In the Know: December 9, 2019

Agriculture
How a closed-door meeting shows farmers are waking up on climate change, Politico

Attorney General Keith Ellison
Our view: Get engaged to keep hate crimes at bay, Rochester Post Bulletin

Congress
Cruz promotes conspiracy that Ukraine “blatantly interfered” in U.S. election, Axios

Corruption Watch
AT GLITZY GOP FUNDRAISER, DEVIN NUNES DODGES QUESTIONS ABOUT CONTACT WITH LEV PARNAS, the Intercept

Donald Trump
Trump takes on toilets, complains about water efficiency, Axios
Trump accused of pushing anti-Semitic stereotypes in controversial speech to Israeli American Council, The Week
America’s influence, once so dominant, waning under Trump, PBS News Hour
Trump brought along convicted war criminals to secretive Florida fundraiser: report, Raw Story
Cool kids of ‘SNL’ are mean to Trump in NATO lunchroom, NBC News
Trump Slammed For Insisting ‘Killer’ Real Estate Jews Will Back Him To Save Their Wealth, Huffington Post

Donald Trump’s Impeachment
Editorial boards of Los Angeles Times and Boston Globe call for Trump’s impeachment, CNN
House Judiciary Chair Nadler says impeachment articles will ‘presumably’ be introduced this week, NBC News
What to expect this week as Democrats begin drafting articles of impeachment, Axios
Takeaways from the House’s impeachment hearing, CNN

Donald Trump’s Trade War
Congress just kicked Trump’s trade deal in the teeth for all the right reasons, Insider
How hard are tariffs hitting the economy? It depends on who you ask, MPR

Economy
Dow falls for the first time in four days, Apple shares slip, CNBC
Trump’s trade war creates ‘nightmare before Christmas’ for US toy-makers, The Guardian

Environment
Air quality: Across the US, these 30 places have the worst air pollution, USA Today
Trump orders review of EPA water rules because “people are flushing toilets 10 times, 15 times”, Vox

Governor Tim Walz
At Issue: Dec. 8 — Gov. Walz on the deadly National Guard crash and Minnesota’s projected budget forecast, KSTP
Gov. Walz orders flags flown at half-staff in honor of 3 Minnesota soldiers killed in helicopter crash, Fox 9

Health
The Hidden Crisis in Rural America, The Atlantic
Reports of hospital’s possible closure spark worry in St. Paul, MPR

Labor
Unions Say Budget Surplus Offers Opportunity for Working Families and Students, Workday MN
FARM-LABOR REFORM BILL HEADS FOR HOUSE VOTE THIS WEEK, Successful Farming

Minnesota Legislature
Talking Points: Rep. Ryan Winkler Discusses The Push To Legalize Recreational Marijuana In Minnesota, WCCO
What to do with $1.3 billion? A surplus of ideas for Minnesota, Star Tribune

Minnesota News
Local approval for refugee resettlement sparks heated debate in Minnesota counties, Star Tribune
Kelly Dittmar has some advice for women running for office, MPR
With budget moves, Minneapolis Council looks to take middle path on public safety, MinnPost
People keep migrating to Minnesota—unlike the rest of the Midwest, City Pages
Suburbs in MN Adapting to Meet Immigrant Needs, Workday MN

Republicans
Chuck Todd Laces Into Ted Cruz for Saying Ukraine Meddled in 2016 Election, Daily Beast

Senator Tina Smith
Rural healthcare: issues facing mothers, KSFY

Supreme Court of the US
Supreme Court rejects challenge to Kentucky abortion ultrasound law, CNN

U.S. News
North Dakota county may become US’s 1st to bar new refugees, Associated Press
Pensacola naval base shooting that left 3 dead presumed to be terrorism, FBI says, NBC News
AT WAR WITH THE TRUTH, Washington Post

World News
US military drone ‘shot down by Russian forces in Libya’, The Independent
Former Defense secretaries shed light on why Trump talks with North Korea failed, CNBC
Saudi Arabia ends gender-segregated entrances for restaurants, Al Jazeera
China Uighurs: Detainees ‘free’ after ‘graduating’, official says, BBC

Upcoming DFL Events:

  • December 9
    • 5:00 to 6:30 PM — CD3 DFL National Delegate Selection Training, Maple Grove Public Library, 8001 Main St N, Maple Grove, MN 55369.
    • 6:00 t0 7:00 PM — SD36 DFL Gales, 8754 Kilbernie Ter, Brooklyn Park, MN
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD49 DFL Central Committee Meeting, 7001 Cahill Rd, Suite 21, Edina, MN
  • December 10, 5:00 PM — CD3 DFL National Delegate Selection Training, Edina Public Library, 5280 Grandview Sq, Edina, MN 55436
  • December 12
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD36 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Riverwind Community Center, 2701 Northdale Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD48 DFL Committee Meeting, Glen Lake Activity Center, 14350 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
  • 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 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 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, Hennepin County Library, Robert H. Rohlf Room, 12601 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55305
  • 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.