With new direct flights to Copenhagen available, a Minnesota couple shares their Scandinavian journey and what they learned along the way. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mamPyQ
The discovery of a car in the Mississippi River may resolve a 58-year-old mystery. READ: https://fluence-media.co/45AKIsv
In an analysis connecting sought-after school districts and home prices, Realtor.com highlights Stillwater where the median home list price is 48.2% higher than the metro at large. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4lqZU0U
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3Haarjm
Representatives Angie Craig and Brad Finstad, the USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agriculture Affairs, plus Minnesota ag stakeholders – it’s a busy Sunday Take from Farmfest. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4fz19tO
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.
MERGER: Via St. Paul Area Chamber memo to the chamber’s Board of Directors that notes a 35% drop in membership over the past decade. VERBATIM: “Given the evolving needs of the chamber community at large, our members and communities we serve, enhanced programmatic opportunities and anticipated financial cost savings, it is in the best interests of the St. Paul Area Chamber to enter into an alliance with the Minneapolis Regional Chamber.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Uuz5hE
JOBS: Via DEED, VERBATIM: “Minnesota's employment level, unemployment rate and labor force indicators show mild signs of slowing in July, reflecting national trends. But Minnesota's over-the-year job growth was stronger than the nation as a whole, according to new data from the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Minnesota lost 4,400 jobs over-the-month in July, and the unemployment rate increased two-tenths of a percentage point to 3.5%. More than 1,700 Minnesotans left the labor force – and the labor force participation rate ticked down one-tenth of a percentage point to 68.1%. Despite these shifts, Minnesota experienced slightly faster job growth than U.S. employment over the year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3JgZFZ5
RETAIL: Via Target, VERBATIM: “Today, Ulta Beauty (NASDAQ: ULTA) and Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) announced that they have mutually agreed not to renew the Ulta Beauty at Target shop-in-shop partnership when the current agreement concludes in August 2026. Until then, the Ulta Beauty at Target experience will continue in Target stores and on Target.com.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oCZrLZ
MORE: Via The Wall Street Journal, VERBATIM: “The partnership, launched in 2021, gave cosmetic retailer Ulta a way to expand its customer base at a time when the Covid-19 pandemic had shuttered its stores and reduced demand for beauty cosmetics. For Target, the move offered higher-end cosmetics to its lineup, providing an opportunity to increase the value of its average basket. Target set aside 1,000-square-foot sections in some stores for Ulta products as part of the agreement. As of April, Ulta had a presence in about 600 Target stores. Ulta had already been giving the concept closer scrutiny. In April, Ulta Chief Executive Officer Kecia Steelman said the company was taking a pause on opening additional locations with Target and was looking closely about how to operate the partnership more efficiently.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fC02JG
FLORES: Via ESPN, VERBATIM: “The NFL can be put on trial over civil claims that Brian Flores and other Black coaches face discrimination, a federal appeals court ruled Thursday, finding insurmountable flaws with a league arbitration process that would permit commissioner Roger Goodell to serve as arbitrator. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan upheld Judge Valerie Caproni's ruling that Flores can proceed with claims against the league and three teams: the Denver Broncos, the New York Giants and the Houston Texans . . . Flores is currently the defense coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45weTkq
INBOX: Watch your inbox – Sports Take comes out later today. You can also read it HERE: https://fluence-media.co/3WSsvmr
PROPERTY TAXES: Via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Congress cut the food stamp program to save the federal government money, but those changes will cost every Minnesotan who owns a home, farm or any other property in the form of higher property taxes. The reason higher property tax bills are on the horizon is that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act — which locked many of President Donald Trump’s priorities into law — shifts more of the cost of running the program to Minnesota’s counties. It also forces the state and all 87 county governments to pay for some of the benefits to about 440,000 Minnesota food stamp recipients. ‘This will certainly strain our local budgets past capacity,’ Blue Earth County Commissioner Kevin Papp said of the cost shifts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lqxSmo
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)
SENATE: Via news release from the Craig campaign, VERBATIM: “Today, Congresswoman Angie Craig launched her Minnesota Voices Series. In the coming days, weeks and months Craig will travel to where Minnesotans are to listen and experience their everyday lives with them. Craig will plan her campaign schedule around where Minnesotans ask her to go to elevate their voices and hear their dreams and challenges firsthand to inform her work in Congress and run for the U.S. Senate.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47tnQ0k
UNITEDHEALTH: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “A New York State man is facing charges after allegedly threatening a family member of former United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The U.S. Attorney's office says 40-year-old Shane Daley sent harassing voicemails to that family member in the hours and days after Thompson was gunned down in broad daylight on a Midtown Manhattan sidewalk in December of 2024.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3UYPkU6
TABLETRAC: Via Guru Focus, VERBATIM: “[Minnetonka-based] Table Trac, Inc. (OTCQX: TBTC), a leader in casino management systems, has announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2025. The company's net income for Q2 2025 fell significantly to $144,782, a stark decline from $806,570 in the same quarter last year. Despite this, the company saw a positive trend in its maintenance revenues, which grew by 19.4%, totaling $1.58 million compared to $1.32 million year-over-year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45ulk7v
MPS: Via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Education notified Minneapolis Public Schools that it’s in violation of state and federal law for overidentifying Black students in the category of ‘developmental cognitive disability’ for the past three years. The notification is part of an annual review process conducted by the state, as required by federal law, to determine what’s known as “disproportionality” in special education. The review compares identification, placement and discipline for students with disabilities across racial groups.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3J93obh
BATHROOM: Via NBC News, VERBATIM: “A Minnesota teenager filed a charge of discrimination against a Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant Tuesday, alleging a server followed her into the women’s restroom and demanded she ‘prove’ she was a girl. Gerika Mudra, 18, went to dinner in April with a friend in Owatonna, about an hour south of Minneapolis. When she went to the restroom, a server followed her inside and banged on the stall door while saying: ‘This is a women’s restroom. The man needs to get out of here,’ according to Gender Justice, a Minnesota gender-equality organization that filed the charge on Mudra’s behalf.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45gx3rx
34B: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “We now know who will be on the ballot in the special election to fill the Minnesota House seat held by the late state Rep. Melissa Hortman. Democrat Xp Lee will face Republican Ruth Bittner for the seat. Lee won a DFL primary with nearly 60 percent of the vote. With the matchup now solidified, both candidates are ready to get to work on their campaigns.” LEE: “We’ve built really good momentum, we’re at a good pace,” said Lee, a former Brooklyn Park City Council member. “So really, just to carry that through as much as possible through to the special election.” BITTNER: “I believe I have the skills to do the job, so I want people to be able to get to know me personally,” said Bittner, the Republican candidate. “So, I would prefer that we can evaluate people individually as opposed to being a part of a group.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3UZYsYJ
DULUTH: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “The results are in after Duluth voters made their voices heard Tuesday at the polls to narrow the list of candidates for key city leadership roles. There were four at-large seats on ballots across the city Tuesday. Five people ran for the two open seats on the city council.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3UtJGt6
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 FAIR: The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal crunched the numbers and found Sweet Martha’s Cookie Jar continued its streak – it was the highest-grossing food vendor at last year’s Minnesota State Fair bringing in $4.9 million. The next closest was Pronto Pups which brought in $2.3 million. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/41FJ3As
HAMLINE: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Savvy fairgoers know that the 33 official new foods of the Minnesota State Fair aren't technically the only culinary debuts taking place at the fairgrounds. Many stands add new dishes that don't make the ‘official’ cut. Looking through the list of comestible rookies for 2025, the state fair's oldest concession stand doesn't appear to have anything new. However, that's not entirely accurate. The Hamline Church Dining Hall will have three new items on its menu.” READ/PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/4oPZbcS
ART: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “The team at Duluth-based BB and Friends is busy preparing inventory to bring to the Minnesota State Fair, their biggest event of the year. Co-owner Anna Bailey says they plan to sell over 100 large pieces of their wood mosaic art and thousands of other items.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3UqOhwf
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)
DROUGHT: The new Drought Monitor out this morning shows that for the first time in months, none of the state is in drought status. Only 5% is abnormally dry. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3PP2Kzy
FORECAST: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Meteorologist Sven Sundgaard has a look at improving air quality and rising humidity. That humidity brings increased chances for storms and heavy rain as we head towards the weekend.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/46RY8CD
SUN COUNTRY: Via news release from Sun Country, VERBATIM: “Sun Country Airlines (NASDAQ: SNCY) announced today that D. Torque Zubeck, formerly a managing director with Alaska Airlines, will join Sun Country as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer on Tuesday, September 2.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mGFdiL
SUNDAY: Via Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, VERBATIM: “The Twin Cities Hair & Beauty Expo returns on Sunday, August 17, to its original home at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Minneapolis Northeast. Now in its seventh year, the expo has become the Midwest’s premier celebration of beauty, culture, and community.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41sIpXh
NEXT WEEK: With the Minnesota State Fair a week away, real estate agent and self-proclaimed “MN hype man” Bryan Clapper has an irreverent preview. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4mBjXLc
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
SPICE BAG: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “At O'Shaughnessy Distilling Company in Minneapolis, the sunny patio is perfect for sipping house-distilled whiskey — but lately, it’s the Irish spice bag that’s stealing the spotlight. ‘It's Ireland's biggest-selling to-go food,’ said Andy Marson, the general manager at O’Shaughnessy. The Irish spice bag is a staple in Ireland’s late-night food scene. It originated in Chinese takeaways, blending Asian flavors with Irish mainstays like fried potatoes. Usually, it features vegetables like peppers and onions mixed in with French fries and Chicken, and it has found a cult following.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/45hAwWR
BDAYS: communication pro Chris Niskanen, attorney David Asp, civic leader Deb McMillian, Starkey’s Chris Van Guilder
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