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In the Know: January 26, 2021


Agriculture
After COVID-related livestock kills, a push to diversify meat processing in MinnesotaMinnPost 

Congress
Democrats may try to pass Biden’s COVID bill with majority vote: SchumerReuters 
McConnell drops filibuster demand, clearing way for Democrats to take full Senate control, NBC 
House managers deliver impeachment article against Trump, kicking off trial preparationsNBC 
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 LandThe 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: reportReuters
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 deadlockCNN

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 banBBC 
Biden raises the bar on vaccines and suggests US will get to 1.5 million a dayCNN 
Here’s the full list of Biden’s executive actions so farNBC 
Biden’s Treasury revives push to put Harriet Tubman on $20 bill after Trump shelved itCNBC

Republican Party News 
Republicans are rediscovering the dangers of budget deficitsThe 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 crisisThe 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
Categories: DFL In the Know
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