In the Know: February 18, 2020

Days to the November Election:  259

Agriculture
Dairy Farmers of America agrees to buy Dean Foods, America’s biggest milk producer, for $425 million, CNBC

Congress
Fact-checking Tom Cotton’s claims about the coronavirus, CNN
Graham tells Defense Secretary Esper he could ‘make your life hell’ in battle over Trump Africa policy, NBC
Ted Cruz criticizes vasectomy bill, exposing his hypocrisy on reproduction rights, The Guardian

Donald Trump
Trump Is Going to Cheat, The Atlantic
Trump grants clemency to Eddie DeBartolo Jr., CNN
Trump to waive federal contracting laws to speed construction of border wall, The Hill
Trump campaign manager deletes dramatic Air Force One photo after people point out it’s from 2004, CNN
1,100 former DOJ employees call on Barr to resign after intervening in Stone case, MPR

Economy
Obama pushes Trump’s button on economy. Trump responds: ‘Did you hear the latest con job?’,Washington Post

Education
This college was accredited by a DeVos-sanctioned group. We couldn’t find evidence of students or faculty., USA Today
State report addresses racial disparities in higher education, Minnesota Daily

Environment
Cities could get more power to ban pesticides as bee populations fall, Star Tribune
Locust swarms: South Sudan latest to be hit by invasion, BBC
Jeff Bezos commits $10 billion to fight climate change, CNN

Governor Tim Walz
LGBT activists, Walz call on Republican-controlled Senate to approve ‘conversion therapy’ ban, Pioneer Press
Gov. Tim Walz Proclaims ‘Grain Bin Safety Week’,WCCO
DEED revamps grant process in wake of pushback from nonprofits, MinnPost
GOVERNOR WALZ ANNOUNCES FUNDING PROPOSAL FOR STATE DISASTER RELIEF, NewsDakota

Health
The $50+ Billion Consulting Industry Supporting Healthcare That You May Not Know About, Forbes
‘We can’t afford healthcare’: US hospital workers fight for higher wages, The Guardian

Immigration
Confidential therapy notes being used against immigrant children, Washington Post<
Immigrants Flock To Canada, While US Declines, Forbes

Labor
HealthPartners strike called off; tentative deal reached, MN Reformer

Minnesota Legislature
Republican tells Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey ‘Don’t touch me’ [VIDEO], City Pages
Minn. lawmakers set for Round 2 of debate over election security funding. Star Tribune
GOP lawmakers unveil crime bills, point a literal finger at Minneapolis mayor, MN Reformer
‘We don’t want our girls to get married’: Push to raise wedding age to 18, Star Tribune
Winter is coming! (It always is.) The Legislature should bank the extra cash., MN Reformer
Bipartisan agreement at Capitol: Enough with the robocalls, MPR

Minnesota News
Minnesota couple quarantined twice due to coronavirus, KARE11
Mixed in with the fades, the barber shop is fertile ground for political organizing, MN Reformer
After hellish ice fishing season, Minnesota resorts say they need help, MPR

Representative Collin Peterson (CD7)
Peterson Opposes Cuts to Farm Programs in Proposed 2021 Budget, KFGO

Representative Jim Hagedorn (CD1)
Devil’s Advocate… “Fend for yourself” — Rep. Hagedorn, Filmore County Journal
Hagedorn to visit Le Center for Le Sueur County town hall, Le Sueur County News
Jane Peck: Hagedorn didn’t listen at meeting, Winona Daily News

Representative Tom Emmer (CD6)
TOM EMMER TO HOLD TOWN HALL FRIDAY, KNSI
2 Dems hoping to oust Congressman Tom Emmer will face off in a District 6 DFL debate, St. Cloud Times

Senator Tina Smith
Three (and a half) questions for Sen. Tina Smith, Rochester Post Bulletin
Smith discusses housing, health care concerns in Duluth, Rochester Post Bulletin

U.S. News
Justice Department storm intensifies with new attacks on Barr’s credibility, CNN
Massachusetts lawmaker arrested on corruption charges involving misuse of campaign funds, CNN
Kent State ‘gun girl’ who walked campus with AR confronted by protesters at Ohio University, USA Today
Roger Stone to be sentenced Thursday despite controversy, judge says, CNN
California to issue an official apology for World War II Japanese internment, USA Today
Facing a Wave of Sex-Abuse Claims, Boy Scouts of America Files for Bankruptcy, New York Times

World News
China accuses US of hypocrisy over Huawei, highlighting claims it spied on German leader Merkel, CNBC
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani wins second term, delayed election results show, Washington Post
Watched, judged, detained, CNN
Chinese hospital director dies from coronavirus despite ‘all-out’ efforts to save his life, USA Today

Upcoming DFL Events:

• Today through March 2 — Super Tuesday Presidential Primary Early Voting, more information here.
• 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 — LOCATION CHANGE:  SD33 DFL Central Committee Meeting, The Olson Home, 3415 Warner Ln, Minnetrista, MN
• 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 — UPDATED:  SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN
• 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.
• April 20, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — Anoka County DFL Meeting, Coon Rapids Civic Center, 11155 Robinson Dr, Coon Rapids, MN 55433.
• April 22 — Earth Day
• April 24 — Arbor Day
• April 25, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM — Brooklyn Park DFL Convention, North View Middle School, 5869 69th Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55429.
• May 5 — Cinco de Mayo
  • 7:00  to 8:30 PM — SD40 DFL Central Committee Meeting, location to be determined
• May 6
  • 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Kennedy High School, Room C102, 9701 Nicollet Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55420
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD33 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Ridgedale Library, Room 172, 12601 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka, 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.