HONORING SERVICE
Our thoughts are with Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor of White Bear Lake.
Wild and Wolves win. Edwards and Kaprisov showing they are all-time MN athletes.
The State Capitol needs a group entrance.
Welcome PivotBio’s HQ to Minnesota, one of the pieces of good news from the GreaterMSP event last night. Ecolab announced an expansion. Growth is good – we need more.
A middle schooler from Rochester is on her way to the National Spelling Bee. PB: https://fluence-media.co/47dBTX1
Gas prices are spiking in Minnesota — up 17 cents/gallon from Monday to Tuesday. MPR: https://fluence-media.co/40sGsJv
A Wisconsin radio host apologized for posting a call to “take out” Tim Walz, comparing him to the Iranian Ayatollah. BMTN: https://fluence-media.co/40MQftH
CNN finds that 56% of Americans think long-term conflict between the U.S. and Iran is at least somewhat likely, and 60% say Donald Trump does not have a clear plan of action. POLL: https://fluence-media.co/4l6IjNe
The real test will be when Congress has to vote on funding for the war with Iran.
Happy National Grammar Day to those who celebrate.
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/
HOT SEATS
TODAY: Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison will testify before the U.S. House oversight committee regarding fraud in Minnesota. The event is at 8:00 a.m. central. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/46wNiRv
CONTEMPT: via AP News, VERBATIM: “A federal judge clashed Tuesday with Minnesota’s top federal prosecutor during an unusual contempt hearing that highlighted growing confrontations between increasingly frustrated judges and Department of Justice officials. U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Bryan called Tuesday’s hearing to decide whether U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota Daniel N. Rosen and others should be held in contempt for not heeding orders to return the personal property of immigrants who had been detained and then ordered freed. … Bryan did not immediately rule [and] did not give a timeline for a decision.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40sHrcF
MORE: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Early in the hearing, Bryan told Rosen he had not ruled out the consequence of imprisonment for the violations, but noted that it was unlikely. He took the matter under advisement and will issue a ruling at a later date. Throughout the hearing, Rosen forcefully denied claims about the violations.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ssgfGW
GRANTS: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Legislative Auditor Judy Randall confirmed Tuesday that the Minnesota Promise Act is now ‘on my radar.’ Her comments follow a 5 INVESTIGATES report that identified several questionable taxpayer-funded grants. ‘Legitimate questions are being raised,’ Randall said, adding that her office ‘is definitely considering a review of the program.’” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3MJqRlw
INVESTIGATIONS: Via Star Tribune, DHS Sec. Kristi Noem avoided saying whether she would support a joint state and federal investigation into the shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in response to questioning from Sen. Amy Klobuchar at a Tuesday Senate hearing. NOEM: “The FBI is leading this investigation, and I would leave that question for them to answer.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3N3SYvD
ICYMI: Yesterday’s lunch take had extensive coverage of Sec. Kristi Noem’s Tuesday Senate hearing, including more questions from Sen. Amy Klobuchar. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4r7H0z0
A new level of insight and information….
IRAN
CASUALTIES: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “A Minnesotan is among the U.S. service members who were killed in an airstrike in Kuwait on Sunday, a day after the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran. The Pentagon on Tuesday said that Army Reserve Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake was among those killed. … Amor had served in the military for more than 20 years [and] was just a few days away from returning home to her husband and two children when she was killed. … More than 250 Minnesota National Guard personnel are on regularly scheduled deployments in or near the Middle East, [but] no soldiers or airmen from those units have been injured.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40EH6Dx
REACTIONS: Minnesota officials from both parties expressed grief and condolences for the family of Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor.
Via DFL Rep. Betty McCollum, QUOTE: “I am heartbroken by the loss of six American service members in the Middle East. The Army has released the names of four of those we lost, including a constituent of mine, Sergeant First Class Nicole M. Amor. My thoughts are with her family, friends, and fellow Soldiers as they grieve this tremendous loss.”
Via DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar, QUOTE: “John and I join countless people across Minnesota in mourning Sgt. First Class Nicole Amor of White Bear Lake, who made the ultimate sacrifice serving our country. Our hearts are with her family, loved ones, and all those in our armed forces.”
Via GOP Rep. Pete Stauber, QUOTE: “I’m devastated to learn this tragic news and I’m sending prayers to Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor’s family and friends. Her sacrifice will never be forgotten — our nation owes her an eternal debt of gratitude.”
Via GOP Rep. Tom Emmer, QUOTE: “We are heartbroken to hear this news. Jacquie and I are praying for Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor’s family and friends. Our community, state, and nation will forever be thankful for her service to our country.”
SHOOTING: Via Star Tribune, one of the people who died in a Texas mass shooting Sunday was Jorge Munoz Pederson, an MMA fighter from Minnesota. The shooting is being investigated by the FBI as a possible terrorist attack executed in response to U.S. operations in Iran. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4u8YhdV
QUESTIONS: DFL Rep. Betty McCollum and other House Democrats sent a joint letter to Trump Administration officials seeking answers on the U.S. operations against Iran. EXCERPT: “What is the Administration’s legal justification for initiating hostilities? What specific, imminent threat to U.S. personnel, territory, or vital national interests formed the basis for initiating this war? … What are the defined U.S. objectives in this conflict, what conditions would constitute mission success, and under what circumstances would operations cease? Will this require American ground troops fighting in Iran?” LETTER: https://fluence-media.co/4cqU3YN
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)
SESSION
FRAUD: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “HF3395 is deemed the ‘Fraud Isn’t Free Act.’ It received a 7-6 favorable vote along party lines by the 14-member House State Government Finance and Policy Committee on Tuesday; however, it failed to advance [because] Rep. Katie Jones (DFL-Mpls) was excused. … If a significant loss of funds happens under an agency’s watch, the commissioner would take an immediate 25% pay cut and it would require the firing of, and a five-year state employment ban for, an employee whose intentional or negligent actions allowed fraud to occur. Additionally, a 10% administrative budget cut for the remainder of the biennium would be mandated.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/46CHR3B
FED AGENTS: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “In both chambers, DFL lawmakers have proposed a variety of bills seeking to contain the authority of federal immigration agents and ICE, [but] political realities are already apparent just a few weeks into the legislative session. While the Senate, with a one-vote DFL majority and control of committees, has advanced some ICE-related proposals, several measures have already stalled out in the tied House. … On Tuesday, for example, House DFL members failed to advance two bills related to immigration enforcement after Republicans voted in opposition.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4cZdTKU
CHILDCARE: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “To ensure accurate attendance reporting, Rep. Nolan West (R-Blaine) wants child care providers to make video surveillance of facility entrances and exits available to state inspectors. … He sponsors HF3819 [to] modify multiple child care provider inspection requirements for providers who receive $500,000 or more from Minnesota’s Child Care Assistance Program or early learning scholarship. Due to time constraints, the bill was laid over Tuesday by the House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aQfXDO
GUNS: via MPR, VERBATIM: “New gun restrictions still face a tough path to get through the Legislature, but it’s possible that lawmakers will impose stricter punishment for gun-related crimes. Legislation introduced yesterday by Senate Republicans would subject repeat offenders who use a gun to longer prison terms, making it mandatory that they get the maximum sentence. That could include requiring them to serve out concurrent sentences rather than being eligible for earlier release. … Another bill making the rounds would enhance penalties for people who illegally transfer guns to an ineligible person.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ucdsDm
TAXES: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “The ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ signed last summer established temporary deductions for a portion of qualified overtime compensation and for qualified tips. But there’s a catch: You must add that income back into your reported earnings when filing your Minnesota tax return. HF3524 and HF3525 would harmonize that issue. Sponsored by Rep. Kristin Robbins (R-Maple Grove), the bills would create a state subtraction that matches the federal deduction. … The House Taxes Committee laid over both bills Tuesday for possible omnibus bill inclusion.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4l5Q6el
SELF-DRIVING: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “Lawmakers and ride-hailing app drivers are sounding the alarm as a proposal that would allow self-driving vehicles, like Waymo, to operate in Minnesota gets considered in the state legislature. Sen. Erin Maye Quade, Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura [and others] raised concerns about the safety of self-driving vehicles and the potential economic consequences of the vehicles. … A bill being proposed by Sen. Maye Quade and Rep. Sencer-Mura would create an independent advisory board and mandate a comprehensive study on self-driving vehicles. The bill would also ensure tech companies could be held accountable for the operation of their vehicles and requires algorithmic transparency.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4b7nEUY
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)
MN ISSUES
PAID LEAVE: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “The state’s new paid leave program has been in effect for two months, [and] DFL Senator Alice Mann, who authored the legislation, says 20,000 applications have already been approved. … But there are also stories of small business owners who say they can’t afford the new tax to fund it and workers who are frustrated with administrative hurdles. … Dannielle Willson [is] a 37-year-old mother of two [who] works at an addiction treatment center. She applied for paid leave, but says clerical errors and long wait times have left her in limbo and without a paycheck for a month.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4b4ieKa
GOFUNDME: via Office of the Atty. General, VERBATIM: “Attorney General Keith Ellison today, along with a bipartisan coalition of 21 attorneys general and charitable regulators, sent a letter to GoFundMe, after reports that GoFundMe created imposter donation web pages for charities nationwide without their prior knowledge or consent. In the letter, the coalition shares their grave concerns about GoFundMe’s conduct and calls for immediate remedial measures, including providing proof that GoFundMe has removed all unauthorized donation web pages, in the next 14 days.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3N6gSqi
VOTER DATA: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Attorneys for the state of Minnesota argued in court Tuesday that the state shouldn’t have to share its voter registration data with the federal government. … Judge Kate Menendez asked Department of Justice Attorney James Tucker if voter information could be used for immigration enforcement. He said that’s not the purpose of requesting information, but that he wasn’t sure if other federal agencies would be able to access that information for their own purposes. … Judge Menendez asked both parties to file more briefings in response to recent rulings in similar voter data lawsuits. She said she’ll consider the arguments and decide whether to dismiss the case or move forward.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4l4pKJD
DC + MN
MEDICAID: Via Axios, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz responded on Tuesday to the lawsuit filed by the state of Minnesota over CMS’s plans to withhold $259 million of Medicaid funds. OZ: “I’m interested to see what specifics they have. It’s a difficult challenge when a state doesn’t seem to have taken fraud seriously, and we have tons of evidence that that’s the case, including whistleblowers on the ground.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4d5K9Mm
BOVINO: via New York Times, VERBATIM: “The Department of Homeland Security has opened an internal investigation into a report that Gregory Bovino, a senior Border Patrol commander, made disparaging remarks about the Jewish faith of the top federal prosecutor in Minnesota during an immigration operation in the state.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4b1VVVH
TRANSIT: via Sen. Tina Smith advisory, VERBATIM: “Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN), Mike Rounds (R-SD), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) introduced the Investments in Rural Transit Act, a bipartisan bill to help rural transit providers improve their services. … The Investments in Rural Transit Act would address key issues facing rural transit providers, including rising operating costs, complicated red tape, and difficulty procuring new vehicles. It would also support Tribal transit providers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4l7ts5d
BRIDGE: via Sen. Amy Klobuchar advisory, VERBATIM: “U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) called on U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Sean Duffy to give final approval and release the $1.05 billion grant for the Blatnik Bridge replacement project so construction on the project can begin. The call comes as the Administration has attempted to illegally cut funding for infrastructure projects in other states.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/408X88x
SENATE RACE: Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan’s Senate campaign announced endorsements from 20 current and former Minnesota officials, including four current members of the St. Paul City Council and three former state representatives. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4b41R0e
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
GUN PERMITS: via BCA advisory, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) released the 2025 Permit to Carry Report..Minnesota saw more firearms permits issued in 2025 than in 2024. Minnesota sheriffs reported to the BCA that 75,782 permits were applied for and that they issued 65,961 permits in 2025.” REPORT: https://fluence-media.co/4sr4W1C
OVERTIME: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “Local law enforcement agencies are sharing new numbers that highlight the financial impact Operation Metro Surge has had on their annual budget. Minneapolis Police say between Jan. 7 [and] Feb. 1, MPD received more than 50,000 calls for service. Police leaders say this higher call volume led to a significant increase in overtime hours and overtime pay. More than 1,000 days off were cancelled and more than 500 daily shifts were extended.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4snK4bx
HOTELS: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “As federal immigration agents descended upon the Twin Cities as part of Operation Metro Surge, activists calling for their departure zeroed in on the hotels where they stayed as prime sites for protest. Spurred by calls from residents and complaints from hotel workers, the Minneapolis and St. Paul city councils took steps to make clear their displeasure with the hotels, but found themselves hamstrung to do much more. … While federal agents are not a protected class under the Civil Rights Act, the majority of hotels are franchised through national brands who set a high bar for banning any guest.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cwdAqZ
ORDER: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “A judge has ordered the Department of Homeland Security to pay $9,334 to the attorneys who represented Garrison Gibson, [a] Liberian-born Minneapolis man who was taken by armed ICE officers who broke down his door without a signed judicial warrant on Jan. 11. … The order issued by Judge Jeffrey Bryan Monday requires DHS repay the legal costs within 30 days.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4u4U6jg
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
OLMSTED CTY: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “Olmsted County commissioners voiced tentative support for a $2 million Rochester Chamber of Commerce economic development initiative, but said potential financial support would need to wait. … With roughly $790,000 already raised to fund the effort, [the] chamber is asking the county to commit $200,000 over five years, and that a similar request is expected to be made to the city of Rochester. … The county commissioners did not set a date for continued discussion.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4la4Ngw
DULUTH: via Duluth News Tribune, VERBATIM: “The Twin Ports could soon have another option for high-speed fiber internet service. ImOn Communications, based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, announced plans to expand its fiber network to Duluth and Superior. The company plans to invest about $66 million — $16 million in Superior and $50 million in Duluth. … The plan includes bringing fiber internet service to about 15,000 addresses in Superior and 50,000 addresses in Duluth.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4clbV7r
WILLMAR: via West Central Tribune, VERBATIM: “The Willmar City Council [has] unanimously approved rescinding the bid award to NC3 for Willmar Connect phase one and, in a split 5-3 vote, approved awarding the bid to Kramer Service Group. Willmar Connect is the city’s initiative to build a city-owned fiber-optic broadband network. … ‘[NC3] no longer has the financial or operational capacity to complete the Willmar Connect project as originally proposed,’ said Willmar City Operations Director Kyle Box. … In order to keep the project moving forward, Box recommended the council approve the next lowest bid of approximately $8.2 million from Kramer Service Group.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cr0Amh
NEXT
SESSION: No House floor session. Senate floor session at 11:00 a.m. HOUSE: Commerce hears bans on “surveillance-based” prices and wages. Workforce hears DEED testimony on the PROMISE Act. Taxes will hear a new tax on gross revenues of private detention facilities. Elections & Govt. Ops. will hear many bills, including reporting and compliance changes and making tribes eligible for Met Council grants. Transportation hears autonomous vehicle regulations. Health hears changes to Medicaid requirements. Children & Families will hear limits on childcare center access. Education Policy hears bans on screen time before 1st grade. Housing hears limits on corporate homeownership. SENATE: Education Finance hears a constitutional amendment to change school fund calculations. Taxes will hear one-time rental assistance. Human Services will hear limits on for-profit acquisitions of nursing homes. CALENDAR: https://fluence-media.co/46zRMXI
TODAY: DFL representatives, including Rep. Zack Stephenson and Rep. Jamie Long, will announce a legislation package focused on addressing “the skyrocketing costs of groceries, health care, childcare, energy, and housing,” per a release. The event is at 10:00 a.m.
TODAY: via AMC advisory, VERBATIM: “Over 250 county commissioners and officials from nearly every Minnesota county will meet at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul as part of their ‘County Day at the Capitol,’ organized by the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC).” The event is at 10:30 a.m.
TODAY: Sen. Ann Johnson Stewart, Rep. Athena Hollins and others will announce their “Minnesota Climate Superfund” legislation that would calculate emission impacts and “send a bill to the largest polluters for their share of the costs,” per a release. The event is at 1:30 p.m.
TOMORROW: 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.
(DISCLOSURE: ATV Minnesota is a Fluence sponsor)
BDAYS: ag leader Whitney Place, radio guy BT Turner
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IN MEMORIAM: morning take is dedicated in memory of Melissa Hortman.