How’s businesses for the restaurants in Minneapolis parks? NUMBERS: https://fluence-media.co/46yU2Pu
Paul McCartney will play U.S. Bank Stadium in October. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3GtWxIo
A federal judge this morning blocked President Trump’s ban on birthright citizenship. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eLHIO3
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4eGLubr
On Sunday Take, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer discussed the passage and local impact of the “Big Bill”. LISTEN: http://fluence-media.co/44i2ph1
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:
OPENING BELL: From New York Stock Exchange via YouTube, VERBATIM: “The New York Stock Exchange welcomes Minnesota Business Partnership as they virtually ring The Opening Bell to shine a national spotlight on Minnesota’s world-class businesses and the exceptional employees driving their success and advancing Minnesota’s headquarters economy.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3TAJmIy
(DISCLOSURE: Minnesota Business Partnership is a Fluence client)
GOLF: The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reports Independence’s Windsong Farm Golf Club became the first private club in Minnesota to have two 18-hole courses. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kBxu4b
SCIENCE MUSEUM: Via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Buffeted by a continuous drop in visitors, the Science Museum of Minnesota is restructuring, cutting 43 full-time employees — or 13% of its staff — while reducing its $38 million general operating budget by $7 million . . . The cuts were condemned Wednesday evening by AFSCME Council 5 Executive Director Bart Andersen, who released a written statement calling them ‘shortsighted’ and noting they are the third round of layoffs at the museum since March 2023.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nG4WJt
AMAZON: Via WDIO-TV, VERBATIM: “After having its official launch in June, the Amazon shipping facility in Duluth experienced its first busy season for the company. Amazon Prime Days are from July 8th through July 11th, as the week sees sales appear on items on the site every five minutes.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3Txhkh1
STATE GOVT: Via MN House GOP, a statement from House Speaker Lisa Demuth and Floor Leader Harry Niska on recent developments. VERBATIM: “This week, Minnesotans saw exactly what happens when state government loses focus and accountability. The Department of Human Services is forcing illegal hiring quotas that prioritize ideology over qualifications, the Department of Education hired a convicted sex offender who had been ordered deported, and Governor Walz wasted $430,000 in taxpayer money on PR consultants to prepare for a congressional hearing. Taxpayers deserve a government that is fair, competent, and responsible. Instead, they’re getting chaos and mismanagement. Minnesotans deserve better.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/468n3l7
FAKE VOTERS: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “A former Minnesota resident appeared in a St. Paul federal courtroom this week and admitted filling out hundreds of fraudulent voter registration applications. The state’s top elections official said that this was the largest case of its kind that he’s seen, but routine checks prevented all of the fictitious people from making it onto Minnesota’s voter rolls. In June, the U.S. Attorney’s Office charged Ronnie Williams, 58, and Lorraine Lee Combs, his 57-year-old romantic partner, with conspiracy to engage in voter registration fraud. Combs pleaded guilty on June 24, and Williams followed suit on Tuesday. The two previously lived in West St. Paul, but have since moved to Nevada. Federal prosecutors say that Williams worked for a foundation that paid him to register Minnesota voters in 2021 and 2022.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lK1uM1
CD8: Via WDIO-TV, VERBATIM: “Chad McKenna officially filed for to run for Congress in Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District. McKenna is challenging incumbent Pete Stauber. MCKENNA: “If elected, I’ll do what Representative Stauber won’t: expand healthcare access, make childcare more affordable, make real investments in our infrastructure, strengthen our unions, and fight every day for an economy that ensures that if you work hard, you can build a good life. I won’t side with corporate interests, out-of-state billionaires, and the political forces that seek to divide us.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40b90HC
MINNEAPOLIS: Via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “The Minneapolis City Council could give the green light to red light cameras as soon as Thursday as they aim to make streets safer. If approved, these cameras would likely go up at busy intersections – with more than 50 potential locations. Last year, the city said about 80% of fatal crashes involved speeding, so the thought is cameras could help turn that around.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4lIvms7
PARKS: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Regional parks in the Twin Cities welcomed an estimated 65.7 million visitors in 2024, a 5.4% decrease from 2023. Why it matters: It was the first year-over-year decrease in visits since the start of the pandemic, when cooped-up Minnesotans flocked to the outdoors.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Tt4L6x
CHS: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “As commodity prices have continued to fall through the past year, CHS more than covered the gap with increased grain shipments. Those lower corn, soy and wheat prices are attracting higher demand, the Inver Grove Heights-based cooperative reported as it grew quarterly ag profits 39% in the past year. The acquisition of West Central Ag Services and a standout spring selling crop inputs and services also boosted CHS’ ag business.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ksH1dx
NTIC: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “Northern Technologies International Corp. (NTIC) on Thursday reported net income of $122,000 in its fiscal third quarter. On a per-share basis, the Circle Pines, Minnesota-based company said it had net income of 1 cent . . . The rust and corrosion prevention company posted revenue of $21.5 million in the period.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eNzYv6
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)
GOLDEN VALLEY: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “It’s been about a month since the city of Golden Valley put its police chief on administrative leave. A city spokesperson confirmed that there’s an ongoing investigation into a complaint that was brought against Chief Virgil Green. However, the spokesperson declined to offer additional details citing state data privacy laws. Golden Valley Mayor Roslyn Harmon said the lack of public information on the chief’s leave has her feeling uneasy.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/44NCcpI
METH: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Two men were arrested and charged following the seizure of nearly 900 pounds of methamphetamine in south Minneapolis. The Hennepin County Attorney's Office filed charges Wednesday against Guillermo Mercado Chaparro, 44, and Joel Casas-Santiago, 46. Prosecutors say ‘both are associated with larger drug sale organizations in Mexico.’” READ/PHOTO: https://fluence-media.co/3Gung7I
BOELTER: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “As Vance Boelter sits in a Sherburne County jail cell awaiting his fate, investigators are digging into the details of the assassination of former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark. ‘The why is not - we're still working on the why I guess I would say.’ That's acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson telling WCCO Radio's Chad Hartman that even if they figure out the ‘why,’ it's likely that explanation will never make sense. ‘You know, there's no good explanation for murdering politicians, and targeting politicians,’ he adds.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4lq9GBq
K9: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has added four new K9s to their staff, including Jet, a four-year-old black lab stationed in Two Harbors. Jet is trained in detection. He can track Zebra mussels, an aquatic invasive species, as well as human odor and firearms.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4lJPbPR
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)
DROUGHT: Recent rain has helped. The new Drought Monitor out this morning shows just 5% of the state is now in drought with 37% abnormally dry. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3zN8TDo
THIS WEEKEND: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Another weekend - and another major Twin Cities freeway closure to be ready for, and this time it's in the north metro. Interstate 694 westbound will be closed for more than six miles between 35W in New Brighton and Shingle Creek Parkway in Brooklyn Center.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4lF9kXg
BURRITOS: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “It’s hard to overstate how big a hit Lito’s Burritos, the Chicano burrito pop-up nestled in El Tejaban Grill, has been in Richfield. Imagine the sky raining down burritos, a cascade of steak and fries and guacamole (L.A.-style) or chorizo and golden hash browns; a burrito-shaped crater in the south metro, crackling with a layer of crusty cheese. Equally big things are coming to Minneapolis: Lito’s is expanding to Lake Street and Bryant Avenue, in the former Union Hmong Kitchen space.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lS88A9
BAKERY: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “A bakery that has served customers in Columbia Heights for 72 years will close its doors for good in August. Heights Bakery, which has been closed since July 4 for an extended summer break, revealed that it will reopen on Tuesday, July 22 — but only for a little more than a week before shutting down for good on Friday, Aug. 1.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eCVrGI
EXHIBIT: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Tom Gamache said his recent work ‘Wild Rice Manoomin Moon’ began with a painting meant to help people understand the significance of harvesting wild rice. Gamache grew up harvesting rice himself, first with his father, and later with his best friend. ‘I was still trying to convey that this was done before colonization,’ Gamache said. The painting is part of his ‘13 Moon Series,’ a collection which depicts the ways Anishinaabe people would have made a living before European and American settlement.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4kwxKRU
THIS WEEK: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “A parade on water is set for Thursday, as tall ships participating in the festival of sail glide into the Duluth harbor. Beginning Thursday and lasting through Sunday, the harbor will play host to ship tours, a high dive challenge and even the world’s largest rubber duck.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4kwuVAf
THIS MONTH: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “July is the month for vintage lovers in Minnesota. Over the next few weeks, two of the nation’s largest vintage events—Totally Rad Vintage Fest and ThriftCon—will visit Minneapolis to celebrate our vintage and secondhand scenes.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nHjGrw
THIS MONTH: Via news release from Maple Plain-based Protolabs, VERBATIM: “Protolabs (NYSE: PRLB) announced today that it will issue its financial results for the second quarter of 2025 before the opening of the market on Thursday, July 31, 2025. Protolabs will host a conference call to discuss the results at 8:30 a.m. EDT on the same day.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44TOPAu
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
HÜSKER DÜ: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Famed Minnesota punk rock band Hüsker Dü has resurfaced with a surprise live EP featuring recordings of the band’s January 1985 First Avenue performance—long thought taken in the same 2011 house fire that destroyed much of their archive, but now recovered and ready to be shared with the world.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lmcwrf
FAIR FOODS: From Jason DeRusha via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “There are 33 official new foods. As is my tradition, I will rank them based on my level of interest, my expectation of success, and my desire to troll you by making you mad about at least one of these.” RANKING: https://fluence-media.co/44UJaKC
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