Twins lose. Is Rocco’s job on the line?
With new ownership coming soon, Glen Taylor penned a farewell to the Timberwolves and Lynx titled “Thank You, Minnesota.” SEE: http://fluence-media.co/4kWDPIo
The University of St. Thomas is an NCAA Division I member starting this fall. STRIB: http://fluence-media.co/43UTCkS
Governor Tim Walz will survey storm damage in Beltrami County today.
An 11-year old shot and killed near a Minneapolis Park last night. FOX9: https://fluence-media.co/44uSrJ2
Gas prices have risen 16 cents in the Twin Cities due to the Iran-Israel conflict. Analysts expect prices to climb even higher. KARE: http://fluence-media.co/3T1dv3w
The Supreme Court is allowing the Trump Administration to resume deportations of migrants to countries that are not their place of origin. AXIOS: http://fluence-media.co/3ZGhTZt
Blois
TIPS: bloisolson@gmail.com
Today’s morning take on WCCO Radio with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/40gPp8M
State Auditor Julie Blaha and Rep. Dave Baker joined me on Sunday Take to discuss how Minnesota politics will move forward after the assassination of the Hortman’s and attempted murder of Sen. John Hoffman and Yvette. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/443jslm
Sponsorships available – to reach over 25,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheet and website www.TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com
FUNERAL: via news release this morning, VERBATIM: “Governor Tim Walz today announced that Melissa and Mark Hortman will lie in State on Friday, June 27, 2025. They will be joined by their Golden Retriever Gilbert. Hortman will be the first woman and one of fewer than 20 Minnesotans to lie in state in the Capitol. The Capitol rotunda will be available for the public to pay their respects from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM… A private funeral will take place on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at 10:30 AM. Space will be limited. A LiveU feed and photos will be available, and a livestream will be available.”
POLL: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A majority of Minnesotans — 54%— say they disapprove of President Donald Trump’s first months in office, according to a new Minnesota Star Tribune/Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication Minnesota poll.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lmQDrj
MORE: via the Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A new poll finds stark geographic divides over President Donald Trump’s top domestic issue: While the majority of Minnesotans oppose the president’s immigration policies, there’s broad support outside the metro, even for deportations without court hearings…The latest Minnesota Star Tribune/Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication Minnesota Poll found that 55% of Minnesotans polled oppose Trump’s immigration moves while 43% support them…Suburban respondents outside Hennepin and Ramsey counties were divided on Trump’s immigration policies, with 51% saying they support them, and in greater Minnesota, most strongly back the president on this issue.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4k25xlP
IRAN: via AP News, VERBATIM: “President Donald Trump said on social media Monday that Israel and Iran have agreed to a ‘complete and total ceasefire’ to be phased in over 24 hours. … Earlier in the day, Iran launched a missile attack on a U.S. military base in Qatar, retaliating for the American bombing of three key Iranian nuclear facilities. The U.S. said no casualties were reported. … Trump says Iran alerted the U.S. before targeting the military base, thanking its leaders for the ‘early notice.’ He also said he hopes that’s the only [retaliation].” READ: http://fluence-media.co/40kvUMx
MORE: The cease fire is apparently not in effect, Iran and Israel have continued attacks overnight.
MORE: via a Gov. Tim Walz statement, WALZ: “I’m in contact with the Minnesota National Guard regarding tensions in the Middle East. We have several troops performing a federal mission in the region. They are trained, ready, and focused on their mission. We’ll continue to track their deployment and keep them in our prayers.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4nfdaIj
SCHOOL BOARDS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Once a routine, and often sleepy, bureaucratic process of updating rule books, school policy discussions have become the latest stage for culture clashes and concern over how schools should navigate opposing viewpoints and protect against litigation in a hyper-politicized environment. … In recent months, boardroom debate in area suburban districts has largely come down to policies or resolutions concerning diversity, equity and inclusion programming. … That split has left politically-divided suburban school boards in all corners of the metro — Forest Lake, Hastings, Prior Lake-Savage and Anoka-Hennepin — with the challenging task of agreeing on language that adheres to state and federal law and doesn’t invite lawsuits, community backlash or student walkouts.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3HSyAL2
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)
SECURITY: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “It was two days after Melissa Hortman was assassinated that state Rep. Erin Koegel felt compelled to flee her home, [saying] ‘I went to my mom’s house. No one knows where she lives.’ … The slayings have prompted grieving Minnesota lawmakers to discuss their fear of violence. One former lawmaker, who spoke on condition of anonymity out of continued fear for her and her family’s safety, said that she did not run for reelection precisely because she was afraid of physical harm.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4ehRqYi
HORTMAN: Rep. Kelly Morrison and Rep. Tom Emmer led their colleagues in a moment of silence on the U.S. House floor last night to honor the lives of state DFL Leader Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark Hortman. All eight of Minnesota’s congressional representatives were present. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/44f4lp0
ASSASSINATIONS: The Star Tribune has a report analyzing the significance and similarities of two prominent assassinations within the past year that both targeted Minnesotans. VERBATIM: “UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson of Maple Grove was shot dead last December on the streets of New York City. … On June 14, in the northwest suburbs of Minneapolis, a gunman shot and killed state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband … Robert Pape is a University of Chicago professor who has studied political violence for 30 years. In the past five years, he said, the dynamic of that violence has changed in America — and Minnesota is at the epicenter. He referred to this time as the ‘era of violent populism.’ In a phone interview, Pape said the acts attributed to [Luigi] Mangione and [Vance] Boelter fit that description.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3G31N5y
MORE: via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “Federal prosecutors say it's possible [Vance] Boelter, who has not entered a plea yet, could face the death penalty. That decision will be made in Washington, D.C. by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. Already this year, she has decided in another sensational murder case with Minnesota ties that Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the murder of UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson, will face a possible death sentence. … Boelter's next federal court appearance is in St. Paul this Friday.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/4lnQILq
UNIONS: via WDIO, VERBATIM: “Minnesota state employees rallied Monday morning outside the MnDOT Central Office on Mesaba Avenue in Duluth to raise their voices over proposed healthcare changes they say would dramatically increase their out-of-pocket costs. Employees represented by the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, or MAPE, participated. … Union members say they’re especially concerned over the healthcare proposals from the State Employee Group Insurance Program (SEGIP) tied to the upcoming 2025-2027 labor contract. MAPE argues the proposed changes could increase the amount individual employees and families pay by an additional $2,500 to $4,500 per year by January 2027.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3G8Pwwr
MORE: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “Non-faculty, non-supervisory staff at Macalester College have voted to unionize, officially joining the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE), the union announced Monday. The decision follows months of organizing and forms a new bargaining unit at the private liberal arts college in St. Paul. MAPE, Minnesota's largest state government union, represents more than 18,000 professional employees.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/3T2e9hd
TRANSIT: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) wants to restore express service in Savage, enhance connections to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and bring back service to Dakota County Technical College. … Route changes could bring an increase in transit service to more than 20,000 residents. … The agency serving eight cities south of the Minnesota River will show off its plans during meetings at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Scott County Government Center in Shakopee, and 6 p.m. Thursday at Rosemount City Hall. Feedback will be accepted at both meetings and through an online survey.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4karUW9
STORMS: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Thousands of homes and businesses in Bemidji and the surrounding area entered their third day without power Monday, as cleanup continued following devastating storms over the weekend. … Utility companies reported several thousand customers remained without power Monday morning in Bemidji and those other communities — down from more than 50,000 in the immediate wake of the storms. … The U.S. Postal Service said Saturday’s severe storms and ongoing power outages have affected mail delivery in the Bemidji area.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3ZLYDK6
MORE: via Bemidji Pioneer, VERBATIM: “The Beltrami County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution on Monday to extend its State of Emergency status by 30 days following a severe storm that traveled through the area and caused significant damage. … Declaring a State of Emergency allows the county to quickly respond to the storm by accessing Disaster Assistance Contingency Account funds, which provide a 75% reimbursement, to repair public infrastructure.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3I9vOB7
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)
ST PAUL: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “With early voting opening Friday, political endorsements are rolling in for [Ward 4 City Council] candidates, who will meet in at least six candidate forums leading up to the Aug. 12 special election. … St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter and the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce’s political action committee are backing nonprofit founder Molly Coleman for the open Ward 4 seat on the city council, as are a series of labor unions. Members of Starbucks Workers United plan to knock doors alongside Ward 4 candidate Cole Hanson, who has endorsements from City Council Member Nelsie Yang and the Twin Cities Democratic Socialists of America. Chauntyll Allen, a leader of Black Lives Matter Twin Cities, has the support of a number of elected officials, including…City Council Member Anika Bowie. Carolyn Will, a former television journalist turned marketing specialist, is the latest candidate for Ward 4.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4k9hhmy
MPLS: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis officials have zeroed in on a vendor to run a program that will record traffic lights throughout busy city intersections, and potentially cite drivers. … On Monday, the Minneapolis Administration & Enterprise Oversight Committee unanimously approved a contract with NovoaGlobal, Inc. for red light and speed camera enforcement and citation issuance management. The terms of the agreement are for $12 million over four years. … The earliest a traffic camera pilot could launch is August 1, 2025, though officials with the city have said they are targeting September.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/4ll6XsD
SCSU: via St. Cloud Live, VERBATIM: “St. Cloud State University has been approved for a 6.5% tuition increase, according to an SCSU spokesperson. Tuition will increase by $572 a year, meaning that ‘the majority of undergraduate students’ will pay $9,384 for tuition, SCSU spokesperson Zach Dwyer told St. Cloud LIVE in an email.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3G1sc3J
MANKATO: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “After years of planning, and even longer lobbying from local law enforcement, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is set to build a new regional crime lab in southern Minnesota. The BCA came out as one of the big winners in this year’s bonding bill at the Minnesota Legislature. … Lawmakers approved $67 million in bonding dollars for a regional lab in Mankato. … It will house about 50 agents once it’s up and running, featuring everything from DNA evidence testing to a digital crime lab.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4k9iiem
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
NEW LAW: via Minnesota Spokesman Recorder, VERBATIM: “Beginning July 1, 2025, Minnesota motorcyclists will be legally allowed to engage in lane splitting and lane filtering, marking a major change to state traffic laws aimed at improving rider safety and easing traffic congestion. Lane splitting refers to riding a motorcycle between lanes of moving vehicles. Lane filtering allows motorcyclists to move between stopped vehicles, such as at red lights or in gridlocked traffic. Minnesota now joins a growing number of states to legalize these practices—under specific conditions.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4k777D1
SENATE RACE: via Craig for Senate, VERBATIM: “Today, United States Senator Tammy Baldwin endorsed Angie Craig in her campaign for U.S. Senate. Baldwin is one of the Senate’s most effective members and is one of the strongest fighters for working families in the country.”
CAPITOL: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Anyone can come into the Capitol and pay tribute to the Hortmans. Public access to the building is extensive and has long been a point of pride for advocates of open government. But in the wake of the Hortman murders…state lawmakers are trying to address their safety. MURPHY: ‘I think we would be not honest if we didn't recognize the fear that's embedded in this,’ Democratic Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy told MPR News. ‘It will alter the way we interact, and we have to be careful not to go so far that we fence off the voice of people in our democracy.’” READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/44dVfZE
TODAY: Minnesota Nurses Association will announce ULP strike results.
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: advocate Sarah Florman, Senate staff Krista Broton, WCCO Radio’s Jimmy Erickson, DFL operative Kristin Beckmann
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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about morning take: Founded in 2010, morning take has grown to become the leading Minnesota morning newsletter on politics and news of the day. Published by Fluence Media since 2012 the mission is to "make you smarter" before breakfast.
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