Twins win. Frost lose. Timberwolves Game 2 tonight.
Sports Take out later today…will Messi play?
Contrary to expectations, MSP Airport saw minimal delays on the first day of REAL ID requirements as “violators” were given info pamphlets and allowed to proceed. KARE: https://fluence-media.co/3RTqT9m
The Vatican conclave’s first day of elections ended with black smoke and no pope. CBS: https://fluence-media.co/3F6VXPX
Pew Research finds that 72% of Americans say an increased focus on racial inequality following the murder of George Floyd did not lead to changes that improved the lives of Black Americans. POLL: https://fluence-media.co/4ke1L9r
Conflict is escalating between India and Pakistan in the long-contested Kashmir region. AP: https://fluence-media.co/44nN1A5
Happy National Coconut Cream Pie Day.
Blois
TIPS: BloisOlson@gmail.com
Today’s morning take on WCCO Radio with Vineeta Sawkar. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4385PBd
Sunday Take discussed what schools need from the legislature with Kirk Schneidewind (Minnesota Association of School Boards) and Scott Croonquist (Association of Metropolitan School Districts). LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3Yt4Gm9
Sponsorships available – to reach over 25,000 readers per day on Fluence’s tip sheet and website www.TheDailyAgenda.com – email BloisOlson@gmail.com
SPECIAL SESSIONS: Via fmr KARE 11’ reporter John Croman, the last time the state passed a budget on time without needing a special session during a period of divided government control was in 2007, with a GOP governor and a DFL legislature. With a divided legislature specifically, it has not happened this century. CHART: https://fluence-media.co/4349Iqx
TAKE: The pressure is on for Republicans to leverage the tie in the House for some policy pushbacks against the DFL trifecta. In the Senate, this week we saw signs that the DFL “Blue Dogs”, are willing to modify some of the new programs that businesses have to implement. The divide in the DFL is clear, the question is where Gov. Tim Walz will land.
Ultimately, Walz could leverage the Blue Dogs of the Senate and find the quiet moderates of the DFL House to partner on a more moderate end of session. The question is – does he have the courage to do it? Will he learn to triangulate to the middle and can he say “no” to the DSA members of his party? Could this be his “buck stops here” moment?
DSA-DFL Sen. Jen McEwen writes on her Facebook page, MCEWEN: “It’s just… horrible. I hoped the “blue dogs” were sincere in truly wanting to be champion problem solvers (hard to do that with a fascist Republican Party but… go team!) and “bipartisan” in the right way— but my fears about what they are really all about came true today.” – voted to adjust the Paid Sick Time regulations for small businesses and farms.
These are the dynamics of the end of session, that foreshadow the likelihood of a Special Session – which could be special if the divide each side digs in, the way they want to rather than the “optimism” they talk about in the daily budget discussions.
US ATTY: via MPR News, VERBATIM: “President Donald Trump has nominated Minneapolis attorney Daniel Rosen to serve as the next U.S. attorney for Minnesota. Rosen, who was one of three candidates recommended for the position by Minnesota’s Republican congressional delegation, will need to be confirmed by the Senate. … Though he has not worked as a prosecutor, Rosen served as a defense attorney in a handful of criminal cases early in his career. Over more than 30 years as an attorney, he focused on commercial litigation in federal and state courts, particularly eminent domain matters. … Rosen, a Republican, served for about seven years on the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board and as a board member of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3GIT6x4
RESPONSE: Via a joint statement from GOP Reps. Brad Finstad, Tom Emmer, Michelle Fischbach and Pete Stauber, STATEMENT: “Dan Rosen is one of the sharpest legal minds in the entire country, and we are thrilled that President [Donald] Trump has nominated him to serve as the United States Attorney for the District of Minnesota. With over three decades of experience as an attorney and a proven commitment to public safety, Dan will uphold the rule of law. … We urge our colleagues in the Senate to act quickly to confirm Dan’s nomination.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4d5XKl7
ST PAUL: via FOX 9, VERBATIM: “The St. Paul City Council approved an amendment by a 4-3 vote Wednesday night to roll back its rent control policy put into effect in 2022. The amendment allows rent control exemptions for any property built 2005 and after. The change comes as the city sees a decrease in new rental [construction]. … An amendment to extend a 20-year exemption for new builds to 30 years failed 4-3. An amendment for a prevailing wage on construction also failed 4-2.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/42MKOgl
LIFELINE OF RURAL HEALTH CARE — WHY LOCAL PHARMACIES MATTER IN 340B: In the heart of Greater Minnesota, access to local 24/7 health care services isn’t just a necessity – it’s the cornerstone to vibrant rural communities. The 340B Drug Pricing Program has been instrumental in enabling nonprofit hospitals like Essentia Health to provide comprehensive, high-quality care to the state’s rural and underserved communities. Unfortunately, out-of-state pharmaceutical companies continue to blatantly ignore Minnesota’s law that protects safety net providers’ access to 340B discounted drugs. Legislators should stand up to these drug manufacturers and protect the 340B Program, ensuring that Minnesota’s rural communities continue to have access to life-saving — and community sustaining — health care services. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/42D8kLo (SPONSORED: Essentia Health)
SENATE RACE: Speaking to the Star Tribune, DFL Reps. Kelly Morrison, Betty McCollum and Ilhan Omar all confirmed that they do not intend to endorse a Democratic candidate in the state’s U.S. Senate primary. Notably, both Morrison and McCollum did not mention former state Sen. Melisa López Franzen in their statements, indicating that they see it as a two-person race between Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and Rep. Angie Craig next year. McCOLLUM: “Peggy is a dear friend. Angie is a valued colleague. I have campaigned for them both and either will win in the general election.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4d3YV4k
MORE: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Secretary of State Steve Simon won’t run for the U.S. Senate, his office confirmed. … His decision makes him the latest, and possibly the last, big-name Democrat to pass on running for retiring Sen. Tina Smith’s seat. … [However], a gubernatorial run is possible. DFL sources say Simon is thinking about the governorship, but only if Gov. Tim Walz says he's not seeking a third term. … Simon’s campaign spokesperson was not able to provide a timeline on when he’ll make a decision on a re-election bid for his current position.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4d3YV4k
MORE: As seen in yesterday’s lunch take, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan secured the endorsement of St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter and an MSNBC interview for her Senate campaign this week. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4m77boa
SOS: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “As [Sec. Steve Simon] and [Gov. Tim Walz] continue to mull their future, DFL sources say at least two folks are interested in the secretary of state job if Simon doesn’t run. One is Ben Weisbuch, the chair of the Minnesota DFL Jewish Community Outreach Organization. … Another is state Rep. Emma Greenman, DFL-Minneapolis, a voting rights attorney, who confirmed [that] people are encouraging her to run for secretary of state but would not say if she’s interested in the job. … DFL sources say Greenman would likely be the most formidable candidate if she did decide to run for secretary of state given her reputation as an election expert.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4d3YV4k
MEDICAID SUPPORTS HEALTH CARE FOR ALL OF US: Medicaid keeps Minnesota’s hospitals strong and ensures communities across the state have access to care. Policymakers must protect Medicaid so every Minnesotan — regardless of income or health status — can get the care they need, when they need it. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3FtrCuH (SPONSORED: Minnesota Hospital Association)
SCHOOLS: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “There are multiple issues standing in the way of a budget agreement between Gov. Tim Walz and state lawmakers, and one of them resulted in a loud protest at the Minnesota State Capitol on Wednesday. Hundreds of non-public school parents and students demonstrated against a proposal by the governor to cut $109 million over the next year for non-public school aid for things like busing, nurses and learning materials. … Rep. Harry Niska, R-Ramsey, led two dozen Republicans to the rally to show their support. … Earlier in the day, Walz made an appearance at a Bloomington food shelf and was asked about his funding proposal.” WALZ: “I’m pretty firm on it. I believe parents should have that choice…but I’m not going to underfund our public schools to give money to [non-public schools].” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/44nLeLn
PAID LEAVE: Via MPR, more details on the Senate’s paid leave changes seen in yesterday’s morning take. VERBATIM: “The proposal would require workers to give notice to employers that they plan to take paid sick time ‘as soon as is practicable’ and allow an employer to request documentation that someone is ill after two consecutive days of missed work. … The proposal would also exempt [certain businesses]. … The GOP amendments to the bill picked up bipartisan support as members of the Blue Dog Coalition voted with Republicans. … SEEBERGER: ‘Our duty after we pass a bill is to come back and make adjustments when something isn't working as well as it should,’ said Sen. Judy Seeberger, DFL-Afton. ‘We can't and we shouldn't hide our head in the sand and pretend that everything is perfect.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3EWinUc
FRAUD: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Minnesota legislators are pushing forward several fraud prevention measures in the final weeks of their session, including proposals to establish a new Office of Inspector General and beef up the state’s existing Medicaid fraud investigation unit. They’re also considering giving state agencies authority to withhold payments from suspected fraudsters, and having the nonpartisan Office of the Legislative Auditor track whether agencies are implementing its audit recommendations. … In the [Senate], all eyes are on a bill that would establish a new Office of Inspector General to investigate fraud. That bill [passed] in the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday and [will] go to a floor vote as early as Thursday.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4m75pDH
HEALTH: via House Session Daily, VERBATIM: “The omnibus health finance bill coming from the House Health Finance and Policy Committee ended with ‘to be continued.’ … Funding for [MinnesotaCare] is not included in the spreadsheet presented Wednesday, when the bill was heard on an informational basis. … It was merged with the omnibus children and families budget bill, HF2436, as amended, and approved by the House Ways and Means Committee in the afternoon and sent to the full House. Who should be allowed to participate in MinnesotaCare is a sticking point between the two caucuses, [and] that question wasn’t answered in the delete-all amendment for HF2435.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Z84QiW
DHS: via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Senate passed a two-year human services budget Wednesday, featuring extensive cuts as the state grapples with looming deficits. The House, which is tied 67-67, passed its Department of Human Services budget bill on Monday with bipartisan support. The two bills achieve around $300 million in cuts, but they achieve the savings in different ways. The differences must be hashed out by members of both chambers in a conference committee. … The floor debate over the bill highlighted an emerging sticking point in negotiations between Republicans and Democrats: public health insurance for undocumented Minnesota residents.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42ZRHK1
DWI: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota Senate unanimously passed a bill to strengthen the state’s DWI laws on Wednesday. … The bill revamps the law surrounding license revocation, doubling the lookback period for past DWI offenses from 10 to 20 years. It also extends the revocation period for people convicted of criminal vehicular homicide and criminal vehicular operation or for DWI convictions when the person has a prior offense on their record. The measure also includes provisions to lengthen the required time for repeat offenders to use an ignition interlock system.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/44sbBjp
COVID: via Sick Times, VERBATIM: “Minnesota lawmakers have proposed eliminating the state’s Long COVID program by cutting all funding for its activities starting in summer 2025. This move could end one of the U.S.’s most robust public health programs to study and communicate about Long COVID. … The [House] 2025 health budget includes eliminating Long COVID grants and administrative appropriations. … ‘These proposed cuts to Minnesota’s Long COVID program could not come at a worse time,’ said Minnesota Senator Lindsey Port, who has Long COVID herself and advocated for the program’s funding.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jb3T0R
MINNESOTA INSURANCE COVERAGE TAX WILL COST FAMILIES, SMALL BUSINESSES AND SENIORS MORE: Governor Walz and the Department of Commerce want to create a new tax that will, at a minimum, double the tax rate paid on supplemental non-medical insurance coverage including dental, vision, private paid family medical leave, long-term care, and wage replacement insurance products to fund reinsurance. This tax hike will make these critically important products more expensive for consumers, force more seniors onto Medicaid and public programs, make Minnesota-based insurers less competitive nationally, and make it more difficult for employers to provide competitive benefits. These products provide Minnesota families with peace of mind and everyday security, and we should not ask them to pay more to subsidize other insurance products. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4lNcE3n (SPONSORED: Minnesota Insurance and Financial Services Council)
MINING: via MinnPost, VERBATIM: “As it finished its work on President Donald Trump’s ‘big beautiful bill,’ the House Natural Resources Committee approved legislation that would end a mining ban on Superior National Forest that protects the watershed for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The legislation would also reestablish mineral leases sought by mining company Twin Metals that had been canceled, and approve new leases for mineral extraction and helium production in the national forest. … It would [also] allow companies to pay a fee in exchange for expedited permitting and give mining companies and the oil and natural gas industry certain exemptions from judicial review, limiting environmental lawsuits that have impeded copper-nickel mining efforts on Minnesota’s Iron Range.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YD3xbQ
RESPONSE: via a Rep. Pete Stauber statement, STAUBER: “By restoring key mineral leases and revoking [Joe] Biden’s harmful mineral withdrawal in the Superior National Forest, this legislation will create significant revenue for the federal government and economic opportunity for the state of Minnesota.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44tIOLd
AIR QUALITY: via an MPCA press release, VERBATIM: “As Minnesotans prepare for another summer of outdoor activities, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) meteorologists are forecasting a moderately active air quality season. While not expected to be extreme, this year’s outlook includes air quality concerns related to ozone and wildfire smoke, especially during periods of dry, sunny weather. … The MPCA is forecasting four to seven ozone alert days and 12 to 16 days affected by wildfire smoke. New this year, the agency will issue alerts for blowing dust, or PM10.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3GLJq4Z
SETTLEMENT: via Alpha News, VERBATIM: “Assistant Chief of Police Katie Blackwell filed a defamation lawsuit against Alpha News, reporter Liz Collin, Dr. JC Chaix, and others in October 2024, which was recently dismissed…Blackwell has now agreed to pay $75,000 to cover the attorneys’ fees incurred by the defendants, including Alpha News, who were represented by the law firm Madel PA.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3YYkwph
BETTING POLL: Support is surging among Minnesotans who want legal wagering on sporting events. New polling by the Sports Betting Alliance of Minnesota indicates 60% of voters in the state support the legalization of sports betting. The survey of 1,000 Minnesota voters also revealed overwhelming support for legal wagering among 18–29-year-olds, with 75% of females and 73% of males in favor of allowing sports betting in Minnesota — something that is available in 39 states. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/49uj4OF (SPONSORED: Sports Betting Alliance)
DOJ: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty hasn’t spoken publicly since the U.S. Department of Justice launched their investigation into her office back on Friday. While at a Wednesday morning press conference on a different matter with families of victims in a deadly crash, Moriarty briefly addressed the DOJ investigation but took no questions.” MORIARTY: “Because it’s an open inquiry, we can’t comment on the DOJ investigation. But we are fully confident that our policy complies with the law.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4jLyL9f
CRIME RATES: via Axios, VERBATIM: “Preliminary data shows homicides in the nation's largest cities fell by 21% in the first three months of 2025 from the same period of last year, as overall violent crime continued its post-pandemic drop. Stats compiled by the Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA) indicate that the COVID-era crime wave has almost faded away — even as some officials, including President Donald Trump, falsely claim that immigrants are driving increased crime rates. … Denver (58%), Honolulu (82%), Minneapolis (54%) and Philadelphia (28%) were among the cities showing notable drops.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44saUGP
ICE: via KSTP, VERBATIM: “Attorneys for the U.S. government [have] filed a memorandum challenging a ruling that Turkish University of Minnesota student Doğukan Günaydın can’t be deported. … ‘This Court does not have jurisdiction to review ICE’s decision to institute removal proceedings or to determine what charges fit the facts presented,’ the memorandum reads. It adds that the Supreme Court has consistently affirmed that detention pending removal proceeds is constitutional.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4jLeGzV
IT’S POSSIBLE TO SIMULTANEOUSLY UPHOLD ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRITY AND GROW OUR ECONOMY: Minnesota’s lengthy and uncertain permitting process has frustrated businesses for decades. A recent report found that air permitting in Minnesota can take up to six times longer than comparable states. A coalition of business and labor groups are advocating for reform that will shorten timelines and increase certainty while maintaining our strong environmental standards. Contact your legislators and tell them to support streamlining the permitting process. CONTACT: https://fluence-media.co/3Ea5Tbe (SPONSORED: Minnesota Chamber of Commerce)
SNAP: via KTTC, VERBATIM: “Newly proposed changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance, or SNAP, program could have the state of Minnesota paying an additional $220 million to keep the program running. Congressional Republicans are looking to advance a proposal that would, among other things, pass along 25% of current SNAP costs to the states. … Minnesota Governor Tim Walz stepped away from the state capitol to talk about the newly proposed changes. ‘[This] will impact hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans in a negative way,’ the governor said at a food shelf in Bloomington Wednesday morning.” READ/WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3ETnTa6
MEAT: via a Sen. Tina Smith press release, VERBATIM: “U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) reintroduced the Strengthening Local Processing Act, legislation that would provide support to America’s small meat and poultry processors to help strengthen and upgrade their operations. The bill would provide training, education, and technical assistance grants. … Additionally, it would open new markets by allowing inspector-approved meat products to be sold across state lines. Helping smaller, locally owned processing facilities be competitive in today’s market will help lower costs for consumers by spurring competition.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4m54Fin
BROADBAND: via a Rep. Brad Finstad press release, VERBATIM: “Congressmen Brad Finstad (MN-01) and Jim Costa (CA-21) reintroduced the Linking Access to Spur Technology for Agriculture Connectivity in Rural Environments (LAST ACRE) Act, legislation that would improve access to high-speed broadband for rural communities by establishing the Last Acre grant program within the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Office of Rural Development. … The LAST ACRE Act would…expand high-speed broadband access across eligible farmland, ranchland, and farm sites.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4k3HPXf
FORESTS: via a Sen. Tina Smith press release, VERBATIM: “U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar (both D-MN) are pressing the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) over recent reporting about dramatic staffing and budget cuts at USFS that will negatively impact local economies across Minnesota and make it more difficult for visitors to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to receive necessary permits. Specifically, the Senators probed USFS Chief Tom Schultz for more clarity on the full extent of the staffing cuts at USFS and the public safety, economic, and environmental impacts this will have on the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and the Superior and Chippewa National Forests.” LETTER: https://fluence-media.co/3SwBpmZ
SUPPORT SF 2929 AND HF 2677: Third-party lawsuit funding (TPLF) — or “lawsuit lending” — is a growing and extremely concerning trend in courts across the state and throughout the country that encourages frivolous lawsuits and threatens to drive up the costs of products, services, and insurance for Minnesota consumers. Fortunately, lawmakers are considering legislation — the Consumers in Crisis Protection Act (SF 2929 & HF 2677) — to increase transparency around this highly secretive practice and reasonably regulate third-party lawsuit funders to protect consumers and help keep premiums low. MORE INFO: https://fluence-media.co/4jivOfT (SPONSORED: ASPCIA)
ELECTRIC CARS: via Office of the Atty. General, VERBATIM: “Attorney General Keith Ellison today joined a coalition of 15 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit to stop the Trump Administration from illegally terminating billions in congressionally approved funding for electric vehicle infrastructure. … Minnesota stands to lose over $50 million in electric vehicle infrastructure funding. … The [lawsuit] seeks a court order against FHWA’s unlawful actions, and a restoration of the electric vehicle infrastructure funding for the states.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4m5Rz4x
SMALL BIZ: via a Rep. Tom Emmer press release, VERBATIM: “Today, Congressman Tom Emmer hosted a roundtable with key small business stakeholders to discuss House Republicans’ commitment to supporting small businesses across America. Minnesota small business leader and CEO of Blaine-based Lorenz Bus Service, Mike Canine, also participated in the discussion. The roundtable comes during National Small Business Week. … Emmer was joined by…Representatives [including] Pete Stauber.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iSuQpJ
PUSH BACK AGAINST TAX BREAKS FOR BIG TECH DATA CENTERS: Our tax money should be going to essential services for Minnesotans, like education, health care, and infrastructure — not subsidies for billionaire owned data centers. The current tax credit has already cost our state an estimated $5 million a year since 2011. In 2025 it will be over $100 million. It’s time to stop these skyrocketing numbers. Tell your legislators, ‘No big tax breaks for Big Tech.’ LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3ErmQh8 (SPONSORED: Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy)
SPPS: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “Both St. Paul and the state of Minnesota made strides in graduation rates in 2024, with St. Paul schools reversing declines and further closing gaps across several demographics. The percentage of students graduating in four years in St. Paul was 76.5% in 2024, an increase that follows three consecutive years of declines in the district’s four-year graduation rate, [although] St. Paul’s graduation rate in 2023 did not include all summer graduates due to a technical error. … The largest jumps in the district were for English language learners who went from a graduation rate of 54.8% last year to 67.4% in 2024.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jHK81D
RAMSEY CTY: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Ramsey County leaders on Wednesday say they have recommitted to efforts to improve response to sexual assaults and provide victims with a variety of appropriate, dedicated services. … County Attorney John Choi led the press conference in downtown St. Paul, where officials both reaffirmed past commitments and announced some new ones, such as culturally responsive and trauma-informed training for crime investigators, prosecutors and victim advocates.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4iQLiqk
STILLWATER: via Pioneer Press, VERBATIM: “HealthPartners officials expect to begin construction of a new $400 million Lakeview Hospital campus in Stillwater by the end of the month. The Stillwater City Council on Tuesday night voted 5-0 to approve the organization’s plans for the new Lakeview campus. … Plans for the new hospital call for a six-story building totaling approximately 400,000 square feet — almost twice the size of the present Lakeview Hospital. … Expected to open in late 2027 or early 2028, the new 64-acre hospital campus will include emergency medicine, advanced critical care and specialized centers for heart, cancer and orthopedic care.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Z5RVy4
FRESH15: The latest season of Fresh15 includes interviews with new Minnesota House members. So far, five new members have shared their goals, background and fun facts before they take office in a historic session this January.
Rep. Kari Rehrauer
Rep. Wayne Johnson
Rep. Julie Greene
Rep. Keith Allen
Rep. Peter Johnson
Follow on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.TheDailyAgenda.com/Podcasts. (SPONSORED: Minnesota Telecom Alliance)
ROCHESTER: via WCCO Radio, VERBATIM: “Rochester Public Schools superintendent Dr. Kent Pekel is asking the Department of Education to reconsider the sudden cancellation of $2 million in grant money. The funding was supposed to help the district's mental-health program, [but] Pekel told [WCCO] the federal government gave them vague reasons for the cancellation, [alluding to] different priorities between the current administration and the previous one, citing concerns about merit, excellence and fairness.” PEKEL: “There's nothing that they listed that we are not completely committed to. Frankly, there was nothing explicitly in the notice we received that very clearly identifies the reason for the termination. … We cannot just make up for a $2 million grant that was cut without notice." READ/LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4m7rK46
DULUTH: via Duluth News Tribune, VERBATIM: “Duluth School Board member and former board chair Rosie Loeffler-Kemp announced her reelection campaign Wednesday. As the longest-serving member currently on the board, this will mark Loeffler-Kemp’s fourth run for the District 1 seat, which she has held since 2013.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Yw9w23
WALKER: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “A nearly 20-year-old community center in northern Minnesota took the uncommon step of filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The Walker Area Community Center has been a money pit on top of the hill overlooking Leech Lake since it opened in 2007. Its budget is generated from ice rentals, gym memberships and donations, which haven’t been enough to sustain operations. Many community centers in Minnesota are taxpayer-funded, [but] Walker’s is a nonprofit. It owes nearly $2 million to lenders, according to recent filings in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Though uncommon for a nonprofit, much less a community center, Chapter 11 allows the nonprofit to remain open rather than dissolve as it restructures its finances.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4k3LhBb
FREE AND LOW-COST FAMILY FUN: The beloved Flint Hills Family Festival is celebrating 25 years in downtown Saint Paul, May 30-31. This year’s festival, presented by the Ordway and Flint Hills Resources, welcomes outstanding headliners, including Grammy winners Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band and Ada Twist, Scientist, as well as the returning NOOMA, an Opera for Babies. Bring kids of all ages to enjoy free outdoor entertainment and activities, visit food trucks and take in an indoor show where tickets start at just $8. GET TICKETS: https://fluence-media.co/FHFestival (SPONSORED: Flint Hills Resources)
From yesterday’s Fluence newsletters:
GRADUATION: via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Minnesota posted a record high graduation rate of 84.2% in 2024, according to data being released Wednesday by the state Department of Education (MDE). Achievement gaps between white students and students of color also narrowed nearly across the board, an impressive feat given that 2024 graduates entered high school at the height of the pandemic.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/450j09D
SESSION: House floor session at 11:00 a.m. Senate floor session at 1:00 p.m. CONFERENCE: Conference committees will hear omnibus bills for judiciary, public safety, and corrections; veterans and military affairs; housing; transportation; and higher education. HOUSE: Ways & Means will hear the tax omnibus. SENATE: Capital Investment hears several bills issuing bonds and grants. Taxes will hear its omnibus bill. Finance hears the omnibus for energy, utilities, environment and climate. CALENDAR: https://fluence-media.co/43bmtQn
TODAY: Governor Tim Walz will sign a bill expanding support for service dogs in training and have meetings with Medical Alley leadership, the Municipal Legislative Commission mayors, and legislative leaders.
TODAY: via House POCI Caucus, VERBATIM: “The Minnesota House POCI Caucus will hold a press conference to address the recent wave of Republican-led efforts to dismantle essential programs that support Minnesota's working families and vulnerable communities. … They will also be joined by Unidos MN and community advocates.” The event is at 9:15 a.m.
TODAY: via an EdAllies advisory, VERBATIM: “The use of school seclusion rooms for K-3 students with disabilities is once again up for debate at the Minnesota Legislature. Following the recent passage of SF1740, attorneys, school personnel, parents, and advocates will gather to urge lawmakers to reject the return of this harmful practice.” Rep. Kim Hicks (D-Rochester) will attend. The event is at 1:30 p.m.
TODAY: via Save the Boundary Waters, VERBATIM: “Conservation groups will gather at the Minnesota State Capitol to rally in defense of America’s public lands — especially Minnesota’s crown jewel, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Advocates, outdoor enthusiasts, and public lands supporters will unite to send a clear message: public lands deserve lasting protection.” The event is at 3:00 p.m.
TOMORROW: via a joint release, VERBATIM: “Mayor Hollies J. Winston, Representative Huldah Momanyi-Hiltsley, Senator John Hoffman, other members of Brooklyn Park’s legislative delegation, and youth athletes [will] discuss the need for upgrading the Northwest Metro Regional Athletics Facility and what the new facility would mean for tourism and making Brooklyn Park a first-class city. … The City of Brooklyn Park is requesting $9.5 million.” The event is at 9:00 a.m.
TOMORROW: The St. Paul Area Chamber and partners are hosting a Small Business Summit and Small Business Administration Luncheon on Friday starting at 8:00 a.m. Special guests include Sen. Tina Smith and Mayor Melvin Carter.
MONDAY: via an ISAIAH advisory, VERBATIM: “Childcare providers, parents, teachers, community members, and legislators will participate in a rally and press conference at the Capitol [addressing] cuts to federal funding for state programs, notably the threat of the elimination of Head Start. … This event is being held in conjunction with National Day Without Child Care events across the country on Monday, May 12.” The event is at 2:00 p.m.
MONDAY: The MN GOP announced its annual Lincoln Reagan Dinner will be held on Monday, May 12 with former Rep. Doug Collins as the keynote speaker. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/4cTG9Nc
BDAYS: Care Providers CEO Toby Pearson, fmr. St. Paul Police Chief Todd Axtell, New Publica’s Ewin Torres DeSantiago, DHS’s Lorna Schmidt
TIPS: How do we get the best news and most buzzed about stories? Send us your tips at BloisOlson@gmail.com
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