Twins win.
Fmr. Gopher QB Max Brosmer has made the Vikings. He celebrated with a family meal at The Freehouse last night.
The State Fair set a new Monday attendance record: 145,022. The previous record was 144,504 in 2017. DATA: https://fluence-media.co/47bFRAk
The Grandstand has had one sold-out act so far: Old Dominion. ATTENDANCE: http://fluence-media.co/4mBcf4k
The Governor’s Fishing Opener will be in Stillwater for the first time ever in 2026. PIPRESS: http://fluence-media.co/3JygcYU
The Golden Retriever is the most popular dog breed in Minnesota. USNEWS: http://fluence-media.co/4oVD2d3
Meet the fun real estate agent poking fun at the suburbs. STRIB: https://fluence-media.co/3JybpXn
A Niche survey of Minnesota college students’ political views finds that Macalester College is the state’s most liberal university, while University of Northwestern-St. Paul is the most conservative. LIST: http://fluence-media.co/4lIQiyL
Vice Pres. JD Vance will visit La Crosse, WI tomorrow. FOX: http://fluence-media.co/4n3zbZQ
I’ll be live at WCCO Radio the State Fair tomorrow at 8:20, and Sunday Take will be live at 9AM Sunday.
Happy National Peach 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.
MINNEAPOLIS: via Fox 9, VERBATIM: “Three people were killed in three shootings in Minneapolis in fewer than 24 hours, including a fatal incident in downtown Minneapolis early Wednesday morning. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oW5jjH
Via releases from the MPD
· At approximately 2:08 a.m., First Precinct officers responded to a shooting on the 800 block of Hennepin Avenue. Officers located a man with fatal gunshot wounds.
· On August 26th, at approximately 8:00 p.m., Fifth Precinct officers responded to the report of a shooting on the 2700 block of 3 Avenue S. Officers located a man in his 20s with life-threatening gunshot wounds and provided immediate medical aid including CPR. The man was transported to Hennepin Healthcare where he died.
· Just before 1:30 p.m., Third Precinct officers responded to a ShotSpotter activation and multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire on the 2900 block of Clinton Avenue. Near the intersection of E 29th Street and Clinton Avenue, officers located a man who had died from gunshot wounds and another man with potentially life-threatening gunshot wounds. Four other injured men and one injured woman were found at locations along Lake Street, approximately one or two blocks away. The five men and one woman who were injured by gunfire were transported by ambulance to Hennepin Healthcare Hospital. All are expected to survive their injuries.
PRIMARIES: The special primary elections yesterday were both won by the candidates endorsed by their parties. In Senate District 29, Michael Holmstrom will be the GOP nominee in the race to succeed late Sen. Bruce Anderson. For Senate District 47, Rep. Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger is the DFL nominee competing for former Sen. Nicole Mitchell’s seat. Both special elections will be held Nov. 4.
SD29:
Michael Holmstrom: 73%
Bradley Kurtz: 21%
Rachel Davis: 4%
SD47:
Rep. Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger: 82%
Rep. Ethan Cha: 17%
Full results are on the Secretary of State’s website. RESULTS: http://fluence-media.co/3HvgRK3
54A: via Axios Twin Cities, VERBATIM: “Rematches are brewing in [several] state legislative districts likely to determine the balance of power at the Capitol next year. In Shakopee, Republican Aaron Paul says he'll run again for the seat he lost by just 15 votes last year. DFL Rep. Brad Tabke's razor-thin win in that race sparked a court challenge over missing ballots that derailed the start of the session.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4lNOyEu
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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.
WATER: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “A new survey by the University of Minnesota found that an overwhelming majority of Minnesotans are concerned about the state’s lakes and rivers and support scientific research to address threats to clean water…The university’s College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences conducted the survey of 1,000 Minnesota adults from July 31 through Aug. 5. ..The study asked respondents how they use Minnesota lakes and rivers and surveyed their views on water issues and funding for scientific research…A vast majority of respondents – 97 percent – said Minnesota's lakes and rivers are important to their quality of life. Nearly as many, 93 percent, said they’re concerned about pollution in those lakes and rivers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41llP2I
SECURITY: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “A key campaigning space for lawmakers and political candidates to interact with Minnesotans each year is adopting new security measures in the wake of the shootings of two state legislators and their spouses. Minnesota lawmakers will see an enhanced security presence as they staff House and Senate booths at the State Fair. The changes come as the state weighs additional safety precautions at the Capitol. … For the first time this year, State Patrol officers guarded the Education Building when state legislators staffed their House and Senate booths there. And public postings online announcing which lawmakers would be at the booths have been discontinued.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4n8tLgd
GOV RACE: via KNSI Radio, VERBATIM: “One of Minnesota’s most powerful politicians is taking a pass on seeking the highest office in the state. District 6 Congressman Tom Emmer told KNSI he feels lucky to be where he is and feels he’s most useful in Washington, D.C. … Emmer says he doesn’t believe Governor Tim Walz will seek a third term and expects Walz to make a decision soon.” EMMER: “We’ve got an incompetent boob in the governor’s office. I’m hoping he runs again, but I don’t think he’s going to. … I think [I] can do the most good for my state and my country right where I’m at.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/468qlnL
DNC: via AP News, VERBATIM: “The Democratic National Committee planned to clarify its position on the Israel-Hamas war this week. But after a surprise reversal, it may be several months before DNC officials adopt a formal position on an issue that has divided their party perhaps more than any other. The debate played out on Tuesday as the DNC gathered in a downtown Minneapolis hotel behind a security checkpoint for its annual summer meeting. … The DNC’s Resolutions Committee voted to support [Chair Ken] Martin’s version and voted down the progressives’ preference. But after a brief debate, Martin surprised many in the crowded hotel ballroom by deciding to withdraw his measure. He called instead for members to form a task force to study the issue further.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4fWmptM
FATEH: via Star Tribune’s Sydney Kashiwagi, VERBATIM: “State Sen. and [Minneapolis] mayoral candidate Omar Fateh makes an appearance at the DNC meeting. He told me he doesn’t plan to attend any sessions but will talk to Dems on the sidelines of the event, which comes less than a week after the DFL rescinded his endorsement.” TWEET: http://fluence-media.co/3UNncDu
DFL: Via Star Tribune, DNC member Latonya Reeves weighed in on the state DFL’s decision to revoke state Sen. Omar Fateh’s endorsement for Minneapolis mayor. VERBATIM: “As a more moderate-leaning Democrat who's strongly considering running against [Rep. Ilhan] Omar, she defended the party's decision. Reeves emphasized that there had been convention votes that didn't get counted and that the DFL is ‘supposed to be the party of inclusion.’ … ‘We can't be inclusive and then disregard a whole bunch of people that were delegates to the convention,’ Reeves added.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/45MR7AQ
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)
FED FUNDS: via Office of the Atty. General, VERBATIM: “Attorney General Keith Ellison announced today that he secured an agreement requiring the Trump Administration to release the full balance of remaining education funding at issue in a multistate lawsuit by no later than October 3, 2025. … In Minnesota, $74 million in federal education funding was frozen, jeopardizing key programs for after school and summer learning, teacher preparation, and to support students learning English.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/45BBXPZ
MPD: via WCCO Radio, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara is weighing in on a homeless encampment in the city that is stirring up some controversy. … The property owner, Hamoud Sabri, turned his commercial parking lot into a camp for homeless people. It's now setting up a showdown between the city and Sabri. … He says he's being targeted for doing what the city won't. … O'Hara disagrees, saying it's something the city needs to handle right away. … O'Hara says housing them on private property can create a litany of issues.” READ/LISTEN: http://fluence-media.co/3JT5lZt
HOMELESS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Hennepin County is making progress addressing its homelessness problem, but maintaining those hard-fought successes faces growing financial uncertainty. Overall, unsheltered homelessness is down 33% since its most recent peak in 2020. … Leaders of the county’s housing stability work credit a multipronged approach that costs about $190 million annually. … But the funding that supports this work is increasingly at risk. Pandemic money is gone, and a lot of the federal resources that back housing stability programs are in question as the Trump Administration slashes federal spending.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4lN5efs
VETERANS: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Policy has been changed, and there could be a federal law enacted, surrounding an issue facing military families nationwide and here at home. The problem is a delay in some veteran death certificates getting signed. ‘It’s very basic. When you lose a loved one, you want closure,’ Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS. … Emmer is leading legislation that would require the VA to sign off on death certificates within two days and annual reports to ensure the law is enforced.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/4oV4gjW
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.”
MEAT: via a Rep. Brad Finstad press release, VERBATIM: “Today, Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01), member of the House Agriculture Committee, introduced the American Protein Processing Modernization Act, which would provide a permanent framework to ensure pork and poultry processing facilities are able to maintain full operational capacity. .. [It] requires USDA to publish food safety criteria for operating at increased line speeds.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3HIYIZe
PROTESTS: via an Indivisible press release, VERBATIM: “Small teams of Indivisible Twin Cities members are gathering in the street directly in front of the GOP [State Fair] booth each day of the fair to bring attention to the harm that is being caused by the ‘Big Beautiful Bill Act’ recently passed by the GOP-led Congress. … One hundred and fifty Indivisible Twin Cities volunteers are participating in the effort over the course of the fair. Five-member teams stand in front of the GOP booth during their two-hour shifts.”
JOB: via an LSOHC press release, VERBATIM: “An opportunity is available in the Minnesota legislature to serve as the Executive Director for the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council (LSOHC), a nonpartisan council within the Legislative Coordinating Commission at the Minnesota Legislature. The Executive Director provides staff leadership and support to the Council in their work to make recommendations to the Legislature on the allocation of funding for natural resource projects.” DETAILS: http://fluence-media.co/4n69Dva
MPLS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A prime block in downtown Minneapolis is no longer headed for mixed-use residential development. Instead, the former Wells Fargo operations center at 255 Second Ave. S. is on the market for its underground data center. The 550,000-square-foot vacant building was once the centerpiece of developer Sherman Associates’ $400 million Washington Yards project. … That plan involved housing, office and retail space. Now, the Minneapolis-based developer is scrapping that plan for a sharply different approach: Sell the property, with its existing 70,000 square feet of subterranean data center space at the heart of the new vision.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/468chup
EDINA: via WCCO Radio, VERBATIM: “Construction of Edina's new multi-million dollar fire station is nearing completion, with move-in set for later this fall. Edina's new Fire Station 2 is the result of years of research that determined the current Fire Station 2 was not large enough to meet the department's growing call volume, particularly in the city's southeast quadrant. … The new station at 4401 West 76th Street includes new and updated living spaces, on-site training, and space for the department’s Public Health Division.” READ/LISTEN: http://fluence-media.co/3VkbY9L
SHAKOPEE: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “More than a year after an outside consultant found the Shakopee Fire Department was ‘inadequately staffed,’ city leaders so far haven’t hired the recommended number of firefighters, raising questions about the department’s ability to swiftly respond to emergencies in the sprawling city. The [review] urged the department to hire 25 ‘career personnel’ over the next four years, including firefighters, captains and battalion chiefs. But a Minnesota Star Tribune analysis of payroll data and interviews with former leaders found hiring continues to lag behind the study’s recommendations.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3JBlFhu
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)
DULUTH: via Duluth News Tribune, VERBATIM: “Mayor Roger Reinert advised city councilors Monday that putting together next year’s budget is bound to be a bruiser. On its present course, Duluth faces a projected $7.36 million general fund deficit in 2026, according to Josh Bailey, the city’s interim finance director. He identified staff salaries and benefits as the major driver of Duluth’s expenses, accounting for about 95% of costs. … The city could conceivably address its shortfall through a levy increase of 16.96% or by cutting its spending by more than $7 million. But, Bailey acknowledged, ‘Neither of those options is sustainable.’ Reinert, who is expected to present a budget proposal to the council Sept. 4, said it will include a combination of measures to boost revenue and reduce expenses.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4mThgFD
BEMIDJI: via Bemidji Pioneer, VERBATIM: “June's devastating storm caused $4.4 million worth of damage to public property in Bemidji, city staff estimates. The city's streets were the most affected, with an estimated $3.7 million worth of damage. Bemidji will receive a 75% reimbursement for all public damage courtesy of the Minnesota Disaster Assistance Contingency Account (DACA). However, the state as a whole did not qualify for Federal Emergency Management Agency funding, meaning Bemidji is still on the hook to pay roughly $1.1 million toward its recovery effort. The Bemidji City Council learned during Monday's work session that its portion of the recovery could have financial implications for the 2026 budget.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3HSCwMg
STEARNS CTY: via St. Cloud Live, VERBATIM: “Stearns County is gearing up to disperse a second round of opioid settlement funds to support local education and prevention. Stearns County is set to receive approximately $9 million in opioid settlement funds over the next 13 to 18 years. … The Stearns County commissioners at their Tuesday, Aug. 26 meeting gave county human services a green light to put out a request for more grant bids. Current grantees and county staff also updated the board on how the settlement funds are being used. The county has a 15-person advisory committee that helps make decisions on how the money will be used.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/47OH4Od
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
GOV RACE: On WCCO Radio, Secretary of State Steve Simon was asked about a potential run for governor and how current Gov. Tim Walz’s plans impact that decision. SIMON: “I think this Governor has earned the space and the grace to make a decision on his own timetable. The comments he was saying are kinda right – people just need to simmer down a little bit. … We should just let him make his decision. There will be plenty of time after he makes his decision to figure out who’s doing what. And I include myself in that.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3JPimDk
HOUSING: via Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, VERBATIM: “In 2019, the City of Minneapolis made national headlines when it adopted the Minneapolis 2040 Plan. … In our latest analysis of data that track the plan’s progress, we find slowing rent growth in Minneapolis. On its face, relatively low recent rent growth in Minneapolis is consistent with anticipated effects of the 2040 Plan. However, our deeper dive into trends in rents and vacancies suggests that slow rent growth may result more from a negative housing demand shock specific to the Minneapolis market in 2020 than the expected impact of changes in the housing supply.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lMHA2y
WEST NILE: via an MDH press release, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has reported 20 cases of West Nile virus so far in 2025. Two of the affected people have died. Case numbers can vary significantly from year to year due to factors like heat and rainfall, but the recent increase has health officials encouraging people to take precautions.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4n5NNIe
TODAY: Gov. Tim Walz has no public events.
TODAY: 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.
TODAY: via an SEIU advisory, VERBATIM: “At 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 27th, St. Paul Union, Faith and Community Group leaders will hold a press conference to announce the ‘Vote Yes for a Fairer St. Paul’ ballot campaign. The speakers will share why St. Paul voters support the Charter Amendment for Administrative Citations, which must now be approved on the November ballot.”
THURS-FRI: via an MDE advisory, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) will release Minnesota's 2025 Assessment and Accountability data Friday, August 29. … Prior to the release, MDE is offering media access to the embargoed data and news release at 9 a.m. Thursday, August 28, and will hold an embargoed virtual statewide media briefing led by Commissioner Willie Jett at 10 a.m. Thursday.”
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: Sen. Scott Dibble, Sen. Lindsey Port, Rep. Steve Gander, hockey guy Steve Carroll
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