Agriculture
U.S. Corn ‘Only Game in Town’ With Supply Running Out Elsewhere, Ag Web
HEMP TAKES HOLD, Successful Agriculture
DOJ PROBES DEAN FOODS/DAIRY FARMERS OF AMERICA PROPOSED MERGER, Successful Farming
Attorney General Keith Ellison
Twenty attorneys general file amicus brief against Missouri abortion restrictions, The Hill
Congress
Democrats to offer $760B infrastructure plan with big climate theme, Politico
Congress urges Google to act against ‘dangerous climate misinformation’ on YouTube, CNBC
DFL News
Senate Republicans Cite Fake News Outlet on Voter ID, DFL.org
Donald Trump
Trump releases long-awaited Middle-East peace plan, BBC
Trump allies are handing out cash to black voters, Politico
Leaked audio reveals that Trump didn’t know semitrucks run on diesel — yet the industry is among Trump’s most ardent supporters, Business Insider
Trump claims Bolton book is ‘classified national security’, Politico
White House considers ban on flights to China amid coronavirus outbreak, USA Today
Democrats are already bracing for a ‘hostile’ Trump transition, Politico
Donald Trump’s Impeachment
John Roberts will not be silent Wednesday. But the questions he asks will not be his., CNN
Impeachment trial moves to question phase, while witness vote looms, MPR
Impeachment trial live updates: Senators poised to ask questions of House managers, Trump lawyers as trial enters new phase, Washington Post
Donald Trump’s Trade Policies
House Democrats not invited to trade deal bill signing at White House, CNN
Trump Will Sign the U.S.M.C.A. Here’s What’s in the New NAFTA, New York Times
U.S. trade deficit in goods jumps 8.5% in December, points to softer 4th quarter GDP, MarketWatch
Economy
US consumer confidence shows solid gain in January, Associated Press
Global firms halt China travel as coronavirus spooks markets, The Guardian
As Trump Touts Gains in Jobs, Some Democrats Push for Economic Overhaul, New York Times
Oil drops on larger-than-expected US inventory build, CNBC
Education
‘People take on more debt to make ends meet’: the cost of postgrad study, The Guardian
Most MN teacher prep programs expose educators to science of reading, MPR
Environment
Nuclear waste storage plans aren’t as safe as we thought, experts warn, Independent
The Clean Water Act was a staggering bipartisan achievement. Now Trump is gutting it, The Guardian
Antarctica melting: Climate change and the journey to the ‘doomsday glacier’, BBC News
Guardian to ban advertising from fossil fuel firms, The Guardian
THE OCEAN IS GETTING SO ACIDIC THAT IT’S DISSOLVING CRABS’ SHELLS, Futurism
Governor Tim Walz
Gov. Walz visits Arvig to discuss better broadband, Fergus Falls Daily Journal
Grant to keep warming centers open more often, Duluth News Tribune
Health
Public Health Efforts Step Up Around The World As Coronavirus Cases Rise, NPR
Immigration
Saved by the Supreme Court: Conservative justices boost Stephen Miller’s anti-immigration agenda, Salon
‘I don’t want to be deported’: Inside the tent courts on the US-Mexico border, CNN
Advocates prepare for new wave of confusion over ‘public charge’ rule for immigrants, Star Tribune
Labor
3,000 HealthPartners workers prepared to strike over their own health care, MN Reformer
Chipotle fined $1.37M over thousands of child labor abuses, PBS
House Democrats to vote to override state ‘right-to-work’ laws, boosting labor movement, Msn Now
Minnesota Legislature
House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler: Marijuana prohibition has failed., MN Reformer
Minnesota Republicans use 2012 video to promote 2012 idea, City Pages
Our View: Voter ID: Don’t waste valuable time on political football, Mankato Free Press
Minnesota News
Catholic priest: Don’t let ‘large numbers of Muslims’ into America, City Pages
Freeborn County pay dispute raises question: How much is a rural sheriff worth?, Star Tribune
Fewer Minnesota kids need foster care, but racial gaps remain, MPR
Minneapolis-St. Paul airport to screen for coronavirus, Star Tribune
Representative Angie Craig (CD2, D)
Giffords gun reform group backs eight ‘strong women’ in House reelection bids, The Hill
Representative Ilhan Omar (CD5, D)
Patchwork of rules means some African immigrants celebrate while others seek long-term solution. Star Tribune
Representative Jim Hagedorn (CD1, R)
Hagedorn hosts town halls, New Ulm Journal
Representative Tom Emmer (CD6, R)
‘They’re crushing us’: GOP House leaders in panic over Democratic fundraising, Raw Story
Emmer to host Sherburne County town hall meeting in Zimmerman on Friday, Jan. 31, Elk River Star News
Republicans
GOP leader warns lawmakers on fundraising: ‘Getting our ass kicked’, The Hill
Senate GOP campaign arm rips Collins as selfish for entering Georgia race, The Hill
Senator Tina Smith
Smith Applauds Court Ruling That EPA Improperly Granted Ethanol Waivers to Refineries, KFGO
U.S. News
NPR host Kelly writes op-ed after Pompeo interview, saying journalists aren’t out to ‘score political points’, USA Today
South Dakota state lawmaker says he regrets drawing comparison between transgender medical procedures and Nazi doctor experiments, CNN
Republican Gary Gates wins Texas State House race, kickstarting redistricting battle, CBS News
Budget deficit to break $1 trillion despite strong economy, ABC News
World News
First on CNN: 50 US service members diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries after Iranian missile strike, CNN
Virus cases in China top SARS as evacuations begin, Associated Press
Coronavirus live updates: Coronavirus outbreak tops 6,000 cases in China, exceeding SARS epidemic, CNBC
E.U. Recommends Limiting, but Not Banning, Huawei in 5G Rollout, New York Times
Magnitude 7.7 earthquake strikes off the coast of Jamaica and is felt as far away as Miami, CNN
Upcoming DFL Events:
- Today through March 2 — Super Tuesday Presidential Primary Early Voting, more information here.
- 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.
- 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 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
- April 7, 7:00 to 8:30 PM – SD40 DFL Central Committee Meeting, more information as it becomes available.
- 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Kennedy High School, Room C102, 9701 Nicollet Avenue S, Bloomington, MN 55402