Gas just hit $4 a gallon on average. It’s $3.42 here, up from $3.06 a year ago. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4m2ae1y
A new study finds self-employed workers are more likely to have quality jobs than others. GALLUP: https://fluence-media.co/4tgoXYZ
Are introverts better listeners? UofM Carlson School research says “no.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sbx4VT
The U.S. Supreme Court today will hear arguments on birthright citizenship.
The best vodka in America is made in Minnesota, according to NEWSWEEK: https://fluence-media.co/4sIOjyX
Sign of the times? Minneapolis-based U.S. Bank extended the maximum terms for home improvement loans – now six or seven years, up from five. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3NBBBCZ
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
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/41JdW6F
Sunday Take featured texts from listeners in a discussion about the “Mood of Minnesota” and how it could influence the 2026 elections. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4s5LFlE
Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com
TUESDAY NEWS FEED
GROWTH: Plymouth-based Lotus LTC Pharmacy has grown 562% over the past two years, ranking fifth on Inc.’s list of the fastest-growing companies in the Midwest. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4m2vRPj
DIAMEDICA: Via Guru Focus, VERBATIM: “As of December 31, 2025, [Minnetonka-based] DiaMedica Therapeutics (DMAC) reported cash and short-term investments totaling $59.9 million, marking an increase from $44.1 million at the end of 2024. This growth primarily resulted from proceeds obtained through a private placement in July 2025 and the company’s at-the-market offering. With this financial boost, DiaMedica expects its cash reserves to sustain corporate operations and planned clinical studies through late 2027.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tjzjr8
TAXES: From WalletHub:
Minnesota’s total tax burden is 9.08%. The highest is Hawaii at 13.3%. Alaska’s lowest at 4.92%. The Dakotas and Wisconsin have lower tax burdens than us – Iowa is higher. REPORT: https://fluence-media.co/4m42LyT
CREDIT CARD: Via Investing, VERBATIM: “Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) announced Monday it will transition its small business credit cards to [Minneapolis-based] U.S. Bank (NYSE:USB) and the Mastercard (NYSE:MA) network, launching two new cards this spring. The move comes as the $2.16 trillion retail giant continues expanding its business services ecosystem.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47wabFb
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)
PROPERTY VALUES
OFFICE SPACE: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Downtown office values continued their plunge in 2025, and there’s still no bottom in sight for the market. Why it matters: If you’re a homeowner, this means office landlords are paying less in property taxes, and you’re covering the difference. State of play: Downtown Minneapolis commercial real estate values fell 13.7% last year, according to a new report by the Minneapolis assessor.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4v9804H
MORE: From the city’s report, the change in estimated values for all property types:
The biggest percentage drop in property values is in Ward 7 which wraps around the west side of the city, including Bde Maka Ska, Lake of the Isles, and Downtown West. REPORT: https://fluence-media.co/418nMyT
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)
SCHOOLS & MORE
BEMIDJI: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The school board in Bemidji voted to keep a beloved elementary school open — at least for one more year — as the district looks at ways of addressing a $3.5 million deficit. Hundreds of parents and educators gathered on Monday, March 30, when the board was set to make a final vote on the future of J.W. Smith Elementary School after a series of meetings the past two months that drew supporters of the last neighborhood school downtown. J.W. Smith families rely on the walkability and stability the school provides. More than 60% of students are Native American and 13% identify as homeless.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dVeuO9
HIBBING: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “Hibbing School District voted to close Greenhaven Elementary school for good Monday afternoon, district leaders saying that more cuts will still need to be made. The upcoming closure will lead to a district-wide shift for the more than 300 students at the school and its staff.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3NRBB1G
MOVE: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “The Aitkin School Board has selected Mary Morem as the school district’s next superintendent. Morem is currently the superintendent in Houston, Minnesota.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4dU1zvZ
ROAD WORK: Via MnDOT, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Transportation’s 2026 road construction season includes more than 200 projects that will help improve and maintain Minnesota’s roads, bridges and other transportation infrastructure; improve safety and mobility; and support jobs throughout the state, MnDOT announced today. Travelers across Minnesota should be prepared to slow down as road construction projects scale up across the state.” LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4s1RaSx
REFUNDS: Via Xcel, VERBATIM: “Xcel Energy is beginning to send more than $130 million in additional savings to its Upper Midwest customers from federal tax credits on the energy generated by the company’s nuclear fleet. This brings the total savings to more than $330 million over the first two years of the credits.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tbf4f2
(DISCLOSURE: Xcel is a Fluence sponsor)
ST PAUL: Via St. Paul City Council, VERBATIM: “The Saint Paul City Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Nicole Tillander as City Clerk. Nicole Tillander brings more than 10 years of experience across federal, county, and city government, including her most recent service as City Clerk for the City of West St. Paul.”
YOUR NEIGHBORS RIDE ATVs: From the Twin Cities to the Iron Range, thousands of Minnesotans own and ride ATVs. They are families, veterans, teachers and small business owners who rely on Minnesota’s trail system for recreation, tourism, and economic activity. ATV riders aren’t just “up north” — they live in the Twin Cities metro area. And they care deeply about maintaining safe, well-managed trails. As the legislature considers trail policy, funding, and land-use decisions this session, ask them to support Minnesota’s ATV community and the outdoor opportunities they value. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4td9sRR (SPONSORED: ATV Minnesota)
DC + MN
HEMP: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “As part of a government funding package last November, Congress passed a bill enacting a ban on most consumable hemp-derived THC products. The legislation goes into effect this November, and could severely disrupt the industry. Bob Galligan with the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild explains the law in more detail.” QUOTE: “It’s technically not a ban, but it also kind of is, just because it caps the milligram level at 0.3 mg for any product,” says Galligan. “And that ultimately is unsustainable for any THC product out on the market right now.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3QbGTpi
(DISCLOSURE: Plift is a Fluence client)
WHIPPLE: Via MinnPost, more details from a court hearing first reported in Friday’s morning take. It involved a lawsuit regarding conditions immigration detainees faced at the Whipple Federal Building. VERBATIM: “Of the details that surfaced during more than 12 hours of evidentiary hearings this month in federal court, this one stands out: Records show there were zero outgoing calls from phones in holding cells for the majority of January 2026. U.S. District Court Judge Nancy E. Brasel cited that and other new evidence in her March 26 decision extending the requirements of her earlier order to ensure detainees are given due process rights.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3NPs3nU
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
ACQUISITION: The Minneapolis/St, Paul Business Journal reports Illinois-based Neimann Foods bought Edina-based Jerry’s Hardware and the three stores is has left. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4v0J3bh
CRISP & GREEN: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “The wellness-focused, fast-casual restaurant Crisp & Green is opening a new Twin Cities location soon. The incoming Savage restaurant will be the Crisp & Green’s first location in Scott County and 21st location in Minnesota, where the chain launched a decade ago before expanding to 15 additional states.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4thuPkL
MEXICO: Via Winona-based Fastenal, VERBATIM: “Fastenal Company (NASDAQ: FAST), a global leader in supply chain solutions and industrial distribution, is proud to mark its 25th anniversary in Mexico, underscoring a legacy of growth, innovation, and deep local partnerships.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4s8b4LI
NR: Via Minneapolis-based Nelson-Rudie, VERBATIM: “Nelson-Rudie & Associates Inc. (Nelson-Rudie), a 100% employee-owned consulting engineering firm, announced the addition of Jonathan Burks as director of finance and the promotion of Micheal Anderson, PE, to chief mechanical engineer. Together, these leadership updates strengthen the firm’s operational, financial, and technical foundation as Nelson-Rudie celebrates its 50th year and continues to grow.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bHp4Hd
WHAT’S NEXT?
TOMORROW: Soul Asylum will play an acoustic show in Grand Rapids. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4bILZlr
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
HERMANN: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Hermann the German has been watching over the southern Minnesota city of New Ulm for 129 years . . . But Hermann needs help, as decades of severe water and weather damage leaves New Ulm’s iconic symbol of German pride in need of significant repairs. The city recently got a cost estimate as stunning as the monument itself: a whopping $11.6 million.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4s3K1AQ
BDAYS: WCCO Radio’s Mark Freie, MN BioFuels leader Brian Werner, Olympian and attorney Rich Ruohnen, U of MN’s Chris Gade, sports guy Mike Woodley, attorney Kevin Chandler
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.
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