A new AP/NORC poll surveys Jewish Americans, exploring distinctions between religiously-affiliated and secular jews and their views on Israel. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aJyC3D
From KMSP-TV, the National Weather Service says a half-mile wide tornado was on the ground for nearly seven miles north of Detroit Lakes Monday. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4wtojca
From BMTN, a map of its path and photos of the damage. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/44Qvz67
Scattered storms today followed by a cool-down and then the heat cranks back up this weekend. FORECAST: https://fluence-media.co/4h1ZdN2
The Forest Service reports four new wildfires in the Superior National Forest. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4f6FwkT
The Twins’ Byron Buxton is on the 10-day injured list. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aIZ0KT
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Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4vnIVSq
Sunday Take featured Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan discussing her Senate campaign, her time in state government and more. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3SBPx1V
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MIDWEEK UPDATE
NEW THIS AM: Via The New York Times, VERBATIM: “The global economy is set to slow sharply in 2026 after the war with Iran disrupted energy supply chains and triggered a fresh bout of inflation, the International Monetary Fund warned on Wednesday . . . Global output is poised to fall to 3 percent in 2026 from 3.5 percent last year, according to an update for the I.M.F.’s World Economic Outlook. That is slightly slower than the fund’s April projection of 3.1 percent growth, underscoring the protracted nature of the conflict.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RmUvza
GOOD NEWS: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “A recent report from the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District shows that the state’s mosquito populations have likely hit their annual peak, with long-term forecasts predicting a steady decline due to ongoing dry conditions.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3QWF3tt
LIST: 24 Minnesota establishments made Wine Spectator’s 2026 Restaurant Awards. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4vNOpqx
MNLEG: Via MinnPost, a deep dive into key legislative races that will shape the Minnesota Legislature. VERBATIM: “Understanding how the make-up of the Legislature might change after this fall’s elections means learning about the demographics, candidates and pet issues of legislative districts where there is a roughly even number of DFL and Republican voters.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eRmBvu
STARBUCKS: Via Workers United, VERBATIM: “Baristas at 3939 W. 50th - 50th and France voted 9-6 Tuesday to join Starbucks Workers United, adding momentum to the fastest growing union movement in the country that includes more than 12,000 baristas across 700+ stores nationwide.”
TARGET: Via Investing, VERBATIM: “Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) shares climbed 2.8% on Wednesday, fueled by bullish Wall Street commentary highlighting clean aisles, steady foot traffic, and a fresh look for the retailer’s home section. Oppenheimer analyst Rupesh Parikh urged investors to ‘take advantage of the recent pullback,’ pointing to a successful retail check across major markets—including the flagship Edina, Minnesota location.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RteQTr
HOUSING: Via news release from the Governor’s office, VERBATIM: “Governor Tim Walz today announced that Minnesota Housing is deploying a $40 million investment to 24 Family Homeless Prevention Assistance Program (FHPAP) administrators across Minnesota, allowing assistance to begin reaching approximately 11,000 households. The investment was proposed by Governor Walz following Operation Metro Surge, included in his budget recommendation, and approved by the Legislature earlier this year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ycHZmg
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)
AROUND MINNESOTA
OSSEO: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “The Osseo Area School Board took a significant bite out of its financial reserves as it heads into the next fiscal year. The board approved a general fund budget with $349 million in revenue and $367 million in expenditures. As a result, there’s an expected $18 million deficit. Officials plan to cover that budget hole with an allocation from the district’s existing fund balance.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4p5Imeg
DULUTH: Via Duluth News Tribune, VERBATIM: “Over the last week, Duluth Public Schools has sent out more than 42,000 postcards to gauge public support for a school referendum . . . The survey includes questions on whether participants would support an operational levy and, if so, how much of a tax increase they would be willing to consider. Additionally, participants are asked to give input on district priorities, spending and concerns regarding a potential referendum.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vR9sZ7
CRIME: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “Community members in Duluth are raising concerns about a rise in violent crime recently involving youth. Duluth Police Chief Mike Ceynowa confirmed Tuesday during a shared video statement online, that while the three shootings are being investigated as three separate cases, all three involve juveniles.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4ya7QeB
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)
DEVELOPING STORIES
LAWSUIT: Via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “A lawsuit filed Tuesday accuses Hennepin County of violating state law by not developing plans to reduce the quantity and toxicity of the ash produced at its garbage incinerator in downtown Minneapolis. The Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA) says the state’s largest county isn’t complying with a law requiring clear plans to manage ash produced by burning roughly 365,000 tons of trash each year at the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center (HERC).” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bqMQGH
PAID LEAVE: Axios has more context and reaction to DEED’s paid leave report first shared in Tuesday’s lunch take. VERBATIM: “DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek told reporters that his department has disproven the critics who thought the launch would be similar to the state’s bungled driver’s license and vehicle registration system rollout in 2017 . . . Yes, but: There are reports of new parents and people with health problems struggling to get approved for payments, often reapplying several times and waiting weeks for payment.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gsuf0q
ROADS: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “The roads in Minnesota are considered to be in pretty rough shape, too, according to this year’s Infrastructure Report Card by the American Society of Civil Engineers. The group gives the state’s roads a dismal D+ grade. But by another measure, the state’s roads aren’t too bad and appear to be getting better. Nearly 1 in 11 miles of U.S. roads are considered to be in poor condition, according to a report by the online financial marketplace LendingTree, which cited data from the Federal Highway Administration. But Minnesota’s roadways are much better than the national average, with just 3.6 percent of the state’s roads rated in poor condition.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4vLinLM
HABITAT RESTORATION: Flint Hills Resources has earned Tandem Global WHC Gold Certification for habitat restoration at its Cottage Grove fuel terminal. The certification comes after two years of work in partnership with Friends of the Mississippi River to implement a restoration and monitoring plan to re-establish the 6.5-acre site’s natural prairie and savannah. Flint Hills has held gold certification for its work done with community partners over the past 25 years to restore more than 200 acres of the Pine Bend Bluffs, a critical natural area along the Mississippi River that is adjacent to Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery. This makes two Flint Hills gold certified sites in Minnesota and the first two gold-certified sites ever in the Twin Cities. LEARN MORE: Environmental Stewardship (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery)
COMMERCE
PEQUOT LAKES: The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reports on plans for a 69-unit hotel near downtown Pequot Lakes. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vUG2cR
BROOKLYN CENTER: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “A new family-owned restaurant is bringing a taste of Liberia and a place for people to connect in Brooklyn Center. Carol’s African Restaurant opened its doors in May. Since then, co-owner Daniel Killen has seen an influx of traffic. He says it’s become a community gathering spot where people meet up with friends, and even meet new friends.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eVpQk4
AIRPORT: Via MAC, VERBATIM: “The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) has hired Jason Paltzer as assistant director, concessions and business development. In this role, Paltzer will lead initiatives that drive the evolution of Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport’s (MSP) expansive concessions program. He will also develop additional innovative revenue strategies to provide high-level services and offerings to passengers and other customers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vSXPRu
WHAT’S NEXT?
SATURDAY: Chicano Fest at Saint Paul College. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4gXSjbG
THIS MONTH: Via St. Louis Park-based Bridgewater, VERBATIM: “Bridgewater Bancshares, Inc. (Nasdaq: BWB), the parent company of Bridgewater Bank, today announced that it will release its second quarter 2026 financial results after the market closes on Tuesday, July 21, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wuZWLl
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
THIS MONTH: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “Two Minnesota summer traditions come together on Friday, July 24, as the Minnesota Twins host Aquatennial Night at Target Field.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4y5pNuR
BDAYS: stylist Laura Clairborne
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