Retired Supreme Court Justice David Souter has died. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dduQ2z
A man who escaped from the sex offender program in St. Peter this morning has been taken into custody. UPDATE: https://fluence-media.co/4daave9
Higher-earning Millennials and women skew more liberal and are more likely to be concerned about health care and women’s issues. MORNING CONSULT: https://fluence-media.co/451z7Us
The music lineup for Grand Old Day is out. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4deOxXE
Sunday Take at 9AM on WCCO Radio will discuss the last week of the legislative session. Tune-in.
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)
TOMORROW: From Alpha News via Facebook, VERBATIM: “The Crow Wing County Republicans are planning to hold a protest and Trump boat parade to coincide with the appearance of Gov. Tim Walz at the 2025 Governor’s Fishing Opener in Crosslake, Minn.” POST: https://fluence-media.co/3GODatu
MORE: Via the Crow Wing County Republicans’ Facebook Event, QUOTE: “Calling all boaters in MN. Let's show up at Tim ‘Elmer Fudd’ Walz fishing opener in Crow Wing County and have a Trump boat parade. If you don't have a boat, come visit and wave your Trump flags in the boat ramp area. Let's show our Governor that his policies aren't welcome in rural areas or anywhere in Minnesota. Hopefully he doesn't show and runs away like he did when it came time to deploy with his soldiers. If you don't have Trump gear, we'll have some available.” POST: https://fluence-media.co/3F1H7ub
ELLISON: From Attorney General Keith Ellison last night via X, VERBATIM: “Glad to join @NewYorkStateAG [New York AG Letitia James], @AGRobBonta [California AG Rob Bonta], @NewJerseyOAG [New Jersey AG Matt Platkin], and @ILAttyGeneral [Illinois AG Kwame Raoul] for a Community Impact Hearing in NY. We're listening to stories about the impact Trump's chaotic and cruel policies are having on people's lives and sharing how we're standing up to his overreach.” PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/4dePEGO
MORE: Via New York Post, VERBATIM: “New York state Attorney General Letitia James was heckled by a President Trump supporter at a community hearing, where she claimed the freshly opened federal criminal probe into her alleged mortgage fraud is ‘baseless.’ James was interrupted at a community impact hearing in Westchester on Thursday night, just hours after the Trump administration opened a formal criminal probe into James over the alleged mortgage fraud involving her Brooklyn and Virginia properties.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4jLFe3I
GRANTS: The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal added up all the National Institutes of Health grants awarded in Minnesota over the past year and found more than half went to the University of Minnesota with Mayo Clinic receiving the second most. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/439x1iO
MORE: Via recent update from the UofM, QUOTE: “On February 7, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) issued a notice calling for a 15-percent indirect cost rate on all new and existing awards. Federal judges have since issued two separate temporary restraining orders in response to separate lawsuits, meaning the new rate has not gone into effect at this time. This proposed change, a substantial reduction from our current negotiated rate of 54 percent, would profoundly affect Minnesotans’ access to the University’s cutting-edge research and its related benefits.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4j0S6SD
TOMORROW: Via news release from the Science Museum, VERBATIM: “The Science Museum of Minnesota will host Community Science Day on Saturday, May 10, as part of a nationwide 75th anniversary celebration for the National Science Foundation (NSF). Across the country, museums, planetariums, libraries, community-based organizations, parks, and universities are hosting celebration events in honor of the anniversary. A longtime partner of the museum, NSF funds groundbreaking research and STEM education efforts to advance science in the United States. Amid shifting federal priorities, Saturday’s event will also serve as a day of action to support the foundation’s continued legacy. In late April, some of the museum’s work with the NSF was abruptly terminated, led by the Department of Government Efficiency.” MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4m3rkLX
MN LEG: Via GRAY/KEYC-TV, VERBATIM: “As legislative leaders continue this week to negotiate key state budget details late into the night, several DFL lawmakers say there are certain issues they won’t accept as bargaining chips. Minnesota’s POCI (People of Color and Indigenous) caucus gathered at the Capitol on Thursday to advocate for protecting some of those programs. Members of the legislature have been tasked with drafting a fiscally responsible budget this year; the state faces a projected deficit in FY 2028 and 2029 if it continues at its current rate. Legislative leaders are currently holding daily closed-door meetings to determine how much of that deficit to cut into.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43n2LCj
CONGRESS: From a Wall Street Journal article about members of congress from opposite sides of the aisle forming friendships, QUOTE: “Leading members of many House committees also often have affable relationships that allow them to work together on less-controversial policy issues. House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson (R., Pa.) and the panel’s top Democrat, Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota, have regular breakfasts together in the Members’ Dining Room.” THOMPSON: “You do your best work when you’re eating.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3GOOful
NEW POPE: At the Vatican, Thursday, as the new Pope was being introduced, NPR found a fellow Midwesterner – a Minnesotan – in the crowd. QUOTE: “I’m so proud of our church. I’m so proud of the Midwest. I’m so proud of all of our priests and deacons and bishops and cardinals that serve the church in the U.S. So, very very happy.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3YyI6IT
MORE: MPR has reaction from Minnesotans who watched from here. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4k7RAmz
MORE: Via WCCO-Radio, an interview with Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis Archbishop Bernard Hebda. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3F0bGAm
MORE: Northern News Now talked with Bishop Daniel Felton of the Diocese of Duluth. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4m8X5Dj
TARIFFS: Via CNBC, VERBATIM: “President Donald Trump indicated Friday ahead of key trade talks that he was willing to lower tariffs on China to 80%, but that level may still be higher than what investors and business leaders were hoping for.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45067MU
MORE: Via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Freddy Lazo left a restaurant job for a higher paying one in trucking about two-and-a-half years ago. But the way President Trump’s trade war is going, he’s thinking he might have to go back to waiting tables soon. ‘It’s really super slow,’ Lazo said, looking across the mostly empty trucking yard of shipping company Big Blue Box in New Brighton. A slump in work is to be expected in this industry every once in a while, although in normal times, it’s usually brief and quickly followed by a boom in business. Looking out at the horizon though, harder times may lie ahead.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3GL5Rr4
MORE: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Minnesota health products company Solventum is raising its sales guidance due to strong first quarter financial results as it prepares to take on tariffs that executives estimate will cost $80 million to $100 million this year. The company’s inventory turns over quickly in a 90-day period, said Chief Financial Officer Wayde McMillan. Executives plan to optimize inventory, refine pricing strategies and work with trade associations to advocate for tariff exemptions to blunt the effect. In a call with investors Thursday afternoon, CEO Bryan Hanson called the first quarter ‘one of the more eventful starts to a new year.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42Q6msr
JOBS: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “A Plymouth technology company has been awarded state job funds to help with expansion and job growth. Alter Technology will invest $4.5 million dollars to set up a state-of-the-art semiconductor testing facility. The company, which is located at 3850 Annapolis Ln. N., will receive $275,000 from two state jobs programs to help in the expansion. The project is expected to create 15 jobs within the first three years.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43nbIvq
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)
MARSHALL: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Residents of the Broadmoor Valley mobile home park voiced fear, frustration and pleas for help at a city-convened public hearing on the park’s impending closure. The hearing, a required step under Minnesota law, saw the Marshall City Council appoint a neutral third party to navigate the complex process of closing the park, which has been embroiled in litigation in recent years.” QUOTE: “Marshall, please help us,” park resident Anais Rodriguez said at the hearing on Wednesday night. “We are part of Marshall, we are residents from Marshall, and I want to stay here to continue growing my kids and see them graduate from here as well.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3F0OYrV
HOUSING: Via Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, VERBATIM: “When we apply our methodology to a new analysis that focuses on the Twin Cities area using the 34 indicators for which local data are available, we find a gradual improvement in housing quality over time among both higher- and lower-income households.”
“For instance, the rate of poor-quality housing in the Twin Cities area decreased from 13.6 percent to 5.0 percent from 1997 through 2021. As shown in Figure 1, households earning below the median household income saw a larger decline, with the share living in poor-quality housing falling from 22.7 percent to 7.6 percent.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3GLEexY
EARNINGS: Via Associated Press, quarterly reports from Minnesota-based companies:
SOLVENTUM: “Solventum Corp. (SOLV) on Thursday reported first-quarter profit of $137 million. The Maplewood, Minnesota-based company said it had profit of 78 cents per share . . . The results beat Wall Street expectations . . . The health care company posted revenue of $2.07 billion in the period, also exceeding Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kaFOrA
ANI: “ANI Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ANIP) on Friday reported first-quarter earnings of $15.7 million. The Baudette, Minnesota-based company said it had profit of 69 cents per share . . . The results beat Wall Street expectations . . . The drugmaker posted revenue of $197.1 million in the period, which also beat Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/452fBqV
CLEARFIELD: “Clearfield Inc. (CLFD) on Thursday reported net income of $1.3 million in its fiscal second quarter. On a per-share basis, the Brooklyn Park, Minnesota-based company said it had net income of 9 cents. The maker of fiber optic management products posted revenue of $47.2 million in the period.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3GLBukm
CVRX: “CVRx Inc. (CVRX) on Thursday reported a loss of $13.8 million in its first quarter. The Minneapolis-based company said it had a loss of 53 cents per share. The results beat Wall Street expectations . . . The medical device company posted revenue of $12.3 million in the period.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3F2Gh06
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)
THIS WEEKEND: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says about half a million people are expected to fish on Saturday, the opening day of the season for walleye and northern pike, as well as stream trout stocked in inland lakes. Catch-and-release fishing for bass also begins. As of May 2, the state had sold more than 256,000 fishing licenses, a 9 percent increase over last year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3GNNt0P
MORE: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “A little good news-bad news when it comes to this year's fishing opener. The weather will be phenomenal on the lake. But will it be good for catching that trophy walleye? Might be tough.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3GZOtPf
MEDIA: Via KARE-TV, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Public Radio is seeking to raise a historic amount of funding during its upcoming member drive. In an email to members, MPR said they are going to work to raise at least $1 million during the MPR Spring Member Drive that begins next week. This comes as President Donald Trump signed an executive order last week aiming to slash public subsidies to PBS and NPR as he alleged ‘bias’ in the broadcasters’ reporting, the Associated Press reports.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3YB1wNf
BURNSVILLE: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Abdiqadir Daud sat behind the counter of his children’s clothing shop, eyeing the brightly colored dresses and glittery shoes. But something critical was missing from the well-stocked store in Burnsville Center: customers . . . When it opened in 1977, Burnsville Center was the place to be, its palatial food court and big-box stores epitomizing the indoor mall craze then gripping suburbia. Nearly five decades later, hope for its revival hinges on an Asian grocery store and food hall that have faced persistent delays.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dd7ppR
EDEN PRAIRIE: Via Eden Prairie Local News, VERBATIM: “Work is underway to create a large indoor playground inside a vacant Eden Prairie building once intended for an Amazon Fresh grocery store.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4k8ZKuS
BLAINE: Via City of Blaine, news that golf apparel brand Waggle Golf will move its headquarters to a new industrial building in the city. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3GOK8yp
TOMORROW: Via KQDS-TV, VERBATIM: “This Saturday, May 10, Bent Paddle Brewing Co. is marking 12 years of craft beer excellence with its annual outdoor celebration—Festiversary.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/42RDekH
BEER & COFFEE: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Luce Line Brewing Co. in Plymouth is getting into the coffee business, another way craft breweries are diversifying. Luce Line will be serving up everything from light roasts and dark roasts to a full line of espresso drinks and iced coffees.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4jOgyI9
HERMANTOWN: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “In less than two weeks, anglers will have a new hot spot to get all their fishing gear. The new Bass Pro Shop in Hermantown will officially open its doors on May 21.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3YEWXl7
TODAY: Via Office of the Governor, VERBATIM: “Governor Tim Walz will participate in media row interviews, join DNR fisheries staff for walleye fry stocking on Big Trout Lake, and present a Fishing Education Day proclamation to Crosslake students during an event promoting youth fishing. Later, he will visit the National Loon Center and the Bay View Lodge and meet with area mayors. In the evening, he will attend a Crosslake community celebration.”
THIS WEEKEND: Minnesota Songkran Festival – a celebration of the Thai new year – takes place Saturday and Sunday at the State Capitol. SCHEDULE: https://fluence-media.co/3RTnzLp
POWER: Via news release from NextEra, VERBATIM: “Dairyland Power Cooperative and GridLiance Heartland, LLC (GridLiance), a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Transmission, LLC, have reached an agreement to jointly develop and co-own the MariBell Transmission Project, a 139-mile, 765 kilovolt (kV) / 161 kV double circuit transmission line in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The 139-mile segment, which extends from Marion, Minn., to Bell Center, Wis., is a portion of a new 273-mile, 765 kV transmission line, and spans six counties in the two states.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3StxlnC
ECOLAB: Via news release from St. Paul-based Ecolab, VERBATIM: “The board of directors of Ecolab Inc. has appointed Marion Gross, previously Executive Vice President and Global Chief Supply Chain Officer at McDonalds, to the Ecolab board as an independent director and member of the Compensation & Human Capital Management Committee and the Safety, Health & Environment Committee, effective May 7, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Szyn1j
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
DOUGHNUTS: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Kyle here. I recently asked Axios readers to share your favorite doughnuts in the Twin Cities — the suggestions … do-nut disappoint. The big picture: Taken together, your recommendations are a guide to the metro's most beloved doughnuts. I tried more than 30 creations from the places you suggested just to make sure. (Tough assignment, I know.)” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/43nneqH
MORE: One more doughnut note… We spotted this in Krispy Kreme’s earnings call, QUOTE: “We are actively value engineering our footprint to lower costs as we grow. A great example is our new Minneapolis hub, which is under construction rather than building from the ground up, we're retrofitting an existing building in a high traffic trade area which is delivering a 20% savings in capital and real estate costs. The site already includes critical infrastructure like highway access, loading bays, and a driver, making it a smart, efficient choice for us.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/42PyDzn
RACING: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “The deafening roar of souped-up car engines is back at Minnesota’s oldest drag racing strip in Glyndon, east of Moorhead, as the Interstate Raceway has reopened after a three-year hiatus. American muscle was on full display during last Saturday’s reopening, as drivers in geared up and tricked out hot rods, funny cars, street cars, motorbikes and pick-ups revved their engines, before dropping into gear and gunning down a two-lane asphalt track in a quest for the fastest time.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4jLCrYi
BDAYS: lobbyist Ann Lenczewski, fmr. Fox 9 anchor Alix Kendall, golfing writer Rick Shefchick, Hennepin Health Care’s Jessica Oaxaca. SAT: State Rep. Chris Swedzinksi, JCRC’s Ethan Roberts, St. Paul School’s Ryan Staenzel SUN: Rep. Brad Tabke, lobbyist Elizabeth Wefel, Walmart’s Lisa Nelson
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