PLAYOFF SLEEP
Wild lose. Wolves win. Both series tied 1-1. Twins in New York to play the Mets.
Prince died 10 years ago today.
Labor Sec. Lori Chavez-DeRemer is resigning — the third cabinet departure this year. NBC: https://fluence-media.co/4vI2shM
Two U.S. House members, one from each party, are facing expulsion votes this week. AXIOS: https://fluence-media.co/3Qlr4g1
Between 60-70 homes were damaged or destroyed in the tornadoes last weekend near Rochester. MPR: https://fluence-media.co/42jlRrF
Today’s morning take on WCCO Radio with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/48ab0E6
Today is National Chickpea Day. Overrated.
Blois - tips: bloisolson@gmail.com
Sunday Take featured four leaders at the TwinWest Legislative Breakfast — GOP Senate Ldr. Mark Johnson, GOP House Flr. Ldr. Harry Niska, DFL Senate Asst. Maj. Ldr. Nick Frentz and DFL House Flr. Ldr. Jamie Long — discussing the final month of session. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4mFbCY1
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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)
DRIVING TUESDAY
Gov. Tim Walz will meet with legislative leaders today at 11:30, Sen. GOP Leader Mark Johnson is once again not invited.
Despite the parking lot at Ridgedale being full last Saturday….“Consumer sentiment in the Twin Cities continued to decline in the first quarter, placing it near the bottom of a national downward trend…That’s according to the Metropolitan Consumer Sentiment Index, a quarterly index published by American City Business Journals in partnership with global decision-intelligence company Morning Consult. The index tracks consumer and business sentiments in more than 40 major metro areas based on more than 5,000 daily interviews...Minneapolis/St. Paul’s MCSI score for the first quarter was 87, down 0.2 from the fourth quarter. Scores above 100 represent positive sentiments…The score put Minneapolis/St. Paul fourth-lowest among the metro areas included in the data.” MSPBJ: https://fluence-media.co/4dZVZbE
On MS Now last night, Gov. Tim Walz, said he raised $50K in the launch of the new PAC. “If Democrats want to win in more places, we’ve got to start showing up in more places. That means organizing in small towns and standing with the teachers, veterans, laborers, and nurses who already know what these places need.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4cBBGyR
HORTMAN: The Star Tribune published a new timeline of events from the night Vance Boelter allegedly shot state lawmakers, based on police documents received through a public records request. Notably, the newly published records show that police did not physically check on Speaker Melissa Hortman until half an hour after a drone spotted her due to concerns that Boelter could still be in the house. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eynDws
TODAY: via advisory from Mayor Jacob Frey, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and City leaders will hold a news conference to discuss the efforts to improve safety and livability in the Uptown neighborhood of Minneapolis. WHO: Mayor Jacob Frey, City of Minneapolis, Council Member Elizabeth Shaffer, Ward 7, Commissioner Todd Barnette, Minneapolis Office of Community Safety, Chief Brian O’Hara, Chief, Minneapolis Police Department, Kevin Norman, Community Member/Uptown United”
NEXT WEEK: Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders will host a rally with Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan in Rochester on Saturday, May 2 as part of his “Fighting Oligarchy” tour. The event is at 5:00 p.m. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/3OCl6a7
SENATE RACE: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Democrats are grappling with their support of Israel, [and] Rep. Angie Craig is among the lawmakers who have been caught up in the shifting attitudes of her party. Since she first ran for Congress in 2018, Craig’s campaign has received more than $800,000 in money linked to [AIPAC]. … Of that money, $400,400 was raised through the pro-Israel group in the months before she announced her bid for retiring Sen. Tina Smith’s seat. … Yet AIPAC continued to help Craig, hosting about a dozen fundraisers for the lawmaker. … Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, Craig’s Democratic rival for Smith’s seat, is a progressive who has never had the support of AIPAC. … Craig’s history of support from AIPAC could hurt her as she vies for the nomination.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48epOBD
Rep. Angie Craig was on WCCO Radio with Vineeta Sawkar yesterday. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/48f4qfz
WALZ PAC: Via KARE 11, reactions to Gov. Tim Walz’s new “Small Town PAC,” seen in yesterday’s morning take, from Mike Erlandson, former Minnesota DFL Chair, and Rep. Harry Niska, GOP floor leader. READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3QjKKAZ
ERLANDSON: “These PACs are a way to raise money for candidates, but they’re also a way for the governor and his team to visit different parts of the country. I think this fits perfectly into the long game.”
NISKA: “If Democrats want to win in small towns again, this is the last person they should listen to. In eight years as Governor, he has shown voters across Greater Minnesota that the DFL no longer represents them.”
Notable, a confirmation hearing for DHS Commissioner Shireen Gandhi is scheduled for May 5th…order the popcorn.
DHS: DHS Commissioner Shireen Gandhi spoke to KSTP about why Minnesota was vulnerable to social services fraud and how the state will address the issue moving forward. Notably, Gandhi said 42 employees at DHS “reported information to our complaint hotline saying that they were concerned about something” last year. When asked if all 42 cases had been followed up on, Gandhi said: “Yes, we look into all of them.”… GANDHI: “We didn’t know then what we know now. So we were doing everything we knew to do,” she said, adding, “I think what happened was we were a trusting state. I don’t think anybody knew the scope of what was going on.”…When asked if we’re still a “trusting state,” Gandhi replied, “I guess I would say I’m not. I’m skeptical.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3OSpKkn
FRAUD: The House fraud prevention committee invited Attorney General Keith Ellison to testify at its meeting on Feeding Our Future prosecutions later today, but he declined their request and released a letter explaining why. ELLISON: “As I am certain you already know, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota is leading the criminal prosecution of [Feeding Our Future] cases. … [Meanwhile], the committee you chair has advanced exactly one minor piece of legislation to fight fraud. … Minnesotans must ask themselves whether you view fraud as a partisan weapon and not a problem they want solved.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dVm0Zy
CAPITOL: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “To date, 121,598 people have passed through the weapons screening to enter the Capitol during the 2026 legislative session. Capitol Security has turned away 52 weapons, [which] don’t include any firearms, and Capitol Security has verified 548 permits to carry, State Patrol Col. Christina Bogojevic told the Advisory Committee on Capitol Area Security Monday. … She said the longest wait times [were] 15-17 minutes. The biggest issue with the new security has been the wait on checking permits to carry, which comes down to staffing at each entrance.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ODNYi5
SESSION
MNLEG: via WCCO Radio, VERBATIM: “With big issues like a bonding bill and Hennepin County Medical Center’s potential closure, lawmakers will have their hands full in the final weeks of the 2026 legislative session. … One of the biggest hurdles to clear by the end of the session is getting a tax bill passed. ‘There’s a chance that we’re gonna get that done this year,’ Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson said, [but] ‘we just don’t have a good feel from the Senate side of things what’s going to be actually possible to get through the House.’ … DFL Rep. Jaime Long has a more positive view of where it stands, though. ‘I know that Chair [Greg] Davids (R-Preston) and Chair [Aisha] Gomez (DFL-Minneapolis) have been having good conversations around that proposal,’ Long said. They both say they are hopeful to pass a tax bill that includes a measure to help [HCMC].” READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4eAmtR3
OIG: via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “A proposal to create a new independent watchdog agency in Minnesota to crack down on fraud in public programs could cost nearly $16 million over the next few years for set-up alone, a fiscal analysis shows. … The $16 million price tag estimate from nonpartisan staff does not include additional funds that are expected to cover how other state agencies would work with the new office. Rep. Ginny Klevorn, DFL-Plymouth, said she thinks the total cost across state government could total anywhere from $38 million to $60 million. … The House Ways and Means Committee — the final stop before a floor vote — discussed the [OIG] proposal Monday but did not advance it yet.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4sLXkqg
MED FRAUD: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “Rep. Andrew Myers (R-Tonka Bay) [sponsors] HF4425, which would increase the statute of limitations period for medical assistance fraud and other thefts of government funds from six years to 10 years after the commission of the crime. … His fellow representatives overwhelmingly agreed by passing it 133-0 Monday. The bill’s next stop is the Senate.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4u3egtp
PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICES CONTINUE TO SOAR: While Minnesota’s safety net hospitals navigate bleak financial outlooks, drug manufacturers continue to raise drug prices at rates that far outpace inflation, rising 23% in the last year alone. By strengthening the 340B drug pricing program, local hospitals can weather these soaring prices and continue to deliver the care and treatments that Minnesotans need. MNLEG REPORT: https://fluence-media.co/48xEXhB (SPONSORED: Essentia Health)
GROOMING: Via WCCO-TV, an update on the anti-grooming bill. VERBATIM: “We now know how much the law would cost: roughly $1.45 million a year for the state Department of Education, mainly for more investigators, plus $48,000 for prison beds over the next three years. It sparked conversation about spending and ultimately passed the committee. … The bill could go to the House floor for a vote as early as next week. A companion bill is making its way through the Senate and will need to pass through both chambers.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4n0r5T3
E-MOTOS: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “What those in the industry call an ‘e-moto’ [is] too big to be considered a bicycle, but not fitting into the current definition of a motorcycle. And there’s nothing in Minnesota statute regarding regulations on an ‘e-moto.’ Sponsored by Rep. Tom Dippel (R-Cottage Grove), HF3785 would categorize these vehicles as electric motorcycles and regulate them in much the same way as motorcycles with combustion engines. On Monday, the House Ways and Means Committee approved the bill, as amended, and sent it to the House Floor.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mE3neW
Follow the 2026 Minnesota elections up close with the Fluence Election Tracker.
https://fluence-media.co/electiontrackerCASH CONTRAST
MISC
HEATING: via Sen. Tina Smith advisory, VERBATIM: “Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar (both D-MN) are urging the Department of Health and Human Services to release the remaining FY26 Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding available to all states, including Minnesota. … LIHEAP provides families with payment assistance to help cover their home energy costs.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sPM0tc
DATA CENTERS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The data center industry has been raising ire in parts of Minnesota…so one developer proposing a massive power and data center complex in southwestern Minnesota is trying a different strategy: aggressive publicity. In and around Nobles County, it’s hard to miss Bloomington-based Geronimo Power’s radio ads, newspaper inserts and YouTube videos. … They have also not demanded that local government officials sign non-disclosure agreements, which some other companies have required. … Geronimo CEO Blake Nixon said he’s betting on gaining trust through transparency.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vGjBbF
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)
STATE FAIR: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “When you’re at the State Fair later this summer, take a good look around the 4-H building, because this is set to be the last year it’ll look as it has for nearly nine decades. The iconic 100,000-square-foot building, constructed by the Depression-era Works Progress Administration in 1939, is set to undergo major interior renovations and exterior improvements beginning in fall 2026, to be completed in time for the 2027 State Fair. … Besides making the building more accommodating and accessible, [this] project also aims to modernize 4-H’s ability to provide educational experiences.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/48XbayI
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)
CANNABIS
YOUTH: via MDH advisory, VERBATIM: “There continues to be a steady decline in youth cannabis use since 2013, with 96% of students reporting not having used cannabis in the last month. … The 2025 survey, Minnesota’s first since adult cannabis use was legalized in 2023, showed healthier trends related to student use and perceptions of harms. Minnesota has seen a 57.7% decrease statewide of self-reported past 12-month cannabis use from 2013 (14.9%) to 2025 (6.3%) amongst eighth, ninth, and 11th graders combined. And more students now view using cannabis once or twice a week as moderately to greatly harmful, reversing the trend seen from 2013 to 2022.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3OSihBR
HEMP: via Sen. Amy Klobuchar advisory, VERBATIM: “Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced the bipartisan Hemp Safety Enforcement Act, a bipartisan bill that empowers states and Tribal governments to regulate and ensure the safety of hemp and hemp-derived products, preventing a looming federal crackdown. … The Hemp Safety Enforcement Act is also cosponsored by Joni Ernst (R-IA).” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ck3s40
POT: via Axios Twin Cities, VERBATIM: “[Yesterday was] 4/20, and for Minnesota cannabis users, it’s the first such holiday during which there’s a big enough industry to easily buy the stuff legally. The rollout has been slow as an influx of retailers awaits growers to produce enough to stock stores. But there are signs of progress. Minnesota has surpassed 100 marijuana dispensaries. … Monthly retail sales reached $13 million in March after hovering in the $8 to $10 million range between October and February, per state figures. Growers harvested 17,000 plants last month, up from the roughly 10,000 a month they were harvesting last fall.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vIqYiD
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)
LAW ENFORCEMENT
VOTER DATA: via MPR, VERBATIM: “The federal government is escalating its push for voter data from the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office. … In a filing Friday, the DOJ seeks to compel that [Sec. Steve] Simon turn over records related to voter registration and other materials. The request comes on the heels of a Spring Valley man, who is not a citizen, being charged with registering to vote then casting a ballot in 2024. The feds are asking for records on Minnesota voter registration practices.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41KxhEU
WHISTLEBLOWER: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “The City of Duluth is facing a second whistleblower lawsuit after a former employee accused leadership of retaliating after she reported concerns within the police department. … [The plaintiff] was a program coordinator on opioid response initiatives when she reported Duluth police officers for conduct that she believed was unlawful and discriminatory. In the lawsuit, she said police officers ridiculed her and subjected her to hostility.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4u09tZF
ACROSS MN
ST PAUL: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “In her first 100 days as St. Paul mayor, Kaohly Her has helped road crews fill potholes and delivered food to people hiding from immigration agents. Her delivered her first State of the City address [and] said the impact of Operation Metro Surge is still being felt. … She also talked about downtown investments through renovations to Grand Casino Arena, Roy Wilkins Auditorium and River Centre, which she noted are city-owned properties and key to downtown’s economy. And she spoke of improving the overall climate for businesses and attracting development to help broaden the city’s tax base.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4u1svyN
ROBBINSDALE: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “The school board for Robbinsdale Area Schools [held] a closed-door meeting Monday night to discuss negotiations for a new teacher’s contract. Parents joined teachers to show their support in a rally before the meeting. The current district proposal includes no pay raise this year and about 1% next year, with no additional benefits. Parents say the offer isn’t good enough.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3Oja2yC
ELK RIVER: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “On Monday, the Elk River City Council unanimously approved Resolution 26-31 to ‘recognize the 1983 State of Minnesota flag as the official flag to be displayed on city-owned property.’ … City officials say that 74.6% of 1,053 survey responses said they supported the display of the former flag. Elk River Mayor John Dietz said the amount of responses received was more than he had ever seen for one issue during his 32-year tenure.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4sObOWB
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 PURPOSES….
SESSION: No House floor session. Senate floor session at 11:00 a.m. FLOOR: The Senate will hear the public safety omnibus, changes to education forecasts and more. HOUSE: Capital Investment hears numerous bonding requests. Taxes will hear numerous sales tax requests. Fraud Prevention hears discussions on Feeding Our Future and charter schools. SENATE: Finance hears the omnibus bills for housing and environment. Taxes will hear bills on ICE surge relief and property taxes. Capital Investment hears bills on infrastructure and tech improvements. CALENDAR: https://fluence-media.co/4tZCUuW
TODAY: Sec. Steve Simon is traveling to Crow Wing, Morrison and Todd counties today to “meet with local business leaders and Safe at Home address confidentiality program partners,” per his office.
TODAY: Governor Tim Walz will meet with legislative leaders and host a reception for the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers’ Women’s Basketball Team.
TODAY: Clean Energy Economy Minnesota (CEEM) will host a “Clean Energy Business Day at the Capitol” to connect energy business leaders and lawmakers. A rotunda program advocating for energy independence will begin at 1:30 p.m.
TODAY: via news advisory from union “On Tuesday, April 21, at 10 a.m., unions and community groups will gather on Lake St. to announce multiple events happening on Friday, May 1st, they day known as International Workers’ Day or May Day. Groups will lay out details of worker actions, trainings around the recently announced Truth Commission and a huge march and celebration on Lake Street that afternoon.”
TOMORROW: Sec. Steve Simon will travel to Crow Wing and Mille Lacs counties Wednesday to “meet with Tribal government leaders and county election officials,” per his office.
TOMORROW: Attorney General Keith Ellison is hosting a town hall in Minneapolis with the attorneys general of Illinois and Oregon on Wednesday, April 22. The group will be discussing their “work to uphold the rule of law and protect democracy,” per Ellison. The event is at 6:00 p.m. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/4tyqMRj
APRIL 28: Gov. Tim Walz will deliver his final State of the State address before a joint session of the Minnesota Legislature on Tuesday, April 28 at 7:00 p.m.
AUGUST 4-5: The 2026 Farmfest Forum schedule has been announced. On Tuesday, Aug. 4, candidates from CD1 and CD2 will speak at 10:30 a.m. and candidates from CD6, CD7 and CD8 will speak at 1:15 p.m. On Wednesday, Aug. 5, candidates for governor will speak at 10:30 a.m. and candidates for U.S. Senate will speak at 1:15 p.m.
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BDAYS: Lobbyist Robyn Rowen, GOP committee administrator John Hultquist, GOP operative Brad Biers, St. Paul booster Darren Tobolt, Olmsted County Leader Sheila Kiscaden
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IN MEMORIAM: morning take is dedicated in memory of Melissa Hortman.