The share of high-income consumers considering buying from dollar stores has increased since October. MORNING CONSULT: https://fluence-media.co/3G2feCy
Several new laws take effect next month. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/43YdQsz
All four legislative leaders — Speaker Lisa Demuth, Rep. Melissa Hortman, Sen. Erin Murphy and Sen. Mark Johnson — were guests on Sunday Take to discuss the latest developments in the Capitol. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3HLdCxv
Tune-in to Sunday Take at 9AM on WCCO Radio.
Have a great Father’s Day weekend.
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:
FLOODING: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Heavy showers and thunderstorms could bring flooding to parts of Minnesota starting Friday. The National Weather Service says consistent rain will move slowly east Friday morning, continuing on and off through the weekend and into early next week, with central Minnesota and the Twin Cities potentially seeing the largest amounts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43YR585
EXPORTS: Via DEED, VERBATIM: “Minnesota exports of goods declined to $6.3 billion in the first quarter 2025, slipping 6% compared to the first quarter of 2024, according to data released by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). While overall U.S. exports grew a modest 3% during this period, Minnesota was among 20 states nationwide – and eight of the 12 Midwest states – that saw declines or near zero growth in exports.” QUOTE: "On-again, off-again tariffs issued unilaterally by the Trump Administration continue to cause significant uncertainty and concern for Minnesota companies in planning their business strategies, including importing and exporting. This quarter, Minnesota saw exports fall to Canada and Mexico, illustrating the risks posed to our state if the federal government wages a trade fight with our two biggest trading partners," said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek. "We are closely tracking these developments and working with our business community to attempt to manage the impact of tariffs and potential countermeasures from our trading partners." READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kF6O3b
UNITEDHEALTH: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A federal judge in Minneapolis said Thursday he would approve a $69 million settlement in a class action lawsuit alleging UnitedHealth Group depressed the retirement savings of workers for years by selecting poorly performing investment options in the company 401(k) plan. The litigation alleged ‘the fix was in’ to retain investment funds managed by California-based Wells Fargo, in order to protect UnitedHealth Group’s significant business relationship with the big bank, which was buying employee health insurance from the company’s UnitedHealthcare division.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4e1ZMmJ
DOWNTOWN MPLS: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “Associated Bank is doubling its office presence in downtown Minneapolis, leasing an entire floor at IDS Center. The bank currently offices at PwC Tower. Construction is scheduled to begin in August on the new IDS space—Associated will occupy the entire 43rd floor of downtown’s tallest tower. The office, expected to open in Spring 2026, will serve around 100 employees across several lines of business including commercial banking, commercial real estate, and relationship management, Associated said in its announcement Thursday.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mZUzjl
ST PAUL: Via City of St. Paul, VERBATIM: “Today, the City of Saint Paul reopened the application window for the Downpayment Assistance programs (DPA) after temporarily closing in 2023 due to a high volume of applications. Packaged as part of Mayor Carter’s All-In Housing Framework shared during his 2025 Budget Address, the city’s DPA programs are set to award a total of $2 million to eligible homebuyers for a 15-year deferred term loan at 0% interest to use toward the purchase of a home in Saint Paul. It also expands the Inheritance Fund program, first enacted in 2023 to provide financial homebuying assistance for descendants of the Rondo community, to include descendants of the West Side Flats, which was removed in the 1960s to build a flood wall and the Riverview Industrial Park.” MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4jRUYSd
MEDICAID: Via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Minnesota could lose up the half a billion dollars annually if a GOP-backed tax bill becomes federal law, Minnesota’s Medicaid director warned Thursday. That could mean fewer services or tighter restrictions on eligibility, affecting health care for hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans and the hospitals and other providers that treat them.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mXpvk6
SPORTS: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “On some of the fields of play, youth soccer teams from all over southern Minnesota competed against each other, while on other pitches, players engaged in practice drills kicking goals into the nets. Officials’ whistles pierce the air as kids make their plays and coaches direct their teams, while the players’ biggest fans — their parents — cheer from the touchlines. These parents are mostly positive and encouraging as they cheer and shout, but officials with Mankato United Soccer say it hasn’t always been this way. ‘Last two years, we lost two good coaches because [of] the pressure coming from the parents about the playing time and about over-coaching the players from the touchline,’ said Hisham Sorour, who is the director of coaching with Mankato United Soccer.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZxsIwW
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)
LAWSUIT: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A Minnesota solar company is suing Google for defamation, claiming the tech company’s ‘AI Overview’ falsely stated that the company faced a lawsuit from the Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. Ellison did sue four solar-lending companies last year, accusing them of concealing and improperly charging $35 million in fees to Minnesotans since 2017. However, Isanti-based Wolf River Electric was not a defendant in that suit.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44gngkE
RETAIL: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Another retailer appears to be leaving The Galleria, with home essentials brand Parachute set to depart three years after opening its doors. Signs advertising ‘store closing’ discounts were spotted at the store on Thursday.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3SSr7Oq
CRYSTAL COURT: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “A $5 million makeover of the Crystal Court at IDS was completed in 2021, but new seating and a sleek reflection pool didn’t wipe out the ghosts of retailers past. The edge of a Nordstrom Rack sign still peeks out from behind the window boards on the shuttered store. Next to it, the former Gap space sits empty. Same goes for the Love from Minnesota gift store, the old Rocco Altobelli Salon, and Hubert White’s prime storefront overlooking Nicollet Mall. But Deb Kolar, who leases the space for Florida-based owner Accesso Partners, says she’s feeling optimistic—something she hasn’t felt since the start of the pandemic.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3HydNfQ
CANNABIS: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “Almost two full years after recreational marijuana was legalized in Minnesota, 249 businesses became the winners of cannabis licenses last week. However, a lot of questions, including who those winners are, still remain. Owner of Lake Superior Dispensary on Central Entrance in Duluth Danielle Detlefsen wasn’t an applicant, but she had previously been a part of the lottery process. She dropped out in 2024 when the first lottery draft was canceled. ‘It’s being long and drawn out, and the hardest part is not knowing what the next step is,’ said Detlefsen. Instead, she applied as a microbusiness, which means she could still sell recreational cannabis in a more limited capacity.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4jLs4mN
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)
MASCOTS: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “School districts anxious about the costs associated with changing their school’s mascot received help from lawmakers during a special session of the state legislature Monday. A change to the state’s ban on American Indian mascots may make it easier for public school districts to seek an exemption. The change will allow Grand Rapids Area Schools and other school districts to seek support from the tribal nation nearest to them when seeking an exemption. Under the previous bill, school districts had to seek support from all 11 tribal nations in the state and the Tribal Nations Education Committee, an independent body established by tribal nations.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4l4dYh5
CONSTRUCTION: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis Public Works officials say they're doing the best they can as another summer of construction impacts local business owners. The city is reconstructing or resurfacing more than 11 total miles, which include some of Minneapolis' busiest roadways. Project Engineer Adam Hayow oversees the massive Hennepin Avenue redesign now in its second year. He says they communicated with affected businesses about what to expect.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/43ITHbo
NISSWA: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “The city of Nisswa has a new interim city administrator. Following the resignation of Jenny Max, who served in the position for nearly eight years, Nisswa City Council members selected Tim Cruikshank to take the reins for the time being.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/45spoXL
PLYMOUTH: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “The former Red Roof Inn hotel near the intersection of Highway 55 and Interstate 494 will soon be torn down. But not before it’s put to good use for public safety training. The Plymouth City Council this week approved a $281,000 contract for demolition work with Rogers-based Veit & Co. The project would be funded from the city’s transit fund. The total cost of project is $379,000 city documents showed.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3HFzHOf
TODAY: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “The Park Point Rummage Sale returns to Duluth on Friday, June 13. According to the Park Point Community Club, the sale is 4 miles of thrifted goods and food vendors.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4n0EsSt
THIS WEEKEND: Via Axios, a lineup of weekend events. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4kIjA0W
MORE: Sahan Journal also has a list of events including a hip-hop dance festival and an Asian street food market. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3ZtAVSI
SUNDAY: Canterbury Park is holding a Father’s Day Food Truck Festival. BMTN: https://fluence-media.co/3HyHhu3
JUNETEENTH: Via Minnesota Monthly, a rundown of local Juneteenth commemorations. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/44nelwT
JUNE 27: Via news release from Minneapolis-based Apogee, VERBATIM: “Apogee Enterprises, Inc. (Nasdaq: APOG), a leading provider of architectural building products and services, as well as high-performance coated materials used in a variety of applications, today announced that the company will report its fiscal 2026 first quarter results on Friday, June 27, 2025, before the market opens.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4n5QI4o
LOTTERY: Via The Minneapolis Egotist, VERBATIM: “Betty, a Quad agency, the creative AOR for the Minnesota Lottery since 2016, is taking players on a nostalgic ride back to 1985 to launch the lottery’s new Back to the Future-themed scratch game just in time for the summer season.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/43JNOe1
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
TOWN BALL: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Amateur baseball thrives in Minnesota in a way it hasn't elsewhere in the country, with nearly 270 locally rooted teams representing big cities and small towns. For fans of teams like the Midway Snurdbirds, Hadley Buttermakers and Hancock Orphans, it's cheap, family-friendly entertainment.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dZahqK
BDAYS: communication pro Brooke Worden, entrepreneur Andrea Arbanos, progressive consultant Kenza Hadj-Moussa, fmr. Commissioner Susan Haigh. SAT: communication pro Leah Palmer, host with the most Jim Cunningham, retired lobbyist John Knapp. SUN: lobbyist Jennifer Breitinger, environmental advocate John Curry, Stauber spokster Kelsey Emmer, attorney Matt Pelikan, public affairs guy Lobby Leitner, corp comms guy Sam Black, fmr. Met Council Chair Peter Bell, Land O Lakes’ Amber Glaeser, photographer Chris McDuffie
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