U.S. pessimism continues – as we approach our 250th anniversary, only a third of the public says the American dream still holds true. AP/NORC: https://fluence-media.co/3RRWmvP
Minneapolis and St. Paul rank third and fourth respectively on Trust for Public Land’s Park Score Index. The ranking is part of a report making a case that communities see economic benefits from funding parks. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4ftxm7X
The giant pencil on the shore of Lake of the Isles is once again sharpened and ready to write. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4e8Rz0e
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Here are the two MNSiders with insight from the state party conventions:
SAT: https://fluence-media.co/49se3rS
SUN: https://fluence-media.co/4u5nHIc
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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/4vAUFS3
Sunday Take featured a recap of post-convention dynamics and CD1 DFL candidate Jake Johnson discussing his campaign priorities. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4easFO8
Blois
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STORMY MONDAY
INFLATION: Via Energy Drive and JournoResearch, VERBATIM: “Minnesota ranked 44th for the percentage change in real wages recorded between May 2020 and May 2025, with a 3.35% decrease in real annual earnings.”
“The average Minnesotan had an effective fall in annual pay of $2,463 by 2025, after accounting for inflation. Minnesota also fell behind the national average, with the average American experiencing an effective annual pay cut of 1.18% or $831 in this period.”
FRAUD: Via House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, VERBATIM: “The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform released a staff report today titled, ‘The Cost of Doing Nothing: How Tim Walz and Keith Ellison Fueled Minnesota’s Fraud Explosion.’ The report exposes how senior Minnesota state officials, including Governor Walz and Attorney General Ellison, were aware of widespread taxpayer fraud in federally funded social programs for years, possessed the authority to stop payments and ban fraudulent providers from participating in these programs, but repeatedly failed to act. As a result, billions of American taxpayer dollars were potentially paid to fraudulent actors.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fy7S9A
SCHOOLS: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Minnesota kids are still some of the healthiest and best cared for in the nation — but in school, they haven’t kept pace with their peers since the pandemic, according to a new Annie E. Casey Foundation report . . . Plunging education measures between 2019 and 2024 were largely responsible for dragging down 29 states’ ratings, including Minnesota’s. Minnesota now ranks 21st in education, down from 17th last year, because of sharp declines in three of the four outcomes the report tracks.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ogipbI
MORE: Via AECF, VERBATIM: “Nationwide, Maine saw the biggest drop in child well-being since 2019, followed by four Midwestern states: Nebraska, North Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota.” REPORT: https://fluence-media.co/4ofo1CN
RETAIL: Via Meta, VERBATIM: “We’re excited to bring the Meta Lab retail experience to Best Buy with over 50 dedicated experiential Meta Lab spaces launching soon inside of Best Buy locations across the United States and in Canada. Each Meta Lab @ Best Buy is a sleek, roughly 900-square-foot ‘store-in-store’ designed for hands-on discovery.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3POHUUR
MORE: Via Retail Touch Points, VERBATIM: “The partnership leans into a consumer behavior insight: according to the companies, more than 50% of Best Buy customers say they want to see Meta’s AI glasses in person before purchasing. The spaces are designed to close that gap with try-on walls, UV light displays showing how lenses respond to different light settings, and high-tech smart mirrors that let customers virtually browse frames and compare looks side by side.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4obDVOE
MORE: Best Buy’s news release lists five stores that will see the first Meta Labs. Roseville is the only Minnesota store on the list. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/43otg9T
US SEN: Senate candidate Michele Tafoya was on Fox Business over the weekend talking about fraud in Minnesota and why she’s going forward to the GOP primary. TAFOYA: “The reason is that when we look at the primary polls, I’m in at 52%. And the next closes person is undecided at 26%. The person who was endorsed at the convention last weekend is sitting at 4%. So these endorsements don’t necessarily lead to electability.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4dUkJ4B
LABOR: Via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Moments after being reelected by representatives for dozens of unions Sunday, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler made an ambitious pledge to unionize at least 2 million workers over the next 5 years . . . Shuler was addressing a crowd of hundreds of union members on the first day of the labor federation’s national convention in downtown Minneapolis. The convention, which happens every four years, brings together representatives from 65 unions covering all sectors of the American economy, from Hollywood actors to Pittsburgh steelworkers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43lMXzc
UOFM: Via email this morning from Elisia L. Cohen, Ph.D., VERBATIM: “As you may have heard, later this month I will be stepping down as Director of the Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication. I will begin a new appointment at the University of Minnesota as Vice Provost for Graduate and Professional Education and Dean of the Graduate School effective June 15, pending approval by the Board of Regents. Taking over as Interim Director will be Professor and current Associate Director María Len-Ríos.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4upk14l
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)
INFRASTRUCTURE
GROUNDWATER: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Anywhere in southern Minnesota, it’s long been understood that groundwater temperatures will be a consistent 45 or 46 degrees. But a Minnesota geologist says he’s found an anomaly underneath Minneapolis. Greg Brick has measured water in caves and flowing from springs that’s more than 10 degrees higher than he expected. He’s concerned that it could cause problems for aquatic ecosystems and drinking water systems above ground — and he’s also concerned that there isn’t enough research to know exactly what those problems could be.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4x5UjUW
WOODBURY: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “As many Twin Cities suburbs are trying to revitalize old downtowns or build new ones to boost their identities, Woodbury is as intentionally suburban as ever. City leaders plotted its first growth plans more than five decades ago, calling for phased development organized around parks, highways and a few commercial nodes. They’ve largely stuck to it ever since. Residents give the city high marks for livability, according to a recent survey, and say those attributes, plus good schools, and convenience draw them to the area.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dWAfwX
AIRPORT: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “The Aitkin Municipal Airport has received funds for a new terminal. The Federal Aviation Administration’s Fiscal Year 2026 Airport Terminal Program has awarded the airport $1,330,000, symbolizing a major investment in regional transportation infrastructure and the continued growth of general aviation services in Aitkin County.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3SsMRmT
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)
THE LOCALS
TODAY: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Reconstruction of George Floyd Square begins Monday at 38th and Chicago in south Minneapolis, not long after the sixth anniversary of his murder . . . The long-debated $15 million project will remake the intersection, including to allow buses and emergency vehicles to once again travel through it. It will also maintain the memorial and keep some of its artifacts intact, including the iconic fists that surround the area.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3SaMjlw
CRASHES: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “After a crash at Winnetka Avenue North and Oxbow Creek Drive in late May, some Brooklyn Park neighbors are sharing concerns about accident frequency at that intersection. State data reveals that over the last 10 years, there have been 12 crashes at that intersection. None were fatal. Jeff Holstein, transportation engineer with the city of Brooklyn Park, said it typically takes five crashes in 12 months to indicate a problem.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4fykugU
SPEED LIMIT: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “Beltrami County will be asking the Minnesota Department of Transportation to conduct a study on County State Aid Highway 1 to potentially raise the speed limit to 60 mph.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uiTPrV
TWIN LAKES: Via KTTC-TV, VERBATIM: “A councilmember for Twin Lakes, a city of 134 people, is calling on the council to remove the city clerk/treasurer, alleging he failed to submit financial documents that could cost the city more than $50,000 in public funding.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4upiSd3
GOLF: Via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “The University of Minnesota Board of Regents [this] week are expected to review a potential sale of the Les Bolstad Golf Course for $30.5 million to St. Michael-based Rachel Development, Inc. If approved, the 141-acre property at 2275 Larpenteur Avenue West in Falcon Heights will be sold for residential development with supporting commercial and mixed uses, according to the board’s docket for its meeting on Thursday, June 11. A decision on approving the sale should take place at a future meeting. The U announced its intent to sell the public facility last June, citing financial and infrastructure needs.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vA7uvF
GRAND OLD DAY: Flint Hills Resources is thrilled to be this year’s sponsor of the Grand Old Day parade. Flint Hills employees, families and friends will be showing their Saint Paul pride as they hand out giveaways alongside one of the Pine Bend refinery’s fire trucks. New this year, Flint Hills Resources engineers will demonstrate how science is really fun (and tasty) at the Future Innovators Zone. Kids can learn how to make their very own ice cream at home. Be sure to stop by on June 7! LEARN MORE: Grand Old Day (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery)
COMMERCE
ST PAUL: Via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “A Vietnamese restaurant with a devoted following has closed its doors after two decades, following a change in ownership at its University Avenue building in St. Paul. When Tay Ho opened in 2005, University was lined with Vietnamese, Hmong, Thai and Cambodian restaurants and markets.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uWX3Tj
GRAND AVE: Via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “The 53rd year of the Grand Old Day celebration drew 200,000 people to St. Paul, according to organizers. They said the focus was bringing economic support back to the Grand Avenue business district.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4omTEe0
FORTUNE 500: Via New Brighton-based APi, VERBATIM: “APi Group Corporation (NYSE: APG), a global, market-leading business services provider of safety and specialty services, today announced its debut on the 2026 Fortune 500 list, earning the No. 486 position.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dX02oJ
RETAIL: Via C-Store Dive, VERBATIM: “Pump & Pantry has agreed to acquire 21 Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh convenience stores from the supermarket chain for an undisclosed amount, the companies announced on Friday. Expected to close in July, the deal includes 18 locations in Iowa, two in Nebraska and one in Minnesota, according to the announcement.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vsryAi
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?
THUR/FRI: Via COPAL, VERBATIM: “Members of the press are invited to attend The Brave of Us: The Midwest Democracy & Power Summit, a major regional convening hosted by COPAL and the Immigrant Defense Network on June 11–12, 2026, at the Minneapolis Convention Center.” MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4g7YRUJ
FRIDAY: Via Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, VERBATIM: “BOMJA 003: Corporate After Dark takes over the Cabooze on Friday, June 12, from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. This 21-plus event is the third installment of the BOMJA series, bringing together culture, nightlife, and music for a night designed to bring people together through sound and community.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uZxWiH
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
HORACE: Via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “The Como Park Zoo opened one of its exhibits early Sunday to give visitors enough time to see its rare corpse flower, Horace, in full bloom.” READ/PHOTO: https://fluence-media.co/4e8JAjN
BDAYS: advocate Jenna Grove, nonprofit leader Annie Stanoch, radio pro Shannon Knoepke, health care leader Jennifer DeCubellis
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