Agriculture
U.S. Farm Bankruptcies Hit an Eight-Year High: Court Data, New York Times
Crop Prices Dip Despite Trade Deals, Washington Post
Climate Change Is Making It Much Harder to Be a Young Farmer, Mother Jones
Congress
Doug Collins expected to step down as top Republican on Judiciary Committee, Politico
House approves bills to limit Trump’s ability to launch attacks on Iran, CBS News
Corruption Watch
Lev Parnas directly implicates Lindsey Graham in Ukraine plot: ‘He was in the loop’, Raw Story
DFL News
DFL says it smashed its off-year fundraising record in 2019, Bring Me The News
DFL Smashes All Previous Off-Year Fundraising Records, DFL.org
Donald Trump
Trump: Coronavirus will have ‘a very good ending for us’, Politico
E. Jean Carroll requests Trump’s DNA related to sexual assault allegation, ABC News
Trump’s Border Wall Reportedly Needs to Be Left Wide Open for Months Due to Floods, Slate
Trump Administration Unveils a Major Shift in Medicaid, New York Times
The next move in Trump administration’s war on the disabled, CNN
Trump administration has yet to reveal details of Jared Kushner’s secretive 2017 meeting in China, CNBC
Trump Impeachment
4 takeaways from the final day of questions in Trump’s impeachment trial, Washington Post
State of play: Senate impeachment trial draws to a close, CNN
Lamar Alexander, a key GOP swing vote, will vote against witnesses in impeachment trial, Vox
Trump’s confederacy of dunces, Washington Post
7 questions that still need to be answered about Trump’s impeachment, CNN
Trump Trade War
California, Texas Among Biggest Losers of Jobs From Growing China Trade Deficit, US News & World Report
Economy
U.S. economic growth slowed in 2019 to 2.3 percent, MPR
Good Economy May Mask Trump Vulnerability in Key States: Study, New York Times
U.S. worker pay and benefits no longer growing faster despite unemployment at 50-year low, MarketWatch
Education
Minneapolis Public Schools board vets five blueprints for district redesign, MinnPost
Education Dept. Unveils Fix For Student Loan Program’s ‘Bureaucratic Nightmare’, NPR
Environment
Plastic pollution: ‘Hidden’ chemicals build up in seabirds, BBC News
2,000 years of Earth’s climate in one simple chart – and the copycat that isn’t what it seems, CBS News
Now that climate change is irrefutable, denialists like Andrew Bolt insist it will be good for us, The Guardian
Temperatures at a Florida-Size Glacier in Antarctica Alarm Scientists, New York Times
Governor Tim Walz
Gov. Tim Walz says Minnesota, CDC in close touch regarding coronavirus, Star Tribune
Health
China says coronavirus death toll hits 213 as Britain, Russia report first cases, CNBC
Labor
How the Trade Deficit with China Means Jobs Losses in Minnesota, Workday MN
Trump’s NLRB Quietly Makes It Riskier To Wear Union Schwag at Work, In These Times
Minnesota Legislature
Minnesota Democrats turn up heat on GOP over insulin prices, Pioneer Press
2020 Legislature: Rural focus shifts from general aid to funding for water projects, bridge and road repairs, MinnPost
Revised insulin bill to get swift consideration in Minnesota House, Austin Daily Herald
Minnesota battle over insulin aid to continue in 2020 legislative session, Star Tribune
Minnesota gets top rating in LGBTQ equality report, MN Reformer
Some Twin Cities companies emit TCE at levels 30 times the health limit — and more — report shows, Star Tribune
As Xcel moves toward coal-free, will natural gas remain part of energy mix?, MPR
The dangerous path from no refugee resettlement to something much darker, MN Reformer
After almost 10 years on the market, vacant Duluth high school could be torn down, Star
Tribune
Mayor Frey aims to rein in off-duty police work, creates task force, MN Reformer
Representative Dean Phillips (CD3)
Mayor Lunde invited to State of the Union with Rep. Phillips, Sun Post
Supreme Court of the US
In Supreme Court Abortion Case, Louisiana Goes on the Offensive, Wall Street Journal
U.S. News
Wilbur Ross sees the coronavirus outbreak as a moneymaking opportunity for the US, Vox
State Department urges Americans not to travel to China amid coronavirus outbreak, The Hill
Exclusive: State Department cable reveals new Trump policy expanding landmine use, Vox
Twitter, Pinterest crack down on voter misinformation, Associated Press
14 more U.S. troops diagnosed with brain injury following Iranian missile attack14 more U.S. troops diagnosed with brain injury following Iranian missile attack, NBC News
World News
Russia is closing its 2,600-mile border with China amid fears about the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak, Insider
Coronavirus declared global health emergency by WHO, BBC
700,000 Syrians flee intensifying bombing, U.S. envoy warns, NBC News
China Targets the Coronavirus, and Farmers Pay a Price, New York Times
Upcoming DFL Events:
- Today through March 2 — Super Tuesday Presidential Primary Early Voting, more information here.
- 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 —LOCATION CHANGE: SD33 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Maple Grove Library, 8001 Main St, Maple Grove, MN 55369
- 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, Johnsville 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.
- 3:00 to 5:00 PM — SD40 DFL Caucus Convener Training, Brookdale Library, 6125 Shingle Creek Pkwy, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
- 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 — Purim and Holy
- 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 to 9:00 PM — SD48 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Glen Lake Activity, 14350 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345
- March 14, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM — SD46 DFL Convention, St. Louis Park High School, 6425 W 33rd St, St. Louis Park, MN 55426
- 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
- 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM — SD34 DFL Convention, Maple Grove Senior High School, 9800 Fernbrook Ln N, Maple Grove, MN 55369
- 8:30 to 1:00 PM — SD48 DFL Convention, Minnetonka High School, 18301 Highway 7, Minnetonka, MN 55391
- 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM — SD33 Precinct Chairs Welcome Brunch, 3415 Warner Ln, Mound, MN 55364
- March 28
- 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM — SD40 DFL Convention, North View Middle School, 5889 69th Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55429
- 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM — SD50 DFL Convention, Oak Grove Middle School, 1300 W 106th St, Bloomington, MN 55431
- April 1 — April Fools’ Day
- 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
- April 2, 7:00 to 9:00 PM — SD46 DFL Central Committee Meeting, St. Louis Park City Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd, St. Louis Park, MN 55416
- April 4— SD37 DFL Convention, Teamsters Local 120, 9422 Ulysses St NE, Blaine, MN 55434. Contact them for specifics and timing at petersengm@gmail.com.
- 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM — SD45 DFL Convention, Cooper High School, 47th Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55428
- 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM — SD36 DFL Convention, Coon Rapids High School, 2340 Normal Blvd NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55433
- 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM — SD44 DFL Convention, Minnetonka High School, 18301 Highway 7, Minnetonka, MN 55391
- April 7, 7:00 to 8:30 PM – SD40 DFL Central Committee Meeting, more information as it becomes available.
- 6:30 to 8:30 PM — SD50 DFL Central Committee Meeting, Kennedy High School, Room C102, 9701 Nicollet Avenue S, Bloomington, MN 55402