In the Know: February 24, 2020

Days to the November Election:  253

2020 Election
Minnesota Poll: Voters split on Trump heading into 2020 election, Star Tribune

Agriculture
TRUMP INTRUDES ON SPRING PLANTING FOR SECOND YEAR IN A ROW, Successful Farming
‘America’s Dairyland’: Wisconsin’s farmers see bleak future, The Guardian

Attorney General Keith Ellison
Ellison: Mille Lacs band still has 61K-acre reservation, MPR

Donald Trump
Exclusive: Trump’s “Deep State” hit list, Axios
Trump Speaks to Massive Indian Crowd, Mispronounces Almost Everything, Daily Beast
Trump’s first day in India: A massive rally with Modi and a tour of the ‘truly incredible’ Taj Mahal, Washington Post

Economy
Some of the world’s biggest economies are on the brink of recession, CNN

Education
St. Paul educators voted for a strike. Here’s what that means, MPR News
Protecting Students In The Screen Age: An Action Tool For Parents And Teachers, Forbes

Environment
Climate change could be a ‘catastrophic’ national security threat, report warns, USA Today
U researchers combat “green gentrification” in Minneapolis parks, Minnesota Daily
The world’s unrelenting drive for coal power, Al Jazeera
‘Antarctica Melts,’ NASA Says, Showing Effects Of A Record Warm Spell, NPR

Governor Tim Walz
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz orders review of troubled state disability hiring program amid reports of mismanagement. Star Tribune
‘I Do Not Trust This Entity’: Gov. Walz Blasts Northern Metals After Plant Fire, WCCO
Minnesota officials side with Mille Lacs Band over boundary dispute, Star Tribune

Health
Your health insurance: probably bad and getting worse, MN Reformer
The US has a primary care shortage — scope of practice reform can help, The Hill
Health officials worry as untraceable virus clusters emerge, Associated Press

Immigration
As Trump Barricades the Border, Legal Immigration Is Beginning to Plunge, New York Times

Labor
Why EPA employees in the Trump era say they need a Workers’ Bill of Rights, Washington Post
Trump Gives Defense Department Power To Abolish Bargaining For Civilian Unions, Huff Post

Minnesota Legislature
Insulin debate in Minnesota: It’s about fairness — and prevention, MinnPost

Minnesota News
Yes, Minnesota’s political parties are holding precinct caucuses this year. Here’s what you need to know about them., MinnPost
Minnesota pollution regulators target salt-thirsty water softeners, Star Tribune
Despite half a billion in new money, many Minnesota school districts are in the red, Pioneer Press
AUSTIN’S TRUE COLORS, Star Tribune

Representative Betty McCollum (CD4)
Minnesota congressional delegation should join McCollum in halting Hmong, Lao deportations, Star Tribune
Hmong Leaders Rally Against Trump Administration Deportation Push, NPR

Representative Ilhan Omar (CD5)
Ilhan Omar Says Recycling Plant Should Be Held ‘Criminally Liable’ For Becker Fire, WCCO

Secretary of State Steve Simon
How Minnesota is working to shore up elections security ahead of November, MN Reformer

Senator Tina Smith
Smith, Jones, Rounds, Craig push for USDA rural health care liaison, Brainerd Dispatch
Klobuchar, Smith announce NeighborWorks grants for affordable MN housing, Brainerd Dispatch

Supreme Court of theUS
Supreme Court to Consider Religious Rights Case Involving Same-Sex Couples, Wall Street Journal
At Supreme Court, a Case on Abuse of the No-Fly List, New York Times

Trade
India, US struggling to bridge trade dispute as Trump visits, Associated Press

U.S. News
Dow plunges by 950 points on fears coronavirus will tank global economic growth, NBC News
Water source for 40 million Americans could be drying up. Here’s why, Kansas City Star
Feds backtrack on transfer of quarantined coronavirus patients to Alabama, ABC News

World News
Iran lawmaker says 50 are dead from new coronavirus in city of Qom, New York Post
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad resigns, CNN
Car ‘intentionally’ plows into carnival crowd in Germany, CNN

Upcoming DFL Events:

• Today through March 2 — Super Tuesday Presidential Primary Early Voting, more information here.
• February 25 — Mardi Gras
  • 7:00 t0 9:00 PM — Minnesota DFL Precinct Caucuses, more information here.
  • 8:00 to 10:00 PM — Democratic Presidential Debate, South Carolina, view on CBS channels, apps and streams
• 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 Meeting, Council Chamber, Minnetonka Community Center, 14600  Minnetonka, Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
• March 18, 7:00 PM — Minnesota National Presidential Nominating Delegate Candidate Training, Minnetonka Community Center, 14600  Minnetonka, Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345. This will be a breakout from the CD3 DFL Central Committee Meeting.
• 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 23, 7:00 PM —  Gov. Tim Walz State of the State Address, more information as it become available.
• 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
  • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Central Committee Meting, Council Chamber, Minnetonka Community Center, 14600  Minnetonka, Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
• 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 7, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 DFL Central Committee Meeting, St. Louis Park City Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd, St. Louis Park, MN 55416
• May 9, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM — CD3 DFL Convention, Park Center High School, Performing  Arts Center, 7300 Brooklyn Blvd, Minneapolis, MN 55344.
• May 10 — Mother’s Day