A downtown St. Paul intersection under construction is now closed because of a watermain break. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3UOOSYB
Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) says the FBI has signed on to help track down Texas Democrats who left the state to stop a redistricting vote. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4m2VPkF
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4muoSxk
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
Blois
tips/feedback bloisolson@gmail.com
All Fluence Media tip sheets are now available to read and share online at our website, The Daily Agenda:
Sign-up for paid TheDailyAgenda and you’ll receive a morning take mug.
Earlier this year we launched a premium subscription option. Now we’re adding content for premium subscribers.
A monthly insight-filled briefing memo on Minnesota and Midwest issue and political dynamics.
Access to our Fluence Forum audio and videio assets.
A free morning take mug if you sign-up this week.
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.
SENATE: Via news release from the Flanagan campaign, VERBATIM: “Today Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan announced U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass) will head to Minnesota to support Flanagan’s campaign for U.S. Senate. The two will hold a rally in Minneapolis on August 22nd to share their plans on how to change the status quo in Washington and make the government work for working people.” QUOTE: “We need Democrats in the Senate who are going to fight for working families with everything they’ve got. Peggy is the only candidate in this race who has the guts to shake up the status quo in Washington and actually deliver for working people,” said Sen. Elizabeth Warren. “I’m inspired by Peggy because she understands that you don’t get what you don’t fight for, and she gives me hope for the future.”
HISTOSONICS: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and a group of high-profile investors are paying $2.25 billion for a majority stake in a Minnesota firm that has developed a novel, nonsurgical way to destroy harmful liver tumors with bubbles. The company, Plymouth-based HistoSonics, will use the funds to develop additional uses of the device with other organs.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45GuvTy
ALLETE: Via Reuters, VERBATIM: “U.S. utility Allete posted a fall in second-quarter profit on Thursday, weighed down by lower industrial margins along with higher operating and interest expenses. Higher-for-longer interest rates can weigh on utilities as it makes investing in the construction and maintenance of critical infrastructure such as electrical grids more expensive. The company reported interest expenses of $23.1 million in the reported quarter, up almost 15% from a year ago, while total operating expenses were up 5% at $342.3 million.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4frNBjP
EARNINGS: Via Associated Press, more quarterly reports from Minnesota-based companies:
TENNANT: “Tennant Co. (TNC) on Wednesday reported profit of $20.2 million in its second quarter. The Eden Prairie, Minnesota-based company said it had profit of $1.08 per share . . . The maker of products for cleaning floors, parking lots and hospitals posted revenue of $318.6 million in the period.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lmakPE
DELUXE: “Deluxe Corp. (DLX) on Wednesday reported net income of $22.4 million in its second quarter. On a per-share basis, the Minneapolis-based company said it had net income of 50 cents . . . The payments and data company posted revenue of $521.3 million in the period.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fw08CO
DIGI: “Digi International Inc. (DGII) on Wednesday reported fiscal third-quarter profit of $10.2 million. The Hopkins, Minnesota-based company said it had profit of 27 cents per share . . . The results topped Wall Street expectations . . . The provider of communication adapters posted revenue of $107.5 million in the period, which also topped Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lZHyW0
SKYWATER: “SkyWater Technology Inc. (SKYT) on Wednesday reported a loss of $10 million in its second quarter. On a per-share basis, the Bloomington, Minnesota-based company said it had a loss of 21 cents . . . The company posted revenue of $59.1 million in the period.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45of1CC
SUNOPTA: “SunOpta Inc. (STKL) on Wednesday reported net income of $4.4 million in its second quarter. On a per-share basis, the Eden Prairie, Minnesota-based company said it had profit of 3 cents . . . The natural and organic food company posted revenue of $191.5 million in the period.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45lCeFo
TILE SHOP: “Tile Shop Holdings Inc. (TTSH) on Thursday reported profit of $392,000 in its second quarter. The Plymouth, Minnesota-based company said it had profit of 1 cent per share. The stone tile retailer posted revenue of $88.3 million in the period.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4mejwqE
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)
MPD: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Four Minneapolis police trainers were accused of using excessive force in civil lawsuits the city settled before they received their current assignments, according to a review of federal court documents. One police trainer allegedly struck a disabled man in the head. Another allegedly beat and falsely arrested a Black man who repeated a question. A fifth officer, who now reviews use-of-force incidents, allegedly took part in the assault of a man who claimed he nearly died. That lawsuit was settled for nearly $1 million. The lawsuits were settled without a finding of fault. And many of the allegations date back a decade or more. But as the Minnesota Department of Human Rights tasks the Minneapolis Police Department with overhauling its culture and accountability processes — including uses of excessive force that disproportionately impacted people of color — advocates for police reform say these officers’ leadership positions raise concerns over the department’s commitment to change.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3J39cmx
MPLS MAYOR: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey's leading election opponents have ramped up their criticism of Police Chief Brian O'Hara, faulting Frey's oversight and the chief himself for a string of policing controversies. Why it matters: November's election could again become a referendum on the management of a long-troubled department still under court orders to rein in misconduct and racially biased enforcement.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3J39VUM
STORM DAMAGE: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “Beltrami County Emergency Management Director Chris Muller announced Wednesday night that the county has come up short to be eligible to request federal assistance for the severe storm that rolled through the area on June 21. He says they fell $800,000 short of the indicator to be able to request federal aid.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4fqt6nv
MORE: From Beltrami County Emergency Management via Facebook, QUOTE: “In my experience, disasters always get more expensive as you go. Due to the short timeframe to be able to request federal assistance and the monumental clean up efforts, that window has closed even if we close that gap. The good news is Minnesota’s state program will be able to assist us in the financial recovery. It will be 75% reimbursement versus 100%. Unfortunately, the lack of a federal declaration means some entities that could’ve been eligible for assistance aren’t under the state program.” POST: https://fluence-media.co/4mwOo5a
BOELTER: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Accused assassin Vance Boelter entered a not guilty plea to his federal charges Thursday in connection with the political shootings of two Minnesota lawmakers and their families last month. Boelter, 58, of Green Isle, made the plea in a Minneapolis federal courtroom after waiving the reading of his six-count indictment by U.S. Magistrate Judge Dulce Foster in connection with the stalking and slaying of state Rep. Melissa Hortman, her husband, Mark Hortman, the shooting of John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, and attempted shooting of their daughter, Hope, in the families’ homes.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mgehGL
HORTMANS: Via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Colin and Sophie Hortman on Wednesday paid tribute to their late parents on the alternative music station The Current, sharing memories of how the music-loving duo intertwined melodies into their lives alongside public service.” QUOTE: “We wanted to celebrate our parents’ memory, Mark and Melissa Hortman, through music,” Colin Hortman said on the morning show. “We’re trying to do things that put a smile on other peoples’ faces … because that’s how they lived their whole (lives).” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40XHsWC
DULUTH: Via Duluth News Tribune, VERBATIM: “After a lengthy search, Visit Duluth has chosen Haley Hedstrom as its new executive director. She’ll step into the role at a time when the organization is in transition, soon to reclaim its lead role in marketing the city to travelers. Many of those marketing duties have been controversially transferred to out-of-town firms in recent years. But Mayor Roger Reinert has pledged to return Visit Duluth to its position as the city’s go-to destination marketing organization — often referred to as a DMO in tourism circles.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Hc9ffh
MORE: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “Hedstrom has worked in the Duluth tourism and marketing community, most recently as the executive director of the Lake Superior Zoo . . . As for what’s next for the Lake Superior Zoo, an interim executive director will be announced soon.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/45nk9GP
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)
CLEAN ENERGY: Via Stateline, VERBATIM: “The abrupt termination of tax credits for clean energy projects is perhaps the most drastic blow that President Donald Trump has struck in his campaign against wind and solar electricity. As states brace for the uncertainty ahead, they are scrambling to get pending projects off the ground before the tax credits expire.” QUOTE: “We still need to add electricity in this state, and wind and solar are still the cheapest way to do it,” said Pete Wyckoff, deputy commissioner of energy resources with the Minnesota Department of Commerce. “It’s a blow, but it doesn’t change our energy policy, it doesn’t change what is economically the right thing to do. But it’s a big hit to our ratepayers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40XoaAF
GHOST: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “After more than five years without a K9 officer at the Cloquet Police Department, they have added a new member to their team. ‘This is a first for me; it’s going to be a lot of work, but I’m really looking forward to it, and I think he (K9 Ghost) wants to get to work already,’ said Officer Brodie Norquist, who has been with CPD since 2020 and is now the handler of their only K9 officer. K9 Ghost is still getting to know his owner before they begin a 12-week training course to prepare him for patrol.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3UW29hX
TORO: Via Investing, VERBATIM: “The Toro Company (NYSE:TTC), currently valued at $7.3 billion, announced Thursday it has divested its Trencor equipment brand and the auger boring product category from its American Augers brand. Financial terms of the transactions were not disclosed. According to InvestingPro data, Toro maintains a strong financial position with liquid assets exceeding short-term obligations and operates with a moderate level of debt. The company will continue manufacturing American Augers’ underground equipment line, including large horizontal directional drills, pumps and fluid cleaning systems at its West Salem, Ohio, facility. The Trencor divestiture includes assets related to large-track trenchers and mining equipment.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3J6HIfW
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)
LAKE SUPERIOR: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “The man who survived a two-mile swim in frigid Lake Superior is speaking out Wednesday in an exclusive interview with Northern News Now. Peter Joice was on his way to an annual fishing trip with friends at Isle Royale, but things took a turn for the worst when he fell off the boat into Lake Superior. The captain of the boat was unaware Joice had fallen and continued forward.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4mye95f
RETAIL: The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reports the Claire’s in Blaine’s Northtown Mall is among 18 set to close amid the chain’s bankruptcy filing. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4okTrHD
TOMORROW: Via news release from Eden Prairie-based Surmodics, VERBATIM: “Surmodics, Inc. (Nasdaq: SRDX), a leading provider of medical device and in vitro diagnostic technologies to the health care industry, today announced that third quarter of fiscal year 2025 financial results will be released before the market opens on Friday, August 8.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4liMzYy
SATURDAY: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “The Mississippi River, which flows for about 680 miles in Minnesota and cuts through the heart of the Twin Cities, has long been a point of pride and a source of recreation for Minnesotans, and residents can share their love for the river at the inaugural Float Fest happening this Saturday, Aug. 9, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47iBumU
SATURDAY: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “The Twin Cities’ creative scene has several beloved events that draw visitors by the hundreds, if not thousands, every year—there’s Art-A-Whirl, annual summer art fairs, and the Minnesota Fringe Festival, to name a few. And there’s a new kid in town that has fully cemented its rank among the annual lineup: Flavor Fest.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4leKNHW
SATURDAY: The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reports a new resale hub and consignment boutique will open Saturday in Uptown. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3UiOrpd
APOGEE: Via Minneapolis-based Apogee, VERBATIM: “Apogee Enterprises, Inc. (Nasdaq: APOG), a leading provider of architectural building products and services, as well as high-performance coated materials used in a variety of applications, today announced the appointment of two new business segment presidents. The Company announced that effective August 7, 2025, Nick Longman will resign as President of the Architectural Metals Segment. Troy Johnson will take the role of President of the Architectural Metals Segment, replacing Mr. Longman, and Matt Christian will take the role of President of the Architectural Services Segment, succeeding Mr. Johnson.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fvbC9F
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
HOCKEY: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Over a decade ago, Ben Hankinson, an NHL agent from Edina, and Terry Moore, a local lawyer, pondered the small groups of hockey players that congregated in the Twin Cities every summer. They figured if they could cobble everyone together into one large group, they could create something special. So, along with a few other co-founders, Hankinson and Moore formed the Minnesota Summer Pro Hockey League in 2015. Just one problem. ‘Way too boring,’ Hankinson said. So, they changed the name. A ‘beauty’ is a great hockey player on and off the ice, so they devised the name ‘Beauty League.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45aF0P6
BDAYS: Winthrop’s Tom Hanson, lobbyist Dan Pollock, journalist Erin Adler, farm leader Richard Syverson, K102’s Chris Carr
Fluence Media curates, produces and distributes specialized media products to thought leadership audiences across the Midwest and about the region. Our publications cover, politics, public policy, health care, agriculture, business, real estate, sports and more. Visit www.fluence-media.com to learn more.
about morning take- Founded in 2010, morning take has grown to become the leading Minnesota morning newsletter on politics and news of the day. Published by Fluence Media since 2012 the mission is to "make you smarter" before breakfast.
Copyright © 2025 Lunch Take, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
Fluence Media
PO Box 270031
Golden Valley, MN 55427