Wild at Anaheim tonight. Wolves at Golden State tonight.
Vikings host Atlanta.
American voters overwhelmingly say the 2024 elections across the country and in their own communities were run well this year, and they express high levels of confidence that votes were counted accurately. PEW: https://fluence-media.co/3BhkbFm
On Sunday Take, University of Minnesota President Rebecca Cunningham on the investments needed to be competitive.. Tune-in on WCCO Radio at 9AM Sunday.
Bitcoin surpassed $100,000 for the first time following Donald Trump’s promises to be crypto-friendly. AUDACY: https://fluence-media.co/49nLURi
On last weekend’s Sunday Take, KARE 11’s John Croman on covering politics for over 30 years as he retires. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3Zxsbvj
Have a great weekend!
Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com
WALZ: For the first time since Vice Pres. Kamala Harris selected him as her running mate, Gov. Tim Walz sat down for one-on-one interviews with several Minnesota TV stations. Coverage of the interviews, which aired last night, has been sorted by topic — they can be watched online. KSTP: https://fluence-media.co/3OHx7Yd FOX9: https://fluence-media.co/3OG7w1F WCCO: https://fluence-media.co/41k6wb4
SESSION: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Walz [said] he’s been busy preparing for the 2024 legislative session. … Walz has already been trying to reach across the aisle to work with Republicans knowing he might have to mend some fences.” WALZ: “I’ve been spending these weeks calling these new leaders, having meetings together. … I think our politics have gotten really difficult. The presidential campaign is brutal, and this one was particularly ugly…[but] we do have to get [a budget] done for Minnesotans.”
BUDGET: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “The state is in the black for now, but projections show it headed for a $5.1 billion deficit four years down the road. Still, the [presidential] campaign convinced Walz the state is in good shape.” WALZ: “What I've learned out there is that things are pretty good in Minnesota. There's a lot of things that work really well here, and I think our politics is still one of those. I don't think we have fractured to the point where we look like D.C. … I'm going to do all I can to try and help make that work.”
DEMOCRATS: Walz told WCCO-TV why he thinks Democrats lost support from certain demographics more than others in the 2024 election. WALZ: “There’s some complexity in it, but there is no doubt that groups shifted away. Young men shifted away, Hispanic men shifted away. … I think we’re communicating in the right way, but are we communicating in the right spaces? Are we communicating to where people are at, and where they’re listening to?”
ELECTION: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Although they suffered a decisive loss to Donald Trump and J.D. Vance, Walz says he’ll let others decide whether he helped or hurt Harris.” WALZ: “It wasn’t my decision to make. It was the vice president’s decision. … Were there things you could have done differently? Since we lost, the answer is obviously yes. On this one, I did the best I could. … I was a little surprised. I thought we had a positive message, and I thought the country was ready for that.”
3RD TERM: Walz told WCCO-TV that he will make a decision on running for a third term sometime next year. WALZ: “I’ve always said the decision to do that is really driven more by the people as they start to see if there’s a desire [for] the direction we’re going. If we see the support is there, then I would listen.”
SENATE: KSTP also asked Walz if he would ever run for a U.S. Senate seat, but he said that’s “never been a goal” for him.
FAMILY: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “The [election] was clearly hard on the entire Walz family, but they seem to be hopeful for the future. … Walz's daughter, Hope Walz, has become a popular social media figure, helping people handle post-election emotions as she came to grips with the results herself.” WALZ: “It wasn't that long ago that having a different political opinion wasn't a reason for people to be super angry or to come onto your site and say things about [your family]. And I think she's trying to figure out how to get back a little more towards that.”
MORE: FOX 9 also asked Gov. Tim Walz to read “mean tweets” about him from his time on the campaign trail, poking fun at his “Big Dad Energy.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3ZmGscW
ROGAN: via Newsweek, VERBATIM: “Podcast host Joe Rogan insists that he wanted to ‘stay out’ of the 2024 presidential election until his hand was forced by fury over ‘liar’ Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. … Rogan said that false past statements by Walz concerning his military service record and the timing of a visit to Beijing's Tiananmen Square inspired him to become involved in the election. Rogan, who hosted President-elect Donald Trump on his podcast and endorsed him, [said] it would have been ‘nuts’ to allow Walz to become vice president. … Rogan's remarks about the governor motivating him to back Trump were met with some backlash on social media, with several critics arguing that the president-elect has a far more prolific history as a teller of ‘lies’ than Walz.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4f4F84h
HEALTHCARE: via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “Millions of Americans who rely on the federal government to subsidize their health care could face an erosion in their benefits following Donald Trump’s victory. … The GOP trifecta will likely attempt to chip away at federal health care programs like Medicare and the Affordable Care Act. Experts and state lawmakers say how successful they’ll be, and what that means for Minnesotans, is still up in the air. … The lack of a plan to replace the ACA is not likely to stop Trump and congressional Republicans from trying to [repeal it], said University of Minnesota political science professor Timothy Johnson. But, he said, the popularity of the ACA and the coverage it provides to millions of Americans, as well as fear from lawmakers of losing re-election, may prevent those efforts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3D05d7c
LABOR: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The Minneapolis City Council failed Thursday to override Mayor Jacob Frey’s veto of an ordinance creating a labor standards board of workers and employers that would recommend pay, safety and equity regulations. … Last month, the council easily passed the ordinance by a vote of 9-3, which would have been enough to override the veto, but two council members Thursday reversed course and opposed the override: Jamal Osman and Andrea Jenkins. … The mayor said he’s willing to negotiate with the council to create a more balanced labor standards board…[and] he’s confident he and the council can reach a compromise in January.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4f2Z7jM
MORE: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Mayor Jacob Frey [said] ‘I’m committed to going back to the table to get this right by bringing all sides together around a unified vision.’ … The Minneapolis Works Together Coalition had vowed not to participate in the board…[but] did not respond to a request for comment about whether it would participate in a Labor Standards Board as proposed by Mayor Frey. … SEIU Local 26 president Greg Nammacher said in a statement [that] ‘we have no interest in and will not accept any future board process that is further watered down.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3OINtA0
MPLS: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “The Minneapolis City Council voted Thursday to delay a plan for street construction at George Floyd Square. … City staff [previously] drafted a construction proposal based on rounds of community engagement…[but] Council member Jason Chavez introduced a new resolution in favor of a pedestrian-only plaza. … City staff who drafted the proposal previously told the council that they considered a pedestrian plaza, but found it wasn’t a feasible option, given needs for access to homes and businesses. But council members said they want to take the time to study the option further [and] voted eight to five to adopt the resolution in favor of a pedestrian mall and sent the plan back to committee for more work.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZFe4nC
MORE: via Axios Twin Cities, VERBATIM: “The council referred the matter back to a committee that next meets on Jan. 9. … The [vote] creates new uncertainty about when permanent infrastructure would be restored around the spot [and] reflects an ongoing thread of criticism that, beyond their street project plans, city leaders lack a comprehensive plan for the neighborhood. … Mayor Jacob Frey told reporters after the vote he's open to a pedestrian mall at the intersection but called a delay unacceptable: ‘People in the community need change. They need to see progress.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fXeviX
ST PAUL: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The city of St. Paul is helping fund a lottery early next year. The jackpot: free downtown co-working space and parking for six months. This small effort is part of a larger push to revitalize downtown St. Paul after the pandemic and subsequent rise of remote and hybrid work drained the commuter crowd. … The city is chipping in a few thousand dollars to help subsidize the program and its marketing. … Beyond this, public and private officials are also uniting around a downtown investment strategy that aims to convert empty offices to housing, improve the pedestrian experience and move forward key redevelopment projects.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3BsytTw
MORE: via City of St. Paul, VERBATIM: “The City of Saint Paul continues to explore options for bus rapid transit along the Riverview Corridor, working alongside partners at Metro Transit, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Ramsey County, and others. Following the county's decision to end its study into a proposed streetcar project…partners remain committed to identifying the best options for connections along the busy West 7th/Riverview Corridor. … A community engagement process regarding concepts for improvements to the Riverview Corridor is expected to commence in early 2025.”
VITAL PUBLIC WORKS PROJECT FUELS THE FUTURE OF THIS WISCONSIN TRIBE: In 2017, one of the “glaring needs” for the Lac Courte Oreilles (LCO) Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians in northwest Wisconsin was an expanded wastewater treatment facility. “It was at capacity. We were not able to expand any of our businesses or facilities,” says Jason, the LCO Band’s Emergency Management Coordinator. With the support of Enbridge and several other partners, the LCO Band quadrupled its wastewater treatment capacity — allowing for creation of a new preschool, fire hall, 40-unit apartment complex, police headquarters and, still to come, health clinic and new residential community. “I’m very grateful for the partnership we’ve developed with Enbridge,” says Jason. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/49v4mHc (SPONSORED: Enbridge)
INSPECTOR: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “A DFL lawmaker hopes to establish a Minnesota Office of Inspector General (OIG) during the next legislative session, but a GOP critic says the move is a ‘publicity stunt’ after a similar proposal earlier this year. … Sen. Heather Gustafson (DFL-Vadnais Heights) said the purpose would be to ‘ensure accountability, transparency and fiscal responsibility.’ … [But] Sen. Mark Koran (R-North Branch), who also serves as vice chair of the Legislative Audit Commission, released the following statement in response.” KORAN: “In the fallout from the Feeding our Future scandal, I publicly supported creating a separate [OIG]. … I welcome Democrats to the table to discuss their ideas. But given the pushback it received when an independent OIG was proposed by a Republican, I don’t really see this as anything more than a publicity stunt.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3VqwfuF
JURORS: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Minnesota has become the second state in the nation to guarantee therapy services for jurors. But the private company the Minnesota Judicial Branch has partnered with to provide those services, telehealth firm BetterHelp, was last year fined millions of dollars by the Federal Trade Commission for mishandling patients’ data.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49rhDRu
SMALL BIZ: via a Rep. Brad Finstad press release, VERBATIM: “Today, Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) applauded the House passage of his legislation, the Prove It Act (H.R. 7198), which [gives] small businesses a larger voice in the regulatory process. The bill passed the House of Representatives on a bipartisan basis by a vote of 208-196. … The Prove It Act strengthens protections for small businesses that were established in the Regulatory Flexibility Act by requiring federal agencies to take into consideration the direct and indirect costs placed on small businesses through their regulations.” FINSTAD: “[This] is a commonsense, bipartisan solution that creates a pathway for business owners to advocate for themselves in the regulatory process.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3CXFdcK
PROGRESSIVE: via a Rep. Ilhan Omar press release, VERBATIM: “Today, the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) announced the results of internal leadership elections for the 119th Congress. … The new leadership will oversee a Caucus of nearly 100 members with the addition of 9 freshmen. … The members elected unanimously by their colleagues today include Rep. Greg Casar (TX-35) as Chair, Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-05) as Deputy Chair and Rep. Jesús G. ‘Chuy’ García (IL-04) as Whip.” OMAR: “[I] have full confidence in the abilities of our new class to lead this Caucus in the fight against the worst of the incoming Trump administration while rebuilding our party with a focus on economic justice for working people. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3D02OJT
UNITEDHEALTH: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Bomb threats directed towards homes owned by the family of the UnitedHealthcare CEO who was murdered in Manhattan on Wednesday have been deemed ‘swatting’ incidents. … Maple Grove City Attorney Andrew Draper received an email claiming there was a pipe bomb at Brian Thompson's home in Maple Grove. Another emailed bomb threat targeted a home belonging to Thompson's wife about a half-mile away. ‘No devices or suspicious items were located during the investigation,’ Maple Grove PD said. … ‘The case is considered an active investigation, while the incident appears to be a hoax.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZGd2ru
MORE: via AP News, VERBATIM: “Police also released photos of a ‘person of interest’ wanted for questioning in connection with the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. … The masked gunman who stalked and killed the head of one of the largest U.S. health insurers had the words ‘deny,’ ‘defend’ and ‘depose’ emblazoned on his ammunition…[mimicking] the phrase ‘delay, deny, defend,’ which is commonly used by lawyers and insurance industry critics to describe tactics used to avoid paying claims.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4f74nCO
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)
HENN CTY: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Hennepin County has reduced the population of its adult jail and is now in compliance with an order from the state's Department of Corrections. The state ordered the jail to reduce the number of inmates to under 600 people by Thursday. According to the county, the population was 571 as of 10 a.m. [Thursday]. The state corrections department issued the order in early November, when the county jail population reached more than 850. The state said the county was failing to meet minimum staffing requirements, creating conditions that pose an ‘imminent risk of life-threatening harm or serious physical injury’ to inmates.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fV9WWi
MORE: via Henn. County Sheriff, VERBATIM: “Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office is thrilled to share that our Forensic Science Laboratory DNA section is now fully operational. … The lab halted DNA testing and analysis after identifying a DNA profile in a control sample. The team of experts spent many weeks reviewing tens of thousands of samples, investigating the source of the added DNA profile, eliminating the product from use, and bringing in a new product to continue operations. … The lab is now able to resume DNA testing and analysis.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4f6ZI3M
PROPERTY TAX: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Ramsey, Washington and Dakota counties all are seeking property tax levy increases this year as they grapple with higher costs in areas such as construction, labor and healthcare while federal pandemic money runs dry. Homeowners and other property owners in the east metro have already seen the proposed hikes on their property tax statements. Elected officials are urging property owners to consider the distinction between the levies imposed by counties and those from their city, school district and other special taxing jurisdictions. Up to a dozen different taxing authorities — including mosquito control districts — contribute to the total payment due at the bottom of a tax statement.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eYEdSQ
AG OFFICE: via Office of the Atty. General, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced today that he has filed a lawsuit against a St. Paul charter school’s former superintendent whose reckless, illegal investment in 2019 with a hedge fund led to the school losing $4.3 million. … The Attorney General’s lawsuit, filed in Ramsey County District Court, asserts that [the defendant] breached the fiduciary duty of care she had to HCPA under Minnesota law governing nonprofit corporations. The Attorney General is seeking the return of the funds, injunctive relief to help guard against similar actions going forward, and civil penalties pursuant to Minnesota Statutes sections 8.31 and 309.57 for each separate violation of the law.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3D2w0jn
SPPS: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Leaders with St. Paul Public Schools made a big decision on Thursday, as the Board of Education revealed its top candidates for the district’s next superintendent. … The three finalists were revealed to be Dr. Brenda Cassellius, Dr. Rhoda Mhiripiri-Reed and Dr. Stacie Stanley. Cassellius is currently the CEO of Fresh Energy and previously served as superintendent of Boston Public Schools. Mhiripiri-Reed has been the superintendent of Hopkins Public Schools since 2017. Stanley has been superintendent of Edina Public Schools since 2021.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3Vpvoug
GRANTS: via an OHE press release, VERBATIM: “In an effort to ensure they have the supports they need to succeed, the Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE) in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has awarded $5.3 million in Student Parent Support Initiative Grants to 13 organizations. The funds will be used to support the academic goals, health, and well-being of student parents. … Grants are available to colleges, professional organizations, and community-based organizations.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3CXYomu
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
DULUTH: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “The Federal Bureau of Prisons on Thursday announced it plans to ‘deactivate’ several of its facilities across the country, including the federal prison camp in Duluth. … The move to suspend operations — short of a permanent closure — will affect more than 700 inmates currently housed there, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons website. They’ll be moved to other federal facilities. The Federal Bureau of Prisons said most of the 89 employees currently working at the prison camp will be offered positions at the federal prison in Sandstone.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41mwriG
RED WING: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Red Wing Public Schools (RWPS) is addressing rumors that have been circulating in their district, stating that there is no evidence they are true. A statement from RWPS released to 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS did not state what the rumors were that had been circulating, only that they were related to an altercation that had reportedly taken place between two students at Burnside Elementary. … RWPS said they were not able to confirm any such altercation took place at the school.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4f7uF8f
WABASHA: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “The Wabasha County Attorney filed a notice of appeal against the board of commissioner's resolution to reduce his salary by $20,000 in 2025, according to court documents. … In the notice, County Attorney Matthew Stinson said the salary reduction violates a Minnesota state law that says the board cannot lower a county attorney's salary in the middle of their term.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iyGFTc
BELTRAMI CTY: via Bemidji Pioneer, VERBATIM: “The Beltrami County Board of Commissioners met [this week] with significant discussions centering on mental health services in the county jail and a new cannabis regulation ordinance. … The conditions in the [cannabis] ordinance include a cap of one cannabis retail establishment per 12,500 residents — allowing four in Beltrami County — buffer zones near schools and a requirement for conditional use permits (CUP).” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3OJXv3I
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:
TARIFFS: via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “Twin Port officials are sharing some concerns about President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on exported goods, saying it could impact economic activity in the region. … Director of communications and marketing Jayson Hron with the Duluth Seaway Port Authority said tariffs can have positive and negative impacts on the region, depending on the industry. ‘It’s a delicate balance for the Great Lakes and the port of Duluth, Superior — tariffs are a double edged sword,’ said Hron. The Twin Ports accounted for $1.6 billion in economic activity in 2023 according to the Duluth Seaway Port Authority.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/41m08QS
HOSPITALS: via a Sen. Tina Smith press release, VERBATIM: “Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith (both D-MN) announced additional medical residency slots in five Minnesota teaching hospitals. … The 2022 budget law [funded] 1,000 new residency slots across the country over a five-year period to combat the nation’s physician shortage by training new providers. 69 of Minnesota’s 87 counties are health professional shortage areas, and nearly 30% of Minnesota physicians are within retirement range. 200 additional slots are awarded funding every year, [and] five Minnesota hospitals were selected for the most recent round.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4f4tma5
SCHOOLS: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “A new 2024 directory from U.S. News & World Report ranks the nation's best schools in efforts to help families compare schools in their state and local community. The Best High Schools ranking includes data on over 105,000 schools, including public, private and charter schools here in Minnesota.” LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4f5M94S
BDAYS: Rep. Shane Hudella SAT: Care Providers lobbyist Kyle Berndt, DFL operative Justin Buoen, lobbyist Eric Myers, labor advocate Liz McLoone Dybvig
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