Happy Friday, the weather yesterday and today is why we live here.
The Minnesota State Fair announced 70 new beverages for 2025. LIST: http://fluence-media.co/4nWlgGa
USA Today readers named the Mall of America the 2nd best mall in the nation and the best in the Midwest. LIST: http://fluence-media.co/4nWIUSG
CBS announced the cancellation of “The Late Show” days after host Stephen Colbert accused its parent company of taking a “bribe” from the White House. NBC: http://fluence-media.co/455QzH3
Donald Trump has been diagnosed with a minor vein condition that caused swelling in his legs. CBS: http://fluence-media.co/3GWuYHI
On WCCO Radio this morning, GOP candidate for Governor Scott Jensen says that he will go to a primary regardless - and says all candidates should go to a primary.
Sunday Take will feature an interview with Scott Jensen, listen at 9 AM on WCCO Radio.
Have a great weekend.
Blois
TIPS: bloisolson@gmail.com
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
POT: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Zoning ordinances are among the hurdles [that] aspiring cannabis entrepreneurs need to clear while navigating the fledgling industry’s new regulatory landscape at local and state levels. … Under state law, cities and counties can’t opt out of the cannabis industry, but they are afforded tools, zoning included, to restrict where, when and how many cannabis businesses can operate. The most populous cities in Greater Minnesota, from as big as Rochester to as small as Albert Lea, mostly fell in line with each other on cannabis regulations, with few exceptions but much nuance.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4kIyEL6
MORE: Via FOX 9’s Corin Hoggard, Jacob Schlichter of Albert Lea says he has secured the state’s first cannabis retail license with plans to open his shop as soon as possible. TWEETS: http://fluence-media.co/46mCXZf
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
TOMORROW: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The Minneapolis DFL could be on the verge of endorsing a democratic socialist for mayor. On Saturday, more than 1,000 party activists will gather at Target Center to rally, argue and haggle over the party’s symbolic-but-important seal of approval for this fall’s mayoral election. According to insiders, the suspense is whether state Sen. Omar Fateh, a democratic socialist, will win the endorsement, or whether two-term Mayor Jacob Frey will succeed in blocking Fateh, resulting in the party issuing no endorsement. … A candidate must win the support of 60% of delegates in order to be endorsed, [and] the fact that the two-day convention has been squeezed into one makes it less likely anyone will be endorsed for mayor due to time constraints.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4kPT8BQ
MORE: Sahan Journal has a profile on six Minneapolis mayoral candidates, including interviews about their policy positions on housing, immigration and more. READ: http://fluence-media.co/3UhanRx
WALZ: Gov. Tim Walz spoke with WCCO Radio about his political future, Scott Jensen’s second campaign for governor, partisan divides, special sessions, state fraud issues and more. QUOTE: “I congratulate Scott [Jensen]. … But I will just say that Melissa and Mark [Hortman]'s murder kind of slowed things down around here. Obviously, a lot of people are reassessing — myself included — on [reelection]. … We've got a president that is not interested in uniting…[but] I still am. I believe [rural] areas matter, and I believe you go and serve them whether they vote for you or not. … What’s yet to be seen is, am I the best person to do that or not?” READ/LISTEN: http://fluence-media.co/4nWjAfQ
SMITH: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “U.S. Sen. Tina Smith said she experienced sensations reminiscent of a heart attack on Wednesday morning, leading to an overnight stay at a District of Columbia hospital. … Her health scare left her unable to vote on the Rescission Act, which the Senate approved along mostly party lines overnight Wednesday. … She was released on Thursday. ‘The good news is that I got a clean bill of health,’ Smith said. She added that the experience reminded her of what she’s heard before from doctors: that women experience heart disease distress like men, but sometimes forgo getting medical attention.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/44Y5d1P
MITCHELL: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Minnesota DFL state Sen. Nicole Mitchell of Woodbury testified in her own defense in her felony burglary trial Thursday, claiming the sole reason she broke into her stepmother’s home last year was out of concern for her mental health and well-being as she struggles with Alzheimer’s. … When the prosecution finally got a chance to cross-examine Mitchell, they pointed out that in the more than 37 minutes after her arrest, when she was with police wearing body cameras, she said four times she was there to get some of her dad’s things because [her stepmother] wouldn’t talk to her. … Closing arguments are expected Friday morning.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/3It6MgO
MORE: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Sen. Nicole Mitchell…admitted to lying to the police [at her arrest] about her intentions — she told them she went to her stepmother’s Detroit Lakes home to get a few of her father’s things — but only to refrain from exacerbating her stepmother’s Alzheimer’s-related paranoia, including about being put in a facility against her will. … ‘I created this entire situation, so the only person I have to blame here is myself,’ Mitchell acknowledged.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4m1KK39
TAKE: Closing arguments are likely to happen today, and after watching most of Sen. Nicole Mitchell’s testimony yesterday there is clearly an attempt by the defense to draw sympathy from a jury. The challenge is that as a Senator her judgement should forever be challenged. If somehow, she is acquitted, and chooses to run for re-election, the voters of her district will have a clear choice. Finally, her colleagues, especially DFLers should be the first to call for her immediate resignation if convicted. The keeping a one-seat majority was the only reason they wanted her to stay in office, and that is sad statement on partisan loyalty over public service.
CD2: via MPR, VERBATIM: “State Sen. Matt Klein had a fundraising edge in the second quarter compared to another Democrat running in the 2nd Congressional District. Klein reported raising $214,274 during the three-month period and had nearly $189,000 cash on hand. … Former state Sen. Matt Little is also vying for the seat, and raised $191,400 during the second quarter. [However], a raw committee filing report showed Little had the advantage when it comes to cash on hand [at] $252,106.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/46gGrfN
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 MPR, VERBATIM: “Minnesota lawmakers are pressing for the passage of legislation creating an Office of the Inspector General following reports of potential fraud and forgery in a state housing stabilization program. … Sen. Michael Kreun, a Blaine Republican, called on fellow lawmakers to create an independent inspector general to flag and prevent potential misuse of state dollars.” KREUN: “We must do more across every agency and department to prevent fraud before it starts. Accountability starts at the top, and these headlines will keep coming until Governor [Tim] Walz ends his opposition to the bipartisan proposal for an independent Office of Inspector General.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/46gGrfN
MORE: Rep. Kristin Robbins (R-37A), head of the fraud prevention committee in the Minnesota House, spoke to KSTP-TV and WCCO Radio about the latest fraud investigations in the state’s housing stabilization program and what preventive measures she wants to see in the future. ROBBINS: “I really feel like we’re just beginning to understand the business model of fraud and understand the nexus of all these programs. I think we’re going to need to take drastic steps. … Maybe we need to embed someone from the OLA’s office in DHS and make sure we’re really cleaning up the internal controls over there.” KSTP: http://fluence-media.co/3UnSZuk WCCO: http://fluence-media.co/4kPSILM
From yesterday’s lunch take:
JOBS: via a DEED press release, VERBATIM: “Minnesota lost 800 jobs in June, effectively flat, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.3%. More than 2,100 Minnesotans joined the labor force – continuing the state's strong streak of labor force gains in 10 out of the last 12 months – and the labor force participation rate was also unchanged at 68.2%. Both figures continue to compare favorably to the United States as a whole: the nation's unemployment rate is 4.1% and the labor force participation rate is 62.3%.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4f5sH9V
GOV RACE: via Forum News Service, VERBATIM: “Republican Scott Jensen officially announced his candidacy for governor in 2026 on Thursday, July 17. Jensen, a family physician and former state senator, unsuccessfully ran against Gov. Tim Walz in 2022 when he took 44% of the vote. He is the second high-profile Republican to announce a bid for the governorship in 2026, alongside Republican Kendall Qualls, who also ran in 2022.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3IxaiXs WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3TLrBqc
CRAIG: Rep. Angie Craig discussed her Senate campaign yesterday on WCCO Radio. CRAIG: “We’re seeing a lot of the folks in Minnesota — the donor community as well as the grassroots community — say, look, we know that Minnesota’s becoming a little more red every single cycle. We’ve had a couple of statewide races four years ago that were close. And we want to make sure the strongest general election candidate is at the finish line to make sure that we don’t lose this senate seat.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/40oQ48t
MANUFACTURING: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Minnesota manufacturers posted job losses in June, mirroring a national decline in the industry [amid] President Donald Trump’s trade war. … Manufacturing lost more jobs than any other sector last month, [with] a 0.5% month-over-month decline of 1,700 jobs. … VARILEK: ‘Manufacturing is a space that is very sensitive to tariff impacts, both in terms of final goods that Minnesota companies are seeking to sell but also supply chain disruptions,’ [said] Matt Varilek, commissioner of Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/46ijybU
WORKERS COMP: via a DLI press release, VERBATIM: “Workers’ compensation claim rates and benefits paid in Minnesota continue to be stable or follow their long-term downward trajectories, a new Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) report shows. The 2025 Minnesota Workers’ Compensation System Report presents trend data from 2003 to the present regarding several aspects of Minnesota’s workers’ compensation system. … The estimated total cost of Minnesota’s workers’ compensation system was $1.80 billion for 2023, or $0.91 per $100 of payroll, indicating a decrease of 45% over 20 years.” REPORT: http://fluence-media.co/4nPQsqp
JAIL MEDS: via Forum News Service, VERBATIM: “The state of Minnesota responded [this week] to a lawsuit challenging a new state law that requires jails to continue inmates’ medications taken before incarceration. The memorandum filed by the state [said] the lawsuit — brought by county sheriffs and several medical providers — is based on hypotheticals, and asks the court to deny the temporary injunction plaintiffs are seeking. … Sheriffs and medical professionals claim the new law will ‘prove to be problematic, if not impossible’ to implement. … A virtual hearing is scheduled for July 27.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/40qAedl
EDUCATION: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “The first day of school is about six weeks away, and school districts in Minnesota and across the nation are scrambling to figure out how to go forward without…$6.8 billion in education funding that was due to be disbursed on July 1. … Minnesota Education Commissioner Willie Jett joined MPR [to] share how the department is navigating the uncertainty and what it’s hearing from teachers and families.” JETT: “It's hard to tell school districts anything of certainty. We have contacted the federal department. We have sent emails. We have tried to be in contact to try to understand when and where and how the funds are going to come in. … [And] what have we heard from the federal government? To be frank, not much.” READ/LISTEN: http://fluence-media.co/44FI4T6
MEDIA: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Local public media outlets are bracing for a potential $1.1 billion cut over two years for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which has earmarked more than $17 million for 16 Minnesota organizations, both large and small. The St. Paul-based Minnesota Public Radio anticipates the cuts [will] dismantle the public media system as we know it, said Megan Ryan, communications director for MPR. … Minneapolis jazz station KBEM, aka JAZZ88, was granted more than $122,000 from CPB in fiscal year 2024. Station manager Johnny Lee Walker said that’s about a tenth of the organization’s budget.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3TLeG7u
MORE: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The end arrived this week for three local newspapers in rural southwest Minnesota. The Fulda Free Press and Murray County News, the Nobles County Review and the Murray County Advantage issued their final editions this week, ending more than 140 years of coverage in the region. … A statement from Johnson Publishing cited the high costs of printing and postage, lower numbers of subscribers and advertisers and increased demands for digital over print production.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4kMs3PM
CRYPTO: via a Rep. Tom Emmer press release, VERBATIM: “Today, the House of Representatives considered and passed Congressman and Majority Whip Tom Emmer’s flagship legislation, the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act. In a vote of 219-210, the House of Representatives passed Emmer’s bill, which prohibits the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency (CBDC) and codifies President Donald Trump’s Executive Order to forbid federal agencies from exploring their development.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4lZMEB8
EPA: via a Rep. Brad Finstad press release, VERBATIM: “Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01), member of the House Committee on Agriculture and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture, sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin and Regional Administrator Anne Vogel requesting the agency rescind an April 2023 petition by environmental activists related to elevated nitrates in eight Minnesota counties throughout the Karst Region. In the letter, Congressman Finstad requested EPA immediately rescind its acceptance of the April 2023 petition and withdraw the resulting November 2023 letter to state agencies in Minnesota.” LETTER: http://fluence-media.co/4lET3lC
SMALL BIZ: via a Rep. Kelly Morrison press release, VERBATIM: “Today, U.S. Representative Kelly Morrison (MN-03) introduced the SBIR/STTR Application Assistance Act, which will encourage more small businesses to engage in research and development that supports American innovation, scientific achievement, and entrepreneurship. … Morrison’s bill will make it easier for small businesses to apply and make sure even more small businesses have access to these funds, especially small businesses that are owned and operated in underserved areas, such as rural communities.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/40skVAR
MEDICAID: via a Rep. Angie Craig press release, VERBATIM: “Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig joined Protect Our Care Minnesota for a virtual press conference to discuss Congressional Republicans’ recent vote to advance the deepest cuts to health care in American history. … During the event, Rep. Craig emphasized the devastating impacts that Republican Medicaid cuts will have on everyday Minnesotans and recommitted to working with state and local officials to ensure that Minnesotans can continue to access quality health care.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4lsIzFQ WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/3IPYwr3
MOVE: State Sen. Michael Kreun (R-32) has joined the law firm LeVander, Gillen & Miller as “an attorney in the firm’s real estate litigation and commercial litigation practice groups,” per a release.
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)
AX MURDERER: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “A 53-year-old man who, as a teen, committed one of the most heinous crimes ever seen in Rochester will be transitioned from a state prison to a halfway house for work release later this month. David Brom, then a 16-year-old high school sophomore, took an ax in the middle of the night and killed his parents, his 13-year-old sister and 11-year-old brother. … Brom was convicted and sentenced to three life sentences in 1989, [but] he will be released July 29. … Under Minnesota guidelines put in place in 2023, Brom is now eligible for monitored release [and] will be moved to a Twin Cities halfway house where he will remain in state custody and be monitored.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4lzmtRZ
RESPONSE: via a Speaker Lisa Demuth statement, DEMUTH: “The early release of convicted ax murderer David Brom is an unacceptable consequence of the new law passed by Democrats last biennium [that] allows the early release of violent offenders and makes our communities less safe. Now, even a man convicted of brutally murdering his entire family is allowed to go free after just 35 years. … Some crimes are so horrific that real accountability – serving his entire sentence – should be the only option.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3Izgez2
ST PAUL: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “A referendum to boost operating funds will go to voters in November as the St. Paul school district aims to head off what they say would be $37 million in budget cuts. The St. Paul school board unanimously approved ballot language [that] will ask voters to increase the district’s general revenue by $1,073 per pupil for 10 years, beginning with taxes payable in 2026. The result will cost the average St. Paul homeowner — with the median home valued at $289,200 — $309 per year or $26 per month. The 10-year tax is subject to increase with inflation.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3TPm8P0
PRIOR LAKE: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “The City of Prior Lake will let voters decide if they want to put $60 million toward improvements for the city’s parks and trails. The initiative will be on the November ballot, after three years of input from the community. The city reports that most of its parks and amenities are about 25 years old. … Mayor Kirt Briggs said the upgrades are centered around accessibility and safety. … The median household in Prior Lake would pay $22 [extra] per month if the referendum is approved.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/3TMae8E
ROCHESTER: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “Work on dredging Silver Lake and replacing its dam is expected to start in November. … If approved, the planned dredging project is expected to take five months, temporarily lowering the lake level to remove sediment from the main channel through the lake and offering time to start work on rock arch rapids and wave pools that will replace the existing dam. … Early estimates put the cost of dredging at $5.2 million, using flood control funds. The new dam structure is estimated at $4 million, with some added costs for a trail connection.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3Ul3ezC
RICE LAKE: via Duluth News Tribune, VERBATIM: “The [Rice Lake] City Council appointed councilor Jayme Heim as temporary mayor. … Suzanne Herstad resigned from her position as mayor July 7. Heim will hold the position until residents vote for a new mayor at a special election. … The change creates a vacancy for Heim’s council seat. The council will appoint someone to fill the position, which runs through Dec. 31, 2026, as no special election is required for the office.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4nPWlE1
TODAY: Governor Tim Walz has no public events scheduled.
TODAY: via news advisory, VERBATIM: “At the 44th National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Minneapolis this week, Target is partnering with Paralyzed Veterans of America athletes to gain feedback on a range of products including innovations in adaptive clothing for people with disabilities. Target will be featuring its line of disability inclusive clothing during the Games this week.”
TOMORROW: 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.
MONDAY: 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.
WEDNESDAY: 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 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: Fox 9’s Paul Blume, activist Javier Morillo-Alicea, Star Tribune’s Laura McCallum, lobbyist Kerri Gordon, Rep. Zack Stephenson, GOP staffer Margaret Martin. SAT: fmr. MN First Lady Susan Carlson, professor Kathryn Pearson, Sen. Michael Kreun. SUN: lobbyist Tara Erickson, Star Tribune’s Chris Riemenschneider, attorney Jim Yarosh
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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