In the Know: January 29, 2021


Attorney General Keith Ellison
Minnesota attorney general charges 8 in scheme that cheated Medicaid out of $860,000, Star Tribune

Congress
House Democrats revive bill to ban colleagues from carrying guns on Capitol groundsWashington Post 
Pelosi says House will take first step toward passing Covid relief next week, with or without GOPCNBC 
Congress plans hearings after GameStop stock frenzy and Robinhood trading freezeCBS 
Hostility between congressional Republicans and Democrats reaches new lows amid growing fears of violenceWashington Post

Environmental
GM aims to offer only electric cars by 2035, and to be carbon-neutral by 2040Market Watch
Pentagon declares climate change a ‘national security issue’, The Hill

Governor Tim Walz
Gov. Tim Walz says better vaccine supply gives Minnesota ‘golden opportunity’ in COVID-19 fightStar Tribune 
Walz visits pilot vaccination site in Brooklyn CenterKBJR
Walz asks for patience in vaccine rolloutKARE 11

Health
CDC director says community spread of South African strain is hereNBC
Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine is 66% effective in global trial, but 85% effective against severe disease, company says, CNN

Minnesota Legislature
Minnesota lawmakers split over using state money to help Minneapolis recover from Floyd riotsMinnPost 
Minnesota legislators vote to denounce violence at U.S. Capitol – most of them, anywayStar Tribune 
Democrats at MN Capitol pushing for paid emergency COVID leave for front-line workersKTOE

Minnesota News
Minnesota awards $21M in grant funding to enhance rural broadband accessPioneer Press 
Minnesota COVID-19 positivity rate dips below 5% thresholdStar Tribune 
Minnesota officials say COVID-19 vaccine lottery will be re-evaluatedFOX 9

President Joe Biden
Biden still seeking bipartisan Covid-19 relief package despite stalemate, CNN 
Biden Moves to Expand Health Coverage in Pandemic EconomyThe New York Times 
SNAP expansion and worker safety: How Biden’s executive orders affect the food worldToday

Republican Party
Center-right Republicans fear party headed for disasterThe Hill
‘Trump Just Used Us and Our Fear’: One Woman’s Journey Out of QAnonNew York Times
‘People are angry’: House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump face backlash at homeCNN
Trump may be out of office, but Republicans are still angry and ready to do his biddingThe Guardian
‘A Hostage Situation Every Day’: Strategists Blame Trump For Georgia Senate LossesNPR
Just how nuts is the Republican Party?, Washington Post

Republican Party in Minnesota
MN GOP Chair Jennifer Carnahan will seek reelectionBring Me the News
Carnahan to run for 3rd term as Minnesota GOP chairwomanKTTC
Scoop: Karin Housley weighing run for Minnesota governorAxios

U.S. News
U.S. Names Iran Envoy in Battle of Wills With Tehran Over Nuclear NegotiationsThe New York Times 
The variant that emerged in South Africa is reported in the U.S. for the first time.The New York Times 
Robinhood to ease trading restrictions. GameStop stock soars 100%CNN

U.S. Representative Angie Craig (CD2, D)
Young Minnesotans excited about Biden’s pitch to cancel $10,000 in student loan debtStar Tribune

U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar (CD5, D)
In Letter To Biden, Omar Calls For Recurring COVID Relief Packages of $2000WCCO 
Omar wants monthly $2000 stimulus payments, KWLM

U.S. Representative Tom Emmer (CD6, R)
Rep. Tom Emmer owes Sixth District voters an explanationSt. Cloud Times

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar
Why you should care about data privacy even if you have “nothing to hide”. Vox
Klobuchar, incoming antitrust chair, eager to take on Big TechRoll Call
Klobuchar nominates fellow Minnesotan at Secretary of Veterans Affairs Confirmation Hearing,CBS 3
U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar wants ‘aggressive and effective’ antitrust enforcers, Financial Post

U.S. Senator Tina Smith
Sen. Tina Smith: Access to banking is a civil rights issue, Axios
Senators: New data say Lyme disease under-reported in US, WQOW
Sen. Smith continues push for free COVID vaccines for all, KTOE
EDA grant targets south central Minnesota manufacturers hit hard by pandemic, KEYC

World News 
Mexico’s death toll becomes the world’s third highest, surpassing India’s.The New York Times 
World’s Most Vaccinated Nation Struggles With Virus VariantsBloomberg 
Covid crisis is fuelling food price rises for world’s poorestThe Guardian

Former President Donald Trump 
Trump targets Cheney as he unites with McCarthy, CNN
Republicans Are Giving Rogue Presidents a Pass by Redefining Impeachment, Politico

Upcoming Events:

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

  • 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