AGP Executive Report

Wildfire & tourism hit: Ely is seeing a rare break from smoke, but the tourism-dependent town says business is still “almost like winter tourism,” with visitors scarce and anxiety lingering across the Boundary Waters region. Right to repair in Minnesota: DFL Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and candidates Dan Wilson and Jack Hedin say a new John Deere settlement helps, but Minnesota law still leaves farmers paying to access repair tools. Local growth & jobs: Seat Cover Solutions is seeking a 55,000-square-foot Monticello headquarters and fulfillment center, aiming to add 19 jobs and automate warehouse work. Small-town grant window: Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation is accepting applications for its Small Town Grant program, offering up to $10,000 for projects that build collaboration and belonging. Healthcare finance watch: A proposed CMS Medicaid rule in Virginia could cut $31B over a decade, raising alarms about reimbursement changes beyond what Congress approved. Antitrust leadership shake-up: Trump nominated Adam Candeub to lead DOJ’s Antitrust Division, despite no prior antitrust trial record, as major Big Tech cases continue. Housing pipeline: Trails Edge Senior in Waconia is fully funded and expected to move toward construction bids, with a $15.8M price tag. Crypto/prediction markets update: Minnesota’s Aug. 1 law changes include a ban on crypto kiosks and prediction markets.

Clean Energy Leadership: Xcel Energy finished Sherco Solar Phase 3, turning a retiring coal site near Becker into a 710-megawatt solar hub and setting up a possible Phase 4 expansion. Industry Leadership Change: MnSEIA named Cynthia Bennett interim executive director after Logan O’Grady’s July 31 exit, as the group says it helped build a pipeline for more than 2 gigawatts of solar and storage. Housing & Real Estate: Minnesota Realtors reported June listings and closed sales up year over year, with inventory rising and median prices edging higher. Medicaid Payment Freeze: The Trump administration deferred more than $1 billion in Medicaid reimbursements to California and Minnesota over fraud and documentation demands, raising provider-payment and care-continuity questions. Local Business & Community: Morrison County’s Veterans Service Office highlighted growing outreach and benefits work, while Jerry’s Abra partnered with the Minnesota State Transportation Center of Excellence on a Nitro-X summer camp for students. Agriculture Recognition: Cass County honored the Seifert family as Farm Family of the Year, spotlighting first-generation growth and community involvement. Legal/Policy: A federal judge rejected the Justice Department’s challenge to Minnesota sanctuary immigration policies.

Medicaid Funding Freeze: The Trump administration is withholding another $1 billion in Medicaid payments from California and Minnesota, citing suspected fraud and asking states to provide documentation to release funds. Local Governance: Monticello residents are pressing for clarity on how a proposed data center can be stopped after the city deemed the application incomplete and requested more information. Public Policy & Business: New Minnesota laws take effect Aug. 1, including changes affecting consumer protections, virtual currency custody, and payment transparency for subcontractors. Sports Media & Tech: The NHL is taking over centralized production of local game telecasts for the Hurricanes, Blue Jackets, Wild and Blues as regional sports networks continue to unravel. Retail & Consumer: Target is rolling out Picolette, a new baby products brand, while Adidas plans its first full-line Minnesota store at Mall of America this October. Economic Development: A Senate panel advanced a $10 million study to expand the Lewis & Clark Regional Water System, which serves communities across South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota. Housing & Homebuilding: A Fed analysis suggests the headline U.S. homeownership rate may overstate how many adults personally own their homes, with implications for affordability debates. Health: U.S. cyclosporiasis is at a record pace, with thousands of confirmed cases across dozens of states and more suspected illnesses under review.

Minnesota Wild Media Expansion: The team is launching a fully team-run TV network for the coming season, aiming to air every regular-season game not picked up nationally, with cable, streaming and over-the-air options. Public Safety & Local Economy: Minneapolis leaders are set to hold a public meeting Tuesday after two mass shootings in less than a day, with officials expected to share what’s being done and hear from residents. Medicaid Cash Crunch: HHS and CMS deferred about $199 million in federal Medicaid payments to Minnesota (and $867.5 million to California) after financial reviews flagged claims needing extra scrutiny, raising stakes for nursing-home-heavy spending. Food & Consumer Safety: FDA says a recall of iceberg lettuce tied to cyclosporiasis remains in place after a false-positive test result, with Minnesota among the states that received the product. Retail Deal: L&M Fleet Supply plans to acquire Family Center Farm & Home, expanding the retailer to 20 stores across five states. Local Housing Finance: Ramsey approved a TIF district for a 186-unit senior living project near the Minneapolis VA clinic, with parts of the development inside and outside the district. Workforce & Child Care: A new Minneota child care center is nearing opening, targeting capacity for 100 children. Sports Media Shift: The NHL is moving toward centralized production of local games, with Minnesota Wild among teams getting NHL Productions coverage.

HOA Protections: A new Minnesota law gives homeowners in homeowner associations more protections starting Jan. 1, 2027, including transparency requirements and a cap on fines. Wildfire Economy & Insurance: Northern Minnesota wildfire smoke is hurting daily life and raising questions for households and drivers about what homeowners and car insurance cover for smoke damage. Ag & Milling: Green Acres Milling says its Albert Lea oat mill is still aiming for a September start, with electrical work and safety systems the main remaining steps. Climate Resilience Funding: Duluth’s Arrowhead Regional Development Commission won a national impact award for its Northland Climate Resilience Collaborative, a multi-county effort to build resilience and unlock future funding. Tech Leadership: OpenAI promoted Uday Ruddaraju to CTO of Compute, highlighting Minnesota ties through his University of Minnesota graduate work. Sports Business Pulse: The Twins’ trade chatter and pitching struggles continue as they face the Guardians in Cleveland, while the Lynx keep rolling with another close win. Antitrust Watch: A federal judge paused the Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery merger for at least two weeks as states pursue an antitrust challenge.

Antitrust & Media: A federal judge temporarily blocked Paramount Skydance’s $110B Warner Bros. Discovery merger for at least 14 days after a coalition of 12 states argued it would “extinguish competition,” with a preliminary-injunction hearing set for Aug. 3. Energy & Storage: Minnesota’s Public Utilities Commission gave final approval to Spearmint Energy’s 150-megawatt, 600-megawatt-hour battery storage project in Freeborn County despite water-quality and battery-fire concerns. Housing & Homebuying: Minnesota Realtors data suggests home inventory hit a seven-year high, with listings up and sales rising about 8% in June—good news for buyers, though prices and mortgage rates remain a drag. Retail & Consumer: Sleep Country Canada is expanding into the U.S. by acquiring Sleep Number through a court-supervised sale, aiming for 800+ stores. Agriculture & Food Safety: FDA clarified a Cyclospora lab “false positive” at the border but says outbreak tracing still points to shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms in central Mexico, supporting a recall. Local Politics: Monticello’s mayoral race gained a challenger as Theodore Franklin Roberts filed to oppose incumbent Lloyd Hilgart, citing opposition to a proposed data center. Business Operations: Park Dental Partners set its Aug. 12 earnings report and Aug. 13 conference call. Public Safety: A pedestrian was struck overnight Saturday on Madison Avenue in Mankato, with life-endangering injuries; investigators are seeking surveillance footage or witnesses.

Minnesota Jobs: Minnesota added 13,200 jobs in June for a third straight month of gains, with unemployment steady at 4.4% as the labor force participation rate kept slipping, according to DEED. Housing Data: The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis says the U.S. may be measuring homeownership wrong—estimating about 53% of adults own homes versus the Census Bureau’s 65.3% household-based figure—raising new questions for housing policy. Ag Markets: Puris is expanding the field pea pipeline, buying yellow peas from Midwest growers and turning them into pea protein used in food products. Cattle & Exports: A Red Angus bull producer’s 4-H roots are now feeding international sales, showing how youth programs can turn into real market reach. Solar Politics: The solar industry is leaning on former Gov. Tim Pawlenty to win over conservative Republicans as federal incentives phase out. AI Infrastructure: OpenAI promoted Uday Ruddarraju to CTO of Compute, signaling a push to scale AI infrastructure. Wildfire Smoke & Trade: Trump renewed pressure on Canada over wildfire smoke, threatening tariffs or damages—an issue that’s already disrupting travel and business conditions across the Midwest, including Minnesota.

Immigration & Labor: DHS is trying to rebuild ties with major business groups as ICE arrests spike, with officials under Markwayne Mullin seeking regular input on how mass deportations could affect worker supply. Public Safety & Accountability: The Trump administration’s border czar says ICE will be required to wear body cameras during most traffic stops after fatal shootings. Minnesota Politics: MyPillow founder Mike Lindell, endorsed by Trump for Minnesota governor, admitted he isn’t registered to vote in Minnesota yet. Health & Fraud: Minnesota’s Medicaid fraud crackdown continues, with federal prosecutors alleging billions in potential theft and new scrutiny on high-risk providers. Business & Economy: Minnesota’s Tamarack nickel-copper-cobalt project moves into a public EIS scoping comment period, with lawmakers touting critical-minerals jobs. AI & Tech: OpenAI appoints Uday Ruddaraju as CTO for Compute, signaling a push to expand large-scale AI infrastructure. Retail: Target’s Firestone opening is set for July 26 while local plans for Central Park’s future face a reset. Nonprofit Leadership: YWCA Mankato names Dr. Joyce Levingston its new executive director.

Wildfire disruption: Minnesota’s Superior National Forest fires have burned through more than 77,000 acres, triggering expanded evacuation orders and keeping the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness closed as smoke and extreme conditions persist. Tourism hit: With BWCAW access still shut, Ely and Cook County outfitters say July is their peak season—and business is down sharply as travelers stay away. Cross-border pressure: President Trump threatened Canada with new tariffs tied to wildfire smoke, while Ontario Premier Doug Ford called the criticism “totally unacceptable,” escalating a trade-and-forest-management fight. Local business resilience: Grand Rapids frame shop owner Linda Budrow is preparing to retire after 38 years, reflecting how long-running small businesses are navigating succession. Minnesota economy & jobs: A major Iron Range mine—Mesabi Metallics—moves toward opening with contractors and permits in place, signaling a rare new large-scale project for the region. Sports business: The Cubs acquired pitcher Aaron Civale from the Athletics to address a rotation ravaged by injuries.

Healthcare & Policy: Minnesota Oncology’s director of pharmacy says ctDNA MRD testing in bladder cancer still faces patchy payer coverage (only ~40%-50%), forcing appeals and leaving hospitals without standardized surveillance testing protocols. Philanthropy: Billionaire T. Denny Sanford, whose giving helped build Sanford Health’s regional footprint, died at 90, with leaders citing his impact on South Dakota and beyond. Local Business & Tourism: Voyageur Canoe Outfitters on the Gunflint Trail says BWCAW wildfire closures emptied its reservation book almost overnight, showing how quickly summer revenue can vanish. Community & Housing: Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota and partners highlighted grant-backed homebuilding efforts in Morrison County, pointing to how public funding and nonprofit capacity combine to expand supply. Weather & Operations: Canadian wildfire smoke and severe storm threats disrupted major events and travel in the broader region, underscoring ongoing business risk from air quality and extreme weather. Sports Business: The Cubs acquired pitcher Aaron Civale from the Athletics, while Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers heads toward the trade deadline as a free-agent-to-be.

Wildfire Smoke & Health: Northern Minnesota’s wildfire footprint is now estimated at about 77,000 acres, with officials warning conditions could worsen again as heat and wind return; smoke has also triggered air-quality alerts far beyond the state, disrupting events and pushing people indoors. Policy & Public Safety Tech: Royalton is backing away from a Flock license-plate camera trial and shifting to a Minnesota-based policy management system, aiming to keep up with state requirements and reduce staff time spent updating policies. Local Development: Elk River’s data center developer has withdrawn its application after the city rejected a zoning amendment; the council is also expected to move toward a one-year moratorium while it studies where such projects fit. Health & Business Continuity: Ely officials say the city is “open for business” despite Boundary Waters closures and wildfire-driven cancellations, pointing to resorts, trails, downtown retail, and scheduled events. Community & Commerce: New Ulm was named Minnesota’s 2026 Retail Community of the Year, with Crazy Days set for July 24-26. Local Economy Stories: Royalton’s Harley’s Handle Bar & Grill opened after a major renovation, and Morrison County loosened permit conditions for a planned residential chemical dependency treatment center.

Wildfire smoke and politics: Trump again blamed Canada for Canadian wildfire smoke drifting into the Midwest and East, warning of “very unhealthy” to “hazardous” air and hinting at tariff pressure. Local relief funding: United Way of Northeastern Minnesota urged Ely residents to donate to its Crisis and Disaster Relief fund instead of dropping off food and goods that can expire or overwhelm small-community logistics. Retail expansion: L.L.Bean is set to open a new 17,500-square-foot store in Maple Grove on July 31, bringing its four-season apparel and footwear to a second Twin Cities location. Workforce pipeline: A Twin Cities pilot program is taking applications for a fall BioTech Manufacturing Training Program, offering skills training plus a $1,000 completion stipend for eligible adults. Public art and housing: Rondo African-American Arts District’s grand opening on July 25 spotlights Wadaag Commons’ $500,000 permanent public art investment tied to new affordable housing in Minneapolis. Data center pushback: Apple Valley approved a one-year moratorium on new data center development, joining other metro cities amid lawsuits and planning fights. Health and food safety: Lawsuits are targeting Taylor Farms over the Cyclospora-linked “explosive diarrhea” outbreak tied to bagged lettuce.

Medicaid & Health Care: Minnesota is extending a freeze on new Medicaid providers in 12 high-risk services for another six months as the state revalidates about 5,600 providers to avoid losing more than $2 billion in federal funding. Wildfire Smoke & Local Economy: Hazardous wildfire smoke from Canada and Minnesota is driving “Code Purple” air quality alerts and pushing communities to cancel or limit outdoor activity, with Minneapolis and other cities among those seeing dangerous conditions. Business & Community Response: In Ely, United Way of Northeastern Minnesota is coordinating with the Red Cross and local partners as wildfires spread, urging people to donate to its Crisis and Disaster Recovery Fund. Sports Business Watch: The NBA is investigating a four-year, $64 million Bucks deal with Gary Trent Jr. over possible salary-cap circumvention—another reminder that contract structure can become a league-wide business issue. Housing Market: Minnesota housing inventory hit a seven-year high in June, with home sales up 8% and more listings entering the market. Fraud & Public Funds: Federal authorities extradited a Feeding Our Future fraud defendant from Somalia to Minnesota, alleging involvement in a $250 million child nutrition program scheme.

Air Quality Crisis: Minnesota’s Twin Cities metro and parts of the state are under hazardous wildfire-smoke conditions, prompting closures like Bloomington, Richfield and Edina pools plus cancellations for outdoor programs through Friday, July 17. Affordable Housing: Minnesota Housing approved $50.6 million to preserve 35 distressed multifamily properties, protecting 2,595 affordable units statewide. Local Housing Repairs: Minneapolis will spend $2.5 million to address serious deterioration at Heritage Park, where hundreds of public-housing units have been left uninhabitable. Public Safety Tech Fight: Minneapolis City Council rejected a Skydio drone contract for police emergency response after residents raised surveillance and ICE-related concerns. Energy & Jobs: Minnesota is part of a broader legal push as multiple states’ attorneys general move to challenge a DoD freeze on land-based wind project reviews, arguing it threatens investments and jobs. Business & Growth: Costco announced seven new warehouse locations across six states, including Otsego, Minnesota. Ag Policy: U.S. House Budget Committee plans to mark up a bill with about $10 billion in bridge economic aid for row-crop farmers, per Minnesota Rep. Brad Finstad.

Rural Health Spotlight: Mille Lacs Health System earned a national Top 20 Critical Access Hospital honor, ranking among the best in quality, outcomes, patient experience and financial performance. Clean Energy Finance: PureSky Energy refinanced its community solar and battery storage portfolio in a $183.7 million deal, consolidating eight debt portfolios and upsizing its credit facility to fund more projects. Corporate Earnings: UnitedHealth Group reported $5.48 billion in Q2 net income as medical costs eased, lifting its 2026 adjusted earnings outlook. Manufacturing Jobs Push: Niron Magnetics is weighing a major Iron Range facility that could create 700+ jobs, aiming to reduce reliance on imported rare-earth minerals used in magnets. Local Business & Growth: Owatonna is nearing the end of a zoning overhaul, cutting its ordinance length and setting an Aug. 25 open house before a planned Jan. 1, 2027 start. Air Quality Watch: Canadian wildfire smoke has driven hazardous conditions across the region, with Minnesota guidance emphasizing indoor air filtration and safe HVAC use. Public Safety & Accountability: DHS body-cam rollout delays are drawing renewed scrutiny after recent ICE shootings, renewing calls for faster deployment. Politics Meets Business: President Trump endorsed MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell for Minnesota governor, reshaping the GOP primary conversation.

Minnesota Consumer Protection: Minnesota AG Keith Ellison sued vape seller Loon (Maduro Distributors) over flavored products he says target youth and mislead consumers about FDA approval. Public Health: A measles case tied to travel to Somalia landed a 9-month-old in a Minnesota hospital for 15 days, underscoring how quickly outbreaks can spread. Business & Jobs: Enterprise Minnesota CEO Mark O’Leary toured Metal Services in Blooming Prairie, highlighting support for manufacturers through continuous improvement and workforce development. Antitrust & Media: Twelve states, including California, filed suit to block the Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery merger, arguing it would reduce competition and raise prices. Data Breach Accountability: Minnesota is set to receive about $514,000 from a multistate 23andMe settlement tied to the 2023 genetic data breach. Energy & Markets: The Fed’s Beige Book points to improving activity and easing inflation, but warns fuel-cost uncertainty remains. Local Economy: LaCanne’s Marine in Faribault was named “Best of Southern Minnesota” boat dealer, spotlighting regional outdoor and recreation spending. Environment: Wildfire smoke from northern fires is pushing into the Twin Cities and central Minnesota, with air-quality guidance in effect.