Vikings play Los Angeles
Wild play Tampa Bay
Timberwolves play Sacramento
In the two months since launching its second Community Ownership campaign, Minnesota Aurora has raised over $500,000. Since launching the second round on August 29th, over 1200 people have invested.
Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert has signed a three-year, $110 million contract extension. ESPN: https://fluence-media.co/3YeTPvf
Fluence publishes the fast-growing SportsTake today. SIGNUP: https://fluence-media.co/SportsTakeSignUp
A majority of Americans say the American way of life is good, but most U.S. adult citizens want at least some changes. YOUGOV: https://fluence-media.co/3AbRRDK
RentCafe ranked Minneapolis the 4th most livable metro in the U.S. On the same list, Des Moines is 3rd, Milwaukee is 6th and Green Bay is 9th. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/48j4tWd
Sunday Take will host a debate between Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Royce White. Live at 9AM on WCCO Radio.
Happy National Food Day.
Blois
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POPUP: via Deanna Winter at the Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “You’ve probably heard of pop-up stores — in which a retail store temporarily pops up in a high-traffic area to test a market or product. Minnesota is jumping on that concept to attract people to vote, rather than buy tennis shoes or yoga pants, at pop-up voting sites…State lawmakers last year passed legislation allowing cities and counties to set up temporary voting sites where people can vote during different hours and days than already offered at permanent sites. It was part of a wider effort by Democrats to make voting easier, by passing laws allowing things like automatic voter registration, restoration of felons’ voting rights upon release and a permanent absentee voter list…A dozen Minnesota communities from McGregor to St. Louis Park are offering pop-up polling places this year, according to a spokesman for the secretary of state’s office.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ND5Qpj
ADS: The House DFL ran TV ads on CNN last night. The ads hit thousands of households not in the districts, but also signals that DFLers have more money than they can target into the districts. TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4hfp7uB
SD45: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “For a race with so much at stake, the only Minnesota state Senate seat on the November ballot seems a bit under the political radar…which is exactly how DFL strategists planned it. Timing the resignation of former state Sen. Kelly Morrison so that the special election to replace her comes amidst a crowded fall campaign was intentional. Otherwise, the battle might have drawn a lot more attention and a lot more money. Morrison could have waited until she won the seat now held by 3rd District U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips. But that would have triggered a single-race special election sometime in early 2025. … The voting fundamentals of the 45th Senate District favor the DFL, [but] the two House seats are split, with GOP Rep. Andrew Meyers representing 45A (where Morrison lost by 393 votes) and DFL Rep. Patty Acomb representing 45B (where Morrison won by 6,094 votes).” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40gcw4k
30A: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Rep. Walter Hudson, R-Albertville, on Wednesday denied that he is advocating for overthrowing the government despite recent remarks. … HUDSON: ‘When a system of government becomes tyrannical, the people have not just the right, but the duty to change their form of government. Doesn’t say anything about waiting for two years for the next election.’ … This snippet of a 45-minute speech Hudson gave on Oct. 18 to attendees of the Word of Life Ministries church in Princeton [went viral]. The church’s Faith & Freedom group holds regular meetings about the intersection of religion and politics. … Hudson on Wednesday told the Reformer that he was not advocating for the overthrow of the government or political violence. He said he was giving attendees a ‘teaser’ for what they could be hearing next month during their constitutional training class.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hlPrTZ
MNLEG: Via WCCO Radio, leaders from both parties are saying they’re confident they will control the Minnesota House next year. VERBATIM: “All of the 134 House seats are up for election, but just four of them could make the difference as to whether Democrats will continue to control the body. DFL Party Chair Ken Martin says they have better candidates, and are better set financially than Republicans. … But Republican Party Chair David Hann disagrees, and says traditionally when one party has control for a time, the winds change. He believes independents will come through for the Republicans.” READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3UnM9FL
GRAFFITI: Via KSTP, the roof of the unoccupied governor’s mansion was vandalized with graffiti criticizing Gov. Tim Walz. VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Governor’s Residence on Summit Avenue has been undergoing major renovations for more than a year, but it’s unlikely a message on the mansion’s roof was part of the plans. Chopper 5 flew over the building Wednesday afternoon and captured graffiti spelling ‘Walz failed’ on an industrial rooftop air conditioning unit. It’s unclear how long the message has been around. … The Walz family has been living at Eastcliff, the mansion that typically houses the University of Minnesota’s president, since renovations started on the 112-year-old Governor’s Residence last year.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4dWW77Z
MORE: via Minnesota State Patrol, STATEMENT: “The Saint Paul Police Department and the Minnesota State Patrol are currently investigating who defaced equipment at the Governor’s residence and when it happened. No one is currently living at the residence while it is under construction. The agencies aren’t going to speak to specific security procedures and will not speculate on any aspects of this ongoing investigation.”
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
WALZ: via Star Tribune pool reporter Rochelle Olson, VERBATIM: “Walz and his son high-fived after feeding the tabulation machine. … Afterward, Walz stepped across the parking lot for a brief media availability. … Asked to comment on the Russian-originated [disinformation] about him, Walz said ‘[Vladimir] Putin wants Donald Trump to win.’ … Asked how he voted on the St. Paul childcare referendum, Walz didn’t respond directly except to say he followed Mayor Melvin Carter. The mayor has said he would not implement the proposal if it passes. Those were the only two questions he answered.”
CHILDCARE: via Axios Twin Cities, VERBATIM: “If St. Paul voters OK a tax increase on Election Day to pay for a city-run child care program, Mayor Melvin Carter says he will block its implementation. Carter's threat creates uncertainty about what could become of a $20 million-a-year program that supporters say will chip away at a nationwide child care crisis. Ultimately, his administration could be in charge of carrying out a program that Carter believes is being set up to fail. … He said if it passes, he would decline to implement the program and veto any move to collect the tax. [But] City Council Member Rebecca Noecker told Axios this week she's confident a supermajority of city council members would overrule the mayor.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40fNy4P
WALZ: Sign up for Walz Watch, our new tip sheet, and get all the latest national news about the governor’s VP campaign HERE: https://fluence-media.co/walzwatch
UMN: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Local prosecutors charged a pro-Palestinian protester with assault on Wednesday, but didn’t file charges against 10 other people who barricaded themselves inside an administrative building at the University of Minnesota this week. The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office said a 23-year-old woman was charged with fourth-degree assault and was released from custody pending a future court date. She and other protesters entered Morrill Hall on Monday where they barricaded themselves inside and vandalized the building, university officials said. A criminal complaint detailing the alleged assault was not immediately available on Wednesday.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3C0pide
MORE: Via FOX 9, all 11 of the arrested U of M protesters have been released from jail. Only one was charged with a crime. READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3Uld3hC
SCHOOL BOARDS: The 74 has an extensive report on the state of school board elections in 2024, and why left-wing groups are increasingly likely to train candidates in opposition to right-wing groups doing the same. VERBATIM: “Historically, particularly in smaller communities, persuading people to campaign for such an undesirable job has been tough. … This year in Minnesota, for example, there are 30 districts with more open board seats than candidates. … In July 2023, [Kyrstin] Schuette launched the School Board Integrity Project, which trained and backed 84 candidates in 27 Minnesota districts in time to run last November. This year, the group is working with more than 200 candidates in 42 Minnesota districts and 14 other states. … Schuette credits her group’s rapid growth to pent-up frustrations with recent years’ education politics, but she’s quick to add that many of the candidates she’s trained needed convincing.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fjNwxn
SCHOOLMEALS: via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “One year into the Minnesota Free School Meals Program, the state's DFL leaders are defending the decision to go millions of dollars over budget to serve nearly 150 million meals to students. … [Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan] says while funding ballooned to about $267 million in year one, the program is worth every penny.” FLANAGAN: “We have made the decision that this is absolutely worth the investment. We see that attendance numbers have gone up, and I think these investments in feeding children, nutrition, healthy development, when we think about what this means for the long-term overall success of our state, that is a price I think that Minnesotans are absolutely willing to pay.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4fg7B7x
BALLOT Q: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “This fall, Minnesotans will vote on whether to renew a proposal earmarking some money from the state lottery to fund environmental programs, including parks projects, conservation and clean water efforts. Back in 1988, voters approved a Minnesota constitutional amendment dedicating a portion of lottery proceeds to the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. Since then, voters have thrice renewed the proposal. However, a new provision this year reserves 1.5 percent of funds for projects in underserved communities. … Since it’s a constitutional amendment, leaving the ballot question blank counts as a no-vote — and some proponents told MPR News they were worried the presidential election and other races would overshadow this.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eTK2l7
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)
POLICE: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “Hiring continues to be an issue for police departments across the country over the past several years, including in the Twin Cities. In an interview Tuesday, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara voiced his frustration over the challenges they're seeing. … O'Hara said Tuesday that they've hired around 60 people so far this year. It may seem small, but he says it's the highest they've seen in almost a decade. The problem, O'Hara says, is that there's a lack of qualified applicants – something that's happening in St. Paul as well. … St. Paul Assistant Chief of Police Paul Ford [said] the SPPD has had 166 applicants so far this year – 33 have been hired.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3YlHSUi
MPLS: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “The Minneapolis Public Housing Authority announced what it says is its largest redevelopment project in the agency’s history on Tuesday. The estimated $65 million project will preserve 221 units across two neighboring buildings, known as Spring Manor, in northeast Minneapolis. The project also includes the construction of a new four-story building next to the existing ones, which will create 15 new accessible apartments with various features for different mobility needs. That’s especially notable, because there’s a federal housing rule that effectively blocks the construction of new public housing in cities that have already met their cap.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3zYqcq0
ST PAUL: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “The last time the St. Paul City Council urged the city charter commission to give them the power to impose non-criminal fines on rule-breakers, the charter commission said no. That was in 2021, when a 7-6 vote quashed [the] proposal. … On Wednesday, with the support of St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, the seven members of the St. Paul City Council jointly sponsored and approved a request to the charter commission to give the proposal another look. The request to amend the city charter to allow administrative citations does not spell out specific citations, though Council President Mitra Jalali noted several key areas where the council would like more authority to impose non-criminal penalties.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4e1QUMd
HOMELESS: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “A fire destroyed half-a-dozen tents at a homeless encampment in St. Paul early Wednesday morning. … Firefighters responded to the encampment, which is roughly one acre in size and houses around 50 people, and was able to contain and extinguish the fire quickly. According to Deputy Chief Jamie Smith, all of the tent occupants were able to escape safely and no injuries were reported.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Unfal3
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)
ALLINA: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Allina Health has notified thousands of patients with Humana Medicare Advantage plans that their doctors might be out-of-network next year and therefore only available with higher out-of-pocket costs unless the Kentucky-based insurer agrees to a contract that reduces claims denials and prior authorization rules. The Minneapolis-based health system, one of the largest operators of hospitals and clinics in Minnesota, alerted about 18,000 patients of the potential disruption last week, just as Medicare open enrollment was getting underway. The network exit would extend a recent trend where four other nonprofit health systems operating in Minnesota have announced their intent to [do the same].” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3A1Y8C6
MSP: via a Sen. Tina Smith press release, VERBATIM: “Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN) announced that the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport received the final funding amount necessary to complete the airport’s improvements to Concourse G. This grant, made possible through the Biden-Harris Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will expand the Terminal 1 building on Concourse G from Gates 8 –13 to include 5 new single use restrooms and 2 new multi-user restrooms, terminal passenger seating, and energy efficient spaces.” PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/3NCcQ5L
LEAD PIPES: via AP News, VERBATIM: “The Environmental Protection Agency is at risk of misallocating nearly $1 billion in lead pipe replacement funding to the wrong states because it didn’t verify inaccurate data provided by Texas and Florida. … The EPA’s Office of Inspector General [said] the errors mean some states with the biggest needs may have to wait longer for funds — or will get less than they should have. … [Advocates] said it matters if Florida, a state with few lead pipes, spends a lot on searching for them when other states with documented problems desperately need money…but even after the EPA allocates money, there’s time to correct problems. [In 2024], Texas was given the minimum. That meant that other states like Minnesota and New Jersey received more money.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48hI8s4
MOVE: Former morning take associate Lizzie Johnson has started a new role as communications director for the Democratic Women’s Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives. Johnson most recently worked as a senior strategy associate at the Penta Group consulting firm.
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
ST ANTHONY: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “After months of debate, the St. Anthony City Council on Tuesday agreed to allow a mosque and Islamic youth center to operate inside a former bank building, despite some hesitation about the site’s condition and project plans. Dozens of residents packed Tuesday evening’s meeting and pleaded with the council to greenlight the project, saying it will provide a needed community resource for an underserved population in the north metro. After about three hours of debate and public comments, the council unanimously approved rezoning for the community center.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YzbW01
GRANT: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Small lots and how they should be developed is the hot issue in this fall’s mayoral race in Grant, where two sitting City Council members – Tom Carr and Jeff Giefer – are facing off. Giefer said he was spurred to run for mayor halfway through his term on the council because he is concerned that Carr wants to institute a zoning change that he says is inconsistent with the city’s comprehensive plan and Met Council lot-size agreements. … Carr says the issue is moot since the council decided not to pursue the proposed changes.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40geHF2
ROSEVILLE: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “The City of Roseville has become the latest municipality in Minnesota to enact some form of a ban on plastics in the hope of lowering pollution. The city is going after non-recyclable to-go containers with a new ordinance encouraging the use of compostable packing. According to the ordinance, the new rules will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2025, but enforcement won't begin until a year later. The initiative is part of the city's 'Green To Go' ordinance, which allows only compostable, recyclable or reusable containers.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4f16VmT
HERMANTOWN: via Duluth News Tribune, VERBATIM: “A Hermantown woman has admitted to a six-figure theft from a nonprofit that raises funds for elementary school supplies, field trips and other expenses. Trista Irene Swanson, 44, pleaded guilty [in] State District Court to four felony counts of theft. Swanson previously served as treasurer of the Hermantown Parent Teacher Organization, an all-volunteer effort that supports students, teachers and classroom initiatives in grades K-4 at Hermantown Elementary School. She had been charged in July 2023 with seven counts after other leaders discovered hundreds of fraudulent transactions that had drained the organization's funds. … There were 369 ‘individual thefts and overdrafts’ over the three years. After a review, police placed the total theft at $103,017.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YpWgLE
STCLOUD: via MPR, VERBATIM: “This fall marks the first time in more than two decades that Dave Kleis’ name hasn't appeared on the ballot. St. Cloud’s longest serving mayor decided not to run for reelection after 19 years in the office…Two members of the St. Cloud City Council, Jake Anderson and Mike Conway, are vying to replace him. The race is highlighting some of the city’s most pressing challenges, including a housing crunch, a struggle to revive its downtown and a perception the city is less safe… Both candidates for the nonpartisan office talk about addressing those problems, but they differ — sometimes subtly — on how to do so.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YBQnMD
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT: Flint Hills Resources makes fuels and other products people need and use every day — products that help keep Minnesota moving. The company does this while prioritizing safety and environmental stewardship and contributing meaningfully to the community. That’s Stewardship with a Purpose. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3ALNT4U (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
GRAND RAPIDS: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “In the northern Minnesota town of Grand Rapids — best known as the hometown of Judy Garland, who famously donned a pair of ruby-red slippers in the iconic film “The Wizard of Oz” — the politics have trended redder in recent years. … [It] once voted reliably Democratic, in lockstep with the Iron Range a few miles to the northeast. But voting patterns shifted. … Voters said they are chiefly concerned about the economy, including inflation and taxes. They’re also focused on three school board seats that are up for grabs, following a failed referendum to boost funding for the district last year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3NDNzbi
WATER QUALITY: via Agweek, VERBATIM: “Dana Allen-Tully farms with her family in Eyota, Minnesota, where they run a dairy operation, grow forage and corn for the cows and raise corn and soybeans as a cash crop. … Allen-Tully welcomed Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen to the farm to share how the harvest has gone and celebrate the farm entering the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program. Allen-Tully, past president of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association, said that becoming certified through the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program was a fairly simple process.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4e4xwxX
TRUMP: via CNN, VERBATIM: “Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz accused Donald Trump of descending into ‘madness’ on Tuesday, following a report that the former president pined for the loyalty of the ‘kind of generals that [Adolf] Hitler had.’ Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate seized on the report in The Atlantic as top party figures warned of dark days ahead if Trump wins.” WALZ: “Don’t be the frog in the boiling water and think this is okay. As a 24-year veteran of our military, that makes me sick as hell, and it should make you sick.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/40hMb62
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: via an MN GOP advisory, VERBATIM: “Following the national coverage of Hennepin County's negligence and mishandling of ballots last week, Mary Kiffmeyer, Minnesota's former Secretary of State, will be holding a press conference to address ongoing concerns with election integrity and Minnesota's election laws on Thursday, October 24th at 10 AM. Kiffmeyer will joined by MN GOP Chairman David Hann, Senator Mark Koran…and Representative Paul Torkelson.”
TODAY: Via the Harris-Walz Campaign, Gov. Tim Walz will attend numerous campaign events in North Carolina. Walz is expected to make private stops in Durham and Greenville before holding a rally in Wilmington.
TODAY: via Office of the Sec. of State, VERBATIM: “Secretary of State Steve Simon will travel to Pine City, where he will speak with students at Pine City High School, and at Pine Technical and Community College (PTCC) where he will present the 2022 Democracy Cup for highest voter turnout among Minnesota State community colleges to PTCC President Joe Mulford.”
TODAY: OutFront Minnesota and Queer Equity Institute will co-host a “Rally to Protect Our Trans Refuge State” at 5:30 p.m. in St. Paul. Invited speakers include Rep. Leigh Finke, former Minneapolis City Council Member Phillipe Cunningham and more.
TOMORROW: Via the Harris-Walz Campaign, Gov. Tim Walz will attend private campaign events in Philadelphia, PA and Allentown, PA before hosting a rally in Scranton, PA.
TOMORROW: via Office of the Sec. of State, VERBATIM: “On Friday, October 25, Secretary of State Steve Simon will meet with leaders in youth civic engagement in the African-American Community in St. Paul.”
TOMORROW: via a Grassroots Mpls advisory, VERBATIM: “On Friday, community leaders will gather for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the Unity Building project on Lake Street. The Unity Building is a 21,100 sq. ft., four-story, mixed-use commercial project [that] will serve as a multi-generational hub, honoring the cultural crossroads of Latine and African communities on Lake Street.” The event is at 11:30 a.m.
BDAYS: Rep. Dan Wolgamott, communication pro Drew Henry, DFL insider Shivanthi Sathanandan, fmr. MPLS police chief Janeé Harteau
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