In the Know: January 27, 2020

2020 Election
Election Officials To Convene Amid Historic Focus On Voting And Interference, NPR
Lessons learned from 2016, but US faces new election threats, Pioneer Press

Agriculture
Bio-methane from cow manure could be a ‘new gold rush’ on the farm, Star Tribune
SOYBEAN MARKET DROPS BELOW $9 LEVEL MONDAY, Successful Farming
U.S. Agriculture Secretary to EU: Follow ‘Sound Science’ on Food Safety, US News & World Report

Attorney General Keith Ellison
Ellison joins state AG coalition in 3D gun suit against Trump Administration, Brainerd Dispatch

DFL News
Senate Candidate Jason Lewis Embraces Cuts to Social Security and Medicaid, DFL.org
Minnesota DFL Party Chair Ken Martin Joins Esme Murphy In Studio, WCCO

Donald Trump
Trump Suggests NPR Shouldn’t Exist After Heated Mike Pompeo Interview, HuffPost
Trump falsely claims House Democrats ‘never’ asked Bolton to testify, The Hill
Trump suggests Schiff will pay a ‘price’ for pushing impeachment, NBC News
Trump Spiritual Advisor Calls for Miscarriage of ‘Satanic Pregnancies’, Time
Listen to Trump Tell Lev Parnas to ‘Get Rid of’ the U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, Vice

Donald Trump’s Impeachment
Republicans fear “floodgates” if Bolton testifies, Axios
Democrats Renew Demand For Bolton Testimony In Senate Trial After New Report, NPR
‘Take Her Out.’ In New Recording, Trump Heard Discussing Firing Ambassador To Ukraine, NPR
Trump Impeachment Trial Live Updates: Calls Intensify for Bolton to Testify, New York Times

Donald Trump’s Trade War
Brexit: US ‘wants to reach trade deal with UK this year’, BBC
China temporarily bans wildlife trade in wake of outbreak, Associated Press
China’s Trade War Recovery Is Now Seriously Threatened By Coronavirus, Forbes

Economy
Stocks Fall as Dangerous Coronavirus Spreads, New York Times
New Risk to World Economy: Synchronized Housing Slowdown, Wall Street Journal
Fed seems content with low rates but confronts challenges, Associated Press

Environment
‘Kids are taking the streets’: climate activists plan avalanche of events as 2020 election looms, The Guardian
Oil major pledges to become carbon neutral by 2030, drawing sharp criticism from climate activists, CNBC
Science ranks grow thin in Trump administration, Washington Post
1 in 4 Americans are eating less meat. Here’s why, The Hill

Governor Tim Walz
GOVERNOR WALZ TO VISIT MELROSE BUSINESS TO HIGHLIGHT RURAL BROADBAND ISSUES, KVCS

Health
Trump Administration Threatens California Over Mandate That Insurers Cover Abortion, NPR

Immigration
Why Georgia teen who left Mexico as a baby was deported, ABC News
Immigration judges are quitting or retiring early because of Trump, Los Angeles Times
Canada Wins, U.S. Loses In Global Fight For High-Tech Workers, NPR
Seven months detained: seven-year-old is longest-held child migrant in US, The Guardian

Labor
House Readies for Vote Next Week on Bill to Rework Labor Laws, Bloomberg

Minnesota Legislature
Next step for Upper Harbor Terminal: Securing $20M from state for massive amphitheater, StarTribune
Governments seek answers as crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women persists,Grand Fork Herald
Processing wood infested by emerald ash borer into fuel or mulch has a cost, StarTribune

Minnesota News
Minnesota-born ex-Wells Fargo CEO fined millions, banned from banking, City Pages
If we’re to keep thriving, Minnesota needs immigrants — especially in Greater Minnesota, Minnesota Reformer
$900K in counterfeit money seized at border in northern Minnesota, MPR

Representative Ilhan Omar (CD5, D)
U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar launches 2020 re-election campaign, Minnesota Daily

Republicans

Minnesota Republicans
Republicans begin push for voter ID law even after voters rejected it in 2012, Minnesota Reformer
Senate Republicans want to renew voter ID push in 2020; DFLers say no way, MPR

Senate Republicans
Romney, Collins say Bolton revelations strengthen case for witnesses, make them increasingly likely, NBC News
Trump Hotel Sale Has DC MAGA Groupies Scared About Losing Their Safe Space, Daily Beast
GOP senator says impeachment trial will ‘hopefully’ serve as warning to Trump, future presidents, The Hill

Secretary of State Steve Simon
City, county officials are choosing to opt out of Minnesota presidential primary, StarTribune
Our View: Protect voter privacy in Minnesota primary, Duluth News Tribune

Senator Tina Smith
Klobuchar, Smith announce $180,000 in animal disease prevention funding, Brainerd Dispatch
Smith, Klobuchar back bill to ensure funding for community TV operations, Brainerd Dispatch

Supreme Court of the US
The Supreme Court could upend consumer financial protection as we know it, CNBC

U.S. News
5 Americans now confirmed with coronavirus, CDC says, Axios
Pentagon: 34 troops suffered brain injuries in Iran strike, MPR
‘They Did Not Realize We Are Human Beings’, Politico
Drugmakers are rushing to create and test a coronavirus vaccine. Here’s how they’re doing it, USA Today

World News
China confirms 769 new coronavirus cases in one day, The Hill
Satellite imagery shows activity at critical North Korean missile site, CNN
3 rockets hit US Embassy compound in Baghdad, no injuries reported: Sources, ABC News
12 dead, hundreds wounded as protesters clash with Iraq security forces, CNN

Upcoming DFL Events:

  • Today through March 2 — Super Tuesday Presidential Primary Early Voting, more information here.
  • 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, 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.
  • 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 too 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
    • 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