Less than half of Americans are satisfied with how immigrants and Black, Jewish, Arab, and Hispanic people are treated. GALLUP: https://fluence-media.co/4mRVZeZ
RIP Joe Caroff, designer of the James Bond 007 logo. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3V7rIg8
The State Fair starts Thursday. From the Star Tribune, how to get there. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4fDLDNg From the Pioneer Press, a guide to finding free stuff there. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4lvbZCo
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/45SAbtQ
Sunday Take featured Molly Coleman discussing her election to the St. Paul City Council and Rep. Kaohly Her sharing why she’s running for St. Paul mayor. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3UBcf7Y
Sunday Take will be live at the Fair both Sunday mornings. This Sunday a bipartisan conversation with Rep. Keith Allen and Sen. Doron Clark. Join me live at 9AM at WCCO Radio at the Fair.
Blois
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Fluence Advisory hosted a cannabis forum on the “State of Cannabis in Minnesota including an interview with Executive Director of the Office of Cannabis Management Eric Taubel.
TARGET: Via Fortune, VERBATIM: “When Brian Cornell took over as Target’s CEO in 2014, the retailer was reeling from a data breach, a failed Canadian expansion, and wavering investor confidence. Over the next decade, he restored stability and positioned the brand as a steady performer. Now, as Cornell’s extended tenure nears its conclusion—he agreed to a three-year extension in 2022 that is expected to end in late 2025—the question in Minneapolis and on Wall Street is who will take the reins. The clearest heir apparent is Michael Fiddelke, Target’s chief operating officer.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45zhxG1
CAMBRIA: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The Cambria countertop company is building an $80 million quartz processing plant and rail center in Dakota County and will move some operations from Canada to the U.S. Tucked in an industrial park near corn fields and dairy farms in Randolph, the new 10-story quartz crushing plant will employ 50 to 70 permanent workers, the company said.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mlGxaU
HENN ATTY: Via news release from the Frazier campaign, VERBATIM: “Minnesota State Representative Cedrick Frazier today announced that he is running to become the next Hennepin County Attorney. Frazier announces his campaign with the endorsement of Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. He will be seeking the DFL endorsement.”
MORE: Rep. Frazier announced his campaign via YouTube, WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4mG45qI
CD2: From Matt Little via X, an endorsement from Sen. Erin Maye Quade in his run for Congress. QUOTE: “Truth is, we need a candidate who gets it. Someone who has experienced what it's like to raise a family in this economy. Someone who doesn't shy away from tough fights and who sticks up for all the people who can't afford to form a SuperPAC. For me, that candidate is Matt Little. Proud to endorse his run for Congress!” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4oY5mM7
FATEH: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Minnesota state Sen. Omar Fateh told DFL legislative leaders he would block key budget bills in 2023 unless both chambers passed his rideshare driver protection legislation, an email recently obtained by Axios shows. Why it matters: The email, which has not been previously reported, is a window into DFL-endorsed Minneapolis mayoral candidate's governing style and the tactics he used to achieve one of his key legislative accomplishments.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4177Tcr
GOLDEN VALLEY: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “As the filing period for the Nov. 4, 2025 election closed this week, seven candidates opted to run for two seats on the Golden Valley City Council.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mLAWur
SE ASIANS: Via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “More than 150 southeast Asians have been deported from Minnesota since May, according to MN8, a Southeast Asian political advocacy group. More are awaiting deportation at an Immigrations and Customs Enforcement facility in Louisiana . . . Activists gathered at the East Side Freedom Library in St. Paul Sunday to call attention to the deportations and discuss how to respond.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4owPOOW
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)
RAIN: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Flash flood warnings could continue to be issued in Minnesota on Monday morning as one final storm system brings heavy rain to the southern half of the state. The flood watch issued on Sunday remains in place through the morning, with the NWS saying new showers and storms ‘will lead to a chance for additional flooding and flash flooding,’ while also noting that the Twin Cities could be impacted during the morning commute.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3V7agZc
HOUSING: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “The series of storms in late June are among several severe weather events across the state in recent months, including tornadoes, wildfires, floods and straight line winds, that have damaged or destroyed hundreds of homes, displacing many Minnesotans. And in a state where there’s already a shortage of affordable housing, it’s becoming more difficult for those displaced from their homes to find places to stay — especially during an emergency.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41OuL0u
LEGION: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “At a time when American Legion posts are closing due to declining membership and financial difficulties, the Chester Bird American Legion in Golden Valley is making moves to secure a brighter future. The Chester Bird American Legion post is in the midst of transforming a former Red Lobster on Highway 55 in Golden Valley, its future home.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3HzvVGq
UPTOWN: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Long-anticipated plans to redevelop part of the Seven Points mall in Uptown are reigniting the debate about whether cities should require ground-floor retail in certain areas. Why it matters: Uptown has been struggling in recent years, but a plan by Bloomington-based developer Doran Companies to build 228 apartments (a portion of which must be affordable, per city zoning) in the heart of the Minneapolis neighborhood is a good sign. Yes, but: Not everyone likes the proposal the Minneapolis Planning Commission approved last month, with some arguing it's bland and suburban-looking.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mFMDTe
(DISCLOSURE: Seven Points is a Fluence Advisory client)
GROCERIES: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “The Cub Foods store that temporarily closed in Uptown earlier in the summer is set to reopen in the coming weeks. An official reopening date has not been confirmed by Cub owner United Natural Foods (UNFI), but Bring Me The News understands that work has been ongoing inside the store to prepare it for the return of customers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mfVvzj
SAINTS: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “When the Triple-A Saints announced plans for a Ferris wheel during St. Paul’s big, unsuccessful ask at this year’s legislature, you could hear the snickers. ‘People were thinking it was a county fair wheel,’ quips Saints executive vice president Tom Whaley—something operated by a guy with an eye patch who lives under the grandstand. Oh, ye of little faith.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4miFl89
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)
SHIMP: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “When the State Fair opens its gates on August 21, a stampede of foodies will head directly to the line at The Blue Barn, home of past hits like Pop Rocks French Toast, Chicken in the Waffle Cone, and the future novelty it’s about to roll out this year. And Stephanie Shimp, The Blue Barn’s owner, will be there waiting, preparing for the hordes. But this year will be profoundly different—it’s been just over four months since Shimp lost David Burley, her business partner, her former husband, her ‘person,’ as she says, to a horrific motorcycle accident last spring.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3HDS724
(DISCLOSURE: Blue Plate is a Fluence client)
FAIR FOOD: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “A few Minnesota (and Wisconsin!) restaurants are serving up Fair-inspired food and drink specials to enjoy all month long, while others are offering elevated State Fair favorites during the duration of The Great Minnesota Get-Together.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3JjBNnB
APARTMENTS: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Seniors made up more than 15% of all renters in the Twin Cities in 2023, according to a report by rental listing site Point2Homes. Why it matters: The local apartment construction boom of the past decade was driven in part by empty nesters and other older Minnesotans looking to downsize and shed upkeep duties. This partially answers the question many have: Who is living in all these new apartments?” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3HDFDHE
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)
DAYFORCE: Via Bloomberg, VERBATIM: “Thoma Bravo is in talks to acquire [Bloomington-based] human resources management software provider Dayforce Inc., according to people familiar with the matter. The buyout firm is planning to take the Minneapolis-based company private in a deal that could be announced as soon as the coming weeks, the people said, asking not to be identified as the matter is private.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oL8Am0
MORE: Via Investors Business Daily, VERBATIM: “On the stock market today, Dayforce stock popped 24% to nearly 66. As of Friday's market close, Dayforce stock had retreated 27% in 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45VEJzC
LITTLEBIG: Via The Minneapolis Egotist, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis has a new home for big ideas. LittleBig, founded by artist and creative entrepreneur Sarah Edwards, is a fully equipped creative studio and connection hub designed for founders, small business owners, marketers, artists, and brands to work, create, and connect.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3UuWIXf
CANTERBURY: The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reports on a 27-acre entertainment district being planned by Canterbury Park Holding Corp. near the horse track in Shakopee. https://fluence-media.co/3HDpjGT
SUPCT: Via NPR, VERBATIM: “NPR's Scott Simon talks with Minnesota Supreme Court Justices Anne McKeig and Sarah Hennesy, about their new amateur all-judge band, The Reasonable Doubts.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3JqDlMF
WEDNESDAY: Via SPDID, VERBATIM: “A special appreciation event will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 20, to celebrate the Saint Paul Downtown Improvement District (SPDID) ambassadors as visible stewards of the downtown area. Media are invited to this fun, public event that will feature live music from Dee Bomb, food trucks, remarks from elected officials, and a public reading of the Saint Paul City Council’s resolution honoring the ambassadors.”
AIGA: Via The Minneapolis Egotist, VERBATIM: “Serving as the Director of Membership on the AIGA Minnesota board for the past three years has been an incredible honor for Muriel Bartelme Kreske. With her term set to end in December, the organization is seeking the next passionate design leader to step into this rewarding role.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41OPMrV
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
VIEWS: From Andrew Krueger via MPR, VERBATIM: “From lakeside cliffs to river bluffs to prairies, there’s an endless list of contenders for the title Minnesota’s Best View. A recent Sunday feature in the Minnesota Star Tribune included two of my personal favorites — Palisade Head on the North Shore and the High Bridge overlook in St. Paul. The call for suggestions for other ‘best’ views sent me digging through my photo archives.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45DQv0q
BDAYS: Bloomberg’s Patricia Lopez, Hubbard’s Dan Seeman, outgoing Met Council Chair Charlie Zelle
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