Minnesota is 14th on WalletHub’s ranking of the states with the highest cost of child care. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/44l2pgl
Gen Z’s political shift is even bigger than that of the general population. MORNING CONSULT: https://fluence-media.co/4nrmd8X
In 2024, mail-in voting was down, while early in-person voting was up. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3I5uHTb
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/45QCP3M
On Sunday Take, the significance of the Pride celebration with Sen. Scott Dibble. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3I53D6s
Blois
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All Fluence Media tip sheets are now available to read and share online at our website, The Daily Agenda:
BIG BILL: Via X, Governor Tim Walz shared a letter he sent to the Minnesota Congressional delegation urging them to vote against the reconciliation (aka “Big Beautiful” bill. VERBATIM: “250,000 more Minnesotans at risk of devastating medical bills, higher energy prices, rural hospital closures, and longer ambulance wait times. None of this is worth a tax cut for billionaires. Congress needs to reject this bill.” LETTER: https://fluence-media.co/44r0Hc1
MORE: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The reconciliation bill moving through Congress might deliver property tax increases across Minnesota’s 87 counties, even as the measure’s authors tout its potential tax savings. The reason: Minnesota is one of a handful of states to administer supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits, or food stamps, through county offices. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which passed out of the House in May, promises tax cuts for small businesses and individuals while slashing benefits. Some critics of the bill also say a portion of the federal savings are due to a swap in who is paying for administering SNAP, not the amount of it.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3G7q4aK
YOGURT: Via Baking Business, VERBATIM: “Lactalis USA, the United States affiliate of French dairy company Lactalis Group, has created a newly formed division following the completed acquisition of General Mills. Inc.’s US yogurt business called Midwest Yogurt, Minneapolis. The brands from General Mills joining Midwest Yogurt include: Yoplait, Go-Gurt, Oui, Mountain High and :Ratio. The transaction also includes approximately 1,000 employees and two manufacturing facilities in Murfreesboro, Tenn., and Reed City, Mich. The North American yogurt business contributed approximately $1.5 billion to General Mills’ fiscal 2024 sales of $19.9 billion, according to the company.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ewN9QH
MORE: Via Bloomberg, VERBATIM: “Top dairymaker Lactalis says it will assess ingredients in newly-acquired yogurt brands like Yoplait and Go-Gurt as Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s ‘Make America Healthy Movement’ campaigns for changes in the US food supply, including reducing sugar and removing artificial ingredients. The company, which completed its acquisition of General Mills’s US yogurt business on Monday, will start discussions on ingredients within the next 30 days, said Lactalis US Yogurt Chief Executive Officer Bill Cassidy.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3I1DGVB
MOVE: Via Investing, VERBATIM: “Best Buy Co (NYSE:BBY). has appointed Neal Sample as its new chief digital and technology officer, Bloomberg reports. Sample joins the consumer electronics retailer after serving as executive vice president and chief information officer at Walgreens Boots Alliance (NASDAQ:WBA) Inc., where he worked for less than two years.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/46mb9ny
LAKE: Via KARE-TV, VERBATIM: “This week, countless Minnesotans will head to the lake for the 4th of July holiday to enjoy fishing, boating and other recreational activities.
Anyone who is planning to visit Fish Lake in Maple Grove should be aware of the ‘no wake’ restriction that is currently in effect due to high water levels caused by the recent rainstorms . . . More than 500 people have signed a Change.org petition to roll back these restrictions on Fish Lake. Organizers of the petition argue these restrictions, ‘cater to an exclusive small group of lakeshore owners’ preferences’ and that boaters’ rights are being unfairly restricted.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/44tIomA
MINWAGE: Via City of St. Paul, VERBATIM: “Under the City of Saint Paul's Minimum Wage Ordinance, hourly wages increase annually based on business size. Beginning July 1, 2025, the following rates will apply:
· Micro businesses (5 or fewer employees): $13.25/hour
· Small businesses (6–100 employees): $15.00/hour
· Large and Macro businesses (101+ employees): $15.97/hour (no change)
. . . The ordinance covers all employees performing work in the City of Saint Paul. Employees must perform at least two hours of work in Saint Paul in one week to be owed the minimum wage.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Tf8Gnk
DREAM ACT: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Minnesota, putting the state's college tuition policies, notably the Minnesota Dream Act, under scrutiny. The Minnesota Dream Act allows for undocumented Minnesotans to be eligible for in-state tuition rates. The move targets state offerings for in-state tuition rates and in some cases free tuition through programs like the North Star Promise to certain students regardless of their immigration status. DFL State Senator Sandra Pappas helped enact the DREAM Act back in 2013.” QUOTE: "I'm pretty sad to see this attack because I'm just so proud of these students that really care about higher education and really appreciate it, and really want to contribute," says Pappas. "So it's pretty devastating." LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3ZZzBr0
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)
PROTEST: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “A group of antiwar activists ended a hunger strike Monday morning in downtown Minneapolis with some subtle dramatics. They had been fasting since May 22, and eight of the activists laid down in front of the Federal Reserve Bank Building. They pulled white sheets over their heads and held up antiwar signs, calling their action a die-in.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4kfLoZq
MANKATO: Via Southern Minnesota News, VERBATIM: “The Mankato City Council faced continued public pushback Monday following its recent approval of new AI-powered surveillance cameras for the police department. During the public comment portion of the meeting, several residents voiced concerns about privacy and the use of artificial intelligence in policing. Although the meeting remained calm and respectful, four individuals spoke against the initiative before the council ended the comment period, citing time constraints. The forum had already exceeded its scheduled 15-minute limit.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lbLgeX
SKATE PARKS: Via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Few proposals made the cut for cash from the state’s general fund, as opposed to funding derived from bond sales, during the Legislature’s special session. The exclusive list features $3.5 million for a wastewater project in Litchfield, $750,000 to the Minnesota Transportation Museum and $325,000 for a Hubert H. Humphrey statue. What got the most general fund money of all? Eight skate park projects that, when combined together, came in at $4 million.
Considering how many competing interests jockey for limited resources each session, the Legislature’s inclusion of skate parks might raise some eyebrows.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eujgAo
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)
STORM: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “It has now been a little over a week since the destructive wind storm struck the greater Bemidji area. City, county, and state officials came together almost instantly to gather resources and assist the community in recovery efforts. After the winds, reported at speeds of 120 mph, finally died down around 2 a.m. on Saturday in Beltrami County, emergency responders didn’t have to wait long for calls to start rolling in. ‘When we talk about the initial period from the time the storm hit until the following morning, Bemidji Fire Department members responded to over 100 calls for service,’ said Bemidji fire chief Justin Sherwood, who was recently appointed Bemidji’s emergency manager. ‘They varied from power lines down to gas line breaks, fires, car accidents, and so on and so forth.’ The volume of calls became too much for the fire department to handle all at once.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4kbBXKt
DULUTH: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “West Skyline Parkway was known for both fantastic views and fatal crashes after back-to-back fatal crashes last year on the stretch of road. In response, the city decided to test drive new safety features and now want to know what the public thinks of them. ‘Skyline Parkway is the jewel of this city, there’s no doubt about it,’ said lifelong Duluthian Dale Smith. Dale says he appreciates the guardrails and the changes on the road the city has made over the course of the last year. The safety features include a switch from two-lane vehicular traffic to a one-way with the outside lane now dedicated to pedestrian traffic.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/44G0Lpn
FIREWORKS: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “In parking lots across the Twin Cities, tents selling 4th of July fireworks have sprung up faster than Spirit Halloween stores in the fall. In Maple Grove, there’s a new tent in the Kohl’s parking lot that’s vying for the attention of folks looking to celebrate America’s birthday with a few sparks and explosions. ‘Usually over the 4th of July, I always feel like it’s a happy holiday and people are celebrating and having fun,’ said Natalie Everhart of Cherry Bomb Fireworks. ‘At least I always had really good memories growing up with the 4th of July.’ Everhart and her boyfriend, Cobey Bullock, are the owners of Cherry Bomb Fireworks, which they describe as Maple Grove’s first independently owned firework tent.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3I8Ody6
THIS WEEK: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “Navy Week has officially launched in the Twin Ports, giving Northlanders the chance to meet sailors, see parachute demonstrations, and navy pilots take the skies. It’s part of a nationwide outreach effort where sailors can connect with the community through a variety of performances, educational events and service projects.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4luWTNB
SATURDAY: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s first ever Native American Food Truck Festival is arriving on Saturday, July 5, at Harriet Island Regional Park. From 11 a.m.–7 p.m., more than 20 Native-owned and co-owned food trucks—serving up both traditional Native foods and urban Indigenous fair foods—will line the park, along with nearly 30 Native resource vendors, artists, and entrepreneurs.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44sCAtc
JULY 17: Via news release from Minneapolis-based U.S. Bancorp, VERBATIM: “U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB) will release its second quarter 2025 earnings results before the market opens on Thursday July 17, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44aNqW8
ACQUISITION: Via news release from Roseville-based Hawkins, VERBATIM: “Hawkins, Inc. (Nasdaq: HWKN), a leading water treatment and specialty ingredients company, has completed the acquisition of PhillTech, LLC. PhillTech, located in Alabama, manufactures and distributes coagulants and corrosion control products for its water treatment customers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3TPZoON
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
LAST WEEKEND: Via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey made an appearance. So did Ward 6 Council Member Jamal Osman. So did Somali presidential candidate Abdi Hoosow. They joined tens of thousands who turned out Saturday for the Somali Day Festival on Lake Street, the culmination of a week of events celebrating Somali Independence Day, including an international soccer tournament, a town hall with Somali politicians, a multigenerational concert at the Ordway, and cultural events around the state.” READ/PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/44GzJ18
BDAYS: Sen. Zach Duckworth, Rep. Marion Rarick, retired lobbyist Jeff Peterson, Hennepin County’s Dan Rogan, BBY’s John Vomhof Jr.
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