Happy first day of the Minnesota State Fair!
Which vendors grossed the most in 2024? LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4lO0DK8
When it comes to lost sales, indecision impacts consumers as much as competition. MORNING CONSULT: https://fluence-media.co/4fQmwHd
64% of Americans say racism against Black people is widespread. GALLUP: https://fluence-media.co/45qTaLY
Today’s WCCO Radio morning take at 6:20 with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3Jty5I6
Sunday Take featured Molly Coleman discussing her election to the St. Paul City Council and Rep. Kaohly Her sharing why she’s running for St. Paul mayor. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3UBcf7Y
Sunday Take will be live at the Fair both Sunday mornings. This Sunday a bipartisan conversation with Rep. Keith Allen and Sen. Doron Clark. Join me live at 9AM at WCCO Radio at the Fair.
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:
Sign-up for paid TheDailyAgenda and you’ll receive a morning take mug.
Earlier this year we launched a premium subscription option. Now we’re adding content for premium subscribers.
A monthly insight-filled briefing memo on Minnesota and Midwest issue and political dynamics.
Access to our Fluence Forum audio and videio assets.
A free morning take mug if you sign-up this week.
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.
WALZ: Vineeta Sawkar interviewed Governor Tim Walz at the WCCO-Radio booth this morning.
MORE: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Is Governor Tim Walz (DFL) planning to run for the office for a third consecutive term? ‘Come on, you're here on WCCO Radio, we want to hear it,’ asked Vineeta Sawkar on the Morning News Thursday at the Minnesota State Fair. ‘I do have a big announcement,’ said Walz. ‘The bison meatball sub at Farmers Union is to die for. So go have that one.’ Probably not the answer Minnesota was looking for, but Walz yet again kicked that can down the road, saying he's not to the point of making a decision yet.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4lHlYVk
MORE: From Fluence Media’s Blois Olson:
Reaction from the WCCO Radio crowd to Governor Walz interview this morning was that the governor looked genuinely uncertain about his political future.
Insiders say he's receiving a lot of pressure from donors to run again. The situation may be that Governor Walz feels pressured to run again even though his heart and his gut aren't all the way in.
At many points during his interview with Sawkar, it seemed as though he was conceding the idea that he would not run again.
Other observations from the fair:
There are a lot of T-shirts and buttons representing political views, but not candidates.
· “No kings” T-shirts seem to be somewhat popular
· One woman at the GOP booth asked for a Trump 2028 hat, but the booth was not selling them.
This button was spotted as a signal of the mood of some today:
MORE POLITICS: A few more photos from Blois…
KLOBUCHAR: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “We had the chance to sit down with Senator Amy Klobuchar and chat about a variety of topics from the recent New York Times op ed, a recent viral and vulgar deep fake video, does she think Walz will run again for governor and more.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/41MpeYm
TIMBERWOLVES: Via Sports Business Journal, VERBATIM: “New T’Wolves owners Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez laid off roughly 40 employees today in what sources called an ‘operational restructuring’ following about a seven-week assessment period. The layoffs were from non-basketball departments, with sources saying staff was let go from business operations spanning human resources, marketing, sales and creative. The moves did not impact dedicated staff members from the WNBA’s Lynx -- also owned by Lore and Rodriguez -- but did affect under 10% of the full and part-time personnel who cross over between the T-Wolves, Lynx and G-League Iowa Wolves.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45vACu0
MOVE: Via RocketsWire, VERBATIM: “In the aftermath of a recent NBA ownership change in Minnesota, the Houston Rockets are hiring another veteran executive from the Timberwolves. In June, longtime Timberwolves chief operating officer Ryan Tanke joined the Rockets in the same role. Now, per Tom Friend of Sports Business Journal (SBJ), Laura Meyer has been hired as Houston’s senior vice president for performance marketing and business intelligence.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fSu0to
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)
STATE FAIR: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Scott and Nicholas Schwarz were the first through the State Fair gates this year. They’re a father-son duo from Oak Grove and Big Lake, and they came to celebrate Scott’s birthday on opening day. They got in line a full day before the fair opened.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ndRQ5l
PRICES: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Tickets are $20 for adults and $18 for seniors and kids 5-12 — a $2 increase from last year. Kids under 5 are free. Plus: Those hoping to snag free parking nearby might be out of luck: Falcon Heights will charge a day rate of $25 for spots on surrounding streets this year. If you go: We asked readers to share their best tips for making the most of the fair.” TIPS: https://fluence-media.co/4mo5ClB
BEER: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “Charlie Burrows has spent over two decades at the Minnesota State Fair trying to develop the next corn dog. He searches each year for that special food that will create the same shock and adoration that the Pronto Pup generated when it debuted at the fair in 1947. He started with mac and cheese on a stick. Last year, it was deep-fried ranch. This year, it’s soft-serve beer.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47Hzwgb
TRAVEL: Via The Points Guy, VERBATIM: “Delta Air Lines is planning to launch nonstop service next summer to a beautiful southern European island where no U.S. airline currently flies. Exactly which one? That's up to you. Next week, Delta will let its SkyMiles loyalty members cast their vote for which of three destinations they'd like to see the carrier fly to next summer.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3JpI2pZ
(DISCLOSURE: Delta is a Fluence client)
CRIME: Via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison sued the Trump administration for the 35th time this year, this time alleging that the federal government is illegally placing conditions on funds for services and resources for crime victims. Ellison joined 20 other attorneys general in filing the suit. The Victims of Crime Act, signed by President Ronald Regan in 1984, created grant programs to pay for victim and witness advocacy services; emergency shelter; medical, funeral, and burial expenses; crime scene cleanup; sexual assault forensic exams; and more.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3HxxpB5
BLAINE PD: Via news release from BST, VERBATIM: “Building Shooters Technology LLC (BST) has announced that the Blaine, Minnesota Police Department is the first law enforcement agency in Minnesota to adopt de-escalation- and decision-focused firearms training. Building Shooters is a vendor to the Blaine Police Department, which procured BST's NURO System. Blaine's new capabilities are a true first for Minnesota law enforcement. Visual stimulus may now be used throughout range training to drive decision-making and de-escalation.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oK4c6A
TARGET: Yahoo Finance weighs in on this week’s news that Target has named COO Michael Fiddelke as its next CEO. QUOTE: “If this were any other time for Target, the decision would probably be celebrated. It's not often that an intern at a company becomes its CEO. The only comparable story I can think of is Walmart (WMT) CEO Doug McMillon going from truck loader to head honcho. But Fiddelke will unlikely have a honeymoon period, as he's been at Target during its past 24 months of struggles, including the weak second quarter. People I've talked to wanted an outsider as Target's next CEO.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45LVfkH
HOUSING: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Local leaders and housing advocates held a round table discussion Wednesday in Hopkins to determine the future of many Minnesota families, if cuts are made to federal rental assistance programs. A report from the Minnesota Housing Partnership reveals that even a 1% cut could displace thousands of people if carried out. The Trump Administration is proposing a 43% cut.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3UEAPow
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 MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Ted Almen woke up with back spasms in the middle of the night Tuesday. As terrible as the pain was, the deadline clock for his Kerkhoven Banner newspaper to go to press wasn’t going to stop ticking . . . The Almens are the only full-time staffers at their paper. About 16 miles to the west in Benson, the Anfinson family runs the Swift County-Monitor News. Another 25 miles further west is the Appleton Press run by the Ehrenberg family. All three of the local, family-owned newspapers operate in a county with fewer than 10,000 residents, making Swift County’s news density notable in a time when local sources aren’t a given.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47HE4Dh
ST PAUL: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “St. Paul’s downtown is under construction, and so is its reputation. The city's Downtown Improvement District is marking a successful year, with downtown ambassadors removing over 350,000 pieces of litter and conducting nearly 600 welfare checks. However, their progress is being bogged down by multiple road construction projects, including a stubborn sinkhole that has left residents frustrated. Despite these issues, Mayor Melvin Carter remains optimistic.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3HpfgFz
GOLDEN VALLEY: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “In Golden Valley, crews are hard at work making a number of improvements on Highway 55 to enhance safety, improve accessibility and repair a bridge. But in doing so, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has reduced traffic to one lane in both directions of Highway 55 between Highway 100 and Penn Avenue in north Minneapolis. ‘It’s frustrating,’ said Brittany Baumann, a public relations strategist with the Animal Humane Society. Since construction began in July, she says the project has created access issues for the animal shelter.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/41ccMB6
NOTE: Construction on 55 and lane closures on 394 — both going east/west — are the latest examples of zero coordination with MNDOT and others.
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)
RETAIL: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “Don’t call it a mattress shop. Saatva, one of the direct to consumer mattress-in-a-box companies that has managed to distinguish itself in a crowded field of online brands, has opened its first ‘viewing room’ in Edina.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lFz45E
BANH MI: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “D's Banh Mi is here, it's official! The old Dave's Popcorn stand at 38th Street and Longfellow Avenue is now serving deliciously herb-stuffed and pâté-smeared banh mi on the daily (well, minus Mondays). Owner Hilda Tov and family had a hell of a road to opening—beyond the typical construction and permitting delays that hamper any new restaurant, they had a major setback in January of this year when a car hit an electrical pole near the restaurant, sparking a fire and destroying the roof.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3JjH8eS
COFFEE: Via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “7 Brew Coffee does not exist in the Twin Cities right now, but the Arkansas-based drive-thru brand has lofty plans to change that. Four locations are set to open in Apple Valley, Vadnais Heights, Minnetonka and Maplewood in the next few months. By 2030, there could be 60 stands around the Twin Cities metro if franchisee Kueber Coffee Minnesota’s strategy comes to fruition.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4mWNuiP
CINNAMON ROLLS: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “NFL personality Kay Adams has been touring the country ahead of the new season, and this week brought her to Minnesota, where she sampled the best cinnamon rolls in the world.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47H3jFH
THIS WEEKEND: The Embarrass Region Fair runs Friday through Sunday. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3JoY1oq
NEXT MONTH: Via news release from Minneapolis-based Regis, VERBATIM: “Regis Corporation (NasdaqGM:RGS), a leader in the haircare industry, will issue financial results for the fourth fiscal quarter and full year ended June 30, 2025, before the market opens on September 3, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41JSJdm
DAYFORCE: Via news release from Bloomington-based Dayforce, VERBATIM: “Dayforce, Inc. (NYSE:DAY) (TSX:DAY), a global leader in human capital management (HCM) technology, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with Thoma Bravo, a leading software investment firm, to become a privately held company in an all-cash transaction with an enterprise value of US$12.3 billion.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Joywn7
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
DAKOTA: Via Minnesota Monthly, VERBATIM: “In the heart of downtown Minneapolis—with its electric blue signage standing out amid the hustle of Nicollet Mall—sits a jazz club and restaurant that draws in hundreds of guests in a single night, seven days a week. To say the Dakota is a staple of the Twin Cities alone would be an understatement, as the venue has hosted the likes of Harry Connick Jr., Philip Glass, Lizz Wright, and even Prince in its 40-year history. With so many other renowned artists gracing the Dakota’s stage, it has truly made the Twin Cities a music lover’s haven.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oM5M7T
BDAYS: Star Tribune’s Jeremy Olson, traffic guy Jerry Peterson, golfer and lobbyist Dave Johnson, civic leader and fmr. Lt. Gov. candidate John Gunyou
Send us your tips at BloisOlson@gmail.com
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