ANOTHER HOT ONE…
We’re expected to be back up in the low 90s later today.
How hot has it been? In Apple Valley, a garbage truck’s haul got a bit overheated and had to be dumped onto the street to cool off. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4h3VMpg
Thankfully, it looks like we start to cool down a bit tomorrow.
Americans’ opinions of AI appear to be cooling a bit as well – only 9% say it does more good than harm. GALLUP: https://fluence-media.co/4h4CxMj
Blois
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Sunday Take featured Rep. Angie Craig discussing her Senate campaign, the Iran war, the state of agriculture and more. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4wZg8od
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MIDWEEK CHECK-IN
POPULATION SHIFT: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Minnesota has lost more than 71,000 people ages 45-64 since 2020 — a 5% decline in a group central to the state’s workforce and tax base. Why it matters: Like much of the U.S., Minnesota is losing experienced workers and caregivers just as its aging population needs more of both. It also means a drain of institutional knowledge, leadership experience and mentorship capacity for younger colleagues.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bjRWEZ
ELECTIONS: Via Groundwork Legal, VERBATIM: “Groundwork Legal, one of Minnesota’s leading pro-democracy legal organizations, together with Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, filed an amicus brief today on behalf of the League of Women Voters of Minnesota urging the Minnesota Supreme Court to reject an effort to undermine how counties administer elections. The case arises from the City of Oak Grove’s effort to abandon electronic voter rosters and revert to paper rosters during the check-in process. Although the dispute centers on a single city, Groundwork Legal’s entry into the case signals what’s at stake: the outcome of this case could impact every county in the state.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hIT1tE BRIEF: https://fluence-media.co/4pOn4m3
SCHOOLS + POLITICS: Via Detroit Lakes Tribune, VERBATIM: “By a 4-2 vote, the Detroit Lakes School Board approved a motion during its Monday, July 27 meeting directing Superintendent Mark Jenson to remove all materials not funded, sponsored or authorized by the district from its facilities. The motion, introduced by school board member Sanford Nelson, came as a surprise to some board members, and sparked a contentious debate regarding neutrality and student support. In making the motion, Nelson specifically referenced items such as ‘rainbow stickers, flags and buttons,’ commonly identified with LGBTQ+ themes — but others pointed out that it was also applicable to items promoting one side or the other of hot topic issues like guns and gun control, abortion and pro-life groups, etc.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pM7gjp
PENTAIR: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Pentair is joining the Minnesota public companies making acquisitions to participate in the rapid build-out of data centers. In a step toward that goal, the water products and solutions business said Tuesday it plans to acquire Rhode Island-based Taco Group Holdings for $1.4 billion in a deal it expects to close by the end of the year. Taco Group makes pumps, valves, advanced controls and other products used in industrial applications, including a number of liquid cooling products for data centers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pI5Czj
EARNINGS: Via Associated Press, from Minnesota-based companies:
TWO HARBORS: “Two Harbors Investments Corp. (TWO) on Tuesday reported net income of $62.2 million in its second quarter. On a per-share basis, the St. Louis Park, Minnesota-based company said it had net income of 46 cents . . . The real estate investment trust that invests in mortgage-backed securities posted revenue of $83.5 million in the period.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RnSm6u
TILE SHOP: “Tile Shop Holdings Inc. (TTSH) on Tuesday reported a loss of $1 million in its second quarter. The Plymouth, Minnesota-based company said it had a loss of 3 cents per share. The stone tile retailer posted revenue of $83.2 million in the period.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4hDB7bK
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)
NEWS AROUND THE STATE
VIRGINIA: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “The Virginia City Council has approved hiring a forensic auditor to investigate how money from a one-percent sales tax ended up in the city’s general fund instead of paying off bonding for an event center. The council approved spending $80,000 to hire Perry Forensic for the investigation.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/44UPTU8
ROBOTS: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “A Maple Grove fulfillment center has officially welcomed a new fleet of helpers to its warehouse floor—but they’re not the traditional worker. Archway, a major supply chain company that handles logistics, signage and gift cards for clients across North America, has deployed 45 automated robots driven by ‘physical AI’ to handle the heavy lifting of order fulfillment.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44QWlvp
ST PAUL: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “With the St. Paul mayor’s office poised to begin clearing the city’s largest homeless encampments on Aug. 5, Ramsey County officials voted Tuesday to accept more than $1 million from the city to begin contracting additional emergency shelter beds. … Commissioners voted to accept $1.08 million from the city of St. Paul to back a joint powers agreement around emergency shelter services — a ‘coordinated partnership’ that runs through Dec. 31, 2028. To fund the transfer, the city tapped into its Local Affordable Housing Aid, housing dollars derived from a metro-wide sales tax that took effect in October 2023.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vRvGJJ
UMN: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Ahead of the upcoming school year, the University of Minnesota has announced the closure of its only St. Paul residence and dining hall. … The university confirmed its closure earlier this week despite many incoming students having already received their dorm assignments, or having selected Bailey Hall as their first choice for housing based on its proximity to St. Paul classes. Students will now be placed in other residence halls based on their housing preferences.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4w05gFZ
GRANT: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “Red Lake Nation announced on Monday that it was the recipient of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ No Child Left Inside grant, which focuses on providing additional youth outdoor education programming. The grant will help continue classes for hunter’s education, wildlife knowledge, fishing, boating, and other various outdoor engagement opportunities.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4x9WiHc
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)
INFRASTRUCTURE
HOUSING: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis is unveiling a new affordable multiplex to help tackle the city’s housing shortage. The Minneapolis Public housing Authority and city leaders celebrated the grand opening of a new multiplex in the Windom neighborhood on Monday. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey says the project successfully converted underutilized space into a modern, multi-family home ahead of schedule.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4w0lXRn
SILVER BAY: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “Aspirus Health held a public hearing to explain its decision to close its Lake View Silver Bay clinic and consolidate services to its Lake View Two Harbors location, leaving rural Lake County residents to travel longer distances for medical care. Health officials said the closure was due to insufficient staffing and unsustainable patient numbers.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4fEjvdr
HIGHWAY 14: Via Mankato Free Press, VERBATIM: “With $50 million or more expected to be spent on pavement replacement, bridge repairs and interchange improvements along Highway 14 in Mankato-North Mankato in the next eight years, planners are undertaking a comprehensive study of the corridor to figure what changes should be incorporated in the upcoming construction.” QUOTE: “What should our priorities be for Highway 14?” asked Chris Talamantez, summarizing the goals of the Highway 14 Corridor Study and for next week’s initial public open house. “... We’re just seeking feedback from the public on what works well and what doesn’t.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4xaPgBX
GOLDEN VALLEY: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “The Animal Humane Society in Golden Valley is moving forward with plans to build a new pet clinic, a significant expansion of its existing campus, city officials announced. Plans call for a new two-story, 13,000-square-foot pet clinic at its Golden Valley location at 845 Meadow Ln. N. The Golden Valley City Council approved a planned unit development amendment at its July 7 meeting, allowing the project to proceed.” READ/RENDERINGS: https://fluence-media.co/4x3PoTG
COMMUNITY CELEBRATIONS: Flint Hills Resources is celebrating summer with thousands of Minnesotans at local festivals and parades. Look for Flint Hills employees – along with their families and friends – as they show their hometown pride at many local celebrations, including Rosemount Leprechaun Days, Hastings Rivertown Days, Inver Grove Heights Days and Saint Paul’s Lowertown Sounds. For decades, Flint Hills Resources has supported programs, organizations and events that improve our quality of life in our communities. LEARN MORE: Community Partnerships (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery)
COMMERCE
RESORTS: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Two of Minnesota’s lakefront resorts and one boutique hotel on the Mississippi River are under new management. The Harbors in Two Harbors, Appeldoorn’s Sunset Bay Resort on Mille Lacs Lake, and The Confluence Hotel in Hastings are the newest additions to the portfolio of Leisure Hotels & Resorts, which now manages 13 properties in Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4x7U62G
MTM HOUSE: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Mary Tyler Moore never stayed in the Victorian at 2104 Kenwood Parkway shown in The Mary Tyler Moore Show—but you can. Late last year, the home’s owners opened their beloved house, known as the Moore House, as an event space and vacation rental, managed by Jessica Barrett and Kastina Morrison of Bigger Picture Solutions.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wtIW8H
CLOSING: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Grande Depot, the distinctive gourmet food and homeware store off Interstate 94 near St. Cloud, is closing its doors. The business made the announcement on its social media pages Tuesday, confirming it will shutter permanently on Friday, July 31.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44V5Sla
NEXT WEEK: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Main Event, an entertainment and dining destination owned by Dave & Buster’s, will debut in Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pOddN5
WHAT’S NEXT?
TODAY: Via mn50501.org, VERBATIM: “On Wednesday, July 29th at 2:30pm, members of PACAT will join St. Paul encampment residents, encampment outreach workers, shelter workers, public health experts, and community leaders to hold a “Stop The Sweeps” call to action press conference in opposition of Mayor Kaohly Her’s plan displace and further destabilize 400+ unhoused encampment residents and the broader community, beginning on August 5th, 2026. Speakers at this press conference will also extend their solidarity to communities in Madison, Wisconsin organizing for justice after the police murder of Corey Ruiz, an unhoused Black man.”
THIS WEEKEND: Via St. Cloud Live, VERBATIM: “The U.S. Air Force’s F-22 Raptor Demo Team flew into St. Cloud on Monday, July 27, in preparation for the two-day North Star Air Show that will have at least 16 current and vintage planes roaring over St. Cloud Sky Central Airport on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 1-2.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Tv05jE
THIS FALL: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “This year’s annual viewing of ‘Christmas Vacation’ can get a little bonus Griswold. Chevy Chase will bring the beloved holiday film to Duluth and Mankato, appearing for a conversation following a screening of the National Lampoon classic.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vX8ZUD
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: “What is Love? is a question (and an exhibition on view at the Walker Art Center until Aug. 23) with many entry points (three to be exact). Walking into the gallery, curator Taylor Jasper meditates on this conscious subversion of chronological journey. It is ‘purposefully a retrospective in reverse,’ she says, and later, discussing how Suzanne Jackson’s abstract paintings leap bravely from the walls and into the open air, she affirms: ‘Chronology is maybe the least interesting thing about her work.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fYtECW
BDAYS: MSPBJ’s Dirk DeYoung, fmr. Rep. Andy Dawkins, public affairs veteran Patrick Sexton and belated to MN Bankers’ super walker Therese Kuvaas
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