The Twin Cities could get 1.5 to 2 inches of rain between now and tomorrow afternoon. FORECAST: https://fluence-media.co/4kWE5Y1
The new Drought Monitor out this morning and reflecting data as of Tuesday shows two-thirds of the state abnormally dry or worse with 17% in drought. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3zN8TDo
20-somethings with college degrees are more likely to be unemployed than the country as a whole. READ: https://fluence-media.co/442rnzC
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4e2SwXR
All four legislative leaders — Speaker Lisa Demuth, Rep. Melissa Hortman, Sen. Erin Murphy and Sen. Mark Johnson — were guests on Sunday Take to discuss the latest developments in the Capitol. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3HLdCxv
Blois
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All Fluence Media tip sheets are now available to read and share online at our website, The Daily Agenda:
WALZ: Governor Walz is testifying this morning along with New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker before the House Oversight Committee in a hearing about policies regarding undocumented migrants. Via YouTube, WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4kWOxy4
MORE: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “House Oversight Committee Chair GOP Rep. James Comer has started the hearing and brought photos of victims and undocumented people who have been arrested. Comer took a swipe at Walz for referring to ICE agents as Trump’s ‘modern day Gestapo’ during a recent event and said he hopes the governor’s remarks were not ‘meant to incite violence.’ ‘It’s hard to figure out which whose side they’re on,’ Comer said of the three Democratic governors.” WALZ: “It is ridiculous to suggest that Minnesota — a state that is over 1,500 miles away from the Southern border, and a thousand miles from lawmakers in Washington, D.C. who decide and implement border policy — is somehow responsible for a failure of immigration enforcement." READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZYyyrc
MORE: Rep. Tom Emmer questioned Governor Walz, quoting past remarks by the Governor comparing ICE to the Gestapo, and saying his rhetoric has put federal agents in danger. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/403sMo9
JAILS: Via Brainerd Dispatch, VERBATIM: “Forum Communication reporters wrote that over 50 sheriffs and county attorneys gathered at the state Capitol on Thursday, June 5, to raise concerns about a lack of funding for mental health facilities in this year’s Human Services budget bill — and the need for a bonding bill. From 2013 to 2023, a law known as the ‘48-hour rule’ required Minnesota’s Department of Human Services to transfer inmates who are civilly committed to a state-operated mental health facility within 48 hours. ‘That's what the law says, but it basically never happens. I have never seen a person transfer to an appropriate facility within those 48 hours. I've never seen it happen,’ said Kyle Burton, the Mille Lacs County Sheriff. Burton has worked with the Mille Lacs County Sheriff’s Office for almost 20 years. During the June 5 meeting, Kevin Magnuson, Washington County attorney, said that in 2023, after the Minnesota Legislature passed a law to pause the state’s 48-hour rule until June of 2025, funding has been continuously promised by lawmakers to help relieve the backlog of mentally ill individuals in jails.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43Fn9il
TODAY: Via Take Action Minnesota, VERBATIM: “Today at 3:00 PM, members of Duluth Tenants will gather at City Hall to celebrate the growing momentum behind Duluth Right to Repair. Duluth Tenants will deliver to the City Clerk a list of nearly 6,000 signatures in support of Duluth Right to Repair to get it on the ballot during this November's election. Before signature delivery, there will be a speaking program with remarks from renters and community leaders. Over the past two years, members of Duluth Tenants have had thousands of conversations with renters across Duluth. The reality is, too many Duluth renters are living with common repairs left undone for months or even years.”
VOTE: Via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Minnesota public defenders narrowly voted to stick with the Teamsters following a rancorous campaign by some rank-and-file members to break away and start an independent union. The yearlong push intensified longstanding political and personal conflict within the union of more than 550 Minnesota public defenders. The divisions mirror a longstanding debate within the labor movement about its fundamental purpose, either as primarily working to improve pay, benefits and working conditions of their members, or as part of a larger project to mobilize members for social justice.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZrUw5K
TODAY: Via news release from Rep. Kelly Morrison, VERBATIM: “Today June 12 at 12:00 PM CT, U.S. Representatives Kelly Morrison (MN-03) and Chris Pappas (NH-01) will join small business owners from across the country to introduce the Small Business Liberation Act, which would exempt the more than 34 million U.S. small businesses from President Trump’s catastrophically high tariffs enacted on April 2, 2025. Rep. Morrison will be joined by Minnesota Small Business Person of the Year Beth Benike, owner of Busy Baby. Rep. Morrison visited the Busy Baby warehouse earlier this spring, when she called on the Trump Administration to provide immediate relief for small business owners from President Trump’s reckless, unnecessary, and unpredictable trade war.”
ENDORSEMENTS: Via news release from the Flanagan campaign, VERBATIM: “Today, the Chairs of the Minnesota Senate and House Inclusive Democracy Caucus, Representative Emma Greenman (63b, Minneapolis), Representative Cedrick Frazier (43a, Crystal & New Hope), and Senator Liz Boldon (25, Rochester & Parts of Olmsted County), threw their full support behind Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan’s U.S. Senate campaign.”
ENDORSEMENTS: Via news release from the Craig campaign, VERBATIM: “Today, a slate of state and local officials endorsed Angie Craig in the U.S. Senate race. Craig continues to build momentum after being endorsed by U.S. Senators Ruben Gallego and Andy Kim earlier in the week.” LIST: https://fluence-media.co/45UBDfD
ROOF DEPOT: Via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Legislature in a special session Tuesday passed a flurry of bills to complete the state’s $66 billion budget. The package included a $700 million capital improvements bill, but local funding — including a promised $5.7 million allotment for the East Phillips neighborhood nonprofit to complete its purchase of the Roof Depot building — wasn’t included. It’s the latest in a years-long struggle over a former Sears warehouse at East 28th Street and Longfellow Avenue. The city bought the property in 2016 to expand its public works campus, but residents in East Phillips wanted the building to pursue a greener future for a diverse and historically polluted neighborhood.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4l5P6pu
ST PAUL: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Leading up to this year’s November election, the St. Paul DFL will skip the tradition of endorsing a mayoral candidate, [and] it won’t be vetting candidates for the sole city council race in a special election this August. … Dieu Do stepped down as chair of the St. Paul DFL last July at the end of her two-year term. Since then, no one has stepped up to take her place, leaving the future of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party’s St. Paul chapter up in the air. Rick Varco, a political director with the labor union SEIU Healthcare Minnesota, remains the party treasurer and the only person left on the executive board. The unit ended last year with less than $3,000 in the bank.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mZpcFt
RED WING: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “After much discussion, the Red Wing School District will be able to keep its logo, mascot and name. Red Wing was named after Chief Red Wing, and the high school…uses a red feather and eagle for their logo and mascot. Language in the education bill passed by the Legislature changes a law that required all of Minnesota’s tribal nations to approve mascots, logos and names. Now, the law requires approval from only the tribal nation closest to the school, and the Prairie Island Indian Community Tribal Council supports the Red Wing School District.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4mXseKr
EAGAN: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Eagan City Administrator Dianne Miller will no longer be stepping down from her current role. … In May, Miller announced she would be leaving her city administrator position to become the deputy director and chief operating officer for the International City/County Management Association. Her last day was going to be July 18. [However], Miller announced Wednesday that she will stay in her current position instead.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45loDzx
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)
WEDDING DRESS: Via KARE-TV, VERBATIM: “With her wedding just three weeks away, Marissa Bogert is finalizing every detail. One box still on her list to check off: getting her dress . . . Bogert, a Blaine native studying medicine in Michigan, got engaged to her fiancé Josh after reconnecting post-college. She came home to Minneapolis and found the dress of her dreams last December. She had to order it immediately, and even expedited the shipment to get it before her July wedding. The bridal company says they were notified the dress arrived in Ohio end of May, and it's still in customs.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4l0RBcv
WORKFORCE: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “As cyber threats increase, companies need more protection to keep pace. Cyber crime losses exceeded $16 billion in 2024, a 33% increase over the prior year, according to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center. Minneapolis-based NetSpi specializes in proactive security by building up a company’s cyber protections and testing those systems rather than taking a reactive approach. That takes an increasing number of employees at a time when, according to the World Economic Forum, nearly 70% of security leaders say they face additional risks because of cybersecurity skills shortages, and more than half struggle to recruit and retain new talent.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dWYsRT
J&E: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “J&E Cos., a precision metal manufacturing company with headquarters in Plymouth, is closing its plant there and in two other metro suburbs citing ‘financial difficulties.’ In addition to Plymouth, the company will close plants in Shakopee and in Lakeville. The closures will result in laying off 145 workers, according to notices filed with the state required by the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN).” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43JGY8o
ARCTIC CAT: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “Shortly after former Arctic Cat vice president Brad Darling and an outside investment group purchased the venerable snowmobile maker in late April for an undisclosed sum, they announced plans for a 2026 lineup of vehicles, including the new Catalyst EXT Special model featuring retro styling from the original 1971 EXT Special. In May, Darling says that to build the new models, he plans to reengage the majority of the workforce of just under 500 employees in Thief River Falls and St. Cloud.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kFDjhO
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)
BEMIDJI: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “The Bemidji City Council approved a resolution at a special council meeting on Monday to apply for a Greater Minnesota Housing Infrastructure Grant that could bring 39 mixed-income units to Bemidji.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3ZtddpK
HWY 252: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Some crucial decisions are on the horizon regarding the future of Highway 252 in Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park. At issue is whether to turn it into a freeway or keep things as they are.” QUOTE: “Safety is the primary driver,” said Amber Blanchard, a major project manager at the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). “There’s up to 400 crashes a year just along 252 alone, and we average one fatality a year, which obviously is far too much. So that is the primary reason we’re out there.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4kAs369
MEDIA: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “A beloved radio station recently returned to the airwaves in Ely after months of being silent. After the Bois Forte Tribe cut ties with the station several years ago, civic media purchased WELY. However, they faced hurdles with the FCC and infrastructure, including with the station’s tower.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dZFudB
TODAY: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “The barricades will come down overnight, and on Thursday, June 12, Southdale Center’s gleaming new luxury wing will open to the public. But most of the shopping is still a ways off—though fully leased to eight designer brands, David Yurman is the only store that will be open this week.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43WuCbP
TODAY: The Uptown Farmers Market opens for the season. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/43GLp3N
JUNETEENTH: Via Sahan Journal, Juneteenth celebrations around the Twin Cities. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3TmOWOs
JUNE 25: Via news release from St. Paul-based H.B. Fuller, VERBATIM: “H.B. Fuller Company (NYSE: FUL) announced plans to report its financial results for the three-month fiscal period ended May 31, 2025, in a press release issued after the market close on June 25, 2025. The Company will hold an investor conference call on June 26, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. CT (10:30 a.m. ET) to discuss its financial results.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3G0JXQq
SHARPLINK: Via news release from Minneapolis-based SharpLink, VERBATIM: “SharpLink Gaming, Inc. (Nasdaq: SBET) today announced the closing of a $425,000,000 private placement (funded in a combination of fiat and ETH) led by Consensys Software Inc. and other investors to help SharpLink implement the largest Ethereum treasury strategy in the public markets. Joseph Lubin, Founder and CEO of Consensys and Co-Founder of Ethereum, became Chairman of the board of directors of the Company upon the closing of the transaction.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Zte0He
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
CROP ART: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Can’t wait until the Minnesota State Fair to get your crop art fix? Head over to the Diane E. Murphy U.S. Courthouse to check out the Seeds of Justice crop art exhibit. On display until July 31, the collection showcases each artist’s interpretation of justice using seeds as their medium.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jJDCXp
BDAYS: Fluence managing editor Mike Maybay, meteorologist Paul Douglas, GOP operative Nick Majerus, Housing First’s James Vagle
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