Consumer spent more in the first half of 2025 than they did in the same period the past three years. MORNING CONSULT: https://fluence-media.co/4oihqra
Minneapolis parents plan to spend 19% more than the national average when shopping for back-to-school supplies. SURVEY: https://fluence-media.co/45zxts7
Overall consumer sentiment in the Twin Cities is down slightly year-over-year according to a Business Journals analysis. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/40Gxbhj
Minnesota State Fair crop art is headed to the Smithsonian. Wait… it’s not already there? SEE: https://fluence-media.co/45dbt67
St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter was on WCCO Radio this morning to discuss the cyber attack against city government. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4fkEOQM
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4lMLpWk
Sunday Take focused on Capitol security concerns and state Sen. Eric Pratt discussing his run for U.S. Rep. Angie Craig’s seat. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4mk2GWV
Blois
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The Fluence Forum was in partnership with Stinson and SotaCann. Subscribers can find it in their inbox and HERE: https://fluence-media.co/41jGAeO
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SD47: Dwight Dorau announced he’s running in the special election for the Minnesota Senate seat recently held by Sen. Nicole Mitchell. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/475yzOm
SLEEP NUMBER: Via Tip Ranks, VERBATIM: “Sleep Number stock dove on Wednesday following the release of the mattress company’s Q2 2025 earnings report. This started with diluted earnings per share of -$1.09, well below Wall Street’s estimate of -11 cents. This came from a net loss of $25 million, which was down by $20 million due to lower net sales.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/456lT7q
MORE: Via Investing, VERBATIM: “The company reported a second-quarter loss of $1.09 per share, substantially worse than analysts’ expected loss of $0.11 per share. Revenue fell 19.7% YoY to $328 million, missing the consensus estimate of $357.42 million. The disappointing results were attributed to lower sales volume and a reduced store count, following aggressive cost-cutting measures implemented at the beginning of the quarter.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40L5l3A
TARIFFS: Via Marketplace, VERBATIM: “Wolf Tooth Components is a manufacturer in Minnesota that makes bike parts, mostly out of aluminum. Co-owner Brendan Moore said over the last several years, the company’s been trying to boost output: It bought more aluminum milling machines, invested in more automation, and even moved workstations closer together . . . Moore said the goal is to make and sell more bike parts, rake in more profit, and use that money to develop new products, hire more workers, and expand. But then came the Trump administration's tariffs. Moore said his aluminum costs spiked, along with the cost of the other imports he relies on.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3ITSi9O
COFFEE: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “One-third of the coffee consumed in the US comes from Brazil, and now the world’s biggest coffee producer is facing new tariffs. President Trump announced plans to levy a 50% tariff on all goods from Brazil this month. That’s raising concern in the U.S. coffee industry, including at Alakef Coffee Roasters, a small Duluth-based company. ‘This is really the latest chapter in a series of problems that you could say go back to the pandemic,’ said Zachary Latimore, owner of Alakef.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4lMFDUE
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)
SMOKE: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Canadian wildfire smoke is once again prompting a statewide Air Quality Alert with most of the state already in the ‘unhealthy’ air quality category according to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. It's also going to be an extended event. WCCO-TV Chief Meteorologist Chris Shaffer says that alert extends all the way into Saturday afternoon.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/478jiwi
MORE: Via MPCA, current air quality conditions. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3Clysh2
SPECIAL ELECTIONS: Via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Three lawmaker deaths, a felony burglary conviction and a residency challenge are among the reasons this year Minnesota will at least tie its record for special elections needed to fill seats in the state Legislature. While the six special elections – three earlier this year and three upcoming – are for seats that did not or are not expected to change party hands, the state hasn’t seen this many special elections needed in the Legislature since 1994, according to data from the Legislative Reference Library.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3U5g19y
XEC: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Despite a weather-related power outage during Sunday's performance, comedian Nate Bargatze has set a record at Xcel Energy Center. Over his two performances at the arena on July 26 and 27, Bargatze set a new record for tickets sold by a comedian at Xcel, an arena representative has confirmed to Bring Me The News. Moreover, he's the first comedian to headline back-to-back nights at the St. Paul arena.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3H3lCu4
ZOO: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Zoo is working to close a funding gap for their plans to build a new state of the art animal hospital. The $25 million project is well on its way to becoming a reality, thanks to $11 million from the state legislature's $700 million capital investment bill, plus additional private funding.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3ISupzx
BROOKLYN PARK: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. That appears to be the direction the city of Brooklyn Park will take as it seeks ways to pay for a proposed expansion of the city’s Community Activity Center. The city sought bonding at the state legislature over the last two years for the expansion, but to no avail. It appears the city will now try again in 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45dah2q
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)
DULUTH: Via WDIO-TV, VERBATIM: “Maxfield Research and Consulting has prepared a Housing Needs Analysis, and the results were laid out in the Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday night. Numbers show that Duluth is growing, with the projections being over 90,000 people by 2030. Rental survey analysis shows median rent in 2024 was $1443 per month, which is a 6.5 percent increase from 2022. The rental vacancy rate for market-rate properties is 1.8 percent. Where a healthy vacancy rate is 5 percent.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44TPcLz
HORMEL: Via KAAL-TV, VERBATIM: “Union members of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 663 who work at Hormel Foods are announcing a class action lawsuit against Hormel in Austin. The lawsuit alleges that Hormel failed and refused to provide Local 663 members with paid leave benefits required by the Minnesota Earned Sick and Safe Time laws.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3IXej7D
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)
CONSTRUCTION: Via KEYC-TV, VERBATIM: “MnDOT is preparing for construction a major Mankato bridge. The Veteran’s Memorial Bridge connecting Mankato and North Mankato will be closed for construction beginning in February of next year until November, replacing the bridge deck, repairing panels and joints and making lane and signal changes.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oeK3W4
TWIN CITIES: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Traffic barrels and frustrated drivers have been ubiquitous this summer in the Twin Cities. That’s thanks, in part, to an influx of new state and federal transportation dollars that are flowing into repair and improvement projects across the metro area. In 2021, federal lawmakers and former President Joe Biden approved the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) that pumped $1 trillion into the nation’s roads, bridges, railways and other public works. Then, in 2023, state lawmakers approved new taxes and fees that will raise billions for Minnesota’s highways.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lWhivR
MUPPETS: Via People, VERBATIM: “Count Chocula, Boo Berry and Franken Berry are getting a fuzzy makeover. The iconic cereal mascots are being reimagined as puppets as part of a collaboration between General Mills and the Jim Henson Company, which turns 70 this year, according to a press release exclusively shared with PEOPLE.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3GRqthU
REUBENS: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Bite into chef James Adams’s Reuben sandwich—quite the feat, as this baby is stacked 3 inches high—and the first thing you’ll taste is the creamy, briny, and delectably sweet combination of flavors that only a Reuben can produce . . . This is a Reuben of epic proportions and care, and it’s now available at Kinsley’s Smokehouse Deli, newly added to The Market at Malcolm Yards food hall.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4lPz4AH
STATE FAIR: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “Live music is one of the most exciting aspects of the Fair, as globally recognized musicians and upcoming artists alike make special stops at the Great Minnesota Get-Together. Fairgoers are in for a treat this year, as the Grandstand lineup is packed with a variety of throwback favorites, old-school classics, and even some local talent.” LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4fhIYc7
NEXT MONTH: Via Stratasys, VERBATIM: “Stratasys Ltd. (Nasdaq: SSYS) will release financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025, on Wednesday, August 13, 2025. The Company plans to hold the conference call to discuss its second quarter 2025 financial results on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. (ET).” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ILEHBx
POLARIS: Via news release from Medina-based Polaris, VERBATIM: “Polaris Off Road, the world leader in powersports and off-road innovation, today unveiled the 2026 RANGER 500. This all-new mid-size utility side-by-side brings all the quality and reliability of the American Powersports Co. into the value segment.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/40L2YxI
WINMARK: Via news release from Minneapolis-based Winmark, VERBATIM: “Winmark Corporation, a leader in the circular economy for over 35 years and franchisor of five resale retail brands – Play It Again Sports, Plato's Closet, Once Upon A Child, Style Encore, and Music Go Round – is proud to announce its continued partnership with Minnesota Wild forward Matt Boldy as a brand ambassador.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4o9rqmt
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
SEA SHANTIES: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “On a sweltering summer day in mid-July, over 120 strangers crammed into an Irish pub with pints of Guinness in hand to sing an unusual tune for a landlocked state: a sea shanty. The big picture: For over 15 years, a group of Minnesotans have been convening at Twin Cities pubs, parks and patios for Shanty Sings — dedicated spaces to sing traditional folk songs about oceans, lakes, fishing and other water-related topics.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oeRKeG
BDAYS: Fed President Neel Kashkari, writer Tricia Velure, St. Paul City Attorney Lindsey Olson, chef Lenny Russo, attorney Nathan Swanson – it’s also Medicaid’s birthday which activists are celebrating today.
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