Days to the November Election: 258
Agriculture
SOY MANIA AMONG U.S. FARMERS A RISK, EVEN IF CHINA MAKES LARGE PURCHASES, Successful Farming
Attorney General Keith Ellison
State lawmakers look again at push to legalize recreational marijuana, KARE 11
Congress
McConnell stands by Barr amid Stone sentencing fallout, Politico
DFL News
Newly Discovered Recordings Show Jason Lewis Making Series of Racist Comments, dfl.org
Donald Trump
Trump commutes sentence of ex-Illinois Gov. Blagojevich in rash of clemency orders, The Hill
Trump blames ‘Fake News’ for reporting wind blew down part of border wall, New York Post
Trump commutes sentence of Miami woman doing 35 years in prison for bilking Medicare, Miami Herald
Trump’s latest pardons show how quickly he’s normalizing corruption, Vox
Economy
US producer prices post biggest gain in more than a year, CNBC
Education
Minneapolis Fed President: Minnesota’s education system ‘failing Native children’, Pioneer Press
‘Education deserts’ are a ‘staggering’ problem, and for-profit colleges are taking advantage, Yahoo Finance
St. Paul district to consider closing, repurposing schools as enrollment falls, Pioneer Press
Environment
Why the world’s third-largest economy is still betting on coal, Vox
How warming winters are affecting everything, MPR
Climate change: Fertilizer could be used to power ocean-going ships, BBC
Earth’s coral reefs could be gone by 2100, research finds, NBC News
How Warming Winters Are Affecting Everything, NPR
Governor Tim Walz
Walz proposes adding $30 million to depleted state natural disaster account, MPR
Walz writes Trump administration opposing plan that could deport hundreds of MN Hmong and Lao residents, Pioneer Press
Health
Woman’s battle vs. chronic pain expands to Minnesota’s opioid laws, StarTrib
5 years after Indiana’s historic HIV outbreak, many rural places remain at risk, NPR
Immigration
Immigrants Flock To Canada, While U.S. Declines, Forbes
Fear, anxiety in Minnesota over plans to deport some Hmong residents, Star Tribune
U.S. border policies force Venezuelan teen into Mexico alone, separated from her father, NBC News
Labor
Kickstarter staff votes to unionize, a sign of rising labor tensions in tech, New York Times
‘We can’t afford healthcare’: US hospital workers fight for higher wages, The Guardian
Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan
Lt. Governor Flanagan Kicked Off ‘Mind Your Health’ At Mall Of America, WCCO
Hundreds march for missing, murdered Indigenous women, Minnesota Daily
Minnesota Legislature
Why Minnesota lawmakers are fighting over election security, again, Pioneer Press
Minnesota legislators push to test, securely store all rape kits, Brainerd Dispatch
Minnesota tribal officials back proposed education amendment, Duluth News Tribune
Frey jumps into the fray as GOP legislators make issue of crime in Minneapolis, St. Paul, MinnPost
House Democrats Again Push For Paid Family Leave For All Working Minnesotans, WCCO
Minnesota News
Fire at Becker metal recycling plant continues to burn, Star Tribune
More Minnesota counties declare themselves ‘gun sanctuaries’, Star Tribune
Phones are making us more disconnected than ever. These UMD students want to change that, MPR
Minnesota sees nearly 6% drop in solar jobs in 2019, national ranking slips, Star Tribune
Representative Betty McCollum (CD4)
Fear, anxiety in Minnesota over plans to deport some Hmong residents, Star Tribune
New FCC rule threatens funding for community TV programming, Star Tribune
Representative Ilhan Omar (D5)
‘We Have To Come Together’: Ilhan Omar Outlines Her ‘Pathway To Peace’, WCCO
Senator Tina Smith
Smith discusses housing, health care concerns in Duluth, Duluth New Tribune
U.S. News
More than 211 million gallons of sewage spill into Fort Lauderdale’s waterways, NBC
AP source: Barr tells people he might quit over Trump tweets, Associated Press
Gender Pronouns Can Be Tricky on Campus. Harvard Is Making Them Stick., New York Times
World News
Promising ‘true liberation,’ Pompeo contrasts U.S. role in Africa with China’s, Washington Post
Coronavirus quarantine ends for most on cruise ship in Japan as global deaths top 2,000, CBS
India hastily builds wall along slum ahead of Trump visit, Associated Press
Upcoming DFL Events:
- Today through March 2 — Super Tuesday Presidential Primary Early Voting, more information here.
- February 19
- 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM — DFL Senior Day on the Hill, Minnesota State Capitol, Room 316, 75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, St. Paul, MN 5515.
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD40 DFL Caucus Training, 1512 Woodbine Ln, Brooklyn Center, MN
- 8:00 to 10:00 PM — Democratic Presidential Debate in Las Vegas, NV, watch on the NBC and MSNBC platforms
- February 22
- 1:00 to 3:00 PM — SD37 DFL Caucus Convener Training, Northtown Library, 707 County Hwy. 10 Frontage Rd, Blaine, MN 55434
- 3:00 to 5:00 PM — SD40 DFL Caucus Convener Training, Brookdale Library, 6125 Shingle Creek Pkwy, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
- February 25 — Mardi Gras
- 7:00 t0 9:00 PM — Minnesota DFL Precinct Caucuses, more information here.
- February 26 — Ash Wednesday
- March 3
- 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM — Minnesota Super Tuesday Primary, more information here.
- March 4
- 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Kennedy High School, Room C102, 9701 Nicollet Avenue S, Bloomington, MN 55402
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — LOCATION CHANGE: SD33 DFL Central Committee Meeting, The Olson Home, 3415 Warner Ln, Minnetrista, MN
- March 5
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD37 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Teamsters’ Local 120, 9422 Ulysses St NE, Blaine, MN 55434
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD40 DFL Pre-Convention Committee Meetings (Tentative), Brookdale Library, 6125 Shingle Creek Pkwy, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 DFL Central Committee Meeting, St. Louis Park City Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd, St. Louis Park, MN 55416
- March 7
- 1:00 to 3:00 PM — SD33 DFL Pre-Convention Committee Meetings, Plymouth Library, 15700 36th Ave N, Plymouth, MN 55446
- 1:00 to 4:00 PM — SD37 DFL Pre-Convention Committee Meetings, Northtown Library, 707 County Hwy. 10 Frontage Rd, Blaine, MN 55434
- March 8 — Daylight Saving Time Begins
- March 9
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Minnetonka Community Center, Council Chambers, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD49 DFL Central Committee Meeting, 7001 Cahill Rd, Suite 21, Edina, MN
- March 10 — Purim and Holy
- 6:00 to 8:30 PM — SD44 DFL Chili Cook Off and Silent Auction, Under Pressure Brewing, 8806 7th Ave N, Golden Valley, MN 55427. Suggested donation of $15. Tickets available at the door or here.
- March 12
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD36 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Riverwind Community Center, 2701 Northdale Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN55433.
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — UPDATED: SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN
- March 14, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM — SD46 DFL Convention, St. Louis Park High School, 6425 W 33rd St, St. Louis Park, MN 55426
- March 16, 7:oo to 9:00 PM — Anoka County DFL Meeting, Coon Rapids Civic Center, 11155 Robinson Dr, Coon Rapids, MN 55433
- March 17 — St. Patrick’s Day
- March 18, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Central Committee Meting, Council Chamber, Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka, Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
- March 19 — Spring Equinox
- March 21
- 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM — SD34 DFL Convention, Maple Grove Senior High School, 9800 Fernbrook Ln N, Maple Grove, MN 55369
- 8:30 to 1:00 PM — SD48 DFL Convention, Minnetonka High School, 18301 Highway 7, Minnetonka, MN 55391
- 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM — SD33 Precinct Chairs Welcome Brunch, 3415 Warner Ln, Mound, MN 55364
- March 28
- 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM — SD40 DFL Convention, North View Middle School, 5889 69th Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55429
- 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM — SD50 DFL Convention, Oak Grove Middle School, 1300 W 106th St, Bloomington, MN 55431
- April 1 — April Fools’ Day
- 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Kennedy High School, Room C102, 9701 Nicollet Avenue S, Bloomington, MN 55402
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD33 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Ridgedale Library, Room 172, 12601 Ridgedale Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55305
- April 2, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 DFL Central Committee Meeting, St. Louis Park City Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd, St. Louis Park, MN 55416
- April 4— SD37 DFL Convention, Teamsters Local 120, 9422 Ulysses St NE, Blaine, MN 55434. Contact them for specifics and timing at petersengm@gmail.com.
- 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM — SD45 DFL Convention, Cooper High School, 47th Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55428
- 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM — SD36 DFL Convention, Coon Rapids High School, 2340 Normal Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433
- 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM — SD44 DFL Convention, Minnetonka High School, 18301 Highway 7, Minnetonka, MN 55391
- April 7, 7:00 to 8:30 PM – SD40 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Brookdale Library, 6125 Shingle Creek Pkwy, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
- April 9 through 13 — Passover
- April 9
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD36 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Riverwind Community Center, 2701 Normal Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433.
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Glen Lake Activity Center, 14350 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345.
- April 10 — Good Friday
- April 11, 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM — Brooklyn Center DFL Endorsing Convention, Brookdale Library 6125 Shingle Creek Parkway, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430.
- April 12 — Easter
- April 13
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Council Chambers, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD49 DFL Central Committee Meeting, 7001 Cahill Rd, Suite 21, Edina, MN
- April 15 — Tax Day
- April 18
- 8:15 AM to 2:00 PM — SD49 DFL Convention, Valley View Middle School, Auditorium, 6750 Valley View Rd, Minneapolis, MN 55439.
- 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM — SD33 DFL Convention, Orono High School, 795 Old Crystal Bay Rd N, Long Lake, Mn 55346.
- 12:00 to 5:00 PM — Hennepin County DFL Convention, Hopkins North Junior High School, Cafeteria, 10700 Cedar Lake Rd, Hopkins, MN 55305.
- April 20, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — Anoka County DFL Meeting, Coon Rapids Civic Center, 11155 Robinson Dr, Coon Rapids, MN 55433.
- April 22 — Earth Day
- April 24 — Arbor Day
- April 25, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM — Brooklyn Park DFL Convention, North View Middle School, 5869 69th Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55429.
- May 5 — Cinco de Mayo
- 7:00 to 8:30 PM — SD40 DFL Central Committee Meeting, location to be determined
- May 6
- 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Kennedy High School, Room C102, 9701 Nicollet Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55420
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD33 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Ridgedale Library, Room 172, 12601 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55305
- May 9, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM — CD3 DFL Convention, Park Center High School, Performing Arts Center, 7300 Brooklyn Blvd, Minneapolis, MN 55443.