Agriculture
China would have to buy a ‘crazy amount’ of farm goods to meet Trump’s demand in phase one deal, CNBC
As flooding and erosion rises, more farmers buck tradition and plant cover crops, Star Tribune
GOVERNMENT FUNDING BILL HAS $1.5 BILLION FOR AG DISASTER RELIEF, Successful Farming
Attorney General Keith Ellison
Ellison sues former county official over management of veterans charity, MPR
Congress
Mitt Romney and Michael Bennet just unveiled a basic income plan for kids, Vox
Congress unveils $1.3 trillion spending deal, The Week
Speed Dealing, Slate
Congress allocates $425 million for election security in new legislation, MPR
Corruption Watch
Rudy Giuliani: “I needed Yovanovitch out of the way”, Axios
Giuliani returns from Ukraine with new, very questionable “evidence” that the Bidens committed “multiple crimes”, Vox
Former Trump campaign official Rick Gates faces sentencing, Associated Press
DFL News
Statewide View Column: ‘Do-nothing Democrats’ a completely false label, Duluth News Tribune
Donald Trump
Trump surpasses 15,000 false and misleading claims in office after lying more than ever in 2019, Salon
What Trump’s tax returns might reveal if the Supreme Court allows access, CNBC
Trump’s whistleblower claim receives 2019 ‘Lie of the Year’ award from fact-checker PolitiFact, USA Today
‘Trump totally unchained’: Second term could mean more trade wars, Powell exit, new tax cuts, CNBC
Donald Trump’s Impeachment
A letter from local legal scholars about impeachment, Star Tribune
Two of the most vulnerable House Democrats announced they’ll vote to impeach Trump, The Week
House Judiciary Committee releases report explaining impeachment charges, CNN
2016 GOP candidate Carly Fiorina says it’s ‘vital’ to impeach Trump — but might still back him in 2020, The Week
Mitch McConnell: King of the Senate Impeachment Trial, American Prospect
More than 700 scholars pen letter urging House to impeach Trump, Washington Post
Donald Trump’s Trade War
China Plans to Buy Ethanol, Count Hong Kong Trade in U.S. Pledge, Bloomberg
Economy
‘Astonishing’ Trump rule could let banks classify NFL stadium investments as aid to poor communities, Raw Story
Elections
North Carolina Republican Mark Walker Won’t Seek Reelection, Huffington Post
Possible voter purge of hundreds of thousands has Wisconsin Democrats scrambling, NBC News
Wisconsin Democrats vow to register voters who may be purged, Associated Press
Stacey Abrams group files emergency motion to stop Georgia voting roll purge, The Hill
Environment
Goldman Sachs Is The First Major U.S. Bank To Reject Financing Arctic Oil Drilling, Huffington Post
Rainwater in parts of US contain high levels of PFAS chemical, says study, The Guardian
Governor Tim Walz
Pardon considered in 1920 rape case that sparked Duluth lynchings, Fox 9
Health
Purdue Pharma Payments to Sackler Family Soared Amid Opioid Crisis, New York Times
Purdue’s Payments to the Sackler Family Grew Amid Scrutiny Over the Opioid Epidemic, Court Filing Shows, Time
Immigration
ONLY 0.1% OF COMPLETED ASYLUM APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN GRANTED UNDER TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S ‘REMAIN IN MEXICO’ RULE, Newsweek
Labor
Workers in St. Paul protest wage theft, lack of sick time, Star Tribune
U of M research offers rare look at the lives of janitors, MinnPost
Kasper to retire, Peterson elected to lead St. Paul labor federation, Workday MN
Minnesota News
Closure of Minnesota addiction program for the deaf draws fire from former patients, Star Tribune
Testing for ‘forever chemicals’ widens as cities wait for solutions, MPR
Obituary: Attorney John Borger, 68, longtime legal champion of the media, Star Tribune
Minnesota Republicans
Senate GOP leader: Minnesotans won’t ‘complain’ about global warming, City Pages
Representative Angie Craig
‘A somber time’: Angie Craig to vote ‘yes’ on Trump impeachment, Pioneer Press
Representative Jim Hagedorn
Students will hold Hagedorn accountable, Mankato Free Press
Republicans
George Conway and other conservative critics launch PAC to take down Trump, Politico
Senator Tina Smith
U.S. SEN. SMITH WEIGHS IN ON SNAP RULE CHANGE, CCX Media
U.S. News
Inspectors warn unsafe pork could make its way to consumers under Trump rule change, NBC News
These 91 companies paid no federal taxes in 2018, CNBC
The gender gap is on course to close… in 99 years, BBC
World News
Erdogan says Turkey could close air base holding US nuclear bombs in response to US threat of sanctions, Insider
China Is Threatening Media Freedom in Hong Kong and Taiwan, CPJ Says, Time
France Pension Protests: Why Unions Are Up in Arms Against Macron, New York Times
Upcoming DFL Events:
- 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 8
- 6:30 to 9:00 PM — SD50 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Kennedy High School, 9701 Nicollet Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55420. Meeting moved back one week due to New Year’s Day holiday.
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD33 DFL Social, Home of Dave and Cathy Olson, 3415 Warner Ln, Minnetrista, MN.
- 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 17 through March 2 — Super Tuesday Presidential Primary Early Voting, more information here.
- 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, Ridgedale Library, Robert H. Rohlf Room, 12601 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55305.
- February 4
- 7:00 to 8:30 PM — SD37 DFL Central Committee Meeting, check their Facebook page for this month’s location.
- 7:00 to 8:30 PM — SD40 DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics.
- February 5
- 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Room C120, Kennedy High School, 9701 Nicollet Ave, Bloomington, MN 55420
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM —SD33 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Room 172, Ridgedale Library, 12601 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55305
- February 6, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 DFL Central Committee Meeting, St. Louis Park City Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd, St. Louis Park, MN 55416
- February 10
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 DFL Central Committee Meeting, 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
- February 11 — Minnesota Legislative Session Starts
- February 13, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Glen Lake Activity Center, 14350 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
- February 14 — Valentine’s Day
- February 17 — Presidents’ Day
- February 19, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
- 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.