PLOW AHEAD
School closings and weather below.
One Battle was named Best Picture at the Oscars WINNERS: https://fluence-media.co/3NFvoWo
Another Olympic hockey gold – this time for the American Paralympic team.
The Gopher women’s basketball team is headed to the NCAA tournament – the first appearance in nearly a decade.
Frost win, meanwhile the Timberwolves and Wild seem to be back to their Minnesota ways.
How windy was it Friday? Windy enough to shear off the four large bolts anchoring a sign near 3M in Maplewood. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4lqC72Q
What’s the mid-March Minnesota mindset? HERE: https://fluence-media.co/4bIuzFs
Sunday Take featured Sen. Ron Latz and a check in on the legislative session – lots of noise, few signals and a feeling that in a closely divided legislature isn’t listening to the data, but only to the loudest voices. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3P87zXL
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/47vrTZm
Happy National Artichoke Day.
Blois - tips: bloisolson@gmail.com
SPONSORS: Sponsorships are available to reach over 30,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheets and website, TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com.
Follow the 2026 Minnesota elections up close with the Fluence Election Tracker. https://fluence-media.co/electiontracker
Want to manage your subscription to TheDailyAgenda.com ? HERE: https://fluence-media.co/managesubscription
The latest insight from Fluence Advisory on the loss of institutional knowledge from the Minnesota Legislature. READ: https://fluence-advisory.com/insights/
DIGGING OUT
The experts predicted a lot of snow and we got it.
Southeast Minnesota and points east got hit the hardest. Weston, Wisconsin, near Wausau, got 24.5 inches of snow in 24 hours.
UPDATES: https://fluence-media.co/417CaqY
Governor Walz declared a peacetime emergency and authorized the National Guard to help out. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rzEXnN
Over in Wisconsin, Governor Tony Evers also declared an emergency. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4lwLGxs
By midday Sunday, more than 600 flights at MSP Airport had been canceled. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4baUTYG
School impacts HERE: https://fluence-media.co/4ryIlzd
The DNR shared its list of the top 25 snowfalls in the Twin Cities – three guesses which landed at number one. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4bpRPGP
A new level of insight and information….
AT THE CAP
ASSAULT WEAPONS: Via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “The Senate could take a floor vote on an assault weapons ban that has been the focus of a relentless public advocacy campaign since Robin Westman used an assault rifle (and two other guns) in August to kill two children and injure 28 more people at a Minneapolis Catholic school. And that vote would come in an election year when, according to one recent poll, 69% of Minnesotans support a ban on the sale and possession of assault rifles. The Senate Judiciary Committee on Friday passed 6-3 a bill written by Sen. Zaynab Mohamed, DFL-Minneapolis, to ban an array of gun types that are classified as assault weapons because they fire a large amount of bullets in a matter of seconds.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3P2c46e
PARENTS: Via Star Tribune, Harper Moyski’s parents talk about why they invited so many politicians into their home after their daughter and a fellow classmate were killed and dozens more injured in a shooting at Minneapolis’s Annunciation Catholic School. VERBATIM: “In the fog of trauma and grief, Harper’s parents recognized an awful truth: With their tragedy came opportunity. Amid the polarized, immovable, endless debate on guns, they suddenly had a voice. For a fleeting moment, everyone would take their call — including powerful people. To honor Harper, they knew they had to share their grief to seize this moment.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lvBDIL
KNITTING: From Sen. Judy Seeberger (DFL-41) via Facebook, responding to a post calling her out for knitting on the Senate floor. VERBATIM: “Keeping my hands busy helps my ears hear and my brain focus. Ask any knitter - we’re listening and we’re more tuned in than most people around us. I’ll continue to knit - on the floor and in committee - to ensure I hear every word of the important discussions we have at the Capitol.” POST: https://fluence-media.co/3P8w0Eu
TRANSIT: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A group of suburbs that have operated their own transit networks for decades stand to lose that independence as Minnesota lawmakers look at handing that responsibility over to regional heavyweight Metro Transit. The measure, which has bipartisan backing, would abolish four suburban transit providers — the Plymouth Metrolink, Maple Grove Transit, SouthWest Transit and the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority — and have Metro Transit take over almost all public transit service in the Twin Cities. One carveout would be left for the University of Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cIzeZ4
TAKE: Metro transit hasn’t exactly been a well-oiled machine in recent years, while suburban transit at least pre-pandemic was very efficient. Financial efficiencies make sense in transit, but the urban minded and costly transit system, may in time take political power away from the suburban transit priorities. Not to mention Metro Transit’s cash ankle weight – SWLRT.
2B: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “The executive director of the Beltrami County Historical Society has announced she is running for a spot in the Minnesota House. Emily Thabes announced her candidacy today for the District 2B state Representative seat and is seeking the DFL endorsement.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4sJO85Q
MINNESOTA’S ATV RIDERS ARE YOUR CONSTITUENTS: Last September, hundreds of riders joined the ATV Minnesota President’s Ride — families, veterans, small business owners, and volunteers from across the state. They represent thousands of Minnesotans who responsibly use and maintain Minnesota’s ATV trail system. As decision makers evaluate trail policy, funding, and land-use decisions this session, we invite you to hear directly from the people they represent. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4u4dGw9 (SPONSORED: ATV Minnesota)
ICE FALLOUT
ST PAUL: Via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “For the first time, St. Paul leaders are sharing information on the economic impact of ICE operations in the city. A report by the Department of Planning and Economic Development shows three areas impacted in January and February:
· $129 million in small business losses
· $118 million in income lost for immigrant St. Paul residents
· $32 million ‘rent gap’ where people are already falling behind in paying rent.
City staff is cautioning that these numbers are a rough estimate — essentially a mathematical formula using data from the Census Bureau, information from a survey of about 160 businesses and interviews in the business community.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4sMCCaa
CITY FUND: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “When Operation Metro surge sent St. Paul’s immigrant communities reeling, the city had $300,000 on hand to help with immigration court expenses. But weeks after the federal crackdown began to recede, none of that money has been spent. That’s in part because the City Attorney’s Office is trying to take a long view of the immigration crisis and because a contract that St. Paul used for immigrant defense ended in the fall, meaning there was no ready-made conduit to quickly spend the funds.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3PCXO3P
INVESTIGATION: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “St. Paul Mayor Kaoly Her is denying a request for independent probe into violent police response that injured three journalists during a November U.S. Immigration and Customs arrest, saying an internal investigation should finish first. In December, the St. Paul Police Civilian Internal Affairs Review Commission requested an independent investigation into the St. Paul Police response late last year that turned violent.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4luOET9
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)
GREATER MN
BLACKDUCK: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “The Blackduck Police Department could soon be shutting its doors following a public hearing scheduled for Monday, Mar. 16 at Blackduck City Hall. The Blackduck City Council will be taking public comments during this hearing regarding the elimination of the city’s police department and contracting for law enforcement services with the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4714COT
POT: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Todd Thompson’s small store on White Earth reservation has almost everything a typical head shop sells. Colorful glass pipes and bongs sit among bulk tobacco and rolling papers. Neon posters line the walls and sticks of incense smolder on a table. It has everything one might expect — except the cannabis. That’s because two and a half years ago, a day after it became legal for recreational cannabis to be sold in Minnesota, a local drug task force raided his business . . . Since then, he and his lawyer have been in and out of court — not to dispute his cannabis possession, but to argue the state didn’t have the jurisdiction to charge him.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40xTlBT
MAYO: Via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “Mayo Clinic is seeking city support with plans to issue $750 million of bonds in April. The Rochester City Council will be asked Monday to approve the issuance of general obligation revenue bonds for work tied to Mayo Clinic’s $5 billion ‘Bold. Forward. Unbound. in Rochester’ expansion plan. The city’s issuance bonds allow the healthcare provider to borrow tax-exempt funds for the project, but it does not place financial obligations on the city.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bbrOfN
FRAUD
MEDICAID REPORT: Via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “State lawmakers are considering legislation to require the release of an unredacted report that outlines vulnerabilities and proposed policy changes in certain Medicaid programs administered by the state. The report was released earlier this year by Optum, a consultant hired by the state to review 14 programs flagged as high risk for fraud by the Department of Human Services. The report is heavily redacted.” QUOTE: “What is the information we’re even looking at?” said Rep. Kim Hicks, DFL-Rochester. “There’s so much black it’s hard to even know.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4se0IL3
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)
MORE NEWS
PHISHING: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis officials warning of a sophisticated local phishing wave impacting the city’s zoning permitting process. City Planning Director Meg McMahon says cybercriminals are extracting specific project details from public land use agendas to craft highly convincing, personalized emails that mimic official city emails.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4rIBnrG
SOLAR: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Solar United Neighbors has helped launch nearly 30 solar co-ops throughout Minnesota since 2018. Now, the national nonprofit announced it has extended that, to include the first-ever solar co-op program in northcentral Minnesota. Named the Field and Forests Solar Co-op, it offers homeowners and small businesses located in Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison, Todd and Wadena counties a way to transition into solar energy use. One of the benefits of entering into a solar co-op is its group dynamic, which in the end, can lower the brunt of installation costs.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3PDb2O1
WILD ABOUT READING: Join more than 800 Minnesota classrooms and 30,000 students participating in the “Wild About Reading” program, a partnership with Flint Hills Resources which encourages students to read more using Minnesota Wild-branded posters, reading logs, and bookmarks. Teachers set weekly reading goals and give certificates to students who complete the four-week program. Fun program incentives include: classroom visits from the Wild’s mascot, Nordy, and the team dog, Paulie; a pair of tickets to a Wild home game, player-signed pucks and photos; and a pizza party for a classroom. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/49AHNSE (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
OTHER NEWS
LOST CAMPERS: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Three campers were rescued after getting lost in Voyageurs National Park. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office says it was notified of a group of lost campers in the park at around 10 p.m. Friday. The caller reported that the group had gotten lost in the woods while attempting to find their campsite.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4luoC2d
MOVIES: Via Star Tribune, a look at a generation many thought wouldn’t choose to see movies in theaters. VERBATIM: “Instead, Gen Z is buying up a higher percentage of movie tickets, rising from 34% of the overall box office in 2019 to 39% last year, Dergarabedian said. Like [25-year-old Minneapolis resident Abraham Teuber], most of the Zers, aka Zoomers, are turning off their phones for the duration of the film — and, possibly, turning them back on afterward to post reviews on apps such as Instagram or Letterboxd. That’s exactly what happened last year with ‘A Minecraft Movie.’ Despite poor reviews, it became a billion-dollar hit, in part because its ‘chicken jockey’ scene went viral on social media, becoming something you had to see in theaters to be in on.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cOydyK
THIS WEEK
SESSION: Some legislative meetings scheduled for today were canceled. Eid break begins Thursday. SCHEDULE: https://fluence-media.co/4ly9p0j
TODAY: Governor Tim Walz will attend the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) 2026 National Conference.
NOT TODAY: A previously-scheduled news conference hosted by DFL House members regarding the economic impact of Operation Metro Surge has been postponed due to weather.
TODAY: At 10, community leaders and city councilmembers will hold a virtual news conference “opposing the Frey administration’s proposal to spend $40 million on a new police training center.”
TODAY: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Students across Minnesota will be competing in a statewide tournament on Monday — but instead of testing athletic skill, they will be working out math problems. The Minnesota State High School Mathematics League will be hosting its 42nd state meet on Monday, March 16, at South St. Paul High School. If incoming snow still has not been cleared in time for Monday’s event, organizers have a backup plan to hold the competition virtually, said the league’s executive director, Mike Reiners.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rDY7ZH
THIS WEEK: Weather may impact this, but, for now, MnDOT plans overnight closures on 394 for bridge and ramp work. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/471utWU
We won’t ask for “membership” to list your BDAY, and we won’t have pledge drive but you can support the Fluence work by paying for premium content.
BDAYS: Star Tribune’s Ryan Faircloth, ag leader Ken Thiese, attorney Sam Stern, Sleep Number’s Christine Ackerman, banker Joe Dolphin, politico Bethany Peterson
SPEAKER: If you’re looking for a speaker about the “Signal vs. Noise” dynamic of today’s politics and the 2026 election. EMAIL: BloisOlson@gmail.com.
SPONSORS: Sponsorships are available to reach over 30,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheets and website, TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com.
Send us your tips at BloisOlson@gmail.com
IN MEMORIAM: morning take is dedicated in memory of Melissa Hortman.