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)
The launch window for NASA’s Artemis II mission around the moon opens at 5:25 p.m. Minnesota time. UPDATES: https://fluence-media.co/3PHy06W
At 8:00 p.m. Minnesota time, President Trump is scheduled to give an update on Iran.
A Minnesota band’s new song was inspired by a thunderstorm – then came the immigration enforcement surge. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/48jcqMg
Independent highlights “5 underperforming Republicans” in Congress who it says are vulnerable in this year’s election – including one who’s district is just across the border from us. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4c2TpPu
ICYMI… check out the top section of today’s morning take (just don’t forget to check the calendar first). SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3PGy2fj
Today’s forecast seems appropriate for the date – snow, rain, sleet, slush, and ice. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3PJk2Bx
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
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/41JdW6F
Sunday Take featured texts from listeners in a discussion about the “Mood of Minnesota” and how it could influence the 2026 elections. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4s5LFlE
Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com
A BRAND-NEW MONTH
HCMC: Via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “Workers with the Hennepin County Medical Center(HCMC) and its partners with the Minnesota Nurses Association(MNA) are calling for support from lawmakers. The press conference featured several HCMC workers calling for legislative action to help prevent the hospital from closing. Those who gathered at the press conference warned that, should HCMC close down, wait times for patients would skyrocket and hospitals could be overwhelmed by the influx of patients who no longer had access to HCMC.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4sdhycb
MEDICAID: From USAFacts via Instagram, VERBATIM: “In February, the Trump Administration announced that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) would be freezing $259.5 million earmarked for Medicaid in Minnesota while it investigates allegations of fraud in the state. Let’s break down the data on Medicaid in Minnesota.” GRAPHS: https://fluence-media.co/41HqBHk
MORE: ICYMI… morning take has extensive coverage of the state’s efforts to restore the funding. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3PGy2fj
STEWARTVILLE: Via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “A $20.6 million boost is adding fuel to a Stewartville manufacturer’s rapid growth as it turns its focus to the U.S., after years of solely selling in Europe. Minnesota Medical Technologies Corp., which makes silicone devices to treat fecal incontinence, is quickly turning that financial infusion into employees to sell to U.S. customers in the wake of clearance by the Food and Drug Administration in January.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sOTyNA
RENOMINATIONS: Via City of Minneapolis, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis is a strong city and getting stronger. Across neighborhoods, residents are seeing real progress: safer streets, more responsive City services, and continued investment in the future. Today, Mayor Frey announced the renomination of three key leaders driving that progress: Community Safety Commissioner Toddrick Barnette, City Operations Officer Margaret Anderson Kelliher, and City Attorney Kristyn Anderson.”
MOBILE HOMES: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “How the state should regulate manufactured housing parks is the subject of debate at the Capitol this year. Some lawmakers are pushing a bill that would encourage park owners to sell their communities to the residents, require park owners to provide itemized billing and curb rent increases. Current law allows park owners to raise rent twice a year and doesn’t limit how much. [Lake Elmo resident Sammi Silver] said she’s being priced out of the community, but actually leaving isn’t easy. Most residents of mobile home parks in Minnesota own their homes, but rent the land underneath.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3QdzpCf
GRANTS: Via Lessard-Sams, VERBATIM: “The Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC) today announced its annual Call for Funding Request from the Outdoor Heritage Fund. Approximately $160 million will be available in grants for statewide and metro-area habitat restoration, protection, and enhancement projects . . . The Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council is composed of eight citizens and four legislators and makes annual recommendations to the Minnesota legislature for use of monies from the Outdoor Heritage Fund.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47v73ti
DATA CENTER: Via Duluth News Tribune, VERBATIM: “City officials announced Tuesday they will begin accepting public comment on an environmental review for a downsized data center campus Google is proposing to construct in the southwest corner of the community. An initial review of the prospective development site had spanned 403 acres — an area that has since been reduced to 278 acres, a decrease of more than 30% from what was first proposed in October 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dnt4xS
WASTEWATER: Via KTTC-TV, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is looking for input on a proposed new wastewater treatment plant that would support four communities in southeast Minnesota . . . Each city currently has its own wastewater treatment facility, but according to the MPCA, they are in declining condition.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4sFCWrq
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)
SUPPLY CHAIN
REPORT: Via Minneapolis-based U.S. Bank, VERBATIM: “The latest quarterly U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index – Rates Edition showed truck freight rates moving up modestly to start 2026, while the gap between spot and contract pricing has narrowed.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tlJueO
DIESEL: Via WDIO-TV, VERBATIM: “Gas and diesel prices have been rising for weeks across the country. Local trucking companies in the Northland are already feeling the impact. Now prices have not reached the record levels from four years ago. However, many Northland truck drivers and Twin Ports businesses, including Kivi Brothers Trucking, say the higher costs are affecting them now.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4m4CxMD
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)
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
TRIBUTE BANDS: Via KMSP-TV, VERBATIM: “Allianz Field will host seven tribute bands over six summer nights, featuring music from the late-60s to today’s hits. The shows will cover pop, rock and adult contemporary genres, organizers have promised.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bYK2Qy
BOOK: Via iUniverse, VERBATIM: “On June 28, 1967, a group of 150 young men and women, were sworn into the Marine Corps at a Minnesota Twins baseball game. Author Christy Sauro Jr. was one of those one of those young men. They were dubbed the ‘Twins Platoon,’ and an updated edition of his book tells the story of what happened after they were cheered off the ball field.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cnz5Zp
YOUR NEIGHBORS RIDE ATVs: From the Twin Cities to the Iron Range, thousands of Minnesotans own and ride ATVs. They are families, veterans, teachers and small business owners who rely on Minnesota’s trail system for recreation, tourism, and economic activity. ATV riders aren’t just “up north” — they live in the Twin Cities metro area. And they care deeply about maintaining safe, well-managed trails. As the legislature considers trail policy, funding, and land-use decisions this session, ask them to support Minnesota’s ATV community and the outdoor opportunities they value. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4td9sRR (SPONSORED: ATV Minnesota)
NONPROFITS STRUGGLING
FOOD PANTRY: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “Ruby’s Pantry, the non-profit organization that distributes corporate surplus food to combat hunger across Minnesota and other states, has announced it is ending operations immediately . . . Ruby’s Pantry offered a large quantity of food to people for a $25 donation. It served communities in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota for over 20 years and operated through pop-up locations, with volunteers at some sites distributing the food directly to cars.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4sSD4UQ
MORE: Via KQDS-TV, VERBATIM: “News of the closure of Ruby’s Pantry has the Northland’s largest non-profit charitable organization preparing to handle an increased need for food with Ruby’s Pantry not an option anymore. Second Harvest Northland is based out of Duluth and serves more than a dozen counties in the region to ensure quality food makes its way to a network of food shelves, on-site meal programs, and tribal organizations.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/41Hqdsk
MANKATO: Via Mankato Free Press, VERBATIM: “Like many other nonprofits, the Southern Minnesota School of Music has found itself in a position where money coming in isn’t keeping up with the cost of services they provide to fulfill the mission set forward nearly 50 years ago. At a meeting Monday night, board President Kimberley Greenwood shared details with about 25 people with hopes they can raise money to cover operations in the short term while plans are put in place for permanent remedies.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cnKXur
DONATIONS: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “These days, the hunt for thrifted goods may be less fruitful than times past. ‘Donations are slow,’ said Becky Hamoud, manager of Legacy Thrift. ‘It’s usually slow January, February, into March because of weather, because of a lot of people hunkering down but also going South.’ Hamoud said the store saw around a 30 to 40 percent drop in furniture donations over the winter.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3PLliE6
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)
HOSPITALITY
DESSERTS: Via The Peach Cobbler Factory, VERBATIM: “The Peach Cobbler Factory has officially signed a 15-Unit State Development Agreement in Minnesota, marking the largest development deal in the company’s history and a major milestone in the brand’s continued national expansion. This significant agreement introduces The Peach Cobbler Factory to the state of Minnesota and will bring multiple locations to communities across the state in the coming years.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48kwSwe
NEW NAME: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Owamni — the James Beard Award-winning Indigenous restaurant in Minneapolis co-founded by chef Sean Sherman — is evolving. Not only is it moving into the Guthrie Theater overlooking the Mississippi River this spring — but it will also take a new name: Indígena by Owamni.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dhaQOt
WHAT’S NEXT?
TOMORROW: Via DEED, VERBATIM: “On Thursday, April 2, Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Commissioner Matt Varilek and Labor Market Information Director Angelina Nguyen will be available from 10:00-10:30 a.m. to answer questions from the press regarding the January employment data.”
THIS MONTH: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “Brooke Nault, director and founder of the Twin Cities True Vintage Show (TCTV), has long been drawn to the inherent allure of old objects. And not just a few years old—but decades. A jewelry box that has been passed down across four generations; a dress that still bears the hushed defiance of the Roaring Twenties; a simple square handkerchief with stories stitched into every seam.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4s6zVPS
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
D’AMICO: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “Everything ends. For businesses, especially restaurants, those endings can be abrupt and disappointing. Rarely do we get to watch a complete life cycle play out. But Saturday brought an ending that was a celebration, as the last two D’Amico & Sons cooked their final pizzas and pans of Bolognese.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48fk7D9
BDAYS: belated to Sen. Grant Hauschild…today Rev. DeWayne Davis, Sen. Mark Koran, GOP operative Preya Samsundar
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