72% of adults and 48% of Republicans disapprove of President Trump’s handling of Greenland. AP/NORC: https://fluence-media.co/3ZAG3UJ
New data out this morning shows consumer prices rose 2.4% year-over-year in January – that’s less than expected. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kDxGS2
A sign of warmer weather – the driving range at Bunker Hills opened today. Thanks to Ryan Stanzel for the alert.
Sunday Take will be focused on E15 and the federal push for a permanent standard with Rep. Michelle Fischbach and farmer Richard Syverson, tune-in at 9 on WCCO Radio. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/WCCOLive
At 7:45 Sunday, I’ll be with Leah Beno to preview the session on Fox 9.
Follow the 2026 Minnesota election’s up close with the Fluence ElectionTracker. FluenceElectionTracker.com
Sunday Take featured Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Lunde and HCMC co-CEO J. Kevin Crosston discussing how the state can help stabilize the healthcare sector. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4qnLZeM
Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com
IT’S FRIDAY…
FED WITHDRAWAL: The New York Times on pressure from within the President’s own party ahead of yesterday’s announcement of a withdrawal of immigration enforcement from Minnesota. VERBATIM: “As Republican lawmakers increasingly worry about their midterm prospects, a few began to offer critical statements on the issue. Others warned that Democrats had been successful at stoking the backlash.” QUOTE: “This is a highly organized, highly coordinated effort of resistance — it’s highly effective,” Senator Ron Johnson, a Trump ally from Wisconsin, said in an interview on Thursday. “The left is very effective at organizing this. They exploited and used their martyrs effectively, and the Trump administration is reacting to that.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/465k7Vx
GUNS: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Twin Cities gun sales have seen their largest year-over-year leap since the pandemic, with some cities experiencing double or even triple the demand compared to the same time last year, a Minnesota Star Tribune analysis of city and county data found. The data, as well as interviews with gun store owners and gun safety instructors, indicate the increase is largely being driven by first-time buyers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ahGqd9
MISSING KIDS: Via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “White House border czar Tom Homan, without offering further explanation, claimed the federal immigration operation in Minnesota uncovered thousands of missing children in the state, but it’s likely related to a much larger number the administration has been touting for a few years . . . Vice President JD Vance said in late 2024 that Homeland Security effectively lost 320,000 unaccompanied migrant children. That claim was fact-checked by the Associated Press and USA Today — both said the claim misrepresents or distorts data.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3MmbDTh
TRAFFIC STOPS: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “It’s been five years since Ramsey County implemented a new policy designed to reduce the number of non-public-safety traffic stops, and improve public trust. The Ramsey County attorney’s office released a video, with testimonials with law enforcement officers sharing their experiences on the street. That is including St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry who had pulled a woman over for having a broken tail light.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4aPd8CD
EARNINGS: Via Associated Press, from Minnesota-based companies:
SPS: “SPS Commerce Inc. (SPSC) on Thursday reported fourth-quarter net income of $25.8 million. On a per-share basis, the Minneapolis-based company said it had net income of 68 cents . . . The results topped Wall Street expectations . . . The provider of supply chain software services to businesses posted revenue of $192.7 million in the period, which did not meet Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aNlASR
CVRX: “CVRx Inc. (CVRX) on Thursday reported a loss of $11.9 million in its fourth quarter. The Minneapolis-based company said it had a loss of 46 cents per share. The results missed Wall Street expectations . . . The medical device company posted revenue of $16 million in the period.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kTNoJ3
MORE SPS: The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reports SPS Commerce CFO Kim Nelson will retire this spring. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3OFDIpa
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)
HOW IT ENDS
BIG PICTURE: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “In a standoff with Minnesota, the Trump administration blinked. The big picture: President Trump exhausted huge amounts of political capital on an operation that killed two American citizens, caused ‘catastrophic’ damage to businesses and schools, and terrorized immigrant communities. As federal immigration officials announced Thursday they will wind down their mass deportation blitz in Minnesota, it’s not clear whether state or local officials conceded any policy changes to trigger the federal retreat.” READ/MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3OEBWVg
SMALLER TOWNS: Via The New York Times, VERBATIM: “In places like Cornelius, Ore., Danbury, Conn., Biddeford, Maine, and Coon Rapids, Minn., where moderation, not partisanship, might predominate, the arrival of Immigration and Customs Enforcement — and the more aggressive tactics ICE officers often use — have been jarring. In small towns, resources may already stretched, and even a single incident can shatter the tranquillity of neighborhoods unaccustomed to turmoil.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40eIcWh
GREATER MN: Via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Typically about 10 to 15 cars and their new owners drive off the lot each month at Los Partners Auto Sales in Worthington, a small city in southwest Minnesota where roughly one in three residents is an immigrant. But since early January, when 3,000 immigration enforcement officers descended on the state, Larry Trovino has sold just three.” QUOTE: “People got scared to be on the street,” said Trovino, Los Partners’ manager. He’s lived in Worthington for 18 years. “You can feel it, the sadness from town. There’s no people walking around. You go to the stores, and they lock the doors now. You’ve got to wait until they open the door for you. It’s not normal.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qw4ZYt
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)
THE OPPOSITION
HERMANTOWN: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “Union workers were protesting Thursday evening outside Congressman Pete Stauber’s office. Organized by the AFL-CIO, this protest was held in Hermantown, with attendees calling on the 8th district congressman to talk about the impact of ICE operations in the state.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/408IA8N
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS: Via MPR, how the taking of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos ended the silence of Columbia Heights schools superintendent Zena Stenvik and school board chair Mary Granlund. VERBATIM: “In the three weeks since, Stenvik, Granlund and a cadre of Columbia Heights principals, teachers, interpreters and social workers have intervened in ways once unimaginable for leaders of a small suburban school system. Stenvik and her staff now do daily patrols, checking on detained kids or families and finding them legal help. They help coordinate a garrison of parents and others who are hand-delivering food to families in hiding as schools teach 25 percent of the student body virtually because kids are afraid to come to the buildings.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4agECRB
SINGERS: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “In six weeks, a group called Singing Resistance has grown from a few hundred Minnesotans singing in streets to a rapidly expanding nationwide movement attracting thousands wanting to start their own group. The big picture: Singing Resistance gathers outdoors or in church sanctuaries to peacefully perform songs with lyrics about hope, resisting against authoritarianism and opposing ICE.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kDMAaX
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)
AROUND MINNESOTA
BONDING: Via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Local government units are requesting a combined $3.19 billion in funding from the state this year, while even a top-end scenario for a bonding bill’s success would tap it out closer to $1 billion. A worst-case scenario, on the other hand, would be nothing getting passed. What are the chances of that happening? Legislative leaders are starting out optimistic, but they foresee plenty of hurdles springing up during the session.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kAIyzV
NO BEER: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Mount Olivet‘s plan to demolish an old church building in Southwest Minneapolis to make way for a brewery landed with a thud at City Hall. The latest: The city’s Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously Tuesday against an application to tear down the 87-year-old 1700 Chapel on 50th Street.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rrWa32
MEDIA: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “A Twin Cities reporter is going national. In a social media post, WCCO-TV reporter Jonah Kaplan announced he will be joining CBS News as a correspondent.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tznRsr
DULUTH: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “The City of Duluth has launched a public input survey regarding the Lester Park Golf Course land use study. Participants will be able to provide their input as to what uses they would like to see on the 270-acres, including natural resource preservation, recreational opportunities, and potential development opportunities.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/408xjW5
SCOUTS: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “A Maple Grove Boy Scout troop is searching for answers after its trailer and camping gear were stolen from a church parking lot.” QUOTE: “It’s a real bummer,” said Troop 84 Scoutmaster Carl Epping. “The Scouts here, you know, they work hard to get all that equipment over the years. Several generations of Scouts have accumulated what we have and what we work with, and they work hard to maintain it. They keep it clean after every camp out. And I mean, this is everything we use to do a campout, to do the learning and training, and just go out and have a good time with a purpose.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kvxMuM
HORMEL: Via Hormel, VERBATIM: “Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL), a Fortune 500 global branded food company, today announced the appointment of Will Bonifant as group vice president and chief supply chain officer, effective March 9. In this role, Bonifant will lead the company’s global supply chain, including procurement, manufacturing, planning, logistics, engineering and supply chain innovation.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tz4JdR
WHAT’S NEXT?
TOMORROW: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Feb. 14th is marked as the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Day of Remembrance. The day brings awareness to the epidemic of Indigenous people who have gone missing or have been murdered in acts of violence.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kxKI3z
NEXT WEEK: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “Here in Minnesota, you can find a bevy of fun ways to celebrate Mardi Gras, from music performances to traditional foods. As the Cajun phrase goes, laissez les bons temps rouler!” LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4kBMNLQ
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
SUMMER: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “The beloved Eaux Claires music festival, originally founded by Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon and The National’s Aaron Dessner, returns to (you guessed it) Eau Claire, Wisconsin, this July 24-25 after an eight-year hiatus. The two-day event has a new home at the city’s Carson Park.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kxJFk9
SUMMER: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Pop star Hilary Duff is hitting the road for her first global tour in nearly 20 years. ‘The Lucky Me Tour’ will alight in seven countries, including a lengthy run of North American dates starting in late June. Along the way, she’ll make a stop at the soon-to-open Mystic Lake Amphitheater on July 25.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rVgytz
BDAYS: housing leader Leanna Stefaniak, public affairs pro Karly Werner, Mankato booster Andy Wilke, marketer Gretchen Milbrath, finance bro Jon Applebaum, retired scribe John Reinan, traffic pro Kevin Plummer, operative Susie Merthan. SAT: Red Wing’s Barb Haley, fmr. Sen. Vicki Jensen, hockey guy John Evans. SUN: biz guy Joe Abraham, business leader Bob Gardner, comms pro Gail Nosek, comms veteran Greg Zimprich
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