In 2025, for the first time in seven years, more people moved to Minnesota than moved away. AXIOS: https://fluence-media.co/4s0LDvW
A youth hockey playoff game began Monday night – they’re still playing today. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4kFerHE
The former Schwan’s has solved a problem we didn’t know existed: eating dumplings while scrolling your phone. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4kLBPDx
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/4rPly2K
Sunday Take featured Rep. Michelle Fischbach and Fluence sponsor Minnesota Corn’s Richard Syverson discussing E15, Congress and Homeland Security. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4ayBI9H
Blois
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A SNOWY WEDNESDAY
NORTH SHORE: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Blizzard conditions continued to pummel Duluth and the North Shore on Wednesday, knocking out power to thousands and prompting state transportation officials to urge no travel along Highway 61 between Duluth and the Canadian border. As of 6 a.m., the Minnesota Department of Transportation reported that Highway 61 was closed along the North Shore due to whiteout conditions. The highway had reopened by 7 a.m., but MnDOT continue to advise drivers to stay off the highway that hugs the shore of Lake Superior.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4s2KpjL
MORE: Via MnDOT, a couple of plow cam images from this morning:
MORE: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The intense storm, expected to last most of Wednesday and linger into Thursday, will bring up 2 feet of snow in areas adjacent to Lake Superior and hefty amounts inland, the National Weather Service said. At 6 a.m., more than 3,000 customers had lost power in Lake and St. Louis counties, according to poweroutage.us. Scores of schools delayed or called off classes on Wednesday.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kHnN5V
IN A NUTSHELL: From Duluth mayor Roger Reinert via X, VERBATIM: “Folks, it is BAD out there.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4c2t9pZ
TWIN CITIES: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “While the North Shore is pummeled by feet of snow and winds powerful enough to leave thousands without power, there’s a chance for a band of snow to develop on the south side of the storm system and bring light accumulations to the Twin Cities on Wednesday.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4roYEQ1
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)
FEDS + MN
THC: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Kai Wicker makes a point to educate his liquor store customers about THC whenever he can. He posts informational flyers outside of the Moorhead liquor store and hosts ‘THC Tastings’ every month . . . Last year, Congress passed a law that would ban the type of cannabis products that 99 Bottles and other stores sell across the country. It’s still not clear how, or if, that would be enforced in states like Minnesota. That’s created a lot of uncertainty for businesses like Wicker’s that sell hemp-derived products.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZJeHvF
(DISCLOSURE: Plift is a Fluence client)
INVESTIGATION: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Minnesota and federal authorities are investigating the alleged beating of a Mexican citizen by immigration officers last month, seeking to identify what caused the eight skull fractures that landed the man in the intensive care unit of a Minneapolis hospital. Investigators from the St. Paul Police Department and FBI last week canvassed the shopping center parking lot where Alberto Castañeda Mondragón says Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents wrested him from a vehicle, threw him to the ground and repeatedly struck him in the head with a steel baton.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4c1IUNU
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)
POLITICS
ENDORSEMENT: Via Flanagan campaign, VERBATIM: “Today, the Peggy Flanagan for U.S. Senate campaign announced the endorsement of State Representative Andy Smith (DFL-25B), a progressive leader representing parts of Rochester in southeastern Minnesota.”
MNLEG: House Speaker Lisa Demuth talked about priorities for the session this morning on WCCO-Radio, including establishing a commission to figure out how to lower property taxes. DEMUTH: “Some of the mandates that have been put on every business also apply to our counties and our cities – so think paid family medical leave, earned sick and safe time. That drives the cost up on everything. So not just businesses, not just school districts, but our local and county level government’s too.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/46MbL5j
FED SURGE: Via left leaning Alliance for a Better Minnesota, VERBATIM: “Today, Alliance for a Better Minnesota launched a TV ad buy that will run during the Winter Olympics, highlighting how Trump’s immigration operation has hurt Minnesota families and demanding accountability from conservatives. The spot features Christin, a Minnesota mom who patrols schools to protect students from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). She has witnessed violence against parents, educators, and children by armed and masked federal agents.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4kNDkkK
CAPITOL ASKS: Via MiLLA, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Latino Leadership Alliance (MiLLA), a coalition of Latino-led and Latino-serving organizations committed to advancing the social, economic, legal, and political needs of Minnesota’s Latino community called for immediate action at the State Capitol to address the fallout since the federal occupation in Minnesota by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) began earlier this year . . . The Alliance unveiled three priority pillars of its legislative agenda for the 2026 session. These include passage of the STAR Act to protect Minnesotans, economic recovery relief to support immigrant-owned small businesses which have been decimated by the federal occupation, and the protection of funding for nonprofit service providers in the state bonding bill to ensure all Minnesotans have access to the resources they need to live their lives with dignity.”
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)
COMMERCE
SALE: Via Hormel, VERBATIM: “Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL), a Fortune 500 global branded food company, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its whole-bird turkey business to Life-Science Innovations (LSI).” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tJwUH9
EARNINGS: Via Dow Jones, VERBATIM: “Hormel Foods‘ guided for higher earnings per share and sales in its preliminary results for the first quarter. The food company said Tuesday it expects earnings per share of 33 cents, up from 31 cents in the year-ago quarter. The company also expects adjusted earnings per share of 34 cents and sales of about $3 billion, or up 1.3%, for the quarter.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tDEEKZ
TACTILE: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “Tactile Systems Technology Inc. (TCMD) on Tuesday reported fourth-quarter earnings of $10.6 million. The Minneapolis-based company said it had net income of 46 cents per share. The results beat Wall Street expectations . . . The medical device maker posted revenue of $103.6 million in the period, which also beat Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qOidQD
PETVIVO: Via Stock Titan, VERBATIM: “[Edina-based] PetVivo Holdings, Inc. reported another loss-making quarter for the period ended December 31, 2025, and disclosed substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Quarterly revenue fell to $286,108 from $583,313 a year earlier, while the net loss available to common stockholders widened to $2,316,455.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4s3qOjv
MERGER: Via Nicolet, VERBATIM: “Nicolet Bankshares, Inc. (NYSE: NIC) completed its merger with MidWestOne Financial Group, Inc., as a result of which, MidWestOne merged with and into Nicolet, with Nicolet being the surviving corporation. MidWestOne Bank will operate as a division of Nicolet National Bank until the planned system conversion in August 2026. At that time, all 50+ MidWestOne locations will transition to the Nicolet brand and digital banking platform, expanding Nicolet’s presence in Iowa, the Twin Cities, Western Wisconsin, and Denver.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4roF9Hd
WHAT’S NEXT?
TODAY: Via Isaiah MN, VERBATIM: “Wednesday, February 18, manufactured home park residents and lawmakers will gather to hold a Day at the Capitol and legislative visits to support the Manufactured Home Residents Bill of Rights (HF 2381 & SF 2691). This bill would limit unreasonable rent increases by capping them at 3 percent, give residents an opportunity to purchase their communities (OTP), and increase enforcement and transparency for residents.”
NEXT WEEK: Via Eden Prairie-based Tennant, VERBATIM: “Tennant Company (NYSE: TNC) today announced that the company will report its fourth quarter and full year fiscal 2025 financial results after the market closes on Monday, February 23, 2026, with a conference call to follow at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time/9 a.m. Central Time on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3OiW4fL
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
FISH FRY: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “We have myriad ways to celebrate Friday fish fry: at church functions, in legions and VFW halls, and of course restaurants where the all-you-can-eat deal is bonkers.” LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4tyD3WC
BDAYS: retired lobbyist John Apitz, WashPost’s James Hohmann, civic leader Kathy Tunehim, Circle Pines councilor Meagan Bachmayer
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.
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