Gen Z likes to try new brands. MORNING CONSULT: https://fluence-media.co/42eJbrl
Minnesota’s Jessie Diggins won a 3rd World Cup title. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/42eJiTO
Today’s forecast calls for blizzard conditions in southern Minnesota. FORECAST: https://fluence-media.co/4bC0W7g
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3DQOynh
MinnPost’s Peter Callaghan is retiring from politics reporting – he joined Sunday Take to discuss his time at the Capitol and his thoughts on transparency in politics and the media. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3DzQosN
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)
POLL: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “About 40 percent of Minnesotans believe that being Black, Indigenous or Hispanic makes it harder to succeed, a much higher proportion than say that being either Asian or white impedes success, newly released polling shows. Forty-five percent of those responding to the ‘Minds of Minnesota’ survey said being white makes it easier to be successful compared to less than 10 percent who said the same about being Black, Indigenous or Hispanic; 12 percent said that being Asian offers an advantage to success. Minnesotans also perceive a distinct advantage for men as opposed to women.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bLfEJ5
TODAY: Via Everytown, VERBATIM: “Volunteers from the Minnesota chapter of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety’s grassroots network, will gather for their annual Advocacy Day in St. Paul to meet with lawmakers and advocate for common sense gun safety legislation.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Y3BIJd
GEN MILLS: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “General Mills Inc. (GIS) on Wednesday reported fiscal third-quarter profit of $625.6 million. On a per-share basis, the Minneapolis-based company said it had net income of $1.12. Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, came to $1 per share. The results beat Wall Street expectations . . . The maker of Cheerios cereal, Yoplait yogurt and other packaged foods posted revenue of $4.84 billion in the period, which fell short of Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ixsg9g
MORE: Via Reuters, VERBATIM: “General Mills cut its annual sales and profit forecasts on Wednesday, as the Pillsbury owner takes a hit from choppy demand for salty snacks and pet food in North America amid competition from private-label rivals. Shares of the Cheerios maker was down around 3% in early trading. Several packaged food companies – including Conagra Brands, Campbell's and Kraft Heinz – have flagged a tough demand backdrop as price-sensitive shoppers spent mindfully on branded snacks and cut back on frequent restaurant trips. Analysts view General Mills' forecast cut as more drastic than expected.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hmO8mz
MORE: Via The Wall Street Journal, VERBATIM: “The maker of Lucky Charms and Bisquick pancake mix said results for its fiscal third quarter, which ended Feb. 23, were below internal expectations as North American retailers reduced inventory, U.S. snacking categories slowed and demand softened in its domestic away-from-home food channels. Economic uncertainty ate into third-quarter sales and will likely continue to weigh on consumers in the current quarter, General Mills said.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3DR8h6j
ST PAUL: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Three St. Paul City Council members are preparing legislation to exempt newer buildings from the city's rent control regulations. Why it matters: Housing construction has stalled, and while rent control is one of many reasons for that stagnation, supporters hope loosening regulations will signal to developers that St. Paul is still open for business.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4j0AxlS
BROOKLYN PARK: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “City officials in Brooklyn Park are asking the state legislature to help build a new water tower, saying it’s critical to future development plans. The new 2-million gallon water tower would be located near the intersection of Highway 169 and 101st Avenue. It’s part of the plans to develop about 700 empty acres in the northwest portion of the city.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iA4DfZ
DRUG TESTS: Via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Similar to portable breath tests to detect if a driver has been drinking, Minnesota law enforcement has tried roadside tests to preliminarily screen for recent drug use and the chemicals that can impair drivers. It was part of a pilot program and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety recently gave its report to state legislators, recommending they approve the use and funding of the screening devices.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4206svP
U OF M: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Attorney General Keith Ellison is intervening in a complex proposed megadeal among the University of Minnesota and the Fairview and Essentia health systems that could reshape academic medicine in Minnesota. Ellison on Wednesday announced that he is selecting a ‘strategic facilitator’ to broker talks among the parties, which have agreed to foot the bill. The negotiator will set a timetable and ‘take a look at all potential solutions’ for how to align the university’s medical school, researchers and specialists with two of the state’s largest providers of hospitals and clinics.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iBkxH0
(DISCLOSURE: Essentia is a Fluence sponsor)
UNITEDHEALTH: Via Reuters, VERBATIM: “UnitedHealth Group's pharmacy benefit manager, Optum Rx, said on Wednesday it would ease requirements to get insurance authorization when renewing prescriptions on about 80 drugs, aiming to reduce the paperwork for patients and doctors. The list, which could be expanded over time, will eliminate up to 25% of these reauthorization requirements and accounts for more than 10% of all such pharmacy authorizations, it said.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ig28jc
Sign up for health take… https://fluence-media.co/43DRT3z
POLARIS: Via Power Sports Business, VERBATIM: “In a surprising shake-up to Polaris’ snow brands, the company announced its plans to stop the sale of Timbersled snow bike kits at the end of 2025, according to earlier reporting from Snow Goer and a company statement released March 5.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iYD0x4
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)
FED WORKERS: Via States Newsroom, VERBATIM: “The Trump administration has begun the process of reinstating tens of thousands of fired federal workers, though most are just being placed on administrative leave as the government cites the ‘burdens’ of rehiring, court filings reviewed by States Newsroom show. The documents also show, agency by agency, the wide swath of firings that swept across the federal government in February and early March. A federal judge in Maryland last week ruled the recent terminations of probationary employees were illegal and ordered the administration to reinstate the workers across 18 federal agencies by 1 p.m. Eastern Monday. Nineteen Democratic attorneys general [including Minnesota’s Keith Ellison] and the District of Columbia sued the administration over the firings.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iWlWb3
OFFICE SPACE: The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reports Elon Musk’s DOGE has ended three more leases in Minnesota – one in Winona and two in St. Paul. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4i7Wz6h
DULUTH: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “A Duluth city councilor announced her run for re-election Tuesday. At an event in Piedmont Park, District 4 Councilor Tara Swenson announced she’s running again this fall.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3RgEZRB
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)
ACQUISITION: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “Proozy, the Eagan-based online retailer known for offering daily deals on brand-name apparel and accessories, is acquiring Zulily, once a much larger player in discount e-commerce. Proozy founder and CEO Jeremy Segal said he paid $5 million for a majority stake in Zulily, an e-commerce platform with roughly 131 million customers, compared to Proozy’s 3 million.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3DTxZHn
CINNAMON ROLLS: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Fans of The Buttered Tin's cinnamon rolls won't have to travel to Lowertown or Northeast Minneapolis to grab a morning treat any longer (though, that's still the path to the best version). The bakery and café has partnered with Whole Foods to put a frozen version of its cinnamon rolls in grocery stores around the Midwest, the company announced on Tuesday.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RhVJIh
MSP: The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal cites MAC passenger data in reporting a 25,000 drop in the number of passengers flying Southwest out of MSP in January compared to the same month last year. READ: https://fluence-media.co/42fCPIm NUMBERS: https://fluence-media.co/4bHfoek
LISTENING, LEARNING AND REDEFINING INDIGENOUS PARTNERSHIPS - “We want to build partnerships with Indigenous Nations. We continue to listen to and learn from Indigenous leaders and communities, and that’s informing how we engage communities in B.C. and across North America,” said CEO Greg Ebel of Enbridge’s approach to be the “first-choice partner” for Indigenous Nation interested in pursuing energy infrastructure opportunities. READ MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3Yht20R (SPONSORED: Enbridge)
MINNEAPOLIS: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “As I sat at the bar at the new St. Pierre Steak & Seafood, from Isaac Becker and Nancy St. Pierre of Bar La Grassa and 112 Eatery fame, I ran into a friend of mine whose sister accurately summarized the challenge of the previous restaurant, Snack Bar. People didn’t get it. When I first reviewed it, I liked it. But it always felt like a restaurant that was for the North Loop neighborhood, not a restaurant that I would drive in to visit. An afterthought, in a way. I wasn’t alone—Becker and St. Pierre are used to constantly full, bustling restaurants, and the sorta-full Snack Bar just wasn’t getting it done.” READ/PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/4bA6Gyp
BREAD & BUTTER: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “A local venture capital firm that debuted in the early days of Covid-19 is back with a new, bigger fund and plans to invest it in dozens of early-stage businesses. Bread & Butter Ventures, a Minneapolis-based early-stage VC firm, on Tuesday announced a fourth fund that totals $40 million. Brett Brohl, the firm’s managing partner, said he expects to invest that money into around 30 startups over the next few years.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Y0G2J8
THRIVENT: Via The Minneapolis Egotist, VERBATIM: “Thrivent announced a refreshed brand and new marketing tagline, ‘Where Money Means More,’ that reinforces its deep expertise as a Fortune 500 company that puts generosity at the heart of saving and investing. Brought to life through a $50 million national marketing campaign, the new look emphasizes Thrivent’s differentiated story at the intersection of financial planning and generosity, creating deeper connections with both current and prospective clients to better serve future generations.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iddZyz
SATURDAY: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “With just a few days left before the Metro Transit Gold Line opens were getting a sneak preview of what the new route has to offer.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4200iMd
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)
APRIL29: From St. Paul-based Ecolab via Business Wire, VERBATIM: “Ecolab will host a live webcast to discuss its 2025 first quarter results. A news release containing first quarter results is expected to be issued before market open on April 29, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3DMkB83
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
FRAUD: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “The Medical Assistance Protection Act would give the attorney general more authority to investigate fraud and increase the penalties for those found guilty. Attorney General Keith Ellison says when fraudsters steal from medical assistance they steal from all Minnesotans.” QUOTE: "Holding fraudsters accountable is a key priority in Minnesota, rightfully so," says Ellison, "scammers taking resources from the vulnerable makes it harder for people to afford their lives and we are all in for shutting them down." LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/41xXZQt
CHATBOTS: Via The New York Times, VERBATIM: “Even chatbots get the blues. According to a new study, OpenAI’s artificial intelligence tool ChatGPT shows signs of anxiety when its users share ‘traumatic narratives’ about crime, war or car accidents. And when chatbots get stressed out, they are less likely to be useful in therapeutic settings with people. The bot’s anxiety levels can be brought down, however, with the same mindfulness exercises that have been shown to work on humans.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3FQ573e
NEW ARRIVALS: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Alma Contreras remembers how hard it was to connect with people in rural western Minnesota when she came from Mexico 16 years ago after her husband was hired by a large local dairy operation. Those memories drive her to help other immigrants coming to the region. She volunteered for years to help other new arrivals navigate life in America, from understanding the school or medical system to getting registration tabs at the motor vehicle department.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/41WWr2t
ROCK & ROLL: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “At one Maple Grove elementary school, two Osseo Area Schools teachers are fostering a lifelong love of music with their modern rock band. Unlike a traditional elementary school band, they’re teaching students rock band instruments. That’s right– drums, guitar, bass, percussion and even vocals. The kids meet in music specialist Stefan Wolf’s classroom every Friday before the school day starts. Their band is called the Wolf Pack.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4iC4WHf
Subscribe to other Fluence newsletters: https://fluence-media.co/TheDailyAgenda
TRAMPOLINES: In its quarterly earnings report, Altitude Trampoline Park says it’s expanding to Minnesota with an upcoming location in St. Paul. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3E08LqL
CLUTCH: Via The Minneapolis Egotist, VERBATIM: “CLUTCH, a consultancy/agency hybrid, continues its trend of investing in senior-level talent with the addition of Sean Rustad as VP, Building Materials and Construction.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kXtmg2
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
OPERA: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Opera’s 2025-2026 season asks a compelling question: ‘who are we, really?’ Two classics, a world premiere, and a concert performance welcome audiences to explore the space between our true selves and the facades we put on.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4c2vChX
SOUP: Via Eater, VERBATIM: “A piping hot bowl of soup is one of the best ways to combat even the chilliest of Midwest winters. Luckily, the Twin Cities is flush with plenty of places to find stellar soups from around the world filled with flavorful and hearty ingredients.” LIST/MAP: https://fluence-media.co/4iUaa0W
BDAYS: GOP staffer and hockey dad Troy Young, retired reporter Glenn Howatt, KSTP’s Tim Burns, Hello! Plymouth’s Katie Langland
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