Use of AI by Gen Z has plateaued as negative sentiment about the technology has increased. GALLUP: https://fluence-media.co/4t252NW
Coming this afternoon: Your Sports Take your guide is here to help you through the NCAA transfer portal, the WNBA draft, the beginning of the Wolves and Wild playoff runs and the first two weeks of the Twins season. Also, did you hear about the Minnesota college baseball team that gave up 42 runs in a game yesterday afternoon?
A burst water main this morning caused some headaches for staff and patients at Abbott Northwestern Hospital. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tzz6Qy
The recent precip helped – the new Drought Monitor out this morning shows 26% of the state in formal drought status, down from 34% a week earlier. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3PP2Kzy
Still, burning restrictions continue. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3PVlIrK
It’s BACK…the TwinWest Legislative Breakfast on April 17, featuring Sen. Min. Ldr. Mark Johnson, DFL House leader. Jamie Long, Sen Asst. Maj. Ldr.. Nick Frentz and House GOP Ldr. Harry Niska in a mid-session discussion moderated by Blois Olson and presented by Fluence Advisory. REGISTER: https://fluence-media.co/4lWWmFM
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
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3PQ4s7j
On Sunday Take, GOP Floor Leader Harry Niska and DFL Rep. Matt Norris discussed what the Legislature did on break and what they expect to get done this session. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3O830wr
Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com
THURSDAY FEED
JUNE 5: Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear will speak at this year’s Minnesota DFL Humphrey-Mondale Dinner. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4ehO614
GAS STATION FOOD: Via The Wall Street Journal, VERBATIM: “People cross city and state lines to wait a couple of hours for a drink at the Farmer’s Cellar. They order $18 mezcal cocktails infused with shiitake mushrooms, red onion and jalapeño herb oil. Between rounds, they might sample crispy pork belly or a $45 espresso-dusted ribeye. But what really separates the Lakeville, Minn., eatery from other hot spots is the location: inside an Amoco station.” QUOTE: “You go into the gas station, as weird as it sounds, look to the left and there’ll be like a soda pop cooler. That’s the door,” said Stephanie Manley, a Farmer’s Cellar regular. “Once you get in there, it’s like you’re in a whole different world.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dD9b5Y
GUNS: Via WCCO-Radio, DFL Responsible Gun Ownership Caucus member Rep. Pete Johnson (DFL-8A) about efforts to pass gun safety legislation in a closely-divided legislature. JOHNSON: “I think the conversations need to keep happening. And, ultimately, I think it’s gonna be citizens reaching out to the folks that represent ‘em and saying this is what I want you to work on, and that’ll hopefully be what’ll drive people back to the table.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4tHvWdT
GIRLS’ SPORTS: Via KTTC-TV, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota House GOP was handed defeat number two this week for a bill that it said will preserve girls sports in the state. The Republican measure was voted down Tuesday along party lines for the second time in the current legislative biennium. The St. Paul debate came a week after the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit against the state and Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL). It alleged Minnesota has engaged in sex-based discrimination for allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls sports, which the DOJ said is a violation of the Title IX civil rights law.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sjXTY9
GRANTS: Via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “The $100 million grant program intended to help Minnesota small businesses is facing renewed scrutiny after 5 INVESTIGATES identified grant recipients that may not have been eligible for the money. Lawmakers passed the Minnesota Promise Act in 2023 to support businesses impacted by civil unrest, racial discrimination, and other barriers to funding. The taxpayer-funded grants offer awards of up to $50,000 to eligible recipients. But a months-long review of public records revealed that several recipients appear to be operating miles outside of eligible neighborhoods, and that other businesses may not be operating at all.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4dD9v4M
BRAINERD: Via Brainerd Dispatch, VERBATIM: “Work will soon begin on a remodel project at the Brainerd Fire Department, but it doesn’t come without concerns at the City Council level. The Brainerd City Council voted 4-3 on Monday, April 6, to approve a construction contract with Nor-Son Construction to complete the project, which came in at just under $6 million. The budget for the project was $5.5 million.” QUOTE: “It’s not a small increase,” Mayor Dave Badeaux said Monday. “You know what our levy is; this is a substantial increase to our yearly budget.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4slZwEE
STEARNS CTY: Via St. Cloud Live, VERBATIM: “Stearns County commissioners are weighing whether to ban rifle use for deer hunting, a decision that could reshape how residents hunt after a recent change in state law returned that authority to local governments. The debate drew a packed crowd Tuesday night, April 7, at Melrose City Center, where more than a dozen residents spoke during a nearly two-hour public hearing. Rows of chairs filled quickly, with attendees lining the walls and spilling into doorways to listen.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41nvnd8
ST LOUIS CTY: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “St. Louis County is updating its zoning ordinance to clarify and streamline processes for residents, but one section of changes has sparked pushback . . . Currently, residents can have up to five visible inoperable vehicles on their property. They can have more if they are out of sight from public view. The amended ordinance would not change the number of inoperable vehicles allowed. However, the new ordinance would include added language that states more than five visible inoperable vehicles are considered a salvage facility, meaning property owners would need to apply and pay for a permit.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3QchKLf
NICOLLET CTY: Via KEYC-TV, VERBATIM: “A Mankato Police Officer has announced his candidacy for Nicollet County Sheriff. Chad Honetschlager has spent years in law enforcement, including more than a decade as a reserve officer with both the Nicollet County Sheriff’s Office and the Mankato Department of Public Safety before becoming a full-time police officer in 2017.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41Wu9pi
INFRASTRUCTURE: Via DEED, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (MPFA) today announced $197.6 million in loans and grants for wastewater and drinking water infrastructure projects in 15 cities throughout the state.” LIST: https://fluence-media.co/47PX95F
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)
STEEL
W.H. BALLROOM: Via The New York Times, VERBATIM: “President Trump has championed the U.S. steel industry, promising to strengthen it and to impose stiff tariffs on foreign metals to shield manufacturers from overseas competitors. Yet the White House has secured tens of millions of dollars worth of donated foreign steel for Mr. Trump’s $400 million ballroom project, according to two people familiar with the plans who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive and private conversations.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sqol2m
MORE: Via Minnesota Senate, VERBATIM: “Senator Grant Hauschild (DFL–Hermantown) is calling out new reporting that foreign steel is being used in the construction of the new White House ballroom, blasting the decision as a betrayal of American workers and a direct hit to Minnesota’s Iron Range at a time when local mines are shut down and hundreds of steelworkers are laid off.” QUOTE: “We talk a big game in this country about supporting American jobs and rebuilding our supply chains. But actions like this tell a different story,” Hauschild said. “While our workers are sidelined, the White House is accepting donated foreign steel for its own construction. That is wrong, and it sends a terrible message.”
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)
HOSPITALITY
BIG PLANS: The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reports the owners of a luxury resort near Nisswa are looking to add a second location and are making plans for a nationwide expansion. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mf63zm
MICHELIN: Via Axios, new context regarding Wednesday’s news that, for the first time, the Michelin Guide will cover the Great Lakes region, including Minneapolis. VERBATIM: “Getting the guide to come to town comes with a price. The Minneapolis Tourism Improvement District, which is funded by a 2% service charge on hotel room revenue, will pay $250,000 per year for the three-year partnership with Michelin, tourism organization Meet Minneapolis told Axios. Yes, and: The guide will only cover restaurants within Minneapolis city limits, meaning nationally acclaimed St. Paul spots like Myriel won’t have the opportunity to earn a star.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41nQxHV
MORE: ICYMI… Wednesday’s lunch take first shared the Michelin news. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4miOOxb
PAYNESVILLE: Via St. Cloud Times, VERBATIM: “Paynesville has spent the past five years reshaping itself by investing in projects meant to bring residents back together after the pandemic, Mayor Shawn Reinke said, and position the city as a place developers want to build. Efforts to enhance community engagement come after the central Minnesota city received negative attention in the news, according to Reinke. He said Paynesville was brought into the spotlight when a missing child, Jacob Wetterling, was found dead nearby in 2016, as well as a few other high-profile crimes, such as a 2018 murder case. Wetterling was abducted by a man who lived in Paynesville, according to previous St. Cloud Times reports.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bZyHRI
GRANDMAS RIDE ATV’S 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)
LAW & ORDER
GOLDEN VALLEY: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “After initially interviewing two finalists for police chief, but opting to continue its search, the city of Golden Valley has now named a new finalist for the job. The city has named Matt Clark, Golden Valley’s interim police chief, as the finalist for the permanent role.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41o8PsA
ICE DATA: Minnesota Reformer takes another look at recently-released Operation Metro Surge arrest data. VERBATIM: “The labeling of arrests as either ‘targeted’ or ‘collateral,’ which was not included in previous data releases, offers new insight into how many people were not the intended target of immigration enforcement during the surge of 3,000 federal agents but were nonetheless caught in the Trump administration’s mass deportation dragnet. The data doesn’t name the individuals arrested, but it does include information like time of arrest, birth year, citizenship country and how long a person was detained for, which the Reformer used to match the Ecuadorian man’s arrest, described in court records, to an arrest in the new data release.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41HES7b
STILL GOING: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Operation Metro Surge has ended but many Minnesotans are still protesting the federal immigration operation, including one group of men in a Minneapolis coffee shop. Four of these men wear yellow bands on their arms. They say in large black letters, ‘We are all immigrants.’ They look like gear a soccer captain might wear on the field.” QUOTE: “The idea just emerged out of the horrible way that this current administration was dealing with people who they identified as immigrants,” Peter Kramer explained. “It just seemed totally unfair, given the fact that we all essentially came from somewhere else.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sqhkOZ
FRAUD: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “The St. Louis County Public Health Department shared its 2025 community impact report, shedding light on its work preventing fraud. According to the county, in 2025, the public health and human services division completed nearly 550 fraud investigations. County leaders said it saved nearly $1.7 million in savings or cost avoidance.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4dyiOCY
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
FIRST SHIP: Via KQDS-TV, VERBATIM: “The Ocean7 Ranger arrived under Duluth’s Aerial Lift Bridge at 7:32 a.m. on April 8, 2026. It became the first oceangoing vessel to complete a full transit of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System and reach the Port of Duluth-Superior during the 2026 navigation season.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dDF1Q3
NEW OFFICE: Via Arizona-based Crisp, VERBATIM: “Crisp, the leading vertical AI platform for retail, announced the opening of a new showcase office in downtown Minneapolis, underscoring the company’s deep commitment to the Twin Cities’ CPG brands and retailers. The new office, located at the US Bancorp Center, was selected for its central location and offers an open meeting place for partners to utilize while they are in Minneapolis on business.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Q0x4dZ
BRAINERD: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “The Lakes Area Habitat for Humanity ReStore is holding a liquidation sale as it prepares to close after 22 years of serving the Brainerd community. Last month, officials said that sustained financial losses and other factors led to the decision to close the store in Brainerd, located at 415 8th Ave NE.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4cdztJx
BROOKLYN PARK: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “The closure of the Brooklyn Park Godfather’s Pizza ended a decades-long legacy of hot pies and community involvement in the city. Now, the entrepreneur who bought the building wants to build a new legacy of his own . . . After a full remodel, [Joe Jarbah] told CCX News he’s planning to reopen the business as Joe’s Sports Bar, Pizza and African Deli.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tDFLJL
WHAT’S NEXT?
TODAY: Via MN House GOP, VERBATIM: “WHO: Speaker Lisa Demuth, Leader Harry Niska, and House Republicans. WHAT: Press conference introducing the North Star Comeback budget with priorities for Minnesota’s future.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4dyd4ZW
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
BEARS: Via KQDS-TV, VERBATIM: “As we get farther into spring and bears come out of hibernation, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources(DNR) is encouraging safe practices. The DNR said around one-third of its collared research bears have come out of hibernation. As bears transition from their dormant state, they’re likely to be attracted to human food and food odors.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tBWCMP
BDAYS: soccer superfan Sean Oyaas, housing advocate Shiela Delaney, business leader Nancy Lyons, lobbyist Allyson Hartle, retired chamber leader Tom Snell
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