Attorney General Keith Ellison
Minnesota AG secures full funds for students, families harmed by canceled trips due to COVID-19, KSTP
MINNESOTA STUDENTS REFUNDED ALMOST $655,000, KROC
Colorado travel firm to pay thousands in refunds to Minnesota students, Star Tribune
Congress
For Janet Yellen and the US economy, the stakes have never been higher, CNN
Members of Congress want a commission to investigate the Capitol invasion. Here’s when these work., The Washington Post
Senate Begins Biden Cabinet Confirmation Hearings As Impeachment Trial Looms, NPR
Donald Trump and Mike Pence
Trump prepares to offer clemency to more than 100 people in his final hours in office, Washington Post
Trump’s 11th-hour assault on the civil service by stripping job protections runs out of time, Washington Post
Trump administration to deport man to Haiti who has never been there, The Guardian
Trump Administration’s ‘1776 Report’ Justifies Slavery, Three-Fifths Compromise, HuffPost
The Worst President in History, The Atlantic
Trump to lift some Covid travel restrictions, a move Biden quickly rejects, NBC
Environmental
3 ‘Day One’ Actions By President Biden To Watch On Climate Change, Forbes Businesses Aim to Pull Greenhouse Gases From the Air. It’s a Gamble., New York Times
Governor Tim Walz
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz discusses next steps in Minnesota’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan, Duluth News Tribune
Walz blasts feds for uncertainty over vaccine expansion, KFGO
Minnesota launches vaccine pilot program targeting schools, child care, 65+ populations, KSTP
St. Paul teachers urge district to delay in-person learning until most staff vaccinated, KSTP
Immigration
Biden administration braces for new wave of migrants as it rolls out new immigration plans, CNN
Biden to Propose 8-Year Citizenship Path for Immigrants, NBC Washington
Minnesota Legislature
In Minnesota, a G.O.P. Lawmaker’s Death Brings Home the Reality of Covid, New York Times
Another year, another Legislature that’s unlikely to legalize sports betting in Minnesota, MinnPost
Despite Quiet Weekend, Heavy State Capitol Security To Continue Through The Week, WCCO
Minnesota to receive at least $3 billion from federal COVID stimulus passed in December, MinnPost
Minnesota News
New Minnesota COVID-19 cases dip below 1,000, KARE 11
Minnesota’s forests and land offer big opportunities to cut greenhouse gases, Star Tribune
Test program to expand COVID-19 vaccinations to elderly, teachers in Minnesota, Star Tribune
It’s back to school — again — for many of Minnesota’s youngest students, MPR
President Elect Joe Biden and Vice President Elect Kamala Harris
Biden’s inauguration unprecedented in US history, The Hill
Harris resigns from the Senate ahead of inauguration, CNN
What Joe Biden has promised to do on “Day One” and in his first 100 days as president, CBS News
Biden to Cancel Keystone XL Pipeline in Inauguration Day Executive Order, The New York Times
‘I solemnly swear:’ 5 things Biden needs to do as he takes office amid historic turmoil,USA Today
Republican Party News
GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert gave Capitol tour to ‘large’ group before the riots, Democratic lawmaker says, Washington Post
Second GOP state leader wants to secede because Trump lost election, American Independent
The Arizona G.O.P. Is Sticking With Trumpism, Whether Arizona Republicans Like It or Not, New York Times
Republican Party News in Minnesota
Governing amid an insurrection, Minnesota Reformer
McFeely: When are Minnesota Republicans going to court non-rural voters?, Inforum
MyPillow CEO threatened with lawsuit by Dominion over ‘misinformation campaign’, The Hill
MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell Says Bed Bath And Beyond, Kohl’s To Drop His Products; Dominion Voting Systems Threatens To Sue, WCCO
MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell brings notes to White House that suggest calling for ‘martial law if necessary’, Independent
U.S. News
Biden to propose 8-year citizenship path for immigrants, Associated Press
How Trump will hand off the ‘nuclear football’ to Biden, CNN
Trump Flew Into Jealous Rage Over Biden’s A-List Inauguration Guests, Says Report, Daily Beast
U.S. Representative Angie Craig (CD2)
Here’s what LGBTQ lawmakers plan to do to advance equality in 2021, American Independent
Minnesota Congresswoman Says Info Needed Before Things Will Feel Safe, KXRA
U.S. Representative Betty McCollum (CD4)
Rep. Betty McCollum says it was ‘huge honor’ to preside over impeachment debate, Star Tribune
U.S. Representative Jim Hagedorn (CD1)
Hagedorn must be expelled for his vote against democracy, Mankato Free Press
In southern Minnesota swing district, trepidation about the future, Star Tribune
After tumultuous two years, Hagedorn starts second term, Faribault Daily News
U.S. Representative Michelle Fischbach (CD7)
Freshman Rep. Michelle Fischbach faces challenges as a loyal Trump ally,Star Tribune
U.S. Representative Pete Stauber (CD8)
Tribes slam GOP lawmaker for trying to derail Haaland nomination, NBC News
Stauber opposes nomination of Deb Haaland, tribal leaders ask him to reconsider, WDIO
Shame on Stauber, Grand Raid Herald Review
Local View: Congressman Stauber ‘disappointed’ — he’s not the only one, Duluth News Tribune
Our View: Security buildup belies peaceful transition of power, Duluth News Tribune
Reader’s View: There’s no integrity in aligning with Trump, Duluth News Tribune
U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar
Republican Senator Roy Blunt says actions of Capitol rioters were “unpardonable”, CBS News
Klobuchar on tomorrow’s inauguration, KTOE
Senate Begins Biden Cabinet Confirmation Hearings As Impeachment Trial Looms, NPR
World News
Iranian Officials Demand Biden Lift Sanctions, Return to Nuclear Deal, News Week
WHO warns of “catastrophic moral failure” over coronavirus vaccine access, Axios
A ‘perfect storm’ is brewing in the global response to Covid, WEF risk report panelist warns, CNBC
Upcoming Events:
You can find non-DFL events on our Action Alert post.
- January 19 — Biden-Harris Nationwide COVID-19 Memorial
- 4:30 to 5:30 PM — The lighting around Washington, DC will be live-streamed at bideninaugural.org and on PIC social media platforms.
- January 20 — Inauguration Day
- 9:00 AM — Inauguration coverage begins
- 11:00 PM — Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and Kamala D. Harris will be sworn into office
- 5:30 to 6:30 PM — DFL Virtual Inauguration Celebration Fundraiser, more information and RSVP here.
- 7:30 to 9:30 PM — Celebrating America: A Primetime Special. The capstone of the Biden-Harris inauguration hosted by Tom Hanks with Eva Longoria, Kerry Washington, Foo Fighters, John Legend, Bruce Springsteen, Demi Lovato, Justin Timberlake, Ant Clemons and Jon Bon Jovi. Airs on ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, MSNBC and PBS as well as live-streamed on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Twitch.
- January 27, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting with Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon for and election debrief, more information as it becomes available
- January 28, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD47 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
- February 2 — Groundhog Day
- February 3
- 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD33 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
- February 4, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
- February 8
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD49 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
- February 11
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD36 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD48 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
- February 14 — Valentine’s Day
- February 15 — Presidents’ Day
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — Virtual DFL Anoka County Meeting, contact them for more information
- February 16 — Mardi Gras
- February 17 — Ash Wednesday
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, more information as it becomes available
- February 25 to 26 — Purim
- February 28, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD47 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information