A Minnesota church helped inspire one of the movies up for Best Picture this Sunday. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4gXQkAt
President Trump is expected to sign an executive order today to designate English as the country’s official language. AP: https://fluence-media.co/3F0DdBm
US Rep. Brad Finstad will be a guest on Sunday Take at 9AM on WCCO Radio.
DFL Sen. Judy Seeberger was on last weekend’s Sunday Take to discuss Minnesota’s current needs, the race for an open Senate seat, pushback against DFLers and more. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4idQkxd
Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com
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)
FBI: Via The Wall Street Journal, from an article about FBI Director Kash Patel, VERBATIM: “On Friday, his first day on the job, Patel ordered officials to relocate 1,500 employees from Washington to cities with high crime rates including Minneapolis, Detroit and Cleveland. Another FBI official piped in with a harsh reality, according to people familiar with the exchange: The restructuring could cost $100 million, with each move estimated at up to $100,000, and the bureau didn’t have the funds to cover it. Government agencies generally aren’t allowed to spend money in ways not authorized by Congress, and often don’t have money for basic employee perks such as office coffee. Patel was unmoved. Figure out how to do it anyway, and fast, he told them.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ESOhjR
ANTI-SEMITISM: Via The Hill, VERBATIM: “The Federal Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism announced Friday it would be visiting 10 university campuses that experienced antisemitic incidents since October 2023. The Department of Justice said the task force will meet with university leadership, impacted students and staff, local law enforcement and community members and decide “whether remedial action is warranted” due to the incidents . . . The schools include Columbia University, George Washington University, Harvard University. Johns Hopkins University, New York University, Northwestern University, the University of California, Los Angeles, the University of California, Berkeley, the University of Minnesota and the University of Southern California.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41jnSU8
DEI: Target is among a handful of companies highlighted in a recently-issued Black Consumer Advisory. VERBATIM: “The NAACP issued the Black Consumer Advisory to inform and caution Black consumers about the ongoing and intentional rollback of nationwide diversity, equity, and inclusion commitments. We encourage you to spend your money where you're respected, support Black-owned businesses, and demand businesses prioritize people over profit. Above all, we must continue to advocate for policies that insure people of color, women, veterans, those with a disability, and all protected groups have equal access to opportunities across the country.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3XmTve1
MORE: Via Yahoo Finance, VERBATMI: “The pushback illustrates the difficult spot many companies are in as they try to navigate new legal threats surrounding DEI from the courts, conservative activists, and a Trump administration that is encouraging DEI revisions across corporate America. Retailers are particularly challenged because so many Americans rely on their products or visit their stores — and they often find themselves in the political spotlight for a multitude of reasons.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43bjw3U
ICE: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested several people in Duluth’s Lakeside neighborhood Thursday morning. According to a witness, the people who were arrested were working on a roofing project at the time.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41fEAUl
ARCTIC CAT: From David Griswold via KARE-TV, VERBATIM: “Hundreds of Arctic Cat employees will soon be unemployed after its parent company announced widespread layoffs at its Thief River Falls facility. In a letter to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Textron, which owns the Minnesota-based powersports manufacturer, said about 385 employees will be laid off, starting May 8.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4hWpTN7
BLACKDUCK: From Adam Uren via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “The Shade Store is closing down its operations in Blackduck, Minnesota, with the loss of 115 jobs. The curtain and blind company based in New York confirmed the closure of two facilities in Blackduck: its manufacturing facility at 348 Summit Ave. W., and the Anderson Fabrics Factory Outlet store at 24 Summit Ave.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kmDRsY
WILD ABOUT READING: More than 500 Minnesota classrooms and 15,000 students are 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, Rookie; 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
ST PAUL: From Kyle Stokes via Axios, VERBATIM: “A long-awaited hotel, restaurants and an office building at St. Paul's Allianz Field will all be under construction by summer, the project's developer said this week. Why it matters: Neighbors have been clamoring for progress at United Village, the development around Minnesota United FC's soccer stadium. They see the project as key to injecting economic vitality into a corridor that's struggled with escalating transit crime and drug use.” READ/RENDERING: https://fluence-media.co/3Dc1WlE
WORKFORCE: From Dee DePass via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “More than 15% of workers at Intek Plastics in Hastings are foreign-born, most of them Hmong and Karen. Intek remains committed to diversifying its labor force because, like other Minnesota employers, it has had such a hard time recruiting in the state’s historically tight job market of the past decade, said Reeanna Crownhart, Intek’s human resources specialist. Crownhart was at the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 Workforce Summit on Wednesday, where there were talks and sessions on immigration as the organization released its latest study on the state’s immigrant population and labor force. International migration accounted for 94% of Minnesota’s net population growth during the last four years, the study found.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3D0sKW9
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.-Elect Kari Rehauer
Rep.-Elect Wayne Johnson
Rep. Elect Julie Greene
Rep. Elect Keith Allen
Rep. Elect Peter Johnson
Follow on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.TheDailyAgenda.com/Podcasts. (SPONSORED: Minnesota Telecom Alliance)
POPULATION: From Feven Gerezgiher via MPR, VERBATIM: “Minnesota is among the top four states in the country where the Black population has grown the fastest since 2010. According to analysis by the Pew Research Center, Minnesota’s Black population grew by 60 percent — about 197,000 people.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3XiwGbG
MORE: Via Pew, from the report:
SEE: https://fluence-media.co/41cwrQs
PITCH CONTEST: From Abby Bulger via Minne Inno, VERBATIM: “Avio Medtech, a St. Paul-based consulting firm, is partnering with the Medtech MVP conference to host a pitch contest with a $20,000 prize in nondilutive funding. The contest targets startups in medical devices, diagnostics and software that are raising seed or Series A rounds between $1 million and $15 million.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Dfc655
VITAL PUBLIC WORKS PROJECT FUELS THE FUTURE OF THIS WISCONSIN TRIBE - In 2017, one of the “glaring needs” for the Lac Courte Oreilles (LCO) Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, in northwest Wisconsin, was an expanded wastewater treatment facility. “It was at capacity. We were not able to expand any of our businesses or facilities,” says Jason, the LCO Band’s Emergency Management Coordinator. With the support of Enbridge and several other partners, the LCO Band quadrupled its wastewater treatment capacity—allowing for creation of a new preschool, fire hall, 40-unit apartment complex, police headquarters and, still to come, health clinic and new residential community. “I’m very grateful for the partnership we’ve developed with Enbridge,” says Jason. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/49v4mHc (SPONSORED: Enbridge)
EARNINGS: Via Associated Press, from Minnesota-based companies:
· SOLVENTUM: “Solventum Corp. (SOLV) on Thursday reported fourth-quarter net income of $30 million. The Maplewood, Minnesota-based company said it had net income of 17 cents per share. Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, were $1.41 per share. The results topped Wall Street expectations . . . The health care company posted revenue of $2.07 billion in the period, which also topped Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43cjKYw
· ANI: “ANI Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ANIP) on Friday reported a fourth-quarter loss of $10.3 million, after reporting a profit in the same period a year earlier.
· The Baudette, Minnesota-based company said it had a loss of 55 cents per share. Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, were $1.63 per share. The results surpassed Wall Street expectations . . . The drugmaker posted revenue of $190.6 million in the period, which also topped Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bi0qv3
· JAMF: “Jamf Holding Corp. (JAMF) on Thursday reported a loss of $16.4 million in its fourth quarter. The Minneapolis-based company said it had a loss of 13 cents per share. Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, came to 17 cents per share. The results beat Wall Street expectations . . . The company posted revenue of $163 million in the period, also beating Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3QDOQkh
DULUTH PACK: From Gene Rebeck via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “Based in the city whose name it bears, Duluth Pack has been as durable as the backpacks, bags, and other outdoor-oriented cut-and-sew products it produces in its hometown. Founded in 1882, it is reputedly the oldest canvas-and-leather bag and pack manufacturer in the U.S. On Feb. 19, the company announced that Tom Sega, who’d owned Duluth Pack since 2007, had sold the business to Alexandria-based entrepreneur Kevin Hall and a silent partner who prefers to remain anonymous.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3EWEdXn
NEXT MONTH: The St. Patrick’s Day Parade returns to Nicollet Mall. AXIOS: https://fluence-media.co/3Dn9K41
NEXT MONTH: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “Were you fascinated by the addition of break dancing (also known as ‘breaking’) to the 2024 Paris Olympics? If so, you should check out Red Bull BC One, the world’s largest global breaking competition, when it returns to Minneapolis on March 29.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3XlD8yD
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)
MAY 1: Via The Minneapolis Egotist, VERBATIM: “The workplace is evolving at lightning speed, and organizations that prioritize inclusion and belonging will be the ones that thrive. At The BrandLab’s 2025 Fearless Conference, we’re diving deep into the future of work… what it takes to prepare, support, and retain talent in an ever-changing professional landscape.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43gTQCR
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
SCHOOLS: From Emily Haugen via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Nationwide, more than 23,000 cardiac arrests happen to children outside the hospital every year. A Plymouth senator wants to boost Minnesota childrens’ chance of survival with a new bill. The American Heart Association shared on its website that bystander CPR can triple the chance of survival in cardiac arrests. Sen. Bonnie Westlin (DFL-Plymouth) brought a bill to the Minnesota Committee on Education Policy on Monday. It would require school districts to have emergency response plans for cardiac arrests in place by the 2026 school year.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4h3nfDI
FLU SHOTS: Via NBC News, VERBATIM: “A Food and Drug Administration vaccine advisory committee meeting scheduled for March to select the strains to be included in next season’s flu shot has been canceled, a panel member said Wednesday. Federal health officials notified members of the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee of the cancellation in an email Wednesday afternoon, said committee member Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia . . . The cancellation comes as the United States is in the midst of a particularly severe flu season.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41yYf2H
MORE: The Minnesota Department of Health reports more than 6,000 influenza hospitalizations so far this season. REPORT: https://fluence-media.co/2I2qlda
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NEXTGEN: From Izabella Zadra via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “High school robotics teams from all over the country flocked to the DECC to kick off the FIRST Robotics Competition. Teams gathered Thursday to test their products and get some practice before the big competition on Friday. More than 100 teams are signed up for this weekend’s competition. There were teams from eight different states, with the farthest team coming from Florida.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/41FyOM3
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
19 BAR: From Nicole Ki via MPR, VERBATIM: “The historic 19 Bar in Minneapolis reopened on Thursday afternoon, nearly a year after a devastating fire forced it to shutter its doors. The popular gay bar dating back to the 1950s was closed after a fire gutted the building last March. A garbage truck hit an adjacent utility pole, causing electrical wires to fall on the building’s gas supply and spark a fire.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Xo7Pmy
BDAYS: attorney Tracy Donesky, community leader Marcus Pope, PR agency leader Alexis Walsko. SAT: Rep. Mary Franson, Rep. Rick Hansen, fmr. Rep. Bob Dettmer, reporter Jeff Anderson. SUN: reporting legend Randy Furst, Duluth’s Jeff Anderson, comms pro Tammy Nystuen, ag insider Dave Frederickson
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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