Some good economic news out this morning – as The New York Times puts it, “American employers hired vigorously in May.” REPORT: https://fluence-media.co/4ft81Lf
More good news – ten “new” songs from Prince’s vault will be released in August – they span every major era of his career. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3S30Csj
300+ miles. 400,000 annual users. The Superior Hiking Trail turns 40 this year. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4obMuJs
RIP Buffalo native Diane Carlson Evans, an Army combat nurse who coordinated a ten-year effort to build a monument to women who served in Vietnam. NYTIMES: https://fluence-media.co/4otXhyV
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Here are the two MNSiders from the weekend, with insight from the 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
Sunday Take recapped the GOP state convention with candidates Kendall Qualls, Adam Schwarze and Mike Lindell in Duluth. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/432x94b
Blois
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FRIDAY FEED
SCHOOLS: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “A growing number of schools in northern Minnesota are transitioning to a four-day school week as education leaders warn funding has reached a crisis point in the region. The Ely School District will move to a four-day week next year, ending the school week on Thursdays. The schedule change follows five years of deficit spending . . . In March, 16 superintendents representing northeast Minnesota districts sent a letter to state lawmakers warning of a funding crisis. Of those districts, over half have considered or already moved to the four-day schedule.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4uYvkSe
DULUTH: Via Duluth News Tribune, VERBATIM: “With the deadline for Minnesota school districts to finalize their budgets for the coming year quickly approaching, Duluth Public Schools announced Wednesday that adjustments have been made to the district’s proposed budget.” QUOTE: “There was some pushback, and we received a lot of feedback from stakeholders and staff members,” said Adelle Wellens, the district’s communications officer. “Then we had some changes, and it was an opportunity to sort of look at things and reevaluate.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uTEuPS
JOBS: Via Mankato Free Press, VERBATIM: “At Dairy Queen West in Mankato, there’s a waiting list for seasonal employment. For the city of Mankato, roughly 100 applications poured in for 45 summer openings. But with 30 returning seasonal employees, that left only 15 openings. So you could say it’s somewhat tough going for teen summer employment in the area. This is in keeping with national trends, with The Wall Street Journal recently reporting this is the worst summer for teen employment since 1948, when the federal government started tracking the data.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4e1a6LZ
PREDICTION MARKETS: Via Courthouse News Service, VERBATIM: “The domestic division of the world’s largest prediction market sued Minnesota over its increasingly polarizing ban on prediction markets in the state. Polymarket filed the suit in Minnesota federal court late Wednesday through its American corporate arm Polymarket US, which operates under the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal government while its global counterpart completely bans U.S. residents from its main exchange.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RTxYKc
TICKS: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Health officials report that warmer temperatures and increased outdoor activities are contributing to the rise in hospital visits for tick-borne diseases. The Minnesota Department of Health has observed an increase in emergency department visits related to tick bites over the past few months. This rise is consistent with the annual increase in tick-borne diseases. The number of visits appears to surpass the typical baseline seen during the colder months.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4xgNZu6
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 & AMENITIES
ST PAUL: Via Finance & Commerce, VERBATIM: “Bigos Management’s long-planned effort to convert the vacant Galtier Plaza office building in downtown St. Paul into apartments is nearing construction as the final pieces of the funding puzzle begin to fall in place. On Wednesday, the St. Paul City Council, acting as the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, reviewed a 26-year tax increment financing plan that would generate $4.56 million for the project, which would carve 166 market-rate apartments out of the building at 175 Fifth St. E. The HRA didn’t vote on the TIF plan, but the city council is expected to take action on June 10. Also under consideration is a temporary $650,000 TIF loan on top of the $4.56 million.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4afD8q9
DRIVERLESS: Via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Despite discussions, Minnesota’s recent legislative session came and went without setting any regulations on autonomous vehicles. But with companies like Waymo already testing their fleet of self-driving taxis (albeit with humans in the driver’s seat), officials and activists say the time is now to plan for how to manage them. At a June 3 panel on autonomous vehicles held at Minneapolis Central Library, moderator and Minneapolis City Council member Robin Wonsley (Ward 2) said she hoped to avoid the road that the city tumbled down with ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43UkksQ
BIKES: Via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Nice Ride’s demise began when Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Minnesota, its main funder, pulled out. By that time, Nice Ride’s initial infrastructure had reached the end of its lifespan, and the enterprise needed investment. Without funding, the nonprofit put its assets up for an RFP, and a Minneapolis-based environmental nonprofit, Great Plains Institute (GPI), was awarded them . . . GPI is currently identifying funding to study a bike share relaunch and bring back docked bicycles on the streets of Minneapolis. Given the rising costs of driving, it’s an appealing prospect.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ucWP9f
DATA CENTERS: Via KEYC-TV, VERBATIM: “Le Sueur County announced at the end of May it would be moving forward with a moratorium on new data center proposals in its townships and unincorporated communities. According to Le Sueur County Administrator Joe Martin, the moratorium is set to last for 12 months, as the county figures out how it would like to regulate the growing industry going forward.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4x9ytQr
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
MINNEAPOLIS: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “People who own property near George Floyd Square are upset that the city notified them they are picking up part of the tab for an overhaul of streets and infrastructure in a part of Minneapolis drastically altered by what happened there in 2020 . . . Property owners in the area say they were surprised to learn about five weeks ago that they would be expected to pay over $636,000 in special assessments for a $15 million overhaul of streets and infrastructure set to begin next week.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3QnUmuM
BROOKLYN PARK: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “The police department released its 2025 annual report, which showed a 37-year low for crime . . . Total crime has decreased since 2022 when there was 6,810 crime reports, numbers that include everything from homicides to many less serious offenses. Violent crime, which includes murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assaults, has also gone down over the last four years.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4foXuAR
ZUMBROTA: Via KTTC-TV, VERBATIM: “The city of Zumbrota has a new chief of police. Officials announcing via the city’s Facebook page the appointment of Tony Pasquale to the post. He will officially lead the city’s police department effective August 11.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4dQqiB1
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
MANKATO: The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reports Rolls-Royce will soon open an extension of its diesel generator plant in Mankato – a move to address an increase in demand for power from other industries. The article also mentions plans to add more than 100 jobs in the coming years. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4o77DEp
PILOTS: Via Duluth-based Cirrus, VERBATIM: “Cirrus (Cirrus Aircraft Ltd.) announced its new SR Series Annual Flight Review Course, a Cirrus Approach module designed to promote continuous flight training, pilot proficiency, and safety for all pilots, including the thousands of SR20, SR22, and SR22T pilots worldwide, regardless of current aircraft ownership.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4umrcKH
RECALL: Via Target, VERBATIM: “Target is voluntarily recalling Up & Up Fragrance Free and Up & Up Fresh Cucumber Scented Baby Wipes following customer complaints of product discoloration, and FDA testing that identified the presence of Burkholderia cepacia complex and Burkholderia gladioli in product samples.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4xbAGuK
NEW CEO: Via Waconia-based Ridgeview, VERBATIM: “Valuing organizational stability and a deep commitment to maintaining Ridgeview’s independence and exceptional culture, the Ridgeview Medical Center Board of Directors announced today that Ben Nielsen has been selected as Ridgeview’s new President and CEO, replacing Mike Phelps who will retire on Jan. 2, 2027.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3S8c5qB
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: On this National Donut Day, discounts around the Twin Cities. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4xb9hsM
TOMORROW: U.S. Bank Stadium will glow purple in honor of National Naloxone Awareness Day. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4g1xOKD
JUN 26: Via Minneapolis-based Apogee, VERBATIM: “Apogee Enterprises, Inc. (Nasdaq: APOG) a leading provider of architectural building products and services, as well as high-performance coated materials used in a variety of applications, today announced the company will report its fiscal 2027 first quarter results on Friday, June 26, 2026, before the market opens.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ugwuHi
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
THIS SUMMER: From Minnesota Monthly, a summer weekends guide. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/49HA1Hq
BDAYS: lobbyist Elizabeth Emerson George, attorney Jason Topp, Commerce official Peter Brickwede
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