In the Know: March 11, 2020

Days to the November Election:  237

2020 Election
Key takeaways from election night, NBC News
Live Primary Election Results: Michigan, Washington and More, New York Times
Russia trying to “incite violence by white supremacist groups” in US ahead of 2020 election: report, Salon

Agriculture
U.S. farmers still dependent on trade aid after China deal, Reuters
U.S. farmers urge lawmakers to continue trade aid until China deal is secure, The Hill
The trade war could weaken U.S. coronavirus response, Axios
Food comes full circle in Sleepy Eye, where even the bison eat local, MPR

Donald Trump
Congress rebukes Trump’s bid to slash CDC funding amid outbreak., MN Reformer
White House likely to pursue federal aid for shale companies hit by oil shock, coronavirus downturn, Washington Post
Trump calls emergency meeting with top health officials at White House, top lawmaker says, CNBCEconomy
Two economic scenarios for the impact of coronavirus on the US, CNN
Washington Considers Actions to Bolster U.S. Economy as Coronavirus Cases Mount, New York Times
Coronavirus Could Spark a Global Recession, US News and World Report

Education
Rules Eased on Colleges Seeking to Close Their Campuses Amid Outbreak, New York Times
Planning for Coronavirus With Fewer Resources, Inside Higher Ed
Coronavirus quarantines could rob poor, rural students of access to education, Politico

U.S. Senators press Betsy DeVos on Education Department’s coronavirus response, Washington Post

Environment
Climate emergency: global action is ‘way off track’ says UN head, The Guardian
Trump’s environmental actions raise major concern, Omaha World-Herald
More than one-third of our food relies on bees. Minnesota bee lawns aim to help., MN Reformer

Governor  Tim Walz
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signs $21 million coronavirus bill, Pioneer Press
HundrTeds Of Disability Advocates Rally At State Capitol, WCCO

Health
Must-get suburban voters prefer Democrats over GOP on healthcare by 20 points: Republican poll, Washington Examiner
What Will You Do If You Start Coughing?, The Atlantic
Social workers are now the ‘backbone’ of Minnesota’s mental health workforce, Minn Post
Spotty Sick Leave Policies Limit Options for Avoiding Virus, New York Times
Coronavirus forces companies like Uber and Lyft to reckon with workers’ rights, The Guardian

Immigration
Coronavirus inevitable in prison-like US immigration centers, doctors say, The Guardian
The Trump Administration Ordered Immigration Courts to Remove Coronavirus Warnings, Slate

Labor
More than 1,000 activists demand better wages, conditions for disability caregivers from Minn. Legislature, Post Bulletin
Strike leads to search for child care for St. Paul parents, MPR
U.S. senator calls for action on forced labor in China’s Xinjiang, Reuters

Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan
Lieutenant Governor to Speak at UMN Morris Commencement, UMN Morris News

Minnesota Legislature
Virus outbreak could paralyze Minnesota Legislature, Bemidji Pioneer
Drunk boaters, off-road riders face steeper suspensions under bill, Grand Forks Herald
Republicans want to defund public libraries with drag story hours, City Pages

Minnesota News
Why the suburbs matter so much in Minnesota elections, MinnPost
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey proclaims March 10 ‘abortion provider appreciation day’, WCCO
Coronavirus quarantines raise worries for Minnesota hourly workers, Star Tribune
There are as many homeless kids in Minnesota as the population of some small cities, Northfield News

Representative Ilhan Omar  (CD5)
With Omar’s plea for mercy submitted, judge sends to prison man who threatened her life, Star Tribune
The Women in Congress Who Are Making a Revolutions, New York Times

Republicans
GOP candidate pardoned by Trump compares ‘LGBTQ movement’ to ‘pedophilia’, NBC News
Column: The GOP is no longer the party of Lincoln. It’s become a launching pad for bigots., Chicago Tribune
Fox News Can’t Decide if Coronavirus Is a Real Threat or an Impeachment Scam, Mother Jones

Senator Amy Klobuchar
Klobuchar introduces bill to strengthen antitrust enforcement, The Hill

Senator Tina Smith
Sen. Tina Smith: When voting is easier, more people show up, Post Bulletin

Supreme Court of the US
Showdown Brewing Over Live-Streaming Of U.S. Supreme Court Proceedings, Forbes
Sotomayor recuses from one of two Supreme Court cases with consequences for electoral college, The Washington Post

U.S. News
Six Years After Ferguson, Barriers to Voting Persist, The American Prospect
Wall Street slumps at open as investors wary of U.S. response to virus, Reuters
Trump pitches payroll tax cut through election to skeptical GOP senators, Washington Post
Trump Wants a Stimulus Twice the Size of Obama’s but Everything is Fine, Beat The Press

World News
Putin Endorses Brazen Remedy to Extend His Rule, Possibly for Life, New York Times
Turkey threatens ‘heavy’ retaliation if Idlib ceasefire is broken, Al Jazeera
Coronavirus: Up to 70% of Germany could become infected – Merkel, BBC
No one can protect these Syrian kids from the bombs. This group is at least trying to give them the skills to cope, CNN
Nike to review supply chains in China after reports Uighurs forced to make shoes, Washington Post

Upcoming DFL Events:

  • March 11
    • 6:30 PM — SD49 DFL Information Program:  What Every Person Needs to Know About the Census, Edina Library, 5280 Grandview Square, Edina, MN 55436
    • 7:00 to 8:00 PM — SD40 DFL Executive Committee conference call.
  • 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 to 9:00 PM — UPDATED:  SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN
    • 7:00 to 8:30 PM — League of Women Voters’ South Tonka Mayoral Forum, South Shore Community Center, 5735 Country Club Dr, Excelsior, MN 55331. Hear from mayors of Excelsior, Deephaven, Shorewood, Greenwood, Tonka Bay and Woodland
  • 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 15 — Democratic Presidential Debate moderated by CNN and Univision view on their channels and streams, more information as it becomes available
  • 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 — CANCELLED FOR NATIONAL DELEGATE TRAINING CD3 DFL Central Committee Meeting
  • March 18, 7:00 PM — Minnesota National Presidential Nominating Delegate Candidate Training, Minnetonka Community Center, 14600  Minnetonka, Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345. This will be a breakout from the CD3 DFL Central Committee Meeting.
  • 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 23, 7:00 PM —  Gov. Tim Walz State of the State Address, more information as it become available.
  • 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
    • 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM — SD45 DFL Convention, Cooper High School, 47th Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55428
    • 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM — SD57 DFL Convention, Teamsters Local 120, 9422 Ulysses St NE, Blaine, MN 55434. Registration starts at 8:30 AM, convention will be gaveled in at 10:00 AM and run until all business is completed.
    • 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, Brookdale Library, 6125 Shingle Creek Pkwy, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
  • April 9 through 13 —  Passover
  • April 9
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD36 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Riverwind Community Center, 2701 Normal Blvd NW, Coon  Rapids, MN 55433.
    • 7:00 to  9:00 PM — SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Glen Lake Activity Center, 14350 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345.
  • April 10 — Good Friday
  • April 11, 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM — Brooklyn Center DFL Endorsing Convention, Brookdale Library 6125 Shingle Creek Parkway, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430.
  • April 12 — Easter
  • April 13
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 DFL Central Committee Meeting, 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
  • April 15 — Tax Day
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Central Committee Meting, Council Chamber, Minnetonka Community Center, 14600  Minnetonka, Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
  • April 18
    • 8:15 AM to 2:00 PM — SD49 DFL Convention, Valley View Middle  School, Auditorium, 6750 Valley View Rd, Minneapolis, MN 55439.
    • 10:00 AM  to 3:00 PM —  SD33 DFL Convention, Orono High School, 795 Old Crystal Bay Rd N, Long Lake, Mn 55346.
    • 12:00 to 5:00 PM — Hennepin County DFL Convention, Hopkins North Junior High School, Cafeteria, 10700 Cedar Lake Rd, Hopkins, MN 55305.
  • April 20, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — Anoka County DFL Meeting, Coon Rapids Civic Center, 11155 Robinson Dr, Coon Rapids, MN 55433.
  • April 22 — Earth Day
  • April 23 through May 23 — Ramadan
  • April 24 — Arbor Day
  • April 25, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM — Brooklyn Park DFL Convention, North View Middle School, 5869 69th Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55429.
  • May 5 — Cinco de Mayo
    • 7:00  to 8:30 PM — SD40 DFL Central Committee Meeting, location to be determined
  • May 6
    • 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Kennedy High School, Room C102, 9701 Nicollet Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55420
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD33 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Ridgedale Library, Room 172, 12601 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55305
  • May 7, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 DFL Central Committee Meeting, St. Louis Park City Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd, St. Louis Park, MN 55416
  • May 9, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM — CD3 DFL Convention, Park Center High School, Performing  Arts Center, 7300 Brooklyn Blvd, Minneapolis, MN 55344.
  • May 10 — Mother’s Day
  • May 11
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Council Chamber, 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
  • May  14
    • 7:00  to 9:00 PM —  SD36 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Riverwind Community Center, 2701 Northdale Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433.
    • 7:oo to 9:00  PM — SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Glen Lake Community Center, 14350 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345