President Trump this morning said he’ll fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell if he opts to stay past his current term. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3O8mnFM
Will the “Little House” reboot drive more tourism for Walnut Grove, MN? TRAILER: https://fluence-media.co/4cenKMl
Because it’s tax day (or, in some cases, because it’s Wednesday), BMTN has a list of restaurant deals. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4tcAxop
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
Want to manage your subscription to TheDailyAgenda.com? HERE: https://fluence-media.co/managesubscription
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)
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/4cJtrSy
Sunday Take featured DFL Sen. Mary Kunesh and GOP Rep. Ben Bakeberg discussing education issues and what fixes are being considered this session. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4cEc99g
Blois
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Follow the 2026 Minnesota elections up close with the Fluence Election Tracker.
https://fluence-media.co/electiontracker
CAMPAIGN 2026
Early signals that Sen. Amy Klobuchar knows she has to contrast herself with the administration of Gov. Tim Walz from WCCO Radio with Vineeta Sawkar. She talked the war in Iran, fundraising in the race for governor, and the state of the state she hopes to lead.
STATE GOVERNMENT: “We’ve gotta have a state government that can carry its weight and that can match the drive and ambition of Minnesotans, we need more growth. We need to make some changes to the way the government works.”
ON FRAUD: “I’m a former prosecutor, and I’ve been glad that the legislature is looking at a bipartisan basis, now at some sensible reforms so that this doesn’t happen again. So you not only root out the fraud and put people in jail, you also change the way things are working. That means an independent inspector general, and I think that’s a good start, there’s a bipartisan proposal on that, to criminal penalties and making a big focus on that, and just making sure we’ve got the technology – we’ve got old computers that still have blinking cursors and technology can be effective in catching these fraudsters.”
Start listening at 1:09:25 HERE: https://fluence-media.co/4tQnqJv
CASH: Here’s a snapshot comparison of legislative caucus and state party fundraising in Q1. Follow more at Fluence Election Tracker. HERE: https://fluence-media.co/electiontracker
Tomorrow in morning take a full analysis of fundraising in Minnesota’s key races.
CD8: Via KARE-TV, VERBATIM: “‘Summer House’ alum, actor and Iron Range-born Luke Gulbranson announced Wednesday he’ll challenge current Republican Rep. Pete Stauber for his seat in Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District this fall. Gulbranson, 42, of Eveleth, went public in a new campaign video just weeks before the Minnesota DFL convenes in Rochester for its endorsement convention.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vBOfD6
WEALTH TAX: Via Bloomberg, VERBATIM: “Minnesota lawmakers are weighing legislation imposing what backers say would be the nation’s first true state-level wealth tax—a 1% annual levy on all ‘taxable wealth’ above $10 million. While several states have pursued special levies on income above certain thresholds, Minnesota’s proposal (HF 4616) would require taxpayers to annually evaluate their taxable assets in a manner similar to calculations for the federal estate tax, and then remit 1% of that total to the state . . . The bill was added last week to a list of revenue proposals for consideration in the House Tax Committee’s end-of-session omnibus tax bill.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/426OfgD
BYSTANDER ARRESTS: Via ProPublica, VERBATIM: “ProPublica and FRONTLINE combed through social media, court records and news stories. Reporters identified more than 300 protesters and bystanders who were arrested by federal agents during immigration sweeps and were accused of crimes such as assaulting or interfering with law enforcement. But over and over those accusations fell apart under scrutiny. Our reviews of court files found that statements made by the arresting officers were repeatedly debunked by video footage. In more than a third of the cases, prosecutors quickly dismissed charges that couldn’t be substantiated, refused to file charges at all, or lost at trial.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ctC1Ue
BISHOP: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “A prominent Minnesota Catholic bishop with close ties to President Donald Trump is sharply criticizing the president for his social media comments over the weekend lambasting the pope . . . Bishop Robert Barron of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, who has been a close Catholic ally of the president, called Trump’s verbal attack on the pope ‘entirely inappropriate and disrespectful,’ adding that the comments ‘don’t contribute at all to a constructive conversation.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4teEgC4
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)
AT THE CAPITOL
GROOMING: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Minnesota lawmakers working now to write a law to prevent grooming of children by adults in schools are parsing through the same questions district administrators, sports officials, caregivers and others have struggled for years to answer: What is grooming and how do we stop it? Experts say it’s incredibly difficult to recognize, legislate and prevent this aspect of child abuse — but it’s not impossible.” QUOTE: “The difficulty with grooming is that most of us can’t identify it,” said Dr. Mark Hudson, a Children’s Minnesota physician who specializes in handling cases tied to possible child abuse. “The things that are grooming are things that are normal activities oftentimes, and that’s where making specific grooming legislation is really hard,” Hudson added. “Then you have to get into intent.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sEL4rw
SCHOOL SAFETY: Via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “We already knew the Legislature would not pass significant gun control legislation following the Annunciation school shooting. Less clear is if Republicans and DFLers might hammer out a school safety package sans gun restrictions to show Annunciation parents, ‘Hey, at least we did something.’ On Tuesday, lawmakers in the split House gave their answer for now: No, there will not be a bipartisan school safety bill.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mvAwcP
MEAT RAFFLES: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “The deeply divided Minnesota Legislature hasn’t been able to agree on much this year, but it’s almost a sure bet to respond by upping the cap to $200. That will allow charities to offer more and bigger grill packs, and thicker, fancier steaks, while funding local youth sports teams and other causes. And it will ensure that the state’s beloved if quirky tradition of gambling for meat products will remain viable. ‘This is probably the best feel-good bill that we have going on in the Legislature right now,’ said Republican Rep. Jim Nash, lead House author of the meat raffle legislation.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4tOIujA
LICENSE PLATE: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Lovers of Lake Superior agates, the state gemstone, are campaigning for a state park license plate contest honoring the striped, iron-colored mineraloid and the North Shore. The campaign began when Shoreview resident and lifelong agate collector Lars Leafblad noticed how many specialty license plates already exist in Minnesota. Leafblad reached out to his state representative, Dave Gottfried (D-Shoreview), and the two of them worked out a plan to get the state gemstone on a license plate.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41A5Opi
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)
BUSINESS UPDATES
UNH: Via Forbes, VERBATIM: “Next week’s UnitedHealth Group quarterly earnings are greatly anticipated for signs the health insurance giant and its rivals are getting a handle on rising costs dragging down the managed care industry. UnitedHealth, which owns the nation’s largest health insurer in UnitedHealthcare, on Tuesday, April 21 will be the first health insurer out of the box to report first quarter earnings as the industry continues to reel from higher-than-expected medical costs.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tQDKKl
TARGET: Via Investing, VERBATIM: “Morgan Stanley believes Target is showing early but tangible signs of a turnaround, with analysts now seeing ‘a path to a credible improvement story.’ In a note following meetings with management in Minneapolis, analyst Simeon Gutman reiterated an Overweight rating and a $145 price target, saying ‘TGT is moving in the right direction.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cLqoZZ
INSURANCE: Via KARE-TV, VERBATIM: “This week marks Severe Weather Awareness Week and it’s a great time to take a look at your insurance policies to see how your home and vehicle are covered. Aaron Cocking with the Insurance Federation of Minnesota says insurance companies have been adjusting their policies in recent years due to the rising cost of insurance and consumers may be surprised to see how their policy has changed.” QUOTE: “A big change we have seen is with more insurance providers switching policies to actual cash value,” Cocking explains. “That means you are going to get the value of what the roof is worth right now, not necessarily a brand-new roof.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/41B0p15
(DISCLOSURE: Insurance Federation of Minnesota is a Fluence client)
BATHHOUSES: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “The Minneapolis City Council’s decision to start a process that could result in the decriminalization and legalization of adult bathhouses is a pivotal chapter in LGBTQ+ history in the city. Council members who support the measures say the ordinance was fear-based and needs to be updated to reflect modern times. Artist and activist Patrick Scully, owner of Patrick’s Cabaret in Minneapolis, remembers what it was like before the bathhouses were extinct.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/480FF6B
GOLF: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Rush Creek Golf Club in Maple Grove is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. But as with any home lived in for that long, things need a refresh. For the championship 18-hole golf course, consistently ranked one of the best public courses in the state, that refresh is significant.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47YVvie
GRANDMAS RIDE ATVs TOO! Check out Donna’s story - a powerful reminder that ATV riding is about more than trails...it’s about people, community, and connection. Donna’s message reflects what so many riders across Minnesota believe: responsible riding, strong local economies, and protecting access for future generations all go hand in hand. Check out Donna’s story: https://fluence-media.co/4tDeK9r Thank you, Donna, for sharing your story and helping put a face to what “I Ride” truly means. (SPONSORED: ATV Minnesota)
THE LOCALS
TAXES: From Hamline political science and legal studies professor David Schultz via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “Cities raise the money they need to function by taxing property within their borders. When the commercial and industrial share of that tax base grows, everyone benefits . . . When that commercial base shrinks, the burden shifts, homeowners pay more, and the city becomes a less attractive place to live, invest, or stay. That arithmetic is now playing out very differently across the Twin Cities metropolitan area, and the divergence carries lessons that no local official, homeowner, or business owner can afford to ignore.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48vJEbu
RAMSEY CTY: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Ramsey County is launching a new plan to sell off county-owned property and invest millions of dollars into development in downtown St. Paul. The county’s Board of Commissioners passed the wide-ranging economic development plan unanimously in a vote Tuesday. It calls for $320 million in investments across the county. The investments are aimed at rejuvenating downtown St. Paul and bringing in needed tax revenue — without raising property tax rates. County Manager Ling Becker said the county needs the funding boost.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cdoFww
ST LOUIS CTY: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “The St. Louis County board voted 6 to 1 Tuesday to send a controversial land use ordinance back to the planning commission for further review. More than a hundred people filled the St Louis County Board meeting Tuesday to share their concerns about that land use ordinance. According to the county, this is the largest board meeting attendance in recent memory.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4sDaNAB
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)
COMMERCE
ACQUISITION: Via Missouri-based CTI, VERBATIM: “CTI, the largest privately held AV integration and events provider in the U.S., has acquired Nomad AV Systems of Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Nomad strengthens CTI’s Justice Division with courtroom AV integration expertise that began with innovative mobile solutions used daily in courts across the United States, and later expanded to include full audiovisual design and integration services.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41vEsAF
ACQUISITION: Via Morrie’s, VERBATIM: “Morrie’s Auto Group today announced the acquisition of the Beardmore dealership group in Bellevue, Nebraska, expanding Morrie’s presence into the Omaha metropolitan area. The acquisition includes Beardmore Subaru, Beardmore Hyundai, and Beardmore Chevrolet.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4th9CrI
CRYSTAL: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “The New Crystal Cafe & Grill has reopened with new owners and is bringing a Mexican twist to diner classics. Located at 2732 Douglas Dr. N. in the strip mall of Douglas and Medicine Lake Road, the restaurant offers a revamped menu.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4sGLzRP
PARK RAPIDS: Via Park Rapids Enterprise, VERBATIM: “The Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce announced the appointment of Missy Hendrickx as its new president on Thursday, April 2. She will officially begin her role on April 28, according to a news release.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tetueQ
OTTER TAIL: Via Fergus Falls-based Otter Tail, VERBATIM: “Otter Tail Corporation (Nasdaq: OTTR) today announced executive leadership transitions in conjunction with the long-term succession plan approved by its Board of Directors.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dQbO4v
WHAT’S NEXT?
THIS MONTH: Via Minnetonka-based NOG, VERBATIM: “Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. (NYSE: NOG) announced today that it plans to issue its first quarter 2026 financial and operating results on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, after the market closes.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cwsRq3
NEXT MONTH: Via Fergus Falls-based Otter Tail, VERBATIM: “Otter Tail Corporation (Nasdaq: OTTR) will issue a news release announcing first quarter 2026 financial results after the stock market closes on Monday, May 4, 2026, and will host a live conference call and webcast on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. CT to discuss the corporation’s financial and operating performance.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vwjtv3
THIS SUMMER: Via U.S. Bank Stadium, VERBATIM: “WWE, in partnership with Minnesota Sports and Events (MNSE), today announced that two-day combo tickets for SummerSlam 2026, taking place Saturday, August 1 and Sunday, August 2 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, will go on sale starting Friday, May 1 at 10am CT via Ticketmaster.com.”
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
SHORT FILM: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “A new short film in theaters this week reimagines a long-running Minneapolis mystery with a fantastical twist. The big picture: ‘The Boom,’ written and directed by local Ojibwe and Cree filmmaker Ajuawak Kapashesit, follows an Indigenous man as he investigates a mysterious noise heard during his food delivery route through Minneapolis.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41UfVWd
ART EXHIBIT: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “When the Cafesjian Art Trust Museum opened in Shoreview in 2022, art fanatics primarily touted it as a glass-art museum. And it’s true: A large portion of the modern and contemporary art collection amassed by businessman Gerard Cafesjian, who died in 2013, is glass sculptures. But after a recent programming expansion at the museum founded by his family, plus the addition of curator Jill Ahlberg Yohe (who spent the last decade at Mia), the Cafesjian is ready to expand its public perception with its new exhibit, Abstraction and Ourselves.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sEJK82
BDAYS: Farm Bureau’s Loren Dauer, communicator Angie Andresen, civic thinker Steve Clift, communications veteran Mark Kulda, lobbyist Abby Parta, marketer Dave Wildermuth
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