Days to the November Election: 197
2020 Election
Democrats’ momentum puts Senate majority in play, Politico
How do you know voting by mail works? The U.S. military’s done it since the Civil War, NBC News
Agriculture
WHAT IS IN USDA’S $19 BILLION CORONAVIRUS RELIEF PROGRAM? Successful Farming
For meat plant workers, virus makes a hard job perilous, MPR
Attorney General Keith Ellison
Authorities warn consumers to beware of coronavirus-related scams, Star Tribune
Minnesota attorney general discusses pressure on state officials to reopen, CBS News
Donald Trump
How Americans View The Coronavirus Crisis And Trump’s Response, 538
I’m Pretty Sure This Is the Grossest Moment of a Coronavirus Briefing Yet, Mother Jones
Trump Calls FBI ‘Human Scum’ For Investigating Russia Ties To His Campaign, Talking Points Memo
Over A Dozen US Officials Working At WHO Warned Trump Admin About Looming COVID Threat, Talking Points Memo
Coronavirus Latest: Trump’s Fight With Governors Is One He Can’t Win, NPR
Economy
Let’s Keep Everyone on the Payroll, The American Prospect
Getting unemployment has been a nightmare for millions of people across the country, Vox
Shake Shack to return small business loan after uproar, Politico
Companies juggle Trump tariffs with payroll as recession deepens, Politico
Education
With school year in disarray, teens and young adults feel lost. Here’s how to help, MPR
Schools Transform Into ‘Relief’ Kitchens, but Federal Aid Fails to Keep Up, New York Times
Environment
Parts of North America are in a megadrought — with their driest years since the 1500s. It could get worse, CNN
White House moves to weaken EPA rule on toxic compounds, Associated Press
Governor Tim Walz
As governors battle Trump over pandemic, Walz plays Minnesota nice, Star Tribune
Video: Gov. Tim Walz gives briefing on COVID-19 April 17, 2020, Mankato Free Press
Walz signs executive order extending exemptions for vehicles, drivers providing assistance in COVID-19 relief efforts, KSTP
Health
The White House Has Erected A Blockade Stopping States and Hospitals From Getting Coronavirus PPE, New York Magazine
Medical worker blocks lockdown protester in Denver, Reuters
The randomness of “essential” businesses, Axios
This Expert Will Cure Your Excitement for Hydroxychloroquine, Mother Jones
Immigration
Guatemalan suddenly deported under coronavirus ’emergency’ measures readmitted to U.S.NBC
Smugglers sawed into Trump’s border wall 18 times in one month in San Diego area, records show, Washington Post
Labor
Why the Virus Is a Civil Rights Issue: ‘The Pain Will Not Be Shared Equally, New York Times
How Trump Could Dismantle Workers’ Rights with Another Four Years, Washington Monthly
Jobless Claims by Uber and Lyft Drivers Revive Fight Over Labor Status, New York Times
Despite protests by some conservatives, business and labor leaders say science should determine when Washington region’s economy reopens., Washington Post
The Second Phase of Unemployment Will Be Harsher, The Atlantic
Minnesota News
Increase in COVID-19 taking hold in southwest Minnesota, Star Tribune
Most vulnerable leave homeless shelters just as COVID-19 arrives, MN Reformer
Pathway to reopening Minnesota should get clearer this week, MPR
All 10 Winona County virus deaths linked to care facilities, Star Tribune
Representative Angie Craig (CD2)
Congresswoman Angie Craig Introduces Bill to Require Supply Chain Transparency During Emergencies, Craig.House.Gov
Republicans
What the anti-stay-at-home protests are really about, Vox
The problem with thinking you know more than the experts, PBS
Protesting for the Freedom to Catch the Coronavirus, New York Times
Residents protest coronavirus stay-at-home orders in 5 states, ABC News
Fauci warns protests will ‘backfire,’ slow economic recovery, The Hill
Challenges confront self-described ‘Conservative Squad’, Roll Call
Republicans in Minnesota
When do we get herd immunity from Jason Lewis?, MN Reformer
As Minnesota senator cast doubt on COVID-19 death tolls, conspiracy theorists pounce online, Star Tribune
Senator Amy Klobuchar
Amy Klobuchar: Protecting consumers from abusive gouging of prices, Albert Lee Tribune
Senator Tina Smith
Rep. Craig, Sen. Smith introduce bill to include students in COVID-19 relief package, Minnesota Daily
Left out of stimulus payments, Minnesota college students fear for future, Star Tribune
U.S. News
A watchdog out of Trump’s grasp unleashes wave of coronavirus audits, Politico
We Are Living in a Failed State, The Atlantic
Across America, Frustrated Protesters Rally To Reopen The Economy, NPR
Steve Mnuchin thinks the economy will bounce back in “months.” That’s very unlikely, Vox
Pro-gun activists using Facebook groups to push anti-quarantine protests, Washington Post
World News
While Israel Battles Coronavirus, Its Democracy Is on Life Support, The American Prospect
At Least 16 Killed, Including Police Officer, In Nova Scotia Shootings, NPR
Spain proposes €1.5tn EU Covid-19 fund; US blocks pro-WHO statement by G20, 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 May 4 — Minnesota Stay at Home Order
- Today 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.