Americans are optimistic about the stock market but pessimistic when it comes to unemployment and inflation. GALLUP: https://fluence-media.co/4rJxTpg
Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin, both based in Duluth, are headed to the Olympic curling mixed doubles semifinals. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4al4vyt
Finding lost pets, an unlikely animal friendship, and not one but two references to Mister Rogers – Super Bowl ads seemed to be trying to comfort the nation. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qra3xh
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/4aFuZMk
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
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BUSY MONDAY…
JENSEN: Via news release from the Jensen campaign, VERBATIM: “Today, Scott Jensen announced that he is withdrawing from the Governor’s race and will instead seek the office of State Auditor. ‘Our state’s problems can’t be fixed by simply replacing a leader. Our biggest problem right now is broken trust in government.’ Jensen went on to acknowledge the numerous highly qualified gubernatorial candidates and his confidence that one will emerge to be well-positioned to win in November.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rFy2Ki
MORE: Via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “The sudden switch comes less than a month after he revealed his running mate in the governor race and just a week after he finished a distant fourth in the Republican caucus gubernatorial straw poll.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3O37cNC
RESPONSE: From Representative Elliott Engen, also a candidate for Auditor, via X, VERBATIM: “Perennial losers attempting to maintain political relevance isn’t public service. It’s desperation.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4any7Lo
WINONA CTY: Via KTTC-TV, VERBATIM: “Winona County Emergency Management Director and Goodview Mayor Ben Klinger has announced his candidacy for Winona County Sheriff.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rF52Ci
TECH BIZ: Via TechCrunch, VERBATIM: “Eight Minneapolis-based founders and investors told TechCrunch that they have put much of their work on hold and now spend their days focused on their communities, volunteering at churches, and helping buy food. It’s part of a grassroots effort, across race and class, that is seeing people speak out, donate money, protest, and offer emotional support to one another.” QUOTE: “There’s a lot of commonality between how a teacher is reacting right now and how a tech professional is reacting,” Scott Burns, an investor in the area, told TechCrunch. He said people are “very fatigued.” Burns is going to church more often to help pack food to deliver to those too frightened to leave their homes. “It was like what happens after a natural disaster.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3MyQNjv
HOMAN: Via North News, VERBATIM: “Border Czar Tom Homan told a group of faith leaders, including a Northside pastor, that he would like to end Operation Metro Surge in a ‘couple of weeks.’ New Generation Church Pastor Victor Martinez was invited to the meeting held Friday afternoon at the Saint Paul Downtown Airport. At the meeting, which included Archbishop Bernard Hebda, Homan told faith leaders he would end the surge if talks with state and local leaders continued to progress . . . At the meeting with faith leaders, Martinez said ‘Tom Homan showed a lot of compassion and maybe even some regret.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4knzcYt
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)
SURGE CONNECTED
CAMERAS: Via KARE-TV, VERBATIM: “There are growing calls for the City of Minneapolis to revise its current video retention policy around its 200-plus security cameras. Currently, the city’s policy is that all video from city security cameras is erased after 14 days unless there is a specific data or law enforcement request to save it. People are asking for the city to save all of its video during Operation Metro Surge because it likely is capturing ICE activity and could be used later in court if needed.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3O4KAMQ
EVICTIONS: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Tenant advocates fear a wave of evictions may be building as renters fall behind — and they want state leaders to take emergency steps to head it off. The loudest voices, including the Minneapolis and St. Paul city councils, are begging Gov. Tim Walz to pause all evictions until the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement surge ends. Reality check: Walz ‘does not currently have the legal authority to enact an eviction moratorium,’ the governor’s office told Axios.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kshkeP
MORE: Via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Some compare it to the need for rent relief in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Then, the federal government pitched in, providing Minnesota with $673 million for emergency rental assistance on top of $100 million provided through state funds.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4akyPZN
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)
STATE & FEDERAL
MN IT: Via news release from the governor’s office, VERBATIM: “Governor Tim Walz today congratulated Tarek Tomes upon his departure after serving seven years as Commissioner of Minnesota IT Services (MNIT) and thanked him for his service to the state. Tomes’ departure on March 15 marks the conclusion of a transformative tenure focused on modernizing state government and improving how Minnesotans access public services.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Mb4kxD
MORE: Via University of Minnesota, VERBATIM: “Tarek Tomes has been appointed as the University of Minnesota’s next vice president for information technology and chief information officer, effective March 16, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4a7ptlr
UNION: Via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s largest union of state workers is investigating alleged financial improprieties by its former president Megan Dayton, who abruptly resigned her union position and left her job with the state last month. The union launched the investigation after several union members raised concerns at a Jan. 16 board meeting about Dayton’s expenditures and how much she claimed to be working for both the union and the state.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ajLTib
FISH: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has proposed new catch limits for several species of native rough fish, for which state lawmakers granted new protections in 2024. For more than a century, native rough fish like redhorse, bowfin and buffalo were lumped in with invasive species like common carp – and not considered worthy of protection or management. In 2024, the Minnesota Legislature passed a new state law elevating the status of two dozen species by changing their definition from ‘rough fish’ to ‘native rough fish.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4a58SyG
NETFLIX: Via Fortune, VERBATIM: “Netflix’s co-CEO told lawmakers the company’s merger deal with Warner Bros. Discovery won’t hurt its customers and said subscribers can make sure of that. Speaking Tuesday before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights, Ted Sarandos repeatedly rejected claims that the merger would lead to concentration in the streaming industry if regulators allow it to go through. Still, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) pointed out Netflix last year raised prices while continuing to add subscribers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kt0Kvq
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)
COMMERCE
HALFTIME SHOW: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Many Latino Minnesotans were excited to watch Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny headline the Superbowl halftime show. For some, the ‘Benito Bowl’ was the only thing worth watching Sunday night. In preparation for the show on Sunday and to celebrate their Hispanic culture and heritage, many attended pregame celebrations and dance parties, like the ‘Bad Bunny Brunch’ at Hola Arepa in south Minneapolis.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tktlqJ
UPTOWN: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “The Uptown Art Fair will reportedly return to its namesake neighborhood after a two-year detour in south Minneapolis. In a video posted by Southwest Voices, Mayor Jacob Frey appears to confirm at a Uptown Association meeting that the fair will return to the neighborhood.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4agBlAs
MARKET: Via Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, VERBATIM: “Arbeiter Brewing brought together local Black-owned businesses and community members for its second Black History Month market Wednesday, Feb. 4, creating not only a space to shop but also an opportunity for attendees to reflect on the current political climate and what they hope future generations will remember about this moment in history.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3OhDAfr
NE MPLS: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “Stars of the Minneapolis food and cocktail scenes are coming together to reimagine Steady Pour, the Northeast Minneapolis bar and event space that has quickly become a favorite destination in the neighborhood since its opening several years ago . . . For the last few years, Steady Pour has collaborated with various local chefs to offer pop-up dining experiences. Now, a long-term partnership focused on food is coming to life.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4r2M0pr
WALKER: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “The city of Walker will soon be welcoming a brand-new childcare center to a building that previously housed restaurants, most recently The Lodge.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3MlbIGz
WHAT’S NEXT?
TODAY: Via Hometown Source, VERBATIM: “The annual conference featuring workshops presented by students for students will be happening at the DECC in Duluth today.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rGCcl3
TOMORROW: Via Ecolab, VERBATIM: “Ecolab will host a live webcast to discuss its 2025 fourth quarter results. A news release containing fourth quarter results is expected to be issued before market open on February 10, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49qAtJe
TOMORROW: Via New Prague-based Electromed, VERBATIM: “Electromed, Inc. (NYSE American: ELMD), a leader in innovative airway clearance technologies, today announced that it will issue its financial results press release for the fiscal 2026 second quarter ended December 31, 2025, on Tuesday, February 10, 2026 after the close of the stock market.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4t6s1I2
WEDNESDAY: Via Golden Valley-based Inspire, VERBATIM: “Inspire Medical Systems, Inc. (NYSE: INSP) (Inspire) will release financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2025 after the close of trading on Wednesday, February 11.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3NkBWJv
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
THIS WEEK: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “In the heart of winter, when the days feel short and the cold lingers, Minnesota offers a rare reminder to slow down and look up. From Feb. 9-15, Boreal Stargazing Week returns with a statewide lineup of stargazing events, outdoor adventures, and free educational programming—celebrating one of the largest dark sky regions on the planet, right here along Minnesota’s northern edge.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45UBkAO
BDAYS: Sen. Jeremy Miller, fmr. Rep. Gene Pelowski, fmr. Rep. Tama Theis, fmr. city manager Tom Harmening, writer Kate Bradley, DFL operative Sam Fettig
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