In early February, Gallup asked Americans about the most important problem facing the country. Government was cited more than others. POLL: https://fluence-media.co/4d4ku6K
North News used crowd-sourced data to show which Minneapolis neighborhoods saw the most ICE activity. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4rH4GeR
From the Griffith Observatory in California, a couple of images of this morning’s total lunar eclipse (aka: blood moon):
You can watch the full video from this morning HERE: https://fluence-media.co/4aNu8te
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/4r6nRxq
Sunday Take discussed the future of mining on the Iron Range with GOP Rep. Spencer Igo, DFL Sen. Grant Hauschild and Mining Minnesota CEO Julie Lucas. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4seg0ij
Blois
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TUESDAY HEADLINES
SURVEY: Via Minneapolis-based Allianz, VERBATIM: “The majority of women now report being the Chief Financial Officer in their household, according to the latest Women Money Power Study from the Allianz Center for the Future of Retirement, part of Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz Life). More than half of women (53%) now say that they are the CFO of their household. This is up from 41% in 2021 and 49% in 2023, the last time this study was conducted. Millennial women (63%) are more likely than Gen X (46%) or boomer (45%) women to consider themselves the CFO of their household.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/46BcAxS
TARGET: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “Target reported another quarter of declining sales and profits as it struggles to regain its footing with customers who are facing higher prices almost everywhere. But the Minneapolis company on Tuesday offered a solid annual profit outlook that was better than Wall Street had been projecting. It also said it believes net sales will grow every quarter this year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4r8JVrl
MORE: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Net sales fell 1.5% in the quarter to $30.5 billion, while full-year revenue declined 1.7% to $104.8 billion, the Minneapolis-based retailer said. Yes, but: Not all categories were weak. Food and beverage, beauty and toys posted growth, while same-day delivery rose more than 30% — a key battleground as rivals Walmart and Amazon push to win convenience-focused shoppers. Non-merchandise revenue — including advertising, marketplace and membership — jumped more than 25%, underscoring Target‘s push into higher-margin revenue streams.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3OKJrdw
BEST BUY: Via CNBC, VERBATIM: “Best Buy posted mixed results on Tuesday as the retailer’s holiday-quarter sales declined and missed Wall Street’s expectations, but its earnings topped estimates as it showed improved profitability. For the current fiscal year, the consumer electronics retailer expects revenue to range between $41.2 billion and $42.1 billion, compared with $41.69 billion in the most recent fiscal year. It expects adjusted earnings per share to range from $6.30 to $6.60, after it reported adjusted earnings per share of $6.43 for the previous fiscal year. Best Buy anticipates that comparable sales, a metric that tracks sales online and in stores open at least 14 months, will range from a decline of 1% to an increase of 1%.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4u0kz1r
MORE: Via The Wall Street Journal, VERBATIM: “The retailer said Tuesday it expects shoppers will remain thoughtful about big ticket purchases, choosing to spend on higher-priced products when necessary or when there is new technology involved.
Shares recently rose 11% to $68.39 in premarket trading. Best Buy posted a profit of $541 million, or $2.56 a share, for the fiscal fourth quarter that ended Jan. 31, up from $117 million, or 54 cents a share, a year earlier.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rIREgN
GOV RACE: Via KAAL-TV, VERBATIM: “Republican candidate for Minnesota governor Kendall Qualls has chosen his pick for Lieutenant Governor. On Tuesday, March 3rd, Qualls announced Minnesota business leader Brian Nicholson as his running mate.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4l1r7sw
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)
ICE IN MN
TODAY: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “The Minneapolis Police Department will update city council members Tuesday on how the federal government’s surge into Minnesota affected public safety. The presentation from the department includes a timeline of the federal surge showing police responses to incidents, including the shooting deaths of residents Renee Macklin Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ub95bK
TODAY: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is set to testify Tuesday in the Senate, her first congressional appearance since the shooting deaths of two protesters in Minneapolis galvanized widespread opposition to how the Trump administration was executing its mass deportation agenda.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4l5BaNa
MORE: Via CBS News, from running updates from today’s hearing:
ON STATEMENTS: “Durbin questioned Noem about the statements she made in the aftermath of the deaths of Pretti and Good in January. She and other administration officials accused both of engaging in acts of ‘domestic terrorism,’ claims that were quickly contradicted by video evidence and eyewitness accounts.” NOEM: “Sen. Durbin, when we have these situations happen, we always offer our condolences to those families, and I offer mine as well,” she replied. “These are tragic situations, and I can’t imagine what these families go through in losing a loved one. What I will say is we always work to provide the American people with as much information as possible.”
ON MINNESOTA: “Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, questioned Noem about DHS’ continued presence in Minnesota. Tom Homan, the White House border czar, announced last month that the surge of immigration agents in Minneapolis would come to an end. Noem said there are close to 650 DHS agents remaining in the state, including investigators working on fraud cases.”
UPDATES: https://fluence-media.co/4bjoiQq
ORDER: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “A man who returned to Mexico last month after being detained by ICE shall be brought back to Minnesota, a federal judge ordered Monday. U.S. District Court Judge Jeffrey Bryan ordered the Trump administration to facilitate the man’s reentry into the U.S. and bear the cost of his travel back to Minnesota. This comes after the man returned to Mexico on Feb. 2 under an administrative departure agreement despite court orders calling for his immediate release from ICE custody.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4r0MoUB
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)
ENERGY IN MN
ELECTRICITY: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “A recent assessment made by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation is showing a high risk for future power shortages in the state of Minnesota. The latest long-term reliability assessment from NERC shows that the Midcontinent Independent System Operator region—which includes Minnesota—faces heightened reliability risks as electricity demand grows and existing power plants retire.” QUOTE: “We think the report is a serious indication that we need to keep an eye on the way the grid continues to evolve,” said Minnesota Rural Electric Association President & CEO Darrick Moe, who recently spoke at a forum on nuclear energy hosted by Central Lakes College. “As early as 2028, we could be seeing problems with meeting our needs for electricity.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4rdDROl
MORE: From the NERC report:
REPORT: https://fluence-media.co/4rO9pLS
DATA CENTER: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Power leaders announced Tuesday Google is the company behind the proposed data center in Hermantown. According to a press release, the two companies have reached an Electric Service Agreement (ESA) to power the project.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4r5sxni
MINNESOTA’S ATV RIDERS ARE YOUR CONSTITUENTS: Last September, hundreds of riders joined the ATV Minnesota President’s Ride — families, veterans, small business owners, and volunteers from across the state. They represent thousands of Minnesotans who responsibly use and maintain Minnesota’s ATV trail system. As decision makers evaluate trail policy, funding, and land-use decisions this session, we invite you to hear directly from the people they represent. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4u4dGw9 (SPONSORED: ATV Minnesota)
U.S. AT WAR
IRAN: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Iranians living in Minnesota expressing mixed emotions on this third day of the U.S. war with Iran. Beheshteh Zargaran grew up in Iran, and now works for the University of Minnesota in the Plant Pathology Department.” ZARGARAN: “Almost all of my family are in Iran, and it is hard because the first thing that the Iranian regime does is disconnecting the internet.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4r38dmx
VETERAN: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “An Iraq War veteran and Duluth nonprofit leader is sharing a message for families of service members currently deployed in the Middle East, saying those overseas are in capable hands of their fellow service members. Marine Corps veteran Mike J. Waldron was stationed in Kuwait for months before crossing into Iraq when war was declared in 2003. Waldron says combat itself was not what unsettled him during his service—it was the waiting.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4u1Cy7X
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)
SCHOOLS & PERSONNEL
BEMIDJI: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “On Monday evening, the Bemidji School Board took the first step towards the closing of J.W. Smith Elementary School to try and balance the district’s budget in the face of an $3.5 million budget deficit. In a special meeting, the board once again heard from J.W. Smith educators about how closing the school would affect students, staff, and parents involved in the school. 80% of J.W. Smith’s 204 enrolled students qualify for free or reduced lunches, and 8% have experienced homelessness.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3N0qxij
HIBBING: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “Hibbing Public Schools will operate on a normal schedule this week following a mediation session Monday with AFSCME. District officials said it was decided during Monday’s mediation between the district and AFSCME that there will be another session March 17. In the meantime, AFSCME has agreed not to hold a vote to authorize a strike before the next session.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4cYAgjF
PILLAGER: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “The Pillager School Board has selected the district’s next superintendent. The board announced last Friday that Ryan Krominga has been chosen for that role and will begin his duties on Jul. 1 of this year.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/408cXwb
MOVE: Via Enterprise Minnesota, VERBATIM: “Enterprise Minnesota has hired Mark O’Leary as its new president and CEO following a comprehensive search by the organization’s board of directors. O’Leary most recently served as chief marketing officer of SPS Commerce, a global supply chain network where he led product, marketing, M&A development, and SPS Europe.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3MRVchN
GRACO: Via Minneapolis-based Graco, VERBATIM: “Graco Inc. (NYSE: GGG) announced today that it has appointed Sanjiv Gupta as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, effective April 15, 2026. Gupta will succeed David M. Lowe in the role, who recently informed the company of his intention to retire after a more than thirty-year career with Graco.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4r5YFqM
WHAT’S NEXT?
TODAY: Via Minnesota Citizens for the Arts, VERBATIM: “Arts Advocacy Day 2026 is TODAY, and we need YOU to take action to support the arts! Whether it’s writing your legislators, sharing your support on social media, or joining us at the Capitol, every voice matters. Let’s stand together to ensure funding and policies that uplift the arts in our communities.”
THURSDAY: Via Bloomington-based Toro, VERBATIM: “The Toro Company (NYSE: TTC), a leading global provider of solutions for the outdoor environment, today announced that it will release its fiscal 2026 first quarter results on Thursday, March 5, at approximately 7:30 a.m. CT.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47cqV43
MARCH 19: Dairy Queen’s Free Cone Day.
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
EVENTS: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “Event planning has always been a dynamic universe, but it’s even more so in the 2020s, as external trends, the evolving workplace, and new technology demand fast adaptation and evolution. Twin Cities Business spoke with several local practitioners to explore how changing times are leading a wave of creativity in memorable experiences.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3OVW85c
BDAYS: Congressman Tom Emmer, attorney Fred Tyler, business leader Amy Langer, Rochester City Council President Randy Schubring, fmr. Rep. Yvonne Selcer, lobbyist Sarah Strong
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