Younger generations were more likely to spend their tax refunds on essentials rather than discretionary items – older generations predominantly put theirs into savings. MORNING CONSULT: https://fluence-media.co/4jFqX8H
Some Trump administration officials, including Stephen Miller and Pete Hegseth, appeared to find deeper meaning in the names of two horses running in the Kentucky Derby. FOX NEWS: https://fluence-media.co/3SjnPDw
For reference, here’s how Merriam-Webster defines sovereignty. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4k3O1Om
What movies are coming out when this summer? CALENDAR: https://fluence-media.co/4k4ADcT
Sunday Take discussed what schools need from the legislature with Kirk Schneidewind (Minnesota Association of School Boards) and Scott Croonquist (Association of Metropolitan School Districts). LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3Yt4Gm9
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)
TAX CUTS: CNBC this morning asked House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) if he would be okay raising the top tax rate back to 40% to pay for extending the Trump tax cuts. EMMER: “Yeah, that’s a cute campaign slogan but the fact of the matter is that two or three percent isn’t going to make the difference. The government already has enough revenue, Joe. The issue is we’ve got a spending problem. We’ve gotta address it. I think extending the tax cuts that have been in place for the past seven years is imperative. If we don’t get it done, Joe, the average American is going to experience $1,600 increase in their taxes.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/44rfeWQ
TARIFFS: Via Marketplace, VERBATIM: “It’s been one month since President Trump announced tariffs on goods imported from China. In the days since then, those tariffs have gone up — they now sit at 145%. A month of these tariffs is long enough to disrupt each part of the supply chain, from manufacturing to shipping to retail shelves . . . Something like 80% of the toys Amy Saldanha sells at Kiddywampus, her toy store in Minnesota, come from China. She ordered enough from manufacturers to get through the summer but has to order for the holidays now. And she doesn’t want to buy too much, in case shoppers see the price increases and pull back on spending.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/435PdKk
TARGET: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Target continues to face backlash after scaling down its diversity, equity and inclusion programs. In Brooklyn Park, Mayor Hollies Winston says that if the Minneapolis-based company authentically cares about diversity, it should consider investing in communities close to its home. One of Target’s corporate campuses is in northern Brooklyn Park.” QUOTE: “We have a number of the issues that Target is saying they want to address,” Winston said. “A city that is 64 percent people-of-color — we’ve got areas where people have $700,000 homes [and] we’ve got folks who live in Section 8. And I think in terms of addressing those issues in their back yard, we have a number of opportunities.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/44YP0Lp
WORKFORCE: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Medtronic faces a recruitment challenge: The medical robot and pacemaker company isn’t very well known outside of Minnesota, said Mark Smith, vice president for global talent acquisition. Attracting Generation Z, whose members were born between 1997 and 2012, Medtronic’s biggest challenge is ‘actually making [them] aware of who we are, versus those brands a little bit more prominent’ such as SpaceX, Walmart and Google, Smith said. An ambitious new program may help the Fridley-run company clear this hurdle.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4m23Wyo
TRAVEL: Via The New York Times, VERBATIM: “Crossings from Canada dropped sharply after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urged Canadians to ‘choose Canadian products and services rather than American ones’ on Feb. 1. Traffic at two of the busiest crossings, near Niagara Falls, fell 42 percent in March compared with 2024. And traffic at a busy crossing point between Vancouver and Seattle fell 48 percent.” READ/MAP: https://fluence-media.co/4dcMNyc
STATE WORKERS: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “The thousands of state workers being called back into the office half of the time starting June 1 are likely to find increasingly tight workspaces. Why it matters: Gov. Tim Walz's surprise return-to-office mandate is in stark contrast to his administration's 2023 plan, which assumed a largely remote workforce would allow the state to drastically reduce its office space.” QUOTE: "Almost every agency across the board has shed space following that (2023) plan," Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE) president Megan Dayton told Axios. "There is absolutely zero plan, as far as we can tell, to reabsorb thousands of employees across agencies." READ: https://fluence-media.co/42IQBUd
PRIVATE SCHOOL: Via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “Since 1969, Minnesota private school children have been eligible for a taxpayer funded transportation stipend. In the 1970s, another taxpayer-paid stipend was added for books, nurses and counselors. The transportation stipend is $500 to $600 and aid per pupil for textbooks, nurses and counselors is $540 a year, for a grand total of $1,140 per pupil. Statewide, the subsidy amounts to $109 million a year. Gov. Tim Walz wants to eliminate the subsidy because of a future budget deficit that is estimated at $6 billion.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3GDDBqh
TOWNSHIPS: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “In mid-April, the Northern Township Board issued their notice to incorporate into a city to neighboring townships and cities. The City of Bemidji quickly responded with a resolution to rescind that notice to incorporate and to also re-enter wastewater negotiations. Board members of Northern Township feel that too much of the Township has been picked apart over the last few decades. ‘About almost a quarter of the township has been annexed over time, and at some point, we felt like our township had to set our boundaries to survive.’ says Jess Frenzel, Chairman of Northern Township Board. Minnesota Townships don’t incorporate into cities very often. Empire Township being the last to do so in 2023, and Credit River before them in 2021. Northern Township however feels they already operate very much like a city.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3EWShQP
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)
ZONING: Via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “A legislative effort to make it easier and cheaper to build houses and apartments is all but dead for the year. A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers and advocates entered the legislative session with an ambitious but carefully-crafted set of bills to remake Minnesota’s zoning and land use rules, opening up construction of more homes and apartments across the state. The coalition’s chances of passing meaningful zoning reform likely ended Thursday when four Democrats and two Republicans in a Senate committee voted against an amendment that contained a bare-bones version of the package.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3EFyvJD
UPTOWN: Via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “Approximately 35 students at the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management did four months of research on revitalizing Minneapolis’ Uptown neighborhood and presented their findings Thursday to residents, business leaders and developers, including hotel business owner Jim Graves. Tristan Spillane, one of the students, told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS their research discovered Uptown needs more scheduled events to draw people to the area and the city needs to offer more incentives to help bring investors back into the neighborhood.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3SjAPJh
CONSTRUCTION: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “A major construction project is underway at the Brooklyn Park-Champlin border that has taken years to come together. Construction to convert 109th Avenue into a four-lane divided roadway began this week. It’s a project that will take two summers to complete.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3Z1oXzm
MORE: Via Lakeland PBS, construction on Highway 371 in Hackensack begins today. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3GHV94D
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)
THIS WEEK: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “The St. Paul City Council this week is set to vote on a plan to revise the city’s rent stabilization ordinance by allowing exemptions for more properties. Supporters of the proposed changes say they’re needed to spur much-needed housing development in the city, while opponents say it’s a misguided effort that would put more St. Paul residents at risk of being priced out of their homes.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4d6Bsj5
COPPER THEFT: Via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “Amid a continued sizable backlog of repair requests for copper-robbed streetlights, St. Paul Public Works confirmed it did not renew a request to the city council in 2024 that gave the department an extra half-million dollars to deal with the years-long outage surge. Public Works could not immediately quantify the number of repairs in the queue as of Sunday, but a spokesperson said, ‘There are a lot.’ A similar backlog last year led to the request for a one-time $500,000 investment in the city budget.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3SltuJf
DOWNTOWN MPLS: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “It’s hard to imagine a more steakhouse-esque name than Stock and Bond, which is the name of the new steak-and-whiskey venture coming to the Farmers and Mechanics Savings Bank in downtown Minneapolis. The name references the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897, a federal law that established quality standards for producing whiskey. It’s also a nod to the building’s history.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44TB05w
EXHIBIT: Via Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, VERBATIM: “The Ramsey County Historical Society on April 24 opened a new exhibit, ‘Selma 70,’ at the Landmark Center, honoring the journey of 70 Minnesota residents who traveled to Selma, Alabama, in 2015 to mark the 50th anniversary of the historic Selma to Montgomery marches.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Z1nR6I
INFRASTRUCTURE: Via ACEC, VERBATIM: “The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), the American Public Works Association (APWA), and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) have collaborated since 2022 to present the Engineering & Public Works Roadshow. The [Minesota Zoo’s] Treetop Trail stop today is the Roadshow’s 18th.” QUOTE: “Like any great infrastructure project involving public works, Treetop Trail would not be the success it is today had its designers ignored the environment, the animals, and zoo visitors,” said APWA CEO Scott D. Grayson, CAE, a former Golden Valley, MN, City Councilman. “This is a shining example of how thoughtful design and engineering can breathe new life into our public assets, fostering environmental stewardship and community engagement.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/432t7Z0
TODAY: From Fergus Falls-based Otter Tail via Business Wire, VERBATIM: “Otter Tail Corporation (Nasdaq: OTTR) will issue a news release announcing first quarter 2025 financial results after the stock market closes on Monday, May 5, 2025 and will host a live conference call and webcast on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. CT to discuss the corporation’s financial and operating performance.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lD1MoY
WEDNESDAY: Via Eden Prairie-based SunOpta, VERBATIM: “SunOpta Inc. (Nasdaq:STKL) (TSX:SOY), an innovative and sustainable manufacturer fueling the future of food, today announced that the Company will issue financial results for the first quarter ended March 29, 2025 after the markets close on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Y4pnod
WEDNESDAY: From Bloomington-based SkyWater via Business Wire, VERBATIM: “SkyWater Technology (NASDAQ: SKYT), the trusted technology realization partner, today announced that it will report its fiscal first quarter 2025 financial results following the close of the market on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. The same afternoon, management will host a webcast to discuss its business and financial results.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ihbR8a
THURSDAY: Via news release from Duluth-based ALLETE, VERBATIM: “ALLETE Inc. (NYSE:ALE) will announce its financial results for the first quarter before the stock markets open on Thursday, May 08, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4d5QMg1
From Friday’s Fluence newsletters:
FARM BILL: Via Austin American-Statesman, VERBATIM: “The clock is ticking once again as the extended 2018 Farm Bill approaches its latest deadline. Originally set to expire in 2023, the bill — typically renewed every five years — has been extended twice, with the current extension set to end on Sept. 30, 2025. Now, with less than five months remaining, the traditionally bipartisan legislation remains gridlocked.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lWFaQg
MORE: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Southwest Minnesota corn and soybean grower Bryan Biegler says he’s frustrated it’s taking so long.” BIEGLER: “Talk about trying to something done there for quite some time, they keep talking about it (and) hopefully they can get something figured out soon. Just certainly to give a guy peace of mind, kind of easier to plan for things knowing where things are at.” He tells Brownfield the tariff talk can also be discouraging. “I’ve almost kind of quit listening to them, just seems like it’s kind of driving you nuts after awhile. It’s on one day, off one day. Then raising the percentages, then down the next day. So I guess not much you can do about it.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/44TrJdH
COURT: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “The treatment court in Duluth is receiving national recognition and will be a model for other adult treatment courts in the nation. The designation means the court will advise new and existing treatment courts throughout the country with mentorship and in-person visits. In treatment court, a judge leads a team of professionals to assist offenders who meet the criteria rather than incarcerate them.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3SgyOgZ
BIRDIE: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “It is National Therapy Animal Day, the perfect opportunity to celebrate the pets that bring people comfort. Maple Grove Hospital has its very own roster of therapy dogs to benefit staff and patients. If you’re looking for a warm and fuzzy pick-me-up, you might want to call for Birdie, an English cream golden retriever therapy dog. Her handler said the dog’s calm, friendly demeanor was made for this.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4lX06Xf
Subscribe to other Fluence newsletters: https://fluence-media.co/TheDailyAgenda
NEXT MONTH: Via news release from Minneapolis-based Donaldson, VERBATIM: “Donaldson Company, Inc. (NYSE: DCI), a leading worldwide provider of innovative filtration products and solutions, will webcast its third quarter 2025 earnings conference call on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. CT.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3GEQ0dC
SALTBOX: Via news release from Minneapolis-based Saltbox, VERBATIM: “Saltbox Mgmt, a leader in unified commerce transformations within the Salesforce ecosystem, is proud to announce the appointment of Brian Wagner as its Chief Revenue Officer. Wagner, a seasoned and respected figure in enterprise SaaS, brings over two decades of sales leadership experience — including pivotal roles at Oracle, CloudCraze, and Salesforce.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3EUdP0s
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
RETAIL: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Local shoppers may know Kelly Harrington, the designer behind jewelry line Love Kelly Harrington and former co-owner of Excelsior’s Clubhouse 366 and Serifina, a monogram shop at 50th & France that closed in 2012. Now, she’s back running Serifina 2 (a play on ‘serif’), which opened in her former Clubhouse 366 space.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42XYnIG
NEXT MONTH: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “It’s going to be a big party on Bayfront during Grandma’s Marathon weekend this year, and now there is a new headline act on Friday to kick things off. Cloud Cult will headline the Friday entertainment which now starts in the early afternoon and wraps up in the evening.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ROLkEh
BDAYS: American Experiment’s Bill Walsh, retired MSP exec Gary Johnson
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