THE DAY
Twins win. Loons play tonight.
The state’s professional volleyball team, MLV Minnesota, will announce a new team name today at 4:30 p.m. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/3RZhZL8
Minnesota flags will be lowered today in honor of former state Supreme Court Justice Esther M. Tomljanovich.
Congrats to WCCO Radio’s Al Schoch on his retirement.
Wisconsin also has elections today, with all eyes on the Democratic governor primary. WCCO: https://fluence-media.co/4we1VTD
Pew Research finds that Donald Trump’s approval rating is 34% — at this time in 2018, it was 40%. POLL: https://fluence-media.co/4wROB8A
The Fluence Advisory memo on the next Governor’s administration comes out this week.
Happy National Daughter and Sons Day…to Lily and Jack.
I’ll be streaming on Fox 9 Local starting at 8 tonight. HERE: https://fluence-media.co/45EAdVz
Vote.
Blois - tips: bloisolson@gmail.com
Sunday Take featured a deep dive into the August primaries, the highs and lows of each candidate and more. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4gm1n9B
Want to manage your subscription to TheDailyAgenda.com ? HERE: https://fluence-media.co/managesubscription
HEALTHCARE: Strong communities depend on sustainable nonprofit healthcare. By planning to join leading, nonprofit healthcare system Sutter Health, Allina Health will be better positioned to expand access to high-quality, innovative care in Minnesota and Western Wisconsin - supporting patients, caregivers, and communities for generations to come. Learn more about the Allina-Sutter partnership.. HERE: https://fluence-media.co/AllinaHealth (SPONSORED: Allina Health)
Polls open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m. — read tomorrow’s morning take for the latest results in key races. Follow the Fluence Election Tracker here: https://fluence-media.co/electiontracker
A long day ahead, and late news out of SD46 finds that the Dumalag campaign violated rules via TC Jew Folk, VERBATIM: “On the day before Minnesota’s primary election, a state administrative court judge ruled that there was probable cause that Sen. Ron Latz’s opponent in Tuesday’s DFL Primary, Lynette Dumalag, violated state statute by “falsely implying support or endorsement from the DFL party,” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3TFSYoO
Stories like this will be a reminder of fraud through November, via KSTP, VERBATIM: “A Minnesota startup with big plans appealed to the state government for financial help to make parts that charge electric cars in the Twin Cities. 5 INVESTIGATES found the company received hundreds of thousands of dollars despite blowing past a key deadline. … Lawmakers ultimately approved $1.5 million for the company, [but] state law required FlexForge to submit information detailing how the money was spent and how many jobs had been created by last December. The company missed that deadline. Yet records show [DEED] continued sending payments to FlexForge, including more than $300,000 after the reporting deadline had passed.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4qjhgRB
Monday’s early voting turnout indicates state officials have accepted over 206,000 early ballots for the 2026 primary — 99,000 by mail, 107,000 in-person. The Office of the Sec. of State noted that this tally is already the largest number of early votes cast in a midterm election primary in Minnesota history. All outstanding absentee ballots must be returned by 5:00 p.m. today to be counted. DATA: https://fluence-media.co/4xzuVGF
Cross referencing early ballots provides an estimated following age of early voters:
18 to 35 = 12%
36 to 55 = 18%
56 to 65 = 14%
66+ = 56%
That’s a high number for younger voters.
Send your photos to us if you see federal election monitors at the polling place. This has happened before, but the reaction was much different. The breathless
via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Local law enforcement leaders are providing guidance to Minnesota voters as the Trump Administration sends seven teams from the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division to monitor polling locations during Tuesday’s primary. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said in a statement that ‘out of an abundance of caution’ his office will be monitoring the federal monitors.” ELLISON: “Because these DOJ observers have monitored elections in Minnesota and other states in previous years without incident, including Michigan just last week, we do not expect any violations of the law.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wpFOdh
MORE: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “Secretary of State Steve Simon said the Department of Justice had alerted some counties it planned to send observers to polling locations. However, Simon said that officials in Hennepin and Ramsey counties had denied the DOJ access to its [polls], ‘as they can under the law.’ … The DOJ said they will still send observers to polling locations in Hennepin and Ramsey counties, [but] the state will send its own observers to monitor the federal observers and ensure that they are abiding by the boundaries.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4zbbw0c
ESSENTIA HEALTH SUPPORTS FREE CLINIC IN VIRGINIA, SERVING INCREASED NUMBER OF UNINSURED MINNESOTANS: Every Thursday night, physicians and care team members from Essentia Health-Virginia volunteer at the Project Care Free Clinic, providing treatment, screenings, and preventive care to patients who are uninsured or may be struggling to afford health care premiums. Essentia also provides lab and X-ray services at no cost to the clinic or its patients. Essentia is proud to support the clinic, ensuring everyone in the community can get the care they need. READ MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4yt7Qqu (SPONSORED: Essentia Health)
SPENDING: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “The all-time record for political spending in Minnesota is the 2008 U.S. Senate race between Democrat Al Franken and Republican Norm Coleman. … The two main candidates in that race, along with primary opponents, spent a record $51 million combined, with another $24 million in outside spending. In 2026, the candidates for U.S. Senate had already raised $27 million by late July, with a contentious general election ahead — [meaning] Minnesota could be headed for record U.S. Senate race spending.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4g326em
DFL SEN: Via Star Tribune, a look at the areas where Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and Rep. Angie Craig agree on policy — universal childcare, higher minimum wages, year-round E15 and more — and the key issues on which they differ, such as Israel, healthcare and immigration. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wTbgRW
SWING: What do Minnesota swing voters think? A survey of 947 swing voters by the Swing Voter Pilot provides insight in to the mood of the most coveted voters.. The poll defined “swing voters” as independent or undecided voters who “could plausibly support candidates from either party” based on key factors. LEARNMORE: https://fluence-media.co/4cw1k8M (SPONSORED: Swing Voter Project)
GOP GOV: Two Republican candidates for governor — Mike Lindell and Kendall Qualls — spoke to MinnPost about their campaign platforms and priorities. Lindell said his friendship with Pres. Donald Trump will help Minnesota in state-federal matters, such as recouping deferred Medicaid funding. Lindell also said Gov. Tim Walz is “a very bad, evil man,” and he hopes Attorney General Keith Ellison will be imprisoned. Meanwhile, Qualls said he wants to reform “unfunded mandates,” speed up permitting and more, adding that he sees himself as more appealing to independents than Lindell. Speaker Lisa Demuth declined an interview request. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wiAtnO
GOP SEN: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Former NFL sideline broadcaster Michele Tafoya jumped into the [Senate] race with the backing of the Washington, D.C., establishment, who view her as the GOP’s best shot. … She is the best fundraiser of the Republican candidates and, while she describes herself as a strong conservative, Tafoya also has some moderate views that could appeal to swing voters. … Some GOP insiders predict that Republicans wouldn’t be able to run a competitive campaign [without Tafoya] because national donors would be less invested. … [But] other leading Republican candidates have portrayed Tafoya as too liberal and leaned into an anti-establishment pitch.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wRHUn3
STATE ISSUES
WILDFIRES: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “More than 21,000 gallons of water were dumped by helicopters Sunday as crews continue working to contain the flames that ravaged parts of northern Minnesota. … The Little Knife Fire is 90% contained, while the Camp Fire is approximately 84% contained, according to the U.S. Forest Service.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4xzBpW1
EDUCATION: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Education Minnesota, the state teachers’ union, released a poll of its members showing 72% said they were directly or indirectly impacted personally by Operation Metro Surge. Among Twin Cities teachers only, 93% reported being personally affected. As for the impact on students, 68% of teachers reported students absent from class, 67% observed increased fear and anxiety among students, and 47% said students were noticeably withdrawn. … Some educators warn of a drop in state assessment scores this year, and they’re pointing to Operation Metro Surge as the culprit.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/45XyjPC
MORE LEADERS. MORE IDEAS. COMPLIMENTARY REGISTRATION: You are invited to attend Compeer Financial’s complimentary Rooted & Rising: Rural Forum this September 14-16 as leaders from across rural communities come together to strengthen the towns we call home. The event brings together community champions, local officials, nonprofit partners and business leaders to explore strategies that strengthen rural economies and expand opportunities. You’ll join more than 30 speakers and fellow leaders for practical ideas, inspiring stories and meaningful connections focused on economic development, workforce, housing, entrepreneurship and community leadership. We encourage you to invite a colleague, community partner or fellow rural changemaker to join you. Registration will remain open as space allows. Secure your seat at no cost today. REGISTER: https://fluence-media.co/4q3pJZ2 (SPONSORED: Compeer Financial)
ISSUES
WILDFIRES: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “More than 21,000 gallons of water were dumped by helicopters Sunday as crews continue working to contain the flames that ravaged parts of northern Minnesota. … The Little Knife Fire is 90% contained, while the Camp Fire is approximately 84% contained, according to the U.S. Forest Service.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4xzBpW1
EDUCATION: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Education Minnesota, the state teachers’ union, released a poll of its members showing 72% said they were directly or indirectly impacted personally by Operation Metro Surge. Among Twin Cities teachers only, 93% reported being personally affected. As for the impact on students, 68% of teachers reported students absent from class, 67% observed increased fear and anxiety among students, and 47% said students were noticeably withdrawn. … Some educators warn of a drop in state assessment scores this year, and they’re pointing to Operation Metro Surge as the culprit.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/45XyjPC
DATA CENTERS: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “A power failure at a downtown Minneapolis data center called the 511 Building is likely behind disruptions to several government services last week. The Midwest Internet Cooperative Exchange is housed in the facility and confirmed the outage. … Its partners include some of the public-sector networks that were affected, including Dakota County 911. Some voting machines also lost internet connectivity, and state agency websites were affected.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3RWTRJ5
SCOOTERS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The Lime transportation company is working with Minneapolis officials to review and identify electric scooter and bike riders who took to the streets over the weekend in massive meetups that snarled downtown traffic and even ventured onto the highway. … Lime officials said the company would ban anyone who rode on a highway.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4wLoxMq
The latest MNSider Brief covered which candidates are most likely to win their primaries based on fundraising, polling and more. ICYMI: https://fluence-media.co/4hpe1pj
FLOCK CAMS: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “West St. Paul said Monday that it’s suspending its use of Flock Safety license plate reader cameras effective immediately and that crews began taking down the cameras Monday. City Manager Nate Burkett said all cameras would be removed within a week. He said there is no indication that the city used the cameras for anything but legitimate law enforcement purposes. … West St. Paul joins other area cities that have either paused or ended their Flock contracts after public pushback.” BURKETT: “The concern that has grown around this technology is not about our people. It is about the system itself, and whether a tool like this belongs in West St. Paul before the community understands and trusts it.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hx8m0F
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)
METRO
MPLS: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “A new Minneapolis relocation plan for Heritage Park would help some residents move, but it leaves out 128 households in public housing. The city released the policy Monday after weeks of anticipation over conditions at Heritage Park Apartments, which have been described as moldy and unsafe. Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) Director Erik Hansen told a Minneapolis City Council committee that 211 units are still occupied, [but] 128 of the occupied units are public housing that is federally funded and managed by the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA), which is not governed by the city or council.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4hmmoSB
ST PAUL: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “A Ramsey County judge has ordered the City of St. Paul to place a proposed Tenant Right to Repair initiative on the November 2026 ballot, ruling the City Council did not have sufficient grounds to keep the measure from voters. The order came Monday, Aug. 10, following an emergency hearing at the Ramsey County Courthouse. … The proposed ordinance would create a new chapter in the St. Paul Legislative Code allowing tenants to make certain repairs to their rental homes after providing written notice to their landlord.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3RXw7oc
ANOKA-HENN: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “A judge denied a request to force a special election on school funding in the Anoka-Hennepin district. The court ruled only the school board — not voters by petition — can call an operating levy referendum. More than 3,200 signatures were collected, but the petition was rejected by the district and the court. … The board may still consider future referendums, but the petition process is not an option under current law.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4xvONu2
FOREST LAKE: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “The Comfort Lake Forest Lake Watershed District board of managers is challenging a move to have Forest Lake Mayor Blake Roberts appointed to the board. … The Washington County Board of Commissioners is slated to consider Roberts’ appointment to the watershed district board as a consent-agenda item at the board meeting on Tuesday morning. … [But] some of the watershed district’s board members expressed concerns about Roberts’ possible appointment, [saying] the move could present governance, legal and operational challenges.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3TETvr7
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)
GREATER MN
APPLETON: via West Central Tribune, VERBATIM: “After news last week that the Prairie Correctional Facility in Appleton will be reopening as an immigration detention facility, Minnesota Sen. Torrey Westrom and Rep. Paul Anderson have announced they will host a roundtable to brief constituents on the development, talk about next steps and answer questions. The meeting will take place from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20. … Westrom, R-Alexandria, said that he worked with U.S. Rep. Michelle Fischbach and President Donald Trump’s administration ‘to make them aware of this relatively new facility and advocate for the facility’s reopening on behalf of our area.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gmSrki
ROCHESTER: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “A Rochester mayoral candidate’s access to the Jeremiah Program’s halls has sparked online controversy and police reports. … Candidate Ayub Haji-Omar and campaign representatives had [allegedly] accessed the [shelter] without a required escort. Amanda Grayson, RPD’s crime prevention and communications coordinator, confirmed the Rochester Police Department received a report that a group of people entered a secure building at the Jeremiah Program, but provided no details. … ‘No further investigation or legal action is taking place at this time,’ she said.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3TLljtS
BELTRAMI CTY: via Bemidji Pioneer, VERBATIM: “U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen and members of the U.S. Attorney’s Office completed a two‑day visit to Beltrami County and the Red Lake Nation [that] included a series of meetings with county officials, federal partners, tribal leadership, community members and the Red Lake Department of Public Safety to discuss public safety [and] strengthen coordination. … Following this meeting, Rosen visited the [FBI’s] Bemidji Resident Agency, which covers most of northwest Minnesota and Red Lake.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3TMUsxv
LOOKING AHEAD
TODAY: Gov. Tim Walz has no events today.
TODAY: Republican Senate candidate Michele Tafoya will cast her primary vote in Edina tomorrow, with press invited. The event is at 10:00 a.m.
TOMORROW: Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey will deliver his 2027 budget address at 11:00 a.m.
THURSDAY: St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her will deliver her 2027 budget address at 11:00 a.m.
THIS WEEK: Fluence sponsor Xcel Energy and industry partners are hosting a series of open houses on their planned “PowerOn Midwest” electric transmission projects from Tuesday, Aug. 4 to Thursday, Aug. 13. SCHEDULE: https://fluence-media.co/4yHUlDi
AUG 20: Sen. Torrey Westrom and Rep. Paul Anderson, both GOP, will host a roundtable to discuss the reopening of the Prairie Correctional Facility in Appleton on Thursday, Aug. 20 at 2:30 p.m.
SEPT 9: The IRRR Board is hosting its third annual “State of the Range” event in Chisholm on Wednesday, Sept. 9 at 4:00 p.m.
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BDAYS: fmr. Rep. Jeff Brand, conservative insider Micah Olson, fmr. BBY CEO Hubert Joly
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IN MEMORIAM: morning take is dedicated in memory of Melissa Hortman.