Lynx and Twins lose.
Most of Minnesota can expect peak fall colors sometime between Oct. 13 and Oct. 20. MAP: http://fluence-media.co/45VnEpG
Annunciation Catholic Church and School resumed its preschool classes this week. MPR: http://fluence-media.co/46fb4Ra
Lady Gaga will conclude her world tour in St. Paul next April. WCCO: http://fluence-media.co/3VFDChw
Minneapolis's Bûcheron and Diane's Place have been named to the New York Times “50 Best Places In America Right Now.” LIST: http://fluence-media.co/4ntt2X3
Minnesota has fallen out of the top 10 on WalletHub’s list of the happiest U.S. states, now coming in 11th. However, it’s still higher on the list than all its neighboring states. LIST: http://fluence-media.co/41JOtKZ
Revised federal data suggests the U.S. job market grew significantly less than previously reported from March 2024 to March 2025, adding about 911,000 fewer jobs. CNN: http://fluence-media.co/3JVbvbB
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Today’s morning take on WCCO Radio about Rep. Zack Stephenson as the new DFL leader and a little JJ McCarthy talk. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/45W1aVt
A teacher, and a police officer. A DFLer and a Republican on Sunday Take A discussion with GOP Rep. Jeff Witte and DFL Sen. Steve Cwodzinski on how the state should move forward after the Annunciation Church mass shooting. LISTEN: http://fluence-media.co/3V1bEg9
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WALZ: Last night at a fundraiser in St. Paul Gov. Tim Walz appeared more like a candidate for re-election according to many in attendance. It was one of at least three events he attended yesterday including a send off for retiring Met Council Chair Charlie Zelle that weren’t on his public schedule. However sources say Walz was more explicit that he is running again during a meeting of DFL Senators in caucus. The fundraiser, included First Lady Gwen Walz saying that she was “excited to continue to support him”. His own words were, “you can probably tell where this is going, and why he is standing before them.” Sources have said Walz has pushed off the announcement to next week, however an announcement could come as soon as today.
One key question remains, is who will be his Lt. Governor candidate? His team has met with a handful people, including Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt. Witt is going to run for re-election for sheriff.
SPECIAL SESSION: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and legislative leaders met for the first time Tuesday to discuss a possible special session. … The state leaders came out of the private meeting expressing optimism about reaching a public safety deal in the coming days and vowed to continue discussions. Walz, who has sole power to call a session, said he doesn’t want to let down the families of victims who are demanding action. ‘I will call the special session one way or another,’ he said. … The governor said that he’d continue meeting with legislative leaders over the coming days. … Speaker [Lisa] Demuth, of Cold Spring, said her caucus was open to ongoing discussions and committee vetting to prepare for a legislative session. But she didn’t think there were votes within her caucus — or the DFL caucuses — to advance new restrictions on firearms.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4m9glPZ
MORE: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Asked about potential holdouts in her caucus, Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, DFL-St. Paul, said she believed that recent tragedies might persuade them to vote differently [on gun control] than they would have a year or two ago. … Before a special session on guns, the DFL-controlled Senate plans to convene a series of special ‘working group’ hearings to hear testimony and consider various proposals. Murphy said the meetings will be open to the public. They’re set to meet Sept. 15 and Sept. 17. [Lisa] Demuth said the House will hold similar meetings before a special session.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4m6y2j6
MORE: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A handful of Democrats from purple districts hesitated to tell the Minnesota Star Tribune whether they would support bans on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. Sen. Aric Putnam, a St. Cloud-area Democrat, said the specifics will be important in determining whether he would vote for them.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/46uGwvU
NOTE: The Senate DFL, which is likely to hold a 1-seat majority after special elections has significant dissent about the positioning and process for a Special Session on guns. The division within the caucus is something that may create more tension going into the election year for leadership.
FATEH: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “A KARE 11 investigation into Minnesota’s troubled Housing Stabilization Services (HSS) program [finds] Sen. Omar Fateh’s wife was the listed owner of a Housing Stabilization company while the senator himself was pushing legislation to fast-track client approvals without divulging his ties to the taxpayer-funded program. KARE 11 Investigates found no evidence of billing fraud, and the HSS company owned by the Senator’s wife did not receive Medicaid money. … Fateh's campaign staff said that when he introduced the legislation, his wife no longer owned the company. … [But] a separate record filed with DHS listed the Senator’s wife as a ‘current owner.’ … That means she was still officially an owner, at least on paper, when her husband introduced the bill impacting the HSS industry.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/46dLE6q
RESPONSE: Sen. Omar Fateh’s campaign staff texted KARE 11 this statement, attributed to Fateh, after the article above was published. FATEH: “Constituents came to me with this bill which would have empowered counties to actually meet people where they are, with direct, one-on-one in person support and real oversight. That means more people housed, and county staff empowered to catch the fraudsters and bad actors earlier, which DHS has proven unable to do.”
DHS FRAUD: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy Committee members have flagged the Integrated Community Supports (ICS) program for a deeper look into oversight [following reports] about a DHS investigation into taxpayer-funded care services for vulnerable Minnesotans. … Rep. Walter Hudson, a Republican on the Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy Committee, [said] ‘It’s absolutely essential that you have an infrastructure in place to ensure they are actually getting the services that they are due.’ … DFL Rep. Dave Pinto [said] he feels DHS is taking the allegations ‘seriously,’ and if wrongdoing is found, then the provider should ‘be held accountable.’” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/46f8fPO
MORE: Via KSTP, background info on the DHS investigation into allegations of misconduct by a taxpayer-funded care provider. BACKGROUND: http://fluence-media.co/3IgyrBE
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2026: Via Star Tribune, former Minnesota Senate Minority Leader Melisa López Franzen said she does not plan to endorse anyone in the U.S. Senate race for now despite dropping out of the race in May. She also did not confirm if she would consider being Gov. Tim Walz’s lieutenant governor if he runs for a third term. QUOTE: “"I'm close to the action, but I am not picking anyone at this point. I'm letting the whole process play out and having the endorsement process play out. … Right now, I am committed to helping Democrats win. That's what I can tell you.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4ngSw9K
ST PAUL: via Carter for St. Paul, VERBATIM: “Mayor Melvin Carter’s reelection campaign enters the final eight weeks of the 2025 election season with $212,715 in cash on hand. This fundraising haul represents his strongest ever eight-week position and reflects the confidence of nearly 800 donors from across the city, underscoring his strong grassroots support. … These donations will fuel a citywide field program connecting with voters in every neighborhood of the city. The campaign will also be running a robust digital strategy designed to amplify the Mayor’s work. … The Mayor’s campaign will continue to leverage this momentum in the coming days by announcing endorsements from prominent DFLers and key labor unions.”
MORE: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter maintains a sizable lead over the four other mayoral candidates, though challenger Kaohly Her has wasted no time in raising campaign cash. … [Carter’s] donors have included Charlie Zelle, outgoing chair of the Metropolitan Council; Matt Majka, chief executive officer of the Minnesota Wild; [and] St. Paul City Council Member Molly Coleman. … Her’s donors [included] former St. Paul City Council Member Jane Prince and state Rep. Dan Wolgamott, DFL-St. Cloud.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/41MmdY7
MPLS: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “Ward 5 Council Member Jeremiah Ellison is drawing scrutiny at Minneapolis' City Hall after accepting a Harvard fellowship while remaining in elected office and missing a string of council meetings. Ellison, in his final months representing north central Minneapolis, was absent from Tuesday’s Committee of the Whole meeting, where fellow council members debated whether his travel and remote obligations conflict with city expectations. Ellison has not attended a council meeting since Aug. 12. … Ward 4 Council Member LaTrisha Vetaw advocated for replacing Ellison on several committees he cannot attend.” The council moved the issue forward to its Thursday meeting. READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/4phL6VK
PENSIONS: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s major pension funds have upped their private equity investments in recent years in hopes of boosting returns beyond those offered by stocks, bonds or Treasury notes. … 17% of the state’s $146 billion pension fund dollars are invested in private equity, according to the State Board of Investment’s most recent report. … But the same report goes on to say the promise of private equity’s higher returns comes with some downsides, including less transparency, higher fees and significant risk.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4mYvghf
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)
DFL: Via MPR, a profile on new House DFL Leader Zack Stephenson and his ties to former DFL leader Melissa Hortman. VERBATIM: “Stephenson, 41, was a close ally of Hortman and has been co-chair of the powerful Ways and Means Committee this term. He previously led the House Commerce Committee and spearheaded notable legislation to legalize marijuana and to put controls on social media applications. … His selection after multiple ballots was a somber yet concrete step to move House Democrats forward after the June tragedy.” STEPHENSON: “Speaker Hortman is irreplaceable — as a leader, a strategist, a colleague and a friend. While I’ve been chosen to lead, it will take all of us, working together, to move forward, honor Speaker Hortman’s legacy and build a Minnesota where everyone can succeed.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/46eXUDs
MORE: House DFL Leader Zack Stephenson was on WCCO Radio with Jason DeRusha yesterday. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3VuzGAt
UMN: via an SEIU press release, VERBATIM: “University of Minnesota workers announced today their push to form their union with SEIU Local 284. The workers and supporters were joined by State Senator Omar Fateh, who based on his U of M job signed a union card and would be part of the bargaining unit when workers win their union. … The union campaign would bring together nearly 3,000 workers at the Crookston, Duluth, Morris, Rochester and Twin Cities campuses in four departments: IT, Marketing & Communications, Student Services and Grants & Contracts.” WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/3V5Dsjv
MORE: Yesterday’s lunch take reported that University of Minnesota service workers have initiated a strike this week. DETAILS: http://fluence-media.co/3VaB1fA
FED IMPACTS: The Minnesota Senate announced the formation of a new Select Subcommittee on Federal Impacts on Minnesotans and Economic Stability, with DFL Sen. Lindsey Port as chair, as seen in yesterday’s lunch take. Now, GOP Sen. Carla Nelson has been appointed as the subcommittee’s ranking member. Via a Senate GOP press release, NELSON: “I am honored to be appointed Republican Lead for this new committee. … At the same time, we must be honest about where our greatest challenges are coming from: decisions made by leaders right here in Minnesota. … We can, and should, carefully monitor federal decisions, but we cannot lose sight of the very real and severe consequences from decisions made by the [DFL] right here at home.”
MAYO: Sen. Rich Draheim (R-Madison Lake) issued a statement responding to the news seen in yesterday’s morning take that Mayo Clinic is closing six healthcare facilities in southeastern Minnesota. DRAHEIM: “This has become a disturbing pattern. Nearly every year that I have been in the Senate, there have been clinics and facilities closed down. And every time it happens, it becomes harder for rural Minnesotans to get the care they need. … Rural Minnesotans deserve better than being asked to travel farther and farther for the care they should be able to find closer to home.”
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)
CATALYTIC: via a Rep. Betty McCollum press release, VERBATIM: “Today, Congressman Jim Baird (R-IN) [and] Congresswoman Betty McCollum, Dean of the Minnesota Congressional Delegation, re-introduced the Preventing Auto Recycling Thefts (PART) Act to curb the theft of catalytic converters. … [They] were also joined by Representatives [including] Angie Craig (D-MN). … The PART Act seeks to reduce catalytic converter thefts by allowing law enforcement officers to link stolen parts to the vehicle from which they originate by requiring new vehicles to have a unique identifying marker stamped onto the converter, [among other changes].” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4gceEQk
ENERGY: via a Sen. Tina Smith press release, VERBATIM: “U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) and Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) led fourteen colleagues in demanding the Trump Administration re-commit to funding energy projects across rural America through the bipartisan Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). In 2022 alone, REAP projects saved enough energy and generated enough energy to power over 250,000 homes. Roughly 70% of those projects could be deemed ineligible under [Trump’s] restrictions. … Thousands of Minnesotan farmers, producers and entrepreneurs received REAP awards just last year, representing more than $50 million in investment for more than 470 energy projects.” LETTER: http://fluence-media.co/4mcgCS5
MORE: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “The Trump Administration’s targeting of clean energy is complicating the path to 100% clean electricity in northern Minnesota. As of now, Minnesota electric utilities are on track to comply with a 2023 state law requiring them to sell only carbon-free power to customers by 2040. But the road ahead looks more challenging — and more expensive — thanks to Republicans’ rollback of several Biden-era efforts to accelerate the transition from polluting power plants.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4pcnAcN
WATER: via MPR, VERBATIM: “A Ramsey County District Court judge has ordered two state agencies to review the effectiveness of rules in place to protect Minnesotan's drinking water. A coalition of groups filed the lawsuit to compel the Departments of Agriculture and Pollution Control Agency to enact stricter rules on manure and commercial fertilizer. The decision forces the agencies to review whether their rules protecting drinking water from nitrate pollution are working.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/3JOxOjr
ALBERT LEA: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Jacob Schlichter of The Smoking Tree LLC is suing the City of Albert Lea for blocking registration of his recreational-cannabis dispensary in late July. The lawsuit was filed Monday and alleges the city’s rejection was based ‘purely on politics — specifically, members’ policy disagreements with Minnesota law.’ It also cites comments made by city council members disagreeing with state cannabis statutes. … Schlichter is now demanding the city council grant his registration and comply with state law, which says municipalities cannot prohibit the establishment or operation of a licensed cannabis business. He also appealed the decision in state court on Aug. 20; that case is pending.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4mf8Ff7
BROOKLYN CTR: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “Brooklyn Center leaders have crafted an ordinance that would prohibit the use of cannabis and hemp in public places. … City council members and Mayor April Graves approved a second reading of an ordinance that would prohibit the legal usage of cannabis within the city's public spaces. … Exceptions for private property include a private residence, such as a person's yard, or a licensed event permitted for onsite consumption. According to the ordinance, any violation could be considered a petty misdemeanor, and punishable by a fine up to $200.” READ/WATCH: http://fluence-media.co/47B33s3
WILLMAR: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A district judge accused of misconduct will retire as part of an agreement with a board on judicial standards that dismisses a formal complaint against her. Eighth Judicial District Judge Jennifer Fischer, who was based in Willmar, had faced allegations of misconduct and retaliation against colleagues that could have resulted in censure, suspension or removal from the bench. … The Minnesota Board on Judicial Standards requested that the court terminate the proceedings against Fischer, ‘based on Judge Fischer’s agreement to retire.’” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4maoROC
UNDISTURBED LAND: One of the largest undisturbed natural areas in the Twin Cities metro area is the Pine Bend Bluffs in Dakota County. Situated along the Mississippi River, these hundreds of acres owned by Flint Hills Resources are a key migration corridor for millions of songbirds and 40% of North America’s waterfowl and shorebirds. Collaboration among Friends of the Mississippi River, Great River Greening and Flint Hills Resources volunteers help to restore this natural area to pre-settlement conditions. The Pine Bend Bluffs has earned Wildlife Habitat Council Conservation Certification since 2001. The site recently earned gold certification, making the Pine Bend Bluffs currently the only gold certified site in Minnesota and the first ever in the metro area. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4241cZ2 (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
ST CLOUD: via St. Cloud Live, VERBATIM: “The St. Cloud City Council adopted the 2025 preliminary tax levy and budget totaling more than $100 million at its Monday, Sept. 8, meeting. The budget, which is the first under Mayor Jake Anderson, is a 12.29% increase from 2025 and was adopted by a 6-1 vote. Council member Scott Brodeen was the lone dissenting vote regarding the measure. ‘We're already tax burdened enough,’ Brodeen told the council before voting no. … A public hearing on the final 2026 governmental funds budget and tax levy is set for Monday, Dec. 1.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4m76LNy
DULUTH: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A long-running lawsuit challenging the city’s stormwater fee system rounds another corner with a Minnesota Court of Appeals decision to send the case back to District Court. Last November, St. Louis County District Court Judge Eric Hylden dismissed the class-action lawsuit pitting the city of Duluth against hundreds of ratepayers over millions in stormwater fees. … In a ruling released Monday, the Appeals Court said Hylden erred when he decided the city of Duluth wasn’t ‘unjustly enriched’ by allegedly excessive fees. But it affirmed the lower court’s ruling that the collection of fees didn’t amount to an unjust taking of private property, as the businesses claimed.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4gk6l5l
STEARNS CTY: via St. Cloud Live, VERBATIM: “As preliminary discussions of Stearns County’s 2026 budget continue, commissioners are hopeful that the proposed 5.2% tax levy increase can be further reduced. When it was first proposed, the levy increase hovered around 12%. … In the 2026 budget, the county proposes adding six full-time employees, according to Sarah Utsch, county finance director. … The new positions would cost the county a combined $606,402, according to Utsch. At their Sept. 23 meeting, commissioners will need to approve the proposed budget for the planning process to continue, according to county administrator Mike Williams.” READ: http://fluence-media.co/4ghIWkU
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
DHS GRANT: via Office of the Governor, VERBATIM: “Governor Tim Walz today sent a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem urging her to restore the Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention grant, which was abruptly cancelled in July. The letter follows earlier appeals from Department of Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson and Minnesota’s congressional delegation, including Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, and Representatives Angie Craig, Betty McCollum, Ilhan Omar, and Kelly Morrison. … The [canceled] $700,000 grant supported critical anti-terrorism and violence prevention efforts in Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4no8hMn
SNAP: via a Rep. Brad Finstad press release, VERBATIM: “Today, Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01), chairman of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture, led his colleagues in sending a letter to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, raising serious concerns about the state’s administration of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), considering historic reforms signed into law earlier this year as part of the budget reconciliation package (H.R. 1). In the letter, the Members highlight faulty decisions by the Walz Administration that have undermined program integrity, placed unnecessary burdens on counties, and squandered taxpayer dollars intended to serve vulnerable individuals and families.” LETTER: https://fluence-media.co/3V8RSPS
NONPROFITS: via MHEFA, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Health and Education Facilities Authority today announced an expansion of its services, as the state agency is now able to assist nonprofit healthcare organizations across the state. This enhancement is a direct result of the recently enacted Health and Human Services Omnibus bill signed into law by Governor Tim Walz on June 12, 2025.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42dONlm
TODAY: Gov. Tim Walz will meet with leaders from the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe at 10:15 a.m. and convene a cabinet meeting at an elementary school in Inver Grove Heights at 11:00 a.m. to “discuss his vision to make Minnesota the best state in the country for kids,” per his public schedule.
TODAY: via an MN Senate advisory, VERBATIM: “Senator Aric Putnam (DFL–St. Cloud) will host a panel discussion on safe schools and safe communities on Wednesday, September 10, from 6:30 – 7:30 PM. … It will provide an opportunity for residents to share their perspectives, ask questions, and engage in an open dialogue about how to keep St. Cloud schools and neighborhoods safe.”
SATURDAY: Rep. Ilhan Omar announced she will host an in-person town hall in Robbinsdale at 11:00 a.m. this Saturday to “provide an update on my work in Congress, discuss the services my office can provide, and answer your questions,” per a release.
NEXT WEEK: via an MN Senate advisory, VERBATIM: “Senator Bobby Joe Champion (DFL-Minneapolis) will host a special town hall meeting on Tuesday, September 16 at the Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center (UROC) in Minneapolis to help people in his district understand how the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is impacting their lives now and into the future.” The event is at 6:15 p.m.
THIS MONTH: via MN Health Plans, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Council of Health Plans expects a final announcement soon from the state’s Department of Commerce about health insurance rates for Minnesota’s individual market and small businesses. Lucas Nesse, president and CEO of the Council, will be available to provide a statement and/or comments about the Commerce Department announcement. This announcement is due on or before October 1st.”
BDAYS: Mayor Frey’s COS Grace Waltz, operative Mike Miller
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