I’ll be hosting this morning from 9-Noon on WCCO Radio. Tune-in. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/WCCOLive
Gopher MBB beats Michigan.
Major League Volleyball is coming to Minnesota in 2026. STRIB: https://fluence-media.co/40C1rKA
Hop Culture named Forager Brewery in Rochester one of the world’s top “breweries to watch in 2025.” LIST: https://fluence-media.co/3E28VxO
Via TikTok, Gov. Tim Walz says he was reading “Demon Copperhead” by Barbara Kingsolver and “The Small and the Mighty” by Sharon McMahon while on vacation earlier this month. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/40FwxQv
Joe Biden won’t enforce the TikTok ban that starts this weekend, leaving the app’s fate in Donald Trump’s hands. AP: https://fluence-media.co/3PE5lfO
Happy National Classy Day!
Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com
Today’s morning take on WCCO Radio with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/40CFsmV
On Sunday Take House Leaders Lisa Demuth and Melissa Hortman were guests to discuss the upcoming legislative session, which is scheduled to begin tomorrow. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3DOnWD0
DEAL: Minnesota Reformer shared previously unknown details from the deals that DFL leader Melissa Hortman tried to negotiate with GOP leader Lisa Demuth before the start of the House session. VERBATIM: “Hortman offered the GOP the speakership [title] for two years, as well as the creation of an ‘oversight committee’ with a majority of Republicans who would have been empowered to investigate the administration of DFL Gov. Tim Walz. … Under Hortman’s offer, Demuth would have served as speaker and Republicans as committee chairs until the special election in District 40B, at which time they’d return to [power-sharing]. … Demuth would have retained the title of speaker for the remainder of the two-year term, though she would have shared power with Hortman. The oversight committee would remain majority Republican for the remainder of the term.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40Bog0T
MNLEG: via AP News, VERBATIM: “Gov. Tim Walz urged lawmakers Thursday to end a power struggle that has disrupted the first week of Minnesota’s 2025 legislative session, but expressed support for House Democrats’ boycott of the chamber to block Republicans from wielding power. … Walz said he’s confident the special election in a heavily Democratic district will result in a 67-67 tie in the House, and he urged House Republicans to end the fight now.” WALZ: “Just work together on a power-sharing agreement [because] that’s the way it’s going to end up. … Don’t go down this road. You’re not going to win in court.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jlrv3V
MORE: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Judy Moe walked into a Richfield Caribou Coffee on Wednesday morning ready to air grievances and advocate for disability rights with her state representative, [DFLer Michael Howard]. … Howard’s Caribou meeting is one of many that House Democrats are hosting with constituents in lieu of their usual work this time of year. … [DFLers] hope that constituent meetings like Howard’s will deflect from a barrage of attacks this week from Republicans and their allies, who are pounding Democrats for their Capitol absence.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ji0LRY
PAID LEAVE: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “A state law ensuring workers have access to paid time off could be going under the scalpel. … Business, county, city and township leaders spoke about the impacts of earned sick and safe time, paid family medical leave and labor shortages during Thursday’s meeting of the House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee Thursday. No action was taken. … Rep. Dave Baker (R-Willmar), the committee chair, said the paid leave program can’t be rolled out as it is and must be modified.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42j0Rmm
BILLS: Thursday’s bill introductions in the all-Republican state House are now available to read online. Most of the legislation is focused on preventing the fraudulent use of public money, but other bills include fossil fuel protections, denying services to undocumented immigrants, new standards for education and law enforcement, and a requirement to return portions of state budget surpluses to taxpayers. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/3PDFswx
CAPITOL: via WCCO Radio, VERBATIM: “Activists and interest groups have spent months meticulously planning initiatives to connect community members with their state lawmakers during the legislative session at the Minnesota Capitol, [but] House DFLers remain absent from the Capitol following the current power struggle with Republicans. … Now, organizers say they are at a loss about how to proceed with their scheduled events. Should they postpone them? Reschedule them? Cancel them outright? Or hang on and hope for a breakthrough in the standoff?” READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3PFpWQG
40B: Rep. Lisa Demuth said on the Garage Logic podcast yesterday that the DFL held its endorsing convention for the House District 40B special election in a location outside the district, despite the fact that a residency challenge caused the need for a special election in the first place. Minnesota Reformer’s Max Nesterak confirmed this, while noting that “there’s no residency requirement for an endorsing convention and it looks like Dems were only off by [about] 1,500 feet.” MAP: https://fluence-media.co/4gX1TJb
APPROVAL: Morning Consult has released quarterly approval ratings for the nation’s governors and senators. As of Q4 2024, Gov. Tim Walz has a net approval of +14% in Minnesota (55% for, 41% against), which is a 2% drop compared to Q4 2023. Sen. Amy Klobuchar has a net approval of +25% in the state (57% for, 32% against) — a 5% increase year-over-year. Sen. Tina Smith has a net approval of +15% in Minnesota (43% for, 28% against). While Smith’s net approval has not changed since Q4 2023, her raw approval and disapproval numbers both dropped 3%. Walz and Smith are both eligible for reelection in 2026. DATA: https://fluence-media.co/3PBImlB
RURAL GROWTH: via a CRPD press release, VERBATIM: “The Center for Rural Policy and Development has released its annual ‘State of Rural’ report [focusing on] migration patterns. … For the third consecutive year, rural Minnesota counties saw population increases driven by in-migration. While these gains remain modest, they reflect a reversal of long-standing population declines. At the same time, urban counties in the Twin Cities metro area have continued to experience population loss due to out-migration. … Growth in rural populations is increasingly driven by BIPOC residents. … Despite these encouraging trends, the report cautions that sustained and significant growth will require targeted efforts to attract and retain residents, including investments in housing, broadband access, and workforce development.” REPORT: https://fluence-media.co/4jipx4o
INFRASTRUCTURE: via a Rep. Brad Finstad press release, VERBATIM: “Today, Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) and Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) introduced the Protecting Infrastructure Investments for Rural America Act, legislation that would make funding under the Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program — also known as the Rural Grant Program — more accessible for rural communities by removing barriers that currently put rural America at a disadvantage. … Original cosponsors include…Michelle Fischbach (MN-07) [and] Pete Stauber (MN-08).” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hkrHyw
APPROPRIATIONS: via a Rep. Betty McCollum press release, VERBATIM: “Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL, MN-04) announced on Thursday morning that she will continue serving on the House Appropriations Committee during the 119th Congress, the committee which funds the federal government. Congresswoman McCollum will serve her third term as the top Democrat on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee in addition to serving as the number two Democrat on the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Wip1tq
FEED FRAUD: via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “The lead prosecutor in the Feeding Our Future fraud investigation revealed Thursday that a defendant scheduled to stand trial next month threatened to kill a witness, underscoring the case’s high stakes and history of unexpected turns. The shocking detail came out as defense lawyers and prosecutors argued about whether alleged violence and gang affiliation involving defendants Abdulkadir Nur Salah and Salim Said should be admitted as evidence at trial.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4g7s1Qe
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)
MPLS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The Minneapolis Charter Commission may look at making the City Council part time, re-examining how much council members are paid and changing the way they’re elected. The commission, an appointed body that has a role in how the city is governed, re-elected Peter Ginder as its chair Wednesday. Ginder said during the meeting that the commission might want to look at [City Council] members’ salaries and where they rank compared with other governmental entities. … Voters would have to approve any changes to the city charter.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gWuHkT
MPD: via an MPD PIO advisory, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara announced today that the Minneapolis Police Department policy related to Police Authority in Immigration Matters has been updated. The [policy] states the MPD will not be involved in the enforcement of federal immigration law. … The updated policy includes revised language, adds a section on MPD U Visa/T Visa Certification, and provides examples of acceptable identification forms, such as foreign government-issued ID cards, consular identification cards, and national ID cards.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3WKUTan
ST PAUL: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “St. Paul officials closed a large homeless encampment just east of downtown Thursday, citing unsafe conditions. Until recently, at least 40 people lived in tents and yurts at the lot. … Around 10 people were still living at the camp Thursday morning, 10 days after the city posted a notice to vacate. … Mayor Melvin Carter visited the site Thursday morning. He said city offices planned ahead to connect with residents. He said there are challenges to getting people into housing, between space at shelters and people who say shelters don’t meet their needs.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4an1LAa
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)
MINING: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Backers and opponents of a proposed copper mine near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area are gearing up for anticipated action from the incoming Trump administration that could reopen a path for mining — possibly as soon as next week, after President-elect Donald Trump is sworn into office on Monday. While on the campaign trail, Trump said he would reverse a 20-year mining ban imposed by President Joe Biden on about 350 square miles of the Superior National Forest, just south of the Boundary Waters, in ‘about 10 minutes.’ … Rep. Roger Skraba, R-Ely, [said] he doesn’t know when Trump might reverse the mining ban. But he expects him to act early in his administration.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4g0N2MC
HOSPITALS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Minnesota hospitals are leaning on triage systems, created out of desperation during peaks of the COVID-19 pandemic, to weather the current surge of patients with influenza and other viral illnesses who are crowding their emergency rooms. United Hospital in St. Paul was the latest to adopt the so-called ‘split flow’ approach last month, providing initial care to patients in its waiting room when its ER bays were full. More than 20 patients sat in its waiting room Thursday afternoon.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3DZGuQT
CONVERSIONS: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “In three years, the former Northstar Center in downtown Minneapolis was transformed from a vacant office space into 216 apartment units now called Groove Lofts at Northstar Center. While developers and architects have typically seen conversions as a particular challenge, these kinds of developments have also become something considered necessary to reinvigorate struggling downtown cores in the post-pandemic era. … The $98 million project used about $35 million in federal, state and city subsidies.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4g4r8YP
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 this January.
Rep.-Elect Kari Rehauer
Rep.-Elect Wayne Johnson
Rep. Elect Julie Greene
Rep. Elect Keith Allen
Rep. Elect Peter Johnson
Follow on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.TheDailyAgenda.com/Podcasts. (SPONSORED: Minnesota Telecom Alliance)
MANKATO: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Ardent Mills has shut down its historic facility in Mankato, a company representative said. ‘We are no longer operating the mill as of today,’ Kelley Kaiser, a spokeswoman for the Denver-based company, said on Thursday. Some employees will remain at the site to decommission equipment and clean the mill, but the company considers the facility closed, Kaiser said. … The company is exploring ‘options for the future of the property with the city, including how best to honor its history and the significance of [its] mural,’ Kaiser said.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3C9W6Rm
ROCHESTER: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “A Destination Medical Center grant supporting renovation of a historic downtown building will need a second look by the Rochester City Council [after] Rochester Mayor Kim Norton vetoed the $125,288 preservation grant. … Funding for the project through the $5 million DMC Historic District Infrastructure Investment program was unanimously approved by the Rochester City Council without comment on Jan. 6.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jleXcY
WORTHINGTON: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Along with 420 other recently elected citizens, Eric E. Parrish is taking a seat this month on a Minnesota school board. At his inaugural Independent School District 518 school board meeting next Tuesday in Worthington…Parrish will begin a four-year at-large term. Unremarkable, but for the fact that Parrish, 44, is the first openly gay school board member to be elected in the conservative county where Donald Trump collected 66.9% of the November 2024 vote.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jo6HJh
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: Wild About Reading SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
FEED FRAUD: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is on the government’s lengthy list of potential witnesses in the second trial over allegations that 70 people fleeced taxpayer-funded child nutrition programs out of $250 million during the pandemic. The DFL mayor is not accused of any wrongdoing. But Abdi Nur Salah, a former policy aide to Frey who left Minneapolis City Hall in 2022, is charged with taking part in the alleged conspiracy.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3WlDDrS
E-CIGS: via Office of the Atty. General, VERBATIM: “Attorney General Keith Ellison today announced that his office has filed a lawsuit against High Light Vapes for violating state laws against deceptive tobacco marketing, marketing vapes to children, and consumer fraud, and has launched an investigation into e-cigarette manufacturer Loon to determine whether Loon has violated these or similar laws.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jbZlIN
PUBLIC SAFETY: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “LeQue Curtis was reaching for her mailbox last November, when she heard the crack of gunfire. It was an apparent homicide, just steps away from her apartment building in St. Paul. … Curtis was among the 3,399 Minnesotans who responded to a Lumaris survey gauging perceptions of public safety across the state — where crime rates vary but have broadly decreased to the lowest level in more than three decades. … While the majority of Minnesotans reported feeling safe most of the time, a quarter of respondents said a fear of crime impacts their activities often or somewhat often. For Black women who responded, that number doubled to nearly 50 percent.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42eVX9L
ALL THE 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
SESSION: No House floor session. Senate floor session at 9:00 a.m. HOUSE: No committee meetings today. SENATE: No committee meetings today. CALENDAR: https://fluence-media.co/4jl6whF
TUESDAY: via Minneapolis Chamber, VERBATIM: “Join us for a moderated discussion with St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey as they address their 2025 priorities, what challenges lie ahead for our cities, and how businesses can support and promote the Twin Cities region. This annual [Breakfast with the Mayors] event will be hosted by the University of St. Thomas.” The event is at 7:15 a.m.
JAN 24: via a DEED advisory, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Trade Office (MTO) is delighted to invite you to join Governor Tim Walz, Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Matt Varilek and Department of Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen at a luncheon event to honor this year’s recipients of the Governor’s International Trade Awards.” The event is at 11:30 a.m. in Bloomington. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/4jdSQ8m
JAN 28: Two special elections will be held to fill legislative vacancies for Senate District 60 and House District 40B.
JAN 29: Via Jacob Frey for Our City, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey will formally kick off his 2025 reelection campaign on Wednesday, Jan. 29 at 5:30 p.m. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/4h9lRjw
BDAYS: meteorologist Sven Sundgaard, Sen. John Hoffman, communications pro JacQueline Getty SAT: ad guy Matt Burgess, politico Justin Perpich, Xcel’s Rob Clark, school board member Jonathan Weinhagen
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
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