Twins lose. Lynx lose.
Gophers play Northwestern State in Louisiana tomorrow.
Vikings play Monday.
The Vikings have the worst draft retention rate in the NFL at 32%. The league’s average retention is 55%. AP: http://fluence-media.co/4p2Qdc9
Two major highway closures on I-94 and I-494 will hit the Twin Cities this weekend. BMTN: http://fluence-media.co/4g8U7fq
U.S. companies announced 1,494 new jobs last month, the lowest total recorded for August since 2009. BLOOMBERG: https://fluence-media.co/3JNr2KH
The DOJ’s deputy chief was recorded saying the government will “redact every Republican” from the Jeffrey Epstein files if they’re released. AXIOS: http://fluence-media.co/426qcyQ
At 9AM on Sunday Take, Sen. Steve Cwodzinksi and Rep. Jeff Witte will discuss school safety, gun policy and how their experience repectively as a teacher and a police officer shapes their legislative approach. Tune-in on WCCO Radio.
Blois - tips: bloisolson@gmail.com
Sunday Take featured Republicans Kendall Qualls and Rep. Kristin Robbins discussing their campaigns for governor at the State Fair. LISTEN: http://fluence-media.co/4g3PEuv
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WALKOUT: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “Students across the Twin Cities metro are planning to take part in a nationwide school walkout on Friday pushing for changes to gun regulations. Students Demand Action is calling for a nationwide walkout at schools across the country on Friday at noon. … The call for action directly cites the shooting at Annunciation as the inspiration for the effort. … Students will walk out to demand lawmakers at the state and federal level pass a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/4p60Zyi
FLANAGAN: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “An Illinois man has been charged with threatening Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan after she posted on Twitter/X about the mass shooting at Annunciation Church. Caden J. Sluder, 22, faces one count of threats of violence. … Flanagan made several posts on social media offering condolences to the Annunciation community and thanking first responders. After those posts were made, an account responded to Flanagan’s posts several times, calling for her to be killed. … Sluder told investigators he had no intention of traveling to Minnesota to harm Flanagan and that he was just ‘making a joke.’” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/4mKzbxV
TAKE: The Lt. Governor and other executive branch officials deserve a state paid for security detail if there are threats or concerns for safety. Protecting public officials is as critical to our democracy as secure elections.
APPEAL: via news release from the Minneapolis DFL, VERBATIM: “After careful review of the CRBC’s justifications for their decision, the Minneapolis DFL has filed an appeal with the DFL State Executive Committee (SEC), seeking to restore the results of the convention, and to respect the will of the delegates…In assessing the challenges to the 2025 Minneapolis DFL convention, both the CRBC’s conduct and its decision are deeply flawed. Before issuing their decision, the committee retained several members with profound conflicts of interest during both the hearing and in deliberations. These conflicted members irreparably tainted the process — both the hearing itself and the committee’s closed-door deliberations. The committee disregarded its own procedures and its own consolidation of challenges: their report introduces easily disproven “facts” not raised for review in the hearing, and resurrects inaccurate claims from challenges which they had excluded before the hearing. Moreover the decision heralds future interference with the resolutions adopted by delegates this summer, and with potential endorsements in the 2026 School Board elections.” APPEAL: https://fluence-media.co/3V4qVwF
WALZ: via MPR, VERBATIM: “Republicans are calling out Gov. Tim Walz over comments the DFLer made over the weekend regarding rumors that President Donald Trump was in dire shape or had died. In a video widely shared on social media, Walz said, ‘You wake up in the morning and you doomscroll through things, although the last few days you woke up thinking there might be news. Just saying, just saying there will be news sometime.’ Several GOP lawmakers and candidates said the comment alluded to Trump. … QUALLS: ‘Tim Walz’s behavior is unacceptable for a governor,’ Republican gubernatorial candidate Kendall Qualls said. ‘Strong leaders don’t wish for their opponents death in front of a cheering crowd.’” READ: http://fluence-media.co/41C8X8v
SPECIAL SESSION: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “If anyone wants Gov. Tim Walz to call a special legislative session to take on gun violence, you’d think it would be Sen. Ron Latz. The St. Louis Park DFLer chairs the Minnesota Senate’s Judiciary and Public Safety Committee. … But while Walz is preaching urgency, Latz is practicing patience, [saying] he wants to form a ‘working group’ on gun violence prevention efforts. … Republicans hold a majority in the House, [and] this puts DFLers in a spot. Either quietly walk back the special session idea [or] hold a special session in which none of their legislative priorities are passed. MARTY: ‘I’m not sure if the governor will or should call a special session,’ said Sen. John Marty, DFL-Roseville, [who] said simply holding hearings on gun control bills, and not taking votes, would be a sufficient first step.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3VFamaF
From yesterday’s lunch take…SCHOOL SAFETY: Via Minnesota House GOP, VERBATIM: “House Republicans released their school safety agenda today, including provisions to protect students as they learn, provide mental health care to those who need it, and to hold violent criminals accountable. House Speaker Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, and House GOP Leader Harry Niska, R-Ramsey, released the following statement.” DEMUTH: "Minnesotans deserve real solutions that will meaningfully protect students and actually reduce gun violence. The policies we are proposing will protect students, provide desperately needed mental health care, and hold criminals who commit the vast majority of gun violence accountable." NISKA: "I hope Democrats will join us in supporting these common-sense reforms if the Governor calls a special session." READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mJUbop
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ANNUNCIATION: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s U.S. senators gave speeches on the floor of the U.S. Senate in honor of the victims of the Annunciation Church shooting and urging their colleagues to take action. Sen. Amy Klobuchar noted one of her former staffers, Kate Nilan, had three children in the church at the time of the shooting.” … KLOBUCHAR: “We cannot rest when gun violence remains the leading cause of death of kids and teenagers. … Let’s honor the lives of these precious kids we lost by taking action to stop senseless acts of gun violence — by praying, yes, but also by praying for action.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/3I1DmGC
MORE: GOP Rep. Tom Emmer spoke to conservative outlet Blaze News about his reaction to the Annunciation Church shooting and why he thinks Gov. Tim Walz’s support for transgender healthcare is contributing to violence. EMMER: “The trans community, God bless them for the challenges they already have, but the suicide in that community is well above the national average. Why aren't we talking about that? … [The shooter] was screaming for help. There were warnings all along the way. … There's something wrong with Tim Walz. Somebody should have his head examined.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/46mqO5Y
RFK JR: via CNN, VERBATIM: “During a [U.S. Senate] hearing, Democratic Sen. Tina Smith of Minnesota criticized US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for comments ‘blaming school shootings on antidepressants’ in an interview following a shooting at Annunciation Catholic School. … Smith said Kennedy blamed school shootings on antidepressants despite there being no evidence of a link. Kennedy denied saying it, alleging that Smith ‘twisted’ his comments. Kennedy [previously] told Fox News that federal health officials are ‘launching studies on the potential contribution of some of the SSRI drugs and some of the other psychiatric drugs that might be contributing to violence.’” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/4817nRm
RESIGNATION: DFL Rep. Angie Craig announced that she is sending a letter to Health Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. today formally urging him to resign from his position following his U.S. Senate testimony on Thursday. CRAIG: “Your wildly uninformed testimony before the Senate Finance Committee yesterday shows just how little you know about what is going on inside of your own agency. … Last week, after an unspeakable tragedy occurred in our state at Annunciation Catholic Church, you used your platform to peddle unsubstantiated claims that antidepressants and psychiatric drugs ‘might be contributing to violence.’ It was baseless, it was cruel, and it was beneath your station to spread that kind of disinformation.” LETTER: https://fluence-media.co/4mY50U7
MORE: DFL Rep. Kelly Morrison also called for Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to resign, joining on to a letter and press conference from the Democratic Doctors Caucus. MORRISON: “I join my colleagues in calling for RFK Jr.’s immediate resignation. I stand here again with the members of the Democratic Doctors Caucus, 6 months after we voiced our warning about, and opposition to, his nomination to lead HHS. Our worst fears are now being realized. There needs to be a point at which we all stop and say: this is unequivocally disqualifying.” LETTER: http://fluence-media.co/3JMH1IL WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/45Oy5eB
HEALTHCARE: State Sen. Matt Klein (D-Mendota Heights) announced that he will respond to Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s actions at the Dept. of Health and Human Services by introducing new healthcare legislation next year, adding that Kennedy “has to go.” VERBATIM: “In the 2026 Legislative Session, Sen. Klein will introduce legislation that: ensures pharmacists can legally administer covid vaccines to all patients; mandates coverage for vaccines in private health care plans; [and] establishes a Minnesota Science Based Health Care Commission to ensure evidence-based recommendations are available to residents of our state.”
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)
DFL BOOTH: via an MN DFL press release, VERBATIM: “The DFL state fair booth generated over $238,000 in merchandise sales, marking the second-highest total in party history and breaking the record for non-election year sales by over $70,000. … Through the support of those 10,000 visitors, the DFL booth had to restock its ‘Only You Can Fight Fascism’ shirts four times and sold more than 1,000 ‘Books Not Bullets’ buttons.”
AUDITOR: State Auditor Julie Blaha is not seeking re-election, as seen in yesterday’s morning take. Via Axios Twin Cities, Tonka Bay Mayor Adam Jennings said he is considering a run for the state auditor office, as is GOP Rep. Elliott Engen. Duluth City Councilor Zack Filipovich and 2022 auditor candidate Ryan Wilson are also seen as potential office seekers. READ: http://fluence-media.co/4g68VeR
ICYMI: Yesterday’s lunch take reported that Rep. Dan Wolgamott and former Fergus Falls Mayor Ben Schierer both announced campaigns for Minnesota State Auditor in 2026. SEE: http://fluence-media.co/4m54gvg
FEED FRAUD: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “A woman has been charged in a ten-count federal indictment for her alleged role in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme, the largest COVID-19-related fraud case in the country, according to an announcement by Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. … [The suspect] faces three counts of wire fraud, four counts of federal program bribery, and three counts of money laundering.” THOMPSON: “With the 75th defendant charged in the Feeding Our Future scandal, the message could not be clearer. … If you touched these frauds in any way, pick up the phone and call the FBI today. You will still be held accountable, but it will be far better for you than if you wait until we come knocking.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/45NxLNc
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.
1. Ceiling fans cool you, not the room.
2. When away, adjust your thermostat.
3. Hot air belongs outside.
4. Cook smarter to stay cooler.
5. Let nature dry your clothes — plus, your chores can wait until evening.”
(SPONSORED: Xcel Energy)
UMN: DFL Sen. Omar Fateh released a statement condemning the University of Minnesota for hosting “a recruitment webinar for Customs and Border Protection” on campus. FATEH: “The U should not be assisting in the cruelty of this government’s federal immigration policy. The federal government has weaponized immigration enforcement agencies on college campuses to unlawfully surveil and abduct students. … To myself and many others, this is a tacit endorsement of the fear and pain these agencies are visiting upon our community.”
MINING: via Duluth News Tribune, VERBATIM: “Hundreds of miners, Iron Range residents and environmentalists gathered at the Iron Trail Motors Event Center on Wednesday evening to address the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency directly on a pair of draft water permits that, if finalized, would limit the amount of sulfate at U.S. Steel’s Keetac iron ore mine and tailings basin in Keewatin. … Miners say the rule — on the books since 1973 but not enforced — is too stringent and expensive to achieve and would threaten thousands of mining jobs and the region’s economy. … Environmental groups and Indigenous tribes say the health of wild rice [is] at stake.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4nfh3MA
AG TRAINING: via a Rep. Brad Finstad press release, VERBATIM: “Today, Representatives Brad Finstad (MN-01) and [others] introduced the bipartisan Agriculture Skills Preparation for Industry Recruitment Efforts (ASPIRE) Act. Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senator Tina Smith (D-MN). The ASPIRE ACT: establishes an agriculture workforce training program within the USDA…provides resources for eligible schools to grow the agricultural industry, boost competitiveness, and strengthen workforce training and retention; and supports apprenticeships, internships, and partnerships with local agriculture businesses.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/46lUDDA
WEATHER: via an MDA press release, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is expanding the Minnesota Ag Weather Network (MAWN) with a new weather station just west of Viking. The station, called Viking 1SW, will deliver localized weather data to farmers in Marshall and Pennington counties — areas that have until now fallen outside the network’s reach. Another station near Fosston in Polk County is slated to go online later this month, bringing the total number of weather stations operated by MDA and its local partners to 58 across the state.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4lY0T9e
VOYAGEURS: via Duluth News Tribune, VERBATIM: “With only three of the seven law enforcement positions at Voyageurs National Park filled, the park limited law enforcement and emergency services to just four days per week this summer. … [Nationwide], approximately one-fifth of the 433 Park Service sites are experiencing staff shortages. … Other staffing issues at [Voyageurs] included a reduction in custodial and maintenance services, like the pumping of vault toilets, at 150 boat-in camp sites and a reduction in monitoring wildlife and aquatic resources.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4m1ZdLU
ST PAUL: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “St. Paul property owners would see a 5.3 percent increase on their city taxes in 2026 in a budget proposed Thursday by Mayor Melvin Carter. The $887 million budget proposal includes that increase toward the city’s $232.5 million property tax levy. … The budget freezes hiring for some open positions, cuts some hours for park centers and uses funding to help address a housing shortage in the city. … The budget proposal adds $1 million to a city opioid response program. … Carter also says the city will launch a new permitting and licensing system in hopes of speeding that process up for residents and businesses. … The proposed budget still needs to be approved by the City Council.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4m3VkpX
MORE: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “As he gave his budget address Thursday from Allianz Field, [Melvin] Carter said keeping the levy as low as possible was a key goal. The increase represents about $107 a year or $9 a month on a median-value home, according to the mayor. … Carter described the budget as one of the most challenging since he took office in 2018.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/47pvRUh
RESPONSE: via a DFL Rep. Kaohly Her statement, HER: “Our city needs investment in our communities to get development moving again, funds for our first-responders whose budgets are stretched to the limit, and support for building more housing so we can expand our tax base. … I am glad the mayor is listening to the conversation we started and recognizing some of the most important issues facing our city, but I am concerned about some of the cuts he is proposing.”
MPLS: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “More than five years since the murder of George Floyd, a permanent memorial at the site at 38th and Chicago is still in limbo. The city says it’s spent more than $3 million on the planning process. Now, many are left with questions about what comes next. … Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey’s office says the city has spent $3.41 million on planning, dedicated 19,100 staff hours, and had over 25,000 community interactions to determine how to utilize this space. … The Minneapolis City Council is pushing for a pedestrian mall, even overriding a mayor’s veto. This would shut down a portion of the road, but Minnesota state law prevents it if more than 50% of adjacent property owners object to the plan.” FREY: “My ask for the council is no more delays. … We have to be watching out for people’s tax dollars.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/3HSAdJb
UNDISTURBED LAND: One of the largest undisturbed natural areas in the Twin Cities metro area is the Pine Bend Bluffs in Dakota County. Situated along the Mississippi River, these hundreds of acres owned by Flint Hills Resources are a key migration corridor for millions of songbirds and 40% of North America’s waterfowl and shorebirds. Collaboration among Friends of the Mississippi River, Great River Greening and Flint Hills Resources volunteers help to restore this natural area to pre-settlement conditions. The Pine Bend Bluffs has earned Wildlife Habitat Council Conservation Certification since 2001. The site recently earned gold certification, making the Pine Bend Bluffs currently the only gold certified site in Minnesota and the first ever in the metro area. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4241cZ2 (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
ROCHESTER: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “Rochester Catholic Schools were in a ‘precautionary secure mode’ following a ‘concerning phone call’ made to at least two of its schools on Thursday. … RCS ‘confirmed that all locations are safe,’ [but] school was dismissed early. … Rochester Police Department Capt. Jean Valere, speaking to media, said the Catholic school system's main office received the first call, communicating a bomb threat. A second call followed a few minutes later to Holy Spirit Catholic School. In a statement Thursday afternoon, RPD said law enforcement ‘quickly determined there were no credible threats in the area.’” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3V3MIod
BLOOMINGTON: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “More than 300 employees are facing layoffs as Centrex Rehab, a senior rehabilitation provider, shutters in Bloomington. Centrex is dissolving operations and laying off 311 employees amid the closure of its facility. … The impacted employees aren't represented by a union, but Centrex says it's actively working to identify and secure employment opportunities for the majority of affected staff.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4mLUwHc
BEMIDJI: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “The Bemidji Tenants Union is looking to help renters negotiate rent prices and have basic maintenance in the buildings where they reside. Fifty-eight percent of the city’s residents are designated as renters. Bemidji Tenants Union co-founder Reed Olson said over the past two years about 150 families have lost their housing due to a multitude of factors, including some apartment buildings being closed by the city. … Olson said the Bemidji Tenants Union will function similarly to the ones in St. Paul and Duluth. Currently, it’s operating independently, but will transition into a nonprofit in the future.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/47vlCxO
BLAINE: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Blaine may ban nudity at its city beach and parks in response to the Minnesota Supreme Court ruling that it’s legal for a woman to expose her breasts as long as she is not engaged in sexual activity. Council Member Leslie Larson first proposed the ordinance, saying a couple of residents voiced concerns that the opinion by the state’s high court could lead to women going topless at Lakeside Commons Park in northern Blaine and sully the family-friendly environment. Council members on Wednesday agreed to move forward with considering a ban.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3K7XhnK
TODAY: Governor Tim Walz will attend the Tribal Flag Plaza opening ceremony and convene a Tribal Summit.
TODAY: via a U.S. Senate advisory, VERBATIM: “U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) will hold a press conference highlighting her bipartisan ABLE Employment Flexibility Act. This legislation would allow employers to contribute to an employee’s Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) account – a tax-free savings account for people with disabilities and their families – in lieu of a traditional 401(k) or other defined contribution retirement plan.” The event is at 10:00 a.m. central.
BDAYS: community relations pro Kirstin Sersland, business guy Jimmy Beltz, real estate leader Chris Sherman, fmr. GOP Chair Tony Sutton, communication veteran Megan Ryan, asphalt advocate Abbey Bryduck, pr pro Jenni Bowring, Star Tribune’s Jill Burcum. SAT: CNN’s McKenna Ewen, Greater MSPs Matt Lewis, SUN: soccer scribe Adam Belz, fmr. Mpls Mayor Betsy Hodges, Education advocate Brandon Rettke, Ed MN’s Chris Williams, DC Policy pro Meredith Raimondi, union pro Jennifer Munt
Send us your tips at BloisOlson@gmail.com
BDAYS: lobbyist Brian Bergson, Commissioner Matt Look, lobbyist Molly Pederson, union guy Kyle Makarios, journalist Tom Horgen
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