Wild lose.
The Vikings have apparently picked J.J. McCarthy as the future QB. ATHLON: https://fluence-media.co/4ic8H5O
The Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon is moving from Duluth to Two Harbors this year because of warm weather. MPR: https://fluence-media.co/43c6RNW
The North Dakota House passed a resolution urging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn its 2015 decision legalizing same-sex marriage. INFORUM: https://fluence-media.co/43dAqPl
The White House can for now directly decide which news outlets are allowed to cover Donald Trump in his press pool. AXIOS: https://fluence-media.co/4blkgpg
A group of 21 staffers on Elon Musk’s DOGE team have resigned in protest. AP: https://fluence-media.co/4bj7doa
About half of workers (52%) say they’re worried about the future impact of AI use in the workplace, and 32% think it will lead to fewer job opportunities for them in the long run. PEW: https://fluence-media.co/4hSJNZ3
Happy National Pistachio Day!
Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3DbghyP
DFL Sen. Judy Seeberger was on Sunday Take to discuss Minnesota’s current needs, the race for an open Senate seat, pushback against DFLers and more. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4idQkxd
Sponsorships available – to reach over 25,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheet and website www.TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com
RESPONSIBLE GAMING: Legal sports betting platforms offer responsible game tools that offshore and illegal sports betting don’t offer. In fact, age verification is not required with most offshore providers. Learn more about why legalized sports betting is more responsible. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4kgJoS4 (SPONSORED: Sports Betting Alliance)
2026: via statement, VERBATIM: “Governor Walz is not running for the United States Senate. He loves his job as Governor and he’s exploring the possibility of another term to continue his work to make Minnesota the best state in the country for kids.”
BACKGROUND: Walz feels strongly that the DFL’s deep bench of capable candidates in Minnesota provides a great opportunity for a competitive US Senate race.. He does not plan to endorse any candidate in a primary race.
IMMIGRATION: via news release from the MN Chamber Foundation, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Chamber Foundation’s Grow Minnesota! program released a new report
today examining the critical role of immigration in Minnesota’s economy. The report, which builds on 16 years of research, highlights how New Americans contribute as workers, entrepreneurs, taxpayers and consumers – helping to mitigate workforce shortages and drive economic growth.”
Key highlights:
Immigration continued to grow in recent years, becoming the largest component of population growth in Minnesota this decade. Following a sharp decline in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, international migration rebounded strongly in subsequent years. International migration accounted for 94% of Minnesota’s net population gains from 2020-2024 and overtook natural population change (births minus deaths) as the leading driver of growth. Despite recent growth, Minnesota ranked only 31st nationally in its rate of international migration per 1,000 people this decade.
Minnesota’s foreign-born population is driving labor force and employment gains. Employment among foreign-born workers increased by 7% from 2019-2023, compared to just 0.6% for native-born Minnesotans. Foreign-born workers accounted for 59% of net growth in the number of people employed in Minnesota in that period.
Minnesota’s foreign-born population has among the highest labor force participation rates in the country, with participation growing over time. Minnesota had the 4th highest foreign-born labor force participation rate among states in 2023. Foreign-born Minnesotans also have higher labor force participation rates than native-born Minnesotans, with the difference growing since 2010.
REPORT: https://fluence-media.co/4khAZO1
ICE: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “St. Paul was at the top of a Trump Administration statement on Tuesday accusing ‘sanctuary’ cities of letting ‘killers and rapists roam the streets.’ … The memo from the White House outlined three cases where it says ICE detained people [in St. Paul] allegedly convicted of criminal sexual conduct. … Mayor Melvin Carter’s office, in a statement responding to the White House statement, said St. Paul has continued to fight crime, citing high case closure rates and recent reductions in violent crime.” CARTER: “Our Saint Paul officers solve murder investigations at twice the national rate and have cut violent crime by double digits. If the President wants real solutions to avoid a repeat of the record homicide surge America suffered during his first term, we’re happy to help.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4h19tlb
MORE: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Five people arrested by immigration authorities as part of ramped-up enforcement in Rochester were granted bond Tuesday, including a restaurant worker at Nupá Mediterranean Grill whose detention spurred a local outcry. The restaurant employee and his brother, both Mexicans detained at Sherburne County jail, have no criminal history in the United States or any other country, their attorney [said].” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Dbvhg3
JOB TRAINING: Conservative outlet Alpha News has published an employee training document previously used by the Minnesota government that refers to the U.S. Republican Party as “overtly and boldly claiming a white supremacy, autocratic agenda.” The training materials, titled “White Supremacy Culture — Still Here” and dated to May 2021, were shared by a state employee and confirmed authentic by Minnesota Management and Budget. An MMB spokesperson said the material was used for “supervisory and management training,” but they added that the document is not currently in use. STATEMENT: “MMB leadership was contacted on Feb. 11 about this document, determined it did not meet our training standards, and removed it from use in training that same day.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gW4zG3 DOCUMENT: https://fluence-media.co/3CWmJK3
UBER/LYFT: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “A group of Minnesota ride-hailing service drivers is now pushing for the right to unionize after winning a minimum wage increase at the state Capitol last year. Drivers for services like Uber and Lyft are working with state lawmakers on legislation to allow them to vote on forming a union — something they currently can’t do because they are considered independent contractors under federal law. … Sen. Zaynab Mohamed, DFL-Minneapolis, [and] Rep. Samakab Hussein, DFL-St. Paul, plan to introduce a bill to allow drivers to unionize, though it’s still being drafted. Mohamed said she expects the bill to get a Senate hearing once it has been filed. … [In the House], at least one Republican will have to support it.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3QAMjHB
(DISCLOSURE: Uber is a client and sponsor of Fluence)
MITCHELL: The Minnesota Senate’s Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct has scheduled its next ethics hearing on Sen. Nicole Mitchell — Woodbury’s DFL senator who was charged for alleged burglary. The hearing is on Thursday, March 13 at 9:00 a.m. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/3F7N0p6
PUBLIC SAFETY: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Senate Republicans have rolled out a series of bills they say will enhance public safety by keeping more criminals behind bars. … JOHNSON: ‘No matter what the statistics are, crime is making people feel less safe,’ said Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson. … The Republican bills include a few aimed at more transparency in the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission, like a mandatory public broadcast of their meetings and a searchable database so Minnesotans can see what’s happening with sentences for prisoners. They also have a bill to repeal the Minnesota Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act (MRRA) passed by Democrats in 2023.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/41c7uER
RESPONSE: via a Sen. Ron Latz (D-St. Louis Park) statement, LATZ: “Since the 2023 legislative session, we’ve taken a comprehensive approach to public safety that included over $460 million in combined investments in public safety, youth programs, and victim services. … Thanks to these efforts, we’ve seen a meaningful decline in property and violent crime. … We will continue to advance data-informed policies that promote public safety.”
FED JOBS: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “The U.S. Office of Personnel Management says there are about 2 million civilian federal employees, [and] 18,031 of these employees live in Minnesota. But that number has most likely dropped in the last couple of weeks [as] layoffs are expected to continue. … Michael, 46, who lives in the Twin Cities and requested anonymity because he feared he would be ‘blacklisted,’ said he was hired by the National Highway Safety Administration last May and recently was advised that he had been laid off. … At NHTSA, Michael was employed in ferreting out safety defects in emergency vehicles and motorcycles. … Michael is an Army veteran who was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. The federal government is the largest employer of military veterans, [representing] about 30% of the federal workforce.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3QAIH8v
HOUSING: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “Members of the House Housing Finance and Policy Committee have said more than once that it will take every tool in the toolbox to alleviate the state’s shortage of affordable homes. One tool might be a tax break on construction materials. Rep. Andrew Myers (R-Tonka Bay) has a pair of bills that would give first-time home buyers a refund on sales tax paid on construction materials used to build a new single-family home, duplex or triplex. HF177 and HF178 are on their way to the House Taxes Committee after the committee amended each and approved them on a split-voice vote.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hTbhOt
HOA: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “Minnesota legislators are targeting homeowners’ associations for reform after hearing complaints from across the state. About 82% of all new homes are part of an HOA. … A bipartisan group of legislators got started on writing the new laws on Tuesday aimed at trying to stop some of the bigger issues with HOAs. … [The] bipartisan task force agreed on 41 recommendations to limit foreclosures, address conflicts of interest and increase transparency at HOAs. … Most of the [recommendations] are already in bills, with a lot of them scheduled for committee hearings as soon as this week.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4bjHOKR
CHILDCARE: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “The House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee…tackled [childcare costs] Tuesday with HF628. As amended, it was laid over for possible inclusion in a later bill. … The bill would change the qualifications needed to work or volunteer in a licensed child care center, modify center staffing patterns, and direct [officials] to amend specified rules governing centers. It would also modify the definition of ‘experience’ to include paid or unpaid employment and modify training requirements for individuals who work or volunteer in licensed child care centers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hUTc2m
HEART ATTACKS: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Most people who go into cardiac arrest outside of a hospital die. … State Sen. Bonnie Westlin, DFL-Plymouth, is pushing a new bill to ensure schools are prepared when the unexpected happens. Should it pass, it would require Minnesota school districts and charters to develop a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan, or a CERP, and implement it by the 2026-27 school year. An Education Policy Committee hearing on Monday focused on sporting and athletic events. … The bill [also says] all coaches and athletic faculty must be CPR and defibrillator-trained. … The latter clause got pushback from MSHSL attorney Roger Aronson, who called the language unfeasible.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4i9d8Pr
SCUBA: Yesterday, the Senate Labor Committee heard and passed SF 1346 — a bill authored by DFL Sen. Liz Boldon to “bolster workplace safety standards for workers that use scuba gear to clear weeds from lakes,” per a release. A recent KARE 11 investigation found that “weak regulations and lax enforcement of rules” contributed to the deaths of two Minnesota scuba divers, and advocates say SF 1346 is intended to address these gaps in state law. The bill was referred to the Senate Environment, Climate and Legacy Committee. BILL: https://fluence-media.co/43dPJY9 KARE: https://fluence-media.co/4hUHy7E
SURPLUS: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “A bill passed [through] the House Taxes Committee Tuesday that would put a Constitutional amendment on the 2026 ballot asking voters to approve a mechanism to trigger automatic rebates of surplus money. The author of the bill, [GOP Rep. Wayne Johnson], says taxpayers are still upset by most of a recent $18 billion surplus being spent. … Johnson’s bill would trigger the rebate of any revenue in excess of 105% of projected expenditures. Democrats say this would make it difficult for lawmakers to manage emergencies, like recessions and pandemics.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/437YRxC
LGBTQ: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “The question of where transgender inmates should be incarcerated in Minnesota’s prison system was before lawmakers Tuesday. Of the 8,300 people behind bars in the state system, 49 are transgender. Three transgender women are in the state’s only women’s prison in Shakopee. … HF435 [would] require only inmates born as female [to] be housed at Minnesota Correctional Facility-Shakopee. … After successfully amending the bill, the House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill. In a divisive hearing, bill opponents said transgender inmates are at a higher risk to be victims of violence.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bjuaYh
BRINGING SAFETY TO ‘THE NEXT LEVEL’: As part of Enbridge’s work on the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Reservation in northern Minnesota, Enbridge has brought in family-owned and Indigenous-owned Northern Lights Family Outfitters to fully outfit project workers right on the job site with personal protective equipment (PPE) from its 48-foot mobile trailer. “Enbridge really brings safety to the next level,” says Patti, a project liaison for Enbridge and the Fond du Lac Band. “It’s really helpful to have a mobile unit, especially for this kind of work.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3OQYmjn (SPONSORED: Enbridge)
MEDICAID: As seen in Monday’s morning take, 14 Republicans in the state legislature sent a letter to Pres. Donald Trump and Minnesota’s GOP delegation in the U.S. House last week to advocate against Medicaid funding cuts. The Star Tribune interviewed two of the letter’s signatories — Sen. Jim Abeler and Sen. Carla Nelson — for further details. Abeler said he’s concerned about “a double punch coming” to Medicaid funding because Gov. Tim Walz has also proposed cuts to the program at a state level. Nelson said that although she signed the letter, she does not “anticipate cuts from the federal government.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hUmwWH
BUDGET: via AP News, VERBATIM: “With a push from President Donald Trump, House Republicans sent a GOP budget blueprint to passage Tuesday. … House Speaker Mike Johnson had almost no votes to spare in his bare-bones GOP majority and fought on all fronts — against Democrats, uneasy rank-and-file Republicans and skeptical GOP senators — to advance the party’s signature legislative package. Trump made calls to wayward GOP lawmakers and invited Republicans to the White House. The vote was 217-215, with a single Republican and all Democrats opposed, and the outcome was in jeopardy until the gavel.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3D6T293
RESPONSE: via a Rep. Betty McCollum statement, McCOLLUM: “The House GOP budget proposal would cut Medicaid by $880 billion, cut SNAP by $230 billion, and add $4 trillion to the deficit — all so Republicans can provide a massive tax break to their billionaire donors like Elon Musk. I will stand with Minnesota and vote no on the House Republican budget proposal.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3EQVZez
MORE: Rep. Ilhan Omar spoke on the House Floor during debate to express her opposition to the Republican budget plan. Her speech is available to watch online, and a transcription is also available. OMAR: “I rise in strong opposition to this Republican budget resolution. Because it isn’t a budget – it’s a blueprint for American decline.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4igeBD6
TRADE REMEDY: via a Sen. Tina Smith press release, VERBATIM: “Yesterday, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Todd Young (R-IN) introduced the Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act, legislation to strengthen U.S. trade remedy laws to fight against unfair trade practices and protect American workers. The bill would improve the U.S. trade remedy system and respond to repeat offenders and serial cheaters, leveling the playing field for American workers. The bill also addresses China’s unfair trade practices.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4biZdnh
BLUESKY: Sen. Amy Klobuchar announced she is the latest DFLer to sign up for the fast-growing social media platform Bluesky, an X/Twitter competitor. Among Minnesota’s federal delegation, Klobuchar joins Sen. Tina Smith and Reps. Kelly Morrison, Betty McCollum and Ilhan Omar — all DFL — in having official accounts on the platform. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/43c9qzy
PERMITTING REFORM FOR RESPONSIBLE INDUSTRIES: Jobs for Minnesotans is committed to advancing responsible industrial projects through a predictable, timely and transparent permitting process. Broad permitting reform for all responsible industries is essential to strengthening Minnesota’s communities and advancing our state’s clean energy future. (SPONSORED: Jobs for Minnesotans)
FEED FRAUD: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “Testifying quietly on the witness stand Tuesday, Hanna Marekegn told the jury…about the love and adoration [Aimee Bock] received from the Minneapolis East African community by facilitating their participation in the [Feeding Our Future] fraud [and] ‘beating’ the Minnesota Department of Education in a lawsuit that allowed the fraud to continue. … Marekegn testified that Bock and other fraud participants also used Sen. Omar Fateh as a pawn during the legal fight with MDE. She said Fateh, who is now running for mayor in Minneapolis, made a phone call on their behalf to Attorney General Keith Ellison as part of their attempt to derail MDE's fraud prevention and paint the department as racist.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3F4V6Pk
MORE: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “A woman who claimed to be serving two meals to 3,250 children a day out of a small Minneapolis grocery store during the pandemic has pleaded guilty to her role in the $250 million Feeding Our Future fraud case. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office of Minnesota, Najmo Ahmed pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering on Monday in federal court. … Out of 70 defendants charged in the Feeding Our Future case, at least 34 defendants have now pleaded guilty; five others were convicted at trial.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3XirzYG
TREATMENT: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Addiction treatment provider Nuway is poised to shutter a program that serves thousands of Minnesotans a year after a judge allowed the state Tuesday to pursue its plan to halt funding to the nonprofit under fraud investigation. The state Department of Human Services had planned to suspend Medicaid payments for Nuway’s intensive outpatient treatment program last Friday, citing a ‘credible allegation of fraud.’ The U.S. Department of Justice has been investigating Nuway for years.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hQqvnt
TUTORING: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “A 2023 law allows parents to use their tax returns to pay for educational tutoring for their children, but some bad actors are defrauding the state and parents of those funds while providing substandard tutoring services, [said] Rep. Ron Kresha (R-Little Falls). … He sponsors HF779, which, in part, would repeal the process that allows taxpayers to receive loans to pay for educational services and repay those loans with their tax returns. It would then establish a process where taxpayers can receive a direct advance payment on their education credit from the Department of Revenue to put towards tutoring services of their choosing. … The bill [was] laid over Tuesday by the House Education Finance Committee for possible inclusion in another bill.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3QBW0FI
MPLS: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “The city of Minneapolis is unveiling a new plan to give an empty lot on Lake Street and Nicollet Avenue a makeover. The city is calling it the ‘New Nicollet’ redevelopment project to reconnect the area to downtown, which used to be the site of a Kmart before it was demolished last year. ‘What we’re doing is busting through that blockage in this artery and making sure that this whole area can be opened up to some life,’ Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said during a press conference. … The proposal was on display for Minneapolis residents at an open house in the Whittier neighborhood Tuesday night.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4beuQyf
MORE: via a Minneapolis City Council press release, VERBATIM: “On February 25, 2025, the Minneapolis City Council Committee of the Whole voted unanimously to authorize the City to enter into two Joint Powers Agreements with Hennepin County. One of the Agreements allocates $250,000 in ongoing funds for winter warming shelters generally, and one allocates $100,000 to the Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center (MIWRC) specifically. … The Minneapolis City Council will take final action on this item at their City Council meeting on Thursday, February 27.”
FRESH15: The latest season of Fresh15 includes interviews with new Minnesota House members. So far, five new members have shared their goals, background and fun facts before they take office in a historic session this January.
Rep.-Elect Kari Rehauer
Rep.-Elect Wayne Johnson
Rep. Elect Julie Greene
Rep. Elect Keith Allen
Rep. Elect Peter Johnson
Follow on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.TheDailyAgenda.com/Podcasts. (SPONSORED: Minnesota Telecom Alliance)
VIRGINIA: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “It was standing room only in a county office building on the Iron Range Tuesday, where St. Louis County officials opened a time capsule that had been sealed for more than a hundred years. Workers found the small copper box in the cornerstone of an old building they recently demolished.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gXDS3F
STILLWATER: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “HealthPartners officials are moving forward with plans for a proposed $400 million Lakeview Hospital campus at the northeast corner of Minnesota Highway 36 and Manning Avenue in Stillwater, and hope to break ground as early as this summer. Plans for the new hospital call for a six-story building totaling approximately 400,000 square feet — almost twice the size of the present Lakeview Hospital. … Expected to open in late 2027, the new hospital will include emergency medicine, advanced critical care and specialized centers for heart, cancer and orthopedic care. On Wednesday, an environmental review of the plan will be shared at the city’s planning commission meeting.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3DjMJyV
ST CLOUD: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Years of declining enrollment and a chronic budget deficit prompted leaders at St. Cloud State University to cut throngs of programs and dozens of faculty in recent years. But now that the dust has mostly settled, leaders are looking to embrace the opportunities that come with a student population that is smaller than years past. … Leaders are now working to implement a campus design plan that will raze several unused or underused buildings in the next two decades and create more defined, park-like pedestrian spaces.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iip9lf
BYRON: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “Byron Public Schools has approved $1.6 million worth of budget cuts for the upcoming school year, adding onto a pile of cuts that the district had already made. The School Board approved the reductions unanimously. … The cuts for the upcoming year include, among others, 12 teaching positions and two counselors. The elementary assistant principal would be reduced to ‘dean.’ The dance team will be eliminated.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hTzFPY
HERMANTOWN: via Duluth News Tribune, VERBATIM: “The Hermantown School Board has proposed $750,000 in cuts to district staff, services and curriculum for the 2025-26 budget. … As part of the proposed cuts, the district would lose two paraprofessionals from the elementary school and a playground paraprofessional. These eliminated positions would save the district an estimated $78,000. Additionally, intervention positions at the middle school and elementary school would be reduced to half-time.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3XhneFt
KASSON: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “A two-term board member of Kasson-Mantorville Public Schools has resigned after a prolonged controversy that began last year. Amy Olson submitted her resignation letter on Feb. 10. The School Board approved her letter during a meeting on Monday, Feb. 24, during which they also discussed the process of finding a replacement.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41erBlB
WILD ABOUT READING: More than 500 Minnesota classrooms and 15,000 students are 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, Rookie; a pair of tickets to a Wild home game, player signed pucks and photos; and a pizza party for a classroom. LEARN MORE: Wild About Reading SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
BIZ SURVEY: via Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, VERBATIM: “Businesses have continued to feel pressure from increased prices and heightened operating costs, according to the most recent General Business Survey by the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. The January survey received 568 responses from business owners across the Ninth District. Companies reported that profits and revenue declined, and some observed that additional economic uncertainty made already price-sensitive customers more skittish. Amid this uncertainty, more businesses reported pulling back on hiring but for varying reasons.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3QAN03u
TIKTOK: via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “A mother in Little Falls, Minnesota has filed a lawsuit against TikTok's parent company, alleging it is violating federal data collection laws and unjustly making money through advertisements targeted at children. The class-action lawsuit filed in federal district court on Friday names Katherine R. Walters, on behalf of her 11-year-old son, as the plaintiff. The lawsuit alleges ByteDance, which owns TikTok, has violated, and is continuing to violate the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and the Children's Privacy Protection Rule (COPPA Rule) by collecting and using children's personal information without notifying their parents or getting their parents' consent.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4gYDD8P
SPEED CAMS: via Axios Twin Cities, VERBATIM: “Lead-foot motorists, take note: Speed enforcement cameras are coming to Minneapolis as soon as Aug. 1. Roughly 80% of Minneapolis' traffic fatalities involve speeding drivers. City officials said electronic eyes are an effective tool for slowing drivers down. The system will nab vehicles going at least 10 mph over the speed limit, Ethan Fawley, who coordinates the city's Vision Zero traffic and pedestrian safety efforts, told Axios.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Xl3G2P
ALL THE TAKES: Every day, we’re sharing significant political, business and other news in your inbox and on our new website, The Daily Agenda. If you love morning take, sign up for the other Fluence tip sheets and share our web content with your friends. SIGNUP: https://fluence-media.co/4eZwLa7
SESSION: House floor session at 12:00 p.m. No Senate floor session. HOUSE: Veterans & Military Affairs will hear a repeal of the governor’s power to declare emergencies. Taxes will hear a repeal of the retail delivery fee and renewable energy changes. Elections & Govt. Ops. will hear changes to absentee ballots and Met Council governance. Transportation hears a repeal of “Clean Car Rules.” Education Policy hears new school safety requirements and the “Parent’s Bill of Rights.” Public Safety hears bills allowing retired police to carry guns in the Capitol and expanding background checks for non-citizen carry permits. SENATE: Education Finance hears the OIG creation bill. Health & Human Services will hear changes to medical assistance rates. Education Policy hears changes to school board membership requirements. Energy, Utilities, Environment & Climate has two PUC confirmation hearings. Judiciary & Public Safety hears changes to Brady-Giglio lists. CALENDAR: https://fluence-media.co/4igGhHO
TODAY: Governor Tim Walz will speak at the Association of Minnesota Counties annual legislative conference and at a Greater Mankato Growth event. Later, he will speak at an International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 320 event, meet with the Minnesota Grocers Association, and speak at a reception with a Norwegian Parliamentary Delegation.
TODAY: via a MNLEG advisory, VERBATIM: “On Wednesday, Feb. 26, Rep. Kristin Bahner (DFL-Maple Grove), Sen. Eric Lucero (GOP-Saint Michael), Rep. Shane Mekeland (GOP-Clear Lake), and Sen. Susan Pha (DFL-Brooklyn Park) will hold a press conference to introduce their Homeowners Association and Common Interest Community reform legislation (HF1268/SF1750).” The event is at 11:30 a.m.
TODAY: via a House GOP advisory, VERBATIM: “Rep. Elliot Engen, R-White Bear Township, community members, and House Republicans [will host a] press conference on House File 15, [a] bill to ensure student and staff safety measures are required to be included in each school district's long-term facilities maintenance school facility plan.” The event is at 1:00 p.m.
TODAY: Axios energy and climate reporters will host a conversation with Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith and Ohio Rep. Bob Latta for their “Powering the Electric Future” event on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 7:30 a.m. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/3WY8vz0
TODAY: The Minnesota Medical Association announced that it will hold a press conference on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. to debut the “Treat Yourself First” campaign, which is intended to “create a supportive environment that encourages healthcare workers to prioritize their mental health and seek help when needed,” per a release. Sen. Liz Boldon (D-Rochester) will attend.
MARCH 3: via an ISAIAH press release, VERBATIM: “Hundreds of childcare providers, parents, teachers and community members across Minnesota will be hosting or participating in Day Without Childcare events on Monday, March 3 to demonstrate how many people truly rely on childcare in our state. Several childcare centers that serve hundreds of children and families across the state will be closed to elevate the need to fund childcare and early learning.” Centers in Virginia, Bemidji, Duluth, St. Paul and Rochester, and Elk River will participate.
MARCH 4: Minnesota Citizens for the Arts will host Arts Advocacy Day in the state capitol on Tuesday, March 4. Events include a rally in the rotunda at 10:00 a.m. and meetings with legislators from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
MARCH 6: Minnesota Management and Budget announced that the next state budget forecast will be released on Thursday, March 6. In a press release, MMB said “the February forecast announcement is scheduled about a week later than usual this year due to a later-than-usual release of key federal employment data.”
APRIL 10: Citizens League will honor Peter Bell, former Metropolitan Council chair, and Sharon McMahon at the 2025 Civic Celebration. The annual Civic Celebration is an inspiring evening, gathering hundreds of Minnesotans from diverse backgrounds, parties and ideologies to celebrate our state’s enduring civic culture, leadership, and commitment to public service. REGISTER: https://fluence-media.co/3EKmNge (SPONSORED: Citizens League)
BDAYS: lobbyist Margaret Vessel, reporter AJ Lagoe, fmr. Sen. Connie Bernardy, pizza lover Chad Nichols, activist JaNae’ Bates, lobbyist Alysen Nesse
SHARE: Signing up for Fluence tip sheets is easy. Please share with your friends, colleagues and family. HERE: http://bit.ly/2019FluenceTipSheets
TIPS: How do we get the best news and most buzzed about stories? Send us your tips at BloisOlson@gmail.com
Fluence Media curates, produces and distributes specialized media products to thought leadership audiences across the Midwest and about the region. Our publications cover, politics, public policy, health care, agriculture, business, real estate, sports and more. Visit www.fluence-media.com to learn more.
about morning take: Founded in 2010, morning take has grown to become the leading Minnesota morning newsletter on politics and news of the day. Published by Fluence Media since 2012 the mission is to "make you smarter" before breakfast.
Copyright © 2025 Fluence Media, All rights reserved.
Thanks for reading The Daily Agenda! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.