FRIDAY FUN
Twins lose. Lynx win. Tomorrow the Aurora and The Lynx Play.
Campfires are temporarily banned in the Boundary Waters. MPR: https://fluence-media.co/4x9VgeR
Why isn’t Minneapolis hosting World Cup games this summer? A lack of money after the 2018 Super Bowl, insiders say. STRIB: https://fluence-media.co/4ueOOkg
Only 0.5% of WW2 veterans are still alive today — Minnesota is home to around 1,200. AXIOS: https://fluence-media.co/4otcfFn
A parasite that attacks livestock has returned to the U.S. for the first time in 60 years after DOGE shut down prevention efforts. FORBES: https://fluence-media.co/4dZrS2k
TC Pride, the parade and festival is the last weekend of June.
It’s National Donut Day – here’s a DeRusha Take. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/43RANhu
Blois - tips: bloisolson@gmail.com
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SPEAKING Lobbyist and trade associations that are killing time waiting today, let me know if you want me to speak to your summer and fall events about the “Signals vs. Noise” of the election. bloisolson@gmail.com
DEEPER: Check out a Fluence Forum podcast. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/FluenceForums
SMARTER: Long Term Care – Is Minnesota Ready? Care Providers Minnesota and LeadingAge Minnesota hosted providers, Senator Grant Hauschild (03, DFL), Representative Natalie Zeleznikar (03B, GOP), and Representative Nathan Nelson (11B, GOP) for a conversation about the future of careing for our seniors. This coming week the conversation moves to St. Cloud. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4ue3YXA
Sunday Take recapped the GOP state convention with candidates Kendall Qualls, Adam Schwarze and Mike Lindell in Duluth. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/432x94b
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CD2 POLL
Back from vacation… Governor Tim Walz will attend the National Coalition of 100 Black Women’s 2026 Leadership Conference and Legislative Convening and hold a ceremonial bill signing for the 2026 Bonding Bill.
CD2: State Sen. Matt Klein’s campaign for U.S. House released an internal poll of the DFL primary in the 2nd Congressional District. The poll found that 51% of voters “cannot rate any of the candidates,” and none of them had a significant advantage in name ID. As such, a 39% plurality of voters were initially undecided, with DFL-endorsed Matt Little at 26%, Klein at 19% and state Rep. Kaela Berg at 16%. After hearing more info about the candidates from the Klein campaign, Little jumped to 32%, Klein rose to 31%, Berg hit 25% and 12% remained undecided. POLL: https://fluence-media.co/4vmZJt8
ENDORSEMENT: The state GOP’s Executive Committee voted unanimously that Chair Alex Plechash “did not have the authority to release the gubernatorial candidates from the pledge to abide by the endorsement” this week, meaning that endorsed candidate Kendall Qualls “is the only one who will receive party resources.” Notably, Plechash voted in agreement with the rest of the committee. PLECHASH: “Following the unanimous vote of the State Executive Committee, myself included, this matter is settled. … I fully realize that my earlier statement created confusion.” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/43gqrrs
MORE: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Chair Alex Plechash [previously] said that GOP candidates for governor did not have to abide by their pledges to drop out of the race if they were not endorsed. … Speaker Lisa Demuth cited the GOP chairman absolving the pledge as the ‘number one factor’ as to why she was continuing onto the primary. … Demuth’s campaign [hasn’t said] what this means for her decision.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vuZZ9A
AUDITOR: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “In the auditor’s race, Republicans endorsed combat veteran and Braham Mayor Nate George, [while] former state Sen. Scott Jensen — the party’s 2022 gubernatorial nominee — fell short of the endorsement. But [Jensen] filed for the August primary anyway, saying that had always been his plan.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4e5nZsC
AI: Via KSTP, details on the legality of using AI-generated “deepfakes” in campaign ads after Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan accused a PAC of doing so, as seen in morning take. VERBATIM: “A state law passed by the Minnesota Legislature in 2023 bans ‘deepfake’ ads in elections within 90 days of when early voting begins. The law prohibits altering any video, photo or audio ‘that is so realistic that a reasonable person would believe it depicts speech or conduct of an individual.’ … So far, two challenges to the state law have been filed but remain tied up in court, including one by Elon Musk. … No challenges have been filed regarding a specific ad, [but] a spokeswoman for the Flanagan campaign says, ‘We have spoken to legal counsel about options.’” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4dQWeFu
GOV RACE: via Forum News Service, VERBATIM: “A Republican state lawmaker on Thursday said she was forced to drop her bid for governor after a last-minute switch-up from her running mate. Rep. Peggy Bennett, R-Albert Lea, said in a June 4 statement that the decision not to file for governor was ‘not by my choice.’ She said her running mate, state Rep. Elliott Engen, R-Lino Lakes, [dropped out] roughly four hours before the 5 p.m. filing deadline. … Bennett said her running mate told her he had ‘potential options in a different state.’ … Engen said in a statement that Bennett is a ‘terrific servant leader’ [but] his running was not in the best interest of his family.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4xaQpKC
36A: Via Star Tribune’s Walker Orenstein, GOP Rep. Elliott Engen has dropped out of his reelection bid in House District 36A after filing to run on Tuesday. The expected final matchup will be Republican Sebastian Stoss versus DFLer Jim DeMay in November. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4o6tAn3
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Here are the two MNSiders from the weekend, with insight from the conventions.
SAT: https://fluence-media.co/49se3rS
SUN: https://fluence-media.co/4u5nHIc
DHS
MEDICAID: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “As the Department of Human Services (DHS) is reexamining [Medicaid] programs to crack down on fraud, a group of disability organizations is now calling the state’s revalidation process ‘rushed’ and ‘poorly managed.’ … They say DHS’s shortened timeline punishes legitimate and longstanding providers, while creating instability. … The state typically does revalidation efforts every three to five years. This shortened process included redeploying nearly 170 state workers. … The disability groups are now calling on DHS and lawmakers to immediately reinstate providers that submitted required documentation and are awaiting final review, establish an expedited appeals and payment process, [and more].” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3QiSTWF
MORE: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “Rhonda Burnap was met with some startling news when [DHS] terminated her workplace’s Medicaid billing status. ‘We are law-abiding, correct-billing, legitimate providers that are doing our best to follow all the rules and regulations,’ said Burnap, chief operating officer of EA Therapeutic Health. … Family Service Rochester (FSR) encountered similar issues, said Scott Maloney, executive director.” MALONEY: “I can appreciate that the state’s wanting to take responsibility and root out fraud. But many of the organizations that have not been revalidated are not involved in fraud.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4g1Cj87
CLEAN | RELIABLE | AFFORDABLE: via Xcel Energy, VERBATIM: “We’re powering the Upper Midwest with clean, reliable, and affordable nuclear energy. For more than 50 years, our Prairie Island Nuclear Plant, located near Red Wing, MN, has been a workhorse of reliable, carbon-free energy. With two pressurized water reactors producing about 1,100 megawatts, Prairie Island generates enough electricity to power 1.5 million homes across the Upper Midwest. Unlike sources that depend on weather, nuclear energy delivers 24/7 reliability — providing the power we need today while protecting the environment for tomorrow.” LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4oCHdK9 (SPONSORED: Xcel Energy)
CONTEXT: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The state was reviewing [providers] in its quest to protect programs against fraud and keep federal funds flowing after the Trump Administration threatened to hold back money. … Only a small number of [providers] were referred for further fraud investigations, and all can appeal.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4enRAyK
RESPONSE: via Julie Ring, executive director for the Association of Minnesota Counties, STATEMENT: “Counties are actively responding to questions from clients and even providers who have been disenrolled. We appreciate the engagement with DHS during this process and counties are committed to working in partnership with DHS to ensure continuity of care for all Minnesotans statewide.”
ICYMI: Yesterday’s health take featured extensive coverage of DHS’s Medicaid provider purge. Out of nearly 5,600 providers, 2,061 were revalidated, 3,411 were disenrolled — 61% of the total — and 59 were “referred to the department’s Office of Inspector General for further review.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RNVTLe
NOTE: Individuals pushed off of Medicaid are sure to present to local hospitals for uncompensated care. Either way there’s a bill due.
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STATE STUFF
BWCAW: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Congress is considering another measure to help a controversial mining project near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. A budget bill that would re-grant crucial mineral leases to the Twin Metals mine was voted out of committee [and] is expected to go to the floor of the House in the coming weeks. If passed, the bill would require the Department of the Interior to reissue two federal mineral leases to Twin Metals in Superior National Forest. … Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minn., said she is committed to trying to remove the language when the bill comes to conference committee.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dQYufZ
USPS: via Rep. Angie Craig advisory, VERBATIM: “Representative Angie Craig (D-MN-02) re-introduced her bill to hold the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) accountable for unacceptable mail delivery service. Her Postal Delivery Accountability Act would require USPS to notify customers of undelivered and partially delivered routes by zip code, keeping Minnesotans informed of when they can expect their mail to be delivered or delayed. … Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Tina Smith (D-MN), John Hoeven (R-ND) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vzt8R4
ICE: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Andrea Pedro-Francisco, a 23-year-old asylum seeker who has been pleading for medical treatment for a large ovarian cyst since being arrested by immigration agents in Minnesota in February, was unexpectedly released from a Texas detention center. … [Rep. Angie] Craig, who represents the Twin Cities suburb where Pedro-Francisco lives, has been trying for months to pressure ICE to release her. Ultimately, it was Democratic U.S. Sen. Tina Smith who was able to secure her release through a phone call with a top DHS official.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4endpi2
CHURCH: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “St. Paul’s decision not to charge demonstrators is raising questions about whether the case should have been handled outside City Hall. St. Paul City Attorney Irene Kao on Wednesday declined to file state criminal charges against dozens of demonstrators who disrupted a Jan. 18 service at Cities Church. Among them was Jamael Lundy, who is married to City Councilmember Anika Bowie. The case has drawn questions because the city attorney is appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the City Council.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4e3BV6i
GRAND OLD DAY: Flint Hills Resources is thrilled to be this year’s sponsor of the Grand Old Day parade. Flint Hills employees, families and friends will be showing their Saint Paul pride as they hand out giveaways alongside one of the Pine Bend refinery’s fire trucks. New this year, Flint Hills Resources engineers will demonstrate how science is really fun (and tasty) at the Future Innovators Zone. Kids can learn how to make their very own ice cream at home. Be sure to stop by on June 7! LEARN MORE: Grand Old Day (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery)
ACROSS MN
HENN CTY: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “Hennepin County paramedics and EMTs have overwhelmingly voted no confidence in their chief. The union is calling for new leadership, citing ongoing staffing issues and concerns about department culture. Hospital administrators say they are listening to employee concerns, but the chief has not commented publicly.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4uXP2gW
ST PAUL: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “With the goal of boosting small business growth and economic development projects, the St. Paul City Council has agreed to allow Ramsey County’s new Economic Development Authority to dip into county housing dollars intended for the capital city. … The county’s Housing and Redevelopment Authority is expected to raise some $14 million from the levy this year, generating about $7 million for housing development within St. Paul.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4e6Q5ns
DULUTH: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “For years, fewer than half of Native American students at Denfeld [High School] graduated. That number started to rise a few years ago, and this school year, it jumped 12 points to 74 percent. That’s well ahead of the statewide average for Native students. Native students make up 13 percent of Denfeld’s student body. For students of two or more races…the rate jumped 15 points to 88 percent.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4e9F8kZ
ELY: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “[The] Birch Bay Fire northwest of Ely is 30% contained, officials say. … On Thursday, the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office lifted all evacuation zones, but is still urging residents to use extreme caution when traveling as firefighters and heavy equipment are still in the area.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vyecTd
PROUD TO CHAMPION ATHLETES EVERYWHERE: Minnesota’s 24,000 family corn farmers may come from different fields than the athletes participating in the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, which are set for June 20-26 in Minnesota. But they share the same values, including dedication, hard work, and perseverance. This summer, Minnesota Corn salutes the talented athletes participating in the games. We’ll be cheering them on from our fields as they shine in yours. (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn)
DAYBOOK
TODAY: Via Minneapolis Fed, Regional Outreach Director Erick Garcia Luna will host a webinar discussing results from the spring survey of construction firms across the Ninth District. The event is at 9:00 a.m. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/4wFjTjv
TODAY: Gov. Tim Walz will host a ceremonial signing event for the $1.2 billion infrastructure bonding bill at 12:00 noon. St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her will attend.
TODAY: Advocates with the GFS Community Visioning Council will hold a press conference calling on the City of Minneapolis to stop construction at George Floyd Square until they have addressed “community concerns,” per a release. The event is at 1:00 p.m.
TONIGHT: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear will speak at the DFL’s annual Humphrey-Mondale Dinner in Minneapolis tonight at 6:00 p.m.
MONDAY: Attorney General Keith Ellison is hosting a community forum on the proposed acquisition of North Memorial Health by Sanford Health. The event is in Robbinsdale on Monday, June 8 at 6:00 p.m.
JUNE 13: ISAIAH will host a kickoff event for its “Childcare for All MN” campaign in Minneapolis on Saturday, June 13 at 12:00 noon.
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BDAYS: lobbyist Elizabeth Emerson George, attorney Jason Topp, Commerce official Peter Brickwede
SPEAKER: If you’re looking for a speaker about the “Signal vs. Noise” dynamic of today’s politics and the 2026 election. EMAIL: BloisOlson@gmail.com.
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IN MEMORIAM: morning take is dedicated in memory of Melissa Hortman.