Last week’s precipitation helped – the new Drought Monitor shows 47% of the state in drought as of Tuesday, down from 63% a week earlier. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3zN8TDo
Tornado sirens at 1:45 and 6:45. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YmcINy
7 in 10 believe companies will pass the cost of tariffs on to consumers, but not necessarily the whole cost. MORNING CONSULT: https://fluence-media.co/42CQOIi
There’s a new version of ‘The Great Gatsby’ in honor of its 100th anniversary – this time with pictures. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/43OdxST
RIP Wild executive Ray Shero. BMTN: https://fluence-media.co/4j4fzDd
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3G1QSZj
US Senate candidate Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan was a guest on Sunday Take – what she’s learned as Lt. Governor, and what she’s hearing in her listening tour. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3E6acEn
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)
MNLEG: Gov. Tim Walz will meet with legislative leaders today. Expect a media availability after the meeting.
CD5: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Rep. Ilhan Omar will run for re-election to her House seat next fall, closing the door on a possible run for retiring Sen. Tina Smith’s U.S. Senate seat.” OMAR: “At a time when our rights are under attack, it is more important than ever to fight back against the chaos, corruption, and callousness of the Trump Administration,” Omar, a Democrat, said in a statement. “I am excited to announce I am running for reelection for Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District to keep standing up for our rights in the face of authoritarianism.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jkBLIS
SURVEY: Via Minneapolis-based Ameriprise, VERBATIM: “Parents today are balancing competing priorities vying for their wallets and their heartstrings, with six in 10 concerned that the tradeoffs they’re making daily will impact their financial future, according to a new study – Parents & Finances – released today by Ameriprise Financial (NYSE: AMP). Nearly all respondents say parenthood brings them joy and purpose (96%) yet is harder than they expected – both emotionally and financially.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4j3DAdp
MORE: From the report:
FULL REPORT: https://fluence-media.co/42EPRzk
SD6: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “Republican candidates for the Minnesota Senate District 6 special election were at Forestview Middle School on Tuesday night for a public forum, where the candidates responded to three prepared questions, as well as two questions that were written by audience members. Seven of the eight candidates were in attendance, with Jennifer Carnahan not present due to an illness. A major topic of the night was bipartisanship and working across the aisle.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3XSC5Gy
TARIFFS: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) believes President Donald Trump's tariffs strategy is about making world leaders ‘grovel’ to him. While speaking to reporters Wednesday, Walz was asked about Trump's decision to implement a 90-day pause on most ‘reciprocal’ tariffs, with the exception of China. It was a reversal after Trump claimed the increased tariffs were here to stay . . . Walz believes Trump's reversal ‘makes it worse.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42oVrEx
HEAT HELP: Via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “Funding to help 10,000 low-income Minnesota households with their heating bills is at risk after the Trump administration abruptly cut the entire staff of the federal program that distributes that aid. All U.S. Health and Human Services employees responsible for administering the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) were fired in Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s April 1 purge of 10,000 workers. The move puts energy assistance dollars promised to states in limbo, including about $12 million Minnesota expected to receive this month.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42p2cpR
ICYMI… morning take shared a new dashboard from MMB tracking disruptions of federal funding for Minnesota. DASHBOARD: https://fluence-media.co/426Nm8N
Read morning take and more… https://fluence-media.co/TheDailyAgenda
NEXT MONTH: Via House DFL Caucus, VERBATIM: “Today, the House DFL and Senate DFL announced a Moorhead town hall meeting on how federal cuts and actions are hurting families. The event will take place in Moorhead on Wednesday, April 16 at 4pm and feature DFL state legislators.”
SHELTER: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “Bridges of Hope’s plans to pilot year-round operations at the Bridge on 7th warming shelter have stalled after the Brainerd City Council unanimously agreed against allowing year-round services at this week’s meeting. Bridges of Hope’s intention to shift the warming shelter’s operations from September through April to year-round first hatched after Brainerd and Baxter passed ordinances prohibiting unauthorized camping in public and private areas.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/428QS2z
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)
SRO: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Minnesota lawmakers last year ordered school resource officers to upgrade their training, a decision rooted in the 2020 police killing of George Floyd. The mid-March training session at St. Michael-Albertville — the first of its kind in the state — offered a glimpse of life in schools that’s real but rarely discussed. Officers asked questions and talked through topics from what to do if a school staffer shows up drunk at work, how to assess situations when students are damaging school property and what to do about students who bring illegal substances to school.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3G5P9T6
MISSING/MURDERED: Via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “What happened to Brittany Clardy a dozen years ago is not only painful to her family and her St. Paul community, it’s ‘reflective of a much larger crisis’ in Minnesota and across the nation, her sister said Wednesday. Clardy was 18 when she was murdered in 2013. Her sister, Lakeisha Lee, was co-chair of Minnesota’s Missing and Murdered African American Women Task Force. The taskforce’s recommendations and legislation led to the creation of the Minnesota Office for Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls in 2023 . . . At Wednesday’s gathering in the Minnesota Capitol’s Rotunda, the aim was to bring awareness to the new office — so families know they can contact them for help — and to the disproportionate number of Black women and girls who are missing and murdered.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jvYDFE
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)
BROOKLYN PARK: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Police in Brooklyn Park say they’re concerned about an influx of high-risk sex offenders moving into the city and its group homes. Level 3 sex offenders are deemed to have the highest risk of reoffending. ‘It really became a concern for us when I realized, not only did we have a high number [of Level 3 sex offenders,] but we were seeing people being kicked out of neighboring cities and then coming here because we didn’t have an ordinance,’ said Brooklyn Park Police Inspector Matt Rabe. In the past year, seven of the sex offenders have moved into Brooklyn Park. That brings the total to 19 Level 3 offenders living within Brooklyn Park’s city limits.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3XTOmL3
FLOOD INSURANCE: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “As we head into the prime months for flooding, most Minnesotans are uninsured. ‘Only three-tenths of a percentage of Minnesota homes, which we pay at fewer than 7,000, have flood insurance,’ says Aaron Cocking with the Insurance Federation of Minnesota. ‘We have the lowest rate in the entire United States.’ Cocking says people think their homeowners policy protects them. Not so fast.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3E1fxNi
(DISCLOSURE: Insurance Federation of Minnesota is a Fluence client)
BEAR: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Here's one you don't see every day but definitely need to be aware of in Minnesota's Northland: There's a bear's den very close to a residential street in West Duluth. The den was found by photographer Tim Mlodozyniec, who told Bring Me The News that he spotted it while driving along a road he takes every day.” READ/PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/43HHmVb
‘I GOT INTO THIS INDUSTRY TO HELP PEOPLE’ - Taylor, a first-generation descendant of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, is a member of Enbridge’s Tribal engagement team in Wisconsin. She loves getting out into Tribal communities to educate people on Enbridge’s purpose and to help them understand opportunities in the trades. Taylor enjoys her role at Enbridge, where she feels valued and appreciated as a member of the team. She believes Enbridge will continue to make an impact with Indigenous communities through the company’s Indigenous Peoples Policy. Taylor’s dedication to helping others and her commitment to her heritage drive her every day, and her work at Enbridge is a testament to the company’s commitment to social responsibility. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3P3wqK9 (SPONSORED: Enbridge)
WOMAN’S CLUB: Via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “The president of the 100-year-old Woman’s Club in Minneapolis’ Loring Park says it would take a $5-6 million donation to keep the doors open, and aside from honoring a scheduled wedding, the club has canceled bookings beyond May. ‘There’s always a little optimism somewhere, you know; there’s always, you know; maybe there’s an angel,’ President Lois Carlson said. The Woman’s Club was established in 1907, and it’s been in its current location on Oak Grove Street since 1928.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/428Pvkn
UPTOWN: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is bullish on Uptown. This comes after years of decline following the George Floyd riots, a high-profile shooting, and disruptive construction in the famous area just south of downtown.” QUOTE: "I first will promise that you will see the buds of progress happening this year," Frey told WCCO's Chad Hartman Wednesday. "What does that mean? I think you'll see some small and local businesses open up. I think you'll see some new creative ideas that come to the forefront. You'll see people that are looking to creatively invest in Uptown." LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4cojYhG
GOLF: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “For many Northlanders, one thing they have to wait for longer than most people in the state, is to hit the golf course. This weekend, golfers can rejoice as many courses around the Twin Ports have announced they will be open after a heavy snow just a week ago.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3Gfm7QF
TONIGHT: Citizens League will honor Peter Bell, former Metropolitan Council Chair and Sharon McMahon, at the 2025 Civic Celebration. The annual Civic Celebration is an inspiring evening, gathering hundreds of Minnesotans from diverse backgrounds, parties and ideologies to celebrate our state’s enduring civic culture, leadership, and commitment to public service. REGISTER: https://fluence-media.co/41txP1p (SPONSORED: Citizens League)
NEXT WEEK: Via Minnesota Trade Office, VERBATIM: “Join us for the latest webinar in our Latin America Series, "Export to The Caribbean.” This session will provide insights from the Minnesota Trade Office's Caribbean partner, Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers (GSGP) Central America/Caribbean Office, focusing on the lucrative and rapidly evolving opportunities in The Caribbean markets of the Dominican Republic, Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad & Tobago.” REGISTER: https://fluence-media.co/42kxOwV
APRIL19-20: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “We’ve compiled a list of the Twin Cities’ top Easter events, perfect for foodies, families with young kids, and anyone looking to break out their best spring attire.” LIST: https://fluence-media.co/3GeKfmw
JUNE: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Paisley Park's annual Celebration will take place from June 5–8, celebrating — what else? — Prince. Celebration 2025 will turn its attention to Prince-centered events that took place 40 years ago, including the release of Around the World in a Day, Prince's run of three Grammys and an Oscar for Purple Rain, and breaking ground on Paisley Park.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jpjEl3
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
MOROCCO: From MDA via X, VERBATIM: “Today Commissioner @ThommyPetersen welcomed Dr. Mohammed Sadiki - a U of M alumnus and former Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, Waters & Forests in Morocco - to the MDA, along with reps from @UMNExt, @mncorn & Duluth Seaway Port Authority. The group talked about the important trade connections between Minnesota and Morocco and impacts to agriculture.” PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/4ia56Vw
ALAN PAGE: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “At his cabin about three hours north of the Twin Cities, Alan Page carries on a tradition that he and his late wife, Diane Sims Page, started more than a decade ago: tapping maple trees and making gallons of sweet, sticky syrup. The former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice and Hall of Fame NFL football player continues to make the syrup, often with his grandchildren. They save a few bottles every year to auction off at the Page Education Foundation gala, to raise money for students of color pursuing post-secondary education.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4j42E4g
SOLAR: Via West Central Tribune, VERBATIM: “A decision is expected before summer’s end on whether to permit a large solar farm proposed in Renville County. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission and Department of Commerce hosted the second in-person public hearing for the Gopher State Solar project in Olivia on March 31, followed by an online hearing on April 1.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lqgS0H
Subscribe to other Fluence newsletters: https://fluence-media.co/TheDailyAgenda
AMERIPRISE: Via Minneapolis-based Ameriprise, VERBATIM: “Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (NYSE: AMP) plans to release its first quarter 2025 results before the market opens on Thursday, April 24, 2025. The company will host an investor conference call to review the results at approximately 9:00 a.m. (ET) on the same day.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4j2thX0
CHANHASSEN: Via Twin Cities Arts Reader, VERBATIM: “The Board of Directors of Chanhassen Dinner Theatres (CDT) today announced the appointment of Tamara Kangas Erickson as its new President and Artistic Director. This appointment follows the passing of the sudden passing of Michael Brindisi, its long-time and much-beloved head, on February 5, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4idIKCB
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
ORDWAY: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “The Ordway revealed its 2025-2026 Broadway season, filled with modern classics and new favorites to celebrate its 40th anniversary.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43NaAC8
BDAYS: U of MN Regent James Farnsworth, issue management guy Jon Austin, environmental leader Michael Noble
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