33% of U.S. adults say they’re “extremely proud” to be an American – the lowest since Gallup started asking in 2001. POLL: https://fluence-media.co/4p46bTR
If you prefer your light show with less booms, the Arboretum has a quieter option. FIREFLIES: https://fluence-media.co/3QGITXx
Storms churning into northwest Minnesota this morning while much of the state braces for extreme heat – stay weather vigilant today. BMTN: https://fluence-media.co/3QSDTim
Jason Aldean will play Treasure Island in September. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4w9N2SK
The day after her induction into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve notched her 379th regular-season win, tying a WNBA record. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4vEvApK
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Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3Qwy4qZ
Sunday Take featured a breakdown of 5 key things to watch before the Aug. 11 primaries in Minnesota. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4gca1bg
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STEAMY MONDAY
STAY COOL: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Monday’s excessive heat warning has prompted the Salvation Army to open seven cooling stations around the Twin Cities.” LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4oS3FA9
MORE: Via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “Doctor Andie Rowland-Fisher at Hennepin County Medical Center emergency room says stay hydrated and try not to exercise during the heat.” QUOTE: “It can creep up really quickly, especially like a day like tomorrow,” Dr. Rowland-Fisher said. There are some warning signs to watch out for when dealing with the heat. “Feeling really hot,” Dr. Rowland-Fisher said. “Feeling your chest beating really fast. Feeling weak, dizzy feeling, like you just can’t get cool. Those are warning signs that you’re getting too hot, and that’s a sign you should get inside and cool off.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4g7J2NZ
MPLS: Via email from Minneapolis Councilmember Aisha Chughtai, VERBATIM: “Representing, organizing, protecting, and showing up for your neighbors is a rewarding and challenging job. The last year has brought unique challenges that have affected every person in our communities, from a high-stakes election, to several mass shootings, and a federal occupation. Like 23% of American adults, I also work everyday to manage my mental health. I have ignored my own need for more help for too long. That’s why I will be taking a leave from the city for a month to address my mental health through a rigorous outpatient program for clinical depression and anxiety. My office will remain open to continue serving the people of Ward 10 but I will be absent for one Council Meeting on July 16.”
SENATE: Via news release from the Craig campaign, VERBATIM: “Today, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey endorsed Angie Craig in her campaign for U.S. Senate . . . With this endorsement, Craig has earned the support of both Twin Cities Mayors. St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her endorsed Craig last October.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eTFL2t
CD6: Via NFIB, VERBATIM: “The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the nation’s leading small business advocacy organization, released new paid radio and digital advertisements in Minnesota today, urging Rep. Tom Emmer to permanently repeal the law that established the unconstitutional Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) mandate, and for the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) to immediately destroy all BOI data already submitted by U.S. small businesses.”
MORE: From NFIB via YouTube, the ad, WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3QSLspg
3M: Via barchart, VERBATIM: “MMM is expected to release its Q2 2026 earnings soon. Ahead of the event, analysts expect the company’s EPS to be $2.25 on a diluted basis, up 4.2% from $2.16 in the year-ago quarter. The company has impressively exceeded Wall Street’s EPS estimates in each of its last four quarters.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vDdXq8
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)
LAW & ORDER
OAKDALE: Via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “The city’s annual Summerfest event took place at Walton Park on Friday and Saturday with a parade, dancing and live music at the bandshell, food trucks, face painting, hot air balloon rides, a 5K race and a medallion hunt, with a fireworks finale on Saturday night, which is when the chaos ensued . . . Officers responded to multiple fights and a large group of ‘unruly juveniles whose actions created panic throughout the park,’ the chief said. With the help of responding agencies, law enforcement was able to restore order and help people safely leave, he said.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44mcVDf
MORE: From Oakdale Police Chief Nick Newton via Facebook, QUOTE: “We know many in our community have questions about what happened. Our department is actively reviewing the events of last night and will continue working with Summerfest organizers and our public safety partners to evaluate additional security measures for future events. Summerfest has long been a tradition that brings our community together. It is disappointing that the actions of a relatively small group overshadowed an otherwise successful celebration.” POST: https://fluence-media.co/3R6pBeg
PLATE READERS: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “The Crow Wing County’s Sheriff’s Office is looking to continue increasing the presence of Flock license plate readers throughout the area. The county is utilizing Flock camera systems, which are specialized AI-powered automatic license plate readers in order to send alerts to the department or agency operating it. Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office Operations Lieutenant Craig Katzenberger says that the department only receives alerts for stolen vehicles, stolen license plates, missing persons and cop alerts.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4wljpya
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)
AROUND MINNESOTA
REAL ESTATE: Via North News, VERBATIM: “Lyneir Richardson was a bored bank attorney, practically asleep at his desk, when his supervisor asked him to review a loan application from a barber wanting to open a shop in a West Chicago neighborhood. To say something clicked understates the energy of an epiphany. He was helping a fellow African American realize his dream of owning a business and building wealth for his family. Fast-forward 34 years to today, and the Chicago developer is inviting Northsiders to invest in their own community. Richardson’s firm, Chicago Trend, is in the process of purchasing the Hawthorn Crossings strip mall on West Broadway and wants residents to own 49 percent of the equity.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wk8UuX
JOBS: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s teen unemployment rate has crept to its highest level in 12 years — a return to normal after a post-pandemic surge in hiring young workers — according to an Axios analysis of the latest U.S. Census data. The big picture: The state’s teens are enduring one of the toughest summer job markets in years, facing more competition for a dwindling number of open positions — especially in industries that typically hire teens for the summer.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4f8gd2O
DULUTH: Via Duluth-based Cirrus, VERBATIM: “Cirrus (Cirrus Aircraft Ltd.), the leading global manufacturer in Personal Aviation and Duluth’s Best Large Employer for nine years in a row, as voted by Duluth News Tribune ‘Best of the Best’ readers’ choice awards, announced the opening of its brand-new Duluth-based Talent Center a multi-million-dollar investment that serves as a hub for community engagement, recruiting, and workforce development. Designed to connect individuals with careers in aerospace, the Talent Center provides direct access to recruiting, technical training, and career development resources in one public-facing, centralized location.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oRrwjg
SNAP: Via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “As the prices of groceries, gas and other necessities soar this summer, many Minnesotans also are navigating new requirements for accessing food assistance. Beginning this month, more Minnesotans are being subjected to work requirements in order to receive benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which was previously known as food stamps. Recipients receive funds on a card each month that they can use toward groceries.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4w9NGzE
HABITAT RESTORATION: Flint Hills Resources has earned Tandem Global WHC Gold Certification for habitat restoration at its Cottage Grove fuel terminal. The certification comes after two years of work in partnership with Friends of the Mississippi River to implement a restoration and monitoring plan to re-establish the 6.5-acre site’s natural prairie and savannah. Flint Hills has held gold certification for its work done with community partners over the past 25 years to restore more than 200 acres of the Pine Bend Bluffs, a critical natural area along the Mississippi River that is adjacent to Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery. This makes two Flint Hills gold certified sites in Minnesota and the first two gold-certified sites ever in the Twin Cities. LEARN MORE: Environmental Stewardship (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery)
COMMERCE
GOLF: The Quarry Course at Giants Ridge ranks 46th on Golfweek’s list of the top 100 public access courses. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4wlhSYW
FIREWORKS: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “The Fourth of July is just around the corner and an independently owned fireworks stand in Maple Grove is gearing up for its second season. Backed by major lessons learned from their debut year, the owners are ready to take on the big corporate competition. Natalie Everhart, co-owner of Cherry Bomb Fireworks, admits that launching the business last summer came with a steep learning curve and plenty of stress.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4oUw0pb
ACQUISITION: Via The Wall Street Journal, VERBATIM: “U.K. budget airline easyJet said it would give [Minneapolis-based] investment firm Castlelake access to limited commercial data to obtain a higher takeover offer, after rejecting a sweetened bid of 4.93 billion pounds ($6.49 billion). The company said Thursday that its board considers Castlelake’s latest proposal—the fourth—as still undervaluing easyJet, but that accepting the suitor’s demand to access some commercial information might produce a more attractive proposal.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4xUqmaJ
MAKERS: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “From beauty and fashion to entertaining and everyday essentials, Minnesota makers continue to prove that great design starts close to home. This season’s roundup highlights thoughtfully crafted products that blend style, function, and local ingenuity—perfect for refreshing your routine this summer.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/441G9Hm
WHAT’S NEXT?
WEDNESDAY: Via General Mills, VERBATIM: “General Mills, Inc. (NYSE: GIS) plans to report results for its fiscal 2026 fourth quarter and full year on July 1, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/49CNgsQ
NEXT MONTH: Via Winona-based Fastenal, VERBATIM: “Fastenal Company (Nasdaq:FAST) announced the date and time for its conference call to review 2026 second quarter results, as well as current operations. The conference call will be broadcast live over the Internet on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. central time.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oUyXWN
NEXT MONTH: Via Minneapolis-based Ameriprise, VERBATIM: “Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (NYSE: AMP) plans to issue a press release via BusinessWire at approximately 7:45 a.m. ET on Thursday, July 23, 2026 that will include a link to the company’s second quarter 2026 results on its Investor Relations website (ir.ameriprise.com).” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wgl2wH
AUGUST: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “If there’s one food that brings Minnesotans together, it’s the burger. This summer, that shared love gets its own celebration with the inaugural Minnesota Burger Week, happening Aug. 10-16. The weeklong dining event invites burger lovers to explore Twin Cities restaurants through exclusive $10 burger specials, while earning rewards and competing for prizes along the way.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4v1B0tC
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
ICE CREAM: From MplsStPaul, a guide to the spots where you can find the best scoops. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4gGupRW
BDAYS: Sen. Nick Frentz, WCCO Radio’s Brad Lane, TGT’s Breanna Schafer, MN Reformer’s Max Nesterak, agency exec Kara Buckner, lobbyist Dan Larson, MDH’s Bailee Payne
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