Global sentiment about the United States is taking a hit – there’s been a 20% drop in global average net favorability since January. MORNING CONSULT: https://fluence-media.co/4bKHt4n
Lizzo will star in a biopic about Rosetta Tharpe. HOLLYWOOD REPORTER: https://fluence-media.co/4iy4ZUJ
Hopkins’ Paige Bueckers scored 34 of UConn’s 91 points last night. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/421JggW
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4j3deIo
Wall Street Journal reporter John McCormick was on Sunday Take to discuss Gov. Tim Walz’s national town hall tour, the future of the Democratic Party and more. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4iBTrjs
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)
NATIONAL SECURITY: Via news release from Rep. Kelly Morrison, VERBATIM: “Today, U.S. Representative Kelly Morrison (MN-03) released the following statement after the Trump-Vance Administration’s top national security officials texted highly sensitive information on detailed operational plans and military strikes outside of approved classified government systems.” MORRISON: “If one of our service members used an unclassified network to discuss highly sensitive operational information detailing American battle plans involving American troops — and beyond that, inadvertently shared it with someone outside of the United States government who did not have a security clearance — they would be fired and face serious consequences. Our national security leaders must be held to at least the same standard, if not higher. This level of negligence in handling American military intelligence is completely unacceptable. Defense Secretary Hegseth and National Security Advisor Waltz must immediately resign — or be fired.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jmASjh
SD6: Via news release from the Hardy campaign, VERBATIM: “Today, Dr. Nicole (Nicky) Hardy, Ph.D., announced her candidacy for Minnesota Senate District 6. Hardy is a native Minnesotan, mother, scientist, and substitute teacher with a passion for education and community service.” HARDY: “My commitment to Senate District 6 is deeply personal,” said Hardy. “I grew up in rural Minnesota, and I’ve lived the challenges many other families face—navigating financial struggles, raising a family, and striving for opportunities. I’m running to ensure that every family has the chance to thrive in a resilient and vibrant community. I am committed to rebuilding trust with voters through transparency, listening, and collaboration. Legislative deadlocks serve no one, and I believe in meaningful governance that prioritizes progress over politics.”
SALES TAX: Senate Taxes Committee Chair Ann Rest (DFL-New Hope) says she wants to wait until the 2026 legislative session to repurpose the Hennepin County sales tax that’s currently raising funds to retire the bonds to build Target Field. REST: “In 2024, no agreement was reached and I assured Hennepin County, that a proposal spearheaded by the County that was also supported by the Minnesota Twins Organization and North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale could win support in 2025. They have worked hard and the County committed itself, in its legislative agenda, to do just that. But, after months of conversations, with no agreement reached, it is now time for a pause until 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iHe7qc
PROTESTS: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A group of residents from Minneapolis’ Kingfield neighborhood, fed up with President Donald Trump, are meeting on the 42nd Street pedestrian bridge over I-35W every Thursday at rush hour for a good old-fashioned primal scream. Every Saturday at 10 a.m., there’s a protest on the Rosland Park pedestrian bridge in Edina. Sundays at 1 p.m., another group does it on the Irene Hixon Whitney Bridge between Loring Park and the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. These are the latest incarnations of highway overpass protests, which are legal as long as you don’t affix things to the bridge itself, according to the State Patrol.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4c0ly9v
DISASTER RELIEF: Via news release from the Attorney General’s office, VERBATIM: “Attorney General Ellison joined a coalition of 22 other attorneys general in seeking a court order to force the Trump administration to unfreeze essential funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Despite multiple court orders, including a preliminary injunction issued on March 6 blocking the Trump administration from unlawfully freezing federal funds, the administration continues to withhold hundreds of millions of dollars in grants to states from FEMA. This funding freeze threatens life-saving emergency preparedness and recovery programs addressing wildfires, floods, cybersecurity threats, and more. Attorney General Ellison and the coalition filed a motion to enforce the preliminary injunction, seeking a court order requiring the administration to immediately stop the freezing of FEMA funds.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iFZnYI
DULUTH: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Power presented its plan to create more renewable energy at the Duluth City Council meeting Monday night.
Minnesota Power’s VP of Regulatory Affairs, Jennifer Cady, shared with councilors the latest chapter of the company’s EnergyForward plan. They hope to achieve 90% renewable energy and replace coal by 2035 . . . While the presentation did not mention Minnesota Power’s proposed natural gas plant in Superior, the Nemadji Trail Energy Center (NTEC) was on the minds of many attendees who held signs and spoke out in opposition of the facility Monday night in front of the council.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4c5rjCI
FRAUD: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “A new website allows Minnesotans to help report fraud in state government. House Fraud and Oversight committee chair Kristin Robbins says it's a secure website to allow whistleblowers to file reports confidentially. ‘Maybe they work in an agency, maybe they're a service provider, maybe they're a person who receives services,’ Robbins (R-Maple Grove) told Vineeta Sawkar on the WCCO Morning News.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4j1xXfz
SENATE: Via Marshall Independent, VERBATIM: “She was invited to be the keynote speaker at the Senate District 15 DFL convention. But Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan told area Democrats she was there to listen. ‘This is a moment for feedback, and I’m happy to take it. And if there are places where you think we should be, let me know,’ Flanagan said. She wanted to hear from Minnesotans as she started her campaign for U.S. Senate.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4j5f7nY
RUSSIA: Via release from Senator Chuck Grassley, VERBATIM: “Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) led a bipartisan letter calling on Secretary of State Marco Rubio to continue supporting efforts to investigate Russia’s abduction and deportation of Ukrainian children.” QUOTE: “We write to convey serious concerns over reports that the State Department has terminated a contract with a university-based research team that is working to find Ukrainian children abducted by the Russian government.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cbUiEX
TWINS: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “It’s a whole new broadcasting world for fans of the Minnesota American League Ball Club dba the Twins. Beginning this month, fans can purchase in-region streaming of games, which had never been available. While Wild and Timberwolves stream through their broadcast partner, Fan Duel Sports (formerly Bally’s), the Twins chose to cut ties with the regional sports network and take broadcasts in-house, and much ink has been spilled thereof.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4j1ky7f
CRYSTAL: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “The Crystal City Council has taken steps toward approving a cap on the number of liquor and tobacco stores in the city. The city council approved the first reading of an ordinance change that would set a maximum number of off-sale liquor and tobacco licenses that could be issued in the city. Officials say the Crystal has one of the highest concentrations of tobacco licenses in Hennepin County.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4cbG0Ej
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)
WARNING: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Transportation is warning people to watch out for scam texts telling recipients that they have outstanding E-ZPass fines. The agency reports people nationwide are getting the scam. Texts tell recipients they have an invoice, bill or violation with Minnesota E-ZPass or another E-ZPass office. The messages often look urgent and say failure to pay will lead to a bigger fine.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ixZvt7
DRY: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Spring burning restrictions are now in effect in 15 central Minnesota counties which also includes Hennepin and Ramsey Counties.” QUOTE: "We are having really dry conditions, especially in central and southern Minnesota," says Minnesota DNR wildfire prevention specialist Karen Harrison. “Even after precipitation, fine fuels, such as grass and small twigs, can dry out quickly from wind or low relative humidity, making them easy fuel for a wildfire.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/421jEkf
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)
REAL ESTATE: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “The next six weeks are prime time for Twin Cities homeowners who want to prep their homes for sale this year. Why it matters: A new report from Zillow confirms what many of us already assumed: May is the hottest month to list a home locally. By the numbers: Homes listed in the Minneapolis metro area in the second half of last May sold for 2.9% more than any other time of the year, Zillow researchers found.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4l5Bv2m
MINNEAPOLIS: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The total value of property in Minneapolis dropped about 1% this year, according to the city assessor, marking the second consecutive year of decline. New assessments mailed out earlier this month, which the city will use to calculate taxes payable in 2026, also signal the property tax burden will shift more to homeowners. That’s partly because commercial property values in the city continue to decrease — especially in downtown, where they fell 9.5% from last year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4l4Kq44
DTSTP: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “A 16-story building in downtown St. Paul is expected to stand vacant by next Tuesday. The property owner, Madison Equities, hadn’t been paying Alliance Bank Center’s utility bills. In mid-March, it told tenants they had two days to leave the building before the lights went off. St. Paul officials negotiated with Xcel Energy to keep the lights on until the end of the month, buying the small businesses inside just enough time to move thousands of products and pieces of equipment.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4c5ucU7
BRINGING SAFETY TO “THE NEXT LEVEL” - As part of Enbridge’s work on the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Reservation in northern Minnesota, Enbridge has brought in family-owned and Indigenous-owned Northern Lights Family Outfitters to fully outfit project workers right on the job site with personal protective equipment (PPE) from its 48-foot mobile trailer. “Enbridge really brings safety to the next level,” says Patti, a project liaison for Enbridge and the Fond du Lac Band. “It’s really helpful to have a mobile unit, especially for this kind of work. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3OQYmjn (SPONSORED: Enbridge)
MINNEAPOLIS: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “As Herbie Butcher’s Fried Chicken serves its last biscuit-and-chicken bucket at 735 E. 48th Street in south Minneapolis, the first-ever brick-and-mortar location of Centro Restaurant Group brand Hippo Pockets is readying to move in. Since its 2023 launch, Hippo Pockets has operated mainly as a cloud kitchen out of Centro’s Eat Street location, delivering directly to customers and doing pop-ups around town. But by this summer, it’ll be firing tortilla-wrapped Philly cheesesteaks, pickle pockets, and Royales for dine-in service (and takeout, too).” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cbuZmr
ST PAUL: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s most whimsical mini golf course has done it again! Can Can Wonderland in St. Paul has officially claimed the No. 2 spot in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice poll for the best mini golf courses in the country.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iIwBXi
MORE: Via USA Today, the list. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4c0WAqp
TONIGHT: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “Mayor Roger Reinert will deliver his second State of the City address Tuesday. The Duluth mayor hopes to share his priorities for the year ahead, including improving infrastructure, housing and public safety.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4iGGXXI
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)
APRIL12: Via The Bemidji Pioneer, VERBATIM: “Greater Bemidji, in partnership with Launch Minnesota, Minnesota DEED and the Northwest Innovators Network, is seeking applicants for the third annual NORTHSTARtup Pitch Competition. The competition will take place at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 12, at the Sanford Center during Paul Bunyan Communications' GigaZone TechXpo.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4c5zO0A
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
FLOODING: Via Red River Farm Network, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s bonding The Red River Watershed Management Board is seeking $48 million from the Minnesota Legislature for seven flood reduction projects. This would be part of the infrastructure bonding request.” QUOTE: “We’re aware the legislative request through the bills introduced in the House and Senate are about $150 million and the DNR has a list of projects that were included on it of $140 million,” said Rob Sip, executive director, RRWMB. “What didn’t help is the governor had his list come out at $5.6 million so the numbers are kind off there.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4c4Y1nU
WEDNESDAY: Via UofM Crookston, VERBATIM: “The University of Minnesota Crookston is set to host its next Bergland Lecture Series event with guest speaker Jay Debertin, president and CEO of CHS, the nation’s leading farmer-owned cooperative. Debertin will speak about opportunities and challenges ahead for the ag landscape. The event will take place March 26 from 1:00-2:30 p.m. in Bede Ballroom on campus.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42kiGjp
NEXT WEEK: Via Worthington Globe, VERBATIM: “The U.S. Department of Agriculture encourages dairy producers to enroll in Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC), a safety net program that helps offset milk and feed price differences. The deadline to enroll is March 31.” QUOTE: “We encourage producers to join the 945 dairy operations in Minnesota that have already signed up for this important safety net program in advance of the deadline,” said USDA Farm Service Agency Deputy State Executive Director Daniel Mahoney. “At 15 cents per hundredweight for $9.50 coverage, risk protection through Dairy Margin Coverage is a cost-effective tool to manage risk and provide security for your operations.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iVvkfd
Subscribe to other Fluence newsletters: https://fluence-media.co/TheDailyAgenda
MAY: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “On Sunday, there was 241 drivers, crew members, and fans celebrating the 2024 Bemidji Speedway season at their annual awards banquet. There, the Speedway made announcements regarding the upcoming season that is set to open Saturday, May 17th when they host their annual car show and Test and Tune.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4kVTYyd
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
RETAIL: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Three longtime Mall of America stores are moving to a new location inside the mall this spring. Columbia, which closed this month, joins Evereve and Pandora in promising shoppers a new, fresh look is on the horizon.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4j1iAns
BDAYS: fmr. Rep. Rod Hamilton, professor Greg Vandegrift, communication pro Nick Kimball, comms pro Sara Dietrich
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