HUMID HUMP DAY
Twins lost 12-3. A pitching duel tonight.
US plays Turkey tomorrow.
Rain yesterday leaves today humid.
Trump endorsed candidates won nationally last night, and Mandami endorsed New York candidates also swept.
Minnesota’s newest tourist attraction is the world’s tallest nutcracker in Luverne. PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/3SqsZ3Y
The Senate passed a “largely symbolic” bipartisan resolution seeking to block U.S. military action in Iran. AP: https://fluence-media.co/4ept94e
Pew Research finds that approval of the U.S. has declined in most major countries — 57% of respondents view the U.S. unfavorably, 56% say the U.S. “does not respect” its people’s freedoms, and 50% say it’s not a reliable partner. POLL: https://fluence-media.co/4p4ckj7Blois - tips: bloisolson@gmail.com
Happy National Swim A Lap Day!
Blois - tips: bloisolson@gmail.com
SPONSOR: Sponsorships are available to reach over 30,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheets and website, TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com.
LISTEN: Sunday Take covered the status of third parties in Minnesota with Chip Tangen, Libertarian candidate for secretary of state, and Jay Reeves, Forward Independence candidate for state auditor. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4uICwRf
SPEAKING: Do you have a summer or fall conference that your audience wants to hear about the insights of the election? “Signals vs. Noise” of the election. is scheduling now. EMAIL bloisolson@gmail.com
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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
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It’s the anniversary of the Supreme Court Dobb’s decision, and each side is trying to amplify the issue, even though abortion access in Minnesota is not a talker this year like it was in 2022 or 2024. The economy, health care cost and access, fraud, war and many other issues. That won’t stop the activist industry from trying to make it news and raise false concerns in Minnesota today. It’s a reminder of the needed reset and alignment for Minnesota’s nonprofit and foundation community with the economic drivers of the state – employers.
Which is curious considering that via Forum News Service, VERBATIM: “A group of nonprofit organizations is launching a multi-year campaign to bring together an exhausted and fractured state and find a positive way forward. The campaign is called ‘Minnesota: Land of Neighbors.’ … The first campaign event is a listening session in Fergus Falls on July 15. Two additional listening sessions, with dates to be determined, will be held in Red Wing and somewhere in the Twin Cities metro area.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fYigHN
What’s missing? Business groups. Who has funded these groups? Business.
Historically there was a strong partnership in between NGO’s and Minnesota’s business community, but now the loudest voices are clearly anti-business.
In the inbox yesterday is MIRAC calling for “No Corporate Sponsors” at Pride. The coalition which includes: Minnesota Abortion Action Committee, Twin Cities Coalition for Justice, Climate Justice Committee, Women Against Military Madness, Anti War Committee, Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee, US Palestinian Community Network, and Minnesota 50501 is asking for “divesting of corporate sponsorship”.
This was just one of multiple advisories in the inbox yesterday from groups holding news conferences against Minnesota business which strongly confirms the anti-business lane of the DFL and its NGO groups.
A few weeks ago business leader, and Democrat Scott Burns wrote on Substack about the term “Corporate Democrat” being leveled within the DFL as a criticism. HERE: https://fluence-media.co/3SIxMxI
The proliferation of groups, some funded with public money that actively work against the Minnesota businesses that drive the economy and jobs has deeply frayed the fabric of trust that drove Minnesota’s thriving economy for decades. On the agenda for the next year, should be a re-alignment which would include business getting credit for all it does, while solution-minded NGO’s call out the radical ideas of those that are the loudest. It will also require some DFLers to speak more strongly against the bad ideas of some in their party that have been one factor in Minnesota’s slowed economic growth.
AGPOLITICS: via MPR, VERBATIM: “At its convention in Rochester last month– one that nodded to the DFL’s historic ties to rural voters in videos and in speeches from the stage — party chair Richard Carlbom acknowledged the DFL’s rural struggles…In an interview, Carlbom said the party is trying to course correct now in a moment when President Donald Trump’s tariff policies and high oil prices are handicapping farmers. CARLBOM: “In June of 2025 we deployed 10 organizers, and we put them in the rural parts of this state to make sure that we’re working with organizing units in rural areas that want to stand up and get their neighbors involved,” he said. “We have to prove to farmers that we’re ready to stand up and fight for them.”… Republican Jeremy Munson of Lake Crystal is running for the state Senate in the area not far from Mankato. He has long argued that Democrats are out of touch with rural voters. He farms, too, and during a prior stint in the Minnesota House, he co-founded the RFL -- short for Republican Farmer Labor caucus…MUNSON: “The DFL really hasn’t represented farmers in generations,” he said. He said Democrats have supported too many operational regulations and impediments to pass farms down to future generations. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3QZVwwP
HOSPITALITY: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Minnesota bars, restaurants and hotels are increasingly pessimistic as they struggle with rising costs and lower consumer demand…A recent Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis survey found only 15% of businesses in the hospitality sector expected a better summer than last year…For nearly two-thirds of businesses, the challenging outlook comes after they saw profits fall at the beginning of the year compared to last year. WHITCOMB: “Minnesota’s hotel sector has faced a sustained downturn, and given the lingering impacts of multiple crises in recent years, it is no surprise the industry remains cautious,” said Hospitality Minnesota CEO Angie Whitcomb. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uUzhX0
To dig deeper see the data that drives the State of Hospitality in Minnesota. HERE: https://fluence-media.co/4ago4st
(DISCLOSURE: Hospitality Minnesota is a client of Fluence Advisory)
LINDELL: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Mike Lindell’s [campaign] is giving away free pillows from MyPillow and copies of his autobiography. … But there are questions about whether it’s legal under state campaign finance laws. Lindell says his lawyers say it is legal. … Lindell sent 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS an invoice showing his campaign bought 2,500 pillows from My Pillow for $4.50 a piece, or a little over $13,275. … Campaign finance reports from Lindell show he’s bought about $250,000 worth of his autobiography to give away. … Lindell says his campaign sought an opinion from the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board before giving away the pillows. A spokesperson for the board told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS they don’t publicly reveal whether complaints have been filed or opinions sought.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4b96dUD
QUALLS: Republican Kendall Qualls announced a proposal for a “fraud rebate” if he is elected governor, pledging to “return $9 billion to Minnesota taxpayers” over two years. Qualls did not give many details on social media or his website, but he said he will “cut the bloat without causing chaos” to afford the rebate. QUOTE: “Our state is an embarrassment. As governor, I will return that $9 billion directly to Minnesota families as a fraud rebate. We need to cut the waste, fraud and abuse and govern responsibly.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4eqICRB
25B: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “The Olmsted County GOP’s dance card for state legislative races is set — except for one glaring omission. … Delegates emerged from their county convention having endorsed Brad Trahan to run against DFL Rep. Kim Hicks in House District 25A and John Howie against DFL Sen. Liz Boldon in Senate District 25. But there was no endorsement for any candidate in House District 25B, despite the fact that Wes Lund had filed to run as a Republican against DFL Rep. Andy Smith. And there is a difference of interpretation between Lund and the Republican Party about what happened.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ShuHET
A deep dive into the CD1 race between Rep. Brad Finstad and Jake Johnson for MNSider subscribers. HERE: https://fluence-media.co/49OqNJu
COURTS + COPS
MPD: via City of Minneapolis, VERBATIM: “Mayor Jacob Frey announced the process and timeline for selecting Minneapolis’ next Chief of Police, launching a local and national search. … The search will begin immediately, with the goal of selecting the City’s next police chief within approximately 16 weeks. … The City will partner with a national executive search firm to recruit and evaluate candidates from across the country, while encouraging qualified internal candidates to apply. Throughout the process, community stakeholders, public safety leaders, City staff, and elected officials will have opportunities to provide input.” TIMELINE: https://fluence-media.co/4vLhnYh
MORE: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Council member Michael Rainville [said] he would like to see an internal candidate selected as the next chief.” RAINVILLE: “Rumor has it that there are three or four internal candidates that are thinking about applying for the job as well, whereas last time, only one internal candidate applied when we hired Chief [Brian] O’Hara. So that’s very exciting.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4uUnMPp
HCSO: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Despite adding dozens of deputies to fully staff their jail, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office is still considered understaffed at the detention center, [so] inmates are being sent to other jails, costing the county thousands each day. … During a Hennepin County board meeting [yesterday], a consulting firm shared its findings from an investigation into the jail’s operations and staffing. The report highlighted that the jail is staffed at a minimum level, which can lead to several issues, including safety concerns, overtime dependency, reduced supervision and operational inefficiency.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/44vTGqw
CONVICTIONS: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “The Ramsey County Attorney’s Office has completed its review of more than 200 past convictions involving the work of a former medical examiner who gave misleading testimony. … Seven of the 215 cases in which Dr. Michael McGee served as medical examiner were ultimately identified as needing further review, and Ramsey County Attorney John Choi announced Tuesday that there will be no changes to convictions in six of them, though one is still unresolved.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ShquRB
MORE: Yesterday’s lunch take featured additional background info on the Ramsey County case reviews. ICYMI: https://fluence-media.co/44oSWDF
FRAUD: Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office announced more charges against people accused of Medicaid fraud, in addition to those seen in morning take earlier this week, as part of a nationwide state-federal initiative. VERBATIM: “Christine Marie Pryor, of Fargo, North Dakota, was charged [for] defrauding the Minnesota medical assistance program out of over $150,000. … Ahmed Agwa, of Blaine, Minnesota, was charged [for] swindling the Minnesota medical assistance program out of over $94,000. … Edward Sherrod, of Columbia Heights, [allegedly] bilked the Minnesota medical assistance program out of over $60,000. … Jessica Wavra, of East Grand Forks, [allegedly] defrauded the Minnesota medical assistance program out of over $29,000.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eHaZK0
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)
ISSUES
IMMIGRATION: Via Star Tribune, two stories yesterday about litigation between Minnesotans and federal immigration authorities. VERBATIM: “A year after federal prosecutors charged Isabel Lopez with four felonies stemming from her participation in a protest, [she] pleaded guilty to a single misdemeanor charge. Lopez is the first Minnesota anti-immigration enforcement protester to be convicted in federal court since President Donald Trump started his second term. … [Also], a Minneapolis woman who went viral after videos circulated of federal immigration agents dragging her from her car has filed a new complaint with the Department of Homeland Security’s civil rights office over allegations of excessive force.” 1ST: https://fluence-media.co/4ak8MTD 2ND: https://fluence-media.co/4aNwZSk
ENERGY: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “A northern Minnesota utility broke ground this week on a $900 million electric transmission project that’s expected to play a critical role in the state’s clean energy transition. Duluth-based Minnesota Power is upgrading and expanding a 50-year old high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line that runs 465 miles from [North Dakota] to Solway Township, just outside Duluth. It’s one of just two HVDC lines in Minnesota, and there are only a few across the country. They’re valuable because they transmit electricity more efficiently over long distances.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3SnIdqt
BLUE LINE: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Metro Transit on Monday will start a major maintenance project on the Blue Line that will be the most costly in the agency’s history and result in the longest shutdown of the light-rail line since trains began running 20 years ago. Buses will operate in their place for the next seven weeks, meaning riders can still get to their destinations, but trips will take longer.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eG3Qtx
Follow the 2026 Minnesota elections up close with the Fluence Election Tracker.
https://fluence-media.co/electiontracker
METRO
ANOKA-HENN: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “A community-led effort to have voters decide whether to raise their taxes to support their local schools [took] a big step Monday night. … The group Parents for Good Anoka-Hennepin says they’ve locked in the 3,000 signatures on the petition to put a referendum vote on the ballot. … The move follows plans to cut about 75 positions — more than 200 have already been reduced at the district as part of a more than $20 million budget reduction plan.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4eEyrHM
MPLS: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “An investment group on Monday announced plans to build a $250 million multi-use complex in the former Wells Fargo corporate campus. … The developers plan to turn the 25-acre grounds into what they described as a gated housing, retail, technology and healthcare community in the Phillips neighborhood. … Construction on what developers are calling ‘Iconic Plaza’ would begin within months and last two-to-five years.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4xOkbFm
IGH: via Fox 9, VERBATIM: “Tensions ran high at the Inver Grove Heights City Council meeting on Monday night as plans to discuss a controversial data center were derailed by an abrupt adjournment and shouting from those in attendance… The meeting was set to include a vote on a moratorium on new data centers and a discussion about a proposed 54,000-square-foot data center in town…But before the council discussed those items, it voted to adjourn the meeting, rescheduling it for Friday morning.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4xPKpr8
HABITAT RESTORATION: Flint Hills Resources has earned Tandem Global WHC Gold Certification for habitat restoration at its Cottage Grove fuel terminal. The certification comes after two years of work in partnership with Friends of the Mississippi River to implement a restoration and monitoring plan to re-establish the 6.5-acre site’s natural prairie and savannah. Flint Hills has held gold certification for its work done with community partners over the past 25 years to restore more than 200 acres of the Pine Bend Bluffs, a critical natural area along the Mississippi River that is adjacent to Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery. This makes two Flint Hills gold-certified sites in Minnesota and the first two gold-certified sites ever in the Twin Cities. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3VASKg4 (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
AROUND MN
HENN CTY: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “A new partnership between Hennepin County and Minneapolis aims to speed progress on assisting survivors [in] domestic violence cases. But some advocates say there’s work left undone and are questioning why a longtime community partner has been cut out. … The city will fund a new position in the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office for the next three years, starting on July 1. … But Artika Roller, the executive director of Cornerstone, said her organization, which has contracted with the city to provide services in felony cases for the better part of a decade, was blindsided.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aPVezj
RAMSEY CTY: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “The Ramsey County Board members unanimously approved a salary increase for themselves Tuesday. The increase, effective Jan. 1, raises board members’ salaries from $107,199 to $110,951. The board chair’s salary will increase from $112,559 to $116,499. … Ramsey County is the only county in Minnesota that requires an ordinance to change commissioner salaries.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gCGYxy
DAKOTA CTY: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “Voters in Dakota County will see new electronic voting equipment at the polls this year, starting with the Aug. 11 primary. … According to officials, the new system is designed to offer ‘an independent and accessible voting experience for all residents.’” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3QEhB3N
ST PAUL: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “St. Paul’s zoning bans lighting on golf courses, though there is no ban on illumination for other sports. … Putt-putt is also banned on golf courses. … But in a quest for more revenue from the four city-owned golf courses, St. Paul wants to undo both prohibitions. The city planning commission is set to consider changes to zoning code this week with the issues set for a City Council vote later this summer.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4acEGkY
RPS: via Rep. Brad Finstad advisory, VERBATIM: “Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) sent a letter to the Minnesota Department of Education Commissioner Willie Jett highlighting concerns regarding the Southern Poverty Law Center’s (SPLC) Learning for Justice program and related social frameworks being integrated into Rochester Public Schools. … Public school should be politically neutral, [but] the organization’s Social Justice Standards includes an entire domain focused on teaching the youngest of learners to engage in ‘action,’ or activism for social justice causes.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3QirHYf LETTER: https://fluence-media.co/4g3iwVT
BEMIDJI: via Bemidji Pioneer, VERBATIM: “The Bemidji City Council commenced a broad discussion about parking [this week], honing in on calendar parking, technology, infrastructure, enforcement and more. … The council spoke in favor of reaching out to residents and city staff, rather than paying for a study, to make an informed decision.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eHaK1N
MOWER CTY: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “The Mower County Board of Commissioners approved a mutual aid agreement between the county and the city of Rochester that will allow one to two Rochester staffers to cover the Austin area’s dispatch operations. Mower County usually employs between 10 and 12 Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) workers, [but] the county has six available staffers. … From June 25 to July 25, Mower County will pay the city of Rochester $100 per hour for each dispatcher needed to cover Austin-area first responder operations.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ah6sNd
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)
WHAT’S NEXT
TODAY: Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy will host a press conference discussing anti-abortion policies “embraced by the three Minnesota GOP candidates for governor,” per a release. The event is at 12:15 p.m.
TODAY: via advisory from the Atwood Center, Amazon workers will hold a protest in Shakopee at 4:30 p.m.
TODAY: Governor Tim Walz will attend the BIO International Convention in San Diego to discuss Minnesota’s growing biotech industry
TODAY: PACAT will host “a bannering demonstration with a rally to follow” in St. Paul to discuss the state of abortion rights four years after Dobbs v. Jackson, per a release. The event is at 5:00 p.m.
TODAY: Independent evaluators at ELEFA will host a public meeting to answer questions about the Minneapolis Police Department’s settlement agreement. The event is at 6:00 p.m.
TOMORROW: FCR will host a press conference discussing a FOIA lawsuit they filed to obtain “federal agency records related to Operation Metro Surge,” per a release. The event is at 9:00 a.m.
TOMORROW: Sec. Steve Simon will host a media briefing on the start of early voting for the Aug. 11 primary at 1:30 p.m.
JUNE 29: Sen. Jen McEwen and Reps. Pete Johnson and Liish Kozlowski, all DFL, are hosting a town hall in Duluth on Monday, June 29 to “inform constituents of legislative achievements from the 2026 session,” per a release. The event is at 6:00 p.m.
JULY 13: Attorney General Keith Ellison will host a community listening session on Monday, July 13 to discuss the proposed acquisition of Allina Health by Sutter Health. The event is in St. Paul at 6:00 p.m.
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BDAYS: Sen John Jasinksi, operative Joelle Stangler, Senate stalwart Krista Broton, WCCO Radio’s Jimmy Erickson, real estate pro Brooke Wolford, historian Patrick Coleman
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IN MEMORIAM: morning take is dedicated in memory of Melissa Hortman.