Teams led by Caitlin Clark and Lynx forward Napheesa Collier will square off tomorrow in the WNBA All-Star Game. AXIOS: https://fluence-media.co/3Gxu2cZ
The title track on Robert Plant’s band’s new album is a cover of a song from a Duluth band. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nWK0xY
Home builders are starting to see the impact of tariffs – the prices of many building materials are up. READ: https://fluence-media.co/46dJ9Tf
Sunday Take will feature an interview with GOP candidate for governor Scott Jensen. Listen at 9 AM on WCCO Radio.
Excerpted from the Minnesota Business Partnerships NYSE bell ringing last week, Best Buy CEO Corie Barry and Medtronic CEO Geoff Martha discussed the Minnesota Headquarters’ Economy on Sunday Take. LISTEN: http://fluence-media.co/469gEpE
Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com
All Fluence Media tip sheets are now available to read and share online at our website, The Daily Agenda:
CANNABIS: Fluence Advisory is hosting a virtual forum featuring an interview with Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management Director Eric Taubel and other industry experts on Monday, July 28th. The event is in partnership with Stinson and Sota Cann.
Other panels included:
· Municipal and Tribal Governments featuring Aarik Robertson of Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures and Kevin Morelli of the City of Anoka Moderated by Will Blauvelt of Stinson
· Cannabis Industry Update featuring Josh Wilken-Simon of Legacy Cannabis, Shaun Tetreault of Kind Bud, and Mark Matejcek of Kria Botanicals Moderated by Carol Moss of Hellmuth & Johnson
· THC Beverages Rapid Growth featuring Elizabeth Anderson Schmidt of Flying Cloud THC and Fat Pants Brewing, and Glenn McElfresh of Plift Beverages Moderated by Bruce Nustad of the Minnesota Retailers
REGISTER: https://fluence-media.co/CannabisForum
3M: Via The Wall Street Journal, VERBATIM: “3M raised its full-year earnings outlook after beating expectations in the second quarter. The maker of Post-it Notes and Scotch tape on Friday posted a profit of $723 million, or $1.34 a share, in the quarter ended June 30, compared with $1.15 billion, or $2.07 a share, a year earlier. Stripping out certain one-time items, adjusted per-share earnings were $2.16, ahead of the $2.01 forecast by analysts, according to FactSet. Revenue rose 1% to $6.34 billion. Analysts surveyed by FactSet forecast revenue of $6.12 billion.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fgxTrP
MORE: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The tariff picture looked pretty bleak for 3M this spring, with $850 million in additional costs expected to eat into profits if the heaviest import taxes on China remained in place. Now the Maplewood-based manufacturer seems to be climbing out of the trade war bunker unscathed, possibly even poised to grow profits.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kMFkbi
XCEL: Via barchart, VERBATIM: “XEL is set to deliver its second-quarter results before the markets open on Thursday, July 31. Ahead of the event, analysts expect the utility giant to report an adjusted EPS of $0.62, up 14.8% from $0.54 reported in the year-ago quarter. However, the company has failed to surpass the Street’s bottom-line expectations in each of the past four quarters, which is disappointing.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3TNcqfZ
WATER: Via KARE-TV, VERBATIM: “A computer problem is being blamed for the shutdown of a water system that supplies three communities in the northwest suburbs, leading to a Water Boil Advisory that lasted for more than 24 hours. The Joint Water Commission (JWC), which supplies water to the cities of Golden Valley, New Hope and Crystal, said the computer issue stopped communication between different parts of the system, causing valves to automatically close in two water towers. That resulted in cutting them — and the water in them — off from the rest of the three-city system.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4eTnr9g
DATA CENTER: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “The $800 million data center that’s under construction in Rosemount will feature an AI-optimized concrete mix that’s designed to meet Meta’s specific needs. Amrize and Meta partnered on this first-of-its-kind concrete mix, and this customized approach is expected to be replicated on many other construction sites. Earlier this year, Holcim, a huge Switzerland-based cement company, spun off its North American business and branded it as Amrize. Chicago was selected to be the operational headquarters for Amrize.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3UhR8qW
ROCHESTER: Via KTTC-TV, VERBATIM: “Dozens gathered at Rochester’s Soldiers Field Park on Thursday, joining thousands in the US for the ‘Good Trouble Lives On’ movement. The peaceful demonstration honored the legacy of civil rights activist and Democrat Congressman John Lewis, as well as protesting against the Trump administration and its ‘One Big Beautiful Bill.’” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/46Mia1e
PRODUCING THE FUELS THAT HELP KEEP MINNESOTA MOVING: Flint Hills Resources, one of the Midwest’s leading producers of transportation fuels is hiring! With openings in IT, accounting, engineering, operations, procurement and asset management, Flint Hills Resources’ goal is to match talented individuals with their passions and interests to truly shine. APPLY TODAY: Flint Hills jobs (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
TOMORROW: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis DFL Party members will decide Saturday whether to make a crucial endorsement in this year's race for mayor . . . Reality check: Minneapolis DFL Party members haven't endorsed in a contested mayor's race in decades. What we're watching: Whether [incumbent Jacob Frey]'s opponents unite behind a single candidate — the most probable scenario for any candidate to reach the 60% endorsement threshold. [Omar Fateh], a democratic socialist, has emerged as a favorite of the party's left wing against the more moderate Frey — but Fateh would likely need [DeWayne Davis] or [Jazz Hampton] to drop out in order to secure the votes he needs.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45bCQ1q
DEFENSE: Via news release from Rep. McCollum, VERBATIM: “On Friday morning, the House of Representatives passed the Defense Appropriations Act by a vote of 221-209. Congresswoman Betty McCollum, Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, voted no on the bill.” QUOTE: “For the first time in modern history, the Defense Appropriations Act was written without the submission of the President’s budget request – that makes this bill an incomplete product” said Congresswoman McCollum. “The Subcommittee had little insight into significant Administration priorities, such as Golden Dome, when this bill was written. Golden Dome is a concept of a plan – a vague idea that Congress must better understand if it is to become a realized strategic capability.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lY9mJV
FUNDING: Via news release from Rep. Stauber, VERBATIM: “Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) voted to pass the Recissions Act of 2025, legislation that will claw back $9 billion in wasteful federal spending. This first rescissions package includes necessary cuts to USAID, National Public Radio (NPR), and Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).” STAUBER: “Today, I was proud to take an essential step to rein in federal spending and save taxpayer dollars. The bulk of this $9 billion package targets wasteful foreign spending identified by the Department of Government Efficiency . . . Regarding the public broadcasting cuts included in this package, I also do not believe Americans should be forced to fund opinion journalism masquerading as unbiased news coverage.”
GOVERNOR: On The Morning News, WCCO-Radio interviewed two candidates for governor: Kendall Qualls and Dr. Scott Jensen. QUALLS: https://fluence-media.co/4nWVpOh JENSEN: https://fluence-media.co/3TPZZA6
FRESH15: The latest season of Fresh15 includes interviews with new Minnesota House members. So far, five new members have shared their goals, background and fun facts before they take office in a historic session this January.
Rep. Kari Rehrauer
Rep. Wayne Johnson
Rep. Julie Greene
Rep. Keith Allen
Rep. Peter Johnson
Follow on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.TheDailyAgenda.com/Podcasts. (SPONSORED: Minnesota Telecom Alliance)
PLYMOUTH: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “A facility to help people who have suffered traumatic brain injuries is proposed for the city of Plymouth. The request by Solbakken Minnesota would build an assisted living facility on a 1.26-acre site at 18035 Old Rockford Road. The facility would provide 24/7 staffing for adults requiring complex care.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3GQSUwe
BLAINE: The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reports Best Buy has closed its outlet store at Northtown Mall. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eXiQCT
RETAIL: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “After receiving the Arts and Culture Vibrant Storefronts grant, local internet apparel brand Skntones has leveled up with a new storefront. There, you can discover its collection of artist-designed unisex clothing and accessories with a streetwear vibe up close. The flagship, now open in downtown Minneapolis, serves as both a brick-and-mortar store and a creative hub where fashion, art, and culture collide.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kRd0EH
PARACHUTE BAG: Via news release from Duluth-based Cirrus, VERBATIM: “Cirrus, Cirrus Aircraft Limited (2507:HK), is introducing a collection of handcrafted, aviation-inspired travel bags utilizing upcycled parachute material repurposed from the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS). The bags are handmade by Duluth Pack, the oldest canvas and leather bag maker in the United States, and are available for the first time at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4m2rbrt
NEXT MONTH: Via news release from Minneapolis-based Deluxe, VERBATIM: “Deluxe (NYSE: DLX), a Trusted Payments and Data company, will report second quarter 2025 financial results on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, following market-close.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3TOlph8
ACQUISITION: Via news release from Minneapolis-based Graco, VERBATIM: “Graco Inc. (NYSE: GGG) announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Color Service, a global leader in automated dosing systems for powder and liquid applications for €63 million, subject to customary adjustments.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4l4UXLr
ACQUISITION: Via news release from Straightaway, VERBATIM: “Victory Tire & Auto, a Straightaway Tire & Auto brand, has announced the acquisition of Pod's Complete Car Care, a long-established automotive repair facility in White Bear Lake. The acquisition, finalized on July 9, 2025, marks Victory's 19th shop in the greater Minneapolis region and its first in the White Bear Lake area—further strengthening its footprint across the northeast metro.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44ZBEx3
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
WOODBURY: From Jason DeRusha via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “Rarely am I blown away in a first look, soft open, first night of service scenario. Things are often sloppy, service is confused, cooks are trying to get things exactly right. Usually I don’t write about these experiences—because the point of a soft opening is to work things out. But you need to know about Liliana in Woodbury, which is both an absolute dream of a neighborhood restaurant for people in the east metro and also a destination worth your attention.” READ/PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/4lJffLC
NORTH SHORE: Eater updated its guide to eating and drinking along Highway 61. LIST/MAP: https://fluence-media.co/40s8O6W
BDAYS: Fox 9’s Paul Blume, activist Javier Morillo-Alicea, Star Tribune’s Laura McCallum, lobbyist Kerri Gordon, Rep. Zack Stephenson, GOP staffer Margaret Martin. SAT: fmr. MN First Lady Susan Carlson, professor Kathryn Pearson, Sen. Michael Kreun. SUN: lobbyist Tara Erickson, Star Tribune’s Chris Riemenschneider, attorney Jim Yarosh
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