In the Know: April 17, 2020

Days to the November Election:  200

2020 Election
A Texas court battle could decide if millions are disenfranchised during the pandemic, Vox

Agriculture
White House Seeks To Lower Farmworker Pay To Help Agriculture Industry, NPR
Vegetable growing and backyard chickens: Gardening, farming booms during coronavirus pandemic, USA Today
Fresh produce goes to waste as coronavirus wrecks supply chains, The Hill

Donald Trump

For Mark Meadows, Transition From Trump Confidant to Chief of Staff Is a Hard One, New York Times
Trump pushes plan to gradually reopen U.S. as China increases Wuhan death toll, NBC News
It’s Insane That Federal Aid to States Is a Partisan Issue, New York Magazine
Trump’s denial of his coronavirus failings will be “one of the biggest propaganda battles in American history”, Vox
Trump’s coronavirus self-protection plan: Spread responsibility to the states, Axios
Donald Trump’s Greatest Escape, Politico
Trump just declared victory over the coronavirus. Here’s why that’s premature., Vox

Economy
Multiple CEOs on Trump’s new council say they were not aware of plan to reopen economy, NBC News
The US economy can’t reopen without widespread coronavirus testing. Getting there will take a lot of work and money, CNBC
States and cities are “falling off a cliff” as the economic crisis sets in, Vox
A Second Round of Coronavirus Layoffs Has Begun. Few Are Safe, Wall Street Journal

College Board Ready to Offer At-Home SAT, US News & World Report
What To Do Now That Your Summer Internship Is Canceled, Forbes
Colleges consider a new school year with no students on campus, CNN

Environment
Strengthen worldwide climate commitments to improve economy, study finds, The Guardian
‘Unbelievable’ Timing: As Coronavirus Rages, Trump Disregards Advice to Tighten Clean Air Rules, New York Times
Carbon Emissions Are Falling, But Still Not Enough, Scientists Say, NPR
Here are some climate change resources for kids learning at home, MPR

Governor Tim Walz
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz joins compact with Midwest governors to reopen economy, Star Tribune
Walz to address new guidance for outdoor activities, including golf in Minnesota, Bring Me the News MN
Where does Walz get that executive power for COVID-19 actions?, MPR
Walz signs Minnesota’s insulin emergency supply bill into law, Pioneer Press

Health
Tracking The Pandemic: How Quickly Is The Coronavirus Spreading State By State?, NPR
The daily coronavirus update: 65 of Minnesota’s 87 deaths so far tied to long-term care facilities, MinnPost

Immigration

27 migrant children in US government custody test positive for coronavirus, CNN
Coronavirus Diaries: My Green Card Interview Was Canceled, Slate
What should you do if you risk overstaying your US visa due to Covid-19? Quartz
How the Deportation Machine Criminalizes Immigrants, The Nation

Labor
SBA disaster grants slow to arrive and may be smaller than expected, Star Tribune
Self-employed and contract workers are now eligible for unemployment benefits in Minnesota. Here’s what you need to know, MinnPost
Minnesotans can get extended unemployment benefits state funds not expected to run dry yet, Duluth New Tribune
Self-Employed And Gig Workers Face Long Waits For Coronavirus Relief Checks, NPR

Minnesota Legislature
Cheers: Minnesota lawmakers strike deal on takeout beer-and-wine sales during coronavirus closures, Star Tribune

Minnesota News
Sudden, unexpected unemployment has Minnesotans scrambling, worried about future, Star Tribune
US Steel will idle Keetac, lay off 375 employees, Duluth News Tribune
Drone footage of empty downtown Minneapolis is making us cry [VIDEO], City Pages
Nobles County informed of 16 new COVID-19 cases, Daily Globe
Why is Minnesota more liberal than its neighboring states?, Star Tribune

Representative Ilhan Omar (CD5)
Coronavirus Update: Omar Calls For Investigation Into Amazon Over Firing Of Shakopee Workers, WCCO

Republicans
Sen. Mitt Romney was the only GOP senator not invited on Trump’s new coronavirus advisory group, USA Today
Bill Gates, at Odds With Trump on Virus, Becomes a Right-Wing Target, New York Times
The untold story behind America’s biggest outbreak, BBC
Matt Gaetz rents office space from longtime friend and donor — at taxpayer expense, Politico

Republicans in Minnesota
Republican Jason Lewis, seeking Senate seat, plans ‘Re-Open Minnesota’ RV tour, Pioneer Press

Senator Tina Smith
Sen. Tina Smith: Halting WHO funding a “tragic and terrible mistake”, WDIO ABC News
Sen. Tina Smith outlines her priorities for the next COVID-19 relief package, Fox 9 News
Pandemic puts domestic violence victims, survivors ‘in dire straits’, Fairbault Daily News

U.S. News
Trump gives governors options on how to reopen the economy, Star Tribune
‘This Is Going to Kill Small-Town America,’ New York Times
Congress Is Investigating Whether a Ventilator Company Is Gouging the U.S. — and Why the Government Is Letting It Happen, ProPublica
We’re not overreacting to the coronavirus, Vox

World News
Bolsonaro fires Brazil health minister amid coronavirus pandemic, New York Post
Wuhan officials have revised the city’s coronavirus death toll up by 50%, CNN
At least 300,000 Africans expected to die in pandemic: U.N. agency, Reuters
The EU is facing a ‘moment of truth’ as it tackles mammoth economic crisis, Macron warns, CNN

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 May 4 — Minnesota Stay at Home Order
  • April 17, 5:00 PM — Deadline for DFL local units to provide a roster to delegates/alternates and ballot content
  • April 18 to April 23 — State DFL prepares local unit ballots and provides them to those units fro certification
  • 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 18 — Last Day of the 2020 Legislative Session
  • May 20, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Council Chambers, Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
  • May 25 — Memorial Day
  • May 30 -30 — State DFL Convention, Rochester, MN, more information as it becomes available.