Jared Allen elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Kevin O’Connell is AP’s Coach of the Year.
Wild win. Timberwolves win. Gopher WBB lose.
MNUFC ticket prices skyrocketed for a game against Lionel Messi in May. PIPRESS: https://fluence-media.co/4guY9NS
Cook Political Report’s preliminary 2026 House race ratings do not list Minnesota CD2 as a competitive district for the first time on record. RATINGS: https://fluence-media.co/3Q9K7qq
Morning Consult finds that Elon Musk has a -10% net approval (39% for, 49% against) while DOGE has a -5% net approval (41% for, 46% against). POLL: https://fluence-media.co/4hmS6w4
The Senate confirmed Russell Vought, one of the authors of Project 2025, to lead the Office of Management and Budget. AP: https://fluence-media.co/40ME3sz
Tune in to Sunday Take at 9AM on WCCO Radio.
On Sunday, the Authoritative Minnesota Pizza List will be released – National Pizza Day.
Blois
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Sunday Take discusses Capitol security, what the Democrats need to do to win and further analysis of Ken Martin’s DNC chair election featuring TPT Almanac’s Mary Lahammer. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4jJBIHy
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MN HOUSE: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “With a quorum for the first time [this year], the House officially began the 2025-26 session Thursday after a more than three-week DFL boycott. A power-sharing agreement between Republican and DFL leaders [was signed] Wednesday evening. … The session was largely ceremonial and organizational with Rep. Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring) elected speaker of the House for the biennium. The first female Republican and first Black person to hold the position, she prevailed over House DFL Leader Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park) by a 67-65 party-line vote. … The boycott-ending agreement, in the form of a resolution offered by House Majority Leader Harry Niska (R-Ramsey) was adopted 130-2.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40MNPLp
MORE: Via posts from Pioneer Press’s Alex Derosier and WCCO-TV’s Caroline Cummings, the two votes against the power-sharing resolution were GOP Reps. Tom Dippel and Drew Roach. DFL Rep. Leigh Finke did not vote on the resolution or the speakership because she was not in the Capitol yesterday. Speaker Lisa Demuth was sworn in by Senate Pres. Bobby Joe Champion, and Demuth shook hands with DFL Leader Melissa Hortman afterwards. TWEETS: https://fluence-media.co/3Q5MoCO PHOTO: https://fluence-media.co/3CsmYMI
CATCH UP: The House Session Daily has a summary of the key details in the power-sharing agreement between the two House caucuses. The full agreement, signed by five Republicans and five Democrats, is also available to read online. SUMMARY: https://fluence-media.co/4ho1ShB AGREEMENT: https://fluence-media.co/3Q57S2P
MORE: Yesterday’s lunch take featured additional coverage of the House power-sharing agreement, including quotes from caucus leaders Lisa Demuth and Melissa Hortman. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ECtJfg
TABKE: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “[Melissa Hortman] said she conceded the speakership in order to get a deal that included co-chairs on committees and an agreement to seat Rep. Brad Tabke, DFL-Shakopee. … The House Ethics Committee will hold a hearing about Tabke’s election but won’t take further action. Future election contests will also be heard in the committee, according to the agreement. QUOTE: ‘I’m just going to be happy that people won’t be constantly saying my name, being the center of attention,’ said Tabke.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gya7WW
RECALL: The Minnesota GOP released a statement clarifying that they will continue to pursue recall elections against DFLers who boycotted the legislative session to “ensure there are consequences.” STATEMENT: “While we are pleased that the no-show Democrats caved to grassroots pressure…the facts remain unchanged — facts that drove over 7,000 Minnesotans to sign recall petitions in just 24 hours. … Democrats failed to show up for work for three weeks, collected $300,000 in taxpayer-funded salaries, and held the state hostage. … We will continue the recall process to ensure there are consequences for the Democrats’ nonfeasance.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3EvzawH
COURT: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “During the past week, Republicans had turned up the pressure by filing a lawsuit to help them seek fines against absent DFL lawmakers who still collected pay. … The Supreme Court heard arguments in that case on Thursday morning, despite Republicans filing a motion to delay arguments in anticipation of the deal with the DFL. [Melissa] Hortman denied the lawsuit had anything to do with the House DFL’s decision to return because they were confident Republicans wouldn’t prevail as the House was not officially operating.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gpLhIU
MORE: via MinnPost’s Peter Callaghan, VERBATIM: “Each [party] will pay their own legal fees, not taxpayers. House GOP had moved — when they convened session — to have taxpayers cover their costs of petition against SOS [Steve] Simon on quorum.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4gpNW5m
BUDGET: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “The Legislature has about four months to write and pass a two-year state budget, or face a state government shutdown if they can’t agree to one by July. House leaders [Melissa Hortman and Lisa Demuth] said they were hopeful that they could finish one on time, and they said the [power-sharing] negotiations could serve as a model for striking a budget deal. But they noted that the bumpy start to the legislative session caused some tension between the parties. HORTMAN: ‘I think we'll be able to work together well, but it will take some time. Certainly, everybody’s still pretty angry at each other.’ … DEMUTH: ‘We know there’s a lot of work to do, and we are going to have to mend fences and build some bridges so that we can work together well.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3WOvs7u
3RD PARTY: Speaking to WCCO Radio, former DFL Rep. Dean Phillips said he wants to see a viable third party in the American political landscape, and he indicated he may return to politics as part of that push. PHILLIPS: “I am convinced increasingly that American politics require competition. … That's what I'm spending my time contemplating, and I won't be quiet for too long. … I love identifying what the market is asking for that is un-met, and I've never seen more of a market opportunity and a bigger appetite for something than a reasonable common sense party. … It's about creating a new platform for great people [to] run for state house or for school boards and start building a 21st century political platform. … In the next year or so, we will see some energy mobilizing behind a new entity — because I think it's time.” READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/40GhWUM
DOGE: via Office of the Atty. General, VERBATIM: “Attorney General Keith Ellison today joined a coalition of 12 attorneys general in releasing the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of the Treasury granting Elon Musk and his so-called ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ (DOGE) staffers access to sensitive payment systems containing Americans’ personally identifiable information.” EXCERPT: “The President does not have the power to give away our private information to anyone he chooses, and he cannot cut federal payments approved by Congress. … We will be filing a lawsuit to stop this injustice.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/416Zia9
MORE: via a Rep. Angie Craig press release, VERBATIM: “Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig joined 154 of her House colleagues in expressing concern about Elon Musk’s access to the federal government’s payments system that stores Americans’ sensitive personal data. In a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the lawmakers demanded answers regarding the extent of Musk’s and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staff’s access. … This [data] contains highly sensitive details about hundreds of millions of Americans, including Social Security numbers and business financial records.” LETTER: https://fluence-media.co/412tmDA
USAID: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “U.S. farmers and agribusinesses, including Minnesota ventures from ag giants to processors of yellow split peas, could lose money after President Donald Trump’s administration abruptly closed USAID. Minnetonka-based Cargill, Inver Grove Heights-based CHS Inc. and Minneapolis trader Sinamco sold a total of $70 million in sorghum, wheat and peas to the agency’s Food for Peace program. … In total, [USAID] last year purchased $2 billion in U.S.-grown crops from corn and soybeans to wheat, sorghum, vegetable oil and peas. Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin farmers were among those selling their crops to the program.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aMkBRv
IMMIGRATION: via Office of the Atty. General, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office issued a formal legal opinion today that Minnesota law prohibits state and local law enforcement agencies from holding someone based on an immigration detainer if the person would otherwise be released from custody. … The Attorney General’s Office produced today’s opinion on the request of Ramsey County Attorney John Choi, who asked the Office for an opinion on whether Ramsey County, or by extension any county, can lawfully hold people in custody based on immigration detainers issued by federal authorities.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3EElOy3
PROTEST: via WCCO Radio, VERBATIM: “After a protest against actions from the Trump Administration at the state capitol in St. Paul Wednesday, there were more protests Thursday…on the University of Minnesota campus to oppose the Administration's crackdown on immigration. Students for a Democratic Society want the University of Minnesota to be a sanctuary campus, [saying] they are angry that the university said they would comply with ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) on crackdowns.” READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3Qciz3m
FUNDING: via a Sen. Tina Smith post, SMITH: “Just heard a Minnesota anti-hunger group that supplies food shelves with fresh, nutritious food from Minnesota farmers still can’t access federal funding. They’ve had to pause some of their work. It’s causing a lot of uncertainty for families trying to figure out how to put food on the table. The back and forth on this funding freeze has sowed completely unnecessary chaos.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/42KzH7R
MSHSL: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) says that transgender student-athletes' eligibility to participate in sports is determined by state law, not President Donald Trump's recent Executive Order banning transgender athletes from women's or girl's sports. … MSHSL cites the Minnesota Human Rights Act and the Minnesota Constitution as the determining factor of transgender student-athletes' eligibility, not the Executive Order.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/415PzRs
‘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)
LIGHT RAIL: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “A core job of [Metro Transit’s] TRIP agents [is] to check fares. … But a 5 INVESTIGATES review of every citation issued in the first eight months of the program raises questions about effectiveness. … Legislation decriminalized fare evasion in 2023, and the penalty for riding without a valid fare became more like a parking ticket. … 5 INVESTIGATES’ review of more than 1,200 citations reveals that fare evaders refused to cooperate with agents more than half of the time. On more than 600 citations, agents and community service officers wrote the word ‘refuse’ – meaning riders refused to provide ID, give a name and sometimes refused to get off of the train.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3Cuzn2J
HEALTHCARE: via a Senate GOP press release, VERBATIM: “In the Senate Jobs and Economic Development Committee on Wednesday, Senator Liz Boldon (DFL-Rochester) presented Senate File 365, which provides funding for the Bridges to Healthcare program. Bridges to Healthcare is the southeast Minnesota public-private partnership aimed at preparing individuals for careers in highly-skilled healthcare fields. It has supported more than 300 students since it was created in 2013.” BILL: https://fluence-media.co/4aRxE3T
CHILDCARE: via Office of the Governor, VERBATIM: “Governor Tim Walz today announced $6.1 million in grants to expand access to child care across the state. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has awarded 25 organizations with Child Care Economic Development Grants, expected to expand child care capacity by 1,400 slots statewide. … Of the funds awarded, 84%, or $5.1 million, will go towards increasing child care availability in Greater Minnesota, creating 1,337 slots.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3CIMPzZ
INFERTILITY: via Forum News Service, VERBATIM: “State lawmakers will take another look at passing a bill to mandate insurance coverage of infertility treatment for Minnesota residents. … The bill proposes requiring comprehensive coverage of insurance costs for infertility diagnosis and treatment — including IVF — as well as insurance coverage for fertility services for cancer patients and others at risk of medically induced infertility. A total of 22 other states have already written fertility insurance coverage into law. … While the bill has not been introduced yet, Sen. Erin Maye Quade, DFL-Apple Valley, said she will be bringing the measure forward this session.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40MAjaM
CONTRACEPTION: via a Rep. Angie Craig press release, VERBATIM: “This week, U.S. Representative Angie Craig introduced legislation to protect access to contraception and defend health care providers’ ability to distribute contraceptives no matter where they live. The Right to Contraception Act would create a statutory right for people to obtain and use contraceptives – like birth control pills, IUDs and condoms – and grant the Attorney General the ability to take civil action against any state or government official that implements or enforces legislation preventing access to contraceptives.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hqt8Ms
PRICE FIXING: via a Sen. Amy Klobuchar press release, VERBATIM: “U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar [and others] introduced the Preventing Algorithmic Collusion Act to prevent companies from using algorithms to collude to set higher prices. As recent reporting, a Justice Department lawsuit, and multiple private lawsuits have shown, big corporations are using algorithms to raise prices and limit competition. … This legislation will make such collusion illegal to lower costs for families and support small businesses.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3CJk7yR
PERMITTING REFORM FOR RESPONSIBLE INDUSTRIES: Jobs for Minnesotans is committed to advancing responsible industrial projects through a predictable, timely and transparent permitting process. Broad permitting reform for all responsible industries is essential to strengthening Minnesota’s communities and advancing our state’s clean energy future. (SPONSORED: Jobs for Minnesotans)
GREATER MN: via a Senate GOP press release, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Senate committee that handles jobs and economic growth issues on Wednesday heard a bill (SF 582) by Senator John Jasinski (R-Faribault) that would provide $5 million for the Greater Minnesota Business Development Public Infrastructure Program (BDPI). … The grants help cities cover up to 50% of the cost for critical public infrastructure projects. … The bill was laid over and will be considered for a larger jobs and economic development bill later in session.” BILL: https://fluence-media.co/4jGgzOJ
MPLS: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Construction on George Floyd Square is facing a setback, as Minneapolis City Council members voted Thursday to table a redesign plan for the intersection and instead consider making it a pedestrian-only plaza, despite property owner opposition to that plan. The Climate and Infrastructure Committee voted 4-2 to put the city’s plan ‘on ice.’ Council member Katie Cashman said the plan could be reconsidered if the pedestrian design didn’t work out. Mayor Jacob Frey has urged City Council to move ahead with the city’s plan. He said he was initially open to the idea of a pedestrian plaza, but property owners made it clear that’s not what they want.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42Lcgvf
MORE: via a Minneapolis City Council advisory, VERBATIM: “Members of the Minneapolis City Council have brought forward a proposal to allocate $1,125,000 to Hennepin County to temporarily take over administration of the Group Violence Intervention and Youth Group Violence Intervention programs (GVI and YGVI). The proposal comes after Council has publicly raised alarms about mismanagement of the Neighborhood Safety Department and misadministration of GVI programs to the Frey Administration for over a year. … The City Council Budget Committee will take up the item on Monday, Feb. 10 at 1:30 p.m. [with] a press conference prior to the meeting.” RESOLUTION: https://fluence-media.co/4hKmMqW
XCEL: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Minnesota regulators are seeking answers from Xcel Energy after the state's largest utility sold land to a developer promising to build a data center, only for the land to be flipped to Amazon months later for almost 10 times the initial sale price. … While the sale was signed off by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and other authorities, the PUC is now seeking more answers after Amazon bought the land for $73.5 million, sparking complaints from consumer advocates upset that ratepayers won't see the benefit of the enhanced sale price. The PUC has sent a letter to Xcel this week seeking additional information.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40GbRaI
DINNER: via Huffington Post, VERBATIM: “Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) refused to walk on eggshells as she cracked jokes aimed at President Donald Trump and Republicans [at] the Washington Press Club Foundation Annual Congressional Dinner. … ‘What is the difference between Greenland and Donald Trump? Greenland is not for sale,’ joked Klobuchar. … The punchline got a sea of boos from the D.C. crowd and Klobuchar was ready to hit back. … ‘[If you] want to throw eggs at me as a result of that joke, you can’t, because they’re too expensive,’ said Klobuchar.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Q8K51V
AWARDS: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota State Patrol honored nearly two dozen civilians and sworn law enforcement officers at its annual recognition ceremony Thursday. The various acts of heroism ran the [gamut] from pulling people from burning cars, to administering lifesaving first aid, to getting impaired drivers off the road.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3WPvsEq
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)
LYON CTY: via Marshall Independent, VERBATIM: “The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office responded to over 2,000 more incidents last year than it did in 2023. Sheriff Eric Wallen said part of the reason for the increase was a sharp jump in the number of traffic stops the Sheriff’s Office conducted. Traffic stops by Lyon County deputies more than doubled in 2024. … The increased number of traffic stops resulted in both warnings and citations, he said. Wallen shared data from the Sheriff’s Office, the Lyon County Jail and the dispatch office as part of an annual report to county commissioners.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3EsDqgs
MANKATO: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “It was a scary morning for Kennedy Elementary students in Mankato Thursday after a vehicle reportedly crashed into the school building. … The city said the students were evacuated to Mankato East High School. Luckily, no injuries were reported. Investigators said the vehicle came to a rest after striking a column and will be removed after the damage is assessed by a structural engineer.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3WPykRC
DULUTH: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “The City of Duluth is using snow to barricade off a cross country ski course after multiple incidents of trespassing by vehicle users. On Wednesday, the city announced it planned to create a barrier at Piedmont Ski Trails to prevent unauthorized vehicles from entering. The move comes after the city reported ‘rare but concerning trespassing incidents that have occurred recently’ involving drivers. Because a permanent barrier using concrete or boulders was deemed ‘unfeasible,’ the city will use surrounding snow to create the barrier.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3WQwmjT
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
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
MPD: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The city of Minneapolis is poised to settle another batch of workers’ compensation cases with police officers, including one who cost the city more than $400,000 in legal fees after he was sued for beating people up while off duty. A Minneapolis City Council committee approved four workers’ comp settlements with city employees on Monday, including one for former police officer Michael Griffin, who cost the city nearly $411,000 in legal fees for police brutality lawsuits in 2010-2011. He was terminated by Interim Police Chief Amelia Huffman in 2022 for carrying a rifle without authorization or training and lying about it, but misconduct is not legally relevant to whether the city has to pay workers’ comp benefits.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Q7XRBV
DEI: via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “The University of Minnesota Duluth Chancellor Charles Nies released a statement Wednesday reaffirming the University of Minnesota System’s President Rebecca Cunningham’s message on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Cunningham sent the message to students, faculty, and staff on Monday discussing the University’s efforts to ‘assess the implications to our operations following rapidly changing federal policies.’ The statements come after changes being made to DEI programs and policies at the federal level.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4htQvVw
DISABILITY: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Sumukha Terakanambi’s disability services waiver paid for the lift the Lakeville resident uses to get out of bed and the care that allows him to live in his family’s home. For Steve Reinardy, whose eye disorder keeps him from driving, his waiver covers the transportation he needs to get to his job and doctor’s appointments. Tim Gross has seen his son Ben, who has Down syndrome, develop life skills using waiver-funded training that allows him to remain in his own Duluth apartment. They are among the Minnesotans pushing back against Gov. Tim Walz’s proposed measures to reduce planned increases in state spending on the Medicaid waivers that support tens of thousands of people with disabilities.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aNLdl0
ALL THE TAKES: Every day, we’re sharing significant political, business and other news in your inbox and on our new website, The Daily Agenda. If you love morning take, sign up for the other Fluence tip sheets and share our web content with your friends. SIGNUP: https://fluence-media.co/4eZwLa7
SESSION: No House floor session. No Senate floor session. HOUSE: No House committee meetings. SENATE: Judiciary & Public Safety will hear a presentation from the state Dept. of Human Rights. CALENDAR: https://fluence-media.co/4hqJ954
TODAY: Gov. Tim Walz has no public events scheduled.
TODAY: At 10:30AM, Minneapolis candidate for Mayor and Councilmember Emily Koski will hold press conference condemning the City’s relationship with controversial “Our Rescue” as a potential partner for the new South Minneapolis Community Safety Center
TODAY: The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis is hosting a webinar to discuss the latest results from its annual survey of manufacturers, which is conducted in partnership with MN DEED. The virtual event is at 9:00 a.m.
MONDAY: The Minneapolis City Council will hear a proposal for allocating $1,125,000 to Hennepin County to temporarily take over administration of the Group Violence Intervention and Youth Group Violence Intervention programs. The event is at 1:30 p.m.
MARCH 6: Minnesota Management and Budget announced that the next state budget forecast will be released on Thursday, March 6. In a press release, MMB said “the February forecast announcement is scheduled about a week later than usual this year due to a later-than-usual release of key federal employment data.”
BDAYS: public affairs pro Dennis Egan, communications pro Jennifer Beers, politico DJ Danielson, fmr. Rep. Mary Sawatzky SAT: printer Bill Gleason, North Metro Chamber leader Lori Higgins, comms guy Rick Fuentes, designer Derek Brigham, DFL Senate strategist James Haggar. SUN: Senator Jeremy Miller, Opera orchestra leader Rebecca Arons, communications pro Sam Fettig, fmr. Rep. Gene Pelowski, fmr. Rep. Tama Theis
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