In the Know: April 1, 2020

Days to the November Election:  216

Agriculture
USDA PRINTS U.S. CORN ACREAGE ESTIMATE AT 97.0 MILLION TUESDAY, Successful Farming
What happens to our food supply if American farmers can’t farm? CNN
America’s Farmworkers—Now ‘Essential,’ but Denied the Just-Enacted Benefits, The American Prospect

Economy
Dow drops 800 points as US prepares for ‘painful’ coronavirus period,The Hill
Economy On Lockdown: Jobless Rate Could Be Highest Since WWII, NPR
Fed Launches New Lending Facility for Foreign Central Banks, Wall Street Journal
Economists pan Pelosi’s proposal to lift cap on state and local tax deductions in next bailout, Politico
IRS Gives Stimulus Check Distribution Details, Says Payments To Begin Within Three Weeks, Forbes

Education
Growing number of states say they are closing schools for rest of 2019-2020 year, Washington Post
Minnesota begins distance learning, with some tech issues popping up, Twin Cities Pioneer Press
Many Schools Are Not Providing Any Instruction Amid Closures, US News & World Report

Environment
Plastic Wars: Industry Spent Millions Selling Recycling — To Sell More Plastic, NPR
Disputed Canada-US oil pipeline work to start in April, Associated Press
The environmental upside of the virus shows the green way ahead, Washington Post
House Democrats blast EPA as agency suspends monitoring amid coronavirus, The Hill

Donald Trump
Trump rejects Obamacare special enrollment period amid pandemic, Politico
‘That’s a nasty, snarky question’: Trump’s media assault rages on in midst of coronavirus crisis, The Guardian
What we know — and don’t know — about possible coronavirus treatments promoted by Trump, MN Reformer
Trump just acknowledged downplaying the coronavirus threat: ‘I knew it could be horrible’, Business Insider
Trump administration ignored pandemic warning from White House economists: report, The Hill
How Donald Trump Plans on Spinning 200,000 Coronavirus Deaths as a Win, Mother Jones
Trump: I Wouldn’t Have Handled Coronavirus Any Better Even Without Impeachment, Talking Points Memo

Governor Tim Walz
Walz: Crowds are ‘a little too big’ at Minneapolis lakes, Bring Me the News MN
Gov. Tim Walz weighs changes to state pardon system, Star Tribune
Medical marijuana enrollments, first responder licenses extended under Walz’s orders, Brainerd Dispatch
Walz says he’d approve first responders’ access to COVID-19 workers’ compensation, Bemidji Pioneer

Health
St. Louis Park health care worker: “We don’t have any tests”, MN Reformer
Nurses Die, Doctors Fall Sick and Panic Rises on Virus Front Lines, New York Times
Majority of young Americans support universal basic income, public healthcare: poll, The Hill
Coronavirus Task Force Details ‘Sobering’ Data Behind Its Extended Guidelines, NPR
Who’s Sickest From COVID-19? These Conditions Tied To Increased Risk, NPR
The Virus Is a Reminder of Something Lost Long Ago, The Atlantic

Housing
40% of N.Y. Tenants May Not Pay Rent This Month. What Happens Then?, NY Times
For thousands in Minnesota out of work, rent and house payments are coming due, Star Tribune
Coalition of Minnesota landlords, tenant advocates push for rental assistance, MinnPost

Immigration
The US is now starting to see the value of immigrant health workers, Quartz
Why Won’t the Federal Government Release Immigrant Children? Slate
The Wall That Didn’t Stop the Coronavirus, New York Times
The missing piece in the coronavirus stimulus bill: Relief for immigrants, Vox

Labor
Minnesota’s unemployment applications rise, create frustration for those waiting on benefit, KSTP
Minnesota assigns specific days to apply for unemployment after coronavirus job cuts flood state, Pioneer Press
NYC is investigating Amazon for firing a worker who protested coronavirus working conditions, VOX
The Labor Department Won’t Take Steps To Protect Health Care Workers From the Coronavirus,The Center for Public Integrity
Why the gig workers delivering your groceries and beer don’t have any labor rights, Philadelphia Inquirer

Minnesota News
Minnesota’s COVID-19 deaths now stand at 12, Star Tribune
More than 150,000 Minnesota households don’t have broadband access, MN Reformer
Coronavirus response: Minnesota plans 2,750 hospital beds for ‘alternate care sites.’ A closed prison is in the mix., Pioneer Press
Minnesota Department of Human Services orders more than 200 adult day centers for seniors, people with disabilities to close, Star Tribune

Representative Angie Craig (CD2)
CARES Act: Bill from Rep. Angie Craig would correct oversight in COVID-19 rescue bill, Bring Me the New MN
Some Minnesota families won’t get $500 stimulus checks for children, FOX 9

Representative Betty McCollum (CD4)
Maker of masks for health care workers accused of making defective earplugs for military, ABC

Senator Tina Smith
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith gives guidance to Minnesotans on coronavirus legislation, Wahpeton Daily News

U.S. News
Americans are told to brace for “very, very painful” period, and U.N. says virus threatens global stability., New York Times
Florida covid-19 cases surge to nearly 7,000 as Ron DeSantis resists statewide restrictions, Washington Post
When will you get your stimulus cash, and how?, CNN
Underlying Health Disparities Could Mean Coronavirus Hits Some Communities Harder, NPR
Factory activity plunges as coronavirus shock deepens, Reuters
Trump to Governors: I’d Like You to Do Us a Favor, Though, New York Times

World News
This is what China did to beat coronavirus. Experts say America couldn’t handle it, USA Today
US ignores calls to suspend Venezuela and Iran sanctions amid coronavirus pandemic, The Guardian
Turkmenistan Has Banned Use Of The Word ‘Coronavirus’, NPR
Coronavirus: Greatest test since World War Two, says UN chief, BBC

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.

All DFL conventions will now be held virtually. If you were elected as a Delegate or Alternate at Caucuses, you will be hearing from your district with specifics.  If you don’t, please check with the hosting organization.

• April 1 — April Fools’ Day
  • 6:00 to 8:00 PM — DFL Volunteer Webinar Training, more information and RSVP here.
  • 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, this month’s meeting will be held via conference call, email chair@sd50dfl.org for specifics.
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD33 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting Virtual Meeting on the Zoom platform. Contact the Chair for more information.
• April 2, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact the Chair for more information
• April 4, 1:00 to 3:00 PM — DFL Volunteer Webinar Training, more information and RSVP here.
• April 7, 7:00 to 8:30 PM – SD40 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, Brookdale Library, contact the Chair for more information
• April 9 through 13 —  Passover
• April 9
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD36 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact the Chair for more information.
  • 7:00 to  9:00 PM — SD48 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact the Chair for more information.
• April 10 — Good Friday
• April 12 — Easter
• April 13
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 DFL Central Committee Meeting cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD49 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact the Chair for more information
• April 15 — Tax Day
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meting, contact the Chair for more information
• April 17, 5:00 PM — Deadline for DFL local units to provide a roster to delegates/alternates and ballot content
• April 18
• April 20, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — Anoka County DFL Meeting, contact them for more information on how the meeting will be held
• April 22 — Earth Day
• April 23 through May 23 — Ramadan
• April 23 — Deadline for DFL local units to certify their ballot in writing to DFL Staff
• April 24 — Arbor Day
• April 25 – May 4 — DFL Virtual Convention Balloting Window
• 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 — deadline for certification of DFL local unit balloting results
  • 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
• May 30 -30 — State DFL Convention, Rochester, MN, more information as it becomes available.