In the Know: August 7, 2020

Days to the November Election:  88

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Agriculture
FDA/USDA say they are making progress on labeling cell-made food, Food Safety News
In Colombia, ‘climate-smart’ villages show how the future of farming could look, CNBC
In a Wistful Age, Farmers Find a New Angle: Chore TV, New York Times
Returning to our roots: Black Americans are redefining relationship to the land with gardening, farming, USA Today

Attorney General Keith Ellison
MN AG Ellison applauds lawsuit that seeks to dismantle NRA, WCCO
MN Attorney General’s Office settles suit against Marshall property owner, Marshall Independent

Congressional News
As Jobs Report Looms, White House and Congress Say Stark Divisions Remain Over Stimulus Plan, New York Times

Donald Trump
Joe Biden attacks Donald Trump for ‘shameful’ claim he is ‘against God’, The Guardian
Trump faces another challenge to rewrite of bedrock environmental law NEPA, The Hill
Trump’s dreams of a vaccine as his October Surprise aren’t rooted in reality, CNN
Trump Reinstates Tariff on Canadian Aluminum, New York Times
“Mr. President, What Are Your Priorities?” Is Not a Tough Question, New Yorker

Economy
167K workers added to private payrolls in July as US labor market rebound slowed: ADP, The Hill

Education
How Safe Is Your School’s Reopening Plan? Here’s What To Look For, NPR
A crisis is looming for U.S. colleges — and not just because of the pandemic, NBC News

Environment
Covid-19 lockdown will have ‘negligible’ impact on climate crisis – study, The Guardian

Governor Tim Walz
Walz: Masks ‘give us more freedom’ to feel safe in community during COVID-19 pandemic, St. Cloud Times
Lawsuit aims to block mask mandate at polling places, Star Tribune
Walz again requests federal help to rebuild after unrest, KSTP

Health Care
Minnesota reports 867 more COVID-19 cases, 39 in Olmsted County, KTTC
St. Paul offering free COVID-19 testing for 4 weekends, KSTP
Almost 30 Test Positive For COVID-19 After Attending Funeral In Becker County, WCCO

Immigration
The cost of applying for U.S. citizenship is dramatically increasing, USA Today
Former President Bush pays tribute to immigrants in new book, Associated Press

Labor
Minnesota is helping malls that serve immigrant communities survive the COVID-19 downturn. How much aid will their tenants see? Sahan Journal
14 tech organizers and labor experts share their ideas for re-empowering American workers, Business Insider

Minnesota News
Grieving Minnesota family overwhelmed after funeral leads to COVID-19 outbreak, Star Tribune
A field guide to one of the weirdest Minnesota primary elections ever, MinnPost
Many Minnesota teachers wary of returning to the classroom, MPR
Want to support a black-owned restaurant? Here are St. Paul options., Pioneer Press
Meet Minnesota’s Teacher of the Year, first Somali American to win honor, MPR
Minnesota parents rush to create ‘learning pods’ for distance learning, Star Tribune

Representative Ilhan Omar (CD5)
Rep. Ilhan Omar Speaks On The Importance Of Addressing Racial Bias In Black Maternal Care, Essence

Republicans
As Trump attacks mail ballots, Republicans see their own prospects damaged, Reuters
How inequality is changing the Republican Party — and breaking American politics, Vox

Secretary of State Steve Simon
Judge extends Minnesota vote-by-mail changes to November, WDIO ABC Duluth
300,000 Minnesotans should mail their primary ballots ‘ASAP.’ Or vote in person. Pioneer Press

Senator Amy Klobuchar
Sen. Klobuchar introduces COVID-19 mental health legislation, WDIO ABC Duluth
Klobuchar Asks GAO To Examine Prescription Drug Rebate Traps, Forbes
Klobuchar, Smith Announce Crop Insurance Deadline Extensions, KTOE

Senator Tina Smith
In Farmfest forum, voters get a first look at the Tina Smith-Jason Lewis Senate contest, Minn Post
Klobuchar, Smith Announce SBA Disaster Assistance for Small Businesses in Minnesota, KTOE

U.S. News
New York Attorney General Moves To Dissolve The NRA After Fraud Investigation,NPR
Postal Service chief denies slowing down election mail to assist Trump, Politico
South Dakota town braces for 100,000 bikers despite Covid threat, The Guardian

World News
Lebanon president: Beirut explosion either due to negligence or missile, bomb, USA Today
In Colombia, ‘climate-smart’ villages show how the future of farming could look, CNBC
India now has more than 2 million confirmed coronavirus cases, CNN

Upcoming DFL Events

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

• Today through August 5, 5:00 PM — Window to apply for CD3 Nominees to become State Executive Directors and State Central Committee Members. Apply here.
• Today through August 10 — Primary Election Early Voting Window, more information here.
• Today through August 11 — Window for Candidates to Register with State for City Offices with No Primaries to Register
• August 5
  • 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD33 DFL Central Committee Meetings, contact them for specifics.
• August 6, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 DFL Central Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact them for specifics.
• August 8
  • 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM — CD3 DFL Coordinated Campaign Virtual Phone Bank, more information and RSVP here.
  • 1:00 to 3:00 PM — CD3 DFL Coordinated Campaign Virtual Phone Bank, more information and RSVP here.
  • 4:00 to 6:00 PM — CD3 DFL Coordinated Campaign Virtual Phone Bank, more information and RSVP here.
• August 9
  • 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM — CD3 DFL Coordinated Campaign Virtual Phone Bank, more information and RSVP here.
  • 1:00 to 1:00 PM — CD3 DFL Coordinated Campaign Virtual Phone Bank, more information and RSVP here.
  • 4:00 to 6:00 PM — CD3 DFL Coordinated Campaign Virtual Phone Bank, more information and RSVP here.
  • 5:00 to 6:00 PM — Biden National Virtual Volunteer Call with Special Guests, more information and RSVP here.
• August 10
  • 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM — CD3 DFL Coordinated Campaign Virtual Phone Bank, more information and RSVP here.
  • 1:00 to 1:00 PM — CD3 DFL Coordinated Campaign Virtual Phone Bank, more information and RSVP here.
  • 4:00 to 6:00 PM — CD3 DFL Coordinated Campaign Virtual Phone Bank, more information and RSVP here.
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for specifics
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD49 DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for specifics.
• August 11
  • 9:00 to 11:00 AM — CD3 DFL Coordinated Campaign Virtual Phone Bank, more information and RSVP here.
  • 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM — CD3 DFL Coordinated Campaign Virtual Phone Bank, more information and RSVP here.
  • 1:00 to 3:00 PM — CD3 DFL Coordinated Campaign Virtual Phone Bank, more information and RSVP here.
  • 3:00 to 5:00 PM — CD3 DFL Coordinated Campaign Virtual Phone Bank, more information and RSVP here.
• August 13
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD36 DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for specifics.
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for specifics.
• August 17
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — Anoka County DFL Meeting, contact them for specifics.
  • 8:00 to 10:00 PM — DNC Convention — A United America, watch online here.
• August 18
  • 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 — Steady Leadership, watch online here.
• August 19
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Central Committee Meeting, tentative virtual meeting, specifics decided at July meeting
  • 8:00 to 10:00 PM — DNC Convention — A Future for All, watch online here.
• August 20, 8:00 to 10:00 PM —DNC Convention — A New American Promise. watch online here.
• August 29 — DFL State Central Virtual Meeting, this will be a full agenda meeting, more information as it becomes available