St. Paul native F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is 100 years old. MPLSSTPAUL: https://fluence-media.co/41TdnIC
The global reputation of the U.S. “has fallen off a cliff” according to tracking from Morning Consult. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3R1kUie
Here’s how much snow fell around the state from yesterday to this morning. NUMBERS: https://fluence-media.co/42stpt8
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4iRLbfl
Melisa López Franzen was on Sunday Take to discuss her upcoming Senate run, her plans if she wins, the political landscape of Minnesota and more. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4iOf4x5
Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com
All Fluence Media tip sheets are now available to read and share online at our website, The Daily Agenda:
RESPONSIBLEGAMING: Legal sports betting platforms offer responsible game tools that offshore and illegal sports betting don’t offer. In fact, age verification is not required with most offshore providers. Learn more about why legalized sports betting is more responsible. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4kgJoS4 (SPONSORED: Sports Betting Alliance)
MINING: Via MN House GOP, VERBATIM: “A group of Iron Range legislators introduced the ‘Minnesota Miners Relief Act’ at a news conference today where they were joined by a collection of miners, local officials, union representatives, and more who spoke in support of the bill. The legislation provides immediate and long-term support to miners impacted by layoffs at HibTac and Minorca by investing in families and workers, protecting jobs, and creating stability for the Iron Range.” QUOTE: “The Minnesota Miners Relief Act makes sure that miners and their families have the support they need not only to make it through this difficult time, but to thrive for generations to come.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cfWfA7
LIQUOR STORES: The State Auditor this morning released the 2023 Municipal Liquor Store Operations Report. VERBATIM: “In 2023, Minnesota's municipal liquor operations saw significant growth, with total net profits reaching $31.6 million, a 15.3% increase from 2022.”
“In 2023, the combined net profit of municipal liquor operations reached $31.6 million, a $4.2 million (15.3%) increase compared to 2022. Off-sale profits amounted to $26.9 million, up 13.9%, while on-sale profits totaled $4.7 million, rising 24%. Over the past five years, net profits grew by 13.3% overall, with off-sale operations up 10.2% and on-sale establishments rising 34.3%.” NEWS RELEASE: https://fluence-media.co/3FPwQRQ REPORT: https://fluence-media.co/42i3IKx
MORE: From Minnesota OSA via YouTube, this morning’s news conference. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4cgiEgU
TARIFFS: Via ABC News, VERBATIM: “President Donald Trump on Tuesday called on the Senate to keep the United States' tariffs on Canada in place -- hours before Democrats in the upper chamber could potentially force a vote aimed at blocking the president from imposing tariffs on the ally country. Democratic Sens. Tim Kaine, Amy Klobuchar and Mark Warner are leading the effort to end the international emergency -- which Kaine has called a ‘made-up emergency’ -- that Trump has declared against Canada, thereby shunting his administration's authority to unilaterally impose tariffs.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4463rga
MORE: From Sen. Klobuchar via X, KLOBUCHAR: “This Administration is undermining the economy with these tariffs — and the American people will pay the price. Democrats are fighting back against this recklessness.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4cyEYCJ
MORE: Via The Hill, President Trump said the tariffs are necessary to stop Fentanyl from crossing the border. TRUMP: “By their weakness, the Democrats have allowed Fentanyl to get out of hand. The Republicans and I have reversed that course, strongly and quickly,” Trump said. “Major additional progress is being made. Don’t let the Democrats have a Victory,” Trump added. “It would be devastating for the Republican Party and, far more importantly, for the United States.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3QW4Lux
MORE: Via KMSP-TV, the full Kaine, Klobuchar, and Warner news conference. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4ck8Ylw
CYBERSECURITY: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Minnesota's top IT official is warning that a prolonged pause or cancellation of federal cybersecurity funding could leave counties, schools and towns without a ‘deadbolt on the door’ to protect sensitive data. Why it matters: Local and state governments have become hot targets for hackers and other cyber criminals trying to steal, exploit and expose personal information for financial gain. State of play: The cybersecurity funding was among the roughly two dozen major federal grant programs totaling $100 million that Minnesota Management and Budget identified last month as on pause or otherwise disrupted while under review by the Trump administration.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3XHtRBb
LAYOFFS: Via MAPE, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE) members were hit hardest by Minnesota Department of Health’s (MDH) shocking layoffs yesterday, with more affected workers than all other bargaining units combined. One of those members, Olivia Dillon, a temporary unclassified epidemiologist in MAPE, received her layoff notice yesterday afternoon and was told her employment was ending effective immediately. Dillon worked in the unexplained critical illnesses and deaths program, provided rabies recommendations to the public and monitored agriculture workers exposed to avian influenza.” DILLON: “Our public health systems are being gutted when it’s most important for them to be built up. It horrifies me that this is being taken away.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jzL0Ft
ICYMI… morning take had comprehensive coverage of the layoffs, including responses from the Minnesota Department of Health and the Attorney General. Read it at The Daily Agenda. READ: https://fluence-media.co/426p0w1
HEALTH: Via news release from the Attorney General, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced today that the new chapter of negotiations on the future of academic and clinical medicine and community health in Minnesota will soon begin between the University of Minnesota, Fairview, and Essentia Health. The parties have agreed to the selection of a strategic facilitator who is charged with guiding conversations among Fairview, Essentia, and the University to address how they can work together on a path forward. As part of the process, Attorney General Ellison invites the public to provide confidential input on the negotiations, which will be shared with the strategic facilitator.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3FSQLzp
Sign up for health take… https://fluence-media.co/43DRT3z
HUNGER: Via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “More than one in five graduate and undergraduate students at the University of Minnesota said they worried about having enough food until they had money to buy more, the university’s 2024 College Student Health Survey found. Now, some Democratic-Farmer-Labor lawmakers hope to make life a little easier for students like Hodge. With the help of Second Harvest Heartland and a university student lobbying group called Students United, the lawmakers want to loosen Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program eligibility requirements to allow more college students to enroll.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cfoe2R
INVASIVES: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “For the past decade, Minnesota has distributed about $10 million a year to counties for aquatic invasive species prevention. Gov. Tim Walz’s proposed budget reduced that amount by 50 percent. Some lake advocates worry cutting funding to counties to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species could reduce those efforts, and potentially lead to more infested waters. ‘From a statewide standpoint, the math is clear — if we cut the funding for prevention, new infestations will go up,’ said Nick Phelps, director of the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center at the University of Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42cjWF7
TRAFFIC STOPS: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “A New Hope state representative is sponsoring a bill that aims to develop a statewide policy for traffic stops. The bill, proposed by Rep. Cedrick Frazier (DFL-New Hope), would have a board develop that policy for all agencies across Minnesota. It would require officers to be trained statewide in those same safe traffic stop practices, including legal standards and de-escalation strategies.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4cfrE5X
PRODUCING THE FUELS THAT HELP KEEP MINNESOTA MOVING: Flint Hills Resources, one of the Midwest’s leading producers of transportation fuels is hiring! With openings in IT, accounting, engineering, operations, procurement and asset management, Flint Hills Resources’ goal is to match talented individuals with their passions and interests to truly shine. APPLY TODAY: Flint Hills jobs (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
ROBBINSDALE: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “The Robbinsdale Area School District has announced plans to lay off more than 200 of its employees as it struggles with a $21 million budget deficit. The deficit was partly caused by an accounting mistake discovered by district administrators in November of last year.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4l4wqai
SHERMAN: Via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “By the end of this year, Sean Sherman’s staff will begin serving up bison brisket and ribs, smoked fish and wild game at his new Indigenous barbecue spot on Franklin Avenue in south Minneapolis. But Sherman has a much bigger vision for the Co-op Creamery building, which he purchased in January of this year with his nonprofit, NATIFS (North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems). The renamed Wóyute Thipi, or ‘food building’ in Dakota, will also house NATIFS’ headquarters, along with a commissary kitchen that will supply Indigenous meals to sites across the state — one of a network of Indigenous food hubs he is looking to seed across the country.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42fuB1M
RETAIL: From Target via PRNewswire, VERBATIM: “Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) today announced the launch of a limited-time collection of fashion, home and entertaining essentials with global lifestyle brand kate spade new york — an assortment designed to turn everyday moments into celebratory occasions. The kate spade new york x Target collection brings together the best of both brands — delivering aspirational designs and accessible style, while reinforcing the retailer's reputation for offering high-quality, stylish collaborations at an affordable value.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/43CvDY6
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. Kari Rehrauer
Rep. Wayne Johnson
Rep. Julie Greene
Rep. Keith Allen
Rep. Peter Johnson
Follow on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.TheDailyAgenda.com/Podcasts. (SPONSORED: Minnesota Telecom Alliance)
SALES TAX: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “Gov. Tim Walz wants to tax people when they get financial and legal advice, a proposal that critics say hurts vulnerable residents while leaving businesses unscathed. ‘The proposal would be extremely detrimental to the Minnesotans who can least afford it, especially during the most stressful, challenging and unexpected moments of their lives,’ said Samuel Edmunds, president of the Minnesota State Bar Association, in testimony before the Senate Taxes Committee on Tuesday. But Walz’s revenue team says it would make the state tax system fairer, plus add over $200 million a year to state coffers, even as the governor’s budget also would slightly decrease the state’s sales tax rate from 6.5% to 6.425%.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YeZOAP
KITCHEN: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Along Highway 169 in Plymouth, you’ll find Nikkolette’s Macarons. The eye-catching assortment of decadent French pastries have grown in popularity since the store opened in 2018. ‘We have this shop and the one in St. Paul and we’re also at the Minnesota State Fair,’ said Nikkolette Krumheuer, the owner of Nikkolette’s Macarons. Yet the kitchen space in the back of the building is where the magic happens. Not just for the colorful desserts, but for other entrepreneurs like Lisa Makowski who are looking to bring their culinary creations to life.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3XFGegZ
“MY WHOLE LIFE CHANGED:” EMPOWERMENT TRAINING OPENS PATHWAY INTO THE TRADES - Since 2019, a partnership between Five Skies Empowerment Training and Enbridge has broadened as unions, contractors and other groups look to connect Native American job seekers to meaningful careers. “They’re gonna open the door for you,” says Joel, a program graduate. “Before the 5 Skies program I wasn’t aware there were so many opportunities,” explains Ashley. “My whole life changed,” says Melissa. Click here to submit an application, and find out more on upcoming training. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3XoPg0D (SPONSORED: Enbridge)
SNOW BIZ: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “With spring warming at least most of Minnesota, residents are asking once again: Where did winter go? A deep, cold, snowy Minnesota winter like the ones we used to know? Last month, the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis addressed that question from a business perspective.” QUOTE: “Since the pandemic, interest in snow and outdoor activities has increased, industry experts say,” Minneapolis Fed senior writer Tu-Uyen Tran reports. “But this increase has been tempered by inconsistent snow and cold.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4librRC
FESTIVAL: Via The Minneapolis Egotist, VERBATIM: “Edition Studios, a creative agency based in Minneapolis, is proud to announce its latest partnership with Rise Festival, a nationally recognized music and lantern festival celebrating its 10-year anniversary. Edition Studios has been named the lead agency partner for branding, web design and development, marketing strategy, and both paid and organic social media efforts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43v4XZ9
TODAY: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “The 44th annual Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival returns to the Twin Cities Wednesday. The festival began in 1981, which dates back prior to Sundance.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4l7UM2V
NEXT WEEK: Via Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, VERBATIM: “The opioid crisis continues to claim lives across Minnesota—and the Black community is often left out of the conversation. On Monday, April 7, Hennepin County will host the African American Community-Focused Opioid Symposium at Shiloh Temple in North Minneapolis, inviting community members, service providers, and advocates to come together for an evening of healing, education, and empowerment.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hQJ89L
APRIL10: Citizens League will honor Peter Bell, former Metropolitan Council Chair and Sharon McMahon, at the 2025 Civic Celebration. The annual Civic Celebration is an inspiring evening, gathering hundreds of Minnesotans from diverse backgrounds, parties and ideologies to celebrate our state’s enduring civic culture, leadership, and commitment to public service. REGISTER: https://fluence-media.co/41txP1p (SPONSORED: Citizens League)
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
OVERDOSES: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “North Memorial Health is making overdose prevention more accessible with a new offering at its hospitals’ security desks. Both North Memorial Health Hospital in Robbinsdale and the Maple Grove Hospital will have naloxone and fentanyl test strips available for anyone who needs it, free of change. That’s thanks to a partnership with the Steve Rummler HOPE Network, a Minnesota nonprofit that addresses the opioid crisis.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4ldaDxg
THIS MONTH: From St. Paul-based The Emily Program via Business Wire, VERBATIM: “In recognition of April being Alcohol Awareness Month, The Emily Program, a nationally recognized leader in eating disorder specialty care and behavioral health services, today calls attention to the severely underrecognized overlap of the risk factors, symptoms, and treatment of people struggling with alcoholism and eating disorders. Alcoholism, a disease under the umbrella of substance use disorder (SUD), sees millions of diagnosed patients and silent sufferers each year, and the overlap of SUD with eating disorders is considerable. 35% of individuals diagnosed with SUD also having an eating disorder – a rate 11 times higher than the general population.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iThp9W
POLLINATORS: Via Mankato-based Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota, VERBATIM: “The Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota is excited to announce a transformative $250,000 grant from the CenterPoint Energy Foundation to bring the Pollinators at Play, powered by CenterPoint Energy Foundation exhibit to life. This innovative initiative will feature an expanded Butterfly House and Outdoor Classroom, a captivating Butterfly Nursery, and thriving Native Prairie Gardens. Through hands-on, immersive experiences, children and families will explore the fascinating lifecycle of pollinators, gaining a deeper appreciation for their essential role in our ecosystem.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hSkDcf
MORE: From the museum via Facebook, a photo of the construction. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4j9TwdI
ROBOTS: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “The Bemidji VEX Robotics program has sent teams to Texas to compete in the world championships for the past three years, and this year, they’re sending more teams than ever. 11 teams started, and now three remain. But even though the teams from Bemidji Middle School and High School had a very successful regular season and did well at state, worlds is on a whole different level.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3RsyCuy
Subscribe to other Fluence newsletters: https://fluence-media.co/TheDailyAgenda
MOVE: From Bloomington-based Toro via Business Wire, VERBATIM: “The Toro Company (NYSE: TTC), a leading global provider of solutions for the outdoor environment, today announced that Lori A. Riley has joined the company as its vice president of human resources, effective April 1, 2025. Riley succeeds Margeaux M. King, who left TTC in December of 2024 . . . Riley joins TTC from Northern Tool + Equipment where she served as chief people and administrative officer.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3FSHbMQ
US BANK: Via Minneapolis-based U.S. Bancorp, VERBATIM: “U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB) will release its first quarter 2025 earnings results before the market opens on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. At 8 a.m. CT, President and Chief Executive Officer Gunjan Kedia and Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer John Stern will host a conference call to review the financial results.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41ZpbsY
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
NEXT MONTH: Via KEYC-TV, VERBATIM: “Kickoff to Summer at the Fair, the popular slice of the great Minnesota get-together, is back for a 5th year. The four-day event includes food, brews, music, shopping, free parking and family fun at the beautiful and iconic Minnesota State Fairgrounds May 22-25.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jexhn8
WINE: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “Wine bars have struggled to catch on in our area, maybe because so many of us gravitate toward big brands and old favorites. But a new spirit of exploration coupled with a desire to find chill places with good vibes make wine bars feel like a win.” LIST: https://fluence-media.co/3YcLb0U
BDAYS: lobbyist Tony Albright, PR pro Jen Bellmont
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