72% of adults in 140 countries said the women in their country are treated with respect – that’s up 9 points from 2022. GALLUP: https://fluence-media.co/4rKJJjm
Sports Take: Our first ever “Do Better” list calls out sports underperformers, along with a “Done Better” of sporting successes. Also, the Team USA gold medal controversy, an ex-Minnesota coach fired 44 days into his new job and more. Coming this afternoon.
The St. Paul Saints season doesn’t start for another month – so why is a team jacket suddenly a huge seller? BMTN: https://fluence-media.co/4b8GlbU
Why do sneakers squeak on basketball courts? Harvard research discovered there’s lightning involved. READ: https://fluence-media.co/47344YD
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/3Mww28l
Sunday Take dug into Minnesota’s housing situation with DFL Rep. Esther Agbaje and James Vagle, CEO of First Housing. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4cImGAP
Blois
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THURSDAY HEADLINES
FRAUD: Via news release from the Governor’s office, VERBATIM: “Governor Tim Walz today introduced a comprehensive legislative package aimed at preventing, detecting, investigating, and holding accountable those who commit fraud in Minnesota’s state programs. The Governor was joined by Department of Human Services (DHS) Commissioner Shireen Gandhi, DHS Inspector General James Clark, and Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) Superintendent Drew Evans.”
MORE: Via Governor’s office, a one-page summary of the package elements. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3ZTMu5z
MORE: Via KSTP-TV, this morning’s news conference. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4s82dtB
RESPONSE: Via email from the Senate Republican Caucus, QUOTE: “Just resharing our fraud package from last week and from 2025 as our response to the Governor’s announcement today.” SENATE GOP PLAN: https://fluence-media.co/4cNczL0
MEDICAID: In this morning’s news conference, Governor Walz addressed Vice President JD Vance’s announcement that the Trump administration would “temporarily halt” $259 million in Medicaid funding to Minnesota due to fraud. Via KARE-TV, VERBATIM: “‘We saw an incredibly damaging continuation of the reckoning and retribution campaign by the Trump administration, a totally illegal and unprecedented in this country, move around Medicaid,’ Walz said. Walz added that Minnesota’s Medicaid error rates are about 2.1%, compared to the national average of 6.4%. He said that the lack of Medicaid funds is not helpful for state authorities investigating fraud cases.” QUOTE: “Right now it appears to me that the Trump administration is not serious about [fighting fraud],” Walz said. “It appears to me that they fear fixing this because it takes away a political leverage.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4aEuOB8
CD1: Via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “After he decisively won his last election, it looked like Rep. Brad Finstad had a lock on southern Minnesota’s sprawling 1st Congressional District . . . But he’s attracted a stronger-than-expected challenge this year from high school math teacher Jake Johnson, who grew up in Stewartville and still lives only about 10 miles away. Running as a centrist Democrat, Johnson has the backing of politically powerful teachers unions and has caught the attention of the national Democratic Party.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aRIS9b
DOWNTOWN MPLS: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “After moving out of nearly a million square feet of office space in downtown Minneapolis’ City Center building five years ago, Target paid almost $110 million last month to officially break its lease that ran through 2031. Now the owner of the 51-story tower at 33 S. 6th St. — an entity tied to South Korean conglomerate Samsung — is preparing to list the property for sale, according to a Feb. 2 loan servicer report.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4seogPv
TRAINING CENTER: Via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis community safety leaders are repitching a multi-million-dollar plan for a new training and wellness center just months after it was rejected by the council. Those behind the push say it’s needed due to outdated infrastructure, and they’re on a bit of a tight timeline with the legislative session underway as they seek $19 million in state bonding dollars to match the city’s proposed commitment.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3P2UO0o
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)
DC + MN
FEDS SURGE: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “It’s been two weeks since the Trump administration declared an end to ‘Operation Metro Surge,’ but new federal court filings show the number of ICE agents in Minnesota remains far above pre-surge levels . . . One possible sign the surge is receding: The number of habeas corpus challenges in federal immigration cases dropped sharply in the second half of February, according to an Axios analysis of filings in the court monitoring website Courtlistener.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tY4ycj
FLIGHTS: Via KARE-TV, VERBATIM: “New data obtained by KARE 11 sheds light on the explosion of ICE removal flights from Minnesota during the peak of Operation Metro Surge. The data also shows a sharp decline after border czar Tom Homan announced on Feb. 12 that the operation would be ending. KARE 11 worked with our partners at sister station KUSA in Denver to track the departures. The rise in flights over the last year is striking.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3ZXR1E6
911: Via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis public safety leaders and Mayor Jacob Frey’s office said the city has received fewer ICE-related reports in recent days, with 911 calls serving as a key indicator. Joni Hodne, director of the Minneapolis Emergency Communications Center, said, ‘There has been some relief, I would say, over the last week, week and a half.’” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4cbKPj5
ST CLOUD: Via St. Cloud Live, VERBATIM: “Federal authorities with the Office of the Inspector General have started to investigate complaints about federal agents’ actions during immigration enforcement in St. Cloud. At a Feb. 25 Community Policing Agreement Meeting, St. Cloud Police Chief Jeff Oxton told St. Cloud LIVE that the department has worked with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to facilitate interviews with residents. At least one interview has taken place for a complaint originally filed with the St. Cloud Police Department, Oxton said.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rBRGqG
SOTU: Via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “The images of immigration enforcement officials dragging Aliya Rahman from her car when she was trying to get to a doctor’s appointment outraged many Americans, and now she’s been arrested, she says, for standing in the House gallery during President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address Tuesday. ‘Would you like to know why I was told that I was removed and arrested? The sergeant of arms told me it was because I was standing up,’ Rahman told Amy Goodman Wednesday on the radio program ‘Democracy Now.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aRlFE9
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)
MINNESOTA HEADLINES
EVICTIONS: Via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “After a surge in private donations to help cover rent for people harmed by Operation Metro Surge, Minnesota charities face a new challenge of getting that money to those with emergency needs before it’s too late. One proposal in the legislature would create a potentially important buffer, expanding the type of nonprofits that are allowed to write eviction-blocking letters assuring landlords that money is on the way.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sxgD75
AIRPLANE: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “The Roseau pilot who had his plane seized by Red Lake Nation after making an emergency landing last October is rejecting a settlement agreement offered by the band. Darrin Smedsmo was flying from Roseau to Bemidji on Oct. 15 when the plane’s engine seized up, forcing him to make an emergency landing on the west side of Lower Red Lake. When tribal authorities arrived to help with the situation, they cited a 1978 resolution prohibiting the flying of airplanes less than 20,000 feet over the Red Lake Reservation and then seized and impounded the airplane.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/40vVeyV
MOTORCYCLES: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “When Indian Motorcycle became an independent company again it needed to find a new headquarters. The 125-year-old motorcycle brand found one in Golden Valley, signing a seven-year lease on a 37,832-square-foot.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cLWftZ
MEDIA: Via Marshall Independent, VERBATIM: “After more than 50 years, an area weekly newspaper has changed owners. This week, the Lamberton News announced that new publisher Wendy Krier officially took ownership of the paper on Feb. 17.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4s9ZSyl
WILD ABOUT READING: Join more than 800 Minnesota classrooms and 30,000 students participating in the “Wild About Reading” program, a partnership with Flint Hills Resources which encourages students to read more using Minnesota Wild-branded posters, reading logs, and bookmarks. Teachers set weekly reading goals and give certificates to students who complete the four-week program. Fun program incentives include classroom visits from the Wild’s mascot, Nordy – and the team dog, Paulie; a pair of tickets to a Wild home game, player signed pucks and photos; and a pizza party for a classroom. LEARN MORE: Wild About Reading (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery)
COMMERCE
EARNINGS: Via Associated Press, from Minnesota-based companies:
HORMEL: “Hormel Foods Corp. (HRL) on Thursday reported fiscal first-quarter net income of $181.8 million. On a per-share basis, the Austin, Minnesota-based company said it had profit of 33 cents . . . The results exceeded Wall Street expectations . . . The maker of Spam canned ham, Dinty Moore stew and other foods posted revenue of $3.03 billion in the period.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4b7zfo5
DONALDSON: “Donaldson Co. (DCI) on Thursday reported fiscal second-quarter net income of $92.5 million. The Minneapolis-based company said it had net income of 78 cents per share . . . The results did not meet Wall Street expectations . . . The maker of filtration systems posted revenue of $896.3 million in the period, which also did not meet Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ON2wvv
NOG: “Northern Oil and Gas Inc. (NOG) on Wednesday reported a loss of $70.7 million in its fourth quarter. The Minnetonka, Minnesota-based company said it had a loss of 73 cents per share . . . The results surpassed Wall Street expectations . . . The independent oil and gas company posted revenue of $610.2 million in the period. Its adjusted revenue was $447.7 million, falling short of Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aBWEhg
MAPLEWOOD: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Fun City Adventure Park is the latest indoor play haven to open its doors in the Twin Cities suburbs. The new playspace is located at 1739 Beam Ave. in Maplewood and officially opened its doors on Feb. 13.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40BP7Jj
ECOLAB: Via St. Paul-based Ecolab, VERBATIM: “Ecolab Inc. has announced that to support its next phase of growth, it is dividing the chief operating officer role into two complementary positions to build high-performing global businesses while strengthening the foundations for growth in all our markets around the world. As part of these changes, Darrell R. Brown has been appointed Co-COO, Global Markets, and Greg B. Cook has been appointed Co-COO, Global Businesses, effective April 1.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/46rHtoo
WHAT’S NEXT?
TOMORROW: Via MMB, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) Commissioner Erin Campbell, State Economist Dr. Anthony Becker, and State Budget Director Ahna Minge will present the State of Minnesota’s February 2026 Budget and Economic Forecast on Friday, February 27.”
THIS WEEK: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Winter Restaurant Week is back again with over 80 (eight-zero!) participating restaurants lined up for lunching, brunching, and dining out on the town.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/46VEUuY
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
NE MPLS: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “I finally had the chance to try pop-up bakery Dahlia‘s new brick-and-mortar in Northeast Minneapolis, and it’s absolutely worth waiting in any weekend lines.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40xIdEY
BDAYS: lobbyist Margaret Vesel, KARE 11’s AJ Lagoe, activist JaNaé Imari, lobbyist Alysen Nesse, fmr. Rep. Connie Bernardy, retired legislative savant Gary Carlson
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
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