A grass fire closed a lane on I-94 in Rogers Monday – a good reminder that it’s still really dry in many parts of the state. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4mD7Caw
The next Drought Monitor map comes out Thursday.
Gas is up 19.5% year-over-year in Minnesota – that’s one of the smallest increases in the country. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/48yTKZp
Want to manage your subscription to TheDailyAgenda.com? HERE: https://fluence-media.co/managesubscription
WAYMO IS READY FOR MINNESOTA: With 13x fewer injury-causing collisions compared to humans, Waymo is already making roads safer in major U.S. cities where we operate — from multi-lane expressways to dense city streets, including the demands of winter weather. We are ready to bring these safety benefits to Minnesota, and look forward to working with the state legislature to pass a law that allows us to provide rides in the state. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/waymo (SPONSORED: Waymo)
Follow the 2026 Minnesota election’s up close with the Fluence ElectionTracker. FluenceElectionTracker.com
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3OSPWLG
Sunday Take featured four leaders at the TwinWest Legislative Breakfast — GOP Senate Ldr. Mark Johnson, GOP House Flr. Ldr. Harry Niska, DFL Senate Asst. Maj. Ldr. Nick Frentz and DFL House Flr. Ldr. Jamie Long — discussing the final month of session. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4mFbCY1
Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com
Follow the 2026 Minnesota elections up close with the Fluence Election Tracker.
https://fluence-media.co/electiontracker
FIRST: Via Minnesota Senate, VERBATIM: “In Tuesday’s Senate Taxes Committee, Senator Grant Hauschild (DFL-Hermantown) presented his legislation delivering $100 million in property tax refunds to hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans. According to the Minnesota Department of Revenue estimate, Sen. Hauschild’s bill, SF 5010, would provide an average refund increase of $171 to 588,000 homeowners.” BILL: https://fluence-media.co/48cIhOR
AND: Via USA Today, VERBATIM: “Kevin Warsh was on Capitol Hill on Tuesday for Senate hearings over his Federal Reserve chair nomination from Donald Trump. Nothing out of the ordinary about those proceedings, right? Except... everyone watching the hearings noticed a familiar face in the background behind Warsh: It appeared to be Arizona Cardinals legend and Hall of Fame Class of 2026 member [and Minnesota native] Larry Fitzgerald. Which then led to a lot of questions: Why was Fitzgerald there? Is he buddies with Warsh in some way? Was he there just to take in a Senate hearing while in Washington D.C.?” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cT3nV7
BIG BUSINESS
3M: Via Bloomberg, VERBATIM: “3M Co. beat Wall Street’s profit estimates to start the year and reaffirmed its financial outlook, signaling that the conglomerate is finding enough areas of growth to counter the economic turbulence buffeting its business. Adjusted earnings climbed to $2.14 a share in the first quarter, the St. Paul, Minnesota-based company said Tuesday in a statement. That surpassed the $2 average of analysts’ estimates compiled by Bloomberg.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mLpPD1
MORE: Via Reuters, VERBATIM: “The Post-it maker has been cutting expenses, hiking prices and rolling out new products and customer service initiatives to cushion its margins, as geopolitical and macroeconomic volatility increases costs and threatens to worsen inflation . . . surging oil prices due to the Middle East conflict may now pose a further risk to demand from industrial end-markets.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4troEv3
MORE: Via The Wall Street Journal, VERBATIM: “The St. Paul, Minn., manufacturing giant struck a conservative note during Tuesday’s earnings call, as executives said U.S. shoppers are remaining cautious about discretionary spending. ‘Given that we are early in the year and we are operating in a volatile macro environment, we think it is prudent to keep a contingency until we have more clarity about the rest of the year,’ Chief Financial Officer Anurag Maheshwari said. Earnings in the first quarter totaled $653 million, or $1.23 a share, down from $1.12 billion, or $2.04 a share, a year earlier.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3QixRqV
UNITEDHEALTH: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH) on Tuesday reported first-quarter net income of $6.28 billion. The Eden Prairie, Minnesota-based company said it had profit of $6.90 per share . . . The results exceeded Wall Street expectation . . . The largest U.S. health insurer posted revenue of $111.72 billion in the period, which also beat Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42kvuGF
MORE: Via Reuters, VERBATIM: “UnitedHealth on Tuesday raised its annual profit forecast and beat Wall Street expectations for the first quarter as the healthcare conglomerate kept costs in check and received improved government payments for its health insurance business. The company now expects 2026 adjusted profit per share to be greater than $18.25, an increase of 50 cents from its prior forecast of greater than $17.75 per share.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42jM5u7
LATER TODAY: More on UnitedHealth’s earnings report and what it says about healthcare in America when health take lands in your inbox this afternoon.
MINING: Via Mesabi Tribune, VERBATIM: “Whatever plans Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. has for Hibbing Taconite and Minorca Mine remains unclear. The Cleveland-based iron ore and steelmaker made no mention about the future of the two Iron Range taconite plants in its first quarter earnings call Monday.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mPWPtW
ACQUISITION: Via Minnetonka-based Electro-Sensors, VERBATIM: “Electro-Sensors, Inc. (Nasdaq: ELSE), a leader in industrial monitoring systems, and steute Technologies GmbH & Co. KG., a portfolio company of investment firm Battery Ventures, announced today that they have entered into a Definitive Agreement and Plan of Merger, pursuant to which steute Technologies will acquire Electro-Sensors.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cSM32x
HIGHER ED: Via Concordia, VERBATIM: “Concordia University, St. Paul, announced today it has received Higher Learning Commission (HLC) approval to offer eight additional 90-credit, three-year bachelor’s degree programs, bringing the university’s total reduced-credit offerings to nine. CSP is now among a small number of institutions nationwide that offer fully accredited, reduced-credit bachelor’s degrees. The university was the first private institution in Minnesota to offer a 90-credit undergraduate degree earlier this year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eFO8jw
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)
POT IN MN
REGULATORY ISSUES: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Out at a farm near Farmington, a dozen greenhouses sit on 12 and a half acres of land that have been left untouched for over a year . . . Regulatory problems, namely getting local signoff, have the plans stuck in place. That’s led to litigation and is among a series of lawsuits cropping up around Minnesota as the still-forming legal marijuana industry is getting off the ground. Clashes between local authorities and would-be cannabis operations are leading to rearranged plans, court fights or resignation that some might not come to pass as planned.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ez8qLC
RETAIL: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “This spring, Pot Mama’s Boutique Dispensary is opening stores in Edina and Mendota Heights, delivering a curated cannabis experience for all. Co-founders and sisters Shayna Hoechst and Erin Pash are centering their mission around education and experience, breaking down social stigmas, and providing a space to ‘connect, grow, and take a moment to exhale.’ The idea came from conversations with family and friends about using—and wanting to use—cannabis. But they felt unsure about where to start, pressure from the stigma around using it, and a desire for a space built around education and compassion.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ti0tiu
TARGET: Via Marijuana Moment, VERBATIM: “Major retailer Target is expanding its participation in the hemp-derived THC beverage market, even as a federal law is set to ban the products later this year. Last year, the company began a pilot program involving sales of cannabis drinks at 10 select stores in Minnesota. That apparently went well, and now the company has obtained licenses from Minnesota regulators to sell lower-potency hemp edible products—including THC drinks—at all 72 of its stores in the state.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vN9UIA
(DISCLOSURE: Plift is a Fluence client)
CLEAN | RELIABLE | AFFORDABLE: Via Xcel Energy, VERBATIM: “We’re powering the Upper Midwest with clean, reliable, and affordable nuclear energy. For more than 50 years, our Prairie Island Nuclear Plant, located near Red Wing, MN, has been a workhorse of reliable, carbon-free energy. With two pressurized water reactors producing about 1,100 megawatts, Prairie Island generates enough electricity to power 1.5 million homes across the Upper Midwest. Unlike sources that depend on weather, nuclear energy delivers 24/7 reliability—providing the power we need today while protecting the environment for tomorrow.” LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4oCHdK9 (SPONSORED: Xcel Energy)
AMENITIES
FOOD HALLS: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Big cities may have built the food hall industry’s brand, but the nation’s next wave of food hall projects will be built in suburbs and smaller spaces. Why it matters: That takeaway from the State of Food Halls report — recently presented to a gathering of industry insiders in Minneapolis — is another sign of how remote work has changed where we spend our happy hours and our weekends.
Nationwide, 14 of the 20 newest food halls opened in suburbs or small towns.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vGWkGj
MORE: Via Colicchio Consulting, from the report:
REPORT: https://fluence-media.co/4tqKXB9
MOORHEAD: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “The City of Moorhead celebrated the grand opening of its new $40 million library this past weekend. Named ‘The Loop,’ the library is the city’s latest attempt at revitalizing its downtown, which borders Fargo. The library has an indoor walking loop, an entrepreneurship center and a playground. The library was largely funded by a half-cent sales tax approved by voters in years prior. Other sponsors helped with the funding, and U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar also helped secure $1 million in congressional funds.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cDRf98
TRAIL: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “The Three Rivers Park District has begun planning for a long-sought-after regional trail that would connect the cities of Brooklyn Park, Maple Grove and Corcoran. The Weaver Lake Regional Trail, deemed a ‘critical’ east-west corridor link, would be built in phases and span approximately 20 miles from the Mississippi River all the way to Lake Rebecca in western Hennepin County.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48dt6F6
GRANDMAS RIDE ATVs TOO! Check out Donna’s story - a powerful reminder that ATV riding is about more than trails...it’s about people, community, and connection. Donna’s message reflects what so many riders across Minnesota believe: responsible riding, strong local economies, and protecting access for future generations all go hand in hand. Check out Donna’s story: https://fluence-media.co/4tDeK9r Thank you, Donna, for sharing your story and helping put a face to what “I Ride” truly means. (SPONSORED: ATV Minnesota)
DULUTH
LAWSUIT: Via WDIO-TV, VERBATIM: “A second lawsuit has been filed against the City of Duluth, alleging retaliation and discrimination after a city employee reported alleged officer misconduct within the police department . . . This is the second employment lawsuit Storms Dworak LLC has filed against the City of Duluth in the past year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mJXtsM
CARGILL: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Kathy Cargill appears to be clearing out of Duluth’s Park Point. Her limited liability company is selling what looks to be her remaining vacant properties on the point, and her beachfront home was listed last month as ‘coming soon’ in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) for $4 million. Cargill, the wife of an heir to the Cargill company’s fortune, became known in recent years after buying and razing a dozen homes on Park Point, the strip of property separating Lake Superior and the Duluth Harbor.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3OExZ3j
HABITAT RESTORATION: Flint Hills Resources has earned Tandem Global WHC Gold Certification for habitat restoration at its Cottage Grove fuel terminal. The certification comes after two years of work in partnership with Friends of the Mississippi River to implement a restoration and monitoring plan to re-establish the 6.5-acre site’s natural prairie and savannah. Flint Hills has held gold certification for its work done with community partners over the past 25 years to restore more than 200 acres of the Pine Bend Bluffs, a critical natural area along the Mississippi River that is adjacent to Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery. This makes two Flint Hills gold certified sites in Minnesota and the first two gold-certified sites ever in the Twin Cities. LEARN MORE: Environmental Stewardship (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery)
COMMERCE
MIDWAY: Via Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, VERBATIM: “On University Avenue, two superblocks between Hamline Avenue and Snelling Avenue are undergoing significant changes. The area, which once held shopping centers filled with stores, local businesses and entertainment venues, looks little like it used to. One block is now home to Allianz Field, a loon statue, a playground and the long-anticipated United Village development, where construction cranes are now visible along the skyline. The adjacent block has seen the recent closure of a major grocery store and sits largely vacant . . . Bill McGuire, lead investor in Minnesota United and the driving force behind United Village, is now spending approximately $170 million to build two restaurants, an office building and a hotel near the intersection of Snelling and University avenues.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Ovvu3s
RIVERFRONT: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “A French ‘bistronomie’ serving Afro-Caribbean fare is moving into Owamni‘s spot along the Mississippi River. Why it matters: Owamni’s upcoming departure from the Water Works Pavilion, operated by the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, opens up prime restaurant real estate overlooking the Stone Arch Bridge.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4u56ZJE
MOTHER’S DAY: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Evereve is teaming up with Los Angeles-based fashion label Favorite Daughter just in time for Mother’s Day, dropping a collection that leans into something both brands do well: clothes that strike a balance between comfort and style.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cBbSTz
NEW VP: Via St. Louis Park-based Taco John’s, VERBATIM: “Taco John’s, a leading Mexican quick-service restaurant, bolsters its leadership team, naming Ian Poole as VP/Development. An experienced business development and franchising leader, Poole brings nearly 20 years of experience driving growth for leading restaurant and franchise brands.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cqrRoI
WHAT’S NEXT?
NEXT MONTH: Via Eden Prairie-based Tennant, VERBATIM: “Tennant Company (NYSE: TNC) today announced that the company will report its first quarter 2026 financial results after the market closes on Monday, May 4, 2026, with a conference call to follow at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time/9 a.m. Central Time on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42kqVfv
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
ABSTRACT: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “When the Cafesjian Art Trust Museum opened in Shoreview in 2022, art fanatics primarily touted it as a glass-art museum. And it’s true: A large portion of the modern and contemporary art collection amassed by businessman Gerard Cafesjian, who died in 2013, is glass sculptures. But after a recent programming expansion at the museum founded by his family, plus the addition of curator Jill Ahlberg Yohe (who spent the last decade at Mia), the Cafesjian is ready to expand its public perception with its new exhibit, Abstraction and Ourselves.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sEJK82
BDAYS: Lobbyist Robyn Rowen, GOP committee administrator John Hultquist, GOP operative Brad Biers, St. Paul booster Darren Tobolt, Olmsted County Leader Sheila Kiscaden
Fluence Media curates, produces and distributes specialized media products to thought leadership audiences across the Midwest and about the region. Our publications cover, politics, public policy, health care, agriculture, business, real estate, sports and more. Visit www.fluence-media.com to learn more.
about morning take- Founded in 2010, morning take has grown to become the leading Minnesota morning newsletter on politics and news of the day. Published by Fluence Media since 2012 the mission is to "make you smarter" before breakfast.
Copyright © 2026 Lunch Take, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
Fluence Media
PO Box 270031
Golden Valley, MN 55427