Are we becoming antisocial? 3 in 4 U.S. adults say they “often” or “sometimes” choose to stay home even when invited out. POLL: https://fluence-media.co/4oDhRwm
The potential severity of storms we may face in the coming days is described as “significant.” FORECAST: https://fluence-media.co/45o1nzc
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4560Y5N
Sunday Take included an interview with OCM Interim Director Eric Taubel on the State of Cannabis in Minnesota and a discussion about the need for quality candidates in the 2026 elections. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3U9jDaz
Blois
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Fluence Advisory hosted a cannabis forum on the “State of Cannabis in Minnesota including an interview with Executive Director of the Office of Cannabis Management Eric Taubel.
INTEREST RATES: Via Investing, VERBATIM: “Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis President Neel Kashkari said Wednesday that the U.S. labor market is cooling and the economy is slowing, signaling the central bank must respond to these changes. Speaking on CNBC, Kashkari indicated he still views two interest rate cuts this year as ‘reasonable’ and suggested it ‘may be appropriate to begin adjusting the policy rate in the near term.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/46L5xDM
MORE: Via CNBC, the Kashkari interview. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3J5zTa2
U OF M: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “There are four empty seats on the University of Minnesota Board of Regents that will get filled soon by Gov. Tim Walz, who has been interviewing candidates this week for the coveted slots. It’s not clear how many of the more than two dozen applicants scored interviews with Walz or what kind of leaders he is seeking for the governing board at the state’s land-grant university. The DFL governor could make his picks any day. The slots are usually filled by the Legislature during a joint convention, but one never got off the ground this year. The reinforcements come at a moment of incredible change and challenge in higher education, and the university itself.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3GZuQHN
BROADBAND: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “In 2019, Gov. Tim Walz set a goal for all Minnesotans to have access to broadband with download speeds of 100 megabits per second by 2026, which would allow two to four internet users per household. But with four months until the goal’s end date, Mohr is one of many Minnesotans still without that speed. Experts say the goal isn’t likely to be met, partially because of delays in federal funding.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4m5bQqA
(DISCLOSURE: Comcast is a Fluence sponsor)
BIO-TECHNE: Via Reuters, VERBATIM: “Bio-Techne reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter revenue and profit on Wednesday, helped by steady demand for its proteins, antibodies and other products for research. The Minneapolis, Minnesota-based company develops and makes products used in medical research, drug development and diagnostics. Larger peers Thermo Fisher and Danaher last month flagged robust demand across regions for their drug development products such as instruments and analytical tools after two years of weak biotech funding.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45dewLi
DAYFORCE: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “Dayforce Inc (DAY) on Wednesday reported second-quarter net income of $21.3 million. On a per-share basis, the Minneapolis-based company said it had net income of 13 cents. Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, were 61 cents per share. The results topped Wall Street expectations . . . The provider of human-resources software and services posted revenue of $464.7 million in the period, which also beat Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45olLjW
ACQUISITION: Via PYMNTS, VERBATIM: “The check may not be dead, but the envelope is increasingly optional. [Minneapolis-based] Payments and data company Deluxe on Tuesday (Aug. 5) said it has purchased CheckMatch, an inter-lockbox network, from Kinexys by JPMorgan, folding the platform into the Deluxe Payment Network (DPN). The deal gives Minneapolis‑based Deluxe direct digital connections to more than half of the nation’s top 10 lockbox operators and several large disbursement partners, according to the companies. Deluxe CEO Barry McCarthy told PYMNTS’ Karen Webster the aim is simple: ‘One network for the entire system.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3UMjGJp
ACQUISITION: Via news release from Plymouth-based Daikin Applied, VERBATIM: “Daikin Applied today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire DDC Solutions, a San Diego-based developer of ultra-high-density cooling cabinets and management software for data centers . . . The acquisition will expand Daikin Applied's data center-focused portfolio — adding in-room, rack-level solutions for white space cooling, and underscoring the company's commitment to providing complete data center cooling solutions.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45lvO95
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)
CYBERATTACKS: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “Such incidents are becoming more common and more costly. And that’s where Faisal Kaleem is trying to step in. At Metropolitan State University, the computer science and cybersecurity professor leads a statewide cybersecurity initiative that has locked these problems in its crosshairs. Kaleem established the school’s MN Cyber Institute in 2018. It includes the Cyber Range, a lab Kaleem compares to a flight simulator, where students on a ‘blue team’ try to thwart an infiltrating ‘red team.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mv95hY
FEED FRAUD: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Prosecutors are seeking a 30-year prison term for one of the key defendants in the Feeding Our Future fraud case, which they call the nation’s largest COVID-19 fraud scheme. The Minnesota U.S. Attorney’s Office says Abdiaziz Farah was ‘one of the early movers’ in a conspiracy to fleece taxpayer-funded child nutrition programs out of hundreds of millions of dollars during the pandemic.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4myqJBy
MPD: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara is speaking out for the first time on the reassignment of a police officer who had shot and killed a man while executing a no-knock warrant in 2022. Sergeant Mark Hanneman had been leading use-of-force training within the department, but last month was reassigned to the department's new wellness unit following public outcry. O'Hara, speaking with WCCO's Adam and Jordana, explained the department's thought process.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3Jjl9Ey
HCMC: Via Minnesota Nurses Association, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Nurses Association along with MNA HCMC Co-Chair Jeremy Olson-Ehlert, RN, released the following statement on behalf of MNA nurses at HCMC on Tuesday after the Hennepin County Board indicated they would pass a resolution to dissolve the Hennepin Health System Board.” QUOTE: "We believe this resolution is a crucial step toward restoring public oversight at Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC). We are glad to see members of the Hennepin County Board taking independent action in response to the long-standing concerns that we, along with our coalition, have consistently raised regarding worker safety and financial transparency from the HHS Board of Directors. These concerns have remained unaddressed for too long. We are encouraged by the County Board’s indication to pass this resolution and look forward to the vote next week in an effort to bring more safety and transparency to HCMC."
TRANSIT: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Metro Transit's sluggish post-pandemic recovery is growing even more concerning as ridership numbers are sliding in the wrong direction. Why it matters: A 7% decline so far this year is especially worrisome considering the backdrop — Twin Cities employers have been tightening their remote work policies, which means more people commuting. The big picture: National ridership was up 7% in the first quarter of the year and reached 85% of pre-pandemic levels.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Jkymgl
NORTHSTAR: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “The Northstar commuter rail service between Big Lake and Minneapolis is expected to end following the culmination of the Minnesota Vikings' regular season in early January. The Metropolitan Council has confirmed that its plan is to transition the rail service to a bus service from Jan. 5, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4l8IUfP
MICROGRIDS: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “The red-and-blue office building just northeast of the I-494/Highway 100 interchange resembles a futuristic sailboat, or maybe a striped, robotic dog standing at attention. Open Access Technology International’s Bloomington headquarters, high-powered computer servers and scores of electrical engineers help coordinate the flow of electricity through most of North America’s high-voltage transmission lines. Now, OATI is working to scale new software and AI-powered solutions for a much different scale: microgrids. The company’s home base is actually proof of concept built on its proprietary platform that synchronizes solar panels, batteries, an onsite cogeneration plant and emergency diesel generators to keep its offices and data center running when the main grid goes down.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45m2JKV
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)
SANCTUARY: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Twin Cities immigrant rights activists want a stronger ‘sanctuary city’ in Minneapolis. The Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee is pushing for a new set of policies they say will strengthen Minneapolis' separation ordinance, restricting local police from collaborating with federal immigration authorities. This call to action follows a federal raid at a Lake Street restaurant in June where MPD assisted with crowd control.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/457W8EY
CRIMINAL HISTORY: Via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “The City of Minneapolis is bolstering civil rights protections under an amended ordinance by banning discrimination based on criminal history. The City Council unanimously passed an ordinance under the city’s amended civil rights law. As of Aug. 1, it is now illegal to be discriminated against based off of your height, weight, housing status and criminal record or history. It bolsters protections for formerly incarcerated people to get housing, education and employment.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4fzUfV9
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)
MAPLE GROVE: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “As the city of Maple Grove grows, its prosecutor’s office faces a growing challenge: holding offenders accountable for crimes that don’t rise to the level of a felony. Most crimes in Maple Grove are of the non-felony variety. Those crimes may include domestic assaults, DWIs and other traffic offenses, as well as most retail theft and property crimes. It’s the city’s responsibility to prosecute crimes committed within its boundary that are misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors. City Prosecutor Andrew Draper provided the city council with an update this week on his office’s caseload, which he says has significantly increased.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3UclhIq
BORA: Via news release from Bora, VERBATIM: “Bora Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., a global leader in pharmaceutical manufacturing, has announced plans for significant investments to expand its manufacturing and packaging capabilities at its facility in Maple Grove, Minnesota. This is a major upgrade to the site, which Bora acquired in 2024 as part of its $210 million acquisition of Upsher-Smith Laboratories, expanding its U.S. manufacturing footprint.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3J4mpLN
MINING: Via news release from Talon Metals, VERBATIM: “Talon Metals Corp. (TSX: TLO) (OTCID: TLOFF), the majority owner and operator of the Tamarack Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Project in central Minnesota, is pleased to announce the initial results of the third drill hole in the historic new Tamarack discovery zone which sits below the existing Tamarack Resource Area and has now been named the ‘Vault Zone’.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fpMpx7
BSU: Via Bemidji State, VERBATIM: “As Minnesota’s premier North Woods institution, Bemidji State University today announces the launch of the public phase of its ‘For the North’ fundraising campaign. With a goal of $25 million, the BSU Alumni & Foundation aims to raise funds to advance student success, upgrade campus facilities and boost enrollment efforts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45v2D3Q
FINLAND: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “If you haven’t already heard, Finland is the most literate country in the world, as well as the happiest. Plus, the Finns practically live in the sauna. Obviously, Finns know a lot about living right, but what gives them these magical powers? With that question in mind, I set out to discover what Finland is all about—in my hometown of Duluth. Instead of buying a Finnair ticket to Lapland, I went to FinnFest 2025, held at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC). This four-day celebration of Finnish and Nordic culture has taken place on the Duluth waterfront for three years running, and will be back again next July.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4frhFfh
NEXT WEEK: Via Minnetonka-based DiaMedica, VERBATIM: “DiaMedica Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: DMAC), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel treatments for preeclampsia and acute ischemic stroke, announced today that its second quarter 2025 financial results will be released after the markets close on Tuesday, August 12th. DiaMedica will host a live conference call on Wednesday, August 13th at 8:00 AM Eastern Time / 7:00 AM Central Time to provide a business update and discuss financial results.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45v4DsS
ACQUISITION: Via news release from Minneapolis-based Bio-Techne, VERBATIM: “Bio-Techne Corporation (NASDAQ: TECH) today announced an agreement where Mdxhealth SA will acquire its Exosome Diagnostics Inc. business, including the ExoDx Prostate (EPI) test, CLIA-certified clinical laboratory and related assets. Bio-Techne will retain access to the proprietary exosome-based technology for ongoing kit development in its precision diagnostics growth pillar.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3HkcXn0
DIAMEDICA: Via news release from Minnetonka-based DiaMedica, VERBATIM: “DiaMedica Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: DMAC), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel treatments for preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction and acute ischemic stroke, today announced the appointment of Julie Krop, MD, as Chief Medical Officer (CMO), effective immediately. Dr. Krop will succeed Dr. Lorianne Masuoka, who has resigned from her position as CMO for personal reasons.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47kEQWD
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
MAKERS: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “True style tells a story. We found no less when diving into the worlds of five Minnesota makers whose exquisite craftsmanship and unique vision captivate us. These artists seamlessly blend cultural tradition with modern aesthetics, each object a testament to their personal journey and a joy to behold.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3UhHBjQ
BDAYS: Fox 9’s Jason Matheson, retired Hormel lobbyist Jeff Grev, wife of the Senate GOP Leader Skyler Johnson, fmr. GOP ED Jennifer DeJournett
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