morning take | Special Session on Guns Eludes Walz

9.24.25

Sep 24, 2025

Lynx lose. Twins win.

Jimmy Kimmell returned to the air last night. Here’s what he said. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/429z0Eb

US News’ latest ranking of the nation’s best universities put UMN Twin Cities at 59th. LIST: http://fluence-media.co/46BI5af

Minnesota ranks 31^st in “religiousness” according to Pew. POLL: https://fluence-media.co/48xg6uR

Retiring DFL Sen. Ann Rest spoke to WCCO-TV about her 40-year legacy and the decline of civility in politics. WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/4gEgXvX

Happy National Punctuation Day….!?

Blois - tips: bloisolson@gmail.com

After 40+ years in the legislature, Sen. Ann Rest is retiring at the end of her current term. On Sunday Take, an exit interview reflecting on her time in office and the shifts she’s seen over the years. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4gvKcki

AUDIENCE: Sponsorships are available to reach over 30,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheets and website, TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com.

POLL: The latest KSTP poll asked Minnesota voters about a potential special session on school safety. VERBATIM: “58% of respondents say there should be a special session, while 28% said there should not be. Looking inside the numbers, 86% of Democrats want a special session, while 43% of Republicans and 46% of independents do. … On assault-style gun [bans], 53% said they support a ban, 35% against and 12% not sure. Inside those numbers, 61% of Twin Cities respondents support a ban, while support in greater Minnesota varies from 40% in southern Minnesota to 44% in western Minnesota to 45% in the northeastern part of the state. … When asked to name the single most important issue the Legislature should consider in a special session, a plurality of 40% said ‘mental health’ is the most important issue, followed by guns at 30%, more school security at 17% and 10% say criminal penalties.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/4pDUSBI

MORE: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Gov. Tim Walz’s vow to call lawmakers back to the Minnesota Capitol for a special legislative session on gun policy has run into a harsh political reality…Republicans in the closely divided Legislature haven’t budged in their opposition to proposals that would ban assault-style firearms and high-capacity magazines — even after impassioned testimony last week from parents of children who survived last month’s mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis. Without bipartisan agreement, even some Democrats believe Walz shouldn’t call a special session, and it’s unclear if there are enough votes within his own party for new gun restrictions…The DFL governor told reporters Tuesday that “it’s clear to me that Republican legislators want to talk about everything else except guns.” WALZ: “I asked for a floor vote on high-capacity magazines and assault weapons, and just let the members vote on it,” Walz said. “There is no appetite on the Republican side to hold a floor vote on guns…. Sen. Rob Kupec, a Democrat from Moorhead, told the news outlet MinnPost that he doubts a state-level assault weapon ban would help since Minnesotans could go to other states to buy the firearms.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gEMA8F

EMMER: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “GOP Majority Whip Rep. Tom Emmer joined FOX 9 [to discuss] the fatal shootings of Charlie Kirk and Rep. Melissa Hortman, crime in the Twin Cities, Rep. Ilhan Omar, and more. … Emmer commented on the recent mass shootings affecting Minneapolis schools, stating the violence is ‘unacceptable’ and calling for further investigation into the motivations behind the attacks. While some legislators and politicians have called for stricter gun laws, Emmer argued the state already has some of the most stringent gun laws in the country. He said the focus should instead be looking at ‘incompetent prosecutors,’ [naming] Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty. … Emmer criticized Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and his current and past handling of the National Guard, claiming Walz ‘hates Donald Trump more than he cares about the safety and security of our citizens.’ He also commented on Walz’s decision to seek a third term, saying he ‘really shouldn’t be running again.’” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/46hY7aq

SHUTDOWN: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “The nation is barreling toward a government shutdown next week that would disrupt federal services, delay benefits and payments and create economic uncertainty for many Minnesotans. The prospects of a shutdown increased Tuesday as President Donald Trump abruptly canceled a meeting he had agreed to with Democratic leaders in Congress who were seeking concessions in return for their support. … Unless there is a last-minute deal, all federal workers who are not deemed essential will be furloughed without pay. That would result in delays and disruptions of many services. … According to the state Department of Management and Budget, there were 18,183 federal civilian employees in Minnesota as of Sept. 12.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4ndhZkZ

2026: via news release from Kristin Robbins, VERBATIM: “Rep. Kristin Robbins, candidate for Governor of Minnesota, proudly announced the members of her Finance Committee. WHO: David Frauenshuh (Campaign Chair), John Alexander, Molly Corrigan Cronin, Marty Davis, Former Rep. Barb Haley, Denny Niess, Jerry Pappenfus, Gregg Peterson.

HIRING: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s job market outperformed the national economy in August, but people on the margins of the state’s workforce and the organizations that support them say they are feeling signs of slowdown as employers become more cautious and selective about hiring. … Better Futures Minnesota [is] a Minneapolis nonprofit that offers training and jobs to recently incarcerated men. … Minnesota added 5,900 jobs in August, but its unemployment rate increased a tenth of a percent from the previous month to 3.6%. Meanwhile, the state’s manufacturing sector — an important one for Better Futures’ clients — saw a slight decrease of 900 jobs. Since it was established in 2007, Better Futures has never turned people away, but it recently had to create a waitlist, and the number of people on it continues to grow.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4nK4Y27

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CHILDCARE: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s home-based child care providers are shutting their doors at an alarming rate. Some say one reason so many providers are quitting is because they feel burdened by complex regulations and strict enforcement actions that drive up their cost of doing business…Kelsey Hayley, 35, is a family child care provider from Mounds View in Ramsey County and has been running her business for three years. HAYLEY: “I’ve always loved the family child care business, being able to work with kids, having a small group, being able to apply my education from early childhood and apply it in my home,” Hayley said…But a growing part of her job is all the documentation and paperwork she needs to do to keep her license up to date and meeting all the state’s rules and regulations. Hayley agrees that most of those rules are needed to help keep kids safe. But some of them, she says, go a little too far.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mAWRnN

HEALTHINSURANCE: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Gov. Tim Walz is blaming his political foes for [health insurance] plight. The governor, a Democrat running for re-election, faulted President Donald Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress on Tuesday for allowing some federal tax credits to expire next year that would have kept health plans on the individual market more affordable. … The state is expected next week to approve final rates. The governor gathered two state DFL lawmakers, cabinet members and some affected Minnesotans for a news conference at the Capitol to urge Congress to extend the tax credits next year. … State leaders [said] as fast-rising premiums pressure more healthy people to drop coverage, that could drive prices even higher in the individual market because insurers will be left to cover a greater concentration of people with costly health needs.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4nLjmHu

MORE: via Office of the Governor, VERBATIM: “Without federal action, enhanced premium tax credits are set to expire, raising health care costs for middle-class Minnesotans by an average of $2,000 per year. … Minnesota has [responded] by extending the Minnesota Premium Security Plan (MPSP), a reinsurance program that offsets high-cost claims and stabilizes premiums. Without this program, 2026 premiums would have risen nearly 25 percent higher than projected. State leaders emphasized, however, that state efforts alone cannot fully offset the effects.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/48slbog

TYLENOL: via WCCO Radio, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D) is slamming claims coming from the White House about Tylenol use causing autism. … Klobuchar warned that the public needs to listen to the experts on this issue — not what is coming from the administration, [she] said Tuesday while speaking to reporters at MSP Airport.” KLOBUCHAR: “I just always believe in listening to the medical experts because politicians always like to say, ‘I know better, I know better.’ But in the end, the only way you can make some good decisions…[is] you’ve got to listen to science.” READ/LISTEN: http://fluence-media.co/46Yn4H9

COFFEE: via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “U.S. lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are trying to make a bill to exempt coffee from tariffs, as prices are up 21% compared to last year. … The effect is trickling down to even local coffee shops like Roots Roasting in St. Paul. Owner Peter Poire-Odegard opened the cafe seven years ago. ‘The margins used to be significantly higher,’ he said. After streamlining as much as he could, he reluctantly made two price increases this year. A regular cup of coffee went from $3 to $3.80. … He said so far [this year] he’s seen a cutback in specialty drink orders.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/4mwQVw0

BROADBAND: Comcast is rewriting the broadband playbook in the Twin Cities. From neighborhood networks to next-gen tech, we’re delivering community-first internet connectivity with no contracts, no surprises. The new Xfinity package means unlimited data, blazing-fast, reliable speeds and a 5-year price guarantee, plus free mobile for a year. It’s not the old Comcast — it’s a bold new era of connection. Let’s power the future, together. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/Comcast2025-1 (SPONSORED: Comcast)

HARRIS-WALZ: MPR News has collected excerpts from Kamala Harris’ new book that mention her thoughts on Gov. Tim Walz and his performance as a running mate in 2024. VERBATIM: “Walz, the two-term Minnesota governor, struck Harris with a self-defeating vibe in what amounted to a job interview. HARRIS: ‘It was quickly clear to me that Tim had walked into that room feeling he wouldn’t get the job. The first thing he said as he sat down — I don’t even know if the door had closed behind him — was: ‘Whether or not you pick me, I’m going to do everything I can to get you elected.’’ … Harris’ book paints Walz as authentic, but she cringed at his VP debate performance.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4mwN1TJ

GOV RACE: via an SEIU press release, VERBATIM: “The SEIU Minnesota State Council, which brings together over 70,000 workers in Minnesota from across the state’s largest and most powerful unions, is proud to announce the endorsement of Governor Tim Walz for re-election in 2026. SEIU members work in healthcare, education, property services and more in every corner of the state and are planning a robust push in 2026 to elect pro-worker candidates up and down the ballot in Minnesota.”

AUDITOR RACE: via MPR, VERBATIM: “The scramble to be the next state auditor is on [as] current auditor Julie Blaha isn’t running for a third term. Two DFLers have announced campaigns so far — Rep. Dan Wolgamott and former Fergus Falls Mayor Ben Schierer. New to the field is Republican Nate George. He’s the mayor of the city of Braham. … Other Republicans are giving the race a look, including some sitting legislators. … At least two past auditors, Arne Carlson and Mark Dayton, have gone on to become governor, and others have tried unsuccessfully to make that leap.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/47TeTOj

GUN CTRL: Protect Minnesota has released its 2025 Orange Star Ranking, which rates the state’s political candidates according to their views on gun violence and regulations. Among the candidates who responded to the ranking survey, only four did not receive an “A” rating for maximum support of gun control — Xavier Pauke, Minneapolis Mayor; Mary McKelvey, Minneapolis Park Board; Elizabeth Shaffer, Minneapolis City Council; and Maurice L. Ward, Minneapolis City Council. Pauke, McKelvey and Shaffer received “B” ratings, while Ward received the only “C” rating. LIST: http://fluence-media.co/4pB6V2v

SUMMER SAVINGS: via Xcel Energy, VERBATIM: “Home cooling can account for about half of your summertime electric bill. Here are five simple, effective ways to boost energy efficiency in your home and save money.

1. Ceiling fans cool you, not the room.

2. When away, adjust your thermostat.

3. Hot air belongs outside.

4. Cook smarter to stay cooler.

5. Let nature dry your clothes — plus, your chores can wait until evening.”

(SPONSORED: Xcel Energy)

FRAUD: via a Rep. Brad Finstad press release, VERBATIM: “Today, Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) introduced the Fraud Accountability and Recovery Act (Far ACT), legislation that would prohibit the president from providing foreign assistance to the government of any country that is harboring an individual convicted of defrauding the United States or refuses to cooperate with the recoupment of stolen funds. During a recent trial in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme, it was revealed that the defendant sent millions of stolen dollars to Kenya, and the judge confirmed that the U.S. government has no way to recover the money.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4nQO3uZ

PEACE CORPS: via a Rep. Betty McCollum press release, VERBATIM: “Congresswoman Betty McCollum introduced the Peace Corps Congressional Gold Medal Act on Tuesday, coinciding with the 64th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s signing of the Peace Corps Act. The legislation, which is co-led by Congressman John H. Rutherford (R-FL), would bestow the highest civilian award given by the United States Congress to over 250,000 Americans who’ve volunteered for the Peace Corps since its inception.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4gE9Fs4

AG GRANTS: via an MDA press release, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is announcing that farmers can apply for funding through two key safety programs: the Grain Storage Facility Safety Grant and the Rollover Protective Structure (ROPS) Rebate Program. These programs help farmers add critical safety equipment to on-farm grain storage facilities and retrofit older tractors with lifesaving rollover protection. … Applicants are eligible to receive up to $400 per bin or silo, with a limit of $2,400 per farm per year.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4pKBMtR

1. Ceiling fans cool you, not the room.

2. When away, adjust your thermostat.

3. Hot air belongs outside.

4. Cook smarter to stay cooler.

5. Let nature dry your clothes — plus, your chores can wait until evening.”

(SPONSORED: Xcel Energy)

COUNTY ATTY: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A stinging criticism of Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty’s new policy dictating that her office will no longer charge most felony cases arising from low-level traffic stops is coming from one of her fellow prosecutors. And Moriarty is fighting back. … Anoka County Attorney Brad Johnson blasted the decision in a public post, [saying] ‘I wish I did not have to keep reminding people that Hennepin County’s misguided non-prosecution policies end at the Anoka County border.’ … Moriarty replied to Johnson’s post by noting [that] her policy included exceptions to prosecute low-level traffic stops if it was crucial to public safety. … ‘Please share accurate information instead of grandstanding and trying to get your name in the media,’ Moriarty wrote. … [Johnson] then responded with a litany of accusations against Moriarty.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3KmDcKB

RAMSEY CTY: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to set next year’s tax levy increase at 9.75%. It would bring in $434.56 million total in property tax revenue. … The county’s proposed budget totals $929.3 million in 2026 – a 6.57% increase from the 2025 supplemental budget of $848.5 million. … The average tax increase on a residential median-value home is estimated at a 4.4% increase, or $22 per month. … State law requires the county to certify the proposed tax levy by Sept. 30. Commissioners will approve the final 2026 tax levy in December.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4nQrczM

ENCAMPMENT: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “A judge has barred a landlord from allowing homeless encampments on any of his Minneapolis properties indefinitely. A dispute between the city and landlord Hamoudi Sabri over the encampment at the intersection of East Lake Street and 28th Avenue South reached a boiling point last week when gunfire erupted at the property. … On Tuesday, Judge [Thomas] Conley granted a motion for a temporary restraining order, meaning Sabri can’t allow a homeless encampment on any property he owns in the city until a further order of the court. A scheduling conference will be held at a later time to consult with both parties.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/47ZfMou

DAKOTA CTY: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Dakota County homeowners could see their property taxes increase nearly 10% next year pending a final budget approval in December. On Tuesday, Dakota County officials adopted a 2026 proposed maximum property tax levy of $184.2 million, up 9.9% from 2025. … For a median-value single-family home in Dakota County with a market value of $385,000, the owner would see their taxes go up approximately 9.24%, or $66.11. … In 2024, Dakota County claimed the lowest levy per capita in the state of Minnesota and the lowest property tax rate among the seven metropolitan counties. For 2026, however, Dakota County is on the higher end of preliminary levy increases for the metro area.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3IACIjA

40 YEARS OF PARTNERSHIP: Flint Hills Resources and Ducks Unlimited (DU) are celebrating 40 years of partnership, a longevity landmark that makes Flint Hills one of DU's longest-standing corporate partners. Working together over the past four decades, Flint Hills and DU have contributed to conserving more than 250,000 acres of wildlife habitat and natural areas in Minnesota and over 900,000 acres across North America. LEARN MORE: Flint Hills Resources and Ducks Unlimited Celebrate 40 Years of Partnership (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery)

ROBBINSDALE: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “For the first time Tuesday, the Robbinsdale School Board listened to lengthy recommendations to fix its financial crisis…The district is facing a $21 million deficit and will likely close several schools, after years of financial crisis. ..It’s part of a plan put forth by the new group called Reimagine Rdale. It’s made up of 45 community members who have met once a month since January, including Joan Moline Evans. Her children graduated from the district.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3IhBbPs

WASH CTY: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “The Washington County Board on Tuesday unanimously approved its maximum levy — the upper limit of what the county can collect in property taxes — for 2026. The $148.9 million tax levy represents a 6.95 percent increase over 2025. Last year, Washington County raised its levy 5.9 percent for the year 2025 and it generated $139.3 million. … It is anticipated that under the preliminary property tax levy, the owner of a median-valued home ($423,700) that had a median increase in value (1.7 percent) would see a $41 increase in the county portion of property taxes for 2026, or a 4.2 percent increase from 2025.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3W2LjP5

SAVAGE: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “The state on Tuesday suspended a Savage daycare’s license, effective immediately, following an infant’s death and findings that children at the facility were ‘at an imminent risk of harm.’ The death happened Monday at the Rocking Horse Ranch Childcare facility in Savage and is under investigation by the Savage Police Department and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Police have not yet indicated what caused the infant’s death, but the department issued a statement Tuesday morning encouraging families to ‘closely monitor’ children who attend Rocking Horse Ranch.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3KiEgiD

HERMANTOWN: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A massive development proposal that [Hermantown] is describing only as a ‘communication services facility’ was identified as a data center in a January letter sent to city officials. A construction firm ‘intends to build a large data center complex’ on 200 acres in the southwest corner of the city, according to a letter from consultant company Braun Intertec, which is working with Hermantown. The letter was obtained by the Minnesota Star Tribune as a result of a public records request. Mystery has swirled around the project for months.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3VzqMl7

From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:

H-1B VISAS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Hiring managers in key Minnesota job sectors, from health care to industrial research, say the state’s already tight labor pool could be further constrained by the new $100,000 fee on new visa applications for highly skilled workers. … The H-1B visa program [is] the nation’s mechanism for hiring foreign workers for specialty jobs, like computer science engineers and doctors. … So far this year, the government approved more than 3,600 H-1B visa applications for high-skilled jobs critical to Minnesota businesses from the Mayo Clinic to UnitedHealth Group, the University of Minnesota and 3M.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3W29mxx

MITCHELL: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Former Minnesota Sen. Nicole Mitchell has avoided a lengthy prison sentence for burglarizing her stepmother’s home, at least for now. A Becker County judge sentenced Mitchell on Tuesday morning to 180 days on work release in Ramsey County. That means she’ll be confined for roughly six months but will be allowed to leave for work each day, then report back to the jail after her shift.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/46AXI1A

PARK BOARD: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Becka Thompson, a Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board member, is planning to resign her seat in a northern district of the city so she can run for a City Council seat in south Minneapolis. Thompson faces a dilemma. Elected officials must live in the places they represent, according to the Minnesota Constitution. In order to be eligible to run for City Council in Ward 12 — the southeast Minneapolis ward currently represented by Council Member Aurin Chowdhury — Thompson needs to give up her northside Park Board seat and move to Ward 12 at least 30 days before the general election.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/46k3FBk

TODAY: Governor Tim Walz will chair a meeting of the Minnesota Board of Pardons.

TOMORROW: The state Senate’s Judiciary and Public Safety committee will meet at 10:30 a.m. to provide an update on the closure of Minnesota Correctional Facility - Stillwater. DETAILS: http://fluence-media.co/46g6XFE

FRIDAY: via Citizens League, VERBATIM: “Citizens League is proud to host a 2025 Minneapolis Mayoral Candidate debate on Friday, September 26. This debate is presented in partnership with the Minneapolis Regional Chamber and the Minneapolis Downtown Council, and will be co-moderated by Mary Lahammer, Political Reporter & Anchor, Twin Cities PBS; and Blois Olson, Sunday Take Host, WCCO Radio and CEO, Fluence Media.”

BDAYS: fmr. Gov. Arne Carlson, MN Sports and Events leader Wendy Blackshaw, lobbyist Jeff Hayden, Dept of Ag’s Andrew Vaubel, advocate Mary Hartnett, entrepreneur Eric Taipale

Send us your tips at BloisOlson@gmail.com

IN MEMORIAM: morning take from now to the future is in memory of Melissa Hortman her accessibility, leadership and commitment to public service.

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