Twins lose, All Star Break starts Sunday. Lynx win.
Some rain but a good weather weekend.
Great to see so many readers yesterday at the MN Business Partnership and AgriGrowth events. Next week, the Railroad’s conference “up north”.
Sunday Take will be a recap of the NYSE Bell ringing for the MN Business Partnership – good content that state leaders and economy watchers should hear.
Gov. Walz heads to South Dakota tomorrow for his first “national” speech post Hortman-Hoffman unthinkable tragedy. The tone should likely change despite more partisan blame this week.
Next week fundraising reports come out, which is always a good early measure of campaign strength.
The State Fair crop art gallery will include tributes to Rep. Melissa Hortman this year. MPR: http://fluence-media.co/4nDus25
Nearly 11% of Minnesota’s hospital workers are immigrants — a higher percentage than any neighboring state except North Dakota, where it’s over 13%. AXIOS: http://fluence-media.co/4eDZhzm
The president is threatening a 35% tariff on Canada and 20% tariffs on other nations. CNN: https://fluence-media.co/46H401c
Tune-in Sunday at 9 on WCCO Radio for Sunday Take.
Blois
TIPS: bloisolson@gmail.com
On Sunday Take, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer discussed the passage and local impact of the “Big Bill”. LISTEN: http://fluence-media.co/44i2ph1
Sponsorships available – to reach over 25,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheet and website www.TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com
ECONOMY: via Liz Fedor at Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “In 2025, there are 30 companies on the New York Stock Exchange that are Minnesota-based or have their operational headquarters located in the state.” MARTHA: “Let’s be clear, this ecosystem won’t sustain itself,” Martha said in his concluding remarks Thursday. “It takes attention. It takes investment. We have to evolve. It takes all of us working together and investing with urgency in both people and place, and at the center of all this is our talent.”…Martha talked about the need for increased commitment to talent development inside and outside Minnesota companies. “It means strengthening our schools and universities,” he said. “It means expanding access to internships, apprenticeships, and hands-on experiences. And it means showing students and young professionals, the next generation, that Minnesota is the place to launch bold ideas and build meaningful careers.”….Over the next two years, Martha said, the Minnesota Business Partnership will be carrying out coordinated campaigns to champion the headquarters economy, which will include increased engagement with government policymakers and better storytelling so various stakeholders will recognize the connection between strong businesses and healthy communities.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44X6K9t
MORE: via Star Tribune’s Victor Stefanscu, VERBATIM: “Kurt Zellers, CEO of the Minnesota Business Partnership, said current regulations can force businesses to take months longer to build facilities. He said Minnesota’s tax rate is an obstacle. ZELLERS: “We don’t have to be at the bottom of the corporate tax bracket, but, boy, we sure got to get out of the top five,” Zellers said….U.S. Bancorp CEO Gunjan Kedia cautioned the crowd about taxes and regulatory processes, saying other headquarters economies have “drained” their large companies….This occurred, she said, because “there comes a time when, if it is that difficult to open a new building or that difficult to start something new, you just say, ‘Maybe I go someplace where it doesn’t take years to unravel the regulatory approval process,’” she said.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3TBzYV7
(DISCLOSURE: The Minnesota Business Partnership is a client of Fluence)
DEMOCRATS: via New York Times, VERBATIM: “A number of prominent younger Democrats with records of winning tough races are forming a new group with big ambitions to remake their party’s image, recruit a new wave of candidates and challenge political orthodoxies they say are holding the party back. Members of the initiative, Majority Democrats, have different theories about how the national party has blundered. … But the roughly 30 elected officials at the federal, state and local levels who have so far signed on to the group broadly agree that the Democratic Party must better address the issues that feel most urgent in voters’ lives. … Representative Angie Craig of Minnesota, a leader of the initiative, [said] ‘If we don’t build this big-tent party that can win majorities, we’re on the path of being the party of the permanent minority.’” READ: http://fluence-media.co/463UKUQ
SENATE RACE: via Craig for Senate, VERBATIM: “Today, Congressional District DFL party chairs from six of the eight Congressional districts in the state announced that they have endorsed Congresswoman Angie Craig in the open U.S. Senate race. … [This] includes leaders from the bluest to the reddest congressional districts in the state.” The chairs are: Jim Hepworth, CD2; Cheryl Poling, CD3; Greg Hansen, CD4; Scott Graham, CD5; Chantal Oechsle, CD6; and Jennie Cronin, CD7. READ: http://fluence-media.co/4kAhgbv
MORE: Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan announced that her Senate campaign has received donations from at least 20,000 people in all 50 states. FLANAGAN: “We've received donations from all 50 states because Americans are sick and tired of the corporate sellouts in DC. I’m not taking a dime of corporate PAC money because I’m fighting for us — not extremist billionaires.” TWEET: http://fluence-media.co/4nHYLV6
TAKE: Flanagan’s fundraising total and cash on hand will say a lot when released next week. Also CD2 numbers will be curious on both the GOP and DFL side.
DEI: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division on Thursday launched an investigation into the state of Minnesota stemming from a [state] Department of Human Services policy that calls for supervisors to provide justification for hiring non-diverse candidates in underrepresented roles. The federal department said the DHS protocol may violate U.S. employment discrimination law. … [DHS] said the policy, issued last week, is to ensure the office ‘meets affirmative action responsibilities’ to comply with state law and increase the diversity of its workforce. … State law has required justification for ‘non-affirmative action’ hires for some vacancies since 1987.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3U2CHae
MORE: via AP News, VERBATIM: “The Trump Administration has been using federal civil rights law to fight diversity, equity and inclusion programs on several fronts, saying diversity preferences amount to illegal discrimination against white and Asian American people. … Minnesota Republicans were quick to call for elimination of the policy. ‘This hiring policy is DEI on steroids,’ Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson, of East Grand Forks, said in a statement.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/44VYmqS
MORE: Via the U.S. Dept. of Justice, the full notice letter to Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is available online. LETTER: http://fluence-media.co/44KZyfy
COPPER: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The head of a Chilean mining company that wants to open a copper-nickel mine on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness says a new import tax on copper could help the project. Antofagasta CEO Iván Arriagada told reporters at an event Thursday that a 50% copper tariff announced earlier this week by President Donald Trump could be beneficial to its Twin Metals project. … [However], Arriagada also added that the company still had years to go before breaking ground. … Copper has never been mined in Minnesota, in part because of concerns about environmental damage.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/40aRwv1
US BUDGET: via a Rep. Ilhan Omar press release, VERBATIM: “Today, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) hosted a press conference in Minneapolis to sound the alarm on the catastrophic impacts the ‘Big Ugly’ budget bill will have on Minnesotans. The Congresswoman was joined by local and state leaders to share the widespread impacts this bill will have across our state.” OMAR: “The bill rips $186 billion from SNAP. That’s food off the tables of seniors, children, and single moms. … Here in the 5th district, nearly 90,000 people rely on SNAP. I’ve spoken to them, and many are now asking, ‘How do I feed my kids and still pay bills?’ … No one should ever have to make that choice.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/44HsTYb
RESPONSE: via a GOP Chair Alex Plechash statement, PLECHASH: “Representative Ilhan Omar’s comments today about the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ are as misleading as they are predictable. … If [Omar] believes cutting taxes, ending fraud, and protecting seniors is ‘devastating,’ she’s welcome to explain that to the working families outside her fringe echo chamber. … We’re proud to support this bill — and prouder still to stand with the Minnesotans it serves.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4lmJS9l
SECURITY: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Following the deaths of former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband…Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher is calling for metal detectors at the Capitol and a review of how lawmakers were notified that they may have been in danger on the day of the attacks. … Fletcher, a former Vadnais Heights mayor and St. Paul city council member, joined MPR [to] talk about his vision for Capitol security.” FLETCHER: “You can move large volumes of people through metal detection without any impingement on their freedom. And to be honest, legislators whom I’ve talked to, the public, they would prefer to be inside a Capitol that they know is safe.” READ/LISTEN: http://fluence-media.co/4eISDrB
OPIOIDS: via Office of the Atty. General, VERBATIM: “Attorney General Keith Ellison today announced approximately $720 million nationwide in settlements with eight drug makers that manufactured opioid pills and worsened the nationwide opioid crisis. Minnesota could receive up to $9,370,000 million from the settlements, which would bring the total Minnesota will receive from settlements with opioid companies to $633 million. … 75% of opioid settlement funds Minnesota receives are allocated to city and county governments and 25% of funds are allocated to the State.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/45YQZjq
PPNCS: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “President Donald Trump signed a reconciliation bill on July 4 that effectively strips Medicaid funding from Planned Parenthood clinics due to the organization's stance on abortion. Planned Parenthood North Central States (PPNCS) immediately started informing Medicaid patients that its clinics are no longer able to bill their insurance. PPNCS President and CEO Ruth Richardson tells Bring Me The News that the bill is already causing ‘a devastating impact.’” RICHARDSON: “The impact was immediate, in terms of thinking about our patient care, because people are in positions of either having to struggle to afford access to care, or to consider other providers.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3TuQEO3
MENTAL HEALTH: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Budget-cutting efforts by Congress and [Donald] Trump could create problems for hospitals that have held onto their inpatient mental health units. … [Medicaid] is essential to the survival of Fairview Range’s psychiatric unit, which is increasingly critical to Minnesota and its shrinking behavioral health system. The 34-bed unit admits more than 800 patients each year, making it the 11th-busiest inpatient psychiatric hospital in Minnesota and the largest by far among non-metro hospitals. … History suggests any cuts will affect mental health providers and their patients. ‘Behavioral health is sometimes where the untoward effects of changes in health care can show up first,’ said Dr. Daniel Hoody, chief medical officer of Sanford Bemidji Medical Center.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3TyiZ6c
MORE: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “On Thursday, July 10, a group of policy experts and a mental health professional spoke with community members about preventing suicide, which is the leading cause of death by firearm in Minnesota. ‘Year over year, it's more than 70%,’ said Maggiy Emery, executive director of Protect Minnesota, a gun safety advocacy group. ‘That is unique to Minnesota.’ … People in Greater Minnesota's rural communities are more likely to be affected by suicide than their urban counterparts. … Thursday's roundtable at the Rochester Area Foundation centered around ways to prevent suicide by removing those means to harm oneself — firearms, in particular.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3GJ5SMm
HCMC: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Several union members from AFSCME Local 2474 are calling for an independent investigation into the workplace culture at Hennepin County Medical Center. Civil rights attorney Sellano Simmons, who is representing the HCMC employees, held a press conference Thursday with union members. Workers said they have faced retaliation after trying to raise safety and equity issues at the health care system. … Hennepin Healthcare said in a statement that it prohibits harassment and discrimination in the workplace. The health care system reported that an independent investigation was promptly initiated upon becoming aware of the allegations raised by the attorney’s clients.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4lRZB01
Sign up for health take: https://fluence-media.co/4eZwLa7
ENERGY: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “The [Big Beautiful Bill] calls for the expiration at the end of 2027 of wind and solar energy investment tax credits. … Halting the credits affects a landmark state law that Minnesota must have an electric grid 100% free of the carbon emissions that cause climate change by 2040. … Utilities say they can still become carbon free by 2040, [but] state officials, meanwhile, are not totally sure what comes next. … Cori Rude-Young, spokesperson for the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC), [said] the PUC is meeting with Xcel and other utilities on how best to proceed. The commission will soon announce public hearings on [the bill’s] impact.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3U6Qdto
DAYCARE: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The Trump Administration’s decision to cancel a humanitarian program that allowed people from certain countries to live and work in the U.S. temporarily is hitting Twin Cities daycare and preschool programs focused on language immersion. Operators of at least two day care businesses said they have lost staff with valuable language skills since the Department of Homeland Security terminated the Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela Parole Program (CHNV) in April.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3U6U1uG
HOMELESS: via a Sen. Tina Smith press release, VERBATIM: “U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), [and others] today introduced the Reducing Homelessness Through Program Reform Act, legislation to cut red tape and create local solutions for addressing homelessness. … The [bill] eases the bureaucratic burdens for Continuum of Care organizations by moving the time intensive annual application process for funding to every other year, empowers local communities by cutting federal red tape and allowing homeless service providers to respond more quickly and effectively to local needs, [and more].” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4lrdSAU
UMN: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “The University of Minnesota's athletics budget faces an $8.75 million deficit in the upcoming fiscal year, due largely to a new revenue-sharing model that allows schools to pay athletes directly for the first time in history. The projected deficit was revealed in a Board of Regents meeting this week by Athletic Director Mark Coyle, who said his department will work diligently to close the gap.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/3InLWiU
70 YEARS OF STRONG JOBS AND ECONOMIC IMPACT: The Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery is Minnesota’s largest and most active work site, driving economic impact for local communities. The refinery is busy with plumbers and pipefitters, carpenters and electricians, engineers and environmental scientists, software and IT specialists — there are more than 1,000 full-time employees and, at times, more than 3,000 contractors working on-site on any given day. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3ZQQsMp (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
MPLS: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “The Minneapolis City Council voted unanimously Thursday to increase the price of e-cigarettes in the city to $25 and restrict new tobacco shops from opening close to schools. Council member Katie Cashman said during the meeting that she hopes the changes will put e-cigarette policies in line with restrictions on other tobacco products in the city and prevent kids from taking up smoking. … A spokesperson for Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said he plans to sign the legislation. The price increase for e-cigarettes will go into effect as soon as the mayor signs the bill. The zoning changes will go into effect on Aug. 1.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4lTobO9
ST PAUL: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “The Xcel Energy Center has been renamed Grand Casino Arena — but how long before the venue is renovated, and is there a realistic scenario where the Minnesota Wild move out of St. Paul if those plans aren’t approved in Minnesota’s capital city? NHL insider Michael Russo says the Wild were ‘disappointed but not discouraged’ when state lawmakers denied a proposal to use state funds to help pay for a $488 million renovation of the arena, which hasn't had any major facelifts since opening in 2000. … Mayor Melvin Carter [said] the city is ‘definitely concerned’ about the possibility of the Wild relocating outside of St. Paul, though Carter said he doesn't consider it ‘an acute threat right now.’” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4eOz95e
DULUTH: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “City Council President Terese Tomanek is banned from Duluth Coffee Company, its owner said, after she confronted an employee while ordering. Employee Brandon Parker, a former council candidate who suspended his campaign last month, said Tomanek approached him at the counter last week and told him she was disturbed by something he had written online related to a citizen-led right-to-repair ballot measure involving rental rights, which the council rejected. It will still go before voters in November. … Parker said ‘it was humiliating and inappropriate’ [and] she ‘lectured’ him on tone and civility.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4nZs7if
ST PAUL PARK: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Four finalists have been named for the position of city administrator in St. Paul Park. The four candidates, chosen following a screening of 39 applicants, will be interviewed by the St. Paul Park City Council and a number of staff and community members on July 14. The advertised salary range is $130,000 to $150,000. Kevin Walsh, St. Paul Park’s current city administrator, is resigning July 29.” The finalists are: Jason Baker, Oronoco city administrator; Joel Erickson, Lonsdale city administrator; Hugo McPhee, former Burnsville deputy city manager; and Cathleen Reynolds, former city administrator of Crosby, Credit River, and Fairmont. READ: http://fluence-media.co/4ljKs7D
FALCON HGTS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The century-old University of Minnesota golf course in Falcon Heights, which is set to close at the end of this season, could be one of the Twin Cities metro’s most intriguing development opportunities. And it’s one step closer to going on the open market after the City Council passed on buying the course Wednesday night, saying the 141-acre tract will sell for more than the city can afford. … It’s not clear whether the county or state are interested in the property.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4kACaHo
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
CD8: via WDIO-TV, VERBATIM: “Chad McKenna officially filed to run for Congress in Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District. McKenna is challenging incumbent Pete Stauber.” MCKENNA: “If elected, I’ll do what Representative Stauber won’t: expand healthcare access, make childcare more affordable, make real investments in our infrastructure, strengthen our unions, and fight every day for an economy that ensures that if you work hard, you can build a good life. I won’t side with corporate interests, out-of-state billionaires, and the political forces that seek to divide us.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40b90HC
BOELTER: via WCCO Radio, VERBATIM: “As Vance Boelter sits in a Sherburne County jail cell awaiting his fate, investigators are digging into the details of the assassination of former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark. … ‘We're still working on the why, I guess I would say.’ That's acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson telling WCCO Radio's Chad Hartman that even if they figure out the ‘why,’ it's likely that explanation will never make sense. ‘You know, there's no good explanation for murdering politicians, and targeting politicians,’ he adds.” READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4lq9GBq
SPEEDCAMS: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “The Minneapolis City Council has given the green light to red light and speed enforcement cameras as they aim to make streets safer. Last year, the city said about 80% of fatal crashes involved speeding, so the thought is cameras could help turn that around. These cameras will likely go up at busy intersections – with more than 50 potential locations, including at Huron and Fulton. The City Council has approved a four-year contract.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4lIvms7
ALL THE TAKES: Every day, we’re sharing significant political, business and other news in your inbox and on our new website, The Daily Agenda. If you love morning take, sign up for the other Fluence tip sheets and share our web content with your friends. SIGNUP:https://fluence-media.co/4eZwLa7
TODAY: Governor Tim Walz has no public events scheduled.
TOMORROW: 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.
TOMORROW: The group “Black Women for Peggy” will host a luncheon with Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan to raise money for her Senate campaign. DETAILS: http://fluence-media.co/463uJVJ
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: SAT: MCEA’s Aaron Klemz, Senate GOP’s Rachel Aplikowski. SUN: lobbyist Kathi Micheletti, magazine guy Frank Roffers, WCCO Radio’s Dave Harrigan, advocate Carlos Mariani
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.
Fluence Media curates, produces and distributes specialized media products to thought leadership audiences across the Midwest and about the region. Our publications cover, politics, public policy, health care, agriculture, business, real estate, sports and more. Visit www.fluence-media.com to learn more.
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.
Copyright © 2025 Fluence Media, All rights reserved.
Thanks for reading The Daily Agenda! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.