2020 Election
AUDIO: The Russian Hacking Plan for 2020, New York Times
Wisconsin Court of Appeals reverses course on voter purge, Daily Kos
Agriculture
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WORLD’S POPULATION CONSUMES EARTH’S RESOURCES?, Successful Farming
Attorney General Keith Ellison
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison joins lawsuit against federal rule that would tighten SNAP requirements, StarTribune
Attorney General Keith Ellison settles Comcast lawsuit; 30K customers had been overcharged,Pioneer Press
Congress
House to pass $3.4B disaster aid package for Puerto Rico, Politico
Corruption Watch
Lev Parnas, Key Player in Ukraine Affair, Completes Break With Trump and Giuliani, New York Times
Lev Parnas spins wild tales of Trumpian corruption — and we know most of them are true, Salon
DFL News
Paul Gazelka Claims Homosexuality Can Result from Sexual Assault, DFL.org
Donald Trump
Trump adds Ken Starr and Alan Dershowitz to impeachment defense team, CNN
Trump’s trial begins, senators vowing ‘impartial justice’, MPR
‘It was like a breeding ground’: Trump hotel’s mix of GOP insiders and hangers-on helped give rise to impeachment episodes, Washington Post
Donald Trump’s Impeachment
Trump broke the law in freezing Ukraine funds, watchdog report concludes, MPR
Senate impeachment trial of Donald Trump officially begins, CNN
Giuliani associate: Trump had knowledge of Ukraine pressure, Associated Press
Trump’s trial begins, senators vowing ‘impartial justice, Associated Press
Donald Trump’s Trade War
Senate passes US-Canada-Mexico trade deal, a Trump priority, Associated Press
China sees weakest growth in 29 years amid trade war with US, The Hill
Trump’s China tariffs have not caused Americans to pay $1,000 more a year. Here’s why., Washington Post
Economy
U.S. data point to moderate economic growth, tightening jobs market, Reuters
US consumer confidence hits highest level since 2000, Business Insider
Education
Trump administration updates public school prayer guidance on National Religious Freedom Day, CNN
An Under-The-Radar SCOTUS Case Could Obliterate The Line Between Church And State, Huffington Post
Environment
Microsoft: ‘carbon-negative’ by 2030 even for supply chain, Associated Press
Nestlé is spending billions to create a market for recycled plastics, CNN
YouTube ran ads for major brands, environmental nonprofits on climate misinformation videos, NBC News
Governor Tim Walz
Gov. Tim Walz unveils final part of record $2 billion public works plan, StarTribune
Walz includes funding to secure Duluth’s shoreline in proposed bonding package, Duluth New Tribune
Walz orders flags flown at half-staff in honor of Howard Lake fire chief, KSTP
Health
Clinic closings will worsen Minnesota’s shortage of geriatric specialists, StarTribune
Report From Office Of Legislative Auditor Reveals Issues With Minnesota’s Medical Marijuana Program, WCCO
Health experts, legislators look ahead as rural Minnesota feels impacts of mental health care shortage, KEYC Mankato
Immigration
Twitter, Microsoft, and other companies call for an end to Trump’s rule to keep out low-income immigrants, Vox
A federal judge stopped Texas from ending its refugee program, Vox
ICE Is Force-Feeding Hunger Strikers, in Violation of Medical Ethics, Mother Jones
Labor
‘I would like to live freely. I don’t want Ricardo to persecute me’, Workday MN
U.S. Labor Department to remove computers from data ‘lockups’, Reuters
Minnesota Legislature
Farm fertilizer restrictions come as nitrate problems rise, Mankato Free Press
Minnesota News
Wait is over for Minnesota voters anxious to make 2020 picks, MPR
‘Wishbone’: A bold vision for the mighty Mississippi, Star Tribune
Minneapolis libraries, grocery stores join response to opioid overdoses with training, MPR
The Push To Protect The Homeless During Brutally Cold Nights, WCCO
Republicans
GOP threatens to weaponize impeachment witnesses amid standoff, The Hill
Delaware GOP leader is ousted after comment singling out Jewish supporters of Trump impeachment, CNN
Republicans in Minnesota
Minnesota Senate Leader: Sexual Assault, Bad Parenting Make People Gay, The Advocate
Republican defends traumatising conversion therapy by claiming sexual assault turns people gay, Pink News
Senator Tina Smith
Smith co-sponsors bill to lower costs for chronic disease prevention, Brainard Dispatch
Sen. Smith comes to Richfield, Sun Current Edina Richfield Bloomington
Supreme Court of the US
Welcome to 2020: The Phrase ‘OK Boomer’ Was Said for the First Time in the Supreme Court, TIME
U.S. News
AP visits immigration courts across US, finds nonstop chaos, Associated Press
Days before Virginia gun rally, FBI arrests 3 alleged white supremacists., NBC News
‘Nazi Salute’ School a Cesspool of Racism, Sex Abuse: Lawsuit, Daily Beast
US military to soon resume training for Saudi students, The Hill
Displaced by the earthquake, Puerto Ricans cope with constant aftershocks and uncertainty, NBC News
World News
Trump threatened UK with 25% car tariffs unless it agreed to accuse Iran of breaking nuclear deal, The Independent
China’s says its economy grew 6.1% in 2019, in line with expectations, CNBC
1st malaria vaccine tried out in babies in 3 African nations, Star Tribune
Upcoming DFL Events:
- Today through March 2 — Super Tuesday Presidential Primary Early Voting, more information here.
- January 18, 6:00 to 9:00 PM — SD37 and SD41 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
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — Anoka County DFL Meeting, Coon Rapids Civic Center, 11155 Robinson Dr, Coon Rapids, MN 55433
- January 23, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Cocktails and Conversation: Changes in Precinct Caucuses and Presidential Primary, Unmapped Brewing Company, 14625 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
- January 25
- 9:00 to 10:30 AM — CD3 DFL National Delegate Selection Training, Ridgedale Library, Robert H. Rohlf Room, 12601 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55305.
- 9:30 to 10:30 AM — DFL Train to Win Call: Caucus and Convention Training, contact us at info@dfl3cd.org for specifics.
- January 28, 6:00 to 8:00 PM — SD33 DFL Caucus Convener Training, Maple Plain Library, 5184 Main St E, Maple Plain, MN 55359.
- February 1, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM — SD33 DFL Caucus Convener Training, Ridgedale Library, Ladyslipper Room, 12601 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55305.
- February 2 — Groundhog Day
- February 4
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD37 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Teamsters’ Local 120, 9422 Ulysses St NE, Blaine, MN 55434
- 7:00 to 8:30 PM — SD40 DFL Central Committee Meeting, contact them for meeting specifics.
- February 5
- 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Room C120, Kennedy High School, 9701 Nicollet Ave, Bloomington, MN 55420
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM —SD33 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Room 172, Ridgedale Library, 12601 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55305
- February 6, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 DFL Central Committee Meeting, St. Louis Park City Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd, St. Louis Park, MN 55416
- February 7, 8:00 to 10:00 PM — New Hampshire Democratic Presidential Debate, view on ABC’s platforms
- February 10
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD44 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD49 DFL Central Committee Meeting, 7001 Cahill Rd, Suite 21, Edina, MN
- February 11 — Minnesota Legislative Session Starts
- 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
- 5:30 to 8:00 PM — SD37 DFL Caucus and Convener Training, Jonsville Library, 12461 Oak Park Blvd NE, Blaine, MN 55434
- 7:00 to 9:00 PM — CD3 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
- 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 Road, Blaine, MN 55434.
- 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 — Pruim and Holi
- 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 too 9:00 PM — SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Glen Lake Activity, 14350 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
- 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, 9:00 to 12:00 PM — SD48 DFL Convention, Minnetonka Community Center, Minnetonka, MN 55345.
- March 28, 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM — SD40 DFL Convention, North View Middle School, 5889 69th Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55429