Lightning struck a camera at Duluth’s Great Lakes Aquarium. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/46sih20
The threat of severe weather canceled last night’s Aquatennial Torchlight Parade. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4m4ek82
From tickets to merchandise, the Lynx’s business stats are up significantly year-over-year. NUMBERS: https://fluence-media.co/3UszalL
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4lGBWQh
Sunday Take featured Scott Jensen discussing his campaign for governor and an analysis of what Sen. Nicole Mitchell’s conviction means for Minnesota politics. PODCAST: http://fluence-media.co/46l8J8P
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:
CANNABIS: Fluence Advisory is hosting a virtual forum featuring an interview with Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management Director Eric Taubel and other industry experts on Monday, July 28th. The event is in partnership with Stinson and Sota Cann.
Other panels included:
· Municipal and Tribal Governments featuring Aarik Robertson of Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures and Kevin Morelli of the City of Anoka Moderated by Will Blauvelt of Stinson
· Cannabis Industry Update featuring Josh Wilken-Simon of Legacy Cannabis, Shaun Tetreault of Kind Bud, and Mark Matejcek of Kria Botanicals Moderated by Carol Moss of Hellmuth & Johnson
· THC Beverages Rapid Growth featuring Elizabeth Anderson Schmidt of Flying Cloud THC and Fat Pants Brewing, and Glenn McElfresh of Plift Beverages Moderated by Bruce Nustad of the Minnesota Retailers
REGISTER: https://fluence-media.co/CannabisForum
UNITEDHEALTH: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “Shares of UnitedHealth Group slipped Thursday after the health care giant said it was under a Department of Justice investigation. The company said it has started complying with both criminal and civil requests from federal investigators and it was cooperating with them . . . Earlier this year, The Wall Street Journal said federal officials had launched a civil fraud investigation into how the company records diagnoses that lead to extra payments for its Medicare Advantage, or MA, plans. Those are privately run versions of the government’s Medicare coverage program mostly for people ages 65 and over.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lImQK2
AMERIPRISE: Via Reuters, VERBATIM: “[Minneapolis-based] Asset and wealth manager Ameriprise Financial reported a 28% rise in its second-quarter profit on Thursday, as a late-quarter market rally boosted the value of its fee-generating assets to a record high. After a turbulent start to the quarter because of U.S. President Donald Trump's shifting tariffs, the markets regained poise on hopes of a softer trade policy and positive macroeconomic data . . . Ameriprise's second-quarter profit rose to $1.06 billion, or $10.73 per share, compared with $829 million, or $8.02, a year earlier.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3UtSQWo
GRACO: Via RTTNews, VERBATIM: “[Minneapolis-based] Graco Inc (GGG) announced earnings for second quarter that Decreased from last year and missed the Street estimates. The company's earnings totaled $127.6 million, or $0.76 per share. This compares with $133.0 million, or $0.77 per share, last year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/46XdVQn
MORE: Via MarketWatch, VERBATIM: “Industrial machinery company Graco said it was implementing a targeted price increase given the rise in component costs due to tariffs. While the timing of the increase differed from the company's usual practice, it was necessitated as a response to the current tariff environment, Graco said Wednesday. The increase should help mitigate the impact of the tariffs, it added.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kYtDON
EARNINGS: More Minnesota company earnings reports via Associated Press:
NVE: “NVE Corp. (NVEC) on Wednesday reported profit of $3.6 million in its fiscal first quarter. On a per-share basis, the Eden Prairie, Minnesota-based company said it had profit of 74 cents.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45h4SbQ
BRIDGEWATER: “Bridgewater Bancshares, Inc. (BWB) on Wednesday reported second-quarter earnings of $11.5 million. The St. Louis Park, Minnesota-based bank said it had earnings of 38 cents per share . . . The company posted revenue of $72.8 million in the period. Its revenue net of interest expense was $36.1 million, beating Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3TSMujd
NOG: Via Investing, VERBATIM: “[Minnetonka-based] Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. (NYSE:NOG), a $2.76 billion market cap energy company with a ‘GREAT’ financial health score according to InvestingPro, has reached an $81.7 million settlement with an unnamed North Dakota operator over disputed post-production costs previously deducted from revenues, according to a company press release.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4o6iQF0
TARGET: Via barchart, VERBATIM: “The retailer is expected to announce its second-quarter results on Wednesday, Aug. 20. Ahead of the event, analysts expect TGT to report an adjusted EPS of $2.08, down a significant 19.1% from $2.57 reported in the year-ago quarter.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kUducY
DULUTH: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “A half billion dollar housing development project in Duluth is doomed. Wednesday night, city leaders and the Duluth Economic Development Authority voted to formally terminate the contract between the city and the Incline Village developer. On July 17, the contract extension expired between the developer, Luzy Oestreicher, and the city of Duluth, and Wednesday’s meeting ratified that.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4m35HLD
LINDELL: Via Newsweek, VERBATIM: “A federal appeals court delivered a win to MyPillow founder Mike Lindell on Wednesday, ruling he does not have to pay a $5 million award to a software engineer who challenged Lindell's claims that China interfered in the 2020 U.S. presidential election. The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals found that an arbitration panel exceeded its authority in awarding the money to Robert Zeidman, a Las Vegas-based engineer who participated in Lindell's 2021 ‘Prove Mike Wrong Challenge.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/46w8Z57
MITCHELL: Via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Sen. Nicole Mitchell, DFL-Woodbury, will likely be required to spend at least four months in jail because of her first-degree felony conviction and the mandatory minimum sentence that comes with it, according to Minnesota statute . . . Minnesota’s first-degree burglary charge has a mandatory minimum sentence of six months in jail, but Seventh Judicial District Chief Judge Michael Fritz could order Mitchell to serve more jail time. The maximum sentence is 20 years for felony burglary, but Mitchell has no previous criminal record, and a lengthy sentence is highly unlikely.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lCMmAu
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)
REWARD: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Kathy Mishow and Ira Mishow have searched for their daughter for the past two decades. The Mishows are among more than a dozen families hoping a new reward program will help bring their loved ones home. At the news conference, the state’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Office announced it will reward people who come forward with information in missing persons and homicide investigations. MMIR office interim executive director Ana Negrete acknowledged that the Mishows and other families have been waiting too long for help in searching for their loved ones.” QUOTE: “They waited for this process,” said Negrete. “They wait for justice, and they waited for this fund to exist. That wait comes to an end today. Today, we take step forward to answer the call for help and support.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4o53ccQ
EAB: Via KARE-TV, VERBATIM: “The invasive insect devastating ash trees across the U.S. has been found in Itasca County for the first time. Emerald ash borer was first seen in Minnesota back in 2009. Since then, it has spread to most Minnesota Counties.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mfU4AB
BEER & COFFEE: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “One of Minneapolis' largest churches wants to build a brewery and coffee house across from its main sanctuary in the Lynnhurst neighborhood. Why it matters: While a church building a brewery is almost unheard of, Mount Olivet Lutheran senior pastor David Lose told Axios he came up with the idea as a way to curtail isolation that started during the pandemic and has lingered.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kUzOTM
BEER: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Ten years ago, Justin Walsh and Zach Ward began pouring their heart and soul into a new business venture. They founded OMNI Brewing Co. in Maple Grove. But just as the craft beer industry took off, a pandemic hit and a sea of uncertainty set in. Now, 10 years later, they have something to celebrate. OMNI will host a 10-year anniversary party on Saturday, Aug. 9.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4f6gzFx
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)
DROUGHT: The new Drought Monitor out this morning reflects data as of Tuesday and shows significant improvement even before Wednesday’s rain – 12% of the state is abnormally dry or worse, down from 26% a week earlier. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3zN8TDo
DERECHO: The Beltrami County Historical Society is asking for photos and videos to document the recent storm that impacted the region. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4mbHOkz
CANNABIS: Via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “When Gov. Tim Walz signed legislation legalizing cannabis in 2023, there was a retail target that stores across the state would open by 2025 at the latest. As MinnPost has diligently chronicled, that hasn’t happened. Asked last week which of the DFL-controlled Legislature’s myriad laws passed in 2023 is most difficult to implement, Gov. Tim Walz was quick to say legal weed. That might be changing. In the last month, the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management has granted final approval to five retailers to begin selling cannabis, the first such businesses not operated by one of the state’s 11 tribal nations.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/457vUkQ
MONDAY: Fluence Advisory is hosting a virtual forum on the state of cannabis in Minnesota, featuring an interview with Office of Cannabis Management director Eric Taubel and other industry experts. The event is at 8:00 a.m. REGISTER: https://fluence-media.co/CannabisForum
DQ: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Dilly Bars. Blizzards. Slushies. It’s Dairy Queen season in Minnesota. And in Rochester, what’s thought to be the state’s oldest location just reopened after closing in 2023. ‘It’s very special because it’s the oldest one in Minnesota. They opened it in 1946,’ said Mardoche Pierson, who may have scored the best summer job in town. At 19, he’s the operator of this iconic institution with its glowing blue, red and white Dairy Queen marquee.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4fbAHGC
EXCELSIOR: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “The world needs more Meatloaf Mondays, more relish trays, and definitely more cacio e pepe. Mirabelle, the new Excelsior restaurant from Jester Concepts, is just a few days away from opening its doors on July 28. It’s the final of three separate Jester restaurants to open in the one-time Jake O’Connor’s building on Water Street—first came Parlour Bar with its smash burgers and Old Fashioneds; then Shiki, the 30-seat noodle counter serving ramen and dumplings, and now Mirabelle is tying the whole thing together with lobster mac and cheese and loaded baked potatoes.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/46m3u8X
BROOKLYN PARK: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “There’s a big new project coming to the Brooklyn Park Police Department: an animal control facility. The $5 to $6 million facility is planned for construction at the north precinct, located at 5400 85th Ave. N.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4fau7A2
TODAY: Via news release from the City of Minneapolis, VERBATIM: “Today, Mayor Jacob Frey will join Sen. Bobby Joe Champion, Rep. Fue Lee, Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw, and local civic and community leaders for an official signing ceremony for the Community Performing Arts Center at the Upper Harbor Terminal redevelopment site in North Minneapolis. The new 8,000-seat concert venue, run by First Avenue, the Minnesota Orchestra, and the African American Community Development Corporation, will not only bring world-class performances to the Northside—it will also drive lasting economic impact. A portion of every ticket sold will be reinvested directly into the surrounding community, ensuring that the Northside benefits from the venue’s long-term success.”
NEXT MONTH: Via news release from Tennant, VERBATIM: “Tennant Company (NYSE: TNC) today announced that the company will report its second quarter 2025 financial results after the market closes on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, with a conference call to follow at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time/9 a.m. Central Time on Thursday, August 7, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3IZTcS4
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
MANTORVILLE: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “The Mantorville Opera House is haunted by at least four ghosts, and one of them is a cat. ‘Ellen is our main ghost,’ says Annie Johnson, president of the Mantorville Theatre Co.’s board of directors. ‘She’s known mostly for—what I like to call—playing pranks on us during production. The ghost cat likes to hang out up in the sound booth.’ Story goes: Somebody found a mummified feline cemented behind a basement wall, Edgar Allan Poe-style, and the rest is history.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/451VHed
PEACE: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Twin Cities business owner, comedian, playwright, and actor Joe Senkyr Minjares died on July 21 . . . Minjares was a fixture of the Twin Cities comedy scene starting in the '80s, opening for legendary comics such as Jerry Seinfeld, Jeff Foxworthy, and Andrew Dice Clay.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4f2qP1E
BDAYS: photographer Aaron Lavinsky, marketing leader Michael Kithcart, lobbyist Michael Wilhelmi, fmr. Rep. Shelly Christensen
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