In the Know: December 15, 2020

2020 Election 
McConnell for the first time recognizes Biden as President-electCNN

Attorney General Keith Ellison
AG: We’re sending a message to businesses who defy state ordersKNSI
Minnesota could free man serving life in child’s 2002 deathAssociated Press

Environmental News
Can dairy adapt to climate change?, BBC
A ‘frozen rainforest’ of microscopic life is melting Greenland’s ice sheet, CNN

Governor Tim Walz
Minnesota businesses plan to defy Walz shutdown orderStar Tribune
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to announce next steps for COVID-19 restrictions WednesdayInforum
Gov. Walz observes first shipment of COVID-19 vaccine arriving in Minnesota, Fox 9

Healthcare News
Moderna Vaccine Is Highly Protective and Prevents Severe Covid-19, Data Show, New York Times

Minnesota Legislature
Legislators pass COVID-19 relief package for businesses, workersStar Tribune

Minnesota News
Data suggests MN did not see Thanksgiving COVID surgeKARE 11
Electoral College casts Minnesota’s 10 votes for BidenStar Tribune
The Bad Cops: How Minneapolis protects its worst police officers until it’s too lateMN Reformer

President Elect Joe Biden
After Electoral College cements win, Biden unleashes scathing attack on Trump’s refusal to concede, NBC News
Biden will arrive in office amid a pandemic. It will be his biggest challenge — but also an opportunity.Washington Post

Representative Pete Stauber (CD8)
Duluth mayor, local officials criticize Stauber for challenging presidential election resultsDuluth News Tribune

Republican Party News 
Representative Paul Mitchell leaves Republican Party over its refusal to accept Trump’s loss.New York Times
When Republicans say ‘we’re fighting voter fraud,’ they mean ‘we’re defrauding voters’, MSNBC
A Michigan Republican refused to rule out violence in electoral college protests. Now he’s lost his committee seats.Washington Post
Rogue Florida Guv’s Next Pandemic Fiasco: Vaccine Rollout, Daily Beast
‘This is the reality’: Newsmax and One America grapple uneasily with Biden’s electoral college victory,Washington Post

Republican Party in Minnesota
Minnesota GOP moving their winter retreat to Deadwood, South DakotaWCCO Radio
Profiles in fealty: MN GOP delegation fails to defend democracy, Star Tribune

Secretary of State Steve Simon
Judge dismisses Moorhead candidate’s lawsuit challenging state house seat electionInforum

Trump News 
Trump antagonizes Republicans with Georgia fundraising ploy, Politico
Ready for Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago shadow presidency? That’s where all this is headingSalon
Trump retweets lawyer who said Republican officials in Georgia are ‘going to jail’The Hill
Putin Finally Accepts Biden’s Victory, Leaving Trump Standing AloneDaily Beast

U.S. News
A Day That Settled an Election and Brought Hope for Defeating a PandemicNew York Times
Georgia GOP official urges Trump to respect results of the Electoral CollegeCBS
Biden to campaign in Georgia for Senate candidates Ossoff and WarnockNBC
Attorney General William Barr resignsCNN
US agencies, companies secure after huge hackAssociated Press

World News 
Boko Haram claims kidnapping of over 300 boys in Nigeria, making an alarming move westWashington Post
UK finds new mutation of COVID-19 behind rapid spread across LondonNew York Post
Protesting Indian farmers call for 2nd strike in a weekAssociated Press

Upcoming Events:

You can find non-DFL events on our Action Alert post.

  • Today to December 18 — Minnesota Stay at Home Order
  • Today through December 18 — Chanukah
  • December 21 — Winter Solstice
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — Anoka County DFL Virtual Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics.
  • December 24 — Christmas Eve
  • December 25 — Christmas Day
  • December 31 — New Year’s Eve
  • January 1 — New Year’s Day
  • January 2 — 116th U.S. Congress ends
  • January 3 — 117th U.S. Congress convenes
  • January 5 — 92nd Minnesota Legislative Session Convenes
  • January 6
    • 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD33 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics
  • January 7, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics
  • January 11
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD49 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics
  • January 14
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD36 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD48 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics