In the Know: May 27, 2020

Days to the November Election:  160

2020 Election
Revealed: conservative group fighting to restrict voting tied to powerful dark money network, The Guardian
Former ambassadors condemn efforts to use Ukraine to ‘sow divisions’ in 2020 election,Washington Post
The White House is getting *very* worried about the Senate majority, CNN

Agriculture
88% OF THE U.S. CORN CROP IS SEEDED, BELOW EXPECTATIONS, USDA REPORTS, Successful Farming
GETTING YOUR FOOT IN THE DOOR OF FARMING, Successful Farming

Attorney General Keith Ellison
Keith Ellison on death of George Floyd: This case is shocking because it’s so routine, MSNBC
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison on George Floyd’s death: ‘The idea that things went so wrong so fast is cause for an investigation,’ MSNBC
Minnesota and federal agencies say COVID-19 scams spreading, Star Tribune

DFL News
DFL Party Statement on the Death of George Floyd, DFL.org
Biden to keynote Minnesota Democrats’ online convention, MPR
With DFL endorsements now in, partisan lineups set for U.S. House races across MN, Pioneer Press
DFL Party Announces 2020 Virtual State Convention with Vice President Biden as Keynote Speaker, DFL.org

Donald Trump
Twitter flags Trump tweet with fact-checking label for first time, CBS News
Trump’s mockery of wearing masks divides Republicans, Washington Post
Trump threatens to crack down on social media platforms after Twitter labels his tweets, CNN
Trump’s latest travel ban targets Brazi, Vox
Trump asks whether he should take insulin despite not being diabetic, USA Today
Trump combines lies and reckless cruelty in his war against Joe Scarborough, MinnPost

Economy
Stocks are on a roll even as the economy tanks. Here are 3 reasons why, CBS News
Consumer confidence rises unexpectedly in May as economy reopens, CNBC
For Economy, Worst of Coronavirus Shutdowns May Be Over, Wall Street Journal
Rent In The Time Of Coronavirus, NPR

Education
The pandemic is driving America’s schools toward a financial meltdown, MPR
Back to school? 1 in 5 teachers are unlikely to return to reopened classrooms this fall, poll says, USA Today

Environment
US lets corporations delay paying environmental fines amid pandemic, The Guardian
World health leaders urge green recovery from coronavirus crisis, The Guardian
At last, a climate policy platform that can unite the left, Vox

George Floyd
Man who died in police incident was good friend and like family to his boss, others, Star Tribune
Friends, family of man who died in MPD custody remember ‘Big Floyd’, MPR
Video captures events before the handcuffing of a black man in Minneapolis who died after being pinned to the ground by police, Washington Post
Minneapolis police officers fired after death of black man. ‘I can’t breathe,’ he said on video., Pioneer Press
‘Please, please, please, I can’t breathe’, Star Tribune

Governor Tim Walz
Poll: Approval rating for Gov. Tim Walz at 65%, KARE11
Coronavirus: Minneapolis to reveal its plans for bars and restaurants at press conference, Bring Me the News MN

Health
Latest on COVID-19 in MN: Peak appears to be starting, MPR
Nearing 100,000 COVID-19 deaths, U.S. is still ‘early in this outbreak,’ NPR
Minnesota cities testing new plans to expand outdoor dining during coronavirus, Star Tribune

Immigration
Thousands of U.S. immigration agency employees could face furloughs without emergency funds, CBS News

Labor
Kudlow: $600-per-week boost to unemployment benefits won’t ‘survive the next round of talks,’The Hill
Here’s who would profit most from a $600 unemployment extension, CNBC
They were laid off from full-time jobs, but made too little to get unemployment, CNBC

Minnesota News
Latest on COVID-19 in MN: Peak appears to be starting, MPR
Officials say public compliance key as virus enters ‘volatile phase’ in Minnesota, Star Tribune
Minnesota is resegregating its schools, and it’s bad for all of us, MN Reformer
Rubber bullets, chemical irritant, water bottles in air as thousands march to protest George Floyd’s death, Star Tribune

Representative Dean Phillips (CD3)
Congressman Dean Phillips: Stimulus bill, WCCO

Representative Ilhan Omar (CD5)
Ilhan Omar On Her Memoir And Moving The Needle Toward Progressive Policies, NPR
An Intimate Conversation Between Rep. Ilhan Omar And Her Daughter, Isra Hirsi, Elle Magazine

Senator Amy Klobuchar
Klobuchar and Safe Haven discuss funding efforts to support domestic violence victims, WDIO
A New Stimulus Bill Could Give $4,000 Tax Credit to Those Still Unemployed by Pandemic, Newsweek

U.S. News
Almost 100,000 Americans have died from Covid-19. Here is that tragic story in figures, The Guardian
New Yorkers are ‘going to see pain in this new economy’ as state begins reopening, Gov. Cuomo warns, CNBC
California to allow hair salons and barbershops to reopen in majority of state’s counties, Gov. Newsom says,CNBC
An ‘Avalanche of Evictions’ Could Be Bearing Down on America’s Renters, New York Times

Republicans
North Carolina throws convention threat back at Trump and GOP, Politico
‘You cannot fan the flames and condemn the fire’: Kentucky governor blames GOP for protest with hanging effigy, Washington Post

Republicans in Minnesota
Is the MyPillow guy the future of the Republican Party, or is he just dreaming?, Washington Post
World News
Hong Kong police stamp out protests against national anthem bill, CNN
Boris Johnson’s party slides in polls as U.K.’s political crisis over aide intensifies, CNBC
France bans use of hydroxychloroquine to cure coronavirus, Politico
E.U. and Japan Push Coronavirus Stimulus Packages: Live Coverage, New York Times

Upcoming DFL Events

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

  • Today through June 2 — Window for Candidates to Register with Minnesota to Run for City Offices with Possible Primaries, County Offices, Judicial and Legislative Positions
  • Today through May 31 — State DFL Convention virtual voting window
  • May 31
  • June 3
    • 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for specifics
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD33 DFL Central Committee Virtual Meeting, contact them for specifics
  • June 4, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for specifics
  • June 8
    • 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
  • June 11
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD36 DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for specifics
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, more information will be posted here.
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD48 Central Committee Meeting, contact them for specifics
  • June 14 — Flag Day
  • June 15, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — Anoka County DFL Meeting, contact them for specifics
  • June 17, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Central Committee Meeting, more information as it becomes available.
  • June 20 — Summer Solstice
  • June 21 — Father’s Day
  • June 26 through August 10 — Primary Election Early Voting Window