Twins and Lynx win.
US Olympic officials have banned transgender women athletes. FOX9: https://fluence-media.co/3TWCUvH
Prince’s live concert film “Sign O’ the Times” will be re-released in IMAX this August. BMTN: http://fluence-media.co/3TThWxH
Six Minnesota breweries won medals at the U.S. Open Beer Championship, including four golds. LIST: http://fluence-media.co/4o3EQ34
KARE 11 staff were evacuated yesterday after a transformer caught fire and exploded. SEE: http://fluence-media.co/3TOR7uC
Ozzy Osbourne died at 76, just 17 days after his final concert. CNN: http://fluence-media.co/3IItjpS
Donald Trump has pulled the U.S. out of UNESCO for a second time after Joe Biden rejoined the group two years ago. REUTERS: http://fluence-media.co/4lNbrJg
Tariffs on imports from Japan have been reduced from 25% to 15%. Tariffs are also set to 19% for Indonesia and the Philippines. AXIOS: http://fluence-media.co/419wAEW
Here’s a train to take in Minnesota politics. RIDE: https://fluence-media.co/4lTkp7u
Hot and steamy today on National Vanilla Ice Cream Day.
Blois - tips: bloisolson@gmail.com
Today’s morning take on WCCO Radio with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3IInQiP
Sunday Take featured Scott Jensen discussing his campaign for governor and an analysis of what Sen. Nicole Mitchell’s conviction means for Minnesota politics. PODCAST: http://fluence-media.co/46l8J8P
Sponsorships available – to reach over 25,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheet and website www.TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com
MN SENATE: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Control of the closely divided Minnesota Senate is once again in play as Republicans and Democrats compete for a pair of seats that could shift the partisan balance of the chamber. … [Bruce] Anderson and [Nicole] Mitchell each won their seats by comfortable margins in their last elections, and flipping either would be considered a major upset. Even so, leaders in both parties are pledging to mount serious efforts to do just that. … Republican Party Chair Alex Plechash said he thought Republicans stood a strong chance in Mitchell’s district [after] she was convicted of felony burglary charges. … [However], DFL Party Chair Richard Carlbom said the 2020 redistricting made the seat even stronger for Democrats. … The results of the special elections could offer an early preview of where the electorate is at ahead of the 2026 midterm, when the entire Legislature is on the ballot.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3GZ0Hbl
MORE: via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “Gov. Tim Walz told reporters [this week] that the goal is to have special elections wrapped up before the next legislative session.” WALZ: “The goal would be to do that as timely as possible, give people time to get a campaign together, run, and then have all of that done by February when we come back into session.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/412JswA
SD47: Via Star Tribune, Rep. Ethan Cha (D-47B) confirmed that he intends to run in Senate District 47’s special election. Rep. Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger (D-47A) previously announced that she is running as well. If either of them wins, it will trigger another special election to replace them in the House. READ: http://fluence-media.co/3GZ0Hbl
MORE: Via Axios Twin Cities, Republican Dwight Dorau confirmed that he plans to run for DFL Sen. Nicole Mitchell’s seat in Senate District 47 once she resigns and a special election is called. Dorau unsuccessfully ran for this Senate seat in 2022 and for overlapping House District 47B in 2024, where he lost by nearly 9%. READ: http://fluence-media.co/4nZwLMS
MITCHELL: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “A sentencing date is now set for state Sen. Nicole Mitchell, who was convicted last week on two felony burglary charges. … Becker County Judge Michael D. Fritz will decide Mitchell’s punishment on Sept. 10. … Mitchell faces a maximum of 20 years in prison for the first-degree burglary conviction, but given her lack of prior criminal history, she is likely to receive a far lighter sentence.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/4m7wfe8
34B: The Star Tribune has a profile on the four candidates running in House District 34B for Rep. Melissa Hortman’s seat following her assassination: DFLers Christian Eriksen, Xp Lee and Erickson Saye along with Republican Ruth Bittner. The 34B special election is on Sept. 16 with a primary on Aug. 12. READ: http://fluence-media.co/44V3ZEA
SIGNUP: 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
If you’re interested in sponsoring the Fluence Forum - please email bloisolson@gmail.com
GOV RACE: via MPR, VERBATIM: “Gov. Tim Walz said [this week] he’s now inclined to wait until after the State Fair to announce his reelection intentions. His timeline had once been after the 2025 session. Then came the special session to approve a budget followed by the fatal shooting of House DFL Leader Melissa Hortman. … He said he’s weighing whether to do another stint without her in the Capitol in some form. Once Walz does decide whether to run, one of his first acts will be to choose a new running mate since Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan is running for U.S. Senate instead.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/451QSBx
FRAUD: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota, Joe Thompson, told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS his office has prosecuted half a billion dollars in government fraud over the past couple of years…Thompson also said that when current investigations are prosecuted and finished, the scope of fraud in Minnesota government programs could exceed $1 billion. THOMPSON: “It’s an extraordinary problem, the fraud that’s pervasive in this state,” said Thompson. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3IIXugH
DFL: Via Axios’ Kyle Stokes, former Minneapolis DFL vice chair Mike Norton has filed a complaint against Mayor Jacob Frey in response to Frey’s previous complaint about the city DFL convention’s endorsement process. Frey’s complaint, as seen in yesterday’s morning take, asked the state DFL to throw out the local chapter’s endorsement of Sen. Omar Fateh for mayor. Norton’s new complaint to the state DFL is accusing Frey’s campaign of “an attempt to erode confidence in the endorsement process,” arguing that this is “worthy of censure.” SEE: http://fluence-media.co/4509C4p
CONGRESS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Congress will leave town at the end of this week for their monthlong August recess without taking a vote on a nonbinding resolution that would propel the release of files the federal government has on deceased sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein. House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters Monday that he won't be bringing the resolution from Republicans on the House Rules Committee passed last week for a full vote before lawmakers head out of town. Republican Rep. Michelle Fischbach is the only Minnesotan who sits on that committee and voted on the resolution with the rest of the Republicans on Rules after they had been in the hot seat the whole week over making their positions known on the Epstein files, which is becoming a toxic political issue for the GOP.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3GZr5lo
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)
RMET COUNCIL: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “The chair of the Metropolitan Council is retiring next month, paving the way for a new leader of the organization overseeing Twin Cities transportation and infrastructure. Charlie Zelle was appointed chair of the 17-member Met Council at the beginning of 2020. During his tenure, the 70-year-old has helmed the regional policy-making board through Green Line light-rail extension planning and other Metro Transit challenges. … Zelle's retirement [is] effective Sept. 10. … An interim leader of the Met Council will be identified in the coming months.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4mbkEux
BLUE LINE: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “The Metropolitan Council has new orders from the Minnesota Legislature to study an alternative to the Blue Line Extension — an estimated $3.2 billion project to expand light rail service from Minneapolis to Brooklyn Park. A 5 INVESTIGATES review of the latest state budget revealed the orders for the study, which specifically direct the Met Council to ‘evaluate bus rapid transit as an alternative mode of transit service in the corridor.’ The idea is not a new one, but it is now sparking fresh debate about the controversial project, which has been in the planning stage for more than a decade.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/46UoXG3
TPT: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “TPT, the Twin Cities PBS television station, is laying off an unspecified number of employees because of federal funding cuts. … Their last day will be [today], per a Tuesday email to TPT employees. … The email did not specify the number of employees involved in the staff cuts or how programming would be affected.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/44KyMFo
POT: The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) held a lottery drawing for cannabis retailer licenses yesterday, per a release. VERBATIM: “Seventy-five applicants [were] selected from a pool of 569 businesses. … On August 1, OCM will open a new application window for cannabis event organizers and a second window for cannabis testing facilities, and the office is currently accepting registrations from businesses seeking to sell hemp-derived cannabinoid products. … Between October 1 and October 31, OCM will accept business license applications for three hemp license types: lower-potency hemp edible retailers, lower-potency hemp edible manufacturers, and lower-potency hemp edible wholesalers.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3GVsklI
EDUCATION: The latest statewide education report from Minnesota non-profit EdAllies is available online. Leaders from EdAllies will host a panel Thursday at 11:00 a.m. to share further details. EXCERPT: “With sharp increases in students from historically underserved groups — including a growing multilingual population and 19% of students receiving special education services — Minnesota schools face urgent pressure to evolve. … [But] Minnesota continues to face severe [teacher] shortages, particularly in special education, multilingual instruction, and career and technical education.” REPORT: http://fluence-media.co/45egso6
FINANCIAL AID: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Some college students are waiting to find out whether their grant will decrease this fall after the Legislature plugged a $239 million hole in the budget of Minnesota’s largest financial aid program. Lawmakers took on the deficit in the Minnesota State Grant’s budget during the special session last month. They boosted the program’s funding by $44.5 million over the next two years while also making a series of cuts to the program, which provides funding to low and middle-income students attending any Minnesota college. … Fewer students overall will get the State Grant than would have qualified under previous calculations, officials said, [but] it’s too soon to tell how [this] will affect the average student’s grant.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/40vQh9O
MASCOTS: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “A tribal nation in north-central Minnesota is lending its support to two school districts seeking an exemption to the state ban on American Indian mascots. Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe tribal elected officials unanimously approved exemption requests from Grand Rapids Area Schools and Deer River Schools to keep their mascots. … The requests to Leech Lake from both districts came after state lawmakers passed an amendment to the existing mascot ban that allows districts to seek support from the nearest tribal nation [instead of] all 11 tribal nations in the state.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3TTGE0T
UNIONS: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Earlier this year, President Donald Trump signed an executive order limiting union bargaining rights for hundreds of thousands of federal employees, giving the government the power to hire or fire workers at will…Those who support this move by Trump say it will save taxpayer money and encourage more efficiency, as well as protect national security. RACHLEFF: “By one stroke of a pen in an executive order, he was able to take away the rights of some 700,000 workers. So [the National Labor Relations Act] is still at risk,“ said Peter Rachleff, a labor scholar and retired professor at Macalester College…In Minnesota, union membership is stronger than it is nationally. And, experts say, even more than 90 years later, much of bargaining here still comes down to fair wages and safe working conditions. READ: https://fluence-media.co/46Z140b
FEED FRAUD: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “A 34-year-old Mankato man is the 48th person to be convicted in the massive Feeding Our Future meal fraud case. Asad Abshir pleaded guilty to money laundering for his role in the $250 million dollar scam. He stole about $750,000, and the feds were able to get back most of that money. … Abshir and his brother admitted to running a phony food distribution site in Mankato called Stigma-Free. That’s the nonprofit he and others bought from Minneapolis City Council member Jamal Osman.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/40vU1Io
RESTAURANTS: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Some Minnesota business owners are implementing higher menu prices and credit card fees in response to a price transparency law banning so-called ‘junk fees’ at restaurants. The law went into effect in January of this year and is meant to give consumers a clearer picture of what they’ll pay upfront. … 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS spoke with [six] restaurants in the downtown Minneapolis area who said raising their prices was the only way to offset costs.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/3IGv86E
STRIKE: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Hundreds of clinic workers will return to work Wednesday, after two weeks on strike. Nurses and advanced practice providers at Essentia Health clinics across central and northern Minnesota walked off the job in early July. … They did not reach contract agreements during the strike, but Essentia agreed to add more bargaining dates to the calendar. … Essentia closed four clinics and Solvay Hospice House during the strike. A spokesperson said Tuesday that the company is working to reopen them soon, once staff return to work.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3GFOb0u
(DISCLOSURE: Essentia Health is a client and sponsor of Fluence)
FTC: via a Sen. Amy Klobuchar press release, VERBATIM: “U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) led her colleagues in a letter to Chair of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Andrew N. Ferguson, urging him to reissue and finalize its Negative Option Rule (known as ‘click-to-cancel’) that would make it easier for consumers to unsubscribe from subscriptions.” LETTER: http://fluence-media.co/4eZeOtO
APPRENTICESHIPS: via a Rep. Angie Craig press release, VERBATIM: “Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig (D-MN) reintroduced her bipartisan Supporting Apprenticeship Colleges Act with Rep. Rob Bresnahan (R-PA) to help increase enrollment in registered apprenticeship programs. Craig’s bipartisan legislation would provide grant funding to apprenticeship colleges to expand outreach to potential students and employers, improve academic advising programs and address common barriers to degree completion, like child care access. … Sen. Tina Smith [is] leading companion legislation in the Senate.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3GVxKx4
PRODUCT SAFETY: via a Sen. Amy Klobuchar press release, VERBATIM: “U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) gave the following remarks [on the Consumer Product Safety Commission] at a spotlight forum she hosted titled ‘Buyers Beware: Attacks on Nation’s Product Safety Watchdog Threaten Americans’ Safety.’” KLOBUCHAR: “The first responsibility of government is to protect the people of America, and not only from foreign and domestic threats, but also from…unsafe products. For over 50 years, the CPSC Commissioners have done just that. … We need a strong CPSC [and] we shouldn't be making it partisan.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/41690c8
AG GRANTS: via an MDA press release, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has awarded $1,755,623 in grant funding to 42 Minnesota businesses through [grants] providing funding for Minnesota-based businesses to invest in equipment and physical improvement projects that support expanding production capacity, market diversification, and market access for agricultural products. … Sixteen businesses across the state were awarded a total of $714,010 through the Value-Added Grant program. … An additional 26 businesses received a total of $1,041,613 through the MPEM Grant track.” READ/LIST: http://fluence-media.co/4lJlDCs
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)
MPD: via WCCO Radio, VERBATIM: “Community groups are challenging the Minneapolis Police Department over their choice to promote the officer who shot and killed Amir Locke. The quiet promotion of Officer Mark Hanneman in September of 2022 to sergeant overseeing use-of-force training recently sparked controversy, given the department's ongoing consent decree aimed at cultural reform with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. Some community members gathered Tuesday demanding Hanneman's immediate removal and an explanation for the promotion from Mayor Jacob Frey.” READ/LISTEN: http://fluence-media.co/456S0Uz
RAMSEY CTY: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “The Ramsey County Board voted unanimously to approve $18.4 million for affordable housing projects. County officials say the money will support 29 affordable housing projects, with the goal of creating, preserving and subsidizing more than 1,400 housing units. … The 29 projects include constructing new buildings as well as rehabilitating existing housing, according to the county. The projects will be supported through its 2025 Housing Development Solicitation.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/4fc84sQ
ST PAUL: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “St. Paul’s old St. Joseph’s Hospital campus could be torn down for redevelopment under a non-binding plan approved Tuesday by the St. Paul Port Authority. Since closing the money-losing hospital in 2022, Fairview Health Services has worked with the Port Authority in search of a buyer or redevelopment partner. … The Port Authority now intends to buy the 5.55-acre south portion of the campus for a dollar and borrow $6 million for its demolition.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4eZhgk0
PINE ISLAND: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A Minnesota economic development team convened a meeting in March about a potentially colossal data center on farmland near Rochester. Google was the one tech company invited. It’s the first concrete evidence of Google hunting for a Minnesota data center site. … The project, slated for the small city of Pine Island, is notable for its size. The development would sit on 482 acres and could have a footprint of 3 million square feet. That’s more than four times the size of an $800 million data center under construction by Facebook’s parent company in Rosemount.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/46VTW4F
ROCHESTER: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “Construction of a Link Bus Rapid Transit center near St. Marys Hospital, along with stations along the 2.8-mile route and other infrastructure, added an unexpected $18 million to construction costs. … The Rochester City Council and state Destination Medical Center Corp. board have unanimously approved a $75.3 million contract with Rochester-based Elcor Construction. … While construction contracts for new bus facilities and development of a western transit center came in nearly $2.3 million less than early estimates, the latest contract required a $21.2 million increase to overall project funds.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4lHxxwD
BEMIDJI: via Bemidji Pioneer, VERBATIM: “Minnesota District 2A Rep. Bidal Duran visited the Bemidji City Council [this week] to provide a legislative update during a regular council meeting. Duran spoke about a wide range of topics, first detailing his philosophy and the most recent legislative session. … He then focused on the future, sharing two projects he's working on. Both are in collaboration with local business owners; however, Duran did not share specific details as the projects are still early in development.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/451lbrU
TODAY: The Minnesota Chamber will host Women in Business Minnesota Conference highlighting the powerful role women play in expanding Minnesota’s economic footprint through international business.” The event is at 9:00 a.m. in Minneapolis.
TODAY: Governor Tim Walz has no public events scheduled.
TOMORROW: Minnesota non-profit EdAllies will host a panel Thursday to share further details on its latest statewide education report. The event is at 11:00 a.m. in Minneapolis. DETAILS: http://fluence-media.co/4lSrIwc
MONDAY: Fluence Advisory is hosting a virtual forum on the state of cannabis in Minnesota, featuring an interview with Office of Cannabis Management director Eric Taubel and other industry experts. The event is at 8:00 a.m.
MONDAY: 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.
TUESDAY: via a DCYF advisory, VERBATIM: “The Department of Children, Youth, and Families…is inviting members of the media to attend an upcoming briefing to learn more about program impacts of the recently passed federal budget bill. … Scheduled panelists include Tikki Brown, [DCYF] commissioner.” The virtual event is at 10:00 a.m.
BDAYS: communications guy Kevin Gutknecht, fmr. candidate Dan Feehan, photographer David Strom, fmr. State Rep. Karen Clark
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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