A weekend we can’t ever forget.
Thank you to all of the first responders and journalists who worked tirelessly this weekend to keep Minnesotans safe and informed.
Minnesota flags are at half-staff in memory of Rep. Melissa Hortman, who was shot and killed this weekend. Flowers have been placed on her desk and around the Capitol. PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/4kT1iKg
Nationally, 43% of state lawmakers reported facing threats during their most recent term — and it’s trending upward. AXIOS: https://fluence-media.co/3HFSau5
A Reuters poll finds that 49% of Americans think the Trump Administration has gone too far with arrests of immigrants, but 46% think that protests against immigration raids have gone too far. POLL: https://fluence-media.co/45iw2Q9
Sunday Take was dedicated to the legacy of House DFL Leader Melissa Hortman following her tragic death. Rep. Jeff Witte and former Rep. John Lesch discussed her life, her career, and how her killing could change Minnesota politics forever. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4kL12x4
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Today’s morning take with Vineeta Sawkar on WCCO Radio. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3TqbI89
A conversation worth hearing again…all four legislative leaders — Speaker Lisa Demuth, Rep. Melissa Hortman, Sen. Erin Murphy and Sen. Mark Johnson — were guests on Sunday Take to discuss the latest developments in the Capitol. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3HLdCxv
Sponsorships available – to reach over 25,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheet and website www.TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com
HORTMAN: via WCCO-TV, VERBATIM: “Rep. Melissa Hortman, 55, and her husband were shot in Brooklyn Park. … According to the medical examiner, Hortman died of multiple gunshot wounds at her home. Her husband, Mark, died of multiple gunshot wounds at North Memorial Health Hospital in Robbinsdale. … Hortman was elected to the Minnesota Legislature in 2004 and was in her 11th term. She and her husband leave behind two children.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3SUi7Z9
HOFFMAN: The Star Tribune reports that as of Sunday evening, Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette were both conscious, but the senator needs additional surgeries. VERBATIM: “John Hoffman was hit by nine bullets and Yvette by eight. … Hoffman’s nephew Mat Ollig said in a Sunday morning interview [that] the couple continues to recover, but ‘it’s going to be a long process.’ … Hoffman, 60, and his wife are expected to make a full recovery, said Ollig. Hoffman’s wife shielded their daughter, Hope, as the shots rang out.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43WjbRm
MORE: Sen. John Hoffman’s wife Yvette shared a statement with Sen. Amy Klobuchar last night. STATEMENT: “Our family is so humbled by the love and outpouring we’ve received from everyone. John is enduring many surgeries right now and is closer every hour to being out of the woods. … We are both incredibly lucky to be alive. We are gutted and devastated by the loss of Melissa and Mark [Hortman]. We have no words. There is never a place for this kind of political hate. … Minnesotans are at our very best when we stand together.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3HWlBb7
TIMELINE: Bring Me The News has a complete timeline of events. Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were reportedly shot at around 2:00 a.m. Saturday, while Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot about 90 minutes later. The suspect, Vance Boelter, was impersonating a police officer — he fired a gun at law enforcement when they pulled up to the Hortman residence before he escaped on foot. Two vehicles connected to Boelter have been recovered. READ: https://fluence-media.co/3TdDk0t
WHITE HOUSE: Via Axios’ Torey Van Oot, Gov. Tim Walz spoke with Vice Pres. JD Vance over the phone about the targeted shootings this weekend, but Pres. Donald Trump has not called Walz yet. When asked by ABC’s Rachel Scott if he plans to make the call, Trump insulted Walz and said he “may” do it. TRUMP: “Well, it's a terrible thing. I think he's a terrible governor. I think he's a grossly incompetent person. But I may, I may call him. I may call other people, too.” TWEETS: https://fluence-media.co/4mYKbsh
TARGETS: Via multiple news outlets, the shooter’s list of assassination targets reportedly included Gov. Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, Reps. Kelly Morrison and Ilhan Omar — all Democrats — and numerous abortion advocates and providers. The full list has not been released to the public, but CBS News confirmed that Rep. Melissa Hortman and Sen. John Hoffman were both on the list. CBS: https://fluence-media.co/4e0j2Rs
SECURITY: via AP News, VERBATIM: “Lawmakers [are now] contemplating a previously unthinkable world where democratically-elected representatives need full-time security details to protect them from the public. SMITH: ‘I don’t want to think that I have to have a personal security detail everywhere I go, but I think we really have to look at the situation that we’re in,’ Democratic Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith said Sunday. … The state’s other U.S. Senator, Amy Klobuchar, directly addressed the increasingly toxic atmosphere around politics. … KLOBUCHAR: ‘These are real people, and before you start ascribing motives or going after them online, maybe you should think about Melissa Hortman’s life,’ Klobuchar, a Democrat, said.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4enEEHT
CAPTURED: via AP News, VERBATIM: “The man suspected of killing a Minnesota lawmaker and wounding another has been taken into custody, two law enforcement officials said, bringing an end to a nearly two-day search that put the state on edge. Vance Boelter was arrested Sunday evening. … Boelter was captured in Minnesota, though officials didn’t immediately say where. … Authorities have not yet given details on a motive.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4n40Jiq
MORE: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “The wife of Vance Boelter…was in a vehicle that was pulled over by law enforcement on Saturday. Passports and cash were found in the vehicle. Authorities told FOX 9 that Jennifer Lynee Boelter was in a vehicle with ‘several other relatives’ who were questioned after a traffic stop in the Onamia area in Mille Lacs County on Saturday morning. … Boelter's wife is not in custody, officials told FOX 9. … It's unclear why the vehicle was stopped or if anyone was detained or arrested.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3SPRGE3
MORE: via AP News, VERBATIM: “The man accused of assassinating the top Democrat in the Minnesota House held deeply religious and politically conservative views, telling a congregation in Africa two years ago that the U.S. was in a ‘bad place’ where most churches didn’t oppose abortion. … Friends and former colleagues interviewed by The Associated Press described [Vance] Boelter as a devout Christian who attended an evangelical church and went to campaign rallies for President Donald Trump. Records show Boelter registered to vote as a Republican. … Boelter volunteered for a position on a state workforce development board, first appointed by then-Gov. Mark Dayton, a Democrat, in 2016, and later by Democratic Gov. Tim Walz. He served through 2023. In that position, he may have crossed paths with one of his alleged victims. [Sen. John] Hoffman served on the same board, though authorities said it was not immediately clear how much the two men may have interacted.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3FQrO84
MITCHELL: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “The upcoming trial of state Sen. Nicole Mitchell has been postponed due to the recent slaying of Melissa Hortman. … Court administration sent an email Sunday afternoon saying jury selection for Mitchell’s trial would not begin Monday morning as planned. Instead, there will be a remote court hearing on Monday.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43JymOV
PROTESTS: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “The No Kings protest at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul drew tens of thousands of people despite law enforcement officials asking the public not to attend the rally following the shootings of two Minnesota lawmakers. Some [other] events were canceled out of caution. … The Minnesota State Patrol said there were about 25,000 people at the Minnesota State Capitol grounds. Meanwhile, organizers of the No Kings Coalition [said] 80,000 Minnesotans [attended]. … Attorney General Keith Ellison spoke about the lawmaker shootings during the rally, saying that Rep. [Melissa] Hortman ‘fought for her people.’ … Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz was set to speak at the rally, but did not attend.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3FGJHWV
MISINFO: Minnesota Reformer’s J. Patrick Coolican has a rundown on the misinformation and conspiracy theories spreading online in the wake of the Minnesota shootings. Billionaire Elon Musk and U.S. Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) both shared posts on social media related to these false conspiracies, as have many political influencers. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4n0WRyv
MORE: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “CentraCare is addressing false rumors that one of its employees was connected to the shooting of Minnesota lawmakers. The company said the false information was shared by the X's AI assistant, ‘grok.’ The CentraCare physician and the suspect in the shootings have the same last name, but no other connection.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3ZytIkj
A photo last night shared by State Auditor Julie Blaha of Yvette Hoffman in her hospital bed seeing her attacker captured.
TAKE: We must change, starting with myself. Analysis and critiques of our leaders can trigger some in our country and state more than others. As a First Amendment absolutist, I don’t aim to censor anyone, however a new level of responsibility is required and demanded. Reflecting upon my own tone and mood takes on a new need to be calm and constructive. The adrenaline boost from a tweet or a take should be measured and considered. This is not who we are, but to show we can be better we have to amplify the good in public officials and public service. Raising questions and analyzing the dynamics of issues isn’t going to go away, but we can’t let evil and anger define our political discourse or democracy.
It’s time for extra security measures at our State Capitol. If there are threats, we must pay for the security our public officials deserve. Democracy must afford our public servants to feel secure and be safe. They serve, but their families serve and sacrifice, and unfortunately, we saw that in a devastating way this past weekend.
On Friday I repeated the premise that we are losing our civil minds, and its reaching higher into the public sphere. If we can’t find civility and compromise, we don’t deserve the democracy we have.
It’s time to heal, our souls are wounded.
SIGNED: via Office of the Governor, VERBATIM: “Governor Tim Walz today signed into law the remaining bills that make up the state’s two-year state budget.” The bills are: Environment and natural resources; MinnesotaCare changes for undocumented adults; Health and human services; Commerce and consumer protection; Higher education; Jobs, labor, and economic development; Energy, utilities, environment and climate; Transportation; Human services; Education; Legislative corrections; Data center regulation; Taxes; Capital investment ($10M cash); and Capital investment ($700M bonding). DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/3ZsOz8M
MEDICAID: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Across Minnesota, residents who rely on Medicaid waivers for disability services and support worried the Legislature would slash their benefits [to] balance the state's budget. … The $66 billion two-year budget lawmakers passed [last] week doesn't go as far as advocates feared, but still significantly reduces spending on care for seniors and people with disabilities. … [Gov. Tim] Walz had recommended capping at 2% annual inflationary increases in payments for providers of waiver services and forcing counties to take on some of the costs, but disability advocates and county officials sharply condemned those ideas. The budget ended up capping increases at 4% and creating an advisory council to recommend other cost-saving measures.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/442P7n4
US BUDGET: KSTP interviewed GOP Rep. Tom Emmer and DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar last week to discuss the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which is currently in the hands of the U.S. Senate following passage in the House. VERBATIM: “Emmer told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS he’s not concerned about a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimate that it will greatly increase the national debt over 10 years. EMMER: ‘When this original tax cuts and jobs act was passed in 2017, they said it was going to create a $1.5 trillion hole. … They were $1.5 trillion off.’ … Klobuchar said she believes the CBO projection that it will add $3 trillion to the deficit, including interest on the debt. KLOBUCHAR: ‘Once you hit a certain amount of money in debt, it actually triggers [additional] Medicare cuts. It’s going to hurt rural hospitals, not to mention Medicaid cuts that are [already] in there.’” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4e04HnY
VOTER FRAUD: via AP News, VERBATIM: “Two people have been charged with conspiracy to commit voter registration fraud in a case that shows Minnesota’s election safeguards ‘work’ and prevented anyone from voting illegally, Secretary of State Steve Simon said Friday. The charges announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office allege that Ronnie Williams and Lorraine Lee Combs generated fictitious names and other data they used to fill out Minnesota voter registration forms in 2021 and 2022.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4n3k4jD
CELEBRATING 70 YEARS: The Pine Bend refinery in Rosemount is a landmark like no other – the tall columns, bright lights and steam during cold winter days can be seen from miles away. Generations of workers have helped operate, maintain and transform the refinery, making it one of the nation’s most innovative and efficient energy facilities of its kind. This year, Flint Hills Resources celebrates 70 years of dedicated employees at the Pine Bend refinery who have produced the fuels that help move us forward. LEARN MORE: About the Pine Bend refinery (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
MPLS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Less than five months out from an election that will determine control of Minneapolis City Hall, many voters around the city are quick to point to a shared concern: feeling safe in the neighborhoods they love. Some worry about longstanding problems with property crime and drug activity, while others feel optimistic, pointing to higher foot traffic on streets and in businesses. But few are spending much time thinking about the high-stakes city election on the horizon — or even know which current or future Minneapolis leaders could address their concerns.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3ST31Dm
OAK PARK HGTS: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “The city of Oak Park Heights announced Wednesday that Chuck Dougherty will be taking over the position of Oak Park Heights mayor after the death of Mayor Mary McComber in May. McComber served as mayor from 2012 to 2025. … The city council is accepting applications for Dougherty’s vacated council seat through Thursday, July 3, according to the announcement. Dougherty and the new council member will serve in these roles until November 2026, when a special election for the positions will occur. Both special elections would be for a two-year term to finish the remaining terms of McComber and Dougherty.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44fnTuK
WORTHINGTON: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Fear is a tactic as the federal government cracks down on immigration, and in Worthington, Minn., a meatpacking town of 14,000, it appears to be working. Worthington was already on edge, watching a Trump Administration that’s pledged to deport a million undocumented immigrants this year [and] an ICE raid Tuesday in nearby Omaha where nearly 100 employees of a meat production facility were detained. … No raid materialized at the JBS pork processing plant [last week], which employs more than 2,000 people. But…one JBS employee estimated about 300 workers in Worthington stayed home Thursday.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44hwJYU
ROCHESTER: via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “A pair of public hearings Monday will make way for potential financing of two planned affordable housing projects in Rochester. The Rochester City Council will accept input on requests to issue tax-exempt Housing Revenue Bonds for a 76-unit complex planned at the southwest corner of the existing Civic Center North Parking Lot, 217 E. Center St., and the first phase of a 141-unit complex south of Civic Center Drive. … Both projects are seeking tax-exempt financing and state tax credits.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43LslRV
DAKOTA CTY: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “At 130 years old, one Dakota County bridge has been traversed by horse-drawn carriages, a notorious bank robber and firefighters in the nick of time. But its story isn’t finished yet. The Rock Island Swing Bridge, which juts out about 680 feet over the Mississippi River from Inver Grove Heights, will begin its latest chapter on the evening of Tuesday, June 17, as it’s lit up with thousands of LEDs. … The $553,000 project will culminate in nightly light shows that run every quarter hour from 7 to 10 p.m. through the summer.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3HJqSmv
From Friday’s Fluence newsletters:
EXPORTS: via a DEED press release, VERBATIM: “Minnesota exports of goods declined to $6.3 billion in the first quarter 2025, slipping 6% compared to the first quarter of 2024, according to data released by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). While overall U.S. exports grew a modest 3% during this period, Minnesota was among 20 states nationwide – and eight of the 12 Midwest states – that saw declines or near zero growth in exports.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kF6O3b
MASCOTS: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “School districts anxious about the costs associated with changing their school’s mascot received help from lawmakers. … A change to the state’s ban on American Indian mascots may make it easier for public school districts to seek an exemption. The change will allow Grand Rapids Area Schools and other school districts to seek support from the tribal nation nearest to them when seeking an exemption. Under the previous bill, school districts had to seek support from all 11 tribal nations in the state and the Tribal Nations Education Committee, an independent body established by tribal nations.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4l4dYh5
FEEDLOTS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “For the first time in 25 years, Minnesota pollution regulators will step up their oversight of thousands of feedlots across the state. The new rules could change how and when the manure amassed by increasingly large livestock operations is stored and spread on fields, as that manure continues to contaminate drinking water in rural Minnesota. While no new regulations have been proposed, officials with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) said they want to find ways to reduce the amount of nitrate from feedlot manure that has infiltrated private wells and groundwater and caused sporadic fish kills in rivers and streams.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nfzfGO
TODAY: Gov. Tim Walz has no public events.
TODAY: via an ISAIAH advisory, VERBATIM: “Leaders and community members in the Duluth area will deliver a set of letters signed by elected officials, small business owners, and faith leaders calling on Representative Pete Stauber to protect funding for Medicaid and SNAP. … Organizers of this event have requested a direct meeting with Rep. Stauber.” The event is at 10:30 a.m. in Hermantown.
TODAY-TMRW: The MN Dept. of Commerce will announce new information on increases to proposed health insurance premiums for 2026. Proposed 2026 rates will be available on their website at 12:00 noon Monday. A virtual briefing with officials will be held at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday.
TOMORROW: via a joint advisory, VERBATIM: “The Stillwater Runs Deep Coalition and Minnesota Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee (IWOC) invites you to the MRRA Community Town Hall on June 17 at New City Center. This event will raise awareness and inspire community dialogue around the MN Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act and its implementation. … Local legislators will also be invited to attend.” The event is at 6:00 p.m. in Minneapolis.
JULY 12: Gov. Tim Walz will be the keynote speaker at the South Dakota Democratic Party’s annual McGovern Day dinner on July 12 in Sioux Falls, SD.
BDAYS: AI expert Lori Ryan, non profit leader Erich Mische, attorney Matt Haapoja, lobbyist Wendy Underwood, Duluth leader Cecilia Zywicki, pr pro Kate Raddatz, Tunheim’s Sandi Scott
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