Twins win.
The Vikings will host country singer Russell Dickerson for a free concert before their home opener. BMTN: http://fluence-media.co/45zyAaX
The State Fair begins this Thursday. What’s new, what’s changing and what’s gone? LIST: http://fluence-media.co/3HDlfGI
Pres. Donald Trump will meet with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy today, after meeting with Russia’s Vladimir Putin Friday. FOX: http://fluence-media.co/3Jik28l
Sunday Take featured Molly Coleman discussing her election to the St. Paul City Council and Rep. Kaohly Her sharing why she’s running for St. Paul mayor. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3UBcf7Y
In a Friday news dump, MPR announced 30 job cuts. MPR: https://fluence-media.co/4mnxJS4
Taco John’s HQ is now St. Louis Park – Potato Ole’s for all!
Your National Meal of the Day – Fajita’s, Pinot Noir and Ice Cream Pie – seems about right.
Make it a great Monday.
Blois - tips: bloisolson@gmail.com
Sunday Take will be live at the Fair both Sunday mornings. This Sunday a bipartisan conversation with Rep. Keith Allen and Sen. Doron Clark. Join me live at 9AM at WCCO Radio at the Fair.
AUDIENCE: Sponsorships available – to reach over 30,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheet and website www.TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com
MAYOR: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The vote tallies didn’t seem to add up, the ballots were missing needed language, and a woman who had been the subject of numerous complaints for allegedly skirting political rules somehow was placed in charge of counting the vote. The things that took place during the Minneapolis DFL’s mayoral convention last month spurred 98 people to sign onto numerous challenges, an extraordinary level of protest for a Minnesota convention, according to a DFL party official who [was] among those to formally hear the challenges at a meeting. … ‘It’s very, very unusual to have anywhere near that number of challenges arising out of a convention,’ said Tim O’Brien, a co-chair of the state DFL’s Constitution, Bylaws, and Rules Committee.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/45kwmxs
MORE: State Sen. Omar Fateh spoke to WCCO-TV about his mayoral campaign and policies he supports, including higher taxes on wealthy Minneapolis residents and a $20 minimum wage. Fateh said he does not have an exact income level determined for his wealth tax proposal, but he would work with the City Council to refine the details — something he criticized Mayor Jacob Frey for not doing. FATEH: “I’ll say if someone makes a million dollars or above, that they’d be considered wealthy. … When you come up with a proposal, you have to work with your [colleagues] to come up with a plan that benefits everyone. But right now, what we’re seeing is a ‘my way or the highway’ approach that’s not working.” WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/4lvAWha
COALITION: Via X, WCCO-TV assignment manager Guy Still reports that Minneapolis City Council president Elliott Payne is passing out flyers for three mayoral candidates — Omar Fateh, DeWayne Davis, and Jazz Hampton — as he door-knocks for his own re-election campaign. Payne previously endorsed all three challengers to Mayor Jacob Frey, and Davis said earlier this month that he, Fateh and Hampton have formed an anti-Frey “coalition” with plans for hosting group fundraisers together, as seen in the Aug. 5 morning take. TWEET: http://fluence-media.co/46VPTp7
GOV RACE: Via KSTP, DFL Sen. Jeff Hayden and former GOP communications director Brian McClung shared their thoughts on the news that Gov. Tim Walz is still undecided on running for a third term, as seen in Friday’s morning take. READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/4mRouJL
HAYDEN: “The assassination of [former] Speaker Melissa Hortman shook everybody, so I think that really slowed things down and makes you kind of think about what you want to do. I also think the governor’s got to kind of take a look at his numbers. There’s a lot of things in state government that need to be fixed, and I think the governor is probably focused on that.”
McCLUNG: “No Minnesota governor has been elected to a third four-year term. Lots of things happen while you’re governor. … There are lots of issues coming out, especially when the U.S. attorney is digging into this fraud and saying there could be over one billion dollars’ worth of fraud that has happened in the state in the last few years. That’s a significant problem that needs to be dealt with and will be part of a campaign.”
Sign-up for paid TheDailyAgenda and you’ll receive a morning take mug.
Earlier this year we launched a premium subscription option. Now we’re adding content for premium subscribers.
A monthly insight-filled briefing memo on Minnesota and Midwest issue and political dynamics.
Access to our Fluence Forum audio and videio assets.
A free morning take mug if you sign-up this week.
On Monday, Fluence Advisory hosted a cannabis forum on the “State of Cannabis in Minnesota including an interview with Executive Director of the Office of Cannabis Management Eric Taubel.
CRAIG: Rep. Angie Craig (R-2nd) sat for a 25-minute interview with KTTC in Rochester to discuss her Senate campaign and how she wants to address several local and national issues, including the “Big Beautiful Bill,” a new Farm Bill, fraud in state government and lawmaker safety. The full interview is available unedited. WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/415Rg0Q
POT: via MPR, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s full-fledged cannabis director is offering some notable updates on the launch of a full-fledged marijuana market. Eric Taubel [said] to expect more tribal compacts to be notched in the coming weeks to go along with one already in place with the White Earth Nation. That’s important because tribal cannabis operations are way ahead of non-tribal ones, so the early retail market could depend on the supply those tribal growers can muster. He also said that there are more microbusiness licenses that have been issued.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4mMD5Ge
SMOKING: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “This August is the 50th anniversary of the Minnesota Clean Indoor Air Act going into effect [as] the first-ever state law to require indoor public places to have ‘no smoking’ areas. … In the 1990s, [Sen. Ann] Rest authored [anti-smoking bills] as a member of the Minnesota House. … Asked what public debate today compares to the smoking laws adopted decades ago, Rest first mentioned vaping. … Another point of comparison is marijuana legalization, Rest said. Minnesota is moving in many directions at once with marijuana policy. The state has picked up the pace in doling out dispensary licenses. But it also increased the cannabis tax 50% in the last legislative session, and banned smoking weed in not just indoor public places but multifamily dwelling units.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4fKbG5x
SNAP: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “For more than three decades at the Minneapolis Farmers Market, Mai Yang, 66, has sold everything from blueberries and tomatoes to food prized in Hmong cuisine. … Cuts in July to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds, however, mean that Mai Yang might have to rethink what she plants next year. SNAP customers, many of whom seek produce specific to Hmong cuisine, contribute 25% to 30% of their income every month. … A second program cut this spring is also affecting small family farms in Minnesota. In March, the USDA cancelled $18 million in funding for food assistance programs [that] are used by food banks and schools to buy fresh produce from local farmers.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/41GIpTh
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)
ENERGY: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Minnesota utility regulators have approved the state’s first stand-alone energy storage project, an important milestone in Minnesota’s effort to transition to producing completely carbon-free electricity. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved a site permit for the 150-megawatt Snowshoe Energy Storage Project, which will be built on an 18-acre site west of Rochester, near the town of Byron. The batteries will store excess electricity produced by nearby solar and wind farms, and then discharge the power in times of high demand. … [This] is the first-stand alone battery system to be built in the state that will be connected directly to the electric grid.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4oFz6wX
E-BIKES: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Legions of Minnesotans are hopping on two-wheel electric-powered vehicles to get to class, to work, run errands, go out to eat, or just for recreation. Last year, riders in Minneapolis made more than 1.25 million trips on what is known as microtransit, the most since 2019. And the city is on track to smash that mark this year. … St. Paul has seen big numbers, too. Riders took 327,247 rides on the devices last year. That was down slightly from 2023, when the city recorded 328,926 trips, but some of that drop was attributed to one operator closing up shop. … With an average of 5,100 trips made on a e-bike or scooter each day in Minneapolis, the rise in usage mirrors what is happening in other North American cities.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/45DUKZA
SUMMER SAVINGS: Via Xcel Energy, VERBATIM: “Home cooling can account for about half of your summertime electric bill. Here are five simple, effective ways to boost energy efficiency in your home and save money.”
Ceiling fans cool you, not the room: Ceiling fans don’t actually lower the temperature, but they make you feel cooler. Set your fan to spin counterclockwise in the summer to create a wind-chill effect.
When away, adjust your thermostat: During the summer months, you can save up to 3% on your energy bill for every degree you raise your thermostat.
Hot air belongs outside: Air leaks around windows and doors can let hot air in and cool air out. Sealing these gaps with weatherstripping or caulk is a low-cost DIY project that can make a big difference in your cooling efficiency.
Cook smarter to stay cooler: Using your oven or stove during the hottest parts of the day can heat up your home and make your AC work harder. Instead, try grilling outdoors, using a microwave or preparing no-cook meals.
Let nature dry your clothes—plus, your chores can wait until evening: Air drying your clothes or adding tennis balls to your dryer can help clothes dry faster and save energy. Running your dishwasher, laundry machines or other large appliances during cooler evening hours can reduce strain on the grid and helps keep your home cooler during the day.
(SPONSORED: Xcel Energy)
MEDIA: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Public Radio and American Public Media laid off 30 employees Friday following federal and state budget cuts. American Public Media Group [is] the nonprofit parent company of Minnesota Public Radio. … MPR [said] the newsroom was shielded from the cuts, but that they would impact the APM Research Lab staff, which works on demographic analyses, surveys, and data journalism. Also included in the cuts [are] YourClassical, The Current, information technology and a division distributing national programs to other public radio stations. The staff reductions include employees in Minnesota and nationwide.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4lwklcS
NONPROFITS: via a Rep. Betty McCollum press release, VERBATIM: “Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) and Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (R-PA) introduced a bipartisan resolution on Friday to designate August 17th as National Nonprofit Day, recognizing the 1.3 million nonprofit organizations and 12 million nonprofit employees in the U.S. who serve local, national, and international needs.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/45y7PUs
MPLS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A church and nonprofit run by a prominent north Minneapolis pastor who made threatening statements toward the Minneapolis City Council in February could get two new city contract extensions to do community work. The council will decide in the coming weeks whether to award the contracts to entities associated with the Rev. Jerry McAfee, despite some members’ concerns about his past statements. … Asked this week about the new contracts, McAfee said they’re renewals of existing contracts and different from the anti-violence contract held up by the city earlier this year.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3Jq5pjf
ST PAUL: via WCCO Radio, VERBATIM: “The St. Paul school district is looking to hire more than one hundred people ahead of the start of the school year. There is a particular need right now for paraprofessionals, which are support staff who assist teachers in various tasks, including providing instructional and behavioral support to students.” READ/LISTEN: http://fluence-media.co/4fMbhQc
DULUTH: via Duluth News Tribune, VERBATIM: “Duluth summer tourism is experiencing a lull as the loss of Canadian travelers and smoke from wildfires are negatively impacting the hospitality, food and beverage and attractions industries. But the city fared well in comparison to statewide and national trends, community leaders said during Visit Duluth’s summer tourism update. … ‘The national numbers are a little bit challenging, but we continue to punch above our weight here in Duluth,’ Mayor Roger Reinert said in a video played during the event. Reinert expressed optimism given the recent rejuvenation of the city’s destination marketing organization, Visit Duluth, which had re-established its board and hired a new leader.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/45ya8a4
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS TO CELEBRATE: Flint Hills Resources and its employees are proud of the company they keep, including many community partners that help make Minnesota a better place to live and learn. Not only is the Pine Bend refinery celebrating 70 years, many of the company’s long-time partnerships have milestones in 2025 — 25 years of the Flint Hills Family Festival in partnership with the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, 25 years with Friends of the Mississippi River to restore critical habitat, 30 years with the Minnesota Zoo, and 40 years with Ducks Unlimited. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3ZfDkjY (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
MORRIS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Hundreds of students began returning to the University of Minnesota Morris’ leafy green campus this week, but far fewer will arrive than in years past. Enrollment at the west-central Minnesota campus has gradually declined by half in just a dozen years, leading some past U leaders to fear it could close. Others are calling for serious intervention. … The Morris campus hit a dire milestone last year when enrollment tumbled to a recent low of 883 full-time students. … Most of the other campuses the University of Minnesota operates statewide have had steady or increasing enrollment recently. The fate of the campus could affect Morris, a city of 5,100 people with strong ties to agriculture.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/45CVJcJ
ROCHESTER: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “Plans for using $7.5 million in federal funds to support Rochester transit services will be reviewed Monday. The Rochester City Council also plans to receive an update on efforts to seek a new contract for services. The federal funds being reviewed include $2 million operating assistance in 2025, $1.6 million for the purchase of three replacement buses and $3.6 million of a transit remodel, along with additional funds for various equipment.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4fHp2Q2
STILLWATER: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Construction of the new $400 million Lakeview Hospital in Stillwater continues this month with foundation work and the installation of tower cranes. … Earth and foundation work will continue this fall, with construction of the building structure to start this winter and run through the fall of 2026. … Community members will have a chance to learn more about the construction timeline and see detailed plans and renderings of the interior of the new hospital during an open house from 5-7 p.m. Thursday.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3HEChnP
From Friday’s Fluence newsletters:
TODAY: via an MAC advisory, VERBATIM: “The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) will close the south parallel runway at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) on Aug. 18 for the second and final phase of runway safety improvements and other airfield projects.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oULHg3
BIOFUEL: via Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association, VERBATIM: “According to data from the Minnesota Department of Commerce, the average prices of regular 87 octane and Unleaded 88 from January to May was $3.01 per gallon and $2.87 per gallon respectively. This resulted in price savings of 14 cents per gallon over the five-month period. With 57.64 million gallons of Unleaded 88 sold from January to May this year, this amounted to savings of $8.08 million at the pump for Minnesota drivers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mBRYf3
TODAY: Gov. Tim Walz will chair a meeting of the Land Exchange Board at 10:00 a.m., meet with Red Lake Nation Chairman Darrell Seki at 10:45 a.m. and meet with leadership from Blue Cross and Blue Shield MN at 11:30 a.m. The latter two events are private, per his public schedule.
TODAY: via 2nd Harvest, VERBATIM: “U.S. Representative Kelly Morrison (MN-03) will join Second Harvest Heartland and local food assistance leaders for a press conference on the future of food insecurity in Minnesota and the Trump Administration’s actions that threaten food assistance for tens of thousands of Minnesotans.” The event is at 2:00 p.m.
TODAY: Via Office of the Sec. of State, Sec. Steve Simon will travel to Dodge, Fillmore, Houston, and Mower counties today to “meet with county officials and local community groups to talk about elections and business services,” per a release.
TOMORROW: The Iron Mining Association of Minnesota announced they’re hosting an event in Chisholm focusing on “the far-reaching impacts of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s Wild Rice Sulfate Standard,” per a release. The event is at 3:30 p.m.
THURSDAY: via MNJRC, VERBATIM: “In light of Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty’s recent announcement that she will not seek a second term, the Minnesota Justice Research Center (MNJRC) is partnering with the Minneapolis NAACP to host a town hall with Moriarty and her office to discuss the future of justice in Hennepin County. Community members are invited to the University of Minnesota Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center (UROC) on Thursday, August 21, 2025 from 6-8 p.m.”
FRIDAY: via Flanagan for Senate, VERBATIM: “Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan announced U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass) will head to Minnesota to support Flanagan’s campaign for U.S. Senate. The two will hold a rally in Minneapolis on August 22nd to share their plans on how to change the status quo in Washington.”
AUG 24-27: The Democratic National Committee will hold a number of meetings in Minneapolis from Sunday, Aug. 24 to Wednesday, Aug. 27, beginning with a welcome reception at the State Fair hosted by DNC Chair Ken Martin at 6:00 p.m. SCHEDULE: http://fluence-media.co/3HcuwFv
AUG 26: Primaries for the upcoming special elections in Senate Districts 29 and 47 will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 26. The winners of these primaries will be on special election ballots Nov. 4.
SEPT 3-4: The Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture is hosting two virtual sessions to gather public input and ideas for the 2026 legislative session. The first is Wednesday, Sept. 3 at 12:00 noon. The second is Thursday, Sept. 4 at 5:00 p.m. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/46W26Kr
Send us your tips at BloisOlson@gmail.com
BDAYS: Bloomberg’s Patricia Lopez, Hubbard’s Dan Seeman, outgoing Met Council Chair Charlie Zelle
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.