We like Canada and Great Britain – just not as much as we used to. GALLUP: https://fluence-media.co/4uljTUJ
Today’s Sports Take: There’s one more chance to create the college basketball match-up Minnesota fans want to see, but the NCAA needs to make it happen. Also, Kyler Murray comes to town, two stories that will tug at your heart and the potato that crashed the state hockey tournament. Coming this afternoon.
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/46V0ccc
Sunday Take discussed the state of Minnesota’s workforce with MN Chamber’s Sean O’Neil and Doug Loon, UMN Pres. Rebecca Cunningham, MSU Chancellor Scott Olson and UST Pres. Rob Vischer. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4bxGdmo
Blois
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A BUSY THURSDAY
GLOBAL UNCERTAINTY: Via MarketWatch, VERBATIM: “[St. Paul-based] Ecolab is imposing a 10% to 14% energy surcharge on all of its products and services to help offset surging energy prices stemming from the conflict in the Middle East. The water and hygiene services company on Thursday said that soaring energy prices are contributing to major cost increases for raw materials, manufacturing and logistics throughout its supply chain.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40udsRv
MORE: Via Ecolab, from CEO Christophe Beck, QUOTE: “We are taking continued actions across our supply chain, procurement, and operations to absorb cost pressures wherever possible. However, the magnitude and pace of recent energy cost increases now require this surcharge to mitigate the dramatic rise in oil and gas costs and its impact on raw material and logistics inflation, while continuing to serve customers with the performance, consistency, and support they expect from Ecolab.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Nj2lrq
US ATTY: Via KARE-TV, VERBATIM: “When asked about his office’s bandwidth to prosecute new drug and gang cases in light of two serious cases getting dismissed, U.S. Attorney Dan Rosen said those examples had nothing to do with staffing issues at his office . . . But since that press conference two weeks ago, KARE 11 has found three additional cases that the U.S. Attorney’s Office asked the judge to drop.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/46YL39L
MORE: Via release from Hennepin County Attorney candidate Anders Folk, QUOTE: “As a former Acting U.S. Attorney, these dismissals are unusual and troubling. Federal drug cases are often built over months or years of careful investigative work and collaboration with federal and state law enforcement agencies. They usually represent the most serious cases involving large quantities of dangerous and addictive drugs. Most concerning here, a dismissed case involving firearms and drug trafficking and a dismissed case involving a felon in possession of a firearm. This is an all-hands-on-deck moment. The U.S. Attorney’s Office plays a crucial role in keeping Minnesotans safe, and all public safety leaders need to come to the table to help ensure Minnesotans are being protected.”
TARGET: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Leaders of a high-profile boycott against Target announced Wednesday they are ending the yearlong protest sparked by the retailer’s decision to scale back some diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. Why it matters: Leaders highlighting the boycott’s success pointed to Target’s pledge to fulfill its 2021 commitment to invest $2 billion in Black-owned businesses, more than doubling the number of Black-owned brands on its shelves. Target said no policies were reversed or reinstated as a result of conversations with its leadership and described the $2 billion pledge as the completion of an existing commitment.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3PeQ0oQ
HOWEVER: From civil rights lawyer and activist Nekima Levy Armstrong via Instagram, VERBATIM: “The nationwide Target Boycott is not over, unless and until Target reverses its decision to rollback Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, as we said from the beginning. ‘Pastor’ Jamal Bryant does not speak for us or our community and has zero authority to end the nationwide boycott of Target, a company that is headquartered in Minneapolis.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3NkLcxJ
SLEEP NUMBER: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “Sleep Number Corp. (SNBR) on Thursday reported a loss of $58.5 million in its fourth quarter. On a per-share basis, the Minneapolis-based company said it had a loss of $2.55 . . . The seller of beds, mattresses and bedding products posted revenue of $347.4 million in the period.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cJ3kM6
MORE: Via Stock Story, VERBATIM: “Bedding manufacturer and retailer Sleep Number (NASDAQ:SNBR) beat Wall Street’s revenue expectations in Q4 CY2025, but sales fell by 7.8% year on year to $347.4 million. Its GAAP loss of $2.55 per share was significantly below analysts’ consensus estimates.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/46WaTLG
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)
AT THE CAPITOL
DRIVERS: Via Insight News, VERBATIM: “It’s not unusual to see young passengers peering at videos in the back seat of a vehicle. But should the driver be able to watch something, too? It turns out Minnesota law doesn’t specifically say they can’t. It does have a prohibition on looking at a ‘television screen,’ but Rep. Terry Stier (R-Belle Plaine) believes that to be outdated language. So he’s sponsoring HF3241, which would broaden the prohibition to include operating a motor vehicle while a ‘display of electronic content’ is visible to the driver.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ur3gqs
BONDING: Via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Whether local governments are trying to treat it, filter it, collect it or drill wells to find it, water is a dominant theme in bonding bill requests and discussions surrounding them at the Capitol. Erin Campbell, Minnesota’s Management and Budget commissioner, addressed the state’s ‘huge demand’ for water infrastructure funding when she presented Gov. Tim Walz’s proposed budget last month.” CAMPBELL: “One-third of local government requests that MMB received, which total nearly $1 billion, were actually for water infrastructure projects, and we know that this only represents a portion of the need.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4urtol5
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)
SCHOOLS
DULUTH: Via WDIO-TV, VERBATIM: “Duluth Public Schools Superintendent John Magas said the district is preparing to reduce its budget by about $4 million, or 2.8% of its general fund, citing rising costs and funding gaps . . . Magas explained that nearly every district across Minnesota is facing similar reductions, with the main reasons being increased special education costs, higher health insurance premiums, and transportation expenses.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/40sDkx1
FUNDING: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “A group of superintendents in northeastern Minnesota is urging state lawmakers to pass legislation that would increase the per-pupil dollar amount every public school in Minnesota receives from the state’s Permanent School Fund. The increase would not cost taxpayers, as the fund generates revenue from mining and logging on public lands.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/46S8cuz
BRAINERD: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “The Brainerd School Board has agreed on reaching out to the Minnesota State Legislature, where they hope lawmakers can pass a bill to help with the district’s budget deficit next school year. The conversation at last month’s work session began in an effort to move money from Brainerd Public Schools’ construction fund to its general fund. The board then considered asking lawmakers to pass legislation allowing that transfer to take place.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/40rHnd8
ATV TRAILS SUPPORT LOCAL ECONOMIES ACROSS GREATER MINNESOTA: Minnesota’s ATV system connects riders to rural communities — supporting local lodging, restaurants, fuel stations, and small businesses. Trail investment is not just recreation policy — it’s economic development. Watch how riders describe the economic impact of responsible trail access. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4kZDS70 (SPONSORED: ATV Minnesota)
POLITICS
GOVERNOR: Via release from the Qualls campaign, VERBATIM: “Today, Army Veteran, business leader and candidate for governor, Kendall Qualls and his candidate for lieutenant governor, business leader Brian Nicholson released their Contract With Minnesota. The contract outlines Kendall’s and Brian’s commit to deliver 15 priority reforms in their first legislative session.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3NkyYVF
SENATE: Via release from the Craig campaign, VERBATIM: “Today, another round of local officials endorsed Angie Craig in Minnesota’s U.S. Senate race, joining a list of over 125 elected officials and leaders. Craig continues to receive support from leaders across the state who know Craig will deliver lower costs and keep their communities safe.” LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4lskO1p
CD1: Via news release from the Johnson campaign, VERBATIM: “Today, the Minnesota AFL-CIO, the state’s federation of more than 1,000 affiliated local unions, endorsed Jake Johnson in Minnesota’s first congressional district. Johnson is a 20-year member of AFL-CIO and a former government relations coordinator for his union.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3P5weMD
RED LAKE: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “The Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians has certified candidates for an upcoming general election in May. There are four candidates certified for the Tribal Chairman’s race, including two who have previously served in that role.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sLBOlY
SOMALIS: Via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “On Jan. 30, as immigration attorney Matthew Mockenhaupt was representing a client in a hearing, his email inbox flooded with calendar invites from the court. He’d never seen the court schedule so many hearings on such short notice — and, even stranger, all of the cases involved people from Somalia. Since then, the pattern has continued, impacting around 70 or 80 of Mockenhaupt’s Somali clients, he said. He’s gotten the impression that immigration courts have created an expanded docket solely for Somali nationals, quickening the pace of President Donald Trump’s deportation campaign.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cJ8d7Y
RIDESHARE: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Human Rights announced a settlement with Lyft on Wednesday after drivers reportedly denied rides to a college student with a service animal. Lyft has agreed to pay Tori Andres $63,000 after a state investigation found Lyft drivers canceled multiple rides requested by Andres between November 2021 and January 2023. Andres is blind and travels with a service dog.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3NkyfE6
SLEEPY EYE: Via KEYC-TV, VERBATIM: “The city of Sleepy Eye has finalized the purchase of a former manufacturing facility. Sleepy Eye Public Utilities purchased the former Del Monte food facility after reaching a purchase agreement back in December for $600,000. According to the Sleepy Eye mayor, city crews have been preparing the site for future redevelopment.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3Pj7n81
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
BAKED GOODS: Via Minneapolis-based Rise, VERBATIM: “Rise Baking Company, home to some of the most trusted brands in the baking industry, announced a major expansion of its Pleasant View, Utah-based facility as part of a broader strategy to optimize its manufacturing network and support growth across multiple product categories, including increased pie production capacity.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Pj4BQ9
STADIUM: Via MLB, VERBATIM: “The Saint Paul Saints and CHS, a global agribusiness and the nation’s leading farmer owned cooperative, today announced an extension of the naming rights for CHS Field. The extension builds upon the existing partnership and reinforces a shared commitment to investing in downtown Saint Paul through family-focused fun. Through the partnership, the CHS brand will continue to be present throughout the ballpark.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bqcIBZ
KEG & CASE: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “The St. Paul Planning Commission voted unanimously March 6 to approve a conditional use permit allowing developers to transform the vacant historic structure into a new assembly hall and fitness center. The project comes from Outlaw Development, whose partners include former professional boxer Dalton Outlaw, veteran developer Shawn Devine, and St. Paul native and former NFL wide receiver Michael Floyd.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4b6Y1F5
MPLS SKYWAY: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “A new store in the downtown Minneapolis skyway is selling clothes, toys, books and other items for children. Moon & Stars Children’s Boutique opened in mid-February on the skyway level of City Center.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3P505EX
ZOO: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “The Lake Superior Zoo has a new leader bringing in new changes. Northern News Now learned more about the future of the zoo on Wednesday as they aim to attract more visitors year-round. On Wednesday night, the zoo was open to the public after-hours for trivia, one of many initiatives they hope will bring in visitors of all ages, all year.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4diidFh
WHAT’S NEXT?
TODAY: Via SEIU MN, VERBATIM: “TODAY, Thursday, March 12th, at 11:45 a.m. outside the House chambers in the Capitol, Sen. Lindsey Port, DFL caucus leader Rep. Zack Stephenson, Rep. Liish Kozlowski and other legislators will be joined by renters and community advocates to talk about the package of bills supporting Minnesota renters that passed off the Senate floor Wednesday and the next steps in the House.”
THIS MONTH: Via St. Paul-based H.B. Fuller, VERBATIM: “H.B. Fuller Company (NYSE: FUL) announced plans to report its financial results for the three-month fiscal period ended February 28, 2026, in a press release issued after the market close on March 25, 2026. The Company will hold an investor conference call on March 26, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. CT (10:30 a.m. ET) to discuss its financial results.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sHaTaS
NEXT MONTH: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “After seven years on the sidelines, the Festival of Nations is returning to St. Paul, though it is now called the ‘International Festival of Minnesota.’ Launched in the 1930s by the International Institute of Minnesota, the festival was long a hit in St. Paul, annually attracting thousands of visitors, including many school groups.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/46VYOpO
JUNE: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “The Twin Cities Jazz Festival is hosting its 28th annual public celebration of jazz in Lowertown, St. Paul this June. Shows will be hosted on the festival’s two main stages in Mears Park and across 15 venues around the Twin Cities.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/46SsXGC
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
BDAYS: Sen. Erin Maye Quade, lobbyist Staci Martin, CHS’ Julie Reuvers
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