morning take | Special Elections, Minneapolis Staff Interfere with Law Enforcement
8.12.25
Twins lose in New York.
Twins attendance may hit an all-time low for Target Field. STRIB: https://fluence-media.co/41FYWqD
BCA is responding to a use of force incident in Moorhead this morning. KSTP: https://fluence-media.co/4m9zIZZ
I-94 in Minneapolis will shut down this weekend. BMTN: http://fluence-media.co/4oLzuds
A Minneapolis gallery is displaying art that was rejected from the State Fair this year. MPR: http://fluence-media.co/3JuGGdx
Higher tariffs on Chinese imports were delayed for another 90 days just hours before the previous delay was set to end. CNBC: http://fluence-media.co/47aYkgz
Israel’s military has confirmed that it killed six journalists in a targeted airstrike in Gaza. AP: http://fluence-media.co/3Urrm3P
Happy National Vinyl Record Day.
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TODAY: The DFL primary for the House District 34B special election to fill Rep. Melissa Hortman’s seat will take place today, featuring candidates Erickson Saye, Xp Lee and Christian Eriksen. The winner will be on special election ballots Sept. 16 along with the sole Republican candidate Ruth Bittner. Polls close at 8:00 p.m. INFO: http://fluence-media.co/413ljGm
TODAY: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “St. Paul is gearing up for a special city council election on Tuesday with four candidates vying to replace Mitra Jalali, [who] resigned suddenly in late January citing health concerns. … The four candidates are school board member and activist Chauntyll Allen; attorney Molly Coleman; public health educator Cole Hanson; and public relations professional Carolyn Will.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3HsqUiO
DVS: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Minnesotans who applied for a Real ID before the May 7 deadline may be just receiving their identification cards in the mail now. Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services told MPR News last week that they have finally finished processing all Real ID applications submitted before May.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4lnbkTC
NOTE: Last week at FarmFest, one of the issues raised related to the rural workforce was the access to commercial driver’s licenses. The bottleneck for CDL training and testing is another ongoing sign that there is needed modernization of the Driver Vehicle Services, including exploring privatizing road testing and expediting issuance of licenses that seems to be very inconsistent.
DC: via Forum News Service, VERBATIM: “President Donald Trump announced Monday, Aug. 11, that he plans to deploy the National Guard in Washington, D.C., and take federal control over the Metropolitan police department. Trump said the move to invoke the D.C. Home Rule Act is in response to crime and homelessness. … Rep. Betty McCollum, D-4th, said in a statement Monday that the federal takeover is a ‘dangerous escalation towards authoritarianism.’ … Rep. Pete Stauber, R-8th, said on X that he is grateful for Trump’s ‘strong leadership and commitment to public safety.’ … Democratic Sen. Tina Smith echoed McCollum, calling the deployment a ‘distraction’ from the ‘economic calamity of his trade war’ and the potential release of the Epstein files. … Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-6th, said on X Monday that Washington, D.C. sees 25 million American visitors per year, including Minnesotans, [and] ‘our nation’s capital must be made safe again.’” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4mBowFl
NONPROFITS: via an MCN press release, VERBATIM: “A new report from the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits…explores how recent trends, policy changes, and increasingly uncertain economic landscapes are impacting the state’s nonprofit sector and the communities they serve. … Among the most noteworthy findings from the survey and corresponding report were [that] 53 percent of Minnesota nonprofits reported a decrease in grants from foundations, 46 percent reported a decrease in government funds, and 35 percent reported a decrease in individual giving. … At the same time, a record 82 percent reported that their business expenses have increased.” REPORT: http://fluence-media.co/3Hknwqi
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)
GOV RACE: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Republicans think next year could be their best shot to beat Gov. Tim Walz, should he decide to run for his seat again. The problem is, few among them have stepped forward to challenge him. … Amy Koch, a Republican operative and former Minnesota Senate majority leader, [said] ‘Folks have to get in, they have to be able to raise money.’ No Republican has won a governor's race in Minnesota since [2006]. … Top-tier prospects such as U.S. Reps. Tom Emmer and Pete Stauber have ruled out running. The most prominent Republicans in the race are Scott Jensen and Kendall Qualls. Koch believes the ideal GOP candidate would have good name recognition, minimal baggage, fundraising prowess and broad appeal. Her top choice? House Speaker Lisa Demuth.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3UTR695
MAPE: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Members of the union representing some 18,000 state employees approved a two-year contract that largely maintains the status quo with modest pay increases. Although voting, dues-paying members supported ratifying the contract by a wide margin — 6,857 to 1,813 — the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees said the 79% approval was the lowest since the union went on strike in 2001. MAPE President Megan Dayton [said] the relatively lackluster response to the contract was ‘an indictment on the anti-worker attacks from Gov. Tim Walz.’ … [Unions] have been fuming at Walz since he ordered state employees back to the office part time.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/45bTeiA
PRISONS: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “There are growing concerns from union leaders after four Minnesota corrections officers were injured during an attack inside the Rush City Correctional Facility. … AFSCME Council 5 Executive Director Bart Andersen is worried that other corrections officers could be injured during the ongoing closure of the Stillwater Correctional facility. Anderson argues that hundreds of inmates are currently being transferred to other facilities across the state, and those transfers could put inmates and corrections officers into awkward and dangerous situations.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/4m52niS
PAC: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A conservative political action committee that reported spending no money on behalf of candidates and hundreds of thousands of dollars on ‘internet access and web hosting’ services has been fined for violating Minnesota’s campaign finance laws. … The state’s Campaign Finance Board found that a key figure behind the PAC called Right Now Minnesota misclassified more than $240,000 in expenditures during the 2022 midterm elections. The board also found that the PAC ran political ads without proper disclaimers. … Right Now Minnesota and its chairman, Elliott Olson, were each fined $10,000.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/45kZpQ0
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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.
VAUNION: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Federal workers were changing the locks to a union office at the Minneapolis Veterans Medical Center [last week] amid the Trump Administration’s efforts to cut organized labor from the federal workforce. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs acted swiftly last week after a favorable court ruling allowed it to proceed with a five-month-old executive order by President Donald Trump and dissolve most unions representing its workforce. Workers had already seized computers on Friday from the Minneapolis VA offices of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3669. … The AFGE Local 1969 also no longer represents workers at the Minneapolis VA.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3HvTLTj
CYBERATTACK: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “On Monday, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter provided an update regarding the ransomware attack on the city over two weeks ago. The city is still working on fixing the cybersecurity breach. … Carter confirmed that a ransomware group operating on the dark web took credit for the attack on Monday. … The group claims they took 43 GB of data from City of St. Paul systems, Carter added. The files that were taken, according to Carter, mostly came from a ‘single, shared network drive’ used by the parks and recreation department. … Carter also said the city refused to pay the group a ransom, so the [hackers] posted the information online.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/3UW2QYF
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)
NO-KNOCK: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Law enforcement agencies across Minnesota served just five search warrants using no-knock entry in 2024, a marked decline from when reporting first began in 2021. A new report from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension shows agencies requested 19 no-knock warrants statewide, of which 18 were granted and 16 were executed — but not all were carried out through no-knock entry. … The 2021 report captures just four months of data, but in that time, law enforcement reported 54 instances of warrants served using no-knock entry; 63 were served in 2022, the first full year of reporting.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/3UXCN3k
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.”
Ceiling fans cool you, not the room: Ceiling fans don’t actually lower the temperature, but they make you feel cooler. Set your fan to spin counterclockwise in the summer to create a wind-chill effect.
When away, adjust your thermostat: During the summer months, you can save up to 3% on your energy bill for every degree you raise your thermostat.
Hot air belongs outside: Air leaks around windows and doors can let hot air in and cool air out. Sealing these gaps with weatherstripping or caulk is a low-cost DIY project that can make a big difference in your cooling efficiency.
Cook smarter to stay cooler: Using your oven or stove during the hottest parts of the day can heat up your home and make your AC work harder. Instead, try grilling outdoors, using a microwave or preparing no-cook meals.
Let nature dry your clothes—plus, your chores can wait until evening: Air drying your clothes or adding tennis balls to your dryer can help clothes dry faster and save energy. Running your dishwasher, laundry machines or other large appliances during cooler evening hours can reduce strain on the grid and helps keep your home cooler during the day.
(SPONSORED: Xcel Energy)
LAKE DRAIN: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “A lake inside a Minnesota state park has vanished after a mechanical issue with the valve that controls the lake’s water level. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said Monday that Lake Alice at William O’Brien State Park, north of Stillwater, ‘has experienced a near total drawdown of its water level,’ leaving only a stream running across the lake bed. … There’s no timeline for when the valve will be repaired and the lake refilled, but the DNR said it could be at least a month. Until then, the swimming beach on the lake is closed.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/46U93fa
BLOOD: via WDIO, VERBATIM: “A ‘blood emergency’ has been declared in Minnesota by the Memorial Blood Centers (MBC) due to a shortage throughout the state. According to MBC, the state’s blood supply has dropped below a two day inventory. They say that a seven day supply is needed to meet the demands of hospitals and patients. … The MBC cites a drop in donations this summer, brought on by vacations, school being out of session, and severe heat which they say keeps many from donating blood. This, coupled with increased trauma cases, has heavily impacted the supply. MBC says shortages are occurring across the country as well.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3HkOfTC
MPLS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The Minneapolis city auditor is questioning why three City Council aides participated in protests at the June 3 federal drug raid, saying it damaged organizational trust and raised questions about the city’s expectations over employee conduct when exercising their First Amendment rights. The auditor presented his findings after examining the Minneapolis Police Department’s involvement in the raid. … The auditor’s office opted not to ‘pursue a legal assessment,’ [but] said the City Council should consider updating the code of ethics or somehow ‘set expectations.’” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3UXTcEU
ST PAUL: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Tax credits for geothermal technology are one of the few environmental initiatives that did not suffer major cuts in the so-called ‘Big Beautiful Bill,’ [so] geothermal projects are still moving forward at the Como Zoo, The Heights, Hamline-Midway Library and the Wakan Tipi Center. … With the goal of weaning more city systems off gas boilers and fossil fuel-generated power, the City of St. Paul has begun installation of a $16 million geothermal unit at the Como Zoo to support both the primates and polar bear buildings, and looking at the possibility of doing the same to support a third zoo building down the line.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/45DbQam
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)
STEARNS CTY: via St. Cloud Live, VERBATIM: “Stearns County officials are asking county commissioners to approve 100% of the design development drawings and specifications for the new jail and justice center during an Aug. 12 work session. During the work session, the commissioners will receive an update on the county’s new facilities, according to the meeting agenda. They will also decide if the project moves onto its next phase of development, which will include releasing a bid package for construction.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4owT78I
McKINLEY: via Duluth News Tribune, VERBATIM: “An Iron Range city councilor who cut down a Minnesota Power support wire on his property in May, knocking out electricity to three cities, entered into a plea agreement Monday. Joseph Christopher Vaida, 64, of McKinley, was immediately sentenced by Judge Robert Friday to five years of unsupervised probation after pleading guilty. … Vaida was elected to the McKinley City Council in 2018 and reelected four years later. … He remained an active member of the council as of last week, according to the St. Louis County Auditor’s Office.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4mGJvGY
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
AFPI: via an AFPI press release, VERBATIM: “The America First Policy Institute (AFPI) announced the launch of its Minnesota state chapter today, AFPI-Minnesota (AFPI-MN), expanding its mission to advance the America First Agenda through state-level leadership and local impact. AFPI has appointed lifelong Minnesotan Ryan Wilson as chair of AFPI-MN. Wilson is a father, husband, and business entrepreneur who founded a successful small business that grew into a globally leading firm. Zach Freimark has been named the executive director. Freimark is a seasoned political strategist and lifelong Minnesotan, born in Stillwater, who has more than 17 years of experience in grassroots organizing, campaign management, and conservative advocacy.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4fwmHaz
FED FUNDS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Leaders of Minnesota’s largest cities and counties are poring over the fine print of federal grants and expanding their legal fights to protect more than $500 million in funding. Minneapolis and St. Paul, along with Hennepin and Ramsey counties, joined lawsuits that originated on the West Coast to fight the Trump Administration’s efforts to withhold federal funding to cities and counties that don’t follow the president’s executive orders. The funding had already been approved by Congress. It includes money for affordable housing, health programs, public safety initiatives and infrastructure.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/45cYl27
JOB DATA: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “Minnesota economists and researchers say the Bureau of Labor Statistics remains a gold standard for economic data, but some worry President Donald Trump’s recent firing of the agency’s commissioner could erode trust in future data, even if it remains an accurate source of information for businesses and economic decision makers. QUOTE: ‘Our economic data is something to be proud of,’ said Kristine West, a professor of economics at St. Catherine University in St. Paul.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mbrG31
TODAY: Gov. Tim Walz has no public events today.
TODAY: Congressman Tom Emmer will visit New Flyer of America’s manufacturing facility in St. Cloud with Federal Transit Administration Administrator Marc Molinaro
TOMORROW: via City of Minneapolis, VERBATIM: “Mayor Jacob Frey will deliver his 2026 budget address in front of Council Members, city leaders, and community and business partners. The mayor’s proposed budget focuses on thoughtful stewardship and long-term stability, protecting core services like housing, public safety, and infrastructure, while making necessary investments in the city’s future.”
AUG 22: via Flanagan for Senate, VERBATIM: “Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan announced U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass) will head to Minnesota to support Flanagan’s campaign for U.S. Senate. The two will hold a rally in Minneapolis on August 22nd.
AUG 24-27: The Democratic National Committee will hold a number of meetings in Minneapolis from Sunday, Aug. 24 to Wednesday, Aug. 27, beginning with a welcome reception at the State Fair hosted by DNC Chair Ken Martin at 6:00 p.m.
AUG 26: Primaries for the upcoming special elections in Senate Districts 29 and 47 will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 26. The winners of these primaries will be on special election ballots Nov. 4.
Send us your tips at BloisOlson@gmail.com
BDAYS: organizer Reed Millar, attorney Karen Wilson Thissen, Ellison aide Donna Cassutt, GOP businesswoman Kelly Jahner-Byrne, MN Senate’s Maddie Hoy
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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