In the Know: July 31, 2020

Days to the November Election:  95

DFL Action Center
95 Days OUT – Let’s get to work!
If you’d like to help the DFL Party fight for criminal justice reform, better schools, wages, our environment, and health care. Click here to get more involved!

2020
Exclusive: Republicans, Democrats agree on one thing: Doubt about fair election – Reuters/Ipsos poll, Reuters
Biting New Anti-Trump Video Imagines A Republican Waking Up From A Coma, Huff Post

Agriculture
MILLION-DOLLAR PAYMENTS FROM USDA’S CORONAVIRUS FUND, Successful Farming
4 steps we must take to fix the world’s broken food system, CNN

Attorney General Keith Ellison
Minnesota Supreme Court sides with Department of Human Rights; Court recognizes all state workers protected in Minnesota Human Rights Act, Red Lake Nation
KARE 11 Investigates: 50 deaths in MN jails to be investigated by state, KARE 11

Congressional News

Congress nowhere near deal; unemployment benefit to expire, CNN

Donald Trump
Critics Point Out Exactly What Donald Trump Is Trying To Hide With Election Delay Stunt, Huff Post
Trump planning for U.S. rollout of coronavirus vaccine falling short, officials warn, Reuters

Economy
Retail workers shouldn’t be tasked with enforcing store mask rules, union head says, NBC News
How Essential Food Workers Are Fighting Back, Civil Eats

Environment
Trump Helps the Environment by Enraging Environmentalists, Wall Street Journal
Rising Seas Could Menace Millions Beyond Shorelines, Study Finds, New York Times
Air pollution remains worst in US communities of color despite progress, The Guardian
The environmental movement is very white. These leaders want to change that, National Geographic

Governor Tim Walz
Walz’s schools plan stresses in-classroom teaching, flexibility to shift, MPR
Minnesota state, business officials urge compliance with mask mandate, Duluth News Tribune

Healthcare
Three Minneapolis senior police officials among those to test positive as COVID-19 cases rise, Star Tribune
California and Florida hit new daily record high coronavirus deaths, CBS
Anthony Fauci Explains Why the US Still Hasn’t Beaten Covid, Wired
Three years after McCain’s ‘thumbs down’ blocked the ACA’s repeal, the war on health care rages on, MinnPost

Immigration
Undocumented immigrant who worked for Trump’s company facing deportation proceedings, Washington Post
Judge stops Trump administration’s ‘public charge’ policy citing COVID-19 concerns, ABC News
Trump’s Immigration Legacy To Be Presented In Re-Election Bid, Forbes

Joe Biden

Check out our brand new Biden for President merchandise in the DFL Store!
Click here to see our new shirts, signs, and stickers!

Minnesota News
Walz announces district-by-district back to school plan, KARE 11

Representative. Dean Phillips (CD3)

House votes to reprimand GOP Rep. Schweikert for 11 ethics violations, Washington Post

Representative Ilhan Omar (CD5)

A Somali health advocate’s crusade against skin lightening, a vestige of colonialism, becomes a federal public health issue, Sahan Journal
Pelosi endorses Rep. Tlaib in primary fight, moves to help members of the ‘Squad,’ Washington Post
Omar faces Melton-Meaux and Mason in WCCO congressional debate, WCCO

Republicans
GOP-endorsed House candidate compares COVID-19 response to the Holocaust, Mesabi Daily News
When did Republicans become such weaklings?, Washington Post
Will Herman Cain’s Death Change Republican Views on the Virus and Masks?, New York Times
Bill Barr Has Done This Before, ProPublica

Secretary of State Steve Simon
Secretary of State Simon breaks down the security of absentee voting, KARE 11
Sec. of State Simon urges voting from home as mail-in voting controversy swirls, KTOE

Senator Amy Klobuchar

Klobuchar Wants Aid For Rural Communities in Coronavirus Relief Package, Voice of Alexandria
The Cybersecurity 202: Klobuchar is bullish Congress will deliver more election money for states, Washington Post
First Avenue supports ‘Save Our Stages Act’ to keep venues alive, KARE 11

Senator Tina Smith
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Coronavirus Update, Red Lake Nation
Mankato man deported Thursday, Mankato Free Press
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith introduces bill to help dairy processors weather COVID-19 economic crisis, Tina Smith
$5 billion ‘Masks for All Act’ would cover senior living residents, healthcare workers, McKnight Senior Living

U.S. News
We train police to be warriors — and then send them out to be social workers, Vox
Ex-RNC Chair Spells Out Harsh Reality Of COVID-19 During Tribute To Herman Cain, HuffPo
Postal Service Being Torn Apart from Within, The American Prospect

Voter Protection
If you or someone you know has trouble registering to vote or casting a ballot, we encourage you to reach out to the DFL’s new Voter Protection Hotline at 833-DFL-VOTE (833-335-8683).

World News
Coronavirus Map: See How COVID-19 Has Spread, Time

Upcoming DFL Events

With the COVID-19 situation, we suggest you check with the hosting organization to see if meetings, etc. are being held.

  • Today through August 5, 5:00 PM — Window to apply for CD3 Nominees to become State Executive Directors and State Central Committee Members. Apply here.
  • Today through August 10 — Primary Election Early Voting Window, more information here.
  • Today through August 11 — Window for Candidates to Register with State for City Offices with No Primaries to Register
  • August 4, 7:00 to 8:30 PM — SD40 DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for specifics.
  • August 5
    • 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD33 DFL Central Committee Meetings, contact them for specifics.
  • August 6, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 DFL Central Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact them for specifics.
  • August 10
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for specifics
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD49 DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for specifics.
  • August 13
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD36 DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for specifics.
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for specifics.
  • August 17
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — Anoka County DFL Meeting, contact them for specifics.
    • 8:00 to 10:00 PM — DNC Convention — A United America, more information as it becomes available.
  • August 18, 8:00 to 10:00 PM — DNC Convention — Steady Leadership
  • August 19
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Central Committee Meeting, tentative virtual meeting, specifics decided at July meeting
    • 8:00 to 10:00 PM — DNC Convention — A Future for All
  • August 20, 8:00 to 10:00 PM —DNC Convention — A New American Promise
  • August 29 — DFL State Central Virtual Meeting, this will be a full agenda meeting, more information as it becomes available.