State Fair Day 1… I’ll be there this morning, stop me and say hello.
The 72nd Princess Kay of the Milky Way was named last night. FOX9: https://fluence-media.co/4fPQ7R2
The Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame will officially launch with a press conference in Edina today at 10:00 a.m.
The Vikings will trade veteran defensive tackle Harrison Phillips to the New York Jets. PIPRESS: http://fluence-media.co/3HLQf7v
The MN House shared a preview of its State Fair opinion poll questions. Topics include firearms in the Capitol, wealth taxes, school starting before Labor Day and more. SEE: http://fluence-media.co/41RuyJU
If you missed them last year, 18 of the 33 new fair foods from 2024 are still available. LIST: http://fluence-media.co/3HmomD3
Nordic Waffles is one of the six food vendors not returning to the State Fair this year. BMTN: http://fluence-media.co/45Kox3a
Gov. Tim Walz is scheduled to be on WCCO Radio at 8:10 AM this morning with Vineeta Sawkar live from the State Fair. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/WCCOLive
Blois - tips: bloisolson@gmail.com
Sunday Take featured Molly Coleman discussing her election to the St. Paul City Council and Rep. Kaohly Her sharing why she’s running for St. Paul mayor. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3UBcf7Y
Sunday Take will be live at the Fair both Sunday mornings. This Sunday a bipartisan conversation with Rep. Keith Allen and Sen. Doron Clark. Join me live at 9AM at WCCO Radio at the Fair.
CAPITOL: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Capitol security debate is about to become a gun control debate. At a hearing Wednesday of the Advisory Committee of Capitol Area Security, Sen. Bonnie Westlin, D-Plymouth, [said] ‘We need to fully explore every topic that impacts [security], and that is going to include a conversation about weapons detection.’ Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Natalie Hudson, a member of the committee, said that weapons screenings have bolstered security in the state’s courtrooms. … Meanwhile, over 95% of the more than 200 statements of written testimony came from people who do not want guns banned at the Capitol. … Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, who chairs the body, [said] instead of twice yearly meetings, she wants to do a hearing each month.” FLANAGAN: “The next meeting I think will be Sept. 22…and then we’ll meet again in October, November and then potentially December.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4lAPZpO
MORE: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “While any recommendations could be significant, they’re likely not the final step in implementing new security measures. The Legislature and Gov. Tim Walz would still need to sign off on proposals that require new state funding or law changes. Plans to put in metal detectors, ban guns on the premises and require bag checks would likely be among those. … Changes that require additional state funds could face a tough path through the Legislature. … A third-party security review of the Capitol is expected to be completed later this year.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/47KsIOK
HSS FRAUD: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “A KARE 11 investigation has uncovered new allegations of Medicaid fraud in Minnesota’s beleaguered Housing Stabilization Services (HSS) program, including taxpayer-funded payments for housing support to people who were already dead. Records obtained by KARE 11 reveal that Minneapolis-based Start Today Hennepin (STH), a for-profit housing support company, billed Medicaid for services supposedly provided to Realanda Rowland, a chronically homeless Native woman, on the day she died and for three consecutive weeks after her death in October 2022. … KARE’s investigation has now discovered DHS was repeatedly warned about Start Today Hennepin’s billing practices for more than a year, including that at least three clients had been billed after they had died.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/4moC3QO
RESPONSE: DFL Sen. Heather Gustafson and GOP Sen. Michael Kreun released a joint statement urging action on their bipartisan bill to address fraud by creating an independent, statewide Office of the Inspector General. The bill passed 60-7 in the state Senate this year before failing to leave the House.
● GUSTAFSON: “This is about trust. Taxpayers deserve confidence that their money is being spent wisely. … In order to build back public trust, we need to show Minnesotans we’re serious about fixing this problem. Our bill to establish an Inspector General is the change in direction that Minnesota needs.”
● KREUN: “This week’s news is another reminder that our programs are vulnerable to abuse. We need stronger oversight across every agency and department to prevent fraud before it starts. Accountability has to be built into the system, and that’s exactly what an independent Inspector General would provide.”
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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.
IRON RANGE: via Office of the Governor, VERBATIM: “Governor Tim Walz today visited the Iron Range to celebrate the new Nashwauk-Keewatin PreK-12 school and tour the site of what will be Minnesota’s first new taconite mine in nearly 50 years. He was joined throughout the day by union leaders, international partners, and local community members. … At Mesabi Metallics, Governor Walz toured the concentrator building, where the first line of equipment has been installed. The project represents one of the largest private investments in Minnesota history and is expected to create hundreds of union jobs. … The new Nashwauk-Keewatin PreK-12 school replaces aging buildings and brings all grade levels together under one roof. The project was funded through a combination of local, county, and state resources.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/47bJ3vX
DEM PRIMARY: Via MPR, Gov. Tim Walz told reporters that he plans to advocate for making Minnesota an early primary state in the 2028 Democratic presidential calendar when the DNC meets in Minneapolis next week. Minnesota currently holds its primary on Super Tuesday. WALZ: “It doesn't need to be the same every year. I think you [should] move states up through this process, especially states that consistently show high voter turnout and high engagement and a continuously diversifying state like Minnesota is. So yeah, I'm going to make the case for that.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/41Mb0Xl
DEEPFAKES: via The Hill, VERBATIM: “Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) addressed the deepfake video that went viral last month of the senator’s likeness offering a ‘vulgar and absurd critique’ of actress Sydney Sweeney. … The moderate Democrat called on Congress to pass legislation to protect Americans from the harms of deepfakes, saying the issue requires urgent action amid the proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) technology.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/45KRhJ5
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)
MIN WAGE: via a DLI press release, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s minimum-wage rate will be adjusted for inflation on Jan. 1, 2026, to $11.41 an hour for all employers in the state. The 90-day training wage for workers under age 20 will increase to $9.31. These rates reflect a 2.5% increase. The cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul have minimum-wage ordinances that require higher minimum-wage rates for work performed in Minneapolis and St. Paul.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4oMepPM
UBI: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “St. Paul gave out its last $500 payments this month as part of a guaranteed-income program, one of the first in the nation meant to see if an injection of cash could change the trajectory of families struggling to meet basic needs. … Research and feedback from families involved in the program, plus a similar pilot launched a year later in Minneapolis, indicate a number of benefits, officials said, including parents feeling less stress and a greater sense of financial stability. But a national study released this summer is calling into question whether such monthly payments alone can boost a child’s well-being.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3HJTM6e
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)
ICE: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “With detention beds at full capacity, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is eyeing a long-shuttered prison in Appleton, Minnesota, as part of a massive expansion plan. Since President Donald Trump took office in January, Appleton city officials have known that the Prairie Correctional Facility, a 1,600 private prison that has been shuttered since 2010, could be repurposed to hold detained immigrants. … An ICE takeover of the Prairie Correctional Center could greatly increase the number of immigrants in detention in Minnesota. Currently, ICE does not run a detention facility in the state but has entered into arrangements with at least four local jails to hold detained migrants, including the ones in Freeborn, Kandiyohi and Sherburne counties.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4mjb3SS
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)
UMN: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Unionized service workers at the University of Minnesota are being asked to vote on a ‘last, best and final offer’ from the school. … The university says the union has decided to postpone a strike so its 1,400 members can weigh in on the latest offer — a 3% raise for workers in the first year and a 2% raise in the second. That second-year figure is up a half-percent from the university’s previous offer but is still below the 3.5% increase the union has called for in both years of a new deal. University officials say they do have plans to minimize disruptions in the event the union rejects this offer and goes on strike.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/4mtTjnY
SCHOLARSHIPS: via Office of the Atty. General, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison today co-led a coalition of 10 states in releasing guidance on the rights and responsibilities of entities holding charitable scholarship funds for the benefit of members of protected classes such as race, religion, and gender. … Ellison and the coalition explain the limitations of SFFA to privately funded entities and scholarships, and remind all entities holding charitable funds of their legal obligation to protect a donor’s intent regardless of the Trump Administration’s threats.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4fMLaIO
TRANS SPORTS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Attorneys representing three Twin Cities metro-area high school softball players on Wednesday requested a federal court to temporarily block transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports. In a federal courtroom in St. Paul, counsel representing Female Athletes United on Wednesday requested an injunction. … Elizabeth Kramer, representing the state, argued an injunction against the transgender athletes may embolden schools to more closely monitor and scrutinize the bodies of female athletes. … U.S. District Judge Eric Tostrud, who listened to arguments on the merits of the suit, took the matter under advisement.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/41U1QYX
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)
CYBERATTACK: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “It’s been nearly a month since the July 25 cyberattack crippled the City of St. Paul’s computer systems. … [Now], St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter [said] it could be weeks until systems are returned to normal. … The mayor says residents shouldn’t worry about their personal data getting out, but there is concern some employee information may have been compromised, so the city is taking precautions.” CARTER: “We put on board a full year of credit monitoring [and] a full year of identity theft protection for our employees, including a kind of concierge call-in number to facilitate this stuff for every city employee.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/47714LJ
NATL GUARD: via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Air National Guard is set to get eight new C-130J ‘Super Hercules’ planes in 2027, but a new hangar is required to house the huge aircraft. On Wednesday morning, Minnesota U.S Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith visited the 133rd Airlift Wing in St. Paul to announce the next step in the process. … The guard will be able to design a C-130J Fuel Cell Maintenance Hangar. The current hanger isn't big enough to work on the new planes that are 15-feet longer than the current C-130s. … Congress approved more than $5 million to design the new hangar, but they still need to approve funding for its construction.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/4fHdJqQ
HEALTHCARE: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s largest nonprofit health insurer says a major hospital in Duluth wants unreasonably high price increases for care that is already more expensive than average, and thousands of patients may lose hospital access as a result. But the hospital says the insurer’s rates are lower than average, unsustainable and inadequate for covering the cost of care. … Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota says Aspirus Health, which runs the second-largest hospital in Duluth, is terminating its contract with the large Eagan-based health insurer. That would mean about 60,000 patients would lose in-network access to Aspirus facilities in northeast Minnesota next year, although negotiations are ongoing.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/41c58qj
MOVE: via an Essentia Health advisory, VERBATIM: “Essentia Health is pleased to announce four additions to our Board of Directors: Marc Adams, Marci Knight, Dr. Josh Honeyman and Sister Jeanne Ann Weber. … Adams is the recently retired executive vice president and chief digital officer of Ecolab Inc. … Knight is a seasoned chief marketing officer with over two decades at American Bank of the North. … Honeyman, D.O., is an emergency medicine physician. … Weber joined Essentia’s Board after being selected to serve as the next Prioress of the St. Scholastica Monastery.”
(DISCLOSURE: Essentia Health is a client and sponsor of Fluence)
AG GRANTS: via an MDA press release, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is pleased to announce the Fiscal Year 2025 Urban Agriculture Grant recipients. These competitive grants promote youth agricultural education and agriculture-connected community development. … The MDA awarded grant funds to 33 projects, receiving a combined $1,692,957 to strengthen urban agriculture and expand access to locally grown foods in communities across the state.” READ/LIST: http://fluence-media.co/460jRHu
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)
MAYOR: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “With five candidates officially running and a little more than two months until Election Day, the race for St. Paul mayor is beginning in earnest. Around a hundred supporters of Rep. Kaohly Her gathered at Lake Monster Brewing Company in St. Paul for a formal launch event for the state lawmaker’s mayoral campaign. … State Sen. John Hoffman, DFL-Champlin, and his wife [have] endorsed Her. They didn’t attend the Tuesday launch, but appeared in a video played at the event. Many in attendance said they had voted for Mayor Melvin Carter in 2017 and again in 2021, but said a change of leadership is needed in City Hall. They pointed to public safety concerns, particularly along the Green Line light rail corridor on University Avenue, and development troubles in downtown St. Paul.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4lvGBUh
MPLS: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Minneapolis officials unveiled concept plans Tuesday for a possible pedestrian-only area in George Floyd Square — the latest step in a controversial effort to rebuild the intersection. City planners shared the design at an open house. The plan suggests repaving blocks in each direction [and] closing a short stretch of Chicago to vehicle traffic. … Nathan Koster is the transportation planning manager with the city’s public works department. He said planners have figured out the nuts and bolts of a possible pedestrian-only design, and they’re now looking for feedback.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3Vbbx1n
ST PAUL: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “St. Paul City Council has given its final approval for a plan to rezone parts of the former Hamm’s brewery to make way for new housing development — despite earlier concerns from the city’s planning commission about illegal zoning and a lawsuit challenging changes at the site. Council members voted 6-0 at a Wednesday meeting to approve an ordinance that will switch multiple parcels of land at the Hamm’s site from industrial into traditional neighborhood zones to accommodate affordable housing. If the rezoning survives a legal challenge, it will allow the city and developer to begin work on building a new apartment building.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/477p810\
WINONA: via Winona Daily News, VERBATIM: “The city of Winona is looking at no longer sharing a law enforcement center with the county. Instead, it would create a new shared fire and police facility of its own. The city council [has] directed staff to finalize a purchase agreement for vacant land at the former Central School site. The city also seeks to finalize a grant agreement with the state to provide $7.5 million toward construction. Council members also asked staff to seek a possible amendment to the city's law enforcement center lease with Winona County to allow a 5-year extension from May 2024 while the city explores its own facility. No final decision about a city police and fire station has been made.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4oMKIhB
ST CLOUD: via St. Cloud Live, VERBATIM: “Luke Langner has been appointed as St. Cloud's public service director, according to a release from the city. Langner, a St. Cloud State University graduate, currently serves as assistant city engineer. … Langner fills the role vacated by Tracy Hodel, who now serves as the city administrator. Langner will be effectively appointed to the position on Sept. 8.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4g5KYoh
BURNSVILLE: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “After closing in January, Burnsville’s former Macy’s store has a new owner. The Burnsville Center store recently sold for $4 million to Burnsville Commercial Partners LLC. … The former storefront [was] closed as part of the retailer’s ‘Bold New Chapter’ strategy that aimed to close underproductive stores over a three-year period while investing in other locations. … What will come of the Burnsville facility is still unknown as representatives from Burnsville Commercial Partners LLC did not immediately return a Pioneer Press request for comment.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3UGUzb4
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
POT TAX: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “A last-minute tax hike on cannabis products passed as part of Minnesota lawmakers’ special session budget compromise may prove to be a boon to illicit dealers. That’s according to cannabis industry experts, business owners, and at least one prominent DFL lawmaker who say the state’s relatively high cannabis tax will give consumers reason to avoid regulated, legal dispensaries in favor of informal sources on the black market.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4mKRnHm
SNAP: via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) program helps low-income families supplement their grocery budget—but local hunger relief leaders say the program is about to see a significant funding cut. Leaders from Second Harvest Heartland, The Food Group and ICA Food Shelf spoke about SNAP at a news conference in Brooklyn Park on Monday afternoon. Those leaders, alongside Rep. Kelly Morrison (D-Minnesota), held the conference to raise awareness of how it could affect Minnesotans.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/46031Ze
WATER: via Alliance for the Great Lakes, VERBATIM: “The Great Lakes region faces the prospect of water shortages, groundwater conflicts, and contaminated aquifers as demand sharply increases from large water users such as data centers, agriculture, and critical minerals mining. A new Alliance for the Great Lakes report details how access to water in the region will be undermined in the coming years if serious planning, policy, and regulatory actions are not taken. Some places in the region are already seeing these conflicts play out.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ms6plH
TODAY: via MNJRC, VERBATIM: “In light of Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty’s recent announcement that she will not seek a second term, the Minnesota Justice Research Center (MNJRC) is partnering with the Minneapolis NAACP to host a town hall with Moriarty and her office to discuss the future of justice in Hennepin County. Community members are invited to the University of Minnesota Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center (UROC) on Thursday, August 21, 2025 from 6-8 p.m.”
TOMORROW: 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 to share their plans on how to change the status quo in Washington.”
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. SCHEDULE: http://fluence-media.co/3HcuwFv
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.
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.
BDAYS: Star Tribune’s Jeremy Olson, traffic guy Jerry Peterson, golfer and lobbyist Dave Johnson, civic leader and fmr. Lt. Gov. candidate John Gunyou
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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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