In the Know: February 13, 2020

Days to the November Election:  264

2020 Election
The 8 Democrats running for president and everything else you should know about 2020, Vox
Why Trump is very beatable, Axios
Large majority of Americans expect that foreign governments will try to influence the 2020 election, Pew Research

Agriculture
BRAZIL’S SOYBEAN HARVEST 16% COMPLETE, Successful Agriculture
USDA HIRING AUDITORS TO ENFORCE THE NATIONAL ORGANIC STANDARDS, Successful Agriculture

Congress
Senate Dems fear Cotton amendment will sink war powers bill, Politico

Donald Trump
The fiasco at Bill Barr’s Justice Department, explained, Vox
Trump Fires Defense Official for Refusing to Break the Law on His Behalf, NY Mag
GOP senators give ‘tepid’ response when asked about Stone, CNN
Trump just congratulated Bill Barr for doing something he said was “totally illegal” not long ago, Vox
Georgia race devolves into nasty GOP fight amid fears it could cost Senate majority, CNN

Donald Trump’s Trade War
THE BIGGEST FAN OF TRUMP’S STEEL TARIFFS IS SUING OVER THEM., Bloomberg

Economy
Trump’s Latest Crackpot, The American Prospect
We can develop new drugs without patent monopolies, Beat The Press

Education
Coalition backs change to MN Constitution in attempt to fix education disparities, Austin Daily Herald
Education Department Investigating Harvard, Yale Over Foreign Funding, Wall Street Journal

Environment
With threat of spring flooding, Minnesota homeowners scramble to get protected, Star Tribune
Deepwater Horizon spill was about 30% bigger than previously thought, study says, CNN
A Trillion Trees: How One Idea Triumphed Over Trump’s Climate Denialism, New York Times

Governor Tim Walz
WHAT’S HAPPENING AT THE MN CAPITOL, KDUZ

Health
Mystery $844B Pot in Trump Budget Signals Medicaid Cuts, New York Times
Hospitals and Medicaid enrollees lose under Trump’s budget, Axios

Housing
OLMSTED COUNTY UNDERTAKES AFFORDABLE HOUSING STUDY, KIMT
How do market-rate building projects affect nearby housing costs?, MinnPost

Immigration
Judge orders immigration detention hotline restored, Associated Press

Kushner Seeks to Revive Trump’s Overhaul for Immigration System, NPR

Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan
Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan receives Native American Leadership Award, KEYC

Minnesota Legislature
Anti-vaccine movement finding allies among Minnesota GOP lawmakers, SouthernMinn
Why does Minnesota have 201 legislators?, MinnPost

Minnesota News
Minnesota man quarantined in San Diego due to coronavirus hopes to come home soon, KSTP
National recycling campaign eyes investments in Minnesota, Alexandria Echo Press
Minnesota Saw A Significant Increase in White Supremacist Propaganda in 2019, WCCO
2019 Was Record Year For Minnesota Drug Busts, Especially Marijuana Products, CBS

Representative Angie Craig (CD2)
Bipartisan Bill Sponsored by Rep. Craig Lands on Pres. Trump’s Desk, Belle Plaine Herald

Representative Ilhan Omar (CD5)
Ilhan Omar Turns Progressive Foreign Policy Principles Into Action, American Prospect

Representative Tom Emmer (CD6)
Rep. Tom Emmer on the rise in Washington and winning friends on Wall Street, MN Reformer

Republicans
‘He doesn’t give a f—‘: Trump is making a fool out of every Republican senator who said he learned his lesson from impeachment, Business Insider

Senator Tina Smith
Klobuchar, Smith, Stauber announce $10.5M for Duluth Port Authority, Brainerd Dispatch
Sen. Smith to begin Rural Economic Working Group to tackle rural issues, KVRR

Supreme Court of the US
Conservatives, liberals mull next Supreme Court battle with memories of 2016, USA Today
Trump is taking a sledgehammer to judiciary independence, The Guardian

U.S. News
McClatchy, publisher of dozens of U.S. newspapers, files for bankruptcy protection, NBC News
White Supremacist Groups Expand Propaganda Efforts, Report Finds, New York Times
New Hampshire primary turnout is a boost to Democrats, The Hill
U.S. declares public health emergency over coronavirus, NBC News

World News
Coronavirus Cases Seemed to Be Leveling Off. Not Anymore., New York Times
Sudan will pay $30 million to families of USS Cole attack victims, its leaders say, CNN
Venezuelan government detains Guaidó’s uncle; opposition holds Maduro responsible,Washington Post

Upcoming DFL Events:

• Today through March 2 — Super Tuesday Presidential Primary Early Voting, more information here.
• February 13
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD36 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Riverwind Community Center, 2701 Normal Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN 5533
  • 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 15, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM — SD33 DFL Caucus Convener Training Make Up, Chanhassen Library, 7711 Kerber Blvd, Chanhassen, MN 55317
• February 17 — Presidents’ Day
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — Anoka County DFL Meeting, Coon Rapids Civic Center, 11155 Robinson Dr, Coon Rapids, MN 55433
• February 19
  • 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM — DFL Senior Day on the Hill, Minnesota State Capitol, Room 316, 75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, St. Paul, MN 5515.
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD40 DFL Caucus Training, 1512 Woodbine Ln, Brooklyn Center, MN
  • 8:00 to 10:00 PM — Democratic Presidential Debate in Las Vegas, NV, watch on the NBC and MSNBC platforms
• February 22
  • 1:00 to 3:00 PM — SD37 DFL Caucus Convener Training, Northtown Library, 707 County Hwy. 10 Frontage Rd, Blaine, MN 55434
  • 3:00 to 5:00 PM — SD40 DFL Caucus Convener Training, Brookdale Library, 6125 Shingle Creek Pkwy, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
• February 25 — Mardi Gras
  • 7:00 t0 9:00 PM — Minnesota DFL Precinct Caucuses, more information here.
• February 26 — Ash Wednesday
• March 3
  • 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM — Minnesota Super Tuesday Primary, more information here.
• March 4
  • 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Kennedy High School, Room C102, 9701 Nicollet Avenue S, Bloomington, MN 55402
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD33 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Ridgedale Library, Room 172, 12601 Ridgedale Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55305
• March 5
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD37 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Teamsters’ Local  120, 9422 Ulysses St NE, Blaine, MN 55434
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD40 DFL Pre-Convention Committee Meetings (Tentative), Brookdale Library, 6125 Shingle Creek Pkwy, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 DFL Central Committee Meeting, St. Louis Park City Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd, St. Louis Park, MN 55416
• March 7
  • 1:00 to 3:00 PM — SD33 DFL Pre-Convention Committee Meetings, Plymouth Library, 15700 36th Ave N, Plymouth, MN 55446
  • 1:00 to 4:00 PM — SD37 DFL Pre-Convention Committee Meetings, Northtown Library, 707 County Hwy. 10 Frontage Rd, Blaine, MN 55434
• March 8 — Daylight Saving Time Begins
• March 9
  • 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
• March 10 — Purim and Holy
  • 6:00 to 8:30 PM — SD44 DFL Chili Cook Off and Silent Auction, Under Pressure Brewing, 8806 7th Ave N, Golden Valley, MN 55427. Suggested donation of $15. Tickets available at the door or here.
• March 12
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD36 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Riverwind Community Center, 2701 Northdale Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN55433.
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Glen Lake Activity, 14350 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
• March 14, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM — SD46 DFL Convention, St. Louis Park High School, 6425 W 33rd St, St. Louis Park, MN 55426
• March 16, 7:oo to 9:00 PM — Anoka County DFL Meeting, Coon Rapids Civic Center, 11155 Robinson Dr, Coon Rapids, MN 55433
• March 17 — St. Patrick’s Day
• March 18, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Central Committee Meting, Council Chamber, Minnetonka Community Center, 14600  Minnetonka, Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
• March 19 — Spring Equinox
• March 21
  • 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM — SD34 DFL Convention, Maple Grove Senior High School, 9800 Fernbrook Ln N, Maple Grove, MN 55369
  • 8:30  to  1:00  PM — SD48 DFL Convention, Minnetonka High School, 18301 Highway 7, Minnetonka, MN 55391
  • 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM — SD33 Precinct Chairs Welcome Brunch, 3415 Warner Ln, Mound, MN 55364
• March 28
  • 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM — SD40 DFL Convention, North View Middle School, 5889 69th Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55429
  • 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM — SD50 DFL Convention, Oak Grove Middle School, 1300 W 106th St, Bloomington, MN 55431
• April 1 — April Fools’ Day
  • 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Kennedy High School, Room C102, 9701 Nicollet Avenue S, Bloomington, MN 55402
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD33 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Ridgedale Library, Room 172, 12601 Ridgedale Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55305
• April 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
• April 4— SD37 DFL Convention, Teamsters Local 120, 9422 Ulysses St NE, Blaine, MN 55434. Contact them for specifics and timing at petersengm@gmail.com.
  • 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM — SD45 DFL Convention, Cooper High School, 47th Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55428
  • 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM — SD36 DFL Convention, Coon Rapids High School, 2340 Normal Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433
  • 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM — SD44 DFL Convention, Minnetonka High School, 18301 Highway 7, Minnetonka, MN 55391
• April 7, 7:00 to 8:30 PM – SD40 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Brookdale Library, 6125 Shingle Creek Pkwy, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
• April 9 through 13 —  Passover
• April 9
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD36 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Riverwind Community Center, 2701 Normal Blvd NW, Coon  Rapids, MN 55433.
  • 7:00 to  9:00 PM — SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Glen Lake Activity Center, 14350 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345.
• April 10 — Good Friday
• April 11, 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM — Brooklyn Center DFL Endorsing Convention, Brookdale Library 6125 Shingle Creek Parkway, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430.
• April 12 — Easter
• April 13
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 DFL Central Committee Meeting, 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
• April 15 — Tax Day
• April 18
  • 8:15 AM to 2:00 PM — SD49 DFL Convention, Valley View Middle  School, Auditorium, 6750 Valley View Rd, Minneapolis, MN 55439.
  • 10:00 AM  to 3:00 PM —  SD33 DFL Convention, Orono High School, 795 Old Crystal Bay Rd N, Long Lake, Mn 55346.
  • 12:00 to 5:00 PM — Hennepin County DFL Convention, Hopkins North Junior High School, Cafeteria, 10700 Cedar Lake Rd, Hopkins, MN 55305.
• May 9, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM — CD3 DFL Convention, Park Center High School, Performing  Arts Center, 7300 Brooklyn Blvd, Minneapolis, MN 55443.