For many, Chicago is the destination when riding Amtrak’s Borealis from St. Paul. A reporter makes the case for spending time at three walkable stops along the way. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ewdrmk
John Denver met an early muse while performing at Gustavus Adolphus College in 1966. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lkwlyA
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70-YEAR LEGACY OF CONTINUOUS TRANSFORMATION: Innovation has been synonymous with the Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery since it was established 70 years ago. Today, Pine Bend operates with cutting-edge leak detection technologies, the largest solar installation of its kind, a community-driven water-recycling system, and numerous other advancements. These innovations have allowed Pine Bend to produce more of the fuels and other products we all need, while continually finding ways to use fewer resources and minimize emissions. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4kNOYur (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
All Fluence tipsheets are now available to read and share online at our website, The Daily Agenda:
TEACHER: Via Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, VERBATIM: “David Billingsley III, director of music at DeLaSalle High School, has been named a quarterfinalist for the 2026 GRAMMY Music Educator Award. Presented by the Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Museum, the annual award honors exceptional music educators who have made a significant and lasting impact on students and their communities.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4l44x1P
BASKETBALL: Via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “Jamad Basketball Camps, founded by professional basketball player and social media influencer Jamad Fiin, is a program that teaches girls to play basketball while honing self-confidence and leadership skills. More than 15,000 girls have participated in the camps in 15 cities around the world, according to the program’s website. At the North End Community Center, girls of all ages, including many from the Somali Muslim community, are learning to play basketball under Fiin’s guidance.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nE1I9x
TWO HARBORS: Via WDIO-TV, VERBATIM: “More than 30 volunteers from Kansas made the Journey to Two Harbors, to lend a hand to the Western Lake Superior chapter of Habitat for Humanity on Wednesday June 27th. We caught up with the group as they were replacing a deck and adding a ramp, which will help the homeowner stay in her house longer.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3HXOaFd
HERO: Via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “A Koochiching County deputy pulled a 92-year-old man to safety from an ATV fire. Deputy Justin Franz is now being hailed a hero. It happened on June 11 on Highway 11 in International Falls. Authorities say Franz saw smoke in the distance and went to investigate.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4k7xb0z
HERO: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “After Samuel Orbovich’s car swerved to avoid hitting another vehicle on Interstate 94 in St. Paul, his SUV struck a lamppost and a guide rail. He was knocked unconscious as his car burst into flames at the side of the road. Delivery driver Michael Coy, 52, who was traveling on the same stretch of road near the Snelling Avenue exit on April 28, 2024, immediately stopped and came to Orbovich’s rescue, climbing into the burning vehicle to help the 71-year-old Orbovich escape. On Thursday, the Carnegie Hero Fund announced that Coy would receive the Carnegie Medal for Heroism, ‘North America’s highest honor for civilian heroism.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44rpHzR
MEDIA: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Congratulations to our team members for taking home a 2025 Radio Mercury Award. The winners were announced at a live ceremony in June at SONY Hall in New York City.” LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4nnbZX8
PRO BONO: Via The Minneapolis Egotist, VERBATIM: “Seed to Succeed is turning 15, and Curious Plot is giving the presents to three 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations in the agriculture, food and companion animal care sectors. In a special 15th-anniversary celebration of Seed to Succeed, Curious Plot has named We Sow We Grow, Global Child Nutrition Foundation and PrideVMC as recipients of in-kind marketing services to support each organization’s mission.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/446jZo7
JUNETEENTH: Via Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, VERBATIM: “The Black Collective Foundation MN marked Juneteenth with its signature event, Rooted & Radiant, a vibrant brunch and social gathering that drew over 200 Black leaders, creatives, and philanthropic partners to the Glass House in Minneapolis on Thursday, June 19. The annual event, now in its fifth year, served as a joyful yet grounded celebration of Black brilliance, resilience, and community power. Hosted on Freedom Day, it also offered a space for collective reflection amid a heavy national mood.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3GmgQax
THEATRE: Via Children’s Theatre Company, VERBATIM: “This year’s Triple Threat Production is Twelfth Night by Kwame Kwei-Armah and Shaina Taub—a bold, music-filled reimagining of Shakespeare’s beloved romantic comedy.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4kVfwul
ORDWAY: Via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “As Minnesota’s Somali community celebrates Independence Week this year, a musical and dance showcase will bring a cross-generational group of artists together at the Ordway Center for Performing Arts.
Headlined by international recording artist Suldaan Seeraar, ‘Star of Unity: A Night of Somali Dance and Live Music’ will also feature Abdiwahab Cantar Naji, a popular singer and musician from the 1980s, and the Somali Museum Dance Troupe. Co-host Khalid Dahir, known as ‘Khale Male,’ will bring his blend of Somali contemporary music, along with traditional music and dance to the show.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4l0kpCi
GUITARS: Via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Ariel Jarvis graduated Monday. Instead of getting a diploma, she received a guitar. The audience clapped for veterans Jarvis and Jacob Scissons as they were presented with polished acoustic guitars during their graduation ceremony at the Every Third Saturday main office in Minneapolis. The ceremony celebrated that the veterans had completed 10 weeks of guitar lessons through Guitars for Vets, a national organization that provides free guitars and music lessons to veterans.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3TeHWTX
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)
READING: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “An animal shelter may not be the first place you think of to curl up with a book. But leaders at the Animal Humane Society in Golden Valley think it’s the perfect place. ‘We try as hard as we can to make it calming, and to make it soothing for them,’ said Rachel Dashiell, the Animal Humane Society‘s community program manager. ‘But there’s a lot of people here. A lot of smells, a lot of sounds.’ That chaos is exactly why AHS’ Rescue Readers is a great program for shelter pets, said Dashiell. Anyone ages 4 and up can come in and read stories to the animals.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3ZR2Psa
GRANTS: Via KTTC-TV, VERBATIM: “The United Way of Southeast Minnesota has announced the approval of $1.1 million in funding that will go toward programs across Olmsted, Dodge, and Winona counties. In total, 41 programs will benefit from the new funding, including Channel One, Rochester Public Schools, and the Salvation Army.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ekmSoB
POWWOW: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “The Minneapolis American Indian Center’s gym filled with the sounds of song and dance Tuesday evening. Minneapolis-based New Native Theatre held its fourth annual Two-Spirit Powwow, a celebration which recognizes and shows support to Two-Spirit and LGBTQ+ people. Two-Spirit is an umbrella term for nonbinary definitions of gender, sexuality and spirituality within Native American traditions. Two-Spirit identity can take on various meanings and cultural contexts depending on the tribal community.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3HZlYBS
BREWSTER: Via KQDS-TV, VERBATIM: “Brewster, Dan Hanger’s adopted dog, has turned 15! The community celebrated his big milestone Tuesday in the Fitger’s Courtyard while raising money for Animal Allies Humane Society.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4lw4tI1
GIVEMN: Via GiveMN, VERBATIM: “After six months as Interim Executive Director, Jenna Ray is now GiveMN’s permanent Executive Director! Jenna brings extensive experience in nonprofit leadership and community-oriented fundraising, and we're excited to have her expertise as our team embarks on this next chapter in our efforts to enhance giving and foster community-driven change.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44p8p6l
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