VTwins lose.
Vikings still making moves before the season opener. READ: http://fluence-media.co/4fUX4Ao
The State Fair’s first weekend saw strong attendance, but no records are broken yet. DATA: http://fluence-media.co/47KRRc7
NOAA expects the weather to be cooler than average for the State Fair’s entire duration. SEE: http://fluence-media.co/3ULD8Go
30 people from 23 countries became new American citizens at the State Fair Monday. WCCO: http://fluence-media.co/3JDzZpH
Donald Trump says he fired Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve, but it’s unclear if he can legally do so because no president has ever tried it before. CNN: http://fluence-media.co/4oSgj1z
Happy National Banana Split Day.
Blois - tips: bloisolson@gmail.com
Sunday Take was live at the State Fair as GOP Rep. Keith Allen and DFL Sen. Doron Clark discussed their lifelong friendship and how to bridge political divisions. LISTEN: http://fluence-media.co/3HuzoGl
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.
TODAY: Primaries for the upcoming special elections in Senate Districts 29 and 47 will be held today. In SD29, Rachel Davis, Michael Holmstrom Jr. and Bradley Kurtz will compete for the GOP nomination. In SD47, Rep. Ethan Cha and Rep. Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger will seek the DFL nomination. The winners of these primaries will be on special election ballots Nov. 4.
SECURITY: Following reports that the state hired a firm run by former St. Paul Police Chief Todd Axtell to assess Capitol security, Fluence Media has obtained the contract for the service as well as the request for emergency purchasing that authorizes the state to spend an estimated $220,000. EXCERPT: “Given the recent assassination and attacks on state elected officials and their families, and the successful unauthorized entry into the Capitol and the Senate Chambers, current security measures must be evaluated. To do so, the state must conduct an immediate security assessment of the Capitol and the buildings which contain the offices of state officials to ensure public safety and continuity of Minnesota’s governmental functions.” CONTRACT: https://fluence-media.co/41T2ypo REQUEST: https://fluence-media.co/466nKL3
DNC: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “State Sen. John Hoffman electrified party leaders on Monday at the Democratic National Committee's summer meeting in Minneapolis, marking his first in-person public appearance since he was shot nine times on June 14. Hoffman appeared strong and energetic as he delivered a 10-minute speech to Democratic colleagues. … With party members from across the country in attendance Monday, Hoffman called on Democrats to restore public trust in politics and recognize the harm of conspiracy theories, dehumanization rhetoric and political radicalization.” HOFFMAN: “Having our homes violated by pure evil cannot be the new normal. I believe all Americans and Minnesotans want to talk to each other again, without being demeaned and without the threat of violence.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/4fTKjWP
(DISCLOSURE: Fluence Advisory is providing media support for the Hoffman family)
MORE: via Daily Beast, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Governor Tim Walz slammed President Donald Trump as a ‘manchild’ with ‘fat ankles’ in a Monday speech at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) summer meeting in Minneapolis [as] his audience broke into a round of raucous applause. … The 2024 vice presidential candidate called on Democrats to unite against Trump’s ‘fascist’ policies [and] continued to lampoon MAGA Republicans in an extended rant.” WALZ: “Think about how easy it would be to be a damn Republican. Oh, what should I wear today? This stupid frickin’ red hat. What should I say today? I don’t know, just make sure it’s cruel. Who do we listen to? That guy — the felon in the White House.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4lOEUSj WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/3UIWUT1
RESPONSE: Rep. Brad Finstad (MN-01) was one of many Republicans who criticized Gov. Tim Walz’s DNC speech yesterday after footage of the event was shared by a GOP rapid response account and went viral on social media. FINSTAD: “So much for toning down the rhetoric.” TWEET: http://fluence-media.co/4n3Dwfr
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On Monday, Fluence Advisory hosted a cannabis forum on the “State of Cannabis in Minnesota including an interview with Executive Director of the Office of Cannabis Management Eric Taubel.
ENERGY: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “In the debate over the future of northern Minnesota’s largest power company, the rhetoric has turned nasty…The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) will decide in October whether to approve the $6.2 billion sale of Duluth-based Allete, parent company of Minnesota Power. The case, which has drawn growing national interest, is about what’s best for the 150,000 customers of Minnesota Power…But the acrimony also reflects larger tensions among left-leaning advocacy organizations. Some hope to guarantee money for the infrastructure costs of a carbon-free grid. Others want to block private equity, for them a symbol of capitalism run amok, from getting control of a power company.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41kpwFN
SENATE RACE: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “The State Fair is the unofficial start of campaign season, so Rep. Angie Craig and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan are getting serious in their fight to be the one who runs under the DFL Party banner for retiring Sen. Tina Smith’s seat. … [Craig’s] breaks with her party, although infrequent, could prove a liability with left-leaning activists who are likely to back true progressive Flanagan at next year’s DFL nominating convention. But Craig said she’s not worried, pointing out that Gov. Tim Walz and his running mate Flanagan failed to win the DFL endorsement. … Craig said she’s going to compete for the endorsement, but will continue her campaign for the U.S. Senate if she fails to win it.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/47dDxsH
FRAUD: via MPR, VERBATIM: “GOP leaders and candidates say they plan to keep the focus on fraud as they speak to voters at the Minnesota State Fair. … They feel the issue of improper use of state money is an issue that hits home with people. Minnesota Republican Party Deputy Chair Donna Bergstrom [said] whether the governor seeks a third term or another Democrat steps up to run, Republicans will hone in on the money lost through nutrition and housing stabilization programs.” BERGSTROM: “We've got a lot to go against the governor with, if he were to choose to run again. … Even if it's not Gov. [Tim] Walz, you're still going to have a Democrat that's going to be running pretty much on those same principles.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/45ODocH
MAYOR: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “As a legislator, Fateh has become known for his willingness to go to the mat for his priorities, even if it comes at the expense of his party’s broader agenda. A democratic socialist, he has fought for labor protections and helped create a tuition-free college program that became a signature win for the DFL’s left flank. But he has tested his colleagues’ support along the way with hardball tactics and several ethics controversies, including an alleged quid pro quo with a Somali news outlet and an election fraud probe.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4g3UOqv
DESPITE THE CHALLENGES OF RURAL HEALTH CARE, ESSENTIA IS RECOGNIZED FOR PROVIDING TOP CLINICAL CARE: According to the latest report from Minnesota Community Measurement, a statewide resource on health care quality, costs and equity, Essentia ranked as a high performer with 19 of 20 clinical quality metrics scoring above statewide averages. According to Dr. Maria Beaver, chief quality and patient safety officer at Essentia: “This is a testament to the amazing care provided by all our clinical care teams and all our colleagues who support them.” LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4dCxy1D (SPONSORED: Essentia Health)
REDISTRICTING: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “The party of the president in office typically suffers midterm losses, but [Donald] Trump is angling to retain power in the House by having red states redraw electoral maps in their favor. … On Monday, Sen. Amy Klobuchar — who has introduced a bill to rein in gerrymandering — voiced her support for California’s redistricting response.” KLOBUCHAR: “While we wait to get [this bill] in place and put some national rules of the road in place, we will not back down. We will not let them set the playing field.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3JPRP8V
VOTER DATA: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The U.S. Department of Justice threatened Minnesota with legal action unless it turns over its voter rolls. … This is the DOJ's second attempt to get the Minnesota Secretary of State's Office to turn over its list of registered voters. … ‘Failure by Minnesota to provide its statewide voter registration list may result in legal action,’ read [the] letter. … President Donald Trump appointed a commission during his first term that sought the same information and failed. But now, the requests have the weight of the DOJ behind them. ‘It feels much different,’ Secretary of State Steve Simon told the Minnesota Star Tribune. ‘It feels escalated and elevated.’ … [Some] secretaries of state are weighing a lawsuit against the federal government.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4fTFrRx
NATL GUARD: via WCCO Radio, VERBATIM: “As [Donald] Trump considers deploying the National Guard to other major Democratic-leaning cities, Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher says thanks — but no thanks. … Fletcher told WCCO's Chad Hartman even though he believes Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara is doing a great job recruiting and refilling the ranks, he'd like to see officers from other departments and the State Patrol assigned to help the MPD until it's fully-staffed.” FLETCHER: “We actually don't need the National Guard. We just need our governor to help mobilize other law enforcement in Minnesota and our emergency management.” READ/LISTEN: http://fluence-media.co/4lLluh0
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)
HOMELESS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The Minneapolis City Council will consider taking legal action against landlord Hamoudi Sabri, who has allowed a homeless encampment on his property in south Minneapolis despite demands from the city to clear it. Mayor Jacob Frey called a special meeting of the council at 1 p.m. Wednesday for a closed-door briefing on potential litigation against Sabri. The move comes after the city has issued Sabri citations with $5,000 in fines, declaring his property [a] public health nuisance. If Sabri does not comply, the city plans to clean the encampment Tuesday at the property owner’s expense.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4oTf420
NURSES: via Duluth News Tribune, VERBATIM: “Essentia Health and the Minnesota Nurses Association have reached tentative agreements for clinic nurses at Duluth and Superior locations. First contracts will run through March 31, 2027. … The tentative agreements have the full recommendation of the MNA and union bargaining committees. … The MNA will conduct ratification votes Thursday.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/41VHE97
(DISCLOSURE: Essentia Health is a client and sponsor of Fluence)
INSURANCE: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Health insurance premiums for thousands of Minnesotans are expected to increase in 2026. … Federal subsidies designed to make coverage more affordable are set to expire at the end of 2025. Preliminary filings released by the Minnesota Department of Commerce indicate that insurers are seeking average premium increases ranging from 7% to 26% for 2026 plans on the individual market, and between 7% and 17% on the small group market. Approximately 202,000 Minnesotans are covered through the small group health insurance market, [while] the individual health insurance market covers around 187,000 state residents.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4oJGhUO
(DISCLOSURE: UCare is a client of Fluence Advisory)
SUMMER SAVINGS: via Xcel Energy, VERBATIM: “Home cooling can account for about half of your summertime electric bill. Here are five simple, effective ways to boost energy efficiency in your home and save money.
1. Ceiling fans cool you, not the room.
2. When away, adjust your thermostat.
3. Hot air belongs outside.
4. Cook smarter to stay cooler.
5. Let nature dry your clothes — plus, your chores can wait until evening.”
(SPONSORED: Xcel Energy)
UMN: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “New students are arriving to campuses across the University of Minnesota system this week as the school year begins. More than 12,000 new students are arriving to campuses at Morris, Duluth, Crookston, Rochester and the Twin Cities, according to a University press release on Monday. About 70% of new students are Minnesotans, [but] students are coming from 60 different countries and 49 U.S. states. Classes begin next week at Rochester and the Twin Cities, and this week at Duluth and Crookston.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/4lVvN2g
WSU: via Winona Daily News, VERBATIM: “College students have made their annual return to Winona, [and] the university expects a larger enrollment than in recent years, especially incoming freshman, which also means more student housing will be utilized. … Winona State University President Kenneth Janz said preliminary data showed a 3.2% increase in student enrollment, though final numbers for the school year are not yet available. The largest increase in students is expected in the freshman class, with a projected increase of 12%. There’s been a rise in the number of freshman students coming from the Twin Cities metro area, Janz said, with a 17% increase from that area. The university has sought to recruit more students, including in the metro area, and has adjusted its media strategy accordingly.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/45VwiDj
MOVE: via a Cozen O’Connor advisory, VERBATIM: “Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies [has] welcomed veteran political strategist Julia Donnelly to its fast-growing Minnesota lobbying team — a long-time adviser to key Minnesota politicians, including current Governor Tim Walz. … She joins the firm as a principal and will work out of its Minneapolis/St. Paul office.”
MPLS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The Minneapolis City Council has voted not to extend two city contracts with a church and nonprofit run by a prominent north Minneapolis pastor who made threatening statements toward the Minneapolis City Council in February. The city’s Neighborhood Safety Department had asked the council to approve a bundle of violence prevention contracts, including two contract extensions with entities associated with the Rev. Jerry McAfee.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/47fi96e
EDEN PRAIRIE: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “On Monday, Eden Prairie Mayor Ron Case stated his commitment to address residents’ pedestrian safety concerns at a crosswalk where a mother and two children were hit by a car late last week, critically injuring one of the children. The driver fled, according to police. … Given the hit-and-run, Mayor Case said it will be discussed at the next city council meeting. … ‘We do need to address this, and we need, in my mind, to do something at least, I think, to [reassure] our residents that we are paying attention. But it might be the blinking traffic light or the pedestrian light,’ he said, adding that particular measure would come with a price tag of $25,000.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/3JwM9Rg
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS TO CELEBRATE: Flint Hills Resources and its employees are proud of the company they keep, including many community partners that help make Minnesota a better place to live and learn. Not only is the Pine Bend refinery celebrating 70 years, many of the company’s long-time partnerships have milestones in 2025 — 25 years of the Flint Hills Family Festival in partnership with the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, 25 years with Friends of the Mississippi River to restore critical habitat, 30 years with the Minnesota Zoo, and 40 years with Ducks Unlimited. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3ZfDkjY (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
ROCHESTER: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “A nearly $663.9 million Rochester city budget for 2026 includes $4 million in cuts alongside $1.9 million in new spending to respond to service needs. Rochester City Administrator Alison Zelms said the recommendation provides a balance, seeking to keep the property tax levy as low as possible while providing services residents expect in a growing city. … The proposal comes with a potential 5.9% increase to the city’s property tax levy, [and] the roughly $6.6 million increase is slightly more than half of what was projected in earlier budget discussions.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3VjNi16
MINNETONKA: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “The Minnetonka Police Department has officially launched a new ‘cutting-edge’ drone program that is designed to help respond to emergencies. … On Monday, the department showed off its new operations center, where decisions on whether or not to send drones to an emergency will be made. Additionally, officials there will also be able to see live video from the drones to help responding officers. The goal of the program is to shorten response times, make calls safer and provide real-time information to first responders. It will cost $265,000 per year.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/4oR60dV
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
41B: via Beck for State House, VERBATIM: “William Beck announced Monday that he is running for the Minnesota House of Representatives in District 41B, which includes Cottage Grove, Hastings, Denmark Township, and Nininger Township. … Beck will seek the Republican endorsement and has pledged to abide by the decision of the delegates. While running, he will take a leave of absence from his role on the 2nd Congressional District Republican Party’s executive board.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mxvgEw
MINNEAPOLIS: On TikTok over the weekend, Mayoral candidate Jazz Hampton said his car was stolen and that it’s the third time that’s happened. He used it as an opportunity to talk about crime. HAMPTON: “From all the broken windows we’ve seen across the city of Minneapolis, over 500, I think, at this point, we need a dedicated group of officers that are addressing these crimes directly. And, when we actually arrest and find these folks, we need to have a restorative justice system that can ensure that we aren’t just punishing people, we’re insuring they know there’s better opportunities out there than what’s happening right now.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/45UFiZz
TODAY: Governor Tim Walz has no public events scheduled. Yesterday, Walz official schedule had no public events, but he did appear at the DNC Summer Meeting.
TODAY: via Office of the Sec. of State, VERBATIM: “Secretary of State Steve Simon, along with Minnesota high school students, will visit the Minnesota State Fair to present Certificates of Appreciation. … Among the recipients will be the University of Northwestern-St. Paul and the Minnesota Private Colleges Council and student association, the Minnesota State system and their two student associations, and the University of Minnesota system and their student governments.” The event is at 11:00 a.m.
TOMORROW: via a Rep. Angie Craig advisory, VERBATIM: “Representative Angie Craig will host a press conference in Hastings alongside state legislators, union members and health care advocates to stand against [federal] cuts to Medicaid and Affordable Care Act tax credits. … Craig will be joined by State Representative Robert Bierman; State Senator Judy Seeberger; [and others].” The event is at 9:00 a.m.
SEPT 3-4: The Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture is hosting two virtual sessions to gather public input and ideas for the 2026 legislative session. The first is Wednesday, Sept. 3 at 12:00 noon. The second is Thursday, Sept. 4 at 5:00 p.m. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/46W26Kr
SEPT 4: St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter will give his annual city budget address on Thursday, Sept. 4 at 10:00 a.m. This address was previously scheduled for Aug. 14 before being postponed due to a citywide cyberattack. Carter will also deliver his library budget address at 1:00 p.m. the same day.
BDAYS: WCCO Radio’s Laura Oakes, Rep. Fue Lee, fmr. Sen. John Howe
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