SUMMER TUESDAYS
Severe weather overnight near Detroit Lakes.
Skill beats POTUS phone calls. US loses to Belgium.
Lynx lose too. The Aurora won’t host the semi-final.
About one-in-five adults oppose banning those under 16 from using social media. And roughly a quarter are unsure, according to the survey conducted May 26-June 1, 2026. PEW: https://fluence-media.co/4vIAXEi
Rain and possible flash flooding could hit most of Minnesota tonight. MAPS: https://fluence-media.co/4y74kl9
It’s National Dive Bar Day – send me your favorites across Minnesota.
Blois - tips: bloisolson@gmail.com
SPONSOR: Sponsorships are available to reach over 30,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheets and website, TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com.
Sunday Take featured Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan discussing her Senate campaign, her time in state government and more. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3SBPx1V
SPEAKING: Do you have a summer or fall conference that your audience wants to hear about the insights of the election? “Signals vs. Noise” of the election. is scheduling now. EMAIL bloisolson@gmail.com
DEEPER: Check out a Fluence Forum podcast. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/FluenceForums
Want to manage your subscription to TheDailyAgenda.com ? HERE: https://fluence-media.co/managesubscription
First in morning take, Rep. Angie Craig raised more than $2.6 million in Q2 with over $5 million on hand, which is “her strongest quarter to date,” according to a press release. Craig’s campaign added that 96% of donations were $100 or less and she had over 10,000 new donors last quarter. Craig released her numbers early, but more federal fundraising reports will be publicly available next week.
Next and more important than fundraising is the absolute gaslighting our political leaders continue to platform. Democrats want to focus on Trump, to avoid chat about fraud and Republicans want to focus on Somali’s and fraud so you avoid paying attention to the economy.
Meanwhile Minnesotans are questioning both.
From President Donald Trump’s post about Somali children in a charter school, to Gov. Tim Walz eager endorsement of Graham Platner, the two major parties have proven that power is more important than character or principle. The trend now stretches years, not days and raises massive questions about the lengths that they will go to, or the lack of scrutiny they will do on their own before they belly up to the bar looking for one thing – power.
via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “President Donald Trump posted a video Monday morning on Truth Social showing a kindergarten graduation at Gateway STEM Academy, a public charter school in St. Paul. … Trump’s original post included no comment, but he later reposted commentary from an account called ‘End Wokeness’ which noted every girl in the video was wearing a hijab. Gov. Tim Walz responded Monday afternoon on social media, saying Trump was ‘attacking’ the students.” WALZ: “The President of the United States is attacking a group of kindergartners because of the clothes they wore to school.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3SQIRwQ
TAKE: Minnesota Republicans should continue to be pressed hard about President Trump’s posts and comments about Minnesota. The difference is Trump is elected, and Platner wasn’t. Plenty of Republicans tried to stop Trump, but he won regardless as unbelievable as it is. The playbook for Democrats shouldn’t be to also ignore flawed candidates.
Republicans are already playing defense after Operation Metro Surge, the economy and Trump’s popularity. The difference is that Republicans stick with Trump, including Rep. Tom Emmer. Emmer’s recent comments about Somali’s acclimating match the feelings of many Minnesotans, and make others cringe. He should be asked to further elaborate. They also represent a change for Emmer, who once led the Congressional Somalia caucus in 2015. What changed for Emmer?
As Mike Lindell, Kendall Qualls, Lisa Demuth, Adam Schwarze and Michele Tafoya run – they too should be asked about the Emmer and Trump comments. Afterall, Somali-Minnesotan’s vote and event 2022 GOP candidate for Gov. Scott Jensen and now candidate for auditor courted the Somali vote.
Sometimes in sports, they say that a team didn’t win, but the other team lost. In 2024 Democrats lost by misjudging the Biden situation and trying to sell something voters weren’t buying on the economy. Like the Smith quote, it’s about winning for both parties. Republicans might lose in 2028, but until then Trump is in office.
Meanwhile in Maine, via Axios, a growing number of Democrats across the nation, including several in Minnesota, are calling for Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner to drop out due to sexual assault allegations. VERBATIM: “Maine was Democrats’ best opportunity to flip a Senate seat. Now, it has become [Chuck] Schumer’s worst nightmare. … Under Maine law, Democrats have until July 13 for Platner to withdraw. If he does, the state party would have two weeks to choose a replacement nominee. … Platner denied the allegation but indicated he is weighing the future of his campaign.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aGdyei
MORE: Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and Rep. Angie Craig are calling for fellow Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner to drop out of the race in Maine following new sexual assault allegations. Sen. Tina Smith also sent a statement to the Star Tribune calling for Platner, who she previously supported, to drop out.
CRAIG: “These allegations are deeply disturbing and troubling. I am heartbroken for the brave women who came forward and shared their stories. Graham Platner should end his campaign and under no circumstance should he be Maine’s Democratic Senate nominee.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4vRmmqn
FLANAGAN: “I believe Jenny. Graham Platner should not be Democrats’ nominee for U.S. Senate.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4wxTS4U
SMITH: “In the face of these serious allegations, it seems clear to me that Graham Platner cannot continue his run for the Senate. With so much at stake, stepping down now is the right thing to do. It would be impossible to address these serious charges while also running one of the most demanding and important Senate races in the country.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4y9qDH5
Via Republican Sen. candidate Michele Tafoya
REWIND: via Gov. Tim Walz on April 30th via AP from Sen. Tina Smith on June 12th
TAKE: There’s one word for endorsements by Minnesota leaders in the Maine Senate race. Judgement. Do they have it?
Democrats can’t take the high ground against President Donald Trump and Republicans if they continue to have their own massive judgement issues. Trump has shown who he is, and Democrats try to claim some sort of moral superiority on issues and endorsements. The track record is troubled.
It begins with Gov. Tim Walz standing outside of the White House on July 3rd, 2024 proclaiming President Biden was his candidate. WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4vPml6b
When American’s saw with their own eyes that Biden couldn’t perform, Walz doubled down, only to be named the running mate just a month later. He did it out of blind loyalty and that’s a political flaw.
At the same time, Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips was questioning without fear the risks of losing the Presidential race and Rep Angie Craig was right behind him.
The Sen. Tina Smith-Walz duo was trashing Phillips, but they never came clean. Did they ever say “Dean, you were right”? Can they admit mistakes? Walz has shown he can’t.
This year, Walz flew to Maine the day after his gubernatorial colleague Gov. Janet Mills dropped out of the US Senate race against Graham Platner. Eager for the endorphins in a friendly crowd, Walz jumped at the chance to appear with Platner. Did he or his team pause and think that perhaps they should heed caution? That was April 30th. Last night Walz said Platner shouldn’t run.
Why? The reality is that your constituents in Minnesota – the people you serve have no stake in the Maine Senate race – so why jump in? There is no reason, except trying to be relevant, feeding our own attempt at having influence.
In this case the warning signs were loud – but like Biden, the Minnesota “king-makers” wanted a voice in Maine, meanwhile Minnesotans have issues they want addressed. See fraud polls.
Sen. Smith went all in, with the AP on June 12th proclaiming the real answer that Democrats can’t escape – “Democrats want to win”. That’s the problem, winning before ensuring that those people who are elected should serve. She said the quiet part loudly – DFLers have decided they will win at all expense – just like Trump.
That’s where they have ceded the high ground. Minnesota Republicans have ceded it too, to the President. So who will be the leader who says what needs to be said – even if it offends the party?
For Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, her claim that all is well with her relationship with Gov. Walz, and her lack of calling out the administration’s handling of fraud, should be looked at much closer. They aren’t the only ones, Secretary of State Steve Simon, and Auditor Julie Blaha at no point questioned aloud the handling of fraud by Walz-Flanagan.
2026: Here’s the challenge Democrats face this year – fraud is the top issue on the minds of Minnesota voters in EVERY poll. DFLers have to date ignored it and the same passive approach that led to massive issues with Biden and Plattner are the kryptonite they may face on fraud.
Clearly Sen. Amy Klobuchar knows it’s a major issue, so does. Rep. Angie Craig. There’s no more time to reserve judgment on Walz and fraud, because the constituents you hope to serve believe it’s as serious an issue as the economy – maybe more.
Finally, Platner’s rise was fueled by the same playbook as Flanagan’s. An endorsement from Sen. Bernie Sanders and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and the rising DSA wing of the party. He’s also supported by the Democratic Lt. Gov Association – they main outside money supporting Flanagan. Time for much tougher questions - starting here and with more debates.
Over 25,000 visits so far, and now a refresh of the Fluence Election Tracker.
VISIT: https://fluence-media.co/electiontracker
THE FEED
THREATS: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “A Hugo woman accused of making threats against Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth has pleaded guilty to a criminal charge against her. Rachel Marie Welsch, 43, pleaded to one count of threats of violence on Monday. … The Minnesota State Patrol began investigating voicemails Welsch had left with Demuth’s office starting in January. … Over time, the messages grew more intense, with Welsch allegedly calling Demuth a ‘traitor’ and referencing firearms, bulletproof glass and shooting lessons. … Welsch is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 10. She faces a maximum prison term of five years.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4fqbyIP
RESPONSE: via Speaker Lisa Demuth statement, DEMUTH: “I’m grateful to members of law enforcement and the Washington County Attorney’s Office for taking these vile threats seriously and ensuring that justice is being served. Threats against any public official are unacceptable and must be taken seriously, especially in the light of the horrific political violence that took place last summer. I sincerely hope that the consequences in this case will dissuade future threats.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4eJEoog
EMS: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “In conversations with numerous emergency medical service providers in Hennepin County, they shared stories of a deeply distressing year for the Twin Cities, from the mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School to the widespread impact of Operation Metro Surge. In response, some say they feel pushed to the brink and are calling for new leadership, staffing ratios aligned with increasing demands and greater investment in mental health supports.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4vlr12H
MOVE: Brooks Johnson is the new politics editor at the Star Tribune. Brianna Bierschbach has returned to reporting.
A deep dive into the CD1 race between Rep. Brad Finstad and Jake Johnson for MNSider subscribers. HERE: https://fluence-media.co/49OqNJu
TARIFFS
TARIFFS: via Reuters, VERBATIM: “The Trump Administration [has] proposed tariffs of up to 12.5% on 59 countries and the European Union over allegations they failed to curb trade in goods made with forced labor. … The proposal would help rebuild U.S. President Donald Trump’s emergency tariffs, struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in February. … The tariffs on the 60 economies will cover 99.4% of goods imported to the United States.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4w7VEKh
RESPONSE: via Office of the Atty. General, VERBATIM: “Attorney General Keith Ellison and a coalition of 21 other states are urging the Trump Administration to change course and drop the Trump Administration’s latest [tariff] plan. … Ellison and the coalition argue that this latest round of tariffs is illegal, outside the scope of the authority Congress gave the USTR, and unsupported by evidence.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aDe24O
CLEAN | RELIABLE | AFFORDABLE: via Xcel Energy, VERBATIM: “We’re powering the Upper Midwest with clean, reliable, and affordable nuclear energy. For more than 50 years, our Prairie Island Nuclear Plant, located near Red Wing, MN, has been a workhorse of reliable, carbon-free energy. With two pressurized water reactors producing about 1,100 megawatts, Prairie Island generates enough electricity to power 1.5 million homes across the Upper Midwest. Unlike sources that depend on weather, nuclear energy delivers 24/7 reliability — providing the power we need today while protecting the environment for tomorrow.” LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4oCHdK9 (SPONSORED: Xcel Energy)
METRO
DATA CENTERS: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Following the denial of a temporary use permit in May, data center operator Eagan Capital has now filed suit against the city of Eagan regarding its data center moratorium, arguing that the one-year pause passed by the City Council in February exceeded the city’s authority. … [They] argued that electricity demand is regulated by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission and asked the court to block enforcement of Eagan’s data center pause.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4y8gzOC
TRANSIT: via Axios Twin Cities, VERBATIM: “After a year of Metro Transit ridership declines, passenger volume increased by 2.2% in March, April and May, compared to the same period in 2025. … Metro Transit’s new E Line, which runs from Southdale Center to the University of Minnesota, saw twice as many riders as expected in its first six months. Meanwhile, traffic volumes on Minnesota roads fell 0.1% in May compared to a year before, according to the Federal Highway Administration.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Rm2UCU
STRIKE: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “Dozens of hospice nurses at Allina Health are on strike Monday, as they push for a contract and pay raises. The group of 65 hospice nurses work in homes and nursing facilities around the Twin Cities metro area. … A spokesperson for Allina Health says they’re disappointed that the union chose to strike. … Nurses plan to go back to work Tuesday after the one-day strike.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44zIJoh
HABITAT RESTORATION: Flint Hills Resources has earned Tandem Global WHC Gold Certification for habitat restoration at its Cottage Grove fuel terminal. The certification comes after two years of work in partnership with Friends of the Mississippi River to implement a restoration and monitoring plan to re-establish the 6.5-acre site’s natural prairie and savannah. Flint Hills has held gold certification for its work done with community partners over the past 25 years to restore more than 200 acres of the Pine Bend Bluffs, a critical natural area along the Mississippi River that is adjacent to Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend refinery. This makes two Flint Hills gold-certified sites in Minnesota and the first two gold-certified sites ever in the Twin Cities. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3VASKg4 (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
ACROSS MN
ANOKA-HENN: Nonprofit group Parents for Good announced that it “received communication from” the Anoka-Hennepin School District regarding a petition for school funding ballot questions, and the district reportedly rejected the proposal. STATEMENT: “We are very disappointed with this response. More than 3,000 community members signed this petition because we believe Anoka-Hennepin voters have the right to decide the future of our public schools. … The community worked through the legal petition process, and it’s now the district’s responsibility to give our community the opportunity to vote. … Parents For Good is committed to seeing this through.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gqDYEv
NEW HOPE: via KARE 11, VERBATIM: “The city of New Hope has reversed course on a new pool policy that had some feeling frustrated. KARE 11 reported last week the New Hope pool would be closing to the public at 5 p.m. daily. … In an update Monday, the city announced they have discontinued this policy. … Some other changes at the pool will continue, including a bag inspection for people who are entering. The changes were implemented last week after what the city described as a verbal confrontation that briefly turned physical.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4veT2bU
PROUD TO CHAMPION ATHLETES EVERYWHERE: Minnesota’s 24,000 family corn farmers may come from different fields than the athletes participating in the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, which are set for June 20-26 in Minnesota. But they share the same values, including dedication, hard work, and perseverance. This summer, Minnesota Corn salutes the talented athletes participating in the games. We’ll be cheering them on from our fields as they shine in yours. (SPONSORED: Minnesota Corn)
DAYBOOK
TODAY: Gov. Tim Walz has no public events today.
TODAY: DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek will host a virtual media availability about the first six months of Minnesota’s paid leave program at 9:30 a.m.
TODAY: Pastors, imams and rabbis with Faith in Us will host a press conference at the Capitol to advocate for voting rights as part of a “National Day of Clergy Action.” The event is at 10:30 a.m.
TODAY: Sen. Bobby Joe Champion, Rep. Esther Agbaje and Rep. Fue Lee, all DFL, will host a joint town hall for SD59 in Minneapolis at 5:30 p.m.
TODAY: Sen. Jordan Rasmusson, Rep. Jeff Backer and Rep. Tom Murphy, all GOP, will host a joint town hall for SD9 in Dalton at 6:00 p.m.
TODAY: Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan is hosting a Zoom event with Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith at 7:00 p.m.
TODAY: Sen. Scott Dibble, Rep. Jamie Long and Rep. Katie Jones, all DFL, will host a joint town hall for SD61 at 7:30 p.m.
TOMORROW: Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan will hold a press conference at 10:00 a.m. calling on Rep. Angie Craig to “answer for the unprecedented level of outside spending for her campaign,” per a release.
TOMORROW: The Office of the Legislative Auditor will release an evaluation report on Minnesota voter registration at 12:00 noon, followed by a presentation to the Legislative Audit Commission at 1:00 p.m.
TOMORROW: U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar and state Rep. Emma Greenman will host a session on “protecting the right to vote in CD5” at 4:00 p.m.
THURSDAY: Representatives from Xcel Energy, Google and the Pine Island City Council will host a public information session on data centers with the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce at 8:00 a.m.
(DISCLOSURE: Xcel Energy is a Fluence sponsor)
FRIDAY: via Families Over Billionaires, VERBATIM: “At 12:00 pm, Families Over Billionaires and state partners will bring the Who Pays? Bus Tour to Mankato. The event will lift up local stories on the impacts of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) one year after its passage.”
JULY 13: Attorney General Keith Ellison will host a community listening session on Monday, July 13 to discuss the proposed acquisition of Allina Health by Sutter Health. The event is in St. Paul at 6:00 p.m.
JULY 13: DFL Sen. Aric Putnam will hold a town hall in St. Cloud at 6:00 p.m.
We won’t ask for “membership” to list your BDAY, and we won’t have pledge drive but you can support the Fluence work by paying for premium content.
BDAYS: Sen. Aric Putnam, attorney Nate Mussell, dean of MN politics Wy Spano
SPEAKER: If you’re looking for a speaker about the “Signal vs. Noise” dynamic of today’s politics and the 2026 election. EMAIL: BloisOlson@gmail.com.
SPONSORS: Sponsorships are available to reach over 30,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheets and website, TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com.
Send us your tips at BloisOlson@gmail.com
IN MEMORIAM: morning take is dedicated in memory of Melissa Hortman.