Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis will perform during a residency at the Venetian in Vegas next month. MSR: https://fluence-media.co/4cFOXYY
Is the Lake Superior Agate license plate-worthy? LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4cyIwXw
Follow the 2026 Minnesota election’s up close with the Fluence ElectionTracker. FluenceElectionTracker.com
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4rWMOwF
Sunday Take discussed the state of Minnesota’s workforce with MN Chamber’s Sean O’Neil and Doug Loon, UMN Pres. Rebecca Cunningham, MSU Chancellor Scott Olson and UST Pres. Rob Vischer. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4bxGdmo
Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com
TUESDAY FEED
JUROR: Via MPR, an interview with a juror from the first Feeding Our Future fraud trial about the case and about being called in to see the judge after another juror was dismissed after revealing a bribe attempt. VERBATIM: “I remember she asked a handful of questions, and she asked if somebody had reached out to me over the weekend about the trial. And I said, ‘No, no one has.’ It would not make any sense until after we rendered our verdict, and it was read in court late Friday afternoon. Then we were told what happened. And that’s when we started to understand what happened and the significance of what happened, and the significance of Juror 52’s integrity, to say, ‘No, I’m not going to accept your bribe. I am going to be a woman of integrity and actually stand up to this.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40Xjdao
FOSTER YOUTH: Via The Imprint, VERBATIM: “Legislation introduced in late February would grant Minnesota’s Office of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson access to the digital database that tracks cases in the child welfare system — transparency that the watchdog office says is needed to ensure timely investigations into claims of mistreatment. State Sen. Karin Housley is the author of the Senate bill, a follow-up to her original legislation which created the office in 2022. The new bill would grant the ombuds office the ability to ‘enter and inspect without notice any institution, facility, or residence’ where a foster youth is living.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3N8QqfY
EXPO: Via Expo 2031, VERBATIM: “At the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) Spring Meeting in Sydney, Expo 2031 Minnesota today announced three major milestones for the USA Pavilion, the host nation pavilion for the first A1 International Horticultural Exposition ever held in the United States:
The official vision for the USA Pavilion concept has been unveiled
Shanna Woodbury has been named Executive Director of the USA Pavilion
BRC Imagination Arts has been appointed as the pavilion’s Official Creative & Experience Partner
The announcement was made before global horticulture leaders, international expo organizers, and representatives from participating countries gathered for the AIPH meeting, marking the first formal international unveiling of the host nation pavilion concept.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bwBQIp
CD1: Via release from the Johnson campaign, VERBATIM: “Today, public school teacher and first-time candidate Jake Johnson announced that he has raised over $1 million in his campaign to flip Minnesota’s first congressional district, all without taking a penny from corporations. Jake has received over 19,000 donations, with most of them coming from residents of Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4urpF7o
CRICKET: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Some Minnesota lawmakers are taking a crack at adding cricket to the state’s roster of official high school sports. Why it matters: The centuries-old sport, one of the world’s most popular games, is gaining a growing fan base across the United States. Interest is expected to rise in the years ahead, as cricket returns to the Summer Olympics lineup in 2028.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47c6uED
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)
OUTSIDE IMPACTS
TARIFFS: Via Freight Waves, VERBATIM: “A coalition of 24 U.S. states [including Minnesota] has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration seeking refunds of tariffs they argue were imposed unlawfully. The lawsuit added to a growing wave of legal challenges from companies such as Nintendo and Costco, as well as importers affected by the duties. The outcome could reshape U.S. trade policy and determine whether importers receive billions in tariff refunds, a decision that would directly affect sourcing costs for retailers, manufacturers and logistics providers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4s0Bboh
FLIGHTS: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Travelers are being advised to book their flights early as airlines navigate rising fuel costs amid the war in Iran. [Thrifty Traveler’s] Kyle Potter says while domestic fares have only seen a modest 2.2% annual increase, the sudden spike in fuel expenses is putting some pressure on airlines.” QUOTE: “Airlines have a lot of latitude to decide how much they are going to charge.” says Potter, “At the same time they are very sensitive to the perception that they are price gouging. So they’re going to have to find some way to thread the needle with that.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4s0sZo1
CAMP: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “A prayer camp set up by Indigenous people in early February will remain up through Wednesday evening after youth leaders and a spiritual leader came to an agreement Sunday evening at Mni Owe Sni, a Dakota sacred site. Arvol Looking Horse, a Lakota spiritual leader, told a group of Indigenous youth leaders, their families and allies that he believes the camp broke ‘spiritual law’ by situating the camp at a location understood and documented as a Dakota burial site.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rgKGi1
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)
MONEY MATTERS
MONEY TRANSFERS: Via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Since the start of Operation Metro Surge in December, the Trump administration has waged an economic battle on the Somali community, using the threat of detention — including of legal residents, citizens, as well as refugees who had their temporary protected status revoked — to scare away commerce in once-bustling places like Karmel Mall. Now, the administration is extending the siege all the way to Africa, putting up new taxes and regulations on the transfer of money from Americans to Somalia. Hamdi Issek, a nurse at a home care facility and a shop owner at Karmel Mall, said the effort to curb the practice of sending money to Somalia will have far-reaching effects.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4s9rG6E
PENNIES: Via Twin Cities Business, Minnesota bankers on uncertainty created by the elimination of the penny. VERBATIM: “Noah Wilcox, president and CEO of Grand Rapids State Bank, says the lack of federal guidance on rounding practices has created uncertainty. ‘If a customer comes in to cash a check for $4.63 and I give them $4.60 because I don’t have three pennies, the regulator could say I’m causing consumer harm, he explains. But rounding up could also present a problem for banks.” WILCOX: “If I give them $4.65 instead, multiply that by the number of transactions we do every month, the impact to the bank will be pretty significant.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ulI7Oy
ATV TRAILS SUPPORT LOCAL ECONOMIES ACROSS GREATER MINNESOTA: Minnesota’s ATV system connects riders to rural communities — supporting local lodging, restaurants, fuel stations, and small businesses. Trail investment is not just recreation policy — it’s economic development. Watch how riders describe the economic impact of responsible trail access. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4kZDS70 (SPONSORED: ATV Minnesota)
COMMERCE
CANTERBURY: Via Investing, VERBATIM: “On Monday, Canterbury Park Holding Corporation (NASDAQ:CPHC) reported a fourth quarter loss of -$0.08 per share on Monday, with revenue of $12.45 million, up 3.9% from $12.0 million in the same quarter last year. The stock was unchanged in after-hours trading following the results. Fourth quarter revenue increased driven by 5.4% growth in Casino revenue and 0.7% growth in Food and Beverage, partially offset by declines in Pari-mutuel and Other revenues of 1.5% and 1.0%, respectively. The company recorded a net loss of $390,000 for the quarter, compared to a net loss of $1.2 million in the prior year period.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3MYdFcB
NUWELLIS: Via Stock Titan, VERBATIM: “[Eden Prairie-based] Nuwellis (Nasdaq: NUWE) reported Q4 2025 revenue of $2.4 million, up 4% year-over-year and 9% sequentially, driven by a 208% increase in U.S. console sales and higher ASPs. Q4 gross margin rose to 68.2% from 58.4% a year earlier. Full year 2025 revenue was $8.3 million, down 5% versus 2024.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47DyhxE
RETAIL: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Retailers across the country, including Target, say one metric is finally improving: Shrink is returning to pre-pandemic levels. That’s good news for the Minneapolis-based retailer’s bottom line. At one point amid the supply chain crisis following the pandemic, executives said they expected shrink, mainly from theft and organized retail crime, to reduce 2022 profits by $600 million. Shrink — the industry term for lost inventory — is often associated with theft, in part because of industry surveys and retailer-driven narratives about shoplifting.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40nYH2x
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)
HOSPITALITY
NE MPLS: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “What an arc! Dangerous Man Brewing—one of the foundational breweries of Minneapolis’s craft beer scene, which ran a beloved taproom at 1300 Northeast Second Street for a decade, closed said taproom, relocated to Maple Lake and attempted to reopen a taproom there (upsetting some of their dedicated customers), shut down all brewing operations, and relaunched the company under the ownership of Jeremy Kuhns of Rafters Brewing—is now coming back to its roots in Northeast Minneapolis, and opening a taproom in the former HeadFlyer Brewing space.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sc8KnB
ST ANTHONY MAIN: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “A historic St. Anthony Main building that housed Minneapolis’ oldest bar until its final pour in 2015 will be revived this spring. The owners of the incoming Lonely’s Bar say the new neighborhood spot will open in early May in the iconic building where the prior establishment, Pracna on Main, opened in the 1890s.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rVIVrM
DOWNTOWN: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “After 10 years in downtown Minneapolis’ City Center building, French-Moroccan restaurant Fhima’s quietly closed on Saturday night. What they’re saying: Owner David Fhima told Axios multiple factors led to what he described as a ‘heartbreaking’ decision. The restaurant enjoyed a major post-pandemic rebound as people went out to spend money after being cooped up. But that waned in recent years and workers never returned in the same numbers, Fhima said.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sliv37
WHAT’S NEXT?
SATURDAY: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Need a little slice of happiness? March 14 is Pi Day, AKA 3.14, AKA the most delicious math-related quasi-holiday of the year. If you’re suddenly craving the creamy, fruity, or meaty variety of pie (not the irrational number type, sorry, can’t help you there) here are a few Twin Cities spots that are happy to help.” LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4bfpzGR
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
RESTAURANTS: Via Eater, VERBATIM: “As exciting as it is to check out the newest, flashiest restaurants around Minneapolis and St. Paul, certain neighborhood gems anchor the dining landscape — restaurants we return to again and again.” LIST/MAP: https://fluence-media.co/4s9lZFM
BDAYS: business woman Jill Lloyd, ag advocate Amanda Bilek
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.
about morning take- Founded in 2010, morning take has grown to become the leading Minnesota morning newsletter on politics and news of the day. Published by Fluence Media since 2012 the mission is to "make you smarter" before breakfast.
Copyright © 2026 Lunch Take, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
Fluence Media
PO Box 270031
Golden Valley, MN 55427