In the Know: March 19, 2019

Attorney General Keith Ellison

Keith Ellison says ‘objective evidence’ suggests Trump is sympathetic toward white nationalists, Washington Post
Our View: AG’s first focus an easy pick, Duluth News Tribune

Congress
Nunes sues Twitter, users for defamation and negligence, NBC News

Governor Tim Walz
Walz to give State of State address April 3, Pioneer Press
Walz Signs Bill To Expand Disaster Aid For Barn Collapses, WCCO
From ‘One Minnesota’ to ‘Won Minnesota’: Why Walz and the DFL are in danger of losing their agenda this Year, MinnPost

Minnesota
Minnesota’s counties ranked on length and quality of life, MinnPost
Minnesota DHS inspector general put on leave; investigators say child care fraud ‘pervasive’, Pioneer Press
DHS inspector general placed on leave after state audit finds fraud in Minnesota’s child care program, Star Tribune
Top Human Services investigator on leave after report’s findings, MPR
Minnesota suicides and other ‘preventable deaths’ reach record levels, Star Tribune
Deaths from opioids and suicides continue to rise in Minnesota, Pioneer Press
Mothers Who’ve Lost Sons To Opioid Epidemic Band Together In Support, WCCO
White Earth tribal chair Tibbetts dies after lengthy illness, MPR
Blue Cross eliminating 40 jobs in the Iron Range, Star Tribune
Survey: Minnesota media pros say industry has a problem with racial bias, MPR
Minneapolis man suing Jacob Wohl for allegedly using his photo in fake Twitter threat, CityPages
Minnesota drinking deaths drop slightly after long run-up, MPR
Minnesota has some of the best and worst access to mental health care, MPR
At the University of Minnesota, a war of words erupts over building names, Star Tribune
Minnesota company made sensors for Boeing 737 Max, Investigators are looking at whether part contributed to fatal Boeing crashes., Star Tribune
In class-action settlement, Minnesota prisoners win access to pricey hepatitis C drugs, Star Tribune

Minnesota Legislature
Push for emergency insulin legislation may stall in Republican-controlled Senate, FOX9
Minnesota House aims to hit drug companies for opioid crisis, MPR
Minnesota House passes ‘hands-free’ cellphone bill, Pioneer Press
Hands-free bill clears Minnesota House; Senate vote expected soon, Star Tribune
Lawmakers find common ground on opioid fees, hands-free calls and missed school days, Pioneer Press
Who spent the most on lobbying in Minnesota last year?, Star Tribune
Paid-leave debate splits Minnesota business owners, MPR

Representative Collin Peterson
Farmer quiz lawmakers on trade, labor and the Farm Bill, Rochester Post-Bulletin

Representative Ilhan Omar
U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar: Apply universal values to all nations to achieve peace, Star Tribune

Senator Amy Klobuchar
Kaine, Klobuchar and other Democrats call on Trump to condemn white supremacy, Washington Times

Senator Tina Smith


Trump
Records show FBI was probing Michael Cohen long before raid, AP
Meghan McCain fires back at Trump tweets against her father, AP

U.S.
Raised middle finger is protected free speech, Appeals Court rules, Star Tribune
Outdated approach to terrorism fight must be scrapped after Christchurch, Star Tribune
Rio Grande Valley landowners plan to fight border wall expansion, MPR
Westminster Town Hall Forum: David Hogg’s ideas to prevent gun violence, MPR
Supreme Court rules against immigrants in detention case, AP

Upcoming DFL Events

  • March 19, 6:00 to 8:00 PM — SD44 DFL 4th Annual Chili Cook-Off and Silent Auction, Back Channel Brewing Company, 4787 Shoreline Dr, Spring Park, MN 55384. Enjoy the delicious entries and all the fixings.  Wonderful silent auction items.  All are welcome.  $10 suggested donation and PCR receipts provided.  More information and tickets here.
  • March 20, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Council Chamber, Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
  • March 22, 12:00 to 1:00 PM —Stand Against Trump, SD40 DFL Treasurer John Schaefer is holding a weekly hour of protest and resistance at the corner of Brookdale Blvd. and Xerxes Avenue in Brooklyn Park. Join him if you can.
  • March 26
    • 6:00 to 8:00 PM — CD3 Leadership Screening Session, Davanni’s Meeting Room, 8061 Flying Cloud Dr, Eden Prairie, MN 55344
    • 7:00 to 8:30 PM — SD34 DFL Executive Committee Meeting, contact them for more information.
  • March 27, 6:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 Leadership Screening Session, Lunds & Byerlys Meeting Room, 13081 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55305
  • March 29, 12:00 to 1:00 PM —Stand Against Trump, SD40 DFL Treasurer John Schaefer is holding a weekly hour of protest and resistance at the corner of Brookdale Blvd. and Xerxes Avenue in Brooklyn Park. Join him if you can.
  • April 1 — April Fools’ Day
  • April 2
    • 5:30 to 7:30 PM — Minnesota DFL Young Professionals Fundraiser and Social Hour with Mayor Jacob Frey and Council Member Jalali Nelson, Lake Monster Brewing, 550 Vandalia St, Unit 160, Saint Paul, MN 55114. More information and RSVP here.
    • 7:00 to 8:30 PM — SD37 DFL Central Committee Meeting, check their Facebook page for specifics
    • 7:00 to 8:30 PM — SD40 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Mississippi Room, Brooklyn Park Library, 8500 W Broadway, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443
  • April 3
    • 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Kennedy High School, Room C102, 9701 Nicollet Ave, Bloomington, MN 55420
    • 7:00 PM — Gov. Walz’s State of the State Address, more information as it becomes available.
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD33 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Ridgedale Library, Room 172, 12601 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55305
  • April 5, 12:00 to 1:00 PM —Stand Against Trump, SD40 DFL Treasurer John Schaefer is holding a weekly hour of protest and resistance at the corner of Brookdale Blvd. and Xerxes Avenue in Brooklyn Park. Join him if you can.
  • April 8
    • 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
  • April 10, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD45 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Crystal City Hall, 4141 Douglas Dr N, Minneapolis, MN 55422
  • April 11, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Minnetonka Community Center, Minnetonka Mills Room, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
  • April 12, 12:00 to 1:00 PM —Stand Against Trump, SD40 DFL Treasurer John Schaefer is holding a weekly hour of protest and resistance at the corner of Brookdale Blvd. and Xerxes Avenue in Brooklyn Park. Join him if you can.
  • April 14, 1:00 to 2:00 PM — SD40 DFL Book Club Meeting
  • April 16, 6:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 DFL Convention, Ridgedale Library, 12601 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka MN 55305
  • April 17, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Business Meeting, Ridgedale Library, 12601 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55305
  • April 19 — Good Friday
    • 12:00 to 1:00 PM —Stand Against Trump, SD40 DFL Treasurer John Schaefer is holding a weekly hour of protest and resistance at the corner of Brookdale Blvd. and Xerxes Avenue in Brooklyn Park. Join him if you can.
  • April 19 through April 27 — Passover