In the Know: December 2, 2020


Congress
Mark Kelly to be sworn in as US senator, flipping Arizona seat from red to blue, CNN
The size of House Democrats’ shrinking majority comes down to nail-biter racesABC

Donald Trump 
Trump to restart foreign deals, breaking a post-presidency normPolitico
Justice Dept. Investigating Potential Bribery Scheme for Trump Pardon, New York Times
Trump talks of ‘another four years’ during White House Christmas receptionCNN
Trump Has Discussed With Advisers Pardons for His 3 Eldest Children and Giuliani, New York Times

Governor Tim Walz
Walz to be joined by first responders at COVID press conference WednesdayBring Me The News
Walz says details coming on first vaccines for Minnesota, Austin Daily Herald
Walz eyes COVID-19 relief package totaling $300-$600 million amid budget surplus, Bring Me The News

Representative Angie Craig (CD2)
Rep. Angie Craig stops by Burnsville brewery, urges for support for small businessesFox 9

Representative Dean Phillips (CD3)
Bipartisan group of lawmakers roll out $908 billion coronavirus relief plan, CBS News
Rep. Dean Phillips among bipartisan group pitching new COVID-19 relief billMN Reformer

Minnesota Legislature 
Rep. Marquart, MN’s Budget Surplus May Mean COVID Relief, Valley News Live
Minnesota restaurants push to-go cocktails for COVID-19 relief, Star Tribune
Central Minnesota business owners weigh in on how state relief package could help them bestSt. Cloud Times

Minnesota News
Minnesota’s economic forecast shows $641 million surplus for current budget, Star Tribune
St. Paul Business Owner Turns Restaurant Into Food Shelf, WCCO
Industrial meat agriculture is threatening our 10,000 lakes.MN Reformer
Home COVID-19 care easing pressure on Minnesota hospitals, Star Tribune
Wanna know where you can get clean energy? We’re tryin’ to build an app for that.MN Reformer

President-Elect Joe Biden
Biden to hold roundtable with workers, small-business ownersWashington Post
Biden backs up Tanden as Republicans attack her tweets, Politico

Republican Party
Georgia elections official rebukes Trump after threats to workersCBS News
It’s Holiday Party Season at the White House. Masks Are Encouraged, but Not Required.New York Times
MAGA-ite in Manhattan?: Ivanka Trump’s political ambitions seek new home after the White House, Washington Post
Project Veritas’ CNN Sting Uncovers Explosive News That Tucker Carlson Is Racist, Daily Beast
GOP leader McDaniel to run for 3rd term with Trump’s backingStar Tribune
Bill Barr bashed in right-wing media after election fraud comments: ‘He is either a liar or a fool or both’, CNN

U.S. News
Trump fired me for saying this, but I’ll say it again: The election wasn’t riggedWashington Post
Betsy DeVos vowed to change American education. For the most part, she didn’t.USA Today
States race to craft their own economic relief plans, frustrated with federal inactionWashington Post

World News 
Killer Robot? Assassination of Iranian Scientist Feeds Conflicting AccountsNew York Times
Australia is out of recession. Now it needs to avoid a trade war with China, CNN
The UK Is Now The First Western Country To Approve A Coronavirus Vaccine, Buzzfeed
Hong Kong Activists Sentenced For Their Role In Anti-Government Protest, NPR

Upcoming Events:

You can find non-DFL events on our Action Alert post.

  • Today to December 18 — Minnesota Stay at Home Order
  • December 3, 7:00 PM — SD47 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics.
  • December 7 — Pearl Harbor Day
  • December 9, 5:30 to 8:00 PM — CD3 DFL Virtual Holiday Party with Rep. Dean Phillips, State DFL Chair Ken Martin, State Vice Chair Marge Hoffa, a Biden Transition update from Ron Pierce, DNC Veterans and Military Council, State Auditor Julie Blaha, elected officials and DFL activists, email us at info@dfl3cd.org for log in information
  • December 10 through 18 — Chanukah
  • December 10
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD36 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics.
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD48 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics.
  • December 14
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics.
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD49 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics.
  • December 21 — Winter Solstice
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — Anoka County DFL Virtual Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics.
  • December 24 — Christmas Eve
  • December 25 — Christmas Day
  • December 31 — New Years Eve
  • January 1 — New Years Day
  • January 2 — 116th U.S. Congress ends
  • January 3 — 117th U.S. Congress begins
  • January 5 — 92nd Minnesota Legislative Session Convenes