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
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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
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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
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)
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
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)
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
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 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
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
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