TUESDAY SHOWERS
Twins win.
Twin Cities gas prices are back above $4 per gallon again — up 16 cents in one week. FOX9: https://fluence-media.co/4qkTpBb
Sunday Take featured a recap of the Minnesota primary, a look at Wisconsin’s primary with political analyst Bill McCoshen and a talk with MN Chamber CEO Doug Loon about Minnesota’s economy. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3SER8Ei
Happy National Pinot Noir Day.
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At 10 AM, Governor Tim Walz will deliver an address on climate and the environment in Ely.
First this morning via Gov. Tim Walz, VERBATIM: “Governor Tim Walz today signed an executive order to protect Minnesota’s cherished Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) from nonferrous mineral mining. The Governor’s order directs the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to stop all permitting and environmental review work on nonferrous mineral mining projects in the Rainy River Headwaters Watershed (RRHW). This order also directs DNR to not issue any new leases or permits for nonferrous mineral mining projects in the RRHW and to immediately review all existing nonferrous mineral leases in the RRHW to ensure that the BWCAW is protected for generations to come. WALZ: “The Boundary Waters is a national treasure and home to some of Minnesota’s most pristine waters and wilderness,” said Governor Walz. “This place is deeply personal to me, to Minnesotans, and to people across the country who have paddled these waters. I am using my full executive authority to protect the waters and wildlife of the Boundary Waters and to ensure the outfitters, small businesses, and communities that depend on it continue to thrive for generations to come. It’s our duty as Minnesotans to ensure the sacred place remains wild, pristine, and unharmed.” ORDER: https://fluence-media.co/4xHkuAQ
QUESTION: Why did Walz do this now?
Today at 9AM, Speaker Lisa Demuth and running mate Ryan Wilson will host a press conference in St. Paul to announce a “plan to end taxpayer fraud in Minnesota,” One week after a primary, and a day after more fraud charges are revealed Demuth’s campaign has a chance to frame the issue most concerning to Minnesotans in a manner that will build momentum for her campaign.
One of Demuth’s colleagues said that she changed the conversation about legislative strategy once she was in the room as a legislator. Her style was different, and authentic which explains her rise to Speaker for Republicans.
As the Governor’s race takes shape, there’s one thing that even the most confident DFLers shouldn’t do – take Demuth for granted. She won her first school board race as a write-in candidate, won the GOP leader role against a formidable veteran – Kurt Daudt. Her rise isn’t one of driven by ambition, but a quiet confidence.
Via the Star Tribune, VEBRATIM “Lisa Demuth never saw herself becoming the most powerful Republican in Minnesota government…But four years ago, after Democrats had won control of the House chamber for the third election cycle in a row, she asked her GOP colleagues to make her their leader. DEMUTH: “‘If you believe I can keep us unified when there’s full one-party Democrat control and end that control and win elections in the next election, then please vote for me,’” Demuth recalled telling her fellow lawmakers. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3SJ2OpD
MORE via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Many Republicans feel House Speaker Lisa Demuth will give Sen. Amy Klobuchar the toughest election fight of her political career, but the national view of the race is still bullish on Klobuchar. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report has rated the race as ‘Solid Democrat,’ writing that Demuth is credible but a heavy underdog. Sabato’s Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics rates Minnesota as ‘safe D.’ … [However], there is no general election polling yet to take the temperature of the race.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4677JDS
COMMUNITIES: 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)
THE TRAIL
PLECHASH: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Republican Party chairman Alex Plechash made some risky moves steering the GOP through a rocky primary season. His decisions to undermine the Republican endorsement for governor and campaign against Mike Lindell could have ended in fierce backlash and deep internal divisions – and it still might. But Plechash also helped pave the way, intentionally or unintentionally, for what many Republicans believe is an unusually strong top of the ticket. … It’s a surprising outcome for a chairman who, in 2024, won his job in part by promising to ‘bridge the gap among warring factions,’ as Plechash put it.” QUOTE: “My main role as party chair is to do what I can do, what the party can do, to help us win in November. Electability certainly comes into play.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4677JDS
DENVER: Gov. Tim Walz shared a photo on social media from a Democratic speaking event he was invited to in Denver, CO. WALZ: “In states across the country, people are getting involved and making their voices heard before the midterms. Thanks to Denver Democrats for hosting me this weekend. Let’s win in November.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4qnZkoP
CD1: GOP Rep. Brad Finstad’s former campaign chair, Gerald Woodley endorsed DFL challenger Jake Johnson in the 1st Congressional District race. Via a statement, WOODLEY: “I am concerned about the effect of tariffs on increased production costs and decreased foreign demand. … I also am concerned with the decrease in rural health facilities and pharmacies. … Finstad has not helped to solve those issues.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4wumewh
ESSENTIA HEALTH SUPPORTS FREE CLINIC IN VIRGINIA, SERVING INCREASED NUMBER OF UNINSURED MINNESOTANS: Every Thursday night, physicians and care team members from Essentia Health-Virginia volunteer at the Project Care Free Clinic, providing treatment, screenings, and preventive care to patients who are uninsured or may be struggling to afford health care premiums. Essentia also provides lab and X-ray services at no cost to the clinic or its patients. Essentia is proud to support the clinic, ensuring everyone in the community can get the care they need. READ MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4yt7Qqu (SPONSORED: Essentia Health)
32B: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “The Blaine Police Department says that vandalism of a city council member who’s running for the Minnesota House of Representatives as a Republican was not related to her political campaign. Home security video shared by Leslie Larson shows a group of four masked vandals taping printed images of a hand displaying the middle finger all over her black sedan. … Deputy Chief Joe Gerhard said that there were no arrests or citations and described the incident as ‘juvenile activity.’ … Larson declined to comment.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4zpy7pQ
14B: St. Cloud Live announced that it will host a debate between House District 14B candidates Republican Sue Ek and DFLer Zach Dorholt on Sept. 1 at 6:30 p.m. The St. Cloud area is expected to be a top battleground for control of the Minnesota Legislature this year. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/4qjJfR3
CD2: From the latest MNSider for premium subscribers, August heat and haze hung over Minnesota Tuesday, the race in CD2 is becoming more clear. Two suburbanite white guys running, when women are leading the top of the ticket. That takes away a gender dynamic that helped Rep. Angie Craig. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Ufae4
ELECTIONS
VOTER DATA: via Forum News Service, VERBATIM: “A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit from the federal government seeking Minnesota’s voter rolls. The lawsuit, filed by the Department of Justice in September of 2025, demanded Minnesota hand over its full voter registration list, wanting to investigate whether the state was maintaining ‘clean’ voter rolls under federal law. … District Judge Katherine Menendez said in the order filed Monday, Aug. 17, that the government couldn’t use a lawsuit to seek evidence when a violation hadn’t been alleged.” QUOTE: “An ordinary litigant isn’t allowed to seek discovery first and allege a claim later, and the federal government has no special privilege to do so either.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4if0ssX
RESPONSE: via Sec. Steve Simon statement, SIMON: “My responsibility to Minnesota voters starts and ends with the law. The private data entrusted to my office does not belong to the federal government, and I’m pleased that the judge agreed. This ruling should be a relief to Minnesotans, as it was to residents in the 21 other states plus the District of Columbia where the DOJ has lost in court in its sweeping attempt to collect voters’ private information.”
DNC: via AP News, VERBATIM: “Democrats [have] approved dueling messages on whether [ICE] should be abolished or reformed, reflecting sharp opposition to President Donald Trump’s crackdown but revealing disagreement in the party ahead of the midterms. … DNC Chairman Ken Martin, who’s from Minnesota, [said] the takeaway is that Democrats find the administration’s handling of immigration, including by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, unacceptable.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wDLFM7
SWING: What do Minnesota swing voters think? A survey of 947 swing voters by the Swing Voter Pilot provides insight in to the mood of the most coveted voters.. The poll defined “swing voters” as independent or undecided voters who “could plausibly support candidates from either party” based on key factors. LEARNMORE: https://fluence-media.co/4cw1k8M (SPONSORED: Swing Voter Project)
STATE ISSUES
MED FRAUD: via Office of the Atty. General, VERBATIM: “Attorney General Keith Ellison announced that his Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) has charged two separate cases alleging a combined loss of over $1.5 million to the Medicaid program. In the first case, Salman Ahmed Elmi is charged with 8 felony theft offenses related to Reva Health’s billing for over $1,000,000 in Medicaid-funded services that were not provided or were ineligible for reimbursement. … In the second case, which is separate and independent from the Reva Health case, Mohamed Haji Rashid is charged with 9 felony theft offenses related to his company’s billing for over $300,000 in Medicaid-funded services that were not provided or were ineligible for reimbursement.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4zpFttF
MORE: via Fox 9, VERBATIM “A man who was once honored as an “outstanding refugee” by the Minnesota Department of Human Services and has a startup with funding from a Shark Tank star is now facing Medicaid fraud charges in a case that has links to a sex trafficking case… Elmi is accused of billing Medicaid for more than $1 million in services that were not provided or not eligible. Reva Health provided autism services and adult rehabilitative mental health services…Elmi and the other co-conspirators are accused of falsifying documents to get Medicaid reimbursements. Prosecutors say other co-conspirators directed staff to pay kickbacks to people to use their information for claims.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4g04GTS
MORE: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Court documents allege a sex trafficking operation [was] tied to a social services Medicaid fraud conspiracy. A total of five defendants have been criminally charged as part of the interwoven investigations. … Prosecutors allege the co-conspirators of the sex trafficking scheme ran fraudulent Medicaid service providers on the side and promised kickbacks to sex trafficking victims who collected the information of Medicaid enrollees.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4zmOROD
FROM ONE GARAGE TO 1,000 FREE REPAIRS: Flint Hills Resources marked a milestone with its partners at Environmental Initiative this summer as Project CAR (Clean Air Repair) performed its 1,000th vehicle emissions system repair, improving air quality across Minnesota. After starting with just one Twin Cities auto repair shop in 2017, Project CAR has grown into a 14-garage network that’s contributed to eliminating more than 55 tons of ozone-forming emissions and improved the environmental performance of 1,000 of the highest polluting cars on the road. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3ymgGbZ (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
DRUGS: via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “In early July, local officials and Native leaders announced a coordinated effort to address what Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey referred to as ‘open-air drug markets’ in the Native American cultural corridor. … But a year later, Native leaders say that clarity about this new initiative’s goals, genuine collaboration with MUID, direct investment and a long-term vision are still missing. … Some in the Native community say they’re reaching a tipping point in their harm reduction efforts and are willing to try a new approach — arrests and citations.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qlUdWr
HOTELS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Minnesota doesn’t have enough safe places to send people experiencing mental and behavioral health crises, so counties have increasingly turned to a less-than-ideal option: hotel and motel rooms. … Next month, the state will end the use of hotel rooms for crisis respite, a Medicaid-funded service. The halt follows concerns about quality of care, safety, oversight and the length of hotel stays. … But some ask: where will they go now?” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qlV4q7
NUGGETS
HOTELS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Minnesota doesn’t have enough safe places to send people experiencing mental and behavioral health crises, so counties have increasingly turned to a less-than-ideal option: hotel and motel rooms. … Next month, the state will end the use of hotel rooms for crisis respite, a Medicaid-funded service. The halt follows concerns about quality of care, safety, oversight and the length of hotel stays. … But some ask: where will they go now?” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qlV4q7
HOUSING: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s housing market is showing signs of easing, with more homes for sale and buyers taking a little longer to make decisions. More than 20,000 homes were on the market statewide in July, a 9.1 percent increase from a year earlier, according to new data. … It was the highest July inventory in seven years. Sales also increased. Pending sales were up 2.7 percent statewide, while completed sales rose 11.2 percent. In the Twin Cities metro, pending sales increased 3 percent and closed sales were up 10.5 percent.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/46bDLOY
MORE: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Apartments in the new [Opportunity Crossing] building are specifically reserved for people making no more than 50% of the Area Median Income, but the total development cost for each unit came out to $500,000. 5 INVESTIGATES found those high per-unit costs are common at taxpayer-subsidized developments and are a source of controversy and frustration in a decades-long debate about how to resolve an affordable housing crisis in the Twin Cities.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4xFO4Xo
DEMOGRAPHICS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “In 1990, both Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center were almost all white. Today, roughly two-thirds of the northwest suburbs’ residents are people of color. … The suburbs have undergone an intense transformation, from predominantly white bedroom communities to the most diverse cities in Minnesota, [even] more diverse than the Twin Cities.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ikpSoW
MEDIA: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Changes are coming to Twin Cities PBS next month, with the St. Paul-based TV station operator adding a local affiliate serving southern Minnesota. As of Sept. 1, the nonprofit public media organization will henceforth be known as Minnesota PBS, indicative of its takeover of KSMQ-TV, located in Austin. … TPT says the Austin-based PBS affiliate was at risk of going dark due to federal funding cuts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wyTans
MORE LEADERS. MORE IDEAS. COMPLIMENTARY REGISTRATION: You are invited to attend Compeer Financial’s complimentary Rooted & Rising: Rural Forum this September 14-16 as leaders from across rural communities come together to strengthen the towns we call home. The event brings together community champions, local officials, nonprofit partners and business leaders to explore strategies that strengthen rural economies and expand opportunities. You’ll join more than 30 speakers and fellow leaders for practical ideas, inspiring stories and meaningful connections focused on economic development, workforce, housing, entrepreneurship and community leadership. We encourage you to invite a colleague, community partner or fellow rural changemaker to join you. Registration will remain open as space allows. Secure your seat at no cost today. REGISTER: https://fluence-media.co/4q3pJZ2 (SPONSORED: Compeer Financial)
METRO
MPLS: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Replacing [lead pipes] with copper piping [is] free to residents, paid for by state and federal funding. … But this work could soon grind to a halt as federal and state funding for lead line replacement projects is set to expire at the end of 2027. Minneapolis public works employees now have the difficult task of choosing which neighborhoods to prioritize under the short timeline — a delicate act to balance with other necessary infrastructure projects. … There are just under 37,000 lead lines needing to be replaced, all of them privately owned. This ownership complicates how the city can pay to replace them.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/463uicC
ST PAUL: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “In a rare turn of events, the St. Paul City Council has ordered that a doggie daycare and boarding facility pay more than $40,000 in employee restitution, including more than $12,000 in back pay, after an investigation found the business violated the city’s minimum wage and earned sick and safe time rules. … The vote, which was included on the council’s consent agenda, where multiple items are approved en masse without discussion, represents only the second time in nearly a decade that the city council has ordered an employer to pay out back pay based on sick leave violations.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45tqn8R
DAYTON: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Minnesota cities and counties are increasingly divided over Flock cameras, with some police agencies touting the technology as a powerful tool for solving crimes while others are shutting down cameras amid privacy concerns. … The debate is playing out in Dayton, which is holding an informational meeting Tuesday about the technology.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4xJLsro
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)
GREATER MN
ST CLOUD: via St. Cloud Live, VERBATIM: “Sen. Amy Klobuchar, the DFL nominee for governor in the November general election, visited St. Cloud on Monday, Aug. 17, to hear how Central Minnesota is attracting major investments and new jobs, but also that local leaders say the region needs more housing, workers, childcare and infrastructure to keep up with that growth. Klobuchar participated in a roundtable discussion with business, economic development, higher education and nonprofit leaders.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bUbfoD
BRAINERD: via Brainerd Dispatch, VERBATIM: “Substitute staff at Brainerd Public Schools will earn higher wages this coming school year [after] school board members approved new hourly rates for substitute positions. … ‘We want to make sure we’re competitive,’ superintendent Chip Rankin told the board, noting the district did a market rate study of neighboring districts.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wDM1Cr
ELY: via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “Last month, wildfires closed the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness for a couple weeks. Now, a longtime canoe outfitter in the area is looking to sell. Williams and Hall Outfitters in Ely has been in business for 33 years. … Now, [they’re asking] for $1.8 million.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3RSz0Xq
DAYBOOK
TODAY: At 10 AM, Governor Tim Walz will deliver an address on climate and the environment in Ely.
TODAY: SEIU, Unidos MN, ISAIAH and other related organizations will host a press conference in Minneapolis asking major Minnesota corporations to “publicly reject political surveillance and retaliation,” per a release. The event is at 8:00 a.m.
TODAY: Speaker Lisa Demuth and running mate Ryan Wilson will host a press conference in St. Paul to announce a “plan to end taxpayer fraud in Minnesota,” per a release. The event is at 9:00 a.m.
TOMORROW: DFL Senate candidates Mark Legvold and Kristy Janigo will host a roundtable with local veterans on Wednesday, Aug. 19 to discuss the issues they’re facing. The event is in Richfield at 2:00 p.m.
TOMORROW: Minnesota Retailers will honor retiring DFL Sen. Ann Rest with the “Lifetime Leadership in Retail Policy Award” during an event in Minneapolis at 3:00 p.m.
THURSDAY: Sen. Torrey Westrom and Rep. Paul Anderson, both GOP, will host a roundtable to discuss the reopening of the Prairie Correctional Facility in Appleton on Thursday, Aug. 20 at 2:30 p.m.
AUG 26: The Minnesota Truth Council, established by the Walz Administration to document Operation Metro Surge, will host the first of four public meetings on Wednesday, Aug. 26 in St. Paul at 2:00 p.m.
SEPT 1: St. Cloud Live will host a debate between House District 14B candidates Republican Sue Ek and DFLer Zach Dorholt on Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 6:30 p.m.
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.