MANIC MONDAY
Tonight at 5PM on WCCO Radio – Minnesota Hospitals in Critical Condition a special Fluence Forum with conversations from across the state about how leaders are trying to tackle our latest health care crisis. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/WCCOLive2
Wild lose, and defense has disappeared. Wolves play tonight at 8:30PM
The Timberwolves have cleared Anthony Edwards to return, but he’s not expected to play tonight. FOX9: https://fluence-media.co/4tO2SBL
Minnesota’s runs in the playoffs are giving sports bars a revenue boost. KSTP: https://fluence-media.co/48EgB5K
As gas prices remain high, electric vehicle sales are seeing a boost. WCCO: https://fluence-media.co/4cXQc41
The president says U.S. forces will escort ships in the Strait of Hormuz starting today, and “interference” will be handled with force. CNN: https://fluence-media.co/4cZG8aO
Sunday Take was all about the playoffs as sports historian Dan Whenesota and sports take’s Howard Sinker discussed why things feel different in Minnesota. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4w6ZraL
Today is National Day of Reason….for those of you with hope.
Blois - tips: bloisolson@gmail.com
On Sunday Take, DFL Sen. Ann Rest discussed tax bill dynamics and GOP Rep. Mary Franson spoke about the bonding bill. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4ty6qrz
MNSIDER: sunday send, where we wonder why MPR is sponsoring political group Take Action. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ue401r
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WAYMO IS READY FOR MINNESOTA: With 13x fewer injury-causing collisions compared to humans, Waymo is already making roads safer in major U.S. cities where we operate — from multi-lane expressways to dense city streets, including the demands of winter weather. We are ready to bring these safety benefits to Minnesota, and look forward to working with the state legislature to pass a law that allows us to provide rides in the state. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/waymo (SPONSORED: Waymo)
Convention season continues, next weekend the DFL CD2 convention will give us a sense of the DFL delegate mood, in a district that the most moderate DFLer in the state has represented. None of the CD2 DFL candidates have emerged as a clear front runner.
One Tier 2 race in the fall, Sen. Julia Coleman’s senate seat where she is being challenged by DFLer Dan Kessler. Kessler posted that Coleman has been focused on “creating sound bites and looking good at press conferences”. Coleman pushes back calling the comment from Kessler “sexist”.
Good on Coleman. Kessler clearly hasn’t watched his fellow DFLer social media feeds.
The folly of 2026 is that the social soundbites and performative posts from caucuses and candidates seem to some sort of measuring stick, especially for those looking for attention. From Rep. Jeff Backer’s easter bunny video, to the stream of DFL reels, its clear that social endorphins are more important than policy progress in this era.
SEN RACE: A new poll out this morning from the DLGA, the Democratic Lt. Gov. Association has Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan leading Rep. Angie Craig 44 to 33 Percent. Of note is why the DLGA is investing in Flanagan’s race. It is a different dynamic that the outside group would be invested in a US Senate race. It may suggest that Flanagan has raised money into the DLGA to support her. Other groups, such as the Republican Governors Association or Democratic Governors Association don’t publish polling when their members are running for Senate. Here’s the DLGA memo: https://fluence-media.co/4tZHKbR
GOV RACE: via Forum News Service, VERBATIM: “Sen. Amy Klobuchar outlined Sunday how she would tackle fraud if Minnesotans send her to the governor’s office. … In her first campaign-centered press conference since the senator stepped into the race, [Klobuchar] outlined over 40 policy proposals she’d push if elected — with a heavy focus on combating fraud. … Proposals include increasing criminal penalties for fraud, requiring unannounced in-person site visits, auditing state agencies and establishing a ‘do not pay database.’ … Klobuchar also said ‘of course’ she’d plan to make changes to who’s in charge of state agencies.” KLOBUCHAR: “I obviously am going to do things differently than Governor [Tim] Walz. We have different backgrounds. We’re going to have some different focuses.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dqEbEL
MORE: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “While her primary focus Sunday was fraud, [Amy] Klobuchar mentioned other priorities. She said Minnesota needs to quickly build more housing. She also proposed making state services more accessible on cellphones and argued Minnesota should make it easier for people to obtain permits and start businesses. … Klobuchar was backed at the news conference by former U.S. Attorney for Minnesota Andy Luger, who prosecuted cases relating to the Feeding our Future fraud scheme.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dmi7Mn
PLATFORM: Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s policy platform for her gubernatorial campaign is now available on her website. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4cY6WrR
RESPONSE: via Speaker Lisa Demuth statement, DEMUTH: “Amy Klobuchar [waited] three months to hold her first campaign press conference. Minnesotans know Klobuchar’s record and see this for what it is — a Walz Third Term. … Klobuchar wants to triple down on the Walz Era. I’m running for governor to fix the mess Tim Walz has left in his wake.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tgVvSq
MORE: via GOP Chair Alex Plechash statement, PLECHASH: “If state government is too slow, too outdated, too expensive, too vulnerable to fraud, too hostile to small businesses, too difficult to navigate, and too broken to serve taxpayers, then Amy Klobuchar should say who broke it.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4d7qpGP
SENATE RACE: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “Sen. Bernie Sanders delivered a message to a near-capacity crowd of 1,300 [in Rochester] to promote the candidacy of Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan for U.S. Senate. … Sen. Tina Smith, whose retirement created the vacancy, also spoke at Saturday’s ‘Fighting Oligarchy’ rally on behalf of Flanagan.” SANDERS: “We’re going to create a government that works for all of us, and one way to do that is making sure that Peggy Flanagan is the next U.S. senator. … The reason that the Democratic Party is disrespected today is precisely because the leadership is not standing and fighting.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tbxQCE
CD2: Former Sen. Matt Little, DFL candidate in CD2, spoke to WCCO-TV about his campaign and priorities yesterday. Little dismissed concerns that he used his public opposition to Operation Metro Surge for political gain and confirmed that if he doesn’t receive the DFL party endorsement in May, he will drop out of the race before the August primary. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3QLvKfq
MORE: via news release, VERBATIM “Former State Senator and Former Lakeville Mayor Matt Little won the endorsement of Faith in Minnesota in the race for the Second Congressional seat. Faith in Minnesota is the political arm of ISAIAH, an interdenominational faith organization, and is one of the largest political organizing groups in the state.”
BERG: Last week CD candidate state Rep. Kaela Berg was endorsed by End Citizens United.
ENDORSEMENTS: This weekend, DFLer Jake Johnson was endorsed in CD1, GOP state Sen. Eric Pratt was endorsed in CD2, DFL Rep. Betty McCollum was endorsed in CD4, GOP Rep. Tom Emmer was endorsed in CD6, and DFLer Trina Swanson was endorsed in CD8.
Fluence Media introduces more — Insider Analysis & Insight from TheDailyAgenda.com
SESSION SLOG
TWO WEEKS: The 2026 legislative session ends two weeks from today. Issues expected to be addressed this week include the Office of Inspector General bill, funding for HCMC and more.
WALZ: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Tim Walz’s final legislative session has the feel of a governor on the way out. His agenda is sputtering, his clout is fading and his focus is shifting as he figures out what, exactly, he will do next. … Walz has been meeting with legislative leaders consistently of late, and his aides have sat in for him when he’s been away. … [But] as legislative leaders met for another round of negotiations on Friday, Walz traveled to Maine to campaign for Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner. Such excursions have prompted Walz’s critics to question his engagement.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tf9Sql
MORE: Via Bangor Daily News, details on the governor’s trip to Maine this weekend. VERBATIM: “Democrats projected optimism at the party’s convention in Portland Saturday as they looked to ride energy behind progressives, including [Senate candidate] Graham Platner. … The morning kicked off with a speech from Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. … Walz repeatedly blasted [Donald] Trump and linked [Sen. Susan] Collins to the president’s remade party. He said any Republican senator could have blunted Trump’s immigration roundups in Maine and his home state.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dqxGBR
DEALS: via MPR, VERBATIM: “Legislative leaders and the governor are aiming to reach a global agreement next week that could help chart the course for the end of session. Top lawmakers met again with Gov. Tim Walz [last week] and continued discussions about options to fund the safety net hospital HCMC and to address some of the impacts of the federal tax and spending bill passed last summer. Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, DFL-St. Paul, said the Trump Administration’s announcement that it would defer $91 million in Medicaid funding to the state further complicates decisions around how Minnesota officials should write their health budget.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48YnmQ7
ETHICS: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “The House Ethics Committee heard competing DFL and Republican complaints Friday. … The committee unanimously voted in the closed session that there wasn’t probable cause to support a complaint against Rep. Elliott Engen (R-Lino Lakes) and Rep. Walter Hudson (R-Albertville) and there wasn’t probable cause to support a complaint against Rep. Alex Falconer (DFL-Eden Prairie). … However, regarding the complaint against Engen and Hudson, all four ethics committee members signed a statement to clarify expectations and norms of behavior.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42LjtKA
Follow the 2026 Minnesota elections up close with the Fluence Election Tracker.
https://fluence-media.co/electiontracker
DC + MN
REDISTRICTING: via Axios, VERBATIM: “[Last] week’s Supreme Court ruling weakening the Voting Rights Act [could] put a fresh crop of blue and even purple states on the board as potential redistricting targets ahead of 2028. … [For] Pennsylvania, Minnesota and Michigan, this is where things get really tricky. All three of these purple states have at least one state legislative chamber either controlled by Republicans or, in the case of Minnesota’s state House, evenly divided between the parties. A blue wave in November could help Democrats secure majorities in those chambers while retaining the states’ governorships — known as a trifecta — but there would still be plenty of hurdles.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cKdqMg
SMITH: Sen. Tina Smith spoke to WCCO-TV yesterday about why she endorsed the lieutenant governor to be her successor, how she plans to spend her time during her final months in the Senate and more. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4n59IjX
THC: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “The so-called ‘skinny farm bill’ was approved [last week], but an amendment that would have reversed the [hemp-THC] ban and instituted new federal regulations on the industry was withdrawn, either because it did not have enough support or because GOP leaders sought to persuade fellow Republicans from including measures in the farm bill that would threaten its chances of approval. Also withdrawn was a second amendment sponsored by Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., and Reps. Ilhan Omar, D-5th District, and Kelly Morrison, D-3rd District, that would have postponed the hemp-THC ban until November 2027.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4w8Av2P
MORE: Friday’s ag take featured extensive coverage of what did and didn’t make it into the version of the farm bill that passed in the House. ICYMI: https://fluence-media.co/4eZavAK
(DISCLOSURE: Plift is a Fluence client)
ICE: Via social media, Rep. Angie Craig said an ICE spokesperson confirmed to her that a “potential opening of new ICE detention centers in Shakopee and Woodbury” will not be moving forward. CRAIG: “This is a direct result of state and local leaders like [Rep.] Brad Tabke and CD2ers who made it loud and clear that ICE is not welcome in our community.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4t8NiPZ
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)
THE FEED
SETTLEMENT: via Office of the Atty. General, VERBATIM: “Attorney General Keith Ellison announced that a $7.4 billion settlement reached with Purdue Pharma and its owners, the Sackler family, has become legally effective today, with $59 million going to Minnesota. … The settlement permanently bars the Sacklers from selling opioids in the U.S. and delivers funds for addiction treatment, prevention, and recovery to communities across the country over the next 15 years. Most settlement funds will be distributed in the first three years.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dmrqvP
SPEEDING: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Nearly 300 Minnesota law enforcement agencies are participating in a campaign to bring awareness to how dangerous and deadly speeding can be. … In 2025, speed-related crashes led to 102 fatalities and 388 serious injuries, officials said. The high-visibility, extra enforcement and awareness campaign kicked off Friday, May 1, and will run through Sept. 7.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4d34sbR
FISH: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “This coming Saturday, May 9, marks one of Minnesota’s unofficial holidays: the 2026 open water fishing opener. Overall, the outlook around the state is favorable for anglers looking to catch a bite on opening day, according to the Department of Natural Resources.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42cWHep
REJECT 340B EXPANSION: A new Minnesota Department of Health report shows hospitals made at least $1 billion dollars from a federal drug discount program known as 340B. The program should help patients, but experts say there is little accountability for where the money goes. The report was delayed and only recently released, showing the program isn’t working as intended. But Minnesota politicians are fast tracking a bill to expand the 340B program anyway. Lawmakers: reject House File 3609 / Senate File 3769. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4uUobCQ (SPONSORED: Community Action for Responsible Hospitals)
METRO
MPS: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Warning signs about the Minneapolis Public Schools senior finance officer, Ibrahima Diop, had been accumulating for months. … Yet Diop remained in his job until Jan. 2, by which time he’d resigned to take a job in Milwaukee. He had been the district’s top financial official for nearly a decade. Days later, the district filed a police report related to ‘wire fraud,’ though no names appear on the report and the district won’t explain it. … The Reformer has filed multiple public records requests since first learning the district’s three top finance leaders were declared ‘out of the office indefinitely’ early this year. The district hasn’t responded.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42HgYJg
VADNAIS HGTS: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “A charter school with locations in Vadnais Heights and Little Canada will close in June amid financial difficulties, according to school officials. The Academy for Sciences and Agriculture, which serves prekindergarten through 12th grade, will have its last day of instruction and its graduation for seniors June 5. The school has become financially unsustainable and its authorizer, Osprey Wilds, decided to terminate its contract effective June 30.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42cf57i
GRANDMAS RIDE ATVs TOO: Check out Donna’s story — a powerful reminder that ATV riding is about more than trails; it’s about people, community, and connection. Donna’s message reflects what so many riders across Minnesota believe: responsible riding, strong local economies, and protecting access for future generations all go hand in hand. Thank you, Donna, for sharing your story and helping put a face to what “I Ride” truly means. Check out Donna’s story HERE: https://fluence-media.co/4tDeK9r (SPONSORED: ATV Minnesota)
FARMINGTON: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “A group of Farmington residents [is] united in their concerns about a [data center] project’s energy, water and land use. They worry about light and noise pollution. They’re backing a lawsuit that they hope will stop the project and others proposed around the state. [Cathy] Johnson, who is liberal, said those concerns defy party affiliation. … Mayor Nick Lien said he thinks the data center would bring good to the community – namely jobs and a wider tax base.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4epdPoH
HABITAT RESTORATION: Flint Hills Resources has earned Tandem Global WHC Gold Certification for habitat restoration at its Cottage Grove fuel terminal. The certification comes after two years of work in partnership with Friends of the Mississippi River to implement a restoration and monitoring plan to re-establish the 6.5-acre site’s natural prairie and savannah. Flint Hills has held gold certification for its work done with community partners over the past 25 years to restore more than 200 acres of the Pine Bend Bluffs, a critical natural area along the Mississippi River that is adjacent to Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery. This makes two Flint Hills gold certified sites in Minnesota and the first two gold-certified sites ever in the Twin Cities. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3VASKg4 (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
ACROSS MN
HENDERSON: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Authorities were at the scene of a train derailment in Le Sueur County on Saturday morning. … [Photos] show multiple train cars on their side, some of which have spilled grain. There are tanker cars on their side too, which the sheriff’s office says were carrying methane propane. Union Pacific reportedly told authorities that no methane or propane is leaking as a result of the derailment. In total, eight rail cars derailed.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4unH5Rf
TWO HARBORS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “About 3 million vehicles pass through this Lake Superior city each year, most on their way to more popular tourism sites. … ‘Not enough’ of them stop in Two Harbors, said first-term Mayor Lew Conner. City leaders are aiming to change that as they prepare to get their hands on more than 20 acres of waterfront land from the state Department of Natural Resources. They envision the Agate Bay shore as a place where residents and visitors will watch ships at the ore docks, listen to live music and walk along paved paths.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3PgKRwY
ROCHESTER: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “A pair of requests to support financing for a planned 149-unit apartment complex on Fourth Street Southeast will be reviewed Monday by the Rochester City Council. … California-based Lincoln Avenue Communities, which creates affordable housing options, is asking the council to approve issuance of nearly $27.2 million in revenue bonds as it also seeks the creation of a new tax-increment financing district, which would provide nearly $1.4 million. … The funds are expected to be part of the estimated $61 million in financing needed for the development of a six-story, income-restricted apartment complex [that’s] within walking distance to downtown.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uq5lSK
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)
BEMIDJI: via Bemidji Pioneer, VERBATIM: “MMIW 218 is set to host its annual Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives conference from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 3, in Bemidji. … The May 3 event will start at 11 a.m. with a march from the Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statues to the Sanford Center, where lunch will follow, along with welcoming the runners from the MMIW Awareness Red Lake run.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4um19Ui
PRODUCTIVE FARMS, STEWARDSHIP GO HAND IN HAND: via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Corn farmers are demonstrating that productive agriculture and environmental stewardship go hand in hand. Through widespread adoption of practices such as reduced tillage, cover crops, crop rotations, and targeted nutrient management, farmers have improved soil health, reduced erosion, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and protected water quality across millions of acres in Minnesota. That’s all while implementing advances in seed genetics, fertility management, and precision technology that have improved on-farm productivity.” LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4stHjG5 (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn)
FOR PLANNING
SESSION: House floor session at 1:00 p.m. Senate floor session at 11:00 a.m. FLOOR: The House will hear bills on public safety, housing, hospital construction, veterans, cybersecurity, higher education and more. HOUSE: Ways & Means will hear bills on Medicaid fraud, the K-12 education forecast and the human services omnibus. SENATE: Human Services and Health & Human Services will hold a joint hearing on the “program integrity omnibus.” CALENDAR: https://fluence-media.co/4urSEqF
TODAY: Protect Minnesota will host a press conference on gun violence prevention bills with DFL Sen. Zaynab Mohamed and DFL Rep. Emma Greenman at 10:00 a.m.
TODAY: DFL Rep. Kelly Morrison will host a press conference discussing federal impacts on small businesses at 11:00 a.m.
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BDAYS: Minneapolis writer David Brauer, MADA’s Scott Lambert, fmr. Rep. Tom Tillberry
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.