TEMP DROP TUESDAY
Back to March weather today…Wolves win in Dallas.
New ballpark foods revealed today, and $2 beer social media ads are plentiful.
Wild off until Thursday.
Who is having easter candy delivered?….DoorDash data indicates that Reese’s peanut butter bunnies are the most popular Easter candy in Minnesota. DATA: https://fluence-media.co/4m36pcj
Recent explosions in St. Paul were caused by a failed attempt to steal copper wiring. MPR: https://fluence-media.co/4vgxNIe
Airport lines are getting shorter as TSA paychecks arrive. AP: https://fluence-media.co/4bUJyuN
Congressional Republicans are considering healthcare spending cuts to help pay for the Iran war and ICE. AXIOS: https://fluence-media.co/4v1vcBI
Heavy social media users are less likely to think democracy is the best form of government and more likely to stray from democratic norms, according to a newly released study from the Charles F. Kettering Foundation and Gallup. MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4sasHuj
Tomorrow is April Fool’s Day…send your satire.
Today is National Tater Day…always get the tots.
Blois - tips: bloisolson@gmail.com
Sunday Take featured texts from listeners in a discussion about the “Mood of Minnesota” and how it could influence the 2026 elections. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4s5LFlE
It’s BACK! The TwinWest Legislative Breakfast is on April 17, featuring Senate Min. Ldr. Mark Johnson, House DFL Flr. Ldr. Jamie Long, Senate Asst. Maj. Ldr. Nick Frentz and House GOP Flr. Ldr. Harry Niska in a mid-session discussion moderated by Blois Olson and presented by Fluence Advisory. REGISTER: https://fluence-media.co/4lWWmFM
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The latest insight from Fluence Advisory on the loss of institutional knowledge from the Minnesota Legislature. READ: https://fluence-advisory.com/insights/
Follow the 2026 Minnesota elections up close with the Fluence Election Tracker. https://fluence-media.co/electiontracker
DETAILS MATTER
CARTERCASH: via the Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “At the end of his term, former St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter’s administration paid a group of 15 political appointees nearly $100,000 in bonuses…While not illegal, the choice is unusual in the public sector. The bonuses, which were entirely at Carter’s discretion, came on top of other payments for unused vacation and personal time and severance payments for his staff…The bonuses were just part of the $774,000 paid to 20 departing city employees in January. Much of that included mandatory payouts, such as unused vacation pay. Not all departing employees received performance bonuses…The payouts raised eyebrows among incoming Mayor Kaohly Her’s staff because it left her with diminished funds for her own hires. Out of about $2.4 million set aside for the mayor’s office in 2026, payments for Carter’s staff will eat up more than $277,000.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4toTfcl
ARRESTS: via MPR, VERBATIM: “Federal agents arrested more than 3,700 Minnesota residents during the federal government’s surge into the state this winter, according to new data released through a federal lawsuit…It’s the most nuanced data the federal government has released since the surge and includes the location where at least 3,789 people were arrested, their countries of origin and whether they have a criminal history… But the new data shows fewer than one-quarter of those arrested had a criminal conviction on their record. A little more than 13 percent of those arrested had pending criminal charges.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dkpOmW
POT: via Fox 9, VERBATIM: “Lawmakers are looking at proposals that would make it easier for businesses to operate across medical, recreational, and hemp markets…Part of the stated goal is to increase cannabis cultivation in Minnesota, addressing supply shortages that can lead to higher prices… Some business owners, like Minny Grown in Cannon Falls, have already invested heavily in transitioning from hemp to adult-use cannabis. ROHR: “We’ve gone out and made our investments to operate under the structure we’ve been looking at for the last year and a half,” said Zach Rohr, Minny Grown owner…There’s a push to streamline medical and adult-use cultivation and production, but some see this as giving an edge to established medical cannabis companies.” READ/WATCH:
TRANSIT: via Rep. Tom Emmer advisory, VERBATIM: “Congressman Tom Emmer led the Minnesota Republican delegation in sending a letter to the leadership of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) on eliminating federal funding for the Blue Line Light Rail Extension (Blue Line) and the Northern Lights Express (NLX). … Emmer and the rest of Minnesota’s Republican delegation [said] the combination of nominal ridership and huge capital cost makes these projects an irresponsible use of taxpayer funds.” LETTER: https://fluence-media.co/487Kk6H
A new level of insight and information….
STATUS CHECK
STATUS: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Nearly six weeks into the 2026 Minnesota legislative session, only four bills have been signed into law. … Major legislation, like creating an Office of Inspector General, gun control, bills restricting ICE actions, sports betting, lowering license tab fees, and a bonding bill, remains uncertain. … Several of those issues have already stalled on tie votes in the evenly divided House, including gun legislation. … ‘We’re seeing gridlock in the state legislature, and no one should be surprised by that,’ says Carleton College political analyst Steven Schier. … Lawmakers will have six weeks after their 10-day break to finish the session by May 18.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3NAAfs9
(DISCLOSURE: Sports Betting Alliance is a Fluence client)
PRIORITIES: Speaking to KSTP, Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy and Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson criticized each other’s parties for their priorities this session, with Murphy saying that DFL bills for restrictions on guns and ICE agents will be brought to a floor vote regardless of whether or not they’ll pass.
● MURPHY: “I don’t expect to receive Republican votes on the assault [weapon] ban or high-capacity magazines, but it’s important for Minnesotans to know we’re willing to take that action. … The [Operation] Metro Surge package, we’ll take up when we come back after the break. We have 11 bills packaged together.”
● JOHNSON: “We’re going to have Democrats spending hours and hours, and maybe days or weeks, on ICE things that we have no jurisdiction over. … It’s not about gun violence, it’s about violence in general. I mean, we gotta talk about mental health, we gotta talk about law enforcement training, we have to talk about school safety.”
MORE: Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson told WCCO Radio that despite ongoing gridlock, he is still hopeful for some bipartisan accomplishments this session on issues like the bonding bill. JOHNSON: “I’m hopeful that we can still get to the end of the session and put together a package that Minnesotans are going to really appreciate. We’ve got a number of ideas from the Republican side. It seems like the Democrats are kind of going the same route that they have been for the last few years.” READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4s9TmYb
SIGNED: via MPR, VERBATIM: “Gov. Tim Walz has signed four bills into law, the first of the 2026 session. Most notable and timely is one that repeals César Chavez Day. … [Instead], Walz declared March 31 as Farmworkers Day. … Another law will require vehicles to stop whenever a school bus turns on its red flashing lights. A third law extends the window allowing lower-potency hemp edible products to be tested at out-of-state facilities, and a fourth frees up $9 million to provide housing support.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48kG3wL
MORE: Via Office of the Governor, more details on the first four bills Gov. Tim Walz signed in the 2026 session. READ/LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4rXAco5
YOUR NEIGHBORS RIDE ATVs: From the Twin Cities to the Iron Range, thousands of Minnesotans own and ride ATVs. They are families, veterans, teachers and small business owners who rely on Minnesota’s trail system for recreation, tourism, and economic activity. ATV riders aren’t just “up north” — they live in the Twin Cities metro area, and they care deeply about maintaining safe, well-managed trails. As the legislature considers trail policy, funding, and land-use decisions this session, ask them to support Minnesota’s ATV community and the outdoor opportunities they value. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4u4dGw9 (SPONSORED: ATV Minnesota)
ELECTIONS
RESIGNED: via KSTP, VERBATIM:” Belle Plaine leaders do not plan to continue an investigation into allegations that former mayor Ryan Ladd violated the city’s “Respectful Workplace Policy.”..Former Belle Plaine Mayor Ryan Ladd resigned nine days after the City Council voted 3-2 on Feb. 2 to investigate the allegations. Councilman James Evans then took over mayoral duties and is now the Belle Plaine mayor…EYEWITNESS NEWS reporter Harrison Klopp spoke with Evans, who said he was concerned about the allegations but felt it was in the city’s best interest to move forward. Evans was one of the three council members who voted for the investigation. EVANS: “I was not expecting to be the mayor,” Evans said. READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4dl51zv
NEWCOME: via MPR, VERBATIM: “A Minnesota governor candidate who made a big splash with a six-figure infusion into his campaign is now out of the race and pulling back some of his personal investment. Mike Newcome, who joined the race in November as a Forward Independence Party’s candidate, terminated his campaign account last week after pressing pause on his bid weeks earlier. … He dropped out after fundraising began drying up. … Last year, he seeded his campaign with $200,000 in personal funds. Newcome paid himself back $91,000 and made other refunds to donors.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4v2xaSc
QUALLS: The Kendall Qualls campaign shared results from two Republican gubernatorial primary straw polls held over the weekend at small, local conventions. In Big Stone County, Qualls won 10 votes, while Kristin Robbins got 4, Lisa Demuth and Patrick Knight each got 3, and Mike Lindell got 2. In Senate District 41, Qualls won 25 votes, while Demuth got 22, Lindell got 11 and Robbins got 8. Qualls has secured a win in seven Republican straw polls since December. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/47y9sU5
CD4: via MPR, VERBATIM: “Another Republican candidate has entered the race in Minnesota’s 4th Congressional District to challenge Democratic Rep. Betty McCollum. Paul Xiong, a Hmong community leader who left a civic council to run for office, filed paperwork last week. … He’s listed there as a Republican, which is worth pointing out because nowhere is his party affiliation listed on his campaign website. He’ll be competing for the nomination with Paul Wikstrom of Shoreview. … McCollum has [DFL] competition for her renomination from Aswar Rahman, but is considered the heavy favorite.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48kG3wL
FOR RURAL HOSPITALS, 340B ISN’T A WINDFALL — IT’S A LIFELINE: 30% of Minnesota hospitals are operating in the red. Savings from the 340B Drug Pricing Program help keep the doors open for safety-net hospitals that serve the most rural and underserved populations. Legislators can support access to local, high-quality care in their districts by strengthening the 340B program this session. READ MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4uPSZV1 (SPONSORED: Essentia Health)]
MESSAGING
MOMENTUM: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “[Protesters] over the weekend departed with clear instructions: Keep up the energy as the midterm election approaches. Organizers and rallygoers alike hope the ‘No Kings’ events are more of a launching point than a moment in time. … After previous rallies, organizers trained many thousands to be constitutional observers. They said that will continue — as will efforts to mobilize voters. … Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin, the former head of the [DFL], was at the St. Paul rally.” MARTIN: “What we need to do is capture this energy, capture the momentum that we’ve had this last year, and keep it moving forward. If we do that, we’re going to win. We’ll put a check on this guy’s power.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3PSNAMW
MORE: via New York Times, VERBATIM: “The day of protest, the first since October, came as the midterm election season takes shape, and as Democrats work to capitalize politically on the unpopular war with Iran. … Many protesters said the war had brought them out on Saturday. And at least in some places, the conflict appeared to be motivating younger people. … Opposition to [ICE] remained a rallying cry, [but] in Minnesota, there were also loud chants of ‘end this war’ and plenty of signs objecting to the conflict.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3PJvHjG
RESPONSE: Minnesota GOP Chair Alex Plechash responded to the state’s “No Kings” rallies and DFL organizers in a statement. PLECHASH: “When you have nothing to show, you turn to fear, slogans and spectacle. They’re importing East Coast liberals like Joan Baez, Jane Fonda and Bruce Springsteen because they can’t defend what’s happening in Minnesota. … [It’s] pure political theater.”
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)
DC DOLLARS
FED GRANTS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Minnesota risked irking President Donald Trump’s administration this month by prioritizing diversity in the use of nearly $200 million in new federal rural health grants. Hospitals applying for the funding were urged in the state’s application to ‘intentionally identify how the grant serves diverse populations, especially populations experiencing inequities and/or disparities.’ … The Trump Administration has consistently opposed diversity initiatives and could decide to cut Minnesota’s share of the badly needed rural health funding in the future, said Kevin Bennett, a South Carolina-based fellow at the Commonwealth Fund.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4to1zZP
MORE: Yesterday’s ag take featured reporting on how the USDA is trying to cancel funding for Minnesota agriculture grants that were “aimed at helping Latino, Indigenous and BIPOC farmers.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3Q8XhHa
REJECT 340B EXPANSION: A new Minnesota Department of Health report shows hospitals made at least $1 billion dollars from a federal drug discount program known as 340B. The program should help patients, but experts say there is little accountability for where the money goes. The report was delayed and only recently released, showing the program isn’t working as intended. But Minnesota politicians are fast tracking a bill to expand the 340B program anyway. Lawmakers: reject House File 3609 / Senate File 3769. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4uUobCQ (SPONSORED: Community Action for Responsible Hospitals)
TRANS SPORTS: via AP News, VERBATIM: “The Trump Administration sued Minnesota and its school athletics governing body on Monday, carrying out a threat to punish the state for allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls sports. … The Justice Department alleges the state Department of Education and the Minnesota State High School League are violating Title IX. … Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison called the lawsuit ‘a sad attempt to get attention’ over an issue that has already been in litigation for months. He said he’ll keep fighting.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tgRWfl
IRAN: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Iran’s chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, a response to the U.S. and Israel’s war with the Middle Eastern power, is cutting off shipping lanes for fertilizer and other key commodities. This is happening just as Minnesota farmers ready their fields for spring planting, and the war is expected to result in less farm production and higher food prices. … Although many Minnesota farmers purchased their nitrogen fertilizer already, locking in prices ahead of time, there are often some in-season needs for nitrogen. And the war means it’s a bad time to be a buyer.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47v6T53
ICYMI: Yesterday’s ag take has more coverage on how international conflicts and rising fertilizer prices could impact Minnesota farmers. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3Q8XhHa
340B HOSPITAL MARKUPS HURT PATIENTS: Minnesota’s latest 340B report shows covered entities generated $1.34 billion IN PROFIT in 2024, including an estimated $261 million from Medicaid prescriptions. Independent research finds the program raises costs for patients, taxpayers, and employers statewide. Minnesota should sunset the 340B mandate and Congress should fix the federal 340B program, so it actually helps patients. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3OLZOGG(SPONSORED: PhRMA)
IMPACTS
SMALL BIZ: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s small businesses paid a steep price during the immigration enforcement surge. The community bonds they built may be worth even more. … Economic research highlights that the bonds of trust among neighbors and small businesses aren’t just heartwarming — they can be a genuine asset. The stronger those bonds, the more trust and cooperation can flourish, creating a path for raising living standards. … Economic studies strongly suggest that higher levels of trust can lead to increased commerce, promote financial innovation and even foster economic growth.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4s7arlA
TRAUMA: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Fairview says demand for trauma support training is rising as more Minnesota students and families seek help after recent immigration enforcement. Fairview Health Services said it has seen demand surge for its psychological first aid training sessions. … Fairview trained about 800 people in 2025, and has already exceeded that this year by training more than 850 people so far.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4s8vF2q
HABITAT RESTORATION: Flint Hills Resources has earned Tandem Global WHC Gold Certification for habitat restoration at its Cottage Grove fuel terminal. The certification comes after two years of work in partnership with Friends of the Mississippi River to implement a restoration and monitoring plan to re-establish the 6.5-acre site’s natural prairie and savannah. Flint Hills has held gold certification for its work done with community partners over the past 25 years to restore more than 200 acres of the Pine Bend Bluffs, a critical natural area along the Mississippi River that is adjacent to Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery. This makes two Flint Hills gold certified sites in Minnesota and the first two gold-certified sites ever in the Twin Cities. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3VASKg4 (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
STATE STUFF
POT: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “Cannabis and hemp businesses in Minnesota are bracing for new rules that could reshape the industry, sparking debate. … Lawmakers are looking at proposals that would make it easier for businesses to operate across medical, recreational, and hemp markets. Part of the stated goal is to increase cannabis cultivation in Minnesota, addressing supply shortages that can lead to higher prices. … Some business owners and Native American tribes have concerns about frequent regulatory changes and market competition.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4bV1c1t
STATE PARK: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The first campground in the state park system catering to the off-road vehicle crowd will open this summer in northern Minnesota. Years in development, Pyrite Campground opens June 12 in Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park. … An economic impact study found that tens of thousands of riders of off-highway vehicles (OHVs) injected about $36 million into three counties in the region in 2023.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bJEpac
(DISCLOSURE: ATV Minnesota is a Fluence sponsor)
FEED FRAUD: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Another Feeding Our Future defendant was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison on Monday morning. He is scheduled to turn himself in to federal prison on June 2. Abdul Abubakar Ali pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. … Remarkably, both the government and the defense advocated for a probationary sentence, noting that Ali has taken responsibility for his actions, given valuable information to investigators and paid $92,500 in restitution so far. However, U.S. District Court Judge Nancy Brasel determined that Ali’s role in the fraud scheme was too great for a probationary sentence.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4djMILc
BUS FARES: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Metro Transit is inviting the public to comment on proposed changes to simplify its express bus fares and expand eligibility for its $1 youth fares. Under the proposed changes, express bus fares would be $3 at all times and $1 youth fares would be extended to include riders up to 18 years old. Currently, express bus fares are $2.50 during non-rush hours and $3.25 during weekday rush hours. Youth fares currently only apply to riders ages six to 12 years old.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dfni1d
CONSTRUCTION: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) will start construction in April on Highway 12 between Wayzata and Minnetonka. … The more than $50 million project is expected to wrap up in November. A major construction project will also begin next month when Hwy 280 completely closes. … According to MnDOT, the highway will reopen before the beginning of the Minnesota State Fair. However, more construction is expected through the fall, with the final work being done in 2028.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3PQ9FvB
ROCHESTER: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “Former prosecutor and Rochester School Board member Karen MacLaughlin announced Monday she’s running for Olmsted County Attorney. MacLaughlin [is] touting her nearly 17 years of experience as a prosecutor in the Olmsted County Attorney’s Office. MacLaughlin is serving her second term on the Rochester School Board. She ran for Olmsted County Attorney in 2022, falling short to incumbent Mark Ostrem, [but] Ostrem retired in April 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3NPfpoY
WARROAD: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Cleanup continued Monday — and may last for several weeks — following a train derailment over the weekend near Warroad. Officials said 42 cars derailed, [and] two of those were classified as ‘dangerous goods’ cars, which prompted a precautionary evacuation of homes in the area. … Officials are asking people to stay away from the area while crews are working. The cause of the derailment is under investigation.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4m3ORNk
CRITICAL MARKETS FOR MINNESOTA: via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s 24,000 family corn farmers export hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of corn, ethanol, and dried distillers grains (DDG) to Canada and Mexico each year. Those exports support consumers in those countries and account for thousands of Minnesota jobs and over $1 billion in economic activity. That’s why the Minnesota Corn Growers Association supports a full renewal of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the landmark trade agreement that modernized North American agricultural trade.” LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4dqEqB1 (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn)
AHEAD
SESSION: The Minnesota Legislature is on break for Easter and Passover until the morning of Tuesday, April 7.
TODAY: DFL state Rep. Aric Putnam will host an SD14 town hall in St. Cloud on Tuesday, March 31 at 6:00 p.m.
TODAY: Gov. Tim Walz has no public events.
TODAY: via MDA advisory, VERBATIM: “Network with agricultural leaders at the 28th annual Women’s Agricultural Leadership Conference (WALC) on Tuesday, March 31 at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. This year’s WALC theme, ‘Local Leadership: Global Impact,’ will focus on developing and uplifting women in agriculture.”
THURSDAY: Sen. Liz Boldon, Rep. Andy Smith and Rep. Kim Hicks will host an SD25 media availability at Rochester City Hall to discuss the legislative session. The event is at 2:30 p.m.
THURS-FRI: via MDE advisory, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) will release Minnesota’s graduation rates for the Class of 2025 and the 2023-24 course-taking data on Friday, April 3, 2026. The data will be released in the Minnesota Report Card and in MDE’s Data Center Friday morning. Prior to the release, MDE is offering media access to the embargoed data at 9 a.m. Thursday, April 2, and will hold an embargoed virtual statewide media briefing led by Commissioner Willie Jett at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 2.”
APRIL 14: The Center of the American Experiment is hosting a “School Choice Rally” to support private school voucher legislation at the MN Capitol on Tuesday, April 14 at 12:00 noon. The event is advertised as a response to the No Kings rallies, saying in a release: “They had ‘No Kings.’ Now it’s our turn.”
APRIL 28: Gov. Tim Walz will deliver his final State of the State address before a joint session of the Minnesota Legislature on Tuesday, April 28 at 7:00 p.m.
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BDAYS: WCCO Radio’s Mark Freie, MN BioFuels leader Brian Werner, Olympian and attorney Rich Ruohnen, U of MN’s Chris Gade, sports guy Mike Woodley, attorney Kevin Chandler
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IN MEMORIAM: morning take is dedicated in memory of Melissa Hortman.