Lake of the Woods, Mille Lacs, and the Great Lakes (which include Superior) are among Fishing Booker’s picks for the 18 best fishing lakes. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4iR4NPU
AI “super users” are more likely to be doing better financially. They’re also more likely to be job hunting. MORNING CONSULT: https://fluence-media.co/43dyUw9
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4jZ7pfk
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)
ST PAUL: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Brian Ingram announced via social media on Wednesday night that he would be closing the Apostle Supper Club in downtown St. Paul. But he didn’t just announce it, he went full volume on a post against the city of St. Paul . . . The story was picked up by nearly all of the local news outlets. As of Friday morning, the post was taken off Facebook, but its impact is evident: Ingram appeared on the national Fox & Friends show, which oddly kept referring to Minneapolis crime stats (heads up friends, not one city). There were a lot of reactions of support on social media for the owners, but there were also service workers and others citizens who were quick to wonder how Ingram owns two other restaurants in this same city (presumably existing within the same struggling environment, as his first Hope Breakfast Bar is just blocks from Apostle) that would not be closing.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3GIlvU2
MORE: Via Fox News, Friday’s interview which was described as Ingram sending a “message to liberal DA after crime forced him to close.” It was also accompanied by Minneapolis crime stats and a mention of the Hennepin County Attorney’s office’s decision to seek diversion rather than criminally charge a man accused of vandalizing Teslas. INGRAM: “Where’s our mayor? Where’s our city officials and our city attorney going ‘We’re done. You commit a crime. You’re going to jail. And we’re going to put you away for as long as we can possibly put you away.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3EVCemf
SURVEY: Via MplsStPaul, results of a survey conducted in spring of 2024 on the economics of being a musician. VERBATIM: “So what does the Minneapolis music scene look like? Creatives are very skilled, with 89 percent of respondents having over 10 years of experience. The music community is also male-dominated, with 58 percent of participants identifying as men (including cisgender and transgender men). Venues average 123 live events per year, totaling 17,653 events across all respondents, which is above Columbus, Cleveland, and Washington, D.C.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iKrRQ5
MORE: Via the City of Minneapolis’ Arts and Cultural Affairs Department, from the survey:
SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4iPxZ9N
FREY: Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called for unity this morning in his State of the City address. He admitted to not agreeing with everyone about everything, then called out councilmembers Robin Wonsley and Jason Chavez, asking the audience to give each a round of applause. QUOTE: “My administration, our councilmembers, climate advocates, police officers, spiritual leaders, and small businesses all are playing their part for the residents of Minneapolis. Different roles. Same damn team.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4d2JBF4
IMMIGRATION: Via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “Federal prosecutors in Minnesota are charging more people with immigration crimes this year compared to previous years, following President Donald Trump’s directives to prioritize immigration enforcement across the country. Prosecutors at the Minnesota U.S. Attorney’s Office are zeroing in on illegal reentry charges, a felony that targets immigrants who cross the border illegally after a prior deportation.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43hG8PM
PRIVATE SCHOOLS: Via WCCO-Radio’s The Morning News, VERBATIM: “Why should tax payers help subsidize private school budgets? That's the base of one argument at the State Capitol. Even though many disadvantaged kids get into private schools with the states help, some feel that the time has come to stop that process. An in depth look at school finance with Senator Jason Rarick who is on the Finance Committee and Tricia Menzhuber, principal at St. John Paul II Catholic School in Northeast Minneapolis.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4iPFsFR
SYRUP: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Amid an ongoing dispute with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources over access to public land to tap maple trees, Mark and Melinda Spinler, both 65, worry they may have produced their last bottle of syrup. The disagreement began in early 2024, when the Spinlers first learned that the DNR didn’t plan to renew the lease they had held for 25 years, which allowed them to tap 600 maple trees on about six acres of state land adjacent to their property where they grow vegetables and raise poultry, high on the ridge above Lake Superior.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/42MWgIZ
Sign up for ag take and read it online at TheDailyAgenda.
VETERANS: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “American Legion Department of Minnesota Legislative Chair Kristy Janigo discusses efforts to crack down on unaccredited ‘claim sharks’ who charge veterans steep fees for benefits help—often with misleading promises. ‘We’re really proud of the progress we made in bringing awareness to this issue,’ said Janigo. Since becoming legislative chair of the American Legion Department of Minnesota three years ago, Janigo has highlighted the ongoing push for charitable gambling tax reform. Janigo explained how state taxes are cutting into local American Legion posts’ ability to serve veterans and their communities.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4lU5SZM
THIS WEEK: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “The St. Paul City Council is poised to walk back another part of the city's rent control ordinance this week. Why it matters: The vote is the culmination of a months-long push by Mayor Melvin Carter to exempt new construction from the rent caps permanently. Supporters have argued the move is necessary to jump-start housing construction in St. Paul — which has stalled since voters passed the ordinance in 2021 — without ditching rent control altogether.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RQgn2E
TOMORROW: From NAACP Rochester Branch MN via Facebook, a community town hall in response to an incident first reported in Friday’s lunch take. VERBATIM: “Over the past year, we’ve seen a disturbing increase in racially motivated acts across Rochester—from racist slurs on the public bridge near Century High School, to a noose and effigy displayed to intimidate a Black family, to the defacement of a local representative’s home with swastikas and racial slurs, to acts of Islamophobia and antisemitism. What happened at the park is yet another painful reminder that hate continues to exist in our community.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3GTagbk
MORE: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Rochester Police completed its investigation into the video. They say their findings have been submitted to the Rochester City Attorney's Office for review and consideration of a charging decision.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4k5PB2g
ICYMI… You can read Friday’s lunch take and all of our other newsletters at TheDailyAgenda. LINK: https://fluence-media.co/TheDailyAgenda
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)
SAINTS: Via KARE-TV, VERBATIM: “Will the St. Paul Saints say goodbye to their iconic name and beloved mascot? The team's fate is now in the hands of John Oliver.
On Monday night's installment of ‘Last Week Tonight With John Oliver,’ the host shared a segment on minor league baseball teams, according to Sports Illustrated. He said that teams should get more creative with their names and branding, and pointed to the St. Paul Saints as a ‘disappointing’ example.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4d1ngI0
MORE: From the Saints via Facebook, VERBATIM: “Thank you EVERYONE that sent us a message letting us know about Last Week Tonight with John Oliver mentioning us. We have sent a message to the email provided on the show and told them why they should choose us. While our name may be ‘plain’ our fans know that Saints games are the exact opposite” POST: https://fluence-media.co/44JiWv9
LIBRARIES: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “An executive order in March from President Donald Trump called for eliminating the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the main federal funder of museums and libraries. The move threatened more than $3 million in federal funding of library services to Minnesota — money that pays for the interlibrary loan service, access to online databases, telehealth services, translations and materials for people with visual impairment and supports library storytimes for children and summer music programs. A federal judge’s temporary restraining order last week to consider the case has stopped the process for now, but local librarians say it would be a significant financial hit if it came to pass.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4m084Po
ICYMI… morning take shared news of Twin Cities organizations that recently received notice their NEA funding is going away. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4jSMJG4
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)
SUN COUNTRY: Via Airline Geeks, VERBATIM: “Sun Country has announced plans to retire one of its Boeing 737-800 aircraft in an effort to save money on parts amid an industry-wide supply chain crisis. During a Q1 2025 earnings call on Friday, CEO Jude Bricker said the decision to retire one of its 737-800s is in response to ‘tightness’ the carrier was experiencing in the components market.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4d4K6OR
CRAIG: Via The Fence Post, VERBATIM: “Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minn., the ranking member on the House Agriculture Committee, made a vigorous case today for the importance of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in rural areas. In an early morning speech to the Food Research & Action Center’s National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference, Craig said the Republican House budget proposal to cut $230 billion from programs under the jurisdiction of the House Agriculture Committee would have devastating effects on rural communities.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4d39AfP
DULUTH: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Palestinian restaurant Falastin is closing its doors after a year in Duluth. The restaurant announced that its final day will be Saturday, May 10, per a notice from owners Lyla Abukhodair and Sam Miller . . . The cafe closed briefly last July when ‘militant and threatening graffiti’ was discovered on the store's door, which police later said was a ‘derogatory anti-Palestinian message’ . . . The restaurant's Facebook page was subsequently flooded with comments from supportive customers as well as the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iSJYDw
TONIGHT: The Timberwolves begin round 2 of the playoffs, taking on the Golden State Warriors. Via KSTP-TV, WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/44lpzDy
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
THIS WEEK: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “National Farmers Union members are in Washington D.C. this week urging lawmakers to pass a new farm bill. Gary Wertish is president of the Minnesota Farmers Union. ‘We have over 100 members to advocate for getting action done. We’ve kicked that can down the road two times already, we’ve extended the 2018 Farm Bill. And it’s time to get serious about getting an updated farm bill.’ He tells Brownfield NFU’s Week of Action comes as farmers face razor thin margins and a lot of uncertainty.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4iTNvSb
SEED BANK: Via Mesabi Tribune, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota House passed an omnibus agriculture bill on April 24 that includes a second round of funding for a University of Minnesota seed bank project that university officials say they didn’t have a hand in developing. The bill would spend $250,000 in each of the next two fiscal years on the project which is meant to create a repository for a variety of seeds, including grains, grasses and legumes, that were grown in Minnesota prior to 1970. Seeds brought to the state by immigrants for crops traditionally grown in their native countries are also meant to be included. The project would also require the university to reach out to operators of small farms and farmers who are Black, indigenous, and other people of color.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3SmawlH
MORE: Via KAXE-Radio, VERBATIM: “Rep. Samantha Vang, DFL-Brooklyn Park, who proposed funding for the seed project this year, said she is aware the university doesn’t currently have enough funding for the improvements it needs, and added that part of the purpose of this year’s funding is to build the university’s capacity for the project . . . The Senate version of the omnibus agriculture bill does not include funding for the project. The issue will likely be worked on in a conference committee before a final bill is presented to Gov. Tim Walz.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4d7nq0A
EARNINGS: Via Associated Press, from Minnesota-based companies:
OTTER TAIL: “Otter Tail Corp. (OTTR) on Monday reported net income of $68.1 million in its first quarter. The Fergus Falls, Minnesota-based company said it had profit of $1.62 per share. The power company and manufacturer posted revenue of $337.4 million in the period.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YZQHV6
INSPIRE: “Inspire Medical Systems Inc. (INSP) on Monday reported first-quarter earnings of $3 million. The Golden Valley, Minnesota-based company said it had profit of 10 cents per share. The results surpassed Wall Street expectations . . . The maker of devices for treating obstructive sleep apnea posted revenue of $201.3 million in the period, which also beat Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/453HChI
TACTILE: “Tactile Systems Technology Inc. (TCMD) on Monday reported a loss of $3 million in its first quarter. The Minneapolis-based company said it had a loss of 13 cents per share. The results missed Wall Street expectations . . . The medical device maker posted revenue of $61.3 million in the period, also falling short of Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jC7uWw
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
CINCO DE MAYO: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Saint Paul’s historic west side was alive with the annual Cinco de Mayo festival. The holiday is Monday, and it’s much more low-key than some of the large parties that took place over the weekend. Riverview Spanish-English Dual Immersion school teacher Izaskun Lejarcegui says their students know it’s a big day in their heritage.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/44YueeN
BDAYS: lobbyist Cap O’Rourke, man about town Todd Walker
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 © 2025 Lunch Take, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
Fluence Media
PO Box 270031
Golden Valley, MN 55427