Agriculture
After COVID-related livestock kills, a push to diversify meat processing in Minnesota, MinnPost
Congress
Democrats may try to pass Biden’s COVID bill with majority vote: Schumer, Reuters
McConnell drops filibuster demand, clearing way for Democrats to take full Senate control, NBC
House managers deliver impeachment article against Trump, kicking off trial preparations, NBC
Google says it won’t fund members of Congress who voted against election results, CNBC
Environmental
Biden Sets in Motion Plan to Ban New Oil and Gas Leases on Federal Land, The New York Times
Earth is now losing 1.2 trillion tons of ice each year. And it’s going to get worse., The Washington Post
Is It Time for an Emergency Rollout of Carbon-Eating Machines?, Wired
Former President Donald Trump
Capitol rioter Garret Miller says he was following Trump’s orders, apologizes to AOC for threat, CNBC
Fauci says he worried Trump’s disinfectant comment would make people ‘start doing dangerous and foolish things’, CNN
Governor Tim Walz
Teachers to get 15K more vaccines this week as Walz rolls out education priorities, MPR
Gov. Tim Walz’s school spending plan has racial equity focus, Star Tribune
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announces plan for schools to combat pandemic learning loss and improve racial equity, CBS News
Gov. Walz announces ‘sweeping’ Due North Education Plan, KARE 11
Walz to emphasize COVID-19 recovery in next 2-year budget, KSTP
Walz unveils Due North plan to address COVID-19 impact on racial, geographic disparities in education, Fox 9
Walz Announces Mass Vaccination Event, WCCO
Health
Biden to reopen healthcare.gov as people lose coverage amid COVID-19: report, Reuters
Biden to reopen ACA insurance marketplaces as pandemic has cost millions of Americans their coverage, Washington Post
Immigration
On immigration, Biden seeks a new approach to an old deadlock, CNN
Minnesota Legislature
Damage from civil unrest wouldn’t be covered by state disaster aid under Minnesota Senate plan, Duluth News Tribune
Broadband crucial at Minnesota Capitol but funding questions remain, Duluth News Tribune
Lawmakers hear recommendations to end structural racism in Minnesota, MPR
House Republican Leader proposes making it a crime to share personal information about a police officer, Minnesota Reformer
Minnesota News
Twitter permanently bans My Pillow CEO Mike Lindell, Star Tribune
Minnesota officials grant state’s first full pardon in more than 35 years, Star Tribune
Nation’s first case of Brazilian COVID variant found in Minnesota, Star TribuneData show racial bias in reporting from popular Twin Cities crime media network, Minnesota Reformer
First Avenue nightclub is open for business again – sort of, Star Tribune
President Joe Biden
Biden overturns Trump transgender military ban, BBC
Biden raises the bar on vaccines and suggests US will get to 1.5 million a day, CNN
Here’s the full list of Biden’s executive actions so far, NBC
Biden’s Treasury revives push to put Harriet Tubman on $20 bill after Trump shelved it, CNBC
Republican Party News
Republicans are rediscovering the dangers of budget deficits, The Guardian
McCarthy claws his way back to Trump’s good side, Politico
Nikki Haley Hammered For Asking To Give Donald Trump A Break And ‘Move On’, Huff Post
Portman’s exit underscores Republican identity crisis, The Hill
U.S. Senator Tina Smith
The Climate For The Fight Against Climate Change, NPR
No, you’re outta order! Hawley accuses Sen. Tina Smith, other Democrats of ethics breach, Minnesota Reformer
U.S. News
Janet Yellen is confirmed as the first female Treasury secretary in US history, CNN
Biden anticipates any American who wants the COVID vaccine can get it “this spring”, CBS News
Winter storms target Midwest, Northeast and the Southwest, with travel conditions becoming hazardous, Fox News
McConnell Relents On Senate Filibuster Stalemate, NPR
World News
Iran warns Biden: Return to old nuclear deal if you want ‘a seat at the table’, World Israel News
As Angry Farmers Take to New Delhi’s Streets, Protests Turn Violent, New York Times
New Coronavirus Variants Complicate the Battle Against the Pandemic, Wall Street Journal
Upcoming Events:
You can find non-DFL events on our Action Alert post.
- 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