For two decades, support for LGBTQ+ issues increased. Now it’s begun to slide. GALLUP: https://fluence-media.co/4o9H01N
On WCCO-Radio, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey took some pointed questions from Chad Hartman about his handling of former Police Chief Brian O’Hara, LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4e6jz4T
Ford is recalling nearly 420,000 vehicles because of a seat belt issue. AP: https://fluence-media.co/4voseqd
Here are the two MNSiders from the weekend, with insight from the conventions:
SAT: https://fluence-media.co/49se3rS
SUN: https://fluence-media.co/4u5nHIc
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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/4arc33j
Sunday Take recapped the GOP state convention with candidates Kendall Qualls, Adam Schwarze and Mike Lindell in Duluth. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/432x94b
Blois
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MIDWEEK CHECK-IN
CD1: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Pete Buttigieg is throwing his support behind Democrat Jake Johnson in Southern Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District, Axios has learned. Why it matters: The endorsement, which drops Wednesday morning, the latest sign that national Democrats see a pickup opportunity in the one-time swing seat.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dOefEg
ICE IMPACT: The left-leaning NorthStar Policy Action released an analysis of the impact Operation Metro Surge had on the leisure and hospitality industry. VERBATIM: “In the first three months of 2026, Operation Metro surge caused Minnesota’s leisure and hospitality sector:
To lose approximately 4,600 jobs.
To lose 3% of weekly hours among employees who kept their jobs, leading to 2.6 million hours of lost work in the sector.
Together, these jobs and hours effects translate into 3.8 million total working hours lost in the industry.
Applied to industry averages, this implies that $71 million in wages were lost in Minnesota’s leisure and hospitality sector across January, February, and March of 2026.”
You can find NorthStar’s full report HERE: https://fluence-media.co/4obrC5a
TAX DATA: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Year-over-year sales tax collections decreased at Twin Cities retailers and restaurants during the peak of Operation Metro Surge, even as statewide revenues held steady, according to preliminary state data shared with Axios. Why it matters: The Department of Revenue report is among of the first to put a hard number on the damage sustained by many metro businesses during the ICE enforcement blitz. Yes, but: The numbers paint a nuanced picture, suggesting certain sectors and communities thrived while others struggled.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vqVJIa
AIRPORTS: Via States Newsroom, VERBATIM: “Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin appeared before the U.S. Senate Appropriations Homeland Security panel Tuesday and defended his threats to cripple international air travel into some cities led by Democrats . . . Mullin said in interviews on Fox News and Newsmax last week that he was considering a plan to remove customs officers from airports in cities that do not cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. ‘Listen, these sanctuary cities where the local radical left Democrats aren’t allowing us to do our job and enforce federal laws, then we shouldn’t be processing international flights into their cities, either,’ he told Fox’s Sean Hannity May 26.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ujtXfD
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)
MORE NEWS
CHURCHES: Via MPR, news that the Diocese of St. Cloud plans to reduce its number of parishes from 131 to 48. VERBATIM: “Church officials say a declining Catholic population, lower Mass attendance and a shortage of priests leave them little choice. The plan is still being rolled out. But it’s expected that some church buildings will close. Others will remain open, but host Masses only occasionally. [St. Anthony Catholic Church parishioner Jerry Breth] said parishioners at St. Anthony will have to drive elsewhere on most Sundays.” BRETH: “If the church would close, they’d really wreck the community, because we have nothing left,” Breth said. “Because this is it, other than the bar. And I’d rather see the bar close than a church.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4xbByzG
HOFFMAN: MPR checked in with Sen. John Hoffman a year after he and his wife were shot in their home, presumably by the same shooter who killed former Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark. VERBATIM: “The four-term DFLer is seeking to return to the Legislature but faces a repeat race with the Republican who challenged him four years ago, Karen Attia, who filed for the ballot just before Tuesday’s 5 p.m. deadline. His decision to come back was a difficult one for him and his family as they considered the potential risk they’d face remaining in public life.” QUOTE: “People would understand if we would have just said, ‘Time to find something else.’ Right?” the senator said. “But then it would win, evil would win, and there’s so much that needs to be done.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RBQEhD
(DISCLOSURE: Fluence has provided media support to the Hoffman family)
GRANITE FALLS: Via West Central Tribune, VERBATIM: “The Yellow Medicine East School District, with a ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony Monday, officially launched its $74.3 million project to replace its high school, middle school and elementary school facilities . . . Voters approved the $74.3 million bond for the project by a greater than 2-to-1 margin — 1,319 to 548 — in an August 2025 referendum.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vkvbrQ
LAW SCHOOL: Via Mitchell Hamline, VERBATIM: “Mitchell Hamline School of Law welcomes students from area undergraduate programs to its Summer Partnership in Law (SPIL) program. The program reflects the law school’s longstanding commitment to expanding access to legal education through a collaborative partnership with Metro State University and other colleges and universities across Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43ebhCT
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)
AQUATENNIAL
NEXT MONTH: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “After uncertainty surrounding the future of Aquatennial following the Minneapolis Downtown Council’s decision to step back from producing the event, the Aquatennial Ambassador Organization (AAO) announced it will take the helm of the city’s beloved civic celebration, ensuring the tradition continues when Aquatennial returns July 18-26. Now entering its 87th year, Aquatennial will continue its mission of bringing residents and visitors together through free, family-friendly events held throughout Minneapolis—from downtown and the Mississippi riverfront to Bde Maka Ska and city parks.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/438awLL
MORE: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “The AAO is a holdover from the original festival which ran for decades, from 1940 until the organization ran into financial issues by the late 1990s. At that point, the organization handed the events such as the Torchlight, fireworks, milk carton boat races and more, over to Downtown Council, while the AAO was founded to continue the ambassador side of the festival.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4o52dK9
GRANDMAS RIDE ATVs TOO! Check out Donna’s story - a powerful reminder that ATV riding is about more than trails...it’s about people, community, and connection. Donna’s message reflects what so many riders across Minnesota believe: responsible riding, strong local economies, and protecting access for future generations all go hand in hand. Check out Donna’s story: https://fluence-media.co/4tDeK9r Thank you, Donna, for sharing your story and helping put a face to what “I Ride” truly means. (SPONSORED: ATV Minnesota)
MINNEAPOLIS
FLOYD SQUARE: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “A pair of Minneapolis City Council members are asking Mayor Jacob Frey to reconsider the Minnesota Agape Movement as the choice to develop the People’s Way community site at George Floyd Square.” QUOTE: “When it comes to organizational capacity and feasibility, we are concerned that the Minnesota Agape movement may not have the experience and support for carrying out this proposed project,” Ward 8 council member Soren Stevenson said. “Their specialty is not in real estate development or memorial sites. They do not have experience in site development.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3PU85JK
HOUSING: Via Insight News, VERBATIM: “The Heritage Park development on the Near North side of Minneapolis — the 145-acre HOPE VI replacement community built on the former Sumner Field, Olson, Lyndale, and Glenwood public housing footprint — is in court receivership. Its master developer, St. Louis-based McCormack Baron Salazar, is out. The City of Minneapolis is moving public dollars into the property to address what staff describe as life-safety conditions. And the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority is openly studying whether to sell or redevelop the parcels it still controls.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ar9PAZ
OWAMNI: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Owamni is just weeks away from the launch of its next chapter. The James Beard-winning restaurant from chef and activist Sean Sherman closed its original riverfront location recently as it prepares to transform into Indígena by Owamni. The acclaimed eatery will open in the street-level restaurant space at the Guthrie Theater.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43JnzmX
GRAND OLD DAY: Flint Hills Resources is thrilled to be this year’s sponsor of the Grand Old Day parade. Flint Hills employees, families and friends will be showing their Saint Paul pride as they hand out giveaways alongside one of the Pine Bend refinery’s fire trucks. New this year, Flint Hills Resources engineers will demonstrate how science is really fun (and tasty) at the Future Innovators Zone. Kids can learn how to make their very own ice cream at home. Be sure to stop by on June 7! LEARN MORE: Grand Old Day (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery)
COMMERCE
FORTUNE 500: The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reports there are now 18 Minnesota companies on the list – one more than last year. APi Group moved up 35 places to crack the top 500. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uNfOIB
HIBBING: Via Mesabi Tribune, VERBATIM: “Demolition began this week on the 400 Block of Howard Street at the future site of the Iron Exchange 400: a new four or five-story development aimed at transforming the entire city block into a vibrant downtown community.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4foSqwe
PLYMOUTH: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Precision Shooting Center in Plymouth is focused on firearms — but there’s nary a gun on site. At least not a gun capable of firing a projectile. Its specialty is hyper-realistic laser guns. Some have CO2 tanks that add a small degree of recoil, simulating a real firearm.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43N2IiC
EAGAN: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “After bringing back its seagull logo and iconic early-2000s designs, Hollister is expanding its Twin Cities footprint with a new store at the Twin Cities Premium Outlets.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ab9bYh
ST PAUL: Via Crunch Fitness, VERBATIM: “Crunch Fitness today announced the upcoming opening of Crunch St. Paul Highland Park in St. Paul, Minnesota. The $6 million, 35,000-square-foot state-of-the-art fitness facility will open its doors this fall.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ehyI4x
ICE CREAM: Via MDA, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has issued a consumer advisory for certain ice cream and non-dairy frozen dessert products produced by Milkjam Creamery in Minneapolis, MN, due to the potential presence of metal fragments.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Qfgjw5
GLOBAL TRADE BOLSTERS AG ECONOMIES: Via Minnesota Corn, VERBATIM: “Each year, Minnesota’s exports of corn, ethanol, corn-fed meat, and dried distillers grains (DDGS) alone support over 11,500 jobs and add billions to the state’s economy. They also help ensure that consumers around the world have access to affordable protein and dairy products. In May, during World Trade Month, Minnesota Corn celebrates that important role trade plays in all our lives—in the U.S. and abroad. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4dqEqB1 (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn)
WHAT’S NEXT?
ALL MONTH: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “June is Pride Month, and communities across Minnesota are marking the occasion with festivals, parades, performances, family activities, and opportunities to celebrate and support LGBTQ+ neighbors.” LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4uICIkk
NEXT MONTH: Via General Mills, VERBATIM: “General Mills, Inc. (NYSE: GIS) plans to report results for its fiscal 2026 fourth quarter and full year on July 1, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49CNgsQ
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
FARMERS MARKETS: Via MplsStPaul, a list of farmers markets around the Twin Cities. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4e20NeK
BDAYS: ambassador Sam Kaplan, radio host Sam Sansavere, labor guy Brad Lehto
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