The cold isn’t keeping Minnesotans from golfing (heat lamps help). WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3X9j0zr
It’s been a tumultuous tenure – Postmaster General Louis DeJoy plans to step down. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ELnPbW
44% say the results of the 2024 election have influenced how they consume news. YOUGOV: https://fluence-media.co/4hHn5mV
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/434jevw
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
SENATE: From Austin Erickson via WDAY-Radio, VERBATIM: “Conservative podcast host and former Sunday Night Football reporter Michele Tafoya says she’s 90 percent of the way toward making a decision on whether to run for Senate in Minnesota. Democratic Senator Tina Smith announced last week she will not run for reelection next year. She wants to spend more time with her family.” TAFOYA: “When Tina Smith made her announcement, my phone practically exploded. I’ve been talking to everyone from (Republican South Carolina Senator) Tim Scott to people here locally, people in the establishment, but the ultimate thing for me is my family.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/41lT06n
WALZ: From Governor Tim Walz via X, VERBATIM: “I'm in the Netherlands this week to foster business ties with companies looking to expand in Minnesota. I've made similar trips as Governor, representing Minnesota around the world, but this time is different. Confidence in America is shaky. Our European allies feel unmoored. It's clear that President Trump is doing irreparable harm to our economic future.” TWEETS: https://fluence-media.co/3EJgolD
EMMER: From Briana Bierschbach and Sydney Kashiwagi via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Two of Minnesota’s most prominent lawmakers in their respective parties were sparring publicly over potential federal spending cuts, but the rift seemed to go deeper. In a hastily scheduled news conference, Minnesota DFL Gov. Tim Walz decried a short-lived federal funding freeze proposed by the Trump administration and criticized Republican House Majority Whip Rep. Tom Emmer for supporting it, saying Emmer should be ‘more concerned about helping Minnesotans than flying on Air Force One.’ Emmer, who had spent months attacking Walz on social media and in cable news hits during his vice presidential run, posted on X that the governor ‘lies like he breathes . . . It sounds like he’s just bitter he’s not the one in the White House.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3CT2rRz
MPD: From Cari Spencer via MPR, VERBATIM: “Since early January, Minneapolis leaders have been waiting for a federal judge to sign off on a consent decree that would hold the police department to court-enforced changes. That limbo could be extended even further after a Minnesota assistant U.S. attorney and several members of the Department of Justice asked U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson Tuesday to stay the proceeding until March 20. The move is not out of left field. A few days into his new administration, President Donald Trump’s DOJ leadership issued a memo directing attorneys to provide notice of any court-enforceable agreements to reform police agencies that had been finalized within the last 90 days. The memo said the new administration ‘may wish to reconsider’ such agreements.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/415oT1N
BEER: From Dustin Nelson via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “President Donald Trump is, again, planning to impose tariffs on imported steel and aluminum. The plan revealed last week for 25% tariffs beginning March 12 echoes a similar move made in 2018 during his first term. It's familiar territory for many businesses, including brewers, who worry that tariffs will impair an industry already running on narrow margins. In Minnesota, many breweries are on edge as they prepare to relive the production pains experienced in 2018 and again during the pandemic as can shortages drove up prices.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Qq8VKP
MANUFACTURING: From Kevin Miller via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “New federal tariffs on goods from China, Mexico and Canada could mean local manufacturing companies need to raise their prices.” QUOTE: “I think most [manufacturers] expect there’s going to be an impact, right?” said Steve Kalina, CEO of Brooklyn Park-based Minnesota Precision Manufacturing Association. “It’s going to have a short-term effect at the very least that will cause prices to increase, cause some hesitation in purchasing.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4gTlQQ1
LAKE STREET: From Kyle Stokes via Axios, VERBATIM: “Some shop owners told reporters Tuesday that sales have dropped off sharply at many Lake Street businesses that serve Minneapolis' Latino communities. Why it matters: They believe the Trump administration's campaign against illegal immigration is sowing fear among Minnesota's immigrants — and hitting the businesses that both employ and cater to them.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/413Qpwz
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
HELIUM: Via KAXE/KBXE, VERBATIM: “When something has never been done before, there typically aren’t rules about how to do it. Oil and gas have never been produced in Minnesota. With the discovery near Babbitt of what is believed to be the richest helium deposit in the world and rising interest in the state’s potential for geologic hydrogen, the Legislature created the Gas Resources Technical Advisory Committee to develop temporary regulations. Officials from GTAC recently shared their recommendations for temporary gas development rules with lawmakers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4b7YLrN
COLD: From Emily Haugen via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “On cold days in the metro, Jason Halvorson at First Student in Brooklyn Park knows just who to call: the team of bus starters, who usually arrive at 4:30 a.m. First Student drivers don’t always need bus starters, but on colder days, the buses are less likely to start. ‘We’ll put together our bus starters. We have a group of them that sign up, and they’re awesome at getting here on a real early morning basis,’ Halvorson said. ‘They get the buses started for us.’ Many of the buses leave for their routes at 6 a.m., so this extra hand makes a big difference. Some days, getting all the buses ready for the 118 routes are more of a challenge.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/41lJosk
WATER MAIN: From Alexandra Tostrud via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “A water main break in southwest Minneapolis devastated several local businesses early Thursday morning, including Paperback Exchange, which was set to celebrate 50 years of business this spring. The water from the break, the cause of which is undetermined, flooded into the basement where the business kept its rare copies and overstock, leaving a big hole in the wall. Other impacted businesses include Italian restaurant Terzo, Sparrow Cafe, and Lake Harriet Florist.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/416meoB
SSP: From Mark Freie via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “South St. Paul city council member Pam Bakken is facing mounting calls to resign after her in-home daycare license was suspended in December by the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Residents and other concerned individuals spoke out during Tuesday night's South St. Paul city council meeting and demanded Bakken resign amid the investigation that involves the Lakeville Police Department.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3X8wfR1
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)
EAGAN: From Madison Roth via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “Seattle-based e-commerce giant Amazon is moving into a portion of Thomson Reuters’ former campus in Eagan. An electronic certificate of real estate value submitted to the Minnesota Department of Revenue on Feb. 12 shows that Amazon spent over $52 million to purchase 95 acres of the campus. In total, Amazon is purchasing three parcels.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3QntkQu
SEAQUEST: From Eric Rasmussen via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “SeaQuest in Roseville closed permanently on Tuesday, multiple sources confirmed to 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS. The closure comes as SeaQuest filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December and petitioned the court to sell the company to an insider for $80,000 in late January. SeaQuest later abandoned the sale, and a judge appointed a trustee to oversee the ongoing bankruptcy process. SeaQuest has been at the center of a year of investigative reporting by 5 INVESTIGATES and ABC News, which revealed repeated incidents putting animals, guests and employees in danger.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4hI2tLe
RETAIL: From Madeline Nachbar via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Threes a trend! But this one feels bleak. Earlier this month, locally owned stores Story and Teller, Petek Trading Co., and Jewelweed, all announced plans to shutter the doors to their Twin Cities bricks-and-mortar.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4k2BTxT
VITAL PUBLIC WORKS PROJECT FUELS THE FUTURE OF THIS WISCONSIN TRIBE - In 2017, one of the “glaring needs” for the Lac Courte Oreilles (LCO) Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, in northwest Wisconsin, was an expanded wastewater treatment facility. “It was at capacity. We were not able to expand any of our businesses or facilities,” says Jason, the LCO Band’s Emergency Management Coordinator. With the support of Enbridge and several other partners, the LCO Band quadrupled its wastewater treatment capacity—allowing for creation of a new preschool, fire hall, 40-unit apartment complex, police headquarters and, still to come, health clinic and new residential community. “I’m very grateful for the partnership we’ve developed with Enbridge,” says Jason. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/49v4mHc (SPONSORED: Enbridge)
BUS: From Delane Cleveland via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “A new partnership aims to get people to think about taking a bus for their next long-distance trip. Megabus, one of the largest bus companies in North America, recently entered into a partnership with bus operator Jefferson Lines, which picks up passengers at the Maple Grove Transit Station. With this partnership, customers can now book trips through the Megabus website and go directly from Maple Grove to more than two dozen cities in Minnesota, North Dakota and Montana.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/41ncQOW
DULUTH PACK: From T Kaidahl via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “Duluth Pack announced Wednesday that the brand has been purchased by Kevin Hall and another business partner effective immediately. The pair plans to carry on the tradition and core values of the Duluth Pack company, staying in Duluth.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3X5MHRS
STUDIO: From Madeline Nachbar via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Husband-and-wife duo Jane and Andy Shannon have come a long way since launching their design and letterpress studio, Bench Pressed Letterpress, in their spare bedroom in 2012. Now, they operate a 3,000-square-foot print shop, production and wholesale center, and retail store in the Seward neighborhood. Twin Citians flock to the urban outpost for their cheeky cards, home and lifestyle goods, and unique gifts packed with personality.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3X9S2I9
TACTILE: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “Tactile Systems Technology Inc. (TCMD) on Tuesday reported fourth-quarter profit of $9.7 million. The Minneapolis-based company said it had net income of 40 cents per share. The results surpassed Wall Street expectations . . . The medical device maker posted revenue of $85.6 million in the period, which also topped Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3CUGIZu
FRIDAY: From Emma Enebak via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “This Friday at Machine Shop in Minneapolis, a distinct piece of the Twin Cities’ past will encounter its present, as a revival of City Pages’ Fashion Fight Night event takes to the ring after a 15-year hiatus.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gMAuIU
NEXT MONTH: Via Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, VERBATIM: “Seventy years ago, the Supreme Court ruled in Brown v. Board of Education that racial segregation in schools was unconstitutional. It was a landmark decision that promised a new era of equality in education. But in Minnesota, as in much of the country, the struggle for true integration didn’t end with that ruling—it only shifted to a different battlefield. On Sunday, March 2, the Parkway Theater will host a screening of Separate Not Equal – Minnesota’s Integration Story, a documentary that revisits the 1971 Hale-Field Pairing. This bold but controversial move was one of Minnesota’s attempts to address racial disparities in education.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3EJet0p
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
BEAUTY PRODUCTS: Via Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, VERBATIM: “For Black women, beauty is more than skin deep—it’s a form of self-expression, a cultural statement, and often, a necessity in professional and social settings. Yet, the products marketed specifically to them may be doing more harm than good. A new report from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has revealed that nearly 80% of beauty and personal care products designed for Black women contain hazardous chemicals, some of which are linked to serious health risks. Despite years of advocacy pushing for cleaner, safer alternatives, the report highlights persistent disparities between the safety of products marketed to Black consumers versus those sold to the general public.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3EGvt7r
HIGHER ED: Via Minnesota State, VERBATIM: “Minnesota State has partnered with Mantra Health to introduce a free 24/7 mental health resource to students. This new online tool, available to any student taking at least one credit at a Minnesota State college or university, expands existing support by offering a platform accessible for students at any time and any place. Research by the Healthy Minds Network shows that more than four out of 10 college students are living with anxiety or depression. And, according to a recent Gallup-Lumina survey, 76 percent of students considered stopping their coursework due to emotional stress.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3D8jleV
MARKETING: Via The Minneapolis Egotist, VERBATIM: “IN Food Marketing & Design is thrilled to announce The Good Acre has been selected as their 2025 Food for All partner. Each year, as part of their 5% Give Back Campaign, IN Food teams up with a Twin Cities nonprofit working to address food scarcity. As this year’s chosen partner, The Good Acre will receive:
$10,000 worth of pro-bono marketing services
Up to $10,000 of the agency’s 5% giveback
25 hours of staff volunteering
The Good Acre is the largest food hub in Minnesota with a mission to unlock economic opportunity for farmers in our region through a unique combination of personalized support and market development.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4i1aw5B
Subscribe to other Fluence newsletters
FUNDING: Via DEED:
BROADBAND: “The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced today that nearly 89,000 Minnesota homes and businesses could receive new high-speed broadband service through the state's $652 million federal Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) allocation.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3CLTDgn
WATER: “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
SLEEP NUMBER: From Minneapolis-based Sleep Number via Business Wire, VERBATIM: “Sleep Number Corporation (Nasdaq: SNBR) will release its fiscal fourth quarter and full year results through December 28, 2024, after market close on Wednesday, March 5, 2025. Management will host its regularly scheduled conference call to discuss the company’s results at 5 p.m. EST (4 p.m. CST; 2 p.m. PST).” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41kU4Y9
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
PEACE: From Tommy Wiita via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “The longtime former owner of Lee's Liquor Lounge in Minneapolis, Louie Sirian, has died at the age of 88. Tributes are being paid to Sirian, who owned the bar from 1977 until 2015.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4k2sR41
BDAYS: TV’s Guy Still, labor leader Rick Varco, Allianz’s Rodney Meyer
Fluence Media curates, produces and distributes specialized media products to thought leadership audiences across the Midwest and about the region. Our publications cover, politics, public policy, health care, agriculture, business, real estate, sports and more. Visit www.fluence-media.com to learn more.
about morning take- Founded in 2010, morning take has grown to become the leading Minnesota morning newsletter on politics and news of the day. Published by Fluence Media since 2012 the mission is to "make you smarter" before breakfast.
Copyright © 2025 Lunch Take, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
Fluence Media
PO Box 270031
Golden Valley, MN 55427