OOPS… the morning take you received in your inbox inadvertently contained dated material. We’ve updated it at thedailyagenda.com. You can find it HERE: https://fluence-media.co/41Zpkes
Steve Miller Band joins the Grandstand lineup at the Minnesota State Fair. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3FAb8RI
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3FMCYtU
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)
THIS WEEK: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “We're within 24 hours of another serious spring storm delivering blizzard conditions to southern Minnesota. Here's where things stand Tuesday morning.
· Areas south of the Twin Cities are going to get smacked.
· 50 mph gusts and 1-2 inches of snow per hour are expected.
· Models trending south, which would spare the Twin Cities from the worst
The worst conditions are expected Wednesday morning.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3FMVMsZ
SURVEY: Via Association of Metropolitan School Districts, VERBATIM: “AMSD member school districts are facing a combined shortfall of more than $280 million in the wake of historic inflation, escalating operational and labor costs, and significant new programs and requirements adopted by state policymakers during the last biennium . . . The survey, conducted at the beginning of March, asked member school districts to project the gap between their anticipated revenue and expenditures for the 2025-26 school year assuming no additional funding is provided in the 2025 legislative session beyond the 2.74 percent inflationary increase.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Fz4M4W
MORE: Via AMSD, projected shortfalls for the districts covered by the survey. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4kPpYnJ
TOMORROW: Via Minnesota House, VERBATIM: “Wednesday at 3:45 p.m., state legislators will announce legislation to require warning labels on social media in Minnesota. The Minnesota House Commerce Committee is expected to hear the legislation this Thursday, March 20.”
CRYPTO: Via MN Senate Republicans, VERBATIM: “Minnesota could become one of the first states in the nation to embrace Bitcoin for state investments, retirement plans, and even tax payments under a new proposal from Senator Jeremy Miller (R-Winona). Sen. Miller unveiled the Minnesota Bitcoin Act (SF2661) on March 18, a bill that aims to expand the state’s financial landscape and investment options, modernize payment methods, and provide new financial opportunities for residents.” MILLER: “As I do more research on cryptocurrency and hear from more and more constituents, I've gone from being highly skeptical, to learning more about it, to believing in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies . . . My goal with this legislation is to promote prosperity for people across the state by putting Minnesota in a strategic position to take advantage of being on the forefront of this digital revolution.” BILL: https://fluence-media.co/41YehlF
WALZ: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Gov. Tim Walz's national town hall tour targeting GOP congressional districts takes him across the border to Eau Claire on Tuesday. Why it matters: Even as he continues to publicly downplay interest in a 2028 run, the former Democratic VP nominee is making moves to maintain — and raise — his national profile. The big picture: Walz's return to the road comes as the Democratic Party and its bench of potential future leaders grapple with how to rebuild after 2024 losses and most effectively respond to President Trump.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ixdpLE
IMMIGRATION: Via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “Amid a climate of anti-immigration rhetoric and policies from the White House, GOP lawmakers in the Minnesota Legislature are proposing legislation that would bar undocumented residents from accessing state-funded programs like MinnesotaCare. House File 10, authored by Rep. Isaac Schultz, R-Elmdale Township, would prohibit undocumented Minnesotans from accessing any state program funded by taxpayers that require proof of residency. The bill would also make undocumented residents ineligible for the state’s free college tuition program called North Star Promise, and would require U.S. citizenship to access MinnesotaCare, a state-funded health care program for low-income residents.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3DNsHx4
BUDGET: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s budget is facing a deficit. Or it’s not. Both statements are true, depending on how far into the future the governor and the Legislature look. The current two-year budget that ends on June 30 has a surplus. The budget that lawmakers will approve — hopefully before the deadline of July 1 — is also projected to be in the black. Only if the budget writers look 27 months into the state’s fiscal future does a deficit appear, which could be why it is nearly always described as ‘looming.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bA9XxC
DULUTH: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “The Continuing Resolution funding bill that averted a government shutdown last week resulted in the loss of federal funding for renovations to the the lift bridge and the Lakewood Water Treatment Plant in Duluth.
Both of these projects were listed as key legislative priorities by the city for 2025.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4kZuu2I
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)
TOMORROW: Via Everytown for Gun Safety, VERBATIM: “On Wednesday, March 19th at 9am CT, 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. At 9am, Minnesota lawmakers and community partners will join volunteers and gun violence survivors for a rally in the capitol rotunda.”
SATURDAY: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “If you’ve ever been stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic on Interstate 94, you may have wished you were speeding down a car-free lane beside the highway. That lane soon will be a reality for the Gold Line, Metro Transit’s sixth rapid transit route opening Saturday. Metro Transit says the Gold Line will be Minnesota’s first bus rapid transit line that primarily uses a bus-only lane on about 70 percent of its route.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kDysya
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)
LIST: Eden Prairie-based Life Time and Plymouth-based HistoSonics are both on Fast Company’s list of the 50 most innovative companies. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3tDq0Fe
US BANK: Via The Wall Street Journal, VERBATIM: “U.S. Bancorp promoted Terry Dolan, its wealth management and securities services head, to the role of chief financial officer on Monday. Mr. Dolan will replace Kathy Rogers, who is stepping down from the job at the beginning of August because of ‘changing family circumstances’ after more than a year in the role, a news release said. She will stay at the Minneapolis-based bank and will head up its submissions to the Federal Reserve for its annual stress tests.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hBgF7L
ANDERSEN: From Bayport-based Andersen via PRNewswire, VERBATIM: “Andersen Corporation (Andersen), America's premier window and door manufacturer, has announced that Chris Galvin, chief executive officer, has been appointed chairman of the Andersen Corporation board of directors.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3FzPcpP
DC: From Maple Grove-based TopLine via Globe Newswire, VERBATIM: “TopLine Financial Credit Union, a Twin Cities-based member-owned financial services cooperative, visited Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., March 2 to March 5, 2025, as part of the annual America’s Credit Unions Governmental Affairs Conference, the credit union industry’s largest advocacy event.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3DClv77
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)
BOOKS: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Elizabeth Foster’s longtime love of books inspired her to open Inkwell Booksellers Company, a bookstore and coffee shop, in Northeast Minneapolis with intentions to support and foster community. The former administrative professional started planning her dream store two years ago and was able to find a retail space fairly quickly, falling in love with the first place she saw and starting to create her dream of being around books all day.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bF0iGc
STEAKS: Via Eater, VERBATIM: “Five years ago, when it became clear that restaurants would close for the unforeseen future to slow the spread of COVID, longtime Twin Cities restaurateurs Isaac Becker and Nancy St. Pierre took even more drastic measures in March 2020 by keeping their four restaurants closed until vaccines became available. Three of the pair’s restaurants — 112 Eatery, Bar La Grassa, and their newest spot, Snack Bar reopened — reopened in the summer of 2021 while their popular Lowry Hill steakhouse Burch Steak and Pizza closed permanently. Customers never let it go, bombarding the couple with requests about Burch’s potential return.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41DQebN
SATURDAY: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “A departure from the traditional summertime formula, the late-winter-early-spring Rochester Thaw Music Festival on March 22 offers fans a different kind of experience—an intimate event that allows Rochester’s venues, small businesses, and local talent to shine.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Y2qXqD
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)
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
TOWN HALLS: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Rising concerns over the potential impacts from tariffs on family farms, cuts to health care and the uncertainty of trade wars have rural communities gathering together for town halls. The Minnesota Farmers Union is sponsoring two town halls on Tuesday, March 18 in Jackson and Sleepy Eye. Similar meetings are also planned around the state later this month and in April. These events are free and open to the public. Attendees will have the chance to discuss what they need and want from their government representatives.” QUOTE: “We’re opening it up to people to talk about farm issues, but also talk about public policy issues so people got a voice,” said Ted Winter, executive director of Minnesota Farmers Union. “You have to get people a chance to educate, to let politicians and let people know what’s going on in their lives and how it impacts them.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hDxTBt
STUDY: Via Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s ethanol industry contributed $2.1 billion to the state’s gross domestic product in 2024, according to a new study by the University of Minnesota Extension. The study said 1.4 billion gallons of ethanol was produced in Minnesota last year, which in turn, generated $5.2 billion in economic activity and supported 18,434 jobs in the state.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41xHB2q
FUNDING: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “More than $1 billion might be at risk for farmers across the country if Congress eliminates conservation funds appropriated in the Inflation Reduction Act. But U.S. Senate Ag Committee Chairman John Boozman tells Brownfield the money doesn’t go away if it’s re-authorized through reconciliation. ‘It’s not as easy as saying the money is going away and you’re not going to see it.’ Boozman says the funding decisions will be made in the next few months.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4iuyuX5
MORE: Via WDIO-TV, VERBATIM: “The USDA are terminating the Local Food for Schools and the Child Care Cooperative Agreement. These two programs provided funds to food banks and schools to buy from local farms. Missy Bakker Roach is the President of St. Louis County Farmers Union and owns Bear River farm. She says the lack of funds impacts more than just farmers, but rural communities throughout the Northland.” QUOTE: “This is a room full of farmers that have great concerns. One of the things that we’re doing is trying to put our heads together to figure out how we can work together. There’s a great need for food shelves in our area,” Bakker Roach said. “Our farm-to-school programs are really popular. Seeing that on the chopping block has been really disheartening and downright scary for a lot of folks. Everybody needs to eat. So we want to make sure that we are putting the connections together to help ride the rough waters” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4kO5RpI
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DQ: From Minneapolis-based IDQ via Business Wire, VERBATIM: “International Dairy Queen, Inc. (IDQ) today announced Art D’Elia joined the company as chief operating officer, U.S. and Canada, reporting to the president and CEO. He will lead a team of nearly 275 DQ employees in operations, training and marketing to achieve the company’s financial objectives, grow franchisee sales and profits, and maintain and grow the strength and reputation of the DQ system.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iO9SJe
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
EXHIBITIONS: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Since January, two new exhibitions have been on display at the Cafesjian Art Trust Museum that showcase the wide range of businessman and philanthropist Gerard L. Cafesjian’s collection. Echoes of Life: Paintings from the Collection presents 27 artworks that reveal glimpses of the human experience. In Out of the Box: The Glass Art of Kyohei Fujita, visitors can view six pieces by the Japanese glass art pioneer.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3DXgJks
BDAYS: media pro Lindsay Guentzel, MN State Mankato grad Stephanie Schriock
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.
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