2020 Election
Can Trump win Minnesota by increasing turnout in small counties?, MinnPost
Agriculture
EPA TO STICK WITH RFS PROPOSAL THAT ETHANOL INDUSTRY OPPOSES, SAYS REPORT, Successful Farming
TOO MUCH THC IN HEMP IS BECOMING A REAL BUZZKILL FOR THE EMERGING INDUSTRY, Successful Farming
Congress
Senate confirms 12 more Trump judicial nominees, Politico
Trump administration opposes bill meant to deter Russia, CNN
Corruption Watch
Former White House officials say they feared Putin influenced the president’s views on Ukraine and 2016 campaign, Washington Post
DFL News
DFL Criticizes Senate GOP “Sham” Hearing on Gun Safety, DFL.org
Donald Trump
Trump poised to sign the kind of spending bill he once vowed never to sign again, CNN
Putin says Trump was impeached for ‘fabricated reasons,’ calls new US sanctions ‘unfriendly’, USA Today
Trump’s top economic aide just made a stunning admission about the president’s dealings with China, Raw Story
Trump accidentally says Democrats will receive an impeachment ‘backlash at the box office’, The Week
Donald Trump’s Impeachment
Evangelical magazine founded by Billy Graham calls for Trump’s removal from office, The Week
Donald Trump’s Senate Impeachment Trial
Pelosi’s delay sparks standoff with Senate GOP over Trump impeachment trial, Washington Post
Pelosi is crushing McConnell, step by strategic step, Daily Kos
Economy
For the first time in history, the US economy has started and ended a decade without a recession, CNBC
Education
It’s an unimpeachable teachable moment, MPR
Minneapolis school leaders will adopt a new strategic plan in April. Here’s how things are shaking out., MinnPost
Environment
As Alaska permafrost melts, roads sink, bridges tilt and greenhouse gases escape, Anchorage Daily News
This Was The Decade We Woke Up To The Climate Crisis — But Failed To Act, Buzzfeed
Governor Tim Walz
Gov. Tim Walz nets nearly $5 million to combat homelessness in Minnesota, Star Tribune
Emissions rule comments flooded with eerily similar right-wing replies, City Pages
Minnesota moves closer to limiting probation for felons to 5 years, KSTP
Health
Legal threat to ACA ought to be front and center in 2020 election, Star Tribune
What Happens When a Health Plan Has No Limits? An Acupuncturist Earns $677 a Session., ProPublica
Immigration
How an ICE Immigration Raid Tore Apart a Small Midwest Town, Daily Beast
Minnesota Legislature
Minnesota gun control bills’ fate to be hashed out in Hibbing, Rochester Post Bulletin
Gunther to retire from Legislature, Mankato Free Press
Minnesota News
Flu outbreaks are widespread as cases among Minnesota children spike, Star Tribune
Ryan Companies closes on purchase of Ford Plant site, MPR
‘A loss of uncommon valor’: Community vigil held for crash victims, St. Cloud Times
In International Falls, the last psychiatrist for 100 miles just retired, MPR
Representative Angie Craig
Local legislators zero in on prescription drug costs, related issues, Prior Lake American
Representative Ilhan Omar
Omar, Dziedzic, Noor: Cedar-Riverside high-rise fire must prompt action, Star Tribune
Representative Jim Hagedorn
Letter: Disappointed over Hagedorn’s ‘no’ vote, Austin Daily Herald
Republicans
Rep. Jeff Van Drew Officially Switches Parties, Pledges ‘Undying Support’ For Trump, Huffington Post
Senator Amy Klobuchar
Minnesota senators pledge impartiality in impeachment trial, KARE11
Sens. Klobuchar, Smith Introduce Bill To Prevent Deadly Fires In Older High-Rise Buildings, WCCO
Senator Tina Smith
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Announces $600,000 to Waseca for jobs and economy growth, Waseca County News
Trade
U.S. HOUSE PASSES NEW N. AMERICAN TRADE DEAL REPLACING NAFTA, Successful Farming
A GOP senator slammed Trump’s NAFTA rewrite, saying it’s ‘the only trade pact ever meant to diminish trade’, Insider
U.S. News
In nearly every U.S. metro area, new data show opportunity lags for kids of color, NPR
The Legal Smoking Age In The US Is Changing To 21, Buzzfeed
Google’s Larry Page gave $400 million in Christmas donations. Not a penny went straight to charity., Vox
Here’s What Most People Don’t Know About ‘Being On Food Stamps’, HuffPost
Iowa man sentenced to 15 years after burning church’s LGBTQ flag, NBC News
World News
Brexit set for January after Boris Johnson’s deal is approved by Parliament, CNN
In rare move, U.S. and Iranian envoys talk after U.N. meeting on nuclear deal, Reuters
Why North Korea wants nothing to do with South Korea, CNN
Upcoming DFL Events:
- 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 here.
- March 3
- 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM — Minnesota Super Tuesday Primary, more information here.
- 7:00 to 8:30 PM — SD37 and SD40 DFL Central Committee Meetings, their regular meeting is scheduled for this evening. However, with caucuses, they probably would be moved. We’ve asked for clarification, but haven’t heard from their Chairs, so we suggest check with them directly.