RIP Malcolm-Jamal Warner. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lFZnt3
Cyclists participating in RAGBRAI will cross into Minnesota for the first time ever. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4eXHDXu
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3TUTNa5
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
MINING: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “The idling of two Iron Range mines has helped Cleveland Cliffs drive down excess pellet inventory and drive up revenue. That’s according to the company’s president and CEO, Lourenco Goncalves, during Cliffs’ second quarter earnings call Monday. Cleveland Cliffs idled both its Hibatc and Minorca mines this spring, amid a drop in steel demand. That resulted in about 600 Iron Rangers being laid off.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3GN0sjJ
DELUXE: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Printing checks was the identity of Deluxe for most of its 110-year history. But as the preferences of consumers and sellers have evolved toward electronic payments, the well-known check company is working toward a new future. Checks have been considered an alternative payment method for years now, but Deluxe today uses the legacy brand for revenue to fuel its growth as a 21st century fintech player. Since starting as CEO seven years ago, Barry McCarthy has systematically reshaped the company.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4m6yE8U
ICE: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “The Brainerd City Council is supporting the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office’s agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Council member Jeff Czezok presented the agenda item at the last city council meeting, where the resolution passed unanimously. Last month, the county agreed to join the agency’s 287(g) program, which allows ICE to delegate local officers the authority to perform specific functions under the agency’s direction.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3GYxgWS
CD2: Via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Democrats have an early edge when it comes to fundraising for the most competitive congressional race in Minnesota – one that is likely to become one of hottest and costliest midterm contests in the nation, as well. Former state senator and former mayor of Lakeville Matt Little, a Democrat, raised the most money in the campaign for Rep. Angie Craig’s 2nd District seat in the first six months of this year, a little more than $306,000. Craig is not running for reelection because she is making a bid for retiring U.S. Sen. Tina Smith’s seat.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4f5L2DO
34B: Via news release from the Lee campaign, VERBATIM: “Surrounded by grassroots supporters, local leaders, and DFL delegates, Xp Lee officially secured the DFL endorsement Monday night at the Senate District 34 DFL Convention to run for the Minnesota House of Representatives in the upcoming special election for District 34B—a seat left vacant by the passing of the beloved Speaker Melissa Hortman.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/46TKBdy
NEXT WEEK: Via KARE-TV, VERBATIM: “Been thinking about joining the e-Bike craze? The state of Minnesota may give you reason to jump in. The 2025 Minnesota e-Bike Rebate Lottery application period opens at 11 a.m. on July 30, and closes at 2 p.m. Aug. 7.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/450lJhK
LAWSUIT: Via news release from the Attorney General’s office, VERBATIM: “Attorney General Ellison joined a coalition of 19 other attorneys general in suing the federal administration to stop its unlawful attempt to restrict access to critical health, education, and social service programs. Earlier this month, in a chaotic reversal of agency policy, the administration issued notices prohibiting state safety net programs from serving all residents, regardless of immigration status. The change threatens access to critical services like Head Start, Title X family planning, adult education, mental health care, and Community Health Centers. Attorney General Ellison and the coalition are asking the court to halt the new federal rules and act quickly to ensure continued access to some of the nation’s most crucial social services programs.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3H2PSF8
MPLS: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Two people are dead, another injured in an early-morning shooting in south Minneapolis that investigators say was related to a domestic incident . . . Earlier, two Minneapolis officers were slightly injured at another domestic call in the 900 block of 21st Avenue south in the Seward neighborhood.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4kS2ltq
CRYSTAL: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “On July 15 at Crystal City Hall, there was a changing of the guard, as Brian Hubbard was officially sworn in as police chief of the Crystal Police Department. It’s a role that wasn’t exactly a lifelong goal. ‘In my wildest dreams, I never would have thought I would have been a cop, let alone sitting in the chief’s chair,’ said Hubbard. Hubbard has spent 20 years in law enforcement, including the last seven in Crystal, the community where he grew up. But prior to that, he spent 17 years with the YMCA as a youth worker, a summer camp director, a middle manager and an executive.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/46gZ5Ee
WINE: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Gosh, if you’re one of the foodists who reads all the posts while following all the hype-talkers, it might feel like we are having a wine bar boom. Westside Wine and Spirits in St. Louis Park is expanding its deli to include seating and a new wine bar. Small Hours, Bar Harmony, and Barcelona Wine Bar have all recently opened. Natural wine fans’ Bar Brava received a big national James Beard Award nod. All of these hot topics feed that wine-bar-boom notion. And yet, there’s also the buzz that the wine industry in general is seeing a significant decline due to people cutting back, sipping on THC, and looking for NA options. So, with all that volatility, what happens when we add in the fluctuating fun of tariffs? How is this all going to go?” READ: https://fluence-media.co/46nJOBx
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)
BEMIDJI: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “The Bemidji City Council has extended the city’s local emergency declaration following the June 21s storm for another two weeks. The extension follows in the footsteps of the Beltrami County Board, which extended the county’s declaration last week. At Monday’s meeting, Bemidji city manager Rich Spiczka said he believes there are still a lot of uncertainties regarding insurance and property damage.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4lEmmVg
BRIDGE: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis' Stone Arch Bridge fully reopened to the public Monday, months ahead of schedule. Why it matters: Strolling across the historic bridge is a peak summertime activity. Catch up fast: A $38.5 million repair project prompted a partial closure of the structure starting in April 2024.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3IFQJw2
ACQUISITION: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “Bloomington-based industrial engineering and architecture firm TKDA today announced it has acquired CNA Consulting Engineers, a Minneapolis-based firm specializing in underground and geotechnical engineering. The deal formalizes a working relationship the two Minnesota companies have had for 15 years, and allows TKDA to offer more services, CEO Jeff Lipovetz said. The sale closed on Friday.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lH1vAZ
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)
BROOKLYN PARK: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “In a former Subway restaurant at 85th and Zane, Crumbs and Coffee is adding Brazilian flair to Brooklyn Park’s breakfast scene. ‘It’s a mix between Brazilian culture and American breakfast,’ said co-owner Marcio Morias. The restaurant, which serves breakfast and lunch, offers staples like fresh-baked bread, eggs and bacon.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/418vJEu
CLOSING: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Wild Mind Ales and Wild Grind Coffee in south Minneapolis have announced their upcoming closure. The brewery and coffee house in the Windom neighborhood revealed the news Monday, saying it the permanent closure will happen ‘likely at the end of summer – maybe with a little luck we will last until the snow starts flying.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40YC0mc
MAP: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s built structures, from historic landmarks to small spots in the state’s most remote areas, are a source of great pride and importance for many of its community members, and that was a guiding motivation for the recently launched North Star Story Map. Founded as a collaboration between the American Institute of Architects (AIA) – Minnesota, Mill City Museum, and the Minnesota Historical Society, the digital storytelling project invites individuals to take part in writing ‘a people’s history of Minnesota, as told through its buildings’ by submitting stories about built spaces that hold meaning for them.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44IFNXe
BETHEL: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “Tom Brown has been named the new dean of the College of Business and Technology at Bethel University in Arden Hills. Brown’s appointment marks a step in Bethel’s academic reorganization, as the university launches a new, unified school of business. The school will bring together Bethel’s business and communications studies programs under one roof, designed to create collaboration with industry leaders.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lRrHIU
ENTRUST: Via news release from Minneapolis-based Entrust, VERBATIM: “Entrust, a global leader in providing identity-centric security solutions, announced the appointment of Tony Ball as its incoming Chief Executive Officer. Ball will replace Todd Wilkinson, who plans to retire on March 31, 2026, after 17 years leading the company.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lEoCMe
SLEEP NUMBER: Via news release from Minneapolis-based Sleep Number, VERBATIM: “Sleep Number Corporation (Nasdaq: SNBR) today announced that Bob Ryder has been appointed interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO) effective July 21, 2025. Francis Lee stepped down as current CFO and will remain with the company as an advisor to help ensure a smooth transition through August 15, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/46mJ1AX
WEDNESDAY: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “Plans for a massive housing and retail project in Duluth could officially come to an end this week. DEDA is set to vote Wednesday on whether to terminate its contract with Incline Plaza Development, the company behind the Incline Village proposal that broke ground last winter.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/40w4NhX
NEXT WEEK: Via news release from Minneapolis-based Sleep Number, VERBATIM: “Sleep Number Corporation (Nasdaq: SNBR) will release its fiscal second quarter results through June 28, 2025, before market open on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3GXCh20
NEXT WEEK: Via news release from Minneapolis-based Piper Sandler, VERBATIM: “Piper Sandler Companies (NYSE: PIPR), a leading investment bank, will release its second quarter 2025 financial results prior to the opening of the market on Friday, August 1, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4o2aM8a
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
BDAYS: Winthrop’s Tami Diehm, operative Zach Freimark
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