Twins win.
The Minnesota Wild traded center Freddy Gaudreau to Seattle. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3GhtXd6
Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark, and their golden retriever Gilbert will lie in state at the Minnesota Capitol this afternoon.
Twin Cities Pride Festival is this weekend. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3QLzn0j
Minneapolis People’s Pride, billed as a non-corporate and non-law enforcement alternative, is tomorrow. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3GfIaHw
Journalist Bill Moyers passed away. AP: https://fluence-media.co/46moVXc
On Friday’s I sleep in a little, today I did it because Melissa suggested I should do it more often.
Find your peace this weekend.
Blois
TIPS: bloisolson@gmail.com
State Auditor Julie Blaha and Rep. Dave Baker joined me on Sunday Take to discuss how Minnesota politics will move forward after the assassination of the Hortman’s and attempted murder of Sen. John Hoffman and Yvette. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/443jslm
Sponsorships available – to reach over 25,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheet and website www.TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com
HORTMAN: Via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “Melissa Hortman’s rise to power as a state representative from Brooklyn Park in the Minnesota House to Speaker of the House wouldn’t be described as meteoric…Instead, it was a rise notable for steady progression up the ranks built in large part on an ability to forge relationships in her own Democratic Party and to work across the aisle with Republicans…After two failed attempts to win her House seat, Hortman broke through in 2004 when she defeated a Republican incumbent in her north suburban district by 402 votes, garnering just over 50%…Her first year in office in 2005 was spent the way most freshman legislators start out. She mostly kept quiet in House floor debates while she learned how the Legislature operates.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3THuiZx
MORE: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “As a practicing lawyer, Melissa Hortman emerged in the public spotlight for the first time in 1997 while representing a family on behalf of Central Minnesota Legal Services in a high-profile housing discrimination case. Citing "absolutely inexcusable" treatment by the landlord, Hortman earned nearly a half-million dollars for her clients in a landmark judgment… In her early years in the legislature, Hortman prioritized education funding, transportation, and energy issues, later chairing an Energy Policy Committee in the House as a recognized expert in that area of policy. She also made headlines in 2006 for a unique proposal to explore a bid for hosting the 2020 Summer Olympics… Two days before her death, Hortman sat for a final interview with KARE 11, citing "stable and growing funding for the E-12 education system" as one of her proudest accomplishments, along with finishing the budget prior to a government shutdown occurring. QUOTE: "Getting done on time in a very divided government was a very big win for the state of Minnesota," Hortman said. "They expect government to work. And it is going to do that for them." WATCH/READ: https://fluence-media.co/4khs8Lb
TAKE: The surreal nature of the Hortman’s assassination still hasn’t set in for most people – including me. My connection to Melissa started during her first term, she called for counsel because her humor and directness may have been a little aggressive for a first term legislator. She was worried there would be media coverage of a profane comment she made to a political critic. I could tell she was authentic and told her not to lose that trait. She didn’t.
Our communications over 18 years, most of them off the record are a memorial of selfless straight-forward leadership, and a willingness to show her work – not just talk about it. She showed it when she called to share condolences when Maverick passed in December. It was an authentic bond between to humans, like so many in our civic community.
At the beginning of the session when I broke news of DFLers being secretly sworn in – she wasn’t mad, she privately gave me credit. She never asked for the source, and yet our conversation clearly showed she was miffed it got out. She would text me guesses on the source but respected my protection of how I got the news. The moral to that story is – ask the question.
She was on the Sunday Take six days before she was murdered – and she texted me to make a point after. We bantered. She was invited to participate in a post session forum of legislative leaders, but she didn’t want to do it early in the morning – she wanted to be able to sleep in. Of course I said that was fine, we could do it at lunch.
These are the exchanges that make me smile, along with the text response of a flower picture – suggesting she wasn’t in the mood to talk politics while soaking up the serenity of her garden.
The past few years of division in our state and our country have been filled with a decline and deterioration of trust in public servants. From government employees to police officers and the military – all publicly serving, all being harshly criticized beyond what they deserve. On the whole, the individuals who serve in these roles deserve respect. It would be a good place to start in changing our tone and culture.
I’ve been thinking a lot about when public service was more respected. While elected officials have suffered, and many rightfully so from a decline in public trust or reputation. Once again a few are making it worse for the many. However, from school boards, city councils to the legislature and Congress – the job, the environment, the public are less than desirable to most people. It’s another opportunity to be better.
If someone chooses to plow our roads or process our license application, they deserve to be respected for their work. Not everyone wants to do that work, just as not everyone wants to be a firefighter, or a police officer, a teacher or serve in the military – and that’s ok. My gut is 99.9 percent them give themselves to help the greater good in some capacity – as do elected officials. In the early 1990’s President Clinton celebrated public service, it was an opportunity for young people. Its time come back to that, and it cannot be ideologically based, nor should it be just another “program”.
I’ve had plenty of critiques of Minnesota’s political figures since I started writing regularly in 1998, but I try to never demean or dismiss their service. When someone in public service is disgraced due to selfish behavior or greed – we need to limit it to that person. That’s because there is a selflessness in service more than the selfishness that is highlighted by scandal or misdeeds.
She is as impactful and influential of a leader in Minnesota as most Governor’s – and she did it by showing by example, not talking or claiming credit.
The tragic reality is the Hortman’s paid the ultimate price and the Hoffman’s nearly did too. But please don’t forget their families sacrificed for our state, and country too. Just as school board members, county commissioners, city councilors, legislators also do with their families. They miss dinners, they work afterhours, they miss kid events, and they in many cases sacrifice greater wealth.
Our society is good about recognizing the sacrifices the military makes, or law enforcement and fire fighters. My reminder is that the elected officials and candidates you read about, and I write about – sacrifice too – and in most cases – they do it to make our state and our country better.
In the days ahead, we should find our way to recommit to honoring service. It might be the one thing Minnesota could show the country. Melissa brought a selfless humanity to service. It’s worth remembering, and carrying forward.
Melissa Hortman’s leadership and style was effective and impactful because it was selfless, and that is one way to heal our broken civic heart.
GUNS: Via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “After suspected shooter Vance Boelter escaped from police following a firefight outside Melissa Hortman’s home, officers found firearms in his SUV and a large quantity of ammunition in loaded magazines . . . Federal prosecutors are now investigating how Boelter came into possession of the guns in his arsenal. But Minnesota law prohibits public disclosures about gun ownership and even state law enforcement doesn’t know how many guns there are in the state and who owns them, so it’s likely authorities in the state were unaware of Boelter’s stockpile.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lki5GJ
PARKS: Via KARE-TV, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis police are still looking for the shooter who killed 11-year-old Amir Atkins near the entrance of Folwell Park in Minneapolis. The shooting is the latest in a recent string of violent incidents at local parks. ‘It has been a lot of incidents at parks lately,’ Muhammad Abdul-Ahad says. Abdul-Ahad is the executive director of T.O.U.C.H Outreach in Minneapolis. The nonprofit group focuses on youth violence prevention and intervention. Abdul-Ahad says parks are becoming a common setting for teen violence.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4kewS4h
WALZ: The South Dakota Democratic Party is auctioning off a Tim Walz themed beer before his visit next month.
SETTLEMENT: Via U.S. Attorney’s Office, VERBATIM: “Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson announced today that NUWAY Alliance, Inc. has agreed to pay the United States $18,500,000 for submitting fraudulent claims to Medicaid in violation of the False Claim Act. NUWAY Alliance provided intensive outpatient (IOP) treatment, among other services, for substance use disorder to thousands of clients suffering from addiction each year in Minnesota. Between January 2019 through February 2025, NUWAY compensated Medicaid patients for seeking IOP treatment—which is reimbursable by Medicaid—in violation of federal anti-kickback statute and resulting in false claims. NUWAY also submitted false claims to Medicaid for IOP services they had not provided as they involved double-billing the same period of time as distinct billable units. In total, since at least 2018, NUWAY defrauded the federal government and state of Minnesota of millions of dollars.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nnwSle
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)
CUTS: Via ISAIAH, VERBATIM: “More than 200 Minnesota clergy across faith traditions and regions in the state signed and delivered a letter today urging Minnesota Congress members to oppose cuts to vital safety net programs—such as Medicaid, SNAP, and early education funding—in the disastrous and dangerous Trump budget bills. If passed, proponents of the budget bill will cut millions of families off their healthcare, food assistance, and other essential services all in order to reconcile a budget that prioritizes tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy.” LETTER: https://fluence-media.co/3GhrsHG
ICE: Sahan Journal profiled two immigrants locked up in the Sherburne County Jail. One is a medical exam away from being released. The other is set to be deported but that’s been delayed due to a military conflict back home. VERBATIM: “Fernando’s and Khalid’s situations illustrate how it’s getting harder for ICE detainees to be released from custody, even through deportation. Part of the reason is a ruling last year by the federal Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals that essentially allows detainees to remain in custody indefinitely until their immigration case is settled. Even after a judge orders a detainee’s removal from the country, that detainee can still sit in jail for months, even years, before being deported. Or, in Fernando’s case, even after they’ve won their immigration case.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44mUIVA
PLANNED PARENTHOOD: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “A U.S. Supreme Court decision this week has local Planned Parenthood officials on alert. The ruling allows South Carolina to cut off Medicaid funding for things like contraception, cancer screenings and even mental health services. Planned Parenthood North Central States President and CEO Ruth Richardson says while it doesn't target abortion services, it's part of a bigger push by conservatives to defund the organization altogether.” RICHARDSON: "Well, we don't necessarily expect an attack from Minnesota in this way, we also recognize that chipping away is actively happening at the federal level." LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4emPwpl
ROCHESTER: Via KTTC-TV, VERBATIM: “With low state and federal funding on the line, Rochester Public Schools (RPS) are preparing to make $13 million in cuts within the district. Some people may be wondering why there are district cuts even after a successful referendum was passed in November of 2024. Superintendent Kent Pekel said one of the biggest reasons is the decrease in state funding. That’s where the majority of the districts’ funding comes from.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4eHfHr3
PRIDE: Via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “A St. Paul resident, Kelly Sofio, woke up this week and noticed her flagpole was on the ground and her Pride flag was missing. Her husband found the flag vandalized on the ground down the street. Sofio said she felt hurt and ‘then immediately angry.’ It was among 16 instances of vandalism of rainbow flags reported to St. Paul police in the Highland Park and Macalester-Groveland neighborhoods between Sunday and Wednesday afternoon. Neighbors have been rallying together, buying more flags and signs and planning to display them in their yards.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eqs5LV
STORM DAMAGE: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “When the storm this past weekend started to make its way through Beltrami County, the Bemidji Regional Airport reported wind speeds at 106 mph, leaving officials at the airport worried about possible damages to the facility. ‘There’s not much protecting us out here at the airport,’ said Kyle Christiansen, the airport’s executive director. ‘There are no lines of trees, so these buildings were exposed to all [of those] winds.’ Christiansen was out of town when the storm passed through early Saturday morning. Once he returned on Monday, he couldn’t believe what he was witnessing.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/44hCQeG
MORE: Via WCCO-Radio, VERBATIM: “Thousands of trees were damaged in Beltrami County in last weekend's powerful storms that packed winds of 120 miles per hour, leaving landowners left to remove literally acres of downed wood . . . ‘There's space for acknowledging, you know, our grief and loss in our communities as well as understanding that this is just one part of the cycle of disturbances that forests go through.’ That is University of Minnesota Extension educator Anna Stockstad. She says the wood from the downed trees doesn't necessarily need to go into a landfill either. It can go to some good places.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/45Iwo2F
TRADE: Via news release from Rep. Michelle Fischbach regarding a letter also signed by Rep. Brad Finstad. VERBATIM: “Congresswoman Fischbach (MN-07) joined 55 of her colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick. The letter commends the Trump administration for ongoing efforts in trade negotiations and advocates for robust market access on behalf of American farmers, ranchers, and manufacturers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44kbN2p
LAWSUIT: Via KSTP-TV, VERBATIM: “A lawsuit alleging that the actions taken by the City of Minneapolis following the death of George Floyd led to business losses at 38th and Chicago was dismissed in court last week. The lawsuit, which was filed by Cup Foods (now Unity Foods), stated that the city withdrew police protection and placed barriers in the square following the death of George Floyd and ‘disrupted access to their properties and caused significant economic losses.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lkkrp3
CELEBRATING 70 YEARS: The Pine Bend refinery in Rosemount is a landmark like no other – the tall columns, bright lights and steam during cold winter days can be seen from miles away. Generations of workers have helped operate, maintain and transform the refinery, making it one of the nation’s most innovative and efficient energy facilities of its kind. This year, Flint Hills Resources celebrates 70 years of dedicated employees at the Pine Bend refinery who have produced the fuels that help move us forward. LEARN MORE: About the Pine Bend refinery (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
INDICTMENTS: Via KMSP-TV, VERBATIM: “Nine people are accused of trafficking fentanyl out of five apartment buildings near the same intersection in north Minneapolis' Folwell neighborhood, which authorities say turned the area into a ‘hotspot for violent crime.’ What we know: The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that nine members of the ‘Big Sip’ drug trafficking organization (DTO) have been indicted on federal fentanyl and firearms charges.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kaYQ0y
UNITEDHEALTH: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “UnitedHealth Group says its Twin Cities-based hybrid employees must return to the office four days per week. The shift fits with other recent return-to-office announcements from large Minnesota employers including Medtronic, Ameriprise, Target and the state of Minnesota. The change for hybrid workers at UnitedHealth Group takes effect the week of July 7, according to information released Thursday by the Eden Prairie-based health care giant.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44gZfZy
PRICING: via Comcast, VERBATIM: “Following the successful launch and positive consumer reaction to Xfinity’s new 5-year guarantee, the nation’s largest Internet Service Provider (ISP) has launched its everyday pricing (EDP) structure with four simple national Internet tiers that include unlimited data and the advanced Xfinity WiFi Gateway for one low monthly price…This move is part of the company’s broader strategy to give consumers simple, predictable, all-in Xfinity plans for the best WiFi in the market.” MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3Tefrpp
BOOTS: Via MPR, VERBATIM: “Over the decades, as Red Wing boots have evolved from workwear to fashion staple, customers have started sending their weathered boots back to headquarters. ‘They’re very emotionally attached to their product because they live their life in in these boots,’ [Red Wing Shoes corporate historian and archivist Clare Pavelka] said. ‘They can’t throw it away so, you know, sometimes they just send it back to us.’ That loyalty and appreciation inspired the company to display boots from tradespeople across the United States and even Canada. This Wall of Honor stands in their flagship store above a staircase leading to the company museum and showcases boots that bear the wear and tear of master plumbers, steel workers, brick layers and the like.” LISTEN/PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/4ku7B6p
Check out this new video from Xcel Energy about their 100 years of powering Red Wing Shoes. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4kgr76a
ICYMI: Star Tribune news from Howard Sinker’s Sports Take yesterday…
STAR TRIBUNE DEPARTURES: Writers leaving the Star Tribune sports department via the buyout offer announced earlier this month are baseball writer Phil Miller, women’s basketball writer Kent Youngblood, general assignment writer Jerry Zgoda and high school reporter Ron Haggstrom. Also going is veteran editor Kevin Bertels, a standout editor who filled an assortment of key roles and made everything he touched better. Look for some holdover writers to fill new roles and new names attached to expanded high school coverage.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR? What will a revamped and smaller staff choose to emphasize — and ignore?
IGNORED: It was a step forward when the Strib included a “Minnesota Aurora” section in its sports home page makeover last year. It’s a leap backward that the top news story is still the Aurora home opener — when the final game of the regular season is Saturday night. I asked Aurora co-founder Andrea Yoch about that. VERBATIM: “Aurora continues to be a remarkable sports story — a team built by the community, filling the stadium, 47 regular season games without a loss and four division titles in a row. It is disappointing that the changes in coverage of women’s sports has impacted sharing that story with a broad audience.”
Catch up on Sports Take and subscribe to get it in your inbox. https://fluence-media.co/sportstake
TODAY: Via City of Minneapolis, VERBATIM: “Mayor Jacob Frey, Council Members Latrisha Vetaw and Jeremiah Ellison, and other local leaders will celebrate the official grand opening of Colonial Market on Penn Ave. in North Minneapolis. The supermarket will create local jobs, serve as a gathering space, and provide grocery options for thousands of residents who have faced limited access since Aldi closed its store in the neighborhood in early 2023.”
TOMORROW: Via Sahan Journal, VERBATIM: “A huge festival in celebration of Somali culture will take over four blocks of Lake Street on Saturday, June 28, with food, live music, dancing and family fun. The theme of this year’s Somali Week festival is midnimo, which means ‘unity’ in Somali.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ewhIGo
TOMORROW: Several state museums have free admission Saturday. LIST: https://fluence-media.co/4enPttm
THIS WEEKEND: American Craft Fest takes place at Union Depot in St. Paul. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4lM4tnt
NEXT WEEK: Via Indivisible Twin Cities, VERBATIM: “At 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 1st, Indivisible Twin Cities members and supporters will gather outside the MN Department of Health, 625 Robert St. N., St. Paul for a Defend America’s Essentials rally. We are standing up to defend public health, which has been under attack from the Trump administration.” MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3Tx7iN7
BDAYS: Administrative Law Judge Eric Lipman, activist Nekima Levy Armstrong, Rep. Brian Johnson, producer Julie Anderson. SAT: attorney Jake Grassel, St. Paul Chamber’s John Perlich, Rep. Erica Schwartz. SUN: golfer Kara Buckner, WCCO Radio’s Brad Lane, lobbyist Dan Larson, The Reformer’s Max Nesternak, Target’s Breanna Schafer
TIPS: How do we get the best news and most buzzed about stories? Send us your tips at BloisOlson@gmail.com
IN MEMORIAM: morning take from now to the future is in memory of Melissa Hortman her accessibility, leadership and commitment to public service.
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