Anthony Edwards is now Minnesota’s highest-paid athlete. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4yEkYJk
Lebron James won’t threaten Edwards’ MN pay lead – he signed with the 76ers this morning. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vPscYp
85 women are major party candidates for governor this year, surpassing the previous record of 69. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4yI0saU
The numbers were crunched at Rutgers:
More detailed data HERE: https://fluence-media.co/4wTonCi
Sunday Take will feature Rep. Angie Craig at 9AM on WCCO Radio.
Fluence Advisory has released its Insights memo on “The Next Legislature”. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aNNSMV
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Follow the 2026 Minnesota election’s up close with the Fluence ElectionTracker. FluenceElectionTracker.com
Sunday Take featured DFLers Matt Little, Sen. Matt Klein and Rep. Kaela Berg for the CD2 DFL primary debate. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4yssTcu
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FRIDAY FEED
SIX MONTHS: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Friday is six months since federal immigration agents fatally shot Alex Pretti on a busy corridor of local businesses in south Minneapolis. Many of those businesses on Nicollet Avenue became a refuge for protesters and reporters who needed a break from the freezing temperatures and tear gas outside. Flowers, ribbons and artwork still encircle the place where Pretti was shot on Jan. 24. It’s become one of several public-made memorials to people killed by law enforcement in the city.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4yASeRA
SENATE: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “In Minnesota’s race for its next U.S. senator, the Democratic Party’s divide over Israel has become impossible to ignore. For decades, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee — the influential lobbying group that advocates for a strong U.S.-Israel relationship — has spent millions supporting Democrats and Republicans who support their mission. But the war in Gaza and now Iran has fractured Democrats over Israel, and a candidate’s relationship with AIPAC has become almost as politically important as their position on the conflict itself.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fCrtDL
MINING: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “Cleveland Cliffs reported higher revenue compared to the previous quarter during its second-quarter earnings call Thursday, but company leaders made no mention of bringing back two idled mines on the Iron Range. CEO Lorenzo Goncalves said the quarter saw higher demand for steel from automakers, with the highest amount of automotive steel shipments in the last two years.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4x0s7SH
MORE: Via The Wall Street Journal, VERBATIM: “The company said third-quarter adjusted income before taxes would double from the second quarter. Moreover, the tariff on imported steel—a boon to domestic steelmakers like Cliffs—will remain even after President Trump leaves office, keeping domestic steel prices high and the supply tight, predicted Chief Executive Lourenco Goncalves.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bdf1ZL
RELATED: Via Canary Media, a deep dive into the state of the mining industry on the Iron Range and where it’s headed. VERBATIM: “Mesabi Metallics has a crucial role to play in the future of steel production and of the region named after its literal bedrock industry. The pelletizing plant will have the capacity to produce 7 million tons each year of concentrated iron pellets for direct reduction, a low-carbon way of turning iron ore into iron ready for steelmaking. The DR-grade pellets will advance one of Essar’s corporate mandates: to clean up an industry that accounts for about 9% of global greenhouse gas emissions.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4yIz24E
CD1: Via Austin Herald, VERBATIM: “On Thursday night, Minnesota Congressional First District hopeful Jake Johnson made one of his 21-scheduled town hall stops across the district in Austin making his pitch for this November, but more importantly for his campaign, reaching out and listening to voter concerns.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4whfQJt
CD1: Via Albert Lea Tribune, VERBATIM: “A Democratic 1st District U.S. House candidate stopped in Albert Lea Thursday as part of a 277-mile walking campaign across the district to hear from constituents and spread his goals for office. Alex Eaton, a small business owner who lives in Vasa, said he intended to meet with people in downtown Albert Lea and then go to nearby neighborhoods.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RQDTjy
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)
THE BURBS
BROOKLYN CENTER: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Brooklyn Center and Metro Transit police are teaming up in an effort to fight crime at a prominent transit hub. The Metro Transit Police Department now has two officers stationed at the Brooklyn Center Transit Center.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wnuHSX
EDINA: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “The City of Edina has announced the parking lot at Yancey Park is closed Thursday evening after shots were fired in the area the previous night. The city issued a statement to ‘concerned and frustrated’ residents following Wednesday’s night’s shooting at Yancey Park, saying that ‘any incident involving gunfire in our community is unacceptable, and we recognize that it has left many people feeling unsettled.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44LiivW
ALSO EDINA: Via KARE-TV, VERBATIM: “Officials in Edina have issued a Cyanotoxin Advisory, asking the public to refrain from contact with Lake Cornelia. According to the alert from the city, staff at Lake Cornelia observed blue-green algae scum on a July 20 visit.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4yI6cS0
STILLWATER: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has fined a Stillwater hospital for improperly disposing of infectious waste. Lakeview Memorial Hospital must pay more than $15,000 dollars after a garbage hauler rejected a load of the hospital’s waste because it appeared to contain infectious materials.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3RugjJi
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)
GREATER MINNESOTA
FIRES: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “For the first time, wildfire crews are providing the public with an inside look at their work to protect properties as wildfires near Ely continue to grow. Crews are hard at work, even miles away from the smoke and flames. They are ripping out all of the dry vegetation that is on the forest floor, hoping that it is going to help protect the structures in the area before the fires ever make it there.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wkwMPj
ICYMI… morning take had updates on the situation, including news that parts of the BWCAW will reopen Monday. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fSx0HC
BEER: Via The Bemidji Pioneer, VERBATIM: “Visit Bemidji and the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild have announced that starting Saturday, July 31, 2027, Bemidji will be the new host of the All Pints North Summer Brew Fest. To be held on the shore of Lake Bemidji, this marks the first change in venue for the festival in 14 years, previously being held in Duluth.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gQuPW0
KANDIYOHI CTY: Via West Central Tribune, VERBATIM: “Fiber internet is spreading farther in Whitefield Township through Svea. An expanded infrastructure project has been approved by the Kandiyohi County Board and will pass by 70 additional properties from the originally intended 52, for a total of 122 passings . . . In April of this year, the Kandiyohi County Board voted to approve the installation of fiber internet around Svea in partnership with Vibrant Broadband and Whitefield Township. The original project used American Rescue Plan Act funds, according to Kandiyohi County Administrator Kelsey Baker.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wXCAhz
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
ACQUISITION: Via Investing, VERBATIM: “Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE:CARR) announced today it has acquired [Bloomington-based] 75F, a building automation systems company specializing in cloud-native, wireless and AI-enabled technology, according to a press release statement. The acquisition adds 75F’s building automation platform to Carrier’s existing portfolio, which includes WebCTRL building controls, Abound predictive analytics and the Nlyte operational intelligence platform. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. 75F’s platform uses wireless sensors, cloud software and AI-enabled automation for building management. The company was founded by Deepinder Singh, who will continue as CEO of the acquired business.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RytqJs
COON RAPIDS: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Costco has completed the purchase of a former TGI Friday’s building as it moves ahead with plans to add more parking spaces and build a new, larger gas station in Coon Rapids.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fVEqJd
NEXT MONTH: Via Eden Prairie-based Tennant, VERBATIM: “Tennant Company (NYSE: TNC) today announced that the company will report its second quarter 2026 financial results after the market closes on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, with a conference call to follow at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time/ 9:00 a.m. Central Time on Thursday, August 6, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4weigbQ
NEXT MONTH: Via Brooklyn Park-based CVRx, VERBATIM: “CVRx, Inc. (NASDAQ: CVRX), a commercial-stage medical device company focused on developing, manufacturing and commercializing innovative neuromodulation solutions for patients with cardiovascular diseases, today announced that it plans to release second quarter 2026 financial and operating results after market close on Thursday, August 6, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44NTdAj
WHAT’S NEXT?
THIS WEEKEND: The Minnesota Marine Art Museum in Winona celebrates its 20th anniversary. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3T96Sj0
THIS WEEKEND: The Twin Cities Tattoo Festival begins this afternoon at RiverCenter. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4hdLFhV
THIS WEEKEND: The Loring Park Art Festival begins tomorrow at 10. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3RUX8Zc
SUNDAY: The Northside Jazz & Heritage Festival begins at 11. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4fjAzGB
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
NEXT MONTH: Via Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce (MBCC) invites the community to an evening that signals a defining moment in Black evolution. The organization is hosting a Renaissance-inspired Gala that reflects a reimagining of economic power for Black Businesses across the state.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pye4B6
BDAYS: operative Jacob Hill, sales inspiration Michael Kithcart, lobbyist Michael Wilhelmi. SAT: AZ resident Kevin Smith, Wild PxP guy Anthony LaPanta, researcher Mark Drake
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