Trust in banks is at an all-time high, showing a remarkable but slow turnaround from the 2008 financial crisis. GALLUP: https://fluence-media.co/40qZdg6
From Bloomington-based Toro, a reminder that Lawn Mower Maintenance Week is coming up. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4b5RCcY
Minnesota flags will fly at half-staff Wednesday in honor of the Reverend Jesse Jackson. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aLyi3h
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/4aNGDUa
Sunday Take dug into Minnesota’s housing situation with DFL Rep. Esther Agbaje and James Vagle, CEO of First Housing. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4cImGAP
Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com
POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS
FRAUD: Via letter from Tim O’Malley, appointed in December by Governor Tim Walz to serve as Director of Program Integrity, a position created to root out fraud. The letter is addressed to Walz and legislative leaders. QUOTE: “The extent of fraud in Minnesota is unacceptable. The attached Roadmap to Program Integrity and Fraud Prevention provides an actionable framework for reengineering the state’s approach to better prevent, detect and respond to fraud in the future. The review undertaken to identify contributing causes of fraud shows that, going back at least to the 1970s, every administration and legislative body was put on notice of vulnerabilities in program integrity. Stronger preventative measures should have been taken. Repeatedly, plans were put in place but not executed effectively. Criminals have exploited those longstanding vulnerabilities to defraud our state, erode public trust and impede the delivery of essential services to Minnesotans in need.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZSakOY
MORE: The roadmap, SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4cI0Mxt
GOP PLAN: Via Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus, VERBATIM: “Sen. Jordan Rasmusson (R-Fergus Falls), Republican lead of the Senate Human Services Committee, joined Senate Republicans to roll out a legislative action plan to stop fraud in Minnesota’s public support services and restore accountability in state government. The plan focuses on three key objectives: stricter legislative oversight, smarter use of technology to verify services, and stronger accountability for taxpayer dollars.” QUOTE: “Minnesotans are outraged by the human services fraud that has unfolded over the past several years, and they expect us to protect their tax dollars,” Rasmusson said. “After 15 years of a DFL governor, oversight has vanished and fraud has flourished. Our comprehensive plan restores accountability and puts taxpayers first.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rxHzmM
SOTU: Congressman Pete Stauber this morning announced his guests at tomorrow’s State of the Union will be independent journalists Nick Shirley and David Hoch.
EPSTEIN FILES: Via The Wall Street Journal, VERBATIM: “The blast radius of the Epstein files has toppled C-suite executives, shamed financiers and led to the arrest of a former British royal. Now, school picture day is in the crossfire. A social media-led boycott has homed in on [Minnesota-based] Lifetouch, the photography company hired by thousands of U.S. schools each year to take portraits of students. Online sleuths poring over government files have drawn a tenuous connection between the 90-year-old company and Leon Black, the former CEO of its private-equity owner, Apollo Global Management. The backlash has prompted school districts across the country to cancel their contracts with Lifetouch.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tVZHIU
MORE: Via NBC News, VERBATIM: “At least 10 districts across four states have canceled or paused their contracts with Lifetouch, the nation’s largest school photographer. Other districts have announced they still plan to work with the company, while conducting ongoing reviews to ensure it is in the best interest of their students.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qXIkVf
MORE: Via Lifetouch, a message from CEO Ken Murphy on the controversy. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4avyPYu
MINING: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A key U.S. Senate vote is looming on the future of mining, and this North Woods town stands to feel a direct impact. Locals on all sides of the decadeslong jobs vs. environment divide are left wondering how the future of their community — and their livelihoods — will fare. The Senate is expected to vote this week on whether to overturn the Biden administration’s 20-year ban on mining near the Boundary Waters. If passed and signed by President Donald Trump, it could open the area for mining companies to apply for mineral leases.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kZnRy4
2026 SESSION: Via CCX Media, interviews with two lawmakers, Rep. Kristin Robbins, who is also running for Governor, and Rep. XP Lee, who won a special election to fill the late Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman’s seat. LEE: “I’m not trying to fill her shoes,” he said. “I don’t think anyone can do that. I’m just here to follow, right? In her footsteps. And I think that she blazed and amazing path, not just for me but for many others.” ROBBINS: “I still would encourage the public to temper their expectations about substantial policy legislation moving this session,” she said. “I’m always optimistic so I hope we will get some good bipartisan work done, particularly in the area of fraud. We have a lot we need to do and I’m hoping we can do that together. But I don’t know that there will be a lot of other substantial legislation passed just because it’s not a budget year, there is no money.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/46mZKDr
DHS: Via news release from the Governor’s office, VERBATIM: “Governor Tim Walz today announced the appointment of Shireen Gandhi to serve as commissioner for the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Gandhi has served as the temporary human services commissioner since February 2025. During that time, she led work to root out Medicaid fraud and strengthen program integrity.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qXEmfp
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)
DC + MN
POLITICAL SHIFT: Via The New York Times, VERBATIM: “Late last fall, Minnesota Democrats were on their heels. A scandal over fraud in social service programs had become the dominant issue, threatening to tank Gov. Tim Walz’s bid for a third term and drag down fellow Democrats in this year’s midterm elections. A large slate of Republicans running for governor saw a chance for their party to win a statewide race for the first time in 20 years. Only a few months later, the political landscape looks far different.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/46Sw2pS
IMMIGRATION SURGE: Minnesota Reformer used crowdsourced reporting data to show ice sightings in Minnesota are down across the state and, unlike earlier, more focused in the suburbs. DATA: https://fluence-media.co/3OGcnmO
MORE: MPR talked with the Superintendent of Fridley Public Schools who says immigration enforcement activity continues in her district. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4capyGC
OBSERVERS: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Cheryl Holm-Hansen says there’s no specific incident that compelled her to become a constitutional observer just over a year ago. ‘It was more a feeling of, things were going to get more complicated and things were going to get worse,’ recalled Holm-Hansen, a Plymouth resident. Since then, many others have volunteered to receive training for the role, which simply observes or documents incidents in the community, such as government or law enforcement actions. The goal is to make sure such events are done so legally and humanely, said Holm-Hansen. Due to federal immigration enforcement actions and Operation Metro Surge, the number of constitutional observers has soared.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4tMeBRX
HCATTY: Via MplsStPaul, an interview with Hennepin County Attorney candidate Anders Folk, a former acting U.S. Attorney, about immigration enforcement in Minnesota along with the rights of immigrants and observers. Q&A: https://fluence-media.co/4u61mM2
CD6: Via St. Cloud Times, VERBATIM: “A Republican from Elk River is challenging U.S. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., in Minnesota’s Sixth Congressional District. Marine veteran Mike Foley, 40, is running against Emmer for the Republican ticket, saying central Minnesota needs a new representative in Washington, D.C. Emmer hasn’t spent much time in-person with constituents this term, Foley said, citing the use of telephone town halls versus in-person meetings. Foley told the St. Cloud Times this format makes him question Emmer.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4s80sN7
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)
MINNESOTA LEADING
CIRRUS: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Duluth-based Cirrus Aircraft led the U.S. general aviation industry in the number of planes sold in 2025 for the fourth consecutive year, according to data released this week. Cirrus also topped $1 billion in billings in 2025 for the second year in a row, and its stock is trading near an all-time high. Cirrus, which specializes in single-engine aircraft, sold 797 planes in 2025, up 9% from the previous year, according to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), which released annual sales data on Wednesday, Feb. 18.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qSf5Dd
MEDIA: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Another television news fixture in Minnesota is set to retire in a matter of months. Belinda Jensen, after 33 years as a meteorologist and anchor at KARE 11, will retire on May 2, the Twin Cities NBC affiliate announced Monday morning.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZMPMaJ
OLYMPICS: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “NBC, the rights-holder for the Olympic Games, says the Minneapolis-St. Paul media market is tied with Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the highest local ratings for the Olympics.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4csV5Un
TARIFFS: Via KARE-TV, VERBATIM: “When Beth Benike heard the news that the Supreme Court struck down a large chunk of the Trump Administration’s tariffs Friday morning, she was relieved. ‘I felt like a thousand pounds came off my chest,’ Benike says. ‘I was really happy. That was my immediate response.’ Benike owns Busy Baby, a company that specializes in baby products, which are manufactured in China, so for her, the tariffs have been devastating. But then, hours after the Supreme Court ruling was released, Benike heard President Trump was doubling down, using other ways to create new tariffs.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3ZROjjj
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
TARGET: Via Retail Dive, VERBATIM: “Ahead of stepping into his role as CEO of Target earlier this month, Michael Fiddelke took to an August earnings call to share his top three priorities. Among them: customer experience. Target is now working toward Fiddelke’s goal with a plan to invest more into store payrolls with an eye on adding more labor hours and improving the customer experience. Target’s effort includes new customer experience training for every employee at every store.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qPs0pq
EXPANSION: Via Maazah, VERBATIM: “Maazah, a Minneapolis-based food brand known for its globally inspired dips and sauces, today announced the close of a $2 million Seed financing round to support nationwide retail growth and expanded distribution.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/46UTG57
XCEL: Via Xcel, VERBATIM: “Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) announced today that Rob Cain has been named its senior vice president, chief technology officer, effective immediately. Cain will lead the company’s Technology and Security Services organization, taking over the role held by Tim Peterson, who accepted a position outside of the company.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qQ10WY
(DISCLOSURE: Xcel is a Fluence sponsor)
ACQUISITION: Via Plymouth-based Prep Network, VERBATIM: “Prep Network, a leading youth sports platform focused on live events, subscription content, and collegiate athlete recruitment, today announced the acquisition of Coast 2 Coast Preps, a national leader in middle school basketball events and coverage.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qVzmHT
WHAT’S NEXT?
TODAY: 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
TOMORROW: Via Chanhassen-based Life Time, VERBATIM: “Life Time Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: LTH) today announced the participation information for its fourth quarter and full-year 2025 earnings conference call. The date was previously included in its preliminary results press release dated January 22, 2026. Life Time will release its financial results before market open on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4t8jDro
WEDNESDAY: Via New Brighton-based APi, VERBATIM: “APi Group Corporation (NYSE: APG) announced today that it intends to release its financial results for the three months and full year ended December 31, 2025, before the market opens on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ruQUeI
WEDNESDAY: Via Minnetonka-based NOG, VERBATIM: “Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. (NYSE: NOG) announced today that it plans to issue its fourth quarter and year-end 2025 financial and operating results on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, after the market closes.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3NUFCSs
WEDNESDAY: Via Bloomington-based SkyWater, VERBATIM: “SkyWater Technology (NASDAQ: SKYT), the largest U.S.-based, pure-play semiconductor foundry, will report its fiscal fourth quarter and full-year 2025 financial results following the close of the market on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aqIEW6
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
RAMADAN: Via The New York Times, VERBATIM: “For members of Minnesota’s close-knit Somali community, many of whom are Muslim, Ramadan is typically a time of reflection, with a renewed focus on community and helping others. This year, however, the weekslong presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul has created an atmosphere of fear and apprehension that remains even after the Trump administration said last week that immigration officers were, in large part, leaving the area.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tHDpKC
NEW YEAR: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Lunar New Year celebrations honoring the Year of the Horse continued over the weekend at the Mall of America. Thousands of people gathered to watch lion dancing, classical Chinese dance and live music performances. This year, the Lunar New Year began on Feb. 17. It marked the arrival of spring and a time of reflection and honoring of ancestors.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aCn696
BDAYS: Republican Kelly Fenton, reporter Katie Galioto, public affairs guy Gary Karr, communication pro Martha Nevanen, law student Tara Niebeling
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
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 © 2026 Lunch Take, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
Fluence Media
PO Box 270031
Golden Valley, MN 55427