In the Know: January 14, 2021


Congress
Graham fights Trump’s ouster as McConnell keeps his options open, Politico

DFL News
DFL Party Statement on Minnesota’s Republican Congressional Delegation Voting Against ImpeachmentDFL.org

Economic 
The unemployment rate is above 20% for the lowest-paid workers, Fed’s Brainard saysCNBC
China is winning the trade war and its exports have never been higherCNN
U.S. unemployment claims jump to 965,000 as virus takes tollPolitico

Education
One in five Anoka-Hennepin high schoolers failed a class this fallMN Reformer
Schools are poised to reopen, but teachers aren’t vaccinated,MPR
University of Minnesota initiative to examine school’s history with tribes, teach residents about racial justiceStar Tribune

Environmental 
Climate crisis: record ocean heat in 2020 supercharged extreme weatherThe Guardian
Former Michigan Gov. Snyder charged in Flint water crisisPolitico
‘Carbon-neutrality is a fairy tale’: how the race for renewables is burning Europe’s forestsThe Guardian

Governor Tim Walz
Walz talks about history, then and now, during Wasioja visitRochester Post Bulletin
Gov. Walz talks political turmoil, civil unrest & COVID-19, KAAL
Walz will call on Minnesotans to ‘come together to restore democracy’ in visit to WasiojaKTTC
Gov. Walz Visiting Duluth On Thursday To Call For Civility After U.S. Capitol Riot, Fox 21

Health
Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine generates immune response, few side effects, in early trialsCNN
Officials: Trump’s promised $200 drug-discount cards won’t happen, Politco

Impeachment
Trump Impeached for Inciting InsurrectionNew York Times
House hands Trump a second impeachment, this time with GOP supportWashington Post
Misleading arguments from Trump’s second impeachment, Washignton Post
Impeachment vote shows sharp party-line split for Minnesota delegation, Star Tribune

Labor
Augsburg Staff Vote for a UnionWorkday MN
The Animal Legal Defense Fund Is Busting Its Union With a SmileIn These Times
With Democrats in Full Control, It’s Time to Pass the PRO ActIn These Times

Minnesota Legislature
Capitol Roundup: Walz activates Guard, extends emergency declaration, House DFL unveils priorities, MN Reformer

Minnesota News
The U.S. Needs More Covid Testing, and Minnesota Has Found a Way, Bloomberg
MN researchers found less-lethal weapons used on Floyd protesters led to serious head and eye injuries, MPR
A Wisconsin border town without pandemic restrictions is inundated with Minnesota partiers; not everyone is thrilled,MN Reformer
‘Sí se puede’: Minnesota’s fast-growing Latino community is layered and complexMPR

President Elect Joe Biden and Vice President Elect Kamala Harris 
His Cabinet Still Unconfirmed, Biden Looks At Plan B For Early Days In OfficeNPR
Biden expected to include new child benefit in major new stimulus proposalWashington Post
Biden Set to Call for Big Spending on Stimulus and Vaccines, New York Times
For friends and allies of Kamala D. Harris, deadly Capitol attacks prompt fresh fears, Washington Post

Republican Party News 
State Republican Parties Blast Members Of GOP Who Voted To Impeach TrumpNPR
Why Republicans Are Finally Trying to Wash Off the Trump StinkNew Yorker
QAnon reshaped Trump’s party and radicalized believers. The Capitol siege may just be the start.Washington Post

Trump News 
Trump is isolated and angry at aides for failing to defend him as he is impeached againWashington Post
Donald Trump finally discovers a spotlight he wants to ignore, Politico
Trump’s most enduring legacy could be the historic rise in the national debt, Washington Post
Trump’s Incitement Was Not ‘Free Speech’Politico
The last days of Pompeo: secretary of state lashes out as reign comes to an end, The Guardian
Snapchat permanently bans Trump, Politico

U.S. Representative Angie Craig (CD2)
Republican Jim Hagedorn votes against impeachment, Democrat Angie Craig votes for itRochester Post Bulletin
Here’s where Red Wing, Hudson area members of Congress stand on 2nd Trump impeachmentRivertown

U.S. Representative. Betty McCollum (CD4)
MCCOLLUM STATEMENT ON VOTE TO IMPEACH PRESIDENT TRUMP FOR INCITEMENT OF INSURRECTION, mccollum.house.gov

U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar (CD5)
Omar, Hagedorn weigh in on impeachment voteKTOE

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar
Klobuchar gathers input from area mayors on COVID impacts and needsPipestone County Star 

U.S. Senator Tina Smith
Lawmakers discuss second impeachment — Sen. Tina Smith, KEYC

U.S. News
The Illinois Legislature Just Voted to End Cash Bail. Here’s How Organizers Made It Happen.In These Times
Entire National Mall to close on Inauguration Day, Washington Post
Using Tax Policy to Promote Rural Development, American Prospect
The Gutted, ‘Unnerving’ State of the Agencies Supposed to Keep the U.S. Safe, Politico
Federal authorities warn that the Capitol breach will be a ‘significant driver of violence.’ Washington Post
FBI: Proud Boys fan stockpiled ammo, knives in NY homeAssociated Press
Proud Boys Supporter With 1,000 Rifle Rounds Made Threats, U.S. SaysNew York Times

World News 
Merkel’s party to choose new leader ahead of German election, AssociatedPress
India to kick off one of the world’s largest Covid vaccination drives this weekendCNBC
Two members of WHO team blocked from entering China over failed coronavirus antibody testCNN
Italy plunges into political crisis — again: Here’s what you need to knowCNBC

Upcoming Events:

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

  • January 14
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD36 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD48 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics
  • January 18 — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — Anoka County DFL Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics
  • January 20 — Inauguration Day
    • 5:30 to 6:30 PM — DFL Virtual Inauguration Celebration Fundraiser, more information and RSVP here.
  • January 27, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting with Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon for and election debrief, more information as it becomes available
  • January 28, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD47 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
  • February 2 — Groundhog Day
  • February 3
    • 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD33 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
  • February 4, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
  • February 8
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD49 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
  • February 11
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD36 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD48 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information
  • February 14 — Valentine’s Day
  • February 15 — Presidents’ Day
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — Virtual DFL Anoka County Meeting, contact them for more information
  • February 16 — Mardi Gras
  • February 17 — Ash Wednesday
    • 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, more information as it becomes available
  • February 25 to 26 — Purim
  • February 28, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD47 Virtual DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for more information