning the Gaetz nomination and his resignation from Congress just before the results of an ethics report were to be released.” KLOBUCHAR: “A number of Democrats and Republicans in Congress have expressed serious concerns about this nominee to me. I predict that he will ultimately not be confirmed because of a lack of support on both sides of the aisle.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3UQQJwq
HEGSETH: Rep. Betty McCollum released a statement denouncing President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Minnesota native Pete Hegseth to be Secretary of Defense. McCollum is the ranking member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense. McCOLLUM: “I have great respect for anyone who has served our nation in the U.S. Armed Forces. However, not everyone who has worn the uniform is qualified to lead the Department of Defense. … I have serious questions about [Hegseth’s] views on the role of women in the Armed Forces, who comprise nearly 20 percent of our uniformed personnel. His advocacy for the January 6th rioters and his questioning of the Uniform Code of Military Justice are very troubling. … I am deeply concerned about President-elect Trump’s judgment.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3CwAQoH
From yesterday’s lunch take:
IMMIGRATION: via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “In his second term in the White House, president-elect Donald Trump will likely take a similar approach to immigration as his first, this time with a clearer playbook and more levers of power under his control. It’s hard to know exactly what will happen until he takes office in January, according to local immigration experts. They worry about the potential impact on Minnesota’s immigrant communities — from undocumented immigrants to asylum-seekers to those on work or student visas to green-card holders.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hQiQpi
MORE: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “A Trump presidency will likely bring an end to any hopes of Temporary Protected Status for Ecuador. It could also mean that hundreds of thousands of people protected from deportation by TPS and similar programs — including so-called Dreamers here under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA — could see their protections expire in 2025 if Trump and his incoming Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem opt not to continue the programs. And some Minnesota Latinos fear Trump’s claims that immigrants are criminals and mentally ill will foster increased racism and harassment from neighbors.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Z6dRK4
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WALZ: Former students of Gov. Tim Walz spoke to MinnPost about their thoughts on the election and the campaign trail. VERBATIM: “Jimmy Baker didn’t consider himself to be much of a political person. At least not until his former football coach took to the national stage. … Baker is one of the many graduates of Mankato West High School, where Walz taught and coached from 1996-2006, who organized and rallied for him after Vice President Kamala Harris tapped him as her VP choice. The past four months — from the time of that announcement to the Nov. 5 election that broke their hearts — was a whirlwind for many of those alumni who stood behind Walz during the campaign.” BAKER: “Moving forward, I just don’t feel like we can go out and find a better, more invested and more qualified individual than Mr. Walz.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3USAjn8
BRINGING SAFETY TO ‘THE NEXT LEVEL’: As part of Enbridge’s work on the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Reservation in northern Minnesota, Enbridge has brought in family-owned and Indigenous-owned Northern Lights Family Outfitters to fully outfit project workers right on the job site with personal protective equipment (PPE) from its 48-foot mobile trailer. “Enbridge really brings safety to the next level,” says Patti, a project liaison for Enbridge and the Fond du Lac Band. “It’s really helpful to have a mobile unit, especially for this kind of work.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3OQYmjn (SPONSORED: Enbridge)
CHILD LABOR: via a DLI press release, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) has entered into a consent order with Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp. to resolve a child labor compliance order DLI issued to the company. The consent order requires Smithfield to pay a $2 million administrative penalty, the largest penalty DLI has recovered in a child labor enforcement action. The order also requires Smithfield to: conduct industry outreach related to child labor compliance; contractually require child labor compliance with its labor staffing agencies and sanitation contractors; and take other significant steps to ensure future child labor compliance.” ORDER: https://fluence-media.co/4ftGKFD
FENTANYL: via a Rep. Angie Craig press release, VERBATIM: “U.S. Representative Angie Craig is renewing her push to get the bipartisan Cooper Davis and Devin Norring Act passed through the House before the end of the 118th Congress. The [bill] is named after Devin Norring of Hastings, MN, and Cooper Davis of Shawnee, KS. Both teenagers died of fentanyl poisoning after purchasing what they thought were Percocet pills on Snapchat. … Rep. Craig’s bill [would] help law enforcement counter illicit drug trafficking on social media platforms by requiring social media companies and other communication service providers to alert federal law enforcement when illicit drug dealing and distribution occurs on their platforms.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Z4u4PR
NONPROFITS: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Rep. Angie Craig voted in favor Tuesday of a controversial, failed House proposal that would've given President-elect Donald Trump's administration the power to strip tax-exempt status from non-profits that ‘materially support terrorist organizations.’ Craig, of Minnesota's second congressional district, was among the 52 Democrats to join Republicans in voting in favor of the bill. Opposition from House Democrats ultimately blocked the bill's passage. … The American Civil Liberties Union and over 130 other non-profit organizations wrote to Congress last month urging lawmakers to vote against the bill, arguing it could pose a high risk of discriminatory enforcement, especially [for] pro-Palestine groups.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48UZOKr
CREDIT: via a Sen. Amy Klobuchar press release, VERBATIM: “U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), along with Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Tom Carper (D-DE), and Steve Daines (R-MT), announced their Servicemembers’ Credit Monitoring Enhancement Act passed the Senate. The bipartisan legislation provides free credit monitoring for all armed service members, including non-active duty reservists and National Guard members. Currently, only active duty service members are eligible for free credit monitoring.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3UOLJbG
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)
INSURANCE: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Chief executives at Minnesota’s four largest nonprofit health insurers are warning premiums could spike and thousands of residents could lose coverage in 2026 if the state’s congressional delegation doesn’t help save enhanced federal tax credits that subsidize coverage. … The extra federal subsidies are set to expire at the end of next year, which will coincide with the end of state funding for a different program that also controls costs. … As a result, premiums could jump 55% and about 93,000 Minnesotans could lose coverage in 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3AH11IJ
FOOD BANKS: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “According to an analysis of Minnesota Department of Human Services data by the nonprofit Hunger Solutions, there were 7.5 million visits to Minnesota food shelves in 2023, a 2 million visit increase over the year before. Sophia Lenarz-Coy is executive director of The Food Group, a nonprofit. … She anticipates the number of client visits will start plateauing. She said 2024 numbers are on track to be higher than 2023 [because of inflation], but not as dramatically. However she predicts the numbers likely won’t return to pre-pandemic levels soon — if ever.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hOyIc0
HEATING: via Office of the Governor, VERBATIM: “Governor Tim Walz today announced $112 million in federal funds awarded to the Minnesota Energy Assistance Program, administered by the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Funding will provide energy assistance to income-eligible Minnesota homeowners and renters to help keep their homes warm this winter. … This year’s funding will provide an increase in average household benefits [compared to 2023].” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YLDT3T
METRO TRANSIT: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Metro Transit fares will be lowered and simplified starting Jan. 1. The changes, approved by the Met Council on Wednesday, include making full-price fares on all Metro Transit non-express buses and light rail $2 all day, every day…[and] reducing the cost of Metro Transit’s All-Day pass. … The changes also permit Metro Mobility-certified riders to ride Metro Transit and other regional transit providers for one-cent fares through June 30, 2025. This pilot program will inform future fare policy discussions, according to the press release.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fHQRad
HOUSE INFO: The Minnesota House’s nonpartisan Public Information Services department has just posted a full-time regular position for assistant editor. All interested parties are encouraged to apply, but “news reporting experience is strongly preferred,” according to the listing. JOB: https://fluence-media.co/48MLPqd
ECONOMICDEVELOPMENT: From Grand Rapids, a conversation about opportunities and challenges to economic growth in Greater Minnesota with Tuleah Palmer, CEO of the Blandin Foundation, Roy Smith of the IRRRB and Steve Loney from Kiesler Wellness Center. From workforce to energy costs, a thoughtful conversation on how leaders are working together to push the region’s economy forward. Mainstreet Minnesota is presented by Compeer Financial. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/MainstreetMN2
ROCHESTER: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “Election results for the Ward 4 seat on the Rochester City Council are being challenged. Incumbent council member Kelly Rae Kirkpatrick and three other Ward 4 residents…filed a civil complaint in Olmsted County District Court on Wednesday, ahead of the city’s canvassing of election results. The complaint centers around the residency status of Andy Friederichs, who defeated Kirkpatrick in the Nov. 5 election. … While Friederichs and his wife own a home [that] sits outside Rochester, he has said he moved into one of his rental units in the city's Ward 4 in January 2024.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3UVjqsi
CARLTON CTY: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “A tie vote in any election is rare. But two in a single election, in a single jurisdiction? That’s what officials in Carlton County south of Duluth are navigating after two local races last week ended in dead heats. In the mayoral race in the city of Wrenshall, incumbent Gary Butala and challenger Jeff Bloom each earned 143 votes. And in the city of Kettle River, Patricia Lund and Laura Simi each garnered 33 votes in their race for city council. … When an election ends in a tie in Minnesota, the canvassing board responsible for declaring the results of that race must determine a winner by [random selection].” Bloom won in Wrenshall and Lund won in Kettle River. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Oczu57
ORONOCO: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “A meeting that Mayor Ryland Eichhorst hoped would ‘be a six-minute meeting’ will last two days. … The Oronoco City Council met [this week] to approve results of the city's three races in the Nov. 5 election. The races included two candidates for mayor, two candidates to fill two four-year seats, and a special election to fill the remainder of a four-year term. No one is arguing the winners of each race…[but] the council did not vote to approve the results. That's because Erv De Vlaeminck, who had been appointed to fill the seat vacated when Carl Krause resigned in February 2024, said he wanted to keep serving on the city council until January.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fmYvX8
ALBERT LEA: via KAAL-TV, VERBATIM: “In Albert Lea, a new oat mill processing plant is set to open up shop and bring some new jobs to town. The new facility, called Green Acres Milling, is expected to be located off 14th Street across from the new Vortex Cold Storage plant. The new company is expected to process two million bushels of oats per year and create 12 new jobs in the next two years.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4euQNcq
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:
JOBS: via a DEED press release, VERBATIM: “Minnesota's unemployment rate remained at 3.4% in October and for the fourth consecutive month the state's labor force participation rate held steady at 67.7%, according to data from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The national unemployment rate also remained steady at 4.1% and Minnesota continues to rank among the top states for labor force participation.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3O9xGtB
INEQUITY: via Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, VERBATIM: “Minnesota is celebrated as one of the best places to live in the United States. … Beneath this veneer, however, lies a troubling reality known as the ‘Minnesota Paradox.’ The Minnesota Paradox ‘highlights the stark racial disparities that persist, particularly affecting the Black community,’ says Samuel Myers, Jr., director of the Roy Wilkins Center for Human Relations and Social Justice at the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.” MYERS: “While many residents enjoy opportunities for success and well-being, systemic issues continue to create significant challenges for Black Minnesotans in both educational and economic spheres.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eqbDcQ
FLUORIDE: From MDA via PRNewswire, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Dental Association (MDA) today reaffirmed its commitment to supporting water fluoridation as a safe, effective, and essential public health measure for preventing tooth decay and promoting overall oral health. Citing decades of scientific research and endorsements from leading health organizations, the MDA joins national dental associations and health experts in underscoring the role of fluoride in ensuring that Minnesota communities have access to one of the simplest, most cost-effective tools for dental health improvement.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3CtKSad
MORE TAKES: Every day, we’re sharing significant political, business and other news in additional newsletters. If you love morning take, sign up for the other Fluence tip sheets HERE: fluence-newsletters.com
TODAY: Governor Tim Walz has no public events scheduled.
WEDNESDAY: via an MN Chamber advisory, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce will release its annual Business Benchmarks report at the 2024 Economic Summit. … The Summit will also feature a keynote speech from the newly elected President of the University of Minnesota, Dr. Rebecca Cunningham, where she will discuss her initial time in office and the U’s contributions to Minnesota’s economy.” The event is at 9:00 a.m. in Minneapolis.
BDAYS: House administrator Mark Nisley, clean energy pro Amelia Hennes, County Attorney staffer Laura Fenstermaker. SAT: PUC Commissioner Katie Sieben, PR legend Paul Maccabee, MN Hospitals’ Bob Hume, lobbyist golfer Tony Kwilas. SUN: Rep. Pam Altendorf, civic leader Mike Schardin
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