WAYMO IS READY FOR MINNESOTA: With 13x fewer injury-causing collisions compared to humans, Waymo is already making roads safer in major U.S. cities where we operate — from multi-lane expressways to dense city streets, including the demands of winter weather. We are ready to bring these safety benefits to Minnesota, and look forward to working with the state legislature to pass a law that allows us to provide rides in the state. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/waymo (SPONSORED: Waymo)
From estreetnation via Instagram, Bruce Springsteen performing “Purple Rain” Tuesday. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4dla96P
Several major brands had some fun with the big KitKat heist. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4bJZBgk
Do you lean in to corporate buzzwords? Do they help you manifest synergy to increase value proposition? A cognitive psychologist at Cornell thinks that’s a sign of bad decision-making. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3OjZyih
16% of college students told Gallup they’re changing their major because of AI. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4sbxOu7 One in five say they use AI daily. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4tqmzPz
New Sports Take: The Twins return for Friday’s home opener -- weather permitting -- after a stumbling, bumbling week on the road. Also, the complicated legacy left by a Gophers coach, Vikings personnel thoughts and potential trouble for the Wild. Out this afternoon.
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/4sNOWHo
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
THURSDAY NEWS FEED
JOBS: Via DEED, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s monthly job growth remained flat in January, and the state’s unemployment rate ticked up two-tenths of a percentage point to 4.4% while the national rate ticked down one-tenth of a percentage point to 4.3%, according to data released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4v3icvz
EAGAN: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “Two years after becoming an independent company, Solventum is doubling down on Minnesota with a major investment in innovation—one that state leaders say reinforces the region’s status as a global medtech hub. On Wednesday, the Fortune 500 company celebrated both its second anniversary and the opening of a new $200 million research and development facility in Eagan. The 250,000-square-foot hub brings together the full breadth of Solventum’s work—from medical-surgical supplies to digital health systems—under one roof for the first time . . . Gov. Tim Walz marked the occasion by proclaiming April 1 as Solventum Day, praising the company’s decision to stay.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tg7srG
CD8: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “Bob Helland, a Democrat who lives in Duluth’s Lakeside neighborhood, announced his campaign for Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4v8KTqN
SENATE: Via news release from the Craig campaign, VERBATIM: “Today, U.S. Representatives Kathy Castor, Mark Takano, Josh Gottheimer and Chrissy Houlahan endorsed their colleague Congresswoman Angie Craig in her campaign for U.S. Senate.”
HENN CTY: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “A Hennepin County commissioner’s remarks on the Sheriff’s Office budget sparked outrage in Twin Cities law enforcement agencies last week. Yes, but: The serious money troubles facing Hennepin County that caused the controversy in the first place got lost in the headlines. Why it matters: Not only is the sheriff’s budget at stake, but so are county-run safety net programs, library services, fraud-fighting efforts, the survival of Hennepin County Medical Center — and property taxpayers’ bills.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48dEnoP
SHUTDOWN: Via The New York Times, VERBATIM: “The Senate moved early Thursday to try again to reopen the Department of Homeland Security, but House Republicans declined to clear the Senate plan for President Trump, prolonging the record agency shutdown even after G.O.P. leaders had agreed on a way to end it swiftly.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4c1Uozn
LIAM: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “The federal government has signaled that it is seeking to detain five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father Adrian Conejo Arias once again, according to their lawyer Danielle Molliver. A Department of Justice attorney filed a notice of appeal Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas San Antonio Division. Earlier this year, a judge granted a habeas corpus petition freeing the father and son from a detention center there.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4c3IXr2
MANGIONE: Via ABC News, VERBATIM: “Luigi Mangione’s state trial was pushed back Wednesday from June to September, hours after his federal trial was pushed back from September to October. Judge Gregory Carro, the judge in the state case, gave no reason for delaying the start to Sept. 8, but the defense had been requesting it . . . Mangione pleaded not guilty to state and federal charges after he was arrested for allegedly gunning down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown Manhattan in December 2024.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4dqmqqE
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)
REAL ESTATE
DATA CENTERS: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “The Twin Cities house several dozen data centers already, and they’re playing a minor role in downtown Minneapolis’ revitalization. Two major buildings—one housing Sleep Number, the other formerly housing Wells Fargo—recently announced plans to expand capacity of their existing data centers. One or two more data centers are expected downtown, says Adam Duininck, president of the Minneapolis Downtown Council, although in no set timeframe. Xcel Energy, the Minneapolis-based utility and the state’s biggest electricity provider, reports it ‘continue[s] to see interest from data center developers in Minneapolis and St. Paul’ and is in talks with those developers about electricity needs.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sO4fzN
(DISCLOSURE: Xcel is a Fluence sponsor)
BLOOMINGTON: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “A prominent vacant building in Bloomington will soon have a new owner. Fraser, a nonprofit organization providing services for autism, mental and behavioral health, and disabilities, announced Wednesday it recently closed on the purchase of the former Slumberland building at 7801 S. Xerxes Ave.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4c30783
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)
SIGNS OF THE TIMES
DIESEL: Via Eden Prairie-based C.H. Robinson, VERBATIM: “With diesel prices jumping sharply since the start of a new conflict in the Middle East, C.H. Robinson is easing the impact for its network of contract carriers by offering free discount-fuel cards and free cash advances for fuel.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4m6sjLZ
IRANIANS: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s Iranian community is small, an estimated 1,600 households. Many come together during the long holiday for meals, dances, craft demonstrations, art and concerts.” QUOTE: “This year, we just didn’t do it. Nobody wanted to do it,” said an Iranian American woman who raised her family and built her career in Minnesota. Fearing retaliation against her family, both here and in Iran, she asked not to be identified by name. We’ll call her Mandy. “Imagine if Christmas got canceled because people were in mourning.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dqIf9s
ARTS FUNDING: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “The National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) recently published its annual report on state arts agency revenues. The good news is Minnesota leads the nation in both total and per capita arts spending. The bad news is funding is down 22 percent from last year. In 2025 the Minnesota State Arts Board received $58.3 million from legislative appropriations. This year, the board is receiving just $45.4 million.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41K8vV6
MORE: Via NASAA, the report. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4tqf5Mp
MEDIA: Via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Despite declining readership in the newspaper industry, many student-run publications remain up and running in Minnesota. Some campuses, though, have no papers, or have publications that have faded with time or moved from print to online or magazine formats. Bemidji State University’s Northern Student transitioned from a newspaper to a magazine printed four times each year. Minneapolis College currently has no paper, although the student government is in talks to start one. [MSU Mankato’s] The Reporter is unique in having a twice-weekly print product to go with a digital presence.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tjrFwU
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)
THE LOCALS
ELECTIONS: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “Unofficial results are in for primary elections for the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, and White Earth Nation. If a candidate in a race has received more than 50% of the vote, that person has won the seat outright. Otherwise, the top two finishers in each race will move on as the candidates in the general election on Jun. 9.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4s9Uz1y
311: Via Insight News, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis 311 — the city’s one-stop, non-emergency helpline for residents — is celebrating two decades of connecting communities to city government. Since its launch in 2006, the service has helped residents report issues, ask questions, and navigate city programs without tying up emergency lines. What began as a telephone call center has expanded substantially.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4caFo2m
NERF WARS: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Recent incidents at a park in Crystal have police in that city concerned. Groups of juveniles arrive at Becker Park by rideshare. They then engage in fights with Orbeez guns. They are toy pellet guns, which in some cases can look real.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/416zHgH
MORE: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “According to a social media post, Crystal police spent three days in a row dispersing 75 to 150 young folks from Becker Park, located at 5530 Douglas Dr N.” QUOTE: “All three days, these groups quickly became disorderly and dangerous to each other and the families enjoying the park,” police said. “Numerous fights broke out, juveniles were dangerously using Orbeez guns (many which looked like real firearms), pepper spray was used, and at least one taser-type device was located.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tne9IH
HOUSING: Via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “In September 2023, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter and a bevy of city officials celebrated as a 22-year-old man, once homeless, became the first descendant of the historically-Black Rondo community to buy a house in the area using $90,000 from a new city housing program. He was the first homebuyer within Old Rondo to benefit from St. Paul’s Inheritance Fund. He also was the last . . . City officials hope changes aimed at renters who lived in Rondo could broaden eligibility and lead to more homeownership, as could opening up the Inheritance Fund to families who lived within the geographic footprint of surrounding urban renewal projects that stretched along Dale Street and Western Avenue up to St. Paul College.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dqseQS
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)
MORE NEWS
WILDFIRE: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “Fire crews from the Camp Ripley Training Center and personnel from the Training Area Management team responded to a wildfire in the northern part of the installation, located near Little Falls, this past Sunday, Mar. 29. Camp Ripley Training Center officials said in a release they were able to contain the fire but that approximately 2,000 acres have burned.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/48qwaO6
DROUGHT: Today’s weather may not be fun for commuters, but we do need precipitation. The new Drought Monitor out this morning, reflecting data as of Tuesday, shows the percentage of the state suffering drought continued to tick up. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3PP2Kzy
ACQUISITION: Via CPA Practice Advisor, VERBATIM: “On the same day it announced it was bringing aboard Mequon, WI-based technology and management consulting firm Answerport, [Minneapolis-based] CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen) said Wednesday that Seattle-based investment banking group Meridian Capital has also joined the top 15 accounting firm.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dqRTJd
ACQUISITION: Via Eden Prairie-based Fortra, VERBATIM: “Fortra, a global cybersecurity software and services provider, announced today the acquisition of Zero-Point Security, a specialized cybersecurity training firm based in Warrington, UK.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sgfnEL
ACQUISITION: The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reports St. Paul’s 178-year-old Yoerg Brewing has been sold. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4s97voc
MORE BEER: Via Minneapolis-based Pryes, VERBATIM: “Pryes Brewing Company has been named an official craft beer sponsor of the Minnesota Twins for the 2026 season, marking a hometown partnership that brings together two of the Twin Cities’ favorites.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3PNK6eL
RETAIL: Via MartinPatrick3, VERBATIM: “MR Magazine, a division of Wainscot Media, will honor Minneapolis-based luxury retailer MartinPatrick 3 as the 2026 Retailer of the Year | Specialty Store at its annual MR Awards Dinner, to be held Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at Gotham Hall in New York City. The award is one of the highest honors in the menswear industry, recognizing excellence, innovation, and leadership in specialty retail.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3NUNa8m
BROOKLYN CENTER: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “City officials in Brooklyn Center are considering a new long-term vision for the Opportunity Site, a redevelopment project that’s been decades in the making. If it moves forward, it could bring a youth and adult sports complex to the now-vacant Target site off 6100 Shingle Creek Pkwy.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3PJQLXn
WHAT’S NEXT?
TODAY: Via Rep. Kelly Morrison, VERBATIM: “TODAY, Thursday, April 2, U.S. Representative Kelly Morrison (MN-03) will join Minnesota small business owners for a press conference to highlight the impact of the war in Iran on their businesses.”
TODAY: Via Creekside UCC, VERBATIM: “On Maundy Thursday, April 2nd, faith leaders will gather outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building for a public prayer service calling attention to the rights and dignity of individuals held inside. Faith leaders will then enter the federal building to offer pastoral care to individuals who are detained. This comes after a federal judge ordered the federal government to permit faith leaders to offer pastoral care to individuals held by ICE at the Whipple Federal Building.”
THIS MONTH: Via U.S. Bancorp, VERBATIM: “U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB) will release its first quarter 2026 earnings results before the market opens on Thursday, April 16, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sQd4JC
THIS MONTH: Via Minneapolis-based Graco, VERBATIM: “Graco Inc. (NYSE: GGG) announced today that it will release its First Quarter 2026 earnings after the New York Stock Exchange closes on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/488Tyj4
THIS MONTH: Via Xcel Energy, VERBATIM: “On Thursday, April 30, 2026, Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) will host a conference call to review first quarter 2026 financial results.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4c1PfqO
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
MOVIES: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “The Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival is returning for its 45th edition this month, running from April 8–19. The list of what to watch can be a little overwhelming.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sRvnOy
BDAYS: lobbyist Tony Albright, PR pro Jen Bellmont
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