How much is pizza worth to the average American? Nearly $15 million according to a new survey. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3R8psDC
Morning Consult’s daily Index of Consumer Sentiment for the past three months:
MORE: https://fluence-media.co/43M2VnG
Allianz Field’s giant loon sculpture – by the numbers. STATS: https://fluence-media.co/4ipKGrT
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3FYwUyN
US Senate candidate Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan was a guest on Sunday Take – what she’s learned as Lt. Governor, and what she’s hearing in her listening tour. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3E6acEn
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)
MINNEAPOLIS: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis Democrats will caucus across the city Tuesday night to kick off the party's lengthy endorsement process in this year's elections for mayor, City Council and more. Why it matters: The DFL party's support can be pivotal in Minneapolis races — and a major early organizing test candidates face is to get their supporters to show up for the drawn-out endorsement process. What's happening: At Tuesday's precinct-level gatherings, residents will pick delegates to attend ward-level and citywide conventions later this year, where final endorsement decisions will be made.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Edg5Q0
MORE: Also via Axios, candidates running for mayor and council seats. LISTS: https://fluence-media.co/4jnQi6L
UPTOWN: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “Business owners and concerned residents packed the common area of the largely vacant Seven Points shopping center at Lake and Hennepin on Monday night for a meeting organized by the Uptown Association. The group announced an Uptown Farmers Market that will run every Thursday, June 12 to September 25, on the Girard Avenue Plaza outside Seven Points. They also declared a grassroots effort to recruit 30 to 40 businesses within a two-block radius in the heart of Uptown. Andrea Corbin, president of the Uptown Association board of directors, outlined a plan to bring the LynLake, Lowry, and Uptown areas together as one Business Improvement District, a designation that comes with the ability to levy taxes for economic improvement.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43JJQm0
MNGOP: via email obtained by The Daily Agenda, fmr. GOP Deputy Chair Michael Brodkorb has no intention of pursuing any litigation against the MN GOP for their release of confidential information related to a contract he had with the party under fmr. Chair David Hann.
MORE: Email from Brodkorb’s attorney, Kathleen Wagner to MN GOP attorney Matt Benda. VERBATIM: “Good evening Matt, I conferred with my client over the weekend. While we disagree with the characterization that the information released by the Republican Party of Minnesota was a ‘controlled release,’ as you described in our phone conversation, my client is not interested in engaging in litigation with the Republican Party of Minnesota. He considers this matter closed. We expect both parties to comply with the terms of the contract.”
TARIFFS: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “No Minnesota-based Fortune 500 company has seen its stock price plunge more following President Trump's tariff announcement than Best Buy. State of play: The Richfield-based electronics retailer, which gets most of its products from China and Mexico, saw its share price drop 16.7% over the past week. Zoom out: Other big Minnesota companies that have taken major hits include 3M and its healthcare spinoff Solventum, as well as U.S. Bank and lawnmower maker Toro.” NUMBERS: https://fluence-media.co/425mfLl
LIFE TIME: Via The Wall Street Journal, VERBATIM: “President Trump’s tariff campaign could improve America’s trade position, but the current spate of levies would be economically disastrous if they don’t change quickly, according to the chief executive of Life Time Group Holdings. Bahram Akradi said Monday that he is hopeful the U.S. can use Trump’s new tariffs to negotiate rapid deals with other countries and unwind the total amount of levies floating around in global trade.” QUOTE: “If they prove that out and get some wins that way, it would actually be good for everyone,” Akradi said. “If they don’t, then I believe this last move will prove to be nuclearly bad.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lr25mI
HOUSING: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “The price to build a home isn't going down any time soon. Duties on Canadian softwood lumber are expected to increase 20% even before President Donald Trump places any new tariffs on the sector. KC Shermack owns Pillar Homes and is a Builders Association of Minnesota board member.” QUOTE: "Families need houses," says Shermack. "Families need additions. Families needs changes and the unknown that comes with the tariff situation causes hesitation for something that you hope that they won't postpone because they've been planning for it." LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4crP2xh
DEI: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Education will not comply with the Trump administration's order to ban all programs related to diversity, equity and inclusion in order to keep receiving federal schools funding, saying the threat illegally circumvents Congress. The U.S. Department of Education last week ordered all K-12 school districts certify within 10 days that they are following Title VI of civil rights laws by ending so-called ‘DEI’ programs, threatening to withhold congressionally-approved Title I funding – which primarily helps schools in low-income areas – if they do not.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3R7ZpfH
SCSU: Via St. Cloud Live, VERBATIM: “Last week, several international students at St. Cloud State University had their visa information terminated. A university spokesperson said that fewer than 10 students were affected. Records termination like these are unprecedented, according to lawyers from Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid in St. Cloud.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3XPF8zs
ICE: Via Newsweek, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has suffered a major blow as five sheriff's offices have made cooperation agreements with federal immigration authorities . . . The move by law enforcement aligns with President Donald Trump's hard-line immigration agenda as his administration looks to remove millions of immigrants who have no legal status in the U.S. Immigration policy continues to be a source of deep division, as local law enforcement agencies take varied positions in cooperating with federal authorities. While some counties have chosen to collaborate fully with ICE, others, enforce sanctuary policies, which limits cooperation. Meanwhile, Walz, who was Kamala Harris' running mate, lost the presidential election to the Trump-JD Vance ticket. Immigration played a key role in the 2024 election.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3R5sCYN
GRANT: Via Roll Call, VERBATIM: “The YWCA in Fargo, N.D., was gearing up this year to once again apply for a key Justice Department grant, one they’ve used to help provide transitional housing for more than 700 domestic violence and sexual assault survivors over the past 18 years. But information on the funding opportunity was wiped from the office’s webpage in February — well ahead of the grant’s March deadline — and hasn’t returned since, said Erin Prochnow, CEO of YWCA Cass Clay . . . In Minnesota, Southern Valley Alliance, a nonprofit that supports victims of domestic violence and their families, uses the grant money to provide housing and housing assistance to five families in their transitional housing program. Christie Larson, the nonprofit’s executive director, said the organization would be forced to make changes without the funding.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ia2l6F
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)
SD6: Via Brainerd Lakes Chamber, VERBATIM: “In partnership with the Brainerd Dispatch and League of Women Voters, and with support from the Rosenmeier Center for State & Local Government and all area Chambers of Commerce, we are organizing a candidate forum for Republican candidates. A debate between the final Republican and DFL candidates will occur before the election.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3G2Mk55
PEQUOT LAKES: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “A special election is being held today (Tuesday, April 8th) for Pequot Lakes Public Schools to determine whether or not the district will receive funding for repairs and expansions to its campuses.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4j0RsFt
C-SUITE: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “Released this week in the April/May issue of Twin Cities Business, the 2024 Minnesota Census of Women in Corporate Leadership warns that the rate of progress of women’s representation on boards and in executive officer roles has slowed to a pace not seen in eight years . . . Every year, St. Kate’s produces the report, analyzing women’s representation in C-suites and on boards of directors at Minnesota’s largest publicly traded companies. This year’s report focused on 73 companies in total.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44dskGP
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)
MISSING & MURDERED: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Republican leaders held a press conference Monday to highlight Operation Not Forgotten, which they say renews efforts made during President Donald Trump’s first term. In 2019, Trump signed an executive order establishing The Task Force on Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives, also known as Operation Lady Justice Task Force. In July of 2020, an office dedicated to investigating cold cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous people opened in Bloomington. Later, Minnesota’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Office opened what is said to be the first state office of its kind in the United States in 2022.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3FZ1to2
REPORT: Via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “In its second annual report to the Minnesota Legislature, the state’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) Office highlights ‘two notable success stories.’ Legislation to establish the MMIR office was signed into law in 2021 to address a massive disparity in the number of Indigenous people who are missing and subjected to violence. MMIR named its first director in 2022, and in 2023, the office hired staff members and was ‘able to begin work in earnest,’ according to the 2023 Legislative Report.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4ipP4XT
BROOKLYN PARK: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Lawmakers in Brooklyn Park are proposing a bill that would allocate $9.5 million to expand the city’s Community Activity Center. The funding would be used to construct indoor gym space with enough room for three basketball courts. Rep. Huldah Hiltsley, DFL-Brooklyn Park, is the bill’s chief sponsor in the House. Speaker Emerita and Rep. Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, has also signed onto the bill.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4jIBrEf
MHA NATION-ENBRIDGE AGREEMENT: “IT’S AN AWESOME DAY” - Enbridge has sold its Plaza/Wabek Pipeline in North Dakota to the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara (MHA) Nation, paving the way for the MHA Nation to become the first Tribal shipper on the Enbridge liquids pipeline network. The pipeline will “create an avenue” from the MHA Nation’s Thunder Butte facility, notes Mark N. Fox, Chairman of the MHA Nation, “to move our very valuable assets and resources to the marketplace.” Adds Bernie Fox, Thunder Butte’s CEO: “I’m thankful to Enbridge, because now they’re part of our history. They’re our partner.” As part of Enbridge’s Indigenous inclusion strategy, “we want to provide even more opportunities,” says Mike Koby, VP of our U.S. Liquids Pipelines group, “to partner with the MHA Nation and other Tribal communities along our operations.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/47ozrun (SPONSORED: Enbridge)
UMD: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) students protested the decision to cut the deaf studies program beginning next school year. ‘Deaf studies as a whole isn’t just a minor,’ said Cami Connolly, a member of the American Sign Language Club and a deaf studies minor at UMD. ‘It’s a language, it’s a culture, and it’s a community.’ She started a petition that now has nearly 7,000 signatures asking administration to rethink their decision.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4i68pgg
MENDOTA HEIGHTS: Via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Pharmaceutical company WuXi AppTec’s former Mendota Heights location is expected to close and 124 of its employees to be laid off following the company’s acquisition by North American Science Associates, according to a Monday notice to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. North American Science Associates, or NAMSA, will move services at 2540 Executive Drive in Mendota Heights to the company’s existing facility at 8945 Evergreen Blvd. NW in Minneapolis over the next several months, wrote Human Resources Director Amy Kincaid to DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek. NAMSA is a medical device contract research company.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44dEBen
ST PAUL: Via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “The city of St. Paul has condemned the downtown Capital City Plaza parking ramp near the Alliance Bank Center, shuttering another Madison Equities property and its skyway connection. A notice of immediate condemnation was posted following an inspection on April 2. The notice orders all drivers and vehicles to vacate the premises, located a block south of Alliance Bank Center. The mayor’s office publicly announced the condemnation and closure of the ramp at 50 E. Fourth St. in a statement on Monday, noting a lack of maintenance and long-term non-compliance with code enforcement ‘threaten the public health and safety of guests and neighboring properties.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3R7jq64
I-94: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “The second year of a three-year project to expand Interstate-94 between Albertville and Monticello will get underway this week. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) said crews will begin work Tuesday, April 8 on the improvement project, known as the ‘gap project’, which will expand I-94 to six lanes.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jlN2sp
MAPLE GROVE: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “The ‘Restaurant Capital of Minnesota’ now has a new dining option where people can experience the rich, culinary traditions of Korea. KPOT officially opened its doors this month, offering a dining experience that’s unique to Maple Grove.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4cycby4
THIS MONTH: Via Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, VERBATIM: “April marks National Financial Literacy Month, a nationwide initiative focused on empowering individuals with the knowledge and tools to make smart financial decisions. In support of this mission, Financial Executives International (FEI) Twin Cities is offering a series of free financial literacy workshops throughout the month.” SCHEDULE: https://fluence-media.co/4iavvm2
APRIL10: Citizens League will honor Peter Bell, former Metropolitan Council Chair and Sharon McMahon, at the 2025 Civic Celebration. The annual Civic Celebration is an inspiring evening, gathering hundreds of Minnesotans from diverse backgrounds, parties and ideologies to celebrate our state’s enduring civic culture, leadership, and commitment to public service. REGISTER: https://fluence-media.co/41txP1p (SPONSORED: Citizens League)
SATURDAY: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Get up bright and early and head over to your favorite independent record shop for Record Store Day on Saturday, April 12. Hundreds of artists and bands are releasing exclusive vinyl available for one day only. This special holiday for vinyl enthusiasts began in 2008 as a way for independent record stores to come together and celebrate the role they play in the music community.” READ/LIST: https://fluence-media.co/3XQhnHv
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
INPUTS: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Input costs are top-of-mind as crop farmers begin the 2025 growing season. Iowa State University Extension agronomist Rebecca Vittetoe says most fertilizer decisions were locked in months ago.” VITTETOE: “But I had a fair amount of questions during the winter months about looking at those soil tests and really thinking about where do we need fertilizer, and are there areas where we can maybe cut without hurting our yield as well.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4jeNiJC
ENERGY PROJECTS: Via The Gazette, VERBATIM: “The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced March 25 it will release previously authorized grant funds to farmers and small rural business owners to build renewable energy projects — but only if they rewrite applications to comply with President Donald Trump’s energy priorities. The move has left some farmers perplexed — and doubtful that they’ll ever get the grant money they were promised, given the Trump administration’s emphasis on fossil fuels and hostility toward renewable energy . . . After hearing of the USDA’s latest announcement two weeks ago, Minnesota strawberry farmer Andy Petran said he suspects many previously approved projects won’t be funded. He’d been approved for a $39,625 grant to install solar panels on his farm. But like many other farmers nationally, Petran got word from the USDA earlier this year that his grant money had been put on hold.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42yuyiK
CHICKENS: Via ABC Newspapers, VERBATIM: “Baby chicks were in abundance at Anoka-Ramsey Farm and Garden, with there being an increased demand for them in part because of fear around rising egg prices, the forthcoming fair season and buyers who simply enjoy them as a hobby. They were sold on Friday Morning of March 28 to buyers that waited in line as early as between 7 and 8 a.m. Farm owner Tom Tidrick, speaking on site, said that chick purchases had increased by a lot the last few years, one of the reasons being an egg shortage.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43KD67k
Subscribe to other Fluence newsletters: https://fluence-media.co/TheDailyAgenda
HORMEL: From Hormel via Business Wire, VERBATIM: “Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL), a Fortune 500 global branded food company, announced today that Steve Lykken, group vice president of supply chain, will be leaving the company to pursue another opportunity. Kevin Myers, PhD, has been appointed interim group vice president of supply chain.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lnG1ci
ALLETE: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “A public hearing regarding ALLETE’s $6.2 billion acquisition by Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) and Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP) was held Monday giving community members and stakeholders a chance to make their voices heard. CPP is a private equity firm and GIP is owned by the world’s largest asset manager, BlackRock Inc. Minnesota Power said the new potential owners have committed to respecting workforce retention and honoring union contracts.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4ldqFXU
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
PEACE: From Falling Knife Brewing via Facebook, VERBATIM: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share some awful and unexpected news. Over the weekend, our friend, Chief Brewing Officer, and owner Tom Berg passed away in his home. We are devastated to lose our dear friend, the visionary architect of what Falling Knife brews, and a guiding force in what we are and do.” POST: https://fluence-media.co/3Yotw6u
BDAYS: Gianni’s proprietor Terri Huml Fox, Senate senior staffer Mitch Berggren
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