Gen Alpha may be too young to have much money, but they make up for it with influence on their parents’ spending. MORNING CONSULT: https://fluence-media.co/43IFzyX
40% of Canadians fear losing their jobs due to President Trump’s tariffs. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3FtvagL
A “mega storm” is could bring us some interesting weather tomorrow and Saturday. FORECAST: https://fluence-media.co/4iMPCaD
Average airfares at MSP dropped more than other major airports since 2023. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4hC7SCt
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4kOrGWb
GOP Rep. Brad Finstad was on Sunday Take to discuss tariffs, the Farm Bill, the federal deficit and more. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4hmnB8E
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)
JOBS: Via DEED, VERBATIM: “Minnesota employers added 9,600 jobs in January, the largest monthly gain since March 2024, and the labor force grew by 4,800 people, according to data released today by the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Minnesota's 0.3% job growth in January was three times faster than the nation as a whole. The state's unemployment rate is 3.0%, which is steady following revisions to the monthly rate from late 2024. The national unemployment rate is 4.0%. Minnesota has added jobs for six straight months and nine months out of the last 12.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3R77Yr2
MITCHELL: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “A Senate ethics committee meeting Thursday is just the latest attempt by Republicans to oust DFL Senator Nicole Mitchell (Woodbury). Mitchell faces first degree burglary charges for breaking into her stepmother's home last year and is awaiting a trial that has been delayed until after the legislative session ends. This marks the third time the committee has met about the issue. This time they claim Mitchell violated conflict-of-interest rules in voting on a motion related to her possible expulsion when she voted on the issue of her own removal.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3R6Qpr6
PROPERTY TAXES: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “A northland lawmaker is hoping to increase funding for rural school districts through a change in property tax allocation. DFL Senator Grant Hauschild, from Hermantown, is the chief author of the new bill. The proposal was first introduced in a Northern News Now special report last May. The legislation would reverse changes made in the early 2000s that excluded seasonal property owners from paying school levies.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4bNN2Pm
CLIMATE: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “People of all ages and backgrounds concerned about climate change attended Wednesday’s rally at the capitol. They held up signs saying, ‘protect our manoomin,’ ‘land back’ and ‘we don’t need e-waste.’ They were joined by the Bear Runner Singers from south Minneapolis who sang a wild rice honor song. Rise & Repair is an alliance made up of environmental organizations, faith and Indigenous groups, working together to advance legislation to protect Indigenous rights and work towards climate justice.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3R6bCS1
SNL: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “The order raised eyebrows at Eyebobs headquarters in Minneapolis last week: six pair of red reading glasses to be rush delivered to 30 Rock in New York—home of NBC Studios and Saturday Night Live. Employees of the eyewear brand eagerly tuned in last Saturday night, unsure what to expect.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4bQOGzF
ST PAUL: Mayor Melvin Carter visited tenants of Alliance Bank Center in downtown St. Paul after they were told earlier this week to immediately vacate. Via MPR, VERBATIM: “The city has several options for Alliance Bank Center, but none have been seriously considered yet, said Jennifer Lor, a spokesperson for the mayor’s office. ‘Our priority first is to take care of all of the tenants and to really make sure that we can help them expedite the relocation process and the permitting process. We will then make a decision about the building and to that, we don’t know what that decision is yet,’ Lor said. The city has not condemned the building. Lor said Madison Equities posted the notice telling tenants to leave without consulting St. Paul.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3DFnUha
MORE: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Carter sent a letter to each of the remaining businesses, addressing their concerns and providing a solution for the ‘wholly unreasonable’ short notice they were given.” QUOTE: "I am aware of the stress and disruption you’ve faced as a result of the notice from Madison Equities, directing you to immediately vacate your business at the Alliance Bank Center. I share your frustration, and your belief that this directive is wholly unreasonable. You deserve better." READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bTcBP1
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)
TARIFFS: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Minnesota U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D) joining forces with Arizona Senator Mark Kelly (D) to sound the alarm about tariffs being imposed on trading partners by the Trump administration. Canada will announce Canadian $29.8 billion ($20.7 billion) in retaliatory tariffs in response to the 25% steel and aluminum tariffs that U.S. President Donald Trump has leveled, a senior Canadian government official said Wednesday.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iMTp7R
MORE: Via KIMT-TV, VERBATIM: “A Minnesota brewer says tariffs could leave your wallet a little lighter the next time you order a frosty can of beer. Patrick Sundberg, owner of Jack Pine Brewery in Baxter, joined U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar to talk about the impacts of tariffs on Minnesota businesses. They were joined by Dan Glessing with the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation. Sundberg said 70% of small breweries in Minnesota are using aluminum cans for their beers, equaling about 200 microbrewers. Many are using grain products imported from Canada.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3Ftzfl6
MORE: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “President of the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce, Matt Baumgartner, said the constant back and forth on the dates and amounts of the tariffs is creating uncertainty among businesses.” BAUMGARTNER: “Not knowing what is the end game, and why did we start this in the first place, was it drug related, is it economically related, is it balance of trade related, and how do we forecast and plan for that.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3Fvg3TZ
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)
MPS: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “The Minneapolis school district this week is sending out layoff notices to staff members as part of its attempt to deal with a $75 million budget deficit. The district has not yet publicly announced where it’s making cuts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iltPae
38TH & CHICAGO: Mike Healey, an attorney representing some who own businesses near the intersection where George Floyd was murdered, talked with Vineeta Sawkar on WCCO-Radio’s The Morning News. HEALEY: “Essentially what happened after the murder of George Floyd is the city engaged in some conduct which essentially sabotaged not only the businesses that are operating there, but also the real estate value of those buildings at the intersection, and that’s why we brought suit in this case.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3FEBGB9
UNITEDHEALTH: Via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “The nation’s largest health insurance company based in the Twin Cities remains on high alert three months after the killing of its chief executive officer, Brian Thompson. Thompson was shot and killed in early December outside of a New York City hotel in what police described as a ‘brazen, targeted attack’ on the 50-year-old from Minnesota. In the days immediately following the shooting, a Minnetonka police officer arrived at the sprawling campus of UnitedHealthcare before the sun came up, according to records obtained by 5 INVESTIGATES. Those records reveal an officer has been stationed at the entrance of the main building nearly every day for the last three months.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3DFNa70
BROOKLYN CENTER: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “The Brooklyn Center City Council pushed back plans to implement a public safety oversight commission in a tense meeting on Monday. Early plans for the commission came as part of the wide-ranging public safety reform package approved by the council in May 2021. It came after Daunte Wright was fatally shot by a police officer during a traffic stop on April 11, 2021. The council could not agree on reform measures this week, but is expected to reconsider them next month.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/422br0e
BRINGING SAFETY TO “THE NEXT LEVEL” - As part of Enbridge’s work on the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Reservation in northern Minnesota, Enbridge has brought in family-owned and Indigenous-owned Northern Lights Family Outfitters to fully outfit project workers right on the job site with personal protective equipment (PPE) from its 48-foot mobile trailer. “Enbridge really brings safety to the next level,” says Patti, a project liaison for Enbridge and the Fond du Lac Band. “It’s really helpful to have a mobile unit, especially for this kind of work. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3OQYmjn (SPONSORED: Enbridge)
SATURDAY: Via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “A movement celebrating women in cannabis is coming to Minneapolis. Dope Roots Cannafest for Women aims to connect women-owned brands with consumers in a space curated specifically for women. Alysha Bellamy is working on her dream of owning her own cannabis business. ‘Right now I am doing the micro cannabis business license review,’ Bellamy said. A chef for more than 28 years, Bellamy hopes the future is bright for someone with her skills in the cannabis industry.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3DsHPQv
EDEN PRAIRIE: Via Eden Prairie Local News, VERBATIM: “A standing-room-only crowd packed the Eden Prairie Library on Saturday, March 8, as local lawmakers took questions in their first public forum since the Minnesota legislative session began – and the first since Donald Trump was re-elected president. For about an hour, state Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (DFL-49, Eden Prairie) and state Reps. Alex Falconer (DFL-49A, Eden Prairie), Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (DFL-49B, Eden Prairie), and Lucy Rehm (DFL-48B, Chanhassen) fielded questions on everything from budget shortfalls and education funding to fraud prevention, health care and social issues . . . While much of the discussion was cordial, political divisions occasionally surfaced, sparking heated exchanges, groans, applause, and interjections from the crowd.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3DGaTDY
CLEAN ENERGY: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “At Summit Brewing Co.’s canning facility in St. Paul, a conveyor belt springs to life at the push of a button. Cans of beer would usually run along the belt, but not today; this is just for demonstration. The conveyor belt is now powered by a new type of motor technology that promises greater efficiency and lower environmental impact. Summit is one of five organizations that’s been matched up with five startups in Grid Catalyst’s annual clean energy accelerator program.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43IHX8T
DROUGHT: The new Drought Monitor released this morning reflecting data as of Tuesday shows that, despite recent snow, 69% of the state is in drought, up from 67% a week ago. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3zN8TDo
HIBBING: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “The city of Hibbing is addressing concerns Wednesday night about their drinking water after recent discoloration. In a social media post, Hibbing Public Utilities reassured the community its drinking water is safe.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/41MUEgr
OSSEO: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “An Osseo City Council member is temporarily stepping away from her role after she was hurt in a car crash. Council Member Juliana Hultstrom wrote a letter to her colleagues dated Feb. 20 saying she’d been in a crash in November 2024.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3XRT8bF
THIS MONTH: From St. Paul-based H.B. Fuller via Business Wire, VERBATIM: “H.B. Fuller Company (NYSE: FUL) announced plans to report its financial results for the three-month fiscal period ended March 1, 2025, in a press release issued after the market close on March 26, 2025. The Company will hold an investor conference call on March 27, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. CT (10:30 a.m. ET) to discuss its financial results.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3DQToRr
NEXT MONTH: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Calling all film buffs: The MSP Film Society has announced the lineup for the 44th Annual Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival. Throughout April 2–13, catch screenings at The Main Cinema in Minneapolis, the Capri Theater in North Minneapolis, the Landmark Center in St. Paul, and the Edina Mann Theatre.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3XMETVu
APRIL10: 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)
MAY16-18: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Art-A-Whirl's sprawling arts weekend across Northeast Minneapolis offers a lot more than open studios and the chance to purchase work from locally-based artists. Indeed Brewing has unveiled its plans for Whirlygig 2025, its annual three-day music festival that coincides with Art-A-Whirl.” LINEUP: https://fluence-media.co/3DHW2cd
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
BUDGET: Via Minnesota House, VERBATIM: “The chair of the House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee unveiled a committee budget bill Monday that he said ‘supports all kinds of agriculture here in Minnesota.’ ‘All sizes of farmers, large and small, organic and conventional. It supports urban farming, it supports rural farming,’ said Rep. Paul Anderson (R-Starbuck). The committee heard a walk-through of an Anderson-sponsored delete-all amendment to HF1704 appropriating $168.9 million from the General Fund for the Department of Agriculture, plus several other agencies and programs under the purview of the committee, including the Office of Broadband Development. The funding request is $17.1 million above the current amount budgeted in 2024-25, or a 10.1% increase.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3R22Y6Z
BIRD FLU: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Ag Commissioner Thom Petersen says biosecurity is the most important part of the USDA’s 5-point plan to address Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. ‘The farms that have had USDA’s Wildlife Services inspections have had little problems; it’s a good thing.’ Another part of the plan included vaccines. USDA says there’s no vaccines currently available to help address HPAI, but Petersen says he’s optimistic the agency will continue to support research for it.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3FzWMAE
WORKFORCE: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Dairy farms in Minnesota and around the country rely on immigrant workers, many of whom are undocumented. Dairy workers’ families often count on the portion of their wages they send back to their home countries. A group of farmers in Minnesota and Wisconsin have been following these connections to Mexico to meet the families of their employees.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3XEg79Z
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POLARIS: From Medina-based Polaris via PRNewswire, VERBATIM: “Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII), the global leader in powersports, hosted its 2025 Capital Markets Day. During the event, Polaris provided an overview of the powersports industry and the company's long-term strategy to remain the global leader in powersports while executing on a number of initiatives to meet the company's mid-cycle financial targets. Leadership also discussed its commitment to innovation, customers and dealers, as well as progress on its operating efficiency strategy.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ilPr6m
ANTERIS: Via Investing, VERBATIM: “[Eagan-based] Anteris Technologies Global Corp. (NASDAQ:AVR), a company specializing in orthopedic, prosthetic, and surgical appliances with a market capitalization of $251 million, disclosed its financial results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. The company’s stock has shown strong momentum, gaining 30% over the past six months. The announcement was made on Monday and complies with Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) reporting requirements.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iNbYc3
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
AIRPORT: Via Metropolitan Airports Commission, VERBATIM: “The next phase of expansion on Concourse G at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) is moving into high gear to improve operations and advance sustainability initiatives while greatly enhancing the passenger experience in Terminal 1. The first Concourse G expansion phase was completed in 2022 — adding 50,000 square feet between gates G17 and G22. This next phase will add 157,000 square feet of new public space between gates G8 and G13.” READ/RENDERINGS: https://fluence-media.co/3FFUm3q
BDAYS: Senate Majority Leader and Oshkosh Titan Erin Murphy, reporter Tony Lonetree
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