Florida wins the Cup. The Fever seemed to have more edge than the Oilers last night.
Lynx win. Twins lose.
Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith presented a tribute to late Rep. Melissa Hortman on the floor of the U.S. Senate. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4ebFJSQ
Donald Trump plans to delay the U.S. TikTok ban again. The ban, once slated for January, will be moved to September. AXIOS: https://fluence-media.co/4e3mKtu
A poll by The Economist finds that 60% of Americans — including majorities of Democrats, Independents and Republicans — do not want the U.S. military to get involved in the conflict between Iran and Israel. POLL: https://fluence-media.co/4jOpKv3
Note, the college kids are asking about a draft, and how war would impact them.
A Washington Post poll finds that opposition to the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” is nearly 2-to-1 — 23% support, 42% oppose. However, 1 in 3 Americans currently have no opinion of the bill. POLL: https://fluence-media.co/45td9dw
Blois
TIPS: bloisolson@gmail.com
Today’s morning take on conspiracy theories and misinformation with Tom Hauser on WCCO Radio. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3I13sZL
Sunday Take was dedicated to the legacy of House DFL Leader Melissa Hortman following her tragic death. Rep. Jeff Witte and former Rep. John Lesch discussed her life, her career, and how her killing could change Minnesota politics forever. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4kL12x4
Sponsorships available – to reach over 25,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheet and website www.TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com
HOFFMANS: via statement from John and Yvette Hoffman this morning, VERBATIM: “We are deeply disturbed by the false and invasive information provided by our estranged nephew, Mat Ollig. Any loving parent would protect their child at gunpoint. Hope living with disability doesn’t make that instinct any more heroic. Disability is not the story here. Media outlets choosing to highlight and pity her disability while ignoring her role in saving our lives is not only filled with inaccuracies—it’s ableism. We are so grateful she was at our house that night. Without Hope, we wouldn’t be here right now. Our daughter’s quick instincts and wherewithal to state that her dad is Senator John Hoffman when she called 911 led the police getting to the Hortman’s so quickly and saving countless other lives. Respect our privacy, and respect our daughter.” - John & Yvette Hoffman
HORTMAN: via MPR, VERBATIM: “Rep. Melissa Hortman [could] be the first woman to lie in state at the Capitol, if her family chooses. … Hortman would be one of fewer than 20 Minnesotans to have laid in state since this Capitol building opened in 1905, according to the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. There have been only four who were solely state legislators and didn’t serve in statewide office. … No legislator with exclusively Minnesota House service has been given the tribute. The last legislator so honored was former Senate Majority Leader Nick Coleman.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/408YxMA
MORE: via CBS News, VERBATIM: “Hortman's parents, Harry and Linda Haluptzok, spoke to CBS News in their first TV interview since a suspect was arrested for the killings in Brooklyn Park, as well as for the shootings of state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife five miles away in Champlin…The Haluptzoks, along with their son, Patrick Haluptzok, stopped by the Hortmans' home on Tuesday to pick up clothes for the couple to be buried in. They sat hand in hand as they spoke about the couple. QUOTE: "It's been very hard the last few days," Patrick Haluptzok said. "In what seems unfair and tragic, the way her last night was spent. We're just trying to get by." WATCH/READ: https://fluence-media.co/4l9UXdh
Sen. Zach Duckworth shared this photo in a post on social media, QUOTE: “Empathy isn’t weakness. Civility isn’t surrender. Blame isn’t healing. The past isn’t an excuse. We can find common ground among disagreement. We can be united by a sense of duty, service, & decency - if we choose. It’s possible - the future is ours to write……our kids are watching.”
SECURITY: via WCCO Radio, VERBATIM: “Saturday’s [shootings] could prompt security changes for state lawmakers and the Minnesota State Capitol building itself. … Minnesota State Patrol's Colonel Christina Bogojevic says her agency, which handles security for the entire Capitol complex, will help decide on potential protocol changes. … The Capitol Safety Advisory Council will also make key decisions on security changes [like] installing metal detectors. … WCCO Radio political analyst Blois Olson [said] some lawmakers may seriously consider whether they want to stay in politics.” QUOTE: “I believe that there will be a great number of retirements after next session because of this incident. … Security measures have to be improved and amplified very quickly.” READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/45ohoa5
MORE: Sources say the Minnesota Capitol is wired for security systems including metal detectors and other scanning equipment. Someone with knowledge of the building after the remodel says, “All they have to do is plug it in”. The specs of the Capitol remodel required it include the electrical and other elements for modern security. However, once the Capitol was ready to re-open it was decided not to install screening stations.
FUNDING: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “As safety concerns for lawmakers grow, what security options are there? … In 2021, the Minnesota Legislature passed a law allowing candidates of state office to use campaign funds up to $3,000 to pay for home security cameras. … Since the law was passed, 13 candidates have used that funding to pay for home security cameras, according to a FOX 9 Investigators review of campaign spending. … Also, the removal of addresses [on state websites] will likely remain in place until further guidance from the Legislature.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4lf5S5C
MORE: Via KSTP, Sec. Steve Simon has responded to the targeted shootings by restricting access to two public databases controlled by his office that contain the home addresses of government officials. Also, Planned Parenthood North Central States CEO Ruth Richardson said they are increasing security at Planned Parenthood locations around the Twin Cities. SIMON: https://fluence-media.co/3ZCtecX RICHARDSON: https://fluence-media.co/4jS3G2H
MORE: State Sen. John Marty (D-Roseville) spoke to WCCO Radio and the Pioneer Press this week about his ideas for improving security at the Minnesota Capitol and what he hopes to see passed in the 2026 session. MARTY: “I think everybody at the Capitol is ready to look at this in a serious manner. The idea of metal detectors and banning guns at the Capitol, I think it’s coming. … I’m hoping, at a minimum, we will start next year off by banning guns in the Capitol complex, like we do in other courthouses. I think the overwhelming majority would say, yeah, if they do it in courthouses, why shouldn’t they be doing it at the Capitol?” WCCO: https://fluence-media.co/445ax2R PIPRESS: https://fluence-media.co/4kMzWpr
DC: via AP News, VERBATIM: “Threats to members of Congress are on the rise, security officials told senators on Tuesday at an emergency briefing in the wake of the killing of a Minnesota state lawmaker. … The shooting renewed fears — and stoked existing partisan tensions — over the security of federal lawmakers when they are in Washington and especially when they are at home. Credible threats to members of Congress have more than doubled in the last decade. … SMITH: ‘I just see so clearly that this current state of play is not sustainable,’ said Minnesota Democratic Sen. Tina Smith. … Smith, who received increased security after the shootings, said after the briefing that it was ‘productive,’ and Capitol Police are ‘doing what they can do.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZE569Y
BIPARTISAN: Via Star Tribune, a look at Minnesota’s history of bipartisanship and how Saturday’s shootings may affect its future. VERBATIM: “[It’s] a part of Minnesota political culture that has been born over decades out of necessity: Voters more often than not send divided representation to the Legislature, meaning both sides often have to sit in the same room and work together. … The [shootings] rattled even the most partisan operators at the Minnesota Capitol. Rep. Walter Hudson, R-Albertville, a conservative firebrand, said he was forced to rethink the consequences of political rhetoric.” HUDSON: “It’s definitely something I’ve been thinking about more over time. And this is one of the most profound examples as to why that’s important.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/444NZzd
MISINFO: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “A hurricane of misinformation took over social media after the news broke about the shootings targeting Minnesota lawmakers. … Rep. Duane Quam (R-Byron)…posted a picture on the social media platform X asking if anyone knew the source of a photo that people falsely claimed was of suspect Vance Boelter and his wife. … Quam told us he deleted the post after someone told him the photo was [fake]. … But [Quam] said he stands by what he posted.” QUAM: “There was no intent to spread [rumors]. There was only intent of trying to find out if someone knew anything. … I didn’t realize trying to find out was a bad thing to do.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/43Mt31e
MORE: Via Axios, Donald Trump Jr. is the latest prominent figure to share misinformation about Saturday’s targeted shootings, falsely claiming in a televised interview that suspect Vance Boelter is “a leftist” and “a Democrat” despite Boelter registering to vote as a Republican multiple times. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jUwt6I
TAKE: Misinformation is a major problem, however elected officials sharing it is more concerning because they are inherently more trusted or believed to know the truth. Once it starts and is shared it is impossible to pull it back. There’s also a defining line between misinformation, and the proliferation of conspiracy theories. Last night, multiple GOP lawmakers participated, at least as listeners in an X room where anonymous and random citizens shared theories about the CIA and Gov. Walz being involved in the shooting. There’s a heightened responsibility for our public officials to be responsible in sharing posts, but also to wait to learn facts and actual evidence before boosting or passively accepting conspiracies that will further erode trust and undermine democracy. To those public officials, it’s imperative that you speak up and correct misinformation and tamp down conspiracy theories. If you are the government, you should probably trust the government or prove why you don’t.
SMITH: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah has deleted his social media posts blaming the assassination of a Minnesota representative on the far left [after] Sen. Tina Smith of Minnesota confronted Lee at the U.S. Capitol on Monday. [Smith] told reporters that she ‘needed him to hear from me directly what impact I think his cruel statement had.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44n1I5W
MNSURE: via MN Dept. of Commerce, VERBATIM: “Health insurers have submitted their proposed increased rates to the Minnesota Department of Commerce for 2026 plans available to Minnesotans who buy individual or small group health insurance through MNsure. … Federal policy shifts are driving uncertainty in the market, which is contributing to higher proposed rates. [But] Governor Tim Walz signed a bill to extend the Minnesota Premium Security Plan (MPSP), which aims to blunt the impact of these increases. … Insurers have proposed average increases ranging from 7%-26% for the 187,000 Minnesotans who buy insurance in the individual market. … Average proposed increases range from 7%-17% for the 202,000 Minnesotans covered by small group plans.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4n8brV7
JAILS: via WCCO Radio, VERBATIM: “A state spending boost looks to have an impact on Minnesota jails. Part of Minnesota's $700 million infrastructure package that was approved last week focuses on crowded Minnesota jails and adding bed space inside a state owned psychiatric hospital. Hennepin County sheriff Dawanna Witt [said] this includes individuals battling addiction and mental health issues.” READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4kQFCP6
SD23: via Austin Daily Herald, VERBATIM: “A special education teacher and former member of the Albert Lea school board on Monday announced she will run for the District 23 Senate seat in 2026. ‘Rural Minnesota needs a strong voice in the Legislature, someone who is willing to stand up and fight for what we deserve,’ said Angie Hanson in front of a crowd of about 150 enthusiastic supporters at Edgewater Bay Pavilion. … Hanson promised to fight for affordable health insurance, local health care services, rural school funding, dependable child care, fair wages and affordable housing.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3HMx25h
UMN: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “University of Minnesota faculty and alumni are accusing the institution of having excessive administrative costs at a time when officials want to slice academic costs and raise tuition. On Wednesday, the U’s Board of Regents will vote on the budget, which has drawn opposition from faculty and students for the 7% cuts to academic programs and a 6.5% jump in tuition for undergraduate, in-state students on the Twin Cities and Rochester campuses. … President Dr. Rebecca Cunningham said 300 jobs will be cut across the campuses. … Critics of the $5.1 billion budget point to $60 million for strategic investments — a one-time allotment — and $15 million in recurring expenses for strategic investments, as evidence of bloat.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4e3mk6o
DNC: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Former DFL Chair Ken Martin was dealt another blow this week after the heads of two major labor unions left their DNC posts, citing issues with Martin's leadership. … The departure of Randi Weingarten, who heads the American Federation of Teachers, and Lee Saunders, who leads the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, comes just a week after Martin questioned whether he should keep leading the DNC. … ‘While I am proud to be a Democrat, I appear to be out of step with the leadership you are forging, and I do not want to be the one who keeps questioning why we are not enlarging our tent and actively trying to engage more and more of our communities,’ Weingarten said in a resignation letter to Martin.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4n6xbkh
MOVE: via an MDVA press release, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) announces the appointment of Sean Ercan-Fang, MD, as Chief Medical Officer (CMO). … Dr. Ercan-Fang most recently practiced at the Minneapolis VA Healthcare System serving as a Staff Physician in the Extended Care and Rehabilitation Department.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43LZqgu
CELEBRATING 70 YEARS: The Pine Bend refinery in Rosemount is a landmark like no other – the tall columns, bright lights and steam during cold winter days can be seen from miles away. Generations of workers have helped operate, maintain and transform the refinery, making it one of the nation’s most innovative and efficient energy facilities of its kind. This year, Flint Hills Resources celebrates 70 years of dedicated employees at the Pine Bend refinery who have produced the fuels that help move us forward. LEARN MORE: About the Pine Bend refinery (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
RENTALS: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “When the cities of Apple Valley and Bloomington banned home rentals of less than 30 days, they violated the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which bans government takings of private property without compensation — or so says an Apple Valley Realtor, who filed twin lawsuits against both cities Monday in U.S. District Court in Minnesota. … While the two federal lawsuits were filed against the individual cities, [plaintiffs] hope the federal courts will create precedent discouraging bans on short-term rentals statewide and overturning those already in place elsewhere. An upcoming ban in Richfield, limiting short-term rentals to five days, takes effect Jan. 1.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jXkfdA
RURAL MN: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Army veteran Kris Shelstad waved an American flag Saturday in Lac Qui Parle County. To her, it felt fitting that the ‘No Kings’ rally in her hometown, Madison, coincided with the Army’s 250th birthday. … Shelstad, the western Minnesota county’s DFL Party communications director, was among thousands of Minnesotans participating in Saturday’s ‘No Kings’ demonstrations…including in some of the reddest counties in Minnesota. [Shelstad] expected about 50 people would show up based on previous events, but counted 157 participants. … Not bad for a city with only about 1,500 people, she said.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4l6Hv9X
STILLWATER: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Health care union members on Tuesday voted to authorize a strike at HealthPartners’ Stillwater Medical Group. Ninety-nine percent of the SEIU Healthcare MN & IA union members who voted on Tuesday supported an Unfair Labor Practice strike if the bargaining team cannot reach a deal, union members said. … The two sides are set to bargain on Thursday. If the union decides to call a strike, they have to file a 10-day notice.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/409crOR
ROCHESTER: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “The Rochester City Council rejected Mayor Kim Norton’s veto of a $245,185 heritage preservation grant to help create a second-floor apartment. … ‘There are unique factors contemplated here,’ council member Nick Miller said Monday, pointing to the potential to bring vibrancy to the city’s downtown historic district through the redevelopment of empty spaces. … The grant using state Destination Medical Center funds was awarded to help create a second-floor living space, [but] Norton said her primary objection to the grant relates to the planned adaptive reuse of the space, which she said will generate revenue for the owners. ‘That was not the intent of Destination Medical Center funds,’ she said.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4l5ehbC
AUSTIN: via Austin Daily Herald, VERBATIM: “During its regular meeting Monday night, the Austin City Council unanimously agreed to a request for financial participation from the Housing & Redevelopment Authority of Austin toward development of a new apartment complex in Austin. … The request was for the city to contribute, but not exceed, $400,000 in support of the acquisition of the Cedar View property, which sits adjacent to Kuehn Motor Company. The estimated cost of the proposed three-story structure is $18.6 million, which is expected to change. … Plans for this new project call for 40 units with surface level parking, and will connect easily to the Austin trail system.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3HNjUNu
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
STAUBER: via Northern News Now, VERBATIM: “Northland health care professionals, clergy members and elected officials rallied outside of Representative Pete Stauber’s office speaking out against federal cuts to programs that impact northlanders. The group delivered a letter to the congressman urging him to vote against the ‘Big Beautiful Bill.’ The ‘Big Beautiful Bill,’ which is on its way to the senate, will make cuts to programs like the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), which helps children of low-income families get the food they need, as well as childcare and Medicaid.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3Ts9KEh
TRUMP: via The Hill, VERBATIM: “President Donald Trump said early Tuesday that he would not call Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) after two Democratic lawmakers in his state were gunned down in a ‘politically motivated’ shooting over the weekend.” QUOTE: ‘I think the governor of Minnesota is so whacked out. I’m not calling,’ Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on his way back from the Group of Seven (G7) summit. ‘Why would I call him? … The guy doesn’t have a clue. He’s a mess. So, you know, I could be nice and call, but why waste time?’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4l9vG2W
RESPONSE: : Gov. Tim Walz’s office has released a statement in response to Pres. Donald Trump saying he does not plan to call Walz about the recent shooting of two lawmakers, referring to the governor as “whacked out” and “a mess,” as seen in yesterday’s lunch take. Vice Pres. JD Vance, former Pres. Joe Biden and former Vice Pres. Kamala Harris have called Walz about the situation. STATEMENT: “Governor Walz wishes that President Trump would be a President for all Americans, but this tragedy isn’t about Trump or Walz. It’s about the Hortman family, the Hoffman family, and the State of Minnesota, and the Governor remains focused on helping all three heal.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3HK1o8A
TODAY: Governor Walz will attend a vigil to honor the lives of Melissa and Mark Hortman.
TODAY: via news advisory from SEIU Healthcare, ISAIAH, and the MNA they will hold a news conference on the Capitol steps at 10AM about the cuts proposed in the “Big Beautiful Bill”.
TODAY: The University of Minnesota will host an observance in memory of Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark — both U of M alumni. Speakers will include U Pres. Rebecca Cunningham. The event is at 12:00 noon. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/4e3dhlW
TODAY: via a House DFL advisory, VERBATIM: “A candlelight vigil in remembrance of Melissa and Mark Hortman will take place on Wednesday, June 18 from 8:00 - 9:30 p.m. on the steps of the State Capitol. The Capitol building will be closed to the public during this event. The event will not have a speaking program.”
FRIDAY: via Xcel Energy, VERBATIM: “Xcel Energy’s inaugural North Star Lineman’s Rodeo will offer a rare glimpse of what life is like as a lineworker. More than 60 Xcel Energy lineworkers from Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota and Colorado [will] put their skills to the test in a series of simulated, life-like scenarios at [the] Hugo Training Center in Hugo, Minnesota. … Media will have a chance to speak with lineworkers and their families as well as company leadership.” The event is at 11:30 a.m.
JULY 12: Gov. Tim Walz will be the keynote speaker at the South Dakota Democratic Party’s annual McGovern Day dinner on July 12 in Sioux Falls, SD.
BDAYS: nonprofit leader Cara Letofsky
TIPS: How do we get the best news and most buzzed about stories? Send us your tips at BloisOlson@gmail.com
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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