Shopping via social media is becoming common across generations – including 34% of Baby Boomers. MORNING CONSULT: https://fluence-media.co/3Tld7Nb
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Tom Hauser in for Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/45gzISC
All four legislative leaders — Speaker Lisa Demuth, Rep. Melissa Hortman, Sen. Erin Murphy and Sen. Mark Johnson — were guests on Sunday Take to discuss the latest developments in the Capitol. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3HLdCxv
Blois
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All Fluence Media tip sheets are now available to read and share online at our website, The Daily Agenda:
RESPONSIBLEGAMING: Legal sports betting platforms offer responsible game tools that offshore and illegal sports betting don’t offer. In fact, age verification is not required with most offshore providers. Learn more about why legalized sports betting is more responsible. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4kgJoS4 (SPONSORED: Sports Betting Alliance)
DNC: Via Politico, VERBATIM: “Democratic National Committee Chair [and former Minnesota DFL Chair] Ken Martin told party leaders in a recent private conversation that he’s unsure about his ability to lead the party because of infighting created by Vice Chair David Hogg. ‘“I’ll be very honest with you, for the first time in my 100 days on this job … the other night I said to myself for the first time, I don’t know if I wanna do this anymore,’ he said in a May 15 Zoom meeting of DNC officers, according to a recording obtained by POLITICO. In the recording, an emotional Martin describes being deeply frustrated by the fallout over Hogg, who has ignited a firestorm in the party by vowing to spend $20 million in safe-blue primaries to oust incumbent Democrats he believes are ineffective. Martin paused twice while appearing to choke up.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dT3P4N
MITCHELL: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The long-awaited trial of Democratic Sen. Nicole Mitchell is closer than ever to hearing the crack of the gavel. On Monday afternoon, Mitchell will appear remotely in Becker County District Court ahead of her upcoming burglary trial that begins next Monday with jury selection. The recent legislative session postponed Mitchell’s trial, and Judge Michael Fritz is allowing the senator to appear virtually this afternoon, given the special legislative session. It’s the last virtual court hearing scheduled before Mitchell returns to Detroit Lakes, where the case originated in April 2024 when she allegedly broke into her late father’s home where her stepmother lives.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mUmRvt
ENDORSEMENT: Via news release from the Qualls campaign, VERBATIM: “Former Lakeville Mayor Doug Anderson has endorsed Kendall Qualls for Governor.” QUOTE: “Tim Walz has failed Minnesotans – crime is up, schools are falling behind, and businesses are leaving the state in droves,” said Anderson. “Kendall Qualls is a proven leader with the courage to stand up for what’s right. He understands what it takes to run a city, support law enforcement, and deliver real results. I’m proud to support him.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3FLYGia
SPECIAL SESSION: On WCCO-Radio this morning, Tom Hauser asked Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy (DFL) and Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson (R) if they’ll be able to finish their work before tomorrow morning’s required conclusion. MURPHY: “Because we are so narrowly divided, It is, by definition, bipartisan work, which means there are lots of things in there that people had to compromise on, and that they don’t love. But, it is our job to finish up this budget. And we’re going in, me and my colleagues, to do that work.” JOHNSON: “With the House Democrats walking out for 23 days, that really put us behind. But then, also, after the session ran out, we’ve got the Governor running all over the country doing campaigning while we’re trying to figure out what Special Session is going to look like. There were a lot of delays that Democrats put into the system here this year that were pretty tough to overcome.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3Zme8Iq
LOBBYING: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “As business uncertainty grows in Washington, medtech giants that employ tens of thousands of Minnesotans have poured more cash into lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C. this year — an increase of over $600,000 for the first quarter, according to lobbying disclosures collected by nonprofit OpenSecrets. Medtronic, Abbott Laboratories and Boston Scientific reported lobbying for long-endorsed causes such as Medicare eligibility and taxation issues. But filings also reveal a shift to the Trump administration’s priorities, from downsizing the federal workforce to ramping up tariffs with foreign countries.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43Bhji7
TARIFFS: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “Twin Cities Business recently interviewed Minnesota business leaders and academic experts to identify how companies have been navigating the ever-changing tariff landscape and to learn why broad-based tariffs are anathema to advocates of free trade . . . Emily LeVasseur, president of the Association for Supply Chain Management-Twin Cities chapter, says she’s been seeing ‘a paralysis in strategic decision-making’ among several Minnesota businesses.” LEVASSEUR: “Everybody is kind of stepping back and saying, ‘OK, we need to pause. We need to let this shake out before we make any significant investments in our supply chain, in our cost structures.’ It’s really hampering decision-making because of that uncertainty.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Tdfr8W
GOLF: Via KMSP-TV, VERBATIM: “The University of Minnesota announced last week plans to close the Les Bolstad golf course in Falcon Heights. What we know: The City of Falcon Heights said on Friday it had been notified by the university that the Board of Regents will vote on selling the golf course at their June meeting.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mTTpWy
MANUFACTURING: Via Brainerd Dispatch, VERBATIM: “A funding decision from the U.S. Department of Commerce could negatively impact manufacturers in the Brainerd lakes area and across the state. Enterprise Minnesota was notified on April 1 of the decision not to renew the federal Manufacturing Extensions Partnership program. The program is a major funding source for Enterprise Minnesota, a nonprofit that supports manufacturing businesses throughout the state. Roughly 45% of Enterprise Minnesota’s $6 million budget comes from the Manufacturing Extensions Partnership, meaning an increase in client fees would be necessary to recoup those costs, potentially creating hardships and a ‘tough it out’ outlook for manufacturers in Greater Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4l0IOHz
CAMERAS: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Crystal police now have an added view into fighting crime. The Crystal Police Department will be installing seven Flock cameras on roadways that continuously take pictures of license plates and record other vehicle characteristics. ‘It’s hard to put into words how valuable this is to us,’ said Lt. Justin Tourville. Currently, Crystal Police relies on other cities that have installed Flock cameras to share data with them.” QUOTE: “It is probably weekly that we have a case that is either significantly aided by these cameras or solved because of these cameras,” said Tourville. “It varies from homicides to robberies, to low-level theft to hit-and-runs.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4kxb8RV
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)
STATE WORKERS: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “It was a little past 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 4. Some predicted this day would mark the first major turnout for Gov. Tim Walz’ back-to-the-office requirement, which launched Monday. Most employees of the state must now work in person at least half the week—effectively, three days. Walz announced the mandate in March. In part, it’s to revive foot traffic in St. Paul’s beleaguered downtown, where many state employees work. We wondered: Will the lunch rush rush again?” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kyATSb
OFFICE SPACE: Via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “The city of St. Paul plans to lease more than 10,000 square feet within the Osborn 370 building on Wabasha Street, covering the building’s entire ninth floor, for eight years. What will that square footage be used for? Therein lies the question. The lease, approved Wednesday by the St. Paul City Council, allows for flexible move-in dates and below-market rates, with the first 12 months rent-free. That gives the city some time to complete a ‘space use’ study with the help of real estate consultants, who will attempt to determine which city offices will make best use of the new floor and in what manner.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3HJfsPt
FEED FRAUD: Via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “Prosecutors charged an Apple Valley woman Friday with defrauding the federal government in the sprawling Feeding Our Future case. Dorothy Jean Moore, 57, is the 72nd person charged in the case; the first indictments were issued in 2022. Prosecutors say Moore used Jean’s Soul Food, a catering company run out of her apartment, to defraud the federal government of more than $1.4 million. She is charged with three counts each of wire fraud and money laundering.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dWSnF5
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)
HOUSING: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “The economics of building apartments in the Twin Cities doesn't work, and it could be a long time before it does. Why it matters: The metro area is already undersupplied on housing. A staggering decline in multifamily building could drive up prices in the years to come. By the numbers: After peaking at 15,500 in 2022, permits issued to begin apartment construction in the metro fell to 5,000 last year and are on an even slower pace this year, according to preliminary data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kULypR
COMMERCIAL: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “The collapse of the commercial real estate market has been a constant in the news since 2020. It has driven a chain reaction of phenomena that portend deep problems for the core Twin Cities and even some suburbs. But it’s a slow-moving crisis whose depths and ultimate impact remain difficult to gauge. Depending on who you talk to and which articles you read, the problem is work-from-home, the problem is leverage, the problem is vacancies, the problem is employers indifferent to the health of cities, the problem is bad landlords, or maybe there’s no problem at all other than capitalism.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43THLlZ
CRUISE SHIPS: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “The first cruise ship of the season arrived in Duluth this past week after traversing Lake Superior—and for the first time since cruise ships returned to Duluth in 2022, the giant, nearly 400-foot long ship was able to dock directly on shore, behind the city’s convention center. For the past several years, cruise ships have had to anchor off shore in Duluth. Passengers were ferried to land, and back to the ship, on smaller boats. Now, after a $22 million project to rebuild the seawall behind the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center, or DECC, ships can tie up and passengers can hop right on to a newly expanded pedestrian walkway.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mXuEcc
HOPKINS: Via news release from Affinity Plus, VERBATIM: “On the heels of announcing a new branch in Shakopee, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union (Affinity Plus) has opened another branch in downtown Hopkins, located at 1118 Mainstreet, Suite #2. The new branch reflects the credit union’s strong growth trajectory and commitment to providing members with accessible brick-and-mortar locations across the state, in addition to its popular mobile banking options.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Hw5h0N
THIS MONTH: Via Minnesota Monthly, a guide to Pride celebrations around the state. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3FEErmD
SHERMAN: Via Eater, VERBATIM: “Take a moment to imagine it: the rich, woody scents of smoked turkey, bison ribs, and whole antelope cooked low and slow wafting down Franklin Avenue. If all goes well, the Twin Cities won’t have to fantasize about it. Chef Sean Sherman’s latest project, Šhotá Indigenous BBQ by Owamni, aims to bring Indigenous barbecue to the neighborhood very soon. It’s part of a series of big moves for Sherman’s nonprofit organization NATIFS (North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems).” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3TliBaJ
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
SUMMER: Via MplsStPaul, a guide to outdoor concerts around the Twin Cities. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3ZTeaHW
BDAYS: fmr. candidate Melisa Franzen, Rochester leader Kathleen Harrington
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