The FBI arrested a county judge in Wisconsin today for obstructing immigration enforcement. NYTIMES: https://fluence-media.co/3GCUDVm
At tonight’s Wolves-Lakers game at Target Center, there will be rally towels, but no white t-shirts… though they may return if Minnesota advances. AXIOS: https://fluence-media.co/4iv1wp1
Republican women prioritize health more than others. They also get health information from Facebook and Pinterest more than average. MORNING CONSULT: https://fluence-media.co/44bmohE
A University of St. Thomas student studying abroad is witnessing history at the Vatican. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4d7NpoR
A special Friday edition of Sports Take out later today. https://fluence-media.co/sportstake
NOTE: This coming Saturday, we will publish a 15-year take to honor the launching of morning take in April 2010. Please send any good memories, or significant takes that you appreciated – bloisolson@gmail.com
Tune-in to Sunday Take at 9AM Sunday on WCCO Radio, it’s sure to be a great show.
On last weekend’s Sunday Take, DFL Chair Richard Carlbom says he believes Gov. Tim Walz will run for re-election and shares plans the DFL has to organize in greater Minnesota. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3Y7faYd
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)
WATER: Via email from former Governor Arne Carlson to Attorney General Keith Ellison, VERBATIM: “I fully applaud your taking the lead in forming a commission to develop a comprehensive statewide water study. This is long overdue and vitally needed. In August of 2021, my colleagues and I released the attached report, The Future Is Today, outlining the power of money that has dominated the legislature, both parties, as well as the Walz administration. The commission you are creating would certainly find this study most worthwhile since it deals with the issue of water and the refusal of our state government to take any action opposed by powerful international mining interests. Further, it should be mentioned that not a single public official has disputed this report nor responded to our numerous commentaries that were published in various state newspapers. Stonewalling has been the order of the day. However, privately some legislators have expressed agreement but were fearful of taking on the power structure.”
MORE: The 2021 report entitled “The Future is Today.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jRKBOB
MORE: Via Attorney General’s office, a March 31 news release announcing the Advisory Task Force on the Future of Minnesota’s Water. READ: https://fluence-media.co/43uCLFK
CANADA: Via Financial Post, VERBATIM: “Canadians’ ongoing boycott of travelling to the United States is showing up in the U.S. Federal Reserve’s real-time snapshot of the American economy, which one economist called a ‘really big deal.’ The Fed’s Beige Book, released on Wednesday, includes reports from cities across the U.S. that say Canadian travel has noticeably fallen off in many regions across the country . . . The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis said: ‘Tourism contacts also reported declines in Canadian travellers and related spending; a North Dakota retailer saw a ‘deep impact’ starting in mid-February, pushing first-quarter revenues down seven percent.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lOp632
RETAIL: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Target's collaboration with Kate Spade resulted in its largest digital launch day ever for a ‘limited-time’ collection in terms of sales, the Minneapolis-based retailer shared exclusively with Axios. Why it matters: Teaming up with national brands to offer exclusive products — including designer items at lower prices — has helped Target grow sales and attract customers over the years. Select items sold out digitally within the first hour, mostly within women's and kids' apparel, Target told Axios.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3S68N3T
AIR: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “The Twin Cities metro deserves an ‘F’ grade on key air quality metrics, per a new pollution ‘report card.’ Why it matters: Air pollution threatens everyone's health — especially children, seniors and people with asthma or heart and lung conditions. The big picture: Nearly half of Americans are now exposed to potentially dangerous levels of air pollution, the American Lung Association's 2025 State of the Air report found.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ScDrIN
MORE: Via American Lung Association, the Minnesota report. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3RBMK54
BUDGET: Via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “As Minnesota lawmakers have just under a month left to pass a budget, the House’s Health and Finance Policy Committee is hitting a roadblock in negotiations: whether to give undocumented immigrants access to state-funded health care. Republican Sens. Jordan Rasmusson, R-Fergus Falls, and Paul Utke, R-Park Rapids, as well as Reps. Isaac Schultz, R-Elmdale Township, and Jeff Backer, R-Browns Valley, held a press conference Monday, April 21, to ‘sound the alarm’ on an increase in projected enrollment for MinnesotaCare from undocumented immigrants.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42YYRiS
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)
LICENSE PLATES: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “A Georgia sheriff is withdrawing citations issued to a Minnesota driver after a deputy told him his tribally issued license plates were invalid on Georgia roads. In a letter to Red Lake Nation attorney Joe Plumer, Crisp County Sheriff Billy Hancock stated he is withdrawing two tickets issued to Johnathon Carlson during a traffic stop south of Atlanta last month. Deputies issued Carlson two citations—one for speeding and another for ‘fake plates.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iv5tKn
CANNABIS: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “Cannabis was legalized for recreational use in Minnesota in 2023. Although residents in many cities haven’t yet been able to purchase it, a ruling at Brainerd’s latest city council meeting may change that for city residents. On Monday, the council voted to move forward with the second reading of an ordinance that would allow dispensaries to apply for a retail license on a first-come, first-served basis.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4jrMzW0
DULUTH: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “A former Duluth city councilor who left politics to focus on his business is looking to return to public service. Thursday, Derek Medved announced his candidacy for Duluth City Council at-large, holding his campaign rally at the Rec Center in West Duluth.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3EFGIxl
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)
LOWERTOWN: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “There’s something brewing in Lowertown—and it smells like caramel rolls and grilled cabbage. After opening to strong acclaim last August, the team behind 1881 by Lake Elmo Inn is reintroducing the Union Depot restaurant under a new name: 1881 Eating House. While the name may be new, the mission remains deliciously the same: serve up elevated comfort food, craft drinks, and warm hospitality in a historic setting.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cKWKm4
PLYMOUTH: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “A new restaurant is coming to Plymouth that neighboring businesses say is much needed. Fuego Mexican Restaurant plans to open in space in the Waterford Park Plaza strip mall near Cub grocery store.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iRmtuN
HOTEL: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “When a three-story, half-vacant office building along the shores of Lake Minnetonka came on the market in 2022, Kelly Olsen spied an opportunity . . . The Mound resident purchased the 24,000-square-foot property for $5.2 million and converted it into the Shoreline Hotel, which will open May 1 as the first new hotel on the lake in a century.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jIxM9e
ROCHESTER: Via KTTC-TV, VERBATIM: “To celebrate Cambodian New Year, the year of the snake, Rochester Mayor Kim Norton will be announcing a new sister city. The full celebration will span the entire weekend, beginning Friday. On Saturday at noon, Mayor Kim Norton will officially welcome Rochester’s new sister city in Cambodia.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4cL3IYg
THIS WEEKEND: Via Axios, a list of events around the Twin Cities. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/43012Tj
MORE: Via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “The Twin Cities art scene is anchored in the power of music this weekend. Gospel choirs and jazz ensembles perform in celebration of Walker West Music Academy’s expansion in St. Paul’s Rondo community. The Hmong Cultural Center celebrates the qeej instrument at their fourth annual Hmong Arts Festival at Union Depot. Aztec dancers and Latine puppeteers bring movement and tradition down the Midtown Greenway, and at the St. Paul Art Crawl, textile art tells the stories of Peruvian women.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jjJPKm
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
MEASLES: Via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “As Minnesota's second measles case of the year was reported last week, health professionals are keeping a close eye after an uptick in 2024. ‘Measles is such a terrible disease. I've seen children die of it myself,’ said Dr. Mark Schleiss, a pediatric infectious disease expert with M Health Fairview and the University of Minnesota Medical School. ‘It's a respiratory virus, so it's spread by respiratory secretions.’ The Minnesota Department of Health says the most recent measles case ‘involves a resident under the age of 1 who was diagnosed in another country.’ The infant ‘wasn't infectious when they returned to Minnesota.’” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3RAIqTw
STARTUPS: Via Mayo Clinic, VERBATIM: “Mayo Clinic Platform_Accelerate celebrated the program’s most recent cohort of health tech startups, including 15 innovative businesses from around the world. During the showcase event, held April 23 in Eagan, Minn., each company presented progress and outcomes from the 30-week accelerator program, providing a glimpse into the future of medicine.” READ/LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4jFYgbi
INCUBATOR: Via Minne Inno, VERBATIM: “Erin Pash, founder and former CEO of Ellie Mental Health, has launched her latest venture, calling it Pash Co. Both an acronym for People Advancing Social Health and a self-titled company, Pash Co. will serve as an incubator for technology, social media and retail businesses that aim to enhance social health and aid in forming human connection.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lMNnGK
Subscribe to other Fluence newsletters: https://fluence-media.co/TheDailyAgenda
DOCUMENTARY: Via The Minneapolis Egotist, VERBATIM: “‘Through The Storm,’ the Nike-sponsored short documentary directed by award-winning filmmakers Charles Frank and Fritz Bitsoie—a Diné/Navajo director whose work amplifies Indigenous stories—has been nominated for Outstanding Short Documentary at the coveted Sports Emmy Awards. The winners will be revealed during the ceremony on May 20.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cO7L6j
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
NEXT WEEKEND: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “Next Saturday, May 3, the traditionally posh pageantry of the Kentucky Derby—the longest continually held sporting event in America—will take over Churchill Downs racecourse in Louisville, Kentucky. But even if you can’t make it down south for the event, there are plenty of places to sip mint juleps and don ornate fascinators locally, with a variety of festive watch parties popping up across the Twin Cities.” LIST: https://fluence-media.co/42CGEGo
BDAYS: WCCO Radio’s Lindsey Petersen, journalist and morning take contributor David Montgomery, communications pro Steve Greenfield. SAT: Essentia’s Andrew Askew, history fan Steve Florman, writer Amy Carlson Gustafson. SUN: City of Minneapolis’ Loren Olson, public affairs pro Joe Weber, Second Harvest’s Zach Rodvold, food writer Jess Fleming
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.
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