What’s life like as a State Fair lumberjack or lumberjill? SEE: https://fluence-media.co/47L3HTC
An arts reporter shares a personal perspective on what it takes to create an entry for the State Fair crop art competition. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/45zIIBR
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70 YEARS OF STRONG JOBS AND ECONOMIC IMPACT: The Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery is Minnesota’s largest and most active work site, driving economic impact for local communities. The refinery is busy with plumbers and pipefitters, carpenters and electricians, engineers and environmental scientists, software and IT specialists — there are more than 1,000 full-time employees and, at times, more than 3,000 contractors working on-site on any given day. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3ZQQsMp (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
All Fluence tipsheets are now available to read and share online at our website, The Daily Agenda:
BUTTERFLIES: Via Limitless Media, VERBATIM: “A new butterfly garden is taking root in downtown Lakeville, thanks to the vision and determination of local Girl Scout Isla Engh and the support of the Garden Circle of Friends and the City of Lakeville Parks Department. Together, they have transformed James Jensen Park into a welcoming space for pollinators while creating a new destination for the community to enjoy. The project began when Isla, a member of Girl Scout Troop 27347 of the Girl Scouts of River Valleys, learned about the alarming decline of native butterflies.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3UOSjyy
CIVICS: Via MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce, VERBATIM: “The MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce is proud to partner with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to bring the National Civics Bee to Minnesota for the 2025-2026 program year. This annual initiative – now expanding to all 50 states in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026 – invites area middle school students to showcase their civics knowledge, engage in their communities, and build trust in others and institutions through a nonpartisan, multi-round competition.”
MORE: Via U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the National Civics Bee. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3UHKj2m
FASHION SHOW: Via Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, VERBATIM: “Love First, the Rondo-rooted nonprofit dedicated to empowering young people in the Twin Cities, held its first-ever youth fashion show this past weekend, a celebration of creativity, confidence and community. The event, part of Love First’s broader mission to ‘rebuild the village’ around young people, brought together students, families, and community members to highlight the talents and potential of local youth.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4g2poRu
SCHOOL SUPPLIES: Via news release from Thief River Falls-based DigiKey, VERBATIM: “DigiKey, the leading global electronic components and automation products distributor, announces its annual Back to School Giveaway, which offers university students a chance to win products and swag, including one grand prize of a Teledyne LeCroy Power Supply unit.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mwnRFs
CLEANUP: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The glow-up at [Rae Hunter-Loscher’s] home was the latest ‘mission’ executed by a Minnesota branch of the national nonprofit Hot Mess Express. The movement started in 2021 as a Facebook group in North Carolina by a mom who wanted to help fellow moms struggling with household chores. Volunteer crews of women tidy up, organize and give overwhelmed women a fresh start to restore a sense of peace in their lives. The organization has expanded across the country, with nearby affiliates also in Dakota and Olmsted counties.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3HtZGsl
JINGLE DRESS: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Regalia made by an Ojibwe elder, with the help of her daughters and dozens of community members, is educating Minnesota State Fair goers about violence experienced by Indigenous people across the state. A jingle dress sewn by Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe elder Anita Lovelace was constructed with the names of Indigenous people who have gone missing or been murdered. The dress is on display as a part of this year’s Fine Arts exhibit.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47Pe9tp
DOG: Via news release from Special Olympics USA Games, VERBATIM: “Just in time for National Dog Day, the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games is unleashing its newest team member, Champ, a golden retriever therapy dog who will serve as the official mascot and four-legged ambassador for the USA Games, scheduled to take place from June 20-26, 2026 in Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3HSRRfI
MACPHAIL: Via MacPhail, VERBATIM: “MacPhail Center for Music today announced the creation of a Contemporary Music Program, establishing a unified and sustainable home for jazz, pop, rock, electronic, and world music across the organization. This historic expansion reflects MacPhail’s commitment to meeting the needs of today’s learners while deepening its century-long mission to transform lives and strengthen communities through music.”
SCHOLARSHIPS: Via news release from Maple Grove-based TopLine, VERBATIM: “In its second year, LendKey and Member Student Lending awarded $22,000 in scholarships to support college students seeking higher education.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mYk5Vf
BUSINESS CAMP: Via Press & News, VERBATIM: “This summer, Osseo Senior High School student Shiloh Fowlkes, received sponsorship to participate in a week-long summer business camp, Minnesota Business Venture (MBV). Scale Bank provided the sponsorship for Shiloh to attend the program.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oXGggk
TREES: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “City employees and volunteers from a corporate sponsor worked together to put new trees in the ground at Plymouth’s Northwest Greenway. The groups were assisted by Let’s Plant Trees, a nonprofit that, according to its website, plants native seedlings to combat climate change. Ash trees primarily populated the Northwest Greenway, according to Plymouth Forester Paul Buck. The invasive Emerald Ash Borer destroyed those trees.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4lLLxoq
HOUSING: Via The Bemidji Pioneer, VERBATIM: “Rachel Fairbanks shed a tear as she talked about the guy who is helping build her new Habitat for Humanity house. The young woman and her children will be moving in soon, thanks to volunteers like Bruce Malterud . . . What’s more amazing is that Malterud is 82 years old (‘83 next month,’ he says with a smile) and has survived three strokes and failing kidneys. It seems like nothing can keep him from the Habitat job sites.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41VwlxH
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)
PLYMOUTH: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Employees at a Plymouth restaurant are rallying to help one of their coworkers who’s fighting for his life. Sal Quiros, the kitchen manager at Northern Taphouse in Plymouth, was diagnosed with colon cancer earlier this summer.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3UOViah
SOCCER: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “St. Cloud State University will sell historic Selke Field — an enclosed athletics space built during the Great Depression — to a local youth sports nonprofit. The Central Minnesota Youth Soccer Association last week finalized an agreement to buy Selke Field for $350,000, with proceeds to be reinvested into facility upgrades at St. Cloud State University. St. Cloud State leaders announced in spring plans to sell the 16-acre field, which the college no longer uses.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Jype84
AURORA: Via Minnesota Aurora, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Aurora is proud to partner with WeAre8 and NAMI this season to advocate for mental health and raise money for their life saving services plus bring awareness to the 988 Suicide and Prevention Hotline. The partnership has several integrations with Aurora and WeAre8.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41mTLfc
SUNOPTA: Via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “Creating a sustainable workplace is more than a mantra for SunOpta, it’s a daily practice. In 2024, the plant-based foods manufacturer installed 765 rooftop solar panels at its Eden Prairie headquarters, which generate nearly half of the 65,000-square-foot facility’s annual energy needs. It’s the latest effort to integrate an environmental ethos into every facet of the business, says architect Derek McCallum of RSP.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41rBayK
WEDDING PICS: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Whenever she needs someone’s attention, Minneapolis wedding photographer Becca Dilley has a secret weapon. It’s her ‘camp counselor voice,’ dating to her days motivating summer camp kids. And it’s her go-to now as she photographs some two dozen weddings a year, along with shooting portraits and photos for books.” DILLEY: “I use it all the time,” Dilley said. “There’s a straight line from being a camp counselor and being like, ‘It’s 90 degrees out but playing soccer is gonna be awesome!’ to ‘I need everyone to look at me and smile at the same time!’ It’s the same skill, and it’s incredibly useful.” Q&A: https://fluence-media.co/4lL0hUn
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