Agriculture
China’s Farm-Purchase Targets Under Trade Deal Face Skeptics, Wall Street Journal
Congress
‘In a class by herself’: Pelosi has roared back in the Trump era, Politico
Cannabis, corruption and cryptocurrency: All the weird stuff in the budget deal, Politico
Corruption Watch
“I forced her out”: Giuliani goes on Fox News and admits he’s much more than Trump’s lawyer, Vox
Lisa Page Calls Out Pompeo, Barr For Not Defending Employees Against Trump Attacks, Talking Points Memo
DFL News
Why Minnesota’s first-in-the-nation presidential primary voting (no, really) might matter more than you think, MinnPost
DFL presidential primary field is set, KARE11
MN will have 15 presidential candidates on the Dem primary ballot. Yeah, that’s ‘unprecedented.’, Pioneer Press
Donald Trump
Trump’s 6-Page ‘Tantrum’ To Nancy Pelosi Gets Torn Apart On Twitter, Huffington Post
“JARED TREATS MICK LIKE THE HELP”: IT’S JARED’S WHITE HOUSE NOW (TRUMP’S JUST LIVING IN IT), Vanity Fair
The Number Of Lies Donald Trump Has Now Told In Office Is Mind-Boggling, Huffington Post
Under Trump, the U.S. Has Become a Leading Source of Global Instability, Atlantic
Did Trump commit bribery? I asked 7 legal experts., Vox
Trump invokes Kavanaugh to fight impeachment, Politico
Trump says Armenia massacres were not genocide, directly contradicting Congress, BBC
Donald Trump’s Impeachment
VIDEO: Watch live: House votes on articles of impeachment against President Trump, CBS News
What to expect from the House of Representatives impeachment vote, Vox
Debbie Dingell: Why I Will Vote to Impeach Trump, New York Times
‘Dump Trump!’ Protesters across the nation rally for impeachment, Washington Post
Mitch McConnell: ‘I’m not an impartial juror’ ahead of Senate impeachment trial, CNN
House panel sets guidelines for historic impeachment vote, The Hill
Donald Trump is being impeached — and then Democrats can finish him off, Salon
Donald Trump’s Trade War
Trump’s Tariffs Revived a Steel Town, But Industry Is Unforgiving, Bloomberg
Economy
Alan Greenspan says inflation ‘is inevitably going to rise’ as deficit balloons over $1 trillion, CNBC
Education
How Are Our Kids Doing in School These Days?, Mother Jones
Elections
GOP-Led Voter Purges in Wisconsin and Georgia Could Tip 2020 Elections, Mother Jones
Rightwing group pushes Wisconsin voter purge that ‘could tip’ 2020 election, The Guardian
GOP mass exodus in full swing as another House Republican announces he’s retiring, Raw Story
Environment
How Has This Pesticide Not Been Banned?, New York Times
Satellite uncovers Ohio gas well blowout’s massive methane leak, Axios
Rainwater in parts of US contains high levels of PFAS chemical, says study, The Guardian
Nearly a fifth of US emissions come from public lands. A new House bill aims to cut them to zero by 2040., Vox
Governor Tim Walz
Minnesota’s doors, hearts remain open to refugees, Star Tribune
Our view: Governor’s order will help fight ageism in state, Rochester Post Bulletin
Health
A CT scan costs $1,100 in the US — and $140 in Holland, Vox
The Last Decade Was Disastrous For Abortion Rights. Advocates Are Trying To Figure Out What’s Next., Buzzfeed
Trump slashed Puerto Rico’s Medicaid money as part of budget deal, Politico
Immigration
Maple Grove Liberian immigrant says new legal status makes for ‘best Christmas ever’, MPR
Report: US to send asylum seekers to Honduras, blocking them from making a claim in America, USA Today
Labor
Strike at key Twin Cities grocery distribution center enters second day, Star Tribune
Minnesota ramps up enforcement of new wage theft law, MPR
Minnesota News
Duluth bans ‘conversion therapy’ for minors, MPR
Report: Labor trafficking common in Minnesota’s construction industry, MPR
Woman allegedly forced to remove hijab for mugshot gets $120,000 in settlement, The Guardian
Republicans
Rep. Jeff Van Drew Was ‘Almost Obsessively Anti-Trump’ Before He Considered Joining His Party, Daily Beast
Are Republicans afraid of Trump? Hell, no — he’s destroying democracy and they love it, Salon
Senate Republicans have a huge problem: 2 in 3 Republicans want Trump’s top aides to testify, Daily Kos
GOP Sen. Susan Collins Launches ‘Centrist’ Reelection Campaign, Time
Republican Jim Hagedorn (CD1, R)
Hagedorn should end his support of Trump, Mankato Free Press
Senator Tina Smith (D)
PHOTOS: Sen. Tina Smith talks food insecurity at Second Harvest Heartland, Sun Post
A New Drug Scourge: Deaths Involving Meth Are Rising Fast, NY Times
Possible mass grave from 1921 Tulsa race massacre found: “For decades it was hush hush”, CBS News
Progressive groups demand that Brett Kavanaugh recuse himself from Supreme Court case over financial regulator, NBC News
World News
Poland may have to leave EU, Supreme Court warns, BBC News
India clamps down on citizenship law protests, The Guardian
Trump administration, South Korea fail to reach agreement on troop costs, The Hill
Boris Johnson is making good on his Brexit plans, Vox
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 here.