Ken Martin, the former DFL party chair who now leads the DNC, says that, in the past, his party “would bring a pencil to a knife fight.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3HlrTBc
Yale’s Budget Lab says Americans “face an overall average effective tariff rate of 18.3%, the highest since 1935.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4mml0OV
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/46GMESj
Sunday Take included an interview with OCM Interim Director Eric Taubel on the State of Cannabis in Minnesota and a discussion about the need for quality candidates in the 2026 elections. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3U9jDaz
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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.
ST PAUL: Via news release from the Her campaign, VERBATIM: “Today, Kaohly Her, State Representative for District 64A, Speaker Pro Tempore of the Minnesota House, and co-chair of the House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee, announced her candidacy for Mayor of Saint Paul.” HER: “Our city needs safe streets, strong schools, and thriving neighborhoods. The cost of living continues to rise, our emergency services are stretched to the limit, housing is expensive and out of reach for many, and economic growth is at a standstill. We need leadership that meets this challenging time. We must expect more from our leaders to deal with the cruelty and volatility of Trump’s tariffs, immigration policies, and cuts at the federal level that threaten the livelihood of our community.”
MINNEAPOLIS: Via The Wall Street Journal, VERBATIM: “First came Zohran Mamdani, an avowed socialist with scant executive experience, who in June shocked the Democratic mainstream when he captured its primary for New York City mayor. Now the rise of Omar Fateh—the so-called Mamdani of Minneapolis running for mayor there—is lending credence to the notion of a widening rift between the party’s centrist establishment and a progressive wing that has been energized by its opposition to Israel’s war in Gaza and demands for affordable housing. Depending on how it plays out, the contest between those factions could have implications not only for next year’s midterm elections but also, more broadly, the future course and leadership of a party grasping to present a compelling alternative to Donald Trump.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4529OBu
FUNDRAISING: Via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “In the four-way race for the Ward 4 seat on the St. Paul City Council, no candidate comes close to raising the kind of cash that Molly Coleman has commanded during her short time on the campaign trail. Coleman, 33, has raised about $57,000 in five months, spending $22,000 of it as of her most recent campaign finance filing on July 24. That’s more than double the $25,000 raised by Cole Hanson in the same period, and many times more than the $4,500 raised by Carolyn Will as of her lasting campaign finance filing mid-June, though Will said Thursday that she has raised additional dollars since.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3UcqArq
VOTER DATA: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “The requests have come in letters, emails and phone calls. The specifics vary, but the target is consistent: The U.S. Department of Justice is ramping up an effort to get voter data and other election information from the states. Over the past three months, the department’s voting section has requested copies of voter registration lists from state election administrators in at least 15 states, according to an Associated Press tally . . . Election offices in Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Utah, and Wisconsin confirmed to the AP that they received letters from the voting section requesting their statewide voter registration lists. At least one other, Oklahoma, received the request by phone . . . In Minnesota, the office of Secretary of State Steve Simon, a Democrat, said the federal agency is not legally entitled to the information.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/46LyCyZ
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)
TODAY: Via news release from Rep. Kelly Morrison, VERBATIM: “U.S. Representative Kelly Morrison (MN-03) will join Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt, Bloomington Police Chief Booker Hodges, and Plymouth Police Chief Erik Fadden at a press conference on the bipartisan Pathways to Policing Act. Police departments across the country are facing recruitment challenges. On average, police agencies are operating at nearly a ten percent staffing deficit and 65% of police agencies across the country reported reduced services due to staffing shortages – and police officers agree that new pathways to law enforcement careers are needed to ensure that law enforcement can operate at full capacity. Rep. Morrison’s bipartisan Pathways to Policing Act will authorize $50 million in annual funding over the next five years to state and local police departments to recruit and train new police officers – providing police departments with much-needed resources and ensuring that police departments have representative, well-trained and well-staffed police forces.”
TOMORROW: Via City of Minneapolis, VERBATIM: “A presentation by the City Auditor on the after-action review of the City’s role in the federal law enforcement operation that took place on June 3rd, 2025, on East Lake Street and Bloomington Ave. Given the context of the current federal immigration operations taking place across the country, Council unanimously requested an after-action review of the City’s role in the federal operation.”
SENATE: Via news release from the Flanagan campaign, VERBATIM: “Today, the majority of Minnesota’s 2SLGBTQIA legislators endorsed Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan for U.S. Senate. Led by State Representative Brion Curran (White Bear Lake), other legislators endorsing Peggy include Representatives Liish Kozlowski (Duluth), María Isa Pérez-Vega (Saint Paul, West Saint Paul), Athena Hollins (Saint Paul), Leigh Finke (Saint Paul, Falcon Heights), Jess Hanson (Burnsville, Savage), and Heather Keeler (Moorhead), and State Senator Erin Maye Quade (Apple Valley, Rosemount), as well as Former Representative Jamie Becker-Finn. Peggy is competing for the DFL endorsement against Congresswoman. Angie Craig.”
TAXES: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Whether they like it all or not, Minnesota taxpayers purchase a lot of state services. A relatively new state law entitles them to a receipt for what they buy – sort of. At least once per year since the 2023 Minnesota “Taxpayer Receipt” law took effect, state officials have been required to publicize its existence. That happened last week, putting fresh attention on an online calculator that spits out information on how money sent into Minnesota’s state government gets pushed back out.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lfZ7A6
STAUBER: Via MPR, VEBATIM: “Minnesota has been hit hard this summer by wildfire smoke-filled skies, prompting some GOP lawmakers from Minnesota and Wisconsin to send a letter to Canadian officials criticizing their forest management. Republican U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber, who represents northeastern Minnesota, is back home from Washington, D.C. on recess, and was among the signatories of that letter. Stauber joined MPR News host Cathy Wurzer on Morning Edition Monday to talk about air quality, cuts to Medicaid and rural health care, the One Big Beautiful Bill and more.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mkLMaw
FRAUD: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Work continues in St. Paul to terminate the Housing Stabilization Services program. This comes after federal authorities continue investigating fraud that is connected to the program. WCCO political analyst Blois Olson says candidates across the state are likely to hear about this - and other cases of fraud - in the runup to next year's election.” QUOTE: "Republicans are going to keep this issue in the forefront," Olson says. "And I think that's one of the kind of preview questions for the next year is, how much is fraud a part of the 2026 election for the legislature and for statewide office? I don't know the answer yet, but it's one of those things we're watching." LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4l93YD2
34B: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Early voting is underway for the Aug. 12 special primary election that will trim a field of three DFL candidates running for the late state Rep. Melissa Hortman’s House District 34B seat . . . On Thursday, the League of Women Voters hosted a forum for all the candidates that allowed them to discuss a range of issues. One of the questions they were asked was whether they would support additional legislation to address gun violence. The topic was top of mind due to Rep. Hortman and her husband, Mark, being fatally shot in their Brooklyn Park home. Authorities said the shootings were part of a targeted plot to kill lawmakers.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4oiA81G
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)
BEMIDJI: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Recently the Bemidji school board approved the hiring of two full-time Ojibwe language teachers to begin this upcoming 2025-2026 school year. The decision allows the school district to expand Ojibwe language instruction into three elementary schools. The high school already offers an Ojibwe studies curriculum. Superintendent Jeremy Olson said American Indian students make up 27 percent of Bemidji area schools’ student body.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mLyK6n
NUCLEAR: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Xcel Energy will now use cell phones to notify people who live near its Monticello and Prairie Island nuclear plants in case of an emergency, instead of outdoor sirens. The Minneapolis-based utility said it will use the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, a national system that delivers severe weather warnings and AMBER alerts through cell phones. Xcel said the modern technology is a safety upgrade, allowing notifications to be sent out more quickly and with more detail.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44ZvLB4
CYBER ATTACK: Via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “[Last] week’s National Guard response to the cyber attack on St. Paul has some asking: What the heck is the National Guard’s Minnesota Cyber Protection Team? When Gov. Tim Walz announced the team’s activation on Tuesday, it marked the unit’s first large-scale deployment in the state. Army Lt. Col. Brian Morgan, Minnesota National Guard Director of Cyber Coordination, explained to the MinnPost what the cyber protection team does, why it was formed and what its deployment reveals about the severity of the breach.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41i2CyI
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)
BROOKLYN PARK: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Every day, more than 33,000 vehicles travel through the intersection of County Road 81 and Interstate 94 . . . A public data request submitted to the city of Brooklyn Park found that since 2020, this intersection has been the site of 111 crashes . . . If folks agree that there’s a flaw in the intersection design, Hennepin County wants to know about it.” QUOTE: “That’s right, yeah. We want to hear from people,” said Tom Musick, coordinator of Hennepin County’s Toward Zero Deaths initiative. “We really appreciate when we hear from people about how they use our roadway system.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3He1UMa
HOUSING: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The Twin Cities’ median home price broke $400,000 for the first time this summer, setting a new bar for the premium homebuyers must pay in the state’s most populated areas. And while Minnesota’s rural buyers mostly enjoy lower prices, one notable exception has come into view: Cook County, a rugged outpost along the Canadian border. Despite being one of the state’s most sparsely populated counties, it was also one of the most expensive this summer.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Ucx7SQ
RETAIL: The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal lists 17 Minnesota locations where Spirit Halloween plans stores this year. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4mjHSie
MALCOLM YARDS: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “It has been a big year for Twin Cities food halls, and it seems the momentum is only continuing to rise. Just in time for its fourth anniversary on Aug. 1, The Market at Malcolm Yards announced that it will be adding two exciting new kitchens to its lineup: limited-time pop-up CHICK’N FLIP, which is available now, and local favorite Saturday Dumpling Co., which is set to open at the end of August.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45y3qSx
TODAY: Via KTTC-TV, VERBATIM: “If you live near Houston, you may want to make a trip to the International Owl Center on Monday. The center is offering free admission for ‘International Owl Awareness Day’.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4olVvPM
TODAY: Via news release from Golden Valley-based Inspire, VERBATIM: “Inspire Medical Systems, Inc. (NYSE: INSP) (Inspire) will release financial results for the second quarter 2025 after the close of trading on Monday, August 4.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45X9VPv
WEDNESDAY: Via news release from Eden Prairie-based SunOpta, VERBATIM: “SunOpta Inc. (Nasdaq:STKL) (TSX:SOY), the company that delivers customized supply chain solutions and innovation for top brands, retailers and foodservice providers across a broad portfolio of beverages, broths and better-for-you snacks, today announced that the Company will issue financial results for the second quarter ended June 28, 2025 after the markets close on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eWC9fK
WEDNESDAY: Via news release from Hopkins-based Digi, VERBATIM: “Digi International Inc. (NASDAQ: DGII) will release its financial results for the third fiscal quarter 2025 on Wednesday, August 6, after market close, at approximately 4:00 p.m. ET.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40QVeKH
WEDNESDAY: Via news release from Bloomington-based SkyWater, VERBATIM: “SkyWater Technology (NASDAQ: SKYT), the trusted technology realization partner, today announced that it will report its fiscal second quarter 2025 financial results following the close of the market on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lzU26J
WEDNESDAY: Via news release from Minneapolis-based Deluxe, VERBATIM: “Deluxe (NYSE: DLX), a Trusted Payments and Data company, will report second quarter 2025 financial results on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, following market-close.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3TOlph8
WEDNESDAY: Via news release from Tennant, VERBATIM: “Tennant Company (NYSE: TNC) today announced that the company will report its second quarter 2025 financial results after the market closes on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, with a conference call to follow at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time/9 a.m. Central Time on Thursday, August 7, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3IZTcS4
THURSDAY: Via news release from Duluth-based ALLETE, VERBATIM: “ALLETE Inc. (NYSE:ALE) will announce its financial results for the second quarter before the stock markets open on Thursday, August 07, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lJNNN3
SPAM: Via news release from Hormel, VERBATIM: “The SPAM brand, in collaboration with Kroger, is turning heads this summer — and they're doing it in style. Earlier this year, SPAM sushi products rolled out nationwide at Kroger's Family Stores, including Ralphs Grocery Company, and now they're hitting the road to celebrate in true SPAM brand style! Introducing the first-ever SPAM Musubi Mobile: a larger-than-life food truck shaped like a SPAM Musubi that's nearly seven feet tall — an unmistakable site for fans and musubi lovers alike.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/45yd3k9
KENDELL: Via news release from Mendota Heights-based KENDELL, VERBATIM: “KENDELL, a leading provider of commercial door, frame, and hardware solutions, announced today that Darrin Anderson has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45kkUAM
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
POSTPONED: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “The upcoming Stevie Nicks show at the Xcel Energy Center is being postponed. The show was originally scheduled for Tuesday, August 19 in St. Paul. The show has now been moved to November 12. But a recent injury resulting in a fractured shoulder that will require recovery time is forcing Nicks to push back the show.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4lZzXGZ
BDAYS: DFL Chair Richard Carlbom, Finstad COS David FitzSimmons, Eagan Mayor Mike Maguire
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