FRIDAY, FINALLY
Today’s Wordle is… just kidding. I got it in 6.
Wild loses to Winnipeg. They go to Buffalo tomorrow. Wolves in Houston.
The well-read Sports Take came out yesterday – it’s here: https://fluence-media.co/49VXi8N
Red Bull quietly canceled an annual snowboarding competition — the latest in a string of Twin Cities event cancellations. BMTN: https://fluence-media.co/4bHxChs
State legislatures across the political spectrum are considering new laws in reaction to the Minneapolis protests. AP: https://fluence-media.co/4qVqfaE
The FBI is offering $100,000 for information on vandalism and theft of government property in Minneapolis. PIPRESS: https://fluence-media.co/4qVj0zs
YouGov asked Americans about the president’s proposal to invoke the Insurrection Act in Minnesota — 35% said they approve, 51% disapprove, and 14% are unsure. POLL: https://fluence-media.co/4jInsPC
AP-NORC finds that 62% of Americans think Donald Trump has gone too far in using presidential power to achieve his goals, but a 45% plurality say he has helped on immigration and border security. POLL: https://fluence-media.co/4jIsHih
Tune-in for the latest on Sunday Take at 9AM Sunday on WCCO Radio.
Blois - tips: bloisolson@gmail.com
In a must listen, Legislative Auditor Judy Randall joined Sunday Take to discuss fraud in state programs. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3YTziND
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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/
Next Wednesday: The State of Energy – Fluence Forum
The State of Energy in Minnesota featuring Pete Wycoff (Deputy Commissioner of Energy Resources, Minnesota Department of Commerce),, Zac Ruzycki (Director of Resource Planning, Great River Energy) Moderated by Blois Olson of Fluence Advisory
The Future of Energy featuring Kari Groth Swan (Executive Director, MN Climate Innovation Finance Authority), PJ Martin (Vice President of Integrated Planning, Xcel Energy) Moderated by Drew Christensen
Policy Considerations for State Leaders featuring Xcel Energy, Derrick Moe (President and CEO, MN Rural Electric Association), and Lucas Franco (Research Manager of Great Lakes Regional Organizing Committee, LIUNA Minnesota and North Dakota) Moderated by John Berns
Legislative Panel featuring Senator Nick Frentz and Representative Chris Swedzinski
REGISTER: https://fluence-media.co/StateofEnergy
THE LATEST
There are earnest efforts to deescalate the conflict of ICE in Minnesota. The best opportunity is by those not posting and holding media events. Protests last night centered around the Whipple Building.
Last night in Scott County, another GOP straw poll for Governor, Speaker Lisa Demuth wins, Chris Madel second, and Kendall Qualls third, Mike Lindell fourth.
Gov. Tim Walz’s Department of Correction released a counter news release to the Department of Homeland Security. VERBATIM: “Recent public statements by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) alleging that the Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) failed to honor ICE detainers, including claims that “1,360 aliens, including violent criminals, are in the state’s custody” and that Minnesota “has released nearly 470 criminal illegal aliens back onto the streets of Minnesota since President Trump took office” are categorically false, unsupported by facts, and deeply irresponsible… The Minnesota Department of Corrections honors all federal and local detainers, including those issued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
RELEASE: https://fluence-media.co/3Nm9vuQ
Here’s the Department of Homeland Security release….VERBATIM: “ The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) highlights the success of Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota with the arrests of worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens from Minnesota neighborhoods including perpetrators of fraud, thieves, and drug traffickers. These arrests occurred despite a lack of cooperation from sanctuary politicians who RELEASE criminal illegal aliens directly from jails onto the streets of Minnesota to terrorize more innocent Americans.” RELEASE: https://fluence-media.co/4pSXuL6
Bring Me The News has an explanation of what “ICE detainers” are and why Minnesota officials are making them an increasingly common talking point. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pNsps1
TODAY: Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) will host a “field hearing” at the state Capitol discussing the ICE surge in Minnesota, followed by a press conference immediately after. Over two dozen U.S. House Democrats will attend. The event is at 9:00 a.m.
TOMORROW: Via Star Tribune, some Minneapolis officials expressed concern that Saturday’s “March Against Minnesota Fraud” protest, organized by conservative activist Jake Lang, could lead to harassment of Somali people. Lang said on X he wants to “take back Minnesota from the Somali pirates,” as seen in yesterday’s morning take. EXCERPT: “Rep. Mohamud Noor said that while the march is expected to start downtown, he’s fearful it will move into neighborhoods with high Somali populations, such as Cedar Riverside, in order to film and provoke people. … Minneapolis Police Inspector Bill Peterson [said] they have prepared for the event. He also noted the city is ‘hyper aware’ that the Cedar Riverside neighborhood could be a target.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZbWy9w
AG OFFICE: Attorney General Keith Ellison launched a web portal allowing Minnesotans to report “impacts of federal actions” to his office for the purpose of “defending and enforcing Minnesota’s laws.” Ellison’s announcement specifies that actions from the Dept. of Homeland Security can be reported. His office also released a consumer alert telling Minnesotans how they can “protect their digital privacy from Department of Homeland Security agents.” PORTAL: https://fluence-media.co/458SSsI ALERT: https://fluence-media.co/4sNCgRq
WHITE HOUSE: via WCCO Radio, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s office has confirmed to WCCO Radio that he is attempting to get a hold of President Donald Trump. Walz is also convening business leaders, members of Congress, other governors and civic leaders to make an appeal to the administration to ‘reverse course and turn down the temperature.’ … The White House responded through Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later on Thursday while taking questions from reporters. … Leavitt confirmed that so far, no conversation has taken place. ‘I’m not sure if that’s a genuine offer to speak with the president,’ she added.” READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4t0z0Cr
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FRAUD EFFECTS
DHS: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Human Services delayed all payments to providers of 14 Medicaid services in the first weeks of a new system — called ‘prepayment review’ — designed to prevent fraud. Providers of Medicaid services said the delay caught them by surprise and interrupted payrolls, leaving older and disabled Minnesotans without care. … Payments have started to be resumed this week, though many are still missing.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sHzGfH
RESPONSE: A coalition of providers for home care and related services sent a letter to the Dept. of Human Services expressing “serious concerns” with DHS’s anti-fraud measures, including withheld payments. The coalition requested an “immediate payment release” and better communication in the future. EXCERPT: “Dozens of provider agencies may be unable to meet their next payroll, leaving workers uncompensated and the continuity of care for thousands of individuals with disabilities at risk. … The impacted provider agencies are already operating on razor-thin margins and do not have the capital reserves to ‘front the bill’ for state-contracted services.” LETTER: https://fluence-media.co/4qlpRSV
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)
IMPEACHMENT
IMPEACHMENT: via Forum News Service, VERBATIM: “A Minnesota Republican state lawmaker is seeking an impeachment of Democratic Gov. Tim Walz. Rep. Mike Wiener, R-Long Prairie, [said] he introduced the articles before the start of the Minnesota legislative session on Feb. 17 to give himself time to convince more lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to come to his side, saying this should not be a partisan issue.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3LJJx3X
MORE: Rep. Mike Wiener told FOX 9 that he has the support of at least 10 Republican lawmakers, but impeaching Gov. Tim Walz would require a bipartisan majority. Walz is accused of “concealing” fraud, interfering with oversight, prioritizing “political narratives” and failing to safeguard public funds. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jOkPw2 ARTICLES: https://fluence-media.co/4sJm17S
MASKS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Sen. Lindsey Port, DFL-Burnsville, says she plans to introduce a bill next session requiring law enforcement — including the thousands of federal agents working in Minnesota — to show their faces on the job. Port [said] she does not expect federal agents would comply with any such state law, but hoped local police would see that face coverings are corroding the public’s faith in law enforcement. … Separately, city attorneys in St. Paul are drafting restrictions on law enforcement wearing masks.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3LfLfKk
DAMAGES: via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “A Minnesota lawmaker is proposing a bill that would pave the way for people to sue for compensation when federal officials violate their civil rights. … DFL state Rep. Jamie Long [said] ‘For example, agents have been breaking car windows to try to pull out U.S. citizens. So they could sue to get damages.’ Long said the bill he introduced wouldn’t change what’s happening across the state, but if it gets passed and signed into law, it could provide relief later.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4jFpe4a
ICE
SHOOTING: Via KSTP, locals are disputing the federal government’s account of what happened during a non-fatal shooting in Minneapolis this week. VERBATIM: “A Facebook Live video shared by Minnesota State Sen. Erin Maye Quade is now offering new insight into what may have happened moments before the shooting. The video captures tense moments inside the home as a woman speaks with a 911 dispatcher. … She claims ICE agents struck her husband’s vehicle and that after he made it home and ran inside, agents shot through the door. … The Department of Homeland Security said a federal agent and a man became involved in a struggle on the ground. Officials said two people then exited a nearby apartment and began striking the agent with a shovel. … 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS has requested the 911 transcript.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4pG8mvq
ACLU: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The ACLU of Minnesota filed a class action lawsuit against the federal government on Thursday, Jan. 15, accusing immigration agents of racially profiling Somali and Latino people through unlawful stops and arrests during the current enforcement surge. … The civil rights group said it will seek a preliminary injunction imposing limits on the agents’ actions.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qRnhnx
TARGET: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “More than 100 clergy members from around Minnesota held a press conference outside Target’s Downtown Minneapolis store, calling for the company to stand with ‘their community and the state they call home by joining Minnesotans in demanding that the DHS end its surge.’ … Afterwards, clergy members walked to Target’s corporate headquarters, also in Downtown Minneapolis, and began a sit-in inside the lobby, peacefully asking for a meeting with CEO Brian Cornell.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jLOB4z
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)
HEALTH
UMN: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Dr. Jakub Tolar is stepping down as dean at the University of Minnesota Medical School, a departure that U donors warned last year could further destabilize the university’s academic health program. Tolar was named on Thursday, Jan. 15, as the next president, CEO and executive dean of the Baylor College of Medicine. … Late last year, Tolar distributed a memo to department chairs suggesting U President Rebecca Cunningham ‘prefers a Dean, or indeed any leader, of her own choosing.’ … Medical School sources [said] Tolar had been marginalized by Cunningham in ongoing negotiations for a new affiliation agreement with University of Minnesota Physicians (UMP) and Fairview Health Services.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45gvSbc
HENNEPIN: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has successfully subpoenaed the employee information of more than 7,000 workers at Hennepin Healthcare. … The hospital confirms DHS issued a subpoena to begin an inspection of the organization’s I-9 forms. I-9 forms contain sensitive personal information, like worker’s names, addresses, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and employment eligibility documents. … The federal government told hospital leadership the request was made to ‘ensure compliance with employment eligibility laws.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aXYdGX
STRIKE: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “HealthPartners workers have authorized an unfair labor practices strike as union leaders seek higher wages and push back against proposed health care cuts. … Contracts expire on Jan. 31, so workers aren’t able to take action on a strike until February, though union representatives say they hope this week’s strike authorization shows how serious they are.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4qnnGya
PAID LEAVE: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “More than 25,000 workers have already applied for Minnesota’s new paid leave program, sending businesses scrambling to cover their work and creating an unexpected windfall for temp agencies [that] have been fielding an influx in requests for help. … Stacey Stratton, CEO of True Talent in Edina, [said] she expects the new law to boost True Talent’s revenue by 20%. Meanwhile, employers — many of them smaller — remain anxious about the administrative burden and cost of a new payroll tax that pays for the benefit.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qnnr6e
AROUND MN
MPLS: via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis leaders and community members called for Gov. Tim Walz to issue an order that would prohibit evictions of residents amid a surge in federal law enforcement activity in Minnesota. … Some businesses have closed due to the increased [ICE] activity, citing staff and community safety. The City Council unanimously passed a resolution Thursday asking for Walz to issue an eviction moratorium, a rental protection that would prevent tenants who are unable to pay rent from being evicted. Only the governor is able to issue an eviction moratorium.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sQ7HKX
ST PAUL: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Members of the St. Paul City Council exchanged strong words before deadlocking 3-3 on a failed vote to suspend procedure and introduce an amended ‘separation ordinance’ that would prevent St. Paul Police from cooperating with federal immigration authorities.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/458XtuY
DULUTH: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “The Soo Locks, which connect Lake Superior to the lower Great Lakes, closed for winter maintenance just before midnight Thursday, [signaling] the end to a difficult Great Lakes shipping season, especially for the Twin Ports of Duluth and Superior. … Kevin Beardsley, executive director of the Duluth Seaway Port Authority, [said] the total tonnage shipped will likely come in well below last year’s number. … About 550 ships sailed into the Duluth-Superior port in 2025, compared to 688 vessels last year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jRyQsQ
WHAT’S NEXT
TODAY: Sec. Steve Simon will visit Lac qui Parle and Yellow Medicine counties Friday to meet with students and business leaders. He will “complete his most recent 87-county tour,” per his office.
TOMORROW: Conservative activist Jake Lang says he will hold a protest against DFL officials to “take back Minnesota from the Somali pirates” in Minneapolis City Hall at 11:00 a.m. A counter protest organized by People’s Action Coalition Against Trump will be held at 12:30 p.m.
NEXT WEEK: The federal trial seeking a restraining order against ICE agents in Minnesota has two upcoming deadlines: federal officials have until Monday to prepare more evidence, and Minnesota officials have until Wednesday to do the same.
TUES-WED: The MN Ag Expo will be held in Mankato this year on Tuesday and Wednesday. The first day will feature a bipartisan “legislative preview” featuring lawmakers and Ag Commissioner Thom Petersen, per a release.
THURSDAY: via Voice of Alexandria, VERBATIM: “Rep. Jeff Backer (R-Browns Valley) will be joining local Minnesota farmers, stakeholders, and commissioners at the Agriculture Summit on Jan. 22. … He will be joined by Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen, DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen, MPCA Commissioner Katrina Kessler, several legislators, local stakeholders, and livestock and crop farmers from Minnesota.” DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/3LLAUWw
FRIDAY: Faith in MN and related organizations have called for a “Day of Truth and Freedom” blackout, asking Minnesotans to avoid working, shopping or going to school in remembrance of Renee Good. There will also be a march in downtown Minneapolis at 2:00 p.m.
JAN 30: via DEED advisory, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Trade Office (MTO) is delighted to invite you to join Governor Tim Walz, Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Matt Varilek and Department of Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen at a luncheon event to honor this year’s recipients of the Governor’s International Trade Awards.”
BDAYS: BDAYS: Lifetime’s Natalie Bushaw, fmr. Chief John Harrington. SAT: weather guy Sven Sundgaard, Sen. John Hoffman, SUN: agency leader Matt Burgess, Xcel’s Rob Clark, ranger Justin Perpich
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IN MEMORIAM: morning take from now to the future is in memory of Melissa Hortman her accessibility, leadership and commitment to public service.
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