A BUSY TUESDAY
That’s Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins speaking this morning at Farmfest in Redwood County. You can watch her address HERE: https://fluence-media.co/459I3FR
I’m at Farmfest and will have reports on WCCO Radio and Fox Live today and Wednesday. I’ll be moderating the gubernatorial forum Wednesday AM. Forums will be streamed online, and rebroadcast on WCCO Radio.
Direct updates via The Daily Agenda on INSTAGRAM: https://fluence-media.co/4pVPgTK
Minnesota Monthly takes us back a century when Sauk Centre’s Sinclair Lewis was awarded a Pulitzer Prize and basically said, “nah… I’m good”. READ: https://fluence-media.co/45CvnI7
Northern Minnesota can’t catch a break – lightning overnight is suspected of starting three house fires. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pSZsMW
Via the Star Tribune, what the fire damage in the Boundary Waters looks like from above. PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/4bvt2Ci
Blois
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Fluence Advisory has released its Insights memo on “The Next Legislature”. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aNNSMV
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Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4g8RrjE
Sunday Take featured a Farmfest preview and Republican Adam Schwarze discussing his U.S. Senate campaign. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3TyEK93
Follow the 2026 Minnesota elections up close with the Fluence Election Tracker.
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PRISON & POLITICS
ICE DETENTION: Via news release from private prison company CoreCivic, VERBATIM: “CoreCivic, Inc. (NYSE: CXW) announced today that it has been awarded a new contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to utilize the Company’s 1,600-bed Prairie Correctional Facility located in Appleton, Minnesota, a facility that has been idle since 2010. The new contract commences on August 11, 2026, for a term of five years . . . We expect to begin receiving detainees in the fourth quarter of 2026, with the full ramp estimated to be complete in the second quarter of 2027.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4w4Tmue
MORE: Via KARE-TV, VERBATIM: “The private prison has been closed since 2010 . . . Discussions to reopen the prison as an ICE detention facility garnered a mixed reaction from community members in the past year, with clergy and immigrant leaders calling for compassionate alternatives to immigrant detention; however, others in the community support reopening the prison to support the local economy.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3TwfS1P
WORKFORCE: Via Stateline, VERBATIM: “Today’s small children have a brighter future economically than any generation since the surge of Baby Boomers aged into adulthood in the early 1970s, swamping the job market and dampening pay for 20-somethings ever since, said Steven Ruggles, director of the Minnesota Population Center at the University of Minnesota.” QUOTE: “We are on the verge of a radical reshaping of labor markets in which new workers will be in extremely short supply,” Ruggles wrote in the report. “We may finally see real (inflation-adjusted) wages of the young exceed the levels of the early 1970s. Americans born in the 2020s might be the first cohort in a half century that earns significantly more than their parents did.” STATELINE STORY | UofM REPORT
NEW AD: North Star Dawn PAC this morning launched a new ad featuring Minnesota First Lady Gwen Walz endorsing Rep. Angie Craig in the U.S. Senate DFL primary. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/451HCxN
PRIMARIES: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Across Minnesota, 11 state lawmakers face primary challenges from candidates aiming to bring fresh faces to the Capitol. Six are in districts held by Republicans, and five are held by Democrats. The districts reliably support the party currently in power there, so next Tuesday’s results probably won’t shift seats to the other side. But challengers could bring in lawmakers who are positioned closer to the political right or left than the incumbents they’re looking to replace.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4brkCvH
NOTE: In morning take, a look at the state of the primaries one week out from election day. ICYMI: https://fluence-media.co/4xedYRS
TEST SCORES: Via NWEA, VERBATIM: “NWEA, a K-12 assessment and research organization, released a new study today showing that middle school reading performance has not rebounded since the pandemic and continues to decline among the nation’s lowest-achieving students . . . In contrast to signs of progress toward academic recovery in math and in elementary reading, middle school reading test scores have stagnated for the average student and have continued to drop among struggling readers. Across multiple assessments, reading test scores for the lowest-achieving middle school students continued dropping after 2022.” NEWS RELEASE: https://fluence-media.co/45CBM67
MORE: Via NWEA, the report includes examples of local initiatives tackling the problem, including two in Minnesota. REPORT: https://fluence-media.co/3TFDLUA
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)
INFRASTRUCTURE
CYBERATTACKS: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “State and federal authorities continue to investigate a recent coordinated cyberattack on Minnesota municipal water systems . . . Cities across Minnesota and the U.S. are dealing with increasingly complex threats to their water infrastructure, even as funding support has lagged. Managing today’s water systems requires a high level of expertise — not just in engineering, but in technology, said Bonnie Keeler, who directs the Water Resources Center at the University of Minnesota. Those systems include high-capacity wells with sophisticated pumping systems, tanks, water towers and a complex network of pipes and pumps, Keeler said.” KEELER: “Every piece of that infrastructure has its own IT system, its own sensor network, its own monitoring system.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4pSCTI6
AIRPORTS: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Airports are getting some help thanks to newly announced grants from the Minnesota Department of Transportation. $8 million will help fund projects across 39 Minnesota airports. MnDOT’s office of aeronautics director Ryan Gaug says the state’s economy relies on the robust airport system, which also helps when it comes to public safety.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4fLA9aT
DULUTH: Via Texas-based FTK, VERBATIM: “FTK Construction Services, a full-service General Contractor specializing in Affordable Housing/LIHTC projects nationwide, has been awarded a new project, Spirit Lake Manor, in Duluth, Minnesota. This 81-unit affordable housing community was built in 1976. The contract value for the rehabilitation of the property, which will take nine months, is $3,794,194.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4h9eo7p
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)
BIG BUSINESS
OTTER TAIL: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “Otter Tail Corp. (OTTR) on Monday reported a loss of $7.6 million in its second quarter. The Fergus Falls, Minnesota-based company said it had a loss of 18 cents per share . . . The power company and manufacturer posted revenue of $334.4 million in the period.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3TANknO
MORE: Via Street Insider, VERBATIM: “Otter Tail Corp (NASDAQ: OTTR) reported Q2 EPS of $1.66, $0.15 better than the analyst estimate of $1.51. Revenue for the quarter came in at $334.38 million versus the consensus estimate of $326.12 million.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45EHmoA
TAKEOVER BIDS: Via Airways, VERBATIM: “easyJet (U2) has given US investment groups Apollo Global Management and [Minneapolis-based] Castlelake until August 7 to formalize competing takeover proposals or withdraw, aligning the timetable for a potential bidding contest over the British low-cost airline. The carrier’s board requested the change, and the UK Panel on Takeovers and Mergers consented to extend Castlelake’s deadline from August 3 to 5 p.m. London time on Friday, August 7. Apollo was already working toward the same August 7 deadline.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hHT7Ss
ACQUISITION: Via Wealth Enhancement, VERBATIM: “Wealth Enhancement, a national independent wealth management firm dedicated to enriching clients’ lives, announced it has acquired the investment advisory business of Miramar Capital, an independent RIA in Northbrook, Illinois. Led by Founders and Senior Portfolio Managers Bob Kalman and Max Wasserman, the team manages more than $592 million in client assets.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Ucjp5q
NEW CFO: Via Best Buy, VERBATIM: “Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE: BBY) announced today the appointment of Anne Bramman as executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective Aug. 19.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4xeELNP
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
NO CANDY: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “A new candy store in St. Louis Park has delayed its opening after a massive shipment of imported sweets got stuck in customs. The Candy Shop, from the team behind Honey & Rye and Bakehouse, was forced to press pause on its grand opening weekend because all of their Swedish candy is trapped in customs.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4budFKj
HOLIDAY SHOPPING: Via Arden Hills-based Giftster, VERBATIM: “Giftster, the trusted home for meaningful family gifting, today released its inaugural Holiday Shopping Index, revealing that consumers are beginning the shopping season months before they make their first purchase. Based on millions of real wish list interactions rather than consumer surveys, the Index provides a first-of-its-kind look at how consumers actually prepare for the holiday season and how that behavior is reshaping the retail calendar.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RNToZq
RED WING: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “Red Wing has long been known for its riverfront views, historic architecture, and thriving arts community. Now, the city plans to add another creative destination. Opening Aug. 16, M.E.T. Projects will debut with an exhibition that connects artists from around the world. Contemporary art isn’t always what people expect to find in a small river town—but that’s exactly what the team behind M.E.T Projects is hoping to change.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45Dr3IB
RESTAURANTS: From Axios, a roundup of local restaurant news. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wKWRaI
WHAT’S NEXT?
TODAY: Via Minneapolis Fed, VERBATIM: “In today’s event, Conversations with the Fed: Unboxing the New Economics of Trade, Minneapolis Fed economists Doireann Fitzgerald and Michael Waugh will help look through the noise of global events to understand what has changed and what has endured. What are the new realities for American businesses and households? What are the long-term implications for economic growth and stability?”
THIS WEEK: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Fringe Festival is back with more than 100 locally produced theatrical shows from Aug. 6–10. Performances at the 33rd annual fest include a Batman-Shakespeare mash-up, a Beach Boys drag-puppet show, and a Minnesota-themed take on Casablanca. Artists are selected by an un-juried and un-curated lottery process, giving any theater artist a chance to put their passion on the stage, and shows are less than 60 minutes in length.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4w72NcG
THIS MONTH: Via Insight News, VERBATIM: “On Saturday, Aug. 22, the University of Minnesota’s Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center at 2001 Plymouth Ave. N. will fill, from noon to 5 p.m., with Black booksellers, Black authors, Black publishers, Black food vendors and the readers who sustain all of them. The occasion is the Midwest Black Book Fair.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hHI5g0
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
STATE FAIR: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Like clockwork, the Minnesota State Fair is mere weeks away and is filled with new attractions, competitions, celebrations, and vendors. There are also new renovations to make a more accessible fairgrounds for everyone to enjoy. Here’s what to expect.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wWVZjn
BDAYS: DFL Chair Richard Carlbom, GOP strategist David Fitzsimmons, Eagan Mayor Mike Maguire
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