In the Know: January 28, 2020

2020 Election
Arizona’s ballot rules overturned on grounds they discriminate against minority voters, Los Angeles Times
Rep. Doug Collins expected to run for Senate, setting up GOP clash, Politico

Agriculture
Minnesota Ag in the Classroom offering resources to incorporate ag education in all classrooms, KEYC

Congress
The House will soon vote on a bill to repeal Trump’s travel ban — as he gears up to expand it, Vox

Corruption Watch
State Department bars NPR reporter from flying with Pompeo, Associated Press
QAnon-ers’ Magic Cure for Coronavirus: Just Drink Bleach!, Daily Beast

Donald Trump

How Putin Outfoxed Trump in Venezuela, Wall Street Journal
Bolton Was Concerned That Trump Did Favors for Autocratic Leaders, Book Says, NY Times
Trump seeks to bring back Social Security rule changes, one of Reagan’s worst ideas, The Hill
John Bolton Revelations Test Trump Impeachment Defense Strategy, Time

Donald Trump’s Impeachment
Trump team hopes to wind up last day of impeachment defense in 2-3 hours – live updates, USA Today
White House works to contain damage from allegations in forthcoming Bolton book, Washington Post
McConnell urges GOP senators to keep powder dry on witness question, The Hill
Mitt makes his move, Politico
GOP senators privately demanding to know why White House set them up to take the fall over Bolton: report, Raw Story

Economy
3M laying off 1,500 workers following weak financial results, Star Tribune
Coronavirus Tests Market’s Faith in Global Economy, the Wall Street Journal
Three reasons coronavirus won’t derail China’s economy, MarketWatch
Economists are even more optimistic about the US economy, CNN

Education
3 weeks after earthquake, only 20% of schools in Puerto Rico are open and deemed safe, USA Today
An Upcoming Supreme Court Ruling Could Starve Public Schools—In Favor of Religious Ones, Workday MN

Environment
How Davos Became a Climate Change Conference, Time

Governor Tim Walz
Walz: Melrose broadband expansion grant will help business, quality of life, St Cloud Times

Health
New analysis reveals alarming number of Minnesota teens reporting sexual exploitation, MPR
What happens in Minnesota if Obamacare gets struck down by the courts?, Minnesota Reformer
Suspected cases of coronavirus in Minnesota turn out to be negative, Star Tribune
House Democrats launch health care ads during impeachment trial, CNNWhen Insurance Won’t Cover Drugs, Americans Make ‘Tough Choices’ About Their Health, NPR

Immigration
British man dies in US immigration detention in Florida, The Guardian
Trump Targets a New Group of Immigrants, The Atlantic

Labor
ISD 622 Support Staff Push Back, Win Contracts They Deserve, Workday MN

Minnesota Legislature
A response to comments by Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, Minnesota Reformer
GOP leaders to renew push for voter ID law in Minnesota, MinnPost
Reader’s View: Hibbing hearing on guns grew hostile, Duluth News Tribune

Our View: Protect voter privacy in Minnesota primary, Duluth News Tribune
Minnesota state jobs program for people with disabilities fails to live up to promise, Star Tribune
Supporters see worker co-ops as way to spread the wealth, MPR
Fond du Lac Band now requiring permits to access its land, Star Tribune

Representative Dean Phillips (CD3, D)

Senator Amy Klobuchar and Senator Tina Smith
Smith, Klobuchar call for more impeachment trial witnesses, WCCO

Supreme Court of the US
In 5-4 ruling, Supreme Court allows Trump plan to deny green cards to those who may need government aid, NBC News

U.S. News
US, others prepare evacuations as virus spreads from China, Star Tribune
Virginia reaches long-awaited milestone by ratifying Equal Rights Amendment, but legal fight looms, CNN
Mississippi governor to close notorious prison unit after string of inmate deaths, USA Today
FDR knew a thing or two, because he’d seen a thing or two, MinnPost

World News
Wuhan Coronavirus Death Toll Rises to 106 in China as CDC Confirms 5 Cases in U.S., Time
Looming Mideast peace deal amounts to Netanyahu-Trump pact, experts say, NBC News
U.S. military retrieves bodies but Afghan jet crash remains a mystery, CBS News

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