Twins lose. Loon play Austin tonight in the US Open Cup.
Minnesota native Paige Bueckers is the WNBA Rookie of the Year. BMTN: http://fluence-media.co/47N0YJx
The Twin Cities hit 92 degrees yesterday — just 2 degrees shy of a record. FOX: http://fluence-media.co/4ppeYPU
The man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson will be charged with murder, but terrorism charges were dropped. AXIOS: http://fluence-media.co/46Hwg3u
Donald Trump announced that Republicans will hold a “midterm convention” in 2026 — an idea that Ken Martin was previously considering for the Democrats. NBC: http://fluence-media.co/4mZVKPk
A YouGov poll asked Americans when it’s acceptable to criticize public figures — 66% say when they’re alive, 52% when they’ve been dead “for some time,” 42% when they just died of natural causes, 35% when they were just killed. POLL: https://fluence-media.co/46xxOfo
The latest poll by The Economist finds that Donald Trump’s net approval rating has dropped to -17% (39% approve, 56% disapprove). In Minnesota, his net approval is -15%. POLL: https://fluence-media.co/4pqpd6L
Blois - tips: bloisolson@gmail.com
Sunday Take featured DFL Sen. Judy Seeberger and GOP Rep. Danny Nadeau discussing how they want to move forward with a special session as purple district legislators. LISTEN: http://fluence-media.co/4gxlhNy
AUDIENCE: Sponsorships are available to reach over 30,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheets and website, TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com.
34B: DFLer Xp Lee was elected to fill the seat of late Rep. Melissa Hortman in House District 34B’s special election yesterday, restoring the chamber to a 67-67 tie. Via Office of the Sec. of State, results are below. DATA: http://fluence-media.co/466fhYs
● XP LEE: 4,331 votes (60.8%)
● RUTH BITTNER: 2,785 votes (39.1%)
SD43: DFL Sen. Ann Rest announced that she is not seeking reelection after four decades of service. Via her announcement, VERBATIM: “Rest [is] the only lawmaker in Minnesota history to chair the Taxes Committee in both the state House and the state Senate. … She made a commitment to her family after the 2022 elections that this term would be her last.” REST: “Serving in the Minnesota State Legislature for more than 40 years has been the honor of my life, and it will continue to be until my current term ends next year. … Over the last several weeks, I have been encouraging women leaders to consider a run for the state Senate in our district.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/42j34xp
WALZ: Last night Gov. Tim Walz was on MSNBC. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4n5vZwW
MORE: Walz reportedly raised $1 million during his campaign launch.
LT GOV: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Gov. Tim Walz did not make any mention of who would run alongside him as lieutenant governor when he rolled out his campaign for a third term on Tuesday. Minnesota’s current lieutenant governor, Peggy Flanagan, is running for U.S. Senate. … A spokesman for the governor’s office said Walz has yet to speak with prospective lieutenant governor candidates and will make an announcement at a later date. … The list of prospects includes former Minnesota Senate Minority Leader Melisa López Franzen, who dropped out of the U.S. Senate race earlier this year. Two Democrats familiar with conversations say Brooklyn Park Mayor Hollies Winston is interested in the job. Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter and Golden Valley Mayor Roslyn Harmon have also been talked about as possible lieutenant governor candidates.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3Vogxjs
BLAHA?: Outgoing State Auditor Julie Blaha may be the leading candidate to be Walz running mate.
ICYMI: Yesterday’s lunch take featured additional coverage and analysis for Gov. Tim Walz’s reelection announcement. SEE: http://fluence-media.co/466pB2E
IMPERSONATION: via MPR, VERBATIM: “One bill that the Legislature is considering hits especially close to home for a lawmaker seeking its passage. State Sen. John Hoffman, DFL-Champlin, wants to toughen penalties for people caught impersonating a police officer. The man charged with killing the Hortmans, and on the same night shooting Hoffman and his wife in their home, was dressed as law enforcement. He was wearing a mask and driving an SUV outfitted as police squads are. The bill would make it a felony rather than a misdemeanor to intentionally mislead people by posing as an officer. Hoffman didn’t personally appear before the Senate working group [to champion this bill], but Sen. Ron Latz spoke on his colleague’s behalf.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3IgFri8
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MPLS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “In the span of 12 hours Monday, from midmorning to near midnight, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara trudged to city scenes covered in blood and bullet casings. … City leaders have tried to bolster the city’s image after the pandemic and unrest that followed George Floyd’s murder by touting improvements in crime statistics, community safety and redevelopment. But this month’s gun violence, a grim coda to the summer, has left them and residents alike unsettled. … The last three weeks have been especially traumatic because Minneapolis residents experienced four mass shootings. Before that, there had been four mass shootings all year.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3K77otm
MORE: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) is partnering up with Minneapolis to help reduce crime. … DPS will be partnering with MPD to increase patrols to increase visibility in areas where it will help reduce crime. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara says State Patrol troopers will be patrolling Lake Street in Minneapolis, where two mass shootings happened Monday. … O'Hara also spoke about the possibility of President Donald Trump sending the National Guard to Minneapolis.” O’HARA: “I have no indication that would happen. Typically, what should happen is we should exhaust getting assistance from other law enforcement in the state.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/46GzLaj
NOTE: The weekend killings, and the daytime transit hub shooting were both deep in the Star Tribune and not on the front page.
ENCAMPMENT: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A large Minneapolis homeless encampment on private land was demolished and cleared on Tuesday amid tensions between the landlord and city officials. … The shooting occurred at the private encampment set up by prominent Minneapolis landlord Hamoudi Sabri, a parking lot behind a vacant building he owns on E. Lake Street, city officials said. Sabri has been in a battle with the city for months to keep the encampment open. … At a Tuesday news conference, Mayor Jacob Frey said the city needed to close the encampment for the safety of those living in it and the surrounding community. Frey listed problems he’s previously linked to other encampments, including vulnerable people being preyed on through drug trafficking, human trafficking and violence.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/48m9tvf
MORE: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “A spokesperson on Tuesday said Hennepin County’s Streets to Housing team has been at that encampment ‘at least three times a week since July, offering a variety of services to the changing population of people there, including connecting them to emergency shelter, housing, treatment and more. Staff are making plans to reconnect with people to continue working toward their housing goals.’ … Hennepin County poured more than $200 million into homelessness and housing services in 2024, according to county data.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/4gwj3Om
RESPONSE: via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis developer Hamoudi Sabri said he will reopen the homeless encampment on his Lake Street property despite a Monday night shootout that left eight people injured.” SABRI: “As soon as these guys go and are done with this investigation, we’re going right in. This is the beauty of this fight. It’s not about money, it’s not about me.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4pqyQ5p
THREATS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “In the three weeks since the shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis, several other churches and schools across Minnesota have reported threats of violence. Such threats are far from new, but professors who study gun violence say the evidence is clear that mass shootings often lead to a ‘copycat’ effect, where those considering an act of violence or making threats are more motivated to do so. … Patricia Jewett, an assistant professor at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, said…media outlets can unknowingly play a role in encouraging copycat incidents because a suspect reads a story and wants the same treatment for themselves.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4nashlU
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)
FBI: via WCCO Radio, VERBATIM: “FBI Director Kash Patel [testified] at a congressional hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. That committee includes Minnesota Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar, who pressed Patel specifically about the effectiveness of an assault weapons ban and [division] following the shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk last week. … The Minnesota Senator directly asked Patel about an assault weapons ban, and it was a surprising answer from a member of the Trump Administration. ‘Senator, I think there are instances of this legislation that could prevent future attacks, but I’m not going to weigh in to the creation of legislation,’ said Patel.” READ/LISTEN: http://fluence-media.co/4gom2bo
KIRK: via Mediaite, VERBATIM: “President Donald Trump blasted Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) over her response to the shooting death of Charlie Kirk last week. Omar condemned the shooting…but conservatives have pounced on her criticisms of the conservative influencer’s [past statements]. … Last year, Kirk said [Omar] should be deported.” TRUMP: “I think she’s a disgraceful person — a loser. It’s amazing the way people vote. I know it’s people from her area, maybe all over the world. They got here, and they vote her in. It’s hard to believe, but I think she’s a disgusting person.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/3VhcF3P
MORE: Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan defended Rep. Ilhan Omar amid Republican efforts to strip Omar of her committee assignments in response to her views on Charlie Kirk, as seen in yesterday’s morning take. FLANAGAN: “I know Congresswoman Ilhan Omar stands against political violence. This censure on [Omar] is an attack on the Minnesotans she represents, and is just plain wrong. The folks attacking her are simply attempting to put words in her mouth. It’s dangerous.” TWEET: http://fluence-media.co/4gpkHBb
VENEZUELA: via Common Dreams, VERBATIM: “US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar on Tuesday condemned the Trump Administration’s attack the previous day on a second boat allegedly transporting drugs off the coast of Venezuela. … President Donald Trump announced Monday that the US destroyed what he said was a boat used by Venezuelan drug gangs, killing three people.” OMAR: “The Trump Admin is once again using the failed War on Drugs to justify their egregious violation of international law. There is no legal justification. It risks spiraling into the exact type of endless, pointless conflict that Trump supposedly opposes.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4mo6WEv
ISRAEL: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “A relatively unknown board overseeing St. Paul’s water services has gotten a lot more attention recently as it's come under scrutiny from pro-Palestinian protesters. The activists want the board to cut ties with an Israeli cybersecurity company. Waterfall Security Solutions has provided cybersecurity services for St. Paul Regional Water Services since October 2024. The firm has provided services to companies around the world for nearly two decades. … The protest at the Board of Water Commissioners is the latest example of how Israel has made its way into local politics.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3VQxXp1
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)
UNIONS: via a Rep. Pete Stauber press release, VERBATIM: “Today, Congressman Pete Stauber (R-MN) and Congressman Donald Norcross (D-NJ) held a press conference to announce the introduction of their Faster Labor Contracts Act, bipartisan legislation to ensure that when workers vote to form a union, employers are not allowed to drag out negotiations on a collective bargaining agreement. … The [bill] requires the following: After workers have voted to form a union, employers must begin negotiating with the new union within 10 days. If no agreement is reached after 90 days, a government mediator will step in to assist. If mediation fails 30 days after that, the dispute will be referred to a binding 3-person arbitration panel.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/46miiTk
VETERANS: via a Rep. Kelly Morrison press release, VERBATIM: “Today, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed the Modernizing All Veterans and Survivors Claims Processing Act, which includes the provisions of Representative Kelly Morrison’s (MN-03) bipartisan bill, the Justice for America’s Veterans and Survivors Act. This bipartisan bill will require the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) to report to Congress on veterans' causes of death and whether such veterans had a total service-connected disability rating.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4mkFvv5
ENERGY JOBS: via a DEED press release, VERBATIM: “As part of DEED’s efforts in workforce development, DEED offers programs for education, training and retraining for workers seeking new careers. One is the Xcel Energy Power Up program, a public-private partnership that prepares workers for employment in in-demand fields related to energy and construction trades. The program is facilitating change for workers and supporting Minnesota’s clean energy goals. … Through the program, DEED and Xcel Energy work with seven community-based organizations to train and provide job placement for Minnesotans who are underrepresented in energy- and construction trades-related fields.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/46jIzBD
(DISCLOSURE: Xcel Energy is a client and sponsor of Fluence)
ST PAUL: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “The five candidates running for mayor of St. Paul have agreed to participate in a forum that will be held Wednesday at Johnson Senior High School by the League of Women Voters St. Paul. The event will mark the first time all five mayoral candidates appear together on stage. The St. Paul Neighborhood Network will livestream the forum on its YouTube channel and replay the broadcast on its cable access channel. … The forum — featuring Mayor Melvin Carter, Yan Chen, Adam Dullinger, state Rep. Kaohly Her and Mike Hilborn — will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/466omAy
LAKEVILLE: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office is asking a judge to order a local developer to pay $4.5 million in restitution for a housing development in Lakeville that was never built. Nolosha Development and its CEO Abdiwali Abdullahi previously promised 160 houses on about 40 acres of land, specifically tailored to the needs of the Somali-American community in the Twin Cities. Court records later revealed Nolosha never owned the land. … Some of those clients, including Muhammed Mohamud, testified in court at an evidentiary hearing on Tuesday.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/4gpo7nv
RAMSEY CTY: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “The Ramsey County recently received a $1.4 million state grant for its winter warming centers. The grant was from the Department of Human Services and awarded to the county’s Housing Stability Department. The county first provided warming centers during the 2022 to 2023 winter to provide shelter, resources and referrals for the homeless. Five warming centers operated during that initial pilot season, serving almost 11,000 people.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4pijHD0
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)
OLMSTED CTY: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “Olmsted County has capped its potential 2026 property tax levy at $141.7 million. The 6.8% increase compared to this year’s tax collection largely covers maintaining existing services, without adding programs or adding permanent staff numbers. ‘It’s maintaining our level of staffing and the [Graham Park] exhibition center,’ County Administrator Travis Gransee said of the added $9 million in property taxes to be sought. Those tax revenues would help balance an anticipated overall $391.1 million budget. Maintaining current services into 2026 is expected to increase costs by $4.9 million.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4prkKAH
DULUTH: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “More than two years since recreational cannabis was legalized in Minnesota, the first state-licensed microbusiness dispensary opened in Duluth on Tuesday. Legacy Cannabis in Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood opened at 4:20 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon. … It joins tribal cannabis dispensaries, which have been selling their own recreational cannabis for over two years, and the state's two medical cannabis companies, which begin selling recreational cannabis this week.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4n54fIO
BEMIDJI: via Bemidji Pioneer, VERBATIM: “After the city of Bemidji and the Headwaters Regional Development Commission recently partnered to conduct a comprehensive housing study, the Bemidji City Council reviewed its findings during Monday's meeting. The HRDC compiled resources, conducted community surveys and meetings to collect data — stakeholders, homeowners and the unhoused population were all included. The HRDC used this data to compile a list of six concerns alongside five preliminary suggestions to alleviate those concerns. … [Concerns] include housing affordability and availability; housing stock; an aging population; capital resources; building requirements and planning, zoning and land use regulations; and risk aversion by developers.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4gsulmx
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
PAID LEAVE: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A major new benefit for Minnesota workers is proving a massive headache for many employers as mandatory paid leave for health and family emergencies goes into effect in just 15 weeks. Small businesses may be particularly exposed to strain, as many don’t have HR departments to help with the tracking, compliance and reporting required. These business owners are now flocking to consultants and a state helpline to navigate the law, which requires all employers to provide up to 12 weeks of paid medical or family leave (or 20 weeks combined) to workers needing to care for themselves or a close relative in crisis.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3HYPCb2
POT: via an OCM press release, VERBATIM: “Today, the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) announced that retail sales of legal, adult-use cannabis products are underway across Minnesota thanks to several recent developments in the state’s work to launch the adult-use cannabis market. Customers looking to purchase legal cannabis in Minnesota have more options available to them today, as regulated products become available through a complex supply chain that is taking shape.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nALkFU
MORE: via MPR, VERBATIM: “Minnesota has begun distributing some of the revenue raised by marijuana’s legalization to communities harmed by past cannabis prohibition laws…In recent weeks, the state’s Office of Cannabis Management announced it is sending out $1 million in grant funds to nonprofits across the state for projects designed to uplift marginalized communities, especially those who were over policed and racially profiled under prohibition.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nC1ONX
STATE FAIR: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “The city of Falcon Heights has released data on the first year of its State Fair parking program. The State Fair Task Force is set to discuss the numbers at its Wednesday night meeting. The city says 3,561 visitors parked in the paid parking zones, earning the city a net revenue of $72,000. While this was lower than initial estimates, the expenses for the program were also lower than expected, leading to a surplus of $49,000.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/41StWnI
TODAY: Gov. Tim Walz will meet with the governor of Uppsala County, Sweden at 12:30 p.m. and Minnesota legislative leaders at 4:00 p.m. Walz will also attend the Minnesota Urban Debate League Mayors Cup Challenge at 5:30 p.m.
TODAY: via an MN Senate advisory, VERBATIM: “On Sept. 17, Senate Capital Investment Committee Chair Senator Sandy Pappas (DFL-St. Paul) and members of the Capital Investment Committee will travel to 12 communities in Southeast Minnesota to learn about 14 proposed projects requesting state matching funds, meet with local officials, and tour project sites. This one-day tour kicks off the committee’s travels across Minnesota prior to the 2026 legislative session.” SCHEDULE: http://fluence-media.co/4ppaNDW
TODAY: The Minnesota Senate’s Gun Violence Prevention working group will meet Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. They will only hear proposals previously introduced at Monday’s hearing.
TODAY: The Minnesota House’s Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight committee will meet Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. to “discuss fraud within Housing Stabilization Services (HSS) and Integrated Community Supports (ICS),” per a release.
TOMORROW: via an MN House advisory, VERBATIM: “The House People of Color and Indigenous Caucus will be co-hosting a Mind, Body, & Spirit Town Hall alongside other organizations. During this time, House POCI Caucus members will get the opportunity to share the important legislative action they took to help address health disparities in Black and Brown communities.” The event is at 5:30 p.m. DETAILS: http://fluence-media.co/4mo55j1
TOMORROW: via an MDH advisory, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will hold a public hearing on Thursday, Sept. 25 at 6 p.m. on Allina Health’s closure of the inpatient chemical dependency unit at Mercy Hospital – Unity Campus in Fridley as well as changes to the Kidney Transplant Program at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.”
THIS MONTH: via MN Health Plans, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Council of Health Plans expects a final announcement soon from the state’s Department of Commerce about health insurance rates for Minnesota’s individual market and small businesses. Lucas Nesse, president and CEO of the Council, will be available to provide a statement and/or comments about the Commerce Department announcement. This announcement is due on or before October 1st.”
NOV 3: The MN Center for Fiscal Excellence is hosting its 99th annual meeting and policy forum at the St. Paul RiverCentre on the morning of Monday, Nov. 3. Per a release, the forum will “deliver an agency-focused perspective on the policy and budget challenges arising from recent federal actions. State agency leaders and subject-matter experts will explore the potential budgetary, programmatic, management and intergovernmental impacts and consequences — intended and unintended — and what they mean for governing in a time of uncertainty.”
BDAYS: Star Tribune’s Sue Campbell, Target’s Kayla Castañeda, food shelf leader Jennifer Loon
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