President Trump heads to Iowa today for a rally – it’s part of an effort to hang on to voters who swung toward Republicans in 2024. READ: https://fluence-media.co/45uRgd0
The median homeowners association fee paid by Twin Cities homeowners is $278 according to Realtor.com which also reports 44% of homes for sale across the country include an HOA fee. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aeL77g
Follow the 2026 Minnesota election’s up close with the Fluence ElectionTracker. www.FluenceElectionTracker.com
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/49KhbzS
Sunday Take covered the impact of Alex Pretti’s killing and ICE activity in Greater Minnesota with Rep. Dave Baker (R-Willmar). LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3Zxvvpi
Last week, 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/
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MIDDAY AWARNESS
Via KSTP’s Tom Hauser on X, VERBATIM: “Gov. Tim Walz met this morning with Border Czar Tom Homan as Homan takes over ICE operations in MN. From the Gov’s Office: “Governor Walz met with Tom Homan this morning and reiterated Minnesota’s priorities:…impartial investigations into the Minneapolis shootings involving federal agents, a swift, significant reduction in the number of federal forces in MN and an end to the campaign of retribution against Minnesota… dialogue and will continue working toward those goals, which the President also agreed to yesterday. The Governor tasked the Minnesota Department of Public Safety as the primary liaison to Homan to ensure these goals are met.” THREAD: https://fluence-media.co/3NPX9eA
KLOBUCHAR: via Politico, VERBATIM: “Amy Klobuchar planned to officially launch her gubernatorial campaign on Monday, but has delayed it in the wake of the fatal shooting of a protester by immigration agents in Minneapolis over the weekend, according to two people familiar with the Minnesota Democrat’s plans..The senator instead spent Monday morning speaking to White House officials, urging deescalation and pushing to get the administration to end its immigration crackdown in her state, according to a third person, who is close to the senator and, like the others, was granted anonymity to describe private conversations.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aiUB1m
INSIGHT: A year ago, Sen. Klobuchar was the co-chair of the inaugural committee for President Donald Trump. In that role, Klobuchar built relationships that other Democrats might not have with the Trump White House, including with Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and President Trump himself. Leaning in on those relationships, as the likely DFL nominee for Governor is a completely different dynamic than the lack of relationships the Walz administration has had or tried to build in the past year.
BACKING OFF OR DOUBLING DOWN
FORT SNELLING: Via San Francisco Chronicle, VERBATIM: “In what could be a sign of President Donald Trump‘s Minnesota immigration siege digging in, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved a request Monday by the Department of Homeland Security to further support its efforts in the Twin Cities. In an email obtained by the Chronicle, U.S. Customs and Border Protection asked for space at Fort Snelling, a historic decommissioned military base in an unincorporated area next to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, to house federal immigration agents, weapons, vehicles and aircraft.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49OQAAc
FOCUS GROUP: From The Bulwark publisher, podcaster, and conservative political consultant Sarah Longwell this morning via X, VERBATIM: “We did a focus group last night of swing voters—Biden 2020/Trump 2024—and there is not simply awareness of the Alex Pretti killing, but genuine outrage. Many wanted Noem removed.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/3M1FXCe
MORE: Longwell talked about the focus group this morning on NPR. She said she heard from people who saw ambiguity in who was to blame for Renee Good’s death, but saw something very different in the death of Alex Pretti. LONGWELL: “There’s no ambiguity. They’re fed up with ICE. They believe that they voted for Trump to get criminals off the streets, not to shoot Americans. Not only had they seen it, but they were dramatically against it.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4afPEq6
BIPARTISANSHIP?: Via MinnPost, a look at recent statements and actions that show some elected leaders in Minnesota are looking to find common ground. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4agu70p
WEST: Rep. Nolan West (R-32A), talked with NPR this morning about his call over the weekend to end the immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota after learning his wife had been visiting a bakery near the Pretti shooting scene shortly after it happened. “When it effects your family’s safety… honestly I was more concerned about the protesters and her safety than the ICE agents posing any threat to her, but it was still, like, a horrible situation and knowing it’s an ongoing situation and the only way to stop it I see is the federal government to do something.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4bSSAtU
ORDER: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “The chief federal judge in Minnesota says the Trump administration has failed to comply with orders to hold hearings for detained immigrants and ordered the head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement to appear before him Friday to explain why he shouldn’t be held in contempt. In an order dated Monday, Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz said Todd Lyons, the acting director of ICE, must appear personally in court. Schlitz took the administration to task over its handling of bond hearings for immigrants it has detained.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4t3LoRO
MORE: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Chief Judge Patrick Schiltz in a Monday court filing, ordering acting ICE director Todd Lyons to appear in court, wrote that ‘the Court’s patience is at an end.’” SCHILTZ: “The Court acknowledges that ordering the head of a federal agency to personally appear is an extraordinary step, but the extent of ICE’s violation of court orders is likewise extraordinary, and lesser measures have been tried and failed.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4q55ngm
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)
THE FALLOUT
WH MEETING: Via The New York Times, news of a meeting last evening in the Oval Office requested by Homeland Security Secretary Krist Noem that also included her top aide, Corey Lewandowski. VERBATIM: “Mr. Trump did not suggest during the meeting that either Ms. Noem’s or Mr. Lewandowski’s jobs were at risk, the people said. But it was the latest sign the president is concerned about the bipartisan criticism of the administration’s response to the killing of Alex Pretti, who was shot at roughly 10 times by immigration agents on Saturday after he was apparently filming them with his phone camera.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kbgQtC
PEACE OFFERINGS: Axios has a list of changes in action and tone from the White House – including yesterday when Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s attempted to distance the President from assertions that Alex Pretti was a “domestic terrorist.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4t3Jssz
EARLY INDICATOR: Via Kentucky Lantern, VERBATIM: “Kentucky Republican U.S. Rep. James Comer received praise from President Donald Trump for a weekend interview where the congressman had suggested the president should consider removing federal immigration agents from Minnesota.” COMER: “If I were President Trump, I would almost think about, ‘OK, if the mayor and the governor are going to put our ICE officials in harm’s way, and there’s a chance of losing more innocent lives or whatever, then maybe go to another city and let the people of Minneapolis decide: Do we want to continue to have all of these illegals? Are we going to allow our governor, attorney general and mayor to get away with this?” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZAVTyy
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)
MORE ICE & REACTION
ABOTA: This morning, the American Board of Trial Advocates called for federal agents to withdraw from Minnesota and for an investigation into the shootings here. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4k0mcrz
MEDIA: Via North News, VERBATIM: “We asked our interns how they are processing the images and headlines. Four wrote essays with heartbreaking depth and righteous anger.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3LQY3He
OBSERVERS: Axios rode along with St. Paul City Councilmember HwaJeong Kim who has been volunteering as an ICE observer to see how the group she’s a part of tracks federal agent activity. READ: https://fluence-media.co/463Ixys
BRAINERD: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “The Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed they assisted a Homeland Security Investigations team with the execution of two federal arrest warrants in downtown Brainerd.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/49ZK0XR
ASSAULT CASE: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “A case involving an alleged assault on ICE agents on the Iron Range was thrown out in federal court Monday. A judge dismissed charges after determining there wasn’t enough evidence.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3LQMfos
DC + MN
OMAR: Via The New York Times, VERBATIM: “The Justice Department under the Biden administration opened an investigation into Representative Ilhan Omar, Democrat of Minnesota, in 2024 to scrutinize her finances, campaign spending and interactions with a foreign citizen, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The inquiry, initiated by the U.S. attorney’s office in Washington and the department’s public integrity unit in June of that year, appears to have stalled for lack of evidence, according to one of the people who requested anonymity to discuss internal department matters.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tkFaxp
BOVINO SENDOFF: Via Fox News, VERBATIM: “Police in Minnesota began arresting anti-ICE agitators outside a hotel Monday after authorities said the demonstration escalated and was ‘no longer considered peaceful,’ prompting officers to declare an unlawful assembly. The demonstrators were outside the SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Maple Grove, Minnesota, where they believed U.S. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino was staying.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3M8ru7G
MORE: A BBC crew was also there, showing the moment when law enforcement began advancing on the protesters. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3Z2oX1J
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)
EARNINGS
UNITEDHEALTH: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH) on Tuesday reported fourth-quarter earnings of $10 million. The Eden Prairie, Minnesota-based company said it had net income of 1 cent per share . . . The results beat Wall Street expectations . . . The largest U.S. health insurer posted revenue of $113.22 billion in the period, which fell short of Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4q4Shjj
GRACO: Via RTTNews, VERBATIM: “[Minneapolis-based] Graco Inc (GGG) reported a profit for its fourth quarter that Increases, from the same period last year. The company’s earnings totaled $132.5 million, or $0.79 per share. This compares with $108.7 million, or $0.63 per share, last year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qL5n6t
POLARIS: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “Polaris Inc. (PII) on Tuesday reported a loss of $303.6 million in its fourth quarter. On a per-share basis, the Medina, Minnesota-based company said it had a loss of $5.34 . . . The results exceeded Wall Street expectations . . . The snowmobile and ATV maker posted revenue of $1.92 billion in the period, also exceeding Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aeMOl8
COMMERCE
SURVEY: Via Minneapolis-based Entrust, VERBATIM: “Entrust, a global leader in identity-centric security solutions, today released new findings from Ponemon Institute revealing that organizations worldwide face two urgent cryptographic deadlines that will have a big impact on their data security and web services – and most lack the visibility, resources, and readiness required to meet them.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4t3OhSC
GRANTS: Via DEED, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) today announced more than $6 million for 13 communities to assess and clean up contaminated sites for redevelopment. The grants are expected to create 147 new jobs, collectively increase local tax bases by nearly $5.5 million and leverage more than $486 million in private investment.” LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4t4qD8D
NEW CEO: Via Platinum Equity, VERBATIM: “[Minneapolis-based] Rise Baking Company, a leading North American provider of high‑quality bakery products, today announced that Mark McNeil has been appointed CEO. McNeil succeeds Brian Zellmer, who has led the company over the past five years of transformational growth.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sZYNdK
RESTAURANTS: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “The food isn’t the only star of the show at these new(ish) restaurants—every design detail was carefully chosen by local pros.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4q2xnBh
WHAT’S NEXT?
TOMORROW: Como Zoo’s Music Under Glass series continues in the Conservatory. SCHEDULE: https://fluence-media.co/49T9172
FRIDAY: The Minneapolis Home Remodeling Show begins at U.S. Bank Stadium. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4q4FiOB
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
SANDWICHES: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Particular foodists—I’m sure you know a few—love nothing better than to proclaim, usually in the comments, that there is ‘no good [fill in the blank] here!’ Depending on the day (and the crank), they fill in the blank with barbecue, bagels, real pizza, Filipino food, or fried chicken. No one seems to doubt our burger game, but I’ll admit, there’s a less vocal subset with whom I may have thrown in my own grumblings when it comes to sandwiches. Because we’ve been lacking.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rgiRXG
BDAYS: Minneapolis insider Lisa Goodman,Dakota Electric’s Peggy Johnson, mortgage maven Lisa Wells, St. Paul’s Robert Humphrey
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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