The Lynx clinched the WNBA’s first playoff spot. SI: https://fluence-media.co/4lmIZwz
43% say they’ve stopped or slowed buying from grocery stores or restaurants due to increasing costs. MORNING CONSULT: https://fluence-media.co/4oyBR37
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/41Akfd5
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
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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.
TWINS: Via MLB Trade Rumors, VERBATIM: “The Twins have effectively been for sale for the better part of the past year, but it seems the current ownership group is instead embarking on a new path. Executive chair Joe Pohlad announced in a press release this morning that his family is no longer pursuing a sale of the majority stake in the franchise.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45CzjbH
MORE: Via MLB, from Joe Pohlad, QUOTE: “After a detailed and robust process, our family will remain the principal owner of the Minnesota Twins. To strengthen the club in a rapidly evolving sports landscape -- one that demands strong partnerships, fresh ideas, and long-term vision -- we are in the process of adding two significant limited partnership groups, each of whom will bring a wealth of experience and share our family values.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41GJBpL
REMEMBER: From Fluence Media’s Howard Sinker, what he reported last October:
BEFORE YOU READ ANYTHING ELSE! Via Michael Rand at Star Tribune. Will the Pohlads really sell the Twins? There's a difference between reaching a decision "to explore selling the Twins" and actually doing so, a distinction lost in some of the early news reports that broke last Thursday. VERBATIM: "It’s a lot easier to understand why they would want to sell the Twins than it is to figure out who would want to get into the business of owning a midsize market baseball team right now. Will they actually be able to sell the team?"
FURTHERMORE: Rand lays out a number of potential pitfalls for a potential buyer and concludes: "Of course, it is also possible that the Twins would attract a buyer who simply wanted to own a team for joy and ego above profit — someone who would get out the checkbook and sign Sonny Gray because they liked watching him pitch and wanted to put a winner on the field. . . .If they can’t find someone like that, they might have no choice but to keep owning the Twins." MORE: https://fluence-media.co/selltwins
Howard’s Sports Take comes out tomorrow. Read past editions HERE: https://fluence-media.co/3WSsvmr
LIST: The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal counted 76 Minnesota companies on Inc. Magazine’s list of the fastest-growing U.S. businesses – down from 80 last year. READ: https://fluence-media.co/45usHMi
MORE: You can find Inc.’s list HERE: https://fluence-media.co/3JycAWw
STRATASYS: “Stratasys Ltd. (SSYS) on Wednesday reported a loss of $16.7 million in its second quarter. The Minnetonka, Minnesota-based company said it had a loss of 20 cents per share . . . The maker of 3D printers posted revenue of $138.1 million in the period.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41HJmL8
DIAMEDICA: Via The Motley Fool, VERBATIM: “[Minnetonka-based] DiaMedica Therapeutics reported a GAAP loss per share of $(0.18) for the quarter, beating the $(0.19) GAAP analyst consensus estimate.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oAPKhg
ELECTRO-SENSORS: Via Stock Titan, VERBATIM: “[Minnetonka-based] Electro-Sensors, Inc. reported improving operational performance for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, with net sales rising to $2.40 million, an 8.3% increase versus the prior-year quarter, and six-month sales of $4.64 million, up 4.0% year-over-year. Gross profit for the quarter rose to $1.23 million and gross margin expanded to 51.2% from 47.2%, driven by higher average selling prices implemented to offset material cost increases. The company posted net income of $59 thousand in the quarter compared with a small net loss in the prior-year quarter.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Jch7Ot
REDISTRICTING: Via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “While California, New York, Indiana and others look to engage in mid-decade redistricting, don’t expect Minnesota to join the fray. There are no plans in Minnesota to redraw political boundaries ahead of next year’s midterm election, said Gov. Tim Walz’s spokesperson in a statement to MinnPost. Foremost, the state constitution explicitly forbids redistricting outside of the traditional decennial post-census window. Beyond that, Minnesota has a relatively small congressional delegation, a less ruthless political culture, and a currently divided government.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3JuzIoS
VOTERS: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “Northern News Now spent the day outside polling places, chatting with voters about the key issues that drove them to the polls. Among them -- housing. ‘Affordable housing, we need it badly,’ said voter, Lisa Hendrickson. Lisa Hendrickson calls Duluth home, but her daughters no longer do. She says lack of affordable housing is to blame. ‘I have daughters that have moved out of Duluth because of this, so it’s tough, it’s really tough here,’ said Hendrickson. ‘Wages just don’t keep up with the cost of living.’ Fellow voter, Mary Anne Harala, says Duluth needs leaders they can trust.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3V5sBFX
CROW WING: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “The Crow Wing County Board unanimously approved Kelsey Hopps as the next Crow Wing County attorney at their board meeting on Tuesday morning. Hopps will be replacing current county attorney Don Ryan, who is retiring from his position after having served in it for more than 30 years.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4mHEPRc
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)
MURDER CASE: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Hennepin County prosecutors in partnership with the Great North Innocence Project are moving to overturn the 1998 murder conviction of Brian Hooper . . . This action follows a confession from a key witness in a Georgia prison who recently admitted to killing 77-year-old Ann Prasniak, a crime for which Hooper has already served 27 years.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3UudIgl
MORE: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said she supports the effort by attorneys for Bryan Hooper Sr. who are asking for a judge to vacate his conviction. At a press conference, Moriarty apologized to Hooper’s adult daughter, Bri’ana Hooper, saying, ‘I understand at the same time, ‘sorry’ doesn’t bring back those 27 years. What we’re doing today, though, I hope is the beginning of getting your father out of prison.’ Moriarty was not with the office in 1998.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/46UXWm8
GUNS: Via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Judicial Branch data shows that more [Extreme Risk Protection Order] petitions were filed throughout the state in the first seven months of this year than all of 2024. Also, of the 284 petitions filed through Aug. 1, just 14, or 5%, were rejected by a state court judge. Gun control is a centerstage issue following the assassination of DFL House leader Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman. Gov. Tim Walz is open to metal detectors at the Capitol. Meanwhile, the state Supreme Court has cast doubt on the legitimacy of a state statute banning certain guns without serial numbers. And a report released this month found that Minnesota gun deaths climbed in 2024 from the year prior. Amid this scrutiny, ERPO has quietly gained steam as a tool to prevent further tragedies.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/414kfC8
AIR: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Two weeks ago the Trump administration announced a plan to repeal what's known as the endangerment finding. It’s a landmark 2009 finding that allows the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to use the Clean Air Act to regulate greenhouse gas emissions because they endanger public health and welfare. As part of MPR News’ Getting to Green series, reporter Dan Kraker talked to Nat Keohane, president of the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions in Washington D.C., about what a possible repeal of the endangerment finding would mean nationally and in Minnesota.” Q&A: https://fluence-media.co/4lmM13V
IRRIGREEN: Via Minne Inno, VERBATIM: “Lawn-irrigation tech company Irrigreen has launched its first product manufactured entirely in the United States, in part to avoid tariffs. Sprinkler 3, Irrigreen’s newest mobile phone-operated sprinkler head, is manufactured entirely in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, barely an hour away from the company’s Edina headquarters. That's the result of a multiyear effort by the lawn equipment firm to shift manufacturing to the states. Previously, Irrigreen’s products were produced entirely abroad, mainly in Asia and Mexico.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Hy22Gm
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)
ROOF DEPOT: Via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “The group attempting to convert a former Sears warehouse in south Minneapolis into an indoor urban farm and community hub is asking the city to lower its selling price for the building as the deadline for a purchase agreement nears. The East Phillips Neighborhood Institute (EPNI), the nonprofit behind plans to reimagine the building at 28th Street and Longfellow Avenue, missed out on promised state funding two years in a row to complete the $15.9 million sale. Now the group is negotiating with the city, and asking for a $10.2 million price as a September 15 deadline nears.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45FRkWC
BROOKLYN CENTER: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Legislature made a $5.1 million financial investment in the city of Brooklyn Center this year. The appropriation will help the city revamp and address deferred maintenance at the Brooklyn Center Community Center. Constructed in the 1960s, the community center needs about $3.5 million in repairs.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4lvjCJc
DULUTH: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center (DECC) leaders are asking for feedback as they plan for the future. The DECC announced a series of listening sessions around the region to gather input on both future programming and capital investment priorities.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/45tBb6f
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)
NEW HOPE: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “There’s a new face behind the dais in New Hope’s city council chambers. Brock Ray has been appointed to New Hope City Council. He took the oath of office and started his service on Monday, Aug. 11.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4mGoxb8
TWO HARBORS: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “Two Harbors had an open at-large city council seat on its ballots Tuesday. Donna Heil defeated Laura Osbakken Goutermont with 255 votes to 213 for the council seat. This election was necessary after one of the council members moved away.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4fAoxHt
IMS: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Riding a fresh wave of recent renovations, Minneapolis’s storied design hub, International Market Square, has never looked better. The building, located on the western edge of downtown Minneapolis, was first constructed in 1905 for Northwestern Knitting Company before becoming home to the world-famous Munsingwear company and ultimately producing the iconic Original Penguin line of sportswear. It’s also the location of a double helix stairwell—the largest of its kind in the United States—designed to allow workers to simultaneously pass each other as one shift headed to the manufacturing floor while the other shift was leaving.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45DmL3J
PLYMOUTH: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Two years after leaving a space in Plymouth that was bigger than what was needed, Asian Duck is back. ‘This smaller Asian Duck, it’s almost like a 2.0,’ said owner Mary Slater. ‘It’s an Asian Duck 2.0 is the best way to describe it.’ Slater describes Asian Duck as a southeast Asian restaurant that focuses on Lao cuisine.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3Uuh8Qd
THIS WEEKEND: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “The Ska Punk International Fest, happening at Green Room from Aug. 16-17 is meant to expose people to the genre of ska while showing off the emerging artists carrying the genre.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4loXsYM
SUNDAY: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “Celebrate community, sustainability, and great style this National Thrift Store Day on Aug. 17. It’s a great opportunity to support local businesses and give new life to pre-loved items. Across the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota, here are a few of our favorite thrift and consignment stores.” LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4fAqOSJ
THIS MONTH: Via news release from New Prague-based Electromed, VERBATIM: “Electromed, Inc. (NYSE American: ELMD), a leader in innovative airway clearance technologies, today announced that it will issue its financial results press release for the fiscal 2025 fourth quarter ended June 30, 2025, on August 26, 2025 after the close of the stock market. Company management will host a conference call the same day at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time to discuss the results.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/413rMkA
TORO: Via news release from Bloomington-based Toro, VERBATIM: “The Toro Company (NYSE: TTC), a leading global provider of solutions for the outdoor environment, today announced that Edric C. Funk has been appointed president and chief operating officer, effective September 1, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Us8JN5
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
WALKER: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “The Walker Art Center’s Sound for Silents screening is an annual late summer hillside highlight, where they ask a local musician to create a soundtrack for films from their Ruben/Bentson Moving Image collection. When the Walker asked filmmaker Phil Harder if he would curate this summer’s show (this Thursday night at 8:30 p.m.), he offered up a counterintuitive idea. ‘I suggested Matt Arthur—a blind singer-songwriter,’ Harder says.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3JgxZDA
BDAYS: Essentia’s Carly Melin, City of Burnsville’s Gregg Lindberg
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