In the Know: December 8, 2020


Agriculture News
Reviving a Crop and an African-American Culture, Stalk by Stalk, New York Times
Biden on the Farm, American Prospect

Attorney General Keith Ellison
Minnesota attorney general to decide police shooting charges, WSPA

Congressional News
Covid-Aid Negotiators Grapple Over Liability Protections, Wall Street Journal
Congress to seek one-week government funding bill as stimulus negotiations continue, Washington Post
Clyburn says Graham’s claims of voter fraud in Georgia show he’s ‘lost grip on reality’, CNN

Coronavirus 
The US sees its deadliest Covid-19 week since April, with more than 15,600 deaths, CNN
8 facts about the coronavirus to combat common misinformation, Washington Post
‘I literally don’t know’: Operation Warp Speed scientist can’t explain Trump’s vaccine order, Politico
What you need to know about the Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines, Washington Post
On the Front Lines of Moderna’s Vaccine Program, New Yorker

Economic News
Stocks Drop With U.S. Futures as Virus Cases Rise: Markets Wrap, Bloomberg

Environmental News
Our global fire crisis is the sign of a dying biosphere. But we can take action, The Guardian
Rising waters threaten Great Lakes communities, MN Reformer

Governor Tim Walz
Gov. Tim Walz urges mask-wearing as bridge to vaccine, Star Tribune
Walz announces Minnesota will shorten COVID-19 quarantine to align with CDC, KARE 11
Landlords go to court to fight Gov. Walz’s eviction moratorium,S tar Tribune
Walz authorizes disaster assistance to Minnesota counties damaged during summer storms, KSTP

Healthcare News
Biden’s HHS Pick Will Be In a Position to Finally Take On the Healthcare Industry, In These Times

Labor News
With Gigs Canceled and No Relief, Musicians Form a Nationwide Union, InTheseTimes
There’s Only One Way to Recover From the Pandemic: Together, Workday MN

Mike Lindell
My Pillow Guy lays out plan to overturn election for Trump, The Independent
‘MyPillow Guy’ Mike Lindell calls for Republicans to overturn the election in 3 states Trump lost, Raw Story

Minnesota Legislature 
Minnesota GOP legislative leaders want lawmakers and staffers to receive early vaccinations, Star Tribune
Minnesota Democratic Official Blasts State GOP Legislative Leaders Suggesting Lawmakers Be Vaccinated Early, Newsweek

Minnesota News
Coronavirus shutdown leaves Twin Cities adventure park in financial jeopardy, Star Tribune
School board votes to drop Henry Sibley’s name from Mendota Heights high school, Pioneer Press
Minnesota officials expected to detail COVID-19 vaccine plan, MPR

President Elect Joe Biden
Biden’s Victory Cemented As States Reach Deadline For Certifying Vote Tallies, NPR
Operation Warp Speed officials will meet with Biden transition on Thursday, The Hill
Biden to name retired Gen. Lloyd Austin as defense secretary, Washington Post
Biden picks thorn in Trump’s side as new health secretary, The Hill

Representative Angie Craig (CD2)
Power Up: LGBTQ+ Caucus wants to see more representation in a Biden administration, Washington Post

Representative Betty McCollum (CD4)
Nearly 12,000 acres to be returned to Leech Lake Band, Finance & Commerce

Representative Dean Philips (CD3)

Republican Party News 
The Republicans’ Only Plan Is to Keep Pretending Trump Isn’t a Huge Liar, New Yorker
Lara Trump leading Republicans in 2022 North Carolina Senate poll, The Hill
Trump blows a hole in the GOP on his way out, Politico
House conservatives urge Trump not to concede and press for floor fight over election loss, CNN
Georgia governor warns state lawmakers they cannot choose Trump electors, The Hill

Republican Party in Minnesota News
Hagedorn appoints new chief of staff, former top aide to former HHS secretary Tom Price, MN Reformer
Readers Write: Minnesota Republican leaders on vaccine prioritization, Star Tribune

Senator Amy Klobuchar
Klobuchar pushes for COVID-19 Relief, KTOE
Senate Democrats urge Google to improve ad policies to combat election disinformation, The Hill

Senator Tina Smith
US senators ask online proctor firms for evidence they are fighting biometrics bias, Biometric Update

Trump News 
Trump administration officials passed when Pfizer offered months ago to sell the U.S. more vaccine doses., New York Times
A $4.5 billion Trump food program is running out of money early, leaving families hungry and food assistance charities scrambling, Washington Post
Safe Harbor’ Day Arrives, the Deadline to Resolve State Election Challenge, New York Times
Trump asks Pennsylvania House speaker for help overturning election results, personally intervening in a third state, Washington Post
Special Counsel to Trump: Punish Navarro for Hatch Act violations, Politico
Scoop: Trump plots mass pardons, even to people not asking, Axios
Trump thought courts were key to winning. Judges disagreed., Associated Press

U.S. News
‘They demolished my house for this?’ Residents outraged by the Foxconn factory that fizzled, The Guardian
Is California’s Thanksgiving Surge Hitting?, New York Times
COVID-19 relief package: No stimulus checks, but it offers an extra $300 in federal unemployment benefits, USA Today

World News 
Britain launches the West’s first mass coronavirus vaccination — with a Maggie and a William Shakespeare first in line, Washington Post
Gloom, doom and a little slice of hope: Brexit trade deal hangs in the balance, CNBC
Farm reforms will benefit majority of the Indian agriculture sector, says country’s top economic advisor, CNBC

Upcoming Events:

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

  • Today to December 18 — Minnesota Stay at Home Order
  • December 7 — Pearl Harbor Day
  • December 9, 5:30 to 8:00 PM — CD3 DFL Virtual Holiday Party with Rep. Dean Phillips, State DFL Chair Ken Martin, State Vice Chair Marge Hoffa, a Biden Transition update from Ron Pierce, DNC Veterans and Military Council, State Auditor Julie Blaha, elected officials and DFL activists, email us at info@dfl3cd.org for log in information
  • December 10 through 18 — Chanukah
  • December 10
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD36 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics.
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD48 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics.
  • December 14
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics.
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD49 DFL Virtual Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics.
  • 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 Years Eve
  • January 1 — New Years Day
  • January 2 — 116th U.S. Congress ends
  • January 3 — 117th U.S. Congress begins
  • January 5 — 92nd Minnesota Legislative Session Convenes