The album Purple Rain was released 41 years ago this week.
Three years ago today, Jason DeRusha hosted his first DriveTime with DeRusha radio show. In today’s DeRusha Download newsletter, he reflects on his pivot from TV news, shares plenty of restaurant and bar news, and gives his picks for what to do around the Twin Cities this weekend. You can read it all HERE: https://fluence-media.co/45LnnGi
In a ruling related to President Trump’s effort to end birthright citizenship, the Supreme Court limited the power of judges to issue universal injunctions. READ: https://fluence-media.co/45GGktD
Former House Speaker Melissa Hortman, her husband and dog lie in state today at the Capitol. WCCO-Radio has the schedule as well as what to expect. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3I13elE
On Sunday Take, Blois chats with Representative Dave Baker and Minnesota state auditor Julie Blaha about the path ahead, things to look ahead to with the special session behind us, some of the humanity that people do not see between the many colleagues around him and where we go from here as we try to move forward. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3G4owyc
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:
STATE WORKERS: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “A union representing thousands of state of Minnesota employees says it reached a tentative contract agreement with the state early Friday. AFSCME Council 5 represents about 18,000 state workers. Union officials said the deal was reached after 22 bargaining sessions totaling more than 200 hours. It will need to be ratified by union members; a date for that vote has not yet been set.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44KxdWP
NYC: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Left-wing challengers to Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey are giddy over the stunning results of this week's New York City Democratic mayoral primary. Why it matters: In state lawmaker and democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani's upset victory over a towering establishment figure — former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo — they see a roadmap for unseating Frey in Minneapolis' upcoming election. The big picture: Progressive critics have had mixed success in checking Frey, a Democrat whom they see as too cozy with police and big business.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4essqxx
SUPCT: Via Insight News, VERBATIM: “Andrea Jenkins, Minneapolis City Council member and the first openly transgender Black woman elected to public office in the U.S., called for renewed resistance and ‘radical love’ in response to rising anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and last week’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling upholding a Tennessee law banning gender-affirming care for minors. Speaking on The Conversation with Al McFarlane during Friday’s Healing Circle segment, Jenkins described the ruling as part of a larger movement seeking to erase trans people from public life.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/447ljqR
POLITICAL VIOLENCE: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Across the country, increased threats and harassment in recent years have had a chilling effect on local elected officials’ willingness to engage in political activities, from running for re-election to working on controversial issues to attending public events, according to surveys by Princeton University’s Bridging Divides Initiative and nonprofit CivicPulse. The assassination of Rep. Hortman and the shooting of Sen. John Hoffman this month was categorically different than threats and harassment. And while the attacks have made some people more determined to serve, it has also prompted officeholders, party officials and community members to wonder: In a state that has long prided itself on civic participation, who exactly will be willing to run for office?” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44r1hGB
SECURITY: The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal talked with Twin Cities security professionals about the impact of the recent shootings of local politicians and their families as well as last December’s killing of the UnitedHealthcare CEO. They’ve seen increased demand for their services and warn of a potential strain on their resources if the demand persists. READ: https://fluence-media.co/40la1gc
TARIFFS: Via Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, from president Neel Kashkari, VERBATIM: “Policymakers have been debating whether tariffs will lead to a one-time increase in the price level or to a more persistent impact on inflation. The first outcome suggests monetary policy should look through the temporary boost to inflation; the second suggests policy should prioritize keeping inflation expectations anchored. Nonetheless, in the past couple of months, official inflation data (see Figure 1) have indicated renewed progress toward our 2 percent inflation target while underlying demand has appeared solid, revealing only a modest imprint of the effects of tariffs on prices, activity or the labor market. Why hasn’t the trade war shown up yet in the data? I see two likely explanations: The economic effects of the trade war are delayed, or companies are finding ways to avoid the tariffs (or some combination of both).” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3I3LE09
MORE: Via Reuters, VERBATIM: “Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis President Neel Kashkari is sticking to his view that cooling inflation will allow the world's most important major central bank to cut its policy rate twice this year, starting in September . . . Tariffs suggest an inflation boost is ‘likely coming,’ he said, as more goods from Asia, subject to the biggest tariff increases, arrive on the shelves of U.S. businesses. While businesses may not want to risk angering customers by charging more for their wares, they will start passing on price increases in the absence of trade deals lowering tariffs, he said. In this scenario, the effect of tariffs on inflation may simply arrive later than expected, Kashkari said.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4esaOC3
RETAIL: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Minnesota toy retailer Legacy Toys, which started in Ely and expanded to the Twin Cities, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after a series of financial blows. Legacy, based in Edina, has closed three stores over the past 18 months, but it still has outlets in Ridgedale, Southdale, Rosedale and the Miller Hill and West Acres malls in Duluth and Fargo, respectively. ‘It’s a lot of little things that added up to a big thing,’ Legacy Toys’ owner and president Brad Ruoho said of the bankruptcy. Tariffs, while they didn’t cause the bankruptcy, ‘were the final straw’ leading up to it.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4euUtfU
C.H. ROBINSON: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “Large global companies have saved 10 to 30% on their supply-chain-related expenses by using the Item-level Solutions program through C.H. Robinson, according to the Eden Prairie-based logistics company. In response to the Trump administration’s tariffs and other disruptions in the world economy, C.H. Robinson announced Thursday that it is rolling out this program to all its customers. Companies that use Item-level Solutions would have end-to-end visibility and control across inventories and supply chains by the individual item or SKU, which is a stock keeping unit.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3TedzNq
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)
TODAY: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “A free emergency mobile food distribution is set for Friday for anyone and everyone that may need help after the destructive weather in Bemidji last weekend.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3If6dGZ
THIS WEEKEND: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “If you’ll be driving in the Twin Cities this weekend — be warned: Several planned freeway closures may make for challenging travel in the metro. The Minnesota Department of Transportation says closures will affect parts of Interstates 35W and 494 in Richfield and Bloomington, as well as a stretch of Interstate 94 in St. Paul.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4noHDnk
BROOKLYN CENTER: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “There are currently two municipal liquor stores in Brooklyn Center — but that won’t be the case for much longer. In a contentious meeting this week, the city council voted to shutter one of its two stores. ‘I’m failing to understand the fight to hold onto something with such a low potential return,’ said Council Member Dan Jerzak . . . According to unaudited city data, Store Two lost $21,451 in 2024, while the Shingle Creek location brought in $73,376.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4k9Flp9
BEST BUY: Via Tech Target, VERBATIM: “About three years after it spent $400 million to buy Current Health, Best Buy has sold the remote patient monitoring provider back to co-founder and former CEO Christopher McGhee. According to a LinkedIn post, this move ‘means a return to scrappiness and that startup spirit, rolling up our sleeves, and moving quickly—with patient safety and customer experience at the center’ . . . earnings reports indicate that the retailer's healthcare division has been on rocky ground in recent years. In its fourth quarter ending on Feb. 1, 2025, Best Buy recorded a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $475 million related to Best Buy Health. The charge was associated with downward revisions in the long-term financial projections for the health division.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4keS8aa
APOGEE: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “Apogee Enterprises Inc. (APOG) on Friday reported a fiscal first-quarter loss of $2.7 million, after reporting a profit in the same period a year earlier. The Minneapolis-based company said it had a loss of 13 cents per share. Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, were 56 cents per share. The glass products company posted revenue of $346.6 million in the period.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44Cvd3Q
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)
ADDICTION: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Quitting the substance is often just the tip of the iceberg for people who’ve struggled with addiction. ‘When you get into recovery, you have burned so many bridges and so many relationships, it’s isolating,’ said Lisa Retezan, founder of WayMakers to Recovery, a new organization with a physical location opening in Forest Lake. Retezan recently received a grant from Washington County opioid settlement funds to build WayMakers to Recovery, which offers peer recovery specialists who are trained to help someone struggling with addiction become ready and willing to seek treatment, explore their options, improve access to medication-assisted therapy, and offer guidance post-treatment. WayMakers will open July 14 in Forest Lake across from the High School at 255 Highway 97.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4lwp6DZ
BROOKLYN PARK: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “The city of Brooklyn Park is making an investment in new police technology that police say will help officers do their job better. The city council recently approved a $1.3 million agreement over 10 years with Axon Enterprise, Inc. The deal will provide significant upgrades, including new body-worn cameras that are described as a ‘supercomputer’ on an officer’s chest. According to Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley, the cameras use artificial intelligence to help write reports from audio transcription and also offer language translation services.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lrxe8u
CIRRUS: Via news release from Duluth-based Cirrus, VERBATIM: “Cirrus, Cirrus Aircraft Limited (2507:HK), today announced the expansion of its Grand Forks manufacturing facility during a groundbreaking event. Cirrus will invest $13 million to add 30,000 square feet to the current 165,000 square foot manufacturing facility. The expansion will support Cirrus aircraft manufacturing the best-selling single-engine piston aircraft, the SR Series and the best-selling jet, the Vision Jet, with additional equipment, storage, technical tools, as well as new jobs expected to be added over the next five years.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kcTVw6
FRIDLEY: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “On a Thursday night in Fridley, people sit playing bingo in vintage bamboo chairs, at an old vinyl booth and under a sixties-style fringed floral umbrella . . . It’s First Thursday Drag Bingo at Wild Things Antiques’ coffee shop, The Clapping Monkey. It’s one of many monthly events at the antique mall, including Drag Trivia and Wild Vintage Market, hosted monthly in the parking lot. ‘We feel a huge need in the Twin Cities community creating sober spaces that are queer,’ says David Wenzel.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3GkS7TW
HOT SAUCE: Via The Minneapolis Egotist, VERBATIM: “Independent, brand navigation agency, Rise and Shine and Partners, has launched a bold new ‘That’s Louisiana Hot.’ campaign for The Original Louisiana Hot Sauce, showcasing the brand’s rich cultural roots and focus on authentic flavor. At the heart of the campaign is a new TV spot, filmed in Louisiana’s Atchafalaya Basin and crafted to honor the sauce’s origin story.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/44v7PEm
THIS WEEKEND: Via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “This weekend offers a rich array of arts events in the Twin Cities: Local musicians and DJs will close out Pride Month at First Avenue. A soul food festival will bring African cuisine and live music from Obi Original and The Black Atlantics to a Minneapolis farmers market. Meanwhile, a St. Paul market will mark 50 years of Southeast Asian communities in Minnesota with art installations and street food.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4l2AUhf
NEXT WEEK: Via Minnesota Monthly, opportunities to celebrate America’s independence. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/3TgqYEJ
NEXT MONTH: Via news release from Winona-based Fastenal, VERBATIM: “Fastenal Company (Nasdaq:FAST) announced the date and time for its conference call to review 2025 second quarter results, as well as current operations. The conference call will be broadcast live over the Internet on Monday, July 14, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. central time.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3GpCzhI
MOVE: Via Rockets Wire, VERBATIM: “With the recent ownership change in Minnesota, longtime Timberwolves chief operating officer (COO) Ryan Tanke is joining the Houston Rockets in the same position.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44EaTio
AVIVOMED: Via Minne Inno, VERBATIM: “Avivomed Inc., a clinical-stage medical device company, has hired Dan Brounstein as its next CEO. The Roseville-based company, which raised $32 million in Series A financing in 2021, is developing neuromodulation therapies to treat sleep apnea.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44owslY
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
STILLWATER: Via Eater, VERBATIM: “Stationed on the banks of the scenic St. Croix River, Stillwater offers a charming summer escape just a half hour’s drive away from the Twin Cities where you can stroll across the historic (and newly restored) lift bridge to Wisconsin, eat your way down Main Street, and wander the valley’s quaint neighborhoods.” LIST/MAP: https://fluence-media.co/3Nw0Zpx
BDAYS: Administrative Law Judge Eric Lipman, activist Nekima Levy Armstrong, Rep. Brian Johnson, producer Julie Anderson. SAT: attorney Jake Grassel, St. Paul Chamber’s John Perlich, Rep. Erica Schwartz. SUN: golfer Kara Buckner, WCCO Radio’s Brad Lane, lobbyist Dan Larson, The Reformer’s Max Nesternak, Target’s Breanna Schafer
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