Violent crime in the U.S. dropped in 2025 – murders were down 18.1%. STATELINE: https://fluence-media.co/4tMDvPQ
With gas prices in mind, Minnesota Monthly put together a list of one-tank getaways. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uZZi7R
The new Drought Monitor out this morning shows the portion of the state abnormally dry is up slightly over last week. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3PP2Kzy
Fresh off covering a first full legislative session, MinnPost reporter Matthew Blake looks at just how much business gets done away from public view. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eUu8Km
DNC Chair Ken Martin this morning released a 192-page “autopsy” on the 2024 campaign. AP: https://fluence-media.co/4dWVVZz
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/4v0DF7i
Sunday Take covered the final days of session and the lack of a 340B bill with Rahul Koranne of the Minnesota Hospital Association. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4wGysn4
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Follow the 2026 Minnesota elections up close with the Fluence Election Tracker.
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NEW FRAUD ALLEGATIONS
ANNOUNCEMENT: Via The National News Desk, VERBATIM: “Fifteen people were charged in Minnesota in connection with ‘shocking’ fraud schemes that targeted more than $90 million in taxpayer dollars, according to federal officials. Assistant Attorney General for the National Fraud Enforcement Division Colin McDonald the case involves seven state-managed Medicaid programs ‘that have been systematically pilfered’ by fraudsters who treated the programs like ‘their personal piggy bank.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dT7qkN
MORE: From the National Desk via YouTube, today’s news conference which also included HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3RTbJUA
WHERE’S BLANCHE?: Via CNN, VERBATIM: “Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is meeting with Senate Republicans Thursday morning, a GOP aide told CNN, in an attempt to save the Justice Department’s ‘anti-weaponization’ fund as the party weighs its fate . . . Blanche was initially scheduled to go to Minnesota where he was expected to speak at a press conference about fraud. Instead, he will meet with lawmakers on Capitol Hill where the fund’s future hangs in the balance.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3PXCHtH
EARLIER: Dr. Oz posted a picture from the flight to Minnesota with conservative influencer Nick Shirley sitting next to him. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4tKA9Nz
RESPONSE: From MN House GOP Rapid Response sharing the news conference video via X, VERBATIM: “Despite what House Democrats say, fraud in Minnesota is REAL and the Walz Administration did NOTHING to stop it.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4f10QcZ
BOCK SENTENCING: Via KMSP-TV, VERBATIM: “A judge has sentenced Aimee Bock to 41.5 years in prison for her role in the Feeding our Future fraud scheme. Bock was also ordered to pay $243 million in restitution back to the federal government.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dUWJ18
RIPPLE EFFECTS: Insight News looks at the broader impact fraud allegations have on the community. VERBATIM: “What happens when public distrust generated by one scandal begins spilling over onto long-standing organizations that entire neighborhoods rely on for stability? That tension became the foundation of a recent discussion on Radio KFAI 90.3FM’s The Conversation With Al McFarlane, where community leaders examined the growing pressure facing Minnesota’s legacy Black institutions.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dmBeWR
ELECTION FRAUD: Via The Election Truth Alliance, VERBATIM: “Independent analysis of 40 years of publicly-available election data shows a sharp uptick of fraud indicators in Minnesota Presidential elections in the 2016, 2020, and 2024 elections — and that these fraud indicators appear to predominantly benefit the Republican Party. This is according to the latest report by the Election Truth Alliance (ETA), a non-partisan, non-profit election watchdog group.”
“Minnesota was selected due to the robust and accessible nature of the state’s election data, which enabled analysis of trends over time.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tO2Wke FULL REPORT: https://fluence-media.co/4dmh0fU
SD35: Via news release from the Nelson campaign, VERBATIM: “On Tuesday Angela Nelson officially filed to run for Minnesota Senate in District 35.”
JOBS: Via DEED, VERBATIM: “Minnesota gained 15,900 nonfarm jobs over-the-month (up 0.5%) on a seasonally adjusted basis in April – the state’s largest over-the-month increase since March 2024, according to data released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The state’s job growth outpaced the U.S. growth rate (115,000 jobs gained, up 0.1%) while Minnesota’s unemployment rate (4.5%) and the U.S. rate (4.3%) both held steady in April.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eUJ5fr
PREDICTION MARKETS: Via SafeBets, VERBATIM: “SafeBets (SafeBets.world), the world’s first risk-free financial prediction platform, today confirmed its full legal exemption from Minnesota’s newly signed law making it a felony to operate a prediction market in the state. The law, signed by Governor Tim Walz, takes effect in August 2026 and represents the most aggressive regulatory action ever taken against the prediction market industry in the United States.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fAMqjX
U OF M: Via University Senate, VERBATIM: “The All-University Honors Committee (AUHC) received a request during the fall semester 2025 to revoke the Weaver name from Weaver-Densford Hall. Consistent with Board of Regents Policy: Namings and Renamings, the AUHC reviews such requests and makes a recommendation to President Cunningham, who will ultimately make a final recommendation to the Board of Regents.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nGDaNj
MORE: The request sent by a representative of Jean Kilduff who was killed by her husband, Gordon Weaver, in 1999. The building is named for Weaver’s father, University of Minnesota pharmacy school dean emeritus Lawrence Weaver, who was accused at the time of helping his son evade capture. READ: https://fluence-media.co/42JZa0f
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)
FIRES
FLANDERS: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “The Crow Wing County Board held an Emergency Meeting to talk about the recent Flanders Fires that have affected the area over the past week. The meeting was attended by several First Responders who shared updates on the progress of containing the fire . . . Crow Wing County Sheriff Eric Klang said, ‘Currently, right now, we’re looking at tempering things back on Thursday. Things are going to be turned back over to our local first responders, and from there, we’ll monitor it for several days after that just to make sure that nothing else, any flames or anything, spools back up.’” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4ujHJ2A
NORTH SHORE: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “The evacuation order for the Stewart Trail fire has been lifted, and many Two Harbors area residents are returning to homes still standing thanks to the work of fire crews. Firefighters say they saw the fire flare up rapidly at times, but most of the firefight was a marathon requiring long hours of work. While many firefighters were equipped with hoses and chainsaws, Minnesota DNR smokechaser Kael Keilwitz arrived at the Stewart Trail Fire with a camera in hand.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/49eyA2Y
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)
MINNEAPOLIS
TODAY: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “The Minneapolis City Council will decide Thursday whether to pause new data center development for a year. Why it matters: Developers are beginning to see building data centers in vacant office towers as a tool to inject value back into underused downtown properties. But some council members want stricter rules in place before more projects move forward, citing concerns about electricity and water use.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4a359B8
MPD: Via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “The Minneapolis Police Department may be required to make public far more records detailing misconduct by its officers after the state Court of Appeals overturned a lower court’s ruling this week. At issue is whether the public should have access to records of Minneapolis police officers who receive ‘coaching’ for misconduct. Under state law, police misconduct records are public when officers are disciplined. The Minneapolis Police Department argues ‘coaching’ isn’t discipline but rather an internal performance management tool.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4v1q9Af
GRANDMAS RIDE ATVs TOO! Check out Donna’s story - a powerful reminder that ATV riding is about more than trails...it’s about people, community, and connection. Donna’s message reflects what so many riders across Minnesota believe: responsible riding, strong local economies, and protecting access for future generations all go hand in hand. Check out Donna’s story: https://fluence-media.co/4tDeK9r Thank you, Donna, for sharing your story and helping put a face to what “I Ride” truly means. (SPONSORED: ATV Minnesota)
BIG BUSINESS
PROFITS: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “UnitedHealth Group, Minnesota’s largest public company, saw profits decline last year. So did four others in among the 10 largest firms, including 3M and General Mills. Largely because of the blue-chip declines, the 50 state’s largest public companies produced $50.5 billion in net profits, down 2% in 2025. Revenue, though, was up 6.8% to $861 billion. That was faster growth than the prior year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eUxKfn
DATA CENTERS: Via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “The prospect of giant data centers draining water tables and raising energy rates doesn’t frighten Christophe Beck, the board chairman, president and chief executive officer of Ecolab, a 103-year-old St. Paul company that built its legacy around the many uses of H2O. The water, hygiene and infection prevention company is better known around the world for its hand sanitizers than for its quickly growing foray into the exploding world of artificial intelligence, but Beck said he’s more worried about Minnesota industry getting left behind in a global race to embrace and leverage AI than he is about the environmental problems caused by data centers. He’s betting its overall impact on communities could soon be minimal.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49HigI8
FLINT HILLS FAMILY FESTIVAL: Kick off the summer in downtown Saint Paul with the Flint Hills Family Festival May 29-30, one of the largest and longest-standing events of its kind. The Festival offers free fun for people of all ages in Rice Park and Landmark Plaza, with performances and activities that provide something for everyone, along with world-class shows inside the Ordway for just $8! Now in its 26th year, this year’s Festival lineup includes Cirque Mechanics: TILT!, NOOMA: an opera for babies, and Click Clack Moo! More than one million people have experienced the Festival, including hundreds of thousands of students who have visited on field trips during the Festival’s School Days. Join us this year! LEARN MORE: Flint Hills Family Festival (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery)
COMMERCE
ACQUISITION: Via Minneapolis-based Graco, VERBATIM: “Graco Inc. (NYSE: GGG), a global leader in fluid and powder handling technologies, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Valco Melton, a global provider of adhesive application and quality assurance systems, for $447 million in cash, including the present value of approximately $40 million in expected tax benefits, subject to customary adjustments.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4v1GXaC
STARTUPS: Via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “One of Minnesota’s biggest business competitions is heating up this week as the semifinalists are chosen, eliminating more than 90% of applicants. The Minnesota Cup, a business competition that awards seed money to emerging Minnesota entrepreneurs, announced this week the 92 semifinalists that are still competing for their share of over $400,000.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3PjPXst
HISTORIC HOMES: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “In neighborhoods across the Twin Cities, Mary Haugh sees possibility in homes others might overlook . . . Through her real estate revival business, the Second Stripe, Haugh restores and reimagines Minnesota’s historic homes, particularly those entering their second century of life. Her work blends preservation, thoughtful design, and structural restoration with a belief that old homes still have the power to shape community and belonging.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3PjEfy1
CLOSING: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Borough is closing its doors in June after 13 years in the North Loop. The first of what became a fleet of restaurants for Jester Concepts, Borough will have its final day of service at 730 N. Washington Ave. on June 27. Following a renovation, the space will become the home of the first Revival since the restaurant group purchased the fried chicken brand last year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Rj7PnW
GLOBAL TRADE BOLSTERS AG ECONOMIES: Via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “Each year, Minnesota’s exports of corn, ethanol, corn-fed meat, and dried distillers grains (DDGS) alone support over 11,500 jobs and add billions to the state’s economy. They also help ensure that consumers around the world have access to affordable protein and dairy products. In May, during World Trade Month, Minnesota Corn celebrates that important role trade plays in all our lives—in the U.S. and abroad. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4dqEqB1 (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn)
WHAT’S NEXT?
TODAY: Via Teamsters Local 455, VERBATIM: “Members of Teamsters Local 455 will gather outside Cargill Meat Solutions [in Fort Morgan, CO] at 8:00 a.m. MT on Thursday, May 21, after the company locked them out during their fight for a fair contract.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42JGNbN
TONIGHT: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Aurora FC, the USL Women’s team, kicks off its 2026 season on May 21 against Rochester FC. Hosted at TCO Stadium in Eagan, the game will be competitive, a regional rivalry taking form as the Aurora solidifies itself in the Heartland Division.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uwxtV2
THIS SUMMER: Via Minnesota Twins, VERBATIM: “For the first time ever, a Major League Baseball game and All Elite Wrestling (AEW) are teaming up, as the Minnesota Twins and AEW today announced Brawl in the Ballpark — a high-octane postgame event on Friday, July 10 at Target Field.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4upn1hV
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
AMPHITHEATER: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “After three years of construction, Mystic Lake Amphitheater is set to debut on June 20. The 19,000-capacity venue will be a boon for Shakopee and make the area a summer destination for outdoor concerts. Mystic Lake Casino has the naming rights, and a free shuttle will provide rides between the casino and the venue, located by Canterbury Park as part of the rising Canterbury Commons entertainment district. Live Nation will operate the venue, and the calendar is already stacked with nearly 40 shows this year across an eclectic mix of genres.” LIST: https://fluence-media.co/49yr0Av
BDAYS: fmr. Sen. Al Franken, sports announcer David Wright, Fox 9’s Maury Glover, Dakota County candidate Drew Christensen, long time lobbyist Gary Botzek, sports guy Phil Mackey
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