The Goodhue County Fair had it all – except carnival rides. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/459ujMC
The early forecast suggests heavy rain and severe weather are headed our way late in the week. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fzWqIn
Minnesota made WalletHub’s list of the “top 5 states to live in” – Wisconsin ranked higher than us. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/45cBnbp
St. Paul made GoBankingRates’ list of 20 affordable big Midwest cities for retirement. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4ll4n5e
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Tom Hauser in for Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/47vdoFA
Representatives Angie Craig and Brad Finstad, the USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agriculture Affairs, plus Minnesota ag stakeholders – it’s a busy Sunday Take from Farmfest. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4fz19tO
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:
Sign-up for paid TheDailyAgenda and you’ll receive a morning take mug.
Earlier this year we launched a premium subscription option. Now we’re adding content for premium subscribers.
A monthly insight-filled briefing memo on Minnesota and Midwest issue and political dynamics.
Access to our Fluence Forum audio and videio assets.
A free morning take mug if you sign-up this week.
Fluence Advisory hosted a cannabis forum on the “State of Cannabis in Minnesota including an interview with Executive Director of the Office of Cannabis Management Eric Taubel.
WINTER: Via news release from Farmers’ Almanac, VERBATIM: “Summer weather might still be hanging on, but the Farmers' Almanac has released its much-anticipated Extended Weather Forecast for winter 2025-2026, and it's calling for a season of dramatic swings and widespread wintry weather.”
“The coldest blasts will target the Northern Plains, Great Lakes, and New England. Residents from Minnesota to Maine are warned to brace for consistent cold snaps, with mid-January and mid-February both set for especially bitter temperatures.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fwkJGU
FALLS: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Scientists are in the middle of inspecting — for the first time in decades — an unseen but critical piece of infrastructure holding up St. Anthony Falls in downtown Minneapolis. But as that project nears completion, the federal government and the state of Minnesota have exchanged the first volley of disavowals, each saying a neglected ‘cutoff wall’ beneath the falls isn’t theirs — and neither is the cost for any repairs that might arise from the inspection. That 150-year-old wall has literally kept St. Anthony Falls from disintegrating. Were it to fail, the resulting flood would be disastrous.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40ZEvVo
AFPI: Via AFPI, VERBATIM: “The America First Policy Institute (AFPI) announced the launch of its Minnesota state chapter today, AFPI-Minnesota (AFPI-MN), expanding its mission to advance the America First Agenda through state-level leadership and local impact. AFPI has appointed lifelong Minnesotan Ryan Wilson as chair of AFPI-MN. Wilson is a father, husband, and business entrepreneur who founded a successful small business that grew into a globally leading firm. Zach Freimark has been named the executive director. Freimark is a seasoned political strategist and lifelong Minnesotan, born in Stillwater, who has more than 17 years of experience in grassroots organizing, campaign management, and conservative advocacy.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fwmHaz
INTEREST RATES: Via Investopedia, VERBATIM: “As inflation remains stubborn and concerns about the labor market rise, several Federal Reserve officials are now saying that interest rate cuts may be imminent. That's a change in tone from last week, when most Fed policymakers voted to leave their influential interest rate unchanged for the fifth time this year. Fed officials had been content to wait and see how tariffs were moving through the economy, but the July jobs report raised concerns that the economy wasn’t as strong as previously thought.” QUOTE: “Wage growth is coming down. We've seen the jobs number and consumer spending is cooling. All of that suggests the real underlying economy is slowing,” said Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari in a CNBC interview. “That means in the near term, it may become appropriate to start adjusting the federal funds rate." READ: https://fluence-media.co/46T3opG
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)
WORKFORCE: Via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Minnesota economists and researchers say the Bureau of Labor Statistics remains a gold standard for economic data, but some worry President Donald Trump’s recent firing of the agency’s commissioner could erode trust in future data, even if it remains an accurate source of information for businesses and economic decision makers.” QUOTE: “Our economic data is something to be proud of,” said Kristine West, a professor of economics at St. Catherine University in St. Paul. “The U.S. government has really good data and has been the gold standard around the world for our data practices.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mbrG31
IMMIGRANTS: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “In this charged environment, Land O’Lakes CEO Beth Ford is arguing the case that U.S. businesses need immigrant employees to operate their companies. She’s not simply speaking on behalf of the Fortune 500 agricultural cooperative that she’s led from Arden Hills since 2018. Ford chairs the Immigration Committee of the Business Roundtable, an organization comprised of CEOs of the nation’s largest businesses. Ford is the only Minnesota-based CEO who serves on the Business Roundtable’s board of directors, which includes the CEOs of General Motors, JPMorgan Chase, Apple, and United Airlines.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ovqM2B
FUNDING: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Leaders of Minnesota’s largest cities and counties are poring over the fine print of federal grants and expanding their legal fights to protect more than $500 million in funding. Minneapolis and St. Paul, along with Hennepin and Ramsey counties, joined lawsuits that originated on the West Coast to fight the Trump administration’s efforts to withhold federal funding to cities and counties that don’t follow the president’s executive orders. The funding had already been approved by Congress. It includes money for affordable housing, health programs, public safety initiatives and infrastructure, and for some jurisdictions the money represents a significant portion of their overall budget.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45cYl27
DATA CENTERS: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “An environmental organization filed a lawsuit against two Minnesota cities this week, alleging they failed to conduct sufficient environmental reviews for major development projects. The Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy lawsuit against Lakeville and North Mankato seeks to stop what it says are large data center projects in each city until further reviews are completed. North Mankato and Lakeville officials have not labeled the projects as data centers, but the MCEA said it acquired emails sent to North Mankato employees announcing the city has a contract with data center developers, according to public records.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4medPZI
CANNABIS: Via KAAL-TV, VERBATIM: “Starting Monday, August 11th, prospective business owners can apply for Olmsted County’s cannabis retail business registration lottery. The upcoming lottery focuses solely on retail business registrations. Applicants must submit their applications and pay the required $100 lottery fee by 5 p.m., August 22nd, to be included.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Uo7caP
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)
ICE CREAM: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “The average price of a half gallon of ice cream was $6.49 in June, up nearly 6% from June 2024, per the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics via FRED released last month. The price of a half gallon is up nearly 33% since June 2021. By the numbers: Axios Twin Cities recently checked the prices at eight cold treat shops we first surveyed in 2022. We found the average cost of a single scoop has spiked 24% since that time.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mvhrGi
3M: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Thousands of Americans who blame 3M’s PFAS-laden firefighting foams for giving them cancer will present their claims to a jury for the first time this fall. Unless they reach a settlement with the Maplewood-based company first. ‘The worst-kept secret in this litigation right now is that these lawsuits are expected to settle soon,’ attorney Ronald Miller, whose firm represents many plaintiffs, wrote in a blog he keeps to track the cases. Settlement or not, 3M faces potentially billions of dollars in personal injury payouts and in dozens of other PFAS cases.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47nU25e
PLYMOUTH: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “The city has partnered with Davey Resource Group and Greehill to conduct what’s called a ‘smart tree inventory.’ Plymouth is the first city in Minnesota to do so, signing a four-year, $300,000 contract with the two companies for the high-tech tree survey. The survey deploys vehicles equipped with computers and 3D mapping scanners. The technology will allow the city to take inventory of every tree on city property. It will take two to three weeks to collect all the data.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/459Ud2M
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)
WEDNESDAY: Via City of Minneapolis, VERBATIM: “On Wednesday, Mayor Jacob Frey will deliver his 2026 budget address in front of Council Members, City leaders, and community and business partners. The mayor’s proposed budget focuses on thoughtful stewardship and long-term stability, protecting core services like housing, public safety, and infrastructure, while making necessary investments in the city’s future.”
THURSDAY: Via Hoodline, VERBATIM: “Bloomington residents are called to participate in what is shaping up to be a decisive moment for the future of their South Loop District. A public hearing scheduled for August 14, 2025, will determine the fate of the neighborhood’s Comprehensive Plan Amendment.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4maKlvy
CLOSING: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Twin Cities Skaters has announced that its TCS Studio Uptown will close on Oct. 5.” QUOTE: "We were invited to this location in Uptown for a good time, not a long one," the group wrote on social media. "Redevelopment plans have been approved and groundbreaking will begin this fall for demolition and construction." READ: https://fluence-media.co/45Jq36z
OPENINGS: Via Eater, VERBATIM: “As summer rolls on, the Twin Cities continue to welcome a bunch of new restaurants. From the reopening of a classic malt shop to a beautiful Downtown steakhouse, there’s an exciting mix of newcomers to check out. Welcome to the Opening Report, a curated roundup of recent restaurant openings big and small across the Twin Cities.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3HtRvfj
TOMORROW: Via Minnetonka-based DiaMedica, VERBATIM: “DiaMedica Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: DMAC), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel treatments for preeclampsia and acute ischemic stroke, announced today that its second quarter 2025 financial results will be released after the markets close on Tuesday, August 12th. DiaMedica will host a live conference call on Wednesday, August 13th at 8:00 AM Eastern Time / 7:00 AM Central Time to provide a business update and discuss financial results.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45v4DsS
WEDNESDAY: Via Stratasys, VERBATIM: “Stratasys Ltd. (Nasdaq: SSYS) will release financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025, on Wednesday, August 13, 2025. The Company plans to hold the conference call to discuss its second quarter 2025 financial results on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. (ET).” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ILEHBx
AGRIBANK: Via news release from AgriBank, VERBATIM: “Today, St. Paul-based AgriBank announced financial results for the second quarter of 2025, with strong profitability, credit quality, and liquidity and capital. Net income remained strong at $470.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025. AgriBank's year-to-date return on assets (ROA) ratio of 49 basis points was just below the target of 50 basis points.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4m7xYjT
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
STATE FAIR: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “It’s easy to blow a lotta bucks at ‘the Great Minnesota Spend-Together,’ as some folks call our State Fair. But planning ahead can get you get more bang for your Benjamins. Here are some of the best ways to save on parking, admission, food, merchandise and entertainment.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mDEiQ9
BDAYS: fmr. Rep. Jeff Brand, conservative consultant Micah Olson, public policy pro Kara Genia, fmr. BBY CEO Hubert Joly
Fluence Media curates, produces and distributes specialized media products to thought leadership audiences across the Midwest and about the region. Our publications cover, politics, public policy, health care, agriculture, business, real estate, sports and more. Visit www.fluence-media.com to learn more.
about morning take- Founded in 2010, morning take has grown to become the leading Minnesota morning newsletter on politics and news of the day. Published by Fluence Media since 2012 the mission is to "make you smarter" before breakfast.
Copyright © 2025 Lunch Take, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
Fluence Media
PO Box 270031
Golden Valley, MN 55427