The heat is on!
Today’s the filing deadline for school board elections – with education outside of the top 3 in spending in some polls and rising property taxes – school board elections this fall could be spicy.
From a new National Association for Business Economics survey: “Firms report stronger investment intentions, improved profitability expectations, and diminishing recession concerns,” said NABE President Gregory Daco, chief economist, EY-Parthenon, Ernst & Young LLP. “Yet elevated costs continue to pressure margins and encourage greater price pass-through. The result is a business sector that is becoming more optimistic about the outlook while remaining disciplined in its spending and hiring decisions.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/45xCWjb
A Facebook page about the Apostle Islands posted photos of collapsed sea caves. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4wtZBJj
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4pKbDM4
From Gallup, approval of the Supreme Court is at 33% – a record low. Here’s the trend by party affiliation:
Republican approval was a near-record high of 79% in September – it’s 58% now. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4wroXHA
Blois
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Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4pKbDM4
Sunday Take featured Rep. Angie Craig discussing her Senate campaign, the Iran war, the state of agriculture and more. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4wZg8od
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BUSINESS HEADLINES
NEW CEO: Via Hormel, VERBATIM: “Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL), a Fortune 500 global branded food company, today announced its board of directors has appointed John Ghingo president and chief executive officer, effective Oct. 26, 2026. Ghingo, who has served as president and a member of the Hormel Foods Board of Directors since July 2025, will succeed Jeff Ettinger, interim chief executive officer, and will continue serving on the board.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44Sd01K
MORE: Via Food Dive, VERBATIM: “Ghingo is no stranger to Hormel, serving as president of Applegate, the company’s organic and natural meat brand, for four years before briefly leaving in 2022. Ghingo rejoined Hormel two years later as executive vice president of the retail business unit before being named president of the company last year. During his time as president, he led the company’s supply chain, oversaw its business units and guided its efforts to foster growth and better serve consumers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44OQwyz
ECOLAB: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “Ecolab Inc. (ECL) on Tuesday reported second-quarter earnings of $534.9 million. On a per-share basis, the Saint Paul, Minnesota-based company said it had profit of $1.90 . . . The results surpassed Wall Street expectations . . . The cleaning, food-safety and pest-control services company posted revenue of $4.42 billion in the period, which also beat Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bcIjrE
MORE: Via Market Screener, VERBATIM: “Ecolab raised its earnings outlook after increasing prices to offset higher commodity costs. The water treatment company said Tuesday it now expects adjusted earnings per share will be $8.05 to $8.25 for the full year, up from a prior range of $8.03 to $8.23.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hBgRYn
POLARIS: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “Polaris Inc. (PII) on Tuesday reported second-quarter net income of $106.4 million. The Medina, Minnesota-based company said it had profit of $1.82 per share . . . The results beat Wall Street expectations . . . The snowmobile and ATV maker posted revenue of $2.02 billion in the period, which also topped Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4x8mp16
MORE: Via Seeking Alpha, VERBATIM: “The company reported revenue rose 9.2% during the quarter to $2.0B, with organic growth of 17% when excluding the impact of the Indian Motorcycle separation. Key growth engines were Off-Road Vehicles, Commercial, Marine and Parts, Garments & Accessories (PGA), all of which delivered double-digit sales increases.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hBv4V6
AG: Via news release from the Schutz campaign, VERBATIM: “The Ron Schutz for Attorney General campaign today announced the endorsement of the Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis, whose members serve on the front lines protecting Minnesota’s largest city. In announcing its endorsement, the Federation cited Schutz’s integrity, legal experience, commitment to public safety, and determination to hold criminals accountable—including those who steal taxpayer dollars through public fraud.”
SENATE RACE: Via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “[Lt. Governor Peggy] Flanagan has repeated the same response virtually verbatim when asked about her failure to intervene earlier in the fraud crisis that has unfolded over her second term as lieutenant governor. ‘The governor has said that the buck stops with him and he took the lead here,’ Flanagan said in an interview with the Reformer. The answer reveals a fact that’s not particularly flattering: The lieutenant governor wasn’t responsible for much of anything for the past eight years beyond being available for public appearances and taking the helm during the governor’s colonoscopy.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fM76nU
ICYMI… morning take has highlights from Monday’s Craig-Flanagan debate as well as in-depth analysis of the state of the race and what to read from the fractured Walz-Flanagan relationship. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vYt6Su
TOMORROW: Via LTS, VERBATIM: “LTS Therapy Systems, the North American pharmaceutical products division of Germany-based LTS Lohmann Therapie-Systeme AG, will host a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday, July 29, to celebrate a $30 million expansion of its West St. Paul campus. The investment will significantly expand the company’s research and development, pilot manufacturing and production capabilities and is expected to create approximately 50 high-quality jobs.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fph7IB
DULUTH: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “On Monday night, Duluth City Council determined in a vote of 7-2 that two petitions, which would leave the decision of the Lester Park Golf Course up to a public vote, were preempted by state law and should not be put on the ballot. But the discussion leading up to this vote sparked tension among both the public and councilors.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4fEWpDg
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)
INFRASTRUCTURE
BDE MAKA SKA: Via Insight News, VERBATIM: “The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board (MPRB) has announced a significant shift in the long-range vision for Bde Maka Ska, effectively abandoning plans to relocate the Sailing Center and boat launch to the lake’s northwest shore. According to the MPRB, this strategic pivot follows a 2025 study which determined that construction at the potential northwest site was cost-prohibitive, citing poor soil quality and the expense of realigning the parkway.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hyxgwD
HIGHWAY 280: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “State transportation officials are proposing to permanently close a left turn lane on Highway 280 in 2028. The Minnesota Department of Transportation says it could reduce the likelihood of serious or fatal high-speed crashes on the highway and improve mobility with the closure of the left turn lane from northbound Highway 280 to westbound Broadway Street Northeast.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bcYYv5
NEXT WEEK: MnDOT will host a public meeting on the proposal next Thursday. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4w4uenK
I-694: Via KARE-TV, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Transportation wants to know what you think of I-694. MnDOT is working on a long-range study planning effort to improve travel between Brooklyn Boulevard in Brooklyn Center and Lexington Avenue in Arden Hills. Whatever is decided from this study will guide transportation investments for the next 20 years.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fyYvVf
ST CLOUD: Via Proactive, VERBATIM: “374Water Inc (NASDAQ:SCWO, FRA:8LL) announced that it has completed Phase 2 of its mobile AirSCWO deployment in St. Cloud, Minnesota, and has begun the third phase of the project as the state continues evaluating the company’s technology for the destruction of PFAS-contaminated waste. The deployment is being carried out under a $600,000 waste destruction services contract with the City of St. Cloud, in partnership with Barr Engineering, at the city’s Nutrient, Energy, and Water Recovery Facility. The pilot is part of Minnesota’s assessment of AirSCWO technology for destroying PFAS-containing waste streams, with support from the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources and the state’s Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bhUyTP
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)
ST PAUL
ENCAMPMENTS: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her has announced a plan to close three homeless encampments in the city, starting with the largest, in Pig’s Eye Park, on Aug. 5. Why it matters: The mayor’s ambitious and controversial plan signals a big shift in St. Paul officials’ approach to a growing problem with unsheltered homelessness. Previously, despite laws against unsanctioned camping, city officials have tolerated encampments up to a point.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wyzyRm
CHAVEZ STREET: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Tuesday is the last opportunity for the public to offer feedback on renaming César Chavez Street in St. Paul. The final community listening session is Tuesday evening at The Wellstone Center. The online survey also closes at the end of the day. Governments nationwide began renaming places and holidays dedicated to César Chavez after a New York Times investigation published in March revealed allegations he had sexually assaulted women and girls for years.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3RlH7vk
COMMUNITY CELEBRATIONS: Flint Hills Resources is celebrating summer with thousands of Minnesotans at local festivals and parades. Look for Flint Hills employees – along with their families and friends – as they show their hometown pride at many local celebrations, including Rosemount Leprechaun Days, Hastings Rivertown Days, Inver Grove Heights Days and Saint Paul’s Lowertown Sounds. For decades, Flint Hills Resources has supported programs, organizations and events that improve our quality of life in our communities. LEARN MORE: Community Partnerships (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery)
COMMERCE
SAINTS MERCH: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Senior retail director Betsy Faber is rethinking what sports merch can look like at the St. Paul Saints Team Store inside CHS Field. Sure, there is a lineup of performance tees and caps, but Faber’s approach is decidedly more lifestyle than locker room.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wC6rfN
LAKE MINNETONKA: The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reports Willow Properties now owns Smith’s Bay Marina. Your Boat Club was the seller and will continue to operate there as a renter. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fz0etH
MAPLE GROVE: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “River Valley Church, a Twin Cities-based Christian megachurch with multiple locations, has plans to acquire the WhirlyBall entertainment venue in Maple Grove to use for worship service, city planning documents revealed.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pH5ArH
RESIGNATION: Via Plymouth-based NatureWorks, VERBATIM: “NatureWorks, a global leader in polylactic acid (PLA) and biobased materials, today announced that President and CEO Erik Ripple has resigned from the company, effective July 30, to pursue other interests.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3TpLbey
WHAT’S NEXT?
THURSDAY: Senator Ann Rest will throw out the first pitch at the Twins game against the Royals.
NEXT WEEK: National Night Out is Tuesday. Via Minnesota Monthly, EVENTS: https://fluence-media.co/4fzlEqz
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
NOVEMBER: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “The band of brothers behind the late ’90s hit ‘MMMBop’ are returning to the Twin Cities right after Thanksgiving. Pop-rock trio Hanson announced Monday that they’ve booked a concert on Saturday, Nov. 28 at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel in Prior Lake.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4c0Y4C3
BDAYS: WCCO Radio’s Jordana Greene, Blue Earth Commissioner Kevin Paap and a belated to MBP’s Jeremiah Winstedt yesterday
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