The new Drought Monitor out this morning shows no improvement over last week – 63% of the state remains in drought. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3PP2Kzy
Former Viking Chris Kluwe was arrested while protesting a plaque honoring President Donald Trump. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3QsAJ1a
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3D1iuwy
Adam Schwarze, a former congressional candidate in the 3rd Congressional District, was the guest on Sunday Take this week. Schwarze declared his candidacy for the open Senate seat on Thursday. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4gNCzUW
Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com
MPD: From Laura Oakes and Lindsey Peterson via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “It is not unexpected, but the U.S. Department of Justice is requesting a pause in the new federal consent decree agreement between the Department of Justice and the Minneapolis Police Department. The agreement details specific reforms regarding police conduct the MPD must implement following the 2020 killing of George Floyd by former officer Derek Chauvin. It has not yet been approved by a federal judge but in January, the Minneapolis City Council voted to move forward with the consent decree.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4hJ4zuo
SPORTS BETS: From Peter Callaghan via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “The people trying to craft a bill to bring sports betting to Minnesota seven years after the U.S. Supreme Court turned the issue over to the states thought they’d finally found a deal. After failing to find a way to bring all of the pro-gambling interests into agreement, backers that included national sports betting companies, tribal nations, horse racing tracks and charitable gambling finally produced a compromise last year . . . So why did that bill fail on a tie-vote in its first committee stop of the 2025 session? While betting clichés abound on this issue, could bill backers have overplayed their hand? After last week’s failure, it is now possible that backers worried too much about splitting the profits among gambling interests and too little about anti-gambling forces. The six lawmakers who voted no last week in the Senate State Government Committee were an unlikely alliance of some of the Senate’s most-liberal and most-conservative members.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kaRcou
(DISCLOSURE: Sports Betting Alliance is a client and sponsor of Fluence)
CFPB: Via news release from the Attorney General, VERBATIM: “Today, Attorney General Keith Ellison and a coalition of 22 other attorneys general warned against efforts by the Trump administration and Elon Musk to defund and disband the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The coalition argues in an amicus brief filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland that dismantling the CFPB would significantly harm consumers and hamper enforcement of federal consumer protection laws.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3D9JHx5
ROBBINSDALE: From Kevin Miller via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “The Robbinsdale School Board has appointed a new member to its ranks after a recent resignation. Kenneth Wutoh was appointed to the board on Tuesday, Feb. 18. Wutoh will take the seat previously held by Sharon Brooks, who resigned early in February.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/43bPwEO
WILD ABOUT READING: More than 500 Minnesota classrooms and 15,000 students are 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, Rookie; 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
SURVEY: From Emily Haugen via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Freezing temperatures have Minnesotans dreaming of warmer places. An AAA survey revealed that 86 percent of Minnesotans plan to go on vacation this year. Of those, 23 percent plan to travel during spring break when families have kids off of school.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3QrK1dJ
MORE: Via AAA, the survey. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/434iFli
ROCHESTER: Via KTTC-TV, VERBATIM: “Dozens of Mayo High School students took part in a brief walkout reportedly over immigration concerns. According to the person who contacted KTTC about the demonstration, the walkout was to show solidarity with Latino students and immigrants.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3Xa1Jq0
HELIUM: From Dan Kraker via MPR, VERBATIM: “Helium is best known as the ultra-light element used to lift party balloons and the Goodyear Blimp effortlessly into the sky. But it’s also a valuable commodity increasingly in demand for applications ranging from aerospace to the manufacturing of semiconductor chips. And that’s led many people to cheer the ongoing exploration for helium in a remote corner of northeast Minnesota, where a small company, Pulsar Helium, hopes to open a production facility soon.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4k4XZzQ
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.-Elect Kari Rehauer
Rep.-Elect Wayne Johnson
Rep. Elect Julie Greene
Rep. Elect Keith Allen
Rep. Elect Peter Johnson
Follow on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.TheDailyAgenda.com/Podcasts. (SPONSORED: Minnesota Telecom Alliance)
WORM: From Mike Mosedale via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “After Terry Anderson bought an undeveloped parcel of forestland in Eagles Nest Township two decades ago, it didn’t take long to pick his building spot: a flat area midway up a hillside with a view of a little, pristine lake that looks like it belongs in the nearby Boundary Waters. More than anything, he was drawn to the site by the trees . . . Over the last few years, Anderson’s enthusiasm for his balsam firs has been tempered by an unwelcome visitor. The eastern spruce budworm – a native insect that feasts on the aromatic, fast-growing, and short-lived conifers – has exploded throughout much of northeast Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4i2phVE
ST PAUL: From Frederick Melo via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “A developer’s efforts to add a series of single-story buildings along the outer edges of the Highland Bridge development have been rebuffed by a tie vote of the St. Paul City Council. The Ryan Cos. recently sought zoning variances to add four squat buildings along Ford Parkway, each of them no more than 12 to 18 feet tall, on parcels of land where city zoning calls for a minimum of 40 feet. Variance requests for building height and floor area ratio were denied in January by the city’s Board of Zoning Appeals after some members likened the proposal to a strip mall, thrusting the issue before the city council.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/414WfxT
BECKER CTY: From Nathan Bowe via Detroit Lakes Tribune, VERBATIM: “The Becker County Board may revisit its newly-restored policy of having the full board approve all new hires. With commissioners concerned about potentially big federal and state funding cuts, they revised the county's hiring policy on Feb. 4 to require full board approval for each new hire, and to require department heads to show how each new employee is being funded, and to look at other possible options for the position. ‘The time to be concerned is now, not two years from now when we have to raise the (property tax) levy by double digits,’ Commissioner Barry Nelson said at the time.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/436cptE
MAYORS: From Trent Abrego via St. Cloud Live, VERBATIM: “Newly elected area mayors are focusing on collaboration. That was a key takeaway from a mayor’s roundtable hosted at the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, Feb. 19. ‘We’ve made it a point to attempt to meet monthly … To get a better understanding of what’s going on,’ St. Cloud Mayor Jake Anderson said. Anderson is one of five mayors serving his first term.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3CXj7aA
MHA NATION-ENBRIDGE AGREEMENT: “IT’S AN AWESOME DAY” - Enbridge has sold its Plaza/Wabek Pipeline in North Dakota to the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara (MHA) Nation, paving the way for the MHA Nation to become the first Tribal shipper on the Enbridge liquids pipeline network. The pipeline will “create an avenue” from the MHA Nation’s Thunder Butte facility, notes Mark N. Fox, Chairman of the MHA Nation, “to move our very valuable assets and resources to the marketplace.” Adds Bernie Fox, Thunder Butte’s CEO: “I’m thankful to Enbridge, because now they’re part of our history. They’re our partner.” As part of Enbridge’s Indigenous inclusion strategy, “we want to provide even more opportunities,” says Mike Koby, VP of our U.S. Liquids Pipelines group, “to partner with the MHA Nation and other Tribal communities along our operations.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/47ozrun (SPONSORED: Enbridge)
SUPER BOWL: From Padilla’s Ryan Richardson via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “As the dust settles from last week’s big game and all the Monday morning quarterbacking, marketers are focused on one question: For the brands that made a multi-million-dollar advertising investment, was it worth it?” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hHLkkI
PICKLEBALL: From Delane Cleveland via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Pickleball enthusiasts in the northwest suburbs now have a new indoor space to play their favorite game. A former warehouse near I-494 and Rockford Road in Plymouth is the new home to PickleX, which offers six indoor pickleball courts and a ‘skinny court’ for singles play.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3EOlr4a
EARNINGS: Via Associated Press, reports from Minnesota-based companies:
NOG: “Northern Oil and Gas Inc. (NOG) on Wednesday reported fourth-quarter earnings of $71.7 million. On a per-share basis, the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based company said it had net income of 71 cents. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring costs, were $1.11 per share. The results did not meet Wall Street expectations . . . The independent oil and gas company posted revenue of $515 million in the period. Its adjusted revenue was $545.5 million, also missing Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3XcAFq9
WINMARK: “Winmark Corp. (WINA) on Wednesday reported earnings of $9.6 million in its fourth quarter. On a per-share basis, the Minneapolis-based company said it had profit of $2.60. The store concept franchisor posted revenue of $19.5 million in the period.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4h6CJap
WATER: Via DEED, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (MPFA) today announced over $60.3 million in loans and grants awarded to 17 wastewater and drinking water infrastructure projects throughout the state.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3CXRH4g
APRIL10: Citizens League will honor Peter Bell, former Metropolitan Council Chai 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)
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
FUNDING: From Allison Winter via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Farmers across the United States are finding themselves in precarious economic positions, as they attempt to navigate a strained farm economy and a barrage of executive orders from the Trump administration that put some farm programs in limbo. In his first month in office, President Donald Trump has issued a flurry of executive orders to pause or cancel federal funding on a range of programs and grants — some of which go directly to farmers. Even though the administration said it would not stop payments to individuals and courts have ordered the administration to resume the programs, many farmers are awaiting payments on their contracts and have not been told when or if they can expect to receive expected funding. Billions of dollars are at stake.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41nrhCC
MORE: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Lawmakers in the Minnesota Senate on Monday heard from Minnesotans impacted by the freeze, with major impacts to the state budget looming should critical agricultural programs face federal funding cuts. Tom Smude, a sunflower farmer in Pierz who operates a sunflower processing plant, told senators he took out a temporary loan to majorly expand his operations after he received a $530,000 reimbursement grant from the USDA's Resilient Food Infrastructure Systems Program.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ENuPFh
SOYBEANS: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Brazil’s record-large soybean crop is beginning to come online. Michael Cordonnier, president of Soybean and Corn Advisor, says harvest progressed about ten percentage points on the week to 27 percent . . . He tells Brownfield the Brazilian crop will weigh on U.S. soybean prices.” CORDONNIER: “Especially given tensions between the U.S. and China. China is going to want to buy all they can from Brazil for sure, and Argentina. So it’s going to slow down U.S. soybean exports for sure.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4b6CWst
EGGS: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “Small business owners that rely on eggs for their products are facing sticker shock because the usually reliable staple is in short supply. Avian flu is forcing farmers to slaughter millions of chickens a month, causing U.S. egg prices to skyrocket. The average price of a dozen Grade A eggs in U.S. cities reached $4.95 in January, eclipsing the previous record of $4.82 set two years earlier and more than double the low of $2.04 that was recorded in August 2023. The Agriculture Department predicts prices will soar another 20 percent this year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hI0mH3
MORE: Via MPR, an interview with a UofM Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences professor about bird flu. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4k2ZC0V
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COFFEE: Via The Minneapolis Egotist, VERBATIM: “Media Bridge, an independent advertising agency based in Minneapolis, proudly announces Caribou Coffee as its newest client. This strategic partnership underscores Media Bridge’s continued client expansion and commitment to delivering bold, integrated campaigns that drive impact. The collaboration comes at a pivotal time for both organizations as Caribou Coffee, known for its premium coffeehouses and high-quality handcrafted beverages, extends its national presence.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4k9jm3a
IMPACT: From Impact of Minnesota via PRWeb, VERBATIM: “Impact of Minnesota, Inc., a holding company that wholly-owns two operating businesses: Impact Mailing of Minnesota, Inc. and Infinity of Minnesota, Inc., has completed a transaction to become 100% employee-owned through its newly-created Employee Stock Ownership Plan.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4162ilU
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
SPORTS BARS: From Jason DeRusha via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “Never underestimate Minnesotans’ desire to have multiple gigantic TVs within eyesight at all times. The sports bar explosion over the last couple weeks is fascinating. Why? Who’s asking for this? What’s the motivation? The answers are different for each spot, as is the vibe. We didn’t eat a ton of food so I can’t give you a thorough review from a culinary standpoint—but these are sports bars. You get the idea! If it gets more people to get out of their home and away from non-stop food delivery… I’m all for it. Watching a game in community is a fun thing.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hCHiKt
AIRPORT: From Dustin Nelson via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “For the first time in more than a decade, major concession changes are coming to Terminal 2 at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Three operators have been selected to develop a slate of new food, beverage, and retail locations by the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), which operates the airport. It's part of the continued redevelopment of Terminal 2, a $263 million project that will be completed in 2027.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gQvYJi
BDAYS: restaurant guy Kip Clayton, Arc Initiatives’ Aaron Florence-Weinberg, Sunrise Banks Terri Banaszewski
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