Minnesota Olympians may be far from home, but home is definitely on their minds. NPR: https://fluence-media.co/4qPYoZX
How tough is Lindsey Vonn? She’s planning to compete, despite rupturing her right ACL in a fall a week ahead of the Olympics. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kjbyfB
What happens at precinct caucuses? AXIOS: https://fluence-media.co/4kfRYAH
ICYMI… morning take has key matchups, analysis, and a few predictions. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3LMbKr2
KFAN’s Paul Allen was back on the radio yesterday. BMTN: https://fluence-media.co/4kfd42h
Follow the 2026 Minnesota election’s up close with the Fluence ElectionTracker. www.FluenceElectionTracker.com
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/46tFsb7
Sunday Take covered the impact of Alex Pretti’s killing and ICE activity in Greater Minnesota with Rep. Dave Baker (R-Willmar). LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3Zxvvpi
Blois
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STATESIDE CASH
MNGOV: State Rep. Kristin Robbins and businessman Kendall Qualls led fundraising but Speaker Lisa Demuth has more cash than other Republicans in the Governor’s race.
This and other statewide race campaign finance data is included in a new section at the : https://www.fluencelectiontracker.com/
THE TUESDAY FEED
ELECTIONS: Via The New York Times, VERBATIM: “President Trump called in a new interview for the Republican Party to ‘nationalize’ voting in the United States, an aggressive rhetorical step that was likely to raise new worries about his administration’s efforts to involve itself in election matters. During an extended monologue about immigration on a podcast released on Monday by Dan Bongino, his former deputy F.B.I. director, Mr. Trump called for Republican officials to ‘take over’ voting procedures in 15 states, though he did not name them.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4a5TzVe
ICYMI… morning take reported on legislation introduced by the GOP members of Minnesota’s congressional delegation that would withhold federal election funding unless Minnesota agrees to turn over voter data to the feds. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3LMbKr2
GOV RACE: Via release from the Robbins campaign, VERBATIM: “Kristin Robbins, candidate for governor and Chair of the Minnesota Fraud Prevention Committee, raised $565,000 since entering the race on August 20th. She entered 2026 with $374K in the bank.”
NOTE: Campaign finance numbers are out this week for candidates in U.S. House and Senate races. Numbers in Monday and Tuesday editions of morning take. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3Wt9bfC
BODYCAMS: via AP News, VERBATIM: “Every Homeland Security officer on the ground in Minneapolis, including those from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, will be immediately issued body-worn cameras, Secretary Kristi Noem said Monday. … Noem said the body-worn camera program is being expanded nationwide as funding becomes available. … President Joe Biden ordered in 2022 that federal law enforcement officers wear body cameras, [but] President Donald Trump had rescinded that directive after starting his second term.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZaBfVZ
MEDIA: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Kevin Holmes, a 20-year news veteran, is joining the KARE-TV team. Holmes, who has spent the last nine years at KSHB in Kansas City, will work alongside Julie Nelson at the anchor desk for the 6 and 10 p.m. weekday newscasts starting April 13.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kfw54F
EARNINGS: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “Two Harbors Investments Corp. (TWO) on Monday reported earnings of $11.7 million in its fourth quarter. On a per-share basis, the St. Louis Park, Minnesota-based company said it had net loss of 2 cents . . . The real estate investment trust that invests in mortgage-backed securities posted revenue of $89.9 million in the period.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4q8GYq9
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)
MINNESOTA SURGE
ICE DETENTION: Via Axios, why the Department of Homeland Security is looking for more space to house immigration detainees and the pushback the agency is getting from Woodbury and Shakopee. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4c7eWrM
RUMORS: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis police have refuted claims shared widely by right-wing accounts on social media that anti-ICE protesters smashed the windows of dozens of vehicles during a march on Friday. In a video that has been shared by countless right-wing social media accounts, racking up millions of views, a construction worker shows the broken windows of multiple vehicles near a construction site in Minneapolis.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qj7P34
EVICTIONS: NPR reports on efforts to provide rent relief and prevent evictions for those who aren’t working due to fear encountering ICE. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4atQnUH
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
POT: Via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “A Minnesota court dismissed a case against an Ojibwe man who was charged with first degree felony possession of marijuana after police seized more than 7 pounds of cannabis during a raid at his reservation-based tobacco shop. In an opinion issued Monday, the Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled that the state of Minnesota has no authority to prosecute Todd Jeremy Thompson, 56, of Mahnomen, who was arrested after the state fully legalized cannabis in 2023.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rtW8aL
SHUT-INS: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Ahmed Makaraan, the executive director of the Ethnic Self-Help Alliance for Refugee Assistance, said the recent immigration crackdowns across the state have made the people he works with feel fearful and rejected . . . As federal immigration enforcement crackdowns have fanned outwards from the Twin Cities, with ICE agents showing up in towns like Pelican Rapids and Detroit Lakes, the clients Makaraan works with have been increasingly worried about leaving their homes.” QUOTE: “People are not coming to the office,” said Mukaraan. “The last few weeks, it’s been very challenging.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3OjOjWB
TGT: Via Dallas Business Journal, VERBATIM: “The new CEO of Target Corp. visited a store in Dallas-Fort Worth on his first day in the job, underscoring the importance of North Texas for the company as it spends millions on expansion and renovations in the area.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rtGkEU
THE ECONOMY
GROCERIES: Via Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, VERBATIM: “A new analysis from Trace One examines how grocery spending varies by state and how food costs compare to overall household budgets. In Minnesota, households spend an average of $579 per month on groceries, accounting for 6.40% of total consumer spending and 43.20% of all food spending.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aacjmB
RETAIL: Via Fast Company, VERBATIM: “According to a person close to the matter, the company that owns the license to operate Eddie Bauer stores in both the U.S. and Canada, Catalyst Brands, is gearing up for a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing that could potentially shutter all of the brand’s North American stores.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4acU008
MORE: Bring Me The News reports Eddie Bauer currently has nine Minnesota locations. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4t9BUod
EAGAN: The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reports the Saks Off 5th store at Eagan’s outlet mall closed yesterday. It was one of Twin Cities Premium Outlets’ original anchors. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4c7iNoI
DOWNTOWN MPLS: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “The Loon Cafe has been in business for 47 years, having survived some major challenges including the pandemic, the death of George Floyd and ensuing unrest, crime issues in the city - and even those high state and city taxes. But owner Tim Mahoney told WCCO Radio’s Chad Hartman that if federal agents continue to strike fear in his workers, and business continues to decline, it might come time to call it quits.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3NMsQ8O
LOWERTOWN: Via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “MetroNOME began as a hobby between friends Matt Engstrom and Bill Eddins who bonded over home brewing, music, and youth baseball . . . Through a connected nonprofit, MetroNOME funnels support to local schools and music educators, funding lessons, instruments, and just as importantly live performance opportunities . . . But now, MetroNOME is struggling to keep the lights and the music on.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/46jcnz7
FREIGHT: Via U.S. Bank, VERBATIM: “The U.S. truck freight market showed modest improvement in shipment volumes during the fourth quarter of 2025 and tightening capacity drove shipper spending to its highest level since early 2024, according to the latest U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index. National shipments rose 1.5% from the previous quarter, while spending jumped 4.6%.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4texxZ5
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)
DEALS
NEW JET: Via Duluth-based Cirrus, VERBATIM: “Cirrus (Cirrus Aircraft Ltd.) today introduced the next evolution of its jet product line with the new Generation 3 (G3) Vision Jet. The G3 Vision Jet reveals a reimagined interior with premium materials and an expanded seating option for six adults, as well as ATC Datalink and over 30 refinements designed to create a new era smart and safe Personal Aviation.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4txqtqT
NORTH BRANCH: Via Finance & Commerce, VERBATIM: “A Nashville-based provider of wood building products is proposing a $157 million manufacturing plant in North Branch, a project that could advance with help from the state’s Minnesota Forward Fund program. Louisiana-Pacific Corp. wants to build the 250,000- to 350,000-square-foot facility on a five-parcel, 120-acre site in the northeast portion of North Branch’s Interstate Business Park, which is at the southwest corner of 410th Street and Forest Boulevard. The project is a candidate for up to $10 million in funding from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development‘s Minnesota Forward Fund, which provides grants and loans to businesses making ‘large private capital investments in new and existing industries.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3M40q9K
ACQUISITION: Via New Brighton-based APi, VERBATIM: “APi Group Corporation (NYSE: APG) announced that on February 2, 2026, it completed its previously announced acquisition of CertaSite, an inspection-first provider of comprehensive fire and life safety services in the Midwest region.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rtT9z0
SEPARATION: Via Medina-based Polaris, VERBATIM: “Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII) today announced the completion of its previously announced separation of Indian Motorcycle into a standalone business and the sale of a majority stake in Indian Motorcycle to Carolwood LP, an independent private equity firm founded in 2014 and headquartered in Los Angeles, California.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4r1yKl2
WHAT’S NEXT?
THIS MONTH: From MplsStPaul, how to celebrate Black History Month in the Twin Cities. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4c2DMck
FEB 14: Via MplsStPaul, Valentine’s Day restaurant recommendations. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/40ypxEO
FEB 16: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Comedian Dave Chappelle will return to the Twin Cities this month for a one-night-only show featuring Grammy-winning hip-hop duo Clipse.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rxFW8s
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
KNITTING: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “From the rugged North Shore to the creative heart of Le Sueur County, meet three Minnesota knitwear artisans who have refined their craft to the rhythm of our state’s shifting seasons, curating warmth, optimism, and comfort with each stitch. Their handcrafted pieces remind us that style can persist even in the dead of winter—and that coziness is just as much an art form as it is a survival strategy.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qd2fyU
BDAYS: Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski, Jax’s Bill Kozlak, fmr. Rep. Phil Krinkie, OG Vikings PR Guy Bob Hagan, fmr. Lt. Gov. Yvonne Prettner Solon, fmr. Mpls Councilor Gary Schiff
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