In the Know: December 12, 2019

Agriculture
America’s Dairy Farmers Are Hurting. A Giant Merger Could Make Things Worse., New York Times
Small farms are dying. This plow-free plan could help save them., Indianapolis Star
Propane problems make a long harvest even longer, Inforum

Attorney General Keith Ellison
After employee complaints, state seeks pay data from downtown St. Paul property owner, Pioneer Press

Congress
Rep. Adam Schiff Submits Pence Aide’s Classified Letter To Judiciary Committee, Huffington Post
Senate committee passes bipartisan bill to stop Trump withdrawing from Nato, The Guardian

Corruption Watch
Convicted former Trump aide Rick Gates was offered cash to stonewall Mueller probe: prosecutors, Salon
Eric Holder says Barr ‘unfit’ to serve as attorney general, CNN

Donald Trump
Trump’s speech in Hershey revealed a presidency off the rails, Vox
Greta Thunberg Fires Donald Trump’s ‘Anger Management’ Insult Right Back At Him, Huffington Post
THE DONALD TRUMP CAMPAIGN IS DEPLOYING PHONE LOCATION-TRACKING TECHNOLOGY, The Intercept
Trump Blasts Trudeau and ‘Pain in the Ass’ Macron Behind Closed Doors Following Viral Video, Daily Beast

Donald Trump’s Impeachment
Judiciary Panel Debates Articles of Impeachment After Taking First Steps Toward Vote, Time
Majority of Americans say Trump did not cooperate with impeachment, sought to hinder investigation, poll says, USA Today
McConnell will move to acquit Trump if he’s impeached, not merely dismiss charges, 2 Republican senators say, CNN

Donald Trump’s Trade War
Trump tariff deadline looms: ‘It’s very scary’, BBC
U.S. Makes Tariff-Cut Offer to China as Tariff Deadline Nears, Wall Street Journal

Economy
Jobless claims suddenly jumped to a two-year high, CNN

Education
Minneapolis schools back in a big budget hole with a $19.6 million deficit, Star Tribune
Betsy DeVos ignored her own staff, forced students defrauded by for-profit colleges to pay, Salon
Trump Treasury staffer leaves after getting embroiled in college admissions scandal, Politico

Elections
Georgia Democrats Haven’t Won A Senate Seat In 19 Years. Two Women Say They Can., Huffington Post

Environment
Climate change: Methane pulse detected from South Sudan wetlands, BBC
These 3 supertrees can protect us from climate collapse, Vox

Governor Tim Walz
Minnesota takes first steps to become ‘age-friendly society’ to address growing number of seniors, Star Tribune
Gov. Walz orders flags to half-staff Thursday for National Guard serviceman’s funeral, Fox 9

Health
How the House prescription drug plan would try to lower drug prices, MPR
Republican Satisfaction With U.S. Healthcare Costs Surges, Gallup

Immigration
House votes to provide a pathway to citizenship for thousands of undocumented farmworkers, CNN
Marine veteran was among US citizens detained by ICE, ACLU says, ABC News

Labor
Even in Bankruptcy, Coal Companies Can’t Stop Selling Out Workers, In These Times
Protests Continue at St Cloud State over Plans to Layoff 8 Faculty, Workday MN

Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan
Voices of emerging farmers heard in Rochester, Rochester Post Bulletin

Minnesota Legislature
Who’s running for the Minnesota Legislature in 2020, MinnPost
Carlson to end his historic run in MN House, MPR

Minnesota News
Fight over filming kids outside Bloomington mosque heads to court, MPR
Fifteen years ago, a young man died by suicide during a University clinical trial. What has changed since?, Minnesota Daily
MN Secretary of State, Attorney General’s offices warn of ‘apparent scam’, KARE 11

Representative Collin Peterson (CD7, D)
JOINT EFFORT ANNOUNCED TO COMBAT FARMER STRESS, Successful Farming

Representative  Jim Hagedorn (CD1, R)
We should keep track of Hagedorn votes, Mankato Free Press

Republicans
GOP Rep. Gohmert publicly names person some Republicans say is whistleblower, NBC News

Senator Amy Klobuchar
In two minutes of questioning, Amy Klobuchar demolishes Republican spin on FBI Russia probe report, Daily Kos

U.S. News
Sinclair Broadcast Group Stops Trump-Fueled Political Commentary, Huffington Post
Senate Confirms Trump Judicial Nominee Who Cried When Confronted With Anti-Gay Record, Slate
CBS Airs Insane Video of Trump Supporters Suggesting Violence if President is Removed: ‘My .357 Magnum’ Says He Won’t Be, Mediaite
Judge Permanently Blocks Trump From Using Military Funding to Build Border Wall, Slate
Jersey City’s Jewish community is mourning, and afraid, after deadly shooting at kosher deli, Washington Post

World News
India just redefined its citizenship criteria to exclude Muslims, Vox
Russia and China’s new oil pipeline shows how Trump’s foreign policy is pushing the US’s 2 biggest rivals together, Business Insider
Pound shaken as UK election poll puts Johnson outright win in doubt, CNBC
The False Romance of Russia, The Atlantic

Upcoming DFL Events:

  • December 12
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD36 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Riverwind Community Center, 2701 Northdale Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD48 DFL Committee Meeting, Glen Lake Activity Center, 14350 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
  • December 18, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Holiday Party, The Nelson Home, 15440 Boulder Pointe Rd, Eden Prairie, MN 55347. Please bring an appetizer or dessert to share. Beverages will be provided.
  • December 19, 8:00 to 10:00 PM — DNC Presidential Debate, Loyola Marymount. You can view on PBS stations and CNN television stations, as well as on their websites.
  • December 22 through 30 — Chanukah
  • December 24 — Christmas Eve
  • December 25 — Christmas Day
  • December 31 — New Year’s Eve
  • January 1 — New Year’s Day
  • January 2, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 DFL Central Committee Meeting, St. Louis Park City Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN 55416
  • January 4, 1:00 PM — Stonewall DFL Annual Membership Meeting, John B. Davis Lecture Hall, Macalster College, 1600 Grand Ave, St. Paul, MN 55105. 1:00 social hour, 2:00 meeting.
  • January 7
    • 7:00 to 8:30 PM — SD37 DFL Central Committee Meeting, check their FaceBook page for specifics.
    • 7:00 to 8:30 PM — SD40 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Brooklyn Park Library, Mississippi Room, 8500 W Broadway Avenue, Brooklyn Park, MN 55443
  • January 9, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Glen Lake Activity Center, 14350 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
  • January 13
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Minnetonka Community Center, Council Chambers, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD49 DFL Central Committee Meeting, 7001 Cahill Rd, Suite 21, Edina, MN
  • January 15, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Minnetonka Community Center, Council Chambers, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
  • January 18, 6:00 to 9:00 PM — SD37 DFL Winter Gala, Crooners Lounge and Supper Club, Dunsmore Room, 6161 Highway 65 NE, Minneapolis, MN 55432. With Rep. Dean Phillips, other speakers silent auction and live band Victoria and the Acts of Persuasion.
  • January 20 — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  • January 25, 9:00 to 10:30 AM — CD3 DFL National Delegate Selection Training, Hennepin County Library, Robert H. Rohlf Room, 12601 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55305
  • February 25, 7:00 t0 9:00 PM — Minnesota DFL Precinct Caucuses, more information as it becomes available
  • March 3 — Minnesota Super Tuesday Primary, more information as it becomes available.