In the Know: April 9, 2020

Days to the November Election:  208

2020 Election
Bernie Sanders drops out of the 2020 race, clearing Joe Biden’s path to the Democratic nomination, CNN
Trump Is Pushing a False Argument on Vote-by-Mail Fraud. Here Are the Facts, New York Times
Trump isn’t even trying to hide his self-interested reasons for opposing mail-in voting, Vox
Inside Brad Parscale’s 2020 Plan: Re-Elect Donald Trump. Make Money. Maybe Not in That Order., Mother Jones

Agriculture
South Dakota pork plant sees rash of COVID-19 cases, MPR
Meat plants are shutting down as workers get sick, CNN

Attorney General Keith Ellison
Minnesota landlord charged over eviction attempt during pandemic, The Guardian
Minnesota attorney general warns businesses that violate stay at home order could face fines, Fox 9

Congress
Congress Needs a Plan to Confront the Coronavirus. I Have One., New York Times
Senate Democrats unveil $500 billion short-term coronavirus relief plan, The Hill

Donald Trump
The briefings aren’t working: Trump’s approval rating takes a dip, Politico
Oversight Panel: Trump Admin. Didn’t Distribute Stockpile Supplies Based On States’ Needs,HuffPost
The Trump administration blames Covid-19 black mortality rates on poor health. It should blame its policies, Vox
Doctor calls Trump’s comments on zinc ‘mystifying’ after MSNBC host is forced to break in for a fact-check, Raw Story
Oversight erased, Supreme Court hijacked: Trump turns the presidency into a dictatorship, USA Today
Trump Tells America To Forget About Global Pandemic Once It’s Over, TPM
The French Connection: Trump Family Trusts Are Invested in Hydroxychloroquine Maker, MSN
Mapping Corruption: Donald Trump’s Executive Branch, The American Prospect

Economy
What to watch today: Dow futures go positive after Fed details $2.3 trillion in loan programs,CNBC
Video: 6.6 million Americans file for unemployment, ABC News
Coronavirus myth-busting: The truth about empty shelves and toilet paper shortages, Grist
Richard Cordray on the Imminent Financial Scam Crisis, The American Prospect
When will the economy be good again?, Vox
Recovery law allows Fed to rope off public as it spends billions, Politico

Education
Nation’s governors urge Education Secretary Betsy DeVos to immediately disburse new federal relief funding for schools, Washington Post

Environment
Another Way to See the Recession: Power Usage Is Way Down, New York Times
Scientists create mutant enzyme that recycles plastic bottles in hours, The Guardian

Governor Tim Walz
Coronavirus In Minnesota: Gov. Walz Extends Stay-At-Home Order Until May 4, WCCO
Gov. Tim Walz activates Minnesota National Guard to combat flooding threat, Star Tribune
More Minnesota workers are considered essential in Gov. Tim Walz’s extended stay-at-home order, Star Tribune
Walz seeks ways to reopen economy gradually, KARE11

Health
Summer Heat May Not Diminish Coronavirus Strength, New York Times
HHS: Federal stocks of protective equipment nearly depleted, MPR
80% of NYC’s coronavirus patients who are put on ventilators ultimately die, and some doctors are trying to stop using them, Insider
Amid coronavirus pandemic, Trump administration continues push to end Affordable Care Act, MinnPost
Peter Navarro Is the Worst Possible Person to Be in Charge of Pandemic Supplies, Mother Jones

Minnesota News
Latest on COVID-19 in MN: Stay-at-home order extended 3 weeks, MPR
With no money or jobs, renters refuse to pay, MN Reformer
The Legislature has finally agreed on an emergency insulin bill, MinnPost
Stimulus aid to farmers shows what’s wrong with U.S. farm policy, MN Reformer
Chinese Minnesotans fight coronavirus, racism, CityPages

Labor
Complaint: Unpaid Minnesota Menards site alleges ‘fraud’, City Pages
A Nurse Bought Protective Supplies for Her Colleagues Using GoFundMe. The Hospital Suspended Her., ProPublica

Minnesota News
Latest on COVID-19 in MN: Stay-at-home order extended 3 weeks, MPR
With no money or jobs, renters refuse to pay, MN Reformer
The Legislature has finally agreed on an emergency insulin bill, MinnPost
Stimulus aid to farmers shows what’s wrong with U.S. farm policy, MN Reformer
Chinese Minnesotans fight coronavirus, racism, City Pages

Representative Angie Craig (CD2)
Congresswoman Angie Craig to hold virtual town hall, Southern MN

Representative Collin Peterson (CD7)
Lost sales due to COVID-19 have dairy farmers requesting aid, Daily Globe
Coronavirus relief coming for farmers Rep. Peterson says, KVRR

Republicans
Republicans Pursue Limits on Voting by Mail, Despite the Coronavirus, New York Times
Sen. Kelly Loeffler and her CEO husband will sell all individual stock shares after coronavirus trade furor, CNBC
Republicans Could Use the Coronavirus to Suppress Votes Across the Country. This Week We Got a Preview, Time
Wisconsin GOP plots to strip Democratic governor of more power — a day after forcing voters to stand outside in a pandemic, Raw Story
Never Forget Wisconsin, Slate
How a pandemic obliterated GOP ideology, The Hill

Secretary of State Steve Simon
State high court ruling keeps some Minnesota voter data private, MPR
Minnesota Sec. Of State Wants More Mail-In Voting, Lakeland Broadcast
Minn. Secretary of State seeks elections changes, Wahpeton Daily News
Minnesota elections official urges changes after Wisconsin’s meltdown amid pandemic, Pioneer Press

Senator Amy Klobuchar
Coronavirus In Minnesota: COVID-19 Creating Voting Fears, New Questions About Ballot Safety, WCCO

Senator Tina Smith
Sen. Tina Smith on KYMN Radio, KYMN
Sen. Smith on federal stimulus checks, KTOE

U.S. News
Studies Show N.Y. Outbreak Originated in Europe, NY Times
Attorney General to police: Don’t enforce Gov. Kelly’s order on religious gatherings, Kansas City Star
Record 16.8 million have sought U.S. jobless aid since virus, MPR
Coronavirus live updates: Big unemployment numbers; stimulus checks on the way; US death toll nears 15,000, USA Today
US coronavirus predictions are shifting. Here’s why, CNN
How Are Parents Supposed to Deal With Joint Custody Right Now?, The Atlantic
We Still Don’t Know How Many People Are in the Hospital With COVID-19, ProPublica

World News
Yemen war: Coalition ceasefire to help combat coronavirus begins, BBC
Syria war: Syrian air force behind 2017 chemical attacks, OPCW finds, BBC
Covid-19 spreading quickly through refugee camps, warn Calais aid groups, The Guardian
Singapore’s second wave of cases is a glimpse at what the US may be in for, Business Insider
Virus could push half a billion people into poverty, 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.

• Today through May 4 — Minnesota Stay at Home Order
• 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.