Marketplace Morning Report – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Corporate leaders in Minnesota stay silent amid ICE raids. Why?
Air Date: January 16, 2026
Host: David Brancaccio
Notable Contributors: Stephanie Hughes, Chris Farrell, Louis Johnston, RT Rybeck

Episode Overview

This episode of Marketplace Morning Report centers on the silence of Minnesota’s corporate leaders following the killing of Renee Good by an ICE agent, amid an increased federal immigration enforcement presence. It explores why major local companies, despite their historical community engagement, have largely refrained from making public statements about the crackdown—a decision with socio-economic implications for the region. Additional segments include a look at rising community college enrollment and a brief health update concerning cell phones.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Rising Community College Enrollment (00:01 – 01:44)

• For the fourth consecutive year, community colleges have seen an increase in enrollment, rising 3% from the previous year based on data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.
• Profile Highlight:
  • Titus Dominic, a 41-year-old Navy veteran and truck driver, enrolls in culinary school at Columbus State Community College to pursue a career as a restaurant owner.
    • Quote: “The ultimate goal would be at some point to be able to own my own restaurant.” —Titus Dominic (00:32)
    • Quote: “At some point I have to pull that thread and say it’s time to go for it.” —Titus Dominic (00:46)
• Key Insight:
  • There’s a notable increase in short-term, job-focused certificate programs—students across ages are finding value in short-term credentials.
    • Quote: “It speaks to students of all ages seeing the value of these short-term credentials. There's a wage payoff that students are seeing and they see it as clear steps toward the career or the job that they want.” —Matthew Holtapple (01:09)
  • More high school students are enrolling in community college courses, accelerating their postsecondary progress.
    • Quote: “This kind of program helps students get into college sooner… they can do college work and they can succeed.” —Matthew Holtapple (01:24)
  • Growth isn’t at the expense of four-year colleges, as enrollments there are also ticking up.

2. Health Guidance Shift on Mobile Phones (01:44 – 02:25)

• The FDA has discreetly removed website pages indicating that cell phones are not a health risk.
• The Department of Health and Services (under Robert Kennedy Jr.) has initiated a new study on the effects of radio waves from phones.
• Notable Information:
  • Previous FDA language stated there was no link between cell phone use and health problems, signaling a possible shift in public health messaging.

3. Minnesota Corporate Silence after ICE Raid and Killing (03:22 – 07:09)

• The state is unsettled after the killing of Renee Good, an American citizen, by an ICE agent, and increased federal law enforcement presence.
• Despite being at the center of raids—impacting stores and staff of household-name companies like 3M, Target, Best Buy, and General Mills—executive leadership has been notably quiet.
• Quote: “There have been very few public statements so far. Generally, companies have said, look, they can’t stop immigration officials from entering public spaces. And that’s right…with that history, with that background, corporate Minnesota’s silence about increased federal immigration enforcement is striking.” —Chris Farrell (04:20)
• Employers report multiple negative economic effects:
  • Fewer customers frequenting businesses.
  • Employees fearful to come to work.
  • Severe labor shortages and production issues in sectors like agriculture, restaurants, and construction.
    • Quote: “Farmers, restaurateurs, construction firms…warn repeatedly about labor shortages and production bottlenecks from the crackdown.” —Chris Farrell (05:06)
• Explaining the Silence:
  • Minnesota’s largest companies are national/global operations; local economic issues have diminished influence.
    • Quote: “When you’re looking at those kinds of things, it’s better to keep quite quiet or to be as uncontroversial as possible and not take a side.” —Louis Johnston (05:44)
  • Political climate is seen as volatile and potentially retaliatory.
    • Quote: “Executives seem concerned that if they raise objections their company might find itself dealing with political retaliation, regulatory scrutiny, perhaps a consumer boycott or some combination.” —Chris Farrell (06:02)
• Past vs. Present CEO Activism:
  • Historically, CEOs were more willing to speak out on social issues (“Davos Man” mentality), but current uncertainties (tariffs, geopolitics) push business leaders toward caution.
  • Long-term Risk:
    • Stakeholders worry that silence may undermine Minnesota’s advantage: a culturally vibrant and growing workforce.
      • Quote: “The bigger threat is if we lose our competitive advantage of having a culturally flowing workforce that continues to grow.” —RT Rybeck (06:53)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “At some point I have to pull that thread and say it’s time to go for it.” —Titus Dominic (00:46)
• “It speaks to students of all ages seeing the value of these short-term credentials.” —Matthew Holtapple (01:09)
• “There have been very few public statements so far… corporate Minnesota’s silence about increased federal immigration enforcement is striking.” —Chris Farrell (04:20)
• “When you’re looking at those kinds of things, it’s better to keep quite quiet or to be as uncontroversial as possible and not take a side.” —Louis Johnston (05:44)
• “The bigger threat is if we lose our competitive advantage of having a culturally flowing workforce that continues to grow.” —RT Rybeck (06:53)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:01 – 01:44: Community college enrollment trends and student motivations
• 01:44 – 02:25: FDA quietly shifts cell phone health guidance
• 03:22 – 07:09: Discussion of the ICE incident, Minnesota corporate silence, and its implications

Tone and Language

The conversation maintains Marketplace’s trademark calm, fact-driven, and accessible tone. Contributors speak frankly about tense social and economic realities, using expert interviews and firsthand accounts to explore the business and community impact.

In summary:
This episode sharply illustrates how Minnesota’s historically civically engaged corporate sector has retreated from public comment in a moment of crisis, weighing the business risks of speaking out against the risks to community reputation and workforce stability. The episode also briefly touches on trends in education and public health, all against a backdrop of political and economic uncertainty.