Days to the November Election: 202
2020 Election
Trump’s Key 2020 States Reel Under Twin Blows of Virus, Job Loss, Bloomberg
Elizabeth Warren backs Biden, extending display of party unity, MPR
Agriculture
PORK INDUSTRY GROUP SAYS HOG FARMERS ARE FACING A CRISIS, Successful Farming
Attorney General Keith Ellison
John Keller, Minnesota’s Chief Deputy Attorney General, Continues To Fight For The Rights Of New Americans, Sahan Journal
Local officials call for canceling rent payments in Minnesota, Keith Ellison
Donald Trump
Trump’s darkness: White supremacy, Christian nationalism and the coronavirus, Salon
Trump Campaign Sues Small Wisconsin TV Station Over Critical Super PAC Ad, Talking Points Memo
The WHO Defunding Move Isn’t What It Seems, The Atlantic
Trump’s halt to WHO funding prompts condemnation as coronavirus cases near 2 million, Reuters
Trump’s video of coronavirus actions accidentally reveals how he mishandled things in February, Vox
False Prophet, The Atlantic
Trump Campaign’s Genius Plan to Blame China for the Coronavirus Has One Flaw, New York Magazine
Economy
Your Coronavirus Check Is Coming. Your Bank Can Grab It., The American Prospect
Democrats try to force McConnell’s hand on coronavirus aid, The Hill
More Thoughts on the Post-Pandemic Economy: Think 1970s Stagflation, Beat the Press
Treasury Dept. orders Trump’s name to be printed on coronavirus stimulus checks: report, The Hill
Education
Closed schools in Minnesota begin to lay off, furlough staff, MPR
‘I can only do so much’: Families of kids with disabilities struggle with distance learning, MN Reforme
Environment
Report names upper Mississippi ‘most endangered’ U.S. river, MPR
Governor Tim Walz
Minnesota businesses push for exemptions in stay-at-home order, Star Tribune
Coronavirus In Minnesota: When Will Things Return To Normal? Gov. Walz Weighs In, WCCO
Local officials ask Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to halt rent, mortgage payments, Star Tribune
Minnesota’s Governor Backs Liquor Sales for Restaurants During Pandemic Closures, TwinCities
Health
Our View: This is no time to be without health care coverage, Duluth News Tribune
There’s Been a Spike in People Dying at Home in Several Cities. That Suggests Coronavirus Deaths Are Higher Than Reported., ProPublica
Medical Staffing Companies Owned by Rich Investors Cut Doctor Pay and Now Want Bailout Money, Mother Jones
The Excess Mortality Question in the US Comes Into View, Talking Point Memo
Immigration
States ask Supreme Court to reconsider ‘public charge’ rule, Jurist
Labor
How the Coronavirus Could Create a New Working Class, The Atlantic
Amazon fires two employees who condemned treatment of warehouse workers, The Guardian
Food Workers Say C.D.C. Guidelines Put Them at Greater Risk for Infection, New York Times
Minnesota Legislature
Legislature back, passes emergency insulin bill, COVID-19 tweaks, Minnesota Reformer
As unity wanes, Minnesota lawmakers advance new COVID-19 bill, MPR
Minnesota Legislature Passes Its 4th COVID-19 Relief Package, WCCO
Minnesota News
COVID-19 infection cluster in Sioux Falls, S.D. draws contrast with Minnesota, Minnesota Reformer
State officials expect virus to take greater toll on racial minorities, MPR
Northern Minnesota city imposes curfew in response to property crime, Brainerd Dispatch
Minnesota businesses push for exemptions in stay-at-home order, Star Tribune
Representative Collin Peterson (CD7)
Trump Administration Faces Pressure to Buy Food for the Needy, Avoid Waste, New York Times
Republicans
‘Should have happened yesterday’: Republicans press Trump to restart economy, Politico
GOP congressman says letting more Americans die of coronavirus is lesser of two evils compared to economy tanking, CNN
Conway Mistakes ’19’ In COVID-19 For Strain Of Virus While Accusing WHO Of Not Knowing Facts, TPM
Wellness Influencers Are Spreading QAnon Conspiracies About the Coronavirus, Mother Jones
AG Barr just signaled that things are about to get ugly for the Russia collusion team, The Hill
Senator Amy Klobuchar
Klobuchar, colleagues urge leadership to increase funding for domestic violence resources, Brainerd Dispatch
Amy Klobuchar: Trump Votes by Mail. Why Can’t Everyone? New York Times
Senator Tina Smith
Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Tina Smith have a plan to fix the pandemic child care crisis, Vox
U.S. News
This is where all 50 states stand on reopening, CNN
Bill Gates calls Trump’s decision to halt funding for WHO ‘as dangerous as it sounds’, CNBC
Trump’s name will be added to stimulus checks, CNN
When will you get your stimulus check? IRS launches tracking tool, KARE11
World News
‘Mixed with prejudice’: calls for ban on ‘wet’ markets misguided, experts argue, The Guardian
IMF warns ‘vulnerabilities high’ in the Middle East hit with dual shock of coronavirus and oil plunge, CNBC
Some European Nations Ease Pandemic Rules, but Move Warily, New York Times
4 arrested for alleged ISIS plans to attack U.S. bases in Germany, CBS News
The bold new plan for an Indigenous-led development in Vancouver, The Guardian
‘Chaos’ in Kenyan slum as Covid-19 takes toll, CNN
South Korean voters expected to return ruling party to power, The Guardian
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.
- Today through April 16 – Passover
- Today through May 4 — Minnesota Stay at Home Order
- April 15 — Tax Day (moved to July 15 in 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic)
- 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.