Captains Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier each picked their WNBA All Star teams. They also made a trade that makes Collier’s team even more of a Lynx powerhouse. READ: https://fluence-media.co/44DHy6y
Redfin says asking rents declined 5.8% year-over-year in Minneapolis – one of the biggest drops in the country. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4luMvWs
In case you missed it in morning take, here are the new foods coming to the Minnesota State Fair. PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/44EnvVR
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3IhFsSy
On Sunday Take, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer discussed the passage and local impact of the “Big Bill”. LISTEN: http://fluence-media.co/44i2ph1
Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com
All Fluence Media tip sheets are now available to read and share online at our website, The Daily Agenda:
UNITEDHEALTH: Via The Wall Street Journal, VERBATIM: “The Justice Department’s criminal healthcare-fraud unit is investigating UnitedHealth Group’s Medicare billing practices, including how the giant company deployed doctors and nurses to gather diagnoses that bolstered its payments, people familiar with the matter said. The Wall Street Journal reported in May that the healthcare-fraud unit was overseeing a probe of the company’s Medicare business. The investigation dates back to at least last summer. Now, new details are emerging. In recent weeks, former UnitedHealth employees said they had been questioned by prosecutors working for the healthcare-fraud unit. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General also participated in some of the interviews, the former employees said.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nFy8QN
3M: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “3M is telling its corporate workforce to return to the office four days a week starting Sept. 1, CEO Bill Brown wrote in a letter to employees today. Why it matters: 3M was one of the last holdouts of major Twin Cities corporations calling their workers back and the move by the Maplewood-based company underscores a major shift happening this summer . . . Some surveys have shown that many employees say they will find a new job if they can't work from home, but the options for remote work are dwindling among Minnesota's largest employers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44DzZwG
34B: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Rep. Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park) and her husband Mark were killed about three weeks ago in what prosecutors say was a targeted attack on lawmakers. Her assassination rattled the Brooklyn Park community and has left an empty seat in the House of Representatives. Now, a Brooklyn Park City Council member has announced he’s running for her empty House District 34B seat.” QUOTE: “I know in our communities, this seat will endure as ‘Melissa’s Seat,'” wrote Brooklyn Park City Council Member Christian Eriksen in a Facebook post. “It is with great respect to her legacy, as well as the legacy of all those whom have served before us, that I run for this office.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3Ih69qx
TOMORROW: Maple Grove City Council Member Kristy Janigo formally announces her run for Senate District 37. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/40JoanB
CLEAN ENERGY: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Fields of wind turbines and large solar installations have sprouted around the state in recent years, driven by plummeting costs for the green technology and a state law requiring utilities to produce 100 percent of their electricity from carbon-free sources by 2040. Meanwhile, thousands of homes, farms and businesses have also installed smaller solar projects on rooftops and in fields to produce their own electricity, often selling excess power back to utilities . . . Those projects all benefited from federal tax credits that shaved 30 percent or more off their cost. But those credits are all being phased out by the ‘Big, beautiful bill’ that Congress passed and President Trump signed into law last week.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3TwEe8j
NEXT YEAR: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “It’s now less than one year until the torch arrives in the Twin Cities for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, ushering in a week-long event that is expected to be bigger than both of Minnesota’s Super Bowls. In fact, the games will be one of the largest sporting events held anywhere in the country next year, expected to draw more than 100,000 spectators from around the country to cheer on more than 3,000 athletes competing in 16 Olympic-style team and individual sporting events at competition sites including the University of Minnesota and the National Sports Center in Blaine. The economic impact for the state is expected to reach $75 to $100 million, according to the organizing committee.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eLdjj0
LINDELL: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “A federal judge has fined two of Mike Lindell's attorneys $3,000 each for using artificial intelligence to prepare court documents. The papers filed back in February included many errors. Judge Nina Wang pointed out about 30 defective citations in a brief. The defects ranged from failing to include basic court information to citations of cases that do not exist. The Lindell case ended last month when a federal jury ruled in favor of a former director at Dominion Voting Systems, who said Lindell defamed him by spreading a conspiracy theory that he rigged the 2020 election against Donald Trump.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4lkqUAj
MASCOTS: Via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “In 2023, Gov. Tim Walz signed a measure that bans public schools from using a name, symbol or image associated with an American Indian tribe. The legislation was modified this spring to make it easier for schools to get out of the name change. But even before the Trump administration’s involvement on the subject, efforts to enforce the mascot ban were scattershot in Minnesota. For one, there is no penalty for not obeying the law. In fact, the Minnesota Department of Education does not even track a school district’s compliance, according to Sam Snuggerud, a department spokesperson.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eFZW3u
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)
PRISON: Via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “Criminal justice advocates are frustrated that a law that allows incarcerated people to shorten their sentences in Minnesota is still in its pilot stages two years after it was passed. The Minnesota Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act (MRRA) was passed by the Minnesota Legislature in 2023, and went into effect Aug. 1 of that year. The act allows incarcerated people to shorten their sentence by up to 17% for good behavior and if they work to rehabilitate themselves by participating in programming and treatment. Advocates say they wanted to see more progress by now.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eLgo2y
MPLS: via MPR, VERBATIM: “In the wake of the Trump Administration abandoning a federal police reform agreement, a debate at Minneapolis City Hall over the best path forward continued in front of the city council Tuesday afternoon. The point of contention over how the city can include those federal provisions with a similar reform agreement with the state has puzzled attorneys watching from the outside, including a former city attorney, and raised concerns for some within the city. … Members of the Minneapolis City Council [planned] to direct the city attorney to reopen negotiations with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. … [But] some council members said that after months of hearing that modification could be a path forward, City Attorney Kristyn Anderson changed course without a clear explanation.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4lMElc4
MORE: via Star Tribune’s Deena Winter via X, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis City Attorney Kristyn Anderson and Council Member Robin Wonsley [had] a heated debate over Wonsley's wanting the city to roll the federal consent decree stuff into the state settlement agreement. Anderson said she can't do that; Wonsley says she can.” TWEET: http://fluence-media.co/406lpN4
RAMSEY CTY: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Ramsey County has agreed to pay $1 million to settle a woman’s lawsuit after she was raped by the driver of an Arkansas-based prison transport company contracted by the county. Jennifer Seelig sued Ramsey County last year in U.S. District Court in Minnesota. … The settlement came after U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Bryan denied the county’s motion to dismiss the case.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3TrvHnd
GOLDEN VALLEY: via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “A month after the Golden Valley Police Chief was placed on paid administrative leave, the mayor said her own city’s administration lacks transparency. On Tuesday, Mayor Roslyn Harmon said upper management told her Chief Virgil Green was under investigation as he was being placed on leave, and that’s about all she’s been briefed on. … Although there’s no legal violation, Harmon said she and the city’s residents should not be kept in the dark.” HARMON: “We’ve had a history of not knowing what’s going on until it’s after the fact. … I don’t want that to happen anymore. I don’t want to hear from residents what’s going on internally in our city. I need to hear it from upper management first.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/4lgZPh4
NEW PRAGUE: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Construction on a new police station is well underway in New Prague, but the fate of the project is now up in the air after the city failed to hold a required public hearing about its funding. … Residents have voiced concerns over transparency and the tax implications of the project, which could raise taxes by about $156 a year on a $300,000 home. … At their meeting on Monday, City Council members heard from the public and approved a measure in a 4-1 vote that allows the city to look at two ways to fund the facility: a referendum that would need voter approval, or using Economic Development Authority bonds. The Economic Development Authority is set to meet in a closed door session on Wednesday morning.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/44SqACM
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)
RETAIL: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Could Pop Mart, the designer toy brand behind the fanatically-popular Labubu dolls, be the next Asian retailer to reach the Twin Cities? A recent Facebook post from Mall of America sparked mentions of the Chinese company in the comment section and MOA jumped in with some coy replies, leaving several responses with the wide-open eyes emoji.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44DQ7hK
HOUSTON WHITE: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “If you haven’t heard the name Houston White, it’s likely you’ve encountered at least one product, building, or organization with his fingerprints on it. His ever-expanding portfolio of business ventures—united under the umbrella of Houston White Enterprises—includes everything from coffee beans and hair care products to an apartment complex, a strategic philanthropic arm, and a clothing brand sold at 600 Target locations nationwide. The common thread that ties them all together? His resolve to ignite upward mobility and prosperity in Black communities—starting with the Camdentown neighborhood of Minneapolis.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eFadwT
SATURDAY: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “A book extravaganza reminiscent of the Scholastic Book Fair is in reach for adults. Inbound BrewCo is hosting a Book Fair for Grown-Ups at the State Fairgrounds this Saturday, July 12, with a whirlwind of local authors, independent bookstores, publishers, artisans, and beer.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3TwCJab
THIS MONTH: Via news release from Minneapolis-based Ameriprise, VERBATIM: “Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (NYSE: AMP) plans to release its second quarter 2025 results at approximately 8:30 a.m. (ET) on Thursday, July 24, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eGswlk
ACQUISITION: Via news release from St. Paul-based Vomela, VERBATIM: “The Vomela Companies, a full-service provider of visual communications and specialty graphics, today announced the acquisition of PFL, a leading direct mail automation and printing company based in Livingston, Montana. This strategic move enhances Vomela's national footprint and strengthens its ability to deliver data-driven, multi-channel marketing solutions to clients across industries.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eKmVKK
HAIRCUTS: Via news release from Minneapolis-based Great Clips, VERBATIM: “Great Clips, the world’s largest salon brand, today unveiled its first-ever VIP card and gifted the inaugural card to professional quarterback, Kirk Cousins.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Gi0eAV
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
TROOPER: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota State Patrol trooper who drowned in a South Dakota lake last month has been laid to rest and honored with a state proclamation. Mollie McClure, 33, of St. Joseph, died June 29 in an off-duty accident on Waubay Lake, located in northeast South Dakota, about 25 miles from the Minnesota border.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3GDUb9L
BDAYS: Compeer’s Perry Aasness, union advocate Bernie Hesse and happy heavenly birthday to Mike Kennedy
Fluence Media curates, produces and distributes specialized media products to thought leadership audiences across the Midwest and about the region. Our publications cover, politics, public policy, health care, agriculture, business, real estate, sports and more. Visit www.fluence-media.com to learn more.
about morning take- Founded in 2010, morning take has grown to become the leading Minnesota morning newsletter on politics and news of the day. Published by Fluence Media since 2012 the mission is to "make you smarter" before breakfast.
Copyright © 2025 Lunch Take, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
Fluence Media
PO Box 270031
Golden Valley, MN 55427