In 2010, 75% of Americans said a college education was “very important.” Today, only 35% say they feel that way. GALLUP: https://fluence-media.co/46fFnqN
Sports Take features the essay that Howard Sinker hoped he wouldn't have to write on the Twins disastrous season and what needs to be done to restore the team's credibility for 2026 and beyond. He's also intrigued by Minnesota quarterbacks, the WNBA playoffs and a few other things. Watch for it this afternoon.
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4n6VWMY
A teacher, and a police officer. A DFLer and a Republican. On Sunday Take, a discussion with GOP Rep. Jeff Witte and DFL Sen. Steve Cwodzinski on how the state should move forward after the Annunciation Church mass shooting. LISTEN: http://fluence-media.co/3V1bEg9
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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.
ENDORSEMENT: Via news release from the Frey campaign, VERBATIM: “Today, former U.S. Attorney Andy Luger endorsed Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for reelection.” LUGER: "I have worked closely with Mayor Frey to fight gun violence and improve public safety, and I believe in his plan to bring down crime through rebuilding and improving our police department,” said former U.S. Attorney Andy Luger. “But even more importantly, Mayor Frey is an ethical leader who we can trust to protect the integrity of the mayor's office. I am proud to endorse him because he has proven that he will fight for what is best for the public, not for what is best for himself." READ: https://fluence-media.co/4n0yocs
INFLATION: The Twin Cities ranks 11th on WalletHub’s list of “cities with the biggest inflation problems.” The study found the Consumer Price Index here has risen 0.7% over the past two months and 1.8% over the past year. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4nkiARs
CRYPTO: Via CoinDesk, VERBATIM: “St. Cloud Financial Credit Union (SCFCU), a Minnesota-based institution with over $400 million in assets, plans to roll out a proprietary stablecoin what it claims to be the first from a U.S. credit union. The token, dubbed Cloud Dollar (CLDUSD) and developed with blockchain firm Metallicus and financial technology provider DaLand CUSO, is slated to debut as part of the credit union’s digital asset vault service in the last quarter of 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gk2Coh
BOOK BANS: Via St. Paul-based Little Free Library, VERBATIM: “The Little Free Library (LFL) nonprofit organization has released an updated version of its interactive Book Ban Map, developed in partnership with the American Library Association’s (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom and PEN America. First launched in 2024, the map now includes the latest data, highlighting where bans are intensifying and showing nearby Little Free Library book-sharing boxes where readers can freely access books.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gsAa3G MAP: https://fluence-media.co/46lcQ33
AI: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “After years of just breaking even, the owner of Backdraft Manufacturing and Automation thinks he’s found the secret to shift the Luverne, Minn., company to profitability: AI. This summer, owner Tyler LeBrun toyed with Microsoft Co-pilot AI and another AI application while trying to figure out how to help a gun-parts manufacturer with a solution to lower noise levels. The AI tools analyzed 30 million data sets of gunshot recordings in about two hours, LeBrun said. Normally, that would have taken weeks of his employees’ work time. Technology like AI and advanced automation are coming at a critical time for small manufacturers, which are struggling mightily with President Donald Trump’s changing tariff strategies, inflation and labor shortages.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47EdIlK
RED FLAG: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Investigators are still looking into what could have been missed in the runup to the shooting at Annunciation Church and School two weeks ago, which killed two children and injured 21 other people in Minneapolis. The mass shooting transpired just a year after a ‘red flag’ law, known as the Extreme Risk Protection Order, went into effect in the state with the goal of separating people from guns before they can hurt themselves or others. But the Annunciation shooter, Robin Westman, was untouched by the law or other legal safeguards like background checks because she didn’t have an adult criminal record and her family didn’t appear to raise concerns with law enforcement.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4pkakml
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)
NEXT MONTH: The Star Tribune this morning announced speakers for its North Star Summit “…to discuss the issues, ideas and solutions that will shape our future. And America.” Among the speakers:
Governor Tim Walz
Former Governor Tim Pawlenty
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker
Minnesota Senators Julia Coleman and Zach Duckworth
FULL LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4gDwmwF
LIST: Minnesota-based agencies X-FCTR, Rise and Shine and Partners, Bold Orange Company, Ovative Group, and Folklore all made Adweek’s list of the fastest growing agencies in the world. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/42rH7fj
MORE: From Adweek’s introduction to the list, QUOTE: “Each of these agencies has reached new heights by pushing into specialized areas of marketing, disrupting staid categories, and, most importantly, delivering breakthrough work that found the right audience for their clients.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3IfI1EW
LIST: UnitedHealth Group, U.S. Bancorp Investments, General Mills, and Fastenal all made Time’s list of the World’s Best Companies. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4maC4qQ
TAXES: Via Tax Foundation, modeling that estimates the average “big beautiful bill” tax change per filer in Minnesota will be -$3,519 in 2026.
The modeling includes projections for each state for each year through 2035. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4nul5ko
MORE: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “The projected savings will vary significantly across the state. Case in point: Hennepin County residents will see an average federal tax cut of $4,710 — double the $2,300 for those who live in Pine County. The intrigue: Some taxpayers might not notice much of a change. That's because the savings in the report are based in part on how the tax rate in 2026 compares with what it would've been had the 2017 tax cuts expired as planned.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nqSs7A
UNDISTURBED LAND: One of the largest undisturbed natural areas in the Twin Cities metro area is the Pine Bend Bluffs in Dakota County. Situated along the Mississippi River, these hundreds of acres owned by Flint Hills Resources are a key migration corridor for millions of songbirds and 40 percent of North America’s waterfowl and shorebirds. Collaboration among Friends of the Mississippi River, Great River Greening and Flint Hills Resources volunteers help to restore this natural area to pre-settlement conditions. The Pine Bend Bluffs has earned Wildlife Habitat Council Conservation Certification since 2001. The site recently earned gold certification, making the Pine Bend Bluffs currently the only gold certified site in Minnesota and the first ever in the metro area. WATCH: Flint Hills Resources: Certified Gold by the Wildlife Habitat Council (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery)
KIRK SHOOTING: MPR collected reactions from Minnesota politicians to yesterday’s assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/48eggqT
JUDGE: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “A Roseau County prosecutor has been chosen to serve as a judge in the Ninth Judicial District. Gov. Tim Walz announced today that Michael Grover will fill the position chambered in Roseau in Roseau County.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4gnOv1c
COOK: Via Mesabi Tribune, VERBATIM: “Sen. Grant Hauschild (DFL-Hermantown) received a tour of the ongoing recovery efforts underway in Cook last Thursday as the community and surrounding area continue to recover from last year’s devastating July floods. Joined by Mayor Dan Manick and City Councilor Liza Root, Hauschild saw firsthand the progress being made as the city of Cook continues its rebound from the effects of historic flooding, including the flooding of river street for the first time in 50 years.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Icx5rJ
BEMIDJI: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “Both Sanford Center and Bemidji State hockey officials say that despite extensive damage to the building from the June 21 storm, they’re ready to host Beaver Hockey this season. However, only the lower bowl will be open to the public for the women’s home opener series against Wisconsin on September 26-27. The expectation is that 50% of the club and suite level will be ready for when the men play their first home game against St. Cloud State on October 10.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4gjvzjW
ACQUISITION: Via news release from Illinois-based Savant, VERBATIM: “Savant Wealth Management, a fee-only registered investment adviser (RIA), has acquired PrairieView Partners, LLC, a fee-only RIA based in St. Paul, Minn., with over $1.2 billion in assets under management. Founded in 2008, PrairieView Partners offers comprehensive and integrated wealth planning services to individuals, trusts, retirement plans, estates, charitable organizations, and small businesses.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pic3IV
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)
EDEN PRAIRIE: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “A new indoor adventure space for kids is almost ready to open in Eden Prairie. Lava Island plans to open a massive space filled with slides, climbing structures, and other adventures this fall in the former Amazon Fresh building at 625 Prairie Center Dr.” READ/PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/46tqUsx
CROP ART: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “When Rob Bedeaux started as communications director at the Minneapolis Institute of Art just over a year ago, one of his biggest goals was to expand Mia’s audience base—and traditional museum-goers’ interpretations of what art can be. He and his team pored over ideas that could be a little fun, a little lighthearted, a little more comfortable for those who don’t typically walk in Mia’s stately doors, while still contributing to both the local and international art world in meaningful ways. It’s not a small task for a 142-year-old institution, but one of his favorite ideas—this month’s crop art exhibition—is already proving to be a State Fair–sized hit.” READ/PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/4nuLlev
AGENCY: Via The Minneapolis Egotist, VERBATIM: “Changer Communications, the strategic communications firm known for helping businesses create and accelerate business value, announced today that it has been hired by Minneapolis-based EarthOptics – the world leader in soil information and below-ground data. Starting immediately, Game Changer will build and execute a comprehensive content program; it will capture, package and share EarthOptics’ unique insights in ways that generate sales leads and boost the entire business.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3VchRpv
SATURDAY: Via Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, VERBATIM: “Sabathani Community Center invites the public to its 4th annual Energy Day: A Career Resource Fair & Community Celebration on Saturday, September 13, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 310 East 38th Street in Minneapolis.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nsiRSC
(DISCLOSURE: Xcel Energy, a supporter of this event, is a Fluence sponsor)
THIS MONTH: Via news release from St. Paul-based H.B. Fuller, VERBATIM: “H.B. Fuller Company (NYSE: FUL) announced plans to report its financial results for the three-month fiscal period ended August 30, 2025, in a press release issued after the market close on September 24, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nsN2ZP
SEP/OCT: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Those accordions and the sound of sloshing beer? That's Oktoberfest creeping up on you. Every weekend for the next month features Oktoberfest celebrations around the Twin Cities and the rest of the state.” LIST: https://fluence-media.co/46bv5YB
NEXT MONTH: Via Hopkins-based Stages Theatre Company, VERBATIM: “Stages Theatre Company in partnership with Washburn Center for Children, is honored to take part in the 2025 Nationwide Reading of ENOUGH! Plays to End Gun Violence on Monday, October 6 at 6:30 PM at the Hopkins Center for the Arts.”
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
CREDIT UNIONS: Via The Minneapolis Egotist, VERBATIM: “Most Minnesotans have heard of credit unions. But ask what they really are, or how a credit union can truly benefit them, and things get fuzzy. That’s why Haberman partnered with the Minnesota Credit Union Network to launch It’s a Credit Union Thing — an educational statewide campaign that clearly and conversationally defines credit unions, the benefits of joining, and how surprisingly in step they are with Minnesotans.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/47EsfxQ
BDAYS: housing advocate Anne Mavity, lobbyist Joe Bagnoli, GOP insider Jill Vujovich-Laabs
Send us your tips at BloisOlson@gmail.com
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