TUESDAY SUN
Twins lose 2-1. Wolves trade Julius Randle. NBA draft tonight.
An Edina man celebrated his 100th birthday at the golf course where he still plays regularly. FOX9: https://fluence-media.co/4eqdGkj
Prepare for heat, humidity and possible storms today. BMTN: https://fluence-media.co/4enCqK6
Indígena by Owamni opens in downtown Minneapolis today. MPR: https://fluence-media.co/4aaF3MU
For the fifth time in a row, the U.K. prime minister resigned before finishing a full term. BBC: https://fluence-media.co/4eHmlhb
Happy National Hydration Day.
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LISTEN: Sunday Take featured DFL Reps. Kelly Moller and Mike Howard remembering the life and legacy of Melissa Hortman one year after her passing. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4gfrsri
SPEAKING: Do you have a summer or fall conference that your audience wants to hear about the insights of the election? “Signals vs. Noise” of the election. is scheduling now. EMAIL bloisolson@gmail.com
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SMARTER: Long Term Care – Is Minnesota Ready? Care Providers Minnesota and LeadingAge Minnesota hosted providers, Senator Grant Hauschild (03, DFL), Representative Natalie Zeleznikar (03B, GOP), and Representative Nathan Nelson (11B, GOP) for a conversation about the future of careing for our seniors. This coming week the conversation moves to St. Cloud. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4ue3YXA
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MINNEAPOLIS: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Hard decisions surrounding programs, services, workers and property taxes lie ahead for Minneapolis leaders as the city faces a substantial budget gap — Mayor Jacob Frey says it’s his most significant budget he’ll set yet. ..As it sits now, the city’s staffing and services far outweigh its expected revenue; the current budget gap is $28-33 million. FREY: “We are undergoing a whole lot of work to keep down property taxes as much as we possibly can,” Frey said. “If property taxes continue to rise every single year in dramatic form, people can get priced out of their homes, and so it’s on us to do everything possible to provide efficiencies,” he added… “No announcements yet, but look, we’re going to need to tighten the belt. We’re going to need to make some hard decisions. That’s very clear. Not all those decisions are going to be popular, but it’s the right thing to do.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4gChX5z
SUBPOENAS: via AP News, VERBATIM: “A federal judge has blocked an attempt by the Trump Administration to subpoena Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and other state officials, accusing the Justice Department of using its investigatory powers to retaliate against state officials. … District Judge Patrick Schiltz found the ‘dominant purpose’ of the subpoenas was to ‘coerce Minnesota officials into assisting the federal government with enforcing civil immigration law and to harass and retaliate against them for failing to do so.’ … [Subpoenas] were sent to the offices of Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her and officials in Ramsey and Hennepin counties.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eASjvt
MORE: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “The judge has taken the rare step of ordering information taken to a grand jury to be made public, although [he] put that part of the ruling on hold to allow for DOJ to appeal or otherwise make the case that the deliberations should remain private. That process will extend into July. … A DOJ spokesperson [said] ‘The Department takes the unlawful obstruction of federal law enforcement operations extremely seriously and will continue to act in full compliance with the law to investigate these matters.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vy1Jzm
RESPONSE: via Gov. Tim Walz statement, WALZ: “Today’s ruling is a victory for the rule of law and our democracy. … The U.S. Justice Department is pursuing criminal investigations into the President’s political opponents. This case was just one example of that, but we are seeing daily reminders of this administration’s lawlessness – in Minnesota and around the country.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oJctIt
MORE: via Atty. General Keith Ellison statement, ELLISON: “In America, we settle our political differences at the ballot box, and it should disturb every American that Donald Trump is weaponizing the criminal justice system against people he disagrees with. … I will never stop working to protect Minnesotans from Trump’s abuses of power.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oOhn7a
AMID RURAL HEALTH CHALLENGES, ESSENTIA HEALTH INVESTS IN NEW IRON RANGE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT: Essentia Health is investing in a $13 million project to remodel and expand its emergency department in Virginia, MN. With support from the Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Board and philanthropic partners, the project will improve emergency care and mental health resources through new technology, safety and security measures, and a behavioral health suite. READ MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4o79h9j (SPONSORED: Essentia Health)
CD1: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “Congressman Brad Finstad hosted a roundtable with Rochester-area business and education leaders Monday on the workforce challenges and labor needs within the First Congressional District. … After the meeting, Finstad was once again asked about his refusal to hold in-person town hall meetings. [DFLer Jake] Johnson has made the issue a major part of his campaign.” FINSTAD: “What my opponent wants to define as a town hall — I don’t think he gets to decide what is and what isn’t. This was a roundtable. We could have called it a town hall. We could have called it whatever we wanted to call it.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3QTaGE6
SENATE RACE: DFL Rep. Betty McCollum has endorsed Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan for U.S. Senate over fellow DFL Rep. Angie Craig. McCollum previously said she would be “supporting” the winner of the DFL party endorsement, as seen in morning take on May 20, 2026. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4b60w9Y
MN GOP: GOP Rep. Patti Anderson responded to GOP Rep. Peggy Bennett’s call for state Republican leaders to resign, as seen in yesterday’s morning take. Anderson said the state party’s previous response to Bennett’s allegations was “100% accurate.” ANDERSON: “I was Chair of the Nominations committee and we bent over backwards [for Bennett]. … Frankly, her behavior was embarrassing for anyone much less a sitting State Rep. As a legislative colleague, I know and like Peggy personally but her behavior is, and has been, inexcusable.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4xKBRS0
A deep dive into the CD1 race between Rep. Brad Finstad and Jake Johnson for MNSider subscribers. HERE: https://fluence-media.co/49OqNJu
THE ISSUES
INSURANCE: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “For the second year in a row, Minnesota health insurers are seeking double-digit percent rate increases next year for coverage sold on the state’s MNsure exchange. The proposed rate hikes, which regulators haven’t yet approved, are looking like a bellwether for medical cost trends across the broader U.S. health insurance landscape — including if you receive coverage through an employer or union. … In Minnesota, Medica wants to increase premiums by an average of 13% on individuals who buy coverage via MNsure.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vqNa0j
FRAUD: Via FOX 9, the third story in three days about someone being charged with Medicaid fraud by local authorities. VERBATIM: “A Minneapolis man is accused of stealing nearly $70,000 from Minnesota’s Medicaid program by submitting false claims for care he did not provide. Fernando Navarro faces four felony charges. … The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office led the investigation after a California agency discovered overlapping claims for the same child. The case was referred to Minnesota authorities, who determined that Navarro continued to submit false claims after his child moved to California.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4aNZKON
RECORDS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “State campaign finance regulators have spent months combing through thousands of campaign finance reports, systematically removing street addresses from filings submitted by candidates, political parties, political committees and campaign funds. Reports have been taken offline, redacted and reposted — a painstaking effort prompted by the realization that elected officials’ home addresses were often just a few clicks away. … The timing has created logistical headaches. As candidates are filing reports in the 2026 election, regulators have been simultaneously scrubbing old records and processing new ones.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4guVlnC
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)
PARKS
BWCAW: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Visitors to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness might soon have a reason to firm up their trip plans a little earlier in the year. The U.S. Forest Service on Monday floated a change to the way the agency handles permit cancellations. … The proposal would reduce refunds of visitors’ deposits, a significant adjustment to the reservation system that the agency is hoping will incite visitors to cancel permits they don’t intend to use sooner and curb overbooking. The BWCAW has seen record numbers of cancellations in recent years.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4w4AxYv
LAND BACK: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “What began as an activist movement is increasingly becoming public policy in Minnesota. Supporters of the Land Back movement point to a pair of recent victories as evidence that Indigenous stewardship and sovereignty are gaining ground — from a church property transfer in South Minneapolis to a state-backed effort returning thousands of acres to the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. … Rep. Liish Kozlowski, who authored the legislation, said the effort reflects a growing movement across the state.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4gjTF0n
GOLF: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “After nearly a century of operation, Manitou Ridge golf course received its biggest renovation ever: a $3.5 million facelift. The project added 14 new forward tees, renovated every bunker, replaced cart paths and modernized the irrigation system. … Before the renovation, Manitou Ridge was a notably long course, particularly challenging for younger or less experienced golfers. Ramsey County Director of Parks and Recreation Mark McCabe said he wouldn’t have brought his kids to the course. Now, he thinks it’s a space that appeals to many ability levels.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43T1F0N
Follow the 2026 Minnesota elections up close with the Fluence Election Tracker.
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METRO
ANOKA-HENN: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “A community-led effort to have voters decide whether to raise their taxes to support their local schools [took] a big step Monday night. … The group Parents for Good Anoka-Hennepin says they’ve locked in the 3,000 signatures on the petition to put a referendum vote on the ballot. … The move follows plans to cut about 75 positions — more than 200 have already been reduced at the district as part of a more than $20 million budget reduction plan.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4eEyrHM
MPLS: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “An investment group on Monday announced plans to build a $250 million multi-use complex in the former Wells Fargo corporate campus. … The developers plan to turn the 25-acre grounds into what they described as a gated housing, retail, technology and healthcare community in the Phillips neighborhood. … Construction on what developers are calling ‘Iconic Plaza’ would begin within months and last two-to-five years.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4xOkbFm
IGH: via Fox 9, VERBATIM: “Tensions ran high at the Inver Grove Heights City Council meeting on Monday night as plans to discuss a controversial data center were derailed by an abrupt adjournment and shouting from those in attendance… The meeting was set to include a vote on a moratorium on new data centers and a discussion about a proposed 54,000-square-foot data center in town…But before the council discussed those items, it voted to adjourn the meeting, rescheduling it for Friday morning.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4xPKpr8
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)
ACROSS MN
DULUTH: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A defunct golf course along the north shore of Lake Superior has come to symbolize the city’s struggle to both meet housing demand and preserve beloved urban wilderness. The city shut down its 27-hole Lester Park Golf Course in 2020. … What to do with the overgrown property has bedeviled city officials and elected leaders for years as competing interests debate its possibilities. Meanwhile, plans for large-scale housing in the center of the city have died and developable land remains scarce as Duluth’s popularity as an outdoor recreation hot spot blooms.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3QXuK8n
AUSTIN: via the Austin Daily Herald, VERBATIM: “In front of colleagues, family and friends Monday morning, the City of Austin officially welcomed its newest police chief with a swearing-in ceremony in the City Council Chambers… Lt. Michael Hartman was sworn in as police chief and will succeed the nearly 30-year Austin Police Department veteran David McKichan, who retired from the position this June. HARTMAN: “This is going to be a little different,” Hartman jokingly told those in attendance. “I’ve told everybody I’ve spent 16 years in law enforcement. I’m on year 17 … I’ve never worked a day shift in my life.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3QCQnun
PROUD TO CHAMPION ATHLETES EVERYWHERE: Minnesota’s 24,000 family corn farmers may come from different fields than the athletes participating in the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, which are set for June 20-26 in Minnesota. But they share the same values, including dedication, hard work, and perseverance. This summer, Minnesota Corn salutes the talented athletes participating in the games. We’ll be cheering them on from our fields as they shine in yours. (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn)
WHAT’S NEXT
TODAY: Governor Tim Walz will attend the BIO International Convention in San Diego to discuss Minnesota’s growing biotech industry.
TODAY: Sen. Andrew Mathews and Rep. Shane Mekeland, both GOP, will host a town hall with representatives from Options, Inc. to discuss Medicaid provider revalidation and “the impacts state processing delays may have on services provided to vulnerable Minnesotans,” per a release. The event is in Big Lake at 6:00 p.m.
TOMORROW: Independent evaluators at ELEFA will host a public meeting to answer questions about the Minneapolis Police Department’s settlement agreement. The event is at 6:00 p.m.
THURSDAY: Sec. Steve Simon will host a media briefing on the start of early voting for the Aug. 11 primary at 1:30 p.m.
JUNE 29: Sen. Jen McEwen and Reps. Pete Johnson and Liish Kozlowski, all DFL, are hosting a town hall in Duluth on Monday, June 29 to “inform constituents of legislative achievements from the 2026 session,” per a release. The event is at 6:00 p.m.
JULY 13: Attorney General Keith Ellison will host a community listening session on Monday, July 13 to discuss the proposed acquisition of Allina Health by Sutter Health. The event is in St. Paul at 6:00 p.m.
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IN MEMORIAM: morning take is dedicated in memory of Melissa Hortman.