Minnesota students have won more main events at National Speech & Debate tournaments than those from any other state. Now they’re back to compete again. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4419FfO
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4e5mhXK
Sunday Take was dedicated to the legacy of House DFL Leader Melissa Hortman following her tragic death. Rep. Jeff Witte and former Rep. John Lesch discussed her life, her career, and how her killing could change Minnesota politics forever. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4kL12x4
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:
LAST NIGHT: From mnsenatephotos via Instagram, VERBATIM: “A large crowd gathers at the Capitol for a candlelight vigil honoring the lives of Melissa and Mark Hortman.” PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/4eaYeXD
WISCONSIN: Via Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, VERBATIM: “Wisconsin lawmakers were greeted with increased security measures for their first floor sessions in the Wisconsin State Capitol since two Minnesota lawmakers were gunned down by a man who also targeted Badger State officials. Ahead of the June 18 floor session, state Senate staff implemented security measures, including checking bags and using handheld metal detectors, on members of the public seeking to watch the floor session from the Senate gallery above the chamber.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45wGRhA
CD3: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Third District Congresswoman Kelly Morrison is sharing some unsettling details on how she was impacted during last weekend's violent rampage by the suspect in the case, Vance Boelter. Morrison told CNN that officers arrived at her home around 6:00 a.m. Saturday morning.” QUOTE: "They weren't able to be specific then, but just said someone's impersonating a police officer," Morrison explained. "There's some kind of scary things happening. Please do not answer the door to anyone. And it was an hour or two later that I learned the devastating news about Melissa and Mark and I have pretty much been holed up in my home since then with an officer in my driveway." LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/45ZJBnS
SMITH: Via The New York Times, VERBATIM: “In an interview, [Sen. Tina Smith] attributed what she said was a political environment awash in violent threats and actions to a toxic atmosphere created by President Trump.” QUOTE: “The uptick in political violence and people being willing to use violence as a means to achieve their political ends,” she said. “I believe that it is fueled by the president’s willingness to use violent rhetoric and to cheer on the people that are doing violence on his behalf.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3TxvONQ
TARIFFS: Via KTTC-TV, VERBATIM: “A longtime family-owned children’s shoe store in Rochester is preparing to close its doors. Schmitt’s Stride Rite has operated in the Med City for more than 40 years. Owner Terri Pickett reports that a closing date will be set in the coming weeks . . . She cited the increase in product cost as a main reason for the decision.” PICKETT: “The tariffs just really started to impact because all children’s shoes are made overseas...and I also have a budget of what I can pay for, and I couldn’t do it.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/409cRVs
GROCERIES: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “Empty shelves at grocery stores across the Twin Cities have triggered pandemic flashbacks over the past week, but this time a cyberattack is to blame. United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI), a major wholesale distributor based in Rhode Island, last Monday reported there’d been ‘unauthorized activity’ on some of its IT systems. Noticing this June 5, it ‘promptly activated its incident response plan,’ according to a company filing. This involved taking its food-delivery platform offline, and that meant retailers couldn’t place orders. Shoppers have noticed, with some on social media posting images of spotty shelves.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lfhUvQ
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)
WORKFORCE BOARD: Via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Few who served on the Governor’s Workforce Development Board with Vance Boelter have much memory of the man accused of assassinating Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband and shooting Sen. John Hoffman and his wife . . . MinnPost spoke to eight current or former members of the Governor’s Workforce Development Board to get their accounts of the board’s work and how members are chosen, its relationship with the governor or any politicians, and how Boelter fit into the picture . . . Looking back at available meeting minutes from Boelter’s two terms, his name only came up in a smattering of motions to approve prior meeting minutes.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/406ijII
CHARGES: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Vance Boelter, who is accused of fatally shooting Rep. Melissa Hortman (DFL-Brooklyn Park) and her husband Mark in their home, is behind bars in federal custody. Now, as the investigations in to his actions continue, he faces charges in both state and federal court . . . Mike Bryant, an trial lawyer with Bradshaw & Bryant in Golden Valley, said more charges could potentially be added to the case as investigations progress. However, it’s unclear if there’s an appetite to bring terrorism charges in this specific case.” BRYANT: “Whether or not there’s political involvement here in a decision being made, you know, are they acting under some sort of political belief, so that’s what raises it to the level of a terrorist attack — if you’re using it for political attack.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4jZyEpN
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 and reflecting data as of Tuesday shows improvement – 10% of the state is now in drought, down from 17% a week earlier. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3zN8TDo
MEDIA: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “WCCO anchor and reporter Pauleen Le has announced she will leave the station at the end of this week. Le confirmed the ‘bittersweet’ news that Friday will be her last day on air for the Twin Cities CBS affiliate.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/444GtVc
AI: Via news release from Eden Prairie-based C.H. Robinson, VERBATIM: “With the national classifications for less-than-truckload freight changing in July, global logistics provider C.H. Robinson has created a new AI agent that automates the process of determining how freight should be classified. C.H. Robinson moves more LTL freight than any other 3PL in North America, and this proprietary tech will help shippers smoothly transition to the new national system. It also represents a new frontier for the company’s innovation with generative artificial intelligence.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Twyaws
RETAIL: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Angie Lee, a former branding and marketing executive and frequent global traveler, is captivated by Asian culture and wanted to bring trends emerging from Asia and infiltrating the zeitgeist—predominantly on the coasts—to Minneapolis. Her shop, Moona Moono, now open in Uptown, is a café–meets–general store celebrating a ‘well-designed life’ through Asian- and Asian American–inspired design, trends, and flavors.” READ/PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/4kIiwtS
SATURDAY: Via Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, VERBATIM: “This year’s Juneteenth celebration at the Minnesota State Capitol will feature more than music and food — it will be a launchpad for economic empowerment, wellness, and civic engagement.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/448E2Rk
ENERGY: Via news release from Xcel, VERBATIM: “With summer heat on its way, including a stretch of hot days through this weekend, Xcel Energy is committed to helping customers save energy and money while staying cool. The company keeps costs low for customers through its diverse mix of energy sources, including renewables like solar, wind and hydroelectric that minimize the impact of spikes in fuel costs and take advantage of tax credits that the company passes on as savings to customers. Since 2017, Xcel Energy’s wind generation has reduced costs by nearly $2.5 billion for its Upper Midwest customers through avoided fuel costs and production tax credits. In 2024, the average electric bill for residential customers in Minnesota was 31% below the national average.” TIPS: https://fluence-media.co/4kOvVkf
SLEEP: Via The Minneapolis Egotist, VERBATIM: “For Natrol’s newest brand evolution, they needed a new creative campaign that would stand out in the sleep aid sea of sameness, with category conventions like soft music and heads in beds that lull consumers to unconsciousness. Rest assured, Betty came up with a solution to make sleep every bit as cool and aspirational as diet and exercise, and in so doing, make Natrol synonymous with the great performances that come from great sleep. Who better to launch the campaign than the reigning MVP quarterback?” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4kUgQxI
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
WALKER: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “The Walker announced its 2025-2026 performing arts season yesterday, and the exciting lineup ‘fearlessly confronts the urgent issues defining our world, brought to life through captivating movement, light, sound, projection, text, and indelible stage images,’ according to a press release.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40d9b4W
BDAYS: Kwik Trip’s Dave Ring
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