MONDAY MOOD
Twins lost – again. Town ball state tournament starts this week.
The MN State Fair starts next week, some food vendors won’t be back this year. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4hyrZFu
NOAA says a “Super El Niño” is almost certain this winter, meaning a greater chance of mild temperatures in Minnesota. BMTN: https://fluence-media.co/4cL8dDk
A protest against Flock cameras in Fargo, ND ended in fist fights as attendees were divided by their opinions of the president. FORUM: https://fluence-media.co/3SyzGBr
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
Does it matter if candidates are from Minnesota? Today’s morning take on WCCO Radio with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4ggSDQO
Happy National Pineapple Juice Day – underrated.
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FEARFUL FEEL
It feels like everyone is afraid of the future, rather than optimism that American and Minnesotan’s are known for. The “fear lens” continues to be an angle for the 2026 election and the restless youth.
Suddenly the scooter gathering this weekend is anti-Flock, and license plate readers are being vandalized in the state. The angst is palatable, but is it healthy?
Surveillance isn’t new, just check the coffee shops and retailers – and highway cameras. Meanwhile, Republicans and Democrats are pushing back against AI and the infrastructure that we will need to be competitive.
A good listen yesterday about AI, from Bloomberg explains why the US can’t afford to fall behind. HERE: https://fluence-media.co/3TSaEh5
A reminder of focusing on the signal, not just the noise and reset the algorithm regularly.
The latest Gallup research suggests the term “Free Enterprise” is better than Capitalism. Why? VERBATIM: “capitalism is much more likely than free enterprise to be associated with unequal distribution of wealth.” In addition, a CBS poll shows the Democrats have a net negative view of capitalism and a net positive view of socialism…VERBATIM: “Younger Democrats more than older ones, and White Democrats more than other racial groups tend to have more favorable views of socialism.” GALLUP | CBS
The growth theme is critical to Minnesota’s future, and Dee DePass writes about the transitions coming in Minnesota’s business groups including Fluence Advisory client the Minnesota Business Partnership. HERE: https://fluence-media.co/4zhbXWR
All of this will be on the slides when I address the Minneapolis Regional Chamber Board on Thursday – if you’re looking for a speaker for your late-Summer or Fall event let’s book it now.
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)
ELECTION CONFIDENCE
There’s a balance to be found between federal queries and performative social media “journalists”. There is no more critical system to our democracy than voting, but it must be trusted. There’s been enough questions raised, that the Secretary of State debate should center around how to ensure the public trusts the system, and how to ensure that voting is reserved for those who have met some minimum of validation on election day.
When I’ve voted, I didn’t need ID, but I did need by date of birth and address. If I wouldn’t have been able to articulate those quickly – hopefully someone would have paused. The “vouching” rule is one that should be reviewed, since the D’s don’t trust the R’s and vice versa we need to ensure that we all trust the system.
VOTER FRAUD: via ProPublica, VERBATIM: “It was late March when Joe Teirab, the second-in-command at Minnesota’s U.S. attorney’s office, received an urgent email from Washington. The federal government was scrambling to find criminal [voter fraud] cases. … Homeland Security Investigations [was] dispatched to work leads across the country, including hundreds in Minnesota. … [But] after subpoenaing records on about 130 people, only one had been referred for prosecution. … [Teirab] replied in an email reviewed by ProPublica.” TEIRAB: “The HSI task force has been disjointed and disorganized. … An unknown number of agents are constantly arriving in Minnesota without any knowledge of the investigation. … They have demanded many calls and subpoenas, most of which demonstrate a complete lack of understanding.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3TQkNed
MORE: Sec. Steve Simon spoke to ProPublica about the federal government’s investigations of Minnesota voters. VERBATIM: “Simon, a Democrat, said the effort revealed federal investigators’ ignorance about ‘the nuance of elections administration.’ The rate of purposeful election crime is ‘microscopic,’ he said.” SIMON: “The very human errors that can happen are not some sort of plot or scheme to dirty up the voting rolls, but are just everyday human beings making mistakes, not intending at all to violate any law.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3TQkNed
VOTING: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “Secretary of State Steve Simon says a right-wing political group put themselves in ‘legal jeopardy’ when they dressed in burqas and wore hidden cameras while attempting to expose issues that they believe exist in Minnesota’s voting system. … Citizen Justice League, led by former Project Veritas founder James O’Keefe along with reporter Cam Higby, impersonated Muslims and went to multiple Twin Cities polling places during the Aug. 11 primary. … According to Higby, their goal was to see if they’d be allowed to vote without showing identification, and whether they’d be allowed to vouch for people who aren’t registered to vote. … Higby claims that no ballots were cast during their stunt.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gwYjrj
MORE: via Sec. Steve Simon statement, SIMON: “Poll workers immediately reported these visits to local election officials and law enforcement is reviewing the situation. The misconduct by this group is outrageous and totally unacceptable. We have zero tolerance for lying, lawbreaking, and disruptions at our polling places.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wshyab
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
THE TRAIL
32B: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “A Blaine City Council member who’s running for the Minnesota House of Representatives as a Republican says her car was vandalized in her driveway Saturday morning. 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. … Investigators have yet to determine a motive, including whether Larson’s car was targeted for political reasons. … Rep. Matt Norris (D-32B) said he reached out to Larson to express his concern.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4g34H9x
SENATE RACE: via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “In the aftermath of the primary, Republicans in Minnesota are more optimistic about their November chances. … Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan has been quick to label [Michele] Tafoya a ‘yes-sir’ senator for President Donald Trump. However, in 2024, Tafoya said Mr. Trump should not run again. … Tafoya is one of the only pro-choice Republicans running for U.S Senate. She supports abortions through a woman’s first trimester.” TAFOYA: “I am running to represent Minnesota. I am not running to answer to party bosses, or to lobbyists or to special interests, or even to a president.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4g1KEID
MORE: Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan spoke to Sahan Journal about her Senate campaign and her priorities if elected. Notably, Flanagan said the top committees she wants to serve on in the U.S. Senate include Indian Affairs; Agriculture; and Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bVpj17
GREATER MN: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Throughout the campaign, [Angie] Craig believed her ability to win over independent and swing voters, coupled with her experience as the highest-ranking Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee, positioned her to do well in Greater Minnesota. … But [Peggy] Flanagan had shattered expectations by dominating not just the Twin Cities but Greater Minnesota, too. … Flanagan did particularly well in the most populous parts of Greater Minnesota — around Duluth, Moorhead, St. Cloud, Mankato and Rochester. She also pulled ahead in more rural areas in the southwest corner of the state and throughout the Detroit Lakes region.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45w9V7O
MORE: Minnesota’s media markets may have helped shape Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan’s dominance over Rep. Angie Craig in Greater Minnesota last week. Flanagan won almost every single county outside the MSP media market, with two counties near Mankato being the only exceptions. Inside the MSP market, Craig was significantly more competitive in Greater Minnesota.
TURNOUT: via AP News, VERBATIM: “Democratic voters are showing up for this year’s primaries in numbers not seen in decades, a pattern emerging across several states that has the party optimistic about its prospects in November. … [But] voter turnout in primary elections is an imperfect predictor of general election results, [and] Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota all held marquee progressive versus moderate races in August that likely helped drive Democratic participation. … Republicans say they are responding with a major effort to turn out their voters in the fall. GOP leaders say they can energize voters by tapping into a major fundraising advantage over Democrats and sending [Donald] Trump back out campaigning.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gkGY3z
GOV RACE: via WCCO Radio, VERBATIM: “Senator Amy Klobuchar [revealed] her plan for a major healthcare overhaul in Minnesota [Friday]. Her strategy focuses on sweeping healthcare reforms, a proposal to expand medical training pipelines and lowers soaring insurance premiums across the state. … Klobuchar’s campaign shared a three-point plan for health care, which includes lowering health care costs by bringing down premiums, protecting access to care by strengthening rural health care, safety-net hospitals and clinics, and health systems, and supporting more medical innovation and the health care workforce.” READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/466BNzq
DFL ADS: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “On Aug. 5, a week before Tuesday’s primaries, a Democratic group called Win Senate reached out to the state’s TV stations to prepare to buy time slots for an ad blitz supporting the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, which turned out to be Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan. … The outreach to the state’s TV stations seems to mean that Democrats want to ensure there’s no problem in keeping Minnesota in their column.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bNKzpy
MORE: Via MPR, an update on the ad from the Alliance for a Better Minnesota PAC that accuses Republican attorney general candidate Ron Schutz of representing companies that were “later accused of stealing $9 billion from Medicare,” as seen in Thursday’s morning take. VERBATIM: “It’s not clear from court records if Schutz represented companies in any cases involving those Medicare accusations.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qpEsOi
GOPADS: via Axios, VERBATIM: “American Action Network, a top outside group aligned with House GOP leaders, is launching a $22 million ad campaign [in] 41 congressional districts, [including] MN-01: Brad Finstad. … Republicans hope a focus on GOP tax cuts and attacks over transgender health care will help them hold on to their narrow House majority in November despite strong headwinds. … The digital and TV ad campaign will run from Aug. 13 through Sept. 3.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4g1ba4X
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
OIG: via MPR, VERBATIM: “The legislative group charged with recommending finalists for a new state watchdog office has set its first meeting. … The Legislative Inspector General Advisory Commission will convene on Aug. 26. The commission will consider applicants to head the newly formed Office of Inspector General, which will act as an independent watchdog for state agencies and programs. … The office is expected to launch early next year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qpEsOi
FED AGENTS: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “An undercover federal [surveillance] operation at a Minneapolis church this spring may have violated a federal court injunction barring the government from enforcing civil immigration laws on the church’s properties. University Baptist Church in the Dinkytown area is part of the Alliance of Baptists and the American Baptist Churches USA, which both won the temporary injunction. … That injunction [includes] banning ‘arrest, seizure, search, interrogation, questioning, interview or investigation.’ The injunction states that violations of the order could lead to sanctions or penalties.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4xIVfy0
TPS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A federal judge who temporarily halted a Trump Administration effort to end Temporary Protected Status for Somalis has lifted that pause, opening the door to potential deportations. The vast majority of Minnesota’s 108,000 Somalis are citizens or legal residents. Less than 1% of them, about 400 people, have [TPS]. … While the end of the judge’s administrative stay allows the Trump Administration to move forward with [deportations], the legal challenge continues.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gdDBvn
CONGRESS
DEFENSE: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “[Rep. Betty] McCollum, the top Democrat shaping the annual defense spending bill, has wielded her influence to direct hundreds of millions of Pentagon dollars to Minnesota companies. … In recent decades, the Pentagon has spent little in Minnesota. … But in the past two years, that has changed largely because of the efforts of McCollum and her former chief of staff turned defense lobbyist, Bill Harper. … McCollum has voted against several defense bills in recent years, denouncing excessive spending. But critics say that lawmakers who advocate for pet projects beyond Pentagon requests are adding to the defense budget bloat. … In 2000, McCollum received $400 from the defense industry. This campaign cycle, she has received more than $220,000.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bOMIRU https://fluence-media.co/4qignbQ
SENIORS: via Rep. Michelle Fischbach advisory, VERBATIM: “Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07) introduced the Hardworking Seniors Act to allow our seniors to continue contributing to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) while covered under Medicare Part A.” FISCHBACH: “Hardworking seniors are currently barred from contributing to tax-advantaged Health Savings Accounts just because they are receiving Medicare. I am excited to…help America’s working seniors continue to make these contributions and receive the tax benefits that go with them.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4crnZ6d
AGRIBUSINESS: via Rep. Brad Finstad advisory, VERBATIM: “Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) joined House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (PA-15), local farmers, and stakeholders from southern Minnesota’s agriculture community at the Steele County Agribusiness Luncheon hosted by Linder Farm Network in Owatonna. The event included remarks from Linder Farm Network, Congressman Finstad, and Chairman Thompson, as well as important discussions on the current state of America’s agriculture policy and economy.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4xHFd7F
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)
ISSUES
INSURANCE: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Health insurance premiums for thousands of Minnesotans are expected to increase in 2027. The proposed rate hikes are primarily driven by rising healthcare costs, inflation, and the expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits. … Preliminary rate filings from the Minnesota Department of Commerce indicate that the state’s insurers are seeking average premium increases ranging from 10 percent to 13 percent for 2027 plans on the individual market, and between 7 percent and 21 percent on the small group market.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4g2eAEt
BRONZE LINE: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Residents of a senior cooperative near Lake Phalen in St. Paul are fiercely opposing a plan to build a bridge that would bring Bronze Line buses rumbling within 50 to 60 feet of their homes. … They donned lime-green T-shirts with a red X through the words ‘Bronze Bridge’ as they rallied outside Metro Transit headquarters, then one by one stepped to the microphone during the Met Council’s Transportation Committee meeting to voice their objection and concern.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3UlcKpH
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)
METRO
MPLS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The morning of his reappointment vote earlier this spring, Minneapolis Community Safety Commissioner Toddrick Barnette received an unexpected phone call. City Council Vice President Jamal Osman was on the line. What happened next remains intensely disputed by both sides. … Barnette claims [Osman] asked him for a political favor to earn his support. Osman calls it ‘a frickin’ lie.’ … Osman said he wanted to discuss ‘legitimate concerns’ several council members had with his job performance and was eager to see whether Barnette might sway him.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45rhSet
CHAMBERS: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “The St. Paul Area Chamber and Minneapolis Regional Chamber will vote Thursday on whether to create a third regional chamber that would consolidate key operations and serve businesses across the Twin Cities. Some opponents see the proposal as a merger, or at least a substantial precursor to one, and fear Minneapolis-area interests will overshadow those of St. Paul and the east metro. Proponents call a united effort overdue. … The chambers’ boards are each scheduled to vote on the proposal separately Aug. 20. If both approve it, the new chamber would be established as a separate legal entity and is expected to begin operations Jan. 1.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gzlAc1
DAKOTA CTY: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Dakota County officials will need to make difficult decisions this budget season as the county juggles a growing need for services and increasing federal mandates. Three scenarios are currently being considered by the Dakota County Board of Commissioners for the 2027 budget. Each scenario involves laying off staff, significant cuts to county services and raising taxes. … The first of the three scenarios suggests a 21.2% levy increase and $5.4 million in cuts. … The second scenario [has] an 18.7% levy increase and $10 million in cuts. … The third scenario poses a levy increase of 16.3% [and] a $14.5 million reduction in expenditures.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3UlaSNH
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)
GREATER MN
BWCAW: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Two years after local opposition and lawsuits helped scuttle plans for a redeveloped lakeshore resort outside Ely on the doorstep of the Boundary Waters, developers are back with a new, slightly scaled down approach to reviving the Silver Rapids Lodge. And while there is plenty of support for updating and reviving the iconic resort…there is once again pushback from surrounding cabin and vacation home owners who say the proposal does not mesh with the area’s quiet, wilderness-oriented vibe.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/462XVuz
MANKATO: via Rep. Brad Finstad advisory, VERBATIM: “Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01), Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07), and House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (PA-15) held roundtable discussions with southern Minnesota business and financial leaders in Mankato. … [They] joined Compeer Financial and local officials to discuss community facilities funded in partnership with local lenders and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development. Afterwards, they joined members of Greater Mankato Growth for a discussion on [the Big Beautiful Bill].” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hD1izE
(DISCLOSURE: Compeer Financial is a Fluence sponsor)
CASS CTY: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “A bear entered an 85-year-old woman’s house in Cass County [last week]. As she hid behind a locked door in another room, law enforcement officers scared the bear away. It left, but kept returning. Sheriff Bryan Welk said officers couldn’t leave in case something bad happened. … Ultimately, an officer had to kill the animal. It’s one of 19 reported bear incidents in the county since February, Welk said. There were 17 throughout the entirety last year.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wpXLYV
DAYBOOK
TODAY: CD1 DFL candidate Jake Johnson will host a press conference in New Ulm at 5:20 p.m. to “announce a notable endorsement,” per a release. The endorser will attend with Johnson.
WEDNESDAY: 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.
WEDNESDAY: 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.
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.
We won’t ask for “membership” to list your BDAY, and we won’t have pledge drive but you can support the Fluence work by paying for premium content.
BDAYS: advocate Susie Emmert, fmr. Sen. Norm Coleman
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IN MEMORIAM: morning take is dedicated in memory of Melissa Hortman.