Suni Lee was the Comeback Athlete of the Year last night at the ESPY’s.
Lynx won yesterday.
The Minnesota Wild announced their 2025-26 regular season schedule. NHL: http://fluence-media.co/40mbtPB
Sports Take later today…
US Senate passed $9 billion in cuts last night. AP: https://fluence-media.co/3TKIyAY
Median home prices — both statewide and in the metro — hit new record highs in June. WCCO: http://fluence-media.co/4kFqbIv
Vance Boelter plans to plead “not guilty” to charges that he shot state lawmakers. BMTN: http://fluence-media.co/46JaLje
A new study finds that 1 in 3 counties in the U.S. have zero full-time local journalists. CNN: https://fluence-media.co/4nYmLUk
A CNN poll finds that only 3% of Americans — including 4% of Republicans — are satisfied with the amount of information the government has shared on Jeffrey Epstein. POLL: http://fluence-media.co/44Vxrub
Blois
TIPS: bloisolson@gmail.com
Today’s morning take with Vineeta Sawkar on WCCO Radio. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/46EtjRA
Excerpted from the Minnesota Business Partnerships NYSE bell ringing last week, Best Buy CEO Corie Barry and Medtronic CEO Geoff Martha discussed the Minnesota Headquarters’ Economy on Sunday Take. LISTEN: http://fluence-media.co/469gEpE
Sponsorships available – to reach over 25,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheet and website www.TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com
CANNABIS: 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
SMITH: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “U.S. Sen. Tina Smith [was] staying overnight at the George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C. after falling ill on Wednesday, her staff said. Smith saw a Capitol physician earlier Wednesday when she began to not feel well, who recommended that she go to the hospital for a more thorough exam. She [was] kept overnight at the hospital for observation, and her staff expect her to return to work soon.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3Iz3cBJ
MORE: via Raw Story, VERBATIM: “A Democratic senator was hospitalized after falling ill Wednesday, dealing a potential blow to Democrats hoping to stymie GOP efforts to claw back $9.4 billion in funding previously approved for spending, including large cuts to foreign aid and funding for PBS and NPR. Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN) will remain hospitalized until Thursday. … Smith's absence could mean the GOP won't need JD Vance's [tiebreaking] vote.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3Iw1sJw
MPCA: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Gopher Resource will have to submit an updated air permit application after elevated lead levels were detected near the facility last winter, according to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. A review of the facility’s permit history shows violations over the years… Gopher Resource said in a statement, in part, on Wednesday, “We maintain an open and constructive relationship with MPCA and work closely with them to address and resolve matters as they may arise.”…The order, dated December 2024, showed the company had completed some of the required corrections… The MPCA did not respond to our question about why the permit was re-issued. 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS also requested an interview with the MPCA on Wednesday, which was denied.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4lvwSOB
WALZ: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “Gov. Tim Walz sat down with FOX 9 for his first TV interview since the assassinations of Melissa and Mark Hortman. He says he pushed through grief, but it hits when he doesn't expect it. He dismissed some conspiracy theories about the accused gunman and addressed criticism of his sometimes heated rhetoric aimed at President Donald Trump. He also discussed his future plans and how the Hortman murders might impact them.” QUOTE: “When this state is grieving and this nation saw what happened here, Donald Trump used it as an opportunity to attack me. … Do we have to watch some of that [rhetoric]? Yeah.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/3IQtkYI
DESPITE THE CHALLENGES OF RURAL HEALTH CARE, ESSENTIA IS RECOGNIZED FOR PROVIDING TOP CLINICAL CARE: According to the latest report from Minnesota Community Measurement, a statewide resource on health care quality, costs and equity, Essentia ranked as a high performer with 19 of 20 clinical quality metrics scoring above statewide averages. According to Dr. Maria Beaver, chief quality and patient safety officer at Essentia: “This is a testament to the amazing care provided by all our clinical care teams and all our colleagues who support them.” LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4dCxy1D (SPONSORED: Essentia Health)
MITCHELL: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “Prosecutors returned to building their case Wednesday in the burglary trial of state Sen. Nicole Mitchell. … The first witness called during Day 2 of testimony was James Hedlund, a friend of the defendant's parents. … Prosecutors next called Special Agent Doug Vickmark of the Detroit Lakes Police Department, who [said] he spoke with the defendant's stepmother about her relationship with Nicole Mitchell. … Carol Mitchell's niece, Pamela Muxfeldt, was the third witness called by prosecutors Wednesday. … Asked if there was any evidence anyone had tried to access Carol Mitchell's accounts or scam her out of money or property, Muxfeldt answered no.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/4kMrpSD
MORE: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Prosecutors in Sen. Nicole Mitchell’s burglary trial rested their case Wednesday afternoon and the defense began calling witnesses. … [Asked] whether they plan to call Nicole Mitchell to the stand, defense attorney Dane DeKrey said, ‘We don’t know yet,’ adding that they’ll determine that toward the end of presenting their case and after calling other witnesses. DeKrey said it is ultimately Nicole Mitchell’s decision whether she wants to testify, but she has said she wants to do so. … Carol Mitchell’s son Jonathan Kuehl was the first witness called by the defense.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4eXC3Va
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)
FRAUD: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “As part of a federal investigation into a ‘massive scheme to defraud’ Minnesota’s Housing Stabilization Services program, law enforcement carried out search warrants in the Twin Cities on Wednesday. Eight locations were listed in the search warrant affidavit, including in St. Paul, Roseville and Little Canada. No one was under arrest as of Wednesday afternoon, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Minnesota. … ‘The companies engaged in this scheme have received millions of dollars in Medicaid funds for housing stabilization services they did not actually provide,’ the affidavit [said].” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4m1TG8B
MORE: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “According to a search warrant affidavit, Minnesota was the first state in the country to offer this [HSS] benefit through Medicaid, and it was estimated to cost approximately $2.6 million per year. Five years later, HSS is surpassing $100 million annually in billed services, and many of the people the program was supposed to help [have] reported never receiving any services at all.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/3GRJYXr
DHS: via Shireen Gandhi, temporary DHS commissioner, STATEMENT: “When credible signs of fraud were seen with these providers, the DHS Office of Inspector General immediately briefed law enforcement officials on the situation. DHS has open investigations into all of the five providers targeted today by our law enforcement partners, and DHS previously stopped payments to three of the providers. … Thanks to legislative action this past session, DHS has additional [anti-fraud] tools.”
BACKGROUND: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “A KARE 11 investigation has uncovered new evidence of possible fraud and forgery in Minnesota’s Medicaid-funded Housing Stabilization Services (HSS) program, this time involving a web of companies which billed taxpayers thousands of dollars while a struggling family remained homeless. The family sought help through a private for-profit HSS company called Pristine Health. … The family says they never met with the company or received help with housing — but Medicaid billing records tell a different story. Plus, records reveal Foundation First Services, another company that provided the consultation green-lighting the family’s housing services with Pristine, appears to have forged a legally required signature.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/40mwGZA
RESPONSE: via a Rep. Kristin Robbins (R-37A) statement, ROBBINS: “The eight search warrants carried out by the FBI and the US Attorney’s office involving the Housing Stabilization Services program demonstrates yet another enormous failure by the Walz Administration to protect taxpayers and ensure that vulnerable Minnesotans get the services they need. This follows the same pattern the Fraud Committee has been highlighting for months: Minnesota expands unregulated Medicaid services and fraudsters jump in to exploit lax oversight.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4nT1Y4h
MEDICAID: via MPR, VERBATIM: “Gov. Tim Walz said Minnesota is likely to be confronted with higher costs administering the Medicaid program after recent federal changes. He shared details of a meeting this week with agency officials who estimated $150 million in additional costs to verify eligibility of recipients, who under the new law will be required to prove they are meeting work standards. There will be losses in federal reimbursements to the state as well, which could top $1 billion. Walz said counties should be bracing for spilldown effects. It’s still not clear if he’ll summon lawmakers back for a special session to address the changes or just let everything ride into the 2026 session.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3GN0QyB
MORE: MinnPost has a report on how nationwide changes to Medicaid work requirements could affect Minnesota’s healthcare system. Some county officials are expressing concern that enforcing the new requirements could “double the work” of county Medicaid specialists, but Minnesota may be able to apply for certain delays and exemptions in the new policies. READ: http://fluence-media.co/4lxZmas
SENATE RACE: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Former NBA player and Gophers legend Willie Burton is considering a U.S. Senate run. The 57-year-old Burton, who’s now an assistant instructor and doctoral student at the University of Minnesota, [said] he is considering running for the U.S. Senate as a Republican. Burton said he is concerned about the state’s education system, crime and rising spending on social services. … Burton said he’s been in touch with the National Republican Senatorial Committee and recently attended an event at the White House. But he’s still debating whether he wants to give up the life he has for a Senate run.” BURTON: “Trying to help everyone is going to cost Minnesota the things that made it Minnesota. … [But] do I want my life back in the mode of the NBA, where my life no longer belongs to me?” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4eVTXYj
MORE: via Craig for Senate, VERBATIM: “Today, a slate of state and local DFL officials endorsed Angie Craig in Minnesota’s U.S. Senate race. The slate of endorsers includes Congressional District DFL party Vice Chairs from all eight Congressional districts. The full list of officials and leaders endorsing Craig includes: state Sen. Rob Kupec; state Sen. Aric Putnam; state Rep. Julie Greene; former state Speaker of the House Bob Vanasek; former state Rep. Dave Lislegard…Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt; [and many others].” READ/LIST: http://fluence-media.co/4kGhAW4
MORE: Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan was on MSNBC’s “The Briefing with Jen Psaki” this week to discuss her Senate campaign along with the impact of recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions and the Trump Administration’s signature budget bill. WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/3GMp2kH
34B: Via MPR, a third DFL candidate is running in the House District 34B special election alongside Christian Eriksen and Xp Lee. The Secretary of State’s office shows that Hennepin County Assistant Attorney Erickson Saye has filed paperwork to run for the seat held by House DFL Leader Melissa Hortman prior to her assassination. There are currently no Republicans in the race as of Wednesday evening, and the filing period ends next week with a primary expected on Aug. 12. READ: http://fluence-media.co/3GN0QyB
PROPERTY TAX: via Center for Fiscal Excellence, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Center for Fiscal Excellence (MCFE) has completed the 50-State Property Tax Comparison Study for Taxes Paid in 2024. … Minnesota has two cities in the study, Minneapolis and Glencoe, and the study shows how Minnesota compares on property taxes. … The Minnesota cities [are] above average for most property types and thresholds in the study, but significantly above average for commercial property in particular, where property taxes are more than $7,000 above the average on a $1 million property.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4nRbi8L
METRONORTH: via a MetroNorth press release, VERBATIM: “In the wake of a legislative season marked by division and tragedy, the MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce gathered civic leaders, tourism officials, and legislators on July 15 at the Courtyards of Andover for ‘Tourism and Trending Topics: A Special Session Wrap-Up.’ … The keynote, delivered by Lauren Bennett McGinty, Executive Director of Explore Minnesota, highlighted the economic impact of tourism and the importance of continued investment in the state’s travel economy. Following the presentation, Chamber President Lori Higgins provided a short tribute to the late Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman. … Area state senators and representatives then took to the stage and answered questions ranging from the role of social media to how they are balancing safety concerns while maintaining accessible representation.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3GPswTm
CRYPTO: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Republicans are off to a rocky start in Washington this week. ‘Crypto Week’ was supposed to be a big week for Rep. Tom Emmer in particular, a longtime supporter of crypto currency. … But 13 Republicans ended up raining on Emmer's parade and joined Democrats in blocking a procedural vote for the legislation to advance in the House. Now, it's unclear what the rest of Crypto Week is going to look like. Republicans canceled votes for the rest of the day after the legislative package failed to advance. … [However], after the vote failed, [Donald] Trump hosted at the White House on Tuesday evening some of the conservative Republicans that opposed the legislative package, who he said have since agreed to change their vote.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eVTXYj
EPSTEIN: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Republicans this week blocked attempts led by Democrats to release long-awaited files related to deceased sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein. … On Monday evening, GOP Rep. Michelle Fischbach, the only Minnesotan on the House Rules Committee, joined all of the Republicans on the committee except for one in voting down an amendment that would have released the files. And on Tuesday, Republicans [including Fischbach] unanimously blocked Democrats' attempt to reconsider the amendment via a procedural vote. … Fischbach's office could not be reached for comment.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eVTXYj
EDUCATION: The Minnesota Reformer has developed a new, searchable dashboard that tracks how much money every school district in Minnesota is estimated to lose out on because of federal funding cuts at the Department of Education this year. Statewide, Minnesota schools have had over $74 million total in federal funds withheld. DASHBOARD: http://fluence-media.co/4f05eak
HEARINGS: via MPR, VERBATIM: “One small but important wing of state government is getting a new [name]. Starting Aug. 1, the Minnesota Office of Administrative Hearings will become the Court of Administrative Hearings. This is the entity that reviews rules, weighs in on state and local regulatory actions and settles licensing disputes. The proceedings resemble court cases but are not exactly that. In any case, lawmakers wanted to rebrand the office that has existed since 1976 to give the public a clearer sense of what it does.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3GN0QyB
DOJ: via Reuters, VERBATIM: “The U.S. Justice Department explored bringing criminal charges against Minnesota judges and defense lawyers who discussed requesting virtual court hearings to protect defendants from being arrested by federal immigration officers. … In February, FBI agents in Minneapolis opened a preliminary inquiry into whether local judges and defense attorneys obstructed immigration enforcement by requesting virtual hearings, and the concept was also pitched to law enforcement officials in Minneapolis and Washington, D.C. … Reuters could not determine whether the probe is ongoing. To date, no judge or lawyer in Minnesota has been charged.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4lz1zCM
FEMA: via Office of the Atty. General, VERBATIM: “Attorney General Keith Ellison today joined a coalition of 20 states in suing the Trump Administration over its decision to illegally shut down the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) bipartisan Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, designed to protect communities from natural disasters before they strike. … Ellison and the coalition argue that FEMA’s decision to abruptly terminate the BRIC program is in direct violation of Congress’s decision to fund it.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/44SLWyK
ENERGY: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “A judge has recommended that state regulators reject the proposed $6.2 billion sale of Allete, the Duluth-based parent company of Minnesota Power, to two private investors. In the filings released Tuesday, Judge Megan J. McKenzie cited reports and analysis suggesting the proposed sale to Canada Pension Investment Board and BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners could bring about new risks for Minnesota Power and its customers, as well increase electric rates.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4lWgbeW
TRANSIT: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Just a few years ago, the outlook for passenger rail in Minnesota was bright. The state Legislature had set aside nearly $200 million for the long-planned Twin Cities to Duluth ‘Northern Lights Express.’ Local planners also believed they could reel in hundreds of millions of [federal] dollars. … [But now], a new Republican-backed spending bill in Congress would explicitly ban federal funding for the NLX line and also gut funding for a federal grant program the Metropolitan Council is counting on for a planned extension of the Blue Line light-rail project and a bus rapid transit line.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4lWlzia
70-YEAR LEGACY OF CONTINUOUS TRANSFORMATION: Innovation has been synonymous with the Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery since it was established 70 years ago. Today, Pine Bend operates with cutting-edge leak detection technologies, the largest solar installation of its kind, a community-driven water-recycling system, and numerous other advancements. These innovations have allowed Pine Bend to produce more of the fuels and other products we all need, while continually finding ways to use fewer resources and minimize emissions. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4kNOYur (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
MPLSDFL: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Delegates will gather Saturday at the Target Center in Minneapolis for the citywide DFL convention, [but] if you want kosher or halal food, be ready to spend $70 for a pastrami sandwich, $60 for a schnitzel sandwich or $55 for a chicken kebab. … Most of the other menu items will cost less than $20. … Donors [have] stepped up to cover the cost of a ‘handful’ of meals. Minneapolis DFL Chair John Maraist said the consternation over prices is ‘absolutely justified,’ but ‘we’re helping people who need help.’” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4eSY8nL
STP: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “On the eve of what looks to be another difficult budget season, the St. Paul City Council has added two new staffers to its central leadership team. Kumud Verma, previously the finance director for the city of Richfield, will serve as the council’s chief budget officer, and Tim Greenfield, recently a nonpartisan attorney for the Minnesota Senate, will serve as its chief policy officer, a newly-created staff position for the council. … The two are joining council staff just weeks before St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter is expected to present his 2026 budget proposal in August. Given financial pressures like inflation, federal funding cuts and declining downtown property values, few expect smooth sailing.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3TK6GUk
BEMIDJI: via Bemidji Pioneer, VERBATIM: “To help stimulate the local economy and support both small businesses and area families, the Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce has launched a Chamber Bucks Bonus Gift Card Program. The program is focused on restaurants and grocery stores — two sectors hit hardest by the recent June 21 storm, a release noted. … For every Chamber Bucks gift card purchased, buyers receive a bonus card that can be used at participating local restaurants and grocery stores. … The program is expected to generate an estimated $1 million impact for Bemidji’s local economy.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4kGhlKE
MOVE: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “The St. Paul & Minnesota Foundation announced Tuesday that its board of directors has selected a new leader for the organization. After a national search, the board has selected Chanda Smith Baker…to serve as its next president and CEO.”
TODAY: Gov. Tim Walz will have a call with Attorney General Keith Ellison at 11:00 a.m. and attend an event with the Twin Cities Recovery Project at 7:00 p.m., per his public schedule.
TODAY: via DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Commissioner Matt Varilek and Labor Market Information Director Angelina Nguyen will be available from 10:00-10:30 a.m. to answer questions from the press regarding the latest employment data.
TODAY: Rep. Angie Craig announced she will join Protect Our Care Minnesota for a virtual press conference discussing “Congressional Republicans’ recent vote to advance the deepest cuts to health care in American history,” per a release. The event is at 11:00 a.m.
TODAY: via a joint press release, VERBATIM: “A local coalition including Indivisible Twin Cities, Racial Justice Network, Women's March Minnesota, Black Lives Matter Minnesota, MN AFL-CIO, and MN 50501, are leading the Good Trouble Lives On: Twin Cities Rally & March. Our Twin Cities mobilization is one of hundreds of events across the country honoring the legacy of John Lewis.” The event is at 6:00 p.m.
SATURDAY: The Minneapolis DFL will hold its city convention on Saturday, July 19 starting at 10:00 a.m. The convention will consider endorsements for mayor, park board, and Board of Estimate & Taxation. The event “will also hear speeches from DFL party dignitaries and candidates for CD5 and statewide offices,” per a release.
JULY 21: via an IDN advisory, VERBATIM: “The Immigrant Defense Network – a coalition of 90+ groups across Minnesota – [will launch] a city resolutions campaign to denounce mass deportations and family separations. … Local elected officials are pushing for resolutions to denounce mass deportations and family separations in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Columbia Heights, and other cities and towns. Votes in Minneapolis and Columbia Heights are already scheduled.” The event is at 12:00 noon in St. Paul.
JULY 23: via MN Chamber, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Chamber’s upcoming Women in Business Minnesota Conference on Wednesday, July 23, will highlight the powerful role women play in expanding Minnesota’s economic footprint through international business.” The event is at 9:00 a.m. in Minneapolis.
JULY 24-26: via NCRA, VERBATIM: “The 2025 National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) Conference & Expo, taking place July 24-26, serves as the largest venue for businesses to showcase the latest in products and services [for stenography].” The event is at 9:00 a.m. each day in Minneapolis.
JULY 28: 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.
BDAYS: Thrifty Traveler’s Kyle Potter, media guy Alberto Monseratte, Sen. Cal Bahr, UST’s Phil Esten, MPR’s Duchesne Drew, professor David Sturrock, civic leader Bonnie MarshallTIPS: 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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