U.S. employers added 115,000 jobs in April. Unemployment nationally remains at 4.3%. READ: https://fluence-media.co/42HqAUB
The Taste of Minnesota returns this summer, this time with an all-Minnesota lineup. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/42mtIoI
From Minnesota Monthly, a guide to summer camps. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tgTTrD
The Pentagon this morning began releasing UFO files – the truth is out there. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4f4Ekjq
Want to manage your subscription to TheDailyAgenda.com? HERE: https://fluence-media.co/managesubscription
WAYMO IS READY FOR MINNESOTA: With 13x fewer injury-causing collisions compared to humans, Waymo is already making roads safer in major U.S. cities where we operate — from multi-lane expressways to dense city streets, including the demands of winter weather. We are ready to bring these safety benefits to Minnesota, and look forward to working with the state legislature to pass a law that allows us to provide rides in the state. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/waymo (SPONSORED: Waymo)
Follow the 2026 Minnesota election’s up close with the Fluence ElectionTracker. FluenceElectionTracker.com
Sunday Take was all about the playoffs as sports historian Dan Whenesota and sports take’s Howard Sinker discussed why things feel different in Minnesota. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4w6ZraL
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FRIDAY FEED
TODAY: Via Somali American Coalition of Minnesota, VERBATIM: “Today, Friday, May 8 at 2:00 p.m., following Friday afternoon prayers and ahead of Mother’s Day weekend, Somali American leaders, faith leaders, and community advocates will hold a press conference to address the escalating attacks and harmful rhetoric targeting Minnesota’s Somali community in what leaders are calling ‘Operation Metro Surge 2.0.’”
MERGER: Via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “Three years after a deal with Fairview was called off, South Dakota-based Sanford Health is getting into the Twin Cities market with a new merger. On Friday, the health system announced that it will combine with North Memorial Health. Under the merger, Sanford says the organization will invest $600 million to strengthen the Robbinsdale hospital and double the Maple Grove hospital’s size.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tma7Qs
US BANK STADIUM: In a letter to Sen. Ann Rest, Chair of the Senate Taxes Committee and Reps. Greg Davids and Aisha Gomez, Co-Chairs of the House Taxes Committee, the Minnesota Vikings argue against a provision in the Senate Tax Bill the team says would “eliminate one of the City of Minneapolis’ payment obligations” used for U.S. Bank Stadium “repairs, replacements, and improvements.” The team says that would lead to a loss of $62.4 million in stadium capital funding. LETTER: https://fluence-media.co/49ADPdc
CYBER ATTACK: Via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “A cybersecurity breach is affecting universities across the country, including the University of Minnesota and the University of Wisconsin. Instructure, the parent company of Canvas, which students at the U of M use for online learning and to submit assignments, is unavailable as of Thursday evening. An image that appears to be a message from a hacking group known as ‘Shinyhunters’ is circulating online, in which the group takes responsibility for the hack and states that affected schools should ‘consult with a cyber advisory firm and contact us privately… to negotiate a settlement.’” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4whkSGp
MORE: Via Wired, VERBATIM: “Higher education has long been a target of ransomware gangs and data extortion attacks. But never before, perhaps, has a cyberattack against a single software platform so thoroughly disrupted the daily operations of thousands of schools across the United States . . . Though the hackers have been advertising the breach and attempting to extract a ransom payment from Instructure since May 1, the situation took on additional immediacy for regular people across the US and beyond on Thursday because the Canvas downtime caused chaos at schools, including those in the midst of finals and end-of-year assignments.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4f4tDgM
LAWSUIT: Via news release from the Attorney General, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced today he has filed a lawsuit against We Push for Peace, a Minnesota nonprofit corporation, and two of its former directors, Trahern Pollard and Jaclyn McGuigan, alleging numerous violations of charities laws for misusing over $6.5 million nonprofit assets, engaging in numerous governance and oversight violations that enabled the rampant abuse of assets and caused other risks to the nonprofit, lying to the AGO in the course of its investigation, and ultimately causing the demise of the nonprofit to steal its business for personal gain.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4niLG53
BACK TO WORK: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Best Buy will require hybrid employees to work in the office four days a week starting in September, a move the company says will help keep teams aligned after several inconsistent sales quarters . . . In a note to employees Thursday, Best Buy’s executive team — including CEO Corie Barry and incoming CEO Jason Bonfig — said Monday is a ‘critical day in retail’ and that the consumer electronics retailer’s strategy is ‘complex, iterative and depends on us being highly collaborative.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4de3cCY
CD2: Via Everytown for Gun Safety, endorsements in U.S. House races – among them: Kaela Berg who’s running in Minnesota’s Second District for the seat being vacated by Rep. Angie Craig. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3QOqnMF
MORE: From Kaela Berg via X, VERBATIM: “I’m honored to earn the support of the UAW and the incredible workers who have built the backbone of America for generations.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4eBBhz1
MORE: Via MinnPost, a deep dive into the candidacy of Sen. Eric Pratt, the GOP-endorsed candidate. READ: https://fluence-media.co/431FHIh
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)
HOUSING
NEW THIS MORNING: Via Minneapolis Fed, VERBATIM: “In an unfortunate first, the Twin Cities region has failed to meet three annual goals related to housing production and homeownership. That’s the key takeaway from the most recent update to our Regional Housing Affordability Dashboard, a tool that tracks the region’s progress toward these goals, alongside other indicators measuring the health of the housing market. Those other indicators offer further evidence that the region’s housing market is trending toward a less affordable future.”
The overall trend:
One bright spot:
READ: https://fluence-media.co/3P5JvoO DASHBOARD: https://fluence-media.co/4tlpEQo
MORE: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “A construction boom helped the Twin Cities surpass the 18,000 threshold each year from 2019-2022, but production has fallen short the last three years . . . Developers say a mix of high construction costs and interest rates, coupled with slow rent growth in recent years, has made building apartments difficult financially, though single-family production has fared better.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ORphPD
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
NEXT WEEK: Via news release from Rep. Tom Emmer, VERBATIM: “Ahead of National Police Week, which starts on Sunday, Congressman Emmer and Daniel Rosen, the U.S. Attorney for Minnesota, hosted a roundtable with sheriffs, police chiefs, and other law enforcement officials of the Sixth Congressional District on Thursday. Congressman Emmer had the opportunity to hear from law enforcement about their needs, ongoing fraud concerns in the state, and how Congress can best support law enforcement . . . In the roundtable, they discussed the need for cooperation between the U.S. Attorney’s office and local law enforcement agencies to best address crime, including increased gang violence and drug trafficking. This coordination will also help tackle the rampant fraud in Minnesota.”
OWATONNA: Via MPR, the City of Owatonna is facing pushback over plans to replace its police and fire stations. VERBATIM: “City officials say fixing and repairing the two aging structures would essentially be throwing money away, so instead of renovating these properties, the city council approved a plan earlier this year to issue $65 million in bonds to pay for new facilities. Those bonds would be paid off over two decades with tax dollars. That means the owner of a $300,000 home would be hit with a $420 annual property tax increase. Projects that serve public safety are usually popular. But some Owatonna residents are fighting the plan to build new police and fire stations because they feel like the city made a decision without their input during the multi-year process.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tn0ReQ
ST LOUIS CTY: Via Mesabi Tribune, VERBATIM: “Ground was broken Thursday on the new $45 million St. Louis County Central Range Transportation Facility that will serve an area including Hibbing, Chisholm and the surrounding communities.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tTZ2ag
MPLS: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “All but two members of the Minneapolis City Council are opposed to a proposal that would strip its power to confirm the mayor’s picks for some of the city’s top roles. Eleven of the 13 city council members wrote a letter to the Minneapolis Charter Commission ahead of its next meeting, asking commissioners to separate the item from a wider package of amendments to the city charter, saying it’s ‘striking at the very core of a system of shared powers.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Re5MBn
BLAISDELL AVE: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “An emotional moment at Thursday’s Minneapolis City Council meeting as members voted to rename part of Blaisdell Avenue in honor of late Officer Jamal Mitchell. Mitchell was responding to a shooting call on May 30th, 2024 near Blaisdell and Franklin in south Minneapolis, when he stopped to help a person he believed was injured. There, he was ambushed and fatally shot.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4deK9rW
GRANDMAS RIDE ATVs TOO! Check out Donna’s story - a powerful reminder that ATV riding is about more than trails...it’s about people, community, and connection. Donna’s message reflects what so many riders across Minnesota believe: responsible riding, strong local economies, and protecting access for future generations all go hand in hand. Check out Donna’s story: https://fluence-media.co/4tDeK9r Thank you, Donna, for sharing your story and helping put a face to what “I Ride” truly means. (SPONSORED: ATV Minnesota)
TO THE LAKE
THIS WEEKEND: Via KEYC-TV, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Fishing Opener—one of the state’s biggest outdoor traditions—is this Saturday, May 9, marking the start of walleye and northern pike season across Minnesota. Here in southern Minnesota, the Minnesota DNR expects good walleye numbers and with warmer conditions, they’re hoping for a hot bite to start the year.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/49mNyDX
MORE: Via DNR, fishing outlooks for regions of the state. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/42Wti8A
GAS PRICES: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “The average price of gas is now hovering around $4.21 a gallon in Minnesota, and it’s making people explore other options to commute. One of those ways is to use Metro Transit, which has seen a slight rise in ridership recently says General Manager Lesley Kandaras.” KANDARAS: “Transit is an affordable way to get around,” she says. “And this year, we’ve seen ridership climb month over month. We’re just a bit above where we were this time last year, but we encourage people to try transit as an affordable way to move around our region right now.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4weOPH2
FLINT HILLS FAMILY FESTIVAL: Kick off the summer in downtown Saint Paul with the Flint Hills Family Festival May 29-30, one of the largest and longest-standing events of its kind. The Festival offers free fun for people of all ages in Rice Park and Landmark Plaza, with performances and activities that provide something for everyone, along with world-class shows inside the Ordway for just $8! Now in its 26th year, this year’s Festival lineup includes Cirque Mechanics: TILT!, NOOMA: an opera for babies, and Click Clack Moo! More than one million people have experienced the Festival, including hundreds of thousands of students who have visited on field trips during the Festival’s School Days. Join us this year! LEARN MORE: Flint Hills Family Festival (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery)
COMMERCE
CHOOSE MN: Via DEED, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) today announced the launch of the ‘Choose Minnesota’ initiative, a statewide effort to encourage ongoing support for local businesses and to strengthen Minnesota’s economy . . . As part of the initiative, DEED will partner with business owners and other leaders to host a series of roundtables – all of which are open to credentialed members of the press – in communities across the state this summer. These conversations will highlight the challenges and opportunities facing small businesses and identify ways Minnesotans can support local businesses that power local economies.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dtzD1n
MEDTRONIC: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Medical device maker Medtronic is restructuring, merging multiple businesses in its large cardiovascular segment to fuel growth as the company’s stock price continues to decline. The Fridley-run medical device company is combining its aortic and cardiac surgery businesses into a new cardiovascular surgery division, as well as merging its structural heart, coronary, and renal denervation businesses into a new interventional cardiology therapies business, according to an internal email obtained by the Minnesota Star Tribune.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42nGgfn
ACQUISITION: Via Minneapolis-based Datasite, VERBATIM: “Datasite, a provider of AI‑powered solutions that enables private market investment, today announced it has acquired Valu8, a leading Swedish private market intelligence platform specializing in proprietary European company financial data.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uGB5n4
THC: The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal cites Office of Cannabis Management data in reporting that Kwik Trip holds the most licenses for low-potency hemp edibles, followed by Target and Coborn’s. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nlDb9l
(DISCLOSURE: Plift is a Fluence client)
GYM: Via Crunch Fitness, VERBATIM: “Crunch Fitness today announced the upcoming opening of Crunch Eagan in Eagan, Minnesota. The $5.5 million, 35,000-square-foot state-of-the-art fitness facility will open its doors this fall. Operated by Crunch Fitness franchisee The Undefeated Tribe, Crunch Eagan will be located at 1646 Diffley Road, creating a new fitness offering for residents of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tpQQh1
RETAIL: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “A new boutique has opened its doors in the Crystal Gallery Mall. It’s called Unique Fashion & Accessories, and for its owner, it’s been a long time in the making. Inside, you can find exactly what the store’s name suggests: a variety of unique clothing and accessories.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ewDFqR
EARNINGS: Via Stock Titan, VERBATIM: “[St. Paul-based] AgriBank (AGRIP) reported first-quarter 2026 results on May 7, 2026, showing $294.0 million net income, $320.2 million net interest income and strong capital and liquidity.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Racjgo
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?
THIS WEEKEND: Via Doors Open Minneapolis, VERBATIM: “Doors Open Minneapolis is FREE and offers a behind-the-scenes look at 75 venues around the city. Building owners and caretakers will share what makes these places central to our city’s identity.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4tsekSt
TOMORROW: There will be 50 food trucks in Hopkins. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4cZXYvy
THIS SUMMER: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “One of the last big Bemidji events of the summer, the Lake Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival, is set for July 30th through August 1st this year. This is the 20th annual event, where around 40 to 50 teams will make their way onto the water for the dragon boat races…and hundreds will be cheering from the sidelines.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4nitdpf
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
TOMORROW: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Lynx play their home opener on Saturday, May 9, against the Atlanta Dream. The team is three games into its preseason, beating the Toronto Tempo, Washington Mystics, and Nigeria’s national team in competitive matchups.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nd4VwE
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