A man arrested by ICE in Minneapolis has died in custody in Texas. MPR: https://fluence-media.co/4r6ZfFv
The City of St Paul posted photos of the various uniforms worn by city employees saying “with multiple federal agencies in the area, it may be helpful to know…” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4pPWBD1
Today is the federal holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. What’s open and what’s closed… BMTN: https://fluence-media.co/49KTrKu
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4a1jH4F
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer shared thoughts on ICE, midterm elections and the state of Congress with Sunday Take. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4sLFN2v
In a must listen, Legislative Auditor Judy Randall joined Sunday Take to discuss fraud in state programs. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3YTziND
Want to manage your subscription to TheDailyAgenda.com? HERE: https://fluence-media.co/managesubscription
The latest insight from Fluence Advisory on the loss of institutional knowledge from the Minnesota Legislature. READ: https://fluence-advisory.com/insights/
Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com
REGISTER TODAY - Wednesday: The State of Energy – Fluence Forum
The State of Energy in Minnesota featuring Pete Wycoff (Deputy Commissioner of Energy Resources, Minnesota Department of Commerce),, Zac Ruzycki (Director of Resource Planning, Great River Energy) Moderated by Blois Olson of Fluence Advisory
The Future of Energy featuring Kari Groth Swan (Executive Director, MN Climate Innovation Finance Authority), PJ Martin (Vice President of Integrated Planning, Xcel Energy) Moderated by Drew Christensen
Policy Considerations for State Leaders featuring Xcel Energy, Derrick Moe (President and CEO, MN Rural Electric Association), and Lucas Franco (Research Manager of Great Lakes Regional Organizing Committee, LIUNA Minnesota and North Dakota) Moderated by John Berns
Legislative Panel featuring Senator Nick Frentz and Representative Chris Swedzinski
REGISTER: https://fluence-media.co/StateofEnergy
FEDS IN MINNESOTA
MORE PERSONNEL: Via Bloomberg, VERBATIM: “The FBI is sending messages to its agents nationwide seeking volunteers to temporarily transfer to Minneapolis. It wasn’t immediately clear what the FBI would ask them to do. FBI agents have traditionally focused on national security-related tasks such as counter-terrorism, organized crime and high-profile violent offenses, not street patrols or immigration-related enforcement.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pIp2CN
FBI: From FBI Director Kash Patel Friday via X, VERBATIM: “On the ground in Minneapolis today with @DAGToddBlanche supporting @FBIMinneapolis and our local partners - this team is working 24/7 here cracking down on violent rioters and investigating the funding networks supporting the criminal actors with multiple arrests already. They’ve also played a critical role with @TheJusticeDept partners in successfully prosecuting over 70 significant financial fraud cases with far more to come.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/49IuRtF
DOJ: From Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche Friday via X, VERBATIM: “Today in Minneapolis I met with the U.S. Attorney’s office and visited the brave @thejusticedept and @DHSgov law enforcement officers removing criminal aliens from MN streets.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4qzyZDG
A YEAR AGO: The New York Times connects the current situation in the Twin Cities to an operation by the Border Patrol in California. VERBATIM: “The raids last January, in the last days of the Biden administration, initially drew little attention outside the farm country of California’s Central Valley. At the time, the eyes of the world were focused on the two vast wildfires raging in Los Angeles County. But the Border Patrol’s actions in Kern County, which it called Operation Return to Sender, can be seen as a blueprint for the broader immigration crackdown that was to come. Similar tactics have become part of the agency’s standard playbook in other places, including Minnesota, where federal immigration agents are making hundreds of arrests amid sustained protests from local leaders and residents.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YJxO8z
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)
HOW BUSINESS IS RESPONDING
TARGET: Via The New York Times, VERBATIM: “For years, Target’s leaders have been addressed in impassioned petitions, and its stores used for viral videos, as demonstrators of all political stripes have beseeched the company to take a stand on a host of issues, including racism, gay rights and corporate diversity programs. And now, immigration enforcement . . . There’s little that Target can do to prevent federal agents from operating in its parking lots and store aisles because there’s no reasonable expectation of privacy in those public spaces, said John Medeiros, a corporate immigration lawyer at Nilan Johnson Lewis, a Minnesota law firm. Offices in the back of the store — behind closed doors — are searchable only with a warrant, he added.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4r5TOqm
RESTAURANTS: Via MplsStPaul, a look at how restaurants around the state are dealing with ICE encounters and employee concerns. READ: https://fluence-media.co/49IiRs9
MORE: Via CCX Media, how northwest metro restaurants are being impacted. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/49Is5EL
RETAIL: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “Karmel Mall in south Minneapolis contains more than a hundred small businesses in suites offering everything from clothing and food to insurance and accounting services. On Thursday, the noisy hallways inside lay quiet, save for occasional chatter between neighboring vendors. The smell of fried food still wafted from the bakeries, the central heating hummed and the sound of Quran recitation flowed quietly from some shops.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Nu4Nv0
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)
AROUND MINNESOTA
ROSEMOUNT: Via GREATER MSP, VERBATIM: “St. Paul-based North Wind is investing $1.1 billion to build a new, state-of-the-art aerospace and hypersonic research and testing complex in Rosemount—the nation’s most advanced aerospace research and development testing facility. The project is a major public-private partnership and investment in Minnesota’s innovation economy while significantly expanding the nation’s limited capacity for advanced high-speed aerospace testing.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49SiNqa
PIPELINE: Via WDIO-TV, VERBATIM: “According to a release from Minnesota Energy Resources, temporary services has been restored to ‘nearly all’ impacted customers near Willow River, Sturgeon Lake and Finlayson after the pipeline was damaged on Friday. Customers without service can call for restoration. While under temporary service, customers are still asked to keep their thermostats below 60 degrees and avoid using nonessential gas appliances.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4a0YXdo
WHAT HAPPENED: Via KARE-TV, VERBATIM: “Multiple homes were asked to evacuate after an explosion involving a large natural gas line on Friday afternoon, west of Willow River. The Pine County Sheriff’s Office said it received calls about the explosion just before 1:45 p.m. Several agencies responded and determined that a gas line was involved. The sheriff’s office asked residents in multiple nearby homes to evacuate.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3NoiT17
BAXTER: Via Brainerd Dispatch, VERBATIM: “A professional survey of registered voters in Baxter found nearly two-thirds of residents opposed to the Highway 371 overpass design. Sixty-seven percent were concerned the overpass would harm local business. Other concerns included the complexity and confusion of the design and that it would make the community less attractive.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3NqvW20
COMMUNITIES
FRIDAY: Community groups, including faith leaders and unions, have planned an “economic blackout” – from Bring Me The News, business that have announced plans to close on that day. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4qZpRbh
SPPS: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Although there have been no instances of ICE agents on school grounds in St. Paul so far, students in the city are scared, and many are staying home. To help alleviate their fears, classes have been suspended until Thursday as the district transitions into the option of online learning, according to Dr. Stacie Stanley Superintendent of St. Paul public schools.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/45k2UHp
DAILY LIFE: Via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Imam Yusuf Abdulle, executive director of the Islamic Association of North America, said fear of ICE has changed many immigrants’ daily routines. Social gatherings have vanished, parents advise their young adult children to stay home, and short walks and unnecessary trips have become a thing of the past.” QUOTE: “The Somali community heavily depends on each other’s mutual support, so if people remain indoors, that will impact everyone,” Abdulle said. “That’s why we encourage people to come together and support each other.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YIFKXA
WILD ABOUT READING: Join more than 800 Minnesota classrooms and 30,000 students 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, Paulie; a pair of tickets to a Wild home game, player signed pucks and photos; and a pizza party for a classroom. LEARN MORE: Wild About Reading (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery)
ENERGY
SOLAR: Via WDIO-TV, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved a site and route permit for Minnesota Power’s 85-megawatt Boswell Solar Project in Itasca County. The project includes a 2.45-mile, 230-kilovolt transmission line to connect the solar project to the Boswell Energy Center Substation. This decision followed an environmental review and public engagement process.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4b7ncHY
WEDNESDAY: The State of Energy – a Fluence Forum. REGISTER: https://fluence-media.co/StateofEnergy
NEXT MONTH: Via Xcel, VERBATIM: “On Thursday, February 5, 2026, Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) will host a conference call to review fourth quarter and year end 2025 financial results.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45ljhDE
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)
COMMERCE
ECOLAB: Via Bar Chart, VERBATIM: “The company is slated to announce its fiscal Q4 2025 earnings results before market open on Feb. 10. Ahead of this event, analysts expect Ecolab to report an EPS of $2.06, a 13.8% rise from $1.81 in the year-ago quarter. It has exceeded or met Wall Street’s earnings expectations in three of the past four quarters while missing on another occasion.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4a2EtAQ
MAPLE GROVE: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “The former home of the Maple Grove Arts Center is now home to art of a different sort . . . [Leah Schmidt] and Alex Lehr are co-owners of Styled Stems. The longtime friends outgrew their former location in Blaine and relocated to Maple Grove, opening Dec. 13.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4bq4Cen
CHAMBER: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce (MBCC) is marking a new chapter of leadership, appointing Yoland Pierson, DBA, MBA, as President and Chief Executive Officer.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4b8Et3y
WHAT’S NEXT?
TOMORROW: Via U.S. Bancorp, VERBATIM: “U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB) will release its fourth quarter 2025 earnings results before the market opens on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4stEtkO
TOMORROW: Via Winona-based Fastenal, VERBATIM: “Fastenal Company (Nasdaq:FAST) announced the date and time for its conference call to review 2025 annual and fourth quarter results, as well as current operations. The conference call will be broadcast live over the Internet on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. central time.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44UOspe
WEDNESDAY: Via Eden Prairie-based NVE, VERBATIM: “NVE Corporation (Nasdaq: NVEC) announced that it plans to release its financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2025 on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 after the close of the Nasdaq Regular Market.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jEIf6M
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
AIR TRAVEL: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “[Last] week marked a major shakeup in the airline industry, as Minnesota-based Sun Country Airlines announced a deal to merge with Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air. According to a Crystal-based travel specialist, the move could actually prove beneficial for local consumers.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/45YILqw
BDAYS: MSBA Executive Dir. Kirk Schneidawind, MPS’s PR pro MA Rosko, business guy Mike Wigley, Sanneh supporter Lou Bavarro, Substack’s Catherine Valentine
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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