WEEKEND LOADING…
Heading up north? Axios readers have chosen a roadside attraction for you to see along the way. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4vVC17f
We’re finally getting a little rain – will the fishing still be good? WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4hHhsb0
The cyclospora outbreak hasn’t hit Minnesota yet, but that doesn’t mean no one here has it. It’s complicated. MPR: https://fluence-media.co/3TLCDPe
In St. Paul, police have a surveillance picture of a person they want to talk with about 24 trees damaged in a city park. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4vTfs2N
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FRIDAY FEED
HOMEOWNERSHIP: Via Realtor.com, VERBATIM: “The Federal Reserve of Minneapolis has proposed a new way of measuring homeownership that would change the current view of the housing landscape. In a paper released earlier this month, researchers suggested that homeownership in America should be measured not by the share of homes where the owner is a resident, often called owner occupancy. Its alternative is to measure the share of adult population that owns their homes, which it called the ‘homeowners-to-population’ (HPOP) ratio. The change might seem nuanced, but it leads to a major shift: While 65% of homes are owner-occupied, just 53% of U.S. adults own a home.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3TvJCfd
PAID LEAVE: Via DEED, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced today that the premium rate for Minnesota Paid Leave will remain steady at 0.88% of covered wages in Minnesota for 2027 – the same as the current year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4yS0X23
DATA CENTERS: Via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Thus far, data center development has played little role in the campaign to determine Minnesota’s next governor. The Reformer sent a questionnaire to the four major gubernatorial candidates ahead of the August 11 primary. We asked if they would approve additional tax incentives, as well as water and environmental permits. And, if they would allow local governments to pass temporary moratoriums, and to sign non-disclosure agreements with tech companies.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4blSLgm
WHAT COLOR?: Minnesota Monthly ponders whether Minnesota is a purple state – then turns to an expert. QUOTE: “I would not describe Minnesota as purple,” says wet blanket Larry Jacobs, the Walter F. and Joan Mondale Chair for Political Studies and director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at the University of Minnesota. “It’s polka dotted. There are some really bright red spots. I mean, Michelle Fishbach and Tom Emmer have two of the most conservative congressional districts in the country—they look like they’re from Alabama. And then you’ve got Ilhan Omar, who could be from San Francisco. And when you look at statewide races, it is more like a Rothko, because you have these broad strokes of red in greater Minnesota, and then you’ve got this block of blue in the urban areas.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bXILdt
BUTTONS: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “The Election Judge Button Design Contest is new this year and open to kids ages 8-18 who live in or attend school in Hennepin County. The idea is to let kids showcase their artistic talent while also showing appreciation for those working at the polls on Nov. 3, Election Day.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4xdJpvD
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)
DC + MN
INTEREST RATES: Via Yahoo! Finance, VERBATIM: “Three Federal Reserve members who wanted the central bank to raise interest rates this week weighed in on Friday with their rationale . . . [Minneapolis Fed president Neel] Kashkari on Friday pointed to how a series of shocks, starting with the war in Ukraine to now energy prices, is harder for the central bank to look through, and he too would like to take action before inflation becomes deeply embedded.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4xce7Fm
MORE: Via The Wall Street Journal, VERBATIM: “Kashkari said that if inflation remains stubborn, he might support a series of rate increases, not just one, to prevent inflation from becoming more entrenched.” KASHKARI: “A potential series of small policy moves would be better than waiting and eventually concluding that even bolder actions were necessary.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bXPsMD
WILDFIRES: Via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “The U.S. Forest Service lost more than 100 Minnesota employees and delayed $10 million in grant funding for wildfire mitigation in the Superior National Forest during the chaotic first year of President Trump’s second term. Democratic elected officials say those setbacks left Minnesota ill-equipped to face the fires that have burned more than 60,000 acres in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness since early July and repeatedly billowed smoke across the Great Lakes region and beyond.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fEAk7W
PRETTI SHOOTING: Via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “Six months ago, U.S. Border Patrol agents killed ICU nurse Alex Pretti in south Minneapolis during Operation Metro Surge. Only on WCCO, we’re hearing from his parents, Susan and Michael Pretti, through attorney Steven Schleicher about the investigation into their son’s death. Schleicher called this investigation ‘an absolute nightmare.’ He said the Pretti family still has no information about who killed their son.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4xcg6cM
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)
THE LOCALS
DULUTH: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “Two weeks ago in part one of our Down Town special report, we heard from [former Social House restaurant owner Matt] Berthiaume. He aired many grievances about Duluth’s handling of downtown and Canal Park. Most notably -- his frustration with the sheer volume of public disorder, drug use, crime and lack of cleanliness seen in those parts of town. Turns out, he’s not alone. Since that report aired on July 16, we’ve heard from more business owners at their wits end with what’s going on.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4wz3aOs
MINNEAPOLIS: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis is unveiling a series of fee-free concerts and neighborhood music events this summer and fall. Backed by money from the Small Business Resiliency Fund, two events are being launched: the Minneapolis Mile of Music and the Indie Music Family Night Out. This follows a recent ‘State of Live’ report by the National Independent Venue Association, showing that independent performance spaces generate $2.2 billion for the local economy.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3S5LHOs
ALBERT LEA: Via Albert Lea Tribune, VERBATIM: “Jacob Schlichter has been ready to open his cannabis dispensary for nearly a year. Instead, he’s watched empty shelves collect dust . . . Schlichter’s business, The Smoking Tree, became the first non-tribal cannabis dispensary to receive a license from Minnesota’s Office of Cannabis Management last summer. But the city denied his registration. After a nine-month legal battle, the Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled in May the city’s denial was arbitrary — a decision in his favor . . . The city is now reconsidering Schlichter’s dispensary.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wAyGLW
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
THIS WEEKEND: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “The pro wrestling world and its rabid fanbase are set to take over downtown Minneapolis this weekend as WWE’s SummerSlam rolls into town. Why it matters: This event is a huge deal. If WWE’s signature event, WrestleMania, is pro wrestling’s Super Bowl, then SummerSlam is like the conference championships — with titles and major storylines settled in the ring, and huge crowds and adjacent events outside of it.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wD0jE4
HOCKEY: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Wild made a stop in Duluth on Thursday as part of its traveling Block Party series, bringing hockey-themed activities and giveaways to the DECC for fans of all ages.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4fJd8FM
ACQUISITION: Via Maryland-based IonQ, VERBATIM: “IonQ (NYSE: IONQ), the world’s leading quantum platform company, today completed its acquisition of [Bloomington-based] SkyWater Technology (NASDAQ: SKYT), the largest exclusively U.S.-based semiconductor foundry.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4xe6JcO
PROTOLABS: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “Proto Labs Inc. (PRLB) on Friday reported earnings of $9.2 million in its second quarter. On a per-share basis, the Maple Plain, Minnesota-based company said it had profit of 37 cents . . . The custom parts manufacturer posted revenue of $149.3 million in the period.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4xdKeEK
BAIT SHOP: Via MplsStPaul, a new restaurant opening next Friday in south Minneapolis. VERBATIM: “Bill’s Bait Shop isn’t meant to be a facsimile of a true Northwoods bar—you can’t whip up that particular secret sauce of Hamm’s, fryer grease, and small-town lore in just a few months’ time. But it is an ode to [Jami] Olson‘s grandpa Bill and to northern Minnesota, the space ever-so-campy but the spirit quite heartfelt.” READ/PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/4w3pa2W
MOA: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Clothing brand Madewell is expanding its footprint at the Mall of America in Bloomington. This fall, the retailer will unveil a newly expanded, 5,500 square-foot store with a bigger selection of apparel, accessories, denim, and footwear in its existing location on Level 1, South.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3S1JeEK
WHAT’S NEXT?
THIS WEEKEND: The Washington County Fair continues through Sunday. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4wBsByS
THIS WEEKEND: Wanderlight Trail wraps up its run at the place some still call “the new zoo”. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4fEBLDq
THIS MONTH: Via Water Over Nickel, details of two upcoming public meetings hosted by the DNR on the Tamarack Mine. The first is next week. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4h7EyHM
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
STATE FAIR: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “For generations of fairgoers, a trip to the Minnesota State Fair isn’t complete without a stop at the DNR’s Fish Pond. Tucked beneath mature trees and away from the midway’s flashing lights, the tranquil corner has offered visitors a chance to slow down since 1971. But the DNR’s roots at the fair stretch back even further—more than a century—making it one of the fair’s oldest and most enduring institutions.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4g3tg6e
BDAYS: community leader Scott Peterseon, attorney Matt Mankey, lobbyist Joe Lally. SAT: hair pro Amanda Steele, golfing guy Blake Smith, fmr. Sen. Terri Bonnof, DFL operative Ellen Perrault SUN: ag leader Ashley Kohls, real estate leader Stu Ackerberg, business leader Pady Regnier, Washington County Attorney Kevin Magnuson, fmr. Rep. John Ward, General Mills’ Lee Anderson
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