Wild win. Gopher MBB wins.
The DNR is starting a new EagleCam tomorrow. AP: https://fluence-media.co/4fYGazL
Target Wednesday missed Wall Street’s quarterly earnings and revenue expectations and posted only a slight uptick in customer traffic, despite the discounter’s price cuts on thousands of items and its early holiday sale. CNBC: https://fluence-media.co/40XNBCO
A JournoResearch analysis of educational attainment, test scores and other metrics concluded that Minnesota is the 10th “smartest” state in the U.S. and 1st in the Midwest.
The number of states with one Democrat-aligned senator and one Republican senator has dropped to a record low of three: Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Maine. UMN: https://fluence-media.co/3YRgSfQ
Today is National Absurdity Day. Cheers.
Blois
Tips: bloisolson@gmail.com
Today’s 6:20AM morning take with Vineeta Sawkar on WCCO Radio. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4eGnQtY
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MNECONOMY: The MN Chamber of Commerce has released its 10th annual Business Benchmarks report discussing the current state of Minnesota’s economy and indicators of its future. EXCERPT: “Our state has numerous economic strengths including a diverse industry base with businesses of all sizes, a legacy of innovation, hardworking labor force and great natural amenities. When asked why they choose to stay in Minnesota, a strong majority of business leaders say it is because their business was established here. … [But] in the first Business Benchmarks report, Minnesota’s GDP ranked 13th in the nation at 2.4%. Today, it ranks 40th at 1.6%. … At this rate, it would take Minnesota’s economy 41.5 years to double in size from 2023 levels, a full 12 years longer than it would take the U.S. economy to double, leaving future Minnesotans at a relative disadvantage.” REPORT: https://fluence-media.co/4hYNDjO
MIGRATION: The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal released a map showing where former Minnesota residents are moving to, and what states new residents are moving in from. VERBATIM: “An analysis of new data from the Census Bureau shows about 109,000 people left Minnesota for other states between 2022 and 2023, but about 100,000 people moved to Minnesota from [other states]. … Minnesota netted the highest number of new residents from Illinois, Oregon, California, Michigan and Washington state. … The states that gained the most departing Minnesotans were Wisconsin and North Dakota. Other big states for Minnesotans who left were in warmer areas like Florida, Texas and Arizona. Thousands of Minnesotans also moved to Colorado and North Carolina.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZefbKL
HOUSEGOP: via news release from the House GOP, VERBATIM: “ House Republicans met today to elect their 2025-26 leadership team. DEMUTH: "I'm excited to round out our leadership team with members of diverse backgrounds including teachers, veterans, business owners, farmers, and more. I look forward to working with each of these members to make life better for Minnesotans over the next two years," Republican Speaker Designate Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, said. Assistant caucus leaders are as follows:
Representative Jim Nash, R-Waconia (Caucus Whip)
Representative Ben Bakeberg, R-Jordan
Representative Walter Hudson, R-Albertville
Representative Jim Joy, R-Hawley
Representative Andrew Myers, R-Tonka Bay
Representative Kristin Robbins, R-Maple Grove
Representative Paul Torkelson, R-Hanska
Representative Natalie Zeleznikar, R-Fredenburg Township
Representative-Elect Bidal Duran, R-Bemidji
WALZ: Via Axios’ Torey Van Oot, Gov. Tim Walz was asked by reporters yesterday about the upcoming legislative session with an evenly tied state House, and he said he’s optimistic about getting things done, citing the 2019 session as an example of success in a divided government. He also said it’s encouraging that Majority Leader Melissa Hortman and Minority Leader Lisa Demuth “worked together very well.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/3CAtYGN
MURPHY: via West Central Tribune, VERBATIM: “Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy voiced optimism that Minnesota legislators will find a way to work together and make progress on the issues most important to Minnesotans despite the apparent need for power sharing in the House of Representatives…[saying] she and her colleagues have an obligation ‘to work with everybody else and find a way forward.’ … Affordable housing, child care and workforce availability were the priority issues Murphy said she heard from people during a visit Monday morning to the Middle Fork Cafe in New London. Along with those issues, Murphy spoke of moving forward an agenda focused on infrastructure needs. … She is hopeful that the Senate Capital Investment Committee will advance a bonding bill early in the 2025 session after the demise of the bill last session.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Oidmq0
ROBBINSDALE: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Robbinsdale Area Schools is facing a deficit of millions of dollars next year due to an error in their budget process. Kristen Hoheisel, the school district’s chief financial officer, said the shortfall for the 2025-26 fiscal year is somewhere between $19 and $21 million. … The school district is over budget by more than 2.5% and will need to submit a corrective action plan to the Minnesota Department of Education. Hoheisel says at this point the school district is only expected to trim about $3 million of the more than $17 million in proposed cuts for the current fiscal year and will end up in deficit spending.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3UUIak7
STPAUL: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Two former employees served a lawsuit against St. Paul Public Schools Tuesday alleging the district “misused” and “misappropriated” a substantial amount of federal COVID relief funding in violation of state and federal statutes, sometimes at the directive of former Superintendent Dr. Joe Gothard who now works in Wisconsin.
Former Chief Financial Officer Marie Schrul and former Business Systems Analyst Curtis Mahanay expect to file their whistleblower lawsuit in court Wednesday morning.
Schrul told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS she tried to warn then-Superintendent Gothard and the St. Paul School Board about the misappropriation of federal funds but was retaliated against in what she said was a “hostile” work environment. Schrul and Mahanay were both let go by the district in September 2022.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3V3uV0S
METRO TRANSIT: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “When the former Metro Transit police chief abruptly left while under investigation earlier this year, the public demanded answers. But those answers never came and likely never will [regarding] Ernest Morales III. … State law says all records relating to an internal investigation or complaint against a public official become public if that official leaves while under investigation. But, according to the Metropolitan Council, the organization operating Metro Transit, that law does not apply. ‘Morales is not a public official,’ said George Henry, Associate General Counsel for the Met Council. … The Department of Administration’s Data Practices Office [has] reviewed the matter and told 5 INVESTIGATES it was likely an ‘oversight’ in state law that would require a ‘legislative fix.’” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3ZeIFZ7
HEGSETH: Pioneer Press has a profile on Pete Hegseth, the Minnesota native who was nominated to be President-elect Donald Trump’s Secretary of Defense. VERBATIM: “Before his Fox News gig and making shortlists to head agencies for Trump, Hegseth was a conservative activist in Minnesota politics, writing opinion pieces, hosting a local radio program and even launching a short-lived bid for U.S. Senate in 2012, when he sought the GOP nomination to run against Sen. Amy Klobuchar. … One of Hegseth’s early forays into Minnesota’s political spotlight was in 2008, when he attempted to bring Vets for Freedom to Forest Lake High School, where he had graduated from less than a decade before.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3CuGqrD
MPLS: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Many business organizations in Minneapolis have started an online petition opposing the City Council’s recent vote to create a 15-person Labor Standards Board to [advise on] minimum wage laws, employee benefits and training. Loon Café owner Tim Mahoney told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS the plan is to get enough signatures to convince Mayor Jacob Frey to veto the recently approved measure. ‘If we can get 2,000 signatures, get them to his office, he says he will veto it. Maybe he won’t, maybe he will,’ said Mahoney.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/48WQaqQ
ST PAUL: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “The St. Paul City Council is looking to increase the franchise fees it charges Xcel Energy for electricity and gas distribution to residential properties, though not by as much as what the mayor and city council previously proposed. … Until recently, the city of St. Paul was barred by state statute from collecting franchise fee revenue for electricity and gas during high-usage winter months…but it was recently lifted by state lawmakers. … Alarmed at the prospect of increasing residential utility bills, Council Member Nelsie Yang submitted an amendment earlier this month to reduce the proposed fee structure…cutting potential revenues roughly in half.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZeGsgh
SPPS: via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “The St. Paul Federation of Educators will vote on a resolution next week that calls for signing on to a letter urging the Biden Administration to stop military aid to Israel in hopes of a ceasefire in Gaza. The union's Progressive Caucus, which introduced the resolution, wrote a Q&A about it that characterizes the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack as ‘multiple resistance organizations in Gaza revolt[ing] against Israel.’ … Tiffany Goldman, a member of the union, said [that] she and several other Jewish teachers feel the union isn't supporting them by allowing the vote to go forward.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3Cypgtb
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)
VETERANS: via a Rep. Tom Emmer press release, VERBATIM: “Today, Congressman Tom Emmer sent a letter to Veterans Integrated Services Network (VISN) 23 Director Robert McDivitt voicing his concerns over recent changes to the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) program which have significantly impacted access to home-based care and transportation services for Minnesota veterans. … Many Minnesota veterans [are] concerned as longstanding services are reportedly being denied or significantly limited…including reports of veterans losing access to important services such as weekly home visits and transportation from private providers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3AT4Avt LETTER: https://fluence-media.co/4fRtScc
MORE: via The Hill, VERBATIM: “The House on Monday passed a massive bill that will fund a range of veterans care services and increase opportunities for retired service members in the workforce and education. The Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, known as the Dole Act, passed on a bipartisan 389-9 vote. The bill is a win for Republicans who have pointed to issues with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and have called to allow veterans to access more care at home.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48Vrz5L
RESPONSE: via a Rep. Brad Finstad statement, FINSTAD: “We owe it to our veterans and their families to give them the best care we can provide. … I am proud that the House passed this legislation to improve the timeliness and quality of care for those who have served our country by putting in place these much-needed improvements.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3V103xY
SETTLEMENT: via Office of the Atty. General, VERBATIM: “Attorney General Keith Ellison today announced his Office has reached a settlement with Edina Realty, Inc. that resolves the Attorney General’s investigation into the secret payments Edina received from Home Security of America, Inc. (HSA) in exchange for promoting HSA's home warranties to Edina’s unsuspecting clients. Under the settlement, Edina will pay $3.5 million to the Attorney General’s Office to provide refunds to certain Edina clients who purchased an HSA home warranty.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/495MD9F
PFAS: via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “Funds from one of the largest environmental damages suits in U.S. history — between the state of Minnesota and 3M — are paying for $140 million treatment facilities in Cottage Grove, but other communities will have to foot some of the bill on their own. … Lake Elmo found out there was PFAS in the city's drinking water in 2004. After investing $20 million in city funds to start tackling the problem, the city is now one of several in the east metro filtering this out on 3M's dime. … [Hastings] will soon build its first of three treatment facilities, with a total cost of $70 million, and another million a year for upkeep. But unlike Lake Elmo, Hastings doesn't have a plan to cover all the costs.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4128QDo
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)
SOLAR: via an Xcel Energy press release, VERBATIM: “Xcel Energy is now delivering carbon-free electricity from one of the country’s largest solar projects to customers across the Upper Midwest, representing a significant milestone in the company’s clean energy transition and the first of several major investments at the Sherco site in central Minnesota. … Sherco Solar’s initial connection to the Upper Midwest grid occurred in late October, [and] two additional connection phases will come online in 2025 and 2026. Once complete, Sherco Solar’s combined capacity of 710 megawatts will provide enough clean energy to power 150,000 homes across the Upper Midwest and replace the capacity of the nearby Sherco plant’s first coal unit.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3CynbgJ
MORE: Via MPR News, Gov. Tim Walz made a public appearance at the Xcel Energy event. VERBATIM: “Walz noted that the Sherco Solar project also will pilot an iron-air battery capable of storing electricity for several days. WALZ: ‘This is going to be one of the first places in the country and in the world to be doing this. That is a big game changer, if we can store this energy when we need to do it.’ … Walz and Xcel officials noted that the project benefitted from federal tax credits for solar under the Biden Administration. Those incentives face an uncertain future…[but] Xcel officials say that’s unlikely to affect the utility’s transition to renewable energy here in Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ACy296
BIOFUELS: via a Rep. Michelle Fischbach press release, VERBATIM: “Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07) and several of her colleagues on the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee released a request for information from relevant stakeholders on biofuel tax policy. Public Law 117-169, enacted in 2022, made significant modifications to biofuel tax policy without any Republican input. With unified Republican government in Washington, the House Ways and Means Committee is seeking feedback from stakeholders on how these provisions could be improved to support domestic energy production and rural economic development.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YUrvyp REQUEST: https://fluence-media.co/3UZ7ZzC
MORE: via a Sen. Tina Smith press release, VERBATIM: “U.S. Senator Tina Smith wrote a letter to Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm pushing for the construction of a proposed $5 billion sustainable aviation fuel production facility in Moorhead, Minnesota, by DG Fuels. … It would produce nearly 200 million gallons of near-zero carbon aviation fuel annually, and production at the facility would begin in 2030.” SMITH: “The clean energy transition is here, and I want Minnesota to lead it. The construction of this sustainable aviation fuel facility will not only boost Moorhead’s regional economy and create jobs, but it will establish Minnesota as a global hub for clean, sustainable, homegrown energy.” LETTER: https://fluence-media.co/48WItks
JUDGE: via Office of the Governor, VERBATIM: “Governor Tim Walz today announced the appointment of Benjamin Pieh as a District Court Judge in Minnesota’s Eighth Judicial District. Pieh will replace the Honorable Thomas W. Van Hon and will be chambered in Montevideo in Chippewa County. … Pieh is an assistant public defender in the Eighth Judicial District Public Defender’s Office.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3UW0oC3
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
WASH CTY: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “The Washington County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved pay increases for County Administrator Kevin Corbid, Sheriff Dan Starry and County Attorney Kevin Magnuson. In 2025, Corbid will earn $244,608, a 12% increase over this year’s salary. Magnuson will earn $226,855 and Starry $217,552, both 7% increases. Corbid, 55, has been with the county since June 2001 and as county administrator since 2020. His previous salary was not commensurate with other administrators in the metro, Board Chair Stan Karwoski said.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fFBQFS
PINE CTY: via a Sen. Tina Smith press release, VERBATIM: “U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN) and Representative Pete Stauber (R-MN08) announced a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide high-speed, reliable internet to 38 businesses and 147 farms in Pine County. Over 1,000 people in socially vulnerable communities will have direct access to the internet with modern fiber optics running right to their front door. … The investment comes from USDA Rural Development’s ReConnect Loan and Grant Program and totals $5,576,250.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ANqRuK
ST CLOUD: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “After the election earlier this month, three new people are poised to join St. Cloud City Council come January. And after Monday’s resignation of Mayor-elect Jake Anderson from his Ward 3 seat on the City Council, there will likely be another newcomer to join the ranks. Anderson, 45, is midway through his first term on the City Council. … The City Council on Monday approved a process for filling the vacant seat on the seven-member board.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eGOm6x
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:
POT: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “State cannabis regulators have started giving bad news to about two-thirds of the 1,817 social equity license applicants that they will not be entered into the first license lottery that is now expected to be held the week of Dec. 2. Conversely, those one-third who will be moving on to the lottery — about 640 applicants — will be getting that word officially within two weeks. And that means their odds of getting one of the 280 so-called preapproval licenses just got a lot better. But wait for the letter, the Office of Cannabis Management said, because there is still a tiny chance something could be discovered to knock them out.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZeBNuS
TIPS: via Axios Twin Cities, VERBATIM: “Minnesota restaurant workers make just over 20% of their overall income from tips, according to one new estimate. The rise of tipping culture means that servers and bartenders are getting tipped more — and more frequently — for services like takeout orders that used to go without gratuities. Tips make up an increasingly large share of restaurant workers' pay nationally, per data out this month from payments company Square.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48UeXMf REPORT: https://fluence-media.co/3ZcoDhN
HEALTHCARE: via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “The post-pandemic story for the healthcare industry has been one of major workforce shortages, as it’s been for many other industries. The situation remains dire, and is likely to get worse in the near future: In Minnesota, about 20% of physicians plan to leave practice within the next five years, according to Dr. Edwin Bogonko, an Allina Health hospitalist who was recently named president of the Minnesota Medical Association. Labor concerns are, of course, just one challenge facing the healthcare industry, in Minnesota and around the nation. As president of MMA, Bogonko is keenly aware.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZcV5Ax
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: Gov. Tim Walz will interview candidates for vacancies in the Ninth Judicial District at 10:00 a.m.
TODAY: 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.
TODAY: via a joint press release, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Ambulance Association will be holding a roundtable discussion on Wednesday in Dodge Center – ‘The Future of EMS & Ambulance Services in Minnesota’ – with area community, health care and business leaders about the future of ambulance services.” The event is at 1:00 p.m.
TODAY: via City of Minneapolis, VERBATIM: “The City of Minneapolis’ Arts and Cultural Affairs Department will release the results of its inaugural music census. … Minneapolis musicians, venue owners, presenters, promoters, studio owners, and music industry professionals responded to the census. This effort provided critical data about needs, opportunities, and the state of the music industry in Minneapolis.” The event is at 11:00 a.m.
TOMORROW: via an OLA advisory, VERBATIM: “The Office of the Legislative Auditor's Financial Audit Division will release the performance audit, Minnesota State Lottery, on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. The audit’s key findings and recommendations will be presented to the Legislative Audit Commission at 10:00 a.m. that morning in G3 State Capitol.”
THURS-FRI: via a House DFL advisory, VERBATIM: “The 2024 Winona Model Legislature will convene on Thursday, November 21st, and run through Friday, November 22nd. Members of the media are invited to attend the annual session and opening address at 9:00am, Thursday, in the Kryzsko Commons Ballroom on the Winona State University Campus.” Rep. Gene Pelowski will attend.
WEEKEND: via an MFU advisory, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) members from across the state will gather Nov. 22-24 for the 83rd annual Minnesota Farmers Union State Convention. … The event begins on Friday afternoon with panel discussions. The discussions focus on food regulations surrounding selling products direct from the farm, finding funding for projects on your farm and what weather trends mean for farmers. On Saturday and Sunday, members debate the organization’s policy. The policy guides the organization’s advocacy work for the coming year.” DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/3ARx4Wk
BDAYS: Sen. Mary Kunesh, Auditor comms guy Donald McFarland, union activist Leah Solo, MN Chamber comms pro Anne Yoder, Medical Alley’s Peter Glessing, libertarian Marianne Stebbins
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