How do you paint a water tower? WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4nBCI2r
The campground at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park is one of the ten best in the country according to The Dyrt. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/3IiSn6Q
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3TtjuhF
On Sunday Take, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer discussed the passage and local impact of the “Big Bill”. LISTEN: http://fluence-media.co/44i2ph1
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:
SURVEY: Via news release from Water Over Nickel, VERBATIM: “Water Over Nickel, an initiative led by the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, today released the results of the first-ever Minnesota Water Outlook survey assessing Minnesotans' connection to clean water. The survey revealed a significant disconnect between Minnesotans' shared values around clean water and collective awareness of current risks threatening the resource . . .
86% of Minnesotans say protecting water is very or extremely important
85% believe clean water is part of Minnesota's identity, ranking it above all other issues surveyed
95% say we must protect water for future generations
However, more than half of Minnesotans surveyed (58%) are unaware of the impact of nickel mining on water quality, and only 16% are aware of a proposed nickel mine that could endanger watersheds along the Mississippi River and throughout the metro area.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eG4gj5
CLOSING: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “It is a massive end of an era: D’Amico is not renewing its lease for Café & Bar Lurcat on Loring Park this September. 23 years of the miso sea bass, the gorgeous dining room, elegant service, and beautiful views. Maybe more significantly, it closes the menu on 40 years of D’Amico’s full-service restaurants in Minnesota, dating to 1982 at D’Amico Cucina.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lmGXgQ
SENATE: From Minnesota Senate Assistant Minority Leader Julia Coleman (R-SD48) via Instagram, VERBATIM: “After months of prayer and soul-searching, I’ve realized that my three little ones—our next generation—need their mom leading the charge right here in Minnesota. With conviction and gratitude, I’ve decided not to run for the U.S. Senate. My focus remains on fighting for our future from home, uniting Minnesotans across the aisle—because our state thrives when we work together, regardless of party, for the common good.” POST: https://fluence-media.co/3GB60xv
GOLDEN VALLEY: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Two Golden Valley City Council members say they’re wrapping up their time in local government. Gillian Rosenquist and Denise La Mere-Anderson are not planning to run for re-election. Both of their terms are set to expire at the end of this year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44kBFwn
WILDFIRES: Via WDIO-TV, VERBATIM: “A group of six United States Representatives from Minnesota and Wisconsin sent a letter to Canadian Ambassador Kristen Hillman asking for stronger forest management practices on Monday July 7th. This comes after wildfire smoke from Canada caused major air quality issues across the Northland and beyond this summer. Northland lawmakers Rep. Tom Tiffany (WI-6) and Rep. Pete Stauber (MN-8) are among the six representatives who sent the letter.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eDtsqD
MORE: Via Rep. Tom Tiffany, the letter which is also signed by Reps. Brad Finstad, Michelle Fischbach, and Tom Emmer. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Il0jnT
CRASHES: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Twin Cities drivers get into collisions more frequently than the national average, according to Allstate claims data provided to Axios. Why it matters: The stat serves as a good reminder to drive safely as many of us hit the road for summer travel. Plus: The findings put a little quantitative weight behind some people's strongly held beliefs about the quality — or lack thereof — of their neighbors' driving skills.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eO3II3
BILL: Via WDIO-TV, VERBATIM: “On July 4, President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act into law. Hailed by the President and fellow Republicans as a major achievement in domestic policy, local governments are now tasked with implementing [its] changes. In Minnesota, counties are in charge of administering social programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid, with county employees determining eligibility and managing the program and applicants. With changes coming to these federal programs, counties are having to work to figure out how to implement the new policies.” QUOTE: “Work requirements for Medicaid are new. That program does not currently have work requirements and those go into effect at the end of the calendar year 2026.” said Linnea Mirsch, Deputy County Administrator for Community and Human Services with St. Louis County – the department tasked with administering these programs, like Medicaid. “There was a state analysis of similar work requirements in 2018. And we can use that analysis to kind of work out what our portion of it would be. And that is about $6.4 million of costs.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/44SBFDW
BEMIDJI: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “Bemidji State University continues to assess and address damage from the severe storm that ravaged the campus with 120 mph winds. Officials say it’s a process that will take some time, but it’s one they’re dedicated to getting right. BSU president Dr. John Hoffman reports nearly 90% of buildings on campus were damaged.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4kpvNGM
MORE: Also via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “The Bemidji City Council has extended the city’s local emergency declaration for another two weeks. It originally was set to end Monday, July 7th. The biggest reason for the extension is not because the council feels the city is still in a state of emergency, but in case of damage that has yet to be discovered.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4nI99MQ
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)
WATER MAIN: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Another southwest Minneapolis business impacted by a water main break is throwing in the towel several months later. A burst water main in mid-February sent a deluge of water into a building at West 50th Street and Penn Avenue South and caused major flood damage to multiple businesses and apartments. One of those businesses, Sparrow Cafe, recently decided that it won't be able to reopen at 5001 Penn Ave. S. without a substantial rebuild of the space.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44GBkmJ
ALUMINUM: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “With its new $71 million expansion, EGA Spectro Alloys in Rosemount becomes one of only about 40 plants in the U.S. that can make recycled aluminum billets. Think 25-foot-long poles of solid aluminum. The 90,000-square-foot plant gives companies a needed domestic source for the much-in-demand billets at a time when most aluminum in the U.S. is imported and faces a 50% tariff set in June by President Donald Trump. At the same time, it becomes a much bigger buyer of industrial metal scrap, a new buyer in Minnesota for recycled beer and pop cans and gives Spectro Alloy its first new product line in 53 years.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lBRjco
CARP: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Common carp are a common problem in Minnesota lakes. The invasive species of fish are voracious eaters that root around the bottom of the lake for food — damaging plants and habitat, while muddying the water. Some lakes in central and southern Minnesota have thousands of these destructive fish. [Przemek Bajer] is part of a team of scientists working to develop methods to control common carp on Lake Fremont, and gauge whether reducing their numbers can restore natural habitat and help native species bounce back. The researchers’ goal is to use these management tools and technology to help other Minnesota lakes keep the invasive fish in check.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/405lXCJ
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)
CONTEST: Via Minnesota Chamber, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce announced today that nominations are open for the ‘Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota’ contest, a public-driven competition that celebrates the most innovative and impactful products made right here in Minnesota. The Minnesota Chamber leads this contest through its Manufacturers’ Council — the largest statewide network of manufacturers, providing Minnesota Chamber members with a direct line to lawmakers, peer connections and resources to help manufacturers grow and thrive in Minnesota.” MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3AMjdQJ
INFLUENCERS: Via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Like a lot of people her age, college student Bethany Wer worries about saving money, getting all of her classwork done and getting off her parents’ insurance. ‘I think I’m a very average person,’ Wer said. ‘I just have, like, a very average life.’ Spend a few minutes with her on TikTok, though, as she plans a wedding with her high school sweetheart, opens PR packages and works on brand collaborations with the Mall of America, and you’ll see she’s living a sort of Midwestern influencer fairytale.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lAHRXn
BROOKLYN PARK: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Do you have a home security camera? If so, Brooklyn Park police are urging homeowners and business owners to register their cameras in a relatively new crime-fighting initiative. The Safe Community Camera Program lets people register their external security cameras with the police department.” QUOTE: “Video surveillance cameras are a great tool for solving crimes and apprehending suspects,” police said in a press release. “We see examples everyday where video surveillance catches a suspect in the act of committing a crime.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lOqemB
ST PAUL: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “After serving pop-up feasts in the Twin Cities last year, French restaurant Aubergine is settling down in St. Paul's Cathedral Hill neighborhood. Bjorn and Megan Jacobse, the husband-and-wife duo behind Aubergine, announced Monday that the restaurant will open in the former Revival space at 525 Selby Ave. this fall.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3GyluSY
THIS WEEKEND: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “It’s not just tall ships that will be in the Twin Ports this weekend, as world-class high divers will be competing with each other, jumping into Lake Superior during the Festival of Sail.” QUOTE: “Well, we’re doing something that’s very unusual,” said Dan Kunze with Watershow Productions. “We’re in an unusual sport, high diving, and we’ve used all kinds of different towers.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/44C8Xpu
THIS MONTH: Via news release from Eden Prairie-based C.H. Robinson, VERBATIM: “C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (Nasdaq: CHRW), announced today that it will issue its second quarter 2025 results after the market closes on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nKgzPJ
NEXT MONTH: Via KQDS-TV, VERBATIM: “The William A. Irvin is set to host a free concert series for the second time. This August, a free, family-friendly concert series will be held every Thursday evening on the historic freighter’s spar deck, offering unbeatable views of the Aerial Lift Bridge and Lake Superior.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4llnzRs
ACQUISITION: From Katherine Ellison of Bloomington-based Bright Planet Pet via LinkedIn, VERBATIM: “Today, I’m happy to announce that Bright Planet has been acquired by Archway Pet Food, a company that shares our values and our commitment to sustainability, innovation, and long- term impact.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ksuRBx
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
BROOKLYN CENTER: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Many things have changed in Brooklyn Center over the last 40 years. But one thing’s stayed the same, and that’s The 50’s Grill. The business was opened on Brooklyn Boulevard back in July of 1985. It is still there and it’s a step back in time, decorated in 50’s memorabilia. Vintage advertisements, posters, and even a jukebox set the scene.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3GcsaWU
STATE FAIR: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “However you choose to structure your Minnesota State Fair itinerary, be sure to leave space to check out this year’s lineup of Grandstand acts, slated to begin on opening day, August 21.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ktN7un
BDAYS: city of St. Paul’s Nicole McPherson, Anoka County’s David Schwenk, communication veteran Leslie Kupchella
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