SWEET 16
Gopher WBB going to the Sweet 16. TWolves win in Boston for the first time since 2005. Loons tie Seattle.
Greg “Boom” May is the new head coach for U of M women’s hockey. His introductory press conference is at 3:45 p.m. today.
Tributes are pouring in after NHL broadcaster Jessi Pierce and her children were killed in a house fire. BMTN: https://fluence-media.co/4lT28by
An Annunciation student will be honored by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society this week. KARE: https://fluence-media.co/4lL8uJH
The president ordered ICE to assist with airport security starting today, but it’s unclear if they’re coming to MSP Airport. MPR: https://fluence-media.co/41lOqnT
CBS finds that 68% of Americans think the White House has not clearly explained its goals in Iran and 63% expect it to weaken the U.S. economy. Disapproval of U.S. involvement in Iran has increased from 56% to 60% since March 3. POLL: https://fluence-media.co/41lSPXX
Follow the 2026 Minnesota elections up close with the Fluence Election Tracker. FluenceElectionTracker.com
Sunday Take featured GOP Rep. Jon Koznick and DFL Sen. Scott Dibble discussing transportation in Minnesota. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4t1X5aP
See you at the AgriGrowth reception tonight.
It’s National Puppy Day - don’t send me a good large doodle that might be available.
Blois - tips: bloisolson@gmail.com
The WCCO Radio morning take from today with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4bLBAW6
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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/
CONVENTION CATCH-UP
ENDORSEMENTS: Friday’s morning take previewed several endorsing conventions that were held this weekend. Here are a few notable results:
● SD5: Rep. Mike Weiner defeated Sen. Paul Utke for the Republican endorsement. Utke is considering a run in the primary.
● SD46: The DFL convention adjourned with no endorsement for either Sen. Ron Latz or St. Louis Park City Councilor Lynette Dumalag.
● SD15: Braxton Seifert, son of former Speaker Marty Seifert, won the GOP endorsement to succeed retiring Sen. Gary Dahms.
● 43B: Former House DFL Leader Ryan Winkler lost the DFL endorsement to progressive challenger Jess Lewis.
● 15B: Geri Theis won the GOP endorsement to succeed retiring Rep. Paul Torkelson.
RETIRING: GOP Rep. Chris Swedzinski announced at the 15A endorsing convention that he will not run for reelection this year. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4sVeC4y
Here’s the full list of retirements or legislators running for other offices as complied by Fluence Advisory’s Paul T. Anderson.
Follow the 2026 Minnesota elections up close with the Fluence Election Tracker. https://fluence-media.co/electiontracker
A new level of insight and information….
THIS WEEK
THIS WEEK: The Minnesota Legislature is expected to be hectic this week as lawmakers try to advance bills before a Friday deadline that signals the start of a 10-day holiday break. Most legislation that does not receive favorable action before Friday evening will be considered dead for the rest of the session, with exceptions for major finance bills.
MORE: via MPR, VERBATIM: “Minnesota lawmakers are heading into deadline week, where proposals without a price tag reach a funnel…Bills without backing in both chambers could begin to fall away. That means proposals to limit firearms, weed out fraud or place restrictions on federal immigration agents in the state could be set aside or have to get through a tougher gauntlet…In the first five weeks of the legislative session, lawmakers have had extensive debate on proposals that are priorities for the two major parties in the narrowly-divided Legislature. They’ve run into frequent standstills. Without bipartisan backing in House committees, nothing can advance…Committees are expected to work long hours this week ahead of the 5 p.m. deadline on Friday. There are longer deadlines for bills that affect state spending and there can be workarounds for bills that come late or generate consensus that they should advance despite missing the deadline.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uN6Z1T
SENATE RACE: via Axios Twin Cities, VERBATIM: “U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren and her allies are eyeing Minnesota’s Democratic Senate primary as the next battleground in their ongoing fight against the cryptocurrency industry. Crypto has been dumping its colossal campaign war chest into Democratic primaries — and helped boost now-Senate candidate Rep. Angie Craig’s 2024 re-election bid. … Warren has been fighting back personally, bringing her formidable fundraising machine to the aid of crypto-skeptical candidates [like] Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan. Craig got an ‘A’ rating from the pro-industry group Stand With Crypto. Flanagan received an ‘F.’ … A candidate Warren supported, [Illinois] Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, won the state’s Democratic Senate primary despite a major pro-crypto PAC spending nearly $10 million against her.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lJODe1
GOV RACE: Sabato’s Crystal Ball changed its rating of the Minnesota governor’s race from “likely Democratic” to “safely Democratic.” VERBATIM: “Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s (D-MN) entrance into the open Minnesota race combined with the lack of an obviously top-tier Republican challenger means that state is probably an easier hold than if Gov. Tim Walz (D) had sought a third term, given his greater proximity to a welfare fraud scandal that has made major news in the state.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rMt9OU
DEBATE: via Alexandria Echo Press, VERBATIM: “Four Republican candidates [for] governor of Minnesota spoke at the Lake Geneva Christian Center in Alexandria on Saturday. … Patrick Knight, John Krhin, Phillip Parrish and Kristin Robbins participated in the forum hosted by the Central Minnesota Republican Women. … Other candidates were scheduled to be at the forum, including Lisa Demuth, Mike Lindell and Kendall Qualls, but were not able to attend.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bBoMAk
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)
SESSION
CHILDREN: via MPR, VERBATIM: “The Senate Rules and Administration Committee advanced a resolution to allow members to bring their children on the Senate floor and to allow them to eat or drink. The move followed emotional testimony from senators who have young children and have struggled to breastfeed or take care of their children during the legislative session. … The resolution moves next to the Senate floor for a vote.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4t00TJN
CURSIVE: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A proposed bill at the Legislature would require the state to teach elementary students to read and write cursive, reversing a shift that began more than 15 years ago when the state adopted Common Core standards for English instruction, which did not include cursive lessons. … Sen. Ann Rest of New Hope introduced the bill this session, [saying] students should be able to read historical documents.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uMeplQ
PARAQUAT: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “New legislation in Minnesota aims to prevent the spread of Parkinson’s disease by banning a chemical found in some herbicides. … The bill [will be] discussed at a Senate hearing on Monday, March 23. The proposed bills aim to ban paraquat, a chemical found in some herbicides, due to its links to Parkinson’s disease. … The bill is already bipartisan in the Senate, and efforts are underway to secure similar support in the House to advance the legislation. It remains uncertain how quickly the bill will progress through the Minnesota Legislature and whether it will face significant opposition.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4rO9yy8
DOGS: via MPR, VERBATIM: “One of the organizations closest to the hearts of former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, could get a one-time grant from the Legislature in the Hortmans’ honor. Helping Paws, Inc. would get a $200,000 grant from the state to breed, train and place service or facility dogs for people who have physical disabilities, veterans, first responders with PTSD and professionals who work in courthouse, educational and mental health facilities. The Hortmans trained dogs for Helping Paws.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4t00TJN
STATE GOV
COUNTIES: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “In southern Minnesota’s rural Fillmore County, 14 caseworkers help more than 700 people navigate social services. But that’s too much work for the small team of professionals, and for years, the county of 21,000 people has turned to outside organizations. … Gov. Tim Walz has proposed phasing out contracted case management by 2031 — one of several ideas the DFL governor has to shore up the state’s social services system. … Proponents say the change would end the reliance on organizations whose managers sometimes miss signs of misconduct. However, some counties and contracted case management groups say the plan would burden cash-strapped counties with new expenses.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3PTl7Xf
PAID LEAVE: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Since launching in January, nearly 65,000 Minnesotans have applied for paid time off through the state’s Paid Leave Act, [and] about 34,000 of them have been approved. … While the Paid Leave Act has worked well for some who have taken advantage of it, others complain that they’ve been held up by complications, delays and red tape. … [A] nurse for Fairview Health Services said she had to apply four different times, and it took over a month for her to be approved for back pay, after she said several administrative errors and miscommunications from DEED derailed the process.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dJ3cMO
RESTITUTION: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Victims of a Woodbury dentist who went bankrupt after continuing to practice without a license will be among the first consumers in the state to receive restitution under a new state fund. The restitution for more than 300 victims could run as much as $5 million, according to the state attorney general’s office. … The Consumer Protection Restitution Account has $4.6 million in it so far. It is funded with settlements the attorney general’s office receives that can’t be distributed back to consumers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uIwb9E
SAFETY: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The safety of elected officials became international news when state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed. … [But] police records reveal that Minnesota lawmakers were already dealing with a sharp increase in intimidating and threatening behavior, including stalking and death threats. … Some threats are never reported to police, and many lawmakers are reluctant to discuss them out of fear they may inspire copycat actions by others. But recent instances of threatening behavior and actions suggest that the grisly events of last summer have done little to temper the violent rhetoric directed at elected officials of either party.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40N0qig
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 + MN
EMMER: via Rep. Tom Emmer advisory, VERBATIM: “Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06) hosted House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (MO-06) and Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) for a roundtable discussion and a tour of the I-94 Gap Construction location in Monticello. They met with local leaders to discuss infrastructure priorities and community needs.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dCyFAg
MEDICAID: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “A federal hold on $243 million to support Minnesota Medicaid programs could be on the verge of ending after a corrective action program to guard against fraud gained approval. … The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services informed a state agency that oversees the health programs that a plan to fix vulnerabilities was deemed sufficient. The expectation is that the state will undertake a revalidation program of high-risk service providers by the end of May. … It’s not clear when the federal payments to Minnesota will resume. … CMS said the corrective action plan includes more regular meetings and steps to safeguard funding.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3NRU520
DHS: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “The U.S. House narrowly passed a bill that would fund the [Dept. of Homeland Security], but Senate Democrats, who seek reforms of [ICE] and the Border Patrol, are filibustering approval of a DHS funding bill. … The White House has rejected more substantive reforms sought by Senate Democrats, including Minnesotans Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith. Those include a ban on masks for law enforcement officers and a new use-of-force policy for ICE and the Border Patrol. Since the shutdown began last month, Democrats have tried to pass bills that would fund other DHS agencies, such as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). But those bills have been rejected by Republicans.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tmEBlV
LGBTQ: via Office of the Atty. General, VERBATIM: “Attorney General Keith Ellison and a coalition of 21 states and the District of Columbia yesterday evening secured a federal court ruling blocking an unlawful attempt by the Trump Administration to pressure healthcare providers. … The Court indicated from the bench that it would grant the States’ motion for summary judgment and vacate the declaration issued by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. [which] threatened hospitals and clinics that provide gender-affirming care with potential exclusion from Medicare and Medicaid.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4d4QBDG
CLERGY: via AP News, VERBATIM: “Clergy will be allowed to minister to immigrants in a holding facility at the headquarters of the Trump Administration’s enforcement surge in Minnesota. … District Judge Jerry Blackwell granted an injunction requested by Minnesota [faith leaders] who had sued the Department of Homeland Security. Under his ruling, clergy will be allowed in-person pastoral visits to all detainees at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47gwTRF
OTHER NEWS
RENT: via Axios Twin Cities, VERBATIM: “A dramatic cooldown of apartment construction in the Twin Cities is finally starting to show up in the form of rising rents in the metro. Year-over-year rent growth on new leases reached 2.5% in February in the Twin Cities, according to Apartment List. That’s the 8th stiffest price increase for metros with more than 1 million residents. The median rent for a 1-bedroom was just under $1,300 in February. … Rent growth is one metric that developers are watching as they try to make apartment construction work again. They’re still dealing with surging construction costs and heightened interest rates.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lJODe1
DNR: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources wants a Morrison County woman to reimburse the agency for nearly $150,000 it spent last spring fighting a wildfire, which she failed to report. … The fire burned more than 2,000 acres and took five days to contain. No one was injured, but the fire destroyed two outbuildings.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4d3NwDQ
FEED FRAUD: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “Feeding Our Future founder Aimee Bock, who prosecutors called the ‘ringleader’ of a massive pandemic fraud scheme, has had her sentencing date scheduled more than a year after she was convicted. Bock is set to be sentenced by Judge Nancy E. Brasel at 9 a.m. on May 21, 2026. A jury found Bock guilty on all seven counts she faced.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/47C4hT9
MOVE: Claire Lancaster, a communications aide to Gov. Tim Walz, will leave her position on April 3.
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)
METRO
BURNSVILLE: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “One of Burnsville’s most congested intersections is going to get a major makeover. The Burnsville City Council [gave] approval for the Minnesota Department of Transportation to rip out stoplights on Hwy. 13 at Nicollet Avenue and replace them with an overpass and a few other amenities. … The work on the $45 million to $55 million project is expected to start in 2027 and is just one piece of a larger effort to upgrade Hwy. 13.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47RFkD5
UST: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Homeowners living near the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul have long asked their academic neighbor to provide more parking on campus, especially in light of the recent construction of a new Division I hockey and basketball arena. … Officials with the state’s largest private university have said they’d love to comply, and they even have a site or two in mind. … However, a binding agreement hammered out with residents more than 20 years ago limits building heights. … They’re hoping to be able to reopen the 2004 ‘CUP’ and update it with zoning and building agreements more reflective of modern interests.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4s7nLGF
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
BARNUM: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Seven years ago, high school students [in Barnum] changed the selection process for homecoming royalty to [be] more inclusive. The change mostly went unnoticed in the community, even when two girls were the top vote-getters and crowned royalty the following year. But three years ago, when two male best friends won instead of a traditional king and queen, local residents flooded the school board with comments. The board canceled coronation, and it hasn’t been held since. Now, students want it back, [so] the school board voted 4-3 to reinstate it — but only if [it’s] a king and a queen. … [It’s] raising concerns from some district teachers and board members about whether it will invite lawsuits.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bqtQsu
ZUMBROTA: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Zumbrota is the latest Minnesota city to ditch the new state flag, opting instead for the old one with colonial imagery that has been criticized for depicting racist stereotypes. The Zumbrota City Council voted 3-2 [for] a change that will go into effect by Monday. … Mayor Todd Hammel argued that the city should focus on more pressing priorities, like those related to development and infrastructure, and voted against swapping out the Minnesota flags.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47ilWin
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)
LOOKING AHEAD…
SESSION: House floor session at 3:30 p.m. Senate floor session at 11:00 a.m. HOUSE: Fraud Prevention hears testimony on “international remittance” from MSP Airport. Agriculture hears a bill allowing eggs to be donated past their expiration date. Elections & Govt. Ops. will hear bills limiting zoning authority and expanding eligibility to request public records. Health hears an omnibus bill. SENATE: Education Policy hears omnibus bills. Jobs & Econ. Dev. hears relief for small businesses impacted by ICE actions. Human Services will hear omnibus bills. Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband & Rural Dev. hears a ban on paraquat. CALENDAR: https://fluence-media.co/4uM4fSe
TODAY: UnRestrict MN will host “Reproductive Freedom Lobby Day” starting at 1:30 p.m. to advocate for “removing roadblocks to accessible and affordable abortion care,” per a release.
TODAY: Governor Tim Walz will meet with SEIU members.
TOMORROW: MN Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (MNASCA) will host its “Day at the Capitol” on Tuesday, March 24.
FRIDAY: The Minnesota Legislature has its 1st and 2nd deadlines on Friday, March 27, both at 5:00 p.m. Most bills that have not received favorable action by this time will be considered dead, with exceptions for major finance bills and budget-related committees. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/4skPm7Q
FRIDAY: The Minnesota Legislature will be on break for Easter and Passover starting at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 27. Lawmakers will resume their work on Tuesday, April 7.
SATURDAY: National protest groups will host a flagship “No Kings” rally in St. Paul on Saturday, March 28. Speakers will include Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, Attorney General Keith Ellison, St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her, DFL Rep. Shelley Buck and numerous celebrity activists and union leaders. Organizers will livestream the event nationwide. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/4bxA3l3
MARCH 31: 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.”
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BDAYS: PUC Chair Katie Sieben, fmr. Rep. Phyllis Kahn, KARE 11’s Morgan Wolfe, belated to Chris Tiedeman and lobbyist Jess Hyland
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IN MEMORIAM: morning take is dedicated in memory of Melissa Hortman.