Golfers at the TPC Twin Cities. Adam Svensson sets a course record 60.
Twins host Washington this weekend. Lynx host the Aces tonight.
Hulk Hogan is dead at 71. Before he was a WWE icon, he got his big break in Minnesota. STRIB: http://fluence-media.co/3IK9Fty
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers is not running for a third term next year. WPR: http://fluence-media.co/4lV54U7
Social Security benefits could be reduced by 24% in 2032, sooner than projected. AXIOS: http://fluence-media.co/3IEFnIV
A Gallup poll finds that since January, Donald Trump’s approval rating has declined 10 points to 37%. Among Independents, it’s a 17-point decline to 29% over the same period. POLL: http://fluence-media.co/3Uhi3U9
Blois - tips: bloisolson@gmail.com
Today’s morning take on WCCO Radio with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN:https://fluence-media.co/4lGBWQh
Sunday Take featured Scott Jensen discussing his campaign for governor and an analysis of what Sen. Nicole Mitchell’s conviction means for Minnesota politics. PODCAST: http://fluence-media.co/46l8J8P
Sponsorships available – to reach over 25,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheet and website www.TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com
GOVERNORS: via The Hill, VERBATIM: “Democratic Govs. Laura Kelly of Kansas and Tim Walz of Minnesota are reportedly splitting from the bipartisan National Governors Association (NGA) over how the group has responded to President Donald Trump’s policies impacting their states. … ‘There have been ongoing concerns about the NGA among the Democratic governors and staff, off and on, for years,’ a source familiar with Kelly and Walz’s decisions [said]. … Kelly and Walz will not be paying NGA dues as the group gathers for its summer meeting in Colorado this week. … Leaders in some Republican states, including Texas and Florida, stopped paying NGA dues during the Obama Administration, citing the cost to taxpayers.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/455Rrug
CD5: via Axios Twin Cities, VERBATIM: “A Democratic National Committee member is considering a primary challenge against U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.). Latonya Reeves, a labor leader and DFL Party activist from Minneapolis, confirmed to Axios that she's ‘exploring’ a bid for the 5th Congressional District next year. … Reeves, an AFSCME Council 5 vice president who has served in local DFL leadership posts and as a vice chair of the Minneapolis Community Commission on Police Oversight, said she wants to ‘tone down the rhetoric’ and be a champion of the Democratic Party's platform. … She said she's also still exploring what she would do with her DNC position if she followed through with a run.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4od9Aiv
STPAUL: Buzz is that a high-profile name is close to announcing in the St. Paul Mayor’s race.
SENATE RACE: via MPR, VERBATIM: “Another candidate has jumped into the race for the U.S. Senate. … Alycia Gruenhagen, the daughter of state Sen. Glenn Gruenhagen, has filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to run for the seat. She’s one of five Republicans who have filed candidate committees for the race. Gruenhagen ran in the Republican primary for Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s seat in 2024, getting about 7.7 percent of the votes and coming in fourth. She also ran for U.S. House District 7 in 2020 and 2022, both times as a Democrat, though some questioned why she was running as a Democrat at the time.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4l6QlV6
MAYOR: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Rep. Ilhan Omar isn't ready to make an endorsement in the Minneapolis mayoral race. … ‘I live in Minneapolis, and so I will be taking a closer look and at some point deciding who I will vote for,’ Omar said. … Her position comes four days after the Minneapolis DFL endorsed democratic socialist Omar Fateh over two-term incumbent Mayor Jacob Frey, who is contesting the results of the convention. … Omar would not say whether she is leaning toward Fateh or Frey as she weighs her decision. Asked what she thinks Fateh's victory means about the state of politics, Omar said: ‘We haven't had an endorsement for the mayoral race in a long time. I think it certainly signals a shift in the way in which people should be thinking about the mayoral race.’” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4kTGP7u
MORE: The Star Tribune also has a list of which DFLers have and haven’t endorsed a candidate for mayor in Minneapolis. Notably, Sen. Amy Klobuchar is still the only member of Minnesota’s Democratic congressional delegation who has endorsed a candidate so far, endorsing Mayor Jacob Frey in March. BACKGROUND: http://fluence-media.co/46Wasle
SIGNUP: Fluence Advisory is hosting a virtual forum featuring an interview with Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management Director Eric Taubel and other industry experts on Monday, July 28th. The event is in partnership with Stinson and Sota Cann.
Other panels included:
· Municipal and Tribal Governments featuring Aarik Robertson of Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures and Kevin Morelli of the City of Anoka Moderated by Will Blauvelt of Stinson
· Cannabis Industry Update featuring Josh Wilken-Simon of Legacy Cannabis, Shaun Tetreault of Kind Bud, and Mark Matejcek of Kria Botanicals Moderated by Carol Moss of Hellmuth & Johnson
· THC Beverages Rapid Growth featuring Elizabeth Anderson Schmidt of Flying Cloud THC and Fat Pants Brewing, and Glenn McElfresh of Plift Beverages Moderated by Bruce Nustad of the Minnesota Retailers
REGISTER: https://fluence-media.co/CannabisForum
If you’re interested in sponsoring the Fluence Forum - please email bloisolson@gmail.com
USDA: via Axios, VERBATIM: “Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) warned that the U.S. Department of Agriculture shuttering most of its Washington, D.C. operations could hurt the department's ability ‘to provide critical services to Americans.’ … [USDA] will shutter nearly all of its Washington, D.C. buildings and disperse most of its staff throughout the country, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced on Thursday. … In a statement, Klobuchar, ranking member of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, called for Congress to review the move.” KLOBUCHAR: “This half-baked proposal – submitted with no consultation with leading Agricultural Senators – will set us back. We must have an immediate hearing before more damage is done.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3J18kyx
UTILITIES: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Minnesota utility commissioners on Thursday castigated a rural electric cooperative for threatening to cut power to the Upper Sioux Community’s casino if the tribe turns on a solar array. The state Public Utilities Commission (PUC) voted 4-0 to investigate a complaint from Upper Sioux, which alleges that the threat by the Minnesota Valley Cooperative Light and Power Association is illegal and discriminatory. The commission said they might take an extraordinary step of taking away Minnesota Valley’s right to serve the tribe with power and handing it to another provider, such as nearby Xcel Energy. The commissioners then asked state attorneys to take legal action if necessary to prevent a shutoff.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4lOmKAT
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)
MEDIA: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “MPR News’ parent company announced Thursday it would lay off employees in the coming weeks. American Public Media Group leadership said it will be laying off 5 to 8 percent of its staff and making other cost reductions after state and federal funding cuts led to a $6 million budget gap. APMG employs about 500 people, but it said the eventual scope of the layoffs will depend on multiple factors. … Besides MPR News, APMG is made up of radio stations and programs that include The Current, YourClassical and the national business show Marketplace. Company leadership said it was still assessing which areas of the company and the specific roles that will be impacted.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/46n3yFt
MORE: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Despite a heavily local focus, the northwest Minnesota broadcaster [KSRQ] will pay the price for cuts targeted at NPR and PBS by President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress. When Congress rescinded $1.1 billion in funding to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) last week — a move aimed at severing the national broadcasters from taxpayer support — it also cut KSRQ and other rural, radio and television stations off from valuable federal grants. … About 40% of KSRQ’s budget comes from CPB.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3J3GxNW
AMERICORPS: via Office of the Atty. General, VERBATIM: “Attorney General Keith Ellison and a coalition of 22 other attorneys general – joined by the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania – filed a lawsuit challenging the White House Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) attempt to gut AmeriCorps by withholding tens of millions of dollars in funding for critical service programs. In June, [Ellison] won a court order that reinstated hundreds of AmeriCorps programs. … Despite this order, OMB is withholding vast sums intended for outstanding service programs. … [Therefore], the coalition has filed an amended lawsuit that adds OMB as a defendant and brings new legal claims against the agency.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/46rJZM9
HIGHER ED: via an OHE press release, VERBATIM: “Today, the Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE) announced the 2025 recipients of the Intervention for College Attendance Program (ICAP) grant. … These grants provide funding to programs offered to encourage college attendance of historically underserved students, bridging the gap between K12 education and the student’s first year of postsecondary education. In total, 20 organizations received ICAP grants, totaling $2,055,600 in funding.” READ/LIST: http://fluence-media.co/46Ks1F1
NEWBORNS: via a Rep. Kelly Morrison press release, VERBATIM: “Today, U.S. Representative Kelly Morrison (MN-03) introduced the bipartisan Newborn Screening Saves Lives Reauthorization Act, which will renew and strengthen newborn screening programs that detect life-threatening and life-altering health conditions.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/46YvL5C
DRUG ADS: via a Rep. Ilhan Omar press release, VERBATIM: “Representatives Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12) and Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-03) introduced the End Prescription Drug Ads Now Act, legislation that would ban prescription drug advertising in all forms. … The United States is one of just two countries in the world that still allow direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising. The American Medical Association endorsed a ban a decade ago.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/45k1vku
FARMERS: via a Rep. Brad Finstad press release, VERBATIM: “Today, Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01), fourth-generation farmer and member of the House Agriculture Committee, announced his introduction of H.R. 4657, the Next Generation Farmer Act. … This bipartisan legislation expands eligibility for beginning farmers to obtain U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Ownership Loans, which provide the capital necessary to purchase, expand, and improve family farms.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4mfyuMD
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS TO CELEBRATE: Flint Hills Resources and its employees are proud of the company they keep, including many community partners that help make Minnesota a better place to live and learn. Not only is the Pine Bend refinery celebrating 70 years, many of the company’s long-time partnerships have milestones in 2025 — 25 years of the Flint Hills Family Festival in partnership with the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, 25 years with Friends of the Mississippi River to restore critical habitat, 30 years with the Minnesota Zoo, and 40 years with Ducks Unlimited. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3ZfDkjY (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
MPLS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The Minneapolis City Council voted Thursday to authorize an agreement with Arts’ Nest, a nonprofit arts organization that’s partnering with Zenon Dance Company and School to operate the Cowles Center for Dance and the Performing Arts. The decision officially sets in motion the return of the performance venue and center for educational dance and arts programming, which has been closed for over a year, with an expected grand opening in February 2026.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3GZidfI
ST PAUL: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “For the past month, the Rondo Community Library on Dale Street has shut its doors at 2 p.m. on Saturdays and stayed closed entirely on Sundays, a summer scheduling challenge that St. Paul Public Library administrators are blaming on limited staffing and mounting public safety concerns. … Rondo’s reduced hours will continue to Labor Day, a disappointment for some patrons. … The weekend closures also have raised questions with [AFSCME], one of two labor unions that represent the city’s library workers. No other location in the St. Paul Public Library system has recently called it quits on weekends due to staffing.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/452YgN7
ROCHESTER: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “Financial models provided to the Rochester City Council [this week] show the planned sports and recreation complex could see a $628,000 profit in its first year or lose nearly $330,000. The differing projections are based on varying levels of activity the city-owned complex could see when its eight ball diamonds become available. It is anticipated to open in 2027. Recreation and Facilities Division Head Ben Boldt said the first-year outcome will largely hinge on the number of tournaments held and the number of teams participating.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3H2Yj3l
BRAINERD: via Brainerd Dispatch, VERBATIM: “The city of Brainerd plans to help foot the bill for extra work that needs to be done at the construction site for a senior living and child care complex. City Council members discussed [this week] a request from Country Manor for the city to cover the cost of additional excavation work required to make water main and sanitary sewer connections at Wild and Warrior avenues. … During the full council meeting later [that] night, council members agreed to allow the work to be done and then discuss the issue with concrete costs in front of them.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/41aVtjF
DISTRICT COURT: via West Central Tribune, VERBATIM: “District Court Judge Jennifer Fischer says the leaders of the 8th Judicial District have created a hostile environment to force her to prematurely leave the bench. She makes the allegation in a petition to the Minnesota Supreme Court seeking immediate reinstatement of her calendar. … [In response], the Minnesota Board on Judicial Standards announced the filing of a formal complaint alleging misconduct by Fischer. The board alleges conduct violating rules in 10 areas, including rules governing impartiality and fairness; bias, prejudice and harassment; and competence, diligence and cooperation.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/40AWa5L
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
MITCHELL: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Sen. Nicole Mitchell, DFL-Woodbury, will likely be required to spend at least four months in jail because of her first-degree felony conviction and the mandatory minimum sentence that comes with it. … Minnesota’s first-degree burglary charge has a mandatory minimum sentence of six months in jail, but Seventh Judicial District Chief Judge Michael Fritz could order Mitchell to serve more jail time. The maximum sentence is 20 years for felony burglary, but Mitchell has no previous criminal record, and a lengthy sentence is highly unlikely.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lCMmAu
UNITEDHEALTH: via AP News, VERBATIM: “Shares of UnitedHealth Group slipped Thursday after the health care giant said it was under a Department of Justice investigation. The company said it has started complying with both criminal and civil requests from federal investigators and it was cooperating with them. … Earlier this year, The Wall Street Journal said federal officials had launched a civil fraud investigation into how the company records diagnoses that lead to extra payments for its Medicare Advantage, or MA, plans.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lImQK2
UMN: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “The University of Minnesota is launching a new institute focused on identifying and responding to infectious diseases. The new effort comes at a critical time, said University of Minnesota Institute on Infectious Diseases director Michael Gale.” QUOTE: “The federal situation has led to many cutbacks, and especially in infectious disease preparedness. We’re highly concerned about another epidemic, or even a pandemic developing now in the United States in particular.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3GT2YVE
ALL THE TAKES: Every day, we’re sharing significant political, business and other news in your inbox and on our new website, The Daily Agenda. If you love morning take, sign up for the other Fluence tip sheets and share our web content with your friends. SIGNUP: https://fluence-media.co/4eZwLa7
TODAY: Governor Tim Walz will attend the 3M Open Folds of Honor Ceremony.
MONDAY: Fluence Advisory is hosting a virtual forum on the state of cannabis in Minnesota, featuring an interview with Office of Cannabis Management director Eric Taubel and other industry experts. The event is at 8:00 a.m. REGISTER: https://fluence-media.co/CannabisForum
MONDAY: via AFP-MN, VERBATIM: “Sen. Jordan Rasmusson and representatives from Americans for Prosperity – Minnesota…will host a legislative forum in Fergus Falls to engage the community on key issues from the 2025 legislative session. … Topics will include housing affordability, government accountability, and responsible use of taxpayer dollars.” The event is at 5:00 p.m.
TUESDAY: via a DCYF advisory, VERBATIM: “The Department of Children, Youth, and Families…is inviting members of the media to attend an upcoming briefing to learn more about program impacts of the recently passed federal budget bill. … Scheduled panelists include Tikki Brown, [DCYF] commissioner.” The virtual event is at 10:00 a.m.
WEDNESDAY: via Citizens League, VERBATIM: “Join us online for ‘The Future of Small, Local, and Cultural Media.’ … [It’s] an important conversation about the challenges and opportunities facing small, local and cultural media outlets; how existing news and media outlets are trying to evolve and adjust operations; and what we can do to preserve local media outlets as critical community resources across the state.” The event is at 12:00 noon. DETAILS: http://fluence-media.co/44Ko8yh
BDAYS: golfer and communications veteran Kevin Smith, lobbyist Theresa Kuvaas, researcher Mark Drake, sports broadcaster Anthony LaPanta SAT: investment guy John Skahan. SUN: Rep. Keith Allen, MBP Communication pro Sarah Barten, Sen. Ann Johnson Stewart, retired radio guy Tim Pugmire, academic Myron Orfield, UCare’s Joel Ulland, lobbyist Stephen Rubis
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IN MEMORIAM: morning take from now to the future is in memory of Melissa Hortman her accessibility, leadership and commitment to public service.
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