DON’T FORGET TO VOTE
It’s election day. ICYMI, morning take has a comprehensive preview of key races as well as early turnout numbers and more. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4z33GFU
Homeland Security says it made 51,000 immigration arrests in July – up from 43,000 in June – more than any other month in the current Trump administration. STATELINE: https://fluence-media.co/4xxF0Uo
The New York Times has new details of the President’s plane swap last month in Turkey – it involved not two but three planes as well as a catering container. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3TTSOdo
The Fluence Advisory memo on the next Governor’s administration comes out this week.
I’ll be streaming on Fox 9 Local starting at 8 tonight. HERE: https://fluence-media.co/45EAdVz
Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com
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
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3SsdSY7
Sunday Take featured a deep dive into the August primaries, the highs and lows of each candidate and more. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4gm1n9B
Follow the 2026 Minnesota elections up close with the Fluence Election Tracker.
https://fluence-media.co/electiontracker
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A BUSY TUESDAY
LIST: With 2,493% three-year growth, Minneapolis-based Enterprise Energy is the highest-ranking Minnesota company on Inc.’s list of the fastest growing companies. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4q9RQG1
SURVEY: Via Plymouth-based Wealth Enhancement, VERBATIM: “Children today have unprecedented access to financial technology. Yet many parents and grandparents question whether convenience is translating into the knowledge, habits, and confidence needed to manage money successfully as adults. Grandparents express the greatest concern, with 61% saying today’s children are less financially prepared, compared with 46% of parents who share that view, according to the latest research from Wealth Enhancement’s ‘The First Dollar’ survey.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4xc8Ez3
TACTILE: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “Tactile Systems Technology Inc. (TCMD) on Monday reported second-quarter earnings of $7.8 million. The Minneapolis-based company said it had net income of 34 cents per share. The results exceeded Wall Street expectations . . . The medical device maker posted revenue of $85.7 million in the period, also topping Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4xcbc05
FARMINGTON: Via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “Kemps workers in Farmington have authorized a strike seeking better pay, benefits, vacation time and strike protections, according to Teamsters Local 471. More than 110 Teamsters at the Farmington location, which is part of Dairy Farmers of America, are [a part] of the strike as negotiations for a new contract continue.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wPn8V5
ROCHESTER: Via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “A Rochester music venue announced last week that it will close, another is shifting operators before undergoing renovation, and one is in the crosshairs of a third attempt at a major facelift to a historic city block. The current situation has musicians taking stock of the opportunities local, independent musicians have to play in the city.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4g0sk19
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
MPS: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “A federal judge dismissed a Department of Justice lawsuit against Minneapolis Public Schools’ policy aimed at retaining teachers of color on procedural grounds Monday. The decision is the latest twist in a case that began as part of a deal to end a 2022 teachers’ strike and was taken up in court by conservative activists, leading to a four-year legal fight.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Spjp1C
FED FUNDING: Via Minnetonka-based Stratasys, VERBATIM: “Stratasys Ltd. (NASDAQ: SSYS) today announced it has been awarded $7.8 million of funding through The 2026 America Makes and the Department of War (DoW) Organic Industrial Base (OIB) Modernization Challenge that focuses on advancing additive manufacturing and related technologies to support defense manufacturing modernization.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3TQoWP7
DHS: DFL Rep. Ilhan Omar sent a letter to the Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) seeking answers about a woman parked outside her latest town hall meeting who told local police she was an undercover agent from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). OMAR: “Instead of monitoring the area for those who might wish harm to me and my constituents, Richfield Police were required to devote time to investigating why an HSI agent was outside of a Congressional event in a vehicle with mismatched plates. It also raises serious and uncomfortable questions about the purpose of HSI’s presence outside of my event.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4xyfbU7
HOUSING: via Office of the Atty. General, VERBATIM: “Attorney General Keith Ellison and a multistate coalition have won their latest lawsuit challenging [efforts] of the Trump Administration’s Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to cap funding for permanent housing projects that help families facing housing insecurity or experiencing homelessness. … More than 2,000 Minnesotans would have been at risk of losing their homes, [but] the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island granted critical parts of the coalition’s motion for summary judgment, ruling that HUD’s set-aside was unlawful and cannot be implemented.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fP71AZ
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)
AROUND THE STATE
CARVER CTY: Via Bongards’, VERBATIM: “Bongards’ Creameries, one of the nation’s leading farmer-owned dairy cooperatives, today announced plans to invest $135 million to expand its process cheese manufacturing facility in Bongards, Minnesota. The project represents one of the largest capital investments in the cooperative’s 118-year history and reinforces its long-term commitment to serving customers with expanded production capabilities, innovative dairy solutions, and industry-leading quality.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4x3APjp
TWINS: Via Duluth Trading, VERBATIM: “Duluth Trading, a lifestyle brand of men’s and women’s workwear, casual wear, outdoor apparel and accessories, today announced a new three-year partnership with the Minnesota Twins that celebrates the hard work behind every game and puts the people who make it all possible front and center.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4htdgf6
DULUTH: Via WDIO-TV, VERBATIM: “Lester Park Golf Course was on multiple agenda items in Monday night’s Duluth City Council meeting, but none were discussed as the city awaits a judge’s decision. Duluth could hear as early as Tuesday whether they can legally put the decision about whether to develop the park on the ballot, after petitions from organization ‘Our Park, Our Vote.’ The council said Tuesday is also the deadline for getting issues on the ballot.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4wP5wZt
BRAINERD: Via Brainerd Dispatch, VERBATIM: “Brainerd Public Schools has retained an independent attorney to conduct a review of the district’s policies, procedures and practices related to bullying, and community members are invited to share their experiences. Superintendent Chip Rankin announced the move during the School Board’s meeting Monday, Aug. 10. The review comes following the suicide deaths of two Forestview Middle School students over the summer.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qkmext
LIBRARIES: Via CCX Media, VEBATIM: “The Hennepin County Library system expects to cut hours in 2027 with some libraries closing on Sundays or offering eight-hour service days . . . Across the library system, open hours will decrease by about 7 percent.” QUOTE: “The cost of providing Hennepin County’s public services continues to grow,” library officials wrote in a announcement. “Countywide cost pressures include increasing personnel costs, rising employee health insurance costs, technology and facilities expenses, inflation in supplies and services, and uncertainty surrounding federal funding.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wYSBEC
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
RECORD SHOP: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “A longtime Minneapolis shop that’s filled to the brim with 78 rpm records, vintage radios, record players and other pieces of music history – including one-of-a-kind artifacts – will soon be for sale. Vintage Music Company owner Scott Holthus announced his plan to sell the business, near the intersection of East 38th Street and Cedar Avenue, in a statement Saturday.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4q6dIC0
GROCERIES: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Maybe you’ve seen Radish Farm Stop circulating in the news and thought: Oh, sweet, a new farm outlet where I stop and buy my radishes. Radish + farm + stop. And all those things are true! But Radish is actually called a ‘farm stop’ because it’s the farmers themselves who are doing the stopping.” READ/PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/3RMSa0N
MAPLE GROVE: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Local foodies, unite! Maple Grove Restaurant Week is officially back for its third year. From Aug. 10-15, diners can visit 17 participating restaurants for special deals, unique events and exclusive menu items.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Us4Drp
WHAT’S NEXT?
TODAY: The Mall of America celebrates 34 years. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4gaviQX
SATURDAY: The Anoka Food Truck Festival runs from 11-9. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4zcNIJi
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
K-12: Via Brooklyn Park-based VariQuest, VERBATIM: “VariQuest, a leader in visual and kinesthetic learning solutions for K-12 education, is proud to announce the launch of StudioVQ, a modern creative, web-based platform that reimagines how educators design, customize, and produce engaging instructional materials, classroom visuals, school communications, and student-centered learning resources.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4weXJTD
BDAYS: fmr. Rep. Jeff Brand, conservative insider Micah Olson, fmr. BBY CEO Hubert Joly
Fluence Media curates, produces and distributes specialized media products to thought leadership audiences across the Midwest and about the region. Our publications cover, politics, public policy, health care, agriculture, business, real estate, sports and more. Visit www.fluence-media.com to learn more.
about morning take- Founded in 2010, morning take has grown to become the leading Minnesota morning newsletter on politics and news of the day. Published by Fluence Media since 2012 the mission is to "make you smarter" before breakfast.
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