WINTER IS BACK
Gopher WBB upsets Ohio State.
Quinn Hughes for Governor.
Today, USA women’s hockey goes for gold against Canada at noon today. Sports Take later today… Howard Sinker finds a quote from an unlikely source that’s good advice for both the Twins and Star Tribune sports. Also, a 12-overtime hockey game ends in a shootout (after three nights), the hottest team in Minnesota sports wins again, suburban hockey parents acting up and an early look at Vikings mock drafts. Coming this afternoon.
Snow totals on the North Shore could reach up to 3 feet, and more is coming — across the state. TOTALS: https://fluence-media.co/4qIJWBY
The legal blizzard continues via Paul Blume at Fox 9, “For the first time during Operation Metro Surge, a federal judge has imposed stiff consequences on a government attorney for ICE’s violation of a court order related to the release of a detained immigrant. Judge Laura Provinzino found Special Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Isihara in civil contempt during a Wednesday afternoon hearing.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4cDnjeR
Bill Kristol and The Bullwark crew was in town, and hanging with John Kaul, Mary Lahammer, Sam Stern and Tara Erickson.
The state Capitol’s new metal detectors found 14 guns and 3 knives on their first day. KSTP: https://fluence-media.co/4b2AHqP
A new U2 protest song, “American Obituary,” includes lyrics honoring Renee Good. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4bYN7lz
Police are investigating a fire that was intentionally set at Renee Good’s memorial site. WCCO: https://fluence-media.co/3MxpciQ
As nuclear talks stall, US insiders say the possibility of a “weeks-long campaign” against Iran is “closer…than most Americans realize.” AXIOS: https://fluence-media.co/4aGGSjS
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take on downtown Minneapolis and the first day of hearings at the legislature with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4rYMNba
Happy National Chocolate Mint Day.
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DRIVING TODAY
The place to be and well-timed is the Minneapolis Downtown Council annual meeting Thursday at 12:00 noon. Speakers will include Mayor Jacob Frey, Twins owner Tom Pohlad, Timberwolves/Lynx CEO Matt Caldwell, and Minnesota Orchestra CEO Isaac Thompson. WCCO Radio’s Vineeta Sawkar will emcee.
While the opinions about downtown on social media may be an outlier, it doesn’t take more than “One Minute” to know that downtown is improving, it’s safer and investments and foot traffic are up. That’s good for the city, it’s good for the state.
We could use a Timberwolves playoff run, and a Twins summer of home runs.
The people who need to recognize the importance of downtown, the reputation of the city and its outlier politics are the city council – especially the “socialist caucus”.
Reading about the confict in New York between Democratic Governor Hochul and Socialist Mayor Mandami – we must be reminded that while Mayor Jacob Frey isn’t everyone’s cup-of-tea, he is better than the alternative would have been – especially during the ICE surge and on the economics of the city. Below is a “recovery” package for the city that will be voted on later today – what we need to worry about is more capital avoiding Minneapolis.
Via news release later today from the Minneapolis Downtown Council, VERBATIM: “… Minneapolis Downtown Council and Downtown Improvement District hosted its 70th Annual Meeting at The Armory. With approximately 1,000 guests in attendance, civic leaders relayed the collective wins of 2025, revealed key data points, and set the stage for what’s next for Minneapolis - fueling growth and building a stronger, more dynamic and thriving downtown.”
Investments and Leadership
· More than $230 million in new construction permits were issued.
· Key investment examples included updates and redevelopment at U.S. Bancorp Center, Sheraton Minneapolis Downtown, Loring Green Condominiums, SPS Tower, and LaSalle Plaza. Additionally, the 20 Washington and 365 Nicollet buildings were sold.
· The reimagining of the First Avenue entertainment district will include a $30 million investment, reinforcing downtown’s position as a premier arts and culture hub.
· Downtown Minneapolis experienced nearly 60 ribbon cuttings and new business openings in 2025 as well as the appointment of eight new CEOs leading downtown companies.
Return-to-Office and Growing Foot Traffic
· Sixteen of the 20 largest downtown employers now have return-to-office policies in place, with Tuesdays through Thursdays as the busiest days.
· Downtown workday foot traffic has climbed to approximately 80% of pre-pandemic levels.
RELIEF: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “The Minneapolis City Council will vote Thursday on whether to create a $7 million relief fund for small businesses that are losing money during the federal immigration operation. Council member Jason Chavez said it’s intended as a boost for the many shops and restaurants that are struggling. … The proposal was initially for $5 million, but it was amended upward. … The council’s resolution proposes taking the $7 million for small business relief from a city fund intended to support downtown infrastructure and maintenance costs.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qHZPbO
MORE: via WCCO Radio, VERBATIM: “Small businesses throughout the Twin Cities are focusing on recovery as ‘Operation Metro Surge,’ the federal government’s crackdown on illegal immigration, winds down. Gus Parpas owns Christos Greek Restaurant in Minneapolis and [said] recovery will take time.” QUOTE: “Many Hispanic businesses simply couldn’t sustain operations…but the community itself has been absolutely magnificent. The support has been very, very strong.” READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3Og7FMD
A new level of insight and information….
The MNSider Brief: State of the Governor’s race – READ: https://fluence-media.co/4r3ACtF
TRANSPARENCY
REDACTED: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A long-awaited third-party audit of billing across the state’s social services programs was heavily censored by the Minnesota Department of Human Services, and officials have refused to share an unredacted version with lawmakers. … That has frustrated state lawmakers who had hoped the full report, prepared by UnitedHealth Group subsidiary Optum, could offer a road map for policy changes to prevent misconduct in Medicaid programs. … [DHS] said the redacted sections include trade secrets from the agency’s ‘business partners’ and security information.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aGGxh6
RESPONSE: Speaking to the Star Tribune, GOP Rep. Patti Anderson and DFL Rep. Steve Elkins both expressed disappointment with the redactions.
● ANDERSON: “It really gives us no guidance, and it’s frustrating that the Walz Administration redacted almost the entire report. It makes you wonder what they’re hiding.”
● ELKINS: “I was disappointed. … They’re identifying, in the parts that you can read, that there are a combination of technical issues and policy issues. So if a lot of it is policy-related, there’s probably things in state law that need to be corrected.”
FRAUD: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Attorney General Keith Ellison on Wednesday gave lawmakers an update on the progress being made to help people who have been scammed out of money. Ellison said the first checks from the state’s fraud relief fund will go out in around a month. The first fraud victims to receive this money will be those impacted by the now-defunct Woodbury Dental Arts Office, which took money from hundreds of patients before abruptly closing its doors without providing services.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4aU55od
CHILDCARE: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Three child care centers featured in a viral YouTube video alleging fraud are now suing the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), saying it suspended their payments without proper investigation. … Each of the businesses received reimbursement funds through CCAP, but were cut off after fraud allegations were endorsed by national and local politicians. They are asking the court to rescind the CCAP suspension notices and permanently enjoin DCYF from using nonspecific language in CCAP suspension notices. They are also seeking over $50,000 in damages and attorney fees.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4tQNSDN
MORE: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “A 79th person has been charged in the widespread $250 million Feeding Our Future fraud scheme. Fahima Mahamud is accused of submitting fraudulent meal counts to obtain hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxpayer-funded reimbursements.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4aqyLt4
VOTER DATA: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Hennepin County elections officials say they mistakenly released data to a Republican state representative who has since used it to allege the county’s voter rolls are problematic. Rep. Pam Altendorf, R-Red Wing, said earlier this month that she requested and received a voter registration list from Hennepin County that contained voters’ names, addresses, dates of birth and a notation of whether a voter record was active or challenged. … County officials acknowledged that under state law, they should not have provided the challenge status data to her. They also flatly rejected Altendorf’s [discrepancy] claims, saying she has misunderstood the data. … But Republicans are using it to put pressure on state officials to comply with a demand from the federal government to see the state’s entire voter rolls.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aJExEV
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)
SESSION
MOOD: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “The fallout from Operation Metro Surge has already emerged as a dominant theme in St. Paul in the early days of the session. Multiple bills related to immigration enforcement were discussed in committees on Wednesday. … Yet in a sign of the political gridlock inside the [House], Republicans already prevented some of those measures from moving forward. … At 8:15 a.m. [today], the House Committee on Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy will hear public testimony about the economic impact of the federal operations.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4rQg4oc
ASKS: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “They urged Gov. Tim Walz to put a moratorium on evictions and lawmakers to set aside funding for rent support…Aides to Walz have said an eviction moratorium would be legally shaky. But they said Walz is weighing proposals that could help those in need…The House Housing Finance and Policy Committee reviewed a bill by Rep. Liish Kozlowski, DFL-Duluth, to provide $50 million in emergency rental assistance. It’s aimed at helping people who stayed away from workplaces during the protracted presence of immigration agents… Rep. Jim Nash, R-Waconia, questioned adding costs as the state is trying to rein in spending, especially as the Legislature awaits an economic checkup due next week. NASH: “We’re getting out over our skis on this. Wait for the (economic) forecast,” Nash said. “We don’t even know what the February forecast is going to say. So I just think that we are getting well ahead of ourselves here.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aGOVNE
SCHOOLS: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “Teachers, students and school administrators [told] the House Education Policy Committee Wednesday what they’ve seen during the past six weeks of the [ICE] surge. … They spoke in support of HF3435, sponsored by Rep. Sydney Jordan (DFL-Mpls). It would compel school employees to not allow federal agents [into] schools without providing identification, a written statement of purpose, and a valid judicial warrant. … The bill, as amended, failed on a 7-7 roll-call vote along party lines.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4apepjJ
DATA CENTERS: via Forum News Service, VERBATIM: “Environmental advocates and residents who live near proposed data centers called for a moratorium on new hyper-scale data centers and other restrictions at a Wednesday rally. … Sen. Jennifer McEwen, DFL-Duluth, said Wednesday she will be introducing a moratorium on new data center construction that would be in place until a comprehensive study and regulatory framework on data centers is enacted. … Sen. Erin Maye Quade, DFL-Apple Valley, said she will be introducing legislation to prohibit the use of non-disclosure agreements for data centers. She said she’s also looking to end tax exemptions for big tech.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rXbRza
HOUSING: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “Legislators have started the process to codify into law the termination of the state’s housing stabilization services program. The Department of Human Services formally shut down the program Oct. 31 on the guidance of its Office of Inspector General after a data analysis exposed large-scale fraud. … HF3379, sponsored by Rep. Joe Schomacker (R-Luverne), would formally repeal the program in state law. The House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee approved the bill, [and] its next stop is the House Floor.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kRAr2k
AS MINNESOTA LEGISLATORS RETURN TO THE CAPITOL, PATIENTS NEED THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO SUPPORT RURAL HOSPITALS: Rural health care today is facing tremendous challenges, from treating older and sicker patients to navigating declining reimbursement and workforce shortages. But for people in rural Minnesota, having access to an urgent care clinic, cancer treatment or preventative care in town is a lifeline. As the Minnesota Legislature returns to the Capitol, patients need legislators to support policies that keep hospital doors open and healthcare accessible in greater Minnesota. Statewide, 18 hospitals are at risk of closing and 7 are at immediate risk of closing in the next 2-3 years. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4kMcEko (SPONSORED: Essentia Health)
NURSES: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “Lawmakers voted along party lines on a bill that aims to make it easier for nurses to practice medicine across state lines. HF1925, sponsored by Rep. Joe Schomacker (R-Luverne), would allow state-licensed nurses to practice in 43 other Nurse Licensure Compact member states, including Minnesota’s four bordering states. The bill also would allow nurses licensed in compact states to work in Minnesota. … A motion for the House Health Finance and Policy Committee to approve the bill, as amended, and send it to the House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee failed Wednesday on an 11-11 party-line, roll-call vote. Two proposed amendments to the bill also failed.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40en5n8
TAXES: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “The legislative session ends the third week in May, but tax season ends April 15. If the legislature doesn’t act by then, Minnesotans would continue to pay state taxes on income from overtime and tips. … Speaker Lisa Demuth [said] ‘One of the ways we can make things a little easier on families and on people is conforming to [federal law].’ … But Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy cautioned such a move could put a big hole in the state budget. … According to the Minnesota Department of Revenue, eliminating state income taxes on overtime would cost $366 million in state revenue in 2026-27 and $126 million in revenue from tip income.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4qHRViM
MINERS: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “Minnesota lawmakers are moving to give laid off Iron Range miners more breathing room as the steel industry downturn drags on. Rep. Spencer Igo (R-Wabana Township) sponsors HF3393, which would extend unemployment benefits an additional 26 weeks for iron ore mining workers laid off between Jan. 15, 2026, and March 15, 2026. … The bill was approved [and] sent to the House Ways and Means Committee.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aoFL9J
THE FEED
NEGOTIATIONS: Via MPR, Gov. Tim Walz said he is not concerned about election year politics getting in the way of bipartisan negotiations during the 2026 session, adding that he thinks the legislative Republicans running for governor — specifically, Speaker Lisa Demuth and Rep. Kristin Robbins — had their campaigns “ended” when Sen. Amy Klobuchar entered the race. WALZ: “I kind of feel like their campaigns ended the same day mine did. So I think all three of us, if you’re saying it’s Kristin Robbins, Demuth, then myself, we’re kind of all in the same boat. I think for all of us, this will be our last session up here.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aqqghE
PROTEST: via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “Hundreds of protesters packed into the Minnesota Capitol rotunda on Wednesday, the second day of the legislative session, to demand accountability and action, saying state leaders did not do enough during Operation Metro Surge. … They are demanding restoration for the people who have been impacted negatively by the surge of federal officers across the state.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cHGW5s
INVESTIGATIONS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said Wednesday that with or without federal cooperation, state prosecutors and law enforcement have gathered enough evidence to consider charging decisions against the federal agents who shot and killed Renee Good and Alex Pretti. While noting that her office still lacks crucial evidence taken by the federal government, [Moriarty said] a trove of investigative materials remains available to state law enforcement. She said prosecutors are in ‘good shape’ as they consider what would be an unprecedented decision to file state charges against federal agents without the help of the federal government.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3OPJPr1
TRUCKING: via AP News, VERBATIM: “More than 550 commercial driving schools in the U.S. that train truckers and bus drivers must close after investigators found they employed unqualified instructors, failed to adequately test students and had other safety issues, the federal Transportation Department announced Wednesday. … The department has been aggressively going after states that handed out commercial driver’s licenses to immigrants who shouldn’t have qualified for them. … Problems have been found in 10 states so far, [including] Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/46SoO59
BWCAW: via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “The U.S. Senate is set to vote next week on overturning a 20-year mining ban in Minnesota’s Cook, Lake and St. Louis counties. … In January, the House of Representatives narrowly passed the bill introduced by Minnesota Republican Rep. Pete Stauber. At the Minnesota State Capitol steps on Wednesday, Minnesota Democratic U.S. Sen. Tina Smith and other lawmakers were joined by environmental groups and outfitters that serve the Boundary Waters to say they don’t want to see the bill pass. … Smith says she’s hopeful she can convince four U.S. Senate Republicans to join a team of Democrats to block the bill from moving forward.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3ZO8df4
NEW CAUCUS: via Rep. Brad Finstad advisory, VERBATIM: “Today, Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) and Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) announced the launch of the bipartisan Congressional Soils Caucus for the 119th Congress. … The Congressional Soils Caucus will host its inaugural Capitol Hill briefing on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, from 4:00–6:00 p.m.” FINSTAD: “I’m proud to help establish the bipartisan Congressional Soils Caucus, bringing together Members from across the aisle to promote the importance of soil health and soil health science.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4clsL6j
FED FUNDS: via Rep. Kelly Morrison advisory, VERBATIM: “Representative Kelly Morrison (MN-03), a doctor for more than 20 years, led almost 80 of her colleagues in urging the Trump Administration to immediately restore public health grant funding to Minnesota, California, Colorado, and Illinois. … The funding cuts broadly target grants that support public health staffing, data modernization, and surveillance, as well as HIV and STI prevention programs.” LETTER: https://fluence-media.co/46VLwJG
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)
ACROSS MN
HCMC: via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “Hennepin Healthcare in downtown Minneapolis is in the worst of ways [as] the fight to save the hospital means they are taking fewer patients. … [Trauma] services will continue, but things here are changing, with hospital leaders cutting the capacity by 100 beds [and] cutting five departments. … But they have a new idea. The hope is the Minnesota Legislature will allow them to extend and increase the sales tax that paid for Target Field, an action they say would help them help others.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4asm3tS
ST PAUL: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “The St. Paul City Council unanimously approved an ordinance Wednesday barring law enforcement from wearing masks or face coverings. … The ordinance, which takes effect 30 days after approval by the mayor and publication, applies to all law enforcement, said City Council Member Molly Coleman, [although] St. Paul police officers typically do not wear masks. … The ordinance says any officer ‘who willfully and knowingly violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3MMVoia
MARSHALL: via SMSU advisory, VERBATIM: “The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities has named David Jones to serve as president of Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU). The appointment becomes effective immediately. … Jones has served as interim president at Southwest Minnesota State University since July 2025.”
DULUTH: via Duluth News Tribune, VERBATIM: “In five construction seasons, [Duluth] has eliminated a quarter of its estimated 10,700 lead service lines across all types of buildings. … But state and federal funding uncertainty could stymie that momentum. Federal funding is only guaranteed through 2027, and without action by the Minnesota Legislature, state funding will run out this year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZMb0p7
NEXT
SESSION: House floor session at 3:30 p.m. Senate floor session at 11:00 a.m. HOUSE: Commerce hears age verification for certain websites and bans on using AI for prior authorization and “nudification.” Workforce, Labor & Econ. Dev. has a hearing on the ICE surge’s monetary impact. State Govt. hears the OIG bill. Judiciary & Civil Law hears a bill allowing access to expunged criminal records for people seeking jobs in security. SENATE: Housing & Homelessness hears several bills on evictions and emergency rent assistance. Capital Investment hears budget and bonding recommendations. CALENDAR: https://fluence-media.co/3ZLTIZf
TODAY: GOP Reps. Pam Altendorf, Nolan West and others will hold a press conference on the “Stop Welfare for the Wealthy Act,” which aims to “prevent the abuse of” SNAP benefits, per a release. The event is at 11:00 a.m.
TODAY: GOP Sens. Mark Johnson, Michael Kreun, Jordan Rasmusson, Steve Drazkowski, Glenn Gruenhagen, Michael Holmstrom and Mark Koran will hold a press conference on new legislation to “stop fraud with accountability, technology, and oversight,” per a release. The event is at 2:00 p.m.
TODAY-TMRW: Sec. Steve Simon will travel to Becker, Grant, and Otter Trail counties to discuss civics and elections with students and locals today, per his office. On Friday, Simon will do the same in Frazee and Detroit Lakes.
TODAY: Nothing public on the Governor’s schedule.
NEXT WEEK: MMB Commissioner Erin Campbell will present Minnesota’s next Budget and Economic Forecast on Friday, Feb. 27 at 12:30 p.m. The legislators and Governor will respond after. It’s also the first time in memory this is on a Friday.
BDAYS: TV’s Guy Still, Allianz’s Rodney Meyer, labor guy Rick Varco, politico Nick Solheim
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.
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IN MEMORIAM: morning take is dedicated in memory of Melissa Hortman.