SIGH, BREATHE
To what end?
Chasm is today’s Wordle – timely.
Another tinder box waiting for a match, and the oxygen fills the room to fuel the fire. The playbook isn’t working, time for an audible.
Last night, an ICE agent reportedly shot a suspect who was resisting arrest in Minneapolis FOX9: https://fluence-media.co/49E2ZHh
Protests in Edina and Minnetonka last night at rush hour illustrate the level of anti-Trump energy in previously Republican areas. Meanwhile, Greater Minnesota DFLers are relieved of Gov. Tim Walz bowing out, and are hearing support for ICE in local communities.
It’s the tactics of ICE that are offensive to so many, not the mission.
Brooklyn Park Mayor Hollies Winston is endorsing Rep. Angie Craig for Senate later this morning.
Attorney General Pam Bondi claims she fired Joe Thompson and other US Attorney’s even Republicans in Minnesota likely trust Thompson more. Trust is in short supply.
Sports Take out later today: Revenge for a former Gopher, Howard Sinker’s baseball Hall of Fame ballot (Yes, he’s a voter) and a coach with Minnesota ties tells why he quit his job with seven years (and more than $40 million) left on his contract.
It’s National Bagel Day that’s for breakfast, and National Strawberry Ice Cream Day for dessert.
Find peace today.
Blois - tips: bloisolson@gmail.com
Ideas of a different approach on today’s morning take on WCCO Radio with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4pGrDgn
In a must listen, Legislative Auditor Judy Randall joined Sunday Take to discuss fraud in state programs. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3YTziND
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/
Next Wednesday: The State of Energy – Fluence Forum
The State of Energy in Minnesota featuring Pete Wycoff (Deputy Commissioner of Energy Resources, Minnesota Department of Commerce),, Zac Ruzycki (Director of Resource Planning, Great River Energy) Moderated by Blois Olson of Fluence Advisory
The Future of Energy featuring Kari Groth Swan (Executive Director, MN Climate Innovation Finance Authority), PJ Martin (Vice President of Integrated Planning, Xcel Energy) Moderated by Drew Christensen
Policy Considerations for State Leaders featuring Xcel Energy, Derrick Moe (President and CEO, MN Rural Electric Association), and Lucas Franco (Research Manager of Great Lakes Regional Organizing Committee, LIUNA Minnesota and North Dakota) Moderated by John Berns
Legislative Panel featuring Senator Nick Frentz and Representative Chris Swedzinski
REGISTER: https://fluence-media.co/StateofEnergy
NARRATIVE CHAOS
Politicians want more than anything to have narrative control. It’s not possible in 2026.
Instead, Minnesota DFL leaders continue to double down on a narrative that half of the state doesn’t believe, and Washington Republicans push back, point fingers and ensure the GOP base has a narrative to point to. The reality is what we see with our own eyes, hear with our ears and trust – or don’t trust with those saying it or doing it.
As I said last Thursday – “Try Something Different”.
Today starts a new day – another chance for our leaders to “Try Something Different”. Your social posts, news conferences and advisors counsel isn’t working.
It’s a sad dynamic that we have to say this in our own state, our own country – but that’s why we have elections. As a First Amendment absolutist I support protests, however, like so many examples in our current culture it’s not the loudest voices that deserve to be heard. Instead it’s the quiet voices that find reason and calm.
That’s what we need today.
This isn’t a moment for politics, it’s a moment for diplomacy – and diplomacy requires a lowering of the volume, a non-public effort and a sacrifice for peace at the expense of “being right”. Both sides are going to have to give something up, including the strategy of just yelling at the other side. There are plenty of quiet volunteers, and the state’s voters that will decide the election want calm – so appeal to that, rather than the base that fuels your volume and turns your anger.
In crisis, calm leaders are often less visible, and more effective.
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OVERNIGHT
While Gov. Tim Walz was addressing the state, ICE agenda ended the pursuit of an allegedly wanted immigrant fugitive. The allegedly wanted immigrant fugitive was shot. Now we sit on the edge and wait for the next shoe to drop.
MPLS: via Fox 9, VEBRATIM: “Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said his office is in touch with the governor’s office about the situation. FREY: “This is not sustainable,” Frey said. “Our officers, they are working tirelessly. We need officers responding to the basic day-to-day 911 calls.”…”We’re in a position right now where we have residents that are asking the very limited number of police officers that we have to fight ICE agents on the street,” Frey said. “We cannot be at a place right now in America where we have two governmental entities that are literally fighting one another.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4sG5CkB
WALZ: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Gov. Tim Walz Wednesday night called on Minnesotans to peacefully record ICE actions they see in their neighborhoods to ‘establish a record of exactly what’s happening in our communities’…[and] ‘bank evidence for future prosecutions.’ In a brief address, the governor said President Donald Trump wants chaos in Minnesota, but ‘accountability is coming’ in the courts and in the voting booth. … He called on President Donald Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to ‘end this occupation.’” WALZ: “Trump wants this chaos. He wants confusion, and yes, he wants more violence on our streets. We cannot give him what he wants. We cannot and will not let violence prevail.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qjsSDf
MORE: Gov. Tim Walz’s full address regarding ICE is available online. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4qOOmI4
MORE: via Speaker Lisa Demuth statement, DEMUTH: “Gov. Walz could have spent tonight coordinating with ICE to honor detainers and keep criminals off our streets. Instead, he chose to go on TV and repeat tired talking points to appease activists who want to prevent deportation of even the most heinous criminals. Minnesota deserves better.”
NOEM: Reps. Angie Craig, Betty McCollum and Ilhan Omar are co-sponsors of newly introduced Articles of Impeachment against Homeland Security Sec. Kristi Noem, accusing her of obstruction of Congress, violation of public trust and self-dealing. Rep. Kelly Morrison is not a listed co-sponsor, but she said in a press release that she also supports the effort, as seen in yesterday’s lunch take. None of Minnesota’s Republicans signed on. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/3NrmwTN
MORE: via Axios, VERBATIM: “Over 50 House Democrats have signed on to co-sponsor articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. … [It’s] a far cry from the party’s out-of-hand dismissal of every other impeachment effort that has cropped up thus far during Donald Trump’s second term. … But this push by Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.), a member of Democratic leadership, is riding a tsunami of anti-Noem sentiment within the caucus sparked by the shooting of Renee Good. … Several of the co-sponsors represent battleground districts, [and] others, such as Rep. Angie Craig, [are] centrists who are now in competitive Democratic primaries for U.S. Senate seats.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jImZx8
ELLISON: Attorney General Keith Ellison spoke to PBS News Hour about Operation Metro Surge and his lawsuits against federal agencies, saying that ICE raids in Minnesota are “destructive” and eroding people’s trust in the government. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4jJgeuP
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)
2026
YESTERDAY: Sen. John Hoffman at the Midway Chamber of Commerce sharing his story and purpose after surviving nine shots.
(DISCLOSURE: Fluence is providing media support to the Hoffman family.)
CONGRESS
While all DFLers are pushing back against the Trump administration, the internal dynamics of the showdown between Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and Rep. Angie Craig are getting more heated. Via the HuffPost, FLANAGAN: “This Senate race is a fundamental question about whether or not we’re going to have a United States senator who sticks to their values and truths, or someone who votes with Republicans and Donald Trump when it’s politically expedient,” Flanagan said in an interview with HuffPost. “I can tell you which side I’m on.”…Meanwhile, Craig, who has long represented a swing district outside Minneapolis, called Flanagan’s attacks “disgusting” and said she ought to focus on pushing back the surge of immigration officers into the state and bringing criminals who committed fraud to justice. CRAIG: “I would advise the lieutenant governor to join me in this fight against the Trump administration and this lawless thug group of ICE agents in Minnesota, instead of taking this opportunity to attack a fellow Democrat,” Craig told HuffPost. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YJMbto
SD21: Nathan Peterson of Jackson announced his candidacy for the Minnesota
Senate in District 21,
SD44: DFL Sen. Tou Xiong announced he will not seek reelection after his term ends.
SUPCT: Justice Paul Thissen announced his re-election today.
SD65: Jamael Lundy announced he’s running in Senate District 65.
Coming soon, the Fluence Election Tracker to watch all the races in 2026.
JAN6: Conservative activist Jake Lang, a self-described “January 6 political prisoner” who was pardoned last year, will host a protest in Minneapolis on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. On social media, Lang said he has “permitted approval for the Minneapolis City Hall rotuna [sic]” and he will advocate for firing Gov. Tim Walz, Mayor Jacob Frey and Rep. Ilhan Omar to “take back Minnesota from the Somali pirates.”
MORE: The People’s Action Coalition Against Trump will hold a counter-protest at 12:30 p.m. the same day. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3LNErnh
STUDENTS: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Hundreds of St. Paul students walked out of classes and gathered at the state Capitol Wednesday to demand that ICE leave Minnesota. Organizers said their fellow students are afraid and attendance in schools has dropped. … Attorney General Keith Ellison spoke to the students at Wednesday’s gathering about joint legal action against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and related agencies.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sLXD5G
COUNCILS: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Residents on opposite ends of the state are sharing their frustrations and fears over the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in their cities. At city council meetings this week in both Mankato and Duluth, discussions had to be briefly paused as tensions boiled over.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45bdFvC
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)
FRAUD + FINANCE
FRAUD: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Federal officials were in Minnesota on Wednesday amid concerns of a potential Medicaid funding freeze as they investigate alleged widespread fraud in Minnesota social safety net programs, referring to the visit as a fraud “fact-finding mission.”… Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Deputy Secretary Jim O’Neill have been leading federal efforts to address concerns of fraud in the state-administered programs. ONEILL: “We want to stop fraud in Minnesota programs, and we have responsibility as the department that administers the programs — we have responsibility to taxpayers, to Congress and to the vulnerable populations that these programs were designed for,” said O’Neill. WATCH/READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sI7fhy
USDA: Via Politico’s Kyle Cheney, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction yesterday that temporarily prevents the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture from cutting its federal funding to Minnesota until a court hearing is held on the matter. USDA funding includes money for SNAP. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/45cUNMQ
MEDICAID: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Federal officials were in Minnesota on Wednesday amid concerns of a potential Medicaid funding freeze as they investigate alleged widespread fraud in Minnesota social safety net programs, referring to the visit as a fraud ‘fact-finding mission.’ Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Deputy Secretary Jim O’Neill have been leading federal efforts. … State Medicaid Director John Connolly said DHS has been working with CMS for more than a year and has gotten no previous indications that its efforts were insufficient.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4pBx7cp
MED TRANSPORT: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A transportation service that pays for people’s rides to medical appointments is among the Medicaid-funded programs facing new scrutiny for its vulnerability to fraud, with some in the industry saying they have been raising red flags for years. … It’s the topic of a new video released Jan. 14 from conservative influencer Nick Shirley, whose previous video alleging widespread fraud at Somali-owned Minnesota child care centers went viral. … People working in nonemergency medical transportation ‘have been ringing the fraud bell for quite some time,’ said Scott Isaacson, president of the Minnesota R-80 Transportation Coalition.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4sHt3di
US ATTY: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “Now that former U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson and several other federal prosecutors resigned…the prosecutor who will be leading the Feeding Our Future case moving forward is Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan Bobier. … Bobier [said] he is the sole prosecutor who is currently assigned to the Feeding Our Future case, and the office has plans to add two additional attorneys later this week.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/49CPUOy
LAWSUIT: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The U.S. Department of Justice has sued the state of Minnesota, accusing the state of giving discriminatory preference to marginalized state employees and prospective hires. The suit, filed in U.S. District Court of Minnesota, takes aim at the state’s requirement to have affirmative action plans in place and consider diversity goals when making staffing and personnel decisions. … The suit specifically cites a Minnesota Department of Human Services directive requiring supervisors to provide a justification when hiring a candidate who is not from a minority group.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jCeB1W
FARMS: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “Minnesota farmers are raising concerns about the economic fallout from increased ICE operations in their communities. … Labor shortages are a significant issue for Minnesota farmers, who rely on migrant workers. With 68,000 farms supporting about 388,000 jobs, the fear of ICE raids is making even legal workers hesitant to show up.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4sFDC0t
AROUND MN
ST PAUL: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “St. Paul City Council members discussed Wednesday strengthening the city’s separation ordinance that says city employees are not authorized to enforce federal immigration policies. … Council members have been working on a draft ordinance, which is now under review by the city attorney’s office, said Council President Rebecca Noecker. … City council member Anika Bowie said she also wants the council to look at budgetary actions they can take to respond to increased ICE arrests because [of] business owners ‘so fearful that they have to close their doors.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45gbCXg
SPPS: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Citing safety concerns connected to the presence of federal agents in the Twin Cities, Saint Paul Public Schools announced that it will be offering the option of temporary virtual learning starting Jan. 22. … The district also cancelled school on Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 20 and 21, to give teachers time to prepare. Students were already scheduled to be off on Monday. … In the lead-up to the decision, the district saw student attendance plummet.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qZ8pDY
WOODBURY: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Woodbury city leaders say reports of a possible ICE detention facility are not accurate. On Wednesday, Woodbury Mayor Anne Burt confirmed the warehouse property off Hudson Road is not being sold or leased to the federal government or agents. Burt noted that representatives of the property also said the building will not be an ICE detention center.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4qTpf6S
DNR: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Despite the deep polarization in state politics, many of Minnesota’s hunters, fishers and outdoor enthusiasts are coming together to try to find common ground. … More than 400 people attended the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ annual roundtable discussion [to] share perspectives on issues that may wind up before the state legislature later this year. DNR experts hosted over 16 panel discussions on issues such as the use of drones in hunting, forward-facing sonar in fishing, the possibility of ticks being carriers of chronic wasting disease and shoreline protection strategies.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3NuFVmO
MEDIA: via Forum News Service, VERBATIM: “Forum Communications Co. has acquired seven newspapers across four Upper Midwest states, expanding its footprint in Minnesota and the region. … The deal, effective Feb. 1 with Wick Communications, includes the Fergus Falls Journal Daily Journal in Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qmFVns
WHAT’S NEXT
TODAY: Gov. Tim Walz will keep a fluid schedule today.
TODAY: via SEIU, VERBATIM: “At 9:30 a.m., outside the Como HealthPartner in St. Paul, members of SEIU Healthcare MN & IA who work at HealthPartners will announce the result of their ULP strike vote.”
TODAY: The subcommittee on federal impacts will meet at 10:00 a.m. to discuss rural hospital closures and rural healthcare accessibility.
TODAY: via City of Mpls, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis City Council [will hold] a press conference and City Council Meeting advancing the demand for Governor [Tim] Walz to implement an eviction moratorium. With federal agents in the streets, many workers can’t safely go to work and earn rent.” The event is at 1:30 p.m.
TODAY: Sec. Steve Simon will visit Big Stone, Pope, and Traverse counties Thursday to “meet with students, election officials and business leaders,” per his office.
TOMORROW: Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) announced they will hold a “field hearing” on the ICE surge in Minnesota before hosting a press conference immediately after. The event is at 9:00 a.m. in St. Paul.
TOMORROW: Sec. Steve Simon will visit Lac qui Parle and Yellow Medicine counties Friday to meet with students and business leaders. He will “complete his most recent 87-county tour,” per his office.
SATURDAY: Conservative activist Jake Lang says he will hold a protest against DFL officials to “take back Minnesota from the Somali pirates” in Minneapolis City Hall at 11:00 a.m. A counter protest organized by People’s Action Coalition Against Trump will be held at 12:30 p.m.
JAN 20-21: The MN Ag Expo will be held in Mankato this year on Tuesday and Wednesday. The first day will feature a bipartisan “legislative preview” featuring lawmakers and Ag Commissioner Thom Petersen, per a release.
JAN 22: via Voice of Alexandria, VERBATIM: “Rep. Jeff Backer (R-Browns Valley) will be joining local Minnesota farmers, stakeholders, and commissioners at the Agriculture Summit on Jan. 22. … He will be joined by Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen, DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen, MPCA Commissioner Katrina Kessler, several legislators, local stakeholders, and livestock and crop farmers from Minnesota.” DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/3LLAUWw
JAN 23: Faith in MN and related organizations have called for a “Day of Truth and Freedom” blackout, asking Minnesotans to avoid working, shopping or going to school in remembrance of Renee Good. There will also be a march in downtown Minneapolis at 2:00 p.m.
JAN 30: via DEED advisory, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Trade Office (MTO) is delighted to invite you to join Governor Tim Walz, Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Matt Varilek and Department of Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen at a luncheon event to honor this year’s recipients of the Governor’s International Trade Awards.”
BDAYS: fmr. journalist Dane Smith, rural leader Colleen Landkamer, lobbyist Teresa Lynch
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IN MEMORIAM: morning take from now to the future is in memory of Melissa Hortman her accessibility, leadership and commitment to public service.
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