The Daily Agenda: Lunch Take

lunch take | The DFL Divide is Real

Mike Maybay — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 16:20:22 GMT

PLEASANT TEMPS AHEAD

New data out this morning shows the U.S. economy lost 23,000 jobs in July – the Down Jones consensus forecast predicted a 83,000 job gain. CNBC: https://fluence-media.co/3U27ffr

39% of Americans say couples should be legally married if they have a child together – that’s a 10 percentage point increase from 2020. GALLUP: https://fluence-media.co/4wd9XME

The jackpot in tomorrow’s Powerball drawing is up to $856 million.

Tomorrow’s Primary Primer will focus on what to watch on Tuesday – for paid subscribers.

Sunday Take will preview the primary at 9AM on WCCO Radio.

Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com

Fluence Advisory has released its Insights memo on “The Next Legislature”. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aNNSMV

Want to manage your subscription to TheDailyAgenda.com? HERE: https://fluence-media.co/managesubscription

Follow the 2026 Minnesota election’s up close with the Fluence ElectionTracker. FluenceElectionTracker.com

Sunday Take featured a Farmfest preview and Republican Adam Schwarze discussing his U.S. Senate campaign. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3TyEK93

Follow the 2026 Minnesota elections up close with the Fluence Election Tracker.

https://fluence-media.co/electiontracker

SPONSOR: Sponsorships are available to reach over 30,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheets and website, TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com.

DIVIDE: If you didn’t think the divide in the DFL is real, see the mail in the SD46 Senate primary between Sen. Ron Latz and challenger Lynette Dumalag.

The race has a postcard-sized illustration of the larger argument inside Minnesota’s DFL Party — experience and progressive pragmatism versus a more woke and activist-driven politics.

The mailboxes and doors of SD46 voters are filling up with more than candidate contrasts. They’re getting a proxy fight over what kind of DFL wins elections, sets the agenda and governs.

Latz has long occupied the pragmatic lane of the Senate DFL, particularly on public safety and Israel. His opponents see those positions as evidence that the district — and the party — have moved beyond him. Latz’s allies see the challenge as another attempt to push out a Democrat willing to break with the party’s activist left.

WHY IT MATTERS: This isn’t just about one Senate seat. The same fault lines running through Democrats nationally and the DFL in Minnesota are now playing out precinct by precinct. SD46 is a reminder that in heavily Democratic districts, the most consequential political fight isn’t always DFL vs. GOP — it’s increasingly DFL vs. DSA.

WATCH: Tuesday’s result won’t settle the DFL’s ideological debate, but it will tell us something about which side has the voters — not just the loudest voices.

NOTE: We can’t find any public filings for the group “SD46 Residents for Change” it may be because we’re in the 14-day window of filing but not disclosing before the primary.

BACK TO SCHOOL

SURVEY: Via Mall of America, VERBATIM: “A new consumer survey commissioned by the nation’s largest Mall found that 97% of shoppers plan to either shop exclusively in-stores or combine in-store and online shopping this season, while more than half (54%) plan to do their shopping at malls . . . Nearly half (45%) of shoppers say finding the best value and deals is their top priority while back to school shopping, reinforcing last year’s survey findings when 51% of consumers identified themselves as savers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4xwZjl3

DULUTH SCHOOLS: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “The Duluth School Board voted 7-0 Thursday to place an operating referendum on the November ballot, asking residents to approve a property tax increase to support the district. The vote comes after the district cut nearly $12 million from its budget over the past three years after two previous referendums failed in 2023 and 2024. Voters will face two questions on the November ballot.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4yYPCgR

HCMC: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s largest safety-net hospital was rapidly burning through its cash reserves when its leaders proposed a painful rescue plan in late 2023. It called for HCMC, in downtown Minneapolis, to eliminate about 350 jobs and cut benefits while hiring more nurses and other direct-care employees. Program cuts were on the table, as well, including one proposal to shift home health care services to an outside community group. But after a bitter debate largely behind closed doors, the final budget passed that year included only a small fraction of the proposed cuts to jobs, benefits and programs — and left big questions about HCMC’s future.”

READ: https://fluence-media.co/4q3riWL

JOBS: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Revol Greens, which grows lettuce and other greens near Owatonna, may lay off nearly a hundred employees and close its massive greenhouse in October if it can’t find a buyer for the company or an infusion of funding. The lettuce grower told state regulators Wednesday that it would be forced to close its Medford facility about an hour south of the Twin Cites and layoff approximately 89 employees if the site or company does not secure funding or get bought out before Oct. 4. The Minnesota company, which grows its lettuce in a climate-controlled, 10-acre greenhouse, opened in 2017 and has an additional greenhouse in Texas.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4z8lj7u

MORE: Via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “The announcement comes after ongoing Cyclospora outbreaks in 15 states, according to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Those outbreaks have been linked to lettuce at Taco Bell locations and lettuce sold by Taylor Farms de Mexico.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45Lbf6D

MOUNTAIN IRON: via KARE-TV, VERBATIM: “Nearly 100 people were permanently laid off from a solar panel manufacturing facility in Mountain Iron. The State Rapid Response Team received a Federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) email from Heliene, USA, Inc., regarding the layoff of approximately 93 employees. … The layoffs were due to ‘unforeseen business circumstances.’ They occurred Wednesday, Aug. 5, but the company says the employees will receive pay until Oct. 4.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4c4JmtS

BLANCHE: Via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “The day his son’s killer was sentenced to life in prison, J. Carroll Hortman blasted Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche in the courtroom for, in his view, failing their family. Now, Hortman and two of his children are pushing to stop Blanche from formally taking on the role of the country’s top cop. Blanche was the final decision-maker when it came to the federal case against Vance Boelter, the man who attempted to kill Sen. John Hoffman, his wife Yvette and their daughter Hope before assassinating Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45cGqaU

(DISCLOSURE: Fluence provides media support for the Hoffman family)

BROADBAND: Comcast is rewriting the broadband playbook in the Twin Cities. From neighborhood networks to next-gen tech, we’re delivering community-first internet connectivity with no contracts, no surprises. The new Xfinity package means unlimited data, blazing-fast, reliable speeds and a 5-year price guarantee, plus free mobile for a year. It’s not the old Comcast — it’s a bold new era of connection. Let’s power the future, together. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/Comcast2025-1 (SPONSORED: Comcast)

IMMIGRATION ISSUES

APPLETON: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “The announcement this week that the long vacant Prairie Correctional Facility in Appleton, will become the newest Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center sent shockwaves through the small towns in the region. The private prison company CoreCivic announced this week that it signed a five year contract for ICE to use the facility for immigrant detention. News that the privately-owned prison will reopen as an ICE detention center has divided some community members. Supporters see reopening the former private prison as an economic boon for a struggling town. Opponents believe an ICE detention center is morally reprehensible, and a drain on community resources.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cskKeK

NEW RULE: Via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “Legal experts in Minnesota say a new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule will put more asylum seekers into deportation proceedings without an interview. The rule adopted this past week will allow U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to forward certain asylum applications directly to federal immigration courts. The change impacts affirmative asylum seekers, who have applied for asylum with USCIS, compared to defensive asylum seekers who are already facing removal proceedings in court.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3TIUu9F

VISAS: Via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Years ago, Rosa watched from inside the car as men robbed her husband at gunpoint, shortly after they’d arrived in Minnesota from Guatemala. The couple had a pending asylum case, but once they reported the crime to the police, they were eligible for a U visa, which provides a path to legal permanent residency for victims of and witnesses to serious crimes — and, in some cases, their immediate family members. At her request, the Reformer is using Rosa’s first name to protect her from government retribution. Rosa is among dozens of people who were detained by immigration authorities during Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota, despite having permission to live and work in the United States because they were victims of a crime and reported it to the police.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RZTbCH

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)

PUBLIC SAFETY

DULUTH: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “Six of the Duluth Police Department’s nine automated license plate reader cameras have been stolen or damaged since June. The cameras, made by Flock Safety, had recently been credited with helping reduce auto thefts in the city. The devices were positioned at intersections across Duluth. The thefts are part of a broader trend of Flock camera thefts reported nationally.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4yV6c0S

MOORHEAD: Via Valley News Live, VERBATIM: “Moorhead police are asking the public for video and credible tips as they continue investigating the theft of a trailer belonging to the Veterans Honor Flight of North Dakota and Minnesota, loaded with an estimated $30,000 worth of property. The Moorhead Police Department says it received a delayed report of the stolen trailer around 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4. The trailer was reported taken from the 300 block of 30th Street North, with comments indicating it disappeared outside the American Legion in Moorhead. Investigators now believe the theft happened late Sunday, Aug. 2, or in the early hours of Monday, Aug. 3.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4q0kKsd

BWCAW: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Top Minnesota officials are preparing to wind down the state’s peacetime emergency response to the Boundary Waters wildfires as crews continue to make steady progress on containing the blazes. Why it matters: The move signals that the devastating blazes that upended northeastern Minnesota’s tourism season and blanketed the state in smoke are coming under control.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ROb1Zm

BUSINESSES: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Dozens of business owners in Northern Minnesota are asking Governor Walz to help, after losing significant income during the closure of the BWCA during the wildfires. Dave Seaton owns Hungry Jack Outfitters in Grand Marais, along the Gunflint Trail, where the skies are clear and the sun was shining Thursday. Still many are wary about making the trip up there, even with the wilderness mostly open now.” SEATON: “The businesses that are that rely on the Boundary Waters Canoe Area took a pretty big hit.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4z8bPZW

BLUE LINE: via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “The fate of the $3.5 billion Blue Line Extension light rail project took on new urgency at a special meeting. … A committee made up of local elected officials, appointed members of the Metropolitan Council and community members is now scrambling for solutions to a budget gap of about $200 million. The gap has to be resolved before managers can apply for federal funding worth more than $750 million. The shortfall of local funding comes even after the project made tens of millions of dollars in cuts.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/45PpyXO

COMMUNITY CELEBRATIONS: Flint Hills Resources is celebrating summer with thousands of Minnesotans at local festivals and parades. Look for Flint Hills employees – along with their families and friends – as they show their hometown pride at many local celebrations, including Rosemount Leprechaun Days, Hastings Rivertown Days, Inver Grove Heights Days and Saint Paul’s Lowertown Sounds. For decades, Flint Hills Resources has supported programs, organizations and events that improve our quality of life in our communities. LEARN MORE: Community Partnerships (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery)

COMMERCE

RENTALS: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “The Duluth City Council is considering changes to its short-term vacation rental licenses following a one-year moratorium put in place last fall. The moratorium was established to study how short-term rentals are affecting the city’s housing shortage. The discussion comes in response to the conversion of single-family homes into vacation rentals, concentrated in areas including Park Point, the UMD campus neighborhood and West Duluth.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4bzpPl8

ACQUISITION: Via CNBC, VERBATIM: “Shares in EasyJet rose about 3.1% in afternoon trade in London on Thursday after the [Minneapolis-based] U.S. private equity firm Castlelake said it had pulled the plug on plans to buy the U.K. budget airline, clearing the path for rival bidder Apollo Global Management.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hUw1Im

SEZZLE: Via Zacks, VERBATIM: “[Minneapolis-based] Sezzle Inc. (SEZL) came out with quarterly earnings of $1.13 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.95 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.69 per share a year ago . . . Sezzle Inc., which belongs to the Zacks Financial Transaction Services industry, posted revenues of $149.68 million for the quarter ended June 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 14.88%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $98.7 million.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wWO2u8

MORE: Via Investing, VERBATIM: “Sezzle stock is plunging 24.3% in pre-open trading today, reaching $135.10, after the company’s Q2 2026 earnings report — released after market close on Thursday — ignited a wave of selling despite a headline beat on both revenue and profit . . . The problem was forward-looking: management guided for revenue growth to slow to roughly 30% in the second half of 2026, and flagged that its revenue yield would normalize to 11.4% from the elevated levels seen in Q2 — a reset that spooked investors who had bid the stock up sharply in anticipation of sustained momentum.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3UjQhJy

SUI: Via Stock Titan, VERBATIM: “[Wayzata-based] Sui Group Holdings Limited reported financial results for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2026. For the quarter, total revenues were $363 thousand, driven mainly by $327 thousand of SUI staking revenue and $36 thousand of digital lending interest income, compared with $948 thousand a year earlier. The company recorded a quarterly net loss of $18,907 thousand, versus net income of $677 thousand in Q2 2025, reflecting $18,910 thousand of realized losses on digital assets.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ggSVse

MORE EARNINGS: Via Associated Press, reports from Minnesota-based companies:

NOG: “Northern Oil and Gas Inc. (NOG) on Thursday reported second-quarter net income of $236.6 million. The Minnetonka, Minnesota-based company said it had profit of $2.19 per share . . . The results exceeded Wall Street expectations . . . The independent oil and gas company posted revenue of $745.2 million in the period. Its adjusted revenue was $670.8 million, which also beat Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wG7VFL
CVRX: “CVRx Inc. (CVRX) on Thursday reported a loss of $14 million in its second quarter. The Minneapolis-based company said it had a loss of 53 cents per share. The results missed Wall Street expectations . . . The medical device company posted revenue of $15.7 million in the period, surpassing Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wf89mj

SUSHI: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “When I last spoke with sushi chef Baaska Tegshbileg of Sushi by Baaska, just over a year ago, he was riding high on a wave of pop-ups around the Cities, bringing his signature, glittering sushi platters to diners at Steady Pour, Bar Brava, and Picnic Linden Hills. He told me then that his dream was to open his own restaurant, a small spot that would serve modern Japanese fare, and the freshest of fish. Time flies, and beloved restaurants close (looking at you, Zen Box Izakaya), and exciting new ones sprout up to take their place. How lucky are we that in just a year’s time, Tegshbileg is bringing a spark of new life to the Mill District’s legacy space for Japanese cuisine?” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wfPRBv

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WHAT’S NEXT?

THIS WEEKEND: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “‘Banana Ball’ boogies onto Target Field this weekend, as the Savannah Bananas and Loco Beach Coconuts face off in front of local fans. Why it matters: Have you seen the viral clips? These guys are so fun. For the uninitiated, the traveling exhibition league combines America’s favorite pastime with wacky antics and performances.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3U3GJCt

TOMORROW: The Northwoods Art & Book Festival in Hackensack. Via Lakeland PBS, WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4z2lVeL

THIS MONTH: Via Bloomington-based Donaldson, VERBATIM: “Donaldson Company, Inc. (NYSE: DCI), a leading worldwide provider of innovative filtration products and solutions, will webcast its fourth quarter 2026 earnings conference call on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. CT.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4w9hIDf

FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com

EDINA: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “The Standard Vintage Market will return Saturday, September 12, for its third edition—and its largest yet—taking over the east end of the Edina shopping center with more than 20 vintage vendors, local makers, and a lineup of experiences. Founded in fall 2025 by Carrie Martinson of Olio Vintage and Jahna Peloquin of Rosella Vintage, The Standard was conceived as a more edited take on the traditional vintage market.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4z4mTXK

BDAYS: Winthrop’s Tom Hanson, Schwarze staffer Zavier Bicott, lobbyist Dan Pollock, Star Tribune’s Erin Adler, K102’s Chris Carr, farmer Richard “Swede” Syverson

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.

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lunch take | Kashkari: Raise Interest Rates + Feds Threaten Henn. Sheriff

Mike Maybay — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 16:52:51 GMT

WE NEED MORE RAIN

The new Drought Monitor out this morning shows slight improvement – 70% of the state is now in formal drought status, down from 76% a week earlier. A full third of the state is in severe drought. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3zN8TDo

It’s been a hot summer, and people have noticed – half say it’s had a major impact on their electric bills. AP|NORC: https://fluence-media.co/4wErWwx

What happens when humanity is gone and all that’s left on earth is our tech? Ray Bradbury wrote about that in 1950. The story takes place on August 4, 2026. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4fVXBCE

An even more ancient text is seeing a demand resurgence at Hennepin County Libraries. AXIOS: https://fluence-media.co/4wHyA4Z

Americans are less likely to get money advice from a professional than they are from a family member – but internet research far outweighs either option. GALLUP: https://fluence-media.co/4gezwbg

Gen Z’s apparently not too worried about money – they’re spending more and saving less than other generations. STUDY: https://fluence-media.co/3TFSiQ9

Sports Take cleans up after the Indiana Fever, does a first-week check on Vikings training camp and is worried about Joe Ryan. That and more coming this afternoon.

Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com

Fluence Advisory has released its Insights memo on “The Next Legislature”. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aNNSMV

Want to manage your subscription to TheDailyAgenda.com? HERE: https://fluence-media.co/managesubscription

Follow the 2026 Minnesota election’s up close with the Fluence ElectionTracker. FluenceElectionTracker.com

Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4wgqijN

Sunday Take featured a Farmfest preview and Republican Adam Schwarze discussing his U.S. Senate campaign. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3TyEK93

Follow the 2026 Minnesota elections up close with the Fluence Election Tracker.

https://fluence-media.co/electiontracker

SPONSOR: Sponsorships are available to reach over 30,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheets and website, TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com.

THURSDAY FEED

FIRE RELIEF: Via Save the Boundary Waters, VERBATIM: “A letter to Governor Tim Walz and members of the Minnesota Legislature was delivered this morning, signed by 82 Northeastern Minnesota businesses and nonprofits affected by July’s lightning-caused wildfires in the Boundary Waters. The letter calls on state leaders to provide urgently needed economic relief for Wilderness-edge communities facing significant financial losses caused by the wildfires, which led to temporary Wilderness closures and a resulting decline in tourism and visitation. The businesses that signed on are located in the four Boundary Waters counties: St Louis, Cook, Lake, and Koochiching Counties in Minnesota.”

INTEREST RATES: Via Bloomberg, VERBATIM: “Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis President Neel Kashkari said the US central bank should start to raise interest rates incrementally right now to curb inflation that remains too high. ‘Now is the time to start slowly moving up as we get more data in,’ Kashkari said Wednesday in an interview with CNBC. Kashkari was one of three Fed officials who dissented from the decision to hold interest rates steady at last week’s policy meeting, preferring instead to raise them by a quarter percentage point.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hiJ2eE

MORE: Via CNBC, the Kashkari interview. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4xlDEvT

MINING: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources held a public meeting Wednesday on draft environmental review scoping documents for the proposed Tamarack Mine, an underground mining project near McGregor in Aitkin County . . . The proposed mine would be located a couple of miles from the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe reservation. Tribal leaders have raised concerns about the project’s potential impact on the environment and sensitive ecosystems.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4c3llmY

RELATED: Via Talon Metals, VERBATIM: “Talon Metals Corp. (TSX: TLO) (OTCID: TLOFF) today announced a record 46.43-meter intercept of Massive Sulphide Unit and Mixed Massive Sulphide Unit (”MMS”) mineralization at the Tamarack Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Project, located in central Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3TG87Gx

APPLETON: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is expressing concern as the federal government prepares to turn a prison in Appleton, Minnesota into a holding center for Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees as soon as this fall.” QUOTE: “My hope is that this facility is going to be used for that, that the federal government follows all laws, they follow the constitutional rights, they make sure that this facility is safe and modern,” said Walz. Still, he is not keen on the idea of private prisons. “You know, philosophically I’ve been very clear on this, I think it’s the state’s job to do these things,” Walz explained. “It’s the government’s job to do these things. I think it’s always a very dangerous situation where you’re outsourcing corrections.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4q27Ny2

SHERIFFS: Via The New York Times, VERBATIM: “Federal officials recently started threatening to seek criminal charges against two elected county sheriffs who have declined to give immigration agents broad access to inmates subject to deportation. The threats to prosecute the two sheriffs, in Minneapolis and Chicago, cities that have experienced some of the most intense immigration enforcement of the Trump era, are a new salvo in the president’s campaign against state and local officials who refuse to embrace his administration’s crackdown.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4g3b2ki

NE MN: Via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “One door at a time, [House District 3B DFL candidate Aaron] Schweiger is challenging Republican incumbent Natalie Zeleznikar in a district spanning Two Harbors, Hermantown, Proctor and rural areas north of Duluth. He is one of two DFLers looking to unseat House Republicans in the 3rd District, with Aaron Kania facing Rep. Roger Skraba of Ely in 3A. With an evenly split House going into this fall’s elections, DFL leaders see these northeastern Minnesota races as a chance to seize control.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45KYau4

SHIFTING LEFT: From a Wall Street Journal story on Abdul El-Sayed’s victory in Michigan’s Democratic U.S. Senate primary, VERBATIM: “The El-Sayed win shows the party’s leftward shift is taking place beyond coastal and deeply blue enclaves, such as in New York and Colorado, where DSA-aligned candidates have defeated more centrist incumbents in Democratic primaries. It adds wind to the sails of progressive and DSA candidates in coming primaries, including those with similar dynamics in Wisconsin and Minnesota next week.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Sd8FDr

VOTING HELP: Via Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, VERBATIM: “With primary elections around the corner, advocates are working to ensure Minnesotans with disabilities can access the polls too. The Voter Access Project of the Minnesota Disability Law Center (MDLC), a division of Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, along with the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office, is seeking volunteers to help spot barriers in voting.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hd8sKB

I-694: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “MnDOT is gathering feedback on a nine-mile stretch between Brooklyn Boulevard in Brooklyn Center and Lexington Avenue in Arden Hills. More than 150,000 drivers use that stretch of highway every day. MnDOT said traffic congestion can sometimes last up to seven hours on a busy weekday when drivers are unable to travel highway speeds, particularly around the junction with Highway 252.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bBwMCm

WHAT ABOUT THE KIDS?

READING: Via the progressive North Star Policy Action, VERBATIM: “New research from North Star Policy Action finds that a growing share of Minnesota’s standardized test results may not reliably reflect school performance, due to sharply rising rates of non-participation in the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs). The report, What Are We Measuring? Non-Participation and the Reliability of Minnesota’s MCA Results, examines state testing data from the Minnesota Department of Education and finds that non-participation, meaning students who refuse the test or are absent when it’s given, has become widespread across the state, cutting across urban, suburban, and rural districts alike.” REPORT: https://fluence-media.co/4ggRwli

POT: Via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “A longtime Dairy Queen owner is raising concerns about a cannabis dispensary preparing to open next door to his business along Medicine Lake Road in Golden Valley, Minnesota. Dan Lommen placed a message on the restaurant’s sign reading, ‘Weed shop, children don’t mix. Respect! GV.’ Lommen said his concerns are directed primarily at the City of Golden Valley and the location of the proposed dispensary, rather than the business itself or people who use cannabis.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4xjdTfD

EGGS: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Minnesota food shelves can now receive donations of eggs that are past the ‘best by’ or ‘sell by’ date stamped on the carton, providing those in need with greater quantities of a nutritious source of protein while potentially keeping millions of eggs that are still good to eat out of landfills. A new law that went into effect on Aug. 1 allows grocers and other food retailers in the state to donate eggs up to 30 days past their quality assurance date, as long as they’re kept continuously refrigerated and in their original packaging.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3Twz6V4

UP NORTH

SURVEY: Via Duluth News Tribune, VERBATIM: “The results from a business stakeholder survey show small businesses anticipate revenue losses from the closure of the Blatnik Bridge in the years to come. Another survey on consumer habits shows that some businesses might be right to be concerned . . . The first survey took the temperature of business folks in Superior and Douglas County [Wisconsin]. About half of the 126 responses were from businesses with nine employees or less. With a majority of these businesses seeing between 26% and 50% of their revenue coming from across the bridge, 42% of the respondents anticipated a 10%-50% decrease in revenue. Larger businesses, such as national chains, reported that they expected lesser decreases, 10% or less.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4w9bkvS

BWCAW: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Six separate fires are still burning, down from 20 a month ago. Those still active are roughly 50% contained. Plus: Large swaths of the Boundary Waters have reopened to campers and paddlers. What we’re hearing: Officials say the coordinated state response, combined with rain and cooler weather, helped halt the fires’ spread.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ROb1Zm

TRIBAL LAND: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “In 2022, the Bois Forte Band of Ojibwe reacquired about 28,000 acres inside its own northern Minnesota reservation, land it had lost more than a century ago to federal allotment and tax forfeiture. By the band’s account, it is the largest tribal land return in the United States. The band could not afford to buy it outright. So, it turned to carbon offsets as a way to generate revenue. As a forest grows, it pulls carbon dioxide out of the air and stores it in wood and soil. A company that wants to offset its own emissions can pay for that stored carbon, one credit for every metric ton.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wbmnEO

COMMERCE

EARNINGS: Via Associated Press, reports from Minnesota-based companies:

DELUXE: “Deluxe Corp. (DLX) on Wednesday reported second-quarter earnings of $19.1 million. The Minneapolis-based company said it had net income of 41 cents per share . . . The results beat Wall Street expectations . . . The payments and data company posted revenue of $499.3 million in the period, also exceeding Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ho0fDz
DIGI: “Digi International Inc. (DGII) on Wednesday reported fiscal third-quarter earnings of $15.7 million. On a per-share basis, the Hopkins, Minnesota-based company said it had profit of 40 cents . . . The results surpassed Wall Street expectations . . . The provider of communication adapters posted revenue of $138.7 million in the period, also exceeding Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/457b5GH
SOLVENTUM: “Solventum Corp. (SOLV) on Wednesday reported second-quarter net income of $92 million. On a per-share basis, the Eagan, Minnesota-based company said it had net income of 53 cents . . . The results beat Wall Street expectations . . . The health care company posted revenue of $2.21 billion in the period, also topping Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RS9tgU
TENNANT: “Tennant Co. (TNC) on Wednesday reported earnings of $7.6 million in its second quarter. The Eden Prairie, Minnesota-based company said it had profit of 44 cents per share . . . The maker of products for cleaning floors, parking lots and hospitals posted revenue of $324 million in the period.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4579rov
CLEARFIELD: “Clearfield Inc. (CLFD) on Wednesday reported earnings of $3 million in its fiscal third quarter. The Brooklyn Park, Minnesota-based company said it had profit of 22 cents per share. The maker of fiber optic management products posted revenue of $43.9 million in the period.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4z8z1XZ

ARCHITECTS: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Together, the winners of this year’s 23rd annual Residential Architects Vision & Excellence (RAVE) Awards reveal the remarkable breadth of residential design by Twin Cities firms across a range of project types. From expansive lakeside retreats to compact remodels, each illustrates how thoughtful design can strengthen the relationship between people and the places they call home while making daily life more functional, comfortable, and inspiring. Selected by a national jury of architects and design professionals, the 22 honorees demonstrate that exceptional architecture begins with listening—responding to clients, landscapes, existing conditions, and evolving ways of living.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4hjsBP9

N MPLS: Via Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, VERBATIM: “Community organizers are asking vendors to apply to this year’s Open Streets West Broadway in North Minneapolis. The 10-block festival reflects the heart and spirit of the North Minneapolis community. Organizers say the event allows vendors to pop up, showcase their goods and sell their services at an event bringing in people from all across the state.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wOCTfc

NE MPLS: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “Just in time for landing on North America’s 50 Best Restaurants, Diane Moua has unveiled the glow-up for Diane’s Place in Northeast Minneapolis . . . Diane’s Place now has two new private dining rooms, a separate grab-and-go cafe, a fully renovated patio—in all, 6,000 more square feet on top of her existing 6,000.” READ/PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/3RW61lo

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WHAT’S NEXT?

NEXT WEEK: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “IndiaFest returns to the Minnesota State Capitol grounds on Saturday, Aug. 15, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., bringing thousands of people together for a full day of food, performances, family activities, and community spirit. Hosted by the India Association of Minnesota (IAM), the free festival celebrates India’s Independence Day while giving Minnesotans a chance to experience the country’s rich traditions in one place.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cof8lH

FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com

PEACE: Via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “Ahmed Ali Egal, a prominent Somali singer known for his distinctive voice that inspired a nation, has died. He was 76 . . . Egal immigrated to Minnesota 30 years ago, bringing with him a rich tapestry of Somali culture and a message of unity.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fPxmh2

BDAYS: health care leader Anna Youngerman, CAE’s Katie Fulkerson

lunch take | Governor Debate at Farmfest + Feds Buy MN Prison

Mike Maybay — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 16:49:24 GMT

PEOPLE AND POLITICS

From Farmfest this morning:

Read on for news from the debate in the race for governor.

A major demographic shift is ahead – an undersupply of young workers is predicted by 2040. Signs are already evident in the Dakotas. STATELINE: https://fluence-media.co/3RthetB

46 democrats voted for the Laken Riley Act – Rep. Angie Craig isn’t the only one facing backlash. THE 19^TH: https://fluence-media.co/4broGfA

In Michigan, this morning, progressive Abdul El-Sayed was declared winner in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. AP: https://fluence-media.co/4wIN1Gf

Minnesota Monthly’s flirting with controversy – comparing the virtues of the Uptown Art Fair to those of the Minnesota State Fair. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4cosq1B

Blois
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Fluence Advisory has released its Insights memo on “The Next Legislature”. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aNNSMV

Want to manage your subscription to TheDailyAgenda.com? HERE: https://fluence-media.co/managesubscription

Follow the 2026 Minnesota election’s up close with the Fluence ElectionTracker. FluenceElectionTracker.com

Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3TEGFJg

Sunday Take featured a Farmfest preview and Republican Adam Schwarze discussing his U.S. Senate campaign. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3TyEK93

Follow the 2026 Minnesota elections up close with the Fluence Election Tracker.

https://fluence-media.co/electiontracker

SPONSOR: Sponsorships are available to reach over 30,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheets and website, TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com.

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

BOATING: Minnesota saw $1.3 billion in recreational boating sales in 2025 – the sixth highest total in the nation. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3RJTDVz

MOVIES: Indie Wire calls Minneapolis the “best home base for documentary filmmakers” and points to Operation Metro Surge and the murder of George Floyd as a couple of reasons why. QUOTE: “That combination of events, which demand sustained documentation and institutions committed to exhibiting nonfiction work, makes Minneapolis especially compelling for documentarians. Add relatively affordable living and MSP Film’s year-round commitment to indie cinema, and you’ll find the time, community, and support to stay close to America’s real stories.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pYCLqN

CONCERT TIX: This from a WCCO-Radio story about tonight’s Noah Kahan show at Target Field, VERBATIM: “While the size of Wednesday’s crowd won’t be surprising to most who’ve kept tabs on Kahan’s rapid ascent in the music industry, the price some fans are paying for tickets may.” QUOTE: “It’s insane,” said Ticket King president Mike Nowakowski. “For a concert at a venue this large, to see just the entry-level price at over $400 per ticket, that’s unheard of.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4bwvx7v

TRAVEL: Via MarketBeat, from a report on earnings at Allegiant Travel which acquired Minnesota-based Sun Country, QUOTE: “[Allegiant CEO Greg] Anderson said Sun Country has faced elevated pilot attrition among junior Minneapolis-St. Paul-based pilots, largely because of increased hiring by the largest carrier in the Twin Cities. Allegiant is reducing off-peak Minneapolis-St. Paul capacity during the second half of 2026 in response to attrition and higher fuel prices.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4xs0oKZ

GOV DEBATE: From Alpha News via YouTube, candidates for governor Senator Amy Klobuchar, Speaker Lisa Demuth, Mike Lindell, and Kendall Qualls make their case to voters this morning at Minnesota Farmfest. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4wMKUkO

MORE: A few moments from the debate via social media:

LINDELL: From Heartland Signal via X, VERBATIM: “GOP MN gubernatorial candidate Mike Lindell (R) says he will crack down on protesters in Minneapolis since it has ‘some of the strictest protest laws in the nation.’” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3RLMp3p
KLOBUCHAR: From Alpha News via X, VERBATIM: “Boos and jeers erupt at Farmfest as Amy Klobuchar says she has ‘long believed in and supported funding for order at the border’ and has ‘worked well with law enforcement.’” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4hRC1S5
DEMUTH: From Heartland Signal via X, VERBATIM: “GOP MN gubernatorial candidate Lisa Demuth (R) blames Obamacare for rising health care costs in Minnesota. ‘Obamacare passed at a federal level, and it has made our health insurance, our health coverage, very unaffordable in the state.’” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3RKmk4J

ENCAMPMENT: Via Star Tribune, reporting from this morning’s clearing out of the homeless encampment in St. Paul’s Pig’s Eye Park. VERBATIM: “Large sections of the encampment were empty by 8:30 a.m., leaving clusters of vacant tents, broken bicycles, empty propane tanks and piles of clothes and blankets. In some areas, the ground was covered with shards of glass smashed into the soil.” UPDATES: https://fluence-media.co/3SaGIw1

CHIPOTLE: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Chipotle has pulled jalapeños from some Minnesota restaurants. In a statement on Tuesday, the burrito chain says the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is investigating a Salmonella outbreak that may affect ‘several food service retailers’ in the state.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4yZR6r0

ST PAUL: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “[Chris Madel,] the attorney for St. Paul’s police chief is calling St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her ‘odd’ at best, and even ‘unhinged’ in a wide-ranging interview with WCCO’s Chad Hartman Tuesday.” MADEL: “I mean, the doctored memes, there’s doctored photos that has been reported, the putting your face over things, the orgasming in the gym, the complimenting women’s breasts, the other stuff that I’m aware of that hasn’t come out yet.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4fR3hxp

DULUTH: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “Early voting is underway in Duluth ahead of Minnesota’s primary election and already city officials say they expect a high turnout this year . . . Duluth City Clerk Alyssa Denhan said the office has seen consistent traffic since early voting began. So far, more than 850 voters having passed through the City Clerk’s office as of Tuesday morning.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3TCAyW0

SD3: Via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “I spent three days in late July in the third district, driving from Knife River to Ely to Babbitt back to Ely to Biwabik, and spent time with [Babbitt Mayor Andrea] Zupancich and [Sen. Grant] Hauschild. Their race, one of a handful that might dictate which party controls the Minnesota Senate next year, is a sequel to the 2022 race for the then-open seat. Hauschild won 50.8% to 49.2%. If money tells all, Hauschild will win again.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wB2Hes

U.S. SENATE: Via news release from the Craig campaign, VERBATIM: “Today, Anie Craig, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, released a new digital ad, ‘Not So Nice’, the latest of her state-wide campaign. Craig’s closing digital ad highlights the millions of dollars in corporate cash Flanagan accepted as chair of the Democratic Lt. [Governors] Association, including from Big Oil, Big Pharma and CoreCivic, an ICE detention center contractor.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3Tv2Vp1

PUBLIC SAFETY

APPLETON PRISON: Via news release this morning from CoreCivic, VERBATIM: “CoreCivic, Inc. (NYSE: CXW) (CoreCivic or the Company) announced today that it has completed the sales of its 1,600-bed Prairie Correctional Facility in Appleton, Minnesota and its 1,033-bed Midwest Regional Reception Center in Leavenworth, Kansas to the United States of America and its assigns, by and through the Department of Homeland Security for an aggregate gross sales price of $734.0 million, including $495.6 million for the Prairie Correctional Facility and $238.4 million for the Midwest Regional Reception Center . . . The Company currently expects to continue to operate the Prairie Correctional Facility and Midwest Regional Reception Center under the existing management contracts with Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE), although the terms of the management contracts may be modified to reflect the change in ownership.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4c1nZJY

NOTE: CoreCivic announced Tuesday morning plans to reopen the Appleton facility and to begin taking in ICE prisoners “in the fourth quarter of 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wsOaAV

WILDFIRES: Via Stateline, VERBATIM: “Leading up to this year’s fire season, federal officials with the U.S. Forest Service and the Interior Department directed their wildfire crews to use a “full suppression” strategy and attack wildfires urgently. Following a hot, dry winter that left much of the West parched, federal land managers said it was imperative to contain fires quickly before they get out of control. But following several dangerous incidents, including the deaths of four federal firefighters in Colorado in June, some longtime wildland fire leaders are questioning that strategy . . . Federal policies that sought to extinguish all fires quickly over much of the past century are now understood by foresters to be a major contributor to the current wildfire crisis.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4xq7AqY

CAMERAS: From Winona PD via Facebook, VERBATIM: “On 08/01/26, the Winona Police Department discovered that all eight of our city’s Flock cameras were missing. That evening, an officer noted that there’d been no recent activity on the cameras. Officers subsequently checked the various locations where the Flock cameras were placed and found that the poles were cut down near the base. Officers located the poles nearby in the weeds, but the cameras had been removed.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ckOE4u

NOTE: Tuesday’s morning take included news of other jurisdictions dealing with Flock cameras being stolen or vandalized. ICYMI: https://fluence-media.co/4xedYRS

INFRASTRUCTURE

CYBERATTACKS: CCX Media checked in with the City of Plymouth a week after its water system was hit. VERBATIM: “It was about 12:30 a.m. on Monday, July 27. Fourteen lift stations that control wastewater had just gone offline. Plymouth public works crews quickly realized something was up. ‘Then we knew this was a little unprecedented,’ said Michael Thompson, Plymouth’s director of public works. Besides the lift stations, communication systems that monitor water pressure at two towers were no longer sending back readings. Thompson said it was ‘all hands on deck’ to minimize any issues.” QUOTE: “With critical infrastructure, you always want safeguards, you want to plan for the unexpected,” said Thompson. “So in a case like this, understanding it was a cyberattack, we air-gapped our systems, so basically disconnected everything from the public-facing action, and just went to a full manual operation.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4fDzhGF

URBAN EXPLORERS: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis police and fire officials say a fall that left an 18-year-old with life-threatening injuries this week highlights the dangers of so-called ‘urban exploring.’ The victim fell an estimated 20 stories at a decommissioned grain elevator Monday night. Police said the victim was part of a group of teens and young adults who were trespassing at the former Checkerboard grain elevator near 38th and Hiawatha in south Minneapolis at about 8:30 p.m.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gbP0wO

TOMORROW: From the City of Zumbrota via Facebook, VERBATIM: “On Thursday, August 6, the City’s old water tower will be taken down. On Thursday, August 6, the City’s old water tower will be taken down.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bqgfRG

COMMERCE

ACQUISITION: Via Minnetonka-based Electro-Sensors, VERBATIM: “Electro-Sensors, Inc., a leading designer and manufacturer of industrial machine monitoring sensors, hazard monitoring systems and predictive maintenance technologies, today announced the successful completion of its acquisition by steute Technologies, a portfolio company of Battery Ventures.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Sf1BWP

RETAIL: The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reports wellness and activewear brand Alo plans to open a store at Southdale – there’s already an Alo at nearby Galleria. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fRvnsm

RETAIL: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Outdoor recreation giant L.L. Bean has officially expanded its footprint in the Twin Cities metro, opening its second Minnesota retail store at The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes in Maple Grove. The retailer celebrated its grand opening on July 31, welcoming early shoppers with interactive games and special discounts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4w8oqJK

5 FESTIVALS: Via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s African communities will come together this summer for five festivals celebrating the African diaspora through music, food, fashion and cultural traditions. Each festival offers a different way for African and Afro-diaspora communities to celebrate their heritage, preserve cultural traditions and connect with one another.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fE4KIP

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WHAT’S NEXT?

TODAY: Via news release from Rep. Morrison, VERBATIM: “U.S. Representative Kelly Morrison (MN-03) will join Minnesotan biomedical researchers to raise the alarm and highlight serious concerns about the Trump Administration’s proposed rule that would upend medical research in the United States as we know it. The Trump Administration has proposed a new sweeping rule that would shift power to political appointees to choose which studies and trials are awarded federal grant funding — instead of the apolitical peer review process that has been in place for decades and allowed for breakthroughs in science and medicine like cancer treatment, Alzheimer’s research, HIV treatment and prevention, and countless others.”

TOMORROW: The Minnesota Fringe Festival begins. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/45cT2ie

THIS WEEKEND: Duluth Trails Fest – a weekend of biking and running – begins Friday. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4yYk4HD

FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com

STATE FAIR: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “With weeks before the 2026 Minnesota State Fair starts, one Grandstand concert is already sold out. No tickets are available for the TLC and Salt-N-Pepa concert with En Vogue. The Sept. 5 show is part of their ‘IT’S ICONIC’ national tour.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fXsNkN

BDAYS: media guy Jason Matheson, lobbyist Ward Einess, and GOP insider Jennifer DeJournett, EGF attorney Skylar Johnson

lunch take | MN Private Prison Gets ICE Contract

Mike Maybay — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 16:12:54 GMT

A BUSY TUESDAY

That’s Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins speaking this morning at Farmfest in Redwood County. You can watch her address HERE: https://fluence-media.co/459I3FR

I’m at Farmfest and will have reports on WCCO Radio and Fox Live today and Wednesday. I’ll be moderating the gubernatorial forum Wednesday AM. Forums will be streamed online, and rebroadcast on WCCO Radio.

Direct updates via The Daily Agenda on INSTAGRAM: https://fluence-media.co/4pVPgTK

Minnesota Monthly takes us back a century when Sauk Centre’s Sinclair Lewis was awarded a Pulitzer Prize and basically said, “nah… I’m good”. READ: https://fluence-media.co/45CvnI7

Northern Minnesota can’t catch a break – lightning overnight is suspected of starting three house fires. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pSZsMW

Via the Star Tribune, what the fire damage in the Boundary Waters looks like from above. PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/4bvt2Ci

Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com

Fluence Advisory has released its Insights memo on “The Next Legislature”. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aNNSMV

Want to manage your subscription to TheDailyAgenda.com? HERE: https://fluence-media.co/managesubscription

Follow the 2026 Minnesota election’s up close with the Fluence ElectionTracker. FluenceElectionTracker.com

Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4g8RrjE

Sunday Take featured a Farmfest preview and Republican Adam Schwarze discussing his U.S. Senate campaign. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3TyEK93

Follow the 2026 Minnesota elections up close with the Fluence Election Tracker.

https://fluence-media.co/electiontracker

SPONSOR: Sponsorships are available to reach over 30,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheets and website, TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com.

PRISON & POLITICS

ICE DETENTION: Via news release from private prison company CoreCivic, VERBATIM: “CoreCivic, Inc. (NYSE: CXW) announced today that it has been awarded a new contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to utilize the Company’s 1,600-bed Prairie Correctional Facility located in Appleton, Minnesota, a facility that has been idle since 2010. The new contract commences on August 11, 2026, for a term of five years . . . We expect to begin receiving detainees in the fourth quarter of 2026, with the full ramp estimated to be complete in the second quarter of 2027.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4w4Tmue

MORE: Via KARE-TV, VERBATIM: “The private prison has been closed since 2010 . . . Discussions to reopen the prison as an ICE detention facility garnered a mixed reaction from community members in the past year, with clergy and immigrant leaders calling for compassionate alternatives to immigrant detention; however, others in the community support reopening the prison to support the local economy.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3TwfS1P

WORKFORCE: Via Stateline, VERBATIM: “Today’s small children have a brighter future economically than any generation since the surge of Baby Boomers aged into adulthood in the early 1970s, swamping the job market and dampening pay for 20-somethings ever since, said Steven Ruggles, director of the Minnesota Population Center at the University of Minnesota.” QUOTE: “We are on the verge of a radical reshaping of labor markets in which new workers will be in extremely short supply,” Ruggles wrote in the report. “We may finally see real (inflation-adjusted) wages of the young exceed the levels of the early 1970s. Americans born in the 2020s might be the first cohort in a half century that earns significantly more than their parents did.” STATELINE STORY | UofM REPORT

NEW AD: North Star Dawn PAC this morning launched a new ad featuring Minnesota First Lady Gwen Walz endorsing Rep. Angie Craig in the U.S. Senate DFL primary. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/451HCxN

PRIMARIES: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Across Minnesota, 11 state lawmakers face primary challenges from candidates aiming to bring fresh faces to the Capitol. Six are in districts held by Republicans, and five are held by Democrats. The districts reliably support the party currently in power there, so next Tuesday’s results probably won’t shift seats to the other side. But challengers could bring in lawmakers who are positioned closer to the political right or left than the incumbents they’re looking to replace.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4brkCvH

NOTE: In morning take, a look at the state of the primaries one week out from election day. ICYMI: https://fluence-media.co/4xedYRS

TEST SCORES: Via NWEA, VERBATIM: “NWEA, a K-12 assessment and research organization, released a new study today showing that middle school reading performance has not rebounded since the pandemic and continues to decline among the nation’s lowest-achieving students . . . In contrast to signs of progress toward academic recovery in math and in elementary reading, middle school reading test scores have stagnated for the average student and have continued to drop among struggling readers. Across multiple assessments, reading test scores for the lowest-achieving middle school students continued dropping after 2022.” NEWS RELEASE: https://fluence-media.co/45CBM67

MORE: Via NWEA, the report includes examples of local initiatives tackling the problem, including two in Minnesota. REPORT: https://fluence-media.co/3TFDLUA

INFRASTRUCTURE

CYBERATTACKS: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “State and federal authorities continue to investigate a recent coordinated cyberattack on Minnesota municipal water systems . . . Cities across Minnesota and the U.S. are dealing with increasingly complex threats to their water infrastructure, even as funding support has lagged. Managing today’s water systems requires a high level of expertise — not just in engineering, but in technology, said Bonnie Keeler, who directs the Water Resources Center at the University of Minnesota. Those systems include high-capacity wells with sophisticated pumping systems, tanks, water towers and a complex network of pipes and pumps, Keeler said.” KEELER: “Every piece of that infrastructure has its own IT system, its own sensor network, its own monitoring system.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4pSCTI6

AIRPORTS: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Airports are getting some help thanks to newly announced grants from the Minnesota Department of Transportation. $8 million will help fund projects across 39 Minnesota airports. MnDOT’s office of aeronautics director Ryan Gaug says the state’s economy relies on the robust airport system, which also helps when it comes to public safety.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4fLA9aT

DULUTH: Via Texas-based FTK, VERBATIM: “FTK Construction Services, a full-service General Contractor specializing in Affordable Housing/LIHTC projects nationwide, has been awarded a new project, Spirit Lake Manor, in Duluth, Minnesota. This 81-unit affordable housing community was built in 1976. The contract value for the rehabilitation of the property, which will take nine months, is $3,794,194.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4h9eo7p

BIG BUSINESS

OTTER TAIL: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “Otter Tail Corp. (OTTR) on Monday reported a loss of $7.6 million in its second quarter. The Fergus Falls, Minnesota-based company said it had a loss of 18 cents per share . . . The power company and manufacturer posted revenue of $334.4 million in the period.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3TANknO

MORE: Via Street Insider, VERBATIM: “Otter Tail Corp (NASDAQ: OTTR) reported Q2 EPS of $1.66, $0.15 better than the analyst estimate of $1.51. Revenue for the quarter came in at $334.38 million versus the consensus estimate of $326.12 million.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45EHmoA

TAKEOVER BIDS: Via Airways, VERBATIM: “easyJet (U2) has given US investment groups Apollo Global Management and [Minneapolis-based] Castlelake until August 7 to formalize competing takeover proposals or withdraw, aligning the timetable for a potential bidding contest over the British low-cost airline. The carrier’s board requested the change, and the UK Panel on Takeovers and Mergers consented to extend Castlelake’s deadline from August 3 to 5 p.m. London time on Friday, August 7. Apollo was already working toward the same August 7 deadline.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hHT7Ss

ACQUISITION: Via Wealth Enhancement, VERBATIM: “Wealth Enhancement, a national independent wealth management firm dedicated to enriching clients’ lives, announced it has acquired the investment advisory business of Miramar Capital, an independent RIA in Northbrook, Illinois. Led by Founders and Senior Portfolio Managers Bob Kalman and Max Wasserman, the team manages more than $592 million in client assets.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Ucjp5q

NEW CFO: Via Best Buy, VERBATIM: “Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE: BBY) announced today the appointment of Anne Bramman as executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective Aug. 19.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4xeELNP

COMMERCE

NO CANDY: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “A new candy store in St. Louis Park has delayed its opening after a massive shipment of imported sweets got stuck in customs. The Candy Shop, from the team behind Honey & Rye and Bakehouse, was forced to press pause on its grand opening weekend because all of their Swedish candy is trapped in customs.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4budFKj

HOLIDAY SHOPPING: Via Arden Hills-based Giftster, VERBATIM: “Giftster, the trusted home for meaningful family gifting, today released its inaugural Holiday Shopping Index, revealing that consumers are beginning the shopping season months before they make their first purchase. Based on millions of real wish list interactions rather than consumer surveys, the Index provides a first-of-its-kind look at how consumers actually prepare for the holiday season and how that behavior is reshaping the retail calendar.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RNToZq

RED WING: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “Red Wing has long been known for its riverfront views, historic architecture, and thriving arts community. Now, the city plans to add another creative destination. Opening Aug. 16, M.E.T. Projects will debut with an exhibition that connects artists from around the world. Contemporary art isn’t always what people expect to find in a small river town—but that’s exactly what the team behind M.E.T Projects is hoping to change.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45Dr3IB

RESTAURANTS: From Axios, a roundup of local restaurant news. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wKWRaI

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WHAT’S NEXT?

TODAY: Via Minneapolis Fed, VERBATIM: “In today’s event, Conversations with the Fed: Unboxing the New Economics of Trade, Minneapolis Fed economists Doireann Fitzgerald and Michael Waugh will help look through the noise of global events to understand what has changed and what has endured. What are the new realities for American businesses and households? What are the long-term implications for economic growth and stability?”

THIS WEEK: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Fringe Festival is back with more than 100 locally produced theatrical shows from Aug. 6–10. Performances at the 33rd annual fest include a Batman-Shakespeare mash-up, a Beach Boys drag-puppet show, and a Minnesota-themed take on Casablanca. Artists are selected by an un-juried and un-curated lottery process, giving any theater artist a chance to put their passion on the stage, and shows are less than 60 minutes in length.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4w72NcG

THIS MONTH: Via Insight News, VERBATIM: “On Saturday, Aug. 22, the University of Minnesota’s Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center at 2001 Plymouth Ave. N. will fill, from noon to 5 p.m., with Black booksellers, Black authors, Black publishers, Black food vendors and the readers who sustain all of them. The occasion is the Midwest Black Book Fair.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hHI5g0

FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com

STATE FAIR: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Like clockwork, the Minnesota State Fair is mere weeks away and is filled with new attractions, competitions, celebrations, and vendors. There are also new renovations to make a more accessible fairgrounds for everyone to enjoy. Here’s what to expect.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wWVZjn

BDAYS: DFL Chair Richard Carlbom, GOP strategist David Fitzsimmons, Eagan Mayor Mike Maguire

lunch take | Data Center Boom Adds 200 Blaine Jobs

Mike Maybay — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 16:26:20 GMT

PATIENCE NEEDED

MnDOT crews working the project on Highway 280 have counted vehicles in the double digits driving around construction barricades, putting themselves and the workers in danger. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4xlnLWs

For only the second time in history, there’s a national blood shortage. Axios with why Minnesotans might be uniquely positioned to help. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4h78xPW

81% of Republicans and 7% of Democrats approve of the President’s handling of immigration – shortly after he took office it was 88% and 18%. AP-NORC: https://fluence-media.co/4xiH1Us

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on Sunday night announced he’s “officially” rescinding the $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund – he’s trying to woo the last couple of GOP Senators holding out on his nomination. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4xmBUmm

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Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4xipifY

Sunday Take featured a Farmfest preview and Republican Adam Schwarze discussing his U.S. Senate campaign. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3TyEK93

Follow the 2026 Minnesota elections up close with the Fluence Election Tracker.

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A BUSY MONDAY

JOBS: Via London & Minneapolis-based nVent, VERBATIM: “nVent Electric plc (NYSE:NVT), a global leader in electrical connection and protection solutions, today announced the lease of additional manufacturing space at a second location in Blaine, Minnesota. The new 160,000 square-foot site will expand nVent’s capacity to manufacture data center liquid cooling solutions, supporting the surging demand for liquid cooling technologies that enable artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing . . . The new site is expected to begin production in the first half of 2027 and employ more than 200 people.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fBN2Wq

BEDS: Via The Canadian Press, VERBATIM: “Sleep Country Canada Inc. says it has completed its acquisition of [Minneapolis-based] Sleep Number. The Toronto-based retailer says the deal will make it the second-largest sleep retailer in the world . . . Documents filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court say Sleep Country agreed to pay about US$702 million for the assets.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wfeH4A

HEMP: Via Marijuana Moment, VERBATIM: “U.S. Senate leaders have included provisions to delay the planned federal recriminalization of hemp THC products in a key new spending bill. Industry advocates believe the move will give them more time to convince Congress to enact comprehensive regulations to effectively regulate, rather than prohibit, the products. Hemp derivatives with less than 0.3 percent delta-9 THC on a dry-weight basis were federally legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill that President Donald Trump signed during his first term in office. But late last year, the president signed new legislation containing provisions that will redefine hemp to make it so only products with 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container will remain legal after November 12.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fKp7nP

MORE: Via news release from Senator Amy Klobuchar, KLOBUCHAR: “Brewers, farmers, small businesses, and customers in Minnesota have made clear that the federal ban on hemp products will be devastating,” Klobuchar said. “The new government funding bill in the Senate includes a key provision based on my bipartisan bill to delay the federal hemp ban, which I opposed last November, so other states can put more sensible safety rules in place like we have in Minnesota. This delay was immediately necessary to give Minnesota hemp producers and customers certainty, while giving Congress more time to get to a long-term fix.”

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LYNX-FEVER: Via Sporting News, VERBATIM: “A rally organized around Sophie Cunningham’s recent comments drew supporters and counterprotesters outside Target Center before the Indiana Fever faced the Minnesota Lynx. The attention surrounding Sophie Cunningham extended well beyond the basketball court Sunday afternoon. Before the Indiana Fever’s 108-100 loss to the Minnesota Lynx, supporters of Cunningham gathered outside Target Center in Minneapolis for a rally focused on protecting women’s sports. The demonstration came after similar events were held in Seattle and Portland earlier in the week. Cunningham has become a central figure in the debate after publicly sharing her position on transgender athletes participating in women’s sports.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3S9VlQ8

MORE: Activist and former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines was at the game to support Cunningham. A photo and a sign both drew controversy. PHOTOGATE | SIGNGATE

GOLF: Via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “St. Paul golf courses may soon be allowed to add lighting — which could lead to later hours — under changes to an odd zoning restriction scheduled for a city council vote Wednesday. The proposed ordinance would remove restrictions prohibiting lighting on golf courses — as well as miniature golf. City officials say they are unsure why those provisions exist.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hLyGEb

COOKBOOK: Via Target, VERBATIM: “Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) is bringing easy, flavorful recipes to busy families with the launch of ‘Good & Gather: Discover Delicious Every Day,’ the first-ever cookbook from Target’s flagship owned food and beverage brand.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hQVOB4

THE LOCALS

APP: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Public safety is now a tap away for Robbinsdale residents. The city’s police department is the first in the nation to offer the Bridge911 app. The app, which replaces the city’s Tip411 system, has multiple uses, including getting crime alerts and updates on street closures and snow emergencies. Residents can also submit tips directly to police through the Bridge911.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4z0B4NM

FOUNTAIN: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “The fountain of the Wind in Canal Park, just across from the Dewitt-Seitz building, was filled with bubbles on Sunday. The Duluth Police Department says officers responded to reports of people putting soap into the fountain just after 10:00 p.m. on Saturday. They called the city plumber to turn it off until it could be cleaned up.” READ/PHOTO: https://fluence-media.co/4w2f42c

FLOODING: Via Austin Herald, VERBATIM: “Local officials, in combination with state and national agencies, have been working toward establishing damage assessments stemming from heavy rain events on July 2 and 8 . . . According to a release Thursday evening, as part of that process, FEMA and the SBA assessment teams have agreed to come to Mower County and conduct Initial Individual Assistance (IA) Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs) in partnership with the Mower County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management and HSEM.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4xntwTz

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

ROCHESTER: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Standing in front of a massive road closure through downtown Rochester, deputy city administrator Cindy Steinhauser didn’t see the barricades and detour signs, she saw a future bus rapid transit line . . . The transit line is one of the city’s 13 public works construction projects underway right now. Within the next year, that number will nearly double. And that doesn’t count private construction projects like new housing developments or the new hospital that Mayo Clinic is building downtown.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4yV4bls

MINNEAPOLIS: Via My North News, VERBATIM: “Residents of the Jordan and Folwell neighborhoods have complained for years about gunshots, drug trafficking, prostitution, and dice games that happen out in the open at the corner of Lowry and Logan avenues. Part of their frustration is directed at the Full Stop gas station at that intersection. Residents say the owner has done little to drive away the persistent gatherings of people from that corner . . . Now, the owner is appealing to many of those residents to support his plans to expand his store with a new building that will include a restaurant, a four-unit apartment complex, and a design that will discourage loitering and criminal activity.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4xjawpb

STRIP MALL: Via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “A Chicago-based social enterprise company is purchasing the Hawthorn Crossings strip mall in north Minneapolis, promising it will build local wealth and support community development in one of the Twin Cities’ lowest-income and most diverse neighborhoods. Lyneir Richardson, co-founder and CEO of Chicago Trend, is undertaking a crowdfunding campaign, asking nearby residents to invest a minimum of $1,000 into the Hawthorn Crossings project. He seeks to make the strip mall 49% community owned, saying that ownership of commercial real estate on West Broadway will empower the neighborhood.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3TPUEvO

COMMERCE

RETAIL: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “A Crunch Fitness and Foss Swim School are coming to St. Paul’s Highland Park neighborhood. Why it matters: The additions to the Highland Village Shopping Center on Ford Parkway will fill a high-traffic anchor store spot that has sat vacant since Lunds & Byerlys moved to the neighboring Highland Bridge redevelopment in 2022.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RPiWpc

BBQ: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Big news rocked the world of 6-year-olds in the Twin Cities, when Animales BBQ Co. opened the latest and greatest in indoor play places just off its main dining room: stairs to climb and slides to slither, walls to ascend and big tumbling mats for somersaults, a curtained stage for kid productions, magnet walls to rearrange, picture books for all, and little tables just for kid meetings. Conveniently, just outside the playroom door: mac and cheese and a large space to keep your parents!” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hc1vJO

CLOSING: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “It’s the final curtain for El Sazon Cocina & Tragos. The south Minneapolis restaurant specializing in tacos, birria and other casual Mexican bites announced it will close in mid-August after a nearly three-year run. ‘After many sleepless nights and difficult conversations, we’ve made the decision to close El Sazón Cocina & Tragos,’ owners Cristian and Karen de Leon posted on the restaurant’s Facebook page. The last day of service will be Aug. 15.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hFSmcA

OPENING: From White Bear Lake’s Donatelli’s Restaurant via Instagram, VERBATIM: “We’re beyond excited to announce that Donatelli’s is opening a second location in Bloomington this September!” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wV7mIB

CROW WING CTY: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “Snarky Loon Brewing in Jenkins was recently visited by the media and marketing group America’s Best Restaurants and will soon be featured on an episode of ABR’s Roadshow series. The ABR crew travels the country highlighting independent, locally-owned restaurants that make a positive impact on their communities.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4xiI6eV

ACQUISITION: Via Minneapolis-based Rise, VERBATIM: “Rise Baking Company, home to some of the baking industry’s most trusted brands and a leading manufacturer for in-store bakeries and foodservice operators, today announced it has completed its acquisition of Jimmy’s Gourmet Bakery, further strengthening its position in the cookie category while expanding manufacturing capabilities in the Northeast.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pQm6W9

ACQUISITION: Via GlobalData, VERBATIM: “Quantum computing firm IonQ has completed the previously announced acquisition of [Bloomington]-based semiconductor foundry SkyWater Technology in a transaction valued at about $1.8bn.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4w7rfL9

ACQUISITION: Via Minneapolis-based Deluxe, VERBATIM: “Deluxe (NYSE: DLX), a trusted payments and data company, today announced it has closed its acquisition of Celero Commerce, a financial technology company focused on optimized payment solutions for small to mid-sized businesses and strategic partners.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4yVMuCg

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WHAT’S NEXT?

TOMORROW: Via Fergus Falls-based Otter Tail, VERBATIM: “Otter Tail Corporation (Nasdaq: OTTR) will issue a news release announcing second quarter 2026 financial results after the stock market closes on Monday, August 3, 2026 and will host a live conference call and webcast on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. CT to discuss the corporation’s financial and operating performance.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pmT40l

WEDNESDAY: Via Minneapolis-based Deluxe, VERBATIM: “Deluxe (NYSE: DLX), a trusted Payments and Data company, will report second quarter 2026 financial results after market close on Wednesday, August 5, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Tg0Qgu

WEDNESDAY: Via Brooklyn Park-based Clearfield, VERBATIM: “Clearfield, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLFD), a leader in fiber connectivity solutions for broadband, data center and network infrastructure environments, today announced that it will release results for the third quarter of fiscal 2026, ended June 30, 2026, on Wednesday, August 5th, 2026, after the close of the market.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wfdeMb

WEDNESDAY: Via Eden Prairie-based Tennant, VERBATIM: “Tennant Company (NYSE: TNC) today announced that the company will report its second quarter 2026 financial results after the market closes on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, with a conference call to follow at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time/ 9:00 a.m. Central Time on Thursday, August 6, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4weigbQ

THURSDAY: Via Minnetonka-based NOG, VERBATIM: “Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. (NYSE: NOG) announced today that it plans to issue its second quarter 2026 financial and operating results on Thursday, August 6, 2026, after the market closes.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eTFuxP

THURSDAY: Via Minneapolis-based Sezzle, VERBATIM: “Purpose-driven digital payment platform, Sezzle, will release its second quarter 2026 results after the market close on August 6, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vrMarT

THURSDAY: Via Brooklyn Park-based CVRx, VERBATIM: “CVRx, Inc. (NASDAQ: CVRX), a commercial-stage medical device company focused on developing, manufacturing and commercializing innovative neuromodulation solutions for patients with cardiovascular diseases, today announced that it plans to release second quarter 2026 financial and operating results after market close on Thursday, August 6, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44NTdAj

FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com

SATURDAY: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “IgboFest celebrates its 31st year highlighting Nigerian culture on Saturday, Aug. 8, on the campus of North Hennepin Community College. Hosted by the Umunne Cultural Association, attendees can experience traditional Igbo clothing, cuisine, music and cultural performances at this year’s festival, which runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/45InWPz

BDAYS: GOP operative Kevin Poindexter, CBS’ Jamie Yuccas, lobbyist Grace Keliher, Torrent goalie Hannah Murphy

lunch take | Minnesota: Purple or Polka Dotted?

Mike Maybay — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 16:27:11 GMT

WEEKEND LOADING…

Heading up north? Axios readers have chosen a roadside attraction for you to see along the way. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4vVC17f

We’re finally getting a little rain – will the fishing still be good? WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4hHhsb0

The cyclospora outbreak hasn’t hit Minnesota yet, but that doesn’t mean no one here has it. It’s complicated. MPR: https://fluence-media.co/3TLCDPe

In St. Paul, police have a surveillance picture of a person they want to talk with about 24 trees damaged in a city park. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4vTfs2N

Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com

Fluence Advisory has released its Insights memo on “The Next Legislature”. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aNNSMV

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Follow the 2026 Minnesota election’s up close with the Fluence ElectionTracker. FluenceElectionTracker.com

Sunday Take featured Rep. Angie Craig discussing her Senate campaign, the Iran war, the state of agriculture and more. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4wZg8od

Follow the 2026 Minnesota elections up close with the Fluence Election Tracker.

https://fluence-media.co/electiontracker

SPONSOR: Sponsorships are available to reach over 30,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheets and website, TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com.

FRIDAY FEED

HOMEOWNERSHIP: Via Realtor.com, VERBATIM: “The Federal Reserve of Minneapolis has proposed a new way of measuring homeownership that would change the current view of the housing landscape. In a paper released earlier this month, researchers suggested that homeownership in America should be measured not by the share of homes where the owner is a resident, often called owner occupancy. Its alternative is to measure the share of adult population that owns their homes, which it called the ‘homeowners-to-population’ (HPOP) ratio. The change might seem nuanced, but it leads to a major shift: While 65% of homes are owner-occupied, just 53% of U.S. adults own a home.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3TvJCfd

PAID LEAVE: Via DEED, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced today that the premium rate for Minnesota Paid Leave will remain steady at 0.88% of covered wages in Minnesota for 2027 – the same as the current year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4yS0X23

DATA CENTERS: Via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Thus far, data center development has played little role in the campaign to determine Minnesota’s next governor. The Reformer sent a questionnaire to the four major gubernatorial candidates ahead of the August 11 primary. We asked if they would approve additional tax incentives, as well as water and environmental permits. And, if they would allow local governments to pass temporary moratoriums, and to sign non-disclosure agreements with tech companies.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4blSLgm

WHAT COLOR?: Minnesota Monthly ponders whether Minnesota is a purple state – then turns to an expert. QUOTE: “I would not describe Minnesota as purple,” says wet blanket Larry Jacobs, the Walter F. and Joan Mondale Chair for Political Studies and director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at the University of Minnesota. “It’s polka dotted. There are some really bright red spots. I mean, Michelle Fishbach and Tom Emmer have two of the most conservative congressional districts in the country—they look like they’re from Alabama. And then you’ve got Ilhan Omar, who could be from San Francisco. And when you look at statewide races, it is more like a Rothko, because you have these broad strokes of red in greater Minnesota, and then you’ve got this block of blue in the urban areas.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bXILdt

BUTTONS: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “The Election Judge Button Design Contest is new this year and open to kids ages 8-18 who live in or attend school in Hennepin County. The idea is to let kids showcase their artistic talent while also showing appreciation for those working at the polls on Nov. 3, Election Day.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4xdJpvD

DC + MN

INTEREST RATES: Via Yahoo! Finance, VERBATIM: “Three Federal Reserve members who wanted the central bank to raise interest rates this week weighed in on Friday with their rationale . . . [Minneapolis Fed president Neel] Kashkari on Friday pointed to how a series of shocks, starting with the war in Ukraine to now energy prices, is harder for the central bank to look through, and he too would like to take action before inflation becomes deeply embedded.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4xce7Fm

MORE: Via The Wall Street Journal, VERBATIM: “Kashkari said that if inflation remains stubborn, he might support a series of rate increases, not just one, to prevent inflation from becoming more entrenched.” KASHKARI: “A potential series of small policy moves would be better than waiting and eventually concluding that even bolder actions were necessary.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bXPsMD

WILDFIRES: Via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “The U.S. Forest Service lost more than 100 Minnesota employees and delayed $10 million in grant funding for wildfire mitigation in the Superior National Forest during the chaotic first year of President Trump’s second term. Democratic elected officials say those setbacks left Minnesota ill-equipped to face the fires that have burned more than 60,000 acres in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness since early July and repeatedly billowed smoke across the Great Lakes region and beyond.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fEAk7W

PRETTI SHOOTING: Via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “Six months ago, U.S. Border Patrol agents killed ICU nurse Alex Pretti in south Minneapolis during Operation Metro Surge. Only on WCCO, we’re hearing from his parents, Susan and Michael Pretti, through attorney Steven Schleicher about the investigation into their son’s death. Schleicher called this investigation ‘an absolute nightmare.’ He said the Pretti family still has no information about who killed their son.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4xcg6cM

THE LOCALS

DULUTH: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “Two weeks ago in part one of our Down Town special report, we heard from [former Social House restaurant owner Matt] Berthiaume. He aired many grievances about Duluth’s handling of downtown and Canal Park. Most notably -- his frustration with the sheer volume of public disorder, drug use, crime and lack of cleanliness seen in those parts of town. Turns out, he’s not alone. Since that report aired on July 16, we’ve heard from more business owners at their wits end with what’s going on.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4wz3aOs

MINNEAPOLIS: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis is unveiling a series of fee-free concerts and neighborhood music events this summer and fall. Backed by money from the Small Business Resiliency Fund, two events are being launched: the Minneapolis Mile of Music and the Indie Music Family Night Out. This follows a recent ‘State of Live’ report by the National Independent Venue Association, showing that independent performance spaces generate $2.2 billion for the local economy.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3S5LHOs

ALBERT LEA: Via Albert Lea Tribune, VERBATIM: “Jacob Schlichter has been ready to open his cannabis dispensary for nearly a year. Instead, he’s watched empty shelves collect dust . . . Schlichter’s business, The Smoking Tree, became the first non-tribal cannabis dispensary to receive a license from Minnesota’s Office of Cannabis Management last summer. But the city denied his registration. After a nine-month legal battle, the Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled in May the city’s denial was arbitrary — a decision in his favor . . . The city is now reconsidering Schlichter’s dispensary.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wAyGLW

COMMERCE

THIS WEEKEND: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “The pro wrestling world and its rabid fanbase are set to take over downtown Minneapolis this weekend as WWE’s SummerSlam rolls into town. Why it matters: This event is a huge deal. If WWE’s signature event, WrestleMania, is pro wrestling’s Super Bowl, then SummerSlam is like the conference championships — with titles and major storylines settled in the ring, and huge crowds and adjacent events outside of it.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wD0jE4

HOCKEY: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Wild made a stop in Duluth on Thursday as part of its traveling Block Party series, bringing hockey-themed activities and giveaways to the DECC for fans of all ages.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4fJd8FM

ACQUISITION: Via Maryland-based IonQ, VERBATIM: “IonQ (NYSE: IONQ), the world’s leading quantum platform company, today completed its acquisition of [Bloomington-based] SkyWater Technology (NASDAQ: SKYT), the largest exclusively U.S.-based semiconductor foundry.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4xe6JcO

PROTOLABS: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “Proto Labs Inc. (PRLB) on Friday reported earnings of $9.2 million in its second quarter. On a per-share basis, the Maple Plain, Minnesota-based company said it had profit of 37 cents . . . The custom parts manufacturer posted revenue of $149.3 million in the period.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4xdKeEK

BAIT SHOP: Via MplsStPaul, a new restaurant opening next Friday in south Minneapolis. VERBATIM: “Bill’s Bait Shop isn’t meant to be a facsimile of a true Northwoods bar—you can’t whip up that particular secret sauce of Hamm’s, fryer grease, and small-town lore in just a few months’ time. But it is an ode to [Jami] Olson‘s grandpa Bill and to northern Minnesota, the space ever-so-campy but the spirit quite heartfelt.” READ/PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/4w3pa2W

MOA: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Clothing brand Madewell is expanding its footprint at the Mall of America in Bloomington. This fall, the retailer will unveil a newly expanded, 5,500 square-foot store with a bigger selection of apparel, accessories, denim, and footwear in its existing location on Level 1, South.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3S1JeEK

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WHAT’S NEXT?

THIS WEEKEND: The Washington County Fair continues through Sunday. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4wBsByS

THIS WEEKEND: Wanderlight Trail wraps up its run at the place some still call “the new zoo”. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4fEBLDq

THIS MONTH: Via Water Over Nickel, details of two upcoming public meetings hosted by the DNR on the Tamarack Mine. The first is next week. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4h7EyHM

FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com

STATE FAIR: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “For generations of fairgoers, a trip to the Minnesota State Fair isn’t complete without a stop at the DNR’s Fish Pond. Tucked beneath mature trees and away from the midway’s flashing lights, the tranquil corner has offered visitors a chance to slow down since 1971. But the DNR’s roots at the fair stretch back even further—more than a century—making it one of the fair’s oldest and most enduring institutions.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4g3tg6e

BDAYS: community leader Scott Peterseon, attorney Matt Mankey, lobbyist Joe Lally. SAT: hair pro Amanda Steele, golfing guy Blake Smith, fmr. Sen. Terri Bonnof, DFL operative Ellen Perrault SUN: ag leader Ashley Kohls, real estate leader Stu Ackerberg, business leader Pady Regnier, Washington County Attorney Kevin Magnuson, fmr. Rep. John Ward, General Mills’ Lee Anderson

lunch take | MN Water Cyberattack Linked to Iran

Mike Maybay — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 17:19:36 GMT

MINNESOTA’S HOTTEST CLUB…

…might soon be a nursing home. Saturday, a new state law takes effect allowing nursing homes and assisted living facilities to serve beer and wine at social functions. AXIOS: https://fluence-media.co/45uYo8x

More new laws taking effect via MPR: https://fluence-media.co/4fGIAEl

Morning take said it – we need rain. Now we know how much. 76% of the state is now in formal drought status, up from 48% a week earlier. 95% – nearly the entire state – is listed as abnormally dry or worse. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3zN8TDo

The U.S. economy grew at an annual rate of 1.5 percent in the second quarter – down from 2.1% in the first quarter. NYTIMES: https://fluence-media.co/3RF5LHm

33% of Americans say the war with Iran has been worth it. AP/NORC: https://fluence-media.co/4x9JjFh

77% of American adults say they’d trust someone with military experience to serve in elected office. GALLUP: https://fluence-media.co/4vUfxmP

Caitlin Clark and controversy coming to town, the Vikings’ quarterback war is about to get real and the Twins go on a talent search. New Sports Take, out this afternoon.

Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com

Fluence Advisory has released its Insights memo on “The Next Legislature”. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aNNSMV

Want to manage your subscription to TheDailyAgenda.com? HERE: https://fluence-media.co/managesubscription

Follow the 2026 Minnesota election’s up close with the Fluence ElectionTracker. FluenceElectionTracker.com

Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4vTQUa9

Sunday Take featured Rep. Angie Craig discussing her Senate campaign, the Iran war, the state of agriculture and more. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4wZg8od

Follow the 2026 Minnesota elections up close with the Fluence Election Tracker.

https://fluence-media.co/electiontracker

SPONSOR: Sponsorships are available to reach over 30,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheets and website, TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com.

MIXED BAG OF OUTSIDE ATTENTION

FAIR FOOD: Yelp mined user reviews to name the best state fairs for food. Congratulations to Wisconsin on finishing second. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4cb2ExH

SPEAKING OF… Via WCCO-TV, in addition to the best fair food in the country, the Minnesota State Fair will feature a new 230-foot-tall Ferris wheel, a renovated Coliseum, dinosaurs, and more. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4ww11mz

CYBERATTACK: Via The New York Times, VERBATIM: “Investigators believe a cyberattack this week on dozens of municipal water systems in Minnesota was probably the work of Iranian hackers, according to U.S. and state officials and others familiar with the matter, a potential act of aggression that comes at a precarious moment in the U.S. war against Iran. Officials cautioned that they had not definitively determined who was responsible for the attack and that the preliminary assessment could change as the authorities collected more technical data.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bhE2mH

MORE: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “No water was contaminated, but it could have been much more severe according to Metro State cybersecurity professor Faisal Kalim, who adds they targeted operational technology like pumps and power sectors.” KALIM: “OT deals with something called the industrial control system that actually controls these water pumps, wells, power sectors, and so on.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3RHeloP

USE OF FORCE: Via Capital & Main, VERBATIM: “Human rights investigators have documented hundreds of instances of misuse of crowd-control weapons at protests of immigration enforcement since President Donald Trump returned to office. Department of Homeland Security employees and local law enforcement both committed violations of standards of use for crowd-control weapons, injuring protesters, according to a report from Physicians for Human Rights and the University of California, Berkeley’s Human Rights Center. The authors of the report called for manufacturers to stop making certain weapons that are particularly harmful and likely to be misused and urged law enforcement agencies to change their use-of-force policies.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fKfcNI

MORE: Via Physicians for Human Rights, VERBATIM: “We reviewed thousands of minutes of video, hundreds of pages of legal proceedings, and scores of news articles available in the public arena on incidents occurring between June 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026. We identified 412 unique misuse of force incidents at immigration enforcement protests.”

“Five cities accounted for the majority: Los Angeles, California, alone saw 169 incidents, or more than 40% of the total. Minneapolis, Minnesota, followed with 94 incidents (nearly a quarter of all cases), then Chicago, Illinois, with 56 (13.6%), Portland, Oregon, with 37 (9.0%), and Newark, New Jersey, with 21 (5.1%).” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bjV9US

TIMBERWOLVES: Via NBA, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced a new local media rights agreement with DAZN (pronounced da-ZONE), naming the global sports entertainment platform as the franchise’s new exclusive home for Timberwolves basketball across its local broadcast territory. Through a new team-branded subscription service launching later this summer, fans can stream Timberwolves games plus access broader team content more directly and conveniently than traditional viewing options. Fifteen games will be available for free this season, underscoring the team’s commitment to reaching more fans.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pKueHK

POLITICALLY CONNECTED

INTEREST RATES: Via Yahoo! Finance, VERBATIM: “The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady for the fifth consecutive policy meeting this year, amid a rebound in oil prices driven by renewed tensions in the Middle East. The central bank voted in a split decision to hold its benchmark interest rate in the range of 3.5% to 3.75%. Minneapolis Fed president Neel Kashkari, Dallas Fed president Lorie Logan, and Cleveland Fed president Beth Hammack dissented, preferring to raise rates by a quarter percentage point.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3TMYeXw

EXIT INTERVIEW: Minnesota Monthly has a Q&A with Senator Tina Smith. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4yNC2MV

POT: Via KEYC-TV, VERBATIM: “Island Pezi’s new location on Adams Street in Mankato is getting ready to be the company’s first new recreational cannabis store since it started in the Prairie Island Indian Community back in 2024. The business expects to open in either late August or early fall at the latest . . . As a tribal company, Island Pezi is subject to regulations from both the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) and Prairie Island’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4fDHmd1

HUNTING: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “A new plan to monitor chronic wasting disease is one of several new laws impacting deer hunters this upcoming season. One key change is that this year carcasses are allowed to leave the CWD management zone, provided a few things happen.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4bQQytw

BROOKLYN CTR: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Brooklyn Center’s so-called Opportunity Site has been discussed for redevelopment for the better part of two decades. Projects have been proposed. Proposals have fallen through. Now a new concept plan has come forward that has city leaders optimistic about the possibilities.” QUOTE: “It is a huge, huge undertaking,” said Brooklyn Center City Council Member Dan Jerzak about the proposal at the city’s July 27 economic development authority meeting. “It could be monumentally game-changing for the city.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4g4bCPC

SUPERIOR, WI: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “The Superior Tourism Development Commission is offering a 25% cash rebate to film production crews for expenses spent in the city, a new incentive local film creatives and businesses say could open the door to more productions in the area. Production crews must apply, spend a minimum of $10,000 in the Superior area, and then receive 25% of their money back once audited” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44Zwn93

EARNINGS SEASON

LIFE TIME: Via Investing, VERBATIM: “[Eden Prairie-based] Life Time Holdings (NYSE: LTH) reported second quarter EPS of $0.48, $0.10 better than the analyst estimate of $0.38. Revenue for the quarter came in at $866M versus the consensus estimate of $845.9M.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45vo3Om

PIPER: Via Stock Titan, VERBATIM: “[Minneapolis-based] Piper Sandler Companies reported strong Q2 2026 results, with U.S. GAAP net revenues of $495.5 million, up 25% year-over-year and 4% sequentially. Net income attributable to Piper Sandler Companies was $67.8 million and diluted EPS was $0.95, both up 61% from Q2 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4yJGvk1

MORE EARNINGS: Via Associated Press, from Minnesota-based companies:

XCEL: “Xcel Energy Inc. (XEL) on Thursday reported second-quarter profit of $586 million. On a per-share basis, the Minneapolis-based company said it had net income of 93 cents. The results beat Wall Street expectations . . . The utility posted revenue of $3.12 billion in the period, which did not meet Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4yP6PZO (DISCLOSURE: Xcel is a Fluence sponsor)
C.H. ROBINSON: “C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc. (CHRW) on Wednesday reported second-quarter profit of $186.8 million. On a per-share basis, the Eden Prairie, Minnesota-based company said it had profit of $1.56 . . . The results beat Wall Street expectations . . . The trucking company posted revenue of $4.93 billion in the period, also surpassing Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wi6UD7
API: “APi Group Corporation (APG) on Thursday reported second-quarter earnings of $99 million. The New Brighton, Minnesota-based company said it had profit of 20 cents per share . . . The results met Wall Street expectations . . . The company posted revenue of $2.25 billion in the period, exceeding Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pKfTel
HAWKINS: “Hawkins Inc. (HWKN) on Wednesday reported fiscal first-quarter earnings of $28.3 million. The Roseville, Minnesota-based company said it had profit of $1.35 per share. The results fell short of Wall Street expectations . . . The chemical maker posted revenue of $315.7 million in the period, which beat Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3TplDhK

COMMERCE

TRADE: Via DEED, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Trade Office (MTO) at the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is accepting nominations for the 41st annual Governor’s International Trade Awards. These awards recognize Minnesota companies that have demonstrated exceptional export growth and success in international markets. They also highlight the important role international trade and foreign investment plays in strengthening Minnesota’s economy.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pNjPLi

ANOKA: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Anoka Vintage Fest, an event that has become an October staple in the Halloween Capital of the World, is coming to an end. In a Tuesday post on social media, festival founder and owner of Amoré Antiques Brandon Altenweg that the event will come to an end.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fFyEuT

BEER: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “A revival is not in the cards for Back Shed Brewing. The Waite Park brewery closed its doors last March after the St. Cloud Christian School purchased the former Crafts Direct Building, which included the brewery’s building. At the time, co-owner Jason Schlecht said it was a surprise to learn the brewery had to move out.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4yNKo7d

HAWAIIAN FOOD: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “In the highly competitive restaurant industry, breaking into a brand-new market is never an easy task. However, the team behind Mo’ Bettahs found a surefire way to catch the public’s attention: offer free food. ‘Hey, lunch is on us today,’ staff members could be heard calling out to eager guests on July 24. The strategy worked flawlessly. During the recent soft opening weekend, the line for the new Maple Grove location circled completely around the building.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4hGCEhf

LAKEVILLE: The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reports Oppidan Investment Co. will break ground today on a retail development at 179^th and Cedar. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4h16wVq

HANDBAGS: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Leave it to the grande dame of local fashion, Joy Teiken, to share the stage with both emerging and established talent at her recent Minneapolis runway experience featuring her current Joynoelle collection.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pNknAQ

RETIREMENT: Via Eden Prairie-based Tennant, VERBATIM: “Tennant Company (NYSE: TNC) today announced that Fay West, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer of Tennant Company, gave notice of her intention to retire after her successor has been hired and an appropriate transition period has occurred, with her retirement expected to occur in the second quarter of 2027, but no earlier than April 2, 2027. The Company is commencing a search for a successor Chief Financial Officer.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4c96yqQ

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WHAT’S NEXT?

TOMORROW: Via Minnesota Senate, VERBATIM: “Senator Grant Hauschild (DFL-Hermantown), Representative Roger Skraba (R-Ely), the Cook County Chamber of Commerce, and other partners will discuss the economic impact of Northland wildfires on tourism and other industries on Friday, July 31 at 11:30 a.m. at Hungry Jack Lodge on the Gunflint Trail in Grand Marais.”

THIS WEEKEND: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “What began as a small gathering celebrating Slavic heritage has grown into one of the Twin Cities’ largest multicultural festivals. This year, Slavic Experience returns to St. Louis Park’s ROC on Aug. 1-2.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4g1kZQe

NEXT MONTH: SNL’s Michael Che will record a Netflix special at First Ave. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/45xxjl6

NEXT MONTH: Via Minnetonka-based Stratasys, VERBATIM: “Stratasys Ltd. (Nasdaq: SSYS) will release financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2026, on Thursday, August 13, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4yUtMuW

FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com

POTTERY: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “For better and for worse, Lexie Peterson’s first year as a full-time ceramicist hasn’t exactly gone to plan. For better: The artist behind Gimme Gimme Pottery has amassed a steadfast art fair following; created a distinct, recognizable style (to the point where, when I posted a hot pink iced coffee cup that I purchased at an art fair onto my Instagram story, a friend almost immediately DM’d me: Is that a Gimme Gimme?!); and found her true creative (and career) calling.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vY9kXc

BDAYS: attorney Lyndsey Olson, writer Tricia Velure

lunch take | Electronic vs. Paper — An Election Battle in Anoka County

Mike Maybay — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 18:15:04 GMT

ANOTHER HOT ONE…

We’re expected to be back up in the low 90s later today.

How hot has it been? In Apple Valley, a garbage truck’s haul got a bit overheated and had to be dumped onto the street to cool off. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4h3VMpg

Thankfully, it looks like we start to cool down a bit tomorrow.

Americans’ opinions of AI appear to be cooling a bit as well – only 9% say it does more good than harm. GALLUP: https://fluence-media.co/4h4CxMj

Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com

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Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/45qCl2S

Sunday Take featured Rep. Angie Craig discussing her Senate campaign, the Iran war, the state of agriculture and more. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4wZg8od

Follow the 2026 Minnesota elections up close with the Fluence Election Tracker.

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MIDWEEK CHECK-IN

POPULATION SHIFT: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Minnesota has lost more than 71,000 people ages 45-64 since 2020 — a 5% decline in a group central to the state’s workforce and tax base. Why it matters: Like much of the U.S., Minnesota is losing experienced workers and caregivers just as its aging population needs more of both. It also means a drain of institutional knowledge, leadership experience and mentorship capacity for younger colleagues.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bjRWEZ

ELECTIONS: Via Groundwork Legal, VERBATIM: “Groundwork Legal, one of Minnesota’s leading pro-democracy legal organizations, together with Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, filed an amicus brief today on behalf of the League of Women Voters of Minnesota urging the Minnesota Supreme Court to reject an effort to undermine how counties administer elections. The case arises from the City of Oak Grove’s effort to abandon electronic voter rosters and revert to paper rosters during the check-in process. Although the dispute centers on a single city, Groundwork Legal’s entry into the case signals what’s at stake: the outcome of this case could impact every county in the state.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hIT1tE BRIEF: https://fluence-media.co/4pOn4m3

SCHOOLS + POLITICS: Via Detroit Lakes Tribune, VERBATIM: “By a 4-2 vote, the Detroit Lakes School Board approved a motion during its Monday, July 27 meeting directing Superintendent Mark Jenson to remove all materials not funded, sponsored or authorized by the district from its facilities. The motion, introduced by school board member Sanford Nelson, came as a surprise to some board members, and sparked a contentious debate regarding neutrality and student support. In making the motion, Nelson specifically referenced items such as ‘rainbow stickers, flags and buttons,’ commonly identified with LGBTQ+ themes — but others pointed out that it was also applicable to items promoting one side or the other of hot topic issues like guns and gun control, abortion and pro-life groups, etc.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pM7gjp

PENTAIR: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Pentair is joining the Minnesota public companies making acquisitions to participate in the rapid build-out of data centers. In a step toward that goal, the water products and solutions business said Tuesday it plans to acquire Rhode Island-based Taco Group Holdings for $1.4 billion in a deal it expects to close by the end of the year. Taco Group makes pumps, valves, advanced controls and other products used in industrial applications, including a number of liquid cooling products for data centers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pI5Czj

EARNINGS: Via Associated Press, from Minnesota-based companies:

TWO HARBORS: “Two Harbors Investments Corp. (TWO) on Tuesday reported net income of $62.2 million in its second quarter. On a per-share basis, the St. Louis Park, Minnesota-based company said it had net income of 46 cents . . . The real estate investment trust that invests in mortgage-backed securities posted revenue of $83.5 million in the period.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RnSm6u
TILE SHOP: “Tile Shop Holdings Inc. (TTSH) on Tuesday reported a loss of $1 million in its second quarter. The Plymouth, Minnesota-based company said it had a loss of 3 cents per share. The stone tile retailer posted revenue of $83.2 million in the period.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4hDB7bK

NEWS AROUND THE STATE

VIRGINIA: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “The Virginia City Council has approved hiring a forensic auditor to investigate how money from a one-percent sales tax ended up in the city’s general fund instead of paying off bonding for an event center. The council approved spending $80,000 to hire Perry Forensic for the investigation.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/44UPTU8

ROBOTS: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “A Maple Grove fulfillment center has officially welcomed a new fleet of helpers to its warehouse floor—but they’re not the traditional worker. Archway, a major supply chain company that handles logistics, signage and gift cards for clients across North America, has deployed 45 automated robots driven by ‘physical AI’ to handle the heavy lifting of order fulfillment.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44QWlvp

ST PAUL: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “With the St. Paul mayor’s office poised to begin clearing the city’s largest homeless encampments on Aug. 5, Ramsey County officials voted Tuesday to accept more than $1 million from the city to begin contracting additional emergency shelter beds. … Commissioners voted to accept $1.08 million from the city of St. Paul to back a joint powers agreement around emergency shelter services — a ‘coordinated partnership’ that runs through Dec. 31, 2028. To fund the transfer, the city tapped into its Local Affordable Housing Aid, housing dollars derived from a metro-wide sales tax that took effect in October 2023.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vRvGJJ

UMN: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Ahead of the upcoming school year, the University of Minnesota has announced the closure of its only St. Paul residence and dining hall. … The university confirmed its closure earlier this week despite many incoming students having already received their dorm assignments, or having selected Bailey Hall as their first choice for housing based on its proximity to St. Paul classes. Students will now be placed in other residence halls based on their housing preferences.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4w05gFZ

GRANT: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “Red Lake Nation announced on Monday that it was the recipient of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ No Child Left Inside grant, which focuses on providing additional youth outdoor education programming. The grant will help continue classes for hunter’s education, wildlife knowledge, fishing, boating, and other various outdoor engagement opportunities.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4x9WiHc

INFRASTRUCTURE

HOUSING: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis is unveiling a new affordable multiplex to help tackle the city’s housing shortage. The Minneapolis Public housing Authority and city leaders celebrated the grand opening of a new multiplex in the Windom neighborhood on Monday. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey says the project successfully converted underutilized space into a modern, multi-family home ahead of schedule.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4w0lXRn

SILVER BAY: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “Aspirus Health held a public hearing to explain its decision to close its Lake View Silver Bay clinic and consolidate services to its Lake View Two Harbors location, leaving rural Lake County residents to travel longer distances for medical care. Health officials said the closure was due to insufficient staffing and unsustainable patient numbers.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4fEjvdr

HIGHWAY 14: Via Mankato Free Press, VERBATIM: “With $50 million or more expected to be spent on pavement replacement, bridge repairs and interchange improvements along Highway 14 in Mankato-North Mankato in the next eight years, planners are undertaking a comprehensive study of the corridor to figure what changes should be incorporated in the upcoming construction.” QUOTE: “What should our priorities be for Highway 14?” asked Chris Talamantez, summarizing the goals of the Highway 14 Corridor Study and for next week’s initial public open house. “... We’re just seeking feedback from the public on what works well and what doesn’t.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4xaPgBX

GOLDEN VALLEY: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “The Animal Humane Society in Golden Valley is moving forward with plans to build a new pet clinic, a significant expansion of its existing campus, city officials announced. Plans call for a new two-story, 13,000-square-foot pet clinic at its Golden Valley location at 845 Meadow Ln. N. The Golden Valley City Council approved a planned unit development amendment at its July 7 meeting, allowing the project to proceed.” READ/RENDERINGS: https://fluence-media.co/4x3PoTG

COMMERCE

RESORTS: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Two of Minnesota’s lakefront resorts and one boutique hotel on the Mississippi River are under new management. The Harbors in Two Harbors, Appeldoorn’s Sunset Bay Resort on Mille Lacs Lake, and The Confluence Hotel in Hastings are the newest additions to the portfolio of Leisure Hotels & Resorts, which now manages 13 properties in Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4x7U62G

MTM HOUSE: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Mary Tyler Moore never stayed in the Victorian at 2104 Kenwood Parkway shown in The Mary Tyler Moore Show—but you can. Late last year, the home’s owners opened their beloved house, known as the Moore House, as an event space and vacation rental, managed by Jessica Barrett and Kastina Morrison of Bigger Picture Solutions.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wtIW8H

CLOSING: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Grande Depot, the distinctive gourmet food and homeware store off Interstate 94 near St. Cloud, is closing its doors. The business made the announcement on its social media pages Tuesday, confirming it will shutter permanently on Friday, July 31.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44V5Sla

NEXT WEEK: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Main Event, an entertainment and dining destination owned by Dave & Buster’s, will debut in Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pOddN5

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WHAT’S NEXT?

TODAY: Via mn50501.org, VERBATIM: “On Wednesday, July 29th at 2:30pm, members of PACAT will join St. Paul encampment residents, encampment outreach workers, shelter workers, public health experts, and community leaders to hold a “Stop The Sweeps” call to action press conference in opposition of Mayor Kaohly Her’s plan displace and further destabilize 400+ unhoused encampment residents and the broader community, beginning on August 5th, 2026. Speakers at this press conference will also extend their solidarity to communities in Madison, Wisconsin organizing for justice after the police murder of Corey Ruiz, an unhoused Black man.”

THIS WEEKEND: Via St. Cloud Live, VERBATIM: “The U.S. Air Force’s F-22 Raptor Demo Team flew into St. Cloud on Monday, July 27, in preparation for the two-day North Star Air Show that will have at least 16 current and vintage planes roaring over St. Cloud Sky Central Airport on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 1-2.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Tv05jE

THIS FALL: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “This year’s annual viewing of ‘Christmas Vacation’ can get a little bonus Griswold. Chevy Chase will bring the beloved holiday film to Duluth and Mankato, appearing for a conversation following a screening of the National Lampoon classic.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vX8ZUD

FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com

WALKER: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “What is Love? is a question (and an exhibition on view at the Walker Art Center until Aug. 23) with many entry points (three to be exact). Walking into the gallery, curator Taylor Jasper meditates on this conscious subversion of chronological journey. It is ‘purposefully a retrospective in reverse,’ she says, and later, discussing how Suzanne Jackson’s abstract paintings leap bravely from the walls and into the open air, she affirms: ‘Chronology is maybe the least interesting thing about her work.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fYtECW

BDAYS: MSPBJ’s Dirk DeYoung, fmr. Rep. Andy Dawkins, public affairs veteran Patrick Sexton and belated to MN Bankers’ super walker Therese Kuvaas

lunch take | Hormel's New CEO + Ecolab & Polaris Earnings

Mike Maybay — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 16:28:30 GMT

The heat is on!

Today’s the filing deadline for school board elections – with education outside of the top 3 in spending in some polls and rising property taxes – school board elections this fall could be spicy.

From a new National Association for Business Economics survey: “Firms report stronger investment intentions, improved profitability expectations, and diminishing recession concerns,” said NABE President Gregory Daco, chief economist, EY-Parthenon, Ernst & Young LLP. “Yet elevated costs continue to pressure margins and encourage greater price pass-through. The result is a business sector that is becoming more optimistic about the outlook while remaining disciplined in its spending and hiring decisions.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/45xCWjb

A Facebook page about the Apostle Islands posted photos of collapsed sea caves. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4wtZBJj

Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4pKbDM4

From Gallup, approval of the Supreme Court is at 33% – a record low. Here’s the trend by party affiliation:

Republican approval was a near-record high of 79% in September – it’s 58% now. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4wroXHA

Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com

Fluence Advisory has released its Insights memo on “The Next Legislature”. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aNNSMV

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Sunday Take featured Rep. Angie Craig discussing her Senate campaign, the Iran war, the state of agriculture and more. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4wZg8od

Follow the 2026 Minnesota elections up close with the Fluence Election Tracker.

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BUSINESS HEADLINES

NEW CEO: Via Hormel, VERBATIM: “Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL), a Fortune 500 global branded food company, today announced its board of directors has appointed John Ghingo president and chief executive officer, effective Oct. 26, 2026. Ghingo, who has served as president and a member of the Hormel Foods Board of Directors since July 2025, will succeed Jeff Ettinger, interim chief executive officer, and will continue serving on the board.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44Sd01K

MORE: Via Food Dive, VERBATIM: “Ghingo is no stranger to Hormel, serving as president of Applegate, the company’s organic and natural meat brand, for four years before briefly leaving in 2022. Ghingo rejoined Hormel two years later as executive vice president of the retail business unit before being named president of the company last year. During his time as president, he led the company’s supply chain, oversaw its business units and guided its efforts to foster growth and better serve consumers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44OQwyz

ECOLAB: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “Ecolab Inc. (ECL) on Tuesday reported second-quarter earnings of $534.9 million. On a per-share basis, the Saint Paul, Minnesota-based company said it had profit of $1.90 . . . The results surpassed Wall Street expectations . . . The cleaning, food-safety and pest-control services company posted revenue of $4.42 billion in the period, which also beat Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bcIjrE

MORE: Via Market Screener, VERBATIM: “Ecolab raised its earnings outlook after increasing prices to offset higher commodity costs. The water treatment company said Tuesday it now expects adjusted earnings per share will be $8.05 to $8.25 for the full year, up from a prior range of $8.03 to $8.23.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hBgRYn

POLARIS: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “Polaris Inc. (PII) on Tuesday reported second-quarter net income of $106.4 million. The Medina, Minnesota-based company said it had profit of $1.82 per share . . . The results beat Wall Street expectations . . . The snowmobile and ATV maker posted revenue of $2.02 billion in the period, which also topped Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4x8mp16

MORE: Via Seeking Alpha, VERBATIM: “The company reported revenue rose 9.2% during the quarter to $2.0B, with organic growth of 17% when excluding the impact of the Indian Motorcycle separation. Key growth engines were Off-Road Vehicles, Commercial, Marine and Parts, Garments & Accessories (PGA), all of which delivered double-digit sales increases.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hBv4V6

AG: Via news release from the Schutz campaign, VERBATIM: “The Ron Schutz for Attorney General campaign today announced the endorsement of the Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis, whose members serve on the front lines protecting Minnesota’s largest city. In announcing its endorsement, the Federation cited Schutz’s integrity, legal experience, commitment to public safety, and determination to hold criminals accountable—including those who steal taxpayer dollars through public fraud.”

SENATE RACE: Via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “[Lt. Governor Peggy] Flanagan has repeated the same response virtually verbatim when asked about her failure to intervene earlier in the fraud crisis that has unfolded over her second term as lieutenant governor. ‘The governor has said that the buck stops with him and he took the lead here,’ Flanagan said in an interview with the Reformer. The answer reveals a fact that’s not particularly flattering: The lieutenant governor wasn’t responsible for much of anything for the past eight years beyond being available for public appearances and taking the helm during the governor’s colonoscopy.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fM76nU

ICYMI… morning take has highlights from Monday’s Craig-Flanagan debate as well as in-depth analysis of the state of the race and what to read from the fractured Walz-Flanagan relationship. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vYt6Su

TOMORROW: Via LTS, VERBATIM: “LTS Therapy Systems, the North American pharmaceutical products division of Germany-based LTS Lohmann Therapie-Systeme AG, will host a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday, July 29, to celebrate a $30 million expansion of its West St. Paul campus. The investment will significantly expand the company’s research and development, pilot manufacturing and production capabilities and is expected to create approximately 50 high-quality jobs.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fph7IB

DULUTH: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “On Monday night, Duluth City Council determined in a vote of 7-2 that two petitions, which would leave the decision of the Lester Park Golf Course up to a public vote, were preempted by state law and should not be put on the ballot. But the discussion leading up to this vote sparked tension among both the public and councilors.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4fEWpDg

INFRASTRUCTURE

BDE MAKA SKA: Via Insight News, VERBATIM: “The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board (MPRB) has announced a significant shift in the long-range vision for Bde Maka Ska, effectively abandoning plans to relocate the Sailing Center and boat launch to the lake’s northwest shore. According to the MPRB, this strategic pivot follows a 2025 study which determined that construction at the potential northwest site was cost-prohibitive, citing poor soil quality and the expense of realigning the parkway.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hyxgwD

HIGHWAY 280: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “State transportation officials are proposing to permanently close a left turn lane on Highway 280 in 2028. The Minnesota Department of Transportation says it could reduce the likelihood of serious or fatal high-speed crashes on the highway and improve mobility with the closure of the left turn lane from northbound Highway 280 to westbound Broadway Street Northeast.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bcYYv5

NEXT WEEK: MnDOT will host a public meeting on the proposal next Thursday. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4w4uenK

I-694: Via KARE-TV, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Transportation wants to know what you think of I-694. MnDOT is working on a long-range study planning effort to improve travel between Brooklyn Boulevard in Brooklyn Center and Lexington Avenue in Arden Hills. Whatever is decided from this study will guide transportation investments for the next 20 years.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fyYvVf

ST CLOUD: Via Proactive, VERBATIM: “374Water Inc (NASDAQ:SCWO, FRA:8LL) announced that it has completed Phase 2 of its mobile AirSCWO deployment in St. Cloud, Minnesota, and has begun the third phase of the project as the state continues evaluating the company’s technology for the destruction of PFAS-contaminated waste. The deployment is being carried out under a $600,000 waste destruction services contract with the City of St. Cloud, in partnership with Barr Engineering, at the city’s Nutrient, Energy, and Water Recovery Facility. The pilot is part of Minnesota’s assessment of AirSCWO technology for destroying PFAS-containing waste streams, with support from the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources and the state’s Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bhUyTP

ST PAUL

ENCAMPMENTS: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her has announced a plan to close three homeless encampments in the city, starting with the largest, in Pig’s Eye Park, on Aug. 5. Why it matters: The mayor’s ambitious and controversial plan signals a big shift in St. Paul officials’ approach to a growing problem with unsheltered homelessness. Previously, despite laws against unsanctioned camping, city officials have tolerated encampments up to a point.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wyzyRm

CHAVEZ STREET: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Tuesday is the last opportunity for the public to offer feedback on renaming César Chavez Street in St. Paul. The final community listening session is Tuesday evening at The Wellstone Center. The online survey also closes at the end of the day. Governments nationwide began renaming places and holidays dedicated to César Chavez after a New York Times investigation published in March revealed allegations he had sexually assaulted women and girls for years.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3RlH7vk

COMMERCE

SAINTS MERCH: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Senior retail director Betsy Faber is rethinking what sports merch can look like at the St. Paul Saints Team Store inside CHS Field. Sure, there is a lineup of performance tees and caps, but Faber’s approach is decidedly more lifestyle than locker room.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wC6rfN

LAKE MINNETONKA: The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reports Willow Properties now owns Smith’s Bay Marina. Your Boat Club was the seller and will continue to operate there as a renter. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fz0etH

MAPLE GROVE: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “River Valley Church, a Twin Cities-based Christian megachurch with multiple locations, has plans to acquire the WhirlyBall entertainment venue in Maple Grove to use for worship service, city planning documents revealed.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pH5ArH

RESIGNATION: Via Plymouth-based NatureWorks, VERBATIM: “NatureWorks, a global leader in polylactic acid (PLA) and biobased materials, today announced that President and CEO Erik Ripple has resigned from the company, effective July 30, to pursue other interests.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3TpLbey

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WHAT’S NEXT?

THURSDAY: Senator Ann Rest will throw out the first pitch at the Twins game against the Royals.

NEXT WEEK: National Night Out is Tuesday. Via Minnesota Monthly, EVENTS: https://fluence-media.co/4fzlEqz

FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com

NOVEMBER: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “The band of brothers behind the late ’90s hit ‘MMMBop’ are returning to the Twin Cities right after Thanksgiving. Pop-rock trio Hanson announced Monday that they’ve booked a concert on Saturday, Nov. 28 at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel in Prior Lake.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4c0Y4C3

BDAYS: WCCO Radio’s Jordana Greene, Blue Earth Commissioner Kevin Paap and a belated to MBP’s Jeremiah Winstedt yesterday

lunch take | Gwen Walz Endorses in Senate Race

Mike Maybay — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 16:20:07 GMT

Our recent heat is impacting fish – the DNR is tracking reported fish kills at 102 bodies of water. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4fHmTEn

Gallup’s Economic Confidence Index rose a bit this month:

More, including trends by party affiliation, HERE: https://fluence-media.co/44MFkCz

RIP former UofM Baseball Coach John Anderson. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fnOdIP

Fluence Advisory has released its Insights memo on “The Next Legislature”. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aNNSMV

If you’re at NCSL, shoot me a note.

Want to manage your subscription to TheDailyAgenda.com? HERE: https://fluence-media.co/managesubscription

Follow the 2026 Minnesota election’s up close with the Fluence ElectionTracker. FluenceElectionTracker.com

Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4pDgIWg

Sunday Take featured Rep. Angie Craig discussing her Senate campaign, the Iran war, the state of agriculture and more. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4wZg8od

Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com

Follow the 2026 Minnesota elections up close with the Fluence Election Tracker.

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SPONSOR: Sponsorships are available to reach over 30,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheets and website, TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com.

A BUSY WEEK AHEAD

THIS WEEK: Mayor Jacob Frey and city leaders launched Black Business Week this morning in Minneapolis. Via City of Minneapolis, VERBATIM: “Now in its sixth year, Black Business Week highlights the contributions of Black-owned businesses across Minneapolis while connecting entrepreneurs to resources, technical assistance, networking opportunities, and funding that support long-term growth and success.”

TODAY: Via KEYC-TV, VERBATIM: “Due to the continued heat at lunch time, all Mankato Area Public Schools (MAPS) Summer Food Truck locations are canceled for Monday, July 27.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fpkEGL

TOMORROW: Via Minneapolis NAACP, VERBATIM: “The Minneapolis NAACP will hold a follow-up press conference on Tuesday, July 28, to address ongoing concerns surrounding the conditions at Heritage Homes and to demand accountability, transparency, and immediate action on behalf of Minneapolis public housing residents. The press conference follows the NAACP’s June 25 press conference, where the organization called for the immediate resignation or termination of Minneapolis Public Housing Executive Director Abdi Warsame, a full investigation into conditions at Heritage Homes, and a comprehensive review of Minneapolis Public Housing’s management and oversight practices.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fY3yjm

NICHOLSON: Minnesota Reformer obtained a recording of a meeting in which [Lt. Governor candidate] Brian Nicholson told employees of his company they would be furloughed. VERBATIM: “The company, which employs around 100 people and manufactures modular buildings, has ceased operations. Workers have not received pay for their work between June 19 and July 8, the date they were furloughed. [Kendall] Qualls, who won the GOP endorsement at the spring convention, is running against MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell and House Speaker Lisa Demuth for the Republican nomination for governor in the Aug. 11 primary election. Qualls and Nicholson have touted their business acumen as important preparation to be governor and lieutenant governor, arguing the government needs to run more like a business.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4g0ikoX

SENATE: Via news release from the Craig campaign, VERBATIM: “Today, Minnesota’s First Lady Gwen Walz endorsed Angie Craig in her campaign for U.S. Senate. Walz has served as the First Lady of Minnesota since 2019 and is an education advocate and former public school teacher.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RzHEtq

NEW AD: Via release from the Flanagan campaign, VERBATIM: “Today, Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan launched a new television advertisement for her U.S. Senate campaign, titled ‘The Choice.’ In the ad, Flanagan argues that Minnesotans face a clear choice between Congresswoman Angie Craig’s record of siding with Donald Trump and powerful corporate interests and Flanagan’s commitment to fighting for working people.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3Rz3yx6

SOME BACKGROUND: Via Minnesota Reformer, a deep dive into the U.S. Senate primary race and the impact of Rep. Angie Craig’s vote in favor of the Laken Riley Act. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pEPuyy

DEVELOPING STORIES

TARIFFS: Via Midwest Economic Policy Institute, VERBATIM: “Tariffs imposed by the Trump Administration in 2025 raised costs for the average Midwest household by more than $2,000, shrunk the economy by $18 billion, reduced the region’s manufacturing employment by more than 41,000, and disproportionately impacted low-income households, according to a new study by the nonpartisan Midwest Economic Policy Institute (MEPI) and the Project for Middle Class Renewal (PMCR) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ThVTDX

NURSES: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Nurses at Maple Grove Hospital have ratified a new three-year contract that its union deemed ‘historic,’ in an announcement made Thursday night. The agreement impacts nearly 600 nurses and comes as Robbinsdale-based North Memorial Health, which operates Maple Grove Hospital, is preparing to merge with Sioux Falls, S.D.-based Sanford Health.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fnTH6n

ALBERT LEA: Via KTTC-TV, VERBATIM: “The Recreation and Finance Department with the city of Albert Lea will reportedly be addressing a series of recreational facility projects that have now gone over budget. These issues will be addressed in a city council meeting on Monday, as the projects have reportedly totaled nearly $13 million in expenses. The city says this is $63,000 over budget.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4vPGxnG

ARRESTS: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “Over a span of 48 hours, 20 people have been arrested during a law enforcement action targeting violent offenders in the Bemidji and surrounding areas earlier this week. According to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the effort, which took place Jul. 22 and 23, and focused on offenders wanted for firearms violations, shootings, and narcotics offenses.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4bdY5lU

BUSINESS UPDATES

MINNEAPOLIS: Via My North News, VERBATIM: “A wrecking crew on Friday tore down an old Burger King restaurant, a Whopper of an eyesore that sat boarded up on an overgrown lot on West Broadway Avenue since 2018. The site is far from clean, but local leaders are hopeful removal of the building will attract a new developer and add some shine to a historic business corridor.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3TXr6fG

TARGET: Via Bar Chart, VERBATIM: “The retail titan is scheduled to announce its fiscal Q2 earnings for 2027 on Wednesday, Aug. 19, before the market opens. Ahead of the release, analysts expect this general merchandise retailer to report a profit of $2,21 per share, up 7.8% from $2.05 per share in the year-ago quarter.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fk1GBq

STATE FAIR: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota State Fair holds a special place in the hearts of most Minnesotans—fond childhood memories may include visions of riding the Giant Slide or the aroma of Sweet Martha’s Cookie Jar. For local businesses, however, the Great Minnesota Get-Together represents something more than nostalgia and hometown pride; being a vendor is a life-changing opportunity that many spend years, even decades, trying to secure. Julie Steller, founder of Steller Handcrafted Goods, opened her booth in the International Bazaar in 2021, four years after submitting her original application. It was a ‘dream come true,’ she says, and the years since have been a whirlwind of community, connection, and hard work—and they’ve changed her business for the better.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pIcQDD

NEW AWARD: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota State Fair this year will honor an award-winning baker with an award of her own. The ‘Marjorie Johnson Honey Bee Award’ is named after the iconic Robbinsdale resident who won over 2,500 ribbons at state and county fairs, earning her the title of ‘Blue Ribbon Baker.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44VyI4O

COMMERCE

RETAIL: Via Insight News, VERBATIM: “Hawthorn Crossings has long served as more than a neighborhood shopping center . . . Now the property is at the center of a proposal its organizers describe as an invitation: an opportunity for North Minneapolis residents to become co-owners of the commercial real estate on their own corridor — with an investment deadline now just days away.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fAbBSl

CHILD CARE: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “This summer marks a new era for New Horizon Academy in Brooklyn Center. The early childhood learning center has officially moved into a state-of-the-art flagship school, offering vastly expanded space and modern amenities for the city’s youngest learners. Not long ago, the building at 7100 Brooklyn Boulevard was an empty shell of an old bank. Today, you won’t find bank tellers or financial offices inside. The building is now filled with books, toys and the promise of a brighter future.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4hwDFZd

NEW BIZ MODEL: Via Star Tribune, a new development in the story of Post Modern Times, a Minneapolis restaurant that converted to a no-charge model during Operation Metro Surge. VERBATIM: “It was a feel-good story in the bleakest days of the ICE surge and as news spread on social media, a reported half-million dollars in donations poured in. Enough money for owner Dylan Alverson to keep running his restaurant on donations and goodwill. But donations ran low, and so did neighborhood goodwill. Alverson announced Friday that the restaurant is closing for a few weeks, starting Sunday, while he hammers out a new business model.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4yIH25E

RESORTS: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Minnesota has a rich legacy of resorts, but small family-owned ones like Wambolts are dying. In the heyday of mom-and-pop resorts, there were more than 3,000 in the state. There are fewer than 700 today. Roughly a dozen have held on for 100 years. When resorts close, they typically close for good, often replaced by mansions or developed into expensive getaways. The rare revival of Wambolts bucks that trend.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4foyWYn

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WHAT’S NEXT?

TOMORROW: Via St. Paul-based Ecolab, VERBATIM: “Ecolab will host a live webcast to discuss its second quarter 2026 results. A news release containing second quarter results is expected to be issued before market open on July 28, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eqKoCl

TOMORROW: Via Medina-based Polaris, VERBATIM: “Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII) announced today that it will release its second quarter 2026 financial results on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, and will hold a conference call and webcast at 8:00 AM central time on the same day to discuss the results.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3SQN5EG

WEDNESDAY: Via Roseville-based Hawkins, VERBATIM: “Hawkins, Inc. (Nasdaq: HWKN) announced today that it expects to release its financial results for its first quarter fiscal 2027 ended June 28, 2026 after the market closes on July 29, 2026 at approximately 4:10 p.m. Eastern Time.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vCHVdb

WEDNESDAY: Via Eden Prairie-based C.H. Robinson, VERBATIM: “C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (Nasdaq: CHRW), announced today that it will issue its second quarter 2026 results after the market closes on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pa8rcg

THURSDAY: Via Chanhassen-based Life Time, VERBATIM: “Life Time Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: LTH) today announced details for its second quarter 2026 earnings conference call. The Company will release its financial results before market open on Thursday, July 30, 2026, and host a conference call at 10:00 a.m. ET that day to discuss the results and provide a business update.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vjp5rr

THURSDAY: Via Xcel, VERBATIM: “On Thursday, July 30, 2026, Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) will host a conference call to review second quarter 2026 financial results.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fraPrN

(DISCLOSURE: Xcel is a Fluence sponsor)

THURSDAY: Via Minneapolis-based SPS, VERBATIM: “SPS Commerce, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPSC), the leading intelligent supply chain network, today announced that it will issue its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2026, after the market close on Thursday, July 30, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fnIiSX

THURSDAY: Via New Brighton-based APi, VERBATIM: “APi Group Corporation (NYSE: APG) announced that it will release its second quarter 2026 financial results before the market opens on Thursday, July 30, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pmSKi9

THURSDAY: Via Minneapolis-based Piper, VERBATIM: “Piper Sandler Companies (NYSE: PIPR), a leading investment bank, will release its second quarter 2026 financial results prior to the opening of the market on Thursday, July 30, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wIJdUP

FRIDAY: Via Maple Plain-based Protolabs, VERBATIM: “Protolabs (NYSE: PRLB) announced today that it will issue its financial results for the second quarter of 2026 before the opening of the market on Friday, July 31.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3SOGHxT

FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com

BORDER ROUTES: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “Riding our borders can encapsulate who we are as Minnesotans. Whether you’re riding the fertile fields by the Iowa border or the north country, ‘where the winds hit heavy on the borderline,’ our state boundaries are the fringes and edges of our Minnesota identity. Biking, too, informs our personalities and personas, encapsulating values that many Minnesotans hold true: self-transportation, environmental consciousness, a healthy lifestyle, and a passion for the outdoors.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Tr6JHG

BDAYS: MBP’s Sarah Barten, Rep. Keith Allen, Sen. Ann Johnson Stewart, lobbyist Joel Uland, lobbyist Steve Rubis

lunch take | Israel and the MN Senate Primary

Mike Maybay — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 17:24:33 GMT

Anthony Edwards is now Minnesota’s highest-paid athlete. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4yEkYJk

Lebron James won’t threaten Edwards’ MN pay lead – he signed with the 76ers this morning. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vPscYp

85 women are major party candidates for governor this year, surpassing the previous record of 69. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4yI0saU

The numbers were crunched at Rutgers:

More detailed data HERE: https://fluence-media.co/4wTonCi

Sunday Take will feature Rep. Angie Craig at 9AM on WCCO Radio.

Fluence Advisory has released its Insights memo on “The Next Legislature”. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aNNSMV

Want to manage your subscription to TheDailyAgenda.com? HERE: https://fluence-media.co/managesubscription

Follow the 2026 Minnesota election’s up close with the Fluence ElectionTracker. FluenceElectionTracker.com

Sunday Take featured DFLers Matt Little, Sen. Matt Klein and Rep. Kaela Berg for the CD2 DFL primary debate. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4yssTcu

Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com

Follow the 2026 Minnesota elections up close with the Fluence Election Tracker.

https://fluence-media.co/electiontracker

SPONSOR: Sponsorships are available to reach over 30,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheets and website, TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com.

FRIDAY FEED

SIX MONTHS: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Friday is six months since federal immigration agents fatally shot Alex Pretti on a busy corridor of local businesses in south Minneapolis. Many of those businesses on Nicollet Avenue became a refuge for protesters and reporters who needed a break from the freezing temperatures and tear gas outside. Flowers, ribbons and artwork still encircle the place where Pretti was shot on Jan. 24. It’s become one of several public-made memorials to people killed by law enforcement in the city.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4yASeRA

SENATE: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “In Minnesota’s race for its next U.S. senator, the Democratic Party’s divide over Israel has become impossible to ignore. For decades, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee — the influential lobbying group that advocates for a strong U.S.-Israel relationship — has spent millions supporting Democrats and Republicans who support their mission. But the war in Gaza and now Iran has fractured Democrats over Israel, and a candidate’s relationship with AIPAC has become almost as politically important as their position on the conflict itself.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fCrtDL

MINING: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “Cleveland Cliffs reported higher revenue compared to the previous quarter during its second-quarter earnings call Thursday, but company leaders made no mention of bringing back two idled mines on the Iron Range. CEO Lorenzo Goncalves said the quarter saw higher demand for steel from automakers, with the highest amount of automotive steel shipments in the last two years.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4x0s7SH

MORE: Via The Wall Street Journal, VERBATIM: “The company said third-quarter adjusted income before taxes would double from the second quarter. Moreover, the tariff on imported steel—a boon to domestic steelmakers like Cliffs—will remain even after President Trump leaves office, keeping domestic steel prices high and the supply tight, predicted Chief Executive Lourenco Goncalves.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bdf1ZL

RELATED: Via Canary Media, a deep dive into the state of the mining industry on the Iron Range and where it’s headed. VERBATIM: “Mesabi Metallics has a crucial role to play in the future of steel production and of the region named after its literal bedrock industry. The pelletizing plant will have the capacity to produce 7 million tons each year of concentrated iron pellets for direct reduction, a low-carbon way of turning iron ore into iron ready for steelmaking. The DR-grade pellets will advance one of Essar’s corporate mandates: to clean up an industry that accounts for about 9% of global greenhouse gas emissions.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4yIz24E

CD1: Via Austin Herald, VERBATIM: “On Thursday night, Minnesota Congressional First District hopeful Jake Johnson made one of his 21-scheduled town hall stops across the district in Austin making his pitch for this November, but more importantly for his campaign, reaching out and listening to voter concerns.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4whfQJt

CD1: Via Albert Lea Tribune, VERBATIM: “A Democratic 1st District U.S. House candidate stopped in Albert Lea Thursday as part of a 277-mile walking campaign across the district to hear from constituents and spread his goals for office. Alex Eaton, a small business owner who lives in Vasa, said he intended to meet with people in downtown Albert Lea and then go to nearby neighborhoods.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RQDTjy

THE BURBS

BROOKLYN CENTER: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Brooklyn Center and Metro Transit police are teaming up in an effort to fight crime at a prominent transit hub. The Metro Transit Police Department now has two officers stationed at the Brooklyn Center Transit Center.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wnuHSX

EDINA: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “The City of Edina has announced the parking lot at Yancey Park is closed Thursday evening after shots were fired in the area the previous night. The city issued a statement to ‘concerned and frustrated’ residents following Wednesday’s night’s shooting at Yancey Park, saying that ‘any incident involving gunfire in our community is unacceptable, and we recognize that it has left many people feeling unsettled.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44LiivW

ALSO EDINA: Via KARE-TV, VERBATIM: “Officials in Edina have issued a Cyanotoxin Advisory, asking the public to refrain from contact with Lake Cornelia. According to the alert from the city, staff at Lake Cornelia observed blue-green algae scum on a July 20 visit.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4yI6cS0

STILLWATER: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has fined a Stillwater hospital for improperly disposing of infectious waste. Lakeview Memorial Hospital must pay more than $15,000 dollars after a garbage hauler rejected a load of the hospital’s waste because it appeared to contain infectious materials.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3RugjJi

GREATER MINNESOTA

FIRES: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “For the first time, wildfire crews are providing the public with an inside look at their work to protect properties as wildfires near Ely continue to grow. Crews are hard at work, even miles away from the smoke and flames. They are ripping out all of the dry vegetation that is on the forest floor, hoping that it is going to help protect the structures in the area before the fires ever make it there.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wkwMPj

ICYMI… morning take had updates on the situation, including news that parts of the BWCAW will reopen Monday. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fSx0HC

BEER: Via The Bemidji Pioneer, VERBATIM: “Visit Bemidji and the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild have announced that starting Saturday, July 31, 2027, Bemidji will be the new host of the All Pints North Summer Brew Fest. To be held on the shore of Lake Bemidji, this marks the first change in venue for the festival in 14 years, previously being held in Duluth.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gQuPW0

KANDIYOHI CTY: Via West Central Tribune, VERBATIM: “Fiber internet is spreading farther in Whitefield Township through Svea. An expanded infrastructure project has been approved by the Kandiyohi County Board and will pass by 70 additional properties from the originally intended 52, for a total of 122 passings . . . In April of this year, the Kandiyohi County Board voted to approve the installation of fiber internet around Svea in partnership with Vibrant Broadband and Whitefield Township. The original project used American Rescue Plan Act funds, according to Kandiyohi County Administrator Kelsey Baker.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wXCAhz

COMMERCE

ACQUISITION: Via Investing, VERBATIM: “Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE:CARR) announced today it has acquired [Bloomington-based] 75F, a building automation systems company specializing in cloud-native, wireless and AI-enabled technology, according to a press release statement. The acquisition adds 75F’s building automation platform to Carrier’s existing portfolio, which includes WebCTRL building controls, Abound predictive analytics and the Nlyte operational intelligence platform. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. 75F’s platform uses wireless sensors, cloud software and AI-enabled automation for building management. The company was founded by Deepinder Singh, who will continue as CEO of the acquired business.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RytqJs

COON RAPIDS: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Costco has completed the purchase of a former TGI Friday’s building as it moves ahead with plans to add more parking spaces and build a new, larger gas station in Coon Rapids.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fVEqJd

NEXT MONTH: Via Eden Prairie-based Tennant, VERBATIM: “Tennant Company (NYSE: TNC) today announced that the company will report its second quarter 2026 financial results after the market closes on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, with a conference call to follow at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time/ 9:00 a.m. Central Time on Thursday, August 6, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4weigbQ

NEXT MONTH: Via Brooklyn Park-based CVRx, VERBATIM: “CVRx, Inc. (NASDAQ: CVRX), a commercial-stage medical device company focused on developing, manufacturing and commercializing innovative neuromodulation solutions for patients with cardiovascular diseases, today announced that it plans to release second quarter 2026 financial and operating results after market close on Thursday, August 6, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44NTdAj

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WHAT’S NEXT?

THIS WEEKEND: The Minnesota Marine Art Museum in Winona celebrates its 20^th anniversary. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3T96Sj0

THIS WEEKEND: The Twin Cities Tattoo Festival begins this afternoon at RiverCenter. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4hdLFhV

THIS WEEKEND: The Loring Park Art Festival begins tomorrow at 10. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3RUX8Zc

SUNDAY: The Northside Jazz & Heritage Festival begins at 11. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4fjAzGB

FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com

NEXT MONTH: Via Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce (MBCC) invites the community to an evening that signals a defining moment in Black evolution. The organization is hosting a Renaissance-inspired Gala that reflects a reimagining of economic power for Black Businesses across the state.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pye4B6

BDAYS: operative Jacob Hill, sales inspiration Michael Kithcart, lobbyist Michael Wilhelmi. SAT: AZ resident Kevin Smith, Wild PxP guy Anthony LaPanta, researcher Mark Drake

lunch take | Judge Calls Boelter's Sentence "Well Deserved"

Mike Maybay — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 17:18:14 GMT

The new Drought Monitor out this morning shows the situation continues to get worse – 48% of the state is now in formal drought status, up from 38% a week earlier. It reflects data as of Tuesday. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3zN8TDo

Tributes to David La Vaque, Gophers financials explained and the wildest part of WNBA All-Star Weekend are featured in today’s second anniversary Sports Take. Out later today.

Via KARE-TV, new Minnesota laws taking effect August 1. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4fTJAW7

Fluence Advisory has released its Insights memo on “The Next Legislature”. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aNNSMV

Want to manage your subscription to TheDailyAgenda.com? HERE: https://fluence-media.co/managesubscription

Follow the 2026 Minnesota election’s up close with the Fluence ElectionTracker. FluenceElectionTracker.com

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Sunday Take featured DFLers Matt Little, Sen. Matt Klein and Rep. Kaela Berg for the CD2 DFL primary debate. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4yssTcu

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Follow the 2026 Minnesota elections up close with the Fluence Election Tracker.

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THURSDAY FEED

BOELTER: Via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “Vance Boelter, the man who admitted in court to shooting two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses, was sentenced to two life terms in prison followed by 40 years Thursday morning. The judge said it was ‘the longest sentence I have imposed after hearing thousands of cases over the years, but it is well deserved.’ Boelter, who turns 59 Thursday, pleaded guilty to six federal charges against him in June. As part of his plea, he confessed to killing former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark and wounding Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette in a shooting that also targeted their daughter Hope.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4fPt9Lk

MORE: Via Courthouse News, VERBATIM: “In court filings leading up to Thursday’s hearing, federal prosecutors characterized Boelter’s acts as an ‘assault on democracy’ designed to forcibly alter Minnesota’s state government.” QUOTE: “Boelter’s crimes are among the most serious ever committed in the District of Minnesota,” prosecutors said in a sentencing recommendation. “He shattered the lives of his victims. He terrified Minnesota’s public servants. He threatened police and pointed a gun at an officer. He viciously attacked the organs of Minnesota’s representative government.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wlJDAX

(DISCLOSURE: Fluence provides media support to the Hoffman family)

MINING: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Residents filled a gymnasium at the Emily City Hall Tuesday night to hear more about a potential underground mine in their community. The small city surrounded by lakes in northern Crow Wing County, northeast of Brainerd, sits on what’s been described as the largest deposit of manganese in North America . . . At the town hall meeting, they peppered representatives of North Star Manganese and parent company Electric Metals with questions about the mine’s potential impacts on their quiet lake-dotted community of lakes and cabins.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45ksxaw

MANUFACTURING: The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reports Burnsville-based Northern Tool + Equipment is moving its manufacturing operations from Mexico to Faribault with plans to double its workforce there. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vM7AjF

DRONES: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “A message to amateur drone operators from those fighting northeastern Minnesota wildfires. ‘If you fly in the fire area, we can’t.’ That’s the blunt message from John Fish, Air Operations branch director in Ely, Minnesota. Catching a glimpse of the area can be neat to see, but it can create a significant hazard.” QUOTE: “It could actually bring down an aircraft, and that’s obviously something that’s not acceptable,” says Fish. “Also, it can actually cause us to set down the firefighting aircrafts. I certainly wouldn’t want to be the person causing the firefighting effort to be paused or put on hold, and people lose property or God forbid lives.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4fQgjMV

ASH: Via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “As wildfire smoke begins to lift from northern Minnesota, scientists and water managers are keeping a close eye on how several days of smoke and falling ash could affect nearby drinking water sources.” QUOTE: “Most advanced treatment systems could likely handle the impacts of smoke deposition on these lakes,” said Chris Filstrup, a lakes and streams scientist at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. “But I think there’s more concern for smoke exposure in rural areas where maybe there isn’t an advanced treatment system, and what those impacts might look like.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4whJWMS

E-MOTOS: Via KMSP-TV, VERBATIM: “The Champlin Police Department issued a public warning after a near accident involving an electric motorcycle (e-moto) on Tuesday morning . . . According to police, two children riding together on an electric motorcycle, also referred to as an e-moto, illegally crossed in front of oncoming traffic on Highway 169 and 114 Avenue.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4fr4T2h

GOVERNOR: Minnesota Reformer asked GOP-endorsed candidate for governor Kendall Qualls about this week’s survey results (as seen in morning take). VERBATIM: “A new KSTP/Survey USA poll shows Qualls, who garnered the support of over 1,000 Republican delegates at the spring convention, at a mere 11% among surveyed voters. Qualls in an interview with the Reformer dismissed the results as not ‘real,’ so he’s not concerned . . . During a Reformer interview, he laid out his plans for tax and spending cuts, a close relationship with law enforcement and rolling back trans rights. He talked about Trump’s endorsement of Lindell, and why he posted on his personal Facebook page a photoshopped picture of his wife in a Slingshot next to a floating pair of arms.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4yAPiVf

ST PAUL: Via Insight News, VERBATIM: “In preparation for the Fiscal Year 2027 budget process, the Saint Paul City Council has announced a comprehensive series of Ward Budget Engagement Events scheduled to take place across the city. The initiative is designed to ensure that community feedback directly informs the city’s upcoming financial decisions and municipal investments.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3TR7ycT

CRIME & PUNISHMENT

HOUSING FRAUD: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Three men have admitted in Minnesota federal court to stealing millions in taxpayer dollars from a social services program aimed at helping vulnerable people secure housing.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4x23gxS

FEED FRAUD: Via KARE-TV, VERBATIM: “The latest person charged in the Feeding Our Future scandal allegedly claimed to have served 1.6 million meals to children through three different sites across the Twin Cities. Mohamoud Warsame claimed to operate three sites that served hundreds of thousands of meals to children through the Federal Child Nutrition Program during the pandemic in 2021.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wj6xJf

BRIBERY: Via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “A convicted fraudster was sentenced to 10 years for juror bribery on Wednesday on top of the 28 years he is already serving for his role in the sprawling Feeding Our Future case. Abdiaziz Shafii Farah and four others are accused of delivering a bag with $120,000 in cash to a juror’s home while the trial was ongoing. The juror was promised that more money would come if she helped bring a not guilty verdict.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3RT7MzE

AI COPS: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “From health care to education, artificial intelligence is rapidly changing our world. Now, that same technology is being used by the Brooklyn Park Police Department. Officers are harnessing the power of AI to break down language barriers and get real-time assistance when they are on patrol . . . The department rolled out new, advanced body cameras that don’t just record video. They assist officers through artificial intelligence.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4vJkgYs

AROUND THE STATE

DULUTH: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “The controversial Lester Park Golf Course continues to be an issue in Duluth and now a lawsuit is making the issue even more challenging. A petition to put the issue to a vote on the November ballot is now moving through the courts as city leaders address the topic ahead of their meeting Thursday night. Michael Bernstein, director of ‘Our Park Our Vote’ has filed a lawsuit against the city of Duluth, the city council and the city clerk, claiming petition signatures were left out to prevent a public vote on the future of the former Lester Park Golf Course.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4ba2RRs

HIGHER ED: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Martin Luther College in New Ulm is looking to reinstate its licensure status. In late June, the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board voted to discontinue eligibility for MLC. The college is still accredited, and the decision only impacts freshman and new transfer students training in teacher education programs. MLC lost its eligibility because it failed to provide enough documented evidence and consistent assessments needed to prove specific teacher education programs continued to meet state-mandated academic standards.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44Jg14o

COUNTY FAIRS: Via UofM, VERBATIM: “County fairs have long been a place where neighbors come together to celebrate community. They also offer a unique opportunity to engage directly with residents, showcase programs and foster deeper connections. Starting July 25, 2026, the University of Minnesota will have a booth at various county fairs this summer.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4weYA7F

COMMERCE

GRACO: Via Stock Story, VERBATIM: “[Minneapolis-based] Fluid and coating equipment company Graco (NYSE:GGG) missed Wall Street’s revenue expectations in Q2 CY2026 as sales rose 3.3% year on year to $590.6 million. Its GAAP profit of $0.87 per share was 6.8% above analysts’ consensus estimates.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hrKJpV

NVE: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “NVE Corp. (NVEC) on Wednesday reported earnings of $6.4 million in its fiscal first quarter. The Eden Prairie, Minnesota-based company said it had profit of $1.32 per share. The nanotechnology company posted revenue of $11 million in the period.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3Rag5ad

NEW CEO: Via Bloomington-based Toro, VERBATIM: “The Toro Company (NYSE: TTC), a leading global provider of solutions for the outdoor environment, today announced a leadership transition as part of its long-term, succession planning process. On July 21, 2026, the company’s board of directors elected president and chief operating officer Edric C. Funk to the position of president and chief executive officer, effective November 1, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vPN81t

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WHAT’S NEXT?

TONIGHT: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “The magic of live performance is heading outdoors this summer as Stillwater’s Zephyr Theatre mounts an imaginative open-air staging of J.R.R. Tolkien’s ‘The Hobbit,’ running July 23 through Aug. 2, 2026, across the picturesque grassy lawns of Aamodt’s Apple Farm and Saint Croix Vineyard.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fQl2hG

THIS WEEKEND: The Minnesota Pottery Festival begins Saturday morning in Hutchinson. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3OwISRT

NEXT MONTH: Via Minneapolis-based Deluxe, VERBATIM: “Deluxe (NYSE: DLX), a trusted Payments and Data company, will report second quarter 2026 financial results after market close on Wednesday, August 5, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Tg0Qgu

NEXT MONTH: Via Brooklyn Park-based Clearfield, VERBATIM: “Clearfield, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLFD), a leader in fiber connectivity solutions for broadband, data center and network infrastructure environments, today announced that it will release results for the third quarter of fiscal 2026, ended June 30, 2026, on Wednesday, August 5th, 2026, after the close of the market.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wfdeMb

FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com

HISTORY: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “On this date 175 years ago, two Dakota tribes signed the Treaty of Traverse des Sioux, settling their debts by handing over much of the land that would become Minnesota. Why it matters: The 1851 treaty is the great double-cross that set Minnesota on its course to statehood.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hsZ9pT

lunch take | SURVEY: Americans Reluctant to Spend in Retirement

Mike Maybay — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 16:32:33 GMT

After missing the first ten weeks of the season to recover from surgeries on both ankles, Napheesa Collier is cleared to play in today’s Lynx game at Seattle. ESPN: https://fluence-media.co/4hqzy0O

Tee times for the first two rounds of the 3M Open are out. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4yAEsi0

The most expensive recent home sale in the Twin Cities was for $8.5 million, according to Homes.com. The most expensive nationwide: $47 million in Los Angeles. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4pyUnZT

The Brennan Center for Justice warns of “mass voter challenges” in the upcoming midterms. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4yAA56A

Fluence Advisory has released its Insights memo on “The Next Legislature”. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aNNSMV

Want to manage your subscription to TheDailyAgenda.com? HERE: https://fluence-media.co/managesubscription

Follow the 2026 Minnesota election’s up close with the Fluence ElectionTracker. FluenceElectionTracker.com

Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4xgXaKf

Sunday Take featured DFLers Matt Little, Sen. Matt Klein and Rep. Kaela Berg for the CD2 DFL primary debate. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4yssTcu

Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com

Follow the 2026 Minnesota elections up close with the Fluence Election Tracker.

https://fluence-media.co/electiontracker

SPONSOR: Sponsorships are available to reach over 30,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheets and website, TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com.

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

SURVEY: Via Minneapolis-based Allianz, VERBATIM: “After decades of saving, many Americans struggle with the idea of actually spending their retirement savings, according to the 2026 Annual Retirement Study from the Allianz Center for the Future of Retirement, part of Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America. Seven in 10 (71%) working Americans say they anticipate being reluctant to spend money in retirement in order to preserve their account balance as much as possible. This feeling continues after leaving the workforce. Nearly two in five (39%) retirees are reluctant to spend to preserve their savings.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wWn4CG

BUYING POWER: Via Journo Research, VERBATIM: “A new study has revealed that the Minneapolis metro area had the fifth-largest decrease in real annual pay between 2020 and 2025 among America’s large metro areas. The study, by intelligent motor control experts Energy Drive, analyzed how average wages changed after accounting for inflation from 2020 to 2025 among America’s largest metro areas.”

KID COSTS: Via KMSP-TV, VERBATIM: “SmartAsset ranked the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington area as one of the top 10 most expensive metro areas for raising children in 2026, with annual costs reaching $33,307 for a household with two working adults and one child. The report found that childcare is the biggest expense for local families, totaling $19,509 per year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44I4Zwe

ROBBINSDALE: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Voters in the Robbinsdale Area School District will find up to $413 million in bonding requests on their November ballot. The Robbinsdale School Board approved ballot language for three referendum questions on Monday, July 20. If voters give the go-ahead, the district expects to use the money to create a single unified high school campus, reconfigure its middle schools and construct a new elementary school.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wkGhOy

ROCHESTER: Via KTTC-TV, VERBATIM: “Rochester’s year-round elementary school is back in session Wednesday after a six-week summer break. Longfellow Elementary in southeast Rochester follows a 45-15 calendar, which means students go to school for nine weeks and then get a three-week break plus six weeks off for the summer.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vNO86e

DEVELOPING STORIES

METRO SURGE: Via CNN, VERBATIM: “‘Someone’s going to get killed.’ The warning, from an agent of the federal Homeland Security Investigations division, sent a chill through the other officials in the room. It was early January 2026 . . . The HSI agent’s fears about the unprecedented surge of DHS personnel proved prophetic. The deaths of Renee Good on Wednesday, January 7, and Alex Pretti on Saturday, January 24, at the hands of federal immigration agents, followed soon after. This is the story of the 18 days between the killing of Good and Pretti, the highly questionable ways the Trump administration handled immigration enforcement and the shootings, and the atmosphere of aggression and mendacity that continues to mark its enforcement operations. CNN spoke with more than a dozen former and current members of the Trump administration, most of whom refused to go on the record out of fear of retaliation by the administration.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wjPoPy

MITCHELL: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Former state Sen. Nicole Mitchell filed Tuesday to run for Woodbury City Council just a year after her conviction on felony burglary charges. Last August, Mitchell resigned from the Legislature after a Becker County jury found her guilty of breaking into her stepmother’s Detroit Lakes home in 2024. She received a six-month jail sentence last September, which she was allowed to serve closer to home.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pvIjIY

BWCAW: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “Vehicles still sitting at several Boundary Waters entry points is raising concerns that some visitors may remain inside the wilderness despite the closure. On July 14th the U.S. Forest Service closed the Boundary Waters as raging wildfires spread across the wilderness. That closure has been extended through July 24th, but park officials say it’s becoming increasingly difficult to keep visitors out.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4gWoclb

FOUNDRY: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “An iron foundry in St. Paul appeared in court Tuesday in an effort to avoid losing its air emission permit. It’s another episode in a yearslong saga between the foundry and state regulators. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency said in court the Northern Iron foundry has a ‘substantial history of noncompliance’ with the state’s air pollution laws and the agency’s orders, which prompted the agency decision last year to begin the process of revoking its license.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wo5Xdi

988: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “The number of calls and texts to Minnesota’s ‘988’ mental health crisis line continues to increase according to state Health Department data. There have been more than 370,000 contacts with experts manning the Minnesota Department of Health’s ‘988’ Lifeline centers since the program launched four years ago according to MDH mental health and suicide prevention supervisor Tanya Carter.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4gRgf0y

DULUTH: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “17 people are behind bars, and large amounts of fentanyl and methamphetamine are off the streets following a safety operation by law enforcement focused on downtown Duluth. According to the Duluth Police Department, the multi-day operation took place on Monday, July 20, and Tuesday, July 21, in response to ongoing community safety concerns surrounding the area near 2nd Avenue East and East First Street downtown.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3TefxAB

PINE ISLAND: Via KTTC-TV, VERBATIM: “Emotions ran high again in Pine Island on Tuesday night as residents packed city hall to weighed in on the proposed data center project. Supporters and opponents both urged city leaders to listen as the debate continues. Tuesday’s meeting also marked Pine Island’s first city council session under new public comment rules adopted after previous confrontations.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4ffYMxv

LANDMARKS

MINNEAPOLIS: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “As the Vikings season draws near, the group that owns the restaurant building closest to U.S. Bank Stadium is hoping to finally find a tenant after seven years of vacancy. Why it matters: Generations of football fans packed into Hubert’s between 1983 and its closure in 2015 . . . Last week Garfield Clark, an advisor to the trust that owns the building, listed the building at 601 Chicago Ave. for lease.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44IRtZ7

ST PAUL: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “It is semiquincentennial summer, and the party has just begun at the Landmark Center in St. Paul. An icon of architectural significance, the Landmark Center is capitalizing on the cultural moment with an exhibition dedicated to its restoration on view now through September 13. From Bicentennial to 250: The Renaissance of Landmark Center features pictures, records, and documents on display in the North Gallery and tells the story of the building’s transformation into a venerable symbol of vibrant St. Paul culture.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pBryMC

COMMERCE

MOVE: The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reports UBS Financial Services will move its operations to a new office building in Edina, exiting its namesake tower in downtown St. Paul as well as offices in Minneapolis and Bloomington. READ: https://fluence-media.co/44IZnBK

MEDIA: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “There’s a new meteorologist on the staff at KARE 11. Tucker Antico announced this week that he’ll make his debut at the Twin Cities NBC affiliate in late August, making his move to the Minneapolis-St. Paul market after spending the past three years at a TV station in Boston.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vNjBoR

COLLAB: Via Anthropologie, VERBATIM: “Anthropologie today announced the launch of an exclusive home collaboration with [East Grand Forks] chef, cookbook author, blogger, and television host Molly Yeh. Marking Yeh’s first-ever partnership with Anthropologie Home, the 25-piece assortment brings her signature perspective on food, family, and hospitality to a thoughtfully designed range of kitchen and tabletop pieces designed for gathering.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45grkB7

BEER: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Incidentally, my favorite nonalcoholic beer was Bauhaus Brew Labs‘s pink guava sour from its ‘Nah’ line, a wheat ale with a round, bright juiciness and a trace of salt; tart but never so sour that it made you pucker. I didn’t know it then, but Bauhaus had partnered with St. Paul-based company ABV Technology—which helps local craft brewers, from Fulton to Indeed to Bent Paddle, produce their nonalcoholic drinks—to make that summery NA sour. Now, just a few months after Bauhaus’s closure was announced, ABV has acquired the Northeast brewery and plans to reopen it later this summer with a ‘full-spectrum’ beverage program that includes full-strength, low-alcohol, and nonalcoholic drinks. The name won’t change; it’ll still be Bauhaus.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Rschkr

POT: Via Detroit Lakes Tribune, VERBATIM: “After a licensing process marked by state and local hurdles and a statewide product shortage, Full Spectrum Dispensary opened its doors in Vergas on Friday, July 3, becoming the first licensed retail cannabis dispensary to do so in Otter Tail County.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pCRCXJ

BRIDGEWATER: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “Bridgewater Bancshares, Inc. (BWB) on Tuesday reported second-quarter profit of $14 million. The St. Louis Park, Minnesota-based bank said it had earnings of 45 cents per share. The results fell short of Wall Street expectations . . . The company posted revenue of $75 million in the period. Its revenue net of interest expense was $40.9 million, beating Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vHxsgq

TARGET: Via Target, VERBATIM: “Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) announced the election of Joe DePinto, former president and chief executive officer of 7-Eleven, Inc., to its Board of Directors.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4b8aurx

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WHAT’S NEXT?

FRIDAY: Via release from the Flanagan campaign, VERBATIM: “On Friday, July 24 at 7:00 p.m. CT in St. Paul, U.S. [Senator] Elizabeth Warren will hold a rally for Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan in St. Paul. Warren and Flanagan will also be joined by U.S. Senator Tina Smith, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, and Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal.”

THIS WEEKEND: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “After eight years away, one of the Midwest’s most beloved boutique music festivals is making its long-awaited return. Eaux Claires—founded by Eau Claire native Justin Vernon, of Bon Iver, and Aaron Dessner, of The National—returns July 24-25 at a new home: Carson Park in Eau Claire, about 90 minutes east of the Twin Cities.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4frEGzj

FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com

MAPLE GROVE: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Maple Grove city and civic leaders celebrated the opening of the new Lions Pavilion and Playground at the Maple Grove Community Center on Monday, July 20. The modern city asset is part of the ongoing community center renovation and expansion project.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vMaNzU

BDAYS: Winthrop’s Tami Diehm, GOP operative Zach Freimark, Lindell campaign manager Rick Weible, comms guy Jeff Bakken

lunch take | Wild Launch New TV Network

Mike Maybay — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 17:08:57 GMT

The Minnesota State Fair this morning announced this year’s specialty sips. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3IALEFb

Youth sports is a $40 billion industry. Now private equity’s getting involved and states are taking notice. STATELINE: https://fluence-media.co/4fIiLVL

Someone bought a Lotto America ticket now worth $34.12 million in Coon Rapids – the largest ever Lotto America jackpot in Minnesota. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bzQuhE

Fluence Advisory has released its Insights memo on “The Next Legislature”. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aNNSMV

Want to manage your subscription to TheDailyAgenda.com? HERE: https://fluence-media.co/managesubscription

Follow the 2026 Minnesota election’s up close with the Fluence ElectionTracker. FluenceElectionTracker.com

Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4fs7url

Sunday Take featured DFLers Matt Little, Sen. Matt Klein and Rep. Kaela Berg for the CD2 DFL primary debate. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4yssTcu

Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com

Follow the 2026 Minnesota elections up close with the Fluence Election Tracker.

https://fluence-media.co/electiontracker

SPONSOR: Sponsorships are available to reach over 30,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheets and website, TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com.

TUESDAY FEED

WILD: Via KARE-TV, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Wild are providing more clarity about one of the biggest questions this offseason - not related to the roster. The team is launching a new multimedia television network where fans can watch Wild games throughout the season. According to a press release from the Wild, the broadcasts will be managed by the team in collaboration with NHL Productions, and shown on several platforms, including over-the-air, cable, satellite and streaming services.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wSUq5l

MORE: Via The Athletic, VERBATIM: “Many key details — including the exact streaming platform and that subscription price, plus cable and satellite channels and over-the-air partners — have yet to be finalized, said Mitch Helgerson, chief revenue officer and executive vice president, but those details will be announced as the NHL helps complete the negotiations of those carriage packages. Helgerson acknowledged the rollout is coming later than anyone would have preferred but said the organization wanted to give fans as much information as possible now rather than wait until every detail is finalized.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4w187yx

METRO SURGE: From CNN via Instagram, Jake Tapper previews a special set to air tomorrow investigating what happened in the days between the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal officers. It includes an interview with Tom Calhoun-Lopez, one of the federal prosecutors who resigned. CALHOUN-LOPEZ: “It had become a toxic environment and it had become a lawless environment. And, from that lawlessness, came chaos. And from that chaos came the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti and other people being injured.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4wgh8V2

HOUSING: Zillow says it has more than 300,000 empty lots for sale on its site (including 4,962 in Minnesota). If those lots had homes built on them, the nation’s housing shortage would be reduced by 6%. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fbx9po

3M: Via The Wall Street Journal, VERBATIM: “3M increased its full-year targets as the conglomerate saw higher sales in safety and electronics. The maker of Post-It notes on Tuesday said it now expects adjusted earnings per share between $8.80 and $8.95 for the year, up from a previous range of $8.50 to $8.70. Analysts polled by FactSet currently expect full-year earnings of $8.74 a share. The company also anticipates adjusted total sales growth of over 4.5%, reflecting adjusted organic sales growth of more than 3.5%.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ywAMxN

MORE: Via Investor’s Business Daily, VERBATIM: “3M (MMM) led the Dow Jones Industrial Average early Tuesday as the Post-it notes maker posted better-than-expected Q2 results and raised its full-year outlook. MMM stock cleared an early entry buy point. The industrial conglomerate has been shedding noncore assets and leveraging AI to accelerate product launches. 3M said it’s on track to launch more than 350 new products this year and 1,000 by the end of 2027.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3TLf0WW

ACQUISITION: Via Minneapolis-based Sleep Number, VERBATIM: “Sleep Number Corporation (Nasdaq: SNBR) today announced that it received Court approval for the sale of substantially all of the Company’s assets and ongoing business operations to SNBR Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sleep Country Canada Inc., after making significant improvements to its prior proposal. The sale, which remains subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to close by July 31.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4b6jVrt

MORE: Via Sleep Country Canada, VERBATIM: “This acquisition, with now over 800 locations, positions Sleep Country‘s Family of Brands as the 2nd largest sleep retailer in the World, while also delivering a strong new sleep platform to serve our customers by combining Sleep Country’s market-leading retail expertise and customer-first approach with Sleep Number‘s sleep innovation, technology and personalized sleep solution, that is unmatched in the industry.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4yt5PKZ

VOTE FRAUD: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Last week, President Donald Trump released a trove of documents during a primetime address to the nation that allies had hyped as a smoking gun that would prove his long-debunked allegations of mass voter fraud . . . WCCO’s Adam and Jordana turned to Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon to analyze the claims made by the president, and detail what we know, and what is being done about allegations of fraud.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4puMt41

LAZZARO: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “President Donald Trump has rejected a request by a former Minnesota Republican operative for a commutation of his sex trafficking sentence. In a Justice Department posting dated July 10, Anton ‘Tony’ Lazzaro’s name is among thousands of denials listed.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4whGjH5

MINNEAPOLIS

WAREHOUSE DIST: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “The Minneapolis Warehouse District, nestled between the North Loop and downtown, used to be called the city’s jewel. Now it’s falling behind as revitalization activity in the neighboring North Loop takes off. The Minneapolis Renaissance Coalition, a public-private organization involving property owners, business leaders, and city departments, hopes to change that.” QUOTE: “Someone said, ‘If there’s an artery that flows within your city, this was sort of the clogged one in between,’” said Dario Anselmo, the organization’s current president and a former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives. “It’s a little bit of a, Let’s start this over again and maybe build it back better mentality.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ftNAfE

TOMORROW: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “As the Minneapolis Aquatennial continues, Wednesday, July 22, offers two signature events that showcase the city’s summer spirit—one on the streets and one on the Mississippi River.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wiNa2S

GOVERNMENT + BIZ

MN RANKING: Via The Center Square, VERBATIM: “Some are pushing back after new rankings from CNBC placed Minnesota among the top five states nationally as one of the ‘best states for business’ . . . While the results gained national attention, both positive and negative, Minnesotans also addressed the rankings.” QUOTE: “Businesses in top industries, from healthcare to renewable energy and manufacturing, understand the benefits of investing and growing in Minnesota,” said Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. “Proud be ranked a top five state for business.” QUOTE: “This ranking is completely bogus,” said John Phelan, an economist with the Minnesota-based Center of the American Experiment. “These rankings … are not correlated in any meaningful way with what businesses actually do, such as start themselves or hire people.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bp7G9N

MORE: Phelan shares more analysis this morning via Substack. READ: https://fluence-media.co/45euSUn

HENDERSON: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Drivers who head south on Highway 93 in Henderson have seen the same sights for about three summers: orange barricades, closed road signs and detour arrows. Some drivers don’t even bother taking the long way and bypass the small town in Sibley County altogether. Schuette’s Ice Cream Shoppe is one of several small businesses in Henderson to have seen less traffic because of the highway closure. Owner Sarah Schuette said the reopening of the highway couldn’t have come sooner.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RvfZtA

OSSEO: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Will the city of Osseo build a municipal cannabis dispensary? The answer to that question is unclear. The city council took an important step toward financing the project on July 13 — but some council members are hesitant to throw their full support behind the concept.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45ebcA1

COMMERCE

MOA: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Adidas will showcase the brand’s attention to personal style at a new, immersive store set to open at Mall of America this fall. The 9,161-square-foot store moving in on level two, east, will become the retailer’s first full-price store in Minnesota, complete with an Anthony Edwards shop and opportunities to personalize your items.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bUjPDz

DESIGNER COLLAB: Via Target, VERBATIM: “Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) today announced Rosie Assoulin x Target, a new limited-time designer collaboration that reinforces Target’s style and merchandising authority through an exclusive partnership that gives guests high-quality, designer pieces at an incredible value. Launching July 25, the collection brings the New York designer’s signature silhouettes and vibrant use of color to an exclusive assortment of apparel, accessories and her first-ever multi-item collection in the home category, with most items priced under $50.” READ/SEE: https://fluence-media.co/450eBTf

FURNITURE: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Sky blue or soft pink cotton covers to be clutched tight during bedtime stories; delicate wooden details that won’t bend to change but accommodate it: Bria Hammel Interiors for Pottery Barn Kids takes children seriously, imbuing bedroom furniture and décor with the brand’s signature sophistication. Launched in June, the collaboration makes the St. Paul- and Charleston-based design company’s esteemed style (usually reserved for the firm’s full-service interiors) accessible online and across the country at all Pottery Barn Kids retail locations.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vLF0iz

BURNSVILLE: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “The Buzz Coffee & Cafe in Burnsville, known for its selection of over 200 waffles, is winding operations after a 10-year run.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3T7vBEl

COOKBOOK: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Gail Rosenblum has a confession to share: Before she met her current daughter-in-law, Kait Ziemer-Davis, she had never been to Sea Salt Eatery . . . Sea Salt Eatery: Recipes to Enjoy Year-Round, co-written by the mother-and-daughter-in-law pair, is officially out July 14 from University of Minnesota Press. It’s part cookbook, part memoir, and part oral history that describes the paradoxical story of a landlocked seafood place only open half the year that somehow took the Midwest by storm.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44KKOxA

AWARDS: Via Inspire Leadership Network, VERBATIM: “The 2026 Minnesota ORBIE Awards honored leading chief information officers (CIOs) and chief information security officers (CISOs) from Minnesota Twins, Medtronic, Sanford Health, Cirrus Aircraft, City of Saint Paul, Data Recognition Corporation, Transamerica and Medica for their exceptional leadership. Hosted by MinnesotaCIO and MinnesotaCISO, two of over 50 Inspire Leadership Network chapters, the prestigious award honors CIOs and CISOs who drive business transformation and industry impact.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pwVAAU

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WHAT’S NEXT?

THURSDAY: Via DEED, VERBATIM: “Please join the Minnesota Trade Office (MTO) for the latest webinar in our Latin America Series. This webinar will help you to take a deeper dive to learn the best strategies to enter Mexico’s sophisticated market.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fQ1Q2D

NEXT WEEK: Via Helio, VERBATIM: “Helio Corporation (OTCID:HLEO), a developer of advanced Space-Based Solar Power and engineering technologies pioneering commercial lunar hardware, today announced a three-city Midwest investor roadshow spanning Chicago, Minneapolis, and Milwaukee from Wednesday, July 29 through Friday, July 31, 2026, giving investors across the region a firsthand look at Helio’s rapidly evolving commercial, operational, and financial position.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vCXYaP

NEXT MONTH: Via Minnesota Orchestra, VERBATIM: “Few artists move as fluently between opera, classical, gospel, jazz and popular music as countertenor John Holiday . . . Joined by celebrated Twin Cities vocalists Jearlyn and Jevetta Steele, Holiday and the Minnesota Orchestra bring the summer festival to a close with a vibrant program drawn from the American Songbook.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4yN5jYm

THIS/NEXT MONTH: Via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Fringe Festival is just around the corner, opening August 6. Ahead of it, comic actor and Fringe veteran Lauren Anderson is reviving her hit one-woman show, ‘Jewelry Power Elite,’ for a two-weekend run at Minneapolis’ Dudley Riggs Theatre.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44KagDp

NEXT MONTH: Via Park Dental, VERBATIM: “Park Dental Partners, Inc. (NASDAQ: PARK), a leading dental resource organization, today announced that it will report its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2026 after market close on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vKm5Vk

FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com

LITERARY SALON: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Graywolf Press, a literary publisher based in Minneapolis, is bringing prominent voices in poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and publishing off the page and into conversation together at its annual Literary Salon at Glass House. On September 10, Twin Cities-based poet Danez Smith will emcee the dialogue with authors Deb Olin Unferth and Karen Tei Yamashita, as well as Graywolf’s executive director and publisher Carmen Giménez and Graywolf’s publicist Caelan Ernest Nardone.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vMT3UV

BDAYS: housing leader Christopher LaTondresse, travel entrepreneur Andrea Mokros, Fargo – Moorhead chamber leader Shannon Full

lunch take | Securing Elections with Less Federal Guidance

Mike Maybay — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 17:06:31 GMT

The Minneapolis Fed on Friday shared results of a survey of businesses in the region and shared this slide showing what business are paying for supplies and what they’re charging customers:

You can watch the Fed presentation HERE: https://fluence-media.co/4wPn1IJ

The national average for a gallon of gas again topped $4 today. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4fJnYfT

After their game against Portland over the weekend, the Lynx honored current Portland assistant coach and Lynx legend Sylvia Fowles for her hall of fame induction. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4pzESkK

Add this weekend’s Blueberry Art Festival in Ely to the list of impacts of the wildfires up north. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3T6H7ji

Fluence Advisory has released its Insights memo on “The Next Legislature”. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aNNSMV

Want to manage your subscription to TheDailyAgenda.com? HERE: https://fluence-media.co/managesubscription

Follow the 2026 Minnesota election’s up close with the Fluence ElectionTracker. FluenceElectionTracker.com

Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4vPXHBK

Sunday Take featured DFLers Matt Little, Sen. Matt Klein and Rep. Kaela Berg for the CD2 DFL primary debate. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4yssTcu

Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com

Follow the 2026 Minnesota elections up close with the Fluence Election Tracker.

https://fluence-media.co/electiontracker

SPONSOR: Sponsorships are available to reach over 30,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheets and website, TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com.

MONDAY NEWS FEED

ELECTION SECURITY: Nonprofit news organization Votebeat reported from last week’s National Association of Secretaries of State conference, VERBATIM: “Several secretaries of state noted that DHS typically gives regular briefings to state election officials outside of the conference throughout the year, offering threat overviews and mitigation options. But not this year. Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, a Democrat, said that while states can pay outside vendors for security assessments and other services [Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency] now no longer provides, they can’t replicate briefings from the federal government.” QUOTE: “You can’t just buy that off the shelf,” Simon said. “You can’t hire a private vendor to give you a U.S. government-grade intelligence assessment.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4psBV5c

SENATE: Via news release from the Tafoya campaign, VERBATIM: “Today, Michele Tafoya launched the second TV ad of her campaign leading up to the Republican Primary election for Minnesota’s U.S. Senate seat. The 30-second spot, filmed outside of the shuttered Quality [Learning] Center, reminds voters that Minnesota’s current leaders failed us and allowed millions of taxpayers dollars to be siphoned away from the programs that truly needed it because they were weak and caved to fraudsters.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4vLc9uB

WORLD CUP: Via Front Office Sports, VERBATIM: “Mega sports bar owners and operators across the country tell Front Office Sports a similar story: Their spaces—built to accommodate hundreds or even thousands—have spent nearly every open minute of the past six weeks at capacity, often with lines snaking out the door. They all describe the stretch as the busiest and most exhausting in their histories—but also the most rewarding and, simply, fun.” QUOTE: “The 48-team format essentially doubled the amount of action, which made for some very long days for us—especially early on,” says Shane Higgins, GM of Brit’s Pub, a 1,600-person, indoor-outdoor spot in Minneapolis. The venue has shattered sales record after sales record during the tournament: “We’d fill up for one game and then immediately be at capacity again an hour later for the next.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ptNM39

TARGET: Via Forbes, VERBATIM: “Picolette, which launches on July 26 in approximately 1,400 Target stores and [Target.com], is a labor of love for Olivia Culpo. The model and actress, who rose to prominence after winning the Miss Rhode Island, Miss USA and Miss World contests, is a new mother. She said she searched for products for her daughter, Colette, but found that nothing made the grade, so she created her own brand.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wWvJFm

MORE: Via Target, VERBATIM: “In addition to the introduction of Picolette, Target is making significant investments to better serve new and expecting parents with nearly 2,000 new baby items, more premium brands and inspiring in-store experiences through Baby Boutiques and personalized Baby Concierge services. These investments are complemented by new gifting destinations, industry-leading registry benefits, sustainable programs like Car Seat Trade-In and added convenience through Target Circle 360, including same-day delivery and extended returns.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wdgY0V

INFRASTRUCTURE

CONVERSIONS: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “The yearslong effort to turn office buildings into apartments is finally breaking through this summer, with three projects bringing hundreds of new residents downtown. Why it matters: The conversions — two in Minneapolis and one in St. Paul — will provide a boost to local businesses that have long depended on office workers who are spending more time at home.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3T9oGuo

RETAIL: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “An old idea is new (and extra fancy) at Southdale Center, the shopping mall that started it all. This spring’s opening of Tiffany & Co. marked the completion of Southdale’s gleaming new luxury wing. On a recent weekday, there was little foot traffic to scuff up the white-marble floors, unlike the Edina center’s opening day 70 years ago. That fall, 75,000 people came to see the country’s first fully-enclosed, climate-controlled shopping mall.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4w9ib9h

AROUND MINNESOTA

CAMERAS: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Every day, automatic cameras capture images of passing vehicles, amassing data that can reveal the travel histories of Minnesotans and help law enforcement find crime suspects. It’s highly sensitive data, and Minnesota law requires it only be shared for criminal investigations. But a Minnesota Star Tribune investigation found that some law enforcement agencies left this data accessible to far-flung departments that searched it for immigration purposes at the height of last winter’s brutal federal crackdown.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44FXuFV

BIKES: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “Last September, the U.S. Department of Transportation under President Donald Trump began revoking or canceling grants that had already been announced—grants that would help fund urban bike lanes, recreational trails, and more cycling and pedestrian infrastructure all around the country, including in Minnesota. Officials cited ‘hostility to motor vehicles’ as the rationale behind the claw-backs, arguing that grant programs should focus on major roads and other projects that support car-focused travel. Now, Minnesota cycling advocacy organizations are stepping up to raise awareness of the funding cuts and shine a spotlight on why bike-friendly infrastructure, from countryside trails to urban lanes, matters.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pyUIvR

REMEMBRANCE: Minnesota Reformer reports on a Sunday event commemorating “Bloody Sunday” when police shot 70 people in Minneapolis, killing two. VERBATIM: “The 1934 shooting was a crescendo of a months-long battle between the truckers and warehouse workers of Teamsters Local 574, and the ‘Citizens Alliance,’ who were the corporate owners trying to suppress workers’ pursuit of fair wages and working conditions.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3T9qbc0

HABITAT RESTORATION: Flint Hills Resources has earned Tandem Global WHC Gold Certification for habitat restoration at its Cottage Grove fuel terminal. The certification comes after two years of work in partnership with Friends of the Mississippi River to implement a restoration and monitoring plan to re-establish the 6.5-acre site’s natural prairie and savannah. Flint Hills has held gold certification for its work done with community partners over the past 25 years to restore more than 200 acres of the Pine Bend Bluffs, a critical natural area along the Mississippi River that is adjacent to Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery. This makes two Flint Hills gold certified sites in Minnesota and the first two gold-certified sites ever in the Twin Cities. LEARN MORE: Environmental Stewardship (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery)

COMMERCE

ACQUISITION: Via Metal Forming Magazine, VERBATIM: “Trumpf has signed an agreement to acquire [Anoka-based] Mate Precision Technologies, a provider of metal cutting and forming products and solutions. Mate will continue to operate independently in the market under its existing brand, with its management and international teams remaining in place.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pw3aMp

POT: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “Forget the stereotypical dispensary vibe. MoonLeaf in Shakopee feels more like a cozy lifestyle boutique crossed with an artsy night out. The low-dose cannabis shop has quietly carved out a niche for quirky, community-driven events that blend creativity, wellness, and THC-era curiosity into something fun and approachable.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44DqMVS

BASKETBALL: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “An annual family-focused three-on-three outdoor basketball tournament is returning to the Twin Cities in August. Players age eight and up can take part in the Twin Cities Gus Macker Basketball Tournament at North Hennepin Community College. The tournament, hosted by Minneapolis Northwest Tourism, benefits local nonprofits.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4b4lx51

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WHAT’S NEXT?

TOMORROW: Via St. Louis Park-based Bridgewater, VERBATIM: “Bridgewater Bancshares, Inc. (Nasdaq: BWB), the parent company of Bridgewater Bank, today announced that it will release its second quarter 2026 financial results after the market closes on Tuesday, July 21, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wuZWLl

WEDNESDAY: Via Minneapolis-based Graco, VERBATIM: “Graco Inc. (NYSE: GGG) announced today that it will release its second quarter 2026 earnings after the New York Stock Exchange closes on Wednesday, July 22, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4v3mK3P

THURSDAY: Via Minneapolis-based Ameriprise, VERBATIM: “Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (NYSE: AMP) plans to issue a press release via BusinessWire at approximately 7:45 a.m. ET on Thursday, July 23, 2026 that will include a link to the company’s second quarter 2026 results on its Investor Relations website (ir.ameriprise.com).” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wgl2wH

FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com

NEXT MONTH: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “The newly revived Uptown Art Fair will take place August 7–9 along the scenic parkways adjacent Lake of the Isles. And while the location is different, organizers say the mission is crystal clear: Bring people back to Uptown and help reshape the narrative around a neighborhood that has spent years fighting for its footing.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ftzJ9a

NEXT MONTH: Via Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, VERBATIM: “The 2026 Midwest Black Book Fair is honoring stories of resistance and uplifting intersectional narratives of Blackness, Black history and Black futurity during Black August, a month commemorating Black freedom fighters and political prisoners. The family-friendly event features Black authors, book signings, a publishing workshop, and food vendors.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fJgiu6

BDAYS: schools advocate Kim Lewis, attorney Jim Yarosh, music scribe Chris Riemenschneider

lunch take | Minnesota's U.S. Senate Ad War

Mike Maybay — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 16:10:34 GMT

Four members of Michigan’s congressional delegation sent a letter to the Canadian Government demanding a stop to wildfire smoke crossing the border. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4wSfnxu

With the Boundary Waters closed, MPR offers up some alternative destinations. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4w9bX9D

Fluence Advisory has released its Insights memo on “The Next Legislature”. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aNNSMV

Want to manage your subscription to TheDailyAgenda.com? HERE: https://fluence-media.co/managesubscription

Follow the 2026 Minnesota election’s up close with the Fluence ElectionTracker. FluenceElectionTracker.com

Sunday Take featured a preview of the CD2 DFL primary and Sec. Steve Simon discussing how federal changes could affect state elections. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4pB3865

Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com

Follow the 2026 Minnesota elections up close with the Fluence Election Tracker.

https://fluence-media.co/electiontracker

SPONSOR: Sponsorships are available to reach over 30,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheets and website, TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com.

FRIDAY FEED

TONIGHT: Via Willmar Radio, VERBATIM: “ABC’s 20/20 tonight will air an updated, two-hour investigative episode titled ‘Where Are You Jacob?’ Airing from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m., exploring the decades-long mystery of the 1989 kidnapping of 11-year-old Jacob Wetterling of St. Joseph.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3SWj6vj

BATTERIES: Via Spearmint Energy, VERBATIM: “Spearmint Energy, a next-generation energy company delivering stable, secure and cost-effective energy solutions to the grid through large-scale battery storage, today announced that the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission has approved a Site Permit for the Midwater Energy Storage Project, a 150 MW / 600 MWh standalone Battery Energy Storage System in Freeborn County, Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ysXbvE

NO PHONES: Via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “There was a roomful of frustration at Waconia City Hall Thursday, where CenturyLink representatives met with a group of the carrier’s customers—- some of whom, haven’t had landline service since late May . . . Back in June, 5 Eyewitness News reported how Representative Jim Nash (R-Waconia) had been collecting information from 125 Waconia-area households who’ve told him about dropped service.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4f3EW8E

COURTHOUSE WEDDING: Via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Erling Soren Holdahl and Kendra Sue Johnson’s happily ever after starts with a prison sentence. The Twin Cities couple wed at the federal courthouse in St. Paul on Wednesday, minutes after being sentenced to 12 and six years in prison, respectively, for their involvement with a Mexican drug cartel.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3SXJgxJ

FIRES

BWCAW: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “It started out as a normal fishing trip for Tom and John Connelly. The brothers put in on Saturday for what was supposed to be 10 days of paddling, camping and quiet in Quetico Provincial Park, just across the Canadian border from the Boundary Waters. Then they saw smoke. Then came the fire, and the start of a sometimes heart-pounding struggle to get out alive. Coming out of the wilderness Thursday off Moose Lake, just outside the Boundary Waters, they told a story of a long, harrowing journey they said could have ended in death.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4f8kuDG

ICYMI… morning take had maps from both yesterday and today showing fire locations and air quality. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4fjN97D

ELY: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “The Ely City Council held a special meeting Thursday to share wildfire information with residents as fires continue to burn within miles of the city . . . City leaders used the meeting to dispel rumors of a planned evacuation. Officials also warned the fire season could be prolonged.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4vwZY4j

FORECAST: Via The New York Times, the smoke forecast showing the worst of it moving out of Minnesota. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/4wPeCFf

POLITICS

SENATE: MPR notes the flood of ads about Minnesota’s DFL U.S. Senate primary race – some from the candidates themselves. VERBATIM: “But another, often more-caustic slough of ads make the rounds on those same platforms. Political action committees are pouring money into the race. They use their ad time to bash the opponent of their favored candidate. There, [Rep. Angie] Craig is the lopsided beneficiary. One PAC, North Star Dawn, is airing hundreds of commercials per week — sometimes multiple ads during the same TV program.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3SXuh6W

ICYMI… morning take with the ongoing battles between primary candidates in the Senate and Governor races. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4fjN97D

SUNDAY: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “From traditional dance and live music to hands-on activities and sweet treats, Minneapolis’ annual Sister Cities Day invites visitors to experience cultures from around the world—without leaving the city. The free celebration returns to Nicollet Island Pavilion this Sunday, July 19, from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering a recognition of the global partnerships that have connected Minneapolis with other communities across the world for more than 60 years.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4yxGFee

COMMERCE

DULUTH: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “In June, a video went viral, showing people fighting in the road at Lake Avenue and Superior Street as crowds arrived for Grandma’s marathon. Days later, the city announced the closure of a portion of the skywalk due to ‘unwanted behaviors.’ For many, those headlines confirm what they already feared -- downtown and Canal Park are headed in the wrong direction.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4yj77b8

SMOKE: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “The area tracked an all-time record for hazardous air quality levels this week as smoke from wildfires burning in and around the Boundary Waters a couple of hours to the north engulfed the region, along with much of the state and the country. That left some travelers scrambling as they tried to decide whether to refocus their vacations to more indoor activities or cancel altogether. Others adapted plans but still made a point to see landmark locations in the region.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4gJehPQ

SUN COUNTRY: Via Airline Geeks, VERBATIM: “Sun Country reduced its September schedule after higher-than-expected crew attrition and additional cargo flying created staffing pressure, according to an internal memo viewed by AirlineGeeks. In a July 3 message to Allegiant and Sun Country flight crews, Allegiant CEO Greg Anderson said the carrier trimmed its fall scheduled capacity ‘due to higher-than-expected front-line crew attrition combined with increased cargo flying.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3T1Blzr

THEATRE: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “The Children’s Theatre Company announced a permanent expansion to its current acting company. The new core company serves as an “artistic think tank” that brings creatives who play different roles in staging productions into conversation together, according to CTC’s artistic director Rick Dildine.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4warlTa

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WHAT’S NEXT?

TOMORROW: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “From pool noodles to pontoon boats, any flotation devices are welcome seating options for viewing the annual float-in movie on Silver Lake in St. Anthony. Starting at 9 p.m. on Saturday, the 1993 classic Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey will be projected onto an inflatable screen facing the water.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ytGO25

THIS WEEKEND: Via Bring Me The News, details of this weekend’s Yacht Club music festival on Harriet Island. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ysrfaW

THIS WEEKEND: The Minnehaha Falls Art Fair is at Minnehaha Falls Regional Park. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4btzU2U

ALSO: The Aquatennial continues. SCHEDULE: https://fluence-media.co/3Rinx2Y

THIS MONTH: Via Minneapolis-based Piper, VERBATIM: “Piper Sandler Companies (NYSE: PIPR), a leading investment bank, will release its second quarter 2026 financial results prior to the opening of the market on Thursday, July 30, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wIJdUP

THIS MONTH: Via Minneapolis-based SPS, VERBATIM: “SPS Commerce, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPSC), the leading intelligent supply chain network, today announced that it will issue its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2026, after the market close on Thursday, July 30, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fnIiSX

FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com

UNCLAIMED CASH: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “I have seen and bypassed headlines over the years about how state governments are holding millions in unclaimed property . . . Then my brother alerted me to a website called missingmoney.com, which is a database for the National Association of State Treasurers. My name was on the list, he said. I was skeptical, but I checked it out and indeed, the state of Minnesota was holding an amount over $100 for me.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44AMKbS

BDAYS: Rep. Cal Bahr, Thrify Traveler’s Kyle Potter, MPR Exec Duchesne Drew, GOP local leader David Sturrock, arts advocate Bonnie Marshall, St. Thomas’ Phil Esten, media guy Alberto Monseratte. SAT: DFL House Leader Zack Stephenson, Allina’s Kerri Gordon, organizer Javier Morillo-Alicea, Star Tribune’s Laura McCallum Bryan, Fox 9’s Paul Blume, House staffer Margaret Martin. SUN: Sen. Michael Kreun, professor Kathryn Pearson, fmr. First Lady Susan Shepard Carlson

lunch take | 13,200 New Jobs + UNH & USB Earnings

Mike Maybay — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 18:22:06 GMT

Gallup asked people in 120+ countries whether where they live is a good place for minorities, immigrants, gays, and lesbians – more said “yes” than in the 20-year history of asking. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4yF3Ymm

Posted to a Lowertown Facebook page:

Sports Take: Ex-Gophers star takes NCAA to court, Suni Lee comes back home, a coaching mystery in northern Minnesota and (maybe) the next Joe Mauer. Coming early this afternoon.

Fluence Advisory has released its Insights memo on “The Next Legislature”. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aNNSMV

Want to manage your subscription to TheDailyAgenda.com? HERE: https://fluence-media.co/managesubscription

Follow the 2026 Minnesota election’s up close with the Fluence ElectionTracker. FluenceElectionTracker.com

Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4plEeqF

Sunday Take featured a preview of the CD2 DFL primary and Sec. Steve Simon discussing how federal changes could affect state elections. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4pB3865

Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com

Follow the 2026 Minnesota elections up close with the Fluence Election Tracker.

https://fluence-media.co/electiontracker

SPONSOR: Sponsorships are available to reach over 30,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheets and website, TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com.

HAZY SHADE OF THURSDAY

JOBS: Via DEED, VERBATIM: “Minnesota added 13,200 jobs in June – the third consecutive month of strong gains following losses seen during Operation Metro Surge from January through March – while U.S. jobs growth was flat (57,000 jobs, 0.0%). Minnesota’s unemployment rate held at 4.4% while the U.S. unemployment rate ticked down one-tenth of a percentage point to 4.2%, according to data released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pqBys2

SMOKE: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “The USA Cup, held annually at the National Sports Center, announced early Thursday morning that the tournament will begin with a Black Flag ‘due to current historic levels of air quality index in the area.’ The air quality in the Twin Cities, St. Cloud, Brainerd, Duluth, and surrounding areas is forecast to remain hazardous on Thursday. It’s the worst level on the Air Quality Index (AQI), meaning the air is unhealthy for everyone.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45ctYHX

MORE: Via Instagram, Lowertown Sounds announced tonight’s show in Mears Park is canceled. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4gBWx8R

HOW BAD: Via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “The air quality in Minneapolis is ranked third-worst among major cities globally Thursday morning as smoke from northern wildfires cloaks the region. Only Detroit and Toronto have worse air quality currently, according to IQAir.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4aSJc8v

WHERE: Here’s the latest MPCA air quality map:

SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4yvQE3I

BWCAW BIZ: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “It’s been a trying several days for canoe outfitters like [Jason Zabokrtsky]. On Monday, some of his customers were forced to leave six of his canoes behind to evacuate in front of the raging Camp Fire. They barely made it out of Pipestone Bay on Basswood Lake as fire closed in on both sides. But he hasn’t had much time to think about the impacts of the fires and the Boundary Waters closure on his business. ‘Our sole focus was getting these people to safety.’ But reality is starting to sink in. He holds up a folder full of bookings through the rest of the summer. ‘And now we’re starting to process, you know, all of our cancellations,’ he said.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3T58tGq

DROUGHT: The new Drought Monitor out this morning (data as of Tuesday) shows 38% of the state in formal drought status, up from 29% a week earlier. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3zN8TDo

HAITIANS: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “There are an estimated 4,000 Haitians who live in Minnesota. For many of them, the administration’s decision to end TPS is personal. Rose Mingo-Holtz is originally from Haiti and has lived in Minnesota for more than three decades. She is the founder, director and teacher at Mes Amis French School in Hopkins. Mingo-Holtz is a U.S. citizen, but she says TPS affects people she knows and cares about.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wPN5nh

BIG CITIES

TODAY: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “The Lyndale Avenue reconstruction project, which would rip up a busy stretch of the street in 2028, could get the Minneapolis City Council’s sign-off on Thursday. Why it matters: Lyndale’s 92-year-old infrastructure is decades overdue for an upgrade, the project’s planners say. But some local businesses, still reeling from the rebuild of nearby Hennepin Avenue, worry they won’t survive more construction.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4yr1nvZ

SKYWAY: Via Minneapolis Times, VERBATIM: “The skyway has a secret most people walking through it never learn: nobody owns it. Everybody does, in scattered pieces, and those pieces do not agree with each other. That disagreement is now a genuine legal fight at Minneapolis City Hall, pitting a city council that wants guaranteed public access against building owners invoking the Constitution to say the city cannot make them provide it for free.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4yn3rVM

DULUTH: Via KQDS-TV, VERBATIM: “Since July started, the Duluth Police Department was paged out for 5 separate violent crime calls. 4 incidents involved firearms, and one involved a knife. On Wednesday, July 15, Mayor Reinert and Duluth Police Deputy Chief Ryan Morris held a press conference at the city’s public safety building.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/458psdA

EARNINGS SEASON

UNITEDHEALTH: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH) on Thursday reported second-quarter earnings of $5.48 billion. On a per-share basis, the Eden Prairie, Minnesota-based company said it had net income of $6.04 . . . The results surpassed Wall Street expectations . . . The largest U.S. health insurer posted revenue of $112.03 billion in the period, also surpassing Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4yuvYZS

MORE: Via CNBC, VERBATIM: “The largest private insurer in the U.S. said it expects 2026 adjusted earnings of $19.50 to $20 per share, up from a previous outlook of more than $18.25 per share. UnitedHealth is maintaining its full-year revenue guidance of greater than $439 billion. But CFO Wayne DeVeydt said in an interview that he expects the company to ‘do better than that’ given the second-quarter beat.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4yqWseq

US BANK: Via The Wall Street Journal, VERBATIM: “U.S. Bancorp notched record second-quarter revenue due to to strong loan growth, broad momentum on fees and a one-month boost from the recent acquisition of financial-services firm BTIG. The Minneapolis-based parent of U.S. Bank National Association said net income rose in the second quarter to $2.18 billion, or $1.35 a share, from $1.82 billion, or $1.11, a year earlier. The results beat the $1.28 a share mean estimate of analysts polled by FactSet.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3SVIukP

WINMARK: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “Winmark Corp. (WINA) on Wednesday reported profit of $10.4 million in its second quarter. On a per-share basis, the Minneapolis-based company said it had net income of $2.81. The store concept franchisor posted revenue of $22 million in the period.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4f3CMWC

COMMERCE

ACQUISITION: Via Inspirit, VERBATIM: “Inspirit Equity portfolio company Sizemore, Inc., a leading provider of integrated facilities management services, today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Carlson Building Maintenance, a leading provider of janitorial and facility services to retail, grocery, and commercial customers across the Midwest. Founded in 1959 and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Carlson has built a strong reputation over more than 65 years for delivering high-quality janitorial services to a blue-chip customer base spanning over 250 locations across 10 states.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pq0cZP

CANDY: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “For the past few years, Bakehouse—the big, boxy, powder-pink building that sits on the south side of Excelsior Boulevard in St. Louis Park—has functioned as a sister space to Anne Andrus‘s bakery Honey and Rye, serving as a production kitchen, a space for parties and pop-ups, and a hub for community-led baking and cooking classes . . . Over the past year and a half, Andrus has immersed herself in the wildly trendy world of Swedish candy, scheming on how to transform Bakehouse’s unique retail footprint into the ideal sweet shop.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gId5fp

ICE CREAM: Via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “Three Minnesota ice cream shops are in the running for a national title this summer. Cup and Cone in White Bear Lake, Grand Ole Creamery in St. Paul and Pumphouse Creamery in Minneapolis have been selected to compete in a 64-shop, fan-voted tournament to determine America’s Best Ice Cream.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/44uw9GP

PETS: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “Spoil your pets while supporting Minnesota businesses. From cozy dog fleece and cat toys to modern birdhouses, these locally made finds are as stylish as they are practical.” LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4fiBNjY

WINE: The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reports the trio who created Minneapolis’ Milly’s Wine Bar & Bistro have bought a northeast building and with plans to convert it into a bar and restaurant. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fkKSZE

PIZZA: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “A beloved Robbinsdale staple hit a major milestone this year. Broadway Pizza and Eagles Nest Lounge is officially celebrating 60 years of serving up square slices of pizza. The independent, family-owned restaurant, located right along Bottineau Boulevard, first opened its doors on June 1, 1966. Six decades later, it is still standing tall.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4flIqSX

GOLF: Via Hazeltine, VERBATIM: “Hazeltine National Golf Club has named Thomas Barksdale, PGA, as the Club’s new General Manager. Barksdale joins Hazeltine following his tenure as General Manager and Chief Operating Officer at Prairie Dunes Country Club in Hutchinson, Kansas, and will oversee all aspects of Club operations while leading Hazeltine into its next chapter of championship golf and exceptional experiences.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Riyb9J

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WHAT’S NEXT?

THIS MONTH: Via New Brighton-based APi, VERBATIM: “APi Group Corporation (NYSE: APG) announced that it will release its second quarter 2026 financial results before the market opens on Thursday, July 30, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pmSKi9

NEXT MONTH: Via Fergus Falls-based Otter Tail, VERBATIM: “Otter Tail Corporation (Nasdaq: OTTR) will issue a news release announcing second quarter 2026 financial results after the stock market closes on Monday, August 3, 2026 and will host a live conference call and webcast on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. CT to discuss the corporation’s financial and operating performance.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pmT40l

FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com

WALKER: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “The Walker Art Center announced its 2026-2027 performing arts season. From deconstructions of the human body to explorations of largely untold histories, an imaginative selection of music, dance, and storytelling is slated to grace the Walker Art Center.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3R17ExQ

BDAYS: Rep. Ben Bakenberg, fmr. DFL Chair Mark Andrew, Timberwolves leader Jeff Munneke, civic leader Dan McElroyBDAYS: Rep. Bidal Duran, Children’s Minnesota leader Lauren Gilchrist, WCCO Radio’s Dan Cook, attorney John Cairns, fundraiser Trisha Hamm, Hennepin County Commissioner Marion Greene, attorney Rick Linsk, and one of the reasons this newsletter exists my HS social studies teacher John Fisher

lunch take | Trump Endorses Lindell

Mike Maybay — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 17:06:18 GMT

Americans’ confidence in higher education is at 38% – it was 42% last year – 57% in 2015. GALLUP: https://fluence-media.co/3RkSCCW

From MPR, harrowing stories from campers evacuating the wildfires in the BWCAW. SEE/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3RxUwQV

Fluence Advisory has released its Insights memo on “The Next Legislature”. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aNNSMV

Want to manage your subscription to TheDailyAgenda.com? HERE: https://fluence-media.co/managesubscription

Follow the 2026 Minnesota election’s up close with the Fluence ElectionTracker. FluenceElectionTracker.com

Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4fB2BgK

Sunday Take featured a preview of the CD2 DFL primary and Sec. Steve Simon discussing how federal changes could affect state elections. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4pB3865

Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com

Follow the 2026 Minnesota elections up close with the Fluence Election Tracker.

https://fluence-media.co/electiontracker

SPONSOR: Sponsorships are available to reach over 30,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheets and website, TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com.

MIDWEEK CHECK-IN

WILDFIRES: Via KAAL-TV, VERBATIM: “Governor Tim Walz is holding a wildfire emergency council meeting and vote on Wednesday morning to keep the National Guard in northern Minnesota to help communities that have been affected. If the council votes to extend Executive Order 26-08, a peacetime emergency will continue for an additional 30 days beyond Aug. 11.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4yoV6AS

ENDORSEMENT: On Truth Social this morning, President Donald Trump said Mike Lindell “will be SPECTACULAR!!!” as governor and will bring Minnesota “back from oblivion and embarrassment.” POST: https://fluence-media.co/3TkXQPM

MORE: Via WCCO-Radio, QUOTE: “This endorsement is significant for Lindell,” says WCCO Political Analyst Blois Olson. “He obviously is close to the president, has been extremely loyal to the president. I think the other campaigns were hoping that the president endorsed them or that he stayed out of the race.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4vuUrv6

BACKGROUND: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Lindell has been an ardent supporter of Trump and a vocal backer of the president’s theory that the 2020 election was stolen. Several probes and court cases have found those allegations to be unsubstantiated. Lindell has often been to Trump’s Mar-A-Lago estate, including a fundraiser there for his Minnesota campaign. The two have kept in close contact over the years.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pm4FN3

REACTION: GOP-endorsed candidate Kendall Qualls released a statement this morning. QUALLS: “President Trump is the President the country needed over the past decade, and I’ve been a proud supporter of his since day one. I’ll continue to support him and his America First policies when I am governor. This race won’t be won by national endorsements though; it will be decided by Minnesota Republicans – the same Republicans who supported President Trump in all three of his campaigns – and who time and time again have lined up behind our campaign as the only candidate endorsed by the Minnesota Republican Party.”

REACTION: Via the Minnesota Republican Party from Chair Alex Plechash, PLECHASH: “When the going got tough under Tim Walz, Mike Lindell left Minnesota for Texas. Now he wants Minnesota Republicans to overlook his serious financial baggage, public records showing tens of thousands of dollars in delinquent property taxes, significant electability concerns, and unanswered questions surrounding his running mate. Minnesota cannot afford to nominate a ticket that gives Democrats an easy target and creates the very real possibility of another DFL trifecta.”

SENATE: Via release from the Flanagan campaign, VERBATIM: “Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan’s campaign announced today that it raised $1.4 million in the second quarter of 2026. The campaign has a total of more than 85,000 contributors this cycle with more than 97% of contributions being less than $100 and an average contribution of just $36. This raise marks Flanagan’s largest quarterly fundraising haul to date.”

DRONES: Wired gained unexpected access to a trove of footage captured by San Francisco PD drones – drones operated by Skydio, the same company under consideration to supply drone capabilities to the Minneapolis Police Department. VERBATIM: “This glimpse of modern drone-enabled police surveillance, including the highly sensitive video of the man’s physical takedown, wasn’t voluntarily released by the SFPD—which, like most US police departments, rarely releases drone videos even in response to public records requests. Instead, it was accidentally livestreamed onto the open internet via Skydio’s website. That’s where two security researchers, Sam Curry and Maik Robert, discovered that the SFPD was leaking all of the real-time footage from five of its surveillance drones, including both color and thermal imaging, accompanying location metadata, and the drone pilots’ names and email addresses, to anyone who merely found the public web address where the videos were hosted.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4gEWNnE

TOMORROW: Via Insight News, VERBATIM: “On Thursday, July 16, at 1:30 p.m., Black Wall Street Minnesota will hold a press conference at the George Floyd Square Event Center with a straightforward but pointed request: that the City of Minneapolis produce a formal, independent economic accounting of what six years of occupation, construction, and policy decisions have cost the Black-owned businesses at 38th Street and Chicago Avenue.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fcmr0t

LAWSUIT: Via KARE-TV, VERBATIM: “The Ramsey County Attorney and Sheriff announced a civil lawsuit Wednesday against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, claiming the agency is withholding information on the arrest of a St. Paul man during Operation Metro Surge. Prosecutors allege that on Jan. 18, federal agents forced their way into a St. Paul home and arrested Chongly Scott Thao, a Hmong American and U.S. citizen. In April, Ramsey County officials announced an investigation into alleged misconduct, saying federal agents may have committed kidnapping, burglary and false imprisonment.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ThBvTd

DEVELOPING STORIES

FEED FRAUD: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Four Twin Cities residents are charged with evading a total of $1.1 million in Minnesota income taxes after allegedly receiving millions from taxpayer-funded child care and food programs. According to the criminal complaints, fraud that originated with the nonprofit Feeding Our Future appears to have continued for more than two years after the case became public in early 2022 with a series of FBI raids.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3QYUod3

ST CHARLES: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “St. Charles Public Schools will be asking voters to approve an operating levy of $650 per student during the election in November. The district’s school board unanimously approved the ballot language. … Although the yearly revenue from the levy will vary depending on enrollment, it would bring in just under $600,000 a year at the onset of its decade-long life span. If approved, the levy also would have an inflation factor, allowing the per-pupil amount to grow over time.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gEmqoC

ST PAUL: Via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “St. Paul is now moving to rename César Chávez Street on the city’s West Side. The street runs between Wabasha and Concord streets through District del Sol, the West Side’s commercial corridor lined with Latino-owned businesses. The neighborhood’s Latino community dates to the early 1900s, when Mexican workers began settling there.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aWcaUX

TREES: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “The St. Paul City Council is poised on Wednesday to approve new rules meant to protect trees during the street reconstruction projects that tear up roots and take a toll on the canopy . . . Right now, trees are ‘literally an afterthought’ in St. Paul’s street reconstruction process, City Council President Rebecca Noecker said. Tree experts aren’t consulted until late in the design phase.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ffONqB

AROUND MINNESOTA

NEXT WEEK: Via Pioneer Press, VEBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs hopes to install a bronze plaque on the State Capitol grounds in St. Paul commemorating the state’s Gold Star families, who have lost an immediate family member in the line of duty while serving in the U.S. military, as well as Blue Star families who have an immediate family member serving on active duty. In a separate request, the adjutant for the American Legion-Minnesota has submitted an application to modify the existing World War I plaque within the Capitol’s Court of Honor memorial to acknowledge the military service of Minnesotans who trained for but never saw combat during the war . . . The Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board, which oversees zoning and planning around the Capitol, will host a public hearing on both proposals on July 21.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hc5lCv

ROCHESTER: Via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “An anticipated drop in local government aid is expected to scale back plans for residential street reconstruction in Rochester . . . The needs-based state support to cities, which started in 1971, ranges from none to the millions provided to St. Paul and Minneapolis, and is determined based on formulas that are tweaked every decade or so.” QUOTE: “We don’t do well in the formula, because we have a lot of development in Rochester and not every city has that,” [City Administrator Alison Zelms] said. “Not every city has had new construction every year since 2019, or even since 2000.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pinUqE

MINING: Via Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has opened the public comment period for the proposed Tamarack Mine, giving Minnesotans an opportunity to help shape one of the state’s most consequential environmental decisions. The public comment period runs from July 14 through September 14, 2026. Water Over Nickel, a Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe-led initiative, is encouraging Minnesotans to participate in the public comment process by sharing their questions, concerns and priorities with state regulators.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4plGWwz

(DISCLOSURE: Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe is a client of Fluence Advisory)

MORE: Via Talon Metals, VERBATIM: “Talon has spent several years advancing environmental baseline work, technical studies, and project design refinements to support the scoping process and future EIS preparation. This upfront work has helped strengthen the proposed Tamarack Mining Project, reduce uncertainty, and provide a more complete technical foundation for the next stage of environmental review.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3R8CUeh

MORE: Water over Nickel, Friends of the Mississippi River, and Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy will host a webinar on the proposed mine July 28^th. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4gFy42C

IRON RANGE: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis-based Niron Magnetics is considering the [Iron] Range for its third-and-largest facility that would replace hundreds of jobs lost by the declining iron-ore mining industry. Niron seeks to significantly reduce U.S. reliance on mostly Chinese-imported ‘rare-earth’ minerals, which are critical to magnets. … Niron operates a Northeast Minneapolis office and pilot plant and is constructing its first production plant near St. Cloud that will employ 175 people. The company also plans a huge, $1.8 billion plant by 2029 that will employ 700-plus workers. That has tongues wagging on the job-hungry Iron Range, where taconite mining has declined for decades.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wb8lE8

COMMERCE

TARGET: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Almost exactly a year after calling back one of its largest business units to the office three days a week, Target Corp. is now requiring those same workers to add another day in the office. The change affects Target’s merchandising organization. … The new expectation takes effect the week of Sept. 6. Employees will still be able to choose which four days work best for them.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3T1YL7I

BEST BUY: Via Retail Touch Points, VERBATIM: “Best Buy has announced five executive team appointments as part of its ongoing CEO transition, a restructuring the company said will help accelerate four strategic priorities focused on growth, customer experience and its evolution as a retail, media and technology company.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aTCdw7

COSTCO: The company this morning announced seven new stores, including one in Otsego (though the release spells it “Ostego”. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ytIIzY

NEW CEO: Via Minnesota United, VERBATIM: “Minnesota United FC today announced that Christina Hennington has been named the club’s Chief Executive Officer. A respected executive with more than two decades of leadership at Target, Hennington most recently served as Chief Strategy and Growth Officer.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vwSgHG

MIXED DRINKS: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “There’s a saying at New Hope’s Mixly Beverage Company: no boring drinks allowed. ‘We think that no drink should ever be boring,’ said Johnna Rossbach, founder and president of Mixly . . . Dirty soda mixers are a newer addition to their line, offering flavor mixes like cherry vanilla or mango pineapple that can be added to soda pop. And they’ve got something in the pipeline for coffee fans as well.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4puSNbK

DATA CENTERS: Via 3M, VERBATIM: “3M (NYSE: MMM) and Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) today announced a strategic partnership focused on AI data center infrastructure and enterprise transformation. Microsoft’s Azure Cloud and AI Infrastructure will become the first announced hyperscale cloud provider to deploy 3M’s Expanded Beam Optical (EBO) technology. 3M will also use Microsoft’s AI and digital platforms as part of its enterprise transformation across key business functions.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4heOaAj

RESTAURANT CREW: Via MplsStPaul, bios of the crew running Indígena by Owamni at the Guthrie Theater. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fmOz19

BLAINE: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “When Asia Village officially opened its doors last month, hundreds of visitors lined up outside, eager to be some of the first people inside. Fans of pho, mochi doughnuts, Korean barbecue, poke, and other culinary traditions from all parts of Asia have new reasons to celebrate at the Blaine shopping destination, which is home to both a large grocery store and a food hall-style collection of 12 restaurants.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ytooia

GOLF: The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reports Blackberry Ridge Golf Club in Sartell has been sold. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Rfefoc

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WHAT’S NEXT?

TOMORROW: Via DEED, VERBATIM: “On Thursday, July 16, Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Commissioner Matt Varilek and Labor Market Information Director Angelina Nguyen will be available from 10:00-10:30 a.m. to answer questions from the press regarding the June employment data.”

FRIDAY: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Many of artist Jill Kittock’s most popular—and most mesmerizing—paintings look like a movie-moment frozen in time; an entire scene of characters all living extraordinary lives who happen to exist in the same frame for one well-captured second. And that’s exactly how she sees this version of the real world: a thread of mysticism woven through the grounding of reality, full of vivid colors and diverse personalities . . . Kittock’s gigantic casts of characters, interior elements, and The Great Gatsby–esque scenes all culminate with her first solo exhibition at The Phipps Center for the Arts in Hudson, Wisconsin, which opens this month.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wOv8FI

MONDAY: Via DEED, VERBATIM: “On Monday, July 20, DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek will meet with Duluth small business owners and business leaders to highlight the challenges and opportunities small businesses are facing, and how Minnesotans can help support their local small business economy.”

THIS MONTH: Via Roseville-based Hawkins, VERBATIM: “Hawkins, Inc. (Nasdaq: HWKN) announced today that it expects to release its financial results for its first quarter fiscal 2027 ended June 28, 2026 after the market closes on July 29, 2026 at approximately 4:10 p.m. Eastern Time.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vCHVdb

NEXT MONTH: Via Minneapolis-based Sezzle, VERBATIM: “Purpose-driven digital payment platform, Sezzle, will release its second quarter 2026 results after the market close on August 6, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vrMarT

JANUARY: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “‘Late Night’ host and former Weekend Update anchor Seth Meyers is bringing his stand-up tour to the Twin Cities.

Hennepin Arts will host Meyers at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis on Jan. 15, 2027.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fiAzFs

FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com

BOOKS: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Public Radio and The Minnesota Star Tribune’s Talking Volumes returns for its annual in-depth discussions with authors on their latest titles this September to November.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wHCvyv

BDAYS: Rep. Ben Bakenberg, fmr. DFL Chair Mark Andrew, Timberwolves leader Jeff Munneke, civic leader Dan McElroy

lunch take | How to Evacuate the BWCAW

Mike Maybay — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 16:17:33 GMT

We haven’t hit 100 degrees in the Twin Cities since 2022. Despite some earlier predictions, we likely won’t reach it this week. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4pl5kyk

The Consumer Price Index dropped to 3.5% in June. NYTIMES: https://fluence-media.co/4pphiqO

How’s confidence in U.S. institutions? Not great.

More from GALLUP: https://fluence-media.co/3RfS7Ky

Kayla McBride and Olivia Miles had a combined 70 points Monday night against the Mercury at Target Center. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4vynUo2

Fluence Advisory has released its Insights memo on “The Next Legislature”. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aNNSMV

Want to manage your subscription to TheDailyAgenda.com? HERE: https://fluence-media.co/managesubscription

Follow the 2026 Minnesota election’s up close with the Fluence ElectionTracker. FluenceElectionTracker.com

Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4wHyw50

Sunday Take featured a preview of the CD2 DFL primary and Sec. Steve Simon discussing how federal changes could affect state elections. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4pB3865

Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com

Follow the 2026 Minnesota elections up close with the Fluence Election Tracker.

https://fluence-media.co/electiontracker

SPONSOR: Sponsorships are available to reach over 30,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheets and website, TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com.

STEAMY TUESDAY

NO AC: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “It’s the hottest week of the year so far, and more than 89,000 Minnesota households are enduring it without air-conditioning. The big picture: An estimated 3.9% of Minnesota households lack AC, including some 37,000 in the Twin Cities, according to data the U.S. Census Bureau released in May. Households without AC face the greatest risk from the massive heat dome parked over the Great Plains this week.” READ/MAP: https://fluence-media.co/4aPOku1

FIRE UPDATE: Via Facebook, a map posted by the U.S. Forest Service this morning:

VERBATIM: “Lake County Emergency Management has initiated GO for Hwy169/Fernberg Corridor from the Garden Lake Bridge to the end of the Fernberg at the Lake One Entry Point. A public shelter has been established at the Babbitt Municipal Building, located at 71 S Drive Babbitt. It will be open and staffed at 8:30am today. GO! Evacuate immediately!” POST: https://fluence-media.co/4vEPr7y

MORE: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay said fallen trees from previous blowdowns in the Boundary Waters are fueling the fires, and led to explosive growth of the Camp Fire on Monday.” RAMSAY: “That Camp Fire grew from literally minimal in the morning … and by the end of the day, that fire was 1,500 acres. So that is really indicative of the fuel that is in that area, and with these conditions, it’s just ripe to make them explode, like happened yesterday.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fdrAFL

RESCUES: Northern News Now reported Monday evening that 17 people had been airlifted from the Boundary Waters since the fire began. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3Tye8ou

HOW: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “It will take U.S. Forest Service rangers at least a week to clear visitors from the million-acre Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness after the agency ordered the area closed beginning at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, July 14 . . . Four teams, two to a canoe, are paddling through the BWCAW to notify campers and other visitors that they need to exit. The rangers have been at it since Friday when the wildfire threat triggered a partial closure at entry points north and west of Ely toward Crane Lake.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4f1Eg3J

POLITICS

VOTING: Via release from Rep. Morrison, VERBATIM: “U.S. Representative Kelly Morrison (MN-03) introduced the Voter Choice Act, which makes it easier for states and local governments to implement ranked choice voting . . . In Minnesota, five cities (Bloomington, Minneapolis, Minnetonka, St. Louis Park, and St. Paul) have already implemented ranked choice voting for their elections, and have seen historic voter turnout since switching to ranked choice voting. Rep. Morrison’s Voter Choice Act will help incentivize more states and local governments to adopt ranked choice voting by providing $40 million in federal grants to governments who make the switch.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44YqVTM

ENDORSEMENT: Via news release from the Craig campaign, VERBATIM: “Today, former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack endorsed Angie Craig in her campaign for U.S. Senate. Vilsack served as the 30th and 32nd U.S. Secretary of Agriculture from 2009 to 2017 and again from 2021 to 2025 during the Obama and Biden administrations. Vilsack is known for his work to strengthen rural economies and facilitate agricultural pandemic relief and climate-friendly initiatives.”

ENDORSEMENT: Via The Advocate, VERBATIM: “The Christopher Street Project has endorsed Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan in the state’s Democratic U.S. Senate primary, choosing a longtime LGBTQ+ ally over lesbian Rep. Angie Craig. The national political organization that supports pro-trans rights candidates said its decision rested in part on Craig’s failure to co-sponsor the Trans Bill of Rights, along with Flanagan’s support from transgender and queer leaders in Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44pfswn

DEVELOPING STORIES

DATA CENTERS: Via KEYC-TV, VERBATIM: “The Mankato City Council met on Monday, July 13, to address several agenda items, but one of the most pressing was a moratorium on data centers and high-impact utility consumers. There were several Mankato residents in attendance with many of them citing concerns regarding farming, agriculture, water, resources, along with health and climate impacts . . . Ultimately, the moratorium did pass and it will be in place for about a year for the City Council and its staff to conduct a research study on the localized impacts and how other communities regulate data centers.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/44vODql

MINING: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “For the past three years, Talon Metals has refined its plan to open an underground nickel mine in the swampy forest just north of the tiny town of Tamarack, responding to more than 1,600 comments as part of the state Department of Natural Resource’s environmental review scoping process. Talon’s project has flown a bit under the radar compared to more high-profile fights over the proposed Twin Metals mine and the NewRange Copper Nickel project — formerly known as PolyMet — that has been stalled by lawsuits and pulled permits. But it faces the same question that has dogged those other proposals.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4fB4Bpe

FIRST BLAST: Via Mesabi Metallics, VERBATIM: “American iron ore mining is growing. Mesabi Metallics Company LLC (Mesabi Metallics) today announced the successful completion of its first production blast, a defining milestone in the company’s drive to become the first new iron ore mine and pellet plant built in Minnesota in fifty years, and an on-schedule step toward first pellet production later in the third quarter.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4faO9w5

COMMERCE

REMOTE WORK: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Despite a number of employers calling employees back into the office, ‘remote work has nonetheless remained sticky,’ writes Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis Regional Analyst Haley Chinander in a new report. Chinander analyzed data from the U.S. Census Bureau and found that, over the past two years, the share of workers who work from home at least some of the time has stayed steady at about 22 percent. And the report states that Minnesota ranks 12th in the nation for its share of workers (24 percent) doing their jobs at least part of the time from home.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4wAOGgq

MORE: Via Minneapolis Fed, from the report:

FED REPORT: https://fluence-media.co/4f7ydu9

BURGER + FRIES: St. Paul made DoorDash’s list of the top 10 value cities in its Cheeseburger Index. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4aRXCFW

FASTENAL: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “Fastenal Co. (FAST) on Tuesday reported second-quarter profit of $382.8 million. The Winona, Minnesota-based company said it had profit of 33 cents per share. The results met Wall Street expectations . . . The maker of industrial and construction fasteners posted revenue of $2.39 billion in the period, which topped Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RgFHSx

ACQUISITION: Via Minnesota-based Wealth Enhancement, VERBATIM: “Wealth Enhancement, a national independent wealth management firm dedicated to enriching clients’ lives, announced it has acquired the investment advisory business of Raleigh-area WealthShield Partners, led by Managing Partner Robert Leggett, and its affiliated wealth management practice, Madison Oaks Wealth Partners, led by Managing Partner Scott Lord and partners Kenny Bollinger, Stuart Gay, and John Maher. Madison Oaks Wealth Partners operated as a DBA of WealthShield Partners. Together, the organizations managed more than $993 million in client assets and have joined Wealth Enhancement as the Emerald Team and Madison Oaks Team.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vEXBwI

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WHAT’S NEXT?

TOMORROW: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Bastille Day, or La Fête Nationale, commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison in Paris on July 14, 1789, a pivotal moment in the French Revolution. More than two centuries later, the French national holiday is celebrated with Francophone pride around the world—including in the Twin Cities, where you can mark the occasion with these local events.” LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4fsCUyQ

THIS WEEKEND: Via Insight News, VERBATIM: “Crews will close the northbound Interstate 35E ramps to and from Highway 77 in Eagan and Apple Valley, 9 p.m. Friday, July 17 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 20, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4f2N49m

NEXT WEEK: Via Minnesota Chamber, VEBATIM: “The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce will host its 2026 Women in Business Minnesota Conference: Power Play on Wednesday, July 22, at Target Field, bringing together prominent women leaders from professional sports and business to explore how athletics fuel economic growth, inspire leadership and strengthen Minnesota’s economy. The conference will feature Olympians, professional sports executives and business leaders discussing the impact of sports both on and off the field.” AGENDA: https://fluence-media.co/4puwRxh

FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com

WICKED: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “Now playing at the Orpheum Theatre through Aug. 9, it remains a vibrant, high-stakes spectacle. On opening night, the atmosphere in the house was a palpable hum of anticipation, suggesting the audience was not merely attending a show but fulfilling a pilgrimage.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aRObGw

BDAYS: attorney Eric Swanson, comms pro Tim Post, golfer Ben Greve

lunch take | MN Buyer has New Competition for Budget Airline

Mike Maybay — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 17:51:52 GMT

An Arizona golf course operator just sold a bunch of courses and is looking to reinvest at least some of the proceeds in Minnesota. MSPBJ: https://fluence-media.co/3RylLuD

All access points to the BWCAW will be closed beginning tomorrow due to dangerous heat and wildfires. UPDATES: https://fluence-media.co/4eZH0i0 UPDATES: https://fluence-media.co/4vqmRGA

RIP Sam Neill

Fluence Advisory has released its Insights memo on “The Next Legislature”. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aNNSMV

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Follow the 2026 Minnesota election’s up close with the Fluence ElectionTracker. FluenceElectionTracker.com

Sunday Take featured a preview of the CD2 DFL primary and Sec. Steve Simon discussing how federal changes could affect state elections. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4pB3865

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MONDAY NEWS FEED

LIST: We count 20 Minnesota companies on a new “best companies” list from Time, SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4eUURWM

FEDS SHOOTINGS: Via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “Federal investigators have begun sharing evidence related to three shootings by federal agents during Operation Metro Surge, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced Monday. The update comes nearly four months after Moriarty, Attorney General Keith Ellison and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension sued to compel the Department of Justice to share evidence related to the three Minneapolis shootings by federal immigration agents that killed Renee Good and Alex Pretti and injured Julio Sosa-Celis.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4porDTW

MORE: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced Monday that the evidence includes hard drives containing statements and body camera footage, as well as the vehicle Renee Good was driving when she was fatally shot. The evidence also covers the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti and the wounding of Julio Sosa-Celis.” MORIARTY: “After receiving this evidence, we immediately began to analyze it in the context of the evidence we already had in hand,” she said. “It will be thorough, fair and complete. We are committed to seeing this through, to making a decision and being transparent about it no matter where the evidence takes us.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3QQrMmf

MORE: Via release this morning from Hennepin County Attorney candidate Cedric Frazier, QUOTE: “The Trump administration made every effort to obstruct justice in these cases. Today’s announcement is a testament to local leaders who refused to back down in the face of intimidation and persisted until they secured the evidence needed to move this investigation forward. I have been clear since the day Jonathan Ross killed Renée Good: as the next Hennepin County Attorney, I will prosecute the ICE agents who terrorized our communities and violated our laws. Today’s announcement marks a major step toward delivering the accountability our communities have demanded from the beginning. Our next County Attorney must continue to pursue these cases with the persistence and strength that our communities deserve. I will do exactly that.”

ACQUISITION?: via Bloomberg, VERBATIM: “The aviation industry has seen plenty of deals activity in recent years, but the battle between two US funds for EasyJet Plc stands out because the volatile, low-margin airlines business rarely draws financial suitors. On Friday, the UK budget carrier received a surprise £5.7 billion (US$7.6 billion) counter offer from Apollo Global Management Inc. That beat a rival £5.5 billion proposal from [Minneapolis-based] Castlelake LP, which had crawled to a tentative agreement with the airline’s board over the space of a month and multiple improved bids. Apollo’s move suddenly puts two US investment funds in pursuit of the pioneer in no-frills flying.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ynOK56

NEXTGEN: Via Duluth News Tribune, VERBATIM: “The Iron Workers Local 512 training facility is expanding to twice its current size ahead of an anticipated increase in demand. ‘We took the opportunity with the work scope coming in front of us to add on and be in front of some of the major projects like the Blatnik Bridge,’ said Keith Musolf, the business agent for the training facility. The building on Midway Road in Hermantown currently includes four trade-specific classrooms and a large shop where students practice heavy construction and industrial maintenance skills, setting them up for a career to work on large buildings and structures.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RaLf0Q

MOTORCYCLES: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Motorcycle advocates calling attention at the State Capitol Friday concerning the staggering number of motorcycle fatalities this year. It’s already been a deadly start to the riding season, according to Mike Hanson with the Office of Traffic Safety.” QUOTE: “So far 37 motorcycle riders have been killed on Minnesota roads this year,” Hanson says. “That compares to 24 at this time last year.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4w0izqN

INFRASTRUCTURE

TARGET CTR: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “As the Timberwolves/Lynx search for a new home, the debate will soon heat up over what to do with the Target Center and its $53.5 million debt balance. Why it matters: This is a big and important piece of downtown real estate, and what to do with it should have developers, elected officials and urbanists dreaming. It will also become a key piece in the negotiations between the city of Minneapolis and team owners if they work out a deal for a new downtown arena.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bkQ6U4

POWER: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission has approved site permits for a big solar power generation and energy storage project in rural Martin County in the southern part of the state. The Lake Charlotte Solar project would generate 150 megawatts of solar electricity and it would store 600 megawatt hours of power in a batter energy storage system in Rutland Township in Martin County. It would be built by Geronimo Power on more than 1,000 acres of land in the township. Supporters of the project say it will help Minnesota meet the state’s clean energy mandate that will require 100 percent of the state’s electricity to be generated by carbon free sources by 2040.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vpF2fK

SAINT PAUL

MIDWAY: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “After years of mounting vacancies, a shopping complex in St. Paul’s Midway neighborhood appears poised for a comeback. Driving the news: A banner announcing an 80,000 square-foot indoor playground ‘coming soon’ to the Midway Marketplace appeared last week on the former Herberger’s store, which has sat empty since 2018 . . . A company with ties to the grocery chain H Mart recently bought other parts of the shopping complex that, until recently, housed a Cub Foods and an At Home store.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4yyn6T0

SKYWAY: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “The largest publicly owned skyway system in the world (Minneapolis’s skyway, almost entirely privately owned, is still larger overall), the St. Paul skyway is a much-beloved feature of the city’s downtown architecture, but according to advocates, years of neglect and poor management have left it empty—a symbol of St. Paul’s struggling downtown. But there’s hope. The community advocacy group Friends of the St. Paul Skyway has been hard at work bringing attention and, hopefully, change to the city’s skyway. ‘It’s about showing them the value of the system,’ Jacob Ramos, Friends of the Skyway technical director, said.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ThED1r

COMMERCE

ACQUISITION: Via Eagan-based Tavoron, VERBATIM: “Tavoron, a national leader in industrial automation, robotics, compressed air, motion control and engineered solutions, today announced the acquisition of Fluidraulics Inc., an automation component and system distributor that has served customers across Pennsylvania and Ohio since 1967. The acquisition strengthens Tavoron’s motion control offerings and expands its geographic reach into the Pittsburgh and Cleveland markets.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vsdN4g

GRANOLA: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Soul Grain is a St. Paul-based small-batch granola company founded in May 2022 by longtime friends Liza Maya, a functional nutritionist, and Sylvia Williams, a pastry chef. The brand cleverly deconstructs iconic, nostalgic flavors into wholesome, gluten-free snacks . . . Soul Grain will release Lemon Tarte on July 13th, one day before Bastille Day celebrated annually on July 14th to commemorate the Storming of the Bastille in 1789, a pivotal turning point in the French Revolution which symbolized the end of the absolute monarchy and the birth of the modern French Republic.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wF6Ptp

COFFEE: Via Dunn Brothers, VERBATIM: “Dunn Brothers Coffee, the Minneapolis-based coffee company known for roasting premium coffee in small batches daily, is proud to announce a new partnership with the University of St. Thomas, becoming the university’s Official Coffee Partner ahead of the upcoming academic year. St. Thomas is Dunn Brothers Coffee’s first official partner in higher education.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44mQ6iJ

NOG: Via Minnetonka-based NOG, VERBATIM: “Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. (NYSE: NOG) today provided an update on several business matters including second quarter hedging results, an update on ground game transactions and shareholder returns.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vszdxY

MOVE: Via Minneapolis-based Rise, VERBATIM: “Rise Baking Company, home to some of the baking industry’s most trusted brands and a leading manufacturer for in-store bakeries and foodservice operators, announces today the relocation of their Tucker, Georgia Innovation Center to Uptown Atlanta, a hyper-accessible, 47-acre mixed-use destination located between Midtown and Buckhead. The move reflects the company’s continued growth and is an investment in how its teams work, collaborate, and serve customers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bafNH9

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WHAT’S NEXT?

THURSDAY: Via U.S. Bank, VERBATIM: “U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB) will release its second quarter 2026 earnings results before the market opens on Thursday, July 16, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/448yiI0

SATURDAY: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “One of Aquatennial’s newest events debuts this year with the Floating Lantern & Asian Street Food Night Market, bringing an evening of culture, community, and waterfront views to Bde Maka Ska North Beach on Saturday, July 18, from 3-10 p.m.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wJPobw

FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com

FOUNTAIN: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “After turning off the water at the Berger Fountain in 2018 due to deferred maintenance, with restoration efforts delayed further by the pandemic, Loring Park finally has the funding to bring what’s commonly known as the dandelion fountain back to life. The city has looked into plans to reconstruct the fountain for nearly 30 years, according to interior designer, realtor, and member of the Berger Fountain Task Force Jay Nuhring. The issues included aging plumbing and wiring, deteriorated concrete, leaking pools, and a lack of funding to fix it.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fxcg87

BDAYS: WCCO Dave Harrigan, business guy Korey Bannerman, media pro Amanda Oleson, fmr. Ramsey Commissioner Carlos Mariani