In the Know: January 14, 2020

2020 Election
Wisconsin Elections Officials Held in Contempt for Refusing to Purge Voters, New York Times
2020 rules of the road for the Age of Misinformation, Axios
Wisconsin judge orders 200,000 voters be purged in blow to Democrats, The Guardian

Agriculture
NRCS Taking Public Comment on Popular Conservation Programs, WNAX
PHASE 1 COMMODITY TARGETS LIKELY MORE THAN CHINA CAN CHEW – ANALYSTS, Successful Farming

Attorney General Keith Ellison
Minnesota AG jumps into fight between Bremer Bank and the charity that owns it, Star Tribune

Congress
Former Rep. Chris Collins recommended for 57-month prison term for insider trading charges, The Week
Up to 10 GOP senators consider bucking Trump on war powers, The Hill

Donald Trump
Trump Takes Credit For Obamacare, Says Democrats Want to Repeal It, New York Magazine
Trump Serves Up Another Happy Meal For The Fast-Food Industry, Huffington Post
You Call That Transparency, Mr. President?, New York Times
Trump Called Out For His Hypocrisy Championing A Free Press — In Iran, Huffington Post
Trump’s new argument that impeachment “should not even be allowed to proceed,” briefly explained, Vox

Donald Trump’s Impeachment
Pelosi sets up floor vote as soon as Wednesday to name impeachment managers and send articles to the Senate, CNN
66% of Americans want John Bolton to testify, Axios
Pelosi accuses Trump of a ‘cover-up’ after president lashes out over impeachment, NBC News
GOP senators reject plans to dismiss Trump impeachment, Associated Press
Giuliani associate Lev Parnas turns over thousands of pages of documents to impeachment investigators, CNN

Economy
The most in demand jobs in Minnesota don’t pay enough to live here, MN Reformer
US budget deficit topped $1 trillion in 2019 for the first time in seven years, CNBC
US stocks fall as investors digest first round of earnings, Associated Press

Education
‘Shouldn’t have to marry a sugar daddy’: Teachers, outraged over pay, rally in Florida capital, USA Today

Environment
Venice canals almost dry, two months after severe floods, BBC
Oceans are warming at the same rate as if five Hiroshima bombs were dropped in every second, CNN

Governor Tim Walz
One year in, Gov. Tim Walz talks bonding, breaking up DHS, and the perils of Minnesota exceptionalism, MinnPost
Walz proposes borrowing $447 million for state’s colleges, universities, Star Tribune

Health
In rural Minnesota, a scarcity of beds for people in crisis, MPR
Don’t Let Trump Fool You Into Thinking He’s Improving Health Care, Mother Jones

Immigration
Six Children Died in Border Patrol Care. Democrats in Congress Want to Know Why., ProPublica
Trump planning to divert additional $7.2 billion in Pentagon funds for border wall, Washington Post
Border officials are detaining kids as young as one year old beyond limit allowed by law, Daily Kos

Iran
Pompeo says killing of Suleimani is part of ‘bigger strategy’ to deter US foes, The Guardian
Iran’s Grim Economy Limits Its Willingness to Confront the U.S., New York Times

Labor
St. Louis County has plan if snowplow drivers strike, MPR

Minnesota News
The story of a school levy and what it means for Minnesota, MN Reformer
Hennepin County to hear proposal on promenade spanning Mississippi River at St. Anthony Falls, Star Tribune
Nope, that’s not how that government program works, MN Reformer
New Report Finds 10.1% Homelessness Increase In Minnesota In 2019, WCCO
Ojibwe woman says a TSA officer ‘humiliated’ her, held her braids, said ‘giddyup’, MPR
Ramsey County votes to accept more refugees, Pioneer Press

Representative Tom Emmer (CD6, R)
Democrats call for ethics probe into GOP over “trackers” in House buildings, CBS News

Senator Tina Smith
Senator Smith Discusses Trade Agreement at Benton County Farm, WJON
U.S. News
Russians Hacked Ukrainian Gas Company at Center of Impeachment, New York Times
The number of US alcohol deaths per year has doubled since 1999, Vox
Barr Asks Apple to Unlock Pensacola Killer’s Phones, Setting Up Clash, New Y0rk Times
FBI reveals shooters in New Jersey Jewish market attack also had a bomb, The Hill
‘We can barely eat’: West Virginia offers a chilling preview of Trump’s food stamp restrictions, Raw Story

World News
IRAQ IN TALKS TO BUY RUSSIA MISSILE SYSTEM AS U.S. REFUSES TO DISCUSS WITHDRAWING, Newsweek
Can Japan’s ‘Recovery Olympics’ heal Fukushima’s nuclear scars?, NBC News
State Department security officials weren’t notified of ‘imminent’ threats to US embassies, CNN
Treasury Department drops China’s currency manipulator designation, Axios
Australia fires: Smoke to make ‘full circuit’ around globe, Nasa says, BBC

Upcoming DFL Events:

  • January 13
    • 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
  • January 14, 8:00 to 10:00 PM — Democratic Presidential Debate, Drake University, you can view this on CNN platforms.
  • January 15, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Minnetonka Community Center, Council Chambers, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
  • January 17 through March 2 — Super Tuesday Presidential Primary Early Voting, more information here.
  • January 18, 6:00 to 9:00 PM — SD37 and SD41 DFL Winter Gala, Crooners Lounge and Supper Club, Dunsmore Room, 6161 Highway 65 NE, Minneapolis, MN 55432. With Rep. Dean Phillips, other speakers silent auction and live band Victoria and the Acts of Persuasion.
  • January 20 — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — Anoka County DFL Meeting, Coon Rapids Civic Center, 11155 Robinson Dr, Coon Rapids, MN 55433
  • January 23, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Cocktails and Conversation: Changes in Precinct Caucuses and Presidential Primary, Unmapped Brewing Company, 14625 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
  • January 25
    • 9:00 to 10:30 AM — CD3 DFL National Delegate Selection Training, Ridgedale Library, Robert H. Rohlf Room, 12601 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55305.
    • 9:30 to 10:30 AM — DFL Train to Win Call:  Caucus and Convention Training, contact us at info@dfl3cd.org for specifics.
  • January 28, 6:00 to 8:00 PM — SD33 DFL Caucus Convener Training, Maple Plain Library, 5184 Main St E, Maple Plain, MN 55359.
  • February 1, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM — SD33 DFL Caucus Convener Training, Ridgedale Library, Ladyslipper Room, 12601 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55305.
  • February 2 — Groundhog Day
  • 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 —SD33 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Room 172, Ridgedale Library, 12601 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55305
  • 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, Jonsville 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.
  • 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 — Pruim and Holi
  • 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 too 9:00 PM — SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Glen Lake Activity, 14350 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
  • 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, 9:00  to  12:00  PM — SD48 DFL Convention, Minnetonka Community Center, Minnetonka, MN 55345.
  • March 28, 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM — SD40 DFL Convention, North View Middle School, 5889 69th Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55429