In the Know: August 18, 2020

Days Until the Election: 77

DFL Action Center
77 Days OUT – Let’s get to work!
If you’d like to help the DFL Party fight for criminal justice reform, better schools, wages, our environment, and health care, Click here to get more involved!

Biden-Harris Yard Signs 
We’re excited to announce that Biden-Harris yard signs are now available! Click this link to order yours today! As you may have heard, Donald Trump is spending over $14 million on ads right here in Minnesota, and every sign you order helps us fight back by funding the DFL Party’s grassroots organizing program!

Democratic National Convention Week in Minnesota
Join us this week for a slate of virtual events and tune in to the 2020 Democratic National Convention from August 17-20, happening from 8:00 to 10:00 PM CT every night, for more information click here!

Wednesday – August 19th
7:30 PM – 8:00 PM – Minnesota Democratic National Convention Virtual Watch Party with Tina Smith and Cheri Bustos – To RSVP follow this link!
Thursday – August 20th7:30 PM – 8:00 PM – Minnesota Democratic National Convention Virtual Watch Party with Amy Klobuchar and Andrew Yang – To RSVP follow this link!

Thursday – August 20th
7:30 PM – 8:00 PM – Minnesota Democratic National Convention Virtual Watch Party with Amy Klobuchar and Andrew Yang – To RSVP follow this link!

2020 Election
On Democratic convention’s first night, speakers blame Trump for America’s woesWashington Post
Democratic convention: Michelle Obama blasts Trump, BBC
America’s 2020 election may already be irrevocably taintedCNN
Bernie Sanders Goes on Attack Against Trump and Urges Support for BidenNew York Times
How racial issues will define the 2020 presidential electionABC News
How Scared You Should Be About the Postal Service and the 2020 ElectionMother Jones

Attorney General Keith Ellison
State fights to keep emergency insulin programKARE 11
Attorney General Ellison secures agreement to end illegal price gouging of face masksRed Lake Nation

Congressional News
House to vote on $25B infusion for Postal Service amid Trump attacksPolitico
DeJoy agrees to testify amid Dem fury over Postal Service changesPolitico

Donald Trump
Cheating is a way of life for Donald Trump – and now it’s his election strategy, The Guardian
G.O.P.-Led Senate Panel Details Ties Between 2016 Trump Campaign and Russian InterferenceNew York Times
Trump’s Claim Of A New Zealand Surge Is ‘Patently Wrong,’ Ardern Says, NPR
Trump ‘enthusiastic’ over unproven coronavirus therapeutic, MyPillow creator saysCNN

Environment
How the twin disasters of climate change and Covid-19 could transform our cities, The Guardian

Governor Tim Walz
President Trump reportedly planned to visit George Floyd memorial, Gov. Walz implored him not toBring Me the News MN
MN faith leaders gather in support of Muslim community following attackBring Me the News MN, 
Governor Walz, Lt. Governor Flanagan on President Trump’s Stop in MankatoRed Lake Nation

Healthcare
Trump and Biden offer starkly different visions of U.S. healthcareLos Angeles Times
If New Zealand’s Covid-19 outbreak is ‘terrible’ like Trump says, then how bad is the rest of the world? CNN
‘Unprecedented’: Los Angeles schools to test all 600,000 students for Covid-19The Guardian

Immigration
USCIS Staff Furloughs Will Grind Legal Immigration To A HaltForbes

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris
CNN Poll: Biden and Trump matchup tightens as enthusiasm hits new high, CNN
Biden’s Lead Holds Steady Following Announcement of Harris as Vice President, Morning Consult
Pipe fitting union backs Biden, despite his vow to stop the Keystone XL pipeline, Washington Post

Check out our brand new Biden for President merchandise in the DFL Store
Click here to see our new shirts, signs, and stickers!

Labor
Trump’s unemployment extension may only provide three-week boost, federal guidance revealsWashington Post

Minnesota News
Suburban teachers challenge return to classrooms in MinnesotaStar Tribune
Transit project gets push for federal fundingRochester Post Bulletin
Minnesota State University, Mankato president to retire after leading school for nearly 20 yearsStar Tribune
Minnesota Supreme Court decision issued on victim’s privacy rightsStar Tribune
Bemidji Council calls on MN Legislature to pass bonding billBemidji Pioneer

Representative Angie Craig (CD3)
DFL files complaint against cannabis candidateKARE 11

Representative Collin Peterson (CD7)
Peterson Leads Bipartisan Letter Urging Enforcement of Dairy Provisions in the United States-Mexico-Canada AgreementRed Lake Nation
Peterson makes campaign stop at Spronk Brothers FarmsPipestone County Star

Representative Ilhan Omar (CD5)
Omar’s primary victory affirms progressives’ control of Minnesota’s Fifth DistrictMinnPost

Republicans
St. Cloud City Council censures Brandmire for ‘yellow star’ remark in mask debateSt. Cloud Times
GOP Ohio attorney general calls on Trump to postpone Postal Service changes, CBS

Senator Amy Klobuchar
WATCH: Sen. Amy Klobuchar calls for unity during Democratic National ConventionPBS New Hour

Senator Tina Smith
‘They Are Full Of Passion And Energy’: Sen. Tina Smith Pushing To Help Younger, Struggling FarmersWCCO
Senate Democrats Urge U.S. Postal Board to Reverse Service ChangesReuters 

U.S. News
Michelle Obama implores Americans to “vote for Joe Biden like our lives depend on it”CBS 
UNC-Chapel Hill’s student newspaper sums up school’s coronavirus policy with an f-bombWashington Post
‘Insanely hot’: Death Valley records world temperature recordAl Jazeera
Iowans are still without power a week after powerful derecho stormCNN

World News
As Belarus protests grow, Putin shows no sign of propping up embattled ruler,NBC
Iran reportedly paid bounties to Afghan group for attacks on Americans, The Guardian
Is Trump’s Israel-UAE Peace Agreement Really Part of a Secret U.S. Arms Deal?,Daily Beast

Upcoming DFL Events

With the COVID-19 situation, we suggest you check with the hosting organization to see if meetings, etc. are being held.

  • August 18
    • 2:15 to 3:00 PM —Minnesotans for Biden Native American Coalition Virtual Meeting, more information and RSVP here.
    • 4:00 to 6:00 PM — DNC Convention:  Veterans and Military Families Virtual Council Meeting, more information and RSVP here.
    • 8:00 to 10:00 PM — DNC Convention — Leadership Matters, watch online here. RSVP for the CD3 DFL virtual watch party here. RSVP for the DFL virtual watch party with Sen. Tina Smith, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos, MN Sen. Melisa Lopez Franzen and Rep. Ruth Richardson here.
  • August 19
    • 10:15 to 11:00 AM — Minnesotans for Biden Hispanic Coalition Virtual Meeting, more information and RSVP here.
    • 11:15 AM to 12:00 PM — Minnesotans for Biden Labor Coalition Virtual Meeting, more information and RSVP here.
    • 12:15 to 1:00 PM — Minnesotans for Biden Black Coalition Virtual Meeting, more information and RSVP here.
    • 8:00 to 10:00 PM — DNC Convention — A More Perfect Union, watch online here. RSVP for the CD3 DFL virtual watch party here.
  • August 20, 8:00 to 10:00 PM —DNC Convention — America’s Promise. watch online here. RSVP for the CD3 DFL virtual watch party here. RSVP for the Minnesotans for Biden virtual watch party with Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Andrew Yang here.
  • August 29 — DFL State Central Virtual Meeting, this will be a full agenda, more information as it becomes available.
  • September 2
    • 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact them for specifics.
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD33 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact them for specifics.
  • September 3, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact them for specifics.
  • September 7 — Labor Day
  • September 10
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD36 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact them for specifics
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD48 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact them for specifics.
  • September 11 — Patriots Days
  • September 14
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact them for specifics.
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD49 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact them for specifics.
  • September 16, 7:00 to 8:30 PM — No CD3 DFL Central Committee Meeting this month