WEEKEND COOLDOWN
The Timberwolves will retire Kevin Garnett’s jersey following a game against one of his other former teams, the Celtics. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wzuj2R
As noted in morning take, the Twins did not win at the Field of Dreams, despite a few legends emerging from the corn. PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/4hzWv1S
Red Lake Nation and the FBI are investigating an officer-involved shooting that happened Thursday morning. LAKELANDPBS: https://fluence-media.co/3TZd5OP
St. Louis Park-based Taco John’s has a new burrito inspired by a superfan YouTuber known as “The Fat Electrician.” NEWS RELEASE | THE FAT ELECTRICIAN
Congratulations to WCCO-Radio for winning a national Edward R. Murrow Award. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4cibv0I
The Midwest accent is the third “most attractive” accent, according to a survey. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3TY53po
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Sunday Take featured a deep dive into the August primaries, the highs and lows of each candidate and more. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4gm1n9B
FRIDAY FEED
PLEA: Via USA Today, VERBATIM: “Luigi Mangione [pled] guilty to federal stalking charges in a surprise decision that allows the 28-year-old to avoid a federal trial and could impact a separate murder case against him in connection with the fatal shooting of a health care executive. Mangione made the announcement during a federal court hearing in New York City on Friday, Aug. 14. After answering a series of questions about his decision, Mangione plead guilty to a pair of stalking charges resulting in death. The charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bLFNsz
MORE: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “The guilty plea could mean his lawyers ask to dismiss separate state charges, including second-degree murder. Mangione’s legal team has argued that charging him in both federal and state courts constituted double jeopardy, a legal protection that prevents a person from being charged twice for the same offense.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4xKlggA
ACQUISITION: Via St. Paul-based H.B. Fuller, VERBATIM: “H.B. Fuller Company (NYSE: FUL), the world’s largest pureplay adhesives company, today announced that shareholders of Advanced Medical Solutions Group plc (LSE:AMS) approved H.B. Fuller’s proposed acquisition of AMS at specially convened meetings of AMS shareholders held on August 12, 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45o3xPU
MORE: Via H.B. Fuller investor Engine Capital LP, a letter expressing concerns over the acquisition. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gcKsFh
NOTE: Thursday’s lunch take had news that H.B. Fuller had received an unsolicited offer to acquire one of its businesses. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4g0kBS4
EARNINGS: Via Stock Titan, VERBATIM: “[Minneapolis-based] Jefferson Capital (NASDAQ: JCAP) reported second quarter 2026 results highlighted by collections growth of 18% to $300.9 million, deployments up 21.5% to $152.2 million, and an 17.9% increase in Estimated Remaining Collections to $3.36 billion. Total revenues rose 16.2% year over year to $177.5 million, driven primarily by prior-period portfolio deployments.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4zh85oX
MORE: Via Investing, VERBATIM: “Top of Form
Raymond James raised its price target on Jefferson Capital Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:JCAP) to $24 from $21 while maintaining an Outperform rating on the shares.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4zhJWi1
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)
THE LOCALS
SWAT TEAMS: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center police already work together often due to their close proximity. Now both cities have formalized a partnership to merge their SWAT and Crisis Negotiator teams into one unit. Brooklyn Center Police Chief Garett Flesland said a potential merger has been thought about for years.” FLESLAND: “These critical incidents, they don’t respect the boundaries, geographic boundaries — so why should we? — when we try to put the right resources for these situations.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4zjagIs
ZEBRA MUSSELS: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed the presence of zebra mussels in two new locations. The invasive species has been found in the LaRue Mine Pit near Nashwauk in Itasca County and in Kabekona Lake near Benedict in Hubbard County.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4wwvL6e
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)
WATER ISSUES
DAM: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Saint Paul District is closely monitoring the water levels at the Gull Lake Dam near Brainerd. Below-average precipitation and drought conditions continue to impact the dam’s levels.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/45Z7aMj
NOTE: Thursday’s lunch take included concerns about the levels of lakes in northern Minnesota as well as a link to the latest Drought Monitor. ICYMI: https://fluence-media.co/4g0kBS4
THIS WEEKEND: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “The dry stretch of weather will come to an end late tonight as a system moves into the Northland. Showery activity and cooler conditions are anticipated for the first half of the weekend before drier, warmer weather follows into Sunday.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4gaEu7H
COMMUNITY CELEBRATIONS: Flint Hills Resources is celebrating summer with thousands of Minnesotans at local festivals and parades. Look for Flint Hills employees – along with their families and friends – as they show their hometown pride at many local celebrations, including Rosemount Leprechaun Days, Hastings Rivertown Days, Inver Grove Heights Days and Saint Paul’s Lowertown Sounds. For decades, Flint Hills Resources has supported programs, organizations and events that improve our quality of life in our communities. LEARN MORE: Community Partnerships (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery)
COMMERCE
GROCERIES: The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reports Cub Foods owner United Natural Foods plans to sell three of its Twin Cities stores. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4zjZ6TW
MALCOLM YARDS: Via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Kinsley’s Smokehouse Deli, a concept from chef and owner James Adams that is known for its East Coast-style deli sandwiches and smoked meats, exited the food hall this past weekend. The Market didn’t take long to unveil what comes next. On Thursday, it revealed that Twin Cities Pasta Club will take up the vacated space, with an opening set for Aug. 25.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wYZgyi
BOOKS: Via City Cast, VERBATIM: “When Rachael Ostrom saw a ‘For Lease’ sign at the former Micawber’s Books space in St. Anthony Park at Milton Square, she felt like the stars were aligning. Ostrom had worked in marketing at Aveda for 25 years and was ready for a change. Micawber’s had been a bookstore she took her kids (now, college-aged) to, and she’d considered it a magical place. The result of her momentous decision is Acorn Bookshop, which opened this past March.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4677Grz
RETAIL: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “After a year in the works, Senti owner Jen Knoch is quadrupling the footprint of her sensory-focused Edina boutique. Tucked down the alley of the Nolan Mains development at 50th & France, Knoch has always packed a lot into Senti’s jewel-box-sized footprint.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qjchAu
HAIR LOSS: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “A longtime salon for those experiencing hair loss opened its doors at its new home in Plymouth. The owner says she hopes this will be the forever home for the business and a place for people to feel comfortable in their own skin.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4qi9szD
WHAT’S NEXT?
TONIGHT: Via Amsterdam Bar, VERBATIM: “Twin Cities Latino bands expressing their music with diverse influences and backgrounds. ICE can’t stop these artists as they are living proof of the American Dream. This will showcase their diversity and attract all who appreciate passion, the blending of sounds and Latin flair!” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4g8UXtc
TODAY/TOMORROW: The Lakeside Guitar Festival at Como Park. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3RTL8aB
TOMORROW: At the Northrop King Building, Summer Sizzle Indoor Art Fair. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4qeqAGe
TOMORROW: Uptown Porchfest begins at 1 – dozens of bands performing on porches throughout the Uptown neighborhood of Minneapolis. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4xaoR7F
TOMORROW: Via Museum of Russian Art, VERBATIM: “Part variety show, part dance party, and part salon, Bienvenidos Dystopia brings together artists from across the Twin Cities for an evening of visual art, music, performance, poetry, and conversation.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3TO9SSf
SUNDAY: Via Como Park, VERBATIM: “Music, martial arts, singing, dancing, drumming, delicious food, vendors, games, and other aspects of Japanese culture will be featured at the annual Como Park Japanese Obon Festival on the grounds of the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4x2q2WM
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
SUSHI: Via MplsStPaul, VERBATIM: “When I last spoke with sushi chef Baaska Tegshbileg of Sushi by Baaska, just over a year ago, he was riding high on a wave of pop-ups around the Cities, bringing his signature, glittering sushi platters to diners at Steady Pour, Bar Brava, and Picnic Linden Hills. He told me then that his dream was to open his own restaurant, a small spot that would serve modern Japanese fare, and the freshest of fish. Time flies, and beloved restaurants close (looking at you, Zen Box Izakaya), and exciting new ones sprout up to take their place. How lucky are we that in just a year’s time, Tegshbileg is bringing a spark of new life to the Mill District’s legacy space for Japanese cuisine?” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wfPRBv
BDAYS: DNR’s Chris Niskanen, attorney David Asp, association leader Deb McMillan. SAT: Rep. Kristin Bahner, restauranter Gary Windschitl. SUN: emergency pro Kristi Rollwagen, retiring radio’s Al Schoch, tech guy Gino Giovanelli, organizer Geri Katz
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