Fans cheering on Minnesota United at their home opener over the weekend were greeted with a new menu at Allianz Field. PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/4krJeYb
South-central and southeastern Minnesota are under a blizzard watch. FORECAST: https://fluence-media.co/4i7Hwth
Running a food truck year-round in Minnesota comes with challenges. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/43m5pJ4
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/41D9cQR
Sen. Jordan Rasmusson (R-09) was on Sunday Take to discuss the upcoming state budget forecast, federal funding and impacts on the Health and Human Services budget. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4ipEyjL
Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com
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)
THIS WEEK: From Dana Ferguson via MPR, VERBATIM: “Minnesota lawmakers will get a key update this week that will inform debates about the next two-year budget. But it won’t include much on a variable likely to shake up their plans: President Donald Trump. State finance officials deliver their economic forecast on Thursday; it’s the report that will set the tone for upcoming deliberations over a two-year budget. But State Budget Director Ahna Minge said the calculations won’t include pending cuts by the Trump administration or legislation moving through Congress could trickle down to Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hmusPL
TOMORROW: From Senator Tina Smith via X, VERBATIM: “Musk and Trump should have to face the hardworking Park Rangers they sacked. I’m bringing Kate, who was unjustly fired from northern Minnesota’s Voyageurs National Park, to the State of the Union.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4blnrxb
MORE: Via a Smith news release, VERBATIM: “Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that Kate Severson, a former Park Ranger at Voyageurs National Park in Northern Minnesota impacted by Elon Musk’s gutting of the National Park Service, will be her guest at the President’s Joint Address to Congress on March 4th, 2025. The indiscriminate mass firing of all probationary federal employees by Elon Musk and the ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ forced the firings of more than 1,000 National Park Service employees. With these reductions in staffing, campsites and bathrooms won’t be cleaned, trails will become overgrown, trash won’t get picked up, and parks will become more dangerous for visitors.”
MORE: Via news release from Rep. Tom Emmer, VERBATIM: “Today, Congressman and Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) announced that Minnesota Speaker of the House Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring), along with hockey legends Buzz Schneider and Rob McClanahan, will join him as guests at President Trump’s Joint Address to Congress on Tuesday.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41qlGtO
MINING: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “From talk of acquiring Greenland and its vast mineral wealth to prodding Ukraine for minerals in exchange for help fending off Russia’s invasion, Trump has made the raw materials of modern life a pillar of his foreign policy. An executive order Trump signed Tuesday calls for boosting the domestic copper industry by investigating the national security implications of imports and weighing tariffs as a response. ‘The United States has ample copper reserves, yet our smelting and refining capacity lags significantly behind global competitors,’ the order reads. It could mean a new day for U.S. copper mining, and new worries for environmental groups that are contesting proposals such as the stalled Twin Metals project near northern Minnesota’s Boundary Waters, a lake-filled wilderness on the U.S.-Canada border.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3QG2uTR
UKRAINE: From Al Schoch and Lindsey Peterson via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Minnesota senior U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D) says she was appalled at what happened during last Friday's Oval Office meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Klobuchar was among a group in Washington that met with Zelenskyy prior to his meeting with Trump, and she said the Ukrainian was ‘legitimately excited’ to meet again with U.S. leaders. Klobuchar tells Vineeta Sawkar on the WCCO Morning News that despite the blowup, she's not giving up on reaching a peaceful ending to the violence in Ukraine with the U.S. involved.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4inxnsk
FINKE: From Michelle Griffith via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Rep. Leigh Finke, DFL-St. Paul, made history in 2022 when she was elected to the Minnesota Legislature as the state’s first openly transgender lawmaker. Finke was instrumental as Democrats passed her bill to make Minnesota a trans refuge state, including key protections for trans Minnesotans and their ability to access gender-affirming care. Finke — who was named USA Today’s 2023 woman of the year for Minnesota — was beloved by grassroots Democrats and considered a rising star in the DFL Party. Now just two years later, Finke walks the halls of the Capitol knowing the tide has turned against her, underscoring the fragility of trans rights even in relatively progressive Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43jCoOj
TODAY: From Torey Van Oot via Axios, VERBATIM: “A Monday vote at the Minnesota Legislature on trans youth playing girls' sports is the latest example of House Republicans using their temporary edge to hold votes on bills they know probably won't pass. State of play: For the first weeks of this session, Republicans have used their 67-66 majority to bring forward proposals targeting public records exemption used by the Attorney General, the governor's executive powers and funding for the Blue Line extension. The catch: You need 68 votes to pass a bill and all three measures failed on party-line votes.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3QIDJqa
FAMILY LEAVE: From Education Minnesota via X, VERBATIM: “Eagan teacher Erin Thompson speaks out against GOP proposals to delay paid leave for all.” THOMPSON: "This law is crucial to Minnesota's teachers, parents and students. ... We take care of our community's children. We deserve time to take care of our own." TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4ikvht4
MORE: From ISAIAH ahead of today’s news conference, VERBATIM: “All Minnesotans across race, class and geography want to be there for their families when they need us. Seeing the first smile of a newborn baby; Holding hands at the hospital with a sick family member; comforting loved ones at the end of life; being able to heal and get well without fear of losing income-- these are all things every single family in Minnesota deserves no matter who we are or where we come from. Paid Leave was passed in 2023 after nine years of legislative debate and deliberation. Minnesota will become the 13th state with paid family and medical leave, joining virtually the rest of the world in offering this basic safety net.”
MORE: From MNHouseInfo via YouTube, this morning’s news conference. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3D47JtF
BACKGROUND: From Tommy Wiita via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Republicans have introduced two bills that would either delay or repeal entirely the Paid Family and Medical Leave program that is set to take effect beginning in 2026. The program is set to launch on Jan. 1, 2026, funding by a new 0.88% payroll tax, which is higher than the 0.7% rate approved by the Legislature in 2023. The tax will be split equally between employer and employee. Earlier this month, Minnesota GOP lawmakers had proposed bill HF 11 that calls for the program to be delayed for a year to further discuss an alternative, but a new bill — HF 1241 — introduced more recently would repeal it altogether, with any unspent funds from the program returned to the general fund.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4inaNjl
BUDGET: From Shannon Slatton via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Rep. Ginny Klevorn (DFL-Plymouth) says the legislative session is off to a strong start with systems in place to get work done. ‘The number one priority we should all be focused on is making sure we have a budget that works for Minnesotans,’ Klevorn said. Klevorn is advocating for local projects, including tax measures to support Plymouth’s infrastructure and funding for the Plymouth Ice Center’s proposed fourth sheet of ice.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3XrsfuW
WILD ABOUT READING: More than 500 Minnesota classrooms and 15,000 students are 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, Rookie; 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
TONIGHT: From Susan Du via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The 2025 Stripper Awards Gala is coming up March 3 at the Green Room in Uptown, featuring the city’s top strippers battling for honors in categories including pole tricks, twerking and floor work. The night brings together dancers from downtown Minneapolis' half-dozen strip clubs in appreciation of each other’s craft and athleticism. It also doubles as the newly formed Stripper Guild’s annual membership drive, underscoring labor rights and harm reduction in sex work. The gala and the guild reflect growing interest in organizing for respect and better workplace conditions among strippers who have traditionally been more competitive than collaborative, said dancer Kali Banks, of Rick’s Cabaret.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4i1Bmej
REBATE: Via Xcel Energy, a news release out this afternoon about a rebate first reported in morning take. VERBATIM: “Today, Xcel Energy proposed to deliver $318 million back to Minnesota customers on their bills, with most of the refund coming from federal tax credits on the energy generated by the company’s nuclear fleet. This is the first time customers will see savings from the federal tax credit on nuclear energy generation, which the company advocated for in recent law . . . If approved by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, Xcel Energy estimates that the average residential customer will receive a total refund of $81, reducing their monthly bills through March 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Fdcv8A
NEW CHIEF: From Corey Bork via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “The West Metro Fire-Rescue District, the joint fire department serving the cities of New Hope and Crystal, will get a new chief this summer. Josh Kunde will be sworn in as new chief in July, officials tell CCX News. Kunde will replace Chief Sarah Larson, who is retiring in July. Larson has been chief since 2012.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4kqNuH9
PEACE: From Heidi Wigdahl via KARE-TV, VERBATIM: “Retired St. Paul Police Officer Felicia Reilly, 67, died Saturday — 15 years after an assault on the job left her with a traumatic brain injury. Her family said her death was a result of the injuries she sustained that resulted in her experiencing constant pain. The St. Paul Police Retirement Association claims Reilly is the first female St. Paul officer to die from injuries received on the job.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/43pVzpL
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.-Elect Kari Rehauer
Rep.-Elect Wayne Johnson
Rep. Elect Julie Greene
Rep. Elect Keith Allen
Rep. Elect Peter Johnson
Follow on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.TheDailyAgenda.com/Podcasts. (SPONSORED: Minnesota Telecom Alliance)
NO CHARGES: From Nicole Ki via MPR, VERBATIM: “The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office has refused to press charges against a 34-year-old man who was arrested in south Minneapolis earlier this year for allegedly possessing narcotics and a firearm. Video of the arrest — in which two Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office deputies are seen striking the man in the head while holding him down — has been circulating on social media over the past week.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4i6GlKQ
PROTEST: From Adam Duxter via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “Hundreds of demonstrators momentarily blocked traffic in the heart of Richfield, Minnesota on Saturday, as protest against the Trump administration's immigration policy continued across the Twin Cities. A march to Richfield City Hall, led in part by Minnesota's Immigrant Right's Action Committee, comes days after two workplace raids across the state.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4knxPZe
MORE: From Samie Solina via KARE-TV, VERBATIM: “A group in Minnesota joined the protests happening across the country in support of the National Park Service. In the Twin Cities, about 50 gathered in south Minneapolis on the Lake Street and Marshall Bridge.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/41qBgG5
MYPILLOW: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “MyPillow CEO and close Donald Trump confidante Mike Lindell is being taken to court by FedEx over nearly $9 million worth of unpaid delivery fees, according to a recently filed lawsuit.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4h6ngad
CANNABIS: From Marisa Ornat via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “A Cannabis dispensary is officially open for business in Tower, Minnesota, near Fortune Bay Resort Casino. Ishkode Dispensary opened its doors at 10 a.m. Friday morning.
It’s a cash-only business, with an ATM on site.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3F14ofo
MHA NATION-ENBRIDGE AGREEMENT: “IT’S AN AWESOME DAY” - Enbridge has sold its Plaza/Wabek Pipeline in North Dakota to the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara (MHA) Nation, paving the way for the MHA Nation to become the first Tribal shipper on the Enbridge liquids pipeline network. The pipeline will “create an avenue” from the MHA Nation’s Thunder Butte facility, notes Mark N. Fox, Chairman of the MHA Nation, “to move our very valuable assets and resources to the marketplace.” Adds Bernie Fox, Thunder Butte’s CEO: “I’m thankful to Enbridge, because now they’re part of our history. They’re our partner.” As part of Enbridge’s Indigenous inclusion strategy, “we want to provide even more opportunities,” says Mike Koby, VP of our U.S. Liquids Pipelines group, “to partner with the MHA Nation and other Tribal communities along our operations.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/47ozrun (SPONSORED: Enbridge)
GARAGES: Via The Wall Street Journal, VERBATIM: “With his three-car garage in this Minneapolis suburb already full, Bret Bailey had to keep his racing Porsche in a trailer outside through brutal Minnesota winters. Then one March, as he prepared for a race, Bailey discovered the wheels of the trailer had frozen to the ground. ‘For two weeks, I’m throwing salt out there,’ said the 64-year-old retired IT manager. Now, Bailey is part of a man-cave-meets-Storage Wars revolution spreading across the country. He keeps his two Porsches, Ferrari, custom Harley, dune buggy and racing trailer in a nearly 2,700-square-foot space outfitted like a sleek European car dealership.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43mbsNM
TICKETS: From Abby Bulger via Minne Inno, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis startup Gobo has just launched an alternative to big-name ticketing companies with fee-free ticketing services for performers and venues alike. The company was born out of its founders' desire to boost the arts economy, offer cheaper ticket prices and provide independent venues and artists a direct influence over how events are ticketed. Created by Josh Cragun, Tate Leyba and James Diers, Gobo offers free registration for users, quick turnaround on payouts, and a flat rate 5% commission on tickets sold.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41FDGBO
HOCKEY: Via The Minneapolis Egotist, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Sports and Events (MNSE), the state’s regional sports commission and architects of some of the most memorable large-scale sports celebrations, today announced an innovative partnership with three premier Twin Cities agencies to create an unforgettable fan experience for the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3QIBLWO
HOCKEY HAIR: From Steve Marsh via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Going into its 16th edition, John King’s All Hockey Hair Team videos are now considered one of Minnesota’s chief cultural exports. If you haven’t seen one yet—maybe you’re a space alien, or an AI algorithm that’s yet to register ‘flow’ or ‘salad’ as euphemisms for ‘hockey mullet’—King drops a new edition at the conclusion of each season’s class A and AA state hockey tournament. The All Hockey Hair Team has now been covered by The New Yorker and ESPN, and has gone viral millions of times over because King’s managed to unearth a fundamental anthropological truth: Under the State of Hockey’s caged helmet, a beautiful peacock yearns to be adored.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41EE4Re
ST PAUL: Via Saint Paul Downtown Alliance, VERBATIM: “Historically, March has been the busiest month for visitor traffic in downtown Saint Paul. This year, downtown leaders expect the same turnout with several key events bringing tourists and visitors to the area. From the Minnesota State High School boys hockey and wrestling tournaments to the St. Patrick’s Day parade and celebrations to the National Collegiate Hockey Conference Frozen Faceoff, key events are anticipated to bring nearly 800,000 visitors downtown this month.”
TOMORROW: Via Emily Koski for Mayor, VERBATIM: “Ward 11 Councilmember Emily Koski will host a press conference at 9am on Tuesday, March 4th announcing her policy platform to strengthen Minneapolis as the next Mayor.”
WEDNESDAY: Via DEED, VERBATIM: “The first important step for employers to prepare for Paid Leave is to review your UI employer account, if you have one, and create a Paid Leave Only account if you need one. This webinar will help employers better understand how these accounts will support their role and responsibilities under Paid Leave.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kre42T
WEDNESDAY: From Minneapolis-based Sleep Number via Business Wire, VERBATIM: “Sleep Number Corporation (Nasdaq: SNBR) will release its fiscal fourth quarter and full year results through December 28, 2024, after market close on Wednesday, March 5, 2025. Management will host its regularly scheduled conference call to discuss the company’s results at 5 p.m. EST (4 p.m. CST; 2 p.m. PST).” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41kU4Y9
THURSDAY: From Toro via Business Wire, VERBATIM: “The Toro Company (NYSE: TTC), a leading global provider of solutions for the outdoor environment, announced today that it will release its fiscal 2025 first quarter results on Thursday, March 6, at approximately 7:30 a.m. CST. The full text of The Toro Company’s earnings release will be available at that time at www.thetorocompany.com/invest. The company will also hold an earnings conference call at 10 a.m. CST that day.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hz51LH
NEXT WEEK: Via Minnesotans for Open Government, VERBATIM: “To celebrate National Freedom of Information Week, Minnesotans for Open Government (MNOG) will honor two local champions of open government and present its 2025 legislative agenda at a press conference on Tuesday, March 11 from 9 to 10 a.m. at the State Capitol (Room B971).”
THIS MONTH: From DQ via Business Wire, VERBATIM: “As spring blooms appear and longer, sunnier days lie ahead, American Dairy Queen Corporation (ADQ) is starting off the season sweeter than ever. On March 20, the first day of spring, participating DQ locations nationwide will celebrate the sweetest holiday of the year – Free Cone Day.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ierQUY
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 Friday’s Fluence newsletters:
UNCERTAINTY: From Mark Dorenkamp via Brownfield, VERBATIM: “Farmers are concerned about uncertainties at the federal level. Minnesota Department of Agriculture Deputy Commissioner Andrea Vaubel says recent layoffs at USDA and questions about the farm bill and tax policies are causing stress on the farm.” VAUBEL: “There’s question around just the availability of some of these current programs and what farmers can rely on as far as thinking through their operation for the year. So I think that’s been kind of the first and foremost conversations I’ve had with farmers.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/43eyRR5
USAID: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Cuts at USAID will end thousands of humanitarian programs abroad. But Minnesota farmers will also see financial impacts. The United States Agency for International Development was the world’s largest provider of foreign food aid. Farmers contract with the federal government to send corn, wheat and soy abroad to people in need. MPR News host Tom Crann spoke with Gary Wertish, president of the [Minnesota Farmers Union]. Wertish and his family farm in Renville County.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4kkIkwo
BUICK: From Dave Peterlinz via KARE-TV, VERBATIM: “The images of a sunken Buick lodged in ice on an East Metro lake, over the last month, quickly became a local internet sensation. Thursday, facing down a deadline to remove it, a group of Good Samaritans helped free the viral vehicle from its frozen cocoon on White Bear Lake.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3EXY746
VOLUNTEER: From Katelyn Vue via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “When Zenebech Aly first immigrated to Rochester, Minnesota, in 2010, she couldn’t sit still as she waited for authorization to work legally in the country . . . She started volunteering at the Intercultural Mutual Assistance Association, a nonprofit that serves immigrants and refugees in southeast Minnesota, and has since logged thousands of hours helping new immigrants transition to life in the United States. Aly is one of seven recipients of the McKnight Foundation’s 2024 Virginia McKnight Binger Heart of Community Honor.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Ppoj9S
TIME CAPSULE: From Dan Kraker via MPR, VERBATIM: “It was standing room only in a county office building on the Iron Range Tuesday, where St. Louis County officials opened a time capsule that had been sealed for more than 100 years. Workers found the small copper box in the cornerstone of an old building they recently demolished.” LISTEN/PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/3XkLO8i
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ACQUISITION: From Illinois-based Arthur J. Gallagher via PRNewswire, VERBATIM: “Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. today announced the acquisition of Minneapolis, Minnesota-based Dyste Williams. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Dyste Williams is a retail insurance agency offering a full suite of commercial lines, employee benefits and personal lines services to clients in the Upper Midwest.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3F0bnp3
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
ADFED: Via The Minneapolis Egotist, VERBATIM: “The Show 2025 has officially wrapped, and Minnesota’s best in advertising brought their A-game. A huge congratulations to this year’s winners. Your creativity, passion, and hard work continue to push the industry forward. Cheers to another year of bold ideas and unforgettable campaigns.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/43o3ZOb WINNERS: https://fluence-media.co/3QIpAJJ
BDAYS: entrepreneur Amy Langer, attorney Fred Tyler, US Rep. Tom Emmer, Rochester City Council President Randy Schubring
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