Two Twins greats – Tony Oliva and Kent Hrbek – are recovering from strokes. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4it7h6D
Who will the Vikings take in tonight’s draft? AXIOS: https://fluence-media.co/42WRHvw
This week's Sports take will publish tomorrow morning to provide updated news of the NFL Draft, as well as a hugely busy week in Minnesota sports. For preview information on the draft and what to watch for in tonight's first round (and a great hot dog story), go here for last week's Sports Take: https://fluence-media.co/mockdrafts
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4lMqgvW
NOTE: This coming Saturday, we will publish a 15-year take to honor the launching of morning take in April 2010. Please send any good memories, or significant takes that you appreciated – bloisolson@gmail.com
On Sunday Take, DFL Chair Richard Carlbom says he believes Gov. Tim Walz will run for re-election and shares plans the DFL has to organize in greater Minnesota. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3Y7faYd
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)
100 DAYS: Via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “From cuts in medical research and the curtailing of refugee programs to tariffs on agricultural products and threats against ‘sanctuary cities,’ Trump’s first 100 days (which will be reached Tuesday) have touched Minnesotans in myriad and uncomfortable ways.” QUOTE: “This is one of the most difficult 100 days to grasp,” said Tim Lindberg, a political science professor at the University of Minnesota Morris. “Usually, this is a time to get Congress to push through a president’s agenda, but there have not been any significant bills.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jm0AVb
TARGET: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “The pastor of a Georgia megachurch who led a nationwide 40-day ‘fast’ boycott of Target stores over the retail chain’s commitment to diversity initiatives is now calling for that effort to continue as a ‘full Target boycott.’ The Rev. Jamal Bryant said this week that the Minneapolis-based retailer has not met all of the boycott effort’s demands. Among them: Restoring its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion principles and pledging money to Black-owned banks and businesses.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lLX2xb
MORE: Via The Advocate, VERBATIM: “An ongoing boycott against Target appears to be taking effect as foot traffic declines for the tenth consecutive week. Foot traffic in Target stores declined 9 percent year-over-year in February and 6.5 percent year-over-year in March, according to data from analytics firm Placer.ai reported by CNN. The downturn comes in the midst of a boycott against the retail chain over its decision to end its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Meanwhile, Costco — which rejected calls to abandon its DEI efforts— marked its sixteenth straight week of increasing foot traffic.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ipsfmR
XCEL: Via Associated Press, “Xcel Energy Inc. (XEL) on Thursday reported first-quarter earnings of $483 million. The Minneapolis-based company said it had profit of 84 cents per share. The results missed Wall Street expectations . . . The utility posted revenue of $3.91 billion in the period, which also did not meet Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YdWBlk
AMERIPRISE: Via Associated Press, “Ameriprise Financial Services Inc. (AMP) on Thursday reported first-quarter net income of $583 million. The Minneapolis-based company said it had net income of $5.83 per share. Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, came to $9.50 per share. The results topped Wall Street expectations . . . The financial services company posted revenue of $4.35 billion in the period. Its adjusted revenue was $4.31 billion, which did not meet Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lZKIJY
BEER: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Minnesota's craft breweries appear to be bucking a stubborn national trend, at least for now. Why it matters: After four tough years, several breweries here actually improved sales in 2024, or at least slowed their declines, according to state production data analyzed by Axios.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YgGWSd
CD1: via an MPR newsletter, VERBATIM: “Rochester high school teacher Jake Johnson recently took a formal step to run next year against U.S. Rep. Brad Finstad in Minnesota's 1st Congressional District. Johnson hasn’t been the only DFLer looking at the race. Just this week, DFL state Rep. Andy Smith filed a statement of organization with the Federal Election Commission on Monday…but by midday Tuesday, Smith [announced] he is pulling the plug on that nascent campaign, saying he can make more of a difference in the Legislature.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cLlHO9
CD2: via Flanagan for Senate, VERBATIM: “Today, five legislators from Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District endorsed Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan for U.S. Senate. [They are] state Senators Erin Maye Quade (Apple Valley, Rosemount) and Lindsey Port (Burnsville, Savage), and state Representatives Jess Hanson (Burnsville, Savage), Kristi Pursell (Northfield) and Mary Frances Clardy (Sunfish Lake, Inver Grove Heights).”
GOV RACE: via an MPR newsletter, VERBATIM: “Another Republican has opened a campaign for Minnesota governor by filing paperwork for a fundraising account. Brad Kohler of Champlin set up the account yesterday with state regulators. He joins Philip Parrish in getting going with several others likely to run, especially if Gov. Tim Walz doesn’t try for a third term. Kohler has run for office in the recent past, including a state Senate campaign in 2022. ... He’s already selected a running mate, the Rev. Tim Christopher.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cLlHO9
ECONOMY: MPR News interviewed Louis Johnston — an economic historian based at the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University in St. Joseph, MN — to discuss how tariffs could impact the economy of Minnesota and the nation. JOHNSTON: “When it comes to the Minnesota economy, tariffs are only something that are going to hurt you. They’re only something that will reduce your incomes and slow down the economy, because Minnesota is so tied into the international economy. Anything that hurts our ability to export our products, to bring new workers in, to share in new technologies that are developed all around the world is only going to hurt us. … Minnesota agriculture has always been quite exposed in terms of international trade and not having much protection.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42JLK3Y
MERGER: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “[Apple Valley-based] Wings Financial, Minnesota's largest credit union, has announced a ‘merger of equals’ with Colorado Springs-based Ent Credit Union. … Ent is the larger of the two credit unions, with 560,000 members and a combined $9.9 billion in assets compared to Wings, which has 371,000 members and $9.7 billion in assets. It's expected that the two companies will be formally combined in 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42OsfY0
TARIFFS: via Office of the Atty. General, VERBATIM: “Today, Attorney General Keith Ellison and a coalition of other attorneys general filed a lawsuit to block President Donald Trump’s illegal tariffs. The case challenges four of President Trump’s executive orders that claim the power to increase tariffs worldwide without congressional action. … The executive orders cite the powers granted by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), but that law applies only when an emergency presents ‘unusual and extraordinary threat’ from abroad and does not give the President the power to impose tariffs. Congress enacted IEEPA in 1977. No President had imposed tariffs based on IEEPA until President Trump did so this year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Gp98vX LAWSUIT: https://fluence-media.co/4lL69y9
MORE: Via NPR, VERBATIM: “Every few nights, Teri Ivaniszyn jolts awake, her mind racing. She never expected to be a tariff expert, but here she is, keeping a notepad by her bedside for groggy 2 a.m. math on how her company can stay in business. ‘I wake up in cold sweats about tariffs,’ Ivaniszyn says. It's a new thing, and she laughs about it. Her employer is the biggest tech giant you've likely never heard of. DigiKey is a bit like Amazon, but for millions of electronic parts shipped to engineers worldwide — all from a single warehouse here in rural Minnesota. The warehouse sprawls under the vast northern sky among miles of rain-soaked grain fields striped with shelterbelts of spruces and poplars to shield the soil from wind. DigiKey started out by hiring farmers' wives, offering pay stability and health benefits, and it has grown to 3,800 U.S. jobs employing half the county's workforce.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/448WV8z
MOVE: Via news release from Gustavus, VERBATIM: “Gustavus Adolphus College is pleased to announce that John C. Volin, PhD will serve as the 18th President of the nationally ranked liberal arts college following a unanimous vote of the college's Board of Trustees. Volin, who currently serves as the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost at the University of Maine, will begin at Gustavus on August 15, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lKiouP
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)
LIST: Resorts in Two Harbors, Brainerd and Wayzata all made Travel + Leisure’s list of the ten favorites in the Midwest. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/42LQgyP
DROUGHT: The new Drought Monitor released this morning and reflecting data as of Tuesday shows a slight reversal of recent progress – 46% of the state is now in drought, up from 41% a week earlier. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3zN8TDo
GUNS: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “In Minnesota, according to the most recent data 82 people have died in the last 20 years due to firearm accidents. [Hennepin County Attorney Mary] Moriarty says to combat those statistics free gun locks will now be available at 11 libraries throughout the county.” QUOTE: "Gun lock programs are extremely effective in increasing safe storage practices," says Moriarty, " therefore they also decrease gun fatalities." LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4lMpKy0
ICYMI… At Wednesday’s news conference, Moriarty also addressed her charging decision regarding a defendant accused of vandalizing Teslas. Read about it in morning take at TheDailyAgenda. READ: https://fluence-media.co/44CVxeu
BLAINE: Via KARE-TV, VERBATIM: “Dirt is moving on a new $750 million sports and entertainment district in the heart of Blaine, next to the National Sports Center. The 60-acre redevelopment is taking shape along 105th Avenue. According to Erik Thorvig, Blaine’s community development director, the city began acquiring aging properties in the area a decade ago with the long-term goal of transforming it into a hub for entertainment, dining and tourism.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4itnhWt
WATER: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “Northern Township’s planned installation of a wastewater treatment facility on the northeastern side of Lake Bemidji has been a major topic of debate for more than 50 years now, and it still continues as another discussion for the project was held Tuesday night at Bemidji State University. Representatives for the project discussed a $55 monthly fee for those who need to hook up to the new system while stressing the importance of the facility due to aging septic systems in the area.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3YGyKur
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)
BOOKSTORES: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “For years, it seemed like all readers heard about when it came to bookstores was bad news: Amazon and big-box stores were Goliath; local shops were David, hapless against big money and bigger power. But in 2025, things have changed. Our Twin Cities have seen a significant growth in the local bookstore scene in the last handful of years—and we’re not alone. In 2023, the American Booksellers Association boasted 2,433 members, almost double its numbers from 2016 and some 200 greater than 2022.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3EFaG4t
50TH & FRANCE: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “It’s been a po’boy shop, a burger bar, private event space, pop-up bar called Balloon Emporium—the team behind Mr. Paul’s Supper Club on the Minneapolis/Edina border have tried a lot of different things in the 20-seat back room. Bring on the clowns and circuses, because Carnival Bar feels right.” READ/PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/4jrmBSI
SCHOOL: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Leaders of Osseo Area Schools broke ground Tuesday for a new elementary school in Maple Grove. This one will serve the growing northwest Maple Grove population.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4it9rmL
TRANSIT: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “All the construction throughout the Twin Cities includes work on improving and updating Metro Transit's network of buses and trains. This year three bus rapid transit lines are opening with the Metro Gold Line back becoming the first in March. Metro Transit spokesperson Drew Kerr says a lot of the work that's getting done is in coordination with other road and street projects happening.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42LRv0X
EARNINGS: Via Associated Press, from Minnesota-based companies:
APOGEE: “Apogee Enterprises Inc. (APOG) on Thursday reported fiscal fourth-quarter earnings of $2.5 million. The Minneapolis-based company said it had net income of 11 cents per share. Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, came to 89 cents per share. The glass products company posted revenue of $345.7 million in the period.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42IhKoX
BRIDGEWATER: “Bridgewater Bancshares, Inc. (BWB) on Wednesday reported first-quarter earnings of $9.6 million. The St. Louis Park, Minnesota-based bank said it had earnings of 31 cents per share. Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, came to 32 cents per share. The company posted revenue of $67.8 million in the period. Its revenue net of interest expense was $32.3 million, surpassing Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42YZt87
GRACO: Via Investing, VERBATIM: “[Minneapolis-based] Graco Inc (NYSE:GGG) reported its first quarter 2025 financial results on April 24, showing 7% year-over-year sales growth, though much of this increase came from acquisitions rather than organic growth. The fluid handling equipment manufacturer’s shares dropped 4.76% in premarket trading to $75.21, suggesting investors may be concerned about underlying performance despite the headline growth numbers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YdHiZI
THIS WEEKEND: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Classic bicycle enthusiasts will have an opportunity this weekend to add something new to their collection. For 30 years, John Dempsey has fixed up old bikes and held a sale in the yard of his Plymouth home.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4cHzkOo
JUN-AUG: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “The free Lowertown Sounds outdoor concert series is coming back to Mears Park in St. Paul this summer, running June 12–August 14 on Thursday nights from 6-10 p.m.” LINEUP: https://fluence-media.co/3YCoXWD
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
TARIFFS: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association hopes tariffs imposed by the Trump administration will result in greater access for U.S. beef exports. Executive director Kaitlyn Root says there are trade barriers that inhibit global business.” ROOT: “Some examples, Australia has sold roughly $29 billion in beef to American consumers in the past 20 years. Meanwhile, (the U.S.) has not been able to sell even $1 of fresh U.S. beef in Australia due to non-scientific barriers.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4cPJEEe
MORE: Via KAXE-Radio, VERBATIM: “Rachel Gray of northern Beltrami County was born and raised on the cattle ranch she is now leading as a fourth-generation rancher. With her son and young grandchildren, they’re on six generations of caring for cattle and the land on which they raise them at Little Timber Farms. Gray, 52, said the cattle industry in the region has seen a lot of changes over the generations, and with a constantly changing tariff situation, may see even more.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iAnLKr
DEADLINE: From MDA via X, VERBATIM: “Last Call: Hemp License Applications Due April 30! Planning to grow or process industrial hemp in Minnesota in 2025? Sumbit your application for a license by April 30!” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/447T2AS APPLY: https://fluence-media.co/3EBfDeA
NEXTGEN: Via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “A farm business management instructor suggests younger farmers are more inclined to plant soybeans early. Kristina McVicker with South Central College in Mankato, Minnesota says growers are interested in the practice.” MCVICKER: “What I am seeing on farm is more so the younger generation pushing for getting those beans planted right away. And maybe if they can’t necessarily convince the other generations that this might be something worthwhile, maybe we do like one or two fields.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jmZyZ4
HYDROPONICS: Via WXOW-TV, VERBATIM: “This Earth Day, students at Winona Senior High School are proving that you don’t need a field to grow fresh food — just a little water, some seeds, and a whole lot of curiosity. Inside the school’s cafeteria, six indoor hydroponic towers are growing close to 200 pounds of lettuce each month.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4jOYwFe
Subscribe to other Fluence newsletters: https://fluence-media.co/TheDailyAgenda
FASTENAL: Via news release from Winona-based Fastenal, VERBATIM: “Fastenal Company (Nasdaq:FAST) announced today that its board of directors approved a two-for-one stock split of the Company's outstanding common stock to be effected through an amendment to the Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44asPle
AMERIPRISE: Via news release from Minneapolis-based Ameriprise, VERBATIM: “The company authorized an additional $4.5 billion for the repurchase of shares of its common stock during the period of April 24, 2025 through the close of business on June 30, 2027. As of April 23, 2025, the company had approximately $138 million available from its July 2023 authorization, which is available through September 30, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3GCPgWb
PIPER: Via news release from Minneapolis-based Piper Sandler, VERBATIM: “Piper Sandler Companies (NYSE: PIPR), a leading investment bank, will release its first quarter 2025 financial results prior to the opening of the market on Friday, May 2, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RzZQjg
SUN COUNTRY: Via news release from Minneapolis-based Sun Country, VERBATIM: “Sun Country Airlines (NASDAQ: SNCY) will hold its first quarter 2025 earnings call on Friday, May 2 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3EFDYQv
ALLETE: Via news release from Duluth-based ALLETE, VERBATIM: “ALLETE Inc. (NYSE:ALE) will announce its financial results for the first quarter before the stock markets open on Thursday, May 08, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4d5QMg1
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
FLOWERS: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “After a long Minnesota winter, there are few things more precious than those first spring bulbs. There’s a brief window each year where native spring flowers thrive, and thankfully, Minnesota’s landscape offers plenty of opportunities to marvel at colorful flora in all its glory.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/42nAprk
BDAYS: Sen. Ann Rest, communicator Tonya Tennessen, Rep. Emma Greenman
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.
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