Plenty of midmorning news on climate, clean fuel and a new poll that illustrates that Gov. Tim Walz favorability is under water. That’s something that his team could never come to grips with. President Donald Trump also unpopular, and further proof that trusted leadership is what is lacking. A reminder a new high (45 percent) identify as independent.
Maybe testing trustworthiness is a new way to ask the questions about our leaders.
Don’t worry, there’s a new page from the Walz team rebutting fraud – that said, if Minnesotan’s don’t believe it or trust you – it’s too late to convince them – especially with a web page.
Every day, week and month that we get closer to the midterms, the Republicans will find distance or abandonment on Trump and his policy as the poll on the MN House races below aligns with worries from Republican.
That was the “take” today on the morning on WCCO Radio with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3MfGtNj
8% of Americans see immigration as the biggest national problem – in the UK it’s 21%. GALLUP: https://fluence-media.co/4ackLmD
The 10-day closure of the El Paso airport that began yesterday is already over. UPDATES: https://fluence-media.co/4qOQqj7
U.S. employers added 130,000 jobs in January. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bOvi8K
In Minnesota Monthly, a former competitor’s guide to Olympic figure skating. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3O1WtDf
Follow the 2026 Minnesota election’s up close with the Fluence ElectionTracker. FluenceElectionTracker.com
Sunday Take featured Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Lunde and HCMC co-CEO J. Kevin Crosston discussing how the state can help stabilize the healthcare sector. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4qnLZeM
Blois
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NEW THIS MORNING
POLL: Via Emerson College, VERBATIM: “A new Emerson College Polling survey of Minnesota likely voters finds Democratic candidates for office leading Republican counterparts for governor, U.S. Senate, and on a generic state legislature ballot.”
“A majority of Minnesota voters (56%) disapprove of the job Donald Trump is doing as president, while 39% approve. Forty-seven percent disapprove of the job Tim Walz is doing as governor, while 41% approve. A plurality of voters (28%) say threats to democracy are the top issue facing Minnesota, followed by immigration (17%) and the economy (16%). Ten percent wrote-in issues related to Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) as their top issue, and 3% wrote in fraud.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/402eSSO
Other takeaways:
Trump approval 31.1, disapproval 56.3
Walz approval 41.4, disapproval 47.0
If the 2026 election for Minnesota House of Representatives were held today, would you support the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) candidate or the Republican candidate on the ballot?
DFL 48.6
GOP 41.8
CROSSTABS: https://fluence-media.co/3MhjwcD
LIST: We count 17 Minnesota HQ companies on Newsweek’s list of the country’s most responsible. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/404a9jC
The State launches a new PR campaign on fraud that includes a website making their case for actions they’ve taken… Via DHS, VERBATIM: “Accurate, fact-based information is critical in the fight against fraud. On Wednesday, Feb. 11, the Minnesota Department of Human Services launched a new fact check webpage to correct misleading information and outright false claims about Medicaid fraud in Minnesota.” QUOTE: “Speculation, intentional misinformation and amateur investigations will not stop fraud in our state,” said Temporary Human Services Commissioner Shireen Gandhi. “It takes hard evidence to put criminals behind bars.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4twLlhL
FUEL: Via Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association, VERBATIM: “For the fifth consecutive year, annual sales of Unleaded 88 in Minnesota reached a new record. The Minnesota Department of Commerce last week reported monthly Unleaded 88 sales for December 2025, which finalized total sales for 2025. The report showed Unleaded 88 (also known as E15) in 2025 totaling 144.34 million gallons compared to 142.89 million gallons in 2024 - an increase of 1.01 percent.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aaOEnf
CLIMATE PLAN: Via MPCA, VERBATIM: “While Minnesota already experiences the impacts of a changing climate, we remain committed to reducing emissions, protecting Minnesotans’ health and livelihoods, and creating good-paying jobs that support a clean environment and stable climate, as set out in the 2026 Climate Action Framework, the update to Minnesota’s Climate Action Framework . . . The updated plan, an expansion of the original framework launched in 2022, was developed over the last year and a half with input from hundreds of Minnesotans, including businesses and local governments across the state, and outlines actions necessary to meet Minnesota’s climate goals. The original Climate Action Framework laid the foundation for more than 40 climate laws and programs and over $1 billion of state climate funding passed during the 2023 legislative session.” MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3Zy2BFH
COAL: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s electric utilities plan to shut down the state’s aging coal-fired power plants within the next decade. But Minnesota electricity customers still might be on the financial hook for coal plants in other states that were scheduled for retirement, but ordered by the Trump administration to keep operating. President Donald Trump has made it a priority for the U.S. to keep using fossil fuels, and slowing the shift toward wind and solar energy. That commitment has included reversing plans to shutter coal-burning power plants.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tudEgL
MAGNETS: Via Minneapolis-based Niron, VERBATIM: “Niron Magnetics, the company manufacturing high-performance Iron Nitride permanent magnets made without rare earths, today announced the opening of a Washington, D.C. office to work more closely with the federal government on reducing America’s dependence on foreign permanent magnets.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tu12Gj
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)
DC + MN
FED JOBS: The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reports Minnesota is down 2,000 federal jobs between 2024 and 2026. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bOYXi6
CAMERAS: Via Minnesota Reformer, a south Minneapolis resident whose campaign to document ICE activity began with his security camera capturing an arrest at a bus stop. VERBATIM: “Now, nearly one month later, he’s installed more than 20 cameras on willing neighbors’ houses — and they’ve worked together to interrupt around a dozen immigrant arrests, Guntly says. The goal is to cover public areas where immigrants may be arrested — like bus stops and businesses — but Guntly envisions the network persisting beyond Operation Metro Surge, becoming a more technologically advanced ‘neighborhood watch,’ providing peace of mind to residents.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bOmIqw
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)
COMMERCE
SURVEY: Via Minneapolis-based Padilla, VERBATIM: “The 2026 report reveals executives moving faster, embracing flexibility and making decisions with urgency even in the face of uncertainty, while significant gaps remain between leadership and employee perceptions on change readiness, well-being, hybrid work and artificial intelligence. Based on a survey of 100 C-suite executives and company owners, and 1,000 employed adults, along with in-depth interviews with more than 60 senior leaders, Padilla’s study shows leaders are increasingly comfortable navigating volatility but aware that success depends on bringing employees along with them.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rNMjoj
SALE: Via Minneapolis-based Deluxe, VERBATIM: “Today, Deluxe (NYSE:DLX), a Trusted Payments and Data company, announced that it has agreed to the sale of its Safeguard business and network of distributors, offering printed and other promotional solutions offerings, to Proforma, a proven leader in the printing and promotional industry.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rIfwAP
EARNINGS: Via Guru Focus, VERBATIM: “[New Prague-based] Electromed (ELMD) has announced a strong financial performance in its second quarter of fiscal 2026, with revenue reaching $18.9 million, surpassing the expected $18.1 million. This marks the 13th consecutive quarter of year-over-year growth in both revenue and net income for the company. The strategic efforts of the Electromed team have resulted in over 16% revenue growth and a record net income of $0.32 per diluted share.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rfuJcS
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)
THE LOCALS
ANNEXATION: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “A judge has ruled in Northern Township’s favor in an annexation dispute with the City of Bemidji. The Office of Administrative Hearings’ decision grants the township’s incorporation petition and denies the annexation request brought by the City of Bemidji. Last year, Northern Township issued its notice of intent to incorporate as a city following plans to build a wastewater treatment system. In response, the City of Bemidji filed a petition to annex portions of the township along the north and northeast shores of Lake Bemidji, saying the township’s incorporation would prevent the city from growing.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4rQ39mx
CRYSTAL: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Developers of a proposed apartment complex in Crystal have increased the building’s total number of units and its height. The building, which is proposed at the 2.2-acre Wells Fargo site at 7000 56th Ave. N., would be the first market-rate complex constructed in Crystal since the 1980s.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ksYXGR
BRAINERD: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “The Brainerd School Board has selected Chip Rankin as its new superintendent for the district after holding a second round of interviews for the two finalists on Tuesday afternoon.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3Mj4vHg
WHAT’S NEXT?
THIS WEEKEND: Via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “The fourth try may be the charm for the city of St. Paul, which will again plan to close a segment of Interstate 94 east of downtown this weekend as crews attempt to install horizontal beams for the new Kellogg Boulevard/Third Street Bridge project.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bPuYXc
SATURDAY: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Valentine’s Day is Saturday, and if you’re struggling to get a dinner reservation, we have some … alternative suggestions.” LIST: https://fluence-media.co/3MuiTfE
FEB 25: Via Bloomington-based SkyWater, VERBATIM: “SkyWater Technology (NASDAQ: SKYT), the largest U.S.-based, pure-play semiconductor foundry, will report its fiscal fourth quarter and full-year 2025 financial results following the close of the market on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aqIEW6
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
NEXT WEEK: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “Lunar New Year—also known as the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year—is celebrated by many Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Hmong, Taiwanese, and other Asian communities across Minnesota. In 2026, the Year of the Horse begins on Tuesday, Feb. 17, launching fifteen days of tradition-filled celebrations centered on renewal, luck, and connection.” EVENTS: https://fluence-media.co/4rbRHlf
BDAYS: photo journalist Ben Garvin, creative guy Jake Nyberg, fmr. Carver County Commissioner Randy Maluchnik
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