Twins lose.
Gophers play Buffalo tonight.
Gov. Tim Walz and President Donald Trump have ordered flags at half-staff in honor of the lives lost at Annunciation Catholic School.
The Iowa Senate’s GOP supermajority was broken by a Democratic special election win. AP: https://fluence-media.co/3VnayeE
Special election results in 2025 are nearly 13% bluer than 2024’s general election so far. WAPO: http://fluence-media.co/45S9VhV
I’ll be live at WCCO Radio the State Fair today at 8:20, and Sunday Take will be live at 9AM Sunday.
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.
TAKE: We aren’t ok, and our politics are part of it. The lack of grace in the middle of tragedy yesterday showed me we aren’t learning. Until the keyboard warriors step back, especially the elected and appointed ones, we won’t see the forest from the trees. In Congress, with 535 members, the 30-40 that make the most noise, are the ones who aren’t necessarily doing the work, but rather creating divide to fill a dopamine fix. Minnesota has the same issue.
It’s time for all of us to find much more grace, every day. Those who think social media posts are going to win the day, are the ones not learning. They are fueling the emotional swings. The humanity that showed in the coverage should be enough. Facts should matter. Criticizing leaders in the heart of a crisis, isn’t helpful. As the activist bubble gets louder on each side, the parents of the children are tuning you out. They weren’t on social media yesterday, they were dropping off their kids and going to work.
And please don’t start with “whataboutism” - be the example.
Today, there will be a news conference and there will be more keyboard warriors. The First Amendment matters don’t abuse it. And just because you can say something, doesn’t mean you have to.
We must also acknowledge the complexity of the causes of these shootings. There’s a mental health crisis, and there’s something in our culture, in our media that is creating disturbed and evil brains. Figuring that out, is as important as securing our schools.
Lumping all these issues into one theme isn’t going to solve the problem, instead, we must learn and find every possible solution.
It's been a tough few months, and it hurts. Broken hearts don’t heal quickly. In this case, they shouldn’t. Those who don’t take time to mourn, but post – are the ones we can ignore. We’re not leaving our society better for our children – make that our goal.
Front pages from around the country:
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TODAY: via news advisory from Mom’s Demand Action, at 1PM VERBATIM: “…at Minneapolis City Hall, Minnesota lawmakers from every level of government, the Minnesota chapter of Moms Demand Action and other gun violence prevention advocates, and clergy, will host a press conference to honor the victims of the mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church School and call for action, including a ban on assault weapons and high capacity magazines.”
ENGEN: Last night on “Real America Voice” a streaming show, Rep. Eliot Engen discussed the Shield Act legislation he’s tried to pass to install technology in Minnesota schools from St. Paul based 3Dresponse Systems. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4mCQvVK
SHOOTING: Via MPR News, the latest updates on yesterday’s mass shooting. VERBATIM: “Two children were killed and 17 people were injured in a mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis Wednesday morning. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara [has] identified the shooter as 23-year-old Robin Westman. … O’Hara said Westman died by suicide in the rear of the church, adding that Westman had no prior criminal history and had purchased the guns recently and lawfully. There are no other suspects. … FBI Director Kash Patel [said] ‘The FBI is investigating this shooting as an act of domestic terrorism and hate crime targeting Catholics,’ but when asked about Patel’s statement, O’Hara said his department is leading the investigation and a motive is not yet clear. … The president offered his condolences to the state in a conversation with [Tim] Walz, and the governor thanked him for his support.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/45VicBV
MORE: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar [said] in an interview that one of her former staffers had three children inside Annunciation during the shooting. Klobuchar said her staffer's daughter ‘watched some of her best friends be shot.’ … U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, whose House district includes Annunciation Church, traveled to the scene personally on Wednesday. … Omar and Klobuchar both said the White House reached out to them after the shooting.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/47diYwo
VICTIMS: Via WCCO-TV’s Caroline Cummings, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed that all 17 injured victims are expected to survive. Two children died at the scene, 14 other children were injured, and three elderly adults were also injured. TWEETS: http://fluence-media.co/45Q7LiY
TIMELINE: The Star Tribune has a complete timeline of events before, during and after yesterday’s mass shooting in Minneapolis. READ: http://fluence-media.co/47P5rLG
VIGILS: via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “Groups around the Twin Cities metro are holding services to honor and pray for the two children killed and 17 others injured in Wednesday's shooting. … The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis [held] a prayer service at the Academy of Holy Angels High School. … ‘We look for the words that are able to express inexpressible grief. We look for those symbols that might bring some hope,’ Archbishop Bernard Hebda said at the service. … An interfaith service is scheduled for Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/4mDRogI
RESPONSES: Statements of support continued to pour in all day long as Minneapolis authorities responded to the mass shooting.
POPE: via Vatican News, VERBATIM: “Pope Leo XIV has expressed his profound sorrow upon learning of the loss of life and injuries following the shooting that took place at Annunciation Church. … In a telegram sent to Archbishop Bernard Hebda of Minneapolis, the Pope expressed his ‘heartfelt condolences and the assurance of spiritual closeness to all those affected by this terrible tragedy, especially the families now grieving the loss of a child.’ … Pope Leo imparted his Apostolic Blessing upon ‘the Annunciation Catholic School Community, the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis and the people of the greater twin cities metropolitan area.’” READ: http://fluence-media.co/41WvVam
COUNCIL: via Minneapolis City Council, STATEMENT: “We are committed to working with local, state, federal government and all other partners to pass meaningful changes to our laws that will make our community safer. Thoughts and prayers cannot be our only response.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4lKkfhZ
EMS: via Hennepin County EMS, STATEMENT: “The weight of these events is deeply felt here at Hennepin EMS. In the midst of this, we are immensely proud of our dispatchers who spoke calmly on the phone with victims before other first responders arrived, as well as paramedics, EMTs and medical directors. … And yet, we wish with all our hearts that their skills hadn’t been needed in such circumstances.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4n5cq7L
HORTMANS: via the Hortman family, STATEMENT: ““Our hearts are with the parents, families, and friends of the victims of today’s senseless act of violence. No one should have to suffer the loss of a loved one to gun violence…Mark and Melissa believed that children should be able to gather in schools safely, that communities should be able to worship in peace, and that families should be safe in their homes. We hope this tragedy spurs elected officials to take action towards common-sense measures on access to high-powered weapons so that no one else must suffer.”
HOFFMANS: via the Hoffman family, STATEMENT: “Sen. John Hoffman, Yvette Hoffman and Hope Hoffman today send all the love and support to the Annunciation Catholic School and Church community and the entire state of Minnesota. We are all impacted by these mindless acts of violence and senseless attacks. The evil actions of an individual can impact the lives of so many. … Our family understands this firsthand and calls on our state and the nation to find more grace and peace in our daily lives. We will hold these families in our hearts and prayers forever.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4fYWykL
(DISCLOSURE: Fluence Advisory is providing media support for the Hoffman family)
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)
NORTHSTAR: via the Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The last Northstar train will leave the station in January, after the Metropolitan Council voted Wednesday night to suspend the beleaguered commuter rail line…The Met Council has cited low ridership and a contract that prevents adding service to meet changing post-COVID rider needs as reasons to suspend the service. The last Northstar train will run the first weekend in January, following the final regular season Vikings game. Buses will then replace the train along parts of the route.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3JHt9Q1
DNC: Via Star Tribune’s Sydney Kashiwagi, DNC Chair Ken Martin announced yesterday that the party’s summer meeting in Minneapolis would adjourn early due to the mass shooting in the city. Plans to have Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar and Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy speak at yesterday’s DNC meeting were also canceled. MARTIN: “I'm extremely, extremely sorry that our meeting ended on such a tragic note, but as we leave here with heavy hearts, let's steel ourselves again in this work and why it's so important. … Everything we do is to make sure things like this never happen again, especially to little children.” TWEETS: http://fluence-media.co/45Um2Lo
MORE: DNC Chair Ken Martin spoke to MPR before the shooting this week about the party’s path forward and why it reminds him of leading the DFL Party back in 2010. MARTIN: “I'm drowning out all the noise. There's always detractors, right? There's people who don't feel you're fighting hard enough. There's people who don't feel like you're raising enough money or doing this or doing that. You’ve got to listen, of course, but then you’ve got to just focus — focus on what you need to build, the basic building blocks of us actually building long term and durable infrastructure throughout this country so we can win.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/47RF3kn
2026: via Axios, VERBATIM: “Senior Democratic officials want to hold a rare national convention before the 2026 midterms to showcase candidates and emerging leaders of the party. … The event — a smaller version of the national conventions the party holds in presidential election years — would allow the party to fundraise and get media attention as it tries to win back both chambers of Congress next year. It also could create a national stage for Democrats running in key House, Senate and governors' races. … Ken Martin, the new chair of the Democratic National Committee, quietly has been pushing the idea with party leaders in Minneapolis this week during his first meeting as DNC chair. Martin has noted that the party has held midterm-focused conventions in the past, though not for decades.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3HwIXVh
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)
NORTHSTAR: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The last Northstar train will leave the station in January, after the Metropolitan Council voted Wednesday night to suspend the beleaguered commuter rail line. The Met Council has cited low ridership and a contract that prevents adding service to meet changing post-COVID rider needs as reasons to suspend the service. The last Northstar train will run the first weekend in January, following the final regular season Vikings game. Buses will then replace the train along parts of the route.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/45YVkS8
STATE FAIR: via Bring Me The News, VERBATIM: “With 132,553 people heading out to the Minnesota State Fair on Tuesday, Aug. 26, the 2025 installment continues to outpace attendance in each year since the pandemic. There have been 951,750 attendees through the first six days of its 12-day run. That's 25,000 more admissions than the fair had in 2023 and almost 120,000 more than it had last year. … With nearly a million visitors in the first half of its 2025 run, the fair appears to be on pace to pass 2 million admissions for the first time since 2019.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4oWGsMw
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)
MED SCHOOL: via Duluth News Tribune, VERBATIM: “The University of Minnesota Medical School’s Duluth Campus has welcomed the first group of students who will be able to complete all four years of medical training and education right here in Duluth. … For over 50 years, the Duluth campus of the university’s medical school has offered students a two-year program where they learn basic training and clinical skills before transferring to the University of Minnesota Twin Cities to finish their clinical training. … The Duluth campus’ expansion into a four-year program comes during a growing statewide shortage of rural health physicians.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/46aRgiP
PFAS: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “A federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit that tried to stop a ban on so-called ‘forever chemicals’ in Minnesota. The chemicals, known as PFAS, are no longer allowed in products like cookware, carpets and cosmetics thanks to a state law. … The Cookware Sustainability Alliance filed a lawsuit that argued the measure ‘discriminates against out-of-state commerce.’ The judge rejected that argument, saying the law applies equally to manufacturers in and out of Minnesota, and dismissed the lawsuit.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/41tLVk5
INSURANCE: via Axios, VERBATIM: “Extreme weather is driving sky-high home insurance prices in some especially storm-prone parts of the country, a new analysis finds. Climate change [is] increasing the odds of losses and claims and driving up insurance premiums. The national average for annual home insurance premiums is up 9% since 2023, per a new Bankrate breakdown, hitting $2,470 as of July.” Minnesota’s average annual home insurance premiums are above the national average at $2,900. READ/MAP: http://fluence-media.co/3UPB8Nh
REAL ESTATE: via a Redfin press release, VERBATIM: “The U.S. housing market has lost about 14,000 home sellers over the past two months, with the total number of sellers falling to 1.95 million in July from a peak of 1.96 million in May. … Newark, NJ is the strongest seller’s market, with an estimated 5,591 sellers and 11,654 buyers—or 52% fewer sellers than buyers. The other four seller’s markets are Nassau County, NY (40.5% fewer sellers), Montgomery County, PA (36.1% fewer), New Brunswick, NJ (22.2% fewer) and Minneapolis (12.5% fewer).” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oRbkyd
MPLS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A protest originally planned to take place outside Mayor Jacob Frey’s home has generated backlash for two Minneapolis environmental justice groups and imperiled a decade-long quest to convert a former industrial site into an urban farm. The protest, organized by Climate Justice Committee MN and scheduled for Thursday, was moved to a public park. … Commentary from the mayor’s wife, Sarah Clarke, [had] renewed scrutiny on demonstrating at the homes of elected officials in light of the attacks on Melissa Hortman and John Hoffman earlier this summer.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4lKhLAb
ST PAUL: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “With family at her side, St. Paul City Council’s newest member, Molly Coleman, took the oath of office Wednesday at City Hall. Coleman said her predecessor, Council President Mitra Jalali, had set a ‘high bar’ for progressive leadership and that she had ‘very big shoes to fill.’ In a brief speech after the swearing-in, she outlined what she said were the main reasons she decided to run.” COLEMAN: “The first: I love the city of St Paul. The second: I believe that we have a duty to build an economically just city. The third: I believe that we have an obligation to build a functional democracy.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4mB2W47
RAMSEY CTY: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Two low-income housing administrators are no longer with Ramsey County following an internal investigation related to their involvement with a recuperative care business in Brooklyn Center. Former Ramsey County Housing Stability Director Keith Lattimore’s last day with the county was Aug. 12. Former county Deputy Director of Housing Stability Kimberly Cleminson’s last day was Aug. 20. … County officials did not say whether Lattimore and Cleminson resigned or were fired. They also did not provide information on the status of the investigation.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/47n50Z3
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)
ST CLOUD: via St. Cloud Live, VERBATIM: “Bluestem Brands is permanently laying off 118 St. Cloud workers, according to a WARN notice from the Minnesota State Rapid Response Team. Bluestem Brands, headquartered in Eden Prairie, is a multi-brand retailer. … According to the St. Cloud Economic Development Authority, Bluestem Brands employs 275 people in the area. The company is conducting a reorganization that includes the elimination of positions starting Oct. 26, according to the WARN notice. Layoffs are expected to conclude in mid-November.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3JA9JfR
GOLDEN VALLEY: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “General Mills is building a $54 million pilot plant in Golden Valley, adding much-needed space to put new products on shelves faster. The investment is the biggest yet at the 65-year-old James Ford Bell Technical Center and comes as General Mills and other big food companies struggle to find a winning formula for growth.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47LkplW
DULUTH: via Duluth News Tribune, VERBATIM: “Duluth stands to receive nearly $62.8 million in state aid to replace lead water service lines — more than any other Minnesota city by a long shot. And it’s a sum that equates to more than one-quarter of all statewide spending in 30 communities. … However, that money is not completely secure yet, according to MPFA Executive Director Steve Walter. He explained that while a $250 million funding request has been submitted to Gov. Tim Walz for next year, a further appropriation has yet to be approved by the Legislature.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4mCGnfJ
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
SD54: via Olson for Minnesota, VERBATIM: “Rick Olson, a resident of Prior Lake, has announced he will seek to replace Republican State Senator Eric Pratt as a DFL candidate in Senate District 54 in the November 2026 election. District 54 lies entirely within Scott County, including the cities of Shakopee, Prior Lake and Jordan and surrounding townships. It will be an open seat, as Senator Pratt is seeking the Republican nomination for Congressional District 2.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4n3qQ8r
DFL: via Axios Twin Cities, VERBATIM: “Shortly after the Minneapolis DFL endorsed Omar Fateh for mayor at its controversial July convention, state party chair Richard Carlbom texted a local party organizer that he was ‘sad that this convention ended the way it did.’ For some Fateh supporters, the message reinforces a belief that top party officials were eager to intervene on incumbent Mayor Jacob Frey's behalf after his convention defeat. That suspicion is at the heart of an intra-party feud that has erupted since the state party's rules committee revoked Fateh's endorsement. … Carlbom told Axios the text ‘was purely about procedural mistakes that we would need to address, not a preference for or against any candidate.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oT6yjC
GOV RACE: Republican gubernatorial candidate Kendall Qualls was on WCCO Radio to discuss why he’s running, and what he says gives him an edge in breaking the Republican party’s 20-year losing streak in statewide races. QUALLS: “I’m outside of government — haven’t been an elected politician. I come from the business world, and I believe that I have a message that resonates beyond traditional Democrat-Republican messaging. My message is more about us as Americans.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4lMwHh8
TODAY: Governor Tim Walz has no public events scheduled.
TMRW: 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: communication pro Matt Lindstrom, TPT’s Kari Kenedy, public affairs pro Patrick Connolly, education innovator Mattew Kramer
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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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