HUMP DAY
Twins lose.
In Michigan, the Democratic US Senate race is too close to call. DSA-aligned candidate Abdul El-Sayed has a slight lead over Haley Stevens. Is this where we will sit next Wednesday?
Encampment clean out in St. Paul. Spotted out last night for NNO was Mayor Kaohly Her.
National soccer teams for the U.S. and Canada will play in Allianz Field this October. KARE: https://fluence-media.co/4xpxfA4
Minneapolis will be a host city for the 2028 Olympic torch relay. KSTP: https://fluence-media.co/3RuVpKb
The number of states hit by cyberattacks on water infrastructure is up to at least 12. ABC: https://fluence-media.co/4fQsNTv
The Argument finds that 71% of voters support free trade agreements with other countries. Meanwhile, 28% support tariffs on imports, and 62% think tariffs negatively affect the cost of living. POLL: https://fluence-media.co/4hOVdzZ
Happy National Oyster Day.
Blois - tips: bloisolson@gmail.com
Sunday Take featured a Farmfest preview and Republican Adam Schwarze discussing his U.S. Senate campaign. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3TyEK93
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From New Ulm, where Caribou opens at 5AM there’s an angst in the air where nothing seems easy. From weather to war, farmers resiliency is strong, but you can sense an edginess about our politics. Day one of 2026 Farmfest included Congressional candidate forums but also a lot of discussions about one week to go, and the uncertainty of the races on both the DFL and GOP statewide races. There’s a flood of money into all the competitive races, which isn’t new but seems new in Minnesota since it’s been at least eight years since there was a competitive race in a primary.
Attorney General Keith Ellison will be here today, his opponent Ron Schutz worked the crowd yesterday. Secretary of State Steve Simon and his Republican challenger Tad Jude were here yesterday.
Opinions as polarizing as any race continue to grow, while Republicans are trying to figure out the voting tendencies between the US Senate and Governor primary. If Michele Tafoya wins, who do her voters pick in the gubernatorial race? Conventional wisdom would suggest Speaker Lisa Demuth which may explain the calm confidence both exuded at the Ag Mafia dinner last night. Meanwhile, neither Mike Lindell nor Kendall Qualls was working the crowd yesterday.
A change in stature means Gov. Tim Walz won’t be at Farmfest until Thursday, meanwhile a panel of those wanting to replace him will be today at 10:30.
HEALTHCARE: Strong communities depend on sustainable nonprofit healthcare. By planning to join leading, nonprofit healthcare system Sutter Health, Allina Health will be better positioned to expand access to high-quality, innovative care in Minnesota and Western Wisconsin - supporting patients, caregivers, and communities for generations to come. Learn more about the Allina-Sutter partnership.. HERE: https://fluence-media.co/AllinaHealth (SPONSORED: Allina Health)
Scenes from Day 1 of Farm Fest…
The famous pork chop….from Farm Bureau
A note from the Leading Age booth – “If you could tell the next Governor one thing about aging in Minnesota”.
That’s the answer for any Governor, but especially the next one. It won’t come easy, the job of reconnecting the state, much less uniting a divided state that has lost trust in state government. The impacts of more seniors than K12 students as Fluence Advisory client the Long-Term Care Imperative reminds us.
The reality is that an open Governor’s seat offers candidates and the public an opportunity to share real issues of Minnesotans. Minnesotans have a different relationship with a Governor than they do a federal statewide candidate – which is why understanding all of Minnesota is critical.
It’s one thing to want to have a beer with a candidate, its another thing to understand that the public wants to ensure that you understand and believe in the future of Minnesota.
So, what are the questions that candidates need to answer? From health care to fraud in human service programs there’s a different mindset of Minnesotans this year, and the angst is starting to be felt by the people.
THE TRAIL
USDA: via WCCO Radio, VERBATIM: “U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins kicked off FarmFest in Redwood Falls Tuesday. Rollins gave an update on key agricultural export markets, saying growth is strong in corn, ethanol, dairy and tree nuts. She also told the group recent reports of the growing number of farm bankruptcies are ‘over-inflated’ and amount to ‘clickbait.’” ROLLINS: “What I am much more worried about is the loss of farms to solar, to wind, to development. … That is a much, much, much, much bigger problem.” READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3SewyKP
CD2: via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “The race for Congress in Minnesota’s Second District is getting heated. On Tuesday, candidates faced off at Farmfest. … All three [DFL] candidates have a history of election wins in the district: Rep. Kaela Berg, Sen. Matt Klein and former Lakeville Mayor and state Sen. Matt Little. … Republican state Sen. Eric Pratt was also at the forum. … Tuesday’s debate focused on farm policy.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4hePGCH
CD8: via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “Republican Rep. Pete Stauber and Democratic challenger Trina Swanson debated agricultural issues Tuesday at a FarmFest candidate forum in Redwood Falls. Moderators asked both 8th Congressional District candidates what Congress can do to help farmers facing tight markets and high input costs. … Stauber said trade access is a priority for farmers. … Swanson pointed to fertilizer supply chains and tariffs as pressing concerns.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3UdmL8h
EMMER: GOP Rep. Pete Stauber said yesterday that GOP Rep. Tom Emmer was not present at a Farmfest candidate forum because he is “dealing with” an unspecified problem and “fighting for his damn life today,” triggering social media speculation about Emmer’s health. MPR reported that Stauber did not take questions and Emmer’s office had no comment, but the Star Tribune received word from Stauber’s office that Emmer is “not fighting for his life.” Punchbowl’s Jake Sherman asked Emmer directly about Stauber’s remarks. SHERMAN: “He said he is not gravely ill — nor did he sound like it. He did have a series of foot injuries, for which he had a bunch of surgeries.” DETAILS: MPR | STRIB | PUNCHBOWL
SCHWARZE: Via MPR, more details on Republican Adam Schwarze not being invited to today’s Farmfest forum for Senate candidates, as seen in yesterday’s morning take. VERBATIM: “Schwarze says he’s surprised that he’s been left out of the Farmfest Senate candidate forum. … The current lineup includes four other candidates: Democrats U.S. Rep. Angie Craig and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and Republicans Michele Tafoya and Royce White. … Schwarze was told by organizers that candidates have to have at least 15 percent support in publicly reported polls. ‘Who really misses out are the voters,’ he said. He said leaving him off the stage is a clear advantage to Tafoya.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fVJ3ms
LINDELL: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Mike Lindell, amid his run for governor in Minnesota, announced Tuesday that he is stepping down as chief executive officer of Shakopee-based MyPillow, [saying] ‘Minnesota deserves my full attention.’ … Lindell has also reduced his ownership stake in the company to a minority share. He’ll stay on as a member of the board, but the CEO title goes to James Furlong, who served as a MyPillow director from 2004 to 2019.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pUufJg
A deep dive into the CD1 race between Rep. Brad Finstad and Jake Johnson for MNSider subscribers. HERE: https://fluence-media.co/49OqNJu
AG RACE: via MPR, VERBATIM: “The national Democratic calvary is coming to Keith Ellison’s defense in what is likely to be another tough and close attorney general’s race. The Democratic Attorneys General Association dropped $1 million on Thursday into a political fund called We All Do Better. … Republicans are also heavy into the race in support of GOP attorney Ron Schutz. There has been seven-figure activity on the GOP side with various groups trading money and the result being scalding ads over fraud attacking Ellison.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fVJ3ms
SENATE RACE: KSTP aired one-on-one interviews with DFL Rep. Angie Craig and Republican Adam Schwarze discussing their Senate campaigns yesterday. Issues discussed include the “Big Beautiful Bill,” Social Security and more. WATCH: CRAIG | SCHWARZE
QUALLS: Republican Kendall Qualls spoke to FOX 9 about his campaign for governor, his plans for addressing healthcare costs and more. A transcript of his comments is available online. READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4fG6GjW
VOTING: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “The Trump Administration is suing at least 30 states, including Minnesota, for their voter data. [Donald] Trump is also seeking more control over mail-in ballots through executive order, a move Minnesota and other states have sued to stop. MPR [asked] Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, a Democrat, about how election officials are preparing for potential threats to election integrity and security.” SIMON: “I have every reason to believe that for the primary and eventually the upcoming general election, we’re going to have an election that’s fair and accurate.” READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4fNF38R
VOLUNTEERS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “For decades, Democratic organizers in Minnesota have searched for a way to turn moments of outrage into lasting political engagement. Many believe Operation Metro Surge did just that. A sprawling volunteer network that sprang up almost overnight to help immigrant families is now feeding people into the state’s DFL political infrastructure as precinct chairs, convention delegates, campaign volunteers and even candidates for office. … The next test is whether that civic awakening translates into electoral power.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pZdyfO
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)
OUTDOORS
WILDFIRES: via WCCO Radio, VERBATIM: “The wildfires in northern Minnesota have now burned more than 64,000 acres of land. But significant progress has been made, and more of the BWCA is expected to reopen soon. Nearly 70% of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is open for visitors, but there are some restrictions in place. … Drew Stroburg, the acting supervisor of the Superior National Forest, [said] they are fighting a massive perception problem, with people not wanting to make the trip.” READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4fCNDHj
DROUGHT: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) asked residents in Duluth, Hermantown, Procter and Rice Lake to conserve water starting Tuesday as the area is at risk of drought. … The drought warning follows weeks of wildfires and firefighting efforts in northern Minnesota and the BWCAW.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/456Mz8w
MORE: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “An extended drought is impacting lake levels across north-central Minnesota, and officials say it could take years for some to recover. … The region has received 12 to 16 inches less precipitation than normal over the past four years, and it would take months of above-average rainfall to restore lake levels.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4pSK4jy
CWD: via DNR advisory, VERBATIM: “A deer near Stillwater has been confirmed positive for chronic wasting disease. The female deer was reported to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources by a landowner who observed it for several days and noted it was unafraid of people and appeared emaciated. On July 16, the deer died and was retrieved by DNR staff. … The Minnesota DNR is working on what the surveillance response will be to the new detection near Stillwater.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4pSMNJO
HABITAT RESTORATION: Flint Hills Resources has earned Tandem Global WHC Gold Certification for habitat restoration at its Cottage Grove fuel terminal. The certification comes after two years of work in partnership with Friends of the Mississippi River to implement a restoration and monitoring plan to re-establish the 6.5-acre site’s natural prairie and savannah. Flint Hills has held gold certification for its work done with community partners over the past 25 years to restore more than 200 acres of the Pine Bend Bluffs, a critical natural area along the Mississippi River that is adjacent to Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery. This makes two Flint Hills gold-certified sites in Minnesota and the first two gold-certified sites ever in the Twin Cities. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3VASKg4 (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
METRO
MPLS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “More than 100 city employees could be laid off in Minneapolis in the first major layoffs in 16 years as the city faces a $33 million budget gap. … Mayor Jacob Frey will unveil a budget proposal with major cuts, layoffs and the elimination of some departments — and will still seek a double-digit increase in the city’s property tax levy to fund the 2027 budget. … The mayor’s office said Frey is still working through final decisions before he delivers his budget address next week and wouldn’t confirm details, but several city leaders said Frey has told them there will be layoffs and cuts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4cf3vgP
ST PAUL: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “The City of Saint Paul is preparing to clear a large homeless encampment at Pig’s Eye Park on Wednesday as part of a larger strategy to sweep encampments, despite last-minute pleas from activists and residents to halt the plan. … The city announced that it would move forward with the Pig’s Eye Park sweep starting at 8 a.m. [because] the encampment ‘presents serious and worsening health, safety, and environmental conditions.’ … Ahead of the planned sweep, dozens of activists and neighbors expressed their fury at a special city council meeting on Tuesday afternoon. More than 40 people spoke, calling the policy of sweeping encampments ‘inhumane.’” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3RSX9No
MORE: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “City Council President Rebecca Noecker said Tuesday she supports Mayor Kaohly Her’s plan to clear the homeless camp at Pig’s Eye Park on Wednesday if people have indoor options that meet their needs. … ‘My understanding is that that is a case-by-case basis situation,’ Noecker said when asked where an estimated couple hundred people living in the camp would go.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4yZukzp
EVENTS: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “Thousands of WWE fans packed the Twin Cities this past weekend, [but] there are other events MNSE wants to bring here that would be even bigger. … The Twin Cities have hosted NCAA postseason action, the Super Bowl and more – but [MNSE’s John] Klinkenberg says they have another event in mind, if they can secure the funding. ‘We’re a finalist for FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2031, which will be a great women’s event to bring here,’ he said. ‘The people at the Capitol, legislature, they understand that, [but] we’re working on trying to find that solution.’” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4wMB9mI
MAYOR HER: Via KSTP, an update on what St. Paul City Council members have (or haven’t) said about Mayor Kaohly Her’s ongoing sexual harassment investigation. VERBATIM: “Council President Rebecca Noecker sat down for an interview [Tuesday]. When the allegations against Her were brought up, Noecker declined comment. … 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS hasn’t yet heard from council members Anika Bowie, HwaJeong Kim and Cheniqua Johnson but continues to seek comment from them.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4hOfxRV
GREATER MN
OLMSTED CTY: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “A divided Olmsted County board approved more than quadrupling fees that Dodge County is expected to pay for housing detainees in the Olmsted County Adult Detention Center. Commissioners have noted Dodge County is the only county in Southeast Minnesota without its own jail, relying on Olmsted County to provide space at $75 per day per detainee, while the cost of detention center operations averages more than $300 per day per inmate.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/452MliN
ST CLOUD: via St. Cloud Live, VERBATIM: “The St. Cloud City Council unanimously approved letting single-family housing developers and builders delay paying upfront charges during its meeting. … The ordinance is a one-year pilot program allowing any builder and developer on single-family residential lots to delay paying water access, sewer access and trunk area charges for up to a year. Deferred payments will accrue a 3.5% interest rate. The approval comes as city administrators warned council members that the need for housing is outpacing the city’s available and buildable single-family lots.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Sey5Az
BEMIDJI: via Bemidji Pioneer, VERBATIM: “The Bemidji City Council voted 7-0 during a meeting [to] revoke the business license of Siam Massage and Wellness Spa. The vote comes after city building officials and the Bemidji Police Department conducted multiple compliance inspections at Siam Massage, which the company failed. City officials also noted during a meeting presentation that the owner of the establishment did not reply to any of the letters or emails sent, or acknowledge that there would be inspections.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fEg6fP
LOOKING AHEAD
TODAY: Governor Tim Walz will receive an update on wildfire conditions in Minnesota.
TODAY-TMRW: Minnesota Farmfest runs from Aug. 4 to Aug. 6 in Redwood County. The final candidate forums will be held today. SCHEDULE: https://fluence-media.co/4pQIEGw
TODAY: Attorney General Keith Ellison and members of the MN Farmers Union will host a press conference at Farmfest highlighting the state’s recent “right to repair” settlement with John Deere. The event is at 12:30 p.m.
TOMORROW: U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar will host a town hall in Richfield on Thursday, Aug. 6 at 6:00 p.m.
AUG 4-13: Fluence sponsor Xcel Energy and industry partners will host a series of open houses on their planned “PowerOn Midwest” electric transmission projects from Tuesday, Aug. 4 to Thursday, Aug. 13. SCHEDULE: https://fluence-media.co/4yHUlDi
SEPT 9: The IRRR Board is hosting its third annual “State of the Range” event in Chisholm on Wednesday, Sept. 9 at 4:00 p.m.
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IN MEMORIAM: morning take is dedicated in memory of Melissa Hortman.