70% of Republicans say the wealthiest should pay higher taxes – that’s up from 62% six years ago. MORNING CONSULT: https://fluence-media.co/4cBstG8
Keep an eye on the weather today. OUTLOOK: https://fluence-media.co/44r60cT
The new Drought Monitor out this morning shows some improvement. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3zN8TDo
The Lynx’s Napheesa Collier (along with her Unrivaled league cofounder Breanna Stewart) is on Time’s list of the 100 most influential people. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3EnglMw
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3Y3gXh4
GOP Rep. Dave Baker and DFL Sen. Nick Frentz were on Sunday Take to discuss the final stretch of the legislative session. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3ElxhTu
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)
JOBS: Via DEED, VERBATIM: “Minnesota employers added 10,700 jobs in March, the largest monthly gain in a year, and the labor force continued its pattern of growth, according to data released today by the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Minnesota's overall job growth last month (0.4%) was four times faster than the national rate (0.1%), with Minnesota's private sector growing twice as fast as the U.S. overall (0.2% to 0.1%). The state's unemployment rate is 3.1%, up 0.1% from last month, compared to 4.2% nationally.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lA6hk1
TOWN HALLS: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Many Minnesota lawmakers used this week to reconnect with constituents who filled in-person town halls to express displeasure and some support for their representatives in contentious times. Once the Easter and Passover recess has ended, a divided Minnesota Legislature will put together a budget with a modest surplus expected but a $6 billion shortfall anticipated for the following two-year budget. Time and time again in the town hall meetings, state legislators faced questions about what the federal government was doing and how they could take steps to change it.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42FWz75
DULUTH: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “More than 100 people were there Wednesday night, as UMD’s chapter of Turning Point USA hosted conservative activist Olivia Krolczyk, who speaks out against transgender athletes competing in women’s sports. Initially, the speech went on with some minor disruptions like noise makers and some cheers and jeers. That was until one individual got frustrated during a Q&A session.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4cymQZs
UNITEDHEALTH: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “UnitedHealth chopped its 2025 forecast after being surprised by rising care use from its Medicare Advantage customers in a worse-than-expected first quarter. Shares of the health care giant tumbled early Thursday, and the report rattled insurance stocks across the sector. UnitedHealth said a jump in care use came in far above what the company planned for 2025 and became apparent as the quarter ended.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3GaaSsQ
MORE: Via Investopedia, VERBATIM: “Shares of UnitedHealth Group (UNH) tumbled more than 17% Thursday morning after the healthcare giant's first-quarter results fell short of analysts' estimates and it cut its profit forecasts for 2025. UnitedHealth reported adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $7.20 on revenue that rose 10% year-over-year to $109.58 billion. Analysts polled by Visible Alpha had expected $7.25 and $111.46 billion, respectively.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44tTFVn
TOWNSHIP: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “Northern Township, located just north of Bemidji, officially issued its Notice of Intent to Incorporate. A news release from the township says this is the first step towards petitioning the state of Minnesota for a transition from township to city governance.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4jWN8r1
ENERGY: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “In 2024, energy derived from renewable resources again accounted for about one-third of all electricity generated in Minnesota. That’s according to the annual ‘energy factsheet’ released Thursday by nonprofit group Clean Energy Economy Minnesota (CEEM) and the Business Council for Sustainable Energy. The report showed that 33% of Minnesota’s electricity generation mix came from renewables such as wind and solar power.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RmiGtV
MORE: Via Clean Energy Economy MN, the factsheet. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3ynLxI5
OUTLOOK: Via Minnesota Former, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s electric grid is cleaner than ever, and the state is well positioned to take advantage of emerging energy industries, Clean Energy Economy Minnesota said Thursday. But federal policy chaos — driven by President Donald Trump’s tariffs and general preference for fossil fuels — as well as shifting consumer behavior and lagging implementation of environmentally friendly technologies hint at bigger challenges ahead for one of the fastest-growing sectors of the state’s economy, analysts and industry representatives said at a Monday press briefing.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44t4vLe
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)
BUECKERS: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “[Hopkins’] Paige Bueckers is ready to start not just her WNBA career with the Dallas Wings but her career as a businesswoman as well. The longtime UConn star, who was picked first overall by the Wings on Monday night, confirmed during an appearance on ‘Good Morning America’ on Wednesday that she is an investor in Unrivaled, which just completed its inaugural season. Bueckers' deal with the 3-on-3 league is expected to be far more lucrative than her four-year WNBA rookie contract.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44scVm6
MORE: Via GMA, the interview. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4ipWudA
Sign up for the weekly sports take out later today… https://fluence-media.co/sportstake
CRYSTAL: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “A popular new store in Crystal has led to concerns about parking. Daiso opened to considerable fanfare April 12 at Crystal Town Center. The strip mall, located near West Broadway and Bass Lake Road, is also home to several other businesses, including an ALDI grocery store. Customers have since taken to social media to complain about parking.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/42G2rgD
BUSES: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “The Duluth Transit Authority announced Wednesday some big changes planned for their bus system. The DTA will be launching nine new buses with fat tire-compatible bike racks and new technology to help secure wheelchairs in place.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4ivNcNi
BEMIDJI: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “It was a surprising discovery for a City of Bemidji Public Works crew this week. The crew uncovered a bigger problem than expected when responding to a potential sinkhole in Parking Lot 7, right across from Raphael’s Bakery. While exploring the sinkhole, they discovered an old foundation from a building that used to stand there.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/43ZNiJq
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)
ROBOTAXI: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “While robotaxi company Waymo plots an expansion from the West Coast, don't expect to see the service in the Twin Cities anytime soon. Why it matters: A driverless taxi system would revolutionize local transportation, but major questions remain about how the technology would work on snow-covered Minnesota roads.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lzRk1n
SUN COUNTRY: Via news release from Sun Country, VERBATIM: “Sun Country Airlines (NASDAQ: SNCY) has debuted a new travel documentary series, the ‘Get To Going Series’, which spotlights off-the-beaten-path, attainable experiences in Sun Country destinations . . . Host Amber Estenson, from Frazee, MN, is a content creator, hotdish connoisseur, opera singer, and mom known by her social media handle @thatmidwesternmom.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42sEoTD
BROOKLYN PARK: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “A new restaurant has opened in Brooklyn Park that aims to deliver authentic Mexican street food. Si Señor Kitchen recently opened in a strip mall on Edinburgh Center Drive, taking the space of the former Tacos El Paraiso.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4j8PwL7
NEVIS: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “The Nevis school district has hired a new superintendent. The school board unanimously chose Ranae Seykora after interviewing five semifinalists for the position.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4jfsgv7
WINMARK: Via TipRanks, VERBATIM: “[Plymouth-based] Winmark Corporation, known as the Resale Company, operates in the franchising sector, offering licenses for retail store concepts focused on buying, selling, and trading merchandise. The company recently reported its earnings for the first quarter of 2025, showcasing a notable increase in revenue and net income compared to the same period last year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4je2d7h
APRIL30: Via Eden Prairie-based Tennant, VERBATIM: “Tennant Company (NYSE: TNC) today announced that the company will report its first quarter 2025 financial results after the market closes on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, with a conference call to follow at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time/9 a.m. Central Time on Thursday, May 1, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Gffjmd
APRIL30: Via Minneapolis-based Deluxe, VERBATIM: “Deluxe (NYSE: DLX), a Trusted Payments and Data company, will report first quarter 2025 financial results on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, following market-close.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RnfrCI
APRIL30: Via Minneapolis-based Sleep Number, VERBATIM: “Sleep Number Corporation (Nasdaq: SNBR) will release its fiscal first quarter results through March 29, 2025, after market close on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4im1UpU
NEXT MONTH: Via New Brighton-based APi, VERBATIM: “APi Group Corporation (NYSE: APG) announced today that it intends to release its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2025, before the market opens on Thursday, May 1, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42EYIjq
NEXT MONTH: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Originally launched in 2021 to keep live music thriving during the pandemic, Hook and Ladder announced its Under the Canopy summer 2025 lineup. The series is returning in full force after a scaled-back run last year, when Minneapolis reinstated pre-COVID restrictions.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jeVlXi
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
E15: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Supporters of year-round E15 are looking forward to more certainty this summer driving season. Renewable Fuels Association CEO Geoff Cooper says EPA is allowing several states to sell fuel blended with 15 percent ethanol between June and September. ‘We at least know that in seven states you’re going to see year-round E15 this summer, those states are preparing and ready for that.’ Those states include Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3Gf3NY7
TAX CREDIT: Via KFGO-Radio, VERBATIM: “When Minnesota state lawmakers reconvene in St. Paul after the Easter holiday, the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation is going to push for some changes to the Beginning Farmer Tax Credit program. MFBF Director of public policy Loren Dauer tells KFGO” DAUER: “You know, we see around about $7 million of requests for that program, and it’s currently capped at 4 million. We’d like to see that removed. And we’re also pushing to include individuals who farm as an LLC so that they’re not being prevented from having access to these resources.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44soWbf
Subscribe to other Fluence newsletters: https://fluence-media.co/TheDailyAgenda
SPORTS: We found two new sports marketing operations launching in the Twin Cities:
PARTNERSHIP: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “With the explosion of women’s sports and fringe sports like pickleball and rugby, the leaders of two Minneapolis creative agencies saw an opportunity to approach sports partnerships in new and more customized ways. That led Media Bridge CEO Tracy Call and Griffin Archer CEO Ellie Anderson to launch Highlight Reel, a new sports marketing agency that aims to deliver ‘deeper connections,’ say the founders, who also maintain their separate companies.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3G8mJaP
BROADHEAD: Via The Minneapolis Egotist, VERBATIM: “broadhead, a leading independent marketing agency, today announces the launch of Fame Sport, a boutique consultancy dedicated to maximizing the intersection of brands, audiences and sports. With a focus on strategic partnerships, compelling stories, athlete alignment and media planning, Fame Sport will help brands engage with sports audiences by leveraging cultural insights and data-driven decision-making.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42A0fY2
SLEEP NUMBER: Via Minneapolis-based Sleep Number, VERBATIM: “Sleep Number Corporation (Nasdaq: SNBR) today announced that Amber Minson will join the company as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) on May 12, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Gqe57D
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
PATIOS: With warmer weather on the way, MplsStPaul has recommended restaurants with outdoor dining. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/3Rny0Hb
BEER: Eater Twin Cities has picks for breweries that serve good food. LIST/MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3EJwW9V
BDAYS: Rep. Steve Elkins, WCCO Radio sports host and lawyer Scott Korzenowski
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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