The Mall of America celebrated 33 years on Monday. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/45fSHMG
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3HlNNEE
Representatives Angie Craig and Brad Finstad, the USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agriculture Affairs, plus Minnesota ag stakeholders – it’s a busy Sunday Take from Farmfest. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4fz19tO
Blois
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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.
GOLF: Madden’s on Gull Lake, The Wilderness At Fortune Bay, and The Quarry at Giants Ridge all made Golf Digest’s list of the 100 greatest public golf courses. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/45e5yPj
TARGET: Via The Wall Street Journal, VERBATIM: “Many Target shoppers are frustrated with the retailer. Many Target employees are too. In early June, a companywide survey showed that roughly half of Target’s employees didn’t think the company was making the changes necessary to compete effectively. About 40% of the roughly 260,000 staffers who replied said they didn’t have confidence in the company’s future. The scores—which declined from a year ago—were even lower for those staffers at Target’s headquarters in Minneapolis. The worker sentiment data reflects the challenges ahead for the company as it prepares to navigate a leadership change and turn around 10 quarters of flat or falling sales in an increasingly complex consumer environment.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3JduVbo
MORE: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “Target isn’t just Target. By the mid-’80s, the public was calling it ‘Tar-ZHAY,’ that faux-French accent playing along with the retailer’s claim to chicness. Its slogan—'Expect More. Pay Less.’—promised a balance of low prices and upper-end cred. You confessed to a Walmart or Kmart buy; you bragged about Target finds. Its marketing was artsy (a woman waffle-ironing her hair on a New York City billboard—you can buy beauty products and waffles here!) and its partnerships intriguing, with high-design weirdos and trendsetters like Philippe Starck (2002) and Isaac Mizrahi (2003). But today, some say there’s less ‘zhay.’ Partnership choices have seemed less risky. The retailer collaborated with Kate Spade this spring, although a tie-in with that mainstream (past-its-prime?) brand hardly felt daring.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45AAdFr
OKLAHOMA: Via The Oklahoman, VERBATIM: “Oklahoma lawmakers should be allowed to use campaign funds to cover reasonable home and digital security costs, according to a draft opinion from the Oklahoma Ethics Commission. A bipartisan group of legislative leaders requested the opinion following the June 14 assassination of Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. Minnesota resident Vance Boutler [sic] is also accused of shooting and seriously wounding Minnesota Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. The draft opinion does not apply to candidates for public office, only elected officials.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oyCAkN
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 Axios, VERBATIM: “A debate about student housing offers a glimpse of how candidates in Tuesday's special election for St. Paul City Council would approach one of the city's most pressing challenges. The big picture: St. Paul's biggest issue is housing — from affordability to homelessness to how permissive the city should be to developers at a time when little housing is getting built.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Hl9btI
TODAY: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “Duluth and Two Harbors voters will head to the polls Tuesday, narrowing down the list of candidates for several open seats for the city council and the school board. In Duluth, there are two open at-large council seats, along with the second district race on the primary ballot. There are also two open seats on the Duluth school board.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4fyu9le
DULUTH: Via WDIO-TV, VERBATIM: “On Tuesday, the Duluth City Council selected the person to temporarily fill Mike Mayou’s position. Mayou stepped down after buying a home outside of his district. Councilors interviewed the finalists: Deb DeLuca, Craig Bursh, and Janet Nelson. DeLuca has been chosen.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41yjscI
NO-KNOCK: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “The use of no-knock warrants in Minnesota decreased by 79 percent in the first full year since state lawmakers passed restrictions on the controversial law enforcement practice, according to the latest Bureau of Criminal Apprehension report. There were 18 no-knock warrants issued last year and 16 that were carried out. In 2023, 84 were issued. The year before that: 179. The changed state law, which went into effect in August 2023, set a higher standard for courts to issue the warrants and requires officers to ‘loudly and understandably’ announce their presence before entering.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3UqRITE
CANNABIS: Via KMSP-TV, VERBATIM: “After denying what could have been the first non-tribal, recreational cannabis shop to open in Minnesota, the Albert Lea City Council is now slated to review three cannabis businesses this week for registration. The backstory: At the council's last meeting in July, members rejected a motion to approve registration for Jacob Schlichter and his cannabis shop, The Smoking Tree. Some members expressed displeasure with the state cannabis law and the lack of control over cannabis businesses for local governments. Speaking during the debate, some council members acknowledged the decision to deny the registration for Schlichter likely violated the law, and could result in the state cutting aid to the city as a penalty.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4lmSagA
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)
MEDIA: Via Brainerd Dispatch, VERBATIM: “Lakeland PBS, north central Minnesota's only locally owned and operated public television station, announced it is facing a severe financial crisis after a recent federal rescissions package eliminated $1 million in annual funding. ‘The cut represents a staggering 37% of the station’s operating budget, posing a significant threat to its ability to serve communities across the region,’ Lakeland reported in a news release. The station's broadcast area spans communities as far south as Little Falls, north to the Canadian border, west to Fosston, and east to Bovey, including the Red Lake, Leech Lake, White Earth, and Mille Lacs Tribal communities.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mAL2y3
U OF M: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “Nearly 170 service workers at the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) are prepared to walk off the job the same day students arrive on campus. Teamsters Local 320 represents service workers across all five of the University of Minnesota campuses in positions like maintenance, buildings and grounds, and dining. Lead negotiator for Teamsters Local 320 Jackson Kerr says daily operations across the campuses just wouldn’t run without the union’s members.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/45wtXhQ
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)
LAKES: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “On lakes across Minnesota, it’s common to see shorelines buffered with boulders, often stretching hundreds of feet across and several feet deep. These barricades of large rocks, known as riprap, are designed to keep soil from crumbling into the lake due to waves or high water. For many home or cabin owners, riprap also creates a neat, aesthetically pleasing shoreline, a status symbol for up-north lake life. But armoring lakeshores comes with an environmental cost. Rocks may stop erosion, but they’re also hard and unyielding. They don’t offer habitat for fish, turtles, birds or pollinators. And they don’t slow water running off the landscape, which can carry nutrients from lawn fertilizers that are harmful to lakes.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3JaCtvC
GOLDEN VALLEY: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “A new business is coming to Golden Valley, one that is relatively uncommon and would be a city first. The Golden Valley recently approved a conditional use permit for Aqua Bridge, a business that provides a water-based pet cremation service, also called aquamation. It’s described as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional cremation.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Jwm04Q
ACQUISITION: Via news release from St. Paul-based Ecolab, VERBATIM: “Ecolab Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Ovivo’s Electronics business, a leading and fast-growing global provider of breakthrough ultra-pure water technologies for semiconductor manufacturing. The acquisition will further strengthen Ecolab’s global high-tech growth engine by bringing together Ovivo’s ultra-pure water technologies with Ecolab’s leading water solutions, digital technologies and global service capabilities.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/411yAiL
ACQUISITION: Via news release from Minneapolis-based Proterra, VERBATIM: “Proterra Investment Partners LP, a Minneapolis-based alternative asset manager focused on private equity and private credit investments across the global food value chain with over $3.4 billion in assets under management, today announced its acquisition of AcreTrader, the leading farmland investment platform operating at the intersection of agriculture, finance, and technology.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41EOzDr
TODAY: Via KTTC-TV, VERBATIM: “Congressman Brad Finstad will be in Rochester on Tuesday, August 12, for another Eggs and Issues event, hosted by the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce. The series allows member businesses to learn about and discuss the issues impacting them and the community.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/45cz202
THURSDAY: Via Vermillion Cultural Center, VERBATIM: “David Pearsall, author of the book Son of Wake Island will be speaking at the LVCC on August 14th at 7 PM. Pearsall wrote his first book about his father, the late John Edward Pearsall who was a Prisoner of War of the Japanese on Wake Island in the Pacific.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45NwSnK
NEXT MONTH: Via Dakota, VERBATIM: “The Dakota’s 40th Anniversary Block Party will be held on Nicollet Mall outside the Dakota as well as inside. The event will feature live performances and culinary specials inspired by the rich flavors of New Orleans. Also, there will be a craft market and a kids’ corner activity area.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/46TYhWe
WINNEBAGO: Via news release from Eden Prairie-based Winnebago, VERBATIM: “Winnebago Industries, Inc. (NYSE: WGO) today announced several key changes to its executive leadership team, including newly created group leader roles. The announcement comes as the company continues to take strategic actions that further enhance its position as the trusted leader in the premium outdoor recreation market and drive its next phase of growth.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lshsKl
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
RETAIL: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Mall of America is getting in on the Labubu craze. Driving the news: The mall announced Monday that it will soon be home to Minnesota's first Pop Mart store.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mnkTTN
PEACE: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “In the annals of 20th century Twin Cities business, the most familiar names are those like Carl Pohlad, Harvey Mackay, Wheelock Whitney, and the Cargill-MacMillan family. By comparison, Paul Christen’s is less well known. But Christen, who passed away in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on July 27 at the age of 96, should be listed with those names, even though he spent a large part of his career in a neighboring state. In many ways, that career benefited both Minnesota and South Dakota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Ja0zXj
BDAYS: organizer Reed Millar, attorney Karen Wilson Thissen, Ellison aide Donna Cassutt, GOP businesswoman Kelly Jahner-Byrne, MN Senate’s Maddie Hoy
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