In the Know: March 2, 2020

Days to the November Election:  246

2020 Census
The census counts prisoners, but who benefits? MPR
Despite cybersecurity risks and last-minute changes, the 2020 census goes online, NPR

2020 Election
Billionaire Tom Steyer quits Democratic primary race, NBC News
Pete Buttigieg ends his historic presidential campaign, CNN

Agriculture
USDA TO ACQUIRE ALTERNATIVE FUELED VEHICLES, Successful Farming

Attorney General Keith Ellison
Minnesota farmers demand action from policymakers, Mankato Free Press

Congress
Dems tread cautiously on Trump investigations after impeachment, Politico

Donald Trump
The President Is Winning His War on American Institutions, The Atlantic
Trump’s coronavirus strategy faces new scrutiny after second US death, CNN
‘Nobody believes you’: Trump ripped for ‘spreading false hope’ about coronavirus ‘cure’, Raw Story
The Trump campaign’s newest plan: A swing-state blimp, Politico

Economy
Aging, Rising, Brainy, Booming: Super Tuesday Economies Pose Wider Test, New York Times
Stocks rise in early trading following a 7-day rout; tech stocks among morning winners, USA Today

Environment
Summit shows you don’t have to be lobbyist — or adult — to lobby your state representative, MPR
A Trump Insider Embeds Climate Denial in Scientific Research, New York Times
Why Chinese companies are investing in American recycling, CNBC

Governor Tim Walz
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz updates state preparations for coronavirus, Star Tribune
Walz proposes funding for finishing U.S. Highway 14 expansion, MPR
Walz appoints directors to improve tribal-state relations, Duluth News Tribune

Health
LGBTQ Youth Fight For Equality In Sex Ed In South Carolina Classrooms, NPR

Immigration
Judge Says Ken Cuccinelli Was Appointed Unlawfully To Top Immigration Post, NPR
Trump knocked back on asylum policies, Politico
Trump administration sued over plans to allocate additional DOD funds for border wall, The Hill
Trump touts border wall in face of coronavirus: ‘Border security is health security’, Huffpost

Labor
Saint Paul teachers threaten strike over mental health care for students, MN Reformer
Study Links Nike, Adidas And Apple To Forced Uighur Labor, Forbes
Unions want FTC to investigate Amazon, Politico
The Faces of a New Union Movement, The New Yorker

Minnesota Legislature
What Minnesota’s $1.5 billion budget surplus means for the rest of the 2020 legislative session, MinnPost
Goal to live a traditional Dakota lifestyle will take an act of Minnesota Legislature, Duluth New Tribune
Gun bill standoff, dueling pitches for $1.5B surplus spark feuds, Post Bulletin

Minnesota News
A coronavirus case in a Minnesota school wouldn’t automatically mean closings, Star Tribune
Minnesota nonprofits boost culturally specific mental health programs for Somali-Americans, Star Tribune
Plan to reshape Minneapolis school district lacks detail, parents say, Star Tribune
St. Paul’s historic Robert Street Bridge to close for maintenance this summer, Star Tribune

Representative  Betty McCollum
Counterpoint from U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum: Deportation of Hmong, Lao refugees is cruel, Star Tribune
Members of Congress move to delay deportations of Hmong, Lao residents, Star Tribune

Republicans
Trump, GOP raise $86M in February, The Hill
QAnon Now Has Its Very Own Super PAC, Vice

Secretary of State Steve Simon
Primary election privacy concerns are getting attention at the Minnesota Legislature. Is it too late to do anything? MinnPost
Minnesota’s primary: What you need to know about voting on Super Tuesday, Star Tribune

Senator Tina Smith
Smith nominates BHS senior for U.S. Naval Academy, Brainerd Dispatch

Supreme Court of the US
The fate of Obamacare is in the Supreme Court’s hands yet again, Vox
Supreme Court won’t hear challenge to ban on bump stocks, USA Today

Trade
Trump’s Trade War Is Awful For American Retail – Who Hears The Music? Forbes
Brexit: UK vows to seek ‘hard bargain’ in US trade talks, BBC

U.S. News
Texas closes hundreds of polling sites, making it harder for minorities to vote, The Guardian
30 years after Americans with Disability Act, college students with disabilities say law is not enough, NBC News
Report: Target raised pay but slashed schedules and benefits, City Pages
Travelers will face new restrictions and cancellations as coronavirus cases grow in the US, CNN

World News
China Uighurs ‘moved into factory forced labour’ for foreign brands, BBC
Virus spreads in the West as crisis seems to ease in China, Associated Press
Turkey says millions of migrants may head to EU, BBC
North Korea fires two unidentified projectiles, South Korea says, CNN

Upcoming DFL Events:

  • Today — Super Tuesday Presidential Primary Early Voting, more information here.
  • 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 — LOCATION CHANGE:  SD33 DFL Central Committee Meeting, The Olson Home, 3415 Warner Ln, Minnetrista, MN
  • 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
    • 6:00 to 8:30 PM — SD44 DFL Chili Cook Off and Silent Auction, Under Pressure Brewing, 8806 7th Ave N, Golden Valley, MN 55427. Suggested donation of $15. Tickets available at the door or here.
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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 — CD3 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Council Chamber, Minnetonka Community Center, 14600  Minnetonka, Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
  • 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— 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, 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