UConn is headed to the NCAA Tournament – a national showcase for Hopkins native and WNBA prospect Paige Bueckers. AXIOS: https://fluence-media.co/4l0L0jl
The Pioneer Press has a list of all the Minnesotans in the women’s tournament. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4ivbisk
Firearm-related deaths among children and teens increased 50% between 2019 and 2023. STATELINE: https://fluence-media.co/4kJ5jBz
It’s been 20 years since a student killed ten people in Red Lake. MPR: https://fluence-media.co/4hxFxNV
The shutdown of London’s Heathrow Airport has already impacted more than 1,300 flights. WSJ: https://fluence-media.co/4kJEvRH
Seven new members joined the Minnesota Broadcasters Hall of Fame. BMTN: https://fluence-media.co/4hpTugR
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN:
MinnPost’s Peter Callaghan is retiring from politics reporting – he joined Sunday Take to discuss his time at the Capitol and his thoughts on transparency in politics and the media. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3DzQosN
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)
BUDGET: Via news release from the Governor’s office, VERBATIM: “Governor Tim Walz today released his revised budget for the next biennium. The revised budget includes just under $250 million in additional ongoing reductions in FY 28-29, paired with small, primarily one-time investments in critical work, including funding to respond to Avian Influenza and law enforcement training.” QUOTE: “This budget is fiscally responsible and prioritizes the programs that will set Minnesotans up for success for generations to come,” said Governor Walz. “By addressing the budget challenges we face today, we’re setting Minnesota up for long-term success and protecting the resources necessary to make Minnesota the best state to live, work, and raise a family.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iiwEZH
MORE: Via Minnesota Management and Budget, changes from the Governor’s original recommendations. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4ixwKg7
WALZ / TRUMP: President Donald Trump was asked in the Oval Office about Governor Tim Walz being quoted as saying of Trump supporters “I think I could kick most of their ass.” TRUMP: “Oh boy. He’d be in trouble . . . Well, he’s a loser. He lost an election. You know usually a vice president doesn’t play a part – I think Tim played a part. I think he was so bad that he hurt her.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4kGtfFL
DEMOCRATS: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Progressive ‘Squad’ Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) on Thursday joined the growing chorus of House Democrats blasting their Senate counterparts for allowing a Republican funding bill to pass. Why it matters: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has become persona non-grata among House Democrats, with some even urging Ocasio-Cortez to primary him in 2028.” OMAR: "I am disgusted that several Senate Democrats gave up our first point of leverage," Omar said of the at a town hall meeting in her home state. The Minnesota Democrat said her party "needs to be sort of come to Jesus moment," adding: "We have people who want to bring a knife to a gunfight and are not rising up to the moment." READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bOIJ6D
MORE: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “DFL U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar spoke against President Donald Trump’s policies at a town hall Thursday at Washburn High School in southwest Minneapolis. The town hall came shortly after Trump signed an executive order aimed at closing the Department of Education and returning authority over education to the states.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kJB9hw
TOWN HALLS: Via DFL, VERBATIM: “Ahead of Governor Walz’s town hall, the Minnesota DFL Party is launching a ‘Missing Congressman’ campaign. The DFL will be distributing hundreds of yard signs to help the concerned constituents of Brad Finstad and Pete Stauber find their missing representatives.”
MORE: From the DFL via Instagram, the Stauber sign. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4hqlqkJ
FISCHBACH: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “U.S. Rep. Michelle Fischbach made a rare public appearance in her western Minnesota district Thursday, but it wasn’t the free-for-all town hall that many constituents were hoping for. The Republican House member spoke and answered questions in a room of some 100 registered guests, who each paid $10 to attend what was billed as a conversation hosted by the Minnetonka-based conservative think tank Center of the American Experiment. But they were outnumbered by the protesters who lined the road outside the grounds of Thumper Pond Resort in Ottertail. And the group inside included more than a dozen who clearly took issue with Fischbach — some of whom interrupted her with questions about federal funding cuts and were asked by organizers to be quiet or leave.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kQMPzd
TODAY: Via news release from Rep. Omar, VERBATIM: “Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) will host a press conference today on the unconstitutional dismantling of USAID by the Trump Administration. She will be joined by local organizations directly impacted by the shutting down of USAID.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41T1uRQ
THE U.S.: Via Gallup, a comparison of global views of the United States between December and now.
December 2024:
March 2025:
QUOTE: “Fast forward several months, and the outlook has darkened dramatically. The Trump administration’s tariff agenda — marked by initial salvos targeting Canada, China, and Mexico and, more recently, global steel and aluminum — is at least partly to blame.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4bKHt4n
USPS: Via Dakota News Now, VERBATIM: “Local members of the American Postal Workers Union gathered outside a Postal Service facility on Thursday to speak out against the Trump administration’s potential privatization plans . . . APWU demonstrations were also held in 150 cities around the nation on Thursday, including Minneapolis, Omaha, Duluth, Des Moines, Watertown and more.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4itweQq
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)
REAL ESTATE: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “The Twin Cities real estate market is feeling the effects of recent economic uncertainty, tariffs and federal job cuts. Last month's numbers showed a decrease in new listings for the first February in five years, and higher than expected mortgage interest rates at close to 7%.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4kQj8yf
DULUTH: Via Duluth News Tribune, VERBATIM: “The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed eliminating its scientific and research arm and up to 75% of its staff, leaving the future of the agency’s Duluth freshwater laboratory and its more than 100 employees uncertain. The proposal for the EPA to eliminate its Office of Research and Development, first reported Monday by the New York Times, is part of the ‘reduction in force’ plans required throughout the federal government by the Trump administration. The potential cuts were outlined in documents reviewed by Democrats on the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iCzTuO
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)
MAPLE GROVE: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “There’s a new leader taking the reins at the Maple Grove Fire Department. Maddison Zikmund was hired as Maple Grove’s new fire chief. The city council signed off on his hire this week.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41Ok1i4
NEXTGEN: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “The inaugural event of the Women in Science series was held at the Lake Superior Aquarium with three female scientists working in the Twin Ports. The event Thursday evening was focused on showing young women that they can be anything, including scientists.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4htZXaA
LIAM’S: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “Founded in 2019 and renamed in 2023, Liam’s is an Eden Prairie-based company with eight full-time employees. It sells eight types of frozen meals that are free of eggs, fish, shellfish, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, sesame, and wheat and gluten – some of the most common allergies. Consumers can find Liam’s frozen meals in grocery stores around eight states throughout the Midwest – including Minnesota – and the East Coast. The company also recently got a big boost out east when Boston Public Schools started providing its meals for K-12 students.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kQ8vLR
“MY WHOLE LIFE CHANGED:” EMPOWERMENT TRAINING OPENS PATHWAY INTO THE TRADES - Since 2019, a partnership between Five Skies Empowerment Training and Enbridge has broadened as unions, contractors and other groups look to connect Native American job seekers to meaningful careers. “They’re gonna open the door for you,” says Joel, a program graduate. “Before the 5 Skies program I wasn’t aware there were so many opportunities,” explains Ashley. “My whole life changed,” says Melissa. Click here to submit an application, and find out more on upcoming training. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3XoPg0D (SPONSORED: Enbridge)
CLOQUET: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “Thursday marked opening day at the Cloquet classic, Gordy’s Hi-Hat. Customers from near and far showed up to help celebrate by ordering burgers, shakes and more. Gordy and Marilyn Lundquist opened the restaurant in 1960, and after all that time, it’s still a popular spot.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4kO1bjS
BROOKLYN PARK: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “The golf season at Brooklyn Park’s Edinburgh USA is now in full swing — and this new season comes with a new dining option. ‘The restaurant is Tavern at Edinburgh,’ said Andy Wiese, the operations manager at Edinburgh USA. ‘It’s run by Jason Tollette Company. They also manage the food and beverage portion at [Anoka’s] Green Haven Golf Course.’ The Tavern at Edinburgh opened in early March, following an ownership change and rebrand.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4huhqzI
MARCH MADNESS: Via The Minneapolis Egotist, VERBATIM: “March Madness is all about the unexpected: buzzer beaters, Cinderella stories, and now, comedian Mikey Day promoting a $10 off haircut coupon from Great Clips. For the first time ever, Bloomington-based Great Clips—the largest salon brand in the world—is offering a system-wide haircut coupon for March Madness, and to get the word out, they partnered with their creative agency of record, Hunt Adkins.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4hsnJnd
MARCH31: From Minneapolis-based DQ via Business Wire, VERBATIM: “A very sweet birthday is being celebrated this year—American Dairy Queen Corporation (ADQ) is turning 85! To mark this milestone occasion, DQ is serving up a Summer Blizzard Treat Menu packed with exciting new flavors, returning fan-favorites and for a limited time, an 85-cent small Blizzard Treat deal.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4c4VWs9
APRIL10: Citizens League will honor Peter Bell, former Metropolitan Council Chair 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:
BURNOUT: Via Newsweek, VERBATIM: “At just 25 years old, many young Americans are already experiencing the kind of exhaustion once associated with midlife, according to a new survey. The survey from Talker Research has found that one in four Americans report hitting peak burnout before turning 30, challenging long-held assumptions about when life's pressures reach their peak. The findings offer a stark glimpse into the state of modern stress.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bR1SVu
STUDY: Via Mayo Clinic, VERBATIM: “A new study by Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers found that the presence of a specific genetic mutation — KRAS circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) — strongly indicates a higher risk of cancer spread and worse survival rates for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The mutation was identified using a readily available and clinically approved blood and abdominal fluid test.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hq9O18
GUN VIOLENCE: Via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “A first-of-its-kind law clinic is addressing gun violence head-on. Students at the University of Minnesota Law School focus on gun violence prevention through litigation. They're working pro bono on real Second Amendment cases through the attorney general's office, serving as special assistants. For many, the work is personal.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4bGMVoT
Subscribe to other Fluence newsletters: https://fluence-media.co/TheDailyAgenda
ANDERSEN: Via Bayport-based Andersen, VERBATIM: “Andersen, manufacturer of America's most loved brand of windows and doors, has unveiled its new national TV campaign, ‘Nice Windows,’ as part of the NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments. The campaign features Drew and Jonathan Scott, best known as the hosts of the hit TV franchise Property Brothers, showcasing Andersen’s commitment to quality craftsmanship and trust.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4iIigd1
HORMEL: From Hormel via PRNewswire, VERBATIM: “Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL), a Fortune 500 global branded food company, announced today that Jeffrey M. Ettinger, chairman of The Hormel Foundation, has been re-appointed to the Hormel Foods Board of Directors, effective March 21, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hxy2GK
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
RETAIL: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “If you ask Katheryn Menaged, accessory designer and owner behind local women’s boutique Scarborough Fair, what inspired her love for millinery, her answer would be as simple as this: ‘I’m a product of old movies,’ she says with a laugh . . . Taking a walk through Menaged’s enchanting Falcon Heights boutique feels a bit like this as well. A one-stop-shop for bold accessorizing, Scarborough Fair is a reflection of Menaged’s ‘elegant, whimsical’ style, bursting with artful jewelry, non-traditional bridal couture, and eccentric hats and headpieces.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4io19O1
BDAYS: lobbyist Jess Lindeen, sports guy Bill Robertson, comms pro Kevin Olson. SAT: public affairs pro Chris Tiedeman, fmr. STP city council member Mitra Jalali SUN: PUC Chair Katie Sieben, fmr. Rep. Phyllis Kahn
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