Days to the 2020 Election: 274
Agriculture
Vertical Farming Transforms The Farm-to-Fork Supply Chain, Forbes
Super Bowl Ads: Buy a Beer for … a Tiny Organic Farm?, New York Times
AG MARKETS LEAN ON THE SOYBEAN MARKET FOR STRENGTH MONDAY, Successful Farming
Congress
Republican Senators Are Now Admitting Trump’s Pressure on Ukraine Was Wrong, Mother Jones
Donald Trump
Trump thinks he’s untouchable after three years of not starting World War III: report, Raw StoryPoll: Majority believe Trump abused power and obstructed Congress, Axios
What Trump’s drug policies have meant for America’s opioid epidemic, CNN
Trump’s Super Bowl interview was 8 minutes of pettiness and empty braggadocio, Vox
Trump Administration Corruption Watch
Law firm representing Rudy Giuliani beset by sordid allegations, partner exodus, NBC News
Taxpayers Get $3.4 Million Tab So Trump Can Host Super Bowl Party For His Club Members, HuffPost
Donald Trump’s Impeachment
Impeachment Trial Live Updates: What to Expect Ahead of Closing Arguments, New York Times
Donald Trump will be acquitted. American politics will be convicted, Vox
How Trump’s Impeachment Trial Could Set New Precedent, NPR
Economy
Trump’s Economic Growth Is Slower Than Obama’s Last 3 Years, Forbes
Boeing’s Woes Create Headwinds for U.S. Economy, Wall Street Journal
Education
Community leaders call out elected officials, schools for lack of classroom education to prevent human trafficking, ABC News
Environment
The ‘forever chemicals’ fueling a public health crisis in drinking water, The Guardian
Pipeline spill of oil wastewater bigger than first reported, Associated Press
A controversial Trump legal opinion weakened a law to protect birds. Now it might be made permanent, Washington Post
Governor Tim Walz
Walz selects for judgeship senior staffer in Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, Star Tribune
Gov. Tim Walz raises record $1 million-plus in 2019, Star Tribune
Gov. Walz Introduces Compromise Bill To Improve Affordable Insulin Access, WCCO
Health
Health Care Software Firm Fined $145M In Opioid Scheme With Drug Companies, NPR
Trump Declares Coronavirus A Public Health Emergency And Restricts Travel From China, NPR
As Coronavirus Spreads, U.S. Students In China Scramble To Leave, NPR
Immigration
Expansion of immigration restrictions draws protest in Minneapolis, MPR
New U.S. Travel Ban Shuts Door on Africa’s Biggest Economy, Nigeria, New York Times
‘Scared for my life’: why more Indians are joining migrants on risky journey to reach the US, The Guardian
Labor
SEIU health care workers headed for strike vote with HealthPartners, MN Reformer
Unions decline again — and public-sector right-to-work may be a reason, The Hill
Business survey suggests U.S. labor market may have peaked, Reuters
Minnesota Legislature
Cost of insulin shouldn’t be cause for death, Star Tribune
Minnesota Senate DFLers pick new leader, MPR
‘Revenge porn’ cases have lawmakers looking for a fix, Star Tribune
Minnesota Legislature begins considering facial-recognition technology regulations, MinnPost
Minnesota saw more deals in 2019, but with smaller price tags, Star Tribune
Minnesota welfare program to offer first raises in 33 years, MPR
Minnesota law enforcement zeroes in on driving under the influence of drugs, Star Tribune
Judge: Nobles County sheriff can’t hold prisoners for ICE, City Pages
Native American women are missing and murdered. Will the federal government act?, MN Reformer
Representative Angie Craig (CD2)
Angie Craig Holds Healthcare Roundtable in Belle Plaine, Belle Plaine Herald
Representative Betty McCollum (CD4)
Rep. McCollum takes the lead for our water and health, MinnPost
Representative Ilhan Omar (CD5)
Ilhan Omar: ‘I always stand up to bullies’, The Guardian
Republicans
The Downfall of the Republican Party, The Atlantic
Supreme Court of the US
The Supreme Court May No Longer Have the Legitimacy to Resolve a Disputed Election, The Atlantic
Trade
U.S.-UK Trade Deal Needs Labor, Climate Protections, Enforcement: U.S. Lawmaker, New York Times
Native American women are missing and murdered. Will the federal government act?, MN Reformer
Pentagon approves using military bases to quarantine 1,000, Associated Press
American universities are a soft target for China’s spies, say U.S. intelligence officials, NBC News
US travel restrictions go into effect to combat coronavirus spread, CNN
World News
Top US general in Africa warns of growing threats as Trump administration weighs cutting troop numbers, CNN
New U.S. Travel Ban Shuts Door on Africa’s Biggest Economy, Nigeria, New York Times
Leaked audio shows Tehran knew missile hit Ukrainian passenger jet, Washington Post
Upcoming DFL Events:
- Today through March 2 — Super Tuesday Presidential Primary Early Voting, more information here.
- February 4
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD37 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Teamsters’ Local 120, 9422 Ulysses St NE, Blaine, MN 55434
- 7:00 to 8:30 PM — SD40 DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics.
- February 5
- 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Room C120, Kennedy High School, 9701 Nicollet Ave, Bloomington, MN 55420
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM —LOCATION CHANGE: SD33 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Maple Grove Library, 8001 Main St, Maple Grove, MN 55369
- February 6, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 DFL Central Committee Meeting, St. Louis Park City Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd, St. Louis Park, MN 55416
- February 7, 8:00 to 10:00 PM — New Hampshire Democratic Presidential Debate, view on ABC’s platforms
- February 10
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD49 DFL Central Committee Meeting, 7001 Cahill Rd, Suite 21, Edina, MN
- February 11 — Minnesota Legislative Session Starts
- February 13
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD36 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Riverwind Community Center, 2701 Normal Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN 5533
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Glen Lake Activity Center, 14350 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
- February 14 — Valentine’s Day
- February 15, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM — SD33 DFL Caucus Convener Training Make Up, Chanhassen Library, 7711 Kerber Blvd, Chanhassen, MN 55317
- February 17 — Presidents’ Day
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — Anoka County DFL Meeting, Coon Rapids Civic Center, 11155 Robinson Dr, Coon Rapids, MN 55433
- February 19
- 5:30 to 8:00 PM — SD37 DFL Caucus and Convener Training, Johnsville Library, 12461 Oak Park Blvd NE, Blaine, MN 55434
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
- 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 Road, 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 — SD33 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Ridgedale Library, Room 172, 12601 Ridgedale Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55305
- 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
- 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 — SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Glen Lake Activity, 14350 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
- 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
- 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Kennedy High School, Room C102, 9701 Nicollet Avenue S, Bloomington, MN 55402
- 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, more information as it becomes available.