KEEPING OUR KIDS
RIP Lou Holtz.
Sports Take today…Howard Sinker guides us through an overstuffed week of sports -- maybe the busiest of the year -- and suggests how to juggle the state hockey tournament, Gophers, Tommies, Paralympians, Vikings free agents, NCAA playoffs and more. Coming this afternoon, relevant all week.
Great content yesterday at the MN Chamber Workforce Summit, we’ll share more on Sunday Take. As share on X, we’re challenged by younger Minnesotans leaving the state. HERE: https://fluence-media.co/4s2P9pG
DVS is letting the public vote on a new music track for when it places callers on hold. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4ldq5tI
The Trump Administration extended its Medicaid freeze from Minnesota to New York. AP: https://fluence-media.co/4sL4POH
The U.S. sunk an enemy combatant ship for the first time since World War II this week. ABC: https://fluence-media.co/3NeLyG2
The latest Harvard-Harris poll finds that 60% of registered voters think teachers’ unions should not be involved in politics, including 50% of Democrats. POLL: https://fluence-media.co/4cpLz4h
It’s National Cheese Doodle day…better known as Cheetoh’s. Puffs better than crunch.
Today’s morning take on WCCO Radio with Adam Carter. LISTEN:
https://fluence-media.co/4sb2igR
Blois - tips: bloisolson@gmail.com
What is the political future of Jacob Frey? READ: https://fluence-media.co/4s8IOc7
Sunday Take discussed the future of mining on the Iron Range with GOP Rep. Spencer Igo, DFL Sen. Grant Hauschild and Mining Minnesota CEO Julie Lucas. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4seg0ij
Follow the 2026 Minnesota elections up close with the Fluence Election Tracker. https://fluence-media.co/electiontracker
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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/
DISRUPTED DAYS
Nothing seems settled these days from the Congressional hearing to the economy and even a Minneapolis City Council questioning what MPD could have done differently. The flow of contention continues at the Capitol as well.
ECONOMY: via MPR, VERBATIM: “Economic activity across the Upper Midwest has declined…That’s according to testimonials summarized in the latest Beige Book. It’s a report published by the Federal Reserve eight times a year that collects anecdotes about current economic conditions across the country…Business owners in rural areas attribute it to a struggling farm economy, while those in urban areas say they’ve seen declines not just from rising costs but also from decreasing foot traffic, fueled by fears of encountering immigration enforcement agents.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cuDoUq
WAR POWERS: After Senate Republicans defeated a war powers resolution yesterday, the U.S. House will vote on the issue today. Minnesota’s delegation is expected to vote on party lines — DFL Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith already voted “yes” on reigning in Pres. Donald Trump’s military operations in Iran. DFL Reps. Betty McCollum and Ilhan Omar have confirmed they will also vote “yes.”
CONTEMPT: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen has been ordered back into court Thursday for additional contempt threats. … Senior District Court Judge John Tunheim ordered the hearing in connection to half-a-dozen immigration cases where the government is accused of violating orders to immediately return personal belongings to individuals who were unlawfully arrested. … Tunheim’s hearing is scheduled for the U.S. District Courthouse in Minneapolis on Thursday at 2 p.m.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4s294oI
MPLS: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “The Minneapolis police chief spoke to the city council on Wednesday, painting a picture of a department under pressure as federal agents surged into the state this winter. Chief Brian O’Hara [received] pushback from city council members who questioned why the police department didn’t do more to protect residents from federal agents. O’Hara said he was mostly pleased with the department’s performance during the federal surge but that some things could have been done better. … He expected officers to intervene when there’s ‘egregious’ behavior, but an officer has to have the ability to safely intervene. He said there were no interventions reported.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3MMLXzr
SCHOOLS: Via Sahan Journal, a previously unreported letter from Minnesota Republicans asked the White House to address ICE agents operating near schools. VERBATIM: “Last month, four Republican legislators sent a letter to Homeland Security Kristi Noem, asking her to clarify limits on immigration enforcement near schools. Two days later, some of those same legislators voted down a Democratic bill that aimed to impose similar limits. … Reps. Ron Kresha, R-Little Falls; Peggy Bennett, R-Albert Lea; Ben Bakeberg, R-Jordan; and Patricia Mueller, R-Austin, asked Noem to spell out limits on enforcement activities at bus stops and locations for extracurricular activities. The legislators also stressed that immigration enforcement involving schools should happen only when there is a clear threat to public safety.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aQ2qfh LETTER: https://fluence-media.co/4r7PEOh
MORE: GOP Rep. Patricia Mueller was the letter’s only signatory who answered questions from Sahan Journal. MUELLER: “I want to make sure that our schools are not used as political pawns, to make sure that immigration enforcement is done, as much as possible, off of school grounds.” … DFL Rep. Sydney Jordan, author of the House bill limiting ICE actions near schools, criticized Republicans for voting against it, adding that she was unaware of the letter. JORDAN: “What they’re asking for, they had the opportunity to make law in Minnesota, and they voted against it. … Letters are one thing, but our votes are real action.”
CANDIDATES
SENATE RACE: via MPR, VERBATIM: “Hugh McTavish, who ran as an independent for governor in 2022, is setting his sights on a U.S. Senate campaign as a Democratic candidate. McTavish, a scientist and businessman, said he is running because he has ideas on how to fix what he sees as a broken government system. McTavish is advocating for a system that would put bills through citizen juries so party politics would not get in the way of good legislation, he wants to cut income and payroll taxes in half and make that revenue up through a wealth tax for the top 10 percent of earners, and he wants to expand open lands for natural habitats.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sKSI4b
20B: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “A past DFL candidate for the District 20B seat in the Minnesota Legislature will run again — this time as an independent. Michael ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson received 33% of the votes in the district in the 2024 election. Rep. Steven E. Jacob, a Republican, represents District 20B. Jacob has announced that he will run for a state senate seat this year. … Hutchinson cited a combination of constituent concerns and issues with the direction of the Democratic Party in Washington, D.C., as reasons for his decision to run as an independent.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4u7JuAg
A new level of insight and information….
SESSION
COOPERATION: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Just weeks after thousands of federal agents were targeting undocumented immigrants and others in Minnesota, a key committee in the state House defeated a measure that would ban local governments from partnering with the federal government on immigration enforcement. The debate and party-line vote shows how the state’s politicians remain divided over immigration enforcement, despite massive protests and diving approval ratings.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4d20yS4
INVESTIGATIONS: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “Every peace officer-involved shooting in Minnesota needs to be investigated fully by the state, [but] Rep. Kelly Moller (DFL-Shoreview) said that did not happen following the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. … Moller sponsors HF3405, which would require the BCA’s Use of Force Investigations Unit to investigate officer-involved deaths that result from a federal agent’s use of force. A party-line vote did not advance the bill.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lapcSv
MASKS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Democrats in Minnesota are pushing to prohibit law enforcement from covering their faces following the federal immigration crackdown. … Recent polling has shown that federal agents’ use of masks is broadly unpopular with the public. Even so, Republicans at the Minnesota Capitol are pushing back on the DFL’s efforts to ban masks, arguing that uncovering agents’ faces could lead to threats and harassment. … Democrats note that officers from other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies don’t shield their identities.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4l7fWyx
CHILDCARE: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “Sponsored by Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura (DFL-Mpls), HF3415, as amended, would prohibit child care staff from letting a federal immigration enforcement officer enter a child care facility without a signed warrant authorizing the arrest of a specific individual in the building. It would also require staff to ask officers for valid identification and a written statement of purpose. The bill failed via an 11-11 party-line vote.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47rKYeS
SUPPORT RURAL HEALTH CARE BY STRENGTHENING 340B: Policymakers have an opportunity to support rural care providers by strengthening the 340B Drug Pricing Program – a program designed to support health care facilities that provide a high level of services to low-income, underserved communities. Savings from those discounts are used to reinvest in care and stretch limited resources further for patients. To prevent these savings from moving to drug manufacturers’ bottom lines, we need to extend and strengthen the 340B program. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4s0oGc4 (SPONSORED: Essentia Health)
SCREEN TIME: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “How young is too young for screen time? Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura (DFL-Mpls) argued that preschool and kindergarten is too young — at least during school hours — before the House Education Policy Committee Wednesday. … She sponsors HF3776, which, as amended, would prohibit tablet, smartphone and other digital media screen time at preschools and kindergartens, [even under supervision]. … It was held over by the committee for possible omnibus bill inclusion.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rPi5kW
PETS: via MPR, VERBATIM: “A bill under discussion would bar pet shops from selling dogs and cats in Minnesota. The legislation aims to remove the pipeline between puppy mills and pet shops. Backers say their goal is to instead promote pet adoptions and the breeder-to-consumer model. The bill would allow animal control agencies or nonprofit rescue organizations to use pet stores to offer animals for adoption. It was up for debate in a Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee and advanced to another committee for further discussion.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sKSI4b
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)
OVERSIGHT
HEARING: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Testifying before a U.S. House oversight panel Wednesday, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison clashed with Republican members of Congress over their handling of significant fraud. … Walz admitted fraud had happened under his watch. WALZ: ‘I need to spend time fixing this. I’m certainly not proud this happened.’ … Ellison [said] the Trump Administration’s immigration enforcement surge had hurt the state’s ability to fight fraud. … With few prosecutors remaining at the [U.S. Attorney] office and a wave of immigration cases following the enforcement operations, work on fraud cases is likely to suffer, Ellison said. ELLISON: ‘We cannot combat fraud without consistent messaging and support from our political leaders.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uaMHis
REPORT: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Before the hearing convened Wednesday, committee Republicans released an interim investigation into Minnesota fraud, which included a previous hearing featuring GOP state legislators and the behind-closed-door depositions of nine former and current state agency officials. The report [said] it uncovered evidence that the Democrats knew about the fraud [earlier] than they claimed…but there is no ‘smoking gun’ and few new revelations in the report.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3N4OV27 REPORT: https://fluence-media.co/47rNh1w
PREPARATIONS: via Axios Twin Cities, VERBATIM: “[Gov. Tim] Walz’s office spent over $400,000 on lawyers to prepare him for another hearing on immigration last summer. The administration confirmed it hired the same firm ahead of this appearance, but said a cost estimate was not immediately available.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bpxv9O
A chart of requests from the committee to the Governor’s office about documents and correspondence.
NOEM: Via MPR, Democrats at Wednesday’s fraud oversight hearing brought a motion to subpoena DHS Sec. Kristi Noem to testify about her department’s immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota. They also questioned the department’s spending under her leadership. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rY3XpU
ICYMI: Yesterday’s lunch take featured additional coverage of Gov. Tim Walz and A.G. Keith Ellison’s hearing in Washington DC, including comments from Rep. Tom Emmer. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/40LxBm2
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)
STATE ISSUES
SMALL BIZ: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Promise Act, which provides grants of up to $50,000 to qualifying small businesses, was the focus of a state House committee hearing on Wednesday. Some lawmakers expressed frustration over what they described as a lack of guardrails. … Under current rules, businesses are not required to report back on how the grants were used, though DEED officials noted they reserve the right to perform random audits. … The state is expected to release a comprehensive report on the Minnesota Promise Act later this month.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4raOYHG
AFFORDABILITY: via Forum News Service, VERBATIM: “The House DFL released its affordability plan on Wednesday highlighting upward of 20 bills aimed at curbing the cost of health care, child care, housing, groceries and energy for Minnesotans. … House DFL Leader Zack Stephenson [said] most of the House DFL proposals don’t carry a cost, but that he plans to take a comprehensive look at the budget for potential spending cuts — and also look for new revenue for the state.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47989uo
CLIMATE: via a joint press release, VERBATIM: “A statewide coalition of climate advocates, health professionals, and community partners today launched MN vs. Big Oil, a campaign to pass a Minnesota Climate Superfund law. Like the federal Superfund law, this state law would recover the costs of pollution from the very large polluters who are most responsible. … The proposed Climate Superfund would calculate the damages caused by greenhouse gas emissions and send a bill to the largest polluters for their share. New York and Vermont have already enacted similar laws.” WEBSITE: https://fluence-media.co/4sqCsFd
RESPONSE: via Senate GOP Leader Mark Johnson statement, JOHNSON: “Minnesotans are already struggling with rising costs of energy. … We need more policies that embrace reliable, affordable, and always-available energy to keep Minnesota’s economy moving and families safe during our harsh winters, and this scheme fails to put the needs of Minnesotans first.”
OTHER NEWS
STATE PARK: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s first and oldest state park is improving amenities and water quality at the Mississippi headwaters with redevelopment projects, and officials want public feedback. Itasca State Park draft plans include expanding recreation with more cross-country ski trails and overnight camping while also razing a long-neglected and vacant historic building, Nicollet Court, to make way for a new pavilion. A public hearing will take place later this month at the park.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lfKrTi
MOVE: Ever-Green Energy announced that Karly Baraga Werner will be its new senior vice president of external affairs and chief legal officer starting Monday. She most recently worked as a vice president of external affairs for Comcast.
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)
MSP
ST PAUL: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “The St. Paul City Council switched up its leadership team on Wednesday, electing Council Member Nelsie Yang as its new vice president. Yang, one of the council’s youngest members, replaces Council Member HwaJeong Kim, who has held the role since joining the council in January 2024. Rebecca Noecker will continue to serve as council president, and Cheniqua Johnson will remain chair of the city’s Housing and Redevelopment Authority. Johnson will also serve as chair of the council’s budget committee, which had also been led by Kim.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3OO29kt
SPPS: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “St. Paul Public Schools announced this week that all students taking part in temporary online learning will soon return to the classroom full-time. The district began offering virtual learning in January for students whose families feared leaving home during the height of federal immigration operations in the Twin Cities. That option will come to an end next Friday, March 13.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sqLMsH
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
WHITE BEAR LAKE: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “Community members are reacting to the news one of the six U.S. service members that was killed during the Iran conflict was from White Bear Lake. State Senator Heather Gustafson (DFL-Vadnais Heights) represents White Bear Lake and spoke about her during a veterans subcommittee. ‘Today our community is grieving the loss of one of our own,’ she said. … The City of White Bear Lake ordered flags to be flown at half-staff. Mayor Mary Nicklawske released this statement.” NICKLAWSKE: “As a devoted wife, mother and neighbor, her absence will be felt by all who knew her. … Her memory will be honored by our city and never forgotten.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3PiHIMA
ROCHESTER: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “Joe Powers said he’s not quite ready to announce a campaign for Rochester’s mayoral seat, but he’s exploring the possibility. ‘I’m more solid than I’ve ever been,’ said the Rochester businessman, who’s long been mentioned as a potential candidate in past elections. Powers issued a letter of intent to explore a campaign on Wednesday, two days after Rochester Mayor Kim Norton announced she won’t seek a third term.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4b5pW6Z
NEXT
SESSION: House floor session at 3:30 p.m. No Senate floor session. HOUSE: State Govt. hears bills on responding to the ICE surge and withholding fraudulent payments. Judiciary & Civil Law hears a bill for unredacted Optum reports. Energy hears a data center bill. SENATE: Health & Human Services will hear numerous food assistance bills. Finance hears one-time rental assistance. Commerce & Consumer Protection hears insurance coverage requirements for fertility treatment, cancer imaging and more. Housing & Homelessness hears restrictions on corporate home ownership. State & Local Govt. hears bills responding to the ICE surge. Elections will hear changes to penalties for election interference. CALENDAR: https://fluence-media.co/4rQUel5
TODAY: The Free Speech Coalition will hold a press conference at 10:30 a.m. demanding that state lawmakers repeal Minnesota’s “anti-boycott” laws. Members of the coalition will spend the day meeting with legislators afterward.
SATURDAY: The Idaho Democratic Party will host Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin as keynote speakers for its Frank & Bethune Church Gala on Saturday, March 7 in Boise, ID.
NEXT WEEK: The MN Homeless Coalition will host “Homeless Day on the Hill” in the State Capitol on Wednesday, March 11. The event will focus on protecting supportive housing, per a release.
NEXT WEEK: ATV Minnesota will host a “Day on the Hill” in the State Capitol on Wednesday, March 11, with a reception at 4:30 p.m.
NEXT WEEK: MN Home Care Association will host “Home Care Day at the Capitol” on Thursday, March 12 at 9:00 a.m.
BDAYS: gun advocate Bryan Strawer, Prior Lake Mayor Kirt Briggs, attorney Kara Barrow, food guy Matthew Anderson, labor organizer Kris Fredson, Saint’s brainchild Mike Veeck
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.