The new Drought Monitor out this morning shows big improvement for much of the state, though some areas remain in formal drought status, with one area in the southwest corner of the state considered severe. MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3PP2Kzy
The Minnesota State Fair this morning released this year’s free show lineup. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/42zDwvu
The most Minnesota sports thing ever? Howard Sinker tells you what it is later today in Sports Take. (No, it’s not our local teams losing big games.)
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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/4df7WYI
Sunday Take featured Republican Senate candidate Michele Tafoya discussing her campaign, the war in Iran and what the GOP can do to win statewide. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3R09IG0
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THURSDAY FEED
ICYMI… morning take with comprehensive coverage and context for the budget deal struck last night between the Governor and legislative leaders. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4nraBU9
TODAY: Via Everytown, VERBATIM: “Today, Thursday, May 14th, gun violence prevention advocates, students, and gun violence survivors will deliver a petition to Speaker Demuth and House Republicans, calling on the Speaker and House legislators to take action on SF 4067. The petition has over seven thousand signatories, despite only circulating across the state for under one week following the Senate passage of SF 4067.”
TODAY: Via Indivisible Twin Cities, VERBATIM: “Members of Indivisible Twin Cities, along with gun violence prevention advocates from Protect Minnesota and Mom Demand Action will rally outside the House chamber, in support of the House passing SF4067, a gun safety bill the Senate passed last week. Some two dozen DFL legislators plan a 24-hour sit-in on the House floor if House Speaker Lisa Demuth doesn’t introduce the gun violence bill by 5pm today.”
ENDORSEMENT: Via Teamsters Joint Council 32, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Teamsters are endorsing Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) in the race for governor. With more than 50,000 members and retirees across the state, Teamsters Joint Council 32 is proud to be one of the first unions to show its support for Klobuchar in this race.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uFLShc
E-15: As reported in morning take, the U.S. House Wednesday passed legislation to allow E15 fuel year-round. From Minnesota Farm Bureau president Dan Glessing, QUOTE: “The passage of year-round E15 fuel sales legislation by the House is a win for Minnesota farmers and consumers,” said MFBF President Dan Glessing. “A consistent ethanol policy gives famers the confidence to plan ahead and helps keep our rural economies strong while providing consumers with a reliable, homegrown, lower-cost fuel option.”
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)
BUSINESS MOVES
MERGER: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Sun Country Airlines officially became a subsidiary of Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air Wednesday after the companies closed their $1.5 billion merger. Why it matters: This acquisition is going to mean big changes for many of the airline’s 3,300 employees, and it will also spell the end of the Sun Country brand — eventually.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42vuLTl
ACQUISITION: Via Minneapolis-based WSB, VERBATIM: “WSB LLC, one of the nation’s fastest‑growing design and consulting firms, today announced the acquisition of Alta Science & Engineering, Inc., a well‑established science and engineering firm with more than 35 years of experience delivering environmental and infrastructure solutions across the western United States.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uiG0uE
TARIFFS: MPR talked with business in the region, including a construction company, that have been impacted by tariffs recently struck down by the Supreme Court. VERBATIM: “The company uses imported materials like steel and aluminum, but they’re not the ones actually importing those materials from overseas because they buy from other U.S. businesses. Allstar’s president, Adam Olson, said it has taken a while for tariff costs to trickle down to him. His suppliers were working through older inventory of their materials that had not been subject to tariffs, he said, but prices have recently been spiking. But even though some of the costs of tariffs are being passed down to him, Olson won’t be getting a refund.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3R7GQvq
PAPER TOWELS: Via Hoodline, VERBATIM: “A north-side Milwaukee family business just landed a cleanup-sized victory. Sellars Absorbent Materials, the company behind Bravo paper towels, has secured a nationwide rollout at Target stores across the country. Company leaders say the deal will crank up production and hiring at its Milwaukee plants as demand builds.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nq7agg
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)
AT THE CAPITOL
FOSTER CARE: The Imprint with a story of legislation inspired by stories of youth in foster care relying on trash bags as luggage. VERBATIM: “A bill to outlaw the practice pushed by multidenominational faith groups failed to progress this session. But the pending Minnesota Foster Youth Bill of Rights details a list of legal protections for young people in government care that includes the right to ‘appropriate travel bags.’ Rep. Jess Hanson, who represents parts of Savage and Burnsville, introduced both legislative proposals. In a phone interview last month, she said wouldn’t send her children to summer camp with their stuff packed in garbage bags. So, she asked, why should foster children have to move between homes like that?” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nMI2Rj
RALLY: Via Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, VERBATIM: “CAIR-Minnesota hosted Somali American Solidarity Day at the Minnesota State Capitol on Tuesday, drawing speakers who argued that President Donald Trump’s policies have made Muslim and immigrant communities daily targets of suspicion and state power. The rally came as CAIR-MN announced it is representing a Minnesota labor organizer whose phone and books were seized by federal agents upon her return from Europe.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3PBTqCG
MEMORIAL: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “The St. Paul Police Department hosted the 62nd annual Police Memorial on the south lawn State Capitol Wednesday afternoon. It was a day of remembrance, as the department honored the 33 officers who have perished on the job.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4nx0Pjh
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)
GREATER MINNESOTA
BOATING: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Two people died in separate boating incidents in Minnesota on Tuesday — one in Crow Wing County, and the other in St. Louis County. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office said a boat crash on the west side of Lake Vermilion just before 6:30 p.m. Tuesday caused ‘numerous’ people to be thrown into the cold water of the lake . . . Earlier Tuesday in Crow Wing County, a 19-year-old man died after a paddleboat capsized on Little Emily Lake.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3PFTq4z
ROAD WORK: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “Those traveling from the north through Bemidji may experience some delays, as Highway 71 between Turtle River and Tenstrike will be reconstructed this summer.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/42zXLcs
THIS MONTH: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “After voters approved the Carlton-Wrenshall school district merger, school board members will be hosting an informational meeting to help with the transition.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4tAp8Oy
FLINT HILLS FAMILY FESTIVAL: Kick off the summer in downtown Saint Paul with the Flint Hills Family Festival May 29-30, one of the largest and longest-standing events of its kind. The Festival offers free fun for people of all ages in Rice Park and Landmark Plaza, with performances and activities that provide something for everyone, along with world-class shows inside the Ordway for just $8! Now in its 26th year, this year’s Festival lineup includes Cirque Mechanics: TILT!, NOOMA: an opera for babies, and Click Clack Moo! More than one million people have experienced the Festival, including hundreds of thousands of students who have visited on field trips during the Festival’s School Days. Join us this year! LEARN MORE: Flint Hills Family Festival (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery)
COMMERCE
FORGENT: Via Stock Titan, VERBATIM: “[Maple Grove-based] Forgent Power Solutions reported a very strong fiscal third quarter 2026 and raised full‑year guidance. Revenue reached $378.7 million, up 103% year-over-year, while net income rose to $24.5 million, a 190% increase.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ntTdxL
MORE: Via InvestorsHub, VERBATIM: “Forgent Power Solutions (NYSE:FPS) shares climbed more than 17% in premarket trading on Thursday after the company reported sharply higher third-quarter revenue and raised its full-year fiscal 2026 guidance.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4flaCXu
HAWKINS: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “Hawkins Inc. (HWKN) on Wednesday reported fiscal fourth-quarter net income of $15.5 million. The Roseville, Minnesota-based company said it had profit of 74 cents per share. The results did not meet Wall Street expectations . . . The chemical maker posted revenue of $265.9 million in the period, exceeding Street forecasts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dqtiTl
EDINA: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “For twins Danny and Kenny King, identity has always been a matter of style. Growing up, they shared nearly everything—bedrooms, toys, birthdays—but never each other’s clothes. ‘Whether you realize it or not, what you’re wearing is communicating on your behalf,’ says Danny King. That philosophy forms the cornerstone of King Brothers Clothiers, the bespoke tailoring house the brothers have grown over the past decade. After 10 years in Northeast Minneapolis, the Kings opened their new studio at 50th & France, offering clients a larger space to explore high-end fabrics and craftsmanship.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4tEsal5
WACONIA: The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reports on plans for a new restaurant in downtown Waconia – Olive & Elm is from the same team behind Nolo’s Kitchen & Bar in Minneapolis. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fm2bex
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?
THIS WEEK: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “This week is Bike to Work Week, a national initiative that culminates in Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 15. Organizations around the state are celebrating the two-wheeled commute with special events.” LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4dnL6OR
NEXT MONTH: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “A summertime staple in Minneapolis is returning next month. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRD) has announced its lineup for Movies in the Park.” SCHEDULE: https://fluence-media.co/4fj0T3U
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
THIS WEEKEND: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “Northeast Minneapolis’ beloved arts festival, Art-A-Whirl, returns May 15-17 with more than 1,600 artists and vendors at more than 100 locations around the city. Organized by the Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association (NEMAA), Art-A-Whirl is the largest open studio tour in the nation—visitors get to interact with artists (and purchase art) directly in their own spaces, enjoy demos and interactive activities, listen to live music, and more.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ty35bc
BDAYS: Sen. Jen McEwen, Radio’s PT, fmr. Rep. Erik Paulsen, MN Senate candidate Karla Hult, online guy David Erickson, Jack Link’s Keegan Shoutz
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