Days to the November Election: 195
2020 Election
‘The map is bigger now’: Coronavirus rewires 2020 election, Politico
Progressive strategist Jeff Blodgett on the next six months, with America hanging in the balance, MN Reformer
Agriculture
U.S. CORN 7% PLANTED, SOYBEANS 2%, USDA SAYS, Successful Farming
Tyson Foods idling its largest pork plant amid Iowa outbreak, Star Tribune
Congress
Lawmakers advance small business relief bill without extra cash for states, MN Reformer
DFL News
Now’s the time to expand voting by mail in Minnesota, MinnPost
Donald Trump
Trump prepares to hit the road, Politico
Trump’s new immigration ban is a scam. Don’t pretend otherwise., Washington Post
Trump’s campaign is trying to remove a video in which he appears to call the coronavirus a ‘hoax,’ saying it’s misleading, Business Insider
Senate Intel report confirms Russia aimed to help Trump in 2016, Politico
Economy
Oil Price Rout to Hit U.S. Regional Economies, Wall Street Journal
Chamber Of Commerce Head Welcomes New Coronavirus Bill, Gradual Reopening Of Economy, NPR
Washington’s Failure Today To Help States Threatens Public Health And The Economy, Forbes
U of M freezes tuition for most students next year, MPR
DeVos Blocks DACA Students From Coronavirus Emergency Grant Aid, Forbes
Harvard under fire for accepting more than $8M in coronavirus relief package, Twin Cities Pioneer Press
Emissions Are Way Down. No, That’s Not All Good News for the Environment. Mother Jones
Discarded PPE poses environmental threat, experts say, The Hill
Climate change: World mustn’t forget ‘deeper emergency’ BBC
Air pollution falls by unprecedented levels in major global cities during coronavirus lockdowns, CNN
The Coal Industry’s New ‘Clean Coal’ Scheme Is Dirty, Gizmodo
Governor Tim Walz
Coronavirus Daily Briefing: State leaders address congregate care living settings, preparedness for peak, KSTP
Beltrami commissioners reject resolution asking Walz to alter stay at home order, 3-2, Bemidji Pioneer
Health
Coronavirus In Minnesota: 17 More Deaths Reported As Number Of New Cases Dips Below 100 For 1st Time In Nearly A Week, WCCO
Biker gang, underage parties are the latest busted for violating stay-at-home order, Star Tribune
‘Deadly phase’: Minnesota’s long-term care facilities fight to control coronavirus spread, MPR
Minnesota put $200 million into a COVID-19 fund. Where is it going?, MPR
After the ICU, many COVID-19 survivors face a long recovery, NPR
NIH Panel Recommends Against Drug Combination Promoted By Trump For COVID-19, NPR
Trump bars new immigration green cards, not temporary visas, Associated Press
New Immigration Limits Cause Anxiety in Families and Businesses, New York Times
U of M freezes tuition for most students next year, MPR
DeVos Blocks DACA Students From Coronavirus Emergency Grant Aid, Forbes
Harvard under fire for accepting more than $8M in coronavirus relief package, Twin Cities Pioneer Press
Egg demand shifted, and 61,000 Minnesota chickens were euthanized, Star Tribune
From rust to resilience: What climate change means for Great Lakes cities, MPR
As Bethesda fills COVID-19 beds, M Health Fairview looks to St. Joseph’s, Southdale, Pioneer Press
Coronavirus upends Ramadan traditions of family, charity, community, MPR
Representative Angie Craig (CD2)
Angie Craig: U.S. needs coordinated, national plan for personal protective equipment, Star Tribune
Representative Collin Peterson (CD7)
Peterson Statement on Final Navigable Waters Protection Rule, KRVN
Republicans
Missouri is suing China over the coronavirus pandemic. It’s the latest conservative gambit., Washington Post
US lockdown: Three brothers appear to be behind online network of far-right gun owners calling for protests, The Independent
Republican-led Wisconsin legislature sues to reopen state from stay-at-home order, CNN
Republicans in Minnesota
‘Liberate’ protesters put others at risk, Star Tribune
Secretary of State Steve Simon
DFL lawmakers continue push for mail-in voting, MPR
Senator Amy Klobuchar
Klobuchar, Smith: What is the Trump Administration doing to protect food workers? Post Bulletin
Sen. Klobuchar stresses importance of protecting vets from virus, MSNBC
Senator Tina Smith
Sen. Tina Smith happy new relief bill supports small business & testing, but says more needs to be done, Fox 9
U.S. News
California announces earliest publicly known U.S. coronavirus deaths., New York Times
Secret Recording Reveals NRA’s Legal Troubles Have Cost The Organization $100 Million, NPR
Small Business Rescue Earned Banks $10 Billion In Fees, NPR
Georgia’s Covid-19 reopening pits white governor against black mayors, The Guardian
World News
Trump says US will ‘destroy’ Iranian gunboats that harass American ships, CNBC
North Korean media silent on Kim Jong Un’s health, whereabouts, New York Post
China Imposes Strict Measures In Northeast To Keep Out Coronavirus From Russia, NPR
Coronavirus pandemic will cause global famines of ‘biblical proportions,’ UN warns, CNN
U.S. Warships Enter Disputed Waters of South China Sea as Tensions With China Escalate, New York Times
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.