Ten Minnesota chefs are James Beard Award semifinalists. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/49VXhkm
Hudson’s “Barbiecore Castle” vacation rental will be closed for a bit – a pipe burst Tuesday. READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/45kFy4t
The CEO of the Timberwolves and Lynx says the organization wants a new arena, preferably in downtown Minneapolis and with a bigger footprint than Target Center. MSPBJ: https://fluence-media.co/3NxpyGa
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3YQ1Ual
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer shared thoughts on ICE, midterm elections and the state of Congress with Sunday Take. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4sLFN2v
In a must listen, Legislative Auditor Judy Randall joined Sunday Take to discuss fraud in state programs. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3YTziND
Want to manage your subscription to TheDailyAgenda.com? HERE: https://fluence-media.co/managesubscription
The latest insight from Fluence Advisory on the loss of institutional knowledge from the Minnesota Legislature. READ: https://fluence-advisory.com/insights/
Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com
NEW THIS MORNING
From this morning’s Fluence Forum - The State of Energy
MN Chamber’s Laura Bordelon discusses the upcoming session with Sen. Nick Frentz and Rep. Chris Swedzinski
Podcasts available to MNSider subscribers LINK: https://fluence-media.co/4r5aCxB
SENATE RACE: The Flanagan campaign shared two memos this morning. The first, from the DSCC, a late December survey of 776 likely Minnesota voters where 47% chose a Democrat over Michele Tafoya 47-39. DSCC MEMO: https://fluence-media.co/45hlIao The second memo is from polling firm GQR that shows just a one-point difference in positives between Flanagan and Angie Craig – the negatives show a much more significant difference. GQR MEMO: https://fluence-media.co/3Nxuc79
COMMERCE
WORKFORCE: Via Finance & Commerce, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s construction industry is feeling the effects of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement surge in the state amid reports of jobsite visits, harassment, project slowdowns, racial profiling and the detainment of authorized workers. Union officials, worker advocates and other industry leaders tell Finance & Commerce that increasing numbers of migrant tradespeople, including those with work permits, are afraid to show up for work, which is affecting project timelines.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jNZoLm
R&D: Via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “Cytotheryx, a growing Rochester biotech firm working on treatments for liver disease, recently received $60 million in financing to advance its research and development.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Lo8C4s
MEDIA: Via Star Tribune news release, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Star Tribune today announced the addition of two accomplished newsroom leaders, Jess Bellville as Head of Audience Strategy and Mark Baumgarten as Outdoors Editor, strengthening the organization’s commitment to digital innovation, audience growth and distinctive journalism across Minnesota and the region.”
RETAIL: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Women’s boutique Francesca’s is expected to close all 10 Minnesota locations as the retail chain reportedly shuts down. Women’s Wear Daily last week reported that Francesca’s, which is based in Houston, Texas, intends to liquidate all goods as the retailer shutters operations.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49xCyUR
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)
CITY ISSUES
MAYORS: From Axios reporter Kyle Stokes via X from the Minneapolis and St. Paul chambers’ “Breakfast with the Mayors”, quoting Mayor Jacob Frey, QUOTE: “There’s an old Jewish phrase which goes… [a few lines of Hebrew*]… which is generally translates to, ‘There’s nothing that brings two mayors together like a bullshit federal investigation.’” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/3LEVkR8
PLYMOUTH: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “The city of Plymouth is considering making substantial investments into athletic complexes that could create regional assets while also addressing community needs. The total investment could approach $135 million — and Plymouth voters could potentially see the proposal on their ballots in November.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qHencH
STUDY: Via MRRA, VERBATIM: “A new, independent study commissioned by the Minnesota Resource Recovery Association (MRRA) finds that modern resource recovery facilities destroy nearly all per- and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) through the waste-to-energy process. Additionally, the results show that air emissions from these facilities contain levels of PFAS well below Minnesota Department of Health guidance.”
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)
GREATER MINNESOTA
CLEARWATER CTY: From the Clearwater County Sheriff Darin Halverson via Facebook, HALVERSON: “After careful personal reflection and thoughtful discussions with my family, I have decided not to seek re-election for a fourth term as your Clearwater County Sheriff this fall. I will continue to serve the citizens of Clearwater County with the same commitment and integrity until my term concludes in January 2027.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3LWTgE3
NISSWA: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “The Nisswa City Council continued its discussion into the public conduct of Mayor Jennifer Carnahan at Tuesday’s meeting. The council ultimately voted to remove Carnahan from her posts on various committees [within] the city. They also passed a resolution—with the mayor herself making the motion to do so—saying that the council had no confidence in the mayor’s ability to govern.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4bazMGo
BRAINERD: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “The Brainerd City Council is looking to update the city’s comprehensive plan. Community Development Director James Kramvik touched on how the city updates its plan every five years during a city council meeting held earlier this month.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4qwUHYP
ICE IN MN
CHILD CARE: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “The federal immigration crackdown is deepening staffing shortages at Twin Cities child care centers, forcing some providers to cut hours or close classrooms as immigrant workers stay home out of fear. Why it matters: The growing shortages in Minnesota’s already understaffed child care industry could force some parents to leave the workforce to care for their kids, a recent national report suggests.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qZwUAD
RESISTANCE: Via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “The resistance is omnipresent in the Twin Cities. Businesses are hanging signs in the windows barring ICE from entering the property. At immigrant-owned restaurants, citizens are volunteering to work the doors or stand guard on the sidewalk to prevent ICE from entering private property without a warrant. Outside of schools, volunteers in fluorescent vests are scanning passing cars for signs of ICE agents, hoping to provide some protection — or at least reassurance — for parents picking up and dropping off their children.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49KzZh4
CHURCH: Via North News, an interview with Minneapolis Pastor Victor Martinez, VERBATIM: “His congregation has dwindled since President Donald Trump began an immigration enforcement surge in the Twin Cities that has fearful families shut in their homes. On this day, he made two trips to a Saint Paul detention center to bring belongings for two church members being deported to Mexico. ‘Things change every day,’ Martinez said. ‘I have been on the phone consistently because you never know who else in the church is next.’ With so few in attendance on Sundays, Martinez may soon suspend services and has lent space at his church to Minnesota Blessings Support Services, which provides food for families facing hardship.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3NrKvT3
NO VISITORS: Via El Paso Matters, VERBATIM: “People attempting to visit detainees from Minnesota at the Fort Bliss immigration holding facility have been turned away in recent days following the death of a Nicaraguan man transferred from Minneapolis, according to multiple sources . . . Starting the next day and continuing through Sunday, people seeking to visit detainees at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility known as Camp East Montana have been told they can’t see people brought from Minnesota, multiple people told El Paso Matters. They asked not to be identified out of concern they could lose their ability to visit detainees.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pTGqnT
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)
ICE POLITICS
GREATER MN: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “The clientele skews conservative in Stearns County, where the majority of residents tend to vote overwhelmingly for Republicans. But two weeks after an ICE agent shot and killed Renee Macklin Good in Minneapolis — and with no end in sight to the supercharged federal immigration actions in Minnesota, nor the intensifying protests against them — opinions here are expressed in shades of gray, not Red and Blue talking points. Take Jim Curtis, a retired heavy equipment operator from St. Cloud who believes ICE’s enforcement has gotten out of hand.” CURTIS: “They come up and they grab them and they rip them right out of their vehicles,” he said. But at the same time, he believes protesters have also gone overboard by “taunting” ICE agents. “It’s alright to protest, but not the way they’re doing it.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sRtPo6
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)
THE CITIES
PLYMOUTH: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “The city of Plymouth has officially named a new fire chief, appointing longtime department member Andy Etzel to the role. Etzel is a 20-year veteran of the Plymouth Fire Department. He last served in an official capacity as assistant fire chief with the city.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49O9Ca3
POLAR BAR: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “In the true spirit of Minnesota, the Hewing Hotel is transforming its rooftop—known for downtown Minneapolis views and a warm pool and sauna—into a winter destination. The hotel’s new Polar Bar, literally carved from ice, debuted last week and will be open each Thursday-Saturday through spring.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3LSX3Cm
SCRAP & YAP: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Local scrapper Claire Donovan wanted to give people an outlet to make friends while junk journaling—a trendy scrapbooking hobby of collages using materials like receipts, stickers, papers, ticket stubs, and fabric pieces to make journal entries. Donovan hosts Scrap and Yap monthly, usually at The Coven in Northeast Minneapolis or at the Metronome Brewery.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sP0oCX
WHAT’S NEXT?
TODAY: Via Minnesota Legislature, VERBATIM: “Today at 12:00 p.m., local and state elected officials in Minneapolis will provide collaborative community updates for the public.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4qZWy8n
TOMORROW: DEED will hold a media availability to discuss new jobs numbers.
TOMORROW: The Saint Paul Winter Carnival begins. Minnesota Monthly has a preview. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3LB9u5L
NEXT WEEK: Via Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, Rep. Ilhan Omar will host a town hall Tuesday. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bFOvJt
NEXT MONTH: Via Minnetonka-based NOG, VERBATIM: “Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. (NYSE: NOG) announced today that it plans to issue its fourth quarter and year-end 2025 financial and operating results on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, after the market closes.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3NUFCSs
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
TROLLHAUGEN: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “Nightlife around the Twin Cities has grown noticeably quieter overall the past few years. Pandemic-era habits linger and several bars have reduced hours due to labor costs and staffing shortages. But about an hour northeast of Minneapolis–St. Paul, a business thrives after dark by leaning into what few others still offer: a place to go late at night.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3NUEQot
BDAYS: Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson, lobbyist Bently Graves, St. Cloud leader Dave Kleis
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.
Copyright © 2026 Lunch Take, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
Fluence Media
PO Box 270031
Golden Valley, MN 55427