Twins are on an 8-game winning streak.
MN United beat soccer legend Lionel Messi and his Miami team 4-1 this weekend.
Major wildfire in northern Minnesota. WDIO: https://fluence-media.co/42XySIU
An air quality alert is in effect for much of Minnesota today, starting at 12:00 noon. STRIB: https://fluence-media.co/454I4fK
The Trump Administration is considering arresting several Democratic lawmakers following an altercation at an ICE facility. AXIOS: https://fluence-media.co/4k7dZjS
GOP Senate Leader Mark Johnson and DFL Sen. Judy Seeberger were on Sunday Take to discuss the final days of the 2025 legislative session. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/42RrXkj
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Today’s morning take on WCCO Radio with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/42RTsu4
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DEADLINE: via MPR, VERBATIM: “Gov. Tim Walz says it's getting late for budget negotiations, but it's not unusual for things to take this long. He and lawmakers are butting up against the May 19 adjournment deadline, and if they don’t reach a deal by then, Walz will have to call a special session. He says he’d like to balance the budget over four years instead of just the two they're required to address.” WALZ: “I think there's strong consensus that it makes sense. … If we do that, we put Minnesota on a really strong path. I think they're committed to that.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YEJ8TE
CONFLICTS: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Fractures are showing among [Democratic] lawmakers over rollbacks of measures they passed under full DFL control in St. Paul. Those disagreements could delay or potentially stall out final negotiations over a two-year state budget. … Moderate members of the DFL have sided with Republicans to advance efforts to exempt some businesses from a pair of programs designed to give workers guaranteed time off, [even though] both were priority policies for Democrats in 2023. … Members of the POCI Caucus and advocacy groups that pushed for the changes in 2023 have held news conferences and rallies aiming to highlight the value of the services. They’re hoping to pressure Democrats who have backed rollbacks.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4dwC4il
MORE: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Some Senate Democrats in swing districts are pushing to sand down policies they previously voted for as they face ongoing pressure from business groups to ease up on regulations. … Sen. Nick Frentz, DFL-North Mankato, an author of the sick leave bill, also introduced a bill with Republicans to water down the paid family leave program. … The paid leave bill didn’t get a committee hearing, showing there’s little appetite among his Democratic colleagues to discuss changing the program, but it could find new life in last minute budget negotiations.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44zvC7B
WALZ: Gov. Tim Walz was interviewed by Pioneer Press and WCCO Radio this weekend to discuss the end of the legislative session, the Governor’s Fishing Opener in Crosslake, and more. Walz attended the fishing opener with legislative leaders and planned to continue negotiating a state budget deal on the water.
● Speaking to Pioneer Press, WALZ: “If you don’t set a time to mow the yard, it doesn’t get mowed. If they don’t do some of these things, then I think you just have to set the time and recognize you can’t let the perfect get in the way of the good. … The longer you wait, it becomes harder. … We’re getting late [in the session], there’s no doubt about that — but there’s still an opportunity to get this done.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3F2ajBm
● Speaking to WCCO Radio, WALZ: “I think you'll get a budget that will probably make no one really happy, but that it will keep Minnesota on a path of economic growth that we've seen. … [Democrats] have some ambitious plans. If the economy changes a little bit, maybe you need to scale those ambitious plans a little bit, and I've told [Republicans] I'm willing to do that.” READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3YFOHRS
KLOBUCHAR: Sen. Amy Klobuchar was interviewed on NBC’s “Meet the Press” yesterday to discuss the Democratic Party’s future. Notably, Klobuchar said Democrats “would’ve been better served by a primary” to replace Joe Biden after he dropped out of the race in 2024, but Klobuchar added that she is not focused on relitigating past elections. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3F9kqEg
CRAIG: Rep. Angie Craig was a featured guest on the Better Bad Ideas podcast last week, hosted by Teamsters president Sean O’Brien. Craig discussed her Senate campaign, her support for union-backed policies and her assessment of the 2024 election. PODCAST: https://fluence-media.co/44sKtke
MEDICAID SUPPORTS HEALTH CARE FOR ALL OF US: Medicaid keeps Minnesota’s hospitals strong and ensures communities across the state have access to care. Policymakers must protect Medicaid so every Minnesotan — regardless of income or health status — can get the care they need, when they need it. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3FtrCuH (SPONSORED: Minnesota Hospital Association)
AGRICULTURE: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “Moving forward toward reconciliation of the omnibus agriculture and broadband development policy and finance bill may prove very problematic. ‘At this point, it’s as clear as mud,’ Sen. Aric Putnam (DFL-St. Cloud) said Friday. He and Rep. Paul Anderson (R-Starbuck) chair the conference committee on HF2446. … There are no overlapping policy provisions between the [two] bodies’ versions of the bill. Anderson made note of that unique situation, but also commented it’s imperative the committee completes its important work. … [However], both co-chairs said solving the fiscal and policy differences can’t commence until the committee receives its budget target from legislative leaders.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45ceBjY
BONDING: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Lawmakers didn’t pass legislation to authorize bonding last year. Now, they’re in agreement that the state needs to invest in its roads and bridges, repair dams, and clean up its drinking water. But with the looming deficit, they’re in stark disagreement over how much to spend. The House GOP and DFL have agreed to a $700 million bonding target. Sen. Sandy Pappas, a Democrat who chairs the Senate Capital Investment Committee, is urging fellow lawmakers to authorize almost twice that much [at $1.35 billion], but [Republicans] want to stick to $700 million.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/438YPnt
TAXES: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Whether or not there will be new taxes in the next budget is still up in the air. [Gov. Tim] Walz called for a small reduction to the overall state sales tax in his budget proposal, though he also called for expanding sales taxes to include professional services like accounting and legal services. As of Friday, the House and Senate tax bills did not include the Walz sales tax changes — but new taxes are still possible. The Minnesota Senate tax bill contains what backers say is a first-in-the-nation tax on social media platforms that collect user data.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ke9iVt
ELDER CARE: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “A nearly $10 million request from a metro-based area agency on aging is among the funding requests that hung in the balance Sunday as Minnesota lawmakers approach the final week of the 2025 legislative session. Trellis, which is part of a network of community-based organizations across the United States primarily focused on social services for adults over 60 living in their homes, has asked for a one-time $9.9 million investment to get a first-of-its-kind ‘Community Care Hub’ up and running. … It’s a small piece of the massive human services appropriations bill that passed the Senate last week and awaits House approval as of this report.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/43fNIct
FISHING: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “In Crosslake, members of the local Republican party were organizing a protest and boat parade for Saturday morning [at the Governor’s Fishing Opener]. … One change the governor was advocating for this year is getting lead lures and sinkers out of Minnesotans’ tackle boxes, as ingesting the metal is harmful to aquatic birds. … Legislation calling for a ban on lead fishing gear in Minnesota has failed at the state Legislature in the past. [Gov. Tim] Walz said he would sign a ban if it got to his desk, but he also feels that encouraging changes rather than mandating them is the right approach.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3F2ajBm
MINNESOTA INSURANCE COVERAGE TAX WILL COST FAMILIES, SMALL BUSINESSES AND SENIORS MORE: Governor Walz and the Department of Commerce want to create a new tax that will, at a minimum, double the tax rate paid on supplemental non-medical insurance coverage including dental, vision, private paid family medical leave, long-term care, and wage replacement insurance products to fund reinsurance. This tax hike will make these critically important products more expensive for consumers, force more seniors onto Medicaid and public programs, make Minnesota-based insurers less competitive nationally, and make it more difficult for employers to provide competitive benefits. These products provide Minnesota families with peace of mind and everyday security, and we should not ask them to pay more to subsidize other insurance products. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4lNcE3n (SPONSORED: Minnesota Insurance and Financial Services Council)
VOTING: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “When a bill passed the U.S. House last month seeking to overhaul the way Americans register to vote, a narrative emerged that it could bar millions of married women from voting. The same conversation circulated after President Donald Trump signed a similar executive order in March. … How many married Minnesota women could be affected? The Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office said it doesn’t know for sure, but we tried to unearth that number. The Census Bureau’s American Community Survey says there are 1.2 million married women in Minnesota. Since the Pew Research Center estimates 79% of married women change their names, that would make for 948,000 Minnesota women who may find it difficult to vote in federal elections under the Republican-led overhaul.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3EMu4gc
SAFETY: via a Sen. Amy Klobuchar press release, VERBATIM: “U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), member of the Senate Commerce Committee’s subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Technology, and Data Privacy, and [others] are calling on President Donald Trump to reverse the firing of the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s three Democratic Commissioners.” LETTER: https://fluence-media.co/4dgM3be
SALT CAP: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “A decimated tax deduction most Americans never used (but many Minnesotans did) has become an obstacle as Congress tries to craft a $5 trillion extension of Donald Trump’s tax cuts. … To help pay for those tax cuts, the deductibility of state and local income taxes (SALT) on federal tax returns was capped at $10,000 for individuals and $20,000 for married couples filing jointly. … According to the Tax Foundation, California was the state most affected by the SALT cap, [while] Minnesota was [at] 13th on the list. … Eric Willette, research director at the Minnesota Department of Revenue, said that before the 2017 tax bill took effect, 35% to 40% of Minnesota taxpayers itemized their deductions. Now, only about 6% to 10% do. If the SALT cap were lifted…Willette said, ‘There are a lot of people who would go back to itemizing.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43q7bs8
BETTING POLL: Support is surging among Minnesotans who want legal wagering on sporting events. New polling by the Sports Betting Alliance of Minnesota indicates 60% of voters in the state support the legalization of sports betting. The survey of 1,000 Minnesota voters also revealed overwhelming support for legal wagering among 18–29-year-olds, with 75% of females and 73% of males in favor of allowing sports betting in Minnesota — something that is available in 39 states. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/49uj4OF (SPONSORED: Sports Betting Alliance)
CHILDCARE: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “It costs between about $200,000 and $300,000 to raise a child in Minnesota, and it’s only getting more expensive. A March LendingTree study found the annual costs associated with raising a child have risen nearly 36% nationally since 2023. Minnesota was among states with the biggest cost increases through the two-year span, a nearly 30% jump.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4j8S77a
UMN: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “The University of Minnesota says it has lost 79 federal grants totaling more than $22 million after Trump Administration budget cuts, and that it does not know what's coming next. The U of M says most of the cuts are related to biomedical, environmental, and energy and natural resources work. It also says roughly 220 university personnel are connected to the terminated grants. … President Rebecca Cunningham says the university remains a ‘research powerhouse,’ but she says managing through all of the uncertainty has added a tremendous amount to the workload of administrators.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3S2BWwZ
SCHOOLS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The new Math and Science Academy campus in Woodbury, which broke ground May 5, will offer more space to students crowded into its existing charter school buildings — and maybe from the surrounding traditional schools as well. Both the public charter school and the traditional South Washington County school district are growing, bucking stagnant enrollment trends elsewhere in the metro and across the state. … When schools consider their capacity and future needs, the dual expansions illustrate the variety of factors at play: demographic data, housing development plans and birth rates.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/435Nx3q
IT’S POSSIBLE TO SIMULTANEOUSLY UPHOLD ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRITY AND GROW OUR ECONOMY: Minnesota’s lengthy and uncertain permitting process has frustrated businesses for decades. A recent report found that air permitting in Minnesota can take up to six times longer than comparable states. A coalition of business and labor groups are advocating for reform that will shorten timelines and increase certainty while maintaining our strong environmental standards. Contact your legislators and tell them to support streamlining the permitting process. CONTACT: https://fluence-media.co/3Ea5Tbe (SPONSORED: Minnesota Chamber of Commerce)
TARIFFS: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “With Mother’s Day this Sunday, flower shops across the Twin Cities [were] gearing up for one of their busiest weekends of the year. But this year, the usual flurry of bouquets and deliveries comes with some added anxiety, stemming from President Donald Trump's sweeping new tariffs on imported goods. At Soderberg’s Floral in Minneapolis, floral designer Pete Nelson says the shop is keeping prices down as much as possible, but he does not know how long they will be able to do so. … More than 80% of flowers sold in the U.S. are imported, primarily from Colombia and Ecuador.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4jhdVxv
ARCTIC CAT: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “More than 300 previously laid-off employees will keep their jobs, Arctic Cat announced. … The news comes roughly two weeks after the Thief River Falls-based snowmobile manufacturer was taken over by Brad Darling, a former Arctic Cat executive. The company’s previous owners, Textron Specialized Vehicles, had announced in February that the Thief River Falls and St. Cloud plants would indefinitely suspend operations and that 385 workers would be laid off. … Arctic Cat unveiled a new 2026 snowmobile lineup, with plans to ramp up production at the Thief River Falls plant. … The Arctic Cat engine facility in St. Cloud will also expand its workforce. … Thief River Falls Mayor Mike Lorenson said he [received] a deluge of phone calls about the restored jobs, including from U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, and state Sen. Mark Johnson, R-East Grand Forks.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42Ru0F2
CROPS: via a Rep. Brad Finstad press release, VERBATIM: “Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) reintroduced the Federal Agriculture Risk Management Enhancement and Resilience (FARMER) Act, legislation that will strengthen crop insurance and make higher coverage levels more affordable. … Original cosponsors include Representatives Michelle Fischbach (MN-07). … Specifically, the FARMER Act would increase premium support for higher levels of crop insurance coverage…[and] improve the Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO).” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RZP2ew
SUPPORT SF 2929 AND HF 2677: Third-party lawsuit funding (TPLF) — or “lawsuit lending” — is a growing and extremely concerning trend in courts across the state and throughout the country that encourages frivolous lawsuits and threatens to drive up the costs of products, services, and insurance for Minnesota consumers. Fortunately, lawmakers are considering legislation — the Consumers in Crisis Protection Act (SF 2929 & HF 2677) — to increase transparency around this highly secretive practice and reasonably regulate third-party lawsuit funders to protect consumers and help keep premiums low. MORE INFO: https://fluence-media.co/4jivOfT (SPONSORED: ASPCIA)
MEDIA: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Local public media outlets are bracing for federal funding cuts that could lead to layoffs and a reduction in services. On May 1, President Donald Trump issued an executive order instructing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to cease funding NPR and PBS. … MPR would lose $5 million, or about 6% of its budget, [so they] set a new goal of $1 million for MPR’s upcoming membership drive this week. The only time MPR has hit that figure in the past was during an extended, 14-day member drive during COVID-19 lockdowns.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3GOgYj0
ENERGY: via Office of the Atty. General, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison filed suit today, alongside 14 other attorneys general, to challenge the president’s first day executive order declaring a ‘national energy emergency’ under the National Emergencies Act. … The attorneys general ask the court to declare the president’s directive, and the agencies’ implementation of it, illegal and stop them from issuing emergency permits under the executive order.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42SlDch LAWSUIT: https://fluence-media.co/4khI1Sd
NEWBORNS: via an MDH press release, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Commissioner of Health Dr. Brooke Cunningham has approved the Newborn Screening Advisory Committee’s recommendation to add metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) to the list of conditions for which Minnesota newborns are routinely screened. The Minnesota Newborn Screening Program will be working towards implementation, which includes validating a test method and developing result and follow-up protocols. A start date for screening will be determined and shared as this process unfolds. It will likely be in 2026.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jPhADw
PUSH BACK AGAINST TAX BREAKS FOR BIG TECH DATA CENTERS: Our tax money should be going to essential services for Minnesotans, like education, health care, and infrastructure — not subsidies for billionaire owned data centers. The current tax credit has already cost our state an estimated $5 million a year since 2011. In 2025 it will be over $100 million. It’s time to stop these skyrocketing numbers. Tell your legislators, ‘No big tax breaks for Big Tech.’ LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3ErmQh8 (SPONSORED: Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy)
MPLS: via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “Seven candidates are vying for an open seat on the Minneapolis City Council to represent parts of north Minneapolis. The Ward 5 seat, being vacated by Council Member Jeremiah Ellison, represents one of the most diverse wards in the city. … It’s one of three open council seats in this coming fall’s election. … Two of the seven candidates gained the most votes at this month’s [DFL] convention, which resulted in no endorsement. They are Tinitha ‘Pearll’ Warren, who works as a home-ownership development manager for Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, and Ethrophic Burnett, a senior project manager in the Minneapolis city auditor’s office.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZbDKHO
MORE: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A Minneapolis Park Board member and candidate for the City Council said in a recent campaign email that she might not have ‘the desired amount of melanin.’ Becka Thompson made the comment while explaining why she’s running in Ward 12 against incumbent Aurin Chowdhury, who is Bengali American. … Chowdhury told the Minnesota Star Tribune that Thompson’s statement was ‘overtly racist’ and sent a message that she was elected ‘for having brown skin.’ … The following day, Thompson apologized.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iUZSgD
WASH CTY: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “The anonymous donor who has given the Washington County Library system $525,000 over the past 20 years has sent another check. The Washington County Board of Commissioners accepted the $30,000 gift. … Library officials plan to use the money to upgrade projectors and projector screens at the library branches, create community outreach kits and improve the display areas and accessibility of library material in the different branches.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3SCCd9X
EDEN PRAIRIE: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “The Eden Prairie edition of a boys basketball showcase featuring some of the best prep school players from the Upper Midwest was canceled due to overcrowding. There was a large police response as problems began to emerge Saturday afternoon at Eden Prairie High School, which was one of several Twin Cities gyms hosting a slate of games from Prep Hoops North's annual ‘Battle of the Lakes.’ Prep Hoops posted an update at 7:25 p.m. confirming that the Eden Prairie games were canceled for Saturday, and an update would be provided at a later time.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iRiuOx
FRESH15: The latest season of Fresh15 includes interviews with new Minnesota House members. So far, five new members have shared their goals, background and fun facts before they take office in a historic session this January.
Rep. Kari Rehrauer
Rep. Wayne Johnson
Rep. Julie Greene
Rep. Keith Allen
Rep. Peter Johnson
Follow on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.TheDailyAgenda.com/Podcasts. (SPONSORED: Minnesota Telecom Alliance)
ORONO: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The race is on for an Orono City Council seat on Tuesday. The special election was in doubt until the Minnesota Supreme Court said Friday that the contest for the seat currently held by Claire Berrett could proceed. The court’s order affirmed a lower court decision against former Orono Mayor Dennis Walsh, who had sought to stop the election. He had argued the contest would prematurely end the term of Berrett, whom he had appointed to fill a vacancy while he was still in office.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jRh2xb
DULUTH: via a Sen. Amy Klobuchar press release, VERBATIM: “U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith released the following statement on the Duluth International Airport receiving $5,980,000 in funding from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Terminal Programs for the replacement of its air traffic control tower.” KLOBUCHAR: “I’ve been fighting for funding to replace this tower that is one of the oldest in the country and in urgent need of repair. With this major federal grant, the Duluth International Airport is a step closer to completing this project and boosting safety and efficiency.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kfXzG9
MAY TOWNSHIP: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “A lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court by Liberty Classical Academy against the May Township Board of Supervisors has been settled now that the school no longer requires a conditional-use permit for its planned expansion. … Officials with the private Christian school have revised the school’s expansion plan and no longer need the conditional-use permit for its septic system from the township ‘due to the removal of the accessory building originally associated with the project.’ … The lawsuit is expected to be dismissed in the next few weeks once the township issues a permit for a septic system and holding pond for the school’s new wastewater treatment facility.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ZbBO20
FREE AND LOW-COST FAMILY FUN: The beloved Flint Hills Family Festival is celebrating 25 years in downtown Saint Paul, May 30-31. This year’s festival, presented by the Ordway and Flint Hills Resources, welcomes outstanding headliners, including Grammy winners Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band and Ada Twist, Scientist, as well as the returning NOOMA, an Opera for Babies. Bring kids of all ages to enjoy free outdoor entertainment and activities, visit food trucks and take in an indoor show where tickets start at just $8. GET TICKETS: https://fluence-media.co/FHFestival (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
From Friday’s Fluence newsletters:
CONGRESS: From a Wall Street Journal article about Members of Congress from opposite sides of the aisle forming friendships, EXCERPT: “Leading members of many House committees also often have affable relationships that allow them to work together on less-controversial policy issues. House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson (R., Pa.) and the panel’s top Democrat, Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota, have regular breakfasts together in the Members’ Dining Room.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3GOOful
TRUCKING: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Freddy Lazo left a restaurant job for a higher paying one in trucking about two-and-a-half years ago. But the way President Trump’s trade war is going, he’s thinking he might have to go back to waiting tables soon. ‘It’s really super slow,’ Lazo said, looking across the mostly empty trucking yard of shipping company Big Blue Box in New Brighton. A slump in work is to be expected in this industry every once in a while, although in normal times, it’s usually brief and quickly followed by a boom in business. Looking out at the horizon though, harder times may lie ahead.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3GL5Rr4
AGRICULTURE: via a Senate DFL press release, VERBATIM: “Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Aric Putnam (DFL-St. Cloud) and Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy (DFL-St. Paul) said the Senate Tax bill unveiled [last week] recognizes the modern reality of farming, making tax policy changes that ensure small family farms can pass on their livelihoods to the next generation, and opening new opportunities for Minnesota’s producers. The tax measure, introduced by Senate Taxes Committee Chair Ann Rest (DFL-New Hope), includes agriculture provisions from both Republicans and Democrats.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YCjD5q
SESSION: House floor session at 11:00 a.m. Senate floor session at 11:00 a.m. FLOOR: The House floor will hear bills on healthcare, workers’ compensation, telecommunications and more. CONFERENCE: Conference committees will hear omnibus bills for state government; judiciary and public safety; higher education; and transportation. HOUSE: Rules & Legislative Admin. will meet with an unannounced agenda. SENATE: No Senate committee meetings. CALENDAR: https://fluence-media.co/4iWvlza
TODAY: Governor Tim Walz will attend Minnesota State Patrol Day at the Capitol and meet with legislative leaders.
TODAY: via a DOC advisory, VERBATIM: “Grace Arnold, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Commerce, [will hold a] media event to explain how Minnesotans will be impacted by a federal budget proposal to eliminate funding for Minnesota’s Energy Assistance Program.” The event is at 11:00 a.m. in Duluth.
TODAY: via an ISAIAH advisory, VERBATIM: “Childcare providers, parents, teachers, community members, and legislators will participate in a rally and press conference at the Capitol [addressing] cuts to federal funding for state programs, notably the threat of the elimination of Head Start. … This event is being held in conjunction with National Day Without Child Care events across the country on Monday, May 12.” The event is at 2:00 p.m.
TODAY: The MN GOP announced its annual Lincoln Reagan Dinner will be held on Monday, May 12 with former Rep. Doug Collins as the keynote speaker. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/4cTG9Nc
TOMORROW: via Habitat for Humanity, VERBATIM: “More than 150 housing advocates will rally together at the Minnesota State Capitol to participate in Habitat on the Hill, an advocacy day co-presented by Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity and Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota. The event will include a rally in the Capitol Rotunda, advocacy training, and legislator visits.” Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, DFL Sen. Lindsey Port, DFL Rep. Michael Howard, and GOP Rep. Spencer Igo have been invited. The event is at 10:30 a.m.
TOMORROW: via Allina Health, VERBATIM: “Allina Health, in partnership with Mortenson, will host a ‘topping off’ ceremony at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital [in Minneapolis]. … There will be a steel beam signing to signify the project has reached its full height and the structure is now complete. The beam will be placed at a later date.” The event is at 11:00 a.m.
FRIDAY: Via his office, Sec. Steve Simon will travel to south central Minnesota on Friday, May 16. Simon will meet with county auditors in McLeod, Chippewa, Renville, and Sibley Counties.
JUNE 13: The MN DFL announced its annual Humphrey-Mondale Dinner will be held on Friday, June 13 with Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker as the keynote speaker. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/4iiEa5R
JULY 12: Gov. Tim Walz will be the keynote speaker at the South Dakota Democratic Party’s annual McGovern Day dinner on July 12 in Sioux Falls, SD.
BDAYS: US Bank’s Jeff Shleman, MN Soy’s Joe Smentek, NAOIP’s Roz Peterson, Star Tribune’s Kyndell Harness
TIPS: How do we get the best news and most buzzed about stories? Send us your tips at BloisOlson@gmail.com
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