Most Americans say it’s “very important” for ordinary people and elected leaders to demonstrate courage – 67% say courage is weaker than it was 20 years ago. GALLUP: https://fluence-media.co/4b5fTzq
Tuesday’s rain forced the cancellation of the Dave Matthews show scheduled for Mystic Lake’s new amphitheater. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4etDM6a
AAA predicts more than 72-million Americans will travel 50+ miles from home over the Independence Day holiday.
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Sunday Take covered the status of third parties in Minnesota with Chip Tangen, Libertarian candidate for secretary of state, and Jay Reeves, Forward Independence candidate for state auditor. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4uICwRf
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MIDWEEK POLITICS
WISCONSIN POLL: Via Gray, VERBATIM: “Three in 10 Wisconsin voters have little or no confidence that votes were accurately counted in the 2024 election, according to a Tarrance Group poll presented at a WisPolitics luncheon on Tuesday. Dave Sacket, with The Tarrance Group, said part of what drives distrust is how long it takes for ballots to be processed, along with voters’ unfamiliarity with the ballot counting process.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aTlwkf
MORE: Via WisPolitics, VERBATIM: “Over 90% of Democrats were either ‘very confident’ or ‘somewhat confident’ that votes in the Wisconsin November election will be accurately cast and counted as opposed to 46% of Republicans.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eBlVKF
KLOBUCHAR: Via MinnPost, a deep dive into Senator Amy Klobuchar’s campaign for governor and how that gig compares to her prospects in the Senate. VERBATIM: “A member of the Democratic leadership in the Senate, Klobuchar has through seniority and grit climbed the ranks to win the No. 3 spot in Senate Democratic leadership as chair of the Steering and Policy Committee. But Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., who has worked closely with Klobuchar on regional issues, said Klobuchar may have been considering how much further she could climb. ‘She had to weigh, ‘Do I stay and see how that plays out or do I go back to Minnesota?’’ Hoeven said. Tim Lindberg, a political science professor at the University of Minnesota Morris, said Klobuchar may have suffered some frustration working in a closely divided Senate.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vzCVHc
ENDORSEMENTS: Via news release from the Hao Nguyen Hennepin County Attorney campaign, VERBATIM: “After the DFL County Convention, I’d like to reiterate my support for Sheriff Dawanna Witt – and Sheriff Witt has endorsed my campaign as well.” Via Facebook, WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4eL803j
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)
DEVELOPING STORIES
FRAUD: Via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “Hundreds packed a Big Lake town hall as families and providers worried adult disability services could be cut off. The meeting happened on Tuesday as the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) continued to process appeals from disenrolled providers as part of a statewide fraud crackdown. Big Lake disability services provider Options, Inc. hosted the town hall with area lawmakers.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4oIAgrQ
PROTESTER: Via KARE-TV, VERBATIM: “More than a year after protests broke out during a federal law enforcement raid last summer, a Twin Cities activist stood inside federal court to learn her sentence. Isabel Lopez was arrested and charged with assaulting law enforcement last June. She was initially charged with four felonies for assault, but pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor Tuesday afternoon.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/43PduVP
LAWSUIT: Via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “A Minnesota woman dragged out of her car and arrested during Operation Metro Surge claims federal agents violated her civil rights. On behalf of Aliya Rahman, the MacArthur Justice Center and a civil rights law firm filed a complaint with the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Homeland Security on Tuesday, requesting an investigation.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eI6rDa
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)
AROUND MINNESOTA
VIRGINIA: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “Dozens of community members spoke out Tuesday at a Virginia City Council meeting amid proposed cuts to the city’s police and fire departments. The council chambers were packed, with many residents speaking in support of first responders. With discussion about possibly moving toward a private ambulance service, there was also an agenda item Tuesday night directing city staff to look into a potential hybrid department structure.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/44rfAv5
CHISHOLM: Via Mesabi Tribune, VERBATIM: “The mountain bike trend is picking up steam with new trails and amenities at the Redhead Mountain Bike Park in Chisholm. Construction on a connector trail, providing a connection between downtown Chisholm and Redhead began this month and has a target completion date of August 22 of this year. The project is being funded by an Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB) Connectivity Grant.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4f28vao
DRONES: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Mosquito experts continue to deploy their latest tool to control the population: drones. ‘This is probably, a lot of us are of the opinion, that it’s one of the greatest leaps forward in our mosquito control technology in the last 10, 20 years,’ said [Metropolitan Mosquito Control District field operations supervisor Charlie Guenther]. Since 2019, the agency has grown to having about 10 drones that spread eco-friendly granules targeting mosquito larvae.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4uZ41q3
BOATING: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is reminding people to check boats and trailers, docks and boat lifts, and all other water-related equipment for aquatic invasive species (AIS), especially when buying or selling used equipment. DNR officials say that although we are past the initial spring shoreline equipment installation rush, the mid-season market for used equipment presents a much higher risk of spreading AIS.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4wcqpNM
HABITAT RESTORATION: Flint Hills Resources has earned Tandem Global WHC Gold Certification for habitat restoration at its Cottage Grove fuel terminal. The certification comes after two years of work in partnership with Friends of the Mississippi River to implement a restoration and monitoring plan to re-establish the 6.5-acre site’s natural prairie and savannah. Flint Hills has held gold certification for its work done with community partners over the past 25 years to restore more than 200 acres of the Pine Bend Bluffs, a critical natural area along the Mississippi River that is adjacent to Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery. This makes two Flint Hills gold certified sites in Minnesota and the first two gold-certified sites ever in the Twin Cities. LEARN MORE: Environmental Stewardship (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery)
COMMERCE
SPS: Via Reuters, VERBATIM: “Supply chain software maker SPS Commerce is exploring a sale amid pressure from activist investors, according to three people familiar with the matter. The company is working with investment bank Morgan Stanley on the potential sale, which is expected to draw interest from private equity firms, the sources said, requesting anonymity to discuss confidential matters . . . Minneapolis-based SPS Commerce provides cloud-based software that helps retailers, suppliers and distributors manage logistics, inventory and electronic data interchange across their supply chains. It serves more than 50,000 customers globally, including retailers Walmart, Costco, Macy’s, Best Buy, Adidas and Hershey.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oMjjN9
LAYOFFS: Via Peoria Journal Star, VERBATIM: “Ideal US Talent Worker OpCo LLC intends to lay off 1,395 workers in Cook, Lake, McHenry, Kane and Kendall counties on July 1, according to a notice submitted in May via the Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act. Ideal, a Minnesota-based company specializing in temporary help services, cited restructuring as the reason for the layoffs.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4etcSLx
MEDIA: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Star Tribune announced layoffs and buyouts for 24 union employees on Monday as part of a broader effort to reduce its workforce. The company announced aims to cut about 15 percent of its employees company-wide earlier this month.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eHipgi
HIGHER ED: Via Rabata, VERBATIM: “Ribāṭ University has received conditional approval from the Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE) to operate as a degree-granting institution in the State of Minnesota. The approval comes as the university prepares to welcome its founding cohort of 170 undergraduate and graduate students, underscoring the global demand for its unique model of higher education. In addition to its degree-seeking students, Ribāṭ University’s Quran certification programs have admitted 59 women, reflecting strong demand for advanced Islamic learning and the continued growth in women’s scholarship.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44sMT0U
NE MPLS: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “What if, in this year of our lord 2026, you stumbled on a charcuterie board that knocked your actual socks off and cured you of your cynicism? You can find said glorious board at Bar Oscar, a new cocktail spot open on Northeast’s Central Avenue, where co-owners Jeff Luten and Michael Hoolihan, both industry veterans, have taken over the former Dutch Bar space.” READ:
NEW CEO: Via MarketWatch, VERBATIM: “[Eden Prairie-based] NVE named Peter Eames as its next president and chief executive officer, effective Aug. 6. Eames, currently vice president of advanced technology at NVE, succeeds Daniel Baker, who plans to retire from the president and CEO roles on the same date, the nanotechnology company said Monday.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vvVg7W
NEW CFO: Via Minneapolis-based VisitIQ, VERBATIM: “VisitIQ, a leading AI-driven audience intelligence and activation platform, today announced the appointment of Conner Roos as Chief Financial Officer, effective June 1, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3SYwJK8
NEW VP: Via Owatonna-based Wenger, VERBATIM: “Wenger Corporation, a leading provider of innovative products and solutions for music and theatre education, performing arts and athletic storage, today announced that Keith Juhola has joined the company as Vice President of Sales for Performing Arts and Controls.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eBMZIb
NEW VP: Via MacPhail, VERBATIM: “MacPhail Center for Music has appointed Michael Waldman as Vice President of Development, bringing more than 25 years of nonprofit leadership and fundraising experience to the organization. In this role, Waldman will lead MacPhail’s advancement strategy, donor engagement efforts, and philanthropic initiatives supporting the organization’s nationally recognized music education programs and community impact.” MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3Sq7Aba
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?
TOMORROW: Via Allina, VERBATIM: “Allina Health Cancer Institute will host a ribbon cutting event Thursday, June 25, to celebrate the launch of its mobile lung and breast cancer screening programs, LIFE – Lung Imaging for Early-detection and Mammo on the Move. The event will highlight Allina Health Cancer Institute’s commitment to bringing lifesaving cancer screening directly to the communities it serves. Both mobile screening units are designed to make early detection more convenient and accessible for patients who may face barriers to screening or live near clinics that do not currently offer these services.”
NEXT MONTH: Via Taste of Minnesota, VERBATIM: “Taste of Minnesota returns to downtown Minneapolis July 3-4, transforming Nicollet Mall and Washington Avenue into a vibrant, walkable celebration of Minnesota food, music, art and community.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uXcREO
THIS SUMMER: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “Lakeside festival grounds, downtown parks, and art galleries host a wide range of music, art, and outdoor gatherings each summer that bring people together from all across the state. It doesn’t matter if it’s a community performance, an art exhibit, or a huge weekend festival–these spots are sure to showcase the best of what summer in Minnesota has to offer.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4alClUJ
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
COOKBOOK: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Fans of Sea Salt can soon savor some of the beloved summertime spot’s signature dishes year-round at home. What’s baking: A new cookbook celebrating the popular park restaurant’s two-decade history at Minnehaha Falls, by co-owner Kait Ziemer-Davis and retired Star Tribune journalist Gail Rosenblum.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vujIq4
BDAYS: Sen John Jasinksi, operative Joelle Stangler, Senate stalwart Krista Broton, WCCO Radio’s Jimmy Erickson, real estate pro Brooke Wolford, historian Patrick Coleman
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