HUMP DAY
Minnesota skier Sydney Peterson won gold at the Winter Paralympics. MPR: https://fluence-media.co/4lrmND9
Wolves lose to the Clippers. Wild host Philly tonight, see you there.
Gophers hockey and MBB both lose in BIG10 tournaments.
There’s one more chance to create the college basketball match-up Minnesota fans want to see, but the NCAA needs to make it happen. Also, Kyler Murray comes to town, two stories that will tug at your heart and the potato that crashed the state hockey tournament. Coming this afternoon.
More than a foot of snow may hit the Minneapolis-Rochester corridor this weekend. MAPS: https://fluence-media.co/4b6kulF
Many countries are opening emergency oil reserves to control prices, including the U.S. AP: https://fluence-media.co/4rpBlEQ
It’s National Working Mom’s Day – as the son of one, celebrate them today.
Blois - tips: bloisolson@gmail.com
Sunday Take discussed the state of Minnesota’s workforce with MN Chamber’s Sean O’Neil and Doug Loon, UMN Pres. Rebecca Cunningham, MSU Chancellor Scott Olson and UST Pres. Rob Vischer. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4bxGdmo
Follow the 2026 Minnesota elections up close with the Fluence Election Tracker. https://fluence-media.co/electiontracker
Want to manage your subscription to TheDailyAgenda.com ? HERE: https://fluence-media.co/managesubscription
The latest insight from Fluence Advisory on the loss of institutional knowledge from the Minnesota Legislature. READ: https://fluence-advisory.com/insights/
TAKE: The first signs that party over pragmatism is showing in some early votes from the legislature. A dynamic in a tie and a one seat Senate majority that have hardened the past few years is a fear of a chair, or an inability to vote your district as to not “give the other side a win”, or fiscal mindfulness. Hard to say what would change, but “blue dog” news releases and “work with the other side” statements will require actual votes. ICE’s surge allowed DFLers to dig in, and the election dynamics currently favor them – but voting as to not offend your colleagues is also a not a strategy. Meanwhile, there’s plenty of policy to debate without the personal cheap shots and memes for social when there are serious challenges to the state. The word of the week for lawmakers should be “courage”, find some to lead, even if those in your caucus will be “upset”.
DRIVING TODAY
CD5: Via FOX 9, Julie Le — a former federal prosecutor who made national headlines for saying “this job sucks” in court last month — has announced a run for U.S. Congress. VERBATIM: “She’s running as a Democrat who is challenging Rep. Ilhan Omar for her seat in Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District. … Le said she plans to formally announce her congressional run Saturday in Brooklyn Park. Her top priorities will be comprehensive immigration reform [and] expanding financial aid for college. … Le was removed from handling immigration cases by the Trump Administration hours after her outburst in court.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4uqnII0
RENT: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Senate on Wednesday voted 35-32 to send one-time money out to counties and tribal governments to help Minnesotans cover their rent. The proposal would redirect unused funds from a court settlement dealing with tax-forfeited lands. … Democrats said roughly $40 million of that funding could help cover rent costs for people who were afraid to leave home during the [ICE] surge. … One Republican, Sen. Jim Abeler of Anoka, voted with Democrats, [but] the bill’s path forward at the Capitol could be a bumpy one.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cNT0CB
SCHOLARSHIPS: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Republicans are digging in over a provision in a new federal law that creates a new $1,700 tax credit for donations to scholarship-granting organizations. States have to opt in to the proposal. … House Republicans issued an ultimatum to DFL Gov. Tim Walz, calling on him to opt into the tax code change. ‘Unless the governor is willing to opt in, I’m not willing to work with him on any of his budget items, which would be special education, compensatory (aid) and all the funding things,’ said Rep. Ron Kresha, R-Little Falls.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3NyeEQP
RECORDS: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) put out a notice stating it released records on hundreds of people in error. The BCA says the Minnesota Criminal History System (CHS) put non-public records on a public website in error. … According to the BCA, records for 595 people were accidentally made public for a ‘varying amount of time.’ Some vendors got these non-public records from data requests. The issue was fixed on Feb. 25 after about a month of [work].” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4sLwwH7
MNGOV: Republican candidate for governor Mike Lindell criticized Speaker Lisa Demuth during an interview with WZFG this week, accusing her of bearing some responsibility for fraud in state programs due to her position in the legislature. LINDELL: “This stuff happened under her watch, too. I don’t care that she’s a Republican. You can brag all you want. … ‘Oh, I tried to set up something a year-and-a-half ago.’ Well, I’m sorry. It failed miserably. … Right now, I feel I’m the only candidate that can win. I have a national presence. It’s going to take a lot of money to beat Amy Klobuchar.” READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4bmehAI
MNLEG
INVESTIGATORS: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Minnesota lawmakers have many questions and some concerns about a fraud-fighting strategy proposed by the state’s director of Program Integrity, Tim O’Malley. O’Malley has recommended using non-government experts, like retired law enforcement and other private-sector investigators, to recover stolen tax dollars. … Rep. Dave Pinto, DFL-St. Paul, [said] he could use more clarity on the proposal and plans to meet with O’Malley soon. … Questions also remain about the allocation of recovered funds and the ethics of rewarding private investigators, [said] Rep. Paul Novotny, R-Elk River.” NOVOTNY: “I would say it’s unethical. … I think any time you’re incentivizing people uncovering things, that that is a bad thing. It’s not encouraged. We don’t give regular law enforcement a cut of fines because it would question their motive.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4bCosSZ
DHS PLAN: via Axios Twin Cities, VERBATIM: “A pitch from Gov. Tim Walz to dramatically overhaul how Minnesota delivers human services programs was declared ‘DOA’ by [several] legislators. … [But] DFL Rep. Mohamud Noor, co-chair of the House’s human services committee, pointed out that there’s some overlap between the governor’s plan and proposals supported by House Democrats, even if the details differ. He argued that giving DHS more control would lead to stronger legislative oversight, accountability and transparency.” NOOR: “I think we are aligned, but it’s [about] how do we get there.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sDUjsj
A new level of insight and information….
SESSION
DONATIONS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Some lawmakers think Minnesota can undermine Citizens United. The 2010 Supreme Court ruling that allowed anonymous donors to pour money into elections nationwide has long seemed out of reach for election reformers, necessitating either an amendment to the U.S. Constitution or a superseding ruling from the high court. But Democrats on the state Senate Elections Committee think there could be another way. … They advanced a proposal yesterday, borne out of an idea pushed by a liberal-leaning D.C. think-tank, that would use states’ authority to define corporations’ powers to prohibit them from spending on political campaigns.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bamKXy
NDA: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “Google is behind a large-scale data center that could be part of a proposed 482-acre industrial project in Pine Island. Yet the nearly 4,000 residents in the small community near Rochester don’t know much about the details, many arguing city officials have lacked transparency [due to] nondisclosure agreements. … Proponents say [NDAs] help protect trade secrets and secure competitive advantages. Rep. Emma Greenman (DFL-Mpls) wants to see this secrecy come to an end. So does the House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee, which approved HF4077 Wednesday via voice vote and sent it to the House Floor.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3P5P99Z
APPEALS COURT REJECTS PHRMA’S ATTACK ON MINNESOTA’S CONTRACT PHARMACY PROTECTIONS: A recent Minnesota Court of Appeals decision upheld the state’s 340B contract pharmacy law — a win for rural and underserved communities. The 340B program allows eligible hospitals to purchase outpatient drugs at reduced prices so they can reinvest in 24/7 access to local health care. Still, many drug companies are not complying with Minnesota law, denying these essential savings to hospitals and the communities that rely on them. Legislators have an opportunity to protect access to affordable health care across Minnesota by supporting SF 3769 and HF 3609, which ensure that 340B is protected and enforced. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4bwC3v9 (SPONSORED: Essentia Health)
GUNS: via MPR, VERBATIM: “Reps. Peggy Scott, R-Andover, and Kelly Moller, D-Shoreview, both presented bills in the House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee yesterday that aim to ensure current laws meant to keep convicted abusers from accessing guns are properly enforced. Moller thanked Scott for spearheading legislation over the years to prevent abusers from accessing guns. The bills have differences, but both were passed to the House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee for more discussion.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4umNi0y
GROOMING: via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “A bill designed to stop children from being groomed in Minnesota schools is moving forward. … The Minnesota House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee voted unanimously Wednesday to keep HF 3489 bill going. The focus before the committee Wednesday was on a specific part of the bill: making grooming a chargeable felony offense.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4sxP7Gq
BUSES: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “For nearly 40 years, many Twin Cities suburbs have been able to access bus service outside the area not served by Metro Transit buses in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Now, bus service providers like Southwest Transit and the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority could be eliminated under a bill being considered in the Minnesota House. A bill authored by Rep. Jon Koznick, R-Lakeville, would replace five suburban bus service providers with one centralized operator under the Metropolitan Council.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4rmUBCN
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)
MPLS
VETO: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has vetoed a proposal to extend the city’s eviction timeline. Instead, he proposed allocating $1 million in city funding to rental assistance as an alternative way to help residents pay their bills. … Council President Elliot Payne said in a statement that the veto is frustrating. … But several local shelters and affordable housing landlords spoke out against the proposal. They said it could end up hurting residents [because] landlords would simply evict residents as soon as the extension expired.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4blGCam
VENUE: via WCCO Radio, VERBATIM: “A new concert venue in North Minneapolis is expected to break ground soon. Ground breaking for the 8,000 seat Upper Harbor Amphitheater initially scheduled for last September will now occur this spring. … The amphitheater is expected to open in 2027. It will also include a 20-acre riverfront park, affordable rental and ownership housing for current residents, 300 living wage jobs, and a Health and Wellness Hub.” READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/47qKcyO
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)
MORE
PRETTI: via CBS News, VERBATIM: “The rank-and-file career federal prosecutors at the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division who specialize in excessive force cases are not playing any role in the investigation into the shooting death of Alex Pretti by two federal agents. … Instead, the head of the Civil Rights Division tapped Brandon Wrobleski — a lawyer from inside the division’s employment litigation section who has no previous experience handling federal criminal cases — to work with two local prosecutors in the Minneapolis U.S. Attorney’s office on the probe. … [It] marks a stark departure from historical practice, and is likely to stoke concern that the probe is not being taken seriously.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4bj9Fv7
JOB SWITCH: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Workers who switched jobs in January saw median pay increases of about 4%, according to the Bank of America Institute. That’s less than a third of the roughly 14% raises seen at the peak of the pandemic hiring boom in 2022 and less than half of what workers typically gained from switching jobs in 2019. A Twin Cities recruiter says there’s a huge candidate pool and companies have less reason to compete aggressively on salary.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4lrsJMr
FOOD BANKS: via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “Minnesota food banks and food shelves say Operation Metro Surge has pushed many immigrant families into food insecurity, and they anticipate the aftereffects will last for some time. … While local and outside donations initially soared, the level of support has dropped drastically in recent weeks. Matthew Ayres, executive director of Joyce Uptown Food Shelf in south Minneapolis, said the food shelf has seen a 70% drop in direct food donations from its peak in January.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4s7O5Bh
CONGRESS
TEACHERS: via Sen. Tina Smith advisory, VERBATIM: “U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) introduced the Addressing Teacher Shortages Act, bicameral legislation to help schools recruit, prepare and retain educators amid the ongoing teacher shortage. … The Addressing Teacher Shortages Act would establish a competitive federal grant program that school districts can apply to for five years of funding to strengthen teacher recruitment, training and retention. The bill also provides staffing resources at the U.S. Department of Education to help under-resourced communities apply for and access these grants.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rs6VSj
THREATS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A U.S. district judge sentenced a man to five months in federal prison for threatening to kill a member of Congress. The prison term handed down to Michael Paul Lewis in federal court in St. Paul on Wednesday falls below federal sentencing guidelines tied to his one count of threatening to murder a U.S. official, [but] Judge Jerry Blackwell said he believes Lewis, 53, of Minneapolis, made a ‘mistake’ and has since shown remorse for the act.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4s9BrSa
MENTAL HEALTH: via Sen. Tina Smith advisory, VERBATIM: “U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Jim Banks (R-IN) introduced the Raising Awareness for Youth Suicide Prevention (RAYS) Act, requiring middle and high schools to include mental health and suicide prevention information on student identification cards and school websites. The hotline and text line has been used nearly 20 million times since it was created in 2022.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40nEie7
340B HOSPITAL MARKUPS HURT PATIENTS: Minnesota’s latest 340B report shows covered entities generated $1.34 billion IN PROFIT in 2024, including an estimated $261 million from Medicaid prescriptions. Independent research finds the program raises costs for patients, taxpayers, and employers statewide. Minnesota should sunset the 340B mandate and Congress should fix the federal 340B program, so it actually helps patients. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3OLZOGG(SPONSORED: PhRMA)
METRO
SPPS: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Brandon Lowe, a district parent with an administrative background in pre K-12 education who works for the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage school district, will join the St. Paul Public Schools board as an interim member on April 10. The SPPS board [has] selected Lowe to serve through December after interviewing five candidates. Lowe will take former board member Jim Vue’s seat on the seven-member board.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3PxPH8E
CHAMPLIN: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “A Champlin city council member has resigned after being charged with tax evasion. The Minnesota Department of Revenue announced in a press release that Timothy Michael LaCroix and Tina LaCroix were charged with five felony counts each of failing to file individual income tax returns. … The City of Champlin said Timothy Michael LaCroix has resigned as the council member for Ward 4, effective immediately.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uwHkdR
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)
AROUND MN
ST LOUIS CTY: via Duluth News Tribune, VERBATIM: “Long-term support for a St. Louis County scholarship program was secured with the establishment of an endowment fund…but one of the most ardent advocates of the program was uncharacteristically absent for the vote to ensure its future. St. Louis County Commissioner Keith Nelson continues to convalesce following ‘a mild stroke,’ according to a memo County Administrator Kevin Gray shared with staff.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dfW1LR
STEWARTVILLE: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “Stewartville Public Schools has reached a tentative agreement with the district’s teachers union following mediation. … Although a tentative agreement has been reached, the proposal will still need to be ratified by the larger membership of the union and by the Stewartville School Board.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4llY8jg
AHEAD
SESSION: House floor session at 3:30 p.m. Senate floor session at 11:00 a.m. HOUSE: State Govt. hears funding for more attorney general’s office lawyers. Judiciary & Civil Law hears a bill to allow social media broadcasting through the Open Meeting Law. Taxes will hear changes to property tax refunds. Higher Education hears bills limiting federal agents’ access to campuses and giving in-state tuition to people who move to Minnesota for work. SENATE: Health & Human Services will hear bills limiting access to health and childcare facilities. Commerce & Consumer Protection hears a motorcycle “right to repair” bill. Labor hears a requirement to provide seating for employees. Environment, Climate & Legacy hears a study on AI’s environmental impact. CALENDAR: https://fluence-media.co/4s4YwW1
TODAY: MN Home Care Association will host “Home Care Day at the Capitol” on Thursday, March 12 at 9:00 a.m.
TODAY-TMRW: Protect MN is hosting two days at the Capitol this week. On Thursday, advocates will rally for safe schools at 9:00 a.m. and the Equal Rights Amendment at 10:00 a.m. On Friday, advocates will rally for gun violence prevention at 9:00 a.m.
MARCH 24: MN Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (MNASCA) will host its “Day at the Capitol” on Tuesday, March 24.
We won’t ask for “membership” to list your BDAY, and we won’t have pledge drive but you can support the Fluence work by paying for premium content.
BDAYS: Sen. Erin Maye Quade, lobbyist Staci Martin, CHS’ Julie Reuvers
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.
SPONSORS: Sponsorships are available to reach over 30,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheets and website, TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com.
Send us your tips at BloisOlson@gmail.com
IN MEMORIAM: morning take is dedicated in memory of Melissa Hortman.