Fred Armison, Nick Swardson, and Tom Morello all help Minnesota high school hockey players showcase a key component of hockey success: flow. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3Fnqo4j
Who’s most concerned about inflation? POLL: https://fluence-media.co/3FfqDhG
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested this morning on a warrant from the International Criminal Court. AP: https://fluence-media.co/41VHO0z
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3Fj9DqW
GOP Rep. Brad Finstad was on Sunday Take to discuss tariffs, the Farm Bill, the federal deficit and more. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4hmnB8E
Blois
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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)
TODAY: Lt. Governor and U.S. Senate candidate Peggy Flanagan will hold a Kitchen Table Conversation in Hibbing and Duluth.
CHILD CARE: Via Stateline, VERBATIM: “The cost of child care now exceeds the price of college tuition in 38 states and the District of Columbia, according to a new analysis conducted by the Economic Policy Institute. The left-leaning think tank, based in Washington, D.C., used 2023 federal and nonprofit data to compare the monthly cost of infant child care to that of tuition at public colleges. The tally increased five states since the pandemic began.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kHYEY6
MORE: At $22,569, Minnesota’s average annual cost of infant care is third highest in the nation. Via Economic Policy Institute, data for all states and DC. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3FlJEPB
TARIFFS: Via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “Minnesota is a target in President Trump's trade war. On Monday, Ontario, Canada slapped a 25% surcharge on all electricity exports to the state, along with Michigan and New York. Energy experts don't think that will impact prices much in Minnesota. The president imposed a similar tariff on most imports from Canada and Mexico last week before delaying them for one month. That list included grocery items that many of us buy every week . . . The head of the [Minnesota Grocers Association] is on guard, too. ‘Minnesota will feel the tariff increases more than other states because our economy is more interdependent with Canada than most other states,’ said Patrick Garofalo.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3R1AHxm
METALS: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he will double his planned tariffs on steel and aluminum from 25% to 50% for Canada, escalating a trade war with the United States’ northern neighbor. Trump said on social media that the increase of the tariffs set to take effect on Wednesday is a response to the price increases that the provincial government of Ontario put on electricity sold to the United States.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3FvBpQY
MANITOBA: Via The Canadian Press, VERBATIM: “Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says the province's Crown-owned energy corporation could use its purchasing power to fight back against tariffs imposed by the United States. Kinew says Manitoba Hydro is expected to spend roughly $35 billion over the next two decades on goods required for maintenance and upgrades. He says countries that may want to work well with Canada — such as South Korea — could benefit from that, while countries that don't want to work together may not.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bHkNlk
TIME: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “[Rep. Mike Freiberg (DFL-Golden Valley)] has introduced a bill that, if passed, would eliminate Daylight Saving Time and keep Minnesota on standard time year-round.” QUOTE: “Personally, I don’t really care which, whether we go to standard time permanently or daylight saving time permanently, I just want to get rid of the clock changes,” said Freiberg. “Right now, under federal law, we do have the ability to go to standard time permanently.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4bJEhFV
POST OFFICE: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “There's a fresh wave of calls to do something about the massive post office that blocks a big chunk of downtown Minneapolis from the Mississippi Riverfront. Why it matters: Minneapolis has worked for decades to make the riverfront more visitor friendly, but the heart of downtown remains largely obstructed by the post office, which stretches three blocks between Hennepin and Third avenues. The latest: Opening the site to the river was included in Meet Minneapolis' 10-year plan released in late February and it was in the Minneapolis Downtown Council's 10-year plan unveiled in November.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41UxAxs
ST PAUL: Via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “From B’s Barbershop to Pino’s Pizzeria and Allegra Printing, the remaining commercial tenants at the Alliance Bank Center in downtown St. Paul were informed late Monday afternoon they should ‘immediately vacate the premises’ as the 16-story building — which offers a major skyway connection — will lose all heating, cooling and electricity on Wednesday. Shop owners and business proprietors received an otherwise unsigned notice from ‘Alliance Center LLC’ — the limited liability corporation owned by Madison Equities — around 4 p.m. Monday encouraging them to pack up and leave, followed by a notice of ‘power shut-off’ issued by the city of St. Paul.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3DlJaZn
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)
TODAY: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Legislative leaders will be paying close attention to the special election in House 40B on Tuesday. If the Republican candidate wins, it will give them 68 votes, enough to pass bills. But, if the Democrat wins, which is the more likely outcome in the heavily ‘blue’ district, there will be a tie and that comes with complications. University of Minnesota Political Science Professor [Larry Jacobs] says in the event of [a] tie, things will progress slowly for the rest of the legislative session.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iA2mBe
DAKOTA: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “In the aftermath of the U.S.-Dakota war in 1862, Congress passed a law that banished the Dakota people from their homelands in Minnesota. It’s a law that remains on the books to this day . . . South Dakota state Sen. Tamara Grove sponsored the bill to repeal the act. It passed 32-3.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hnxUcE
HERMANTOWN: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “At a meeting Monday evening, the Hermantown School Board approved a proposal to chop $730,000. This is all due to a nearly $400,000 budget deficit facing Hermantown Community Schools. The cuts include the elimination of six positions.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3FgVrPl
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)
NVENT: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “nVent is set to pay nearly $1 billion for a chunk of a Georgia-based business. On Monday, nVent announced that it has lined up a deal to buy the enclosures, switchgear systems, and bus systems businesses of Avail Infrastructure Solutions for $975 million. The three business units will be housed under nVent’s systems protection group, formerly known as the enclosures segment.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bJ7jW8
DELTA: Via Reuters, VERBATIM: “Delta Air Lines on Monday slashed its first-quarter profit estimates by half, sending its shares down 14%, and its CEO said the environment had weakened due to U.S. economic uncertainty. The Atlanta-based airline is the first major U.S. carrier to report that mounting economic worries among consumers and businesses are hurting domestic travel.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kyqaay
ICYMI… Minnesota-based Sun Country Airlines reported earnings last month. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3XFJed2
VIDEO: Via The Minneapolis Egotist, VERBATIM: “Can a Content Agency plan for retirement? COOL STORY doesn’t know, which is exactly why they are thrilled to add JNBA Financial Advisors to their roster. As part of the partnership, COOL STORY will handle all brand-related video content for the Bloomington-based Wealth Management firm.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3Dl3mKV
“IT’S OUR PEOPLE’S LIVES THEY SAVE” - The Cass Lake Fire Department, located on the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Reservation in northern Minnesota, serves an area of 400 square miles, three counties, the city of Cass Lake and the Reservation. A foundational Enbridge donation has helped the department begin plans for building a new fire hall to replace its current home base, which the fire department has outgrown. “Our top needs are health and safety—having a decontamination hot zone, and another is training capacity,” says Robert, the chief of Cass Lake FD. Adds Diane, an Enbridge Tribal liaison and a Leech Lake Band member: “We want to see what the needs are out in the communities, and the fire department here is so important to everyone’s safety and well-being . . . it’s our people’s lives they save.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3RfodC9 (SPONSORED: Enbridge)
TWINS: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Twins are announcing this season's ‘Twins Pass’ is now on sale. Spokesman Matt Hodson says $324 gets you in to all 81 home games.” QUOTE: "So that equates to just $4 per game, gets you into Target Field," says Hodson. "You can wander around to any of our numerous social spaces and hang out and watch a good ball game for just $4 per game all season long." LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3DGX08v
CASS CTY: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “Minnesota is no stranger to tourists. According to Explore Minnesota, over 80 million people flocked to the Land of 10,000 Lakes in 2023. But in Cass County, residents that live on Howard Lake in Shingobee Township are fighting back on a proposed RV resort that would bring in some new seasonal neighbors. On the northern shore of Howard Lake is a 16-acre lot that has sat empty for years. The site is home to a former RV resort, and now, a developer has bought the land with plans to once again use the space for a new RV resort. But residents along the lake think that the new resort’s footprint will be much bigger than its [predecessor].” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3R0WIwi
FAMOUS DAVE’S: From Famous Dave’s via PRWeb, VERBATIM: “Famous Dave's is proud to announce the opening of its new, innovative prototype model in February 2025, marking a significant milestone in the brand's evolution. After years of development, this new format reimagines the classic barbecue experience while embracing consumer trends and offering a streamlined, cost-effective solution for both franchise partners and guests. Initially tested in Arizona, the new model is designed to expand Famous Dave's footprint in spaces previously not accessible, featuring an updated menu, enhanced technology and a focus on convenience-driven services like takeout, catering and online ordering.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iFwZ8m
MAPLE GROVE: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Slick City Action Park, an indoor adventure park with slides and other attractions, is almost ready to open in Maple Grove.” QUOTE: “What you’re looking at is Minnesota’s first indoor slide park,” said owner Mike Kelly. “We’ve got 14 slides — it’s almost like a water park without the water.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3XFEGU0
CANTERBURY: Via InterGame, VERBATIM: “Canterbury Park Holding Corporation has shared its financial results for the three-month and 12-month periods ending December 31, 2024. Net revenues showed a slight dip year on year, at US$12m, down 4.4 per cent from Q4 2023’s total of $12.5m. Net income for the quarter was a loss of $1.2m, down 191 per cent from a profit of $1.4m year-on-year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Dv8FYa
NUWELLIS: Via Stock Titan, VERBATIM: “[Eden Prairie-based] Nuwellis (NUWE) reported Q4 and full year 2024 financial results, showing mixed performance. Q4 revenue decreased 9% year-over-year to $2.3 million, while consumables utilization grew 21% and Critical Care revenue increased 35%. The company achieved a gross margin of 58.4%, up from 54.4% in the prior year quarter.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ho5qPZ
THURS/FRI: Via NPR, VERBATIM: “Night owls across the U.S. and other parts of the world will be able to see the moon illuminated in a dusty red hue as it passes through the Earth's shadow later this week during the total lunar eclipse.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Fv3x6M
NEXT WEEK: From DiaMedica via Business Wire, VERBATIM: “DiaMedica Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: DMAC), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel treatments for severe ischemic diseases, announced today that its full-year 2024 financial results will be released after the markets close on Monday, March 17th. DiaMedica will host a live conference call on Tuesday, March 18th at 7:00 AM Central Time to provide a business update and discuss financial results.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Fi4X4N
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:
COSTS: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Ag input uncertainties are causing stress on many farms. Central Iowa farmer Aaron Lehman says commodity and fertilizer markets are volatile.” LEHMAN: “Farmers are meeting with their lenders right now to finalize their financing and their credit for the coming year, and there’s a huge question mark about what the expense is going to be for fertilizer.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3Ds9Jfm
TARIFFS: Via Bloomberg, VERBATIM: “Donald Trump’s trade war is causing chaos for farmers and food producers on both sides of the US-Canada border, as businesses grapple with how to disentangle supply chains that have been interconnected for decades. The US president slapped 25% tariffs on most Canadian and Mexican goods on Tuesday, prompting Canada to respond with its own 25% levies on C$30 billion ($20.9 billion) worth of products, including on orange juice, coffee and fruit. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has also threatened to expand that to cover an additional C$125 billion in goods next month, including US beef, pork and more fresh produce.
While Trump delayed the new duties on many products on Thursday, there’s still the specter they will return in April — along with, perhaps, sweeping ‘reciprocal tariffs’ and other levies on agriculture that he has previously talked about. North America’s food industry now faces the overwhelming task of adapting to a turbulent situation of ever-changing rules.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3FehTsn
MORE: Via Red River Farm Network, VERBATIM: “The whiplash over tariffs sent markets up and down this past week. Minnesota Farmers Union President Gary Wertish emphasized these issues impact agriculture significantly.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ifBOWd
MORE: Also via Red River Farm Network, VERBATIM: “Trade policies and the stalled farm bill are major concerns at the National Farmers Union Convention. Minnesota Farmers Union President Gary Wertish highlighted the lasting impact of past trade wars, emphasizing that soybean exports to China have yet to recover.” WERTISH: “They’re finding other markets and it’s incentivized Argentina, Brazil farmers to raise more.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41SVCcd
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ACQUISITION: From Minneapolis-based National Flooring via PRNewswire, VERBATIM: “National Flooring Equipment, America's leader in industrial-quality floor removal and surface preparation equipment has added an internationally known manufacturer to their portfolio: Syntec Diamond Tools. Both brands have earned the trust and respect of their customers, and the acquisition will allow for accelerated growth and market expansion, IRONMARKETS reports.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3DJBJep
POLARIS: Via Medina-based Polaris, VERBATIM: “Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII), today announced it is promoting Matt Winings to senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary for Polaris.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bJqyPv
ALLETE: From Duluth-based ALLETE via Business Wire, VERBATIM: “ALLETE, Inc. (NYSE: ALE) announced today that ALLETE Vice President and Corporate Treasurer Jeff Scissons has been promoted to chief financial officer. He succeeds Steven W. Morris, who recently announced his plan to retire in July.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41WXK2K
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
MR PEANUT: Via The Minneapolis Egotist, VERBATIM: “In a captivating new chapter, MR. PEANUT and the world-famous PLANTERS NUTmobile are making their movie debut in Netflix’s highly anticipated new film, The Electric State. Directed by AGBOs the Russo brothers and starring Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt, The Electric State is set in the aftermath of a robot uprising in an alternate version of the ‘90s and follows an orphaned teenager who ventures across the American West with a cartoon-inspired robot, a smuggler, and his sidekick in search of her younger brother. Along the way, she encounters a robot companion, played by MR. PEANUT, and voiced by Woody Harrelson.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3DysM7S
RAMEN: Via General Mills, VERBATIM: “Ever looked at a bowl of ramen and thought, this could use a Tex-Mex twist? Or maybe a little pizza? General Mills is making its debut in the world of noodle-filled comfort food with its first ramen varieties, bringing crave-worthy flavors from two fan-favorite brands — Old El Paso and Totino’s.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4bGdJFE
BDAYS: MN Pork’s Jill Resler, MSP’s Steve Marsh, Heart Association’s Paul Weirtz, Rep. Issac Schultz, marketer Jenny Frost, connector extraordinaire Lars Leafblad
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