Announced this morning: HARDY will play the State Fair Grandstand September 4th. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3QBqhHY
The Minneapolis Park Board will soon vote whether to add these to the craft you can rent to cruise the Mississippi River:
Keep reading – the story’s at the end of this newsletter.
31% of Americans expect use of driverless cars to be common in five years. Fewer say they’d get one. GALLUP: https://fluence-media.co/49cF2Y0
As noted in morning take, President Trump signed legislation overturning the ban on mining near the BWCA. It’s an issue that has Canada’s attention, too. CBC: https://fluence-media.co/48qBuBf
Want to manage your subscription to TheDailyAgenda.com? HERE: https://fluence-media.co/managesubscription
WAYMO IS READY FOR MINNESOTA: With 13x fewer injury-causing collisions compared to humans, Waymo is already making roads safer in major U.S. cities where we operate — from multi-lane expressways to dense city streets, including the demands of winter weather. We are ready to bring these safety benefits to Minnesota, and look forward to working with the state legislature to pass a law that allows us to provide rides in the state. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/waymo (SPONSORED: Waymo)
Follow the 2026 Minnesota election’s up close with the Fluence ElectionTracker. FluenceElectionTracker.com
Going deeper on the Minnesota Flag noise, it’s not about the symbolism its about how it makes people feel and the flag is an illustrative example of how some Minnesotans feel about the past three years or longer – that their view doesn’t matter, or worse yet – that they are dismissed because of their opinion. A good listen on Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4cDSYg6
On Sunday Take, DFL Sen. Ann Rest discussed tax bill dynamics and GOP Rep. Mary Franson spoke about the bonding bill. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4ty6qrz
Blois
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Follow the 2026 Minnesota elections up close with the Fluence Election Tracker.
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A BUSY TUESDAY
NEW THIS MORNING: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Federal agents again swarmed sections of Minneapolis Tuesday morning. Officials with the U.S. Justice Department say the agents were exercising search warrants at several childcare centers for suspected fraud. There were no arrests, but it is an indication there is a refocused effort to investigate billion-dollar COVID-era fraud schemes in Minnesota. Reports say the raids happened in at least 22 locations across the Twin Cities.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4vWjKYp
MORE: Via The New York Times, VERBATIM: “The operation was among the boldest moves since the White House launched a task force to combat fraud in social services programs last month, which Vice President JD Vance was appointed to lead. A law enforcement official said agents from the F.B.I. and the Department of Homeland Security had obtained 22 search warrants as part of the investigation. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing law enforcement matter, said the operation was unrelated to immigration enforcement.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ukbOyS
MORE: This morning via X:
RENEE GOOD: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “The widow of Renee Good is asking a judge to force the federal government to return the vehicle that Good was driving when an ICE agent fatally shot her. In a Friday court filing, Becca Good argued the Honda Pilot belongs to her, and she needs it to pursue a potential lawsuit.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3QERLwk
CD2: Via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “The Democrats battling for Rep. Angie Craig’s congressional seat are locked in a last-minute scramble for delegates – but it’s not certain any of them will win the coveted DFL endorsement. State Sen. Matt Klein, former state Sen. Matt Little and state Rep. Kaela Berg are all wooing the 186 DFLers who will gather in an auditorium in Burnsville High School on May 9 to determine their favored candidate . . . since at least 60% of the votes are needed to win their party’s endorsement, all three Democrats may walk away empty handed.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cDtwr5
MOVE: Via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “A major downtown St. Paul-based agricultural lender plans to relocate to Richfield by summer’s end. AgriBank, once known as the Farm Credit Bank of St. Paul, has informed prospective employees it will relocate to the southern suburbs of Minneapolis before fall. The customer-owned cooperative, a wholesale lender to Farm Credit Associations, has been based since 2011 in Wells Fargo Place at 30 E. Seventh St.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dbrcYo
PROPERTY TAX: Via Lincoln Institute of Land Policy and Minnesota Center for Fiscal Excellence, VERBATIM: “Property taxes are the largest revenue source for local governments and play a vital role in municipal fiscal health. The Lincoln Institute’s 50-State Property Tax Comparison Study for Taxes Paid in 2025 documents the wide range of property tax rates for more than 100 US cities and helps explain why they vary so widely. By calculating effective tax rates, or tax bills as a percentage of market value, this annual study provides the most meaningful data available to compare cities’ property taxes.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vMKV82
SLEEP NUMBER: Via Minneapolis-based Sleep Number, VERBATIM: “Sleep Number (Nasdaq: SNBR) announced today that it has reached an agreement with its lenders that provides additional $55 million of liquidity, including a $25 million term loan, and relief on certain financial and liquidity covenants. The agreement enables the company to continue to execute its turnaround plan, including its product and marketing initiatives, while continuing to evaluate strategic business and financing opportunities to deliver the best value.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vSnPwZ
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)
SOLAR IN MN
REPORT: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Maine dethroned Minnesota last year as the national leader in community solar per capita. That’s according to a new report from the nonprofit, Institute for Local Self-Reliance. Community solar is a way for individuals, businesses, nonprofits and other groups to purchase or ‘subscribe’ to renewable energy from a local source. Ingrid Behrsin is a senior researcher with the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. She said community solar stalled in Minnesota because of two main factors – availability and policy changes.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42xc0i7
MORE: Via Institute for Local Self-Reliance, from the report:
You can find the full report, including state-level data, HERE: https://fluence-media.co/4eeWw9M
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)
EARNINGS SEASON
ECOLAB: Via Associated Press, “Ecolab Inc. (ECL) on Tuesday reported first-quarter net income of $432.6 million. On a per-share basis, the Saint Paul, Minnesota-based company said it had profit of $1.52 . . . The results met Wall Street expectations . . . The cleaning, food-safety and pest-control services company posted revenue of $4.07 billion in the period, exceeding Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49hDRqj
POLARIS: Via Associated Press, “Polaris Inc. (PII) on Tuesday reported a loss of $47.4 million in its first quarter. On a per-share basis, the Medina, Minnesota-based company said it had a loss of 83 cents . . . The results beat Wall Street expectations . . . The snowmobile and ATV maker posted revenue of $1.66 billion in the period, also beating Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3OQnRVd
GRANDMAS RIDE ATVs TOO! Check out Donna’s story - a powerful reminder that ATV riding is about more than trails...it’s about people, community, and connection. Donna’s message reflects what so many riders across Minnesota believe: responsible riding, strong local economies, and protecting access for future generations all go hand in hand. Check out Donna’s story: https://fluence-media.co/4tDeK9r Thank you, Donna, for sharing your story and helping put a face to what “I Ride” truly means. (SPONSORED: ATV Minnesota)
THE LOCALS
CLOQUET: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “A longtime Northland sports collaboration could be breaking up. The Cloquet, Esko, and Carlton school districts have teamed up for hockey and other sports for years. On Monday, the Cloquet School Board voted to dissolve the collaboration with Carlton — but only if Carlton moves forward with a merger with the Wrenshall district.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4t7E3zD
MONTICELLO: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “The Monticello City Council voted 4-1 Monday night to adopt an ordinance that could open the door to developers building massive data centers in the community 40 miles northwest of Minneapolis. The ordinance also includes new restrictions for data centers that city officials say are aimed at reducing negative impacts on people living nearby and ensuring Monticello residents don’t bear any financial costs.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eeHEbw
MINNEAPOLIS: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “With Nicollet Mall at a crossroads, WCCO’s Taylor Rivera explores the city’s potential plans to transition it from a retail hub to a residential ‘downtown backyard’ in a WCCO In-Depth series, ‘The Mall’s Next Move’ . . . The city’s prime corridor for decades, home to anchor retail spots like Dayton’s, Neiman Marcus, or even further back Montgomery Wards, is in need of a makeover. And Minneapolis’ leadership knows it. Adam Duininck is the CEO of the Minneapolis Downtown Council, and he says city officials are aggressively working to change that, and are moving to replace vanishing storefronts with a bold ‘Social District’.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4uf8uoj
HABITAT RESTORATION: Flint Hills Resources has earned Tandem Global WHC Gold Certification for habitat restoration at its Cottage Grove fuel terminal. The certification comes after two years of work in partnership with Friends of the Mississippi River to implement a restoration and monitoring plan to re-establish the 6.5-acre site’s natural prairie and savannah. Flint Hills has held gold certification for its work done with community partners over the past 25 years to restore more than 200 acres of the Pine Bend Bluffs, a critical natural area along the Mississippi River that is adjacent to Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery. This makes two Flint Hills gold certified sites in Minnesota and the first two gold-certified sites ever in the Twin Cities. LEARN MORE: Environmental Stewardship (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery)
COMMERCE
NEW MARKETS: Via Minneapolis-based OurFamilyWizard, VERBATIM: “OurFamilyWizard, the pioneer of co-parenting technology trusted by more than one million parents and professionals worldwide over 25 years, today announced its expansion into France and Spain. With significant growth already occurring in the United Kingdom and Ireland, the company is excited to increase access to its products and educational materials across Europe.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wcfhkK
CLOSED: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Hangry Joe’s, the national chain known for serving chicken so spicy it requires a waiver, has abruptly closed all three of its Twin Cities restaurants.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3QwBZDP
RETAIL: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Before the doors even open, some Twin Cities retail concepts already feel personal. That’s because there’s a growing trend in today’s business owners using social media for more than an announcement of an opening date—they’re using their channels to authentically connect with customers, share the messy middle of building a business, and invite audiences along for the ride.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4u9RAaM
SAMBUSAS: Via My North News, VERBATIM: “A cell phone rings, and Abdi Qani picks up the phone. Before he hangs up, he thanks the customer and heads to the kitchen, where he drops sambusas into a fryer . . . While filling the order, the smell of fried food wafted through the dining area, which was what Qani had smelled his whole life. The scent of home. A smell that meant people coming together. He opened House of Sambus in January at 527 West Broadway Ave. in the Broadway Center in hopes of bringing that feeling to the Northside.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sZcsjS
WHAT’S NEXT?
TOMORROW: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Bowling is big in the Midwest, and it’s about to get even bigger. This year, from April 29 to May 12, the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) is set to welcome dual World Series of Bowling events in the greater Minneapolis area.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3QsI8AX
NEXT MONTH: Via DEED, VERBATIM: “Join us for the latest webinar in our Latin America Series, ‘Caribbean Region: Successful Exporting to a Close Market’ This session will provide insights from the Minnesota Trade Office’s Caribbean partner, Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers (GSGP) Central America/Caribbean Office, focusing on the lucrative and rapidly evolving opportunities in The Caribbean markets of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) including such countries as Barbados, Belize, Jamaica, Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48t5CvS
NEXT MONTH: Via CVRx, VERBATIM: “CVRx, Inc. (NASDAQ: CVRX), a commercial-stage medical device company focused on developing, manufacturing and commercializing innovative neuromodulation solutions for patients with cardiovascular diseases, today announced that it plans to release first quarter 2026 financial and operating results after market close on Monday, May 11, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ekLmAp
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
HOT TUBS: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Hot tub boats might set sail on the Mississippi River this spring. Why it matters: As our colleagues in Chicago found, taking in a scenic cruise while chilling in a warm whirlpool is ‘so much fun.’ Driving the bubbles: The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board is scheduled to vote Wednesday on a proposal to launch ‘Spacruzzi’ watercraft rentals at Boom Island Park.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48unlmC
BDAYS: The one and only Annie Paruccini, KSTP’s Kelsey Christensen, insurance guy Dan Maholias, Market Maven Mich Berthiaume, Jayhawk Business school student Lilyann Olson
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