A Gallup poll taken March 2 (two days after the conflict with Iran started) through the 18th finds no spike in concern over energy costs – thought there is a partisan divide. POLL: https://fluence-media.co/3PMyEzX
Midwest gas averaged $3.68 per gallon this week – it was $3.39 last week. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4t50GVF
About half of adults say men have more opportunities than women for good wages and job advancement. AP/NORC: https://fluence-media.co/4t73mlH
Headline this morning from Axios, “Twins 2026 Preview: At least there are $2 beers” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/47mlj7v
It’s Opening Day for the Twins and local pro teams are heating up, but it’s the Gophers who are the center of our sports universe. Sports Take is back from vacation to sort things out. Watch for it this afternoon.
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/4rYwefc
Sunday Take featured GOP Rep. Jon Koznick and DFL Sen. Scott Dibble discussing transportation in Minnesota. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4t1X5aP
Blois
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THURSDAY HEADLINES
HENN ATTY: From the Folk campaign via X, Minneapolis Mayor Jabob Frey this morning endorsed Anders Folk for Hennepin County Attorney. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/487Bndu
SALE: Via The Wall Street Journal, VERBATIM: “KKR’s $4.75 billion sale of data-center cooling business CoolIT to [St. Paul-based] Ecolab is poised to be one of the private-equity giant’s most successful bets ever. CoolIT’s employees are set to reap the rewards, too. KKR bought a majority stake in 2023 when CoolIT was valued at around $270 million. The firm is now set to make roughly 15 times the equity it invested, executives told The Wall Street Journal.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4c7JBEY
SURVEILLANCE PRICING: Via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “Minnesota lawmakers and grocery store workers are joining forces to push for legislation to tackle surveillance pricing. Surveillance pricing is when companies use data collected on you to set individualized pricing for consumers. Prices can change with the press of a button . . . ‘Prices aren’t going to improve. The shopping experience isn’t going to improve, data privacy isn’t going to improve. Workers pay isn’t going to improve, customer service isn’t going to improve. The only thing that’s going to improve is the bottom line,’ said Rena Wong, president of UFCW 663.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3NGfIlU
ATVS: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “Legislation proposed at the Minnesota capitol this week could significantly impact ATV trails in the northern region, and it will be under question on Thursday. The bill’s authors, including a Duluth Senator, claims it would help the environment, but those opposed say it could close trails and prevent new ones from being created. The bill, authored by Duluth state senator Jen McEwen, would put in more requirements before new trails can be built, and change the management classification for current trails north of Highway 2.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4bIZbFG
(DISCLOSURE: ATV Minnesota is a Fluence sponsor)
TODAY: Via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “Minnesota lawmakers will discuss a bill Thursday morning that would set age verification on social media and require parental consent for anyone under 15 and default accounts to the most private settings. The hearing comes one day after a jury found YouTube and Meta, the company that owns Facebook and Instagram, to both be negligent in a social media addiction case.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4dKtH4A
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)
ICE IN MN
BLAME GAME: Via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Sen. Steve Drazkowski recently alleged that during the height of Operation Metro Surge, a few of his Democratic colleagues were part of a “paramilitary organization” that caused the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, the American citizens killed earlier this year by federal immigration agents . . . Drazkowski’s fact-challenged rhetoric — paramilitaries are typically armed with more lethal instruments than whistles — may be more extreme than his colleagues, but his argument is consistent with a Republican theme this legislative session.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uMJXbn
ST PAUL: Via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “St. Paul is preparing to reopen its emergency rental assistance program to help residents impacted by Operation Metro Surge. Many immigrants stayed home during the height of federal operation and lost income as a result. Advocates say many are still struggling to pay rent. City leaders say a recently revived emergency rental assistance program may help.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3PznQ8f
MINNEAPOLIS: Via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “If you’re confused about the Minneapolis City Council’s efforts to get rental assistance to residents affected by Operation Metro Surge, don’t worry: Council members themselves were struggling to nail it down during a Tuesday committee meeting. The primary issue is that a number of different funding packages and a handful of possible changes have been proposed. Several will be up for a vote at Thursday’s council meeting.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bTDe77
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)
ECONOMIC INDICATORS
AFFORDABILITY: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “Members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) gathered outside Brainerd City Hall last week to raise concerns about the increasing financial strain facing working families in the region. The group’s demonstration on Mar. 19 focused on the rising cost of living and the growing difficulty many households face in affording essentials such as healthcare, groceries, and childcare.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4stU7w0
ANOKA-HENNEPIN: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “As the impact of an $8.1 million budget cut comes more clearly into focus, some families in the Anoka-Hennepin School District are concerned their school may lose a social worker. The Anoka-Hennepin School Board, which governs the largest school district in Minnesota, unanimously approved its latest round of cost-cutting measures in December 2025, slashing about 75 full-time positions from the 2026-27 budget. Those cuts will impact 26 social worker positions.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tf2oEi
BEMIDJI: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “Bemidji area residents voiced their concerns during a public hearing on Tuesday regarding the school district’s proposed closure of J.W. Smith Elementary, which officials say is an effort to address a looming multi-million-dollar deficit. ‘Please don’t close my brother’s school, because it means so much to us and our community,’ pleaded Sage Ness, a former student at J.W. Smith Elementary. Pleas like this were made throughout the hearing, as parents, teachers, and community members expressed their frustrations with the Bemidji School Board over their lack of notice about the proposed closure of the school.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4c7zOyD
DULUTH: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “Some Duluthians are pushing back against the potential closure of a neighborhood hockey rink. Earlier this week, city leaders announced Woodland’s Fryberger Arena probably won’t receive needed upgrades, as it approaches the end of its functionality. They added that they don’t plan to invest more in the aging facility, and it could go offline in the next few years.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4uUamUE
YOUR NEIGHBORS RIDE ATVs: From the Twin Cities to the Iron Range, thousands of Minnesotans own and ride ATVs. They are families, veterans, teachers and small business owners who rely on Minnesota’s trail system for recreation, tourism, and economic activity. ATV riders aren’t just “up north” — they live in the Twin Cities metro area. And they care deeply about maintaining safe, well-managed trails. As the legislature considers trail policy, funding, and land-use decisions this session, ask them to support Minnesota’s ATV community and the outdoor opportunities they value. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4td9sRR (SPONSORED: ATV Minnesota)
CRIME
UPTOWN: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “On a Thursday evening last week, dozens of people streamed into the northeast corner of Seven Points mall in Uptown Minneapolis — an unusual sight these days. Two workers from Roat Osha stuck their heads out their restaurant door to see what was attracting traffic. Their corner of Seven Points, formerly known as Calhoun Square, used to be hot; people would fill the patio in the alley as servers struggled to keep up in the large Thai restaurant. But in the past year, the parking garage across the alley became a magnet for drug traffic and homeless people. Foot traffic dwindled. Now the restaurant largely subsists on deliveries.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41rHGF5
SETTLEMENT: Via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “The city of St. Paul will pay $9.5 million to the family of a teen who has lifelong injuries after he was shot in the head in 2023 by a then-employee of Jimmy Lee Recreation Center. Margarita Davison, the mother of JuVaughn Turner, now 19, filed the lawsuit in 2024, alleging the city did not fire the worker who shot her son despite previous violent behavior involving teens. The city council approved a settlement agreement at Wednesday’s meeting.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lSVvFT
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
CIRRUS: Via AeroTime, VERBATIM: “[Duluth-based] Cirrus Aircraft reported it delivered 691 SR Series piston aircraft and a record 106 Vision Jets in 2025, extending its hold on the top spot in both the high-performance piston-single and personal jet segments. The company said the SR Series, which includes the SR20, SR22, and SR22T, remained the best-selling high-performance single-engine piston aircraft for the 24th straight year, while the Vision Jet held its position as the best-selling jet in general aviation for the eighth consecutive year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3PzCzQz
STARTUP: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Adaptogen-based drinks have exploded in popularity over the past few years, as consumers shift away from alcoholic and sugary drinks toward alternatives, and new companies enter the market with hopes to make it big in the emerging field. One such company, founded by students from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Business, is launching in stores this spring. Josie Miller and Della Daml started Charm Social Tonic, with the slogan ‘for the nights you’ll want to remember,’ for a capstone class in entrepreneurial management.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4duFwMr
H.B. FULLER: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “H. B. Fuller Co. (FUL) on Wednesday reported fiscal first-quarter net income of $21 million. On a per-share basis, the St Paul, Minnesota-based company said it had net income of 38 cents . . . The results topped Wall Street expectations . . . The adhesives company posted revenue of $770.8 million in the period, which missed Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4c7qtXD
BRAINERD: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “Lakes Area Habitat for Humanity has announced the closure of its ReStore in Brainerd. Officials say after 22 years of serving the Brainerd Lakes community, sustained financial losses and other factors led to the decision to close.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4sGIQc2
STEAMY: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Just when you thought local sauna culture couldn’t heat up any more, All’s Well has been turning up the dial with a playful social twist: Its pop-up at Utepils Brewing invites locals to trade solo sweat sessions for shared ones in a wood-fired sauna, alternating hot and cold with brisk Minnesota air—and cold beers on the other side. But that’s only the preview.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3PAQl5u
CLOQUET: Via KQDS-TV, VERBATIM: “Gordy’s Hi-Hat in Cloquet is officially open for its 67th season.” QUOTE: “We had this young man that was third grader got here at 8 a.m. with a lawn chair sitting by the door. It’s awesome,” Gordy’s grandson Sever Lundquist said. “We had root beer floats for our first 67 customers. We actually gave out about 85 in the first 20 minutes.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4lS0pDl
WHAT’S NEXT?
TODAY: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “The Minneapolis City Council is set to vote Thursday on funding for a new police and emergency responder training facility. A proposal before the council would allocate close to $5.6 million to acquire land for the facility. The money would come out of other parts of the city budget, including animal control and traffic safety. During a council committee meeting Tuesday, supporters of the funding said it’s a needed upgrade to the city’s public safety facilities.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dKPOrF
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
POLL: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “At MSP Airport, Concourse G is the place to be. State of play: The recently renovated wing won our poll seeking to name the airport’s best concourse in a landslide, gobbling up over 40% of the vote. Concourses C (18%) and F (15%) rounded out the top three.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bTxla1
BDAYS: belated wishes to Rep. Joe Schoemaker, and PR royalty Katherine Roepke…today’s toasts go to Rep. Spencer Igo, media guy Rusty Ray
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